Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Chinese VP meets Indonesian FM Xinhua) 09:13, April 22, 2025 Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing on Monday. Han said that last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reached an important consensus on building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future that has regional and global influence, pointing out the direction for the development of bilateral relations. China is willing to work with Indonesia to adhere to the guidance of the two heads of state, strengthen strategic alignment, enhance multilateral collaboration, promote the China-Indonesia community with a shared future to reach new heights continuously, and make greater contributions to the modernization processes of both countries as well as the prosperity and development of the region and the world, Han said. Sugiono said Indonesia is willing to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, firmly defend multilateralism, jointly address risks and challenges, and promote the greater development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Endangered Mexican wolves will continue to be kept south of Interstate 40, after a federal judge in Tucson upheld the current strategy by wildlife officials working to restore the endangered predators to Arizona and New Mexico. U.S. District Court Judge Scott Rash rejected claims in a March 31 ruling by a coalition of conservation groups that sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its 2022 update of the wolf recovery plan. The conservationists argued the revised plan doesnt do enough to foster genetic diversity within the small, reintroduced population, which, they said, must be allowed to spread naturally and establish new territories in suitable habitat outside of where they have been reestablished. Under the current rules, animals that stray beyond I-40 are captured and returned to the federally designated Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area, which covers a vast swath of eastern Arizona and western New Mexico south of the interstate. Federal and state wildlife officials contend the experimental area represents the historic range of the distinct gray wolf subspecies. Ultimately, Rash found nothing arbitrary, capricious or illegal about the wolf recovery plan. In granting a motion for summary judgment in favor of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Arizona Department of Game and Fish, the judge ruled that the plan was both reasonable and achievable. His 42-page opinion came in response to a lawsuit filed in 2022 by seven environmental groups, led by the Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson and Defenders of Wildlife in Washington, D.C. The groups are now considering whether to file an appeal, according to Greta Anderson, the Tucson-based deputy director for Western Watersheds Project, one of the plaintiffs. The best scientists have said that the Fish and Wildlife Service needs to be doing more to save the species, and science is the foundation of the Endangered Species Act, Anderson said. Fundamentally, we dont believe that the current rule meets that threshold. The Mexican wolf was once found across the Southwestern U.S. and in Mexico until government-sponsored predator-eradication practices drove it to the brink of extinction. The subspecies was listed as endangered in 1976. Efforts to reintroduce it to Arizona and New Mexico began in 1998, using the captive-bred descendants of seven animals taken from the wild in Mexico. There are now at least 286 Mexican wolves roaming wild in the two U.S. states, according to the results of the latest annual population survey released by wildlife officials last month. Thats an increase of 11% over the 2023 estimate, and it marks the ninth consecutive year of population growth, the longest such streak since the reintroduction program began. The survey identified at least 60 distinct wolf packs in Arizona and New Mexico, each containing two or more wolves with an established home range. In 2024, those packs produced a minimum of 164 pups, including 79 that made it to the end of the year, a survival rate of 48%. Another 350 Mexican wolves currently live in captivity at facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico, as part of the bi-national breeding program designed to save the subspecies. PHOENIX State lawmakers have approved a measure to allow any lawmaker who chairs a legislative committee to issue a subpoena and send out a sheriffs deputy to arrest anyone who refuses to submit to questioning or produce documents. And it would spell out that all testimony offered to any legislative panel would be presumed sworn, setting the stage for bringing perjury charges against anyone who is accused of lying. But the Republican sponsor of HB 2824 says its necessary to ensure that lawmakers can get answers they need, and promptly primarily from members of the executive branch that currently is run by a Democratic governor. Less clear is whether Katie Hobbs, that Democratic governor, will pen her approval to a measure that could force her agency heads and others to testify under threat of arrest. Rep. Tony Rivero who crafted the measure, said the new powers are justified. Im a believer in our system of government, said the Peoria Republican. I believe that theres three branches of government. But Rivero told Capitol Media Services that the Legislature, as the supreme lawmaking body in the state, has a special role. In order for us to be effective lawmakers, we need an executive branch thats responsive to our requests, he said. More to the point, Rivero said, time is of the essence. Were in two-year terms, he said. I dont want to waste any time, he continued. And, in conversations with other members, the bureaucracy hasnt been as responsive as wed like them to be. Rivero acknowledged there already is a procedure for compelling testimony or production of records. That, however, requires a majority vote of either the House or Senate to hold that person in contempt. And that, in turn, allows the sergeant at arms of go out and arrest that person. But he said that isnt enough. I think we need to have a more efficient process, Rivero said. He said that means giving those who chair committees who are currently all Republicans because they have the majority in each chamber that power without having to get approval of or buy-in by the majority. I think we can get more direct responses, Rivero said. And it will shorten the time that it takes to get information or have people testify. What it also would do is avoid what happened in 2021 when Senate President Karen Fann launched a probe of the 2020 election results after Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in Arizona. His victory was aided by the fact that Maricopa County, where Republicans outnumbered Democrats at that time by more than 100,000, gave Biden 45,000 more votes than Trump. Fann, a Prescott Republican, said she wasnt trying to overturn the election but simply was responding to various concerns and claims about the accuracy of the results. GOP senators issued a subpoena for the states largest county to produce all 2.1 million ballots cast, along with the actual tabulation machines and other equipment. When the supervisors didnt comply, that led to a Republican-sponsored resolution to hold them in contempt. That never happened when Republican Sen. Paul Boyer refused to provide the necessary 16th vote for the contempt citation, saying he preferred to work out the problems with the county on a more cooperative basis. If Riveros measure had been law, Fann wouldnt have needed the consent of the majority of the Senate to enforce the subpoena. But he said his legislation had nothing to do with what happened in 2021. Rivero also said hes not concerned that giving subpoena power to individuals who chair committees and, with the change, the opportunity to actually send out a sheriffs deputy to enforce it, all without having to get the buy-in of a majority of other legislators would lead to abuse by any individual. We all have to work with each other, said Rivero who, as chairman of the House International Trade Committee would be able to issue subpoenas and demand people show up to testify or bring documents he wants. If theyre not collaborating with members of their party, from the opposite party, theyre not going to be in a good situation, he said. And if hes wrong? Well address it. The House-passed measure picked up an additional provision when it was reviewed by the Senate. Sen. Jake Hoffman added language to say that any testimony that is part of any legislative proceeding including regular committee meetings shall be sworn testimony under the penalty of perjury. The Queen Creek Republican said the change is needed. Quite frankly, I dont believe that you should be able to come down to the Legislature and lie to us without there being a consequence, he told colleagues, though he offered no specific examples. Sen. Mitzi Epstein said she agrees with the concept but wondered if it goes far enough. How do you feel about people who are behind the dais speaking lies into the microphone? the Tempe Democrat asked Hoffman, referring to lawmakers themselves who, as members of the committee, make statements and pronouncements during hearings. Hoffman agreed no one should be lying. But he said theres a need to specially call out those lobbying specific legislation. If you come down to testify before this committee essentially to influence the political process and to influence the force of government, either in your favor or protect yourself from it, you should not be able to lie to members of the Legislature when you do so, Hoffman said. Epstein said that should be a directive given to all when they start making pronouncement. Nobody should be speaking a lie into a microphone, she said. If youre not sure of your source, then maybe you should specify that, whether you are a legislator who is trying to influence how our government works or a person who comes to testify. The measure now goes back to the House to approve the Senate-added changes. PHOENIX Sheriffs in Arizonas 14 counties should be forced by state law to keep people theyve arrested in custody if they are wanted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the head of the Arizona Sheriffs Association said Monday. Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes said at a news conference that he disagrees with the decision of Gov. Katie Hobbs last week to veto legislation which was designed to ensure more cooperation between local and federal officials. That specifically included a mandate that county sheriffs honor detainer requests made by ICE to hold those who have been arrested on state crimes until the federal agency can pick them up. That is something that sheriffs can do now. And Rhodes said he believes a majority of the sheriffs do comply. But you have a handful that are not, he said. Rhodes did not name names. But Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is among those who said his agency will not participate in plans by ICE to conduct mass deportations, including holding those in county jails for anything beyond the state crime for which they were arrested. That, said Rhodes, is wrong. The state should be telling those sheriffs, If you have somebody in your custody, and that person has committed crime, particularly violent crime, and they are subject to removal from this country, they must notify the immigration authorities, he said. I do believe that that is a fair, common sense, piece of legislation and direction that they need to follow. The requirement to hold individuals for ICE was just part of what was in the measure vetoed by Hobbs. It also would have authorized the attorney general to file suit against any non-cooperative law enforcement agency. And if the AG balked, a taxpayer could go to court. Another provision would have prohibited state and local agencies from adopting or enforcing any policies that prohibit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. And it also directed the attorney general, on request of any legislator, to investigate those entities that restrict such cooperation. Hobbs, in her veto message, said would force state and local officials to taking marching orders from Washington, D.C. But Senate President Warren Petersen said this would have amounted to state lawmakers, not the federal government, setting policy for state and local governments. The Gilbert Republican who crafted the now-vetoed bill said it served a public purpose: allowing immigration officials to take those not here legally into custody at a jail versus agents having to go look for them in the community, a much riskier process. Whats next for the measure remains unclear. One option is put it on the 2026 ballot. Petersen said voters already have made it clear they support greater local involvement in enforcement of immigration laws, citing the approval in November by a 63-37 margin of Proposition 314. That measure made it a state crime, enforceable by state and local police, for anyone who is not a citizen to enter Arizona at other than a port of entry. There also are new requirements for verification of immigration status of those seeking public benefits as well as making it a felony to submit false documents when applying for a job or seeking benefits. But Petersen said Republicans may have a higher priority for the 2026 election. The governor will be on the ballot, he noted. So, part of the equation will be, is the focus going into getting a governor that will sign the bill, or does this go on the ballot with her? Petersen said the bill that went to the governor did include some compromises, mainly changes sought by law enforcement. But he said he would not have made other changes in an effort to line up votes or address concerns. One of those objections was that, as worded, the measure requiring cooperation with ICE would have affected not just city and county policies but also those of public schools. That drew concerns from some school districts who said they did not want to be forced to allow immigration officials onto their campus. Petersen brushed aside their concerns. Thats the case right now, he said. ICE can already go into schools. He also derided Hobbs who said in her veto message that she is using state resources the way they are designed: to stop the flow of fentanyl across the border. PHOENIX Republican Andy Biggs got a bump late Monday in his bid for governor: An endorsement from President Donald Trump though he has to share it with another candidate. In a post on his Truth Social media platform, Trump acknowledged he already said last year he was supporting Karrin Taylor Robson in her quest to be the Republican nominee to take on Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in 2026. Robson has used the claim that she was the only Trump-endorsed candidate in virtually every one of her press releases. But Trump said Monday that things had changed. I like Karrin Taylor Robson a lot, he said. And when she asked me to endorse her, with nobody else running, I endorsed her and was happy to do so. But when U.S. Rep. Biggs decided he, too, hoped to be the one to take on Hobbs, I had a problem, Trump wrote, calling Biggs and Robson two terrific people, two wonderful champions. It is therefore my Great Honor TO GIVE MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT TO BOTH, he wrote. Either one will never let you down. Robson, in a prepared statement late Monday, made no mention of Biggs and instead emphasized what the president wrote about her. Today, President Donald Trump reaffirmed what he told me from the rally stage in December when he urged me to run: that he supports me and has fully endorsed my America First campaign, she said. The dual endorsement comes as some polls show Biggs with an edge over Robson, who has never been elected but is campaigning on her business background in real estate and land development. Politico reported that a poll of likely 2026 Arizona Republican voters conducted earlier this month by the anti-tax Club For Growth suggested Biggs has the backing of 45%, while Robson has 16%, and the balance undecided. In a separate question, the survey by Pulse Decision Science of likely general election voters found Hobbs was outpolling both of them. Biggs was behind the incumbent governor by 3 percentage points; Robson trailed by 9. Biggs, in his own social media post Monday on X, thanked Trump. Its been an honor to support you and fight for your agenda since 2016, he wrote, referring to the year Biggs was elected to Congress, representing the Phoenix areas East Valley. I look forward to fighting alongside you as governor of Arizona, the greatest state in the nation! This isnt the first time Trumps blessing has been less than exclusive. In the 2024 Republican primary for Congressional District 8, Trump endorsed Abe Hamadeh, only to later give his political backing also to Blake Masters. Trump declared in a social media post at that time that there were two spectacular America First Candidates in the race. Hamadeh won the primary and, later, the general election. In 2022, Robson made her first bid for governor, promoting herself as a moderate, but lost to Kari Lake by more than 40,000 votes; Lake, in turn, ended up losing to Hobbs by more than 17,000 votes. This time, Robson has clearly put herself into the Trump camp. I cannot wait to be in the governors office as a partner to his conservative America First agenda, she said Monday. Onward! But Biggs may have an advantage in his very visible support for the president. That includes the fact that he was one of several members of the House Freedom Caucus who greeted, at a jail, the release of those arrested in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol after they were pardoned earlier this year by Trump. One unknown remains Republican state Treasurer Kimberly Yee, who had previously said she has been asked to consider running for governor. She was an announced candidate for governor in 2022 before dropping out, opting instead to seek another four-year term as treasurer. That is not an option in 2026 because by law, she cannot seek a third term. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe ABC: The ABC live coverage of Anzac Day marches in each state and other services at home and abroad have become fundamental to the commemoration of Anzac Day for Australians. The ABCs coverage will coordinate the key commemorative events in Australia, Gallipoli in Turkiye, and Villers-Bretonneux in France. These will be broadcast on ABC TV, ABC NEWS channel, and all national and local Anzac Day coverage will be streamed live on ABC iview. From 4.20am AEST, ABC will broadcast the Anzac Dawn Service from Sydney, followed by the Anzac Day Dawn Service live from the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, at 5.30am AEST. This will be followed from 9am AEST with live local coverages of marches in all state and territory capital cities. At 12.30pm AEST, the Gallipoli Dawn Service will commence from the Anzac Commemorative site located by the water at Anzac Cove in Turkiye. The cove is on the Gallipoli Peninsula and following the landing became the main base for the Australian and New Zealand troops during the 8-month campaign. The Villers-Bretonneux Dawn Service will be broadcast live at 1.30pm AEST from the Australian National Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux. ABC NEWS channel will have live coverage all day, with the major national services in full and crossing to marches in all state capitals. Plus, well hear from ABC News reporters in regional areas and overseas to see how Australians are marking the day. As is customary, the Anzac Day Address by the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn, AC, will be broadcast nationally immediately before the ABC evening news bulletins at 7pm. Seven: The Seven Networks comprehensive ANZAC Day coverage begins on 7two and 7plus today from 5.00pm AEST, with a special tribute ceremony live from the iconic steps of the Sydney Opera House. Hosted by Sunrise Sport presenter Major Mark Beretta OAM, Lest We Forget: Harbour Sunset Tribute will feature more than 100 of Australias best military, veteran and civilian artists, including Normie Rowe, Little Pattie and Blue Wiggle Anthony Field all coming together to honour the fallen. From 4.50am AEST Friday on Seven and 7plus, Australias #1 breakfast television show Sunrise will make its annual pilgrimage to Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast, paying tribute to our brave servicemen and women with a special extended broadcast. Natalie Barr, Matt Shirvington and the rest of the Sunrise team will be joined by veterans and their families at the Vikings Surf Life Saving Club, as the nation honours those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. The moving dawn service will be followed by a special extended edition of Sunrise and The Morning Show, with reporters crossing live from commemorative events around the country. Special guests include the Ten Tenors capturing the spirit of our nation in song, performing two classic hits I Am Australian and Waltzing Matilda From 12.30pm on Seven, 7two and 7plus, join 7NEWS for special live coverage of the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Gallipoli, followed by the Villers-Bretonneux Dawn Service in France. AFL powerhouses Collingwood and Essendon then hit the MCG for the annual ANZAC Day match, with Sevens live and free broadcast starting 2.00pm AEST on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport, including the traditional ANZAC Day moment of silence, before the first bounce at 3.00pm AEST. Then join 7NEWS at 6.00pm for a special ANZAC Day commemorative bulletin, as well as the rest of the days headlines. The AFL action will continue into the night on ANZAC Day, when Fremantle take on the Adelaide Crows from 7.00pm AEST live and free on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport. Natalie Barr said: Its a time to honour the bravery and sacrifices of those who have served and continue to serve our country. The team at Sunrise is privileged to commemorate this significant day at such a moving ceremony each year. Mark Beretta said: ANZAC Day means so much to many Australians, so hosting this service at the Sydney Opera House is a huge privilege. Were hoping to capture the spirit of ANZAC Day, reflecting on the values of service, duty, and camaraderie that define our nation. Special coverage of ANZAC Day from 5.00pm AEST Thursday on Seven, 7two and 7plus Broadcast times on Seven and 7plus: Thursday, 24 April Lest We Forget: Harbour Sunset Tribute Sydney 5.00pm Live on 7two and 7plus Melbourne 5.00pm Live on 7two and 7plus Brisbane 5.00pm Live on 7two and 7plus Adelaide 4.30pm Live on 7two and 7plus Perth 3.00pm Live on 7two and 7plus Friday, 25 April ANZAC Day Sunrise Sydney 4.50am Live on Seven and 7plus Melbourne 4.50am Live on Seven and 7plus Brisbane 4.50am Live on Seven and 7plus Adelaide 4.50am on Seven and 7plus Perth 4.50am on Seven and 7plus Gallipoli Dawn Service Sydney 12.30pm Live on Seven and 7plus Melbourne 12.30pm Live on Seven and 7plus Brisbane 12.30pm Live on Seven and 7plus Adelaide 12.00pm Live on 7two and 7plus Perth 10.30am Live on 7two and 7plus Villers-Bretonneux Dawn Service Sydney 1.30pm Live on Seven and 7plus Melbourne 1.30pm Live on 7two and 7plus Brisbane 1.30pm Live on Seven and 7plus Adelaide 1.00pm Live on 7two and 7plus Perth 11.30am Live on 7two and 7plus Lest We Forget: Harbour Sunset Tribute *replay* Sydney 2.30pm on Seven and 7plus Nine: This ANZAC Day, 9News Queensland will once again broadcast Brisbanes Dawn Service live from the Shrine of Remembrance at ANZAC Square on Channel 9 and 9Now. The live coverage will commence at 4.25am before the Dawn Service officially begins at 4.28am, marking the historic moment Australian and New Zealand forces landed at Gallipoli in 1915, and continue until first light as dawn breaks. 9News Queensland reporter Josh Bavas, will lead the broadcast, bringing viewers across the state every moment of the powerful and poignant ceremony. The solemn service will feature dignitaries, veterans, a catafalque party, and members of the public, all gathering in the pre-dawn stillness to honour those who served, and continue to serve, our nation. Following 9News Queenslands coverage of the Dawn Service, the ANZAC commemorations continue with national coverage on Today, highlighting the spirit of ANZAC Day across the country and around the world. Melissa Downes will then bring Queenslanders the latest news of the day at 6.00pm. 9News Queenslands Dawn Service broadcast will also be simulcast on 4BC from 4.25am, hosted by 9News presenter Luke Bradnam. Tune into Channel 9 and 9Now on Friday, April 25, for special coverage by 9News Queensland as we unite to pay homage to the sacrifices made by our ANZAC heroes 110 years ago. 1:35pm Villers Bretonneux Dawn Service 10: 12pm 10 News First Lunchtime SBS: 2pm 1945: The Year That Changed History rpt 4:10pm Etoa: A Kokoda Track Story rpt SKY News 5:30am First Edition 9am AM Agenda Check local guides. Screen Australia and the Australian Writers Guild have announced applications are open for The Creators program. Now in its third year, The Creators is a career acceleration program for high-calibre, mid-career screenwriters to build toward the creation of their own shows. Screen Australia Head of Development Bobby Romia said, The Creators supports Australian screenwriters to step into leadership roles. With access to world-class mentorship and industry training, this program equips mid-career writers with the skills, confidence and connections to develop bold new projects and pitch at the highest level. Were proud to continue our partnership with the Australian Writers Guild and cant wait to see the exciting new projects that will take shape through this years cohort. AWG President Peter Mattessi said, We are thrilled to welcome Jeff Melvoin to Australia this year to deliver The Creators at home. Building on the success of the first two years, this program is an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the Australian industry and empower writers as creators and leaders in the domestic and international markets. Susie Hamilton, The Creators Program Director said, The Australian Writers Guild is delighted to be moving into Year 3 of The Creators with the support of Screen Australia and Scripted Ink. The calibre of writers whove completed the program has been incredibly high and were pleased to see a number of Creators projects already in development. We look forward to welcoming the next group of talented writer-creators to partake in this program. Expanding upon the success of Years 1 and 2, Year 3 sees The Creators evolve to provide selected screenwriters with international high-level showrunner training, project development, and pitching training in Australia, equipping them to sell their stories in domestic and international markets. Up to six writers will be selected to participate in the program run in Sydney in October 2025. Emmy Award-winner Jeff Melvoin (Northern Exposure, Killing Eve, Designated Survivor), founder and Chair of the Writers Guild of Americas Showrunner Training Program, will travel to Sydney to lead the selected writers in bespoke WGA-style showrunner and pitching training. The program will take place in a retreat-style environment to maximise the opportunity, providing participants access to Jeff Melvoin and their fellow Creators. The Creators is supported by industry partners Scripted Ink. To apply, writers must have recent credits across television, feature film and/or theatre, and existing interest from the global community. They must also have a slate of 3-5 scripted episodic projects currently in development including one lead project with a draft pilot script that will be developed as part of the program. Applicants must be available from 19-27 October 2025 to attend. For the full eligibility requirements, FAQs and how to apply, see the Guidelines here. Applications are open and close at 5pm AEST Thursday 29 May 2025. Photo: Jeff Melvoin.com Tom Gleisner, Ed Kavalee and Sam Pang are back for the thirteenth season of Have You Been Paying Attention? next month. Tom Gleisner said: I cant wait to get back into the studio with all the gang for another huge season of Have You Been Paying Attention? For me, theres no better way to spend a Monday night. Be prepared to be a little bit informed, a whole lot entertained and perhaps slightly confused when all of your favourites (along with some brand new faces) put their knowledge of the weeks news to the ultimate test. Same hilarious show, brand new headlines! Monday, 12 May at 8:40pm on 10 When he heads to New Zealand to film Taskmaster Australia challenges, comedian Tom Cashman is aware of how lush the setting is on screen. Britains Alex Horne, who created the comedy format, keeps reminding him. Alex is always saying how jealous he is at the NZ Taskmaster and how much room there is, because their one is very tight, he tells TV Tonight. Theres a caravan, a shed, a path down to the lake, a big house with a driveway, and a big field. Its basically about a week (of filming) per contestant, so maybe a few days short of five weeks near Auckland. Kevin and Co. is the New Zealand production company which makes the show, and was already producing a NZ version prior to the 10 series. But filming has also expanded to incorporate an Australian location, in the current series on Cockatoo Island in Sydney. It seems like thats the new move, I guess to do another week in Australia somewhere, which the UK do pretty much every season just to mix it up visually. Cashman, better known as Lesser Tom beside Taskmasters Tom Gleeson, has also proven popular with TV Tonight readers, voting him as Most Underrated Performer in site awards, only behind Aaron Chen and Sam Pang. What the hell, these are two of the most popular people in Australia. Underrated? Come on! he laughs. Underrated is a bit like a compliment wrapped in an insult, isnt it? Obviously theres two components to it, how much they like this person and how much they think society likes this person? If they think Aaron Chen and Sam Pang arent very popular theyre completely wrong. Cashman has recently concluded his Melbourne Comedy Festival season 2 Truths, 1 Lie & 17 Slight Exaggerations, which he also plans to take to Edinburgh. Hes hopeful of more Taskmaster Australia (Season 5 has already been completed). I dont really think past a year. I mean thats the fun thing about this industry, you cant see that far in the future but theres always potential for an exciting email at any time you can walk around with that but Im My dream I think Im a bit of a similar towards gonna take it six months for six months, but Im trying to like Kind of whats happening now is what I hoped as a young comedian would happen, in terms of working, making a decent living, touring and being part of a comedy show collaborating with people I respect. Being creative and getting to perform more of what Im doing right now. Taskmaster Australia screens 8:30pm Thursday on 10. TCN News Desk New Delhi: Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), took a direct jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address at the Save Waqf Conference at Delhis Talkatora Stadium on Tuesday. Owaisi criticised the BJPs recent remarks about Waqf properties in Muslim countries and challenged PM Modi to inquire during his visit to Saudi Arabia whether Medina was built on Waqf land. Support TwoCircles Referring to a recent statement made by a BJP member in Parliament, which claimed that certain Muslim countries lack Waqf institutions, Owaisi questioned the validity of that claim. He pointed to Saudi Arabia and stressed, Waqf exists in every Muslim country, whether its a democracy or a kingdom. He continued, Someone from the BJP said in Parliament that a particular Muslim country does not have waqf. When your plane entered Saudi airspace, fighter jets from Saudi Arabia escorted your plane, and we welcomed this gesture. But I want to tell PM Modi that during his visit to Saudi Arabia, he should ask Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman if Medina is built on waqf land. Owaisi further defended the legitimacy of the Waqf Act, 2013, stating that it was passed with the unanimous consent of both Houses of Parliament. The Waqf Bill was passed unanimously by both Houses of Parliament in 2013 According to the separation of powers, the judiciary, legislature and executive are independent. If the government misuses its powers or any part of the Constitution, the judiciary will intervene. Where else will we go? he questioned, emphasising the role of the judiciary in protecting fundamental rights. In a separate interaction with the media, Owaisi reiterated his opposition to the Waqf Act, calling it unconstitutional. He argued that the law undermines federalism and was designed to diminish the importance of waqf properties. It has been our partys and the All India Muslim Personal Law Boards stance that this black law is unconstitutional as it violates fundamental rights. We are reviewing the interim order cautiously because it contains around 40-45 amendments to this law. If the Government of India enacts laws that weaken waqf, it will be against the principles of federalism. Our legal battle and protest against it will continue. This law is not to save waqf but to destroy it. We will support the protests by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Owaisi stated. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi landed in Jeddah today for his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. This marks his third visit to the Kingdom, and his first visit to Jeddah. As a special gesture, PM Modis aircraft was escorted by F-15 fighter jets from the Royal Saudi Air Force while entering Saudi airspace. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, passed earlier this month in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, received the Presidents assent on April 5, turning it into law. Owaisi and the AIMIM have consistently raised concerns about the amendments, arguing that they undermine waqf institutions. Seeing as how I reviewed this film just a scant four years ago, my opinion of it and this disc havent changed really. Stripes remains a hilarious '70s war comedy with a generation of talent in their prime. I still dont know how or why my parents showed me this flick as a kid but its been a part of my collection since the VHS days. Countless viewings later I still thing its one of the funniest films ever made - specifically the Theatrical Cut. Since theres no point rehashing that material when I already wrote one review, heres what I had to say back in Novemnber 2021. Best friends John Winger (Bill Murray) and Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis) live dead-end jobs with no prospects. After John loses his job, girlfriend, car, apartment, and pizza all in the same day - he convinces Russell the best thing for them to do is join the army. Only army life isnt exactly as advertised on television. Immediately John pisses off Sargent Hulka (Warren Oates). After hundreds of pushups, days upon days of KP, and miles of rain-soaked marches - somehow their platoon graduates basic training and is put in command of the Armys newest and most lethal urban assault vehicle - an armored campervan. In the post-Vietnam post-Nixon era, Hollywood was either churning out the tense and terrifying conspiracy thriller movies like The Parallax View or they were pumping out military spoofs the likes of M*A*S*H. Obviously, Ivan Reitmans Stripes falls into the latter category. Without a genuine war to fight, the idea of joining the army was viewed as a dodge or hustle to get out of trouble and cash an easy paycheck. In the late 90s when I was closing out my high school career, I knew so many guys who joined ROTC programs or went into the service simply to get the G.I. Bill and pay for college without a loan. The military was something that could be joked about. That obviously changed about 20 years ago. You cant really make miliary-themed comedies like Stripes anymore. Similarly, you cant really make terrorist action/comedies like True Lies anymore. In the pantheon of military comedies, Stripes may not lead the pack, but its a damn funny entry nonetheless. What I like about this one, in particular, is that its not out to make the military the butt of a joke but instead has fun with the idea that a slacker like Winger could survive the service. The interplay with Murray and Warren Oates Hulka is gold. Oates plays it straight as can be letting Murrays brand of subtle humor shine as a result. Ramis also shines as the affable Ziskey. I love that hes the smart one of the pair but so often gets pulled into a bad situation because hes also spineless against Wingers prodding. After that, we have to give a mention to John Candys lovable Ox. It may be a small role, but he steals every scene. Now, Stripes is also a prime example of how an Extended Version of a comedy just doesnt work. Running at nearly fifteen minutes longer, theres nothing in the Extended Version that makes this movie actually better. If anything the extra footage throws off the flow of the film and makes for a weaker comedy. The footage of Winger and Ziskey getting dropped into Central America may fill a sort of plot hole, but it doesnt add to the movie. It's actually a leftover plot device when Cheech and Chong were attached. Its not funny and goes on for so long. By the time things get back to the main movie, youve forgotten whats going on. Theres a good reason this material got cut. Its fun as a curiosity, but I never enjoy watching the Extended Version. But for those who do enjoy the longer version, kudos to Sony for including it on this 4K release. Stripes is a family favorite where I come from. I dont remember how old I was when my parents first showed this one to me, but for how often they fast-forwarded or muted it - I was probably too young. Regardless, this is one of my very favorite comedies. I was a little surprised to see that Sony was including it with the Columbia Classics Vol. 2 set, but Im glad to see it get the love and attention it deserves. I've seen this flick a hundred times and it always makes me laugh. Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Stripes scores its second run on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with a new two-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital SteelBook release from Sony. The 4K is again pressed on a BD100 disc with the same BD50 disc serving up the 1080p version and the bulk of the extra features. The SteelBook packaging is a nice reproduction of the theatrical poster on the front with some simple still shots on the back behind the j-card. Each disc loads tot heir respective menus, the 4K again with a static image and the bonus features along the right side of the screen. HA NOI Brazil is rapidly becoming a key market for Vietnamese export seafood products, presenting strong opportunities for growth, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). Despite being the second-largest aquaculture producer in Latin America, Brazil continues to rely heavily on seafood imports - purchasing over US$1.4 billion worth annually. Local production struggles to meet demand, particularly for species like salmon, cod, shrimp and whitefish. Overfishing has also reduced natural seafood supplies, creating further reliance on imports. With a population exceeding 200 million and an average per capita seafood consumption of 12 kg per year - higher than in the US - Brazils seafood appetite is sizeable and still expanding. Demand is especially concentrated in major urban centres such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and coastal regions. In 2024, Viet Nams seafood exports to Brazil reached nearly $130 million, marking a 14 per cent year-on-year increase, with pangasius contributing the majority of that figure. Viet Nam was Brazils second-largest seafood supplier in 2024, accounting for 17 per cent of total imports and leading the white-meat fish segment with a commanding 38 per cent market share. This upward trend shows no signs of slowing. Viet Nam's seafood exports to Brazil hit $48.2 million in the first quarter of 2025 - a nearly 73 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Vietnamese seafood is gaining favour in Brazil thanks to competitive pricing and consistent quality. Products such as fish fillets, cakes and balls and peeled shrimp align well with the growing demand for convenient, processed foods among Brazils expanding middle class. These products are especially popular in supermarkets and restaurants serving the middle-class customers in Brazil. Besides, Brazilian authorities are considering more flexible regulations on import standards - such as permissible phosphate levels. That would facilitate the entry of more deeply processed Vietnamese products into the market. Brazil is currently Viet Nam's largest trading partner in South America, with both nations aiming to increase bilateral trade turnover to $10 billion by 2025. Viet Nam is also in ongoing negotiations with the MERCOSUR trading bloc, including Brazil, in hopes of securing tariff reductions, that would enhance its competitiveness against key rivals like India and Thailand. However, the Brazilian market is not without its challenges. Since February 2024, Brazil has temporarily halted tilapia imports, due to disease concerns and may extend similar controls to other species, including pangasius. A ban on whole frozen shrimp imports and administrative import procedures also pose significant barriers. In addition, Vietnamese exporters face stiff competition from other major suppliers such as Ecuador, India and Indonesia. Brazils increasingly strict requirements on sustainability and traceability further demand that Vietnamese businesses elevate their practices and certifications. To solidify and expand their presence in Brazil, Vietnamese seafood companies are encouraged to monitor regulatory changes closely, especially those related to quarantine protocols and food additives, and invest in deep processing and develop value-added products tailored to Brazilian consumer preferences. They also need to engage actively in trade promotions and food industry fairs and leverage support from the Viet Nam Trade Office in Brazil. They are urged to pursue international sustainability certifications such as ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) and BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) to enhance brand credibility and market access. VNS MEKONG DELTA Durian prices in the Mekong Delta provinces are falling sharply, in some areas to just a third of the levels seen during the same period last year, as China tightens quality control procedures and delays customs clearance. In key durian-growing regions Tien Giang, Can Tho and Ben Tre Ri6 sells for VN35,00040,000 (US$1.41.6) per kilo at the orchard as against VN100,000120,000 (US$3.94.7) a year ago. Monthong durian from Thailand is also affected, with prices now at just VN60,00070,000 (US$2.32.7) per kilo. Tran inh Phong, a durian farmer in Tien Giang, said that though his orchard was ready for harvest, traders were buying with caution, and even orders secured last month at VN60,000 per kilo were now at risk of cancellation due to continuous price declines. Currently I can only retail to small traders at about VN45,000 per kilo for good quality fruits. Farmers, traders and businesses are all feeling the pressure. Nguyen Minh Thai, a durian trader, said last year he bought 30 tonnes of durian per day for export to China, but only three to four tonnes since March this year since partners slashed orders. He pointed to the fact that China now requires 100 per cent inspection of durian shipments, and rigorously tests for pesticide residues, heavy metals and Auramine O (Basic Yellow 2 BY2), a dye typically used in industry and banned due to its cancer risk. With inspection times lengthening, many shipments were left stockpiled at the border, resulting in fruits cracking and spoiling by the time they reached the market. Several businesses in Tien Giang said they had to sell domestically at a loss of up to 40 per cent after waiting too long for customs clearance. The risk is too great, and so we are forced to limit purchases, a business representative admitted. In 2024 durian export fetched a record $3.3 billion, making up nearly half of the countrys earnings from fruits and vegetables. But in the first two months of this year exports fell by 69 per cent to $52.7 million. Exports to China, the main market, fell by 83 per cent to $27 million as durian slipped from its top spot to third behind dragon fruit and banana. Businesses have called on authorities to negotiate with China to recognise the results of inspections conducted in Viet Nam and reduce the testing time to not more than four days. Besides, quality control should be improved at source, with guidance for farmers on using fertilisers and pesticides to comply with quality standards, they said. The Plant Protection Department said it had strengthened oversight of growing areas and packing facilities, suspending export codes for those that fail to meet standards on residues, heavy metals or traceability. The Viet Nam Fruits and Vegetables Association has warned that unless the issues with inspection and customs are resolved soon, the $3.5 billion durian export target for 2025 may not be achieved, and the sector could continue to face heavy losses. VNS HA NOI The US has officially imposed steep tariffs on solar energy products imported from four Southeast Asian countries, including Viet Nam, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia. The tariffs unveiled on Apr 21 vary widely depending on the company and country, but were broadly higher than the preliminary duties announced late last year. According to the US Department of Commerce, solar cell and panel imports will face varying countervailing duties as high as 3,403.9 per cent for Cambodia, 799.5 per cent for Thailand, 542.6 per cent for Viet Nam, and 168.8 per cent for Malaysia. These countries accounted for 77 per cent of US solar panel imports in 2024, according to Bloomberg NEF. The move delivers a heavy blow to the regions renewable energy manufacturing sector, with Viet Nam among the hardest hit. It follows a year-long trade investigation initiated at the request of US solar manufacturers after a complaint that Chinese companies operating in Southeast Asia were allegedly dumping products and benefitting from unfair government subsidies, distorting the market. The case was brought by Korea's Hanwha Qcells, Arizona-based First Solar Inc and several smaller producers seeking to protect billions of dollars in investments in US solar manufacturing. Industry insiders consider the new tariff alarming, representing a major shock to Viet Nams green energy export industry. The US has been one of Viet Nams largest markets for solar equipment. The new tariffs will increase costs and risk, causing Vietnamese manufacturers to lose market share in the US. Renewable energy companies are under immense pressure, and without swift adaptation, the loss of the US market and revenue shortfalls in the near future are highly likely. It is urgent for Viet Nam to pivot quickly, expanding into new markets including Europe, Japan and Australia, while enhancing competitiveness and adhering more strictly to international standards to overcome the growing wave of trade barriers. In order for the tariffs to be finalised, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) is expected to vote in June based on its assessment of the actual damage to the US domestic solar manufacturing sector. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI On April 22, the price of SJC gold bars continued to rise by VN4.5 million (US$173.7) per tael, while plain gold rings increased by VN3.5 million compared to yesterday. At 10am, Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) listed gold bar prices at VN120.5-122.5 million ($4,688-$4,767) per tael. This marked an increase of VN4.5 million in buying and selling prices compared to the previous day. A tael is equivalent to 1.2 ounces. Other gold retailers, including PNJ and Bao Tin Minh Chau, also adjusted their gold prices in line with SJC. With this adjustment, gold bars reached a new all-time high. The price gap between buying and selling remained at VN2 million. SJC listed plain gold ring prices at VN116.5-119.5 million per tael. Bao Tin Minh Chau also raised prices for this item to VN119.5-122.5 million per tael. The price gap between buying and selling plain gold rings is maintained at VN2.5-3 million per tael by retailers. At 9.30am, Bao Tin Minh Chaus two gold stores on Tran Nhan Tong Street were packed with people lining up to buy gold. Each customer was allowed to buy only one mace (one-tenth of a tael) per transaction. Staff reported that around 200 queue numbers had already been distributed at that point. Domestic gold prices surged immediately following a new record high in the global gold market. By the close of trading on April 21, the global spot gold price had jumped to $3,423 per ounce. In the morning session of April 22, prices continued climbing, reaching a new all-time high of $3,448 per ounce. Gold prices are rising due to a weakening US dollar and growing demand for safe-haven assets amid escalating trade tensions between the US and China. Analysts say volatile tariff measures and ongoing trade disputes are fuelling capital inflows into gold, especially in Asias retail markets. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI Viet Nam is quickly becoming a key player in innovation and high technology, and the Government is urging global investors to act fast to take advantage of the countrys rapid growth. At the Viet Nam Innovation and Private Capital Summit (VIPC Summit 2025) on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung stressed the Governments strong support for investors and its commitment to creating the best possible business environment. Now in its fifth year, the summit drew over 10,000 participants and more than 100 investment funds. Dung emphasised the increasing interest from major global investment funds and stressed innovation and technology as key to Viet Nams green and sustainable growth. The world is undergoing unprecedented transformations, driven by high technology, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, clean energy and green development. In this context, the Deputy PM reiterated the importance of sustainable development and circular economy models priorities Viet Nam shares with leading global economies. Investors must act quickly to seize the moment, as Viet Nams market is evolving rapidly. The Government is fully committed to accompanying and facilitating a favourable environment for successful investments, he said. VPCA Board Member and Golden Gate Venture Founding Partner, Vinnie Lauria, attributed Viet Nam's growing strength to its resilient, educated population and its rapidly expanding GDP. He highlighted the importance of community, risk-taking and time in nurturing innovation, drawing parallels between Viet Nams current stage and the early days of Silicon Valley. Viet Nams emergence as a regional hub for high-tech investment is becoming more evident. The Vietnam Innovation and Capital Report 2025 report, released at the forum by the Vietnam Private Capital Agency (VPCA), National Innovation Centre (NIC) and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), confirmed Viet Nams readiness not only to receive capital, but to lead it. Viet Nams innovation sector attracted nearly US$2.3 billion from foreign funds through 141 investment deals in 2024. Although overall investment dropped by 17 per cent compared to the previous year, this decline was modest next to the 35 per cent plunge globally highlighting Viet Nams resilience and growing appeal. Larger deals worth $100300 million rose by 2.7 times, reflecting investor interest in mature, lower-risk firms. Meanwhile, early-stage activity also picked up, with sub-$500,000 deals jumping 73 per cent evidence of a vibrant start-up scene. Hotspot for next-generation technology investment There is a noticeable shift in capital flows toward deep-tech sectors like AI, energy and semiconductors all aligned with the Governments long-term strategic vision. The country saw about $1.7 billion in M&A activity in the innovation sector, while investments in next-generation technologies surged. AI start-ups secured eight times more funding and Agritech grew nine fold, driven by global demand for food security and digital supply chains. The report highlights Viet Nams rare mix of growth drivers. Real GDP rose 7.1 per cent in 2024, ahead of most Asian economies. The economy is projected to hit $1.1 trillion by 2035 2.5 times todays size. FDI disbursement reached $25 billion, up 9 per cent year-on-year. The middle class is expected to make up 46 per cent of the population by 2030. The digital economy now contributes 18.3 per cent of GDP, with a goal of 35 per cent by 2030. NICs Director Vu Quoc Huy, described private investment as the decisive lever for Viet Nams innovation breakthrough. Viet Nam is entering a golden period to enhance its global competitiveness through innovation, he said. The Chair of VPCA and CEO of Do Ventures, Le Hoang Uyen Vy, said: Viet Nam has shifted from a potential market to a nation ready to break through. This is a defining decade and the time to act is now. The Government is actively building the foundation for high-scale innovation. Through the National Master Plan 202130 and Resolution 57, it is prioritising digital transformation, the green economy and high-tech sectors. Reforms in capital markets and financial infrastructure, including legal frameworks for blockchain and international finance hubs, aim to lower investor risk and improve transparency. At the forum, NIC and VPCA signed a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with three major Asian investment associations the Korean Venture Capital Association (KVCA), the Singapore Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (SVCA) and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCA). This collaboration, with combined assets of $5 trillion, marks the first official alignment of these organisations. The MoUs aim to foster co-investment, support start-up expansion, enhance access to training and policy dialogues, and harmonise legal standards across key Asian markets. VNS HCM CITY Chile and South America offer promising opportunities for Vietnamese businesses looking to expand investment and trade, particularly in green and digital economic sectors, heard a trade promotion seminar held in HCM City on Tuesday. The event, jointly organised by the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) and Chiles Export Promotion Bureau (ProChile), highlighted the potential of Chile as gateway to South American markets, including Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. Speaking at the event, ITPC Deputy Director Ho Thi Quyen noted that amid deepening global economic integration, Viet Nam, particularly HCM City, is focusing on market expansion, trade diversification, and attracting foreign investment. The VietnamChile Free Trade Agreement (VCFTA), which took effect in 2014, along with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) have created a favourable legal framework for bilateral cooperation, Quyen said. In 2024, two-way trade reached nearly US$1.8 billion, with Viet Nams exports, mainly seafood, coffee, rice, and cement, accounting for $1.4 billion. Quyen highlighted Chile as a transparent and stable investment destination, noting that with HCM Citys export turnover to Chile estimated at $53.3 million in 2024, there remains ample room for growth and broader cooperation. Meanwhile, Bui Hoang Yen, who is in charge of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency's Southern Office, noted that while 40.9 per cent of exports to Chile used VCFTA tariff preferences in 2023, the CPTPP usage remained low at just 6.3 per cent. She called on Vietnamese businesses to improve logistics and invest in technology to overcome trade barriers. ProChile representative Pablo Arancibia encouraged Vietnamese exporters to diversify products and stabilise supply chains, noting that Vietnams presence in major South American markets remains limited. Chile is emerging as a strategic investment hub in South America, offering Vietnamese firms opportunities in seafood, wood processing, and clean energy. As both a trade gateway and strategic partner, it supports Vietnam's market expansion in a region with a 4 trillion-USD GDP. Regular trade promotion and market support are the key to unlocking this potential, he said. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam will significantly reduce its import quota for ozone-depleting substances in 2025, marking a major step forward in the countrys commitment to climate action under the Montreal Protocol. Under a newly issued decision, announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the annual import quota for hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chemicals widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, will be cut to 1,300 tonnes, half of the 2024 quota of 2,600 tonnes. HCFC-22, a type of HCFC, accounts for all of Viet Nams allocated imports. It is commonly used in household air conditioners, refrigeration systems, foam production and in the maintenance of cooling equipment. While effective in industrial applications, HCFC-22 is a known contributor to ozone layer depletion and is a major contributor to global warming. In addition to cutting ozone-depleting chemicals, Viet Nam has also capped its 2025 import quota for greenhouse gases at levels equivalent to nearly 13 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. The ministry confirmed that 2025 will be the first year Viet Nam enforces its national roadmap to manage and phase out ozone-depleting substances and regulated greenhouse gases. From 2025 to 2029, HCFC imports will be limited to 1,300 tonnes per year, a 67.5 per cent cut from baseline consumption. From 2030, the quota will drop even more sharply, to an average of 100 tonnes per year, before being phased out completely by 2040. Meanwhile, imports of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), another class of synthetic refrigerants, while not depleting the ozone layer, but which trap much more heat than carbon dioxide, will also be phased down, but more gradually. By 2045, the country aims to limit HFC imports to volumes equivalent to just 2.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, representing an 80 per cent cut from baseline levels. Companies are required to specify quotas for each imported chemical and comply strictly with the annual limits. Companies must also submit annual reports on their use of regulated substances by January 15, in line with Government Decree No. 06/2022/N-CP, and abide by all relevant environmental regulations. If fully implemented, the plan is expected to help Viet Nam cut over 11 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2045. These efforts are aligned with the countrys pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, as declared at the COP26 climate summit. VNS GIA LAI A flock of storks, scientific name Anastomus oscitans, has arrived in Ia Mron Commune, Ia Pa District, the Central Highlands of Gia Lai in recent days. The bird is rare, listed in the Viet Nam Red Book and has flown into the field area of the commune. The Ia Mron Commune Party Committee immediately requested concerned units to urgently deploy measures to protect the arrivals. The communal People's Committee was assigned to direct the patrol force to protect the flock of storks, and at the same time educate local people reminding them that hunting rare wild animals is a violation of the law. The Fatherland Front and other communal organisations will strengthen communication, so that locals will strictly follow regulations on wildlife protection and biodiversity conservation in the laws and the Viet Nam Red Book. Protecting the flock is not just a moral imperative, but also contributes to preserving biodiversity of the region. The Ia Mron Commune People's Committee is coordinating with departments of Ia Pa District to monitor and supervise the birds, and is at the same time calling on people to preserve the natural landscape and protect the sustainable agricultural ecosystem. The stork species, Anastomus oscitans, belongs to the family of cranes, and is on the list of endangered and rare forest animals that need priority protection. They live mainly in wetlands and rice fields, often appearing in flocks. VNS YEN BAI Nestled at the gateway to Viet Nams northwestern region, Yen Bai province is turning its rich cultural heritage into a powerful engine for sustainable tourism, enriching local communities while captivating global travellers with authentic experiences. Being home to 30 distinct ethnic groups, Yen Bai is a vibrant mosaic of cultural identities, boasting 137 historical and cultural relics, over 40 traditional festivals, and more than 510 intangible cultural treasures. In Mu Cang Chai, a highland district where over 90 per cent of residents are Hmong, cultural traditions are the heartbeat of a burgeoning tourism sector. A shining example is the Hmong embroidery and weaving cooperative, launched in partnership with Craft Link, a Hanoi-based centre for artisanal crafts. What began as a 10-woman collective has flourished into a nearly 50-member powerhouse, crafting traditional skirts, blouses, and brocade garments for markets in Viet Nam and Europe. Ly Thi Ninh, the cooperatives director, is on a mission to safeguard these ancestral skills. She mentors women to pass down embroidery techniques to their daughters and partners with schools to host workshops, immersing hundreds of students each year in the art of Hmong needlework. Elsewhere in the lush green highlands of Na Hau in Van Yen district, the Hmongs sacred forest worship ceremony draws visitors seeking spiritual and cultural depth. Across Yen Bai, community-based tourism sites maintain regular folk performances and cultural activities, gradually transforming them into engaging tourism products. Vu Thi Mai Oanh, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, credited timely policies to facilitating cultural preservation while encouraging community-led tourism. As a result, Yen Bai welcomed more than 2.2 million domestic and international visitors last year, generating over 1.9 trillion VN in revenue, up 11.7 per cent from the previous year. VNA/VNS HCM CITY A cinematic-style tourism movie, which vividly brings Ho Chi Minh City's iconic landmarks to life and offers a stunning showcase of its vibrant energy, has been presented to the public. Produced by the HCM City Department of Tourism to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification, this eight-minute film, entitled 50 Flashes, blends adventure and fantasy to offer a fresh perspective. Through the lens of cinema, it unveils the citys deep cultural, architectural, culinary and scenic layers, along with showing the warmth of its people. The story follows a foreign tourist exploring the city. In an antique shop, he comes across an old camera once owned by a war journalist. Upon pressing the shutter, he is swept into a fantastical journey across space and time, passing through many of Ho Chi Minh Citys most iconic locations. On this extraordinary adventure, the protagonist not only marvels at the landscapes but also immerses himself in the citys rich cultural heritage, historical landmarks and dynamic atmosphere from ancient sites to modern spaces. The films unique time-travel element guides viewers through various dimensions, blending historical, architectural and cultural symbols with cinematic storytelling. More than just a visual spectacle, 50 Flashes pays tribute to the citys well-known symbols that have shaped its identity over the past 50 years. while also unveiling fresh perspectives and untold stories. Through the distinctive locations from grand architectural landmarks to hidden alleyways steeped in history the movie portrays Ho Chi Minh City as a destination meant not just for sightseeing, but for experiencing, somewhere for connecting and discovering personal meaning. At its core, 50 Flashes conveys a powerful message: no matter who you are or where you come from, you can find your own story, emotions and rhythm that align with the heartbeat of this city. Filming took place at historical and cultural landmarks such as the Cu Chi Tunnels, Can Gio Mangrove Forest, Ho Chi Minh City Post Office and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts sites that preserve the depth of the city's past. The movie also brings viewers to bustling destinations like Ben Thanh Market and Bui Vien Street, capturing the modern energy and lively spirit of the city. Additionally, advanced cinematic techniques were employed to recreate the Dragon Wharf and the Amiral Latouche -Treville ship, which Uncle Ho stepped onto in search of national independence an emotionally stirring moment for audiences. Scriptwriter and producer Le Hai Yen describes 50 Flashes as more than just a film it is a journey where each frame narrates a story and every shot captures the essence of Ho Chi Minh City. She said the movie presents a dynamic and multifaceted view of the city, highlighting its vibrancy and numerous points of pride, believing that international visitors will be inspired to experience the city first hand, following in the footsteps of the main character to fully immerse themselves in its ever-evolving energy. German actor ai Oi expressed his enthusiasm about joining the tourism promotion film, calling it a unique chance to immerse himself in the culture of Ho Chi Minh City. While he had heard about the city before, this experience felt truly special, as he became part of a cinematic journey capturing its essence. He described the city as a vibrant and culturally rich destination, brimming with energy and diversity, making his involvement in the project all the more exciting. The movie can be seen on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrT2foojEaU or on the Fanpage Du lich Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Hm4fRDDBR/. VNS HA NOI The 20th UN Day of Vesak Celebrations will take place in at HCM City's Viet Nam Buddhist University from May 6-8, or from the 9th - 11th day of the fourth lunar month, with preparations underway across the nation. Hosting the event, Viet Nam has the opportunity to showcase the countrys peace-loving culture and affirm the Party and States commitment to religious freedom to the international community. The celebrations will feature various cultural festivities, including a candlelight prayer ceremony for world peace, ancient artefact exhibitions, a display of Buddhist cultural products, and veneration of Buddhas sacred relics from India. Most Venerable Thich uc Thien, Vice President and General Secretary of the Executive Council of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha, said that this marks the fourth time Viet Nam has hosted this significant event, confirming the active role of Vietnamese Buddhism in the international community. Tam Chuc Pagoda in the northern province of Ha Nam, which successfully hosted the UN Vesak celebrations in 2019, was selected as the site where the Buddha's relics are enshrined from April 17-21. Praising the local preparations, Executive Director of the International Buddhist Confederation Rajesh Kumar Raina stated that the celebrations and accompanying cultural activities promise to be a dignified international Buddhist event with profound symbolic significance for the spiritual relationship between Indian and Vietnamese Buddhism. This is also an occasion to honour the values of compassion, wisdom, and solidarity, helping spread the message of peace and sustainable development throughout the world, he added. The important diplomatic event will enhance the role of Vietnamese Buddhism in international integration while introducing Viet Nam's people, culture, history, and Buddhist traditions to international delegates. Besides, it will help develop spiritual tourism potential, contributing to Vietnam's comprehensive cooperation with countries worldwide. VNA/VNS A NANG The a Nang University of Science and Education, under the University of a Nang, is to offer a unique one-year academic course for foreigners to find out more about Viet Nams culture, history, geography and heritage. The Vietnamese comprehensive culture programme, in English, will include two semesters to develop Vietnamese language proficiency and provide foreigners with knowledge about Vietnamese geography, history, art and socio-economics The university said the programme would help students get an immersive experience into the traditions, arts, cuisine, along with the economy of the country, and the curriculum will have selective practical exposure to customs, culinary arts and business communication, along with including learning about festivals in various regions. Learners will experience Vietnams heritage first hand with hands-on activities in traditional arts, folk performances, and crafts, performances, exploring the history and significance of traditional Vietnamese music, dance and theatre. Foreign students will have the chance to discover the culinary traditions of Viet Nam and how food plays a vital role in the culture and daily life of its people including Pho (noodle soup) Banh Mi (sandwich style bread). There will be various fields of teaching in business communication, local business practices, tourism, general history, economics and field studies, with students expected to complete a final project. The university has inked cooperation deals for sustainable tourism, education and scientific research with community-based tourism co-operatives in Hoi An, Quang Ngai and a Nang for further educational studies and experience in biodiversity conservation, community-based sustainable tourism and traditional cultural preservation. Foreign students can send their applications before July 15, for the first course starting on August 2, or with an application deadline on September 30 for the course starting on October 15. The university has a registration link at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScf_IM338zRUc_PwPC5_fkDaD-1nnr-B-rrwKenzxctpHH3UQ/viewform or on Facebook visit at: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CCbtEGU7r. VNS VIENTIANE The upcoming state visit to Laos by State President Luong Cuong from April 2425 is expected to provide new momentum and make a significant contribution to further deepening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos, a diplomat has said. In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos, Nguyen Minh Tam emphasised that the trip carries profound significance, reflecting the Vietnamese Party's and State's consistent view of treasuring the special relationship with Laos, considering it a top priority in the country's foreign policy. The visit also reaffirms Viet Nams strong support for Laos ongoing renovation efforts and serves as a concrete action to strengthen the close bond between the high-ranking leaders of both Parties and nations. According to the ambassador, the visit will not only deepen the special solidarity but also serve as an opportunity to exchange views on the situations of each Party and country, as well as regional and international issues of shared concern. On this occasion, the two sides will review the progress in bilateral cooperation and seek measures to further promote this special relationship in the years ahead. To ensure that the Viet Nam-Laos relationship continues to grow in a practical and effective manner, Ambassador Tam suggested the two countries sustain strong political trust and coordinate closely on strategic issues and policies related to national security and development. It is essential to enhance the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, establish new ones and enhance information sharing and experience exchange in Party and political system building, socio-economic development, and national defence, security and foreign affairs, he said. From now until the end of this year, the two countries should intensify cooperation and jointly promote the effective implementation of high-level agreements, the outcomes of the 47th meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, and the results of mutual high-level visits and cooperation agreements between ministries, agencies and localities. Preparations should also be made for important future events such as the 80th anniversary of Viet Nams National Day, the 50th anniversary of Laos National Day, the 135th birthday of late President Ho Chi Minh and the 105th birthday of President Kaysone Phomvihane, Tam continued. The ambassador also highlighted communication efforts to raise awareness of the importance of the Viet Nam-Laos relationship. Tam suggested strengthening defence and security cooperation, which serves as a solid foundation for both countries in addressing increasingly diverse, complex and sophisticated non-traditional security challenges. He stressed that both sides should work together to ensure peace and stability in each country, particularly through building a shared border of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation and development, thus helping elevate their regional and international standing. The ambassador also proposed boosting connectivity and economic cooperation, saying Viet Nam and Laos should strengthen institutional, infrastructure, financial, clean and renewable energy, telecommunications, tourism and high-tech agriculture links. Vietnamese firms should be encouraged to invest in sectors where Laos has advantages and potential, particularly in clean energy, digital transformation and sustainable agriculture. According to the diplomat, although bilateral trade surpassed US$2 billion in 2024, both countries with their strong relationship and leadership commitment can work toward the target of $510 billion in the coming years. Tam underlined the need to enhance cooperation in education and training, viewing it as a strategic priority. Both countries should increase student exchanges and improve the quality of training. Joint programmes should be developed in public administration, economics, science and technology to help Laos develop a high-quality workforce. He also proposed advancing cooperation in science, technology and digital transformation, saying Viet Nam has been actively supporting Laos in digital transformation, e-government development and in building a digital economy. Both sides should strengthen joint scientific research, particularly in high-tech agriculture and the application of artificial intelligence and automation in production. Tam called for greater cooperation between localities, especially those sharing borders, to better connect economic zones and border areas. This would help boost the role of businesses and promote people-to-people exchanges, which are essential for enhancing bilateral ties. The ambassador expressed his confidence that, with the determination of the two Parties, States and people, and the strategic directions laid out for future cooperation, the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos will grow stronger and more sustainably. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam always values the traditional friendship with Azerbaijan, which has been cultivated by generations of leaders from both countries, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan stressed while hosting a reception for Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of Azerbaijans Heydar Aliyev Foundation, in Ha Noi on Tuesday. At the event, Xuan recalled the pivotal visit to Viet Nam by late President Heydar Aliyev in 1983, when he served as First Deputy Chairman of the Soviet Union Council of Ministers, as well as the official visit by President Ilham Aliyev in 2014. She stated that the Vietnamese State and people always treasure Azerbaijan's precious assistance in the national defence and development efforts, particularly in human resources training. Expressing her delight at the steadily advancing relations between Viet Nam and Azerbaijan, she affirmed the determination to continue deepening bilateral ties and promoting substantive cooperation across multiple sectors, commensurate with the excellent traditional friendship and potential of both nations. Xuan commended the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for its contributions to bilateral relations through numerous cultural and educational support projects in Viet Nam. She expressed her confidence that the foundation, with its established influence and prestige, will continue serving as a bridge to bolster cooperation between the two countries in the coming time, including in the preservation of cultural values, healthcare for the public, education, environmental protection, and charitable activities. In response, Aliyeva underlined the strong time-tested relationship between Viet Nam and Azerbaijan despite geographical distance, stating that the two countries boast significant collaborative potential across various fields. She affirmed the foundation's commitment to promoting humanistic and cultural values as a sustainable cornerstone for enhancing understanding and connections between nations. She said she hopes to accompany Viet Nam in specific initiatives, helping strengthen the traditional friendship and expand cooperation with Vietnamese organisations, particularly in advancing environmental initiatives, education, and culture. She also spoke highly of the Vietnamese Government's attention to training of human resources and care for persons with disabilities as she witnessed when visiting some educational and nursing establishments for the disabled in the country. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation, established in 2004, is headed by Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. It aims to study the rich legacy of Heydar Aliyev, the national leader of Azerbaijan, as well as develop and implement various programmes and projects in such fields as science, culture, healthcare, sport, environment, among others. VNA/VNS VIENTIANE Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane has underscored the extreme significance of the state visit to Laos by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong to the two countries' robust relations. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the visit from April 24 to 25, the Lao official stressed that the trip will create new momentum for, and substantially contribute to the great friendship between the two countries, making it develop in a deeper and more substantive and effective fashion to bring prosperity to the people of each country in the coming time. The trip is to be made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and the first by Cuong as the State leader of Viet Nam. The Lao FM shared that during this visit, the two sides will exchange notes on important issues to continue implementing the foreign policy agreements between the two Parties and States, thus further tightening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States, and peoples of Viet Nam and Laos. Amidst the complex and unpredictable developments in the region and the world, he emphasised the need to continue steadfastly maintaining and enhancing the special relationship, which was founded by the great President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, and has been nurtured by generations of the two countries' leaders. He stated that the ties were built on the sweat and blood of revolutionary soldiers and people of both countries. According to Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Viet Nam and Laos should continue mutual visits at all levels to nurture and maintain political trust. He also laid stress on the importance of closer cooperation and coordination to effectively implement the agreements between the high-ranking leaders of both Parties, the results of the 47th meeting of the Viet NamLaos Intergovernmental Committee, the outcomes of high-level visits between the two countries, as well as cooperation agreements between their ministries, agencies, and localities. Furthermore, he noted that Viet Nam and Laos have always supported each other at bilateral, sub-regional, and multilateral forums, contributing to the common development of humanity and promoting peace and friendly cooperation among nations worldwide. The close cooperation across multiple fields has helped develop the special relationship between the two countries, all aimed at bringing practical benefits to the peoples of both nations. He went on to praise the invaluable, timely, and effective assistance that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people have provided for Laos throughout the countrys past struggle for national salvation, as well as in the current national development endeavours. The minister expressed his belief that regardless of changes in the global situation, with the determination of both the Parties, States and peoples, the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos will continue to be preserved, nurtured, and developed to stay everlasting. VNS The phone talks with Vietnamese Party chief To Lam "connected two oceans and overcame geographical distance" to strengthen solidarity between the two Parties and open up opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, said Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and President of the African National Congress (ANC). QUANG TRI Two students from the Quang Tri Town High School have invented a wheelchair to support people with disabilities suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is a charitable act from the students' hearts towards people with disabilities to improve their quality of life, especially in communication and movement. The project 'Autonomous wheelchair to support people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in moving and communicating' was conducted by Cao Trung Quan, class 12A1 and Le Minh Hieu, class 12A2 from June last year. The product was conceived and conceptualised when Hieu and Quan accidentally viewed online some ALS patients. Hieu said that ALS causes progressive neurodegeneration, weakening and loss of muscle function, making it difficult for the patients to move and talk. Due to severe limitations in movement and daily activities, ALS patients are often classified as people with mobility disabilities. With the desire to help them move around the house and communicate, it took us nine months to complete the smart wheelchair. During the process, we received great support from the school and teachers from the idea generation, implementation to completion, said Hieu. The wheelchair is integrated with a device using Gaze Tracking technology. Disabled people have glasses to identify and control the chair with their eye pupil, moving through different directions on a two-dimensional map. The wheelchair has two operating systems: self-propelled and manual. For the self-propelled system, through pupil control, the wheelchair can automatically move to the desired points of the disabled person through the family member's support in scanning the map and selecting the destination. This mode uses Lidar sensors, Real sense cameras, Encoders and Nav2/ROS2 systems to create maps, locate and navigate the wheelchair, which can help the vehicle find a new path or stop when encountering obstacles. The manual control mode is through simulated control signals using DAC circuits and PID algorithms helps the vehicle move smoothly in eight directions. In particular, the vehicle has a communication function that allows patients to select sentences from a virtual keyboard through the pupil to form complete sentences and send messages via Telegram between the disabled person and their family in Vietnamese and English. Quan said: The goal we are aiming for is to create and apply the product in life so that ALS patients can use the wheelchairs to move and communicate, improving their life quality as well as supporting their relatives. Changing the future The project won first prize at the National Science and Technology Research Competition for junior, secondary and high school students in the 2024-2025 school year. It will soon be selected to participate in the International Science and Engineering Fair 2025 (INTEL ISEF 2025) from May 10 to 16 in the US. Le Cong Long, physics teacher at the Quang Tri Town High School the direct supervisor of the two students' project, said: I have accompanied two of them since the beginning of the school-level competition, then to the provincial and national levels. In the project, the knowledge is very extensive, from mechanics, electricity to programming. Fortunately, the two students always strive, are creative, explore and are patient to achieve their goals. There is not much time left, we are working together to complete the product from comments of the national jury, he said. The achievements demonstrate the tireless efforts of the students with a dream of supporting the disabled in the community. Quan said that in order for the project to achieve the best results in the upcoming competition, they were working hard to further develop and perfect it with improvements in the new circuit as well as redesigning a new robot model on the vehicle so that it can help the wheelchair move more smoothly within the house. This is the first time we have participated in an international competition, our goal is to try our best, no matter what the result is, we will be satisfied with what we have achieved, said Quan. This is the second time that Quang Tri High School has had a project participating in the International Science and Engineering Fair. Previously, a student of the school, Pham Huy, won the third prize at the fair held in the US in 2017 with the project 'Robotic arm to support people with disabilities'. In recent years, provincial students have continuously won high prizes at national science and technology competitions with many good projects, highly applicable and supporting the community, especially the disadvantaged. This not only demonstrates the students' ability and desire to learn, but also the love for the community that they spread through the most practical actions. Le Thi Huong, Director of the Quang Tri Department of Education and Training, said that the project demonstrated the excellence and efforts of students in Quang Tri Town. This is an important motivation for teachers and students to make more efforts. The department will continue to advise and create the most favourable conditions for students to participate in the competition, she said. VNS HCM CITY The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam has launched an urgent inspection after widespread complaints from passengers stranded for hours at Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCM City, due to prolonged delays and cancellations of domestic flights, many allegedly without prior notice. In response to the growing frustration among passengers, the aviation authority announced Tuesday that it has formed an inspection team to assess the situation at the busiest airport in the country. The team will focus on ground service operations over the next five days. One carrier, the budget Vietjet, has drawn the most criticism, as passengers reported multiple schedule changessome flights delayed three to four times before being outright cancelled. Many said there was "not a word of notification and their calls to customer service hotlines went unanswered. One account from a social media user went viral, describing an ordeal involving a 77-year-old grandmother. I took my grandma from HCM City to Hue. The original flight was at 8.30am on April 21. After boarding and deplaning twice, we waited at the airport until 2am the next day, the user wrote. Now its almost 4am on April 22, and Im taking a taxi from District 7 to pick her up after the flight was cancelled altogether. Across social media platforms and online forums, passengers shared similar experiences, noting disruptions affected nearly all domestic flights on April 21. Several flights were reportedly delayed by one to two hours, including those heading from HCM City to Hai Phong and Ha Noi. A representative from one airline, speaking with VietNamNet, attributed the delays to a sharp rise in holiday travel ahead of the April 30 May 1 national holidays. The transition of many flights from Terminal T1 to the new Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat Airport further compounded operational challenges. Additional delays on the afternoon of April 21 stemmed from thunderstorms over Noi Bai Airport in Ha Noi, disrupting departures to multiple provinces including HCM City. Furthermore, flights departing from Tan Son Nhat were subject to further adjustments as the airport limited operations to accommodate rehearsal activities for the 50th anniversary of national reunification. "From 8am to 9.30am today, April 22, more schedule adjustments are taking place. This creates a cascading effect, resulting in further short-term disruptions to many flights," an airline representative explained. VNS MANILA The death of Pope Francis has stirred an outpouring of grief across Asia, where the Argentina-born pontiff was regarded not just as the head of the Catholic Church, but also as a rare global figure of moral clarity and compassion. He was 88, and had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia. In the Philippines, home to Asias largest Catholic population, the bells of Manila Cathedral tolled on Monday afternoon as news of the Popes passing spread. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Pope Francis will be remembered for leading with a heart open to all, especially the poor and the forgotten. By example, Pope Francis taught us that to be a good Christian is to extend kindness and care to one another. His humility brought many back to the fold of the Church, Marcos posted on his official Facebook page. The sorrow is deeply personal for Filipinos, whose country has 85 million Catholics out of a population of 108 million. Many remember Pope Francis historic four-day visit in January 2015, when he celebrated an open-air mass in Manila that drew a staggering seven million devotees, making it the largest papal gathering in history. This is heartbreaking news for the faithful, and for those like me who only slowly found their way to faith because someone at the helm reminded us that the Church could also be a place to breathe, said Filipino sociologist Ashley Presto on X. Pope Francis made being Catholic less morally suffocating. Leaders across the globe offered condolences to the worlds 1.4 billion Catholics and praised the Popes efforts to reform the Catholic Church. In Asia, leaders also expressed their sorrow and paid tribute to Pope Francis, who had visited Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore in September 2024 the longest foreign trip of his papacy by duration and distance. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore released a statement on Monday evening which read: He (Pope Francis) was a champion of unity and hope, not just for Catholics, but for the world, especially the weak, the marginalised and the poor. Pope Francis constant call for inclusivity gave the world a Church that welcomed all, especially those who yearned for love, mercy, and hope. His actions inspired the faithful to be the face of Christ to others and reach out to those on the fringes of society. In predominantly Catholic Timor-Leste, President Jose Ramos-Horta said the Popes death was a tremendous loss for the world, not just Christians. He said national flags would be flown at half-mast for one week. In Indonesia, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar described Pope Francis as one of our best friends. Nasaruddin remembered working with the pontiff during his visit to Indonesia, including his time at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. We cannot forget his services and friendship, said Nasaruddin. I hope that the cooperation between Indonesia and the Vatican will continue to follow his path. South Koreas Acting President Han Duck-soo, who is also the Prime Minister, paid tribute, saying: The Pope delivered a message of love and solidarity to humanity through the teaching that we are all brothers and sisters, and he devoted his life to the poor and marginalised by living a life of peace and reconciliation. Pope Francis visited South Korea, where about 11 per cent of the population are Catholics, in 2014. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised Pope Francis for building bridges among different faiths that earned the respect of many, including in the Muslim world. He spoke with moral clarity on the immense suffering in Gaza, reminding the world that we must show the same compassion to all victims of violence, wherever they may be, Datuk Seri Anwar posted on Facebook. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply pained by the Popes death, calling him a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage. As the first Latin American pontiff, Pope Francis ushered in a new era for the Catholic Church. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was elected pope on March 13, 2013, surprising many Church watchers, who had seen the Argentine cleric, known for his concern for the poor, as an outsider. He inherited a Church that was under attack over a child sex abuse scandal and torn by infighting in the Vatican bureaucracy, and was elected with a clear mandate to restore order. As his papacy progressed, Pope Francis faced criticism from conservatives, who accused him of trashing cherished traditions. Often regarded as the pope of the peripheries, he championed the poor, welcomed migrants, reached out to LGBTQ+ Catholics, and called for urgent climate action. But his progressive stance also drew sharp criticism from conservative factions within the 2,000-year-old Church that viewed his reforms as a break from tradition. While he struggled with internal dissent, Pope Francis became a global superstar, drawing huge crowds on his many foreign travels as he tirelessly promoted interfaith dialogue and peace, taking the side of the marginalised, such as migrants. The STRAITS TIMES/ANN NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, welcomed US Vice-President J D Vance and his family, amid indications that the two countries are exploring the possibility of concluding a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) at an early date. The two leaders were assisted by their top aides during the meeting held at the PMs 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence here. Vances delegation includes representatives from the Pentagon and the State Department The two leaders are expected to delve into matters related to trade, economic collaboration, and defence partnerships. The talks between the two leaders will be followed by a dinner being hosted by the PM in honour of the American leader. Earlier, Vance arrived in the national capital on his first official visit to India, accompanied by his wife, Usha, and their three children. He received a Guard of Honour on arrival at Palam Airport. Union Railways and Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw received the American leader at the airport. The high-level visit is expected to focus on enhancing strategic, economic, and defence ties between the two nations. Hoardings welcoming Vice-President Vance had been set up around Palam Airport in anticipation of his arrival. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, We have a comprehensive strategic global partnership (with the US). All relevant issues will be discussed. We are very positive that the visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties. He also acknowledged the ongoing dialogues around a potential trade agreement with the US. The Vance family will be in Jaipur on Tuesday and Agra on April 23. Preparations are underway at the Taj Mahal for the visiting dignitaries. The Statesman/ANN SEOUL A Japanese tourist walked into a cosmetics store in Seoul, only to find no prices on display. Pressured by staff, she bought a face mask set then realised it was being sold elsewhere for one-third of the price. When she tried to return it, the staff instead convinced her to buy a different product, which also turned out to be overpriced. A Singaporean traveller who left their phone in a taxi was told by the driver it would cost 500,000 won (US$350.77) to get it back. Under South Korean law, that kind of demand would only be legal if the phone were worth more than 2.5 million won. Authorities later told the visitor it could be reported as an attempted embezzlement of a lost article. These are just two of 1,543 complaints filed by foreign tourists in South Korea last year a 71 per cent jump from the year before, according to a new report by the Korea Tourism Organization. The number of visitors also grew, but by a smaller margin: 16.37 million tourists came to Korea in 2024, up 48 per cent from 2023. While tourism is rebounding, frustration among visitors is rising faster. Overcharging, pushy sales tactics, confusing pricing and poor service were among the most common complaints. The KTO report suggests a link between the rise in tourist complaints and an increase in independent travellers, noting that without help from tour operators, these travellers are more vulnerable to unfair pricing and unclear local systems. Independent travellers those who book, plan and navigate trips without guides now make up the growing majority of visitors, especially from China. In 2019, only 30 per cent of Chinese tourists travelled independently. By 2023, that figure had soared to over 90 per cent. Group tours have dropped from 63 per cent to just 7 per cent in the same period. The most frequent complaints came from shopping experiences, accounting for 26 per cent of reports with 398 cases. In addition to price manipulation, tourists cited missing price tags, hard-sell tactics and resistance to giving refunds. The Japanese case was one of many tied to cosmetics shops popular among tourists, but often criticised for targeting those who don't speak Korean with inflated prices. Taxi services followed closely, making up 20 per cent of the total complaints (309 cases). These included unnecessary detours, inflated fares and in some cases, outright misconduct. A US tourist was dropped off at the wrong hotel after questioning a drivers route from the airport then charged 100,000 won (about $70) for the trip to the correct one. In another case, a Chinese tourist in Jeju was charged 35,000 won for a short, one-way ride after the driver insisted on collecting a round-trip fare. Accommodation-related complaints (258 cases) also rose sharply up 82 per cent from the previous year. Visitors cited hygiene issues, unclear cancellation policies and unresponsive staff. Restaurants were the next trouble spot with 98 cases, with complaints about service quality, poor hygiene and lack of transparent pricing. About two-thirds of all issues were resolved on the spot, often through refunds or direct negotiation. But the KTO noted that many visitors still filed formal complaints afterwards, often feeling that the initial solutions were insufficient or unprofessional. The KTO says it will work on campaigns to improve customer service and promote fair pricing. THE KOREA HERALD/ANN Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam told the fourth Summit of the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G), organised last week in Hanoi, that Vietnam is focused on strategic breakthroughs to prepare for a national development process that is fast, inclusive, and sustainable. The summit in Hanoi covered areas from finance and banking to agriculture and technology Photo: Dung Minh We will strongly transform political commitments into practical actions, creating motivation for businesses and the whole society to participate in sustainable economic development, in which green institutions are the decisive foundation, General Secretary Lam stressed at a hall attended by government leaders, UN representatives, diplomats, experts, and entrepreneurs. General Secretary Lam also stressed that when it comes to green transformation, despite being a developing country with a transitional economy and limited resources, Vietnam has achieved some important results. Besides making a 2050 net-zero commitment in 2021, Vietnam also endorsed six global initiatives at the time, on forest and land use, methane, clean power transition, sustainable food and agriculture, and more. Vietnam is now a leading country in supplying renewable energy in ASEAN, with wind and solar power capacity accounting for two-thirds of ASEANs total capacity, he said. Additionally, Vietnam is also a good example of encouraging sustainable agriculture. The initiative to develop one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission specialised rice is a pioneering model that many partners and international organisations are interested in. A greener future Vietnam is an active and responsible member of all multilateral mechanisms and major initiatives on green growth and energy transition such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and the P4G. However, as a developing country with a transitional economy, we also face many challenges in terms of financial resources, technology, personnel, and resilience to the impacts of climate change and geopolitical fluctuations globally, said General Secretary Lam. The summit adopted the Hanoi Declaration, strongly affirming commitments to sustainable growth with people at the centre, and a determination to collaborate responsibly in addressing current global challenges. Vietnam is expected to enjoy continued support from the international community in its journey to a green economy including energy transition. According to the World Bank, to ensure sufficient funding for responding to climate change, mobilising domestic finance is possible, but external support is needed. Overall, Vietnams total incremental financing needs for the resilient and decarbonising pathways could reach $368 billion over 20222040, or approximately 6.8 per cent of GDP per year. The resilient pathway alone will account for about two-thirds of this amount, as substantial financing will be required to protect the countrys assets and infrastructure as well as vulnerable people. The cost of the decarbonising pathway will mainly arise from the energy sector - investments in renewables and managing the transition away from coal might cost around $64 billion between 2022 and 2040. All the figures are in net present value terms at a discount rate of 6 per cent. This $368 billion in financing needs will include $184 billion from private investments or about 3.4 per cent of GDP annually, $130 billion or about 2.4 per cent of GDP annually from the state budget; and $54 billion or about 1 per cent of GDP per year from external sources. Choi Youngsam, South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam, said that within the P4G framework, South Korea and Vietnam have completed or are currently implementing joint projects in areas such as food and agriculture, energy, water, and urban development. Looking ahead, both sides are expected to broaden and deepen their partnership under the P4G framework, he said. At the P4G Summit held in Seoul in May 2021, the two governments signed the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in Response to Climate Change, laying a solid policy foundation for the implementation of international emissions reduction ventures. On this basis, I hope that South Korea will leverage its technological expertise and financial resources to carry out greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in Vietnam, with both countries mutually recognising the results, Ambassador Youngsam said. This would contribute to establishing a win-win model of emissions reduction cooperation. At the same time, I look forward to seeing active engagement from South Korean enterprises possessing green technologies, in close collaboration with the Vietnamese government. Encouraging developments Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh said at a policy dialogue on the sidelines of the P4G 2025 that the active participation and strong cooperation from stakeholders - from the public and private sectors to international organisations can help materialise Vietnams aspiration of an efficient and sustainable innovative startup ecosystem. Innovation, creative entrepreneurship and collaboration are key to solving environmental problems, while encouraging the development of a circular economy, he said. Vietnam currently has over 4,000 innovative startups, including two unicorns valued at over $1 billion, 11 companies valued at over $100 million, more than 1,400 startup support organisations, 202 co-working spaces, 208 investment funds, and 35 business promotion organisations. Among these, it is estimated that around 200300 companies focus on green transition, covering areas such as renewable energy, environmental technology, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy. According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosting the fourth P4G Conference is of great significance to Vietnam. It is aimed to boost its role as a good friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of P4G and the international community. Moreover, it is also aimed to reaffirm its commitment to sustainable development, energy transition, and the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Besides that, it is aimed at contributing to raising awareness of international cooperation and encouraging the role and voice of developing countries in the sector of green growth and sustainable development. Many forums have been held to discuss in-depth the applicability of ESG and AI, the potential that each trend brings to the mission of bringing sustainable development and prosperity to the Vietnamese economy in the future. Rizwan Khan, managing partner, Acclime Vietnam In past years, investors attention to such considerations has boomed and Vietnam is no exception, driven by the Vietnamese governments strong signal to encourage ESG-related practices, especially with a strong commitment to the transition to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. For Vietnam, ESG is a game-changer because it directly impacts profitability, risk management, and long-term growth - key factors that international investors and trade partners care about deeply. Vietnams ESG adoption is primarily led by large enterprises, such as foreign-led businesses, public companies, and export-oriented enterprises. In contrast, the number of small businesses that commit to ESG is low because they lack understanding of related reporting and limited capitals as well as personnel. The World Trade Organization previously allowed the free movement of goods and capital between countries, but now, developed countries have established new rules of the trade game. The movement of goods, services, capital, and labourers now depends on ESG criteria as countries require multinational companies to provide reports. Notably, the EU will officially apply the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in early 2026 that imposes a carbon tax on all goods imported into EU markets. Consequently, Vietnamese businesses aiming to export to the EU or integrate into EU-bound supply chains must align with new sustainability requirements. Additionally, emerging issues such as industrial pollution and air quality concerns highlight the urgent need for businesses to prioritise ESG criteria. Meanwhile, AI is rapidly transforming industries and economies around the globe, and Vietnam is no exception. With significant investments and a growing market, AI presents immense opportunities for Vietnams economic development, especially the digital economy. Based on the 2024 Government AI Readiness Index, developed by Oxford Insights, Vietnam ranks 51st out of 193 countries globally, and fifth among the 10 ASEAN member countries, reflecting its proactive approach to AI adoption. Aiming to establish AI as a key technological domain in Vietnam, the nation launched a national strategy on AI research, development, and application in 2021. The strategy seeks to position Vietnam as a leading hub for AI innovation and solution development within the ASEAN region by the end of this decade. On the ground, adoption is picking up. Companies like FPT Software are pouring millions into AI research, partnering with global giants like Nvidia. Recently, Qualcomm acquired startup VinAI, illustrating that international firms see value here. AI is revolutionising several key industries in Vietnam, with finance, retail, and healthcare leading the charge. Taking finance as an example, AI-driven systems are also enhancing fraud detection, credit assessment, and customer support. The healthcare sector in Vietnam is also increasingly adopting AI and robotics to improve patient care outcomes. AI tech, such as text mining and machine learning, are being utilised to analyse medical data and support clinical decision making. For instance, VinBrain, a technology company in Vietnam acquired by Nvidia last year, developed DrAid, an AI pathology prediction platform that has demonstrated its effectiveness in over 150 hospitals. In short, Vietnams transformation is about more than numbers. It is about building an economy that is clean and modern enough to compete anywhere. With ESG and AI as its tools, Vietnams not just chasing the future, its shaping the whole economy. AI enhances ESG practices by improving data accuracy and streamlining reporting. Conversely, ESG considerations drive responsible and sustainable AI development. And for a country thats come so far in terms of global trade in the 20th century, thats a story worth watching. The Party Central Committee has agreed to slash the number of provinces in Vietnam, and therefore provincial-level administrative units across the country, to 28 provinces and six centrally-governed cities. The government and local authorities will develop detailed plans for these mergers, which will be presented to the National Assembly for approval in sessions in May and June. Notably, as part of the plan, the provinces of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Binh Duong will be merged with Ho Chi Minh City under the name Ho Chi Minh City. The political and administrative centre will remain in the current Ho Chi Minh City. Once this merger is completed, the city will officially become a megacity as per the United Nations definition, defined as an urban agglomeration with a population of 10 million or more. In the first quarter of 2025, Ho Chi Minh City became the runner-up in attracting foreign-invested capital across the country with a total registered amount of $1.4 billion, representing 13 per cent of the national total, a 58.3 per cent increase on-year. Meanwhile, between January and March, Ba Ria-Vung Tau acquired $863.8 million, and Binh Duong $287.75 million. Another merger on the way is between Bac Ninh and Bac Giang in the north. In the first quarter of 2025, Bac Giang led the country in regional GDP growth, and Bac Ninh led the country in attracting FDI. In the first quarter of 2025, Bac Ninh continues to maintain the leading position in attracting FDI with a total capital of more than $2.2 billion, mainly high-tech and semiconductor projects. Merging and expanding the administrative boundaries will help the province expand economic scale, increase competitiveness, attract investment and make the most of the development potential, create more motivation for socioeconomic development, ensure national defence and security, build a clean, strong political system, and improve the material and spiritual life of the people, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man said at an event in Bac Ninh on April 13. Bac Giang currently leads the country in regional GDP growth. According to the provinces Department of Statistics, regional GDP in the first quarter of 2025 of the whole province of Bac Giang is estimated to reach about 14.02 per cent, the highest in the country. Bac Ninh has 12 industrial parks (IPs) with a total area of 6,4000 hectares, operating with an average occupancy rate of 62 per cent. Four others are being constructed. Meanwhile, Bac Giang currently has 16 IPs in operation, which gradually establish closed manufacturing and logistics chains with the presence of big names such as Hana Micron, Foxconn, Luxshare-ICT, and JA Solar. In another case, Hung Yen, which will incorporate Thai Binh province, is considered a highlight in the industrial real estate sector thanks to a prime location near the capital Hanoi, about 30-50km away depending on the area. It serves as an important bridge between Hanoi and major economic centres such as Haiphong and Quang Ninh. Expanding admin boundaries allows provinces to plan additional large-scale industrial zones, providing more options for businesses. With increased land availability, domestic and foreign enterprises can easily find suitable locations to establish factories, alleviating the shortage of industrial land in high-demand areas, Doan Duy Hung, chairman of the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Information Portal. Phan Huu Thang, chairman of the Vietnam Industrial Park Finance Association, told VIR that foreign investors look for localities that have a comprehensive industrial ecosystem, including clean land, ready-to-lease factories, efficient logistics systems, business support services, and a skilled workforce. In addition, synchronised infrastructure investment helps businesses reduce logistics costs, impacting their decisions, Thang said. Along with advantages, it would take a lot of time to complete procedures for the merging process, which causes delay in licensing projects. In addition, it also takes time to build proposals and plans for the above specialised IPs models. Thus, foreign investors should be patient to get the opportunities. SEOUL, South Korea, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OTOKI has launched a global campaign for its flagship K-ramen, Jin Ramen, with the release of a new campaign video featuring Jin of 21st century pop icons, BTS, under the concept of "Real Love", in order to further penetrate the global market. OTOKI Unveils Jin Ramen Campaign Video Featuring BTS Jin, Launching Global Campaign The new campaign video stars BTS' Jin, which portrays a love story dedicated to Jin Ramen under the concept 'Jinjja Love Jin Ramen', the title "Jinjja Love" means real love in Korean. The video begins like a scene from a romantic K-drama, showing Jin walking in the spring rain, revealing his melancholic side hidden beneath an umbrella. With the message 'I really miss you', the video expresses affection and sincerity for Jin Ramen, like a romantic drama, vividly capturing the experience of savoring the unique deep and rich broth of Jin Ramen. The campaign video is available on OTOKI's official global YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok channels. Since last month, consumers worldwide will be able to purchase Jin Ramen featuring BTS' Jin on the packaging. The packaging will be applied to both bowl and cup products, showcasing the unique appeal of Jin Ramen's Mild and Spicy flavors. Jin Ramen multi-packs will include one of four stickers featuring Jin. This is expected to attract consumers in various countries and regions. Following a positive reception at the 2025 Winter Fancy Food Show in the United States, in January, where OTOKI introduced the new Jin Ramen package featuring 'Jin' prominently, OTOKI plans to leverage the campaign video release to accelerate its overseas market expansion. This follows the rebranding of the company's English name to 'OTOKI' in August last year, further speeding up to enhance communication with international consumers. An official from OTOKI stated "With the launch of the global campaign for flagship K-ramen, Jin Ramen, starting with the release of the campaign video, we aim to connect with domestic and international consumers by enhancing the appeal of Jin Ramen with Jin of 21st century pop icons, BTS. The high-level dialogue between government leaders and businesses at the 2025 P4G Vietnam Summit last week, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, brought together senior officials, global experts, international organisations, and private sector leaders. They recognised that the climate crisis, digital transformation, and resource depletion are converging in ways that demand not only innovation, but deep and long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed acknowledged Vietnams leadership in renewable energy, noting its potential to attract trillions in sustainable investment. Emerging economies must accelerate the adoption of new investment models, particularly those that align private capital with green infrastructure priorities. Governments must work with the private sector to expand ambition, strengthen accountability, and deliver real impact, she said. From Italy, Prime Ministers Climate Envoy Francesco Corvaro stressed that public-private partnerships (PPPs) are indispensable in addressing climate finance gaps. Drawing from Italys experience, he underscored the importance of public investment as a risk mitigator, enabling private sector participation in clean energy and smart infrastructure projects. Public investment can unlock private capital, but local authorities must lead with clear priorities and long-term vision, Corvaro noted. You cant talk about renewables, AI, or digital infrastructure without modern, resilient grids, and that requires strong public-private alignment. he said Alejandro Dorado, Spains High Commissioner for Circular Economy, argued that the case for stronger PPPs lies at the intersection of two accelerating forces: the environmental-climate crisis and a wave of disruptive technologies. In a world where AI, green technologies, and digitalisation are reshaping the global economy, the clock is ticking. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we have less than a decade to prevent irreversible climate disaster. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum has identified biodiversity loss as one of the most severe economic risks, he said. Dorado added that while multilateralism is being questioned or weakened in some quarters, the need for cooperation has never been more urgent both to solve environmental challenges and to harness the transformative potential of innovation. No government or business can tackle these crises alone. Public authorities must provide the regulatory frameworks, fiscal incentives, and infrastructure deployment needed at scale to safeguard the common good, he stressed. From the business side, Stuart Livesey, country representative of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), provided a frank but optimistic outlook. Livesey stated CIPs commitment to supporting Vietnams transition, but emphasised the need for enabling conditions. What we seek are clear, bankable projects underpinned by stable regulatory frameworks, collaborating with strong local partnerships. This is where public-private cooperation becomes not just helpful, but essential, Livesey noted. Over the next 10-15 years, the offshore wind sector and green energy consumers will trigger massive demand for new technologies, digital solutions, and skilled labour. To meet this demand, CIP is investing not only in infrastructure, but also in capacity building, research and development, and local supply chain development through partnerships with Vietnamese universities. Still, he acknowledged barriers. Technological application and innovation in green projects face challenges, from long-term financing constraints and skilled labour shortages to fragmented policy signals. These are not unique to Vietnam, but they require proactive, tailored local solutions, he said. Addressing issues such as grid availability, regulatory clarity, and inter-ministerial coordination will be critical. Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, stated that the banking sector is ready to facilitate green finance, particularly in sectors aligned with national climate targets. We see ourselves as a bridge between global capital and local sustainability goals. The clearer the pipeline of bankable, climate-aligned projects, the faster we can move capital, he noted. Whats crucial now is consistency in policy and coordination among stakeholders to ensure these projects reach maturity. Danish investments driving Vietnam's green transition Danish companies are realising investment plans in Vietnam with a focus on sustainability, thereby contributing to Vietnam's green transition goals. According to company chairman Le Tan Phuoc, at its upcoming AGM on April 24, the company will unveil a bold roadmap to double revenue, marking a turning point in the companys trajectory. Over the past two years, Searefico has deliberately shifted away from volume-based expansion to focus on high-tech, high-value projects such as smart warehouses, automated manufacturing facilities, and green industrial complexes. These sophisticated projects demand advanced engineering capabilities and complex interdisciplinary coordination, strengths that Searefico has been cultivating as it positions itself as a premier player in Vietnams mechanical electrical plumbing and industrial refrigeration sectors. 2025 is not just a year to accelerate. Its a year to lead, said Phuoc. Searefico is determined to set the benchmark for engineering and technological excellence in Vietnam. Our growth is rooted in technical strength, a highly capable team, and a clear strategic vision, he said. According to the plan submitted to shareholders, Searefico aims to achieve a revenue of $88 million (double the previous year), after-tax profit of $1.56 million (a 3.5-fold increase), and contracted sales of $108 million for 2025. In late 2024, Searefico signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Hoshizaki, Japans leading refrigeration equipment brand. As part of the deal, Searefico's subsidiary Arico became the first Vietnamese company licensed to manufacture Hoshizaki-branded products for Southeast Asia. Searefico's subsidiary Arico became the first Vietnamese company licensed to manufacture Hoshizaki-branded products for Southeast Asia Another group member, Greenpan, made history as the first Vietnamese company to achieve an FM approved certificate (a global certification mark from the industrial insurance company FM Global) from the United States, qualifying its insulation materials for international use. Meanwhile, the groups logistics arm Searee launched its Danang warehouse hub in March last year and reached full operating capacity within months. The group is also developing a multi-story factory that meets EDGE and LEED green building standards, an emerging model expected to gain traction amid rising land scarcity in industrial zones. Searefico has also made progress on financial clean-up efforts. Despite ongoing restructuring, the company reported over VND1 trillion ($40 million) in revenue in 2024 and returned to profitability, while reducing audit exceptions by 40 per cent compared to the previous year. We are not chasing growth at any cost, said CEO Nguyen Khoa Dang. Our priority is controlled, sustainable expansion, selecting the right projects at the right time and delivering them with precision, Dang said. CME Solar and Searefico ink cooperative partnership With a shared commitment to reaching net-zero by 2050, Vietnamese renewable energy company CME Solar JSC has announced a new partnership with Searefico JSC, a leading national brand in engineering and technology, to promote rooftop solar across Vietnam. Searefico ventures into logistics to welcome wave of FDI In anticipation of rising foreign direct investment inflows into Vietnam, Searefico has ventured into the logistics industry to capitalise on new opportunities. On April 22, FPT Corporation announced a strategic partnership with Sumitomo and SBI Holdings to accelerate AI adoption through the FPT AI Factory ecosystem, contributing to the advancement of sovereign AI in Japan. This partnership lays a critical foundation for delivering cutting-edge AI solutions to organisations and enterprises in Japan, expediting AI integration across all aspects of society and supporting the nations ambition to become a global AI leader. With the rapid adoption of generative AI and the push for digital experience, the amount of data generated from individual and corporate activities is exploding, and the demand for advanced computing infrastructure is growing rapidly. As an Nvidia partner, FPT was able to secure a stable supply of GPUs. In November 2024, FPT announced the launch of FPT AI Factory, a comprehensive suite for end-to-end AI development lifecycle, and established FPT Smart Cloud Japan to create an ecosystem of products and solutions based on AI and cloud technologies. Sumitomo Corporation has been developing its digital business for more than 50 years, mainly in Japan. Sumitomo Corporation has developed its business domestically and internationally in a wide range of digital business fields, including consulting, system development, data centres, and BPO, and has established and owns networks with various companies and customers in each region. The SBI Group has been working with FPT Corporation for a long time to contribute to the revitalisation of the financial and IT industries in Vietnam through its investments in FPT Securities, FPT Fund Management and TPBank. Through this alliance, FPT, Sumitomo Corporation and SBI Holdings will jointly develop new AI solutions and expand its AI service business in Japan. Three companies will also accelerate research capabilities and utilisation of AI applications and GenAI for corporate customers, contributing to dramatic improvements in productivity and customer experience across industries. With the core philosophy of Build Your Own AI, FPT AI Factory aims to make AI more accessible and easily deployable for every business, organisation, and individual. Leveraging FPTs robust AI infrastructure, FPT AI Factory enables organisations to harness their proprietary data, knowledge, and identity. This empowers them to rapidly develop tailored AI applications, unlock breakthrough performance, and create sustainable competitive advantages. Japanese sensor maker Tamagawa opens factory in Quang Ninh Tamagawa Vietnam, under Japanese sensor manufacturer Tamagawa Seiki, held the grand opening of its $35-million factory in the northern province of Quang Ninh on March 21. 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. Truong My Lan (centre) at the court (Photo: VNA) HCM City The High-level Peoples Court in Ho Chi Minh City on April 21 reduced the life sentence to 20 years imprisonment for Truong My Lan, former Chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Group, at the appeal trial for the second phase of a major financial crime case involving the conglomerate and the Saigon Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SCB). Previously, on October 17, 2024, the first-instance trial of the second phase sentenced Lan to life imprisonment for "fraudulent appropriation of assets", 12 years for "money laundering", and eight years for "illegal cross-border money transfers", with a total sentence of life imprisonment. Thirty-three other defendants received sentences ranging from 2 to 23 years. The court affirmed Lans central role in orchestrating all three offences, with the other defendants identified as accomplices. It ruled that the first-instance verdict had accurately assessed the legal responsibilities and severity of the crimes. On April 3, prosecutors informed the court that authorities have so far collected 8 trillion VND (309.2 million USD) worth of assets from Lan. Additional funds amounting to approximately 15 trillion VND will be collected from other organisations and individuals in the coming time. Citing this development, prosecutors proposed a reduction of her sentence for fraudulent appropriation, noting her remorse and voluntary efforts to repay the damage. Accepting the recommendation, the appellate court lowered Lans sentence for fraud from life to 20 years in prison, while maintaining her sentences for money laundering and illegal cross-border money transfers. However, as the death penalty issued in the first phase has already taken legal effect, Lan is still subject to the death sentence. In terms of civil liability, the court affirmed that all proceeds from the illegal bond issuances were ultimately used by Lan for personal purposes, making her fully responsible for compensating the losses. The court ordered continued seizure of assets belonging to Lan and her family to ensure the enforcement of the judgment. As for other key defendants, the court upheld the original sentence of Vo Tan Hoang Van (former SCB CEO): 12 years for fraudulent appropriation and 5 years for illegal money transfers. With his life sentence from phase one, Van must continue to serve his life imprisonment. The original 10-year sentence for Bui Anh Dung, former SCB Chairman, was also maintained, leaving him with a life sentence when combined with the earlier verdict. Chu Nap Kee Eric, Lans husband and former Chairman of Times Square Investment Corporation, saw his sentence for money laundering reduced from two years to one. Together with a prior seven-year sentence, he now faces a total of eight years in prison. The court also reduced prison terms by one to two years for 23 other defendants, citing additional efforts to compensate losses, limited involvement in the crimes, difficult family circumstances, and past contributions to the revolution. The event attracted leaders of the MST, representatives of the United Nations in Vietnam, representatives of embassies of several countries, international organisations in Vietnam, representatives of ministries, and agencies, as well as research institutes, universities and enterprises. Speaking at the event, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung declared that building a culture of innovation for all people, encouraging the spirit of "dare to think, dare to do, dare to innovate" was the key for Vietnam to maximise its creative potential, make breakthroughs in the digital age, and achieve sustainable development goals. Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung made speech at the event. Photo: Bich Thuy "Innovation is the driving force for development; promoting innovation is encouraging development; planning innovation is planning the future. Innovating scientific and technological activities is to focus on solving major national problems. If we want creativity and innovation to become universal, we must comprehensively do digital transformation, digitise the entire real world, and bring all activities to the digital environment. The digital environment is the ideal environment for all ideas to be realised the fastest because it is non-physical, non-distance and non-contact, he said. "In the context of limited resources, innovation is an important lever to help Vietnam make the most of the world's scientific and technological achievements, combined with the creativity and adaptability of Vietnamese people to create solutions suitable to practical conditions." The minister gave the example of Finland, which is a country of continuous learning and micro-innovation, a learning society of mass innovation. Finland believes small innovation from five million people is more valuable than invention from 500 scientists, in this way, small innovation from 100 million Vietnamese people will be no less than that from 10,000 scientists. To realise the goal of turning innovation into a way of life, the minister said that the MST has been assigned to develop a national startup project, focusing on forming a culture of innovation among the entire population. This includes encouraging exploratory thinking, accepting failure as part of the innovation process, and creating an innovation ecosystem where every idea has the opportunity to be realised. Being at the event, Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam said that Vietnams digital economy now makes up 18.3 per cent of GDP, growing faster than any other in Southeast Asia. Nearly all citizens are covered by broadband, and 5G is scaling fast. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam. Photo: MST Let us embrace a culture where innovation and creativity become a way of life for individuals and organisations alike. This means fostering environments where new ideas are encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and innovative thinking is integrated into everyday practices. By doing so, we can ensure that the spirit of innovation permeates every aspect of our lives, driving progress and enriching our communities, she said. Vietnam celebrated the World Creativity and Innovation Day 2025. Photo: MST April 21 of each year is chosen by the United Nations as the World Creativity and Innovation Day to raise awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in socioeconomic development, building a sustainable society and encouraging all aspects of human development. 2025 marks the fourth year that the MST organised the ceremony to celebrate the World Creativity and Innovation Day. Open Innovation Day 2024: Bridging Technology Gaps, Enhancing Value Chains Open Innovation Day (OID) is the largest annual program in Ho Chi Minh City. This year, OID 2024 is organized by the Open Innovation & Technopreneur Institute (OITI) and Saigon Telecommunication & Technologies Corporation (Saigontel) in collaboration with the Open Innovation Hub (SoiHub).. Signify Innovation Day 2024 strengthens cooperation towards net zero Signify, one of the global leaders in lighting, hosted its second Signify Innovation Day on November 21 in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together experts from the Netherlands and key industry leaders. VILOG 2025 is set to expand significantly in both scale and scope with an even greater international presence and strengthened networking opportunities, aiming to be a catalyst for innovation and collaboration in the sector. VILOG 2024 attracted thousands of visitors. Photo: VINEXAD Up to now, VILOG 2025 has welcomed the participation and cooperation of many global logistics promotion organisations and associations such as World Cargo Alliance, World International Freight Forwarder Alliance, China International Freight Forwarders Association, Cambodia Logistics Association, Taiwan Cold Chain Association, Guangzhou Logistics Profession Association, Tianjin International Freight Forwarders Association, Vietnam Association for Logistics Manpower Development, and Hanoi Logistics Association. Representative brands include Long An International Port, My Thuy Port, Nippon Express, Transimex, Worldwide Links, U&I, Transit, Bee Logistics, MMC World, Interlog, DTK, Neptune Logistics, Dolphin Logistics, Tradelinks, WR1, as well as many major brands in machinery, equipment, spare parts, and warehouse management technology such as Vinatech, Makitech Vietnam, Tin Quang Forklifts, Tan Phuong Phat, and Viet Mechanical. VILOG 2025 will showcase groundbreaking advancements in automation, AI, IoT-driven supply chains, and eco-friendly transport solutions. The event will also facilitate dialogue on policy frameworks and best practices to accelerate the green transition. The highlight of this exhibition is the VILOG TALK zone - a forum exclusively for exhibitors to introduce their services and technologies. It is combined with the 1:1 business matching programme and the buyer programme, maintained throughout the entire exhibition to attract industry enterprises, cargo owners, and visitors, facilitating business expansion and enabling them to choose the most optimal logistics solutions. VILOG 2025 will be held concurrently with the esteemed 23rd International Medical, Hospital and Pharmaceutical Exhibition (Vietnam Medipharm Expo) in Ho Chi Minh City. This combination offers a unique opportunity for businesses participating in both events to explore each other, seek potential partners, and optimise supply chain processes in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment sectors. The Vietnam International Cold Chain Exhibition and the Vietnam International Smart Warehouse Exhibition will continue to be two prominent specialised exhibitions accompanying VILOG this year. The Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition 2025, under the direction of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, with strong support from the Agency of Foreign Trade, is co-organised by the Vietnam Logistics Business Association and VINEXAD. The exhibition is expected to welcome 20,000 visitors over its three-day duration from July 31 to August 2. As Vietnam cements its position as a logistics hub in Southeast Asia, Vietnamese businesses have to adapt with increasingly stringent international regulations which require logistics companies to elevate their standards and reduce the carbon footprint in logistics operations to move towards a sustainable supply chain. The integration of technology and collaboration is regarded as two essential factors for achieving sustainable growth, as digital innovations enhance operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and foster stronger partnerships across the supply chain. By leveraging smart logistics solutions, automation, and data-driven decision-making, businesses can optimise resources, lower carbon emissions, and build a more resilient and eco-friendly logistics network. Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director general of the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said, The Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition marks an important milestone, serving as a gathering place for logistics enterprises to come together and shape a path towards a more sustainable future. By emphasising the importance of green logistics as the foundation for sustainable development, we aim to inspire meaningful discussions, foster valuable connections, and accelerate the implementation of environmentally responsible changes. Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition 2024 to open in Ho Chi Minh City in August The Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition 2024 (VILOG 2024) will take place from August 1-3 at Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Logistics giants to join VILOG 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City Domestic and international logistics giants will bring their extensive expertise and international reputation to the Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition 2024 (VILOG 2024) from August 1-3 in Ho Chi Minh City. Openreach connects over 19,000 Wrexham homes to full fibre broadband This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Apr 22nd, 2025 Over 19,000 homes and businesses in Wrexham now have access to full fibre broadband as part of Openreachs nationwide rollout. Engineers have been working to make full fibre broadband available to more and more local communities. Around 75 per cent of properties across the city now have access to full fibre. It is claimed the technology offers a faster, more reliable broadband connection that enables residents to connect multiple devices at gigabit-capable speeds and helps businesses trade online and compete for decades to come. Residents of Wrexham can use Openreachs full fibre checker to find out if they can already benefit from a better service. To order, they need to contact their broadband provider. As part of that you will possibly be offered digital voice. The Digital Voice programme is a UK wide programme which will see all landlines moved over from analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) lines to broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) lines. The programme has been led by the telecoms industry to replace the antiquated and increasingly unreliable PSTN network. We recently reported that local exchanges are now on the list of areas where sale of copper-based telephony services will be stopped due to move to digital. In 2022 Wrexham councillors expressed concerns at the roll out, where it was noted after a power outage, when they convert the phones they dont seem to tell the customer that they now need a digital phone, and then if theres no electricity, they have no phone. Mobile services were also out due to Storm Arwen as backup power to mobile masts ran down. An action was taken by Wrexham Council in 2022, but no public update has appeared. That warning of a possible problem following storms appears to have taken place around 30 miles to the east of Wrexham, with a surreal situation where a council was confident in saying they were currently not aware of any requests for assistance from our residents however a councillor has said that was because residents had no way of letting anybody know. Wrexham.com understands if you explain that concern to some providers, such as BT, they should offer a battery pack as a back up power unit now. Those who have Care Call or similar telecare services should also get specific support if asked. Further, Wrexham.com understands BT have stoped any renewals as well as new orders of telephony or broadband products in Wrexham to opt out of Digital Voice due to the stop sell programme however those wishing to delay for as long as possible could look to renew other aspects of their packages such as mobile phone or TV services which should then extend your broadband/telephone services to avoid Digital Voice for as long as possible. Martin Williams, Openreach Partnership Director for Wales, said: Its important to remember that upgrades dont happen automatically. People need to place an order through a broadband service provider to take advantage of our cutting-edge network. Local households might also be missing out on great deals. Openreachs network supports a wide range of service providers, meaning you can shop around and find a package and price that works for you. We believe that this new network will give businesses an edge and provide families and home-workers with future-proof connectivity. Openreach is committed to delivering a great service that helps the community thrive, supports people to work from home easily, and keeps them connected to loved ones and opportunities. Wales faces extraordinary challenge to meet 2030 nature targets This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Apr 22nd, 2025 Wales is facing an extraordinary challenge in meeting global targets to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2030, according to a new Senedd report set to be debated this week. The Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure (CCEI) Committee has published a critical assessment of the Welsh Governments progress in tackling nature loss. While praising strong policy ambitions, it warns that insufficient implementation and lack of resources are undermining delivery. The report follows the Welsh Governments 2021 declaration of a nature emergency, made in response to widespread biodiversity declines attributed to human activity. Scientists warn that the planet is entering a sixth mass extinction event, with Wales performing among the worst globally on biodiversity indicators. Wales is currently ranked 224th out of 240 countries on the Natural History Museums Biodiversity Intactness Index. Species at risk of extinction include the Fen Orchid, Water Vole and Sand Lizard. Pressures on biodiversity in Wales stem from a wide range of sources, including pollution, climate change, some agricultural and woodland management practices, over-exploitation, and invasive non-native species. Despite the severity of the crisis, the committee has found that many of the Welsh Governments existing plans and programmes are not being adequately delivered. It states that achieving the international commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 will be an extraordinary challenge. The UK, including Wales as a devolved government, is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversitys Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at COP15. The framework sets targets for 2030 and 2050, including the ambition to protect 30% of land, water and sea for nature by 2030 commonly known as 30 by 30. In Wales, the policy landscape includes a number of statutory duties and environmental designations, such as those under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. However, the CCEI Committee has stressed that a real step-change in action and investment is now required. Looking ahead, a new Environment Bill is expected to be introduced in June. It is anticipated to include legally binding biodiversity targets, a nature recovery framework, environmental principles, and the creation of a new governance body to oversee environmental performance by public authorities. The Committees report adds to growing pressure on ministers to deliver the Bill and to ensure the necessary structures and funding are in place to respond to the nature emergency. Around the world, people are mourning the loss of Pope Francis. His impact is also being felt here in the Silver State. "I literally just stood, you know, in our bedroom this morning and just had tears rolling down my face," said Marie Baxter, CEO of Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada. Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg for the Diocese of Reno says he owes a lot to the Pope. "I was personally very much shocked by it," the bishop said. "I was appointed to Bishop by Pope Francis. I was also then appointed to Reno by Pope Francis, and so I think I have a particular debt of gratitude to him for this ministry and for the confidence he chose in me personally." When Bishop Mueggenborg met him in Rome, he said he was a very special man. "He had a sense of humor which was very disarming, and the opportunity I did have to meet him," he said. "He would always poke fun at something or make a nice lighthearted comment, but again it was the expression of his faith, the gentleness of his character, that has left a lasting impression on me." The bishop says he does not believe the Pope took a trip out here to Nevada. However, he says that he believes if he came out to the state, he would appreciate the work that has been done. "I think he would first of all be very grateful and filled with consolation with how we've responded to the immigrant community in our midst," Bishop Mueggenborg said. "The catholic church in northern Nevada is approximately 55 percent Hispanic." Organizations like Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada are also grieving the loss and want to continue doing the work they believe aligns with the Pope's mission. "Each Diocese across the country has a Catholic Charities and we are the charitable arm of the various different Dioceses," Baxter said. "So, we're truly blessed and privileged to get to be the boots on the ground. Meet with individuals who are struggling for a variety of different reasons..." "...he was a huge champion of the work of Catholic charities around the country, as well as the different international organizations that just always see the humanity and the dignity in people and how do we give them the best life experience that we can," she said. There are two events happening this week for folks who want to mourn the loss. Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. there will be a prayer at the Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral. Then Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. there will be a Mass at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. The bishop says he expects a lot of people to be at the Mass, but they will have overflow seating at the church. A team of Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) and the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) is hosting free community events this week. The events are targeted at people who need information and resources regarding domestic wells and septic systems. Two workshops will be held this week and are designed to help locals understand, maintain and protect their private water and wastewater systems, and also to provide resources and assistance. Organizers say the trainings will be available in Spanish and other languages as well. The first event, taking place on Wednesday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. is titled, "You Own A Private Well, Now What? Protecting Your Home's Water Source." The workshop covers the basics of domestic well ownership. NNPH and RCAC staff will be on hand to share information and resources for well owners. The second event is focused on septic systems and is named, "How to Manage Your Septic System - Maintenance, Protection and Resources," and is happening on Thursday, April 24 at 5:30 p.m. This workshop focuses on septic system upkeep, as well as public health and environmental considerations. Both events take place at Northern Nevada Public Health, located at 1001 East Ninth Street, Building B in Reno. For more information, or to register for either event, check out the Northern Nevada Public Health website. Teslas first-quarter profits plunged by more than two-thirds amid backlash against Elon Musks electric car company that has hurt sales and sent its stock plunging. The Austin, Texas, company said Tuesday that quarterly profits fell by 70% to to $409 million, or 12 cents a share. Thats far below analyst estimates. Teslas revenue fell 9% to $19.3 billion in the January through March period, below Wall Streets forecast. The disappointing results come as the company struggles to sell cars to consumers angry over Musks leadership of a federal government jobs-cutting group that has divided the country and sparked protests. Musk also has publicly supported far-right politicians in Europe and alienated potential buyers there, too. Many investors have also complained Musk is too distracted with his Trump administration role to be running Tesla and that he should either relinquish his position as CEO or abandon his advisory role in Washington. The company is expected to roll out a cheaper version of its best-selling vehicle, the Model Y SUV later in the year. Tesla has also said it plans to start a paid driverless robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in June. (The Associated Press contributed to this report.) Christopher McDougal, the man charged in connection with hitting and killing late District Court Judge Larry Hicks has pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter. McDougal is currently serving 30 days up front in Washoe County Jail as part of his plea. He has also been sentenced to 180 days in Washoe County, but that is suspended for two years as long as he obeys all laws and the conditions of his sentencing. Current Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks released this statement: On behalf of my entire family, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Reno Police Department and the Reno City Attorneys Office for their diligent investigation and prosecution in the case surrounding the loss of our beloved family member. Throughout this difficult process, their compassion and support have meant so much to us. We are thankful that this case has now reached its conclusion, allowing us to continue on our path toward healing from such a profound loss. Most importantly, we hope this marks a turning point - one that allows the focus to return to honoring the remarkable legacy of Judge Larry Hicks life, rather than the tragic circumstances of his passing. JUNE 27, 2024: A celebration of life for late District Court Judge Larry Hicks was held Thursday afternoon on the UNR campus. The event was held inside the Milt Glick Ballroom in the Joe Crowley Student Union. The service was held in the main ballroom and was livestreamed in the theatre on the 3rd floor. Hicks was hit and killed by a car late last month in downtown Reno. ORIGINAL STORY: Reactions are starting to pour in one day after U.S. District Court Judge Larry Hicks was hit and killed by a car in downtown Reno Wednesday afternoon. "Today, our community lost an extraordinary man," said a statement released on behalf of the Hicks family, including current Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks. "Judge Larry Hicks was a deeply admired, lawyer and judge, a devoted friend, mentor, and a committed servant to the administration of justice. To us, he was first and foremost, a man who put nothing before family. He was a hero in all manners, a loving husband of nearly 59 years, a doting dad, an adoring Papa, and brother. His loss is beyond comprehension." Reno Police, Reno Fire, and REMSA responded to a report of a car hitting a pedestrian just after 2:15 p.m. at the intersection of South Virginia Street and California Avenue. The RPD's Major Accident Investigation Team is handling the investigation. Police say the driver of the car stayed on scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Police say impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash. On behalf of the men and women of the Reno Police Department, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Judge Hicks," said Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance in a statement. "Tragedies like this leave a lasting impact on our lives, particularly when they involve cherished members of our community. Todays news regarding the Honorable Judge Larry R. Hicks who served Nevada for over 53 years is tragic, said Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam. Hicks served as the district attorney in Washoe County from 1974-78 and then joined a law firm, according to an online biography. He was nominated to the U.S. District Court for Nevada by President George W. Bush and sworn in in 2001. He continued to carry a caseload after assuming senior status in 2013. Hicks was the father of current Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks, whose office released a statement on behalf of the Hicks family. Judge Larry Hicks was a deeply admired lawyer and judge, a devoted friend, mentor, and a committed servant to the administration of justice, the family said. To us, he was first and foremost, a man who put nothing before family. He was a hero in all manners, a loving husband of nearly 59 years, a doting dad, an adoring Papa, and brother. His loss is beyond comprehension. Flags will be flown at half-staff over Nevadas federal courthouses, the U.S. District Court said. Anyone with information is urged to call the Reno Police Department's non-emergency line at (775) 334-2677. You can also contact Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900 or at secretwitness.com. (The Associated Press contributed to this report.) ORIGINAL ARTICLE A pedestrian is dead after being hit by a car near downtown Reno Wednesday afternoon. It happened near California Avenue and Virginia Street just after 2 p.m. Police say the unidentified pedestrian died on scene - and that the driver is cooperating with the investigation. This is a developing story. Three days of public viewing of Pope Francis' body by ordinary mourners and statesmen alike ended Friday. Francis died on Monday at age 88 after suffering a stroke. The Vatican said that around 250,000 mourners filed through St. Peters Basilica over the three days to pay their last respects as Francis lay in state in a simple wooden coffin. Hundreds of disappointed people were turned away when authorities closed St. Peters Square hours before the viewing period ended. The popes casket will be closed and sealed later Friday in the next in a series of carefully orchestrated rites set off by the death of a pope. Francis will be buried after a funeral Mass on Saturday, which will be attended by heads of states, royals, prelates and ordinary mourners. Pope Francis chose his place of burial in St. Mary Major Basilica, near an icon of the Madonna that he revered, because it reflects his humble, simple and essential life, the archbishop who administers the basilica told reporters on Friday. Francis, who died Monday at age 88, will be buried in a niche tomb in the basilica on Saturday after his funeral in St. Peter's Square about 4 kilometers (2 miles) away. Francis initially demurred when Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas suggested in May 2022 that he choose St. Mary Major as his last resting place. Makrickas had identified it because of Francis' long association with the basilica, its ties to Francis Jesuit order, its artistic and spiritual heritage and links to the papacy. Seven other popes are buried there, but none since 1669. At first, "he said no because popes are buried in St. Peter's," Makrickas told reporters on the steps of the basilica. After a week, he called me to (his home at the Vatican) Santa Marta and he said Prepare my tomb." The pope later insisted that his tomb remain simple, insisting that people should still come to the basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary to venerate the Madonna, not to see the tomb of a pope," Makrickas said. Francis will be buried beneath a simple headstone made of marble from Liguria, the Italian region of his mother's family, engraved with his name in Latin: Franciscus. Above it will hang a slightly enlarged replica of his pectoral cross, featuring raised images of a shepherd carrying a sheep over his shoulders and a dove, but no other adornments. The tomb is placed in a niche next to the chapel where the Salus Populi Romani icon that the pope revered is located, and in a part of the basilica that was once a door to an adjacent palace where four popes lived. During his 12-year papacy, Francis would pray before the icon before and after each foreign trip. The basilica also has significance for the Jesuit pope: It's where the founder of the religious order, St. Ignatius Loyola, celebrated his first Mass on Christmas Day in 1538. The basilica is a pontifical basilica, one of four in Rome, and has never been destroyed, damaged or burned over the ages, with history dating back to the fifth century. Makrickas called it a treasure chest of art and spirituality." Nevadans React: At the direction of President Trump, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has ordered the flags of the United States and State of Nevada to be lowered to half-staff immediately to honor the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of interment. While several state lawmakers released statements after his death, southern Nevadans are also remembering Pope Francis for creating the first Archdiocese in the state, in Las Vegas in May 2023. The Archdiocese of Las Vegas covers 39,088 square miles in Nevada, and is comprised of 750,000 Catholics. The Argentine pope died Monday at age 88 after a stroke put him in a coma and led his heart to fail. He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalized for five weeks with pneumonia. He made his last public appearance Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and greeting followers from his popemobile, looping around St. Peter's Square. His Easter appearance from the same loggia where he was introduced to the world as the first pope from the Americas on March 13, 2013, was a fitting bookend to a 12-year papacy that sought to shake up the church and return it to its Gospel-mandated mission of caring for the poorest. Vatican officials remember Francis He truly gave everything he had, up to the end, said Sister Nathalie Becquart, one of the highest-ranking women at the Vatican. While the ordinary faithful will have an opportunity to pay their respects beginning Wednesday, Vatican officials were allowed to say their goodbyes starting Monday evening. Speaking to reporters after she paid her respects, Becquart marveled at Francis' final Easter salute to his flock. He really walked with his people, she said. Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said it was specifically Francis' effort to promote the role of women in the church that will be one of his greatest legacies. Ravasi noted that Francis chose to be buried near his favorite icon of the Madonna, in a basilica across town, and not in the grottoes underneath St. Peter's, as is typical for popes. He wanted to be buried under the shadow of a woman, in this case Maria, said Ravasi, the Vatican's former culture minister as he arrived for Tuesday's first meeting of cardinals. That is significant, his desire for the church to do more for women. The first images of Francis' body were released Tuesday, showing him in red vestments and his bishops miter in a wooden casket, with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived and died. In his final will, Francis said he wanted to be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica, which is home to the Salus Populi Romani icon of Mary. Before and after every foreign trip, Francis would go to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting that features an image of Mary, draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus, who in turn holds a jeweled golden book. Francis stopped by the basilica on his way home from the Gemelli hospital on March 23, after his 38-day stay, to deliver flowers to be placed before the icon. He returned April 12 to pray before it one last time. Choosing the next pope After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the novendiali. During this period, cardinals arrive in Rome and meet privately before the conclave. To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15 to 20 days after the sede vacante the vacant See is declared, although it can start sooner if the cardinals agree. Once the conclave begins, cardinals vote in secret sessions in the Sistine Chapel. After voting sessions, the ballots are burned in a special stove. Black smoke indicates that no pope has been elected, while white smoke indicates that the cardinals have chosen the next head of the Catholic Church. The one who has secured two-thirds of the votes wins. If he accepts, his election is announced by a cardinal from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica who tells the world: Habemus Papam Latin for We have a pope. You had a health challenge [a MRSA-related sinus infection] a few years ago that led you to cancel a tour. Did it leave any lingering effects? No, actually, it seems like its OK. Its just one of the things you had to take care of. My mother had a really bad heart. Ive never got the heart problems that she had on the Irish side of my family. So Ive been lucky. I would never have thought that the rock n roll actually keeps you as long as youre not f---ing yourself up really healthy, because you always have to do something thats like a cardio exercise. Its the most amazing cardio exercise of this age, actually. Members only Ive heard that. Steven Van Zandt, 74, told me he attributes staying young to rock n roll. Anybody who wants to know, if youre looking for an exercise, just pretend to be me for an hour and a half onstage. Who inspired your rock n roll ambitions? When I was 7 years old, I fell in love with the Beatles because they were just sort of revitalizing England. England was in this terrible place. It hadnt recovered from the Second World War, and then the Beatles came along. They just made everybody feel youthful and young. And then I followed all the rest of the music that happened, all the progressive rock that happened in the 60s. And then eventually got into punk rock, into the Velvet Underground and Iggy [Pop, 77] and the Stooges. David Bowie, because he was speaking a lot to us in the 60s and 70s. And I love Elvis Presley. Theres a lot about Elvis. He was so great in the 50s, and his early music is so good. When did you know that you had made it, that the struggle maybe was over? Well, coming to America and having success in America is always a gigantic thing for people from England or Europe. Because England, you could tour it in three weeks and its over, you know? But America, you can tour forever, you know? But just also thats a doorway into the rest of the world. I was in an elevator once in New York, and theres Frank Sinatra singing, If I can make it there, Ill make it anywhere. And I was making it in New York ... and its been amazing. Idol and John Taylor of Duran Duran perform during a Valentines Day party at the Limelight nightclub in New York in 1985. Idol's advice to his younger self? "Dont worry so much. You just dont know where lifes going. Its not so easy." Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images What does it mean to you to get your first nomination for a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? I was part of Ozzys [Osbourne, 76] induction as a solo artist last year. It was a fantastic night I saw a million people I knew, meeting Jelly Roll. It was a great night, and so that really made me sort of love the idea of being in it. Some of those early rock n roll stars are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Buddy Holly, Bo Diddley, Little Richard. Just the idea that youre in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with people like that, or Link Wray, its kind of incredible, and I could never have imagined that a million years ago. So yeah, if I get in, Im really looking forward to it. And Steve Stevens is being inducted with me, so thats fantastic. Without him, I dont know if Id be here. Youve spoken out about people online pretending to be you to scam your fans. That must be scary. Identity theft is massive, and it is a little scary, yeah. Youre always dealing with that online. And now, with AI, they can really replicate you and make people think this is you saying something. Thats going to be difficult to deal with. Theres a lot of people winding people up and then they really believe its you. And youre trying to tell them, Its not me, its somebody scamming you. It can be quite heartbreaking. Do you have any regrets? Not really. I mean, there are things, of course, that go wrong in life. I had a funny relationship with my dad for a long time, but toward the end of his life we repaired it. We had a great last 20 years, so I was lucky. I wanted him to love me how I wanted to be loved, but I realized one day, Dads loving me how he can. Im lucky he loves me at all. I just got to love him back. We got over a lot, so maybe things like that, youre able to make it better. I received a message from Google that I would stop receiving emails in less than a month because Ive used up all my Google account storage. It informed me that incoming emails would bounce back to the sender with no way for me to recover them later. Is this true? Please advise. David M. David, the message you received from Google is very real and reflects the 15 gigabytes (GB) of storage you get gratis as part of your Google account. Emails alone dont typically consume a ton of space, so on the surface the free 15GB allotment may seem generous. A free Outlook.com account that you may remember as Hotmail has the same limits. Members only Apple users get a third less free iCloud storage. But AOL and Yahoo! offer 1 terabyte (TB), which is 1,000GB or 1 million megabytes, if youre willing to see ads with your email, as also happens with Gmail. The two offering the most storage have had security breaches in the past. Googles quota is shared across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos. If you have a lot of pictures or large attachments in those places, you can exhaust your online locker all too quickly. Other items you might not think of can also eat up space. One example Google mentions are backups of WhatsApp messages and media. Ask The Tech Guru AARP writer Ed Baig will answer your most pressing technology questions every Tuesday. Baig previously worked for USA Today, BusinessWeek, U.S. News & World Report and Fortune, and is author of Macs for Dummies and coauthor of iPhone for Dummies and iPad for Dummies. Have a question? Email personaltech@aarp.org Receiving mail wont be your only problem Googles limit not only inhibits your ability to receive new emails but also to send them. You wont be able to upload fresh files or images to Google Drive or back up pictures and videos to Google Photos, among other restrictions. This may not apply to you, David, but Google says anyone who has been over their quota for two years or more is at risk of all of their content being deleted from Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive and other services. Google promises to alert you at least three months before the execution date, giving you an opportunity to download your stuff. If youre not sure how much space youve used or have left, click your user profile in the top right corner in Gmail or Google Drive for a quick check. That brings me back to your current options: You can pay Google for more storage. Or do your darndest to free up space. First, clean up your files Lets begin with the latter. The first thing to do is clean up files that may no longer be useful. Some strategies: Identify large attachments. Try to locate emails that carry a sizable payload or attachment. Launch Gmail on a browser or the Gmail app on your smartphone. In the Search Mail box on your computer or Search in Mail box on a phone, type something along the lines of has:attachment larger 10mb, which is megabytes, or whatever size restriction you want to use. High-Grade Assay Results up to 26% TiO2 and 18,887ppm TREO at Tiros North Block Support Next Steps Toward Scoping Study High Grade Assay Results up to 26% TiO2 Tiros North Block Toronto, April 22, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. ( ASX:RAU ) ( CVE:RSM ) ( 8TX:FRA ) ( RSGOF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce the assay results from 21 auger drill hole for 206 m of drilling, undertaken at the North block of the Tiros Titanium and Rare Earth Elements ("REE") Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil ("Tiros Project" or "Tiros" or "Project"). Highlights - 1m at 22% TiO2 and 18,827ppm TREO from 8m in auger hole FT-32 - 1m at 25.6% TiO2 and 12,138ppm TREO from 19m in auger hole FT-28 High-grade results close to surface include: - 7m at 23.4 TiO2% and 8,149ppm TREO from 5m depth in auger hole FT29 - 4m at 20.8 TiO2% and 14,229ppm TREO from 6m depth in auger hole FT32 - 4m at 18.9 TiO2% and 11,059ppm TREO from 5m depth in auger hole FT42 The recent update of the MRE for the Central Block MRE of 1.4 Billion tonnes of Measured and Indicated Resource contains 165 Mt of titanium dioxide (TiO2), and 5.5 Mt of Total Rare Earths Oxide (TREO) at a Magnet Rare Earths Oxide ("MREO") ratio of 27% and is one of the largest mineral deposits globally. An additional resource of 500 million tonne of Inferred Resource contains 60 million tonnes of TiO2 and 1.85 million tonnes of TREO. The current assay results add to the massive resource potential of the Tiros Project area. NORTH BLOCK ASSAY RESULTS Results are related to the current auger drilling campaign, designed to evaluate the areas outside the Tiros Central block. The North block was initially chosen because earlier results from auger drilling showed a high-grade zone close to the surface. Assay results exclude additional 18 auger holes for 180m of drilling, from the same North block, with results pending at ALS laboratory, at Vespasiano, Minas Gerais. All assay intervals (Table 1*) are determined using cut-off grades of 1,000ppm for TREO and 6% for TiO2 while the high-grade zone is defined using a cut-off grade of 6,000ppm for TREO and/or 16% for TiO2. These results from the Northern Permit of the Tiros North Block confirm high-grade mineralisation is continuous and is either exposed at surface or covered by a thin layer of overburden. The Tiros North Block, Figure 1*, is a plateau, where the Capacete Formation is preserved. Auger holes were positioned along the rim of the plateau, in zones with little or no overburden. The geological map of the Capacete formation, Figure 2*, demonstrates the relationship between mineralization and overburden. The current campaign targets zones not covered by overburden. NEXT STEPS Resouro will produce a Resource Statement and develop a mine plan to complete a Scoping Study in support of a Trial Mining License application. Work has begun on the Environmental Impact Study required as part of the licensing process. The objective of the Scoping Study is to generate bulk samples of raw, unprocessed material from the North Block, targeting very high-grade, near surface, friable material, for distribution to potential offtake partners. This will help test market interest in direct shipping and guide future development decisions. In parallel, Resouro will continue evaluating the targets outside its Central block, where drilling is currently concentrated. Exploratory drilling has confirmed the presence of mineralization in both the Sao Gotardo and North blocks. The Campos Altos block will be mapped with the support of the auger rig, to assess its exploration potential. *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/28MNX778 About Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. (ASX:RAU) (CVE:RSM) (OTCMKTS:RSGOF) (FRA:8TX) is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in Brazil, including the rare earth elements and titanium Tiros Project and the Novo Mundo and Santa Angela gold projects. The Tiros Project, located in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil, is an exploration project focused on rare earth elements and titanium covering an area of approximately 450 km2. The Tiros Project comprises 17 exploration permits, and one exploration permit application held by the Company's Brazilian subsidiary; and 6 exploration permits and one exploration permit application that have been validly assigned to the Company's Brazilian subsidiary and are awaiting ANM approval. The Company holds, via its wholly owned Brazilian subsidiary, a 90% interest in the Tiros Project and the remaining 10% interest in the Tiros Project is held by RBM Consultoria Mineral Eireli (RBM), an unrelated third-party vendor. The Novo Mundo Project is located in the Alta Floresta Gold Province close to the northern border of the state of Mato Grosso, central Brazil. Within the licensed area is the small town of Novo Mundo, which is 30km west from the larger town of Guaranta do Norte. It comprises three exploration permits. The Company also has another interest in an exploration permit, being the Santa Angela Project, which is not considered material to the Company's operations. Interests in the Novo Mundo Project and Santa Angela Project are held via the Company's wholly owned subsidiary. Related Companies Porsche Crash Blood Swap Scandal: Doctors' Licenses Suspended Over Tampering Evidence 2 In a dramatic development nearly a year after the Porsche car crash in Pune that killed two software professionals, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has suspended the licenses of two doctors involved in tampering with evidence. Dr. Ajay Taware and Dr. Shrihari Halnor, both employed at the government-run Sassoon General Hospital at the time, were arrested for allegedly swapping blood samples of the teenage driver involved in the fatal accident. The incident, which occurred on May 19, 2024, involved a 17-year-old driver, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, who ran over two IT professionals on a motorcycle in Punes Kalyani Nagar. To avoid detection of alcohol, the doctors are accused of swapping the juveniles blood sample with that of his mother, according to police. The MMC took suo motu cognizance of the matter after the doctors were booked for their involvement in the tampering. Despite their detention in judicial custody, the council proceeded with the suspension of their licenses, effectively barring them from practicing medicine. The suspension will remain in effect until the case reaches its final resolution. In addition to the two doctors, hospital staffer Atul Ghatkamble has also been arrested for his role in the alleged evidence manipulation. The juvenile driver, the son of a real estate developer, has since been released from an observation home, while ten others, including his parents, hospital staff, and alleged middlemen, remain in judicial custody as the investigation continues. Shiv Sena (UBT) Slams Congress: Has the INDIA Bloc Vanished into Thin Air? 2 In a sharp critique published in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday demanded answers from the Congress regarding the current status of the INDIA bloc, questioning its conspicuous absence from discussions at the partys recent Ahmedabad session. The editorial expressed disappointment that the Congress chose to focus solely on itself, with no mention of the opposition alliance or its future after the Lok Sabha elections. Where does the INDIA bloc stand post-elections? Has it been buried or disappeared into thin air? the editorial asked, holding Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge responsible for offering clarity. The Sena (UBT) also sought to know the Congresss plan for upcoming state elections in Bihar, Gujarat, and West Bengal, warning that continuing to ignore alliance partners like AAP and TMC could pave the way for BJP victories. The editorial questioned the utility of the Congress session held on April 89 in Gujarata state where the party has remained out of power for two decades and managed to win only one Lok Sabha seat since 2014. It further urged the Congress to focus on states like Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh while introspecting its assembly poll debacle in Maharashtra, where internal conflicts and BJPs scams contributed to its downfall. Shiv Sena (UBT) emphasized that the Congress must take charge of the oppositions fight against dictatorship but warned that any strategy involving contesting against INDIA bloc allies would be counterproductive. Referring to the Congress-AAP split in the Delhi assembly polls, it said such missteps only strengthen the BJP. We have to defeat the BJP, not our friends, the Sena (UBT) concluded, hinting that a cohesive alliance strategy is crucial if the opposition aims to present a serious challenge in the upcoming state and national elections. Terror Attack in Pahalgam: 26 Dead, Mostly Hindu Tourists, in Kashmir's Deadliest Assault Since Pulwama 2 In a gruesome act of terror, 26 people, including two foreigners and two locals, were killed in Kashmirs Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon. The attack occurred at the picturesque Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot near Pahalgam, as terrorists opened fire on unsuspecting tourists. The assailants targeted those enjoying their day with pony rides, picnicking, and strolling near the eateries. Witnesses described the horrifying scene of gunfire echoing through the meadow, with people frantically seeking cover, but there was nowhere to hide in the open space. Many of the victims were tourists from various states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Among the dead was a businessman from Shivamogga, Karnataka. Over 20 people were also injured in the assault. The terrorist group, The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities suspect that the terrorists might have crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran through Kokernag in south Kashmir. Union Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting Saudi Arabia, and soon after, an urgent security review meeting was held. Prime Minister Modi condemned the attack, expressing condolences to the families of the victims and vowing that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. The attack, which unfolded as Kashmirs tourist season was gaining momentum, comes just days after increased tourist arrivals in the region. The attack is the deadliest since the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, which killed 40 CRPF personnel. The shockwaves of the Pahalgam attack have left the region on edge, with both local authorities and national security agencies on high alert. Georgia-based Rado Mechanical Group is coming to the Bibb County Industrial Park. The electrical and mechanical contracting firm, headquartered in Conyers, Ga., will occupy a 20,000-square-foot facility on a 22-acre site in Woodstock. The Bibb County Economic & Industrial Development Authority announced the move, which it says will create 50 new jobs. Rado Mechanical Group specializes in mechanical, electrical, controls, structural, sheet metal, rigging, drafting, water jetting, plasma cutting, and field maintenance service. Russell Carlisle, vice president of business development of Rado Mechanical Group, said the investment underscores our confidence in the regions workforce, infrastructure, and commitment to industrial expansion. The project is supported by the Bibb County Commission, Alabama Department of Commerce, Bibb County Economic & Industrial Development Authority, West Alabama Works, Alabama Power Company, Birmingham Business Alliance and other partners. We are thrilled to welcome Rado Mechanical Group to the Bibb County Industrial Park, Woodstock Mayor Jeff Dodson said. This investment not only strengthens our local economy but also creates new opportunities for growth and job creation in our community. We look forward to seeing the positive impact Rado Mechanical will have on our region. Never been more proud of someone. Meet my husband Jorge Flores Maldonado pic.twitter.com/0Ee6lfxBSR Joe Exotic (@joe_exotic) April 22, 2025 Tiger King star Joe Exotic announced Monday he is married. The 62-year-old reality star, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, posted on X that he married fellow prison inmate Jorge Marquez. Never been more proud of someone, Maldonado-Passages posted. Meet my husband, Jorge Flores Maldonado. Joe Exotic revealed last year, per PEOPLE, that he was set to marry Marquez after getting engaged while they were both jailed. He is serving a 21-year prison sentence after his 2019 conviction for a murder-to-hire plot against his animal rights activist rival Carole Baskin. Joe Exotic was previously married to Travis Maldonado from 2015 until 2017. Maldonado accidentally shot himself and died. Joe Exotic married Dillon Passage two months later before splitting in 2021. 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. Fairhope Library Board members Randal Wright (left) and Anne Johnson (right) at the board's meeting on Monday, April 21, 2025, inside the Giddens Conference Center at the Fairhope Library in Fairhope, Ala. John Sharp The board members of an Alabama library at the center of a culture war over the placement of so-called sexually explicit content announced Monday they will not reshelve two books that were challenged in recent years. The two books that will remain in the librarys teen section include the 2006 novel Sold, which is about a girl sold into sexual slavery; and the 2020 book Grown, about sexual exploitation. Multiple library board members read the two books, praised them for their content, and said neither met requirements that might lead to relocating them into the adult section. The boards requirements include, among other things, reviewing previous legal standards over what defines obscenity. That includes analyzing the book in its entirety on whether it appeals to prurient interests that can be viewed as sexually stimulating or has the potential to sexually arouse someone. The library also considers community standards on whether a book should be relocated from one part of the library to another. They dont have obscene material in them, said board member Randal Wright, adding that she read Sold, calling it a tragic, sad and horrible story about a girl sold into sexual slavery in India. She added, Its so well-written and has won all kinds of awards. But looking at everything we think about (when considering a books relocation), it just doesnt have anything in it that is prurient. Its not real graphic. Yes, things happen. But again, it belongs in the teen section. Challenges Outside the Fairhope Public Library on Monday, April 21, 2025, in downtown Fairhope, Ala. John Sharp The library boards decision comes as library officials begin reviewing books that were challenged by a handful of residents, some who are conservative activists with the organization, Moms for Liberty. Another 13 books are slated for review in the coming months. Those reviews involve each one being read and analyzed by individual library board members. Five books have since been reshelved from the teen to adult sections within the library following independent reviews earlier this year. But the Fairhope library has been at the forefront of criticism by the Alabama Public Library Service board of directors, whose members say the board isnt doing enough to protect children and teens from sensitive materials. The APLS board voted in March to temporarily suspend approximately $42,000 in annual state funding the Fairhope Library receives each year from the state, for what were violations to the states code approved by last summer that administers the handling of content described as sexually explicit. Within 12 days of the funding cut, an online petition organized by the anti-censorship group, Read Freely Alabama, raised over $46,000 to support the library. The Fairhope library became the first in the state to have its state funding cut by the APLS over what state library officials said was a violation of the administrative codes adopted last year. The code prohibits books that meet the states definition of sexually explicit content. It does not contain exceptions for educational or instructional materials. John Wahl, chairman of the APLS board who is also the chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, told a group of library directors during a Zoom call on Thursday that he felt there can be a resolution in the concerns with the Fairhope library that will not lead to a more permanent cut in funding. My priority is working with them, he said during the call with library directors that was forwarded last week to AL.com. Wahl also defended a change in views between a letter from February, in which he said the library was in compliance with the APLS code, and the March meeting when Fairhopes funding was cut without any pre-warning to Fairhope library or city officials. Related content: From compliance to defunding: The case over Fairhopes library creates confusion Wahl said there had been a lack of communication between APLS and the Fairhope library over age requirements, in which he felt there was content shelved in the childrens section that was sexually explicit. The difference (between the February letter and March APLS board decision) is that the policies were approved, and they were correct, Wahl said. But the policies on the childrens section were not being followed. I dont want to throw stones at anyone, he added. They have been tremendous. I think well be able to accomplish everything where they wont miss anything on the funding. Alabama Republican Chairman John Wahl speaks to a reporter inside the spin room following the fourth Republican presidential primary debate on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in the Frank Moody Music Hall at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. John Sharp/jsharp@al.com Wahl said the APLS only took action when the concerns were brought to them about the material shelved at the library. He then defended the parents who generally raise concerns about material viewed as inappropriate. The concerns about the materials in Fairhope were raised by a representative with the conservative Moms for Liberty, which has targeted libraries nationwide as part of an ongoing culture war over LGBTQ content. This notion they are radicals and bigots is not fair, Wahl said. Both sides have different viewpoints. We have to respect that. Sexuality is a very sensitive topic. There are a lot of great people and parents on both sides of this. Do we have a perfect situation? No. Rarely do you. But what is incumbent on us is that we do the best we can to make both sides feel welcomed. Is this the best way? I dont know if its the best way. It is a way. The answer is not making the other side feel uncomfortable in the library. None of the activists who challenged Sold or Grown spoke at the boards meeting on Monday, and its unclear on whether the two books will be further challenged before the APLS. In Fairhope, after the library board reviews a book, the decision it makes is final for five years. Amy Minton, the APLS board member who filed the motion in March to cut Fairhopes funding for violating the code, told AL.com last month that Moms for Liberty was unfairly singled out in the dispute. Library supporters The only people who spoke were library supporters who expressed disgust over the handling of Fairhope by the APLS. They also blamed what they said was a small group of vocal activists reaching out directly to the APLS for creating a situation that has generated national attention. Cheryl Corvo, a Fairhope resident said that sexually explicit content should not be determined by outrage, but determined by a books full context, purpose and societal value. Children stumbling into books is fear mongering, Corvo said, addressing arguments made by Wahl and others over concerns about the location of books in teen sections. Its about control, and extremists narrow views of reality. Gustavo Douaihi, also a Fairhope resident, said he has read the books that are being challenged in Fairhope and said, they are all age appropriate. I dont expect the library to be babysitting, he said. This is, after all, a public library, not a church library. These books are not required reading. He added, Its not pornography they want to ban. Its knowledge. Its the knowledge that topics teenagers struggle with. They are not pornographic, but they are important and help our community raise smart, compassionate, and well-informed leaders. This is an opinion column. I was a baby in a booming news business in 1990, when an editorial team at my newspaper Ron Casey, Harold Jackson and Joey Kennedy, wrote a sweeping indictment of Alabamas shameful tax system. The series, What They Wont Tell You About Your Taxes, told of a system that patted the powerful on the back, as it laid its burdens on the poor. The series, along with Wayne Flynts revelatory book Poor But Proud, helped me understand my states past and its present in ways I had never before understood. Surely, I thought, it would change the world. When Casey, Jackson and Kennedy were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for that work the first such honor in the century-long history of The Birmingham News they reflected in another editorial on the past, and the work, and the recognition. All three signed it, proud of the honor, and frustrated that despite the attention, despite the accolades, despite a call from the governor, they still lived in a state with a tax structure entrenched by a centurys worth of exploitation that had not budged an inch. Knowing, they said, it would never budge until someone in Montgomery seizes the cudgel of leadership and uses it for the benefit of a state full of fine, but long forsaken people. I think often about the work of those writers, for it remains true and relevant 3 decades later. We are not closer to real reform, we are further away. And when the cudgel of leadership is seized in Montgomery these days, it is certain to be used not for Alabamas long-forsaken people, but against them. Heres to those three for trying, for banging their heads until it hurt. I was reminded recently by Wayne Flynt himself, author, Baptist preacher, historian and patron saint of me, that people such as these cant be measured by their visible impact alone. None of us can judge ourselves by the understanding of others, he said. We must simply tell the truth as we understand it, and hope some people will listen, and learn, and be changed. I heard Flynt, and then I learned Harold Jackson had written a new memoir. It seemed fitting. I knew I would in some small way be changed again, if a better understanding of the world around me amounts to change. I believe it does. Jackson was a Birmingham kid. He grew up in Lovemans Village and became a voice of reason for a city and a state that would, if given the chance, use its cudgel against him. He is still a voice of reason, and he observes the world as he ever did, and responds with compassion over malice, consideration over anger, beauty over the ugliness of life. Under the Sun: A Black Journalists Journey, was published last week by the University of Alabama Press. Thats also fitting, really, for someone who fell in love with journalism through a UA program only a few years after George Wallace blocked the doors to people who looked like him. I wont presume to tell the stories of Harold Jackson. Not when I can let you read for yourself. The following is an excerpt from Under the Sun. Read and enjoy. "Under the Sun: A Black Journalists Journey," Special By Harold Jackson Under the Sun: A Black Journalists Journey: Becoming a successful journalist meant learning how to get white people I was interviewing to see past my Blackness and answer my questions. It meant realizing that some situations might require me to adapt not only my natural personality but even my style of clothing. Making those adjustments sometimes reminded me of the sociologist W. E. B. DuBois, who, 150 years ago, said Black people out of necessity live double livesbehaving one way among themselves and quite another around white folks.Of course, its not just Black people who choose to live double lives to fit in, to be successful, to make friends, and to be loved. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit Ecclesiastes 1:14 God seems to like catching our attention when we least expect it. On an otherwise unremarkable summer day in 1996, my phone rang at the Baltimore Sun. I was doing some research to write an editorial about a topic I no longer remember, but I will never forget what happened next. I answered the phone as I usually didnot by reciting my name or the newspapers but by sounding as if I were lounging in a chair at home. Hello, I said. Hello, a man responded before hurriedly reciting a speech he likely had rehearsed many times before dialing my number. My name is Ricky Marquis. Im a friend of your brother Calvin. I immediately felt nervous. Calvin lived three thousand miles away in San Francisco, and none of his friends had ever called me. Something must be wrong. Was he in trouble? Was he sick? None of my fears prepared me for Rickys next words. Calvin doesnt know Im calling, he said, but theres something you need to know. Calvin is sick. Hes dying. Of AIDS. The rest of that conversation remains lost in fog. I dont remember how I responded. My cubicle was designed to resemble a small office with just enough room for a desk, file cabinet, and a second chair for visitors, but the partition walls separating it from the other cubicles were paper thin and didnt extend to the ceiling. Anything I said could be overheard, and I didnt want anyone to hear me if I started crying. When Ricky finished, I thanked him, sat at my desk for about an hour, and then went home to tell my wife, Denice, what had happened. I wiped tears from my eyes as I drove, not just because Calvin was dying but because the youngest of Lewis and Janye Jacksons five sons had tried to keep the truth that he was gay hidden from his familyfearing they would no longer love him. When I got home from work, I called Calvin, who apparently was sleeping or didnt want to talk to me. His roommate, Peter, picked up the phone, which in itself was confirmation of their true relationship. He and Calvin had shared an apartment for several years, but I knew little about Peter other than the fact that he was white. Peter said neither he nor Calvin knew Ricky was going to call me but that he was relieved to no longer be an accomplice to Calvins keeping a secret from his family. I said I wanted to come to San Francisco, and Peter said I should but that didnt need to happen immediately. A few days later I got a letter from Peter that detailed all he had done for my brother. I have long been an advocate of Calvin telling you what is going on. But whenever I raise the issue, Calvin has always rejected it outright, saying it would give Janye a heart attack. His doctor did talk to Calvin last week and suggested that now was probably a good time to notify the family and that she would be happy to volunteer if he so desired. Calvin was all smiles until she left at which point he got very angry and told me she had overstepped her bounds and who did she think she is. Well, I have not been forcing the issue since I am the one living here. But Rick Marquis took things in his own hands and contacted you, and I am happy that I dont have to be a guardian of this family secret any longer. I realize that you now have to agonize with this situation, but in the long run it is better that it happen now rather than after the fact. Peters letter didnt prepare me for how frail Calvin looked when I got to San Francisco about two weeks later. Seeing my little brother in their small apartment, propped up with pillows in a hospital bed, I thanked God that he moved to California after college. I dont think an AIDS patient in the 1990s would have received the same elevated level of care in Alabama. I was only going to be in San Francisco a few days, but Calvin insisted that Peter show me some of its fabled tourist sitesthe Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio, Fishermans Wharf, and their favorite barbecue joint. No doubt Peter would have preferred to stay by Calvins bedside, but he tried to fulfill all my dying brothers requests. Even without the legal status of a spouse, Peter had maneuvered through Californias health-care system to get Calvin every benefit he qualified for. I should have spent more time getting to know Peter. Instead, Calvin and I fell into our old habit of revisiting old memories. We both knew he was dying, but neither of us wanted to talk about that. So, we didnt. When it finally came time to return home, I told Calvin I loved him, hugged him in his bed, and headed out the door to prepare for my flight back to Baltimore. Just like at Daddys funeral, I didnt cry. The Jackson boys arent supposed to do that. Two months later, I got the telephone call from Peter telling me Calvin had died. I began 1996 with four brothers, never thinking for a second that I would end it with two. I wrote about Calvins death in a column published a week later in the Baltimore Sun. Headlined The Secrets That We Keep, it began with a description of how I received the news: Awake at 2:30 last Saturday night, I was struck by how well I could see across the length and breadth of my bedroom. A flood of moonlight fil- tered through the blinds, giving every object a shadowy dimension that suggested an attachment to another world. I put on my glasses, walked barefoot across the cool, hardwood floor and peeked out the window. The sky was actually cloudy save for an occasional break, the largest of which allowed the moon to fully display the illuminating power that according to legend can drive men mad. The sun would blind us if we similarly looked directly at it. But the moon, in its brilliantly pale fluorescence, demands that we stare it in the face. I opened the blinds wider to get a better look at the glowing disc with dark craters that make it a work of art. Eventually, though, without slippers or robe, I started to get cold. And was reluctantly reminded of what woke me up in the first place. A call informing me that my younger brother had died. Calvins story wasnt unique. An estimated nine hundred thousand people in the United States were HIV-positive when he died in 1996. More than thirty-one thousand of those patients died that year, which was 50 percent less than the year before. Thats thanks to previously unavailable antiviral drug therapies. Many who died didnt know they were sick until it was too late. Others kept their diagnosis to themselves, hoping for a miracle cure. Theres still no cure for AIDS, but drug therapies still in their development stage when Calvin died are keeping people alive now by dramatically reducing the amount of virus in their blood. Such drugs not only are more affordable; they are also being sold by pharmaceutical companies in TV ads featuring obviously gay couples. So much has changed. I cant help thinking that were Calvin still alive, he would be healthier and happier. He no longer would feel the need to keep his truth a secret. Anyone wishing to speak at the Birmingham Water Works board meeting on Wednesday will be able to do so even if they did not sign up online ahead of time. Tereshia Huffman, chair of the water works board, said they are turning the spigot off on a new policy to limit how long someone could speak and requiring them to sign up within 24 hours of the meetings agenda being published. The contentious latter requirement doused the utility in hot water after the new policy was unanimously approved at the previous board meeting. We had the best of intentions, Huffman told AL.com on Monday. But I dont want the public to think were removing any access to us, so were pausing on making any changes implementing a new speaker policy. Previously, anyone wishing to address the board only had to sign up when they arrived at the meeting and were limited to three minutes. The new policy limited speaking time to two minutes. On Monday, Huffman said she will recommend that the board not launch the new speaker policy. It came at a time when the water works is in the crosshairs of another takeover effort by Republican state lawmakers. A bill sponsored by Republican Sens. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, and Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, would call for the current nine-member board to be wiped clean. It would be reconfigured into a regional five-member board with Birmingham, which now appoints six seats, controlling just one. It would be appointed by the mayor. The president of the Jefferson County Commission and the Alabama lieutenant governor would each make an appointment, as would the two counties with the largest customer bases behind Birmingham. The change in public speakers policy was ill-advised, said City Council president Darrell OQuinn. Obviously, the BWWB was clueless about how much scrutiny they are under. The bill would also require board members to have backgrounds in engineering or business. Board terms would be extended to five years from four, and board stipends would be raised to $2,000 from $1,000. Huffman said she will travel to Montgomery on Tuesday to address a public hearing before members of the Senates County and Municipal Government committee at the statehouse. Boogieman, a former Oneonta police dog of the officer now suing the city for wrongful termination. (GoFundMe) The city of Oneonta and their police chief have asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a former police K-9 officer who claims he was wrongfully terminated after being accidentally shot by a colleague during a standoff with a suspect. In February, Ryan Pinyan, a former Oneonta police officer, filed a lawsuit against the city and Chief Charles Clifton, accusing them of wrongful termination. The case was later transferred to federal court. In their motions to dismiss on April 9, Clifton and the City argue that Pinyans suit is too broad and that it is impossible to comprehend which specific factual allegations the plaintiff intends to support which of his causes of action, or how they do so. Cliftons lawyers also argue that he cannot be held accountable, as he was not Pinyans employer. They specify that if anything, the complaint should be aimed at the city. It also says that there is no legal basis to sue Clifton for Pinyans predicament. Oneontas brief argues that there are no legal grounds to sue them and that as a municipality, they are immune from liability for conspiracy. The federal judge has given both sides in the case deadlines to respond to the motions to dismiss. Lawyers for Pinyan, the city and the chief did not respond to requests for comment. The shooting incident took place on a November morning in 2023 when Pinyan and other officers were dispatched to Sand Valley Road on reports of a suspicious person. The suspect fled into the woods where a gunfight with law enforcement followed, according to the lawsuit. The suspect was killed, but the lawsuit also alleges that one of the officers for the city of Oneonta ... inadvertently shot Ryan Pinyan in his right leg from behind. It took Pinyan weeks to recover, the suit says. On Feb. 28, Pinyans lawyers submitted a complaint to the Blount County Circuit Court seeking damages for his wrongful termination months after he was shot. The document names the City of Oneonta, Chief Charles Clifton and three unnamed individuals as defendants. Months after the shooting, Pinyan was on his way to a grand jury hearing in Blount County when he was stopped by Clifton, the lawsuit says. In court filings, Pinyan said he was terminated from his position without due process. He lost his car, weapon and badge without any clarification on what he did wrong, according to the lawsuit. It also alleges that he lost $10,000 he had raised for the medical care of his police dog, Boogieman, who was injured in the field. Visits to the Haitian spot were paused last summer due to increasing violence in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, located about six hours away from Labadee. Getty Images Travelers with a popular cruise line will skip a Caribbean port for the foreseeable future. Travel + Leisure reported Royal Caribbean has altered sailing itineraries to omit Labadee, the lines private resort on the northern coast of Haiti. Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee. We have already communicated with guests directly, Royal Caribbean said a statement to Travel + Leisure.skip It is unclear how long the pause will last or if Labadee will be added back to itineraries. Visits to the Haitian resort spot were paused last summer due to increasing violence in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, located about six hours away from Labadee. That pause lasted until September. Haiti remains under the U.S. State Departments Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, putting it alongside places such as Iraq, Ukraine, Russia and Somalia. In its advisory, the State Department cited robbery, carjackings, sexual assault and kidnappings for ransom. The airport in Port-au-Prince is a focal point for armed activity, the notice said, and armed robberies and carjacking are common. International officials have warned of escalating gang violence thats spreading outside the capital city. According to The AP, gangs recently seized the city of Mirebalais in central Haiti and freed more than 500 prisoners held there, the fifth prison break in under a year. Gangs have grown in power since the July 21 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and are now estimated to control 85% of the capital. Books that have either been banned from a library or challenged at an Alabama library on display during a town hall meeting hosted by the organization Read Freely Alabama on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship in Fairhope, Ala. John Sharp There is no question the 2006 novel Sold deals with painful and disturbing truths, shedding light on the brutal reality of sexual slavery in India. But is the content so sexually explicit that it no longer belongs in a librarys teen section? In Alabama, where conservative policies dominate, the answer appears to be yes. State officials argue that Sold crosses a legal line, citing new rules that restrict access to materials considered sexually explicit, regardless of educational value. At the center of this and other book fights in the state is a constitutional question: How should sexually explicit be interpreted under the First Amendment? Free speech advocates say the state is getting it wrong. Read Freely Alabama argues that the book is not only appropriate for teen readers, but essential. They also say that criticism about the book is through the lens of conservative activism, and that courts have already ruled against that. In Fairhope on Monday, the citys library ruled that the book was appropriate for teen readers and opted not to reshelve it to the adult section. Library officials said there was nothing obscene about the book. They call people who oppose (their organizations like Moms for Liberty) as pedos or groomers, but books like these not only inform and inspire empathy, they make young people harder for would-be predators to groom, said Elizabeth Williams, a spokesperson for the anti-censorship group in Baldwin County. State officials, meanwhile, insist Alabamas code is clear. Amy Minton of the Alabama State Public Library Board says most residents support the new standards, which move certain books to the adult section unless a parent gives permission. There is no gray area in there, she said. Its very clear. But because it has one picture of anatomy, its the anatomy. There is no exception for (sex) education and instruction for the code in there. Both sides claim common sense backs their position. One argues the First Amendment protects the book and its placement within public libraries. The other says state-defined standards must prevail. But at its core, this is a battle over who gets to define what counts as sexually explicit in the eyes of the Constitution. There is no universally agreed upon definition of sexually explicit, said Paul Horwitz, a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law. It is not the same thing as obscenity, and sexually explicit material is not subject to the same level of potential restriction as obscene materials. But laws aimed specifically at restricting the access of minors to sexually explicit materials are subject to a lower degree of justification. Supreme Court precedence The U.S. Supreme Court is seen, Nov. 15, 2023, in Washington, D.C. AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib Most free speech experts say there the federal courts have long ago sided with those pushing back against book censors. But they also recognize its been a long time 43 years since the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in on book censorship at libraries. And in that 1982 case, Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District v. Pico, the court lacked clarity leading to varying interpretations about book censorship inside libraries. That was a highly fractured opinion and was no majority opinion and I think the U.S. Supreme Court will have to decide it again, said David Hudson, a First Amendment fellow at the Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan organization based in Washington, D.C. There are a lot of challenges going on right now and its a hot button, cultural issue. I do expect one of these cases to reach the U.S. Supreme Court. The 1982 case focused on a school library dispute of banned titles originating from a list compiled by a conservative organization that deemed them objectionable. Similar battles have taken place in recent years in Alabama, and elsewhere. Leading those disputes are conservative activist group like Moms for Liberty and Clean Up Alabama, who seek out controversial titles and pushing local library officials to have them relocated from children and teen to adult sections. The group has also gotten the attention of the APLS, even though the boards chairman, John Wahl who is also the chairman of the Alabama Republican Party says the concerns about library content in children and teen sections is more widespread than only among activist groups. The 1982 case argued that removing the books infringed upon First Amendment rights to access of ideas and information freely. The high court divided in its ruling, though five of the justices ruled in favor of the students. But even among the justices who supported the students, there were different interpretations over the First Amendments guidance on library content. The ruling has given local government officials broad discretion over library books. The Supreme Courts case law with respect to the First Amendment and libraries is sparse and its most relevant case was highly fractured, said Horwitz, referring to the 1982 ruling. Recent rulings More recently, federal courts have ruled against policies aimed at relocating books. That issue is at the heart of an ongoing dispute in Fairhope, where library board members on Monday refused to relocate Sold and the 2020 novel, Grown, which is about sexual exploitation. As a general policy, the notion you should move more mature themes where 8-year-olds are not likely to stumble across them is perfectly reasonable, said Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The challenge the libraries face is that too many critical of specific books tend to paint with a very broad brush. Thats not what the First Amendment calls for. Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy with the non-profit civil liberties group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), said two lower court federal rulings one in Arkansas and another in Iowa blocked state laws that aimed to relocate LGBTQ-themed books from childrens sections or required schools to remove books from libraries that contained descriptions of a sex act. Terr argues that the Iowa case has led to banning books without any evaluation of materials for its overall literary or educational value. The Iowa case led to a federal district judge twice striking down a 2023 state law banning books with sexual content in K-12 public schools. Terr said the law led to school districts removing classic works like Slaughterhouse Five and The Color Purple. The court says the law imposes a puritanical pall of orthodoxy over school libraries by concluding there is no redeeming value to any book that contains a description of a sex act, even if the book is a work of history, self-help guide, award-winning novel or other piece of serious literature, Terr said. He anticipates Iowa state officials appealing the ruling. Nate Coulter, executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), looks at a book in the main branch of the public library in downtown Little Rock, Ark., May 23, 2023. An increasing number of conservative states are pushing for measures making it easier to ban or restrict access to books. (AP Photo/Katie Adkins, File) AP In the Arkansas case of Virden v. Crawford County, a federal court determined that the public library system violated the First Amendment by adopting a policy requiring branches to remove LGBTQ-themed books from childrens sections, label them, and place them in a separate social section. The judge, who ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in 2024, said the decision was a textbook example of viewpoint discrimination. The county has since been ordered to pay $113,000 in legal fees for the plaintiffs. The biggest constitutional red flag is removing or burdening access to books in order to suppress disfavored views, Terr said. Broad, top-down, content-based restrictions can violate the First Amendment even if they arent explicitly targeted at a particular viewpoint or ideology. Political fight Meg Kildannon, senior fellow for education studies at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C. a conservative think tank that promotes family values said that in her opinion, there is a lot of content in teen sections of libraries that lacks educational quality and can hardly be considered literature. In my opinion, its gone unexamined by parents in America because they trust publishers and authors writing young adult material to children, she said, adding she doesnt believe any material produced by exploiting other people is legitimate speech. She, too, believes there will be court intervention even if concerned parents and activists are not waiting around for the U.S. Supreme Court to act. Politics also has a say in how the issues are handled. In Virginia in 2021, during the leadup to the governors race, the issue of sexually explicit materials in schools began emerged and became a strong issue for Republican Glen Youngkin to utilize. He defeated Democratic incumbent Gov. Terry McAuliffe in that years race. Its not going to stop, said Hudson at the Freedom Forum. Its too politically popular. We need some clarity from the Supreme Court. We havent had a pure bookcase since 1982. That a long time and certainly a lot has happened. A historic Alabama building linked to the Civil Rights Movement got a reprieve from disposition last month, but the future is less certain for over 100 of its peers around the state. One in 10 pieces of federal property in Alabama are historically significant the same type of properties that the feds have been looking to sell off under recent cost-cutting measures championed by the Donald Trump administration. An AL.com analysis of federal real property data found 120 of the 1,200 U.S.-owned buildings in the state are either designated national historical landmarks, or are listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Those 120 properties are costly to taxpayers at a time when Washington is seeking to cut spending wherever possible. The properties ran up $14.2 million in maintenance and operating costs in 2023. They also collectively have amassed $820.3 million in deferred repairs, and have an estimated $26.5 million in future capital needs, according to data from the federal General Services Administration. Real property has gained attention due to the sheer volume and cost of the governments holdings. [Cant see the map? Click here] A recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office noted Washington struggles to manage its real estate portfolio about 277,000 buildings. An AL.com review of public data on thousands of pieces of federally owned and operated real property found the 1,200 buildings in Alabama racked up $84.9 million in maintenance and operating costs alone in 2023. Historic properties are not immune to federal cost cutting moves. Four Alabama buildings all of them either listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places were among over 400 federal properties marked for sale by the General Services Administration in early March. The GSA, the independent government agency that manages real property, announced the move as part of a cost-savings push by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The GSA rapidly took down the list amid a public outcry that it included sites like the Montgomery Bus Station, where Freedom Riders were attacked by white supremacists during the Civil Rights Movement. It is a National Register site that now houses a museum. A GSA statement at the time said the non-core assets on the block were not intrinsically significant to the mission of the federal government and primarily consist of office space. In addition to the bus station, the list contained the George W. Andrews Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Opelika, the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on West Troy Street in Dothan, and the Federal Building at 109 St. Joseph St. in Mobile that houses federal and state offices, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt told AL.com last month that following conversations with the Trump administration, the Montgomery Bus Station, at least, would not be sold off. Yet the GSA has resumed listing federal assets identified for accelerated disposition, with more than 30 posted in the last month. None of the properties identified so far are in Alabama. Pope Francis death, Alabama reaction Pope Francis passed away early Monday morning. The Vaticans top physician said he died of a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure. The head of the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham released a statement, reports AL.coms Greg Garrison. From Bishop Steven J. Raica: Pope Francis brought to the Church a unique and courageous visionone rooted in humility, mercy, and a missionary spirit. From the very beginning of his papacy, he called the Church to look outward, not inward. He often reminded us that the Church must not be self-referential, but rather a Church that goes forth a Church always on mission. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Latin American pontiff was elected in 2013. Some of his progressive actions and rhetoric rankled church conservatives along the way, and he had to work through a firestorm in 2018 after initially standing by a bishop who was linked to a child abuser. Among his legacies is his emphasizing the churchs responsibility in helping refugees and the poor. In Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey followed President Trump in ordering flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis until sunset on the day of his internment. Ivey said the pontiff left a legacy of love and compassion for all. The EWTN Global Catholic Network, which is based in Alabama, has switched its coverage over to live coverage of events surrounding the popes passing. That includes Masses, rosaries, devotions, the funeral Mass and the conclave to choose the next new pope. Pope Francis was 88 years old. Trump and Tuscaloosa President Trump took to his Truth Social social-media account to announce that hes agreed to give the commencement address at the University of Alabama, reports AL.coms William Thornton. He also said hell be doing the same at West Point. He said dates and times are TBA. Alabamas spring commencement ceremonies are scheduled for May 2-4. Trump was last in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 28 as a presidential candidate to attend the Alabama-Georgia game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Hot housing The real-estate market surged last month, reports AL.coms William Thornton. Even as economists see potentially volatile markets ahead, the Alabama Association of Realtors said there were big increases in sales and median prices. In March, sales jumped 5.6% compared to February -- and 23.2% year-over-year. And median home prices increased 9% over Februarys prices and 13.4% year-over-year. The average home sale price was $255,737. What that amounts to is around $1.59 billion worth of home sales this March. Folks, thats 44.5% higher than in March 2024. Higher mortgage rates and nervous consumers could stand to slow things down over coming months. By the Numbers 24 Thats how many pounds of marijuana was found in a suitcase at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. More Alabama News The podcast Jeff's Bagel Run is looking to locate a restaurant in the Birmingham area. Jeff's Bagel Run A bagel chain with an ambitious expansion plan is seeking prime locations in Birmingham. Jeffs Bagel Run, with 29 restaurants in several states, is also seeking a franchise owner. The chain is known for its fresh, scratch-made bagels, variety of spreads, treats, coffees and drinks. Jeffs Bagel Run has had recent openings in Texas, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. We believe Birmingham is the perfect next step for Jeffs Bagel Run, said Justin Wetherill of Jeffs Bagel Run. Its a vibrant, growing area with a strong sense of community exactly the kind of place where our brand thrives. Were not just looking to open a store; were looking for a dedicated partner who wants to bring Jeffs Bagel Run to their community and build something truly special. The company is looking for a local entrepreneur or an experienced multi-unit operator. For more information on franchise opportunities and available territories, visit the website. The U.S. flag is flown at half-staff at the White House in Washington in honor of Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2005. Pope Francis has died at age 88. The Washington Monument is left. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP Flags across the U.S. are being flown at half staff in honor of Pope Francis. Pope Francis died Monday at the age of 88 after months of failing health. A proclamation from President Donald Trump said the move was a mark of respect for the late Pope. The statement noted: I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of burial for Pope Francis. Pope Francis will be laid to rest Saturday after lying in state for three days in St. Peters Basilica. His replacement will be selected at a Conclave of cardinals set to meet between May 5 and 10th. Funeral services are planned for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peters Square. Trump and first lady Melania Trump are expected to attend. Half staff or half mast? There is a difference between referring to a flag at half-staff vs. half-mast. If a flag flies from a pole in the ground or attached to a building, it is referred to as half-staff when it is lowered. If it flies from a ship, it is called half-mast when it is lowered. According to the U.S. Flag Code, only the president can dictate a nationwide lowering of the flag, an honor generally reserved for heads of state, former presidents or other government officials. The U.S. flag has also been lowered as a tribute to leaders of other countries or after a significant natural disaster. State governors can also order the flags to be lowered within their states. State Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, speaks during a senate committee hearing to oppose a bill from Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook to reshape the Birmingham Water Works Board. Screenshot Some Alabama legislators today endorsed a plan to transform the Birmingham Water Works Board into a regional system, despite opposition from city officials. Birmingham city leaders say proposed legislation will dilute local control; supporters of the legislation, including its sponsor, say change is needed to keep the utility accountable and affordable. Failure in the management of water systems will lead to unreasonable high rates that oppress residents and are barriers to economic development, Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, told the Senate County and Municipal Government Committee. The bill, SB330, advanced out of committee on a party line vote of 6-3. Co-sponsors are Republicans Sen. Jabo Waggoner and Sen. Shay Shelnutt. What would the bill do? It would shrink the nine-member board to five and reduce Birminghams members to just one. Sponsors call the bill a move to reform the utility after years of complaints about customer service, excessive spending and missing representation from customers outside Birmingham and Jefferson County. However, those against it call it a hostile takeover of an asset that belongs to the people of Birmingham. Today is a day in history where you will be able to reflect back where there was governmental taking of the assets of the citizens of Birmingham and Jefferson County, said Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham. The legislation would transform the water works board into a regional authority with new members, and give new appointment powers to the president of the Jefferson County Commission and the Alabama Lt. Governor. The nine-member board currently has six seats from Birmingham, one from the Jefferson County Mayors Association and one each from Blount and Shelby Counties. Reactions from lawmakers, councilors Smitherman said the bill has racist undertones where Birmingham, with a 70% Black population, would cede control of the utility to people who would be appointed from outside the city and county in predominantly white communities. What youre doing is, ready to strangle. Birmingham youre ready to try to bring her to her knees. Youre ready to try to put her in a situation where she cant support her own self, Smitherman said. Its a public lynching, You have to call it for what it is. Tereshia Huffman, Birmingham Water Works chairwoman, participated in a state senate committee hearing regarding a bill from Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook to reshape the Birmingham Water Works Board. Screenshot Birmingham City Council President Darrell OQuinn also called the bill an unfair seizing of the citys asset. This bill is fundamentally about control and represents a taking from the city of Birmingham, he said. We want all the reforms to happen at the water works board and we think we are moving in that direction. But whats being proposed is fundamentally opposed to the interests of the city of Birmingham. Sen. Merika Coleman, who sits on the committee, chided Roberts for what she called a lack of transparency in the process. Coleman said Roberts shirked the normal process and submitted the bill without talking to her colleagues in the Jefferson County delegation the Democrats from Birmingham. It has been ushered through the process, so there has been a lack of fairness when it comes to fair hearing, Coleman told Roberts. You came to see us after the fact, not prior to. Coleman said the latest bill and the way it was presented has damaged the progress to unify Jefferson Countys legislative delegation. Still, Waggoner, who sponsored the last major reform of the utility in 2015, said he has returned to support Roberts because some reforms have gone unmet. He said improvements ushered in with his earlier legislation have lapsed. Im receiving the same complaints today that I received 10 years ago. If I had received no complaints I would not be standing here today, Waggoner said. They are calling again. Responses from Birmingham Water Works Water Works leaders touted recent improvements at the utility. General Manager Mac Underwood, who returned to lead the utility in February, said the board took action to address customer service issues and changed management in 2024. In recent months, he said 10,000 monthly billing errors have been reduced to less than 500 a month. We made a tremendous effort in improving the operation of the system. Underwood also contradicted the sponsors figures on the population serviced by the utility. He said 41% of the customer base comes from Birmingham and 92% percent comes from Jefferson County. The utilitys other customers come from Shelby, Blount, St. Clair and Walker counties. Board member Butch Burbage, who lives in Shelby County, came on the board after the last reorganization was mandated by the legislature and also spoke against the bill. Burbage said improvements have been made at the utility since the earlier reforms were mandated. It was a real mess, everybody knows that, said Burbage, who is vice chairman of the board. We are doing everything we possibly can to get this in the right place. Burbage said current leadership continues to make improvements. We have the best board in there. We work together and we understand the problems, he said. We put our confidence in the management group, they understand what we need and they are working toward that. He said momentum would be stifled if the system changed now. The committee now moves closer to the floor for a vote. Waggoner is chairman of the rule committee. Birmingham activist Kamau Afrika is a candidate for mayor in the 2025 race. Contributed One man running to be the next mayor of Birmingham has called for debates and drug tests for everyone seeking to lead the city. Weve got to have a sober mayor, said Kamau Afrika, a longtime activist and mayoral candidate. Afrika is one of five announced candidates seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin in August. Afrika in an interview with AL.com said the drug tests should be voluntary, but that he prefers a hair follicle test that could show any drug use for the past 10 years. Afrika said his challenge is not a personal attack on anyone. But he said current conditions require clear-headed leaders. I want to make sure we have sobriety thats running the city because some of the decisions may be made from him on a leisurely period, Afrika said. I just want to show the public what theyre getting. With the condition of Birmingham, we cant afford any mistakes. Afrika, who is 68, said he has not used any illegal substances in decades. They can go almost 38 years on me, he said. Ill admit that I smoked a lot of weed. I kept a level head. As more people enter the mayoral race, Afrika is also challenging the candidates to a series of debates across the city. I want this debate, really, really bad, Afrika said. Not so fast, said state Rep. Juandalynn Givan, who is also a candidate for mayor, noted that she made a debate challenge on social media before Afrikas statement. I stand ready to debate anyone, anytime on the issues, reads her campaign graphic poster April 11. Givan restated her position to AL.com. Ive been ready, she said. I stand ready to stand on business to debate anyone on the issues and to debate them with facts, period. Regarding Afrikas call for drug tests, Givan said the challenger should set an example. He probably needs to put his drug test on the table first and foremost and maybe all of us will then follow suit, Givan said. Nevertheless, Givan said residents are most interested in a litany of problems facing the city including neighborhood blight, substandard streets, overgrown lots, high crime and high housing costs. I will not run a race in which it becomes a circus and a dog- and-pony-show when we have so much going on in the city of Birmingham right now, she said. Woodfin initially said he would debate any candidate who lived in the city of Birmingham. He made the comment as a swipe against Givan, who lived in Forestdale and has since leased an apartment in Birmingham in advance of the election. Woodfins campaign did not respond to a request for comment regarding Afrikas challenges. During the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, then-candidate Donald Trump demanded Joe Biden should be drug tested. Woodfin has a strong financial lead heading into August. His total for cash raised in 2025 is about $350,000, according to filings. Jerimy Littlepage, who is making his entry into politics, said he was ready for a debate. I not only accept but I am open to any debate from any of the candidates, Littlepage told AL.com. However, he dismissed the long-term drug test, calling it irrelevant to the issues of a mayoral campaign. Also, a fifth candidate has made it official that hes running for mayor. After weeks of hinting at his intentions, Frank Woodson, a Birmingham pastor and nonprofit executive, said he is officially a candidate in the Aug. 26 election. Ive had a considerable amount of experience working in the political realm, but I have always considered it to be community service as opposed to politics, Woodson said in a statement announcing his run. There is no greater honor than to serve this city that I call home and the great state of Alabama that I love. Woodson had previously announced an exploratory committee to evaluate a possible run. But with a website showcasing a platform, a slogan and media appearances, Woodson was already acting like a candidate. Im willing to take time out. Im willing to invest resources to help right the ship with the city, he told AL.com in March. I know that I have solutions. Were going to do those solutions whether I run or not. Woodson did not respond to AL.com questions regarding Afrikas challenge. Instead, he sent an LOL text. Woodson previously ran for the Alabama House District 52 seat formerly held by longtime Rep. John Rogers who was convicted of federal corruption charges. Woodson lost in a runoff to Kelvin Datcher in July 2024. Afrika said he is ready for the candidates to meet and present their platforms directly to the people. If we have a debate, I clearly know whos going to stand out, Afrika said. Ive got a 40-year service record and Im probably the oldest one in the race. I feel Ive got the wisdom to smoke anyone who has the courage to come up there for a debate. The Lumbar, at Pepper Place, is closing this month, but its owners plan to reopen in a different location. The Lumbar A gastropub in Birminghams Pepper Place is closing after seven years. But its owners say they intend to reopen elsewhere. The Lumbar, located at 212 29th St. S., has announced on its website that its last day open will be Sunday, April 27. The new location is to be decided. You wanna know what weve heard? Were youre home. Were youre safe space. Were youre family, an announcement on the website states. You know what that means? We have to keep going. We have to keep fighting for our safe space, for our found family, and for our community. We will find a second home and, with your help, we will make it our own. We love you. Thank you for 7 years and we cant wait for 70 more. The brainchild of Rylie Hightower, the chief executive officer of RHK Holdings and a biomedical neuroscience PhD student at UAB, The Lumbar opened in 2018 as a scientifically themed bar concept, with a menu including cheeseburger sliders, a Cuban sandwich, Frito pie, grilled pimento cheese and loaded tater tots. A Decatur man has died after being arrested by local police last week as the result of a mental health call, according to a release from the department. We ask the public for patience and understanding as this investigation unfolds, wrote Interim Decatur Police Chief Nadis E. Carlisle Jr. There are multiple factors surrounding Mr. Scotts death that may not be immediately apparent, and we believe it is in the best interest of the public and all parties involved to wait for the official determination of cause of death before drawing conclusions. Scott was arrested on April 15 on an outstanding Morgan County Failure to Appear (FTA) warrant, following a series of incidents likely linked to both medical and mental health struggles compounded by suspected drug-induced psychosis, according to Carlisle. In a release this weekend, the interim chief addressed Scotts arrest video after it sparked controversy in the community. The video shows Scott being placed under arrest at Brookridge Apartments after an encounter with local law enforcement that lasted nearly 30 minutes. Police said Scott later exhibited signs of physical distress. After an initial medical evaluation, Mr. Scott was transported to Decatur Morgan Hospital and subsequently transferred to Huntsville Hospital for continued treatment, todays release reads. Unfortunately, we were informed earlier today that Mr. Scott had passed away. We extend our condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time, Carlisle wrote. The department has been working with other agencies to investigate the arrest over the past week, according to Carlisle. In the interest of transparency, accountability, and maintaining public trust, I have formally requested independent investigative assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), he wrote in todays release. These agencies will conduct a thorough and impartial review into all circumstances surrounding Mr. Scotts detainment, medical condition, and eventual passing. He added that the department recognized the seriousness of this matter and are fully committed to supporting a comprehensive and transparent investigation. The Decatur Police Department will cooperate completely with ALEA, the FBI, and any other appropriate investigative bodies involved in this case, he wrote. To preserve the integrity of the independent review, the department will refrain from issuing further comments until the investigation concludes. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen and his predecessor, John Merrill, have leveled accusations at each other in a dispute that has unfolded publicly in the last few days. The war of words between the two Republicans could be setting the stage for next years race for lieutenant governor. Allen is already in that race, and Merrill has said he is considering it. The casual observation among politicians is this is an opening salvo in a race for lieutenant governor, said Steve Flowers, a former state lawmaker, author, and longtime observer of Alabama politics. Flowers, however, said he doubts that Merrill will enter the race. Flowers says the dispute is a continuation of a political feud that goes back to when Merrill challenged Allens father, state Sen. Gerald Allen, in an Alabama House race in 2002. That is a deep, deep family feud, Flowers said. It was a very acrimonious race, and they have never, ever made up. Gerald Allen won that 2002 race for the House seat in a Tuscaloosa district over Merrill, who was then a Democrat, by 55% to 45%. Merrill eventually won that same House seat in 2010, running as a Republican. He was elected secretary of state in 2014 and reelected in 2018. Wes Allen followed his father into politics, serving as probate judge in Pike County for almost a decade before his election to the House in 2018. In 2022, when Allen ran for secretary of state to succeed Merrill, he campaigned on a promise to change how Alabama maintained its voter rolls under Merrill. Allen won the race and followed through on his promise as soon as he took office, withdrawing Alabama from the Election Registration Information Center (ERIC), a multi-state organization intended to help states maintain accurate voter rolls. This week, Merrill fired back at Allens claims that he was fixing the bloated voter rolls that Allen said Merrill left behind and disputed Allens characterization of ERIC as a liberal organization. In response, Allen doubled down and reminded voters about an extramarital affair with Merrill that Merrill had denied but then admitted four years ago after hearing audio the woman had recorded. While I, along with most Alabamians, were spending time with our families and fellow church members on Easter Sunday, John Merrill was busy sending out an unsolicited email littered with lies and attacks on my office and my character, Allen said. Unfortunately, it is not surprising that a man whose time in office was marked by obscene sodomy scandals and repeated lies to the people that he was elected to serve, would not hesitate to press send on a false statement. Merrill, who had been planning to run for the U.S. Senate at the time the affair was revealed, issued a public apology and announced he would not run for office during the 2022 cycle. Merrill, in a new statement on Tuesday morning, said he has worked to restore the relationships he damaged because of the scandal. Merrill said Allen had turned to personal attacks because the facts do not back his claims about how he has fixed Alabamas voter rolls. In my communication, there was no name-calling and no personal derogatory comments about Wes Allen, Merrill said. Instead, I acknowledged his role as Secretary of State, addressed his statements about the voter rolls, and highlighted the misrepresentations surrounding these issues. Interestingly, Secretary Allens response to the media did not address those points; he resorted to name-calling, innuendo, and personal attacks. After leaving the secretary of states office in 2023, Merrill moved to the private sector, as director of public policy and strategic markets for Waggoner Engineering, a multi-state civil engineering firm based in Jackson, Miss. Merrill has said recently he is receiving encouragement to return to politics and said lieutenant governor is one of the races he is considering. Flowers said Allen was sending a message with his attack on Merrills past problems. Wes came back really swinging tough, Flowers said. Which I think was smart of him politically because you dont think of Wes as being a street fighter. But he actually hit Merrill with personal stuff. He was sending a salvo, to Merrill, saying look, If you think youre going to get in here in this race with me and me not talk about that, youre wrong. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey with Rep. Susan DuBose and Sen. April Weaver to sign the bill defining sex as determined at birth. The bill is one of more than 100 the governor has signed into law so far this year. Hal Yeager/Gov. Ivey's office Gov. Kay Ivey has signed more than 100 bills into law this year, including several she urged lawmakers to pass during her State of the State back in February. New laws ban Glock switches, create paid parental leave for teachers and state employees, give the governor control of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, and define gender as fixed at birth. Other bills that Ivey and the Republican majority said were priorities still have time to reach the governors desk during the final days of the session. Those bills would restrict the use of cell phones in classrooms, give police officers more immunity from civil and criminal liability, and require public schools to display the Ten Commandments, among others. Lawmakers return to Montgomery on Tuesday and have seven meeting days left in the session, which House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said will probably end on May 8 or May 13. Overall, Ivey has signed 110 bills. Almost half of the new laws, 52, are local bills that affect only one county. Here are some of the statewide bills Ivey had signed into law. Glock switches: SB116 by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Montgomery, bans devices that make semiautomatic pistols operate like machine guns, firing a burst of rounds with one pull of the trigger. The new law has quickly resulted in arrests. Federal law already prohibited the conversion devices. But Alabama police said a state law was needed for the switches, which can make a gun fire up to 20 rounds a second, according to an ATF agent. Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, sponsored the bill in the House. Paid parental leave: SB199 by Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, and Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, gives Alabama women who are teachers, education employees, and state workers up to eight weeks of paid parental leave after a birth, stillbirth or miscarriage of a child. Male employees will receive two weeks of leave under the same circumstances. The bill provides leave for eligible employees who adopt a child who is three years old or younger. What is a woman: SB79 by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, and Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, defines a female as someone whose reproductive system produces ova and a male as someone whose reproductive system produces sperm. The new law says state and local government agencies can establish separate single-sex spaces or environments for males and females when biology, privacy, safety, or fairness are implicated. Transgender men and women and other opponents of the legislation attended public hearings and said the bill puts transgender people at risk of targeted harassment and threats. Help for independent pharmacies: SB252 by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, and Rep. Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville, places new requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, which are companies that manage prescription benefits between insurance companies and employers. The new law prohibits PBMs from paying pharmacists less than Medicaid does and from charging miscellaneous fees. Pharmacists said PBMs have been paying them below cost on some drugs, forcing pharmacies out of business across the state. Changing control of Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs: SB67 by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, and Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, moved control of the ADVA from a board made up of representatives of veterans organizations to the governor. Under the new law, the governor will appoint the commissioner of the ADVA. The boards role will be reduced to advisory. Ivey supported the bill, which came after a public dispute last year between the governor and former ADVA Commissioner Kent Davis. Prison construction: SB60 by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, increases the maximum amount of bonds the state can issue for prison construction by $500 million. The state plans to borrow money through the Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority to help build a 4,000-bed mens prison in Escambia County. Albritton, chairman of the Senate General Fund committee, said the timing and amount of the bond issue has not been decided. The Escambia County prison will be the second of two prisons approved by lawmakers in 2021. The Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority issued about $500 million in bonds to help build the Kay Ivey Correctional Complex, a 4,000-bed specialty care mens prison in Elmore County. That prison will cost slightly more than $1 billion. Firearm hold agreements: SB40 by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, is intended to provide a way for people who think they may be at risk of suicide to voluntarily surrender their guns to a licensed firearm dealer for an agreed period of time. The bill provides civil immunity for the firearms dealer for what happens after returning the gun to the owner. Laughing gas: SB78 by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, restricts the sales and use of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, and butyl nitrate, products that police say are sold in some vape stores and gas stations and are misused as dangerous inhalants. Shelby County Coroner Lina Evans said there were five adult deaths in the county last year where it was clear that the person who died was inhaling nitrous oxide at or near the time of death. The gas canisters are marketed as food preparation propellants, to make whipped cream, for example, but some buyers use them as an inhalant to experience a dangerous and addictive high, police who spoke in favor of the bill said. Adult changing tables: SB83 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, will require new public buildings or those that are totally renovated to have a powered, height-adjustable, adult-size changing table in at least or more restrooms. The requirement goes into effect Jan. 1, 2028, and carries some exceptions, such as if the governing authority says the requirement is not feasible. This story was edited after publication to fix an incorrect number of bills that the governor has signed. Kristi Noem greets guests at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip campground after riding in the Legends Ride for charity on August 09, 2021 near Sturgis, South Dakota. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noems purse was stolen from a downtown Washington restaurant Sunday night, with her passport, DHS badge and about $3,000 cash inside, the department confirmed Monday. The theft occurred as Noem dined with her extended family at the Capital Burger on Seventh Street NW, according to two people familiar with the incident who spoke on the condition of anonymity because an investigation is underway. The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Secret Service, which is part of DHS and has a full-time protective detail assigned to Noem. Secret Service agents reviewed security camera footage that showed a person wearing a medical mask take Noems bag and exit the restaurant, according to CNN, which first reported the theft. DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin declined to discuss the details surrounding the incident, but said she could confirm CNNs story, which said the stolen bag contained checks, medication and keys, in addition to the cash and identification documents. It was not immediately clear when Noem noticed her bag missing or how the thief evaded Noems security detail. A Secret Service spokesman referred questions about the theft to DHS. A D.C. police spokesman, Tom Lynch, said local police were not involved in the investigation. A representative from Darden Restaurants, which owns Capital Burger, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. DHS said in an earlier emailed statement that Noem had withdrawn a large amount of cash because her children and grandchildren were in town for the holiday. She was using the withdrawal to treat her family to dinner, activities, and Easter gifts, the statement read. The services probe will focus in part on whether the thief targeted Noem specifically and whether she faced any threats, according to one of the people familiar with the matter. Noem is one of several high-ranking members of President Donald Trumps administration who receive round-the-clock Secret Service protection. Agents accompany her wherever she goes, though her detail is significantly smaller than that of the president, vice president or first lady. Noems detail on Sunday would have included agents with her motorcade, shift agents posted around the restaurant, and a site agent who secured the space ahead of time, according to Don Mihalek, a former agent who protected presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He said it is common for protectees to ask their agents to keep a lower profile at private family outings than they would at official events. They tend to give those people a lot more room, especially in a social setting, Mihalek said. Theyre not going to stand over her while shes having Easter dinner with the family. Mihalek said Secret Service probably moved swiftly to change Noems locks and cancel her passport, DHS credentials and checks after the theft. The investigation may also involve looking online and elsewhere for anyone trying to sell her identification materials, he said. Noem has not publicly commented on the episode. Just before 5 p.m. on Sunday, she posted on X a photograph with her family, along with a message celebrating Easter. The University of Alabama today announced that President Donald Trump will deliver a spring commencement address as part of a separate ticketed event prior to its graduation ceremonies. This follows Trumps announcement Monday night that he would give the commencement speech for this years graduating class at the University of Alabama and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The Alabama event will be held the evening of Thursday, May 1, at Coleman Coliseum, according to the release. That is the night before the start of the regularly scheduled weekend spring commencement events. The University of Alabama is honored to have been selected as one of the universities President Donald J. Trump will visit to deliver a spring commencement address, reads todays release. All spring graduates will have the opportunity to attend this distinct event in addition to their college-specific ceremonies where degrees will be conferred from May 2May 4, as scheduled." The release adds that campus logistics and security measures are being carefully coordinated, and ticketing information for graduates and other event details will be communicated in the coming days. We look forward to celebrating our graduates throughout commencement weekend as we confer degrees to thousands of hardworking students who will go on to make a positive impact in the workforce and in communities across Alabama, our nation and the world, it reads. English News Believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 17 Avril 2025 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. By He Yin, People's Daily 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. 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. 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. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Low-altitude economy lifts off as Chinese automakers enter the eVTOL era China expands efforts to boost global e-commerce cooperation Legacy of Tea-Horse Road lives on at China-Laos border Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Booming durian trade mirrors mutually beneficial China-Malaysia trade cooperation Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 21 Avril 2025 Malaysian companies have been actively participating in major Chinese expos such as the CIIE and the China-ASEAN Expo, bringing signature products like white coffee, mangosteen, bird's nest, and palm oil into millions of Chinese households. In turn, Malaysian consumers are now enjoying Chinese fruits such as apples, fragrant pears, and plums - demonstrating a robust two-way exchange. By Guan Kejiang, Tian Hong, Huan Xiang, People's Daily In Raub, Pahang, two hours northeast of Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, the pungent scent of promise hangs in the air. Durian trees, now flowering in the early heat of April, are being carefully pruned and pollinated by farmers. In about 90 days, the ripened fruits will be packed and shipped across the ocean, making their way to shopping carts in China. Since China opened its doors to frozen Malaysian durians in 2019, the fruit has soared past cherries to become the country's top-selling imported fruit. The surge in appetite has sparked a wave of innovation and closer partnerships between the two countries. Among the new players is Muhua Sdn. Bhd. Malaysia, a trading company founded in 2021 to ride the durian wave. However, after diving deeper into the business, the company's general manager Jiaqiang Wang discovered a challenge: grading a durian's quality was less science than guesswork. With its thick skin and unpredictable flesh, determining which fruit would meet customer expectations depended entirely on the intuition of experienced hands - resulting in high spoilage, logistical headaches, and a growing list of dissatisfied buyers. The turning point came at the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. At a side forum hosted by Nuctech, a Chinese security and inspection solution supplier, an innovative idea began to take shape: what if the same technology used to scan luggage could be used to scan durians? Over the following year, the two companies co-developed "Durian Detective," a non-destructive 3D detection system that merges CT scanning with AI image recognition. The system assesses 20 indicators - from core size and hollowness to signs of pests or rot - and assigns each fruit a unique "quality ID card." With an accuracy rate of over 98 percent, it is 40 times more precise than traditional manual inspection. Malaysia's durian industry is embracing digital transformation on multiple fronts. Top Fruits Sdn. Bhd., a durian supplier in Malaysia, is now using AI-driven tools in collaboration with the Malaysian branch of Xiamen University to monitor durian growth. In the company's office, a dashboard displays real-time photos of every durian tree on the farm. Clicking on the images, one could clearly see the number of blossoms and budding fruits. "We regularly upload photos of the growing progress, and the system analyzes them intelligently to make predictions," explained Tan Xue Yi, the company's plantation R&D lead. "This allows us to plan ahead and improve efficiency." According to Tan Sue Yee, head of the company, the payoff has been swift. "Since August last year, Malaysian fresh durians have been reaching Chinese consumers as quickly as the day after they're picked, and our orders have soared." In 2023, Malaysia exported 1.92 billion yuan ($262.73 million) worth of frozen durians to China - seven times the amount in 2018. As Chinese demand continues to surge, Malaysian farmers are planting more trees, while rural youth are returning to hometowns to start businesses, spurred by tech-driven agriculture and booming e-commerce channels. Meanwhile, Malaysian exporters are increasingly open to settling durian deals in Chinese yuan, supported by local banks offering RMB-denominated letters of credit. The booming durian trade is a vivid example of deepening China-Malaysia economic ties. In 2024, bilateral trade reached a record high of $212.04 billion, marking an 11.4 percent year-on-year increase. China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years and remains one of Malaysia's top investors, while Malaysia remains China's second-largest trading partner and the largest source of imports within ASEAN. The implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has further expanded market access between China and Malaysia. China's massive market and ongoing upgrades in consumption are unlocking more opportunities for trading partners like Malaysia. Malaysian companies have been actively participating in major Chinese expos such as the CIIE and the China-ASEAN Expo, bringing signature products like white coffee, mangosteen, bird's nest, and palm oil into millions of Chinese households. In turn, Malaysian consumers are now enjoying Chinese fruits such as apples, fragrant pears, and plums - demonstrating a robust two-way exchange. "Malaysia and China have created a truly win-win partnership," said Malaysia's Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli. In recent years, Chinese companies have steadily ramped up investment, expanded their footprint, and delivered solid returns in Malaysia, contributing significantly to the local economy. "Today, both countries are well-positioned to deepen cooperation and drive development together," he added. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Low-altitude economy lifts off as Chinese automakers enter the eVTOL era China expands efforts to boost global e-commerce cooperation Legacy of Tea-Horse Road lives on at China-Laos border Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News China works with neighboring countries for better future Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 17 Avril 2025 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. 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. 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. By He Yin, People's Daily 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. 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. 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. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Low-altitude economy lifts off as Chinese automakers enter the eVTOL era China expands efforts to boost global e-commerce cooperation Legacy of Tea-Horse Road lives on at China-Laos border Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) China, Indonesia hold First Ministerial Meeting of Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue in Beijing Xinhua) 09:41, April 22, 2025 Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun chair the First Ministerial Meeting of China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue, together with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China and Indonesia held the First Ministerial Meeting of Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue in Beijing on Monday. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun chaired the meeting, together with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. Wang said the two heads of state have met twice in the past year, and jointly outlined a blueprint for the development of China-Indonesia relations in the new era. Under the personal attention of the two heads of state, China and Indonesia have established and launched the Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue, he added. Noting that this is the first Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue between China and a foreign country, Wang said it reflects the high level of strategic mutual trust between the two countries, and also further enriches the connotation of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future with regional and global impact. Wang called on the two sides to push bilateral relations to higher level, under the strategic guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. Dong said China is willing to work with Indonesia to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries and build a new pattern of defense and security cooperation characterized by deeper strategic mutual trust, better institutional frameworks, more robust coordination, and stronger foundation in addressing challenges. Sugiono noted that Indonesia is willing to work with China to further strengthen political mutual trust, enhance exchanges at all levels, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen communication and collaboration within multilateral frameworks. Sjafrie expressed Indonesia's willingness to enhance cooperation with China in fields including defense and maritime security to maintain regional peace and stability. The two sides engaged in in-depth communication on international and regional issues of mutual concern. After the meeting, Wang and Sugiono signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing a comprehensive strategic dialogue mechanism between the Chinese and Indonesian governments. During the meeting, the two sides signed documents on cooperation in maritime security and other areas. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at a press conference, jointly attended by Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, after the First Ministerial Meeting of China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. They chaired the meeting together in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono sign a memorandum of understanding on establishing a comprehensive strategic dialogue mechanism between the Chinese and Indonesian governments after the First Ministerial Meeting of China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. Wang and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun chaired the meeting with Sugiono and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun chair the First Ministerial Meeting of China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue, together with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Its a sad ending for Pope Francis. I pray for his soul and trust the Lord has mercy on him, like all of us sinners. I never expected much from his papacy and given he was elected with the support of the scandalous and homosexual St. Gallen Mafia in the first place, it might have been worse. Pope Francis was supposedly going to clean up the priest abuse scandals in the Church, but these were largely addressed 25 years ago, as victims started winning expensive lawsuits. What remained were some of the worst offenders, who stuck around because they were in high places, and smart enough not to get involved with men under 18. The defrocked former cardinal, Theodore McCarrick, a St. Gallen ally, was a great example of this. If anything, the Church went way overboard, paying just about anybody who claimed to be a victim and ruining the reputations of many innocent priests in the bargain. I have written in the past about the disgraceful situation in New Hampshire, where unscrupulous trial lawyers and their friends in law enforcement concocted a frame-up of Fr. Gordon McCrae. The same thing was done more recently to Australian Cardinal George Pell, whom Pope Francis hired to clean up Vatican finances. Instead, enemies in Rome and Australia concocted a massive frame-up that sent him to jail for a while, before he was resoundingly vindicated upon appeal. Interestingly, the same issue cropped up in Chicago last month. A massive plot by trial lawyers has been underway there for years to bilk the archdiocese with phony abuse claims. Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, of all people, found the courage last month to finally stand up to these people, and has filed suit to recover some of these phony claims. And courage really is the key here for the Catholic Church and Western Christianity in general. I always got the feeling Pope Francis just did not have the courage of his Christian convictions, the way somebody like St. John Paul the Great so obviously did. (As opposed to the head of the Church of England, who has no convictions whatsoever.) As the papal conclave meets in the following weeks to find a successor, we can only hope someone with more Christian confidence, better attuned to the real challenges of today, is selected. Unfortunately, two-thirds of the current College of Cardinals have been chosen by Pope Francis. They are a mostly unimpressive bunch. In the Catholic Church, traditionally, cardinals are promoted from the great archdioceses. But most of those men were not to Francis liking. For example, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez has never made cardinal, though he leads the largest diocese in America. Instead, his very political subordinate, Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego, was given the honor. McElroy was even sent to run the Washington, D.C. diocese, apparently just to tick off President Trump. Same thing with Archbishop Charles Chaput in Philadelphia, a huge diocese that is considered an automatic for cardinal. But Chaput is one of the Churchs celebrated leaders, so Francis and his cronies were jealous and insecure about elevating him. Same thing with my favorite prelate, the recently retired Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville. Though our town is not quite big enough to rate an automatic cardinal, Kurtz was a legendary builder of the faith everywhere he went and he led the fight for the religious freedom of the Little Sisters of the Poor against the Obama regime. In any other papacy, this would have made him a hero in Rome. Instead, it got him on Pope Francis enemies list. So, what are the odds someone decent is chosen this time around? There may still be a chance. While the old guard, traditional cardinals like Raymond Burke dont have the numbers to make a difference at this point, practical necessity may lead to a good choice anyway. Thats why I am counting on New Yorks Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a Pope Benedict appointee, to carry the day. Not that an American would be chosen, but I suspect Dolan, the effervescent Irishman and New York dealmaker, may be just the guy who can convince Francis cardinals they need to pick a moderate, consensus Pope. Somebody who is done with rocking the boat and ticking off traditional Catholics (i.e., all of us who actually show up on Sunday and contribute). Most of the cardinals understand as well that the Vaticans finances are a disaster. A Francis clone would only make this worse. Even Pope Francis had to recently rein in his most problematic supporters, the German bishops, who are still pushing their 1960s-style gay-friendly agenda. Anyone who has paid the slightest attention in the last 30 years knows this kind of thinking has all but annihilated Mainline Protestantism. Presumably, in the private sanctuary of the Sistine Chapel, Cardinal Dolan can remind his colleagues of these truths and offer a way forward. We dont need a great Pope, but it sure would be nice just to have a good one. Image: Malacanang Photo Bureau/Benhur Arcayan It would take 81 days for the Allies to move from the killing beaches of Normandy to parading down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. The months of June and July 1944 were spent in a brutal and slow fight across the small fields and farms of Normandy. One objective was the city of Caen, barely nine miles from the beaches. Its capture would open the way for the push on to Paris. Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt was the overall commander of German forces in the West. His job was to slow the Allied advance. He had Caen fortified, and the fighting around the city was fierce. Slowly, the German forces were giving way to the inevitable. On July 1 von Rundstedt got a call from Berlin. Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, chief of the German army, was on the phone. Von Rundstedt briefed him on the deteriorating situation. Keitel was distressed and asked for his opinion about what to do next. Von Rundstedt retorted, Make peace, you fools. What else can you do? For his insubordination, von Rundstedt was relieved of his duties the next day. YouTube screen grab. This story comes back to us after an exchange on April 18 between President Trump and a news reporter. When asked about the lack of progress in the American efforts to broker a cease-fire in Ukraine, Trump retorted, Now, if for some reason, one of the two parties makes it very difficult, were just going to say: Youre foolish. Youre fools. Youre horrible peopleand were going to just take a pass. Trump was talking about both Russia and Ukraine, but it is clear that the fools he had in mind are in Ukraine. A day earlier, Trump had said that he is not a big fan of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and that he hasnt done the greatest job as Ukraines wartime leader. Trump may have believed that he could bring the Ukraine war to an end early in his administration, but now he finds himself in a situation where he may have to take a pass on peace efforts. There is practically no chance that Ukraine or Russia can be brought together. Russias terms for peace have taken several forms over the course of the war, but many observers point to a June 2024 speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin as the outline of a peace settlement. Putin said Russia would halt combat operations and enter into peace talks if Ukraine accepts the following conditions: Ukrainian forces must withdraw from the four disputed provinces in eastern Ukraine, provinces that Russia annexed in 2022. Ukraine and its allies must recognize Russias sovereignty over those provinces. Ukraine must abandon its plans to seek membership in NATO. Ukraine must adopt a policy of neutrality and refrain from aligning with any military bloc. Ukraines allies must agree to remove the economic sanctions they imposed on Russia. To Zelensky, accepting these terms would be tantamount to surrender. He is right: The Russian terms amount to a Ukrainian surrender. In contrast to the Russian position, the Trump Administration has reportedly been urging a cease-fire plan associated with Trumps special envoy to Ukraine, retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg. Parts of it have made their way into the news and in opinion pieces, and from what we can piece together, that approach includes the following elements: Combat operations would be frozen along the existing line of contact. A demilitarized zone would separate the warring factions. Russia would have de facto control over those territories in the disputed provinces that it now holds. The status of Crimea, which was annexed into Russia in 2014, is not clear, with some reports saying the U.S. would commit to recognizing it as part of the Russian Federation. Ukraine would acknowledge the loss of territory but would not be required to extend formal recognition. Ukraine would not be admitted into NATO. European peacekeepers, sometimes referred to as a reassurance force, would take up positions in Ukraines western provinces. Britain and France have talked about forming such a force, which would exist outside the structure of NATO. Both warring parties have strong objections: Ukraine because it does not accept the loss of land, and Russia for several reasons, notably because the presence of a European reassurance force does not square with its long-held position that NATOs expansion eastward is one of the root causes of the war. The so-called Kellogg Plan does not see the future Ukraine as a neutral state, which is Russias vision, but rather as a territory existing under some kind of East-West spheres of influence. On April 18, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that progress must either be made on a peace deal within a matter of days or the U.S. will close down its peace brokering and move on. Speculation on social media expects Trump to make that decision at the end of April. Note that, from the outset of Trumps initiative, there has been a disconnect between Washington and Moscow on the sequencing of events. The U.S. thinks of a ceasefire as something that takes place before peace talks begin. But Russias position has been to front-load the political settlement before halting military operations. Russia does not want to be left holding the bag if the guns fall silent and there is no progress on achieving its political goals. To the Kremlin, a ceasefire and a political settlement blend into one another. If the U.S. takes a pass, as Trump says, on a peace deal, what will that mean for the future of U.S. support towards Ukraine? At this juncture, we dont know. There is only speculation. Will Trump get tough on Ukraine and stop the future flow of military aid? Will he get equally tough on Russia and impose even more stringent economic sanctions? There is more certainty when we consider what might happen on the battlefield. The war will run to its natural conclusion, which we can define as an either/or outcome: Either Ukraine accepts Russias terms in a diplomatic exchange, or the Russian army will impose them in a military decision. There is no alternative. There is no middle ground. There is no compromise. Russia has the upper hand on the battlefield. The U.S. should know this. Russia is not looking for an exit ramp. To the contrary, along the line of contact, the Ukrainian army is slowly giving way to the inevitable. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is known for his brutally frank posts on social media. On April 18, he posted his own take on the situation: American officials have said that if there is no progress on the Ukrainian case, the United States will wash its hands of it. Wisely. And the EU should do the same. Then Russia will figure it out faster. Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) April 18, 2025 In 1944, Gerd von Rundstedt figured it out faster than the others in the German government. His advice to Berlin then suffices as advice to Ukraine today: Make peace, you fools. What else can you do? James Soriano is a retired Foreign Service Officer. He has previously written on the Ukraine war on The American Thinker. Oil was found on a Wyoming ranchers land. An instant billionaire, he enrolled at Harvard. Walking across the campus one day he stopped a young student: Hey there partner, can you tell me where the librarys at? The kid elevated his nose and sneered: heah at Hahvahd, we do not end our sentences with prepositions. The rancher smiled and replied: well OK then. Can you tell me where the librarys at, ass***e? Founded in 1636, named for a Puritan minister and originally intended to educate clergy, Harvard is Americas oldest university. It has long traded on a tradition of educational excellence and accomplishment, and for much of Americas history, a Harvard degree was a prestigious ticket to power and success. That hasnt been true for a long time, and after the October 7th Hamas slaughter in Israel, Harvard has shown its true, historic antisemitic colors. Even before that, Harvard, which had long before become a virulent bastion of leftism, blatantly engaged in racial discrimination in admissions and lost a Supreme Court case aimed at overturning its racism: The universities main response to these criticisms is, essentially, trust us. None of the questions recited above need answering, they say, because universities are owed deference when using race to benefit some applicants but not others. Brief for University Respondents in No. 21707, at 39. It is true that our cases have recognized a tradition of giving a degree of deference to a universitys academic decisions. Grutter, 539 U. S., at 328. But we have been unmistakably clear that any deference must exist within constitutionally prescribed limits, ibid., and that deference does not imply abandonment or abdication of judicial review, MillerEl v. Cockrell, 537 U. S. 322, 340 (2003). Universities may define their missions as they see fit. The Constitution defines ours. Courts may not license separating students on the basis of race without an exceedingly persuasive justification that is measurable and concrete enough to permit judicial review. As this Court has repeatedly reaffirmed, [r]acial classifications are simply too pernicious to permit any but the most exact connection between justification and classification. Gratz v. Bollinger, 539 U. S. 244, 270 (2003). The programs at issue here do not satisfy that standard. Whether Harvard has truly reformed its admissions policies remains an open question. It has now refused to stop rampant antisemitism on campus: Harvard University said it will not comply with demands issued by the Trump administration aimed at curtailing antisemitism on campus, resulting in the White House freezing billions in federal contracts and grants. 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 Ivy League schools president, Alan Garber, wrote in a statement Monday. Within hours, President Trump, being Donald Trump, froze $2.2 billion in grants and some $60 million in contracts. It has long been settled law that public or private universities that take the governments dollar play by the governments rules. Harvard thinks itself an exception. The Supreme Courts Bob Jones University case suggests Harvard is mistaken: Graphic: X Screenshot A 501(c)(3) entity, Bob Jones policy prohibited interracial dating or marriage. The IRS revoked that tax-exempt status and the Supreme Court upheld the IRS ruling: The IRSs 1970 interpretation of 501(c)(3) was correct. It would be wholly incompatible with the concepts underlying tax exemption to grant tax-exempt status to racially discriminatory private educational entities. Whatever may be the rationale for such private schools policies, racial discrimination in education is contrary to public policy. Racially discriminatory educational institutions cannot be viewed as conferring a public benefit within the above charitable concept or within the congressional intent underlying 501(c)(3). One might argue Bob Jones Universitys beliefs, no matter how odious, were based on a sincere interpretation of the Bible, but the Supreme Court found that doesnt exempt them from federal law or the Constitution. Harvards beliefs are arguably a secular faith, though a particularly arrogant, elitist one. Trump isnt telling Harvard what or how to teach. Harvards First Amendment rights arent being infringedindividuals have rights--though Harvard is certainly infringing on the rights of disfavored students and applicants. If Harvard wants taxpayer dollars, it must obey federal law and executive orders. No more illegal discrimination and denial of rights. Its a defining choice. Investigation will likely reveal Harvard has continued to illegally discriminate in admissions. Harvard is unquestionably refusing to protect Jewish students and is also violating federal law and the Constitution. With any luck, Harvard will soon have to get along without tax exempt status. Well see whether that experience will have a salutary effect on Harvards preposition mongers. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Hillary Clinton does not have a reputation for honesty. Indeed, ever since she burst onto the political scene, the one guarantee with Hillary was that you couldnt trust her. Whole articles have been published about the whoppers shes told over the decades (see, e.g., here and here). One thing, though, thats always seemed to be true is her claim to have graduated from Yale Law School. After hearing her latest pronouncement, though, I must admit to having my doubts about that statement, too. One of the things thats pretty clear in the United States Constitution, which has traditionally been part of the curriculum at American law schoolsor at least, that was still the case in the early 1970sis that it guarantees free speech. There are, of course, limitations on that speech. You cannot defame someone, although there is latitude when it comes to public figures like Hillary herself. You cannot threaten people with murder or bodily harm, because the threat is a criminal act. And you cannot defraud people or engage in conspiracies to commit crime. However, the one area where free speech is pretty darn near absolute is in the realm of political ideas, including accusations against public figures. Thus, I can freely contend that prominent members of the Democrat party conspired with foreign nationssay, Englandto perpetrate a hoax on the American people to the effect that a presidential candidate conspired with Russia to game the election. It would be a dirty lie, and provably so, but I wouldnt be sent to jail, unless I violated the law in other respects (e.g., abusing government access to secrets, setting up illegal servers in my bathroom to feed information to geopolitical enemies, etc.). Thats because the ideathat a presidential candidate is unfit to serve because he conspired with Russiais protected political speech, no matter how foul and untrue it is. Its propaganda and, in the rough and tumble world of American politics, its rebuttable, but not actionable. But thats not how Hillary Clinton operates. As always with Democrats, sauce for the goose isnt sauce for the gander. If they protest, no matter how violent that mostly peaceful protest may be, its righteous speech and assembly, with everyone walking free. If conservatives protest, and some (possibly encouraged by Democrat activists) get violent, its an insurrection, and the largest dragnet in American history gets launched. If a Democrat official has an unsecured server in the bathroom through which she runs all the State Departments correspondence, its a big yawn. If a Republican official is anonymously accused of allowing his wife to see a Signal chat, he must be fired. Thats why, for Hillary, despite that alleged Yale Law degree, free speech works only in one direction. She can drop whatever vile propaganda (that is, political lies) she wants, but conservatives who do so must be imprisoned: Hillary Clinton says Americans who spread "propaganda" should be sent to prison.pic.twitter.com/iM1UQ1n5sr Department of Government Efficiency News (@DOGE__news) April 21, 2025 America dodged an extraordinary bullet when Trump beat Hillary in 2016. While Bidens interregnum usefully exposed the leftists totalitarianism, Hillary would have been infinitely more effective than Biden. He inadvertently exposed the rot, but she would have brought down our entire constitutional systemand, as weve seen, all those other law school grads sitting on the federal bench would enthusiastically have helped her do so. Image: X screen grab. Lets say youre a Mexican national and by some miracle youre legally in the country. You casually stop at a gun shop and decide to buy 180,000 rounds of 30 caliber rifle ammo in 1000-round cases. Thats 180 cases at around $130,000, which you just happen to have in cash, you know, like in your billfold. Let also say youre driving a vanthats convenient because 180 cases of .30 caliber ammo take up a lot of space and theyre heavy--with a license plate light out. You dont bother to signal turns and you dont bother to dim your headlights when you should because hey, everybody drives around with that much ammo and youve got nothing to hide, right? What a fanciful story! Not so much: Two Mexican nationals in the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas were arrested during a traffic stop in Colorado last month while transporting 180,000 rounds of ammunition, authorities said Wednesday. Caesar Ramon Martinez Solis, 41, and Humberto Ivan Amador Gavira, 24, both of Mexico, were pulled over in Canon City on March 26, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of Colorado said in a news release. Two Fremont County detectives [Freemont County is near Pueblo] had spotted a white Chevrolet van passing them without dimming its headlights, in violation of state law, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Canon City Daily Record. The detectives said the van also failed to signal when turning into a gas station and had a defective license plate lamp. During the traffic stop, the detectives discovered approximately 150 boxes of .308 ammunition and approximately 30 boxes of 7.62 ammunition, officials said. Each box was labeled as containing 1,000 rounds. Graphic: Screenshot via Fox News. Public Domain. Solis claimed Gariva was his brother-in-law and said they traveled from Mexico to Denver to buy a vehicle and planned to drive to Salt Lake City to buy another one. How they planned to drive two vehicles and the van remains unexplained. Solis said they bought the ammo at a store in Salt Lake City. Solis told authorities the ammo was supposed to be delivered to Pueblo, CO, and the destination in Pueblo was apparently on Garivas phone. We dont know how much more cash they had to buy two vehicles in addition to all that ammunition. Martinez Solis and Amador Gariva were both charged with Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by Alien Admitted Under a Nonimmigrant Visa. Thats encouraging. It will be interesting to see where they obtained all that ammunition. Few, if any, individual gun shops stock that much ammo. Wholesalers, certainly, but individual retailers? They normally buy only what they know they can reasonably sell in the normal course of business and restock accordingly. Its hard to know from the article exactly what kind of ammo they had. If .308 is right, thats high-powered ammo suitable for hunting with common bolt-action rifles, and semiautomatic battle rifles like the FN-FAL, M-14 H&K G3 and AR-10 variants. The 7.62 suggests 7.62 X 39mm, intermediate-power ammo commonly used in AK-47 variant rifles. Perhaps the .308 is synonymous with the military designation of 7.62 NATO ammo. However, its a virtual certainty all those rounds werent intended for peaceful, legitimate purposes. Id certainly like to accompany officers when they drop in on the Pueblo addressPueblo is about two hours south of Denver and not far from where the men were intercepted--for a quiet chat. In August of 2024, in The coming terrorist attacks, I warned were virtually certain to see terrorist attacks in America, not only from the thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of Islamist terrorists who strolled across our wide-open borders but from Mexican cartels. With the cartels major source of income now severely curtailed, they probably have revenge on their minds and Islamists are always plotting our destruction. Its likely Islamists are also working with cartels on things like ammo resupply. Cartels may be smart enough not to openly attack America, and if so, why not take advantage of supplying Islamist fanatics in ways that might not lead back to the cartels? Where did they really get the ammo? Would an American gun shop really sell that quantity of ammo to Mexican nationals? Without calling the police? Was the ammo on its way to cartel and/or Islamist terrorists? Was Pueblo an intended distribution point for terror cells around the country? Was this interception of that ammunition part of an ongoing federal investigation or sheer luck and heads-up local policing? And will local, state and federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies take the logical, necessary steps to move up a potential chain from handlers to terrorist cells waiting to be activated? Depending on whats really happening in this case, we may or may not ever find out the whole story. In any case, when one looks up suspicious in the dictionary, that definition should now be accompanied by photos of Solis and Gariva. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Who says crime doesn't pay in Tim Walz's wokester Minnesota? Get a load of who isn't paying, according to the New York Post: A progressive district attorney has declined to charge the state employee in Tim Walz-led Minnesota who was allegedly caught causing $20,000 damage by vandalizing half a dozen Teslas a decision the local police chief ripped as the latest betrayal of victims. The suspected vandal, 33-year-old Minnesota government employee Dylan Bryan Adams, was allegedly spotted keying the vehicles and stripping their paint off while out walking his dog around the city. Despite what police believe to be evidence of Adams committing felonies, Hennepin County District Attorney Mary Moriarty will seek diversion rather than criminal charges. This is an approach taken in many property crime cases and helps to ensure the individual keeps their job and can pay restitution, as well as reducing the likelihood of repeat offenses, the attorneys office said in a statement, CBS News reported. Which is pretty outrageous. Adams vandalized Tesla after Tesla, at least six of them, for the cameras, doing more than $20,000 in damage to those cars all for political reasons. Each one of those attacks was felony vandalism, meaning, he could have faced years in prison. And the Black Lives Matter crowd can finally have the moral high ground to argue that since he's white and got off this easy, all crimes of vandalism to this degree should be so handdled. But instead of address that, the fork-tongued district attorney put this claptrap out instead: Our main priorities are to secure restitution for the victims and hold Mr. Adams accountable. As a result, we will file for pre-charge diversion to best facilitate both of those goals. This is an approach taken in many property crime cases and helps to ensure the individual keeps their job and can pay restitution, as well as reducing the likelihood of repeat offenses. Criminal prosecution remains a possibility should unlawful behavior continue. So he gets another go at it and so long as he stays uncaught, well, he does what he does. No jailtime for him. And in this case, the message sent to everyone else is that as long as a thug repays, he can vandalize as many cars as he likes. There isn't any actual punishment. He probably won't pay in any case -- he can always hold a fundraiser and watch the leftist dollars for restitition roll right in because it's all about leftist politics. Meanwhile, the cops, who "poured their hearts into" this investigation were understandably outraged. Why put that kind of effort into catching these dirtbags when the result is absolutely no consequences for the perpetrator? And the people with the vandalism bills? They will probably have to wait a while for this creep to pay his lawyers first before they see a dime of restitution, if ever. Not surprisingly, the district attorney is Soros-backed. According to Elizabeth Stauffer of Legal Insurrection: Adams deliverance comes as no surprise for two reasons. First, Soros-backed Hennepin County District Attorney Mary Moriarty, 59, has developed a reputation for leniency at least for those with the right political affiliations. Even Minnesotas progressive Attorney General, Keith Ellison, reportedly clashed with Moriarty over her soft-on-crime approach during her first year in office, according to the New York Post. The other reason, she noted, was Walz's politics: Second, just days before Adams went on his vandalism spree, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz publicly vilified Elon Musk during a town hall in Youngstown, Ohio. He said, Its okay in America to be successful, we should celebrate that. My beef is once you get successful, dont be a greedy b**tard and not pay your taxes. What we should demonize is people like Elon Musk. Not long before that, Walz openly cheered the decline in Teslas stock price, making his disdain for the company and its CEO abundantly clear. So no wonder Adams felt comfortable being political in his acts, as well as his actual job. I looked up his job title with the Minnesota state employee directory and found that one Dylan Bryan Adams who holds the job title of "Human Services Program Consultant," (Job Code 003322) which pays between $67,087 and $99,043 a year, depending on how many years they've had him on payroll; in his case, about eight years. He's represented by public employee union MAPE as part of "Bargaining Unit 214" which permits optional union membership. It would be interesting to know if he is a member and whether they put him up to this. According to the State of Minnesota, a "Human Services Program Consultant," does lots of coordinating for legislative compliance, blah, blah and all that, but buried in his job description, he also spends time ... developing, (read: writing) legislation. Here's the state's job description, emphasis added: KIND OF WORK Senior professional policy, legislative, service delivery or compliance work in administering human services programs. NATURE AND PURPOSE Under administrative direction, an employee in this class is responsible for coordinating all legislative, policy, service delivery, or compliance activities for a human services program, which may include monetary, health care, management analysis or non-monetary service programs. This combines highly complex program and administrative duties in statewide planning, implementation and assessment of performance across multiple programs. Employees function with responsibility across program and agency lines or encompassing the operation of multiple program activities. Problem solving is directed to issues of policy and legislative development, application and modification within overall human services programs and delivery systems. Responsibility includes the establishment of goals and objectives, development of policy strategies, and representing agency views and policies with external clients or colleagues. The employee has extensive freedom to act in introducing and maintaining services. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This classification differs from the Human Services Program Rep 2 in that the Consultant scope of responsibilities extends across administrations and occasionally across agency lines with authority to develop legislation, policy, delivery systems and to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Human Services Program Consultant provides technical consultation on legislative and compliance issues to employees in the Human Services Rep 2 class. The Human Services Rep 2 positions typically are focused on a single program area, whereas the Consultant affect all program areas. In addition, the Rep 2 focuses on an individual aspect of federal compliance or policy, whereas, the Human Services Consultant is responsible for coordination of all compliance or legislative activities. Should that guy who can't even control himself when he sees a privately owned Tesla vehicle really be out there writing or "developing" some parts of legislation? After victimizing the public he supposedly "serves" as a state employee, should he really be on the job at all? He seems unclear on the concept of "serving" the public. One wonders if he actually "served" some of these Tesla victims as a haughty well-paid bureaucrat one minute and then turned around and keyed their cars? And one wonders if legislators or political leaders in Walz's office, who depend on him to "develop" legislation had an interest in keeping his wokester hide on the job, as if they couldn't lose him? The dispatch of his case was a travesty of justice, a slap on the wrist comparable to asking an armed bank robber to return the money to the bank that he stole and he would be good. It's not going to solve the problem out there of vandalism on private cars for political reasons. But then, based on this decision it seems to be what the Minnesota powers that be actually want. Image: Screen shot from TrueAngle News video, via YouTube Do we have a naked violation of the Logan Act which prohibits private citizens from carrying out their own 'diplomacy' to influence a foreign power? Well, consider this, from far-left lawyer and congressman, Jamie Raskin, from a New York Post editorial: Putting partisan politics far above patriotism (if he has any), top Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin is outright threatening vengeance on foreign leaders who work with the Trump administration. ... Raskin (D-Md.) issued it on the Pod Save America podcast, after progressive host Tommy Vietor cited (surely left-wing) Latin America experts as urging Democrats to warn off any foreign government that participates in the extraordinary rendition of American citizens. Reality check: No one is proposing any extraordinary rendition of American citizens. Democrats keep trying to confuse people into thinking Team Trump is doing that, as cover for their efforts to fight the administrations deportations of illegal migrants which is not remotely authoritarian. Naturally, Raskin ran with Vietors implied point, specifically pointing to El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele as someone Dems are not going to look kindly upon when we come back to power and we will. His complaint is that Bukele refuses to send Kilmar Abrego Garcia (a Salvadoran citizen) back to the United States. Which is pretty outrageous. What he's issuing is a threat to a foreign leader who had the temerity to help out the United States in taking back deported citizens as is lawful in both countries. Raskin doesn't like the law, so he's vowing to hurt the foreign leaders who follow that law, which under the Logan Act he has no right to do. According to the Federalist Society: The Logan Act, 18 U.S.C. 953, is an old but rarely-invoked federal statute prohibiting unauthorized private diplomacy with foreign nations. The Act provides: Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. The key elements thus are (1) a communication with a foreign government; (2) without authority of the United States; (3) for the purpose of influencing the actions of the foreign government in relation to a dispute with the United States or of defeating U.S. policy. Congress passed the Act officially titled An act for the punishment of certain Crimes therein specified in 1799 and has not materially modified it since. Now President Bukele has to make his own calculations based not on his dealings with President Trump but also on what he thinks Trump's opponents may want or do if he can't keep both sides happy. That's a pretty crummy and untenable position to put a foreign leader in, particularly one who has just accomodated his Maryland colleague, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, in letting him meet Abrego Garcia in San Salvador as he wanted. He didn't have to do that, after all. But Maryland Men (of whatever citizenship they may be) aren't a grateful lot. Raskin in fact is one of the most repulsive members of Congress. He "investigated" President Trump for laying a wreath on the Arlington graves of the soldiers and sailors killed in the final withdrawal from Afghanistan last year, after their families requested it. His hatred for President Trump is so intense he vowed to prevent President Trump from taking office even after he got elected to the presidency for the third time. Sound like a guy with anti-democratic proclivities? The guy is constantly harping about rule of law and due process and all the other tools the ambulance-chasing lawyer in him tells himself he's acting on behalf of. But in reality, he's as anti-democratic as they come, a true fascist in twisting the law to his own ends. He's got the legalism of Lavrenty Beria in him, seeking every way possible to stop President Trump through the abuse of the law. "Show me the man, and I'll show you the crime," the Soviet henchmen used to bray. Now he's stepped over the line, veering into the Logan Act against foreign meddling in a crazed bid to stop Trump from repatriating criminals to the countries of their citizenships. Pam Bondi's got a lot on her plate as Attorney General. But this activity has to be answered. Make Raskin answer for his Trump derangement, which is getting him into obviously shaky legal ground. If he's so intent on taking down President Trump through the misuse of the law, then it's high time he got a taste of his own medicine, before he or his fellow leftists can cook up yet another stunt. Image: Edward Kimmel, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0 It was 55 years ago that Earth Day happened. The founders did it on Lenins birthday (April 22), and maybe Senator Sanders can explain that the next time he talks about oligarchs. Im sure that it was a big coincidence. Dont get me started with conspiracy theories. Weve had enough of those from the Russia hoax to Trump is Hitler. And all of the predictions about cooling, warming, and famine came and went. It never got cold, hot, and running out of food has more to do with bad government than the climate. Agrarian reform, not the climate, made people hungry. Its amazing how the countries inspired by Lenin are the ones with food shortages. What were we saying back in 1970? I was there, so I remember a lot of what they said because a few of my high school buddies went to the parade. Image by AI. Lets go back in time and hear the news: Here are 18 examples of the spectacularly wrong predictions made around 1970 when the green holy day (aka Earth Day) started: 1. Harvard biologist George Wald estimated that civilization will end within 15 or 30 years [by 1985 or 2000] unless immediate action is taken against problems facing mankind. 2. We are in an environmental crisis that threatens the survival of this nation, and of the world as a suitable place of human habitation, wrote Washington University biologist Barry Commoner in the Earth Day issue of the scholarly journal Environment. 3. The day after the first Earth Day, the New York Times editorial page warned, Man must stop pollution and conserve his resources, not merely to enhance existence but to save the race from intolerable deterioration and possible extinction. 4. Population will inevitably and completely outstrip whatever small increases in food supplies we make, Paul Ehrlich confidently declared in the April 1970 issue of Mademoiselle. The death rate will increase until at least 100-200 million people per year will be starving to death during the next ten years [by 1980]. 5. Most of the people who are going to die in the greatest cataclysm in the history of man have already been born, wrote Paul Ehrlich in a 1969 essay titled Eco-Catastrophe! By[1975] some experts feel that food shortages will have escalated the present level of world hunger and starvation into famines of unbelievable proportions. Other experts, more optimistic, think the ultimate food-population collision will not occur until the decade of the 1980s. 6. Ehrlich sketched out his most alarmist scenario for the 1970 Earth Day issue of The Progressive, assuring readers that between 1980 and 1989, some 4 billion people, including 65 million Americans, would perish in the Great Die-Off. 7. It is already too late to avoid mass starvation, declared Denis Hayes, the chief organizer for Earth Day, in the Spring 1970 issue of The Living Wilderness. 8. Peter Gunter, a North Texas State University professor, wrote in 1970, Demographers agree almost unanimously on the following grim timetable: by 1975 widespread famines will begin in India; these will spread by 1990 to include all of India, Pakistan, China, and the Near East, Africa. By the year 2000, or conceivably sooner, South and Central America will exist under famine conditions.By the year 2000, thirty years from now, the entire world, with the exception of Western Europe, North America, and Australia, will be in famine. Note: The prediction of famine in South America is partly true, but only in Venezuela and only because of socialism, not for environmental reasons. 9. In January 1970, Life reported, Scientists have solid experimental and theoretical evidence to supportthe following predictions: In a decade, urban dwellers will have to wear gas masks to survive air pollutionby 1985 air pollution will have reduced the amount of sunlight reaching earth by one half. 10. Ecologist Kenneth Watt told Time that, At the present rate of nitrogen buildup, its only a matter of time before light will be filtered out of the atmosphere and none of our land will be usable. 11. Barry Commoner predicted that decaying organic pollutants would use up all of the oxygen in Americas rivers, causing freshwater fish to suffocate. 12. Paul Ehrlich chimed in, predicting in 1970 that air pollutionis certainly going to take hundreds of thousands of lives in the next few years alone. Ehrlich sketched a scenario in which 200,000 Americans would die in 1973 during smog disasters in New York and Los Angeles. 13. Paul Ehrlich warned in the May 1970 issue of Audubon that DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbons may have substantially reduced the life expectancy of people born since 1945. Ehrlich warned that Americans born since 1946now had a life expectancy of only 49 years, and he predicted that if current patterns continued this expectancy would reach 42 years by 1980 when it might level out. (Note: According to the most recent CDC report, life expectancy in the US is 78.6 years). 14. Ecologist Kenneth Watt declared, By the year 2000 if present trends continue, we will be using up crude oil at such a ratethat there wont be any more crude oil. Youll drive up to the pump and say, `Fill er up, buddy, and hell say,`I am very sorry, there isnt any. Note: Global oil production last year at about 95M barrels per day (bpd) was double the global oil output of 48M bpd around the time of the first Earth Day in 1970. 15. Harrison Brown, a scientist at the National Academy of Sciences, published a chart in Scientific American that looked at metal reserves and estimated that humanity would totally run out of copper shortly after 2000. Lead, zinc, tin, gold, and silver would be gone before 1990. 16. Sen. Gaylord Nelson wrote in Look, Dr. S. Dillon Ripley, secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, believes that in 25 years, somewhere between 75 and 80 percent of all the species of living animals will be extinct. 17. In 1975, Paul Ehrlich predicted that since more than nine-tenths of the original tropical rainforests will be removed in most areas within the next 30 years or so [by 2005], it is expected that half of the organisms in these areas will vanish with it. 18. Kenneth Watt warned about a pending Ice Age in a speech. The world has been chilling sharply for about twenty years, he declared. If present trends continue, the world will be about four degrees colder for the global mean temperature in 1990, but eleven degrees colder in the year 2000. This is about twice what it would take to put us into an Ice Age. MP: Lets keep those spectacularly wrong predictions from the first Earth Day 1970 in mind when were bombarded again this year with dire predictions of gloom and doom and existential threats due to climate change. There exist two factions: one American, the other, which goes by the euphemism our democracy, determined to fundamentally transform America into to socialist/communist utopia. For convenience, lets refer to them as Democrats or Dems for short. A substantial part of Dems planning requires the elimination of the First Amendment. During Bidens Handlers Administration they kicked censorship into high gear, branding any speech with which they disagreed, and particularly any speech that exposed their lies and crimes, misinformation, malinformation and their favorite: disinformation. Graphic: Twitter Screenshot They went too far in going too far by establishing a Disinformation Governance Board (DGB)--an Orwellian Ministry of Truth--and were forced to hastily, supposedly abolish it in 2022. Its disinformation expert, almost leader Nina Jankowitz sued Fox News for defamation. In 2024 the case was dismissed, but not before the judge ruled Jankowitz and the government intended to censor Americans speech. Graphic: Twitter Screenshot The DGB disappeared, but its goals, personnel and funding were shifted elsewhere. We are now getting confirmation that the DGB was only a small part of the governments efforts to crush liberty: The Free Press reports that since 2017, the federal government has awarded about 800 grants to counter mis/disinformation and the Biden administration is responsible for more than 600 of them. The 800 grants amount to more than $1.4 billion. In his campaign, Donald Trump promised to end government censorship, and Americans gave him a huge electoral college and popular vote victory for that and other promises. Hes keeping his word, in part by making Marco Rubio Secretary of State. Rubio recently shut down, once and for all, the State Departments Global Engagement Center (GEC). It sounds innocuous, perhaps even beneficial to America, but it was one of the worst domestic threats to liberty. Founded in 2011 as The Center for Strategic Counter Terrorism Communications it was supposed to keep track of terrorist narratives and formulate counter narratives. Its efforts might have produced better results were they focused on killing terrorists rather than narrativing them, but that's not Dem's way. Under Barack Obama it was renamed the GEC and its focus turned inward to the political enemies of Dems. Among its evil tactics was labeling of any suggestion Covid came from a Chinese lab Russian Disinformation. It was actively involved in rigging the 2020 election: GEC was an enthusiastic participant in the Election Integrity Partnership (EIP), an infamous group established under constitutionally questionable conditions to monitor disinformation about the 2020 election. The EIP pretty much exclusively singled out accounts and narratives associated with President Trump and his supporters and, in fact, directly flagged President Trumps tweets, along with his family members and friends of the administration. It worked to pressure social media companies to censor Americans. It was also a clearinghouse for funneling untold billions to domestic and foreign enemies of liberty. Congress shut down the GECs funding at the end of 2024, but as with so many other government agencies, the last vestiges of the Bidens Handlers Administration renamed the GEC as the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference office, keeping the same employees. Under past Administrations, that might have worked. Not under Trump and Rubio. Secretary Rubio recently announced the deceptively named organization is finally completely dead. Fifty full-time, and perhaps other, staff positions are being eliminated. Law Professor Jonathan Turley, no Trump supporter, but a staunch First Amendment defender and an honest man, noted: The Biden Administration created censorship offices throughout the government while sending massive amounts of federal funding to groups and universities to help target individuals and groups. Rooting out these offices and grants will take a prolonged effort, but great progress has already occurred under the Trump Administration. Of course, this will add to the ranks of censorious Ronins [masterless samurai in pre-modern Japan] looking for new sponsors. Many will find homes in academia and in Europe. However, under Trump and Rubio, theyll find the American money stream increasingly choked off: Graphic: X Screenshot And to help ensure State Department integrity and return Foggy Bottom to benefiting America rather than Dems, hostile governments, and terrorists, merit is returning to State: Graphic: X Screenshot No one is pretending the federal government is completely reformed, or that untold billions, even trillions wont continue to be wasted, but Trump is off to a good start and its becoming increasingly difficult for Americans internal enemies to shut up, cancel, bankrupt and prosecute Normal Americans. Perhaps fired, anti-American, GEC operatives can learn to code? On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Thomas L. Friedman, famous New York Times editorialist, does not much like Trumps plan for Gaza. A skilled wordsmith, he dismisses it, writing, How short a distance it is between out-of-the-box thinking and out-of-your-mind thinking. However, the former is correct. This plan is creative, unique, and incisive, and kills several boids (as we say in Brooklyn) with one rock. For one thing, it will safeguard Israel. Under an American Riviera on the Mediterranean, there will be no more rockets launched in an eastward direction; no more leaping out of tunnels (a new tourist attraction!) to unleash suicide bombers. For another, the Palestinians have a history of trying to topple the governments who are kind enough to take them in e.g., King Hussein. Friendly amendment coming up: If these marauders can be sent to Iran, not Egypt or Jordan, they may well do so there. Surely, there is no government that deserves to be overthrown more than the mullahs of that country. Doing so might well obviate the need for nuclear war. Third, if any people deserve some sort of punishment, loss of their homes, etc., it is these Gazans, who have overwhelmingly supported the evil depredations of that terrorist group, Hamas. But Mr. Friedman is having none of this. What is his substantive critique? Mostly, he confines himself to name-calling: single most idiotic and dangerous Middle East peace initiative; only a collection of bobblehead dolls support this plan; is a recipe for chaos at home and abroad; this juvenile Mar-a-Gaza proposal. My, oh my. Is there anything at all of substance? Yes, a little bit: It will destabilize the demographic balance in Jordan between East Bankers and Palestinians, destabilize Egypt, and destabilize Israel. But if we substitute Iran for Jordan and Egypt, destabilization is all to the good! Destabilization of Israel? The very opposite is the case. No longer will the Jewish state be subject every few weeks or months to minor attacks, and every few years to major ones. Next on Friedmans list is this: I am confident that many soldiers, outside of those on the far right, will refuse to be part of any operation that could be compared with the rounding up and transferring of Jews from their homes during World War II. But there is all the world of difference between the two. The only thing the Jews in Germany were guilty of was contributing to that countrys economy, to that countrys universities, to that countrys medical system, etc. To say the least, the Palestinians contribution was just about 180 degrees removed from that record. The IDF has a record of expending its soldiers lives in an effort to preserve those Gazan civilians who Hamas uses as shields. They have seen their colleagues in the army blown up by the placing of weaponry in schools, hospitals, mosques, etc. They are going to cavil at safeguarding their wives and children by removing this menace on their border? Anyone wanna bet on this? Next, Trump will also create a backlash against American embassies and interests across the Arab Muslim world, with many Muslims taking to the streets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. This already occurs each and every time Israel defends itself against the barbarians. Friedman should have added that the U.N. and the ICC and others in that vein will also be mightily miffed. Somehow, I warrant that the Israelis will be able to tolerate this loss in its popularity. They ought to be very much used to this sort of thing by now. Here, finally, this journalist gets something right: It would be the single greatest gift Trump could give to Iran to make a comeback in the Middle East by embarrassing all the pro-American Sunni regimes. It would indeed be a gift beyond price for the Iranian people to have the Palestinians upset their present overlords. Then this country would return from barbarism to civilization. How does it help the average Ali living in Tehran to have his government aid and abet Hamas, Hezballah, and Houthis in their attacks on Israel? As recent events have shown, their leaders policies have rendered Iran vulnerable to Israeli defensive wrath. Friedman trots out that old saw: a two-state solution. I tell you what: I dont mind that, provided only that this new entity is located in Iran, or maybe Haiti, or on Mars, for all I care just as long as these bestial murderers are located far, far away from their usual targets in the Middle East. Friedman is incensed since Netanyahu even said the other day that the Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there. How can this leader of Israel sink so low as to wish a little geographical distance between these marauders and their Jewish prey? Last but not least, our scribe relieves himself of this jewel: If Bibi gets where he is going, every young Jew today will learn what it is to grow up in a world where the Jewish state is a pariah state. Hey, wait a sec the only civilized nation in the Middle East is already a pariah state. And thats thanks to commentators such as Friedman. Image: Adam Jones via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped). Democrats lost the 2024 election and Donald Trump has continued to devastate them. One would think they would carefully, comprehensively try to figure out why they lost by crushing margins, but that requires sanity. Dems have since demonstrated a comical lack of self-reflection. Theyre entirely wrong but never in doubt. Their loss of the White House and both houses of Congress could not possibly be their fault. Neither is being as popular as cold sores. What is clearly certain is Democrats are nothing like Normal Americans, as the invaluable Kurt Schlichter has recently explained: The left could choose to be on the side of normal Americans who would prefer not to be raped and/or murdered by illegal aliens who shouldnt be here in the first place. But the establishment left backs the illegal aliens who shouldnt be here in the first place, even to the point of wanting them imported back into the United States when we finally get rid of them. Think about that they not only dont want these people gone but they want us to bring them back. Moreover, under Biden, they were literally flying them into the country. Again, normal Americans have made it quite clear that they would prefer that illegal aliens who shouldnt be here in the first place shouldnt be here, but no. The establishment left must take the side of the Third World gang members and against the citizens of America who these monsters torment. Democrats will always take the side of criminals, gang bangers, human traffickers, illegal immigrants, wife beaters and terrorists over Normal Americans, and theyre particularly delighted to find all those attributes in one person, namely Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Abrego Garcia, as all sapient Americans know, was deported to El Salvador, and because he is a MS-13 gang banger and terrorist, is currently residing in a maximum-security prison. Dems call him a Maryland Man, a loving father, and are desperate to return him home. Unfortunately, hes an illegal alien, and was allowed, back in 2019, to remain in America only because his lawyers said if he returned a rival gang would kill him. Dems either deny hes MS-13 or avoid the issue. Weve since learned, despite the best efforts of the Dem media including MSNBC, hes the real deal: Graphic: X Screenshot And more of the real deal: Graphic: X Screenshot Notice how hes tried to scuff MS13 off his knuckles since arriving back home: Graphic: X Screenshot In the meantime, Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat ostensibly of Michigan, flew to El Salvador to free his constituent. President Bukele initially denied Van Hollen his photo op. Bukele has made clear hes not going to try to smuggle an illegal alien gang banger into America. However, he apparently decided to play 3D chess to Van Hollens checkers: Graphic: X Screenshot James Woods adds a pithy observation: Graphic: X Screenshot Try to find someone who looks at you the way Van Hollen longingly looks at a MS-13 savage. When he appeared on CNN after returning to America, Dana Bash lobbed Van Hollen a softball. Given the opportunity to hit one out of the park, he muffed it: Graphic: X Screenshot For Normal Americans, knowing whether Abrego Garcia is a member of one of the most notorious, violent gangs on Earth is a topic of some interest, but not for Van Hollen or Dems in general. Even Van Hollen is already back pedaling. How do we know Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13? If one isnt a genuine member of MS-13, tattooing that on ones body is a death sentence. All gang bangers know that, and so do law enforcement and intelligence agencies, all of which, as well as two immigration judges, have confirmed his membership. President Bukele has eliminated MS-13 in El Salvador and reportedly, Abrego Garcia told immigration officers hes not worried about returning hometo El Salvador. Weve also recently learned Abrego Garcia was stopped by the Tennessee Highway Patrol in 2022 while apparently engaged in human trafficking. Despite the available evidence, Dems, including their black robed legislators from the bench, are desperate to return Abrego Garcia to America. Should that somehow happen, he wont stay. He remains an illegal alien and member of a terrorist organization whose lawyers tricked an immigration judge into allowing him to stay in the country. Normal Americans agree with President Trump. People like Abrego Garcia have no place in America. Democrats absolutely disagree. Abrego Garcia is their immigration poster child, and they cant understand why Normal Americans dont agree with them or why their approval rating--now 25%--is so low. Dems know everything theyre sayingand hidingabout Abrego Garcia is a lie, and they do it anywayand worse: Graphic: X Screenshot Were not the same. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. The various Kurdish factions in Syria have agreed on a common political vision. That vision includes a federalist structure, which would provide the Kurds in Syria with regional autonomy and an independent security force. This vision by the Kurds, while entirely justified, is short of independence. It comes a month following the agreement between Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syrias transitional president, and the leader of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi. These two figures, al-Sharaa and Abdi, were previously associated with terrorist groups. Naturally, the leftist and secular ideological bent of the SDF is in stark contrast with the conservative and Islamist views of al-Sharaas Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Al-Sharaa was previously allied with al-Qaeda. Abdi was associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Their meeting resulted in an agreement that stipulates that, over time, the SDF will integrate into Syrias state institutions. The culturally and ethnically non-Arab Kurds have endured a history of discrimination from both the Assad regime and the majority-Sunni Arabs. Clearly, Kurdish integration will not create an organic Syrian state. The deal between al-Sharaa and Abdi says that over time, the SDF will integrate into Syrias state institutions. They agreed on the territorial unity of Syria under a central government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa. The agreement stipulated a merger of the Kurdish military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state. It also included an agreement on a ceasefire and the safe return of civilians who were evacuated from their homes. Nonetheless, the agreement was a complex endeavor because the SDFs ideology and the institutions in eastern Syria are very different from the HTS, which the U.S. designated as a terrorist organization in May 2014. However, under a new Syrian government, it is possible, though unlikely, that accommodations could be made. The SDF faced attacks by Turkey and Turkish-backed groups including the Syrian National Army (SNA). When the Syrian regime, with Russian and Iranian backing, took back much of eastern Syria, it appeared that HTS and the SDF might end up being surrounded in their areas and eventually isolated. That shared experience made al-Sharaa and Abdi find some common ground. Badran Jia Kurd, deputy co-chair of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), recently emphasized to Reuters the need for a federal parliamentary system in Syria that must be democratic and pluralistic. He also shed light on the recent agreement with Damascus, prospects for engagement with Erdogans Turkey, the ongoing security and political challenges facing Syria, and in particular his vision for a pluralistic Syrian future. The demand by the Kurdish factions for a federal system of governance was accelerated as a result of the massacre of the Alawites last month, which caused fear to spread among all Syrian minority communities, including the Druze and Kurds. Hence, Badran Jia Kurd stressed what he considered the fundamental issue for Syria: the maintenance of the individual cultural and political administration of each group within its own region, and the need for internal (regional) security forces. This is a departure from the agreement between al-Sharaa and Abdi. The Alawites, Druze, and Kurds have been looking to Israel for protection. Israel has had a history of seeking alliances with minorities in the region. Through the years, Israel has helped such groups as the Maronite Christians in Lebanon and Iraqi Kurds. Israel also has a special affinity for the Druze population in Syria in view of the loyalty and sacrifices of members of the Israeli Druze community who serve in the Israeli Defense Forces. Moreover, given the proximity of the Druze region to Israels Golan Heights, Jerusalem has become the de facto protector of the Druze minority in Syria. The Alawites and Syrian Kurds are geographically remote from Israel, and some of the Kurdish groups have a close association with the PKK, considered a terrorist organization in the West, which makes it harder for Israel to extend the same protection to them. Still, Israels tension with Erdogans Turkey makes an alliance with the Syrian Kurds rather logical. Suleiman Osso, head of the Kurdish National Council in Syria (ENKS), told Reuters that a common resolution by the Kurdish factions would be announced at the end of April. He pointed out, however, that the removal of the Assad regime last December convinced most Syrians to view the federal system as the optimal solution for Syria. Osso justified the demand for federalism based upon the recent attacks on the Alawites and the rejection of the Druze minority of a centralized Damascus government. The 2025 Interim Constitution of Syria, officially known as the Constitutional Declaration of the Syrian Arab Republic, announced by al-Sharaa, is not acceptable to the leadership of the Kurdish factions. The constitution doesnt address the diversity within the Syrian states population, and it grants al-Sharaa extensive powers. It invokes sharia Islamic law as the major source for legislation and makes Arabic the official language of Syria, without providing for or even mentioning the Kurdish language. Al-Sharaa though, has rejected the idea of federalism in Syria. Iraq and Syria were concocted by the colonial powers of Britain and France in the aftermath of the First World War. The Sykes-Picot Agreement created inorganic entities that have resulted in instability and chaos in these two states for decades. Iraq is divided among Shiite Arabs, Sunni Arabs, and Kurds. These groups have never lived in harmony. Similarly, in Syria, even more diverse groups such as the Sunni Arab majority were never in full harmony with the Kurds, Christians, Alawites, and Druze. Although the optimal solution is full independence for the abovementioned groups, the next best idea is a federalized Syria that provides full autonomy to the various religious and ethnic groups. Image: watchsmart via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped). Crowds throng the beach at Atlantic City, New Jersey. circa 1908. Photo credit: Detroit Publishing Company The town of Beach Haven, on the southern end of Long Beach Island off the coast of New Jersey, has been a popular summer resort for more than a hundred years. Located just twenty miles north of Atlantic City, Beach Haven has been the favourite destination for couples and families from New Jersey and Pennsylvania looking for a seaside escape. The summer of 1916 was one of the hottest in recent memory, and Beach Haven was packed with vacationers. To provide shade to visitors, more than two hundred trees were planted and a new express train from Philadelphia shortened the travel time to just under two hours. Among the vacationers was Charles Vansant, a 25-year-old stockbroker from Philadelphia. On July 1, 1916, he arrived in Beach Haven and, after checking in at the Engleside Hotel, headed straight to the beach for a late-afternoon swim in the Atlantic. Vansant waded into the surf just beyond the breakers, where the water reached his chest, and began calling out to a large Chesapeake Bay retriever that was playing on the beach. The dog, however, seemed uninterested in joining him. At that moment, several people on the shoreline noticed a dark shape lurking beneath the surface, with a black fin cutting through the water. It was moving toward Vansant. Alarmed, the people began to shout warnings, but Vansant didnt understand what they were saying and continued calling to the dog. Suddenly Vansant shrieked and began frantically splashing as he struggled to move towards the shore. The water around him turned crimson from his blood. When the lifeguard dragged Vansant ashore, his left thigh was found stripped off its flesh. Some witnesses later claimed they saw the shark still clamped onto Vansants leg as he was dragged towards the beach, and that the shark did not let Vansant free until its belly scraped the bottom of the sand. Vansant died less than two hours later in excruciating pain. His death was the first recorded fatal shark attack along the East Coast of the United States. While local newspapers reacted with horror and disbelief, national coverage was minimal. James M. Meehan, the Fish Commissioner of Pennsylvania, even sought to reassure the public in an article in the Philadelphia Public Ledger, stating that bathers had no reason to fear sharks. He dismissed the incident as a fluke, claiming the shark had likely been trying to attack the dog swimming near Vansant. Just five days after the first attack, Charles Bruder, a twenty-seven year-old Swiss bell captain at the Essex & Sussex Hotel, was swimming in the sea in Spring Lake about 45 miles north of Beach Haven, when he was attacked by a shark. The shark completely bit off his right leg just above the knee, and when Bruder fell back into the water, the shark made another lunge, this time severing his left foot. Bruder slipped out of consciousness almost immediately and was dead before he could be brought back to the shore. Many hotel guests who saw the mutilated corpse vomited and fainted. Map of the Jersey Shore attacks The second fatal attack sent a wave of panic and hysteria across the coastline. Newspapers nationwide ran dramatic headlines, turning what had once seemed like an isolated incident into a terrifying pattern. Resort owners set up motorboat patrol to spot rogue sharks as they tried to lure visitors back to the beach in order to make up for the few days of lost business. Wire netting was installed in the waters covering the entire stretch of beach at Engleside and also at Asbury Parks Fourth Avenue beach. Some of these measures seemed to work, because by the week following Bruders attack, a record crowd flocked Jersey Shore beaches. At Matawan Creek, about 30 miles north of Spring Lake and 16 miles inland from sea, eleven-year-old Lester Stillwell was playing in the creek with his friends in the scorching afternoon of July 12. One of kids felt a sandpaper-like object graze his leg, and when he trained his eyes at the object beneath the water, he saw what looked like the tail of a huge fish. At the same time the other kids spotted what appeared to be an old black weather-beaten board or a weathered log bob the surface of the water. A dorsal fin appeared in the water and the boys realized it was a shark. Before Stillwell could climb from the creek, the shark pulled him underwater. The boys ran to town for help, and several men, including local businessman Watson Stanley Fisher came to investigate. Fisher and others dove into the creek to find Stillwell, thinking he had suffered a seizure. They soon located the boy's body and while attempting to return to shore, Fisher was seized by the shark in front of a full crowd. The shark dug its teeth into Fishers right thigh and tore the muscles out. He bled to death about two hours later. Some 30 minutes after the double tragedy at Matawan Creek, the shark attacked again, half-a-mile away. The fifth and the final victim was fourteen-year-old Joseph Dunn. The shark clamped down on his left leg, stripping it of flesh. But unlike the others, Dunn survived. His brother and a friend managed to pull him free after a desperate tug-of-war with the shark. He spent weeks in recovery and was eventually released from the hospital two months later. A bull shark, the kind that was probably responsible for the attacks. Photo credit: Earth Touch The New Jersey shark attacks had a profound psychological impact on beachgoers and the American public at large. Mostly it shattered the prevailing belief that sharks did not pose a serious threat to humans, especially in temperate coastal waters like those off the north eastern United States. For the first time, Americans saw the ocean not just as a playground but as a place where nature might strike without warning. The attacks marked the first time sharks were portrayed in American media as malevolent predators targeting humans. Prior to that, sharks were rarely considered a serious threat. Scientific consensus held that they wouldn't attack people unless provoked. The 1916 attacks changed that perception. Communities along the Jersey Shore petitioned the federal government to organise hunt sharks. As the Atlanta Constitution reported on July 14, Armed shark hunters in motor boats patrolled the New York and New Jersey coasts today while others lined the beaches in a concerted effort to exterminate the man-eaters .... Residents of Matawan lined Matawan Creek with nets and detonated dynamite in an attempt to catch and kill the shark that was responsible for two deaths. New Jersey governor and local municipalities offered bounties to individuals hunting sharks. Hundreds of sharks were captured on the East Coast following the attacks. The legacy of these attacks lasted well into the 20th century. When Peter Benchley wrote Jaws in 1974, he drew clear inspiration from the 1916 events, especially the idea of a rogue shark terrorizing a small coastal community. Steven Spielbergs 1975 film adaptation brought those fears to the screen in a visceral way. The Jersey man-eater was never identified, although several fishermen claimed to have caught it in the days following the attacks. A blue shark was captured near Long Branch, and a sandbar shark was captured near the mouth of the Matawan Creek. A Barnum and Bailey lion tamer named Michael Schleisser caught a 147 kg great white shark in Raritan Bay, only a few miles from the mouth of Matawan Creek. When Schleisser opened the shark's belly he found suspicious fleshy material and bones. Later, the ingested remains were examined by Dr. Frederic Lucas, the director of American Museum, who identified them to be human. They are the parts of the left radius and ulna [lower arm bones] and one of the anterior left ribs, all human. There is no doubt about this, he wrote to Schleisser. Schleisser, who was also a taxidermist, mounted the shark and placed it on display in the window of a Manhattan shop on Broadway. Some thirty thousand people blocked up the sidewalk in their efforts to catch a glimpse of the monster they read so much about. Later, Schleisser announced plans to take the now-famous white shark on a tour across Asia and the Far East. Unfortunately, the rushed taxidermy and the inferior early-20th century methods of preservation led to the deterioration of the carcass. However, the jaws of that specimen survived and may have decorated the walls of a fish shop on Broadway for many years, before this last remaining relic was also lost. Michael Schleisser and the great white shark he caught in Raritan Bay purported to be the "Jersey man-eater". Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons Some sceptics wondered whether the New Jersey man-eater was a shark at all. A lot of people, especially during the early days of the attack, believed the perpetrator was a sea turtle. Some scholars even asserted that a shark's jaws did not have the strength to sever a human leg in a single bite. A letter to The New York Times blamed the shark infestation on German U-boats near America's East Coast. The anonymous writer claimed that these sharks may have devoured human bodies in the waters of the German war zone and developed a craving for human flesh which would have accounted for their newfound aggression. Some shark experts believe that the real culprit behind the 1916 attacks might not have been the great white shark but bull sharka species known for its aggressive nature and its ability to swim from saltwater into freshwater rivers and streams. Bull sharks have been involved in confirmed attacks in lakes and rivers, lending credence to the theory, especially since several of the 1916 attacks occurred far inland. A warning put up on a beach, somewhere in the Pacific coast, after a recent fatal shark attack. Photo credit: acapacio Regardless of the exact species, the attacks of 1916 left a deep and lasting impression on the public consciousness, especially in the north eastern United States. In an article published that July in the Newark Star-Eagle, ichthyologist and National Geographic editor Hugh McCormick Smith reflected on the incident, noting that while some shark species are harmless as doves, others represent the incarnation of ferocity. The great white shark bore most of the blame. Smith continued: One of the most prodigious, and perhaps the most formidable of sharks is the man-eater, Carcharodon carcharias [great white]. In another article, the Scientific American wrote that the white shark would not hesitate to attack a man in open water, and that even a relatively small white shark, weighing two or three hundred pounds, might readily snap the largest human bones by a jerk of its body, after it has bitten through the flesh. The panic triggered by the 1916 attacks also changed the way scientists and institutions approached shark research. Once a largely overlooked subject, shark behaviour became a focus of new studies, drawing attention from both the scientific community and the public. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), an average of 80 unprovoked shark attacks occur globally each year, with 7 to 8 resulting in fatalities. The United States leads the world in reported cases, with over 1,100 confirmed attacks and 37 deaths between 1958 and 2023. While shark attacks remain rare, these statistics remind us that, despite all our knowledge and precautions, the sea is still wild. Summary: Google has reportedly started rolling out the Android Auto 14.2 update. If the update hasnt reached you yet, dont worry, it will soon. As per usual, the update doesnt bring new features, rather, it fixes a few reported bugs. With the release of the stable update, Google has also removed a few code strings that hinted at alleged support for navigation on smart glasses. Google is often lauded by users for constantly pushing updates to its apps and services. Sometimes these updates tend to introduce new features, and sometimes they are just for the sake of bug fixes. When Google released Android Auto 14 late last month, it dropped hints about replacing Google Assistant with Gemini. In less than a month of pushing that update, Google is now reportedly rolling out Android Auto 14.2 for all users. Google has started rolling out the Android Auto 14.2 update The stable Android Auto 14.2 update is now rolling out to users after the debut of the beta earlier this month. If you are not seeing this update already, dont worry, the update should be widely available for all users in a few days or weeks. If you are hoping for any new features, sadly, there arent any. The Android Auto 14.2 update mainly fixes some known bugs and comes with a few tweaks. That said, 9to5Google has found a few changes in the code strings of the Android Auto app since the beta release. The outlet, in its previous report, noted that the beta release had some code strings that mentioned the word Glasses. Google was reportedly hinting at some sort of glasses integration for navigation within Android Auto. A code string had the phrase, Start navigation to launch Glasses. While the suspicion around the functionality remains, Google has reportedly removed that string from the stable Android Auto 14.2 update. A new update could bring some AC features Its not the first time we have heard something big is coming for Android Auto. An APK teardown report from last month hinted that Android Auto could also get tons of AC features. The spotted code strings of the Android Auto app hinted at features like recirculation and windshield defrosting. No one is entirely sure when Google will release these features. If it does, these features will surely be welcomed by vehicle owners. Summary: Apple published a new ad for Apple Intelligence, showing off the photo clean up feature in a short and sweet ad. However, its possibly the only good feature of Apple Intelligence where the rest of the AIs features are very underwhelming. Lets face it. Everyone knows that Apple Intelligence is underwhelming. Actually, underwhelming doesnt even come close. Its features are so basic that it doesnt even seem particularly smart to begin with. Apple Intelligence photo clean up However, Apple doesnt want us to forget what it can do. The company has recently published a new ad for Apple Intelligence that shows off some of its capabilities, like the ability to clean up a photo from unwanted objects. Object removal is one of the most basic features you can expect from AI on a phone. Many mobile AI systems already have that feature, so its no surprise that Apple has included it in Apple Intelligence as well. The video shows a man having his photo taken by his (presumably) mother. However, when he finds the best photo, he realizes she is in the shot. Normally, that would be a pain to remove. However, with a few taps here and there, Apple Intelligence cleaned up his photo. Apple has a long way to go Ill admit, out of all the Apple Intelligence features Ive tried, the photo clean-up feature is probably the most effective. Even then, its not that great. Several videos show that Samsungs Galaxy AI does a way better job of object removal than Apple Intelligence. Apple has also faced some controversy with Apple Intelligence. So much so that some users filed a lawsuit against Apple alleging false advertising. The company was also supposed to roll out a revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. However, that feature has been delayed, which has also led to more lawsuits. Apple will release iOS 19 later this year. Rumors suggest it wont focus on new Apple Intelligence features, but instead on a revamped UI that reportedly takes heavy inspiration from visionOS. In any case, the more Apple delays, the worse it will look for them, especially in this day and age when AI is all the hype and rage. Summary: The wireless industry is facing slower growth and rising costs, but instead of raising prices, carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon may start cutting them to stay competitive. If this sparks a price war, customers across all major networks could see lower phone plan costs in the near future. We know that over the years, weve seen the prices of our subscriptions go up. Its not just subscriptions, but carrier prices as well. Right now, the worlds economy doesnt look so hot. This means that companies might be thinking of raising prices again to stay afloat, but analysts think otherwise. The industry slowdown According to analysts over at TD Cowen, all three major carriers are dealing with slower growth. The analysts estimate that the industry will add about 1.38 million new postpaid phone lines this quarter. That might sound like a huge figure, but in reality, it is 12% less than last year. This is a big deal in an industry thats already running out of new people to sign up. Theres more trouble on the horizon, too. New tariffs could make network equipment pricier. While carriers can delay 5G upgrades or stock up on gear to buy time, they cant avoid rising costs forever. In a research note to investors, analysts at BofA Global Research said, Heightened uncertainty could cause businesses to pause investment, hiring, or projects that could impact sales to the telcos. The potential for higher handset costs from tariffs, if they are implemented and sustained, could cause subscribers to hold on to devices longer, which would help margins and free cash flow. However, the industry is built on a device subsidy model that would be challenging if tariffs materially raise the cost of handsets. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to (hopefully) reduce prices People are also holding onto their phones longer, especially if prices go up. That could force carriers to rethink the usual deal of getting a phone at a discount in exchange for staying with the company. If fewer people upgrade, those deals may not make sense anymore. This is why carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile could ultimately resort to lowering their prices this year. Verizon has already made the first move by adopting a price lock concept similar to T-Mobile. That could kick off a price war. If it does, we expect other carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile to follow. It makes more sense for Verizon, however. This quarter, the carrier expects to lose over 300,000 customers, while its rivals are gaining new ones. To stem the losses, the company may consider lowering its prices to attract customers back. Thats good news, not just for Verizons customers but for the industry as a whole if other carriers follow suit. Summary: Samsung has filed a new patent infringement lawsuit against Chinese display giant BOE in a U.S. district court, alleging unauthorized use of key OLED technologies. This follows previous legal victories for Samsung, and the dispute now threatens to ripple through global supply chains. With BOE supplying panels to major brands like Apple, the case underscores growing tensions in the display industry and highlights the need for diversified sourcing strategies. Samsung is once again suing BOE over patent infringement. The company has filed multiple patent infringement lawsuits against BOE, and this is just the latest. The suit filed against BOE this time was filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Samsung is claiming that BOE and its six units have infringed on four of Samsungs US Patents. These are US Patent Nos. 11,574,990, 11,574,991, 10,439,015 and 10,013,088. Samsung had already reached out to BOE back in May 2022 about these patents that they were apparently infringing on, and these displays were later used in devices like the Red Magic 9S Pro, Nubia Z60 Ultra, and more. Samsung claims that BOE is infringing on its patent technologies covering OLED thin film transistor structure and cell structure. Samsung has had some success suing BOE in the US, including a ruling last month that BOE infringed on three Samsung Display OLED patents. Samsung has also claimed that BOE is poaching Samsung Display employees and using them to steal company trade secrets, through firms in Samsung Displays supply chain. The Impact on Global Supply Chains and Partnerships This suit could have a pretty major impact on global supply chains and partnerships. BOE is quickly becoming one of the biggest display makers on the planet, and is really taking the competition to Samsung. So much so that Apple is actually sourcing displays from both companies. Apple tends to display parts from multiple companies, this is because their need is so much greater than other companies, but it also keeps ripples from happening in the supply chain. If something happens to BOE, Apple can still get displays from Samsung. The litigation with this lawsuit could have some pretty big ripple effects throughout the global supply chain, and will test the supply chain resilience, as well as the need for companies to diversify their supplier base. I wouldnt expect this to affect the supply chain this year, however. Most phones that are set to ship this year, the displays have already been made and shipped to wherever the phones are being assembled. Apple typically starts mass production for the iPhone around July, however, they have likely already sourced tens of millions of displays for the new iPhone 17 series. Summary: Google vs DOJ remedies trial has begun. Googles lawyer basically called DOJ proposals a wishlist for competition. The DOJ argued that AI could help Google extend its search monopoly. Opening statements have been made. A three-week trial is before us. Yesterday marked the beginning of the remedies trial in the Google Search monopoly case. Google lost that trial to the DOJ last year, and now a three-week remedies trial is ongoing. The DOJ believes Google could use AI in order to extend its search monopoly It was revealed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) believes Google could use AI in order to extend its search monopoly. Thats why DOJ thinks that Google needs strong measures imposed, in order to be prevented from doing that. As a reminder, DOJ wants the Court to force Google to sell Chrome, and also share various data, as part of its demands. Google replied several times to these demands, and the last round of replies came a couple of days ago. Google believes that DOJs proposals would undermine American economic and tech leadership, amongst other things. A number of AI companies are expected to testify A number of AI companies will testify during this three-week trial. DOJs attorney, David Dahlquist, said the following in its opening statement: time to tell Google and all other monopolists who are out there listening, and they are listening, that there are consequences when you break the antitrust laws. He also added that: This courts remedy should be forward-looking and not ignore what is on the horizon. He noted that Googles search monopoly helps improve the companys AI products, which is also a way to push users to its search engine. Google has a major deal with Samsung in relation to Gemini, it was revealed Googles major deal with Samsung was noted as well, as part of this point. As a reminder, Google is paying a considerable sum to Samsung in order to keep Gemini pre-installed on the companys products. We already wrote about that earlier today. Googles lawyer, John Schmidtlein, in its opening statement, said that the DOJs proposals amount to a wishlist for competitors looking to get the benefits of Googles extraordinary innovations. He added that AI competitors would like handouts as well, even though they are competing just fine. Google believes that AI products are outside the scope of this entire case, which is focused on search engines. Googles appeal is coming Google already announced an appeal once the trial has concluded, regardless of the remedies. Summary: In an ongoing antitrust case, Google testified to paying Samsung a monthly fee for installing Gemini on Galaxy devices. The actual amounts have not been disclosed. Google has long enjoyed dominance in the search engine space. Now that it looks to repeat this feat for AI, Google is paying Samsung to pre-install Gemini on its Galaxy smartphones. This information was revealed during the proceedings of an antitrust case against the company. The US Justice Department is currently prosecuting Google over its monopoly on search. And it seems that their concerns are well-founded. The testimony Peter Fitzgerald, the vice president of Googles platforms and device partnerships, testified under oath in a Washington court this Monday and Tuesday. He confirmed that the company has been making monthly payments to Samsung to ensure Gemini comes pre-installed on its phones. The payments started in January under a two-year contract. In addition, Google also pays Samsung a cut of the ad revenue from Gemini. These details make it clear that Geminis inclusion on Samsung isnt simply because of its features or performance. Google has been actively bribing the company to feature its AI product front and center. While the amounts being paid are not clear, they are likely to be significant. Googles antitrust woes The US has robust antitrust laws that give all companies a level playing field. The laws specifically forbid companies from unfairly gaining an advantage over their peers and preventing competition by monopolizing a platform. Google was already found to be guilty of monopolistic practices in the antitrust case last year. The current proceedings are being held to determine the penalties and changes to be imposed on the company. The Department of Justice is asking for Googles services to be broken up entirely. This would mean Google would have to divest Chrome and Android into separate companies, with its browser and search engine no longer being the default. Google is obviously attempting to prevent this from happening, but so far, its arguments have not been promising. And as this testimony shows, Google is expanding its problematic practices to the newly developing AI space as well. Why is this important? The AI competition has been heating up in recent months. Microsofts Copilot and Googles Gemini are in direct competition, and now Chinas DeepSeek has entered the market too. And thats a good thing, since increased competition leads to the development of better products. Microsoft has already managed to beat Google in many metrics, with Samsung and LG TVs using Copilot as the AI assistant for their newer televisions. However, if Google is allowed to pay its way into becoming the default option on other platforms, it would kill the innovation in this space. This is why the US government considers it crucial to prevent one companys monopoly over the AI field. Summary: A new report states that Google might move Pixel production over to India. This is a move to avoid the harsh 46% tariffs placed on Taiwan, which is where most of Googles devices are built. In India, the tariffs are only 26%, which is significantly lower. Do you remember hearing the news of wealthy tech figures donating money to Donald Trumps inauguration by the millions? We saw Tim Cook do it along with Mark Zuckerberg and others. Well, Sundar Pichai, Googles CEO, also donated money to the inauguration. Thats what makes this new report all the more tragic. The very man they donated to is wreaking havoc on the global economy. Hes also playing chicken with countries that build many of the products we use every day, and this has caused huge vibrations throughout the stock market. Google is now starting to feel the pressure from the situation, and its next move should be a cautionary tale. Google could move Pixel production over to India As you may know, President Donald Trump is dealing out tariffs like hes at a poker game. As such, importing goods from many countries around the world will become much more expensive. These taxes will result in higher prices for consumers, but it will also result in high prices for companies providing goods and services. Googles Pixel devices are built in Taiwan, but that country was hit with a 46% tariff. This means that importing its Pixel devices from Taiwan over to the U.S. will cost the company more. Raising the import cost could result in much more expensive devices for the consumers. Pixel phones arent exactly the budget-friendly option it once was. A new report hints that Google is in talks with Dixon Technologies and Foxconn at the moment. It could be planning on moving Pixel production over to India. As it stands, India was hit with a 26% tariff, which is much lower than Taiwans tariff. The situation is extremely fluid at the moment. Vice President Vance flew over to India to speak with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The talks were over potentially reaching a trade deal later this year. If that happens, then things might be better for Google if it moves production to India. Yet another company is suffering because of an avoidable decision Were sure that the executives over at Apple have been pulling their hair out over the drama. The sky-high tariffs placed on Chinese goods have been threatening to triple the price of the iPhone. As such, Apple has been asking the president to exempt it from the tariffs. Even though there was an exemption, the company could still be in trouble. Well, it looks like the folks at Google are in a similar boat. We all know that Trump favors big business, so were sure thats why they donated to his inaugural fund. Were also sure that its because he relaxed the regulations on AI technology, which companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI were happy about. However, now theyre regretting their choice at the moment. Were seeing turmoil across several industries, and companies are having to uproot their operations. While the trade deal might help Google if it moves to India, its still ridiculous that the company now has to move its production to an entirely different country just to deal with a decision from the man that its CEO helped get re-elected. Summary: It was just revealed that Google is paying Samsung an enormous sum to Samsung in order to keep Gemini pre-installed on the companys devices. This is not first such deal with Samsung, this is in addition to its multi-billion deal for Google Search. As many of you know by now, Google pays Apple billions of dollars to remain the default search engine on Apple computers, smartphones and tablets. Well, Apple is not the only company included in such deals, and some additional information just surfaced, regarding Samsung. Google is paying Samsung an enormous sum for Gemini to be pre-installed on Galaxy devices According to a report by Bloomberg, Google also pays Samsung an enormous sum for Gemini to be pre-installed on Samsungs Galaxy devices. This detail was revealed during the antitrust trial between Google and the US Department of Justice (DOJ). This is not the first such revelation concerning Samsung, however. Back in November 2023, during the Epic Games vs Google lawsuit, it was revealed that Google paid Samsung $8 billion over four years to pre-install Google Search engine and Play Store on Galaxy devices. With that being said, Google is now in the middle of the remedies trial for its Search dominance. The company lost that trial to the DOJ last year. We had to wait until now for things to start unfolding, though, in terms of remedies. The remedies trial for Google started yesterday, following the companys defeat in court A three-week trial kicked off yesterday, as were waiting to see what will Google need to do in order to appease the Court. DOJ has considerable demands, which Google does not see fitting, as they could undermine American economic and tech leadership. Thats what the company said. Google is under threat of being broken up. The Court could force Google to sell of Chrome, or something of the sort. It all depends on what remedies end up being thrown in Googles direction. The company could be banned from making deals such as the ones it did with Apple and Samsung, moving forward. It remains to be seen, but that was one of the main points of the whole trial. Why? Because it helps Google keep its dominance. Summary: A tip from Weibo suggests the iPhone 17e is nearing trial production, with a launch timeframe set for May 2026. However, with Trumps tariffs, can Apple truly claim that this is going to be a budget iPhone? Among Apples iPhones, the iPhone 16e the most affordable. But compared to other phones? Its downright expensive. Despite it being so expensive, it turned out to be a hit. Recent figures have suggested that Apples success in Q1 was largely thanks to the iPhone 16e. This is why its not surprising that Apple is already planning a successor in the form of the iPhone 17e. In a post on Weibo by Fixed Focus Digital, the tipster revealed that the iPhone 17e is nearing trial production. Apple also has a launch timeframe for the iPhone 17e set for May 2026. This is not the first time weve heard about the iPhone 17e. Ahead of the iPhone 16es launch, Fixed Focus Digital uncovered the existence of a new project codename. At that time, it was speculated that this could be the iPhone 17e. This new report doesnt confirm anything, but it does corroborate the previous rumors. Consumer Intelligence Research Partners has also hinted that Apple plans to launch the iPhone 17e next year. Will the iPhone 17e be a budget phone? That being said, were a bit worried that Apple might not be able to offer the iPhone 17e at budget prices. As many of you know, US President Donald Trump wants to impose tariffs on the entire world. This will affect the prices of our devices, especially since in this globalized market, companies dont just source from one country but many countries. While there is a chance that Apple could be spared from tariffs, Trumps unpredictable nature, plus the fact that were not sure if China plans to retaliate further, means the iPhone 17e could end up being a more expensive affair. Either way, well have to wait and see how this one plays out. It will be interesting to see what changes Apple makes to the iPhone 17e and if its worth upgrading. Summary: A new scam has come into light, where scammers are sending out phishing emails to targets by abusing the Google OAuth app. Such an email comes from a legit-looking [email protected] address and reportedly includes a subpoena about law enforcement. This intimidates users into giving up their account information. If you ever receive an email from [email protected] and think its from Google, think twice; it could be a phishing email. A new scam has come into light, where scammers are sending out phishing emails that appear to come from the aforementioned email address, which looks legit at first glance. Scammers are now sending phishing emails from a realistic-looking Google address According to a report by Bleeping Computer, the emails include an urgent subpoena alert about law enforcement, asking for information from the targets Google account. Per the outlet, the phishing scam uses Googles sites.google.com free web-building platform to create legit-looking phishing websites and emails, which intimidate targets into giving up their credentials. Now, you must be wondering why Google fails to flag such a phishing email. Well, heres an explanation provided by an email authentication company called EasyDMARC. As the phishing email comes from Googles own tool, it easily bypasses the DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) authentication. Usually, DKIM flags fake emails, which is why they end up in the spam section. The scammers then enter the full text of the email as the name of their fake OAuth app. Next, the text gets autofilled into an email sent by Google to their email address. Interestingly, when a scammer forwards the phishing email to a users Gmail address, it remains signed and valid. This is because DKIM only checks and flags messages and headers. Lastly, the phishing email links to a realistic-looking support portal on sites.google.com instead of accounts.google.com. A person with less knowledge about technology can easily fall for this scam. Google is working on a fix Nick Johnson, the lead developer of the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), received a similar Google phishing email a week ago. However, he was vigilant enough to figure out that something was off about the email. He then reported this to Google, saying that scammers are misusing the Google OAuth app as a security flaw. While the company initially said everything is working fine, it later recognized this as a threat to its users and is reportedly working to fix the OAuth security vulnerability. As the cybersecurity space is evolving, scammers are coming up with new tricks to target users. Therefore, its upon us to remain vigilant. Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirezs dismissal is the latest in a string of firings of senior female military personnel A US army commander has been suspended after refusing to display a photo of Donald Trump. Fort McCoy commander Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez was relieved of duty after the Wisconsin army base failed to put up pictures of Mr Trump, JD Vance, the vice-president, and Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary, on a wall displaying its chain of command. It comes after the defence department launched a probe to investigate why the wall, which would typically display images showing those in charge, had been left with empty frames. The blank frames have since been filled, with the departments rapid response team posting on X earlier this month: Regarding the Ft McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy. we fixed it! Also, an investigation has begun to figure out exactly what happened. On Sunday, Mr Hegseth reshared a post on X which claimed: Commander of Fort McCoy, whose base chain-of-command board was missing photos of Trump, Vance and Hegseth, has been suspended. Three empty photo frames hang on the wall at the Wisconsin army base Suspension not related to misconduct The US Army Reserve Command confirmed Col Ramirezs suspension but denied misconduct was the cause. This suspension is not related to any misconduct, a spokesman said. The Army Reserve has no further details to provide. Col Ramirez became the garrison commander in July last year, having served as chief of the reserve programme and army intelligence security commander at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, as well as in other roles throughout the armed services. The move to dismiss her is the latest in a string of firings of senior female military personnel amid a Trump administration crackdown on so-called wokeness in the armed forces. Military personnel sacked Earlier this month, the Pentagon fired the head of the US militarys Pituffik Space Base in Greenland for subverting president Trumps agenda. Colonel Susannah Meyers was accused of undermining Mr Vance by sending an email distancing herself from the vice-presidents criticism of Denmark and calls to take over Greenland during a speech at the base last month. Mr Hegseth earlier this month also fired Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, who served as the US military representative to the Nato military committee, owing to a loss of confidence in her ability to lead. Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve as the head of the US navy, and Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead the US coastguard, were both fired earlier this year. Mr Hegseth has in recent days sacked four former aides amid infighting over a leak investigation following claims that he shared sensitive information about military strikes with his wife, brother and personal lawyer. The defence secretary blamed disgruntled former employees for the latest leaking reports, which come after The Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to a group on the Signal messaging app where senior administration officials discussed plans to bomb Yemen. The English oak named Dicke Marie (Fat Marie), located in the Tegel Forest, is estimated to be 500-600 years old. Photograph: Ullstein Bild/Getty Images An ancient English oak believed to be Berlins oldest tree is suffering the effects of a prolonged dry spell in the German capital, local authorities have said, compounding already significant damage to its once lush canopy and branches. Dicke Marie (Fat Marie), as Berliners affectionately call the tree located in the northern Tegel Forest, has been deprived of essential moisture in recent years as a result of extended periods of sparse rainfall blamed on the climate crisis, according to natural resource officials. But we hope that shell still be with us for another couple decades or even centuries, Marc Franusch, the head of the Tegel Forestry Office, told the newswire DPA. Franusch said the remainder of spring could bring relief in the form of more precipitation but that pruning the gnarled Marie, whose age is estimated at 500-600 years, was not an option. We want to be very gentle and prudent in stabilising the tree and its situation to do our best to support its vitality, he said. The ancient oak stands about 18.5 metres tall, with a trunk about 2 metres in diameter. Dicke Marie has long been a popular attraction for nature lovers, particularly in the years of Berlins cold war division by the Wall, when protected forests offered West Berliners a cherished refuge while the surrounding countryside lay beyond the border in communist East Germany. But the trees remote location at the northern end of Lake Tegel and its diminished, increasingly knotty profile as neighbouring trees overshadowed it have meant ever fewer visitors seek it out, forestry officials say. Dicke Marie nevertheless was granted National Heritage Tree status by the German Dendrological Society in 2021, the first awarded to a tree in a forest. Its remarkable longevity had been attributed to its lakeside home, with its roots soaking up the available moisture even during drought periods. But increasingly arid conditions in the region now appear to be taking their toll. This March was the driest ever recorded in Germany, according to the German Weather Service, and April has seen little improvement. The vast rural Brandenburg state surrounding Berlin reported only 10-20% of the expected precipitation in February and March, Raimund Engel, a regional forest fire protection officer, told the broadcaster RBB. Related: Part of German soul under threat as forests die Many traditional Easter weekend bonfires in Berlin and Brandenburg were called off this year owing to parched conditions in the region, to prevent uncontrolled blazes. The festivities trace their roots to pagan rituals to banish evil winter spirits. The Berlin oaks nickname Dicke Marie is believed to have come from the aristocratic brothers Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt, who grew up in nearby Tegel Palace, after their beloved cook. The Humboldts gave their own name to Berlins fattest tree, a 350-year-old oak in the same forest with a circumference of nearly 8 metres. Germany is believed to have about 100 trees that are at least 400 years old. Cardinal Kevin Farrell officially ascertained Pope Franciss death and will organise the conclave that appoints his successor. Photograph: Andrew Medichini/AP The cardinal who announced the death of Pope Francis bore the ancient Vatican title of camerlengo and spoke in Italian, but there was no mistaking the Dublin accent. Long before he rose through the ecclesiastical ranks and was entrusted with temporarily running the Holy See, Kevin Farrell was an altar boy from an Irish republican family in the working-class suburb of Drimnagh. Or, as the British tabloid Metro put it: Interim pope is a bloke called Kevin from Dublin. As camerlengo, or chamberlain, the 77-year-old Irish American officially ascertained the popes death and will organise the conclave that will elect a successor with Farrell himself a longshot possibility. The death of Francis on Monday vaulted the powerful but little known Vatican figure into the global spotlight, and prompted comparisons to the fictional cardinal played by Ralph Fiennes in the film Conclave. (The film made Fiennes the dean of the College of Cardinals but gave him the duties of the real-life camerlengo.) Farrell has a reputation for personal warmth, a passion for social justice and moderation on doctrinal issues, like Pope Francis. But liberals decry his stances on same-sex marriage and abortion rights, and his decision in 2018 to bar Irelands former president, Mary McAleese, from speaking at a Vatican conference, reportedly because of her advocacy for same-sex marriage and female priests. McAleese said she was profoundly hurt by the attempt to exclude her. As a senior bureaucrat his jobs include running the Vaticans investments and its Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, which promotes marriage he favoured opening the churchs lay movements to younger people. The future of the movements depends on their ability to change the heads of these movements so that we prepare younger people all the time to take leadership roles, he told the Jesuit magazine America in 2022. Farrell was born in 1947 to Edward and Molly Farrell, who worked at the Player Wills tobacco factory on South Circular Road. They instilled in their son respect for the Irish language, Irelands republican heritage and the Catholic church. Young Kevin was not sporty but very, very bright, a childhood playmate, Alan Wheelan, told RTE. Mollys prayers that one of her four sons would become a priest were more than answered; Kevin and his older brother Brian both joined the Legionaries of Christ in the 1960s and went on to become bishops. After studying theology at the University of Salamanca in Spain and at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Kevin served as a university chaplain in Mexico before moving to the US archdiocese of Washington in 1983. He became a US citizen, ran pastoral centres and charities, and studied business administration at the University of Notre Dame. Related: Vatican power struggle: will an anti-Francis pope emerge from conclave? Farrell served under Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was later defrocked over allegations of sexual abuse. Farrell said he had no knowledge of wrongdoing by McCarrick. I was shocked, overwhelmed; I never heard any of this before in the six years I was there with him, he told Catholic News Service in 2018. In 2007 he was appointed bishop of Dallas and brought to Rome in 2016 by Pope Francis, who made the like-minded Spanish speaker a cardinal tasked with multiple jobs. Farrell said he accepted the role of camerlengo on condition that Pope Francis outlive him. I jokingly said to him: I will accept this job, Your Holiness, but on one condition, that you preach at my funeral! The Dubliner is expected to lead a procession that moves the popes body from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta to St Peters Basilica and to orchestrate the funeral on Saturday, which dozens of heads of state and government are expected to attend. During the interregnum when there is no pope the sede vacante it is Farrells duty to destroy Pope Franciss papal ring. The conclave is to begin in early May and will conclude with a puff of white smoke that announces the cardinals have selected a new pontiff. Only twice has a cardinal camerlengo become pope: Gioacchino Pecci (Pope Leo XIII) in 1878 and Eugenio Pacelli (Pope Pius XII) in 1939. A British tourist who had travelled to Rome for Holy Week has spoken of the sombre atmosphere in the city following the death of Pope Francis. Antoni Bohdanowicz, 39, from Berkshire, had come to the Italian capital with his wife Jelena and her family as part of a pilgrimage as a tribute to her late mother. The couple, who attended the Easter Sunday service in St Peters Square, said they were shocked by the late pontiffs appearance as he greeted pilgrims and tourists from the popemobile. Pope Francis greets crowds in his popemobile on Easter Sunday (Antoni Bohdanowicz/PA) He was in an awful state on Easter Sunday, Mr Bohdanowicz told the PA news agency from Rome. Everybody was aware of his health, but the atmosphere was quite joyous. He had pilgrims from all over the world. I was standing next to Slovakians, Colombians and a group of pilgrims from Lesotho. Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pontiff, died in the early hours of Easter Monday at the age of 88. Mr Bohdanowicz, who is half Polish, said he returned to St Peters Square to pay his respects. People on the square were touched, they were crying, he said. Mr Bohdanowicz, who works in procurement, said that although he had seen Pope Francis back in 2015 this was his first time attending Easter Sunday in Vatican City. My wifes family wanted to do a pilgrimage as a tribute to her mum who passed away 10 years ago, he said. Pope Franciss body is laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican (Vatican Media via AP, HO) They want to do a special pilgrimage, because she always promised that shed go to Rome for Easter but it never happened. I had the feeling that something was going to happen, either before or after the trip. The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, with his body going on public display from Wednesday for mourners to pay their respects. Mr Bohdanowicz, who is returning to the UK on Wednesday, said he hopes to pay his respects in St Peters Basilica before he leaves. Franciss death, following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, prompted an outpouring of tributes across the globe. The King, who met Francis earlier this month, said he was someone who had profoundly touched the lives of so many, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had been a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. His papacy emphasised the defence of the environment and partial openness to LGBTQ+ rights, and he was praised globally for his strong advocacy for the poor and marginalised. Cardinals will meet on Tuesday morning for the first time since Pope Francis died to confirm the details of his funeral. Those currently in Rome have been invited to meet at 8am BST (9am local time) to commence planning, according to the BBC. The world will be watching Vatican City after the death of the 88-year-old pontiff on Easter Monday. The gathered cardinals will also decide when the Popes body will be moved to St Peters Basilica to allow the public to pay their respects before the burial. Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni said the transfer to St Peters Basilica could happen as early as Wednesday morning. Francis died after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said. Tributes poured in from around the world on Monday, including from the King and other world leaders, with many praising the Pope for his advocacy for the marginalised. A picture of Pope Francis on display in Westminster Cathedral in Victoria, London, following the announcement by the Vatican of his death aged 88 (James Manning/PA) Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Francis had been a Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was described by the King, whom he met in recent weeks, as someone who had profoundly touched the lives of so many. His death starts a centuries-old ritual, where first the camerlengo, Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, certifies Pope Franciss death and seals the papal apartment. Cardinal Farrell will carry out the administrative and financial duties of the Holy See until a new pope takes over. Cardinal Kevin Farrell will carry out administrative duties until a new pope takes over (Niall Carson/PA) Before the cardinals, senior members of the Catholic Church, convene in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave the secret meeting at which a new pope will be elected the Church enters a period called sede vacante, or the vacant See. The Popes body will remain in the chapel for a few days before being brought for public viewing in St Peters Basilica, as per new rites Francis approved last year. The public will likely be able to begin paying their final respects to Francis starting on Wednesday, the Vatican said. The funeral date has not yet been confirmed, but it must be held between four and six days after the death, and is set to be announced after the cardinals meet on Tuesday morning. Mourners lit candles at Westminster Cathedral in London on Monday (James Manning/PA) US President Donald Trump said on social media he and his wife Melania plan to attend the funeral. After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the novendiali. To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15 to 20 days after the sede vacante is declared, but it can start sooner if the cardinals agree. Cardinals, including the Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, from London, will take part in the vote for the next pope. Both aged 79, the pair are just below the cut-off for voting as part of the conclave. Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe (left) and Cardinal Vincent Nichols during a press conference in the Throne Room of Archbishops House, central London, on Monday (James Manning/PA) Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave they are known as the cardinal electors and their number is limited to 120. Asked about the next pope at a press conference on Monday, Cardinal Nichols told reporters: He has to be a man of great inner strength, and I think great inner peace. He added: I think those inner capacities of closeness to God and peace are the absolute essentials. Cardinal Radcliffe said: I think that we always open ourselves to be surprised. All recent popes have been quite different from each other. EastEnders has been announced as the recipient of this years Bafta Television Craft Special Award for its commitment to nurturing new talent. Earlier in the year the long-running BBC soap celebrated 40 years on screen with a slew of special programming, including a live episode where viewers had the opportunity to decide upon the romantic fate of Denise Fox, played by Diane Parish. The award honours the shows commitment to investing in talent through a variety of trainee schemes, Bafta said. An explosive 40th anniversary week; shock returns, twists, turns, and a multitude of heart wrenching and warming moments. Its been an epic year of drama in Walford, and theres plenty more where that came from! Vote #EastEnders at the @SoapAwards 2025: https://t.co/u5Tjcxec1k pic.twitter.com/6cHh60ualw BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) April 9, 2025 Starting in 2015, EastEnders participated in a BBC scheme that supported early career directors towards their first TV credit on one of the corporations continuing TV dramas. Then, in 2021, it partnered with Directors UK on the Diversity Director Training Scheme, to address the under-representation of talent from minority groups in the field of directing. In 2024 it launched three new talent schemes: the Writers Studio, Ascend acting workshops, and a multi-camera directing course. EastEnders also offered further opportunities through its spin-off series EastEnders: E20 (2010) which featured writer and The Curse actress Emer Kenny, and Doctor Who actor Tosin Cole, who both worked on the show at the beginning of their careers. Also in 2010, the BBC developed the first fit for broadcast carbon calculator for TV production, which was piloted by EastEnders. The calculator was named Albert after the continuing dramas setting in Albert Square and the corporation gave the intellectual property to Bafta in 2011 so it could be rolled out across the UK TV industry. EastEnders is set in Albert Square, London E20 (BBC/PA) Kate Oates, head of drama productions at BBC Studios, said: On behalf of everyone at EastEnders we are absolutely delighted and honoured to receive the Bafta Television Craft Special Award in our 40th anniversary year. EastEnders and BBC Studios have a proud tradition of training new talent and broadening existing skill sets, and you only have to look at the industry to discover just how many individuals, who are now at the top of their game within their specific fields, started or spent some of their careers at EastEnders, as well as those who still work on the show today. Bafta television committee chairwoman Hilary Rosen said: EastEnders is a towering force in British television an era-defining soap that has captivated audiences for over 40 years. What makes it even more remarkable is the work it does behind the camera, tireless dedication to nurturing fresh talent, championing under-represented voices, and fuelling the engine at the heart of our industry. Eastenders cast members Max Bowden, Jamie Borthwick, Danielle Harold and Emma Barton after winning the awards for Best Actress, Best Storyline, Best Actor, Soap Superstar and Best Soap at the Inside Soap Awards 2023 (Ian West/PA) So many of todays leading creatives got their start through this production, and its legacy continues to help shape the future generations of writers, directors, and producers. Were thrilled to honour EastEnders and its powerful off-screen impact at this years Bafta Television Craft Awards with this Special Award. The award will be presented to the soap during the Bafta TV Craft Awards ceremony on Sunday April 27, which is being hosted by Stacey Dooley at The Brewery in the City of London. EastEnders is also nominated alongside Coronation Street and Casualty in the soap category at this years Bafta TV Awards. Keir Starmer: We need to now ensure that all guidance is in the right place according to that judgment. Photograph: Victoria Jones/Rex/Shutterstock Keir Starmer has welcomed what he termed the real clarity of last weeks supreme court ruling on gender recognition, saying it was important now to draft guidance to help organisations deal with the repercussions. In his first comments since the courts definitive ruling that woman in the Equality Act refers only to a biological woman, the prime minister called it a welcome step forward. Starmer has in the past taken a different view on the subject. As a Labour leadership candidate he signed up to a pledge that trans women are women, and he later criticised the then Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who now sits as an independent, for saying only women could have a cervix. Asked by ITV West Country if he would repeat that trans women are women, Starmer replied: I think the supreme court has answered that question. Pressed on his view, he said: A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear. I actually welcome the judgment because I think it gives real clarity. It allows those that have got to draw up guidance to be really clear about what that guidance should say. So I think its important that we see the judgment for what it is. Its a welcome step forward. Its real clarity in an area where we did need clarity. Im pleased its come about. We need to move and make sure that we now ensure that all guidance is in the right place according to that judgment. Some Labour MPs have expressed concern that the ruling could have serious consequences for transgender people. But earlier on Tuesday, Bridget Phillipson, who holds the equalities brief alongside her job as education secretary, argued that the ruling was necessary. Phillipson told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Before I was an MP I managed a womens refuge, so I know more than most how important it is that women, especially those who have experienced male violence, sexual violence and trauma, are able to access safe therapeutic spaces, and alongside that, that we make sure that everyone in our society is treated with dignity and respect. Asked about differing opinions within Labour on the ruling, Phillipson said: I speak for the government on this matter, and I can be crystal clear with you that we welcome the ruling. She said the Equality and Human Rights Commission would work with ministers to create new guidance on how the ruling would work in practice. Related: Court ruling on woman at odds with UK Equality Act aim, says ex-civil servant Pushed on the specifics of which toilet a transgender woman would be required to use from now on, Phillipson confirmed that if only single-sex facilities were available it would need to be the male toilet but she said it was important that everyone has the ability to access services that are safe and appropriate and respect their privacy and dignity. She added: Of course, where it comes to provisions such as changing facilities, hospital facilities and others, there needs to be appropriate and available services there for all people, including trans people. In terms of toilets, Phillipson said, many places provided unisex or self-contained facilities, and these could be used by transgender people. However, under changes to building regulations introduced under the last government and not changed since, new public buildings in England must prioritise single-sex toilets, providing universal toilets only where space allows. Phillipson said that of greater importance was the impact on spaces where people spend long periods of time, such as hospital wards, rape crisis centres and womens refuges. I think it is important and welcome that the supreme court have put beyond doubt that providers can make sure that is done on the basis of biological sex, she said. I do believe it is important that when women have experienced male violence they are able to heal, that they are able to access the therapeutic support that is required. What they have said consistently, and what campaigners have worked for over many decades, is to ensure that that provision does exist and can be single-sex. And the ruling has made that clear, and made it clear beyond any doubt. A Storm Shadow missile, a joint British, French and Italian low observable air launched cruise missile. Photograph: David Pimborough/Alamy The European Commission and UK government are moving closer to a defence deal that will open the door to British arms firms being able to reap bigger potential rewards from a 150bn (129bn) EU fund, but both sides insisted it was not tied to fishing rights. An EU-UK defence pact is likely to be the highlight of the first post-Brexit summit in May, but has been dogged by questions over how far member states will insist on linking security to a separate agreement on fisheries. The commission has said it is ready to negotiate a security and defence partnership with Keir Starmer that would in effect treat the UK as European for defence procurement, when it comes to a nascent 150bn rearmament fund. The EU already has such agreements with Norway, Moldova, South Korea, Japan, Albania and North Macedonia, which means there are no limits on their defence industries in relation to the 150bn SAFE fund. Related: Ukraine allies promise 21bn in military support for Kyiv The SAFE fund which is expected to be finalised in May would allow EU member states to take out loans to buy up to 150bn of air and missile defence systems, ammunition, drones and other military kit. It was proposed by the commission in March, as part of a drive to increase European defence spending by 800bn amid deep shock at Donald Trumps rush to offer concessions to Vladimir Putin in a bid to end Russias war on Ukraine. Reflecting the influence of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, the fund has a buy European rule meaning that components from non-EU countries can only make up 35% of the cost of any project. That restriction is relaxed for Ukraine and any country with a defence and security partnership with the EU. An agreement is likely to be the centrepiece of the EU-UK summit on 19 May, between Starmer, the commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the head of the European Council, Antonio Costa. The commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said one of the objectives of the summit will be to advance on that potential [security and defence] partnership. Asked whether such a partnership if agreed would mean the UK would be treated as European for SAFE procurement, he said: Exactly: UK companies, British companies would be considered under the buy European clause. Regnier said, when asked about linking the agreement to fish: The commission is committed to strengthening relations between the EU and the UK, and has not set preconditions. But any defence proposal from the commission will have to be signed off by the EUs 27 member states, including coastal countries that want to rollover existing arrangements on fishing rights. Under the trade agreement struck between the EU and Boris Johnson in 2020, the EUs share of fish quotas in British waters was reduced by 25% over a transition period ending in 30 June 2026. Negotiations on quotas can then happen annually, although a multi-year agreement has not been ruled out. Countries with crews that fish in British waters have been instrumental in defining the EU position stating that an early understanding on fisheries was necessary to progress EU-UK talks in other areas. One EU official expressed confidence the UK would agree to maintain rights for EU fishing crews: The Brits know they will have to prolong access. No 10 did not explicitly deny that a fishing deal would be part of paving the way for the final agreement. The prime ministers spokesperson said: We have always been clear that through the process of these talks, the UK governments priority will always be to deliver a better deal for the British people. Thats what those discussions are all about. Starmer is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with von der Leyen on Thursday when she attends the UKs energy security summit in London. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister acting as the chief EU negotiator, previously told the Commons business and trade committee the UK was open to having a multi-year deal on fisheries. He said: As the trade and cooperation agreement stands at the moment, it would move into some sort of annual negotiations. I do think that having something that is more stable would be in our interests going forward. In February, Costa appeared to express surprise about the link between fishing rights and the defence of Europe. These are different things, said the European Council president. European defence and fisheries cannot be put on the same level. We should have common sense of what we are talking about. A UK government spokesperson said: No agreements have been reached and we have always been clear we will protect the interests of our fisheries. The UK has long been a leader in the defence and security of the continent, and we stand ready to negotiate a security and defence partnership agreement with the EU. Regnier, the commission spokesperson, said: The United Kingdom is a like-minded strategic partner for the EU and its member states with whom we share many fundamental values, goals and challenges. Police in Paris French police are fining young black and Arab men and chasing them out of public spaces for being undesirable, a report has found. Defenseurs des Droits, an independent citizens rights organisation, criticised Paris police for engaging in what it said was systemic racial profiling to expel undesirable people from city streets. The 37-page document describes an institutional policy designed to discriminate on the basis of age, gender, ethnic, racial and economic status. Groups of young racialised men are evicted or dispersed without observing any criminal or antisocial behaviour, authors say. The study looked at 1,200 fines and interviewed 44 young people. While the word undesirables doesnt exist in the Code of Criminal Procedures, it is one of the most often-used options for categorising and filing reports in police software. Human rights groups have condemned French police for alleged ethnic profiling before. But the newest report also looks at how the practice of issuing repeated tickets and fines, which became widespread in Paris in the mid 2010s, can plunge young men into crippling debt as high as 32,000 (27,500) even before their 20s. During the pandemic lockdown, for example, respondents interviewed for the study were stopped and fined 140 times more than the rest of the population. Although barely adults or still minors, these young men accumulate numerous fines and find themselves owing the state debts sometimes amounting to several thousand or even, in some cases, tens of thousands of euros, the report stated. One young man, Amadou, received his first fine at the age of 14 and had since averaged 15 fines a year. At 19 he had accumulated 102 fines and a debt load of almost 32,000. Even before they enter the workforce, these young men are set up for failure and poverty in a cycle that predominantly hurts those from immigrant and working class families, the authors wrote. Repeated fines have significant long-term economic impacts for populations already in precarious situations, who are often unable to pay the amounts demanded, they said. Laurent Nunez, the Paris police chief, denounced the report as defamatory - Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Image Abdul, 26, was diagnosed with a serious illness in 2020 and did not work for two years. When he returned to the workforce in 2022, the government automatically deducted 700, or half his salary, to pay down his debt of about 8,000. He has since gone back on benefits. If I kill myself so they take 700 from me every month, I might as well stay on welfare, he said. Lamine, 24, was born in France to Malian parents who are both maintenance workers. He is now a binman and his salary is deducted every month to pay off his fines. For the study, authors compiled the fines of 19 respondents who averaged 38 between them and owed debts from 2,000 to 32,500. The average age of the men was 20. Collectively, this sample group owed 220,000 (188,700). The fines included minor offences such as spitting, littering or noise pollution. Combined, the amounts of these debts are disproportionate to the minor nature of the offences these fines punish, the authors wrote. Police dispersal of youths also reinforces the idea that the young men, most of whom are born in France to immigrant parents, are out of place in their own neighbourhoods, legitimising calls for the exclusion of marginalised populations, the authors claim. Dispersals without disturbances Police officers interviewed for the study acknowledged that some dispersals were carried out without disturbances being reported. The report also denounced locals who call the police on the youths, and use pejorative words such as harmful, gangs and scum. They also used racialised language such as young North African men to describe them, again reinforcing the idea of undesirables hanging about the neighbourhood. We ask them to leave because we know well be called by the residents. Its preventive, one officer said. Laurent Nunez, the Paris police chief, denounced the report as defamatory and cast doubt on the researchers methodology, which he called more than questionable. Expressing his frank indignation at the report, he said: More than their blind questioning and recurring discrediting, these police officers ... need to be supported. The Government has been accused of sabotaging the UKs tourism industry as analysis found spending by international visitors was more than 2.2 billion below pre-pandemic levels last year. A report by the London-based World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the sector, found people visiting the UK spent 40.3 billion in 2024, down 5.3% from 2019. Julia Simpson, who is president of the WTTC and was an adviser to Sir Tony Blair during his time as prime minister, attributed the decline to measures she described as deliberate policy choices which have created barriers to travel. These include introducing electronic travel authorisations digital permits the lack of tax-free shopping and increasing air passenger duty. Ms Simpson told the PA news agency: Weve not got back to where we need to be (on spending by international visitors), whereas the rest of the world has. The UK is losing value share compared to other European partners. This Government is all about growth. Theyre looking at how to make money. Theyre trying to save steel plants. Theyre looking to see what can we do about our water companies. Yet here we have a private sector enterprise travel and tourism contributing 10% of UK GDP, creating jobs, but we are not prioritising it in any way. We are sabotaging ourselves. The report, produced in collaboration with consultancy Oxford Economics, also found that travel and tourism contributed 286 billion to the UKs economy in 2024, up 3.9% from 2019. Jobs in the sector supported 4.2 million UK livelihoods last year, according to the study. Tourists and visitors to London have their photo taken beside a red phone box at Parliament Square (PA) Ms Simpson criticised the decision to cut tourism authority VisitBritains budget by more than 40%. She said the Government is very keen to promote the regions but to do that you need a marketing wing. She continued: You need to sell the UK. You need to sell Harry Potter. You need to sell Jane Austen. You need to sell Richard III. Its really important that you create stories about the UK so that international visitors come to all our regions. Ms Simpson said boosting UK tourism needs to be led by the Prime Minister rather than the Treasury. She added: All the Treasury is going to do is keep taking more and more taxes, and undermining this very, very important sector. Sir Keir Starmer should take a leaf out of (French president) Emmanuel Macrons book. He should take a leaf out of (prime minister) Pedro Sanchezs book in Spain, and really bring together this sector. A Government spokesperson said: The UK is one of the most visited countries in the world and international tourism drives billions into our economy. We are supporting the continued growth of this industry and will be launching a national visitor economy strategy this autumn to help meet our ambition to welcome 50 million international visitors a year to the UK by 2030. The GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland campaign remains an effective tool in driving economic growth and we will continue to work closely with partners to optimise the campaigns resources to deliver growth across the UK as part of our plan for change. Shadow culture secretary Stuart Andrew claimed Labour was punishing Britains tourism industry with its job tax, by slashing business rates relief and hiking air duties. He said: Now, to top it off, the Government is standing by while Welsh Labour rolls out a damaging tourism tax, hitting small accommodation providers, threatening attraction closures, putting more jobs in jeopardy and damaging local economies. Britains heritage, hospitality and cultural appeal are unmatched. Labour must get serious and deliver a real plan that promotes Britain to the world. Oscar winner Hilary Swank has said since turning 50 she has more offers now than Ive ever had. The American actress is not alone as a growing list of former Hollywood rising stars including Demi Moore, 62, Cate Blanchett, 55, and Nicole Kidman, 57, are earning box office hits and critical praise for their central roles. Swank, who recently starred in the 2024 drama film Ordinary Angels and 2023 crime thriller The Good Mother as well as TV series Alaska Daily, has won two Academy Awards for actress in a leading role during her career. Actress Hilary Swank (Jonny Marlow/Womens Health/PA) The Womens Health UK cover star told the publication: Most people might be like, Arent you worried that youre now 50 and theres not a lot of jobs?. Im like, No, I have more offers now than Ive ever had. Its an exciting time. She also said that Hollywood is becoming more inclusive, after being patriarchal when she began her career. I was playing roles that were written by men from what a female point of view is, and it wasnt necessarily true Its not that I dont like being feminine, I just dont like being told how to be feminine, Swank said. The actress also said that she would advise her younger self to make sure what is happening is what you want. She gave birth to her first two children, a son and a daughter, with husband Philip Schneider in 2023 at the age of 48, after reportedly freezing her eggs. Hilary Swank features on the cover of Womens Health UK (Jonny Marlow/Womens Health/PA) Swank said: I would have had kids earlier. Im not saying I actively waited until 47. But that was a magical time in my life, when it all culminated. It was the right time for a myriad of reasons. She also said that she is a very different parent than I wouldve been as she is more patient in middle age. Swank said: Im really interested in their brains. I am fascinated about what makes them tick. And I have my career thats already established, so Im not divided. Im able to really sink in and be present with them and be a hands-on parent. Her Oscars were for 1999s Boys Dont Cry, about a transgender teenager who moves to Falls City, Nebraska, and 2004s Million Dollar Baby, chronicling the journey of an amateur boxer who wants to turn professional. She is also known for drama Freedom Writers, romantic drama P.S. I Love You, Amelia Earhart biopic film Amelia and thriller The Hunt. The full Hilary Swank interview is available in the May issue of Womens Health UK, on sale now or at womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/a64497935/hilary-swank-interview. Yvette Cooper as home secretary has been attempting to harden the governments position on immigration amid a surge in support for Reform. Photograph: Lucy North/PA Migrant charities and MPs have accused Yvette Cooper of pandering to racism and stoking the possibility of riots after the Home Office said it would publish the nationalities of foreign criminals in the UK for the first time. The home secretary has ordered officials to publish the data, including the crimes that have been committed, by the end of the year. It is expected to lead to league tables of foreign nationals showing which nationalities are more associated with particular crimes. The move comes as Labour attempts to quell the threat from Nigel Farages Reform UK party at next weeks local elections. Fizza Qureshi, the chief executive of the Migrants Rights Network, said publicising foreign national offenders nationalities was a blatant exercise in scapegoating. She said: The criminal justice system, policing and immigration systems are infamously racist and disproportionately impact racialised people. Attempts to manufacture a link between nationalities and criminality only serves to deepen prejudice and discrimination towards migrants from certain countries. Linking the nationality, ethnicity and immigration status with crime is nothing more than dog-whistle politics, which is incredibly irresponsible in the aftermath of last summers racist riots. James Wilson, the director of Detention Action, which supports people in immigration detention, said the move risked increasing the possibility of riots. He said: The dangers are very clear. Less than a year after the anti-asylum riots, the government risks feeding further division, dehumanisation and prejudice in our communities. Clive Lewis was one of three Labour MPs who told the Guardian that the move risked increasing community tensions. The MP for Norwich South and former shadow defence secretary said: People deserve transparency, but that means the full picture not just stats that single out foreign nationals without showing how they compare to everyone else. Without that context, its too easy for the media and politicians to twist the story and stir up hate. In a time when debate around migration is so often driven by fear and headlines, we need honest, level-headed conversations that focus on facts and real solutions not scapegoats. Another Labour veteran said: This is pandering to Farage, plain and simple. We need to fight prejudice not reinforce it. There were more than 19,000 foreign offenders awaiting deportation at the end of last year, up from almost 18,000 when the Conservatives left office, figures show. In July and August last year, there was a wave of anti-immigration demonstrations and riots across the UK. Some targeted mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers, driven in part by false claims that spread on social media platforms relating to the killing of three children in Southport. A Home Office source said the government wanted the public to be better informed about foreign criminals, including where they came from. The Tories said Tuesdays commitment showed Labour had buckled after being put under pressure to disclose the figures. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, last month demanded that nationality, immigration and visa status should be recorded and released whenever a criminal was convicted. Jenrick submitted an amendment to the governments criminal justice bill, saying the data would help to inform deportation and visa policies. In response, government sources say the move has been possible only because Cooper ordered Home Office statisticians to overhaul their systems. Foreign nationals sentenced to 12 months or more in prison are subject to automatic deportation. The home secretary has the power to deport people who receive a shorter sentence if she decides their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good. Home Office sources blame the increase in the number of foreign criminals awaiting deportation on early releases on prison overcrowding, instability in some countries, making deportations difficult, and a litany of appeals against deportation on human rights grounds. The rise has come despite more offenders being deported since Labour came to power. Home Office figures are expected to show that the main three nationalities for foreign criminals living in the community are Albanians, Romanians and Poles. It is understood their most common offences were the production of drugs, theft and robbery, and acts of violent assault. Government sources say the change is only happening because ministers have addressed an issue that their Conservative predecessors ignored. A Home Office source said: Not only are we deporting foreign criminals at a rate never seen when Chris Philp and Robert Jenrick were in charge at the Home Office, but we will also be publishing far more information about that cohort of offenders than the Tories ever did. We want to ensure the public is kept better informed about the number of foreign criminals awaiting deportation, where they are from and the crimes they have committed. A series of policies announced by the Home Office in recent weeks have attempted to harden the governments position on immigration amid a surge in support for Reform. In February, it emerged that guidance for staff assessing people who apply for naturalisation in the UK said applicants who had made a dangerous journey will normally be refused citizenship. Last week, there was news that the British and French governments were involved in early talks about a returns agreement that would involve the two countries exchanging people seeking asylum. Welcoming the latest development, Jenrick said: We will finally see the hard reality that mass migration is fuelling crime across our country. Frankly, the public deserved to know this long ago. The initial blast triggered close to a dozen secondary explosions close to Barsovo, a town east of Moscow A series of powerful explosions ripped through one of Russias largest weapons arsenals, triggering a huge blaze and giant mushroom cloud. Local authorities declared a state of emergency in the Vladimir region on Tuesday, where footage showed a massive fireball, followed by a pall of smoke. The initial blast triggered close to a dozen secondary explosions close to Barsovo, a town east of Moscow, where the 51st arsenal of Russias Main Missile and Artillery Directorate is based. It is still unclear what caused the explosions which came a day before a new round of peace talks between US, Ukrainian and European officials in London as Washington intensifies its efforts to end the three-year conflict. Russias defence ministry said a fire had broken out at the military depot due to a violating of safety standardsand claimed that there were no casualties. As a result of a fire on the territory of a military unit in the Vladimir region, ammunition stored in a warehouse detonated, it said, adding that a special commission was investigating the fire. There has been no comment from Ukraine, whose forces attempted to target the major weapons depot in March. Baza, a Telegram channel close to security services, said at least 10 to 11 explosions had occurred and firefighters from neighbouring regions had worked to contain the blaze. Videos posted on social media also showed emergency services vehicles racing towards the site of the blast. Credit: Telegram/@shot_shot | Telegram/@WarZoneInc Rybar, a Russian military blogger with links to Moscows defence ministry, said that there had been no reports of a Ukrainian missile or drone attack in the region. Apparently, either human error or sabotage took place here, he wrote on Telegram. Five people were killed in a similar accident at the depot in summer 2022 and in March this 2025, people from Barsovo were evacuated because of a Ukrainian drone attack. US officials are preparing to meet Ukrainian, British, French and German foreign ministers and national security advisers in London on Wednesday to discuss a US ceasefire proposal. Donald Trumps controversial plan includes a pause in fighting down the current lines of control, US recognition of Russias illegal annexation of Crimea and reduced sanctions on Moscow. General Keith Kellogg, the US presidents Ukraine envoy, will attend the talks while Steve Witkoff, US special envoy, is expected to visit Russia for the fourth time this week to try to push Vladimir Putin closer to a deal. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, said on Tuesday that his country would be ready to hold talks with Russia in any format once a full ceasefire was in place. A 30-hour Easter truce announced by Putin was branded a marketing operation. We are ready to record that after a ceasefire, we are ready to sit down in any format so that there are no dead ends, the Ukrainian leader said. Mr Zelensky added that he would be happy to meet Mr Trump later this week when they both attend the funeral of Pope Francis, which Putin will not attend due to the International Criminal Courts arrest warrant against him. His statements followed Russias claim that it captured one of the last remaining Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region after a 10-day battle. Moscows forces are said to be in control of the St Nicholas Belogorsky Monastery in the border village of Gornal, around a mile from Ukraine. This means Kyivs foothold inside Russia and Mr Zelenskys bargaining chip in peace talks has almost completely disappeared. A Palestinian child sits among the rubble of buildings destroyed by an Israeli air attack in Khan Younis, Gaza. Photograph: Doaa el-Baz/APA/Rex/Shutterstock Israel has quietly stopped designating areas of Gaza as humanitarian zones since it resumed strikes on the Palestinian territory last month. The move has heightened fears among aid workers for the safety of civilians sheltering in places previously deemed protected. A small strip of land in south Gaza was assigned by Israel in December 2023 as a humanitarian zone where civilians were told they could safely gather. The area was expanded last May to cover a larger area in south-west Gaza, including Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah and al-Mawasi. Up to January, the humanitarian zone had been marked on maps that were posted online and dropped from the air by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). More than 1 million people had flocked to the areas as a result. The humanitarian zones were not entirely safe. Official figures showed they were hit by at least 28 Israeli strikes before January and an investigation by the BBC put the number as high as 97, with 550 people killed. The IDF accused Hamas militants of using the zones as protection and as a launchpad for attacks on Israeli troops. Related: Despair in Gaza as Israeli aid blockade creates crisis unmatched in severity Mention of the humanitarian zones has disappeared from maps since Israels ceasefire with Hamas collapsed in March. The IDF has resumed its airstrikes and seized swathes of land as a security buffer zone and the UN estimates that 70% of Gaza is now under either an evacuation order or is a no-go zone. In meetings with aid agencies, the IDF and Cogat the Israeli government unit coordinating policy in Gaza have sidestepped questions about humanitarian zones, according to a senior international official who asked not to be named in order to speak freely. The source added: [The Israeli authorities] have not indicated if they will reinstate some of the humanitarian zone designations. Theres a logic there: if they dont reinstate the humanitarian zones, they therefore cant guarantee security of movement within that zone for aid workers or civilians. In a comment to the Guardian, the IDF said: Al-Mawasi is currently not defined as a safe zone, and evacuation zones change in accordance with IDF operations aimed at thwarting terrorist activity that threatens the security of Israel. The IDF calls for and facilitates the evacuation of civilians from areas that endanger their safety, by issuing clear and detailed advance warnings through multiple channels. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have continued to flock to al-Mawasi, a sandy area with few buildings, many in the belief it is still a protected zone. But the area has been hit by 23 airstrikes since the ceasefire ended, according to the UN. Last week, two Israeli missiles struck refugee camps in al-Mawasi, setting fire to dozens of tents, many with women and children inside. The attacks killed at least 16 people and wounded many more. Images of children burning while sheltering in makeshift tents should shake us all to our core, said Catherine Russell, the executive director of Unicef. Nasser, a father of four, sought sanctuary with his family at al-Mawasi after their home in Deir al-Balah was wrecked last year. Mawasi was not really better, said the 35-year-old accountant. The conditions were crowded, hot and dirty, there was nowhere to wash or have any privacy. Sometimes there were airstrikes on al-Mawasi when we were displaced there and they set the tents on fire. The Israelis told us to move again even inside the camp. The family went back home when the ceasefire was declared but Nasser said it was now clear to everyone in Gaza that nowhere was safe. We dont know what to do, he added. I spent all day looking for clean water and firewood to make a fire to boil wastewater. But Mawasi is dangerous too, it has been targeted 20 times in the last month and there were many martyrs. The UN warned on Tuesday that Gaza was facing famine after more than 50 days of a total Israeli blockade on aid entering the territory. Also on Tuesday, Israel airstrikes killed 17 people, mostly women and children, according to Gazas health ministry. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, described Gaza as a land of desperation. Hunger is spreading and deepening, deliberate and manmade, said Lazzarini on Tuesday. He said the 2 million people of Gaza were undergoing collective punishment and he charged Israel with using humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip and a weapon of war. His comments were echoed by Jens Lrke, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian agency Ocha, who told reporters on Tuesday: It is true that right now is probably the worst humanitarian situation we have seen throughout the war in Gaza. Pope Francis gestures on the day of the Holy Mass at the Esplanade of Taci Tolu during his apostolic trip to Asia, in Dili, East Timor, 10 September, 2024. Photograph: Willy Kurniawan/Reuters The death of Pope Francis has left millions of people in south-east Asia and the Pacific in deep mourning, as they remember a Catholic leader known for his humility, interfaith commitment and dedication to their region. In tiny Timor-Leste, where more than 95% of people are Catholic, Francis was the first pope to visit since its independence. When he touched down in Dili last September as part of a four-nation Asia-Pacific tour, nearly half of the countrys population of 1.3 million turned out for his mass, sporting umbrellas in the papal colours of yellow and white to block the tropical sun. Related: Pope Francis tours Asia and the Pacific in pictures Timor-Lestes president, Jose Ramos Horta, said on Monday that flags would be flown at half-mast for a week to honour the late pontiff and a mass would be held in his honour. He leaves behind a profound legacy of humanity, of justice, of human fraternity, a tremendous loss for the world, not only for Christians, Horta said in a phone interview, praising Franciss courage to speak out for the poor, for the weak against arrogance, against abuse, against wars. In the Philippines, home to one of the worlds biggest Catholic populations, churches across the country were ordered to ring bells for Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, while special masses are scheduled on Tuesday, including at Manila Cathedral. Across the country he was known affectionately as Lolo Kiko. Kiko is often used as a nickname for men whose name is Francisco, while Lolo means Grandpa. In the coastal town of Lingayen, Archbishop Socrates Villegas described Pope Francis as the Jesus for our age. We knew that in him, Jesus was in our midst, he told the Inquirer newspaper. The Philippines president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, also paid tribute, describing Francis as the best pope in my lifetime and a man of profound faith and humility. Related: Pope Francis obituary Millions of Filipinos turned out in 2015 when Francis famously rode on a popemobile based on the design of a jeepney, a vehicle synonymous with the Philippines and originally built from repurposed US army jeeps that serves as the backbone of its transport system. Almost 80% of Filipinos are Catholic, or about 85 million, with one former archbishop of Manila, Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, being considered a potential candidate for the next pope. If chosen he would be the first pontiff from Asia, the region with the fastest-growing Catholic population. Even in the worlds largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia, which Francis also visited last year, the pope is fondly remembered. During his stop in Jakarta the pope visited the countrys largest mosque and attended an interfaith dialogue, which was seen as a powerful show of religious tolerance and bridging inter-faith divides. The popes message of simplicity, pluralism, benevolence to the poor and concern for others will always be an example to us all, said the Indonesian president, Prabowo. Farewell, Pope Francis. Your message to defend bhinneka tunggal ika [unity in diversity] will always remain in our hearts. In neighbouring Papua New Guinea, the prime minister said the late popes visit to his countrys capital and a jungle outpost last year left an indelible impression. James Marape extended his Pacific nations deepest condolences for the pontiffs death, praising a trip in which Francis held a mass for tens of thousands in Port Moresby and then travelled to meet the faithful in the jungle-clad coastal community of Vanimo. The visit was a moment of immense spiritual significance for our country, Marape said. More than 90% of Papua New Guineas 12 million residents call themselves Christian, and about a quarter of those are Catholic. His engagements with our young people and church leaders left an indelible impression on all who witnessed them, Marape said. The country is set to have its first saint after Pope Francis approved the canonisation of local preacher, Peter ToRot this April. Born at Rakunai village in 1912, Peter ToRot led a Catholic mission during the Japanese occupation in the second world war, where the Vatican said he carried out his apostolate in secret, fully aware that he was risking his life. With Agencies Polls opened today in the local elections. (PA) (Anthony Shaw) Reform is expected to make significant inroads during local elections today as Labour faces its first electoral test since taking power last July. Labour has been neck-and-neck in the polls recently with the Conservatives and Reform, while the Lib Dems and Greens are also doing well in some areas. Sir Keir Starmer has said that the elections are "going to be tough" as Labour also fights to keep its Runcorn and Helsby seat in a parliamentary by-election on the same day. The government has championed its successes on the NHS and reining in the public finances, but many remain unhappy with the cost of living crisis. Reform leader Nigel Farage said on Wednesday night that the elections would see his party eclipse the Conservatives as the main opposition party in England in what would be a political earthquake". Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has conceded that the scale of the Conservative victory when these councils were last up for election in 2021 means losses are likely. But not everyone who expected to get a vote this year will do so after the government suspended local elections across the country due to their reorganisation of several local authorities. When are the local elections? The polls open at 7am and close at 10pm. Which local elections are happening in my area? Elections are taking place in 23 councils across England. They are in 14 county councils: Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Devon, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Eight are taking place in unitary authorities, they are: Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, County Durham, North Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Shropshire, West Northamptonshire and Wiltshire. There is also an election being held in the metropolitan district of Doncaster and council elections on the Isles of Scilly. On top of this, six mayoral elections are taking place in some of the areas seeing local elections. Two are taking place for the first time in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull, and East Yorkshire. The other four are in the West of England, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, North Tyneside, and Doncaster. Voters in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency will also elect a new MP on 1 May after Mike Amesbury stood down following his conviction for assault. No elections are taking place in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. What photo ID do I need? People with an armed forces veteran card can use it as photo ID for the first time following a change in the law. There are only certain kinds of photo identification that will be accepted at polling stations and voters without the correct ID will be turned away. A passport, driving licence photocard or blue badge are all valid, as is an older persons bus pass. The veteran card is now also accepted, after the rules on photo ID were updated in October 2024. Which local elections have been postponed? There were meant to be more elections today, but the government suspended some of them due to their reforms to local authorities. Elections in East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey will be delayed until 2026. This is due to the reorganisation of several types of councils, merging smaller district councils with larger local county councils to create single unitary authorities. What is at stake in the local elections? This week's local elections have both the government and the opposition sweating, as they are the first electoral test since last year's general election. More than 1,600 council seats are up for grabs, but both the main parties are nervously looking over their shoulders, mainly in the direction of Reform UK. And it's not just local seats that are up for contention. Labour and Reform are battling for the Runcorn and Helsby seat, which Labour secured with a sweeping majority of more than 14,500 votes last year - but now it is believed Reform's candidate, former Conservative Lord Ashcroft, is ahead. Polling suggests Reform could take control of Doncaster, which is the only council of the 23 being contested currently run by Labour. Local elections are usually viewed as a potential protest vote against the established order, but even by recent standards it could be a bruising outcome for Labour as well as the Conservatives. For Reform leader Nigel Farage, the elections are an opportunity to seize hundreds of council seats, many of them from the Tories, who have majorities in 18 of the 23 councils in play, and must also fend off the Lib Dems, who are aiming to become the second largest party in local government in terms of council control. Nigel Farage's Reform UK party are forecast to have a successful set of local elections. (Getty Images) (Ryan Jenkinson via Getty Images) For the Conservatives, fighting off Reform in Tory heartlands is at the top of their agenda, particularly in strongholds like Lincolnshire, Kent, and Staffordshire. The Liberal Democrats are also looking at similar areas, including securing a majority on Oxfordshire County Council. The party currently run the council in coalition with the Greens, and need just one seat to secure a majority. Speaking on the election outlook, polling expert Sir John Curtice said Farage has "already won" the local elections before they've begun because Reform are "fighting for more seats than any other party", and predicted that it would take votes from both the Conservatives and Labour. Speaking on Monday, Starmer said they would be "a challenge", adding: "It's going to be tough. "Most governments after a general election face a tough set of local elections at the first opportunity afterwards, and of course, we've had to take tough but right decisions." Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says the elections will be "extremely difficult" and has refused to rule out forming coalitions with Reform at a local level after the elections, but said she would not do so with Farage nationally. Ministers looking to secure long-term peace in Ukraine during UK talks John Healey will meet his Ukrainian counterpart on Wednesday, as the British Government gathers allies to chart a course towards peace in the war-torn country. The Defence Secretary told the House of Commons that ministers and officials, including from the US and European nations, would discuss what a ceasefire might look like and how to secure peace in the long-term when they meet on Wednesday. Mr Healey also slapped down Vladimirs Putins claims that Russia had observed a promised Easter truce, telling MPs that British military intelligence had found no indication of a pause in fighting. The Defence Secretary told MPs: I will be also meeting tomorrow the Ukrainian defence minister (Rustem) Umerov and other allies as the Government brings together the US, the UK and European ministers, and national defence security advisers, to discuss next steps, including what a ceasefire might look like and how to secure peace in the long-term. This war was never just about the fate of one nation. It is about not allowing national borders to be redrawn by force, it is about preventing aggressors across the world from being emboldened to threaten the security of all nations. Over the Easter weekend, Russian President Mr Putin claimed he had ordered a 30-hour pause in the fighting. Kyiv and Moscow both accused the other of breaking the temporary truce. Mr Healey told the Commons that British military intelligence confirmed Russia had not observed it. He said: Despite President Putins promise of a 30-hour pause in fighting, I can confirm that defence intelligence have found and I quote no indication that a ceasefire on the front line was observed over the Easter period, and 10,000 missiles and drones have been fired into Ukraine during this year alone, including from the Black Sea. So, while Putin has said he declared an Easter truce, he broke it; while Putin says he wants peace, he has rejected a full ceasefire; and while Putin says he wants to put an end to the fighting, he continues to play for time in the negotiations. Responding, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: It must be clear that, to Putin, a ceasefire is simply part of a game, one that he has no intention of pausing. And we must continue to stand with all our allies in being 100% clear on who the aggressor is in this war. Those who pay the price for Putins game are innocent civilians, such as those killed in the terrible strike on Sumy on Palm Sunday. Elsewhere in the Commons, Dame Emily Thornberry said Ukrainians want to share their knowledge and skills on drones with the UK. The Labour chair of the foreign affairs committee told the Commons: There is a desire by Ukrainians to reciprocate and support us as best they can. And by necessity, theyve become absolute experts in the use of drones, and want to share their knowledge and skills with us in terms of training in the use of drones, but also in the development of them and the production of this new weapon system. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stands next to a New Zealand soldier during a visit to a military base during a visit to a military base training Ukrainian troops in the West of England (Finnbarr Webster/PA) Mr Healeys Commons statement came after Sir Keir Starmer visited a military base alongside his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, to see the work done by allied nations to train Ukrainian troops. The Prime Minister praised the resilience of Ukrainians taking part in Operation Interflex. Sir Keir and Mr Luxon are expected to instruct ministers to begin work on a new defence partnership between the two nations, replacing one signed in 2015. The UK and New Zealand already have long-standing defence links, with both nations belonging to the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network and the Royal New Zealand Navy providing a frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha, for the UK carrier strike group due to set sail for the Indian Ocean from Portsmouth on Tuesday. Mr Luxon said it was a tremendous privilege to be able to see the training work on his visit to the UK, and described Ukrainians as heroes. US President Donald Trump has suggested his drive to find a deal to end the war could produce results within days. On Sunday, he said hopefully Russia and Ukraine will make a deal this week and then start to do big business with the US. Asked if Sir Keir shares Mr Trumps optimism, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Well, obviously that balls in Russias court. Weve repeatedly said that. We clearly support President Trumps attempts to bring peace, Ukraines calls for Russia to commit to a full ceasefire. The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelensky yesterday and reiterated his ironclad support for Ukraine. He added it is time for Russian President Vladimir Putin to show hes serious about peace. The mother of a man shot dead in a London Underground station after being mistaken for a terrorist has said everyone should watch a new dramatisation of her sons killing. Jean Charles de Menezes was shot seven times by two police marksmen in Stockwell underground station on July 22 2005. Two weeks after the 7/7 London bombings which killed 52 people, Mr de Menezes was wrongly identified as one of the fugitives involved in another failed bombing attempt the previous day. A mosaic showing Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot by Metropolitan Police officers in 2005 (Johnny Green/PA) Would-be suicide bombers had targeted the transport network on July 21, but their devices failed to explode. Mr de Menezes, a 27-year-old Brazilian electrician, was mistaken for one of the suspects because they were linked to the same block of flats. No officers were ever prosecuted for the killing but the Met was fined for breaching health and safety laws, and Dame Cressida Dick, who became Metropolitan Police commissioner in 2017, led the operation in which Mr de Menezes died. A Met Police spokesperson said: The shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes is a matter of very deep regret to the Metropolitan Police Service. Our thoughts remain with his family and we reiterate our apology to them. Now, a drama, starring Line of Dutys Daniel Mays and Being Humans Russell Tovey, explores the days following the 7/7 bombings and police investigations leading up to Mr de Menezes death. Ahead of the release of Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes on Disney+, Maria de Menezes said: In my opinion, I think everyone should watch it. Mrs de Menezes, who flew to London ahead of the release of the four-part series on April 30, shared the moment she found out about her sons death, nearly 20 years ago. I was not expecting that moment, she said. It was terrible and then I started to shake. I sort of died then too. The parents of Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes who was shot dead by armed police, visit the scene of the shooting in Stockwell Tube station (John Stillwell/PA) Speaking at a preview screening, writer and executive producer Jeff Pope told the audience that Mrs de Menezes said she watched the show and felt ill for three days. He said: I genuinely believe from being in the room that day with her, theyve been waiting 20 years for this. I honestly think that. Its just eaten away at them. We spent a lot of time with them. By necessity, it was by Zoom. We spent many hours talking about their lives and then we got onto the more painful stuff and they were very open and honest all the way through. Mr Pope added: Lessons have already been learned but we needed that 20 years ago. His family needed that 20 years ago. Theres such an appetite for audiences in the UK for this type of piece. I just think we like to get angry. We dont like being told something that we know or sense doesnt seem right. Edison Alcaide, a newcomer who played Mr de Menezes, said it was an honour to help set the record straight about the killing. He said: It was a huge responsibility but also a huge honour to tell this story of this man. Im so honoured to feel like I could sort of help set the record straight. He added: I think its very clear that Jean Charles was an innocent man and I hope the audience takes home that forever and also that they learn to question everything that they are told. We are living in difficult times with social media and we just have to question and be so careful with social media and what we are told. The Disney+ drama will also star Russell Tovey (Ian West/PA) Producer Kwadjo Dajan highlighted the power of drama to make an impact and drew comparisons with ITVs Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Netflixs new hit Adolescence. He said: I think drama makes it more relatable, you can feel the emotions, you can feel what happened. I think it gets under your skin in a way that you can put yourself in that position. Its one thing to read and learn about facts, but its another to actually see it and feel it and experience it and I think thats the power of drama. Actor Russell Tovey, who plays a deputy assistant Met commissioner, added: Drama has the ability to penetrate into everybodys living room and that is what we have to keep doing. In 2016, the family lost a human rights challenge over the decision not to charge any police officer over the fatal shooting. A spokesperson for the Met police said: The circumstances around his death, which came at a time of unprecedented terrorist threat to London, have been subject to numerous public inquiries, including two separate reports by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (now the IOPC), which examined all of the evidence surrounding his death and the actions of officers in the aftermath. The recommendations made by the IPCC were implemented immediately following these reports, and in the 19 years since this tragic incident, we continue to proactively improve our processes and policies wherever possible to keep our communities safe. No officer sets out on duty intent on ending a life. Our sole purpose is the complete opposite the protection and preservation of life and we have taken extensive action to address the causes of this tragedy. The director of the Australia Youth Climate Coalition, Grace Vegesana, at the organisation's office in Redfern, Sydney. Photograph: The Guardian On a stinking hot November day, seven years ago, Grace Vegesana and a handful of other young climate activists set up a small stage in a large square in Sydneys CBD and waited. Inspired by the first school striker for climate, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, the high school students decided to organise their own rally. Vegesana expected a hundred people to show up. Five thousand came. It was like, oh my God, weve unleashed some kind of beast, people want more, she recalls. In the months afterwards crowds doubled and then tripled. A year later, the devastation of Australias black summer bushfires collided with a conservative government that was perceived to be failing to act. It was, as Vegesana says, a tinderbox of fury, which on 20 September 2019 was set alight: An estimated 300,000 people attended hundreds of rallies across Australia in what were probably the largest public demonstrations since the marches against the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It was this exhilarating moment of feeling so swept up in social change, of feeling undefeatable, says Vegesana, now the director of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, which helps coordinate climate groups across the country. At the time, organisers saw that day as a launchpad to even larger rallies. Activists hoped to see the biggest protests in the countrys history. Instead, it was the movements peak, to date. Inside AYCCs office in Sydney, photos of those strikes hang as a reminder of unrealised potential. A Lowy Institute poll found concern over the climate crisis among Australians aged 18-29 peaked in 2019, falling eight percentage points by last year. The movement that thousands of young people had hoped might change their future has, on the face of it, petered out. So, where did the momentum go? The first blow was the pandemic. Lockdowns forced the school strike movement online preventing the handing of the torch to the next year level. Organisers tried to pivot online, but tens of thousands of supporters were lost in the process. Isabelle Zhu-Maguire, a 25-year-old PhD student who was heavily involved in the youth movement, says the online actions they could take emailing representatives, creating online petitions and organising digital meet-ups felt less politically powerful. A lot of people became really uncertain as to how to go about continuing to fight Kayla Hill The pandemic compounded competing social issues and geopolitical unrest, which has left young activists exhausted, according to Dr Eve Mayes, a researcher of student activism at Deakin University. When Australia finally emerged from lockdowns, the size of climate protests paled in comparison with their 2019 peak. Then came Russias invasion of Ukraine, a failed Indigenous voice to parliament referendum, Israels war in Gaza and Donald Trumps return to the Oval Office, all vying for attention. Its very emotionally draining for young people to be fighting for a range of issues long-term, Mayes says. The Lowy Institutes director of public opinion and foreign policy, Ryan Neelam, says peoples attention is much more fragmented and divided now than at any time he can remember. Thats likely had a drag on public views on climate change. The sense among young people that fighting together could bring about meaningful social change, is being challenged by the idea that no matter what you do, the worlds litany of problems are insurmountable, AYCCs national campaigner, 20-year-old Natasha Abhayawickrama, says. Last week, polling commissioned by AYCC and Solutions for Climate Australia found that while climate action is an important factor for the majority of 18 to 29-year-olds in deciding their vote in the federal election, just 8% labelled climate and the environment as their greatest concern. Instead, the biggest issue among Gen Z was the cost of living (44%). According to a 2024 population-wide Ipsos poll, the perceived power of Australian society to influence the climate crisis has also declined in recent years. The majority of Australians support the transition to clean energy, but 59% now want to see energy prices prioritised over other factors including avoiding environmental harm, it found. You cant go out and strike after every single natural disaster, Abhayawickrama says. This is the world were living in now, we are forced to focus on meeting our current material needs. Young people are more disillusioned and apathetic than Ive ever seen in my life, Vegesana says. The lull in climate marches may have also been compounded by the intensification of anti-protest laws targeted at direct-action environment groups, Mayes says. Whether its parents or organisers, theres a greater sense of caution around protest about putting young people in those situations. *** In AYCCs office, a small space in a renovated warehouse in Sydneys inner-city, a dim buzz fills the room. Vegesana and three other activists from a handful of climate groups hunch over laptops as they busily craft campaigns to push climate action on to the agenda as the election approaches. An activist from Rising Tide, a group known for its canoe blockades of Newcastles coal port, hastily cuts up footage from a Labor campaign press conference held earlier that day. Across from him an AYCC staff member produces short-form videos for the organisations TikTok account, which are part of its campaign to encourage young people to vote. While social media is a powerful tool for the movement to spread their message and bring together disparate communities of like-minded people, Vegesana says it also can cause harm by fracturing audiences and discouraging collective action. Zhu-Maguire agrees. One of the successes of school strikes was the way in which everyone got around it, it was a unifying moment, she says. Now, without it, I see so many start-ups, social entrepreneurs, its just not the collective action required to create any type of public pressure. *** Its a quiet autumn day at the University of Sydney as a 19-year-old student, Kayla Hill, strolls out of a lecture on nature, culture and power. She joined the school strike movement in early 2019 and soon found herself outside Kirribilli House bellowing chants down a megaphone as she completed high school. But in 2023, feeling exhausted and working under a new government that sapped energy from the movement, she walked away from organising. A year earlier Anthony Albaneses Labor government was voted in with a mandate for climate action. Until then, the movement had had a central villain: then prime minister Scott Morrison, the man who famously wielded a lump of coal during a speech in parliament and urged students to be less activist. Some in the youth movement saw Labors victory as a result of their hard work, others wanted to keep fighting as the government approved dozens of coal and gas mine expansions. There was a hesitancy to criticise Labor and the inadequacy of their climate policy, Hill says. A lot of people became really uncertain as to how to go about continuing to fight. The school strike movement stumbled, splintered and then disintegrated. AYCC took a hit too. The flow of philanthropic and small donations, by which the group is solely funded, dropped by about one-third after the election, Vegesana says. But while the youth movement has declined sharply, Mayes argues it has, in part, changed form as activists mobilise around intersecting issues with the same root causes. Last month, a youth activist group, the Tomorrow Movement, placed toilets outside MPs offices in a stunt accusing the government of flushing our future down the toilet over failure to act on climate change and housing affordability. Amanda Tattersall, an associate professor in urban geography at the University of Sydney, agrees. The decline of civic participation since the 1980s has made it harder for social movements to gain traction, she says, but its a mistake to think that mass mobilisation, like that seen in 2019, is the only form of social change. Social movements have always ebbed and flowed, its what leadership and democratic capacity stays behind and takes form in the next movement, thats going to be the legacy of school strike, Tattersall says. School strikers got a crash course in how to build momentum and bring about change skills which will stay with them. The original group of school strikers are now in their 20s. Some fight in newly formed climate groups, others have shifted causes. Many have entered the workforce. Were in government departments or the private sector, contributing to policy, were still advocating for change, says 24-year-old Lincoln Ingravalle, a climate ambassador for Unicef who works for an energy retailer in Melbourne. There is fatigue, but the momentum is still there, its just not as visible. In Canberra, Zhu-Maguire now helps convene a coalition of local climate action groups. I dont fully mourn those days of young people mobilising, because I dont think theyre completely gone, she says. Those moments were completely shaping for a generation of people, I dont know how you could let go of that. Nicola Sturgeon Local lockdowns and regional restrictions did not change peoples behaviour during the coronavirus pandemic, a new study suggests. Researchers from the University of Aberdeen examined adherence to restrictions including social distancing, mask-wearing, staying at home and handwashing. They found people in high or low restriction areas behaved no differently to each other. In 2020, analysis by The Telegraph suggested local lockdowns were not working to suppress coronavirus cases even though dozens of areas faced punitive restrictions which curbed civil liberties and damaged the economy. The new study, looked at behaviour during the pandemic in Scotland from March to November 2020, with 1724 people interviewed at random to get a representative sample. People were asked about their behaviour from the past week, including if they had left home, had adhered to the social distancing rules, worn a mask in a shop or on public transport and if they washed their hands as soon as they got home. It found people in high or low restriction areas behaved no differently to each other. Dr Chantal den Daas, senior lecturer in health psychology, in collaboration with the Covid Health and Adherence Research in Scotland (Charis) project, said: When local restrictions were introduced in 2020 due to an increase in Covid-19 case numbers, we thought we would see a change in behaviour after they were implemented. But this was not what we found. It is really important to build an understanding of what could have been done differently and how we can effectively influence public behaviour in the future should we be faced with another public health crisis. Scotland had a complex system of tiers which dictated what people could do and varied between areas - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images This research provided insight on the type of information we should aim to collect in future pandemics, to see if we can find better measures to predict cases, examine the need for restrictions and the effect of any restrictions put in place. Future research in acute outbreaks should assess behaviour and beliefs about the virus, risk on an ongoing basis and identify the need for intervention even before cases rates start to go up. At the beginning of the pandemic, data from YouGov and mobile phone records suggested that nationwide restrictions did have the desired effect of limiting movement, with many people initially supportive of the measures to curb the virus. However when local lockdown measures were brought in during the autumn of 2020 it failed to have the same impact. Communities felt singled-out Behavioural scientists had warned that communities would feel singled-out and begrudge neighbouring regions which had greater freedoms. Figures showed that local interventions had no observable impact on the infection rates or deaths, meaning communities were often stuck in restrictions for months. Areas of high deprivation, and large immigrant populations with larger households, such as in the North West of England struggled to get out of increased measures. Many areas had restrictions lifted only for them to be reimposed hours or days later. Aberdeen researchers said it had been assumed that Covid-19 was caused by people not adhering to transmission-reducing behaviour and that tougher restrictions would encourage people to change their ways. However experts found no evidence that restrictions increased adherence. They urged policy-makers to think of other ways to encourage behaviour in the event of another pandemic. The research was published in the US journal Translational Behavioral Medicine. Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary (second right), visited a Supermax prison in Huntsville, Texas, in February - Ethan Swope Dangerous terrorists should face US-style Supermax regimes in jail, a prison officers union has said. Mark Fairhurst, the chairman of the Prison Officers Association (POA), said terrorists sent to special separation units should only be allowed out of their cells while cuffed and only for food, exercise, visits and medical treatment. His demand came ahead of a meeting on Wednesday with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who announced on Tuesday officers will be issued with Tasers as part of a trial to protect them against violent offenders. However, Mr Fairhurst said the Ministry of Justice should go further. Mr Fairhurst said: We need a Supermax regime. We model it on the US. We isolate them. They dont associate with other prisoners, they get the basic entitlements and they are cuffed every time they are unlocked, he said. That would be for those who meet the criteria for a separation unit. We are dealing with terrorists. Their ideology will not change. That man is determined to murder a prison officer on duty and we dont have the capability to quell that level of threat because we have not got the equipment available to us. That needs to change. Ms Mahmood has also pledged the prison service will carry out a snap review into whether officers should be issued with protective body armour, or stab vests, the third of the POAs demands. The move comes 10 days after convicted terrorist Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, attacked four prison officers in HMP Frankland high security jail, near Durham, with two home made knives and hot oil. Three officers were hospitalised. One is still being treated by doctors. One was stabbed close to his jugular vein and a second received five stab wounds in his back, leaving him with a punctured lung, according to Mr Fairhurst. Abedi, who is serving a life sentence for his part in 22 murders in the Manchester Arena terror attack, has since been moved to Belmarsh prison, in south London. He was in a separation unit at HMP Frankland, one of three such units in English jails. He was in the kitchen at the time of the attack and is believed to have fashioned the knives out of either a baking tray or oven grill. The Ministry of Justice has since suspended prisoners access to kitchen facilities in such settings. Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Ms Mahmood said: The House will be aware of the attack at HMP Frankland on April 12. The bravery of the officers involved that day undoubtedly saved lives, my thoughts are with them as they recover. I think also of the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing and their families who are understandably outraged. Since the attack, I have suspended access to kitchens in separation centres and in close supervision centres. Alongside that, an independent review will ascertain how this incident was able to happen, what more must be done to protect prison staff, and more widely, how separation centres are run. The Prison Service will also conduct a snap review of the use of protective bodily armour. In addition, I can today announce that HMPPS (HM Prison and Probation Service) will trial the use of tasers in our prisons. Wherever we can strengthen our defences, to better protect our staff and the public, we will do so, she told MPs. Northwestern University faculty and students protest against the Trump administration's attacks on higher education in Evanston, Illinois, on Thursday. Photograph: Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images More than 150 presidents of US colleges and universities have signed a statement denouncing the Trump administrations unprecedented government overreach and political interference with higher education the strongest sign yet that US educational institutions are forming a unified front against the governments extraordinary attack on their independence. The statement, published early on Tuesday by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, comes weeks into the administrations mounting campaign against higher education, and hours after Harvard University became the first school to sue the government over threats to its funding. Harvard is one of several institutions hit in recent weeks with huge funding cuts and demands they relinquish significant institutional autonomy. Related: Foreign students sue Trump officials over revoked visas as 1,000 affected The signatories come from large state schools, small liberal arts colleges and Ivy League institutions, including the presidents of Harvard, Princeton and Brown. In the statement, the university presidents, as well as the leaders of several scholarly societies say they speak with one voice and call for constructive engagement with the administration. We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight, they write. However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses. Harvards lawsuit comes after the administration announced it would freeze $2.3bn in federal funds, and Donald Trump threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status, over claims the university failed to protect Jewish students from pro-Palestinian protests. The suit and the statement, taken together, mark an increasingly muscular response from universities following what initially appeared to be a tepid approach. While some university leaders have in recent weeks criticised the administration and indicated they will not abide by its demands, the statement marks the first time presidents have spoken out collectively on the matter. The joint condemnation followed a convening of more than 100 university leaders called by the AAC&U and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences last week to come together to speak out at this moment of enormity, said Lynn Pasquerella, the president of the AAC&U. Pasquerella said that there was widespread agreement across a variety of academic institutions about the need to take a collective stand. Related: Harvard faculty organize amid anxiety university will capitulate to Trump Much has been written about this flood-the-zone strategy thats being used in the current attacks on higher education, and its a strategy designed to overwhelm campus leaders with a constant barrage of directives, executive orders and policy announcements that make it impossible to respond to everything all at once, she said, explaining why it has taken until now for a joint response. Campus leaders have had a lot to deal with over the past few months, and I think thats part of the reason, but its also the case that they are constrained by boards, by multiple constituencies who are often asking them to do things that are at odds with one another. The Trump administration has issued a barrage of measures aimed at universities the right has described as the enemy some under the guise of fighting alleged antisemitism on campuses and others in an explicit effort to eradicate diversity and inclusion initiatives. Billions in federal funds are under threat unless universities comply with extreme demands, such as removing academic departments from faculty control, auditing the viewpoints of students and faculty, and collaborating with federal authorities as they target international students for detention and deportation. Along with its actions against Harvard, it has threatened and in some cases withheld millions more from Cornell, Northwestern, Brown, Columbia, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania. Columbia has largely accepted the administrations requirements to restore funding, including placing an academic department under outside oversight. The measures against the schools, which are already upending academic research, undermine longstanding partnerships between the federal government and universities, and are contributing to an atmosphere of repression, the statements signatories note. Our colleges and universities share a commitment to serve as centers of open inquiry where, in their pursuit of truth, faculty, students, and staff are free to exchange ideas and opinions across a full range of viewpoints without fear of retribution, censorship, or deportation, they write. Last week, Harvard University issued the strongest rebuke yet of the administrations demands, with its president, Alan Garber, setting off a showdown with the White House by saying that the university would not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. While Harvards lawsuit was the first by a university, higher education associations and organisations representing faculty have filed other legal challenges over the cuts. Faculty at some universities are also organising to protect one another, with several members of the Big Ten Academic Alliance, a consortium of some of the countrys largest state universities, signing on to a resolution to establish a mutual defence compact. At a second convening by the AAC&U on Monday some 120 university leaders also discussed what steps they may take next, including efforts to engage their broader communities and the business world to defend academic freedom. The joint statement, Pasquerella added, was just the beginning, and intended to signal to the public and to affirm to ourselves whats at stake here, whats at risk if this continual infringement on the academy is allowed to continue. This article was amended on 22 April 2025 to correct the spelling of Lynn Pasquerellas name and to delete a reference to Columbia not signing the letter (its acting president did so after publication). The Prince of Wales and Sir Keir Starmer will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend. The funeral will be held at St. Peter's Basilica after his death aged 88 of a stroke and heart failure, the Vatican confirmed on Tuesday. Cardinals met in the Vatican at 8am before announcing the funeral will take place at 10am (9am BST). The meetings marked the first in a series of general congregations, where decisions will be made on when the Popes body will be moved to St Peters Basilica before his burial so that mourners can pay their respect. Francis died on Monday after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican has confirmed. He had resumed some official duties earlier this month during his recovery from double pneumonia. New details emerged on Tuesday of the Popes final hours, with Vatican sources telling Sky News that on Monday morning, the Pope woke up at around 6am and was fine for at least one hour. But at around 7am, the Vatican's medical unit received an emergency call from his Casa Santa Marta apartment. Pope Francis in his open coffin during the rite of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff at the Chapel of Santa Marta (VATICAN MEDIA/AFP via Getty Imag) Vatican officials considered an urgent transfer to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome and police sources have confirmed they got an urgent police escort request from the Vatican after 7am. But with the quick deterioration of the Pope's condition, the police escort request was cancelled by the Vatican officials before 7.35am, Sky reported. Grazie, or Thank you, was among the popes final words, according to Vatican state media. He addressed them to Massimiliano Strappetti, the Vatican nurse who had served as his personal health assistant since 2022. Thank you for bringing me back to the Square, Francis told Strappetti, who had encouraged him to greet the crowd from the popemobile on Easter Sunday following the traditional urbi et orbi blessing, the Catholic News Agency reported. The first pictures of Pope Francis in his open coffin were released on Tuesday morning, showing his body in a wooden casket, in red vestments and his bishop's miter, with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived. Attendees take part in a rosary prayer in tribute to the former Pope at St Peter's Square on Tuesday (AFP via Getty Images) Cardinals also decided that the public viewing of Pope Francis will begin Wednesday in St. Peter's Basilica, after his casket is taken by procession from the Vatican hotel where he lived. Thousands of people were amassing on Tuesday to pay their respects. Heir to the throne William, a future head of the Church of England, will attend on behalf of the King, Kensington Palace said on Tuesday afternoon. It said the decision followed Government advice. William, a future head of the Church of England, did not meet Pope Francis. Downing Street confirmed the attendance at the funeral of the Prime Minister, who will also join other leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump, who had already said on social media that he and his wife Melania plan to attend the funeral. Sir Keir said the "outpouring of grief" following Francis's death reflects the "high esteem" in which the Pope was held "not just by millions and millions of Catholics, but by many others across the world, myself included". Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the PM said the Pope was "a quite remarkable man, and the work and commitment that he put into fairness over so many years, and globally, I think will be a real lasting legacy". The Prime Minister's official spokesman said it's "right, like other world leaders are, that he (Sir Keir) pays tribute to his life and attends his funeral". Planning has also begun for the conclave to elect Francis successor as well as other key decisions about how the Catholic Church will be run. (via REUTERS) Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, on Monday announced the Pope died at 7.35am on Monday morning, describing how "his entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church". "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised, Farrell said in the announcement. "With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune." People pray as they attend a solemn requiem at Westminster Cathedral, in central London (AFP via Getty Images) The leader of the world's Roman Catholics was described by the King, who he had met in recent weeks, as someone who had "profoundly touched the lives of so many", while Sir Keir said Francis had been "a Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten". Downing Street confirmed Sir Keir will attend the Popes funeral. At a mass in London in the Pope's honour on Monday evening, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales said while there is a "sadness of loss", there remains a "confidence of faith and hope". Cardinal Vincent Nichols is among those expected to travel to Rome in the coming days as a period of mourning gets underway ahead of the Pope's funeral and the conclave meeting to elect his successor. He said the words mercy and hope had defined Pope Francis's vocation in the priesthood. Nuns walk near St. Peter's Square, following the death of Pope Francis (REUTERS) Speaking to those at Westminster Cathedral for the evening requiem mass, Cardinal Nichols said: "His voice so often called us not to optimism, but to renewed effort to protect those who were without hope, who could see no way forward. "He was sharply critical of all who ignored the wellbeing of so many and held them to be of no significance in their calculations and actions. "Constantly, he spoke for those on the margins of society, challenging us with words such as these, 'if you want to know how successful your economy is, then go and speak to an unemployed person'. Philippine Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David touches a portrait of Pope Francis after a mass at the Manila Cathedral (AFP via Getty Images) "And of those imprisoned in slavery, those suffering other terrible forms of abuse, he said 'These are gaping wounds in the flesh of humanity, wounds in the flesh of Christ Himself'. "He was filled with compassion, mercy, righteous indignation and irrepressible hope, for which we thank God." There are currently five cardinals across the UK and Ireland, although only three - Cardinal Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche - who are younger than 80 and therefore of voting age. Cardinal Nichols told worshippers at Westminster Cathedral: "We know a voice has fallen silent, a voice that's been heard in every corner of the world, a voice of warm encouragement and sharp challenge, expressing both the love of God and a deep love of our shared humanity. "This voice is silent, for a more authoritative voice has spoken - that of his heavenly father, calling him home to be with his lord and master forever." Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, had charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change. The 88-year-old suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man. Charles and Camilla during a private meeting with Pope Francis in Rome on April 9 (PA Wire) He had been admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest period in hospital during his 12-year papacy. Tributes quickly flooded in for the pontiff, with the King and Queen deeply saddened to hear about Francis death. In a statement, the King said the couples heavy hearts have been somewhat eased knowing that the Pope was able to have a final Easter greeting. Earlier this month, Charles and Camilla spent a brief time with the Pope, with the couple describing the visit as a very significant and special moment. The King and Queen were said to have had a wonderful conversation with the pontiff during their private meeting that lasted 20 minutes at the Vatican. Flags will be flown at half mast at Downing Street and all British government buildings to pay tribute to Francis until 8pm on Tuesday. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was a reminder of his call to care for one another across different faiths, backgrounds, nations and beliefs while French President Emmanuel Macron described Francis as a man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and the most fragile. Easter Monday Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew in Glasgow following the announcement by the Vatican of the death of Pope Francis (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire) Francis had made a brief appearance to bless thousands of people in St Peters Square on Easter Sunday, appearing on the loggia balcony over the basilica entrance for more than 20 minutes and imparting the apostolic blessing in Latin. Francis treated well-wishers to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause. "Viva il Papa!" (Long live the pope), "Bravo!" the crowd shouted as Francis looped through the square in his open-topped popemobile and then up and down the main avenue leading to it. He stopped occasionally to bless babies brought up to him, a scene that was common in the past but unthinkable just a few weeks ago, when the 88-year-old was battling for his life in hospital. "Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!" Francis said, his voice sounding stronger than it has since he was released from the hospital March 23 after a five-week stay. Pope Francis arrives in a wheelchair at the end of a mass in St Peters Square at The Vatican on April 6 (AP) Francis didn't celebrate the Easter Mass in the piazza, delegating it to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica. But after the Mass ended, he appeared on the loggia balcony as more than 35,000 erupted in cheers and a military band kicked off rounds of the Holy See anthem. In all, Francis had been outside for around 50 minutes, with some dubbing his appearance a miracle. Margarita Torres Hernandez, a pilgrim from Mexico who was in the square, said: "Now that he has come out, for me it's a miracle, it's something very big, very beautiful." On his way to the basilica, Francis met briefly in his hotel with US Vice President JD Vance, who was spending Easter in Rome with his family. The Vatican said the encounter lasted just a few minutes and was designed to allow for an exchange of Easter greetings. Francis, for his part, gave Vance three big chocolate Easter eggs to give to his three young children. Huge crowds of mourners are arriving to pay their respects to the late pope (REUTERS) "I know you have not been feeling great but it's good to see you in better health," Vance told the pope. "Thank you for seeing me." The pontiff had only appeared in public a handful of times since returning to the Vatican after a 38-day hospital stay earlier this year. He skipped the solemn services of Good Friday and Holy Saturday leading up to Easter, but he had been expected to make an appearance on Sunday. Doctors had prescribed two months of convalescence and respiratory therapy to improve his lung function after he came down with a life-threatening case of double pneumonia. The Vatican said Francis has decreed in his will that he will be buried in St Mary Major Basilica in a simple underground tomb with only "Franciscus" written on it. According to a translation, the Pope only made requests regarding his place of burial in his will which was published in full on the Holy Sees website. It reads: "Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will only with regard to the place of my burial. "I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major. Francis requests in his will that his tomb be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration. The President of Ireland said Pope Francis had unfinished business and that he hopes the next pope will build on the steps he was able to take during his tenure. Michael D Higgins will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend, along with his wife, Sabina. Irish premier Micheal Martin and deputy Irish premier Simon Harris will also attend. The late pontiff will be buried on Saturday. He died on Easter Monday aged 88. Irish President Michael D Higgins will attend the funeral of Pope Francis (Danny Lawson/PA) On Tuesday, Mr Higgins and his wife signed the book of condolences for Francis in the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin. Speaking afterwards, he said that, on behalf of the people of Ireland, he thanked Pope Francis for work and his example on embracing the most important issues. Issues that are at the future of our humanity together in relation to climate change, in relation to global poverty, in relation to his particular interest in the welfare of migrants, Mr Higgins said. I thought of the times we have met and the discussions we had, his ability to embrace the suffering, particularly those who are marginalised. I noted in the way his vision was wider than many people in politics and public life. For example, his ending the Doctrine of Discovery was welcomed by all the indigenous people in the world, in different parts of the world, as pushing an end to that appalling time when doctrinal support was given to colonialism. Francis struck that out, I think, on the 30th of March 2023 and it got very little, of course, publicity in the wider secular world, but it was welcomed by all of the people who were working for defending their homelands, and the people, for example, in the Amazon and people who are affected by climate change, who had made the least contribution to the realities of what we were suffering under, but who were paying the highest price. President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina this afternoon signed the Book of Condolences for His Holiness Pope Francis in the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin pic.twitter.com/2dmnW7PaRC President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) April 22, 2025 Mr Higgins described Franciss visit to Ireland in August 2018 as a very warm visit. We were all very, very pleased. I think I met him five times, and I value and appreciate all of those conversations, he added. But I know as I was signing on behalf of all of the people, there are people outside of the Catholic Church really his stress was always on our shared humanity. He added: Im sure he would want us to push our emphasis on peace and sustainability and, above all else, rights. What was very interesting about him, when I look back at other popes as well, was the ease with which he had, its part of the changes in his own life that he did discuss too, of being able to embrace people most agonised in the world, it was a great capacity. We were very fortunate in having such a wonderful pope. He continued: I think its very appropriate as president of Ireland that I would communicate the appreciation of all of the people of Ireland for the generosity of his life, given right until the very last moments of his life. For that reason, I will miss very, very much the statements, all of those documents, which were documents of inclusion. I did say, as well, there was unfinished business that I hope that those who follow him will build on the steps he was able to take. I remember, as we finished in some of the conversations, he would say that before asking for prayer and offer, he would say, its very difficult. A picture released by the Vatican shows Pope Francis lying in an open coffin - AFP The Prince of Wales will attend the Popes funeral on behalf of the King, Kensington Palace has announced. Prince William will join Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, and other world leaders including Donald Trump, the US president, at the service in St Peters Square on Saturday morning. His attendance will mark his latest high profile outing on the global stage. In November, the Prince represented his father at the official reopening of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris after he was drafted for a successful tete-a-tete with Mr Trump at late notice. Palace sources have previously spoken about the importance of the Prince building relationships with his counterparts and playing his part in strengthening diplomatic ties. The decision for the heir to the throne to represent the King is in keeping with modern tradition and follows government advice. The Prince never met Pope Francis. 05:59 PM BST Todays live coverage has ended Heres a round-up of the days events: Pope Franciss funeral will take place on Saturday Starmer, Prince William, Trump, Milei, von der Leyen and Macron will attend the funeral Sir Keir praised the Pope as a remarkable man Putin will not attend the Popes funeral An anonymous benefactor will pay for the funeral 05:42 PM BST Pictured: Catholics pray for Pope Francis in East Timor Catholics mourn Pope Francis with candles in front of his mural where he held a Mass in September in Dili, East Timor - AFP 05:26 PM BST Israel deleted condolence post to Pope Israels foreign ministry deleted a condolence message to the Pope on social media. The move has triggered anger amongst some Israeli ambassadors, particularly those based in Catholic countries. I think the decision is a mistake. We shouldnt keep score like this after someones death, Raphael Schutz, Israels ambassador former ambassador to the Vatican, told the Jerusalem Post. He said the decision was linked to the pontiffs repeated criticisms of the war in Gaza over the last year, Francis said that what was happening in Gaza is not a war. Its cruelty, and had accused Israel of bombing children and mowing them down with machine guns. The foreign ministry had posted messages on its social media accounts - Instagram, Facebook, and X - saying, Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing. However, those posts were quickly deleted. Benyamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, and Gideon Saar, the foreign minister, have yet to comment on the popes death. 05:11 PM BST Mapped: The route Pope Franciss body will be moved tomorrow 05:02 PM BST Further details of the Popes funeral: The funeral of Pope Francis will take place at 10am local time on Saturday in the square in front of St Peters Basilica, the Vatican has announced. Sir Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, the US president, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian president, are among world leaders who have confirmed that they will attend. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, is also reportedly set to travel to the funeral, but this has yet to be officially confirmed. However, around an hour after timings for the service were confirmed, Vladimir Putin confirmed that he would not be attending. There is currently an International Criminal Court arrest warrant in place against him over Russias invasion of Ukraine. The gathering of world leaders for such an event as a popes funeral can cause some awkwardness. In 2005, four kings, 28 prime ministers and 53 presidents attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II. The then Prince Charles was two seats away from Robert Mugabe, who ignored a European travel ban to attend the funeral. 04:45 PM BST Pictured: A memorial to the Pope is prepared in Bangkok A memorial is prepared to honour Pope Francis in front of the St Louis Hospital in Bangkok, the site of his 2019 papal visit - Getty Images AsiaPac 04:27 PM BST Tourists in Rome continue on with their holidays Families and friends who had no idea they would be visiting Rome when the popes death was announced continued on with their holidays this afternoon. Friends Josh Pryer, 30, James Dinsmore, 27, Joanna Green, 30, found out the pontiff had died shortly after visiting the Colosseum. Mr Pryer, from Wales, told The Telegraph: We got here Sunday - we were actually in the coliseum on Monday morning and we sat down and had some breakfast and found out then - it came through on my friends phone. We were expecting the whole place to go into mourning and shut down, but thankfully it hasnt. Mr Pryer said he and his friends - who met at university - werent religious but said it was still sad news to receive on their holiday. Meanwhile, Chantal Pousson, 51, had come to Italy with her partner Scott Allen, 51, and their twin girls Elise and Juliette Allen, 12. Ms Pousson, who is herself Catholic, said: The main reason I wanted to come to Rome being raised Catholic and how many generations have been Catholic and also to teach my daughters about the faith. Id like to see him in state but its probably going to be a zoo [busy] - I dont know how they are going to organise that. The family, who come from California, also had tickets for a tour of St Peters on Thursday morning - when mourners will still be paying their respects. Ms Pousson said: I dont think we will be able to do that. 04:14 PM BST Pictured: Indians mourn Pope Francis Indian people attend a mass to mourn the death of Pope Francis on Tuesday in Bangalore, India - Shutterstock 03:55 PM BST Badenoch pays tribute to Popes service and humility Kemi Badenoch paid tribute to Pope Francis and said he was all about service and humility. The Tory leader said: It was very sad for me and my family; people probably dont know but my husband and my children are Catholic. It was quite a poignant moment, especially on Easter Monday. Seeing him have those services on Easter Sunday and not realising that he would be gone in 24 hours was quite moving. He was somebody who was very humble. He was all about service and humility and I think that is his legacy. 03:16 PM BST What is the Vaticans secret process for choosing a new pope? Roman Catholic cardinals will hold a conclave to elect the Churchs 267th pontiff and a successor to Pope Francis. The date of the conclave, one of the worlds oldest and most secretive electoral processes, will be announced soon after his funeral on Saturday. It must begin within 15 to 20 days after a pope dies. The tradition dates back to the election of Pope Celestine IV in 1241. Who takes part? There were 135 cardinals aged under 80 when Francis died who are thereby eligible to take part in the conclave. The cardinal electors come from 71 countries, against just 48 in 2013 when Pope Francis was elected. Italians make up the biggest single national bloc followed by the US and Brazil. Where does it take place? The cardinals hold their election in the Sistine Chapel. The average length of the past 10 conclaves was three days. All participants are sworn to secrecy about the voting. They will be banned from communicating with the outside world - no phones, television or Internet. What happens? Cardinals cast their votes and the ballots are burned at the end of the morning and afternoon sessions, with smoke pouring from a chimney above the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke indicates inconclusive votes, while white smoke tells the outside world that a pope has been chosen and the great bell of St Peters Basilica will ring out. 02:57 PM BST In pictures: Tourists and pilgrims gather at St Peters Square Tourists and pilgrims arrive at St Peters Square to pay their respects to the pope - ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP Pilgrims make their way towards the Vatican on Tuesday carrying symbols of Christ on the cross - Anadolu 02:51 PM BST Tony Blair praises Pope as extraordinary servant Sir Tony Blair, the only living Catholic former prime minister, has praised Pope Francis as an extraordinary and devoted servant of the Church. Pope Francis was an extraordinary and devoted servant of the Catholic Church, admired both within and beyond it for his humility, compassion and unwavering commitment to the Christian faith and the service of all humanity - Christian and non-Christian alike, he said in a statement. Sir Tony met the pontiff in 2017. 02:33 PM BST Where will Pope Francis be buried? Pope Francis, breaking with tradition, chose to be buried outside of the Vatican walls in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major). The basilica is 2.5 miles away from the Vatican in Romes Esquilino neighbourhood, where the pope went to pray before and after trips overseas. Most pontiffs are buried inside St Peters Basilica in the Vatican. The last pope not buried in the city-state was Leo XIII in 1903. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore where Pope Francis will be buried - Dylan Martinez/REUTERS 02:11 PM BST Public can visit Popes body for three days People will be able to pay their final respects to Pope Francis in St Peters Basilica from Wednesday through Friday, the Vatican has confirmed. The pontiff will lie in state inside his coffin. Catholics and the general public will be able to visit from 11:00 am (9am GMT) to midnight on Wednesday, 7:00 am to midnight on Thursday and 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Friday. 01:46 PM BST Popes cousin poses near portrait of Francis Sister Ana Rosa Sivori, Pope Franciss second cousin, stands near a portrait of the late pope - AP 01:29 PM BST Spains royals to attend funeral King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain will join world leaders attending Pope Franciss funeral at the Vatican on Saturday, the royal palace has said Addressing a reception in Madrid on Tuesday, Felipe said the 88-year-old Argentine pontiff transcended the Catholic Church to become an enormous ethical beacon of our world, of our time. The government is yet to confirm if Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister, will also travel for the funeral. The delegation Spain will send will show the enormous institutional respect we had for Pope Francis, but also the love the Spanish people have for him, Justice Minister Felix Bolanos told television channel Telecinco. Spains Queen Letizia signs the book of condolence for Pope Francis close to King Felipe - REUTERS 01:19 PM BST Psychologists on hand to help mourners Psychologists will be on standby to support anyone overcome with emotion when seeing Pope Francis lying in state tomorrow. A tent was being set up this afternoon near St Peters Basilica where four professionals will assist who may find the experience emotionally trying. A workman setting up the tent also said some visitors may struggle with the large crowds expected tomorrow. Bottled water will also be distributed from the tent. 01:11 PM BST The world leaders attending the Popes funeral 01:02 PM BST Starmer praises Pope Francis as remarkable man Sir Keir Starmer has praised Pope Francis as a quite remarkable man. The Prime Minister said the outpouring of grief and love in the wake of the popes passing had demonstrated the high esteem he was held in by so many. He was a quite remarkable man and the work and commitment that he put into fairness over so many years and globally I think will be a real lasting legacy, Sir Keir told broadcasters. I think what we have seen obviously in the last 24 hours or so is an outpouring of grief and love for the late pope that I think reflects the high esteem in which he was held, not just by millions and millions of catholics but by many others across the world, myself included. I pay tribute in that way to his incredible worth. 12:53 PM BST Starmer to attend Popes funeral Sir Keir Starmer will attend the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, Downing Street has confirmed. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said on Tuesday that Sir Keir believes it is right to pay tribute to the Popes life. He joins millions around the world and grieving the death of His Holiness, he paid tribute to his leadership in a complex and challenging time. 12:42 PM BST Vatican reveals Popes last words Pope Francis thanked his personal nurse for encouraging him to greet crowds in St Peters Square on Easter Sunday, in what were some of his final words, the Vatican has revealed. The 88-year-old pontiff sought reassurance from Massimiliano Strappetti before surprising well-wishers with a short tour in his popemobile for the first time since surviving a five-week bout of double pneumonia. Do you think I can manage it? Francis asked his nurse. The medic, in whom he had complete confidence, reassured him that he could. Francis later thanked Mr Strappetti for bringing me back to the square according to the Vatican News, the Holy Sees media outlet. The Pope then spent the afternoon resting in his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, and had a peaceful dinner, before his death on Monday morning. 12:20 PM BST Italy declares five days of mourning Italy has declared five days of mourning following the death of Pope Francis. Several nations have declared days of mourning, including Poland and East Timor. 12:01 PM BST If youre just joining us... Cardinals met in Rome earlier this morning for their first meeting since the death of Pope Francis. During the meeting they decided that Pope Franciss body will be moved to lie in state from 7am tomorrow. It was also decided that the pontiffs funeral will take place at 10am on Saturday (9am BST). A number of world leaders revealed they would attend his funeral, including Emmanuel Macron, Javier Milei, and Donald Trump. 11:45 AM BST Kevin from Dublin is now in charge of the Vatican The doors of Pope Franciss apartment were sealed with a single red ribbon and molten wax in a solemn ceremony that took place just hours after his death. Steeped in tradition, the formalities on Monday night took place in Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guest house for visiting clerics where the late pope chose to live after eschewing the grandeur of the Apostolic Palace where his predecessors resided. Overseeing it all was Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who overnight has become the most important figure in the Catholic Church as the temporary head of the 1.4 billion strong congregation. Cardinal Farrell, who was born in Ireland but has spent much of his life in the US, is the Vaticans camerlengo or chamberlain. On Monday, Cardinal Farrell sealed the late popes study and bedroom - Vatican Media 11:19 AM BST Why the Pope never visited his home country Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born in Buenos Aires, never set foot in his homeland after becoming Pope Francis in 2013. Francis said little about his decision to steer clear of Argentina. But Vatican insiders and interlocutors said the pontiff wanted to avoid getting swept up in the polarising politics that characterised his country. Its sad, because we should have been proud to have an Argentine pope, said Ardina Aragon, 94, a long-time friend and neighbour from the middle-class neighbourhood of Flores where Francis was born in 1936. I think there were political factors that influenced him, she told AP. 11:04 AM BST Your views... 10:48 AM BST How the Pope defied doctors in his final 24 hours The doctors had implored him to ease his schedule and avoid the crowds to stave off infection. Pope Francis agreed, up to a point but it was simply not in his nature to comply fully. After all, there were benedictions to bestow, babies to bless, prisoners to comfort. As far as the pontiff was concerned, Gods work never stopped not even if you were 88 and recovering from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia. And so, towards the end of Holy Week, the Pope was more visible than at any time since his discharge from Romes Agostino Gemelli Hospital on March 23. He had undergone five weeks of intensive treatment, his life on the line for much of that time, but had allowed himself a convalescence of less than a month. Doctors had recommended two. They had seen how close he had come to death in those weeks in hospital. In fact, he had been so ill, battling pneumonia in both lungs, that they had considered letting him die, according to Dr Sergio Alfieri, the head of his medical team. Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official who was close to the Pope, said: Absolute rest isnt healing. He balanced convalescence with his being the Bishop of Rome. 10:40 AM BST Putin wont attend Popes funeral Vladimir Putin, whose foreign travel is limited by an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, will not attend Pope Franciss funeral, the Kremlin has confirmed. No. The president has no such plans, Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters this morning when asked if the Russian dictator would attend. 10:27 AM BST How the worlds press reacted to Pope Franciss death 10:17 AM BST China reacts to the Popes death China has expressed condolences over the death of Pope Francis, but said it had no information to share on who might attend the funeral. Ties between China and the Vatican have been testy since the Communist Party took power, with Beijing preferring to have the final say on who is appointed Bishop. The Vatican, meanwhile, says the Pope should have that right. But the relationship has improved since 2018. The two countries in October last year extended for four years a landmark 2018 agreement on the appointment of Catholic bishops in China. The renewal suggested improving ties between Beijing and the Vatican despite tension over Taiwan, the democratically-governed island China claims as its own and with which the Vatican has formal diplomatic relations. 10:00 AM BST Pictured: Gianfranco Ravasi arrives to join congregation of cardinals Cardinals met in Rome this morning to determine the details of Pope Franciss funeral, which will take place at 10am Saturday (9am BST). Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi arrives to join the first general congregation of cardinals following Pope Francis death in Rome - Shutterstock 09:38 AM BST Who is going to attend the Popes funeral? Donald Trump confirmed on Monday he would be attending Pope Franciss funeral, which is set to take place at 10am on Saturday (9am BST). Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, is also expected to attend as the president of Franciss home country. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, is also expected to attend, as are Emmanuel Macron of France and Lula da Silva of Brazil. 09:16 AM BST Popes funeral set for Saturday at 10am Pope Franciss funeral is set to take place at 10am on Saturday (9am BST) in St. Peters Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. His coffin will be there from tomorrow until the burial for mourners to pay their respects. 09:14 AM BST Anonymous benefactor will pay for Popes funeral An anonymous benefactor will pay for the cost of Pope Franciss funeral, the Vatican has said. The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by the sum of the benefactor that I have arranged, Franciss will said. According to the Popes final testament, Francis wished to be buried in the ground, without particular ornamentation but with the inscription Franciscus. The 88-year-old, who died on Monday, said he wanted to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, an area which is associated with migrants and refugees. This is in contrast to the many pontiffs who are buried at St Peters Basilica in the Vatican. 09:07 AM BST Popes coffin to be transferred to St Peters Basilica tomorrow Details on when the body of Pope Francis will be moved to lie in state have been released. In a bulletin published by the Holy See press office it was confirmed that the coffin of the deceased pontiff will be taken from the Chapel of Chapel of the Domus Sanct Marth to the Papal Basilica of St. Peter at 9am tomorrow. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, will say a prayer before the body is moved. A procession will then pass through Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani, before exiting through Piazza San Pietro and entering the Vatican Basilica. At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will then preside over a Mass, before mourners from all over the world will come to pay their respects to the late Roman Pontiff. 08:54 AM BST Pope lying in wooden coffin in Vatican City Credit: Reuters 08:39 AM BST The Pope writes about death in book published today Pope Francis wrote the introduction to a book which was published today by Cardinal Angelo Scola, titled Nellattesa di un nuovo inizio. Riflessioni sulla vecchiaia - Waiting for a new beginning. Reflections on old age. In his introduction, the Pope reflects on death: Death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something. It is a new beginning, as the title wisely highlights, because eternal life, which those who love already experience on earth in the occupations of every day, is starting something that will not end. And it is precisely for this reason that it is a new beginning, because we will experience something that we have never fully experienced: eternity. 08:21 AM BST Watch: Emotional mass for Pope Francis in his home town The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Garcia, has paid tribute to Pope Francis during a mass in his hometown. Credit: Reuters 08:12 AM BST Cardinals arrive for first meeting since Popes death Cardinals have been arriving at the gate of SaintUffizio for their first meeting since the death of Pope Francis. Wearing red galeros, the first few have already arrived - in front of a scrum of press from organisations all over the world. Among other topics likely to be discussed by the cardinals - some of whom are based at the Vatican - will be the funeral of the late pope and the upcoming selection process for the next pontiff. Two Swiss Guards are standing by as cardinals walk through the high gates. Credit: Reuters 08:07 AM BST In pictures: Pope Francis lying in open coffin Pope Francis in his open coffin during the rite of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff - AFP Rosary beads attached to Pope Franciss hands as he lies in an open coffin in the Vatican - AFP 07:34 AM BST Who will be the next pope? Front-runner could become first Asian pontiff With the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the worlds attention now turns to who will replace him. Predicting who will be chosen as the next leader of the worlds 1.2 billion Catholics is notoriously fraught with difficulties. In theory, any baptised Catholic male could be made Pope. In practice, however, the next pontiff will likely be drawn from the cardinals who will gather in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican for the secret papal election known as the conclave. After Pope Benedict XVI stepped down in 2013, very few Vatican observers predicted that Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina would be elected as Pope Francis. This time around, there are no stand-out candidates, making the guessing game even more challenging. The frontrunner in the betting markets would be the first Asian pope. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines, is a name often mentioned among liberals within the Catholic Church. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, seen here with Pope Francis in 2015, could become the first Asian pontiff - Wally Santana/AP 07:27 AM BST Macron says he will attend Pope Franciss funeral Emmanuel Macron has said he will attend Pope Franciss funeral. He joins a number of leaders who have expressed their intention to attend, including Donald Trump, the US president, and Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. 07:08 AM BST Irish-born American cardinal entrusted as the camerlengo An Irish-born American cardinal has been entrusted to be the camerlengo, the Vatican official who runs the Holy See after the death of one pontiff and before the election of another. Kevin Farrell, 77, was asked to take up the position three years into his time in Rome, where he was summoned out of the blue from his job as bishop of Dallas to oversee Pope Franciss reforms. I said to him I would accept the position but on one condition, Cardinal Farrell recalled in a 2022 interview, smiling as he remembered their airborne conversation. The condition was that the pope would have to preach at Farrells own funeral, reflecting Farrells hope that he would die before Francis and never have to act as a camerlengo. Cardinal Kevin Farrell was chosen as the camerlengo by Pope Francis - AP 07:01 AM BST What comes next Cardinals will meet this morning to decide the date for Pope Franciss funeral, starting a process that will culminate in the election of a new Pope in three weeks. The meeting marks the start of a series of general congregations. Most immediately, they will determine when his body can be moved into St Peters Basilica for public viewing. This could happen as soon as Wednesday morning, the Vatican has said. In total, there will be nine days of official mourning, with the pontiffs burial typically happening between the fourth and sixth day after his death. 06:54 AM BST Welcome to our live coverage Good morning and welcome to our live coverage as tributes pour in from around the world for Pope Francis, who died aged 88 yesterday. Well bring you all the latest news and analysis throughout the day. Damaged vehicles block a Sumy street after a Russian missile strike on 13 April. Ukraine has called for immediate talks to end attacks on civilian infrastructure. Photograph: Volodymyr Hordiienko/AP The Kremlin says it is open to direct talks with Ukraine but has declined to back Kyivs proposal to extend the Easter ceasefire. Vladimir Putins spokesperson told reporters in Moscow on Tuesday that there were no concrete plans for negotiations on halting strikes against civilian targets, but that the Russian president was willing to discuss this directly with Ukraine if Kyiv removed certain obstacles. While rare, it is not unprecedented for Putin to suggest direct talks with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaking on Tuesday in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to hold direct talks with Russia in any format. But he said this could only happen if Moscow first implemented a complete ceasefire something, he said, it had failed to do over the Easter weekend. On Friday, Putin announced a 30-hour pause in fighting. Zelenskyy said during this period the Russian army scaled back its military operation, with no long-range strikes and fewer assaults. But it did not observe a genuine ceasefire, and carried out numerous attacks with kamikaze drones, he said. Russia has frequently claimed it was open to talks with Ukraine but that Kyiv made that legally impossible under a 2022 decree barring negotiations with Putin. The Russian leader has previously suggested Ukraine must hold elections and choose a new president before any such talks could take place. There have been no official talks between the two sides since the early weeks after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. On Tuesday, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraines readiness for immediate discussions to end attacks on civilian infrastructure. Our proposal for a ceasefire on civilian objects also remains in force. We need Russias serious readiness to talk about it. There are and will be no obstacles on the Ukrainian side, Zelenskyy said in a statement. Putin and Zelenskyy have recently appeared more positive over the prospect of peace talks, probably in response to mounting pressure from the Trump administration, which has said it may abandon its mediation efforts unless progress is made. Russia also reported a decrease in fighting during the Easter truce, and accused Ukraine of violating the temporary ceasefire. Speaking on Russian television on Monday, Putin said Russia had a positive attitude towards any peace initiatives. However, he has publicly given no indication he is prepared to back down from some of his extreme demands, including the demilitarisation of Ukraine and full Russian control over the four Ukrainian regions illegally annexed in 2022. The Kremlin on Tuesday also warned that negotiators were unlikely to obtain a swift breakthrough in peace talks on the war. Ukrainian officials are expected to meet western allies in London on Wednesday for US-led talks on ending the war. The meeting is expected to follow up on last weeks discussions in Paris, where the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, presented Washingtons proposed plan for a resolution to the conflict. Media reports suggest the US is promoting a peace deal that heavily favours Russia. The proposal reportedly includes freezing the conflict along the current 1,000km frontline, recognising Crimea as part of Russia, and a Russian veto over Ukraine joining Nato. Kyiv is expected to respond to the proposal during the talks in London. The US is expected to relay Ukraines response to Putin, with Steve Witkoff a close friend of Donald Trump and his informal envoy set to visit Moscow later this week. Witkoff has previously held three in-depth meetings with Putin, and his relationship with the Kremlin has raised concerns in Ukraine that he may be amplifying Russian narratives. Zelenskyy said he did not want to lose the US as a strategic ally and said it had a crucial role to play in the peace process. We are Americas ally. Russia is a historic enemy of the US, he said. I believe the US is the real leader. We want them to exert pressure on Russia. Credit: Social media A shark was filmed swimming among terrified small children on an Israeli beach before an attack on a diver who is missing and feared dead. In what could be the first fatal shark attack in the countrys history, graphic footage showed the sea turning red around a man as he shouted, Im bitten, Im bitten. The attack happened on Monday, just after the animal was filmed swimming in shallow water between a group of young children who appeared frozen in terror. The beach at Hadera, north of Tel Aviv, remained shut on Tuesday as the search for the missing man, who has not been identified, continued into its second day. It came as police said they had sent findings for forensic analysis as part of their search. The incident is only the third recorded shark attack in Israel. One person was killed in the 1940s, but before the country was founded in 1948. The stretch of coastline has, however, been well known for close encounters between sharks and beachgoers, who sometimes seek them out. A man was spotted far out in the water before onlookers said he suddenly disappeared A shiver of endangered dusky and sandbar sharks has been swimming close to the area for years, believed to be attracted by the warm water released by a nearby power plant. Conservation groups have agitated for years for authorities to keep them away from humans, to no avail. One video shared by Israeli media showed a shark swimming right up to bathers in thigh-deep water. What a huge shark! the man filming exclaims, as the shark approaches him. Whoa! Hes coming toward us! Dont move! he implores a boy standing nearby, who replies: Im leaving. The man then asks: What, are you afraid of the sharks? Footage of the attack, which took place further out to sea, showed a tail of what appeared to be a shark thrashing out of the water, before it turned red. Israeli media reported that the victim had gone to swim with the sharks. An eyewitness told Channel 12: I saw the diver in the depths of the water, he shouted: Im bitten, Im bitten, and waved his hands in the air. After a few minutes, sharks bit him, and suddenly he disappeared. Beachgoers then saw lots of thrashing about before the water turned red Separate footage from the beach shows people tugging at the sharks fins, while others throw fish for them to eat. Dusky sharks can be 4 meters (13 feet) long and weigh about 350 kilograms (750 pounds). Sandbar sharks are smaller, growing to about 2.5 meters (8 feet) and 100 kilograms (220 pounds). Yigael Ben-Ari, head of Israels Parks and Nature Authoritys marine ranger force, said it was not known how the man believed to have been attacked behaved around the sharks, but he said the public had a responsibility to recognise that they should not enter the water and definitely should not touch or play with the sharks. Like every wild animal, the sharks behaviour may be unpredictable, the authority said. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel said in a statement:It would have been appropriate to take steps to preserve and regulate public safety, but over the years, chaos has developed in the area. Not accustomed to being around crowds Mr Ben-Ari said the beach was closed to swimmers, but the instruction was ignored. He said fishermen, boats, divers, surfers and snorkellers intersected dangerously with a wild animal that is not accustomed to being around crowds of people. Israel can ill afford any suggestion that its beaches are unsafe as it is already coping with a huge drop in tourist numbers due to the security situation since October 2023. Visitor numbers dropped by more than 68 per cent last year compared to the year before, according to Israels Central Bureau of Statistics. On Tuesday, a police spokesman said: We are on the second day of the search, both in the sea and on the shore, we are sparing no means, said Aryeh Doron, a police spokesman. He added: At this point, I am able to say that there were several findings that were sent for [forensic] examination, and we will await the professional results. We want to end this day by bringing relief to the family. Until there is a final answer for them, we will continue our efforts. The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend. The late pontiff will be buried on Saturday, following his death on Easter Monday aged 88. His body will be laid out for public view from Wednesday in St Peters Basilica, so mourners can pay their respects to a man dubbed the Peoples Pope. Heir to the throne William, a future head of the Church of England, will attend on behalf of the King, Kensington Palace said. The Prime Minister will also join other leaders including US President Donald Trump, who had already said on social media that he and his wife Melania plan to attend the funeral. Sir Keir Starmer said the outpouring of grief following Franciss death reflects the high esteem in which the Pope was held not just by millions and millions of Catholics, but by many others across the world, myself included. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the PM said the Pope was a quite remarkable man, and the work and commitment that he put into fairness over so many years, and globally, I think will be a real lasting legacy. A picture of Pope Francis on display in Westminster Cathedral in London (James Manning/PA) The Prime Ministers official spokesman said its right, like other world leaders are, that he (Sir Keir) pays tribute to his life and attends his funeral. Downing Street would not be drawn on whether Sir Keir would have talks with counterparts while attending the funeral. Details of the Popes funeral mass, due to take place at 10am local time (9am BST) in St Peters Square and celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, were confirmed on Tuesday. The news came as the first images of the late pontiff were published. Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin prays in front of the body of Pope Francis laid out in state at the Vatican (Vatican Media via AP) Franciss body was pictured lying in a private chapel in a wooden coffin dressed in red, with rosary beads draped across his hands. His death, following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, prompted an outpouring of tributes across the globe. The King, who met Francis earlier this month, said he was someone who had profoundly touched the lives of so many, while Sir Keir described him as having been a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. Cardinal Kevin Farrell will carry out administrative duties until a new pope takes over (Niall Carson/PA) Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell the camerlengo or senior Vatican official will carry out the administrative and financial duties of the Holy See until a new pope takes over. There is a nine-day period of mourning following the funeral, after which the secretive meeting known as the conclave to elect a new pope begins. Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols is among those travelling to Rome. There are currently five cardinals across the UK and Ireland, although only three Cardinal Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche are younger than 80 and therefore of voting age. Cardinal Nichols, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, presided over a Requiem Mass for Francis at Westminster Cathedral on Monday evening. Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe (left) and Cardinal Vincent Nichols during a press conference on Monday (James Manning/PA) He told worshippers gathered in the London church that Francis had been a pope filled with compassion, mercy, righteous indignation and irrepressible hope, for which we thank God. Asked about the next pope at a separate press conference on Monday, Cardinal Nichols told reporters: He has to be a man of great inner strength, and I think great inner peace. He added: I think those inner capacities of closeness to God and peace are the absolute essentials. Cardinal Radcliffe said: I think that we always open ourselves to be surprised. All recent popes have been quite different from each other. Cardinals Nichols and Radcliffe both appeared to rule themselves out of the running to become the next pontiff. Cardinal Nichols told reporters he was too old, not capable, while Cardinal Radcliffe said he believed the Holy Spirit was far too wise to even think of me (as pope) for the shortest moment. Sir Keir Starmer, seen addressing troops during a visit to a military base on Tuesday, said the judgment allows those that have got to draw up guidance to be really clear about what that guidance should say - Neil Hall/Shutterstock Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of peddling a shameless work of fiction after the Government claimed it had always supported single-sex spaces for biological women. The Prime Minister was mocked by Kemi Badenoch as Labour said that there is no change to announce following last weeks Supreme Court ruling that transgender women were not legally women. Mrs Badenoch, the leader of the Opposition, described the Governments statement in the House of Commons as a shameless work of fiction and said that I could not believe my eyes or my ears. She added: Theyve never said this before. This is a U-turn, but we welcome it. The people of this country know what a woman is. We didnt need the Supreme Court to tell us that but this Labour Government did. The Tory leader was responding to Bridget Phillipson, Labours women and equalities minister, who told Parliament that there is no change to announce following the ruling. Ms Phillipson said: This Government will continue, as before, working to protect single-sex spaces based on biological sex, now with the added clarity of this ruling. She added: I know how important it is and always was to survivors to have single-sex spaces based on biology, places of safety after trauma. Last year, Ms Phillipson said that trans women could use female toilets if they had a gender recognition certificate. Rowling: PM is a coward Asked if the Prime Minister still believed trans women were women following the judgment, his spokesman said: Well, no the Supreme Court judgment has made clear that, when looking at the Equality Act, a woman is a biological woman. That is set out clearly by the court judgment. He said a woman is an adult female. The court has made that absolutely clear. He says that he welcomes this judgment because it gives clarity and confidence. JK Rowling called the Prime Minister a coward for his apparent change of position on transgender rights. She wrote on X: Imagine being such a coward you can only muster the courage to tell the truth once the Supreme Court has ruled on what the truth is. As another public wave of death threats is issued against women because of the Supreme Court ruling, their silence has become deafening. Im just one of millions of women disgusted by the lack of accountability or remorse. We will not forget. In an interview in 2022, Sir Keir had said that trans women are women. He also previously said it was not right to say that only women have a cervix, and that 99.9 per cent of women havent got a penis. While in opposition under Sir Keirs leadership, Labour had pledged to introduce a system of gender self-ID if it entered government. This was dropped in July 2023 after a similar scheme by the devolved government in Scotland ran into widespread opposition. Ms Phillipson said the Government would now work to ensure that public bodies follow the law as clarified by the court. She said: Theres now a need to ensure this rule is clear across a range of settings from healthcare and prisons to sport and single-sex support groups. Unisex lavatories will probably be introduced by many organisations so that trans people do not have to use the facilities of their birth gender. However, on Tuesday no departments were willing to give a timescale for changing their guidance. A government spokesman said: We welcome the ruling and the clarity it brings for women, and service providers. We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. While guidance is a matter for individual departments, sources at the Cabinet Office said it would ensure all Civil Service departments were obeying the law. Ms Phillipson also said she hoped the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the equalities watchdog, would work quickly and thoroughly to update its Statutory Code of Practice for public bodies in light of the ruling. On Tuesday, not a single government department could tell The Telegraph when they would update their guidelines on single-sex spaces, many of which are now out of date after the judgment. Pressure from Labour MPs It came as the Labour chairman of Parliaments women and equalities committee seemed to challenge the ruling. Sarah Owen MP said: Far from this ruling providing clarity, trans, intersex and non-binary people are instead anxious and unsure about where this ruling leaves them legally and practically as they go about their lives. Does the minister recognise that his ruling was made without a single contribution from trans people themselves and will she ensure trans, intersex and non-binary people will be involved in any upcoming new guidance and if so, how? Writing on Bluesky, a social media platform, Ms Owen has said her committee would examine the practicalities of the judges decision. Ms Phillipson said: I do recognise the chair of the select committees concern. Steve Race, another Labour MP, told the minister there was concern and fear among trans and non-binary people in his constituency. Over the weekend Mr Race was one of a number of Labour figures found to be privately opposing the Supreme Courts ruling along with ministers such as Sir Chris Bryant and Dame Angela Eagle. Charlotte Nichols, a Labour MP whose constituents include the family of Brianna Ghey, a transgender child who was murdered, said: This verdict raises as many questions as it answers. Under pressure from her own MPs, Ms Phillipson said she would be happy to meet with a range of stakeholders including trans campaign groups. The Government also faced criticism from gender-critical voices who have baulked at its new commitment to single-sex protections on the basis of biological sex. Mims Davies, the shadow minister for women, told The Telegraph: Labours clear U-turn speaks volumes. After months of ambiguity, the Prime Minister has been forced to confront reality after needing a judge to tell him what a woman is. This is a typical Keir Starmer flip-flop, as he showed in the election he is willing to say one thing to get elected then switches as the wind changes. Women across the UK deserve certainty and a government that leads with clarity and conviction. Venice Allen, a gender-critical campaigner behind the WhatIsAWoman site which keeps track of MPs views on sex and gender, said: Its a sad state of affairs that the Prime Minister needed to be told by the Supreme Court what a woman is. Sex is biological, binary and important were glad he got there in the end. However our research shows that Parliament is full of radical MPs who are already colluding to undermine the courts judgement. The Government must set out clearly what they will do to ensure the ruling is upheld, and single-sex spaces protected. Hounded out of Labour Meanwhile the former Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who now sits as an independent, said that until recently gender-critical women had been hounded out of Labour for saying only women experience the menopause. Ms Duffield left the Labour Party in September with a broadside against Sir Keir. She had previously complained of obsessive harassment by Labour Party members because of her political views. Julie Bindel, a gender-critical feminist who was door-knocked by police because of a post on X about the transgender debate, said Sir Keir added fuel to the fire that burned so many of us. She said Ms Duffield was a fine public servant, and should have been treated as the asset she clearly was, but instead was monstered by Labour blue-fringes, and Starmer did nothing to defend or protect her. Sir Keir remained silent for six days after the Supreme Court ruling, finally telling broadcasters on Tuesday morning that the judgment brought real clarity. He said: A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear. Keir Starmer is on record as saying it was not right that only women have a cervix - Lauren Hurley Has Sir Keir Starmer still got a cervix? Asking for 35 million (or thereabouts) who were delighted, if not, it has to be said, entirely surprised to be told last week that it is now official: we are women. Phew! I didnt think there was much doubt to be honest, what with bleeding once a month since the age of 13, and having period pains and spotty hormonal breakouts, and struggling with horrid bulky sanitary napkins in those first months when you were scared the boys would notice or that the blood would soak through your skirt when you were sitting an exam, and also sprouting breasts for which you were teased, which was excruciating and delightful in equal measure, and beginning to realise your power as a female (such delicious power), but also your vulnerability. When you were on the way to work that bank holiday weekend and a man masturbated a few feet away from you in an empty tube carriage and the next stop took several lifetimes to come (Old Street, thank God!). And feeling terrified and humiliated and later angry that he could do that to you because of oh, thats right because of your sex. Because you were young and female and he was older and stronger and male. And hearing the rumours at work that youd slept your way to a promotion (never heard that said about a male colleague, funny that) and laughing bleakly and thinking, Well, sex would have been a lot easier than working all hours to prove myself as swotty girls are doomed to do. And, later, carrying two babies in my womb for nine months apiece, and having the midwife checking every hour if my cervix was dilated excruciatingly painful that probe touching your reluctantly dilating cervix, Prime Minister, but youd know all about that being a man, wouldnt you? And feeding that first baby in the long, dark reaches of the night, posting the nipples, cracked and sore, into that tiny, voracious mouth while your brain struggled to do the broken jigsaw of sleep and you never could find the missing piece, not for years afterwards, not while the children were small. Fathomless tiredness, dear God, voyage-to-the-bottom-of-the-sea tiredness which is just about survivable because the love maternal love is so vast, one of the greatest forces in this world. And realising that being a mother means your heart leaves your body and walks around in young adult humans who take risks with your heart and you just have to learn to live with the worry, and not nag too much, but please dont get a motorbike, my love. And, later still, much much later, when the hormones start to leave your body this time, and you endure all the mortifications to which menopausal flesh is heir brain fog, constantly looking for your glasses (theyre on the top of your head, you silly bat!), hair thinning, waist thickening, needing to wee before you leave the house like you always told the kids to do when they were little and needed you, and you miss them needing you and being little. Women did not require Supreme Court judges to tell us what or who we are, thanks awfully. Weve lived it, got the scars and maybe the mummy tummy to prove it. No, that ruling was for the benefit of people who succumbed to one of those manias to which human beings have always been prone. A spasm of scarcely credible madness in an age that fancies itself rational. Three years ago on BBC One, presenter Andrew Marr asked the then leader of the Opposition, Is it transphobic to say only women have a cervix? And Keir Starmer, just a fractions hesitation before he answered giving away the fact he sensed danger, said, It is something that shouldnt be said it is not right. Trans rights protesters gather near the statue of the suffragist Millicent Fawcett in Parliament Square last week following the Supreme Court ruling - Chris Ratcliffe/Reuters To be clear, the man who is now the leader of our country appeared on our national broadcaster and said that the courageous Labour MP, Rosie Duffield, was horribly wrong to insist that women alone could have a cervix. Her boss knew better of course it was possible to believe that a bloke could have a lower narrow neck of the uterus that connects to his non-existent vagina when believing that biological absurdity was essential to keep the trans activists who dominated the shouty, progressive side of his party onside. Seeking to clarify his position two years ago, Sir Keir dug another hole, saying that 99.9 per cent of women of course havent got a penis as he called for an end to a toxic divide over trans issues. (The only toxicity I noticed was coming from aggressive men who barracked sensible women as they tried to protect their intimate spaces from male intrusion, and their impressionable children from a cult of mutilation.) Starmer wasnt the only one making a fool of himself. That big numpty, the Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, told LBC that women can quite clearly have a penis and the debate around transgender issues was settled. Nor do the Tories (a fearless Kemi Badenoch battling hard for women apart) have much to crow about. In 2017, prime minister Theresa May proposed allowing people to change gender without the need for medical checks, if you please. The worst offender by far, though, was Nicola Sturgeon. Full credit to the former first minister of Scotland for bringing the entire ugly farrago crashing down. Had it not been for Sturgeons Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill which intended to lower the age people could change their legal gender from 18 to 16, removed the requirement of a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and reduced the waiting time from two years to six months of living in an acquired gender, then Westminster might never have summoned the guts to push back. Luckily, things came swiftly to a head when a double-rapist, Adam Graham, from Clydebank, who had been charged and first appeared in court in 2019 as a man, transitioned and took the name Isla Bryson before being remanded to a womens prison, rightly causing public outrage. Until then, the no debate trans mob, spearheaded by Stonewall, had managed to terrorise people either into complicity or silence, but this time theyd gone too far. Even the vast majority who wanted to treat trans people with kindness and respect were horrified by the sight of a heavily tattooed sexual offender in a blonde wig and skin-tight pink leggings which grotesquely showed off the male member that, in the name of equality, rights and inclusion was about to gain access to vulnerable female prisoners. It was grotesque, sickening. Well, since last weeks ruling, rapists and other male offenders will be sent to prisons that align with the sex they were born with, and how could any decent person ever have thought otherwise? If he had any shame, the Prime Minister would have resigned last Wednesday, the day that the Supreme Court ruled a woman is someone who is female at birth. Then, he should have issued an unreserved apology to British women, particularly to those like Rosie Duffield, JK Rowling, Helen Joyce, Maya Forstater, Kathleen Stock, our own Suzanne Moore, and Marion Calder, Susan Smith and Trina Budge of For Women Scotland who went through hell to secure this essential legal pronouncement. But the PM kept silent for five days, only breaking cover today to say that the Supreme Court has given much-needed clarity on the legal definition of woman in equalities law. Its real clarity in an area where we did need clarity, he said. Well, dear Keir, you seemed pretty clear not long ago that men could have a cervix and the woman who said they couldnt shouldnt say so. This isnt some minor administrative error that needed clarification this was blatant lying about observable scientific truth while damning the heroines who bravely stood by the facts. You know, I feel sorry for the thousands of old-fashioned trans people who have always been with us, the sort who just want to live their lives quietly and with dignity. They never asked for volcanic, screaming hotheads to demand impossible, unconscionable things. Coining terms like cis-man and cis-woman (ie man and woman) which were guaranteed to alienate moderate people. Warping the language itself by calling a breastfeeding woman a chest-feeder in a poisonous, misogynist attempt to extinguish that beloved word mother altogether. And what vicious arrogance in insisting no debate as loving parents tried to cope with a teenage daughter who overnight wanted to wear breast-binders and read out a script written by trans influencers on social media, which told her terrified mother and father how toxic they were if they simply asked her to wait a bit before embarking on life-changing hormones and surgery. That was neither kind nor enlightened, it was child abuse and it gives me no pleasure to predict a swathe of lawsuits when those young people realise they can neither have children nor experience sexual pleasure. Over the last week, we have seen that the trans activists and their sympathisers, including Labour ministers, will not readily accept the new sanity. Because who cares about womens safety if it dents your sense of virtue? The woke cult thrashes about like a headless snake. Those of us who were pressured to call Eddie Izzard she and refer to a pregnant man as he so much easier than handling all those furious complaints, dont you know will breathe a sigh of relief and feel pride that we were a small part of the resistance. Our leaders, opinion formers, artists and celebrities can feel no such pride. Cowardly colluders, they stood by as trans women were authorised to search women, second-rate male athletes identified as female to steal their prizes and small children were told they may have been born in the wrong body. Personally, I will never forget the NHS hospital which insisted that a rape which had taken place could not possibly have happened because it was a womens ward. CCTV eventually showed a trans woman patient was the offender. One of Keir Starmers women with a penis. Since the historic verdict, activists have vandalised many monuments and, strangely, the PM has not yet called for harsh action and long sentences for far-Left thugs. One of the damaged statues is of the suffragist Millicent Fawcett holding a banner with the inscription: Courage calls to courage everwhere. It was a remarkable bunch of women who found the courage to do battle for their sex; like Fawcett, they fought for daughters and grand-daughters and great-grandaughters still unborn. It was a great victory, and those of us with a cervix will be forever grateful. Our name is woman. Sir Keir Starmer has said it is incredibly humbling to see the work being done by allied nations to train Ukrainian troops. The Prime Minister also praised the resilience of Ukrainians as he visited a military base alongside his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, to see the work under Operation Interflex. More than 54,000 Ukrainians have already received training under the programme. Sir Keir said: This is the second time Ive come to see this training for the front line in Ukraine, and, just as with the first time, I find it incredibly humbling to see the training that is being done here. Addressing the other nations taking part in the training, including Australia and New Zealand, he added: Its really humbling, its incredibly professional. It could not be more important three years into this conflict, and its so important in terms of the training thats being done. The Prime Minister also thanked the Ukrainians taking part in the programme and said it is incredible to see the resilience and inspiration that you have. He added: I think its incredible that all of the predictions at the beginning of this conflict were that the aggressor Russia would succeed very quickly, and they didnt. Because of the resilience of the Ukrainians, because you fought back and forth for your country and fought for all of us in fighting for your country. As part of Tuesdays visit, Sir Keir and Mr Luxon are expected to instruct their respective defence ministers to begin work on a new defence partnership between the two nations, replacing the one signed in 2015. The UK and New Zealand already have long-standing defence links, with both nations belonging to the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network and the Royal New Zealand Navy providing a frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha, for the UK carrier strike group due to set sail for the Indian Ocean from Portsmouth on Tuesday. Mr Luxon said it was a tremendous privilege to be able to see the training work on his visit to the UK, and described Ukrainians as heroes. Addressing the Ukrainian troops after the Prime Minister, Mr Luxon said: I want you to know that you are deeply inspirational to us, that we have huge admiration for your bravery, for your courage and for the sacrifice that you make. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to troops during a visit to a military base training Ukrainian troops (Finnbarr Webster/PA) It is incredibly sobering to think that many of you have been to this place to train, youve been out to the battlefront, youve come back now as leaders to actually do more training, and, in a matter of days, could be back at the front line again, actually fighting for freedom and the defence of your country, in what is an incredibly unjust, illegal and immoral war started by Russia. And so I want you to know that you are heroes. President (Volodymyr) Zelensky is a hero, and all Ukrainian citizens are heroes as well in our eyes. US President Donald Trump has suggested his drive to find a deal to end the war could produce results within days. On Sunday, he said hopefully Russia and Ukraine will make a deal this week and then start to do big business with the US. Asked if Sir Keir shares Mr Trumps optimism, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Well, obviously that balls in Russias court. Weve repeatedly said that. We clearly support President Trumps attempts to bring peace, Ukraines calls for Russia to commit to a full ceasefire. The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelensky yesterday and reiterated his ironclad support for Ukraine. He added it is time for Russian President Vladimir Putin to show hes serious about peace. Sir Keir Starmer has said that Europe needs to step up on both security and trade, ahead of an expected meeting with the President of the European Commission later this week. Brussels has confirmed that Ursula von der Leyen is due to meet the Prime Minister in London on Thursday, a trip that comes just weeks before a full UK-EU summit planned for May 19. Ministers have said they want to improve the UKs relationship with the continental bloc, on matters across trade, defence, and border security. In recent months European leaders have been locked in discussions with a view to a peace deal for Ukraine, amid questions over what future US support for European security could look like. Meanwhile, the imposition of import tariffs from US President Donald Trump has also thrown global trading relationships in the spotlight. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Sir Keir said: We want to reset our relations with Europe, to improve those relations. Thats been brought into sharp focus in the last three or four months on the question of security and defence, we have to recognise were moving into a new era where all Europeans need to step up on security and defence, and thats the discussions were having with the EU and others. I also think on trade and the economy that we need to step up and reset. And so those are the changes that I hope we can make in an important summit that will be a milestone in May. Downing Street declined to get into details about the UKs ongoing talks with the EU over security and trade, but said that that we want to get a better defence deal and we want to get a better trading relationship with the EU. Sir Keir is due to host Ms von der Leyen as well as President of the European Council Antonio Costa at the summit next month. Announcing the meeting in February, Downing Street said it would be an opportunity to make further progress on areas which will deliver tangible benefits for the people of the UK and EU and further strengthen the relationship between the UK and the EU. It is expected to be the first in an annual series of meetings between UK and EU leaders. Mourners pay their respects at a memorial to Pope Francis at St Patricks Cathedral in Melbourne. The pontiff died aged 88 on Monday. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The Guardian As Armina Pines lit a candle inside Melbournes St Patricks Cathedral, the jovial smile of the late Pope Francis beamed from a portrait on the wall. For Pines, Pope Francis embodied his legacy as the peoples pope. The pontiff, who reshaped the Catholic church to be more inclusive, helped her feel embraced by the institution as a gay woman, Pines said. Related: Pope Francis approach did not win him friends within the church bureaucracy. But he lit the path for us all | Francis Sullivan Hes just a very special pope to us. Hes the most welcoming one, she said. Me and my partner, we thought the church was a difficult place to go to, but the pope made us feel welcome. Visiting from Sydney, Pines and her partner lit candles on Tuesday morning as worshippers trickled through to pay their respects to Francis, 88, who died on Monday. Earlier, under Melbournes drizzly skies, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, returned to the cathedral he visited briefly on Monday evening for its 7am mass. Seated in the front row, Albanese was among about 50 mourners scattered in the cathedrals pews. Monsignor Stuart Hall, the dean of St Patricks Cathedral, told mourners the beloved Pope Francis called out to a range of voices, including the dispossessed. On the cathedrals steps, Alice DCruz welcomed Albanese choosing to attend the service and join mourners praying for the pope. It shows his humbleness. He came to offer his grief, she said. Although youre on a pedestal, youve got to come down to be a normal human being to pray for the head of the Catholic church. Peter August, who attends 7am mass each weekday, said there was a lot of love being shown in the global reaction to Francis death. He engendered a lot of affection from a lot of people around the world. I just hope the next pope can do the same. At St Marys cathedral in Sydney, the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, joined a crowd at the 6:45am Easter Tuesday mass. The Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, remarked on the timing of Francis death a day after blessing thousands of people gathered for mass in St Peters Square in Vatican City. That we got to Easter, that we had him that last extra bit, I think there is a great gratitude, he said. Francis made only a handful of public appearances after leaving hospital and returning to the Vatican on 23 March. The driving values behind Pope Franciss leadership mirrored those of his namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi, a man of the poor and a man of the environment, Fisher said. Related: Governor general likely to represent Australia at funeral of peoples pope, Anthony Albanese says We heard him many times talking about the need for the church to go out to the peripheries, to the people who feel alienated, people who are financially poor or emotionally poor, he said. And our passion for our common home, the Earth, that we look after, this world that weve been given, that we leave it as good or better than we received for the next generations. Fisher described a hushed quiet inside the cathedral on Tuesday morning a different atmosphere to the usual joy and excitement that follows Easter. Francis was a vocal champion of the worlds poor, dispossessed and disadvantaged and a blunt critic of corporate greed and social and economic inequality. Within the Vatican, he criticised extravagance and privilege, calling on church leaders to show humility. Weeks out from the federal election, it was a morning for prayer and remembrance, with both Albanese and Dutton cancelling campaign events as a mark of respect. Albanese on Monday said he had ordered commonwealth flags to be flown at half-mast on Tuesday. On Monday the prime minister paid tribute to Francis, describing him as a devoted champion and a loving father. In Sydney, parishioner Steeven described the loss of the pope as a very sad feeling. The holy father, as Ive known him, hes been one of the nicest people on Earth. He stood for love and peace. Sinisita, another parishioner, said she was so grateful that we had him. I love this pope. He was my pope. The Senate crossbench will have some familar faces after the 2025 election, but a few seats are up for grabs. Left to right: Tammy Tyrrell, Fatima Payman, David Pocock, Lidia Thorpe and Malcolm Roberts. Composite: AAP/The Guardian The Senate elected in 2022 had a clear progressive majority. That is likely to continue in 2025, but there are a number of close races, with potential for minor parties to pick up more seats. There were two unprecedented results in 2022. The left-leaning independent David Pocock defeated Liberal Zed Seselja for the second seat in the ACT after almost 50 years of the territory consistently electing one Labor and one Liberal senator. And Labor won three seats in Western Australia for the first time at a six-seat election, with one Greens senator also elected. Thanks to those two results, Labor and the Greens between them held half the seats in the post-election Senate, with Pocock the most obvious option to give them a majority. They also had the option of working with the two Jacqui Lambie Network senators and, less plausibly, senators from One Nation or the United Australia party. Of course, the Labor government could also ignore the crossbench and instead work with the Coalition, as it has done on numerous occasions. Since 2022, three centrist or progressive senators have left their parties to sit as independents: Tammy Tyrrell (formerly of the Lambie Network), Lidia Thorpe (Greens) and Fatima Payman (Labor). Forming a majority with the various crossbench senators can be complicated, but there is a clear progressive majority. Since Senate elections are proportional within each state, it often requires a large swing to produce seat changes, especially between left and right. Half of the 12 senators in each state are up for election, while the four territory senators must face the voters every three years. Related: Netherlands a cautionary tale for Coalitions mortgage deduction scheme, expert warns In almost all cases the left, broadly defined, wins three seats in each state, and the right wins three. The rare occasions when one side wins one or more 4-2 splits can make a big difference in shifting the balance of power in the Senate as in 2004 when the Coalition achieved an outright majority. Usually two seats go to Labor, two go to the Coalition, with one more left-leaning seat and one more right-leaning seat. It is very rare that Labor wins a third seat, with the Greens winning a seat in every state at the last two elections. A third seat is more common for the Coalition, but they are under increasing threat from minor parties such as One Nation and the various Clive Palmer incarnations, and have also lost that third seat to Jacqui Lambie at the last three elections in Tasmania. The likely pattern in 2025 At this election most states should elect two Labor senators, two from the Coalition and one from the Greens, leaving a sixth seat in play. That final seat is likely to be a contest between the Coalition, One Nation, Trumpet of Patriots and in some states, other parties such as the Jacqui Lambie Network and Legalise Cannabis. The state senators up for election this year were last elected in 2019, which was a good year for the Coalition, particularly in Queensland, which elected four rightwing senators. Polls suggest Labor is doing better in Queensland now than in 2022, let alone 2019. So Labor should regain a second seat there, at the expense of one of the sitting non-LNP senators on the right either the former LNP senator Gerard Rennick or One Nations Malcolm Roberts. Another contest worth watching is in the ACT. Pocock is likely to have a new personal vote after three years in the Senate and is favourite to retain his seat in the face of a local Liberal party that has had a difficult campaign. By the end of the previous parliament Labor needed the support of the Greens and three other senators to pass legislation without the support of the Coalition. If Pocock is re-elected and Labor regains its second Queensland seat, just two extra votes will be needed. The equation is less encouraging for a possible Dutton government. The Coalition holds 30 seats in the current Senate. Its likely that the right wing will fall a number of seats short of a majority (39), and a diverse group of crossbench senators would share the balance of power. This would include One Nation and Ralph Babet (still serving in the name of Palmers former party United Australia), but they would also need to work with less comfortable fits such as Tyrrell, Lambie and Pocock. Heres how the picture looks in each state and territory. New South Wales The 2019 and 2022 elections produced the same result: three Coalition, two Labor, one Greens. The Labor and Greens seats should be solid, but One Nation came close to winning the third Coalition seat in 2022 and could be a threat here. Legalise Cannabis has also shown it can draw a significant vote from both left and right and could threaten a seat usually won by the right. Related: The 2025 Australian federal election campaign so far in pictures Victoria The United Australia party won the third right-leaning seat in 2022, joining two Liberals, two Labor and one Greens. There is certainly room for one of the rightwing minor parties, in particular Trumpet of Patriots or One Nation, to win that third seat on the right this time. Legalise Cannabis also has a high-profile candidate in the former state MP Fiona Patten. Queensland This is the strongest state for rightwing parties, producing a 4-2 split in 2019. Normality was restored in 2022, when the state split two LNP, two Labor and one each for the Greens and One Nation. At this election, the former LNP senator Gerard Rennick is running for his new People First party against One Nations Malcolm Roberts. Labor is only defending one seat. It seems almost certain that one of those two will lose their seat, with Labor regaining a second seat. Western Australia Labor won three seats in Western Australia in 2022, along with two Liberals and one Green. It is unlikely they can repeat this feat, although Labors support in WA seems to be holding up better than expected. If Labor was to repeat that result, it would be a big boost to its Senate position. But it is more likely they will retain the two seats won in 2019, with the Liberals winning two and competing with rightwing minor parties for the third seat on the right. South Australia Once a maverick state in the Nick Xenophon era, SA elected the standard three Liberals, two Labor and one Green at the last two elections. That is likely to be repeated, although a minor rightwing party cant be ruled out. Tasmania Jacqui Lambie will be defending her own seat in Tasmania. Labor should retain their two seats, while the Greens should retain their one. The Liberals should also retain their two seats, but will also be hoping to knock off Lambie and gain a third. One Nations Lee Hanson daughter of the partys founder is also taking aim at Lambies seat. Australian Capital Territory David Pocock will be facing his first re-election contest. In many ways his seat more resembles a lower house teal seat than a Senate seat. His name recognition should help him solidify his position. Its likely Pocock and Katy Gallagher will both retain their seats. Northern Territory There has never been anything surprising or noteworthy about Senate contests in the Northern Territory. The territory should continue to elect one Labor senator and one from the Country Liberal party. Sorry Territorians, you have two interesting House races, but the Senate is quite dull. Trans rights activists in New Zealand, where the deputy prime minister has proposed a bill to define a woman as an adult human biological female - Lynn Grieveson/Getty Images New Zealand has proposed introducing a law to enforce a biological definition of men and women, excluding transgender recognition. Winston Peters, the countrys deputy prime minister, put forward draft legislation in parliament barely a week after Britains Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on a persons sex at birth. His New Zealand First Party, which has campaigned to ban transgender women from using womens toilets or participating in womens sports, said events at home and internationally showed the pendulum is swinging back towards common sense and proving us right. The bill defines a woman as an adult human biological female and a man as an adult human biological male. It would move the country away from woke ideology that had undermined the protection and safety of women, said Mr Peters in a statement. These definitions in law fight back against the cancerous social engineering weve seen being pushed in society by a woke minority, he said. The need for legislation like this shows how far the deluded left has taken us as a society. But we are fighting back. Winston Peters says the bill would move the country away from woke ideology that had undermined the protection and safety of women - Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images New Zealand First is the smallest member of the three-party coalition government, and it is not clear that it would have the support to pass the draft law. The bill was lodged by a member of parliament, not the government, making it less certain that parliament would allot time for it to be debated. It faces a struggle to become law as it has to be selected at random from a ballot and then garner a majority support in parliament. Chris Hipkins, the centre-Left opposition leader, said Mr Peters was pursuing any populist cause to maintain support. Theyre interested in one headline after the next, the Labour Party leader told public broadcaster Radio New Zealand. They dont really have a coherent programme and theyre certainly not focused on the things that are required to lead New Zealand forward. The proposed law follows the ruling by Britains highest court last Wednesday that only biological and not trans women meet the definition of a woman under equality laws. It was a landmark decision welcomed by the Government as bringing clarity. The ruling centred on whether a trans woman with a gender recognition certificate (GRC), a formal document giving legal recognition of someones new gender, is protected from discrimination as a woman under the Equality Act. Transgender rights have become a highly political issue in many countries, with some critics saying the conservative Right has weaponised identity politics to attack minority groups, while others argue that liberal support for transgender people has infringed on the rights of biological women. In the United States, legal challenges are underway after president Donald Trump issued executive orders that include barring transgender people from military service. We've seen the selfies, the influencers with their cocktails, and the endless travel pics. But now it's the pets' time to shine. Animal travel influencers are winning the internet with millions of followers and collaborations with top travel brands. These explorers are redefining what it means to be a globetrotter. Oscar the Golden Retriever (@oscarwonderpup) Credit: Instagram Oscar, the five-year-old Golden Retriever from Bengaluru, has become a social media superstar with over 249,000 followers hooked on his adventures. Managed by his owner, Sushil Kumar, Oscar's pawsome content has landed him brand deals and collaborations, with his siblings, Tingu and Max, joining the social media fun. Tingu (@tinguthefosterfail) Credit: Instagram Tingu's story is the kind of feel-good tale that could make anyone a dog lover. Once a foster dog, this Indie pup went from searching for a home to becoming an Instagram sensation with over 45,700 followers. Also managed by Sushil Kumar, Tingu shares his charming life of train rides, playful moments, and sibling shenanigans with Oscar and Max. Max (@maxthefoundlab) Credit: Instagram We've already gushed about Tingu and Oscar, so it's finally time for Max to enter the spotlight! This lovable Labrador, affectionately known as "Motu Seth," is no stranger to the camera, but he's been catching the attention of his 14K followers lately. Gina Betters (@denverdogguide) Credit: Instagram If you're a dog lover in Colorado, Gina Betters has your back. She's become the unofficial tour guide for all things dog-friendly in Denver. Her account has over 123,000 followers and offers tips on everything from dog-friendly hikes to local cafes. Mel + Ruby (@hellorubydoodle) Credit: Instagram Melanie Rigden and her mini Australian Labradoodle, Ruby, have roamed 15 states while discovering hidden gems like dog-friendly hiking trails and cozy cafes that welcome four-legged explorers. With Melanie's globe-trotting background (she's hit 30 countries by 30) and Ruby's adorable tricks, their adventures are packed with helpful tips and delightful moments. Alexandria Carson (@leiaandlukesadventure) Credit: Instagram Alexandria Carson's Instagram is a hub for dog lovers who crave outdoor fun. Alongside her Siberian Huskies, Luke and Leia, Alexandria shares everything from scenic hikes to pet-friendly stays. Beyond stunning photos, Alexandria helps brands connect with pet lovers. Kona & Meili (@kona_and_meili) Credit: Instagram Two Mini Australian Shepherds, Kona and Meili, are rewriting the rulebook on an adventure. Their Instagram (@kona_and_meili) is packed with dog-friendly escapades, like paddleboarding on serene waters or hiking through lush trails. Kona and Meili remind us that life's best adventures are shared with your pup by your side. Loki & Thor (@pawstojourney) Credit: Instagram Loki and Thor may be cats, but they're not content with lounging around. They're living their best lives on epic adventures with their dog sister, Selene. With their owner, Liz, this adventurous trio takes on hiking, camping, and road-tripping, sharing it all on their Instagram, @pawstojourney. Pablo (@golden_pabloescobark) Credit: Instagram Pablo, the golden retriever from Hyderabad, has become the definition of a pawsome adventurer! His Instagram feed takes followers along for the ride as he explores India's pet-friendly spots. Gibbs (@husky_specialagentgibbs) Credit: Instagram Gibbs, a Siberian Husky, has become a trusted voice in the pet travel and health scene. Through his Instagram (@husky_specialagentgibbs) and blog, he offers insights into places like the Grand Bohemian Hotel and Ritz-Carlton. But it's not all about the places he visitsGibbs also provides expert health advice. Nikki (@nikki_goldenretriever) Credit: Instagram Nikki, a golden retriever from Thane West, India, has become a superstar in the pet influencer world. With her owner, Amruta Lad, behind the lens, @nikki_goldenretriever is full of epic travel adventures and highlights the best pet-friendly spots across India. Plus, she's got some solid brand partnerships like Nimyle and Dux Nutri Formula. Willy (@officialwillygooddog) Credit: Instagram Willy is no ordinary doghe's a social media star and a podcaster. Running the show on @officialwillygooddog, Willy and his trusty sidekick Jax bring humor and heart to every post while offering pet-friendly travel tips or showing off their latest product recommendations. Lenny (@the_canine_critic) Credit: Instagram Lenny is busy sniffing out the best hotels for pet owners. As the first-ever Canine Critic for Hotels.com, he gives a new meaning to "pet-friendly" by reviewing everything from dog amenities to how welcome pets feel at each spot. Olle (@olle_lab) Credit: Instagram With a feed full of fun, Olle's content has captured the hearts of over 55,200 Instagram followers. His Instagram is a delightful mix of travel adventures and cozy moments at home. But Olle's not just sticking to one platformhe's also taken to YouTube with "Olle and Mom," offering deeper dives into his explorations and sharing pet care tips. Sunshine Solimen (@withsunshinesol) Credit: Instagram Adventure calls, and Sunshine Solimen and her Goldendoodle, Sancho, are answering it in style! On Instagram (@withsunshinesol) and her blog, With Sunshine Sol, she guides fellow pet owners to the best hiking trails, campgrounds, and stays for furry friends across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas. This huge underwater sinkhole is positioned off the coast of Belize. - The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images While there are plenty of awe-inspiring man-made destinations around the globe, nothing is as creative as nature. From trees that resemble monsters, to colorful sinkholes, towering rock formations and waterfalls of molten lava, these are some of the most unusual and fascinating landscapes in the world. Kingley Vale, Sussex, United Kingdom unknown content item - Gnarled and twisted over centuries, the yew trees of Kingley Vale could have been lifted straight from a Gothic fairy tale. Some are believed to be the oldest living things in Britain, dating back 2,000 years. Yew tree groves were decimated in the 15th century, their wood used for longbows, making this stand of trees truly unique. Fairy Chimneys, Turkey These unusual fairy chimney rock formations can be found in the Cappadocia region of Goreme, Turkey. - Courtney Bonnell/AP The Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia in central Turkey are a geological marvel. The hard basalt columns are the result of the surrounding, softer rock eroding over thousands of years, creating towers that appear otherworldly. What makes them truly special, however, is the cave systems and cities dug out beneath them by persecuted early Christians and used whenever invaders passed along nearby trading routes. Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland The Giant's Causeway became Northern Ireland's first World Heritage Site in 1986. - Paul Faith/PA Wire/AP On the wild north Atlantic Coast of Northern Ireland, Giants Causeway is the stuff of actual legend. The story goes that it was created by the giant Finn McCool to face off against his Scottish rival Benandonner, and destroyed by the latter as he retreated home. While the reality is a touch less fantastical, its no no less amazing. The pillars are the result of lava cooling and contracting over millions of years. Sister formations can be found at Fingals Cave in Staffa, Scotland, all part of the same lava flow. Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand The Moeraki Boulders lie scattered along Koekohe Beach in New Zealand's South Island. - Kai Schworer/dpa/AP The large, spherical Moeraki Boulders could easily be mistaken for man-made creations that have washed up on Koekohe Beach on the North Otago coast. Local Maori legend claims they are the remnants of fishing baskets and fruits that came ashore when their Araiteuru Canoe was wrecked bringing their ancestors to New Zealands South Island. In truth, these two-meter-high stones were created by mudstone hardening over five million years, before appearing as surrounding rocks were eroded. Great Blue Hole, Belize At 300 meters wide (984 feet) and around 125 meters deep (410 feet), the Great Blue Hole is the biggest sinkhole in the world. Part of the Belize Barrier Reef System, the hole was formed as sea levels rose thousands of years ago, flooding its deep caves. Made famous by renowned marine explorer Jacques Cousteau, recent submarine trips have created new 3D sonar maps, showing never-before-seen mineral formations close to the holes bottom. Cano Cristales, Colombia Cano Cristales is often referred to as the "River of Five Colors." - Kike Calvo/AP In the brief period between Colombias wet and dry seasons, the waters of Cano Cristales become a riot of red, yellow and green. This vibrant occurrence is due to Macarenia clavigera, a plant found on the riverbed. It only turns red between September and November, which is after the fast-flowing water of the wet season abates, but before the dry season evaporates too much water for it to keep its colorful look. Swimmers are allowed in certain sections, but cant wear sunscreen in order to protect the fragile ecosystem. Dead Vlei, Namibia Dead Vlei one of the most intriguing places in Namibia. - Matthias Toedt/dpa/AP Dead Vlei, literally dead marsh, sits among the tallest sand dunes in the world, with some as high as 400 meters. Once abundant, the now almost barren area is home to a vast stand of dead Camel Thorn trees, dried out because of an intense change in climate 900 years ago. The dry weather means they cannot decompose, creating a truly eerie landscape. Chocolate Hills, Philippines The Chocolate Hills a fascinating natural wonder. - Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images The rolling Chocolate Hills of Bohol in the Philippines could easily be mistaken for a childs landscape drawing. But these 1,268 hills are very much a natural phenomenon: conical limestone peaks formed through the actions of water and erosion over thousands of years. Their name derives from their grass covering, which turns brown during the dry season, with December to March the best time to visit. Legend has it the hills are the dried tears of a heartbroken giant. While the truth is more prosaic, the views are still spectacular. Kilauea, Hawaii Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. - U.S. Geological Survey/AP The most active volcano on the island of Hawaii, Kilauea is in a state of near constant eruption, molten lava oozing down roads and destroying homes and holiday resorts. After a three-month hiatus in activity, it sprang back into life in late 2024, drawing tourist crowds to see dramatic spouts of bright orange lava reach over 90 meters (300 feet). Believed to be between 210,000 and 280,000 years old , it surfaced above sea level on the southern eastern shore of the island around 100,000 years ago. Lake Hillier, Australia Australia's "pink lake" is 600 meters long and 250 meters wide. - Shutterstock Just a few meters from the sand and surf on the coast of Middle Island, in Australias Recherche Archipelago, Lake Hilliers brash pink water is in stark contrast to the bright blue of the nearby ocean. Its color is thought to be derived from algae called Dunaliella salina, which produces a pigment that turns the salty water a seemingly unnatural hue. Halophilic bacteria in the salt crusts that surround its banks are also considered to be behind the phenomenon. Devils Tower, Wyoming Devils Tower the first US national monument. - Mladen Antono/AFP/Getty Images Protruding high from the prairie into the Wyoming sky, Devils Tower (the apostrophe omitted ever since it was given the name in the 19th century) is sacred to several Native American tribes. A butte rising some 385 meters above the Belle Fourche River, it was formed by surrounding sedimentary rocks eroding, leaving the igneous rocks to stand sentinel over the area. The Lakota believe Devils Tower rose to protect two girls from a chasing bear, the marks surrounding the tower left by its claws. Sci-fi aficionados will recognize it as the alien rendezvous point from Steven Spielbergs 1977 movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Dallol, Ethiopia The Dallol region is the hottest place on the planet. - Carl Court/Getty Images With temperatures averaging a blistering 94 degrees Fahrenheit, Dallol is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Close to the border with Eritrea, its ethereal, Martian landscape sits within the Danakil Depression. Besides its ungodly heat, Dallol is best known for its colorful hydrothermal fields, with aquamarine green pools and yellow rocks appearing like a surrealist painting against the florid red rock formations. The bright colors are due to inorganic iron oxidation. The Eye of the Sahara, Mauritania The Richat Structure can be easily seen from space. - George Steinmetz/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images Known also as the Richat Structure, the Eye of the Sahara looks pretty much like any other part of this continent-straddling desert from the ground. But from up in space, this 40-kilometer (24-mile) wide geological marvel is something else. Believed to be an eroded dome, rather than an impact crater, it resembles a fossilized ammonite when seen from Earths orbit. Snow Monsters, Mount Zao, Japan Mount Zao is home to Japan's spectacular snow monsters. - Kyodo/AP High in Japans northern Tohoku region, Mount Zao is home to this vast swathe of icy sculptures. As winter comes on hard and harsh, Siberian winds blow across the Zao range and snow falls and freezes on the mountains trees. The trees then freeze into interesting forms, resembling creatures straight out of a manga comic. Regular light shows help add to their allure after dark, although a cable car across their peaks in daylight is just as fascinating. Valley of the Moon, Argentina This remote valley is based in a protected area of the South American country. - Insights/UIG/Getty Images The clues in the name of this vast area in northern Argentina: lunar landscapes of wind blasted rock, where the night skies are illuminated by billions of stars and the moon glows. Also known as the Ischigualasto Provincial Park, its most famous sights include The Sphinx, which resembles its Ancient Egyptian namesake. Theres also The Mushroom, a tower that blooms out into a wide formation at its summit and the Bowling Field, where spherical rocks dot the landscape. Vermilion Cliffs, Arizona The Vermillion Cliffs span the Utah-Arizona border. - Prisma by Dukas/UIG/Getty Images Just south of the Utah state line, Vermilion Cliffs is one of the most visually arresting places in the United States. The areas swirling sandstone canyons and arches are ripe for exploration, with few visitors likely to be encountered. The vast cliffs themselves, which run for 48 kilometers and range between 2,000 and 3,000 feet, can be seen in all their glory from Highway 89A. Haukadalur geothermal field, Iceland The oldest account of these geothermal fields dates back to 1294. - Mikel Bilbao/VW PICS/UIG/Getty Images Icelands geothermic wonders make it a paradise for seekers of weird and wonderful landscapes, especially following a bout of increased activity in late 2024. Most famous for its Geysir and Strokkur erupting hot springs, this vast area, 60 kilometers east of Reykjavik, is worth taking time to explore, especially as theres a handy campsite close by. Mentions of the bubbling, geothermal fields here date back to 1294, when they were activated by an earthquake. Trollkirka Caves, Norway The Trollkirka one of Norway's longest limestone caves. - Shutterstock Norways Trollkirka Caves, literally Troll Church Caves, arent places of worship in the traditional sense. Instead, theyre marble and limestone marvels that intrepid visitors can enter after a strenuous hike. The key attraction here is the 70-meter main cave, which boasts a waterfall. Smaller grottoes play home to sparkling pools, the water bright and clear against the white rock, which appears to have folded in on itself over millions of years. Bryce Canyon, Utah Bryce Canyon National Park's rocks look red, orange and white against the sky. - Ethan Miller/Getty Images Far less popular than nearby Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon is arguably every bit as extraordinary. It appears red, white and yellow against the bright blue sky thanks to the hoodoos that stand to attention for miles in every direction. These columns, made of soft rock at the bottom and harder rock at the top, are the result of millennia of weathering and erosion. They sit within a series of huge natural amphitheaters that look spectacular at sunset. Dead Sea, Israel/Jordan The Dead Sea is positioned between Jordan (pictured above) and Israel. - Ahmad Abdo/AFP/Getty Images The lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea is more than nine times saltier than the sea. Thought to be part of a rift zone that extends north into Turkey, its believed to have once been part of a lagoon connected to the Mediterranean. Salt deposits on its bottom ensure that bathers remain buoyant, while the waters rejuvenating properties have made it a go to for health tourists for centuries. Spotted Lake, Canada Canada's Spotted Lake a remarkable sight. - Shutterstock In the heart of British Columbia, Spotted Lake looks like your average body of freshwater during winter. But as temperatures rise and the water evaporates, it becomes something wholly different. Huge blue, yellow and green spots appear, the result of deposits of magnesium sulphates, sodium sulphates and calcium. The Okanagan First Nations people believed the spots to have different curative properties and have owned the surrounding land since 2001. Blood Falls, Antarctica This incredible natural phenomenon was discovered by Australian geologist Griffith Taylor in 1911. - Cavan Images/Alamy Stock Photo Flowing from Antarcticas Taylor Glacier, Blood Falls ghoulish color is rooted in deep time. In 2017, scientists discovered the scarlet hue is due to oxidized iron in brine saltwater, which has taken one and a half million years to get to the falls, rather than discoloration by algae as previously thought. When the water makes contact with oxygen, it oxidizes and turns red. A brine lake underneath the glacier, exposed to iron rich rocks, is believed to be the waters source. Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, China The "Rainbow Mountains" cover an area of 322 square kilometers. - Han jiajun/Imaginechina/AP The Rainbow Mountains of the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park are striking examples of what millions of years of geological activity can do to a landscape. Made up of layers of sandstone, mudstone and multicolored sedimentary rocks laid down over millions of years, their sharp tilt is due to the movement of the tectonic plates which also formed the Himalaya. River erosion helped form the deep gorges and high peaks, with purple, green, yellow and red strata creating a brash and bright vista. Darvaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan The Darvaza Gas Crater sits in the middle of the Karakum Desert. - Giles Clarke/Getty Images Known by locals as the Door to Hell, the Darvaza Gas Crater is a natural phenomenon brought about by man less than half a century ago. While searching for oil, Soviet engineers discovered a natural gas pocket that soon collapsed, consuming their equipment. Panicked by the release of methane potentially killing wildlife in the surrounding Karakum Desert, scientists set the gas crater alight in the hope it would soon burn out. Today, it still burns brightly, to a depth of 30 meters, although some observers say its flames are diminishing. Its still a major draw for tourists heading to this little-visited country in Central Asia. This story was originally published in June 2019. It was updated and republished in April 2025. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Clowns are meant to make you smile, but sometimes, they stick in your head for all the wrong reasons. Horror films have turned painted smiles and circus costumes into nightmare fuel. Directors nowadays use clown imagery to twist childhood symbols into something far more disturbing. All of this leads to unshakable tension and iconic villains that keep people on edge. If you are curious to know which movies have that impact, we have a list below that will give you a strong reason to double-check the shadows before bed. IT (2017) Credit: IMDb Stephen King's infamous clown came back stronger than ever. Pennywise haunted Derry along with a whole new generation of viewers. Bill Skarsgards eerie portrayal combined unnatural movements, chilling stares, and a smile that could paralyze. Audiences connected with the group of kids, but the monster stealing their peace truly stuck. Terrifier (2016) Credit: IMDb Art the Clown may not speak, but his silence makes him more eerie. He stares, follows, and strikes in an almost theatrical style with no clear motive. Director Damien Leone gave horror fans a brutal villain who doesnt need backstory or logic to terrify. This film carved out a loyal audience through pure, unrelenting gore. Clown (2014) Credit: IMDb A well-meaning dad finds a clown suit to save his sons birthday. But once he wears it, the transformation beginsand doesnt stop. The costume becomes part of him and reveals a curse tied to ancient folklore. As he loses control, his love for his child clashes with something far darker inside him. Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) Credit: IMDb Space clowns with candy-colored weapons land on Earth and begin abducting townspeople. It sounds silly, but the absurdity only adds to the horror. The film combines slapstick effects with graphic imagery and uses carnival themes to mask true danger. Over time, this bizarre mix helped it grow into a cult legend. Poltergeist (1982) Credit: IMDb Few scenes in horror history rival the terror of the clown doll attack. It waited under the bed, then struck when no one expected it. The moment capitalized on a universal childhood fear and burned itself into memory. Stitches (2012) Credit: IMDb This horror-comedy follows a clown who dies mid-party and returns years later for revenge. His methods are gruesome, exaggerated, and comically creative. The good news is that the film doesnt hold back on gore or absurdity. Stitches balances ridiculous setups with real horror in surprisingly entertaining ways, with its British dark humor and practical effects. House of 1000 Corpses (2003) Credit: IMDb Captain Spaulding welcomes customers with a twisted smile and a side of fried chicken. Rob Zombies horror debut gave us this foul-mouthed, menacing clown who embraces his makeup. Sid Haigs performance turns a sideshow character into a genre icon whose grin means serious trouble. 31 (2016) Credit: IMDb Halloween night turns into a survival game when five strangers get kidnapped and forced into a maze. Masked clowns known as The Heads hunt them through twisted halls. Rob Zombie keeps the pace fast, while each new clown character escalates the madness further. Amusement (2008) Credit: IMDb A childhood fear resurfaces when a woman walks into a room and sees a life-size clown statue waiting. As unease builds, silence dominates the sceneuntil the figure finally moves. That single scare remains one of the films strongest moments. Haunt (2019) Credit: IMDb A group of friends enters a haunted house that promises extreme scares. Inside, they discover the performers aren't just acting. Each hallway hides new traps, and the clowns lurking inside seem to enjoy causing fear and chaos. This film uses masks, atmosphere, and silence to crank up the dread. The Clown at Midnight (1999) Credit: IMDb Teenagers agree to help restore an old opera house. Their real mistake was sticking around after dark. A clown with a dark past returns to pick them off. The film leans on a gothic atmosphere and traditional slasher beats. Drive Thru (2007) Credit: IMDb Horny the Clown is out for chaos. When a fast-food mascot starts striking teenagers, the town spirals into chaos. The film doesnt take itself seriously, but the gore keeps coming. This ride through slasher tropes hits its intended mark, especially for fans of campy horror with loud visuals and loud deaths. Clownhouse (1989) Credit: IMDb Three escaped patients find clown costumes and terrorize boys left alone at home. The movie builds suspense through long shadows and disturbing calm, without overusing gore. The pacing slows just enough to let viewers squirm. While its legacy is complicated, the fear it generated still earns attention from genre fans. Gags the Clown (2018) Credit: IMDb News cameras capture a silent clown roaming the streets of Green Bay. Panic spreads as people try to figure out what he wants. This found-footage-style film focuses on fear of the unknown. And the unsettling presence becomes a mirror for the publics imagination. Wrinkles the Clown (2019) Credit: IMDb Some Florida parents turned to a mysterious man in makeup to scare misbehaving kids. This mockumentary blurs reality and myth and tracks how one viral video sparked rumors and panic. The film doesnt offer clear answers, and thats what makes it so eerie. It Chapter Two (2019) Credit: IMDb Years later, the Losers Club reunites to face Pennywise one last time. Their fears havent disappeared but only grown with age. This sequel leaned harder into psychological horror and amplified the originals effects. Fear of Clowns (2004) Credit: Youtube A horror artist draws her worst fearand then watches it follow her. The clown she once imagined comes to life, stalking her and unraveling her sanity. The movie does not rely on gore, instead, plays with paranoia and fear of losing control. Hell House LLC (2015) Credit: Youtube Cameras roll inside a haunted house attraction where a tragedy occurred. One clown mannequin keeps appearing in places it shouldnt. It never runs, never talksjust stands still. That motionless threat fuels one of the films most effective scares. The found footage format only makes it feel more real. So, lets say the worst happens, and Earth gets invaded by aliens. Not the friendly kind offering galactic peace treaties, but the laser-zapping kind. Surprisingly, survival goes beyond just weapons or sci-fi tech. It comes down to geography, resources, and the kind of infrastructure that can actually keep people alive. And some places have turned out to be more promising than others. Weve rounded up the best locations around the world where your odds might actually improve when the motherships start circling. Virginia, USA Credit: Wikimedia Commons If you want to be where the big guns are, youd definitely want to be in Virginia. This state happens to house the Pentagon, Langley (yep, the CIA), and one of the highest military-to-civilian ratios in the country. Plus, western Virginia hides thousands of caves across the Appalachians. Alabama, USA Where the Ground Swallows You Whole (In a Good Way) Credit: Wikimedia Commons Alabama is where the ground swallows you whole and in a good way. This place is practically designed for survival. It has more than 4,200 charted caves and the highest percentage of forest coverage among all U.S. states, so youre looking at a natural maze of shelter and camouflage. Massachusetts, USA Credit: flickr Massachusetts may not seem like an alien apocalypse safe zone, but when you realize it has the highest density of scientists, engineers, and medical researchers per capita, it starts to make sense. This state is decoding the motherships tech and synthesizing alien antidotes. MIT, Harvard, and biotech corridors in Cambridge are where you go if you think humanity can outthink its way out of trouble. New York, USA Credit: Wikimedia Commons For the first time, we dont want you to think about Times Square but maple syrup, dairy farms, and forested hills. Upstate New York produces massive quantities of food, and rural counties have high per-capita law enforcement. The infrastructure is strong, the communities are tight-knit, and the terrain is easy to disappear into. Basically, the aliens can keep the city while the survivors will be sipping cider near the Catskills. Tennessee, USA Credit: flickr Tennessee is practically hollow, with more than 10,000 caves beneath its surface. Thats not a problem if the Earth gets invaded, but an opportunity. This state lets you vanish underground while above, military bases like Fort Campbell keep the skies monitored. Add a robust healthcare system and one of the strongest National Guard units, and Tennessee becomes a smart option. Florida, USA Credit: pexels Sure, Florida has gators and hurricanes, but it also has one of the most diverse natural environments in the U.S.and thats exactly what gives it an edge. Dense mangroves, freshwater springs, and over 7,800 lakes offer serious natural shelter and water access. If the aliens dont mind the humidity, theyll still have to deal with locals who already survive everything else. Wisconsin, USA Credit: flickr It may seem unassuming, but Wisconsin is one of the most resilient states you could hunker down in. It ranks in the top five for healthcare professionals per capita and has a strong food production infrastructure. Rural terrain keeps you low-profile, and locals know how to get through with resourcefulness. North Carolina, USA Credit: flickr Heres a state that balances brawn and brains without bragging. With Fort Braggone of the largest military installations in the worldNorth Carolina comes prepared. It also has a high concentration of engineers, medical staff, and research facilities across Raleigh-Durhams Research Triangle. Alaska, USA Credit: Wikimedia Commons Alaskas nature hides you better than any bunker. The state has the lowest population density in the U.S., with more wilderness than civilization. That alone makes it ideal for staying hidden. But it also has strategic defense outposts, a trained survivalist population, and vast natural resources. Its unlikely any alien squad would want to stick around. Georgia, USA Credit: flickr Georgia has thick tree coverage, hundreds of caves, and one of the strongest agricultural industries in the Southeast. Its also home to multiple military bases and one of the busiest logistics hubs in the country, meaning food and supply chains wont vanish overnight. And yes, if it comes to it, Georgians know how to defend their ground with grit and grits. Mammoth Cave, Kentucky Credit: flickr If youre thinking underground, think big. Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system on Earth, stretching over 400 miles (and still being explored). This hole in the ground is a full-blown subterranean maze. With the right prep, this place could become a secret alien-proof colony if we just add flashlights and freeze-dried snacks. Son oong Cave, Vietnam Credit: flickr This caves so massive it has its own ecosystem, including clouds and a river. Son oong is tucked deep in central Vietnams jungle, and is nearly untouched and wide enough to fit a Boeing 747. If survival means going remote, this is as remote (and epic) as it gets. Scottish Highlands, UK Credit: flickr The Highlands are sufficiently strategic to consider it home when aliens invade. This region has rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and very low population density. Its difficult to navigate for outsiders, and the locals know every mountain pass and loch to make it a secret hideout. Canadian Rockies, Canada Credit: flickr The Canadian Rockies were designed to keep things out (including aliens), thanks to their large mountains, icy lakes, and dense forests. The sheer scale of wilderness here makes it easy to vanish without a trace. Plus, Canadas infrastructure is solid, and if you stick near Alberta or British Columbia, youre not too far from supply lines. Amazon Rainforest, South America Credit: flickr The Amazon is a challenge for humans, so good luck to extraterrestrials trying to navigate it. With over five million square kilometers of dense jungle, poisonous plants, elusive wildlife, and unpredictable terrain, its one of the hardest places on Earth to locate anything or anyone. If you can survive here, youre already built differently. Student demonstrators occupy the pro-Palestinian "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on the West Lawn of Columbia University on April 24, 2024, in New York City. - Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Antisemitic incidents in the United States rose for the fourth consecutive year in 2024, hitting their highest level since the Anti-Defamation League started tracking them in 1979, according to the organizations annual audit released Tuesday. The audit identified 9,354 cases of assault, harassment, and vandalism in 2024, marking a 5% increase from 2023, when the ADL recorded 8,873 incidents, and a 344% surge over the past five years. The record-breaking number is based on incidents reported by victims, the media, law enforcement, and partner groups, according to the ADL. The majority of the incidents in 2024 6,552 were classified as harassment, defined by the organization as cases where someone targets one or more Jewish people or people perceived to be Jewish with language that includes antisemitic slurs, stereotypes, or tropes. Vandalism was the second highest, with 2,606 incidents, marking a 20% increase from 2023. During a news briefing on Tuesday, ADL leaders displayed images of some reported incidents. These included swastikas and the phrase Holocaust is a Hollywood Lie painted on garages and buildings. They also highlighted a bomb threat at a synagogue in Youngstown, Ohio; Jewish diners at a Brooklyn, New York, restaurant being harassed by individuals saying Hitler was on to something; and a Jewish student at the University of Pittsburgh being assaulted in the Oakland neighborhood by a group who noticed he was wearing a Star of David necklace. If your idea of protesting Israeli government policies is to assault or harass or intimidate Jews, that doesnt make you a political activist, that makes you a bigot, Oren Segal, ADLs senior vice president for counter-extremism and intelligence, said during the briefing. Our mission is not just to catalog antisemitism, it is to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure fair treatment to all. For the first time, a majority of antisemitic incidents 58% were related to Israel or Zionism, with many occurring at anti-Israel rallies. The ADL does not conflate general criticism of Israel or anti-Israel activism with antisemitism, the report says. Legitimate political protest, support for Palestinian rights or expressions of opposition to Israeli policies are not included in the audit. Hatred toward Israel was a driving force behind antisemitism across the U.S., Segal said in a statement. These incidents serve as a clear reminder that silence is not an option, Segal said. The audit details where antisemitic incidents most commonly occur, noting that this provides critical insight into how different environments contribute to or fail to protect against antisemitic activity. Antisemitic incidents on college campuses increased by 84% between 2023 and 2024, accounting for 18% of all incidents, the report says. Many of these incidents occurred during protests on college campuses between mid-April and mid-May 2024 in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Trump administration has revoked student visas and cut federal funding to colleges and universities accused of tolerating antisemitism. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt told CNNs Dana Bash the rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses is a catastrophe that has not received nearly enough attention from the very institutions where its happening. Greenblatt told Bash he supports the federal government holding institutions accountable for antisemitic incidents, but cautioned the Trump administration to be clear about what student protestors are being charged with. I think if the administration does that, they will have all people of good faith on their side, he said. Incidents in public areas and commercial spaces, including Jewish-owned businesses, also increased. However, non-Jewish K-12 schools experienced a decrease in antisemitism cases. The three states with the highest number of incidents were New York, California, and New Jersey, according to the audit. Good people must stand up, push back, and confront antisemitism wherever it appears. And that starts with understanding what fuels it and learning to recognize it in all its forms, Segal said. The report noted the continued increase shows antisemitism has become a persistent reality for American Jewish communities rather than a temporary spike in the months immediately after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This horrifying level of antisemitism should never be accepted and yet, as our data shows, it has become a persistent and grim reality for American Jewish communities, Greenblatt said in a news release. Jewish Americans continue to be harassed, assaulted and targeted for who they are on a daily basis and everywhere they go. But lets be clear: we will remain proud of our Jewish culture, religion and identities, and we will not be intimidated by bigots, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Simply Recipes / Getty Images One of the star ingredients in Italian food, spanning from the heartier Northern classics to the more tomato-leaning Southern dishes, is mozzarella cheese. The classic Italian staple, which I keep stocked in my fridge at all times, is known for its palatable, creamy, and mild flavor profile. It can be found atop pizza, stacked on sandwiches, mixed into pasta bakes, and more. While I most often find myself relying on mozzarella logs to meet my cheesy needs, recently, I was running low on time and wishing I had a pre-shredded bag readily available. I realized I was pretty unfamiliar with the different shredded mozzarella options available. I reached out to some of my most trusted chefs for their advice on which brand to buy, and, to my surprise, they all came back with a unanimous consensus. The Mozzarella-Loving Chefs Simply Recipes / BelGioioso The Mozzarella To Buy BelGioiosos Shredded Mozzarella is the best out there, says Taylor. Its widely available and delivers on both flavor and texture, which is a rare combination for pre-shredded cheese. This rare combination is also what makes the brand stand out to the four other chefs who highlighted the brand's cleaner ingredient list, meltability, and fresh flavor as winning characteristics. BelGioioso mozzarella does come in different forms, for instance, pearls, slices, and balls, says Tobby; however, its shredded cheese stands out because, Taylor explains: Unlike many pre-shredded mozzarellas packed with anti-caking agents and starches, this one melts beautifully and tastes real. With only three ingredientsmilk, salt, and enzymesBelGioioso avoids the synthetic or grainy textural elements found in some other brands. As Hammond says, a lot of other brands over-process or over-salt their cheese, but this one lets the simplicity of the recipe shine. The simplicity of BelGioiosos recipe translates to its ease of use, primarily the cheeses meltability. With fewer additives, says Randhawa, BelGioiosos shredded mozzarella tastes more authentic and melts beautifully without becoming oily. Because it melts so beautifully, it makes for a great shortcut in instances when one might traditionally gravitate towards a log. For example, explains Clark: Its super convenient for dishes like pizza or lasagna when I need something fast. In general, says Tobby, shredded mozzarella is a low-moisture, pre-grated product that is firmer and drier, making it perfect for melting in casseroles, lasagna, and on pizza since it has a stretchy yet firm consistency. In terms of the cheeses flavor profile, its consistently fresh-tasting with a creamy texture and a subtle milky flavor, says Randhawa. Clark agrees, seconding, BelGioioso has such a fresh, creamy taste that is super delicious. Read the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES Tallulah Willis/Instagram Tallulah Willis and Demi Moore. Demi Moore might be an award-winning actress, author and producer but she's also one very cool mom. After welcoming her first daughter Rumer Glenn Willis with then-husband Bruce Willis in 1988, the couple went on to welcome two more daughters together: Scout LaRue Willis in 1991 and Tallulah Belle Willis in 1994. And now, as we celebrate Moore as this year's World's Most Beautiful cover star, here's a look back at some of the coolest, most adorable throwback photos of the star with her three girls. Taking After Mom Columbia Pictures/Getty Rumer and Moore took their mother-daughter bond to the big screen in 1996, when Rumer starred as her mom's onscreen daughter in Striptease. In Character Rumer Willis/Instagram Rumer Willis and Demi Moore on the set of 'Striptease.' On the set of the comedy, Rumer spent some downtime with her mom who was all decked out as her character Erin Grant. Red Carpet Outing Richard Corkery/Getty Bruce Willis and Demi Moore with their daughters Scout and Rumer. Moore (who had shaved her head for G.I. Jane) was joined by Bruce, Rumer and Scout at the 1996 premiere of the film. Supportive Squad Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Though Moore and Bruce Willis divorced in 2000, the pair has remained family and in 2001 she accompanied her girls to support Dad at his premiere for Bandits. First Born Bliss Rumer Willis/Instagram Rumer Willis, Demi Moore. When celebrating the birth of her own daughter, Rumer paid tribute to her mom sharing a sweet photo of herself as a newborn snuggled up to Moore. Mama Bear Demi Moore/Instagram Tallulah Willis, Demi Moore. Moore and Bruce welcomed their third daughter Tallulah in 1994. In celebration of her 27th birthday in 2021, mom shared a loving tribute to her daughter, writing, "You are a magnificent being and I am so honored to be your mother." Five of a Kind Demi Moore/Instagram Demi Moore, Bruce Willis, Tallulah, Scout, Rumer. While it has been more than two decades since the famous couple went their separate ways, Moore has been open about the love she has for her ex especially in the wake of his diagnosis of aphasia in 2022 and later frontotemporal dementia in 2023. Back in 2020, Moore paid tribute to Bruce for his birthday by sharing a throwback photo of the family where each of the five is seen sporting matching hats alongside the message: "Happy birthday Bruce! Thank you for the three greatest gifts of my life ." Birthday Joy Demi Moore/Instagram Rumer Willis, Demi Moore. Moore looked back on a past birthday when celebrating her firstborn's 35th sharing a carousel of images from over the years. In the first, Moore is seen holding a little Rumer's hand in front of a large pink cake. Tag Along Demi Moore/Instagram Rumer, Scout, Tallulah Willis, Demi Moore. With Scout wrapped around mom's leg, Tallulah on her hip and Rumer pulling a funny face, this very '90s shot feels familiar to anyone with siblings. Cheek to Cheek Tallulah Willis/Instagram Tallulah Willis, Demi Moore. Moore held up a teeny-tiny Tallulah wrapped in a pink fleece onesie to her face in this adorable photo shared on Instagram. Baby on Board Rumer Willis/Instagram Rumer Willis, Demi Moore. Rumer hitched a ride on her mom's back in this photo from back-in-the-day that she posted for the Oscar-nominee's birthday. "You are the funniest, weirdest most specific and kooky Scorpio wild woman," the eldest Willis daughter wrote in part. This year watching you thrive and explode with love and style and strength has been such a joy to bear witness to. 62 never looked better #hotgranny." Matching Mom Rumer Willis/Instagram Bruce Willis, Rumer Willis, Demi Moore. With adorable ringlets to match her mom's, Rumer is seen here being carried by Moore alongside her "silly pops." Fun and Games Tallulah Willis/instagram Demi Moore, Tallulah Willis, Bruce Willis. With cake frosting on her lips to match the cake smeared all over Tallulah's face, Moore posed with her youngest daughter and Bruce (dressed up as Didi Pickles) at their youngest daughter's Rugrats-themed birthday party. Looking Up to Mom Richard Corkery/Getty Demi Moore and Rumer Willis. And as the girls have grown up, they've kept their tight-knit bond with mom, cheering her on on social media and accompanying her on red carpets like the 2010 premiere of The Joneses. Read the original article on People Van Dyke and Arlene Silver in June last year - Monica Schipper/Getty Images North America Dick Van Dykes wife has opened up about the 46-year age gap with her husband, saying she does not think relationships between people who are the same age last. Arlene Silver, 53, said it was eerie how well the relationship with Van Dyke, 99, works. Relationships for celebrities and others in the public eye can often be something of a challenge. But actor Van Dyke can still apparently sing Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious without making a single mistake, has revealed what works for him and his wife. Speaking of his marriage of 13 years to Silver, herself an actor and producer, he said: Everybody said it wouldnt work. His wife added: I mean its like eerie how well it works. People the same age dont last. Van Dyke and Silver together in 2017 - Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images North America In an interview with People magazine, the actor, who has won six Emmy awards, a Grammy and a Tony, said of his relationship: We get along so well. In the US, Van Dyke became a household name for hosting The Dick Van Dyke Show which ran in the 1960s. He also earned a bigger and more global international reputation for his role in several successful musicals, including the 1964 Disney movie Mary Poppins, in which he played the role of Bert, a handyman and chimney sweep alongside Julie Andrews. The British actress was making her film debut. He also starred in 1968s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Van Dyke and Silver spoke to the magazine at their so-called Vandy Camp, an event held in Malibu to raise money for charity. We just love being home. We love Malibu, and its our favourite place, our house especially. So this is like our, youre at our house, Silver said. Were so grateful. Our house did get hit by the Franklin fire, but in the scheme of things, we got very lucky. The couple at the premiere of Disneys Mary Poppins Returns in 2018 - Amanda Edwards/WireImage The actor also spoke about meeting Silver for the first time, which happened at the 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards, where she was working as a makeup artist. He had been previously married to Margie Willet, but they divorced in 1984, in part because his affair with another woman, actress Michelle Triola Marvin, that would last several decades. She died from cancer in 2009. I never said hello to a strange girl in my life. I was too scared, Van Dyke said of speaking to Silver. But I was at a show backstage and she walked by, and for some reason, I just jumped up and said, Hi, Im Dick. Theres something about her that got me, and I was right. Arlene Silver and Dick Van Dyke have been married for 13 years - CBS Photo Archive Now the couple say their relationship has proven wrong those who doubted the age gap of 46 years could work. Van Dyke said: We get along so well before Silver said: We just care about each other so much. She added that her husband has made her feel like she can do anything. 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. Does using technology contribute to digital dementia or does it protect the brain? A new analysis finds promising evidence. Westend61/Getty Images This article originally appeared on Medical News Today Since social media became mainstream in the early 2000s, people today are using digital technology more than ever. Past studies have discussed the potential health hazards of using too much technology, including a potential negative impact on brain function and digital dementia. A new study has found that digital technology use may actually help protect against cognitive decline and reduce dementia risk in older adults. Since the exploding popularity of the World Wide Web in the mid-1990s, people today are more connected than ever before. Then as social media became mainstream in the early 2000s, today people of all ages spend hours of every day two hours and 24 minutes on average, to be exact scrolling through Facebook and Instagram feeds, and watching TikTok videos. In the last three decades, its possible that the largest change to societies across the globe has been the digital revolution, Michael K. Scullin, PhD, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University told Medical News Today. The emergence of home computing, Internet, and smartphones has fundamentally changed daily human behaviors. To the scientist, this presents an interesting question: how does a fundamental change to the way humans behave everyday influence cognitive outcomes later in life? Past studies have discussed the potential health hazards of using too much technology, including a potential negative impact on brain function. A German neuroscientist and psychiatrist named Dr. Manfred Spitzer coined the term digital dementia with his book published in 2012 regarding cognitive decline due to the excessive use of digital devices, with newer related terms being used such as brain rot and brain drain. Conversely, Scullin is the co-lead author of a new study recently published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour that has found the opposite to be true digital technology use may actually help protect against cognitive decline and reduce dementia risk in older adults. Digital technology use may reduce cognitive impairment risk For this study, researchers analyzed data from more than 136 studies with cognitive or dementia diagnosis information, for more than 400,000 older adult participants with an average age of about 69. Upon analysis, scientists found that digital technology use was correlated with a 58% lower risk of cognitive impairment in older adults. Its important to note that the data didnt go in the opposite direction, Scullin said. The great fear was that using computers, the Internet, and smartphones could lead to worse rates of cognitive impairment. There wasnt compelling evidence for that in any of the studies we meta-analyzed. Instead, 90% of the studies indicated that digital technology use was linked to lower risk of cognitive impairment, even when controlling for a myriad of other factors like education, socioeconomic status, general health, lifestyle factors, or baseline cognition. Michael K. Scullin, PhD The other 10% of studies showed null outcomes. The collective data indicate that, amongst digital pioneers who first adopted digital technologies in middle or older adulthood, using these devices is associated with a net positive outcome for overall cognitive health, he said. How could digital technology protect the brain? When asked how digital technology use might be able to help lower an older adults risk for cognitive impairment and dementia, Scullin said its because digital technologies provide opportunities for cognitive/mental stimulation. Learning to use a computer, navigate the Internet, and use a smartphone can all be experienced as challenging, but thats a good sign for exercising your brain. Digital devices can also help us stay connected with friends and family members via email, texts, sharing photos, video calling, and other approaches. This is valuable because studies indicate that loneliness and social isolation lead to negative cognitive outcomes in older adults. Michael K. Scullin, PhD We have also seen the value of digital devices in helping people to compensate for age-related cognitive decline, Scullin continued. For example, people who are having difficulties with prospective memory can offload their future intended tasks to a digital calendar and receive automated reminders to wish people happy birthday, remember to take their medications at the appropriate time, and attend appointments. Jared F. Benge, PhD, associate professor of neurology at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and the other co-lead author of this study, added that trading an activity like passively watching TV with something more engaging such as searching the web for information or learning something new may be more stimulating than other activities. Dementia is an incredibly complex series of diseases, with a huge personal, societal, and economic burden, Benge told MNT. Given this complexity, there is no magic bullet to cure, prevent, or reverse all cases. Instead, I believe we need to understand any tools at our disposal to help. The digital environment may be a uniquely helpful tool to leverage to help prevent, manage, and address brain health. Internet use boosts brain neural activity MNT spoke with Gary Small, MD, chair of psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this study, who commented that he did not find its findings surprising. Although overuse of digital technology can distract people and impair memory performance, searching online, using email, video conferencing, and other digital tasks exercise our brains and boost cognitive functioning, Small explained. Over a decade ago, my research team used functional MRI scanning to measure brain neural activity in older adults while they searched online. We found significantly higher activation in volunteers with prior Internet search experience compared with those naive to online searching, he continued. Moreover, we rescanned the naive Internet users after a week of online search training and found significant increases in neural stimulation in brain regions controlling thinking and memory. These findings suggest that searching online strengthens neural circuits that control memory and thinking, which could explain some of the cognitive advantages for older adults who use digital technology. Gary Small, MD In addition to the mental stimulation from online searching, use of these technologies keeps older adults socially connected, gives them access to important health education information, and helps them to remain independent, Small added. Whats the best way to use technology for a healthy brain? For readers who may have older family members, or readers who are older adults themselves, Small offered the following tips on how they can use digital technology to reduce their risk of cognitive decline as they age: Use the technology but dont overuse it. Too much use of technology can cause mental fatigue, decrease attention span, and cause neck and back pain. Take regular breaks from your tech use in order to balance your online and offline worlds. Train but dont strain your brain. To avoid device frustration syndrome, if you are having difficulty navigating an app or program, reach out to others who may assist you or pivot to easier platforms that are less frustrating. Even though your tech use may strengthen your brain neural circuits, stress has been shown to worsen memory and other cognitive functions. Stay connected. Social isolation increases risk for depression and dementia so get comfortable with email, texting, social media, and videoconferencing to stay close to friends and family members. Life expectancy has increased dramatically, so people are living longer than ever before in history, Small said. Unfortunately, age is the greatest single risk factor for developing dementia, a cognitive decline that disrupts a persons ability to care for themselves. This age wave is leading to an epidemic of late-life dementia. Although we have medicines that can temporarily delay cognitive decline, there is no cure, he added. The available science is compelling that lifestyle habits (e.g., physical exercise, healthy diet, mental stimulation, staying socially connected) have a meaningful impact on mitigating dementia risk. View the original article on Medical News Today Note: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence that may be offensive to readers. The son of an Ohio megachurch's founders has been charged with rape after allegedly grooming women while they were children in the early 2000s, authorities said. Gary Thomas "Tom" Keesee Jr., the 36-year-old former chief media officer for Faith Life Church in New Albany, was indicted by a grand jury on nearly 30 counts on April 21. The counts include 11 of rape, 11 of gross sexual imposition and five of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Keesee was arrested on April 18 and previously charged with two counts of rape before the grand jury delivered the additional charges, officials said. Several women have accused Keesee of grooming them when they were minors into trusting him and then had sex with them, The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network, previously reported. According to the indictment, Keesee committed the alleged acts of rape between May 2002 and November 2006. A criminal complaint filed by Licking County Sheriff's Office also included accusations from victims that abuse went on for several more years. Keesee resigned from his position at the church in August. His attorney, Samuel Shamansky, told USA TODAY his client intends to plead not guilty to each charge. "All charges are false. They're flights of fancy. They're unsupportable," Shamansky said in a phone call on April 22. "I recognize how serious these allegations are," he added. Shamansky said Keesee has no criminal history or history of sexual misconduct and is a "hardworking filmmaker, married individual." Shamansky questioned why the accusers did not come forward before now and said he would "diligently and capably investigate each and every one of these fabricators and make sure that the truth comes out in court." Accusations span several years During a press conference April 21, Licking County Prosecutor Jenny Wells said investigators have spoken to about 40 witnesses and that the indictment involves three victims who have come forward. The investigation remains ongoing. The victims in the indictment were 6 to 15 years old at the time of the alleged abuse and were members of the church at some point, Wells said. She added that evidence to this point shows the alleged acts didn't happen inside the church. "These courageous young women have spoken out and come forward and they are to be commended for their bravery and supported," Wells said. "They're very serious charges that we considered." From right, Sheriff Randy Thorp, prosecutor Jenny Wells and investigator Gus Moore speak during a press conference about Gary Thomas Keesee Jr., 36, who was arrested Friday at the Licking County Sheriffs Office in Newark on April 21, 2025. A Knox County grand jury indicted Keesee, the son of Faith Life Church's founders, on 27 counts including rape, gross sexual imposition and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. In a criminal complaint, sheriff's detectives allege Keesee sexually assaulted a girl when she was 5 and 6 years old, starting in May 2001 and ending in May 2003. Keesee was 12 when the alleged abuse began. Detectives said another victim accused him of touching her private areas "repeatedly," starting in November 2006, when she was 8 years old, until she was 15, the Columbus Dispatch reported. Additional victims came forward alleging abuse from Keesee, according to detectives. Investigation started slowly due to church founders' community ties The Licking County Sheriffs Office has been leading the investigation into Keesees alleged actions after Attorney General Dave Yost decided not to pursue it, citing a conflict of interest due to his friendship with Gary and Drenda Keesee, founders of the church and parents of the suspect. The Knox County Sheriff's Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations also passed on the case, citing conflicts of interest, the Dispatch reported. Drenda Keesee is a Knox County Commissioner whose board oversees law enforcement budgets. Some of the alleged abuse occurred in nearby Knox County, according to the complaints. "Our focus is on the victims, that's what matters to us," Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said during the news conference. "The victims in this case, unfortunately, had to wait." More from Columbus Dispatch: Former Faith Life Church employees allege nondisclosure agreements meant to silence them Thorp said victims came forward as early as December but the Licking County Sheriff's Office didn't receive the case until February. Faith Life Church is in the part of New Albany that lies within Licking County. "When we were asked, we felt obligated. The church is in our county, and we felt justice wasn't being served to these victims," Thorp said. Court records show Keesee is next scheduled to appear in court April 23 for an arraignment. Contributing: Dean Narciso and Shahid Meighan, the Columbus Dispatch This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Ex-official at Ohio megachurch accused of grooming young girls Kash Patel speaks after being sworn in as FBI Director in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington DC, On February 21, 2025. (Photo by PEDRO UGARTE/AFP via Getty Images) Photo by PEDRO UGARTE/AFP via Getty Images A former FBI analyst who resigned over FBI Director Kash Patel and President Donald Trump announced he was running for Congress on Tuesday. John Sullivan is challenging New York Republican Rep. Michael Lawler for New Yorks 17th Congressional District. For 17 years, I served in secret, protecting us from threats like Russia, foreign terrorists and drug cartels, and eventually the insurrectionists who stormed our Capitol, Sullivan wrote online. Now, Im stepping out of the shadows to run for Congress. Im a dad, a husband, a public servant and a cancer survivor, he added in his campaign video. He also labeled Rep. Lawler Elon Musks favorite congressman. Sullivan said he resigned from the bureau over the Trump administration in April. He blasted Trump and Patel as threats to American safety and security. Last week, after nearly 17 years on the job, I resigned from the FBI, he posted on X. I saw the threat Donald Trump and Kash Patel are to American safety and security and I couldnt stand idly by any more. He linked to his full resignation letter on Substack, which lamented Trumps pardons of around 1,500 individuals connected to January 6. He alleged that those pardoned were violent insurrectionists.(RELATED: Murderers, Rapists And Robbers: Biden Goes On Commutation Spree For Christmas) Ive listened as employees recounted harrowing moments when violent insurrectionists, within hours of release, called their homes and threatened revenge, he wrote. These threats are real because Trump released 1,500 violent insurrectionists into our communities. Sullivan also tweeted that working on January 6 cases was one of [his] proudest moments in the FBI. Over two dozen FBI confidential human sources (CHSs) were in Washington, D.C. in connection to events that took place on Jan. 6, 2021. Sullivan also claimed Patel seeks to make the FBI Trumps personal detective agency, investigating and harassing people that Trump and Elon disagree with. The FBI complied with Trumps Department of Justice (DOJ) in February and handed over the names of employees involved in January 6 cases. During the Biden administration, the FBI reportedly raided the homes of pro-life protesters and January 6 defendants. The bureau also surveilled school board parents, according to whistleblower Stephen Friend, and allegedly punished whistleblowers. Sullivan worked in the Washington, D.C. and New York FBI field offices, according to his Substack. The former agent said he eventually served as the Section Chief of the Intelligence Workforce Development Section in the Directorate of Intelligence. Scientists found that two FDA-approved drugs can restore insulin production in just 48 hours. (CREDIT: CC BY-SA 4.0) In a major breakthrough for diabetes treatment, scientists have found a new way to regenerate insulin-producing cells. This approach could change how type 1 diabetes is treated, moving beyond just managing symptoms to restoring lost function in the pancreas. For decades, people with type 1 diabetes have depended on daily insulin injections to stay alive. Now, researchers have shown that certain drugs can wake up dormant cells and turn them into ones that act like insulin-producing beta cells. A bold step beyond insulin injections Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys beta cells in the pancreas. These cells are crucial because they produce insulin, the hormone that helps your body manage blood sugar. Without them, blood sugar levels can spiral out of control, leading to serious complications. Treatments have come a long way, but even the best ones dont stop the ongoing loss of beta cells. They help you manage blood sugar, not fix the root problem. Researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute have advanced efforts to restore insulin production by reprogramming pancreatic stem cells. (CREDIT: Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute) Todays standard treatments often involve transplanting either the whole pancreas or isolated islets. These approaches work but come with big downsides. Organ availability is limited, and patients need immunosuppressant drugs to avoid rejection. Those medications can cause serious side effects. Thats why scientists are looking for better answersones that can help the body grow its own insulin-producing cells again. Awakening cells inside the pancreas Researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Australia believe theyve found a solution. Led by Professor Sam El-Osta, the team discovered that cells inside the pancreas can be reprogrammed to produce insulin again. These cells, known as ductal progenitor cells, are found in the small tubes that carry digestive fluids through the pancreas. For years, scientists debated whether these cells could become insulin-producing beta cells. Now, the evidence is growing stronger. In their study, El-Ostas team used cells from both children and adults with type 1 diabetes, as well as from people without diabetes. They exposed these pancreatic duct cells to two FDA-approved drugs: GSK126 and Tazemetostat. Both drugs target EZH2, a protein that helps control which genes are active or silent. After just 48 hours of drug exposure, the cells began producing insulin and responding to glucosejust like normal beta cells do. Related Stories Rewriting the pancreass epigenetic code The key to this transformation lies in epigenetics. Instead of changing the genetic code, epigenetics changes how that code is read. EZH2 is a histone methyltransferase. That means it places chemical marks on DNA-packaging proteins called histones. These marks can either silence or activate nearby genes. In healthy people, EZH2 helps maintain the identity of different cell types. But in diabetes, it seems to suppress the potential of ductal progenitor cells to become beta cells. By blocking EZH2 with drugs like GSK126 and Tazemetostat, the researchers were able to remove those silencing marks and unlock the regenerative potential of these cells. They showed that the shift from a repressed to an active chromatin statemarked by changes in histone modifications H3K27me3 and H3K4me3was essential to kickstart insulin production. Once these marks were altered, the cells not only made insulin but released it in response to glucose, a key hallmark of true beta-cell function. Researchers say the breakthrough could lead to an alternative treatment to regular insulin injections. (CREDIT: ABC Tropical North: Sophie Meixner) Small molecules with big potential The two drugs used in this study are already approved to treat rare cancers. Tazemetostat, known under the brand name Tazverik, was approved by the U.S. FDA in 2020 to treat certain types of sarcoma. GSK126 is a research compound also targeting EZH2. What makes these findings exciting is how quickly the drugs workwithin just two daysand the fact that they can trigger insulin production even in cells from donors with long-standing diabetes. One earlier case study had hinted at this possibility, showing beta-like cell activity from a single type 1 diabetes donor. But scientists needed broader evidence. This new study provides that, using samples from people ranging in age from seven to 61. It also answers the lingering question of whether changing gene activity alone could lead to real insulin productionnot just in theory, but in practice. According to the research, these effects werent limited to young donors. Cells from older individuals with long-term diabetes also responded. That means age or disease duration may not be a barrier to regeneration. Like these kind of stories? GetThe Brighter Side of News' newsletter Revisiting a long-debated idea The idea that cells in the pancreatic ducts could give rise to insulin-producing ones isnt new. Early studies suggested a link between duct cells and islets, the clusters where beta cells live. Injuries to the pancreas, such as duct ligation or partial removal, led to signs of regeneration, especially when certain factors like NGN3 were presentmimicking what happens in embryos. Still, for years, many scientists believed adult humans couldnt grow new beta cells from ductal sources. Key lineage-tracing studies failed to find proof, and the idea lost favor. Instead, the focus shifted to encouraging existing beta cells to replicate, though that happens at low rates. Now, newer technologies like single-cell RNA sequencing have brought fresh insights. Some studies show that ductal NGN3-positive cells can turn into adult beta cells. Others have demonstrated that alpha cells, which make a different hormone, can transform into beta cells under the right conditions. These discoveries open the door to new strategies for cell regeneration, not only in labs but potentially in patients as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUunTUOwph0 From the lab bench to the bedside The Baker Institute team believes their work is just the beginning. Dr. Keith Al-Hasani, a JDRF Senior Research Fellow, said the next step is testing this approach in preclinical models. If successful, the goal is to develop these drugs into therapies that can help people living with diabetes make their own insulin again. This could be a game-changer. Not only for people with type 1 diabetes but also for those with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes, who make up nearly a third of all type 2 cases. It also reduces reliance on organ transplants, which are costly, limited, and risky. The findings were published in Nature, one of the worlds most respected science journals. They underscore the power of combining molecular biology with clinical insight to solve one of medicines toughest problems. Pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 catalyses pancreatic progenitor activation and -cell maturation. The schematic outlines the progression from pancreatic multipotent progenitors to mature insulin-secreting -cells, highlighting the regulatory target of EZH2 inhibitors, GSK126 and Tazemetostat. (CREDIT: Nature) A growing global crisis The need for new treatments has never been more urgent. Over 530 million adults worldwide live with diabetes. That number is expected to rise to 643 million by 2030. Diabetes accounts for nearly 10% of all deaths globally. Current therapies, though helpful, do not stop the slow destruction of beta cells. This research offers hope for reversing that trend. By targeting the bodys own stem-like cells in the pancreas, scientists might soon replace the need for lifelong insulin shots with a regenerative medicine approach. As Professor El-Osta put it, We consider this regenerative approach an important advance towards clinical development. His teams work shows that with just a short burst of drug treatment, insulin production can be restoredan idea that could redefine the future of diabetes care. Note: The article above provided above by The Brighter Side of News. Like these kind of feel good stories? Get The Brighter Side of News' newsletter. China has warned it will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner - AFP Beijing has threatened to punish countries that appease Donald Trump in trade deals while hurting Chinas interests. Chinas commerce ministry said it will firmly oppose any nation striking a deal at its expense, and will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner. The warning follows reports that the US president will pressure nations, including the EU and UK, into restricting their trade with China in exchange for tariff exemptions. China has retaliated to Mr Trumps tariffs of 145pc by hitting US imports with levies of 125pc, effectively halting trade between the two countries. The US president paused the wave of tariffs he imposed on all countries on liberation day April 2, with the exception of China, singling out the worlds second largest economy. A spokesman for the ministry said: China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of Chinas interests. If this happens, China will never accept it and will resolutely take countermeasures in a reciprocal manner. China is determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests. Appeasement will not bring peace, and compromise will not be respected. To seek ones own temporary selfish interests at the expense of others interests is to seek the skin of a tiger. As part of trade negotiations with the US, it is understood that countries will be urged by Mr Trump to block cheap Chinese imports and prevent Chinese firms from expanding to their territory, as well as shipments passing through their countries. The warning is a test for Britains loyalties to the US, as Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, prepares to visit Washington this week to discuss a trade deal with officials from the Trump administration. It is hoped that a trade deal between the UK and the US could be agreed within weeks. However, in an interview with The Telegraph on Friday, Ms Reeves rejected Mr Trumps attempt to isolate Chinas economy. She voiced her support for strengthening ties with Beijing, adding that it would be very foolish for Britain to disengage with the country. Ms Reeves said: China is the second biggest economy in the world, and it would be, I think, very foolish to not engage. Thats the approach of this Government. The Chancellor also suggested that she would back Shein, the Chinese fast fashion giant, in its attempts to float on the London Stock Exchange. As part of her Washington trip, the Chancellor will have her first face-to-face meeting with Scott Bessent, Mr Trumps treasury secretary. She is also scheduled to meet G20 and G7 finance ministers in Washington and attend the International Monetary Fund annual summit. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A Florida couple accused of killing and dismembering a 16-year-old girl this year may both face the death penalty, officials said. Steven Gress, 35, is accused of luring Miranda Corsette through a social media application in February before he and his girlfriend, Michelle Brandes, 37, killed her around a week later, authorities allege. They were arrested last month and charged with first-degree murder. Gress was also charged with kidnapping and has pleaded not guilty to both charges. St. Petersburg police said Corsette was staying with Gress and Brandes after she was lured to their home on Feb. 14. She was reported missing to the Gulfport Police Department on Feb. 24. Investigators believe a dispute happened Feb. 20 and that Gress and Brandes beat Corsette. According to arrest affidavits, the couple "repeatedly beat" and tortured her while they held her captive for a week and eventually suffocated her by stuffing a billiard ball into her mouth and wrapping her face with plastic wrap. Miranda Corsette. Officials did not specifically stipulate what the reason for the dispute among Gress, Brandes and Corsette was, but they said the couple "felt the victim had stolen a ring," according to affidavits. "The defendant and co-defendant then dismembered the body of the victim and discarded the victim in a dumpster in Ruskin, Florida," the court documents say. Attorneys for Gress and Brandes did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sixth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bruce Bartlett filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty last month, citing the "especially heinous, atrocious" nature of the crimes Gress and Brandes are accused of committing. "The capital felony was a homicide and was committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification," the notice read. The state attorney's office would not comment further. Gress and Brandes will be arraigned Thursday, according to court records. ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. Two hours into a town hall meeting in this small New Jersey town, a man took out his phone, hands shaking, and began filming. "Are you aware that he's committed welfare fraud?" the man asked Englishtown Mayor Daniel Francisco, referring to the borough's newest councilman, John Alite, whose mob past has drawn an unusual amount of attention to the quiet borough east of Princeton. "He's started a new life!" a resident shouted back. "We don't want to hear any of this!" another resident declared. "Go! Go! Go!" residents chanted. The support for Alite was palpable. The man who brought up the accusation of welfare fraud, who admitted to working for Alite's former boss John Gotti Jr., left the room, leaving a packet of handouts on a seat on his way out. A resident snatched up the stack of papers before anyone could read them and later handed them to Alite. More: Englishtown council loses four members, gains ex-mobster as critics slam mayor as autocrat More: Englishtown clerk: I was fired for being a whistleblower who questioned police spending Englishtown Councilman John Alite speaks to a resident on Friday, March 21, 2025 at the Englishtown Municipal Building in Englishtown, New Jersey. It's certainly not the back-and-forth you would expect in a town meeting for a small historic place like Englishtown, which has a population of about 2,300 people. Alite by his own admission is a former mobster who ran with the Gambino crime family, one of the five major families who for decades controlled organized crime in New York City. He pleaded guilty to racketeering activity in federal court, which included two murders, four murder conspiracies, at least eight shootings and two attempted shootings. He has also acknowledged that he was part of armed home invasions and robberies in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. Alite said in an interview that the home invasions and robberies were committed against drug dealers. In New Jersey, disqualification from serving a public office is limited to crimes involving a person's public office or public employment. Jersey Shore mob history: Mafia kingpin Vito Genovese lived in these Monmouth County homes Drugs, gambling, kidnapping and murder Alite had a reputation for brutality, according to his 2021 book "John Alite Mafia International," which was cowritten with Lou Romano. It was that reputation and his connection with John Gotti Jr. that drew him into the mob. Gotti Jr. is the son of John Gotti Sr., who was the boss of the Gambino crime family from 1985 to his imprisonment in 1992. A 1989 New York Times article placed Alite, then 26, with Gotti Jr., then 25, at a restaurant in Long Island where they got into a brawl. Englishtown Councilman John Alite, center, a former Gambino crime family hitman, takes a selfie with activists Edward "Lefty" Grimes, left, Bayonne, and Mike Vintzileos, North Plainfield, after the Wednesday, April 10, 2025, meeting at the Municipal Building. Alite would later move to New Jersey and then Florida, where he was involved with drug trafficking and extortion. As investigators were closing in, Alite fled to Brazil in early 2004, according to a St. Petersburg Times article at the time. Alite was accused of "controlling illegal businesses, illegal gambling, extortion, drug trafficking, money laundering, kidnapping and murder as a top lieutenant in New York's Gambino family," according to the article. After spending 10 months in Brazil, the FBI tracked down Alite at an internet cafe. Alite would then fight extradition for over two years in a prison in Brazil before being handed over to the FBI in late 2006. In early 2008, Alite pleaded guilty to a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act conspiracy charge and admitted to the two murders and shootings, local news outlets reported at the time. He began to cooperate with prosecutors, including in a case against Gotti Jr., who had succeeded his namesake father as boss of the Gambino crime family. In 2011, Alite was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Some of the 10 years was considered served due to time spent in jails in the US and Brazil and, according to the Tampa Bay Times, he received an additional 20-month reduction in his sentence. He was released in 2012. Gotti Jr.'s case ended in a mistrial, with some jurors stating they did not believe Alite, who was the chief witness. Accused mafia boss John "Junior" Gotti leaves Federal Court in Manhattan March 10, 2006, after his trial ended with a mistrial on Friday when a jury deadlocked for the second time in six months. Life after the mob Since Alite's release in 2012, he has declared himself to be a reformed man, doing interviews with news stations about his former life and recording podcasts. Alite said he moved to Englishtown after his daughter Chelsea died from using fentanyl in 2022. His family had owned a house in Englishtown but had been renting it out. Alite said after his daughter's death, he decided to move to the sleepy town to forge a new life. Englishtown Councilman John Alite, a former Gambino crime family hitman, speaks with Councilwoman Janet Leonardis after their Wednesday, April 10, 2025, meeting at the Municipal Building. In March, Alite was appointed to the town council to fill a vacancy with support from Francisco, the mayor of Englishtown, and other local leaders. Francisco said he and Alite have known each other for a few years. "Our understanding of each other is hanging out at these local businesses, hanging out with our business owners and talking about the issues that our town faces, mostly around the prospect of trying to get development going," Francisco said. Alite described Francisco as a nonjudgmental person who doesn't care about his past criminal record. The two don't discuss the past much, but Francisco has taken an interest in Alite's role as a speaker, sharing cautionary tales from his days in the Gambino crime family. NJ mobsters: 8 notorious Jersey Shore wise guys "I have a big interest in drug issues, whether its this town or around the country," said Alite. "(I) took a big interest in that after being devastated like hundreds of thousands of families have." Alite's talks also discuss the dangers of drug use but mainly center around his life of crime and how he managed to turn his life around. "I dont run from (my past). Im not proud of it. Im ashamed of it," he said. Alite is not up for election until 2027. Englishtown Mayor Daniel Francisco, left, and Councilman John Alite, a former Gambino crime family hitman, interact with a resident during the public portion of the Wednesday, April 10, 2025, meeting at the Municipal Building. Contributing: Christopher Cann This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: This New Jersey councilman was once a killer for Gambino crime family Getty (3) demi moore When we say the name "Demi Moore," you instantly picture her thick, waist-length center-parted brunette mane, a look so striking it's become her signature. But long before she became synonymous with that hairstyle, the actress did her fair share of experimenting, from her famous G.I. Jane buzz cut to short bobs and fluffy bangs and there was an era where she ditched the jet black to become a blonde. And though she assured us several years ago that we're unlikely to see any dramatic hair changes from her in the near future, we don't mind looking towards the past for some fun throwbacks (and ongoing inspo!). As we celebrate the 62-year-old being named PEOPLE's Most Beautiful Person, look back at her iconic hair history below. Early on the Scene Erik Hein/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Demi Moore in 1981 Moore made her debut in the 1981 film Choices. At the time, she was rocking this Farrah Fawcett-inspired feathered cut. Mild Modifications Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Demi Moore with bangs She switched it up a bit around 1986, cutting some blunt bangs while keeping her tresses long. Curly Girlie Art Streiber/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Demi Moore with curly hair She gave curls a whirl in this photo shoot from the mid-'80s; at the time, Moore was pregnant with daughter Rumer. To the Theatre Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Demi Moore Never afraid to try new things, she cropped her hair into the pixie that would become her signature in the late '80s and early '90s. In this 1989 photos, she sets off the short cut with a string of pearls at the premiere of We're No Angels in New York. The 'Ghost' Era Paramount Pictures/CBS via Getty Demi Moore in 'Ghost' But it wasn't until 1990 that the haircut became a global phenomenon after she solidified her leading lady status with her riveting portrayal of Molly in Ghost. Having Fun Eric Robert/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Demi Moore at Deauville Film Festival Later in the year, Moore did a complete 180 and went blonde. Above, she's pictured at the Deauville Film Festival rockin' her new do. Bob's the Move Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Demi Moore in 1992 By 1992, she was back to black and began growing out her pixie into a sleek bob. She while at the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO)/ShoWest Convention in Vegas. Full Bodied Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Demi Moore in 1993 How luscious was this voluminous curly bob she rocked at the same convention the following year? A Bald Move Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Demi Moore in 1996 Moore gave us yet another iconic look when she fearlessly chopped off all her hair to play Lieutenant Jordan O'Neil in 1997's G.I. Jane. Curls Are Back Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Demi Moore at the 64th annual Oscars She wore a curly, highly-teased updo for the 64th annual Academy Awards that same year. Long Hair Don't Care Robin Platzer/Twin Images/Liaison Demi Moore in 2001 Moore entered her long hair, don't care era at the turn of the millennium. Here, she shows off her waist-length tresses at an Adweek party in 2001. (Not) An Angel SGranitz/WireImage Demi Moore 'Charlie's Angels' premiere She may have played a villain, but Demi Moore's tresses looked heavenly at the L.A. premiere of Charlie's Angels 2: Full Throttle in 2003. For the Fashion Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic Demi Moore in 2008 In 2008, she added some waves to her look for the Chanel Cruise Show in Santa Monica, Calif. Serving Face Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic Demi Moore in 2010 Moore's high cheekbones and defined jawline were perfectly framed by soft curls for the 2010 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute event. Making Waves Stewart Cook/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Demi Moore She was back to waist-length in 2019 as she attended the 30th Annual Friendly House Awards Luncheon. Braided Up Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Demi Moore in 2020 For Harper's Bazaar Paris Fashion Week Exhibition in 2020, Moore opted for a rare updo with a braided crown. Winning Look Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Demi Moore 2025 For her big night at the 2025 Golden Globes, Moore accentuated her strapless Giorgio Armani Prive dress with long, glossy dark curls. The actress would win her first Globe for her performance in The Substance. Off to the Oscars Frazer Harrison/WireImage Demi Moore in March 2025 She turned heads once again a few months later when she showed up in another stunning Armani for the Academy Awards. Her best accessory? Her gently curled, waist-length hair. Read the original article on People Harvard University merchandise is displayed in a store window across from campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on April 16. - Sophie Park/Bloomberg via Getty Images The Trump administration appears open to negotiations with Harvard, even after Americas most prestigious university sued the federal government setting up a clash over academic freedom, federal funding and campus oversight. Last week, administration officials reached out to Harvard representatives three times in an effort to restart talks, a person familiar with the outreach told CNN. The nations oldest university indicated it was not interested in negotiating, the person said. Two sources tell CNN all outreach attempts were informal. Barring a settlement, the legal showdown over frozen federal funds will likely take years to play out and could end up at the Supreme Court. At one point, before the filing of the lawsuit, Harvard President Alan Garber considered meeting with President Donald Trump, The New York Times reported Tuesday. A White House official told CNN, The President is always willing to meet with leaders from across the nation on issues he is focused on. However, the official added, No meeting is under consideration at this time. Some of the universitys donors urged the institutions secretive board, the Harvard Corporation, to make a deal with the administration last week, something the corporation isnt currently interested in doing, The Times also reported. The administration intends to continue a dialogue with Harvard, said Education Secretary Linda McMahon, insisting the White Houses recent demands are not about curbing freedom of speech. Harvard has emerged as a symbol of resistance against Trump, who has been trying to reclaim colleges and universities and has framed the conflict as a fight against antisemitism. The university says the White House is trying to control the Harvard community. The White House official compared conversations around federal funding for higher educational institutions to Trumps tariff policies subject to negotiation. President Trump is a results-driven president. He truly wants to have a deal at the end of the day, the official said. The Trump administration has already rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion programs, arrested international students and revoked their visas, and frozen federal funding for schools that refused to submit to its demands. Harvard said the administration has cut the funds to gain leverage over the university and the move is part of a pressure campaign to force the school to submit to governmental control, according to court documents. The governments actions threaten Harvards academic independence and are part of a broader effort by the Government to punish Harvard for protecting its constitutional rights, Harvards lawyers wrote. The new Harvard lawsuit argues the Trump administration has failed to establish any tie between the crucial funding cuts and fighting antisemitism. The Government has not and cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain Americas position as a global leader in innovation, said the lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court. The case has been assigned to US District Court Judge Allison Burroughs, an Obama nominee who was involved in a previous landmark case involving the university. Burroughs, who did not earn her bachelors or law degree from Harvard, upheld Harvards admissions process in a 2019 ruling that was overturned by the Supreme Courts landmark decision ending race-conscious admissions in American colleges. Harvards suit against the Trump administration comes as prominent Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and Harvards chapter of the Hillel student organization, have publicly questioned the administrations broad attacks on the university. (S)huttering apolitical, life-saving research; targeting the universitys tax-exempt status; and threatening all student visas is neither focused nor measured, and stands to substantially harm the very Jewish students and scholars it purports to protect, Harvard Hillel wrote Saturday. Demands for immediate cooperation The escalation between Harvard and the Trump administration intensified quickly, according to court documents. In March, the federal government sent a letter to Harvard saying the school was being investigated for its failures to curb or combat antisemitism on campus. A similar letter with demands for policy changes had been sent to Columbia University, and federal agencies soon announced a review of more than $5 billion in grants to the Ivy League school. Antisemitic incidents on college campuses increased by 84% between 2023 and 2024, accounting for 18% of all incidents, an annual audit from the Anti-Defamation League said Tuesday. Some occurred during protests between mid-April and mid-May 2024 in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Columbia later announced several changes to address the Trump administrations demands, an apparent concession to the federal government. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt takes a question during the April 15 press briefing, at which she was asked about the administration's decision to cut Harvard funding. - Win McNamee/Getty Images The White House continued targeting universities Princeton, Cornell and Northwestern all had funds frozen or suspended and on April 11 sent Harvard a list of policy changes it wanted implemented, demanding immediate cooperation if the university wanted to maintain Harvards financial relationship with the federal government. The list included eliminating the schools diversity, equity and inclusion programs, banning masks at campus protests, merit-based hiring and admissions reforms and reducing the power held by faculty and administrators more committed to activism than scholarship. A New York Times report suggested the letter inadvertently had been sent prematurely. Still, Harvard put out a response three days later, publicly rebuking the Trump administration, saying it would not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. The Trump administration retaliated by freezing $2.2 billion in multiyear grants and contracts, making plans to rescind Harvards tax-exempt status and threatening the schools ability to host international students. The school sued days later. If the case were to end up at the Supreme Court, it would be heard by a bench that includes four Harvard alumni: liberal Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, along with Justice Neil Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts, both conservatives. Justices are unlikely to recuse themselves from a case based solely on having studied at an institution involved. Jackson recused herself from a case involving affirmative action at Harvard because she was on the schools board of overseers; the other three Harvard alumni ruled in that groundbreaking case. I think Harvard, for now, is insisting on treatment thats consistent with law, former US Treasury Secretary and former Harvard University President Larry Summers told CNNs Kaitlan Collins Tuesday. It seems to me plain to anybody who reads the statute that the Trump administration is in massive violation of the law. Severe and long-lasting consequences Billions of dollars, along with jobs, research and Harvards ability to administer financial aid are not the only things at stake. The standing of American higher education is also on the table, Harvard President Garber said Monday in a statement. Garber signed a letter with more than 100 presidents of colleges, universities and scholarly societies, opposing the Trump administrations pressure on academic institutions. As leaders of Americas colleges, universities, and scholarly societies, we speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education, said the letter released Tuesday by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight. However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses, wrote the presidents including leaders of Princeton and American universities adding, The price of abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education will be paid by our students and our society. McMahon, the education secretary, reitereted the adminstrations stance. I made it very clear that these are not First Amendment infractions. This is civil rights. This is making sure that students on all campuses can come and learn and be safe and that is why we have had these funds either withheld or frozen during this period of time of negotiation, she said on CNBCs Squawk Box. McMahon did not respond directly to a question about whether the Trump administrations demand in its April 11 letter for viewpoint diversity among Harvard students, faculty and departments, to be audited by a third party, is really about free speech. We had hoped Harvard would come back to the table to discuss these. We would like to have viewpoint diversity, the education secretary replied. The letter, she added, was intended to have both parties sit down again and continue their negotiations. The White House official who discussed conversations about funding cast the response from Harvard as grandstanding and political antics that set back the good faith negotiations on our part. It is the White Houses hope, this official said, that Harvard comes to the table and corrects course. Money speaks and when money is getting dried up because their donors arent buying into what theyre selling anymore and the federal government isnt there to pad their pockets, they want to remain the envy of the world when it comes to research and science and academia and they can only do that if they work with this administration, the official said. The ultimate goal, the official said, is to end antisemitism, end discrimination, end inequality with the hope of universities that dont take advantage of the American people and dont bloat systems to overpay professors that look down on the American people. This is an easy thing to resolve if the other side wants to play ball, the official said, pointing to agreements made between the Trump administration and some law firms it has targeted. Garber said last week the demands in the letter were unprecedented and made to control the Harvard community, adding that the university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. One of Harvards best-known educators, constitutional law professor emeritus Laurence Tribe, said he believes the universitys decision to take the administration to court will give courage to other embattled institutions. I think that Harvard is encouraging many others to stand up, because when we win and we will they will realize that going along with dictatorial demands doesnt get them anywhere, Tribe told CNNs Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday. Harvard, the worlds wealthiest university, has an endowment of $53 billion, which could help cushion cuts. About 80% of that money is earmarked for financial aid, scholarships, faculty chairs, academic programs or other projects, according to the school. The remaining 20% is intended to sustain the institutions future. Demonstrators rally on April 12 at Cambridge Common in a protest organized by the city of Cambridge calling on Harvard leadership to resist interference by the federal government. - Nicholas Pfosi/Reuters But the lawsuit paints a bleak picture of that future if Harvard has to dip into university coffers for too long. Eventually, Harvard will be left operating at a significantly reduced level, the complaint says. If Harvard continues to replace the frozen funding from its own resources, it will be forced to reduce the number of graduate students it admits and the number of faculty and research staff it pays to conduct research, the lawsuit says. The Trump administrations threats against Harvards tax-exempt status and its ability to host international students could put even more pressure on the universitys funding, and more federal money could get withheld. The National Institutes of Health announced Monday it would pull medical research funding from universities with diversity and inclusion programs. Of the $686 million in Harvards federal research funding in fiscal year 2024, $488 million came from NIH, according to the Harvard Crimson. The government is slamming on the brakes on research and the victims will be future patients, Garber said. Research on childhood cancer, infectious disease outbreaks and how to ease the pain of soldiers wounded on the battlefield would all be affected, Garber added. The indiscriminate cuts, he said, would undermine Americas position as a global leader in innovation, adding, The consequences of the governments overreach will be severe and long-lasting. Harvards many partnerships with other universities, private companies, and state and local agencies mean the freeze on funding will touch off widespread economic harm, the lawsuit argues, noting, Harvard is one of Massachusetts largest employers. The freeze creates a ripple effect extending beyond Harvards campus by stifling job creation in the research sector across the nation, reducing intellectual property development, and delaying scientific and medical advances that boost the national economy, the lawsuit says. CNNs Shania Shelton, Brad Lendon, Matthew Rehbein, Andy Rose, Michelle Krupa and John Fritze contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An Idaho woman was issued a citation after she interrupted the speaker and was forcibly removed from an Idaho GOP town hall. The Idaho woman who was forcibly dragged out of a Republican town hall in February is seeking $5 million in damages. Teresa Borrenpohl was dragged from her seat and onto the floor by private security guards who did not identify themselves after she disrupted a GOP town hall in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, on Feb. 22, according to video of the event and statements from officials. Borrenpohl filed a notice of tort claim on Monday with the Kootenai County Clerk, asserting that a group of men which she says includes Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris and a private security company hired for the event violated her constitutional rights. "Town halls are intended to foster conversation and discourse across the aisle, which is why I am deeply alarmed that private security dragged me out of the public meeting for simply exercising my fundamental right of free speech," Borrenpohl said in a statement. Norris and the private security firm, LEAR Asset Management, did not immediately return requests for comment. The court filing comes several days after the Coeur d'Alene City Attorney's Office said in a statement on April 17 that it had filed charges against six men involved in the event. Paul Trouette, Russell Dunne, Christofer Berge and Jesse Jones were all charged with battery, false imprisonment, security agent uniform violation and security agent duties violation, according to the attorney's office. Alex Trouette was charged with security agent uniform violation and security agent duties violation, and Michael Keller was charged with battery, the statement said. It was not immediately clear whether any of the men had legal representation. NBC News' attempts to reach the Kootenai County office of the Idaho Public Defender were unsuccessful. The February town hall was hosted by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee. The committee, in a Facebook post at the time, stated that Borrenpohl "shouted down legislators with insults," thereby disrupting the town hall. She was eventually asked to leave. At the time, the chairman of the committee, Brent Regan, said Borrenpohl was removed by "licensed and bonded professional security" after interrupting the event at least seven times. He accused her of having a history of disrupting meetings. All of the town hall attendees were told that they would be removed if they did not "respect the rights of others," Regan said. According to a video of the incident, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris asked the woman to leave, but she refused. After attempting to remove Borrenpohl himself by pulling her arm, Norris instructed men wearing black clothing to remove her. Video shows Borrenpohl asking the men who they were, but they did not answer. She asked Norris if the men were deputies; he also did not reply. Norris was seen on the video shouting at Borrenpohl to leave as she accused the men of assaulting her. She was then physically dragged out of her seat and onto the floor. Coeur d'Alene Police Department Sgt. Jared Reneau told NBC News at the time that the police chief recommended revoking the city's license for LEAR Asset Management, the security company for which the men dressed in black worked. The company has since had its business license revoked for violating Coeur d'Alene City ordinances regarding security markings and identification, according to NBC News affiliate KTVB of Boise. After the incident, Borrenpohl told KTVB that she felt her First Amendment rights were taken from her in that moment. "I could have never imagined my right to free speech and my right to assemble could be stripped in such a violent way," the statement said. "Due to the sensitivity and shock of the matter, I am unable to speak on this situation immediately, but I will make my voice heard when the time is appropriate." Dr. Shawn Frehner/Facebook A Nevada veterinarian who was allegedly seen kicking a horse in a video that went viral on social media and then reported missing was just found dead at a lake near Las Vegas. Authorities discovered the body of Dr. Shawn Frehner, 56, on April 18, near the Boulder Islands at Lake Mead, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, KSNV and KTNV, who cited a statement from the National Park Service. Authorities did not announce a cause or manner of death for Frehner, who was reported missing nearly two weeks ago. According to the outlets, he was identified using dental records. The National Park Service had been leading an expansive search for Frehner, partnering with the Nevada Department of Wildlife and volunteers. According to the outlets, a missing persons report released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated they were looking for Frehner because he left behind his wallet, keys and a cellphone inside his unoccupied truck found at Lake Mead. Frehners father, Rex Frehner said that his son did not have a history of medical or mental health conditions and has never made any threats to hurt himself or anyone else, according to a missing persons report obtained by the Las Vegas-Review Journal. Frehners disappearance came just days after he was seen allegedly kicking a horse in a viral video that spread across social media. On April 3, he was called to administer anesthetic shots for horses at a property located about 60 miles west of Las Vegas, Shawna Gonzalez, the property owner, told 8 News Now. I heard [my mother] yell, Oh my God. He just kicked him, Gonzalez said, per the outlet. Oh my God, Mom, hes choking, she added. He wrapped the horse around his neck three times, and he kicked him in the head. Gonzalez said the horse was treated for abrasions to the skull and other injuries, per the outlet. She then pushed for animal cruelty charges, which led the Nye County Sheriffs Office to open a criminal investigation against Frehner. Related: Nev. Veterinarian Was Allegedly Seen Kicking a Horse in a Viral Video and Now He's Missing Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. After the video circulated, Frehner responded to the allegations on social media. I did not blatantly haul off and kick this horse as it appears in the video. That was not my intention at all, Frehner said, per the Las Vegas-Review Journal. It was done simply to get the horse in a better position so that he could breathe and get up and move so I could again try to anesthetize. Gonzalez said in a text to the outlet that she was sorry to hear about Frehners death. I had no idea this would happen, Gonzalez wrote. But I was not the one bullying. I am not sorry for standing up for my horse. I am their voice and will continue to be. Read the original article on People Karen Read chats with reporters while returning to court following the lunch break with her defense attorney Robert Alessi at her trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) The second murder trial of Karen Read, whose case has sparked a national debate on police accountability and won her legions of supporters, began Tuesday, with prosecutors and defense lawyers presenting theories during their opening statements about how her Boston police officer boyfriend ended up dead. Read is accused of striking John OKeefe with her SUV in 2022 and leaving him to die alone in the snow outside of a house party in Canton, a town about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Boston. She is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene. During the first trial last year, prosecutors said Read intentionally backed into OKeefe after she dropped him off at a house party and returned hours later to find him dead. The defense said she was a victim of a vast police conspiracy and that OKeefe was fatally beaten by another law enforcement officer at the party. A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile. A new prosecutor, Hank Brennan, is heading the state's case for the retrial. Attorney Alan Jackson presented the defense's opening statement. Heres the Latest: Read talks to reporters after Day 1 of her retrial Read briefly spoke to reporters while leaving court, taking the opportunity to again say she isnt guilty. She also praised her legal team. I cant be prouder and Im fortunate to have them, Read said. Weve got the truth. After her remarks, Read entered a black van and that drove off. Testimony is set to resume on Wednesday. Testimony concludes for the day The first day of Karen Reads retrial has ended. OKeefes friend Kerry Roberts was testifying when the judge called the day to a close. She is expected to resume testifying on Wednesday. The trial is expected to be lengthy, and attorneys were able to get through opening statements and two witnesses on Tuesday. The judge reminded jurors not to discuss the case outside court and not to follow news reports about it. O'Keefe's friend describe's Read's call telling her he had died Kerry Roberts testified about receiving an early morning phone call from Read and that Read told her, Kerry! Kerry! Kerry! John is dead. Read also said, I think something happened to John. I think he got hit by a plow. He didnt come home last night, Roberts testified, describing her friend as hysterical during the call. She said Read also told her that We drank so much that I dont remember anything from last night. Roberts said she assumed at first that OKeefe had been out drinking and had probably spent the night on someones couch. State calls a new witness from scene of death The state has called a new witness in Kerry Roberts, a close friend of OKeefe who was present at the scene when OKeefes body was found. Roberts has previously spoken about finding OKeefes body in the snow. She described herself Tuesday as helpful to OKeefe when he first started caring for his sisters children. Roberts said she became closer with OKeefe after he assumed care of the children. I jumped in because he was a friend I knew from high school, Roberts said. We were just friends. Very close friends. Paramedic says Read kept repeating that she had hit OKeefe The paramedic who was called to the scene where OKeefe died testified that after Read told him that she had hit OKeefe with her SUV, he heard her repeat the claim several other times in the background. Jackson pushed back against Timothy Nuttalls assertion, suggesting that the paramedic was changing his testimony. You didnt clarify that she was running around like a chicken with her head cut off screaming I hit him to everybody else, Jackson said. Nuttall acknowledged that he wasnt focused on what she was saying at that point, since he was providing patient care. Defense presses paramedic about the scene of O'Keefe's death Reads lead attorney pressed paramedic Timothy Nuttall about details from the scene of OKeefes death in an attempt to portray his recollections as unreliable and fuzzy. Nuttall provided details about Reads appearance and statements at the scene during the investigation. Jackson also pressed Nuttall over what the attorney described as his inconsistent testimony. Outside the courthouse, snacks and solidarity Some of Reads supporters spread out a picnic blanket covered in free snacks outside the courthouse. Dina Warchal of Waltham said she is fighting for Reads freedom and improvements in police operations. Im out here to show her support and to keep protesting because this movement has no quit, and we want changes in everything that has to do with this trial as far as police procedures and an innocent woman being framed for a crime she didnt commit, Warchal said. We just want the corrupt police officers held accountable for what theyve done," she said. Jackson calls Nuttalls testimony inconsistent Jackson described paramedic Timothy Nuttalls testimony about the scene of OKeefes death as inconsistent. During cross-examination, the defense lawyer noted that during Reads initial trial, Nuttall testified that Read told him twice that she hit him. But on Tuesday, Nuttall said she said it three times. In response, Nuttall told Jackson that Read said it three times. He said Read made the statement when he arrived at the scene and found OKeefe in the snow. Paramedic testifies that Read said 'I hit him' Read had blood on her face at the scene of OKeefes death and said I hit him, I hit him, I hit him, paramedic Timothy Nuttall testified. During opening statements, the jury was told to expect to hear Nuttall testify that Read used the words I hit him. The defense, though, denies that the statement is incriminating. When Read made the statement, she had blood on her face, Nuttall told the court. Police testified during Reads first trial that she had blood on her face from attempting to perform CPR on OKeefe. Paramedic says O'Keefe was very cold when he arrived The paramedic who responded to the discovery of OKeefes body said OKeefe was very cold when he arrived at the scene. Timothy Nuttall told the court that he checked OKeefe for signs of life but found none. He said the death was a cardiac arrest in a hypothermic setting. Nuttall said hypothermia doesnt constitute a medical diagnosis in that context, but that it makes clear that OKeefe had been in the snow for some time. A paramedic is the first witness called to the stand Timothy Nuttall is the first witness called to the stand. He is a paramedic who treated OKeefe at the scene that night. The trial is expected to last several weeks, and both sides have warned jurors that they might need to sit through a long and difficult stretch of witness testimony and evidence. Investigators and acquaintances of OKeefe and Read are expected to take the stand. The judge earlier reminded the jury to give all witnesses equal weight. Trial takes a short break before testimony begins The trial took a brief recess after prosecutors and defense lawyers concluded their opening statements. The two sides painted very different pictures of the night of OKeefes death. Reads attorneys portrayed her as a victim of a police cover-up, while the state described Read as guilty of killing a beloved family man after their relationship soured. The case will resume with testimony shortly. Read's lawyer concludes his opening statement As he did during the first trial, Jackson said Reads taillight was damaged that morning as she clipped another vehicle at OKeefes house, where she was staying, not from hitting OKeefe after she dropped him off at the party. He said the defense will introduce a video to show how the taillight was damaged. During the course of this trial, the commonwealth is going to desperately claim that Karen Read taillight was actually damaged by hitting John OKeefe, he told jurors. Theyll have no evidence of it mind you. None. But theyll make the claim. Jackson called the case the very definition of reasonable doubt and said prosecutors can not meet their burden of proof when every piece of this case was handled by a disgraced investigator with a motive to protect his friends By the end of this trial, youll conclude that Karen Read is not guilty of hitting John OKeefe with her SUV. There was no collision, he said. Shes the victim of a botched and biased and corrupted investigation that was never about the truth, folks. It was about preserving loyalty. Defense says O'Keefe's injuries weren't consistent with being struck by a car Jackson said OKeefes injuries do not suggest he was hit by a car at all. Not a bruise, the defense lawyer said. Jackson told the jury that they will learn OKeefe had abrasions consistent with being bitten by a dog. He said the injury to OKeefes head was also not consistent with falling backwards onto the ground, as prosecutors alleged. Jackson said medical evidence will also establish that hypothermia was not a factor, as prosecutors alleged. He said OKeefe was injured somewhere warm and then moved, and that establishes reasonable doubt. Defense says a police cover-up led to Read being blamed Jackson described the states case as hinging on fired state trooper Michael Proctor, whom he described as a cancer. Proctor was the lead investigator in the Read case. Jackson said Proctor is the key to the states case and is also its Achilles heel. Jackson listed a litany of failures in the investigation, including that investigators didnt search the house, secure the crime scene or properly collect evidence. He then touched on sexist and crude texts about Reads family and colleagues that surfaced during the first trial and eventually led to Proctors firing. Jackson characterized Read as victimized by a police culture that sought go protect fellow cops. Defense says O'Keefe wasn't hit by Read's car Reads defense team used its opening statement to describe her as a victim of a cover-up and to stress that she didnt kill OKeefe. At the end of the day folks, there was no collision with John OKeefe, Jackson said. The defense attorney said the case will show that OKeefe wasnt hit by Reads car. He acknowledged that OKeefes death was a tragic loss, but said the investigation was corrupted by bias and deceit. The evidence in this case will establish ... above everything else three points there was no collision with Jon OKeefe. There was no collision. There was no collision, Jackson said. John OKeefe did not die from being hit by a vehicle. The facts will show that. The evidence will show that. The data will show that. The science will show that and the experts will tell you that. Prosecutor says Read's relationship with O'Keefe was deteriorating Read and OKeefe were headed to the end of their relationship before OKeefe died, Brennan said. He described how the couples relationship was faltering before OKeefe died. They were arguments a few days before OKeefe was killed and that OKeefe had asked Read to leave, he said. Brennan said text messages will be presented showing the tension between the couple and how Read would become irate when her calls werent returned. You will read those text messages and you will realize this was the beginning of the end of this relationship, he told the jurors. Prosecutor describes OKeefe as family man Brennan told the jury that OKeefe was a family man who was a pillar of his community and was much more than just a police officer. OKeefe was a single parent of two children whom he adopted when his sister and her husband died within months of each other, Brennan said. Brennan said he cared for the children as if they were his own and provided them stability and love. OKeefes tumultuous relationship with Read changed all that, Brennan said. They led a good life, Brennan said. Enter Karen Read. New prosecutor makes opening statements Brennan began opening statements by describing the scene where OKeefe was found dead. He opened by describing how firefighters and paramedics got a call about a cardiac arrest. They jumped into the ambulance and headed out in near blizzard conditions. Their ambulance was sliding along the road and they couldnt hear anything beyond the sound of the siren. Arriving at 34 Fairview Road, they came upon a chaotic scene. He stepped out into bedlam, Brennan said. He heard a woman screaming. They came upon Karen Read, who he said told paramedics, I hit him, I hit him. It was at that time in the words of the defendant that she admitted what she had done that night, that she hit John OKeefe, Brennan said. JUST IN: Opening statements begin in Karen Reads second murder trial three years after police officer boyfriends death Judge addresses the high profile nature of the trial The judge addressed the heavy public interest in the trial before opening statements began. Judge Beverly Cannone told the jury to ignore public comment about the trial while it is going on. She also told jurors its important not to conduct independent research or look at news coverage of the trial. You will decide what the facts are, where the evidence is contested, you will determine where the truth lies, she said. This trial will be decided by you, an independent jury. Cannone also told the jury not to use social media during the trial. Jurors enter the courtroom, receive instructions and hear the charges The jurors have entered the courtroom and received their instructions for the trial. After giving them the instructions, the judge asked if they had refrained from discussing the case or doing any independent research about it. The court also heard the charges against Read. The judge addresses attorney motions Judge Beverly Cannone said she received four motions over the weekend that need to be addressed. She ruled that the defense cant mention a consulting firm in their openings, which led the defense to request to be heard. They then entered into a sidebar with the defense arguing the firm should be mentioned. The courtroom is packed, with little room for anyone other than essential court personnel and media. The retrial will happen in the same tiny courtroom used for her first trial The trial seats about 10 people on both sides. Reads family is on one side and the OKeefes are on the other about 10 on each side. Read could be seen chatting and smiling with her attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yannetti. Reporters are behind them, sitting on stools. Security is tight around the courthouse Barriers are set up on both sides of the street in front of the building. Several state troopers and police officers are also positioned around the courthouse. Police ordered a truck driver who slowed down to yell Free Karen Read to move along, and also chased off someone who was shooting video with their phone. Read arrives at court Read arrived at court just before 8:50 a.m. to some cheers from assembled supporters. Family members from both sides also arrived just before 9 a.m. Read smiled briefly as she entered the court. She did not answer a question about whether she was ready for her second trial. The court had a police presence to try to maintain order as supporters gathered outside. Read supporters gather outside court Supporters of Karen Read have assembled outside court in advance of her new trial. The scene among supporters is similar to a reunion, with people hugging one another and calling out their names. Ashlyn Wade, a Read supporter from Canton, where John OKeefe was killed, said she was there to hopefully see Read cleared of charges. Im here for justice, she said. The murderer going to jail and Karen being Exonerated that would be justice. Dennis Sweeney, dressed as the judge in the case and wearing a pink T-shirt emblazoned with the word assassin. which was inspired by Reads defense team, said he returned for the second trial because: Karen Read is factually innocent and we want her freed. KETV NewsWatch 7/Youtube Nebraska plane crash, Platte River Authorities in Nebraska have a 12-year-old to thank after she called 9-1-1 to report a fatal plane crash. Paisley Fenner spoke exclusively to the ABC affiliate KETV about the harrowing call she made to 9-1-1 moments after a small aircraft plunged into the Platte River south of Fremont at 8:15 p.m. local time on Friday, April 18. It was like a 'boom' and you could hear the impact when it landed, she told the outlet. All three individuals onboard Randy Amrein, 48, Jeff Bittinger, 50, and Daniel Williams, 43 died in the crash, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office confirmed in a statement on Facebook. Jeff Schoneck, who lives in the same neighborhood as Paisley, told the news station that its not unusual to hear loud noises along the river and disregard them as airboats or cannons. Related: 3 People Dead After Plane Suddenly Crashes into a River in Nebraska, Leaving No Survivors We stepped outside, and we were like, Thats an airplane,' Paisley said. And then my first instinct initially was just, call 9-1-1, Paisley explained, adding that shes never had to make that type of call before. Nikos Frazier/Omaha World-Herald via AP Plane crash in the Platte River Thats just my first instinct, she said. Ive never had to do that before, but I knew that was what I needed to do. According to Paisley, while she made the call to dispatchers, her community came together to try to save the people on the airplane. I was calling 9-1-1, they were all loading up the airboat, we were rounding up dogs, trying to make sure everybody was okay and safe, and then being able to get out there and help them, Paisley said. Don and Donna Lackas, two elderly residents who have lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years, told KETV that the community always looks out for one another. Nikos Frazier/Omaha World-Herald via AP Plane crash in the Platte River Anything, any kind of disaster or anything that goes on out here, the neighbors are the first ones to help, Donna said. Paisley said shes still processing the tragedy. Yesterday we were still all in shock and we were still trembling, crying, and shaking. And today, its still kinda the same way. Were still trying to fathom what happened, she told the news station. Ive seen it on the news and stuff, plane crashes, but I didnt think it would happen in my backyard." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The sheriffs office said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the fatal crash. Although the cause of the crash is unknown at this time, reports circulated of severe hailstorms in Fremont in the 24 hours prior. The NTSB will provide a preliminary report within 30 days, while a final report that will detail the probable cause and contributing factors may take up to two years to complete. Read the original article on People Lion safari iStock.com/phototrip There are so many impressive creatures that roam freely in Africa, and going on an African safari is the coolest way to see them firsthand. Sure, zoos are great. But finding a black rhino in the wild or seeing the way giraffes interact in their natural habitat is an indescribable experience. Plus, just think of the amazing photos you can take if you see a real-life buffalo, cheetah, or chimpanzee up close! If youre planning a trip to Africa, which is no small undertaking, then you want to maximize your time there, which means a safari should be at the top of your to-do list. Although no tour can guarantee animal sightings, these highly rated tours, staffed by locals who are intimately familiar with the landscape, are your best chance of finding great spots to snap photos or simply soak in the moment. Its truly a bucket list experience, and with one of these amazing options booked, youll be all set. Get ready for an adventure in Africa that youll never forget. African Wildlife Safaris: Ultimate South Africa Here, a lioness snuggles with her cub in the Kruger National Park in South Africa. Thomas Retterath/iStock via Getty Images When you think of African safaris, youre probably picturing South Africa, home to one of the most iconic wildlife safari destinations: Kruger National Park. On the Ultimate South Africa trip, you will see the Big 5 animals (lions, leopards, cape buffalo, elephants, and black rhinos, which are the most sought-after animals on the continent) at the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park. Youll go out on game drives, then relax in luxurious guest suites. Later, take a flight to Pretoria, where you can go on a stunning train ride to Cape Town. Youll also see the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve by horseback or check out the Marine Big 5, consisting of the great white shark, southern right whale, bottlenose dolphin, the Cape fur seal, and the African penguin. Incredible is an understatement. Prices vary and are available upon request. Learn more at AfricanWildlifeSafaris.com. Natural Habitat Adventures: Secluded Botswana Safari More than 70,000 elephants live in Botswanas Chobe National Park. iStock.com/Ondrej Prosicky Get fully immersed in the wildlife in Botswana on this Natural Habitat Adventures 12-day trip. Over nearly two weeks, youll see elephant herds, hippos and crocodiles, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, lions, leopards, and more wildlife in their natural habitats. Its the safari of your dreams! Fly just over the border in Zambia to begin your trip, where you will search for white rhinos in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Cross the border and visit Chobe National Park in Botswana to see its famous elephant herds. Youll also get to see big game in Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, stay in the organizations exclusive safari camp inside Okavango Delta to spot wild birds, and fly to Nat Habs Gomoti Camp-Okavango South to see a diverse medley of creatures. Prices start at $17,795. Learn more at NatHab.com. Ashanti African Tours: Ghana, Togo, and Benin Wildlife Tours See leopards in the savanna of West Africa and chimpanzees in the local rainforests. UrmasPhotoCom/iStock via Getty Images Visit West Africa to go on a safari tour in Ghana, where you can see black-bellied and white-bellied pangolin, forest elephants, bongos, chimpanzees, and other creatures in the local rainforests or the African elephant, leopard, lion, hyenas, and more in the savanna habitat of central Ghana. Ashanti African Tours offers a special three-country experience in their Ghana, Togo, and Benin Wildlife Tours, where you can see the Upper Guinea rainforests in Ghana and the wildlife park Pendjari in Benin, as well as dancing horses in northern Togo. If youre looking for an African safari that is a little different, this one is perfect. Prices vary and are available upon request. Learn more at AshantiAfricanTours.com. National Geographic Journeys: Kenya & Tanzania Safari Black rhinos are rare, and seeing one would be a highlight of a trip to Tanzania and Kenya. iStock.com/Black Rhinoceros, Rhinoceros, Savannah, Tanzania, Animal All the animals you might expect to see in an African safari like zebras, lions, and elephants and more await you on the National Geographic Journeys tour through Kenya and Tanzania. Lucky explorers might even spot the rare black rhino in the wild! This trip includes a visit to six different national parks, from Kenyas Masai Mara to the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Youll start in Nairobi, where youll see the pink flamingos and other birds at Lake Nakuru. Later, youll unpack your bags at the safari lodge inside Lake Nakuru National Park and go on a drive to spot rhinos. When you wake up, youll get another tour of this stunning area, where you can look for buffalo, impalas, lions, and other animals out in the wild. Other highlights in the trip include seeing hippos in Lake Naivasha; wildebeest, zebras, and giraffes on Crescent Island; lions and elephants on the Masai Mara National Reserve; leopards in the Serengeti National Park; and so much more. Overall, this trip will take you through six wildlife refuges, where you will stay in a variety of hotels and campgrounds. Its truly an immersive experience. Prices begin at $9,549 for 14 days. Learn more at NationalGeographic.com. Jenman African Safari: Madagascar Diving & Wildlife Adventure See the Indri Indri, the largest lemur species, on a trip to Madagascar. Pierre-Yves Babelon/Shutterstock.com Visit Madagascar for a different type of safari one thatll take you under the sea! Jenman African Safari offers many different Madagascar tours, including this one that shows you both land animals like Indri Indri, the largest lemur species, and sea creatures. Start in Nosy Sakatia, a little island in Madagascar reachable by a boat ride from Nosy Be Island. Here, youll stay in Sakatia Beachfront Villas. (Can you say paradise?) For the next few days, youll get to scuba dive in the clear blue waters and see the coral reefs, spinner dolphins, migrating humpback whales, sea turtles, and other species. From there, youll fly to Ivato Airport and make your way to Andasibe National Park, where youll see the beautiful rainforest. Guests will also visit Lemur Island to see these cuddly creatures up close. It may not be your typical African safari, but itll be a wonderful adventure, nonetheless. Prices start at $2,210. Learn more at JenmanSafaris.com. The post 5 Top-Rated African Safaris That Blow Your Mind appeared first on A-Z Animals. Every shelter dog deserves the night that Nina had recently. The dog got to experience some true lovin at the hands of one of the shelter volunteers when the woman brought her home for a sleepover. How cute! Now the dog needs someone to come and adopt her, so that every night will be just as fun as this one. Nine is currently at City Dogs in Cleveland, Ohio where shes getting the best care. However Nina needs so much more than a shelter can give her. Which is where you can step in. All it takes is one person going the extra mile for a rescue dog to totally change their day. Just take a look at how much the Pit Bull was loving all the one-on-one time with the shelters volunteers. She was really into every moment. Look at how comfy she got on the volunteers couch! Related: Moment Terrified Rescue Pit Bull Finds Courage to Step Out of Crate Is Everything What a gentle, sweet girl! But as the shelter themselves noted, the fun cant stop here. Shes ready for a home of her own, they explained. The Pittie has been waiting for a permanent place since December. Lets see that she gets one! People in the comments section were hoping pulling for Nina. Someone please bless this beautiful pup with a forever home, wrote one person. Im so glad she got to go on a sleepover. What a relief to get a break from the shelter. I love how comfortable she is. Hopefully her new lucky family sees this video and goes and adopts her, chimed in another commenter. It wouldnt last as a sleep over. They would be home. I couldnt return them without a part of me dying inside, admitted one person. May Nina get the comfiest couch to melt into furever, someone else added. If Ninas stolen your heart, you can still apply for adoption! Just head to the City Dogs website and fill out their online forms. This good girl could be yours! And just think of all the sleepovers youll have in the future! 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. Kennedy News and Media Gemma Underwood says after an intense workout she developed rhabdomyolysis. Gemma Underwood was hospitalized after her muscles swelled and her urine turned a dark brown, comparing it to Coca-Cola The 41-year-old was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening injury caused by intense workouts that requires extensive rest She said she was "very scared knowing I could have died" A woman was hospitalized with a severe reaction to working out that caused her muscles to balloon and her urine to turn dark. Gemma Underwood, 41, is an orange belt in karate, and said she felt sore after an intense session in March, according to The Daily Mail. But the next morning, Underwood who hails from the South Ayrshire in Scotland woke up and couldnt get out of bed. Her muscles were swelling and her urine was so dark she compared it to Coca-Cola. She rushed to the emergency room, where doctors diagnosed her with rhabdomyolysis. Its a rare muscle injury where your muscles break down, the Cleveland Clinic explains. It can also be fatal: Its a life-threatening condition that can happen after an injury or excessive exercise without rest. Kennedy News and Media Gemma Underwood developed rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening muscle condition. Related: Former High School Coach Accused of Forcing Students to Do 400 Push-Ups with No Break as Punishment In Underwoods case, her rhabdomyolysis was fueled by a lack of water. Doctors said I wasn't hydrated enough while doing an intense workout. I should have been drinking more water before, she shared. In rhabdomyolysis or rhabado your muscles break down (disintegrate), which leads to muscle death. When this happens, toxic components of your muscle fibers enter your circulation system and kidneys. Underwood was hospitalized for five days, where she received intravenous fluid and needed a catheter. Shes now home, but said, I'm very drained treatment can take a few weeks or a few months depending on complications. Related: Tufts Lacrosse Players All Released from Hospital After Developing Life-Threatening Muscle Condition in Workout I am currently resting, no exercise at all for at least three weeks, and drinking plenty of fluids, Underwood explained. It's really important to know the symptoms, which are muscle pain and weakness, and dark urine. I was very scared knowing I could have died. Make sure you're hydrated before any workout, it doesn't matter how intense it is, she cautioned. It's something that can happen to anyone. 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. Read the original article on People Lindor hits 2 more homers and the Mets hang on to beat the Phillies 5-4 NEW YORK (AP) Francisco Lindor hit two more home runs, including a leadoff shot for the second consecutive day, and the New York Mets held off the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 on Monday night in the first meeting this season between the NL East rivals. Jesse Winker also went deep as the first-place Mets won their fifth straight game and improved to 10-1 at home. After the Phillies scored four times in the ninth inning, Edwin Diaz struck out Trea Turner and Bryce Harper to earn his sixth save. Tylor Megill (3-2) allowed one hit and matched a career high by striking out 10 over 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Lindor drove the fifth pitch from Aaron Nola (0-5) off the facing of the second deck in right field. Last year's NL MVP runner-up made it 5-0 in the seventh with a three-run homer to right-center just about the same spot at Citi Field where his grand slam last October helped the Mets eliminate the Phillies with a 4-1 victory in Game 4 of their Division Series. Lindor has five home runs this season four in the last four games, including a walk-off shot. It was his 20th multihomer game at shortstop. The only players with more are Alex Rodriguez (33) and Ernie Banks (24). Philadelphia mounted a comeback in the ninth. J.T. Realmuto hit an RBI single against Max Kranick before Bryson Stott launched a three-run homer off Diaz. But the star closer then shut the door. Nola was charged with four runs and seven hits in a season-high 6 1/3 innings. Key moment With the Mets holding a 2-0 lead, Reed Garrett struck out Realmuto to strand runners at the corners in the sixth. Key stat Lindor joined Kaz Matsui (2004) and Curtis Granderson (2017) as the only Mets with leadoff homers in consecutive games. Up next Mets RHP Griffin Canning (2-1, 3.43 ERA) opposes Phillies LHP Cristopher Sanchez (2-0, 2.96) on Tuesday night. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb St. Cloud Police Department Gene Stuller Authorities in Florida have arrested a suspect in the 34-year-old cold case murder of a single mother who was brutally stabbed and left to die on the side of the road. The St. Cloud Police Department announced the arrest of Gene Stuller, 72, who is now charged with the murder of 27-year-old Julia Wilbanks in 1991. Police Chief Douglas Goerke said at a news conference that advancements in DNA technology in this case genetic genealogy allowed police to match the DNA found on Wilbanks' body to Stuller. Wilbanks died after being "brutally stabbed approximately 17 times, including fatal wounds to her heart," Chief Goerke said. She had been dead on the side of the road for over 24 hours before a group of motorists noticed her body and then flagged down a passing police officer, Goerke said. St. Cloud Police Department Gene Stuller Related: Mom Was Found Dead in Ditch with Her 3-Year-Old Unharmed. Decades Later, Police Identify Her Killer The news of Stuller's arrest for this crime shocked a number of his neighbors in Apopka, a city located approximately 20 miles northwest of Orlando. "Nice fella I don't know what happened," Gerald Lamm said in an interview with WESH. Lamm went on to call Stuller "outgoing" and "jolly" before adding: ""I like the guy, he's always been a good guy I'm going to miss 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. Chief Goerke said that the case had been reopened back in 2012, but it was not until earlier this year that police found a possible match to the DNA found on Wilbanks' body. Officers then conducted surveillance on Stuller and were able to obtain a straw he used, which provided them with enough DNA to make a match, Choef Goerke said, St. Cloud Police Department Stuller is now charged with second-degree murder and disturbing a body. He is set to make his first court appearance this week. It was not immediately clear if he has retained an attorney or entered a plea. "The St. Cloud Police Department is committed to seeking justice for Ms. Wilbanks and her family, as well as other unsolved cases," said Chief Goerke. "As science becomes more advanced, it gives us opportunity to solve cases that couldn't be solved in the past." Read the original article on People A Texas man will spend months in prison after pleading guilty to trafficking six endangered spider monkeys, according to federal prosecutors. Sarmad Ghaled Dafar, 33, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced on April 18 to four months in federal prison and ordered to pay $23,501.70 in restitution to cover the cost of quarantining three of the trafficked monkeys in California, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California said in a news release. According to a charging document obtained by USA TODAY, Dafar used the alias Sam Scorpio to conduct the trafficking and paid others involved at least $6,400 for the monkeys. This crime ripped weeks-old baby monkeys from their mothers, disrupted fragile ecosystems, endangered a vulnerable species, and posed significant public health risks, said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon in the release. This is not merely an economic crime; it is a severe and lasting injury to both wildlife and public safety. Since he pleaded guilty, Dafar was ordered to turn himself in on or before May 29, according to the U.S. attorney's office. A Mexican spider monkey being quarantined in California. The monkey and two others were found in August 2023 during a trafficking operation. How did investigators find out about Sarmad Dafar? The crime was discovered on Aug. 14, 2023, when Dafars co-conspirator tried to smuggle the three undeclared monkeys into the U.S. at the Calexico West port of entry, the charging document says. An inspector stopped the operation and found the three monkeys two girls and a boy in a black bag, per the court document. The co-conspirator told authorities that Dafar was supposed to pay him $2,700 each for the three monkeys. Officials searched the co-conspirators phone and found evidence that the monkeys were being smuggled for Dafar, according to the charging document. Investigators also found evidence that it wasnt the first time Dafar had arranged the smuggling of Mexican spider monkeys. He had previously smuggled three of them into the U.S. in June 2022 and July 2023, although authorities do not know what happened to the monkeys during those incidents, the court document says. Rescued spider monkeys at Brookfield Zoo Chicago in Illinois. Facebook messages helped prosecute Sarmad Dafar Prosecutors used Dafars Facebook messages as evidence in the case, according to the U.S. attorney's office. In June 2022, Dafar sent a Facebook message to a potential customer and said he had a baby monkey arriving in two weeks. He told the customer that someone would be sending him the monkey from California, and that while the monkeys go for $15,000, hed sell it for $8,000, according to the charging document. A trafficked Mexican spider monkey. The photo was sent to a potential customer during a wildlife trafficking operation. Dafar had one of the monkeys under a heat lamp in one photo, suggesting that he knew the baby monkey he was selling had been prematurely taken from its mother, the court document says. He was arrested on April 3, 2024, in Texas, and then U.S. Marshals took him to California, the court document shows. Spider monkeys now safe in new home The three monkeys that Dafar tried to smuggle into the U.S. in June 2022 and July 2023 were not quarantined, the U.S. attorney's office said. Quarantine is required by law to prevent potential diseases from spreading, prosecutors said. In cases such as these, Gordon said smuggling animals into the country can lead to dangerous diseases such as Ebola, Marburg, monkeypox, and simian immunodeficiency virus. Trafficked Mexican spider monkeys photographed by a man who later pleaded guilty to smuggling the endangered animals into the United States. To quarantine the monkeys seized in August 2023, the animals were sent to the Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center in Escondido, about 40 minutes away from the San Diego Zoo, a spokesperson for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance told USA TODAY on April 22. After quarantining, the monkeys found a permanent home at Brookfield Zoo Chicago in Illinois as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Wildlife Confiscations Network, prosecutors said. Brookfield Zoo Chicago said in its news release that the animals first arrived to the U.S. malnourished and traumatized." Wildlife experts in Texas and California have since been rehabilitated the monkeys and they recovered well before being sent to Brookfield Zoo Chicago in Illinois. While zoo visitors cant see them yet, guests will be able to see them this summer, when the zoo opens its new primate exhibit, Tropical Forests. Mexican spider monkeys are an endangered, protected species, according to Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Spider monkeys were taken from multiple mothers who were likely hurt in the process, prosecutors say Wildlife experts in California conducted genetic tests and proved that the three Mexican spider monkeys all had different mothers. Their exams also found that the monkeys were 6 to 8 weeks old when they were brought to the U.S, per court documents. The monkeys nurse throughout the first year of their lives, prosecutors said in a news release. Typically, they are not fully independent until they reach 2 years old, and most baby Mexican spider monkeys will stay with their mothers until they are 4 years old. U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents testified in Dafars case and said Mexican spider monkey mothers will not give their babies up willingly. They are part of troops, and these troops of spider monkeys defend mothers and their babies from threats, prosecutors said, quoting wildlife officials. Spider monkeys who were rescued after they were smuggled into the United States from Mexico. A Houston, Texas man pleaded guilty to smuggling them into the country. The monkeys now have a home at Brookfield Zoo Chicago in Illinois. To pry the babies away from their mothers, poachers often kill or incapacitate the mothers and their troops, prosecutors said in the release. According to wildlife experts, over 50,000 live animals were seized or abandoned at U.S. ports of entry between 2015 and 2019, and spider monkey confiscations are rising. Traffickers often target spider monkeys because they are small, and they are viewed as exotic pets, Brookfield Zoo Chicago said. The story has been updated to clarify that the monkeys were rehabilitated before they arrived to Brookfield Zoo Chicago in Illinois. Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man sentenced for baby spider monkey trafficking in California New Delhi At least 26 people were killed and many others injured Tuesday, the vast majority of them tourists, when suspected militants opened fire on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir, according to Indian authorities in the region. Tens of thousands of Indian security forces spread out across Kashmir a day after the attack, as police, army and paramilitary forces continued their manhunt for the perpetrators. Many businesses were closed Wednesday to protest the brutal attack on civilians, heeding a call from Kashmiri religious groups and political parties. The attack took place in South Kashmir's Pahalgam area, a scenic destination dotted with meadows and glaciers that attracts hundreds of thousands of Indian and foreign tourists every summer. That tourist traffic has increased over the last year, as militant violence in the wider Kashmir region, which is disputed between India and neighboring Pakistan, has waned. There was a heavy security presence outside the government hospital where tourists received treatment after being injured in a militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India, April 23, 2025. / Credit: Nasir Kachroo/NurPhoto/Getty "Our reports say that two-three militants appeared and opened indiscriminate fire at the tourists," The Indian Express newspaper quoted a senior police officer as saying, without naming him. "The death toll is still being ascertained so I don't want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years," Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, wrote in a post on social media. Abdullah called the attack "shocking beyond belief" and said no words of condemnation could be sufficient to chastise those behind the shooting. U.S. President Donald Trump pledged his support for India after the deadly attack. "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir," Mr. Trump wrote on social media. "The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism." An image from video broadcast by India's ANI news agency shows security forces near to the scene of a deadly attack on tourists by suspected militants in Kashmir, April 22, 2025. / Credit: ANI/Reuters The attack came as U.S. Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife Usha and their children, paid a largely personal visit to India. Vance met earlier in the week with India's leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Usha Vance is a practicing Hindu whose parents are from India. It was the worst attack in the conflict-hit region in nearly a year, and it came at a time when tourism in Kashmir was recovering. The last major attack happened in June 2024, when nine people were killed and 33 injured as militants attacked a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims. Eight pilgrims were killed and 19 injured in a similar attack in the region in 2017, when militants attacked a bus carrying them back from the famous Amarnath Cave Temple in south Kashmir. Kashmir is claimed in full by both India and Pakistan, but each nation has controlled its own portion of the mountainous region for decades. The scenic Himalayan region has been hit regularly by militant violence since an armed anti-Indian insurgency began in 1989. The simmering conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives over more than three decades. "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest," Prime Minister Modi said in a social media post. "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice... they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger." India's Home Minister Amit Shah said he would visit the region to review security measures. "Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased," Shah said in a social media post, adding: "Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences." Kristi Noem says she's "very confident" undocumented migrants stole her purse Ashlie Crosson named 2025 National Teacher of the Year Kristi Noem says if Kilmar Abrego Garcia returned to U.S. we'd "immediately deport him again" A man whose identity had remained a mystery since his death over 20 years ago has now been finally identified, thanks to groundbreaking genealogy techniques. The man was found alive but unconscious on the sidewalk of Third Avenue and West Madison Street in Phoenix in August 2004. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died of heat exposure, but medics and police at the time were unable to discern his name and no next of kin came forward. He was 6 feet 2 inches tall, had scars on his abdomen and forearms, and was estimated to be between 30 and 55 years old. The Phoenix Police Department followed the standard process of identification entering fingerprints and a DNA sample into police databases but had no success for decades. However, after a series of specialist genealogy labs collaborated with authorities on the John Doe case, two living third cousins were identified, and the man has been confirmed as John Thiellesen. John Thiellesen. According to police in Toledo, Ohio, who appealed for information on his whereabouts as recently as 2023, Thiellesen was reported missing there by his brother in 2004. Police said Thiellesen suffered from mental health problems and called his sister to say he had "cleansed himself" and was planning on jumping into a river. It's unclear how he ended up in Phoenix. The breakthrough in identifying Thiellesen came after the medical examiner in Maricopa County referred the case to the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center in New Jersey in September 2024. From there, a blood sample was sent to genomic researchers at Genelogue in Georgia, and then to Parabon Nanolabs in Virginia, for bioinformatics research. The resulting genotype was uploaded to DNA databases, and undergraduates and staff at Ramapo searched in vain for a match. Then, between the last day of the semester and the winter break, the staff found the cousins and Christen Eggers, senior medicolegal death investigator in the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, confirmed it was Thiellesen. Eggers said in a statement that the college's work "has become a beacon of hope for individuals and families across the nation" whose loved ones have gone missing. "This case showcases the power of investigative genetic genealogy to close longstanding missing persons cases," Cairenn Binder, assistant director of the IGG Center at Ramapo, said. "Every John and Jane Doe is the answer to a family missing a loved one, and we will continue to do everything in our power to keep restoring their names and providing those answers." The IGG center has helped solve 28 cases and is currently working on 39 others. The wife of former Sen. Bob Menendez, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, has been convicted of helping her husband collect bribes. Arslanian Menendez was charged in a sprawling indictment brought by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York on 15 counts including bribery, extortion and obstruction of justice in a multi-level scheme that traded in envelopes of cash, gold bars and a new Mercedes for official acts that benefited Qatar and Egypt. She was found guilty on all 15 counts on Monday afternoon in federal court in lower Manhattan. U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein set sentencing for June 12. The federal indictment against Arslanian Menendez and her husband was first unsealed in September 2023 and was updated with superseding indictments three times in October of that year and in January and March 2024. It alleged that Menendez, his wife and three New Jersey businessmen, Wael Hana, Fred Daibes and Jose Uribe, were part of a bribery scheme. Menendez and his wife allegedly received, among other things, cash, gold bars and a luxury car in exchange for the use of his political influence. After a nine-week trial last summer, Bob Menendez, Daibes and Hana were found guilty on a combination of 18 counts, including bribery. After the verdict, Arslanian Menendezs attorney Barry Coburn addressed the media outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Court House. She stood next to him, wearing dark sunglasses and a pink mask. We respect the judge and we respect the jury for its hard work, Coburn said. None the less this is a very rough day for us. You know, [there is] no doubt in my mind that the jury thinks what they found was right. Theres no point in me standing and debating that. But, this is not over. There will be other days. He said that Arslanian Menendez would not be addressing the press directly when she was asked about her health. He also had no comment on where the former senator was. Coburn said they were devastated by verdict and that they fought hard and it hurts. He also said it is quite possible that Arslanian Menendez would seek a delay in sentencing. Manhattan, NY October 18, 2023 Nadine Menendez, involved in the bribery case involving Sen. Robert Menendez, exits the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan. During the senator's trial, his attorney put the blame on his wife, calling her "dazzling," and said they had separate lives even while living together. Arslanian hid financial challenges from her husband before they met and during their time together, Menendez's lawyer, Avi Weitzman, said in his opening remarks. Weitzman also pointed out that the now-infamous gold bars were found in Arslanians locked closet, not Menendez's. The jury in Arslanian Menendez's trial deliberated for several hours Friday afternoon and again on Monday before reaching a verdict. Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison, Hana more than eight years and Daibes seven years. Daibes was fined $1.75 million; Hana was fined $1.3 million. All three are appealing their cases. Arslanian's trial lasted about four weeks, with frequent adjournments for motions and possibly for medical reasons. A different prosecutorial approach Mitchell Epner, an attorney with Kudman Trachten Aloe Posner who has 30 years of experience with government enforcement, compliance and white-collar litigation, said the senator's trial had different issues that needed to be handled delicately with the speech and debate clause. It slowed things down, and there were very specific things that had to be proven on multiple schemes, Epner said. With Arslanian Menendez's trial, the issues were broader. The government needed to prove that she was part of funneling bribes to her husband and if she knew what she was doing, Epner said. The granular details were not as important in the way they were with him. Menendez, Daibes and Hana have all filed motions for new trials and are seeking bail as their appeals play out. After making his initial motion, Daibes was assigned to the prison camp at FCI Fairton, in South Jersey. Hana was assigned to FCI Schuylkill in Minersville, Pennsylvania. Daibes and Hana will report to federal prison on May 19, after Stein granted each a 45-day extension to allow them to prepare and then testify at the Arslanian Menendez trial. Daibes and Hana never testified. Having Daibes and Hana on a witness list was clearly a strategy Epner said. Putting them on a witness list gave lawyers the option to call them. At the end of the day, the downside of calling them was not worth whatever they were going to get with any positive testimony, he said. The cross-examination of Hana and Daibes would have had them say they were convicted of bribery and note that they are appealing the verdicts. So they would have every reason in the world to say nothing bad happened here. 'Trump is right': Menendez decries 'corrupted' justice system after 11-year sentence How did prosecutors frame their arguments? During closing statements, the prosecution rehashed the hundreds of thousands of dollars stuffed in jackets and shoes and gold bars found in Nadine and Bob Menendez's Englewood Cliffs home. At this trial you learned where all these valuables came from. You learned that they were bribes that the defendant demanded and collected from Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes in exchange for promises that the senator, her partner in crime, would take official action," United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Paul Monteleoni said. Monteleoni referred to Nadine and Bob as "partners in crime" who put his "power up for sale" while Nadine demanded and collected payments. "They promised he would take action in exchange for those bribes," Monteleoni said. Those promises included approval of military aid to Egypt, providing Egypt with sensitive information about Americans stationed abroad, and helping Egypt in other ways. They also included a promise of Menendez putting pressure on a U.S. Department of Agriculture official to stop opposing a monopoly that Egypt was giving to Hanas halal certification company. The senator promised he would pressure the New Jersey attorney general to disrupt a criminal investigation and prosecution of associates of Hana and Uribe, and to try to interfere with Daibes federal criminal prosecution, Monteleoni outlined in his closing remarks. Menendez wasn't in court with his wife on Friday when the jury began deliberating. During this trial, the level of grandeur was much lower. With the prosecution of a senator, there was serious constitutional issues at play, Epner said. I think everything they were doing was extraordinarily high-pitch. While they were clearly taking this case seriously, its just a more typical criminal case when dealing with a civilian than an elected official. What were the charges? The four were charged with 18 counts in the original indictment. Menendez faced the most, with 16, followed by his wife, with a total of 15 counts. Count One: Conspiracy to commit bribery. Count Two: Conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. Count Three: Conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. Count Four: Conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice. Count Five: Bribery: Actions to benefit Hana and Egypt. Count Seven: Honest services wire fraud: Actions to benefit Hana and Egypt. Count Eight: Extortion under color of official right: Actions to benefit Hana and Egypt. Count Nine: Honest services wire fraud: Actions to benefit Uribe and Uribes associates. Count 10: Extortion under color of official right: Actions to benefit Uribe and Uribes associates. Count 11: Bribery: Actions to benefit Daibes and Qatar. Count 13: Honest services wire fraud: Actions to benefit Daibes and Qatar. Count 14: Extortion under color of official right: Actions to benefit Daibes and Qatar. Count 15: Conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent. Count 17: Conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice. Count 18: Obstruction of justice. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Nadine Arslanian Menendez convicted in bribery scheme Lindsey Granger and Kolyn Boyd shared tips for international trips with a baby or toddler. "World of Travel"/ Gilded Focus Lindsey Granger and Kolyn Boyd travel internationally with their toddler, Kynsley. They shared their top tips for international travel with young kids. They suggest building airline loyalty, packing medicines, and avoiding bus tours. International travel can be as overwhelming as it is awe-inspiring, especially when traveling with a toddler or baby. Enter Lindsey Granger and Kolyn Boyd, the Denver-based journalist and director/producer power couple who have traveled 167,000 miles with their 3-year-old Kynsley. They share their experiences on the " World of Travel " docuseries on Samsung TV Plus. Kynsley has been on 10 international trips to seven countries, including the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, St. Lucia, France, the UK, Turkey, and Greece. Granger and Boyd shared their top tips for traveling internationally with a baby or toddler with Business Insider. Airline loyalty can go a long way when traveling internationally. Kynsley chills in a premium cabin on an international flight. "World of Travel"/ Gilded Focus International travel often comes with connecting flights, which means there are multiple opportunities for delays and cancellations. So, airline loyalty can make a huge difference in how the carrier makes amends when things go awry. Granger and Boyd learned this on a trip to Greece when Kynsley was 2. They booked with Delta, an airline where they'd built up a rewards status. What should have been a one-day, two-flight trip became a two-day, three-flight trip. Their first flight was delayed, forcing them to take an additional connecting flight domestically to arrive the same day. Then, their international flight to Greece was canceled, so they were stuck overnight in New York City. Granger recapped their entire journey with a manager. "Please show some more courtesy or sympathy for the travel plan," she recalls saying. She said Delta then upgraded their entire group to first class for their round-trip flight to Greece. "We'd spent so much money and accumulated so many points with Delta that we were able to use that as collateral in that situation," Boyd said. "They helped us all out because of the status that we had at the time." If your child travels with another adult at any point during the trip, ensure you have the correct documentation. Additional documents are often required when a child travels internationally without a parent. "World of Travel"/ Gilded Focus Granger said it's important to ensure you understand all the passport and visa documentation your child needs to enter or exit the country you're traveling to, especially if your kid will be flying with another adult during your trip. According to the US Government, many countries require a consent letter when traveling without both parents. "Kynsley traveled with us to South Africa, and on the way back, she came home with my mom and dad," Granger said. "There were so many documents that she needed, rightfully so, to leave the country with her grandparents. I've read a lot of stories about people getting held up by not having those documents." When traveling with a baby, pack a noise machine. A noise machine may make your baby more comfortable abroad. kremez/Getty Images International destinations may lack certain comforts of home that babies and toddlers are used to, so Granger and Boyd suggest finding ways to bring those comforts along. For example, when Kynsley was a baby, Boyd said she slept with a noise machine that played ocean and wind sounds. "We traveled with the noisemaker so we could create the environment at home anywhere we went," Boyd said. "And we turned it up to 10." Granger said they'd blast the sound machine at the front of her door on international trips. "Even though at home it was lower, I knew all the noise happening outside, whether it was us or friends or family we were traveling with, would not distract her if she heard the sound that comforts her," Granger said. If you're headed to Europe, pack a stroller that can manage cobblestone streets. Kynsley's stroller broke while rolling on cobblestone streets. "World of Travel"/ Gilded Focus Granger and Boyd brought a cheap, folding stroller on their trip to Greece because they thought it would be easier to travel with than a heavy-duty stroller. But once they started to roll it on the cobblestone roads of Athens, they regretted it. "It's a very old, beautiful place, but our cheap stroller could not stand up to the cobblestone," Boyd said. Their stroller broke, and they had to buy a new one in Greece. So, the couple advises looking at the terrain of your destination and finding a stroller that can handle it. "Don't sacrifice on the stroller," Granger said. "Having something that's super sturdy but also very small might be worth the investment." Granger and Boyd recommend the Guava Roam Stroller because it's compact, foldable, and sturdy on all terrains. Pack over-the-counter medications rather than purchasing them as needed at your destination. A children's medicine aisle at a US pharmacy. Jeff Greenberg/Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images When traveling to another country with Kynsley, Granger said she packs a first-aid kit with "every option available over the counter," from cough and cold to allergy medications. "She rarely needs them, but there's always something that comes up when we're in another country and I'm not positive about their equivalent for something like Benadryl, for example," Granger said. "So instead of scrambling, I just have my whole tool kit on me." Granger noted that her medicine bag is often pulled to the side at TSA checkpoints, so it takes longer to get through security. "But that hassle is way less than the stress that you might have being international, where you don't have the right tools for your baby's sickness at 4 a.m.," she added. Before your trip, look up local clinics and pharmacies. A map of clinics and hospitals in Athens, Greece. Google Maps If you forget or run out of medicine, or your child has an unexpected health concern, you'll want to be prepared. So Granger advises researching clinics and pharmacies in the area just in case. She added that many hotels have on-call services. For example, Kynsley and Boyd got sunburn in Abu Dhabi, and they had a pharmacist deliver aloe vera at midnight. Skip the bus tour. Avoid bus tours with small kids. Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto You may be tempted to take a bus tour to get a lay of the land in a foreign country. Granger and Boyd have done so with Kynsley, but they regretted it. On these tours, Granger said Kynsley just wants to move around, not sit still. "I think kids are just too antsy to spend hours on a bus just hearing somebody speaking over the loudspeaker, explaining what's out the window," she said. "I think there have to be more options for engagement." Be wary of planning walking tours on busy streets. A busy street in Milan. Joey Hadden/Business Insider When the family went to Greece, Granger wanted to kick off the trip with a food tour. Boyd and Kynsley joined for 10 minutes before going back to the hotel. Why? A high traffic volume on cobblestone side streets, from cars to bikes and mopeds, made them feel unsafe with their 2-year-old in a stroller. "They were taking us to hole-in-the-walls to try local food, and it was just uncomfortable with mopeds flying by," Granger said. "When you think about the traffic situation, it becomes harder when a baby is too little and can't walk, and with a small kid." With a toddler, try taking public transportation in places with clean, efficient systems, like Europe. Public transit in Berlin. Joey Hadden/Insider When Kynsley was a baby, Granger and Boyd avoided public transportation because lugging baggage around with a baby is challenging, as is dealing with diaper changes when trying to catch a train. Now that Kynsley is 3.5 years old, they have started doing so in places like Europe, where they've found clean, efficient trains. They said Kynsley sees the train as another activity and enjoys looking out the windows and walking up and down the cars. "My No. 1 advice for traveling with a kid on a train is to avoid rush hour," Granger said. "So the middle of the day, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., is a great time to take the train with the kid. But other than that, just avoid it." Download Google Translate and learn basic words if you're traveling to a country where you don't speak the language. Google Translate is helpful for parents traveling to foreign countries. Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto Communication can be challenging in foreign countries where you don't speak the language. And when you're traveling with a kid, there may be urgent situations where you need to get information right away, like where the bathroom is located. Granger recommends downloading Google Translate. "Most times, Google Translate is the way that we learn to speak another language very proper, not the way that people actually speak, but I think they usually get the gist and will point me in the right direction," she said. Granger said that being patient and considerate is important when asking for help. "You have to find somebody who looks open to having that conversation because people are just enjoying their regular days of their lives, not on vacation like you," she said. Before trips, Granger also learns basic words like "toilet" and "pharmacy" to facilitate communication. Read the original article on Business Insider I visited the world's northernmost McDonald's. Noah Sheidlower Troms, Norway, is home to the world's northernmost McDonald's, which draws plenty of tourists. The Troms McDonald's had some unique items and a spacious interior. The menu and decor, though, were similar to any other McDonald's in the US. When you hear the words "the world's northernmost McDonald's," you might envision a place nestled into the side of a desolate, snow-capped mountain, its servers wearing fur-lined uniforms and serving up reindeer burgers. The reality is a bit less exciting. On a recent visit to Troms, Norway home to the world's most northern McDonald's I learned that the restaurant's menu, ambiance, and service were similar to a McDonald's I could visit in the US. Still, a trip to Troms, one of the northernmost settlements in the world, would not have been complete without crossing off a bunch of northernmost feats. The Troms area, which has about 79,000 residents, is well above the Arctic Circle at nearly 70 degrees north latitude, higher than most of Canada and Russia. Troms, Norway, is one of the world's northernmost settlements. Vithun Khamsong/Getty Images Before the Troms location opened in 2024, the world's northernmost McDonald's was in Rovaniemi, a city along the Arctic Circle in Finland that hosts the Santa Claus Village. Upon its opening in 1997, Jim Cantalupo, then McDonald's International's president and CEO, quipped, "Since this restaurant is the closest to the North Pole, we hope this will become Santa's favorite neighborhood restaurant." The title had previously belonged to Murmansk, a Russian city that lost its McDonald's location in 2022 amid the invasion of Ukraine. The Troms McDonald's seats 140 and is on the first floor of an office building The McDonald's is on the first floor of a building. Noah Sheidlower/Business Insider The Troms location opened as part of a McDonald's initiative to add locations in Arctic Norway. McDonald's said it aimed to hire about 60 staff there and planned to be open between 18 and 21 hours a day. I'm someone who often seeks out hole-in-the-wall restaurants and local joints, so eating at McDonald's as my first meal in Norway didn't sit right. (Note: I still got my reindeer burger, whale carpaccio, and elk salami at other points in the trip.) Still, how many people could say they've eaten here? Turns out, quite a few. When I visited at noon, it was packed with tourists navigating the snowy streets and taking photos of the many signs indicating its status as "The northernmost McDonald's in the world." The McDonald's was clean, and a sign indicated its status as the northernmost outpost of the restaurant. Noah Sheidlower/Business Insider I also saw a few locals stopping in for a workday lunch, including some students from the local university. It took a few minutes to find an open screen to order nobody was ordering at the counter and five minutes to secure a table for five. Service was fast, and some staff delivered food to tables directly. The McDonald's had kiosk screens for ordering. Noah Sheidlower/Business Insider The interior was spacious, with about 30 or so tables, but it did not scream "Arctic" to me. I thought it resembled other McDonald's we stopped at in Scandinavia. The main dining room was bright, lit by bars of white light, and its walls and ceiling were neutral beige. McDonald's interior in Troms. Noah Sheidlower The 'Happy Fish' and 'McFeast' were menu items I hadn't seen before With all the fanfare about the location, I expected the menu to have some location-specific items. While there were plenty of options you can't find in the US, pretty much all of them are on the menus of other Norwegian McDonald's locations. Still, I was amused by items such as the homestyle hot chipotle burger, the "big tasty bacon" sandwich, the big chicken salsa, and the McFeast. Some of the sides were also compelling, including the chili cheese tops, hot wings, and sweet potato fries, coupled with various spicy and sweet dips. Given the location, I also expected more seafood options. They only had the fish McFeast essentially a Filet-O-Fish featuring lettuce, cheese, tomato, onions, pickles, and mayonnaise and a small fish sandwich called "Happy Fish." The Happy Fish sandwich is a menu item available at McDonald's in Norway. McDonald's There was a small vegetarian menu with a few sandwiches, a wrap, and a bulgar salad. Breakfast items felt similar overall to those in the US, with the exception of a McToast, a round ham-and-cheese toasted sandwich. The drinks and dessert sections were the most distinct compared to a US McDonald's. McFlurry flavors included cookie dough and regional chocolate candies like the almond-caramel-filled Daim and Non Stop, which are similar to M&Ms. I also enjoyed seeing cinnamon rolls, Oreo muffins, and different types of macarons and doughnuts. A Daim McFlurry, available at McDonald's in Norway. McDonald's Drinks that caught my eye, some of which were prepared at a different counter, included a banana milkshake, a banoffee shake, various types of tea, and a variety of coffee options, including a caramel latte and a flat white. Prices were in line with my expectations: My McFeast, fries, and a drink cost about $14, while my Daim McFlurry cost about $3.50. The Fish McFeast. McDonald's The food was good, but similar to what I would expect in the US The food tasted similar to food from McDonald's in the US the quality felt slightly better, though that could've been because of the novelty of the experience. The portions seemed about the same as they are in the US. The Big Mac BLT was an interesting combination that worked well, as the bacon wasn't too overpowering. I thought the chili cheese tops, a crunchy cheese nugget with chili pieces, were very yummy, slightly spicy, and quite filling. The chili cheese tops were delicious. McDonald's The McFlurry was excellent, though, and I loved the crunch from the chocolatey Daim. One feature really sets this McDonald's apart from other locations The one distinguishing factor at this McDonald's was the postcards it sold that read "Welcome to the northernmost McDonald's in the World," featuring a golden arch jutting into the globe above Troms. McDonald's sold these postcards for 5 Norwegian kroner, or about 50 cents. Noah Sheidlower/Business Insider I felt the same way about the world's northernmost Burger King, which had slightly more locals but overall had a similar menu to any other Burger King and a very standard interior. The rest of the meals on my trip were much more exciting we tried reindeer burgers and reindeer hot dogs at other places in town, whale in a fishing village a few hours away, Norwegian Chinese food, pizza that wasn't significantly worse than a New York slice, and a surprising Eritrean meal. Still, the McDonald's will likely stick with me for a while, even if it felt gimmicky. Troms is a culinary gem in many ways, featuring dozens of higher-end restaurants serving fine steaks and seafood. But for a cheaper lunch with a bit of novelty, I'd recommend stopping at this McDonald's, at least to try a McFlurry and pick up a postcard but maybe save your appetite for a reindeer hot dog down the street. Correction: April 23, 2025 An earlier version of this story mischaracterized the relative location of Troms, Norway. It's farther north than most of Canada and Russia but not most of Greenland. Read the original article on Business Insider By David Lawder and Nupur Anand WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that he believes there will be a de-escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions, but negotiations with Beijing have not yet started and would be a "slog," according to a person who heard his closed-door presentation to investors at a JP Morgan conference. Bessent described the current bilateral trade situation as a two-way embargo, and neither side sees the status quo as sustainable, the person said. Bessent added that the Trump administration's goal was not to decouple the world's two largest economies. Instead, Bessent said that he was hoping for a "big, beautiful rebalancing" of China's economy towards more consumption and the U.S. economy towards more manufacturing, but it was unclear whether Beijing was ready to do that, the source said. Bessent spoke to a private investment conference in Washington held by JP Morgan Chase on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings. Bloomberg first reported some of his remarks from sources in the room. Bessent said that the current situation, with 145% U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods and 125% Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods, was unsustainable, saying that a de-escalation would happen over the "very near future" that would provide "a sigh of relief" for markets, the person said. Bessent's remarks added to positive corporate earnings momentum on Wall Street, which recovered from Monday's sell-off sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Major U.S. stock indexes were up more than 2% in afternoon trade. Bessent also signaled that the Trump administration would be willing to offer Argentinas government some financial support if a global shock derailed the South American country's economic recovery, the person said, provided that Javier Milei's government stayed the course on reforms and difficulties were not Argentina's fault. Bessent last week traveled to Buenos Aires to underscore the Trump administration's support for Argentina's reforms and new, $20 billion loan program from the IMF. (Reporting by David Lawder and Andrea Shalal, Editing by Franklin Paul and Andrea Ricci) NEW DELHI (Reuters) - At least 20 people were feared dead after suspected militants opened fire on them in India's Himalayan territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, with officials saying it was one of the deadliest such attacks in recent times. Here is a look at major attacks over the years in India's only Muslim-majority region, where Islamist militants have fought security forces for decades. NOVEMBER 2024 At least 11 people were injured when militants threw a grenade at security personnel in a crowded flea market in the main city of Srinagar. OCTOBER 2024 Six migrant workers and a doctor were shot dead by militants who opened fire near a tunnel construction site. The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility. JUNE 2024 At least nine people died and 33 were injured when a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims plunged into a deep gorge after a suspected militant attack. MAY 2024 Suspected militants opened fire on a tourist couple from the northwestern city of Jaipur, injuring them both. FEBRUARY 2019 At least 44 security personnel were killed after a suicide bomber rammed a car into a bus carrying Indian paramilitary police in Kashmir. Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility. JULY 2017 At least seven Hindu pilgrims, on their way back from the revered Amarnath shrine deep in the Himalayas, died when their bus got caught in crossfire after two militant attacks on police in the area. SEPTEMBER 2016 At least 17 soldiers were killed as separatists armed with AK-47 assault rifles and grenades stormed an army base in Uri near the disputed border with Pakistan. (Compiled by Sakshi Dayal; editing by Mark Heinrich) A man shops for groceries. Courtesy: USDA flickr (The Center Square) - Nevadans are among the highest spenders in the country on groceries, racking up an average annual bill over $10,000 at supermarkets. Nevada ranks in the top five states for most expensive grocery bills for both total cost and compared to household income. Nevada placed fourth in a recent LendingTree study of annual grocery bills between U.S. states and Washington, D.C. With an average bill of $10,390, or about 27% above the national average of $8,167, Nevada was only behind Utah the most expensive state, Alaska and Hawaii. On the opposite end, Illinois shoppers spent an average of just $6,101. In those big eastern states, housing costs are likely taking up a bigger percentage of income than what we see in the western states, said LendingTree Chief Consumer Finance Analyst Matt Schulz in the report. Also, the states at the bottom of the list tend to be far more urban, so more dining-out options might lead to less dining at home. Another reason for Nevadas high grocery bill is its small agriculture industry. The Silver State ranks near last 47th for U.S. state agricultural exports: $170 million according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures 2022 data. By comparison, thats less than what the state imported just in fruits and vegetables in 2011. We do not actually support or have a large agricultural system that sustains having those groceries locally made here, said RAN Director of Public and Government Affairs Bryan Wachter to 8 News Now after a similarly high-priced grocery report last year. Nevada is importing most of those things unless you are looking for alfalfa and a very small amount of beef. Neighboring state Arizona ranks down at 14 for total grocery costs and 13 for grocery costs as a share of household income at $9,109 over $1,000 less annually than Nevada. As a share of household income, Nevada ranks up at second, only behind Idaho (10.4%), with 10.1% of the average households income going toward their groceries. Schulz offered some tips to consumers on how to reduce costs: leveraging credit card points, buying in bulk and comparing prices with further away grocery stores. Of course, you shouldnt drive across town to save three cents on organic bananas, but it may be worth going a bit out of the way if the savings are good enough. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -West Virginia Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito asked U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. on Monday to reinstate programs aimed at protecting coal miners that were hit with layoff notices. Capito, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, said the work done by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a division of HHS, is critical to her coal-producing state and does not duplicate any other government program. HHS announced widespread layoffs on April 1, including around 875 of NIOSH's roughly 1,000-strong workforce. Around 500 of those employees, who were from the Morgantown, West Virginia, office, worked on developing products and practices to protect coal miners and ran a surveillance program to detect cases of black lung disease, which is on the rise in central Appalachia. "I am concerned that the RIFs (reductions in force) at NIOSH will undermine the vital health programs important to so many West Virginians. I urge you to bring back the NIOSH employees immediately so they can continue to support our nations coal industry," she wrote in a letter sent to RFK Jr. She said she recently met with RFK Jr., who she said agreed with the fact that NIOSH's work is unique. Reuters reported that the cuts to NIOSH have removed key federal protections available to miners, who are increasingly susceptible to a more severe form of black lung disease caused by exposure to silica dust. A decades-old program operated by NIOSH to detect lung disease in coal miners has been suspended. Related programs to provide x-rays and lung tests at mine sites have also shut down. The loss of staff at NIOSH has also crippled black lung-afflicted miners' ability to get relocated with pay as part of the Part 90 program. Capito warned that HHS will begin the process of decommissioning the labs, including the West Virginia location, in the coming days, which would cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Restarting them would also add additional costs, she said. "I believe in the Presidents vision to right size our government, but I do not think eliminating the NIOSH coal programs and research will accomplish that goal," she wrote. (Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Mark Porter) Interview: Xi's Vietnam trip injects momentum into bilateral practical cooperation, says economist Xinhua) 10:57, April 22, 2025 HANOI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's just-concluded state visit to Vietnam has achieved fruitful outcomes, with a series of agreements poised to inject strong impetus into practical cooperation between the two countries, a Vietnamese economist said Sunday. The outcomes of last week's visit will elevate Vietnam-China relations to a new level in political mutual trust, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, said Vo Dai Luoc, former head of the Institute of World Economics and Politics under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. During the visit of Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the two sides issued a joint statement and signed 45 cooperation documents, covering connectivity, artificial intelligence, customs inspection and quarantine, agricultural trade, culture and sports, people's well-being, human resources development and media, and more. The signing of these documents will bolster strategic trust and expand practical cooperation, Luoc told Xinhua in an interview. In their joint statement, the two sides agreed to implement in earnest the cooperation plan on synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy. Luoc said the high-level consensus opens up vast potential for future strategic cooperation between the two countries. As bilateral cooperation documents are gradually implemented, Vietnam-China relations will enter a more mature and stable stage of development, the economist said, adding this will not only be reflected in policy coordination and high-level exchanges, but also be increasingly felt in the daily lives of the two peoples. During the visit, the two countries launched the China-Vietnam railway cooperation mechanism, which is expected to assist Vietnam in aligning its railway gauge with China's standardized gauge, thereby boosting economic connectivity and development. Emphasizing the importance of railway cooperation with China in Vietnam's future development, Luoc said the mechanism will not only improve transportation infrastructure in northern Vietnam and enhance logistics efficiency, but also strengthen economic linkages between Vietnam and Southwest China. This will play a vital role in promoting bilateral trade and regional connectivity, the expert added. In recent years, frequent high-level exchanges have enhanced political mutual trust between Vietnam and China, with economic cooperation deepening and people-to-people ties growing stronger, the economist noted. In the context of a complex and ever-changing international situation, boosting cooperation across multiple fields not only serves the common interests of the two peoples, but also demonstrates the shared responsibility of the two countries in addressing global challenges and promoting regional peace and development, Luoc said. Looking to the future, the expert expressed the hope that Vietnam and China will strive for mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, ensure the effective implementation of joint projects and bring concrete benefits to the two peoples. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Royal Bahamas Defence Force members rescue a victim of human trafficking portrayed by a 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Green Beret during their culmination exercise as part of Joint Combined Exchange Training in Nassau, The Bahamas. Training with our partners in their homeland allows U.S. Special Forces the opportunity to train and prepare in various environments. Maj. Daisy Bueno, U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Green Beret | DVIDS (The Center Square) With the change in leadership for the organization that handles the national hotline not showing direction sought, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is on board with nearly every other attorney general in the country requesting the help of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Polaris Project is the operator of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and Kennedy is the Trump administrations leader of as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Applications for operating the hotline are being accepted by Kennedys department. North Carolina, according to statistics from the hotline, is among the top 10 states for the rate of human trafficking cases. Jackson, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, put his signature with 40 others asking Kennedy to require the next operator of the National Human Trafficking Hotline to better cooperate with local law enforcement, the prosecutors release says. The Human Trafficking Hotline only works if law enforcement can respond to potential crimes as quickly as possible, Jackson said. Any delay in these tips getting to the right place puts lives at risk. Every second counts in these situations thats why were asking the federal government to make sure the next operator of this hotline communicates better with law enforcement. For six years, Catherine Chen was CEO at Polaris. Among the criticisms she drew were an approach centered on victims. For example, U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody was attorney general in Florida last spring when according to published reports she offered, Unfortunately, the woke Stanford and Columbia-educated CEO of Polaris has pushed a radical agenda to delay the dissemination of vital information to local law enforcement in favor of what she calls a victim centered approach. Chen stepped down in December, and Megan Lundstrom succeeded her in February. An opening graph of the announcement from Polaris said her work at The Avery Center focused on survivor-driven, evidence-based program development with a priority on economic empowerment. Jackson says millions of dollars from Congress since 2007 have supported the 501(c)(3) agency. However, his release says, the attorneys general recently learned that Polaris was failing to forward third-party tips about adult victims to state law enforcement except in limited circumstances. Additionally, the Hotline has taken up to several months to share those tips with the state. If state and local law enforcement dont receive these tips in a timely manner, they cant act to help people. Since 2007, North Carolina has been linked to 10,393 signals to the national hotline. This means calls, online reporting, web chats, emails and SMS reports. SMS is an acronym for short message service. In the most recent year (2023) with statistics available, 143 of the 684 signals were from victims or survivors of human trafficking. Last falls meeting of the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission included warnings that traffickers were moving into the Carolinas where people hit hard by Hurricane Helene were left vulnerable with a loss of basic needs. Two significant laws related to human trafficking have been passed in the last 15 years by the General Assembly. In 2013, the Safe Harbor Law gave protection to minors forced into commercial sex from being charged with crimes. On Dec. 1, state law for any person who solicits another for the purpose of prostitution changed from Class 1 misdemeanor to Class I felony. The letter included signatures of attorneys general in 39 states and one U.S. territory (American Samoa). It was led by Attorneys General Lynn Fitch of Mississippi, Kathy Jennings of Delaware, Liz Murrill of Louisiana and Aaron Ford of Nevada. The only states not represented were Arizona, Connecticut, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, Texas and Washington. The District of Columbia attorney general also did not sign. By Hyunsu Yim SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's acting president Han Duck-soo expects this week's trade talks with the United States to pave the way for a mutually beneficial outcome, he said during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. U.S. President Donald Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs of 25% on imports of goods from South Korea earlier this month, which have been paused for 90 days. Tariffs on the auto and steel sectors remain at 25%. The meeting was scheduled at the request of the U.S., Han said, and will be held in Washington on April 24. Speaking to reporters ahead of his departure for Washington on Tuesday, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said that he aimed to return after "opening the door" to discussions that would strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun will also attend the joint meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Talks are expected to cover reciprocal tariff exemptions or reductions, plus duties on cars and steel, the industry ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. It said separately that a specific agenda was being coordinated with the U.S. and has yet to be confirmed. South Korea's Maeil Business newspaper has reported that the two sides could discuss Seoul joining U.S. efforts to curb trade with China, without citing a clear source. China on Monday accused Washington of abusing tariffs and warned countries against striking a broader economic deal with the U.S. at its expense. Han said on Monday that the consultation process with the U.S. "may not be easy". Trump has previously said that sharing the cost of keeping U.S. troops in South Korea would be part of "one-stop shopping" negotiations with Seoul which South Korean officials have said is not up for negotiation. However, they have said cooperation on shipbuilding is a "very important card" the country holds and that participation in an Alaska gas project could be part of the trade package. Han "signalled a willingness, depending on the issues, to reopen a cost-sharing deal" in a recent interview with the Financial Times, after the finance minister told lawmakers last week that defence costs were not up for negotiation. (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; additional reporting by Joyce Lee; editing by Ed Davies, Rachna Uppal and Jason Neely) Update: American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been chosen as the new pope and took the name Leo XIV the first pope in history from the United States. Pope Francis' death on April 21, the day after he made his last appearance on Easter Sunday, kicked off a series of traditions that culminated on Thursday with some of the Catholic Church's most senior prelates voting to elect a new pope. A group of 133 cardinal electors cardinals under the age of 80 entered the Sistine Chapel on May 7 for the conclave, holding a series of secret ballots to choose the next pontiff. "Every papal conclave comes down, in some sense, to a referendum on the papacy that has just ended," John Allen, a longtime observer of the Vatican and editor of the Catholic news site Crux, said. While several of the likely front-runners going into the conclave represented continuity with the direction set by Pope Francis, he said, others would signal "a change in a slightly more traditional, conservative direction." No matter their leanings, Allen said, the cardinal electors would want someone who can equal Pope Francis' stature on the world stage. "They want, in part, someone who can have the same capacity to make it absolutely impossible for the wider world to ignore what the Catholic Church has to say." Over the last 600 years since 1378 cardinals have been chosen for the position, although eligibility technically extends to any male Roman Catholic who has been baptized. "This is the world's oldest democratic exercise. It is an election," Allen told CBS News. And while "Catholics believe that all of this unfolds under the guidance of the Holy Spirit," Allen said "the fact that this is a supernatural process doesn't make it any less human, and therefore, doesn't it make it any less political." Here is a look at some of the cardinals who were considered possible contenders to become pope: Cardinal Peter Erdo, archbishop of Budapest, Hungary Cardinal Peter Erdo, a 72-year-old canon lawyer, is the highest ranking Catholic leader in a country that is 80% Christian. He is known for his support of the pope's outreach to Orthodox Christians. Pope Francis greets the archbishop of Budapest, Cardinal Peter Erdo, on April 28, 2023, as he arrived for a papal visit to Budapest, Hungary. / Credit: / Getty Images Erdo is also on the conservative side of the European cultural divide. On migration, a key issue for Hungary, he has conveyed a balanced approach, recognizing the right to migrate but also the importance of ensuring political stability. Erdo is considered a traditionalist but is also respected by liberals, which could make him a unifying force within the church. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, grew global attention for leading African bishops in unanimous rejection of "Fiducia Supplicans," a declaration the Vatican issued in 2023 that included guidelines on the blessings of people in same-sex relationships. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu following the ceremony for his appointment by Pope Francis on Oct. 5, 2019 in the Vatican / Credit: TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images At 65 years old, he is known as a supporter of orthodoxy and defends priestly celibacy and the church's moral teachings. He is also known as a promoter of social justice and a champion of the poor and voiceless, and is outspoken in his criticism of the Congolese government. If elected he would be the first African chosen to lead the Catholic Church in more than 1,500 years. The last African pontiff was Pope Gelasius, who died in 496 after leading the church for a little over three years. Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general for the Synod of Bishops Cardinal Mario Grech, 68, is a canon lawyer who has major influence on how synods in the church are run. Supporters have praised him for leading the charge in implementing a more consultative and inclusive approach to church governance. Cardinal Mario Grech, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, attends a Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Oct. 29, 2023. / Credit: TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images Grech comes from Malta, which is one of the smallest countries in the world. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, is second-in-command at the Vatican and a career diplomat who has consistently risen above any turbulence marking the pontificate. John Allen, the Crux editor, sees him as a front-runner. "The point of reference for this conclave is almost certainly Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the man who was Pope Francis' Secretary of State his right-hand man for 12 years." Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin presides at Mass marking 20 years since the death of Pope St. John Paul II at St. Peter's Basilica on April 2, 2025, / Credit: Simone Risoluti / Getty Images He is regarded as a moderate who, if elected, could repair rifts inside the church. He is also considered a progressive with a global vision. But while Parolin has garnered a lot of speculation as a contender heading into the conclave, Allen cautioned against any notion of a sure thing in papal politics. "There's a famous Italian saying, that he who enters a conclave as a pope, exits a cardinal meaning that if you're getting a lot of buzz, you're not going to be elected," he said. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 60, is a pastoral candidate who has spoken out amid the Israel-Hamas war and visited Gaza during the conflict. Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa, right, delivers a speech as Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin looks on at the dedication of the Church of the Baptism of the Lord at Al-Maghtas in Jordan on Jan. 10, 2025. / Credit: KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP via Getty Images He is a proponent of social justice and sees himself as a servant of the people. He is similar to Francis in his concern for migrants, interfaith dialogue and his disdain for clericalism. Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, pro-prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, is known as the "Asian Francis" for his missionary spirit as well as his emphasis on caring for the poor and welcoming of LGBTQ and divorced and remarried Catholics. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle attends the solemn liturgy of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday in St. Peter's Basilica on April 18, 2025 in Vatican City. / Credit: / Getty Images He is the former archbishop of Manila, in the Philippines, which is one of the most Catholic countries on the continent of Asia, and studied in the U.S. for seven years. His election would signal a continuation of Francis' pontificate. If elected he would become the first Asian pontiff in modern times. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of the Philippines Another Filipino, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, was also being spoken of ahead of the conclave as a potential new pontiff. David, often known as Cardinal Ambo, was one of the last cardinals appointed by Francis, gaining the rank only about five months ago. He attended the same school, led by Jesuit priests, as his compatriot Tagle during the 1970s. David gained notoriety for taking a firm and public stand against the alleged human rights abuses of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Newly-appointed Filipino Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David attends a Mass with other newly appointed cardinals, presided over by Pope Francis, at St. Peter's Basilica, Dec. 8, 2024 at the Vatican. / Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty In his role as a bishop, David focused much of his work on helping the poor and other social issues. His fellow Asian bishops chose him to lead a commission dedicated to making the church "more inclusive," in his own words. Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost is seen as having many of the qualities desired in a pope, and if elected, he would become the first U.S. pope in the church's history. Prevost is the head of the church's Dicastery for Bishops, meaning he oversees the selection of new bishops. It's a powerful position, and for any cardinal electors who may be turned off by his American nationality, it's not his only one. Prevost is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Peru, where he served for many years. U.S. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost attends the funeral of Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square, April 26, 2025, in Vatican City. / Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Overall, he's considered a centrist, but on many social issues he's seen as progressive, embracing marginalized groups like Francis, who championed migrants and the poor. But Prevost opposes ordaining women as deacons, for instance, so he's seen as conservative on church doctrine. His age could also be a factor at 69 some may consider him too young to hold the church's highest office. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna, Italy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 69, is the president of the Italian bishops conference. He is known as a "street priest" and missionary and wants a church that listens to the faithful and is willing to modernize. Zuppi is inclusive of same-sex couples, as well as people of different religions. Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi attends Opening Mass for the Synod of Bishops, presided by Pope Francis, at St. Peter's Square on Oct. 2, 2024. / Credit: / Getty Images Francis chose Zuppi as his envoy to Russia and Ukraine, as well as to the West Bank and Beijing, to promote peace. Cardinal Anders Arborelius, archbishop of Stockholm Cardinal Anders Arborelius, 75, was raised Lutheran and converted to Catholicism at the age of 20. He is the first ever cardinal from Scandinavia. He is also a traditionalist on the church's teaching on sexual ethics and gender, and has a strong concern for the environment. Cardinal Anders Arborelius leaves the altar after receiving the biretta from Pope Francis during a ceremony elevating 5 new cardinals at St. Peter's Basilica, June 28, 2017. / Credit: / Getty Images Arborelius has been a proponent of immigration into Sweden, calling for dialogue and integration instead of restrictions. Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix, Metropolitan Archbishop of Quebec, Canada, is 67 years old. Earlier in his career he spent years as a missionary and seminary professor in Colombia. Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix at a ceremony for the creation of new cardinals at St. Peter's Basilica on Feb. 22, 2014. / Credit: Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images He temporarily stepped back from his duties amid sexual abuse allegations, which he denied, and returned to his duties last year after a church-led investigation found no evidence of misconduct. Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana Conservative-leaning Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana would, like Ambongo, be the Catholic Church's first contemporary African pope if selected. But the Ghanaian, who was the first man from his country to be made a cardinal, is considered a less hard-line conservative than his Congolese counterpart. Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana pays his respects to the body of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025. / Credit: Riccardo De Luca/Anadolu via Getty Images The 76-year-old has opposed the criminalization of homosexual relationships in Africa, including in his home country. In 2012, he was criticized for fear-mongering about Islam in Europe during a Vatican conference, and he later apologized. The following year, he told BBC News he didn't want the Catholic Church's top job, saying, "I'm not sure whether anyone does aspire to become a pope." Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of France At 66, French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the Archbishop of Marseille, is on the younger side compared to many of his fellow prelates. If chosen as the next pope, he would be the first Frenchman to hold the position since Gregory XI died in 1378. Aveline, who was born in Algeria under French colonial rule but grew up in Marseille, is considered a progressive on issues such as immigration, as was Pope Francis. French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline arrives for a mass on the ninth day of mourning for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, May 4, 2025. / Credit: Maria Grazia Picciarella/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty He has spoken out about drug trafficking networks based in Marseille, and helped to establish an institution that encourages interfaith dialogue between Catholics, Muslims and Jews. Aveline was considered a favorite of Pope Francis, but some believe his chances as a papal candidate could be harmed by the fact that he doesn't speak Italian. Here are some of the front-runners to be the next pope Sneak peek: The Depraved Heart Murder The circumstances in the Catholic Church that led to Pope Leo XIV's election ZUMA Press/ZUMAPRESS.com Laci Peterson and Scott Peterson The Los Angeles Innocence Project has filed a petition in court presenting new evidence and witness statements they claim prove Scott Peterson did not kill his wife Laci Peterson and their unborn son, Conner. Had the jury heard this evidence, it is highly likely they would not have reached a guilty verdict, the LAIP said in a statement on Monday, April 21. On Friday, April 18, lawyers with the LAIP filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus with the California Court of Appeal seeking to overturn Scott's 2004 conviction for the 2002 murders. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/AP Scott Peterson in 2022 Scott, 52, has maintained his innocence since he was arrested in April 2003 after Laci and Conners badly decomposed bodies were found in San Francisco Bay. Convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, Scott was sentenced to death row in 2005. That sentence was overturned in 2020. He remains in custody at the Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, Calif., while he fights for his freedom. Related: Judge Allow DNA Testing on Item of Evidence in Convicted Murderer Scott Peterson's Bid for New Trial He and his lawyers are confident that his conviction will be overturned based on new evidence they claim undermines the prosecution's entire circumstantial case against Petitioner, and shows that the jury relied on false evidence, including false scientific evidence, to convict him, the statement says. Much of the new evidence the attorneys claim they have centers around a December 2002 burglary of a Modesto home across the street from the house where Scott and Laci lived. Scott's attorneys had previously argued that Laci was killed after she witnessed two men breaking into their neighbor's house while she was walking their dog, and that Scott was on a fishing trip by himself the morning she vanished. New evidence the LAIP claims it has includes a witness who allegedly overheard a conversation among the burglars about Laci seeing and confronting them, according to the petition. This evidence exonerates Scott Peterson because it shows Laci was alive when he left home on December 24, since the burglary took place. They claim to have new evidence about a van they believe belonged to the burglars that was set ablaze near the Petersons home and they believe Laci was actually killed in the van, according to the petition. Related: The L.A. Innocence Project Believes Scott Peterson May Be Innocent: What to Know About Wife Laci's Murder The jury did not hear about a mattress in the back of the van with apparent bloodstains on it, and the LAIP said in its statement, that "new evidence showing the prosecution suppressed evidence of the police investigation into that van fire at the time of trial." Authorities believe Scott dumped Laci and Conners body when he went fishing the day she vanished. The LAIP claims that new evidence allegedly shows that the bodies of Laci and Conner "could not have migrated from the area where Peterson went fishing to where they were recovered," which jurors heard about in his trial. Rather, their bodies were most likely placed in the waters off the Albany Bulb, a peninsula that is accessible by car and foot, states the LAIP. The petition challenges the prosecutions original claim that Peterson secretly bought the boat by purportedly providing evidence that Laci and Scott bought the boat together, the LAIP claims. The LAIP assumed lead counsel in this case in November 2023. Laci's family has remained steadfast in their belief that Peterson killed Laci and Conner. In May 2024, Peterson and the LAIP won a narrow legal victory in their bid to clear his name when a judge ruled that a piece of duct tape found on Laci's pants could be re-tested, according to NBC News. Calling the case against Peterson entirely circumstantial, the petition says that no direct, physical or forensic evidence was found supporting any part of the prosecutions theory, or otherwise implicating Petitioner. Read the original article on People Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Missing person Shalene Ball from South Dakota Authorities in two states are searching for a woman who went missing in February and is now feared to be held captive. Shalene Ball, 35, of Sioux Falls, S.D., was last heard from in a Feb. 26 text, according to a South Dakota Missing Persons flier on Friday, April 18. Her family said the last time most of them spoke to her was in January. Her family is very concerned for her safety and wellbeing, according to the flier. Also on Friday, April 18, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the West St. Paul Police Department put out its own flier saying they were trying to locate her. She is believed to be endangered as law enforcement has received information that she is being held against her will, the BCA and the West St. Paul Police Department said in the flier. It is believed that she was recently in West St. Paul or South St. Paul. She may be traveling in a 2007 white Dodge Caravan, police say. She is described as a white female, 51 tall, weighing 180 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair. Ball has a sternum dermal piercing and a madonna/monroe piercing, the South Dakota flier states, plus a tattoo on her neck of a smoking Woody Woodpecker. 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. In a Facebook post on Thursday, April 17, Ashley Renae wrote, My cousin Shalene Ball is missing. If anyone has any information please reach out to me or the Sioux Falls PD. Her last known last location was in St. Paul Minnesota. I know someone has information please contact us! Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the West St Paul Police Department at 651-322-2323, the Sioux Falls Police Department at 605-367-7000 or 911. Read the original article on People Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem listens during a meeting between President Donald Trump and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 14. - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters The man who allegedly stole a Gucci bag loaded with cash from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was sitting at the table next to hers, according to video of Sundays incident reviewed by Secret Service investigators. The surveillance footage of the incident at The Capital Burger restaurant in Washington, DC, showed the suspect purposefully moving close to Noem as he zeroed in on her Gucci bag near her feet, a law enforcement source said. The thief, dressed in dark clothing, sat down at an empty table next to Noem with his back facing her and used his left foot to slide the bag away, the source said. He surveyed the restaurant before eventually picking up the bag, covering it with his jacket and leaving. Only when Noem got up from the table did she realize her bag was missing, the source said. Items inside the Gucci bag included a Louis Vuitton Clemence wallet, Noems drivers license, medication, apartment keys, passport, DHS access badge, makeup bag, blank checks, and about $3,000 in cash. CNN reached out to The Capital Burgers parent company, Darden Restaurants, which did not respond to a request for comment. It remains unclear whether the thief knew Noems identity or whether she was a random target. The Secret Service, which is leading the investigation, is working to trace any use of Noems financial instruments, sources said. The Secret Service was inside the restaurant with Noem, who was dining at a table with her family, according to a source familiar. The source didnt specify how many agents accompanied Noem or where they were inside the restaurant. Commenting on the large sum of cash Noem was carrying, a DHS spokesperson said: Her entire family was in town including her children and grandchildren she was using the withdrawal to treat her family to dinner, activities, and Easter gifts. Law enforcement experts have raised concerns about whether the incident, which involved a thief getting so close to a Cabinet official and then absconding with her belongings, may have been a lapse in security. This is a security breach that actually has high consequences, and it needs immediate and further review by the Secret Service and DHS and other law enforcement partners, said Jonathan Wackrow, a CNN law enforcement analyst and former Secret Service agent. If necessary, the Secret Service will need to make operational changes on how they deal with these types of private events moving forward, Wackrow told CNNs Kaitlan Collins on The Source. He added that Noem remains at higher risk for targeted threats, both by foreign and domestic actors, and just her public profile alone makes her a symbolic target. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Tech billionaire Elon Musk said Tuesday that he will begin dedicating more time to Tesla and less to his work with the Trump administration starting next month, providing a relief to Tesla investors fed up with his political work and signaling a possible shift in power at the White House. Musk's comments came on Tesla's call with investors following the company reporting a sizable drop in first-quarter profit and revenue. The company warned that the political environment along with the Trump administration's tariff plans were challenges for its business. "Starting probably next month, May, my time obligation to DOGE will drop significantly," Musk said, referring to his Department of Government Efficiency. "I think I'll continue to spend a day or two per week on government matters for as long as the president would like me to do so, and for as long as it is useful, but starting next month, I'll be allocating far more of my time to Tesla, now that the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency is done," he said. Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has faced a swell of opposition for his work with President Donald Trump, which has made Tesla a growing target for protests and even vandalism. Musk has acknowledged that his move into politics has hit the company's stock price. Tesla which is increasingly trying to diversify into high-tech products like robots said profits fell 71% to $409 million, compared with $1.39 billion during the same quarter one year ago. Shares of Tesla were up about 4% in after-hours trading, though the company has lost 50% of its value from its mid-December peak. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Musk's announcement. Musk reiterated on the call that he intends to pivot Tesla from its established electric car business into two new products: robotaxis and humanoid robots, two ideas that investors have been skeptical about. Musk said that Tesla was still on track to begin selling robotaxi rides in Austin, Texas, in June, putting Tesla into head-to-head competition with Google spinoff Waymo, which launched robotaxi rides there in March via the Uber app. Tesla, in its written earnings report, said that "uncertainty in the automotive and energy markets" associated with "rapidly evolving trade policy," along with "changing political sentiment," could have "a meaningful impact on demand for our products in the near-term." It also said updates to its best-selling Model Y that affected its availability on the market contributed to the shortfall. "We remain committed to expanding our business model to include delivering autonomous robots across multiple form factors and use cases powered by our real-world AI expertise to our customers and for use in our factories, as we navigate these headwinds," it said. It said it was not prepared to provide guidance for performance the rest of the year a decision other companies are also making because of broad trends that include the impact from tariffs. Tesla has boasted that is "the most American-made" car, but it still faces tariff exposure due to imported parts. It said it would "revisit" guidance for 2025 in three months. "It is difficult to measure the impacts of shifting global trade policy on the automotive and energy supply chains, our cost structure and demand for durable goods and related services," Tesla said in the outlook section of its report. Musk, on the conference call, said he pressed Trump to reverse course on his tariff policy but was not successful. "I'm one of many advisers to the president. I'm not the president, but I've made my opinion clear to the president," he said. "I'm an advocate of predictable tariff structures." Musk has faced pressure from many sides, including from investors who would like him to pay more attention to the company and from his job in the Trump administration, where he has volunteered to slash government programs. Musk has kept his CEO roles at Tesla and SpaceX even while he has spent much of his time with President Donald Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency, the group charged with reducing federal spending. A CNBC All-America Economic survey released earlier Tuesday underscored the depth of the negative sentiment toward Tesla and Musk: 47% of the public had negative views of the company versus 27% positive, and half had negative views of Musk, compared with 36% who saw him positively. "Tesla has become a political symbol around the world," Daniel Ives, managing director at Wedbush Securities, said in an interview on CNBC after the earnings report was released. Ives said the political controversy has hurt Tesla not only by reducing demand for vehicles but also because Tesla has become a target for retaliatory tariffs by other nations, such as China. The earnings report did not explicitly mention the repeated vandalism against Tesla vehicles or the peaceful protests at its showrooms, instead citing the "changing political sentiment" as a headwind for demand. A key question for Tesla, Musk and the Trump administration has been how long Musk will remain in his White House position. His job as a special government employee is time-limited by law to 130 days during any period of 365 consecutive days, which could put his legally mandated endpoint as early as late May. Musk told Fox News this month that he believed most of his work would be done by the deadline. This story has been updated to correct the name spelling of Mitchell Blake Reinacher. A Texas commissioner was injured and her husband was killed after police said they were allegedly stabbed by their grandson. Police in Lewisville, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, said that Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell and her husband, Fred Mitchell, were found with stab wounds on the morning of April 21. The discovery was made after police said they responded to reports of an "assault in progress" at around 3:50 a.m. local time. According to police, both Mitchell and her husband were transported to a local hospital. Officials said Bobbie Mitchell is in stable condition, but her husband was pronounced dead at around 5 a.m. local time. Police said the suspect, 23-year-old Mitchell Blake Reinacher, was arrested and charged. He was charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to online records. USA TODAY could not immediately find an attorney representing Reinacher on Tuesday. A 'prominent public servant' Police added that Bobbie Mitchell is a "prominent public servant" and was Lewisvilles first Black mayor. According to Mitchells bio on the Denton County Commissioners website, she served as mayor from 1993 to 2000 before becoming a Denton County Commissioner, serving in the position from 2000 to today. The bio added that Mitchell has nine grandchildren, including Reinacher. "This is a heartbreaking tragedy and I extend my sincerest condolences to the Mitchell family," Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth said in a statement. "Commissioner Mitchell has spent years supporting the residents of Denton County, now her family needs our prayers and compassion. I stand ready to assist in anyway needed." Lewisville Mayor TJ Gilmore also released a statement thanking first responders and wishing Bobbie Mitchell a speedy recovery. "The City is holding our Commissioner and her family close to our hearts," Gilmore said. "If youve ever been at an event where Bobbie has prayed over you, please lift her and the family up as she has lifted our community." Sharon Leon, a neighbor of the Mitchell's told local news station NBC 5 that Fred Mitchell was a constant presence in the community. "He spends a lot of time out watering his plants and he has a big smile and says 'hi' every single time that we come out," Leon told NBC 5. "I just feel like, why did that happen to that poor guy and her?" Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Denton, Texas county commissioner injured, husband killed in stabbing Beyonce and Tina Knowles in Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 9. Beyonces mother, Tina Knowles, is opening up about her health. In her new book, Matriarch: A Memoir, which was released on April 22, Knowles revealed she was previously diagnosed with breast cancer. Knowles said she learned of her diagnosis at a mammogram appointment that had been put off for years. My doctor told me I had breast cancer. A small tumor in my left breast that was cancerous; the larger tumor in my right breast was benign, but it would also have to go, she wrote in her memoir. She said I was Stage 1A, assuring me my prognosis was good. The next step was to talk to an oncologist and a breast surgeon. We feel like we got this super early, she said. Youre going to be fine, Knowles continued. Knowles said she hesitated telling Beyonce about her diagnosis at night because she knew her daughter wouldnt be able to sleep so she waited until the day to share the news. She took it well, staying positive, and I could already feel her mind racing, focusing on this as a task to tackle with precision, she said of how Beyonce reacted to her breast cancer diagnosis. She would find me the top specialist, and I distinctively remember her telling me, I want you to get a second opinion on whatever the course of treatment is, Knowles added. Knowles explained that her daughter lined up one of the top breast surgery specialists in the country for her to get a private consult. She recalled liking the private-practice breast surgeons energy immediately. A few days later, she met with a hospital surgeon and then a hospital oncologist, who wasnt receptive to any of her questions and she made her feel depressed and confused. This experience is what made Knowles realize the importance of getting a second opinion. I made my decision: I wasnt going with the hospital surgeon who talked down to me, I went with the private surgeon, the woman who gave me options and hope. She recommended a different oncologist at the hospital, one who she thought would be a better fit for me, she said. That is the lesson I want to share: Even if I had gone with the hospital surgeon, I could have asked for another oncologist, Knowles continued. A lot of people, especially Black people, feel they have to go with the doctor they are given even if we are not treated well. You deserve second opinions, and its your opinion that sets the decision. After the surgery, which also included a breast reduction, Knowles wrote that she was cancer-free. She said she moved into Beyonces house so her family could take care of her while she recovered. The Carter household is always bustling with activity, she said. Knowles said she recovered in time to attend Glamours 2024 Women of the Year event in October, where she was receiving an award. It when then, while she was accepting the accolade and seeing her daughters faces in the audience, that she realized that she was having a full-circle moment. They are my crew, my tribe, my rocks, my ride-or-dies, Knowles recalls saying of her daughters during her speech. They have been right there by my side at the lowest points in my life... and they cheered me on at the highest points of my life. Making me feel that I can conquer anything. Matriarch: A Memoir is the latest selection to be chosen for Oprahs Book Club. In a press release shared on April 22, Oprah Winfrey praised Knowles new book. Some of you might know Tina Knowles as the mother of a superstar as in Beyonce but she is also a highly successful entrepreneur, fashion designer, philanthropist, and now author of this fascinating memoir of her journey to become the global figure she is today, she said. We learn how the strength and wisdom of the women who came before her fueled Tinas passion to achieve and gave her the ability to nurture her own daughters into the incredible women they are today, Winfrey added. In the same release, Knowles shared her excitement over Winfrey endorsing her book. Getting the seal of approval from Oprah, and knowing that she read it and loved it, made it all OK, she said in a statement. I mean, its Oprah!! She is the queen of many things but definitely the quintessential queen of books. Being told that my book would be a pick for her book club, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. President Donald Trump's secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, used a second group chat on the Signal messaging app to share details about an imminent U.S. strike against Houthis in Yemen in March, two sources familiar with the contents of the chat told ABC News. Focus also continues on the legal battle regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a migrant who was living in Maryland when he was wrongfully deported by the administration. Latest Developments Apr 22, 10:29 AM Rubio announces State Dept reorganization Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a reorganization of the State Department Tuesday, arguing, "In its current form, the Department is bloated, bureaucratic, and unable to perform its essential diplomatic mission in this new era of great power competition." "Region-specific functions will be consolidated to increase functionality, redundant offices will be removed, and non-statutory programs that are misaligned with America's core national interests will cease to exist," he added. Rubio said the reorganization will take place "methodically over the next several months." PHOTO: Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at the Quai d'Orsay, France's Minister of Foreign Affairs for high-level talks to discuss Ukraine and its security in Paris, April 17, 2025. (Julien De Rosa/Pool via AP) -ABC News' Shannon Kingston Apr 22, 5:02 AM Trump to deliver commencement addresses at University of Alabama and West Point President Trump will deliver commencement addresses at the University of Alabama and the United States Military Academy at West Point, he announced on Truth Social late Monday night. I have agreed to do the Commencement Address at two really GREAT places, the University of Alabama and, WEST POINT. Stay tuned for times and dates!!! Commencement at the University of Alabama takes place the weekend of May 2 and West Point will hold a graduation ceremony on May 24. Trump previously delivered the West Point commencement address on June 13, 2020 during the pandemic. -ABC News' Justin Gomez Apr 22, 12:01 AM ICE must reinstate legal status of 133 international students on Tuesday President Donald Trump's administration has until 5 p.m. on Tuesday to reinstate the legal statuses of 133 international students, according to an order granting temporary restraining orders on behalf of those plaintiffs filed in a U.S. District Court in Georgia on April 18. The federal judge overseeing the case, Victoria M. Calvert, issued a TRO requested on behalf of students, all of whom claimed their student statuses had been unlawfully revoked. The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU and other groups in the Northern District of Georgia, is among several that claim Immigration and Customs Enforcement "abruptly and unlawfully" terminated records on the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a database that the Department of Homeland Security uses to monitor non-immigrant students. PHOTO: A Department of Homeland Security seal on a podium at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters, Mar. 13, 2024. (Luke Barr/ABC News) The lawsuit claimed that by terminating these records, ICE is ending a students status and making them deportable. "DHSs act of unlawfully terminating SEVIS records appears to be designed to coerce students, including each Plaintiff, into abandoning their studies and 'self-deporting' despite not violating their status," the lawsuit said. Some of the students represented in the lawsuit are nearing graduation or are enrolled in work programs. Many of the plaintiffs had been charged with traffic violations, and in some cases minor misdemeanors, but later had their charges dropped. Others, including "Jane Doe #12," have never been arrested or cited for any traffic violation. Government lawyers had argued that granting any relief to the students would affect the executive branchs "control over immigration." But the judge was not convinced and ordered the administration to notify the court when it has complied. Calvert also ordered the government not to use the identities of the plaintiffs for any reason outside of the lawsuit. A hearing is set for Thursday. -ABC News' Armando Garcia Apr 21, 10:12 PM Fired Pentagon official denies leaking to the press Dan Caldwell, a former top adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who was fired from the Pentagon last week allegedly as part of a leak investigation, gave a 90-minute interview with Tucker Carlson in which he denied leaking anything the press. Caldwell has known Hegseth for more than a decade and worked closely with him as an adviser at Concerned Veterans for America and was seen as a key member of Hegseths inner circle. When Carlson asked him, Did you leak classified information against the wishes of your superiors to media outlets? Caldwell responded, Absolutely not." He also denied taking photos of classified information and texting them to a specific media outlet, saying he had never spoken to a reporter from that media outlet. Caldwell blamed leaks at the Pentagon on career staff who don't like what the president and the secretary and vice president want to do. He added that there's people on the Joint Staff that I kind of respect, but a lot of them are incredibly hostile to the secretary to the president and the vice president's worldview." -ABC News' Luis Martinez Apr 21, 5:50 PM Hegseth chief of staff moving to new role at the Pentagon Joe Kasper, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths chief of staff, is moving to a new role working on special projects at the Pentagon, according to a senior defense official. Joe Kasper will continue to serve President Trump as a Special Government Employee (SGE) handling special projects at the Department of Defense, the official said. Secretary Hegseth is thankful for his continued leadership and work to advance the America First agenda. PHOTO: The Pentagon is seen from the air in Washington, Mar. 3, 2022. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters) The move is the latest in a number of staff changes at the Pentagon. Three close advisers to Hegseth were pushed out last week amid allegations of leaking to the media, which they denied in a joint statement. A fourth senior staffer, John Ullyot, said he resigned from the Pentagon, suggesting the building has devolved into total chaos. -ABC News' Anne Flaherty Apr 21, 4:45 PM DHS rolls out ads warning migrants: 'If you are here illegally, you are next' Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem released new advertisements telling migrants, "If you are here illegally, you are next." The 30 and 60-second ads are part of the DHS's effort to urge migrants who are in the country illegally to leave. In the ad, Noem said those who don't register with DHS and are in the country illegally could be fined up to $1,000 a day. PHOTO: Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem attends a meeting with El Salvador president in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, April 14, 2025. (Ken Cedeno/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) Earlier this year, the DHS rolled out a $200 million ad blitz touting President Donald Trump's efforts to arrest migrants in the country illegally. -- ABC News Luke Barr Apr 21, 1:05 PM Trump-Vance inaugural committee reports raising $240M The Trump-Vance inaugural committee raised a staggering $240 million for the second presidential inaugural of President Donald Trump, a new FEC filing shows, including millions from the cryptocurrency industry, cabinet members of the Trump administration and other corporate leaders. The record-breaking $240 million dwarfs the $107 million that Trump's first inaugural committee had raised in 2017. The filing only discloses donations and refunds, so it's not yet clear how much of that money was actually spent on inaugural events and how much of that money is left. The biggest donor was multinational food company Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, which gave $5 million despite having very little political contribution history at the federal level in recent years. A close runner-up was crypto company Ripple, which gave $4.9 million. PHOTO: President Donald Trump watches during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, April 21, 2025, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP) In all, the disclosure filing showed contributions from more than 800 donors to the inaugural committee. --ABC News' Soo Rin Kim Apr 21, 10:44 AM White House defends Hegseth amid 2nd Signal chat scandal The White House is defending Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following recent revelations that he shared attack plans in a second Signal group chat thread that included sensitive information about strikes in Yemen. The President absolutely has confidence in Secretary Hegseth, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on the White House North lawn on Monday. I spoke to him about it this morning, and he stands behind him. Leavitt blamed former Pentagon employees who were fired amid a sweeping leak investigation. PHOTO: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks on the South Lawn of the White House before President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll, April 21, 2025, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP) Unfortunately, there have been people at that building who don't like the change the secretary is trying to bring. So they are leaking and they are lying to the mainstream media. We've seen this game played before, she said. The Secretary is doing a tremendous job, and the President stands strongly behind him. She said no classified information was shared in the Signal chats. --ABC News' Kelsey Walsh Apr 21, 6:00 AM Democrat lawmakers to travel to El Salvador amid deportation fight Democratic lawmakers are traveling to El Salvador on Monday to advocate for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and other detainees who were deported to the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center prison, or CECOT, in Tecoluca. The group, which consists of Reps. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., and Maxine Dexter, D-Ore., plans to meet with U.S. officials at the embassy and then engage with human rights groups while there. "The Congressional members are in El Salvador to bring attention to President Trumps illegal defiance of the binding and unanimous Supreme Court decision in Noem v. Abrego Garcia that demands the Administration facilitate Abrego Garcias return and due process in the United States," a press release about the visit said. -ABC News' Michelle Stoddart Click here to read the rest of the blog. President Donald Trump introduced his nominee for the chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell during a press event in the Rose Garden at the White House, November 2, 2017. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (Drew AngererGetty Images) In todays CEO Daily: Diane Brady on new opportunities and challenges in Asia. The big story: Trumps attacks on Powell have investors fleeing U.S. assets. The markets: Steep loss of confidence in the U.S. Analyst notes from Macquarie, RBC, JPMorgan, and UBS, all on the Trump-Powell situation. Plus: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune. Good morning. As someone who spends much of my day talking to U.S. and global business leaders, Ive noticed an uptick in travel to Washington. But Ive also noticed an increased desire among business leaders to understand whats happening beyond Washington, especially in fast-growing economies across Asia and the Middle East. More than ever, CEOs appreciate the power of global gatherings that bring together leaders from business, government and stakeholder groups around big opportunities and challenges. So Im excited to let you know about the ASEAN-GCC-China and ASEAN-GCC Economic Forums that Fortune is jointly hosting in Kuala Lumpur on May 27 and 28 with the Government of Malaysia, led by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. Were hosting these events in conjunction with the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and 46th ASEAN Summit, which means C-suite leaders will have a chance to join discussions with senior government officials and business leaders from China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 10 member states and the six nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Together, these economies account for more than one-fifth of global GDP. Theyre also forging new ties and relationships that will lead to new business opportunities. The theme is Partners in Progress: Towards a Sustainable, Inclusive Tomorrow. I cant think of a better time to come together around that, and will share more details in the coming weeks. In the meantime, if you would like to find out more or request an invitation, email agef@fortune.com. More news below. Contact CEO Daily via Diane Brady at diane.brady@fortune.com This story was originally featured on Fortune.com A 17-year-old soldier who was killed during the Korean War has been accounted for 75 years after he went missing, officials said Monday. Army Cpl. Albert J. Estrada was a member of Battery B, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said in a news release. He began service in July 1950, according to the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation. He was one of tens of thousands of soldiers present at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in November and December 1950, the DPAA said. During the battle, 30,000 United Nations servicemembers, including U.S. soldiers, faced off against 120,000 Chinese and North Korean enemy forces in "rugged terrain in lethally cold weather," the DPAA said. The battle, which the DPAA described as "one of the most brutal" of the entire war, raged for 17 days. Army Cpl. Albert J. Estrada. / Credit: Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation Army officials wanted to push North Korean forces into China and sever supply lines near the Chosin reservoir, the DPAA said. But the North Korean forces launched a surprise attack that forced one group of soldiers to retreat in late November. A few days later, Chinese soldiers surrounded and isolated another group of soldiers. A task force was hastily assembled to try to organize a withdrawal. A "bitter fight" allowed U.N. forces to open an airfield to bring in reinforcements and evacuate casualties on December 1, according to the U.S. military, and eventually, the U.N. soldiers managed a full retreat. More than 1,000 U.S. Marines and soldiers were killed during this time, the DPAA said. Thousands more were injured or incapacitated by the cold weather. Due to the elements and the retreat, "hundreds of fallen Marines and soldiers were unable to be immediately recovered," the DPAA said. Estrada was one of the soldiers who could not be located after the battle. He was reported missing on Dec. 6, 1950. There was no information to indicate that he was ever held as a prisoner of war, the DPAA said. Three years later, on Dec. 31, 1953, the U.S. Army issued a presumptive finding of death. U.S. Marines at Chosin. / Credit: Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Between 1953 and 1954, the North Korean government returned thousands of remains of soldiers who had died during the Korean War. The remains had been buried in U.N. cemeteries in North Korea. The effort, known as Operation Glory, included the return of 500 sets of remains that had been buried near the Chosin reservoir. All but 126 of the remains were identified. The unidentified remains were buried as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, the DPAA said. From 1990 to 1994, the North Korean government returned 47 additional containers of remains attributed to the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. From those recovery efforts, the DPAA and the organizations that preceded it were able to identify over 130 of the unaccounted-for missing personnel lost in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. The DPAA did not say which handover Estrada's remains were recovered from. A full announcement of his accounting will be shared at a later date, the agency said. Estrada earned multiple military honors, including the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, according to the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation. Estrada's surviving siblings, Manuel Estrada and Ruth Tucker, have long lobbied for his identification, according to a 2018 article from The Daily Democrat. That year, Tucker was presented with a medal from the Republic of South Korea honoring her efforts to account for missing American soldiers who died during the Korean War. At the time, Tucker said complete identification of Korean War remains can take between four and five years. Rubio interrupted at Senate hearing during remarks on changes at State Department Car bomb outside Palm Springs fertility clinic was act of terrorism, officials say California fire official rescues fertility clinic embryos after bombing NEW DELHI (AP) U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday called for enhanced engagement with India and said the South Asian country should buy more defense equipment and energy from the U.S. and allow Washington greater access to its market, lending momentum to an expected bilateral trade deal. Vance, on a four-day visit to India, said he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi made progress on trade talks during their discussions on Monday, and confirmed that both sides had finalized the terms of reference for the trade negotiation a vital step towards setting the road map for the final agreement. India and the U.S. hope to seal a bilateral trade agreement this year and have set an ambitious target of more than doubling their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. If achieved, the trade deal could significantly enhance economic ties between both countries and potentially strengthen diplomatic ties as well. I believe there is much that India and America can accomplish together, Vance said at an event in the western city of Jaipur, where he, his wife Usha Vance and their three children were on a sightseeing tour. Vances first visit to New Delhi came amid the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trumps partially-paused tariff program against most countries, including India. Earlier this month, Trump announced a 90-day pause in which imports from most countries would face a baseline 10% tax so that there was time to hold talks and possibly structure broader deals. The trade negotiations are especially urgent for India and could help New Delhi avoid sharp U.S. tariffs. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has portrayed its strategy of tariffs as forcing negotiations that could limit the reach and influence of China, the worlds dominant manufacturer and New Delhis main rival in the region. At the event, Vance sought to assuage fears over Trumps tariff decisions and said his administration was seeking to rebalance global trade so that the U.S., with friends like India, can build a better future. He said that trade relations must be based on fairness. I come here with a simple message," Vance said. The Trump administration seeks trade partners on the basis of fairness and shared national interest. We want to build relationships with our foreign partners who respect their workers. Vance said that he was in India to strengthen ties between both nations, and criticized previous governments for looking at New Delhi as a cheap source of labor. I believe that if India and the United States work together successfully, we are going to see a 21st century that is prosperous and peaceful, he said, adding that if this didnt happen, it would mean a dark time for all humanity. Washington has long sought to develop a deeper partnership with New Delhi, which is seen as a bulwark against China. Modi has established a good working relationship with Trump, and the two leaders are likely to further boost cooperation between their countries. Modi was also among the first leaders to visit the U.S. and hold talks with Trump that kickstarted a negotiation process to minimize the possible fallout of Trumps tariffs. The two leaders also said they planned to grow their defense partnership. India is a close partner of the U.S. and is part of the Quad, which is made up of the U.S., India, Japan and Australia, and is seen as a counterbalance to Chinas expansion in the region. It is also a major defense partner of the U.S., a status only enjoyed by some of the closest allies of Washington. In line with Trumps push for supplying more military equipment to India, Vance said Washington was seeking greater collaboration with New Delhi for the sale of advanced military gear, as well as coproduction. He also pitched Washington's fifth-generation stealth fighter to India. F-35 will help protect your people like never before, he said. Over the past several decades, India has been largely dependent on Russian weapons, fighters and military equipment, but has gradually started diversifying its purchase basket from countries such as the U.S., France and the U.K. In recent years, India has embedded advanced American jets, helicopters, missiles and other equipment into its armed forces and the two countries have announced plans to sign a 10-year framework later this year to further strengthen the defense partnership. GoFundMe; Nelson County Sheriff's Office Kevin Small, Katelynn Hipes A Virginia woman is still on the run five days after authorities launched a manhunt to bring her in on murder charges. Katelynn Hipes, 22, is accused of killing 47-year-old Kevin Small, who was found dead on April 18 from a single bullet wound to the chest outside his home in Shipman, a city located approximately 100 miles west of Richmond. The Nelson County Sheriff's Office announced that a suspect had been identified that same day but did not release a name to the public, a decision they explained in a subsequent news release. "The timing of that release may have jeopardized our attempts to locate Ms. Hipes during the overnight hours, as well as hindered several components of the investigation, despite warrants having already been obtained," the NCSO said in a release that following day that identified the suspect by name for the first time. The NCSO also said at that time that the search for Hipes had expanded, and that they were in "communication with the law enforcement agencies serving the jurisdictions that Ms. Hipes may presently be located in." Katelynn Ann Hipes Katelyn Hipes But five days later, there is still no sign of Hipes. The NCSO says it is not revealing her ties to Small or what evidence they collected to warrant an arrest at this time. 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. Court records show that Hipes has a lengthy rap sheet despite her young age, including four arrests for assault and battery, two of which involved a family member. She was also arrested for violating a protective order in 2024, according to court records. A hearing in her most recent assault and battery case was held April 16 in Nelson County in relation to an incident that allegedly took place on Feb. 15. Despite those arrests she has never been convicted in one of her assault and battery cases, while her restraining order violation ended when prosecutors declined to pursue the case further. Small was shot dead outside his home in Nelson County the following day, according to the NCSO. GoFundMe Kevin Small Deputies responded to a report of an 'unresponsive male' on April 18, the NCSO said in a release. They arrived to find a "male subject outside of the residence who had a single gunshot-wound to the chest cavity," the NCSO said in a release. Emergency medical technicians ultimately pronounced Small dead at the scene. In a GoFundMe created to raise money for his funeral, Small's family describes him as a "devoted son, brother, and uncle" who "never met a stranger." Read the original article on People Gigamon has promoted its head of channel for Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ), Simon Oliver, to Asia Pacific (APAC) channel sales director. After joining the security vendor over a year ago, Oliver will oversee Gigamons channel strategy and execution across the APAC region from Melbourne. He takes over from Kenny Tan, who was the vendors senior director of channel sales for Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) for three years up until this month and has has since taken up director of partner and alliances for New Relic. ARN understands that Gigamon is in the process of finding a replacement for Olivers role. Simon is a proven leader and a powerful advocate for our partner ecosystem and this new role reflects our continued commitment to Gigamon customers and partners in the fast-growing Asia Pacific region, said John Giacomini, the vendors chief revenue officer. As we continue to expand our footprint across the region, Simons experience and strategic vision will be vital in driving deeper collaboration and unlocking new growth opportunities for Gigamon and our channel. by Gianni Criveller Proclaiming the Gospel was his top priority: he reminded us that mission is about joy, that its territories are not defined by geography or people's religious affiliation. Through his life and teaching, he taught us that Jesus' missionaries do not ask themselves how to get others to follow them, but how they can reach others. Pope Francis was a missionary pope: in the 12 years of his pontificate, he visited 66 countries around the world, as well as some 50 locations in Italy. This was quite a tall task, given his advanced age and fragile health. The pope's destinations eloquently describe the fundamental choices of his pontificate since 8 July 2013, when he visited the island of Lampedusa, declaring to the world his marked attention to the tragedy of migration and his protest and sorrow at the massacres in the Mediterranean. The Pope has engaged in dialogue with China, reaching a historic agreement; he has met Putin and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. But Francis has not at all favoured the nations at the centre of humanity's strategic dynamics. On the contrary, he has drawn attention to countries, ecclesial communities, wars and conflicts on the margins of the great debates and media narratives. The Pope has wanted to show and has succeeded in doing so that there are no countries or peoples that are more or less important, and that their dignity is not measured by the size of their population or their economic or political influence. The Pope has been to East Timor, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Singapore, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Mauritius, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and many others, and, as mentioned above, to many other places that are of 'no interest' to those who judge world events in terms of power and markets. Proclaiming the Gospel has been his top priority: and mission is not measured in terms of worldly success or the acquisition of a religious majority, but in terms of the quality of evangelical witness. It seems to me that the Pope has refined an evangelical view of reality: the logic of the Beatitudes overturns and subverts the worldly one. The Pope has often criticised proselytism, a bad by-product of missionary activity, which relies on human means and persuasion to convince others to join our group. In no way did the Pope intend to diminish the validity of the missionary mandate, as some have wanted to understand. Conversely mission is not human work, and Francis has rethought it from its origins: it comes from God and the protagonist is the Spirit of Jesus. This insight is important because for a long time mission has been nourished by a worldly and inadequate theological thinking, enjoying with satisfaction accounting and gratifying successes. How truly evangelical were the religious conquests achieved from positions of power and superiority, with strategies of colonial expansion? The logic of the Gospel, on the other hand, trusts in the meaning of small, fragile and hidden things, because this is how the grace of Jesus is manifested. Contrary to proselytism, Francis reiterated, the mission spreads by attraction. In other words, it is Jesus who attracts people to himself, and it is the genuine evangelical witness of his disciples that attracts people. If the mission is a gift from God, if it is the oxygen of Christian life, then its content is also profoundly renewed in Francis' teaching. Mission has to do with joy; it is good news that brings happiness and beauty. The Joy of the Gospel is the title of his first apostolic exhortation, the programme and Magna Carta of his pontificate. The Gospel is something beautiful and brings happiness to people's lives. Christian communities and disciples who display sadness, disappointment, discouragement and boredom will never be able to attract anyone to Jesus. The preaching of the Gospel cannot be fuelled by opposition to other faiths, fear of God and others, or rely on doctrines that threaten punishment, fuelling guilt, frustration and the desire to rebel. We must be happy to be disciples of Jesus and missionaries of his Gospel! The Pope has restarted Christian life and mission from the theme of joy, the sentiment announced on Christmas night and Easter morning. Together with the origin and content, the Pope showed that the places of mission are not defined by geography or the religious affiliation of people. These new places were described with effective and eloquent images: Outward moving Church, field hospital, peripheries... If I understand Pope Francis correctly, mission is not so much about bringing more people to church as it is about pushing the people of the Church towards the places where the women and men of today meet, offering them solidarity, help and care. Jesus' missionaries do not ask themselves how to get others to follow them, but how they can reach them. The image of the field hospital is particularly striking in this period full of wars, wounded people and wounds to be healed: the mission reaches out to the tragedies of the men and women of our time. It is there that missionary disciples realise the Gospel of peace and freedom, mercy and care, in imitation of Jesus, the Good Samaritan. On the evening he presented himself to the world, Pope Francis described the country he came from, Argentina, as being located almost at the end of the world. But he himself showed us that no country is at the end of the world. For those who look at humanity with the same gaze as Jesus, no place and no person is too far away. by Card Oswald Gracias* The archbishop emeritus of Bombay talks about the pontiff who picked him to be the face of Asia in the Council of Cardinals. He participated in all the meetings, inviting the cardinals to discuss, to differ and to argue. He was a person of deep faith who preached the Gospel undiluted. He would say 'why be afraid of death?' 'The Lord needs me here, the Lord wants me here and the moment the Lord does not want me he will take me away. Delhi (AsiaNews) A person "of deep faith, of prayer is how Card Oswald Gracias, archbishop emeritus of Bombay, describes Pope Francis to AsiaNews as he remembers the bond and work he shared with the pontiff who passed away yesterday morning. The collaboration was especially evident in the meetings of the Council of Cardinals (C9), the working group Pope Francis set up in September 2013 a few months after his election to the throne of Peter, of which the Indian prelate was a member until last December. We must have had at least fifty meetings with him of three days each where we had intense meetings discussing an agenda which he had prepared, the cardinal remembers. The pope urged us, to discuss, to differ and to argue. Yet, ultimately, he would make the decision which he saw in prayer. Card Oswald Gracias, archbishop emeritus of Bombay and former president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), sent AsiaNews his reminiscences about Pope Francis, which follow. The human side of Pope Francis, I felt that Pope Francis was a person of deep faith, of prayer. The Holy Spirit sends us the leader that we need at different times. When Pope Francis began the Papacy all of us did not know what to expect as he was not much known outside of Rome; not even in Rome with the Curia. But as I look back at these last twelve years what an impact he has made on the Church and on the world. He has been fearless and courageous. When you look at the world scene, I think he has maintained the integrity of the Gospel. He preached the Gospel undiluted. He has been faithful to what he sees in prayer. He was not a respector of popular opinion. It was just what the Church has got to do. I think he took all his decisions in prayer. For me, as I look back again, I see more and more that it has been a great learning experience to be working with him. To see a person who is so committed and fearless and true to the Gospel. He listened to all of us during our frequent meetings of the Council of Cardinals. We must have had at least fifty meetings with him of three days each where we had intense meetings discussing an agenda which he had prepared. He would say that he wants to be present with us, to discuss, to differ and to argue. But in the end, he would decide and he would be in the driving seat. He knew what needed to be done. I think we felt so close to each other and knew that ultimately it would be his decision which he saw in prayer. He was aware of the many dangers to his life with threats, etc. He would say, Why be afraid of death? The Lord needs me here, the Lord wants me here and the moment the Lord does not want me he will take me away, that was his attitude. He had a compassionate heart to those in need. He did not want the Church to be a castle protecting itself but always reaching out to those in need. He consistently tried to see what our Lord would have wanted of the Church today. When in one of our discussions I asked him about synodality and what exactly was his vision, he turned to me and said, Cardinal, I think Jesus wants the Church to be synodal today. This is what our Lord wants, His mandate and therefore we must work towards it. This has been his consistent attitude. I know there's criticism and I often said what are the reasons why some people don't agree with this. He would smile. I sometimes think there is no reason but just different personalities and different perceptions. * cardinal, archbishop emeritus of Bombay. Answering a journalist's question, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson praised constructive contacts and engaged in useful exchanges between China and the Holy See. But, in the name of sinicisation, the reference is to state-to-state relations, not the local Catholic community. The presence of Chinese bishops at Franciss funeral is an open question. Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) China expresses its condolences for the death of Pope Francis, said Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry. In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained constructive contacts and engaged in useful exchanges. China is ready to work with the Vatican to promote the continuous improvement of China-Vatican relations, the spokesperson added. The death of Pope Francis has elicited a muted response from Beijing even though, more than any other pontiff, he extended a friendly hand to the People's Republic of China, with the signing of the 2018 Provisional Agreement on the appointment of Bishops (renewed three times, the last one last October) and various gestures of attention to China and its people. The laconic statement suggests that the head of a prominent sovereign state passed away, not a spiritual figure that many Catholics in the People's Republic of China view as a point of reference. This represents a step backward. When Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away little over two years ago, the party-controlled Patriotic Association published a picture of the late pontiff on its website, Catholic Church in China, with the caption: We entrust Benedict XVI to God's mercy and ask Him to grant him eternal rest in heaven. This has not yet happened more than a day after Franciss death. The same goes for the websites of Chinas dioceses. The Diocese of Shanghai, for example, was updated today with information about the annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Sheshan in May, but no mention of the pontiff's death. This does not mean that talking about it is banned in China. The Chinese Catholic website Xinde continues to reports news from the Vatican in Chinese. But Chinese official catholics websites are still not allowed to express themselves publicly on the death of the universal pastor of the Catholic Church, because of the process of sinicisation that reiterates the autonomy of the Church in China from Rome, even though local prelates were able to take part in the work of the Synod in the Vatican in the last two years. Meanwhile, we are just a few days away from the entry into force on 1 May of new rules on the religious activities by foreigners in China, which are designed to segregate Chinese and foreign Catholics in religious services. It will thus be interesting to see what Chinese authorities will do regarding the popes funeral in Rome on Saturday, 26 April. When John Paul II died in 2005, China did not send any delegation since there were no diplomatic relations with the Holy See. A delegation from Taiwan was present. Taiwan, which maintains diplomatic relations with the Vatican, announced that it would send a delegation to attend the funeral of Pope Francis,. One can expect mainland China to stay away this time as well. It remains to be seen, however, what will happen with its bishops, who were allowed to participate in the Synod. Their presence would be the easiest way for Beijing to show that it wants to pursue the path that Pope Francis also wanted. For Grand Imam al-Tayeb, who signed the Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity with Francis in 2019, The world has lost a humanitarian icon. Shia Ayatollah Al-Sistani, whom he met in Iraq in 2021, praises the pontiff for upholding the values of harmony among people. From his exile in India, the Dalai Lama highlights Franciss simple but meaningful life". The president of the World Jewish Congress and a Baha'i leader remember the Holy Father. Rome (AsiaNews) As pontiff, i.e. a builder of bridges, Pope Francis wove ties with the worlds religions during the 12 years of his pontificate, meeting leaders and visiting countries where Christians are a visible minority, speaking out against proselytising in the Church. His never-ending commitment to interfaith dialogue culminated in important initiatives, such as the Document on Human Fraternity signed in Abu Dhabi with the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb in 2019. Until his last moment, Pope Francis worked for brotherhood among peoples" and for peace, as his spiritual testament says, to which he dedicated the suffering and illness he experienced "in the final part of my life. Amid the intense atmosphere of mourning, many religious leaders have extended their condolences for the death of the pontiff, through messages addressed to the Vatican Secretariat of State or in communiques. Today, the world has lost a humanitarian icon of the highest caliber, writes Gran Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb. His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, [. . .] dedicated his life to serving humanity, championing the causes of the weak, refugees, and the oppressed, and supporting dialogue and understanding between different religions and cultures. He loved Muslims and was dedicated to spreading peace. His last statements were in defense of Palestine and the oppressed people of Gaza. Particularly touching are the words of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, Iraqs highest Shia religious leader, who met Pope Francis during the pontiffs historic visit to the Mideast country in 2021, devastated by the violence of the Islamic State group. The Shia leader notes in a statement addressed to the Vatican Secretary of State, Card Pietro Parolin, that the meeting was an exceptionally significant occasion, in which both parties affirmed the fundamental role of faith in God Almighty and His messages, and the commitment to lofty moral values in overcoming the major challenges facing humanity in the current times. In the text, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani says he feels deep sorrow for the news of the death of Pope Francis, which came after weeks of illness and 38 days of hospitalisation at Romes Gemelli Hospital. The Holy Father held a prominent spiritual standing among many peoples around the world and was greatly respected by all, due to his distinguished role in advancing the causes of peace and tolerance, and in expressing solidarity with the oppressed and persecuted [peoples] across various regions of the globe. The statement notes that the pope made great efforts to uphold the values of harmony among people, based on safeguarding rights and mutual respect among the followers of different religions and intellectual orientations. In the message, Sayyid Ali al-Sistani offers his condolences and sadness to the followers of the Catholic Church around the world for this painful loss. He also wishes them patience and solace, and earnestly supplicates to God, the Almighty and Most High, to bestow upon them and all humanity, goodness, blessings, and peace. The president of the World Jewish Congress, President Ronald S. Lauder, remembers Franciss friendship towards Jewish people since the years he lived in Argentina. While there were moments of difficulty, particularly in recent months, I remain deeply appreciative of his warmth, humility and unwavering dedication to meaningful engagement between faith communities, Lauder writes on X. On behalf of the World Jewish Congress and the more than 100 Jewish communities around the globe, I extend my deepest condolences to all those who were touched by his remarkable spirit. May his memory be a blessing and an inspiration to us all. The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, also issued a message of condolence. The two leaders never met. From his exile in India, the Dalai Lama wrote to Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, apostolic nuncio, expressing his sadness on learning that His Holiness Pope Francis has passed away, offering his prayers and condolences to his spiritual brothers, sisters and to his followers around the world. The pontiff dedicated himself to the service of others, the Buddhist leader added, consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life. A memorial service was held at the Tsuglagkhang temple, the main Tibetan temple in Dharamsala (India). Dr A. K. Merchant, a Baha'i and general secretary of the Temple of Understanding India Foundation, a New Delhi-based organisation, also expressed his condolences in a statement. We had all hoped that Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 after his recent prolonged illness and recovery would continue to guide the multitudes of his devotees and the masses of humankind, reads the press release, but God Almighty has taken him away from our midst to the heavens above. [I]t is hard to find words that are befitting to express our heartfelt condolences for an exalted spiritual personage, said Dr A. K. Merchant, conscious of the popes profound love for all of Gods children and the nations of the world, his deep commitment for the betterment of the world and the peace among the generality of humankind. In particular, he says that the documents on synodality opened wide the doors of the Catholic Church to all rediscover Jesus Christ in an Age of turmoil and immense suffering afflicting billions throughout the planet and all other living creatures. (Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article) by Lisa Bongiovanni The ESCAP summit on sustainable development is currently underway in Bangkok, focusing on those urban peripheries so dear to Pope Francis. The complaint: the Asia-Pacific region has the largest housing deficit in the world, and the development and enrichment of urban centres is not solving the problem. Meanwhile, climate change risks worsening the situation. Milan (AsiaNews) - The 81st session of ESCAP, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, opened yesterday in Bangkok and will continue until 25 April. The aim is to monitor the region's progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the United Nations has set as targets for 2030. This year's session highlights Goal 11, which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Despite progress, this goal is still a long way off. The problem is not only social: the housing deficit is also a structural brake on the economic development of cities. Metropolises are complex organisms. Everything within them has a function, like the organs of a body. The flow of people passes through the city's nerve centres and lives on the streets. It enters the heavy, orderly skyscrapers. Then it passes through residential areas and arrives in the more extensive slums, light and chaotic; it is here that as Pope Francis has repeated many times the heart of the metropolis beats and it is here where the lives of 600 million people unfold, supporting the city's economy by working in factories, construction and waste management. Megalopolises are like a human body, no organ can be neglected: if urban centres want to get richer, they can't do it by ignoring the slums. Informal settlements and slums hinder economic development for a logical reason: since they're not legally recognised, the people who live there don't contribute to tax revenue. Other entities, often criminal, collect the money owed, fuelling the informal economy. Poor hygiene leads to high healthcare costs, while the absence of property rights discourages investment. Isolation from public services and marginalisation fuel intergenerational poverty, so these cities within cities do not empty, but become crowded. According to the report, the Asia-Pacific region has the largest housing deficit in the world, and the development and enrichment of urban centres is not solving the problem. Instead, the population living in informal settlements will increase and, according to ESCAP estimates, could rise from 500 million in 2020 to 1.52 billion in 2050 in Central and South Asia. In East and South-East Asia, it estimates a more modest increase, from around 350 million to 465 million. The vision of cities without slums, formulated by Nelson Mandela in 1999, is still a distant prospect. The uncontrolled development of cities has exceeded the capacity of states to govern their expansion. In 2008, the global urban population surpassed the rural population, marking the dawn of a new urban millennium, and by 2050, two-thirds of the world's population is expected to live in these areas, with the number of urban residents growing by nearly 73 million every year. In addition to population growth, pressure on cities will increase in the coming years due to the climate crisis. According to estimates in the document, 8 million climate migrants will move by 2050. Among the various destinations are Dhaka and Karachi in Pakistan, which could have to accommodate more than 3 million and more than 2 million climate migrants, respectively. The report devotes considerable space to the repercussions of climate change on the real estate landscape - Chapter 2, dedicated to the most vulnerable elements. The situation is fuelled by the malfunctioning of the real estate market, which makes housing costs excessive. The ratio between the cost of a home and annual household income exceeds reasonable standards - annual income should be no less than one-fifth of the cost of the home. Properties in metropolitan areas have become an investment, a commodity, rather than a place to live. If left unregulated, the real estate market could create systemic risks for urban, national and even global economies, potentially leading to a real estate bubble. The seriousness of the situation has prompted Asian countries to seek a solution: the ESCAP report also cites some virtuous examples in the region. In Thailand, the Baan Mankong programme, led by a semi-autonomous public agency, helps slum dwellers obtain secure housing through neighbourhood cooperatives and subsidised loans. Attempts by local authorities to dismantle slums along the canals have been met with opposition from residents and human rights associations, as separating people in difficulty from their social networks will further limit their ability to reorganise themselves adequately. The project stems from this insight: communities form cooperatives, negotiate with private landowners and the government to purchase land, and jointly negotiate loan terms. Ownership is held collectively, and the pooling of resources facilitates access to financing. Public land for affordable housing is limited, but by coming together, the community has the power to claim its rights. The community itself will then determine the characteristics of the new residential area, adapting it to its needs. The Indonesian model - Sapula - emphasised the importance of legalising property ownership in order to achieve a lasting solution. At the heart of the strategy is also the awareness of the need to involve local government and communities, decentralising the process. Slums are not an anomaly: they are an integral part of the urban fabric and, if ignored, weaken the entire organism. Targeted interventions are needed to guarantee secure property and public services, involving the communities. Any intervention requires time, social cohesion and strong institutional support: difficult conditions, especially in large and fragmented cities. But the economic development of cities will be impossible if they continue to collapse under their own contradictions. by Giorgio Licini* Giorgio Licini, a PIME missionary, accompanied the pontiff on last year's trip to a distant frontier mission. Franciss lesson was to look inside ourselves before pointing the finger at atheists, the media or technological civilisation, because A pilgrim does not have a programme, but a goal. Port Moresby (AsiaNews) When Pope Francis travelled to Papua New Guinea he knew that we were rather opposed to a visit to Vanimo, a place that is too remote with logistical challenges that were too demanding for us and the government. When the trip was initially planned for 2020, he was expected to visit Rabaul as a second stop after the capital Port Moresby. But COVID-19 pandemic caused it to be postponed. In 2024, however, he told his aides not to listen to anyone and get him to Vanimo. He had his own motives as a bishop and pastor. Indeed, he wanted to rediscover in the land of mission a friendship and spiritual harmony he never achieved in his homeland with a group of compatriots, priests and religious, generally defined as "conservatives" that he, when he was in Buenos Aires, saw as distant and even difficult but who were great on the ground in Oceania. This seems to embody Franciss journey as a person and as a man of the cloth. When he was a young man in his native Argentina ruled by generals and in the Society of Jesus, the late pontiff saw directly the effects of ideological radicalisation in society, including in parishes and convents, the right-left cleavage, progressive vs conservative simplification. Now, after more than half a century of opposition and struggle, anger and loss, what really matters for the Church? To continue to emphasise what has already been said and established, dogmas and principles, one's personal inclination towards the right or the left? Or rather, to walk, with the same truths and unchanged principles, with believers and non-believers, with confused minds and hardened hearts, towards personal and communal conversion? On the last day of his ministry, God brought Francis together with an American political leader whose many positions he certainly disliked, and the Easter crowd of believers who were both joyful and yet to some extent desperate. Some 60 years ago, when Pope John XXII passed away, the Second Vatican Council that had not yet ended. Pope Francis was able to bring to a close his Synod on Synodality (Communion, Participation and Mission) for a more open, sincere and generous Church. He leaves his successor with the task of implementing it. This should have happened after Pope John XXIII, but historical factors, strong personalities, mental rigidities, hardened hearts, defections, presumptuousness, prevented it, turning hope of a springtime for the Church into a freezing winter, at least in the West. In this regard, a lot has been said about secularisation, individualism and other real or presumed evils. But Franciss lesson was to look inside ourselves before pointing the finger at atheists, the media or technological civilisation. Perhaps he had to do it first, or be among the first to do it, at a certain point in his life, even against himself. Then he taught it to anyone who would listen. A pilgrim does not have a programme, but a goal. This is what Francis showed in Vanimo (and elsewhere), with words and deeds. * PIME missionary in Port Moresby, advocacy manager at Caritas Papua New Guinea. by Vladimir Rozanskij Patriarch Kirill recalls the historic meeting in Cuba in 2016 and Francis' desire to heal the wounds of conflict. Putin's tribute: A consistent defender of the great values of humanism and justice. Orthodox writer Andrei Lorgus: His death on Easter has a special meaning for the whole Christian world. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis was always motivated by the desire to show solidarity with the suffering and disadvantaged, constantly remembering the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in every poor person and in every person in need of help, writes Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in a message sent to Cardinal Kevin Farrell to express his most sincere condolences on the death of the pontiff. In his message, Kirill recalled the historic meeting on 12 February 2016 at the International Airport in Havana, Cuba, where he and Francis also signed a joint declaration. His name, writes the Patriarch of Moscow, is linked to an important stage in relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The first meeting of their primates in 2016 marked the desire of our Churches to heal the wounds inflicted by conflicts of the distant and recent past and to join efforts to bear witness to the Gospel of Christ and the common heritage of the Church of the first millennium. Recalling the attention given to cases of injustice, violation of human dignity and various forms of persecution, he also writes that we will remember with gratitude his statements in defence of religious freedom and, in particular, of the persecuted Orthodox Church in Ukraine. The Russian Orthodox priest and writer Andrei Lorgus gave an interview on state television, stating that the death of the Pope of Rome at Easter has a special meaning for the whole Christian world, a sign from God indicating the special election of the person... the Lord invites us to reflect on this mysterious coincidence, looking at this pure man sent to the seat of Peter, a simple and affectionate man and at the same time firm and great in faith. Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a message of condolence on the death of Pope Francis, recalling that the pontiff enjoyed great international authority as a faithful servant of Christian teaching, a wise religious leader and statesman, and a consistent defender of the great values of humanism and justice. The Kremlin leader also recalled that during his pontificate, the pope actively contributed to the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, as well as to constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See, and that he himself had the opportunity to communicate with this extraordinary person on numerous occasions, and I will always cherish the most vivid memories of him. Russian Catholics are obviously united in their memory of the Pope, who, in the words of the Bishop of the Mother of God in Moscow, Monsignor Paolo Pezzi, learned of his passing with great sorrow and at the same time with great joy, because we are not made for separation, but to live together in the love of Christ, even when great distances divide us. On the other hand, the joy that Christ spoke of to his disciples is spreading, affirming that no one can take this joy away from you (Jn 16:22), because our beloved Pope Francis will remain with us forever, accompanying us to strengthen our communion. In Moscow Cathedral and in the other diocesan churches of the Assumption in St. Petersburg, St. Adalbert in Kaliningrad and in all the jubilee churches, books of condolence have been placed, in which all the faithful can record their memories of the pontiff. The President of the Religious Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Grand Mufti and Sheikh Ravil Gajnutdin, sent his feelings of compassion to the Holy See and to the whole Christian world, recalling that as a true man of the world, Pope Francis placed at the centre of his life the dialogue and encounter between different religions and cultures. recalling that as a true man of the world, Pope Francis placed the humanistic aspect of Christian doctrine at the centre of his ministry, constantly preaching human love and the brotherhood of all human beings. He recalled that I cherish the memories of my meeting with His Holiness in the Kazakh city of Astana in 2022, when the Roman Pontiff unhesitatingly joined my proposal for a joint prayer to the Most High for humanity and peace, also recalling the memorable visits to the Arabian Peninsula and other parts of the Islamic world, especially the signing in Abu Dhabi of the declaration On Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, and the encyclical Fratelli tutti, which Muslims in Russia translated and published in their own language, testimonies of a great legacy in Islamic-Christian relations and interreligious communication in general. The Mufti is convinced that future historians will have to study in depth and give credit to the great preacher and spiritual leader, and it can already be said that the late pontiff was a man dedicated to fraternal dialogue and kindness of heart, a herald of mercy, compassion and love for one's neighbour. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyj, said that millions of people around the world are mourning the tragic news of the death of Pope Francis... his life was dedicated to God, to mankind and to the Church, recalling how much the pontiff prayed for an end to the war in Ukraine and for the tormented Ukrainian people. In his words, he knew how to give hope, alleviating suffering with prayer and helping people to live in unity. We join Catholics and all Christians in mourning the loss of the one to whom we turned for spiritual support. Eternal memory! Today's news: Vance in New Delhi negotiate tariff exemptions with Modi; China executes the murderer of the Japanese child killed in September; eleven months in prison for the human rights lawyer arrested and deported from Laos; A Chinese executive is among those arrested in Bangkok for the collapse of the tower in the earthquake; St. Petersburg and Volgograd will return to being called Stalingrad and Leningrad for three days to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory. GAZA-ISRAEL-YEMEN While the world mourns Pope Francis, his cry for peace goes unheard. At least 18 Palestinians, including two women and two children, were killed in new bombings at dawn today in southern Khan Younis. US forces continue to attack Yemen after the Houthis claimed responsibility for further attacks against Israel and American aircraft carriers in the Red Sea. CHINA-LAOS Lawyer Lu Siwei, known for his human rights activism in China, has been sentenced to 11 months in prison in a closed-door trial in Chengdu. Despite holding a US visa and a Chinese passport, Lu was arrested in the Laotian capital Vientiane in July 2023 while travelling to join his family in America. He was detained in the Southeast Asian country for more than a month before being forcibly repatriated to China. THAILAND Thai authorities have said they have arrested a Chinese executive of a company that was building the Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed in the powerful earthquake on 28 March, killing dozens of people. A Thai court issued arrest warrants for four people, including a Chinese representative of China Railway No. 10, identified as Zhang. According to the indictment, the three Thais held shares in the company on behalf of other foreigners. Thai company law stipulates that foreigners cannot hold more than 49% of the shares in a company. INDIA-UNITED STATES At a meeting held yesterday in New Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President J.D. Vance, India and the United States said they had made significant progress in advancing trade talks on tariffs only temporarily suspended by Trump. However, there was no public indication that the Indian side had raised concerns about the cancellation of visas for Indian students as part of the US administration's expulsions of international students, which are hitting Indian students particularly hard. CHINA-JAPAN A Chinese man convicted of fatally stabbing a 10-year-old Japanese boy on his way to school in Shenzhen, southern China, in September, has been executed. Zhong Changchun was sentenced to death in January for the murder of the boy, who had a Japanese father and a Chinese mother. The Chinese Foreign Ministry informed the Japanese Embassy in Beijing of the execution. RUSSIA The city of St. Petersburg, the northern capital of Russia and the native homeland of President Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill (Gundjaev), will once again be called Leningrad for three days from 8 to 10 May, the Soviet name in memory of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. A similar measure will apply to the southern city of Volgograd, which will revert to Stalingrad for three days. BELARUS-PAKISTAN Aleksandr Lukashenko received a delegation from Pakistan in Minsk, led by Prime Minister Shehbas Sharif, announcing at the final press conference that Belarus intends to invite 150,000 Pakistanis, specialists in various fields, to work in the country with the help of the Islamabad government, thanks in part to the fact that there are no borders between Russia and Belarus. According to a new report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, criminal gangs linked to Southeast Asia's online scam centres are expanding their activities into Africa, Latin America, and other vulnerable regions thanks to technological developments. The business described as a cancer by experts generates almost US$ 40 billion a year in profits. Online platforms that are only accessible privately and gambling sites are at the heart of this illegal ecosystem. Vienna (AsiaNews) Online scam centres in Southeast Asia are increasingly expanding outside Asia, this according to a report released yesterday by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Titled Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centres, Underground Banking and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia, the study notes that organised crime groups behind so-called scam centres are moving their operations (so far centred in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines) to other parts of the world in response to Chinas recent crackdown. This reflects both a natural expansion as the industry grows and seeks new ways and places to do business, but also a hedging strategy against future risks should disruption continue and intensify in the region," said Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC Acting Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. This form of illegal trafficking, mostly run by Chinese criminal gangs but involving hundreds of thousands of people of different nationalities, lured by deception and forced to work in conditions of modern slavery, is spreading like cancer, Hofmann laments. Authorities treat it in one area, but the roots never disappear; they simply migrate, he added. This has resulted in a situation in which the region has essentially become an interconnected ecosystem, driven by sophisticated syndicates freely exploiting vulnerabilities, jeopardizing state sovereignty, and distorting and corrupting policy-making processes and other government systems and institutions." Those working at scam centres try in various ways to establish relationships with people through messages on social media to extort money. Given some vulnerabilities in Africa, the report notes that the discovery of a scam centre in Zambia led to the arrest of 77 suspects last year, including 22 Chinese nationals who were later sentenced to 11 years in prison for running the operation. Scores of Chinese citizens involved in cybercrimes have also been arrested in Angola and Namibia, but also people from Cuba and Singapore. Almost a thousand people were arrested In Nigeria between the end of 2024 and early 2025, mostly from East Asia and Southeast Asia, who, according to the investigations, had trained Nigerian "colleagues". Looking at the information gathered from police reports and anti-trafficking groups, people from over 50 countries are involved, with those from China leading the pack. According to the UNODC report, losses reached about US$ 37 billion in East and Southeast Asian countries, while in the United States alone losses amounted to more than US$ 5.6 billion, US$ 4.4 billion from scam centres in Southeast Asia alone. The regional cyberfraud industry... has outpaced other transnational crimes, given that it is easily scalable and able to reach millions of potential victims online, with no need to move or traffic illicit goods across borders, said John Wojcik, one of the report's authors. The criminal ecosystem is becoming increasingly complex. Scams are becoming more and more sophisticated thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, deepfakes, blockchain, and encrypted platforms that make it harder to track transactions. The growth of online scam centres in recent years has attracted new players providing a range of "services" (money laundering, illicit banking, and human trafficking), creating a global industry that generates just under US$ 40 billion in annual profits. IT infrastructures such as Huione Guarantee, recently rebranded Haowang18, are at the heart of the system. This marketplace platform (similar to Amazon or eBay) is accessible only through private channels and links, mainly via Telegram, which operates in Mandarin Chinese, but is headquartered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. "It has grown to more than 970,000 users and thousands of interconnected sellers," the UNODC report reads. It is like an online black market or dark Amazon, where buying and selling stolen data, software for scams and money laundering services takes place, with payments traceable only within the system, protected from external checks. Some expert estimates have found that cryptocurrency wallets used by Huione Guarantee and its vendors have received inflows totaling at least US billion over the past four years, 22 with law enforcement authorities and blockchain researchers reporting clear connections between the marketplace and criminal groups targeting victims around the world, reads the report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Online gambling sites are used in a similar way. Betting platforms are run according to a model called "white label", a term that indicates a turnkey service sold to third parties, who then offer it under their own brand. In the context of illegal gaming, this means that some companies offer real "scam packages" that include software to manage bets, payment systems, customizable interfaces, technical support and even solutions to circumvent anti-money laundering regulations. The money obtained from various types of illegal trafficking (from fraud to drugs) enters the system through top-ups on gambling accounts. The funds are then "washed" through a complex network of simulated transactions bets, winnings, games and finally withdrawn as if they were legitimate proceeds. In many cases, the platforms also integrate cryptocurrencies and prepaid cards, further complicating tracking by authorities. Some operators go so far as to distribute modified browsers with malware that infect users devices, tracking every action, recording credentials, and even capturing screenshots and sensitive data. In recent years, Southeast Asian governments, such as the Philippines, have tried to fight back, imposing limits or bans on offshore casino operations (also called POGOs). However, the extremely adaptable nature of criminal gangs has allowed them to physically move operations to new areas, fragment them into smaller subnets, or rebrand them as call centres or technology hubs. Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. 22 April 2025 16:57 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Azerbaijans innovative and disciplined approach to sustainable development has earned high praise in the 2025 publication of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). In a glowing assessment, the report recommends that other member states look to Azerbaijan as a model in aligning national budgets with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)not just in vision, but in practical implementation. According to the UN report, Azerbaijan made substantial progress in addressing SDG-related financing gaps through the deployment of forward-thinking mechanisms such as the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) and the SDG Investor Map. These instruments have allowed the country to mobilize domestic resources efficiently, while improving public investment planning and policy coherence. In 2022, Azerbaijan aligned 82.3% of its consolidated budget expenditures with its SDG priorities, equivalent to about 23% of its national GDPa remarkable achievement for a middle-income country. The report acknowledges this level of alignment as a benchmark rarely seen outside high-income countries, further highlighting the country's emergence as a sustainability leader in the region. Azerbaijan has also institutionalized the use of a Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to support key areas such as agriculture, education, health, and environmental protection. This multi-year planning tool helps the government ensure that spending decisions are sustainable, targeted, and strategically aligned with both national and global development goals. Moreover, Azerbaijan has taken concrete steps to promote green finance through the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. These are increasingly used to guide public and private investment decisions, supporting the countrys gradual transition to a low-emission and climate-resilient economy. One of the most notable achievements highlighted by UNDESA is Azerbaijans track record of transparency and voluntary reporting. The country is the only one in the CIS region and among just five globally to have submitted four Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2024to the UN High-Level Political Forum. These reviews demonstrate Azerbaijans commitment to open governance and allow for public and international scrutiny of its SDG progress. This recognition comes at a pivotal time. The global community is entering the final stretch toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and many developing and middle-income countries continue to face challenges in aligning fiscal policies with their SDG aspirations. With this recognition, Azerbaijan is emerging as a model for South-South cooperation in the SDG erashowing that middle-income countries can lead with accountability, financial innovation, and institutional reform. Azerbaijans successful alignment of budgetary resources with development priorities also offers a strategic advantage in its broader foreign policy, particularly in areas such as green energy partnerships, climate finance, and regional connectivity projects like the Middle Corridor and the Green Energy Corridor. The countrys proactive engagement in these initiatives, combined with its sound SDG framework, creates a strong foundation for attracting sustainable investments and building resilient supply chains. As the global deadline for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approaches, the pressure on countries to mobilize domestic and international financing continues to grow. Many nations are still grappling with debt sustainability, climate shocks, and post-pandemic recovery gaps. In this context, Azerbaijans experience stands out as a pragmatic roadmapone that balances ambition with accountability. Azerbaijans approachstrategic, transparent, and reform-drivenoffers a compelling blueprint. By combining strong public financial management, inclusive reporting, and institutional innovation, the country is not only advancing its own sustainability agenda but also contributing to regional leadership in green development. As more countries search for viable models to bridge the SDG financing gap, Azerbaijans experience serves as an instructive and hopeful example of whats possible when commitment meets capability. 22 April 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more In recent years, the concept of the Global South has evolved from a political term of convenience to a realignment of global power dynamics. As underscored by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's remarks on the occasion of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Global South is not just asserting itself; it is rewriting the rules of international engagement. From multilateral diplomacy to economic coordination, nations such as China and Azerbaijan are crafting a new narrative that challenges the established hierarchy and advocates for a more equitable global order. At the heart of this transformation is the principle of multilateralism, which both countries espouse. Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) from 2019 to 2023 was marked by a concerted effort to give the bloc renewed relevance. As the second-largest international organization after the UN, NAM is uniquely positioned to act as a counterweight to Western-led alliances. Under Azerbaijans stewardship, the movement pursued policy coordination among developing nations, advocated for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, and foregrounded the interests of small and medium-sized states often left out of global decision-making processes. China, for its part, has been the standard-bearer of the "community of common destiny" a philosophical and geopolitical framework intended to foster a more cooperative and less hegemonic world. It emphasizes peace, development, and mutual respect for sovereignty while criticizing the traditional dominance of Western powers. Though skeptics have questioned China's commitment to these ideals given its own strategic interests, the concept has found traction in many capitals across the Global South, particularly among nations seeking alternatives to the binary Cold War-like structures that have reemerged in recent years. Together, China and Azerbaijan present a case study in how mid-sized and large powers from the Global South can form meaningful partnerships to influence international institutions. In Astana last year, Xi and Aliyev jointly advocated for the UN system's centrality and expressed opposition to power politics. Their message was clear: global governance should not be the exclusive purview of the few; it must reflect the voices and needs of the many. "Today, countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which together form the Global South, make up almost two-thirds of the UN member states. They account for about 80 percent of the world's population, about 50 percent of the world's GDP, and about half of the total volume of international trade. The participation of the Global South in building a more sustainable, fair, and secure world order is a natural process," said President Ilham Aliyev in his interview with China's Xinhua News Agency. This is not an abstract or purely idealistic proposition. The statistics speak volumes. Countries of the Global Southspanning Asia, Africa, and Latin Americanow comprise nearly two-thirds of UN member states. They represent about 80 percent of the worlds population, nearly 50 percent of global GDP, as mentioned by the President, and account for half of all international trade. These figures illustrate a fundamental dissonance between global realities and the power structures that govern them. That dissonance has practical consequences. Whether its climate change, food security, or vaccine equity, the prevailing international system has often failed to respond adequately to the most urgent needs of the Global South. Azerbaijans focus on these themes during its NAM chairmanship and now in its leadership role for COP29 is telling. It aims to bridge the Global South and North, emphasizing that no solution to global challenges can succeed without inclusive dialogue and shared responsibility. But the path forward is not without obstacles. The Global South remains internally diverse and, at times, fragmented in its priorities. Political instability, economic inequality, and governance challenges persist across many member states. And while countries like China and Azerbaijan promote multilateralism, their approaches to democracy and human rights often invite scrutiny from Western observers. Still, the growing influence of the Global South is undeniable. It represents a paradigm shift in global governanceone that prioritizes plurality over polarity. The West, accustomed to setting the agenda, must now contend with an international community that increasingly demands equity, not charity; cooperation, not coercion. The concept of a community of common destiny may not yet be universally accepted, but its core tenets are gaining relevance. As the geopolitical center of gravity continues to shift, this idea serves as a reminder that sustainable peace and development cannot be achieved through unilateralism. It requires a shared visiona genuinely multilateral order grounded in mutual respect, legal norms, and shared values. In this moment of uncertainty, countries like Azerbaijan and China are offering a framework that, at the very least, deserves a seat at the table. Whether the rest of the world is willing to listen will determine not only the future of the Global South, but also the trajectory of the international system itself. 22 April 2025 16:34 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Representatives of the globally recognized company Ookla visited the Information Communication Technologies Agency (ICTA), the regulatory authority for telecommunications and postal services in Azerbaijan. Azernews reports that the meeting was attended by Khalid Muhammad, Chief Technical Manager for the Middle East and Africa; Osman Nayveiseh, Chief Sales Director for the Middle East and Africa; and Ahmad Nabevi, Director of Customer Services for the Middle East and Africa. Nail Mardanov, Chairman of the ICTA Board of Directors, noted that the agency maintains strong cooperation with Ookla and actively uses several of the companys services. During the meeting, Ookla representatives addressed questions related to service usage. Topics discussed included the performance requirements for SpeedTest servers installed by internet providers, monitoring compliance with server operation rules, the potential impact of violations on real index measurements, and measures for resolving such issues. The methodology behind Ooklas index calculations was also reviewed, along with the possibility of publishing SpeedTest results separately for operators and providers delivering internet services. ICTA representatives announced their intention to begin publishing monthly internet speed data, including download and upload speeds, for each operator and provider. This initiative aims to make internet quality more transparent and measurable for users. The meeting also featured a presentation of Ooklas newly launched services. It was agreed that training sessions for ICTA staff would be organized, and further technical discussions would continue in detail. 22 April 2025 13:34 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more In 2024, for the first time, some audits conducted by the Chamber of Accounts included, albeit infrequently, references to indicators consistent with the green budget approach. This marks a positive step toward Azerbaijans transition to ecological financing. However, the analysis and pre-audit results on the effectiveness of state spending on renewable energy projects were not presented separately or adequately in the Report. The addition of such a section is crucial for public and parliamentary oversight. This statement was made by Sadiq Gurbanov, Chairman of the Milli Majlis (Parliament of Azerbaijan) Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Ecology, during his speech at the plenary session of parliament today, according to Azernews. The MP noted that the Chamber of Accounts faces challenges in the new era: The Chamber must assess not only the compliance of expenditures with legislation but also their alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 7 (renewable energy), 12 (responsible consumption and production), and 13 (combating climate change). Although the report includes general information on public expenditures in the field of green energy, it lacks in-depth analyses of their results and impacts. There is a need for more focused audits and substantive analyses in this area moving forward. In this regard, it is crucial that results-oriented budgeting and green budgeting approaches take a central role in the Chambers audit activities. It is imperative that reports regularly cover topics like the green transition, digital transformation, and the economic impacts of climate risks. 22 April 2025 10:41 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has met with his Kyrgyz counterpart Mirbek Mambataliyev in Bishkek to discuss prospects for cooperation, Azernews reports. The meeting took place at Kyrgyzstan National History Museum. Minister Karimli's visit to Kyrgyzstan was aligned with the Azerbaijan Culture Days, celebrated in Bishkek. During their discussions, Minister Mambataliyev expressed his satisfaction with the flourishing cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan. He also extended his gratitude towards Azerbaijan for supporting the successful execution of the Days of Kyrgyz Culture in Baku last April. In response, Minister Karimli conveyed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to the Azerbaijani delegation during their visit for the cultural festivities. Both ministers emphasized the continuous strengthening of cultural relationships between their two nations, driven by the sincere friendships among their leaders and the increasing number of mutual official visits in recent years. Minister Karimli highlighted a notable event that underscored the camaraderie between the two countries: the joint ceremony attended by President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan for the foundation laying of a secondary school in the recently liberated Agdam region. This school, currently under construction, is described as a meaningful gift from Kyrgyzstan to the Azerbaijani people. The conversation also outlined the ongoing cultural cooperation, which is progressing both within the framework of Turkic cooperation organizationssuch as TURKSOY, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, and the International Turkic Academyas well as through direct bilateral engagements. Karimli pointed to the Days of Culture for Kyrgyzstan in Azerbaijan in 2024 and the recent performance of "Dede Gorgud" by the Kyrgyz National Academic Drama Theater in Baku as significant cultural milestones. The ministers discussed the favorable conditions for enhancing cooperation across various cultural sectors, with Azerbaijan expressing a keen interest in collaboration in areas such as theater, cinema, and librarianship. Minister Mambataliyev assured that Kyrgyzstan would persistently pursue the development of cultural cooperation in all aspects. The meeting then shifted to a fruitful exchange of views on other matters of mutual interest. A pivotal outcome of the discussions was the signing of the Plan of Practical Activities for 2025-2026, aimed at fortifying the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan in the culture sector. The comprehensive plan includes provisions for expanding collaboration within international and regional organizations, and advancing connections in theater, cinematography, and beyond. Following the signing ceremony, both ministers exchanged gifts as tokens of goodwill. Minister Adil Karimli also took the opportunity to tour the Kyrgyzstan National Historical Museum, where he received detailed insights into the museum's rich history, its exhibition halls, and its collection. 22 April 2025 13:11 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more A Memorandum of Cooperation has been signed between the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Tashkent and the Uzbekistan Academy of Arts, Azernews reports. The document was inked by director of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Tashkent Akif Marifli and chairman of the Uzbekistan Academy of Arts Akmal Nur, during the International Traditional Festival of Fine and Applied Arts. This event aligns with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's decree declaring 2025 as the "Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy." The memorandum envisages relevant work to strengthen ties between specialized institutions of the two countries in the field of fine and applied arts, exchange mutual experience, and implement joint projects in the field of national cultural heritage and art. Joint projects will be also implemented to demonstrate the works of artists, organize master classes, seminars and training programs for artists, sculptors and other artists, organize joint projects to preserve and popularize the rich cultural heritage, as well as competitions, scholarship programs and exhibitions for the development of young artists and craftsmen. Note that the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Tashkent plays a special role in the Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations in the fields of culture, science, education, and tourism. The center was opened on September 27, 2010, with the participation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Since then, the cultural center has successfully implemented a number of projects aimed at strengthening the ties between the two countries. 22 April 2025 14:15 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Every year on April 30, music lovers around the globe tune in to the enchanting sounds of saxophones, pianos, and drums for International Jazz Day-a celebration that has united nations, cultures, and hearts since its inception in 2012. This special day, proclaimed by UNESCO, serves as a powerful anthem for peace, freedom, and the beauty of improvisation, Azernews reports. Azerbaijan is not just participating in this years celebration; it is proud to host a grand musical event! The iconic Heydar Aliyev Center will serve as the main stage, where an exciting concert featuring both international and domestic jazz luminaries will take place. Featured Artists: Charenee Wade: An acclaimed American jazz vocalist known for her stunning vocal range and emotional delivery. George Melikishvili: A mesmerizing Georgian artist celebrated for his ability to create mood and groove. From Azerbaijan, the stage will showcase an array of talented performers: Salman Gambarov, a People's Artist, alongside Bakustic Jazz Honored Artists Emil Afrasiyab, Sevda Alekperzade, Tofig Jabbarov, Ruslan Huseynov, and Iskandar Alasgarov Additional vibrant talents including Sabina Hajiyeva, Firudin Gamidov, and Ilhama Gasimova The ambiance of the evening will be enhanced by the pop-symphony orchestra of the State Song Theater named after Rashil Behbudov, conducted by the talented Elbay Mammadzade. The event will be hosted by the Honored Cultural Worker Rahib Azeri, who is sure to set the right tempo for the night. Jazz transcends mere music; it embodies the language of the soul, allowing improvisation to transform emotions into melody. Experience the essence of freedom through the evocative power of jazz! To purchase tickets, please visit iTicket.Az. Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az. 22 April 2025 17:50 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan Culture Days has kicked off in at the Toktokul Satylganov National Philharmonic with a spectacular gala concert, Azernews reports. The Culture Ministers of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, Adil Karimli and Mirbek Mambataliev, alongside TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, as well as other dignitaries, prominent cultural figures, and avid art enthusiasts. Prior to the concert, Ministers Karimli and Mambataliev delivered speeches highlighting the role of culture in strengthening the bonds between their peoples. They emphasized the significance of ongoing cultural initiatives such as this event. The stage then came alive with performances by esteemed artists. "Garabagh" orchestra kicked off the evening with their captivating "Friendship Composition." Following this, the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble enchanted the audience with a series of vibrant dances, including "Fantasy," "Nelbeki," "Gaitaghi," and "Uzundara," all inspired by the operetta "The Cloth Peddler," composed by the legendary Uzeyir Hajibayli. The concert showcased a mix of both established and emerging talents, who presented a range of works from Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz composers, further celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of both nations. The enchanting evening culminated with a powerful rendition of the iconic song "Azerbaijan," originally by Muslim Magomayev and penned by Nabi Khazri, performed in unison by Nargiz Karimova, Fatima Jafarzadeh, and Khayyam Mustafazadeh, leaving the audience with a resonant sense of unity and pride. Note that Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan share deep-rooted connections, influenced by similarities in religion, traditions, and language. These cultural affinities foster a spirit of cooperation and understanding between the two nations. Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan were formally established on January 19, 1993, marking the beginning of a collaborative relationship between the two nations. The two countries actively cooperate in the field of culture within the framework of Turkic cooperation organizations like TURKSOY, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, and the International Turkic Academy, as well as through direct bilateral engagements. Additionally, to celebrate and promote Azerbaijani culture, regular events known as the Days of Azerbaijani Culture are held in Kyrgyzstan. The Plan of Practical Activities for 2025-2026, aimed at fortifying the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan in the culture sector was inked by on the sidelines of Azerbaijan Culture Days. The comprehensive plan includes provisions for expanding collaboration within international and regional organizations, and advancing connections in theater, cinematography, and beyond. 22 April 2025 17:10 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more A plein air event called "Under the Open Sky" has been held at the Arts Council Azerbaijan art residence in Mardakan, Azernews reports. The project leader is artist and art critic Dadash Mammadov. The main theme of the plein air event is the intangible heritage and national values of Azerbaijan. This interactive creative event was organized to support and develop talented artists, as well as to promote our cultural identity through art. The main goal of the project is to create an opportunity for artists to come together in an informal environment, create works in the open air, share experiences, ideas and creative energy. Such plein air events create conditions for lively communication between artists of different generations, develop their artistic skills and promote their creativity. Traditionally, the participants began working outdoors in the morning. Both young talents and well-known masters of the brush took part in the plein air event. The plein air participants included Melek Abbaszadeh, Laman Hajiyeva, Huseyn Kangarli, Ruslan Rustamov, Dadash Mammadov, Oksana Kazimova, Ulviyya Kheyrullayeva, Leyli Musaibova, Sevda Rustamova, Sevinj Ganjali, Banu Ahmadzadeh, Rashida Aliyeva, Aydan Mammadli, Nigar Muslimova. Plein air plays an important role in supporting the artistic environment as a means of creative expression and self-development and in strengthening cultural ties between artists. Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az. 22 April 2025 15:05 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On April 22, the trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan continued in Baku with the testimonies of victims, mostly mine victims, who have suffered serious injuries due to landmines allegedly planted under his leadership and support, Azernews reports. Hasanali Aliyev, one of the victims, testified that on February 4, 2024, he stepped on a mine while grazing animals in his yard. As a result, the lower third of my left leg was amputated, he stated. Many of the victims arrived at the courtroom using crutches or canes, underscoring the severe consequences of mine-related incidents. The court proceedings, held under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, have brought a wide range of serious charges against Vardanyan, including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and illegal military and political activities. Ruben Vardanyan is facing dozens of charges, including but not limited to: War of aggression (Articles 100.1, 100.2) Deportation, torture, and enforced disappearance (Articles 107, 109, 110, 112, 113) Mercenary activities and violations of international humanitarian law (Articles 114.1, 115.2, and multiple sub-articles of 116) Murder and attempted murder (Articles 120.2 and 29.120.2 series) Illegal entrepreneurship, terrorism, and its financing (Articles 192.3.1, 214.2 series, 214-1) Creation of illegal armed groups and threats to aviation safety (Articles 218, 228.3, 270-1 series, 279 series) Illegal border crossing and attempts to change the constitutional order (Articles 278.1, 318.2) The trial continues with further testimonies expected in the coming sessions. 22 April 2025 15:52 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in the People's Republic of China on April 22 for a state visit. A guard of honor was arranged at Beijing International Airport in honor of the Azerbaijani President. President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva were welcomed by Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei and other officials. 22 April 2025 22:22 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Despite hopes for a temporary pause in hostilities, Russias brief Easter ceasefire has failed to produce any meaningful progress toward peace in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported nearly 3,000 violations of the ceasefire, while the Kremlin has ignored Kyivs calls to extend it beyond April 20. Air raid sirens were heard in Kyiv just hours after the truce ended, and explosions were reported in Mykolaiv, underscoring the fragility of the situation. Yet amid the rising tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump struck a hopeful tone, posting on Truth Social: I hope that this week, Ukraine and Russia will reach an agreement. Then both countries can start doing great business with the prosperous United States, and they will make great fortunes! Trumps message came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire, which began on April 19 at 6 p.m. and was supposed to last until midnight on April 20. But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed there were no orders to extend the truce. Ukrainian officials, for their part, claim the ceasefire was not implemented at all. To explore the viability of Trumps suggested peace breakthrough, Azernews reached out to international experts for their assessments. US political scientist and foreign policy expert Peter Marko Tase criticized recent diplomatic efforts, pointing to a lack of clarity and sincerity among Ukraines European allies: The Paris negotiations of April 17 miserably failed to make any progress on the War in Ukraine. Ukrainian and European warmongers have endeavored to embark on a nasty propaganda campaign against Moscow without clarifying their objectives in the negotiations roundtable. Ukraine is fortunate to have on its side US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the outstanding Ambassador Steven Charles Witkoff. Those who underestimate and tarnish the image of Ambassador Steven Witkoff are absolutely, gravely mistaken. Ambassador Witkoff is among the top three architects of President Trump's Foreign Policy and is extremely intelligent in dealing with Russian leadership and defending the interests of the Western World. Ambassador Witkoff, under the wisdom, guidance of President Donald J. Trump, in the last three months has accomplished much more than the eight years of Obama - Biden Administration and four years of the Biden-Harris Administration. He also hinted at forthcoming breakthroughs through upcoming diplomacy: "We must understand that the hard-working Trump-Vance Administration is laser-focused on solving the world's most pressing geopolitical matters, from the Iran Nuclear Program to the War in the Middle East and the War in Ukraine. Corrupt International Media Agencies, affiliated with WOKE and Cancel Culture, have historically never been so rude and disrespectful to a U. S. Administration, in a similar fashion with the ongoing humiliation that CNN and MSDNC (MSNBC) are abhorrently inflicting on the TRUMP Administration. We have to confess that there is chilling evidence the Obama-Biden administration jeopardized U. S. national security and demoralized the morale of FBI agents who were working to keep Americans safe. Democrats historic refusal to get tough on Iran emboldened its regime and allowed Tehran to continue funding global acts of terrorism, like what we saw on October 7, 2023. We should all be breathing a sigh of relief, President Trump is back in the White House to restore American strength on the world stage and hold Iran accountable for its evil acts, as well as fight corruption among the political elite of Ukraine." Tase criticized the role of international media and the previous U.S. administrations, claiming they contributed to instability: "We should all be confident that during his official visit abroad (the first of his second Term in the White House), President Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. During these historic events in the Persian Gulf, U. S. President Trump will make groundbreaking accomplishments, on the war in Ukraine and contain the Nuclear Weapons Program of Iran. In the next two weeks, Shuttle Diplomacy conducted by General Joseph Keith Kellogg and Ambassador Witkoff will make further progress towards peace in Europe and the Middle East. Let's not forget the disastrous architecture in U. S. Foreign Policy execution and U. S. National Security Strategy inherited by Obama and Joe Biden. These decade's long geostrategic blunders cannot be solved with a stroke of a pen. The International Community, especially the European Union, just like over 80 million U. S. Citizens who voted for President Trump, must have faith in the Trump White House and support Secretary Marco Rubio in his difficult role as Washington's diplomatic leader. The rivalry between the Three Seas Initiative - Trimarium - and the Franco-German axis is producing unnecessary friction among the EU member states; such a pattern generates additional complexities in the path towards a durable peace in Ukraine. Moscow-based political analyst Andrew Korybko offered a more measured view. He noted that the Easter ceasefire initiative, although unilateral, came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the U.S. might move on from mediating: The Easter truce was a unilateral initiative by Putin that shortly followed Secretary of State Rubio telling reporters that the US might 'move on from mediating if no tangible progress is soon achieved. The timing was coincidental but nevertheless beneficial for Russia since Putin was able to show that hes not opposed to a ceasefire in principle like some have claimed. His refusal to implement a full ceasefire last month after Ukraine suggested such was due to his reasonable concerns about the nuances involved, namely, Ukraine exploiting it to rest and rearm. No matter that each side accused the other of violating the Easter truce, Putin might have been able to allay some of Trumps reported concerns about his sincerity in reaching a ceasefire." He added that Trump has previously shown impatience toward both Kyiv and Moscow: "His comments could account for Trumps hopes that a breakthrough could finally be reached as early as this week, the sentiment of which contrasts with Rubios remarks and Trumps reaffirmation thereof right after. Trump also previously published posts suggesting growing impatience with Russia, but to be fair, he also published such about Ukraine before and verbalized related feelings too. Circling back to the Easter truce, it might have given Trump some fresh optimism for peace despite each sides accusations against the other, and this could explain his latest post about a breakthrough. At the same time, he might also have simply gotten his hopes up since theres a possibility that one, the other, or both still arent willing to agree to the compromises required as part of the US peace plan. The details remain unconfirmed but Trump and his team have said on several occasions that both sides will have to compromise. The process also remains opaque so speculation naturally abounds." While Korybko acknowledged that hopes for a peace deal remain, he cautioned that both sides may not yet be ready to make the necessary compromises. Still, he suggested a turning point could be near: "In any case, the US does indeed appear ready to soon unveil the final version of its plan that its been working on since late January, after which itll likely give the parties a timeframe to decide what to do. If no tangible progress is achieved, then the US might very well move on, which could take the form of cutting off aid to Ukraine in parallel with suspending strategic resource talks with Russia. These consequences could be aimed at pressuring them to reconsider the deal on offer, the terms of which might change depending on the course of hostilities by the time that they might return to talks. Image source: Financial Times A recent "emergency order" of the US Supreme Court has caused great concern among Americans who want to decisively deal with illegal immigration, even though it created only a temporary pause. That is because the court broke multiple procedural standards and rules to issue it to temporarily protect illegal aliens. Rock solid conservative Justice Alito, joined by staunch conservative Justice Thomas issued a blistering dissent to the action of the rest of the court. They detailed all of the highly unusual aspects of what the majority did. Precedent on the Alien Enemies Act, which comes from a 1948 SCOTUS ruling after President Truman invoked that law in the aftermath of World War II, seems to be ignored by Roberts and his cohorts. Alito accused the court majority of playing politics, which Chief Justice Roberts, unfortunately, is known for. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/scotus-showdown-justice-alito-issues-scathing-rebuke-politically/ Roberts has been a weak sister, too influenced by the media, since his disastrous siding with the left in the Obamacare case. He has only gotten worse since. The three Trump appointees, Kavanaugh, Gorsuch, and Barrett, were chosen primarily for their stands on abortion, and unfortunately, they do not seem to have been as well vetted on other issues as they should have been. Barrett, especially, has been frequently siding with the left and was the key vote in shooting down the most important free speech case in years. Kavanaugh and Gorsuch also cave more often than one would expect, although not as bad as Barrett. One hopes that these three will exercise common sense on dealing with illegal immigration, which is an existential threat to our country. The left wants to tie deportations up in court to slow walk them, and that simply must not be allowed to happen. The Democrats are screaming "due process" but it was the Democrats who abandoned the due process these illegal aliens should have been subject to before they were allowed across the border. The Biden open borders policies allowed the Tren de Aragua crime gang into the country, for example. Before Biden, they were not here but now thanks to Biden they are in all 50 states. An enterprise park in Co Antrim has gone on the market for 4.25m, with the option for it to be sold with vacant possession. Commercial property practice Savills is selling Nutts Corner Enterprise Park on Moira Road outside Antrim on behalf of seller Simon Hamill of HL Estates. Savills described the location as ideal as its close to Nutts Corner Roundabout and Belfast International Airport. Its also close to major warehouse developments such as catering giant Sysco Irelands new 23m distribution centre, which is close to completion. Logistics company Hannon Group has planning permission for a 22m storage and distribution centre nearby. Existing businesses nearby include Lidls regional distribution centre, materials company Cosentino and D Beattie Distribution. And plant machinery company Tamar Selby, owned by Euro Auctions Group, also has plans for a 20m warehouse in the area. Part of the land has planning permission for mixed use development, Savills said. Nutts Corner Enterprise Park It added: The vendor has given the opportunity for the site to be sold with vacant possession or with the benefit of occupiers remaining onsite. More details of the tenants of the site are available upon request, Savills said. Savills surveyor Alex Pelan added: This sale offers a rare opportunity to acquire a potential development site benefiting from short-term income "The property includes several warehouse/storage buildings and office space currently occupied by commercial tenants. "The vendor is open to selling the site either with tenants in place or with vacant possession, offering flexibility for investors or developers. Strategically located by the busy Nutt's Corner roundabout and close to Belfast International Airport, the site enjoys superb connectivity to the wider road network. "Due to the location and the significant investment which the area has seen over the last number years, we expect the property to attract a significant amount of interest. Nutts Corner Enterprise Park The park is being readvertised for sale after first being marketed for the same asking price in September 2024. Did the Treasury miscalculate the true value of farms when formulating its plans to transform inheritance tax? Pavel Barter takes a closer look Sam Chesney, a first generation beef and sheep farmer from Co Down, hopes to pass his 120-acre farm to his two children but believes IHT will prevent him from doing so. My childrens inheritance tax will be in the hundreds of thousands. If Tesco or the National Trust were to buy this farm they would never pay inheritance tax. But if my neighbour buys this farm and he dies, he will pay it. Then they want another 20% inheritance tax with every successive generation which is ludicrous. William Irvine, president of the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) cites the case of a farmer with a significant farm business and the collateral in his mothers name. She is in her 80s with dementia and the farmer can do nothing. He just has to sit and wait. As it stands, he will have to sell a significant land amount of land [to cover the inheritance]. In that case, three generations of work is going to be wiped out. IHT is prompting farmers to reassess the future and viability their profession, says William, a seventh generation dairy farmer from Mountnorris in Co Armagh. The civil servants within Treasury came up with this grand scheme. The Treasury, for whatever reason, has got this wrong. Under changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) in the last budget, farmers with combined business and agricultural assets worth over 1m will be charged 20% IHT from April 2026. Since 1984, agricultural land, machinery, livestock, farm buildings and houses have been exempt from the tax. A government spokesperson told Ulster Business that reform to the Agricultural and Business Reliefs will impact around 500 estates a year. For these estates, inheritance tax will be at half the rate paid by others with 10 years to pay the liability back interest free. This is a fair and balanced approach which will help fix the public services we all rely on. The Treasurys assessment is in stark contrast to analysis from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), published last December, which found that around half of all farms an estimated 13,000 in Northern Ireland could be impacted by inheritance tax changes. Farmers believe the Treasury severely miscalculated the true value of farms. Until now the advice from HMRC was dont worry about revaluing your farm during generational change because it didnt affect anything. It was just a legal process of transferring deeds, William says. As a result, a true up-to-date valuation of farm business accounts was not in place. Various factors push Northern Ireland farmers above the 1m mark, says Cormac McKervey, Ulster Banks head of agriculture. The average price of land in Northern Ireland is around 15,000 an acre. In counties like Armagh its 20,000. Assets push this pricing further upwards. Add in the farmyard, buildings, dwelling house, the value of stock and machinery, and youre probably looking at 25,000 an acre. At 25,000 an acre, a 40 or 50 acre sized farm will automatically trigger into inheritance tax. The average farm size in Northern Ireland is around 100 acres. Sam Chesney owns around 120 acres of land and rents ground as well. You couldnt live on the postage of 50 acres, he says. There is no relation between the capital value of farmland and earning power from farming, which is valued at 1% to 2% per annum in Northern Ireland, according to Cormac. If a farm has 100 acres a standard family farm in Northern Ireland in theory it is worth 2m. It generates enough money to just about meet its commitments but in no way does it ever generate the amount of money needed to capture an inheritance tax bill. Farmers will be able to pass on farmland without paying IHT as long as the donor lives for seven years after the transfer is made. But spreading collateral across children comes with cost and risk, says William. A teenager, for example, is not well enough saddled on lifes journey to know whether he wants to spend the rest of his life on a farm or whether he has other ambitions. The UFU president is passing his collateral to his son in the hope I will live for the next seven years. If Im fortunate, with the help of God, I will do that. But if I was 80, thats a far bigger question. If I was 40, the next generation isnt at the stage thats a viable possibility. Its a lottery. Famers facing a 200,000 IHT invoice for a farm valued at 1m might have to sell off land in order to make the payment. Sam Chesney equates this to a builder or a plumber selling his van or a shopkeeper selling part of his shop floor. Another option would be to borrow money to cover the debt. The problem with [loans] is that the land doesnt generate the return that other business assets might do its a long term gain, Cormac says. Farmers have organised mass protests calling for the government to reverse course. Fifty UFU members recently attended a Pancake Day Rally in London and farmers brought along machines required to grow pancake ingredients a combine, sugar beet harvester, tractor, seed drill, and a crop sprayer - in order to highlight the monetary investments required to produce food. The UFU has been involved in intensive lobbying. I feel we are winning this argument everywhere apart from at number 10 [Downing Street], says the unions president. If we go quiet on this, the government will think theyve won, so we need to keep the pressure on. Although farmers have explained the facts and figures for what they believe is the Treasurys miscalculation, the government has yet to budge. In a statement, a government spokesperson highlighted a 5bn commitment for farming in the last budget which includes schemes directed at sustainable food production. The budget also included 60m through the Farming Recovery Fund and the establishment of a new British Infrastructure Council to steer private investment in rural areas. Farmers believe all is not lost. There is a window of opportunity for the government to pause, consult or change [the proposed legislation], William says. The window will not be open much longer though. Following the autumn budget this year, a finance bill will cement changes to APR and BPR in legislation. Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast and our Plan for Change will protect food security and grow the rural economy, the government spokesperson told Ulster Business. Farmers are not so sure. We produce food in Northern Ireland for 10 million people, even though theres only a million and a half of us [in the province], says Sam Chesney. The world is a very difficult place at the minute. A country lives and survives on its stomach. Cormac McKervey, Ulster Banks head of agriculture, recommends that farmers get good legal and financial advice from their accountant or solicitor and dont take knee-jerk reactions. Sit down and plan this out. Its a very emotive subject for farmers but you need to take the emotion out of it and ask, What is my long-term business plan? This will open up a discussion about succession. Sometimes it is not discussed until the farmer dies. But now there will hopefully be a more open and honest conversation about planning for succession. DJ Provai from Irish Hip Hop trio Kneecap performs onstage during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 11, 2025 in Indio, California. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images) I describe it as like having a UTI every single day of your life: Belfast mum sheds light on living with rare bladder condition A Belfast mum wants to shed some light on a rare bladder condition that means she can never venture far from a toilet Toni Mallen in hospital waiting for treatment Jade Beecroft Tue 22 Apr 2025 at 07:45 Toni Mallen (35) says her interstitial cystitis has impacted on her job as a classroom assistant, her social life and even time with her family. About 20 protesters were escorted out of the premises by police. Credit: BBC NI A BBC studio in Belfast had to be placed into lockdown after a group of pro-Palestine activists gatecrashed onto the premises. The RTE campus in Dublin was also targeted on Tuesday. Its understood almost two dozen protesters, some of whom carried Palestinian flags and wore traditional Palestinian scarves, gained access to Blackstaff House on Great Victoria Street for a short time at around 11am. The building, which is home to NIs largest purpose-built hub known as Studio A, was quickly shut down as demonstrators chanted "Free Palestine". A staff member told the BBC that protesters approached security staff posing as tourists. They asked to visit the building, but were refused entry. However, as a staff member was leaving, they rushed through a pedestrian gate. A BBC spokesperson said we take the safety and security of BBC staff and buildings extremely seriously. "Unauthorised access is wrong and can create risks for everyone involved, they added. The PSNI said it responded to a report that a building had been entered by protesters in the city centre. Officers attended the scene and spoke with the crowd who then left the building and moved their protest outside, a spokesperson said. No damage was caused and the protesters have since moved on from this area. Around an hour later a small group of protesters entered the RTE reception area in the Republic. Gardai were called to the scene and removed the crowd. Both protests voiced their criticism of the coverage of Israels war in Gaza. In a statement, a spokesman for gardai said: Gardai attended at a public gathering at a premises in Donnybrook, Dublin 4 this afternoon, Tuesday April 22 2025. This gathering has now dispersed. No offences disclosed. A spokeswoman for RTE said it does not comment on security-related matters. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Fleur Anderson with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn. A senior DUP figure has criticised disgraceful comments by a Northern Ireland Office minister about opinion polls playing a role in calling a border referendum. Michelle McIlveen was speaking after Fleur Anderson indicated that the criteria for when a vote would be triggered would be based on opinion polls. Ms Andersons comments first appeared in an AgendaNI article at the weekend. Ms McIlveen, the DUPs deputy leader, said that a border poll is divisive and that most people living here just want to make Northern Ireland work. She said Ms Andersons comments were ill-considered. Under the Good Friday Agreement, the power to call a border poll rests with the Secretary of State. However, they have consistently refused to outline what exactly would be required. On Sunday night, the NIO appeared to distance itself from Ms Andersons comments, saying responsibility for a referendum sits solely with the Secretary of State. This is clearly set out in the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which gives effect to the Good Friday Agreement and the principle of consent, a spokesperson said. This has been and remains the only condition. The Secretary of State has been clear that there is no evidence that this condition has been met. It came on a weekend which saw Sinn Fein renew calls for a border poll by 2030. Ms McIlveen said support for nationalist, pro-border poll parties has remained static since 1998. The combined support for the SDLP and Sinn Fein in 1998 was 39.6% and in 2022 was 38.1%, she added. The suggestion by Minister Fleur Anderson that opinion polls could dictate the timing of a border poll is ill-judged. The Agreement makes clear that such a decision rests with the Secretary of State, based on clear evidence of a likely majority for constitutional change, not some haphazard opinion poll. That a Minister in His Majestys Government seems ambivalent and so uncertain about maintaining the Union is quite disgraceful. Last Friday, it was the Secretary of State who shared his irrelevant musings that we are ignorant of the law and how Northern Ireland is governed. Today, its the Minister of State. Collectively, the NIO Ministers need better counsel. They must do better. The NIO has been contacted for comment on Ms McIlveens remarks. The legislation states the Secretary of State should call a referendum on Irish unity if it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the UK and form part of united Ireland. Earlier this year, a LucidTalk poll published by the Belfast Telegraph showed that 48% of Northern Ireland voters want to stay in the UK, whilst 41% are in favour of constitutional change. Michelle McIlveen Watch: Sam McBride discusses a united Ireland, tariffs and shared island future with Taoiseach Micheal Martin In last years Westminster election, the total unionist vote was just over 43% while the nationalist vote was slightly over 40%. The margins on the constitutional status have narrowed slightly, according to polls for this newspaper. In a survey last year there was a 10-point gap between the two sides; with 49% supporting staying in the UK, while 39% wanted Irish unity. In our most recent survey, 10% of people said they were unsure how theyd vote, while 1% would abstain or spoil their ballot. Mass-goers in Belfast and senior Catholic clerics react to the death of pope in Vatican at age of 88 St Marys Church in Belfast after the death of Pope Francis on the 21st April 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph) Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St Peter's Basilica to bestow the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and the world) blessing at the end of the Easter Mass on Sunday The news came as a shock to many on Monday morning, leaving people across Northern Ireland mourning the loss of the compassionate Pope Francis. Worshippers on their way to Mass learned the pontiff had died following a two-month illness, and were asked to keep him in their prayers. Some of the faithful speculated the aging head of the Catholic Church had held on until Easter Monday one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar. Father Gary Donegan of Holy Cross in Ardoyne spoke of Francis humble nature. He said: It was something we were expecting. With him bestowing a blessing on people last night, it was like he was planning his own death. When he was sworn in as pope, someone brought him the vestments, and he joked: If you want, you can wear them. Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St Peter's Basilica to bestow the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and the world) blessing at the end of the Easter Mass on Sunday Pope Francis Dies at 88, Vatican Announces When he came out to greet the people, he said: Pray for me. It was the most simple beginning to a most wonderful papacy... going on the buses with the cardinals in their red, he wore his simple white. At this moment in the whole world, with the lack of statesmanship in leaders, he was a beacon. He was so compassionate he was all-encompassing. St Marys Church in Belfast after the death of Pope Francis on the 21st April 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph) In churches across the city Catholics offered their prayers, lighting candles in memory of the Argentinian pontiff. The faithful came and went at Clonard Monastery, among them Martin White. He said: I was surprised (at his death), because I did see him on TV on Easter Sunday. What I am doing at the minute is praying a Divine Mercy. It starts on Good Friday and ends on Saturday this week. I heard about his passing this morning, so I decided to come up here for an extra half-hour to pray. He was very good, he was always for the poor. The day he started his new job, he went to his residence, but he said no, he wanted something small. He didnt dress up in fancy clothes, he didnt drive a fancy car, he was for the people. Martin White outside Clonard Monastery Also at Clonard Monastery was John, who didnt wish to give his surname. He said: He was giving blessings on Easter Sunday, and he passed away 24 hours later. It shows how much his faith meant to him, and how much it meant to the people to see him out and about. Following Easter Monday Mass at St Malachys, Carrol Black said she had been shocked by news of the popes passing. She added: I am saddened and now I just hope he is at peace I am sure he is at peace with God. He was a very humble man. I think his legacy will be of his faith, of him looking more into climate change, to the poor, to those on the margins, and a legacy of peace and love for one another. Carrol Black outside St Malachy's Also at St Malachys Church was Arthur Peters. He said: He did an awful lot for the unity of the church and for the LGBT community he has been a very welcoming pope. That is very important to a lot of people. It doesnt matter where you stand on the matter, the church is for everyone, not just for certain people. He was, across the board, one of the good ones. I think we are seeing a lot of young men joining the church now. Im from England, so it is happening over there as well. Arthur Peters outside St Malachy's Catholic Primate Eamon Martin described Francis papacy as a profound gift. The Archbishop of Armagh added: There was something different about this pope, who came to us 12 years ago from the ends of the world. On that very first night when he stood on the balcony of Saint Peters Basilica, our hearts were moved as he greeted the people with a simple Buonasera, and asked us to pray for the Lord to bless him. The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin (left), and Archbishop Dermot Farrell Archbishop of Dublin, lead prayers at St Patricks Cathedral in Armagh following the death of Pope Francis (Niall Carson/PA) Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian took to social media to post: It is with great sadness that I received news earlier this morning that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has died. I know that my sorrow will be shared by many people across the Diocese of Down and Connor, and across the world, who were inspired by the humility and humanity of Pope Francis. Pope Francis exercised this ministry of hope, a hope that was firmly grounded in the assured presence of the risen Christ. Bishop McGuckian added: I know that parishioners across the Diocese of Down and Connor will now be praying that, with the Risen Christ of Easter, Pope Francis will be received into the loving arms of God. A Belfast city councillor has reiterated the need for an overdose prevention facility to deal with the drug crisis after hitting out at an image of a pile of needles found in the city centre. Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth said he is often sent photos of needle finds in the city centre. He shared one from 9am on Tuesday morning which he reported to have since been cleaned. Some in Belfast City Council want to ignore the issue and for me to be quiet. I'm not going to and I'll get louder, we need an overdose prevention centre: Save lives and build collective safety, Mr Smyth added. Green Party councillor Brian Smyth Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph he said there is a serious drug crisis going on in Belfast city centre right now. The Lisnasharragh representative explained he is aware of 20-30 people injecting every day, with charity Extern lifting approximately 600-700 needles each month from private land around the city centre and the council collecting similar. You dont have to look far away from the city centre, he said, this all goes back to the need for an overdose prevention facility. Mr Smyth has been raising the need for such a facility for years and said other parties are beginning to get on board, but claimed some councillors are reluctant to highlight the issue. It comes just days after an interview with the citys Lord Mayor Micky Murray, in which the Alliance Party politician told Hot Press magazine the city needs to look at things like safer injection spaces or overdose prevention facilities. Making reference to the city centre living plan, set out in the Belfast Agenda and the councils Bolder Vision for Belfast, Mr Smyth said there is an aim to grow the city by 66,000 residents by 2035. He believes by taking drug usage off the streets and into a facility, it will make the city centre a more attractive proposition, while accepting it is not a silver bullet solution. Lord Mayor of Belfast Micky Murray The latest figures from the NI Research and Statistics Agency (NISRA) show that in 2023 there were 63 drug-related deaths in Belfast, which was the highest rate of any local government district at 14.3 per 100,000 of population. This problem is not going away; if anything its getting worse. We need a facility to save lives and make the city centre safer, he said. Nobody has died at an injection facility. Police dont have the resources to deal with these issues. It would free police up to pursue those higher up the chain who are flooding the city with drugs. We need to reduce the stigma. There are drug injection facilities in Glasgow and Dublin, why can there not be one here? The council has been playing its part, along with a handful of organisations, it is time for Stormont to step up. Belfast City Council said it continues to work closely with partner agencies, their outreach teams and the PSNI to develop longer term solutions to address substance misuse and anti-social behaviour in Belfast city centre. We are also continuing to engage with our partners to seek a suitable location for the installation of specific needle/drug waste bins, a statement added. When council receives reports of discarded needles or other drugs paraphernalia, we act to remove them as quickly as possible. Any incidences of discarded material can be reported directly to sharps@belfastcity.gov.uk where they are dealt with as soon as possible. Rangers fans furious over Sinn Fein MPs visit to Ibrox to raise cash for charity The West Belfast MP was singled out for vicious abuse on social media after he visited Rangers Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow and was pictured standing next to former star player Gordon Durie on the famous marble staircase. Paul Maskey (right) with former Rangers star Gordon Durie Steven Moore Tue 22 Apr 2025 at 11:13 Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey became a hate figure for some Rangers fans after crossing the sectarian divide to raise money for charity. A teenage boy has been charged in connection with an assault on a Glider in west Belfast on Easter Sunday. It happened when the Translink vehicle was in the Divis area of the city at around 6.50pm. Police previously said they were investigating an altercation which broke out involving approximately 20 youths. A passenger, who intervened, was attacked, sustaining injuries to his face and head," a spokesperson said. He was taken to hospital for treatment. Detectives have charged a 15-year-old suspect with common assault and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. The boy is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Monday, May 19. The PSNI said the charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service as is usual procedure. Ireland in end days of partition, claimed leader McDonald on Easter Sunday Sinn Fein has said momentum towards a border poll is growing every day, after a Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister said any decision to call a referendum will be guided by opinion polls. While the NIO has distanced itself from the comments of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Fleur Anderson by insisting responsibility for a referendum sits solely with the Secretary of State, Stormonts largest party welcomed the insight into departmental decision making. The momentum towards constitutional change on this island is growing visibly day by day, a Sinn Fein spokesperson said. UDA finally banned in 1992 after NIO admitted its reason for keeping terror group legal was spurious Loyalist terror gang proscribed as government accepted basis for keeping group legal that it and UFF were separate spurious The UDA had long been a murderous terror group, but absurdly remained unbanned by the UK Government Sam McBride Tue 22 Apr 2025 at 11:00 After hundreds of murders by the UDA, the government finally banned the terror group in 1992, with the Secretary of State telling the Prime Minister what had been known for decades that the basis for keeping it legal was spurious. The Vatican official who runs the Holy See after the death of one pope and before the election of another is no-nonsense Irish-born American Cardinal Kevin Farrell. The 77-year-old, born in Dublin, had only been in Rome for a few years, summoned out of the blue from his job as bishop of Dallas, when he was asked by Pope Francis in 2016 to reorganise the Vaticans laity office. This was followed three years later, in 2019, by a request from Francis that he take on another role, steeped in myth and mystery but with real-world responsibilities, managing the Vatican as camerlengo, or chamberlain, during the often traumatic interregnum between papacies and helping to organise the conclave to elect the next pontiff. Pope Francis, left, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell during a vigil at Campo San Juan Pablo II in Panama City in 2019 (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) Cardinal Farrell recalled in a 2022 interview that he told the Pope he would accept the position, but on one condition, that Francis would preach at his own funeral, reflecting the cardinals hope that he would die before Francis and never have to act as a camerlengo. The joke was twofold: Cardinal Farrell did not particularly want the heavy responsibility. But more personally, he did not want to entertain the possibility of outliving Francis, whom he credited with having set the Catholic Church on a crucial path of renewal, redirecting it away from culture-war defensiveness and back to its Gospel-driven essence of inclusion. We were defending ourselves always: Self-preservation was the theme of the church, Cardinal Farrell said. And Pope Francis moved us beyond self-preservation to a message of welcome and accompaniment. Cardinal Farrell announced the Popes death on Easter Monday (Paolo Santalucia/AP) With Franciss death, Cardinal Farrell is in the spotlight, albeit only until a new pope is elected. Cardinal Farrell announced the death on Monday morning from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where Francis lived and died. In a short statement read live on Vatican television, he said Franciss entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his church. According to tradition, the camerlengo certifies the popes death, seals the papal apartment and breaks the popes fishermans ring, as a symbol of a vacancy at the Holy See. He leads the procession accompanying the coffin into St Peters Basilica and presides over the burial. The camerlengo also gets written reports from Vatican offices about their current assets; a copy of the current and projected budget for the Holy See; and any other information from the Vaticans economic ministry that would be useful for cardinals and the future pope. Pope Francis, left, with Cardinal Farrell, at the Mater Ecclesiae College in Rome in 2018 (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) He and the dean of the College of Cardinals, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, then play key roles organising the meetings of cardinals preceding the conclave. Cardinal Farrell said the financial duties were far more important than the ceremonial ones and the ones for which he was more qualified. Cardinal Farrell already heads top Vatican committees on finances, investments and confidential matters, as well as its supreme court, making him particularly well-suited to deliver a financial prospectus to the new pope. The man Francis chose to bridge his papacy was born in the Irish capital on September 2 1947. He entered the Legionaries of Christ religious order in 1966 and was ordained a priest for the Mexican-based order in 1978. He left six years later and became a diocesan priest in the Washington Archdiocese. He worked in a series of parishes but also took on increasing charge of the books in the archdiocese he has a keen mind for finances but says he never finished his MBA. Cardinal Farrell outside the Diocese of Dallas Catholic Conference and Formation Centre in 2014 (LM Otero/AP) He became auxiliary bishop of Washington in 2001 and served under the ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick before being made bishop of Dallas in 2007. Cardinal Farrell said he was happy and very comfortable as bishop in Dallas when his secretary came to him in May 2016 to tell him the Pope was on the phone. He moved to Rome that October to head the laity office. Within hours of his arrival, Francis announced that Farrell would be made a cardinal. It was a sign, later confirmed with his nomination as camerlengo, that Francis fully intended to entrust Cardinal Farrell with some of the most important responsibilities of the church, including after he was gone. Former Irish premier Leo Varadkar has praised Pope Francis for reaching out to the LGBT+ community, saying it made him feel more comfortable going to church services (PA) Former Irish premier Leo Varadkar has praised Pope Francis for reaching out to the LGBT+ community, saying it made him feel more comfortable going to church services. The 88-year-old pontiff died on Easter Monday after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said. His funeral will take place on Saturday. Mr Varadkar, who was taoiseach from 2017 to 2020 and again from 2022 to 2024, met Francis during the Popes visit to Ireland in 2018. Pope Francis shakes hands with taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Dublin Airport as he departs after his two-day visit (Maxwell Photography/PA) The former Fine Gael introduced his partner, Matt, to the Pope during their meeting. In 2023, Francis stated that laws criminalising homosexuality were unjust and that being homosexual isnt a crime. The pontiff visited Ireland for two days in August 2018, which included a visit to Knock, a meeting with victims of clerical abuse, and a visit to a homeless centre run by the Capuchin Fathers. I think the way he reached out to groups like ours, like LGBT people, did matter and certainly made me feel more comfortable going to church services, Mr Varadkar told RTE. One thing he did, which I think was significant, was he spoke out against criminalisation of gay and lesbian people. In Ireland, its easy to forget that while there are 30 countries where gay people can get married, there are 70 where its still a crime. For the Pope to speak out against that in places like Africa, is actually a real significance and bear in mind, at the moment, in politics around the world there are people who claim that God is on their side while they try to reduce the rights of LGBT people, while they try to treat migrants badly, while they try to deny climate action. Having a pope, the head of the largest Christian church, saying that refugees should be sheltered, saying that our planet was sick and that we needed to act to save it, saying that LGBT people should not be criminalised, that that did matter. I do hope that successor is of a similar mind. Mr Varadkar said during Franciss visit to Ireland, relations between the Catholic Church and the state werent very good, referring to the scandals in mother and baby institutions as well as the clerical sex abuse that took place across industrial schools. We also had been misaligned from the church in a lot of ways, on a lot of issues, he added. We had the abortion referendum, for example, earlier that year. So relations on lots of levels werent brilliant. Pope Francis arrives to attend the closing mass of his visit at Phoenix Park in Dublin But I think I saw it, and I think Pope Francis saw it as well, as an opportunity maybe for a bit of a reset, to kind of shake hands again, if you like, and agreed to have a more equal relationship. One that was more mutually respectful, one where the Church wasnt in charge of that relationship anymore in the way it was for most of our history. But also one where we were saying back that the Church has a place in our society. Francis led an open-air Sunday mass in Dublins Phoenix Park, where pilgrims attendance was a fraction of the million people who greeted Pope John Paul II at the same spot in 1979. During the Phoenix Park service, the Pope asked for forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland and for pardon for all the abuses committed in various types of institutions. Mr Varadkar said that while it was a significant gesture, he believes more could have been done. Thousands attended the mass in Phoenix Park in Dublin (PA) One thing I found very informal, bear in mind hes head of church hes also a monarch, head of government, head of state of the Vatican City and obviously his huge responsibilities, but was very colloquial in his language, very informal, Mr Varadkar added. He made the whole thing seem very relaxed, which I thought was great because I was a little bit nervous at first, and then we got to talk about different topics. Now the topics would have been flagged in advance. I was keen to talk to him about some things on behalf of the survivors of abuse and talk about the institutions that we were investigating and the compensation packages and so on. He definitely listened, definitely heard, and was sort of keen that we follow it up between the two sides at official level. One thing he did, though, which I think was very significant, was that he asked for forgiveness. I was there at the mass in Phoenix Park where he did that, and I think that was a significant gesture. Could more have been done? Can more still be done? I think so, but I dont remember a pope previously, I might be wrong, but I dont remember a pope previously confessing to the sin of what had happened and seek forgiveness. I dont think that was nothing. Antoni Bohdanowicz and his wife Jelena travelled to Rome for Holy Week (Antoni Bohdanowicz/PA) A British tourist who had travelled to Rome for Holy Week has spoken of the sombre atmosphere in the city following the death of Pope Francis. Antoni Bohdanowicz, 39, from Berkshire, had come to the Italian capital with his wife Jelena and her family as part of a pilgrimage as a tribute to her late mother. The couple, who attended the Easter Sunday service in St Peters Square, said they were shocked by the late pontiffs appearance as he greeted pilgrims and tourists from the popemobile. Pope Francis greets crowds in his popemobile on Easter Sunday (Antoni Bohdanowicz/PA) He was in an awful state on Easter Sunday, Mr Bohdanowicz told the PA news agency from Rome. Everybody was aware of his health, but the atmosphere was quite joyous. He had pilgrims from all over the world. I was standing next to Slovakians, Colombians and a group of pilgrims from Lesotho. Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pontiff, died in the early hours of Easter Monday at the age of 88. Mr Bohdanowicz, who is half Polish, said he returned to St Peters Square to pay his respects. People on the square were touched, they were crying, he said. Mr Bohdanowicz, who works in procurement, said that although he had seen Pope Francis back in 2015 this was his first time attending Easter Sunday in Vatican City. My wifes family wanted to do a pilgrimage as a tribute to her mum who passed away 10 years ago, he said. Pope Franciss body is laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican (Vatican Media via AP, HO) They want to do a special pilgrimage, because she always promised that shed go to Rome for Easter but it never happened. I had the feeling that something was going to happen, either before or after the trip. The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, with his body going on public display from Wednesday for mourners to pay their respects. Mr Bohdanowicz, who is returning to the UK on Wednesday, said he hopes to pay his respects in St Peters Basilica before he leaves. Franciss death, following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, prompted an outpouring of tributes across the globe. The King, who met Francis earlier this month, said he was someone who had profoundly touched the lives of so many, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had been a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. His papacy emphasised the defence of the environment and partial openness to LGBTQ+ rights, and he was praised globally for his strong advocacy for the poor and marginalised. Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 14 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and destroyed bulldozers and other heavy equipment that had been supplied by mediators to clear rubble. Separate strikes on Tuesday killed two people in Lebanon. Israels 18-month offensive against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, raising fears that much of it may never be rebuilt. The territory already had a shortage of heavy equipment, which is also needed to rescue people from the rubble after Israeli strikes and to clear vital roads. A strike on a parking garage in Jabaliya destroyed nine bulldozers (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) The Israeli military said it struck and destroyed around 40 pieces of heavy machinery. Israel said Hamas used the vehicles, including bulldozers, for planting explosives, digging tunnels and breaching fences, including during the major attack on October 7 2023. A municipality in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza said a strike on its parking garage destroyed nine bulldozers provided by Egypt and Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire that took hold in January. Israel ended the truce last month, renewing its bombardment and ground operations and sealing the territorys two million Palestinians off from all imports, including food, fuel and medical supplies. The strikes also destroyed a water tanker and a mobile generator provided by aid groups, and a truck used to pump sewage, the Jabaliya al-Nazla municipality said. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes. The military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the group operates in densely populated areas. An Israeli airstrike early on Tuesday destroyed a multistorey home in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing nine people, including four women and four children, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. The dead included a two-year-old girl and her parents. Israel renewed its bombardment and ground operations in Gaza last month (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) They were asleep, sleeping in Gods peace. They had nothing to do with anything, said Awad Dahliz, the slain girls grandfather. What is the fault of this innocent child? Also on Tuesday, a strike in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp killed three children and their parents, and a strike in Nuseirat killed a man and two children, according to the Gaza Health Ministrys emergency service and local hospitals. Israels air and ground war has killed more than 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 people hostage. They are still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israels 18-month offensive against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Hamas has said it will only free the remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire. Israel has said it will keep fighting until the hostages are returned and Hamas has been either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. It has pledged to hold onto so-called security zones in Gaza indefinitely. An Israeli drone strike southeast of Beirut killed Hussein Atwi, a member of the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a region-wide Sunni Islamist political movement. The group said he was leaving for work when the drone struck. Lebanons Health Ministry said another person was killed in an Israeli strike on the southern Tyre province, without providing further details. Israel has continued to carry out regular strikes across Lebanon despite reaching a ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group in November. Israel says it is targeting militants and weapons caches. The Lebanese government says 190 people have been killed and 485 wounded since the ceasefire took hold. Hezbollah began firing on Israel the day after Hamass October 7 attack. Israel responded with airstrikes, and the conflict in Lebanon escalated into a full-blown war in September when Israel carried out a heavy wave of strikes and killed most of Hezbollahs top leadership. Police and soldiers cordoned off the area and launched a hunt for the attackers (Dar Yasin/AP) Multiple deaths are feared after gunmen indiscriminately fired at tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said, with police calling it a terror attack and blaming militants fighting against Indian rule. This attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years, Omar Abdullah, the regions top elected official, wrote on social media. The death toll is still being ascertained so I dont want to get into those details, he said. Paramedics carry a wounded tourist on a stretcher at a hospital in Anantnag (Dar Yasin/AP) Initial reports said gunmen sprayed bullets at mostly Indian tourists visiting Baisaran meadow, some three miles (5km) from the disputed regions resort town of Pahalgam.Police said multiple tourists had gunshot wounds, and officials were evacuating them to hospitals. Police and soldiers cordoned off the area and launched a hunt for the attackers. Indias home minister Amit Shah headed to Srinagar, the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir, where he said he would review the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on an official visit in Saudi Arabia, was briefed about the incident, Mr Shah said. Indian security officers stand guard at a hospital in Anantnag (Dar Yasin/AP) We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences, he wrote on social media. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key Kashmiri resistance leader, condemned what he described as a cowardly attack on tourists, adding: Such violence is unacceptable and against the ethos of Kashmir which welcomes visitors with love and warmth. Condemn it strongly. The attack coincided with the visit to India of US Vice President JD Vance, who is on a largely personal four-day visit. An Indian policeman searches a civilians bag in Srinagar, in Indian-controlled Kashmir (Mukhtar Khan/AP) The meadow in Pahalgam is a top sightseeing destination, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dotted with pine forests. It is visited by hundreds of tourists every day.Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhis rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict. The Ukrainian air force said Russia fired 54 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight (Alamy/PA) Russian drones battered the Ukrainian port city of Odesa and glide bombs hit Zaporizhzhia, local authorities said on Tuesday The attacks came as the Kremlin again warned that negotiators were unlikely to obtain a swift breakthrough in peace talks on the war. Ukrainian, British, French and US officials are due to meet in London on Wednesday to discuss the situation. Anticipation is building over whether diplomatic efforts can stop more than three years of fighting since Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Hostility has run deep since Russia invaded and illegally annexed Ukraines Crimea Peninsula in 2014. A multi-storey building was damaged by a Russian strike on a residential neighbourhood in Zaporizhzhia (Kateryna Klochko/AP) US President Donald Trump said last week that negotiations were coming to a head and insisted that neither side was playing him in his push to end the war. This came after US secretary of state Marco Rubio suggested America might soon back away from negotiations if they did not progress. Mr Rubio has suggested that Wednesdays meeting could be decisive in determining whether the Trump administration continues its involvement. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned that the settlement issue is so complex that it would be wrong to put some tight limits to it and try to set some short time frame for a settlement, a viable settlement it would be a thankless task. Mr Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Trump envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow again this week. Western analysts say Moscow is in no rush to conclude peace talks because it has battlefield momentum and wants to capture more Ukrainian land. US President Donald Trump said negotiations were coming to a head (Alex Brandon/AP) Russia has effectively rejected a US proposal for an immediate and full 30-day halt in the fighting by imposing far-reaching conditions. Odesa came under a massive attack by Russian drones overnight, injuring at least three people, the head of Odesa regional administration, Oleh Kiper, wrote on his Telegram page on Tuesday. A residential building in a densely populated urban area, civilian infrastructure and an educational facility were hit, he said. Also, during daylight on Tuesday, Russia hit the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia with two massive aerial glide bombs a retrofitted Soviet weapon that for months it has used to lay waste to eastern Ukraine. The attack killed a 69-year-old woman and injured 22 people, including three children, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. Russia hit the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia with two massive aerial glide bombs (Andriy Andriyenko/AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky his earlier offer of a ceasefire covering civilian sites still stands, adding: Russia needs to be seriously prepared to talk about this. There are no obstacles on the Ukrainian side and there will be none. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there are no plans for talks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys proposal to halt strikes on civilian facilities. He said Moscow is prepared to consider such a step but noted that reaching an agreement could take time. While talking about civilian infrastructure, its necessary to clearly define when such facilities can be a military target and when they cant, he said. If a military meeting is held there, is it a civilian facility? It is. But is it a military target? Yes, it is. There are some nuances here that need to be discussed. The Ukrainian air force said Russia fired 54 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, marking a resumption of long-range attacks that have blasted civilian areas and sown terror throughout the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire on Saturday (Sofia Sandurskaya, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Russia has stepped up its use of Shahed drones in the past months, expanding its production of the weapon and refining its tactics, the International Institute for Strategic Studies said in a recently published analysis. After Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire on Saturday, Ukraine said it was ready to reciprocate but said Russian attacks were continuing. Mr Zelensky said that Russia violated the ceasefire more than 2,900 times. The Associated Press was unable to verify whether a ceasefire was in place along the roughly 620-mile (1,000km) front line. Russia has effectively rejected a US proposal for an immediate and full 30-day halt in the fighting by imposing far-reaching conditions. Meanwhile, both Russia and Ukraine are preparing for the spring/summer military campaign, Ukrainian and western officials say. Pope Francis's body is laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. Pic by Vatican Media via AP HO. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, left, prays in front of the body of Pope Francis laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican on Monday. Pic by Vatican Media via AP HO. The Vatican has released pictures of Pope Francis in his open casket ahead of his funeral this weekend. The casket has been laid out in state inside the late pontiffs private chapel and will be taken into St Peter's Basilica for public viewing later today. One of the images shows Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin praying in front of the late popes body. Catholic church cardinals have met in the Vatican to make arrangements for the funeral which will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10am local time. The camerlengo and Dublin-born American interim head of the church Cardinal Kevin Farrell and three assistants will ensure the pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and his lead seal are broken so that they cannot be used by anyone else. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, left, prays in front of the body of Pope Francis laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican on Monday. Pic by Vatican Media via AP HO. Cardinals to meet for first time since Popes death to confirm funeral details Mourning rites are expected to last nine days. Follow how our live coverage unfollowed below: unsplash.com Evangelical is a term we have heard used a lot in recent years, particularly during the election season. According to a Pew Research study, about one in four American adults belongs to an evangelical Christian denomination. This makes evangelicals the most common religious group before those without religious affiliation. While it has become an umbrella term for Christians and a political identifier for many, this isnt the correct definition. So what is the real meaning of an evangelical Christian? In what ways does it differ from other Christians? While the term evangelical is often vague, it is a specific identifier. The term comes from the Greek word, euangelion, which means Good News or Gospel. Simply put, an evangelical Christian is a person who believes in the importance of sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. Often, the phrase evangelical Christian is used in other ways. Some use the term to separate Catholics from Protestants. Others use it to refer to Protestants who are politically conservative. There is also debate around when evangelicalism began, but most agree that it began in the 18th century. Many protestant reformers used the word to describe their faith, even before the 18th century. Beyond the 18th century, the term evangelicalism has been used to describe Christians who are born again, have a relationship with God, and are called to spread Gods message around the world. During this early period, many evangelical leaders emerged. These were scholars and preachers who are now identified as leaded the evangelical movement. Some of these leaders include John Wesley, Jonathan Edward. In later years, Charles Spurgeon and Dwight L. Moody were added to this list. Another figure widely associated with evangelicalism is the late Rev. Billy Graham. Many said he was responsible for the rise of evangelicalism. While he is one of the most popular evangelicals to date, even he said he was unsure how to define an evangelical Christian. Actually, thats a question Id like to ask somebody too, Graham said. Several churches, organizations, and denominations identify as evangelical. While the term has a quilted history, it has become a general term. Specifically, during the Great Awakening period, evangelicalism was a term also used to describe revivalism. As previously mentioned, the term has now become associated with the religious right and conservative Christians, though it is more complicated than that. The call of an evangelical is similar to the call of a disciple. Christian disciples are those who accept and assist in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Discipleship calls believers to live by faith in God, propelled through the power of the Holy Spirit. One important identifier of an evangelical Christian is that they believe Gods Word. Not only do they follow Jesus, but they abide by His Word daily. Jesus said, If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples (John 8:31). When someone abides in the word of Jesus, they live out His Word. They are not persuaded by the worlds truths, never allowing it to supersede the truth of God. Another quality of an evangelical Christian is that they place their full trust in Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 11:24, Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. Evangelical Christians know that prayer is a key part of their relationship with God, and it is an integral part of their daily practice. We live in a fast-paced, demanding word. Evangelical Christians center their lives around Christi. They know where their help comes from. Evangelical Christians depend on Jesus. Matthew 7:7-11 says, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened. When we are mature in our faith, we can see the fullness and greatness of God. We are also able to grow in our ability to depend on God completely. Evangelicals respond to their call to discipleship, to share their lives more fully with others. Jesus said, in the Great Commission, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Simply put, an evangelical Christian is someone who has responded to the call of the Great Commission, to go into the world and teach the Gospel of Jesus to the world. Lesli White is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth with a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in print and online journalism. In college, she took a number of religious studies courses and harnessed her talent for storytelling. White has a rich faith background. Her father, a Lutheran pastor and life coach was a big influence in her faith life, helping her to see the value of sharing the message of Christ with others. She has served in the church from an early age. Some of these roles include assisting ministry, mutual ministry, worship and music ministry and church council. 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. Subscribe today to access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Jennifer Huberdeau is the features editor at The Berkshire Eagle. She can be reached at jhuberdeau@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6229. PITTSFIELD Immigration authorities have released a city man who was arrested last month with his brother at their landscaping job site in Monterey shortly after dropping off their children at school. The son of one of the men told his coworker that his father had been released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody Thursday after a hearing in Boston Immigration Court. He has returned to the Berkshires, according to the coworker, Shane Engle. Apparently his asylum application was successful. The son, Engle said, had told us that his father had status legal status, to be in the U.S. "This is why we were so up in arms." The man's brother was moved to a facility in New Hampshire, where he is awaiting an immigration court date, Engle said. The pair were two of at least 10 people arrested in the Berkshires on March 19 by ICE and other agencies, including the FBI and the DEA. The arrests were among 370 across the state in an ICE operation between March 19 and March 23, officials said. ICE privacy policies have kept the community searching for information about who in the Berkshires was taken and exactly why they were targeted. The only information the agency provided about Berkshire County arrests was that one was a Jamaican citizen with a history of felonies. The agency still has not released the names of any of those detained. A person who rents a home to one of the brothers told The Eagle the story as told to him by the mans wife of how the two brothers were followed to Monterey by ICE officers. He withheld their names at the wife's request. ICE agents apparently had tracked the pair from Pittsfield to Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington, where they were dropping off the mens children that morning, according to the landlord. As they headed southeast to Monterey in separate vehicles, they noticed they were being followed. ICE officers tailed them up a long driveway to a home where they were doing landscaping work, questioned each of them separately, and then arrested them. They were taken to the Plymouth County Correctional Facility, which holds ICE detainees. The shock of these and other county arrests reverberated to Monument High. School officials said theyve seen attendance by immigrant students drop as a result of those federal raids. Unverified reports of the presence of ICE and additional arrests have continued since the most recent being an reported arrest of an immigrant in Lee over the weekend. Those who work with immigrants say that some are living with friends or have moved temporarily to avoid being located by ICE. First noticed in Ohio in 2012 and in Massachusetts in 2020 in Plymouth and Bristol counties, beech leaf disease had been found in every county by 2022, Now, its been documented in nearly every community in Massachusetts. Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Ruth Bass is an award-winning journalist. Her website is ruthbass.com . The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle. I want to know Christ yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:10-11). In todays world of instant news access, we hear a great deal about politicians and celebrities. We know only what we hear them say and hear of them doing. But we never really know them, right? Oh, we think we do. We can say what we want about Biden or Trump but it still is only what is public knowledge. We know about them, but we dont really know them, not like their spouses, family, or even close friends do. We truly know our families. Our brothers, sisters, parents. Our spouses and our own children. We know who they are, deep in their hearts. Even our close friends we know them. To know Christ personally means to get to know Him just as you would a friend. How the Apostles Knew Jesus The apostles, of course, knew Jesus quite personally. They were with Him virtually every day for the better part of three years. They walked everywhere together. They camped out together as they journeyed. They personally saw the miracles and heard the teachings, likely many times from the teacher Himself. Yet even so, at the last supper they had doubts: Jesus answered: Dont you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, Show us the Father? (John 14:9). Then, they watched albeit from a distance as Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. They thought it was over. But they were among the first to see Him after His resurrection and knew that it was all real. Personally, for too much of my life I didnt know Jesus; I knew about Him. I knew what the priests and pastors taught. I knew His words written in the Bible, and I guess I thought that was enough. But I learned that I didnt really know Jesus Christ. I had no personal relationship with Him, and thus, He had no impact on my life and it was reflected in how I lived. Sadly, a great many churchgoers today know about Jesus but dont know Jesus. For many, Jesus remains a part of their lives, but not the center. They have continued to focus their lives in other words, put their faith in their families, money, jobs, possessions, status, gadgets, toys, pleasures and thrills. They know the talking points, the right words to say. They may even think they believe them. But when it comes right down to it, their faith is shallow because they dont truly know Jesus. But what does knowing Jesus really mean? Academic Knowledge vs Experiential Knowledge Learning something in the classroom is considerably different than living it out in the real world. Being told its freezing cold outside is one thing. Stepping outside without a jacket is quite another. Paul clearly experienced Jesus: I want to know Christ yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:10-11). When Paul wrote his letter to the church at Philippi, he was sitting in prison. He really cared about knowing Christ. The Greek word Paul used was gnonai, from the root word gnosko. It means to come to know, to recognize and perceive. It involves experiential knowledge, not just the accumulation of information or facts. In the New Testament, it is used more than 220 times and implies a deeply personal, intimate and experiential understanding. Paul didnt just want to know Jesus, he wanted to know him well enough to share in his sufferings. Lets think of it this way, if you have a friend who has gone or is going through pain, its one thing to tell them how sorry you are and then move on with your life. Its quite another to be there for them every moment as they struggle through the pain. You know them well enough that you could perceive changes in their voice, in their tone. You truly feel for them because their pain is painful to you. Its like when you have a loved one lying on their death bed; you can almost feel their agony. Truly knowing Jesus means having a relationship with Him, one that grows deeper over time. A true disciple of Christ does not only know about Him what He did, what He taught they also have a deep personal relationship with Him. Jesus even took that a step further when He prayed this: Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent (John 17:3). Jesus defined eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. That is an incredibly powerful statement. The idea is pretty much repeated by the apostle John, who offers us a clear understanding: We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20). so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. John uses two different Greek words for know. The first, oidamen, simply refers to remember or appreciate, to see with the eyes of the mind. The second is gnoskomen, from the same root word Paul used. Lets clearly differentiate between the two: to see with the eyes of our minds, or to see with our hearts. Then, in other words, he says we dont just know Him, we are in Him, and He in us. That is experiential knowledge. The Deceitfulness of Riches I once was acquainted with a man named Henry Orombi, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Uganda. Henry once said, It is so difficult to be a Christian in America. Truly, at the moment I could not understand that. To me, being a Christian in America was easy we had freedom and no persecution. He went on to say, In America, you have everything. You dont need God. In Uganda, we need God every moment of every day. Suddenly, I understood. We are so easily drawn away. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus talked about the deceitfulness of wealth. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful (Mark 4:19). Some of the most highly successful businesspeople I have known were miserable in their personal lives. They were successful and wealthy in the eyes of the world, but deep inside they were empty, always seeking more. Many of us go to church, and to the outside world seem to live good lives. But good is in the eye of the beholder. Our hearts are still far from God. We are living for ourselves; the deceitfulness of wealth draws us away from living for Christ. It draws us away from knowing Christ. Jesus warned us about this. In Luke 14, He warned us that we would need to count the cost before giving Him our lives. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Wont you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? (Luke 14:28). Should we ask Christians here in the U.S., it is a good bet not many would be able to describe what that cost really is. But Jesus told us: it would cost us our very lives as we know it. Your Cross to Bear Then Jesus said to his disciples, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24). Many people today interpret this to mean some added burden or challenge they must take up and carry in their lives. We have all heard it said, with varying degrees of self-righteousness or self-pity, I guess thats my cross to bear. But in Jesus day, the cross was far from a symbol of some continuous annoyance or symbolic burden. The cross was a symbol of execution. To take up ones cross meant someone was about to die a painful, humiliating death. Thats what Jesus was teaching. To be His disciple, we must be willing to give up our lives as we know it and turn them over to him. That is self-sacrifice. Absolute surrender to God. In other words if you chose to follow Jesus, youd best count the cost first, because the cost was going to be your life. But, as we know, the rewards are extraordinary. When we know Jesus, we give up the desires of the flesh and live by the fruit of the Spirit, who now dwells within us (Galatians 5:18-25). This does not mean we must be perfect we never will be this side of eternity. In other words, we are to be crucified with Christ to be born into a new life fully entrusted to Him. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). What Is the Foundation of Your Life? So often today among churchgoers, we see people who are willing to have Jesus be a part of their lives as long as it doesnt cost them anything. They want to read and hear about Jesus, but they dont really know Him or want to. They go to church, even participate in small groups. Theyll help out now and again. But the real focus of their lives is elsewhere. The problem is, we can easily fall into a trap that is, we hear the teachings of Jesus, we feel convicted, think for a moment about how we need to change our lives, and then go on thinking that we are living it out in our behavior. It doesnt work that way. The question is what do you want? Do you want to know Jesus? Are you satisfied being the same person you have always been? Or are you ready to open your heart and your life to Jesus? To truly knowing Him and making Jesus the foundation of your life? Do you just know of Christ, from the pages of the Bible, or your parents or pastor? Or do you know him intimately, as a true, deep friend does? As we come to know Christ intimately, we begin to recognize more clearly that our good deeds are nothing and certainly not good enough to earn eternal life with Him. The only way we are reconciled to God is by believing in his Son, and the evidence for that professed faith is our willingness to follow Him and even suffer with Him or for Him. See, Paul never saw his suffering as a problem, but rather as an opportunity to draw nearer to Jesus. When Paul suffered, he reminded himself of the suffering Jesus went through for us. Jesus talked about counting the cost. So, the question now remains: do you want to know Jesus the way that Paul teaches? If so, are you willing to take up your cross and follow Him? What are we willing to give up and surrender? Are we willing to view the challenges we face as opportunities to grow closer to Christ to know Him better? We gain so much better understanding when we lay aside our own rights our own comfort and convenience; our own goals and aspirations; our very lives in order to love, to forgive, to serve others, no matter the cost. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8). How Do We Get There? Knowing Jesus gives us eternal life and eternal life starts right now. Not tomorrow or once we step into eternity. Not the unstable, uncertain, artificial life the world offers, but a life of purpose, and peace and joy beyond circumstances. A life spent serving others instead of ourselves. So now we must each ask is that what we have? If the answer is no, is it what we really want? Do we really want to know Jesus? If we dont want to really know Jesus, but we want to want to know Him, we need only ask to be given the desire. We should pray for understanding so that we can know Jesus and, consequently, know God. Ask and it will be ours. In his book Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund put it this way: Why not build in to your life unhurried quiet, where, among other disciplines, you consider the radiance of who he actually is, what animates him, what his deepest delight is? Why not give your soul room to be reenchanted with Christ time and again? Photo credit: Unsplash/Ben White Grandchamp is an author and speaker. His book, In Pursuit of Truth, A Journey Begins, is an easy-to-read narrative that offers answers to the most common questions new believers and non-believers have about Jesus Christ (Amazon.) Greg speaks on living out our faith in our daily lives and on creating true disciples of Christ. Greg doesnt pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else in pursuit of truth. Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Brain health startup Ivory raises $1M in fresh funding April 22, 2025 | Tuesday | News Ivory is building the future of brain health through science-backed, accessible, tech-first solutions image credit- shutterstock Mumbai-based Ivory, an early-stage brain health startup, has announced the successful close of its latest $1million funding round. The round was co-led by IIM-A Ventures, the entrepreneurship center at IIM Ahmedabad that incubates, accelerates and invests in early-stage technology startups, and Capital-A, a fund known for backing innovative early-stage startups, which had previously backed Ivory in the pre-seed stage. The funding round saw additional backing from 1Crowd, and Stanford Angels, along with eminent angel investors such as Dr. Sanjay Arora, Adarsh Narahari and Juhi Bhatnagar. According to various researches, 90% of cognitive impairment remain underdiagnosed. With no definitive cure for neurodegenerative conditions like dementia, prevention is the only real defense. Ivory is on a mission to shift the focus from late-stage diagnosis to proactive brain health solutions. Through neuroscience-based digital assessments, it enables early detection of cognitive declineempowering individuals to take action long before symptoms escalate. With this new capital, Ivory plans to strengthen the technology for its clinical grade assessments and scale distribution to reach more individuals across India. Rahul Krishnan, Co-founder and CPO, Ivory said With this capital, we aim to further invest in our technologyenhancing the accuracy, depth and reach of our cognitive assessments. As conversations around longevity and preventive health gain momentum, Ivory stands at the intersection of technology, healthcare and aging to reshape how we approach long-term brain wellness. In the past year, apart from being directly available to consumers through its app, Ivory has also built a robust pipeline of clinicians, psychologists, insurance and corporate partners, like Ather Energy, WeWork and PUMA, who are relying on Ivory to power their Cognitive Risk Screenings. The startup recently garnered national attention with the release of Indias first-of-its-kind Brain Health Report, offering valuable insights into the state of cognitive well-being in the country. Ivory also gained national visibility through its appearance on Shark Tank India Season 4. Looking ahead, the team plans to expand its footprint across new geographies, deepen AI capabilities to personalise assessments further, and invest in longitudinal research to build benchmarks for cognitive health specific to Indian populations. Fujifilm India unveils ELUXEO 8000 therapeutic endoscopy solution April 22, 2025 | Tuesday | News The minimally invasive solution avoids large incisions, resulting in less pain, faster recovery times, and reduced risk of infection Fujifilm India recently introduced its groundbreaking ELUXEO 8000 Therapeutic Endoscopy Solution at 22nd MUMBAI LIVE Endoscopy event hosted by Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, one of the Indias premier international Endoscopy educational event. Previously available only in Japan and Europe, this advanced endoscopic technology is now entering the Indian market with a focus on enhancing image quality, expanding therapeutic capabilities, and streamlining workflow for healthcare providers. The ELUXEO 8000 is equipped with breakthrough technologies including ACI (Amber-red Color Imaging), TNR (Triple Noise Reduction), and E-DRIP (Extended Dynamic Range Image Processing) offering sharp, high-quality images with minimal halation. These innovations make it easier for healthcare professionals to perform more precise, complex therapeutic procedures. The newly launched system includes the next-generation therapeutic endoscopes, the system is particularly suited for navigating narrow luminal areas and ensuring optimal outcomes during challenging procedures. Dheeraj Chaudhri, Head of the Endoscopy Systems Division at Fujifilm India, remarked, Our robust R&D ecosystem and close collaboration with global clinicians have enabled us to stay ahead in technological innovation. The ELUXEO 8000, paired with our new generation of gastro endoscopes, sets a new benchmark for advanced endoscopic procedures in India. Hoax Text claims that King Charles III announced his abdication from the United Kingdom throne in April 2025 due to health and family reasons. Analysis Among the most basic types of disinformation circulating online are misleading contents that use sensational headlines to attract clicks and views. Often replicated in various languages and spread by bots on social media, these contents lack support from official or journalistic sources. The latest example involves King Charles III of the United Kingdom. An emotional and detailed text is being shared, claiming that Charles III has abdicated the throne due to health issues and family obligations. The publication states that the announcement was made by Queen Camilla and caused national commotion. Read: SAD NEWS: 30 minutes ago, Queen Camilla and the British Royal Family sadly announced that King Charles III see more SAD NEWS: King Charles III announces sudden abdication All of the UK in shock Buckingham Palace has just shocked the world with a shocking announcement: King Charles III has decided to abdicate, officially leaving the throne after more than a year of reign. The announcement was made by Queen Camilla and senior members of the Royal Family, leaving the public shocked and emotional. According to the official announcement, King Charles IIIs decision was made after many months of careful consideration, with health and family obligations being the main reason. Although no specific details about the current health status of the king have been disclosed, some close sources said he has been going through a period of stress and fatigue due to royal responsibilities since ascending to the throne after Queen Elizabeth IIs death. I feel that now is the right time to pass this important role to the next generation, King Charles III allegedly said in a closed-door meeting with his inner circle before making the final decision. I have confidence in Prince Williams leadership and in the unwavering support of the British people for my son. Immediately after the announcement, a wave of reactions from the British public and the international community exploded on social media. Some expressed sorrow, saying King Charles III did not have enough time to make his mark as monarch, while others showed support and sympathy, especially given the psychological pressure he had to endure during the difficult transition period after the Queens death. [] Fact-check Beyond the highly sensationalist message, the link directs users to websites with suspicious advertising content, often filled with traps for the reader. Due to this risk, we will fact-check by answering three central questions: 1) Did King Charles III actually abdicate the UK throne? 2) What is King Charles IIIs health status in April 2025? 3) Why are contents like this spread online? Did King Charles III actually abdicate the UK throne? No. So far, there is no official record of abdication by King Charles III. The official website of the British Royal Family and major UK news outlets have not released any such announcement. The king continues to carry out official duties, such as recent public appearances. There is also no statement from Queen Camilla on this matter. The content is therefore unfounded. What is King Charles IIIs health status in April 2025? King Charles III has faced some health issues in recent months, including a cancer diagnosis made public in February 2024. However, as reported by the BBC in March 2025, he continues receiving treatment and shows positive signs of recovery. Despite his condition, he has maintained a partial official agenda, with no indication that he is about to abdicate. Why are contents like this spread online? These contents are often hosted on websites with purely advertising goals, earning revenue through access volume. In many cases, such pages may contain adware or even malware. We recommend caution to anyone clicking on them. Conclusion The content claiming that King Charles III has announced his abdication from the British throne is false. There is no official evidence that he has stepped down, and he continues to fulfill public duties, albeit in a limited capacity due to health issues. The viral material has typical characteristics of fake news and should be avoided. Fake news Ps: This article is a suggestion from readers of Boatos.org. If you want to suggest a topic to Boatos.org, contact us by email at [email protected] or on WhatsApp (https://wa.me/556192755610). Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. UN Chinese Language Day marked in Rwanda Xinhua) 13:01, April 22, 2025 KIGALI, April 21(Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda held celebrations on Sunday afternoon to mark this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day. The event, under the theme "Chinese Language: A Gift Across Time and Space," offered attendees an immersive experience of Chinese culture and language. Speaking at the event, Lin Hang, charge d'affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, said that as an official language of the United Nations, the Chinese language is an important bond of friendship between the Chinese people and the people around the world. "Language is a crucial tool of communication for human beings. As you may be aware, Chinese is the only 'living language' among the world's ancient civilizations that is still in use today. At present, more than 190 countries and regions around the world are teaching Chinese, and 85 countries have incorporated Chinese into their national education systems," she said. "China puts the spirit of real multilateralism into good practice, embraces an open and inclusive mindset, enhances mutual appreciation and learning, deepens understanding and friendship between the peoples across borders and among civilizations," she added. Zeng Guangyu, director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, told Xinhua during the event that when the institute was established in 2009, only a handful of students enrolled, as many thought it was too difficult to learn. However, nearly 20,000 Rwandans can now speak Chinese after years of sustained efforts. He noted that Chinese language skills have opened doors for Rwandan learners, enabling them to secure jobs, win scholarships, study in China, and even start businesses. "I have seen Chinese learners achieve their dreams through the language -- by creating enterprises or finding good jobs. They are truly changing their lives through learning Chinese. English is used worldwide, but Chinese is a rising language in East Africa and across the globe. It represents the future," Zeng said. He also highlighted that this year's celebrations also featured the launch of a Kiswahili-Chinese-English textbook, aimed at bridging Chinese with two of East Africa's most commonly spoken languages. "We held a lecture on Chinese characters, organized workshops on Chinese writing and calligraphy, and conducted many activities across different teaching posts to mark the occasion," Zeng added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Egypts Raven flies Delivered safely and ahead of schedule, gas began flowing in February from the second development phase of the bp-operated Raven field. It will help to meet Egypts growing demand for energy and strengthen bps position as a key energy supplier and investor in the region, where our relationship spans more than 60 years. Situated around 65 kilometres offshore Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea, Raven Infills has a production capacity of around 220 billion cubic feet of gas and 7 million barrels of condensates. The Raven field was the third and final phase of the bp-operated West Nile Delta gas development, the only oil and gas facility operated by an international company in Egypt. This project is a great example of maximizing production from existing assets and boosting resource efficiency. The safe start-up of Raven Infills alongside the recent completion of the El King exploration well and the El Fayoum-5 discovery well reflects our continued commitment to meeting Egypts growing energy demand, says Nader Zaki, bp regional president for the Middle East and North Africa. By optimizing production and leveraging our existing infrastructure in the West Nile Delta, weve enabled a fast tie-back and accelerated delivery. 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Advertisement For three seasons, Connor has played Nick Nelson in the Netflix coming-of-age drama series, which sees his character meet Charlie Spring, played by Locke, at school and fall in love. Joe Locke in season two of Heartstopper (Samuel Dore/Netflix) The series has been praised by critics for its portrayal of innocent blossoming love, and heartwarming messages along with the representation of LGBT+ young people. William Gao plays Tao Xu, while Finney stars as trans student Elle Argent and his love interest, while Oscar winner Olivia Colman appeared in the first season as Charlies mother. On Tuesday, Netflix said: Heartstopper will return, bigger than ever. A Heartstopper movie, our final chapter based on Alice Osemans upcoming volume six, is coming!!! Advertisement Heartstopper will return, bigger than ever. A Heartstopper movie, our final chapter based on Alice Oseman's upcoming volume six, is coming!!! pic.twitter.com/8SMgWlWCD5 Netflix (@netflix) April 22, 2025 Oseman has sold one million print copies since Heartstoppers publication, and is the writer, creator, and executive producer of the show. The series has earned an Television Academy honorary Emmy, which goes to programmes that raise awareness of social issues, and been nominated for a Bafta for memorable moment for Nick and Charlies first kiss. It also has earned a Welsh Cymru Bafta for fiction director for Euros Lyn, and received TV craft Bafta nods for original music in fiction, and drama writer for Oseman. Connor, who had an early part as a young Sir Elton John in the biopic Rocketman, went on to be cast as a US soldier in 2025 Iraq war film Warfare, and 2024 animated movie The Wild Robot. Advertisement Manx actor Locke was recently in Disney+ Marvel show Agatha All Along as a young witch with a secret, and made his Broadway debut last year in Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street. Finney has played a role in BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, and won an Attitude pride icon award. The trio have also appeared on the RadioTimes.com TV 100 power list, along with Oseman, who landed in second place, as Ncuti Gatwa came first. The last season of Heartstopper came out in October on Netflix. The sister of The Vivienne has questioned whether the stigma around drug use stopped the drag queen from seeking help. James Lee Williams, who won the first series of RuPauls Drag Race UK, died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on January 5th after taking ketamine at the age of 32. Advertisement Chanel Williams told BBC Two current affairs programme Newsnight that The Vivienne did not discuss their relapse, including a hospital stay, to protect them, following a really long period of sobriety. Its hard for me because I think, if that stigma wasnt there, would my brother have sought the help he needed? she said. To think that, if wed known, or if hed have felt able to talk and really reach out for the help that was needed, the outcome couldve been different. Thats why weve shared Jamess story. Advertisement The family revealed in March that the drag queen died from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest, to raise awareness. They also said they would work with the drug charity Adferiad on future campaigns. Hed spoken openly on Drag Race about the battles hed had with addiction, and hed come through the other side of that, Ms Williams said. He was at the height of everything he was doing and I think, because hed said it in such an open platform, its really difficult to come back and say youre struggling again. Advertisement She also said the classification of ketamine should be moved from Class B to Class A, because people think its less harmful than other drugs, among other measures to tackle addiction. She added: But its not just about reclassification it needs to include education, police, health, to really raise awareness. We need a strategy around drug usage and drug deaths in the UK. The Government is seeking expert advice after the illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. James Lee Williams, known as drag artist The Vivienne, died last year (Jonathan Brady/PA) While on the BBC show, Wales-born The Vivienne admitted having been a drug addict for four years, saying the addiction was a habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard. Advertisement Reflecting on sobriety, the musical theatre and Dancing On Ice star said: I had to be kicked out of my house and told that I would be dead by the time I was 30. It was the loneliest part of my life. I was killing myself and my family dont even know. I was pissing my life up the wall and I couldve been dead now if I didnt do anything about it. An inquest into their death was opened and adjourned at Cheshire Coroners Court in Warrington, with a full inquest listed to take place on June 30th. According to the British Home Office, in the year ending March 2023 an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 in the UK had reported use of ketamine, which is controlled as Class B. Advertisement The UK national anti-drug advisory service Frank says the substance is a general anaesthetic that reduces sensations in the body which can make users feel dream-like and detached, chilled, relaxed and happy, but also confused and nauseated. British Policing minister Diana Johnson wrote to the UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) in January to express the Governments concern over young peoples ketamine use and call for the classification to be reassessed. A Home Office spokesman said: Our thoughts are with Jamess family and friends, and all those affected by this tragic death, which has sadly reinforced once again the serious dangers of taking ketamine. In January this year, the minister for policing and crime prevention wrote to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs expressing the Governments concern about the growth in the use of ketamine, and asking them to consider whether to reclassify it as a Class A drug. We will not hesitate to act when the ACMD reports back, and, in the meantime, we will continue to work across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use and stop those who profit from its supply. At least 26 tourists have been killed by gunmen at a tourist resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. Two senior officers said at least four gunmen, whom they described as militants, fired at dozens of tourists from close range on Tuesday. Advertisement The officers said at least three dozen others were injured, with many in serious condition. An Indian police officer stops a tourist vehicle near Pahalgam (Dar Yasin/AP) Most of the tourists killed were Indian, the officers said. Officials collected at least 24 bodies in Baisaran meadow, three miles from the disputed regions resort town of Pahalgam. Two others died while being taken for medical treatment. Police described the incident as a terror attack and blamed militants fighting against Indian rule. Advertisement This attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years, Omar Abdullah, the regions top elected official, wrote on social media. The attack appeared to be a major shift in the regional conflict in which tourists have largely been spared from violence. We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences, Indias home minister Amit Shah wrote on social media. He later arrived in Srinagar, the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir, and convened a meeting with senior security officials. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on an official visit in Saudi Arabia, has been briefed. Advertisement A paramedic carries a wounded tourist on a stretcher at a hospital in Anantnag (Dar Yasin/AP) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key resistance politician and Kashmirs top religious cleric, condemned what he described as a cowardly attack on tourists, writing on social media that such violence is unacceptable and against the ethos of Kashmir which welcomes visitors with love and warmth. The attack coincided with the visit to India of US vice president JD Vance, who is on a largely personal four-day stop. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack, he wrote on social media. US President Donald Trump noted deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir, adding: The United States stands strong with India against terrorism. Advertisement The meadow in Pahalgam is a popular sightseeing destination, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dotted with pine forests. It is visited by hundreds of tourists every day. Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Kashmir has seen a spate of targeted killings of Hindus, including immigrant workers from Indian states, after New Delhi ended the regions semi-autonomy in 2019 and drastically curbed dissent, civil liberties and media freedoms. Indian security officers stand guard on a road in south Kashmir (Dar Yasin/AP) Tensions have been simmering as India has intensified its counter-insurgency operations. Advertisement The region, known for rolling Himalayan foothills, decorated houseboats and pristine meadows, has become a major domestic tourist destination, with millions of visitors enjoying a strange peace kept by security checkpoints, armoured vehicles and patrolling soldiers. Although violence has ebbed in recent times in the Kashmir Valley, the heart of anti-India rebellion, fighting between government forces and rebels has largely shifted to remote areas of Jammu region, including Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua, where Indian troops have faced deadly attacks. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhis rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Islamabad denies the charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict. The top UN official in Haiti sounded an alarm to the organisations Security Council that escalating gang violence is liable to lead the Caribbean nation to a point of no return. Maria Isabel Salvador warned on Monday that Haiti could face total chaos without increased funding and support for the operation of the Kenya-led multinational force helping Haitis police to tackle the gangs expanding violence into areas beyond the capital, Port-Au-Prince. Advertisement Most recently, she said, gangs seized the city of Mirebalais in central Haiti, and during the attack, over 500 prisoners were freed. A displaced woman rests at a school that is now operating as a shelter for those fleeing their homes to escape gang violence in Port-au-Prince (Odelyn Joseph/AP) It was the fifth prison break in under a year, part of a deliberate effort to entrench dominance, dismantle institutions and instil fear. Haitis police, supported by the armed forces and the Kenya-led force, were overwhelmed by the scale and duration of the violence, the UN special representative said.. The gangs have grown in power since the July 7 2021, assassination of president Jovenel Moise and are now estimated to control 85% of the capital and are moving into surrounding areas. Advertisement Haiti has not had a president since then. The UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police arrived in Haiti last year to help local authorities quell gang violence. The mission remains understaffed and underfunded, with only about 40% of the 2,500 personnel originally envisioned. Ms Salvador said that in February and March alone, 1,086 people were killed and 383 were injured. Advertisement In addition, according to the UN migration office, over 60,000 Haitians were displaced in the past two months, adding to 1 million already displaced by December. These figures are expected to rise, she said. Earlier this month, the leader of Haitis transitional presidential council, Fritz Alphonse Jean, tried to allay surging alarm among Haitians over the rampant gang violence by acknowledging that the country has become hell for everyone. He promised new measures to stop the bloodshed. Advertisement But Ms Salvador, who heads the UN political mission in the country, said the Haitian governments efforts alone will be insufficient to significantly reduce the intensity of the violence perpetrated by criminal groups. In February, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he would ask the Security Council to authorise funding for the structural and logistical expenses of the Kenya-led mission from the UN budget. A street vendor walks over a street barricade set up by demonstrators protesting insecurity in Port-au-Prince (AP/Odelyn Joseph) But there are no signs that the 15-member council plans to address this request anytime soon. Without timely, decisive and concrete international assistance, the security situation in Haiti may not change, Ms Salvador warned. Advertisement Haiti could face total chaos. Kenyas national security adviser, Monica Juma, told the council in a video briefing from Nairobi that the force has entered a decisive phase of its operation where gangs are coordinating operations and attacking people and strategic installations, and targeting the political establishment. While the Haitian police and the multinational force have launched intensive anti-gang operations and achieved some notable progress, especially in securing critical infrastructure, she said a significant gap exists. Ms Juma said 261 Kenyan police officers are trained and ready to deploy to Haiti, but they cant get there because of a lack of equipment and logistical support. She urged the council to take a more assertive and proactive role in helping to stabilise Haiti, saying time is of the essence. Ms Juma said that it is critical to stabilising the country is stopping the flow of guns and ammunition to the gangs and implementing sanctions against gang leaders. UN experts say most arms come from the United States, specifically the Miami area. Harvard University announced that it has filed suit to halt a federal freeze on more than 2.2 billion dollars (1.9 billion) in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administrations demands to limit activism on campus. In an April 11th letter to Harvard, the Trump administration had called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university and changes to its admissions policies. Advertisement It also demanded that the university audit its views of diversity on campus and stop recognising some student clubs. The administration has argued that universities allowed antisemitism to go unchecked at campus protests last year against Israels war in Gaza. President Donald Trump watches during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House (Alex Brandon/AP) Harvard president Alan Garber said the university would not bend to the demands. Hours later, the government froze billions of dollars in federal funding. Advertisement The Government has not and cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain Americas position as a global leader in innovation, said the lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court. The lawsuit added: Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvards research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress. Within hours, the White House lashed back. The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families, is coming to an end, White House spokesman Harrison Fields said in an email on Monday. Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege. For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism. A part of that is targeting research funding, which has fueled scientific breakthroughs but has become an easy source of leverage for the Trump administration. In its letter earlier this month, the administration told Harvard to impose tougher discipline on protesters and to screen international students for those who are hostile to American values. Advertisement Students, faculty and members of the Harvard University community rally (Charles Krupa/AP) It also called for broad leadership reforms at the university, admissions policy changes and the end of college recognition for some student clubs. The government also demanded that Harvard audit its faculty and student body to ensure diverse viewpoints in every department and, if necessary, diversify by admitting additional students and hiring new faculty. Last Monday, Harvard said it would not comply, citing the First Amendment. The following day, president Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform, questioning whether the university should lose its tax-exempt status if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting Sickness? The lawsuit follows one filed earlier this month by the American Association of University Professors demanding a federal judge declare unlawful and put aside a pending review and investigation of Harvards funding. The university frames the governments demands as a threat not only to the Ivy League school but to the autonomy the Supreme Court has long granted American universities. Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world, Mr Garber wrote on Monday to the Harvard community. We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honour their legal obligations and best fulfil their essential role in society without improper government intrusion, he added. The Israeli government shared and then deleted a social media post offering condolences over the death of Pope Francis, without saying why, though an Israeli newspaper linked the decision to the late pontiff's criticism of the war in Gaza. The verified @Israel account had posted on Monday a message on social media platform X that read: "Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing", alongside an image of the pope visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Advertisement The Jerusalem Post quoted officials at the foreign ministry as saying that the pope had made "statements against Israel" and that the social media post had been published in "error". The foreign ministry, which social media platform X states on its website is linked to the verified @Israel account, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, suggested last November that the global community should study whether Israel's military campaign in Gaza constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people, in some of his most explicit criticism yet of Israel's conduct in its war with Hamas that began in October 2023. In January the pope also called the humanitarian situation in Gaza "shameful", prompting criticism from Rome's chief Jewish rabbi who accused Francis of "selective indignation". Advertisement Israel says accusations of genocide in its Gaza campaign are baseless and that it is solely hunting down Hamas and other armed groups. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads a far-right coalition of religious and nationalist parties, has not commented on the pope's death. Ireland Leo Varadkar praises Pope Francis for reaching out... Read More However, Israeli president Isaac Herzog on Monday sent a message of condolence to Christians in the Holy Land and around the world, describing Francis as "a man of deep faith and boundless compassion". Relations between the Catholic Church and Judaism have improved in recent decades, after centuries of animosity. Pope Francis was usually careful during his 12-year pontificate about taking sides in conflicts, and he condemned the growth of antisemitic groups, while also speaking by phone with Gaza's tiny Christian community every evening during the war. Francis in 2014 visited the Western Wall the most sacred prayer site in Judaism and also prayed at a section of a wall built by Israel in the occupied West Bank dividing Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 17 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and destroyed bulldozers and other heavy equipment that had been supplied by mediators to clear rubble. Separate strikes on Tuesday killed two people in Lebanon. Advertisement Israels 18-month offensive against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, raising fears that much of it may never be rebuilt. The territory already had a shortage of heavy equipment, which is also needed to rescue people from the rubble after Israeli strikes and to clear vital roads. A strike on a parking garage in Jabaliya destroyed nine bulldozers (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) The Israeli military said it struck and destroyed around 40 pieces of heavy machinery. Israel said Hamas used the vehicles, including bulldozers, for planting explosives, digging tunnels and breaching fences, including during the major attack on October 7 2023. A municipality in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza said a strike on its parking garage destroyed nine bulldozers provided by Egypt and Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire that took hold in January. Advertisement Israel ended the truce last month, renewing its bombardment and ground operations and sealing the territorys two million Palestinians off from all imports, including food, fuel and medical supplies. The strikes also destroyed a water tanker and a mobile generator provided by aid groups, and a truck used to pump sewage, the Jabaliya al-Nazla municipality said. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes. The military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the group operates in densely populated areas. An Israeli air strike early on Tuesday destroyed a multi-storey home in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing nine people, including four women and four children, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. The dead included a two-year-old girl and her parents. Advertisement Israel renewed its bombardment and ground operations in Gaza last month (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) They were asleep, sleeping in Gods peace. They had nothing to do with anything, said Awad Dahliz, the slain girls grandfather. What is the fault of this innocent child? Also on Tuesday, a strike in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp killed three children and their parents, and a strike in Nuseirat killed a man and two children, according to the Gaza Health Ministrys emergency service and local hospitals. Also on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone, two weeks after meeting in Washington. Mr Trump wrote on his social networking site that the two spoke about trade and Iran, among other issues, adding: The call went very well we are on the same side of every issue. Advertisement Mr Netanyahus hastily arranged visit to Washington was not deemed a big success after he appeared to fail to secure the support he wanted from Mr Trump on issues such as stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons, reducing US tariffs, the influence of Turkey and the war in Gaza. Israels air and ground war has killed more than 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 people hostage. They are still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israels 18-month offensive against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Hamas has said it will only free the remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire. Israel has said it will keep fighting until the hostages are returned and Hamas has been either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. It has pledged to hold onto so-called security zones in Gaza indefinitely. Advertisement An Israeli drone strike southeast of Beirut killed Hussein Atwi, a member of the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a region-wide Sunni Islamist political movement. The group said he was leaving for work when the drone struck. Lebanons Health Ministry said another person was killed in an Israeli strike on the southern Tyre province, without providing further details. Israel has continued to carry out regular strikes across Lebanon despite reaching a ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group in November. Israel says it is targeting militants and weapons caches. The Lebanese government says 190 people have been killed and 485 wounded since the ceasefire took hold. Hezbollah began firing on Israel the day after Hamass October 7 attack. Israel responded with airstrikes, and the conflict in Lebanon escalated into a full-blown war in September when Israel carried out a heavy wave of strikes and killed most of Hezbollahs top leadership. Russian drones battered the Ukrainian port city of Odesa and glide bombs hit Zaporizhzhia, local authorities said on Tuesday The attacks came as the Kremlin again warned that negotiators were unlikely to obtain a swift breakthrough in peace talks on the war. Advertisement Ukrainian, British, French and US officials are due to meet in London on Wednesday to discuss the situation. Anticipation is building over whether diplomatic efforts can stop more than three years of fighting since Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Hostility has run deep since Russia invaded and illegally annexed Ukraines Crimea Peninsula in 2014. A multi-storey building was damaged by a Russian strike on a residential neighbourhood in Zaporizhzhia (Kateryna Klochko/AP) US President Donald Trump said last week that negotiations were coming to a head and insisted that neither side was playing him in his push to end the war. This came after US secretary of state Marco Rubio suggested America might soon back away from negotiations if they did not progress. Advertisement Mr Rubio has suggested that Wednesdays meeting could be decisive in determining whether the Trump administration continues its involvement. Retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, Mr Trumps envoy for Ukraine and Russia, will represent Washington in the discussions in London, the US State Department said on Tuesday. Mr Rubio will not attend because of a scheduling issue, according to spokeswoman Tammy Bruce. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned that the settlement issue is so complex that it would be wrong to put some tight limits to it and try to set some short time frame for a settlement, a viable settlement it would be a thankless task. Advertisement Mr Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Trump envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow again this week. Western analysts say Moscow is in no rush to conclude peace talks because it has battlefield momentum and wants to capture more Ukrainian land. US President Donald Trump said negotiations were coming to a head (Alex Brandon/AP) Russia has effectively rejected a US proposal for an immediate and full 30-day halt in the fighting by imposing far-reaching conditions. Odesa came under a massive attack by Russian drones overnight, injuring at least three people, the head of Odesa regional administration, Oleh Kiper, wrote on his Telegram page on Tuesday. Advertisement A residential building in a densely populated urban area, civilian infrastructure and an educational facility were hit, he said. Also, during daylight on Tuesday, Russia hit the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia with two massive aerial glide bombs a retrofitted Soviet weapon that for months it has used to lay waste to eastern Ukraine. The attack killed a 69-year-old woman and injured 22 people, including three children, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. Russia hit the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia with two massive aerial glide bombs (Andriy Andriyenko/AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky his earlier offer of a ceasefire covering civilian sites still stands, adding: Russia needs to be seriously prepared to talk about this. There are no obstacles on the Ukrainian side and there will be none. Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there are no plans for talks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys proposal to halt strikes on civilian facilities. He said Moscow is prepared to consider such a step but noted that reaching an agreement could take time. While talking about civilian infrastructure, its necessary to clearly define when such facilities can be a military target and when they cant, he said. If a military meeting is held there, is it a civilian facility? It is. But is it a military target? Yes, it is. There are some nuances here that need to be discussed. The Ukrainian air force said Russia fired 54 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, marking a resumption of long-range attacks that have blasted civilian areas and sown terror throughout the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire on Saturday (Sofia Sandurskaya, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Russia has stepped up its use of Shahed drones in the past months, expanding its production of the weapon and refining its tactics, the International Institute for Strategic Studies said in a recently published analysis. After Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire on Saturday, Ukraine said it was ready to reciprocate but said Russian attacks were continuing. Mr Zelensky said that Russia violated the ceasefire more than 2,900 times. The Associated Press was unable to verify whether a ceasefire was in place along the roughly 620-mile (1,000km) front line. Russia has effectively rejected a US proposal for an immediate and full 30-day halt in the fighting by imposing far-reaching conditions. Meanwhile, both Russia and Ukraine are preparing for the spring/summer military campaign, Ukrainian and western officials say. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said he is prepared to negotiate with Russia "in any format" once a ceasefire takes hold while the Financial Times reported that Russian president Vladimir Putin has offered to halt Moscow's invasion at the current frontlines. Putin on Monday suggested bilateral talks with Kyiv for the first time since early in the war which is more than three years old. Advertisement The US has been pressuring the two leaders to show concrete progress toward a peace deal. Washington has threatened to walk away from the effort without tangible results soon. The White House said Steve Witkoff, US president Donald Trump's special envoy, will meet again with Putin later this week in Russia. Zelenskiy has not responded directly to Putin's proposal for bilateral talks but has repeatedly said achieving a ceasefire, especially on civilian targets, was top priority. "We are ready to record that after a ceasefire, we are ready to sit down in any format so that there are no dead ends," Zelenskiy told reporters in the presidential office in Kyiv. The Ukrainian president said his delegation would have a mandate to discuss a full or partial ceasefire at talks in London on Wednesday with Western countries. Advertisement Citing people familiar with the matter, the Financial Times reported that Putin offered at a meeting with Witkoff in St. Petersburg this month to halt Russia's invasion across the frontline and relinquish its claims to four Ukrainian regions. The FT said the proposal was the first formal indication Putin has given since the wars early months that Russia could step back from its maximalist demands. It cited European officials briefed on US efforts as saying Russia's apparent concession could be a negotiating tactic. The Washington Post reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the deliberations, that Washington has proposed recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea and freezing the war's frontlines. The Crimean peninsula, which Russia seized in 2014, is not one of the four regions in Putin's offer reported by the FT. Zelenskiy has long said Ukraine will not recognize Russia's claim in Crimea. Advertisement The US presented the proposals to Kyiv at a meeting with Western countries in Paris last week, the Washington Post said. Russia claimed to annex four provinces after its full-scale invasion in 2022: Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia. The various reports suggested potential outlines of a US proposal that could include a ceasefire along current frontlines, U.S. recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea, Russia's relinquishing claims to the four Ukrainian provinces and an international force to monitor a ceasefire. There are other complex issues such as the Kremlin's insistence that Ukraine become formally neutral and not join Nato as well as a deal that Kyiv is negotiating with Washington over sharing its mineral revenues with the US. Advertisement World Russia batters Ukrainian cities as Kremlin warns p... Read More In a follow-up to the Paris meeting, Ukraine is participating in discussions in London with the US and other Western countries on Wednesday. In an apparent change of plan, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend the talks in London, a State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday, adding that Washington's Ukraine envoy General Keith Kellogg would attend. Trump and Rubio said last week that Washington could abandon its peace effort unless there was progress within days. Trump on Sunday said that "hopefully" there would be a deal "this week". Separately, Zelenskiy said he would be happy to meet Trump when they attend the funeral of Pope Francis along with other world leaders this week. Based on their comparative per cent multiplied by intercept metres from both primary and included intercepts, the top intercept came from the smaller but higher-grade Rigel zone, where Patriot hit 5m at 13.32 per cent caesium oxide, including 2m at a second-highest grade of 22.90 per cent. The second-best intercept came from the larger Vega zone, which delivered 11.1m at 4.87 per cent caesium oxide, including 7.1m at 7.39 per cent. The longest intercept also came from Vega and showed exceptional thickness for a caesium occurrence, with a run of 18.1m at 2.71 per cent caesium oxide, including 7.4m at 5.45 per cent. The fourth-best hit came from the Rigel zone, which also produced the third-highest included caesium oxide result. The total run comprises 5.9m at 11.19 per cent caesium oxide, including 1m at 22.69 per cent. The Vega zone also delivered a next best intercept of 5.7m at 4.97 per cent, including 3m at 8.20 per cent. The outright best grade came from Rigels next hole, which bored through 3.2m at 10.24 per cent caesium oxide, including 1.1m at an astounding 26.61 per cent. Additionally, a channel sample at Vega ran 3m at 9.43 per cent caesium oxide, including 1m at 22.41 per cent oxide. The Vega zone of enrichment can be traced through the drilling program over a 600m by 400m area that ranges from 1m to 10m thick and remains open. The Rigel zone coincides with a pronounced structural flexure in the CV13 pegmatite and is estimated from drilling to be at least 200m by 80m and up to about 5m thick. Early last month, Patriot flagged caesium results from drill testing that exceeded the caesium detection limit of 10,000 parts per million (ppm) caesium for the available analytical package - that is more than 1 per cent caesium, or more than 1.06 per cent caesium oxide. The conversion factor for caesium-to-caesium oxide is 1.0602. The caesium levels in Patriots deposit are remarkable, given that the average background level of caesium in the Earths rocks is relatively low at about 3ppm or 0.0003 per cent. More specifically, granites typically contain about 1ppm or 0.0001 per cent caesium, while sedimentary rocks average 4ppm or 0.0004 per cent oxide. Accordingly, caesium is considered a rare element. Within the more common pegmatitic host rocks for caesium, the average level of caesium may vary significantly, but studies suggest an average of about 1106 ppm or 0.1106 per cent caesium oxide. Some pegmatites can carry higher average levels, which can reach up to 5057 ppm or 0.5 per cent caesium oxide, such as at Western Australias well-known Mt Edon pegmatite field, 430 kilometres north-northeast of Perth near Paynes Find. Caesium is typically associated with other rare elements such as lithium and tantalum and is one of the key fertility indicator elements that define lithium-caesium-tantalum pegmatites as being favourable for the other two critical metals, among others such as rubidium. Everest Metals Corporation has defined a rubidium resource estimate at Mt Edon of 3.6-million-tonnes at 0.22 per cent rubidium oxide and 0.07 per cent lithium oxide at a 0.1 per cent rubidium oxide cut-off grade. Rubidium is an alkali metal, in the group comprising lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, and francium on the periodic table of elements. All the alkali metals are known for their soft, silvery appearance and high reactivity. All the alkalis react violently in air or water and, as a result, they tarnish and oxidise rapidly to oxides and/or hydroxides on exposure. Patriot Battery Metals drill core from a hole at the Rigel target in Canada shows semi-massive to massive pollucite (red box), grading 17.95% caesium oxide over 3.7m, including 22.9% caesium oxide over 2m. As a result of their reactivity, none of the alkali metals are present in the earths geological profile as a native metal and are usually recovered in processing as oxides, carbonates or hydroxides. Due to its high reactivity, caesium is classed as a hazardous material and is typically stored and shipped in dry, saturated hydrocarbons, such as mineral oil. It can be handled only under an inert gas, such as argon. Caesium has only one stable isotope, caesium-133, and is mined mainly from its principal ore mineral, pollucite, a hydrated aluminosilicate mineral found most commonly in pegmatites. Patriot has identified pollucite by X-ray diffraction in its project and attributes the mineral as being the primary source of the caesium enrichment, based on the very high caesium grades and geological logging. The high-grade caesium intercepts indicate that semi-massive to massive pollucite is present, especially in the high-grade Rigel zone where several 10 per cent to 20-plus per cent caesium oxide intercepts are present. The company has kicked off mineralogical studies on the Vega and Rigel caesium zones to confirm the presence and quantify the abundance of pollucite and also, to a lesser extent, on a pink lithium mica lepidolite. Pollucite resembles quartz and is often associated with lithium-rich minerals, such as lepidolite and petalite. Patriots project presents the same association. Caesium has a wide and steadily increasing variety of uses. Since the 1990s, the most prominent application of caesium has been as caesium formate for drilling fluids to increase the fluids density. A concentrated solution of caesium formate has a density 2.3 times the density of fresh water. The metal also finds extensive but specific use in other applications, including in highly accurate atomic clocks, which have become essential components of the internet, cellular devices and global positioning systems. The metal is also employed in photoelectric cells due to its capacity to lose electrons when struck by light and as a getter to remove residual trace gases in vacuum tubes. It also finds use in the production of optical glasses and can be used as a catalyst in the hydrogenation of organic compounds. The radioactive isotope, caesium-137, has applications in medicine, including radiation therapy and in industrial gauges such as thermometers and in hydrology to measure flow rates. Economically viable caesium deposits are of high value but are very rare globally and usually occur at a smaller scale in a resource range of 10,000 tonnes up to 350,000t. They are typically identified in drill intercepts from 3m to 10m thick. Sinomine Resource Groups Tanco mine in Manitoba, Canada, is believed to be the worlds biggest known source of caesium and is estimated to contain about 350,000t of the host mineral pollucite, currently representing over two-thirds of the worlds known caesium reserves. The relatively small scale of caesium resources stands in stark contrast to the worlds biggest pegmatite-hosted lithium deposits, which often range from 10Mt to more than 100Mt of ore. Most notably in the context of Patriots discovery of exceptionally high grades of more than 26 per cent, the Tanco mine reports grades as high as 13.83 per cent caesium oxide. Due to its scarcity and specific usage, the market price of high-purity caesium metal is hard to determine and varies greatly according to the form and amount required. Principal compound forms, in descending order of demand, are as caesium formate; chloride and other halides, carbonate, nitrate and hydroxide, followed by various other forms. The pure metal is often offered in 1 gram ampoules of 99.8 per cent pure caesium. No more than a few thousand kilograms of caesium chemicals are thought to be consumed in the United States each year and the nation is fully import-reliant for its caesium needs, with primary global producers estimated to include Canada, China, Germany and Russia. Import and export data for caesium has not been available since the late 1980s and because caesium metal is not traded in commercial quantities, a market price is unavailable. In 2023 a USGS mineral commodities summary indicated that one company offered 1-gram ampoules of 99.8 per cent (metal basis) caesium for $91.60, a 19 per cent increase from $76.97 paid in 2022; and 99.98 per cent (metal basis) caesium for $117, a 20 per cent increase from $97.86 paid in 2022. At the end of September 2023, the prices for 50 grams of 99.9 per cent (metal basis) caesium acetate, caesium bromide, caesium carbonate, caesium chloride and caesium iodide were US$142.00, $98.10, $127.80, $143.40 and $163.80, respectively, with increases ranging from 5 per cent to 20 per cent compared with 2022 prices. Another 2022 Wikipedia listing of pure element prices puts caesium metal at US$61,800 (A$95,790) per kilogram. In 2024, the caesium market size was valued at US$363.58M (A$573M), with total revenue expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.5 per cent from 2025 to attain almost US$601.72M (A$949M) by 2032. Caesium formate brines are typically rented by oil and gas exploration clients. After completion of a well, the used brine is returned and reprocessed for subsequent drilling operations, with almost 85 per cent of the brines recovered for reprocessing. Patriot also nailed significant caesium results from its nearby 4.6km CV5 pegmatite, east of the CV13 pegmatite, with two best runs of 10.4m at 1.3 per cent caesium oxide, including 4m at 2.02 per cent; and 9m at 1.2 per cent, including 1.5m at 5.03 per cent. The mineralisation appears to occur along the full length of the second hole. The distinct zones are less apparent than those at the two key caesium zones in the primary hole pegmatite and Patriot says further review and modelling is required to define the nature and extent of the zone, given the more open drilling density in that part of the project. Patriots project currently hosts a combined lithium mineral resource estimate of 80.1Mt at 1.44 per cent lithium oxide in the indicated resource category and 62.5Mt at 1.31 per cent lithium oxide in the lower inferred category. Patriots share price moved on last weeks caesium discovery announcement with an immediate jump from 19.5 cents on the companys previous close to reach 24c on Thursday. The share price settled back to 23c today. Caesium mineralisation of this scale and grade, especially in combination with high-grade lithium and tantalum, remains exceptionally rare globally and underscores the high-value critical mineral endowment of the geological system at Patriots project. Considering caesiums strategic importance and scarcity in global markets and its inevitable increasing use in key industrial and specialised applications, Patriots discovery has the potential to greatly enhance the project as a by-product. Considering current international tensions between the US and China and Russia, any disruption of supply of this critical element could severely upset US industry and impede the development of crucial military hardware and new caesium lasers for its ballistic missiles. As a result, the US and Canada agreed in December 2021 on a policy to lower the demand for precious minerals produced or regulated by China. While Patriots sensational caesium discovery is at an early stage, it is sure to have lit a small fire under the companys already considerable enthusiasm for the project as it presents a massive opportunity that could place the project among the top lithium-caesium-tantalite pegmatite assets globally. The company intends to further evaluate the caesium opportunity as it continues to develop its Shaakichiuwaanan lithium project towards development. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Renewable energy developers are pressing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to reveal how much more wind and solar would be allowed to join the electricity grid under his plan to embrace nuclear reactors, amid intensifying doubts about what technology mix the Coalition is targeting. Energy has become a key battleground issue ahead of the May 3 election, with voters set to decide between the Albanese governments plan for renewables to make up 82 per cent of the grid by 2030 and the Coalitions push to abandon that target in favour of building seven nuclear generators across the mainland by 2050. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has committed to build seven nuclear plants across the country if he wins the next election Credit: Alex Ellinghausen, Getty Images Dutton says his plan for taxpayers to fund and own nuclear facilities would be cheaper than Labors strategy. To support this claim, he cites modelling from Frontier Economics comparing the total cost of the governments renewables-dominated proposal against the Coalitions competing vision for a grid powered 37 per cent by nuclear generation and 54 per cent by renewables. But when quizzed about the impact of slowing the renewable rollout to ensure it did not exceed 54 per cent of the 2050 power mix, opposition energy spokesman Ted OBrien insisted there was no policy we have which is capping any technology. Both were New Yorkers, born and bred. Even if Ephron spent her formative years in Hollywood, Manhattan was in her DNA and her return there was inevitable. Although her playwrights-turned-screenwriters parents, Henry and Phoebe Ephron ( Theres No Business Like Show Business , Desk Set ), had moved to Tinseltown for work in the mid-1940s, she yearned to return to her beloved NYC and to follow in Parkers footsteps. In terms of their life trajectories, Dorothy Parker (1893-1967) and Nora Ephron (1941-2012) have much in common. However, as these two books show, the lives they led were very different. Perhaps the contrast stems from the timing of their arrivals on the planet: Parker the product of an era in which women had to struggle to be heard; Ephrons early-adult years coinciding with the rise of an exciting new wave of feminism. But perhaps other factors were also at work. Which she eventually did, displaying the same kind of acidic wit and social acumen in her writings for influential magazines there, such as The New Yorker, as Parker had done more than a generation earlier. After which, like her idol, she began to write for the movies, although, whereas Parker moved west permanently to do so, Ephron stayed put. She had a hand in several impressive studio releases as the writer of Silkwood, Heartburn and When Harry Met Sally in the 1980s, and afterwards as the writer-director of This Is My Life, Sleepless in Seattle, Youve Got Mail and Julie & Julia although most of her others are best forgotten. And Parker, often working in collaboration with second husband Alan Campbell, was the co-writer of eight features as well as a script doctor on many more. Her most noteworthy efforts were the original A Star Is Born (1937), for which she was Oscar-nominated, Alfred Hitchcocks Saboteur (1942), and Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman (1947), leading to a second nomination. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in the romcom When Harry Met Sally. Credit: Both women have, to varying degrees, been romanticised over the years. Ilana Kaplans book about Ephron provides a perfect example. Rather than offering a measured account of her life and work, its constantly guilty of gush, as in its celebration of the writer-director as the sole saviour of the modern-day romantic comedy (because of her work on When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and Youve Got Mail), rather than simply as someone who made an astute incursion into an established genre. Many comedians squeeze material from hard-luck origin stories. Not Olga Koch. She grew up wealthy and privileged and, instead of avoiding the issue, she leans right into it. The title of the show she is bringing to the Sydney Comedy Festival, which began this week, gives it away Olga Koch Comes From Money. It comes to town just a week after it earned a nomination for most outstanding show at the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival and promises scathing insight. Olga Koch had a very different childhood to most and is sharing her insights at the Sydney Comedy Festival. Credit: Simon Schluter The fact we dont talk about privilege only works for the powerful and the privileged the only people forced to talk about it are the working class, she says. I wanted to write about privilege and confront it in a way that was unemotional it wasnt an endorsement but wasnt bragging or even self-flagellation. I wanted to discuss it in a neutral way its not about having privilege but what you do with it. It wasnt a bird, a plane or Superman that made Brisbanes sky come alight overnight. It wasnt air pollution or an alien either. No, the phenomenon behind the green fireball viewed by night owls or those watching the citys 24/7 weather livestream was a meteor travelling about 40 kilometres a second that was probably the size of your fist. While many stargazers believed the light show was part of the Lyrids meteor shower, which comes to the skies each April for about two weeks, experts say this meteor appeared to be from a different celestial event. But the coincidence has now turned attention to the Lyrids shower, an event that has been happening in our skies for at least the past 2700 years or so. The machines heat material in very low-oxygen environments. Without oxygen, pyrolysis thermochemical decomposition is attained instead of combustion. The water and volatile compounds within the wood boil away, chemical bonds break down, and what is left is a relatively unreactive lattice of mostly carbon atoms known as biochar. It looks like dirt or charcoal. Biochar is an intriguing substance for two reasons. The carbon atoms are baked together into a highly stable structure think of it as locking the carbon together. It can be buried in the soil and the carbon should stay there, instead of being released into the atmosphere, for thousands of years. A wheelbarrow of biochar. Credit: Getty Images The second attribute is more unexpected and more exciting. Industrial agriculture strips nutrients from the soil, which farmers replace with fertiliser (fertiliser production is responsible for 1 to 2 per cent of global emissions). Biochars carbon lattice can hold nutrients in the soil, where they can be slowly released to support plant growth. While plants respond differently to biochar, studies of its application show it led to an average increase of 20 per cent in crop yield. Plus, biochar generation can earn high-quality carbon credits, which traded at $US165 ($257) per metric tonne in 2024. Its so good it sounds like bullshit, says Ryan OConnor, biochar manager at Green Man Char. Its magic it really is. This feels like the sort of co-benefit we should be looking for as we try to solve the climate crisis. So why is Campbells biochar machine sitting silent? Balwant Singh, a professor of soil science at the University of Sydney, might be best placed to explain that. I have researched almost every aspect of biochar. We have published more than 20 papers on this. I published a book, he says. It has very little potential if you consider all the factors and processes. The problem, as with many purported climate solutions, is not the final product biochar seems to work. It is the extraordinary difficulty of building a low-cost, zero-carbon supply chain in a carbon-addicted world. Loading Biochar production is enormously energy-intensive. And you need vehicles to gather the waste, distribute the biochar and bury it in the soil. It all costs energy and energy is CO2, says Singh. To get the price down, you need scale. But different feedstocks wood, straw, manure, waste food produce different biochars that are suitable for different soils and crops. There are concerns about contamination. The federal government has funded two national biochar initiatives. I was part of both. We finished them seven or eight years ago. If it was a very viable technology, it would have been taken up, says Singh. Former climate commissioner Tim Flannery was one of biochars strongest early advocates. But as more has become known about the difficulty of scaling the technology up particularly achieving economies of scale his enthusiasm has cooled. If youre looking at scalable solutions, it is not ready yet and may not be in the future. It will always have a niche role. But its not going to be a scalable solution, Flannery says. That may be true Australias fledgling biochar industry admits it faces a tough sell until the market grows large enough to create economies of scale. Our price is too high. [Customers] want to pay $300 a cubic metre maximum, and ours is double that, says OConnor. Adrian Morphett, principal environmental engineer at Earth Systems in Port Melbourne, with a biochar machine. Credit: Paul Jeffers This is also the problem Campbells machine faced: after energy, labor and fuel costs are factored in, his machine is simply too expensive to run. It has become a stranded solution. The figures dont add up. But thats not the end of the story. At a factory in Port Melbourne, a team of Australian entrepreneurs is finding success overseas. Earth Systems has sold the machines it makes to Sweden, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Israel, along with several Australian councils. Loading The Australian market is growing rapidly, says OConnor. As the production scales up, the biochar price will find a balance. What can be learnt from this story? With limited resources and political will, solutions that can scale quickly and cut emissions sharply, such as connecting solar and wind to the grid to replace coal, are required. What we have to do, first and foremost, is cut our burning of fossil fuel as quickly as we can, says Flannery. A Sydney woman was abducted in front of two children, murdered and set alight in a stolen car after detectives say her husband stole drugs from the organised crime network he allegedly worked for. Police have also revealed they have raided a drug lab linked to the criminal group. Thi Kim Tran was abducted from her Sydney home and found dead in a burnt-out car. Credit: Facebook Thi Kim Tran, 45, was in her Bankstown home on Thursday night when a group of masked men broke in, bashed an eight-year-old boy with a baseball bat and forced Tran at gunpoint into a black SUV in front of a second boy. Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi, commander of NSW Polices homicide squad, said Trans alleged murder was a direct result of her husbands conflict with a Victorian organised crime network. Screaming and aggressive behaviour is the new nightly normal, locals say, from a social housing complex on Ninth Avenue in Inglewood. The block of 24 apartments was purchased by the state government and turned into social housing last year, igniting a series of problems in the area. Now locals are demanding the government step in and evict a group of problem tenants and fear the issues will be repeated at a nearby location. There are a tiny minority of problematic tenants who behave outrageously, [who] make life hell for their neighbours, Police Minister Reece Whitby said. The Coalition has moved to outflank Labor on national security by vowing to inject an extra $21 billion into defence by the end of the decade in one of its major election commitments. The Coalition will promise to significantly outspend Labor by increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 and to 3 per cent over the next 10 years, matching the ambitious target called for by the Trump administration. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has vowed to significantly outspend Labor on defence. Credit: James Brickwood Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie will announce the spending pledge in Perth on Wednesday as the Coalition seeks to arrest drooping poll numbers and re-energise its election bid after the death of Pope Francis led both major parties to suspend campaigning on Tuesday. Defence came to the fore of the campaign when reports emerged last week that Russia had sought to base long-range aircraft in Indonesia, less than 1400 kilometres from Australia. As she accepts a corflute from her local federal member to display on her front lawn, Liz Priestley takes a look up and down at Dan Repacholi, then up and down again. You look fantastic, enthuses Priestley, who lives in Singleton in the NSW Hunter Valley. A loyal Labor voter who follows politics closely, Priestley is shocked by Repacholis rapid weight loss since she last saw him. She wants to know how he did it. Repacholi responds that his slimmed-down frame is due to neither diet nor exercise. Instead, he has lost around 30 kilograms since September by starting a treatment of Mounjaro, an Ozempic-style injectable medicine that helps suppress appetite and encourage weight loss. Dan Repacholi hands a corflute to constituent Liz Priestley to display in her front yard. Credit: Kate Geraghty The self-described big unit of a man sports a distinctive bushranger-style beard, stands a little over two metres tall and has struggled to control his weight throughout adulthood. The 42-year-old is a hamburger aficionado who prints an annual calendar showing him chomping down on a burger from a different fast food joint in his electorate each month. Hes also fond of a drink, confessing he and his mates have been known to down 20 schooners of beer each in a single sitting. When the debate turned to social media, Dutton was quick to talk about a social media ban for children under 16 a strong suit for him. Albanese responded by describing the bipartisan policy as a world-leading change. In fact, Dutton put forward the idea before Albanese and he could have made this point on live television, but the debate moved on. Albanese and Dutton prepared for everything in this debate, except a surprise. They were disciplined and on-message. Who won: This was an even match and ended in a draw. There was no stunning Labor victory. At the same time, Dutton needed to take Albanese down and lift the Coalitions fortunes, but this goal eluded him on the night. It was billed as the anti-talking point debate Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton would be restricted to 60-second answers. There would be no waffle. Pithiness was encouraged; demanded even. Of course, it was impossible for either leader to suppress their talking-point impulse entirely. We heard about Labor waste and the threat Dutton allegedly poses to Medicare. We heard about cost-of-living relief and plans for housing. But Tuesday nights debate the third in this campaign did offer more of a glimpse of the man behind the politician, in both cases. The first glimpse of authenticity came when they clashed over healthcare spending. Albanese insisted the former Coalition government (specifically under Tony Abbott) had cut health spending. Dutton, who was health minister under Abbott, insisted it hadnt. Prime Minister, you couldnt lie straight in bed, said Dutton. Its unbelievable. Loading Personal abuse, countered Albanese. Its a sign of desperation, frankly. So is lying, Dutton shot back. Dutton leaned heavily into his portrayal of the prime minister as loose with the truth, and Albanese implied Dutton would be a loose cannon on the world stage if elected prime minister. After the barbs were traded (all within a 60-second time-stamp, countdown and all), the questioners moved on to matters of character. This is where Dutton was able, for the first time during the campaign, to convey to a large audience the values that comprise his personality and leadership style. Had his time on the Queensland police force given him a black-and-white view of the world? I think we are all shaped by our life experiences, the opposition leader said. I have always been serious in my public life about protecting people ... particularly women and children. Albanese was asked about perceptions, fuelled by Coalition attacks, that he is soft, at a moment in history when a hard man is perhaps needed. Kindness isnt weakness. Kindness is something I was raised with, said the prime minister. Who won: Dutton he pushed back more and gave articulate answers. Peter Dutton came into the debate with a clear game plan and decisive line of attack against Anthony Albanese: to brand the prime minister as being loose with the truth. Dutton came back to this point time and again, including by niggling Albanese by saying he couldnt lie straight in bed. He was on a mission to get under Albaneses skin and throw him off balance. Albanese resisted losing his cool, but fired back at Dutton by accusing him of showing signs of desperation by launching personal attacks. Loading Duttons repeated use of this tactic suggests the Coalitions focus group research has found it effective. But is it an election winner? Speak to ordinary voters and you quickly find many of them most of them even are extremely cynical about politicians from all parties and believe they will say whatever it takes to win power. Theres no sign voters think Albanese is more prone to lying than other politicians and that this should disqualify him from the top job. Dutton avoided any gaffes and was smart to depersonalise the issue when asked how he would deal with US President Donald Trump. Dutton is aware that being seen as an Aussie version of Trump is a loser with voters and probably overcorrected in the last debate by saying that he does not know Trump personally (yet will achieve a unique trade exemption for Australia). Dutton steered clear of talking about Trump directly, instead highlighting his work as a Coalition minister dealing with the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations on important bilateral negotiations such as AUKUS. But he missed a major opportunity to connect with voters when asked whether there is more to him than his persona as a tough former policeman may suggest. Dutton spoke about how that job had hardened him and made him want to help the vulnerable, but could have gone further by telling Australians more about his softer side as a father and husband. Albanese cut through in this section by saying that kindness is not weakness when asked about Coalition claims that he has been a weak leader. Loading This debate was notably faster-paced and more interactive than the previous two in the campaign. With just one minute to answer, the leaders could not make an extended argument to voters before the topic moved on. The format suited Albanese at this stage of the election cycle. Albanese has been known to be long-winded and the time limit prevented him from going on for too long. Meanwhile, Dutton is behind in the polls and needs to clear the high bar of convincing Australians to turf the government out after a single term. Besides branding Albanese a liar, there was not a resounding, memorable case for such a dramatic change. Meanwhile, the bank is chasing the promise of higher returns by way of its own network, which comes with commission-free lending. In the latest financial results, home lending through the bank's channels was down 13.53% in the year ending February 2025. The decrease in home loans is another signal of the bank's intent to prioritize economic returns over volume, while optimizing its portfolio with the hope of higher-returning assets. At the same time, business lending was up 10% during the same period. Local agent Jody Fewster described Peppermint Grove as: Located on the edge of the Swan River within five minutes of beautiful Cottesloe beach the most aspirational suburb because it sits in the middle of all the best private schools with access to good public schools too. There are some suburbs, such as those closer to the CBD or key lifestyle attractions, where competition for rental properties remains high and the vacancy rate is under 1%. In these areas, property managers are still seeing large numbers at home opens and receiving multiple applications. Hijacked Belize Plane Lands Safely After U.S. Man Shot Mid-Air by Passenger (Photo: Google Maps/Screenshot) A U.S. national was shot and killed during a mid-air hijacking attempt aboard a small passenger plane in Belize on Thursday, ending a dramatic standoff that left two other passengers injured and grounded flights at the country's international airport. The incident marked the first plane hijacking of its kind in Belize in recent memory and has prompted renewed scrutiny of security measures on domestic flights. Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams identified the hijacker as Akinyela Sawa Taylor, a U.S. citizen who allegedly commandeered the Tropic Air flight at knifepoint after it departed from Corozal en route to San Pedro. Taylor, who was reportedly a former U.S. military service member, demanded the plane be diverted out of the country and at one point requested the pilot to land for refueling. Fourteen passengers and two crew members were on board when the hijacking unfolded. According to police, Taylor stabbed at least one passenger-identified as Fitzgerald Brown-in the back and inflicted visible injuries on another, Jair Castaneda. A third passenger, identified by an airline official as Tropic Air employee Howell Grange, returned fire and fatally shot Taylor in the chest during the confrontation. The aircraft circled erratically over Belize City as fuel levels dropped, triggering concerns that it might crash. "We were hoping that we don't have to move from a search-and-rescue operation to a search-and-recovery operation," Williams said, noting that a rescue helicopter had been dispatched to track the flight's trajectory. The plane ultimately landed at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, where passengers were met by authorities. Taylor was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after the landing. One of the injured passengers remains in critical condition. Authorities say Taylor had previously been denied entry into Belize, though it remains unclear how he was able to enter the country and board the domestic flight. "We don't know why he wanted to go back to the United States," said Luke Martin, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Belize. Commissioner Williams called the pilot's performance "exceptional" and praised the passenger who intervened. "He remained calm, and he was extremely focused in terms of what he was going to do," Williams said. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce described the incident as "horrifying," adding, "We are grateful, I think all of us are, that that did not turn into a mass casualty event with I believe over a dozen people on the plane." Nouvelle ere dans la gestion du foncier national, a appris cameroun24. Le ministre des Domaines, du Cadastre et des Affaires foncieres (Mindcaf), Henri Eyebe Ayissi, a signe une lettre-circulaire qui redessine les contours de limmatriculation des terres au Cameroun. Desormais, les chefs traditionnels de premier et de deuxieme degre deviennent des acteurs incontournables dans les procedures dacces a la terre. Au cur de cette reforme, lintroduction dun nouveau document administratif : la lettre de non objection , delivree par les autorites traditionnelles avant toute validation de dossier de demande dimmatriculation directe ou de concession formulee par un particulier, une communaute ou une collectivite. ? Qui est concerne ? Cette mesure sappliquera aux cessions portant sur des superficies egales ou superieures a 20 hectares, situees dans le domaine national. ? Objectif affiche : Le gouvernement veut freiner laccaparement des terres communautaires et eviter la spoliation des populations autochtones, souvent mises a lecart des processus de concession. En impliquant les chefs traditionnels, le Mindcaf entend prevenir les litiges fonciers, renforcer la securite juridique et garantir la paix sociale dans les zones rurales. Cette reforme sappuie sur larsenal juridique existant, mais repond surtout a une urgence : celle de limiter la dilapidation des terres relevant du domaine national, qui sont les espaces coutumiers des communautes locales , explique le ministre. ?? Une exigence de transparence, un gage de bonne gouvernance Au-dela de la preservation des droits coutumiers, cette mesure vise aussi a rassurer les partenaires au developpement, de plus en plus vigilants sur les questions de gouvernance fonciere. Elle sinscrit dans une dynamique plus large de gestion responsable des terres, avec pour ambition de transformer le domaine national en levier de developpement local. ? Entree en vigueur : 1er juillet 2025 Passe cette date, aucun dossier dimmatriculation directe ou de concession de plus de 20 hectares ne pourra etre valide sans la fameuse "lettre de non objection" du chef traditionnel competent. Avec cette decision, lEtat camerounais reaffirme le role central des autorites traditionnelles dans la gestion des territoires et la protection des interets des communautes locales. Une reforme qui, si elle est bien appliquee, pourrait marquer un tournant decisif dans la securisation du foncier rural au Cameroun. Land Reform in Cameroon: Traditional Rulers Now Central to Land Registration Procedures A major shift is underway in Cameroons land management system. The Minister of State Property, Surveys, and Land Tenure (MINDAF), Henri Eyebe Ayissi, has issued a circular that places traditional rulers of the first and second degree at the heart of land registration procedures. At the core of this reform is the introduction of a new mandatory document: the letter of non-objection, to be issued by traditional authorities prior to the validation of any application for direct land registration or land concession made by an individual, community, or local council. ? Who is affected? This measure applies to land transactions involving 20 hectares or more within the national land domain. ? Main objective: The government aims to curb the grab of communal lands and protect communities from being dispossessed, especially in cases where traditional leaders have been sidelined during state land concession processes. By empowering traditional rulers, the MINDAF seeks to prevent land disputes, strengthen legal security, and promote social cohesion in rural areas. This reform builds on the existing legal framework but responds to an urgent need: to limit the uncontrolled alienation of national lands, which are often ancestral lands of local communities, Minister Eyebe Ayissi stated. ?? Promoting transparency and responsible land governance Beyond protecting customary rights, the new requirement also aims to reassure development partners, who have increasingly high standards regarding land governance and the protection of community rights. The measure is aligned with broader efforts to make national lands a tool for local economic development, as encouraged by international stakeholders. ? Effective date: July 1, 2025 Starting from this date, no application for direct land registration or concession of 20 hectares or more will be processed without the required "letter of non-objection" from the relevant traditional chief. Through this decision, the Cameroonian government reaffirms the central role of traditional leaders in land management and in safeguarding local communities' interests. If properly implemented, this reform could mark a turning point in securing rural land rights and improving land governance in Cameroon. Mouahna Divine Stephen Maguire Gardai have attended a mobile home in Co Donegal owned by child sex offence suspect Fr Edward Gallagher and removed a number of items. The priest has been suspended from his post in the Derry Diocese after he was charged with attempted sexual communication with a child. Fr Gallagher appeared before a special sitting of Derry Magistrates Court charged that on dates between April 2nd, 2025, and April 17th, 2025, that he attempted sexual communication with a child. The 58-year-old is the curate for the Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick parishes, which include St Patricks Church in Murlog, Lifford, in Co Donegal where he is the regular celebrant. His arrest and charge follows an incident involving paedophile hunters outside a Derry hotel on Thursday last, which saw a number of allegations put to him. In that video, various allegations are put to the priest about his alleged sexual activity, and he is seen visibly shaken and staggering back against a wall. Shortly after the confrontation, Fr Gallagher was arrested, questioned and then appeared in court. The priest, with an address at Orchard Park in Lifford, spoke only to confirm his identity and that he understood the charge while no application for bail was made with the case being adjourned until May. Following his arrest on Thursday last week, uniformed gardai and detectives visited a mobile home in Buncrana on the Inishowen Peninsula owned by the priest. Eye-witnesses told how they saw gardai enter the mobile home and later remove a number of items from the property. The Garda Press Office was contacted for a reaction to the development. However, a spokesperson said they do not comment on inquiries which may relate to ongoing investigations. A spokesperson for the Derry Diocese has confirmed Fr Gallagher had been suspended as criminal proceedings continue. The Diocese of Derry is aware that Fr Edward Gallagher has appeared in court in relation to serious charges of a sexual nature in relation to attempted sexual communication with a child. The diocese takes such matters very seriously and as such has, in addition, commenced its own internal investigation, which will only take place in a manner which does not impede the criminal investigation. Fr Gallagher is suspended from ministry. As charges are now before a court, it would not be appropriate for the diocese to comment further until the completion of the criminal proceedings. If anyone has any allegations or concerns regarding child abuse, they should contact the PSNI and Social Services in Northern Ireland, or An Garda Siochana and Tusla in the Republic of Ireland. By Cate McCurry, PA The President has said Pope Francis had unfinished business and that he hopes the next pope will build on the steps he was able to take during his tenure. Michael D Higgins will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend, along with his wife, Sabina. Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris will also attend. The late pontiff will be buried on Saturday. He died on Easter Monday aged 88. President Michael D Higgins will attend the funeral of Pope Francis. Photo: Danny Lawson/PA On Tuesday, Mr Higgins and his wife signed the book of condolences for Francis in the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin. Speaking afterwards, he said that, on behalf of the people of Ireland, he thanked Pope Francis for work and his example on embracing the most important issues. Issues that are at the future of our humanity together in relation to climate change, in relation to global poverty, in relation to his particular interest in the welfare of migrants, Mr Higgins said. I thought of the times we have met and the discussions we had, his ability to embrace the suffering, particularly those who are marginalised. I noted in the way his vision was wider than many people in politics and public life. For example, his ending the Doctrine of Discovery was welcomed by all the indigenous people in the world, in different parts of the world, as pushing an end to that appalling time when doctrinal support was given to colonialism. Francis struck that out, I think, on the 30th of March 2023 and it got very little, of course, publicity in the wider secular world, but it was welcomed by all of the people who were working for defending their homelands, and the people, for example, in the Amazon and people who are affected by climate change, who had made the least contribution to the realities of what we were suffering under, but who were paying the highest price. President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina this afternoon signed the Book of Condolences for His Holiness Pope Francis in the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin pic.twitter.com/2dmnW7PaRC President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) April 22, 2025 Mr Higgins described Franciss visit to Ireland in August 2018 as a very warm visit. We were all very, very pleased. I think I met him five times, and I value and appreciate all of those conversations, he added. But I know as I was signing on behalf of all of the people, there are people outside of the Catholic Church really his stress was always on our shared humanity. He added: Im sure he would want us to push our emphasis on peace and sustainability and, above all else, rights. What was very interesting about him, when I look back at other popes as well, was the ease with which he had, its part of the changes in his own life that he did discuss too, of being able to embrace people most agonised in the world, it was a great capacity. We were very fortunate in having such a wonderful pope. He continued: I think its very appropriate as president of Ireland that I would communicate the appreciation of all of the people of Ireland for the generosity of his life, given right until the very last moments of his life. For that reason, I will miss very, very much the statements, all of those documents, which were documents of inclusion. I did say, as well, there was unfinished business that I hope that those who follow him will build on the steps he was able to take. I remember, as we finished in some of the conversations, he would say that before asking for prayer and offer, he would say, its very difficult. Advertisement Cement dispatches in Vietnam increased by 22 per cent YoY to 7.828Mt in March 2025, according to the Vietnam National Cement Association (VNCA). Of this total, VICEM delivered 2.122Mt, up 31 per cent YoY, while other VNCA members saw a 22 per cent YoY increase to 2.712Mt. Non-members reported an 18 per cent YoY increase to 8.61Mt. Export volumes rose seven per cent to 3.025Mt, with clinker exports up 12 per cent YoY to 1.235Mt, while cement exports rose five per cent YoY to 1.79Mt. VICEM exported 26,021t of clinker, down 82 per cent YoY, and 202,705 of cement, down 21 per cent YoY. Other VNCA members saw a 72 per cent YoY increase in clinker exports to 38,311t, but a 31 per cent YoY decline in cement exports to 230,260t. Clinker exports by non-members rose 25 per cent YoY to 1.17Mt, while cement exports increased 21 per cent YoY to 1.357Mt. January-March 2025 In the first quarter of 2025, cement dispatches in Vietnam rose 14 per cent YoY to 15.556Mt. This compares to a 12 per cent YoY contraction in domestic sales in the first quarter of 2024. Sales rose one per cent YoY for 2024 as a whole and amounted to 95.043Mt. VICEM saw a 20.8 per cent YoY rise in domestic sales to 4.234Mt in the first three months of 2025, while other VNCA members reported a 16 per cent YoY increase to 2.712Mt. Domestic dispatches by non-members rose 9.7 per cent YoY to 8.610Mt. Total exports increased by four per cent YoY to 8.355Mt in the first quarter of 2025, with clinker exports up five per cent YoY to 3.591Mt and cement exports up three per cent YoY to 4.765Mt. VICEMs clinker exports dropped 87 per cent YoY to 54,329t and cement exports by 47 per cent to 343,988t. Other VNCA members reported clinker exports of 54,329t, down 27 per cent YoY, and cement exports of 687,103t, down 20 per cent YoY. Non-members saw a 19 per cent YoY increase in clinker exports to 3.454Mt and a 20 per cent YoY increase in cement exports to 3.734Mt. Vietnam is the second most important supplier of cement and clinker to the USA. Vietnamese imports amounted at 4.1Mt in 2024. The 46 per cent tariff imposed by the USA on Vietnamese imports one of the highest announced by the USA could significantly curtail Vietnamese imports and dent activity at export-facing cement and clinker producers. As of 11 April, the tariff had been suspended for 90 days pending discussions. The Moccasin Bend Chapter of DAR met at the Beyond the Garden Gate tea room in East Ridge for its monthly meeting.Speaker Phyllis Carter spoke about the Brainerd Mission Cemetery.After the meeting, the ladies enjoyed a meal at the tea room and received an Easter gift from Regent Carolyn Caulkins. Previous Next The Chattanooga Fire Department is making sure that rescuers have the knowledge they need to save lives when dealing with the most complicated wrecks. On April 26-27, CFD and the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association Local 820 are hosting an advanced regional extrication class at the Police & Fire Training Center on Amnicola Highway.The course will provide hands-on learning with 10 different stations. Areas covered during the course include: using special air bags to lift vehicles, side impact damage, impalement, vehicles stuck on a concrete barrier, a crash involving a school bus and vehicle movement to manipulate damaged cars in order to get to patients.In addition, students will be introduced to the use of rotating wreckers to assist in the rescue of potential victims.Were excited to have firefighters from Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina departments taking part in the class to advance their skill set in vehicle extrication tactics and strategies, said CFD Special Operations Chief Terry Knowles.Instructors will simulate different scenarios that present complex challenges and participants will get experience working with small compact cars, SUVs, school buses, tractor trailers and other heavy equipment"This class is designed to take the experienced rescuer to a higher level of understanding," officials said. "The course will cover vehicle design and safety systems, as well as working with heavy wreckers for large vehicle situations."All proceeds from registration fees will benefit the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Support Foundation. The Chattanooga Fire Fighters Support Foundation exists to provide financial and logistical support to local firefighters who are struggling to make ends meet as a result of job related injuries and family illnesses. The CFFSF steps in to make mortgage, utility and auto payments. They also provide groceries and for any needs their children may have ranging from school supplies and clothing to medications and transportation. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga sophomore Vinny Nguyen is taking his passion for language, diplomacy and international engagement across the world.Nguyen, a double major in political science international/comparative studies and economics international public policy with a minor in Asian studies, has been selected for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study Mandarin in Taiwan this summer. He will spend two months at Tamkang University in New Taipei Cityfrom June 17-Aug.15as part of the prestigious U.S. Department of State initiative.The CLS program is designed to provide rigorous language instruction and cultural enrichment to American students preparing for careers in public service or international affairs.A member of the Innovations in Honors program in the UTC Honors College, Nguyen is no stranger to international experiences and language immersion. Last summer, he was selected for the CLS Sparka virtual language program that provides American students with foundational skills in languages deemed critical to U.S. engagement with the world. In his case, that meant learning beginner Mandarin.That experience helped propel him into the prestigious in-person CLS program.Within 10 weeks, I went from complete beginner to intermediate low, Nguyen said of his CLS Spark experience. That gave me a foundationhow to ask where the bathroom is, how much something costs. Now I get to build on that in Taiwan.At Tamkang University, he will begin with two weeks of dorm-style housing alongside his cohort. Participants then rotate between university housing and homestays with local families to deepen their language learning and cultural understanding.Daily Mandarin classes, weekly one-on-one tutoring sessions, language partner meetups and hands-on cultural excursionssuch as traditional cooking, tea ceremonies and dragon danceround out the immersive experience.This wont be Nguyens first extended international academic experience. After graduating from Lookout Valley High School in 2022, he spent a year in Germany through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program, where he interned at the City Hall of Wolfsburg.That experience really solidified my passion for international relations, he said. It gave me a first-hand look at how interconnected local economies are and inspired me to pursue economic diplomacy. A Criminal Court jury on Tuesday, after lengthy deliberations, found Darryl Roberts guilty of second-degree murder in the downtown slaying of businessman Chris Wright. Jurors also found Roberts guilty of being a dangerous felon in possession of a weapon. That was in a separate hearing. The Wright family issued this statement after the verdict: "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 generosity - always 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." Prosecutors on Monday afternoon had asked the jury to sentence the 59-year-old Roberts to pre-meditated first-degree murder in the Sept. 28, 2023, downtown "execution" of businessman and Baylor School and Yale graduate Wright. Jurors deliberated for several hours before going home for the night. The panel deliberated three more hours on Tuesday morning before going to lunch until 2 p.m., when they had more talks. Prosecutor Paul Moyle said, "You don't get to kill somebody on a public sidewalk in Chattanooga, Tennessee and argue passion after the fact. It just doesn't happen." He added, "If this is not an unlawful killing, then what is?" Public Defender Steve Smith contended that Roberts was "over-charged" and the jury should consider a sentence along the line of voluntary manslaughter, which would carry much less time than a life sentence (52 years). He told the panel, "Mr. Roberts isn't a monster. Mr. Wright isn't a hero." The public defender said Mr. Wright, who was celebrating his 20th Baylor reunion, was aggressive during several bar stops that evening and "felt rejected and frustrated" after his high school friend and a woman who was with them went home from Jack Brown's bar. He said it was testified that his mood then turned from being playful to angry. He said Mr. Wright also felt rejected by Roberts and another man sitting in front of Patten Towers, as they reached out his hand to them and they hollered for him to move on down the street. Prosecutor Moyle said the only evidence that Mr. Wright used the N-word was from the defendant. He said a video showed the two men at the Patten not showing any reaction at the time Roberts claims it was made. He told jurors the killing "was so depraved that when you first saw it there was a visceral reaction of disgust - because it is disgusting." The prosecutor said the defense engaged in "character assassination" of the victim by spending a lengthy time showing bar video. He said Roberts had ample time to back off from firing the gun after he reached in his pocket for it and took steps toward the unarmed Wright, "but he didn't because it was his choice." Concerning defense allegations about the case involving "power, wealth and race," he noted he had tried a case in January "in which an unarmed black man was shot in the head as he was leaving work." Prosecutor Andrew Coyle said of Roberts, "Nothing else was going to happen but death when he held a 357 to his forehead and pulled the trigger." He said Roberts could have walked away, "and Chris could have gone home to his three kids, his wife, and his mother." Prosecutor Coyle said the defense had "tried to degrade this man and convince one or two of you that he deserved it and put himself in this situation." He said whatever was said during the 11:50 p.m. encounter "it was not cause to shoot someone in the head." He said Chris Wright "was so much more than he was portrayed in this trial" on the night "when he was out drinking with his friends and when he met his execution." Public Defender Smith said, "Just watching the video and being angered by it, that's mob justice." He said the jury should consider that Roberts "acted out of fear," while noting testimony about the area around the Patten being dangerous late at night and of his companion being attacked there once before. The attorney said Chris Wright was 30 pounds heavier than Darryl Roberts and 20 years younger. He said Mr. Wright had chosen to not stop at his office at the Volunteer Building as he told a bartender he planned to do, but was apparently headed to his car to drive home despite his heavy intoxication. Judge Boyd Patterson is presiding over the trial at the Courts Building. Despite defense argument, he declined to include a section on self-defense in the jury charge. For TVFCUs 8th Annual Idea Leap Grant, the credit union is awarding a total of $225,000 in grants to local small business owners in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. Entrepreneurs will participate in regional pitch competitions, each taking home a grant between $10,000 and $30,000.Since the inception of the Idea Leap Grant in 2018, we have invested over $720,000 in grants and scholarships to dozens of outstanding small businesses in our area, said Tommy Nix, vice president of business and commercial services.After this years competitions, we will have reached nearly $1 million in giveback.There will be three pitch competitions in total; two of them, the Northwest Georgia and Ocoee regional contests, will be televised on Local 3 News. The Chattanooga regional contest will be held at The Signal, and Chambliss will host a reception before the pitch night with hors doeuvres, drinks, music and networking.2025 Idea Leap Grant events include:Northwest Georgia Region: Date: Monday, May 5 Time: 11 a.m. noon Place: On Local 3 NewsBobbi Jo Brooks Fine Art & Photography, Gowin Valley Farms, Red Eyed Rooster Coffee Co., Rosie Maes Alpaca Farm and Top End Fabrication will compete to win the grand prize of $30,000.Ocoee Region: Date: Tuesday, May 6 Time: 11 a.m. noon Place: On Local 3 NewsBigfoot Outfitters, Flory Custom Woodworking, Fraziers Fabrication, Theme Fusion and Visionary Motorsports & Fabrication will compete to win the grand prize of $30,000.Chattanooga Region:Chambliss Startup Social Date: Thursday, May 8 Time: 4:30 6 p.m. Place: The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave. in ChattanoogaChambliss will provide hors doeuvres and drinks in a lively atmosphere with music and networking.Chattanooga Pitch Competition Date: Thursday, May 8 Time: 6 8 p.m. Place: The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave. in ChattanoogaBird Fork Farm, Cha Cha Masala Chai, Jordan Ariel Agency, Scenic City Therapy and Tiny Tigers Learning Center will compete to win the grand prize of $30,000.RSVP to the event here For more information about the Idea Leap Grant, visit tvfcu.com/IdeaLeap. Scenic City Chorale Concert will be performing this Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Road, honoring the chorales 60th anniversary through song.The concert is free and open to the community. Light refreshments will be served.RSVP on jewishchattanooga.com . For more information, call 423-493-0270. The community is invited to a tribute for Sanford Winer, founder of the Chattanooga Jewish Film Series, by attending the Chattanooga premier of Air War on Sunday, May 4 at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Road.A reception hosted by Elaine Winer at 3:15 p.m. will proceed the screening of the film at 4 pm. There is no cost to attend. RSVPs are appreciated by email at federation@jewishchattanooga.com.It takes a passionate lay leader to turn an idea into an appreciated community-wide event.Sanford Winer was one of those leaders, said Michael Dzik, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation. Over the past 18 years, Sanford grew the Film Series from four films to 10-12 films annually. He increased his efforts with the formation of a diverse committee, and created corporate donor and sponsorship programs that allow us to screen first run films in Chattanooga. The film Air War, honors Sanfords personal military experience as well as his love of Israel.Air War depicts the rivalry between Israeli fighter pilots that escalated before the 1967 Six Day War. As Israels survival is threatened, the rivals must unite to lead their squadron in order to achieve victory. The film is based on a true story. It is 106 minutes in Hebrew with English subtitles. Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwoTDGP6EVc. Former Tennessee pitching ace Chase Burns is expected to be elevated to the Chattanooga Lookouts. Burns helped lead Tennessee to the 2023 College World Series, then he transferred to Wake Forest for the 2024 season. After signing with the Cincinnati Reds, he had an impressive start at Single A Dayton. Art 120, an organization dedicated to fostering artistic talent and creative expression in the community, announces the return of We Make. It will be held Saturday, May 3, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Chattanooga Green. This years event will be more than just a showcase its a full-scale celebration of the artistic spirit of Chattanooga. We Make is a one-of-a-kind festival designed to ignite the imagination of art lovers, students and families alike. Expect a blend of artistic performances, visual art exhibits, and hands-on activities. The heart of the event lies in celebrating the next generation of artistic visionaries. Over $1,600 in cash awards will be presented to honor student talent across multiple categories, including 2D and 3D art, live performances, UpCycle fashion, and the Golden Gnome Award a $500 cash prize for the most creative wheeled contraption designed by a local student or school. We Make is all about nurturing and amplifying young creative voices in Hamilton County. "As Albert Einstein said, Imagination is more important than knowledge, and were proud to give our students a platform to showcase their brilliance, said Kate Warren, executive director of Art 120. Chattanooga is overflowing with artistic energy, and We Make is the perfect celebration of that. We invite everyone to come and enjoy this incredible display of talent and creativity. We Make 2025 will also feature whimsical art cars, interactive activities for all ages, and the chance to connect with local artists and makers. At its core, Art 120 is a community-driven organization that uses the power of art to promote self-expression, cultural enrichment and connection. Events like We Make allow Art 120 to continue its mission of creating inclusive spaces where artistic talent can thrive and be celebrated, said officials. For more details, registration information, and updates on the event, visit www.art120.org. Special thanks to the Tennessee Arts Commission, ArtsBuild, The Lyndhurst Foundation, city of Chattanooga Department of Parks and Outdoors, Rock City, Songbirds Foundation and the Hamilton County Department of Education. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Collegedale Parks and Recreation Departments event, Community Spark, originally set for today, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 17.This event is a partnership with the Tri-Community Fire Department and other local businesses and organizations to share information about fire safety and Earth Day. The aim is to combine educational content with fun activities, encouraging the community to get the spark going by engaging in important conversations.Collegedale Parks and Recreation Supervisor Christina Clark, said, Ive had this idea of using fun, community-wide events to raise awareness about safety and encourage conversations among neighbors, helping everyone feel safe with our First Responders and our neighbors.The free, family-friendly Community Spark event will now take place on Tuesday, June 17 from 5-8 p.m.at the Collegedale Commons, 4750 Swinyar Dr. in Ooltewah.We will have local businesses and organizations set up booths with various activities, and there will be three food trucks available for food and treats, added Ms. Clark.If your business or group would like to participate, contact the Collegedale Parks and Recreation Department via email at parksandrec@collegedaletn.gov or by phone at 423-468-1971. Retired Police and Fire Chief Charles Roland Wells known as Chuck or THE LEGEND by his fellow officers died peacefully in the arms of his adoring wife, Candace, April 17, 2025. He was a true American hero, who was renowned for his inner strength, resilience and exceptional bravery despite perilous adversity. He was a valiant warrior, steadfast protector, and selfless leader who served with unwavering dedication in the United States Navy, the Chattanooga Police Department and as Police Chief and Fire Chief of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. Born with a spirit of service and an unbreakable resolve, he first answered the call to protect his great nation as a proud member of the United States Navy Warfare Special Ops. Through courage and commitment, he stood on the front lines for freedom, embodying honor, loyalty and valor. Following his military service, his dedication to protect others never waned. Transitioning into Chattanooga law enforcement, he patrolled our streets with integrity, empathy and unwavering lionheartedness. Rising through the ranks with tireless dedication and an unshakable sense of duty, he rose from burglary and robbery detective, patrol sergeant, multiple undercover positions, FBI intelligence to government sponsored initiatives investigating cybercrimes and internet crimes against children. Chuck Wells, one of strong ethical leadership, left a profound indelible impact on his fellow officers, inspiring the countless lives he touched throughout his career. He was a man of integrity, strength, and compassion. From his earliest days on the beat to his highest position of leadership as the Chief of Police and Fire for Lookout Mountain, Charles Roland Wells embodied the very best of what it means to wear the badge courage in the face of danger, compassion in moments of crisis and wisdom in guiding others. Chuck had a deep appreciation for military history. He spent countless hours exploring old battlefields, forgotten trails chasing hidden artifacts with his metal detector. He loved fishing with Candace, Robert, Mit and their friends. As a passionate scuba diver, dedicated instructor, and skilled rescue professional he patiently guided people through the wonders of the underwater world with unmatched enthusiasm and care. His faith in his Lord Jesus Christ was a cornerstone of his character and a light to all who knew him. Whether in moments of joy or seasons of challenge, Chuck leaned on the promises of Scripture and radiated a peace that could only come from knowing Christ intimately. He was a faithful servant, always quick to offer a prayer, a word of encouragement, or a helping hand. To know Chuck was to witness the love of Jesus in action. Chief Charles Roland Wells is survived by his loving wife, Candace, his children Robert, Mit, Blant, Alex, and Hannah, cherished grandchildren and nephews. He is survived by his mother, Ronita Massey Butler, his father, Charles Donald (Un Chong), his sister, Jaime (Loran) and a brother, Chris (Darlene). Chuck was preceded in death by his step-father, Gentry Butler, and his grandparents. Honorary pallbearers will be the Chattanooga Police Department, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee Police and Fire Departments and Lookout Mountain, Georgia Police and Fire Departments. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the town of Lookout Mountain Fire and Police Fund, P.O. Box 111 Lookout Mountain, Tn. 37350. Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God. Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share condolences with the family. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday in the funeral home chapel with Chaplain Ed Salter and Reverend Chad Middlebrooks officiating. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors and a police escort. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway. Effective May 7, all domestic commercial air travelers 18 and older must present a Real ID at TSA security checkpoints, or a passport or military ID. The state-issued Real ID is marked with a circled star, either gold or black. Travelers without a Real ID or other TSA-approved ID wont be permitted to board.The Chattanooga airports seat capacity will jump 30 percent year-over-year on June 4 when Spirit Airlines kicks off service to Newark, NJ, and Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Enplanements were up 12 percent in March over the same month last year, making it the best March ever with 50,454 enplanements.To manage and celebrate the growth, the airport will invest in in-person agents for Spirit, a new visitor information center and new terrazzo flooring at the dome entrance.We try to put the emphasis on convenience, and also the courtesy, said board Chairman James Hall at the board meeting on Monday.The board met airline operations liaison Kelly Stewart, a full-time CHA staff member who will lead Spirit and Allegiant operations and work directly with customers.CHA provides ticket counter agents, gate agents and ramp agents for Spirit and Allegiant Air, as well as turn clean service: a quick-clean of airplane cabins and lavatories between flights.Ms.Stewart reported that Spirit is ahead of schedule for hiring and training.Well be ready to go June 4, she said.And customers wont be posting angry videos online. Were not going to have some of the YouTube videos that youve seen with Spirit Airlines, Ms. Stewart said.The board on Monday approved plans to build a staffed information booth in the airports entrance hall under the dome, install new terrazzo flooring there and renovate the airports restaurant, which was built in 2014, to add windows and natural light.The information center will open before the first flight of the day and close after the last flight, attended by a paid worker and a volunteer. The cost of the 14-foot counter, made by local Cabeen Architectural Millwork, will be reimbursed by the city.They are excited to support our growth and we appreciate it very much, said airport President and CEO April Cameron.As you know, tourism is going to grow in our area, said Mr. Hall.At the board meeting, the CHA team bid farewell to Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kellys Chief of Staff Jermaine Freeman, who announced his resignation earlier this month. Mr. Freeman worked with Ms. Cameron at the Chattanooga airport about 20 years ago as a recent Morehouse College grad, and the two expressed the greatest fondness, gratitude and respect for each other.You guys have done a great job. Mayor Kelly is very pleased, Mr. Freeman said. You guys are killing it. Mayor Kelly is super, super grateful for all of the work that you do.The future of the airport is bright, and just know you have the support of the mayor, Mr. Freeman said.CHA has been well-received beyond the region, too. Ms. Cameron and Mr. Hall reported success at the Airports Council International legislative conference in Washington, D.C., in March, where they checked in with contacts and advocated for funding to keep us doing the many good things weve got planned for the airport, Mr. Hall said.He and Ms. Cameron visited Senators Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn and Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, and heard the latest from the Federal Aviation Administration and TSA.We have had a good reaction nationally and internationally in the aviation community as we continue to build this airport, Mr. Hall said. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Tiananmen Square in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China. | Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Alexander Schimmeck China has announced a ban on foreign missionaries from preaching and establishing religious organizations within its borders. The newly revised restrictions, slated to take effect on May 1, signify an escalated crackdown on Christianity across the country. Under the updated guidelines, non-Chinese citizens residing in China are explicitly prohibited from preaching without proper authorization, founding religious schools, producing or distributing religious literature, accepting religious donations, or recruiting Chinese citizens as religious followers, as reported by Mission News Network. Foreign clergy are allowed to preach only if they receive an official invitation from state-sanctioned religious institutions, and all preaching content is subject to prior government approval. Chinese state media have framed these restrictions as measures that promote national security, characterizing them as protective of normal religious activities, as noted by the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern. This legislation is a continuation of President Xi Jinping's agenda to enforce stricter control over religious practices, a campaign he first articulated in 2016 with the goal of Sinicizing all religions to ensure their loyalty aligns with the Communist Party's priorities. As a result, state-run religious institutions such as the Protestant Three-Self Church and the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association have been established as the sanctioned avenues for religious activities. In contrast, the independent house church movement has been significantly impacted by this policy shift. Raids and arrests targeting members of house churches have become increasingly common as Chinese authorities aim to dismantle groups perceived as threats to political security and social stability. Earlier this year, a report from Chinas Global Times lauded the strengthened efforts by public security authorities to eliminate independent religious groups in 2024, according to The Washington Stand. The Ministry of Public Security has openly acknowledged that it is investing more in surveillance technology and personnel dedicated to monitoring and limiting the activities of these organizations. China employs an extensive system of technological surveillance to track the movements and associations of its citizens, evaluating their loyalty to the Communist Party. This surveillance is particularly aimed at individuals connected with unregistered house churches or those engaged in religious practices outside the state-sanctioned frameworks. While organizations like Bibles for China, which operate within state-sanctioned structures, anticipate that their work may not be immediately affected by the new rules, foreign missionary activitiesincluding visits, meetings with pastors, and direct involvement in religious communitiesare likely to become significantly more difficult. Additionally, financial support from foreign entities for religious initiatives in China will come under increased scrutiny. Arielle Del Turco, the director of the Center for Religious Liberty at the Family Research Council, has expressed grave concern over these developments. She remarked to The Stand that China's rationale concerning national security is inappropriate, and the prohibition of foreign missionaries could have negative repercussions for China's international relations. Del Turco urged the U.S. government to closely monitor these evolving circumstances, considering their potential implications for American citizens traveling to China. Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Nacho Arteaga Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Monday after delivering an Easter blessing from St. Peter's Basilica, is being honored by world leaders who reflect on his legacy. In a statement released Monday morning, President Trump announced that he had ordered the U.S. flag to fly at half-staff. This directive extends to all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government and the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on the day of Pope Francis' interment. Trump's order was issued as a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis. The flag protocol also encompasses all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. Earlier that day, Trump released a shorter statement on Truth Social, stating, Rest in peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him! Vice President J.D. Vance, who met with the Pope just before his death on Easter Sunday, expressed his condolences on X, saying that his heart goes out to the millions of Christians who adored Pope Francis. He shared a link that he was glad to see the Pope, though he was obviously very ill, and linked to one of his favorite homilies given by Francis, concluding with, May God rest his soul. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted on X, asserting that Francis' teaching and his legacy will not be lost. She further stated, We greet the Holy Father with hearts full of sadness, but we know that he is now in the peace of the Lord. French President Emmanuel Macron commemorated the Pope by sharing a photo of their meeting, captioning it with words reflecting, From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. King Charles of the United Kingdom remarked, Through his work and care for both people and the planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many. He noted that both he and the Queen were deeply moved to have visited the Pope earlier in the month and expressed their most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church and to those mourning the loss of the faithful follower of Jesus Christ. We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, made history as the first head of the Roman Catholic Church from Latin America when he was elected in March 2013. Home News Argentine Evangelical, Catholic pastors share personal experiences working with Pope Francis The death of Pope Francis, the highest authority of the Roman Catholic Church, has sparked worldwide interest in learning more about the life of the man who dedicated his life to serving God and people. Pastor Alejandro Rodriguez, president of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Argentina, referred to Jorge Mario Bergoglio as "a pastor with the smell of sheep," because he was always among the people and their needs. Bergoglio was appointed archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. On March 13, 2013, the conclave elected him as Benedict XVI's successor. He became the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American, and the first to take the name Francis, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Legendary evangelist Luis Palau said at the time that Bergoglio "was a friend" with whom he had cultivated a personal relationship. "I like him because, far from calling me a heretic, Bergoglio asks me to pray for him every time we meet. And I pray for him; I won't miss the opportunity," Palau used to say. As a cardinal and archbishop, Bergoglio cultivated a close relationship with Evangelical pastoral ministry. Some criticized it as "ecumenical," but the truth is that no one involved abandoned its doctrinal and biblical principles. Palau also said, on the occasion of Bergoglio's election as pope, that "as an Evangelical Christian, it's evident that I have disagreements with Pope Francis. However, despite our differences, I consider him a friend and respect him as a person. I appreciate his high regard for the Scriptures, his love for Jesus Christ, and I admire his heart of service." Promoter of the Scriptures Pastor Esteban Fernandez, former vice president of the International Bible Society (Biblica), shared with Diario Cristiano his personal experience with the late pope. I had the privilege of working closely with Francis on a project, specifically the Community Bible Experience. He was aware of who we were and the biblical texts we used. He also made a video inviting us to bring Jesus Christ from the mind to the heart by reading the Bible in the format we were proposing: reading it like a book, without chapters or verses. He was very kind in that regard. I know he promoted that project a lot among different fraternities of the Roman Catholic community, Fernandez said. For his part, Melvin Rivera, former global director of publications for the United Bible Societies, recalled on social media: When I was in Argentina, his name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, and we asked him for a recommendation to include in all editions of the 'God Speaks Today' Bible with the deuterocanonical books. The intention was to motivate all Catholics to read the Bible. He generously agreed. "Thousands of those Bibles were distributed throughout Latin America with his recommendation," Rivera added. "He had a deep love for the Bible, for the poor, and for the land God has entrusted to us. In this regard, the United Bible Societies (UBS) issued a statement of condolences to the Roman Catholic Church for the loss of its leader. In the statement, they addressed the relationship between the UBS and the Catholic Church. Bible Societies around the world serve the Roman Catholic Church and Catholic communities, working closely with priests, bishops, religious educators, and lay leaders to ensure that the Scriptures are present, accessible, and alive in the hearts of the faithful. Pope Francis championed this mission, recognizing that the Word of God belongs to everyone and transforms all who encounter it. A servant The Rev. Omar Cabrera, senior leader of the Vision de Futuro church and member of the Buenos Aires City Council of Pastors, was one of those who knew Bergoglio before and after he became pope. We had an event at Luna Park. One of my daughters, who was studying at the UCA [Argentine Catholic University], came with me. So she approached him and said, 'I study at the UCA.' Immediately, [Bergoglio] asked her, 'Are you making a fuss?' Because all the students were required to read a text of his, challenging them to go out and do evangelism and not be ashamed of their faith. We were having lunch, and he saw that Jennifer had finished her empanada, and he stood up and got her another one ... he served it to her. She was truly shocked, Cabrera recounted. During another meeting at Luna Park, the reverend recalled: I asked for the offering. And I gave Bergoglio a book of mine that speaks specifically about the Kingdom's finances, called The Power of Generosity. And the next day I'm driving with my son-in-law and my oldest daughter, and he calls me personally to thank me for the book. Pastor Fernandez also recalled Bergoglio's relationship with Evangelical ministry, mentioning the context of the encounters Cabrera referred to. He said he was aware of "his spiritual quest and rapprochement with the Evangelical church, with the Reformed church, through the CRECES movement (Renewed Community of Evangelicals and Catholics in the Holy Spirit), which he formed while he was archbishop of Buenos Aires, along with other prominent leaders from Argentina and around the world. It's a movement that still continues to function, bringing together Christians renewed by the Holy Spirit from both the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches." Humility Cabrera was one of six Argentine Evangelical pastors from CRECES who made an official visit to see Francis. Traveling with him were Norberto Saracco, Carlos Mraida, Angel Negro, Jorge Himitian and Humberto Golluscio. When we were with him at the Vatican, we were in Santa Marta, and they had given us a room with eight chairs. One chair over there, far away, higher, sort of looked like a throne, and we all assumed, 'Well, he's going to sit there.' So I sat at the other end. Francis broke protocol and sat in the middle. And I ended up sitting next to him. I never thought it would be like this. And one of the pastors, whose wife had been ill and whom he hadn't seen in three years, immediately asked when he greeted him, 'How is your wife? How's your health?' He truly was a person who looked at others first, and then at his own. That was what struck me most about this human being. Samuel Pagan, pastor, writer and Bible translator, told Diario Cristiano about the pope: He was a man focused on people in need; his desire was to serve, and to serve well. A different one From a European Perspective, Diario Cristiano consulted Pastor Juan Trivino, a Spanish editor and writer. Clarifying that he was speaking in a personal capacity, he noted that Bergoglio was a pope who has made a difference, especially given the situation weve been through. He added: He has made decisions that, even within the Catholic Church, and understanding where they were coming from, have been progressive, very progressive. He hasnt been afraid to sit down with all kinds of people, including young people who completely rejected the concept of the [Catholic] Church. He hasnt been afraid to speak to anyone or admit mistakes. He hasnt hesitated on the issue of sexual abuse, very unlike the venerated John Paul II, who dedicated himself to covering up all the sexual corruption within the [Catholic] Church and moving priests around. In that sense, Trivino stated that Francis "had a zero-tolerance policy, which is admirable.' He added: "I think he was very Evangelical in proclaiming and bringing people closer to Jesus. I think that today, thanks to Francis, many more people are proud to be Catholic than before he became papal president. If he didn't modernize the [Catholic] Church further, it was because he wasn't allowed to. He also had his ideas, some of which clearly didn't fit with what we, as Protestants, as Evangelicals, understand in light of the Word of God, right? But he was a humble man; you only have to see how he prepared his funeral, which had nothing to do with the pomp of others, how he lived all this time, and how it shaped the way he related to the world." As a man, I believe he gave his life to what he believed was the service of God, and to what was accepted as such in his community. A person of integrity, who lived what he believed, and who had no difficulty trusting, even on very important matters like his press spokesperson role in Argentina, in the case of Marcelo Figueroa, a brother he knew came from the Protestant church and had Protestant roots. So, a person close to the Gospel and close to Evangelicals as well, said Esteban Fernandez. The pastors who make up CRECES issued a statement expressing their respect and sorrow for the passing of the Catholic pontiff. "We share the grief of the Catholic flock for the loss of their pastor, Jorge Bergoglio, Pope Francis. His ministry transcended the boundaries of the Catholic Church and was a gift from God to all humanity," they stated. They also maintained that those who had "the joy" and "privilege of serving alongside him" bear "witness to his passion for souls, especially those most in need." They highlighted his "capacity to listen and his many gestures for Christian unity and respect for different faiths." They also emphasized "his open spirit," which "helped us overcome an attitude of tolerance to enter the higher level of respect, acceptance, and appreciation of others and their beliefs." From the United Bible Societies, the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (ACIERA), the Baptist World Alliance, the Brazilian Evangelical Alliance, FEREDE and many other Evangelical organizations, the call is to remember the man and console those who today are grieving the loss of an undisputed world leader. In the words of Fernandez: The reflection for us, as Protestants, is to not waste any opportunity to make any effort at unity, based on understanding the differences and understanding that the foundations of orthodoxy are one, and that they, the Roman Catholic brothers, have added other things to it. But fundamentally, we are united. And I prefer to focus on that. I know that fundamentally, we have been working for the same thing. Anything else that takes Jesus out of the picture, I'll side with Jesus, and I believe that is the heart of the Protestant Church. Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition. Home News Hamas in financial crisis, too broke to pay fighters: 'Downstream of strong foreign policy' Hamas' struggle to find money to pay its fighters following over 500 days of war with Israel shows how much the terror group relies on ideology as its primary weapon, according to a human rights expert seeking to promote positive Christian engagement with Israel. Dominique Hoffman, an associate director for the Philos Leadership Institute, a program that educates Christian professionals about the Holy Land, highlighted the impact of Israel and President Donald Trump's administration cutting off Hamas' key sources of funding amid reports of financial struggles. "But we need to remember this was never a war Hamas could win," Hoffman told The Christian Post. "Hamas was always the weaker actor surviving on the pressure of an international anti-Israel campaign. Hamas going bankrupt is downstream of strong foreign policy." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe As The Wall Street Journal reported last week, senior Hamas fighters and political staff received only half of their pay midway through Ramadan last month. For some Gaza government employees, salary payments have ceased. Arab intelligence officials cited by the outlet stated that rank-and-file Hamas fighters had previously received a salary averaging around $200 to $300 a month. According to Western and Arab officials, Hamas received monthly cash transfers of $15 million from Qatar before the war with Israel. The terror group, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, had also stockpiled some $500 million, money it received from other countries, but mainly from Turkey. Israel launched a military operation in Gaza in October 2023 after Hamas slaughtered 1,200 people and abducted over 240 others during a surprise attack in southern Israel. Once the war began, Israel limited the transfer of physical cash into Gaza, as officials told WSJ, further restricting Hamas' ability to obtain funding. In March, Israel sealed Gaza's borders, preventing Hamas from collecting money by selling humanitarian supplies for more than their worth to its starving population. Other actions that impacted Hamas' stream of income included an executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, which temporarily suspended U.S. funding to specific United Nations organizations, including the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), pending a review. UNRWA has repeatedly faced scrutiny over reports that its members participated in the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre or have ties to Hamas. In 2024, President Joe Biden's administration suspended funding to UNRWA in response to the allegations. The Biden administration restored funding to UNRWA in 2021 after the first Trump administration cut funding to the agency in 2018. Hoffman accused the Biden administration of emboldening Hamas, highlighting the administration's decision in 2023 to unfreeze $6 billion of Iran's frozen assets in South Korea. This action benefited Hamas, an Iran-backed terror group, providing the terrorist organization with funding in the war between Israel and Gaza, Hoffman asserted. "The Trump administration signals a stark foreign policy shift; the U.S. has returned to a policy of intolerance for terrorism and Islamism," the policy expert told CP. Despite the terror group's diminishing funds, Hoffman warned the West against underestimating not only Hamas but also Iran, which is notorious for sponsoring terrorism. "As the U.S. presses for a resolution favorable to Israel and Hamas weakens due to financial constraints, the West should not forget Hamas is not just an organization but an ideology the latter of which will take a lot more than defunding to eliminate," Hoffman said. After Israel launched its military operation in Gaza to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of the hostages abducted by the terror group, a wave of anti-Israel protests erupted throughout the Western world. On college campuses throughout the United States, protestors set up encampments, and Jewish students reported that they experienced antisemitic harassment. Legal experts and Jewish advocacy groups also responded to claims that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, asserting that this undermines the country's right to defend itself and unfairly demonizes its actions. Phillip Dolitsky, an Orthodox Jew and strategic advisor for The Philos Project, believes it is "unconscionable" for anti-Israel activists in the West to continue supporting Hamas, especially as its own people call for an end to the terror group's rule. In March, video footage shared online and by multiple media outlets showed thousands of Gazans taking to the streets, chanting things like "Hamas is a terrorist" and "Out, out Hamas!" Senior Hamas officials claimed that the protests were directed against Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza, but Dolitsky argued that the population there has had enough of the terror group. "It is a brutal, dictatorial regime that not only hates Israelis but also hates even its own people who stand in the way of their genocidal aims," Dolitsky told CP at the time, referring to the terrorist organization as the "greatest barrier to peace." Home News 'Will Heaven be boring?' John Piper responds to fears about eternity Theologian and author John Piper addressed a listeners fear of eternity becoming monotonous, explaining why Heaven, despite its boundlessness, will never become boring for those who trust in Christ in a recent episode of his "Ask Pastor John" podcast. Pastor John, I have been struggling with the concept of eternity lately, a listener named Mason said. I started reading Randy Alcorns book about Heaven. At first, I had difficulty imagining what Heaven could be like, even for a short time. But after reading, I began to understand joy for thousands, millions, or even billions of years. However, even a hundred trillion years still seems nothing in light of eternity. I struggle to process something with no end. How will we not get bored? Piper, the longtime pastor and founder of Desiring God ministries, first acknowledged that Masons question reflects a universal human dilemma. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Yes, it is [hard to grasp], Piper said. It is beyond question that eternity whether we conceive of it as time without beginning or ending, or whether we conceive of it as a dimension beyond time, timelessness is hard to grasp. I mean, I dont even know what grasp means when it comes to something like that. Referencing Ecclesiastes 3:11, the chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, said the Bible itself validates this mystery. Listen to John Piper's podcasts on the Edifi app God has put eternity into mans heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. It seems to me that the least that verse means is that God intends for us to be aware of a reality of a kind of eternal time or non-time that is not fully comprehensible. Quoting C.S. Lewis, Piper added, If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. Still, Piper stressed that God has not left believers without clues: Its not as though God simply says, Theres an eternity coming; youre going to live in it, so trust me but thats all he says. There are so many places in the Bible where God seems bent on trying to help us trust him by giving us pointers. One such pointer, the Dont Waste Your Life author explained, comes from Revelation 21:18, where the new Jerusalem is described as pure gold, like clear glass. Drawing on a sermon by Jonathan Edwards, Piper emphasized that this gold as clear as glass has no earthly equivalent. There is nothing upon Earth that will suffice to represent to us the glories of Heaven, Piper said, explaining that the Bibles language is purposefully strange to stretch imaginations toward what cannot now be seen. Citing 1 Corinthians 15, Piper spoke about the transformation believers will experience at the resurrection. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. Thats like clear gold: a spiritual body, Piper said. We are going to be embodied persons, and yet, embodied in a way that is [...] incomprehensibly unlike our present bodies. You wont ever run out of the ability to see glory, be amazed, be refreshed, be thrilled forever. He reminded listeners that resurrected believers will have a body perfectly suited to eternal, supernatural, unimaginable pleasures a body so unfathomably more capable of enjoyment than you could ever imagine. Piper pointed to Jesus prayer in John 17:2426, in which Christ asks the Father that His followers would be with Him, see His glory, and love him with the very love the Father has for the Son. The love with which you have loved me may be in them, Piper quoted from verse 26. Is that not a prayer that God the Father will give to us the capacity to love and enjoy God the Son with the very capacity that the Father has to love the Son, which is infinite? He continued: The capacity that has kept the Trinity in infinite happiness for eternity will be shared with us. God has given us many helps in the Bible to feed that trust with expectation. He helps us again and again to adjust our thinking and our expectations concerning the never-ending glory of eternal joy in his presence. Piper often weighs in on the topic of Heaven and Hell, particularly as biblical literacy around the afterlife continues to drop. A 2023 Gallup survey of 1,011 adults found that just 67% expressed belief in Heaven compared to 83% in 2001. Similarly, a 2020 survey found that 52% of professing Christians in the United States believe good works will get them into Heaven, while another survey found that at least a third of senior pastors in the U.S. believe one can earn a place in Heaven by simply being a good person. In a 2023 episode of "Ask Pastor John," Piper said he believes Christians will work in Heaven but the work will be so profoundly satisfying and sweet and enjoyable that nobody in the world to come will say, I need a weekend. He previously shared that God created work to be a blessing, not a curse. Work in Heaven will be as it was before the fall: thrilling, satisfying, creative. In a recent sermon, Jack Hibbs, senior and founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in Southern California, painted a vivid picture of Heaven as a dynamic, exciting place of discovery. When you and I are in eternity with God, it will be for you and I a time endless discovery, he said. God has created you, the human being, with an overwhelming passion to discover. Our hearts are thrilled with the possibility of discovery. It's what drives all the sciences, all the disciplines. It drives curiosity. And Heaven is going to be like that for us. Home News Latin American, Global South leaders gather in Panama to define the future of missions This week marks a historic moment for Latin American missions as COMIBAM holds its first continental conference since 2017 in Panama City, Panama, from April 2225. The event will be immediately followed by COALA3.0 the third consultation of the Christ Over Africa, Latin America, and Asia initiative bringing together a growing coalition of Global South mission leaders to strategize for the next phase of global missions. At last year's COALA2.5 gathering in Busan, South Korea, Christian Daily International sat down with Allan Matamoros, associate director of COMIBAM and a veteran missionary from Costa Rica, to reflect on the journey of Latin American missions and the urgent need for deeper collaboration among Global South leaders. Matamoros also addressed the gathering with a speech that traced the historical, theological, and cultural foundations of Latin American missions a movement shaped by pain, resilience, and a deep commitment to share the Gospel across cultures. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe From margins to the nations Matamoros began his Busan address by recounting his early involvement in missions in San Jose, Costa Rica, and his more than two decades serving in the Muslim world. His personal story is closely intertwined with the rise of Latin American missions from a region once considered a mission field to one now increasingly engaged as a mission force. To understand how the Latin American church became globally involved in the mission of God, he said, we must first understand our own Evangelical journey. In the early 20th century, during the famed 1910 Edinburgh Missionary Conference, Latin America was deliberately excluded from missionary efforts by Western agencies, deemed already Christianized. It wasnt until the 1916 Panama Congress that Protestant mission efforts were formally launched in the region. A century later, the situation has dramatically changed. According to the Latin American Evangelical Alliance, Evangelicals now make up 27% of the regions population approximately 160 million people. The Gospel took root among the marginalized, Matamoros said, transforming families, values, and societies from the bottom up. Thats the context in which our mission movement emerged. COMIBAM and the birth of a continental mission vision By the 1980s, Latin American leaders were already praying and dreaming about their global role. That vision materialized in 1987, when more than 3,000 participants from across the continent gathered in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the first COMIBAM conference. It was a week of worship, prayer, and vision casting, Matamoros recalled. At the end, we declared something that has become our motto: Latin America, from a mission field to a mission force. Since then, COMIBAM has developed into a robust network of networks, active in 25 countries and coordinating training centers, mission agencies, and local churches. Today, an estimated 30,000 Ibero-American missionaries are serving cross-culturally in over 200 countries and territories and among dozens of unreached people groups. Their ministries range from church planting to Bible translation, from humanitarian outreach to professional service in hard-to-access regions. A distinct mission ethos from the Global South Throughout both his interview and speech, Matamoros emphasized that Latin Americas contributions to global missions go beyond numbers. Each culture brings something unique, he said. We may not have as much money, but we bring trust, joy, and a way of living that connects well with many of the cultures we serve. In particular, Latin missionaries have found resonance in Muslim and Indian contexts, where extended family values and relational community are vital. We live similar lives to the people were reaching. Were not coming from a place of power or privilege and that makes a difference. Matamoros also highlighted the significance of coming from politically neutral nations. No one knows where Costa Rica is, he joked. But that often works in our favor. Were not perceived as part of any global agenda just as friends bringing good news. COALA: A platform for South-to-South missions collaboration COALA, which stands for Christ Over Africa, Latin America, and Asia, was formed as a space for leaders from the Global South to build trust, share strategies, and discern Gods mission together. According to Matamoros, COALAs early phases have focused on building friendships and laying a foundation for long-term partnership. Phase one was about understanding one another personally and ministerially, he said. In Bangkok, we issued a declaration of intent. In Panama, were aiming to move from conversation to concrete collaboration. COALA3.0 is expected to focus on three core areas: mobilizing the next generation of mission workers, facilitating short-term global exchange experiences, and developing long-term collaborative projects in strategic mission fields. The fields are ripe especially in South Asia, which remains the most unreached region, according to the Joshua Project and other agencies, he said. But the church is present there. COALA is about working together with those who are already on the ground, not assuming that we bring all the answers. Reimagining global mission structures While COALA is firmly rooted in the Global South, Matamoros was candid about the complex relationship with the West. COALA doesnt exist to cut ourselves off from the rest of the Body of Christ that would be impossible and foolish, he said. But something needs to change. He shared his frustration at seeing dynamic African and Latin American leaders become silent in international meetings, overwhelmed by dominant voices from the Global North. Too often, we remain quiet not because we lack ideas, but because we lack resources, or we dont speak English as well. Even logistical issues like language interpretation reflect deeper power dynamics. Why are Global South participants always the ones wearing headsets? he asked. With todays technology, there are better ways. Lets create environments where everyone feels they belong. Matamoros envisions COALA as a bridge a safe space for Global South voices to grow stronger and eventually engage more confidently with global partners. While the movement remains temporarily closed to Northern participation, he foresees a future where true partnership becomes possible. Obstacles and the road ahead Despite the movements growth, challenges remain. Matamoros named several: inadequate support systems for missionaries, financial sustainability, and the need to update training to meet cross-cultural and theological demands. In response, some Latin movements are pioneering creative support models, such as shared mission funds and bi-vocational strategies. During the Argentine economic crises, for example, COMIBAM launched the SOS Argentina Fund, sustained by offerings from Hispanic churches in the U.S. many composed of undocumented immigrants. Instead of returning missionaries home when support runs out, we ask, What can we do together to sustain them? Matamoros said. Its not perfect, but its our way of being faithful. Another pressing need is mobilizing a new generation. I was 18 when I got involved, he said. Now Im not that young anymore. We need a fresh wave of young Latino leaders to take the mantle. A Call to prayer and partnership As he concluded his speech in Busan, Matamoros offered five key prayer points for the Latin American mission movement: For local churches to embrace global mission as part of their identity and send workers sacrificially. For more missionaries doubling the current number who live and share the Gospel among the least reached. For engagement with diaspora communities and unreached peoples in all religious blocs. For continued theological reflection shaped by Latin Americas experiences, pain and journey. For a new generation of leaders who will carry the missionary mandate into the future. Were in a season of transition, he told Christian Daily International. The North needs to learn that it wont always lead the parade. And the South must overcome its insecurity and find its voice. As COMIBAM and COALA3.0 unfold this week in Panama, the global church can watch with expectation. What began as a movement from the margins is now helping define the future of missions not as a shift in geography alone, but as a transformation in how the Body of Christ lives out the Great Commission together. This article was originally published at Christian Daily International Home News Social Security Administration will allow employee to opt out of same-sex marriage claims The Social Security Administration has settled with an employee who filed a complaint alleging the agency violated his religious beliefs by requiring him to deal with claims involving same-sex marriages despite his conviction that marriage is between a man and a woman. In a statement published on Tuesday, the Christian conservative legal organization Liberty Counsel announced that it had reached a settlement with the Social Security Administration on behalf of an employee who had filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The complaint charged that the agency refused to grant a reasonable accommodation that would have enabled him to opt out of performing tasks that violated his religious beliefs. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Under the terms of the settlement, the Social Security Administration has agreed to grant the unnamed employee "an alternative accommodation of working with him to reassign or trade any claims/cases as needed based on his religious objections to handling claims involving same-sex marriages or changing a claimant's sex marker on an enumeration record." The employees' religious beliefs in question in the case are based on biblical teachings that define marriage as between only one man and one woman and show that God created people as "male and female" who cannot change their "God-given gender," the legal group states. "While the employee's beliefs teach him to treat everyone with dignity, he requested an accommodation from having to adjudicate 'same-sex marriage' social security claims, change a claimant's gender marker, use false pronouns, and use restrooms with the opposite sex," the Liberty Counsel statement reads. The Social Security Administration initially provided the client with an accommodation much like what was agreed to in the terms of the settlement but reversed course, citing concerns about placing an "undue hardship" on the agency. This prompted him to file a complaint alleging that his employer violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on their religious beliefs. The settlement states: "Complainant will not be required to perform any actions in connection with his duties that would violate the terms of Executive Order 14168," which is titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." The executive order establishes it as U.S. government policy to recognize male and female as the only two sexes and defines sex as "an individual's immutable biological classification as either male or female." The order stressed that the term "sex" is "not a synonym for and does not include the concept of 'gender identity,'" referring to the idea that it is possible for a person to belong to a gender that does not match their biological sex. In a statement reacting to the development, Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver expressed gratitude that the settlement allows "the employee to do his job without violating his religious beliefs." Staver added, "There simply was no hardship for the Social Security Administration in accommodating the employee's religious beliefs." Staver praised Trump's "executive order recognizing biological reality and the binary nature of sex" for "now helping protect the free exercise of religion and free speech in the federal workplace." He asserted that "People have a right to live according to their conscience and religious beliefs." Home News Tom Keesee, son of Faith Life Church founders, indicted on 11 counts of rape, other sex crimes Following months of allegations of sexual abuse, including one from his own sister, Kirsten McKinney, Gary Thomas "Tom" Keesee, a son of Gary and Drenda Keesee, founders and senior pastors of Faith Life Church in Ohio, was indicted by a grand jury on 27 counts of sex crimes, including 11 counts of rape. The indictment was announced by the Licking County Sheriffs Office on Monday. In addition to the 11 counts of rape, Keesee was also charged with 11 counts of gross sexual imposition, and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. A copy of the indictment cited by The Columbus Dispatch alleges that Keesee, 36, committed the rapes between May 2002 and November 2006. Licking County Prosecutor Jenny Wells revealed at a press conference that investigators interviewed approximately 40 witnesses and three victims have already come forward. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "These courageous young women have spoken out and come forward and they are to be commended for their bravery and supported," Wells said. "They're very serious charges that we considered." Wells stated that all the victims were members of Faith Life Church at some point and they were 6 to 15 years old when the alleged abuses took place. One victim alleges in a criminal complaint that Keesee sexually assaulted her when she was 5 and 6 years old, starting in May 2001 and ending in May 2003. Another victim accused him of touching her private areas "repeatedly," starting in November 2006, when she was 8 years old, until she was 15. Keesee is scheduled to be arraigned in Knox County on Wednesday. Gary Thomas Keesee Jr. will be held in the Licking County Justice Center. This investigation is still ongoing and we are asking anyone with any information to contact Captain Jay Cook or Captain Gus Moore, the Licking County Sheriffs Office said in its release. Keesee, who served as the former chief media officer at Faith Life Church, according to LinkedIn, resigned from the position last August. Prior to the indictment on Monday, Keesees father, Pastor Gary Keesee, insisted in February that there is "another side" to the story. "All hell is breaking loose out there but truth will prevail," Gary Keesee said during one of three services at the church's New Albany site in February, according to a Knox Pages report. "There's another side. And the truth will come out." Keesees mother, Dendra Keesee, who was recently elected as a Knox County commissioner, also asked God to forgive "those who hurt us" as she denied the allegations against her son in February. "Those who know us know what they say are not true," she said. Pope Francis Cause Of Death, Botched DNA Test Led To Abortion, Jim Caviezel Preps For The Resurrection Of The Christ link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:38 07:38 Top headlines for Tuesday, April 22, 2025 In this episode, we begin with the somber news of Pope Francis's passing at age 88, as the Vatican releases the official cause of death, marking the end of an era for the Roman Catholic Church. Shifting to a different legacy, we discuss a memorial resolution honoring Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood, and the notable omission of any reference to abortion. In New York City, a woman's legal battle unfolds after discovering a paternity test error led to her decision to have an abortion, igniting conversations about reproductive rights and medical accountability. 00:11 Pope Francis' cause of death revealed 01:18 Resolution honoring Cecile Richards made no mention of abortion 02:10 Rescued Tennessee missionary Josh Sullivan breaks silenceMinistries 03:00 NYC woman had abortion due to botched paternity test: lawsuit 03:55 What pro-lifers can learn from Guttmacher's 2024 data 04:54 9 Christians imprisoned, fined over $100K for distributing Bibles 05:44 Jim Caviezel studying CS Lewis to prepare for 'Passion' sequel Home News Man accused of murdering pastor in road rage incident goes on trial Nearly three years after the Rev. Ronald K. Mouton was fatally shot in the chest after a 10-second argument with Uber driver Deshawn Longmire, the 25-year-old man is finally set to stand trial. Longmires trial should have started last September, according to KHOU 11 in Houston, but it was delayed until this week because his attorney had to work on another case. Despite violating his bond, Longmire has managed to remain out of jail which has made the quest for justice for the pastors family difficult. Its been tough because weve made every court appearance he has made, as he tried to get bond reductions, were always there, and even as they kept resetting the trial, we were there each time, Rev. Roland Mouton Jr., the late pastors twin brother told KHOU 11. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Pre-trial for Longmire started on Monday while the jury selection is set for Friday. Arguments are expected to begin next Monday and Mouton and his family are eager to see his brother get justice. Its not going to bring my brother back, but we just need the closure of getting justice for a senseless shooting, he said of the late pastor who led East Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Houston. To pull a gun out and shoot him in his car is senseless, and so we want justice. We want to see justice and him to pay for what he did. This family forgives him, but our forgiveness does not mean that we dont want justice. Investigators from the Houston Police Department said surveillance video from the June 24, 2022, shooting of Mouton shows the pastor, who was driving a BMW, and his suspected killer, who was driving a black Honda Accord, stopped along the freeway before the shooting. Police say the two appeared to argue for about 10 seconds before the driver of the Honda shot the pastor in the chest and caused him to crash his vehicle. Mouton crashed shortly after 5 p.m. at 6400 Gulf Freeway near Gould Street along the southbound lanes, police said. He left behind his wife, four children and 10 grandchildren. Longmire was subsequently charged with murder after witnesses told investigators that they saw him arguing with the late pastor at a stoplight on the Gulf Freeway frontage road. Though neither driver exited their vehicles, witnesses told police that, when both vehicles started moving, Longmire stretched his arm out of the driver window with a pistol in his hand and allegedly shot Ronald Mouton and sped off. Surveillance videos show Ronald Mouton crashing his vehicle and he was later pronounced dead at the scene. Mouton, who lives in Louisiana, told KHOU 11 that he was overcome with a strange feeling the day his brother died. He said he became overwhelmed while mowing the lawn of his church. I started patting myself right here. I kept saying, Looks like the heat is getting to me, not knowing that Im patting here, because he was taking the bullet here, he said. For some reason, I was feeling that, just didnt know it. Thats how close we were. Home News Maryland's largest school district doesn't have to allow opt-outs of LGBT teachings: appeals court Maryland's largest school district will not be forced for now to allow parents of elementary school students to opt their children out of classes that include LGBT literature in the curriculum they find objectionable, a federal appeals court ruled. A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Wednesday that Montgomery County Public Schools does not have to allow parents the ability to opt their children out of the courses even if they hold religious objections to the promotion of LGBT ideology. Circuit Judge G. Steven Agee, a George W. Bush appointee, authored the majority opinion, concluding that the parents didn't provide sufficient evidence to justify a preliminary injunction against the school district while the case is being adjudicated. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "We take no view on whether the Parents will be able to present evidence sufficient to support any of their various theories once they have the opportunity to develop a record as to the circumstances surrounding the Board's decision and how the challenged texts are actually being used in schools," wrote Agee. "At this early stage, however, given the Parents' broad claims, the very high burden required to obtain a preliminary injunction, and the scant record before us, we are constrained to affirm the district court's order denying a preliminary injunction." "[T]here's no evidence at present that the Board's decision not to permit opt-outs compels the Parents or their children to change their religious beliefs or conduct, either at school or elsewhere," Agee wrote. "Supreme Court precedent requires some sort of direct or indirect pressure to abandon religious beliefs or affirmatively act contrary to those beliefs," he continued. "And simply hearing about other views does not necessarily exert pressure to believe or act differently than one's religious faith requires." Circuit Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr., a Trump appointee, authored the dissent, contending that the parents had "shown the board's decision to deny religious opt-outs burdened these parents' right to exercise their religion and direct the religious upbringing of their children by putting them to the choice of either compromising their religious beliefs or foregoing a public education for their children." "They do not claim the use of the books is itself unconstitutional. And they do not seek to ban them. Instead, they only want to opt their children out of the instruction involving such texts," Quattlebaum continued. "The board's refusal to grant the parents' requests for religious opt-outs to instruction with the books the board required be used to promote diversity and inclusivity to the LGBTQ+ community forces the parents to make a choice either adhere to their faith or receive a free public education for their children. They cannot do both." Eric Baxter, senior counsel and vice president at Becket, a religious liberty legal group representing the parents, said they plan to appeal the decision. "The court just told thousands of Maryland parents they have no say in what their children are taught in public schools," Baxter told The Hill. "That runs contrary to the First Amendment, Maryland law, the School Board's own policies, and basic human decency." In October 2022, the Montgomery County Board of Education announced that it had approved a group of LGBT-themed books for the English language arts curriculum in schools. In response to this decision, a coalition of Christian, Muslim and Jewish parents filed suit against Montgomery County Schools last year. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman, a Biden appointee, rejected their motion for a preliminary injunction in August. Boardman argued that the parents failed to show that the "use of the storybooks crosses the line from permissible influence to potentially impermissible indoctrination." "The evidence suggests that, generally, MCPS teachers will occasionally read one of the handful of books, lead discussions and ask questions about the characters, and respond to questions and comments in ways that encourage tolerance for different views and lifestyles," wrote Boardman. "That is not indoctrination." Home News Max Lucado gets tattoo at 70 to commemorate 'golden anniversary of Gods great grace' Pastor Max Lucado recently revealed he got the word tetelestai, Greek for it is finished, tattooed on his right forearm at the age of 70 to commemorate the golden anniversary of Gods great grace in his life. Im celebrating the golden anniversary of Gods great grace in my life. 50 years ago this spring, grace found me. My testimony is interwoven with my favorite word in the Bible. On the cross Christ proclaimed, It is finished! (Jn. 19:30) In Greek Tetelestai! Among the meanings of this word is, paid in full, the Oak Hills Church pastor captioned photos on social media displaying his tattoo. This was the message that changed my life. I was a 20-year old scoundrel, a bum, a train off the tracks. My priority was six-packs; not the kind that come from crunches, but from Coors. Friends, I was a mess. Not only was I drunk, I was a racist, a misogynist, a brawler, and a schemer. Worst of all, I was a hypocrite. I wondered, honestly wondered, could Christ forgive a jerk like me? Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The Help is Hereauthor said that on a spring evening in 1975, he heard a preacher describe a grace that is greater than sin. On the cross Christ paid my debt. It is paid paid in full, he wrote. I said yes. That was 50 years ago. In the intervening half century, I have failed Jesus many times, but he has never failed me. To commemorate this anniversary, I got a tattoo. Tetelestai It is finished. The pastor, who is also serving as an interim pastor at Gateway Church, acknowledged that not everyone likes the idea of a 70-year-old pastor getting a tattoo, adding: Thats ok. I didnt do it for people, I did it to say thank you to Jesus who paid a debt I could not pay. Do you know this grace? I could care less if this truth is tattooed on your skin, but I care deeply that it be tattooed on your heart. Lucado, who was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm, something he described as a weakened, bulbous area in a blood vessel, in 2021, has often discussed his troubled past and Gods faithfulness despite his missteps. In his 2023 book, God Never Gives Up on You, Lucado revealed there was a time when hed rely on alcohol to manage stress and cope with a world gone crazy. The Texas-based pastor said he would travel to the other side of town and purchase beer secretly as the pressures of his ministry grew. "The staff needed me. The pulpit required me. The publisher was counting on me. The entire world was looking to me, he wrote. "So, I did what came naturally. I began to drink. In the midst of his struggles, he heard God speak to his heart one day while in a parking lot: Really, Max? If you have everything together, if you have a lock on this issue, then why are you hiding in a parking lot, sipping a beer that youve concealed in a brown paper bag? "I confessed my hypocrisy to our elders, and they did what good pastors do. They covered me with prayer and designed a plan to help me cope with demands. I admitted my struggle to the congregation and in doing so activated a dozen or so conversations with members who battled the same temptation. God met me there that day. He gave me a new name as well. Not Israel [as Jacob was given]. That one was already taken. But 'forgiven.' And I'm happy to wear it." In a 2022 interview with The Christian Post, Lucado said theres often the misconception that Christians won't have trials, whether relational, mental or physical. But that's "just not the case in this world," Lucado said, and that's why the Holy Spirit is so desperately needed. "Jesus didn't say, 'In this world, some people have tribulation.' 'In this world, you will have tribulation,'" Lucado said. "But then, He said, 'Be of good cheer, because I've overcome the world.' So whatever you're facing, Christ has already overcome it, and He will help you as you move forward." "Do not buy into that lie that says, 'If you were a better Christian, you wouldn't have these struggles,'" he stressed. "The fact of the matter is, sometimes, the fact that you are a Christian creates these struggles because the devil sees you as a candidate for his attack." In recent years, several high-profile church leaders have publicly displayed new tattoos: in 2023, televangelist Joyce Meyer announced that she got two tattoos for the first time at 79, to honor God, alongside her husband, Dave. Village Church Pastor Matt Chandler and his wife, Lauren, also got tattoos while in Jerusalem in 2022. As tattoos become more mainstream, numerous pastors and theologians have weighed in on the issue. Some, like Pentecostal Pastor Ryan French, maintain that Leviticus 19:28 clearly forbids tattoos, viewing them as contrary to biblical teachings on holiness and separation from worldly practices. However, others, like theologian John Piper, have contended that the act itself isn't inherently sinful but urged believers to consider their motives and whether their choices glorify God. Marking the skin is not intrinsically evil, Piper said in a 2013 blog post. I will never cut off anyone from fellowship in Christ because they have a tattoo or one hundred tattoos. I will never cut them off in Christ. But I doubt that the decisions that many Christians are making today to get tattoos are thought through as carefully and biblically as is wise. Home News Trump to attend Pope Francis' funeral; burial plans differ from predecessors Updated 9:30 a.m. ET, April 23, 2025 President Donald Trump is slated to attend Pope Francis' funeral, scheduled to take place Saturday, as the world continues to mourn the loss of the Roman Catholic Church leader. In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced that he and first lady Melania Trump are planning to attend the funeral of the late pontiff, who died at the age of 88 on Monday morning. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "We look forward to being there!" Trump proclaimed. The Holy See Press Office announced in a statement Tuesday morning that Francis' funeral will be at 10 a.m. local time Saturday on the parvis of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the ceremony. Francis died at his residence located in the Vatican guest house known as Domus Sanctae Marthae, weeks after his release from the hospital following a prolonged illness. Francis led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, with his papacy beginning in 2013. The Holy See Press Office revealed the causes of Francis' death as a stroke, coma and irreversible cardiovascular collapse in a statement Monday. Francis' existing health problems included a "previous episode of acute respiratory failure in the context of bilateral multimicrobial pneumonia, multiple bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension and type II diabetes." The late pontiff was laid in his coffin in the Chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae in a ceremony that took place on Monday. On Wednesday morning, another ceremony will occur where Francis' coffin will be moved from the Chapel of Domus Sanctae Marthae to St. Peter's Basilica. There, mourners will have the opportunity to pay their respects. After the conclusion of Saturday's funeral, Francis' body will be returned to St. Peter's Basilica. From there, it will be transported to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial. Francis outlined his wish for burial in the papal basilica in a testament authored in June 2022, nearly three years before his death. The Holy See Press Office made the testament public after Francis' death on Monday. The Holy See Press Office clarified in a statement published Wednesday that Francis' burial would take place on Saturday, following his funeral service. Francis' burial plans differ significantly from his predecessors. Pope St. John Paul II, who served as pope from 1978-2005, is buried alongside several other late pontiffs and church leaders in the Vatican Grottoes located beneath St. Peter's Basilica. Francis' immediate predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who served from 2005 until resigning and becoming Pope Emeritus in 2013, is also buried underneath St. Peter's Basilica. Per Trump's order, flags flown at the White House as well as "all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government and the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions" will fly at half-staff through sunset on the day of Pope Francis' internment. The order also applies to "all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations." Home News Supreme Court debates if religious parents can opt kids out of LGBT school lessons The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing the extent to which parents can opt their children out of public school instruction in which LGBT-themed books are read as part of the curriculum. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday morning in the case of Mahmoud, Tamer, et al. v. Taylor, Thomas W., et al. The case centers on whether public school parents in Montgomery County, Maryland the state's largest school district have a constitutional right under the First Amendment to exempt their children from lessons that feature LGBT ideology. Eric Baxter of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty argued the case on behalf of a diverse coalition of Christian, Muslim and Jewish parents, saying in his opening arguments that "petitioners deserve complete preliminary relief" from the school district because it won't allow them to opt their children out of such instruction. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "Exempting students for some religious reasons but not others cannot be squared with the First Amendment," said Baxter. "In a system where thousands of students are daily opted in and out of the class for multiple reasons, there's no basis for denying opt-outs for religious reasons." Justice Elena Kagan, one of the three liberal members of the court, expressed concern about "lines" with opt-outs, believing that if the plaintiffs were successful, there would be "opt-outs for everyone" no matter how trivial the parental issue. Baxter replied that "schools everywhere in the country" are working under the assumption that sincere religious objections can be a reason for an opt-out. He added that Montgomery County also operated under that rule and that "there were never these kinds of problems until they introduced a curriculum that was clearly indoctrinating students." Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wondered if the Supreme Court should "wait until we have a record" that is more detailed about what was happening in the classrooms, while Baxter argued that the "record is undisputable." Jackson grilled Baxter on possible scenarios like students putting up pro-LGBT posters or a teacher having a photo of a same-sex partner on her classroom desk, asking if parents can opt out of seeing those things. Baxter argued that such issues are not coming up in the courts and that any parents suing a school district on such issues would likely lose based on strict scrutiny. The lawyer clarified that simply having the LGBT-themed books in the schools is "exposure," but having the teacher openly endorse the messages of the books to a captive student audience is "coercion." Alan Evan Schoenfeld argued on behalf of the school district, stating in his opening comments that "every day in public elementary school classrooms across the country, children are taught ideas that conflict with their family's religious beliefs." "Each of these things is deeply offensive to some people of faith, but learning about them is not a legally cognizable burden on free exercise," Schoenfeld. Schoenfeld claimed that a decision in favor of the plaintiffs "would conscript courts into playing the role of school board, a task for which this court has recognized they are ill-suited." Justice Samuel Alito, one of the court's more conservative members, took issue with what he believed to be the school district's rejection of sincerely held religious objections from parents. Alito asked Schoenfeld if he thought school officials could do whatever they wanted regarding curriculum. "I don't think it's true that the public schools can do whatever they want," he responded. "There are clear lines to be drawn; this court has drawn them." In October 2022, the Montgomery County Board of Education approved a group of LGBT-themed books for inclusion in schools' English language arts curricula. After a large parents' protest outside the school district office in Rockville in 2023, the parents sued the board, arguing that the school district violated their sincerely held beliefs. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman, a Biden appointee, rejected the motion for a preliminary injunction in August 2023, concluding that the parents failed to show that the "use of the storybooks crosses the line from permissible influence to potentially impermissible indoctrination." In May 2024, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court ruling in a 2-1 decision, with Circuit Judge G. Steven Agee, a George W. Bush appointee, authoring the majority opinion. "[T]here's no evidence at present that the Board's decision not to permit opt-outs compels the Parents or their children to change their religious beliefs or conduct, either at school or elsewhere," wrote Agee. Circuit Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr., a Trump appointee, dissented, writing that the parents had "shown the board's decision to deny religious opt-outs burdened these parents' right to exercise their religion and direct the religious upbringing of their children by putting them to the choice of either compromising their religious beliefs or foregoing a public education for their children." "The board's refusal to grant the parents' requests for religious opt-outs to instruction with the books the board required be used to promote diversity and inclusivity to the LGBTQ+ community forces the parents to make a choice either adhere to their faith or receive a free public education for their children. They cannot do both," Quattlebaum said. In January, the Supreme Court issued a miscellaneous orders list agreeing without comment to an appeal in the case of Mahmoud, Tamer, et al. v. Taylor, Thomas W., et al. Home News What happens next after Pope Francis' death? How papal selection process works, names of potential successors Following the death of Pope Francis at age 88 on Monday, the office of the pontiff will remain vacant until a successor is chosen and elected. Francis served for 12 years, longer than his immediate predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, but less than half of the 26 years the late Pope St. John Paul II served as the successor to St. Peter. Matthew Schmalz, a professor of religious studies at the Roman Catholic Church-affiliated Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a noted expert on Catholicism and the papacy. In an interview with The Christian Post, Schmalz explained the process for electing a new pope and shared his thoughts about potential successors to Francis and the future of the Catholic Church. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe How the pope is selected A pope is elected in a conclave, which literally means, in Latin, a room that can be locked, Schmalz explained. And so, theyre locked away in the Sistine Chapel, and a pope, in order to be elected, needs a two-thirds majority of the eligible voting members of the College of Cardinals. After noting that many of the Cardinals appointed by Pope Francis come from the margins of the Catholic world, he stressed how this means many of the cardinals dont actually know each other that well before the conclave begins. While Schmalz believes there won't be a deadlocked conclave that would last for days and days, he anticipates that it will be longer than most recent conclaves because many of the cardinals don't know each other that well. Before the conclave itself, therell be two meetings, therell be meetings called general consistories where members of the College of Cardinals will talk about issues facing the church and that will be really crucial in this case because there are so many cardinals from the margins of the Catholic world, he said. I think, in this case, whats going to happen, because many of the cardinals arent from Western Europe or they dont go to Rome very often, they might turn to people who are already known. The College of Cardinals has 252 members. However, only 135 of them are eligible to participate in the election of a new pope. The remaining 117 are 80 years old or older, and due to the declaration of Pope St. John Paul II in the 1996 apostolic constitutionUniversi dominici gregis, are ineligible to vote in a papal conclave. A pope must secure the support of a two-thirds majority of the cardinals present for the conclave. It often takes several ballots to reach this threshold. The 2013 election of Francis went to five ballots, while it took four ballots before Benedict XVI became pope. Candidates receiving the least number of votes are eliminated in each round of voting until one candidate reaches the threshold. The overwhelming majority of eligible cardinal electors (108) were appointed by Pope Francis. Twenty-two were appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, and the remaining five were installed by Pope St. John Paul II. At 17, Italy has the highest number of cardinal electors. The United States has 10, while Brazil has seven. Spain and France have five cardinal electors each, while Argentina, Canada, India, Poland and Portugal each have four. Germany, the Philippines and the United Kingdom all have three cardinal electors. The countries with two cardinal electors are the Ivory Coast, Japan, Mexico and Switzerland. Countries with only one cardinal elector apiece are: Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, the Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Croatia, East Timor, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jerusalem, Kenya, South Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga and Uruguay. In the most recent papal vacancies, the office of Bishop of Rome remained vacant for around two weeks. In 2005, following the death of John Paul II on April 2, 2005, Benedict XVI was chosen as his successor on April 19, 2005. After the resignation of Benedict on Feb. 25, 2013, Francis was elected two weeks later on March 13, 2013. The most likely replacements for Pope Francis Schmalz told CP about the pattern that has emerged at previous conclaves, where there are usually factions who will subtly and sometimes not so subtly politick before the conclave in these general consistories. There are standard bearers for each faction depending on what is seen as being necessary for the church, either a younger pope or an older one, a more conservative or more liberal, he added. When asked by CP for his thoughts on which factions and candidates would emerge victorious in the forthcoming conclave, Schmalz said, There are three basic directions that the cardinals can go in the next conclave: One is to continue the reforms of Pope Francis, two is to roll them back, or number three is simply take a breather and have someone who is sensitive to pastoral concerns and so forth, but is not going to make great changes. Schmalz identified Luis Cardinal Tagle, former Archbishop of Manila in the Philippines who now serves as Pro-Prefect of the Section of the First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Vaticans Dicastery for Evangelization, and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of the Archdiocese of Bologna in Italy as possible preferred candidates among those who would like to see the reforms of Pope Francis continue. Theyre both friends of Pope Francis and are known for being, relatively, speaking progressive, he added. Conversely, Schmalz singled out Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea as a possible pick among those seeking to roll back the reforms of Pope Francis. Schmalz contends that Sarah would be a Trump-like pope, highlighting the cardinals following among conservative Catholics, interestingly enough in the Western world, particularly in the United States and also Western Europe. The cardinal that I think is most interesting to look at, and he hasnt been mentioned as much this time as other times, is a guy named Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, who is now the archbishop of Colombo in Sri Lanka. He was friends with Pope Benedict, but after the bombings in Sri Lanka, he seemed to assume a role that was much more in support of Pope Francis. So he could be sort of a bridge-builder between conservatives and liberals and people who would like a pope from the global south. Looking back on Francis 12-year-papacy, Schmalz contends that its going to be difficult, at least in the next pontificate that follows him, to choose someone who has a really different style. Characterizing Francis style as interactive and people-friendly, Schmalz projected that at the very least, whether the next pope is traditionalist or progressive, youll probably see someone who has a sensitivity for people in getting out to meet them and so forth ... is much more of a pastor than say a theologian or a philosopher. Whats next for the Catholic Church? Schmalz also elaborated on the implications of a new pope on several of the hot-button issues and debates facing the Church today, including the Traditional Latin mass and the clergy sex abuse scandal. If they elect a more traditionalist Cardinal as pope, I could see Pope Francis restrictions on the Latin mass being very easily moved back ... because ... there is a very vocal constituency that is quite upset that Pope Francis put in restrictions on the celebration of the Latin mass. Schmalz also discussed how a new pope might affect the churchs response to the ongoing sexual abuse scandal, predicting that the new pontiff would be someone who [] at least gives the impression that there is transparency in church governance because [] one of the claims, which is certainly true about the sexual abuse scandal, is that it was aided and abetted by a very kind of inward-looking secretive church that wasnt open to outside supervision or examination. Home Opinion How rejecting the Trinity blasphemes God and corrupts baptism After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). God consists of three Persons in One God. The doctrine of the Trinity is not a secondary doctrine, but an essential truth of the Christian faith. The Scottish theologian Thomas Torrance (1913-2007) wisely wrote, "The doctrine of the Trinity is the central dogma of Christian theology, the fundamental grammar of our knowledge of God." Any other definition of God is false. Some recent research sadly revealed that only 11% of Americans believe in the doctrine of the Trinity. This statistic is truly alarming. After all, God's nature is a foundational component of Christianity 101. Christian baptism is not baptism into Buddha, or into the Greek god Zeus, or into the Canaanite god Baal. Christian baptism is always administered in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Oxford theologian Alister McGrath said, "The doctrine of the Trinity wasn't invented it was uncovered." And of course, the place where this glorious doctrine was uncovered is Holy Scripture. When Jesus was baptized, we see all three Persons of the Godhead in action. "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment Heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from Heaven said, This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:13-17). Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Any religious group that rejects the doctrine of the Trinity is clearly outside of Christianity. After all, anyone who rejects the true nature of God is walking in spiritual darkness (see John 1:5) and without the guidance of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 2:14). You see, it is a different spirit that leads people to reject the Trinity. The Apostle John wrote, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). Two such false prophets were Joseph Smith, who invented the Mormon religion, and Charles Taze Russell, who started the religious sect known as the Jehovah's Witnesses. Both men rejected the doctrine of the Trinity, and both men manufactured "another Jesus" (2 Cor. 11:4) and "a different gospel" (Galatians 1:6). Millions of Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses have been led astray by the terribly flawed teachings of these two false prophets. (This excellent resource reveals the heretical doctrines of these two religious organizations and how to respond with the truth.) Oneness Pentecostalism is another renegade religious group that rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. "Oneness Pentecostalism teaches that the Trinity is a product of pagan mythology and Greek philosophy." Oneness Pentecostals maintain that "the only real 'person' in the Godhead is Jesus. Thus, this religious group is often referred to as the 'Jesus Only' movement." They baptize only in the name of Jesus, rather than the way Jesus instructed His disciples to baptize. Mike Barden is a former Oneness Pentecostal who said, "I realized that I had fully embraced 'another gospel' than the one in the Bible!" Mike also said, "The unbiblical view of salvation" within Oneness Pentecostalism "creates great and unnecessary spiritual frustration for anyone seeking salvation. Instead of understanding the amazing grace of God that immediately frees an underserving sinner from the guilt of their sin, people in Oneness churches are taught that they are not yet saved if they haven't spoken in tongues." Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Oneness Pentecostals completely twist the truth of Scripture to fit within the doctrinal agenda of their false teachers. These groups attack the doctrine of the Trinity, thereby blaspheming God and corrupting baptism, even when some biblical terminology is used during their baptisms. The Holy Spirit does not participate in these counterfeit baptisms because these heretical groups have perverted the message of the Bible. There is a different spirit at play whenever fallen angels use false prophets as their mouthpiece to promote "another gospel" (Galatians 1:8). Scripture warns us about "doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1). Likewise, any professing Christian who rejects the doctrine of the Trinity blasphemes God and corrupts baptism. False doctrine is poison to the soul, and multitudes of people have been condemned for eternity after embracing lethal false doctrines. These lost souls were either oblivious to the Gospel or rejected it outright. Man naturally assumes he can work his way into Paradise, but this faulty approach never succeeds. You see, "All who rely on observing the Law are under a curse" (Galatians 3:10). And consider this crucial piece of information: "If righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2:21). True doctrine is essential because false doctrine prevents people from being born again through faith in Jesus Christ. Rejecting the Trinity is just as deadly as rejecting the Gospel or rejecting Christ Himself. In fact, rejecting the Trinity makes it impossible to understand and accept the Gospel. And this helps to explain why Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are deceived into brazenly promoting "a different gospel" (Galatians 1:6) which gets presented as a new law rather than as God's free gift of forgiveness and eternal life in Heaven through faith in Christ alone (see John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9). Unfortunately, there are many professing Christians today in various denominations who also attempt to turn the Gospel into a New Testament law. Christian baptism is built upon the true nature of God. And the formula for baptism, which Jesus gave His followers, contains the beautiful truth about our Triune God. Simply put, believing in the three equal Persons who make up the Holy Trinity is foundational to following Christ. Home Opinion Negotiations with Iran betray both Iran and America As an Iranian-born Christian who survived the brutality of Irans Evin Prison because of my faith, Ive witnessed and suffered the Islamic regimes cruelty firsthand. So, when I hear about the United States negotiating with Irans Islamic leaders, my heart aches for both my homeland and my adopted country, America. Negotiation with this regime is not just futile its dangerous. Ive seen their deception up close. In 2009, I was arrested because of my Christian faith. They tortured me and my cellmates and executed my best friend. For over four decades, the Islamic Republic has proven that it cannot be trusted. They are the largest global funder of terrorism, and openly buttresses and finances terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and more. Some argue that diplomacy saves American lives and resources, avoiding costly conflicts. But this ignores reality. Appeasement emboldens Iran. When the U.S. eased sanctions, Iran didnt moderate it funneled billions into Syrias war, Yemens chaos, and terrorist proxies targeting America and its allies. The regimes ballistic missile program grew, threatening Israel, global shipping, and beyond. Negotiation doesnt de-escalate; it escalates, tying Americas hands while Iran grows stronger. A stronger Iran means a greater threat to U.S. security whether through terrorism, cyberattacks, or, God forbid, nuclear weapons. Protecting American interests means recognizing that a regime built on anti-Americanism can never be a partner. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe I understand the America First instinct to avoid foreign entanglements. Many who wave this banner argue that maximum pressure crippling sanctions, military deterrence, and diplomatic isolation drains U.S. resources or risks war. But theyre wrong. Maximum pressure isnt reckless; its strategic. Its essential. Its the only language the Iranian regime understands. When President Trump withdrew from the 2015 JCOPA nuclear deal and imposed harsh sanctions, Irans economy buckled. Protests erupted across the country not just for bread, but for freedom. The regimes grip weakened, exposing its fragility. Today, with the Islamic regimes air defenses crippled, its critical to finish the job, for Americas interests and for the world. Maximum pressure doesnt just protect America; it empowers Iranians to demand change. To abandon it now, as some America First voices suggest, snatches hope from the Iranian people, and security from the U.S. and the world. Regime change is not a fantasy, its a necessity. The Islamic Republic is not Iran. Its a cancer on a nation of 85 million people who yearn for dignity and democracy. Ive met countless Iranians, from taxi drivers to students, who despise the mullahs. The 2022 uprising, sparked by Mahsa Aminis murder, showed the world their courage. Women burned hijabs; men faced bullets. They werent begging for reform they were demanding change. Supporting their fight isnt meddling; its justice. Some fear that regime change might lead to chaos, pointing to Iraq or Libya. But Iran is different. It has a rich history, a strong national identity, and a population educated, ready, and begging for self-governance. The U.S. doesnt need to invade it needs to amplify Iranian voices. Sanctions can starve the regimes coffers. Cyber tools can disrupt their propaganda. Diplomatic support can legitimize the opposition. And yes, the U.S. must empower and partner with its allies to do so, foremost Israel which is in the ayatollahs crosshairs. America must lead by isolating the regime, not legitimizing it with negotiation. Iranians dream of a free Iran where one can worship as they wish, where women walk unveiled without threats of arrest and torture, and where children arent indoctrinated to hate. But Iranians are fearful that the negotiations will betray them, again, as was done by Presidents Obama and Biden. If its true that negotiations will only limit Iranian uranium enrichment rather than eliminating every element of the Iranian nuclear program and leave the regime in place not just to continue to lie and take advantage of western naivete, but to rebuild and continue to oppress them, it will be a disastrous failure. A democratic Iran would be an essential partner against extremism, a market for trade, and a beacon of stability in the region. Realizing this requires courage, not compromise. Negotiation prolongs the regimes life and threatens Iranians and the world. Half-measures betray the America First promise of strength. Only maximum pressure, sustained and unrelenting, can pave the way for regime change. The Iranian economy is crumbling, and the Supreme Leader is old and ill. The time is now to end the evil ayatollahs regime, restore Iran to its people, and keep America and the world safe. Ive seen the cost of tyranny in Evin Prison. America needs to stand with Irans people, not their oppressors. End the illusion of diplomacy. Embrace the power of pressure. Together, we can topple a regime and build a future where Iran and America thrive as friends, not enemies. Home Opinion Terror spreads in Nigeria as killing sprees spike against Christians It didnt matter how soundly she slept, Salamatu would wake up at 2 a.m. every night her body remembering what her mind wished she could forget. It had been that same hour, months earlier, when Boko Haram stormed into her village, rewriting her future forever. For Salamatu, terror was a way of life. In an earlier wave of violence, the jihadists had swarmed her Nigerian church, shooting the pastor in cold blood. Then, she says quietly, they came for her family. My husband told me we should pray, Salamatu remembers of that horrible night. We said a short prayer and then Amen. As soon as we said Amen, we heard people pulling at the handles of our gate. Quickly, her husband ushered her, the children, and grandchildren upstairs. Dont cry, he told them. Dont make a noise not even if you hear gunshots. He walked outside to face the armed men, and it was the last time she saw him alive. The militants jumped the fence and opened fire on her husband where he stood killing him instantly. He was one of six victims that night and one of hundreds slaughtered every month in the bloody farmlands of Nigeria. Just this past weekend, as the world stopped to observe Palm Sunday, 51 people were massacred in an early morning attack on the community of Bassa many burned to death in their homes by the savage Fulani herdsman. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In the days leading up to the holy day raid, the roaming bands of riders had mowed down Christians whose only crime was working their land. Another 11 were gathered around the freshly dug graves of other victims, only to be brutally murdered during the service themselves. A pregnant mother, a 10-year-old girl, and at least five women were among the dead. According to Open Doors, they are but a handful of the 113 innocents assassinated for their faith and their land across the Plateau State since the end of March. Our people are living in fear, Titus Ayuba Alams wanted the West to know. Children no longer go to school, even worship in churches you cant do it, because you are running for your life. Still, most people understand the threat of openly worshipping Jesus and accept it anyway, determined to live out their faith in a country thats become a killing field of Christians. Even the landscape is scarred by the horrors. Across seven predominately Christian regions, houses are reduced to rubble and ash signs of yet another Boko or Fulani rampage. The attackers destroy everything in their path, looting and setting fire to entire areas in a systematic genocide that the government sees but does nothing about. In this latest wave, more than 1,000 Christians have fled or been displaced, and almost 400 homes were annihilated with only the sound of motorcycles to warn them danger is near. I would say it unapologetically, what happened in the last two weeks in Bokkos is genocide. I say it unreservedly, Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang told Arise News last Monday. This, he argues emotionally, is a well-coordinated plan to keep the people in those areas in perpetual poverty [A]t the moment you are dealing with attackers that are faceless, and so you just leave it to the fact that this is ill-motivated and is aimed at driving the people out of their lands. Entire families have been wiped out in midnight raids, Pastor Tongsmangs Dasbak shook his head. The indiscriminate killings often target defenseless civilians, including women, children and the elderly, he emphasized. This loss of human life is not just a statistic but a profound tragedy that has disrupted the social fabric of the region. No one is brought to justice, no one is held to account. Homes, schools, church buildings, and markets have been razed to the ground, as communities that took years to build have been reduced to ashes within hours, Amnesty International reiterated. The lucky ones have run into the forests, unable or unwilling to return. Some church leaders on the ground wonder if the latest wave of violence is retaliation for Bishop Wilfred Anagbes brave testimony before the U.S. House. Were very fearful for his life, Congressman Chris Smith (R-N.J.), a lifelong religious freedom advocate, told Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on Mondays Washington Watch. The fact that the government has not stepped up to really robustly protect him [is appalling]. The threats that have been made are very real, he cautioned. In his actual locale, a number of people have been killed recently since April 3rd. We believe thats more horrible message-sending by the terrorists. Perkins, who testified in the same House subcommittee on the terrorism against Nigerias Christians, listened as he told nightmarish stories of whats happening to believers right under the governments nose. You sat right next to him when he gave his testimony, [in which he] made it clear that the Fulani are waging a jihadist war against Christians and pious Muslims, Smith pointed out, because they do kill Muslims too, people who dont adhere to the very aggressive jihadist viewpoint. And there [are] more Christians who have died in Nigeria than any other country in the world. Lela Gilbert, FRCs senior fellow for International Religious Freedom, told The Washington Stand that theres no end to the abuse in sight. Church services are frequently targeted, whether Anglican, Catholic, or interdenominational Protestant. And the results are not only multiple deaths, she warned, but orphaned, raped, and often mutilated survivors. To many international observers, Nigeria is seen as a primary focal point of relentless Christian persecution. Pointing to other countries brutality, Smith said, Yes, in China they put them in prison, and they torture them but not as many die. Same way with North Korea. But here were talking about firebombing churches [and] individuals, killing priests. As we had our hearing, we brought up the fact that there was a priest who was summarily executed. And its just horrific bloodletting. The government in Abuja has not stepped up to the plate. Smith pointed to the International Religious Freedom Act, which makes it clear that not only the actual complicity in working to hurt people of faith and to incarcerate and kill is criminal, but also if you stand with your hands in your pockets and allow people to do it as well, that too constitutes the designation for a country of particular concern. And then you are sanctionable. And there are many, many very serious sanctions that could be brought against that government. Ever since the Biden administration stripped Nigeria of its official status as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) without any justification whatsoever the U.S. has been deprived of one of its most basic tools to hold the countrys leaders accountable. Were saying, Designate Nigeria as a CPC and then sanction them, Smith urged. Last month, the New Jersey Republican introduced a resolution this year to do exactly that. The time has come. Weve got to step up. Ive been raising this issue, [and] Im not the only one [I]ts outrageous. Originally published at The Washington Stand. Harvard University sues Trump administration over funding freeze Xinhua) 13:22, April 22, 2025 WASHINGTON, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Harvard University said Monday that it has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration's funding freeze, calling the action "unlawful and beyond the government's authority." In a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the university said that this case involves "the government's efforts to use the withholding of federal funding as leverage to gain control of academic decision making at Harvard." "Over the course of the past week, the federal government has taken several actions following Harvard's refusal to comply with its illegal demands," Harvard University President Alan M. Garber wrote in a letter to members of the Harvard Community. A report by The New York Times said that the lawsuit "signaled a major escalation" of the ongoing fight between higher education and Trump, who has vowed to "reclaim" elite universities. The administration has cast its campaign as a fight against antisemitism, but has also targeted programs and teaching related to racial diversity and gender issues, according to the report. On April 11, Trump administration officials sent a letter to Harvard, demanding that the university make "meaningful governance reform and restructuring," noting that "an investment is not an entitlement." On April 14, Harvard University rejected the Trump administration's demands to make sweeping changes to its governance, hiring and admissions practices. Just a few hours later, the Trump administration announced a freeze on 2.2 billion dollars in multi-year grants and 60 million in multi-year contract value to the university. On April 16, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanded that Harvard University share information about the foreign student visa holders' illegal and violent activities by April 30, or risk losing its authorization to enroll international students. Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has issued warnings to several top U.S. universities, stating that they could face funding cuts if they do not adjust their policies. The administration's main demands include eliminating what it describes as antisemitism on campus and dismantling diversity initiatives that favor certain minority groups. Against the backdrop of the Israel-Palestine conflict, many universities across the United States saw a wave of pro-Palestinian protests last year, drawing increased government attention to alleged anti-Semitic sentiments on campuses. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Abonati-va sa primiti pe email saptamanal lista articolelor adaugate pe parcursul saptamanii. Adresele .ru nu sunt acceptate. Email NEWSLETTER Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. It was December, a time of the year when the Iraqi climate usually delivers cool, relatively clear skies. But on that particular day in 2017, as on so many others in recent years, the weather gods had very different plans in mind. As we left Baghdad, the air assumed a heavy, yellowish tint. An hour later, it was a dull orangeand blustery enough to season our food with a fine patina of sand when we sat down for lunch at a roadside canteen. Over the rest of the afternoon, and through this most unseasonable of sandstorms, visibility dropped to such a point that even our driver, a man who saw speed bumps as personal affronts, felt it wise to slow to a crawl. I had come to these parts to report on the unpredictable conditions that farmers face, and here was a very topical, if intensely inconvenient, case in point. We couldnt identify the turnoff to a few of the villages on our agenda. We couldnt find an interviewees house. By the time we slunk back into the capital that evening, bringing much of the desert with us, it was probably just as well wed missed our meetings with the stickler-for-appearances-officials I had painstakingly scheduled. Climate change is replete with brutal ironies. To those must be added the ways in which climate is increasingly sabotaging journalists attempts to cover it. Places are being rendered inaccessible by extreme weather events. Gear is failing or breaking or simply proving unfit for purpose in tougher conditions. In this sometimes literal morass of mud and mind-boggling temperatures, this all-important story is getting harder to tell. In discussions with a dozen journalists on four continents, Ive heard frequent accounts of how climate stifles coverage. Nichole Sobecki has spent many years photographing climate crises, especially in East Africa, during which shes run the full gamut of related health crises. Shes fainted on climate-related assignments in Djibouti and South Sudan, both of which now routinely post highs well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for months on endall at the most inconvenient or embarrassing times, she says. She has experienced dehydration, especially in places with insufficient clean water. As temperatures warm and other conditions change in ways favorable to the spread of disease, she and her colleagues risk illness when they venture into the geographically peripheral and politically neglected areas in which many of climates most severe fallouts are felt. They also risk damage to their gear and, in the process, to their ability to do their jobs. Photographer Alexandra Rose Howland told me that the conditions connected to the wildfires that she covered in Greece, in the summer of 2024, made it almost impossible to work at times. She resorted to alternating between her two camera bodies, placing one in a cooler whenever its battery overheated; even so, there were periods when neither could function. These limitations, in her view, made it impossible to fully capture the horror of the scenes around her. Theres nothing that can fully translate the chaos of being surrounded by eighty-foot flames into a picture, she said. But its even harder when the technology is just dying around you. Allison Joyce, a North Carolinabased photographer, told me shes occasionally sat out covering the extreme weather events that have hit her state with greater frequency in recent years, for fear of destroying her cameras. Sometimes you just dont want to deal with the possibility of your gear getting wet and then being without it, she said. Joyce also suspects that an editor nixed a story about last years Hurricane Helene, concerned that it would be too hard for her to call for help if needed in the remote and now cellphone-tower-free areas worst affected by flooding. One Indian photographer I met told me hes sworn off coverage of environmental phenomena ever since deadly Cyclone Sidr in 2007; the memory of bodies suspended high in trees haunted him for years. Another, Arko Datto, described frequent nightmares after years of documenting intensifying riverbank erosion near his native Kolkata. It happened quite a few times that I went to sleep and dreamed of the land giving way under my feet, he said. On one occasion, I even ran out into the street from my home in the city, convinced that what had happened to so many of the people I had metwaking up to find your home disappearingwas happening to me. Would-be interviewees are also sometimes more sensitive during or following disasters, understandably wary of sitting for portraits or giving quotes. Sign up for CJRs daily email Climate change can sabotage storytelling in unexpected ways, too. In 2019, I was all set to travel to Ethiopias Somali Region to report on the intense drought in the area. Days before my flight, however, a very unseasonal downpour of the sort that climate change is making more likely saturated much of the area with its first rain in more than a year. The result was temporary relief for the localsand an impossible challenge for my photographer colleague. We ended up not going, even though drought conditions soon returned, pushing the region even deeper into poverty. Amid this rash of very unwanted challenges, journalists have had to get resourceful. Some coat their cameras with water-repellent tape when its too wet, and rig up makeshift protective covers from scarves and other clothes when its blindingly sunny. When possible, others have simply taken to working in cooler nighttime hours, periods that are also free of the hazy, poor-quality light that extreme heat often brings and that photographers generally disdaina solution that can create serious safety concerns, especially for female photographers. The most common coping mechanism is just to spend more money. I always bring more of everything, said Magnum photographer Moises Saman. You dont want to be in a situation where youre out in the field and something breaks and you cant shoot. This is the only thing I can do. There are no shortcuts. In some ways, climate impacts may seem minuscule compared with the other ills facing journalismjust another set of financial and safety pressures for an industry already up to its eyeballs in them. But that is to discount the damage these troubles are having on public understanding. By complicating reporting at a time of shrinking budgets and corporate risk aversion, climate change itself is undermining efforts to capture the magnitude of whats really happening, sabotaging effective storytelling in ways that diminish the urgent need for meaningful climate action. Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. A month or so ago, I opened an edition of this newsletter by noting that the office of Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host turned defense secretary, had issued a memo announcing a crackdown on leaks, including by using polygraphs if necessary; the exact impetus for the memo wasnt clear, but it followed on the heels of a New York Times story claiming that Elon Musk was set to receive a top-secret briefing about war plans with China. I led with the memo to highlight the stunning hypocrisy of what happened a few days later, when Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, revealed that Michael Waltz, the national security adviser, had accidentally added him to a group chat on Signal, a privately owned messaging app, in which Hegseth shared highly sensitive plans for an in-progress strike on Yemen. In recent days, history has seemed to repeat itself. Late last week, we learned that the Pentagon had fired three senior officialsat least two of whom were long-term colleagues of Hegsethswho had reportedly been suspended and marched out of the building as part of the leak investigation, which focused not only on the Musk-China story but disclosures about other matters from Ukraine to the Red Sea; the firings came amid broader personnel chaos at the Pentagon, with Joe Kasper, the chief of staff who had signed the original leaks memo, moving roles, and John Ullyotwho, as acting spokesperson, had executed a move to lever mainstream news organizations out of Pentagon office space in favor of mostly right-wing outletsleaving altogether, reportedly after being sidelined. Then, a few days later, the Times reported, citing four sources with knowledge of the matter, that Hegseth had also shared the sensitive Yemen plans in a different Signal groupthis one, for some reason, containing his wife, who is a former Fox producer, as well as his brother and his lawyer, who work at the Pentagon but not, the Times suggested, in roles typically privy to real-time attack plans. This time around, however, a second bombshell dropped soon after the first: Ullyot spoke outnot only on the record, but by writing an entire op-ed for Politicoto decry the total chaos engulfing the Pentagon. Ullyot suggested that the fired officials hadnt actually leaked anything, and certainly hadnt been subjected to polygraphs, but had been accused as a pretext by members of Hegseths team. (The officials, for their part, have also denied leaking and said they dont even know if a real leak probe was ever underway.) He also blasted Hegseth for his response to the initial Signal scandal, accusing him of serving up a vague, Clinton-esque non-denial denial that only gave the story more oxygen, and claimed that there are very likely more shoes to drop in short order, with even bigger bombshell stories coming this week, key Pentagon reporters have been telling sources privately. Ultimately, he concluded, its hard to see Hegseth keeping his job. One reason the American people gave Trump a conclusive victory last November is that hes not a go-along, get-along creature of the Beltway like many of his recent predecessors, but rather a shrewd businessman who expects results and holds his team accountable for serious mistakes that occur on their watch, Ullyot wrote. He then ticked through a list of officials who were fired in Trumps first term. Public statements out of the White House yesterday suggested that someone may have forgotten to remind Trump of this; indeed, the administrations response to Signalgate 2.0 very much mirrored its response to Signalgate 1.0, when it rallied around blundering officials and shot the messenger instead. In the morning, Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, insisted on Fox that Trump is strongly behind Hegseth and characterized him as a victim of an entrenched bureaucracy trying to thwart the monumental change he is bringing to the Pentagon; later, after somberly paying tribute to Pope Francis while standing next to a giant Easter bunny, Trump himself backed Hegseth in remarks to reporters, dismissing the Times reporting as a waste of time. According to the Times, Trump wanted to see Hegseth fight back, and at the same Easter event, he did just that, staring down the barrel of a news camera like, well, a host on Fox and blasting media hoaxsters for trying to destroy people. This is why were fighting the fake news media, he said, gesturing to his children behind him. And with that, he was off to roll some Easter eggs. The Times also reported yesterday that Trump has been adamant, in private, about not giving the fake news media the satisfaction of seeing him fire one of his top officials in a scandaland that this constitutes a marked change from his first term. This wasnt the first time weve heard about this strategy; indeed, Vanity Fairs Gabriel Sherman wrote about it last week before the latest Hegseth claims even dropped, with reference to Waltzs role in the initial Signal scandal and Trumps refusal to repatriate Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Under the headline How a No-Scalps Policy Is Shaping Trumps Consequence-Free Second Term, Sherman wrote that where accountability journalism has traditionally served as a check on the president, negative news reports are motivating Trump to double down rather than moderate. Trump seems to be using Abrego Garcias case to send a bigger message: The mainstream media will never influence what he does, Sherman continued. Or rather: The intensity of reporting on Trumps breaking of a rule or norm dictates his instinct to continue doing so. As regular readers of this newsletter will likely have noticed, Ive been thinking a lot, in these early days of the second Trump era, about ways in which the press does and doesnt have power, amid claims of our growing spinelessness and obsolescence. Trumps no scalps policy would seem to be another example of the lattera profound rupture with the post-Watergate norm that when journalists catch politicians doing bad things, they tend to resign or be fired. Theres truth to this, and the press is, in many ways, vulnerable right now, as Ive written. But Ive increasingly concluded that our work still does have impact in this tumultuous time, even if this is often subtler than compelling a president to resign in disgrace. I see the latest Hegseth imbroglio as further evidence for this idea, in three ways. First, its not clear that Hegseth actually will survive the current mess at the Pentagon. NPR reported yesterday afternoon that the White House has started looking for a replacement. Leavitt blasted that article as total FAKE NEWS, but other outlets have since published stories that are directionally similar, without going quite as far; The Atlantics Jonathan Lemire, for example, wrote last night that while he appears to be safe for now, some in the White House and the Pentagon have begun speculating about Hegseths shelf life and have even begun circulating the names of possible replacements. (Interestingly, Lemire quoted an outside Trump adviser as saying that the presidents inner circle wants to avoid high-profile firings in the administrations first hundred days, a milestone that is nearly upon us.) And, if firing people was a first-term Trump habit, so was publicly expressing confidence in them right beforehand, as the Washington Posts Benjy Sarlin pointed out yesterday. It seems premature, at least, to conclude that he has totally snapped out of both tendencies. Sign up for CJRs daily email Second, if Trump is reportedly trying to avoid being seen to cave to mainstream media pressure, it seems that people in and around his administration are still trying to use the mainstream media to put pressure on him. As The Atlantics David Graham pointed out overnight, perhaps the most quietly stunning line in the Times Hegseth Signal story had to do with its sourcing: according to four people with knowledge of the chat. For Graham, the fact that four separate people were willing to speak about this to the Trump-detested New York Times is an indication of dysfunction. I agree, but would add that people in Trumps orbit have long been solicitous of reporters privately while slamming the media publicly, in a variety of contexts. A line in Ullyots op-ed stood out to me as well: the idea that key Pentagon reporters have been telling sources about stories yet to come (an inversion of the expected dynamic); Ullyot also crowed, in the op-ed, about bringing new, largely more conservative, media outlets into the Pentagon press space, then went on to cite Hegseth-dysfunction stories that appeared in mainstream publications. To my mind, all of this mirrors a long-standing tension in Trumps own behaviorbashing the media, while clearly caring very much about what it says. Which brings me to my third point: that refusing to fire a scandal-plagued official because you dont want to be seen as caving to media influence clearly represents a form of media influence if youd otherwise fire the person. (Im reminded of the Wall Street Journal reporting, in the wake of Signalgate 1.0, that Trump would have fired Waltz if the story had broken in Breitbart rather than The Atlantic.) This, clearly, is not the classic standard of media-enforced accountabilityif anything, its the oppositebut it still involves the media influencing your behavior. And however you view it, such obstinacy is surely not consequence free. Keeping a terrible administrator in their post purely because you dont want to give a win to a publication you hate is the definition of biting your nose off to spite your face. And doing so seems likely, to me, to have an impact in the court of public opinion; sure, Trumps base might like the idea of keeping Hegseth in a job to own the Times, but not everyone who voted for Trump thinks like this. I think Ullyot was basically right to claim that at least some Trump voters picked him, rightly or wrongly, to take a no-nonsense, businesslike approach to governing. What happens when the Youre Fired! guy becomes the Please Stay! guy? Yesterday, the Democratic Partys social media accounts shared an image of Hegseth next to a lettuce with googly eyesa meme imported from the UK, where, in 2022, the Daily Star, an irreverent tabloid, famously set up a livestream of a lettuce to see if it would last longer than Liz Truss, the embattled prime minister. (One can only hope that the Democrats paid Trumps new meme tariff.) The fact that the lettuce actually did outlast Truss spoke, perhaps, to the UKs fickler, more vicious press, and a more robust climate of accountability for negative stories; in the UK, Trump would likely have had to resign about a thousand times over by now. In the US, he has survived, and so may Hegseth. But thats not to say the Signal reporting has had no impact. In addition to noting the Hegseth-initiated leak probe at the top of my prior Signalgate newsletter, I quoted something that he told reporters in the Oval Office the same day the probe was launched: Under the previous administration, we looked like fools. Not anymore. Its safe to say that this statement didnt age well, either. And that looking foolish can be its own form of accountability. Other notable stories: Last week, an Israeli strike on Gaza killed Fatima Hassouna, a photojournalist who had covered the war in the territory, including for a wide following on social media. The Palestinian Journalists Protection Center said that the strike targeted Hassounas home, and killed ten members of her family as well. (Israel said that it was targeting a terrorist.) If I die, I want a resounding death, Hassouna wrote on Instagram last year. I want a death that the world hears, an effect that remains for the extent of the ages, and immortal images that neither time nor space buries. Shortly before she was killed, it was announced that a documentary in which she features will be screened at a festival adjacent to Cannes next month. My last image of her is a smile, the films director said. I cling to it today. For CJR, Peter Schwartzstein explores how climate change can foil climate reporting. Climate change is replete with brutal ironies, he writes. To those must be added the ways in which climate is increasingly sabotaging journalists attempts to cover it. Places are being rendered inaccessible by extreme weather events. Gear is failing or breaking or simply proving unfit for purpose in tougher conditions. In this sometimes literal morass of mud and mind-boggling temperatures, this all-important story is getting harder to tell. A journalist who has covered climate crises in Africa told Schwartzstein that shed fainted on assignment. A photographer who chronicled fires in Greece last year had to deal with her camera equipment overheating. Bloombergs Sarah Frier profiled John Shahidi, the cofounder of the Shots Podcast Network, who played a key role in connecting Trump to the so-called podcast manosphere during the presidential campaign. Outlets including the Wall Street Journal credited Barron Trump for his fathers entree to this worldand Barron indeed advises on his demographics interestsbut its John Shahidi whos actually making the calls to arrange the appearances or finding out who can, Frier writes. Shahidi, another Trump adviser said, helped turn viewers into voters. And Politicos Ben Leonard reports on how Trumps recent mixed messages on daylight saving time, which he has variously called to scrap and make permanent, have set off a lobbying scramble on both sides of the issue. Among those opposed to making daylight saving time permanent are the MAGA podcaster Jack Posobiec, who has referred to standard time as Gods time, and Christian radio broadcasters who fear the change would give AM stations less time at full distribution range and therefore reduced revenue opportunities under federal rules. A Vermont firm has recalled more than 1,700 pounds of butter because it may be contaminated with coliform, a type of bacteria found in fecal matter. Agri-Mark Inc., of Waitsfield, Vermont, recalled 189 cases of Cabot Creamery 8-ounce premium butter made with sea salt, according to a notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The butter was distributed in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. The recall was issued on March 26 and is ongoing, according to the FDA. It is classified as the lowest level of recall, Class III, which means its not likely to cause health problems in people. Consumers should not eat or use the recalled butter, which has a best-by date of Sept. 9. It is identified as lot 090925-055, item 2038. Agri-Mark officials said in statement that the company recovered 99.5% of the potentially contaminated lot before it was sold to consumers. The firm said that 17 packages of the butter were sold to consumers in Vermont. Coliform bacteria are found in the environment and in the feces of all warm-blooded animals and humans. The bacteria likely will not cause illness but could indicate the presence of disease-causing germs. Agri-Mark officials said that they have taken the appropriate internal actions to address the cause. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Dozens of former student pilots who say they racked up tens of thousands of dollars in debt for tuition are suing United Airlines and its flight school in the Arizona desert, saying it didnt have enough teachers or aircraft to properly train and graduate its students. The federal lawsuit accuses United and the school, United Aviate Academy, of falsely promoting a well-equipped, intensive training program that would put students on a path to becoming commercial pilots after a year. In reality, the students said in an amended complaint filed last week, their flight time was limited due to the staffing shortages and frequent staff turnover. In some cases, students were teaching other students, according to the lawsuit. Some of the students said they ultimately left the program when it became clear they would not finish training after a year. But many of them alleged in the lawsuit that they were wrongly expelled from the school for taking too long to advance through the program. Around the time of the pandemic, United purchased the pilot school in the Phoenix suburb of Goodyear to address a critical problem facing the industry: not enough pilots. Airlines have complained about the shortage for years, but they made it worse during the COVID-19 outbreak by encouraging pilots to take early retirement when air travel collapsed in 2020. In a statement, Chicago-based United said it couldnt comment on specific allegations, citing the ongoing lawsuit, but it defended its pilot school. We have the highest confidence in the rigorous curriculum and flight training program provided at United Aviate Academy and are proud of the schools hundreds of graduates, the statement said. The lawsuit claims the school had an enrollment cap of 325 students to ensure sufficient resources. Instead, according to the complaint, there were more than 380 students enrolled in the program in March 2024. Within months, the schools accrediting body issued a warning letter to the flight school, in part because of its enrollment numbers, according to the lawsuit. Around this time, the lawsuit claims that United Aviate Academy began expelling students from the program in order to comply with the enrollment cap. By August of that year, the school was placed on probation by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, according to the lawsuit. The school voluntarily withdrew its accreditation in January. United told The Associated Press that it is exploring an alternative accreditation that better meets the needs of the flight school. Richard Levy, a retired captain who flew for a major international airline for 41 years and who now works as a flight instructor in Texas, said a one-year program is in line with industry training standards. He said students who want to fly commercial jets will typically train for about a year for certain certifications, then go on to work for a regional airline and log additional flying time up to 1,500 hours before they can fly for a major airline. Whats important, Levy said, is that students are flying frequently and following a structured, uniform program during their training. But the lawsuit says that at one point there were roughly 20 aircraft for the hundreds of students enrolled in Uniteds flight school. One student said he was able to fly just once or twice over several months and was repeatedly reassigned instructors. He was eventually expelled for taking too long to advance through his courses, the lawsuit alleges. Another expelled student said she had a different instructor during each of her first four flights. During her eighth flight, she said, her instructor was a fellow student of the program. It was students teaching students, the lawsuit says. It also alleges that students were sometimes evaluated by instructors who were not pilots themselves. Levy said hes never heard of non-pilots evaluating student pilots. Most of the students suing said they took out loans with the expectation that they were attending a one-year program that would lead to gainful employment. Many of them had to relocate to Arizona to attend the program. One student sold his home, according to the lawsuit. Another left his job of 21 years to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot while his husband stayed behind at their home in Texas. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Phoenix on behalf of 29 former students from states across the country, including Florida, Texas, California, Colorado, Nevada and Connecticut. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Uber Technologies Inc. was sued by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which claims the rideshare and delivery company hurt consumers through deceptive billing and cancellation practices as part of its flagship subscription service. In a complaint filed Monday, the FTC alleges the company charged consumers for its Uber One product without their consent, misled users about the programs savings and made it unreasonably burdensome to cancel the service. The agency found users can be required to navigate as many as 23 screens and take up to 32 actions to cancel, according to an FTC statement. Uber shares dropped, extending declines after the announcement to as much as 5.3% in New York. They were down 4.5% at 2:15 p.m. to $71.84. The company denied the FTCs claims, saying the company doesnt sign up or charge consumers without their consent, and that cancellations now take most people 20 seconds or less. We are disappointed that the FTC chose to move forward with this action, but are confident that the courts will agree with what we already know: Uber Ones sign-up and cancellation processes are clear, simple, and follow the letter and spirit of the law, a spokesman said. The FTCs three commissioners voted 2-0 to bring the case, with Mark Meador, the newest commissioner, recused. The lawsuit confirms a Bloomberg News report last year that the regulator had opened an investigation into the company over the enrollment and cancellation aspects of Uber One. In the final days of the Biden administration, the FTC also began probing whether Uber and rival Lyft Inc. illegally coordinated to limit drive pay in New York City. The FTC enforces consumer protection laws against companies that mislead consumers about subscription terms. The agency has recently sued several companies, including Amazon.com Inc. and Adobe Inc., for allegedly making it too difficult to cancel subscriptions. Top photo: The Uber app, showing Uber XL, is displayed on a mobile phone in an arranged photo in Dobbs Ferry NY, Saturday February 6, 2021. Photographer: Tiffany Hagler-Geard/Bloomberg. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. A coalition of leading automotive industry trade groups is calling on the Trump administration to ease off on plans early next month to slap tariffs on imported car parts. The lobbying groups, which include the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, American Automotive Policy Council, Autos Drive America and National Automobile Dealers Association, appealed to President Donald Trump in a letter that was made public on Tuesday. They warned a planned May 3 levy on foreign-made auto parts could cause U.S. plant shutdowns and job losses. Tariffs on auto parts will scramble the global automotive supply chain and set off a domino effect that will lead to higher auto prices for consumers, lower sales at dealerships and will make servicing and repairing vehicles both more expensive and less predictable, the letter said. A carve out like one the White House has previously issued for some consumer electronics and semiconductors would be a positive development and welcome relief, the groups wrote. Other signatories on the letter include the American International Automobile Dealers Association and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, or MEMA. Top photo: A worker assembles a power-packed Integrated Drive Module (iDM) for Ford Motor Co. Mustang Mach-E all-electric sports utility vehicles (SUV) at the BorgWarner Inc. manufacturing facility in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, on Wednesday, Aug. 25. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. A lawsuit was filed over a 2023 fentanyl overdose death at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center. CLEVELAND, Ohio The mother of a man who died of a fentanyl overdose in a private prison in Northeast Ohio has sued over her sons 2023 death. Bonnie Billings of Canton accused officials at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center of negligence and failing to provide a safe environment after Montel A. Williams death. STREETSBORO, Ohio A Streetsboro man assaulted an elderly family member with a heavy object, then pushed the woman down a set of stairs, causing critical injuries, police say. Richard McNeal, 57, is being held in the Portage County Jail on a charge of attempted murder, a news release from the Streetsboro Police Department says. Emergency workers were called to a residence on the 1600 block of Leslie Drive just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday after receiving a 911 call in which a male reported a woman had fallen down the stairs. EMS workers determined the injuries to the woman, who is in her 70s and is a family member of McNeal, were not consistent with a fall. Officers were called to the home and were able to speak to the woman, who still was conscious. Police say investigators believe the woman was struck on the head from behind with a heavy hand tool such as a mallet or meat tenderizer. The woman was shoved down the stairs while attempting to flee, police say. The victim was first taken to UH Portage Medical Center before being flown by helicopter to a hospital in Cleveland, police say. She reportedly remains hospitalized with serious injuries. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is assisting police and the incident remains under investigation. Dr. Mohammed Faraj Mohammed Al-Fallos (left), Chair, Department of Antiquities, Libya and Dr. William M. Griswold, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland Museum of Art CLEVELAND, Ohio The Cleveland Museum of Art has finalized an agreement to transfer ownership of small, ancient statue to the government of Libya. The 2,200-year-old statue of a man, which has been in the museums collection since 1991, dates to the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt and is believed to have been looted from the Ptolemais Museum in modern-day Libya during World War II. The museum and the government of Libya have been in negotiations over the statue since 2023 when the Libyan Department of Antiquities first requested an acknowledgment that the statue had been taken from the country illegally during the war. The two sides signed an agreement in principle in May 2024, recognizing the statue as the property of Libya. The statue, which stands just 22 inches tall, is made of black basalt, a hard volcanic rock formed from lava. The Cleveland museum received it in 1991 as a 75th- anniversary donation from collector Lawrence A. Fleischman given in honor of Arielle P. Kozloff, then the museums curator of ancient art and a specialist in Egyptian art. The Fleischmans are thought to have acquired the sculpture in 1966. The museum began to investigate its provenance after the government of Libya reached out in 2023, eventually concluding that that the sculpture rightfully belongs to Libya. The statue will remain on view in Cleveland for several years as a loan. It can be seen in the museums Gallery 107, home to its Egyptian collection, with a new label acknowledging Libya as the rightful owner. We appreciate the willingness of the Cleveland Museum of Art to work with the Department [of Antiquities] in accomplishing the transfer of this important work, said Dr. Mohammed Faraj Mohammed Al-Fallos, chair of the Department of Antiquities of Libya. We look forward to continued cooperation with the Museum. We are pleased with the collaboration and open dialogue we have had with our colleagues in the Department of Antiquities and look forward to the opportunity this agreement presents for enhanced cultural exchange with Libya, said Dr. William M. Griswold, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The announcement comes on the heels of an agreement with Turkey on another statue earlier this month. An ancient Greco-Roman bronze statue that New Yorks District Attorney said was looted from a site in Turkey will be displayed a final time at the Cleveland Museum of Art before its return to the Turkish government. NEW ALBANY, Ohio A man who is the son of the founders of two megachurches in central Ohio is facing more than two dozen charges after he was accused of sex crimes involving minors, reports say. Gary Tom Keesee Jr., 36, of Johnstown, Ohio, the son of Faith Life Church senior pastors Gary and Drenda Keesee, is charged in Knox County Common Pleas Court with 11 counts of rape, 11 counts of gross sexual imposition, and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. All of the charges are felonies. A news release from the Licking County Sheriffs Office says Keesee was arrested Friday. He is being held in jail in Licking County, authorities say. The Columbus Dispatch reports several women claim Keesee groomed them when they were minors. He is accused of sexually assaulting them. Court records show the crimes occurred between May 2002 and October 2011, WBNS Channel 10 reports. One of the victims says the abuse began when she was only 5 or 6 years old. She said she was abused more than 50 times, WBNS reports. Other victims were in their teens. Our focus is on the victims, thats what matters to us, Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said during a news conference Monday, according to the Dispatch. The victims in this case, unfortunately, had to wait its my understanding that there were victims that came forward as early as December. We received the case in February. There were a couple of agencies that looked at doing the investigation. They opted not to, for their reasons. When we were asked, we felt obligated. The church is in our county and we felt justice wasnt being served to these victims. Authorities began investigating the accusations in February. Court records show the accusations of abuse could go back decades and that there possibly dozens of victims. Gary Keesee was employed by the church but resigned in August. Officials say there are no indications any of the crimes occurred at a church, WCMH Channel 4 reports. But WBNS reports all of the victims knew each other as children and were church members. The complaint alleges incidents that occurred approximately two decades ago that in no way involved Faith Life Church, said a statement from the church to WCMH. The allegations have been investigated by the Licking County Sheriffs Office and Faith Life Church has cooperated fully with the investigation. Keesee is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, records show. Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (left) and U.S. Sen. Jon Husted are among the 2026 statewide candidates who are seeking an early endorsement from the Ohio Republican Party. The Associated Press COLUMBUS, OhioU.S. Sen. Jon Husted, Ohio gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, and other Republican statewide candidates are lobbying Ohio GOP leaders to award them state party primary endorsements next month. The endorsements, if approved at the Ohio Republican Partys State Central Committee meeting on May 9, would be an unusually early move by the state party to solidify its 2026 candidate slate with about a year to go before the states primary election. CNBC's Jim Cramer on Monday suggested the market losing streak is "manufactured," related to bigger economic forces instead of the strength of companies' earnings. He likened recent declines to those in 2011 that were sparked by a financial crisis in the Eurozone, when many countries struggled to pay off debts and engaged in deficit spending. "Just like 2011, it's a very manufactured crisis something totally man-made that can be un-made with the stroke of a pen," Cramer said. "I think that means it will go away, but not before the market tests lower levels." According to Cramer, in retrospect, the 2011 downturn looked almost manufactured. He stated that markets were soothed by Mario Draghi, then the head of the European Central Bank, who promised to do "whatever it takes" to solve the crisis. Draghi ended up easing debt problems buy buying bonds from Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain, which sat at the heart of the crisis. During that time, Cramer said, positive earnings did little to move markets. The same is true now, Cramer continued, because aside from outfits with heavy business in China, U.S. companies are positing strong quarters, but stocks continue to decline. But unlike 2011, the global market volatility is primarily related to problems in the U.S. itself, Cramer surmised. Beyond major tariff upset and uncertainty, Cramer noted that President Donald Trump threatens to create a constitutional crisis as he calls for the firing of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The specter of the debt ceiling once again plagues Congress, he added. Cramer predicted agencies could issue a debt downgrade for the U.S., especially because they did so in 2011 when circumstance for the country were less inflammatory. "Long story short, we need to get used to a market that's down every morning because the earnings won't matter in this environment," he said. "It will be the tariffs and the talk about firing Jay Powell that define this period." watch now Investors are entering 2025's first-quarter earnings season with a huge cloud of uncertainty hanging over them thanks primarily to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. The scale of duties announced in April, along with the volatility injected by subsequent updates and reversals in policy, have so far exceeded even the most bearish forecasts. Negotiators from the European Union and the U.K. are in talks with U.S. officials to try to alleviate their respective 25% and 10% blanket tariffs, while also grappling with broader tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos. Meanwhile, the rest of the world watches on to see whether red-hot tensions between Washington and Beijing will cool, averting a trade war between the two biggest economies that would have far-ranging repercussions. watch now Two major earnings reports have already landed in Europe, providing an indication of the tone to come. Luxury giant LVMH said its categories such as beauty, wines and spirits were vulnerable to a pullback in spending by "aspirational clientele." Dutch semiconductor firm ASML , which manufacturers chipmaking machines critical to global tech, said tarifs were "creating a new uncertainty" around demand. But neither was able to quantify the scale of the impact. Here are five other major European firms yet to report earnings that could face big hits from the tariff turmoil. Maersk Danish shipping giant Maersk , a bellwether for global trade, is poised to report first-quarter earnings on May 8. Shares of the company have been highly volatile in recent weeks, moving sharply as investors react to the Trump administration's back-and-forth tariff announcements. An escalating trade war between the U.S. and China, the world's two largest economies, has been a major source of concern for the maritime and transport sector. Analysts expect Maersk's first-quarter earnings before interest, depreciation, taxes and amortization (EBITDA) to come in at $2.3 billion, according to an LSEG-compiled consensus, down from $3.6 billion in the final three months of 2024. Maersk earlier this month described the U.S. tariffs as "significant" and in their current form clearly not good news for the global economy, stability and trade. "It is still too early to say with any confidence how this will ultimately unfold. We need to see how countries will respond to these plans and to what extent they choose to negotiate, impose counter-tariffs, adjust import duties, or pursue a combination of these measures," the company said in a statement on April 3. Shell Shell is scheduled to report first-quarter earnings on May 2. It comes after the British oil giant in March announced plans to boost shareholder returns, cut costs and double down on its liquefied natural gas (LNG) push. In a later trading update, Shell trimmed its first-quarter LNG production outlook, citing unplanned maintenance, including in Australia. A Shell logo in Austin, Texas on May 3, 2024. Brandon Bell | Getty Images Oil and gas stocks have been caught up in tariff-fueled market turmoil in recent weeks, with energy majors exposed to growing recession fears, subdued oil demand and falling crude prices. Analysts at wealth manager Hargreaves Lansdown said earlier this month that Shell's "sharpened focus on efficiency and quality leaves it well-placed to grow free cash flow and shareholder distributions." But it can't control the oil price, Hargreaves Lansdown noted, "so, investors have to be prepared for the relatively high level of volatility that accompanies the entire sector." Shell is expected to report first-quarter adjusted earnings of $5.14 billion, according to an LSEG-compiled consensus, down from $7.73 billion in the same period a year ago. The energy major reported adjusted earnings $3.66 billion in the final three months of 2024. Equity analysts have singled out Shell as the best capital allocator among its European peers, pointing toward the firm's steadfast commitment to cost discipline under CEO Wael Sawan. Volkswagen Germany's Volkswagen is one of many automotive firms expected to take a hit from tariffs particularly those on Canada and Mexico though results out April 30 should give a clearer indicaion of how much it expects to be able to shoulder through operations in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The U.S. in April implemented a 25% charge on all foreign cars imported into the country, which appears to have already caused some panic-buying. Volkswagen's Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz told CNBC last month the company was in favor of open markets but already felt "like an American company" due to its thousands of U.S. employees. However, analysts warn tariffs are especially negative for German carmakers which export thousands of vehicles a year to the U.S., while many cars produced in the country still require European-made parts. Volkswagen is expected to produce higher year-on-year revenue in the first quarter, up to 77.6 billion euros ($88.2 billion) from 75.5 billion euros, an LSEG-compiled consensus shows. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) are seen dipping to 4.03 billion euros from 4.6 billion euros. Lufthansa As geopolitical tensions mount, some have questioned whether travel demand will suffer or trends will change and the results of German airline group Lufthansa , due April 29, could hold some clues. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told CNBC in early March that he expected global demand to drive "significantly" higher profit in 2025 and had not seen any dent in transatlantic bookings. But a lot has changed since then, with the scale of Trump's tariffs and rhetoric fueling public anger and even boycotts of U.S. products. A Lufthansa Airlines plane taxiing for takeoff as an United Airlines plane lands at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, California, United States on February 7, 2025. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Figures for March published by the International Trade Administration showed a 17.2% year-on-year fall in visitor arrivals from Western Europe to the U.S., against a 3.4% dip from Asia and a 17.7% increase from the Middle East. Lufthansa Group, which includes the German flag carrier along with SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Italy's ITA Airways, has already been grappling with challenges including strikes, global price pressures and Boeing aircraft delivery delays. According to an LSEG-compiled consensus, analysts expect the group to report revenue of around 8.07 billion euros in the first quarter, up from 7.4 billion euros the previous year, and a roughly $630 million loss in EBIT, trimmed from a $871 million loss year-on-year and down from $482 million profit the prior quarter. Novo Nordisk A 125-year-old chocolate bar is going for up for sale. A very old chocolate bar is going up for sale The confectionery was sent to British troops fighting in the Boer War by Queen Victoria in 1900 and could fetch up to 400 when it is auctioned in June. The chocolate bar - which is still in its original tin and has some of its foil wrapper still attached - has "a bit of a whiff to it", according to Andy Stowe from Bristol auction house Auctioneum. He told BBC Radio Bristol: "It's got a bit of a whiff to it but otherwise it kind of looks OK. "I wouldn't eat it but it looks OK considering how old it is." Queen Victoria commissioned chocolate manufacturers JS Fry and Sons, Cadbury Brothers Limited, and Rowntree and Company Limited to produce the special tins with the words "I wish you happy new year" in 1899. Lucy McCourt, a militaria expert from Auctioneum, said: "This would have been a rare treat back in 1900 and the willpower required to not eat it would have been quite substantial." New data shows that American consumers are prepared to remain loyal to the iPhone even as Apple's future remains uncertain due to President Donald Trump's tariffs. The news In a Tuesday research note, Morgan Stanley said the results of its March U.S. iPhone survey of 3,300 people were "surprisingly positive" despite the escalating trade feud between the United States and China. Among the key takeaways, analysts saw all-time high iPhone upgrade intention rates and stronger-than-expected adoption of Apple Intelligence, the company's generative artificial intelligence system. This is particularly good news because Apple Intelligence was not ready when the iPhone 16 was unveiled back in September. It has since had a staggered rollout and some bumps along the way. Before the tariff chatter, how the iPhone's AI features and if their slow launch will impact the upgrade cycle were all anyone ever talked about. "As a result, when we take a step back and think beyond this period of tariff uncertainty, we believe that Apple's software and hardware advances if properly executed upon should help to accelerate device replacement cycles and create incremental services revenue opportunities," the analysts said. For that reason, Morgan Stanley reiterated its buy-equivalent rating on shares and its price target of $220 apiece, implying a roughly 14% upside from Monday's close. Apple surged on Tuesday as the broader market rebounded on hopes that U.S.-China relations could soon ease. In a closed-door meeting with investors Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects a "de-escalation" in the "very near future." That's according to what a person in the room told CNBC. The S & P 500 and Apple put dents in their sharp Monday declines. Still, they were both sharply lower year to date. Apple has lost nearly 20% in 2025 while the S & P 500 has dropped more than 9.5% over the same stretch. AAPL YTD mountain Apple (AAPL) year-to-date performance Big picture The Morgan Stanley survey is not the first time that we're hearing about a recent uptick in iPhone interest. On April 7, Bloomberg reported that Apple stores were being packed with people trying to buy iPhones ahead of any potential price increases due to tariffs. Less than a week later, Trump exempted electronics such as smartphones and laptops from his "reciprocal" tariffs, including all but 20% of the president's proposed 145% levies on imports from China. White House officials warned that the exemptions could change soon since they were made to give companies more time to move production to the U.S. If these steep levies were to go into effect, iPhone prices could spike to $3,000 each. Estimates on what it would cost to make iPhones in the U.S. were similarly bleak. That dynamic would be tough for both Apple and potential iPhone buyers. Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg said Tuesday that if smartphone prices surge due to tariffs, the company won't be eating the additional costs. "We will continue to be financially disciplined in whatever promotions we have, but we will not cover any enormous increase on tariffs on handset," the CEO said during Verizon's post-earnings call. "That's ultimately going to hit the consumer in the market. But again, it's too early to say," he added. Still, Apple is trying to do everything it can to beat these tariffs. According to Reuters, the tech behemoth has stepped up device production in India to further diversify its supply chain away from China, and it even went so far as to airlift 600 tons of iPhones from India to the U.S. To be sure, when Trump's temporary pause of "reciprocal" tariffs to 10% lifts, Indian imports will be subject to 26% levies unless a trade deal is reached. On April 9 , he said after 90 days, the higher country-specific levies would kick in as outlined a week earlier again, barring any trade deals. Bottom line We're glad to hear that the Morgan Stanley survey indicates more positive near-term sentiment on Apple's biggest money maker. But that doesn't change our caution on the tech stock amid Trump's trade war with China. That's the reason we trimmed our long-held Apple position Monday. While Apple does benefit from the president's tariff exemption on electronics, we assume the reprieve will be short-lived. Apple's efforts to diversify its supply chain away from China may not be enough to offset tariff risk. It definitely won't be enough to satisfy the Trump administration's call to move manufacturing domestically. "The company's shifting of some production to India, the default destination for the iPhone, may not be what the president wants. There are hardliners within the government who want no exemptions," Jim Cramer wrote in his April 13 column when he first suggested investors sell some Apple shares. "Apple must break ground in the United States to make its products." We had been restricted from executing the trade for the Club until Monday. Jim also commented on those Tuesday conference call comments from Vestberg. "Verizon is in a very tough spot. They have to provide a phone," Jim said during Tuesday's Morning Meeting. "If Apple's phone goes to $3,000, they [Verizon] will push Samsung [instead], I believe." We'll be closely watching Apple's quarterly earnings report on May 1 for indications on how the company plans to respond to trade policy and how its business went in the first three months of 2025. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long AAPL. 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. Local Kashmiris and Indian police, along with armed forces, gather outside the hospital to receive the dead and wounded after gunmen attacked Indian tourists on April 22, 2025 in Anantnag south of Srinagar, India. At least 20 people were feared killed after suspected militants opened fire on tourists in India's Jammu and Kashmir territory on Tuesday, three security sources said, the worst attack on civilians in the troubled Himalayan region for years. The attack occurred in Pahalgam, a popular destination in the scenic, mountainous region where mass tourism, especially during the summer months, has resurged as Islamist militant violence has eased in recent years. One security source put the death toll at 20, while the second put it at 24 and the third at 26. All three spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. "The firing happened in front of us," one witness told broadcaster India Today, without giving his name. "We thought someone was setting off firecrackers, but when we heard other people (screaming), we quickly got out of there..., saved our lives and ran." "For four kilometers, we did not stop ... I am shaking," another witness told India Today. The attack took place in an off-the-road meadow and two or three militants were involved, the Indian Express newspaper reported, citing an unidentified senior police officer. "The death toll is still being ascertained so I don't want to get into those details," Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X. "Needless to say, this attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years." The nationalities of the victims were not immediately known. A little-known militant group called the "Kashmir Resistance" claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media message. It expressed discontent that more than 85,000 "outsiders" had been settled in the region, spurring a "demographic change". "Consequently, violence will be directed toward those attempting to settle illegally," it said. Reuters could not independently verify the source of the message. The regional government of Jammu and Kashmir, where Pahalgam is located, told its legislature this month that nearly 84,000 non-locals, from within India, had been given domicile rights in the territory in the last two years. One of America's most fragrant retailers is well-positioned in the face of tariffs. Bath & Body Works produces 80% of its products in the United States. The candle maker and personal care company has been incrementally shifting its production to the U.S. for more than a decade. "Domestic exposure puts Bath & Body Works at a key advantage versus the competitors, because they won't have to pay import tariffs on the vast majority of their products, meaning they can keep prices where they are and not lose profitability," said BofA Securities senior retail analyst Lorraine Hutchinson. Bath & Body Works' primary U.S. manufacturing facility, Beauty Park, is located in New Albany, Ohio, and opened in 2012. "It was a choice made to make sure that they could test, react and move to the consumer very, very quickly," said BMO Capital Markets managing director Simeon Siegel. "If you can find exactly what the customer is buying, you can minimize the discounts needed. It just happens to be right now... the tariff conversation creates them as this surprise winner there as well." Bath & Body Works says its foaming hand soap, for example, used to take about 3 months to reach its distribution center. The bottle and cap would ship from Canada, and the pump would ship from China. The soap bottle would be filled in Virginia and then sent to its distribution center in Ohio. Now, that entire process is done at Beauty Park in 3 weeks. The company has seen its net sales gradually decline since 2021 when it brought in nearly $7.9 billion as demand for hand sanitizers, candles and soap was high amid the pandemic. Bath & Body Works' 2025 guidance represents the first time in several years that sales are projected to grow. "There's a notion that Bath & Body Works is just tracing trends. It's just up and down and people have been dying for revenue growth, understandably. If instead we recognize that the revenue has been constrained because people bought too many candles during Covid, and now we're finally emerging onto the other side, it should actually start trading hopefully better, a little bit more consistently," said Siegel. Watch the video to learn more about what analysts believe is in store for Bath & Body Works. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told investors in a closed-door meeting Tuesday he expects "there will be a de-escalation" in President Donald Trump's trade war with China in the "very near future," a person in the room told CNBC. "No one thinks the current status quo is sustainable" with tariff rates at their current levels, Bessent said at a private investor summit in Washington, D.C., hosted by JPMorgan Chase. Stocks, already recovering from the prior day's sell-off, soared higher after Bessent's remarks were first reported. Bessent said he believes that the prospect of de-escalation between the economic superpowers "should give the world, the markets, a sigh of relief," according to the person in the room who was granted anonymity in order to describe a private event. "We have an embargo now, on both sides, right?" he said. Shipping containers from China at the China Shipping (North America) Holding Company Ltd. facility at the Port of Los Angeles in Wilmington, California, Feb. 4, 2025. The pullback in trade between the U.S. and China as a result of President Trump's steep tariffs on Chinese goods and fears of a recession are starting to show up in major ports data, with a steep drop in container vessel traffic headed to Los Angeles and Long Beach. For the week ending May 3, the number of freight vessels leaving China and headed to the Southern California ports, the main U.S. ports receiving Chinese freight and other Asian trade, is down 29% week-over-week, according to Port Optimizer, a tracking system for ships. Year-over-year, the data shows a 44% drop in vessels scheduled to arrive the week of May 4-May 10. This data is updated on a daily basis based on the vessel manifests declaring the port destination. These vessels are either scheduled to leave Asia or are already on the water and headed to these ports. Twelve vessels are scheduled to come in this week, down from 22 the week of April 20. Measured in shipping containers, a total of 62,568 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) are arriving the week of May 4-May 10, versus 120,608 TEUs as recently as the week of April 20-April 26. The fallout from the ocean freight slowdown is beginning to hit ground transport linked to ports. "We are at a tipping point on the West Coast," said Ken Adamo, chief of analytics at DAT Freight & Analytics. "Looking at how many truck loads are available versus trucks, we've seen a precipitous drop, over 700,000 loads have evaporated nationally in the past week compared to two weeks prior," he said. On Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told a group of investors the trade war with China was unsustainable, and that a de-escalation could be coming in the "very near future," a person in the room told CNBC. Signage for Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) displayed during the company's Tech Day event in Shanghai, China, on Monday, April 21, 2025. China's CATL , the world's largest supplier of EV batteries, announced a set of new incoming products Monday, including a battery it claims has set a "new global record for superfast charging technology." In a post on WeChat, the company Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Ltd. said that its second-generation Shenxing battery could add 520 km (323 miles) of driving range from just five minutes of charging time only slightly longer than it takes to refuel gas cars. This appears to put CATL's fast charging ahead of that of Chinese EV giant and Tesla rival BYD, which last month surprised the industry with a charging system it claimed could add about 400 km in range to its batteries in about 5 minutes. Some analysts were skeptical about BYD's claims, noting potential technical hurdles and high costs. However, if proved feasible on a larger scale, the tech could help the EV industry alleviate consumer concerns about electric vehicle range and convenience. CATL's latest claims would also place its cutting-edge charging speeds comfortably ahead of those of its Western competitors. Tesla's latest superchargers can add up to 270 kilometers of range in 15 minutes, while Mercedes-Benz Group recently said one of its batteries can recharge up to 325 kilometers within 10 minutes. Welcome to CNBC's live blog covering all the action and business news in European financial markets on Thursday. Futures data from IG suggests European markets will open higher, with London's FTSE 100 looking set to open 0.3% higher at 8,799, Germany's DAX 0.2% higher at 23,836, France's CAC 40 also up 0.2% at 7,757 and Italy's FTSE MIB up 0.15% at 39,926. The positive start in Europe comes after a more mixed day on Wednesday, particularly for the U.K. where bond prices, as well as the FTSE, tumbled sharply. Those moves came after U.K. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves appeared visibly upset in Parliament on Wednesday as pressure mounted on the government over welfare reforms. The government said Reeves was dealing with a "personal matter" and Prime Minister Keir Starmer later said she has his full support. U.S. stock futures were little changed on Wednesday night as traders braced for June's nonfarm payrolls data. Economists polled by Dow Jones expect that the economy added 110,000 jobs last month. That compares with May's gain of 139,000. Economists also see the unemployment rate inching higher. In the Asia-Pacific region overnight, Vietnamese stocks climbed to their highest in over three years as investors awaited further details on the U.S.-Vietnam trade agreement that President Donald Trump announced Wednesday. The U.S. is imposing a 20% tariff on goods imported from the Southeast Asian nation, while the latter will impose "ZERO Tariff," Trump said on Truth Social. Holly Ellyatt 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 Tuesday's key moments. The S & P 500 is recovering most of what it lost in Monday's brutal session. There was a solid bounce in the last hour of Monday's trading, and it looks like Tuesday's action is a follow-through on just too much selling. Jim Cramer said he would have liked to see the overall market go back to oversold, according to the S & P Short Range Oscillator momentum gauge, but added that he's "perfectly willing to look for opportunities here." Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club, said Tuesday, "The market, for better or worse, is subject to tweets and headlines" from the Trump administration." He added, "It makes the job harder" for investors. But he said that's why we're stock pickers at the Club, and he highlighted the strong quarter from struggling portfolio name Danaher . Shares jumped 5.5% on Tuesday. Jim said, "There could be another day's worth of rally here because they were so low." Watch your afternoon emails and texts for our full Danaher earnings analysis. After Tuesday's closing bell, credit card giant Capital One reports earnings. Jeff said he's watching for updated information about the Discover Financial deal, which got approval from bank regulators on Good Friday when the market was closed. Jim said investors who sold the stock Monday "overlooked entirely" the benefits of the acquisition. Upon integration after closing next month, Jim said, "This is worth 30 points" to the stock. He added that Capital One is his "favorite position" in the portfolio. Jeff said any pullback after earnings could be a buying opportunity. For our part, we added to our position Monday. Stocks covered in Tuesday's rapid fire at the end of the video were: GE Aerospace , Bullpen name RTX , Verizon , and 3M . (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long DHR. 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. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his family at his residence in New Delhi, India, on April 21, 2025. India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Monday hailed the "significant" progress made in trade talks between the two sides during Vance's visit to India. Vance, who was in India on a mostly personal trip with second lady Usha Vance and his family, met Modi in New Delhi. A statement from Modi's office said the two leaders "welcomed the significant progress in the negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement." Vance and Modi also reviewed and positively assessed the progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation, and noted "continued efforts" in enhancing cooperation in areas like energy, defense and strategic technologies. The two leaders also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, and called for dialogue and diplomacy. India was hit with a 26% "reciprocal" tariff on April 2, before the levies were suspended for 90 days by U.S. President Donald Trump on April 9, leaving a 10% baseline tariff. On Monday, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the USTR and India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry have "finalized the terms of reference to lay down a roadmap for the negotiations on reciprocal trade." He added, "there is a serious lack of reciprocity in the trade relationship with India," but said "India's constructive engagement so far has been welcomed and I look forward to creating new opportunities for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs in both countries." Back in February, Modi and Trump had agreed to more than double bilateral trade between New Delhi and Washington to $500 billion by 2030. U.S. total goods trade with India is estimated at $129 billion in 2024, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. India's surplus with the United States, reached $45.7 billion last year. Elevated demand for gold should power the eye-popping rally behind the metal to a new key level, according to JPMorgan. Gregory Shearer, the bank's head of base and precious metals research, thinks gold will surge past $4,000 by the second quarter of 2026 and reach an average price of $3,675 per ounce. "Tariff-driven recession and stagflation risks are forecasted to continue to supercharge gold's structural bull run," Shearer said in a Tuesday note to clients. "This price forecast builds on gains already made in 1Q25 and embeds continued strong investor and central bank gold demand averaging around 710 tonnes a quarter on net this year ... positioning will continue to get stretched at times though we don't think it is a structurally bearish risk in gold," he added. Gold has been on a monster tear this year. Futures tied to the precious metal are up about 29% in 2025, significantly outpacing the S & P 500 as President Donald Trump's tariff policies and policy decisions continue to rattle U.S. equities. On Tuesday, the metal hit a record above $3,500. @GC.1 YTD mountain Gold futures year to date The SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) on Tuesday traded at an all-time high back to its inception in November 2004 and is up almost 30% in 2025. Underpinning Shearer's bullish thesis are his expectation that the macroeconomic environment will continue to support sustained elevated levels of gold purchases by central banks, as well as greater investor holdings from ETFs and China. Central banks have significantly increased their holdings of the safe haven asset in recent years as a hedge against market volatility. Their purchases should amount to 900 tonnes in 2025 amid ongoing uncertainty with economic, trade and U.S. tariff policies, as well as greater unpredictability with geopolitical alliances, Shearer said. "There is still potential for multiple more years of elevated structural central bank allocation even as we also think higher prices in response to this demand impulse and the pull on inventory it is causing will continue to organically grow gold weights at central banks," Shearer wrote. The strategist added that individual investors will likely keep purchasing gold amid threats of a recession and stagflation in 2025 and 2026 and an "atypical" risk-off moves higher in U.S. Treasury yields, which have raised questions around the possible foreign selling of Treasuries. Additionally, he said gold could see new entrants as demand from Chinese retail investors remains strong in the face of a potentially weaker Chinese Yuan. 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! Eva Longoria blurted out that she and her husband had previously been divorced when Pope Francis was preparing to bless ahead of their marriage. Eva Longoria recalls her Pope Francis faux pas following pontiff's passing The 'Only Murders in the Building' actress and her husband Jose Baston were fortunate enough to meet the late Pope Francis in 2016, just weeks before their wedding, but Eva made a faux pas when the pontiff - who passed away on Easter Monday (21.04.25) aged 88, following a stroke and heart failure - was about to bless the couple. Speaking on 'Live With Kelly and Mark', she said: "I was so fortunate to meet him. "He actually blessed Pepe and I right before we got married. "We went to Rome and my husband was like, 'Do you want to meet the Pope?' And I was like, 'Yes!' "It was like two months before we got married, so we're standing there and he moves along. "He speaks Spanish, and my husband speaks Spanish, and I kept saying, 'How do you say your holiness in Spanish?' "And my husband would say it. It was a very hard word. "I was practicing it and practicing it and he's getting closer, and I was practicing it and then he gets in front of me and I go, 'Hello, your Holiness.' "It didn't come out [in Spanish]. "So my husband asked him, 'Will you please bless us? We're about to get married.' And he goes, 'Of course, of course.' "So he grabs our hands, and he starts the blessing and I go, 'We're divorced! Just so you know. I know that's a bad thing. I felt like you should know this. We're both divorced. But he has children, so we can't get it annulled. It's a long thing.' "And my husband is like, 'Shut up.' "He [Pope Francis] said, 'Do you love each other?' And I said, 'Yes, we do,' and then he gave us a blessing." Eva also met Pope Francis a second time, when she made her sister Lisa's dreams come true. She added: "I did meet him a second time at The White House, when he was with [former US President Barack] Obama, and it was right in between the same time. "I have an older sister with special needs, and so I'd asked her, 'Who do you most want to meet in the world, Lisa?' "I thought she was going to say Brad Pitt or George Clooney, and she goes, 'The Pope.' "And I go, 'Oh, that's a little hard.' "So I took her to The White House and it's a big procession. All these cardinals who are coming out are archbishops or whatever, and she goes, 'Is that him? There he is.' And I was like, 'I could've just got a bishop and pretended it was the Pope. She wouldn't have known. "But that was her wish, to meet him." The former 'Desperate Housewives' star also thanked the late Pope Francis for being an "ally to many of us". She wrote on Instagram: "Rest in Peace, Your Holiness Pope Francis. Thank you for being an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalized. Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered (sic)" Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche on Tuesday said that it would invest $50 billion in the U.S. over the next five years, amid concerns about the impact of possible new White House tariffs on pharma goods from abroad. The investment will create more than 12,000 jobs, Roche said 1,000 with the company, and the remainder to support new U.S. manufacturing capabilities. The firm said it already employs more than 25,000 people in America. Shares of Roche were 1.1% lower at 8:39 a.m. in London. The pharma giant will inject cash into creating new state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) sites, while bolstering and expanding manufacturing facilities in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and California. A new R&D site in Massachusetts will be used for AI research and act as a hub for research into cardiovascular, renal and metabolism treatments. The funding package will also be used to build a new 900,000 square foot manufacturing center in an unknown location to support Roche's "expanding portfolio of next generation weight loss medicines." Once the new manufacturing capacity investments are complete, Roche said it would export more medicines from the U.S. than it imports. Pharmaceutical companies have been scrambling to bolster their U.S. presence amid threats from President Donald Trump to end the industry's exemption from import tariffs. "We're going to be announcing very shortly a major tariff on pharmaceuticals," he said earlier this month. Roche's investment follows similar moves from major rivals. Earlier this month, Switzerland's Novartis announced plans to invest $23 billion in building and expanding 10 U.S. facilities, in a move it said would create more than 4,000 jobs. British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca last moth said that it would invest $2.5 billion in creating a Beijing hub. However, the company's CEO Pascal Soriot told CNBC at the time that AstraZeneca remained "very committed to the United States," where it has two "very large" research and development centers. Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker said in a statement on Tuesday that the company's new $50 billion investment demonstrated its "long-standing commitment to research, development and manufacturing in the US." "We are proud of our 110 year legacy in the United States which has been a key driver for jobs, innovation and the creation of intellectual property in the US, across both our Pharmaceutical and Diagnostics Divisions," he said. "Our investments of USD 50 billion over the next five years will lay the foundation for our next era of innovation and growth, benefiting patients in the US and around the world." OpenAI's Sam Altman is stepping down as chair of the board of nuclear startup Oklo , after bringing the company public through a merger with his special purpose acquisition company, AltC Acquisition Corp., in May 2024. The move gives Oklo, which is developing advanced nuclear reactors, more flexibility to potentially explore partnerships with OpenAI or other hyperscalers amid data center companies' push to secure power. "We are excited to continue working with him [Sam Altman] to bring scalable, clean energy to the AI sector and beyond, and to continue to explore strategic partnerships with leading AI companies, including potentially with OpenAI," Caroline Cochran, Oklo's co-founder and chief operating officer, said in a statement. "As Oklo explores strategic partnerships to deploy clean energy at scale, particularly to enable the deployment of AI, I believe now is the right time for me to step down," said Altman. Check out the companies making headlines in extended trading: Tesla Shares were marginally lower in extended trading after first-quarter results missed analysts' estimates on the top and bottom lines. The electric vehicle company earned an adjusted 27 cents per share on revenue of $19.34 billion, while analysts polled by LSEG were looking for 39 cents per share in earnings and $21.11 billion in revenue. Enphase Energy The energy technology company sank more than 12% after first-quarter results missed Wall Street estimates. Enphase reported adjusted earnings of 68 cents per share on revenue of $356 million, while analysts surveyed by LSEG forecast earnings of 70 cents per share and $361 million in revenue. The low end of Enphase's second-quarter revenue outlook also fell short of analysts' estimates. Intuitive Surgical The stock lost almost 6%. The manufacturer of the da Vinci surgical system warned that its non-GAAP gross profit margin for 2025 will range from 65% to 66.5% of revenue, down from 69.1% in 2024, reflecting estimated effects from tariffs . The outlook overshadowed beats on the top and bottom lines for the first quarter. SAP The software stock gained nearly 7% on the heels of a first-quarter earnings beat. The company earned an adjusted 1.44 euros per share, while analysts polled by LSEG were looking for 1.32 euros per share. Oklo The nuclear technology company pulled back nearly 11% following news that OpenAI CEO and Oklo chair Sam Altman is stepping down from the startup . The move is widely expected to give Oklo increased flexibility to pursue partnerships with hyperscalers, including OpenAI. Packaging Corporation of America The manufacturing stock slipped more than 5% after the company's second-quarter earnings outlook missed analysts' estimates. PKG forecasts earnings of $2.41 per share for the current quarter, while analysts polled by FactSet were looking for $2.63 per share. Bristol Myers Squibb The biopharmaceutical giant tumbled nearly 6%. The company said a Phase 3 trial of its drug Cobenfy failed to show a statistically significant result when used as a supplemental treatment for adults with schizophrenia. Manhattan Associates The supply chain software provider rallied 6% after first-quarter earnings of $1.19 per share topped consensus Street estimates of $1.03 per share, according to FactSet. Non-GAAP operating margin and software license, maintenance and services revenue all exceeded what analysts were expecting, per StreetAccount. CNBC's Darla Mercado and Scott Schnipper contributed reporting. Correction: An earlier version misstated the currency for SAP's results. 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! It's been a brutal year for Tesla shareholders so far, and a hugely profitable one for short sellers, who bet on a decline in the company's stock price. Tesla shorts have generated $11.5 billion in mark-to-market profits in 2025, according to data from S3 Partners. The data reflected Monday's closing price of $227.50, at which point Tesla shares were down 44% for the year. The stock rallied about 4.5% on Tuesday, along with gains in the broader market, heading into Tesla's first-quarter earnings report after the close of trading. Tesla didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The electric vehicle maker is expected to report a slight decline in year-over-year revenue weeks after announcing a 13% drop in vehicle deliveries for the quarter. With CEO Elon Musk playing a central role in President Donald Trump's administration, responsible for dramatically cutting the size and capacity of the federal government, Tesla has faced widespread protests in the U.S. and Europe, where Musk has actively supported Germany's far-right AfD party. Tesla shares plummeted 36% in the first quarter, their worst performance for any period since 2022, and have continued to drop in April, largely on concerns that President Trump's sweeping tariffs on top trade partners will increase the cost of parts and materials crucial for EV production, including manufacturing equipment, automotive glass, printed circuit boards and battery cells. The company is also struggling to keep pace with lower-cost competitors in China, and is a laggard in the robotaxi market, which is currently dominated in the U.S. by Alphabet's Waymo. Tesla has promised to launch its first driverless ride-hailing offering in Austin, Texas, in June. Tesla has been the biggest stock decliner among tech megacaps this year, followed by Nvidia , which was down about 28% as of Monday's close. The chipmaker has been the second-best profit generator for short sellers, generating returns of $9.4 billion, according to S3. Nvidia is currently the most-shorted stock in terms of value, with $24.6 billion worth sold short, S3 said. Apple is second at $22.2 billion, and Tesla is third at $17.6 billion. Musk has a long and antagonistic history with short sellers, who have made plenty of money at times during Tesla's 15 years on the stock market, but have also been burned badly for extended stretches. In 2020, Tesla publicly mocked short sellers, promoting red satin shorts for sale. "Limited edition shorts now available at Tesla.com/shortshorts" Musk wrote in a social media post in July of that year, as the stock was in the midst of a steep rally. Two years earlier, hedge fund manager David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital posted a tweet that he received the pairs of short shorts that Musk had promised him. "I want to thank @elonmusk for the shorts. He is a man of his word!" Einhorn wrote. Einhorn had previously disclosed that his firm's bet against Tesla "was our second biggest loser" in the most recent quarter. In February 2022, after reports surfaced that the Department of Justice was investigating two investors who had shorted Tesla's stock, Musk told CNBC that he was "greatly encouraged" by the action and said "hedge funds have used short selling and complex derivatives to take advantage of small investors." PlainSite founder Aaron Greenspan, a former Tesla short seller and outspoken critic of Musk, sued the Tesla CEO alleging he engaged in stock price manipulation for years through a variety of schemes. The case was removed to federal court last year. In 2023, Musk's social network X banned Greenspan and PlainSite, which publishes legal and other public and company records, from the platform. CNBC's Tom Rotunno contributed to this report. WATCH: Here's what to watch for in Tesla's earnings report Tesla CEO Elon Musk wears a 'Trump Was Right About Everything!' hat, as he, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe attend a cabinet meeting at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 24, 2025. Tesla reported a miss on the top and bottom lines in its first-quarter earnings report on Tuesday as automotive revenue plunged 20% from a year earlier. Here are the key numbers compared with LSEG expectations. Earnings per share : 27 cents adjusted vs. 39 cents estimated : 27 cents adjusted vs. 39 cents estimated Revenue: $19.34 billion vs. $21.11 billion estimated Total revenue slid 9% from $21.3 billion a year earlier. Automotive revenue dropped 20% to $14 billion from $17.4 billion in the same period last year. Tesla said one reason for the decline was the need to update lines at its four vehicle factories to start making a refreshed version of its popular Model Y SUV. The company also pointed to lower average selling prices and sales incentives as a drag on revenue and profit. Net income plummeted 71% to $409 million, or 12 cents a share, from $1.39 billion or 41 cents a year ago. It's been a brutal start to the year for Tesla, with CEO Elon Musk spending much of his time in President Donald Trump's White House, overseeing an effort to dramatically downsize the federal government. The president's sweeping tariffs plan has led to concerns that costs will increase for parts and materials crucial for electric vehicle production, including manufacturing equipment, automotive glass, printed circuit boards and battery cells. Tesla refrained from promising growth this year and said it will "revisit our 2025 guidance in our Q2 update." Tesla shares are down 41% so far in 2025, and suffered their worst quarterly drop since 2022 in the period that ended in March. The stock was initially little changed in extended trading on Tuesday but then popped almost 5% after President Trump said he has no plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 22, 2025. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he has "no intention" of firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell before his term leading the U.S. central bank ends next year. "None whatsoever," Trump said in the Oval Office when asked to clarify that he did not seek Powell's removal. "Never did." The comment represents a dramatic shift for Trump, who has recently ramped up his rhetoric against Powell and declined to rule out the possibility of taking the unprecedented step of firing him. U.S. stock futures rose sharply across major indexes following Trump's latest remarks. Trump, who has heaped pressure on the Fed chair to cut interest rates in hopes of goosing economic growth, said last week of Powell, "If I want him out of there, he'll be out real fast." President Donald Trump stands "strongly behind" Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday, despite new reports that he discussed highly sensitive military information on a Signal chat with family and friends. Hegseth is "doing a tremendous job, and he is bringing monumental change to the Pentagon," said Leavitt. "There's a lot of people in the city who reject monumental change, and I think, frankly, that's why we've seen a smear campaign against the Secretary of Defense," she added. The latest defense of Hegseth came after NBC News reported Monday that U.S. military plans the defense secretary shared over Signal had originally been sent to him using a secure government line for highly sensitive information. Within 10 minutes of receiving the plans on March 15, Hegseth had shared them in a 13-person Signal group chat that included his wife and brother. The White House insists that nothing Hegseth shared on Signal was classified. Hegseth earlier on Tuesday blamed "leakers" who no longer work at the Pentagon for the latest revelation about his use of Signal to discuss military information. "Once a leaker, always a leaker, often a leaker," Hegseth said on Fox News. "I don't have time for leakers, I don't have time for the hoax press that peddles old stories from disgruntled employees," he added. Hegseth also defended his communication on Signal, saying that "what was shared ... however you characterize it, was informal, unclassified coordinations, for media coordination and other things." The latest reporting comes about one month after initial revelations about Hegseth discussing details of pending military strikes in Yemen on a different Signal text thread that inadvertently included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of "The Atlantic." Trump has so far stood behind Hegseth amid the controversy, saying on Monday that he was "doing a great job." White House officials have also dismissed reports that they have started looking for a replacement for Hegseth. Wall Street is showing President Donald Trump that he doesn't need a big victory in trade negotiations to win investors over he just needs to create a path for cooler heads to prevail. Stocks rallied sharply on Tuesday, apparently boosted by news that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects de-escalation in the tariff standoff with China "in the very near future." The remarks came at a closed-door JPMorgan event in Washington, D.C., a person in the room told CNBC, and were first reported by Bloomberg News . Trump built his public persona in business and politics on the idea that he is a master negotiator. But now, facing the possibility of trade discussions with dozens of countries at once, Wall Street is hoping he finds a way to make quick agreements instead of playing hardball to win every single encounter. Bassam Nawfal, chief asset allocation strategist at Alpine Macro, deemed this approach the "art of the backpedal." "While it is futile to predict every twist in this high-stakes drama, a clearer picture of the path ahead is forming: as recession risks rise ... Trump may be looking to de-escalate and settle most trade disputes," Nawfal said in a note to clients on Tuesday. Implicit in the market reaction to Bessent's comments is an optimism that the administration won't really push for the sweeping changes to the global economy proposed by Trump and tariff hardliners like White House adviser Peter Navarro. Traders are betting that Trump will settle for something smaller and less disruptive. "'Investors are bearish but not short' has been the narrative of the week with a broad acknowledgment that an extended period of uncertainty will all but assure economic contraction, but most are unwilling to press recessionary trades for fear that this 'manufactured' downturn can be miraculously avoided in the 11th hour at the whim of President Trump," the Barclays sales and trading desk said in a note to institutional clients. To be sure, the exact details of any trade deal might have unforeseen impacts on the market or the economy, especially with apparently competing priorities among members of the president's team. But even a messy trade deal could be easier for the market to stomach than the full April 2 plan. David Waddell, chief investment strategist at Waddell & Associates, said that every "stutter-step" negotiated toward trade deals and away from the harshest tariffs is a positive for the market and the economy. "The reindustrialization story was bearish. The renegotiation story is somewhat bullish. It just needs the compliance of our trade partners," Waddell told CNBC. 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! "I believe it's clear for everyone that it's time to strengthen our eastern flank of NATO [in Europe] and the U.S.' presence is absolutely crucial," he added. "The U.S. is the strongest and most important ally of the European Union and Poland, this is why we buy a lot of military equipment here in the U.S., and why we value so much the presence of U.S. troops in Poland," Andrzej Domanski told CNBC on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings in Washington. He highlighted defense and the purchasing of more U.S. military equipment as an area where further engagement could take place. The U.S. remains Europe's most important ally, Poland's finance minister told CNBC Tuesday, saying it was crucial for the bloc to find areas where it can increase trade and cooperation. Defense is one domain where the EU could meet the dual needs of rebalancing trade with the U.S. and of increasing spending in line with the current NATO requirements. Both matters are perennial bugbears for President Trump when it comes to European allies, with whom relations have been strained following his early-April announcement of trade tariffs of 20% on EU imports. A global market meltdown has since prompted the U.S. president to announce a 90-day pause on "reciprocal" tariffs above 10% barring those imposed on China although the moratorium ends in early July. In the interim, multiple countries, along with the EU as a whole, are trying to negotiate bilateral trade deals with the Trump administration. "We need to have a deal, that's crystal clear," Domanski told CNBC's Carolin Roth in Washington. "The U.S. and European Union are very strong trading partners and the U.S. is our most important ally and that's a fact, and this is why we need to find a good solution." He added, "We need to use these 80 days remaining very, very wisely and this is why the [European] Commission is working to find a good solution." Domanski said there were a number of areas where trade could increase, pointing to the EU potentially buying more U.S. military equipment and American natural gas. Poland has escaped much of Trump's wrath over European defense spending, given that Warsaw is looking to invest close to 5% of its GDP on security this year and has repeatedly called on allies to up their own contributions in the arena. NATO estimates suggest that Poland spent 4.12% of its GDP on defense in 2024, while the U.S. made an expenditure of 3.38% of its economic output over the period. "We are asking our European friends to do the same, to increase their defense spending," Domanski told CNBC. "It's not easy, we know budgets are tight and some countries face fiscal challenges, but some action is really, really needed." A truck at the Tan Vu Terminal, operated by Vietnam Maritime Corp., at Haiphong Port in Haiphong, Vietnam, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. Vietnam's trade ministry has issued a directive to crack down on illegal transshipment of goods to the United States and other trading partners as it tries to avoid steep U.S. tariffs, according to a document reviewed by Reuters. The ministry, in the directive which was dated and effective April 15, said trade fraud was likely to increase amid growing tension caused by U.S. tariffs. That in turn would make it "more complicated to avoid sanctions that countries will apply to imported goods" if fraud is not prevented, it said. The directive did not specifically name any countries where transshipment fraud might originate. However, Vietnam imports nearly 40% of its goods from China and Washington has openly accused Beijing of using the Southeast Asian nation as a transhipment hub to dodge U.S. duties. Vietnam has been slapped by the Trump administration with 46% "reciprocal" tariffs, currently paused until July, which, if applied, could seriously undermine a growth model that relies on exports to the United States and large investments in the country by foreign manufacturers. Under the directive, officials at the trade ministry, customs and other agencies are told to strengthen supervision and inspection on imported goods to establish their origin, "especially imported raw materials used for production and export". New stricter procedures are to be implemented to inspect factories and supervise the release of "Made in Vietnam" labels, "especially for enterprises with a sudden increase in the number of applications for certificates of origin," the Vietnamese trade ministry's document said. It instructs officials to propose, when needed, "specific measures to prevent illegal transhipment". The directive was issued after an emergency meeting held by Vietnam's government office early in April, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the duties. Teddi Mellencamp has sent Katherine Ryan some voice notes after she went public with her second skin cancer diagnosis. Katherine Ryan has received supportive voice notes from Teddi Mellencamp in the wake of her second skin cancer diagnosis Teddi, 43, has stage four melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer, that has spread to her brain and lungs, and after 'Canada's Got Talent' judge Katherine revealed in March 2025 that she had been diagnosed again with the type of skin cancer after being concerned about a mole on her arm, Teddi reached out to support her. Katherine - who admitted she "wouldn't have got checked if it wasn't for Teddi" - told Heat magazine: "She's sent me some voice notes. "She [Teddi] has such a positive attitude about it. "She's young and beautiful and has small kids, and she's in a real serious battle now, so I'm just really glad I found it. "But I was sat in the waiting room and just thought, 'In two minutes, I could find out that I have liver cancer.' "I don't have anxiety but, in that minute, I was all alone, and I was like, 'Maybe my husband should be here.' "Luckily, the scan was fine, but I think that does stop people from confronting their health because they don't want to receive bad news. "But, I'd rather receive bad news than just drop dead one day." After spotting the mole, Katherine visited a private clinic in South Kensington, London, to get it checked out by a doctor - who initially gave her the all-clear. However, after feeling unsatisfied with the result, she went back to get tested again, and was informed the mole was early stage melanoma and had it removed. Katherine - who had a stage two melanoma in her 20s which was diagnosed after she found an irregular mole on her leg - said: "I hope it didn't hurt the doctor's feelings. "In fairness, it really didn't look like melanoma, but thank God I knew it wasn't fine. "I think it's important to be really transparent, so that other people can get checked and know what treatment is available to them. "I wouldn't have got checked if it wasn't for Teddi Mellencamp from 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'. Katherine added that her diagnosis forced her "to think about my mortality" because of how fast it moves around the body, and that she has lost people in her family "who didn't get a mole checked". Speaking of her reaction after receiving the second diagnosis, she thought: "At first, I was like, 'Oh, that's fine,' because I've had melanoma before. "And then I started thinking, 'What if it's in other places that I don't know about?' "It does move fast - it's not just a regular skin cancer - and it did force me to think about my mortality. "There are people in my family who didn't get a mole checked, and then they died, so now I am really prioritising it. "I've gone for so many checks and ultrasounds. "I have to have an MRI, just to really make sure it's not hiding anywhere." Climate activists hold a protest at the Charging Bull statue in Bowling Green near the New York Stock Exchange on April 22, 2025. Wall Street's iconic Charging Bull statue on Tuesday was vandalized by a group of environmental activists who sprayed the bronze sculpture with neon green paint. The group, called Extinction Rebellion, painted the words "Greed=Death" on the body of the bull, the symbol of a surging stock market that is located in Bowling Green park near the New York Stock Exchange. Tuesday marks the 56th annual "Earth Day," first observed in 1970. "Good morning from the resistance. We came to Wall Street to call out the bulls---," the activist group said on social media site X. "Bulls--- told by the 1% who gamble with our futures. Bulls-- to bailouts for those who wrecked our economy." One protester, who climbed up and sat on the neck of the bull, was told to dismount by a New York City police officer. Later Tuesday, the group of activists cleaned the green paint off the bull after their demonstration. The sculpture, made by Arturo Di Modica, a Sicilian immigrant to New York, was originally installed in front of the stock exchange in 1989, but was later moved a couple of blocks south to its current location, according to the city's Department of Parks and Recreation. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon smiles during the signing event for an executive order to shut down the Department of Education next to U.S. President Donald Trump, in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 20, 2025. Carlos Barria | Reuters In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon explained the U.S. Department of Education's decision to restart collections on federal student loans that are in default and what comes next for Federal student loan borrowers who are behind on their bills. "On May 5, we will begin the process of moving roughly 1.8 million borrowers into repayment plans and restart collections of loans in default," McMahon wrote in the op-ed Monday. "Borrowers who don't make payments on time will see their credit scores go down, and in some cases their wages automatically garnished," McMahon wrote. Next steps for borrowers Federal student loan borrowers in default will receive an e-mail over the next two weeks making them aware of this new policy, the Education Department said. These borrowers should contact the government's Default Resolution Group to make a monthly payment, enroll in an income-driven repayment plan, or sign up for loan rehabilitation. The Education Department said it is extending the Federal Student Aid call-center operations with weekend hours as well updating a "loan simulator" to help borrowers calculate their repayment plans. There is also an artificial intelligence assistant, dubbed Aidan, to help with a financial strategy. "We are committed to ensuring that borrowers are paying back their loans, that they are fully supported in doing so, and that colleges can't create such a massive liability for students and their families, jeopardizing their ability to achieve the American dream," McMahon wrote. Those borrowers who are behind in their required payments should avoid being placed in default by taking advantage of various options currently available to them to manage their education loans, advised Kalman Chany, a financial aid consultant and author of The Princeton Review's "Paying for College." "Be proactive," he said. "Best to take care of this as soon as possible, as the loan servicers' and the U.S. Department of Education's customer support will get busier the closer it gets to May 5." Investors will get several earnings reports from megacap companies this season that could leave a lot to be desired. Tesla is set to report after the close on Tuesday, while Google parent Alphabet's figures are slated for release Thursday. Microsoft's and Apple's reports are due next week, along with Amazon . Megacap names have driven S & P 500 earnings growth in recent years, as enthusiasm around artificial intelligence drove their bottom lines. This season, however, results from these companies could be lackluster. "Digging a little deeper, it's worth noting that the rate of upward revisions no longer favors the top 10 market cap names relative to the rest of the S & P 500, suggesting that there has been some significant erosion of the earnings case for the mega cap growth names," wrote Lori Calvasina, head of U.S. equity strategy at RBC Capital Markets. Earnings trouble for megacaps could not have come at a worse time for U.S. markets. The S & P 500 is down 9% since April 2, when President Donald Trump announced a slew of hefty tariffs on imported products. Many of those levies were later halted for 90 days, but goods from China were not part of those. .SPX mountain 2025-04-01 S & P 500 in April On top of that, Trump has ramped up attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell . The president said Powell was a "major loser" in a Truth Social post Monday that called for the central bank chief to lower rates immediately. This raised questions among investors worldwide about whether the Fed can remain independent. Calvasina also pointed to another problem with earnings: Revisions are falling for companies outside of megacaps. "The return of downward revisions has been fairly broadbased. No sector within the S & P 500 has been seeing upward revisions to both EPS and sales forecasts recently," she said. Bottom line: It could be a tough earnings season, particularly for megacap companies. Elsewhere Tuesday morning on Wall Street, Bernstein downgraded eBay to market perform from outperform, citing tariff pressures. "China-sourced inventory has been a core area of growth (e.g., Motor P & A), and the channel could see disruption until tariff policies get finalized. Offsets would be alternative sellers and secondhand [gross merchandise volume] that may accelerate, but EBAY's category mix broadly skews discretionary," analyst Nikhil Devnani wrote to clients Tuesday. "Too many moving parts, which makes us less comfortable with an active call." 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! Saif Ali Khan has bought a new property at The St Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl, Doha, Qatar. The actors luxury purchase comes just three months after his knife attack incident.On January 16, an intruder allegedly attempted a robbery at Saif Ali Khan s Bandra residence. During the confrontation, the actor was stabbed, resulting in serious injuries. He was rushed to the Lilavati Hospital, where he was treated for five days. Saif was discharged on January 21.At a press event hosted by Alfardan Group, Saif Ali Khan opened up about his island property. He said, Think of a holiday home or a second home. There are a few things I think of. One is that its not very far away and easily accessible. And then the other thing is, the most important thing is that its very safe and feels very good to be there. The concept of an island within an island is also very luxurious and beautiful, and its just a really lovely place to live.The actor added, The feeling you get when youre there is the important thing, and the views, and the food, and the kind of lifestyle, and the pace of living, and these are a few of the things that led to my decision.Saif Ali Khan revealed that the new property was a home away from home. I had gone there to do some work, and I was shooting for something, and I stayed at the property, and I thought it was amazing, and there was something about the mixture of privacy and luxury that I really liked, he said.Additionally, Saif Ali Khan heaped praise on the quality of food and the vibrant menu. It felt like home away from home, so that made it very easy. The main thing really is that it's peaceful and secluded if that's the kind of thing you are looking for, he confessed.Saif admitted that he was keen to bring his family, especially his kids Taimur and Jeh, to the property.Workwise, Saif Ali Khan will next be seen in Netflixs Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins. The film, directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, also features Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor, and Nikita Dutta in crucial roles. The movie will premiere on April 25. In light of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia. Government sources confirmed to CNBC-TV18 that PM Modi will skip the official dinner hosted by the Saudi government and will depart for India tonight.Originally scheduled to return tomorrow night, the Prime Minister is now expected to arrive in India early Wednesday morning. Despite this, bilateral engagements with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are progressing as planned.A press briefing is scheduled for 9:15 pm local time, where further details will be shared.Earlier, PM Modi strongly condemned the terror attack and said those behind the "heinous act" will be brought to justice."I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," he said in a social media post on X."Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger," he said.Terrorists opened fire at a popular meadow near Pahalgam town in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in the deadliest attack in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike.The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist group. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Doval had earlier visited the Royal Palace to brief the Saudi leadership on the sudden shift in plans, PTI quoted sources as saying.PM Modis planned itinerary, which included a visit to a date factory in Jeddah on Wednesday to meet Indian workers, was cancelled. Shares of solar energy equipment manufacturing company Premier Energies Ltd. and Waaree Energies Ltd. gained as much as 6% on Tuesday, April 22, after the US imposed anti-dumping duty on imports of solar equipment from four southeast Asian countries.The US on Monday imposed new duties as high as 3,521% on imports from Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, after a probe that began during former President Joe Biden's tenure. The investigation was sought by US-based solar manufacturers.These levies will be in addition to the new widespread tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump that have upended global supply chain and markets.The antidumping and countervailing duties, as they are known, are designed to offset the value of alleged unfair subsidization and pricing, as calculated by the Commerce Department.Countrywide duties were set as high as 3,521% for Cambodia, reflecting the countrys decision to stop participating in the investigation, according to the Commerce Department.Companies not named in Vietnam face duties of as much as 395.9% with Thailand set at 375.2%. Country-wide rates for Malaysia were posted at 34.4%. Jinko Solar was assessed duties of about 245% for exports from Vietnam and 40% for exports from Malaysia. Trina Solar in Thailand faces levies of 375% and more than 200% from Vietnam. JA Solar modules from Vietnam could be assessed at about 120%.The US imported $12.9 billion in solar equipment last year from the four countries that would be subject to the new duties, according to BloombergNEF. That represents about 77% of total module imports.Shares of Premier Energies are trading 6.3% higher on Tuesday at 1,073. The stock still remains below its post-listing high of 1,388 and has gained nearly 10% over the last one month.Shares of Waaree Energies are trading 5.2% higher on Tuesday at 2,572.2, but is significantly below its post-listing high of 3,743 and is still down 15% so far this year. Alphabet Inc is preparing to move a portion of its Google Pixel smartphone production from Vietnam to India, as it seeks to cushion potential tariff risks linked to ongoing US trade measures, the Economic Times reported. The shift, which will initially focus on devices bound for the United States, is being discussed with Indian contract manufacturers Dixon Technologies and Foxconn, according to two senior industry executives who spoke to ET. According to the ET report, talks between Alphabet and the manufacturers began around two weeks ago. The move is part of a broader strategy by the tech giant to reduce its supply chain exposure, as the US contemplates higher tariffs on imports from Vietnam, where the bulk of Pixel phones are currently made. ET further reported that Alphabet has also outlined plans to localise several components within India, including enclosures, fingerprint sensors, chargers and batteriesparts that are mostly imported for Pixel phones assembled in India at present. US President Donald Trump had announced a 46% tariff on Vietnam, compared to 26% on India. Trump paused the reciprocal tariffs by 90 days on April 9, although the 10% baseline tariff remained in place. China, meanwhile, remains excluded from this deferment and faces the steepest tariff of 145%. India and the US are in talks to conclude the first phase of a trade agreement by September or October, aiming to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, from $190 billion. Such a pact is expected to boost Indias position as a preferred export base for US-bound electronics and technology goods. Foxconn and Dixon are currently producing around 43,000 to 45,000 Pixel units per month in India for the domestic market. Foxconn, which began production last August at its Tamil Nadu facility, focuses on older models. Dixon, which started production in December at its Noida plant in partnership with Taiwans Compal Electronics, handles most of the newer models and accounts for 65-70% of local Pixel output. Originally, Alphabet had planned to scale up Pixel manufacturing in India over the next two to three years. However, the changing tariff landscape has accelerated those plans. Pixel smartphones are currently produced across Vietnam, China, and India. Thailand, which is seeking a reprieve from Trump administrations plan to levy a 36% tariff on its goods, said ministerial level talks previously scheduled for this week have been delayed. The schedule for talks has been adjusted, and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, whos Thailands lead negotiator, will give more details on Tuesday, government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said. He didnt give any reasons for rescheduling the talks originally set for Wednesday. Pichai also didnt travel to Seattle last week to meet with American businessmen as previously announced. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan, who is also part of the negotiation team, said the government was hopeful of a good outcome whenever the negotiations are held as the two countries have a good and longstanding bilateral relations. Thailand is among the Southeast Asian countries facing the highest import levy rates after its trade surplus with the US more than doubled to about $46 billion last year, from about $17 billion at the beginning of Donald Trumps first term. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatras administration has said the higher-than-expected levy on its shipments to the US Thailands largest export market could shave off at least one percentage point of its growth this year if its not negotiated down. Thailand has offered to step up imports of US commodities like corn, natural gas and ethane, besides reducing import duties and removing non-tariff barriers to secure a deal. It has also pledged stricter inspection of goods shipped to the US to prevent counterfeiting by third countries to dodge the high tariffs facing them. Leonardo DiCaprio has hailed the late Pope Francis as "one of the most extraordinary spiritual leaders of our time". Leonardo DiCaprio hails late Pope Francis as ' extraordinary spiritual leader of our time' The 50-year-old actor and environmentalist took to social media to pay tribute to the pontiff - whose birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio - after he passed away on Easter Monday (21.04.25) aged 88, following a stroke and heart failure. Leonardo wrote on Instagram: "Pope Francis was a transformational leader - not only for the Catholic Church, but also for environmental reform and activism. "He demonstrated a deep and unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, most notably through his groundbreaking 2015 encyclical Laudato Si. This powerful document served as a clarion call for a fundamental shift in how we relate to the planet. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life, Pope Francis urged individuals, communities, institutions, and world leaders to unite in caring for our common home. His words helped catalyze momentum ahead of the global 2015 COP21 conference, ultimately contributing to the formation of the Paris Agreement. (sic)" The 'Revenant' actor recalled an "enlightening, deeply moving and thought provoking" meeting he had with Pope Francis prior to filming his 2016 climate change documentary 'Before the Flood'. He added: "During the filming of my documentary Before the Flood in 2016, I had the honor of sitting down with Pope Francis for a conversation on the urgent need to address climate change. That experience was enlightening, deeply moving and thought provoking. In 2023, Pope Francis expanded upon Laudato Si with the publication of Laudate Deum: Apostolic Exhortation on the Climate Crisis. In it, he renewed his call for immediate and decisive climate action, reminding us that we are part of Nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it, and that we must not view the world from the outside, but from within. Pope Francis was one of the most extraordinary spiritual leaders of our time. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of environmentalists around the world. May he rest in peace. (sic)" Pope Francis was recently battling double pneumonia and bronchitis. The date of his funeral - which will be followed by a nine-day official mourning period - will be decided by cardinals on Tuesday (22.04.25), though it must take place between four and six days after his passing. Pamela Anderson is set to return to the stage in a revival of Tennessee Williams' 'Camino Real'. Pamela Anderson to return to stage in Tennessee Williams' Camino Real The 57-year-old star - who last appeared on a stage playing Roxie Hart in 'Chicago' on Broadway in 2022 - is set to return to the stage in the production at The Williamstown Theatre Festival in in Williamstown, Massachusetts in the USA, playing the role of Marguerite. The actress will be joined by Nicholas Alexander Chavez - who rose to fame for his role in Netflix's 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' - and 'Hocus Pocus 2' star Whitney Peak while Dustin Wills will be directing the play and Pamela will also be performing alongside an ensemble of 15 actors. The festival - where the play will be performed - is taking place from 17 July to 3 August and the play will be available to watch on the first three weekends of the event. The play follows an American sailor named Kilroy as he finds his way around an odd, surreal town called 'Camino Real' and the characters and historical figures he meets. Nicolas is playing the role of Kilroy. Previously, Pamela said that she hopes 'The Last Showgirl' leads to a new chapter in her life. The 'Baywatch' star has won critical acclaim for her latest role in the Gia Coppola-directed drama, and Pamela expressed that she wants to take on more difficult parts going forward. During an appearance on 'The Graham Norton Show', she explained: "There are lots of things in the works, so I am deciding what I want to do next. "I want challenging roles, I want to transform and see what I am made of. I feel like I have only just scratched the surface." 'The Last Showgirl' tells the story of veteran Las Vegas dancer Shelly Gardner (played by Pamela) who is left facing an uncertain future as her 30-year show suddenly shuts down. During the TV appearance, Pamela revealed she was busy "making pickles" when she was given the film's script and she signed up because she felt that she had "so much more to give" in her career. She said: "I was making pickles and writing a cookbook and making my life beautiful no matter what, but I had this kind of sadness thinking I had so much more to give. "So, when the script arrived I thought, I am going to grab this part by the throat and do it ... I am enjoying the moment it has been very exciting doing a movie at this stage of my life and its really wonderful." China key to avoid global economic downturn from U.S. tariffs: Australian entrepreneur Xinhua) 13:24, April 22, 2025 SYDNEY, April 21 (Xinhua) -- When the U.S. trade war weighs on the global economy, China's efforts to ramp up domestic consumption will relieve the world from a dim economic outlook, said a leading Australian entrepreneur. Mike Henry, CEO of Australia's mining giant BHP, predicted that the U.S.-staged trade war will harm the global economy, but China will be the key to avoiding a global economic downturn. Despite the limited direct impact of U.S. tariffs on the BHP, the implication of slower economic growth and a fragmented trading environment could be more significant, Henry said in the company's operational review for the nine months ended March 31, 2025, which was published on April 17. "China's ability to shift toward a consumption-led economy and for trade flows to adapt to the new environment will be key to sustaining the global outlook," he said. The BHP remains confident that the growing Chinese manufacturing sector, particularly for electric vehicles and machinery, will replace any lost demand from any other sector, said the chief executive officer. North American customers provided barely 3 percent of the BHP's total revenues last year, meaning the direct impact of U.S. tariffs will not be significant for the company, according to a latest report by the Australian Financial Review. However, the U.S. tariff policy may slow down the demand for mineral resources in other economies, the report said. China is the BHP's biggest source of revenues, providing 34.7 billion of the 55.6 billion U.S. dollars of revenues generated in the year to June 2024, it added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Pope Francis' funeral will take place on Saturday 26 April. Pope Francis' funeral will take place on Saturday 26 April The pontiff - whose birth name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio - passed away on Easter Monday (21.04.25) at the age of 88 and just over 24 hours later, the Vatican confirmed in a statement that he will be laid to rest this weekend. The service will take place outdoors in front of St Peter's Basilica at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST) and will be led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re. Francis will become the first Pope in more than half a century to not be buried in the crypt of St Peter's Basilica within nthe Vatican, in accordance with his wishes, and will instead be laid to rest in Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major. Since the announcement was made, the Vatican has released images of Pope Francis in an open casket dressed in red robes in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, which served as his home during his 12-year papacy. Shortly before the news of his funeral date was confirmed, Cardinal Vincent Nichols - who is currently the most senior member of the Catholic Church in the UK Speaking on BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme: "He spoke with those on the margins of society. He said if you want to know how successful your economy is, go and speak with an unemployed person. "This voice, filled with compassion and mercy and righteous indignation, is now silent." The Pope died after recently battling double pneumonia and bronchitis but the Vatican confirmed last night that his official cause of death, which was determined through an ECG test. The statement noted the pope also suffered from multiple bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Francis' final testament, which has been released by the Vatican, stated he wished to break with tradition and be buried in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major and "without particular decoration", and that his resting place bore the inscription Franciscus, his papal name in Latin. He had written: "As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial. "Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the Resurrection - in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. "I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.# "I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan. "The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus. "The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica. "May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples." Many previous popes have been buried at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Andor, the Star Wars show that doesnt feature an adorable, breakfast cereal-friendly alien toddler, returns for its second season this week. But the acclaimed series wouldnt exist without the 2016 prequel Rogue One, which first introduced audiences to Rebel hero Cassian Andor. Oddly enough, a key character in that movie was only made possible thanks to a 41-year-old comedy that featured both an underwater bar fight and Academy Award winner Omar Sharif picking up a pile of dog shit: Top Secret!. Don't Miss Set shortly before the events of the first Star Wars movie, Rogue One opted to bring back the villainous Imperial leader Grand Moff Tarkin, played by Peter Cushing. Instead of simply hiring another actor to play the role, Lucasfilm opted to use state-of-the-art computer technology to recreate the late Cushings face on top of another performers body, arguably giving Tarkin more of a taxidermied video game NPC vibe, and eventually triggering a lawsuit from one of Cushings friends and collaborators. While the fake Tarkin head was obviously CGI, the visual effects team was able to create this digital replica thanks in large part to a mold of Cushings face, which was made in order to pull off just one brief joke in Top Secret!. Advertisement Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams and David Zuckers follow-up to Airplane! cast Cushing as a backwards-talking Swedish bookstore proprietor. When hes first introduced, the character is seen holding a magnifying glass to his eye, making it appear huge. But when he lowers the magnifying glass, we see that his eye isnt actually magnified at all, its just a bizarrely huge eyeball protruding from his head. This terrific sight gag required creating a prosthetic eyeball for Cushing to wear, and that process involved making a lifecast of the actor. This was done by late movie makeup legend Stuart Freeborn, who also worked on Superman, Dr. Strangelove and every installment of the original Star Wars trilogy. Advertisement According to film prop restorer Tom Spina, he acquired a number of items from Freeborns collection back in 2004, including the plaster lifecast of Cushing. Advertisement A decade later, Industrial Light & Magics John Knoll asked Lucasfilms Pablo Hidalgo, a friend of Spinas, if he knew where they could find a cast of Cushings face for their work on Rogue One. I know just the guy, Hidalgo responded. So Spinas company created a resin duplicate of the lifecast for ILM to scan and use, even though they were never informed about the nature of the project. Advertisement In retrospect, its pretty funny that the makeup artist who helped create Chewbacca, Yoda and Jabba the Hutt was able to contribute to a new Star Wars movie after his death but only because he once took a job working for the Kentucky Fried Movie guys. Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz says hes going through a NASCAR streak of the worst kind. Ive had bad luck for almost two years straight, he told racing journalist Peter Stratta after finishing out of the running in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina. Our goal is always top 20, Muniz told Stratta, a goal he hasnt reached since mid-February when he finished 10th at Daytona. He struggled with car problems in his latest race. My power steering line burst, so I lost power steering, Muniz explained. Turning the wheel was the hardest thing Ive ever done, so difficult that I ripped a hole in my hand. Don't Miss The latest malfunction had him feeling like he was oddly cursed or something, although he doesnt blame his team. I really love them, Muniz said. Theyre sticking with me, and I hope the fans do, too. I hope they dont turn on me. It sounds like a case of the normal ups and downs of a NASCAR driver, but Muniz is taking it hard, according to a recent post on X, per People. If Im being 100% honest... Mentally/emotionally I may be at a new low, he posted. Just wanted to say it out loud. Maybe hes not getting the support he needs from his fam? How many times can I say, Wow, I got bad luck, he confessed to Stratta. His wife, Paige Muniz, offered an alternative explanation: Maybe its you, like, maybe youre just not good. Advertisement Harsh, although Muniz suggested she was joking, calling his spouse super-supportive. Muniz is fighting not only his high expectations for himself but also his perception of how racing fans must look at him. I think at first, maybe people thought racing was like a hobby, he told People. Then to have an actor jump in, it probably is a little odd. I get that. But you earn respect or the recognition as a driver and not just as an actor when youre out there competing and beating them, right? Thats what Im trying to do. Could the Malcolm in the Middle reboot have something to do with the slump? While Muniz has focused on his NASCAR career in recent years, the sitcom revival has necessarily divided his attention. Just last month, he tweeted about his preparation for the project: Just started watching Malcolm in the Middle episode 1. Got 151 to catch up on before we start filming again in a few days!!! Cant wait to get back together with my old family. Between watching old episodes and filming new ones, Muniz might be cursed not by bad luck but divided attention. As hard as it may be to believe today, The Simpsons was considered quite edgy when it first premiered in 1989 so much so that some schools famously banned students from wearing T-shirts that depicted Bart Simpson casually using the H-word or dropping bovine-based slang terms. But while it may have rattled conservative viewers at the time, The Simpsons specifically the character of Bart was directly inspired by perhaps the squeaky-cleanest sitcom of all-time: Leave It to Beaver. Don't Miss Apart from Ward and June Cleavers regrettably suggestive nickname for their youngest child, Leave It to Beaver was a family friendly, highly sanitized view of 1950s American life in the suburbs. The show had to battle tooth and nail with network censors just to show a toilet on screen. And it was only for a shot of an alligator in the bowl, it wasnt like Wally dropped a deuce or anything. Simpsons creator Matt Groening has often cited the classic sitcoms he grew up with as key influences on the show. For example, Father Knows Best literally took place in a town named Springfield. But the original Springfield presumably had no perpetually burning tire fires or escalators to nowhere. Advertisement When he first watched Leave It to Beaver, Groening was reportedly less interested in the two Cleaver brothers than he was in Wallys piece of shit best friend Eddie Haskell. Eddie was annoying, cruel, unscrupulous and probably would have become Mayfields first serial killer if the show hadnt ended. In an interview for the 1999 TV documentary Influences: From Yesterday to Today, per MeTV, Groening recalled that, as a child, he was disappointed by the TV version of Dennis the Menace. Despite the title, Groening found the alleged menace to be very, very mild. And while Beaver Cleaver was kind of a wimp, Groening recalled that the character I really liked on Leave It to Beaver was Eddie Haskell. Advertisement He was the bad kid. He got away with stuff, and I really liked that, Groening explained. I thought, Eddie Haskell should have his own show. And when I grow up, Im gonna do my own show, and its gonna star Eddie Haskell, or a version thereof. Hence Bart Simpson. Advertisement Oddly enough, the character of Eddie Haskell shares another Simpsons connection: He was very nearly played by future cast member Harry Shearer. As a child actor, Shearer actually landed the role of Haskell for the Leave It to Beaver pilot. But when the show was picked up, Shearers parents didnt want to pull him out of public school, forcing the producers to recast the part with actor Ken Osmond. Advertisement Maybe in some alternate timeline Shearer played Eddie Haskell and Osmond voiced Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns and Hugh Jass. STORY LINK Pound to Euro Rate Firms at 1.163 as EUR/USD Consolidates Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: A EUR/USD consolidation has seen the Pound Sterling remain largely steady against the Euro on Tuesday as markets continued to digest the impact of US President Donald Trumps global tariff measures.The Pound Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate was trading at around 1.1637, roughly unchanged from Tuesdays opening levels.The Pound (GBP) held its ground against most major currencies on Tuesday as trading resumed in Europe following the Easter break.Sterlings stability was largely underpinned by a weakening US Dollar (USD) and renewed hopes for UKUS trade discussions.UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to advocate for global free trade at the upcoming IMF meetings in Washington, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues his efforts to secure a trade deal with Donald Trump.Despite these supportive factors, GBP gains were capped as markets looked ahead to a speech from Bank of England (BoE) Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden. Any indication from Breeden that a slowdown in global growth might prompt the BoE to ease monetary policy could weigh on the Pound.The Euro (EUR) saw limited demand on Tuesday, slipping against several major peers, despite weakness in the US Dollar with which it typically shares an inverse relationship.Investor sentiment towards the single currency remained subdued, likely weighed down by remarks made by European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde ahead of the Easter weekend.After delivering a widely expected 25 basis-point rate cut, Lagarde warned that US tariffs could hinder economic growth across the Eurozone, a concern that appeared to linger and put pressure on the Euro as markets reopened on Tuesday.Looking forward to Wednesday, movement in the Pound Euro exchange rate is expected to be largely influenced by the latest PMI figures from both the UK and the Eurozone.In the UK, early estimates for services and manufacturing PMIs are projected to show a decline. If confirmed, this could place pressure on the Pound and dampen investor confidence.Meanwhile, the Eurozones PMI figures are also expected to soften.If the data meets expectations, the Euro could face similar headwinds as markets digest signs of slowing economic momentum across the region.Stay one step ahead. Open a free TorFX account to receive the latest currency news direct to your inbox. Set up rate alerts and track live exchange rates around the clock. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound Euro Forecasts 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. We should be willing to contribute to the defence of our European allies. But we should in no circumstances pay for the privilege. On the contrary, the EU should be asking what it can do for us in return. A row has been bubbling on for months about whether British defence companies will be allowed to bid for contracts from a new EU 150 billion fund. Brussels argues that, if it wants access, Britain must sign a defence and security pact with the EU. But to sign such a pact, we must first agree to give European (in this instance, largely French) vessels access to our fishing waters. The EU, in other words, is acting as though it is bestowing a favour rather than asking for one. Let's spell something out. We are not directly threatened by Russian troops. Yes, Vladimir Putin is a dangerous tyrant who has inflicted unspeakable cruelties both on Russian dissidents and on Ukrainians. He has ordered murders on British soil, violated our airspace and almost certainly sanctioned cyber-attacks against us. But there is no realistic scenario where Russian soldiers will be massed in anger across the Channel. A common European defence, from a British point of view, will thus be like the Common Fisheries Policy. For reasons of geography, we will always be putting in a lot more than we take out. Now, there are perfectly good arguments for deploying British forces to defend Poland or Finland. These countries are our friends. And, in any case, we should prefer a world where borders are not altered by force, and where democracies prevail over dictatorships. A row has been bubbling on for months about whether British defence companies will be allowed to bid for contracts from a new EU 150 billion fund Brussels argues that, if it wants access, Britain must sign a defence and security pact with the EU. But to sign such a pact, we must first agree to give European (in this instance, largely French) vessels access to our fishing waters 'I'm learning,' said the EU's foreign minister, Kaja Kallas (pictured), a couple of weeks ago, 'that fish to the French are very important' But we should not imagine that we will be calling, in return, for Polish or Finnish troops to defend our islands. 'Obviously EU taxpayers' money cannot go simply into British companies,' said Germany's UK ambassador, Miguel Berger, last month. It was a telling statement, and a reminder of the protectionism that drove many of us to vote Leave. British taxpayers' money goes to EU companies all the time, and rightly so when those companies make the most competitive bid. But, never mind all that. The EU lets Norwegian, Albanian, Japanese and South Korean companies bid for contracts from that fund. It does so not as an act of charity, but because it wants the best kit with which to defend itself. Why, then, exclude the European country with the strongest Armed Forces and best arms manufacturers? Why push away one of only two nuclear powers in the region at precisely the moment when Europe is feeling the pressure of Russian nuclear blackmail? Partly because there is still a lingering resentment of the 2016 Brexit vote, a desire to rub Britain's nose in it, however much doing so damages the EU. Mainly, though, because France wants continued access to the richest fishing grounds in the region. Incredibly, this pettiness prevails even at the height of Putinite revanchism to the undisguised alarm of some of the EU's more easterly members. Vladimir Putin is a dangerous tyrant who has inflicted unspeakable cruelties both on Russian dissidents and on Ukrainians Russia guided aerial bombs towards the residential neighbourhood of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, yesterday. A 69-year-old woman was killed and 26 others injured 'I'm learning,' said the EU's foreign minister, Kaja Kallas, a couple of weeks ago, 'that fish to the French are very important.' Ms Kallas was previously the prime minister of Estonia, where Britain has a full brigade on standby in the event of further Russian aggression. 'I think the UK is a very important defence and security partner, it's the most logical defence and security partner that we have and it is a beneficial relationship for both sides,' she added in a different interview. Ms Kallas knows that Estonia was the scene of the only direct clash between British forces and the Red Army, when the Royal Navy intervened against Bolsheviks at the end of the First World War. Eleven British seamen were buried in Estonia, their graves kept hidden and tended by local patriots throughout the long years of Soviet occupation. The Estonian Naval Jack is modelled on our own flag in recognition. Given the immediacy of the threat to her homeland, Ms Kallas is incredulous at the idea of pushing Britain away over a row about fishing quotas. Yet it seems that Sir Keir Starmer is prepared to give the EU what it wants, namely a continuation of its existing access rights which, while around 75 per cent of what they were when we were EU members, are still a great deal more than we are under any moral or legal obligation to concede. The argument that one hears from Labour apologists, off the record, is that fishing is a much smaller industry than defence. Well, yes, but it would be a far bigger industry if we exercised our full rights out to 200 miles or the median line, as allowed under maritime law. The argument that one hears from Labour apologists, off the record, is that fishing is a much smaller industry than defence Iceland exercises its full rights, and has become one of the richest countries in the world on the back of it precisely because it was determined not to join the EU. We could similarly revive Grimsby and other North Sea towns if we were prepared to treat our waters as the great renewable resource they used to be before 1973. In any case, we should not get too excited about that defence fund. When we look at the small print, we see that the plan is to 'raise up to 150 billion on the capital markets' between now and 2030, and then offer it to the member states as soft loans. Next to the standing national defence budgets, this is not a huge sum. But the real point is that we should not sacrifice our fishermen for the sake of being allowed to do the EU a favour. For decades, we have placed our Armed Forces at the disposal of our European allies and received nothing in return. I am not suggesting that we should go full Trump and demand resources in return. But I think a little recognition might be in order. Many of our deployments are unnoticed. Most people are aware that we are supporting Estonia. But how many people know that the RAF acts, in effect, as Romania's air force, responding when Russia buzzes its airspace? During the Brexit disengagement talks, Jeremy Hunt, then the foreign secretary, was astonished to find that these deployments did not translate into any tangible gratitude. Perhaps it is time to become a little more transactional. Yes, we have an interest in the stability and prosperity of Europe. Yes, we wish our allies well. Even without a fisheries concession, the question we should be asking is what the EU is prepared to put on the table in exchange for our participation, argues Daniel Hannan But it does not follow that we should reverse decades of British policy and join an EU-led defence pact. I can't help feeling that we are being played here. If the EU drops, or at least moderates, its demands on fisheries, that will then be portrayed as a victory, as though being allowed to join a defence pact is a great boon to us. But, in diplomatic parlance, we are not the 'demandeurs' here. In other words, we are not the ones asking for a concession. Even without a fisheries concession, the question we should be asking is what the EU is prepared to put on the table in exchange for our participation. I'd settle for a lifting of all goods checks in Northern Ireland. We don't need cash payments. We are allies, after all. Prince William will attend Pope Francis' funeral on behalf of the British royal family. Prince William will attend Pope Francis' funeral The Prince of Wales will represent his father King Charles as he joins religious leaders and dignitaries from around the world, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, at the service on Saturday (26.04.25) at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican following the pontiff's passing on Monday (21.04.25) morning. The king and his wife, Queen Camilla, held a private meeting with the pope just two weeks ago during their visit to Italy, with the appointment described by Buckingham Palace as a "very significant and special moment" and one of the highlights of their trip. There had originally been plans for a state visit to the Vatican but they were cancelled due to Francis' ongoing health issues at the time. In a sign of respect, flags have been flown half mast as royal residences in the UK and the king - who represented his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, at the 2005 funeral of Pope John Paul II when he was still Prince of Wales - wore a black tie to meetings in Windsor Castle on Tuesday (23.04.25). The funeral of the Pope must take place between four and six days after his death, and the Vatican confirmed on Tuesday morning it will take place on 26 April. The service will take place outdoors in front of St Peter's Basilica at 10:00 local time and will be led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re. Since the announcement was made, the Vatican has released images of Pope Francis in an open casket dressed in red robes in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, which served as his home during his 12-year papacy. Francis will become the first Pope in more than half a century to not be buried in the crypt of St Peter's Basilica within the Vatican, in accordance with his wishes, and will instead be laid to rest in Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major. Francis' final testament, which has been released by the Vatican, stated he wished to break with tradition and be buried in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major and "without particular decoration", and that his resting place bore the inscription Franciscus, his papal name in Latin. He had written: "As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial. "Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the Resurrection - in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. "I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.# "I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan. "The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus. "The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica. "May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples." A blind fashion stylist who was diagnosed with a rare eye condition as a teenager says she won't allow her disability to define her, saying you can still do 'anything you want in life'. Tilly Dowler, from Castle Donington, Derbyshire, was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a rare genetic eye condition that causes loss of central vision when she was 15 years old. Symptoms usually begin to develop before the age of 20 and although people with the condition will not lose their peripheral vision, many people will reach the point of severe sight loss, according to Moorfields Eye Hospital. 'They sat me down in a room and told me I was going to go blind. This would be hard to deal with at any age, but at 15 when my life hadnt really started yet, it was extremely difficult to comprehend,' Tilly told Vista, a sight charity based in Leicester. 'I had always dreamed of being a teacher and the future I had planned out came crashing down around me.' Tilly did not want to let her disability stop her from pursuing her dreams, so she started her teacher training course at university but had to stop when her eyesight deteriorated and she could no longer see the children's faces. She was made redundant during the Covid pandemic, which eventually led to her applying for a voluntary role at a charity shop, which is where she found her passion for pre-loved clothing. Despite her condition, ambitious Tilly strived to work in the fashion industry and eventually set up a shop, Wanted Wardrobe, with her friend Victoria Whittington-Parry in 2023, when she was 24. Tilly Dowler (left), from Castle Donington, Derbyshire, was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a rare genetic eye condition that causes loss of central vision when she was 15-year-old (pictured right, Victoria Whittington-Parry) Tilly - who calls herself the 'blind stylist' - says that at this stage of her disease, she still retains some sight 'When being told youre losing your sight and youre going to be blind one day, [it] is the scariest, loneliest feeling, but I believe that this feeling should only be temporary and once youve processed the realisation of it, yes, its scary, but you can still do anything you want to in life,' she told Vista. 'I am now registered blind, but still have some peripheral vision. I dont know how long this will last, but I am making the most out of each day and having a lot of fun along the way.' The business donates 10 per cent of its profits to charities that support people with eyesight difficulties. Now, Tilly, 26, and Victoria, 38, have launched a personalised colour analysis service at their pre-loved clothing store. She said: 'How can I figure out what shades flatter individual skin tones with my sight condition? Victoria and I are a tremendous team and won't let anything set us back.' Tilly - who calls herself 'the blind stylist' - says that at this stage of her disease, she still retains some sight. She has limited distance vision and can only see outlines and shadows of people, however, she has maintained being able to see colour at close range. And with help from Victoria, Tilly is able to achieve her dream of empowering people through her love of clothing. Despite her condition, ambitious Tilly (left) strived to work in the fashion industry and eventually set up a shop, Wanted Wardrobe, with her friend Victoria Whittington-Parry (right) in 2023 when she was 24 What is Stargardt disease? Stargardt disease is a rare inherited condition affecting one in 8,000 to 10,000 people. Symptoms of the condition typically develop before the age of 20 and include: A loss of detailed vision and colour perception Wavy vision Blind spots Blurriness Difficulty adapting to low light levels Whilst people with Stargardts do not lose their peripheral (side) vision, many people will reach the point of severe vision loss. The most common cause of this condition is genetic. Source: Moorfields Eye Hospital Advertisement Speaking about her condition to Staffordshire Live, Tilly said: 'I first got diagnosed when I was doing my GCSEs. It wasn't too bad then - I just needed larger print and to sit closer to the whiteboards. 'But now it's got to the point where I have to take the stairs really slowly. I've had it for such a long time, I've just adapted.' The colour analysis works by having a consultation with each client before Victoria - who has her full sight - drapes fabrics various colours around the client's shoulders and neck so that the colour reflects on their face. Photographs are then taken at each stage and passed over to Tilly who takes a closer look by zooming into them, checking the shades and best colour options based on the customer's eyes, hair and skin colour. Once she has finished analysing the colours, Tilly will then assign the client a 'colour season' and palette matched to harmonise with their natural tones. She said: 'Once you've put someone into their 'colour season' and have established their undertone - for instance, warm or cool tones, then it is possible to reveal a whole colour palette that can guide the client to the shades that accentuate their natural beauty. 'The right colours can brighten your complexion, make your eyes pop, and make you look younger.' Tilly and Victoria were able to take a three-day intensive colour analysis course in London to gain the skills they needed to office the service, which usually costs 75. The training was made possible thanks to a 4,700 Sir Thomas White Loan Charity grant which also helped Tilly and Victoria's business move to a new building on Borough Street in Castle Donington. Her disability has not stopped Tilly making headlines since opening her store in 2023 - as she has appeared on BBC's The One Show and run a charity event alongside ITV Dancing on Ice star and Paralympian, Libby Clegg MBE. One of the earliest conversations Shannon Crockett ever had with her husband Beau was about having a baby together. After trying to get pregnant for seven years with her ex-husband, Shannon was heartbroken - and knew she had to lay her cards on the table right at the beginning of her new relationship. 'When we got together in 2020, I told Beau my situation, and that my goal was to have a baby,' Shannon tells Daily Mail Australia. 'Straight up, he was on board. We were trying from the beginning.' The now 30-year-old had already been on a long, and painful journey in her attempts to become a mum. At just 18, knowing she was fighting against a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome diagnosis, Shannon starting trying to conceive with her ex-husband. The young NSW couple did ovulation induction cycles over six years in hopes of having a child. After what felt like 'hundreds' of negative pregnancy tests, they finally got a positive. Shannon told her husband Beau she wanted to be a mum very early on in their relationship. Prior to meeting him, she had tried and failed to get pregnant for seven years with her ex-husband Beau was on board straight away and the couple began trying for a baby 'It was so unexpected. We'd gone years without anything so to get a positive was overwhelming,' Shannon says. Sadly, the pregnancy wasn't to be. Days after telling their family the good news, Shannon had a miscarriage at six weeks' pregnant. 'Everything we had wished for was being ripped away,' she says. 'We were devastated. And it is so hard to try again. But when you want something so bad, you try and push past those feelings.' However, the grief was too much. The pressure of unexplained infertility was one of the reasons the couple's marriage ended. 'It was too hard, we were young, there wasn't much support,' Shannon says. In 2020, Shannon met Beau, and within a few months was trying again. 'I think every little girl has the dream of becoming a mum, it's all I've ever wanted,' Shannon says. In 2023, Shannon fell pregnant with husband Beau. At their 10-week scan, they found out they were expecting a boy and bought a pram and a car seat 'I feel like I was born to be a mum, nothing else really matters.' The couple sought fertility treatment at two different clinics and countless reproductive specialists across the Albury and Wodonga region. They did ovulation induction cycles for three years. Early in 2023, the couple received good news. 'We had the six-week scan, and we could see a flicker of a heartbeat. It was so exciting,' Shannon says. 'We told our families straight away. All the hard work, the years, and tears, had paid off.' Shannon had ultrasounds every week to check her baby's growth, so nervous she cried at every appointment. 'I just wanted to make sure the baby was okay,' she says. All the prenatal testing came back normal and Shannon made it to the second trimester for the first time. 'There were nerves the whole pregnancy but once we reached 10 weeks, and found out we were having a boy, we started to feel like "okay, it's really happening",' she says. 'We brought everything, the pram, car seat, clothes, cot. We really thought this is it.' But at 16 weeks, two weeks after they announced their pregnancy to friends and posted about it on social media, their world stopped spinning. It was April 23, 2023, when Shannon started leaking fluid. Hospital staff told her to go to Wodonga Hospital Emergency Department (ED), rather than a maternity ward, as midwives only see patients after 20 weeks. Shannon was given a bedside ultrasound, and told her baby looked fine. 'The baby was moving a lot, but he looked in distress,' Shannon says. 'The doctor and nurse said, "look how cute he is". They couldn't get a heartbeat, but they could see the baby moving.' Shannon was given the all-clear to go home, and told to come back if she bled or lost more fluid. 'I questioned the way they did the scan,' she says. 'It wasn't a great reassurance, but we had a bit of hope he was OK.' The following morning, as she got out of bed, Shannon felt 'a big rush of water'. 'I went to the toilet and there was a 'pop'. My waters had fully broke,' Shannon says. The couple drove to Albury Hospital after being directed to emergency again. Here, Shannon received intravenous antibiotics, before returning to the ED waiting room to wait for a patient transfer to the nearby Wodonga Hospital. Shannon was in preterm labor and sat on a plastic chair for four hours. 'My waters had broken, I was 100 per cent scared,' she recalls. 'I was getting frustrated; we could tell something was wrong we were visibly upset.' The distressed couple were finally on their way to Wodonga Hospital, but on arrival there was no rush to check on their baby. 'I went to the counter and said, "this is ridiculous, my waters have broken, something is wrong". I was told, "you are stable". That's all they were worried about.' 'I said, "I'm not here for me, I'm here for my unborn son".' At 4pm, Shannon had an ultrasound - six hours after her waters broke. The technician confirmed the news they had feared all day. Their baby wasn't going to make it. 'We were told, "the heart rate is low. He's alive but not moving". I had lost all my fluid.' Then came words the expectant couple will never forget. 'A doctor told us, "if we'd come in a few hours earlier, there was something they could have done". 'We just broke down and cried we'd come in the day before.' While in shock from their loss, Shannon and Beau were moved to a delivery suite to prepare for a heart-shattering birth and farewell. 'The doctor checked the baby's head, he was ready to come out,' Shannon says. 'I was told I had to wait until my baby's heart stopped beating, otherwise it would be more traumatic to birth him if he was alive.' Nearly 12 hours after losing her waters, Shannon gave birth to baby Luca naturally. The new mum held her much longed-for son for 10 minutes, before doctors rushed her out for surgery on her placenta. 'We were told it was going to be 15 minutes. She was gone four hours,' Beau recalls of being left alone with no knowledge of his wife's condition. 'I was holding Luca, with no idea where Shannon was. I couldn't go and walk out with him I could barely stand up anyway.' When Shannon returned, she felt relief when her eyes found Beau holding Luca. 'It was heartbreaking. But I'm glad my baby was still there and not taken away.' The midwives took handprints of Luca and weighed him, then left the couple to grieve. 'He was tiny, the size of our hand,' Shannon remembers. 'I held onto the side rail of his bassinet until the next morning.' They left the hospital, without a baby, in silence. 'My parents picked us up, and none of us said a word the entire ride home.' Shannon's traumatic experience and health issues didn't end there. Following months of relentless illness, and failed pregnancy attempts, Shannon had a procedure to check her fallopian tubes for blockages last year. During this procedure - 14 months after her loss - doctors performed an unplanned dilation and curettage (D&C), usually performed to clear out the uterine lining after a miscarriage. The cause of Shannon's persistent headaches and nausea was 'pregnancy matter' leftover from her birth a year earlier. 'I felt disgusted. I knew something was wrong and that was the reason. No one did a physical check on me after birth. It had been a year. To wait for that surgery to find out I had leftover matter, was gross.' A spokeswoman for Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) said in a statement it respects the privacy of patients and is unable to discuss or confirm specific patient details. 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ms Crockett and her family following the tragic loss of her son, Luca,' she says. 'Albury Wodonga Health is committed to delivering safe, high-quality, and compassionate care throughout every stage of pregnancy.' Shannon and Beau have considered adoption, foster care, and had offers of surrogacy, but they haven't given up on their dream of a biological child. 'We're at breaking point But I'm only 30, I still want to push to have a child myself,' she says. 'I've managed to hold onto hope because of Beau. He is the most supportive man and encourages me to stay positive. 'I just want to share my DNA with the man I love. Everyone around me gets to have this moment, so I want it too.' 'A doctor told us, "if we'd come in a few hours earlier, there was something they could have done",' Shannon recalls Shannon hasn't given up on her hopes of becoming a mother and is now having expensive fertility treatment in Melbourne In December the couple engaged a new fertility specialist three hours away in Melbourne. Undergoing treatment at an IVF clinic specialising in high-risk pregnancies has left Beau and Shannon facing astronomical fees. Having spent more than $20,000 on 16 ovulation inductions, appointments, surgeries and medication. The couple are now faced with a $19,000 bill for their first IVF cycle, plus travel costs and potential loss of income from their jobs in retail and mechanical work. 'We've been told to do two rounds, and if it doesn't work unfortunately that's it,' Shannon says. Despite the costs, Shannon is not giving up hope, and has set up a GoFundMe page to help with their costs to become parents. 'I want this so much I'm not willing to give up at all,' she says. 'I'll have a baby one way or another. One day I'll be a mum. 'We still have Luca's things packed up two years later waiting for our rainbow baby.' While the warmer weather brings a sigh of relief after a long, cold winter, the thought of showing off pale arms and legs strikes fear in the hearts of many fair-skinned women. While fake tan is a popular way of bringing some colour back to our pallor, some people appear to be turning to more drastic measures. A TikTok influencer who goes by the handle Courtsinghamx recently caused a stir when she shared a video of herself spraying cooking oil on her legs while sitting in the sun. The content creator spritzed Frylight golden sunflower oil on her thighs, with the caption: 'This is the function because I'm a British white girl.' Her video, which gained more than 70,000 views on the app, attracted mixed reactions from viewers. Some people condemned Courtsinghamx's actions, warning her against using cooking oil to try and tan her skin. Using cooking oil, particularly olive oil, as a way to encourage tanning was a popular method in the 1970s and 1980s, as people believed they could achieve a deeper tan this way. In 1976, tanning advice from Irish lifestyle and fashion magazine IMAGE even sang the praises of using olive oil mixed with tincture of iodine as a sun tan oil that 'never fails to work'. A TikTok influencer who goes by the handle Courtsinghamx shared a video of herself spraying Frylight cooking oil on her thighs while sitting in the sun Experts have strongly advised against using any cooking oil as a tanning aid, warning of skin damage and dangerous sun exposiure But now, experts strongly advise against using any sort of cooking oil to encourage a tan and are 'horrified' that it's coming back into fashion. It comes after Cancer Research UK warned of a record high in melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK last year. Analysis from the cancer charity showed melanoma rates rose by almost a third between 2009 and 2019, adding that around 17,000 cases every year are preventable by avoiding ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and sunbeds. Dr Sophie Momnen, consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic, said using any cooking oils as a tanning aid is a 'horrifying' practice that is 'extremely dangerous and poses serious risks to skin health. 'Cooking oils are not formulated for skin application, especially under intense UV exposure,' she tells FEMAIL. 'In fact, spraying a substance like Frylight onto your skin while sunbathing can act like a magnifying glass, intensifying the sun's rays and increasing the risk of severe sunburn, heat damage and long-term cellular injury.' Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics skin clinics, adds that getting 'just one sunburn in your lifetime can potentially lead to skin cancer down the line'. 'The dangers of using cooking oil in the sun can be severe,' he warns. 'Getting badly sunburnt can lead to sunstroke, which in extreme cases may be fatal. 'Beyond the immediate effects, you're also damaging the skin's outer layer, which can result in pigmentation, sun spots, and premature ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles. 'Over time, repeated sunburn can significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer.' Both Dr Momnen and Dr Perry urge the public to use at least SPF30 sunscreen when spending time in the sun, and to seek shade wherever possible. SPF 50 is 'essential' for children and people with fairer skin. If a bronzed glow is what you're after, though, the only 'safe' way to get one is with fake tan as prolonged sun exposure without protection can be so dangerous. 'There is no such thing as a safe tan, I'm afraid,' Dr Perry says. 'I don't recommend sitting in direct sunlight for long periods. 'When on holiday, seek shade wherever possible, and cover up with protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat and proper eye protection. 'It's also important to reapply SPF regularly throughout the day, ideally every few hours, especially if you're swimming or playing sport.' Dr Momnen adds: 'I urge everyone to prioritise sun safety: always use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, seek shade during peak hours (11am-3pm) and avoid unsafe TikTok 'hacks'. Responding to the alarming TikTok video, posted by a creator named Courts, some people were bewildered by the tanning method. 'What the hell,' one viewer wrote, while another branded the tanning method 'absolutely embarrassing'. Responding to criticism of her tanning method, Courts hit back and accused the viewers of being 'snowflakes'. She said: 'OBVIOUSLY, if it was burning too much, youd wash it off.' Courts' divisive tanning 'hack' comes after research revealed last summer that Gen Z were taking extreme measures to achieve a bronzed glow. Professor Caitriona Ryan, co-founder of the Institute of Dermatologists, says she believes sunbed use among young people is 're-emerging' in recent times. Speaking to the Irish Independent in 2024, she said: 'I've had several patients die who, in their youth, used sunbeds.' She added she believes the invention of fake tan has significantly reduced instances of melanoma and other skin cancers; but she's concerned such illnesses may be on the rise again thanks to patients in their 20s turning to sunbeds to achieve a 'base' tan. The newspaper also cited research that suggests people looking for a top tier tan are turning to illegal nasal sprays in order to maintain their tans. The sprays contain melanotan, a synthetic hormone which stimulates pigment cells to produce more melanin - which is what tans skin when it's exposed to UV rays. Initially, the hormone was developed to treat patients with photo sensitivity to light, but it has not been officially approved by boards in the EU, nor the US. Ryan likened the 'illegal' sprays to 'snorting cocaine' in how they infiltrate the human body once ingested. Women who were subject to horrific online abuse have laid bare the horror of learning that the man pedaling fake AI-generated pornographic photos of them was a high school friend. More than 1,300 posts - shared across some 14 different usernames on a sick site that encouraged men to share pictures of themselves masturbating on printed-out images - were terrorising underage girls in the town of Levittown, New York. Dozens of attendees and graduates of the local General Douglas MacArthur High School had gone to the police to reveal that perfectly innocent pictures of them on social media were being digitally doctored alongside horrific messages encouraging users to 'rape' and in other ways degrade them. They were all the more horrified to discover that the perpetrator was a fellow pupil who had grown up alongside the young women, and was at times, even a close friend. In 2023, Patrick Carey, 24, was sentenced to six months in jail, with 10 years probation after admitting to offences including promotion of a sexual performance by a child, aggravated harassment as a hate crime, stalking and endangering the welfare of a child, the New York Post reported. And some of the 14 women he was said to have shared content of have now spoken about the trauma of dealing with the harassment years on, on a new Bloomberg podcast titled Levittown, hosted by reporters Olivia Carville and Margi Murphy. One of the victims, who was identified only as 'Kayla', 24, spoke about the disgust of finding out the photos of her were out there during the 2020 pandemic. Her father, a protective policeman was doing a regular Google search of his children when he was shocked to see an apparently-nude photo of his daughter come up. In 2023, Patrick Carey, 24, (pictured) was sentenced to six months in jail, with 10 years probation after admitting to offences including promotion of a sexual performance by a child, aggravated harassment as a hate crime , stalking and endangering the welfare of a child, the New York Post reported When he showed Kayla, she was baffled - as the image, in which she was originally dressed, had been manipulated to make it seem like she had been naked. A further search on the site saw more altered pictures, taken from her online profiles, with worrying messages alongside, expressing what depraved users wanted to do to her. 'It was "drink her piss", "milk her", "have her drink my piss",' she shared. 'We would see what they posted, like their nude pictures and them j***ing off and c**ing on our pictures, even like pictures of our pictures with their d**k there and the ejaculation there. And then there was like some like, writings of like, "rape her".' Kayla revealed how the discovery 'completely altered the way that she thought about her body'. 'I used to feel so confident about it. I felt so in tune with my body and then I completely changed. I started having eating issues,' she recounted. 'I would eat two bites and feel absolutely disgusted in what I'm eating and disgusted in my body for wanting food.' Soon enough, it became clear however that the problem was more widespread, as Kayla was approached by a school alum known in the podcast as 'Cecilia'. Dozens of attendees and graduates of the local General Douglas MacArthur High School (pictured in a stock image) had gone to the police to reveal that perfectly innocent pictures of them on social media were being digitally doctored alongside horrific messages encouraging users to 'rape' and in other ways degrade them She too, among several girls that went to General Douglas MacArthur were featured on the site. Much like had been the case for Kayla, images from their online profiles had been taken to make them seem sexually explicit - including pictures of the women when they were as young as six years old. In summer 2021, another Levittown local - called 'Kat' (not her real name) in the podcast - recounted one awful experience led her to uncovering Patrick; whose father was a policeman. She came across a deepfake of herself - originally a sweet snap where she was smiling - made to seem like 'her hands tied behind her back, covered in blood, with a plastic bag over her head'. In a caption the post - which listed her real name - claimed that 'her body had been found near an abandoned construction site and 'that she'd been raped'. 'I'd had enough. It had to stop. I was like, okay, this is like more serious and I need to know - I just need to know who it is, you know,' she expressed. It appeared that at this stage rumours were circulating that Patrick was behind the fakes, but Kat - who had known him since she was five - was 'almost defending him in her head'. 'In high school, he got a little bit more like, uh, a 'I don't really give a s**t' vibe about anything,' she explained. In 2024, Finn Cottam (pictured) was sentenced to seven years in jail. As reported by the New Zealand Herald , when he was tracked down, Cottam was found with 'more than 8000 objectionable images and videos, including child exploitation material, on multiple devices he owned' 'He was smart, so, like, he knew what he was talking about, you know? But anybody who said anything to him, it's just like, okay, I don't care. I'm smarter than anybody 'Then that's when I went on the website. I sat there for, like I had to look at things that I did not want to look at. 'I spent like hours going through it, and then I went to videos of his own page where he would post himself. 'He would post things of himself, pictures of himself - not his face, like, his body and his parts.' In one image posted by the user, he looked to be in a child's bedroom - and Kat decided to inspect the background. 'So I saw stuffed animals and I was like, all right, let me see,' she continued, deciding to compare the furniture with that featured on his little sister's TikTok profile - and horrifically, it matched up. Cecilia described Patrick as 'very talkative' and 'easy to talk to' when she was in high school. 'He was really sarcastic and condescending. But it was part of his charm. You know, he's just an a****le,' she described. 'When I was a sophomore, I had a lot of classes with him. I had almost all of my day with him. 'And we were friends; we would talk. Until a month or two into the school year, he blocked me on every social media that we had together and stopped talking to me in class. 'And he reached out to me and said: I don't hate you, by the way. He said, I would sooner restrict you from all formats of contacting me. I'm extremely attracted to you, so before that becomes an inevitable problem or upset for me, I might as well stop myself from even trying. Does that explanation suffice for you? 'And I said, I guess it does. And that was that.' Cecilia admitted her soul felt 'broken in half' because of the betrayal of trust from someone she considered a friend. 'You watched me kind of grow up, you know, you spent most of my teenage years with me,' she said. 'So you're telling me that all of that time that you spent with me, watching me kind of become the person that I am, was enjoyment to you because you were watching me turn into rape meat.' Eventually, the evidence found its way to Nassau County Police Department. As well as Carey and Cottam's cases, the podcast delved into the worrying trend of online sites such as the ones employed by them. Stock image used Speaking to the podcast, Detective Timothy Ingram said that while the victims were incredible in making their case, when it came to charges things became more complicated. 'These girls, they did their own investigating and they did excellent work,' he expressed. 'They would make great detectives. 'A lot of my coworkers hadn't really seen anything like this, where it was to this level of, you know, him posting everywhere for so long with so many victims.' More than 40 women in Levittown were reportedly affected - but the site's reach was far broader. The podcast also spoke to a victim of the same website in New Zealand - where, in a horrifyingly similar twist, the perpetrator was known to the woman. 'I was under the age of 18, so I could not have a Tinder. But some guys that I knew, who were maybe one or two years older than me, sent me screenshots of a Tinder account with all of my photos on it and were asking if it was me,' a woman known as 'Lucy' shared. 'When this person matched with a boy on Tinder, they would send them a Snapchat account - and through that Snapchat account would send like very explicit, nude and sexual content but without a face.' These were not altered images of Lucy, but rather, were made to appear as if she was exchanging faceless nudes. Initial reports to her hometown in Nelson, New Zealand, didn't yield results back around 2015. 'I went after school one day in my school uniform to the police station. And I knocked on the little window-thingy and, um, a middle-aged man came out and I said I, I maybe needed some help. But as soon as he stepped up to the window, I remember getting really nervous and suddenly feeling so silly because it's actually rather public when you go to the police,' Lucy revealed. 'You have to kind of plead your case in the waiting room, which is quite echoey and loud. So, this random middle-aged man - police officer - comes up to the window and asked me what was wrong and I kind of feebly told him that I think someone had stolen my pictures and was faking my identity on Tinder. And he just stared at me blankly. 'He just had no idea what I was talking about. I remember him just saying: "Oh, Snapchat? What's that?" He just, he had really no idea what I was talking about.' By 2016, he escalated to messaging. 'I am not quite sure how it began, but it began at some point that year that I started receiving quite a number of message requests from anonymous profiles, either on Facebook Messenger or via Instagram, of some disturbing content,' Lucy said. 'And other times there was photos. Somebody, holding their penis over printed-out photos of me, many a different photo strewn across the carpet, or on a bed. 'It sounds crazy, but I have received so, so many photos of penises over pictures of me, over five years. I cannot remember how it feels to be shocked by it. I have received more than I care to remember. I have become so accustomed to that image, I cannot even remember being shocked by it. And I'm sorry - I'm sorry to say that. It just seems like same s**t, different day now.' From 2018 Lucy had moved away and things 'slowed down' - but when she came back to New Zealand following her dad getting sick, the harassment returned, and this time it was 'more pointed'. 'In 2020, I got a very unexpected email from the New Zealand police asking to have a phone call with me,' she recalled. 'And I was so suspicious at this point of online harassment and the ability to fake anything online that my initial response was that this was my harasser pretending to be a police officer trying to get in touch with me.' However she soon realised a 'wider case' was happening 'revolving around another woman who was being harassed in a similar way'. 'They had reverse engineered some evidence that led them to me.' Investigators Will Wallace and Doug Nuku found some 12 other victims in the country. While the perpetrator was skilled at hiding, he was eventually discovered as the suspect was followed around on various sites for months - including Facebook Marketplace, where he posted an electric guitar for sale, which was laid on out on a floral comforter. The innocuous item matched with a photo he had shared on another pornographic site, and soon enough they tracked down the assailant - Finn Cottam. 'I remember the distinct sensation of time slowing down and then they just said a name. And I don't know what I expected, but they said a name that was very familiar to me. It was the name of a boy that I went to school with when I was 12,' Lucy said. 'I felt such a wave of relief that it was a person. Because I guess when someone lives in anonymity, you think they're a monster. And when you hear a name, they're suddenly just a person.' In 2024, Cottam was sentenced to seven years in jail. As reported by the New Zealand Herald, when he was tracked down, Cottam was found with 'more than 8000 objectionable images and videos, including child exploitation material, on multiple devices he owned'. He was imprisoned for what the court described as a 'sustained campaign of sexual terror'. Carey, however, only got six months in jail - with 10 years probation. In his confession, he said he 'started using these accounts because he became bored and could not find any interest in his life'. 'I became addicted to internet pornography and began to find websites.' Eventually, he found his way to the site where he would post photos of the women he went to school with, alongside their information, to 'shame these females into a depression and cause them to be too scared to use any form of social media'. 'I found a thrill in posting these things to that website because I knew that what I was doing was wrong and that I was causing fear and embarrassment to these girls,' he continued. 'This gave me a sense of life knowing that in the back of my head, this was wrong and that I would one day be caught. 'From time to time throughout the course of me posting on this website, I did begin to feel remorse for the fear and embarrassment I was causing these girls. 'Once this sense of remorse wore off, I would become complacent and bored and seek the thrill of posting something again, knowing it was wrong. I am sorry for the fear, suffering and embarrassment I have caused to all of the victims.' In the end, it was not Carey's campaign of terror that allowed the prosecution to build a case against him - but a real nude photo of one of the victim - 'a real picture that had been taken by an ex-boyfriend, who had then shared it among classmates, including Patrick'. It was considered not only revenge porn - but because the victims was just 14 - child sexual abuse material. He pleaded guilty in 2022. In her victim statement, one of the women harassed, Kayla, read: 'I can safely say you are the weakest person in the room, not any of the victims. You had to sit behind an electronic device to say how you felt. 'I am the strongest person in the room because I am looking you directly in the face to tell you that you disgust me, you hurt me, but you have also changed me. You completely changed the way that I viewed myself and my body, and for that I'll never forgive you. Your name will forever give me nightmares and haunt me.' Carey, meanwhile, concluded: 'To my many victims and their families, if you want to hear anything from me at all, I would want my last words to be that I do not expect forgiveness; I am just sorry.' As well as Carey and Cottam's cases, the podcast delved into the worrying trend of online sites such as the ones employed by them. Jess said she began to think her son was cute after a few hours had passed A young mother has revealed she 'cried' after first catching glimpse of her newborn baby as she thought he was 'so ugly'. Jess, who is based in the UK and posts on TikTok under the username @jbag17, said she was in 'shock' after labour, which led to an unusual reaction towards her new baby. The 20-year-old shared a sweet black-and-white snapshot of herself and her son, Jovi, after giving birth in the hospital. 'Was it the hormones of did I have the cutest newborn?!' she gushed. But after taking a closer look at her baby, she joked that she 'stared at him' and 'cried'. She said: 'Jk I literally stared at him and cried cause I thought he was so ugly while I was in shock after labour.' Luckily, she said she began to find him 'cute' after a 'few hours'. Jess's video has since gone viral, racking up over a million views - with some people comparing her baby to 'Vladimir Putin' or 'Mr Burns' [from The Simpsons] son' in the comments. Jess, from the UK, revealed she 'cried' and stared at her baby as she thought he was 'so ugly' However, others didn't see the funny side, and even said she was being 'cruel'. They wrote: 'I think this is actually so cruel'; 'Babys first bully'; 'If this is his fist day imagine what the rest of his life will be. Please be kind to your child, this is heartbreaking to watch.' Jess responded: 'Dw hes saving up for a nose job so after that the rest of his life will be fine x' And replying to a comment calling her weird, she said: 'Oh so I guess u didnt have any meds or experience any shock when you gave birth! Lucky :) x' Others were quick to share similar experiences, writing: 'Looooool people are so sensitive. My daughter peaked at 6 months, before that, damn'; 'My dad says I was the ugliest baby hed ever seen'; However, despite the initial shock, Jess said she started to think he was cute 'after a few hours' The young mother shared an adorable black and white picture cradling her son 'My first thing I said to my son was your not very cute.' It appears Jess isn't the only one who expected an adorable baby - only to be met with disappointment. Previously, brutally honest parents revealed the moment they realised their child was ugly. With reasons ranging from oddly shaped head to large noses, parents didn't hesitate list the reasons why their offspring is unattractive. Reddit user IAmTheOneWhoKn0cks wrote: 'When the nurses showed me my newborn after a C-section (and still on some pain meds obviously) I said hesitantly "Are you sure that's my baby...? 'He looked like a little rat with jet black hair and dark almost black eyes. I just...couldn't believe it. 'He has since grown into his looks and his eye colour and hair colour have changed. He's very cute now.'' And Rpgwaiter agreed, saying: 'I've kind of always known I guess. My son had a very odd shaped head due to birth complications, and he never really grew into it. The post divided opinion, as some saw the funny side but others said it was 'cruel' 'I guess the moment that made me realise it was when he started balding at 16. I felt kind of bad for the kid, but tried to give him tips on how to make what he had work.' A common theme seems to be the fact that children grow into their features as they get older. Huiki commented: 'I think my son is a good looking boy now...but my god he was an ugly baby. He sort of looked like a cross between a monkey and a frog. No lie he had a hairy forehead until he was about six months old. Then bam! Suddenly he became cute.' And MotterFodder has perhaps the best anecdote, saying: 'My daughter born with this ridiculous nose and I gasped in the delivery room. 'I was so bad, I noticed it immediately. It looked like a f****** beak. Luckily it turned out that it was really swollen from pushing against my insides during my 26 hour labour. It's much much better now.' Some users even expressed that they regret sharing photos of their new babies. One commenter wrote: 'I think 95 per cent of newborns are ugly. I naturally thought my daughter was the most beautiful creature on the planet...six months later looking back on newborn photos I was horrified that I posted some of them on social media.' Meanwhile, in 2018, a study found that adults find that babies only take on cute characteristics when they reach six months of age. The 'cute' characteristics include big eyes, chubby cheeks and cooing noises - thought to bring out a nurturing instinct in adults that better ensure their survival. Lead author Professor Tony Volk from Brock University in Ontario, said: 'We want to let parents know that if they're not instantly grabbed by this baby as much as they thought they might be, then that's normal. 'The bonding will build and grow over time.' Queen Margrethe II of Denmark capped off her 85th birthday celebrations at Fredensborg Palace by hosting an intimate banquet dinner attended by her son King Frederik X along with other esteemed royalty and friends. But the question on every Danish royal watcher's lips was why wasn't Queen Mary present at the party? 'Where is Queen Mary?,' read one reply on the Danish royal family's Instagram account. 'Wasn't Queen Mary part of the birthday party?' questioned another royal fan. Margrethe's birthday dinner party came only 24 hours after a gala event for Queen Mary's daughter Princess Isabella's 18th birthday. Accordingly, some fans took to the comments section to posit that the royal family's especially busy recent itinerary offered an an explanation for Mary's surprising absence. One fan provided a lengthy comment in response, explaining: 'Queen Mary and the children were not [at] the dinner in the evening, but at the lunch during the day.' 'It seemed like the dinner was for Margrethe's friends, including her two sisters. No older grandkids. Frederik as King and son attended,' concluded the reply, which received plenty of likes. Queen Mary, 53, (far right) was present earlier in the day on 16 April for Queen Margrethe's (centre) 85th birthday celebrations. (Also pictured L-R) Princess Josephine, Princess Isabella, King Frederik X, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Princess Benedikte and Crown Prince Christian In the evening of 16 April, Queen Margrethe's 85th birthday banquet dinner party at Fredensborg Palace was attended by her son King Frederik X, 56, but her daughter-in-law Queen Mary was a no-show Another fan weighed in with a similar response, posting: 'Queen Mary was there for lunch and not in the evening.' 'Had she been there, she would have been sitting in the middle with the King,' they added. Queen Mary, 53, had indeed been front and centre earlier that same day at the daytime celebrations for Margrethe's birthday. The Australian-born royal joined her husband King Frederik, 56, and their four children Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine along with other extended royal family members to watch a special birthday concert in the Inner Courtyard of Fredensborg Palace. King Frederik and Queen Mary also 'hosted a lunch at the castle' for Margrethe, according to a post on the Danish royal family's Instagram account. The family were also seen together outside on the palace steps, where they waved to a crowd of well-wishers. Margrethe's celebratory dinner came on the back of an already extremely busy period for Queen Mary as the royal family celebrated her eldest daughter Princess Isabella turning 18. Ahead of her official birthday on 21 April, which fell on Easter Monday, the royal family had arranged two lavish public celebrations, which were both attended by Mary and her family. The night before Queen Margrethe's birthday dinner was a black tie gala in Copenhagen held in honour of Princess Isabella's 18th birthday. It was attended by Queen Mary and her family, (L-R) Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine, Princess Isabella, King Frederik and Crown Prince Christian Queen Mary's sisters Jane Stephens and Patricia Bailey along with her university friend Nadine Johnston were also in Copenhagen to attend Princess Isabella's 18th birthday gala The first was a party held on 11 April at Aarus City Hall, which featured musical performances, dancers and even a fashion show. The second gala event in honour of Princess Isabella's milestone birthday took place the night before Queen Margrethe's birthday. For that occasion, Queen Mary along with her husband and children donned black-tie attire to attend a performance alongside 1000 guests at the Royal Theatre's Old Stage in Copenhagen. Queen Mary's rarely seen sisters Jane Stephens and Patricia Bailey also made a surprise appearance in Copenhagen to attend the gala celebration. Mary's university friend Nadine Johnston was also seen walking the red carpet. The presence of Mary's family and close friend at the gala also seemingly verified fan-proffered explanations for why the Queen had opted to skip her mother-in-law's birthday dinner, suggesting she had instead taken the opportunity to enjoy some private time with her visiting loved ones. This was affirmed in an Instagram reply, which read in part: 'I bet Mary (fully deserved) enjoyed the evening with her sisters, who travelled all the way from Australia for Isabella's celebration [love heart emoji] It's not everyday they are in town,' the reply continued.' The Danish royal household did not offer an official explanation for Mary's absence from Margrethe's birthday dinner. Nevertheless, the dinner party looked to be a roaring success, with a highlight video showing Queen Margrethe seated at a decadently decorated table alongside her guests enjoying a lavish evening of performances followed by a birthday cake complete with 85 lit candles. The video shared on the royal family's Instagram page showed the former monarch struggling to blow out all 85 candles, while her son King Frederik laughingly observed. Queen Margrethe had a tricky time trying to blow out all 85 lit candles on her birthday cake Queen Margrethe's 85th birthday celebration at Fredensborg Palace was attended by an esteemed guest list, who were treated to a lavish meal and a series of performances Eventually, the man seated beside Margrethe, believed to be Danish actor Joen Bille, leant over to assist her with blowing out the remaining candles. Another Instagram post shared by the royal account featured pictures from the party alongside a caption explaining that the picturesque dinner table was decorated with 'newly sprung branches' and 'Easter eggs' that had been hand-selected by her Majesty herself. The post also explained that Margrethe and her guests were treated to singing from the Sankt Anne Girls Choir as well as a Pantomime Theatre performance of excerpts from the ballet Klods Hans, which the creative Queen herself had worked on as a costume designer. 'How wonderful that Queen Margrethe was celebrated in that way surrounded by her loved ones,' read one royal fan's reply to the post. 'How nice and beautiful it is! Big congratulations to the most amazing Queen,' added another. Queen Mary and King Frederik X of Denmark's eldest daughter Princess Isabella has shared a new picture wearing her first ever tiara. To mark her 18th birthday on 21 April, the royal family released a stunning series of official birthday portraits of the princess. The pictures taken in the Knight's Hall of Frederick VIII's Palace in Amalienborg by photographer Steen Evald were shared to the Danish royal family's website and social media accounts. The following day on 22 April, the Princess released an additional candid image to the Danish royal family's social media channels, which showed the relatable teenage princess holding her iPhone while decked out in her tiara and royal regalia. The caption alongside the latest image saw the Princess issuing a heartfelt 'thank you' to everyone who had 'helped me celebrate my 18th birthday'. It was also significantly the first time a social media message on the family's account was signed off personally as 'H.K.K Prinsesse Isabella'. The gorgeous new portrait series officially marked the first time the teenage princess has worn a tiara. The Danish Royal House confirmed that former monarch Queen Margrethe II gifted her granddaughter the turquoise daisy bandeau diadem as an 18th birthday gift. This official 18th birthday portrait of Princess Isabella was taken in the Knight's Hall of Frederick VIII's Palace in Amalienborg and features her wearing the turquoise daisy bandeau tiara Princess Isabella thanked royal fans for the 18th birthday well-wishes by sharing this additional candid social media image that showed her wearing the turquoise daisy bandeau tiara while using her iPhone A translated statement from the royal household explained: 'The tiara is a so-called 'bandeau', a headband in French, as the relatively narrow tiara is intended to be worn almost horizontally as a hair band.' The floral headpiece is made of gold and adorned with 11 rosettes of 'daisy-like flowers' that decrease in size. The delicate headpiece has added sentimental value because it features precious gems in a flower setting arrangement. This is significant because Queen Margrethe's nickname amongst her inner circle is 'Daisy'. The tiara is a family heirloom, with the royal statement expanding on the history of the bejewelled piece. 'The tiara was made in the late 19th century and belonged to Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden. After her untimely death in 1920, her daughter, Princess Ingrid, received the tiara as a confirmation gift and brought it to Denmark upon her marriage to the later Frederik IX.' A versatile and convertible headpiece like many other pieces of the Royal House's jewellery, the tiara has 'multiple functions' and can be 'disassembled and used as a bracelet'. According to The Court Jeweller, the young royal's new tiara forms part of a turquoise parure, which refers to a set of matching jewels. Interestingly, Isabella's mother Queen Mary is the current owner of the matching turquoise drop earrings and brooch from the parure, which were gifted to her by Queen Margrethe on her 50th birthday. Queen Mary (left) loaned her daughter Princess Isabella the matching turquoise earrings for the portrait picture. They are from the same parure as the daisy bandeau tiara, and both were gifted by Queen Margrethe. She is pictured (right) wearing them previously at a 2012 state dinner Naturally, Mary, 53, happily loaned the earrings to her eldest daughter to wear for her 18th birthday portrait photoshoot. Mary was recently seen wearing the same earrings when she attended King Charles III's coronation in May 2023. Meanwhile, Queen Margrethe, 85, has also previously been seen wearing the turquoise daisy bandeau tiara that she's now gifted to Isabella. For instance, she wore it at a 2012 state banquet dinner she hosted in honour of the visiting Chinese President. Margrethe has also occasionally loaned the delicate tiara out to family members, including her niece Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark, who borrowed the headpiece to wear during the then-Queen's Ruby Jubilee celebrations. For the new portraits, Isabella donned a regal orange satin gown created by up and coming Danish designer, Carina Grnning. The teen princess also showcased her significant Order of the Elephant sash and regalia on top of the dress as well as a miniature portrait of King Frederik. The picture of her monarch father is set in a gold frame encircled by 12 white pearls and 12 small diamond crosses, symbolizing the Order of Dannebrog. The portrait was painted in watercolour on a thin slice of mammoth ivory by British miniaturist Tom Mulliner. The new portrait images of Princess Isabella were shared on the Danish royal website and social media accounts alongside the caption: '18 years ago today Her Royal Highness Princess Isabella was born'. 'The birthday itself is marked with the publication of the Princess's first official gala portraits,' it read. 'The princess is photographed in the Knight's Hall of Frederick VIII's Palace in Amalienborg, and on the portraits Her Royal Highness wears the Order of the Elephant with a star chest... and a miniature Order portrait of her father, His Majesty the King.' The Duchess of Sussex's photographer has opened up on their 'wild journey' together. Toronto-born Jake Rosenberg, who has enjoyed a close friendship with the Duchess of Sussex, 43, for over a decade, worked with the Montecito-based mother-of-two for the recent launch of her lifestyle brand, photographing images for As Ever's website. It's a job that Jake not only found straightforward due to Meghan's creative abilities but one he held close to his heart because the work feels like 'two friends hanging out,' he told People. In conversation with the outlet, Jake explained that, when working with Meghan, it feels like a straightforward process without external forces fighting to input their ideas, saying, 'It's just a really nice moment for us to have together to capture authentic, genuine moments.' Jake, who attended Meghan's royal wedding in 2018 and entered the venue alongside Oprah Winfrey, listed a time he worked with Meghan and her daughter Lilibet, three, for the As Ever homepage, as one of those natural, genuine moments which he captured. While the photographs often come out shining, Jake explained that it's the direct result of hard work and that the duchess isn't afraid of getting 'her hands dirty' to produce the images. Jake added that it's been a 'wild journey' for the pair to get to where they are today, adding that her latest business venture feels like Meghan is 'getting back to her roots', which, for Jake, 'feels like the good old days'. The photographer revealed his closeness with Meghan once again last week after posting a selfie of them together with the caption, 'Always a beautiful day shooting with @Meghan @AsEverOfficial'. Meghan Markle's close friend and photographer Jake Rosenberg (pictured) has opened up on his relationship with the duchess and their 'wild journey' together Elsewhere, when the mother-of-two launched her Instagram account at the start of 2025, Jake shared a photo of the duchess to 'welcome' her back on the platform after a six-year hiatus. He said at the time: 'Always love capturing these moments together - What a way to start the year!'. Following the sell-out As Ever launch, Meghan and Prince Harry whisked their children away on a celebratory Spring holiday. The Duchess of Sussex celebrated her recent business ventures - including her Netflix cookery show, launch of her As Ever products and recent podcast - with a family trip away. According to People Magazine, the family has enjoyed a 'sunsoaked getaway' with Archie, five, and Lilibet, three - though the exact destination was not confirmed. Insiders also told the outlet that the couple's two children are the 'centre of their happy bubble' back at home in Montecito in California. The duchess (seen at the Paley Honours Gala in Beverly Hills in December) has counted Jake as a friend for over a decade The photographer captured Meghan with Lilibet, three, in Montecito for the As Ever homepage (pictured) 'The kids are adorable. They're incredibly smart, articulate, and fun,' the source told the outlet. Elsewhere in the magazine cover, which hits shelves on April 28, insiders close to Prince Harry said his rift with the Royal Family is deepening claiming he was left in the dark about his father King Charles's cancer battle. The Duke of Sussex's calls to family members, including his elder brother Prince William, are also ignored, the reports suggested. People magazine in the US quotes sources close to Harry as describing the ongoing 'strained' relationship with his father five years after the Duke and his wife Meghan Markle quit frontline royal duties and moved to California. The Pro-Sussex magazine has increasingly been given access to the couple over recent months, with Meghan even giving an interview ahead of the launch of With Love, Meghan in March - where she declared she wasn't 'an influencer'. Palace insiders were also quoted on the estrangement since so-called 'Megxit' in 2020 with the last face-to-face encounter between Charles and Harry being a 30-minute meeting in February last year. Jake, originally from Toronto, where Suits was filmed, followed Oprah into St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Meghan and Prince Harry Jake told the US outlet that Meghan (seen in With Love, Meghan) is a hard worker and isn't afraid of getting her 'hands dirty' Elsewhere, sources close to the Duke have told of his calls and letters to relatives being left unanswered. And he is said to have only known his father the King was recently admitted to hospital on March 27 through media reports rather than being told directly. Harry spent some time in the UK earlier this month, attending a hearing at London's High Court in his continuing battle over financing personal protection officers. His legal team is arguing that he, Meghan, and their two children, are not safe to come to Britain. Meghan has been increasingly showing her children on social media as she launches her various business endeavours. However, it has been suggested that Meghan and Harry have different views about sharing their two children on social media. On a recent episode of Hello! magazine's Right Royal podcast, Matt Wilkinson, the royal editor of The Sun, said Harry took a much more cautious approach to posting their children online. 'My understanding of this is that, up to a certain stage, Harry would much rather his children were not seen,' Matt said. The 43-year-old showcased her impressive skills in the kitchen in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan He added: 'Whereas Meghan grew up in California, she once said she would like to have a more California style lifestyle, take them down the beach, go out, do stuff. She doesn't want to hide them away.' He noted that the Duchess does not share her children's faces in images and videos she posts - something the panel said Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie also do when it comes to images of their children. For example, one of her posts, shared several days before the launch of her Netflix show, showed Meghan and her three-year-old daughter joined by 'Auntie' Serena Williams, with the trio playing a game of Candy Land. Another video the Duchess shared featured Archie's voice, as he helped her to water some plants. Elsewhere in the court case, Harry's barrister claimed the prince must have his full taxpayer-funded bodyguards restored when in the UK because his 'life is at stake'. The prince says 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 after he moved out of the UK. But Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Home Office, said it had discretion to strip his guaranteed full time police security without consulting the Risk Management Board quango. People magazine suggested insiders close to the Duke feel Charles is intentionally staying distant partly to avoid being embroiled in questions over security. After this month's hearing, Harry left the UK secretly and without informing Buckingham Palace early last Thursday. He was then understood to have landed at an unnamed airport in Poland ahead of a surprise visit to Ukraine. He was given a police escort to and from the Polish border and former Ukrainian military personnel accompanied him to the Superhumans rehabilitation centre in Lviv where he met adults and children who have been injured since war broke out in 2022. His visit came after William visited a Nato base in Ukraine's neighbour Estonia last month. MailOnline previously contacted Kensington Palace for comment. Representatives for Prince Harry previously declined to comment. A sustainable clothing brand has been accused of cultural appropriation over a new collection which collaborates with an American influencer. US-based brand Reformation, which is loved by celebrities and influencers, has been on the receiving end of a slew of online criticism after its new capsule collection, in collaboration with influencer Devon Lee Carlson, was unveiled. Introducing the 20-piece collection, which was released at the end of March, the influencer said it was inspired by her own wardrobe. Revealing the launch on social media, Reformation, which bills itself as an ethical brand dedicated to sustainability, shared an Instagram post of Carlson modelling the collection, dubbing it 'a girl's best friend'. However, the outfit featured in the post - a baby blue midi skirt paired with a flowy camisole and a delicate scarf - sparked fierce backlash, with viewers accusing the brand of 'stealing' and 'appropriating' South Asian culture. Several fashion fans from South Asian communities pointed to the outfit's similarities to a lehenga choli, a traditional Indian garment that dates back to as early as 2800BC. Critics say the Reformation look, which costs around $400 (300) mimics the style of a lehenga choli, which likewise consists of a skirt, blouse and scarf. The collection is described on Reformation's website as 'inspired' by Carlson's style and is made using sustainable materials. Several from South Asian communities pointed towards the outfit's similarities to a lehenga choli, a traditional Indian garment that's legacy dates back to as early as 2800BC (Devon Lee Carlson pictured) However, the outfit featured in the post - a baby blue midi skirt paired with a flowy camisole and a delicate scarf - sparked fierce backlash, with viewers accusing the brand of 'stealing' and 'appropriating' South Asian culture Writing on Instagram, dozens of fans criticised the brand for 'appropriating' without acknowledging the South Asian fashion they claim inspired it. Commenting underneath the post, one wrote: 'Not you appropriating south Asian culture without even collaborating with a south Asian creator? Crazy work.' Another wrote: 'This is so upsetting and disappointing. I used to love the brand so much. But this lack of acknowledgement is so annoying. It is South Asian. Stop stealing. 'Scandinavian-inspired look which is a copy of a Sharara. Give credit where it's due- South Asian Fashion has a rich history that deserves recognition. 'White people stealing from other cultures and not giving their due credits? Seems like I've heard this before! These brands and people have absolutely no shame!' On TikTok too, people expressed their disdain for the collection. Sai Ananda, an actress based in Manhattan, took to the app to share a side-by-side comparison of the Reformation three-piece outfit and a Bollywood actress wearing a lehenga. In the video, which gathered 16,000 likes, the actress noted there were 'a lot of similarities' to the brand's new collection. On Instagram, dozens criticised the brand for 'appropriating' without acknowledging the South Asian fashion they claim inspired it Speaking to The New York Times, the creator said: 'I'm pretty sure if I dig deep enough, I can find pictures of me and my friends from back in the early 2000s wearing something very similar on a playground at the temple.' 'It's completely fine to be inspired by different cultures but I think there's a level of respect that is required so you're not erasing the cultural background.' In an interview with Forbes, Carlson claimed the collection is comprised of recreations of items from her own personal collection. Carlson, a model and business owner, famous for co-founding phone case company Wildflower Cases, has previously worked for designer brands including Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton. She insisted that the three-piece outfit in question was a take on a vintage dress by the British designer John Galliano that was gifted to her by her boyfriend's mother. She told the publication: 'It's one of the few pieces in my closet that is too precious to share so I worked with Ref to design a two piece set inspired by it.' Writing on its website, Reformation described the collection: 'You probably want to be best friends with Devon Lee Carlson. Who doesn't. 'We can't make that happen, but we did have her design this collection for you, which is kind of the next best thing. Inspired by her personal style, all made with sustainable materials like organic cotton, TENCEL lyocell, and deadstock fabrics that divert waste. In response sent to The New York Times by Reformation, a spokesperson said the brand respects 'the origin of this criticism given South Asian culture's influence on Western style' and said that 'no item of clothing or trend can be considered in isolation without broader historical and cultural precedent.' Despite reports of 'appropriation' from number of publications including the New York Times, the brand has continued to promote the collection on social media - including the three-piece in question, said to be inspired by the lehenga choli. A recent post from the brand included pictures of Carlson from the launch party in which she is seen wearing the controversial ensemble. FEMAIL has reached out to Reformation for comment. Lauren Horbury had bought seven Easter eggs each for her three children This is the hilarious moment a little girl complained she didn't have as many Easter eggs as her brother - but they actually had the same amount. Lauren Horbury, from the UK, bought all three of her children seven chocolate eggs, and displayed them in stacks on the sofa. But her daughter, three, clearly wasn't happy with the display in front of her and moaned that her brother had been given more chocolate. In a typical display of sibling rivalry, she then made a show of counting the eggs up in an attempt to prove it wasn't fair, leaving her mother in stitches of laughter. 'Jack's got more than me!' she declared, while sitting despondently on the sofa. Her mother tried to reassure her, saying: 'No, you've all got seven each. You've all got the same!' But she was not to be put off, and counted up all the eggs, claiming that there were 10 and 12 in two of the piles - and only seven in the middle. The video has since gone viral and racked up nearly 400,000 views, with Lauren joking that she's an 'ungrateful child' as she'd made sure it was fair between them. This is the hilarious moment a little girl complained she didn't have as many Easter eggs as her brother Viewers soon rushed to the comments to praise the 'hilarious' video, and were amused by the display of sibling rivalry. They said: 'Just a normal sibling thing making sure all have the same.' 'Oh shes so funny bless her,' while Lauren admitted: 'Oh, she's a right little character.' However, others thought that seven eggs each was too many for each child, arguing: '7 is a bit much'; 'Is this a joke?'; 'Did you take out a mortgage for that many eggs'; 'This is why u just get them all 1 or 2 so they dont argue they got less. Now theyre just gonna be ungrateful'; 'That's about 700 quids worth of eggs.' Lauren's daughter, three, clearly wasn't convinced it was fair and decided to count up all the eggs However, the fact that there were seven eggs in each pile left Lauren in stitches of laughter Viewers soon rushed to the comments to praise the 'hilarious' video, and were amused by the display of sibling rivalry This year, Brits were left outraged after opening their Easter treats - only to find 'skinny' versions of their chocolate treats. Thousands of chocolate lovers across the UK eagerly unwrapped their eggs on Sunday morning but were instead presented with a 'flattened' version. Left baffled, people joked that their eggs had 'been on Ozempic' - referring to the Hollywood-loved weight loss drug - while others asked 'where's the rest of it?!' Some chocolate companies - such as Tony's Chocolonely - were quick to reassure customers that the unusual shape did not mean that there were getting less chocolate. But others appeared to have been hit once again by 'shrinkflation' - as this year's eggs have increased in price by as much as 50 per cent on last year while shrinking in size. Disappointed shoppers soon took to TikTok to express their anguish, showing off their 'skinny' eggs - despite costing almost 20. Nick Toteda, who is from America but lives in London with his husband Ant, even said British people need to 'explain themselves' as he unwrapped his slimmed-down Maltesers egg. Pope Francis's funeral will be held on Saturday, the Vatican announced, as world leaders from US President Donald Trump to Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky said they would attend to honour the Catholic leader. The Argentine pontiff, 88, died on Monday from a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia. His funeral, which is expected to draw huge crowds, will take place at 10:00 am (0800 GMT) on Saturday in the square in front of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Francis's coffin -- which he previously ordered should be of wood and zinc -- will then be taken inside the church and from there to the Rome basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial. The first so-called "general congregation" of cardinals took place on Tuesday morning, kicking off a centuries-old process that culminates in the election of a new pontiff within three weeks. The Vatican published the first images of the pontiff in his open coffin, wearing his red papal vestments, a mitre on his head and had a rosary between his fingers. The pope's body was photographed during a service on Monday evening in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican residence where he lived during his 12-year papacy, and where he died. It will be transferred to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday at 9:00 am (0700 GMT), to lie in state. Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary to the synod of bishops, told journalists she was "very moved" after paying her respects. She said she had felt "both sadness and gratitude for everything he gave". The Holy See's official media Vatican News, released details about Francis's last hours. The pontiff started feeling ill Monday at around 5.30am (3.30am GMT), less than 24 hours after he greeted a crowd of faithful in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday. Before falling into a coma, he waved to his personal nurse Massimiliano Strappetti from his bed, in what Vatican News described as "a gesture of farewell". On Sunday, he had thanked Strappetti for encouraging him to take what would become his last tour of St Peter's Square in his popemobile. "Thank you for bringing me back to the Square," Francis was quoted as saying. He was pronounced dead at 7:35 am on Monday. "He did not suffer. It all happened quickly," Vatican News said, citing people who were with the pontiff in his final moments. Tributes have poured in from around the globe for Francis, a liberal reformer who took over following the resignation of German theologian Benedict XVI in 2013. His home country, Argentina, prepared for a week of national mourning while India began three days of state mourning on Tuesday -- a rare honour for a foreign religious leader in the world's most populous nation. Heads of state and royalty are expected for his funeral, with Trump and France's Emmanuel Macron the first to announce they would attend even before a date was confirmed. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, Germany's outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Zelensky will also attend. Cardinals of all ages are invited to the general congregations,a second of which will be held on Wednesday. At the first meeting, attended by around 60 cardinals, lots were drawn to pick three people to help the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, run the Vatican's day-to-day affairs until a new pope is elected. Only those under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave, which should begin no less than 15 days and no more than 20 after the death of the pope -- meaning between May 5 and 10. Speculation is already growing about who will take over from Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio, who was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit. Cardinal Francois-Xavier Bustillo, the bishop of Ajaccio in Corsica, told AFP as he arrived in Rome that it would be an "intense" time. The pope's body was moved into the Santa Marta chapel on Monday evening, and his apartment formally sealed, the Vatican said. Francis, who wore plain robes and eschewed the luxury of his predecessors, has opted for a simple tomb, unadorned except for his name in Latin, Franciscus, according to his will released on Monday. In chosing to be buried in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, he will become the first pope in more than 100 years to be laid to rest outside the Vatican. His death certificate released by the Vatican said Francis died of a stroke, causing a coma and "irreversible" heart failure. He had been discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital on March 23 and ordered to spend at least two months resting. But Francis, who never took a holiday and delighted in being among his flock, made numerous public appearances in recent days. "I saw on Easter Sunday that the pope was tired. He kept going right to the end, right to his last breath," Bustillo told AFP. Thousands of faithful, some bringing flowers or candles, have been gathering in St. Peter's Square since his death to pray for Francis, joined by tourists. "He's sure done a lot of good things for the church and for the people. I think he changed the way other people view us, Catholics," said tourist Leandro Martins. An energetic reformer, Francis sought to open the Church to everyone and was hugely popular -- but his views also sparked fierce internal opposition. In 12 years as pope, Francis advocated tirelessly for the defence of migrants, the environment, and social justice without questioning the Church's positions on abortion or priestly celibacy. Outspoken and stubborn, Francis also sought to reform the governance of the Holy See and expand the role of women and lay people, and to clean up the Vatican's murky finances. Faced with revelations of widespread child sex abuse in the Church, he lifted pontifical secrecy and forced religious and lay people to report cases to their superiors. However, victims' groups said he did not go far enough. The Duchess of Sussex has revealed that box hair dye left her looking like 'Elvira' during the pandemic. Meghan Markle, 43, discussed the memory on the latest episode of her new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, alongside Kadi Lee, her friend and co-owner of hair salon Highbrow Hippie in Venice, California. The mother-of-two explained how she first met Kadi in 2020, the year she stepped down as a senior royal with Prince Harry, through leading hairstylist Serge Normant. Meghan had reached out to Serge that year for tips on how to rectify her 'inky' hair colour resulting from repeated boxed hair dye use, and he pointed her in the direction of Kadi. The duchess said, 'So, my family had just moved to California, and we were staying in our friend's home, and because it was the pandemic, I kept ordering boxed hair dye. 'I thought, 'I'm going to look just like she does on the box', and instead, it was this very inky, almost Elvira-esque black hair.' The mother-of-two messaged Serge, who styled Meghan's hair for her wedding to Prince Harry two years prior, explaining, 'I had texted Serge, and he said you need to see Kadi, and you came over,' and the pair, who have since developed a close friendship, haven't looked back. Kadi recalled Meghan and Harry greeting her with 'big bear hugs' at the time, adding that the couple instantly acted in a 'warm' manner. The Duchess of Sussex said box hair dye left her looking like 'Elvira' during the pandemic (seen in Netflix's With Love, Meghan) Elsewhere in the third episode, Meghan said the original name for her lifestyle brand As Ever became a 'word salad'. Meghan originally introduced her latest business venture, which sells products like raspberry spread, as American Riviera Orchard in March last year. But she faced trademarking setbacks and switched the name to As Ever in February, just weeks before the launch - with Netflix now a new partner in the business. The Duchess spoke about the name in her latest podcast episode, saying, 'I had secured As Ever as a name in 2022, and then as everything started to evolve last year, and bringing in a partner the size that it was, and it was just so interesting. 'Because you remember, I said, 'I like American Riviera as an umbrella,' and then be able to have verticals beneath it. And maybe have the 'Orchard' really small. But when that's not feasible suddenly it became this word salad. I didn't love that so much.' 'I was like, 'OK, well let's go back to the thing that I've always loved. Let's use the name that I protected for a reason that had been sort of under wraps'. Meghan discussed the topic with hair colourist Kadi Lee on the latest episode of her new podcast - Confessions of a Female Founder The Duchess is pictured in 2020 before addressing the keynote The Time is Now Women in Leadership Plenary 'And then we were able to focus in the quiet and put our heads down and build on something that no one was sniffing around to even see about. 'It was just really, really helpful to have that quiet period which you would know after spending so many years working on something, building it and the pivots that you had to take with it.' Meghan's guest Lee runs the Highbrow Hippie salon in the Los Angeles area of Venice, with her clients including Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Sigourney Weaver. The Duchess revealed last November that she had invested in the company, telling InStyle at the time that she was 'so proud to invest in her as a friend and as a female founder'. Meghan also attended a launch event for the brand in Venice and posed for photos with Lee and celebrity hairstylist Serge Normant, who styled her hair for her wedding to Prince Harry in Windsor in 2018. And the Duchess said of Lee in the podcast: 'Look at you now, I mean the name Highbrow Hippie is no longer just a blog and a hair salon, it's a product line too. 'You have a hair supplement and hair serum that you just launched last year, and it's already been named best hair serum by Oprah Daily.' The Duchess described Lee in the podcast as a 'dear friend' and said people 'can't get enough' of Lee's products. Pictured: Meghan Markle with Kadi Lee at a Highbrow Hippie event in Venice, California, last November Pictured: Meghan with Kadi Lee and her hair stylist Serge Normant at the Highbrow Hippie event in Venice, California, in November 2024 Lee who previously worked at the Aveda Institute in New York - and her friend Myka Harris founded their hair salon in 2019 following the success of a shared blog. Their brand also promotes 'conscious living' and sells smokeless incense, California olive oil, Mason Pearson hairbrushes and magnesium food supplements. In 2020, the pair attended a Black Lives Matter march and highlighted how they were the only black-owned business on their street. In May 2023, the salon revealed that Meghan had booked in for a hair colouring session with Lee ahead of the Women of Vision awards in New York. Their conversation is the latest instalment from Meghan's new eight-part podcast with Lemonada Media, which promised 'girl talk' and advice on how to create 'billion-dollar businesses'. It follows the Duchess's Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan coming out last month and the launch As Ever, which is selling flower sprinkles and herbal tea. In February, Meghan revealed she had renamed her lifestyle brand to 'As Ever' and posted a rare image of her young daughter Lilibet to accompany the announcement. She said at the time: 'Last year, I had thought 'You know what, American Riviera, that sounds like such a great name, it's my neighbourhood, it's a nickname for Santa Barbara'. Serge Normant styled Meghan's hair for her royal wedding to Prince Harry in Windsor in May 2018 'But it limited me to things that were just manufactured and grown in this area. 'Then Netflix came on, not just as my partner in the show, but as my partner in my business, which was huge.' The latest episode of Meghan's podcast comes after she spoke about 'juggling it all' and nursing a poorly Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet at home in episode two last week. Meghan revealed how, at the time of recording, one of her children had RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) a common cause of coughs and colds and the other influenza A a form of flu. The Duchess, talking about the challenge of being a working mother, said: 'With that comes the woman who is juggling it all and doing it all from home, being confident enough to tell the truth about what's going on, because you can't give grace to someone in the same way if you just have no sense of it.' Speaking to Reshma Saujani, founder of the not-for-profit Girls Who Code, she also touched on her experience of miscarriage and having to 'let something go that you plan to love for a long time'. Meghan had a miscarriage in July 2020, when her eldest child Archie was one, revealing her heartbreak in an article for The New York Times later that year. In the first episode of the podcast, released a fortnight ago, Meghan said she suffered medical complications after childbirth, and had to cope with the 'world' not knowing. The Duchess she had been diagnosed with post-partum pre-eclampsia following the birth of one of her children. Describing the condition, Meghan said: 'It's so rare. And its so scary.' 'You're still trying to juggle all these things and the world doesn't know what is happening, quietly and in the quiet you are still trying to show up for people. 'You're still trying to show up, mostly for your children. But those things are huge medical scares.' Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of dating platform Bumble and the first guest on Meghan's podcast, added: 'They're life or death, truly.' The fourth episode of Confessions of a Female Founder will be released on April 29. A presenter who was allegedly 'raped by the future King of Norway's stepson while she was unconscious' has broken down in tears as she hit out at Marius Borg Hiby's 'appalling' behaviour. The 28-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit was first arrested on August 4, and has since faced a string of charges including assault and two rapes - which he denies - and as well as being under investigation for three further sexual assaults among other charges. Among those who has come forward is national media personality Linni Meister, who attended a 'castle basement party' of his, where the 'attack' is said to have taken place; with police reported to have a video clip. The TV star, 39, reportedly did not remember the alleged assault and only became aware of it after she was informed by law enforcement officials. After the claims came out earlier this year, Linni stated the allegations were 'true' in a Snapchat statement. She has now hit out at Borg Hiby's 'disrespect' in a new podcast 'Puppen og Lillemor' with friend and co-host Mia Gundersen, 63. As reported by Se og hor, Linni became emotional as she slammed the royal for 'running away and going to party' while 'victims' wait for justice. 'He has no respect for himself or his family. Not even for us victims. It's hurtful. What happened afterwards is almost worse for me,' she said tearfully in an episode. 'Instead of doing the right thing, he runs away and goes to a party. I am appalled by how things are being handled by the defendant. And why isn't more happening? It pisses me off! Among those who has come forward is national media personality Linni Meister (pictured), who attended a 'castle basement party' of his, where the 'attack' is said to have taken place; with police reported to have a video clip 'If we are going to have a monarchy, we have to be able to trust it. He is not even in a place where he takes care of his health. He travels from country to country to party!' Linni also admitted her heartbreak at the situation, considering she had felt Borg Hiby was a friend. Even when the police had presented her with 'evidence' of her own assault, she said she initially wondered if it had been forged by AI (artificial intelligence). 'Marius doesn't take anything seriously,' she added. 'Everything is like a game to him.' In a statement to the podcast, Borg Hiby's new lawyer Ellen Holager Andens referred to an earlier statement made in light of Linni's earlier Snapchat 'confirmation'. 'I am unfamiliar with statements on social media, and of course I have no desire to have opinions about what is said there,' they said. Linni also admitted her heartbreak at the situation, considering she had felt Borg Hiby was a friend Borg Hiby, who is under investigation for multiple sexual assault cases and drug offences, had not commented on the allegations when they came out in February 'I am concerned that Se og Hr really sees reason to refer to that type of statement and reminds me of my call to reflect on the total media pressure in this case. 'I hope Se og Hr does not think of contacting me every time someone expresses themselves on social media. If so, I can only conclude that the bottom has not yet been reached.' Borg Hiby, who is under investigation for multiple sexual assault cases and drug offences, had not commented on the allegations when they came out in February. The assault is reported to have taken place in 2018 at a 'party among friends' in the basement of Skaugum Castle in 2018, when Borg Hiby was 21. He dubbed these 'Skaugum Festivals' and reportedly criminal friends including members of motorcycle gangs. After one of these parties, the home was burgled, when a motorcycle gang reportedly stole private items from the Norwegian Royal Family. Items, including silverware, are alleged to have been taken and then attempted to be sold via an auction house. The event is said to have gotten 'completely out of hand' and continued in the castle basement after Borg Hiby's stepfather, Crown Prince Haakon, slept upstairs. Linni has now hit out at Borg Hiby's 'disrespect' in a new podcast 'Puppen og Lillemor' with friend and co-host Mia Gundersen, 63 Borg Hiby is not a royal - but the stepson of the future king of Norway. He was four when his mother married the future King Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. His half-sister is the future Queen of Norway. It was during the party that Borg Hiby allegedly raped Linni while she was unconscious, local media reported. Police became aware of the alleged crime after discovering three videos and more than 10 photos of the incident on Borg Hiby's laptop, it was reported. Linni was informed about the alleged assault at the Oslo Police Station, where she was shown the reportedly incriminating evidence. After initial reports in Norwegian media, Linni took to her Snapchat to write: 'I woke up to my phone falling to the floor, as it was being rung by the Norwegian and foreign press. 'I understand that there are many who want to comment on the case Se og Hr is reporting today, but I will not comment on it, other than that it is true,' she writes, and continues: 'Mostly to protect myself and my family, and because I really feel for the person's family. This has to end and we can't have this anymore, or more victims, so I really hope the person gets serious help.' John Christian Elden, Linni's lawyer, told the magazine: 'In a crime of this kind, this is highly unusual, and it is also rare that a suspect really benefits from it. But of course it is his right. He can refuse to testify.' Prince Sverre Magnus, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Marius Borg Hiby pictured in 2019 in Oslo Meanwhile, just weeks ago Borg Hiby was accused of rape by a fifth woman, which is alleged to have taken place after he was released from police custody for assaulting his girlfriend. It was in March reported that another person had become 'involved in the case' and is said to have been questioned by police 'several times,' according to local outlet Aftenposten. This brought forward a new case of 'rape without intercourse', which allegedly took place late last year - when Borg Hiby was already facing a series of assault charges. 'I can confirm that I have been appointed as a legal aid lawyer for a woman in her 20s,' lawyer John Christian Elden said. 'Beyond that, I have no comment on the case.' That same week, the royal was spotted stepping out in Copenhagen looking unrecognisable, dying his hair dark from white blonde and growing it out. The son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also spent time at rehab centres in London since his arrest. Hiby's defense attorney Ellen Holager Andens said: 'I have no knowledge of this and therefore have no comments to give.' TV2 had also been told by sources that the alleged rape took place just four months ago - at a hotel in Oslo. A woman in her 20s is said to have filed the report in February. The Norwegian royal family was rocked by Hiby's first arrest at the beginning of August. Pictured with his mother in 2016 As outlined by Afterposten, Borg Hiby is now facing allegations of two rapes without intercourse, charges of abusing three women, 'threatening to kill a man, driving without a valid driver's license, reckless behavior, multiple violations of a restraining order, damage, threats, and bodily harm'. He has in past pleaded guilty to 'reckless conduct, damage, threats, bodily harm and a death threat - but denies all other charges. The Norwegian royal family was rocked by Borg Hiby's first arrest at the beginning of August, after a woman - Rebecca Helberg Arntsen - was left in hospital with her injuries following an attack. A week after his arrest, Borg Hiby admitted to the assault on Rebecca, whom he referred to as his 'girlfriend' (her lawyers have refuted this claim). In a statement issued via his own lawyer, Borg Hiby said he suffers from 'several mental disorders' and has 'struggled with substance abuse for a long time', which he said he is resuming treatment for. The statement read: 'Last weekend something happened that should never have happened. I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment in the intoxication of alcohol and cocaine after an argument. 'I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges. I have struggled with substance abuse for a long time, something I have been in treatment for in the past. 'The drug use and my diagnoses do not excuse what happened in the apartment at Frogner on the night of Sunday last weekend. I want to be responsible for what I have done, and will explain myself truthfully to the police. 'For me, the most important thing is to say sorry to my girlfriend. She deserved neither what happened that night, nor the extreme pressure from both the Norwegian and foreign press afterwards.' Mette-Marit's eldest son also apologised to his family for his actions that have 'greatly affected you'. Royals across Europe will also be expected to attend the funeral on Saturday Monarchies from around the world have shared tributes to Pope Francis following his death yesterday aged 88. The pontiff 'passed away peacefully' at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican on Monday, according to his doctors. The cause of death has since been confirmed as a stroke, leading to subsequent heart failure. Royals across Europe and beyond will be expected to attend his funeral on Saturday at St Peter's Square - with King Phillipe and Queen Mathilde the first confirmed to attend. Europe was quick to issue statements following the death of the beloved Pope, with royals including Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands all sending their condolences. King Charles led the way, with His Majesty saying he was 'deeply saddened' to learn of the Pope's passing. He said Francis, who was the first Latin American pope, would be 'remembered for his compassion' and had 'profoundly touched the lives of so many'. And, as one of the last remaining Catholic monarchies in Europe, the Belgian royals shared a tribute to the Pontiff on Instagram, describing their 'great sadness' at hearing the news. Pope Francis had met the couple just last September at Laeken Castle, during a tour of Belgium and Luxembourg. Monarchies from around the world have shared tributes to Pope Francis following his death yesterday aged 88. Pictured: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene with the Pope Philippe and Mathilde wrote: 'It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Pope Francis. 'He was a great man, close to the most humble and concerned about the world's problems. We share the grief of all Catholics throughout the world and all those who loved and appreciated him. 'We also express our gratitude for the honor he bestowed upon us by visiting our country. Philippe and Mathilde.' Meanwhile Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco shared a photograph of meeting the Pope in 2022, having also met him in 2013 and 2016. Accompanying the post, Albert shared his 'infinite sadness' and 'deep sorrow' in a deeply personal message. It will be a particular blow for the royals, as Albert's first overseas trip as sovereign was to the funeral of Pope John II, while Charlene converted to Catholicism just prior to her marriage. King Felipe of Spain shared a message on behalf of his family, including his wife Queen Letizia, to social media and sent his condolences. Pope Francis meets King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain at his private library in the Apostolic Palace in 2014 Pope Francis together with Queen Silvia and King Carl Gustaf during their meeting in the Kings House in Lund, October 31, 2016 King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima issued a statement to the Royal House's website. Pictured with Pope Francis in 2017 As one of the last remaining Catholic monarchies in Europe, the Belgian royals shared a tribute to the Pontiff on Instagram. Pictured in September IN FULL: TRIBUTES FROM THE WORLD'S ROYALS TO POPE FRANCIS KING WILLEM-ALEXANDER AND QUEEN MAXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDS 'We are deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. We have warm memories of our personal audience with him, during our state visit to the Holy See in 2017. Pope Francis radiated mercy in everything he did. With his deep-rooted faith in God's love, he was the embodiment of benevolence and humanity. Choosing a simple, ascetic way of life, he consistently chose the side of the vulnerable and needy. He was deeply convinced that God works through humility and compassion, and in that spirit he actively sought to build bridges with other religious communities all over the world. He was a committed guardian of the listening and loving Church, and as a result he succeeded in winning the hearts of many, both within the Roman Catholic Church and outside it. We will cherish his memory in gratitude.' PRINCE ALBERT AND PRINCESS CHARLENE OF MONACO 'It is with infinite sadness and deep sorrow that we learned of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis on this Easter Monday. Particularly moved, my family, myself and the Principality would like to express our deepest condolences to the Catholic Church and all the faithful with whom we share a great sorrow. In this time of pain and mourning, we keep in mind and in our hearts the apostolic blessings which the Holy Father lavishly bestowed upon us during his Pontificate and fervently pray for the repose of his soul. May his unrelenting message of love, brotherhood, peace, faith, justice, mercy, compassion, and respect for our nature continue to nourish our thoughts and commitments to the service of the common good and radiate upon a world he will leave his mark on. With profound gratitude, we pay tribute to the very great servant of mankind who has just left us. We ask Your Most Reverend Eminence to believe in the part that we take, with all the inhabitants of the Principality, in the mourning of the Church and of the Vatican City.' KING FELIPE AND QUEEN LETIZIA OF SPAIN 'Most Reverend Eminence: Upon receiving, with deep sadness, the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, I wish to send you, in my name, in that of the Government and in that of the Spanish people, the testimony of our most heartfelt regret. His Holiness Pope Francis has testified throughout his pontificate to the importance of love of neighbor, brotherhood and social friendship for the world of our century. We will always be inspired by his conviction of the need to bring encouragement and comfort to the poorest and most needy and the importance he gave to dialogue and consensus to achieve a more just and supportive world. In the face of pain for his loss, the Queen and the entire Royal Family join me to convey to the entire Catholic Church, our condolences and our affection, as well as our prayers for their eternal rest. Receive, Most Reverend Eminence, the testimony of my highest Consideration and esteem. Felipe R.' 'Most Reverend Eminence: Upon receiving, with deep sadness, the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, I wish to send you, in my name, in that of the Government and in that of the Spanish people, the testimony of our most heartfelt regret. His Holiness Pope Francis has testified throughout his pontificate to the importance of love of neighbor, brotherhood and social friendship for the world of our century. We will always be inspired by his conviction of the need to bring encouragement and comfort to the poorest and most needy and the importance he gave to dialogue and consensus to achieve a more just and supportive world. In the face of pain for his loss, the Queen and the entire Royal Family join me to convey to the entire Catholic Church, our condolences and our affection, as well as our prayers for their eternal rest. Receive, Most Reverend Eminence, the testimony of my highest Consideration and esteem. Felipe R.' KING FREDERIK OF DENMARK 'Your Eminence, It is with profound sorrow that the Queen and I have learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. We have fond memories from our meeting with His Holiness in 2018 at the Vatican. We will remember him as a Pope dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and always advocating for people living in vulnerable situations. Please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences for the Church in this time of loss.' KING CARL GUSTAF AND QUEEN SILVIA OF SWEDEN 'The Queen and I remember Pope Francis with great respect and warmth. By virtue of his natural charisma, deep humility, and unwavering defense of human dignity, the Pope was a significant leader. Many in our country particularly appreciated Pope Francis' historic visit to Lund almost ten years ago. We remember with warmth the ecumenical service when Lutherans and Catholics gathered under the arches of the cathedral to leave historical conflicts behind in a spirit of reconciliation and understanding. The Pope also received the Queen at the Vatican several times to jointly shed light on the many injustices that the world's children are forced to endure. On this day, we look back with gratitude on the Pope's commitment to the world's vulnerable. Our thoughts go out to Catholics around the world who have lost a great leader and role model.' PRINCESS MADELEINE OF SWEDEN 'Dear Pope Francis, thank you for the compassion and courage you showed in defending vulnerable and exploited children. Your voice gave hope to those who felt invisible, and your actions helped bring safety, dignity, and love to so many who had known only pain. I will always be grateful for the light you brought into the lives of the most forgotten. Your kindness and courage will always be remembered. My family and I will always cherish the memory of meeting you.' KING HARALD OF NORWAY 'Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals Your Eminence, I was deeply saddened to learn that His Holiness Pope Francis has passed away. On behalf of myself and the people of Norway, I send you my deepfelt condolences. Pope Francis was highly respected and loved for being a passionate and clear voice for the most vulnerable in society. My sympathy is with all Catholics in Norway and around the world on this sad occasion. Harald R.' KING CHARLES 'My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry. His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many. The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month. We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.' KING PHILIPPE AND QUEEN MATHILDE OF BELGIUM 'It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Pope Francis. He was a great man, close to the most humble and concerned about the world's problems. We share the grief of all Catholics throughout the world and all those who loved and appreciated him. We also express our gratitude for the honor he bestowed upon us by visiting our country. Philippe and Mathilde' GRAND DUKE HENRI and DUCHESS MARIA THERESA OF LUXEMBOURG 'Your Eminence, The Grand Duchess and I are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. This sadness is all the greater given that we had the honor and immense joy of welcoming him on an official visit to Luxembourg last October. Pope Francis was a man of great compassion, sharing the pain and suffering of others. Constantly concerned about the problems of the most disadvantaged and refugees, he was devoted to the most vulnerable, while remaining attentive to the hopes of young people. He was a spiritual guide for us and for the world beyond the Church. We offer our most sincere condolences to you and, through you, to the entire Catholic community. Henri' KING MOHAMMED OF MOROCCO 'That visit strengthened the foundations of the close and special relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Holy See. It was a significant milestone in our common desire to continue enhancing dialogue, understanding and mutual respect between Christians and Muslims. That auspicious visit culminated in the signing by His Holiness Pope Francis and myself of the 'Jerusalem Declaration', which calls for guaranteeing the right of the followers of the three monotheistic religions to freely enter the Holy City and perform their religious rituals therein.' QUEEN RANIA OF JORDAN 'In a world that can often feel heartless, Pope Francis always had love to spare for the less fortunate, refugee families, and children in war zones, in Gaza and around the world. Humanity has lost an invaluable champion for peace and compassion today. May he rest in peace.' KING ABDULLAH OF JORDAN 'My deepest condolences to our Christian brothers and sisters around the world on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a man of peace who was beloved by the people for his kindness, humility, and tireless efforts to bring everyone together. His memory will live on in the hearts of millions.' Advertisement He said: 'I wish to send you, in my name, in that of the Government and in that of the Spanish people, the testimony of our most heartfelt regret. 'His Holiness Pope Francis has testified throughout his pontificate to the importance of love of neighbor, brotherhood and social friendship for the world of our century.' He added: 'In the face of pain for his loss, the Queen and the entire Royal Family join me to convey to the entire Catholic Church, our condolences and our affection, as well as our prayers for their eternal rest.' Though many monarchies opted for a social media post, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands instead shared a letter to the Royal House;s website, announcing they were 'deeply saddened' to hear the news. In their message, they referenced 'warm memories', including their state visit to the Holy See in 2017. Other royals quick to send their messages including Grand Henri and Duchess Maria Theresa of Luxembourg, King Frederik of Denmark and King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway. Sweden saw statements both from King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, and their daughter Princess Madeleine, while King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan issued separate statements. The Vatican said Pope Francis died of a cerebral stroke and subsequent heart failure. Pope Francis Meets Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the Apostolic Palace on November 8, 2018 Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah during a meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican, on November 10, 2022 Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Pope Francis and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg last September The stroke led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, a death certificate confirmed. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official certification, said that the Pope had a prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes. His death was confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography. In his last testament, he asked that the 'suffering that has marked the final part of my life [leads to] peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples'. He also asked to be buried in a 'niche of the side nave between the Cappella Paolina (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Cappella Sforza of the aforementioned Papal Basilica.' The Vatican's report comes around 12 hours after the pontiff's death was first announced. Since then, thousands of mourners tonight gathered for a Rosary prayer vigil in front of St Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, to commemorate the life of Pope Francis. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti led the event as part of the ceremonies and prayers following the 'peaceful' death of the Pope at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican today. Francis (pictured on Easter Sunday) died from a cerebral haemorrhage and a stroke, the Vatican said Thousands of mourners gathered for a Rosary prayer vigil in front of St Peter's Basilica The cardinal opened the service by saying: 'We all have in our hearts the words Pope Francis addressed to us, "Do not forget to pray for me". 'We know that death is not a door that closes, but rather a gateway to the heavenly Jerusalem.' The Rosary is a prayer ritual that will precede the Pope's transfer to St. Peter's Basilica so that the faithful can bid farewell before his burial and is expected to continue each evening until his funeral. The atmosphere was solemn and several people were in tears as the prayers were recited and as the event ended after 34 minutes a ripple applause broke out. In London's Westminster Cathedral, more than a thousand mourners gathered this evening in to mourn Pope Francis. The pews inside the Cathedral, which is the largest Catholic Church in the UK, were packed with many people, both young and old, as the first of three masses to honour the pontiff began. Meanwhile officials in the Italian government were said to be considering three days of mourning following the funeral. It would mean a minute's silence being observed and all flags at half mast on public buildings while scheduled events for ministers would be cancelled. For about 50 minutes, the pontiff's vehicle slowly moved through the masses, but Italian media now speculate that doctors would have advised against him bathing in the crowd as he was likely immunocompromised following his pneumonia battle The last time there was such a period of national mourning in Italy was for the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005. The death of the Argentine pontiff, leader of the Catholic Church since March 2013, came less than a month after having been released from hospital following a 38-day battle with double pneumonia. In a final act of devotion, Pope Francis had greeted worshippers in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday in what turned out to be his last public appearance before his death. Surprisingly, the Pope was not wearing a nasal cannula hooked up to oxygen when he was driven through the crowd of 35,000 faithful yesterday, having worn it for many of his appearances since he was discharged. For about 50 minutes, the pontiff's vehicle slowly moved through the masses in 21C heat, in spite of doctors' orders that the pope rest and cut buck his schedule at the very least. But the pontiff was determined to continue doing God's work. Earlier, he had appeared on the Vatican balcony and told crowds, 'Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter', before an aide read the rest of his annual Urbi et Orbi blessing and speech, which called for an end to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. The Holy See's press service announced only the Pontiff's death shortly after he passed away, writing in tribute that he had dedicated his 'entire life' to serving God and the church. His body will now lie in state in St Peter's Basilica for three days, and then he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. His body could lie in state as soon as Wednesday, according to Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office. As the world mourns the loss of the Catholic leader, the battle to succeed Pope Francis, one for the very soul of the Catholic Church and its over a billion followers around the world, has likely begun behind closed doors. Whoever becomes the 267th Pope will dictate the direction of the Church for the next decade or more on the most pressing, and contentious, issues facing society. Pope Francis broke with the conservative stance of his two predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and his papacy will be remembered for his liberalism on LGBTQ+ rights, his support for refugees, and his focus on climate change. In recent years Francis has done a great deal to shape the makeup of the ancient and secretive group that will appoint his successor, with about 80 per cent of the 138 Cardinals eligible to vote having been appointed by him, meaning there is a good chance the next Pope will be somebody loyal to Francis who takes a liberal approach to the Papacy. Following an Easter Sunday spent with family in Windsor, including attending the Matins service at St George's Chapel, King Charles returned to work on Bank Holiday Monday, greeting New Zealand's Prime Minister. The meeting between Charles, 76, and New Zealand's premier Christopher Luxon came just hours after the monarch was told the news of the passing of Pope Francis. The pontiff died aged 88 following a cerebral stroke in the early hours of Monday morning. As a mark of respect to the late Pope, who will be buried in Rome later this week, both the King and Mr Luxon, 54, wore black ties in tribute to the late head of the Roman Catholic church. Charles, who had led his family to church on Sunday for the traditional Easter service in Windsor, wore a double breasted slate grey suit for the meeting. In a post on his social media account, Mr Luxon spoke of the King's affection for the Antipodean country. He wrote: 'His Majesty King Charles III has a deep love of New Zealand. It was an honour to have an audience with him at Windsor Castle upon my arrival in London.' The two men are thought to have covered a range of topics in the Bank Holiday meeting, with Mr Luxon saying: 'Theres a long-standing convention we dont talk about the detail of those conversations. Just hours after the death of the Pope was announced, King Charles held an audience with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, right, at Windsor Castle Both the King and the New Zealand Premier wore black ties as a mark of respect for the late pontiff 'But suffice to say, as you would expect, hes got a great amount of time for New Zealand, and was interested in what was happening back at home.' Yesterday, King Charles joined world leaders in paying tribute to the Pope, saying he was 'deeply saddened' to learn of the Pope's passing in the Vatican City. He said Francis, who was the first Latin American pope, would be 'remembered for his compassion' and had 'profoundly touched the lives of so many'. Pope Francis's death came just weeks after King Charles and Queen Camilla met His Eminence in Rome during a royal visit to Italy, with His Majesty saying the couple were 'greatly moved to have been able to visit him'. The Pontiff had spent the last couple of months battling health problems, including a bout of pneumonia which left him hospitalised. He had recovered enough to hold a private audience with the pair on April 9, and he had been seen at public events over the Easter weekend, while also meeting US Vice President JD Vance in recent days. However, it was announced early on Easter Monday that he had passed away, sending more than a billion Catholics worldwide into mourning. The king released a statement on Monday, saying that he and Queen Camilla had enjoyed meeting the Pope on their recent visit to Italy Mr Luxon told New Zealanders that the King has 'got a great amount of time for New Zealand, and was interested in what was happening back at home' In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Charles said: 'My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. 'Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry. 'His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. 'His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Charles met with Pope Francis when he was the Prince of Wales during a trip to the Vatican in April 2017 King Charles and Queen Camilla have a private meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican City on April 9 this year 'Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many. 'The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month. 'We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.' As the world prepares for the Pope's funeral, it's been revealed that the late pontiff did not fear death, but instead welcomed the 'new beginning' of eternal life with God. Writing in an essay just two months ago, Francis had reflected on death on February 7th this year as he penned a preface for Cardinal Angelo Scola's new book, titled 'Awaiting a New Beginning. Reflections on Old Age'. 'Death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something,' the pontiff wrote in the preface, which was released by the Vatican today. Queen Letizia of Spain cut a solemn figure as she paid her respects to Pope Francis in Madrid on Tuesday. The royal, 52, and her husband King Felipe, 57, and her mother-in-law Queen Sofia, 86, were welcomed by the Spanish Apostolic Nuncio, Bernardito Cleopas Auza, who acts as Pope Francis' ambassador and represents the Vatican. The Pope died on Easter Monday from a stroke and heart failure at the age of 88 and 'passed away peacefully' at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican, according to his doctors. He reportedly woke up when his alarm went off at 6am, fell ill at 7am and died from a stroke at 7.35am. Justice Minister Felix Bolanos said in a televised address that Spain - where most of the population is Catholic - will mourn Francis' death for three days. Felipe, Letizia and Sofia joined their nation in grieving the Pope's passing as they dressed in dark clothing sign the Pope's book of condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Madrid. Letizia donned a conservative long-sleeved belted black dress for the occasion, which came to just below her knee. She paired her respectful ensemble with glossy black slingback heels, a black leather handbag and silver stud earrings, whereas Queen Sofia opted for a stylish black pantsuit with heeled boots. The royal, 52, and her husband King Felipe, 57, were welcomed by the Spanish Apostolic Nuncio, Bernardito Cleopas Auza, on Tuesday Queen Letizia of Spain cut a solemn figure as she paid her respects to Pope Francis in Madrid on Tuesday Queen Letizia gave a slight smile as she waved to the cameras in Madrid on Tuesday She wore her shiny chocolate tresses down in a straightened blow-dry and opted for natural makeup to match her pared back look. King Felipe looked dapper in a suit, a crisp white shirt, a black tie and polished shoes as he greeted officials. He released a statement about Pope Francis' death on behalf of himself and his wife as they offered their 'most heartfelt regret' at the news. 'His Holiness Pope Francis has testified throughout his pontificate to the importance of love of neighbour, brotherhood and social friendship for the world of our century,' it said. 'We will always be inspired by his conviction of the need to bring encouragement and comfort to the poorest and most needy and the importance he gave to dialogue and consensus to achieve a more just and supportive world.' 'In the face of pain for his loss, the Queen and the entire Royal Family join me to convey to the entire Catholic Church, our condolences and our affection, as well as our prayers for their eternal rest. Receive, Most Reverend Eminence, the testimony of my highest Consideration and esteem.' Queen Letizia and King Felipe met Pope Francis one year into his role as the head of the Catholic church in 2014, after Pope Benedict XVI became the first Pope to resign in 600 years in 2013. During the visit, the mother-of-two donned an all-white ensemble as she one of the seven Catholic Queens, Princesses and Duchesses who has 'il privilegio del bianco' (the privilege of the white) which allows female royals to wear white in front of the Pope. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain meet Pope Francis in 2014 and she opted to wear white King Felipe, Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia all enter Apostolic Nunciature to pay their respects to Pope Francis Letizia was pictured chatting to her mother-in-law Queen Sofia at the reflective event on Tuesday Queen Letizia donned a conservative long-sleeved belted black dress for the occasion, which came to just below her knee Letizia is pictured signing Pope Francis' book of condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Madrid All three royals looked solemn as they gazed at a picture of the late Pope as their paid their respects to him Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Maria Teresa, The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg are all allowed to wear white in front of the Pope. 'The privilege of the white' also extends to Belgium's Queen Paola and Princess Marina of Naples. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official certification, said that the Pope had a prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes. In London's Westminster Cathedral, more than a thousand mourners gathered this evening to mourn Pope Francis. The pews inside the Cathedral, which is the largest Catholic Church in the UK, were packed with many people, both young and old, as the first of three masses to honour the pontiff began. Meanwhile, Italy has announced five days of mourning until Saturday, when the late pontiff's funeral will be held outside St Peter's Basilica. Timothee Chalamet's mom has broken her silence on his controversial romance with Kylie Jenner... amid feud rumors between the makeup mogul and his sister Pauline. The Wonka star, 29, and the reality sensation, 27, were first linked in the spring of 2023, and since then, their relationship has caused quite the stir online. And there's one person who may not be a fan of the pairing - Timothee's sister Pauline, 33 - as she has thrown some alleged shade at Kylie on numerous occasions. Now, the actor's mom, Nicole Flender, has shared her thoughts on her son's romance with the brunette beauty, and she seems to be nothing but supportive. While speaking to Curbed in a new interview, real estate agent Nicole praised Kylie as she reflected on how both of her kids had moved away. 'I have to say she's lovely,' she gushed, when asked about Kylie. 'She's very nice to me.' Timothee's sister Pauline, who is an actress and producer, took an apparent swipe at Kylie last month via Instagram. Taking to her Stories to discuss a New York Times article about cuts to foreign aid, she lambasted 'insane wealth disparity' in the US. Timothee Chalamet's mom (seen together in 2017) has broken her silence on his romance with Kylie Jenner... amid feud rumors between the makeup mogul and his sister Pauline The Wonka star, 29, and the reality sensation, 27, were first linked in the spring of 2023, and since then, their relationship has caused quite the stir online. They're seen together last month And there's one person who may not be a fan of the pairing - Timothee's sister Pauline, 33 - as she has thrown some alleged shade at Kylie on numerous occasions Now, the actor's mom, Nicole Flender, has shared her thoughts on her son's romance with the brunette beauty, and she seems to be nothing but supportive It's certainly no secret that Kylie has amassed a huge net worth and is estimated to be currently sitting on a $700 million fortune. In 2019, she was controversially declared the world's youngest's self-made billionaire at age 21 but that value was later downgraded. Pauline wrote on her Stories alongside a link to the article: 'New York Times, liberal bias, yes yes yes I get it. But this one by @nickkristof is worth the read. It's about empathy and humanity. 'The United States faces a tremendous number of domestic issues. Our maternal mortality rate is embarrassing, our way of shopping and eating food completely out of season makes no sense, we're spoiled in our desire to BLAST ACs and heat, our INSANE wealth disparity is sick, the list literally goes ON and ON. 'BUT just take a second and think about the fact that LESS THAN 1 PERCENT of all of our money goes to humanitarian aid. 'That money is insignificant in fixing any of the larger problems that play in the United States. 'And yet so significant to the lives of millions of individuals across this shared home we call Earth.' She also previously re-shared a scathing tweet from Bernie Sanders bashing 'billionaires' on Instagram. 'I have to say she's lovely,' she gushed to Curbed in a new interview, when asked about Kylie. 'She's very nice to me.' Timothee and Kylie are seen last month Timothee's sister Pauline, who is an actress and producer, took an apparent swipe at Kylie last month via Instagram Despite her outspoken posts, Pauline was seen chatting with Timothee and Kylie at the Oscars on March 2 'When the three wealthiest men in America sit behind Trump at his inauguration, everyone understands that the billionaire class now controls our government,' the outspoken politician said. Taking to her Stories to discuss a New York Times article about cuts to foreign aid, Pauline lambasted 'insane wealth disparity' in the US Pauline expanded on the post with a caption that read: 'Our system is so flawed that it allows billionaires to exist and accrue so much money and BARELY pay (and sometimes NOT PAY) ANY ANY ANY TAXES. 'This should not be possible. Billionaires do not need to exist. Bezos, Musk, Zuckerberg SITTING IN FRONT OF cabinet is NOT DEMOCRATIC. NOT. DEMOCRATIC.' Pauline also once lashed out at people who own private jets when she reposted a telling message by nonprofit organization Move On, originally tweeted by Democratic politician Melanie D'Arrigo. Per The Sun, the tweet read: 'If your job requires a college degree, you should be able to write off your student loan payments as a business expense the way CEOs write off their private jets and yachts for their jobs which require neither.' Makeup mogul Kylie famously owns a private jet called Kylie Air, and is the CEO of Kylie Cosmetics, which she founded with mom Kris Jenner in 2014. It is unknown if Kylie 'writes off' her private jet as a business expense, but she has continuously come under fire for her CO2 emissions. Despite her outspoken posts, Pauline was seen chatting with Timothee and Kylie at the Oscars on March 2. Jimmy's condolence was torn to shreds on social media on Monday night Jimmy Fallon has been slated for his tribute to Pope Francis following his death after the comedian shared his pride in making the late the head of the Catholic Church 'laugh.' Francis died on April 21 aged 88 after suffering a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalized for five weeks with pneumonia. Since his death, there has been an outpouring of celebrity condolences from the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Antonio Banderas and Eva Longoria. Among the tributes was a message from 50-year-old comedian and talk show host Jimmy, who sweetly recalled meeting Francis in the summer of 2024. Taking to social media on April 21, he penned: 'It was an honor meeting Pope Francis last summer. I'm glad I made you laugh. Thank you for your encouraging words. Rest in peace.' Jimmy's heartfelt acknowledgement, however, was quickly pulled apart by trolls who accused him of 'making it about himself.' Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one slammed: 'Never underestimate Hollywood's ability to conduct narcissism. Thank you, Fallon for reminding us.' 'You're making it about yourself, Jimmy!' another said. Jimmy Fallon has been slated by trolls for his tribute to the late Pope Francis The talk show host, 50, met Pope Francis last summer at The Vatican along with other world famous comedians A third wrote sarcastically: 'When I die, I want all my friends to post pictures of me and say how happy they are to have made me laugh.' 'Comedians congratulating themselves,' noted a fourth. Jimmy, along with over other 100 comedians, met the Pope met at the Vatican last year, where he told them 'you can even laugh at God' while pulling a clownish gesture. Other famous guests included the likes of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O'Brien. 'You unite people, because laughter is contagious,' the pontiff told the assembled group at the time, adding that he prayed for 40 years for a good sense of humor. 'While communication today often generates conflict, you know how to bring together diverse and sometimes contrary realities. How much we need to learn from you!' he said. The Vatican said the comedians were invited to 'celebrate the beauty of human diversity' and that the Pope 'recognizes the significant impact that the art of comedy has on the world of contemporary culture.' Francis made his last public appearance on Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and making what would be his final greeting to followers from his Popemobile, looping around St. Peter's Square. Jimmy's tribute was ripped apart on social media after he said 'I'm glad I made you laugh' Francis died on April 21 aged 88 after suffering a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure Comedian Conan O' Brien pictured meeting Francis during an audience with artists from the world of humor at the Apostolic Palace on June 14 On Monday night, the Vatican released photos as he was laid out in his open coffin for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony. The ceremony, which lasted just under an hour, saw Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, read the official declaration of death aloud. Francis' body was also placed in an open wooden casket in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel. Two Swiss Guards stood at attention as Farrell blessed Francis with holy water. Like Jimmy, talk show host Whoopi, 69, also recalled meeting Francis last summer as she paid tribute. Alongside an image of the pair, the Sister Act star wrote: 'He was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christs love enveloped believer and none believer. 'He felt more like Pope John the 23rd who made belief real. Sail on Pope Francis with your love of humanity and laughter.' Desperate Housewives actress Eva - who met the pope in 2016 - also paid tribute, writing:' Rest in Peace, Your Holiness Pope Francis. Thank you for being an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalized. 'Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered.' The White House hosted its annual Easter Egg Roll on Monday in what was meant to be a 'festive' event for children. But Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, 44, seized the opportunity to launch into a furious tirade at reporters on the South Lawn while his visibly uncomfortable children stood behind him. Hegseth attended the event with wife Jennifer Rauchet and their blended family of seven children. He erupted after being asked about a report claiming he shared classified military plans in a private Signal chat titled 'Defense Huddle.' This has been the second time there has been a scandal involving White House officials under the Donald Trump administration leaking classified information via Signal chat. The New York Times had revealed this particular chat included his wife and brother, and allegedly featured discussions about bombing Yemen. 'Hoaxsters - this group right here - full of hoaxsters that peddle anonymous sources from leakers with axes to grind,' Hegseth said to the reporter. But as Hegseth passionately wagged his finger at journalists, his children stood awkwardly in the background - and it did not go unnoticed by viewers. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth , 44, seized the opportunity to launch into a furious tirade at reporters on the South Lawn while his visibly uncomfortable children stood behind him As Hegseth passionately wagged his finger at journalists, his children stood awkwardly in the background - and it did not go unnoticed by viewers At one point, the Defense Secretary pointed to his brood and said, 'These kids right here. 'This is why we're fighting the fake news media why we're fighting slash-and-burn Democrats why we're fighting hoaxsters.' The moment instantly went viral - not because of the alleged national security breach but because viewers couldn't stop watching the 'cringe' moment unfold in real time. On Reddit, commenters were far more focused on Hegseth's kids - and their pained expressions - than his impassioned political rant. One post, which re-shared the video, mocked: 'I think Pete Hegseth's kids might hate him.' 'Omg when his one kid started pulling on his hair and covering his face... Oh man I just felt that kid's embarrassment. 'I really would not be surprised if his kids go no contact with him as soon as they hit 18,' another user wrote. 'These poor kids. They look so embarrassed,' another said. On Reddit, commenters were far more focused on Hegseth's kids - and their pained expressions - than his impassioned political rant 'There have always been greedy, manipulative politicians,' said someone else, 'but I don't remember them ever being this weird and incompetent.' 'I look forward to reading their memoirs when they grow up,' someone else wrote. Others simply noted that the children - despite the circumstances - might be the only redeeming factor here given their apparent take on their father's actions. 'Wow, maybe there is hope for the future,' someone said, referencing the kids' expressions of silent protest. 'Smart kids,' another shared. George Clarke took a trip to Porto, Portugal, on Amazing Spaces In the centre of the city of Porto in Portugal is a fascinating house - but thousands walk past it every day without noticing. The tiny 1.5-metre wide Casa Escondido is nestled between two churches - the Igreja dos Carmelitas and Igreja do Carmo - and is the city's 'narrowest house'. The building looks like one enormous church at a first glance - but it's actually three separate buildings. The house itself is so thin it almost looks like a wall, characterised only by a simple green door and two windows, meaning it's hidden in plain sight. The unique structure featured in tonight's episode of George Clarke's Amazing Spaces on Channel 4, where the host took viewers inside. Built in 1768, the property was surprisingly spacious, with a living room, bedroom, study and bedroom - looking like something out of Harry Potter. 'Now that is amazing,' said George as he walked inside. 'The door on the front facade is only just over a metre wide. It actually just opens up a tiny bit and gets just a little bit wider.' Inside was an impressive spiral staircase, as the building spread out over three floors. Can you spot the hidden house? George Clarke visited Porto on last night's Amazing Spaces George explained that the church on the left was built for Carmelite nuns in the seventeenth century, with the church on the right for monks in the eighteenth century. The 'secret house' in between was supposedly built to separate the monks and nuns - while other local rumours suggest it could have been down to legal regulations stating that two churches couldn't share a wall. George explained: 'What's amazing is that inside, it's so simple. You've got two decorative churches either side, and in between is just whitewashed walls, timber flooring. It's like being in a monk's cell. 'Thousands of people must walk past this building every single day and have no idea that that's there.' The property was inhabited until the 1980s by chaplains, artists, doctors and the church's caretaker. Despite the pared-back interior, visitors can soon find themselves in the opulence of the church simply by walking through a curtain. Curious travellers can even take a look for themselves, with tickets costing five euros including access to the museum. Last week, George was left speechless by the 'best' campervan renovation he'd ever seen. The tiny 1.5-metre wide Casa Escondido is nestled between two churches - the Igreja dos Carmelitas and Igreja do Carmo George Clarke was surprised by how spacious the property was inside The hallway appeared to 'open up' like something out of Harry Potter Despite the pared-back interior, a simple curtain separated it from the opulence of the church At first glance, the house merely appeared to be a wall between the churches The outside was simply characterised by a green door and two simple windows There was an impressive spiral staircase that took the property over three floors The bedroom featured simple decor, but was surprisingly spacious compared to how it looked outside It was allegedly built to separate the monks and the nuns. Pictured: The dining room Visitors can take a look for themselves for just five euros. Pictured: The study Back in 2019, James Catling had left his job as a property developer to follow his lifelong dream of restoring old Airstream silver bullet campervans in Oxfordshire. He'd flown to Boston in the hope of claiming one of the most priceless models of them all - a 1947 Airstream, currently the seventh oldest in the world. His find was incredibly rare - with original Airstream signs on the back and front, only used in the first few years of their production. But battered and lacking in its famous shine, the prized find needed hours of work and 'deep pockets' to restore to its original state. The episode witnessed James polishing the metal to make it look brand new, adding 800 new rivets and new panels, all while staying within his 40,000 budget. And when George returned to see the final result at the end of the episode, he was simply blown away. 'This looks absolutely amazing,' he said, adding it was 'the best' he'd ever seen 'without a shadow of a doubt'. George Clarke's Amazing Spaces airs at 9pm on Tuesdays on Channel 4. A popular gay porn star has died unexpectedly due to complications from an enlarged heart. Damien Stone, 32, died last month, according to Adult Video News. Stone was a prolific adult performer and bodybuilder who had amassed a large following due to his extremely muscular physique. The Moldovan-born star was also known for his versatility in front of the camera, filming X-rated scenes with men, women, and transgender women. He worked for many of the industry's biggest studios during his career, including Raging Stallion and Men. Stone pulled back from mainstream porn in 2020 to focus on bodybuilding and his OnlyFans account. He eventually became a three-time bodybuilding champion in Pennsylvania, where he lived after moving to the US from Moldova. Bodybuilder and porn star Damien Stone has died at age 32 Before his death, Stone's Instagram account was filled with photos documenting his workouts and progress at the gym. One of Stone's former directors reflected on working with the 'funny' performer following his death. 'On set, he was funny and a pleasure to work with. It's always sad to see someone young who passes before their time. I wish his family and friends condolences,' Steve Cruz told AVN. Stone was reportedly planning on making a major comeback to mainstream porn before his death. 'He was excited to come back and do stuff again, and it was not for monetary reasons because he was a pretty comfortable guy in his personal life, as far as finances,' an agent told AVN. 'So, he wasn't doing it for money; he was doing it to keep his name out there and to add to his fan list and things like that he was looking forward to it. He wasn't going to be just accepting any offer.' Stone is the second major gay porn star to die this year. Stone was a prolific adult performer and bodybuilder who had amassed a large following due to his extremely muscular physique Stone pulled back from mainstream porn in 2020 to focus on bodybuilding and his OnlyFans account Marcel Bonn - better known by his porn name Tim Kruger - was found dead at age 44 in March. His death was announced in a heartbreaking post by his longtime partner Grobes Geraet. Specific details weren't given, although Geraet made sure to emphasize that Kruger's death wasn't the result of drug use or foul play. 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share the news of the passing of our beloved Marcel, the man you all knew and loved as Tim Kruger,' the statement began. 'To the public, he was the ultimate ginger pornstar; to me, he was a sweet, caring partner of over 20 years. He was also my best friend. He touched the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,' it continued. Stone was planning on making a major comeback to mainstream porn before his death Geraet then shared a vague cause of death, calling it an 'accident.' 'I am very aware of the stigma that surrounds deaths in the porn industry, so let me make this very clear to hopefully cut down on the inevitable speculation: Tim's death was a tragic, yet simple accident at home,' he wrote. 'There were no drugs involved, nor was there any indication of foul play or suicide.' He continued, 'Though my heart is broken into pieces, I find solace in the countless memories he gifted us. And I know that he died knowing he was loved. 'Tim's legacy of compassion, love, and joy will live on in all who knew him.' The statement finished, 'I am aware that you all will have countless questions, but this is all the information I have to share right now. I would love for everyone to respect his loved ones' time to grieve in privacy. Thank you.' Two former prosecutors were convicted in Thailand on charges related to a 2012 Ferrari crash that killed a police officer and involved the heir to the Red Bull energy drink fortune. The case stems from allegations that authorities conspired to alter the recorded speed of the Ferrari, ABC News reported. The alterations were made, according to prosecutors, to help the Ferrari's driver, Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya. Former Deputy Attorney General Nate Naksuk and former prosecutor Chainarong Sangthongaram were convicted of abuse of power. Naksuk was sentenced to three years and Sangthongaram received two years in prison. Overall, eight people charged in the conspiracy, but the others were acquitted, ABC News reported. Vorayuth is the grandson of the late Chaleo Yoovidhya, the Associated Press reported. Yoovidhya was one of the creators of the Red Bull brand, and Forbes listed the family as having a net worth of $36 billion. The AP reported that Vorayuth drove his Ferrari into the back of the police officer's motorcycle, killing him. After the crash, Vorayuth drove home, and was later arrested. The outlet added that medical tests found traces of alcohol and cocaine in Vorayuth's system. An arrest warrant for reckless driving causing death was not issued until 2017, but the statute of limitations on the charge expires in 2027. Originally published on Lawyer Herald An American au pair has sparked fierce debate after fleeing the host family's home just five days into her stay. Ella Reeson, 21, took to TikTok to detail her 'horror' experience of working in Milan, Italy. 'I'm sneaking out of my host family's house. Let's go. It's 5.43am,' she whispered to the camera. The disgruntled nanny then filmed her progress as she left the property with all her luggage in tow before standing on the platform at the train station. 'I'm literally shaking. That was the scariest thing ever,' she declared following the dramatic departure. 'I've had enough of this damn city. I need to get out.' Unraveling more of her story, Ella told People that she had been thrilled about starting her journey as an au pair, explaining: 'I've babysat since I was 12 or 13, and I love children.' Her role as a caregiver was to wake up the host child, make breakfast and take the young boy to and from school each day. All of her responsibilities were accompanied by free room and board as well as free time during the day. Ella Reeson, 21, snuck out of her host family's house in Italy after five days. She said she was 'uncomfortable' and was often yelled at by the host mom But, after she traveled over to Europe to be with her host family, things quickly took a turn for the worst - starting with a strained initial encounter with the mom. 'I had just arrived and she was already unloading all this negativity on me,' she explained. In a series of videos about the ordeal, posted after she returned home, Ella expressed that she had a hard time with the language barrier and cultural differences. She also said that she struggled with the responsibilities of childcare after they were explained to her by the host dad - who did not speak English. '[The host mom] would send me to him for help even though there was a huge language barrier,' she shared. 'It didn't make sense why she couldn't just show me herself.' Ella claims that on a Friday evening - a few days before she left - the host mom came home and yelled at her for not learning quick enough and not playing with the host child despite it being her day off. 'She raised her voice at me. I'm not good with confrontation, so I just apologized and moved on,' Ella recalled. She documented sneaking out of her host family's home in a viral TikTok The following day, the family went to Portofino and Ella joined. She said the host mother yelled at her once again for falling asleep in the car rather than playing with the host child and berated her for not helping all day. It was then that Ella said she knew it was time to leave. 'I woke up every morning feeling super uncomfortable in their house,' she admitted. She packed everything up only after five days and booked her flight home. Once Ella made it through airport security, only then did she message the family that she left and why. She received a rude response, blaming Ella for the lack of cohesion and was blocked on Instagram and WhatsApp, per People. But viewers were left bitterly divided about Ella's plight - with some branding her as 'privileged' and 'dramatic.' She said this was her 'first and last' time trying to be an au pair (stock image) Ella said she had met the family on a website called AuPairWorld. AuPairWorld responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment saying: 'At AuPairWorld, the safety and security of our users are top priorities. 'We employ a combination of automated systems and manual reviews by our experienced staff to assess profiles for completeness and plausibility. 'We closely monitor user activity and in certain cases, request additional information or proof of identity. 'Challenges such as communication difficulties, dealing with cultural differences, and misalignments regarding working arrangements can sometimes arise during an au pair stay. 'These situations often depend on thorough preparation and alignment of expectations between both parties. 'Our support team is always available to assist and provide resources to users with questions or concerns. 'However, we can confirm that Ms. Reeson did not contact us at any point to report problems or seek assistance. 'As always, we remain committed to fostering safe and enriching cultural exchange experiences for au pairs and host families worldwide.' After reflecting on her experience as an au pair, she told People: 'The process was so fast: I met them one Saturday, called them the next Saturday, and booked my flight that Monday.' The 21-year-old urged people to really vet their families if they want to be an au pair. 'Go through an agency if you can, ask all the questions and request references,' she said. About au pairing ever again Ella said: 'This was my first and last shot.' Wingstop is set to open its first Australian fast food location in Sydney A beloved American chicken chain is set to make its long-awaited Australian debut - and the internet is already losing its mind. Locals in Sydney's Kings Cross were quick to spot a glowing green sign that read 'Flavour Landing Soon In Wings Cross' - a clever nod to the Texas-born brand's famous motto and a hint at its first Aussie outpost. Wingstop, known across the US for its saucy chicken wings, tenders, and sandwiches, is opening its first Australian location at 1/11 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point, with trading hours listed as 11am to 2am daily. While no official opening date has been revealed, the store's arrival has already been confirmed through the newly launched @wingstopau Instagram and TikTok accounts. Both bios read: 'Flavour Landing Soon' with links to apply for jobs or visit the website. The fast food chain is famous for its twelve distinct flavours - from classic lemon pepper and garlic parmesan to the fiery atomic and mango habanero. Die-hard fans swear by the ranch sauce, and many are already begging the Aussie franchise to stick to the original recipe. Wingstop, which started in Garland, Texas in 1994, has grown to over 1,400 locations worldwide. A beloved American chicken chain is set to make its long-awaited Australian debut - and the internet is already losing its mind Locals in Sydney's Kings Cross were quick to spot a glowing green sign that read 'Flavour Landing Soon In Wings Cross' Wingstop, known across the US for its saucy chicken wings, tenders, and sandwiches, is opening its first Australian location at 1/11 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point, with trading hours listed as 11am to 2am daily The restaurants are known for their 1930s and 1940s aviation-themed interiors, a nod to the golden age of flight, with a modern twist. For many expats and Aussie foodies, the announcement was cause for celebration. 'Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,' one fan wrote. 'Love of my life - I am so ready,' said another. Others begged for more: 'Come to Melbourne.' A foodie said, 'You better promise the ranch is the same ranch not an Aussie version of it cause I will cry.' 'As an American living in Australia, I've missed you,' an expat said. 'I think I'm going to have a heart attack,' another joked. Liberal comedian Bill Maher has shocked viewers after siding with health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr on the cause of autism. Maher, 69, supports RFK Jr's claim that rising autism rates are due to 'toxins' in the environment, such as food and drug ingredients, pesticides or pollution. The Health and Human Services (HHS) boss has rejected the idea that increasing autism prevalence was due to better screening and genetic factors, which is the theory of most mainstream doctors. On the most recent episode of his talk show, Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher responded to a viewer's question asking: 'What does the panel think of RFK Jr announcing that he will find the cause of autism by September of this year?' While Maher said he thought finding the cause in that timeframe is ambitious, he went on to support RFK Jr's views autism 'is not mostly genetic, it's mostly environmental toxins'. He added: 'I mean environmental toxins is really the story of my lifetime. 'I'm glad I was born as old as I am, at a time when everything wasn't completely polluted. I think that's why I'm still alive today. It's just got worse, and worse, and worse and worse.' His views quickly divided opinion among his left-leaning base. Maher is a longtime critic of Trump and his administrations. Liberal comedian Bill Maher has shocked viewers after siding with health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr over 'toxins' being behind America's autism epidemic One commentator wrote on X: 'Respectfully. WTF does Bill Maher know about environmental toxins?' Another outraged viewer deemed Maher an 'idiot comedian,' adding 'think I'm going to side with the scientific community on this one'. Sat opposite guests journalist Matt Welch and Democrat senator Tina Smith, Maher, 69, defended RFK Jr and said an article that deemed him 'completely crazy' was unfounded. In a press conference last week, RFK Jr dismissed the idea that autism rates are being fueled by genetic factors, saying, 'genes do not cause epidemics,' adding that 'it [the rise in autism] must be triggered or caused by environmental or risk factors.' And it appears Maher is in agreement with this, telling viewers of his show on Friday night: 'I mean environmental toxins is really the story of my lifetime. Political commenter, Welch, went on to voice his disagreement over the claims that toxins are to blame for the booming autism rates, stating that the US is cleaner that it has been for decades. He said in response to Maher's views: 'The air is less polluted, the water is less polluted... as countries get richer, they pollute less [but] when they're industrializing they pollute more. Your browser does not support iframes. 'There might be individual environmental toxins, yes, but as a broad description of the status of OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, we are polluting on net less.' Unconvinced, Maher said that the debate around environmental toxins 'depends on where you live'. He continued: 'Out here in California, I believe I'm breathing in the fire still [from the January wildfires]. 'The fire burned a lot of this city and a lot of this city had plastic in their homes. 'We were already getting, they say, a credit card's worth of plastic in our body on a weekly basis, so I don't know what your talking about like its better than it used to be.' RFK Jr has sounded an alarm over what he is calling a runaway autism epidemic after recent CDC data showed diagnoses at an all-time high. According to the agency, one in every 31 children aged eight or younger had autism in 2022 - a rate of 32.2 per 1,000. That's up from one in 36 in 2020, and one in 44 in 2018. By comparison, early studies from the 1960s and 70s estimated autism rates to be as low as 1 in 5,000. While researchers in the CDC report said improvements in early identification of autism 'have been apparent' in recent years and could explain the rise, RFK Jr estimated as many as 85 percent of cases could instead be linked to environmental exposures. He said: 'We have to recognize we are doing this to our children and we need to put an end to it. Research from Harvard, for example, found exposure to air pollution like particulate matter in early childhood may raise the risk of autism by as much as 64 percent. While in the womb, exposure may raise risk of ASD by 31 percent. The experts suggested particulate matter breathed in during early childhood or while in the womb may travel through the bloodstream and bypass protective layers in the brain, causing inflammation that hinders nerve development. An Australian study published earlier this year also found boys exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) in the womb were six times more likely to be diagnosed with autism before age 11 than those without exposure. Nathaniel Schumann (pictured here), 12, was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. His mother, Kathleen Schnier, called Robert F Kennedy Jr's remarks that autism 'destroys' families 'completely derogatory' President Donald Trump (pictured) was praised for being approachable and easy to speak with by Maher That team suggested BPA - which lines plastic and metal food packaging, an ever growing pollutant in the modern world - was associated with neurological and behavioral changes associated with autism. The US has also seen a surge in the use of synthetic pesticides, which some say could be a contributor, as well. Use of these chemicals increased 50-fold since 1950. Some research indicates up to 80 percent of Americans have detectable levels of pesticides in their blood. RFK Jr has now pledged to commission a series of studies into whether mold, pesticides, food chemicals or medicines are contributing to the development of the condition. Chat show host Maher's backing of RFK Jr's pledge was followed by another shock to his fans, when he doubled down on his newfound fondness of President Donald Trump. Maher agreed to meet him for dinner at the White House, despite sparking outrage from liberals. They're usually associated with middle-aged and elderly people but heart attacks are striking young Americans at alarming levels. In 2019, 0.3 percent of adults in this age group had experienced a heart attack. By 2023, that figure increased to 0.5 percenta rise of over 66 percent in just four years. It means that one in five heart attack patients are now younger than 40. Some experts have pointed to the Covid virus as a possible cause due to the strain it puts on the heart and its link to blood flow issues. Conspiracy theorists have also linked the rise to the Covid vaccines, though there is no evidence linking the shots to widespread heart attacks. Now, a top cardiologist has revealed to DailyMail.com four factors he blames, based on the literature and his experience in the clinic. Dr Evan Levine, a board-certified cardiologist in New York, said there had been a notable shift in prescription drug use among young people which could be playing a role. Heart attacks among 18- to 44-year-olds increased 66 percent between 2019 and 2023 Prescription drug abuse Adderall and Ritalin prescriptions surged by 14 percent during the pandemic, driven largely by the rapid rise of telehealth platforms and relaxed regulations that made it easier to obtain prescriptions through virtual consultations. Between 2019 and 2022, roughly 5.9 million new stimulant scripts were written. The increase was especially pronounced among young adults aged 20 to 39, who experienced a 30 percent rise in Schedule II stimulant prescriptions during that time. According to Dr. Levine, this dramatic spike in usage 'undoubtedly played a role' in the rise in heart attacks observed within this age group. Adderall - a stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - can increase the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular events when misused, as noted by the American College of Cardiology. Pictured: Dr Evan Levine, a cardiologist at a major university hospital The medication, which is taken by over 16million adults in the US, increases attention and decreases hyperactivity in ADHD patients by increasing levels of dopamine (described as the feel-good hormone) in the brain. Despite being a commonly prescribed treatment, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency classifies Adderall as a Schedule II drug, the same status as cocaine - meaning they both have a high potential to be abused. The feeling of euphoria the medication provides can lead to tolerance or dependence - both of which can prompt a patient to take higher doses of Adderall to achieve its effects. This can cause an addiction to the medication over time. Some common signs of Adderall abuse include increased heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, sweating, restlessness and dilated pupils. At times, the medication can also constrict blood vessels and hamper blood flow which in turn, can increase the heart rate and blood pressure and increase chances of having an attack. Excessive intake of Adderall can increase the risks of having a stroke or a heart attack as it can increase the overall heart rate and blood pressure higher than the baseline. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection A tear in the artery wall can allow blood to pool between the layers of the organ and obstruct blood flow to the heart Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an emergency condition where the wall of a coronary artery tears, potentially leading to a heart attack. It is commonly seen in young woman and most times, after they give birth, Dr Levine told this website. While the exact cause of the condition remains unknown, hormonal fluctuations, inflammation and possible underlying conditions like fibromuscular dysplasia (abnormal growth of tissue within the walls of medium and large arteries) are suspected. SCAD is becoming more prevalent, especially among younger adults and women for reasons still being understood. Over the past 25 years, studies have shown a clear rise in SCAD cases, both in absolute numbers and as a proportion of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presentations. A tear in the artery wall can allow blood to pool between the layers of the heart and obstruct blood flow to the organ. This interruption of blood supply can deprive the heart muscles of oxygen and other essential nutrients, which can lead to damage and a heart attack. Dr Levine said it is essential that experts find 'more sensitive methods' to detect SCAD in young people to avoid cases of heart attacks. Crime-related stress Personal experiences, shared stories of near-death due to rampant crime and mass hysteria can cause psychological, emotional and physical impact on the human body Stress can have a major impact on health - from affecting sleep to raising blood pressure, not getting enough shut eye can be dangerous. And while work-related stress has often been the focus, Dr Levine told DailyMail.com that stress from crime may be a major contributor to early heart attacks. The cardiologist told DailyMail.com 'society has fallen apart over a number of years with fear of crime in so many [people]', which can lead to stress in the body and affect heart health. While the 2024 FBI crime report suggests a decrease in violent crimes including murder, homicide and car jackings, a study by Statista suggests 64 percent of Americans feel like there is more crime now in the country now than in recent years. Personal experiences, shared stories of near-death due to rampant crime and mass hysteria can have a psychological, emotional and physical impact on the human body. This can lead to stress responses ranging from anxiety and fear to more long-term conditions like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. While stress itself cannot directly cause a heart attack, it can significantly contribute to the risk by increasing blood pressure and affecting blood flow, which can pose a risk for heart attack and stroke. Your browser does not support iframes. Obesity More than 100 million or 40.3 percent of Americans are suffering from obesity across the country. And studies estimate over 370,000 deaths per year in the US are linked to excessive body weight. Obesity can raise cholesterol and blood pressure and lead to Type 2 diabetes - all of which increase risks for heart attacks. Individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher need more blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to their bodies, which forces the heart to beat with more pressure to keep up. Extra weight also gives the body volume, which creates more resistance for the heart to overcome as it pumps. The larger volume and increased resistance can result in the heart having to work much harder almost all the time. Since the organ is made of only muscle, the increased workload can cause pressure in the walls and increase blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of heart attack and is the leading cause of death in obese individuals. Recently, a group of researchers from across the globe found performing at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity over the span of two days had similar health benefits as to working out the entire week. People who only exercised on two days had a 32 percent lower risk of death from all causes, a 31 percent lower chance of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 21 percent lower risk of dying from cancer. The American Heart Association recommends adults engage in moderate-intensity aerobic activity for about 150 minutes per week, 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week. Oscar-winning actor Anne Hathaway has one of the most age-defying faces in Hollywood. Yet cosmetic surgery experts have suggested one characteristic aspect of her flawless look can be explained by a simple tweakment. The 42-year-old became to talk of social media last week after she appeared at New York fashion week looking especially youthful. It was the latest in a series of stunning appearances that have left some fans saying The Devil Wears Prada actor now looks younger than she did in her 20s. But according to aesthetician Ashley Aldridge, her latest public outing exposed a subtle sign that she'd undergone jaw filler to maintain a 'snatched' look. In an Instagram clip of The Idea Of You star that has since been removed, Ms Aldridge told viewers to 'look closely' as the actor turned her head to speak. Ms Aldridge, who works at the Boyd Beauty facial plastic surgery in Michigan, wrote 'look closely and you can see her jawline filler as she's speaking'. Fillers are substances that are injected under the skin as a cosmetic treatment to restore volume lost due to age, smooth wrinkles or enhance facial features like the jawline. Described as a 'game-changer' for male and female patients alike, jawline fillers cost about 450. Anne Hathaway has faced fresh speculation that she's had work done on her face with an expert claiming a subtle clue could indicate the type of procedure. Pictured in New York at the Ralph Lauren Collection Fall 2025 event on April 17 Ms Aldridge told followers to pay close attention to Hathaway's jaw as she speaks However, Ms Aldridge caveated in the clip which has been liked almost 20,000 times that what she identified as filler could also just be the natural shape of Hathaway's face. 'It could also just be her natural anatomy. But, if it is filler, there are ways to make jawline filler look more natural and seamless,' she said. Ms Aldridge added: 'She is not my patient and I do not know whether or not she has had any cosmetic or surgical procedures. Regardless of if she had work done or not, the cosmetic procedure professional said Hathaway looked amazing. 'Ill have what shes having, Anne Hathaway is absolutely stunning,' she wrote. Social media users agreed. One wrote: 'Shes fabulous and looks better and better! Give me some too please.' Hathaway had a noticeably smooth complexion at the event even compared to just six months ago. Here he is pictured at 'The Apprentice' premiere in New York in October Another added: 'She was beautiful before and shes absolutely gorgeous now.' Hathaway's noticeably smooth complexion at the event even compared to just six months ago has sparked frenzied speculation she may have had work done. Even when letting out a big laugh, The Princess Diaries star's forehead did not reveal even one wrinkle or crinkle. Hathaway's apparent continued de-ageing also left some fans joking: 'Annie's on track to be a baby by 2045.' The actress has faced speculation she's had work done before. In 2023, plastic surgeon Dr Gary Motykie told DailyMail.com that he had 'no doubt she had surgery on her nose' as it appears the former child star refined her tip with a finesse rhinoplasty. It was the latest in a series of stunning appearances by Hathaway that have left some fans saying The Devil Wears Prada actress now looks younger than she did in her 20s 'You see it go from a slightly more plunging bulbous tip with a wide bridge to having a much more defined contour and thinner bridge and thinner tip and more tip projection. That's the leading sign of having a rhinoplasty,' he speculated. 'We also see that natural sign of thinning and baby fat going away on her face, but it does appear to be more maintained. So, again, I am suspicious of things like fillers, Botox, maintenance with micro-needling and skin tightening, things to just maintain the skin. 'I also noticed her jawline is a bit narrower, again that could be the normal loss of body fat or it could be some slight contouring to the jawline to bring in that lower face with things like Botox to narrow that lower part of the face.' However, the actress herself has shown dedication to her skincare regime. Only last month, Hathaway shared a make-up free snap with Hollywood bestie Jessica Chastain. The friends, who starred alongside each other in 2024 thriller Mothers' Instinct, both sported sheet face masks as they kept their skin hydrated while relaxing on a plane. Hathaway's long-term facialist, the renowned Su-Man, has also previously given an insight into the star's strict daily skincare routine. Su-Man told Net-a-Porter that Anne massages her face, puts on a face mask and applies SPF 30 every day. Even when The Idea of You producer-star let out a big laugh, her forehead did not reveal even one wrinkle or crinkle The star herself has also spoken in the past about how she has always prioritised protecting her skin from sun damage, with her mother encouraging her to wear sunscreen daily from a young age. 'I even carry an umbrella if I walk in the sunshine and use spray tan if I need to look as if I've been sunbathing,' she previously told the Sun in 2012. Dr Asha Chhaya, an aesthetic doctor and medical lead at WY Skin Clinic, also told MailOnline some of the ways Hathaway likely maintains her flawless features. 'She likely follows a consistent skincare routine, with sun protection as a top priority, using SPF daily,' she shared in 2024. 'Her regimen probably includes gentle cleansing, moisturising, and regular face masks to keep her skin hydrated and radiant. 'It's also likely that she incorporates antioxidant serums to shield her skin from environmental damage, and no anti-ageing routine would be complete without retinol - known for its ability to boost collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines.' 'It's possible she benefits from regular facials and subtle cosmetic enhancements to further bring out her natural beauty.' Another factor that might be helping is the fact she gave up alcohol back in 2019. Alcohol dehydrates the skin and disrupts sleep, both factors that can lead to a dull, tired complexion. Back in 2008, Hathaway denied ever going under the knife but confessed: 'When I was growing up, I wanted a nose job, because I didn't think my nose was good.' 'Your face needs to have character if you're going to be an actor, or you're just kind of a face,' she added. At the age of 25, Laura Delano decided to end her life. She had grown up in privilege her father is related to former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and she inhabited a world of boarding schools and debutante balls. Yet, despite these advantages, she felt she had been handed a life sentence. For the previous 11 years, shed been on 19 different psychiatric drugs, including mood stabilisers, antidepressants and antipsychotics. The cocktail of medications had begun when she was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder at just 14 years old. Her suicide attempt was precipitated by a psychiatrist telling her that, after more than a decade of being medicated, she wasnt getting better because her condition was treatment resistant. I felt I was left facing this decision: keep going with this miserable, mentally ill life of hospital programmes, not being able to work [other than the odd part-time job], not able to have relationships, or end my life because I didnt think there was any other option, says Laura. It was by chance that her father found her unconscious on rocks in woods near her grandparents house in Maine, north east America. My parents were told: If she survives, shell likely be vegetative. Everyone was resigned to the fact that I wasnt going to make it. Two years after her suicide attempt and after more hospitalisations, changes in medication, and further expert opinions, Laura began to question the story she had believed for over a decade. I took it for granted that bipolar disorder is a biological disease, like diabetes, and that being bipolar meant my brain was defective and that I would have to take psychiatric drugs for the rest of my life just to stand a chance of living a normal life, she says. Laura Delano, now 42, has a husband and children and is off all her medication. She warns that diagnoses and medications can be too easily handed out For 11 years, Laura had been on 19 different psychiatric drugs, including mood stabilisers, antidepressants and antipsychotics (Stock Image) I had this lifelong condition caused by a chemical imbalance, I was told. (In fact this chemical imbalance theory has never been scientifically proven.) But then I thought, what if my life was falling apart, not in spite of my treatment but because of it? Looking back, I realise much of my problems were caused by adverse effects of the cocktail of drugs I was prescribed. They took away my ability to connect, so I became socially reclusive and had such brain fog that I just spent hours zoning out in front of the TV. Lauras path into the world of psychiatric treatment began when her concerned parents decided she needed professional help. I was acting out, self-harming, screaming at my parents, she recalls. I see now it was a reaction to a world I didnt belong in a culture that celebrated material success that didnt make sense to me. So I felt like there was something wrong with me. Lauras life today, at 42, looks very different. Now off all her medication, she lives with her husband, Cooper, their four-year-old son, and her 11-year-old stepson in Connecticut. Together, they run Inner Compass Initiative, a non-profit organisation she founded to provide information about taking and safely tapering off psychiatric drugs, and to provide a community to support one another. Laura has now published a book, Unshrunk: How The Mental Health Industry Took Over My Life And My Fight To Get It Back, telling her powerful personal story alongside an investigative look into the potential harms of psychiatric diagnosis. She stresses that medication does have its place. Im not anti-medication or anti-psychiatry, I just want people to know the facts, she says. For example, drugs such as antidepressants and antipsychotics are on average only tested for six to eight weeks and that a psychiatric diagnosis is a subjective opinion, not a biological fact. People deserve to know that. She adds: And this idea that if youre struggling, you have a mental health condition in many instances that label may not be helpful. Lauras concerns mirror a wider debate over mental health overdiagnosis, with increasing numbers of people now labelled as having conditions such as bipolar disorder, autism, depression and ADHD. This is a problem mental health campaigners and some psychiatrists have long spoken about, and now its reached the political mainstream, with the Health Secretary Wes Streeting recently telling the BBC there is an overdiagnosis of some mental health conditions. According to the NHS, one in five adults and one in ten children in the UK have a mental illness but some experts challenge these numbers. Dr Suzanne OSullivan, a neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, and author of a new book, The Age of Diagnosis: Sickness, Health And Why Medicine Has Gone Too Far, argues that rather than more people getting sicker, we are attributing more to sickness so that millions are now classed as unwell, when previously they may have been considered healthy. She told Good Health: Were almost instructing people to worry about missing a nights sleep or feeling down for a few weeks. One in five people may have a mental health condition, but are they really more ill than past generations? Dr OSullivan highlights a crucial misconception: People assume mental health diagnoses are based on scientific discoveries, scans or genetic findings. In reality, a committee decides what counts as a disorder. The global rule book for diagnosing mental health conditions, such as depression and bipolar, is known as the DSM (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). It is compiled by a committee of US psychiatrists who decide what is considered a mental disorder and the criteria for diagnosing it. Since its first edition in 1952, the number of disorders has nearly tripled from 106 to almost 300. Critics argue that this steady expansion of diagnoses is turning grief, shyness and childhood energy, for instance, into medical conditions. And Dr OSullivan warns of the dangers of the nocebo effect, where when you medicalise something, people start conforming to the label. If youre told youre depressed, bipolar or autistic, you start searching for symptoms in yourself. We need to find a way to support people without automatically turning them into patients. Dr Sami Timimi, an NHS child psychiatrist, also believes psychiatry is overdiagnosing emotional distress. Forty per cent of schoolchildren in Scotland are now labelled as having special needs, much of it related to mental health. Soon special needs will be the norm for everyone. He warns, too, of teenagers self-diagnosing through social media. The underlying problem is that diagnosis inevitably leads to medication and the drugs themselves can lead to symptoms that lead to more medication Im seeing a fair number of young people who believe their mood swings mean they have bipolar disorder, says Dr Timimi, author of Searching for Normal, A New Approach to Understanding Mental Health, Distress and Neurodiversity. Im also seeing more young people who think they have a personality disorder, ADHD or autism. We need to re-educate both the public and professionals, including doctors and psychiatrists, away from the culture of diagnosis and towards an understanding of emotional distress. The underlying problem is that diagnosis inevitably leads to medication and the drugs themselves can lead to symptoms that lead to more medication, as Laura says happened with her. Looking back, she believes her struggles were a normal part of growing up and coming to terms with the world she was born into. I remember thinking: why is life all about getting good grades, being a good athlete, having good manners, being thin, and all these superficial elements? she says. I became obsessed with achieving to the point where I developed an eating disorder and was exercising six hours per day. As the eldest of three siblings I felt pressure to be a role model. She was 13 when her parents sent her to a therapist, and a year later she was referred to a psychiatrist as she was self-harming. After a 15-minute consultation, the doctor explained that my irritability and outbursts were symptoms of mania [a psychiatric term for elevated energy levels and heightened mood] and that my despair and self-injury were symptoms of depression. I was told I had a lifelong, incurable condition called bipolar disorder, which is characterised by patterns of intense ups and downs. But I was told not to worry there were medications that could help me. Laura was prescribed an antidepressant, Prozac, and a mood stabiliser, but, outraged by the diagnosis, she refused to take them. However her feelings of hopelessness continued, leading her to use ecstasy and alcohol. Despite her struggles, she got into Harvard University to study social anthropology, but broke down in her first year, aged 18, after attending a debutante ball. There I was up on this stage, the culmination of this fake life that I couldnt escape, she recalls. I thought, I give up. That doctor must have been right four years earlier. Something must be wrong with my brain. I told my parents I needed help and they made an appointment with a psychiatrist who put me on bipolar meds. From that moment, she fully embraced her diagnosis and began a regimen of increasing medication doses. Although she remained at Harvard, the next few years were a struggle, she says: That was when the prescription cascade started. First, it was an antidepressant, a sleep aid, then a downer like an antipsychotic and a mood stabiliser, along with benzodiazepines. When I started feeling anxious and jittery, they added more drugs. Over time, I was on up to five medications at once. She managed to complete her degree and graduate from Harvard (although she took a year off, during which time she admitted herself to a psychiatric hospital). However, after leaving, without the structure of university, her life spun out of control. Laura recalls: I was unable to hold down a job, I lost touch with all my friends, got into toxic relationships. As well as taking my medication, I was drinking to blackout, and taking cocaine. Over the next few years, Laura was hospitalised three times once after her overdose and the other times because she was suicidal, which she now sees as largely caused by adverse effects of the drugs she was taking. She saw countless experts and was given multiple diagnoses, including social anxiety disorder, substance use disorder, binge eating disorder and borderline personality disorder. It was a chance visit to a bookstore at 27 that changed her life. She picked up a copy of Anatomy of an Epidemic, by award-winning US journalist Robert Whitaker. The book challenges the idea that psychiatric medication fixes chemical imbalances and suggests they may actually create illnesses. It was terrifying and liberating, says Laura. She decided to quit her medication against the recommendation of her specialist and without realising the risks. I came off them in six months without a proper tapering plan, she says. I had horrendous withdrawal symptoms spontaneous vomiting, migraines, diarrhoea, cognitive fog, my skin broke out in boils. I could barely function. Regaining her emotions after 14 years of medication was bittersweet. She says: When I started coming alive, it terrified me. But then I realised that this is what it feels like to be here. I just hadnt been here this whole time. At 27, she had her first orgasm until then, she hadnt known that sexual dysfunction can be a side effect of the drugs. Id assumed my sexual problems were my fault. That first orgasm was the most extraordinary and beautiful experience but it also set off a grieving process: until then I didnt realise what Id been missing for all those years. A key moment in her recovery was meeting Robert Whitaker, who encouraged her to write a blog for his website, Mad in America. This led to hundreds of people reaching out with similar experiences they had also believed in the medical model, but now realised that in their case the drugs were harming them. That blog became the basis for her book Unshrunk. My life looks profoundly different now, says Laura. I have my emotions, my cognitive function, my relationships back. It is such a gift to find my way back, post psychiatry. But Im still the same intense, sensitive, insecure me as I was all the way back in the beginning Im just not afraid of it any more. Unshrunk: How The Mental Health Industry Took Over My Life - And My Fight to Get it Back, by Laura Delano, is published by Monoray (22) Laura appears on The Med Free Mental Fitness Podcast with Katinka Blackford Newman, available on Apple podcasts, Spotify and Youtube The family of drag star James Lee Williams, better known as The Vivienne, have revealed that the television favourite kept their ketamine addiction a secret from loved ones for several years. Williams died of a cardiac arrest linked to the party drug and powerful painkiller in January. Speaking now, their sister Chanel said the family only learned of James's struggle with drug addiction after watching them on RuPaul's Drag Race in 2019. In a 2019 episode of the show, the Liverpudlian star revealed to viewers they had been addicted to 'party drugs' for four years. 'I couldnt leave the drugs at the party, it was constant,' they said, breaking down in tears. The Vivienne also previously described ketamine as their 'breakfast, lunch and dinner' at the height of addiction and at one time their drug use led them to be hospitalised three times in a single month. Although Chanel said her brother had managed a long period of sobriety before relapsing, James had kept this later drug use hidden from them as well. Chanel said she was now been left wondering if there was something she could have done something to prevent her brother's tragic death. The Vivienne was catapulted to international fame after winning the first series of RuPaul 's Drag Race UK in 2019 (pictured) But amid their rise to fame, they also battled with drug addiction Speaking now in a bid to raise awareness of the dangers of ketamine, his family said James kept his initial addiction and relapse secret from them. The Vivienne pictured here with his sister Chanel and comedian Omid Djalili Hi sister Chanel said she was now faced with unanswerable questions on if she could have done something to prevent James's tragic death 'Had I asked the questions or just looked for the signs, would the outcome be different?' she told the BBC. James, just 32, was found dead in their bathroom of their home, in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester. Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, with the family later revealing James's heart had stopped due to ketamine side effects. Chanel said she believed that despite James speaking openly about prior drug struggles her brother's successful career had made it difficult to seek help. 'He was at the height of everything he was doing and I think because he'd said it in such an open platform, it's really difficult to come back and say you're struggling again,' she said. Chanel said she and her family are now to tackle the stigma surrounding addiction as part of James's legacy. 'It's hard for me because I think if that stigma wasn't there, would my brother have sought the help he needed,' she said. 'To think that if we'd known, or if he'd have felt able to talk and really reach out for the help that was needed, the outcome could've been different.' Clinics that specialise in Ketamine (pictured) addiction have reported a surge in the numbers of young people seeking treatment Your browser does not support iframes. The family are also calling for the Government to reclassify ketamine as a Class A drug, up from its current Class B status. This would put ketamine on the same level as cocaine and heroin and carry the highest penalties for possession, supply or production. Ketamine which can be bought for the same price as a takeaway coffee is said to be the dealers' drug of choice because its Class B status means less jail time than being caught with Class A drugs. Chanel said there are a portion of young people who look a drug classification as warning system and therefore think ketamine is safer than other drugs. 'If I can help one family to not feel what we are feeling, then it's all worth it,' she said. Ministers are currently seeking expert advice on the potential re-classification of ketamine, concerned about a rise in young people taking the drug. Data show the number of people with ketamine dependence seeking help from NHS drug and alcohol services have doubled in recent years from 1,140 in 2019 to 2,211 in 2023. Rehabs UK also received 4,000 inquiries in 2023, with ketamine representing 30 per cent so far in 2024, up from 15 per cent in 2023. Here, we reveal how the substance now used in private clinics for its alleged anti-depressant effect can wreak havoc on the body within an hour of taking one large hit, leaving users paralysed, unable to breathe and choking on their own vomit Ministers are currently seeking expert advice on the potential re-classification of ketamine, concerned about a rise in young people taking the drug Figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, show one in twenty (4.8 per cent) 20 to 24-year-olds in England and Wales last year admitted to taking the drug. This is despite Gen Z increasingly shunning other types of drugs including cannabis, cocaine and MDMA, also known as ecstasy. Nearly 7 per cent of today's 16-24 year olds have experimented with 'Ket' commonly taken at all-night raves. For comparison, 2.3 per cent of Gen Xers quizzed before the turn of the century had ever tried the substance, originally used as an anaesthetic in animals like horses and humans. There has been growing interest in ketamine, also known as Vitamin K, Special K or Ket, as a potential mental health treatment over the past few years. The drug increases levels of a glutamate in the brain, a neurotransmitter crucial to mood regulation, learning, memory, and information processing. Ketamine therapy works by taking an extremely low dose of the drug, to provoke its glutamate boosting effects, and then working through issues with a trained psychotherapist. By taking the drug, a patient opens up emotionally and becomes more receptive to therapy, advocates claim. The treatment has attracted high-profile endorsements from the likes of celebrities such as Sharon Osborne, Chrissy Teigen and Elon Musk. However ketamine therapy, as it's known, was also linked to the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry, who was found drowned in his hot tub in 2023. Scientists have exposed the common foods that are teeming with worrying levels of toxic chemicals that have been linked to Alzheimer's and cancer. Baby foods like pureed vegetables, fresh meat and cereals were found to contain high quantities of plasticisers - chemicals that are added to plastic containers to make them durable and flexible. Extreme levels were also found in microwave-in-a-bag vegetables like broccoli and potatoes. Once heated for just five minutes, chemicals in these foods increased 50 times, according to new research from experts at the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research in Barcelona, Spain. Cooking oils, meanwhile, were found to contain the least amount of plasticisers of the 109 food samples studied. Some of these substances have been found to interfere with the body's hormones like oestrogen and testosterone, while others are linked to increased risk of Alzheimer's and liver disease. In the study, which was published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, scientists looked for traces of more than 20 different harmful plastic additives in over 100 foods sold in Spanish supermarkets. Foods were categorised into eight groups including baby food, condiments, fish products, eggs and dairy, meat, oils, fruit and vegetables and cereals, legumes and sweet products. Baby foods have high levels of plasticizers that have been linked with possible cancer risk The products were then tested for plastic chemicals both before and after cooking, either using a microwave or oven. Scientists detected concerning levels of more than two dozen types, including organophosphate esters (OPEs) which are also used as flame retardants - found in 85 per cent of products sampled. These substances have been linked to a number of health harms, including thyroid cancer, asthma, allergies and problems with foetal development. Also of concern to the scientists were high levels of hormone-disrupting ace tyltributyl citrates (ATCBs) and DEHAs, chemicals used in food packaging to make plastics such as clingfilm bendy and transparent. Meat and baby food were found to contain the largest quantities of OPEs, ATCBs and DEHAs. These substances are a different class to what's become commonly known as 'forever chemicals', such as phthalates, which are thought to remain in the body and environment for several years, leading to long-term health harms. Amid the concern about forever chemicals, food manufacturers have made use of alternative substances to create plastic packaging. However, the scientists behind the new study say these alternatives may carry just as many risks. Experts say you can cut your exposure to microplastics by swapping out plastics in your home for natural materials, metal and glass They added, however, that more work needs to be done to establish the level of exposure that results in human harm. These chemicals are currently authorised for food contact use under both US and EU regulatory frameworks, they added. Meat was followed by cereals, legumes like chickpeas and lentils and sweet products, when analysing prevalence of plasticisers. The researchers found that cooking ready-to-cook broccoli and potato bags, which have longer cooking times of between 5 and 7 minutes respectively, increased levels of microplastics up to 50 times. Co-author Julio Fernandez-Arribas said: 'The results presented in this study confirm the presence of various types of plasticisers in foodstuffs, and emphasises the potential source of exposure to new alternative plasticisers whose long-term health effects are under scrutiny'. Microplastics have worried scientists for decades. While the long-term effects of microplastics on human health remain unclear concern is rising because avoiding them is almost impossible. A recent study even found using a single tea bag could release billions of dangerous microplastics into the body. Microplastics have been found in variety of other human tissue including the intestines and even in men's sperm. Not long after I met my wife Rachel, she told me that since 2006 shed been signed up to an organisation called UK Biobank a large-scale research resource aimed at improving the nations health courtesy of the medical information provided by willing volunteers. It was the right thing to do, she told me. It contributes to scientific research that ultimately can only help us all. Its why, despite greatly disliking the invasive process of having her blood taken, Rachel has provided samples each time the firm asked. Two years ago, she received a request from Biobank to undergo an MRI a more prolonged and unpleasant procedure. She dreaded the claustrophobia she would feel inside the scanner, but I urged her to go ahead with it, as I believed in the scientific cause which it was for. So you can imagine the incandescent sense of betrayal we feel now, learning that this sensitive medical data harvested from my wife and half a million citizens like her is now at the mercy of the Chinese state. That one in five successful applications to access this data have come from research institutions based in China seems a deplorable breach of national security. Certainly, MI5 is concerned enough to warn that these apparently innocuous facilities can be compelled by the Communist regime to carry out work on their behalf. Former head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove has been just as frustrated. Last week he said: We should be significantly concerned. Why on earth do we allow this strategic data into the hands of a Chinese company? Theres no way that the Chinese would let us into their country to conduct this sort of business. Rachel feels furious and let down. In fact, I have barely seen her so upset. I thought I was doing a good thing for the world, but it seems instead that I was incredibly naive, she told me. We have unwittingly handed over a rich fund of epidemiological data without the remotest idea of Chinas intentions They are sentiments I share, alongside guilt for encouraging her to provide yet more data. And I suspect that every other person who has submitted samples to UK Biobank over its 19 years of operation feels the same. I do not trust the Chinese Communist Party any more than the British Government, which in 2020 announced it would dismantle telecoms giant Huaweis involvement in our 5G network, due to national security concerns. Five years on, and the Government has wrestled control of yet more national infrastructure from the grip of China in the form of the Scunthorpe steelworks. Its Chinese owner, Jingye Group, was about to run the plant into the ground, and with it the future of virgin steel making in this country not a comfortable position to be in when the UK is about to embark on years of increased defence spending and rearmament. But as a doctor, no mention of the Chinese government can take place without invoking the spectre of the Covid-19 virus that caused 20million excess deaths worldwide. It seems probable that the virus originated in a laboratory in Wuhan funded in part by the US and that the Chinese government repeatedly lied to us about that provenance. What we dont know is why the virus had been engineered in the first place, other than that Beijing certainly seems keen on biological disease research. Could it have been designed to act as a biological weapon? Orwellian though this may sound, it is a question that has disturbing resonance now. For why, in a country of 1.4billion people that is one of the most centralised societies in the world, under the thumb of a sophisticated and repressive state apparatus, is China short of medical data? What value does it place in the genomes, tissue samples, questionnaire responses and GP records from 500,000 UK citizens? We have unwittingly handed over a rich fund of epidemiological data without the remotest idea of Chinas intentions. This was not the original intention of the UK Biobank project. When it was established in 2006, its purpose was to provide insights that in time could enable scientists to better treat disease. Back then, a repository of DNA, along with health records that examined risk factors such as weight and cholesterol and enabled a deeper understanding of how individuals experience illness, could only be a good thing. Nicely worded letters from UK Biobank would drop on the doormat, politely asking if Rachel would undergo this test or that. The service felt personal. UK Biobank is led by Sir Rory Collins, British Heart Foundation Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Oxford Yet we have heard nothing from the firm over its damning collaboration with Chinese institutions. Instead, an explanation is given on its website, where Professor Sir Rory Collins, UK Biobanks chief executive, doesnt mention the word China once in his response. He said: We follow Government guidance on who can use UK Biobank and have robust processes for secure access to the data that are supported by the Government and our funders. On the same webpage, UK Biobank said: Since 2012 we have been sharing the de-identified health and lifestyle data of our volunteers with approved international researchers who are seeking to improve public health. Over 15,000 peer-reviewed scientific papers have been published as a result. They are right that personal details such as names and dates of birth are stripped from UK Biobank data before it is shared, a fail-safe that seemed satisfactory enough in 2006. But we live in an age of extraordinary technological advances, and it is not beyond imagination that artificial intelligence can scrape this treasure trove of data to pinpoint genetic biomarkers that separate, say, Jewish people from Afro-Caribbeans or Caucasians. The potential consequences of that are almost too chilling to contemplate. China, remember, is more than an economic rival. Were it to invade Taiwan and drag Britain into a war in the South China Sea, we would be first and foremost an enemy of Beijing. The occasional Novichok poisoning on British soil as was carried out by the Kremlin in 2018 in Salisbury, resulting in the death of Dawn Sturgess, a mother of three would be a mere prelude to the biological havoc that China could wreak against citizens here. And UK Biobank is willingly selling the blueprint of such an attack to Chinese laboratories. That alone should be enough for the firm to urgently backtrack on its plans or more pertinently for our Government to force it to. While on paper it is a non-profit charity, it receives funding from the Government and was established by a collaboration between, among others, the UK Department of Health. That means they have a responsibility to step in. If they care about our national security and indeed about the rights of those well-meaning volunteers who have given their DNA and their health profiles to UK Biobank over the years then they must act decisively now. In the meantime, I urge every one of those volunteers to take note of a clause on the websites small print: You are free to withdraw at any time from the study without giving us a reason. Quite how they prove you are no longer on a database I do not know, but I shall be urging Rachel to do so immediately while hoping that it is not already too late. A young woman given a shock diagnosis of blood cancer after test results came back normal has warned others to 'always listen to your body'. Marly Garnreiter, 27, initially thought her night sweats and itchy skin were caused by anxiety and grief that resulted from losing her dad Victor, 58, to colon cancer, in January last year. Her GP agreed after routine tests results came back perfectly normal. However, out of curiosity she plugged her collection of symptoms into the artificial intelligence chatbot, Chat GPT. 'It said I had blood cancer,' said the strategist, from Paris, France. 'I ignored it. My friends were spectical when I told them, and said I should only consult real doctors.' It wasn't until almost a year later that she Ms Garnreiter returned to the doctor, after noticing two further unusual symptoms. 'Around Christmas time I started to feel something was wrong,' she said. Marly Garnreiter was given the correct diagnosis from Chat GPT almost a year before doctors confirmed her illness 'I had a pain in my chest and I was tired all the time.' Her GP referred her for scans which subsequently highlighted a 'big mass' on her left lung. Medics took a biopsy of the growth and found it was Hodgkin lymphoma - a deadly type of blood cancer. Around 2,100 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK each year. It is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout the body that are responsible for getting rid of waste and fighting infections. In Hodgkin lymphoma, the cells within this system develop abnormally and form swellings near the lymph glands, such as in the neck, armpit and groin. The damaged cells also lose their infection-fighting properties, making patients more vulnerable to infection. Hodgkin lymphoma can develop at any age, but it mostly affects men between 20 and 40 years of age and those over 75. The 27 year-old has urged others to always listen to their body She now has to undergo six rounds of gruelling chemotherapy to kill the disease The prognosis for the disease is generally positive with treatment - some 85 per cent of patients will live for at least five years. Ms Garnreiter said her diagnosis sparked 'a lot of anger'. 'I felt like everything was unfair. I didn't want my family to go through this one more time.' Ms Garnreiter was offered the chance to undergo fertility-preservation treatment before starting chemotherapy in March this year. She will have four to six cycles of the gruelling drug therapy. Despite the tough road that lies ahead, she is feeling 'confident for the future'. 'It's really important to listen to our bodies,' she said. 'Sometimes we tend to lose our connection with our inner self. 'It's important to be in tune.' Symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma can vary widely, as not all patients will develop obvious swellings or growths. Night sweats, unintentional weight loss, a high temperature, persistent cough and itchy skin are all other, lesser-known symptoms. For some patients, the collection of abnormal cells happens in the abdomen, inside the body, leading to digestive symptoms like indigestion and abdominal pain. Persisitent tiredness and excessive bleeding can also be signs, as can pain in the lymph glands after drinking alcohol. A Florida woman was arrested after impersonating an immigration agent in an attempt to abduct her ex-boyfriend's wife. Latrance Battle allegedly went to the victim's workplace in Panama City Beach wearing black clothing, including an "ICE" shirt, a black hat and a white face mask on April 10, Panama City News Herald reported. Battle approached the victim, flashed her shirt and a "Sheriff's Office" card, then asked her to come with her. The victim, who is in the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship, said she complied because she was terrified. The victim updated her boss then left in Battle's vehicle to prevent the situation from escalating. The victim became increasingly suspicious after her phone was taken when she tried to call her lawyer and Battle began "talking bad" about her husband. Battle also told the victim she would "suffer the consequences" of her husband's actions, court documents revealed. Battle parked in an apartment complex and told the victim to follow her to a nearby unit. However, the victim saw "a clear tackle box and other stuff" in the car's trunk, and used a passerby's phone to contact police while Battle was inside the apartment. The victim also contacted her husband, who said the "agent's" description matched an ex-girlfriend he has an injunction against for dating violence. Police located and detained Battle before she fled to Alabama, according to a Facebook post from the Bay County Sheriff's Office. She was charged with kidnapping in commission of a felony, robbery by sudden snatching, impersonating a law enforcement officer in commission of a felony and felony violation of probation. She is currently being held without bail. Originally published on Latin Times British gynaecologists have been warned of a startling rise in cases of a deadly flesh-eating disease that affects patients' genitals. Medically known as necrotising fasciitis, doctors from Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said they had seen 20 confirmed incidences over the last two years - compared to 18 over the previous decade. While the cause of the spike was unknown, the medics said it could be a due to a rise in bacterial infections or from lowered immunity due to the Covid lockdown. To demonstrate the dangers, they highlighted three cases whereby women had contracted the flesh-eating disease in their vulva, the external parts of female genitalia. In one case recorded by the report authors, the woman died mere hours after being admitted. Experts in the field have suggested the disease could be caused by injuries that result from shaving the intimate area, or even rough sex. Necrotising fasciitis occurs when bacteria enters an existing wound and infiltrates the deeper layers of the skin. Once there the bacteria begin to multiply and spread rapidly over mere hours. British gynaecologists have been warned to be aware of a startling rise in cases of flesh-eating disease in patients' genitals As they do so they release toxins that destroy tissue, giving the condition its 'flesh-eating' nickname. The authors, who published their report in the journal BMJ Case Reports, said they wanted to raise awareness of necrotising fasciitis in the genital region. 'This case series aims to raise awareness of this life-threatening condition among gynaecologists and hence prevent delay in diagnosis and treatment crucial to avoid poor patient outcomes,' they wrote. The first patient detailed the most serious of the three noticed she had developed a small spot on her mons pubis the area of fatty tissue located just above the genitals. At first, she waited to see if it would resolve on its own but later sought help from her GP who suspecting it was skin infection gave her a basic course of antibiotics. However, the spot and her health deteriorated over the next five days. WHAT IS NECROTISING FASCIITIS? Necrotising fasciitis is most commonly caused by an infection with group A Streptococcus. Those infections normally last just a few days - they are mild and typically clear themselves up. But in some unusual cases it can develop into necrotising fasciitis. They infect flat layers of a membrane known as the fascia, which are connective bands of tissue that surround muscles, nerves, fat, and blood vessels. The infection also damages the tissues next to the fascia. Sometimes toxins made by these bacteria destroy the tissue they infect, causing it to die. When this happens, the infection is very serious and can result in loss of limbs or death. Advertisement After seeking help at A&E it was discovered necrotising fasciitis had taken hold, spreading from the spot to her outer labia, as well as her through her lower abdomen in general. Despite medics rushing to cut away the dead tissue the patient died from sepsis, an immune system reaction to an infection, just 28 hours after being diagnosed. The second patient sought emergency help with a 3cm lump in her vulval region that turned out be abscess a build-up of pus from an infection. Medics noted that over the next 12 hours the upper third of the patient's outer labia 'broke down' due to the flesh-eating disease. She would end up needing three operations to remove the dead tissue as well as reconstructive surgery to restore the look of her genitalia. The last patient, in contrast to the other cases, suffered necrotising fasciitis in her vulval region after a scheduled hysterectomy a procedure that removes the womb. This patient came back to hospital complaining of discomfort at the operation site and a fever. Investigations then found dead tissue and she was rushed for an operation to cut this away. She survived but medics noted that she had been left in significant pain and discomfort from this operation, and she was currently waiting for follow-up care. Professor Bill Sullivan, an expert in microbiology and immunology at Indiana University, who was not involved in the case report, said necrotising fasciitis can occur anywhere in the body which suffers a wound. He said cases in the female genital region had numerous potentially be causes. 'Vaginal necrotising fasciitis could be contracted through rough sex, a piercing, or cosmetic and surgical procedures,' he told Live Science. Other nicks and scrapes, for example via personal grooming, are another potential trigger. In 2017 one woman reported how she almost lost her legs to necrotising fasciitis after cutting a spot on her groin while shaving her bikini line. Professor Sullivan added that he agreed with the report authors' call for gynaecologists to be more aware of flesh-eating disease in this area. 'Vaginal necrotising fasciitis could be considered more dangerous in the sense that it might be more difficult to diagnose in time,' he said. 'Gynaecologists may not have necrotising fasciitis on their diagnostic radar, and surgical interventions, which are usually required to stop necrotising fasciitis from spreading and remove dead tissue, may be limited.' Necrotising fasciitis, of any form is rare in the UK with only an estimated 500 cases recorded each year. Outcomes for patients mostly depend on how quickly the condition is diagnosed and prompt access to surgery and antibiotics. Sometimes patients may need to have entire limbs amputated to save their lives. Previous studies in the US have found only about half of patients who contract vulval necrotising fasciitis survive. Initial signs of necrotising fasciitis include intense pain or numbness around a cut or wound, swelling in the affected area, and flu like symptoms like a fever and fatigue. This later develops to vomiting and diarrhoea, mental confusion and black, purple or grey blotches or blisters emerging on the skin. Necrotising fasciitis is a medical emergency and anyone with these symptoms is advised by the NHS to call 999 or be taken to A&E. When Lauren Bannon noticed she was having trouble bending her fingers, she turned to ChatGPT for answers and was shocked by what the AI bot told her. The mother-of-two, 40, had always been diligent with her yearly medical checkups, but in February 2024, she became concerned when she had difficulty moving her fingers. Doctors diagnosed with her with rheumatoid arthritis in May 2024 - an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints, causing pain, swelling and stiffness. But her misery continued and four months later, she developed excruciating stomach pains and lost 14lbs without trying, but doctors couldn't find a cause. Frustrated with a lack of answers, Bannon turned to AI service ChatGPT for help. Within seconds, she discovered she was possibly suffering from Hashimoto's disease - a different autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid. After convincing doctors to test her, it turned out the AI system was correct - but further testing revealed something even more sinister. Bannon had two tumors in her neck that turned out to be cancerous and she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in October 2024. Lauren Bannon, 40, began to grow concerned after noticing that she was struggling to bend her fingers properly at night Since her life-changing diagnosis and surgery, the mother credits Chat GPT for helping save her life The marketing company CEO said in a Facebook post: 'I was exhausted, in pain and constantly being given new diagnoses but every test came back normal.' When a battery of tests came up empty and doctors kept dismissing her symptoms as acid reflux, Bannon decided to turn to ChatGPT for help. She recalled: 'I felt let down by doctors. It was almost like they were just trying to give out medication for anything to get you in and out the door. 'I needed to find out what was happening to me, I just felt so desperate. I just wasn't getting the answers I needed. 'So that's when I pulled up ChatGPT. I already used it for work. 'I started typing what mimics rheumatoid arthritis and it popped up saying "you may have Hashimoto's disease, ask your doctor to check your thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO) levels." 'So I went to my doctors and she told me I couldn't have that [because] there was no family history of it, but I said "just amuse me."' Bannon did not have the typical symptoms of Hashimoto's disease, which include tiredness, dry and brittle hair, puffy eyes and face, slight weight gain, memory problems and decreased libido - making her diagnosis a surprise. However, the disease can also cause joint pain, swelling and muscle aches, which would have made it difficult for her to bend her fingers. But these particular symptoms are also present in rheumatoid arthritis, leading to Bannon's initial misdiagnosis. Hashimoto's disease occurs in about five in 100 people and it hinders the thyroid's ability to produce hormones that are responsible for regulating metabolism and other bodily functions This can lead to hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, depression and impaired fertility. According to the American Thyroid Association, there is no link between Hashimotos disease and thyroid cancer, indicating Bannon's two conditions are unrelated aside from the fact that the Hashimoto's diagnosis led to an ultrasound of her thyroid. Once she discovered that she may have Hashimoto's, the business owner insisted that she was tested for the condition, despite reservations from doctors In January, she underwent surgery to remove her thyroid, the cancerous tumors and two lymph nodes from her neck Due to not presenting with 'typical' symptoms of Hashimoto's, Bannon believes the condition and her subsequent cancer diagnosis would have remained undetected without the help of ChatGPT. She said: 'I didn't have the typical symptoms of Hashimoto's disease, I wasn't tired or feeling exhausted. 'If I hadn't looked on ChatGPT, I would've just taken the rheumatoid arthritis medication and the cancer would've spread from my neck to everywhere else. Hashimoto's is treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy and thyroid cancer treatment includes surgeries and radiation therapy. In January 2025, she underwent a surgery to remove her thyroid, the cancerous tumors and two lymph nodes from her neck. It is not known whether she received additional treatments. She now needs to remain under lifelong monitoring to ensure the cancer does not return due to having the BRAF V600E mutation - a common mutation found in cancers that causes increased cell growth, contributing to tumor development. Since her life-changing diagnosis, the mother credits ChatGPT for helping save her life. Bannon, from North Carolina, said : 'The doctor said I was very lucky to have caught it so early. I know for sure that cancer would've spread without using ChatGPT. 'It saved my life. I just knew that something was wrong with me. I would've never discovered this without ChatGPT. All my tests were perfect.' She continued: 'I would encourage others to use ChatGPT with their health concerns, act with caution but if it gives you something to look into, ask your doctors to test you. It can't do any harm. 'I feel lucky to be alive.' FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary announced the agency will phase out the use of eight artificial food dyes in Americas food supply within the next two years. The massive shakeup will free children from the 'toxic soup' that makes up much of America's food supply, Dr Makary said. Dr Makary, a trained surgeon, began his remarks by calling attention to an oft-cited review in The Lancet, which reported ties between artificial food dyes and hyperactivity in children. 'So why are we taking a gamble,' Makary said. The Trump administration will set a plan for food companies to follow in order to adequately phase out the use of Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 by the end of 2026 and start using natural alternatives, which the FDA will approve or deny first. 'For companies that are currently using petroleum based red dye, try watermelon juice or beet juice,' Makary said, lifting small bottles of juice off his podium. 'For companies currently combining petroleum-based yellow chemical and red dyes together, try carrot juice.' The latest proposal also revokes approval for two dyes, citrus red 2 and orange B, which are not as common as the other dyes included in Tuesday's announcement. RFK Jr suggested more additives could be next, telling the crowd: 'Were going to get rid of the dyes and were going to to get rid of every ingredient and additive in food that we can legally address. 'And for those ingredients we can't ban legally, we're going to start informing Americans about what they're eating.' FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary, pictured right of RFK Jr and Jay Bhattacharya (head of NIH) announced the agency will phase out the use of eight artificial food dyes in Americas food supply within the next two years Kennedy added: 'This is existential for our country and we have to address it... [the] industry is making money on keeping us sick." The plan also initiates a collaboration with the NIH to research how food dyes impact children's health and development. The new timeline follows a recent meeting where he urged food industry executives to eliminate artificial dyes from products before his term ends in 2028. The FDA has not reached any formal aggreement with the food industry to carry out these goals, though they apparently have 'an understanding,' and the agency has not put forward a detailed plan for achieving them. Dr Makary said: 'This is not a silver bullet that will immediately make Americas children more healthy,' but added that the Administration is 'not interested in going down the same old path while watching Americas children get sicker. The FDA currently allows 36 food color additives, including eight synthetic dyes. The FDA will push food manufacturers to eliminate Red 3 faster than the original 2027 deadline set by the Biden administration. (Pharmaceutical companies were given until 2028 to remove it from medications.) The dyes Kennedy wants to remove are used widely in US foods. In Canada and in Europe where artificial colors are required to carry warning labels manufacturers use natural substitutes. Some states, such as California and West Virginia, recently enacted laws that ban artificial colors and other additives from school meals, and in some cases, the broader food supply. RFK Jr suggested more additives could be next, telling the crowd: 'Were going to get rid of the dyes and were going to to get rid of every ingredient and additive in food that we can legally address' Dr Makary said: 'Four years from now we're going to have most of these products off the market or you will know about them when you go to the grocery store.' The FDA will fast-track approvals for 'natural' food dyes like calcium phosphate, galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue. RFK said one of his top priorities would be to increase transparency in the food industry, which has not agreed to or weighed in on these terms yet. He has long railed against Big Food and attributed the country's 'chronic disease epidemic' to additives and ultra processed foods. He said: 'All of these industries have cast a dark shadow historically over this agency, and there are so many conflicts that we are now systematically eliminating. 'That has allowed them to suppress the science. Theres shockingly few studies, even on food dyes.' RFK pledged that labels on foods that contain artificial colors will be labeled clearly, and said some companies that do not comply may also risk carrying labels on their products telling consumers so. Such a move would require Congressional approvalbut given that major food manufacturers like PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, Nestle USA, and Tyson Foods are reliable Republican donors, its unclear whether lawmakers would risk jeopardizing those lucrative relationships. Some studies have established links between the dye and changes in children's behavior and changes in hormone activity, contributing to thyroid problems The announcements from RFK Jr and others elicited glee from concerned mothers and their kids sitting stage left. The 'MAHA moms' have become critical RFK Jr supporters. Many, like food activist and blogger Vani Hari, believe they have been duped by major food manufacturers that have been stealthily adding risky ingredients to their food for decades. She said on Tuesday: 'As a mother who has fought tirelessly to remove harmful chemicals from our food supply, especially as the food companies have already done so in many other countries, this action by the FDA is so meaningful to me. 'This is the first step at reducing the amount of toxic ingredients in our food supply and safeguarding American children.' Dr Makary added that if he had learned one thing during his career in medicine, 'Always listen to the mom.' Red 40 is one of several dyes containing benzidine, a human and animal carcinogen permitted in low, presumably safe levels in dyes. The FDA calculated in 1985 that ingestion of free benzidine raises the cancer risk to just under the concern threshold, or 1 cancer in 1 million people. Consuming red 40 and other dyes regularly has been linked to hyperactivity in some children with and without ADHD. Studies have suggested that eating the dye can exacerbate symptoms or trigger behavioral changes. Canadian researchers have also found Red 40, also known as Allura red, can hamper the guts ability to absorb nutrients, water, and electrolytes, increasing a person's risk of developing an inflammatory bowel disease. They say this wearing down of the bodys defenses could make people more susceptible to ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. Blue 1 is found in candies like gummy bears. Both of these ingredients have been associated with hyperactivity and inattention in children. Your browser does not support iframes. Several food dyes are banned or contain warning labels in Europe, where food and drug regulators have more oversight than the FDA. Unlike European regulators, who proactively review ingredient lists and formulations before products reach store shelves, US regulators tend to take a more reactive approach. It is unclear what happens next after Tuesday's announcement or what kinds of enforcement mechanisms the government will take. Dr Makary said: 'There are a number of tools at our disposal. 'I believe in love, lets start in a friendly way and see if we can do this without any statutory or regulatory changes, but we are exploring every tool in the toolbox to make sure this gets done very quickly. And they want to do it so why go down a complicated road with Congress?' MSNBC host Symone Sanders-Townsend shared an outrageous theory about who she believes will be 'next in line' under the Trump administration's deportation efforts. The liberal commentator was discussing the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant who was deported to the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador, when she astonishingly claimed 'people of color' will soon be deported as well. Sanders-Townsend seemed to have tried to back up her claims by referencing an op-ed written by NAACP President Janal Nelson, which argued that the Trump administration's 'lawlessness' is demonstrating how democracies can be dismantled 'brick by brick.' 'But to me, that is why Kilmar Abrego Garcia's specific case, the case of the gentleman who's a makeup artist out of California who was also sent to that prison, the 75 percent of the folks who have been sent, the men who have been sent there that don't have criminal records - that is why this is so important,' she told her guests, Michael Stele and Democrat Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey. 'Because if they can do it to them, if they can snatch students off the street without any pushback or recourse, they will do it to any of us,' Sanders-Townsend continued. 'To be very clear: It's going to be the people of color and vulnerable communities that are next in line,' she concluded. Ivey then agreed, suggesting that is why the black community is rallying around the migrant. 'As you just said, if they are going to whisk them away, what are they going to do with us?' he asked, rhetorically. MSNBC host Symone Sanders-Townsend claimed 'people of color' will be 'next in line' for the Trump administration's deportations She was discussing the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant who was deported last month But many online saw Sanders-Townsend's theory as absurd, with one X user joking that Immigration and Customs Enforcement might take her first. 'Well at least put her into a mental asylum until she can be cured of her Trump derangement syndrome,' he wrote. Attorney Jonathan Turley also claimed that 'MSNBC hosts are beginning to make the guy in the subway screaming about the microchip in his brain look credible' after several other hosts at the network made similar claims. On Friday, former host Chris Matthews drew a comparison between Trump's deportation of Abrego Garcia and the actions of Nazis in Germany. 'What did Hitler do in the Holocaust?' Matthews asked on The Jim Acosta Show. 'He took people from Germany to other countries where there was no German law, not even a pretense of German law. They took them to Poland or Hungary.' Acosta then followed up by referencing the CECOT facility's conditions: 'So when you see what's happening right now with this El Salvadoran gulag... he's basically taking a page out of that playbook, you think?' 'Well, it gets them out of the country,' Matthews replied. Critics online were quick to condemn the comparison, accusing Matthews of trivializing the Holocaust by equating it to modern immigration enforcement. Many online criticized Sanders-Townsend's for her theory On Sunday, Morning Joe star Mika Brzezinski also goaded a Democratic senator into suggesting the late Pope Francis would want Abrego Garcia brought back to the United States. Brzezinski set the tone with a loaded question for Senator Chris Van Hollen Monday morning, asking about Francis's last words the day before - an address delivered to thousands gathered in St. Peter Square for Easter. Francis's speech had cited how contempt is often stirred up at times toward the 'vulnerable,' the 'marginalized' and migrants - paving the way for Brzezinski and Van Hollen's conversation. 'And here we are - you, I guess just back now from El Salvador, dealing with the issue of just one of the many people who have been forcibly removed, disappeared. I mean, some might even see it as a kidnapping. It's definitely not a deportation.' 'Where does the plight of Kilmar Abrego Garcia stand now?' Van Hollen answered: 'Well, you're very right. I read Pope Francis's remarks. He was a beautiful soul. A pope for all of humanity and he focused on the most vulnerable, and on natural rights. 'On the right of everybody to be free under the law. 'And the whole point here that we're making is that the Trump administration needs to respect the Constitution of the United States. 'When you threaten the rights of one man like Abrego Garcia, take away the rights of one man like Abrego Garcia, you threaten the rights for everybody.' The Trump administration has insisted Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member On Thursday, Democratic US Senator Chris Van Hollen met up with Abrego Garcia The Salvadoran migrant's deportation has become a rallying cry amongst liberals against Trump's deportation efforts after it admitted his removal from the United States was an 'administrative error.' The Supreme Court has even demanded Trump facilitate Abrego Garcia's return back to the United States. But the White House has held firm, insisting that he is an MS-13 gang member who has previously been accused of beating his wife on multiple occasions Republicans who support Trump's efforts have also claimed that he was embroiled in a human smuggling scandal in 2022 - even though he has never been charged with any crimes. Abrego Garcia had even been set for deportation back in 2019, but a judge at the time blocked his return to his native El Salvador based on the fact that MS-13 gangsters were after him. The court ruled at the time that he could be deported elsewhere, however - paving the way for his current detainment at the CECOT supermax prison. He is being held at the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador The facility has been condemned by human rights groups and likened by critics to a modern-day gulag He had arrived at the notorious facility that has been condemned by human rights groups and likened by critics to a modern-day gulag on March 15 on one of three planes from the United States. There, he met with Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who posted a photo of the meeting on X and said he had also called Abrego Garcia's American wife 'to pass along his message of love.' But El Salvadors Presidnet Nayib Bukele posted his own images of the meeting minutes before Van Hollen shared his post and took a more confrontational approach, decrying beliefs that Abrego Garcia was suffering. Bukele wrote: 'Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the `death camps & 'torture,' now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!' Megyn Kelly issued a scathing attack on Pope Francis just hours after the Catholic Church announced his death. The 88-year-old pontiff died of a cerebral stroke and subsequent heart failure early Monday morning, and by the afternoon, Kelly released the new episode of her podcast - in which she accused Francis of moving the Catholic Church 'in a leftward direction' on immigration issues. She also blamed the late Pope for helping bring 'illegal' immigrants into the United States and leaving Americans to 'deal' with them. 'The Church has been participating in getting immigrants here and then finding them housing and helping them stay here, irrespective of the fact that they're here illegally,' said Kelly, a lifelong Catholic. 'And Pope Francis didn't have to deal with that. 'It's caused a lot of us in the Catholic Church to wonder what exactly we're donating toward on Sunday, it really does.' She then claimed that conservative Catholics like herself have been caught in a 'tug-of-war... between the Pope's messaging and what he wanted us to believe were deep Catholic teachings and what we understand as Americans who have been watching our citizens murdered in the streets by these people to be true.' According to the former Fox News host, it is one thing for the Catholic Church to want to support its priests and ensure there are 'flowers on the altar for Easter mass,' but 'funding illegals coming into the country? They're not all upstanding Catholics.' Megyn Kelly issued a scathing attack on Pope Francis on her podcast on Monday The 88-year-old pontiff (pictured on Thursday) died of a cerebral stroke and subsequent heart failure early Monday morning The late Pope was known for using his pulpit to speak out against US President Donald Trump during his first term in office, particularly for his calls to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. Francis condemned Trump's actions towards illegal immigrants as 'cruelty' and a 'grave sin' - and even urged Catholic voters to choose 'the lesser evil' according to 'his or her own conscience' ahead of the 2024 presidential election. More recently, the Pope blasted the Trump administration's deportation plans - warning that they would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity. Vice President JD Vance, in turn, tried to defend the administration's crackdown by citing a concept from medieval Catholic theology known in Latin as 'ordo amoris.' He said the concept delineates a hierarchy of care- to family first, followed by neighbor, community, fellow citizens and those elsewhere. But in a letter to US bishops on February 10, Francis appeared to correct Vance's understanding of the concept. 'Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extends to other persons and groups,' he wrote. 'The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the Good Samaritan, that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.' Just one day before his passing, the Pope met briefly with Vice President JD Vance The Pope had been critical of the Trump administration's actions toward migrants Vance, who converted to Catholicism as an adult, acknowledged the Pope's criticism - but said he will continue to defend his views. And in an apparent effort to bury the hatchet, Vance had a brief meeting with the Pope just one day before his passing. On her podcast on Monday, Kelly took the president's side in the dispute, claiming Trump was 'so devoted to getting rid of these people who Pope Francis just looked at as vulnerable and defenseless.' 'You know who is vulnerable and defenseless?' the podcaster asked, rhetorically. 'Laken Riley,' she said, referring to a Georgia nursing student who was raped and killed by migrants in the country illegally. In the end, though, Kelly said she wished she could have discussed immigration issues with the Pope when he was still alive. Francis made immigration issues a focal point of his time on the Holy See. He is pictured with a group of migrants taking part in a project on social integration organized by the charity Agata Smeralda in 2018 'I'm sure he would've had nothing but empathy for those killed by these illegals,' she said as she shared her desire that the next Pope is Archbishop of New York City Cardinal Timothy Dolan. But as the Vatican's cardinals decide on the Pope's funeral date, Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell will temporarily take over the administration of the Holy See. Farrell, 77, who served as a bishop of the Diocese of Dallas in Texas for nearly a decade, was appointed as Vatican camerlengo, or chamberlain, by Francis in February 2019. The camerlengo takes charge after a pontiff's death and handles daily administration and finances of the tiny Vatican City state during the 'interregnum', the gap period between the leadership of one Pope to the next. The camerlengo is also responsible for certifying the Pope's death, announcing his passing to the world - which he did this morning - and sealing the papal apartments, as well as preparing the pontiff's burial. Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell (pictured in 2016) will temporarily take over the administration of the Holy See The Holy See Press Office has said Francis's body could be transported to the Vatican Basilica as early as Wednesday morning. But e will be buried in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore basilica - and not St. Peter's Basilica as is tradition. By doing so, Francis will become the first Pope in more than 100 years to be laid to rest outside the Vatican. He also rejected the tradition of Popes having three coffins, instead choosing to be buried in just one. A group of media all-stars have reportedly slammed CBS star Gayle Kings recent trip to space. The remarks were made during a lunch between Warner Bros. boss David Zaslav, former Sony chief Howard Stringer, retired Washington Post writer Richard Cohen, and New Yorker vet Ken Auletta at Michaels in Manhattan, Status reported. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin flight was a topic of discussion after a posse of female stars including King were blasted into space, with CBS yet to disclose who paid for the jaunt. The consensus between the four 'wasn't exactly glowing', CNN's old media reporter Oliver Darcy wrote - before detailing other facets of the talks learned from those familiar. Coincidentally, there was also talk at the table about about attempts to settle a Donald Trump lawsuit against King's network CBS over a heavily edited '60 Minutes' interview - during which Paramount heiress Shari Redstone was mentioned specifically. Skydance - a media firm backed by billionaire software scion David Ellison - has spent the past several months trying to acquire Paramount for the price-tag of $8billion, and the deal requires approval from Trump's FCC boss Brendan Carr. Meanwhile, the move greenlit by CBS News in regards to King's part in the Blue Origin flight continues to raise questions across the industry - like whether it went against her high-profile employer's rules about accepting gifts for good coverage. CBS News has strict policies against anchors accepting handouts for ethical reasons - a stipulation not mentioned in any of the station's statements since. A group of media all-stars have reportedly slammed Gayle King s recent trip to space, according to a new report The remarks were made during a meet between Warner Bros. boss David Zaslav and other bigwigs at Michaels in Manhattan. Jeff Bezos ' Blue Origin flight was a topic of discussion. The fact that celebs like Lauren Sanchez and Katy Perry also boarded the flight gave Blue Origin owner Jeff Bezos the kind of free advertising money cannot buy. Other superrich thrillseekers will now be lining up to book themselves a $300,000 Blue Origin flight. And Bezos' successful flight also likely caught the eye of the federal government, who have vastly boosted Elon Musk's wealth through lucrative space exploration contracts handed to SpaceX boss Elon Musk. Zaslav, Stringer, Cohen, and Auletta - electing for an in-person meet as opposed to their usual monthly Zoom room - appeared to view such coverage as unbecoming, according to the Status report. No other details about the Blue Origin conversation were provided, but other topics touched on by the famous foursome were laid bare by insiders. The table talked openly about Trump as well, following some recent unrest in the economy caused by the conservative's tariffs. Zaslav, who oversees CNN and its CEO Mark Thompson, was once hopeful Trump would ring in a new age of deal-making and deregulation. The Republican has instead thrust the economy - and news industry - into relative uncertainty, with Carr's FCC launching simultaneous probes into CBS, ABC and NBC, alongside NPR and PBS, as well as his separate lawsuits. ABC already settled with Trump in regards to his $16million defamation filing in response to erroneous on-air comments from GMA's George Stephanopoulos, for an undisclosed sum. Carr, a fierce Trump ally, last week accused Comcast of 'distorting' the news after its subsidiary NBC pedaled a different narrative about the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from the administration. New Yorker Media Reporter Ken Auletta and longtime Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen were in attendance as well Longtime Sony Chairman and CEO Howard Stringer 'Now that I've done it, I really do feel I can take on anything,' King, 70, said upon touching down. 'Now that I've been through it, I know now that I could do it again' 'Comcast knows that federal law requires its licensed operations to serve the public interest,' Carr wrote in a post on X Wednesday. 'News distortion doesn't cut it.' Speaking of supposedly distorted news, a book set to detail what was transpiring behind the scenes during Joe Biden's last years in office was discussed Monday by the media magnates as well - as did the former president. 'Biden, I'm told, also came up, with the table discussing the slate of books about him, including the forthcoming nonfiction by CNNs Jake Tapper and Axios Alex Thompson,' Dracy wrote. He added how the book - set to release next month - is 'expected to paint a harsh portrait of' stations' coverage surrounding the president at the time, supporting claims of a coverup. Meanwhile, the legal headache that is the 60 Minutes lawsuit continues to look to be obstacle for the Paramount-Skydance merger, as would any prospective legal pushback in response to King's spin in space. It's still unclear who - if anyone - footed the bill for the expedition, with a non-celebrity facing a $300,000 fare to make the same trip. MSNBC revamp victim Katie Phang cried on the air Saturday - during her show's second-to-last episode before being cancelled. The Katie Phang Show was one of several casualties brought on by a lineup shift implemented by new network boss Rebecca Kutler a couple months ago - with Joy Reid being another. During a conversation with Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett on one of her final broadcasts before her show is cancelled, Phang, 49, couldn't help but bring this reality up. 'This is the second to last episode of the show. Congresswoman, I wanted to thank you for always getting up early and delivering it,' Phang began, after evoking her race following news that her show would be axed in February. 'But I also want to say thank you for your continuing support for democracy. 'Its definitely something that you have made your brand, and its integrity that youre bringing,' she continued. 'Im grateful for you, always,' Phang finished. The sentiment saw the Texas rep start to cry herself, after which she managed to muster, 'We'll miss you.' At this point, Phang began to cry herself, as she and others like Jonathan Capehart and Ayman Mohyeldin say goodbye to their programs as part of a strategic overhaul from higher-ups. MSNBC revamp victim Katie Phang cried on the air Saturday - during her show's second-to-last episode d During a conversation with Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett 'Oh! Youre gonna have me crying at the beginning of a show!' Phang finished, visibly choked up after the Texas Democrat told her that she and others would 'miss' her show 'Oh! Youre gonna have me crying at the beginning of a show! Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, you havent seen the last of me,' Phang finished, visibly choked up. 'Thank you for being here and getting us started today. I always appreciate you.' The Asian American host's weekly show had filmed in Miami - a base now being abandoned as the network's corporate owner Comcast prepares to spin off most of its cable networks into a separate publicly traded company by November. Amid the change, MSNBC will consolidate production operations to New York and Washington, DC, and Phang will stay on at MSNBC as a legal correspondent. Capehart and Mohyeldin will also fill different roles on the network as well, with news shows being built around them. The same could not be said for Phang, who, like Reid, twisted the identity-politics knife while lamenting her situation after seeing her show pulled by her bosses. 'I was proud to platform more AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) voices than any other cable show ever,' Phang wrote in a pointed post to Instagram in February. 'Representation matters,' she concluded. 'I went hard on so many issues,' Reid complained separately, while weeping through her remarks on a Zoom call to supporters. Phang's show had aired Saturdays at 12pm. It's final episode will air Saturday, April 26 'I was proud to platform more AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) voices than any other cable show ever,' Phang wrote in a pointed post to Instagram after news of the cancellation spread. 'Representation matters' 'Whether it was the Black Lives Matter, issues of a young baby or a mom or dad that was killed or when we opened up people's eyes to the fact that Asian Americans were being targeted, and not just Black folks. 'My show had value,' she insisted. Phang, meanwhile, is still the network's legal correspondent, after serving as its legal analyst for NBCUniversal since 2017. Her show's final episode airs Saturday. As for MSNBC, the picture has gone from bad to worse. In February 2021, MSNBC averaged a total of 1.4 million total viewers every hour throughout the entire day and an average of 2.9 million total viewers during only primetime hours. Today, those numbers have dwindled down to just roughly 600,000 and 1 million total viewers, respectively - a more than 50 percent decline on both ends. Legendary CBS exec Bill Owens has announced he is leaving 60 Minutes after 'losing his journalistic independence.' Owens, 58, had been the executive producer of the CBS newsmagazine since 2019, but told staff in a memo Tuesday that 'over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it.' A copy of a memo was obtained by The New York Times, as CBS continues to field a lawsuit filed by the president centered around the prestigious program. In the memo Owens - who started at CBS as a summer intern in 1988 - complained about being rendered unable 'to make independent decisions based on what was right for "60 Minutes," right for the audience.' 'So, having defended this show - and what we stand for - from every angle, over time with everything I could,' he continued. 'I am stepping aside so the show can move forward.' Owens - a respected figure who recently helped overhaul CBS's Evening News - went on to promise that '60 Minutes will continue to cover the new administration,' and 'future' ones as well. 'The show is too important to the country,' Owens ultimately declared, weeks after sources told DailyMail.com how the bigwig was 'feeling the pressure' brought by the Trump lawsuit. He reportedly added during a '60 Minutes' staff meeting on Tuesday: 'Its clear the company is done with me.' Legendary CBS exec Bill Owens revealed he is leaving 60 Minutes Tuesday after 'losing his journalistic independence.' He has served as the program's executive producer since 2019 A copy of a memo was obtained by The New York Times , as CBS continues to field a lawsuit filed by the president centered around an October interview with then Vice President Kamala Harris that aired on the once-prestigious program 'It has to continue, just not with me as the executive producer,' Owens said of the show, being one of just three EPs to oversee it in its 57-year history. 'Over the past months, it has also become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it,' he wrote earlier on. 'So, having defended this show - and what we stand for - from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward. '[It] is too important to the country,' he continued, before mentioning how the news magazine made it through other similar shifts in leadership 'We [survived],' he said. 'You will [too]. '60 Minutes will continue to cover the new administration, as we will report on future administrations,' Owens went on, vowing that his successors would still continue to report from war zones while 'investigating injustices and educat[ing] our audience.' 'In short, 60 Minutes will do what it has done for 57 years,' he stated, before mentioning how he has been with the network for '37' of those years - 'more than half of that at 60 Minutes.' 'I have been shot at and threatened with jail for protecting a source,' he continued, while rattling off other important achievements. 'I am also proud to have hired the next generation of correspondents... Thank you all, remain focused on the moment, our audience deserves it,' he finished. CBS News's senior-most staffers - 60 Minutes boss Owens and news chief Wendy McMahon (pictured together in LA this past May) - are said to be unwilling to bow to Trump's lawsuit, which alleges the station purposely edited the Harris interview to give her an edge The revelation - aired two months after a round of layoffs that saw 20 CBS News staffers provided pink slips - was particularly profound, as reports continue to indicate some dissent amongst execs at CBS and its parent Paramount. Just last month, an insider familiar with the situation told DailyMail.com how CBS is under serious pressure from not only the administration but also [the network's billionaire owner] Shari Redstone' to settle the suit. A former CBS exec further told the Mail how Owens' decision for anchors Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson to co-host CBS Evening News was being viewed 'as a disaster' internally. '[CBS Evenings Executive Producer] Bill Owens is also overstretched,' they said at the time, echoing the other exec's opinion. This deviation from tradition was also accompanied by another high-profile exit - the sudden 'resignation' of CBS President of Editorial and Newsgathering Adrienne Roark after just seven months in the role. At the time, a source familiar with the matter claimed that Roark had actually been forced out - after being caught shopping for a new job by her boss, CBS News and Stations CEO Wendy McMahon. McMahon - who along with Owens is CBS's most powerful C-Suiter - became aware of the unsanctioned search and retaliated, the insider said. Both she and Owens are now said to be unwilling to bow to Trump's suit. Paramount heiress Shari Redstone, however, seemingly is - according to remarks reportedly made over lunch Monday by Warner Bros' David Zaslav, ex-Sony chief Howard Stringer, and other big wigs, as reported by Status. The summit of media all-stars at Michaels in Manhattan - which also included retired Washington Post writer Richard Cohen and The New Yorker's Ken Auletta - saw the quartet speak openly about about Redstone's attempts to settle the suit. She wants to save a still-in-limbo deal that will see Paramount and its properties go to David Ellison-backed Skydance - a package that will secure the former some $8billion. Redstone, the daughter of late Viacom mogul Sumner, stands to make a pretty penny herself if the deal goes through. However, it requires federal approval to do so - not only that, from outspoken Trump ally Brendan Carr. As it stands, Carr's FCC continues to scrutinize the activities of not only CBS, but a litany of outlets. Carr last week accused NPC parent Comcast of 'distorting' the news after its subsidiary NBC News pedaled a different narrative about the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from the administration - a move that likely fueled Owens' already present concerns. Just last month, insiders told Status how both Owens and McMahon were 'disillusioned' by their scandal-stained, soon-to-be boss (should the Skydance deal go through) - that being former NBCU exec Jeff Shell. Owens is also reportedly not thrilled by the prospect of serving under a scandal-stained former NBCU exec Jeff Shell should Paramount be acquired by Skydance - a prospective future that has seemingly created division between CBS and Paramount execs Now a senior exec at Skydance, Shell called a meeting with the CBS News chief - whom a source recently told DailyMail.com is in over her head in her role - and the then 60 Minutes boss in October, asking they send Trump a transcript of the segment that spurred the suit. At the time, Trump had just began criticizing both '60 Minutes' and CBS over the interview in question - one featuring Kamala Harris that aired earlier in the month. Trump's complaints - that the interview was purposely edited to give the progressive an edge - ultimately gave way to the lawsuit, but before that, Shell sought to placate the president by adhering to the request to send over the transcript. The idea of sending an olive branch to Trump was quickly shot down by both Owens and McMahon, those familiar with the matter told Status. Not only that, the request left both execs irked, insiders said, citing the fact that the Skydance deal had - and still has - yet to be fully ironed out. In the months since, as a July deadline for the deal to be inked looms, pressure from Shell and Redstone has not only continued, but worsened, sources said at the time. Speaking to Status, staffers described a dynamic that's camps seen camps of staffers steadily forming, with some backing Owens and McMahon, and others those at Skydance. The billionaire software scion actively trying to acquire CBS's parent, Larry Ellison's son David Ellison, was seen sitting with Trump at UFC 314 Saturday - leading staffers this week to claim the summit serves as a poor omen for the network future. David Ellison, the billionaire owner of Skydance (pictured sitting in a black blazer), was seen sitting ringside at UFC 314 with President Trump Saturday. A staffer last week said the summit serves as proof those set to lead CBS are already willing to bow to the president One such employee told Status the summit serves as proof those set to lead CBS are already willing to bow to the president - something Owens and McMahon have made clear they are against. Privately, the pair have also described feeling astonished, alarmed, and increasingly disillusioned by the interference, sources spilled - with some claiming McMahon's relationship with her prospective boss is already deteriorating. Shell, on the other hand, has reportedly made clear to both McMahon and Owens privately that they need to get on board with a settlement and such an admission - an ultimatum that spawned frustration, staffers told Status last month. It also apparently paved the way for the decision seen from Owens today, as both he and McMahon continue to insist that CBS News did nothing wrong with its handling of the interview - a stance that has reportedly received backing from some staffers. Such employees are privately expressing alarm at the notion of surrendering to what they see as a senseless lawsuit, insiders said - adding how both Owens and McMahon believe bowing to Trump would be a betrayal of the principles 60 Minutes has become known for. Shell, meanwhile, has reportedly suggested that a settlement would only be a temporary setback - even if a statement of wrongdoing is included. A now viral photo, meanwhile, shows the unlikely meetup between Ellison - whose dad is a well-known Trump supporter in Miami, after which the latter issued a scathing critique of both CBS and 60 Minutes yet again on Truth Social. It also made waves within CBS's newsroom, with a source telling Status of the widely seen summit: 'It's dejecting for reporters and producers to see one day before the president attacks "60 Minutes" - again - for doing accurate and fair journalism. 'It's dejecting,' the source said of the summit. 'Anyone who believed Ellison might be a breath of fresh air after [Shari] Redstone (seen here with her late father Sumner Redstone in 2012) and have the backbone to run a principled news organization is feeling pretty naive today' 'Anyone who believed Ellison might be a breath of fresh air after [Shari] Redstone and have the backbone to run a principled news organization is feeling pretty naive today.' As for the possibility of a settlement, one insider told Puck Monday it would be 'a really odious pill [for CBS] swallow.' Another said Trump may force the network to issue a public apology, with another industry vet adding, 'I think [Trump] hates CBS and 60 Minutes more than he likes Larry Ellison' - the latter being a well-known Trump supporter. 'Im not sure this deal can close.' McMahon, meanwhile, responded to word of Owen's resignation in a separate note to staff - in which she said she remains 'committed' to the show despite Owens departure. 'The mission and the work remain our priority,' she said - as insiders also said last month McMahon will likely lose her job before the Skydance deal goes through. Owens, in his statement, thanked McMahon for 'always [having the 60 Minutes teams'] back.' 'She agrees that 60 Minutes needs to be run by a 60 Minute producer,' he said. Your dream home may seem out of reach if you glance at the prices in estate agent windows and on property websites. But you could save as much as 30 pc in some areas as desperate sellers want to clinch a deal. In exclusive Salcombe in Devon or stylish Marylebone in London, for example, buyers can snap up a bargain knocking tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds off the asking price. Average asking prices have surged upwards across the country to a record high 377,000, according to property portal Rightmove, while affordability and mortgage payments are still incredibly strained. But large differences between the listed price of a home and what it typically sells for mean you could snap up a bargain property in a desirable location. A combination of overvalued houses and slow property markets means there could be plenty of room for negotiation. With analysis from house buying company Upstix, we reveal the surprising property discount hotspots where you can grab a bargain... WHY ARE SOME HOMES CHEAPER THAN THE LISTED PRICE? You can look into the NE63 postcode in Northumberland, which covers the North Sunderland fishing town and also nearby Seahouses, a colourful seaside village with a harbour Your browser does not support iframes. The list price very rarely reflects the true value of a property. Henry Pryor, buying agent at Pryor & Co, warns estate agents will sometimes overvalue properties. Nothing is more flattering to a potential seller than an agent saying, I think your flat is the most wonderful and its worth more than youre expecting it to be worth. Most sellers are optimistic too they dont notice the flight path overhead or the railway running next to the house. They will always think their house is worth more than it is. Together, this can cause a house to be listed for higher than it is worth in the hope a buyer will pay this inflated price. In reality, this rarely works. In fact, data from industry body Propertymark shows just 9 pc of properties achieve asking price and more than 80 pc of homes sell for less. Fred Jones, chief executive of Upstix, says: Sometimes an asking price is simply that an ask and buyers are not willing to match it. Its easy for sellers to get lured in by an over-optimistic valuation. But its often these overvaluations that cause problems, like a lack of interested buyers and long listing times which in the end means they must reduce their asking price anyway. One expert says this could lead to homes being tarnished. Its bad news for sellers but great news for buyers. Savvy house hunters dont have to accept the asking price and could instead slash tens of thousands of pounds off their dream property, but only if they know the right places to look. Its important to remember that if a property is overvalued by 30 pc, and you only negotiate a 10 pc reduction on the asking price, then its hardly a discount as such, says buying agent Henry Sherwood. Around half of the properties that come to the market are overvalued. So with this in mind, a reduction from the asking price is not a discount, he adds. Some markets are also slower and the seller may have been trying to secure a deal for some time, which means they could accept lower offers for a quick or certain sale. WHERE CAN I FIND THE BIGGEST DISCOUNTS? In England, London properties sell for the biggest discounts, according to data from Upstix. Homes sell for 3.71 pc less than their listed price on average. This amounts to a 30,628 saving, knocking the typical price from 824,861 to 794,233. But there are areas across the country where you can get as much as 30 pc off the asking price. Take the NE63 postcode in Northumberland. Homes here are listed for an average of 450,995 but sellers accept 317,612 a saving of more than 133,000, or 29.58 pc. The postcode covers the fishing villages of North Sunderland and nearby Seahouses, which has a quaint harbour. The most unexpected postcode on this list is TQ8, which covers Salcombe in south Devon Bamburgh Castle is just a few miles away and theres regular boat trips to the nearby Farne Islands, home to puffins and grey seals Bamburgh Castle is just a few miles away and there are regular boat trips to the nearby Farne Islands, home to puffins and grey seals. Its a great opportunity to pick up a coastal home at a chunky discount. Homes in the area listed for around 450,000 online tend to be detached properties with four to five bedrooms. Families raced to snap up seaside properties during the pandemic as outdoor space became a premium. But now they are returning to cities and the capital, meaning coastal homes are taking longer to sell three weeks more on average compared to 2020, according to Rightmove. The West Midlands SY12 postcode covering Shropshire towns such as Ellesmere, Welshampton and Dudleston offers buyers as much as a 20.15 pc discount. Homes are listed for 372,531 on average while sale prices are 297,477, a 75,000 saving. The area near the Welsh border is around a 35-minute drive to market town Shrewsbury and one hour 20 minutes away from Birmingham city centre. Properties listed for around 370,000 in Ellesmere are typically four-bedroom new builds. Homes sell in the east of England IP12 postcode for 80,000 less than the average asking price. Properties are listed for an average 492,633 but sell for a 412,372 a 16.29 pc discount. Most of the postcode including villages Orford, Rendlesham and Boyton is in the Suffolk and Essex Coast and Heaths National Landscape area, the new term for the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Buyers can enjoy rural surroundings and being near the coast while still having a short 35-minute commute into Ipswich. Although Bradley Potter, owner of Potters Estate Agents in nearby Woodbridge, hasnt seen swathes of homes sell below the asking price, he says most of the negotiation on list prices in the area is happening on homes that need renovation. Properties that need a lot of work done, thats where the price is being diminished due to the cost of materials and workmanship, he says. The most unexpected postcode on this list is TQ8, which covers Salcombe in south Devon. Buyers may be surprised to find a 13.3 pc discount on listed prices for homes in W1U - the centre of the affluent Marylebone district in central London Despite its status as the Sandbanks of the South-West, properties sell on average for 718,514 but are listed for 842,271. This is a discount of almost 124,000. House prices in the exclusive seaside town where a significant proportion of properties are second homes, have dipped in recent years. Theo Spink, consultant at estate agent Luscombe Maye in Salcombe, says sweeping tax changes for second homeowners could be contributing to price reductions. She says: The middle classes are feeling very hit by the Government and they are wondering where the next hit is coming from. Second homeowners have been plagued with a 100 pc council tax premium which will discourage families from buying in the holiday hotspot, says Mr Pryor. Those with holiday rental properties may find their profit squeezed by rising costs, such as higher mortgage rates and council tax, which could mean they are looking for a quick sale to release capital. Ms Spink also notes families are now flocking abroad once more for holidays. Weve had two rubbish summers. People are rediscovering Europe they can go there and get guaranteed sunshine. Plus, as prices of food and drink are soaring in Devon and Cornwall with the price of a pint of beer in Salcombe between 6 and 7 a cheaper weekend in Lisbon or Barcelona could be more alluring. Buyers may also be surprised to find they can get a 13.3 pc discount on listed prices for homes in W1U the centre of the affluent Marylebone district in central London. However, theyll still need to stump up a cool 1.3million. This will typically buy a two to three-bedroom flat. Paula Higgins, chief executive of property website HomeOwners Alliance, says the London property market has been fairly slow due to leasehold reforms, which could be contributing to sellers accepting lower offers. Flats are a bit harder to sell. They tend to be overvalued when they are listed they havent really increased in value, she says. ...AND WHERE YOULL HAVE TO PAY ABOVE ASKING PRICE If you want a home in Sheffield, Prescot or Bradford, then you may have to spend a little more than you intended Your browser does not support iframes. If you want a home in Sheffield, Prescot or Bradford, then you may have to spend a little more than you intended as Upstix analysis shows you may have to offer above the asking price to secure a property. Most postcodes where selling prices are above the asking price are in the Midlands or the North. This could be due to limited homes for sale or a surge of buyers. Homes in the BD1 postcode in central Bradford sell for 56,751 but are listed for 44,611, a premium of 27.21 pc. You may have to spend 13.83 pc more than the listed price for a property in Southsea, Portsmouth postcode PO4 as homes sell for 338,028 compared to an asking price of 296,949 a jump of more than 41,000. Properties in central Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton and Radlett in Hertfordshire all sell for more than the asking price. HOW TO NEGOTIATE Haggling doesnt come naturally to many of us and may even feel uncomfortable or rude but negotiation is vital to get your home for the lowest possible price. An estate agent may try to convince you a home is worth more than you are willing to pay. But remember they are working for the seller, and not the buyer, so you need to fight your corner. Ms Higgins says a good rule of thumb is not to offer below 10 pc off the asking price for risk of offending the seller. If you really envisage the property being your home, you dont want to alienate the seller with a low offer. However, limiting yourself to just 10 pc below the listed price could mean you miss out on the really chunky discounts found in places such as Seahouses and Salcombe. Robert Jones, founder of website Property Investments UK, says: We dont find negotiation easy so rather than being blunt and saying, This is the price Im offering, explain the reasoning as this will go a long way. Look at the sale prices of other properties in the area or ones which are on the market for a lower price, which you can use to your advantage when negotiating. He adds: Appreciate the situation of the seller. You can use the length of time it has been on the market to your advantage. They may have lost a little bit of faith and might be more accepting of a lower offer. You might just catch them at the right time whereas its harder to get a big discount when a property first comes on the market. Mr Jones says to start with a offer lower than your maximum price and build negotiations from there. Also, avoid using round numbers, such as 200,000, when making an offer. Choosing a specific number such as 198,500 shows careful consideration and research to the seller, he says. Purchasing a home in cash is a useful tool for buyers with a lower offer, as it may persuade sellers looking for a certain or quick sale. Mr Pryor says: Estate agents are going to push you. As a buyer you can say I know your asking price but Im going to offer less. Heres the proof Ive got the money, the mortgage in principle and I dont have a house to sell. Be prepared. For more than three years, Ukraine has been fighting for survival against Russian aggression - and the war continues to rumble on. Earlier in the month, Russian President Vladimir Putin called up 160,000 men for military service, after pledging to increase Russia's military to 2.39million, including 1.5million active servicemen. The only way Ukraine has been able to keep taking the fight to Russia is because of billions of dollars' worth of military aid from the West flowing into Ukrainian coffers. Now with Trump's decision to pause aid to Ukraine, and challenge the status quo of the defence of the West, the European defence sector is booming. But just how much can these firms keep growing, and should you buy in? Rumbling on: The war in Ukraine has now entered its fourth year, as ceasefire talks have yet to pay off The Trump effect Trump's impact on the European defence landscape has been two-fold. On one level, the new US President has withdrawn aid as part of a bid to force Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the negotiating table. Matt Dorset, equity research analyst at Quilter Cheviot, told This is Money: 'This has been a long-term trend with the US increasingly wanting to focus on China and less on Russia, and leave Russia more to the Europeans.' 'This is a very significant structural change that isn't likely to reverse, some probably assume this is quite a short-term phenomena, and we'll go back to normal after Trump, but there is no guarantee.' Beyond this though, Trump's other message is clear: too long has Nato been reliant on US military spending, and Europe simply hasn't been pulling its weight. In many ways, this has had a positive impact on European attitudes towards defence and military spending, casting into harsh light the fragility of the situation European governments find themselves in. And attitudes are shifting as a result. A new era of European defence Back in 2014, just three of the 32 Nato member states were meeting Nato's guidelines of 2 per cent defence spending. But without the US as a guardian angel, European nations are beginning to realise that their security could now be solely in their own hands. Dorset said: 'If you plot a graph of distance from your capital to Moscow and level of defence spending, it's a very strong correlation, stronger than the fiscal position of your country and defence spending. 'Spain and Italy don't feel that threat from Russia to anywhere near the same degree but I think there probably will be announcements even from those countries' Aneeka Gupta, director of macroeconomic research at WisdomTree, told This is Money: 'If you fast forward to 2024, we now have 23 out of out of the 32 members meeting Nato's 2 per cent guidelines and the goal posts are shifting.' 'With the rising likelihood of Nato's 2 per cent guideline now having to increase, European Union member states will now have to rise up to that increased guideline.' This is just the beginning. In June, Nato member states will meet for the 2025 Nato summit in The Hague, a meeting where an increase to government defence spending targets is likely to be top of the agenda. Back in January, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said: 'Two per cent is not nearly enough. To stay safe in the years to come, allies will need to spend considerably more than two per cent.' Quilter Cheviot's Dorset said: 'I think it will probably be at least 3 per cent. I think it could be 3.5 per cent, maybe even four.' Keir Starmer has committed to upping defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP from April 2027, bringing the increase forward from the 2030 pledge under the previous government. Starmer said the ambition is to increase spending to 3 per cent under the next government. Meanwhile, Poland, Estonia and Latvia are all spending more than 3 per cent of GDP on defence, with Latvia planning to raise spending to 4 per cent, Poland 4.7 per cent and Estonia five per cent over the next year. Lithuania, which currently spends 3 per cent on defence, said it would increase this to between 5 and 6 per cent of GDP from 2026. 'Europe increasingly won't want to rely on the US, which they have done for a long time. European militaries have been massively depleted over the last few decades,' Dorset added. 'They need to look after their security off their own backs.' Preparation: Baltic nations, where Nato has an 'enhanced forward presence', have committed to up defence spending over the next year What this means for defence firms With heightened spending across the continent, European defence firms are on the up. Already, with the war in Ukraine in its fourth year, defence stocks have risen considerably. Over the three years to March 2025, Europe's leading defence stocks BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Rheinmetall, Thales, Dassault Aviation, Safran and Leonardo have gained 245 per cent, figures from Etoro show, compared to an increase of just 66 per cent for the US magnificent seven stocks and 39 per cent for the S&P 500. The seven sector leaders have risen 65 per cent over the past year. Lale Akoner, global market analyst at Etoro, said: 'Over the past five years, investors have grown used to US big tech being top of the class, but all this could change.' Recent geopolitical shifts, however, could mean that this trend continues. 'We've seen a new policy framework being placed by the European Defence Industrial Strategy which is trying to channel and encourage and incentivize more investment to be directed towards procurement of arms and ammunitions from the EU,' Gupta said. She added: 'The European Defence Industrial Strategy has actually put out tangible objectives to be reached by 2030, stating that 50 per cent of procurement of EU arms and arms and ammunition must take place from the EU.' The defence sector operates on very long-term contracts. That means that the earnings expansion ideally takes time to materialise Aneeka Gupta, WisdomTree This can only be good news for European firms. Akoner added: 'Along with persistent geopolitical tensions, these conditions have created a perfect storm for Europe's defence sector, as the region will now be more reliant on its own contractors. Investors should keep an eye on whether these plans and pledges materialise into concrete funding and expenditure in the coming months.' Where some concerns remain, is that the defence sector might have passed its peak. Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell, said: 'Both Europe as a region and the defence sector are "hot" today but were very much "cold" five years ago. 'There is only a small pool of relevant companies and cracks are already emerging, with British defence group Qinetiq warning of delays to contracts in the UK and US and disappointing higher margin product sales. 'Governments might have signposted bigger defence spending longer term but short-term the administrations in the UK and US are looking hard at ways to save money, meaning new contracts including defence activities might not be forthcoming for a while. It raises the risks of more profit warnings in the defence space.' 'You could definitely make the case that defence stocks look expensive,' Dorset says, noting: 'valuations in the sector are much more stretched than the historic levels.' 'You can make the argument, and I think that's fair. If you couldn't make the argument, then it would be strange that the market is not valuing them more appropriately.' However, he added: 'I think there will be a short-term dislocation between valuation and actual earnings coming through. 'The share price appreciation that we've had has been driven principally by multiple expansion in terms of valuations going up as opposed to earnings going up, because these companies are capacity constrained in terms of what they can actually produce and sell near-term.' German firm Rheinmetall, for example, signed a 3.1billion contract in February to deliver up to 368 platoon systems up to 2030. Likewise, UK-based BAE systems, which has a 77.8billion order book, reported record orders of 33.7billion in 2024. The market, Dorset said, has been 'more multiple driven because investors are trying to move to where the puck is going as opposed to where it is right now in the long term there's still value because for the next five or ten years you have this structural tailwind, which will be incredibly persistent and significant.' Gupta agrees. She said: 'The defence sector operates on very long-term contracts. That means that the earnings expansion ideally takes time to materialise, so as those order backlogs convert into revenue and we see profitability scale up over the next few years. 'What's not in the price is the realisation of the expansion of the earnings per share growth, which will be the denominator of your price to earnings ratio. As those values get realised, we will automatically see the PE ratio become more attractive.' Demand: Saab's NLAW shoulder launched missile system has become indispensable for Ukrainian troops Where should investors be looking? Across the board, the largest European defence companies have been on a sustained upwards trajectory, bar some impact seen as a result of Donald Trump's recent tariff announcements. Notably, the firms that have fallen the most in recent weeks are Airbus and Melrose Industries, both of which have lower defence allocations. Defence makes up around a third of Melrose's business, and 21 per cent of Airbus'. For stock pickers, Dorset highlights Saab as a firm that could benefit from the aforementioned structural tailwinds. He said: 'Saab, in particular, has quite an attractive and diverse product portfolio the EU published a white paper on European defence readiness, and identify some key capability gaps in Europe at the moment, which I think is well aligned to the products that Saab produces. 'In particular, surveillance equipment and man portable munitions which Saab is very strong in.' He added: 'At the same time, the home market of Sweden, which is 41 per cent of sales, has announced very ambitious spending targets of 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, and there is broad cross-party support for increased spending. 'The path to increased spending there is very much de-risked compared to other countries, and Sweden joined Nato last year, which opens up the door to more export opportunities because suddenly Sweden has a bit more political clout. Meanwhile, those looking to gain more diversified exposure to the European defence industry can consider recently developed European defence ETFs. Capitalising on the growing popularity of defence stocks, WisdomTree launched its Europe Defence Ucits ETF, the first of its kind, in March. Wisdom Tree's ETF's main holdings are Rheinmetall and Leonardo, followed by BAE Systems and Saab. Since the launch, WisdomTree's offering has been followed by HANetf's Future of European Defence UCITS ETF. Gupta said: 'The aim of the ETF is to capitalise on Europe's strategic shift towards increased defence spending. 'Eligible companies need to be involved in the defence sector. They need to derive at least 10 per cent of their revenue from such business activities within the defence industry and each selected company is classified based on their exposure.' Gupta adds: 'The index is weighted by free float market capitalization, but we adjust that by the exposure score. Hence companies that have higher exposure score get a higher weighting in the underlying index.' WisdomTree says this differentiates its product from competitors. However, Coatsworth warns: 'The launch of new thematic funds should be treated with caution. They tend to be launched when an investment theme is deemed to be hot and everyone is talking about it. In reality, they often come at the top of a market. U.S. health officials are set to announce a sweeping plan to eliminate eight petroleum-based artificial food dyes from the American food supply. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary are expected to unveil the details Tuesday afternoon, positioning the change as a cornerstone of Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" initiative. The plan will outline a regulatory pathway to remove the dyes, a process that typically includes public notice, scientific review, and industry input. While the timeline for implementation remains unclear, the shift signals a major transition for U.S. food producers, who will likely replace synthetic dyes with natural alternatives. While the FDA has maintained that the synthetic dyes are safe for most people, health advocates cite studies suggesting that the additives may contribute to neurobehavioral issues such as hyperactivity and attention deficits in some children. Currently, the FDA permits 36 color additives for use in food, including eight synthetic dyes. In a related move earlier this year, the agency announced it would ban Red Dye No. 3 commonly found in cakes, candies, and even some medications by 2028 after studies linked it to cancer in lab animals. The planned phase-out aligns the U.S. more closely with policies already in place in parts of Canada and Europe, where artificial dyes are either banned or must carry warning labels. Many manufacturers in those regions have shifted to using plant- and mineral-based colorants instead. Some U.S. states have already begun moving ahead independently. California and West Virginia recently passed legislation restricting artificial dyes in school meals, with some measures extending the ban to the wider food market. If finalized, the FDA's proposed changes would mark one of the most significant regulatory shifts in the American food industry in decades one aimed at both consumer transparency and long-term health. A few friends and I regularly attend a car boot in an affluent area of the country (I'm not saying exactly where because we found some treasures and I don't want others to twig). A while back, I found this bag being sold for 10. When I got home and examined it properly, I found out it was potentially a Dior saddle handbag. Unfortunately, the strap broke recently - I roughly packed it when moving house. How much is it worth and should I spend some money to fix the strap? Nicola, via email. SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET YOUR MODERN TREASURE VALUED BY DAN Fashion icon: The Dior saddle bag was huge in the early 2000s - but is this one a genuine bargain find? Dan Hatfield, resident This is Money expert valuer, replies: The British car boot season is now in full swing, and it always puts a huge smile on my face to hear about the bargains people manage to unearth. There's something gloriously unpretentious about rummaging through boot loads of bric-a-brac hoping to find buried treasure, nestled between George Foreman grills and a dubious stack of Now That's What I Call Music CDs. I adore a car boot and can spend hours strolling up and down looking for valuables. I don't even care my clothes end up stinking of friend onions from the burger van, in fact I often indulge in a quarter pounder (or two). You're absolutely on the money when it comes to attending car boots in affluent areas, this is one of my golden tips to car boot successfully. Trust me, posh postcodes are where the real gems can be found. I've secured vintage Gucci, early Westwood, and once, a Rolex. Seriously. All for less than a family lunch on the high street. RETRO ITEMS VALUED Do you have a handbag passed down the generations, found at a boot sale or charity shop from the past 80 years you want valued? We're on the lookout for more Modern Treasure to shine a spotlight on. Email: editor@thisismoney.co.uk Before I go completely off-piste and start waxing lyrical about my own finds, let me encourage you to do the same. Car boots aren't just a brilliant way to pick up bargains, they're also the beating heart of a more circular society where we reuse, repurpose, and recycle. Now let me climb down from my sustainably sourced soapbox and indulge in some early 2000s nostalgia, because nothing screams the noughties quite like this bag. The Dior Saddle Bag is fashion royalty. A relic of Y2K fabulousness, it conjures up images of Britney and Justin in double denim at the American Music Awards, Sarah Jessica Parker tottering around Manhattan, and Paris Hilton with a teacup chihuahua under one arm and this bag slung over the other. Designed by the infamously theatrical John Galliano during his reign at Dior, the Saddle Bag made its debut in the Spring/Summer 2000 collection. Galliano, never one to shy away from drama, took inspiration from equestrian saddles, mixing the silhouette with streetwear influences. The result is a handbag that looks like it belongs on both a catwalk and in Texas, which somehow, works. The version you've found is crafted from denim, a textile that was very much in vogue during the early 2000s. It is not one of the more common monogram canvas versions, but something rarer. However, your bag has had a rough ride recently and it shows. You mentioned that the strap broke during a house move and you would have to pay to have this fixed if you wanted to achieve the most money for this item. In its current, strap-challenged condition, your Dior Saddle Bag could easily fetch between 400 and 600 in today's vintage market. Strap saga: While it is a genuine saddle bag, it's not in brilliant condition - so it could be worth fixing to maximise value There's a fierce appetite among collectors for original Galliano-era pieces, particularly denim styles. Yours ticks all the boxes: early 2000s, rare material, cult status, and nostalgia value by the bucketload. But let's talk upgrades. If you're willing to invest 100 to 200 into a professional repair (and I stress professional this is not a job for your local cobbler with a staple gun), that number could jump dramatically. A fully restored, authenticated Dior denim Saddle Bag can sell for upwards of 1,000. I would suggest taking it to a reputable luxury reseller like This Old Thing London who can advise on the repair needed and potentially find you a buyer. You wouldn't have to wait long to sell your bag either. Since 2018, when Dior's current creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri revived the Saddle Bag and paraded it back into the fashion mainstream, demand has skyrocketed. Everyone from Bella Hadid to Rihanna has been spotted carrying one and as always, that kind of celebrity endorsement sends vintage prices soaring. Do you really want to sell this bag though? You plucked it from obscurity in a car park somewhere in leafy suburbia and could give it a whole new lease of life yourself. In the end, whether you sell it, sling it over your shoulder, or display it on a shelf as a piece fashion history, one thing's certain, your tenner went a very, very long way. I am so delighted to see others jump on the car boot hype. They truly are a British institution and there is treasure to be found in other people's trash. I hope your next Sunday stroll will be as fruitful as this find but please, do be a little more careful when you pack up your valuable items. More than 94million worth of tools were brazenly stolen from hard-working tradespeople in London last year, new figures have shown. It means the capital is the region of the UK most ravaged by tool theft - with West Yorkshire taking second place, with more than 3million worth of robberies. And now MailOnline has mapped where else in the country tradespeople are being targeted, according to recent data from construction branding specialists Monster Mesh. The shocking figures mark what tool theft insurance chief Gary Ross, of Blip Insurance, described to MailOnline as an 'epidemic' devastating the country's tradespeople. The disastrous effects of valuable tools being stolen are something carpenter Anthony Martin, of Mersea Island, Essex, and electrician Gina York, of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, know only too well. Mr Martin's van was broken into earlier this year at around 5.30am while his family slept - with thieves taking 18,000 worth of tools. He told MailOnline: 'I've been waking at 5.30am every day. It's just the fear that my van will be opened again.' Earlier this year, thieves also broke into Ms York's van, taking around 5,000 worth of tools. She told MailOnline: 'I don't doubt that it will happen again.' A bill that aims to impose harsher sentencing for tool thieves is due to get its second reading this month - about time in the minds of tradespeople, who rallied in London in February to demand the government do more to protect them. Anthony Martin (pictured), of Mersea Island, Essex, had his van broken into earlier this year at around 5.30am while his family slept - with thieves taking 18,000 worth of tools Earlier this year, thieves also broke into the van belonging to Gina York (pictured), of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, taking around 5,000 worth of tools. She told MailOnline: 'I don't doubt that it will happen again' Your browser does not support iframes. One morning, she went to her van as normal - only to see a hole in the side of it (pictured) Shocking figures show that after London and West Yorkshire, Essex is the place where tradespeople should watch out. An astonishing 1,713,676 worth of tools were stolen in the county from October 2023 to September 2024. Northumbrian tradies were the next worst hit, losing 1,355,929 in equipment in the same period, according to the data obtained under a Freedom of Information request - which saw 32 of 45 contacted police forces respond. And Kent came in fifth place, with important tools equal to the value of 778,192 stolen in the county in that timeframe. By contrast, some of the safest places for the hard-working tradespeople that keep our country running were North Yorkshire, Surrey, Gloucestershire, Derbyshire and Dorset. Essex carpenter Mr Martin knows only too well the destructive effect of tool theft in the county, which ranked third for the value of tools stolen. He found the back doors of his van wide open one morning earlier this year: 'I saw all mess in the van, all the tools I had set up in the van for work were gone.' The tradesman reported it to the police but several days later, he was told there was not enough evidence to keep investigating. Without tools, he could not work for a month. A bill that aims to impose harsher sentencing for tool thieves is due to get its second reading this month - about time in the minds of tradespeople, who rallied in London in February (pictured) to demand the government do more to protect them Essex carpenter Mr Martin (pictured) knows only too well the destructive effect of tool theft in the county, which ranked third for the value of tools stolen Your browser does not support iframes. He found the back doors of his van wide open one morning earlier this year: 'I saw all mess in the van, all the tools I had set up in the van for work were gone' At February's rally, he was chosen to receive a cheque of 5,000 from Blip Insurance to recover his business. Pictured: Mr Martin, centre right, receiving the sum at the protest The theft - of around 18,000 worth of tools, he guessed - had a massive mental health impact on him: 'My wife doesn't work, she looks after the kids - I'm the only provider in my house. Do you know how much this is affecting me?' He added: 'I feel sometimes, "Do I want to carry on doing carpentry?" Something that I do love because I've been doing this since I came here [to the UK from Cuba, 13 years ago]. 'And what I do, I'm good and I enjoy it, that's the main thing, I enjoy what I do. Sometimes, I consider if I want to carry on because I don't know, something triggered me since. It's just difficult to start again.' He also lost sentimental items: 'I have chisels and stuff like from when I learned carpentry in this country and they mean a lot to me.' Mr Martin went to the protest in February, rallying with other tradespeople for more government support for those affected by tool theft: 'Tradesmen are a big part of the economy of this country so if we don't have tools, we cannot work.' At the rally, he was chosen to receive a cheque of 5,000 to recover his business from Blip Insurance, a small business insurance firm that covers tradespeople for tool theft, employees of which were also at the protest. It made the carpenter cry with relief, enabling him to pay several urgent bills and the excess on some of his tools. Mr Martin said: 'I come in here to work every day of my life since I arrived in this country and I don't deserve it to go through that because I'm coming here to work, pay my taxes, doing the right thing. So why did this happen to me?' Mr Martin went to the protest in February (pictured), rallying with other tradespeople for more government support for those affected by tool theft The theft - of around 18,000 worth of tools, he guessed - had a massive mental health impact on Mr Martin (pictured): 'My wife doesn't work, she looks after the kids - I'm the only provider in my house. Do you know how much this is affecting me?' Your browser does not support iframes. Mr Martin (pictured) said: 'I come in here to work every day of my life since I arrived in this country and I don't deserve it to go through that because I'm coming here to work, pay my taxes, doing the right thing. So why did this happen to me?' There were 1,047 instances of tool theft reported in Mr Martin's county of Essex from October 2023 to September 2024. But London and West Yorkshire took the top spots again on this metric - with 11,221 and 3,048 instances in each area respectively in the timeframe. South Yorkshire, Northumbria, Hertfordshire and Lancashire were also among some of the areas with the highest number of tool thefts in the period. Meanwhile, things were much safer in places like Gwent, Gloucestershire and North Wales - with the latter reporting 18 tool thefts last year, the lowest out of any police force. Tool theft insurance chief Gary Ross said: 'The rise in tool theft is an epidemic. The founder of Blip Insurance, which pays out to affected tradespeople within 24 hours, said: 'Tool theft isnt just a loss of equipment; its a threat to livelihoods and the integrity of skilled trades. 'Growing up with family working in the trades, I know firsthand the toll it can take mentally and physically. Add the stress of having your tools stolen when you have deadlines to meet and it can be truly ruinous. 'Its time we address this epidemic as an industry, providing quick solutions to get tradespeople back on the tools and support those who build our communities.' There were 1,047 instances of tool theft reported in Mr Martin's county of Essex from October 2023 to September 2024. But London and West Yorkshire took the top spots again on this metric - with 11,221 and 3,048 instances in each area respectively. Pictured: The tool theft rally in London in February The epidemic has affected electrician Ms York (pictured), of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, too. One morning, she went to her van as normal - only to see a hole in the side of it She told MailOnline: 'Every tradesperson dreads this day. Wherever you go, you're constantly checking' Tool theft insurance chief Gary Ross (pictured) said: 'The rise in tool theft is an epidemic' The epidemic has affected electrician Ms York, of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, too. One morning, she went to her van as normal - only to see a hole in the side of it. She told MailOnline: 'Every tradesperson dreads this day. Wherever you go, you're constantly checking. 'So, when you actually see it, your heart drops. To be honest, didn't even want to open the door to have a look inside because I already knew.' The hole in her van looked as if the thieves - professional ones, she thought - had drilled into the vehicle to create a gap so they could put a tool through to unlatch the door. She said: 'That is your office. You spend most of your time in your van, whether you're in getting your tools out or putting tools in or in talking to customers - no matter what you're doing, your van is everything.' The electrician added: 'You know that you've lost everything. Before you've even opened the door, you know everything's gone. 'A hundred things run through your head. "What am I going to do now? How am I going to go to work?" The hole in her van looked as if the thieves - professional ones, she thought - had drilled into the vehicle to create a gap so they could put a tool through to unlatch the door Brazen thieves caught on CCTV stealing from another tradesperson earlier this year The footage showed these particular thieves popping the lock on the van in just 22 seconds '"I've got to contact all my customers now and tell them that I can't make their job which puts their projects behind, which affects them". 'A hundred things go through your head at a million miles an hour - it's just horrible.' Every single power tool Ms York had in her van was stolen - making the value of the items stolen an eye-watering sum of roughly 4,000 to 5,000. Luckily, not all of her less valuable tools, like different sized drill bits and screw heads, were stolen - but the electrician knows she is going to only gradually notice the effect of what was taken. She said: 'Loads of people have messaged me saying, "You'll get a couple of months down the line, you'll go to your van to get a specific thing that you don't use all the time and you'll think, "Oh, I haven't got it because it's gone"." 'You don't think about these things until you actually need it because you're not using them constantly.' Working as normal after the theft became nearly impossible and she had to cancel a lot of jobs. Unclear when she would be able to replace her tools, she had to borrow them - and not wanting to leave her van with equipment in it while it had a hole in it, she was looking at either hiring one or borrowing someone else's. Every single power tool Ms York (pictured) had in her van was stolen - making the value of the items stolen an eye-watering sum of roughly 4,000 to 5,000 More than 3,500 suspected stolen tools, recovered from a single address by Kent Police between April and June last year Officers believed the value of the items (pictured) to be more than 1million Ms York said: 'Even just nipping into a shop to get a sandwich at lunchtime, you're worried that you're going to go to your van and your tools aren't going to be there. 'Because [thieves] don't care what time it is, they don't care if it's broad daylight - it could happen anywhere, at any time. There's so many people [affected].' She added: 'If you spoke to any tradeswoman or man, they would say the same thing about being paranoid... 'I thought, before it happened, that it would happen at some point. And I'll be honest with you - I don't doubt that it won't happen again.' The electrician added: 'It's any van now... I don't think it matters if it's got an alarm, I don't think it matters if it's got certain locks on it. They don't care.' She said she felt lucky it happened while she was at a hotel: 'I know people that have had their vans broken into at home and because they know that they live there, they go back and do it again. That's why they get done multiple times.' Ms York, along with Mr Martin, thinks the way to stop tool theft is to regulate the resale market - which mainly takes place out of car boot sales and secondhand electronic shops. She said: 'It's heartbreaking to know that those tools, that earn you a living, that you've worked so hard for and accumulated over the years, someone's just popped into your van. Ms York (pictured) said: 'Even just nipping into a shop to get a sandwich at lunchtime, you're worried that you're going to go to your van and your tools aren't going to be there' CCTV footage of an opportunistic thief, who stopped his car to open and look in a parked van - before making several trips to and from his car to put 2,500 worth of stolen tools in it Astonishing footage shows the bold thief striking in broad daylight 'Within two minutes, or however long, sometimes it's less than that, and they're selling them for less than half of what they're worth. 'Because they're worth so much more to us as tradespeople than anyone would ever get for them selling them at a car boot or secondhand on some sort of marketplace.' The Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing Bill), tabled by Labour MP Amanda Martin, is currently going through parliament and is due for its second reading this month. It seeks to create tougher sentences for robbers who take from innocent tradespeople. Presenting the bill in December last year, the Portsmouth North MP explained it would re-categorise tool theft as causing 'significant additional harm' to victims. She also called for the extent of financial loss that tool theft causes to be more fully appreciated. When tradespeople are stolen from, they do not just lose their tools, she said - but also often have to repair broken into vans and, lacking the equipment to work as normal, miss out on usual business. By bumping up how serious a crime tool theft is considered to be in both of these ways, she hoped to 'make it more likely' it would lead to a prison sentence instead of a community order - thus 'strengthening the deterrent'. The Theft of Tools of Trade (Sentencing Bill), tabled by Labour MP Amanda Martin, is currently going through parliament and is due for its second reading this month. Pictured: February's rally of tradespeople in London It seeks to create tougher sentences for robbers who take from innocent tradespeople. Pictured: The rally in February She concluded: 'Tradies are the backbone of our country and our small business economy. They deserve to operate their businesses free from the constant threat of crime.' A government spokesperson said: 'Tool theft is a doubly devastating crime for thousands of working people: first it robs them of their property, then it robs them of their ability to make a living. 'The thieves responsible should not be allowed to get away with it. 'Thats why were working with police and businesses to crack down on tool theft making sure offenders face tough consequences and backing practical solutions like better van security and clear prevention advice.' Regarding Mr Martin's case, a spokesperson for Essex Police said: 'We know the impact this type of crime has on victims such as Mr Martin. 'Victims lose much more than just their belongings; they lose the means to carry out their work and the impact that has on livelihoods is even greater. 'In this case we looked to pursue lines of enquiry such as looking for, where possible, CCTV, eyewitness evidence, forensic opportunities or information such as the items being taken featuring unique serial numbers which could be used to progress the investigation. 'Unfortunately, in this case no further information came to light to allow for the investigation to be significantly progressed and it was filed pending further opportunities coming to light. 'Across Essex, we are driving down vehicle crime, with theft from vehicles down by more than 22 per cent, or 1,392 fewer offences, in the last 12 months. 'We know this will not provide comfort to Mr Martin, but we want our communities to know that the work were doing on this type of crime is working and were determined to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry to identify offenders.' Brits have been fined a staggering 25million in just over one year for ferrying illegal migrants across the channel in their vehicles, MailOnline can reveal. Travellers have been fined thousands of pounds under a little known and increasingly controversial scheme designed to crackdown on the floods of migrants sneaking into Britain. Under the scheme drivers can be fined up to 10,000 for each illegal migrant found hiding in their vehicle on their way to the UK, even if they had no knowledge of their existence. Drivers can also be made to pay up to 6,000 if their vehicle is not 'adequately secured' - even if no clandestine entrant is found. The penalties have been criticised for encouraging people against reporting illegal migrants they discover - because by telling the authorities they open themselves up to receiving a bumper fine. Of those fined only one person was successful in getting their punishment rescinded, figures obtained from a Freedom of Information request show. Since January 1 last year, 5,906 penalties totalling 25,662,299 have been imposed by the Home Office under the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme. Hauliers have typically been the target of most fines but the scheme received increasing scrutiny after a public spirited couple were punished for reporting a stowaway in their van - sparking widespread astonishment and even the intervention of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Joanne and Adrian Fenton (pictured) were originally ordered to pay 1,500 by the Home Office when they reported a migrant clinging to the back of their motorhome after returning from France The public spirited couple immediately called the police after discovering the illegal migrant Police officers arrived at the couple's house in Heybridge, Essex. Just over two months later they were issued with a fine for failing to 'check that no clandestine entrant was concealed' Adrian and Joanne Fenton, from Heybridge Essex, were fined 1,500 by the Home Office after reporting a migrant in their motorhome after returning from France. The couple were shocked to find a Sudanese man inside a bag covering a bike rack on their motorhome after a long drive back from Calais and immediately called the police, who took the man away for processing. Yet just over two months later, the pair were issued with the fine for failing to 'check that no clandestine entrant was concealed' in the camper van. Mr Fenton appealed to Border Force by making a 'notice of objection' detailing why he believed the penalty was unfair. While their fine was waived after growing public pressure, their 'liability' remained. A letter from Border Force said: 'The written notice of objection has been carefully considered and the Secretary of State has decided that your liability stands. 'However, after review of the case by a senior officer the level of penalty per clandestine entrant or person concealed being a clandestine entrant has been revised to UK 0. They are not the only innocent couple to unknowingly end up on the wrong side of the law, with a retired ambulance service worker previously warning Brits to be on high alert during Channel crossings. Great-grandfather Peter Hughes (pictured with his wife Anne) was initially fined a staggering 6,000 after a man was found hiding inside his small camping trailer at the Port of Calais A young Sudanese man (pictured) was found by French border force officers hiding inside the small trailer attached to the couple's converted motorhome The number of referrals for fines under the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme Great-grandfather Peter Hughes, 75, from Droylsden, Tameside, was initially fined a staggering 6,000 after a Sudanese man was found hiding inside his small camping trailer at the Port of Calais in France. After an appeal accompanied by substantial political and media pressure, this sum was eventually reduced to 150 - which he begrudgingly paid despite he and his wife, Anne, knowing nothing about the migrant's existence. Of the almost 6000 penalties issued since the beginning of last year, only 2295 have so far been paid, although some are still being disputed or are not yet due for payment. While 127 appeals have been lodged against the fines, just one has been successful. The triumphant appeal saw the Home Office rescind a Kent couple's 3,000 fine after they unwittingly drove two Sudanese migrants through Calais in their campervan. Lisa Russell and Geoff Evans were stopped by border officers in France on their return from holiday and were slapped with the penalty despite having 'no idea' a man and teenager were hidden in the bike rack of their van. But their appeal, the only successful one in a 15-month period, saw the Border Force 'exercising general discretion' and remove their penalty. A letter from Border Force said: 'Following a review of the case we have decided to revise the penalty, and conclude that you have demonstrated, to the extent required, that you complied with the regulations. This graph compares the number of migrants found trying to sneak into the country on vehicles and those arriving by small boat Your browser does not support iframes. 'The Secretary of State has chosen to exercise general discretion and exceptionally, on this occasion, your penalty has been reduced to 0.' Others have had their fines reduced with one haulage company paying 7,566 after an original 48,000 bill. Around 5,000 'clandestine entrants' were found last year at UK border controls in Calais, Coquelles and Dunkirk, according to a report by the immigration and borders watchdog. Inevitably, others would have managed to evade checks. Meanwhile, more than 30,000 migrants have now arrived in Britain by small boat under Keir Starmer - as the number of arrivals continues to surpass that of any other year or Prime Minister on record. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We are fully committed to stopping people from illegally entering the country and cracking down on people smugglers, which is why the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme is there to ensure drivers take every reasonable step to deter irregular migration. 'We understand that recipients of penalties may disagree with the circumstances of the fine. The option to appeal and trigger a review is made clear in supporting documents.' Audree Heine seemed to be enjoying herself immensely during celebrations for her 13th birthday, just days before Thanksgiving in November 2024. Her mother rented out the clubhouse of their Kentucky condo complex and stocked it full of balloons, food and pink cowboy hats for a party with their large extended family, watching as Audree had an amazing time. The next day, the new teenager happily spent her birthday gift cards at the mall. And at the end of the week, the avid animal lover and avowed furry visited the zoo with her cousins. One week after her birthday, on a Monday after school, Jaimee Seitz was thrilled to watch the usually picky eater devour an entire dinner of salmon and rice. She marveled as her creative daughter fashioned a rose out of makeup remover pads before retiring to her room. But just a few hours afterwards, waking to her partners calls for her to dial 911, Jaimee spotted that rose next to Audrees limp body near the closet of her daughters bedroom. She collapsed in the hallway as first responders descended on the house, screaming at them to wake Audree up although she knew, deep down, that her daughter was dead. The child had taken her own life a reality Jaimee still finds hard to accept. She thought, at first, that the suicide had been the tragic result of an online challenge. Kentucky seventh-grader Audree Heine took her own life one week after her 13th birthday in December 2024 - and her mother was horrified afterwards to read a journal filled with Columbine fandom that her daughter had kept secretly at school Jaimee Seitz, center, poses with daughter Audree , right, and her other son; her daughter's tragic death led her to research the online community of Columbine shooter fans that had attracted Audree, who 'got sucked into the part about harming yourself But when police detectives told her the next week that her daughter had been part of an online community glorifying school shooters, Jaimee, 34, shouted at them to shut up. She couldnt understand what she was hearing. It was only when she began poring over a journal that Audree had secretly kept at school that Jaimee uncovered the clandestine obsession that she believes drove her daughter to her death. Horrified, she read page after page about the Columbine school shooting in 1999 which happened 12 years before her daughters birth and 1200 miles away in Colorado. And Audree wasnt just writing about the shooting; she was journaling about the shooters themselves. Her daughter seemed to worship Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who killed 13 in an attack that injured 23 others before shooting themselves in the head. Audree drew the two killers all over her journal; she wrote Audree Klebold in her juvenile scrawl in the time-honored manner of adolescent crushes. She also complained about bullying, writing: I'm so sick of this, I don't even fight back anymore. I just accept it. Her writings only began in September 2024, her mother says so it had taken less than three months for the Kentucky teen to become dangerously infatuated with an online and social media group calling itself the True Crime Community, or TCC for short. And the killers who carried out the 1999 attack are the communitys superstars. When you join this group, youre either going to kill yourself or kill others, says Jaimee, who was in a deep dive researching TCC for weeks after learning of her daughters involvement. She found an online community united by feelings of marginalization, victimization and revenge. I was so mad at her, she says. Theres days Im still mad at her Im thinking, Audree, you wont harm a fly. She was so caring. She would never harm anybody, but she got sucked into the part about harming yourself. The insidious ripples of Columbine have, for years, been recognized and studied by educators, law enforcement and researchers in a horrifying phenomenon known as the Columbine Effect. Much of that has focused on copycat attacks; the writings and actions of Harris, in particular, have been cited by or influenced dozens of subsequent shooters. Just last December, a Wisconsin 15-year-old killed two people and injured six at a Christian school while wearing a shirt with the same band name Audree had asked her mother to emblazon on a t-shirt. The European industrial music group had been a favorite of Klebold and Harris, the latter of which cited its lyrics. This didnt fully click until Id seen [an] article about the Wisconsin attack, Jaimee tells Daily Mail. I was like, Oh my God the girl in Madison, Wisconsin was part of the same group Audree asked me to make her that shirt. The link between Columbine and the suicides of TCC members, or other fans of the attackers and school shooters in general, has been less publicized. Audree, pictured as a child, was a creative free spirit still figuring out her identity, says her mother; she wants other parents to be on the lookout for signs their children may also be infatuated with Columbine and other insidious online communities Jaimee keeps her daughter's ashes in a box she decorated with her daughter's name in Audree's own handwriting at her home in Kentucky In 2010, Australian twins were found with a copy of a front page about Columbine and had written letters to a survivor of the Colorado tragedy whod allegedly befriended one of the attackers before the 29-year-olds shot themselves at a gun range about 20 miles from the school. Days before the 20th anniversary of the Columbine massacre, another 18-year-old obsessed with the attack took her own life in the mountains west of Denver after travelling from her home in South Florida. Jaimee is convinced there are far more victims who chose suicide after falling under the deadly spell of TCC and school shooter fandom. She just believes their families are sweeping those associations under the rug. I dont blame them, because theyre probably like, I dont want my childs legacy to be this, she says. And I dont want Audrees legacy to be this. Thats why Im trying to change everything. Key to achieving that change, experts say whether to stop suicides, school attacks or a combination of the two is correcting the false narrative casting the Columbine shooters as heroes of the misfits and unpopular. Frank DeAngelis, who was principal at the time of the Columbine shootings, has been trying to do that ever since that terrifying day. Part of it goes back to the narrative that what they did was wrong, but they were really defending people that get picked on, and that was not accurate, he tells Daily Mail. These two were kids that were actively involved in school. They were honor students. They were in gifted and talented classes. They were involved in extracurricular activities. Klebold was at prom with his date, he says. They were high-fiving me, hugging me three days before the attack. If these kids were loners, they would not show up. The narrative was out there [that] they were targeting athletes, they were targeting certain people, he tells Daily Mail. Well, when you place two propane tanks in a cafeteria and you have four to five hundred kids and staff members, youre not discriminating, youre not picking out, youre going to kill as many people as possible. DeAngelis is one of the few people whove viewed the infamous and unreleased Basement Tapes recorded by the homicidal pair in advance of the attack. There was no mention of bullying, rivals or revenge, he says a direct contradiction of many TCC fans most fundamental beliefs. Instead, he says, the tapes feature discussions by the pair about Nazism, social Darwinism, Charles Manson and even petty grievances. They said, This person deserves to die because, instead of saying espresso, theyre saying expresso, DeAngelis says. Psychologist and school shooting expert Dr Peter Langman echoes the principal, pointing out that the Columbine killers planned to lie in wait for first responders, too, as part of their intention to pull off the worst mass murder in United States history. At the time of the shooting, he was completing a doctoral internship at a psychiatric youth hospital and had no interest in true crime, mass murders or serial killers. But 10 days after the Columbine shooting, he ended up with a 16-year-old kid in my office who had a hit list. He tells The Daily Mail: I had no idea this would become my lifes work. Langman has spent the intervening quarter-century studying the psychology behind school shooters and the enduring influence of Columbine. Hes created a diagram showing the tentacles that have crept from the massacre into subsequent attacks. And hes also seen how the fascination with the lie remains so attractive to so many, particularly in the realm of online. Two student shooters killed 13 and injured 23 more during their April 20, 1999 attack at Columbine High School near Littleton, Colorado - about 15 miles from Denver Then-Columbine principal Frank DeAngeles continues to combat false narratives about the shooters, motives and massacre. A myth persists casting the attackers as unpopular students seeking revenge on bullies - but DeAngelis points out they were honor students, attended prom and planned to indiscriminately 'kill as many people as possible,' including first responders For many potential shooters or others who feel alone, outcast, perhaps even despised, studying shooters or joining an online forum or chat-group about mass murderers gives them a virtual peer group, Dr Langman writes in one 2018 paper exploring role models, contagions and copycats. It is their way of joining a subculture in which they are not only normal, but perhaps feel themselves to be special, apart from and above mainstream society. At the same time, he says, different people for different reasons are drawn to Columbine. For example, theres a significant portion of girls or young women who are drawn to them, sort of a pseudo-romantic attachment or fascination you have girls who fantasize about being their girlfriends and maybe, if theyd been their girlfriends, the attack wouldnt have happened, or maybe they would have participated in the attack. Who knows where their fantasies go? So for people like that, its not about imitating them, its about fantasizing about them and then there are others who are just interested in the topic its a very tiny percentage of people on sites like that who will go on to commit an attack. Audrees journal reflects exactly the type of crush that Langman describes coupled with a deep pain inflicted by fellow students and classmates. Shed been having behavior problems at school while unmedicated for ADHD, says Jaimee, who has been diagnosed with the same condition. Her daughter was also being bullied and getting into fights, though Jaimee isnt clear about what made Audree such a target. Her child had struggled with a speech impediment, and her last name pronounced hiney, like the slang term for buttocks was an easy bullseye for ridicule. Audree was also experimenting with identity, first calling herself a lesbian and then adopting a furry persona, frequently wearing a tail and identifying as an animal. None of it ingratiated her with her fellow seventh graders. And while Audree hadnt plotted any violence for her own school, Jaimee was horrified to learn shed been in contact with students in Indiana planning their own bomb. Those children are getting help right now, and it didnt happen, Jaimee says. Looking back, she can now piece together warning signs she hadnt connected at the time. Like the Wisconsin school shooter, Audree had also treasured a shirt with the acronym name of a band adored by Harris and Klebold. Shed asked Jaimee to make a few custom t-shirts last fall, pointing out the phrases and designs she wanted. One was the band name. Another said Wrath. Another screamed natural selection which temporarily gave her mother pause. I was like, Audree, why am I making you a natural selection shirt? Jaimee tells the Daily Mail. What I think of natural selection is terrible. Shes like, No, mom, its what everyones wearing. Last weekend marked the 26 anniversary of the Columbine tragedy, which has peculiarly taken root in the public consciousness, inspiring copycats - and, in Audree's case, suicides - often fueled by misinformation. Experts say that correcting the narrative about the shooters is key to avoiding future pain like that inflicted at Columbine; students are pictured consoling each other in the immediate aftermath of the 1999 tragedy Jaimee had no idea at the time that the Columbine shooters had been major fans of the band. On the day of the attack, Harris wore a 'natural selection' shirt and Klebold's screamed 'Wrath.' After Audrees death, Jaimee remembered how her daughter had been watching documentaries in recent weeks about the Columbine massacre. Shed told her mother she was studying the tragedy in school. These are all the signs that Jaimee didnt recognize as red flags. She wants to shout them from the rooftops now to save other lives and other families. I want parents to look for things that [their kids are] hiding, says Jaimee, who routinely went through her daughters backpack and had no idea about the journal in her locker. If theyre hiding something, its going to be away from the home if they have an ex-spouse, if they live at a separate home 50 percent of the time, ask them to look. Or ask the school. If searches had happened at Audrees school, she says, they would have seen my daughter had a countdown date for her death in the journal and they would have found it. If I knew that journal existed, believe me I would have gone with her to the psych ward. I would have done anything. I would have gone literally with her to anywhere to get her help. For DeAngelis and Langman, the Columbine shooters influence on more deaths and violence is sad and disheartening, respectively. You can write all the great articles, and Im writing books and articles and traveling the country, talking to professionals, but were not reaching the people on these forums, Langman tells Daily Mail. Theyre very dismissive, as if they know better but even if they do read serious journalism or scholarly works, a lot of them just seem to think theyre more of an expert. DeAngelis says he does take heart in the number of copycat attacks that have been thwarted that the public rarely hears about because more and more people know about concerning signs to look for. But hes still keenly aware of the allure the Columbine myth holds and hes committed to forever combating it, just as he daily recites the names of the 13 lives lost on that awful April Tuesday. The thing thats so disturbing to me is the fact that these kids were not even born yet, and it scares me from the standpoint that, in the Basement Tapes, the two killers said, We are going to be glorified as heroes. Were going to live on forever. Our legacy will last. And unfortunately, that is happening. I begged her not to go that day, Lisa Brock tells the Daily Mail, choking back tears. In my stomach I just didnt feel good about it. Brocks daughter Alexis Maki, a 24-year-old college student adored by her friends and family and with her whole life ahead of her, had recently broken up with her boyfriend of two years, Emmet Metzger. That morning on November 4, 2023, Metzger had shown up at the bar in New Baden, Illinois, where she worked, and is said to have violently attacked one of her male coworkers in a jealous rage. Hours later, he told Alexis he would finally move out of the apartment they shared - but asked her to come over so he could see their dog Echo one final time. He knew the way to her heart was through her animals, Brock says. Despite her moms pleas, Alexis went to meet him - believing the man she had loved would never hurt her. Brock went with her daughter, waiting in the car outside to provide support. Only a few minutes had passed before several police cars came screaming down the road. Pictured: Alexis Maki and her mom Lisa Brock. Maki was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Alexis Maki was a 24-year-old college student adored by her friends and family and with her whole life ahead of her Metzger, now 27, had shot his ex-girlfriend multiple times in the neck, chest, shoulder and hip. He then placed a chilling 911 call confessing to her horrific murder. I f***ed up, he told the dispatcher. I did something so bad. I shot my girlfriend. I need to be arrested, please. While cops raced to the scene, Metzger walked over the road to the New Baden police precinct and turned himself in. Outside the apartment, Brock waited for what felt like hours before she was told that her worst fears had come true: her daughter had been murdered by a man they had welcomed into their family. At one time, we trusted him with our daughter and we did think of him as family, Brock says. He was with us when I lost my mom in February of the same year he was right there when my mom passed away. How could you just put the family through more, plus do that to my daughter?... I just don't know how you go from saying you love someone to killing them. She adds: It was the worst day of my life. Except the days continued. That's because, despite confessing immediately to the heinous crime - and surveillance footage capturing the murder on camera - Metzger pleaded not guilty, putting Alexis family through 17 months of grueling court hearings. Emmet Metzger and Alexis Maki (pictured together at a work party before they started dating) had been in a relationship for about two years Alexis Maki worked part time at Grit and Tonic in New Baden, Illinois, while she was studying radiology at college Finally, this April, he changed his plea to guilty of first-degree murder, and he'll be sentenced in June. While this doesnt bring Brock any closure, she says she was glad to hear him say the words that he was guilty I just needed to hear that for him to admit what he did. After his sentencing, she hopes she will never again have to come face-to-face with the man she trusted with my daughter - only for him to commit the ultimate betrayal. Alexis and Metzger first met when they started working together at the Grit and Tonic bar, Brock says. They were friends for about two years before they began dating. Soon, Metzger became part of Alexis family, with Brock, Alexis dad Gregory and sister Savannah all welcoming him with open arms. He was always very nice and helpful, Brock recalls, adding that there was nothing that set off alarm bells. We didn't see any other side. They were just like any other young couple. They adopted a dog named Echo together and Metzger moved into Alexis apartment in New Baden. Lisa Brock says she begged her daughter (pictured together) not to go back to the apartment she shared with Metzger that day It wasnt until the summer of 2023 that the first signs of Metzgers abuse began to surface, Brock says. They went on vacation that June and he called her the c-word in an argument and she said, I just can't get past it, she says. That was the beginning of the end, I think, for her and she just saw more of a horrible side of him it just happened so fast. Four months after the vacation, that October, Alexis asked him to move out of the apartment - but he refused to leave. It was only after the break-up that the family began to learn more about Metzgers dark side. I don't know how much she didn't tell me. I think her friends knew a lot more than I did, Brock says. What she did learn was that Metzger had tried to isolate Alexis from her friends and wouldnt let them come to see her at the apartment. Looking back with the benefit of hindsight, Brock says she also noticed the 24-year-olds confidence waning, like he was dimming her light. The situation reached a head on the morning of November 4, 2023. Brock remembers her daughter waking her up sometime in the early hours with her friend and coworker Giovanni Venuti standing bloodied and beaten in Brocks home. Venuti had always been crazy about Alexis but they were just close friends, Brock says. It was around 4.20am when Maki, Venuti and another colleague had been leaving the bar at the end of their shifts. Venuti was sitting in the passenger seat in Makis car in the parking lot when Metzger suddenly showed up. According to a police report, the jealous ex reached through the car window and began punching Venuti in the face, leaving him covered in blood and with a chipped tooth. Alexis Maki and her mom in an old family photo. I could write a book about Alexis. She was the best, Lisa Brock says Alexis and her younger sister Savannah are seen in a family photo when they were children Officers from the Lebanon Police Department responded to the scene but Metzger had already fled. Police did not go to Metzger's home to question him. Instead, an incident report shows Lebanon Police arranged a time with Metzger - 6pm that night - to come in for an interview. Brock reveals her daughter had also contacted Clinton County Police to get a restraining order against her ex - but she was told to come back Monday. Both the police interview and a potential restraining order would ultimately come too late. For the next 12 hours, Metzger remained free - free to murder the woman he claimed to have loved. He was finally charged with felony battery over the attack on Venuti three months after Makis death. Brock feels her daughter was let down by police - and that things could have turned out very differently if her soon-to-be killer had been arrested that day. They didnt do anything right, she says. The Daily Mail has contacted both the Lebanon Police Department and the Clinton County Police Department for comment. Following the assault on her friend, Alexis had stayed at her moms home. Then, while Metzger was at work, Brock says she and Alexis went to the former couples apartment and picked up her beloved pets: Echo the dog and two cats, Scout and Honey. The apartment had been set up with cameras so that Alexis could check on her pets while she was out - but Brock says Metzger had turned the internet off that day so the cameras weren't working. Emmett Metzger pictured in mugshot after he called 911 and confessed to shooting his ex-girlfriend dead Alexis Maki pictured with her beloved pet cats Scout and Honey. Metzger had lured her back to the apartment that day using their pet dog as an excuse When the mom and daughter left with the pets, Brock says Alexis made the decision to turn it back on, as she feared Metzger might return and trash her apartment. She says Metzger had no idea that the internet - and the cameras - were back on to capture what he was about to do. Later that day, Metzger contacted Alexis and told her he was packing up his stuff and leaving - but wanted to see Echo one last time. I begged her not to go and she's like, Mom he's not gonna hurt me. She adds: He just played on her heart, on her selflessness, her kindness. Brock says her daughter didnt want her to come up to the apartment with her so she waited in the car. She took the dog upstairs and she texted me at like 4.17pm, So far so good. He's just finishing packing I think because he went into the bedroom. 'That's when he got the gun and three minutes later, she was gone. The cameras captured Metzger emerging from the bedroom with a gun, cursing and opening fire on Alexis as she sat on the sofa. Pictured: Alexis Maki. Hours before she was killed, Metzger had attacked one of her coworkers Alexis Maki and her younger sister Savannah are pictured together in an image provided by their mom Alexis with her dad. Lisa Brock hopes the judge will make sure her daughters killer will never be free to tear any other families apart When she first saw police cars arriving on the scene, Brock thought it must have been Alexis who called 911. She rushed to the officers telling them: My daughter is upstairs. Soon, however, she learned the heartbreaking truth about what had happened. To this day, she wishes she had gone up to the apartment with Alexis. But the police said, He would have killed you too"' - leaving her youngest daughter Savannah without a sister and a mother. In a way, Brock adds, the family feels like they lost two loved ones that day. 'He was part of our family for a while, she says. We treated him like that and so... it would be easier to understand, maybe, if a stranger did it, but not someone that we knew and loved and trusted. That's hard. Alexis family members werent the only people shocked by Metzger's actions. Coworkers at the bar, friends and anyone else who knew the 27-year-old have also told Brock theyd never have guessed he could do this. At his sentencing, Brock hopes the judge will make sure her daughters killer will never be free to tear any other families apart. I just want him not to be able to get out. I don't want him to hurt someone else, she says. She adds: Sometimes I feel like it's just a waste of another life [and] it feels like we're serving his sentence together because Im having to live with this pain for the rest of my life. Brock hopes the sentencing will give the family a chance to put him behind us so they can focus on learning how to live without Alexis, how to survive. Lisa Brock was waiting in the car outside Alexis' apartment when her ex-boyfriend killed her Pictured: Alexis Maki. It was only after her death that Brock says she learned quite how many lives her daughter had touched - and all the people she had a positive impact on Though she doesnt even know where to start, Brock plans to deliver a victim impact statement to pay tribute to her daughter. I could write a book about Alexis. She was the best, she says. At the time of her murder, Alexis was studying radiology at Kaskaskia College in Illinois, while working at Grit and Tonic part time. She graduated from the college posthumously in May. As well as being a proud pet parent, the 24-year-old was known for always putting others before herself. While at Wesclin High School, she had been part of a peer-support suicide and crisis prevention group called Lifesavers, where she helped other teens going through difficulties. She had also gone on a mission trip to Jamaica with her mom where they had helped in an orphanage. It was only after her death that Brock says she learned quite how many lives her daughter had touched. She was the best child just the sweetest, she says. After she passed I found out how many people that her life impacted. One girl reached out... and she said Alexis got her through some hard times Like she just changed her life. Brock says: She had the best heart... I just had no idea how many people knew her and just loved her so much. I mean, I knew I thought she was awesome and special but I didn't know how many other people did. Looking back now, Brock believes Metzger saw Alexis as his possession. I think he saw her as something that wasn't love at all. It was just something that he owned. And the devastated mom shares a message for others living in abusive relationships. If you are in that type of situation, just dont stay don't ever ignore your gut feeling because it's really telling you something. She adds: I never thought it would be me or her or us. The national domestic abuse helpline offers support on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) A shaken expat has told how US veteran Akinyela Taylor launched a deranged stabbing spree on board a packed Caribbean passenger flight after the pilot refused to fly him to Texas. Doug Maxwell told DailyMail.com how he watched in disbelief as Taylor sank a five-inch dagger into another passenger's neck moments after taking off from Corozal Municipal Airport in Belize on Thursday last week. The 14-seater Cessna Grand Caravan was configured for a 20-minute hop to the island of Ambergris Caye but the madman wanted to detour to Texas a journey of 900-plus miles. Doug and his wife Kim cowered at the back of the plane as Tropic Air pilot Howell Grange circled erratically for nearly two hours before deciding to land in Belize City. Taylor slashed at Grange with the knife and grabbed at the controls until businessman Fitzgerald Brown suddenly pulled a handgun - and 'neutralized' Taylor, 49, with a blast to the chest. 'The pilot was focused on the landing while the hijacker was stabbing him and fighting for control of the plane,' Doug, 66, told DailyMail.com. 'Fitz had been stabbed. He was almost bleeding to death. But he had the patience to wait until the plane was almost on the ground before pulling his weapon. 'He used it at just the right moment. It was the most improbable, crazy thing. Both of those guys are real heroes.' Akinyela Taylor, 49, a US veteran (left) stabbed three people Thursday, including Tropic Air pilot Howell Grange, in an attempt to change the course of a Caribbean flight and head overseas Passenger Doug Maxwell and his wife Kim were the other two Americans on board and watched in disbelief as Taylor sank a five-inch dagger into a passenger's neck Cops found Taylor bleeding out as they surrounded the Cessna on the tarmac of the Philip Goldson International Airport. The St. Louis native previously a joint interface control officer in the Air National Guard was transported to the hospital but was dead on arrival. Grange and Brown were badly injured in the midair melee, along with a Tropic Air manager who was on board the 8am commuter service. Doug, a retired real estate investor from Nashville, Tennessee had flown that same route more than 100 times to get to his home on Ambergris Caye. 'There are no baggage checks or X-ray machines in Corozal,' he told DailyMail.com. 'The small airports in Belize have minimal security. It's like hopping on a bus. Everyone knows one another for the most part.' There was at least one new face among the 14 passengers, however. Taylor had slipped across the porous Mexico-Belize border over the weekend having earlier been refused entry at a border crossing. Air Tropic manager Franchesco Castaneda had tried to intervene but was stabbed in the chest, head, and arms. Passengers did their best to bandage up the wounded men during the chaos Businessman Fitzgerald Brown pulled out a handgun and 'neutralized' Taylor with a blast to the chest He was sat next to Brown, the owner of a barbecue restaurant, and was across the aisle from Doug's wife Kim, 61. 'My wife noticed this guy was sweating profusely. Literally right after takeoff he pulled a knife and stabbed Fitz. There was blood pouring from his head,' said Doug. 'The knife was about five inches long. A little dagger basically.' As Kim scrambled to the back of the 52-foot plane, Air Tropic manager Franchesco Castaneda tried to intervene but was stabbed in the chest, head and arms. A young boy was sitting next to the pilot but he fled and Taylor chillingly took his place. 'At that point we realized this wasn't an altercation or a dispute, this was a hijacking,' Doug explained. 'There was blood everywhere. The young man was visibly in shock and crying. The rest of us were terrified. 'The hijacker had no real plan other than he wanted to be taken to Texas but that little plane can't fly across Mexico to Texas. The flight path the 8am Tropic Air service from Corozal Municipal Airport in Belize took when it had planned to go to the island of Ambergris Caye Doug Maxwell, a retired real estate investor from Nashville, Tennessee, had flown that same route more than 100 times to get to his home on Ambergris Caye, and revealed there are no baggage checks for x-ray machines 'I think once he became aware of that, he probably just wanted headlines and international news coverage.' As Kim, Doug, and their fellow passengers did their best to bandage up the wounded men, Grange concentrated on keeping the plane in the air. Flight V3-HIG circled Belizean airspace for the next hour and 40 minutes before it ran low on fuel. 'My assumption was the pilot was hoping the guy was high on drugs and that he would eventually come down,' added Doug, a grandad and dad of three. 'When that didn't happen, I wondered if the pilot was just running down the fuel so we didn't turn into a fireball when we hit the ground. 'It seems that he was trying to run down the fuel so he could insist on landing.' Taylor was unmoved by the pilot's pleas, however, and vowed to crash the turboprop into the ground as it descended towards Philip Goldson International. 'That's when he began wrestling the pilot for control of the plane,' said Doug. 'The guy was saying, you're not landing this plane. If you try to land we're taking this whole thing down and everyone is going to die.' As the Cessna hovered above the runway, the passengers unlatched the emergency exits, fearing they might have a split second to jump clear before it soared back into the air. 'As soon as the landing gear touched down we pulled the doors open. The first guy fell out while the plane was still at a fairly high speed,' Doug said. 'That's when we heard the shots in the front of the plane. It seemed like there were at least four or five. 'My wife and I were probably the third and fourth off the plane. She sprained her leg but she's ok. We ran as fast as we could towards the emergency vehicles.' Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams said 60-year-old Brown a former security guard was licensed to carry a gun and was a 'hero' for using it. But the Central American nation nonetheless faces serious questions about the safety of its airports and the ease with which weapons were taken on board. The Government of Belize said the hijacking was 'unexpected and deeply troubling' but defended its airspace as 'typically very secure'. 'Upon landing, the assailant sustained a fatal shot. Belizean security forces responded swiftly and professionally. A formal investigation has been launched and is actively underway,' a statement read. 'We commend the pilot for his exceptional professionalism and composure in the face of a highly stressful situation. 'His actions undoubtedly safeguarded the lives of all on board. All passengers demonstrated remarkable bravery, and their efforts contributed to the positive outcome.' The pilot and the two injured men are all expected to recover, the statement added. A gang involved in the drug trade has created its own cryptocurrency to launder dirty money in what may be the first known case of its kind in Britain, MailOnline can reveal. Organised criminals have long exploited the relative anonymity of mainstream cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum to hide the origin of illicit funds. But the move by a UK street gang to develop and launch its own digital coin takes things 'one step further', according to drug crime expert Gary Carroll of Claymore Advisory Group. The plot, which is currently active, bears a passing resemblance to OneCoin - a fake cryptocurrency launched in Germany that turned out to be a giant Ponzi scheme. However, this is thought to be the first time experts have observed the launch of a genuine digital coin by a British street gang. Mr Carroll, who spent 14 years in policing before becoming an expert witness, learned of the scheme through sources but was unable to name the coin or the gang to protect their identity. The drug and data interpretation expert described it as a 'meme coin', which refers to a cryptocurrency that is designed to go viral on social media and rapidly rise in price. He said the gang hoped to wait for the coin to become more valuable before suddenly selling out as part of a 'pump and dump' strategy. Your browser does not support iframes. 'Criminals have been using crypto to launder money for at least 15 years now,' he told MailOnline. 'But developing a meme coin is one step further than simply buying cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum and suggests the process is becoming easier. 'They are using illicit money to pay developers to create a legitimate coin and then launch it onto the market. They are hoping to get the coin onto popular wallets and for the public to fall on it and turn it into the next Dogecoin. 'This is essentially a pyramid scheme and relies on multi-level marketing and loads of people buying in. 'Even if the coin only rises by a small amount they could still make a lot of money before selling out. 'The those profits will appear to be from crypto entrepreneurship rather than drugs.' Mr Carroll described the gang behind the coin as 'mid-level' operators who make money through extortion, fraud, drug supply and the sale of counterfeit goods and cigarettes. The plot, which is currently active, bears a passing resemblance to OneCoin, a fake cryptocurrency founded by Bulgarian-born German entrepreneur Ruja Ignatova OneCoin was founded in 2014 and was advertised as 'the Bitcoin killer' 'They are based in England but they've got connections to other countries,' he said. 'They're not a household name - but they've got enough to throw in a few hundred grand and get the coin off the ground. 'There are lots of meme coins out there that do absolutely nothing but have huge uptakes, so the potential rewards are astronomical.' Mr Carroll has completed more than 1000 expert reports over nine years and given evidence to multiple crown court cases, giving him a deep understanding of the rapidly evolving nature of UK and international drug crime. He believes the relative ease of creating meme coins suggested it could become a popular method for gangs looking to launder money and turn a quick profit. 'It's just one step further than urban street gangs investing in crypto - why invest in the coin when they can just start one themselves? 'In one or maybe two years time there will be cases in court, I'm confident about that. But there are no examples of this happening in the UK. 'Criminals, especially drug dealers, aren't known for their patience. So they are wanting to do something that makes money as quickly as possible. 'My own opinion is this will become more common. It's a way to semi-legitimise their trade.' Ekaterina Zhdanova, a Russian businesswoman who used crypto to help gangs launder money OneCoin remains the largest crypto-related scam to date, with investors losing 100m in the UK alone. It was launched in 2014 by German-Bulgarian businesswoman Dr Ruja Ignatova, who described OneCoin as 'the Bitcoin killer' while addressing an adoring crowd at Wembley Arena. Between August 2014 and March 2017, more than 4bn (3.4bn) was invested by devotees in dozens of countries before Dr Ruja suddenly disappeared in October 2017. It later emerged OneCoin was not a real cryptocurrency at all but a pyramid scheme hosted on its parent company's servers. The FBI is now offering a $5m bounty who can help track down Dr Ruja, despite rumours she has been murdered at the orders of a Bulgarian mafia boss. Mainstream cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are regularly used by criminals to launder cash or move large sums across borders without having to resort to traditional banking methods. This is often done through highly organised networks that operate across multiple countries and have a wide variety of different criminal clients. One system recently exposed by police was run by Russian-speaking hackers and consisted of two networks called Smart and TGR. Ms Zhdanova graced the covers of multiple business magazines during a career in financial services Police say Smart and TGR used their global reach to launder money for crime groups including the Kinahans, as well as street drugs gangs operating in several different countries. They also helped Russian clients bypass financial restrictions to invest money in the UK and the Kremlin pay spies overseas, according to the National Crime Agency. Smart was run by Ekaterina Zhdanova, a glamorous businessman who regularly graced the covers of business magazines during her earlier career in financial services. She is currently in custody in France, while the whereabouts of the boss of TGR, Russian businessman Georgy Rossi, are unknown. rory.tingle@mailonline.co.uk An Army dentist who sent a stream of 'distressing' messages to her SAS ex-boyfriend's new partner has been secretly sacked by senior officers following allegations that she has again been stalking her victim. Major Jennifer Wilson had been allowed to continue serving in the Army after pleading guilty to malicious communications, including bombarding Tobi-Jayne Cadbury with aggressive messages. Mr Craighead earned a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross after fighting terrorists from al-Shabaab - an Islamist group linked to al-Qaeda, who attacked the Dusit D2 hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2019. Wilson, 43, was forced to resign by defence chiefs at the end of last year. They said her behaviour was incompatible with military service. A soldier of any rank may be ordered to resign if their conduct falls foul of military discipline. One defence source said: 'Maj Wilson had hoped to continue serving in the Army. I think she always realised it was going to be a long shot. She is now attempting to rebuild her life. Wilson had been allowed to continue serving in the Army after pleading guilty to malicious communications A soldier of any rank may be ordered to resign if their conduct falls foul of military discipline 'Given the publicity surrounding the trial, and her relationship with a former member of the SAS, it was always going to be difficult to rejoin the Army. 'The bottom line is that her position had become untenable and in cases like this soldiers are told they must resign.' In December 2023, Wilson pleaded guilty at Aylesbury Crown Court to charges relating to social media messages. Her defence team said at the time that it was an 'internet spat which got out of hand'. In June 2024, Wilson, who suffers from depression and PTSD after serving in Afghanistan, escaped a custodial sentence. Instead she received a community order, including 30 sessions of an accredited programme requirement, 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work. She also received a ten-year restraining order banning her from contacting her victims. Craighead (not his real name) earned a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross award after fighting Al-Shabaab terrorists who attacked the DusitD2 hotel in Nairobi, Kenya Ms Cadbury, 38, said: 'I'm disappointed that the Army and the Ministry of Defence have tried to save face by quietly sacking Wilson in the hope no one will notice.' Back in the 2010s, Wilson had been in a relationship with Mr Craighead for about four years. But after finding out that he had a new partner, she began bombarding him with messages. She then turned her attention to Ms Cadbury. 'She bulldozed into my life under the disguise of 52 anonymous social media accounts,' Ms Cadbury told the MoS last year. 'It was relentless. Every time I blocked one, a new account would appear, sending me more disgusting messages.' An Army source said: 'We expect very high standards of behaviour of our personnel, whether they are on or off duty. 'Those who have fallen short of the Army's high standards are dealt with administratively and may face sanctions including dismissal.' A Long Island man who is the curator of murderabilia from some of America's most notorious serial killers just snatched up what he calls 'the holy grail of serial killer collecting.' The one-of-a-kind item is the pair of metal, gold-rimmed glasses worn by Jeffrey Dahmer - also known as the Milwaukee Cannibal or the Milwaukee Monster - that he wore during his July 1991 arrest. Dahmer, 34, murdered and mutilated seventeen boys and men from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. Some of his prey were victims of necrophilia and cannibalism. In February 1992, less than a year after his capture, Dahmer was found guilty on 15 counts of murder in the first degree and sentenced to life in prison. Two years later, he was bludgeoned to death by an inmate at the Columbia Correctional Institute in Portage, Wisconsin. Last month, David Adamovich, Ed.D. and owner of the website Serial Killer Murderabilia, acquired the vintage Titmus Z87 5-1/2 General style glasses, that Dahmer wore during his sick reign of terror. He explained to the Daily Mail the thrill he had when the seller, whom he did not identify but described as 'a very reliable source,' called him about the glasses. 'I said to her, "You have what?" Then I told her "I want those."' Adamovich, 78, bought the rare item for an undisclosed amount. Serial killer curator David Adamovich, 78, calls mass murdered and cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer's metal gold rimmed eyeglasses the 'holy grail of serial killer collecting' Dahmer's booking photo from 1991 shows him wearing the metal glasses that Adamovich obtained 'These have not been passed through multiple hands. The provenance is 100 percent airtight that those are Jeffrey Dahmer glasses,' he said almost giddy. 'They have been sitting in the case for over 30 years and, through a series of lucky events, I was able to purchase them.' The glasses are now part of Adamovich's treasure trove of serial killer memorabilia that includes 9,000 letters and writings, artwork, hair samples, audio recordings of jailhouse interviews from more than 100 murderers including Charles Manson, John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy among others. On a sunny Wednesday afternoon at his Freeport home, Adamovich spoke about his vast collection, as he held the glasses up to the light and shared what he saw. 'What is interesting about them is that if you look closely under the frame and the lens there is a reasonable amount of crud that is all around the glass,' he said. 'My guess is that it isnt chocolate from the chocolate factory - the Ambrosia Chocolate Factory - where Jeffrey Dahmer worked. It is probably a reasonable guess to say it was blood from his victims.' To determine what the grime and dirt on the spectacles are, the curator plans to have a toxicologist look at them. 'If it is blood and not chocolate,' he added, 'it does make interesting dinner conversation.' Interested to find out more about the glasses, he told the Daily Mail he went to a local eyeglass shop merely 'out of curiosity.' 'I was wondering how blind Jeffrey was without his glasses,' he said. He appeared amused when recalling how 'creeped' out the ophthalmologist was when Adamovich told him where the glasses were from and then showed him a photo of Dahmer's booking photo, which shows him wearing the specs. 'No way!' he remembers the ophthalmologist saying, to which Adamovich responded, 'Yes, way!' He later found out that Dahmer's right eye was minus five, minus one and 178 and his left eye was minus four, minus one and two. 'For someone who understands eyeglasses, those numbers mean something - how near or farsighted or how blind he is with or without them.' Studying the numbers, he said, 'This seems to imply that he was nearsighted and used them for distance. A nearsighted prescription will feature a number with a minus symbol in the sphere box.' When asked if he ever tried on the glasses, Adamovich quipped, 'No. Do I intend to? No!' Though, he said he often gets asked that question. 'I am not putting them on. Could you imagine all the evil that was seen through them?' 'I did not buy them to flip them. I bought them for the historical and educational value as it relates to Dahmer's case. I am in it to tell the story,' said curator David Adamovich Dahmer pictured in a police mugshot handout from the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Department Dahmer was employed at the Ambrosia Chocolate Factory in Milwaukee Wisconsin Adamovich explained that the glasses came with a letter of authenticity. 'There are several other alleged pairs of Dahmer glasses that have been advertised as part of various collections, but most if not all, have unproven authenticity,' he shared with the Daily Mail, adding the certificate is also posted on his website. 'Very few items are as symbolic of a serial killer as these vintage Titmus General style glasses burned in history's mind as the iconic image of Dahmer,' he said. He referred to a pair of glasses on display at the Serial Killer Exhibit that curators claimed were Dahmer's, but that Adamovich finds questionable, which he explains further on his website. 'The pair in the Serial Killer display are noticeably different than those shown in the Dahmer booking photo from July 24, 1991. The upper horizontal bar and nose bridge do not match the glasses worn by Dahmer in the photo.' He says the exhibition should provide adequate documentation to support the claims of authenticity if they wish to continue exhibiting the glasses as part of their collection.' Holding up the glasses, he said, 'look, they are his. They are real. He was wearing them the night he was arrested. He was chopping someone apart in little pieces, and who knows what those glasses saw.' For now, he doesn't plan on selling them to the highest bidder - instead he is adding them to his voluminous collection. 'I did not buy them to flip them. I bought them for the historical and educational value as it relates to Dahmer's case. I am in it to tell the story,' said the curator. Part of that story is when Dahmer was sentenced and sent to the Wisconsin prison, he had to surrender his metal-framed glasses and was given plastic frames instead. Two of Dahmer's victims - one of them was 14 years old Tony Hughes, 31, was hearing-impaired and another victim of the serial killer and cannibal The 6-foot tall, blue-eyed, blonde-haired Dahmer, who at a glance looked like the boy next door, was demonic. Over a 13-year period, he lured men and boys - one victim as young as 14 - back to his home offering money in exchange for allowing him to take nude photographs of them. Most of the men were young, Black, gay men. Dahmer would drug his victims before strangling and dismembering them. In some cases, he would have sex with their dead corpses and eat their bodies. Tracy Edwards was one of Dahmer's victims who managed to escape and later helped the police with his capture. On the night of July 22, 1991, Milwaukee Police Department patrol units saw a man that was partially clothed stumbling down the road near an apartment building on North 25th Street, according to the FBI. The young victim had a handcuff dangling from his wrist. He told police that he had been inside the apartment building and was threatened with a knife. When police went into the apartment they horrifyingly discovered body parts in Dahmer's refrigerator. The FBI said there were remains of 11 victims. Dahmer was arrested on July 22, 1991. Accused serial killer Jeffrey L. Dahmer, center, sits with attorneys Gerald Boyle, lef and Wendy Patrickus during his preliminary hearing in Milwaukee on Aug. 22, 1991 After his arrest, he confessed to committing more than a dozen murders that included the torture and mutilation of his victims and the abuse of their corpses. At his 1992 trial, he entered a plea of guilty but insane - jurors found him sane and he was sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences. Dahmer grew up in the Midwest and was stationed in Germany while serving in the U.S. Army. He had also lived in Ohio and Florida, and, at one point, investigators were trying to link him to other unsolved murders. In 1994, while serving his sentence in a Wisconsin prison, fellow inmate Christopher Scarver, 55, beat Dahmer to death. Scarver is serving three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. True crime fanatics continue to be fascinated with the cannibal killer. In 2022, Netflix launched the true crime drama, 'Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,' directed by Ryan Murphy. It was one of the most watched shows on the streaming platform. According to IndieWire, the show garnered a staggering 196.2 million hours viewed during its first week of availability. One of the members of the 350million Millennium Dome diamond heist is a successful businessman living it up in a 1million home and is married to a glamorous US former fashion model, MailOnline can reveal. Aldo Ciarrocchi, who now enjoys a very middle class lifestyle, was a key member of the mob which planned to steal the Millennium Star diamond in 2000 in the doomed raid that's been turned into a Guy Richie Netflix blockbuster. MailOnline can reveal how, 25 years on, IT expert Ciarrocchi is a wealthy father-of-two, having proposed to his stunning wife in the visitor's room at Belmarsh Prison using a ring pull from a can of Coca-Cola. He has fared rather better than other gang members, one of whom died in prison from the robbery, another who died awaiting trial and a third who served 12 years and was jailed again, this time for a further 13 years for another bungled robbery shortly after his release. Nicknamed 'The Technician', Ciarrocchi's role in the heist was to wait outside and set off smoke bombs, while the rest of the gang attempted to smash the glass cabinet containing the 203-carat Millennium Star diamond, said to be worth 200million. Ciarrocchi and his model wife Elisabeth Kirsch, 49, who has a degree in English Literature now run a lucrative reclamation site in south London - and own a sprawling warehouse property that was featured in the Sunday Times. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline about the Netflix hit, Ciarrocchi, now 55, reflected that it was the biggest failure in criminal history and called it a 'suicide mission'. He said: 'I took a chance, I did something dumb. I was young and I was stupid.' Diamond heist raider Aldo Ciarrocchi pictured with his model wife and their two children The Ciarrocchis' sprawling warehouse property is situated near the dome has featured in the Sunday Times Their converted warehouse, a former dog biscuit factory, has been hired out for many movies, including crime dramas such as The Hitman's Bodyguard Like the New Labour-inspired Millennium Dome itself, the dramatic raid to snaffle the stunning De Beers diamond collection was an ignominious failure. Months of planning and meticulous preparation went into the audacious heist which involved a JCB smashing into the dome itself and a speedboat standing ready as a getaway vehicle. But the would-be Dome Raiders were thwarted by an informer who tipped off police - with some 100 armed officers lying in wait for the gang to strike. The diamonds, which had already been swapped for worthless fakes - just in case, remained untouched, with the crooks receiving instead up to 18-year stretches in jail. As Ritchie's 'The Diamond Heist' has enthralled Netflix viewers, Ciarrocchi, admits 'forcing himself' to watch the show, which he declined all offers to take part in. He and his wife run a reclamation business in Poplar, just a couple of miles from the Dome now renamed the 02 Arena. Their converted warehouse, a former dog biscuit factory, has been hired out for many movies, including crime dramas such as The Hitman's Bodyguard, starring Samuel L Jackson and Ryan Reynolds. 'I know how the business works,' Aldo told MailOnline. 'They want you to tell your story and they're all over you for 20 minutes and you make out you were the mastermind of the operation, but I didn't want to get involved.' Aldo pictured here at the time of his arrest in 2000. He was standing outside throwing smoke grenades to create a diversion A police boat cuts off the gang's getaway speedboat waiting in the Thames Pictured is one of the gang members as they tried to smash their way through the container holding the diamond Months of planning and meticulous preparation went into the audacious heist which involved a JCB smashing into the dome's metal gates (pictured) Raiders used a JCB to smash their way into the Millennium Dome as part of the audacious raid Police followed the gang on CCTV as they made their way towards the dome in a van William Cockram and Raymond Betson testing the speedboat that would be used during the audacious heist He said his family firm, Encore Reclamation, even helped fit out Guy Ritchie's west end pub the Lore of the Land, but he had no ambitions to appear on screen talking about his 'big mistake.' He added: 'Good luck to them, the police making out they were like the SAS and all that, but at the end of the day, we did a dumb thing, and when you do something as high profile as that, you're never going to end up in Spain with your feet up. 'The police are going to get you sooner or later only in our case, it was sooner! The cops were so well informed, we were going into a suicide mission, we just didn't know it.' Ciarrocchi said he had never been involved in crime before he fell in with the other members of the gang. 'It's been portrayed as a bit of a caper, and I think that's fair enough,' he said. 'No-one got hurt, and we never intended anyone to get hurt. We delayed the raid for a whole month because we wanted to pick a time when the Dome would be empty of people. 'If we'd been a gang of ruthless robbers, we wouldn't have bothered to wait.' Ciarrocchi said he and Elisabeth were forced to tell their two teenage daughters of his criminal past about five years ago when Ross Kemp presented a documentary about the heist. 'It wasn't easy,' he said, 'We've raised two middle-class girls whose lives are as far away from my upbringing as you can imagine, but I just sat them down and told them the truth. Aldo and his wife - pictured with their two children - run a reclamation business in Poplar, just a couple of miles from the Dome now renamed the 02 Arena Ciarrochi (circled) poses for a school photo. He was born and brought up by an Italian father and British mother on a Bermondsey, south London council estate left school with few qualifications Ciarrochi said his family firm, Encore Reclamation, even helped fit out Guy Ritchie's west end pub the Lore of the Land Among the gemstones was the Millennium Star, worth millions of pounds. It had been replaced by a fake after police caught wind of the raid Crooks believed they were just inches away from a mega pay day, smashing through a heavily armoured display containing diamonds using a nail gun and then a hammer Pictured is the Millennium Dome where the audacious raid was staged in November 2000 Lee Wenham, 57, from Kent, was sentenced to four years in jail after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal Wenham now runs a landscaping business and played a key role in the Netflix documentary A bloodied William Cockram pictured here after being captured. The 72-year-old, from Catford, was sentenced to 18 years for conspiring to rob, though the sentence was reduced to 15 years on appeal In 2012, Cockram sued police for giving him a black eye and fracturing his cheekbone during his arrest The Netflix documentary features first-hand accounts from former gang member Wenham (right) and the Met's ex-Flying Squad task for catching them Raymond Betson served 12 years for the Dome robbery. After his release he attempted to rob a cash depot, also using a JCB in 2012. He was jailed for a further 13 years 'It was sooner than I would have wanted to tell them, but that was unavoidable. I was an idiot and made a huge mistake. We didn't glamourise it and didn't try and make out it was clever. 'I also stressed how dumb I was, taking that chance with my life, and how I'd since learned that the only way to make it is to work hard at school and keep working hard later on.' No doubt the biggest transformation in his life has been wrought by Elisabeth, who was a stunning model in her early 20s studying for a degree in English Literature when the pair met when he helped her move flat. Their worlds couldn't have been more different. Aldo, who was born and brought up by an Italian father and British mother on a Bermondsey, south London council estate left school with few qualifications. Elisabeth, an only child, was born in a middle-class suburb of New York. Her father, Peter, was a systems branch manager for a leading computer company. Her mother, Marianne, died of lymphatic cancer when her daughter was 18. Ciarrocchi was the 'youngster' of the gang, a man who was, in the judge's words, tempted into the plot by others - but knew the risk he was taking. In 2002, after Ciarrocchi was sent down for 15 years (later reduced on appeal to 12), Elisabeth told the Mail: 'You're wondering, what an upper middle-class girl like me sees in a bit of rough? 'The fact that Aldo tried to steal the diamond doesn't outweigh all the good in him,' she said. Mugshot of Dome gang members: (top left) Lee Wenham, (top right) Terence Millman, (bottom left) Ray Betson, (bottom right) William Cockram 'Getaway skipper' Kevin Meredith, 58,(right) a charter boat skipper from Brighton, faced a lesser charge of conspiracy to steal. Robert Adams (left), sentenced to 15 years, died while serving his prison sentence Items, including a gas mask and a nail gun, recovered by police in the aftermath of the abortive raid on the Millennium Dome in November 2000 Betson (pictured) was the mastermind behind the attempted jewel heist and drove the JCB through the dome's gate Ciarrochi now enjoys a very middle class lifestyle, but he was a key member of the mob which planned to steal the Millennium Star diamond This was the stunning diamond that was among those crooks wanted to steal Pictured is the scene after police caught the gang following months of surveillance 'Black Ray' Betson was regarded by police as a 'career robber'. He was caught on film two months before the raid with Cockram visiting the Dome posing as tourists Gangsters Bill Cockram (left) and Ray Betson at a celebration for Millennium night 1999 in New York ahead of the heist at the dome After stealing a diamond worth 350m, thieves hoped to whizz off down the Thames in a boat 'Of course, he has done wrong and should be incarcerated for his crime. He, too, thinks he should be in prison and feels incredibly sorry and remorseful. 'He was in a position where he believed he could get a lot of money for a fairly simple bit of work. 'But he is not a career criminal. I know that this is the last time he will be involved in crime.' As it turned out, she was right. The same wasn't true for all the Dome Raiders though. Ray Betson, 63, served 12 years for the Dome robbery. After his release he attempted to rob a cash depot, also using a JCB in 2012. He was jailed for a further 13 years. In 2018, The Sun reported that Betson's son, Louis, was arrested for allegedly beating and robbing a cab driver in Kent. He was sentenced to two years and three months at a juvenile detention centre. Betson's fellow ring-leader, William Cockram, 72, from Catford, was sentenced to 18 years for conspiring to rob, though the sentence was reduced to 15 years on appeal. In 2012, Cockram sued police for giving him a black eye and fracturing his cheekbone during his arrest. Lee Wenham, 57, from Kent, was sentenced to four years in jail after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal. At the same time, he was sentenced to nine years after pleading guilty to another attempted robbery, in July 2000. Since leaving prison, Wenham runs a landscaping business and played a key role in the Netflix documentary. 'Getaway skipper' Kevin Meredith, 58, a charter boat skipper from Brighton, faced a lesser charge of conspiracy to steal rather than to rob and was sentenced to five years in prison. After his release he was reportedly working as a decorator and had expressed a desire to start a fishing trip business. Robert Adams, sentenced to 15 years, died while serving his prison sentence. Terry Millman died in 2001 from stomach cancer while out on bail just four months before his trial was due to begin. As Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces mounting scrutiny over reports that he shared sensitive military details in private Signal group chats, resurfaced comments from his past are drawing fresh attention and accusations of hypocrisy. In a 2016 Fox News segment, Hegseth harshly criticized former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over her handling of classified emails, declaring that "any security professional military government or otherwise would be fired on the spot for this type of conduct and criminally prosecuted for being so reckless." What do you think @petehegseth_DoD thinks should happen to people who don't protect our military secrets? Let's listen, shall we: pic.twitter.com/TJuJqyKqjE Sarah Longwell (@SarahLongwell25) March 24, 2025 "The fact that she wouldn't be held accountable for this blows the mind of anyone who's held our nation's secrets dear, who's had a top secret clearancelike I have," Hegseth continued. "Who know that even one hiccup causes a problem." Now, Hegseth himself is accused of reckless conduct with the nation's secrets, reportedly sending sensitive information about US airstrikes in Yemen to Signal group chats. Last month the public learned a journalist was accidentally added to one of these group chats. This week, a New York Times report revealed another group chat where the same information was shared with Hegseth's wife, his brother, and his attorney. Despite those revelations, the White House continues to stand by him. President Donald Trump has dismissed the criticism as overblown, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the backlash a "resistance" from entrenched Pentagon officials uncomfortable with Hegseth's leadership. In a resurfaced 2023 Fox News appearance, Hegseth took aim at President Joe Biden over classified documents found in his possession. In a newly resurfaced video from 2023, Pete Hegseth said that Biden needs to be held accountable for "handling classified documents flippantly." Now, Hegseth has leaked classified info in TWO separate Signal group chats. Irony strikes again. pic.twitter.com/GOLb6uEMhL Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) April 21, 2025 "If the top man in the job was handling classified documents this flippantly for that long, why was that the case? Was it really that he didn't know? If you take something out of a skiff...you know exactly what you're doing," Hegseth asserted, going on to emphasize the importance of accountability "at the very top." Amid accusations of mishandling sensitive national security information, critics note that Hegseth does not seem to hold himself to the same standard. So far, Hegseth has dismissed the controversy as politically motivated. Despite public support from Trump, NPR reported that a search for a potential replacement is underway. Originally published on Latin Times At supermarkets in London, and outside provincial nightclubs, you will see security staff wearing stab vests. Personal protective equipment has become commonplace in all kinds of jobs where staff must sometimes confront aggressive members of the public. So it is quite staggering that frontline prison staff working in conditions of far greater peril, regularly called upon to restrain violent and potentially lethal behaviour by offenders, are not issued with stab vests capable of stopping an attack with a bladed weapon. Essentially, they are sent in to work every day with only a poly-cotton shirt between them and the point of a knife. This is intolerable. Ten days ago at HMP Frankland, Hashem Abedi, one of the most dangerous prisoners in the country used an improvised stabbing weapon and hot oil to attack three officers. Two were left with life-threatening injuries. Crisis I am deeply worried that, unless urgent steps are taken to give prison staff far better protection, as well as ensuring exceptionally dangerous prisoners are confined more securely, an officer is going to be murdered on duty for the first time in living memory. If and when that happens, the repercussions will be terrible. Not just for the victim and his or her family but the prison service as a whole. It is so close to breaking point that we could see a full-blown crisis erupt. Year on year, we have seen a 19 per cent increase in serious assaults on prison officers. As a direct result, the incidence of officers taking leave because of stress-related illness is at an all-time high. Hundreds of thousands of days a year are being lost. This alone ought to be the subject of parliamentary debate. (Left to right) Hashem Abedi, Ahmed Hassan and Muhammed Saeed who have been found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm to prison officer Paul Edwards who was attacked at HMP Belmarsh Year on year, we have seen a 19 per cent increase in serious assaults on prison officers. As a direct result, the incidence of officers taking leave because of stress-related illness is at an all-time high (Pictured: Wandsworth prison) A knock-on effect of this is a crisis in recruitment and retention. While prison officers are not allowed by law to go on strike, they cannot legally be forced to go to work if they have a reasonable fear their lives are being placed at risk. It is shocking that, in the face of such an onslaught, a national law enforcement agency apparently cares so little about the safety of its staff that it has dithered for years over giving them adequate protection against lethal attack. When Abedi launched his apparently premeditated assault in the extremist separation unit at Frankland on April 12, the officers he attacked were equipped only with extendable batons and cans of incapacitant spray. I understand that the spray was deployed but, far from acting as a deterrent to the attacker, the gas emitted in the cramped corridors of the unit may have actually hampered the response of the officers who came to the aid of their stricken colleagues. Abedi is the younger brother of the suicide bomber who killed 22 people and wounded hundreds more at the Manchester Arena in May 2017. Indeed, it was Hashem Abedi who planned the attack and built the bomb, packing it with shrapnel. Now serving a minimum 55-year sentence, he is recognised to be one of the most violent extremists in British custody. It beggars belief, not only that he was given the freedom to manufacture weapons and make blistering hot oil, but that officers guarding him had no access to adequate protective gear. The police would rightly refuse to serve under such conditions. Had a violent criminal carried out a similar attack on police officers outside a prison, I believe they would have been justified in using lethal force to defend themselves. Abedi should be locked up for at least 23 hours a day, in units designed so that no staff will ever have to come into direct contact with him. He is a resourceful and determined terrorist who, given the opportunity, will attempt to kill again. That said, Britain must not follow the American model, where guards toting automatic weapons patrol prison wings and marksmen with sniper rifles man the watchtowers. It would be foolhardy to routinely provide officers with lethal firearms in our prisons. They are currently so disordered that the risk of them falling into the hands of prisoners is too high. But, as long as the right safeguards are in place, theres a strong argument for equipping specialist response prison officers with Tasers. A video played to the jury on Wednesday during the trial of Hashem Abedi, 24, (right) Ahmed Hassan, 22, (left) and Muhammed Saeed, 23, (centre), moments before launching an attack on Belmarsh officer Paul Edwards, 57, leaving him in fear for his life (Footage from 2020) And we must stop kowtowing to the woolly-minded reformers who claim the presence of officers in stab vests would contribute to the militarisation of prisons and create an environment that is traumatising for prisoners. With the clamour for change reaching fever pitch, the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood needs to respond immediately to the multiple threats facing our prisons and their inmates, not least the increasingly sinister activities of Islamist groups. Hate As her opposite number on the Conservative benches, Robert Jenrick, warned in the Mail last week, our prisons are increasingly under the control of religious extremists. Forced conversions are commonplace as prisoners face systematic bullying and assault if they refuse to comply with hardline Islamic laws. Those who defy the Muslim gangs often have to be placed in segregation units for their own safety. A decade ago, I was arguing for separation units to be set up for the oppressors, not the victims, as a way of taking subversive Islamist hate preachers out of the general population. That practice has now been effectively reversed, at least in some prisons, as it is apparently those who resist the preachers who have to be segregated. Meanwhile, violent terrorist prisoners such as Abedi, fixated on killing officers, should not be in these units in the first place. They may need to be held in new accommodation, tactical environments designed to eliminate the risk of attacks on staff. One constant danger, especially in high-security prisons, is the kidnap of staff. If prisoners take an officer hostage, it is imperative that the governor has all the means necessary to effect a quick rescue. This includes the provision of dedicated tactical response teams, available at all times that prisoners are out of their cells. If terrorists take officers hostage in prison today, it is highly likely their goal will be to murder that member of staff and disseminate the act online. I cannot say with confidence that todays prisons are equal to preventing such incidents. Trauma External forces are also at work. One of my gravest concerns is the prevalence of drones, flown into prisons by outside operators. At the moment, these are widely used to take drugs and mobile phones to inmates, with the machines hovering outside windows or making drops into exercise yards. Some drones can carry a payload of 15kg, or nearly three stone. Thats an enormous quantity of cocaine but they could also be used to airlift guns or even Semtex over the prison walls. The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, has said the lack of defence against drones in high security jails is a national security threat. The Justice Secretary now has an opportunity to examine the failures that allowed Abedis atrocious assault to occur. The focus must be on the rights of public servants to serve in our prisons and go home to their families in one piece, not into a trauma unit. Failure to act means the prospect that a prison officer will be murdered on duty is sadly inevitable. I do not exaggerate. We are that close. Sunrise host Natalie Barr has suggested Anthony Albanese's emotional reaction to the death of Pope Francis may have been influenced by the heartbreaking story of how he learned the identity of his father. Pope Francis died on Monday, aged 88, at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican after battling double pneumonia. The Prime Minister spent Monday campaigning in Melbourne before heading to St Patrick's Cathedral to address the nation following the Pontiff's death. A solemn Mr Albanese took a drink of water to compose himself before launching into an emotional tribute to the 266th pontiff and first Pope from the southern hemisphere. Barr said Mr Albanese had 'interesting emotion' during his address. The Seven host suggested that Mr Albanese's heartfelt response was linked to his childhood, in which Catholic dogma prevented him knowing who his father was until late in life. 'Interesting emotion there from the Prime Minister. '[Albanese was] brought up Catholic, but because of that faith, the identity of his father was kept from him,' Barr said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held back tears during a heartfelt address to the late Pope Francis (pictured) The Pope died on Monday, aged 88, at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican after battling a serious bout of double pneumonia 'He went back to Italy and found him in later life. It's explained in his book. It's actually a unique and fascinating story.' Mr Albanese's mother Maryanne Ellery was Australian, while his father Carlo Albanese was from Barletta in Apulia in southern Italy. His parents met in March 1962 on a voyage from Sydney to Southampton, England, on the Sitmar Line's TSS Fairsky, where his father worked as a steward. The pair did not continue their relationship and went their separate ways, with Mr Albanese being told his father had died in a car accident. But when he was about 14, his mother revealed what had happened. 'We sat down just after dinner one night and she it was very traumatic for her, I think, to tell me that in fact that wasn't the case, that my father might still be alive, that she'd met him overseas, fallen pregnant with me, had told him and he had said, basically, that he was betrothed to someone from the town in Italy where he was from,' he told 7.30. 'That whole guilt associated with having a child out of wedlock in 1963 as a young Catholic woman was a big deal and, hence, the extent to which she had gone to in terms of adopting my father's name, she wore an engagement and a wedding ring, she the whole family just believed this story.' Sunrise host Natalie Barr (left) said Mr Albanese had 'interesting emotion', claiming his response was due to being raised Catholic and because of it did not know his dad Driven by a sense of loyalty to his mother, Mr Albanese chose not to pursue information about his father until after her passing in 2002. 'There was a particular time where we were visiting my mother's grave when [Albanese's son] Nathan was a little boy and he said, 'where's your Daddy?'' 'And at that moment, it hit me that ... I had a responsibility to him as well he carried the name Albanese and to find out more about my father. 'So it was very much a gradual need that became ... more and more a sense of urgency as it was clear to me as well that he would've been getting older and that I needed, I needed to know more about what had happened.' Mr Albanese finally met his father in 2009 when he tracked him down following an extensive search which included multiple agencies. He visited his father numerous times in Italy and even took his family there, until his father died in 2014. Mr Albanese gave a tearful address following the Pope's death on Monday, expressing that it was a 'difficult evening' for billions of people around the world. 'For Australian Catholics, he was a devoted champion and loving father,' Mr Albanese said. 'He was truly inspirational. The memory and example of his compassion will long endure as we mourn his death. 'Australian Catholics and faithful around the world give thanks for the life of their Holy Father, Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome. 'The prayers of more than a billion people from all nations and every walk of life go with Pope Francis to his rest. 'Pope Francis' compassion embraced all humanity, and today, he will be mourned by Catholics and non- Catholics alike.' Fighting back tears, Mr Albanese added: 'My sincere condolences to everyone for whom tonight will be a very difficult evening'. A high school student who survived a horrific crash that killed four of her classmates has opened up about what happened. Marley Barclay was traveling westbound down Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Woodacre, California with her five lifelong friends when their Volkswagen SUV collided with a tree on the shoulder of San Geronimo Valley Drive at around 7.30pm on Friday, according to the San Francisco Standard. The SUV soon caught fire, and three teenagers were pronounced dead at the scene, with a fourth dying shortly thereafter, KTVU reports. The victims have since been identified by Archie Williams High School officials as Olive Koren, Josalynn Osborn, Sienna Katz and Ada Kepley. They were all between the ages of 14 and 16. Meanwhile, Barclay and the driver - Elsa Laremont Stranczek - survived, but were rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Barclay's parents, Jessica Glantz and Ross Barclay, have since said their daughter told them the crash occurred when an oncoming car crossed into the lane the girls were traveling in, forcing Stranczek to swerve to avoid it. 'What Marley does remember of the moments before the accident is that they were going around a blind turn, and another car veered into their lane,' Glantz said at a news conference outside of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, where her daughter is being treated. 'The driver of the vehicle that Marley was riding in swerved to miss the other,' she continued, saying her daughter 'remembers hearing screaming and then she swerved.' Marley Barclay (pictured with her mother Jessica Glantz) survived a horrific crash that killed four of her lifelong friends The crash occurred at around 7.30pm on Friday at the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and San Geronimo Valley Drive in Woodacre, California The grieving mother also urged the public to not fall victim to 'wild speculation, rumor and conjecture,' as they shared Marley's whereabouts in the moments leading up to the deadly crash. They said she had left home in Fairfax at 6.50pm to walk downtown, where she met up with Stranczek, who was getting off of work at 7.15pm, according to KTVU. They, along with the four other girls, then headed off to Woodacre - though it is unclear where they were trying to go. All six of the girls were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision, Barclay's family claims. After the vehicle caught fire, Glantz said an unidentified woman saved her daughter's life. She explained that Marley was the only one still conscious in the car, and was pounding on the window, screaming until the Good Samaritan found them. 'My daughter called me right after the accident,' Glantz recounted on Monday. 'She called me screaming and I couldn't understand what she was saying. A wonderful woman took the phone and spoke for her and said she called 911.' The woman - who Glantz said she believes she identified from Facebook - then told her to rush to the hospital. Among the victims were Josalynn Osborn and Ada Kepley Sienna Katz and Olive Koren were also killed in the fiery collision 'She assured me she was going to hold my daughter's hand and stay there with her until she got help,' Glantz said before addressing the heroine herself. 'I don't know you and I love you. And I thank you,' she said. Glantz's words came as dozens of bouquets, Red Bulls, Takis, balloons, candles and stuffed animals were placed at the scene of the crash. Members of the community had also held a candlelight vigil for the teenagers on Saturday. Some have even set up online fundraisers for each of the victims' families, with one for Marley's family to help with her medical costs reaching over $115,000. Another one that was set up for Kepley's family to take time off from work and afford the funeral and memorial costs, notes that the young girl was 'known for her witty humor, creativity and kind heart by her friends and family.' Her family also said in a statement that Ada 'was a kind soul and gifted artist with an irreverent sense of humor that made people feel joyful and included. 'We miss her dearly and are struggling to process the loss of many young lives cut short,' they said. Josy Osborn's family also said it is 'devastated by the loss.' 'Our family will never be the same,' they told KTVU. 'We don't know what we will do without her.' They went on to describe the high school wrestler as 'a firecracker with a bright smile and personality, and she had so much more to do in life.' 'We will live vicariously through her spirit until we meet again,' the family said. 'She will be missed by many, including her friends and her wrestling team at Archie and throughout the entire community.' An online fundraiser for Osborn's family also notes that she was raised by a single mother. 'This is every mother's worst nightmare,' it says. 'Christie and her sister, Dylynn, along with the rest of the family will need time and space to heal. 'There will be funeral/memorial costs and Christie will have to take some time off from work to focus on her healing,' the fundraiser notes. 'I know there will be a lot of GoFundMe's out there. But any donations will help to get this single mom through the hardest challenge of her life.' Meanwhile, a separate GoFundMe for Koren's family says the teenager 'was a bright light in everyone's life. 'She always had a smile. She had a wonderful appetite for food and for life. She was kind, she was beautiful, she was smart and sassy and a faithful friend. 'She loved her family, friends and pets. She was loved by so many around her. Her time was way too short here,' it said. Katz was similarly remembered in an online fundraiser as a 'vibrant, smart and caring 15-year-old sophomore at Archie Williams High School. She was a bright life in this world. 'Sienna was treasured by her parents, grandparents, aunts uncles and cousins who cannot imagine life without her,' the fundraiser said. It also noted that she 'loved spending time with her family, her dog, Daisy, and laughing, singing and having sleepovers with her friends. 'We will all miss her beautiful smile, kind spirit and loving presence in our lives.' Alleged teenage killer Karmelo Anthony has been moved into hiding after he and his family were slammed with death threats at their home. Anthony, who stands accused of stabbing and killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco, Texas on April 2, walked free from jail on April 14 after his bond was reduced from $1 million to $250,000. As ordered by Judge Angela Tucker mandated Anthony, 17, was placed on house arrest. But the alleged murderer has been removed from his family's home to an undisclosed location as they worry for his safety, according to a Next Generation Action Network (NCAN) news release from Monday morning. NCAN, the North Texas civil rights group advocating for Anthony and his family, said the court-approved decision to move him was to 'ensure his immediate safety.' This comes as an 'alarming increase in death threats, continued harassment, and physical intimidation targeted at the family's home' have rolled in over the past few days, the nonprofit group claimed. NGAN shared images of the alleged harassment - including strangers approaching their home and sending them copies of Metcalf's obituary. The family has also received fake food deliveries and been approached by people trying to intimidate them, FOX 5 reported. Alleged teenage killer Karmelo Anthony (pictured) will be moved into hiding at an undisclosed location as he and his family receive death threats Anthony's mother teared up at a Thursday press conference discussing the accusations made against her son (pictured: Anthony's parents, Kayla Hayes and Drew Anthony) Austin Metcalf (pictured), 17, was stabbed to death at a track meet on April 2 after an alleged altercation with Anthony 'We are sharing images and documentation of the threats the family has faced this past weekend to make the public aware of the dangerous atmosphere that has been created - an atmosphere fueled by organized hate, systemic racism, and intentional misinformation,' NGAN President Dominique Alexander said in the release. NGAN also pointed to a small rally that took place on Saturday at Frisco's Kuykendall Stadium - where Metcalf was killed - as to why Anthony had to be moved. The protest was organized by a group called Protect White Americans, founded by Jake Lang who was arrested during the January 6 riot and is running for a US Senate seat in Florida. Two people were reportedly arrested during the Saturday demonstration, where protesters held signs that read 'protect white Americans' and 'stop black violence on white Americans.' Metcalf's father, Jeff Metcalf, expressed fierce opposition to the protest, saying he does not want his son associated with Lang's movement. 'It is both heartbreaking and infuriating to see the depths of hate and bigotry still alive and well in our society,' Alexander said in the press release. 'No family should have to live under siege simply because they are demanding their constitutional rights. 'We will not be silent, and we will not back down. We are committed to doing whatever is necessary to protect this family and to ensure that justice is pursued without intimidation or fear.' NGAN shared images of the alleged harassment - including strangers approaching their home and some mailing them Metcalf's obituary (pictured: Metcalf's obituary mailed to Anthony's house) The Anthony family has been receiving threatening mail and have has strangers approaching them over the last few days (pictured: the Anthony family) Anthony's mother, Kayla Hayes, spoke about the fear her family has been experiencing at a Thursday press conference. 'My 13-year-old daughter is afraid to sleep in her own bedroom because she's fearful about what may happen to her.,' Hayes tearfully said. She also claimed she and her family have 'not received a dime' of the more than half a million raised for her son's legal fund. Jeff was kicked out of the press conference after he refused to leave on his own accord. 'My characters been assassinated. Or theyve tried to assassinate my character,' the grieving father told the New York Post. NGAN has also posted a series of videos on social media 'exposing the racists and white supremacists' sending threatening messages to the group for representing Anthony. But Anthony's relatives and advocacy team are not the only ones dealing with harassment. Metcalf's father Jeff was swatted by vicious pranksters the same day he was booted out of the press conference. Metcalf's father, Jeff Metcalf (middle) was kicked out of the Thursday press conference for Anthony's family (pictured: Jeff with his two sons, Austin and Hunter Metcalf) After being stabbed, Metcalf died in his brother Hunter's arms at the April 2 track meet (pictured: Austin and Hunter) Officers responded to a fabricated report of a shooting at an address that turned out to be Jeff's home. He told WFAA that no one was at home when police arrived. He got to the scene five minutes later. Swatting involves people calling in fake threats to the authorities just to scare their victim by having police bust down their doors. There have been two reported cases of people dying as a result of swatting incidents. Police also said individuals swatted the home of Meghan Metcalf, Austin's mother, on the night of April 8. Local cops say a confrontation between Austin and Karmelo broke out during a high school track meet when Metcalf called out Anthony, who did not attend the same school as him, for sitting under his team's tent. Metcalf demanded Anthony leave and the argument escalated when Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed the junior from Memorial High School in the chest, leaving him to bleed out in his twin brother Hunter's arms. Anthony allegedly admitted to the stabbing, per police, but his lawyer indicated he will claim he acted in self-defense. A gang member who posed with a shotgun and spelt his name out with bullets has been jailed after he was caught with cocaine in his underpants. Police in Liverpool linked Joshua Caldwell to the major drugs conspiracy after having previously found images of firearms on a confiscated phone. The investigation led to the seizure of cocaine and heroin valued at nearly 120,000 alongside several weapons. Already serving a 15-year sentence, Caldwell has now been sent back to prison after he was found with cocaine hidden in his underwear while on licence. The events saw police confiscate a Rolex watch from his girlfriend's wrist, the Liverpool Echo reports. Liverpool Crown Court heard police had been passing Caldwell's home on Harrismith Road in Fazakerley at around 3.30pm on March 2 this year. They spotted him entering a Vauxhall car and the 34-year-old was said to have looked 'nervous' when approached, as officers established the ownership of the vehicle. Derek Jones, prosecuting, said the ensuing search of his address led to the discovery of four 'gold ball sized' packages of cocaine and 2035 in cash recovered from the bedrooms. Already serving a 15-year sentence, Joshua Caldwell (pictured) has now been sent back to prison after he was found with cocaine hidden in his underwear while on licence Bullets spelled out his initials - which were discovered by police The watch on his girlfriend's wrist - valued at around 4000 - was also seized. Caldwell later volunteered further bags of drugs and a mobile phone from inside his underwear following his arrest. He did not comment much during his interview other than to tell detectives the money was 'a gift from his birthday', which fell two days later. His criminal record shows two previous convictions for four offences, being handed two years in a young offenders' institute in 2009 for possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and 15 years in 2016 for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to possess a firearm. The latter sentence, reported by the Liverpool Echo, came in relation to an investigation from the summer of 2014 after a handgun was produce during an argument, with one of Caldwell's associates brandishing the firearm in the presence of members of a public, including a child, and warning: 'This is my f***ing patch.' In August that year, a flat belong to another of his co-accused was raided, revealing a quantity of heroin as well as cocaine, and antique revolver, sawn-off Beretta shotgun, and a quantity of bullets. A third co-defendant was arrested nearby for possession of a pistol and over the discovery of alarming images warning of threats to the gang's rivals. Caldwell was meanwhile arrested in January 2015 with two Blackberry mobile phones containing further incriminating photographs. One pictured showed the then-24-year-old holding the Beretta shogun before it had been sawn off. The prosecution was able to identity the young man as Caldwell due to his 'very distinctively shaped eyebrows' One showed the then-24-year-old holding the Beretta shogun before it had been sawn off. The prosecution was able to identity the young man as Caldwell due to his 'very distinctively shaped eyebrows'. Caldwell was arrested again in August that year after police recovered 15,150 in cash, a set of scales, tick lists and drug paraphernalia. His own counsel maintained Caldwell was not the 'Mr Big' of the plot. He has since been recalled on licence in relation to the sentence and is not due for release until 2030. Defending, Peter White told the court during his latest appearance: 'Quite simply, he tells me that he was released approximately two years ago. He has initially done very well. 'There does appear to be another side to him, however. He has, at least partially, demonstrated that he can stay out of trouble. There are significant gaps in his offending.' Caldwell admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply and two counts of possession of criminal property. Appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse, he was jailed for 2,035 days on Tuesday last week. This is the minimum seven-year sentence for a third drug trafficking offence, subtracting credit of 20 per cent for a guilty plea. Sentencing, Recorder Richard Pratt KC said: 'This was by no means the first time you have been involved in the supply of drugs. 'It is a point of regret, needless to say, that the severe sentence you received in 2016 did not have the lasting effect it ought to have had upon you. 'Having lost a good proportion of your 20s, you are now, inevitably, going to have to spend a fair bit of time in your 30s in prison, which, I am sure you appreciate more than anybody, is a waste of your life.' Two identical Australian twins have recounted the terrifying moment their mother came face-to-face with an alleged gunman - in a bizarre TV interview where they give an identical, word-for-word explanation at the exact same time. The alleged gunman is alleged to have caused a crash on the Bruce Highway in Queensland that killed a woman, then shot a Good Samaritan in the arm while on a carjacking spree as he fled the crash scene. Twins Bridgette and Paula Powers witnessed the chaos firsthand, and their surreal interview - where they answered a journalist's questions in unison - quickly went viral. The pair described how their mother, who had rushed to help a crash victim, suddenly found herself confronting the alleged gunman emerging from the wreckage. 'And one guy, he was up there with our mum he goes, "run, he's got a gun",' one sister said, while the other mimicked her speech exactly, word for word. 'And our heart started to pound. And I said, "Oh, mum, where's mum?" - and poor mum was stuck up there. 'She goes, "Are you alright?" because he had all blood all over his face and he goes, "I'll shoot you".' In a split-second decision, their mum distracted the alleged gunman and bolted into the surrounding bushland. Identical twins Bridgette and Paula Powers have gone viral after giving a perfectly in-sync interview recounting a terrifying gunman encounter on the Bruce Highway A gunman allegedly caused a fatal crash, then allegedly shot a Good Samaritan during a violent carjacking spree in Queensland With no time to think, the twins' mum distracted the gunman and fled into the surrounding scrubland - a move that may have saved her life 'Mum was distracting him to make him look the other way and he looked the other way and Mum ran into the bush behind the fence and the guy goes, "I'll find you and I'll shoot you".' Thankfully, the twins and their mother were able to escape the chaos safely. Their interview made headlines around the world, with US media and politics news website Mediaite describing their perfectly in unison recount as 'surreal'. Bridgette and Paula previously caught the attention of media after it was revealed they have their own language and wear matching clothes every day. As children, the twins were taken under the wing of late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin. They now run a rescue sanctuary for seabirds. Bradley Donald Towle, 41, now under police guard in a hospital, was driving a red Porsche Macan that caused a six-vehicle crash. The 22-year-old woman who died was a passenger in one of the cars involved. Bridgette and Paula have their own language and wear matching clothes every day The twins were mentored by Steve Irwin and now run their own seabird rescue sanctuary The man allegedly exited the Porsche armed with a firearm and shot the driver of a SsangYong Rexton who stopped to offer assistance. He shot the 62-year-old man in the arm after an altercation before stealing his Rexton, police alleged. The good samaritan was taken to hospital while his car was found crashed at nearby Landsborough about 20 minutes later. The man then allegedly stole a grey Mazda 3 driven by a 16-year-old girl at gunpoint. The teenager and her parents ran from the vehicle and were not injured. Police said they arrested the man about 12.48pm on Monday at a Landsborough intersection on the Sunshine Coast, about 30 minutes after the fatal crash. The arrest was less than five kilometres from Irwin's Australia Zoo. A firearm was found inside the vehicle, police said. The man sustained head and body injuries in the traffic incidents and was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he remains under police guard. The 41-year-old Tewantin man has been charged with 15 offences and his matter is set to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday. 'Investigations are continuing with further charges likely,' a police statement said. Anyone with information should contact police. Donald Trump was handing out high fives and celebrating the holiday with children at the annual White House Easter egg roll, earning favorable comparisons to predecessor Joe Biden. The 78-year-old president mocked Biden earlier in the day, referencing the 2022 ceremony when the Easter Bunny had 'rescued' a confused-looking Biden from an embarrassing gaffe. The president was nearly as popular as the bunny at this year's egg roll, seen in clips high-fiving and drawing with children. Trump, at one point, exclaimed: 'I'm really into this!' While some found his high-five with one child awkward, the majority of social media felt it was a welcome reprieve from the Biden-era, who baffled onlookers by his odd, touchy and even 'sniffing' behavior around young people. 'If nothing else, we have a POTUS you can trust around kids, and thats a major improvement,' wrote one. 'He is so great with kids, but in an appropriate non-sniffing way,' added another. One supporter said: 'The kids ran toward him like he was Santa, Superman, and recess all rolled into one. Thats what leadership with presence looks like.' Donald Trump was handing out high fives and celebrating the holiday with children at the annual White House Easter egg role, earning favorable comparisons to predecessor Joe Biden Joe Biden playfully bites a baby during trick-or-treating at the White House in 2024 Some liberals tried to take away from Trump's sweet moments with the youth on Monday, by referring to his eyebrow-raising comments over the years about girls and women. But others pointed out that Biden had a bizarre history of odd behavior with children while performing official appearances as president. In October 2024, just weeks before the election, Joe Biden 'playfully' bit a baby's leg during a trick-or-treat Halloween event - which triggered negative comments at the time. He also appeared to touch his mouth to the arm of a baby, and take the feet of two other babies in his mouth during the same strange event. During a 2020 event in Florida, Biden told a group of underage female dancers: 'I'm coming back and I want to see these beautiful young ladies, I want to see them dancing when they are four years older too!' In 2019, he told a 10-year-old girl: 'I'll bet you're as bright as you are good-looking.' He has similarly been photographed over the years kissing and touching young girls and women during public events. Joe Biden also had notorious moments with the Easter Bunny, including in 2022. Biden was filmed speaking with reporters and guests at the cheerful holiday event when he began discussing Afghanistan, eight months after he presided over the US military's chaotic withdrawal from Kabul that ended 20 years of American boots on the ground there. The former president, now 82, started to answer Afghan reporter Nazira Karimi's question and was heard saying: 'Pakistan should not and Afghanistan should be people should be free...' While some found his high five with one child awkward, most of social media felt it was a welcome reprieve from the Biden-era Biden leans in to say something to Maggie Coons, next to her father Sen. Chris Coons after Biden administered the Senate oath to Coons in 2015 Biden often engaged in odd, touchy and even 'sniffing' behavior around young people But Meghan Hays, the former White House press official and director of message planning who was dressed as the Easter Bunny, quickly interrupted him and ushered him away in a desperate bid to avoid another gaffe in 2022. Republican operatives on Twitter mocked the silly moment, at the time. 'How bad does the White House staff have to think Biden is to calculate that sending in the EASTER BUNNY to interrupt a gaggle is better optics than whatever he was about to say on Afghanistan?' former Orrin Hatch aide Matt Whitlock said. Meanwhile, Trump won laughs from his wife Melania with a cheeky joke about the Easter bunny at the White House's annual egg roll on Monday. With crowds gathered and the Easter bunny primed, the President couldn't resist an opportunity to prod his predecessor. 'Remember when the Easter bunny took out Joe Biden?' he said, harkening back to an awkward Easter Monday in 2022, when the bunny 'rescued' a confused-looking Biden. 'He's not going to be taking Trump out!' the president mused today. Melania, who was hovering nearby, giggled at the jab. The First Lady dazzled fans on the White House lawn in an effortlessly chic beige trench coat. It is her first public appearance for several weeks. A New Mexico judge has resigned from his position after an illegal Venezuelan migrant with alleged links to a feared gang was caught living in his guesthouse. Dona Ana County Magistrate Joel Cano filed his resignation letter on March 3, just days after law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his home in the hunt for 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez. Ortega-Lopez entered the United States illegally from Mexico in December 2023 and met Cano's wife Nancy when he was hired to install a glass door for her. He had been released from a detention facility where he was being held just days after crossing the border due to overcrowding, and moved into a small El Paso apartment with five others. 'He continued to do a few jobs for Nancy Cano, and after being evicted from the apartment in April, 2024, Nancy Cano offered her 'casita' in the back of the residence she shared with her husband Joel Cano,' court documents state. The Department of Homeland Security received a tip in January 2025 which alleged Ortega-Lopez was an illegal immigrant and member of a criminal gang living at the property and in possession of firearms. A quick search of his social media accounts exposed Ortega-Lopez posing with handguns and rifles. He was allegedly identifiable due to his tattoos. According to court documents, Ortega-Lopez had tattoos, was wearing clothing and was flashing hand signs which all indicated an affiliation with Tren de Aragua. Cano, a Democrat who served as a judge since 2011, did not directly address the fact that Ortega-Lopez was found in the casita at the back of his home in his resignation letter Dona Ana County Magistrate Joel Cano filed his resignation letter on March 3, just days after law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his home in the hunt for 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez (pictured together) Ortega-Lopez entered the United States illegally from Mexico in December 2023 and met Cano's wife Nancy when he was hired to install a glass door for her. He now faces 15 years in prison His social media accounts also occasionally featured Cano and his wife. On one occasion, he smiled and posed with a gun which was handed over by the alleged gang member. In another, he poses among four other young men, holding beers beside a barbecue. At the time of his arrest on April 28, four guns were seized, allegedly belonging to the Cano's' daughter, April. Three phones were also seized that were associated with Ortega-Lopez, the court documents state. On one of these phones, officers found a text message exchange in which pictures of two murder victims were shared. The victims bodies had been mutilated, heads decapitated and hands dismembered in the pictures, the court documents state. 'The Defendant is a danger to the community because he is a member of the United States designated Foreign Terrorist Organization Tren de Aragua and regularly associates with other members,' prosecutors wrote in a petition to keep him detained. Cano, a Democrat who served as a judge since 2011, did not directly address the fact that Ortega-Lopez was found in the casita at the back of his home in his resignation letter. Instead, he simply wrote: 'My very last day at work will be on Friday, March 21, 2025, at which time I will have resigned my office. 'Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful. His social media accounts also occasionally featured Cano and his wife. On one occasion, he smiled and posed with a gun which was handed over by the alleged gang member A quick search of his social media accounts exposed Ortega-Lopez posing with handguns and rifles. He was allegedly identifiable due to his tattoos In another, he poses among four other young men, holding beers beside a barbecue 'All the best to every one of you. I wish you all a happy retirement once you are ready yourself.' A replacement magistrate will be appointed to serve the remainder of Cano's four-year term, which runs through 2026. Magistrate Judge Damian L. Martinez, who is presiding over Ortega-Lopez' case, was initially inclined to free him and said he was not a flight risk or danger to the community. Speaking of Cano, she said: 'I don't think he would just let anybody live in his property.' Ortega-Lopez is facing 15 years in prison if convicted and remains in custody after prosecutors rallied against his release. A trio of Polish nationals who helped bury a father-of-one's body in a shallow grave after he was beaten to death have been deported. Monika Solerska, Tomasz Reczycki, and Adam Czerwinski, who all pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice in 2022 by burying Tomasz Dembler's body, have been sent back to Poland after serving their prison sentences. Meanwhile, the two men who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, Zbigniew Pawlowski and Rafal Chmielewski, are currently serving 16-and-a-half-year sentences in the UK. They will be considered for parole, and then deported, after serving at least two-thirds of their sentences. The remains of Mr Dembler were discovered by two girls having a makeshift picnic near Flatts Lane Country Park in Normanby, North Yorkshire, on April 12, 2021. Mr Dembler, 39, was found with a broken upper jaw, 15 fractured ribs, cuts to his lips and mouth and severe bruising to his head, back and chest. During a trial at Teesside Crown Court in January 2022, the prosecution said that Mr Dembler was killed in the hours after 3.35am on March 21, 2021, at some point after making a phone call with a friend who asked him for a lift. Father-of-one Tomasz Dembler, 39, (pictured), was beaten to death and buried in a shallow grave on March 21, 2021 Monika Solerska (top right), Tomasz Reczycki (left), and Adam Czerwinski (bottom right), who all pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice in 2022 by burying Tomasz Dembler's body, have been sent back to Poland after serving their prison sentences During a trial at Teesside Crown Court in January 2022, Peter Makepeace QC said that Mr Dembler (pictured) was buried in a shallow grave and it was 'a miracle' that he was found Speaking to the court, Peter Makepeace QC said that Mr Dembler was buried in a shallow grave and it was 'a miracle' that he was found. Mrs Justice Stacey said that the attack inflicted on Mr Dembler would likely have 'caused unimaginable pain', describing his body's disposal as 'chillingly slick and callous'. The post mortem found that it is likely he had been repeatedly kicked and stamped on and that the injuries to his neck may have been caused by pressure from his attacker's arm. Having moved to the UK from Poland 20 years prior, Mr Dembler's life is understood to have taken a downward spiral after he split up from the mother of his child. He then moved to Middlesbrough and took a room in Czerwinski's rented terraced home, where the prosecution told the court that he was murdered. During his time in the UK, Mr Dembler was understood to have grown apart from his family, who found his drinking and illicit drug use hard to accept. His last message to his mother in Poland, read 'leave me alone'. The court heard how Pawlowski had became angry with Mr Dembler after he made a joke about him having sexual contact with a man. Zbigniew Pawlowski and Rafal Chmielewski (pictured), who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, are currently serving 16-and-a-half-year sentences in the UK. They will be considered for parole, and then deported, after serving at least two-thirds of their sentences The remains of Mr Dembler were discovered by two girls having a makeshift picnic near Flatts Lane Country Park in Normanby, North Yorkshire, on April 12, 2021 Pictured: Mr Dembler's downstairs bedroom in Czerwinski's rented terraced home in Middlesbrough, where the prosecution told the court during a 2022 trial that Mr Dembler was murdered Then, just days later, he was brutally beaten to death, with a Home Office pathologist's report finding that Mr Dembler's injuries were likely to have impaired the use of his lower body and perhaps 'impaired his ability to breathe'. Uncovering that hypostasis had set in prior to Mr Dembler being buried, thereby suggesting he was already dead, the report also found that his hands were likely cut off after he had died. Forty-year-old Solerska, Chmielewski's girlfriend at the time, received a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence in April 2022 after assisting in cleaning up blood in the house share and also making repeated car journeys to help transport Mr Dembler's body. She served just half of her prison term before being deported. Reczycki, 41, served half of his three-year-and-six-month sentence after purchasing a new carpet for Mr Dembler's bedroom. The initial bloodstained carpet had been ripped up in a bid to destroy evidence of the brutal killing. He appealed his deportation in 2023, on the grounds that his two children would suffer as a result, but this was later rejected. Pictured: Forty-year-old Solerska with Chmielewski, her boyfriend at the time. Solerska received a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence in April 2022 after helping to clean up the blood and transport Mr Dembler's body. She served just half of her prison term before being deported Described by family and friends as a 'kind man who was always smiling', a funeral service was held for Mr Dembler on June 12, 2021, in his Polish hometown of Elblag Reczycki, 41, served half of his three year and six month sentence after purchasing a new carpet for Mr Dembler's bedroom. He appealed his deportation in 2023, but this was later rejected Czerwinski, 48, also served half of his five-year imprisonment term before being deported last year. Described by family and friends as a 'kind man who was always smiling', a funeral service was held for Mr Dembler on June 12, 2021, in his Polish hometown of Elblag. A Home Office spokesperson told Teesside Live: 'Foreign nationals who commit heinous crimes should be in no doubt, that we will do everything to make sure they are not free on Britain's streets, including removal from the UK at the earliest possible opportunity. 'Since the election weve removed 3,594 foreign criminals, a 16 per cent increase on the same period 12 months prior.' The Catholic Church is facing a pivotal moment over its future after Pope Francis's death yesterday. As the world united in mourning, manoeuvring began in Rome over the contest to shape the Church over the next decade and guide its billion-plus adherents. Catholics across the globe awoke to learn their 88-year-old spiritual leader had passed away after months of ill health, as the Church's most senior clerics began descending on the Vatican to appoint his successor. Pope Francis 'returned to the house of the Father' after dedicating his life to the service of God, the Vatican said, in a statement that many had been dreading. The King joined world leaders in paying tribute, having had a brief audience with Francis during a state visit to Italy this month. Sir Keir Starmer said that while the Pope was 'close to the realities of human fragility', he 'never lost hope of a better world'. The Union flag was flown at half-mast over Downing Street and royal residences yesterday. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who will guide the Church through the coming days in his role as Camerlengo, or chamberlain, broke the news, saying: 'Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. 'His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. Pope Francis 'returned to the house of the Father' after dedicating his life to the service of God, the Vatican said, in a statement that many had been dreading The pope died on the morning of Easter Monday after suffering a stroke and irreversible heart failure Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who will guide the Church through the coming days in his role as Camerlengo, or chamberlain, broke the news, saying: 'Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis' 'He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised.' The Vatican said Francis died from a stroke and 'irreversible' heart failure. While Catholics were left to consider Francis's complicated legacy which will be remembered for his liberal approach to LGBTQ+ rights, refugees and climate change it remains to be seen whether his reforms will continue under his successor. His papacy broke with the conservative stance of his predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI and his supporters in the Vatican will be vying to secure his legacy. His successor could, however, be viewed as being even more progressive. Among the favourites are liberal Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, from the Philippines, who would become the first Asian pope. Or the more moderate Cardinal Peter Turkson, from Ghana, who would be the first black pope. Francis himself was the first Pope from South America and the first non-European to be elected in 13 centuries. Whether his successor is a Francis loyalist, however, is far from certain once the College of Cardinals convenes in the Sistine Chapel for the political process known as the conclave. While it may come down to a battle between conservative and liberal factions, many cardinals appointed by Francis come from a wide range of countries that have starkly different views on issues such as the role of women in the Church and attitudes towards gay Catholics. Thousands gathered at St. Peter's Square today to mourn the loss of the leader of the Catholic Church England has a record four cardinals, three of whom will have a vote in choosing the next pope, although none is considered to be in the running. Last night, thousands gathered for a rosary prayer vigil to mourn Francis's death as a traditional nine-day period of mourning, known as the Novemdiales, began. On Easter Sunday, the Pope had appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to deliver a blessing to 35,000 faithful in St Peter's Square. A day later, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti led prayers for him in the same place, saying: 'We all have in our hearts the words Pope Francis addressed to us: "Do not forget to pray for me".' Last night Irish-born Cardinal Farrell the highest-ranking Catholic until a new pope is appointed presided over the official declaration of Francis's death before his body was placed in a coffin. It is thought he will be transferred to the basilica tomorrow morning where Catholics will be able to pray for the late pontiff and for the future of the Church. Pope Francis confirmed in his final testament that he wished to be buried in a 'simple' tomb in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major, and that his resting place bear the inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus. It is thought that Francis will be transferred to the basilica tomorrow morning where Catholics will be able to pray for the late pontiff On Easter Sunday, the Pope had appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to deliver a blessing to 35,000 faithful in St Peter's Square At a Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral last night, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster and leader of Catholics in England and Wales, said it was 'a day of sadness' and the loss of a man who had spent his life spreading the word of 'mercy and hope'. He earlier said the next pope must be someone 'of great inner strength' and inner peace. The King said he and Queen Camilla were 'most deeply saddened' to learn of the Pope's death'. A representative of the monarchy is expected to attend the funeral. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said he was 'filled with a great sense of loss'. The Church of England's de-facto head, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, said: 'I remember, in the brief times I spent with him, how this holy man of God was also very human. He was witty, lively and good to be with.' In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said he and First Lady Melania will attend the Pope's funeral in Rome, adding: 'We look forward to being there!' His final blessing on Easter Sunday: Despite doctors telling him to slow down, Pope packed his last days with meetings and services By Ryan Hooper and Neil Sears Less than 24 hours before he died yesterday, the ailing and frail Pope Francis bestowed one final blessing on the Catholic faithful. The 88-year-old somehow managed to summon the strength to greet the thousands of people who had gathered on Easter Sunday in St Peter's Square in the Vatican City in what would turn out to be his final appearance. The Pontiff had rarely been seen in public since leaving hospital last month after a 38-day battle against severe pneumonia. So his appearance on the basilica's balcony and his ride around the square in the popemobile while typical of his dedication to service came as a surprise. He told the cheering crowd: 'Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter.' He delivered his 'Urbi and Orbi' benediction and also stopped during his ride to bless four babies and two children. His busy final days led the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, to observe: 'It's amazing that he, as it were, died with his boots on. Still serving, still praying, still blessing.' Less than 24 hours before he died yesterday, the ailing and frail Pope Francis bestowed one final blessing on the Catholic faithful Among the Pope's final visitors was JD Vance, the US Vice-President and a Roman Catholic convert, who was given a brief audience with him on Sunday The Pontiff had rarely been seen in public since leaving hospital last month after a 38-day battle against severe pneumonia Among the Pope's final visitors was JD Vance, the US Vice-President and a Roman Catholic convert, who was given a brief audience with him on Sunday. The pair had previously clashed over the Trump administration's attitudes to migration. But Mr Vance said they were able to offer cordial Easter greetings, writing yesterday on X: 'I was happy to see him, though he was obviously very ill.' Such was the concern about the Pope's ailing health that the Vatican issued a running commentary during his stay at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. 'The Pope had a quiet night,' several statements read, while another informed that the Pope awoke at 8am. He had been admitted to hospital on Valentine's Day suffering from bronchitis which turned into a complex lung infection. It was later established that the Pope, who had part of a lung removed as a young man, had double pneumonia. Doctors noted the faintest improvement in his condition over the next fortnight although they were at pains to stress the 'complex' nature of his illness. On February 28, they confirmed he had 'experienced an isolated episode of bronchospasm' which caused him to vomit and made his breathing worse. Doctors cleared his airways and placed him on a ventilator, sparking further public concern among the public over just how unwell he was. Francis had been admitted to hospital on Valentine's Day suffering from bronchitis which turned into a complex lung infection The world has mourned the loss of Pope Francis, with leaders from across the globe paying tribute to him 'The prognosis, therefore, remains guarded,' a statement read, again exercising caution rather than being risk offering hope that the Pope was on the mend. He remained in hospital for several more weeks, past the 12th anniversary of his election as Pope on March 13. While the Vatican continued to provide daily updates, it was not until March 16 that the Holy See, the Catholic Church's governing body, released a new image of him. In it, Francis could be seen from behind looking at a crucifix on the altar of the hospital's chapel after celebrating the Eucharist [the sharing of bread and wine]. He was seated and wearing his white vestments and purple stole. Francis was finally released from hospital on March 23, having appeared on a balcony earlier that day. But he looked frail, giving a weak thumbs-up to the crowd chanting his name below. And it was to be another two weeks before he was seen in public again, this time surprising visitors to the Jubilee Mass for the Sick and Healthcare Workers in St Peter's Square. Again, he appeared far from well and using a breathing tube. He told those who had gathered: 'Have a good Sunday. Thank you all.' It is believed that doctors had privately tried to convince Francis to slow down. But he ignored their pleas and instead packed his days with private meetings and public appearances. Donald Trump announced that he and First Lady Melanie will attend the pope's funeral this weekend Last week, the pontiff kept to his Maundy Thursday tradition of visiting the Regina Coeli jail in Rome where he chatted to inmates but was unable to wash their feet as he usually did Last week, he kept to his Maundy Thursday tradition of visiting the Regina Coeli jail in Rome where he chatted to inmates but was unable to wash their feet as he usually did. Less than a fortnight ago, King Charles and Queen Camilla met the Pontiff after their visit in April was cancelled due to his ill health. The meeting was arranged at the last minute and took place on Charles and Camilla's 20th wedding anniversary. The Pope had wanted to personally wish them a happy day. After news of his death broke, the King said: 'Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many. 'The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.' Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Pope Francis was a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost hope of a better world.' While Donald Trump said: 'Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!' Secretary of State Marco Rubio's plan to overhaul the State Department includes the elimination of more than 130 offices and 700 positions, as well as plans related to human rights and war crimes. The restructuring, according to internal documents seen by the Washington Post, aims to reduce U.S.-based staff by 15 percent and consolidate region-specific functions. The plan would also shut down multiple programs related to human rights, war crimes, as well as democracy promotion. Rubio said the changes are intended to reverse "decades of bloat and bureaucracy," with efforts focused on eliminating what he described as redundant or non-essential offices. The plan was submitted to both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee for review. Today is the day. Under @POTUS leadership and at my direction, we are reversing decades of bloat and bureaucracy at the State Department. These sweeping changes will empower our talented diplomats to put America and Americans first. pic.twitter.com/CGWz3JrYwu Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 22, 2025 Among the most significant changes is the proposed closure of the Office of Global Criminal Justice and the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. The position of undersecretary for civilian security, democracy, and human rights would also be eliminated if the plan moves forward. Some of the functions of these offices would be absorbed into a new foreign and humanitarian affairs unit. "This approach will empower the Department from the ground up, from the bureaus to the embassies. Region-specific functions will be consolidated to increase functionality, redundant offices will be removed, and non-statutory programs that are misaligned with America's core national interests will cease to exist," Rubio said in a statement accompanying the announcement. One of the few expansions would be a new Bureau of Emerging Threats, which is set to address issues such as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau told staff the plan would be developed further by an internal working group, with implementation targeted for July 1. The plan's release follows weeks of internal speculation about staff reductions and program cuts. A more extreme version of the reorganization, which was reported in recent days and called for closing the Bureau of African Affairs, was dismissed by Rubio as false, with the bureau remaining intact in the most recent proposal. Originally published on Latin Times A McDonald's customer has divided Aussies after erupting at a fast-food restaurant manager about his 'cold chips and sloppy burger'. The man paid $32 for his meal at a drive-thru at a Melbourne venue and claimed he had been forced to turn back multiple times because of the disappointing order. He filmed the moment he confronted a shift manager behind the counter and demanded she give him hot chips. The manager claimed the chips had already been replaced, igniting a furious response from the customer. 'No, and you've given us hot burgers with cold chips. I paid for hot burgers and hot chips,' he said. 'Have a great night,' she replied. 'You're more than happy to wait here all night if that's what you want to do.' 'No, I want my order. I want what I paid for. I want my chips as well,' the customer said. The manager again said she had already replaced his food, but he wasn't leaving without fresh chips. 'Give me my chips. Just because you've had a bad day before you came to work, you're not going to take it out on me,' he said. He pointed out she was not wearing a McDonald's uniform. 'You're not very professional. That's what you wear as a Maccas worker? You wear a jumper like that and you reckon you're the manager?' he said. The manager then warned the customer that she would call the police. 'You've got a grand total of 10 seconds before I call the cops,' she said. 'Call the cops, for what? I'm recording you,' the customer snapped back. 'You're ripping off my food. You made me get out of my car, you give me cold chips, you give me a sloppy burger with sauce over the top of them. 'Call the cops because I want hot chips that I paid for.' The McDonalds shift manager called police after a customer demanded fresh, hot chips The customer claimed he had driven away from the restaurant after he collected his order and was forced to do a U-turn when he realised he had been given cold chips. 'Then I came back and you give me attitude about it. You want a fight over a small chips?' he said. The manager could then be seen calling the police as the man ranted in the final moments of his video. 'I paid $32 to eat a hot burger and hot chips together, not get my meal in instalment plans,' he said. 'What are they going to arrest me for? Wanting my f***g meal together that I paid for?' The man claimed the cops arrived but left quickly without incident. Social media users slammed the McDonald's customer and accused him of being rude. 'People don't go to work to be abused. There is laws against this. She should have rang the police,' one person wrote. 'I feel like you should work a day in that type of job,' another said. 'You should see how hard (it) really is. Abusing minimum wage workers is just sick. You clearly are that bored, you don't have anything better to do.' Others were on the customer's side and were surprised she didn't replace his chips to mitigate the confrontation. 'I still can't believe this happened and she just didn't replace your food like any other manager would have,' one wrote. 'They have to replace your order or give you a refund. I used to work at Maccas,' another said. Daily Mail Australia contacted McDonald's for comment and the fast food chain said: 'Our crew immediately offered the customer a replacement and apology. While we understand the customer may have been disappointed with the service, anti-social behaviour is not tolerated in our restaurants.' Bottle shops in NSW will be completely closed on Anzac Day for the first time ever due to new trading hour regulations. The updated laws will prevent bottle shops from opening on April 25, with trading set to resume the following morning. Introduced in July last year, the changes will also affect other retailers that were previously allowed to open from 1pm, including department stores and supermarkets. The NSW Government hopes it will inspire more people to use the day for reflection and to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The change was made following public consultation by the state government, which ran from September to October 2023. The government says the move received strong support from veterans, veterans' organisations, and the public. RSL NSW president Mick Bainbridge welcomed the decision saying 'it's important that every Australian has the opportunity to pause, reflect and honour those who have served and who continue to serve'. 'We must do all that we can to preserve the Anzac spirit and ensure the unique sacrifices of our servicemen and women, past and present, and their contribution to our Australian way of life are never forgotten,' he added. The store closures intend to encourage more people in NSW to commemorate Anzac Day Premier Chris Minns justified the decision, saying 'no occasion could be more solemn or significant than Anzac Day'. 'It might be inconvenient for a few hours, but closing our biggest corporate shops for a single day is a small price to pay for living in a free and open democracy,' he said. Exemptions are in place for other venues including markets, small retailers, bars, cafes, chemists, newsagencies and takeaway restaurants. Dan Murphy's and BWS stores that are attached ALH Hotels across NSW will also be exempt, which will trade in line with the hotels licence. NSW isnt alone in enforcing full Anzac Day closures, Queensland supermarkets will also be shut all day, except for Brisbane Airports Woolworths, which opens at 1pm. Most Dan Murphys and BWS stores in other states will trade from 1pm on ANZAC Day, except those attached to ALH Hotels, which will trade in line with the hotels licence. Shoppers are advised to check local trading hours ahead of Friday to avoid being caught out. In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Endeavour Group, who own BWS and Dan Murphy's said 'For the first time, this year most NSW Dan Murphys and BWS stores will not open on ANZAC Day, and will remain closed for the entire day in line with the new Retail Trading Amendment (ANZAC Day Trading Hours) Act 2024. Bottle shops and supermarkets in NSW previously opened at 1pm on Anzac Day Only selected Dan Murphys and BWS stores that are attached to ALH Hotels across the state will be open... Customers can check which stores will be open online by visiting bws.com.au and danmurphys.com.au.' they added. There have been previous calls to extend Anzac Day closures further, with independent NSW MPs urging the inclusion of poker machines in the restrictions. The proposal aimed to preserve two-up, a traditional Anzac Day game, while specifically banning pokies. However, Premier Chris Minns rejected the idea, stating that individuals should be free to make their own choices. This week, North Bondi RSL made headlines for scrapping two-up at its venue, opting instead to create a more family-friendly atmosphere. A man has been charged over a terrifying incident that saw a driver shot and a woman killed in a six-car crash on the Bruce Highway. The 41-year-old was arrested following the incident at Palmview, north of Brisbane, at midday on Easter Monday. The man is alleged to have been behind the wheel of a Porsche Macan when he lost control and caused the pile-up. A 62-year-old driver who stopped to help others involved in the crash was allegedly shot in the arm by the Porsche driver who then took off with his SsangYong Rexton. The Rexton was later found on Steve Irwin Way at Landsborough where the driver allegedly approached a Mazda 3 with a 16-year-old girl and her parents inside of it. He was arrested at 12.50pm at the intersection of Steve Irwin Way and Forestry Road, with cops allegedly finding a gun inside the car. The 62-year-old owner of the Rexton was rushed to Sunshine University Coast Hospital to be treated for his injury. A 22-year-old woman who was in a Nissan Micra, which was involved in the six-car pile-up, died while another driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries. A man has been charged after a driver was allegedly shot and a woman killed in a crash on the Bruce Highway The 41-year-old has been charged with two counts each of armed robbery, possessing dangerous drugs, and unlawful entry of vehicle for committing indictable offence. He is also charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, dangerous operation of a vehicle adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, going armed as to cause fear, unlawful possession of firearm used to commit indictable offence, possess tainted property, authority required to possess explosives, driver fail to remain at incident, and driving suspended licence. Chief Inspector Jason Overland said on Monday the investigation would be complex as it involved multiple crime scenes, many witnesses as well as dashcam footage. 'It's just terrible,' he said. 'I've given up trying to work out why, it's just a tragedy and we're doing all that we can to address what's left.' A Mississippi mother is grieving the loss of her third child in four years after her six-year-old daughter was found dead in a barrel outside of her home. Gracelynn Vick was reported missing on April 13 when her family could not find her for hours after she went to play in their Saucier farm's yard. After an extensive six-hour search operation, the young girl's body was found inside a 58-gallon barrel used for livestock. Harrison County Sheriffs Department deputies believe Gracelynn climbed into the bin and shut the lid from the inside - accidentally trapping herself. Police said the combination of a lack of oxygen and heat stress resulted in her freak-accident death. At a press conference on Thursday, sheriffs compared the circumstances to being trapped in a sweltering car. Police explained they were able to find Gracelynn's body using evidence from home security cameras. Investigators do not believe there was any foul play involved and a final report on the child's cause of death will be released in the upcoming months, KWTX reported. Gracelynn Vick (pictured), 6, was found dead inside a barrel near her family's farm in Saucier, Mississippi Gracelynn's half-sister Victoria Lee Hutcherson died in a car crash last year (pictured: Victoria, left, and Gracelynn, right) Vickie Lynn Wedgeworth lost her first child, 17-year-old Larry Hart, in 2021 (pictured: Vickie and Larry when he was younger) 'She immersed herself in the wonders of childhood, embracing every moment with enthusiasm,' Gracelynn's obituary reads. 'She loved playing outdoors barefoot, relishing the feeling of grass beneath her feet, climbing to new heights, and exploring the world around her. 'Her love for animals, painting rocks, and splashing in the water painted a picture of a little girl who was as curious as she was creative.' A funeral service for the young girl was held on Monday. Gracelynn's gut-wrenching death comes after two of her older siblings passed away in separate instances. In 2021, Gracelynn's mother, Vickie Lynn Wedgeworth, suffered the first unimaginable loss of one of her children. Larry Hart, 17, who was Gracelynn's half-brother, died on July 2, 2021. The teen had been battling a pre-existing health condition, but his cause of death is unclear based on his obituary. Wedgeworth experienced the second loss of a child three years later, when an unexpected tragedy struck. Gracelynn (pictured) was reported missing on April 13 when her family could not find her for hours after she went to play in their Saucier farm's yard Both of Gracelynn's older half-siblings died in the years before she did (pictured: Victoria Lee Hutcherson and Larry Hart) Vickie Lynn Wedgeworth (pictured with Gracelynn and Victoria) addressed Gracelynn's death through her sister, who spoke about it in a Facebook live stream Victoria Lee Hutcherson, Gracelynn's 13-year-old half-sister, died on March 14, 2024 in a car crash. The minivan she was a passenger in was struck by a dump truck on a Harrison County, Mississippi highway. The driver of the van, John Potts, 68, also died from his injuries, according to WLBT. 'Victoria has a large family that loves and misses her dearly. She spent many days on her grandmothers farm riding the lawnmower through the pines playing with cousins,' according to her obituary. 'She loved animals and had a snarky sense of humor. She relished being a sister to her siblings and was very protective of them.' In addition to the loss of her three children, Wedgeworth has also been left to grieve her fiance, who passed away on August 11, 2024 - just months after Victoria - according to his obituary. Robert 'Bo' Matula was Wedgeworth's high school sweetheart who 'loved lawncare, landscaping, carpentry and working the small farm he shared with Vickie and Gracelynn, Gracelynns Heritage Farm,' the obituary states. Wedgeworth's sister, Jackie Polk, posted a Facebook live on Friday to address false speculation about Gracelynn's heartbreaking death. Vickie Lynn Wedgeworth (right) has lost her fiance Robert 'Bo' Matula (second from right), her daughter Gracelynn (second from left) and her daughter Victoria Lee Hutcherson (left) Gracelynn (pictured) was said to have loved playing outside, painting rocks and splashing around in the water She also thanked investigators and everyone who helped find her body on behalf of her sister. 'Gracelynns life, though fleeting, was a beautiful tapestry woven with love, adventure, and memories that will be treasured forever,' Gracelynn's obituary reads. 'As we all come together to honor her memory, let us carry forward the joy she brought into our lives and remember to cherish the simple things, just as she did.' Donald Trump said that he must remove criminal migrants from the United States because it will take '200 years' for everyone to get a fair trial. The president has been furious at the court for months as they attempt to overrule his plans for mass deportations. Barack Obama-appointed District Judge James Boasberg has gone as far as threatening administration members with criminal prosecution for contempt of court. The GOP-controlled Congress has attempted to fight back, passing a measure in the House that restricts federal district courts from issuing nationwide injunctions. Trump spoke his peace on the issue on his Truth Social account Monday evening. 'I'm doing what I was elected to do, remove criminals from our Country, but the Courts don't seem to want me to do that,' he said. Trump complimented his administration for doing 'an incredible job' to achieve his goals but complained of the Supreme Court stopping him 'at every turn.' He said they don't want him 'to send violent criminals and terrorists back to Venezuela, or any other Country, for that matter People that came here illegally!' Donald Trump said that he must remove criminal migrants from the United States because it will take '200 years' for everyone to get a fair trial The president has been furious at the court for months as they attempt to overrule his plans for mass deportations Trump claimed that conservative Justice Samuel Alito is on his side, hoping to 'dissolve the pause on deportations.' However, he argued that the remainder of the Supreme Court and lower courts 'are intimidated by the Radical Left' whom he accuses of 'playing the Ref' or trying to cheat. He then said that he simply has to do immediate deportations because of the amount of time it was take to do it through the courts. 'We cannot give everyone a trial, because to do so would take, without exaggeration, 200 years. We would need hundreds of thousands of trials for the hundreds of thousands of Illegals we are sending out of the Country,' Trump wrote. The president called the entire situation 'ridiculous' and ended on his longtime call of 'MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' 'If we don't get these criminals out of our Country, we are not going to have a Country any longer,' he added. It's unclear if Trump is referencing a specific ruling, though he did mention Venezuelan migrants, where he saw a legal warning Monday. U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney said during a court hearing in Denver that notices of looming deportations given to Venezuelan migrants held at the Bluebonnet Detention Facility in Texas made no mention of habeas corpus, which refers to the right of detainees to challenge the legality of their detention. Trump has angered liberals as well as the court over his mass deportation policy 'You're acting as if these individuals - many of whom don't speak the language - would know there's something called habeas relief,' said Sweeney, an appointee of former Democratic President Joe Biden. 'I'm looking at the notice now. It gives no indication of any right to seek any type of relief.' Sweeney said she would rule by Tuesday on whether to extend her order protecting two Venezuelan men in immigration custody in Colorado from being deported under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. Lawyers for Venezuelan migrants are trying to persuade judges across the country to require the government to give migrants 30 days' notice before deporting them under the 1798 act, after the high court this weekend temporarily blocked the federal government from deporting a group of Venezuelans held at Bluebonnet. Meanwhile, in a Monday filing to the Supreme Court, the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing the migrants, urged the justices to maintain the block, writing that officials had not provided the migrants at Bluebonnet the required notice or opportunity to contest the removals before many were loaded on buses headed to the airport. Elsewhere, a Supreme Court ruling has ordered the Trump administration to help facilitate El Salvadoran alleged MS-13 member Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return. The administration has said it has no power to bring him back, a position being scrutinized by federal courts as potentially in violation of judicial rulings. Nationwide injunctions granted by federal district judges that impact all Americans may soon be a vestige of the past after a Republicans pushed through a bill to help the Trump administration. A Supreme Court ruling has ordered the Trump administration to help facilitate El Salvadoran alleged MS-13 member Kilmar Abrego Garcia's (pictured) return Trump claimed that conservative Justice Samuel Alito (pictured) is on his side, hoping to 'dissolve the pause on deportations' The House passed the 'No Rogue Rulings Act' two weeks ago. The bill now heads to the Republican-Senate, which is expected to pass the measure. The bill restricts federal district courts from issuing nationwide injunctions, except in certain instances, and is aimed to curtail judicial blocks on the Trump administration's agenda. 'These rogue judge rulings are a new resistance to the Trump administration and the only time in which judges in robes in this number have felt it necessary to participate in the political process,' the bill's author, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said. 'The federal judiciary isnt interpreting the law. It is impeding the presidency. It is, in fact, not co-equal, but holding itself to be superior.' It was a top priority for Republicans in Congress as they claim 'rouge' judges were improperly curtailing presidential authority. 'We're going to prevent activist judges from issuing these unconstitutional nationwide injunctions and legislating to the bench, which has become a real problem,' Speaker Mike Johnson said. Trump has been frustrated by judges across the country from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco for ruling against his deportation and DOGE orders. The president even took the unprecedented step of calling for one judge's removal. Harvard University is suing the Trump administration in an effort to reverse the federal freeze on more than $2.2billion in grants. President Trump halted funding after the storied institution vowed to defy his administration's demands to limit student activism on campus. In its lawsuit, Harvard said the funding freeze was 'arbitrary and capricious' and violated its First Amendment rights. 'The Government has not and cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen,' the lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court, stated. The research which is now at risk 'aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain America's position as a global leader in innovation.' Lawyers representing Harvard noted the Government has not acknowledged 'the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvard's research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress.' In a letter to Harvard earlier this month, the Trump 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 certain student clubs. Harvard University is suing the Trump administration in an effort to reverse the federal freeze on more than $2.2billion in grants President Trump halted funding after the storied institution vowed to defy his administration's demands to limit student activism on campus Harvard President Alan Garber said the university would not bend to the demands. Hours later, the government froze the billions of dollars of federal funding. Education Department spokesperson Madi Biedermann declined to comment on the lawsuit when approached by AP. In a statement on Monday, Garber said: 'The consequences of the governments overreach will be severe and long-lasting. 'Research that the government has put in jeopardy includes efforts to improve the prospects of children who survive cancer, to understand at the molecular level how cancer spreads throughout the body, to predict the spread of infectious disease outbreaks, and to ease the pain of soldiers wounded on the battlefield. 'As opportunities to reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimers disease, and Parkinsons disease are on the horizon, the government is slamming on the brakes.' He noted that the victims aren't necessarily the researches and Harvard students - they will be 'future patients and their loved ones who will suffer the heartbreak of illnesses that might have been prevented or treated more effectively.' 'Indiscriminately slashing medical, scientific, and technological research undermines the nations ability to save American lives, foster American success, and maintain Americas position as a global leader in innovation.' In its letter dated April 11, the administration told Harvard to impose tougher discipline on protestors and to screen international students for those who are 'hostile to the American values.' It also called for broad leadership reforms at the university, changes to admissions policies and the removal of college recognition for some student clubs. The university frames the government's demands as a threat not only to the Ivy League school but to the autonomy that the Supreme Court has long granted American universities The government demanded Harvard audit its faculty and student body to ensure wide viewpoints in every department and, if necessary, diversify by admitting additional students and hiring new faculty. This comes on the back of rising reports of antisemitism on campuses across America, with pro-Palestine protests gripping schools and leaving some Jewish students fearing for their safety. Garber acknowledged the concerns on Monday, writing: 'As a Jew and as an American, I know very well that there are valid concerns about rising antisemitism.' But he said the Trump administration's approach was not the way to solve any perceived problem. Last Monday, Harvard said it would not comply with the administration's order, citing the First Amendment. The following day, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, questioning whether the university should lose its tax-exempt status 'if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting 'Sickness?' The university frames the government's demands as a threat not only to the Ivy League school but to the autonomy that the Supreme Court has long granted American universities. For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism. For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism A part of that is targeting research funding which has fueled scientific breakthroughs but has become an easy source of leverage for the Trump administration. 'Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world,' Garber wrote Monday to the Harvard community. 'We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honor their legal obligations and best fulfill their essential role in society without improper government intrusion,' he wrote. 'That is how we achieve academic excellence, safeguard open inquiry and freedom of speech, and conduct pioneering research.' The American Council on Education, a nonprofit with more than 1,600 member colleges and universities, applauded Harvard. 'It has been clear for weeks that the administration's actions violated due process and the rule of law. We applaud Harvard for taking this step and look forward to a clear and unambiguous statement by the court rebuking efforts to undermine scholarship and science,' Ted Mitchell, the council president, said in a statement. When we first meet someone, we can't help but make snap judgments. And there are so many characteristics that help us work out if we like them their body language, how they speak, their fashion choices. But for women, there is another trait that is vital in figuring out if they'll get on with someone or not the person's scent. Women, scientists say, can tell if they're going to be friends with another woman within just four minutes of meeting them and they're guided by smell as much as any other sense. The research on friendship formation from Cornell University, New York, adds to understanding of the complex picture of what goes on when meeting someone for the first time. Choosing to look at platonic interactions rather than romantic ones, the researchers captured the individual scents of heterosexual women on T-shirts. The scientists decided to capture what they called 'diplomatic' odour the scent shaped by someone through the many choices they make every day, instead of capturing 'natural' odour a smell isolated from products, pets, and other environmental factors. Women, scientists from Cornell University, New York, say, can tell if they're going to be friends with another woman within just four minutes of meeting them and they're guided by smell as much as any other sense Women were then asked to judge each other's friend potential based on their smell alone, before meeting them in person for a four minute 'speed-friending' chat. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found that the smell-only evaluations paralleled in-person evaluations: if a participant judged someone as having high friend potential based on smell, their evaluation of that person after four minutes was similarly high. Study co-author Professor Vivian Zayas, from Cornell's psychology department, said: 'People take a lot in when they're meeting face to face. But scent which people are registering at some level, though probably not consciously forecasts whether you end up liking this person.' After the women met face-to-face, they were asked to re-evaluate the smells. The results of this stage suggested that the quality of the in-person interactions had an effect on their perception of each other's smell. Professor Zayas said the consistency of each woman's judgments of smell was 'remarkable'. 'Everybody showed they had a consistent signature of what they liked,' she said. 'And the consistency was not that, in the group, one person smelled really bad and one person smelled really good it was idiosyncratic.' A senior Army commander was suspended after the Wisconsin fort she ran failed to post photos of Donald Trump, JD Vance and Pete Hegseth on her base's chain-of-command board. The Pentagon has had a chaotic past week, with several top staffers let go following an investigation into leaks. Hegseth has consistently tried to lay down the law on insubordination, having previously fired a Space Force commander stationed in Greenland after appearing to distance herself from comments made by the vice president. On Sunday, the Defense Secretary retweeted a story about the suspension of Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez. 'Commander of Fort McCoy, whose base chain-of-command board was missing photos of Trump, Vance and Hegseth, has been SUSPENDED,' the post from Breitbart reporter Katrina Wong read. Ramirez is what's known as the Garrison Commander at Fort McCoy, responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of a military installation. A social media post a week ago showing black, blank photo frames where Trump, Vance and Hegseth should be made waves on social media and led to a Defense Department investigation, Task & Purpose reported. The military outlet noted that there was speculation that Ramirez made the omissions on purpose but it was never confirmed. Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez (pictured) was suspended after the Wisconsin fort she ran had a blank top of its chain-of-command board launched an investigation Photos of Donald Trump (pictured), JD Vance and Pete Hegseth were missing from her base's chain-of-command board Fort McCoy's Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Reinert did not make any connections in a statement. 'Col. Sheyla Baez Ramirez has been suspended as Garrison Commander at Fort McCoy. This suspension is not related to any misconduct. We have no further details to provide at this time while this matter is under review,' he said. The Army Reserves had said on April 14 that the chain-of-command board was a victim of vandals, not naming Ramirez whatsoever. 'The Fort McCoy leadership team and the Army Reserve were unaware of the vandalism of the leadership board at a building at Fort McCoy, WI. Once it was brought to their attention, the leadership at Fort McCoy took immediate action to correct it.' When Ramirez was suspended, the Army Reserves put out the same statement as Reinert had for Fort McCoy. Ramirez had been promoted to garrison commander in July of 2024 after serving as chief of the Army Reserves at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Pentagon for comment. If confirmed this was over the chain-of-command board, Ramirez would be the second official disciplined over insubordination. On Sunday, Hegseth (pictured) retweeted a story about the suspension of Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez A social media post a week ago showing black, blank photo frames where Trump, Vance and Hegseth should be made waves on social media and led to a Defense Department investigation Just ten days ago, a Space Force commander was fired after she sent out an email distancing herself from Vice President JD Vance's criticism of Denmark's oversight of Greenland. Vance blasted Denmark as he pushed for Greenland to become independent on a visit to the territory in late March, as Donald Trump seeks to acquire it for the United States, including a visit to Pituffik Space Base. 'This has to happen, and the reason, I hate to say it, is because our friends in Denmark have not done their job in keeping this area safe,' he said. Days later, Colonel Susannah Meyers, who runs Pituffik Space Base and was photographed with Vance and his wife Usha during the visit, sent out an email to staffers appearing to rebuke the vice president's comments. 'I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the U.S. administration discussed by Vice President Vance are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base,' Meyers wrote, according to Military.com. Weeks later, the Space Force sent out a press release announcing that Meyers 'was removed from command' over 'loss of confidence in her ability to lead.' 'Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties,' a spokesperson added. Colonel Shawn Lee has assumed command. The board was also missing a photo of Vice President Vance (pictured left) The Pentagon fired four former top staffers after a department investigation into leaks Meyers' email was written to both troops and civilians who work on the base, some of whom are from Canada, Denmark and Greenland and its veracity confirmed by the Space Force. She told them she 'spent the weekend thinking about Friday's visit - the actions taken, the words spoken, and how it must have affected each of you' before slamming the vice president. 'I commit that, for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly -- together,' Meyers added. The Pentagon also fired four former top staffers after a department investigation into leaks. Two million Australians are expected to withdraw money from an ATM today in a bid to prevent the country from becoming a cashless society, organisers claim. The initiative, known as 'Cash Out Day', is led by Jason Bryce from advocacy group Cash Welcome and demands hard cash remain a viable payment option. The first Cash Out Day was held last year, which Mr Bryce claimed sent a strong message to banks, leading many to commit to keeping branches open. The protest was also followed by a government commitment to a cash mandate, set to take effect in January 2026. Under that mandate, businesses that sell essential items like groceries and fuel must accept cash as payment. 'People power works. We took a stand and showed how much popular support cash enjoys - and the politicians and banks responded,' Mr Bryce said. 'The cash mandate will allow 97 per cent of retailers to go cashless.' He suggested the cash mandate should be extended to all retailers, not just those selling 'essential' goods and services. Cash Welcome expects two million Australians to participate in todays Cash Out Day Mr Bryce expects two million Australians will visit an ATM on Tuesday to withdraw money. Last year, an estimated 1.6 million people withdrew cash, totaling around $500million. Cash use in Australia has steadily declined over the past decade, a trend that accelerated sharply following the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Reserve Bank data, the number of in-person cash transactions halved between 2019 and 2022, from 32 per cent of transactions to 16 per cent. Currently, cash makes up about 10 per cent of all transactions, with projections suggesting it could fall to just 7 per cent by 2030. Meanwhile, debit and credit card payments have remained strong, with debit card usage increasing over the same period. Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock has previously commented on the future of cash in Australia. Between 2017 and 2023, 37 per cent of all bank branches across Australia were closed. In February, she predicted cash would likely remain in use for 'probably another 10 years' and urged policymakers to 'develop a sustainable system for distributing cash as usage continues to decline.' Bank branches and ATMs have also seen a sharp decline, with 37 per cent of all bank branches closing between 2017 and 2023, with 59 per cent of ATMs shutting in the same time period. Mr Bryce started a Change.org petition calling on the government to introduce an Australian cash and banking guarantee, which has gained over 200,000 signatures. The petition calls for 'all Australians [to] have reasonable local access to cash and full banking services,' and insists that 'all Australians must be able to choose cash when paying for food and essentials at physical retailers.' 'Millions of Australian consumers and businesses trust and rely on cash for their everyday needs and for budgeting purposes,' the petition argues. 'Even Australians that don't attend banks or use cash regularly need access to face-to-face banking services and physical money sometimes,' it adds. The Australian Banking Association has said that cash 'will continue to be available and accessible to those who wish to use it.' 'Whilst Australians are using less and less cash, we are not going to be cashless,' an ABA spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. Cash use across Australia has plummeted since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 Cash Welcome was approached by Daily Mail Australia for comment. Michelle and Barack Obama have made a show of unity after being spotted on a romantic date night at one of their favorite Italian restaurants in Washington DC. The couple was all smiles as they made their way through the busy Osteria Mozza in Georgetown on the weekend, stopping to wave at patrons as they swatted away rumors of marital woes. Former President Obama shook hands with a worker at the Italian eatery, where a main course ranges between $34 to $175. It comes as the couple have been forced to deny rumors and speculation that they could be headed for divorce. Barack flashed a few smiles, and raised his hand to wave at the gawking customers as Michelle walked on, head slightly bowed and face unchanged, in front of him. The Obamas were met with cheers at the restaurant, which has become a favorite for the couple since it opened in 2024. The former president was seen dining at the Washington hotspot just a day before President Trump's inauguration. Michelle was not with him on that occasion, and did not attend the ceremony. Other patrons were in awe during their recent visit, with video of the sweet moment capturing guests repeatedly saying 'oh my God' in amongst the cheers. The couple was all smiles as they made their way through the busy Osteria Mozza in Georgetown, stopping to wave at patrons as they swatted away rumors of marital woes The Obamas were met with cheers at the restaurant, which has become a favorite for the couple since it opened in 2024 Michelle looked classy in a grey blazer and jeans, while Barack wore a casual black shirt and matching jacket. Prior to this outing, Barack was last seen with Michelle in December, nearly five months ago. 'Now the haters can take a rest that was worried about their marriage. They will always be my President and First Lady,' one supporter said after the video went viral. Others pointed out that the couple must 'love that spot' given they're 'always there.' In addition to Barack's visit in January, Michelle has also eaten at the swanky 'California-style Italian' restaurant before. She hosted a 10-person holiday dinner for her team back in November, just two weeks after the restaurant opened in Washington DC's Georgetown neighborhood. Her decision not to attend President Jimmy Carter's funeral or the Inauguration - which both took place in January - sparked concerns about the duo's relationship. Barack recently also revealed he was in a 'deep deficit' with his wife and has been trying to 'dig his way out by doing fun things.' The former first lady addressed the speculation during a recent interview with actress Sophia Bush for an episode of her podcast Work in Progress. The couple have both separately dined at the restaurant before, prompting eagle-eyed social media fans to query whether it was their favorite restaurant Michelle's decision not to attend President Jimmy Carter's funeral or the Inauguration - which both took place in January - sparked concerns about her relationship The couple who met as young lawyers working for the same Chicago firm in 1989 celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in October and shared a photo of them hugging each other at a museum in New York The couple was all smiles as they made their way through the busy Osteria Mozza in Georgetown on the weekend, stopping to wave at patrons as they swatted away rumors of marital woes 'That's the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people,' she said. 'So much so that this year people were, you know, they couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing. 'That this couldn't be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?' Her 61st birthday was three days before the inauguration. The former president posted a picture of them together to mark Michelle's special day. The couple who met as young lawyers working for the same Chicago firm in 1989 celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in October and shared a photo of them hugging each other at a museum in New York. I couldnt have asked for a better partner and friend to go through life with,' Barack wrote in a message accompanying the photo. She echoed the sentiment, adding: 32 action-packed years with my honey! Through it all, thank you for always having my back, being by my side, and finding ways to make me smile. I love you, @Barack Obama. Barack and Michelle Obama shared tributes and never before seen photos on Instagram on their 30th anniversary The Obamas put out a public display of affection on X to mark the former first lady's 61st birthday in January amid speculation they could be headed to divorce Former President Barack Obama (left) tried to silence divorce gossip by posting this photo for former first lady Michelle Obama's (right) birthday on January 17th The Obamas also attempted to quash speculation about their marriage by posting a romantic selfie smiling and embracing on Instagram for Valentine's Day. 'Thirty-two years together and you still take my breath away. Happy Valentines Day, Michelle Obama!' the Democrat wrote in a social media caption. Michelle shared the same photo, adding: 'If there's one person I can always count on, it's you, Barack Obama. You're my rock. Always have been. Always will be. Happy Valentine's Day, honey!' And in her latest podcast episode with Tracee Ellis Ross and her brother Craig Robinson, the trio spoke about what it was like when she first started dating Barack. Robinson revealed that he felt that when Michelle and Barack Obama began dating, he did not think the relationship would last a month. 'I've told this story many times about when you first started dating Barack. So Mich starts to date Barack, and we don't know who this guy is, we're just like, 'Barack? Who's got a name like Barack?' And I'm thinking it's gonna last a month like most of your relationships,' Robinson said chuckling, adding that he felt the relationship was 'not going to last.' Michelle Obama stressed to her listeners that marriage was difficult. 'Marriage is hard and it is reasonably hard, you know, it's the right kind of hard but don't get upset when it's hard,' she said. 'The reality is that if you choose to have a traditional marriage and you have kids let me tell you the years from one to 13 will be bad for you as an adult,' she said. 'It's beautiful but they will take you for a loop.' London's Notting Hill Carnival is at risk of a Hillsborough-scale 'mass-casualty event', Sir Sadiq Khan has been warned. A police and crime committee for The London Assembly said the Met had consistently raised concerns about the occasion, which sees at least one million people gather on the streets of west London every August bank holiday weekend. Met assistant commissioner, Matt Twist, explained crowd density was 'probably the most concerning element' of the event, The Times reports. He added: 'We [had] to step in a number of times in order to reduce the crowd density in order to save life.' Scotland Yard previously said 'unacceptable violence' had marred last year's carnival. The comments came as one mother, Cher Maximen, 32, was fatally stabbed in front of her daughter on 'Family Day', while a Dubai-based chef called Mussie Imnetu, 41, was beaten to death during an altercation. Two men were subsequently convicted. In addition, the event saw eight non-fatal stabbings reported. London mayor Sadiq Khan was urged by the committee to commission a review into crowd safety and density. Residents and businesses praised the 'amazing' carnival weekend and claimed the celebration was 'great for community spirit' A police officer takes a picture of revellers Notting Hill is one of the longest-running street parties in the UK and celebrates Caribbean culture with vividly costumed performers taking part in a parade through the streets with dancing and music This would include an examination of 'pinch points' to inform stewarding requirements. Committee chairman Susan Hall said: 'The Met told us there is a real possibility of a mass-casualty event, and we cannot stand by and wait for a tragic incident to happen: action must be taken.' Last year, Met commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, said: 'Even though there are crime risks, we are more worried about the crowd risks ... We try to reduce the risk of a Hillsborough-type [disaster] but we're mitigating something that is unsatisfactory.' The organisers of the carnival said they were pleased at the agreement that an independent review should be undertaken and that the first stage of a report had been delivered and was being reviewed by partners. A spokesman for Sir Sadiq said: 'An independent review is underway.' Pictures from the most recent carnival revealed the efforts of council teams to tidy up the mountains of rubbish left in the aftermath as cleaners worked through the night to restore the streets. Workers in hi viz jackets were seen out in the early hours of Tuesday morning clearing huge piles of food packages, drink cans and six tonnes of laughing gas canisters. The rubbish had amassed after two million revellers partied in the area across the bank holiday weekend in the celebration of Caribbean culture, as vividly costumed performers took part in parades through the streets with dancing and music. Kensington and Chelsea Council (RBKC) said around 30 per cent of the rubbish collected would be recycled, with waste from toilets being composted A Samba dancer performs ahead of the Notting Hill Carnival parade in London Police watch as revellers attend Notting Hill Carnival. Notting Hill is one of the longest-running street parties in the UK In the aftermath of the event, 200 operatives and 30 waste trucks cleared 330 tonnes of rubbish - 30 more than last year - to leave the streets looking good as new. The mammoth clean-up took place after police revealed they had arrested at least 330 people in connection with incidents at the Carnival - with three people including a 32-year-old mother left fighting for their lives. But residents and businesses praised the 'amazing' carnival weekend and claimed the celebration was 'great for community spirit'. Anna Stark, 86, who said she had lived just off Ladbroke Grove for 15 years, commented: 'Personally, I really enjoy Carnival. 'My family comes here and we make a weekend of it - enjoying the music and the atmosphere. 'Sometimes I watch from my window, and sometimes I go out and join in. 'It's lovely to see young people having fun. And they often appreciate seeing an older person enjoying herself. 'The police are brilliant - and the cleanup is always efficient. I know there have been some stabbings this year - which is always worrying. But I don't feel unsafe.' A man who appears to be in his 60s has been accused of sexually touching a 13-year-old girl on a train, prompting cops to launch a manhunt. NSW Police released three images of the man accused of touching the teenager while travelling on a T4 Cronulla line service between Miranda and Kirrawee in south Sydney, around 8.30am to 9.30am on March 5. The man is described as being white, in his 60s with a medium build and grey hair. He was last seen wearing a brown and green striped shirt with cream-coloured shorts and white runners. Anyone who recognises the man or has information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers om 1800 333 000. Police want to speak with a man, believed to be in his 60s, after a teenage girl was sexually touched on a Sydney train An investigation has been launched into the vicious murder of a man in Ecuador's Amazon rainforest, allegedly carried out by a baying mob seeking justice over an alleged shooting. The crowd allegedly lynched the man, who has been identified in local reports as a British national, and burned him alive after storming a police station where he had been taken into custody. The unnamed male, widely reported to be 'English', was held by uniformed officers on suspicion of shooting a local man dead, reports said. But six hours after his arrest a crowd stormed the police station, dragged him onto the street and and set him alight in front of officers who said they were afraid to intervene. A source told MailOnline that the UK's Foreign Office is following up on these reports, and that it is working with local authorities to confirm details of the man's murder. Respected Ecuadorian newspaper Ecuavisa said the horror killing happened in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve in Ecuador's Amazon region, which is a popular eco-tourism area. It is the second largest reserve of the South American country's 56 national parks and protected areas, and is located in the Putamayo Canton in Sucumbios Province. The British national is said to have been handed over to police by locals around 6am local time on Sunday before being murdered just after midday. Do you know what happened? Email: perkin.amalaraj@mailonline.co.uk A picture of the reportedly British man when he was in police custody. His identity has been obscured pending formal identification A British man is alleged to have been lynched in Ecuador after being linked to the shooting of a member of the local community (pictured: crowds gathered at what is thought to be the scene of the shooting) The victim of the shooting is taken from the scene Ecuadorian newspaper Extra reported officers who arrested him decided not to intervene when a baying mob forced their way into the police station ahead of his transfer out of the area. They stood back, the newspaper said, in order to avoid being attacked themselves and to avoid additional damage to state property. It said police reinforcements had taken time to reach the area because of its remoteness and difficult access. A local TV station, reporting on the two deaths, said: 'In the early hours of Sunday, April 20, in the parish of Playas de Cuyabeno, at the closure of an event that took place for the anniversary of the Kichwa community, an incident occurred where as a result two people died. 'Those two people were a community member from the area and another person of British nationality who died due to the severity of his burns.' The Ecuadorian man killed has been named locally as Rodrigo Chavez. A third man was reportedly arrested over the Briton's killing. Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo reported that police were yet to issue a statement, as they were still gathering information on the case. Violence in the Amazonian province where the lynching reportedly happened has dramatically escalated as gangs demonstrate their brutal influence, leaving behind bullet-ridden and tied up bodies, with victims often showing signs of torture. Local authorities declared a state of emergency last year after 159 people were killed in Sucumbios alone, a nearly 70 per cent increase in violent deaths in the region, most of which police say are gang-related as the groups battle for territory. The Foreign Office warns against 'all but essential travel' to scenic areas around the Ecuador-Colombia border like the Sucumbios province 'due to the presence of organised crime linked to the production and trafficking of drugs'. Latin America has for decades been synonymous with the drug trade thanks to ruthless cartels and criminal gangs whose power and brutality cannot by tamed by the government or the armed forces. Some countries like Ecuador had managed to remain relatively peaceful for decades, despite bordering the notorious cocaine hotspots of Colombia and Peru. But the coastal nation has seen murder rates soar in recent years as drug lords and criminal masterminds dug their hooks into fresh territory and exploited its ports for maximum profit. Investment property owners are warned Labor could tamper with negative gearing should it be forced to rely on the Greens to form a minority government. Labor has vowed to leave the tax breaks untouched if it wins the May 3 election, but if the ALP does not win enough seats to govern in its own right, it would need to negotiate with the Greens and other crossbench MPs. Greens leader Adam Bandt has declared he would make Labor reform negative gearing as a price to get other bills passed, potentially forcing Anthony Albanese to break that election promise. Mr Bandt has asked Treasury and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to prepare briefs on that minority government scenario, factoring in the Greens policy of restricting negative gearing where landlords can claim rental losses on tax. The Greens want that tax break - and the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount when selling an investment home - limited to just one property for existing investors, and have vowed to scrap it altogether for future purchases. 'The Greens will make reforming negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount a priority in the next Parliament, including when there's a minority government,' he said. Mr Bandt told the ABC Insiders program on Easter Sunday the Greens needed departmental advice on implementing its housing policies. 'With the experts saying we're heading for a minority Parliament - every chance of that - given we know that the departments are looking at things like negative gearing and capital gains tax, let's do the work now to get the policy work done so that we can put some of those ideas on the table and have a discussion about them in the early days of the next Parliament,' he said. Greens leader Adam Bandt has asked Treasury and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to prepare briefs on a possible minority government, after his party unveiled a new policy of restricting negative gearing and the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount to just one property for existing investors Should Labor need the Greens to form government, the ALP could be facing a re-run of the 2010 election when the Greens and independents forced it to introduce a carbon tax - which did much to destroy the political standing of then prime minister Julia Gillard. Michael Sukkar, the Opposition's housing spokesman, said stopping investors from using negative gearing tax breaks would ultimately reduce the number of homes available to rent at at time when there was already a shortage, pushing up prices. 'Where you tax housing more, you get fewer homes and you get higher rents,' he told Insiders host David Speers. 'You'll have fewer homes built because of higher taxes and rents will increase - that will be terrible for renters and terrible for first-home buyers too who in the end will have fewer homes to choose from.' Property Council of Australia chief executive Mike Zorba said restricting negative gearing would reduce the supply of new homes during a housing shortage crisis. 'We are in the middle of a housing crisis, and the only way to get out of it is to build more homes,' he said. 'Tampering with negative gearing will only lower the supply of new homes.' Adam Hubbard, a senior wealth strategist with buyers' agent Metropole, said the Greens had failed to address the undersupply of new homes, based on expensive building costs and planning restrictions. Property Council of Australia chief executive Mike Zorba said restricting negative gearing would compromise the supply of new homes during a housing shortage crisis (pictured is a Sydney auction) 'While the intentions behind the Greens' proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax are aligned with making housing more affordable, the strategy misses the mark by not addressing the root cause of the crisis - insufficient housing supply,' he said. 'Effective solutions should enhance the construction of new homes and improve the efficiency of the housing market, not just reshuffle taxation policies.' Mr Bandt argued housing became unaffordable in the early 2000s after John Howard's Coalition government in 1999 introduced a 50 per cent capital gains tax discount for investors. The policy pushed more investors in the housing market, reducing the number of homes available to first home-buyers and causing price growth to outstrip wage increases. 'In the late 1990s, John Howard with a capital gains tax discount really lit a fire under the housing market, put a big time bomb there,' he said. In 1999, Sydney's median house price of $272,500 cost 6.9 times Australia's average, full-time salary. In 2025, Sydney's mid-point of $1.474million is 14 times an average, full-time salary. The median capital city house price of $1.008million is now 9.8 times the average full-time wage of $102,742, CoreLogic data shows. Labor went to the 2019 election with similar policies the Greens have now - vowing to scrap negative gearing for future purchases of existing properties and halve the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount. Mr Albanese shelved those policies soon after replacing Bill Shorten as Labor leader. But now government backbenchers have been arguing in favour of restricting the tax breaks for investor landlords, with MPs Graham Perrett and Josh Burns going on the record calling for changes to existing negative gearing rules. Labor's plan to build 1.2million homes over five years is falling short. Last year's home building completion rate of 177,313 was well below the 240,000 annual level needed to fulfill the government's target. Labor has promised that all first home buyers will be able to get a mortgage with a five per cent deposit, with taxpayers underwriting the rest of the 20 per cent deposit that banks demand. Mr Sukkar rebuffed a suggestion the Coalition's plan would benefit high-income earners, and said it would remove existing financial hurdles. 'They can't service a mortgage and therefore they can't get finance and the deposit hurdle is too high,' he said. 'Our plan is the only plan that seeks to address both.' Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is proposing to allow first-home buyers to claim interest repayments as a tax deduction on mortgages up to $650,000 for five years if it's a new property. A leading Australian criminal psychologist suspects police knew there was more to the death of Audrey Griffin than they initially let on when they said it appeared to be unsuspicious. A man has now been charged with the murder of the 19-year-old more than a month after she was found dead in a creek. The partially-submerged body was discovered in Erina Creek on the NSW Central Coast on March 24, having last been seen the night before as she left a nearby pub following a night out with friends. Her death was not publicly announced as suspicious at the time, as a preliminary autopsy indicated Ms Griffin had drowned. However, after further investigations, police charged Adrian Torrens, 53, with murder at Surry Hills in inner-Sydney on Monday afternoon. 'Police will allege the man had a physical altercation with the victim,' a NSW Police statement read. Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro told Daily Mail Australia a death can sometimes be proclaimed as unsuspicious in order to 'flush out people' who might otherwise flee or go to ground if they think police are hunting for the suspect. 'It's very hard to get into the police's heads but I would say it may have been a tactical decision,' Mr Watson-Munro said. Audrey Griffin's body was pulled from Erina Creek on the NSW Central Coast on March 24 Police charged Adrian Torrens with murder on Monday 'The police will do whatever it takes, lawfully.... quite often they withhold information. 'They've now found a body and have arrested someone so it could have been a tactic to flush out (suspects), thinking the heat's off. They may have had information they didn't want out there.' Mr Watson-Munro, who has analysed some of Australia's most prolific and violent criminals including underworld figure Alphonse Gangitano and mass murderer Julian Knight, said the police tactic of not releasing all known information plays an important role in investigations. 'When people are arrested they think, where did this come from, not knowing there's been an investigation for a long time before the actual arrests,' he said. 'You look at Samantha Murphy in Ballarat. People have been carrying on because the police have been saying very little. Obviously, the police know more than they're releasing to the public. 'The problem is if they release too much information you've got all these armchair detectives that colour the water and interfere with the investigation. 'Police will gather all the information they need before they (charge).' Torrens was also charged with 11 unrelated domestic violence offences. He did not apply for bail in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday and it was formally refused. Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro suspects police knew more than they were letting on when talking about the death of Audrey Griffin Ms Griffin was last seen leaving a pub following a night out with friends It is understood Ms Griffins and Torrens were not known to each other. The arrest occurred just days after police released an image of a man they wished to speak to in relation to Ms Griffin's death. Police reiterated at the time that it was not believed the man was involved in her death. 'We are not implicating that this man was somehow involved in the incident, we have no indication of that,' Brisbane Water Detective Acting Inspector Samantha Richards said. 'We're simply hoping he might have some information to help us piece together what has happened.' A South Korean national who helped orchestrate an elaborate high-end sex ring in the suburbs of Boston and Washington DC will serve prison time and faces deportation. Junmyung Lee, 32, who was living in Dedham, Massachusetts was the appointment 'booker' who vetted and scheduled thousands of sex-seeking clients - including high-profile politicians, CEOs, scientists and defense contractors. From at least January 2022 to November 2023, Junmyung conspired alongside Han Lee, 42, and James Lee, 69, to run the illicit interstate network, according to the US Attorney's Office. Han Lee was the ringleader of the group that catered to wealthy and established men, but all three brothel managers were arrested and charged in November 2023. In October 2024, Junmyung pleaded guilty to to one count of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice and coerce one or more individuals to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in prostitution and one count of money laundering conspiracy. Boston US District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick sentenced him to one year in prison, followed by a year of supervised release. After serving his sentence, Junmyung 'is subject to deportation,' the US Attorney's Office wrote in a press release. He was also ordered to fork over $200,000, which is equal to the amount of money he earned from the brothel ring. Junmyung Lee, 32, was sentenced to one year in prison, followed by a year of supervised release. After that, he faces deportation (pictured: Junmyung, left, leaving court with his lawyer John Amabile) From at least January 2022 to November 2023, Junmyung conspired alongside Han Lee, 42, and James Lee, 69, to run the illicit interstate network (pictured: an ad from one of the brothel ring's websites) Junmyung managed the books of the business, meaning he scheduled and vetted its high-profile clients (pictured: his schedule) Last month, Han was sentenced to four years in prison and one year of supervised release after she gets out. James is set to be sentenced in May. Han reportedly paid Junmyung $6,000 to $8,000 every month to screen and book customers to see prostitutes mainly in the Boston and eastern Virginia areas. The scheme generated more than $5.6 million in revenue from about 9,450 'sex dates' scheduled by Junmyung. He used at least two cell phones to connect with clients, each of with had more than 2,800 verified customers of the illegal operation. Another cell phone used for a Virginia brothel was never recovered, according to the US Attorney's Office. Sex buyers reportedly paid about $350 to $600 per hour depending on what kind of services they booked. These sleazy profits were laundered through money orders and third-party bank accounts. Aside from scheduling clients, Junmyung moved brothel workers to and from the airport. Sex buyers reportedly paid about $350 to $600 per hour depending on what kind of services they booked (pictured: evidence collected by investigators) James Lee (pictured) has not been sentenced yet, but has pleaded guilty. He will learn his fate in May Cambridge police testified in court last month for the hearings of the accused sex buyers (pictured: Cambridge Police Department Detective Michael J. Alpers, left, and Lt. Jarred Cabral, right) Some of those women allegedly worked across various states on several occasions. Junmyung, Han and James rented luxury apartments to serve as brothel sites for the escorts to meet their clients. In June 2022, Junmyung reportedly rented a Cambridge, Massachusetts, apartment under his own name. For compensation, Han paid him 'a large cash payment of prostitution proceeds' - which Junmyung used to by a flashy Corvette, later used as evidence. Along with the Lees, all non-related, who ran the scandalous business, 28 suspected sex buyers were called to court last month. 'They are doctors, they are lawyers, they're accountants, they are executives at high-tech companies, pharmaceutical companies, they're military officers, government contractors, professors, scientists,' US Attorney Joshua Levy said at the time of the bust, in November 2023. 'Pick a profession, they're probably represented in this case. Business is booming, until today.' These men include prominent Boston doctor Dr. Mitchell Rubenstein of Chestnut Hill, who was placed on leave from his position as Executive Vice Chair for the Department of Dermatology at Brigham and Womens Hospital. Han Lee (pictured), was the ringleader of the operation and is currently serving for years in prison According to the document, the 'menu' listed sexual services available, the hourly rate and the women available (pictured: one of the escorts on the website) Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner (pictured) was said to have paid for sex at least 13 times and was linked to the 'brothel phone' more than 430 times over seven months Police said Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner was said to have paid for sex at least 13 times and was linked to the 'brothel phone' more than 430 times over seven months. Mathew Fulton, who has ties to MIT, also traded cash for sex, according to Cambridge police. 'Fulton agreed with another that is user of the brothel phone to engage in commercial sex with an unidentified female with the stage name Tiki for 60 minutes for the price of $540,' Cambridge Police Lt. Jarred Cabral said at a hearing last month. Former Massachusetts General Hospital oncologist Dr. James Cusack is among the bunch as well, Boston 25 News reported. Anurag Bajpayee, the CEO of billion-dollar wastewater treatment firm Gradient was also identified in court documents. Additionally, authorities claimed radiologist Jason Han paid for the one-hour 'girlfriend experience' that 'blurs the boundaries between a financial transaction and a romantic relationship.' Others named in the case are Mark Zhu, Kerry Wu, John Doran, David LaCava, Boya Zhou, Peter MacGillivray, Yihong Zou, Pablo Domingo Maceira, Jonathan Lanfear, Pinhao Chao and Patrick Walsh. Predictable fury erupted when those men tried to keep the hearings closed to the public in a bid to conceal their identities. They claimed they had a right to privacy. All face misdemeanor charges and none of the men have been arrested. Advocates for prostitutes argue doxing the men can help shame them, serving as a warning to others (pictured: a protestor outside Cambridge district court last month) Junmyung used at least two cell phones to connect with clients, each of with had more than 2,800 verified customers of the illegal operation (pictured: phone evidence collected by investigators) Junmyung bought a flashy Corvette (pictured) with money Han paid him for leasing an apartment to use as a brothel Such crimes are normally dealt with in Massachusetts by 'show-cause' hearings, which are usually private, which has sparked anger over a lack of transparency. Multiple media outlets challenged requests to hold the hearings in private, with Massachusetts' State Supreme Court ultimately ruling they should be held in public. Those accused face a charge of paying for sex, which is unlikely to result in jail time if they're convicted. But advocates for prostitutes argue doxing the men can help shame them, serving as a warning to others. Protestors and advocates also believe this lowers the demand for sex workers, many of whom are trafficked. The original affidavit in the case said the sex workers were advertised for commercial sex via two websites under the guise of professional nude photo shoots. The affidavit also shows a text message sent from a phone related to the operation in Massachusetts which includes a 'menu.' According to the document, the 'menu' listed sexual services available, the hourly rate and the women available. The term 'BB' is a term used in the prostitution industry to refer to unsafe sex, and that 'GFE' relates to a 'Girlfriend Experience,' according to an affidavit. Established Massachusetts doctors were caught up in the scheme as sex-seeking clients Authorities claimed radiologist Jason Han (pictured) paid for the one-hour 'girlfriend experience' There were reportedly two websites operating to promote the ring's offerings (pictured: a grab from one of the sites) One of the websites was focused on the Boston area, and directed customers to numerous addresses, while another was aimed at areas in Virginia. On the Boston website, the opening page shows a photograph of an Asian woman, with text saying: 'Here to serve our wonderful Boston friends. Your character is in your writing. 'Please Dont Knock on the Door!! Be on time [sic] cant guarantee your wasted time.' The site also adds the height, weight and bust size of multiple Asian women who were available for appointments. The women shown on the site were frequently changed and updated, according to the affidavit. The group are said to have had three apartments inside one building in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well another one in Watertown. In Virginia, the ring is said to have operated out of two apartment buildings in the towns of Fairfax, and Tysons. 'Han Lee and her co-conspirators crafted an elaborate scheme to set up an interstate commercial sex network and to hide their activity by laundering the proceeds,' Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol said last month. 'This secretive and covert industry treats women like commodities and provides no protection for the safety and wellbeing of the participants.' The ex-boyfriend of socialite Brynne Edelsten has sworn vengeance against the men who brutally murdered a father of six in a shocking public execution. Ruka Carlson, 30, was punched, kicked and stabbed to death on Chapel Street in Melbourne's trendy South Yarra on Easter Sunday. On Tuesday, Brynne's former lover Cemre Volkan, also known simply as 'Red', pledged revenge against the five men believed responsible for his mate's murder. 'My beautiful brother, A big heart, caring, generous amazing man! I lost you in my arms!' he wrote on Instagram. 'The pain I'm feeling I can't describe! I love you so much and I will never forget you! No-one could ever match your caliber! RIP my brother. The dogs will PAY.' Volkan's warning came as horrific video of the attack was posted on independent journalist Ryan Naumenko's Outlaw Media news site. The video appears to show Carlson mobbed by attackers in the middle of an intersection on Chapel Street. Naumenko further alleged Carlson had been a patched member of The Finks outlaw motorcycle gang. Socialite Brynne Edelsten and Cemre Volkan in happier times Volkan has sworn vengeance against those that killed his mate Carlson's killers remained on the run on Tuesday as police worked to determine whether the attack was targeted. He and his fiance had shared six children aged between less than a year old to nine years old. Volkan has continued to pop-up across mainstream media in the years since he split from Brynne shortly after their whirlwind romance began in 2014. Now sporting an incredibly muscular physique, Volkan describes himself as a 'Genetically Engineered Man'. He had hooked-up with Brynne in the months after her very public split with the now deceased and disgraced former doctor Geoffrey Edelsten. In 2017, the Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard Volkan threatened to send allegedly incriminating videos of the reality star to the media if she did not withdraw charges against him. Volkan had pleaded not guilty to 11 charges, including perverting the course of justice, stalking and assaulting Brynne. Brynne told the court then the couple had a 'rollercoaster' relationship, which continued for almost a year after their public breakup in August 2015. 'It was fire and ice. It was up and down it was very good, then very bad,' she said at the time. Geoffrey Edelsten and Brynne in 2013 Brynne and Cemre in happier times Brynne Edelsten, as she was known at the time, appeared on Dancing With The Stars The court heard the pair would often have explosive arguments that resulted in them exchanging hurtful and rude text messages. In 2011, he was jailed for four months for trafficking ecstasy and possessing methylamphetamines. In 2018, Volkan copped just under two years after he was caught in what a court described as an 'Aladdins cave' of drugs, cash and weapons. In 2023 he landed back in court after he assaulted a parking inspector. The then 31-year-old was slapped with an 18-month community corrections order in which he was ordered to complete 100 hours of community work. Online tributes continued to flow for his mate Carlson on Tuesday. It is understood Carlson had been on his way home when he was set upon by the cowardly thugs. Monique, who was due to marry Carlson in the coming months, told the Herald Sun his final words to her were that he loved her. Ruka Carlson was killed in cold blood on Sunday night Cemre Volkan used to date Brynne Edelsten Cemre Volkan has sworn vengeance 'Okay Im just eating now and Im coming home baby, I love you,' he had texted her. Monique remembered her fiance as 'the most beautiful soul on earth'. 'The most loving, caring, gentle father, our six kids and I are suffering immensely without him,' she told the publication. Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The mother of a young sportswoman whose body was found in a creek has shared details of their heartbreaking last conversation, while revealing she is dealing with another devastating family matter. Audrey Griffin, 19, was found dead in Erina Creek, on the NSW Central Coast, on the afternoon of March 24, after she had spent the previous night celebrating with friends at a Gosford pub. She was preparing to begin a 10-week officer training course in April with the Royal Australian Navy and visited the Central Coast - where she grew up - to see her grandparents and invite her friends to a farewell party in Sydney the next weekend. The teenager's mother, Kathleen Kirby, said the pair exchanged messages while she was in Gosford in which she told her she was proud of her and loved her very much. She said her daughter was a fit, intelligent and beautiful young woman who 'had the world at her feet'. Ms Kirby revealed to Daily Mail Australia she was already dealing with another painful family matter as her father was on his deathbed. Ms Griffin's death was not initially deemed as suspicious because a preliminary autopsy indicated she had drowned. However, following further inquiries, police have charged Adrian Noel Torrens, 53, with murder after he was arrested in Surry Hills, Sydney, on Monday. Audrey Griffin (left) and her mother Kathleen Kirby (right) shared a heartbreaking text exchange a day before her body was found in a Central Coast creek Adrian Noel Torrens, 53, has been charged with murder 'Police will allege the man had a physical altercation with the victim,' a NSW Police statement said. Torrens was also charged with 11 domestic violence offences unrelated to Ms Griffin's death. He did not apply for bail in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday and it was formally refused. His lawyer Bashir El Kheir told reporters the investigation is in its early stages and he was still trying to determine the allegations against his client. A spokesperson for Brisbane Water Police District said at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon that investigators wanted to provide answers for the family and the community. 'This has not sat well with us as investigators from the outset and that's why we stood up the strike-force.' 'There has been a number of lines of inquiry leading up to the arrest yesterday but, significantly, on Friday morning, we received information which transferred the case to a homicide investigation.' He said the accused is based in Sydney but has connections on the Central Coast. The breakthrough emerged just days after police released an image of a man they wanted to speak to in connection to Ms Griffin's death, but also stated he was not a suspect and foul play was not involved. Ms Griffin had left the Gosford Hotel about 2am and walked towards her father's house after unsuccessfully trying to get an Uber. Audrey Griffin's body was pulled from Erina Creek on the NSW Central Coast on March 24 Ms Griffin's family said the 19-year-old 'brought endless laughter and joy to everyone'. Pictured is Audrey visiting Japan Ms Kirby - who raised her daughter after she separated from Audrey's father - said she had spoken to her friends while walking and told them she was trying to hail a taxi. She said it appeared she took the longer route home along the water, rather than cutting through the centre of Gosford, because it would be easier find a cab. Ms Kirby said she 'just wants justice' for her daughter. A fortnight before her death, the popular and sporty teenager had travelled to New Zealand to compete in the gruelling ANZCO half-ironman event, which she completed in just over six-and-a-half hours. She has been remembered as a 'determined athlete, talented student and well-liked teenager'. 'She was the kindest soul to walk this earth and will always be in our hearts,' a GoFundMe for her family said. Ms Griffin was also a much-loved member of the Terrigal Sharks rugby league club along with the local water polo team and surf life saving clubs. After completing her HSC in 2023, Ms Griffin juggled training and a part-time job at Crown Plaza Terrigal along with study commitments at University of Technology Sydney. Torrens will next appear in court on June 20. Awkward footage captured a Teal MP turning her back on a reporter and refusing to answer her questions on live TV despite campaigning for greater transparency. Monique Ryan, who is defending her affluent seat of Kooyong in Melbourne's inner southeast, was confronted by Sky News host Laura Jayes in Malvern at 9am on Tuesday. Jayes had requested an interview with Dr Ryan prior to the confrontation, however her invitation had been rebuffed. Dr Ryan was standing outside an early voting centre and handing out flyers when she was unexpectedly forced to speak to the Sky News host. Jayes asked her for an update on her campaign and whether she believed it was okay for politicians to pay 'influencers' for sponsored content. The question came after it emerged fellow Teal MP Allegra Spender had not disclosed that she paid an Instagram influencer with more than 135,000 followers to endorse her. Ms Spender has since admitted to paying an agency and using influencers and content creators to make social media content. Dr Ryan repeatedly ignored Jayes' questions before lecturing the journalist for interrupting her campaigning. Teal MP Monique Ryan (left) turned her back on a reporter after being asked about the Teal paid content scandal Dr Ryan lectured the reporter for interrupting her campaigning as early voting polls opened 'I'm actually just trying to... I am here to engage with voters. We're in pre-poll,' Dr Ryan said. 'It's the middle of an election campaign. I'm not sure it's ideal for you to be interrupting that process. 'I have declined an interview with you already.' Jayes continued to question Dr Ryan for her opinion on political paid content, prompting the MP to turn her back. Dr Ryan's young media manager stepped in and told the reporter 'she's already declined an interview'. Ms Spender earlier said she had 'worked with an agency and a bunch of influencers and content creators to reach different audiences'. The Australian Electoral Commission has suggested influencer posts that have been paid for by politicians should be publicly disclosed. It said the change was needed to create transparency and help voters discern between a genuine endorsement and paid promotion. Laura Jayes had requested to chat with Dr Ryan prior to the confrontation, however her advances had been rebuffed Dr Ryan's latest brush comes just days after a leading spinal neurosurgeon was filmed tearing down one of her election signs. Footage circulated on social media this week showed Melbourne-based Professor Greg Malham ripping down the campaign board. In the middle of a dark street, the senior spinal neurosurgeon for Epworth Richmond can be seen placing the sign in his car as an unidentified woman asks if he had anything to say. Professor Malham raised a fist and said 'Go Trump'. The footage also included a shot at a different location where he removed the sign, trampled it and addressed the camera. 'Just finishing the job, boys. Always gotta bury the body. 'Just remember these tutorials. It is all about technique, Nigel. Always remember guys, good technique, then dispose of the evidence. 'Always remember boys, bury the body under concrete.' Elon Musk's controversial Department of Government Efficiency has been granted access to the sensitive data of millions of immigrants dating back to the 1990s. It is the latest extraordinary development in the Trump administration's far-reaching efforts to track down and deport illegal immigrants using any tools at the government's disposal. The Justice Department granted a DOGE request to the Executive Office for Immigration Review's Courts and Appeals System, known as ECAS, according to the Washington Post. This database contains names, addresses, immigration testimony and court records of countless migrants - both documented and undocumented. While there is no explicit number confirming how many people are impacted, the system is reportedly dealing with a backlog of 3.5million cases. This means that at an absolute minimum, DOGE staffers will now have access to unprecedented information about every single person and case. Beyond that, a source with knowledge of the ECAS accounts told the publication the system contains information about immigrants dating back to the 1990s. 'It's every record of every interaction immigrants have had with the U.S. government in any way,' the official said. Elon Musk 's controversial Department of Government Efficiency has been granted access to the sensitive data of millions of immigrants dating back to the 1990s This database contains names, addresses, immigration testimony and court records of countless migrants - both documented and undocumented The government insider went on to say that the immigrants' family members and their addresses are also included on a file, meaning the number could actually be far greater. Immigrants seeking asylum are often asked to participate in confidential interviews or provide testimony about their reasons for wanting to emigrate to America. That information is now at the disposal of Musk's henchmen. For undocumented migrants, their alien registration number is also accessible. The Justice Department granted around six DOGE personnel access - including 25-year-old Marko Elez. Elez was forced to resign from his government job back in February after a series of shocking social media posts emerged in which he boasted that he was 'racist before it was cool,' urged followers to 'normalize Indian hate,' and mused about repealing the Civil Rights Act. But Musk brought his young protege back into the fold just weeks later, writing on X: 'To err is human, to forgive divine,' echoing sentiments from Vice President J.D. Vance, who said 'stupid social media activity' should not 'ruin a kid's life.' Far from being sidelined, by late March Elez was embedded across multiple federal agencies, with access to troves of personal, medical, and employment data. Now, he's one of the people tasked with sifting through and examining the sensitive data of millions of vulnerable minorities and migrants. The Justice Department granted around six DOGE personnel access - including 25-year-old Marko Elez. Elez was forced to resign from his government job back in February after a series of shocking social media posts emerged in which he boasted that he was 'racist before it was cool' The Justice Department granted a DOGE request to Executive Office for Immigration Review's Courts and Appeals System, known as ECAS Immigrants seeking asylum are often asked to participate in confidential interviews or provide testimony about their reasons for wanting to emigrate to America Former hedge fund employee Adam Hoffman, and two employees who work at a private-equity firm with links to Musk, Payton Rehling and Jon Koval, have also been given approval. According to the Justice Department website, ECAS 'supports the full life cycle of an immigration case' and maintains 'all records and case-related documents in electronic format.' It comes amid the Trump administration's heightened efforts to track down illegal migrants, utilizing government institutions once considered off limits for such a purpose. Officials at the Internal Revenue Service agreed to hand over the tax data of undocumented migrants earlier this month, in a pivotal departure from previous protocol. The IRS had for decades assured undocumented migrants, who contribute tens of billions of dollars in tax revenue every year, that they are safe to file their tax returns without fear of being deported. Handing over such information could help the administration track down as many as seven million people suspected of being in the United States illegally. And the Social Security Administration has listed more than 6,000 immigrants as dead in a bid to encourage them to self deport - effectively canceling the social security numbers they had legally obtained. Without social security numbers, these people will no longer have access to their banks and credit cards, nor will they receive any government benefits. A man is in hospital under police guard facing a slew of charges over a terrifying 30-minute crime spree which included carjackings, a shooting and a fatal crash. Bradley Donald Towle, 41, is accused of causing a six-vehicle pile-up on a highway that killed a young woman, then shooting a good Samaritan who came to the aid of the motorists. Towle was allegedly driving a red Porsche Macan that police claimed caused the crashes on the Bruce Highway, north of Brisbane, on Monday. 'The driver of the Porsche Macan allegedly lost control of the vehicle and struck the passenger side of a Nissan Micra,' police said in a statement. A passenger in the Nissan - a 22-year-old woman from Upper Mount Gravatt - later died from injuries sustained in the crash at Palmview, on the Sunshine Coast. The Nissan's driver - a 22-year-old Strathpine man - was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Towle allegedly exited the Porsche armed with a gun and shot the 62-year-old driver of a SsangYong Rexton who had stopped to offer assistance, then stole his car. Bradley Donald Towle, 41, is accused of shooting a good Samaritan following the multi-vehicle collision that killed a 22-year-old woman. Towle was allegedly driving a red Porsche Macan that police claimed caused the six-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway, north of Brisbane, on Monday The good Samaritan was taken to hospital, while his car was found crashed at nearby Landsborough about 20 minutes later. Towle then allegedly stole a grey Mazda 3 being driven by a 16-year-old girl at gunpoint. The teenager and her parents ran from the vehicle and were not injured. Towle was arrested about 12.50pm on Monday at a Landsborough intersection on the Sunshine Coast, about 30 minutes after the fatal crash. A firearm was found inside the vehicle, police said. Towle sustained head and body injuries in the traffic incidents and was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, where he remained under police guard on Tuesday. Towle allegedly exited the Porsche armed with a gun and shot the driver of a SsangYong Rexton who stopped to offer assistance The Tewantin man has been charged with 15 offences. 'Investigations are continuing with further charges likely,' police said, urging anyone with information about the incidents to come forward. Towle's case was mentioned briefly in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The case was adjourned until Wednesday, with Towle set to be moved from the hospital to a police watchhouse. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been called out for using the Pope's death for political gain ahead of the May 3 federal election. Mr Albanese said he would pause his election campaign following the death of Pope Francis on Monday night, but after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton followed suit, the Prime Minister gave two public statements and took questions at a press conference. Mr Albanese gathered the press at Melbourne's Commonwealth Parliament Office on Tuesday to deliver another tribute to the Pope following his Monday night statement. Some voters were scathing of the Prime Minister for supposedly pausing a campaign then calling media events that gave him an opportunity to appear statesmanlike, and discuss his own beliefs. 'What a liar he is and it's just coming so natural to him. He needs to make an appointment with the next Pope and beg for forgiveness,' one person wrote. 'He just doesn't want to give Dutton any airtime. Nothing to do with the Pope,' another added. Mr Albanese paid his respects to the Pope in an address on Monday night, describing him as a 'great champion of the poor, St Francis of Assisi'. Anthony Albanese said he would cancel planned election campaigning due to the Pope's death but then hosted a press conference shortly after Pope Francis died on Monday after battling health issues in the past few months 'The Holy Father was one of the most consequential leaders of this century and of our lifetime. He was, indeed, the people's Pope,' he said in his Tuesday press conference. 'I will pause my other campaign-related events this morning. Today, flags will fly at half-mast on Commonwealth buildings right around Australia.' Mr Albanese then took questions from journalists who asked him about his Catholic faith. 'I say I was raised with three great faiths. I've said that a number of times,' Mr Albanese said, referring to the Catholic church, the Labor Party and the South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL team. 'What people do is they draw on who they are and certainly my Catholicism is just a part of me,' he said. While the discussion at his public appearances after the 'pause' were centred on the Pope's passing, some accused the Prime Minister of making political capital from it. 'Politicising the poor old Pope's passing to reduce Dutton's airtime and policy release. Nothing is off the table for this bloke,' one person wrote. Peter Dutton was at mass at St Mary's Cathedral after the death of Pope Francis 'Albo's pause is really a campaign tactic designed to make him look good with the Catholics. Therefore it's not really a pause, is it?' another said. Mr Dutton is not Catholic but also agreed to suspend his campaign, saying it was not a time for 'over-the-top politics'. 'Polling obviously opens today. There's a leaders debate tonight. I understand the Prime Minister is happy to proceed with that,' Mr Dutton said. While he confirmed he would cancel scheduled events, other candidates have continued with their public appearances in the lead up to the election. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles all hosted press conferences on Tuesday. Nationals Leader David Littleproud, shadow home affairs minister James Paterson and deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley also had planned campaign events. The Albanese Government announced it would legislate to guarantee paid parental leave for parents dealing with stillbirth or early infant death. Pre-polling opened for some seats on Tuesday, with voters across the country able to cast their votes ahead of the May 3 election. Former Neighbours actor Damien Richardson is not enjoying a surge in renewed fame years after his final appearance on the popular Aussie soap. On Tuesday, Richardson appeared in the Moorabbin Magistrates' Court after being charged under Victoria's anti-Nazi salute laws. Richardson was allegedly filmed doing a Nazi salute to a crowd of far-right activists at an event in Melbourne last year. The actor, who also starred in shows such as Blue Heelers and McLeod's Daughters, was speaking at a National Workers Alliance meeting in September. The alleged act made national headlines at the time, with NWA claiming it stood 'for the preservation of Western culture and identity'. Appearing in court alongside his mother, the court heard Richardson was keen to keep the suburb he resided in a secret due to some unwanted attention. 'Just recently, your honour, Mr Richardson did have posters of him posted outside bus stops in the area to which he lives,' his lawyer told Magistrate Angela Bolger. 'There has been a concerted effort to get Mr Richardson to feel shame by some within that area.' Former Neighbours actor Damien Richardson (pictured) was allegedly filmed doing a Nazi salute to a crowd of far-right activists at an event in Melbourne The purported posters asked commuters if they felt comfortable having Richardson 'living next door' to them. It was a request refused by the magistrate, who directed Richardson to appear in court again in June. It is understood Richardson plans to contest the charge of performing the salute. In October, Australian far-right extremist Jacob Hersant, 25, became the first Victorian convicted of intentionally performing the salute in public and chanting 'heil Hitler.' Hersant was sentenced to one month in jail, but was bailed to appeal the decision. Before doing the Nazi salute, which was revealed by ABC's 7.30, Richardson declared that Australia was experiencing 'a war on men'. 'I thought it was a war on Western tradition, Western values and actually, it's an anti-white male agenda.' It was then that Richardson raised his right arm and alluded to the fact that Hersant was given a one-month jail term for doing a Nazi salute. Richardson was allegedly defending Australian far-right extremist Jacob Hersant Damien Richardson (left) is pictured with Neighbours co-star Sharon Johal (right) on the soap opera's set 'Am I gonna be fined now? I'm gonna go to jail for five years?' Richardson said. 'I mean, really? I mean, this is absurd. This is insane. It's crazy. It's so crazy you can't believe it's even happening.' After Richardson did the salute, which was broadcast live on Facebook, members of the National Socialist Network neo-Nazi group could be heard cheering. Despite his actions and words being filmed, the actor has tried to distance himself from the neo-Nazis he was addressing. Matt Trihey, who organised the Melbourne gathering, said 'there has been a lot of misinformation spoken about the event, Damien, the National Workers Alliance and myself'. 'Neither Damien or I have ever been members of Nazi organisations and we have no connection with the NSN,' he told the ABC. 'I am a free speech advocate and have no control over who purchases online tickets to my events.' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he was 'disgusted' at the footage. Damien Richardson (left) is pictured in a scene from Australian soap opera Neighbours 'I was shocked enough when I saw the salute, disgusted when I heard the applause,' he said. 'They might think they did it in a private place, but the moment you put things online there's a new legal question on whether it was done publicly, so that will be something our authorities will work through.' Daily Mail Australia contacted Richardson for comment. The man who got into a vicious argument with Nancy Mace has claimed the Congresswoman 'likes to play the victim card' is proud of himself for triggering what he calls Mace's 'meltdown.' The 47-year-old pulled out her phone inside the Charleston store, recorded the man in the middle of the skin care aisle, and accused him of 'harassing' her after he asked if she was going to host any more town hall meetings this year. The man - dressed in green shorts, a white button down, and white sneakers - also recorded Mace as he seemed very calm and polite in the beginning, but his tone quickly changed as they continued to interact. He has now identified himself as Ely Murray-Quick, a small business owner from Charleston, who has started speaking to the press as Mace defends herself on social media and Fox News. Initially, he told CNN Monday night, he was 'expecting a proper response, a response that you would expect of elected representatives from our state. Maybe even a schedule.' But Murray-Quick told The Advocate he felt he was asking the questions that needed to be asked of Mace. 'I took the opportunity to ask her the question that a lot of her constituents wanted to know, I asked her when she was hosting a real [town hall],' he told The Advocate. While Mace defended herself by pointing out she had held a town hall, Murray-Quick quickly decried it as fake. Ely Murray-Quick (pictured right), the South Carolina man who got into a vicious argument with Nancy Mace, said the Congresswoman 'likes to play the victim card' is proud of himself for triggering what he calls Mace's 'meltdown' The 47-year-old (pictured) pulled out her phone inside the Charleston store, recorded Murray-Quick in the middle of the skin care aisle and accused him of 'harassing' her after he asked if she was going to host any more town hall meetings this year 'She fielded several questions over dinner, over the phone, and didn't give her constituents and the people in South Carolina an opportunity to ask real questions,' he claimed. He said that Mace then 'decided to tell me to f**k myself,' though he said that as a gay man in the south, 'I've had my fair share of hurtful insults thrown my way.' 'So a simple 'f**k you' from Nancy Mace isn't going to hurt me the way that she thinks it does. 'Nancy Mace likes to play the victim card, but that's not what happened here. I asked a simple question. As a resident of the state of South Carolina and she couldn't she couldn't answer it. She couldn't meet the demand of the people.' Murray-Quick said that it took his opinion of the Congresswoman down a few notches to see how she reacted to his questions. 'I think it speaks a lot to her character that this is the type of language she decides to use to someone who is in the same space as her who asked her a simple question,' he said. He also hit at Mace for claiming she used her record of having 'voted for gay marriage twice' as an excuse to avoid questions from him. 'There are bigger issues I want to vote on, and I want to see it resolved,' he added. 'Insurance, health care, the education system in South Carolina will consistently rank the lowest in the state and she's not addressing the reason.' Murray-Quick defended himself, claiming he stayed anywhere from six to ten feet away from Mace 'at all times' and made 'no physical confrontation.' Murray-Quick (pictured) - dressed in green shorts, a white button down and white sneakers - also recorded Mace as he seemed very calm and polite in the beginning, but his tone quickly changed as they continued to interact Murray-Quick attempted to call out Mace (pictured) for her past accusations against people who have called her out in public Mace, for her part, stood by her story on Monday when interviewed on Fox News by Sean Hannity. 'This guy approached me and I will tell you I felt threatened and harassed and as someone who's experienced trauma in her life and a lot of women will understand what I'm talking about, when some guy gets in your face and approaches you in an aggressive manner that he did and you feel like you are in danger, instinctively as women who have been through trauma and survived domestic abuse, you have two options,' she said. Mace has been open and upfront while in Congress about her history of having been sexually assaulted. 'You can fight or flee and I'm a fighter. I've never stood back down from a fight,' she said. Murray-Quick attempted to call out Mace for her past accusations against people who have called her out in public, including a trans activist she accused of assault who ultimately had charges dropped. Their feisty interaction soon went viral, as the clip begins with him asking her when she's going to do a town hall. 'I do them every year,' Mace said of the town halls. 'Want to keep going?' Mace (pictured), for her part, stood by her story on Monday when interviewed on Fox News by Sean Hannity He then replied, 'I'm asking if you're going to have any more town halls this year!' 'Do you wanna keep going and keep harassing me? You could have gone to a dozen town halls last year...,' she told him in the video she posted to X on Saturday evening. 'I asked if you're doing any more this year. It was one simple question,' he quipped. 'Yeah, I've already done one, I'll do plenty more,' the Republican replied. 'You're always invited,' she added in a friendly tone - but that's when their interaction went completely off the rails. While smiling and telling Mace he would look out for 'an actual invitation' to her townhall meeting, the GOP Rep. cut Murray-Quick off and said: 'And by the way, I voted for gay marriage twice.' Murray-Quick, seemingly confused by her statement, looked around the store in shock before asking her: 'What does that have to do with me?' 'I'm just saying. It has everything to do with you,' Mace, dressed in blue skinny jeans, a denim top and heels, told him. He inched a bit closer to her and said: 'You think everything about me has to do with gay marriage?' 'I do,' she replied as Murray-Quick questioned: 'That's your first stance when you speak with me? There's no other humane conversation you can have about me?' 'You wanna get in my face about town halls, you should've shown up to one last year,' Mace said as Murray-Quick stood feet away from her. Appearing to ignore her previous statement to him, Murray-Quick continued: 'There is no other humane thing you can talk about me then say, 'Oh, I support gay marriage'?' The pair appeared to have a somewhat civil interaction until Mace told him: 'And by the way, I voted for gay marriage twice' While he was busy explaining the 'simple question' he initially asked her, Mace went on a tangent about people on the left being 'crazy' 'Uh-huh, yeah, because you're getting in my face about a town hall you could have gone to last year. Would you like me -,' she said as the bearded man repeated the first question he asked her. 'All I did was ask you one simple question from right over here is if you have any plans to have more town halls. That was one question,' he stated. 'I have over a dozen every year,' Mace told him as he smiled and responded: 'Great! That was my entire question.' 'You didn't have to go into this spiel about everything else,' he added, as Mace, again, cut him off. 'You could have come to any of them last year. I had over a dozen,' she said. He then clarified: 'And I'm asking you about this year, not 2024.' 'Where were you the year before that? Or the year before that?,' Mace said as the pair started to speak over each other. While he was busy explaining the 'simple question' he initially asked her, Mace went on a tangent about people on the left being 'crazy.' 'F*** you!,' the politician shouted at him as he came back and replied: 'F*** me? And you're gonna be voted out so fast this year. I can't wait for you to f***ing go into the dirt' 'Because you people on the left are crazy. You're absolutely f***ing crazy,' she told him. 'I'm absolutely f***ing crazy?,' Murray-Quick asked as he started chuckling and walking off. 'And get out of my face! Goodbye,' Mace said as the male shopper said: 'You're insane.' 'F*** you!,' the politician shouted at him as he came back and replied: 'F*** me? And you're gonna be voted out so fast this year. I can't wait for you to f***ing go into the dirt.' 'I'm not, I'm not! I won by so much,' she shouted at him. 'You're a disgrace to this state. That's what you are. You're a disgrace. I asked you a simple question and you just go on this tirade and tell me f*** you? Disgusting,' he told her. 'Yeah, f*** you! Get out of my face,' she responded as the pair went back and forth cursing at each other while an Ulta employee stared at them in confusion. The worker then walked in the opposite direction as Mace asked him: 'What's your name?' Mace (pictured on April 10) was recently slammed for skipping a town hall held by the Lowcountry Accountability Alliance in the state in March He then replied: 'You're a nasty b****, that's my name. You say f*** me? That's the first thing you're gonna say to me for asking you a question?' 'Absolutely, get the f*** out of my face... now,' Mace told him as the pair exchanged more curse words before the video ended. Mace, clearly left enraged by the interaction she had with the unnamed man, called him a 'lunatic' in her caption. 'Some unhinged lunatic, a man, wearing daisy dukes, at a makeup store, got in my face today,' she wrote. 'Dems are nuts. So I went off - and I won't be backing down. I hold the line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Try me.' She then posted under the video: 'I just wanted some face wash on my afternoon off lol.' Mace was recently slammed for skipping a town hall held by the Lowcountry Accountability Alliance in the state in March. In a post to X about her absence, Mace said: 'This is FAKE NEWS. This event is being driven by left-wing extremists and paid agitators with a clear agenda. 'I WILL NOT be attending. We're staying away because it's not safe, and we refuse to be bullied by individuals who are threatening me, my employees, and my family.' She hosted her first town hall of the year on April 8 over the phone and only announced it was happening on X when it began. Just a day before she held that event, she posted a video of herself talking about the 'deranged town hall fakers' who made 'BS calls' to her office about her bailing on the town hall last month. 'Do something nice for somebody in the Lowcountry. Stop being this way. Stop being violent with your words. Stop being ugly and hateful,' Mace added. Peter Dutton has been dealt a blow with support among women voters plunging, according to new polling analysis. The Newspoll data was published by The Australian and based on an analysis of surveys carried out since the election was called on March 28. The data showed Labor is now at 35 per cent of the female primary vote compared to the Coalition's 33 per cent, a dramatic turnaround since March 26 when Labor was at 29 per cent and the Coalition far ahead on 38 per cent. Mr Dutton, when questioned on the campaign trail about what he was offering female voters pointed to the Coalition's promise of a house building boom and said that the cut to fuel excise would benefit 'women driving kids around'. Labor, on the other hand, appears to have struck a chord with its $500million women's health package that includes new contraceptives and hormone therapies added to the PBS along with a string of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics. In addition to female voters, the 35 to 39-year-old demographic, said to be key in deciding elections, has also shifted from favouring the Coalition to now Labor sitting well ahead with 56 per cent of the two-party preferred vote compared to 44 per cent. Early voting got underway on Tuesday and with millions of Australians expected to cast their ballots before election day on May 3, Mr Dutton seems to have little chance of pulling an election-winning Easter rabbit out of his hat. But Mr Albanese on Monday pointed to the lessons learned during Labor's losing 2019 campaign, when it was tipped to win only to be beaten by the Coalition on polling day. New polling data shows support for Peter Dutton among women voters is dropping (pictured on the campaign trail with Nationals Senator Bridget Mackenzie) '(In) 2019 the bookies paid out and guess what? That didn't occur, that was a very unwise thing to do,' he told reporters on the NSW south coast. 'There's no complacency from my camp. 'This election is certainly up for grabs.' The opposition has been under pressure to reveal its full policy costings, and on Monday, it unveiled a plan to make Australia safer as it attempts to claw back lost ground. The opposition leader pushed a suite of tough-on-crime policies in an attempt to wrestle votes from Labor in outer urban electorates. 'There's a lot of anger in the suburbs and I think you're going to see that expressed,' Mr Dutton said. 'We are the underdog (but) there's no doubt in my mind that we can win the election.' Anthony Albanese (pictured with fiance Jodie Haydon) is ahead in the polls The prime minister was in the seat of Gilmore, held by Labor on a 0.2 per cent margin, when journalists grilled him on his government's lack of action on gambling advertising ahead of the May 3 election. A landmark gambling harm inquiry chaired by late-Labor MP Peta Murphy suggested a total advertising phase-out, but almost two years later, the government has not acted on this key recommendation. The prime minister acknowledged there was 'more to do' but claimed his government had done more to tackle problem gambling than any previous administration. South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace has shared an extraordinary clip of a trans activist completely changing their voice during a heated exchange over her use of the term 'tr**ny.' The 47-year-old Republican was approached by a person wearing a yellow sundress, wide-brimmed hat and chunky necklace at an event on Monday night. Initially, the exchange appeared polite, with the woman asking in a feminine voice: 'Does your husband call you babe?' The constituent then asked Mace to apologize for something which was said before the clip, insisting: 'I would like for you to apologize because that is derogatory.' Mace, a fierce and long-outspoken critic of transgender matters, simply responded 'no.' The pair then spoke over the top of one another as Mace asked: 'Is tr**ny derogatory for you?' Instantly, the activist's voice deepened and demeanor changed. 'Well yeah, of course it f**king is,' the activist said in a far deeper voice. South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace has shared an extraordinary clip of a heated exchange with a trans activist over her use of the term 'tr**ny' The activist picked up a pot plant and appeared to be contemplating throwing it after Mace disagreed with her While moments earlier the activist was flicking her hands and moving softly, the far deeper voice was a stunning switch up. The activist went on to pick up the pot plant beside Mace's feet in a menacing manner as Mace taunted them, repeating: 'Tr**ny, tr**ny, tr**ny.' Mace shared the disturbing clip to X late on Monday night, writing: 'That deep voice came out of nowhere.' She was asked why her security detail wasn't present, particularly when the activist lifted the pot plant. 'They moved in. We had 6 armed guards tonight,' she insisted. One supporter praised her for a 'good return salvo,' telling her to 'lean into it. Don't let these demented f**ks pull you into their psychotic purity spirals, and NEVER apologize. You owe them nothing.' 'Zero,' she responded. She later clarified that the entire conflict started because the activist didn't like being called babe.' While moments earlier the activist was flicking her hands and moving softly, the far deeper voice was a stunning switch up Mace shared the disturbing clip to X late on Monday night, writing: 'That deep voice came out of nowhere' 'Triggering him made him drop the act lol,' another supporter added. 'He uses his real voice to intimidate you, then grabs a plant. His insane behavior demands an apology for harassing you and the plant.' An outspoken crusader against transgender people, Mace has sought to ban trans people from using their preferred bathrooms on Capitol Hill and other federal facilities. 'You can put on a mini skirt all you want but that doesn't make you a woman,' Mace wrote in November when she introduced the bathroom ban. 'And you shouldn't be allowed in our private spaces.' The exchange comes just days after the 47-year-old Congresswoman got into a vicious argument with a man wearing 'Daisy Dukes' at an Ulta store. She filmed the interaction with the stranger, later identified as Ely Murray-Quick, in the middle of the skin care aisle and accused him of 'harassing' her. He had approached her to ask if she was going to host any more town hall meetings this year. The man - dressed in green shorts, a white button down and white sneakers - also recorded Mace. He appeared calm in the beginning, but his tone changed as they continued to interact. Mace got into a vicious argument with a man wearing 'Daisy Dukes' at an Ulta store after he asked her a question days earlier Despite the interaction initially appearing friendly, it soon descended into chaos after Mace told him, unprompted, she 'voted for gay marriage twice.' The man, seemingly confused by her statement, looked around the store in shock before asking her: 'What does that have to do with me?' 'I'm just saying. It has everything to do with you,' Mace, dressed in blue skinny jeans, a denim top and heels, told him. He inched a bit closer to her and said: 'You think everything about me has to do with gay marriage?' Later in the exchange, Mace shouted 'F*** you!,' as he came back and replied: 'F*** me? And you're gonna be voted out so fast this year. I can't wait for you to f***ing go into the dirt.' Murray-Quick later said Mace 'decided to tell me to f**k myself,' though he said that as a gay man in the south, 'I've had my fair share of hurtful insults thrown my way.' 'So a simple 'f**k you' from Nancy Mace isn't going to hurt me the way that she thinks it does. 'Nancy Mace likes to play the victim card, but that's not what happened here. I asked a simple question. As a resident of the state of South Carolina and she couldn't she couldn't answer it. She couldn't meet the demand of the people.' The 47-year-old, dressed in blue skinny jeans, a jean top and heels, pulled out her phone inside the Charleston store, recorded the unnamed man in the middle of the skin care aisle and accused him of 'harassing' her An outspoken crusader against transgender people, Mace has sought to ban trans people from using their preferred bathrooms on Capitol Hill and other federal facilities Delaware Democratic Rep.-elect Sarah McBride is the highest-ranking elected trans politician in U.S. history And in February, Mace triggered Democrat lawmaker Gary Connolly after allegedly using the term 'tr**nies' casually. When Connolly sought clarification about whether the word is allowed in the chamber, she shouted 'Tr**ny, tr**ny, tr**ny!' 'I don't really care,' she continued defiantly, surprising those in attendance. 'You want penises in women's bathrooms and I'm not going to have it.' 'No thank you,' she continued. 'It's disgusting.' Around the same time, she demanded Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride not be allowed into women's facilities around Congress. McBride, the first transgender person elected to Congress, has agreed to abide by the rules after Speaker of the House Mike Johnson endorsed Mace's proposal. Cardinals will meet at the Vatican today to start planning Pope Francis' funeral and the elaborate rituals marking the end of one papacy and the start of the next. In the coming days, the Cardinals will prepare for his burial, plan the conclave to elect his successor and make other decisions about running the Catholic Church. But most immediately, they will determine when his body can be moved into St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing. Francis died yesterday aged 88 after suffering a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalised for five weeks with pneumonia. He made his last public appearance on Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and making what would be his final greeting to followers from his popemobile, looping around St. Peter's Square. The Vatican announced that the first meeting of the Congregation of Cardinals, the gathering of the cardinals currently in Rome, would occur at 9am (8am BST) today in the Vatican's synod hall. They congregation could decide to allow public viewing of Francis as soon as tomorrow morning. Under norms approved by Francis last year, his funeral and burial must occur between Friday and Sunday. On Easter Sunday, the Pope had appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to deliver a blessing to 35,000 faithful in St Peter's Square Seals are placed on the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, after the death of Pope Francis Cardinals queuing in the Sistine Chapel to swear on the Bible to never reveal the secrets of their deliberations before the start of the conclave back in 2013 The pope's formal apartments in the Apostolic Palace were sealed yesterday evening, following a centuries-old ritual. Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who as camerlengo had the task of announcing Francis' death and confirming it once the cause was determined, presided over the ritual. Francis chose not to live in the palace, though, but in the Domus Santa Marta hotel on the other side of Vatican City. He died there and his body was transferred to the hotel chapel in the lobby, where a private viewing is being held today for Vatican officials and members of the pontifical household. In changes made by Francis last year, his body was not placed in three wooden coffins, as it had been for previous popes. Rather, Francis was placed in a simplified wooden coffin with a zinc coffin inside. Once in St. Peter's, his coffin will not be put on an elevated bier, but will just be be placed simply facing the pews, with the Pasqual candle nearby. The burial must take place between the fourth and sixth day after his death, meaning a likely date is Saturday or Sunday. President Donald Trump has announced he and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend. Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who will guide the Church through the coming days in his role as Camerlengo, or chamberlain, announced the pontiff's death yesterday, saying: 'Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis' A woman offer prayers in front of a portrait of Pope Francis prior to a requiem mass at the Manila Cathedra in Manila on April 22, 2025 In his final will, Francis confirmed he would be buried at St. Mary Major basilica, which is outside the Vatican and home to his favourite icon of the Virgin Mary. Francis would go to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting that features an image of Mary, draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus, who in turn holds a jewelled golden book. Francis stopped by the basilica on his way home from the Gemelli hospital on March 23, after his 38-day hospital stay, to deliver flowers to be placed before the icon. He returned April 12 to pray before the Madonna for the last time. The pontiff's funeral will be presided over by the dean of the College of Cardinals or, if that is not possible, by the vice dean or another senior cardinal. The current dean is Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91. The vice dean is Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, 81. Re and Farrell, the camerlengo, will have key roles in the coming days as they summon the cardinals and prepare for the conclave to elect Francis' successor. After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the 'novendiali.' During this period, cardinals arrive in Rome to participate in meetings before the conclave to elect the next pope. To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15-20 days after the 'sede vacante' - the 'vacant See' - is declared, although it can start sooner if the cardinals agree. Pope Francis died yesterday aged 88 after suffering a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. Francis is pictured is pictured attending the Via Crucis on Copacabana Beach during World Youth Day on July 26, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Nuns and the Faithful attend a Rosary Prayer for the late Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City on April 21, 2025 Cardinal-electors will move into the accommodation within the Vatican, shutting out contact with the outside world. Once the conclave begins, they will gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote in secret sessions. Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. The result of each ballot is counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals. If no-one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke. The process can go to multiple rounds with the same people theoretically getting the same number of votes each time as cardinals wait to see who loses support first. But slowly, cardinals who voted for someone who only received a very small number of votes are likely to add their vote to one of the stronger candidates in the next round. Factions may be able to make their views known during informal chats between votes, with key parts of Berger's film showing heated discussions among cardinals in the canteens and cinemas of the Vatican. When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts his election. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before processing out to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. The ballots of the final round are burned in a special stove, with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope. Black smoke indicates that no pope has been elected, while white smoke indicates that the cardinals have chosen the next head of the Catholic Church. The senior cardinal deacon announces from the balcony of St Peter's 'Habemus Papam' - 'We have a pope' - before the new pope proceeds out and imparts his blessing on the city of Rome and the world. Cardinals, including the Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols, (right) and Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, (left) from London, will take part in the vote for the next pope. Nichols and Radcliffe are during a press conference in the Throne Room of Archbishop's House, central London, on Monday Farrell will carry out the administrative and financial duties of the Holy See until a new pope takes over. Cardinals, including the Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, from London, will take part in the vote for the next pope. Both aged 79, the pair are just below the cut-off for voting as part of the conclave. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave - they are known as the cardinal electors and their number is limited to 120. Asked about the next pope at a press conference on Monday, Cardinal Nichols told reporters: 'He has to be a man of great inner strength, and I think great inner peace.' He added: 'I think those inner capacities of closeness to God and peace are the absolute essentials.' Cardinal Radcliffe said: 'I think that we always open ourselves to be surprised. All recent popes have been quite different from each other.' Bells tolled in chapels, churches and cathedrals around the world and flags flew at half staff in Italy, India, Taiwan and the US yesterday after Francis' death was announced by the Vatican camerlengo. Soccer matches in Italy and Argentina were suspended in honour of the Argentine pope who was a lifelong fan of the San Lorenzo soccer club. Tributes poured in from around the world on Monday, including from the King and other world leaders, with many praising the Pope for his advocacy for the marginalised, moral leadership and compassion. The ordinary faithful remembered his simplicity and humanity. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Pope Francis had been 'a Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten'. He was described by the King, whom he met in recent weeks, as someone who had 'profoundly touched the lives of so many'. In East Timor, where Francis' final outdoor Mass drew nearly half of the population last September, President Jose Ramos-Horta praised Francis' courage. 'Papa Francisco was a brave man who was not afraid to speak out against the rulers of the world who seek war, but do not want to seek peace,' Ramos-Horta said. 'He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home - this Earth - is a gift we must protect for future generations,' said Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, who is Muslim. Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and has around 30 million Catholics, representing about 14 per cent of the total population. A woman killed in a fatal crash before a series of terrifying carjackings on the Sunshine Coast has been identified as Jocelyn Grace Mollee. Ms Mollee died after a horrific crash on the Bruce Highway when a diver in a red Porsche Macan allegedly struck the passenger side of the Nissan Micra she was travelling in. 'She was a beautiful young woman, gentle soul, and a hard worker. She was going to be a pillar of society,' her mum Amanda Chippendale told the Courier Mail. 'She was smart, she was kind, she had a wicked sense of humour, a sense of adventure. She wanted to live life to the fullest. 'She could make people talk and she could make people laugh. She had a love of books and loved nature.' Following the crash, the driver of the Porsche, identified as Bradely Donald Towle, 41, allegedly left the car armed with a gun and shot the driver of a SsangYong Rexton who had stopped to offer assistance. He was accused of shooting the 62-year-old man in the arm after an altercation before stealing the Rexton. The good Samaritan was taken to hospital while his car was found crashed at nearby Landsborough about 20 minutes later. A woman killed in a fatal crash before a series of terrifying carjackings on the Sunshine Coast has been identified as Jocelyn Grace Mollee Bradley Donald Towle, 41, is accused of shooting a good Samaritan following the multi-vehicle collision that killed a 22-year-old woman Towle was allegedly driving a red Porsche Macan that police claimed caused the six-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway, north of Brisbane, on Monday Towle then allegedly stole a grey Mazda 3, at gunpoint, which was being driven by a 16-year-old girl. The teenager and her parents ran from the vehicle and were not injured. Officers arrested Towle about 12.48pm at the intersection of Steve Irwin Way and Forestry Road, Landsborough, about 30 minutes after the fatal crash. Footage of the arrest showed officers yell at Towle to 'get down' and 'put your hands behind your back' before arresting him. Police alleged a firearm was recovered from the vehicle. Towle sustained head and body injuries in the traffic incidents and was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital on Tuesday where he remained under police guard. Court documents seen by the Courier Mail alleged ammunition, GHB, meth and Australian currency suspected of being tainted property were also seized. He was charged with two counts each of armed robbery, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, and two counts of unlawful entry of vehicle for committing indictable offence. Dramatic footage shows the moment armed officers pinned an alleged gunman Bradley Donald Towle to the ground Queensland Police charged Towle (pictured) with 15 offences He was additionally charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, dangerous operation of a vehicle adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, going armed as to cause fear, unlawful possession of firearm used to commit indictable offence, possess tainted property, authority required to possess explosives, driver fail to remain at incident, and driving suspended licence. 'Investigations are continuing with further charges likely,' police said, urging anyone with information about the incidents to come forward. Towle's case was mentioned briefly in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The case was adjourned until Wednesday, with Towle set to be moved from the hospital to a police watchhouse. There was no indication of whether Towle will submit a bail application. Sunshine Coast Police Chief Inspector Jason Overland described the crash as 'terrible'. 'It resulted in the death of a young girl,' he said. A Sydney socialite cleaned vomit from disgraced former TV star Andrew O'Keefe's nose and mouth after he almost choked to death during a heroin overdose, court documents have revealed. Elisha Dalah performed CPR to save the former Deal or No Deal host after earlier feeding him the heroin which led to the life-threatening overdose at O'Keefe's Vaucluse home in Sydney's eastern suburbs on September 14 last year. Dalah, famous for the being the daughter of ex-Elizabeth Bay Marina co-owner Michael Dalah, fronted Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to supplying heroin. The 38-year-old gave O'Keefe Narcan, a drug which counteracts the effects of heroin, and performed CPR before the fallen former Channel Seven star was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital. The court heard O'Keefe, 53, was released from hospital after being told he was 'lucky to be alive'. Dalah, whose Fishbowl founder brother Nathan is married to Victoria Secret model Georgia Fowler, admitted to police that she and O'Keefe had consumed cocaine and heroin earlier that day, according to the court documents. The pair also organised to buy heroin after being harassed by paparazzi. 'This is my fault,' Dalah told police. Elisha Dalah (left) performed CPR to save Andrew O'Keefe's life after a heroin overdose Disgraced former TV star Andrew O'Keefe was rushed to hospital following the suspected heroin overdose Magistrate Rosheehan O'Meagher said the court needed to send a message to the community regarding the 'seriousness of the offence'. 'The maximum penalty for this offence in the district court is 15 years in prison, in the local court it is capped at two years,' she said. 'That shows you how serious an offence this is and it is treated as so because of the serious consequences of drug supply in terms of serious health implications, which I am sure you are aware of.' Dalah was convicted after spending almost five months in custody while awaiting sentencing. The court heard Dalah has been undertaking a rehabilitation program which she will continue to attend 'for as long as possible'. 'You've learnt some things, but looking at your record, we need you to get the message that if you keep offending you will end up in jail, and I don't think that's a life you want for yourself,' Magistrate O'Meagher said. In 2023, Dalah was handed a 20-month intensive correction order and 200 hours of community service after pleading guilty to thieving luxury face creams and designer clothing from a Westfield shopping centre a year prior. Dalah was also fined $500 for entering Westfield Bondi Junction while banned. Dalah (pictured in March) was convicted after spending almost five months in custody while awaiting sentencing Former Channel Seven star Andrew O'Keefe has waged a public battle against drug addiction and been in and out of rehabilitation centres in recent years O'Keefe has waged a public battle against drug addiction and been in and out of rehabilitation centres for the past few years. He faced Waverley Local Court in February to plead guilty to driving with meth in his system but escaped with a $440 fine. The former game show host tested positive to meth while driving his Mercedes C200 in Sydney's eastern suburbs on July 28 last year. He was pulled over for random testing on Cranbrook Road in Rose Bay about 11.30am that day and recorded a positive result but was not charged until late November. The court heard O'Keefe had been the subject of a conditional release order for a previous drug driving offence when he tested positive again. O'Keefe was convicted and fined $440 for drug-driving and disqualified from getting behind the wheel for six months. O'Keefe (pictured with police during a 2021 arrest) faced Waverley Local Court in February, where he pleaded guilty to driving with meth in his system but escaped with a $440 fine Shortly before O'Keefe was pulled over on July 28, he had confronted a man at a Point Piper property he was banned from attending. Following inquiries, O'Keefe was charged with contravening an apprehended violence order and stalk/intimidate with intent to cause for fear. He was released on bail after appearing in Waverley Local Court but was arrested again at Rose Bay police station in September when police found meth in his car during a search. O'Keefe was thrown in the back of the divvy van while TV cameras were on hand. O'Keefe pleaded guilty in October to trespassing, breaching an an apprehended violence order and meth possession. He was fined $1500 and handed a 30-month community corrections order which required him to attend rehab. O'Keefe was thrown into a divvy van during an arrest outside Rose Bay Police Station in 2024 At the same time, he was fined $2,000 for driving with an illicit drug in his system at Darlinghurst in April and disqualified from getting behind the wheel for three months. O'Keefe was found guilty in January last year of domestic violence and drug offences after a 'degrading' attack on a woman who cannot be identified. The drug conviction was later quashed but O'Keefe lost an appeal against the assault convictions in August. In December 2023 he escaped conviction after pleading guilty in Downing Centre Local Court to driving through Point Piper with drugs in his system earlier that year. O'Keefe had been pulled over while in charge of his Mercedes C200 sedan in January and returned a positive test to meth and was handed a 12-month community release order. A Labour-run council has been accused of 'destroying fun' over its plans to ban ice cream vans from popular streets around London's iconic Greenwich Park. The Royal Borough of Greenwich has sparked a backlash over the last two years after submitting plans to ban ice cream vans from trading in more than 30 roads in the area. The council has denied being 'anti-ice cream', insisting: 'We do love an ice cream, actually.' But one of the areas that it hopes to ban ice cream traders from is King William Walk, a popular tourist hotspot in the north-west of the park, near the Royal Observatory. The plans have faced opposition, including from Paul St Hilaire Snr who has been selling ice creams in Greenwich for three decades. He previously took the council to Bromley Magistrates' Court on the basis that the local authority's decision to prohibit traders from King William Walk was not legally sound. In a victory for Mr St Hilaire and the ice cream lovers of Greenwich, the council was ordered to re-run the public consultation process and review whether King William Walk should be among the roads banned from selling ice cream. It was previously revealed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that Greenwich Council spent 52,000 of taxpayers' money in legal bills. The plans have faced opposition, including from Paul St Hilaire Snr (pictured with his son) who has been selling ice creams in Greenwich for three decades File image of mounted police officers running a check for permission to work on the ice cream van outside Greenwich Park The council say restrictions are needed in King William Walk because ice cream vans are blocking pedestrians and causing access issues for the elderly, the disabled and parents with pushchairs. Pictured: An ice cream trader in Greenwich The council has denied being 'anti-ice cream', insisting: 'We do love an ice cream, actually.' Pictured: Londoners enjoy the sunny weather in Greenwich Park earlier this month However, many are bracing for the ban to be approved at a full council meeting after residents and 16 local organisations expressed support for the fresh proposal, with nine opposing. Councillor Pat Slattery, the council's cabinet member for neighbourhoods, told a recent meeting: 'I think it is important to say that the council is not anti-ice cream. There are ice cream vendors in a reasonable spit of where this ice cream van regularly parks up.' Meanwhile Councillor Anthony Okereke, leader of the council, said: 'We are not banning ice creams in Greenwich in any way, shape or form. We do love an ice cream, actually.' But Tory London Assembly member Susan Hall, told the Telegraph the plans were 'ludicrous', adding: 'The council should rethink this policy. Are they all hell-bent on destroying any fun in Sadiq Khan's London?' The council say restrictions are needed in King William Walk because ice cream vans are blocking pedestrians and causing access issues for the elderly, the disabled and parents with pushchairs. The University of Greenwich, who support the ban, say King William Walk is an 'unsuitable location' for ice cream vans due to their obstruction, while also warning they 'affect local businesses'. Mr St Hilaire Snr previously told the LDRS: 'I've been doing my business for 30 years, I've raised a family. 'I have all my children that are here working and providing services for the wider community. All I want is to be able to sell my ice cream.' A council spokesperson said: 'We want vibrant, safe, and attractive town centres, high streets and shopping parades, that suit local people and support inclusive economic growth. 'Ice cream vans have never been banned from the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Itinerant ice cream vans, ones that move from place to place, can trade from hundreds of roads in our borough and this is still the case. 'Earlier this year we re-ran a small part of a consultation about street trading in King William Walk. This is a busy road in the middle of Greenwich Town Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We encouraged feedback from neighbours, ice cream traders and residents and businesses. 'As a result, Cabinet is recommended to prohibit itinerant ice cream vans on this road, as it would potentially force people, including the elderly, disabled and those with pushchairs, into the road. This is particularly pronounced in Greenwich, which is a historic town centre with narrow pavements. The majority of consultees agreed with the proposals.' China, Indonesia hold ministerial talks 13:32, April 22, 2025 By ZHOU JIN ( China Daily Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (second from right), Defense Minister Dong Jun (right), Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono (second from left) and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin meet with journalists on Monday after the First Ministerial Meeting of the China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue in Beijing. [WANG ZHUANGFEI/CHINA DAILY] China and Indonesia pledged shared efforts to ensure the peace and stability of the South China Sea, expand security cooperation and uphold the multilateral trading system during their first joint meeting of foreign and defense ministers, also known as the "2+2" dialogue, in Beijing on Monday. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. The dialogue mechanism between Beijing and Jakarta is the first of its kind that China has established with a foreign country. The two sides agreed to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and set an example in maritime cooperation, Wang told a news conference after the meeting, adding that the coast guard agencies of both countries signed a maritime security cooperation agreement. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and to accelerating consultations on a Code of Conduct. Wang stressed that as each other's major trading partners, the two countries should remain committed to opposing any kind of unilateralism or trade protectionism. "We believe that abusing tariffs will seriously undermine the normal trade exchanges between countries, and we pledged to jointly promote regional economic integration, ensure stable and smooth supply and industrial chains and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South," Wang said. In terms of security cooperation, he said that Beijing and Jakarta agreed to establish a bilateral consultation mechanism on disarmament, nonproliferation and arms control. They also agreed to enhance law enforcement and security cooperation and jointly combat transnational crimes, such as transnational gambling and online and telecommunication fraud, and strengthen cybersecurity cooperation, Wang noted. Speaking of defense cooperation, Dong called on the two sides to have more substantive cooperation in areas including strategic communication, exchanges between services, equipment and technology, and maritime security. Calling the meeting a milestone in bilateral ties, Sugiono said that Indonesia is willing to work with China to further consolidate political mutual trust, enhance exchanges at all levels, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen communication and coordination under multilateral frameworks such as ASEAN-China cooperation. Indonesia firmly upholds the one-China policy and opposes any foreign intervention in China's domestic affairs, he added. Sjamsoeddin said that Indonesia is committed to enhancing strategic trust with China through transparent and equitable defense cooperation. Indonesia is the largest economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, while China has been Indonesia's largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years. In 2024, bilateral trade exceeded $147.8 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 6.1 percent, according to Wang Lutong, Chinese ambassador to Indonesia. Xu Liping, director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Center for Southeast Asian Studies, said that the establishment of the joint foreign and defense ministerial dialogue will help expand China's neighborhood diplomacy. The mechanism places greater emphasis on deepening China-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership and translating it into concrete actions, Xu said. During President Xi Jinping's Southeast Asian tour last week, China and Malaysia, and China and Cambodia agreed respectively to establish joint foreign and defense dialogue mechanisms, while the strategic dialogue mechanism of diplomacy, national defense and public security was upgraded to the ministerial level with Vietnam. Such arrangements show that strategic security dialogues and cooperation with neighboring countries have become increasingly institutionalized and mature, Xu said, adding that this brings greater stability and predictability to regional peace and prosperity. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Keir Starmer completed a humiliating U-turn on gender today as he finally welcomed 'clarity' from a landmark ruling. The PM hailed a 'step forward' by the Supreme Court as he faced questions on a post-Easter visit to promote the Government's pilot scheme for free breakfast clubs in schools. Asked whether he still believed a trans woman is a woman, Sir Keir said a 'woman is an adult female'. He told the BBC: 'I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court, which has given us clarity, much-needed clarity, and I think for those that are now drawing up guidance, it's a much clearer position. 'So I'm really pleased that the court has now clarified the position. We can move on from there and I think that's been very helpful, and I would welcome that.' Downing Street later confirmed the PM's U-turn from his earlier position and that he no longer believes a transgender woman is a woman. His official spokesman said: 'The Supreme Court judgment has made clear that when looking at the Equality Act, a woman is a biological woman.' Sir Keir's comments sparked an angry response from Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who has frequently clashed with the PM on gender issues. 'Imagine being such a coward you can only muster the courage to tell the truth once the Supreme Court has ruled on what the truth is,' she posted on X/Twitter this afternoon. Pressure had been mounting for Sir Keir to give a direct response, nearly a week after the Supreme Court decided that a woman is defined by biological sex. The PM hailed a 'step forward' by the Supreme Court as he faced questions on a post-Easter visit to promote the Government's pilot scheme for free breakfast clubs in schools Sir Keir Starmer's U-turn sparked an angry response from Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who has frequently clashed with the PM on gender issues Equalities minister Bridget Phillipson said this morning that the Government was 'crystal clear' that it 'welcomes' the ruling. She said trans women should use male toilets. However, some Labour ministers have privately suggested they could resist the implications of the ruling. Keir's gender journey In 2022, Keir Starmer insisted that 'trans women are women' and that it was wrong to say 'only women have a cervix'. In a newspaper interview in April 2023, he faced a backlash after claiming that 99.9 per cent of women do not have a penis - implying that one in a thousand women do. Later that year, following a backlash, he said he agreed with Tony Blair that men have a penis and women a vagina. He also told BBC Radio 5 Live in 2023: 'Firstly, a woman is an adult female, so let's clear that one up.' In April 2024 Sir Keir said Rosie Duffield - then one of his Labour MPs - was right to say 'only women have a cervix'. He told ITV: 'Biologically, she of course is right about that.' On policy, the Labour leader said in 2023 he disagreed with doomed proposals in Scotland that would have allowed 16 and 17-year-olds to apply for a gender recognition certificate. Advertisement In WhatsApp messages uncovered by The Mail on Sunday, culture minister Sir Chris Bryant agreed with an MP criticising equality watchdog chief Baroness Falkner after she said the ruling meant trans women could not use women's toilets or compete in women's sports. Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle added: 'We need to organise.' Downing Street has said it will take no disciplinary action against the ministers, saying they were not trying to undermine the ruling. In a statement to Parliament this afternoon, Ms Phillipson said the Government will protect women-only spaces and offer trans people the dignity they were 'denied' by the Conservatives. She pledged to 'end the practice of mixed-sex wards once and for all', telling the House of Commons the use of mixed wards in hospitals had risen by more than 2,200 per cent in 10 years under the Tories. 'In our prisons, in our hospitals, in sport, in a whole host of other spaces, what was true before the ruling remains true after the ruling, this Government protects safe spaces for women under the Equality Act 2010.' She added: 'This Government will offer trans people the dignity that too often they were denied by the party opposite, too often a convenient punch bag, too often the butt of jokes made in this place by the party opposite.' But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, responding to Ms Phillipson's statement, branded the Cabinet minister's words 'mostly a shameless work of fiction'. 'In 2021, the PM said it is not right to say only women have a cervix,' she said. 'In 2022, he said it is the law that trans women are women. In 2023 he said and I quote 99 per cent of women don't have a penis. 'I know what a woman is and I always have. The people of this country know what a woman is. 'We didn't need the Supreme Court to tell us that, but this Government did a Labour Government so desperate to jump on a bandwagon that they abandoned common sense along with the SNP, who put rapists in women's prisons, and, of course, the Liberal Democrats.' In a statement to Parliament, equalities minister Bridget Phillipson said the Government will protect women-only spaces and offer trans people the dignity they were 'denied' by the Tories Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, responding to Ms Phillipson's statement, branded the Cabinet minister's words 'mostly a shameless work of fiction'. Labour backbencher Nadia Whittome said she was 'deeply concerned' about Ms Phillipson's view that 'trans people should use a toilet that many of them would not feel comfortable or safe in'. Ms Phillipson replied: 'The Supreme Court's judgement was clear on biological sex. 'But I do understand and recognise the need to ensure that there is provision, including toilet facilities and other provision in place for everyone within our society. 'That is why many businesses, many service providers, also provide unisex provision. 'And why many service providers will also put in place enclosed bathrooms that do not require people to make that decision. To ensure their dignity and privcacy is protected.' Senior Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier asked if a trans woman now has to use men's toilets because of the Supreme Court's ruling, 50 years after they had transitioned. She said: 'I have a constituent who transitioned in the 1970s, she's used female toilets now for more of her life than she ever did any other toilets. 'Are we saying that her dignity, and her respect that (Ms Phillipson) has talked about, is going to be in any way improved if there is any ban on her using the toilets that she's been using for so many years?' Ms Phillipson said the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) will be setting out a code of practice. She added: 'They will make sure that businesses and others ensure that there is dignity and respect for all, that there is appropriate provision, including the use of toilet facilities, so that no-one, including trans people, must feel unsafe when they use public toilets.' Fellow Labour MP Dawn Butler asked if people will need to prove their birth sex. 'I don't know if anyone else in the House has butch lesbian friends, and have been with them when they've been told to get out of women's toilets, but I have,' she told MPs. 'And it is not pleasant and it is not nice.' Ms Phillipson said: 'Lesbians should not be treated in a discriminatory way and we must ensure that there are toilets and facilities available for everyone within our country.' Liberal Democrat equalities spokeswoman Christine Jardine warned trans women may face 'aggression' as a result of being 'forced into men's toilets'. On Sunday night, Mrs Badenoch took to the X social media site to highlight images of protest placards with messages such as 'kill JK Rowling' The Harry Potter author said it was 'astounding' that Ms Badenoch was the only UK political leader offering vocal backing Speaking to local media this morning, Sir Keir was asked to repeat his previous statement that 'transwomen are women'. Instead he replied: 'I think the Supreme Court has answered that question.' Asked if that means he does not believe a transwoman is a woman, he told ITV West Country: 'A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear. 'I actually welcome the judgment because I think it gives real clarity. It allows those that have got to draw up guidance to be really clear about what that guidance should say. 'So I think it's important that we see the judgment for what it is. It's a welcome step forward. 'It's real clarity in an area where we did need clarity, I'm pleased it's come about. 'We need to move and make sure that we now ensure that all guidance is in the right place according to that judgment.' Pressed afterwards whether Sir Keir still believed that a transgender woman was a woman, the PM's official spokesman said: 'No, the Supreme Court judgment has made clear that when looking at the Equality Act, a woman is a biological woman. 'That is set out clearly by the court judgment.' In March 2022, before entering No10, Sir Keir told The Times that 'a woman is a female adult, and in addition to that trans women are women, and that is not just my view that is actually the law'. Ms Phillipson told BBC Breakfast: 'I do welcome the clarity that the Supreme Court judgment has brought in this area, making clear that biological sex is the basis on which single-sex spaces are provided.' She said there would be more guidance for schools on gender-questioning children and 'the heart of everything we do has to be about making sure that children's wellbeing is supported, but also that school leaders in particular have the clarity and guidance that they want'. Ms Phillipson added: 'We recognise and believe in the importance of single-sex spaces. 'Before I was a Member of Parliament I used to run a women's refuge, so I know more than most how essential it is that women, particularly those who've experienced sexual violence and male abuse, are able to have safe, therapeutic environments, and that's why there has always been protection there within the law for single-sex spaces. 'There has been some confusion. I'm glad that's been cleared up, because providers can now operate with absolute confidence in delivering single-sex spaces for biological women.' Ms Phillipson said trans women should use male toilets, but suggested that businesses should ensure 'they have appropriate provision in place', which could mean unisex facilities. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the Supreme Court ruling was clear that 'services should be accessed on the basis of biological sex'. 'But I know that many businesses, large and small, will ensure that they have appropriate provision in place,' she said. 'For example, many businesses have moved towards unisex provision or separate cubicles that can be used by anyone.' She added: 'There are important questions around, for example, the use of toilets, around the use of changing facilities, but there are also profound questions that I think are even more important about, for example, hospital provision, rape crisis centres, women's refuges, where you are talking about people often being in that provision on an accommodation basis for an extended period of time. 'And I think it is important and welcome that the Supreme Court have put beyond doubt that providers can make sure that is done on the basis of biological sex.' Ms Phillipson also dismissed the claims of Labour splits, saying: 'I speak for the Government on this matter and I can be crystal clear with you that we welcome the ruling. 'We will make sure that the EHRC work with us to bring forward guidance to address those areas where, through both the guidance and the statutory code of practice, providers have further clarity that is needed.' The Cabinet minister condemned the 'completely unacceptable' scenes at protests following the Supreme Court ruling. Seven statues around Parliament Square in Westminster were daubed with graffiti during a trans rights protest on Saturday. Ms Phillipson said: 'What we have seen in recent days, where it comes to defacing of statues, some pretty terrible placards that have been displayed in protests around the country, it really is just completely unacceptable. 'We need to move to a situation where we can just treat one another with dignity and respect, that, yes, we maintain single-sex spaces for women, absolutely, the ruling is clear, but trans people too have a right to live their lives free of harassment, free of discrimination. 'I think that's a pretty commonsense view that is held by the majority of the British people.' Mrs Badenoch welcomed the Supreme Court judgment and condemned weekend protests. Commenting on placards carrying death threats against author and campaigner Rowling, the Tory leader said: 'A mob of trans-activists waving death threats at women isn't protest - it's criminal incitement. 'If the law isn't enforced, we don't have equality, we have twotier justice. It's time for Labour to stop being on the side of these extremists.' Rowling, a former Labour donor, wrote on X: 'It continues to astound that Kemi Badenoch remains the only UK political leader offering unequivocal solidarity to women.' A British tourist was left fuming after being charged extra for two ice cubes at a Costa del Sol beach bar. Brit Viv Proops, who visited the Havana beach bar in Estepona, took to social media to rant about the extra cost. 'On Playa del Cristo beach today. Ordered an ice coffee at Havana Beach Bar and was charged for a coffee and charged extra for two ice cubes. Is that normal?', the Brit wrote. 'Is ice always an extra billable item ? Seems a bit petty minded in my opinion!!', she added. Ms Proops said she was charged 4.50 euros for a coffee, and an additional 50 cents for ice cubes. Social media users were quick to come to the tourist's defence, saying the extra charge was 'not normal' and branding the beach bar as a 'rip off'. 'That's ridiculous. I would not go back there', one user wrote. Another said: 'People need to stop going to these places. Everyone is getting ripped off'. A British tourist was left stunned after being charged extra for two ice cubes at a beach bar in Estepona. Pictured: Havana beach bar in Cristo beach, Estepona Social media users were quick to come to the tourist's defence, saying the extra charge was 'not normal' 'That is just pathetic, and then they wonder why people go and never go back a second time', a third added. Havana Beach Bar told English speaking newspaper Spanish Eye that the reason for the extra charge was due to the costs or running an ice machine. We use a professional industrial ice machine that cost us over 9,800 euros, and it consumes a significant amount of electricity daily', a spokesperson for the bar said. We understand it might seem minor, but in our setting where everything is brought close to the sea with comfort in mind, small extras help cover the high operational costs. This is not the first time a tourist has expressed frustration about high prices of food and drink abroad. It comes after a Briton lashed out after being charged a rip-off' fee for a sachet of HP sauce in Benidorm earlier this month. The tourist was visiting the holiday hotspot with her family before stopping for a peaceful breakfast at The 4 Kings bar on Avenida Mediterraneo. But things took a turn for the worst when the bill arrived with an unexpected fee added on to the total. The sunseeker was shocked to discover she had been charged an extra 1 for two sachets of HP sauce, making them 50 cents each. The disgruntled holidaymaker shared a picture of her bill next to one of the sachets on a Benidorm Facebook page. She wrote: 'Be careful going for breakfast in this place, 1 for two HP sachets, rip off.' The Briton's order consisted of two 'jumbo' breakfasts, a jug of orange juice, one coffee and two sachets of brown sauce, which came in at just 15.90. Others jumped to defend the bar, insisting that the other items were good value. One commented: 'That's an absolute bargain, 2 jumbo breakfasts, a jug of orange juice and a coffee, plus sauce, all that for 15.90.' Another said: 'I think if anything this bar is now going to get more customers thanks to you.' Locals are becoming increasingly fed up with the rise in costs in tourist hot-spots, arguing that holidaymakers are to blame for increased prices. Earlier this month, tens of thousands of furious Spaniards took to the streets across the country to demand a solution to a housing crisis that they say has been fueled by mass tourism. The demonstrations in major Spanish towns and cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca come as the country finds itself struggling to balance the promotion of tourism and addressing citizens' concerns over increasing housing costs. Ecuadorian police have spoken for the first time about the horror revenge killing of a man believed to be British who was lynched by a baying mob. He was dragged out of a police station in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve in the South American country's Amazon region and burnt alive by around 200 locals armed with guns and makeshift weapons. The unnamed man had been arrested hours earlier on Sunday on suspicion of shooting dead a member of the local community. The shooting victim has been named as Rodrigo Chavez. A police chief covering Ecuador's Sucumbios province said overnight, in the first official reaction to the double killing: 'We are still trying to establish the specific identity of the citizen we believe is a British national. 'We know that he was working and teaching English and was making reservations for tourists visiting the area but we don't have any more information right now and that is the focus of ongoing investigations which are seeking to determine his full name as well.' The police chief added: 'There had been problems between the two men that died. 'The man we believe to be British had shot a local man, causing his death. He was subsequently arrested by police.' A picture of the reportedly British man when he was in police custody. His identity has been obscured pending formal identification Your browser does not support iframes. A man who is said to be British is alleged to have been lynched in Ecuador after being linked to the shooting of a member of the local community (pictured: crowds gathered at what is thought to be the scene of the shooting) The victim of the shooting is taken from the scene Describing the mob that stormed the police station and threatened to harm officers as around 200-strong, he said: 'The locals acted after finding out the detainee was about to be transferred out of the area. 'They were carrying guns and other weapons including stones, sticks, spears and even cans of petrol they were threatening to burn the police station down with and harm officers. 'The police did everything humanly possible to safeguard the person who had been apprehended over the shooting. 'Unfortunately the size of the mob exceeded the capacities of the seven police officers who were at the scene.' A source told MailOnline that the UK's Foreign Office is following up on these reports, and that it is working with local authorities to confirm details of the man's murder. He was killed around midday local time on Sunday, some six hours after he had been taken into police custody. The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a popular eco-tourism area. It is the second largest reserve of Ecuador's 56 national parks and protected areas, and is located in the Putamayo Canton in Sucumbios Province. The Royal Navy's flagship HMS Prince of Wales could transit through the contentious Taiwan Strait despite the risk of angering China. Today the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) - worth 3billion - made up of British, Norwegian and Canadian warships set sail from Portsmouth for an eight-month tour. While the Government has not confirmed the precise route of Operation Highmast, the Navy has not ruled out transiting through the 180km-wide Taiwan Strait. Earlier this month China's military conducted a live-fire exercise in the Strait to simulate strikes on key ports and energy facilities. It is thought that Beijing is preparing for a full-scale invasion of the island. But senior commanders aboard the 65,000-tonne warship have said they are prepared to take any route required on the mission. Commodore James Blackmore, who is in charge of the UK CSG, told the Telegraph that the Navy would travel to the Indo-Pacific region in the coming months to 'hold up international order' - even if faced with threats of conflict for doing so. He added: 'I will deliver whatever mission I am ordered to go and do that's my role. People wave from the Round Tower as the Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, sails from Portsmouth Naval Base Royal Navy personnel wave from the deck of the Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dauntless The Royal Navy's flagship HMS Prince of Wales could transit through the contentious Taiwan Strait The ship will be accompanied from the navy base by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless They will then be joined by UK and Canadian frigates HMS Richmond (pictured) and HMCS Ville de Quebec, which are sailing from Plymouth A guard onboard the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec during exercise Trident Juncture 18 in Trondhein harbor, Norway Senior commanders aboard the 65,000-tonne warship have said they are prepared to take any route required on the mission 'My part of the bargain is being ready for all eventualities from a combat capability, from a defence engagement capability, from a partners and allies capability, so I'm ready to exercise whatever the Government or the Ministry of Defence asks me to do. 'One of the purposes of being in the region is to hold up international order. 'It's demonstrating our commitment to that and reassuring our partners and allies. That choice of my routing will be taken by a much more senior Government level. 'What I can reassure everybody is that I am ready to undertake whatever routing and mission I'm asked to do.' HMS Prince of Wales, as the biggest class of ship in the Navy, is leading CSG 25 with the involvement of around 2,500 personnel from the Royal Navy, 592 from the Royal Air Force and 900 from the Army. It will be accompanied from the navy base by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless. They will then be joined by two Norwegian vessels tanker HNoMS Maud and frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen as well as the UK and Canadian frigates HMS Richmond and HMCS Ville de Quebec, which are sailing from Plymouth. Later during the deployment, as many as 4,500 military personnel will be involved in exercises in the Indo-Pacific region. Forces from Norway, Canada and Spain are among 12 other nations taking part in operations. This is the second CSG deployment to the Indo-Pacific, with the previous one led by HMS Prince of Wales' sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, in 2021. But at the time, they avoided sailing through the Strait to avoid provoking China. The Royal Navy's flagship HMS Prince of Wales will lead an eight-month deployment The group could also face hostility when sailing through the Bab-el-Mandeb in the Red Sea Earlier this month China's military conducted a live-fire exercise in the Strait to simulate strikes on key ports and energy facilities It is thought that Beijing is preparing for a full-scale invasion of the island UK-China relations have slowly been warming under the new Labour government, with Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the Chief of the Defence Staff, meeting members of Beijing's central military commission earlier this month. Chancellor Rachel Reeves also paid a trip to Beijing this year despite protests from MPs calling on ministers to take a tougher stance on China. If CSG avoids the Strait during this deployment, it could spark further outrage from those who feel the government is cosying up to China for the sake of a trade deal. The group could also face hostility when sailing through the Bab-el-Mandeb in the Red Sea, where Houthi militants have been firing on merchant and naval vessels. Cdre Blackmore said that they have the 'ability to go and strike if asked to' and were 'ready' to defend themselves if needed. UK-China relations have slowly been warming under the new Labour government Chancellor Rachel Reeves also paid a trip to Beijing this year despite protests from MPs calling on ministers to take a tougher stance on China He said the deployment will send a message to any adversaries that 'the UK has a capable and credible capability in its UK Carrier Strike Group if required'. 'We are one of the few nations that can convene so many international partners, I think that in itself is a demonstration of stepping up,' he added. Defence Secretary John Healey called the mission an 'immensely complex operation' which sends 'a powerful message of deterrence to any adversary'. 'This is a unique opportunity for the UK to operate in close coordination with our partners and allies in a deployment that not only shows our commitment to security and stability, but also provides an opportunity to bolster our own economy and boost British trade and exports,' he added. A minister today flatly dismissed demands for Donald Trump to be barred from addressing both Houses of Parliament. Touring broadcast studios this morning, education minister Stephen Morgan said he did not support calls from some MPs and peers, insisting the UK needs 'strong and effective' relations with the US. Keir Starmer invited the President for a State Visit as part of his charm offensive during a trip to the White House in February. However, concerns have been voiced about the idea after Mr Trump's bruising clash with Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. The administration has also suggested annexing Canada and Greenland, criticised free speech in Europe and caused global chaos by slapping punitive tariffs on imports. A minister today flatly dismissed demands for Donald Trump to be barred from addressing both Houses of Parliament Touring broadcast studios this morning, education minister Stephen Morgan said he did not support calls from some MPs and peers, insisting the UK needs 'strong and effective' relations with the US Mr Trump revealed over the weekend that his 'friend' King Charles is looking at setting a date in September for his the visit. However, an effort has emerged to stop him being granted the honour of speaking at Parliament. Barack Obama did so in 2011, although Joe Biden did not more recently. Mr Trump was previously controversially barred from making a speech at Westminster by former Speaker John Bercow. Mr Bercow said in 2017 that it was 'an earned honour', not an 'automatic right'. The Commons Speaker, the Lord Speaker and the Lord Great Chamberlain - represented by Black Rod - are the three 'gatekeepers' who have to agree to such an address. Labour's Rachael Maskell became the latest to register a public objection yesterday, telling MailOnline: 'It would be completely inappropriate for the US President to address the Houses of Parliament.' But asked on LBC this morning whether he would support a ban, Mr Morgan said: 'No, I wouldn't. It's really important we continue strong and effective relationships with some of our longest allies in the world.' He told Times Radio: 'I look forward to the US president addressing Parliament in due course.' Since coming to power Labour ministers have been at great pains to avoid criticising Mr Trump, amid frantic efforts to maintain the 'Special Relationship'. But the effective ban in 2017 followed a Parliamentary motion being signed by 206 MPs, including David Lammy, 'deploring' the US president's behaviour. Other now-Cabinet ministers putting their names to the motion were Wes Streeting, Peter Kyle, Hilary Benn and Shabana Mahmood. The text noted 'the historical significance and honour that comes with an invitation to address both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall or elsewhere in the Palace of Westminster'. It called on the 'Speaker, Lord Speaker, Black Rod and Serjeant at Arms to withhold permission from the Government for an address to be made in Westminster Hall, or elsewhere in the Palace of Westminster, by President Trump'. Another Early Day motion in 2019, the year Mr Trump made his first state visit, was signed by Mr Lammy, Mr Streeting and now Leader of the House Lucy Powell among others. It again 'noted the historical significance and honour that comes with the choice to offer a full state visit to an individual' and urged 'the Prime Minister and the Government to rescind the advice to offer a full state visit to President Trump'. A message sent to Lord McFall, the Lord Speaker, over the weekend said it would be 'inappropriate' for Mr Trump to give an address in the Palace of Westminster. Co-ordinated by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, a minister in Tony Blair's government, it responded to the suggestion the state visit would be in September. The message said: 'If it is suggested that he be invited to address both Houses of Parliament, I hope that you and Lindsay will suggest that would be inappropriate on this occasion because of his attitude towards and comments about the UK, parliamentary democracy, the Nato Alliance and Ukraine.' MPs are also privately lobbying Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle. Kate Osborne, a Labour MP, asked Sir Lindsay to mirror Mr Bercow's previous decision. In a letter seen by The Times, she wrote: 'I am asking you as the Speaker to agree it would be inappropriate and mirror the previous Speaker's recommendation. Keir Starmer invited the US President for a State Visit as part of his charm offensive during a trip to the White House in February A 2017 Parliamentary motion signed by 206 MPs, including David Lammy, 'deplored' the US president's behaviour 'It is up to our government to decide if they use the state visit to engage with Trump on a wide range of issues as above but that does not translate to giving him the honour of addressing parliament. The risk of low attendance could also have negative or unintended consequences.' Another Labour MP said: 'We don't need Trump to lecture and dictate his unilateral terms to our elected representatives.' However, Tory MP Julian Smith branded the attempt to block the address 'crackers'. 'Almost always better to engage & meet than to boycott - speaking to someone & meeting them doesn't equal agreement,' he posted on X. Both the Lords and Commons insisted they did not comment on 'private correspondence'. 'Should a request be made to address the Houses of Parliament, it will be considered in the usual way. Any decision would be made by Speakers of both Houses,' a spokesman said. Senior sources suggested the names that had so far emerged to voice opposition were 'not surprising'. An OnlyFans star has recalled her shock after being accused by an Airbnb owner of 'devaluing' his property over a lingerie shoot. The furore began after Layla Kelly, 34, an adult content creator who splits her time between New Zealand and Australia, visited the holiday rental with a friend, where the pair took and posed for some risque photos and videos. The images were uploaded onto social media and reprinted in a news article, which came to the attention of the Airbnb host, who recognised his property in the photos. Ms Kelly claimed the host contacted her via Instagram, TikTok and Reddit to accuse her of damaging the reputation of his property by linking it to the adult industry in publicly shared images. 'I immediately took the content down, because I didn't intend on causing such a fuss,' Ms Kelly told realestate.com.au. 'I respect that the owner doesn't want content like that made on his property, but it's a bit of a reach to say that I've devalued it.' Ms Kelly insisted the home wasn't shown clearly in the photos. Nobody would recognise the property from the images online and would only notice if they had personally visited it in the past, she added Layla Kelly was staying at an Airbnb with a friend when some cheeky content posted online landed her in hot water The Airbnb host accused the OnlyFans star of damaging the reputation of his property Ms Kelly claimed the host continued harassing her on different social media platforms until she blocked him on all of them. She argued she may have even helped boost the property's presence online. 'Some of my fans would deliberately book into an Airbnb that I've stayed in just to say they've been in the same place! So I could argue that I am potentially creating revenue for him,' she said. While Ms Kelly believes the host's backlash was excessive, she admitted that she has learned an important lesson. She urged other influencers to be fully aware of the rules around professional content production and commercial shooting inside different homes on Airbnb. Ms Kelly urged guests to read a property's terms and conditions before their stay. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Kelly and Airbnb for further comment. Layla Kelly believes the host's backlash was excessive but admitted that she has learned an important lesson Ms Kelly previously revealed how she had decided to bed as many Kiwis as she pleased in 2025 with the support of her husband of 19 years. She wanted to prove it's possible to give a 'hall pass' to your romantic partner and remain in a healthy relationship. 'My husband and I are entering our 19th year together and thought [the hall pass] would be a fun way to spice up our marriage,' she told the Daily Mail. 'In the past, we have experimented with extra people in the bedroom, this year we want to do that more regularly and share our experiences with our fans online. 'I know my fans love watching me with everyday men who aren't my husband and we get to have some fun at the same time, it's a win-win situation!' The Duchess of Sussex has admitted the original name for lifestyle brand As Ever became a 'word salad', as she released the third episode of her new podcast. Meghan Markle originally introduced her latest business venture selling products such as raspberry spread as American Riviera Orchard in March last year. But she faced trademarking setbacks and switched the name to As Ever in February, just weeks before the launch - with Netflix now a new partner in the business. The Duchess spoke about the name in the third episode of her podcast Confessions Of A Female Founder, in which she interviewed her friend, hair colourist Kadi Lee. She said: 'I had secured As Ever as a name in 2022, and then as everything started to evolve last year, and bringing in a partner the size that it was, and it was just so interesting. 'Because you remember, I said, 'I like American Riviera as an umbrella,' and then be able to have verticals beneath it. And maybe have the 'Orchard' really small. But when that's not feasible suddenly it became this word salad. I didn't love that so much.' 'I was like, 'OK, well let's go back to the thing that I've always loved. Let's use the name that I protected for a reason that had been sort of under wraps'. 'And then we were able to focus in the quiet and put our heads down and build on something that no one was sniffing around to even see about. Meghan Markle with Kadi Lee at a Highbrow Hippie event in Venice, California, last November The Duchess of Sussex launched her 'Confessions Of A Female Founder' podcast last month 'It was just really, really helpful to have that quiet period which you would know after spending so many years working on something, building it and the pivots that you had to take with it.' Meghan's guest Lee runs the Highbrow Hippie salon in the Los Angeles area of Venice, with her clients including Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Sigourney Weaver. The Duchess revealed last November that she had invested in the company, telling InStyle at the time that she was 'so proud to invest in her as a friend and as a female founder'. Meghan also attended a launch event for the brand in Venice and posed for photos with Lee and celebrity hairstylist Serge Normant, who styled her hair for her wedding to Prince Harry in Windsor in 2018. And the Duchess said of Lee in the podcast: 'Look at you now, I mean the name Highbrow Hippie is no longer just a blog and a hair salon, it's a product line too. 'You have a hair supplement and hair serum that you just launched last year, and it's already been named best hair serum by Oprah Daily.' The Duchess described Lee in the podcast as a 'dear friend' and said people 'can't get enough' of Lee's products. Meghan with poet Cleo Wade (left) and Kadi Lee (right) to celebrate her 42nd birthday in 2023 Kadi Lee's celebrity clients include Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts (pictured together) Lee also said they first met in 2020, which was the year Meghan stepped down as a senior royal with Harry and moved her family to California. Meghan and Lee met through Normant, and Lee styled Meghan's hair last year for the Los Angeles children's hospital gala in October, the ESPN Espy Awards in July and the Invictus Games One Year to Go event in February. Lee who previously worked at the Aveda Institute in New York - and her friend Myka Harris founded their hair salon in 2019 following the success of a shared blog. Their brand also promotes 'conscious living' and sells smokeless incense, California olive oil, Mason Pearson hairbrushes and magnesium food supplements. In 2020, the pair attended a Black Lives Matter march and highlighted how they were the only black-owned business on their street. In May 2023, the salon revealed that Meghan had booked in for a hair colouring session with Lee ahead of the Women of Vision awards in New York. Their conversation is the latest instalment from Meghan's new eight-part podcast with Lemonada Media, which promised 'girl talk' and advice on how to create 'billion-dollar businesses'. It follows the Duchess's Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan coming out last month and the launch As Ever, which is selling flower sprinkles and herbal tea. Meghan with Kadi Lee and her hair stylist Serge Normant at the Highbrow Hippie event in Venice, California, in November 2024 Serge Normant styled Meghan's hair for her wedding to Prince Harry in Windsor in May 2018 In February, Meghan revealed she had renamed her lifestyle brand to 'As Ever' and posted a rare image of her young daughter Lilibet to accompany the announcement. She said at the time: 'Last year, I had thought 'You know what, American Riviera, that sounds like such a great name, it's my neighbourhood, it's a nickname for Santa Barbara'. 'But it limited me to things that were just manufactured and grown in this area. 'Then Netflix came on, not just as my partner in the show, but as my partner in my business, which was huge.' The latest episode of Meghan's podcast comes after she spoke about 'juggling it all' and nursing a poorly Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet at home in episode two last week. Meghan revealed how, at the time of recording, one of her children had RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) a common cause of coughs and colds and the other influenza A a form of flu. The Duchess, talking about the challenge of being a working mother, said: 'With that comes the woman who is juggling it all and doing it all from home, being confident enough to tell the truth about what's going on, because you can't give grace to someone in the same way if you just have no sense of it.' Meghan Markle originally introduced her brand as American Riviera Orchard in March last year The Duchess faced trademarking setbacks and switched the name to As Ever in February Speaking to Reshma Saujani, founder of the not-for-profit Girls Who Code, she also touched on her experience of miscarriage and having to 'let something go that you plan to love for a long time'. Meghan had a miscarriage in July 2020, when her eldest child Archie was one, revealing her heartbreak in an article for The New York Times later that year. In the first episode of the podcast, released a fortnight ago, Meghan said she suffered medical complications after childbirth, and had to cope with the 'world' not knowing. The Duchess she had been diagnosed with post-partum pre-eclampsia following the birth of one of her children. Describing the condition, Meghan said: 'It's so rare. And its so scary.' 'You're still trying to juggle all these things and the world doesn't know what is happening, quietly and in the quiet you are still trying to show up for people. 'You're still trying to show up, mostly for your children. But those things are huge medical scares.' Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of dating platform Bumble and the first guest on Meghan's podcast, added: 'They're life or death, truly.' The fourth episode of Confessions of a Female Founder will be released on April 29. Thousands of Commonwealth Bank customers were locked out of their own accounts on Tuesday, sparking a furious backlash. The outrage affected customers trying to access the bank's app with thousands of reports lodged to DownDetector. Customers were unable to access the Commbank app and Netbank services for at least two hours until services were finally restored. Customers took to social media to express their frustrations. 'What's wrong with your app today, (Commonwealth Bank)? [I] can't log in since hours ago,' one wrote on X. 'After you put in your pin it just sits there,' another said. 'Excuse you? Netbank is not working... I cannot log in,' a third fumed. 'How many times have you let customers down recently? Absolutely deplorable.' Commonwealth Bank customers were furious after being locked out of their accounts online 'Wow, decide over two hours later to let customers know about outage yet again,' another said. Other customers described the outage as highly inconvenient. 'I need to pay for my food but your app is not working ... I'm standing here for 30 minutes trying,' one wrote on X. 'Trying to transfer money to make my credit card payment and I cant. Better not be getting any late fees!' another said on Facebook. One mum fumed: 'Would the (Commonwealth Bank) like to order and pay for my kids dinner? Because I cant.' Others threatened to switch banks. 'Always! Sorry isnt good enough! No one has access to their money and you never compensate for the repercussions you cause,' one customer wrote. The bank restored access to its online and mobile apps by 6.30pm Tuesday 'Enough is enough, Ive been with you for 25 years, I will be switching banks this week.' The bank spent several hours trying to resolve the nationwide glitch before services were finally restored. 'We are aware there are intermittent issues with accessing NetBank and the CommBank app,' a statement read. 'Other services including ATMs, online and in person payments, including tap and pay, are working. Our teams are urgently working to fix this issue. 'We are very sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks for your patience.' Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly ready to allow France and other EU nations to maintain post-Brexit fishing rights in UK waters so British defence firms can sell weapons to member states. The Prime Minister is said to be ready cut a deal allowing companies like BAE Systems and Babcock to bid for contracts under the 150billion Security Action for Europe (Safe) programme. Paris and other nations with large fishing fleets had been blocking the UK from joining the security pact as a non-EU state without concessions on marine harvesting, to the bemusement of Brussels officials. But The Times reported today that the PM is prepared to offer a multi-year deal on quotas as a way of gaining access to European nations rebuilding their militaries under his 'reset' with Brussels. The current EU deal is due to end next year. UK defence exports are worth more than eight times the value of fish sales, at some 14.5billion in 2023. The PM is also prepared to align food standards with the EU to ease bottlenecks at Dover caused by inspections. An EU diplomat told the paper: 'The British are making the concessions they need to. 'That is positive and shows a maturity that was not there in the Brexit negotiations.' The Prime Minister is said to be ready cut a deal allowing companies like BAE Systems and Babcock to bit for contracts under the 150billion Security Action for Europe (Safe) programme. But The Times reported today that the PM is prepared to offer a multi-year deal on fish quotas as a way of gaining access to European nations rebuilding their militaries. UK defence exports are worth more than eight times the value of fish sales, at some 14.5billion in 2023. Earlier this month the European Union's top foreign affairs official mocked France for using fish to block UK involvement in the security pact in the face of the threat from Russia. Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, appeared to criticise the Macron government, telling the BBC she was 'surprised how important fish are, considering the security situation'. Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme she said: 'I'm definitely pushing this from my side because I think the UK is a very important defence and security partner, it's the most logical defence and security partner that we have and it is a beneficial relationship for both sides.' And laughing, she added: 'I'm learning in this job fish to the French they are very important.' Sir Keir will aim to strengthen the UKs defence ties with New Zealand as he hosts the countrys prime minister today. He and his counterpart, Christopher Luxon, are expected to visit a military base to see British and Kiwi personnel train Ukrainian troops as part of the UKs Operation Interflex. More than 54,000 Ukrainians have already received training under Operation Interflex, and Mr Luxon is expected to confirm on Tuesday that New Zealand will extend its support for the programme to the end of the year. In a further show of support for Ukraine, Sir Keir is expected to announce a deal worth 30 million for drones produced by SYOS Aerospace, a New Zealand company with a factory in Hampshire. Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, appeared to criticse the Macron government, which is insisting that a British pact with Brussels to help counter Russian aggression is linked to seafood quotas. Paris is refusing to engage on the security pact unless Britain meets EU demands over fishing rights. Drones have become increasingly important over the course of the war in Ukraine, and now account for more battlefield casualties than artillery. The pair will also instruct their respective defence ministers to begin work on a new defence partnership between the UK and New Zealand, replacing the one signed in 2015. The UK and New Zealand already have long-standing defence links, with both nations belonging to the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network and the Royal New Zealand Navy providing a frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha, for the UK carrier strike group due to set sail for the Indian Ocean from Portsmouth on Tuesday. A 45-year-old woman who was stabbed to death in a north London flat has been named by police. Pamela Munro was found with knife injuries after police officers rushed to an address in Ayley Croft, Enfield, at around 7pm on Saturday. Crews from the London Air Ambulance service treated Ms Munro but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Metropolitan Police detectives arrested a 29-year-old man on suspicion of murder on Monday. He remains in police custody. Ms Munro's family have been made aware of her tragic death and are being supported by specialist officers. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, leading the murder probe, said: 'Investigating officers have worked relentlessly across the weekend to investigate the circumstances around Pamela's death. 'We continue to support her family who are understandably devastated. 'This morning, we arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with Pamela's death and he remains in custody. 'We continue to ask anyone who may have information or particularly anyone who was driving through Ayley Croft between 18:30hrs and 19:30hrs on Saturday, 19 April and could have any dashcam footage to contact us.' Pamela Munro (pictured) was found with knife injuries after police officers rushed to an address in Ayley Croft, Enfield, at around 7pm on Saturday A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Pictured: Ayley Croft, Enfield Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, who oversees policing for Enfield, said: 'Our thoughts are with Pamela's family and local residents who will have been significantly impacted following the news of her death. 'I am grateful to local officers and officers from the Specialist Crime Command who have worked tirelessly since Saturday to investigate the circumstances surrounding Pamela's death as well as support the local community. 'Neighbourhood officers will remain at Ayley Croft throughout the coming days to support the community and help investigators continue enquiries. Please contact officers if you have any information.' A British climber has been left partially paralysed after he was crushed by a huge boulder weighing more than 40lbs in Spain. Aaron Nattrass was rock climbing on the Spanish island of Mallorca on April 12 when a massive rock plunged around 130 ft directly onto the Brit, crushing his elbow and pelvis. Friends of the Brit said he is lucky to be alive, as the boulder narrowly missed his head. Aaron underwent surgery last week to try and repair his elbow, but according to friends, 'the prognosis is not particularly encouraging and it's not known how much of the use of his right arm he will regain'. A GoFundMe has been created to support Aaron through his recovery. 'His fractured pelvis may also require an operation and the recovery may be at least 6- 7 months with a lot of physio', a caption for the fundraiser said. 'Aaron is unlikely to be able to get up and walk at all for at least six - eight weeks. 'We are very grateful he is still with us. He is self employed and as many of you that are familiar with Spanish bureaucracy will know, he will be entitled to very little to get him through what will be some pretty rough days.' Brit Aaron Nattrass has been left partially paralysed after he was crushed by a huge 20kg boulder in Mallorca Friends of the Brit said he is lucky to be alive, and have set up a GoFundMe to support him financially while he recovers So far, the 3,280 euros have been raised out of the 4,000 euro target. It comes just a few months after a young British climber died after falling on a Spanish mountain. The unnamed 20-year-old man fell and injured himself on December 11, 2024, while exploring an area known as Puente del Mono - which translates into English as Monkey Bridge - close to the village of El Chorro. He was knocked unconscious and had gone into cardiac arrest by the time the first emergency responders arrived by helicopter to the mountains near Malaga. Police attempted to rescue the man by winching him from the rocky surface, but he was later pronounced dead. The area where the tragedy occurred is on the famous Caminito del Rey path. A spokesman for the Guardia Civil in Malaga said: 'Members of the specialist Civil Guard Greim mountain rescue team based in Alora near Malaga, supported by a Civil Guard helicopter based in Granada, have rescued the body of a young British man. 'He had suffered a fall while he was crossing a via ferrata in the area known as Monkey Bridge near to El Chorro. Thousands of Gen Z students are set to be taught 'soft skills' ranging from empathy to time management in a bid to help young people overcome fears of being interviewed for jobs. The UK-first trial, which will be conducted on students in Greater Manchester, will teach young children 'everyday but essential' tools after employers raised concerns that 'digital natives' were struggling with speaking on the phone or going for jobs. Leading child psychiatrist Professor Sandeep Ranote said Gen Z, those born between the mid 1990s and early 2010s, lack key social skills because they have grown up in a very different world. 'Young people are going into a world with huge challenges that certainly I didn't have,' she told The Guardian. 'I call it the five Cs: they lived through Covid, climate change, cost-of-living, cyberspace and conflict.' The trial, Skills 4 Living, was launched in the UK for the first time by Higher Health, which began the project in South Africa six years ago. Students will be taught the skills primarily online, but will also be expected to complete assessments by interacting in person with others. They will attend seminars on spotting fake news, internet safety, how to challenge discrimination, gambling awareness and avoiding scams. The UK-first trial, which will be conducted on students in Greater Manchester, will teach young children 'everyday but essential' tools. (File image) Leading child psychiatrist Professor Sandeep Ranote (pictured) said Gen Z lack key social skills It comes after employers raised concerns that 'digital natives' were struggling with speaking on the phone or going for jobs. (File image) The scheme aims to reach 10,000 young people and will be taught by the likes of the University of Manchester, University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University. It could also be expanded to other 16 to 25 year olds including young offenders, members of the military and refugees. Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, said: 'Preparing young people to lead confident, healthy and productive lives is key to their employability and long-term wellbeing. I'm proud that Greater Manchester's young people will be the first in the UK to access this opportunity'. Last month, one of Britain's biggest finance firms announced it would be training Gen Z staff to speak over the phone because young workers are too scared to talk on their devices. The new training has been set up by Forvis Mazars in response to concerns that 'the digital generation' lack the soft skills to work in the City. The training will include teaching people how to have 'challenging' conversations over the phone and cover topics such as 'relationship building'. And staff will undergo an 'immersive' experience, practising picking up the phone and entering client meetings. The firm is launching the 'comprehensive learning and development programme' this year. The scheme aims to reach 10,000 young people and will be taught by the likes of the University of Manchester (pictured), University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University The move follows on from concerns that Gen Z entering the workplace would rather communicate via text or email because they lack the experience of speaking to people directly over the phone. Victoria Bari, the head of training at Berry Recruitment Group, said young people entering the workforce are terrified of speaking over the phone. Ms Bari said: 'There is certainly a generational divide and for younger, more inexperienced consultants, emails and messaging are the first route of communication. 'But talking to people remains the most effective method of building relationships, which is a fundamental building-block of sales.' Forvis Mazars said the programme is being launched because junior staff will be expected to have greater interpersonal skills. The firm has anticipated that eventually basic tasks completed by Gen Z staff will be done by computers instead. James Gilbey, chief executive of Forvis Mazars, told the Telegraph: 'We've committed to a major firm-wide investment to put relationship skills front and centre.' Opponents of the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of a woman have been accused of 'wishful thinking' and being 'fuelled by misunderstanding' as they fight against the decision. Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Akua Reindorf argued the ruling gives a complex topic a 'model of clarity'. Last week the Supreme Court ruled that within the 2010 Equality Act, the term 'women' relates to biological women. Despite judges warning that its judgment should not be taken as a 'triumph' for either side, gender critics including JK Rowling were quick to celebrate the ruling. Writing in the Times this week, Ms Reindorf described the judgment as 'a decisive moment in the long and bitter political conflict between gender-critical women's rights campaigners and advocates for trans rights'. Responding to criticism of the judgment, she added: 'Lively critical discussion is vital to civic life and democratic participation. 'Unfortunately, on this occasion much of it has been fuelled by misunderstanding, wishful thinking and distortion.' Last week the EHRC said the ruling would have far-reaching implications for the trans community, and could mean they are excluded from spaces which are reserved for their self-identified gender. It comes after thousands of activists took to the streets in London and Edinburgh over the weekend in protest of the ruling. Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Akua Reindorf argued the ruling gives a complex topic a 'model of clarity' Thousands of activists took to the streets in London and Edinburgh over the weekend in protest of the ruling While the protests were peaceful, after activists left it emerged that seven statues had been defaced in Parliament Square with graffiti Many waved posters and banners supporting trans rights. While the protests were peaceful, after activists left it emerged that seven statues had been defaced in Parliament Square with graffiti. The statues of Jan Christian Smuts, Nelson Mandela, Sir Robert Peel, Benjamin Disraeli, Millicent Fawcett, Earl of Derby and Viscount Palmerston were all affected. 'F** rights' and a heart were chalked onto the banner held by suffragist Millicent Fawcett, and 'trans rights are human rights' were spray-painted on the pedestal bearing a memorial to South African military leader Jan Christian Smuts. Chief Superintendent, Stuart Bell, who led the policing operation for the protest, said: 'Criminal damage and vandalism like this has no place on the streets of London and spoils the area for locals and those visiting. 'While the police support the public's right to protest, criminality like this is senseless and unacceptable. We are pursuing this and will take action against those responsible. 'Working with the Greater London Authority (GLA) plans are underway to remove the graffiti but this requires specialist equipment and we are confident this will be done shortly. 'We are keen to speak to those who saw anything on the day and urge anyone with information, pictures or footage to come forward. Please call 101, quoting 01/7396927/25.' Trans people, members of the LGBT+ community and allies all descended on Westminster on Saturday The statues of Jan Christian Smuts, Nelson Mandela, Sir Robert Peel, Benjamin Disraeli, Millicent Fawcett, Earl of Derby and Viscount Palmerston were all defaced The Metropolitan Police are hunting for the trans-rights activists who have defaced a number of statues in Westminister Seven statues, including the Millicent Fawcett statue, were defaced with graffiti during a protest against the Supreme Court ruling on Saturday (Graffiti says 'F** rights') Meanwhile members of the trans community and allies have vowed to continue using bathrooms that align with their gender rather than biological sex. The finding that the definition of a woman in equality law is based on biological sex means trans women with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) can be excluded from single-sex spaces if deemed 'proportionate'. A group of trans activists have proudly posted a video from inside some female toilets. In the video, transgender females are stood in cubicles inside the bathrooms, one by one saying 'where I do my business is none of your business'. After the ruling, Married at First Sight star Ella Morgan declared, 'I still see myself as a woman, whether I am on paper or not'. 'I hate to say this, but for the first time since I have had that title and role I actually do feel nervous and scared not only for myself but for the community because it's the unknown,' she told Good Morning Britain. Trans influencers railed against the judgment on social media by posting videos of their horrified reactions, with one - Bel Priestly - telling her 1.4million followers that Britain was 'going backwards'. Ant Lexa, who plays Abbi Montgomery in Netflix series Sex Education, described feeling 'heartbroken'. Married At First Sight trans star Ella Morgan said she feels 'scared' and 'nervous' after the Supreme Court 's landmark gender ruling Ant Lexa, who plays Abbi Montgomery in Netflix series Sex Education, described feeling 'heartbroken' The Sex Education star is one of the most prominent public figures to have spoken out against the judgment. 'Getting myself out of bed this morning was hard after receiving this news,' she told Channel 4 News. 'I am, first and foremost, a woman. That doesn't feel like some political stance. It just feels like who I am. And it has always felt like who I am. 'So not being recognised within law, especially a law that is designed to protect us, and that was why it was there, just feels terrifying. 'Not even about today, but the precedent that it's setting for not just the UK, but across the world. It just has left me feeling unprotected.' And Bridgerton and Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan, who is a member of the LGBT+ community, hit out at JK Rowling after she celebrated the ruling with champagne and cigars on her $150 million superyacht. The actor shared an article headlined: 'This is a new low for JK Rowling' before taking a dig at HBO's new Harry Potter series, writing: 'Keep your new Harry Potter lads. Wouldn't touch it with a 10ft pole'. Last week, 38-year-old Coughlan also shared a video voicing her disgust at what she called a 'stomach-churning' Supreme Court ruling. 'To see an already marginalised community being further attacked and attacked in law is really stomach churning and disgusting, and to see people celebrate it is more stomach-churning and disgusting,' she said. 'Make your voice heard and let your trans and non-binary friends and the community at large know that you are there for them and will keep fighting for them.' The video was shared to announce the launch of a new fundraiser - which has already raised more than 100,000 - spearheaded by the actor in support of trans charity Not A Phase. Former BBC Today host Mishal Husain has revealed how her ancestors were 'in the room' at the start of the US Revolution - days after criticising 'bombastic' presenters for focusing on their personal lives. Husain, 52, stood down from her role at the BBC in December 2024 after 11 years at the helm of Radio 4 and more than two decades at the corporation. And after publishing a memoir last year detailing the lives of her grandparents through the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, she has now divulged further details uncovered about her ancestry. Speaking in BBC's Who Do You Think You Are series, Husain said it 'blew her mind' to have discovered family ties to the American Revolution in 1775. She said: 'It has given me a much broader sense of myself. To realise I had a connection to the end of the British Empire in another part of the world was extraordinary.' After researching her family history, Husain discovered that her four-times great grandfather Joseph Farley - who she initially believed to be Irish - was a trader who moved from America to India in the 1800s. She then found that Farley's own father was involved in the American War of Independence, and had fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill in Boston. And his father Michael - believed to be an ally of George Washington - was among the 92 men who voted against the first calls for 'no taxation without representation'. Mishal Husain, 52, stood down from her role at the BBC in December 2024 after 11 years at the helm and more than two decades at the corporation After publishing a memoir last year detailing the lives of her grandparents through the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, Mishal Husain has divulged further details of her ancestry Speaking in BBC's Who Do You Think You Are series, Husain said it 'blew her mind' to have discovered family ties to the American Revolution in 1775 Husain said she 'could have never imagined' having ties to the Revolution and that she was 'so proud' that her family thought about 'a different and better world'. The 52-year-old's revelations come less than a week after she took aim at 'bombastic' presenters, following concerns that the BBC Radio 4 programme has become more personality-focused. The comments, which could be perceived as a veiled swipe aimed towards current presenters including Amol Rajan and Emma Barnett, were made after she was asked about the changes at the flagship Radio 4 breakfast show. She told Vogue: 'Personality-focused journalism doesn't have to be bombastic. It doesn't have to be about the presenters centring themselves. 'Hopefully, if they're a personality with journalistic integrity, journalistic values, then they can be a conduit to the news for people.' When the broadcaster was asked whether she was comfortable with the changes, she said she was always part of a wider team rather than being focused on herself. She said: 'What was true to me was that I would very rarely use the word "I", actually on air. I would quite often say, "We've talked to so and so", because you're always part of a team.' 'From the booking of guests, the deciding to go down a certain route, the writing of a brief broadcasting is a team effort.' The 52-year-old's revelations come less than a week after she took aim at 'bombastic' presenters, following concerns that the BBC Radio 4 programme has become more personality-focused (Pictured with her former colleagues) The comments, which could be perceived as a veiled swipe aimed towards current presenters incuding Amol Rajan and Emma Barnett (right), were made after she was asked about the changes at the flagship Radio 4 breakfast show 'So I would always say "we" and very rarely use the word "I". That's just what came naturally to me.' Last November, Husain also said in a speech that she had faced more racism then 'at any point' in her career. The presenter also said Britain now feels 'worse' and 'more febrile' than the month immediately after 9/11. She said: 'Racism is a part of many people's everyday experience and people are at the sharp end of prejudice in many different ways as part of their daily experience, so I don't think that what I've felt myself in the past year is, sadly, anything special or notable. It's just that this past year was the moment where it came home to me.' The new series of Who Do You Think You Are is set to begin on BBC One this evening and will feature other guests such as actors Andrew Garfield, Diane Morgan and Ross Kemp. The episode featuring Husain is scheduled for broadcast next Tuesday. Kemi Badenoch has pledged a new push to end the controversial police pursuit of non-crime hate incidents. The Conservative leader said a change in the law was needed to prevent officers wasting time chasing ideology and grievance instead of justice. The Tories will now force a Commons vote on the issue by tabling an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, which would make it illegal in almost all cases to keep records on people accused of expressing offensive views unless a crime has been committed. A non-crime hate incident is defined as one that falls short of being criminal, but is perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person with a particular characteristic, such as ethnicity or sexuality. Recording of the incidents began in 2014 as part of plans to try and identify potential flashpoints in society. It has led to officers recording the personal details of more than 100,000 people accused of making offensive remarks, often without establishing the facts or even whether the incident has taken place. The practice has become increasingly controversial in recent months, amid warnings it is being used to pursue trivial and vexatious complaints. Tory sources said it had spiralled out of control. Journalist Allison Pearson triggered a public row over the policy last year when she revealed she was visited by officers at home following a complaint about a deleted remark on social media more than a year previously. Following a public backlash, Essex Police later said it was taking no action in the case. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is urging a Commons vote on the formal investigation of non-crime hate incidents after tabling an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill The Tory leader has urged Sir Keir Starmer, above, to stop hiding behind weasel words and says the public want police on the streets - not trawling social media for perceived slights Journalist Allison Pearson revealed last year that she was visited by police officers at her home following a complaint about a deleted remark on social media more than a year previously In another case a pubgoer accused Welsh bar staff of refusing to serve him because he was English. Staff said the customer was drunk, but the incident was kept on file by North Wales Police as being potentially racial. Mrs Badenoch last night urged ministers to back the Tory bid to outlaw the practice in all but the most serious cases. She said recording the incidents hasnt cut crime. Its wasted police time chasing ideology and grievance instead of justice. No wonder public trust in the police is falling. People see officers distracted from real threats and politicians too scared to act. She called on Sir Keir Starmer to stop hiding behind weasel words, adding: The British public want police on the streets - fighting crime and protecting families - not trawling social media for things someone might find offensive. Under the Tory proposal police forces would be barred from keeping records on individuals involved in incidents that fall short of the criminal threshold, except in cases where a senior officer says it is needed to prevent or investigate actual crimes. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the measure would stop police forces from wasting time on this Orwellian nonsense and get them back to doing the job the public expects: fighting real crime. Reports suggest that police forces have recorded an average of 13,000 non-crime hate incidents per year since they were introduced. But yesterday it emerged that many police forces do not even analyse the data they collect. Fourteen out of 15 forces that responded to Freedom of Information requests said they had made no analysis of the effectiveness of the data on reducing or detecting crime. A protest descended into chaos as hundreds of community members took over a street where a man was gunned down and killed by police. Somali refugee Abdifatah Ahmed, 35, was shot dead by officers in Footscray in inner-Melbourne last Thursday night after he lunged at them with a knife. The incident had sparked outrage in the Somali community, prompting protestors to gather near the scene on Tuesday to call for justice, an independent probe into the incident and improved mental health support. The protest started off peacefully before a glass bottle was thrown, forcing police to use 'defence tactics' in an attempt to prevent hostilities from escalating further. Footage captured the moment the protest turned violent when a man took a swing at an officer. The man, who appeared to have been wearing an ankle bracelet, was dragged backwards as another officer turned towards the advancing mob with his baton raised. Protest organisers condemned the incident and claimed the man didn't represent the broader interests of the crowd. Peaceful protestors sat on the ground as aggressive crowd members were moved on. Abdifatah Ahmed (pictured) was shot and killed by police in Footscray on Thursday evening after he lunged at officers with a knife An otherwise peaceful Footscray protest turned violent after a man took a swing at police officers on Tuesday afternoon Despite the ugly scenes, a Victoria Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that no arrests were made with no reports of any injuries. Police will review footage of Tuesday's protest to determine whether any charges can be laid. Mr Ahmed had no fixed address and suffered from poor mental health when his life was cut short. Protestors carried handwritten signs stating: 'Mental illness is not a crime. Justice for Abdifatah, we are his voice'. 'Justice for Abdifatah, murdered by police', a banner read. Another sign said: 'Australian government brings refugees but forget(s) to protect them'. 'We came together to raise our voice,' Somali Community Inc president Farah Warsame said. He never met Mr Ahmed but said attempts had been made to support him. 'He was a very shy guy, I was told,' Mr Warsame said. 'I tried to ... find him and see what sort of help we could do for him but unfortunately we didn't see him.' Protest organisers disavowed the violence of the lone attacker, claiming he did not represent the interests of the broader community Advocates also demanded police officers be given tasers sooner than the expected three-year deadline announced by police minister Anthony Carbine in 2023. Police were called to Albert Street about 9pm last Thursday following reports of a man armed with a knife. After instructing the man to drop the knife, Mr Ahmed charged towards the officers, forcing them to open fire. Victoria Police has launched an homicide investigation with oversight from the professional standards command. On Tuesday, police confirmed the officers involved were not carrying Tasers. 'Unfortunately, police were confronted with an extremely volatile and high-risk situation and made a tactical decision to use their firearms in a small matter of moments,' a spokesperson said. 'We strongly reject any claims that this matter was racially motivated. Police are pictured rushing from the advancing protesters where one officer appeared to knock into a man wearing a red jumper 'These decisions are made in line with rigorous training police receive around dealing with armed offenders, with the safety of the community and our officers the number one priority. 'This was an incident that could have impacted the safety of a large number of people who were in the area on the night.' A rollout of Tasers to all Victorian frontline police is on track to be completed by September 2026 and is currently 60 per cent complete. The rollout was moving as 'fast as it possibly can', the police spokesperson said, noting that even with Tasers, officers had to assess which options to use. The two officers involved remain on leave, as per standard protocol. If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636. Two women have denied stalking the family of Madeleine McCann. Polish national, 23-year-old Julia Wandel - who claims to be missing Madeline - and 60-year-old Karen Spragg, of Caerau in Cardiff, pleaded not guilty to stalking the McCann family at a brief hearing at Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday morning. Wearing a white and blue skirt suit, Spragg beamed as Wandel entered the dock from the cells and took a seat beside her. Wandel, in a long-sleeved white blouse, waved at supporters in the public gallery who waved back. She spoke to confirm her name was Julia Wandel 'according to documents' and to enter her plea during the hearing. The pair will now face trial at the same court in October, when Kate and Gerry McCann and their twins Sean and Amelie are due to give evidence. Karen Spragg pictured arriving at Leicester Crown Court, is charged with one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress She is accused of turning up at Gerry and Kate McCann's Leicestershire home with co-accused Julia Wandel (pictured), 23, a Polish woman who has claimed to be the couple's missing daughter Madeleine Madeleine McCann's (pictured) disappearance while on a family holiday in Portugal's Algarve at the age of three in 2007 is one of the most widely reported missing child cases in history and remains unsolved The two women are accused of the McCann family between June 22 and February 2025. Wandel is alleged to have attended the family home in Leicestershire on May 2 and December 7 last year, a court previously heard. She is also accused of sending a letter, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann, and sending Amelie and Sean McCann Instagram messages between January 3 and December 29 last year. Spragg is alleged to have made calls, sent letters and attended the home address of Mr and Mrs McCann, a court heard previously. Leicester Crown Court heard their conduct 'had a substantial adverse effect' on the family's day-to-day activities 'when you knew or ought to have known that your course of conduct would cause alarm or distress'. Karen Spragg (left) was released on bail on the condition she did not contact the McCann family or enter Leicestershire Spragg (pictured outside court in March) has been charged with one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress between May 3, 2024 and February 21 this year Wandel, who has claimed to be Madeleine, was arrested at Bristol Airport on suspicion of stalking involving serious alarm and distress. Pictured: Court sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Wandel at Leicester Magistrates Court last month It is alleged she made unwanted contact with the McCanns, turned up at their address and sent letters, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages, which amounted to stalking. Pictured: Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann She was released on bail on the condition not to contact the McCanns or enter Leicestershire, apart from to attend court. Wandel was remanded in custody until August. Madeleine McCann's disappearance while on a family holiday in Portugal's Algarve at the age of three in in 2007 is one of the most widely reported missing child cases in history and remains unsolved. Madeleine's parents and siblings did not attend court today. A married father who said he wanted to swim with sharks was warned not to enter the water before he was savaged off an Israeli beach, a friend has revealed. Horrifying footage shows the man flailing in the water off the coast of Hadera's Olga Beach on Monday during the bloody attack as the water quickly turned red. 'I warned him not to go into the sea, and then I received the bitter news,' his friend told Israeli outlet Ynet, adding that the married father had entered the water to swim with the sharks. The man's haunting last words have been revealed by an eyewitness, who said he screamed: 'I'm bitten, I'm bitten,' as he waved his hands in the air. 'After a few minutes, sharks bit him - and suddenly he disappeared,' the beachgoer told Channel 12 News. But the man, whos is missing and feared dead after the savage attack, wasn't the only one interested in getting close to the predators off Hadera. Videos shared on social media show other beach-goers, including children, standing in the water and marvelling at the sharks as they swam around their legs just moments before the man was attacked. Some holidaymakers coming to the area to see the sharks would even grab them by their tails and beat them with an oar, according to the chairwoman of the Israeli Shark Association. Horrifying footage shows the man flailing in the water off the coast of Hadera's Olga Beach on Monday during the bloody attack as the water quickly turned red But the man wasn't the only one interested in getting close to the predators off Hadera. Videos shared on social media show other beach-goers, including children, standing in the water and marvelling at the sharks as they swam around their legs just moments before the man was attacked A man can be seen right next to a shark as it swims by in the shallow waters Your browser does not support iframes. The association said people actively approaching the predators was 'unreasonable behaviour'. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel has reacted to the shark attack by saying it called on the state four years ago to regulate behaviour in waters sharks visit. It said: 'Every winter, a unique phenomenon occurs in Israel in which sharks and rays gather at the outlet of the warm waters of the power stations. 'In the case of such a fascinating and public-attracting phenomenon, it would be appropriate to take conservation and safety measures for the public, but over the years, chaos has developed in the area. 'I started recording and saw they were sharks. They got within 164 to 328ft of the shoreline, which caused panic among swimmers. 'Still, some tried to approach them despite the lifeguards clear orders to get out of the water. The sharks moved from south to north, did a sort of "dance", and eventually disappeared.' Shark attacks in the Mediterranean are extremely rare, with 50 recorded since 1900, and only 11 fatal. The man's body has not yet been found, with divers continuing their search off Hadera's coast today. He is believed to have been attacked by at least three sharks, Ynet reports. A shark is seen close to shore off Israel, with beachgoers trying to touch the predator Children were seen standing in the water as sharks swam around their legs The man's body has not yet been found, with rescue teams continuing their search off Hadera's coast today The Hadera Municipality Coastal Department said it was 'conducting searches by jet ski to locate the diver and will continue to update as developments occur'. Rescuers are pictured above searching for the man today A shark was seen swimming close to the shore at Olga Beach, Israel, before the man was mauled The Hadera Municipality Coastal Department said it was 'conducting searches by jet ski to locate the diver and will continue to update as developments occur'. 'We urge the public traveling in the area to avoid entering the water and contact with the sharks,' it added. Police and rescue workers were deployed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 3.02pm on Monday, with the police saying in a statement that no casualties had yet been located. Israel Police said: 'A short time ago, officers from the Hadera Police Station and the Maritime Police were dispatched to the Hadera stream following reports from citizens who claimed they saw a shark attacking a diver in the water. 'Forces are en route, but no casualties have been located so far.' Footage uploaded to social media has also shown helicopters scanning the waters for the missing diver. Following the incident, the police have closed the Olga Beach to swimmers until further notice. Advertisement The Royal Navy's 3.5billion flagship has set sail on its eight-month mission to the Far East as part of a huge military show of force that could see it clashing with China. Crowds cheered as HMS Prince of Wales departed her home of Portsmouth to lead an international maritime strike group which aims to send a 'powerful message' that Britain 'means business'. The 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier - the biggest vessel ever built for the Senior Service - will lead a coalition of British, Norwegian and Canadian warships on operations in the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia. While the Government has not confirmed the precise route of 'Operation Highmast' - the codename for the deployment - the Navy has not ruled out sailing through the contentious 110-mile wide Taiwan Strait. The mission comes amid mounting fears that China is planning to launch a full-scale invasion of the island, with Beijing's military having already drilled huge D-Day style assaults of Taiwan using soldiers, marines, warships and its air force. And as tensions continue to intensify, the commander of the British-led carrier strike group has insisted the Royal Navy stands ready to defy China - and that it is prepared for any sort of military operation. 'I will deliver whatever mission I am ordered to go and do that's my role,' a defiant Commodore James Blackmore told the Telegraph ahead of the UK task group's deployment. 'My part of the bargain is being ready for all eventualities from a combat capability, from a defence engagement capability, from a partners and allies capability, so I'm ready to exercise whatever the Government or the Ministry of Defence asks me to do.' HMS Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth as she sets sail on her eight-month odyssey to the Far East Ahoy! One female sailor on HMS Prince of Wales breaks ranks to crack a cheeky smile as the ship left Portsmouth today The ship's company on the aircraft carrier appeared in high spirits as they waved to the crowds gathered in Portsmouth Commodore James Blackmore is leading the UK Carrier Strike Group. He is pictured on the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales Thousands of families and well-wishers lined the harbour walls at Portsmouth to wave off the 3.5billion naval leviathan, which will be accompanied from the navy base by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless. Banners and flags were waved by members of the public from the walls and beach of Portsmouth harbour with sailors aboard the 65,000-tonne warship waving back to cheers from the crowds as they passed. In a tribute to the Pope Francis, HMS Prince of Wales's ensign flag on its flight deck was at half-mast as a 'sign of a respect' to the late pontiff, a navy spokesman confirmed. The ships will then be joined by two Norwegian vessels - tanker HNoMS Maud and frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen - as well as the UK and Canadian frigates HMS Richmond and HMCS Ville de Quebec, which are sailing from Plymouth. The support vessel Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Tidespring will make up the final ship in the Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which will involve other ships and nations during the deployment called Operation Highmast. A contingent of 18 UK F-35B jets will join the carrier in the days after departure, with that number increasing to 24 during the deployment. Also joining will be Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and Merlin Mk4 Commando and Wildcat helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton, as well as an undeclared number of T-150 Malloy and Puma drones. Cdre Blackmore, 50, said the deployment would send a 'powerful message' to allies and potential adversaries about the UK's naval and air power. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The 65,000-tonne warship is spearheading the UK's carrier strike group to the Far East. It is pictured on Tuesday afternoon Excited sailors on the aircraft carrier all lined the deck as it departed Portsmouth - dubbed the home of the Royal Navy Sailors were all smiles as they lined up on the aircraft carrier's vast four-acre flight deck to wave goodbye to loved ones Say cheese! A family poses for a selfie as HMS Prince of Wales exits Portsmouth's glittering harbour on Tuesday Further west in Plymouth, and frigate HMS Richmond was waved off by families as it departed the city to join the carrier group While he could not divulge the exact route the fleet would take while in the Indo-Pacific, he added there was a clear motive for being there. He said: 'It's about supporting key trade routes that exist from the Indo-Pacific region to the UK, and supporting partners and allies in the region, showing that we are there as a capable and credible force should it be required. 'That in a time of crisis, we can come together and fight together and show that we have a capability that we mean business with.' He added: 'Working closely with partners from across the globe, Operation Highmast will demonstrate credible deterrence and our support to Nato and the rules-based international order. 'This will reaffirm that the UK is secure at home and strong abroad and reinforce the UK's commitment to the Indo-Pacific.' Just weeks ago, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, head of Britain's armed forces, met with top members of China's military during a low-key trip to the Asian superpower. The meeting, the first by a British Chief of the Defence Staff in a decade, led to speculation the Chinese had warned Adm Radakin to steer clear of the Taiwan Strait during the carrier strike group's mission to the Far East. China insists it owns almost all of the South China Sea and that the Taiwan Straight falls into its territorial waters. HMS Prince of Wales will be travelling to the Mediterranean and Middle East, before then heading to the Indo-Pacific region Gemma McConnell, 42, from Plymouth, Devon, with children Lachlan, seven, and Chloe, four, wait to wave off 38-year-old Surgeon Commander David McConnell as the aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, sets sails from Portsmouth Naval Base Viv Pyatt (on crutches), 61, from Probus, near Truro, Cornwall, and family wait to wave off her son Able Seaman Harry Pyatt, 24, who is serving on the Portsmouth-based supercarrier Two young boys proudly hold a White Ensign flag aloft as HMS Richmond departed its home in Plymouth on Tuesday However, Nato says the contested stretch of sea are international waters and that vessels have a right to freely navigate it. Despite this, the 2021 deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group - spearheaded by HMS Prince of Wales's sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth - did not traverse the strait. It led to accusations from Tory MPs that Britain was seeking to cosy up to Beijing. Should the strike group again avoid the territory, similar accusations could arise. A total of 2,500 military personnel - about 2,100 British, 400 from Norway, Canada and Spain - will initially deploy as part of the naval strike group, with the numbers rising to 4,500 for the major exercises in the Indo-Pacific region. Captain Will Blackett, commanding officer of HMS Prince of Wales, said: 'We have been training very, very hard for over a year now, and we're good to go. 'This ship is a fantastic machine, she's got amazing equipment - state of the art - and we're very proud to take her around the world. Captain Will Blackett, Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales on board the aircraft carrier's gigantic flight deck Captain Will Blackett RN, commanding officer of HMS Prince of Wales, left, Commodore James Blackmore RN, commander Carrier Strike Group, centre, and Captain Colin McGannity RN, commander Air Group, right, onboard HMS Prince of Wales Thousands of people lined Portsmouth's historic wall to celebrate the departure of the aircraft carrier on Tuesday afternoon Three sailors on HMS Prince of Wales' sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, watch as the carrier prepares to leave the naval base 'But it only works because of the magic that's brought to it by the people on board.' Leading Engineering Technician (LET) Josh Thompson, 29, from Barnstable, Devon, said: 'Personally, it's something to be pretty proud of, it's something that doesn't come round very often, seeing stops in places that most people don't see. 'And then also being a part of the bigger picture hopefully for the future of the UK and the world.' ET John Davis, 24, from Oxford, said: 'I'm really excited to be honest, I'm quite proud of the fact I'll be doing it.' Gemma McConnell, 42, from Plymouth, Devon, was with children Lachlan, seven, and Chloe, four, to wave off 38-year-old Surgeon Commander David McConnell in Portsmouth. She said: 'You've got to believe in the Navy to be a Navy wife, a proper part of it. 'It doesn't ever make me sad when he goes away, because I think it's an adventure, he gets to see the world, he's getting to be with amazing people and it just gives me an enormous sense of pride.' Viv Pyatt, 61, from Probus, near Truro, Cornwall, came to see son Able Seaman Harry Pyatt, 24, off. She said it had been an emotional farewell and added: 'We all had a few tears, even my son, he had a few tears, but he's got a girlfriend on board, so I think they'll look after each other, so they'll be fine.' Defence Secretary John Healey was full of praise for all those taking part in the military deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Families cheer HMS Richmond as it left Plymouth on Tuesday afternoon, with the ship's crew lining the frigate's deck In Portsmouth, huge crowds gathered across the coast of the Hampshire city to mark the major naval deployment Families, many carrying Union Flags or holding banners, cheered and waved as HMS Prince of Wales glided past them Crowds gathered along Portsmouth's Hot Walls - the traditional view point for naval families to watch their loved ones as they depart the city on deployments 'I want to thank the thousands of our armed forces personnel involved in the delivery of this immensely complex operation, demonstrating the UK's world-leading capability to deploy a major military force around the world,' he said. 'This is a unique opportunity for the UK to operate in close co-ordination with our partners and allies in a deployment that not only shows our commitment to security and stability, but also provides an opportunity to bolster our own economy and boost British trade and exports. 'As one of only a handful of countries in the world able to lead a deployment of this scale, the Royal Navy is once again demonstrating its formidable capability while protecting British values and sending a powerful message of deterrence to any adversary.' Minister for the armed forces, Luke Pollard MP - who was in Portsmouth to watch Prince of Wales and HMS Dauntless depart - added: 'The deployment of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group not only projects UK military power, but it's also a platform for our exports, for our businesses, for promoting UK jobs and growth, as well as our influence. 'And by having an international-by-design task group with our Norwegian, Canadian and Spanish friends alongside us for this initial phase of the deployment, we're working with our allies showing strength by coming together in these more uncertain times.' Stephen Morgan, Portsmouth South MP and former shadow armed forces minister, said the deployment of the Royal Navy fleet was one of HMS Prince of Wales' 'biggest yet'. Armed forces minister Luke Pollard was among the spectators watching the departure of HMS Prince of Wales in Portsmouth Commodore Blackmore, Commander Carrier Strike Group, centre, speaks to assembled media as Captain Will Blackett watches on A total of 2,500 military personnel - about 2,100 British, 400 from Norway, Canada and Spain - will initially deploy as part of the CSG. Pictured are members of HMS Prince of Wales' ship's company on the aircraft carrier's deck HMS Prince of Wales will embark up to 24 of the F-35 stealth jets for its eight-month mission The vessel will also be equipped with a number of drones for the first time. They will be used to transfer small pieces of kit between ships Speaking to MailOnline, the Labour MP added: 'Our aircraft carriers show our nations naval might and I know Portsmouth people will be feeling proud today of the vital role our city plays in pursuing peace and stability both at home and abroad. 'For some in our community, today will also be bittersweet as they say goodbye to their friends and loved ones who will be carrying out such courageous and important work on this deployment.' The CSG's first task will be to join a Nato exercise off France testing aerial defences before the ships move on to the Mediterranean to work with an Italian-led carrier force and then heading east via the Red Sea. Here, the navy could face the threat of potential drone and missile attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The terror group has previously attacked vessels passing through the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest and most important shipping routes. Earlier this year, Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond was scrambled into action to shoot down a ballistic missile fired toward a merchant vessel in the region by the Houthis. In the run up to the eight-month CSG deployment, the navy has been running a series of intensive drills to fend off large-scale 'drone swarm' assaults. The carrier strike group is expected to return to the UK before Christmas. Six nuclear submarines have been discovered at a previously hidden Chinese military base. Satellite imagery has revealed that at least half a dozen active submarines are resting at the First Submarine Base in Qingdao, which has direct access to the East China Sea, the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. Alex Luck, an independent naval analyst from Australia who first spotted the images, said five of the nuclear-powered submarines on the once-secret base were conventionally armed. These included two Type 091 submarines, two Type 093A submarines, and one unidentified submarine. The only Chinese Type 092 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, which is no longer operational and was recently replaced by Type 094, was also visible in the images. Experts have suggested that the base could be a central part of China's expanding maritime strategy. Last night campaigners called on Western nations to take a tougher stance on Beijing in light of their military buildup. Robert Clark, the head of UK Public Affairs and Advocacy at the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, told MailOnline: 'This alarming development confirms two important facets of Chinese military strategy - the first is their intent to continually defy international law by increasing their rate of nuclear proliferation. Satellite imagery has revealed some of China's latest military construction At least half a dozen active submarines are resting at the First Submarine Base in Qingdao, which has direct access to the East China Sea, the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan Five of the nuclear-powered submarines on the once-secret base are conventionally armed, with the other possessing a ballistic missile. Experts have suggested that the base could be a central part of China's expanding maritime strategy Strategically located with direct access to the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, this base has long been a sensitive military facility 'The second is their desire to not only break through as a truly 'blue water' navy, but to actively dominate the strategically important sea lines of communication all the way out to the third island chain, and as far as Australia and in the Indian Ocean. 'The base at Qingdao and their recently revealed nuclear submarines will give Beijing an enormous strategic edge in this regard. 'As the US begins to follow a more isolationist policy, today's deployment of the Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific must incorporate passage of the Taiwan Strait - just as previous deployments have done - to send a clear signal to China that it does not control these waters and islands which it has no legitimate basis'. Beijing's focus now appears to be modernising the nuclear component of its arsenal. China currently possesses about 600 nuclear warheads, but maintains a no-first-use nuclear weapons policy. It has built 12 nuclear-powered submarines over the last 15 years, including six Jin-class model, which were proudly displayed in a parade marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic in 2019. Each of these can carry up to 12 missiles. Experts also expect another new type of the submarine - the 096 - to be operational in the 2030s. This will likely be armed with a longer-range ballistic missile to bolster China's naval deterrence efforts. A nuclear-powered Type 094A Jin-class ballistic missile submarine US intelligence estimates that the PLAN is expected to grow its fleet from 60 to 65 submarines by the end of this year, and to 80 by 2035 Overall, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China possesses both a nuclear-powered submarine fleet and a robust diesel-electric submarine fleet. US intelligence estimates that the PLAN is expected to grow its fleet from 60 to 65 submarines by the end of this year, and to 80 by 2035. Luke De Pulford, Executive Director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, told MailOnline: 'China is engaged in what the former foreign secretary called the biggest military buildup in history. 'We, meanwhile, have our heads buried in the sand, sending ministers to China in the hope of more trade and investment as if nothing is wrong. 'We need to wake up fast and realise that Beijing is on a war footing, and escalation over Taiwan could cost the world 10% of global GDP or even more. 'We should be acting with allies to determine red lines and develop meaningful deterrence.' It is believed that the submarines, as well as acting as a deterrent, could also provide Beijing with a second-strike option, meaning they will be able retaliate with nuclear weapons if they sustain a nuclear attack. It hasn't all been plain sailing, however. In 2023, a Zhou-class vessel - the first of a new kind of Chinese submarine - sank in a dock, according to US defence officials and satellite imagery. China's capability build-up comes in light of increasing fears that they are preparing to invade Taiwan Luke De Pulford, of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, told MailOnline: 'China is engaged in what the former foreign secretary called the biggest military buildup in history' China's capability build-up comes in light of increasing fears that they are preparing to invade Taiwan. Last week Taiwans Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported a sharp rise in Chinese military activity around its airspace and waters. According to the MND, 34 aircraft of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), six naval vessels from the PLAN and two official ships were detected around the island. Earlier this month - just days after China held live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait - Taiwanese authorities started a two-week long military simulation to prepare for an assault on the island. Keir Starmer will accept an invite to attend the Pope's funeral this weekend, it was confirmed today. The PM is making the trip to Rome on Saturday alongside a host of international dignitaries, including Donald Trump and his wife Melania. However, Downing Street refused to comment on whether the leaders will be able to meet amid the ceremony, with frantic talks ongoing over a Transatlantic trade deal. Keir Starmer is poised to accept an invite to attend the Pope's funeral this weekend Pope Francis in his open coffin during the rite of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff at the Chapel of Santa Marta in The Vatican Details of Francis's funeral were confirmed this morning, with mass to take place at 10am local time celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals. The Pope's body will be on display for the public to pay their respects in St Peter's Basilica from tomorrow. Mr Trump announced yesterday that he and the First Lady will travel to Rome - the first international trip of his second term. Melania's 55th birthday is on Saturday. 'Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!' he wrote on social media. The Vatican said Francis, the first pope from Latin America, died after a stroke and requested a simple tomb in Rome. A pontiff's funeral and interment must take place four to six days after his death. A league table of foreign criminals living in the UK will be published for the first time. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has ordered officials to publish data by the end of the year showing the nationalities and crimes of those awaiting deportation. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the announcement showed Labour had 'buckled' under pressure from the Conservatives to disclose the data. Government sources insisted the move was only possible because Ms Cooper had ordered Home Office statisticians to overhaul their systems after they cited poor data quality when refusing to answer questions about the nationalities of foreign offenders. A Home Office source said: 'Not only are we deporting foreign criminals at a rate never seen when Chris Philp and Robert Jenrick were in charge at the Home Office, but we will also be publishing far more information about that cohort of offenders than the Tories ever did.' The latest data shows there were 19,244 foreign offenders awaiting deportation at the end of 2024, up from 17,907 when the Conservatives left office in July and 14,640 at the end of 2022. This rise came despite 3,594 offenders being deported in Labour's first nine months in office, a 16% increase on the same period in the previous 12 months. A combination of early release due to prison overcrowding, instability and diplomatic obstruction from some other countries, and a backlog of human rights appeals against deportation, are understood to have contributed to the increase in offenders awaiting deportation. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has ordered officials to publish data by the end of the year showing the nationalities and crimes of those awaiting deportation Your browser does not support iframes. A Home Office source said: 'Any foreign national who abuses our country's hospitality and commits serious crimes should be in no doubt that they will face the full force of the law, and be removed from the UK at the earliest opportunity. 'But we also want to ensure the public is kept better informed about the number of foreign criminals awaiting deportation, where they are from and the crimes they have committed, which is why - for the first time - ministers have tasked officials specifically with producing a greater range of data on this category of offenders, and ensuring that data is published in future in an open and transparent way.' Foreign nationals sentenced to 12 months or more in prison are subject to automatic deportation, but the Home Secretary can seek the removal of people who receive a lesser sentence if their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick welcomed the news, saying: 'We will finally see the hard reality that mass migration is fuelling crime across our country.' Mr Jenrick, who was a minister in the Home Office under the previous government, added: 'Frankly, the public deserved to know this long ago.' Previously, figures regarding the most common nationalities for certain types of offences have been collated by independent journalists and campaigners. Among the nationalities with the most prisoners in the UK, Albanians lead the unwanted league table with more than 1,200 inmates. Poles are in second with 911, followed by Romanians (729), Irish (634) and Jamaicans (370). Around half of those prisoners have been sentenced while the other 50 per cent are being held on remand either because they are thought to be too dangerous to release or because they are considered a flight risk. Albanian serial burglar Dorian Puka, 28, was twice jailed and deported before lodging an asylum claim Your browser does not support iframes. A Freedom of Information request seen by The Telegraph last month showed violent crime was most common among inmates from Poland, with 215. While Romanians were most likely to be involved with sex offences, with 88 prisoners. Ireland topped the table for robbery (80) and theft (11) while Albanians were most likely to be jailed for drug offences, with 439 held on these charges, four times more than any other nationality. The MoJ has committed to spending 5million on new frontline immigration staff to accelerate the removal of foreign prisoners. It previously emerged that foreign nationals are up to three times more likely to be arrested than Brits in parts of the country, according to data by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In Cambridgeshire, of the more than 21,200 arrests made between 2021 and 2023, nearly 8,800 (41.5 per cent) were not UK citizens. This is despite them comprising just 15 per cent of the local population. Statistics from Cambridgeshire Police, which covers cities such as Cambridge and Peterborough, suggest foreign nationals residing in the UK are three times as likely to be arrested on suspicion of a crime than UK citizens. A British seller has revealed his shock after discovering a series of paintings which had hung in his family homes for 40 years were worth almost 1million. The silk bird paintings were commissioned by a Chinese emperor in 1721 and had remained in the Far East for almost 200 years until they were acquired by a British army major serving in the First World War. Major Iain Menzies - who married the daughter of a Nazi party member - brought the paintings home with him and hung them in his country house in Hampshire as well as his property in Hampstead, north London. After being lost to the official Chinese art records for over 100 years, expert Bill Forrest identified the paintings when invited by the current owner to value the contents of the London property. The stunned seller, who has chosen to remain anonymous, explained that on top of the seven paintings discovered in various properties owned by Major Menzies' descendants, he had 12 more at his family home in Dorset where they had been kept since the 1980s. Upon removing the paintings from their frames, Mr Forrest discovered all the paintings retained their original accompanying text, an 'extraordinary rarity significantly enhancing their historical value'. Chinese Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi is believed to have commissioned artist Tingxi to produce an encyclopedic album depicting 360 birds alongside a textual description of each. They were produced in 12 volumes of 30 paintings and were bound together as albums with corresponding text on the opposing page. The silk bird paintings were commissioned by a Chinese Emperor in 1721 and had remained in the Far East for almost 200 years After being lost to the official Chinese art records for over 100 years, expert Bill Forrest identified the paintings when invited by the current owner to value the contents of a London property (pictured, one of the properties owned by Major Menzies' descendants) Major Iain Menzies (above) - who married the daughter of a Nazi party member - brought the paintings home with him and hung them in his country house in Hampshire as well as his property in Hampstead, north London Some of the birds depicted are not referenced in classical Chinese or early modern European ornithological texts. In total, the 19 paintings - first brought to the UK by Major Menzies - have been valued at around 900,000. Major Menzies, who brought the artwork back while serving in World War One with the Machine Gun Corps, lived out his life in the London property with his wife, Liesel Stottinger who moved to England after fleeing Austria. Disapproving of her Nazi father's political beliefs, Ms Stottinger became a dancer in the London Casino and later had two children with Major Menzies. Major Menzies (above), who brought the artwork back while serving in World War One with the Machine Gun Corps, lived out his life in the London property with his wife, Liesel Stottinger who moved to England after fleeing Austria Pictured: A turkey Pictured: Tringa Vanellus Pictured: Great Egret Pictured: Eastern Osprey Pictured: Silver Pheasant Pictured: Black-headed Heron Pictured: Chukar Partridge Pictured: Zigzag Heron Pictured: Spruce Grouse Ms Stottinger's sister also moved to London after a divorce and became a double agent known as 'Gelatine' when recruited by Major Menzies' brother and Special Operations Executive, Major Stewart Menzies. The seller said: 'The twelve pictures hung in my family home for over 40 years. 'I've always thought they were beautiful but I didn't quite appreciate their historical significance. I was stunned to discover they were potentially worth half a million pounds. 'I've been very attached to them; they were a gift from my late spouse, a descendent of Major Menzies. I hope the next owner cherishes them as my family has.' Mr Forrest, who works for auctioneers Roseberys of London said the discovery was 'truly extraordinary'. He said: 'Only a handful of these cultural treasures have surfaced in recent decades, usually as single works or in small groups. Finding 19 at once, especially with their original texts intact, is unprecedented.' Pictured: Great Spotted Woodpecker Pictured: Spruce Grouse Pictured: Great Spotted Woodpecker Pictured: A closer look at the painting's details Pictured: Grey-headed Lapwing Chinese Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi is believed to have commissioned artist Tingxi to produce an encyclopedic album depicting 360 birds alongside a textual description of each Pictured: Female Great Hornbill Pictured: Golden Pheasant Roseberys has since exhibited the paintings in Hong Kong ahead of their auction in May. The sale takes place on May 13. The listing statement reads: 'Two remarkable sets of Imperial Chinese bird paintings, commissioned by Emperor Kangxi have been discovered in UK homes in Dorset and South London. 'The artworks, originally part of an encyclopaedic series by court artist and minister Jiang Tingxi, are now set to be publicly exhibited and auctioned at Roseberys, with a combined estimated value of up to 900,000. 'The paintings were discovered by Bill Forrest, Head of Chinese, Japanese & South East Asian Art at Roseberys Auctioneers, during a routine valuation in South London. 'This initial discovery of seven works led to the revelation of a further twelve paintings in Dorset, both belonging to descendants of Major Iain Menzies (1895-1979), who likely acquired them after the First World War. 'Remarkably, upon removing the paintings from their frames, it was discovered that all retain their original accompanying text, a rarity that significantly enhances their historical value. A 90-year-old woman has been accused of battering her best friend to death with a saucepan in a row over a melted Magnum ice cream. The accused killer, named only as Brigitte W., had bickered with her 77-year-old friend Petra B. when the ice creams they had bought on a shopping trip melted on the way home. Prosecutors in Munich, Germany, say an explosive argument erupted when Petra went to put the ice cream in the freezer and Brigitte W. snapped: 'Don't do that.' The court heard how Brigitte W. smashed her friend 'forcefully' over the head three times with a saucepan, knocking her to the kitchen floor, where she died from head injuries. Prosecutor Simona Muller told the Munich Regional Court that she battered her friend with 'uncontrollable rage' as 'a punishment' during a summer heatwave on 18th July 2024. But, the court heard, she waited three days before calling police and paramedics after the magnum force murder, local media reported on 17th April. She first claimed, say prosecutors, that they had had a fight and when Petra fell to the floor, she was alive and said she wanted to stay there. Brigitte W. reportedly said: 'She wanted to sleep on the cool kitchen floor because she was so hot.' The accused killer, named only as Brigitte W. (pictured in court), had bickered with her 77-year-old friend Petra B. when the ice creams they had bought on a shopping trip melted on the way home The court in Munich, Germany, heard how Brigitte W. smashed her friend 'forcefully' over the head three times with a saucepan, knocking her to the kitchen floor, where she died from head injuries And while Petra's body was lying on the kitchen floor, her friend calculatedly stripped her blood-stained clothing from her, washed it and hung it up to dry, the court heard. Prosecutors say the killing came after months of bullying and abuse by Brigitte W., despite the women's 40-year friendship. They described Brigitte W. as vindictive and bossy, saying the pair's frequent arguments were marked with 'violence and humiliation against the victim'. Police say that Brigitte W. called the authorities three days after the murder and said: 'I had a fight with my friend, it turned out badly. Now she's dead in my apartment.' They say they were often called to the apartment to resolve violent rows, but Petra remained a loyal friend, often helping Brigitte W. with her shopping. Judges turned down an application for bail from Brigitte W.'s lawyer Johannes Makepeace, saying that despite her age, she would be a flight risk if she were to be released from jail. The lawyer reportedly replied: 'My client is 90 and uses a wheelchair. Where is she supposed to flee?' The trial is ongoing. Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have hurled insults at each another as the third leaders debate became personal. The pair faced off on Tuesday night in Channel Nine's 'The Great Debate Election 2025', moderated by A Current Affair host Ally Langdon. The Opposition Leader and Mr Albanese fielded questions from a panel of commentators, which included Nine political editor Charles Croucher, 2GB host Deb Knight and the Australian Financial Review journalist Phil Coorey. The debate covered housing and the pair's leadership qualities early on before a war of words erupted over the Coalition's past record on education and health. It didn't take long for Mr Albanese to accuse previous Coalition governments of ripping billions in funding from both departments. 'You had the allocation that had been previously put in the budget prior to you coming to office,' Mr Albanese said. 'You ripped $80billion out of those two items in 2014.' Mr Dutton abruptly interrupted to take a shot at the Prime Minister. A tense exchange brought Tuesday night's debate to a standstill after the PM (right) grilled the Coalition leader (left) on their previous management of the federal health department 'Prime Minister, you couldn't lie straight in bed,' Mr Dutton told the Prime Minister (right) 'Prime Minister, you couldn't lie straight in bed,' Mr Dutton said. 'Honestly this is unbelievable.' 'You can go to abuse,' Mr Albanese responded. 'Well it's just the reality,' Mr Dutton shot back. 'You can go to personal abuse, that's a sign of desperation, Peter, frankly,' the PM said. 'As is lying,' Mr Dutton retorted. 'That's a sign of desperation. Go to the 2014 budget papers. People can do that online. It's available for all to see,' Mr Albanese continued. Langdon was forced to intervene, noting she had given both men a fair bit of latitude. '...Personal abuse, that's a sign of desperation, Peter, frankly,' the Prime Minister said After all the mud-slinging, Langdon asked each leader at the end of the debate to describe three nice things about each other. The number prompted laughter, with Mr Albanese joking: I only ever prepare for one. The PM said his rival bats way above his average with his wife Kirilly. He also praised his terrific family and his longevity in politics. Meanwhile, Mr Dutton praised the PMs son Nathan, who he described as a great young bloke and his fiancee, Jodie. The two leaders will face off again for the fourth and final debate to be hosted by Channel Seven this Sunday night. It will be the last chance for the leaders to persuade undecided voters before they head to the polls on May 3. Vladimir Putin, whose foreign travel is limited by an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, will not attend Pope Francis's funeral, the Kremlin said today. 'No. The president has no such plans,' Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked if Putin would go to Saturday's funeral. Vladimir Putin is subject to the ICC warrant for the alleged forced deportation of children during Russia's offensive on Ukraine. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as US President Donald Trump, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and a host of other world leaders, are expected to attend the ceremony. The Vatican announced today that the funeral would take place on Saturday at 10am local time (8am GMT) in the square in front of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Francis's coffin will then be taken inside the church and from there to the Rome basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial, in a break from tradition. Francis died early on Monday, aged 88, following a stroke and cardiac arrest, the Vatican said. Officials said his death was unrelated to the bout of illness that had seen the Pontiff hospitalised for five weeks earlier this year. Only on Easter Sunday, the Pope had appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to deliver a blessing to 35,000 faithful in St Peter's Square Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured Monday in Moscow) will not attend the funeral Firefighters work to extinguish a fire following an attack in Mykolaiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, April 17, 2025 World leaders - including both Putin and Zelensky - shared their condolences at the news of the Pope's death. The war in Ukraine became a particularly sensitive issue in both Russia and Ukraine. 'For many Ukrainians, the Pope's legacy is shaped by his repeated downplaying of the gravity of Ukraine's fight for its survival in Russia's war of aggression,' the Kyiv Independent assessed. Reuters likewise noted the sense of 'lingering hurt that the Roman Catholic pontiff had not taken Ukraine's side in its war with Russia' among Catholics in Ukraine. The Vatican officially remains neutral, and accordingly Francis stopped short of explicitly calling Russia the aggressor. But the pontiff did comment in a 2024 interview with a Swiss broadcaster that Ukraine should have 'the courage of the white flag', and sue for peace to end the conflict with Russia. He did, however, appeal for Ukrainians 'not to be left to freeze to death' after a meeting with Zelenskyy October 2024, saying: 'Stop the air strikes against the civilian population' and 'stop the killing of innocent people'. Ties between the Vatican and Moscow were also strained by the war in Ukraine, and Francis showed willing to criticise the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church for his public support of the war - warning Kirill not to become 'Putin's altar boy'. Pope Francis meets with Vladimir Putin in Italy in July 2019 Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, stands with Pope Francis, left, before a private audience at the Vatican, October 11, 2024 Attendees react during a funeral for eleven-year-old Maksym Martynenko and his parents Mykola and Nataliia, who were killed by a Russian missile strike on April 13, 2025, in the village of Stare Selo, outside Sumy, northeastern Ukraine JD Vance (pictured left, on April 20) tried to mend his rocky relationship with Pope Francis (pictured right) at the Vatican on Easter Sunday after the leader of the Catholic church slammed the Trump administration's treatment of illegal migrants Francis' death nonetheless prompted a statement of condolence from Putin, who praised the pontiff's role in 'sponsoring dialogue' between the two churches, and with the Kremlin itself. It was unlikely Putin would have elected to attend the funeral, despite it taking place in the Vatican City. While the Vatican is not party to the Rome Statute, and thus not obliged to arrest Putin, Italy is. Vatican does not have its own airport and Putin would likely have to enter via Italy. The funeral is expected to attract large crowds, including many international leaders. U.S. President Donald Trump, who clashed repeatedly with the pope about immigration, said he and his wife would fly to Rome for the service. Among other heads of state set to attend were Javier Milei, president of Francis' native Argentina, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to a source in his office. As Catholics worldwide mourned Francis, all cardinals in Rome were summoned to a meeting today to decide on the sequencing of events in the coming days and review the day-to-day running of the Church in the period before a new pope is elected. Pope Francis in his open coffin during the rite of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff at the Chapel of Santa Marta in The Vatican Francis is pictured in his coffin during the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony last night The pope moved among some 35,000 faithful on Easter Sunday, hours before he died Ukrainian forces prepare to fire a howitzer towards Russian troops at an undisclosed location in the Donetsk frontline, during the Russian invasion, on April 6, 2025 A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after the death of a pontiff, meaning it should not start before May 6. The exact date will be decided by cardinals after Francis' funeral. Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the secretive ballot, which can stretch over days before white smoke pouring from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel tells the world that a new pope has been picked. At present there is no clear frontrunner to succeed Francis. A trusting grandmother let a handyman with a crush on her work on her beautiful lakeside home...only to find herself tortured to death with a nail gun, police say. Marcia Norman vanished from her luxurious $900,000 cabin in Tenino, Washington, after a visit from her handyman of several years, Jeffrey Zizz, 47. Her family went to her home on April 4 after not hearing from her for days and were able to access her text messages, which showed she had been in contact with the handyman. Police then searched Zizz' house and found a five-page letter that appeared to 'be a meticulously planned out burglary/sexual assault of an adult woman, identified as a "customer."' Zizz wasn't at home but was subsequently arrested in Montana for violating the terms of his release from a prior sex office conviction, as reported by KOMO NEWS. An investigation found Zizz had rented an excavator and a trailer after Norman went missing. Police tracked the equipment to the house of a woman who said she had hired Zizz to build a shed on her property. On April 9, Norman's remains were found buried and covered in cement at the property. Black Velcro straps were wrapped around her wrists and ankles and there was evidence she had been bound prior to her death. Investigators eventually found she died from blunt force trauma and penetrating injuries to the head. Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock said the injuries were from a nail gun and occurred over several hours, meaning Norman was likely tortured before she died. Marcia Norman, 82, was killed with a nail gun by her handyman in her lakeside home, according to police Jeffrey Zizz, 47, reportedly admitted he had romantic feelings for the grandmother after he killed her, according to police Norman was killed in her stunning $900k lakeside home in Tenino, Washington Warnock said the case was the worst he has seen in his career. Normal had previously told her family about a disturbing incident when she woke up in the middle of the night to find Zizz standing at the foot of her bed, according to police. '(Norman) state that she told Zizz that it was inappropriate for him to be there and he needed to leave,' reads an arrest report. '(Norman) told her son that she spoke with Zizz and made it clear to him that they were to keep a professional relationship and he was was not to cross those boundaries again.' Police say Zizz admitted to the creepy encounter and stated he had romantic feelings for the grandmother. 'Zizz admitted that this had happened, he stated that he went into (Normans) room and while she was sleeping, he rubbed her shoulder, wanting to speak with her,' the arrest report adds. 'Zizz stated that (Norman) told him to leave. Zizz told detectives that he did have thoughts about (Norman) romantically.' Officials said there is no evidence of sexual assault and they are still looking into a motive. It is unclear whether Norman knew her alleged killer had a crush on her. Normal had previously told her family about a disturbing incident when she woke up in the middle of the night to find Zizz standing at the foot of her bed, according to police Zizz was arrested in Montana after the killing. He is being held on no bail and faces charges of murder, kidnapping and unlawful disposal of human remains 'If I had to guess at this point in time, its because the suspect that we have in custody is a violent person,' Sheriff Derek Sanders told NBC News. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rosemary Fitzgerald said in court the 'The allegations here are among the most serious and very troubling in terms of the prepared plan and the execution.' Zizz is facing charges of murder, kidnapping and unlawful disposal of human remains. He is being held without bail. One of the Government's climate advisers has been accused of 'rank hypocrisy' after they reportedly racked up 40,000 air miles in a year by jetting to environmental conferences. Nigel Topping is one of six members of the Climate Change Committee, which advises Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In February, the committee backed a 'frequent flier levy' to help reach Net Zero. This would see Britons who take the most flights, or fly the furthest distances, taxed more. According to The Telegraph, Mr Topping attended conferences in Barbados, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the Netherlands and the US in the last 12 months. An analysis by the newspaper claimed he accrued 11 times more air miles in the last year than the average Briton. It also claimed that Mr Topping's carbon footprint from flights alone was about 40 per cent more than the average Briton produces in total in a year. Mr Miliband himself was recently criticised after it was revealed he had notched up at least 44,600 air miles since he became Energy Secretary last July. It meant he was responsible for at least 54.2 tons of carbon emissions in nine months more than 12 times the annual emissions of the average Briton. Nigel Topping is one of six members of the Climate Change Committee, which advises Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, on reducing greenhouse gas emissions In February, the committee backed a 'frequent flier levy' to help reach Net Zero. This would see Britons who take the most flights, or fly the furthest distances, taxed more Mr Miliband himself was recently criticised after it was revealed he had notched up at least 44,600 air miles since he became Energy Secretary last July. Mr Topping was revealed to have attended the International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference in December in Abu Dhabi. This was held at the five-star Bab al-Qasr hotel, which boasts a private beach, infinity pool and chauffeur service. The climate adviser was also said to have attended the UN's desertification conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, earlier the same month. Mr Topping, who was the UK's high-level climate action champion for the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021, attended the Sustainable Energy For All Global Forum in Barbados last month. Tory MP Andrew Bowie, the shadow energy secretary, said: 'This is rank hypocrisy. 'Once again we see those preaching this Mr Miliband-driven Net Zero zealotry are all too happy to impose significant burdens on others, but won't practise what they preach. 'It's one rule for them and another for everyone else. Kemi Badenoch and I have been clear that Net Zero by 2050 would involve significant cost to the country and to the consumer and it is simply not sustainable. 'It is a shame this Labour Government is still not prepared to do the same.' The Climate Change Committee did not comment as Mr Topping's travel was not part of his work as a committee member. MailOnline has attempted to contact Mr Topping for comment. A drug mule, who 'ran out of money' whilst on holiday in Thailand, was caught with 48kg of cannabis on him at a British airport. Bernard Kennedy, 46, travelled from Bangkok via Dubai but was left waiting at Manchester Airport when his suitcases were delayed on March 20 this year. When the luggage arrived, officers found 48 kilos of vacuum-wrapped packages of cannabis worth up to 144,000. Officers later brought the empty suitcases back to Kennedy who confirmed they were his. He was arrested and later pleaded guilty to being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug. He would later try to suggest to officers that he had run out of cash when he was abroad, and said that he was approached by others who promised he would get a handsome figure for taking the suitcases back to Manchester. However, sentencing judge Recorder Jeremy Lasker told Manchester Crown Court: 'I don't accept he ran out of money over there and by chance somebody helped him out and said "take this back with you". 'He made similar trips in November, December, January, February and March.' Bernard Kennedy, 46, travelled from Bangkok via Dubai but was left waiting at Manchester Airport when his suitcases were delayed on March 20 this year He would later try to suggest to officers that he had run out of cash when he was abroad, and said that he was approached by others who promised he would get a handsome figure for taking the suitcases back to Manchester He was arrested and charged and has since pleaded guilty to being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug. Pictured Bangkok Airport His barrister, Huw Edwards, said Kennedy was in a relationship which required him to go to the country so often, and that he had been charged with just one offence. 'He is extremely remorseful for his involvement. In reality, the courts are well versed in people who bring drugs into the country,' he said. 'They are never the main authors. They are, ultimately, drug mules. They take all the risk and obtain very little in reward.' The court heard Kennedy had worked in a children's home for 20 years, but had struggled with his mental health after his father passed away. Jailing Kennedy, of Grizedale in Widnes, for two years, Recorder Lasker told him: 'You clearly had some idea of the size of this importation if nothing but by the weight of those suitcases.' Kennedy will serve half the term in prison before being released on licence. Elon Musk reassured investors on a call that he would spend significantly less time at DOGE beginning in May after earnings tanked in the first quarter of the year. He now says he will spend a day or two per week on government after referencing long hours for himself and his team at the start of the Trump administration. Musk has been a top advisor to President Trump, often at his side even during weekends travel and his decision to depart DOGE came as a shock to many. This DailyMail.com blog is now closed. The body of Pope Francis has been dressed in sacred liturgical vestments and placed in an open wooden coffin for his lying in state which will see the faithful from around the world flock to Vatican City to pay their respects. Francis died on Easter Monday, aged 88, after suffering a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalised for five weeks with pneumonia. The Vatican released the first photographs of the late pontiff this morning, showing his coffin laid out in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence where he lived during his 12-year papacy. Swiss Guards stood at attention on both sides of the casket as it awaited transfer to St. Peter's Basilica, where the pope will lie in state for three days. Francis was dressed in a red chasuble, which symbolises love, passion and the blood of Christ, and is traditionally worn on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, the Feast of the Cross and Pentecost. A pallium, a white stole featuring six black crosses, was draped around his body. The garment is typically placed on a priest's shoulders when they handle the monstrance - the sacred golden vessel used to display the Eucharist - during mass. In accordance to Vatican traditions, the pallium was made with wool from two lambs held by the Tre Fontane Abbey monks and woven by nuns of the Basilica of St. Cecilia in Trastevere, Corriere della Sera reports. Both abbeys are located in Rome. Francis will be buried wearing a white mitre on his head, which represents the holiness, dignity, authority and splendor of the pontiff. The two-pieced, stiffened headdress is ornamented with golden trim. The body of Pope Francis has been dressed in sacred liturgical vestments and placed in an open wooden coffin for his lying in state Pope Francis' body was placed in an open wooden casket in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel last night. Two Swiss Guards stood at attention as Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell (centre) blessed Francis with holy water A rosary was also placed in his hands, paying tribute to Francis' known devotion to the Virgin Mary. His right ring finger was outfitted with a silver ring that the pontiff has worn since he served as the archbishop of Buenos Aires. As is also traditional, his papal Fisherman's Ring was destroyed after his death was confirmed by the Vatican camerlengo. The pontiff's funeral will be held on Saturday in St. Peter's Square, the Congregation of Cardinals decided today, setting the stage for a solemn ceremony that will draw leaders from around the world. Francis, in a break from tradition, confirmed in his final will and testament that he wished to be buried away from St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, where many of his predecessors were laid to rest. He asked to be buried 'in the earth, simple, without particular decoration' in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major - four miles from the Vatican - and with the only inscription on his tomb being that of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus. Francis would go to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting that features an image of Mary, draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus, who in turn holds a jewelled golden book. The pontiff stopped by the basilica on his way home from the Gemelli hospital on March 23, after his 38-day hospital stay, to deliver flowers to be placed before the icon. He returned April 12 to pray before the Madonna for the last time. Francis specifically asked that his final resting place be 'in the niche of the side nave between the Cappella Paolina and the Capella Sforza'. In exactly that location a large area has been sectioned off behind twelve-foot-high chipboard and a door leading to it is heavily padlocked. Above is the marble memorial plaque of Paul V who died in 1621. His will also states that the expenses associated with his burial will be covered by an anonymous benefactor. Pope Francis made his last public appearance on Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and greeting followers from his popemobile, looping around St. Peter's Square In his will Pope Francis specifically asked that his final resting place be 'in the niche of the side nave between the Cappella Paolina and the Capella Sforza'. In exactly that location a large area has been sectioned off behind twelve-foot-high chipboard and a door leading to it is heavily padlocked. Above is the marble memorial plaque of Paul V who died in 1621. Pope Francis held a strong devotion for the Virgin Mary and the choice of his burial place was chosen specifically for that reason as the Basilica is dedicated to the Virgin Mary Francis, 88, died on Monday ending an often turbulent reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised. He had reflected on death just two months ago as he penned a preface for Cardinal Angelo Scola's new book, titled 'Awaiting a New Beginning. Reflections on Old Age'. 'Death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something,' the pontiff wrote in the preface on February 7, which released by the Vatican today. The Holy Father wrote that 'we must not be afraid of old age' and 'must not fear embracing becoming old', but instead strive to live life on earth with 'grace and not with resentment'. 'It is a new beginning,' Francis said of death. 'Because eternal life, which those who love already begin to experience on earth within the daily tasks of life - is beginning something that will never end. 'And it is precisely for this reason that it is a "new" beginning, because we will live something we have never fully lived before: eternity.' Francis spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year suffering from double pneumonia and had appeared to be slowly recovering, but the Vatican today recounted his last moments, saying death came quickly and he had not suffered. He started to feel unwell at around 5.30am local time (3.30am BST) yesterday and was promptly attended to by his team. More than an hour later he made a gesture of farewell to his ever-present personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, and slipped into a coma. His time of death was given as 7.35am. 'He did not suffer. It all happened quickly,' Vatican News said, quoting people who were with the pontiff in his final moments. 'It was a discreet death, almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm, for a pope who had always been very reserved about his health.' His body will be taken into the adjacent St. Peter's Basilica tomorrow morning at 9am, in a procession led by cardinals, allowing the faithful to pay their last respects. Cardinal Beniamino Stella (left) with Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti (centre) leave St. Peter's Square after the first general congregation of cardinals today Nuns and the Catholic faithful gather by the statue of Pope Pius IX today, inside in St. Mary Major basilica in Rome, where Pope Francis will be buried Pilgrims walk, including one holding a cross, on the Via della Conciliazione street at the Vatican, a day after the death of Pope Francis, on April 22, 2025 Pilgrims make their way to St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in Rome, Italy today to mourn Pope Francis, who died yesterday at age 88 Francis, in what were some of his final words, thanked Strappetti for encouraging him to take a final ride in the popemobile so he could greet the crowds in St Peter's Square on Sunday, the Vatican has revealed. 'Thank you for bringing me back to the square,' Francis told Strappetti. The pontiff appeared exhausted during Easter celebrations on Sunday, but nevertheless greeted the crowds and drove around St Peter's Square cheered by thousands of rapt worshippers. 'Do you think I can manage it?' he had asked Strappetti before taking the plunge, according to the Vatican News, the Holy See's media outlet. The medic, whom he had previously credited for saving his life, reassured him. Francis then spent about 15 minutes waving at the crowd and blessing babies from his popemobile, flanked by numerous bodyguards. The Pope spent the afternoon resting in his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, and had a peaceful dinner, Vatican News reported. Officials said the 'first signs of illness' appeared the next morning around 5.30am. More than an hour later, he waved to Strappetti from his bed in what was described as 'a gesture of farewell' before falling into a coma. He was declared dead at 7.35 am. ope Francis, accompanied by his personal nurse Massimiliano Strappetti, arrives to greet the faithful at the end of the Palm Sunday Mass celebrated by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri (not pictured) in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, on April 13, 2025. Strappetti stayed by the Pope's side throughout his stay at Rome's Gemelli Hospital Pope Francis, escorted by Strappetti, greets Cardinals at St. Peter's Square in a wheelchair at the end of Palm Sunday Mass on April 13, 2025 Your browser does not support iframes. Vatican officials were allowed to start saying their goodbyes after the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony yesterday evening. The ceremony, which lasted just under an hour, saw Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, read the official declaration of death aloud and Francis' body was placed in an open wooden casket in the Chapel of Santa Marta. Seals were also placed on the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace and on the apartment in Chapel of Santa Marta, where Francis had resided. Per tradition, the camerlengo broke his Fisherman's ring with a special hammer and destroyed his lead seal, used in his lifetime to seal documents, before sealing the apartment. These items will be buried with Francis. His funeral service will be held in St. Peter's Square, in the shadow of the Basilica, on Saturday at 10am and will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral this weekend. US President Donald Trump, who clashed repeatedly with the pope about immigration, said he and his wife Melania Trump would fly to Rome for the service. Among other heads of state set to attend were Javier Milei, president of Francis' native Argentina, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A Kremlin spokesman said today that Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose foreign travel is limited by an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, 'has no plans' to attend the funeral. Pope Francis delivered his Easter message and blessing Urbi et Orbi via an aide as he sits and watches from the balcony of Saint Peter's basilica on Easter Sunday Some 35,000 people turned out to cheer on the ailing Pope at St. Peter's Square on Sunday Pope Francis blessed babies as he was driven through St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday As Catholics worldwide mourned Francis, all cardinals in Rome were summoned to a meeting today to decide on the sequencing of events in the coming days and review the day-to-day running of the Church in the period before a new pope is elected. A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after the death of a pontiff, meaning it should not start before May 6. The exact date will be decided by cardinals after Francis' funeral. After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the 'novendiali.' During this period Cardinal-electors will move into the accommodation within the Vatican, shutting out contact with the outside world. Once the conclave begins, the Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote in secret sessions. They will vote by writing the name of their preferred candidate in disguised handwriting on a card that is then folded in half and placed into a large chalice. A scrutineer will remove the cards, reading them out one-by-one, before another cardinal links them together with a needle and thread. Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. The result of each ballot is counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals. If no-one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke. The process can go to multiple rounds with the same people theoretically getting the same number of votes each time as cardinals wait to see who loses support first. But slowly, cardinals who voted for someone who only received a very small number of votes are likely to add their vote to one of the stronger candidates in the next round. Pope Francis in his open coffin during the rite of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff at the Chapel of Santa Marta in The Vatican Seals are placed on the Apostolic Palace on Monday evening after the death of Pope Francis Pope Francis, dressed in red liturgical vestments and holding a rosary, is laid out in an open coffin at the Chapel of Santa Marta in The Vatican on Monday night Factions may be able to make their views known during informal chats between votes, with key parts of Berger's film showing heated discussions among cardinals in the canteens and cinemas of the Vatican. When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts his election. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before processing out to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. The ballots of the final round are burned in a special stove, with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope. Black smoke indicates that no pope has been elected, while white smoke indicates that the cardinals have chosen the next head of the Catholic Church. The newly elected Pope will then greet the world on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica where he will make an address. The senior cardinal deacon will announce 'Habemus Papam' - 'We have a pope' - from the balcony before the new pope proceeds out and imparts his blessing on the city of Rome and the world. Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the secretive ballot, which can stretch over days before white smoke pouring from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel tells the world that a new pope has been picked. At present there is no clear front-runner to succeed Francis. Cardinals queuing in the Sistine Chapel to swear on the Bible to never reveal the secrets of their deliberations before the start of the conclave back in 2013 Francis - pictured delivering a blessing in St. Peter's Square in 2014 - inherited a Church in disarray and worked hard to overhaul the Vatican's central administration, root out corruption and, after a slow start, confront the scourge of child abuse within the ranks of the priesthood Francis inherited a Church in disarray and worked hard to overhaul the Vatican's central administration, root out corruption and, after a slow start, confront the scourge of child abuse within the ranks of the priesthood. He often clashed with conservatives, nostalgic for a traditional past, who saw the pope as overly liberal and too accommodating to minority groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community. Francis appointed nearly 80 per cent of the cardinal electors who will choose the next pope, increasing, but not guaranteeing, the possibility that his successor will continue his progressive policies. One of the hallmarks of Francis' reign was his decision to appoint cardinals to far-flung regions - places where Roman Catholics make up a tiny minority or where the Church is growing faster than in the mostly stagnant West. While Europe still has the largest share of cardinal electors, with about 39 per cent, it is down from 52 per cent in 2013, when Francis became pope. The second largest group of electors is from Asia and Oceania, with about 20 per cent. Many of the cardinals are little known outside their own countries and they will have a chance to get to know one another at meetings known as General Congregations that take place in the days before a conclave starts and where a profile of the qualities needed for the next pope will take shape. An elderly man was injured after falling 10 feet off a wooden cross at a Good Friday reenactment in West Virginia. The unidentified man, 84, was airlifted to the hospital after falling off Jesus' cross at the Masonic Cemetery in Weston, located 100 miles North of the capital, Charleston, according to WDTV. The incident occurred around 12:30pm and he was not a member of the church, the outlet reported. A family member told WDTV that the man is currently in the ICU with broken ribs, but is now in stable condition. As for how the man fell off the cross, it is currently unclear. It was the church's 20th annual Good Friday celebration. Each year, three men dressed in white cloths climb up onto the tiny platforms on the crosses to reenact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 'There are people who are on the crosses who represent Jesus and the two thieves,' Beth Barnes, a longtime member of the church, told WV News. 'Some people dont know what Good Friday is about our Lord Jesus Christ dying for our sins. Being on the cross, being tortured terribly, and then dying, all for our salvation,' she continued. The unidentified man, 84, was airlifted to the hospital after falling off Jesus' cross at the Masonic Cemetery in Weston. The incident occurred around 12:30pm and he was not a member of the church (pictured: a previous year's reenactment) A family member told WDTV that the man is currently in the ICU with broken ribs, but is now in stable condition. As for how the man fell off the cross, it is currently unclear 'My favorite part every year is watching the guys up on the cross. Its really touching seeing them volunteer to help teach other.' Barnes made no mention of the man falling. In another Easter weekend tragedy, Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. The Pontiff spent his final hours with the faithful, emerging to bless thousands of people in St. Peter's Square on Sunday and touring the piazza in the Popemobile to wild cheers and applause after being discharged from hospital only last month. Francis had briefly met with US Vice President JD Vance for a 'quick and private' meeting at the Casa Santa Marta residence in Vatican City earlier on Sunday. He was hoped to be making a steady recovery from double pneumonia before Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced that he had died at 7.35am local time yesterday. 'With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune,' he said in a statement. Francis had only left the hospital under 'protected discharge' on March 23 after suffering an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs earlier this year. In another Easter weekend tragedy, Pope Francis (pictured Sunday) died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday The body of Pope Francis has been laid out in open coffin at the Vatican for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony JD Vance (pictured left) tried to mend his rocky relationship with Pope Francis (right) at the Vatican on Easter Sunday after the leader of the Catholic church slammed the Trump administration's treatment of illegal migrants The Vatican has released photos of Pope Francis being laid out in his open coffin for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony. The ceremony, which took place last night and lasted just under an hour, saw Cardinal Farrell read the official declaration of death aloud. Francis' body was also placed in an open wooden casket in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel. Two Swiss Guards stood at attention as Farrell blessed Francis with holy water. AI entrepreneur Lucy Guo, 30, has beaten Taylor Swift as the youngest self-made female billionaire as she battles a shocking child pornography lawsuit against her company. Guo co-founded Scale AI, a company that provides data to train artificial intelligence, with Alexander Wang in 2016, when the now-billionaires were just 21 and 19, respectively. Although Guo left the company in 2018 after she was reportedly fired over a 'difference of opinion,' she still owns an estimated 5 percent stake in the company. Scale AI is now reportedly wrapping up an offer to allow early employees and investors to sell their shares, according to Forbes. The new deal has skyrocketed Guo's net worth from the deal alone to $1.2 billion. Accounting for her other assets, including her stake in her new company, Passes, Forbes estimates the entrepreneur's total net worth to be $1.25 billion. Guo's freshly minted billionaire status comes as another company of hers, Passes, was recently put under a microscope for allegedly allowing the production, possession, sale, and distribution of child pornography. Guo and Passes have adamantly denied these claims. Passes is a subscription-based start-up that allows its more than 100,000 creators to profit from their work, taking home 90 percent of their earnings. Alice Rosenblum, a woman who claims she used Passes, filed a class action lawsuit against the company in February in the Southern District of Florida, alleging that Guo waived safety controls on her account and allowed her to sell explicit content, knowing she was only 17 years old. Lucy Guo, 30, has broken Taylor Swift's record as the youngest female self-made billionaire Swift became the youngest female self-made billionaire in 2023 due to her massive Eras Tour and the revenue she made from her music Guo's billionaire status comes as she and her company were named in a lawsuit, alleging that she allowed child pornography on her subscription-based platform Passes. Alice Rosenblum (pictured) alleged that she was recruited and groomed to post explicit content on passes when she was 17 years old Rosenblum claimed that she was recruited by someone she alleged was an agent of the company, Alec Celestin, to 'create images and videos of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct.' Celestin denied all of the allegations she made against him. Passes denied that Celestin worked for the company. Celestin added that he was not involved in her Passess account, including overseeing it. She alleged that Celestin recruited her in July 2024 to 'produce, market, sell and distribute child pornography' knowing that she was underage. Celestin denied this claim and told DailyMail.com while Rosenblum expressed an interest in selling adult content and join Only Fans when she was 18, he was 'extremely explicit and direct in letting her know that she could not send me or anyone I worked with said content ahead of her being the legal age to do so.' Rosenblum claimed that she was invited to Celestin's house to produce the explicit content, and he asked Guo to waive the age requirement so she could post the content on Passes. The lawsuit names Passes, Guo, and Celestin as co-defendants alongside Lani Ginoza, who was named as Celestin's assistant. The lawsuit accuses Passes and Guo of knowing that Celestin and Ginoza were allegedly conspiring to market and sell child pornography through the platform's messaging system to those known as 'big spenders' and 'whalers.' Guo was also accused of false advertising as Passes was branded as a non-explicit alternative to OnlyFans, where creators can post subscription-based content, 'minus the nudity.' Passes states in their community and content guidelines that explicit adult content, nudity, or pornography is not allowed; however, the lawsuit claims that Guo allegedly asked Celestin to recruit creators to specifically create pornographic content. The lawsuit also cites a text allegedly sent from Celestin to Rosenblum offering his mansion for her to shoot content in. The lawsuit alleges that Guo overrode the safety controls on Rosenblum's account and knew that the 17-year-old was being recruited to post explicit images Rosenblum alleged that she was recruited by Alec Celestin to post the content and was invited to shoot in his mansion when she was underage After Rosenblum created the content, the lawsuit claims, 'Those images were uploaded to the Passes Vault and later were published on Passes with salacious verbiage in connection with Plaintiffs 18th birthday campaign.' The filing alleged that Guo specifically told Rosenblum on a phone call that she could 'upload anything.' Passes does not allow anyone under the age of 18 to create an account. Minors who are over 13 and under 18, with authorization from a legal parent or guardian, can use the services only as a fan. Passes and Guo have denied the allegations cited in the lawsuit. 'To set the record straight, a Florida lawsuit was filed only after opposing counsel representing an adult star first demanded millions from the company, which Passes refused to pay,' a spokesperson for the company told the DailyMail.com. 'Passes refutes any claims that it approved or condoned the posting of underage explicit content on its platform. 'Any effort to attribute alleged misconduct of third parties to Passes is baseless and nothing more than an effort to entangle Passes and its founder, Lucy Guo, in the lawsuit. We look forward to presenting the facts in court.' Guo also has denied the allegations against her and her company, writing in a statement on social media, 'To be clear, these accusations are false and being wielded to undermine the success of the company we have built over the last three years.' 'Lucy Guo and Passes never approved or condoned the posting of underage explicit content on our platform. 'We disapprove of the actions allegedly taken by the plaintiff's talent manager and any attempt to involve us in this matter is baseless, which we intend to prove.' In a separate statement on X, the tech entrepreneur claimed she 'HAD ZERO interaction with the plaintiff (calls, texts, calendar invites, emails, etc).' 'I do not have any contact information of hers,' she added. 'I do not condone the actions described, and Alec Celestin was not an agent of passes nor was he ever an employee. 'We are confident the facts are on our side and look forward to presenting those facts in court.' A spokesperson for Passes confirmed to DailyMail.com that Celestin didn't work for the company. Guo has denied the allegations against herself and her company. She maintained that she never approved underage explicit content on Passes Guo is the youngest of six self-made female billionaires, joining the ranks of popstar Taylor Swift, artificial intelligence researcher Daniela Amodei, Canva CEO Melanie Perkins, popstar and entrepreneur Rihanna, and jewelry mogul Lu Yiwen In response to her billionaire status, Guo recently told Forbes in a text message, 'I dont really think about it much, its a bit wild. Too bad its all on paper haha.' Guo is the youngest of six self-made female billionaires, joining the ranks of Swift, 35, Daniela Amodei, 37, Melanie Perkins, 37, Rihanna, 37, and Lu Yiwen, 37. Perkins is an Australian technology entrepreneur and is the CEO and co-founder of the graphic design company, Canva. She has the highest net worth of the six women, clocking in at an impressive net worth of $5.7 billion. The rest of the women are worth between $1 and 2 billion, according to Forbes. Guo started building her fortune as a young woman, dropping out of her computer science program at Carnegie Mellon University to become a Thiel Fellow. She worked at the question-and-answer firm Quora, where she met her future business partner, Wang. The two founded Scale AI in 2016 before Guo left the company. Guo founded Passes in 2022 and has a host of celebrity creators, including Olivia Dunne, Shaquille O'Neal and DJ Kygo. Ginoza did not immediately respond to the DailyMail.com's requests for comment. Trolls have caused outrage in Israel by posting AI images of 'anti-Semitic sharks' wearing Hamas bandanas after a man was savagely attacked by a beast off Hadera yesterday. Two of the AI-generated images show a shark wearing a green Hamas bandana or keffiyeh with the caption 'the warrior in the Abu-shark force', with trolls also dubbing the predator the 'al-Qassam shark' in reference to Hamas' al-Qassam brigade. Some of the trolls sharing the pictures said it was 'the anti-Semitic shark' who was 'fight to total victory', Israeli outlet Ynet reports. A third one is a fake picture of former IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari next to a shark, which was posted with the caption claiming Hagari threatened retaliation against the animal and announced that the incident resulted in only 'minor injuries'. The posts have caused fury in Israel, with local media saying the savage shark attack on Monday was used to incite anti-Semitic hatred. The married father-of-four, 40, whose remains were found on Tuesday, said he wanted to swim with sharks was savaged off Hadera's Olga Beach. Horrifying footage shows the man flailing in the water during the bloody attack as it quickly turned red. 'I warned him not to go into the sea, and then I received the bitter news,' his friend told Ynet, adding that the married father had entered the water to swim with the sharks. Two of the AI-generated images show a shark wearing a green Hamas bandana or keffiyeh with the caption 'the warrior in the Abu-shark force', with trolls also dubbing the predator the 'al-Qassam shark' in reference to Hamas' al-Qassam brigade Horrifying footage shows the man flailing in the water off the coast of Hadera's Olga Beach on Monday during the bloody attack as the water quickly turned red Some of the trolls sharing the pictures said it was 'the anti-Semitic shark' who was 'fight to total victory' A third one is a fake picture of former IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari next to a shark, which was posted with the caption claiming Hagari threatened retaliation against the animal and announced that the incident resulted in only 'minor injuries' The man's haunting last words have been revealed by an eyewitness, who said he screamed: 'I'm bitten, I'm bitten,' as he waved his hands in the air. 'After a few minutes, sharks bit him - and suddenly he disappeared,' the beachgoer told Channel 12 News. But the man, who was missing and feared dead after the savage attack but whose remains were found a day later, wasn't the only one interested in getting close to the predators off Hadera. Videos shared on social media show other beach-goers, including children, standing in the water and marvelling at the sharks as they swam around their legs just moments before the man was attacked. Some holidaymakers coming to the area to see the sharks would even grab them by their tails and beat them with an oar, according to the chairwoman of the Israeli Shark Association. The association said people actively approaching the predators was 'unreasonable behaviour'. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel has reacted to the shark attack by saying it called on the state four years ago to regulate behaviour in waters sharks visit. It said: 'Every winter, a unique phenomenon occurs in Israel in which sharks and rays gather at the outlet of the warm waters of the power stations. But the man wasn't the only one interested in getting close to the predators off Hadera. Videos shared on social media show other beach-goers, including children, standing in the water and marvelling at the sharks as they swam around their legs just moments before the man was attacked A shark is seen close to shore off Israel, with beachgoers trying to touch the predator A man can be seen right next to a shark as it swims by in the shallow waters Children were seen standing in the water as sharks swam around their legs Your browser does not support iframes. 'In the case of such a fascinating and public-attracting phenomenon, it would be appropriate to take conservation and safety measures for the public, but over the years, chaos has developed in the area. 'I started recording and saw they were sharks. They got within 164 to 328ft of the shoreline, which caused panic among swimmers. 'Still, some tried to approach them despite the lifeguard's clear orders to get out of the water. The sharks moved from south to north, did a sort of 'dance', and eventually disappeared.' Shark attacks in the Mediterranean are extremely rare, with 50 recorded since 1900, and only 11 fatal. The man's body had not been found by Monday night so divers continued their search off Hadera's coast early this morning. He is believed to have been attacked by at least three sharks, Ynet reports. The Hadera Municipality Coastal Department previously said it was 'conducting searches by jet ski to locate the diver and will continue to update as developments occur'. 'We urge the public traveling in the area to avoid entering the water and contact with the sharks,' it added. Police and rescue workers were deployed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 3.02pm on Monday. Rescue teams continued their search off Hadera today and located the man's remains The Hadera Municipality Coastal Department said it was 'conducting searches by jet ski to locate the diver and will continue to update as developments occur'. Rescuers are pictured above searching for the man's remains earlier today A shark was seen swimming close to the shore at Olga Beach, Israel, before the man was mauled Israel Police said on Monday: 'A short time ago, officers from the Hadera Police Station and the Maritime Police were dispatched to the Hadera stream following reports from citizens who claimed they saw a shark attacking a diver in the water. 'Forces are en route, but no casualties have been located so far.' Footage uploaded to social media has also shown helicopters scanning the waters for the missing diver. Following the incident, police closed the Olga Beach to swimmers until further notice. Sickening footage captured the moment an 11-year-old Florida girl screamed for help as she was pinned to the ground by a man. 'I wasn't doing anything,' she screamed as shocked bystanders filmed the incident, adding in a bloodcurdling plea: 'I swear to God.' 'Help me, help me,' she continued, as the man on top of her appeared to try and keep her pinned between his legs while taking his phone from his pocket. The man was arrested at the scene and was later named as Marius Mutu, 43, a military veteran who worked at the Florida Department of Children and Families, according to his LinkedIn. In footage from a witness filming from a balcony, the suspect was seen holding her to the ground in a bushy area near Allison Park in Tampa, Florida. Witnesses were heard urging others to call 911, and when deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department arrived, they placed Mutu under arrest. He reportedly told deputies that the situation escalated after someone had been throwing eggs at his apartment for the past week, and believed the girl was responsible when it happened again, reports WTSP. Mutu was arrested on April 19 and is now facing charges of battery and false imprisonment. Sickening footage captured the moment an 11-year-old Florida girl screamed for help as she was pinned to the ground by a man, yelling to bystanders: 'I wasn't doing anything... help me, help me' The man was arrested at the scene and was later named as Marius Mutu, 43, who claimed vandals had been throwing eggs at his apartment for a week and chased the girl down when it happened again Mutu is now facing charges of battery and false imprisonment, and was released on a $6,000 bond According to the sheriff's department, Mutu had been complaining of vandals throwing eggs at his apartment for a week leading up to the incident. 'When it happened again that day, he assumed the girl walking nearby was responsible,' authorities said. According to investigators, Mutu then chased her down and forced her to the ground as he attempted to take a photo of the child to report her to his apartment management. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said after the arrest that the acts seen in the shocking footage are 'not only unacceptable, its reprehensible.' 'The safety of our children is non-negotiable,' Chronister said in a statement. 'This child endured a terrifying and traumatic experience at the hands of someone who chose to take matters into his own hands. We remain committed to protecting our children and ensuring those who harm them are held fully accountable.' According to his LinkedIn profile, Mutu was most recently worked for the Florida Department of Children and Families, and previously worked as a correctional officer, security guard, and spent 10 years in the United States Air Force According to his LinkedIn profile, Mutu was most recently worked for the Florida Department of Children and Families. He listed his employment as a Child Protection Investigator from August 2024 to January of this year, where he said he would 'apply strong communication and conflict-resolution skills.' Mutu has also worked as a correctional officer, security guard, and spent 10 years in the United States Air Force. According to the sheriff's department's arrest records, Mutu was released on a $6,000 bond. It is not clear when he will be back in court. Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada's Conservative Party, seemed to have the race for prime minister on lock just a few months ago. At the start of this year, the Liberals were in turmoil. Justin Trudeau announced his resignation in January once it became clear he had lost the confidence of Canadians. Back then, Poilievre and the Conservatives enjoyed a lead of more than 20 percentage points over the Liberals. The Conservatives reached their peak level of support on January 20, the day Donald Trump was inaugurated as president for the second time. It's been all downhill from there. Three months later, the Liberals under new Prime Minister Mark Carney have about 43 percent support, while the Conservatives have fallen to around 38 percent. Poilievre has lost his preferred foil, the unpopular Trudeau, in favor of Carney, a two-time central banker who is pitching himself as a steady hand at a time Canada's longtime economic union with the United States in on a knife's edge. As prime minister, Carney has also gotten the opportunity to be the man seen standing up to Trump, who has deployed tariffs on Canada while also suggesting annexing the country entirely. Poilievre, 45, has used Trump-like rhetoric, essentially promising to shake things up. Political operatives on the ground say he is misreading the moment. Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada's Conservative Party, is struggling in the polls when just three months ago, his lead over the Liberals was thought to be unshakeable The biggest change in the last three months has been Donald Trump becoming president again. Since January 20, Poilievre's 20-point lead has vanished into a five-point deficit 'With the amount of disruption and change coming at the country from Trump, the election has shifted from disruption to safe hands,' Kory Teneycke, the strategist who led Ontario Premier Doug Ford's re-election campaign, told The Wall Street Journal. Carney was the head of Canada's central bank during the 2008 financial crisis, then later led the Bank of England through Brexit. 'I have a lot of experience with crises,' Carney said on a French-language talk show April 13. 'The situation is difficult, but that's the reason I'm here.' A poll taken by Abacus Data on April 16 shows that voters are buying what Carney is selling, with 43 percent of them believing he's best able to handle Trump and the impact of his decisions. Just 36 percent thought the same for Poilievre. Poilievre is unlike Trump in the sense that he's a career politician. However, since seeing Trump's success, Poilievre has undeniably borrowed some of his style flourishes and policy stances. Poilievre became the Conservative Leader in September 2022 after vigorously supporting the blockade from Canadian truckers over COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Interestingly, Trump initially touted the efforts of Project Warp Speed, the government spending frenzy that helped bring to market both the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine. His tone on the issue has changed substantially over the years as it's become clear where his base stands on vaccines. He appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known anti-vaxxer, to lead the Department of Health. He also signed an executive order withdrawing funding from any schools that mandate COVID-19 vaccines. Also like Trump, Poilievre has promised to cut taxes, make the government smaller, end climate change policies and put a stop to 'wokeism' in Canada's military. He even uses the slogan 'Canada First.' David Coletto, Abacus Datas chief executive officer, said mimicking Trump won't do the trick for Poilievre. Poilievre rose to prominence as the Conservative Leader after vigorously supporting the blockade from Canadian truckers over COVID-19 vaccine mandates During a debate with Mark Carney (right) on April 17, Poilievre essentially called him a Trudeau clone that will only make those problems worse 'They think hes like Trump, or what he says and how he says it is just turning them off in the same way Trump turns them off,' Coletto told the Journal. In more recent public appearances, Poilievre has increasingly felt the need to distance himself from Trump and even criticize him. 'We dont really share anything in common,' he said regarding the differences between his and Trump's upbringing on an April 13 podcast interview. 'He was born into a very wealthy millionaire family, and I was born in very humble beginnings. Theres a lot of policies that he has that I disagree with.' Poilievre has been trying to keep the campaign focused on kitchen-table issues, like higher grocery bills and escalating housing costs. During a debate with Carney on April 17, Poilievre essentially called him a Trudeau clone that will only make those problems worse. Still, Canadians remain worried about tariffs, which could raise the price of various consumer goods. Poilievre's best hope to win next Monday's election could be Trump's decision to largely spare Canada from the heaviest tariffs. Most goods Canada imports from the US are covered under the USMCA trade deal and therefore have complete tariff exemptions. Canada also wasn't hit with the so-called reciprocal tariffs that had some countries paying as much as 49 percent to sell products to the US. And although Canada and Mexico were initially lumped in with China as countries he wanted to reign in on trade, Trump has now settled on China as the main target. A deadly off-roading crash led to the deaths of two young sisters, while the third is in critical condition, after their UTV was pulled into Arizona's deepest creek. A 10-year-old and her four-year-old sister tragically drowned in Lower Eagle Creek on Friday after the side-by-side rolled over into the deep waters. One of the girls was trapped inside the vehicle as it sank, and the other was rescued but couldn't be saved, according to azcentral. The two girls were identified as Gia and Mia Miranda, and their three-year-old sister, Xia Miranda, was hospitalized in critical condition following the accident. Sheriff Ellison of Greenlee County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post: 'When arriving to the scene Deputies discovered a completely submerged side by side.' 'Our condolence's go to the family in this tragic event,' Ellison added. According to Greenlee County Sheriff Eric Ellison, emergency crews responded to the incident at around 5.20pm. Ellison said that the Miranda's had been camping for Easter weekend with other families, and they had decided to ride up the creek after lunch. A 10-year-old and her four-year-old sister tragically drowned in Lower Eagle Creek on Friday after the side-by-side rolled over into the deep waters. The girls were identified as Gia and Mia Miranda, and their three-year-old sister, Xia, was taken to hospital in critical condition The eight-foot drop caused the vehicle to be sucked into the hole, trapping the children under water. According to Ellison, responding emergency crews were able to retrieve the body of the second trapped child from the sunken vehicle The girls' mother was sat in the passenger seat, with their father driving, as they crossed over the water. The eight-foot drop caused the vehicle to be sucked into the hole, trapping the children under water. According to Ellison, responding emergency crews were able to retrieve the body of the second trapped child from the sunken vehicle. Video footage shared by the sheriff showed deputies responding from a helicopter due to the creek's remote location. He added that the location was only accessible from a side-by-side, and passersby lent authorities their vehicles or drove deputies to the location of the incident. 'The community was outstanding by helping us get in, otherwise... we wouldn't have even gotten there to help them,' Ellison added. He told azcentral that the situation was 'heartbreaking for everybody there.' The crash occurred on a strip of the creek that measured three feet deep, where each side dips to about eight feet, Ellison told the outlet. The girls' mother was sat in the passenger seat, with their father driving, as they crossed over the water before the side-by-side rolled into the eight-foot deep waters Greenlee County Sheriff Eric Ellison said that the incident was 'heartbreaking for everybody there' A GoFundMe for the family said: 'We are heartbroken by their sudden loss in a tragic accident.' Lower Eagle Creek is near Morenci in Arizona, around two and half hours from the family's home in Deming, New Mexico. According to Greenlee Arizona Tourism, Eagle Creek is one of Arizona's largest creeks. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth came out swinging in an interview on Fox News on Tuesday, blaming 'disgruntled former employees' for damaging leaks about his tenure at the Pentagon as he tries to save his job. He cast blame on former staffers trying to 'sabotage' President Donald Trump's agenda and said the 'deep state' was working against him. 'They have come after me from day one like they have come after President Trump. I've gotten a fraction of what President Trump has endured,' he told Fox and Friends. 'It is not hard to do this job, I know exactly why I'm here.' Hegseth is fighting for his political future amid the revelation of a second Signal chat that contained war plans, senior staffers being escorted from the Pentagon amid a leak investigation, and allegations the Defense Department is suffering a 'full-blown meltdown.' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fights to save his job, coming out swinging in an interview on Fox & Friends 'Folks leaking and pushed out are attempting to leak and sabotage the president's agenda and what we're doing,' Hegseth said. 'It is unfortunate, it is not what I do, not how we operate.' He said the allegations are 'not based on how we're operating around here and none based in reality.' 'Disgruntled former employees are trying to save their a**,' he said. Trump is standing by his defense secretary - for now. 'It's just the same old stuff,' the president told reporters at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday. 'He's doing a great job. It's just fake news. They just bring up stories. I guess it sounds like disgruntled employees. He was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people and that's what he's doing so you don't always have friends when you do that.' The president also suggested: 'Ask the Houthis how much disfunction there is. There's none. Pete's doing a great job. Everybody's happy with him.' And Hegseth said he's going nowhere. 'I have not blinked and I won't blink, because this job is too big and too important for American people and I'm grateful for every opportunity president has given me,' he said. But NPR reported the White House is looking at replacing the embattled Pentagon chief - which the White House denied - and there are multiple reports of chaos inside the walls of the Defense Department. The atmosphere in the Pentagon includes screaming matches in Hegseth's inner office among aides; a growing distrust between the military and civilian personnel who staff the building; and bureaucratic logjams that have slowed down progress on some of President Trump's key priorities, such as an 'Iron Dome for America' missile-defense shield, defense officials told The New York Times. Adding to the work place pressure cooker, Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency is looking to cut 200,000 jobs from the Pentagon's civilian work force of 750,000. President Donald Trump defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: 'Pete's doing a great job. Everybody's happy with him' Dan Caldwell (pictured left) gave his first public interview to Tucker Carlson (right) on Monday and denied leaking anything before saying he was telling establishment Pentagon staffers things they didn't want to hear The pressure has increased on Hegseth after the New York Times reported he started a Signal chat with friends and family that contained details of a March attack on Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. Hegseth didn't deny the second signal chat. But he told Fox & Friends it didn't contain classified information. 'I look at war plans every single day. What was shared over Signal then and now, however you characterize it, was informal, unclassified coordinations for media coordination and other things,' he said. The defense secretary said he's focused on his job. 'If they want to keep leaking to sabotage the president's agenda, that is unfortunate, that is how leaking works in this town. We focus on recruiting, rooting out DEI, securing the border, and supporting the president's agenda,' he said. But Hegseth received another blow this week when John Ullyot, the former spokesman who announced his resignation from the Pentagon last week, claimed the Defense Department is in 'chaos.' Writing an op-ed for Politico on Sunday, Ullyot knifed his old boss and exposed the chaos currently unfolding inside the Pentagon - before sharing his belief that Trump should fire Hegseth. He noted he's a 'longtime backer of the secretary,' and 'value[s] his friendship.' But he then let loose on Hegseth, saying the Pentagon is in 'a full-blown meltdown' and that has devolved into 'total chaos.' He added that 'the dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president - who deserves better from his senior leadership.' Hegseth is placing the blame for the bad press on senior staffers who were escorted out of Pentagon by security last week as part of leak investigation. Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, was suspended a day after Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Hegseth, and Darin Selnick, the Pentagon's deputy chief of staff, were put on administrative leave. Caldwell gave his first public interview to Tucker Carlson on Monday and denied leaking anything - before saying he was telling establishment Pentagon staffers things they didn't want to hear. He said the investigation was 'weaponized' against him because he 'threatened' established ideas within the Pentagon's walls. 'I was out there advancing things that a lot of people in the foreign policy establishment didn't want,' he said. 'It doesn't justify what's happening to me but let's just be honest that is the nature of the games played in D.C.' He also inferred that insider in-fighting led to the firing of his colleagues Selnick and Carroll, separate from those that led to his own termination. The leak investigation at the Pentagon began on March 21 when Hegseth's chief of staff, Joe Kasper, ordered the probe. But now Kasper is leaving his chief of staff job and moving to another part of agency. Vice President JD Vance warned of a dark future for the world if large countries like India and the United States were unable to work together. The Vice President delivered his remarks as he and his family met with Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi in India. It came just days after Vance, on a whirlwind foreign trip, had met with Pope Francis in Rome. The pontiff died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. In India, Vance focused squarely on the relationship between that country and the United States. 'If India and the United States work together successfully, we're going to see a 21st Century that is prosperous and peaceful,' he said. 'I also believe that if we fail to work together successfully, the 21st Century could be a very dark time for all of humanity.' Vance's wife Usha is Indian-America as her parents are both from India, creating unique cultural ties between the two nations. The Vances were welcomed to India with a red carpet arrival ceremony and toured Akshardham Temple and participated in other cultural events. 'I've been amazed by the ancient beauty of the architecture of India, by the richness of India's history and traditions but also India's laser-like focus on the future,' Vance said. The focus of the visit was on issues of trade, as Vance met with officials and spoke about resetting the trade relationship between the two countries. U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers a speech at the Rajasthan International Center, in Jaipur, India, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his sons, Vivek, and Ewan watch a cultural performance at Amber Fort, a historical site in, Jaipur, India, 'I believe there is much that America and India can accomplish together,' he said in an optimistic speech marking progress on trade negotiations in the Indian city of Jaipur. Vance spoke about the 'vitality and infinite possibility' he experienced in India and shared his interest in both countries making progress on the issue of trade. Vance said he was not going to talk about himself and his upbringing until he was urged to do so by Prime Minister Modi the previous evening. He recalled growing up in Ohio, which he described as 'the greatest state in the union' which was once a 'manufacturing power' that drew his 'hillbilly' ancestors to the area to pursue the American dream. 'As America settled into world historic prosperity it generated our leaders began to take that very prosperity and what created it for granted,' he said. 'In my hometown, factories left, jobs evaporated, America's Middletown's ceased to the the lifeblood of America's economy,' he said. Vance said that critics of President Trump accused him 'starting a trade war' by announcing tariffs on foreign countries. US Vice President JD Vance (2R) and his wife Usha Vance (2L), along with their children Ewan (C), Vivek (R) and Mirabel, pose for a photo in front of the Akshardham Temple in New Delhi India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) hosting US Vice President JD Vance (2L), wife Usha Vance (L back) and their children Mirabel (C), Ewan (2R) and Vivek at his residence in New Delhi. 'Nothing could be further from the truth,' Vance said. 'He seeks to rebalance global trade so that America, with friends like India, can build a future worth having for all of our people together.' 'This is very much a win-win partnership and certainly will be far into the future,' he said. Vance said the United States and India would continue to work together, creating stronger energy and defense ties. He also praised the Prime Minister for being a 'tough negotiator' but said it was why he was respected by President Trump. 'As I told Prime Minister Modi last night, he's got approval ratings that would make me jealous,' he said. Vance also expressed optimism about the future between the two countries. 'I believe President Trump's efforts joined of course by the whole country of India and Prime Minister Modi will make the 21st Century the best century in human history, let's do it together,' An international policy advisor at the Department for Work and Pensions has been warned he could face jail after faking a sicknote and pocketing 40,000 in bogus expenses so he could travel the world. Maurice Okello pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to forging a medical note so he could go on holiday and fraudulently claiming 41,476.91 under the guise of work travel. The 39-year-old from Harrow visited destinations including Tampa in Florida, Boston, Mexico City, Marrakech, Kos in Greece and Prague between December 2022 and September 2023. He also visited Brussels several times as well as Gothenburg in Sweden, where he was born. Okello, who first worked at the DWP as a Contract Performance Manager in 2021, began making the bogus claims shortly after being promoted to international policy advisor in August 2022. The court heard he also forged a note stating he was unfit to work so he could take sick leave and go travelling in August 2023, while still receiving his 4,138 monthly salary. Warning him that he could face a custodial sentence, Judge Christopher Hehir said: Obviously these are serious matters, its a substantial breach of trust. Maurice Okello pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to forging a medical note so he could go on holiday and fraudulently claiming 41,476.91 under the guise of work travel The policy advisor began making the bogus claims shortly after being promoted to international policy advisor in August 2022 The 39-year-old began making the bogus claims shortly after being promoted to international policy advisor at the DWP in August 2022 Speaking directly to Okello, who appeared in the dock in a dark suit and blue tie, the judge added: 'You have pleaded guilty to two serious offences. 'I am not going to sentence you today because the court needs a pre-sentence report to find out more about you and your circumstances, and the circumstances of these offences. 'You must understand the fact I've ordered a pre-sentence report and the fact I'm readmitting you to unconditional bail is no sort of promise, indication or guarantee of the sentence. 'All sentence options, including immediate custody will be open to the sentencing judge because these are serious matters involving a substantial breach of trust.' Okello, of Harrow, northwest London, was released on unconditional bail and is due to be sentenced at the same court on June 13. The student accused of shooting two people dead at Florida State University had been diagnosed with emotional dysregulation. But Phoenix Ikner, 20, had come off the prescription medication at the time of the rampage, a source told CNN. Ikner was identified by police as the suspect responsible for fatally gunning down two people and injuring six others at the Tallahassee campus last week. The FSU student opened fire using his Sheriff's Deputy stepmom's handgun, according to investigators. Police are yet to establish a motive and said it is too early to state whether his condition played any role in the shooting. Ikner allegedly began firing at random and did not have any connection to the victims, investigators said. Aramark Collegiate Hospitality regional vice president Tiru Chabba and FSU dining coordinator Robert Morales were identified as the two fatalities. The suspect was also injured during the shooting and was taken to the hospital where he remains with 'significant' but not life-threatening injuries. Phoenix Ikner, the suspect accused of shooting two people dead at Florida State University, had been diagnosed with emotional dysregulation The mass shooting unfolded at FSU's Tallahassee campus on Thursday Ikner invoked his right to remain silent as he was apprehended and is expected to face several charges up to first degree murder when he is discharged from the hospital and taken to a detention center. Officials said Ikner's stepmom is Leon County Sheriff's Deputy Jessica Ikner, and that he had 'access to one of her weapons, and that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene'. Leon County Sheriff McNeil said at the press conference the gunman was a member of the department's youth set-up and was involved in training programs, and described him as 'steeped in the Leon County Sheriffs Office family.' Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said the gun was previously used by his mother for law enforcement, but was her private handgun at the time of the shooting, because deputies 'are allowed to purchase the handgun they used prior.' Ikner's former classmate have since said that he held 'white supremacist' beliefs and 'espoused far right rhetoric'. Speaking to NBC after the shooting, a student who was once part of a 'political round table' with Ikner revealed he harbored white supremacist views. 'Basically our only rule was no Nazis colloquially speaking and he espoused so much white supremacist rhetoric and far right rhetoric as well,' Reid Seybold said. A witness on the scene told WFTV they saw a college-aged man exit the student union with a handgun, and another witness told the Tallahassee Democrat that they'd heard what sounded like 'automatic gunfire.' Officials said Ikner's stepmom is Leon County Sheriff's Deputy Jessica Ikner, and that he had 'access to one of her weapons, and that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene' Aramark Collegiate Hospitality regional vice president Tiru Chabba was killed in the Florida State University mass shooting on Thursday Robert Morales was shot dead on the Tallahassee campus after a student opened fire Social media was flooded with sickening footage and images as panic set in, including one showing a victim being carried to safety on the shoulders of paramedics. Cowering students shared videos hiding under desks, as authorities continue to urge anyone in the area to remain away from the area and stay inside. Several witnesses shared clips of students fleeing and seeking shelter, with others showing food, picnic blankets and bags that were left on a lawn after students scrambled to safety. An 'arrogant' former policewoman who led four paddleboarders to their deaths on a swollen river had been suspended from the force for fraud and was not 'remotely qualified' for the 'dangerous' conditions, a court heard today. Nerys Lloyd, 39, organised the weekend expedition for eight paddleboarders on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, despite 'severe weather warnings'. Four of them - Morgan Rogers, 24, Nicola Wheatley, 40, Andrea Powell, 41, and co-instructor Paul O'Dwyer, 42, - 'needlessly' died after becoming trapped under a weir on the fast-flowing river, Swansea Crown Court heard. Today it emerged that firearms officer Lloyd had been suspended from South Wales Police at the time of the tragedy for making a fraudulent car insurance claim. She had received approval for her paddleboard business from force bosses - but this was revoked when she went off work with 'stress and anxiety' with no sick note. Prosecutor Mark Watson KC said that, in the days prior to the excursion, Lloyd rebuffed Mr O'Dwyer's suggestions they take a different route because of heavy rain and then failed to give the group any warnings about the weir. CCTV footage captured the party, who had paid 149 each for the overnight trip, setting off at 9am on October 30, 2021 before being 'propelled' along the water at speed. Mr Watson said experienced paddleboarder Lloyd managed to manoeuvre herself over the weir but 'one by one' the three women following her fell off. Nerys Lloyd, 39, admitted the manslaughter of four paddleboarders who drowned after getting caught up in a flooded weir in hazardous conditions Lloyd organised the weekend paddleboard outing on the Cleddau River in Haverfordwest The intensity of the water was equivalent to nearly two tonnes crossing a one-metre-wide crest of the weir every second, the barrister added. At the rear, Mr O'Dwyer saw the tragedy unfolding and initially decided against attempting it himself. However, moments later he went in to rescue the trio but was 'carried over the weir and into the turbulent water below'. Mr Watson said the 'needless loss of life' occurred despite desperate efforts of bystanders on the river bank, who threw life lines into the water. Lloyd, sole owner and director of Port Talbot based outdoor pursuits firm Salty Dog Co Ltd, admitted four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and a Health and Safety at Work Act offence. She is facing a maximum life sentence. The court heard she was dismissed from South Wales Police a month after the tragedy for an unrelated matter and was later employed by a community charity, which listed her interests as paddle boarding. Mr Watson said she and Mr O'Dwyer had completed two 'basic entry-level qualification' courses which enabled them to run stand-up paddleboard tours, in April 2021, but they were 'wholly unsuited for a river with hazards such as a weir.' The Stand-up Paddleboarding Safety and Rescue course and the Stand-up Paddleboarding Foundation Instructor course were for 'inland sheltered, not moving water' or 'flat water and coastal activities,' but did not qualify them to take tours on 'rivers in flow' or activities 'near a weir,' he added. Health worker Nicola Wheatley (pictured) was among four people to drown in the tragedy Paul O'Dwyer (pictured) was one of four who 'needlessly died' after becoming trapped under a weir Although the courses detailed dangers associated with using ankle leashes and emphasised the need for quick release chest or waist mounted leashes in flowing rivers, the inexperienced paddleboarders were 'attached to their boards by way of a traditional ankle leash,' Mr Watson said. An official report later said the four victims were trapped under the weir by 'hydraulic towback with no means of escape'. The court heard Lloyd and Mr O'Dwyer had briefly inspected the river on the day of the tragedy but did not look at the weir itself. It only had a narrow fish ramp and dropped sharply having 'obvious potential for real danger', Mr Watson said. In emotional victim impact statements, the bereaved families criticised 'arrogant' and 'cowardly' Lloyd for her lack of remorse. Theresa Hall, mother of Ms Rogers, said Lloyd 'guided Morgan to her death' and the 'physical and mental pain (of grief) is too much to bear.' She told the defendant she could never forgive her, adding: 'You took Morgan's hopes and dreams, Morgan's wedding day, Morgan's children - you took Morgan's life for nothing more than profit. 'Morgan died a horrendous death because of your negligent action and arrogance.' Ms Rogers' father, Robert, described his only child as a 'warm, courageous, happy, shiny star' and compared his grief to an open wound that would never heal. Morgan Rogers (pictured), 24, also died in the paddleboarding tragedy on October 30 2021 Andrea Powell was the fourth member of the group to pass away after the tragic outing Nicola Wheatley's husband Darren branded Lloyd 'a coward' and 'a disgraced business owner.' He said that on Christmas Day 2021, while his two young children, aged two and seven, 'cried all day' without their mother, Lloyd was posting pictures of herself visiting Christmas lights with her family and friends. Mr Wheatley, who suffered a breakdown and was diagnosed with PTSD, said: 'You have presented yourself as a stone-cold, heartless individual. You have shown no remorse, no regret, no sympathy or any acknowledgment of Nicola's death. 'You have continued to live your life as is nothing ever happened. Nerys Lloyd, you are a vile person and you disgust me.' A tearful Mark Powell, husband of Andrea Powell, said his wife was 'happy and content' when she left to go paddleboarding but the next time he saw her was with cuts and bruises all over her body in a coma in hospital. She died after her life-support machine was switched off and her organs helped save the lives of five people. Mr Powell, who has been forced to give up his 55,000-a-year job after being diagnosed with depression, said it was 'heart-breaking' to hear their son, Finn, say 'he wants to die so he can be with his mother again' and he could never forgive Lloyd's 'lack of remorse'. 'How can a serving police officer allow this to happen? She was unqualified and deceitful and not fit to have my wife's life in her hands,' he added. Nerys Lloyd (pictured back centre wearing sunglasses) surrounded by friends and family as she arrived at Swansea Crown Court for her sentencing The ill-fated expedition on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest (pictured) is believed to be Britain's worst ever paddleboarding accident Ceri O'Dwyer, wife of Paul O'Dwyer, who survived the tour after being pushed to safety by Ms Powell, said she was 'tortured' by the death of 'the kindest man' with 'the biggest heart'. In a statement read on her behalf, she said Mr O'Dwyer made a 'devastating mistake' but 'died trying to save others'. She said Lloyd, of Aberavon, South Wales, was once her friend but had tried to 'shift blame' onto her husband. She told Lloyd: 'Grief is in our household every single day. You carried on as if nothing ever happened. 'Nerys, I do not believe you will ever learn from this, you've had three years to show remorse and yet you have continued like this is an inconvenience to your life.' Mr O'Dwyer's father, John, called the grief 'relentless', adding: 'Everything is hollow. He was a true friend.' Former cop Nerys Lloyd - who had told Mr O'Dwyer 'maybe stick to the original' when he questioned her plan - said 'I'm going to jail for this' just moments after the river tragedy. Mr O'Dwyer's wife Ceri was taking part in the excursion when she managed to escape from the weir before spotting the body of Nicola Wheately floating towards her face down. The court heard Lloyd started CPR -on Mrs Wheatley before she stopped to say: 'I'm finished, I'm finished' while putting her hands to her head. Mr Watson said Lloyd blamed Mr O'Dwyer and claimed she believed he had carried out a health and safety briefing while she used the toilets at Morrisons before going into the river. Mr Watson said: 'All of the surviving participants are clear in their evidence that no health and safety briefing whatsoever took place before they entered the water, and there was no mention by anyone of a weir, or a fish pass, or of any need to exit the water to go around any weir.' Lloyd was dismissed from South Wales Police the following month for an unrelated matter, the force said Mr Watson said all of the participants were 'completely taken by surprise by the presence of the weir'. He said: 'In a chaotic episode of some twenty seconds, they were all carried over the weir crest by the strong current; five of them to the right of the fish pass and two to the left; and they all fell off of their boards into the powerful hydraulic below the weir. 'A number of the boards can be seen being held close to weir and tossed or smashed around by the water circulating below; and these boards were attached by leashes to the ankles of the participants.' The court heard in a pre-sentence report Lloyd 'did appear to attribute quite a number of the poor, reckless decisions and lapses in organisation' to Mr O'Dwyer. She was also recorded in the background of a voicemail message at the scene saying: 'It's my fault 100% I probably shouldn't have gone on the water. 'Paul was like no, its fine its fine, so I said what am I doing here, he said 'it's fine' I went down first and I just turned around and they just all like fell over. 'I was like 's***' and I couldn't get back to them because it was coming so fast I was trying to get back up to see.' She also failed to carry out risk assessments or obtain next of kin details for the victims - leading to a delay in contacting family members. The court heard Mr O'Dwyer died after bystanders threw a lifebuoy but he was unable to grab it when the line became tangled in one of the paddleboards. The two-day hearing continues tomorrow. One of the nation's most progressive district attorneys has decided that a Minnesota state employee who keyed six Teslas will not be criminally prosecuted. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty will not file charges against 33-year-old Dylan Bryan Adams after he reportedly admitted to causing around $21,000 in damages during four separate incidents. Adams will instead be entered into an adult diversion program for first-time, low-level offenders, which could even allow him to keep his job as a is a program consultant at the state's Department of Human Services. 'Our main priorities are to secure restitution for the victims and hold Mr. Adams accountable,' Hennepin County Attorneys Office spokesman Daniel Borgertpoepping told the Minnesota Star Tribune. 'As a result, we will file for pre-charge diversion to best facilitate both of those goals. This is an approach taken in many property crime cases and helps to ensure the individual keeps their job and can pay restitution, as well as reducing the likelihood of repeat offenses. Criminal prosecution remains a possibility should unlawful behavior continue.' Minnesota's DHS told the local outlet they are reviewing Adams' case when asked if he would keep his job, and added that 'State employees are expected to follow our code of conduct and hold themselves to the highest ethical standards through their words and actions.' DA Moriarty has previously been accused of being soft on crime; since obtaining the position in 2023, she has angered victims' relatives with her recommendations for sentencing - even clashing with the liberal George Soros-backed attorney general for Minnesota, Keith Ellison. Dylan Bryan Adams, 33, reportedly admitted to causing at least $21,000 by vandalizing Teslas in Minneapolis. He is a program consultant at the state's Department of Human Services Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty will not file charges against 33-year-old. She has previously been accused of being soft on crime Minnesota's DHS said they are reviewing Adams' case when asked if he would keep his job The Minneapolis police department reacted angrily to the DA's decision, distancing itself from it. 'The Minneapolis Police Department did its job. It identified and investigated a crime trend, identified, and arrested a suspect, and presented a case file to the Hennepin County Attorney Office for consideration of charges,' Chief Brian OHara said in a statement. Adams will be entered into an adult diversion program for first-time, low-level offenders, which would allow him to keep his job 'Any frustration related to the charging decision of the Hennepin County Attorney should be directed solely at her office. Our investigators are always frustrated when the cases they poured their hearts into are declined. In my experience, the victims in these cases often feel the same.' Adams is not a political appointee and one of more than 40,000 who work for the Minnesota state government and its branches. But his ultimate boss is Tim Walz, the state's Democrat governor and unsuccessful vice presidential candidate. Police say Adams was repeatedly caught on camera vandalizing parked Teslas with his keys while out walking his dog. Adams' vandalism incidents came just weeks after Minnesota governor and Kamala Harris' running mate Tim Walz said that watching Tesla stock drop gave him 'a little boost during the day.' Disturbing surveillance videos showed Adams approaching the vehicles from across the street, leash in one hand, while pulling his keys from his pocket with the other. Adams was captured on vehicle surveillance footage dragging a key across the exteriors of several Teslas Adams' vandalism incidents came after Minnesota governor and Kamala Harris' running mare Tim Walz said that watching Tesla stock drop gave him 'a little boost during the day' In one clip, he allegedly carved into the rear of a Tesla. In another, he seemingly targeted the side of the vehicle nearest the sidewalk, again using his key to scratch a deep line across the car's body. The specific markings or messages he allegedly etched remain unclear. In a separate clip, Adams - seen wearing a rust-colored beanie, a dark gray sweatshirt and black vest - crossed the road before allegedly dragging his key from the driver's side door to the rear of the vehicle, then casually walking away. Yet another video showed him in a different outfit - this time a black winter jacket and a burgundy Minnesota Gophers hat - allegedly repeating the same act of vandalism as he walks by another Tesla with his dog. A fourth clip, believed to have been recorded in the parking lot of Target, showed Adams exiting his vehicle while wearing a Golden State Warriors jersey over a light gray hoodie. He then walked toward a nearby Tesla, readied his key and seemingly scratched into the paint before fleeing the scene undisturbed. One of the victims said they'd bought their Tesla before owner Elon Musk had been appointed to the Trump administration and said the car had a sticker on it explaining its owner was not a Trump supporter. Adams' arrest comes amid a wave of vandalism incidents against Elon Musk's company as the billionaire works with the Donald Trump administration to reduce government spending. Protestors gather outside the Tesla dealership in Chicago, demanding fair taxation during Tax Day protests in Illinois on April 15 The Justice Department has said it is treating the vandalism as domestic terrorism and has charged at least five 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. Attorney General Pam Bondi has suggested prosecutors will make no plea deals with those charged in the Tesla attacks, telling the president at the White House that 'there will be no negotiations, at your directive.' A Birmingham MP has provoked a furious backlash for continuing to publicly fight for an airport in Pakistan - despite the citys bin strike crisis rumbling on. Tahir Ali, Labour MP for Hall Green and Moseley, first came under fire last month for supporting a campaign calling for a new airport to be built in Mirpur, Kashmir, along with 19 other MPs. He claimed the failure to build an airport in Mirpur caused significant issues to a number of my constituents who are having to drive over three hours to get to the nearest airport in Pakistan. But critics pointed out that he was an MP in Birmingham, not Kashmir, and his constituents were facing a far more urgent crisis at home as the citys binmen began an all-out strike. Now Mr Ali has reignited the row by attending a press conference in Birmingham this month to lobby for the airport to be built. He gave an address to the meeting in the Mirpuri Punjabi dialect, rather than English, in which he appeared to boast about the amount of attention the controversy had generated. In a translated clip of the speech, shared widely on social media, he said: You will have seen in October when I asked in Prime Ministers Questions, which the right wing picked up, got it to seven million views on my Twitter. The video about Mirpur Airport currently has over nine million views. Because of this, Mirpur is now on the map and everyone knows of it. Tahir Ali MP faced significant criticism for lobbying for a new airport in Kashmir when Birmingham was in the midst of a major crisis due to the bin strike Tahir Ali is the Labour MP for Hall Green and Moseley - but has not tweeted once about the city's bin strike since it began on March 12 In a bizarre attack, Mr Ali went on to claim that the Indian lobby was behind the backlash to his proposals - alleging this shadowy group were engineering reaction from Tory MPs including Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick. He continued: We will fulfil the demands of the Kashmiri peopleall of us are working for the same goal, for Kashmir. Mr Alis latest intervention comes as the city he is paid to represent is in the grip of a major crisis, with mountains of uncollected rubbish piled on Birminghams streets due to the bin strike. Despite his constituency being at the epicentre of the strike - which has led to widespread concerns about the threat to public health - Mr Ali has not tweeted about it once since it began on March 12. Instead, he has tweeted repeatedly about foreign issues including Kashmir and the war in Gaza. Tory MPs were quick to express their outrage at Mr Alis statement to the activist airport conference. Tahir Ali has previously raised the issue of the Mirpur airport in Parliament - and shared the footage of it on social media He later put out a video criticising other MPs for misrepresenting his views Mr Jenrick, who is shadow justice secretary, said: This Labour MP accuses Conservative MPs of being controlled by the Indian lobby for telling him to focus on Birmingham, not Pakistan. He cannot fathom a politician putting Britains interests first. So he projects his sectarian tribalism onto us. Does Starmer condone this? Nick Timothy, Tory MP for West Suffolk, said: Lots of flags at this Labour-attended Birmingham event. None of them British. This was where local MPs joined campaigners to demand an airport not here but in Pakistan. Former chief secretary to the treasury Sir Simon Clarke, who lost his seat as a Tory MP last year, said it was unbelievable footage showing openly sectarian politics at the work in the UK. Mr Ali previously sought to quell criticism of his campaign in a social media video earlier this month, accusing critical MPs of wrongly implying he wanted British taxpayers to fund the airport. He said: In my constituency of Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, we have the largest Kashmiri community in the UK, the vast majority of them from the Mirpur region. The proposed airport in Mirpur has widespread support amongst the community, and its only right that I represent all views in Parliament. He added: The idea we were encouraging the British Government to fund the airport is completely unfounded, and frankly ridiculous. Accused murderer Karen Read was welcomed into a Boston courtroom on Tuesday flanked by her supporters as her second murder trial began. Her first murder trial ended with a hung jury on July 1 with opening statements expected this morning over the death of Boston police officer John O'Keefe. Read stands accused of ramming her boyfriend O'Keefe with her SUV while drunk in January 2022 before leaving him to die in a snowstorm. She has long maintained her innocence and insisted that she was framed by his cop friends. Outside of Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, supporters of Read assembled ahead of the retrial start. Ashlyn Wade, a Read supporter from Canton, where O'Keefe was killed, said she was there to hopefully see Read cleared of charges. 'I'm here for justice,' she said. 'The murderer going to jail and Karen being Exonerated - that would be justice.' Dennis Sweeney said he returned for the second trial because: 'Karen Read is factually innocent and we want her freed.' Read is seen here arriving in court on Tuesday morning flanked by her legal team Read stands accused of ramming her Boston police officer boyfriend John O'Keefe with her SUV while drunk in January 2022 before leaving him to die in a snowstorm Supporters of Karen Read gather on the steps at Norfolk Superior Court prior to Read's trial, Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Police ordered a truck driver who slowed down to yell 'Free Karen Read' to move along, and also chased off someone who was shooting video with their phone. Read arrived at court just before 8.50am to some cheers from assembled supporters. During the first trial last year, prosecutors said Read intentionally backed into OKeefe after she dropped him off at a house party and returned hours later to find him dead. The defense said she was a victim of a vast police conspiracy and that OKeefe was fatally beaten by another law enforcement officer at the party. A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile. She has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene. O'Keefe, according to his autopsy results, died from hypothermia and blunt force trauma. Read's attorneys had previously portrayed her as the victim, saying O'Keefe was actually killed inside his friend Brian Albert's home and then dragged outside. During the first trial last year, prosecutors said Read intentionally backed into OKeefe after she dropped him off at a house party and returned hours later to find him dead Supporters of Karen Read gather on the steps at Norfolk Superior Court prior to Read's trial, Tuesday, April 22, 2025 The defense said she was a victim of a vast police conspiracy and that OKeefe was fatally beaten by another law enforcement officer at the party (photo from court on April 8) The case, and Read's claims of a wide-ranging conspiracy against her, whipped up intense speculation online that spilled over into the real world. Prosecutors alleged the couple's two-year relationship was breaking down and she rammed her car into O'Keefe after he repeatedly tried to dump her. Read had worked as a financial analyst and a Bentley College adjunct professor before being charged in the death of O'Keefe, who was 46 when he died. A mistrial was called after nine-weeks when jurors were unable to agree on whether she'd deliberately killed O'Keefe. The defense is expected to call former State Trooper Michael Proctor who led the investigation but has since been fired. A disciplinary board found he had sent sexist and crude text messages about Read to colleagues and members of his family. He is also on the prosecution's witness list. Proctor's testimony was a key moment during the first trial, when the defense suggested his texts about Read and the case showed he was biased and had singled her out early in the investigation, ignoring other potential suspects. In court on Tuesday, Judge Beverly Cannone said she received four motions over the weekend that need to be addressed. She ruled that the defense can't mention a consulting firm in their openings, which led the defense to request to be heard. They then entered into a sidebar with the defense arguing the firm should be mentioned. Read could be seen chatting and smiling with her attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yannetti. Lead prosecutor Hank Brennan began his opening statement Tuesday by describing the firefighter who raced to the scene in near-blizzard conditions and found Read and two other women surrounding OKeefes body on the ground. 'He stepped out into bedlam,' he said. The firefighter then asked Read what had happened, he said. 'Youll hear her words, 'I hit him. I hit him. I hit him'.' Brennan said. 'She admitted what she had done that night.' Defense Attorney Alan Jackson began his opening statement by saying the prosecutions case was based on a 'brazen and flawed assertion that is untethered to the facts and the evidence.' 'John O'Keefe did not die from being hit by a vehicle,' he said. 'The facts will show that. 'The evidence will show that. The data will show that. The science will show that and the experts will tell you that.' Illegal migrants are using the white sandy shores of the Bahamas as a 'springboard' to enter the United States, experts revealed. The tropical vacation paradise has become a hotbed of illegal migration and human trafficking due to its proximity to South Florida and abundance of recreational boats. Some of the Bahamas' more than 700 islands are only 50 miles from Florida's coastline, but the treacherous waters can make it a dangerous journey. However, Customs and Border Protection has been trying to crack down on the illicit trafficking. On Thursday, a federal district judge in Miami sentenced a Bahamian national, Keith Kevin Russell, 46, to 20 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to alien smuggling in January. On November 8, CBP officers had stopped Russell while he was transporting 18 migrants on his boat from The Bahamas to the United States. The migrants on the vessel were from China, Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas, and all of them did not have authorization to enter the United States. 'Normally, when we think of maritime migration, we think about Haiti or Cuba, maybe the Dominican Republic, but the unknown in that equation is the Bahamas,' retired Rear Adm. Peter Brown told Fox News Digital. 'The Bahamas presents a special case, not so much because Bahamians want to get to the U.S., although a few do, but because the Bahamas ends up being a springboard for others who want to reach the U.S.' Donald Trump's former Homeland Security advisor retired Rear Adm. Peter Brown (pictured) explained that the Bahamas has become a 'springboard' for illegal migration The Bahamas (pictured) has become a hotbed of illegal migration and human trafficking due to it's proximity to South Florida and abundance of recreational boats But the treacherous waters and police presence can make it a dangerous journey (pictured: a migrant on a capsized boat in the Bahamas in 2022. He was the sole survivor) Brown, a former Homeland Security advisor to President Donald Trump, explained that the island nation attracts migrants from across the globe due to its lax visa laws. 'The Bahamas' economy is so dependent on tourism they offer visa-free travel to citizens of 160 different countries around the world,' he said. 'The difference is that the Bahamas offers visa-free travel to people from Russia, people from El Salvador, Guatemala, from Venezuela, from Nicaragua, from Jamaica, from Brazil. And there are many people from those countries who want to come to the United States.' Visa-free travel to the Bahamas allows people to enter the island nation legally then use it's shore to attempt illegal entry into the U.S. In February, the Coast Guard returned 31 migrants of mixed nationalities to The Bahamas following three interdictions of illegal maritime ventures in U.S. territorial waters east of Miami. During one of the intercepts, one migrant was medically evacuated ashore for a higher level of care. 'Illegal maritime migration is always dangerous and often deadly, and human smugglers do not care about the safety or lives of aliens during these ventures,' said Lt. Cmdr. John W. Beal, Seventh Coast Guard District public affairs officer. 'Our message is simple do not entrust your lives and money to criminal human smugglers just to be repatriated or deported. Don't take to the sea.' Visa-free travel to the Bahamas allows people to enter the island nation legally then use it's shore to attempt illegal entry into the U.S. In February, the Coast Guard returned 31 migrants of mixed nationalities to The Bahamas following three interdictions of illegal maritime ventures (pictured: one of the interdictions) During one of the interdictions, one migrant was medically evacuated ashore for a higher level of care (pictured: one of the February interdictions) Brown warned that illegal entering the United States through water channels from the Bahamas can be deadly. 'Thousands try, hundreds die, because every year we see multiple cases of folks capsizing, running aground and people drowning,' he said. 'And it's very unfortunate. And so the deterrence message actually saves lives.' 'If we can, by deterrence, prevent people from ever setting sail, from hiring a migrant smuggler who has no regard for human life, if we can do that, then we'll save lives, and we'll reduce the number of these dangerous ventures.' In January 2022, a boat carrying 39 migrants capsized in a suspected human smuggling incident. The sole known survivor was rescued by a commercial mariner who spotted them clinging to the overturned vessel, reported NBC News. A recent report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection found the total migrant encounters in the Miami Sector rose from 2.77 million in 2022 to a peak of 3.2 million in 2023, before slightly decreasing to 2.9 million in 2024. As of March, fiscal 2025, there have been 531,440 encounters recorded. The U.S. State Department 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report on the Bahamas said traffickers recruit victims from Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, PRC, Costa Rica, Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela and the Philippines under the false premise of employment. Experts warned that attempting to illegal enter the United States through water channels from the Bahamas can be deadly (pictured: one of the February interdictions) 'What often happens is that people paying migrant smugglers are already part of the community on the Florida side, funding the journey for a relative, family member or friend to reach the United States,' Brown said. 'This is frequently accompanied by a form of indentured servitude, where migrants must work to repay the smugglers, creating a cycle of crime that often goes unnoticed.' A so-called 'Dreamer' suspected of murdering his Las Vegas girlfriend was finally caught after he allegedly killed another lover while on the run for two years. Oswald Perez-Sanchez, who reportedly entered the US illegally as a child, was arrested in his home country of Mexico after fleeing across the southern border in 2023. The 28-year-old was wanted in connection to the murder of his girlfriend Tabatha Tozzi in Las Vegas. Tozzi, 26, died two days after she was shot in a horrific murder captured on a neighbor's security camera. Police allege Perez-Sanchez, who goes by 'Nate', shot Tozzi before stealing her friend's car in the Nevada suburb about 12 miles west of the Vegas Strip. Moments before the shooting, a witness told police a woman was heard saying 'I want my keys back, get out of my car'. The FBI launched a sweeping manhunt but Perez-Sanchez remained free until almost exactly two years later; when he was arrested for allegedly murdering his new lookalike girlfriend, Vivian Aispuro. Perez-Sanchez killed Aispuro at a residence in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa, on March 22, according to the Sinaloa State Attorney General's Office. Her body was abandoned and found wrapped in plastic near a housing community April 15 - one week shy of the two-year anniversary of his former girlfriend's murder on April 22, 2023. A so-called 'Dreamer' suspected of murdering his Las Vegas girlfriend was finally caught after he allegedly killed another lover while he on the run for two years. Oswaldo Perez-Sanchez was arrested April 15 in Ciudad Obregon, a city in the northwest Mexico state of Sonora. Tozzi died two days after the incident. A second witness told police that Tozzi wanted to end her relationship and that he 'held her at his house and would not let her leave.' While in Mexico, Perez-Sanchez identified himself to locals as 'Jorge.' However, authorities were able to confirm his real identity with the United States Consulate. 'As a result of intelligence work and the operations of UNESA and the Investigative Police of this Attorney General's Office, the identity of this alleged perpetrator was identified,' Sinaloa Attorney General Claudia Sanchez said in a statement. 'With the information provided by the Investigative Police and the technological resources provided by these two institutions, we were able to locate the alleged perpetrator,' the prosecutor added. Oswaldo Perez-Sanchez (left) allegedly shot and killed Tabatha Tozzi during an argument at his home on April 22, 2023 in Las Vegas. Tozzi, who was trying to end their relationship, died two days later A former Mexican government official told DailyMail.com that Oswaldo Perez-Sanchez will first have to serve a sentence - if he is found guilty for the March 22 murder of Vivian Aispuro (pictured) - before he can be extradited to the United States, where Las Vegas authorities accuse him of killing Tabatha Tozzi on April 22, 2023 Perez-Sanchez remains in pretrial detention at the Aguaruto Penitentiary Center. 'I am happy and also very sad. I am happy because the killer of my daughter Tabatha got caught, a moment we had been waiting for almost 2 years!' Tozzi's mother, Regina Lacerda, said in a statement. 'I knew in my heart this moment was arriving soon, and it finally did. But I am also very sad because he took the life of another young woman: Vivian Karely. Her name deserves to be honored and we will keep honoring her as well.' Tozzi's family told Las Vegas police investigators that Perez-Sanchez's had a visa 'that prohibited him from leaving the [United States].' The 28-year-old was charged for kidnapping and murdering his girlfriend, Vivian Aispuro, on March 22. Perez-Sanchez is also facing charges in Las Vegas for the April 22, 2023 murder of Tabatha Tozzi, who at the time was his girlfriend Under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Perez-Sanchez was a 'Dreamer' granted temporary protection from being being deported and authorization to work. A former official with the Sonora State Attorney General's Office told DailyMail.com that if he is found guilty in Mexico for Aispuro's murder, he will have to serve his jail sentence there first. Upon the completion of the sentence, he would be subject to extradition, but the process could take several years. Colombian President Gustavo Petro is seemingly no longer welcome in the United States. Petro, a former member of the 19th of April Movement guerrilla group and Colombia's first leftist president, claimed the Trump administration revoked his visa to attend meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. He is instead be replaced by the Minister of Finance German Avila, who is in Washington, D.C. this week. The major international snub comes after Donald Trump threatened 'decisive retaliatory measures' against government officials over Colombia's refusal to let two US Military flights full of migrants land in January. 'I can't go anymore because I think they've revoked my visa,' Petro said during a Council of Ministers meeting on Monday. 'I didn't need a visa, but hey, I've seen Donald Duck several times. So, I'm off to see other things.' It was unclear when exactly Petro had his travel visa suspended. DailyMail.com reached out to the Department of State for comment. Petro previously visited the United States in September 2024 for a climate conference in Chicago, as well as the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro (right, bottom row) revealed Monday that he no longer can travel to the United States because his visa was revoked The administraiton of President Donald Trump has banned Colombian President Gustavo Petro from visiting the United States In April 2023, he was hosted at the White House by former President Joe Biden. However, there has been an ongoing rift with the current administration. Petro clashed with Trump after he blocked two military flights deporting Colombian nationals from the United States on January 26. The Colombian leader slammed the Trump administration for the treatment of 160 people, who were handcuffed on the planes Trump responded by threatening to impose a 25 percent tariff on incoming good and visa restrictions and sanctions and vowed to increase the tax by an additional 25 percent. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro was stripped of his visa nearly three months after he got into an social media spat with United States President Donald Trump of the deportation of 201 Colombians Colombian migrants deported from the United States wait inside El Dorado International Airport after arriving in Bogota, Colombia on January 28 A Colombian Red Cross worker speaks with a Colombian migrant, who was among the 201 who were deported from the United States, upon arrival at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, the capital city of Colombia, on January 28 Colombian citizens exit a military aircraft in Bogota, Colombia on January 28 following their deportation from the United States 'I have directed my Administration to immediately take the following urgent and decisive retaliatory measures,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. He announced the 25 per cent tariffs, as well as his imposition of 'A Travel Ban and immediate Visa Revocations on the Colombian Government Officials, and all Allies and Supporters.' All 'party members, family members, and supporters of the Colombian government' also will face visa sanctions,' Trump added. Secretary of State Marco Rubio then joined the fray by releasing a statement, alleging that Petro had previously agreed to accept the deportation flights, but canceled them once the planes were already in the air. Petro retaliated by announcing U.S. imports would be face a 25 percent tax before he eventually backed down and agreed to accept the migrants. A woman allegedly murdered her terminally ill partner soon after he delayed making a decision on legal assisted dying at a palliative care meeting, a judge has heard. Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs, 50, was arrested on April 3, more than a year after the death of David Ronald Mobbs, 56, at Alexandra Hills in Brisbane's south-east, in December 2023. During a bail application in Queensland Supreme Court on Tuesday, Justice Glenn Martin heard Mr Mobbs suffered from motor neurone disease, an 'aggressive and degenerative' nervous system disorder. Motor neurone disease, also known as MND, is usually terminal within a few years of diagnosis and rapidly damages a person's ability to walk, talk and eat over time. Crown prosecutor Sarah Dennis opposed bail and said Truswell-Mobbs was accused of making three attempts to administer a combination of drugs to Mr Mobbs via his feeding tube on the night of December 5, 2023. 'Her conduct was purposeful and determined. It continued over a number of hours through the night ... her intent was protracted,' Ms Dennis said. She alleged Truswell-Mobbs took 'matters into her own hands' after a meeting earlier that day concerning Mr Mobbs' palliative care. '(Mr Mobbs) indicated in the presence of a number of people that he wished to go on or at least have a further week before he considered his end-of-life options,' Ms Dennis said. Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs, 50, was arrested more than a year after the death of partner David Ronald Mobbs, 56 (pictured together) Police will allege that Truswell-Mobbs told a close family member and a carer that she had given her husband a lethal amount of drugs 'Despite that, within hours, (Truswell Mobbs) had commenced to administer drugs in order to bring about the end of his life.' At the time of his death, Mr Mobbs used a signing board to communicate. Justice Martin heard police would claim Truswell-Mobbs told a close family member and a professional carer that she had given Mr Mobbs a lethal amount of drugs. Ms Dennis said police had a statement from the carer that claimed Truswell-Mobbs had said she 'couldn't take it anymore'. Defence barrister Ruth O'Gorman said Truswell-Mobbs should be granted bail as she had no prior criminal record and had not attempted to flee in the year before she was charged. 'It's not inevitable that the Crown would proceed with the charge of murder against her, or that the jury would convict,' Ms O'Gorman said. 'There are other charges which are or may be open on the evidence; (such as) a charge of aiding suicide.' Ms O'Gorman said Truswell-Mobbs had been living in the community for 16 months while knowing she was under police investigation but there were no allegations she had interfered with witnesses. Police arrested Truswell-Mobbs in Alexandra Hills, Brisbane at the beginning of April Crown prosecutor Sarah Dennis (above) opposed bail and said Truswell-Mobbs was accused of making three attempts to administer a combination of drugs to Mr Mobbs via a feeding tube Justice Martin said there was a difference between a person knowing they were under investigation and knowing they had been charged with murder. 'It can be said the prosecution has a substantial amount of evidence that would tend towards conviction,' Justice Martin said. He refused bail and Truswell-Mobbs is due to have her murder charge mentioned on April 28 in Brisbane Magistrates Court. Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636 A Trump ally was viciously booed for supporting Elon Musk and DOGE during a recent town hall, a scene that has become familiar for Republican lawmakers. Rep. Byron Donalds hosted a town hall in Naples, Florida, that quickly descended into chaos on Monday. Donalds, 46, is the latest Republican lawmaker to catch the scorn of their constituents at a town hall for supporting the government-trimming brainchild of Musk and the president that has already led to thousands of layoffs. 'They're firing people!' one animated constituent yelled at the Republican. 'Have you read the book Caste by Isabel Wilkerson?' another attendee oddly blurted out. The question regarding the book, which is about how race in America determines one's location in the social hierarchy, enraged Donalds. 'Hold on, stop, stop, stop,' The Republican responded, halting the session to address the literary inquiry. 'Don't educate me about my life, sir, don't do that.' The black congressman's district is about 70 percent white, and the crowd shown in videos of the event also appears to be predominantly white. In one clip of the town hall a man recording Donalds asks the congressman if he has read the book 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents' by Isabel Wilkerson, a book predominantly about how race in America determines social mobility Donalds was annoyed by the question, responding to the question: Don't educate me about my life, sir, don't do that' Donalds announced he will be running to replace term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis in late February, and he earned a highly coveted endorsement from President Trump that same month. The congressman has been a fierce defender of the president, and that is exactly what got him in hot water Monday, despite his constituents voting overwhelmingly (64 percent) for the 78-year-old in November. 'As a member of the oversight committee, what oversights are you imposing on Elon Musk and DOGE?' one attendee asked. Donalds launched into an explanation: 'What DOGE is doing is they are going through every agency and they are examining any contracts or any lack of efficiencies in spending federal dollars.' The crowd then erupted, yelling: 'No!' In another exchange about members of the DOGE team having access to taxpayers' confidential data via their review of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Donalds got screamed at for suggesting that President Joe Biden allowed a similar practice in 2023. His claim is seemingly based off of a 2024 inspector general report indicating that 53 researchers and student volunteers had access to IRS data under the previous administration. The second Donalds mentioned it was done under the Biden administration the audience began booing vigorously, despite it being a district where Trump won by 20 points. One of the audience members heckles Donalds 'Do you approve of Elon and DOGE invading our Social Security files?' another audience member shouted out to much applause. Another person in attendance heckled Donalds for his, and the U.S.'s, support of Israel before she left cheering 'Free Palestine!' The hour and a half town hall, or shouting session, was the latest disorderly town hall hosted by a Republican recently. Earlier this month Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the oldest lawmaker in the country at 91-years-old, was similarly yelled at during a town hall. In March, Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., was on the receiving end of tongue-lashings about DOGE. Though despite Republican congressional leadership warning their members not to hold town halls, some members continue to plan them. Damning new photos show a Democrat judge and his family celebrating Christmas alongside an alleged illegal migrant Tren de Aragua gangster. Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano resigned from his position last month after Homeland Security officers raided his home in New Mexico and arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, 23. Prosecutors say the alleged Venezuelan gangster had been living with the judge and his family and often posted images with them on his social media. One photo seen in court documents shows Ortega-Lopez eating dinner in the Cano family home, and another shows him celebrating Christmas with the family in 2024. In one shocking video, Cano and his wife Nancy are seen holding a rifle that is handed to them by someone off camera. The video was posted by Ortega-Lopez, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors say Ortega-Lopez entered the United States illegally from Mexico in December 2023 and met Cano's wife Nancy when he was hired to install a glass door for her. He had been released from a detention facility where he was being held just days after crossing the border due to overcrowding, and moved into a small El Paso apartment with five others. Former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano is seen with alleged undocumented gangster Ortega-Lopez, 23. Prosecutors say the migrant had been staring at the judge's New Mexico home The alleged gangster's social media accounts occasionally featured Cano and his wife. On one occasion the couple smiled and posed with a gun which was handed over by the alleged gang member Ortega-Lopez shared the above image of people having a meal at the Cano home 'He continued to do a few jobs for Nancy Cano, and after being evicted from the apartment in April, 2024, Nancy Cano offered her "casita" in the back of the residence she shared with her husband Joel Cano,' court documents state. Ortega-Lopez entered the United States illegally from Mexico in December 2023 and met Cano's wife Nancy when he was hired to install a glass door for her The Department of Homeland Security received a tip in January 2025 which alleged Ortega-Lopez was a member of a criminal gang and was living at the Cano property while in possession of firearms. A quick search of his social media accounts exposed Ortega-Lopez posing with handguns and rifles. According to court documents, Ortega-Lopez had tattoos, was wearing clothing and was flashing hand signs which all indicated an affiliation with Tren de Aragua. During Ortega-Lopez's arrest on February 28, four guns allegedly belonging to the Cano's' daughter, April, were seized. Three phones were also seized that were associated with Ortega-Lopez, the court documents state. On one of these phones, officers say they found a text message exchange in which pictures of two murder victims were shared. The victims bodies had been mutilated, heads decapitated and hands dismembered in the pictures, the court documents state. Cano filed his resignation letter just days after law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his home in the hunt for 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez (pictured together) The alleged Tren de Aragua member is seen next to the Democrat judge sometime last year Cano, a former cop who served as a judge since 2011, did not directly address the fact that Ortega-Lopez was found in the casita at the back of his home in his resignation letter. Instead, he simply wrote: 'My very last day at work will be on Friday, March 21, 2025, at which time I will have resigned my office. 'Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful. 'All the best to every one of you. I wish you all a happy retirement once you are ready yourself.' A replacement magistrate will be appointed to serve the remainder of Cano's four-year term, which runs through 2026. Magistrate Judge Damian L. Martinez, who is presiding over Ortega-Lopez' case, was initially inclined to free him and said he was not a flight risk or danger to the community. Cano poses among four other young men, holding beers beside a barbecue A quick search of his social media accounts exposed Ortega-Lopez posing with handguns and rifles. He was allegedly identifiable due to his tattoos Speaking of Cano, she said: 'I don't think he would just let anybody live in his property.' Ortega-Lopez is facing 15 years in prison if convicted and remains in custody after prosecutors rallied against his release. A California woman was arrested after lambasting a pregnant woman and allegedly assaulting her over a row about selling treats on her street. Julie Christine Sanchez, 56, of Simi Valley - near Santa Monica - was arrested on battery charges on April 14 after she pushed a food cart vendor, Mary, who is nearly eight months pregnant, to the ground, a press release said. Mary was selling ice cream and candy without a vendor's permit near Torrance Street and Brandon Avenue when Sanchez allegedly approached her. 'Go away!' Sanchez said with her hand on Mary's cart and holding her dog's leash with the other, a video showed. 'Go, go, go, go, go! You're not coming down this street anymore.' Mary responded in Spanish, which angered Sanchez, who was wearing a sweatshirt that indicated she was a nurse. 'English,' she said, before lamenting: 'America. English. 'I told you not to come down to this street anymore, and I f**king meant it. You bring down my property values.' She then began to push Mary's cart - which is filled with nuts, Ring Pops, Fruit by the Foot, and more - down the street. Julie Christine Sanchez, 56, of Simi Valley - near Santa Monica - was arrested on battery charges on April 14 after she pushed food cart vendor, Mary, who is nearly eight months pregnant, to the ground Mary (left) was selling ice cream and candy without a vendor's permit near Torrance Street and Brandon Avenue when Sanchez allegedly approached her and told her she was bringing down the property value of her home 'I told you not to come down to this street anymore, and I f**king meant it. You bring down my property values.' She then began to push Mary's cart until she fell into the street Surveillance cameras showed Mary falling as Sanchez pushed her and the cart into the street. A man can be heard yelling as Mary picked herself off the ground, to which Sanchez replied: 'I didn't mean to push her down, but she's not allowed to be on this street either.' Sanchez lives in a predominately white area in an $850,000 home, where 63 percent of residents are white and only 27 percent are Hispanic, according to the US Census and public records. Photos posted to GoFundMe show Mary obtained bruising on her shoulder and stomach from the alleged attack. 'No one should have to endure such violence, especially a pregnant woman who is just trying to make ends meet,' her lawyer Christian Contreras, who also started the fundraiser, wrote. Mary has filed a civil lawsuit against Sanchez and her lawyers are calling for Simi Valley Police to charge the 56-year-old with a hate crime. 'This woman needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and we are going to hold her accountable in the civil court,' one of her attorneys, Humberto Guizar, said at a press conference, according to CBS. Photos posted to GoFundMe show Mary obtained bruising on her shoulder and stomach from the alleged attack Mary is eight months pregnant. Mary has filed a civil lawsuit against Sanchez and her lawyers are calling for Simi Valley Police to charge the 56-year-old with a hate crime Contreras is calling for Sanchez to be held accountable and for people like Mary to be protected. 'The lawsuit comes at a critical time where people like Mary are being attacked. The message is clear with the filing of this lawsuit: anyone who targets vulnerable people like Mary will be held accountable in a court of law and potentially face multi-million dollar judgments,' the law firm told DailyMail.com in a statement. DailyMail.com has contacted Sanchez for comment. Secret Service officers have visited a PhD student after he published a viral essay asking when it would be time to 'kill' Donald Trump's administration. Nicholas Decker, who is studying economics at George Mason University in Virginia, posted a photograph of his interaction with an agent outside his home in Fairfax, close to Washington DC, via his X account on Saturday. 'Secret Service came by, and we had a lovely chat. Discussion touched on many points, with an amicable resolution of differences. Conduct is fully legal,' he wrote in a post which has been viewed more than three million times. It came two days after Decker published an essay titled 'When Must We Kill Them?' via Substack on April 16. 'If the present administration chooses this course (of sweeping away courts and democracy), then the questions of the day can be settled not with legislation, but with blood and iron,' Decker wrote in the blog post. 'In short, we must decide when we must kill them. None of us wish for war, but if the present administration wishes to destroy the nation I would accept war rather than see it perish.' His essay describes the Trump administration as 'evil' and 'engaged in barbarism' by 'arbitrarily' imprisoning opponents, revoking the visas of 'thousands of students' and imposing taxes 'without the consent' of the American people. Decker previously voiced support for Luigi Mangione being sentenced to death on April 11 - though confusingly he also lusted over the alleged assassin of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in the days after the December 4 shooting. Secret Service officers have visited a PhD student after he published a viral essay which questioned when it would be time to 'kill' Donald Trump 's administration Nicholas Decker, who is studying economics at George Mason University in Virginia, posted a photograph of his interaction with an agent via his X account George Mason University has condemned Decker's essay about the Trump administration, and said it had referred the student to law enforcement. 'George Mason University is aware of a recent essay published online by one of its students that has created concern,' the institution said in a statement. 'Upon learning of the essay, Mason Police referred the matter to state and federal law enforcement for evaluation of criminal behavior. 'George Mason condemns this and all encouragements of violence. This is not the Mason way.' Decker's essay argues that protest is futile against what he calls the 'beasts' running the White House, so their political opposition must turn to more radical action. He speculates that it 'may be best to wait for elections to throw off this scourge', but he is concerned that the administration would 'engage in fraud in the electoral process' and 'jail its political adversaries' making this impossible. Decker also voiced support for Mangione being sentenced to death on April 11 - despite lusting over the alleged assassin of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson months earlier Despite his advocacy for violence as a 'last resort' for the greater good, Decker has also pushed for the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who is accused of gunning down the CEO of America's biggest medical insurer, United Healthcare 'If (the current administration) should threaten the ability to remove it (by voting), we shall have no choice,' Decker wrote. 'We will have to do the right thing. We will have to prepare ourselves to die. I hope that we should conduct ourselves with such courage that it will be our finest hour; I expect that we shall do our duty.' Decker edited his essay on Saturday in response to comments to say he believes that 'violence is a last resort, not a first resort'. 'It is to be employed only in defense of our Constitution, and of democracy. If it is resorted to, it must be narrowly targeted, and aimed only at extirpating those who have power, and are unjustly resisting giving it up,' he wrote in the update. Despite his advocacy for violence as 'last resort' to challenge those in power, Decker has also pushed for the death penalty for Mangione, 26, who is accused of gunning down the CEO of America's biggest medical insurer, United Healthcare. 'I dont think there is a sound argument against seeking the death penalty for Luigi Mangione if you are not against it in all cases,' Decker wrote on April 11. 'To my mind, if you feel strongly enough about something to assassinate someone, you should be prepared to die.' Decker published an essay titled 'When Must We Kill Them?' via Substack on April 16 Decker's essay described the Trump administration as 'evil' and 'engaged in barbarism' by 'arbitrarily' imprisoning opponents, revoking the visas of 'thousands of students' and imposing taxes 'without the consent' of the American people Decker also wrote a post lusting over the alleged assassin in the days after the December 4 shooting. He shared a DailyMail.com story about a former roommate of Mangione claiming he was 'unable to have sex because of a severe back injury', while saying: 'I could have fixed him' on December 10. Mangione has been imprisoned at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9. US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced earlier this month that she has directed prosecutors to seek the death penalty against the Ivy League graduate It is the first time the Justice Department has sought to bring the death penalty since Trump returned to office in January with a vow to resume federal executions after they were halted under the previous administration. A photo of JD Vance from his visit to Vatican City has sparked outrage after viewers spotted a huge breach of protocol. The seemingly innocuous snap showed the Catholic Vice President holding his son inside the Sistine Chapel over Easter weekend. However, photography and the use of electronic photography is strictly prohibited inside the holy site, according to the Vatican Museum's website. The image soon sparked a backlash, with many online branding it disrespectful. 'For anyone who still says JD is a "good guy," um...wut? Taking this pic is basically like giving God the finger,' one person wrote on X. 'It's prohibited to preserve the amazing art and sanctity of the space. (I'm not Catholic, and even I know this. You'd think the #VP would, too.' 'I guess JD Vance thought the Sistine Chapels strict no-photography rule was just a humble suggestion for Easter weekend, huh?' another added. 'Taking pictures in Sistine Chapel is strictly prohibited,' a third person fumed. A photo of JD Vance from his visit to the Vatican City has sparked outrage after viewers spotted a huge breach of protocol Vance was in Rome for a meeting with the late Pope Francis over the Easter weekend 'JD Vance behaves like a hobo its highly disrespectful. US administration act like 4 yrs old boys in a playground believing that they deserve all toys.' The photograph was taken by official White House photographer Emily Higgins. There is also precedent for other prominent figures being pictured inside the 552-year-old chapel, including former First Lady Michelle Obama. Vance was in Italy for a meeting with the late Pope Francis. They had an awkward exchange at the Vatican on Easter Sunday after the 88-year-old Pontiff slammed the Trump administration's treatment of illegal migrants. It came just one day after Vance, an adult Catholic convert, appeared to have been snubbed by the Pope and was initially forced to meet with the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the foreign minister, Archbishop Peter Gallagher. The vice president and the Holy Father did later meet for a 'brief' exchange which lasted lasted a few minutes. The Pope offered the Catholic vice president three big chocolate Easter eggs for Vance's three young children, who did not attend, as well as a Vatican tie and rosaries. Photography and the use of electronic photography is strictly prohibited inside the holy site, according to the Vatican Museum's website. Vance and the Pontiff's stances over migration and the Trump administrations plans to deport migrants en masse clashed sharply. Francis made caring for migrants a hallmark of his papacy. 'I know you have not been feeling great but it's good to see you in better health,' Vance told the Pope. 'Thank you for seeing me.' The Holy Father passed away the next day from a cerebral stroke, prompting worldwide mourning. Francis died some 90 minutes after he was awoken by his alarm clock on Monday. The Pontiff, who died today aged 88 at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican, 'passed away peacefully', according to his doctors. He reportedly woke up when his alarm went off at 6am, fell ill at 7am and died from a stroke at 7.35am, according to Corriere della Serra. The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, on behalf of His Majesty The King, it was announced today. Kensington Palace confirmed Prince William will travel to the Vatican for the event - which Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will also attend - on Saturday. The Argentine pontiff, 88, died on Monday morning from a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia. The decision is in keeping with modern tradition and will be seen as a major milestone in William's role as a global statesman and future king. Charles as the Prince of Wales went to Pope John Paul II's funeral, representing his mother the late Queen, in 2005. Queen Elizabeth II never attended the funeral of a pontiff, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. Kensington Palace said: 'The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, on behalf of His Majesty The King.' It came less than 24 hours after Pope Francis had delivered his Easter message with assistance from aides. The pontiff appeared exhausted during Easter celebrations on Sunday, but nevertheless greeted the crowds and drove around St Peter's Square cheered by thousands of rapt worshippers Pope Francis in his open coffin in The Vatican, where he will remain until his funeral on Saturday Prince William will attend the funeral on the King's behalf, as is in keeping with tradition The pontiff appeared exhausted during Easter celebrations on Sunday, but nevertheless greeted the crowds and drove around St Peter's Square cheered by thousands of rapt worshippers. The Pope spent the afternoon resting in his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, and had a peaceful dinner, Vatican News reported. On Monday, at around 5.30 am, 'the first signs of illness appeared,' it said. More than an hour later, he waved to Strappetti from his bed in what the media site described as 'a gesture of farewell' before falling into a coma. Francis was declared dead at 7:35 am. 'He did not suffer. It all happened quickly,' Vatican News said, quoting people who were with the pontiff in his final moments. 'It was a discreet death, almost sudden, without long suffering or public alarm, for a pope who had always been very reserved about his health.' Shortly after his death, King Charles issued a statement on behalf of the royal family in which he said he was 'deeply saddened'. He said: 'My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. 'Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry. 'His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. Keir Starmer is poised to accept an invite to attend the Pope's funeral this weekend Pope Francis in his open coffin during the rite of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff at the Chapel of Santa Marta in The Vatican Mourners gather near to St. Peter's Square on Tuesday, the morning after the Pope's death Visitors arrive at the Vatican to mourn the Pope's death on Tuesday 'His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many. 'The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month. 'We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.' Prince William and the Prime Minister will join other leaders including US President Donald Trump, who had already said on social media that he and his wife Melania plan to attend the funeral. The timing of the funeral means William could miss his favourite football team Aston Villa's semi-final match in the FA cup, which is due to kick off at 5.15pm. Kensington Palace said the decision on William's attendance follows Government advice. William, a future head of the Church of England, did not meet Pope Francis. Sir Keir said the 'outpouring of grief' following Francis's death reflects the 'high esteem' in which the Pope was held 'not just by millions and millions of Catholics, but by many others across the world, myself included'. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the PM said the Pope was 'a quite remarkable man, and the work and commitment that he put into fairness over so many years, and globally, I think will be a real lasting legacy'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said it's 'right, like other world leaders are, that he (Sir Keir) pays tribute to his life and attends his funeral'. The Congregation of Cardinals met in the Vatican's synod hall for the first time today to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis' successor. Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols is among those travelling to Rome. There are currently five cardinals across the UK and Ireland, although only three - Cardinal Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche - are younger than 80 and therefore of voting age. Cardinal Nichols, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, presided over a Requiem Mass for Francis at Westminster Cathedral on Monday evening. He told worshippers gathered in the London church that Francis had been a pope 'filled with compassion, mercy, righteous indignation and irrepressible hope, for which we thank God'. 'Do you think I can manage it?' he had asked Strappetti (pictured) before taking the plunge The Pope's funeral will be held on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St. Peter's Basilica Pope Francis arrives at St. Peter's Square in a wheelchair for a mass on Palm Sunday Asked about the next pope at a separate press conference on Monday, Cardinal Nichols told reporters: 'He has to be a man of great inner strength, and I think great inner peace.' He added: 'I think those inner capacities of closeness to God and peace are the absolute essentials.' The cardinals set his funeral for Saturday at 10am local time (9am BST) in St. Peter's Square, outside St Peter's Basilica, which can fit about 300,000 people. The funeral mass will be celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. The ordinary faithful will have an opportunity to pay their respects beginning tomorrow morning when Francis' casket is moved into St. Peter's Basilica. The Pope's funeral will be held on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St. Peter's Basilica. Vatican officials were allowed to start saying their goodbyes yesterday evening after the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony. The ceremony, which lasted just under an hour, saw Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, read the official declaration of death aloud. Photographs released by the Vatican today show the pontiff lying peacefully, dressed in red liturgical vestments with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand, as the Vatican secretary of state prayed over him. There will now be nine days of official mourning, but the historic process of the conclave - where cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose the next pope - will not begin for at least 15 days from the date of Francis' death. In his final will, Francis confirmed he would be buried at St. Mary Major basilica, which is outside the Vatican and home to his favourite icon of the Virgin Mary. Francis would go to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting that features an image of Mary, draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus, who in turn holds a jewelled golden book. Francis stopped by the basilica on his way home from the Gemelli hospital on March 23, after his 38-day hospital stay, to deliver flowers to be placed before the icon. He returned April 12 to pray before the Madonna for the last time. Footage shows the sickening moment a bull slammed a man against a building before crushing him during a traditional Easter bull-running event in Spain. A spectator filmed the powerful bull clattering into the runner, hoisting him upwards and slamming him into a nearby house in Vejer de la Frontera, southwest of Marbella. As the man landed on the floor, the bull can be seen landing on top of him. Both people taking part in the bull run and members of the crowd could be seen running over to the injured participant. They tried to coax the bull away by waving red handkerchiefs, and it eventually ran off in the opposite direction. Local media say the badly-bruised man was carried to an ambulance before being airlifted to a hospital in nearby Cadiz on Sunday. His condition was described as serious but stable. Another man was seriously injured when the same bull knocked him head-first to the ground. This comes just a day after a raging half-tonne bull burst through a barrier into a crowd of children. The man can be seen running away from the bull while wearing a red scarf Footage shows the sickening moment a bull slammed a man against a building before crushing him during a traditional Easter bull-running event in Spain A spectator filmed the powerful bull clattering into the runner, hoisting him upwards and slamming him into a nearby house in Vejer de la Frontera, southwest of Marbella. As the man landed on the floor, the bull can be seen landing on top of him The bull can be seen walking away from the man lying on the ground. Both people taking part in the bull run and members of the crowd could be seen running over to the injured participant Shocking footage of the incident was caught on camera at the ancient Toro del Aleluya festival in Arcos de la Frontera, Cadiz province, on Saturday. During the celebrations, four Hallelujah Bulls are released to run the town's streets before being returned to their farms. The show causes great distress to the animals, though stops short of killing them in the bull ring - a supposed reflection of Christ's mercy. But when the first of them, called Infinito, was released from a transport crate, the furious animal charged at the crowd. Footage showed the bull wheeling around and charging into a flimsy barrier, collapsing it. Children brought down to the front by their parents for a better view are the first to be gored and tossed to the ground. As Infinito rampages through the crowd one woman filming the gruesome spectacle from her balcony screamed: 'The children, the children!' As more than 20 spectators were battered and trampled on the ground, more were crushed against barriers as hundreds tried to flee. Another shocking video, of the ancient Toro del Aleluya festival in Arcos de la Frontera, Cadiz province, on Saturday, shows a raging half-tonne bull burst through a barrier into a crowd of children Horrific scenes show the moment a group of children were attacked by the rampaging bull Infinito finally returned to the parade route where one amateur matador with a pink cape led it away. Three people are said to have needed medical treatment for crush injuries and goring including a 60-year-old woman. City mayor Miguel Rodriguez insisted safety measures at the event had not been below standard. He said: 'It's not normal for this to happen, but in any bullring, boards can break or unforeseen events can occur.' An elderly South Carolina man has been charged with killing his wife and an 11-year-old girl in an allegedly violent shooting spree over his neighbors' target practice. Reuben Arthur Leonard, 80, was arrested on Wednesday after he entered his neighbor's home and opened fire, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. Police received a report of a shooting on Floyd Drive at approximately 10:32 pm after witnesses reported seeing Leonard enter the residence and begin firing. Deputies arrived at the scene to find 11-year-old Ashly McFarland suffering from a gunshot wound and Leonard being restrained by family members. Emergency Medical Services attempted lifesaving measures, but the fifth-grader was pronounced dead at the scene. Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner said about 10 people were in the home at the time, reported WLTX. 'We feel that his intentions were to kill everybody at that residence at that time,' Gardner said. 'It was unprovoked, senseless, and something like this should never occur.' Gardner noted that the shooting appeared to stem from an ongoing feud between Leonard and the neighbors over target practice. Reuben Arthur Leonard (pictured), 80, was arrested Wednesday after entered his neighbor's home and opened fire Deputies arrived at the scene to find 11-year-old Ashly McFarland (pictured) suffering from a gunshot wound Leonard had reportedly called law enforcement multiple times in recent weeks because of target shooting in the backyard of the victims' home. Gardner said that the target shooting, while in a residential area, happened outside the city and violated no laws, according to the local news station. Leonard was previously arrested for breach of peace over a confrontation with the neighbors, police said. A witness reportedly told cops that Leonard threatened he would stop the gunfire 'one way or another.' Leonard was taken into custody Wednesday and allegedly told deputies he had killed his wife prior to the shooting on Floyd Drive. The Sumter County Sheriff's Office notified the Sumter Police Department, which responded to Leonard's residence and located his wife, 76-year-old Felicia Leonard, deceased. After killing his wife, police said he went to his neighbor's house, broke in 'home invasion style,' and opened fire. According to a GoFundMe for the McFarland family, the girl's grandfather was also hit by the attacker as he tried to stop him from shooting others. Police said the shooting appeared to stem from an ongoing feud between Leonard and the neighbors over target practice Sumter School District officials released a statement on McFarland's death calling her a 'bright and joyful' student. 'Sumter School District is mourning the loss of a fifth grade student at Kingsbury Elementary School who tragically passed away,' the district said. 'She was a bright and joyful student who made a lasting impact on her classmates, teachers, and school community. 'Her passing is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.' Leonard was charged with two counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. During his first court appearance on Friday, the judge said that he couldn't set bond because of the severity of the charges. He is being held at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center and has another hearing set for June 6. A parents' horrifying nightmare came to a miraculous end after their toddler wandered into a remote desert before being spotted nearly a day later when a rancher's dog rescued him. Bowden Allen, 2, vanished from his home in Seligman, Arizona, about 100 miles south of the Grand Canyon, on April 14 around 5 pm, sparking a massive search for the toddler. Bowden's parents, Cory and Sarah, were caring for their one-year-old at the time and started to panic when they called for Bowden's name and he didn't answer. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office launched a search and rescue operation overnight, but had no luck finding the toddler. 'It started getting more intense every minute,' Cory recalled to NBC affiliate KPNX News. Sarah told the outlet that she 'didn't even know how to process' her child's disappearance, adding, 'I looked at his empty bed in the middle of the night, and I'm like this isn't real, he's not how is he not here? How is he out by himself somewhere in the dark?' After an exhaustive overnight search that required 40 search-and-rescue members and several deputies, a rancher found the little boy seven miles away from his home some 16 hours later. Scotty Dunton said his dog, Buford, had found Bowden in a tree and walked with him for a mile. Cory (left) and Sarah (Bowden) Allen were relieved when their two-year-old son was found after 16 hours by a caring dog Buford found Bowden hiding near a tree and walked with him until his owner, rancher Scotty Dunton, saw the two Bowden had vanished overnight in a desert area in Arizona. Police said they spotted two mountain lions on his path 'There's three big canyons and ridges all the way leading to where he came from, so that's a long rough piece of country. It's amazing he made it as far as he did,' Dunton told KPNX. Dunton said that Buford is an Anatolian Pyrenees and frequently patrols the property to keep coyotes off the ranch. He added that Buford 'loves kids' and believed that his dog wouldn't leave the child by himself. The rancher said he recognized Bowden from the missing person flyer and reported that the toddler was on his property. Bowden told him that he had slept under a tree, and Dunton commended the toddler for being the 'toughest little two-year-old.' 'There was a thousand ways for that to go really, really bad and one good way and luckily it turned out to be the good way,' Dunton added. Bowden only had minor scratches from being out all night. Sarah called his safe return a 'miracle.' 'I feel like God sent that dog to rescue my son,' Cory added. Bowden was reunited with his parents and only had a few scratches after wandering in the wilderness overnight Dunton said that Buford is an Anatolian Pyrenees and frequently patrols their ranch looking for coyotes. He added that the dog 'loves kids' and believed that he wouldn't abandon Bowden The seven-mile radius that Bowden had wandered in was filled with lions, coyotes, and occasionally bears. The sheriff's department added that while deputies were searching overnight with a helicopter, they spotted two mountain lions along Bowden's path. 'YCSO thanks DPS, search and rescue teams, Coconino County Sheriffs Office, Mohave County Sheriffs office, and the public for sharing the flyer. And of course, Buford the dog, who stayed with the boy and brought him to safety,' the sheriff's office said in a statement. Bowden has since been reunited with his parents and is recovering from his journey in the desert. An Arizona man has been arrested for the near decapitation and death of an Alabama man who was sat at a bus stop with his wife as they mourned the loss of their stillborn baby. Daniel Michael, 25, was arrested and charged with first degree murder after allegedly attacking Jacob Couch, 32, with a hatchet earlier this month. Couch died on Friday April 18 after succumbing to his injuries following the attack on April 5 at around 10am. The pair had been in California for several months, mourning the loss of their stillborn baby boy, and decided to travel to their hometown of Arab, Alabama, by bus when their bus stopped in Tuscon. Michael allegedly approached the couple who sat at the bus stop and 'initiated a confrontation.' Couch's brother, Luke Couch, told Fox News: 'Somebody told them to get up, and my brother told him to mind his own business.' 'You know, they weren't doing anything, weren't causing trouble...Kristen could tell that the guy was really agitated, and so she told him they were getting up, and they were going to leave.' But as Couch went to pick up their belongings, Michael allegedly produced a 'sharp-edged weapon' and struck the Alabama father in the back of the neck, leaving him nearly decapitated, according to the Tuscon Police Department. Jacob Couch, 32, died on Friday after he was nearly decapitated at a bus stop in Tuscon as he mourned his stillborn baby boy with his wife Daniel Michael, 25, was arrested and charged with first degree murder after allegedly attacking Couch with a 'sharp-edged weapon' at a bus stop in Tuscon His wife, Kristen (pictured left), saw that the suspect had been agitated and urged Couch to move away. As her husband went to pick up their belongings, Michael allegedly swung at him from behind 'The man came up behind him and swung a hatchet. And witnesses said that he lifted the ax up over his head and swung it,' Luke Couch added. Michael then allegedly fled the scene and boarded a public streetcar. Police arrived at the scene to find bystanders attempting to 'render aid' to Couch before officers took over, and he was transported to Banner University Medical Center The suspect was identified through surveillance images before TPD searched his home and found additional evidence. He was arrested on April 8 and booked into the Pima County Jail and initially charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with serious injury. Couch had undergone surgery for several hours but later developed pneumonia resulting in his death. Luke Couch told KVOA: 'They just explained that his heart gave out and he didn't respond to CPR or any drugs they gave to try and revive him.' Luke told the outlet that he and his brother grew up together and 'were very close.' 'I can't believe we made it 11 years. I always thought we would have so many more. I'll love you forever and always. Please hold our sweet baby so tight until I can be with you again,' Kristen wrote Almost exactly one year prior to the deadly attack, Couch and his wife Kristen, lost their baby boy who was stillborn due to a heart defect that restricted his growth Couch's wife, Kristen, wrote on Facebook: 'I know Jake tried to fight. We could all see it, but now I think that may have been what little closure he could give us before he left this world.' 'I can't believe we made it 11 years. I always thought we would have so many more. I'll love you forever and always. Please hold our sweet baby so tight until I can be with you again.' Almost exactly one year prior to the deadly attack, Couch and his wife Kristen, lost their baby boy who was stillborn due to a heart defect that restricted his growth. 'I still always end up in the baby section and I'm immediately brought back to when I was actually there purchasing things for the baby I was growing...' she wrote just days before the attack. 'I could so clearly picture a rowdy little blonde hair boy who I whole heartedly believed was sent to heal our family. 'I can't believe it's been almost a year. I'll never get over the heartache of losing our sweet baby boy.' Now, Couch leaves behind his wife and 15-year-old daughter. A GoFundMe, originally created to help the victim's family travel to see him and aid medical expenses, has been set up to cover funeral expenses, legal costs and to provide a fund for his daughters, 15-year-old Ella and 13-year-old Grayson. 'I still always end up in the baby section and I'm immediately brought back to when I was actually there purchasing things for the baby I was growing...' Kristen wrote just days before the attack 'He's got the biggest heart that I believe I've ever met, and I really do mean that. He was just a caring person. He loved his family. He was really big about his family,' said Couch's brother Luke The fundraiser has currently raised over $77,000 of their $25,000 goal as of Tuesday afternoon. 'He's got the biggest heart that I believe I've ever met, and I really do mean that. He was just a caring person. He loved his family. He was really big about his family,' Couch's brother told Fox News. The fight for justice, however, remains strong as Michael's lawyer said at the initial bond hearing that self-defense couldn't be ruled out, Fox reported. Luke continued: 'And they said [Michael's lawyer] was going to be trying to grasp straws, grasp anything. I mean, my brother was attacked from behind while he was bent over. That is not self-defense.' 'I want to make sure this man never does this again and no other family has to go through what my family has gone through. 'To see my brother lying in a hospital bed and unable to move, unable to do anything, it hurts so bad to know that I wasn't able to be there to protect him because he would have done it for me in a heartbeat. We as a family want swift justice.' Michael appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Monday. It remains unclear how he pleaded. 'A human was attacked by a human,' Luke told People. 'No matter what color their skin is, this is wrong.' 'I just want everyone to know that we are not going away, I made a promise to my brother while he was sitting in that hospital bed that I would make sure he got justice,' he told KVOA. Nearly two-thirds of Brits oppose Donald Trump being given the honour of addressing both Houses of Parliament, according to a poll. YouGov research found 63 per cent would prefer the US president is barred from making a speech at Westminster during his State Visit - due later this year. Some 22 per cent favoured of the event happening, while 15 per cent said they did not know. Only Reform voters from the last election were mostly behind Mr Trump, by a margin of 49 per cent to 36 per cent. Keir Starmer invited the President for a State Visit as part of his charm offensive during a trip to the White House in February. However, concerns have been voiced about the idea after Mr Trump's bruising clash with Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. The administration has also suggested annexing Canada and Greenland, criticised free speech in Europe and caused global chaos by slapping punitive tariffs on imports. Your browser does not support iframes. A minister today flatly dismissed demands for Donald Trump to be barred from addressing both Houses of Parliament Touring broadcast studios this morning, education minister Stephen Morgan said he did not support calls from some MPs and peers, insisting the UK needs 'strong and effective' relations with the US Mr Trump revealed over the weekend that his 'friend' King Charles is looking at setting a date in September for his the visit. However, some MPs and peers have mounted a bid to stop him being granted the honour of speaking at Parliament. Barack Obama did so in 2011, although Joe Biden did not more recently. Mr Trump was previously controversially barred from making a speech at Westminster by former Speaker John Bercow. Mr Bercow said in 2017 that it was 'an earned honour', not an 'automatic right'. The Commons Speaker, the Lord Speaker and the Lord Great Chamberlain - represented by Black Rod - are the three 'gatekeepers' who have to agree to such an address. Labour's Rachael Maskell told MailOnline: 'It would be completely inappropriate for the US President to address the Houses of Parliament.' But asked on LBC this morning whether he would support a ban, education minister Stephen Morgan said: 'No, I wouldn't. It's really important we continue strong and effective relationships with some of our longest allies in the world.' He told Times Radio: 'I look forward to the US president addressing Parliament in due course.' Since coming to power Labour ministers have been at great pains to avoid criticising Mr Trump, amid frantic efforts to maintain the 'Special Relationship'. But the effective ban in 2017 followed a Parliamentary motion being signed by 206 MPs, including David Lammy, 'deploring' the US president's behaviour. Other now-Cabinet ministers putting their names to the motion were Wes Streeting, Peter Kyle, Hilary Benn and Shabana Mahmood. The text noted 'the historical significance and honour that comes with an invitation to address both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall or elsewhere in the Palace of Westminster'. It called on the 'Speaker, Lord Speaker, Black Rod and Serjeant at Arms to withhold permission from the Government for an address to be made in Westminster Hall, or elsewhere in the Palace of Westminster, by President Trump'. Another Early Day motion in 2019, the year Mr Trump made his first state visit, was signed by Mr Lammy, Mr Streeting and now Leader of the House Lucy Powell among others. It again 'noted the historical significance and honour that comes with the choice to offer a full state visit to an individual' and urged 'the Prime Minister and the Government to rescind the advice to offer a full state visit to President Trump'. A message sent to Lord McFall, the Lord Speaker, over the weekend said it would be 'inappropriate' for Mr Trump to give an address in the Palace of Westminster. Co-ordinated by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, a minister in Tony Blair's government, it responded to the suggestion the state visit would be in September. The message said: 'If it is suggested that he be invited to address both Houses of Parliament, I hope that you and Lindsay will suggest that would be inappropriate on this occasion because of his attitude towards and comments about the UK, parliamentary democracy, the Nato Alliance and Ukraine.' MPs are also privately lobbying Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle. Kate Osborne, a Labour MP, asked Sir Lindsay to mirror Mr Bercow's previous decision. In a letter seen by The Times, she wrote: 'I am asking you as the Speaker to agree it would be inappropriate and mirror the previous Speaker's recommendation. Keir Starmer invited the US President for a State Visit as part of his charm offensive during a trip to the White House in February A 2017 Parliamentary motion signed by 206 MPs, including David Lammy, 'deplored' the US president's behaviour 'It is up to our government to decide if they use the state visit to engage with Trump on a wide range of issues as above but that does not translate to giving him the honour of addressing parliament. The risk of low attendance could also have negative or unintended consequences.' Another Labour MP said: 'We don't need Trump to lecture and dictate his unilateral terms to our elected representatives.' However, Tory MP Julian Smith branded the attempt to block the address 'crackers'. 'Almost always better to engage & meet than to boycott - speaking to someone & meeting them doesn't equal agreement,' he posted on X. Both the Lords and Commons insisted they did not comment on 'private correspondence'. 'Should a request be made to address the Houses of Parliament, it will be considered in the usual way. Any decision would be made by Speakers of both Houses,' a spokesman said. Senior sources suggested the names that had so far emerged to voice opposition were 'not surprising'. A top Republican lawmaker has announced he is working with the Secret Service to investigate the robbery of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem. While dining with her family at The Capital Burger in Washington, D.C., on Sunday evening, a thief made off with Noem's bag full of personal items and thousands of dollars in cash. House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., whose panel oversees the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is now looking into the shameless theft he exclusively told DailyMail.com. 'The Committee is in contact with the Secret Service concerning this brazen theft of Secretary Noem's belongings this week, and we will continue conducting oversight of the agency to ensure any security lapses are properly and swiftly addressed,' he shared. 'The security of our nation's leaders is a vital part of DHS' mission, and it must remain a top priority.' The enhanced oversight comes after it was revealed Monday that a white man wearing a medical mask was able to evade Noem's Secret Service detail and get his hands on her bag. Within the bag was roughly $3,000 in cash, Noem's makeup bag, driver's license, passport, medication, apartment keys, DHS access badge and some blank checks. The bag was reportedly with the secretary at her table as she dined with her family. How the man was able to take it without Noem's Secret Service detail intervening remains to be answered. DHS Sec. Kristi Noem had her bag stolen from her table as she dined with her family at The Capital Burger in downtown Washington Sunday evening Noem's bag contained tons of personal items including her house keys, passport, and DHS access badge. She is pictured above carrying a purse in 2022 House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green told DailyMail.com in a statement that he is looking into the 'brazen theft' DailyMail.com went to the restaurant Monday but employees revealed they were unaware of the high-profile robbery the evening before. Darden Restaurants, the operator of The Capital Burger, has yet to reply for a request for comment. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told DailyMail.com on Monday that the secretary was carrying the thousands in cash to provide her family, including her grandchildren who were at the dinner, with gifts for Easter. 'Her entire family was in town including her children and grandchildren,' McLaughlin confirmed. 'She was using the withdrawal to treat her family to dinner, activities, and Easter gifts,' the spokesperson added. DailyMail.com reached out to the Secret Service for more details on the security breach. The protective agency referred DailyMail.com to McLaughlin's comment on the matter. When reached for comment Washington's Metropolitan Police Department also referred DailyMail.com to DHS. Kristi Noem, pictured with her daughter and grandchildren Noem standing in front of prisoners at El Salvador's CECOT Noem addressed the matter at the White House on Monday, telling reporters that the matter was still unresolved. DHS confirmed the Secret Service has launched an investigation into the crime. The massive security breach comes as Noem has struck a pointed tough-on-crime tone as Homeland Security boss. She has been pictured donning body armor, carrying assault rifles and posing in front of prisoners at El Salvador's notorious high-security CECOT prison, where scores of tattooed cartel members are being held. Noem has also personally attended multiple operations to round up illegal immigrants around the country. The secretary's decision to couple the look with lustrous hair and full makeup has resulted in her being branded 'ICE Barbie.' A bus driver has admitted to killing a nine-year-old girl in a horror crash while under the influence of drugs. Martin Asolo-Agogua, 23, had been up all night at a social event when he crashed the double-decker bus into Ada Bicakci and her five-year-old brother. The horror unfolded at around 9.05am on August 3, 2024, Watling Street in Bexleyheath, southeast London, a court heard. The siblings, who were with a family member at the time, were immediately taken to hospital where Ada, a Turkish and British national who was a 'keen gymnast and swimmer' died two days later. Asolo-Agogua, from Nunhead, London, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drugs - cannabis. During a brief hearing at Woolwich Crown Court today, Judge Ben Gumpert KC warned him that he faces the certainty of prison time. The judge said: 'Looking at the sentencing guidelines, whether this is in the highest or middle level of culpability, even if that decision went in favour of the defendant the starting point would be a sentence of six years in prison. Ada, 9, (pictured) and her five-year-old brother was hit by a double-decker bus at around 9.05am on August 3 2024, Watling Street in Bexleyheath, southeast London. She died in hospital two days later During a brief hearing at Woolwich Crown Court today, Asolo-Agogua, (pictured), from Nunhead pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drugs (cannabis) 'And there are, it seems to me, considerable aggravating features because he was driving a bus, under the influence of cannabis, and that he hadn't slept the night before having been, as I understand it, at a social event.' Asolo-Agogua, who was arrested on the day of the incident, was granted bail until he is sentenced in June. Judge Gumpert added: 'You have pleaded guilty to a very serious offence which has resulted in a young child losing her life. The circumstances of this offence are such that in my view it is inevitable that you will be sent immediately to prison.' Following the tragedy, a GoFundMe page was launched to provide support to the police and ambulance service who had helped the nine-year-old, with more than 14,000 accumulated in donations. The family also donated her organs to other children, with her parents receiving a commendation from Anthony Clarkson, the Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation. A statement on behalf of the Bacakci family, shared on the fundraising page, read: 'We have been hit and shattered into pieces, one became six, living in new places. 'Thanks are not enough to show our gratitude. We'll honour Ada with acts of magnitude. Asolo-Agogua, who was arrested on the day of the incident, was granted bail until he is sentenced in June. (Pictured leaving Bromley Magistrates' Court after a short hearing in March to set a plea date) 'The funds will support those who helped us through, from emergency services to our hospital too. We lost count of who soaked us in love.' In a previous statement made following a short hearing in March to set a plea date at Bromley Magistrates' Court, the family expressed their gratitude for the large sum of donations received. They said: 'Thanks are not enough to show our gratitude. 'The funds will support those who helped us through, from the emergency services to our hospital too.' An elderly Virginia couple suffered an agonizing fiery death after their Tesla crashed and burst into flame. The final moments of Ashraf Bhagar, 75, and her husband Nazir Bhagat, 81, were captured in a harrowing clip which shows the vehicle ablaze with them still inside. Ashraf was driving the 2023 Telsa when it went off the road on Monday and crashed into a tree before catching fire, NBC4 reports. Ashraf was left trapped inside and died at the scene of the crash. Her husband was pulled from the burning wreckage by a passerby. He was raced to the hospital where he later died from his injuries. The heroic rescuer suffered minor burns. 'I came out to look and I thought, 'My God, something really serious has happened here, and I walked out and I saw flames,' neighbor Larry Opphenheimer told NBC. Dramatic video showed the moment the Tesla ignited and burst into flame around 90 seconds after the crash. An eyewitness could be seen running off to get a fire extinguisher before realizing the blaze was too far gone by the time he returned. Nazir Bhagat, 81, and his wife Ashraf Bhagar, 75, suffered an agonizing fiery death after their Tesla crashed and burst into flame Ashraf was driving the 2023 Telsa when it went off the road on Monday and crashed into a tree before catching fire Seconds later there was a loud popping sound and the powerful, battery-powered vehicle was engulfed by the blaze. An investigation is still underway, but Fairfax County police have suggested that excessive speed could be a cause. Members of the local community were among those leading tributes to the Falls Church couple. 'Rest in peace to Nazir Bhagat and his beloved wife, Ashraf, who tragically lost their lives last night,' Mason District Democrats wrote in a statement. 'Nazir was a loyal Mason District member and a lifelong Democratsteadfast in his values and commitment to community. 'Prayers with their children and loved ones during this unimaginable time.' Ashraf was left trapped inside and died at the scene of the crash. Her husband was pulled from the burning wreckage by a passerby. The Tesla burst into flame around 90 seconds after crashing and left this scorch mark on a nearby tree Nazir was transported to the hospital where he tragically succumbed to his injuries 'He and I served together on a Lincolnia Planning Committee several years ago,' Debi Gerald, a friend of Nazir, wrote. 'He was very involved in the community and also owned the office buildings on Cherokee Avenue near Indian Run. 'May he and his wife Ashraf rest in peace.' Pro-trans demonstrators are planning to take part in a series of protests across the country this weekend against the Supreme Courts ruling on the definition of a woman. On Saturday, thousands descended in front of Parliament in central London in a hastily arranged demo following last weeks judgement, and seven statues, including one of womens votes campaigner Dame Millicent Fawcett, were vandalised. A statue of former South African prime minister Jan Smuts was also graffitied with the words trans rights are human rights, prompting home secretary Yvette Cooper to brand the behaviour disgraceful. Metropolitan Police officers are now looking for those who allegedly defaced the statues. But at least 15 further protests are now being organised by pro-trans groups for this Saturday and Sunday in towns and cities from Darlington to Southampton. In York, calling for people to gather at St Helens Square, the citys LGBT forum said it was deeply disappointed with the decision made by the UKs highest court, which they said risks further marginalising trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people. Last week, judges unanimously ruled that the terms woman and sex in the 2010 Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex rather than certificated sex. This means that transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces if it is proportionate to do so. The decision was welcomed by many campaigners as a victory for common sense but also prompted a backlash from pro-trans lobby groups. Thousands of people took to the streets of London after the Supreme Court ruled that women are 'biological women' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned vandalism around Westminster in the wake of the demonstrations It is believed the Metropolitan Police was under-prepared for the scale of Saturdays central London demonstration and was expecting just a few hundred protesters. However, thousands took to the streets. Statues had not been boarded up and roads had not been blocked off. This weekend, pro-trans groups are organising demonstrations in towns and cities including Coventry; Portsmouth; Liverpool; Leicester; Oxford; Birmingham; Cheltenham; Cambridge; Derby; Bristol; Newcastle and Aberystwyth. In Coventry, the group Coventry Trans Pride has called an emergency protest for trans rights, meeting at the citys statue of Lady Godiva on Saturday afternoon. They call on people to come together to show that we wont take these attacks on our rights sitting down we will not disappear and we will not be silenced. A statue of former South African prime minister Jan Smuts was graffitied with the words trans rights are human rights In Darlington, a protest in the towns market square was called after the Supreme Courts decision was described as more than a simple clarification on wording, it's an attempt to push trans people out of public life completely. In his first comments since the Supreme Courts judgement, Sir Keir Starmer yesterday said he believed a woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear. He added: I actually welcome the judgment because I think it gives real clarity. It allows those that have got to draw up guidance to be really clear about what that guidance should say. Hundreds of rogue police officers face the sack after a new law was brought in to address an 'absurd' High Court ruling that suspected criminals can remain in the ranks. Urgent police reforms coming into force next month will make it a legal requirement for serving officers to pass vetting procedures for the first time. In a major victory for police chiefs who have called for greater powers to sack suspected criminals in uniform, it means forces will now be able to automatically boot out officers who have failed background checks after being accused of serious crimes including rape, sexual assault and corruption. The measures were rushed through Parliament after a controversial legal ruling in February meant forces were unable to remove rogue officers due to their human rights. A Scotland Yard officer accused of rape, sexual assault, indecent exposure and domestic abuse successfully mounted a legal challenge against his force for removing his vetting clearance over the disputed allegations. Sergeant Lino Di Maria argued that it was unlawful to remove his warrant card when no allegations had been proven. To the horror of Scotland Yard's female officers, his case was backed by the Metropolitan Police Federation, a staff association representing 30,000 officers, despite the officer facing accusations from his own colleagues. The High Court ruled that removing his warrant card without proving the accusations was a breach of his right to a fair trial under the European Convention on Human Rights. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said in February the 'absurd' judgement had put forces 'in a hopeless position' as he had no choice but to put accused officers on 'vetting special leave' Sir Mark brought in a retrospective vetting scheme after Met officer Wayne Couzens (pictured) murdered Sarah Everard The decision meant hundreds of Scotland Yard officers who faced being stripped of their vetting clearance due to alleged misconduct could remain in the force on full pay until retirement. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said in February the 'absurd' judgement had put forces 'in a hopeless position' as he had no choice but to put accused officers on 'vetting special leave'- paying them a full salary to stay at home doing nothing for fear that they could put the public or colleagues at risk. Following the murder of Sarah Everard by Met officer Wayne Couzens, Sir Mark brought in a retrospective vetting scheme to weed out suspected corruption and and criminality in the ranks, but perversely bosses had no legal power to sack those failing background checks. As a result, 29 Metropolitan Police officers and staff are currently sitting at home on paid leave at an estimated cost of 2million a year, despite having had their vetting removed by the force which believes they are not fit to serve the public. A 2024 national review uncovered concerns about 461 officers nationally, with 139 of those facing re-vetting at that time. Now hundreds of those officers could face the sack when the reforms come in. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'In recent years, serious cases which have badly failed all proper policing standards have damaged public trust in the officers who are supposed to protect them, and undermined the majority of brave, committed officers who work tirelessly to keep us safe. 'It is simply not acceptable that officers who are clearly unfit to serve or pose a risk to their colleagues cannot be removed. Ms Everard was snatched from the street by Couzens as she was walking home from a friend's house towards Brixton on March 3, 2021 before being raped and murdered The Met faced extensive criticism after the death Ms Everard (pictured) 'That's why these new rules are essential and it is why this Government has been working closely with forces to overcome these barriers to restore confidence in policing.' The new police dismissal system, which will come into force from 14 May, comes as the Home Office is also planning to introduce stronger requirements to suspend officers under investigation for violence against women and girls. Officers convicted of certain criminal offences will also be automatically found guilty of gross misconduct under the plans. National Police Chiefs' Council lead for vetting, Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith, backed the changes which 'provide clear routes for action to remove individuals who fall below the high standards the public and our workforce rightly expect and deserve'. Domestic abuse campaigner Nour Norris, who has called for reforms following the murder of her niece Raneem Oudeh and sister Khaola Saleem said: 'For the first time officers who cannot pass vetting, many for serious issues like domestic and sexual abuse, can finally be removed. Rogue police officers who are suspected criminals will be sacked as 'absurd' high court ruling is addressed 'This is a major step toward the justice and protection victims deserve.' The number of Channel migrants in small boats has surpassed 9,500 this year so far -a third up from the previous all-time high. Official figures show the hefty figure compares to to 6,691 in the same period in the record-breaking year of 2022. And 5,916 had reached the UK in the same time frame last year. In total, 184 people were intercepted in the English Channel in three boats on Monday bringing the total this month to 2,918 passengers in 52 boats. Last month 4,586 people successfully made the deadly crossing in 80 boats thanks to unseasonably calm weather off the coast of Kent. A group of migrants were brought to the Port of Dover, Kent today, after being intercepted by a Border Force vessel. There were several small children, including a baby carried in a woman's arms, on board the British Defender catamaran. Other slightly older children, as well as women could be seen disembarking onto the Western Jet Foil, where they will be processed at a purpose built facility. It comes after a male migrant died on Friday while on route to Britain on a small boat, bringing the total deaths this year to at least eight. Dozens of migrants were seen disembarking from a Border Force vessel at Dover following the death of an unnamed male The stretcher was taken from Border Force catamaran, Typhoon, along the quayside An investigation has been launched into the death by police in Kent. Also on Monday, French authorities rescued one boat load of migrants whose vessel had engine failure. French search and rescue teams saved 42 people from the floundering boat, dropping them off on the quayside of Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. Authorities then attempted to help another boat which was struggling, but just four of the occupants accepted help, with the rest continuing towards the English coast, according to French reports. This month has also seen the highest number of arrivals in the single day so far this year, with 705 migrants arriving from 12 dinghies on April 15. A Home Office spokesman said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. 'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice. 'That's why this government is investing in border security, increasing returns to their highest levels for more than half a decade, and imposing a major crackdown on illegal working to end the false promise of jobs used by gangs to sell spaces on boats. Your browser does not support iframes. 'We have already secured agreement from the French to deploy a new elite unit of officers at the coast, launch a specialist intelligence unit, increase police numbers and introduce new powers for the French authorities to intervene in shallow waters. 'We are introducing tougher enforcement powers with new legislation and intensifying our collaboration with France and other countries who face the same challenges by exploring fresh and innovative measures to dismantle the business models of the criminal smuggling gangs.' Sir Keir Starmer was yesterday urged to play hardball with Brussels amid claims he has caved in over post-Brexit fishing rights in exchange for a security and defence deal. The Prime Minister is closing in on a security pact with the bloc that would allow UK arms firms to bid for contracts under the EU's 150billion defence fund. Unveiled by the bloc last month, it allows EU capitals to borrow cash to invest more in defence and is aimed at enabling countries to re-arm quicker. At present, British arms manufacturers such as BAE Systems and Babcock are locked out of participating in contracts until a pact has been struck, potentially delaying UK-EU military co-operation and the response to the invasion of Ukraine. France, along with a few other EU fishing nations, had been hoping to use this as leverage in post-Brexit 'reset' talks to get a better deal on catching rights for EU trawlers in UK waters. The Times reported on Sunday that the UK has caved in and made concessions on fishing rights in a bid to get the security and defence pact over the line. This is despite EU sources saying in recent weeks that French President Emmanuel Macron had softened his stance, and that he would not veto a defence pact if fishing rights were not yet settled ahead of a key summit next month. One source said: 'It's the French system's position to have them (defence and fishing) linked, but he (Mr Macron) sees beyond that because of the foreign policy challenges faced by London and Paris.' It suggests Sir Keir may make concessions on fishing rights even though he could still secure a defence deal if he played hardball. A pact is looking increasingly likely to be unveiled at the summit with EU leaders in London on May 19. Sir Keir Starmer with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen A fishing pact is looking increasingly likely to be unveiled at the summit with EU leaders in London on May 19. Negotiators expect that, alongside it, there will be a form of 'political declaration' spelling out how negotiations over fishing rights, closer trading ties, touring musicians and greater freedom of movement for young people will be taken forward. It means that, in theory, nothing would be finalised in these areas and they would still be subject to further negotiation, although a concession on fishing could be written into this. Downing Street yesterday refused to be drawn on The Times's claims that concessions have already been made on fishing rights in exchange for the defence deal. A spokesman simply said that they wouldn't get into a 'running commentary' and that they will protect the interests of UK fishermen. But Tory Brexiteer Mark Francois, the party's Armed Forces spokesman, blasted: 'As we approach the UK/EU summit on May 19, the Government's strategy of "smoke and mirrors" is becoming increasingly obvious. 'They are going to hide behind a defence agreement, to try and mask a surrender to the EU, not just on fishing rights but on so-called "dynamic alignment" - which means becoming a rule-taker for future EU regulations, even though we have left the EU.' This was a reference to the fact that Sir Keir has offered to shackle the UK to the EU's rulebook covering food and agricultural products in exchange for closer trading ties. Critics claim it could hamper talks with the US about a trade deal with Washington. Former Brexit minister David Jones said: 'The UK has so much to offer on defence and security. 'Our intelligence services are some of the best in the world, and we have one of the best defence industries in Europe. 'I would have thought the EU would be desperate to be aligned with the UK on defence issues, there's no need to give anything in return and surrender our position on fishing. British arms manufacturers such as BAE Systems and Babcock are locked out of participating in contracts until an EU pact has been struck 'But then Starmer is a man who wanted a second referendum. 'He's a dyed-in-the-wool Europhile who's doing everything he can to strip us of the benefits of Brexit.' Under a deal struck by former PM Boris Johnson in 2020, Britain is seizing back 25 per cent of catching rights in its waters that were previously surrendered to EU trawlers before the 2016 Brexit vote. Britain's fishing industry had hoped this transfer of power would continue when the deal ends next June - or that the UK would seize back control over 100 per cent of its waters. But the EU wants the current deal to be rolled over for another five years after 2026. Diplomatic sources said a deal was more likely to last three years than the five that EU leaders are demanding. The UK could also insist that annual negotiations begin, but that is also thought to be unlikely. A combative ex-fireman baron with no classroom experience has been named the new head of a major teaching union. Matt Wrack, who led the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) until January, has been confirmed as the new general secretary of the NASUWT. The appointment will prompt fears Britains second-largest teaching union, with 300,000 members, may swing to the Left. Mr Wrack is a hard-Left Jeremy Corbyn ally and has previously been criticised by ministerial sources as overly combative. He has also been accused of being insensitive to the problem of anti-Semitism in the Labour party, calling it so-called anti-Semitism in 2016. He will be the first general secretary in the NASUWTs history not to have classroom experience even though it is Britains only union exclusively for teachers. The union has previously been seen as moderate compared with the radical National Education Union (NEU). However, last week at the NASUWT conference, activists voted to ballot members for autumn strikes unless the Governments 2.8 per cent pay recommendation is funded. A 'combative' ex-fireman baron with no classroom experience has been named the new head of a major teaching union (pictured: Matt Wrack) Matt Wrack (pictured, right), who led the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) until January, has been confirmed as the new general secretary of the NASUWT The appointment will prompt fears Britains second-largest teaching union, with 300,000 members, may swing to the Left (pictured: Matt Wrack addresses an FBU rally in 2023) It means ministers will have to give schools extra money to pay for the rise or risk nationwide walkouts. Mr Wrack has been criticised in Whitehall for being at odds with the mainstream views of the school workforce. It is understood he is also an ally of NEU hard-Left general secretary Daniel Kebede. When he was named as the unions preferred candidate last month, history teacher Luke Akhurst was hoping to run against him. Mr Akhurst said the union needed a candidate who championed the concerns of everyday teachers. However, today's announcement suggests he failed to get the backing of the 25 local branches needed to force an election. Joe Robertson, Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, said: Appointing Matt Wrack, the first NASUWT general secretary with no teaching experience, is a cause for concern. A career strike leader with hard-left views, Wrack will be more interested in flexing union muscle than improving childrens education. With union bosses already shaping government policy behind closed doors, this appointment is a glimpse of whats to come. Mr Wrack (pictured, centre at an FBU demonstration) is a hard-Left Jeremy Corbyn ally and has previously been criticised by ministerial sources as 'overly combative' Accepting his role, Mr Wrack said: Teachers have suffered as a result of 14 years of austerity; so has education as a whole. The Westminster government needs to urgently start investing in education and that includes addressing the fact that teachers salaries and living standards have fallen behind. 'Urgent steps are needed to address the issues of teacher workload and of behaviour in schools. 'Addressing these challenges is essential to starting to tackle the recruitment and retention crisis in teaching. 'Professional teachers are absolutely crucial to delivering top class education and all governments across the UK need to fully engage with professional teachers through their union, NASUWT.' Zarah Sultana, a Corbyn-supporter who was elected Labours MP for Coventry South before becoming independent, said on X: Congratulations Matt! Looking forward to working with you and NASUWT to stand up for teachers and champion the future of education. Wayne Broom, NASUWT president, said: 'We are pleased to welcome Matt Wrack to the NASUWT where he will play a vital role in the next chapter of the unions work on behalf of teachers across the country.' The Daily Mail has contacted Mr Wrack's representatives for comment. A woman allegedly murdered her terminally ill partner soon after he delayed making a decision on whether he should undergo legal assisted dying after deciding she could not take it any more, a judge has heard. Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs, 50, is alleged to have 'taken matters into her own hands' and tried three times to administer drugs through David Ronald Mobbs' feeding tube. The 56-year-old suffered with motor neurone disease and earlier that day had a meeting about his palliative care where he decided he wanted to wait another week before considering his end-of-life options. Ms Truswell-Mobbs was arrested on April 3, more than a year after her partner's death at Alexandra Hills, in Brisbane's southeast, in December 2023. During a bail application in Queensland Supreme Court on Tuesday, Justice Glenn Martin heard police would claim Truswell-Mobbs told a close family member and a professional carer that she had given Mr Mobbs a lethal amount of drugs. Crown prosecutor Sarah Dennis opposed bail and said Truswell-Mobbs was accused of making three attempts to administer a combination of drugs to Mr Mobbs via his feeding tube on the night of December 5, 2023. 'Her conduct was purposeful and determined. It continued over a number of hours through the night... her intent was protracted,' Ms Dennis said. She alleged Truswell-Mobbs took 'matters into her own hands' after a meeting earlier that day concerning Mr Mobbs' palliative care. Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs, 50, was arrested on April 3, more than a year after the death of David Ronald Mobbs, 56, at Alexandra Hills, in Brisbane Kylie Truswell-Mobbs is seen during her arrest at an Alexandra Hills '(Mr Mobbs) indicated in the presence of a number of people that he wished to go on or at least have a further week before he considered his end-of-life options,' Ms Dennis said. 'Despite that, within hours, (Truswell Mobbs) had commenced to administer drugs in order to bring about the end of his life.' Motor neurone disease, also known as MND, is usually terminal within a few years of diagnosis and rapidly damages a person's ability to walk, talk and eat over time. At the time of his death, Mr Mobbs used a signing board to communicate. Ms Dennis said police had a statement from the carer that claimed Truswell-Mobbs had said she 'couldn't take it anymore'. Defence barrister Ruth O'Gorman said Truswell-Mobbs should be granted bail as she had no prior criminal record and had not attempted to flee in the year before she was charged. 'It's not inevitable that the Crown would proceed with the charge of murder against her, or that the jury would convict,' Ms O'Gorman said. 'There are other charges which are or may be open on the evidence; (such as) a charge of aiding suicide.' Ms Truswell-Mobbs is taken away by police before she was charged with murdering her partner David Mobbs Ms O'Gorman said Truswell-Mobbs had been living in the community for 16 months while knowing she was under police investigation but there were no allegations she had interfered with witnesses. Justice Martin said there was a difference between a person knowing they were under investigation and knowing they had been charged with murder. 'It can be said the prosecution has a substantial amount of evidence that would tend towards conviction,' Justice Martin said. He refused bail and Truswell-Mobbs is due to have her murder charge mentioned on April 28 in Brisbane Magistrates Court. A Democratic senator's constituents slammed him for wasting tax-payer money after he travelled to El Salvador to see a man deported by the Trump administration over claims he's an MS-13 gangster. 'I do believe that was a waste of taxpayer dollars,' an unnamed Maryland resident said in a segment of Jesse Waters Primetime when asked about Sen. Chris Van Hollen's meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia last week. 'Senator... you need to take care of home before going to other countries,' added a second constituent when informed about the trip by a Fox News correspondent. Marylanders were also asked how they felt about the deportation of Abrego Garcia, who has been accused of being a member of MS-13 by the Trump administration but who has not been charged or convicted with any gang offenses. 'I feel safer,' said one woman. 'He gotta go,' said another. When the correspondent noted that Abrego Garcia, 29, was a father, mocking Democrats focused on that point, one constituent replied: 'But he's still a terrorist.' 'Why would you want that in my community?' one of the constituents said after being asked to send a message to Democrats who, the Fox correspondent told him, 'really want him back.' Maryland residents slammed senator Chris Van Hollen for traveling to El Salvador to meet with a man deported by the Trump administration 'He gotta go,' said one woman when asked how they felt about the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador The Democrat senator who traveled to El Salvador to try and secure the release of a deported undocumented migrant who the White House says is an MS-13 member When asked what senator Van Hollen has done for them, all the constituents shown on the clip replied, 'nothing.' Everyone included in the video also said they do not want Abrego Garcia to be brought back to Maryland. The Supreme Court has ordered him to be returned to the United States but the Trump administration has yet to budge. Abrego Garcia has become a rallying cry for Trump critics, who say the White House is violating due process after the man was sent to El Salvador despite a court order blocking his deportation. Sen. Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador last week and met with Abrego Garcia and Salvadoran officials. El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele shared a picture of the encounter and claimed the pair downed margaritas. Abrego Garcia entered the US illegally in 2011. A judge blocked his return to El Salvador in 2019, citing the fact that gangsters were after him, but said he could be deported elsewhere. On March 15, he was deported on one of three planes filled with migrants accused of being gang members. In court filings, the Trump administration later said he was deported to El Salvador in error. The Supreme Court has since ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his return to the US. 'Senator... you need to take care of home before going to other countries,' one man told Fox News Chris Van Hollen met Thursday in El Salvador with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was sent there by the Trump administration in March despite an immigration court order preventing his deportation Van Hollen unsuccessfully lobbied the Salvadoran government for Abrego Garcias return. He told NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday that the United States is facing a constitutional crisis if the Trump administration does not follow the Supreme Courts order to push to bring Abrego Garcia back. But Justice Department lawyers said in court last week that they have no power to advance Abrego Garcias return because he is in a foreign countrys custody. Administration officials also claimed in public comments that Abrego Garcia was engaged in human trafficking and terrorism and therefore correctly deported. Previous claims made by Abrego Garcia's wife that he'd repeatedly beaten her have also been publicized as Democrats rally around him, although she ultimately did not press any charges. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that if Abrego Garcia were to return to the U.S., 'he would immediately be deported again.' Meanwhile Attorney General Pam Bondi released a police report claiming that Abrego Garcia was seen with known gangsters before his deportation as proof that he is a member of MS-13. President Trump has also cited the tattoos on the man's knuckles as evidence of his alleged gang affiliation, and the fact his wife filed for a temporary protection order against him in 2021 over domestic violence attacks. The lawmaker did not provide an update on the status of Abrego Garcia (pictured), whose attorneys are fighting to force the Trump administration to facilitate his return to the US Democrats have used the case to zero in on the issue of due process, with some noting that the Supreme Court and lower court federal judges found Abrego Garcia was deported without a proper hearing. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who wrote in the courts ruling in Abrego Garcias case, said: 'The governments argument implies that it could deport and incarcerate any person, including U. S. citizens, without legal consequence, so long as it does so before a court can intervene.' Rosie O'Donnell insisted she has 'no regrets' after fleeing the United States for Ireland to escape Donald Trump's second term in the White House. The liberal comedian and actress told CNN that she blames 'Project 2025' for making her and her non-binary child Clay feel unsafe in the US, but said that she is happy with her new life in Ireland. 'I have no regrets. Not a day has gone by that I thought it was the wrong decision,' she said. 'I was welcomed with open arms. 'I knew that after reading Project 2025 that if Trump got in it was time for me and my non-binary child to leave the country.' O'Donnell noted that she was not among the A-listers like Ellen DeGeneres and America Ferrera who publicly threatened to leave the US before the election, and said she 'made the decision with my family and my therapist.' 'When (Trump) won, we made the plan into action and we were gone before he was inaugurated.' The comedian has been an outspoken critic of Trump for years, and said she has been 'heartbroken' to see what actions Trump has taken in his first months back in office. Rosie O'Donnell insisted she has 'no regrets' after fleeing the United States for Ireland to escape Donald Trump 's second term in the White House, and blamed 'Project 2025' for motivating her to move across the Atlantic The liberal comedian and actress said Donald Trump's presidency has made her and her non-binary child Clay (pictured together) feel safe in the country anymore, but said she is happy with her new life in Ireland O'Donnell said while she is happy with her move across the Atlantic, she has struggled to watch from afar how Trump has rapidly reshaped the United States in only a few months. 'It's been heartbreaking,' she said. 'I knew that if I was in the United States and watched him destroy the country and the constitution, and really pay no mind to the laws that the Founders stood by and that our country stands for as a beacon of shining light and freedom for the rest of the world. 'That should he do what the Heritage Foundation said he was going to do, in that Project 2025, that we were going to be in big trouble. 'It's as bad as they promised, and even a little bit worse, it's been heartbreaking and very, very sad to watch.' O'Donnell previously said she and Clay, who is non-binary and has autism, would only consider returning when 'all citizens have equal rights there in America' The comedian first announced her move to Ireland in March as she shared a nine-minute video speaking out against President Trump and his policies. The 62-year-old began the clip saying she buckled under the pressure and couldn't face living in the US under Trump, so she packed her bags and moved on January 15 - just days before the inauguration. O'Donnell told her 2.5 million followers that she's having a 'wonderful' time living in Ireland - but admitted that she is already missing things about the US. She said: 'It's been pretty wonderful, I have to say. The people are so loving and so kind, so welcoming. And I'm very grateful.' She noted that leaving the States was something she never expected to happen in her life, adding: 'I was never someone who thought I would move to another country, that's what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child. And here we are.' She added that although she and Clay are both happy, she misses her 'other kids and friends.' 'I miss many things about life there at home and I'm trying to find a home here in this beautiful country.' Attorneys for an honor roll student who allegedly admitted to murdering his mom when he was 13 have said he may not be the killer. Derek Rosa, 14, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder after his mother Irina Garcia was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife in their Florida home in 2023. But his attorneys have now said they're exploring 'evidence of an alternative suspect', according to court records seen by NBC South Florida. Lawyers for the teenager have said they would like to investigate Frank Ramos, who is Rosa's stepfather and Garcia's husband. According to records, Ramos provided detailed descriptions about the killing in his Facebook messages, including how the victim screamed for help and fought back. 'The messages are exculpatory because they raise the possibility of an alternate theory, that of course includes the culprit not being Derek Rosa,' attorneys wrote in a motion. 'The stepfather having such specific details of the incident while at the same time claiming that he did not witness the incident, raises the possibility that he was in fact present during the incident, at the very least watched it.' Ramos is currently set to appear in Rosa's trial as a witness in June 2025. Derek Rosa, now aged 14, is awaiting trial over the killing and is being held in an adult jail Interrogation footage showed the teen describing the knife used in the murder Bodycam footage showed the moment police stormed Garcia's Hialeah home and arrested the honor roll student. 'Hands up! Hands up, come here, get on the ground!' One cop yells as Rosa emerges in pajamas. He is forced to the ground and placed in handcuffs while officers rush into the apartment. 'There's a knife in my room,' Rosa tells the cop, who then shouts the information to his colleagues. 'There's a baby,' the teen adds. 'How's the baby? Did you do anything to the f***ing baby?' the cop demands, but Rosa says he left the infant unharmed. Police said once they entered Garcia's room they found the 39-year-old mom dead in her bed next to the crib containing her 14 day old baby. So far there has been no indication of a motive. Rosa's lawyers has recently indicated that they may seek an insanity defense. In other bodycam footage, Rosa's devastated grandmother can be heard explaining in Spanish to a cop of her grandson never appeared to have any issues. 'I've never seen him with any mental problems or anything like that, he's a normal kid, intelligent,' she said in Spanish. 'I don't know what happenedall I know is I don't have a daughter anymore.' Rosa's mom Irina Garcia was stabbed more than 40 times, investigators said The teen entered a not guilty plea in December 2023 after his arrest in October. However, interrogation footage showed the teen describing the size and color of the knife he allegedly used to commit the crime. He was further questioned by detectives who asked: 'Your mom was sleeping?' Rosa went on to confirm: 'Yeah, she was sleeping.' The video showed the teenager showing detectives his bloody hands and pointing to his neck when asked where he stabbed his mother. He also told the detective that his mother screamed when he attacked her, before he then asked for an attorney. On December 15, 2023, a pre-trial hearing saw prosecutors playing a recording of Rosa allegedly speaking to a detective directly after the stabbing, where he said: 'I woke up, I grabbed one of the kitchen knives and I went to her room... I killed her.' After hearing the disturbing tape, Miami Dade Circuit Judge Richard Hersch ordered the teen to be held in an adult jail until his trial commences. At a separate hearing, baby-cam footage showed Rosa standing over his sleeping mother in her bed, moments before he allegedly stabbed her 46 times. The 13-year-old was seen in eerie black-and-white images looming over his mom with a time stamp at 11 pm. Rosa called 911 to report the murder around 11:30 pm. Rosa is also accused of taking a smiling selfie to a friend directly after the killing, where he was sticking his tongue out with what appears to be blood smeared on his hands. The 13-year-old was allegedly seen in eerie black and white images looming over his mom with a time stamp at 11 pm. Rosa called 911 to report the murder around 11:30 pm In the footage he can be heard telling officers that there is a baby inside who he did not harm The teen emerged from his Hialeah apartment in pajamas and was immediately swarmed by cops Police said after taking the pictures, Rosa asked a dispatcher if the move was 'bad'. He also allegedly claimed that he found two guns owned by his stepfather after the stabbing and planned to commit suicide but didn't go through with the plan. Rosa's family expressed shock over the charges and said he was a 'good kid' and that 'no one could imagine this would ever happen'. The detective who interviewed Rosa after he allegedly carried out the murder, Hialeah Police officer Joseph Elosegui, said that investigators found additional evidence after looking through Rosa's internet activity. He claimed the 13-year-old researched the best way to kill someone and whether a small knife would be able to cut through bone. Rosa will stand trial as an adult and has had multiple requests for transfers to a juvenile prison denied. Remains have been found after a father-of-four was mauled to death by a shark in northwest Israel, officials said. The chilling attack took place near Olga Beach, Hadera, on Monday and prompted a major search and rescue operation. 'Help' and 'they're biting me' were among the man's final words as he thrashed his arms in the air helplessly before being dragged out to sea. The event later stirred controversy as AI images of 'anti-Semitic sharks' were soon circulated that depicted the creatures wearing Hamas bandanas. People joked online that it was the 'anti-Semitic shark' who would 'fight to total victory'. Two of the images showed a shark wearing a green Hamas bandana or keffiyeh with the caption 'the warrior in the Abu-shark force', with the predator also being dubbed the 'al-Qassam shark' in reference to Hamas' al-Qassam brigade. A third was a fake picture of former IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari next to a shark, which was posted with the caption claiming Hagari threatened retaliation against the animal and announced that the incident resulted in only 'minor injuries'. The posts caused fury in Israel, with local media saying the savage shark attack on Monday was used to incite 'anti-Semitic hatred'. Horrifying footage shows the man flailing in the water off the coast of Hadera's Olga Beach on Monday during the bloody attack as the water quickly turned red Two of the AI-generated images show a shark wearing a green Hamas bandana or keffiyeh with the caption 'the warrior in the Abu-shark force', with trolls also dubbing the predator the 'al-Qassam shark' in reference to Hamas' al-Qassam brigade Some of the trolls sharing the pictures said it was 'the anti-Semitic shark' who would 'fight to total victory' A third one is a fake picture of former IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari next to a shark, which was posted with the caption claiming Hagari threatened retaliation against the animal and announced that the incident resulted in only 'minor injuries' Deputy Fire Chief Doron Almashali said: 'After a day and a half of intensive effort, we have found what appears to be part of the missing person. Naturally, these findings must undergo thorough examinations by the Israel Police and the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute. 'We will continue working to confirm that we have indeed found the missing individual. We conducted our search pattern based on careful analysis of underwater currents, and it was precisely in that area where the remains were discovered.' He added that fire service 'sincerely hope we have indeed found the diver who was attacked by the sharks.' Israel Police said: 'As you can see, we are now on the second day of searching. We are sparing absolutely no resources. The Police Commissioner has instructed us to deploy all available forces to assist with the search effort. 'Several findings have been sent for examination, and we are awaiting the results. Our primary goal is to bring closure to the family. We will continue our efforts until we locate the missing person.' Horrifying footage shows the man flailing in the water during the bloody attack as it quickly turned red. 'I warned him not to go into the sea, and then I received the bitter news,' his friend said, adding that the married father had entered the water to swim with the sharks. What is left of the man's body has been transferred to the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification and examination. But the man wasn't the only one interested in getting close to the predators off Hadera. Videos shared on social media show other beach-goers, including children, standing in the water and marvelling at the sharks as they swam around their legs just moments before the man was attacked A shark is seen close to shore off Israel, with beachgoers trying to touch the predator A man can be seen right next to a shark as it swims by in the shallow waters Children were seen standing in the water as sharks swam around their legs Your browser does not support iframes. This beach area is said to be well-used among swimmers and surfers, who play with the sharks' fins and throw fish for them to eat. But according to the JNS, swimming in the water off Olga Beach is prohibited. The man's haunting last words have been revealed by an eyewitness, who said he screamed: 'I'm bitten, I'm bitten,' as he waved his hands in the air. 'After a few minutes, sharks bit him - and suddenly he disappeared,' the beachgoer told Channel 12 News. But the man, who was missing and feared dead after the savage attack but whose remains were found a day later, wasn't the only one interested in getting close to the predators off Hadera. Videos shared on social media show other beach-goers, including children, standing in the water and marvelling at the sharks as they swam around their legs just moments before the man was attacked. Some holidaymakers coming to the area to see the sharks would even grab them by their tails and beat them with an oar, according to the chairwoman of the Israeli Shark Association. The association said people actively approaching the predators was 'unreasonable behaviour'. Rescue teams continued their search off Hadera today and located the man's remains The Hadera Municipality Coastal Department said it was 'conducting searches by jet ski to locate the diver and will continue to update as developments occur'. Rescuers are pictured above searching for the man's remains earlier today A shark was seen swimming close to the shore at Olga Beach, Israel, before the man was mauled The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel has reacted to the shark attack by saying it called on the state four years ago to regulate behaviour. It said: 'Every winter, a unique phenomenon occurs in Israel in which sharks and rays gather at the outlet of the warm waters of the power stations. 'In the case of such a fascinating and public-attracting phenomenon, it would be appropriate to take conservation and safety measures for the public, but over the years, chaos has developed in the area. 'I started recording and saw they were sharks. They got within 164 to 328ft of the shoreline, which caused panic among swimmers. 'Still, some tried to approach them despite the lifeguard's clear orders to get out of the water. The sharks moved from south to north, did a sort of 'dance', and eventually disappeared.' Shark attacks in the Mediterranean are extremely rare, with 50 recorded since 1900, and only 11 fatal. The man's body had not been found by Monday night so divers continued their search off Hadera's coast early this morning. He is believed to have been attacked by at least three sharks. The Hadera Municipality Coastal Department previously said it was 'conducting searches by jet ski to locate the diver and will continue to update as developments occur'. 'We urge the public traveling in the area to avoid entering the water and contact with the sharks,' it added. Police and rescue workers were deployed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 3.02pm on Monday. Israel Police said on Monday: 'A short time ago, officers from the Hadera Police Station and the Maritime Police were dispatched to the Hadera stream following reports from citizens who claimed they saw a shark attacking a diver in the water. 'Forces are en route, but no casualties have been located so far.' Footage uploaded to social media showed helicopters scanning the waters for the missing diver. Following the incident, police closed the Olga Beach to swimmers until further notice. Relieved steelworkers at Britains last blast furnaces have had the threat of redundancy removed following the governments dramatic takeover 10 days ago. British Steel this evening confirmed it will end the consultation on 2,700 redundancies announced by Chinese owners Jingye at the end of March. The two furnaces at Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, will continue in operation after Parliament was reconvened on the Saturday before Easter to pass emergency legislation to take control. A worker at one of Scunthorpe's giant blast furnaces where redundancies have been scrapped Cutting edge: The UK's ability to make its own virgin steel is seen as vital in an uncertain world After raw materials began to be delivered last week, plans to mothball one furnace using a Salamander Tap in which liquid metal is drained and the structure kept warm, have also been cancelled. Lisa Coulson, British Steels interim chief commercial officer, said: This has been a difficult and worrying time for British Steel staff and their families. I can however confirm that we are closing the redundancy consultation without action. Since the Government passed its legislation, we have been working day and night to ensure we are able to stabilise our operations. The work done to secure the raw materials we need for both Queen Anne and Queen Bess blast furnaces means we are able to run both continuously. Welcoming the move, Industry Minister Sarah Jones said it would bring certainty for thousands of hard-working staff for the long term. Unions also backed the decision to remove the threat of redundancy but repeated their calls for full renationalisation which Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has said is the most likely option. Alun Davies, National Secretary for Steel at Community Union, said the steelworks had been saved from a disastrous cliff edge after Jingye had declined to pay for more raw materials for the site, claiming it was losing 700,000 a day. He added: We will now continue to work tirelessly to ensure the business gets the bright future it needs and deserves. The sprawling Scunthorpe steelworks site, which has been saved after Parliament intervened Unite called for the government to slash energy prices as well as take ownership of the site, where the aging blast furnaces are reaching the end of their lives and need replacing. The government had offered Jingye 500m towards a 2bn project to build two new electric arc furnaces but the Chinese company wanted a 1.2bn subsidy. No announcement has yet been made on how the new furnaces will now be funded. The unions spokesperson said: This should be just the first step to begin the process of nationalisation The government now needs to implement a wholesale overhaul of its energy policy with a commitment to invest in renewables to lower energy prices for heavy industry like steel production. This needs to be alongside a massive investment in electric arc furnaces and a national strategic plan to get British steel users to buy domestically for large scale infrastructure projects. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who believes renationalisation is 'most likely' option Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB National Officer, called the end of the redundancy process fantastic news for steel workers and the people of Scunthorpe, adding: Its like a cloud has been lifted from above the whole community. It confirms the Government is serious about saving 2,700 jobs and the UKs vital steel industry. A tycoon drowned after losing control of a Lamborghini he had purchased just days earlier. Luca Polito, a 51-year-old building contractor, had been driving his Lamborghini Gallardo in Concordia Sagittaria, northern Italy, with a friend in the passenger seat on April 19. After father-of-one Mr Polito lost control of the vehicle, the supercar flipped and landed in an irrigation canal beside the road before quickly filling up with water. With Mr Polito and his friend trapped in the Lamborghini submerged in around 28cm of water, passersby alerted emergency services. Rescuers were able to free the businessman's friend before rushing him to a local hospital. When Mr Polito was released from the driver's seat, however, he was unresponsive. Luca Polito, a 51-year-old building contractor, died after losing control of a Lamborghini Gallardo on April 19 After father-of-one Mr Polito lost control of the vehicle, the supercar flipped and landed in an irrigation canal beside the road before quickly filling up with water Passersby alerted emergency services who quickly arrived at the scene - but the businessman could not be saved Emergency services tried to resuscitate the 51-year-old but he could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Polito is thought to have drowned. His friend suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and remains in hospital. Following Mr Polito's death, the owners of his favourite restaurant in Concordia Sagittaria told Italian media: 'He was a special person - kind, thoughtful. 'He was always there when someone needed help.' The mayor of Concordia Sagittaria, Claudio Odorico, said: 'The loss of a young entrepreneur is a heavy blow to the community.' Mr Polito had bought the supercar just days before the tragic crash in northern Italy, near Venice The wrecked Lamborghini which Mr Polito crashed a matter of days ago has been pulled from the canal. Detectives are now working to establish whether mechanical error or human failure caused the businessman to lose control. Mr Polito was survived by his parents and is tragically the last of his siblings to die after his two brothers passed away of serious illness. He had both a wife and a child. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren was left squirming as a podcaster probed her about former President Joe Biden's mental decline. Warren, 75, appeared on an episode of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso, which was released Sunday. Fragoso asked her directly: 'Do you regret saying that President Biden had a mental acuity, he had a sharpness to him? You said that up until July of last year. Do you think he was as sharp as you?' Biden's shocking performance in the June 27 Atlanta debate eventually pushed him out of the 2024 race on July 21. 'I said I had not seen decline. And I hadn't at that point,' Warren said of comments she made last summer. Fragoso was incredulous. 'You did not see any decline from 2024 Joe Biden to 2021 Joe Biden?' the podcaster asked. Warren continued to back Biden. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren (left) swore to podcaster Sam Fragoso (right) that she had not seen any decline in President Joe Biden, before last summer 'He - look, he was sharp. He was on his feet. I saw him at a live event. I had meetings with him a couple of times,' Warren said. The podcaster interjected. 'Senator "on his feet" is not praise. "He can speak in sentences" is not praise,' Fragoso said. With that, Warren responded, 'Fair enough, fair enough.' The Massachusetts Democrat then tried to spin the conversation forward, outlining what Democrats in the Senate are trying to do to push back against President Donald Trump's agenda. A number of books have been released recently that have shed greater light on Biden's condition including that he needed fluorescent tape stuck to the carpet to guide his way during public events. President Donald Trump - and his White House staff - were still mocking Biden on Monday. During the annual Easter Egg Roll, Trump called attention to a 2022 viral moment in which a White House aide, dressed as the lady Easter Bunny, shooed the aging president away from reporters who were quizzing him about foreign policy. President Joe Biden delivered remarks last week for the first time in his post-presidential life. Several new books shed light on his decline while in the White House 'Do you remember the bunny with Joe Biden?' Trump asked. 'Remember? Do you remember when the bunny took Joe Biden out? He's not taking Trump out. That was a beautiful moment, when the bunny saved Joe Biden.' He repeated the comment moments later. 'You remember when the bunny saved Joe Biden?' he asked Egg Roll attendees. 'The bunny's not going to save me, right? I got a better bunny.' The White House's social media accounts posted Trump making the joke - and the footage of Biden. 'BREAKING: The White House is no longer a nursing home,' the post said. Tensions were simmering between the cardinals who will select Pope Francis successor scarcely hours after his death as a meeting was hastily convened before most had arrived at the Vatican. While outwardly it appeared to be a formality to arrange the details for Saturdays funeral, for cardinals who know the power of a hushed word it was seen as a violation of their rights. The death of the Pope on Easter Monday began a power struggle between liberals, many of whom are loyal to Francis, and conservatives loyal to the traditions of the Church. In the coming days a battle will take place to control the direction of the Holy See for the next decade or more and guide the souls of its billion-plus adherents around the world. On Monday night one of the most respected cardinals, former Bishop of Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, challenged the College of Cardinals on its decision to hold its first meeting on Tuesday morning before most had arrived. The 93-year-old wrote: Cardinal Zen would like to know why the first session of the General Congregations has to start so early. How are the old men from the peripheries supposed to arrive on time? There is the kind word [in the letter inviting cardinals to the meeting] reminding them that they are not obliged to attend, but do they have the right to do so - yes or no? Only about sixty cardinals - or less than a quarter - were in Rome and able to attend the first meeting of the Churchs most senior clerics yesterday, according to the Vatican news agency. Cardinals at morning Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, in 2005 before sequestering themselves in the Sistine Chapel for the beginning of the conclave to elect a new pope The election of a new Pope is the most secretive democratic process in the world, conducted by 135 cardinals behind closed doors The letter from Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re inviting cardinals around the world to gather in Rome for their first meeting since the death of Pope Francis The rules of the ancient and secretive process that selects the next pope, known as the conclave, state that only 135 of the 252 cardinals will be able to vote as no cardinals over the age of 80 can participate in the secret ballot. However this means that the older - and often most influential - cardinals have to do their dealmaking before the process even begins at pre-conclave meetings at which cardinals ineligible to vote can advise the electors. Voting cardinals take an oath of secrecy and are isolated from the outside world for the duration of the conclave which starts between 15 and 20 days after the death of the Pope. This means that, until then, every day is pivotal for those older cardinals to wield their influence. This highly political process will be familiar to anybody who has seen the award-winning film Conclave, starring actor Ralph Fiennes. One possible reason for Cardinal Zens frustration at not being present in the Vatican is his evident dislike of one of the favourites to succeed Francis. Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin is the Vaticans secretary of state, or highest-ranking diplomat, who is a favourite among bookmakers. Cardinal Parolin, a lifelong diplomat, is seen as a moderate, unifying figure by some but is disliked by others. In 2018 Cardinal Zen publicly accused Cardinal Parolin of having a poisoned mind and said: He is very sweet, but I have no trust in this person. In 2020 he went further, accusing him of lying and adding that the Pope was being manipulated by the Most Eminent Parolin and his henchmen. Your browser does not support iframes. The genesis of their fallout appears to relate to a controversial 2018 deal between Beijing and the Vatican - which Cardinal Parolin played a key role in - to restore diplomatic ties after China broke off relations in 1951. Under the deal, the Vatican ceded control over the appointment of Chinese Catholic bishops to the Chinese Communist party (CCP), thus granting Beijing more control over churches in China and more power in the Vatican. This was extended in November last year. Cardinal Zen, who was arrested under the Beijing-imposed national security law in Hong Kong 2022, criticised the deal and said the Vatican was selling out the Catholic Church in China. On Monday the first congregation of cardinals was called by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, who is responsible for summoning a conclave. Cardinal Re, who is 91 and thus unable to vote in conclave, was due to step down in February but Francis renewed his tenure indefinitely. Had he stepped down, his position would have been assumed by Cardinal Parolin, who would have become both Secretary of State and Dean of the Vatican, so the move was seen by some as the Pope blocking this to sideline Cardinal Parolin. While the murky world of internal Vatican politics is often unclear, what is for sure is that Francis infuriated conservative and traditionalist Catholics with his softer stance on women in the Church, LGBT+ rights and the Churchs stance on divorced and remarried Catholics. However he also disappointed some progressives within the Church, who wanted him to go further and faster. Ralph Fiennes in the film Conclave, which with uncanny timing is up for an Oscar as the real thing takes place Cardinal Joseph Zen, the former Bishop of Hong Kong, challenged the College of Cardinals on its decision to hold its first meeting on Tuesday morning before most cardinals had arrived in Rome Cardinal Parolin has worked closely with Pope Francis but has upset some with his views on China In his final years Francis shaped the makeup of the cardinal electors who will appoint his successor, which may have a large bearing on who will become the next Pope. Of the 135 members of the College of Cardinals eligible to vote, 80 per cent were appointed by Francis, 16.3 per cent were appointed by Pope Benedict, and only 3.7 per cent were appointed by Pope John Paul II. The countries they come from could also dictate the result too. Francis wanted the Church to have a less euro-centric image to reflect the fact that almost 70 per cent of Catholic Christians live in the developing world. Under Francis the proportion of cardinals from Africa, Asia, and Latin America has increased from 36.5 per cent in 2013 to more than 50 per cent now. Among the favourites to replace Francis are Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, from the Philippines, who would become the first Asian Pope. Or Cardinal Peter Turkson, from Ghana, who would be the first Black Pope. A San Diego immigration lawyer and longtime resident was stunned to receive a notice ordering him to 'self-deport immediately,' despite his US citizenship. Aldo Martinez-Gomez received the notice from the Department of Homeland Security on April 11, allowing him seven days to leave the United States. Yet, the immigration lawyer was born in San Diego County and has lived in the South Bay for most of his life. 'I was born in Paradise Valley Hospital in National City, and I was raised my whole life in Chula Vista,' he told Fox 40. However, he received the intimidating letter which said: '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.' His letter featured the same menacing warning as many others have, which said: 'Do not attempt to remain in the United States - The federal government will find you.' But the letter filled Martinez-Gomez with anxiety and fear, as he works full-time at a non-profit which helps people in immigration court. 'Where do you want me to go? I was born in National City. I was raised in San Diego County my whole life,' he told the outlet. Aldo Martinez-Gomez was born in San Diego County but received an email from the Department of Homeland Security notifying him that he had seven days to leave the United States A Department of Homeland Security official said in a statement that notices can be sent to 'unintended recipients' The intimidating letter was received by a man who had been born in the US and had lived in the South Bay for most of his life. The letter has struck fear and anxiety into him, even though he is not in the country illegally 'When I represent people in immigration court, there's always an ICE office nearby. Will I be detained when I represent a client at a hearing? Will they come to my house?' A DHS official said in a statement to the outlet that at times notices may be sent 'to unintended recipients.' '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,' the senior official said. Yet, it hasn't calmed Martinez-Gomez's anxieties as he makes preparations if he should be deported. 'Ive had to make contingency plans with my mom, something I never thought Id have to do,' he said. 'Ive been protecting myself and talking to people and doing interviews. Im not seeking fame or attention. I just want to bring light to this issue because Im not trying to be one of the governments mistakes.' However, Martinez-Gomez was not the only lawyer to receive the alarming letter that day. Carmen Bello, 43, was one of two lawyers in Boston to discuss receiving the email on that April morning after it ordered her to 'depart the United States immediately.' 'Where do you want me to go? I was born in National City. I was raised in San Diego County my whole life,' Martinez-Gomez said Martinez-Gomez has been making preparations if he should be deported following the alarming letter The letters they were sent came from the Department of Homeland Security, informing them that their 'parole' was terminated. Bello, however, became a US citizen in 2007 and has been practicing immigration law for 14 years, the Boston Globe reported. The letter threatened that she would be subject to criminal prosecution, civil fines and penalties if she didn't leave 'immediately.' She was also informed that her parole, and any work authorization as a consequence, would terminate in seven days. 'You are currently here because the Department of Homeland Security parole you into the United States for a limited period,' the letter, sent at 2:05 am, said, according to the Globe. 'DHS encourages you to leave immediately on your own. You can use the CBP Home mobile app on your phone to make arrangements for your departure,' the letter continued. Bello told DailyMail.com she initially assumed the email was intended for one of her clients, but it included no case information or inclusion of her name. She said she 'realized the email was sent in error and was likely connected to a client's application for humanitarian parole.' Carmen Bello, 43, was the second lawyer in Boston to receive the email ordering her to 'depart the United States immediately' 'Unfortunately, this type of mistaken notification is not uncommon and has been received by numerous individuals who have been paroled by the Department of Homeland Security,' Bello added. She strongly encouraged anyone who did receive the 'alarming' email to seek legal advice before taking any action. American citizen Nicole Micheroni was equally 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. '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?' American citizen Nicole Micheroni was equally stunned when she opened the letter from the Department of Homeland Security 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. 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". 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 'Revocation of parole isn't the same as a deportation order, and this email does not initiate deportation proceedings. 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 earlier this month 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. A nurse who was jailed for posing as a man to target women online has been locked up again for messaging her victim days after being freed. Adele Rennie, 34, used a voice-changing app to pose as a male pharmacist in a catfishing scam after matching with a woman on Tinder in August 2023. She was given a 28-month sentence for a stalking campaign, but just 11 days after her release breached a non-harassment order asking the victim if shed bagged a lovely gal. However, she pretended shed thought her message was sent to someone called Gordon. Jailing her for 100 days at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, Sheriff George Jamieson told her: Its an alarming set of circumstances. It is the fourth time the ex-NHS nurse at Crosshouse Hospital has been sent to prison for crimes linked to catfishing. She was released on licence on January 13 this year and on the 24th she told a social worker she had contacted some friends using contacts from her Apple Watch, retrieved by her niece. Roz Welsh, prosecuting, said after sending the message to Gordon she was told in reply it was not him and not to contact them again. Adele Rennie pretended to be a male medic to get women to send her naked photos in cruel catfish con Police discovered the number matched a smart phone Rennie was given after being freed. Miss Welsh said: The accused was asked if she knew who she contacted and she replied she thought it may have been the complainer. The message read: Hiya Gordon, Im probably the last person you thought youd be hearing from but over the last 14 months Ive stripped myself back. Ive done a lot of soul-searching, realisation, healing some wrongs and during that you kept popping up. I never really gave you a chance and put my demons/insecurities on others, you being one of them. I pushed you away loads and I guess thats because I was unhappy in myself and life really. Outside looking in, Ive had a good life. My pals dont have a clue either. Im sure you were shocked when you seen I got the jail. Yes, I done terribly wrong but theres a lot more to it than just her side. Apparently I sell papers, my lawyer told me this morning. Im not that girl. Again, I just want to say sorry. I hope youre doing well and you bagged yourself a lovely gal and got that HGV licence you were after. Adele x. But her victim replied: You know full well who you have texted and its not Gordon. Dont text me again. Rennie feigned surprise and claimed she had been given the number from a list, saying: Its down as Gordon, sorry. Miss Welsh added the victim felt very uneasy and worried she was in danger. Paul Gallagher, defending, said: Effectively, this was a situation where Miss Rennie self-reported her behaviour. She understands entirely the alarm that would have caused the victim. During the stalking campaign, Rennie and her victim swapped mobile phone numbers, with Rennie later arranging to have flowers delivered to the victims home. When she pulled out of a date at the last minute, the woman believed the Tinder account was a catfish. It was Rennies third catfishing scam. Catfishers create a fictitious online persona, or fake identity, with the intent of deception. They often mislead victims into online romantic relationships or to commit financial fraud. The victim received a voice note a few days later from a woman calling herself Cheryl, claiming to be a friend of the man and urging her not to give up on him. She then received calls from the man, which she suspected involved an altered voice. Rennie later sent an explicit image and a photograph taken outside the victims work. She also sent a screenshot of Google Maps, showing someone outside the womans home and a photograph of the victims street taken through a car window. The woman was sent a ticket for a gig in London by Rennie but did not want to go. Later, she was shown pictures from the concert by a witness, which showed Rennie in the crowd. Police searched Rennies home in November 2023 and found a mobile phone containing an email address with the name of the man along with internet searches for the victim. Officers also discovered a photograph matching the fake male profile and found several bank cards that Rennie failed to declare under her sex offender notification requirement. Rennie had previously been jailed in 2017 and 2019 for similar crimes involving women. The BBC earlier announced it had commissioned The Catfish Next Door, a three-part true crime series documenting Rennie, dubbed one of Britains most prolific cyberstalkers. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday warned that Joe Biden's 'illegal student loan bailout' program is ending and those in default must pay back their loans. On May 5th, the Department of Education will resume involuntary collections for borrowers with defaulted federal student loans. Of the more than 42.7 million student loan borrowers - who owe a collective $1.6 trillion - more than 5 million have not made a payment in the past year, according to the Department of Education. That number is expected to grow as an additional 4 million borrowers are approaching default status. 'If you take out a loan, you have to pay it back. It's very simple. President Trump will not kick the can down the road anymore,' Leavitt said at her press briefing. 'Debt cannot be wiped away, it just ends up getting transferred to others. So why should Americans who didn't go to college or went to college and responsibly paid back their loans, pay for the student loans of other Americans?,' she noted. 'If you take out a loan, you have to pay it back. It's very simple,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned those with student loans Leavitt warned that anyone in default would face collections. 'Borrowers will now be clearly expected to repay their loans, and those who default on their loan obligations will face involuntary collections,' she said. 'The government can and will collect defaulted federal student loan debt by withholding money from borrowers, tax refunds, federal pensions and even their wages. America is $36 trillion in debt. We must get our fiscal house in order and restore common sense to our country.' Borrowers who have student loans in default will receive communication from Federal Student Aid in the upcoming weeks with information about their options, according to the Education Department. A student loan becomes delinquent when a borrower doesn't make a payment 90 days after its due date. If you continue to be delinquent on your loan for 270 days - or roughly nine months - then your loan goes into default. Federal student loan repayments were paused during President Donald Trump's first term in 2020 as a response to the COVID pandemic when Trump signed a stimulus package into law. Then-President Joe Biden continued the pause as part of his campaign promise to relieve student debt, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2023 his plan unconstitutional because it didn't have congressional approval. Repayments began on Aug. 30, 2023, but the Education Department says only a little more than a third of borrowers is up-to-date with payments. And it noted that nearly 2 million borrowers were unable to submit federal student loan payments through August 2024 because their paperwork wasn't being processed. Joe Biden paused federal student loan repayments as part of a campaign promise to young voters in the 2020 election Education Secretary Linda McMahon blasted Biden's plan as hurting students Linda McMahon, the secretary of the Department of Education, said greedy colleges have 'profited massively' from the Biden forgiveness plan. And she blasted Biden for dangling 'the carrot of loan forgiveness in front of young voters' during his 2020 presidential bid. 'Colleges and universities call themselves nonprofits, but for years they have profited massively off the federal subsidy of loans, hiking tuition and piling up multibillion-dollar endowments while students graduate six figures in the red,' she wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on Monday. 'Accountability is a two-way street. As we push to hold student borrowers to account, we will also push colleges to be responsible and transparent,' she vowed. Four young California girls were killed in a horror car crash that maimed two others after they were ran off the road by an oncoming car, their devastated families revealed. In a nightmarish scenario straight out of a horror movie, the crash unfolded in the early evening on Friday in San Francisco when a car carrying six teen girls was 'ran off the road' by another motorist, causing them to collide with a tree. Authorities identified the deceased girls as Olive Koren, 14, Josalynn Osborn, 15, Sienna Katz, 15, and Ada Kepley, 15, with Elsa Laremont Stranczek, 16, and Marley Barclay, 14, surviving the crash. Stranczek and Barclay were both critically injured in the incident and remain in hospital, and Barclay's parents Jessica Glantz and Ross Barclay revealed the chilling events that led up to the crash at a press conference on Monday. The parents said the girls' car was 'run off the road' by an oncoming car that 'veered into their lane', causing the driver of their vehicle to swerve into a tree to avoid a head-on collision. They added there is 'no evidence' that alcohol was involved in the crash, and did not say who was driving. The driver of the other vehicle has not been identified, and investigations into the crash are still ongoing. 'What Marley remembers of the moments before the accident is that they were going around a blind turn, and another car veered into their lane,' the parents said. The family of survivor Marley Barclay (left) revealed that an as-yet-unidentified driver 'ran them off the road' when she and five friends crashed on Friday evening, killing four including friend Olive Koren, 14 (right) Ada Kepley, 15, was identified by authorities as one of the teens who was killed in the crash Josalynn Osborn, 15, tragically lost her life in the crash on Friday evening in Fairfax, San Francisco Sienna Katz, pictured with her mother, was remembered as a 'vibrant, smart, and caring fifteen-year-old' Barclay's parents said their daughter left home on Friday evening at 6:30pm, around an hour before the crash, and walked into downtown Fairfax to meet her friends, per the San Francisco Chronicle. Officials have not said who was driving the vehicle, but indicated they were one of the survivors. Three of the victims were tragically pronounced dead at the scene, with a fourth dying later that night at hospital. The crash has shocked the community in Fairfax County, about 22 miles north of downtown San Francisco, as tributes poured in for the girls, as their heartbroken families said the victims had all been friends since kindergarten. Scrutiny has also fallen on who was driving the vehicle, as California only grants driver's licenses to teenagers at 16 under strict conditions. These include drivers not being allowed to carry passengers under 20 unless accompanies by a licensed adult. Barclay's parents said their daughter told them in hospital that all the girls were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash and hadn't been drinking. The crash unfolded around 7:40pm on Friday in Fairfax, San Francisco, when a car carrying six teen girls was 'ran off the road' by another motorist, causing them to collide with a tree The parents of the girls said they are 'grateful to be able to lean on each other during this horrible experience' as the horror crash shocked their community Olive Koren's heartbroken family said she was a 'bright light in everyone's life' who 'always had a smile' They did not offer details about her injuries, but said she 'has a long and painful road to recovery ahead of her.' 'One other passenger joins Marley as a survivor, and we offer all our love and support to her family,' they added. 'We are grateful to be able to lean on each other during this horrible experience.' The teen survivor's parents said they are also still searching for a woman who witnessed the aftermath of the accident, who 'pulled Marley from the vehicle and saved her life.' They said they have not been able to identify the woman to thank her in person and urged her to come forward so they could do so. Separate GoFundMe pages have been set up by the families of Olive, Josalyn, Ada, Sienna and Marley - which have raised over $400,000 combined. In a heartbreaking tribute on Sienna's page, she was described as a 'vibrant, smart and caring 15-year-old' who was 'a bright light in this world.' 'Sienna was treasured by her mother, her father Rob Katz, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who cannot imagine life without her,' the tribute read. 'Sienna loved spending time with her family, her dog Daisy, and laughing, singing, and having sleepovers with her friends. We will all miss her beautiful smile, kind spirit, and loving presence in our lives.' Marley's (pictured) parents said their daughter has a 'long road to recovery.' The other survivor, Elsa Laremont Stranczek, 16, has not been pictured Josy's mother wrote in a devastating tribute that her daughter's passing 'is every mother's worst nightmare' Olive was described by her loved ones as 'kind, beautiful, smart and sassy' Ada's family said she was 'known for her witty humor, creativity, and kind heart by her friends and family.' The family of Josalynn - who went by Josy - said she was 'so full of light and we'll miss her dearly.' 'This is every mothers worst nightmare,' the fundraiser added. 'This is a huge devastation to the whole community. We will stay strong together, loving one another through this.' Olive Koren's heartbroken family said she was a 'bright light in everyone's life' who 'always had a smile.' 'She had a wonderful appetite for food and for life. She was kind, she was beautiful, she was smart and sassy, and a faithful friend. She loved her family, friends, and pets. She was also loved by so many around her,' her family said. 'Her time was way too short here.' Boy, was I wrong about Anas Sarwar. When the Glasgow MSP became leader of Scottish Labour in 2021, I reckoned him the best candidate to restore the fortunes of a party that had lost its way. Energetic and ambitious, Mr Sarwar seemed a serious challenger to become Scotlands next First Minister. Today, Im ashamed to admit I ever entertained that idea. After the Supreme Court last week delivered its ruling that a trans woman is not, in law, a woman, Mr Sarwar was swift to respond. The Scottish Labour leader announced that he had always called for the protection of single sex spaces on the basis of biological sex. This came as news to his colleagues at Holyrood who, in December 2022, were whipped by Mr Sarwar to support then First Minister Nicola Sturgeons crackpot plan to allow anyone to self-identify into the legally-recognised sex of their choosing. For refusing to follow orders, Labour MSPs Carol Mochan and Claire Baker were forced to resign their front-bench roles. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has changed his story since whipping his MSPs to vote for the SNP's gender reform bill A week after Scottish Labour made his laughable claim to be an ally of women, I continue to struggle to understand what he thought he was doing. The official record of Scottish Parliamentary business shows that Mr Sarwar was enthusiastic in his support for Ms Sturgeons poorly considered plan to erase womens rights at the behest of trans activists. Does the Scottish Labour leader think, perhaps, that the women who tried to warn him that reform of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) would remove their hard-won rights have been struck by a collective case of amnesia? Or maybe hes the one suffering catastrophic memory loss (in which case, a period away from frontline politics would be in his - as well as our - best interests). The bleak facts of the matter are that, at best, Mr Sarwars concern for womens rights doesnt go beyond what one might call a passing interest. When parliamentary colleagues - along with countless feminist campaigners - implored the Scottish Labour leader not to throw his all behind Ms Sturgeons plan to reform the GRA, he flatly ignored them. Desperate to be seen as being on the right side of history - and frightened of a backlash from angry trans activists - Mr Sarwar happily voted in favour of a law that would have made it illegal to keep men out of womens refuges, prisons, and public bathrooms. The Scottish Labour leaders revisionist version of events is utterly pathetic. Even the dogs in the streets know he cared nothing about the rights of biological women when MSPs sought to change the law on gender more than two years ago. Nicola Sturgeon was the driving force behind the divisive gender reform act The Labour boss - in common with other senior MSPs who should have known better - was saved from the fall-out of his own reckless stupidity by former Tory Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, who blocked reform of the GRA on the grounds that it would negatively impact the UK-wide Equality Act. In the two years since that decision, Mr Sarwar has had ample opportunity to atone for his foolishness. He has made little effort to do so. In February of this year, the MSP admitted to regret over his support for changing the GRA. This change of position was not, Im afraid, born of true regret. Instead, the Labour boss was spooked by public reaction to the case of nurse Sandie Peggie, currently suing NHS Fife and trans-identifying doctor Beth Upton for discrimination and harassment after she was forced to endure a disciplinary process for complaining she should not have to share a changing room with someone born male. Mr Sarwar said that knowing what we know now Scottish Labour would not have backed the gender reform bill. No nurse, he said, should ever face disciplinary action for refusing to share a changing room. But that wasnt a mea culpa. Rather, it was a confession that, at the very best, he had not fully considered the implications for women and girls of a law that would dismantle both their legal rights and the fundamental principles of safeguarding. There was no information about gender reforms available in February of this year that was not available to Mr Sarwar in December of 2022. We should not expect politicians to be infallible. They are (so far as I am aware) all human and, therefore, imperfect. But we are entitled to expect that when politicians get things wrong they admit as much and apologise. When Mr Sarwar and other self-identifying progressives voted to back gender reforms, they did so in the knowledge that the majority of voters supported the feminist campaigners leading the opposition to their plans. No politician makes the decision to support a policy without weighing up its consequences. The record shows that, having done so, the Scottish Labour leader preferred to back the demands of men who want access to female-only spaces over the concerns of women who - quite rightly - believe their safety should come first. After the Supreme Court ruled, last week, on the question of whether a gender recognition certificate actually changed someones sex, Mr Sarwar had an opportunity not only to admit hed got things wrong but to drag his party back to where voters stand on the issue. No, it would not have been easy and, yes, it would have provoked the ire of trans activists, but some honesty and humility would have gone a long way. I have the pleasure of knowing many of the leading figures in the ongoing fight to defend womens rights against the relentless attacks of crank activists. These women are clever and focused but they are not vengeful. They would have welcomed, from Mr Sarwar, a clear and unequivocal admission that hed messed up and theyd have welcomed him as a new ally. Instead, those brave feminists - many of whom have suffered violence, threats and sackings for daring to state that biological sex is real and immutable - are entitled to view him with contempt. I can confirm that Im yet to speak to a single campaigner against gender reforms who does not do so. The Scottish Labour leader finds himself despised both by the trans activists he once sought to impress and the women whose rights he now claims to hold precious. This is not a place in which a politician of real integrity could have ended up. Perhaps there are some out there willing to believe Mr Sarwar really is a champion of womens rights but there are many more who know the truth and they will not - must not - let him forget it. Anas Sarwar simply cannot be trusted when it comes to the rights of women. His moral cowardice over such a fundamentally important matter should mark him as unfit ever to hold the office of First Minister. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took a victory lap during Tuesday's White House briefing, claiming that President Donald Trump has been right all along about deporting illegal aliens. The press briefing was chock-full of news, including a market-moving update that the U.S. and China are closer to a trade deal and an announcement that 5 million student loan borrowers will soon pay up. Though the first question asked during the briefing, posed by conservative commentator Tim Pool, was about how the White House and Trump have reacted to media coverage lambasting the administration over its accidental deportation of 'Maryland man' Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant who entered the U.S. illegally. 'Many of these organizations that are represented in this room have marched in lockstep on false narratives, such as the very fine people hoax, the Covington smear, and now what's being called the Maryland man hoax, where an MS 13 gang member adjudicated by two different judges, I believe, is just simply being referred to as a Maryland man over and over again,' Pool began his question. Pool, who was occupying the new media seat, asked if as a result of the mainstream media's recent coverage, 'If there's any plans to expand access to new [media] companies?' Loving the question Leavitt took the opportunity to take on Trump's media detractors head-on. 'You rightfully pointed out the Maryland man story, which I from this podium when the Atlantic published it on that very first day, I came to this podium and said, this is wrong,' the press secretary claimed. 'The press in this room have this story wrong, and we have seen more and more evidence come to the table that we have had all along.' Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt ripped into the 'despicable' media coverage about President Donald Trump's deportation plans Trump posted a picture of him holding up a picture of deported Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia's alleged MS-13 tattoos last week, though many reports refer to the removed migrant as a 'Maryland man' or 'Maryland father' despite him not being a U.S. citizen Leavitt, 27, then proclaimed: 'We were always right.' 'The President was always on the right side of this issue to deport this illegal, criminal from our community.' Leavitt and Trump have remained firm that despite Abrego Garcia getting deported due to an 'administrative error,' that the migrant should have not been in the U.S. in the first place. The Salvadoran man, who has an American wife and child, has been the center of the Trump administration's latest controversy after the Supreme Court ruled that the White House must 'facilitate' Abrego Garcia's return to the U.S. because his due process rights were infringed. The Supreme Court's ruling has fueled media coverage that Abrego Garcia, dubbed a 'Maryland father,' could be the first of many individuals wrongly deported. The migrant has since been held in El Salvador and met with Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen last week after the lawmaker traveled to Central America to check on the man's well-being. 'The President was always on the right side of this issue to deport this illegal, criminal from our community,' Leavitt said on Tuesday. 'And it is despicable to see the media continue to refer to this individual as someone who is just a peaceful man living his life in Maryland.' Conservative commentator Tim Pool in the new media seat on Tuesday Leavitt noted how many journalists who spun the Abrego Garcia story were in the White House briefing room on Tuesday Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., meeting with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador last week 'This is the man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, that the courts are trying to save from being deported?' Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday. Attached to the post was a picture of the president holding a picture of Abrego Garcia's gang-related tattoos. 'He was supposed to be, according to the judge and the Democrats, a wonderful father from Maryland, but then they noticed he had 'MS-13' tattooed onto his knuckles (and lots of really bad stories about his past!),' the post continued. 'This is the gang that is, perhaps, the worst of them all. What is wrong with our Country?' In another post on the matter, Trump pointed out how easily migrants were able to enter the U.S. under the previous administration and now difficult they are to remove now. 'How can Biden let millions of criminals into our country, totally unchecked and unvetted, with no legal authority to do so, yet I, in order to make up for this assault to our Nation, am expected to go through a lengthy legal process, separately, for each and every Criminal Alien,' Trump posted on Monday. 'As usual, two different standards, only leading to the complete and total destruction of the U.S.A.' John Swinney has ignored repeated calls to apologise for the SNPs gender shambles as the Scottish Government was forced to accept the Supreme Courts trans ruling. The First Minister was accused of being willing to sacrifice womens rights in a failed bid to let biological males self-identify as women. Mr Swinney was abandoned by his former boss Nicola Sturgeon, who did not show up in the chamber at Holyrood. The former First Minister, who has yet to respond to the judgment that left her partys misguided gender ideology in tatters, was accused of moral cowardice by critics. In a striking moment, ministers turned away and refused to make eye contact with former SNP colleague Ash Regan as she accused them of letting women down. Politicians that did not stand up for women should hang their heads in shame, she said. The public humiliation came as the Scottish Government gave its formal response to last weeks historic Supreme Court ruling against it. The UKs highest court ruled unanimously that biological sex determines a persons rights under the 2010 Equality Act, not gender choice or a gender certificate. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said the First Minister owes an apology to the people of Scotland for the SNP's gender debacle John Swinney looks on as equalities minister Shirley Anne Somerville makes a ministerial statement accepting the Supreme Court's recent transgender ruling It means male-born transgender women can be excluded from women-only spaces such as changing rooms and toilets if it is proportionate. The Scottish Government had argued trans women with a gender recognition certificate were entitled to the same rights as biological females. It defended a series of court challenges brought by campaigners For Women Scotland on the issue before losing at the Supreme Court, leaving taxpayers with a1 million bill. Downing Street yesterday said Sir Keir Starmer no longer believed trans women are women following the ruling - something Mr Swinney refused to say on Sunday. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said his party had been the sole voice of reason at Holyrood, warning how sexual predators could exploit self-ID to access women-only spaces. He said: We stood up for womens rights and urged the government to drop the toxic and divisive issue. John Swinney wants to distance himself from it all, but as Nicola Sturgeons deputy and her strongest ally, he was right behind it. He was willing to sacrifice womens rights, including the rights to single-sex spaces and services. In light of the momentous Supreme Court judgment, John Swinney owes an apology to the people of Scotland, but especially to women. This harmful ideology must now be rooted out of our entire public sector - schools, prisons, hospitals and policing. He urged the Government to give a clear and categorical commitment not to resurrect the Gender Recognition Reform Bill which was blocked by Westminster in 2023 as incompetent. The legislation would have made it easier to get a gender recognition certificate by replacing a medical diagnosis with self-ID. Responding for the Government as Mr Swinney brooded next to her, social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said there were no plans to revive the GRR Bill, but stopped short of ruling it out conclusively. She said ministers would now work with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to develop new guidance for public bodies to ensure they complied with the law. But she was unable to say when guidance on single-sex spaces would be ready. She said: The Scottish Government does, of course, accept the judgment of the Supreme Court. It is a significant legal ruling and it is right that we take time to consider it. Ms Somerville said she and health secretary Neil Gray would meet virtually with the EHRC tomorrow and added: I am not in a position to be able to see when guidance will be updated across government, because I think it is very important I hear from the EHRC directly first. She stressed the Government had relied on the EHRC when drawing up the past guidance which led to the court challenges, and said it was up to the EHRC to produce new rules. And she also said trans people were feeling real anxiety since the ruling, and continued: I want to reassure our trans community that you are valued and the Scottish Government is fully committed to protecting everyones rights and that includes your community. Ms Regan, who left the Government over gender reforms before defecting to Alba, said: This parliament and this government have let the women of Scotland down badly. This parliament and this government turned away as womens reputations were being trashed. Women were being suspended or hounded out of their jobs simply for stating that sex is immutable. And they refused to listen when women were being harmed in single sex spaces, services and sports. Politicians that did not stand up for women should hang their heads in shame. How did this parliament and this government get this so wrong and let Scottish women down so badly? Ms Somerville said there had been threats and intimidation to the women who took forward this case, and also threats and intimidation towards the trans and non-binary community. She claimed: We have always as the Government respected single sex spaces. Tory MSP Pam Gosal urged the Government to condemn Green MSP Maggie Chapman for accusing the Court of bigotry, prejudice and hatred, but Ms Somerville refused to do so. Scottish Labour deputy Dame Jackie Baillie said the Government had got ahead of the law by issuing guidance on single-sex spaces that was not in line with legislation. She said: Guidance has been issued by the Government to a range of public bodies, including the NHS, which now needs to be revised, and this will be at considerable cost to those organisations in both time and money. Tory deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said the SNP had tied itself in knots trying to define what a woman is and John Swinney still does not know. With NHS Fife fighting an employment tribunal brought by a nurse forced to share a hospital changing room with a trans medic, she said public bodies should settle any ongoing legal cases or employment tribunals relating to the provision of single sex spaces. Ms Somerville said it would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal cases. Afterwards, former SNP MSP Joanna Cherry KC, who was in the public gallery, said Ms Regan had been completely vindicated for her courage in resigning her position. She added: As someone who is still a member of the SNP, its really sad that more people in leadership positions didnt stand up against this ideological madness sooner. Nicola Sturgeon was accused of moral cowardice after skipping a parliamentary statement on the Supreme Courts emphatic rejection of her gender ideology. The former First Minister was missing from the Holyrood chamber as MSPs returned from Easter recess to hear the Government respond to the landmark defeat. She cast two votes online instead. Ms Sturgeon, who found time to post a gym selfie of herself on Monday, has yet to comment on the judgment, despite claiming the issue was hugely important to her. An SNP source said she was working on constituency business but refused to say if she was in her Glasgow Southside office or elsewhere. Ms Sturgeon also pulled out of an event about children and young people in care - another subject she says is a personal mission. Nicola Sturgeon skipped a parliamentary statement on the Supreme Courts emphatic rejection of her gender ideology She had been due to speak at the One Voice Summit in London on Thursday alongside ex-Tory minister Michael Gove. After watching from the Holyrood gallery yesterday, former SNP MP Joanna Cherry KC said the author of the SNPs gender mess should have been there and apologised to women. Asked if it was moral cowardice not to attend, Ms Cherry said: Yes, absolutely. She should have the courage of her convictions. If Nicola Sturgeon believes the Supreme Court got it wrong, she should come out and say so and explain why she thinks that. The silence, to my mind, is just redolent of cowardice. Susan Smith, co-director of For Women Scotland, added: She needs to take responsibility for her actions. She made an incredible mess, she caused huge divisions, and now shes turned tail and fled. Its despicable. A four-year-old boy has tragically died in a fatal car collision just days after celebrating his birthday. The unnamed child, who celebrated his fourth birthday on Saturday, was hit by a car in Farranshock Estate, just 2km from the town of Mullingar, Ireland, not long after 6.30pm yesterday. The Irish Times reported that the young child had been riding his scooter when he killed. He was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to nearby Mullingar Regional Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination is due to take place. Pending an examination by police forensic collision investigators, the scene has been preserved. It is understood that the four-year-old had only recently moved into the estate with his family. Speaking tearfully, family friend Naveed Iqbal described the child as just 'a little baby' and said that it was 'hard to put words together'. An unnamed child, who celebrated his fourth birthday on Saturday, was hit by a car in Farranshock Estate, just 2km from the town of Mullingar, Ireland, not long after 6.30pm yesterday He told The Irish Mirror: 'We don't know exactly what happened. A little baby, just four years old. 'His birthday was on Saturday. It's a loss for every parent. The parents are in the hospital traumatised and only had a new born baby four weeks ago. The mother is absolutely devastated.' Local councillor Andrew Duncan, who offered his condolences to the young boy's family, said that the entire community are 'in deep shock and saddened' by the 'awful tragedy'. Councillor Duncan told the Irish Mirror: 'There is a gloom across the whole town of Mullingar and afar. 'A young boy has lost his life and it's an absolute tragedy for all concerned, for the boy, his family, neighbours and the driver of the car who is often forgotten.' Meanwhile, Michael Dollard, Independent councillor and Leas Cathoirleach of Westmeath County Council, said the awful tragedy highlights just 'how frail a human life is'. Speaking to the Irish Times, Mr Dollard said: 'He could have been anyones son or grandson. We are also thinking of all the neighbours who rushed to help the young boy following the incident. 'Our thoughts are with all of those involved. The whole town of Mullingar is absolutely traumatised by what has happened.' Now, police are appealing for witnesses to the collision or anyone with camera footage of the incident to come forward in order to assist them with an ongoing investigation. In an official statement, the force said: 'Gardai are appealing for witnesses following a fatal traffic collision in Mullingar, County Westmeath, which occurred on Monday, 21st April 2025. 'Shortly after 6:30pm, Gardai and emergency services responded to a collision in Farranshock Estate, Mullingar, after a young boy was struck by a car. 'Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. Road users or pedestrians who were in the area at the time and have camera footage (including dash-cam recordings) are asked to make this available to investigating Gardai. Anyone with information is urged to contact Mullingar Garda Station at 044 938 4000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.' Vice President JD Vance's tour of India was rocked on Tuesday after dozens of people were killed after a gunman opened fire on a group of tourists. Vance had been in the country to help build closer ties with Prime minister Narendra Modi as talks over a trade deal progress. Prior to his trip to India the VP had been inside Vatican City where he met the late Pope Francis on Sunday, just hours before the Holy Father's passing. Vance visited the northwestern city of Jaipur on Tuesday following his meeting with Modi on Monday as part of a four day trip to the country. Suspected militants opened fire on tourists in the Jammu and Kashmir territory on Tuesday afternoon. At least 24 people were killed, Indian police have said, but according to local reports, the death loss is likely to rise to between 26 and 30. The attack took place in the popular summer retreat of Pahalgam, about 55 miles by road from the key city of Srinagar. Four gunmen, described by senior officers as militants fighting against Indian rule, opened fire at close range with many of those injured in a serious condition. Vice President JD Vance addresses a gathering at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur on April 22, 2025 Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance and their children pose for a photo in front of the Akshardham Temple in New Delhi At least 24 people were killed, Indian police have said, but according to local reports, the death loss is likely to rise to between 26 and 30 Indian media has reported that a group of gun-wielding individuals appeared in the area and initially asked tourists to show their identity cards. Just moments later, they allegedly opened fire. President Donald Trump called the attack 'deeply disturbing' and said the United States 'stands strong with India against terrorism'. Writing on his Truth Social social media platform, Trump said: 'We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured.' Modi decried the 'heinous act' and pledged the attackers 'will be brought to justice', writing: 'Their evil agenda will never succeed.' Vance said in a post: 'Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. 'Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack.' Vance met with The Pontiff briefly for a 'quick and private' meeting at the Casa Santa Marta residence in Vatican City. Chilling footage emerged on social media following the aftermath of the attack with several injured people on the ground as loved ones kneel beside them screaming for help. Vance met with The Pontiff briefly for a 'quick and private' meeting at the Casa Santa Marta residence in Vatican City on Sunday Both Vance and President Trump extended their sympathies to those killed in the attack No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but rebels in the Muslim-majority region have waged an insurgency since 1989 One woman was head wailing: 'Please save my husband. For god's sake, save him'. Indian media has reported that a group of two-to-three gun-wielding individuals appeared in the area and initially asked tourists to show their identity cards. Just moments later, they allegedly opened fire. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that 'the attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years', with the death toll 'still being ascertained'. 'This attack on our visitors is an abomination,' he said in a statement. 'The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt.' The region's governor Manoj Sinha - New Delhi's representative in the area - condemned 'the cowardly terror attack on tourists'. He assured that 'the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished'. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but rebels in the Muslim-majority region have waged an insurgency since 1989. They are seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan - which controls a smaller part of the Kashmir region and, like India, claims it in full. During his trip Vance confirmed that both sides had finalized the terms of reference for the trade negotiation - a vital step towards setting the road map for the final agreement. India and the U.S. hope to seal a bilateral trade agreement this year and have set an ambitious target of more than doubling their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. If achieved, the trade deal could significantly enhance economic ties between both countries and potentially strengthen diplomatic ties as well. President Donald Trump has hung another self portrait in the White House, this time right next to Hillary Clinton's picture from her time as first lady. The Trump painting was revealed by tweets from people who attended the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday and posted pics of the new portrait, which is a close up of Trump's face. Imposed over his steely glare are the stars and stripes of the American flag. It's hung in a prominent location in the White House, just outside the East Wing where first lady Melania Trump has her offices. Visitors taking the official White House tour pass by that location. But, unlike the first self-portrait Trump hung, this one did not appear to displace any previous painting. Instead, it appears to be squished onto the wall between portraits of Clinton and Laura Bush. Rep. Jimmy Patronis of Florida posted a photo of the new Trump painting A White House staffer called the new painting 'another iconic portrait' and told DailyMail.com that President 'Trump was re-elected after two failed impeachment hoaxes, dozens of criminal charges, and multiple assassination attempts. He can hang art wherever he wants!' It's unclear who painted the picture or how many more portraits of the sitting president may pop up in the historic home. The White House press office did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. The White House set off a fire storm last week when staff moved a portrait of President Barack Obama and replaced it with a painting of Trump - fist raised in defiance - after being nearly assassinated in Butler, Pa. The administration revealed its new decoration in a social media post. 'Some new artwork at the White House,' a post on the @WhiteHouse X account said, showing a video of tourists walking by the artwork. The message included the googly eyes emoji. Obama's portrait, which hung in the entry way of the White House, was simply moved across the hall. It took the place of a portrait of President George W. Bush, who was rehung to be closer to his father, President George H.W. Bush, the White House said. The artwork is a painted version of a photograph taken by Associated Press photographer Evan Vucci, snapped moments after an assassin's bullet grazed Trump's ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. It was painted by artist Marc Lipp and was donated to the White House by Andrew Pollock via the Blue Gallery in Delray Beach, Florida, the White House said. At the time Trump yelled out to his supporters: 'Fight, fight, fight!' and pumped his fist, with blood splattered down his face. It became a rallying cry during the final months of his 2024 campaign. The first self-portrait of President Trump hung in the White House President Barack Obama's portrait can be seen in the White House's entryway on the left-hand side displayed alongside President Joe Biden's Christmas decorations in December 2024 Hillary Clinton, attending a state dinner with Bill Clinton in April 2024 during the Biden administration, looks at her first lady portrait Traditionally, the spot where Trumps portrait now hangs in the entryway has been reserved for the most recent official presidential portrait. However, former President Joe Biden has not yet had an official portrait made since his January departure. And while Trump does not have an official portrait from his first term it's also unusual for a sitting president to have a portrait in the White House. However, Trump is in a unique position because he's only the second president in U.S. history to serve non-consecutive terms. The only other was President Grover Cleveland. The White House portrait collection starts with George Washington, Americas first president. President and first lady portraits are seen by millions of White House visitors, though not all are on display. Some are undergoing conservation or are in storage. Those on display line hallways and rooms in public areas of the mansion, such as the Ground Floor and its Vermeil and China Rooms, and the State Floor one level above, which also has the famous Green, Blue and Red Rooms, the East Room and State Dining Room. Tasers are set to be trialled in prisons after a Manchester Arena terrorist launched a vicious attack on three officers using boiling oil and makeshift blades. Hashem Abedi, 28, is currently serving a 55-year sentence for helping his brother, Manchester suicide bomber, Salman, carry out the devastating 2017 terror attack, killing 22 people. Last week, Abedi was sent back to infamous Category A jail, Belmarsh, where he previously assaulted two officers in 2020 following the attack which sent three guards to hospital. Abedi, one of Britain's most dangerous inmates, is believed to have hurled scalding oil at the guards during an attack in the kitchen area of the high-security Frankland prison in County Durham. He then went on to reportedly stab them with improvised weapons made from baking trays. And now Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the use of tasers will be trialled by guards behind bars. She also previously said the Prison Service will investigate whether front line staff should be given protective body armour. The Ministry of Justice has also vowed to carry out a review following the incident. It comes after union bosses called for officers to be given stab vests and protective equipment, arguing the incident shows 'how dangerous our job is'. Hashem Abedi, 28, (pictured) 'attacked three prison officers with cooking oil and makeshift weapons', according to the Prison Officers' Association (POA) The 22 people who were tragically killed in the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017 A view of HMP Frankland in Durham, where the police officers were attacked Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Ms Mahmood said: 'The House will be aware of the attack at HMP Frankland on the 12 of April. 'The bravery of the officers involved that day undoubtedly saved lives, my thoughts are with them as they recover.' She added: 'I think also of the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing and their families who are understandably outraged. 'Since the attack, I have suspended access to kitchens in separation centres and in close supervision centres.' The Justice Secretary also told the Commons that there would be an independent review to ascertain how the incident happened, as well as what more can be done to protect prison staff. 'The Prison Service will also conduct a snap review of the use of protective bodily armour,' she added. 'In addition, I can today announce that HMPPS (HM Prison and Probation Service) will trial the use of Tasers in our prisons. 'Wherever we can strengthen our defences, to better protect our staff and the public, we will do so.' A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'We will do whatever it takes to protect our hardworking staff. Since November last year, the Prison Service has been exploring the use of tasers in our prisons. Hashem Abedi, younger brother of Manchester Arena suicide bomber Salman Abedi pictured with a gun Salman Abedi, Hashem's brother, at Victoria Station making his way to the Manchester Arena, on May 22, 2017 This picture shows police interviewing Hashem following the horrific 2017 Manchester Arena terror attack 'This summer, an operational trial into tasers will be launched for specialised officers to help staff respond to high-risk incidents more effectively.' It comes shortly Hashem Abedi was handed a plastic spork to eat with after he was moved back to Belmarsh prison, despite his shocking history of violence. A prison expert told the Times: 'Sporks can be sharpened. Right now he should have nothing in his possession capable of being used as a weapon.' Prison staff at Belmarsh are said to be deeply uneasy about the decision, particularly given Abedi's history of violence. Abedi and two other inmates ambushed officer Paul Edwards in his office during the 2020 attack - an incident that added almost four years to his sentence. The 28-year-old is now being held under the 'multi-unlock protocol', meaning five officers must be present each time his cell door is opened, alongside another who must wear riot gear and film the interaction. In response to the latest incident, the Ministry of Justice has suspended kitchen access for inmates in specialist extremist wings, known as separation centres, at Frankland and HMP Woodhill. A 13-year-old girl has died just five days after her younger brother, 7, died from a poisoned Easter egg - delivered 'with love' by a woman allegedly seeking revenge on her ex-husband's new lover. Evelyn Silva passed away Monday at Brazil's Imperatriz Municipal Hospital, where she had been hospitalized since last Wednesday. The medical facility said Silva's death was caused by a vascular shock that was linked to the failure of multiple organs. 'Unfortunately, the clinical condition showed serious and rapid deterioration without responding to treatment,' Imperatriz Municipal Hospital said in a statement. Silva, her brother, Luis Silva, and their mother, Miriam Lira, 36, each took a bite from the holiday treat after it was dropped off by a courier at their home in Imperatriz, a city in the northeaster state of Maranhao. The eggs were placed in a plastic tray accompanied by a note in Portuguese that read, 'With love, to Miriam Lira. Happy Easter!!' Luis was unresponsive after eating the candy and was administered CPR by his father, Rafael Silva, before he was rushed to Imperatriz Municipal Hospital. He went into cardiac arrest and was revived and died at 4am last Thursday. Seven-year-old Luis Silva and his 13-year-old sister died Evelyn Silva died five days apart after eating a poisoned Easter chocolate egg at the family home in Imperatriz, Brazil. Their mother remains hospitalized. Jordelia Barbosa allegedly was not happy with her marriage ending in a divorce and sent poisoned chocolate-covered Easter eggs to the home of her ex-husband Wednesday. His seven-year-old son died Thursday and his 13-year-old daughter passed away Monday. The mother of his children remains hospitalized The Easter chocolate eggs were dropped off by a courier Wednesday night moments before an unknown woman called to ask if the family had received the treat Lira remains under observation at the same hospital and is in a stable condition. She has responded well to medication and is scheduled to be released within the next three days. Authorities responded quick and were able to arrest the suspect, Jordelia Pereira, while stepping off a bus Thursday in the city of Santa Ines. She told the Maranhao Civil Police that she had purchased the chocolate but denied lacing them with poison. She was married to Rafael and was not happy that the relationship was ended in a divorce, according to the Maranhao Civil Police. 'The evidence suggests that the crime was motivated by revenge, by jealousy, given that the author's ex-husband is the current partner or boyfriend of the victim, who was poisoned along with her two children,' said Maranhao's Department of Security Secretary, Mauricio Martins said, as quoted by Brazilian news outlet G1. Pereira traveled from Santa Ines to Imperatriz and booked a hotel room last Wednesday. She then visited a chocolate shop, where she was captured on camera wearing a wig to disguise her identity to pay for the treat. 'We can say, with what we have gathered so far, that we have enough elements to point to the authorship of this person who was arrested,' Maranhao Civil Police chief Manoel Almeida said. 'Now we will clarify the details. What poison it was, the type, that the experts will indicate, so that we can strengthen our investigation and present it to the Judiciary.' Evelyn Silva died Monday, just four days after eating a poisoned chocolate-covered Easter egg at home with her family in Imperatriz, Brazil. Luis Silva fell sick at home after eating chocolate-covered Easter egg Wednesday night at his home in Imperatriz, Brazil and had to be rushed to the hospital, where he went into cardiac arrest and was revived before he died at 4am Thursday Luis' aunt, Naiza Santos, told the outlet that he initially complained to his mother that he was feeling 'weak' but she did not take him seriously. 'She said she thought it was a joke and didn't take it seriously,' Santos said. 'But then she looked at him and saw that he was already fainting. That's when she ran to her mother's house asking for help.' Santos thought Luis was choking and tried to save his life by placing her finger down his throat before he threw up a yellow discharge. Santos revealed that Lira received a call from an unknown woman after the Easter treats were delivered. 'When the egg arrived, there was no identification of who had sent it, just the note and they didn't say who it was from,' Santos said. 'She [Miriam] only received the call, the voice was of a woman, asking if she had received [the Easter egg]. She said, 'Yes I did, who is it?'. Santos said that the woman told Lira, 'You'll find out who it is,' and hung up the phone without saying anything else. A teenager has died after a jet ski smashed into a pier at a Scottish harbour. Emergency services rushed to Gremista marina, Shetland, at around 4pm on Tuesday, after a jet ski carrying two people crashed near Shetland Catch. An 18-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 17-year-old boy was also taken to hospital. A probe has been launched to understand how the horror unfolded. Police Scotland told STV news: 'Around 4pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, we were called to a report of a jet ski crashing into a pier at Gremista, Shetland. 'Emergency services attended and an 18-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His family is aware. 'A 17-year-old male youth has been taken to hospital for treatment. An 18-year-old man has been killed and a 17-year-old has been taken to hospital after a jet ski crashed into a pier at Gremista Marina, Shetland (pictured), at around 4pm on Tuesday Police Scotland have confirmed that enquires are ongoing to 'establish the full circumstances' of the tragic incident 'Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.' An RNLI Lerwick lifeboat was dispatched to the scene, accompanied by a coastguard rescue helicopter, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, alongside Police Scotland. An RNLI spokesperson also told the publication: 'Lerwick lifeboat was tasked shortly after 4pm on Tuesday, April 22, to a multi-agency incident at Catch Pier in Lerwick. 'The RNLI lifeboat supported Lerwick Coastguard Rescue Team, a coastguard rescue helicopter, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland.' A British Airways flight attendant who was found dead in his hotel room during an American stopover is a father of three young children. Irfan Ali Mirza, 45, landed in San Francisco from London Heathrow airport last Tuesday and had a two-day layover before the return flight. However, he failed to report for duty on Thursday after staying at the crew hotel, sparking concern from his colleagues. After failing to raise him on the phone, hotel managers unlocked the room, where they found Mirza, from London, dead in his bed. The San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed his identity to the Daily Mail on Tuesday as his family mourned him on social media. Police said the responding officers' investigation of the scene 'did not discover any evidence of foul play' and the body was taken by the medical examiner. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner refused to provide any more information, including cause of death or if it still had possession of Mirza's body. British Airways flight attendant Irfan Ali Mirza, 45, (back row, second from left) was found dead in his hotel room during an American stopover. Pictured on a trip last August Mirza (pictured with his extended family) was a father of three young children After failing to raise him on the phone, hotel managers unlocked the room, where they found Mirza, from London, dead in his bed (stock photo of a room from the hotel) Mirza was mourned online by his family and dozens of shocked colleagues who worked with him during his more than 20-year career in the skies. His brother Kamran Mirza thanked his brother's colleagues for their outpouring of support, and asked they keep his family in their prayers. 'Cannot express how hard it is that Irfan left his parents, us three siblings and his wife and three young children behind. It's totally heartbreaking,' he wrote. The youngest of Mirza's children was a baby born only last year. Kamran said he looked up to him as the brothers lived together after the rest of their immediate family moved, and often picked him up from Heathrow. 'It has really shocked me and the rest of the family that Irfan is not with us anymore. Cannot express what we are going through right now,' he wrote. 'We both were born in the same month, June, only 4 days apart. There were times we celebrated our birthday at the same time. Now that moment will never come again. It's heartbreaking.' Mirza's youngest brother, Rizzy Mirza, also thanked his British Airways colleagues for their kind words and stories. 'I cannot begin to express the sudden loss of my beautiful brother. It really has cut the family deep,' he wrote. 'Looking at all your lovely messages brings me some peace knowing that my brother was well loved and respected amongst you all.' Mirza (back of the group) was mourned online by dozens of shocked colleagues who worked with him during his career in the skies Mirza with his wife Jai Mirza, mother of his three young children His younger sister Amber said they had a close bond and she treasured amazing childhood memories they made together. 'He guided me throughout my whole life and his loss now has deeply affected us all. I know he loved his job and always has great stories to tell when he got back,' she wrote. 'Seeing all these lovely messages remembering him brings a smile to know he was loved and respected. His memory lives on forever in our hearts.' The BA 284 flight from San Francisco International Airport to London Heathrow due to depart at 4.20pm on April 17 was cancelled. Passengers were not told why the flight was cancelled, and were given hotel rooms while alternative arrangements were made. Crewmates were reportedly too upset to fly after the grim discovery was made. Heartbroken fellow cabin crew offered their own tributes to a beloved colleague, and shared memories of their time together. 'Irfan was an amazing, kind soul. I first flew with Irfan on a Hong Kong flight it was an unforgettable trip,' Bailey Patter wrote. 'We would always giggle about it over the years to come. My heart goes out to friends and family of Irfan, he was a true gentleman and will be greatly missed.' Mirza was called 'the life of the party' by his colleagues, whom he kept entertained on layovers Mirza (top right) with colleagues during their downtime between flights Danielle Crane added: 'Irfan was one of the most genuine, funniest and kindest crew members Ive had the pleasure to have flown with. 'I was also on the extended Nassau trip with him last year and he really did make it fun and had us all laughing. The world is a sadder place without him in it.' Sarah Atkinson wrote: 'He had great sense of humour and fun, but above all he was a darling man with the kindest heart. He was a treasure to know. 'I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. He loved his family so deeply and I hope in time, you may be able to take some comfort in knowing how much we, his flying family, loved him also.' Dutchie Wallis added: 'Irfan was a sheer joy to fly with. He had pure sunshine in his soul and lit up a room with his expansive smile. He had the loveliest sense of humour that would make us giggle out loud.' Karen Nelson, who was one of the last air crew to fly with him, recalled a recent trip to Italy they took together. 'I recently spent my Bologna standover with Irfan. We had a fabulous day along with Michael our IFL,' she wrote. 'We visited the sights and enjoyed a fab late lunch together chatting about all sorts. Such a lovely gentle guy. I will treasure that wonderful day.' His brother Kamran Mirza (right, with Mirza) said he looked up to him as the brothers lived together after the rest of their immediate family moved Others called Mirza 'life and soul of the party', an 'incredibly kind, funny and clever man' who 'always spoke so highly of his family'. 'He was such a professional, cared so much about his job.' It was unclear how long Mirza lay undiscovered - he may have been there for as long as two days. Pilots who had gone on ahead to the airport to prepare for the flight also returned to the hotel to comfort colleagues. British Airways on Sunday confirmed that the man was a member of its crew. In a statement to the Sun, it said: 'Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of our colleague at this difficult time.' Sources told the newspaper: 'There was no way the flight back from San Francisco could go ahead. Staff were in absolute bits at the sudden loss of their friend. 'The steward was a popular member of the team and this came as a bolt from the blue.' British Airways has confirmed a member of crew has died in American during a stopover between flights The flight was cancelled, as was a return leg from Heathrow, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium The flight, BA 284, involved an Airbus A380-800, which the airline says can carry up to 469 passengers across four classes. The return journey, BA 285, from London to SFO, was also cancelled the next day after being due to depart London at 10.45am, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. BA, Marriott and local authorities in San Francisco were contacted for further comment. Last year, a British Airways pilot aged 47 died during a stopover between flights on the Caribbean island of St Lucia. The Senior First Officer had collapsed at a luxury hotel in front of shocked guests, according to contemporary reports. His death meant that BA had to cancel a flight from Vieux Fort to London Gatwick. California Gov. Gavin Newsom seemed stumped in a new interview about the state of the Democratic Party. 'I don't know what the party is,' he said in a sit-down with The Hill's Amie Parnes. 'I'm still struggling with that.' The candid answer comes as Newsom said the party hasn't done enough self-reflection about what happened last year. 'We have not done a forensic of what just went wrong, period, full stop,' Newsom said. 'I don't think it, I know it. I mean, to the extent that I'm marginally part of this party, I represent the state larger than 21 state populations combined, and I can assure you there's not been a party discussion that I'm aware of that has included the state of California.' Parnes and her co-writer, NBC's Jonathan Allen, wrote in their new book Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House some of the most jaw-dropping details about President Joe Biden's decline - that some party leaders weren't even aware of. Biden's July exit from the presidential race didn't give Vice President Kamala Harris enough time to find her footing - and she lost all seven swing states to President Donald Trump. 'If you don't learn the lessons of the past, you will repeat them,' Newsom said. 'The fact that we're not even stress-testing what the hell just happened and we're having an honest forensic conversation,' he added. Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom seemed stumped in a new interview with the Hill newspaper's Amie Parnes about the state of his party Newsom wasn't highly critical of fellow Californian and former Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris At the same time, he wasn't highly critical of Harris, a fellow Californian. Asked what she did wrong, Newsom answered he 'would have a difficult time answering that.' 'Because I think I'd be unfair in answering that,' he said, pointing to the very short runway Harris was given after Biden dropped out. We're all geniuses, not just experts in hindsight. And I thought they ran a remarkably effective 107-day campaign, and all her strengths were there,' he said. Now in the Trump era, he pushed back on criticism he received from some voices on the left about giving MAGA personalities, Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, a platform by having them on his This is Gavin Newsom podcast. 'The reaction when I had Charlie Kirk and Bannon on was exactly to me Exhibit A of what I feel is wrong right now with my party: an unwillingness to even engage in platform, to listen,' Newsom complained. He said that Democrats 'wanted it to be a debate, take the guy down as opposed to, these two voices had a disproportionate impact on the voice you're hearing every single day, in the megaphone in 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.' 'So maybe we should pay attention and at least express a desire to absorb and learn from what they're doing and how successful they've been,' Newsom added. Newsom applauded the efforts of progressives, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) and Sen. Bernie Sanders, for exciting part of the base - though didn't think someone cut from their cloth was the solution for the Democrats in 2028 He explained that he launched the podcast to listen to a wide range of voices across the political spectrum. 'And so I'm testing that,' Newsom said. 'At the same time, I'm being tested by it, because the reaction has been a little more bumpy than I even anticipated.' While he was down on the party, he did applaud the efforts of two of its progressive stars - Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - who are rallying some of the base with their 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour. 'It's great. It meets the moment. It meets the zeitgeist, the energy,' the governor said. 'It's what people want.' That being said, he noted that the 'energy is always' coming from the progressive wing. In both the 2016 and 2020 cycles, when Sanders was running in the Democratic primary, he drew much larger crowds than the eventual nominees, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, respectively. But he cautioned that a far-left candidate may not be what gets the party out of the political wilderness and back into the White House. 'In the Democratic Party, that's where the energy is. And I intimately understand that nature-nurture coming from the Bay Area and sort of progressive politics,' he said. 'But I don't know that an electoral victory from a prism of 2028 lies there.' 'I'm not convinced of that but I admire their willingness to step in the void, to distill a sense of well-being, a spirit, sort of restore a little bit of pride in the Democratic experiment, party. So I do admire that,' Newsom added. During the 2024 campaign, Trump feared that Biden could drop out, which he ultimately did. And it was Newsom that worried him most in terms of a challenger. But that was before he saw Newsom debate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis - who was running against Trump in the GOP primariews - in November 2023. 'Ron's an idiot, he doesn't have what it takes. But I thought Newsom would be better,' Trump thought at the time, according to Alex Isenstadt's book Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power. An MMA fighter known as 'The Italian Stallion' has been jailed for 15 years after he was involved in supplying hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine. Pietro Menga had a lucrative side hustle as a middleman for an organised crime group where he sourced large quantities of the drug across the Greater Manchester region. The 37-year-old came to the attention of police after the NCA (National Crime Agency) infiltrated a messaging platform service that Menga wrongly believed was encrypted. Specialist detectives trawled through thousands of anonymous messages detailing drug deals, firearms sales, and assassination attempts. Menga was identified through posts where he openly spoke about his girlfriend, his knee injuries from fighting, and his home gym. He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons and conspiracy to supply cocaine. Believing his messages were safe due to the previously encrypted nature the Encrochat platform offered to service users, Menga, using the nameless handle 'wirelessshark', engaged in conversations with other criminals where he openly discussed the sale and purchase of wholesale amounts of drugs and firearms. From the messages on his encrypted mobile phone, a drugs expert estimated the street sale value of drugs that Menga was involved in were worth between 490,000 to 620,000, with the MMA star showing no indication of slowing down or stepping away from the world of crime. The 37-year-old (pictured) came to the attention of police after the NCA (National Crime Agency) infiltrated a messaging platform service that Menga wrongly believed was encrypted Pietro Menga had a lucrative side hustle as a middleman for an organised crime group where he sourced large quantities of the drug across the Greater Manchester region (pictured) Further messages also indicated Menga was involved with the OCG (Organised Crime Group) responsible for a record-breaking firearm trafficking conspiracy, all of whom were convicted earlier this year for over 200 years. In one conversation, he referred to the Skorpion automatic machine guns as a 'tastey bit of kit' that are 'always good for a rainy day' stating it comes with ammunition. Police uncovered several similar conversations of this nature, with Menga attempting to source firearms for other individuals. On January 15 2024, officials executed a warrant at Menga's home address on Mount Street in Swinton and he was arrested. Menga was identified following extensive work falling under "Operation Foam". Detective Constable Shiels from our Serious Organised Crime Group said: 'Menga, like many criminals before him, thought he was hiding behind a secure communications system. Instead, he created his own evidence trail that has led them straight to jail. 'The level that Menga operated at showed he clearly had an established list of criminal contacts, one which will have been built over several years under the radar, facilitated by the use of Encrochat. 'I hope this result shows that we remain committed to pursuing people who think they are above the law and believe they can evade justice. 'We will continue to target criminals like Menga by thoroughly examining any evidence and carrying out any necessary warrants across Greater Manchester.' On January 15 2024, officials executed a warrant at Menga's home address on Mount Street in Swinton and he was arrested (file image) Police say "over 300 arrests" have been made under "Operation Foam", dismantling several OCGs. A spokesman added: 'We've placed some of Greater Manchester's most prolific criminals behind bars for over 1000 years and prevented industrial volumes of drugs, firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition from making their way to our streets. 'This operation is very much ongoing, and with several more warrants and investigations on the horizon, we continue to protect the public by arresting the kingpins and middle-tier criminals who thought they were untouchable. 'The overwhelming evidence from their encrypted devices has meant we've had sufficient evidence to prosecute them and demonstrate there is nowhere for criminals to hide in Greater Manchester.' Kemi Badenoch on Tuesday demanded Keir Starmer apologise to women after he finally broke his silence on the Supreme Courts biological sex ruling. The Leader of the Opposition told the Mail that the Prime Minister should say sorry to those who lost jobs or were harassed in the row over equality law. Sir Keir has now dropped his belief that transgender women are women. In Parliament, Mrs Badenoch also urged him to apologise to MP Rosie Duffield who was hounded out of Labour after she spoke up for female-only spaces and told him to crack down on the trans activists who defaced Westminster statues in an angry weekend protest against the landmark judgment. Her comments came after Sir Keir belatedly spoke out on the declaration by Britains top court that the legal definition of a woman should be based on biological sex, saying: A woman is an adult female, and the court has made that absolutely clear. He declined to repeat his previous statement that trans women are women but his official spokesman later confirmed he no longer believes it. On Tuesday night, Mrs Badenoch told this newspaper: The Prime Minister should apologise to the many women who have been harassed and hounded out of their jobs by groups who have misapplied the Equality Act. If Keir Starmers government really do respect the judgment, they should take a stand against the extremists who still believe it is acceptable to intimidate women. The PM hailed a 'step forward' by the Supreme Court as he faced questions on a post-Easter visit to promote the Government's pilot scheme for free breakfast clubs in schools The Leader of the Opposition told the Mail that the Prime Minister should say sorry to those who lost jobs or were harassed in the row over equality law (file image) In the Commons, the Tory leader branded the Governments claim of always supporting single-sex spaces for biological women a shameless work of fiction, attacking the flip-flopping of Sir Keir and his top team on the issue. Leading womens rights campaigners also mocked the PMs comments on the case that was won by For Women Scotland against the Scottish government last Wednesday. Writer JK Rowling wrote on Twitter/X: Imagine being such a coward you can only muster the courage to tell the truth once the Supreme Court has ruled on what the truth is. She shared statements in support of gender ideology made by leading Labour politicians including Sir Keir and asked: Will any of them issue an apology or admit that they made a serious error in siding with well-funded activist groups lying about what the law actually said, and which had measurable, severe impact on some of societys most vulnerable women? Feminist campaigner Julie Bindel said: I am not grateful to Starmer because he now has to publicly admit he knows trans women (blokes) are NOT women. He added fuel to the fire that burned so many of us. In her Commons response to a ministerial statement on the ruling Mrs Badenoch highlighted Sir Keirs previous support for contested gender ideology. She pointed out that in recent years he had said it was not right to say only women have a cervix and infamously claimed that 99.9 per cent of women dont have a penis, as well as claiming it is the law that trans women are women. She told MPs: The people of this country know what a woman is. We didnt need the Supreme Court to tell us that. Mrs Badenoch pointed at the Labour frontbench as she told how foolish politicians cheered as something as simple as biological reality became politicised. Writer JK Rowling wrote on Twitter/X: Imagine being such a coward you can only muster the courage to tell the truth once the Supreme Court has ruled on what the truth is She highlighted comments by senior Labour MPs now in the Cabinet, including Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy saying trans women should be allowed in female prisons and Foreign Secretary David Lammy calling opponents of gender self-ID dinosaurs. She said she welcomed Labours U-turn and added: Will he apologise to the member for Canterbury [Ms Duffield], who faced so many security concerns as she was hounded out of the Labour party, and was rebuked by the Prime Minister and many Labour MPs for stating what the Supreme Court has now ruled to be true? And she urged Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson to condemn the Labour ministers whom The Mail on Sunday revealed were secretly plotting to defy the Supreme Court ruling. But, in a sign of the scale of unease within Labour about the judgment, more than a dozen backbench MPs said during the debate that it was making their trans constituents fearful. Dame Emily Thornberry said: Calls to Switchboard, the national LGBT+ helpline in my constituency, have skyrocketed. Elon Musk says hell dedicate more time to Tesla and his role as 'First Buddy' will 'drop significantly' starting in May after the company reported a breathtaking downfall in first quarter profits. The automaker's first-quarter profits cratered 71 percent, with the EV giant pulling in $409 million compared to $1.4 billion during the same stretch last year. Wall Street expected better and investors are clearly growing uneasy with the once-dominant EV brand. The company's stock price has shed nearly 40 percent of its value since January (though, it has regained some momentum after the earnings release) when Musk started serving as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and being spotted everywhere with Donald Trump. Tesla's first quarter earnings conference call allowed investors to ask what they wanted of the CEO and it was clear there was only one thing on their minds. One asked: 'Can Elon please provide some reassurance that at some point soon he will be done with DOGE and politics? Many Tesla shareholders wish he would reprioritize the majority of his time and effort to engineering.' 'Starting probably in next month, in May, my time allocation to DOGE will drop significantly,' Musk said on the call. However, he still plans to put in one to two days per week still helping out with DOGE, he claimed. Elon Musk (pictured left) says hell dedicate more time to Tesla and his role as 'First Buddy' will 'drop significantly' starting in May after the company reported a breathtaking downfall in first quarter profits Musk has aligned himself with President Trump - a move that has angered fans who previously leaned more centrist and to the left But 'starting next month, I'll be allocating far more of my time to Tesla.' Musk admitted that his forays into politics have likely damaged his company for the time being, though he added that the global economy was also to blame. 'This dynamic, along with changing political sentiment, could have a meaningful impact on demand for our products in the near-term,' he said. The vibe shift around Tesla, once a crown jewel for liberal Americans, is very real. The company sold huge amounts of electrified vehicles to tech and environmentally-minded consumers. Tesla is largely credited for the rise in popularity of EVs, which represent over nine percent of new vehicle sales in the US annually. But the company's CEO, Elon Musk, has since pitched rightward, spending millions on President Donald Trump's campaign and backing hard-right candidates in Europe. That political pivot has turned off many of the progressive and centrist buyers who once lined up for Teslas. Elon Musk (pictured lower left) says hell dedicate more time to Tesla and his role as 'First Buddy' will 'drop significantly' starting in May after the company reported a breathtaking downfall in first quarter profits Demonstrators rally against Tesla CEO Elon Musk during a 'Tesla Takedown' protest outside a Tesla Store in San Francisco, California Angry consumers have responded with impassioned, sometimes fiery, protests at Tesla dealerships. And, Tesla's sales have tanked. Tesla Takedown, an organization that advocates for free speech rights at the dealership protests, took victory for the revenue and sales downfalls. 'Today's earnings report sends a very clear message: the Tesla Takedown grassroots pressure is beginning to hit Tesla where it hurts,' the organization said. 'The company's bottom line.' Despite the hit, Tesla remains the top-selling EV brand in the US and the most valuable automaker in the world by market capitalization. But investors are worried Musk is losing focus on what made Tesla a juggernaut: building innovative vehicles. Tesla's best-sellers the Model Y and Model 3 just received some style updates. The Cybertruck, which launched in late 2023, has quickly become the best-selling electric pickup in the US. But the model lineup is getting old. Global competitors, including Chinese brands BYD, NIO, XPeng, and Zeekr, have massively upgraded their battery capacity and interior tech. BYD just launched a car that it claims can charge the battery in a third of the time a Tesla takes. Tesla Takedown, an organization that advocates for free speech rights at the dealership protests, took victory for the revenue and sales downfalls Some American brands are closing the gap too. Rivian's newest EVs beat Tesla's driving range by nearly 100 miles. Hyundai and Kia are offering lower starting prices than the Model Y. Even legacy giant GM has leveled up its EV game with massive, well-powered EVs and value offerings like the $35,000 Chevy Equinox EV. In its earnings report, Tesla blamed shifting trade policies from President Trump and a shaky global supply chain for its struggles. 'Uncertainty in the automotive and energy markets continues to increase as rapidly evolving trade policy adversely impacts the global supply chain and cost structure of Tesla and our peers,' the company reported in its earnings. The stock increases are largely attributed to the company's forward-looking plans. Tesla has been developing robots and autonomous vehicle technology that it believes will soon hit the road. The company also said affordable vehicles, which have been teased for several years 'remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025.' Tesla warned that the value cars will feature 'less cost reduction' than previously expected because of supply constraints. Musk promised a $25,000 electric vehicle in September 2020. He has since called the plans 'pointless' and 'silly.' A teenage boy has been rushed to hospital after he was attacked with a machete in a home invasion in Sydney's west. Three males broke into a home on Prince Street in Werrington County, near Penrith, at around 1:30am on Wednesday. A teenager was slashed on his left hand with the machete. He was rushed to nearby Nepean Hospital and his condition is currently unknown. NSW Police have launched a manhunt for the three suspects. They called him 'Edward the Caresser' and with good reason. In his lifetime he bedded over 100 women, and probably many more. His most famous mistress was Queen Camilla's great-grandmother Alice Keppel, but she was only the last in a very long line of bedfellows. Bertie, as King Edward VII was known, had a hunger for women which was matched only by his voracious hunger for food. They could be showgirls, servant girls, aristocrats or foreign princesses even the wives of his close friends. He didn't care as long as they said yes. So outrageous was Bertie's private life that a French furniture-maker got to hear of it and designed a love-chair especially for him. It was crafted to accommodate his increasing waistline another nickname was 'Tum-Tum' and also his enjoyment of more than one lady at a time. Distinguished historian Anthony Camp has been able to name at least 65 of the king's girlfriends short and long-term but there were many more one-night stands, especially when the king-emperor travelled abroad. Why was he so sex-mad? According to his biographer Jane Ridley, Bertie seethed with anger over being trapped into an early marriage at the age of 21 with Princess Alexandra of Denmark a match connived by his mother Queen Victoria and his sister Vicky, in an attempt to get him to settle down. 'He was driven by an impulse to revenge himself against his mother,' Professor Ridley writes. 'It was an impulse that never died.' Bertie seethed with anger over being trapped into an early marriage at the age of 21 with Princess Alexandra of Denmark a match connived by his mother Queen Victoria and his sister Vicky, in an attempt to get him to settle down The long suffering Princess Alexandra of Denmark and the Queen Consort of King Edward VII Queen Victoria blamed her son for Albert's premature death at the age of just 42 Most historians name his first conquest as Nellie Clifden, an actress transported by friends from England to Ireland where Bertie was enjoying a summer camp with the Grenadier Guards. He was 19, and it's likely he'd already tasted the pleasures of the flesh but his father Prince Albert got to hear of the assignation and, when Bertie returned to Cambridge where he was an undergraduate, took him out for a walk in the rain where he proceeded to tear him off a strip. Prince Albert died soon after and Queen Victoria blamed her son for Albert's premature death at the age of just 42. Not a year into his marriage to saintly Alexandra, Bertie dived into a life of adultery which would continue to his death. His first cheat was with British-born Baroness Leonora de Rothschild, followed swiftly by a French princess, Jeanne de Sagan. He then turned to the wife of one of his friends, the politician Sir Edmund Filmer, 'I had a very pleasant tete a tete with her,' he recorded triumphantly in his diary after a shooting party. This breach of politesse never bed your friend's wife - did not go unnoticed in high society. 'Much talk about the P of Wales and his disreputable ways of going on,' noted Lord Stanley disparagingly. 'He is seen at the theatre paying attention to the lowest class of women, and visits them at their houses.' It wasn't just tarts. 'The women of the royal household must sometimes have felt that he considered them to be his personal harem,' noted Jane Ridley. Bertie was particularly taken with Harriet Mordaunt, the 20-year-old wife of an MP. Once or twice a week, at 4pm, he'd visit her Belgravia house where she'd obligingly ensured the servants had taken the afternoon off. French princess, Jeanne de Sagan was Edward's second conquest Lillie Langtry, only daughter of the Dean of Jersey, she was called the Jersey Lily had many extra-marital lovers amongst them were Prince Louis of Battenberg and Edward VII French actress, Sarah Bernhardt was another of Edward's conquests Patsy Cornwallis-West was the 'aristocratic tart' who seduced Edward when she was just 16 But soon her husband discovered the affair. Returning home unexpectedly, he ordered the two ponies Bertie had given Harriet as a love-token to be brought out and shot dead in front her. More misery followed when Lady Susan Vane-Tempest, daughter of the Duke of Newcastle, told Bertie that she was pregnant by him. Bertie ruthlessly cut her out of his life and recommended she went to see a dodgy doctor called Clayton. No record remains of their child being born, but Lady Susan was later discovered to have blackmailed the prince for 'at least 250' over the pregnancy. The list of famous names associated with Bertie during his 68-year life is long actress Lillie Langtry, and Patsy Cornwallis-West the 'aristocratic tart' who seduced him when she was just 16 were perhaps the two most high-profile. The actress Sarah Bernhardt and Lady Randolph Churchill mother of wartime leader Winston Churchill - can be added to the list as well as Daisy, Countess of Warwick and Georgiana, Countess of Dudley before his final romance with Alice Keppel, daughter of a Scottish landowner and great-grandmother of our present Queen. But these names are just the tip of the iceberg. And of course there was a price to be paid for Bertie's promiscuity. 'If he expected he could use women for sex and then discard them, he was to be disillusioned,' commented Jane Ridley. 'Many of the women with whom he began relationships refused to go quietly blackmail, pregnancy, even a court case were to return to haunt him.' His final romance was with Alice Keppel, daughter of a Scottish landowner and great-grandmother of our present Queen Lady Randolph Churchill, daughter of Leonard Jerome of New York - wife of Lord Randolph Churchill and mother of Sir Winston Churchill There was a price to be paid for Bertie's promiscuity As the king advanced in age and girth, his sexual appetite did not diminish - but his ability to perform did. And so an enterprising furniture-maker called Soubrier designed a special love-chair which Bertie could use in the company of one and sometimes two companions Edward saved his most outrageous excesses for his favourite city, Paris, where he had his pick of prostitutes and chorus-girls with his favourite haunt being the Moulin Rouge music hall Even so he carried on his merry way, saving his most outrageous excesses for his favourite city, Paris, where he had his pick of prostitutes and chorus-girls. His favourite haunt was the Moulin Rouge music hall, where his nickname was 'Kingy'. Louise Weber, the dancer known as 'La Goulue' (The Glutton) often yelled to him from the stage, 'Ello, Wales! Are you going to pay for my champagne?!' As the king advanced in age and girth, his sexual appetite did not diminish - but his ability to perform did. And so an enterprising furniture-maker called Soubrier designed a special love-chair which Bertie could use in the company of one and sometimes two companions. There's an entertaining post from Katie Kennedy @thehistorygossip on TikTok which demonstrates just how Edward VII's love-chair could be used. And for a saucy ride through Bertie's astonishing love-life, you can't do better than take a look at Professor Jane Ridley's Bertie: A Life of Edward VII (Vintage). The red-hot housing market is starting to cool and, in some cities, prices are already dropping. House prices have soared almost 50 percent since the pandemic, but fears of a recession tied to Trump's aggressive tariffs have put homebuying on pause for many Americans. This drop in demand is hitting prices. In fact, 10 of the 50 biggest cities saw prices decrease year-on-year, mostly in Texas and Florida, according to the latest data from Redfin. Scroll down to see where prices are crashing fastest, and by how much. 'A lot of buyers, especially first-timers, are backing off because they're nervous about a potential recession,' Redfin agent Venus Martinez explained. 'Some house hunters are hanging out on the sidelines because they're hopeful mortgage rates will come down soon. 'The buyers who are still active, typically those who need to move, are picky and unwilling to pay over asking price. 'And those buyers have the right strategy: Many of today's sellers are willing to negotiate the price down.' The typical US home sold in recent weeks went for 2.6 percent more than a year ago, according to Redfin. It has pushed the national median price to $389,400, a jump of about $10,000. But thats well below the steady 6 percent annual growth seen at the end of 2024 and early 2025 and a far cry from the double-digit spikes during and right after the pandemic. Meanwhile, inventory is rising. New listings are up more than 11 percent from a year ago, Redfin reports. And with more homes hitting the market and fewer buyers biting, sellers are increasingly being forced to slash their prices. Jacksonville in northern Florida saw the biggest decrease in house prices. Its median sale price dropped 2.8 percent since the same time last year. Florida is in the throes of a housing crisis, as increased regulations following the Surfside Condo collapse in 2021 have triggered a steep rise in Homeowner's Association fees and insurance costs. As a result, many residents and second-home owners are trying to offload their properties, causing a glut in the market. Orlando was the second Florida city to see a fall, with its median sale price dipping by 0.4 percent. 'A lot of buyers, especially first-timers, are backing off because they're nervous about a potential recession,' said Redfin agent Venus Martinez Orlando saw its median sale price dipping by 0.4 percent since last year 10 of the 50 most populous cities also saw prices decrease year-on-year, including Jacksonville, Florida (pictured) Texas saw the most cities with falling house prices over the last year. San Antonio has dropped 1.8 percent since last April, Austin has seen a 1.2 percent fall, Dallas is down 0.8 percent and Fort Worth has dropped 0.2 percent. Texas became a boom state during the pandemic due to its warm weather, low tax rates and affordable housing compared to major coastal cities. However, the rapid increase in housing costs since have put people off and had a negative effect on the housing market. Places like Dallas and Austin were once seen as affordable alternatives to high-cost cities like San Francisco and New York, but now the gap in housing costs between big-city job centers and Sun Belt metros has shrunk. Moving to Texas is also less attractive than it used to be because of the increasing frequency and intensity of climate disasters such as hurricanes. This has led to skyrocketing insurance premiums and rising HOA costs across many major cities. A Tesla whistleblower was allegedly threatened with the deportation of her entire engineering staff after she tried to prevent a massive safety recall. Engineer Cristina Balan said she was forced to resign from her position in 2014 after trying to bring a major braking system flaw in the Model S to Elon Musk's attention. Instead of getting a one-on-one with the Tesla CEO, Balan claimed Tesla's lawyers threatened to deport all the members of her team, who were waiting on green card applications at the time, if she did not comply. The alleged incident stemmed from the Romanian-born engineer discovering that the car's floor mats could potentially hinder a driver's ability to brake. After Balan's resignation, Tesla released a statement in 2017 claiming that she had stolen company resources to work on a personal project. This pushed the whistleblower to sue the company for defamation, even while battling cancer over the last decade. Although Tesla got that case thrown out, an appeals court has just ruled in Balan's favor, finding that the previous court did not have the authority to rule against Balan. Now, the engineer hopes this major legal win will lead to a public court battle that the former car designer claims will reveal Elon Musk as being 'pure evil.' 'We are hoping we will start a new lawsuit and we will have the chance to take on Elon Musk in front of a jury and judge,' Balan told BBC News after the ruling last week. Cristina Balan has won a legal appeal against Elon Musk's Tesla, setting the stage for the whistleblower to have her case heard in open court Balan accused Tesla of defaming her after she requested to speak with CEO Elon Musk about a braking issue with the Model S DailyMail.com has reached out to Tesla for comment. Balan was a senior engineer of Tesla's interior systems before her resignation. Her work was so instrumental to the production of the Model S that her initials were even engraved on many of the engines. However, Balan said in a recent interview she had spoken to Tesla executives who acknowledged that the company's brake issues could be as devastating as the problems Toyota faced in 2009, which led to millions of recalled vehicles. The decision by the US Court of Appeals allowing Balan to take her defamation case back to court could change corporate policy nationwide, by cracking down on the alleged overuse of non-public hearings by companies looking to keep embarrassing court details a secret during labor disputes. The engineer also claimed in an interview with The Times UK that Musk has language in all his company's contracts, preventing workers from exercising their rights to free speech or having a lawsuit decided by a jury. 'I won my freedom of speech back, voided all the confidentiality clauses he had on me, and made Musk LOSE his first appeal EVER in front of not one, but three appeal judges,' Balan added in a post on her LinkedIn page. According to the whistleblower, who was fighting Tesla in court while receiving treatment for Stage 3 breast cancer, she was simply following Musk's own directive that he sent out in a 2013 email. 'Anyone at Tesla can and should email/talk to anyone else according to what they think is the fastest way to solve a problem for the benefit of the whole company,' Musk wrote in the email, which Tesla confirmed was sent to all its employees. 'You can talk to your manager's manager without his permission, you can talk directly to a VP in another dept, you can talk to me, you can talk to anyone without anyone else's permission. Moreover, you should consider yourself obligated to do so until the right thing happens,' the Tesla CEO continued. Despite the company mandate, Balan told the BBC that her managers at Tesla ignored her concerns about the Model S and eventually became hostile before her forced resignation. Balan has been fighting Musk and Tesla in court since 2014, winning one lawsuit for wrongful termination and now having her defamation case brought back on appeal The engineer's work on the Tesla Model S prompted the company to engrave her initials on the car's engine Balan believed that the braking problems with the Model S were so severe that it would lead to a massive safety recall, similar to Toyota's braking scandal in 2009 and 2010 The 2017 statement alleging that the former Tesla engineer embezzled from the company allegedly ruined Balan's professional career. She added that companies did not want to hire her over fears they'd end up on Musk's 'blacklist.' Although Balan would win a wrongful termination case against Tesla in 2014, her defamation lawsuit was pushed into arbitration and eventually thrown out of court. The whistleblower said that companies regularly get cases moved into forced arbitration, which are private hearings, using a clause in the employee's contract to keep the details of the case from becoming public. Stanford professor Anat Admati told the BBC: 'Tesla is among the many corporations that force employees and customers into opaque arbitration processes and deploy aggressive strategies to retaliate against employees who voice criticism of corporate practices.' While Musk has said he is a 'free speech absolutist,' Balan told The Times UK that the billionaire would threaten or retaliate against workers who tried to fix problems with the electric cars. Balan said she heard that other employees in Norway and Germany were fired suddenly after voicing concerns with Tesla's products. 'He's pure evil he's enjoying hurting people and you don't know about them because he's forcing everybody to give up their freedom of speech and their right to sue,' Balan said regarding Musk's corporate tactics. The new court decision essentially sends Balan's defamation lawsuit back to square one. The original arbitrator in the case ruled in favor of Musk and Tesla in 2021, dismissing Balan's claims due to California's statute of limitations. Basically, the judge said too much time had passed since Tesla released their 2017 statement claiming Balan stole from the company to rule in the former employee's favor. After their victory, Tesla took the case back to a district court in California to have the arbitrator's verdict confirmed. However, Balan appealed the ruling to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Three appeals judges sided with her, cancelling the arbitration ruling for Tesla and adding that the district court did not have the jurisdiction to make a ruling in this matter. Balan told The Times UK she fully intends to go ahead with the new lawsuit, adding that she wants the details about Musk heard in court 'to prove how vindictive this monster is.' Service sector's opening-up to accelerate 13:33, April 22, 2025 By ZHU WENQIAN ( China Daily China will accelerate the expansion of the service sector's opening-up, a practical action meant to inject more certainty and stability into the world in light of intensifying global unilateralism and protectionism, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday. The ministry has issued a guideline for accelerating the implementation of a comprehensive pilot program to expand the opening-up of the service sector that includes another nine cities such as Dalian, Liaoning province and Ningbo, Zhejiang province. Previously, the pilot program had been carried out in three batches across 11 provinces and cities around the country. The latest round will be fully launched in all 11 provinces and cities at once, without distinguishing regions and task batches, the commerce ministry said. The guideline proposed 155 pilot tasks in 14 areas, including supporting the open development of telecommunications services and related digital industries, improving the level of opening-up in the medical and healthcare sector, and promoting international cooperation in finance, cultural and tourism sectors. The measures include supporting foreign doctors to open clinics in China and encouraging the short-term practice of overseas medical professionals and technicians. In addition, China will work to attract more overseas insurance companies, sovereign funds and pensions to provide investment, financing and technical services for green projects, and allow foreign-invested travel agencies to operate outbound tourism businesses in China. Ling Ji, vice-minister of commerce, said the US' "reciprocal tariff" policy has seriously impacted the international trade order and stability of global industrial and supply chains, and China has proposed measures to further strengthen its opening-up to better cope with the situation. "China's new measures demonstrate its unwavering determination to expand the opening-up, and its firm support for economic globalization and maintenance of the multilateral trading system," Ling said. China's services sector boasts vast growth potential. In the first quarter, China's actual use of foreign investment amounted to 269.23 billion yuan ($36.94 billion), and the services sector accounted for more than 70 percent of the total, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed. "The nine cities newly included in the pilot program have a relatively high degree of opening-up in the services sector, and each city has its own unique industries. After the successful pilot, their innovative achievements are foreseen to have greater value for replication and promotion on a larger scale," said Bai Ming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the Catholic Church must now begin the lengthy process of electing his successor. Starting at least 15 days after his death, the 135 eligible cardinals will be locked away in the legendary Conclave until they have chosen the next pope. But if you just can't wait for the world's most secretive election to run its course, MailOnline has used AI to predict the result. According to OpenAI's ChatGPT, the man set to become the next head of the Roman Catholic Church is Cardinal Pietro Parolin. As the AI points out, the 70-year-old Italian priest is seen by many as the natural heir to Pope Francis' legacy and holds an edge in current betting markets. ChatGPT said: 'As Vatican Secretary of State since 2013, Parolin is viewed as the continuity candidate - acceptable to both reformers and traditionalists. 'In closeddoor voting, courted largely by European and Latin American cardinals, hes seen as a safe compromise if no single progressive candidate can secure the twothirds majority.' However, even for an AI, predicting the next pope is notoriously difficult and ChatGPT warns that 'the margin is narrow, and any of the top three or four could still emerge'. Following the death of Pope Francis (pictured), the 135 eligible cardinals of the Catholic Church will gather in Rome to hold a conclave and elect his successor While it will be weeks until we know the name of the next pope, MailOnline has used OpenAI's ChatGPT to predict the result (stock image) According to AI, the leading candidate for the next Pontiff is Cardinal Pietro Parolin (pictured), the 70-year-old Italian priest seen by many as the natural heir to Pope Francis' legacy The new pope will be elected in the notoriously secretive process called Conclave. The word 'conclave' from the Latin 'cum clave', or 'with key' vividly conveys its clandestine nature. Any of the 252 living cardinals - senior dignitaries of the Catholic Church - younger than 80 are eligible to vote and many will already be travelling to Rome from all over the world to join the election. Once the process starts the 'cardinal electors' will remain in the Vatican without access to information from the outside world until a new pope is chosen by a two-thirds majority. While any baptized Catholic man could, in theory, be elected, in practice the 2025 conclave will almost certainly choose one of the senior cardinals known as 'papabili' or papal candidates. Asked which of these would most likely secure the majority vote, ChatGPT says that Cardinal Pietro Parolin has a narrow lead. Citing Reuters, the AI says: 'As Vatican Secretary of State since 2013, Parolin is seen as a natural compromise between progressives and conservatives. 'He speaks multiple languages, oversaw delicate diplomacy, and ranks second only to the pope in the Vatican hierarchy.' Once the election begins, the cardinals will remain in the Vatican until a new pope is chosen by a two-thirds majority. Pictured: Cardinals at morning Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, in 2005 before sequestering themselves in the Sistine Chapel for the beginning of the conclave to elect a new pope Your browser does not support iframes. The next pope, according to ChatGPT Cardinal Pietro Parolin Odds of winning: 37 per cent Holds the second highest position in the Catholic Church and worked closely with Pope Francis. Seen as a compromise candidate between the liberal and conservative groups. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle Odds of winning: 33 per cent Worked very closely with Pope Francis and was often called the 'Asian Francis'. A liberal candidate who could draw on the 108 cardinals appointed by Pope Francis for support. Advertisement The AI also analysed global betting markets shortly after Pope Francis' death, finding that Cardinal Parolin holds 'the slightest edge in the pool of bettors and prediction markets'. According to the crypto-based Polymarket prediction market, Parolin has a 37 per cent chance of becoming pope while Newsweek's aggregate of traditional bookmakers also gives him a 37 per cent chance. Meanwhile, the second-place candidate, the 67-year-old Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, has been given a 32 per cent chance. ChatGPT says: 'In conclave terms, a fivepoint advantage in the betting market is hardly a landslide - so while Parolin is "most likely," the margin is narrow.' Cardinal Parolin is regarded as the likely continuity candidate, having worked closely with Pope Francis. Pope Francis also appointed 108 of the current 135 cardinal electors, which increases the chances of a candidate close to the former Pope being elected. Parolin is seen as a moderate, though not as close to the liberal wing as Francis has sometimes appeared to be. When Ireland voted in 2015 to legalise same-sex marriage, Parolin described it as 'a defeat for humanity'. Cardinal Parolin, pictured visiting the body of Pope Francis, worked closely with the late Pope and could be a compromise candidate between the conservative and reformist camps Cardinal Parolin, pictured meeting US Vice President JD Vance on April 19, also has considerable diplomatic experience which makes him a promising candidate In recent times, Parolin's star has fallen a little thanks to his being the architect of the 2018 agreement between the Holy See and China, which some regard as a sell-out to the Chinese Communist Party. Cardinal Tagle, the former Archbishop of Manila, is also a strong continuity candidate who was very close to Pope Francis and has even been dubbed 'the Asian Francis'. In a glowing analysis, ChatGPT explains: 'His decade in Manila as a pastor made him a household name in Asia, and his wit and compassion shine through in speeches that resonate across cultures. 'Electing him would mark the first Asian pontiff in history and signal continuity with Franciss push for a more geographically diverse leadership.' Other potential candidates include the 76-year-old Peter Turkson, former Bishop of the Cape Coast who would be the first black pope, and the 72-year-old conservative Cardinal Peter Erdo. However, while the AI might have already picked its favourite contenders, it could be weeks until we find out who the next pope will be. During the conclave, no cardinal is allowed to communicate with the outside world and anyone even tempted to try will find it tricky. Last time, in 2013, technicians created a communications blackout. The Sistine Chapel will even be swept for bugs. ChatGPT selected Cardian Luis Antonia Tagle as the second-choice candidate. If elected, the former Archbishop of Manila would be the first Asian pope Cardinal Tagle (left) worked closely with Pope Francis (right) and shared many of his liberal views. Tagle has even been dubbed the 'Asian Francis' Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. The result of each ballot is counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals. The only sign of their progress will be the smoke sent out of the chimney each day. If no one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke. The process can go to multiple rounds with the same people theoretically getting the same number of votes each time as cardinals wait to see who loses support first. But slowly, cardinals who voted for someone who only received a very small number of votes are likely to add their vote to one of the stronger candidates in the next round. Just like the recent film Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, factions may be able to make their views known during informal chats between votes. The longest conclave in history lasted 34 months, from the death of Clement IV in November 1268 until the election of Gregory X on 1 September 1271. Other leading candidates included Cardinal Turkson. Born in Ghana, Turkson was the bookies' favourite at one point when Francis was chosen in 2013. He would be the first black pope Ralph Fiennes in the film Conclave, which with uncanny timing is up for an Oscar as the real thing takes place But in modern times, none has lasted longer than the five days and 14 rounds of voting it took to elect Pius XI in 1922. Likewise, the conclave to elect the late Pope Francis 12 years ago lasted just two days. When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts his election. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before processing out to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. The ballots of the final round are burned in a special stove, with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope. A US aircraft carrier from World War II, which sunk to the bottom of the Pacific over 80 years ago, is now at the center of an automotive mystery. An expedition to the famous shipwreck 1,000 miles northwest of Hawaii uncovered a mysterious car stored inside the vessel on April 19. The USS Yorktown was lost during the Battle of Midway in 1942 after several Japanese torpedoes struck the ship. Although the crew tried to save the ship from sinking by launching all her aircraft and dumping her heavy guns, it appears a strange decision was made to leave this one car behind. Ultimately, Yorktown could not be salvaged and the giant Navy carrier sank on June 7, 1942 - with the car still inside. Now, a team from NOAA Ocean Exploration has unearthed the previously undocumented car hidden on board and is trying to figure out how it got there and who it belonged to. During a livestream of the underwater expedition, one researcher said: 'Here's an open request to all your automobile vehicle folks out there. I'm sure you are being attentive to this and you understand what you are looking at. Please post on this. It really helps.' The plea for the public's help has sparked the curiosity of car fans online, who may have already solved the mystery of the Yorktown's secret automobile. NOAA researchers discovered a decaying car inside the wreck of the USS Yorktown, lost during the Battle of Midway in World War II Cars would be been a strange sight on board a Navy ship during World War II because of the limited space on board the Yorktown NOAA Ocean Exploration and a Reddit thread about the car both came to the same conclusion: it's likely a 1940-41 Ford Super Deluxe 'Woody' Wagon. Images taken of the wreck seem to line up perfectly with the Woody's back window and spare tire. However, researchers said that this just opens up an even bigger mystery, as these kinds of cars typically weren't carried on a US Navy ship fighting in a war. The NOAA team explained that the Ford Super Deluxe model was a common vehicle used by both Army and Navy officers on shore, but they were rarely or never carried at sea. Even a large carrier like the Yorktown had limited space after loading over 70 fighter planes and a crew of 2,200, making it impractical to squeeze a 16-foot car into the hangar. Moreover, there are no documented cases of personal vehicles being kept on US aircraft carriers during World War II, even by high-ranking officers. 'It has a license plate on the front that can be partially read saying 'SHIP SERVICE' at the top, but the lower part is illegible due to corrosion,' NOAA reported. So, despite being an unusual item to carry on a Navy ship, the plates NOAA found seem to confirm that the Woody was an official vehicle used by somebody on the Yorktown. Two men on board the carrier may have realistically been able to claim ownership of the Woody - and had the authority to keep their prized possession from being dumped in the Pacific. NOAA and car enthusiasts agreed the car appears to be a Ford Super Deluxe Wagon from 1940 or 1941 - also known as a 'Woody' The USS Yorktown served in the US Navy during the early years of World War II, ultimately sinking during the Battle of Midway in 1942 Yorktown's crew launched all its aircraft and threw all heavy equipment overboard in an attempt to save the ship from sinking, except for the mysterious car Yorktown sits 3 miles below the ocean surface about 1,000 miles from Hawaii. The wreck was visited by NOAA Ocean Exploration in April 19 The first and most likely candidate is Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher, the commander of Task Force 17, a carrier group in the Pacific. The Yorktown was part of this fleet of ships which defeated the Japanese navy at Midway, and Fletcher used the carrier as his flagship during the battle. While an important military commander could have requested to have his own car available when the ship docked in ports, Navy historians note that many of Fletcher's official documents were lost in combat and there is no record that this car was his. 'Admiral's can do whatever they want, if the admiral wanted to drag his car around no one is going to say c--p to him,' one Reddit user exclaimed. Another possible owner of the car might have been the Yorktown's commanding officer, Captain Elliott Buckmaster. While Admiral Fletcher used the carrier as his base to coordinate all the other vessels in Task Force 17, Buckmaster was in charge of the Yorktown's day to day operations - giving him say over everything happening on board the ship. However, a captain's personal space on board a ship during World War II was still very modest, so the idea of bringing a large station wagon on board would have been strange in the 1940s. Unfortunately for the still-unknown owner of the Woody, the car never made it back from the Battle of Midway. The Yorktown was struck by two Japanese torpedoes on June 4, 1942, causing the mighty carrier to lose power and start drifting in the ocean. The vessel was struck again by two more torpedoes on June 6, which ultimately proved to be fatal blows. Despite efforts to tow Yorktown back to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, the ship would sink to its final resting place, three miles deep in the Pacific, a day later. A US weapons company has unveiled a first-of-its-kind laser that can be mounted onto spy drones, allowing them to melt missiles in mid-air. General Atomics unveiled the new defense technology at the Sea Air Space 2025 event in National Harbor, Maryland this month. The company equipped its MQ-9B SkyGuardian an autonomous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drone with this laser. It currently emits about 25 kilowatts of energy, enough to disable or destroy small targets. This system could help the US military take down large groups of low-cost, disposable drones. But General Atomics claims it could be scaled up to as much as 300 kilowatts, which could take down large aircraft and missiles by melting or burning through their critical infrastructure. What's more, the laser can emit both pulsed and continuous bursts of energy and is capable of operating in all types of environments. At the event, video footage showed the MQ-9B using the laser to shoot down incoming attack drones similar to Iran's Shahed 'kamikaze' drones, which were heading toward a navy ship for the purposes of this demonstration. Using a laser-equipped drone to destroy small attack drones or cruise missiles would save the military thousands of dollars, as expensive, non-reusable missiles are currently used to conduct this type of defense. A US weapons company has unveiled a first-of-its-kind laser that can be mounted onto spy drones, allowing them to melt missiles in mid-air A laser beam can't be directly destroyed, and it will keep inflicting damage as long as it has power. But the biggest caveat to this technology is that a drone's power supply is limited, which means the laser could falter in the field. The MQ-9B drone is capable of flying for more than 40 hours on a single charge, but the addition of the laser will likely reduce its battery life, though its unclear by how much. Still, the development of this system marks an important step toward operationalizing airborne high-energy lasers (HEL) for defense. The US military has been working toward this goal for years, but faced numerous technological, logistical and financial hurdles that staunched progress. The Air Force's Self-protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) program, which aimed to develop technologies that could protect aircraft from incoming missiles, was scrapped in 2024 without a prototype or test flights to show for their efforts. But the Air Force Research Lab, which launched the project, said it had made 'significant advances in the readiness of airborne HEL technology.' It's possible that some of these gains informed the design of MQ-9B's new laser, though General Atomics' technology is the result of an entirely separate research and development effort. The MQ-9B drone is capable of flying for more than 40 hours on a single charge, but the addition of the laser will likely reduce its battery life, though its unclear by how much The company's breakthrough comes at a time when the need for this system may be greater than ever, as swarming drones and kamikaze-style attacks like the ones seen in Ukraine and the Middle East are becoming cheaper, faster and more common. In recent months, Russia has doubled down on its use of Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones against Ukraine, using them to target civilian infrastructure and residential areas. From August 1, 2024 to March 1, 2025, Ukraine recorded that Russia launched 15,011 Shahed-type strike drones, according to the Institute for Science and International Security. Traditional defense mechanisms like missiles are too expensive and too slow to handle a multitude of small, fast-moving threats. But a laser can tackle this type of assault efficiently, precisely and cost-effectively. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Formula 1 is back in the United States with the upcoming race in Miami taking place on Sunday, May 4. This is the third year Miami will be hosting Formula 1 and its one of the most anticipated events of the year for racing fans. Other than Miami, you also have the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the Austin Grand Prix which take place yearly too. If youre wondering when festivities kick off, your best bet is to arrive in Miami early Friday morning or Thursday evening. What are the best seats for the Miami Grand Prix? You can choose to buy a single-day ticket or a three-day pass for the entire weekend. Prices vary vastly, but if you're looking for the best seats, youll want to be seated at the start/finish grandstand or on one of the beach grandstands, which are right by the 90-degree hairpin and Turns 11, 12, and 13. The Turn 1 grandstand is also an exhilarating spot and will get you a good view of the cars racing after lights out. Free practice and the sprint qualifiers are on Friday, May 2, starting at 9:30 a.m. ET. The sprint itself, which is a much shorter race, will take place on Saturday, May 3, as will the qualifiers for the Grand Prix on Sunday. Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix Tickets Get a three-day weekend pass now to attend all the events with ease during race weekend. This year, the race will take place at the Miami International Autodrome stadium, with festivities kicking off on Friday. Miami is also one of the only circuits that holds a shorter sprint race before the main event, so snag tickets ASAP. Shop Get ready for race day on May 4, with festivities beginning at 4 p.m. time and running through the day. Last year, Lando Norris of McLaren took pole position, but it really is a toss-up who ends up at the front of the grid this year. Who's performing at Miami Grand Prix? The race weekend is more than just these events though. Every year, tons of extra music events, parties, and limited-time pop-ups take place in Miami during the event. Expect performances this year by Steve Aoki, Don Omar, Kaskade, Ed Sheeran, and John Summit. Kaskade in particular is set to DJ the starting grid. Whats more, Marc Anthony will be performing the national anthem at the event. The weekend will also feature standout parties in Miami, including Kaz James and an unnamed guest taking over at MILA Lounge on May 3 and 4. You can also indulge in a ton of other activities during race week, including a visit to The Hedley Studios exhibit, exclusive to paddock club members. Here, you can checkout beautiful, unique pieces from Ferrari Testa Rossa J, Baby Bugatti II, and Aston Martin DB5 Junior. Miami Grand Prix 1-day ticket If you just want to stay for the main event, you only need a ticket for Sunday. Ideally, youll want to sit at the start/finish grandstand, but Vivid Seats offers a ton of ticket options for F1 lovers. Shop now before they sell out! Shop The party, of course, doesnt stop there, with more concerts and celebrations heading into the after hours. Best Miami hotels for Formula 1 If you're looking to attend, here are the best hotels to stay at during your visit, as well as their distance from the Miami International Autodrome stadium. Acqualina Resort & Residences On The Beach Located just 30 minutes from the Miami Autodrome, this hotel is a great pick for its location and top-notch facilities. There's a beautiful oceanfront lounge you can sit and enjoy the water views from, included in your reservation saving you the hassle of chasing after beach chairs. And the hotel says youll even be able to watch F1 broadcasts across the televisions throughout the resort. Rent a cabana by the pool, grab a drink, and tune into the race if you're not heading to the Autodrome for all three days. Shop Courtyard Miami Aventura Mall If you want something a little more affordable but still pretty close to the circuit, this is your best bet. The hotel has everything you need, including a pool, large rooms that fit four, and an extremely affordable breakfast add-on at just $12. The drive to the stadium is under 30 minutes, making this a great midrange pick for Formula 1 visitors. Shop Fontainebleau Miami Beach If you dont mind living just a little far from the circuit Fontainebleau is about 16 miles away this hotel is very worth it. Its right on the beach, has large spacious rooms, and one of the best nightclubs in all of Miami. It also offers a free airport shuttle and has nine dining establishments, truly giving it that resort feel. The resort has multiple pools too, direct beach access, and a children's playground for the little ones. Shop Hampton Inn Hallandale Beach-Aventura You do need to book a minimum 4-night stay for this hotel for the Grand Prix dates, but this could work to your advantage as you can choose to either arrive a day earlier or leave a day later, without the hassle of rushing to the circuit. This is one of the only hotels which offers a free breakfast daily included in the stay. And, there is a heated swimming pool too to calm down and refresh. Its also under 30 minutes away, and is a great option if youre traveling in a group. Since its quite late in the game, you might have to tinker with the dates to find the best price right now you can still book from May 1 to May 6. Shop Hilton Miami Downtown For a more urban hotel, go with Hilton located in trendy Downtown Miami. Its also on the more affordable end, but comes highly rated by Booking.com visitors. It has a chic rooftop pool and bar, and the rooms are comfortable and spacious. Breakfast can be added for under $30, and theres even airport shuttle service available. Its about 35 minutes away from the Autodrome, even during rush hour, so it's a great pick for those of you staying for Grand Prix weekend. Shop The Diplomat Beach Resort This oceanfront property has tons to do for Formula 1 fans: theres the McLaren F1 Team Simulator Experience and the Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey Bar, serving up themed drinks and giveaways all weekend. You have six restaurants to choose from, an infinity pool to indulge in, and all this is just 30 minutes away from the action. Whether youre staying for a day or four, you cant go wrong with The Diplomat especially if youre rooting for McLaren. Shop Dont wait most Miami hotels are already sold out for Grand Prix weekend, so youll want to shop these deals before you miss your chance. Make sure to also have all your passes in check for Miami Grand Prix weekend! An American man has revealed how he survived a horrific car accident which left him 'internally decapitated'. The 50-year-old unnamed farmer reportedly swerved to avoid a pothole butlost control of his pickup truck and slammed into a row of trees, causing the vehicle to flip onto its side. The brutal impact tore the ligaments that connect the skull to the spine a rare and often fatal condition known as an atlanto-occipital dislocation, or 'internal decapitation'. Types of decapitation: The man is thought to have suffered from a type 1 internal decapitation or atlanto-occipital injury, which is pictured above on the left This injury causes the skull to shift dangerously atop the spinal column without breaking the skin or severing the spinal cord. The man, who remained conscious throughout the ordeal, said: 'I just remember my neck hurting like hell.' Emergency crews rushed him to the hospital, where doctors feared catastrophic internal bleeding or a loss of oxygen to the brain, either of which could result in permanent brain damage or death. In addition to the ligament damage, the December 2020 crash left him with fractures at the base of the skull, compounding the severity of his injuries. Surgeons acted fast and performed a delicate stabilization surgery to reconnect and secure the skull-spine junction. He was later fitted with a rigid cervical brace, which he wore for 18 weeks to allow the area to heal without movement. Against staggering odds, he survived. In the crash, the man also fractured his first cervical vertebra, known as C1 or the atlas - the topmost bone in the spinal column that supports the skull. He also tore both the apical and alar ligaments, critical structures that connect the skull to the cervical spine and help stabilize the head during movement. Revealing his story on Reddit, the man described himself as 'very lucky to still be alive.' He wrote: 'Only a few people survive, and those that do are often irretrievably f***** up. I made a (mostly) full recovery.' Atlanto-occipital dislocation is fatal in around 50 per cent of cases, with survivors often facing serious neurological damage. These can range from paralysis and chronic pain to difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing without assistance. However, after 18 weeks in a rigid cervical brace, he says he's now mostly recovered, with no neurological problems. But the trauma wasn't without lasting effects. The man says his neck mobility has been reduced by about 50 per cent, leaving him unable to look up or fully turn his head from side to side. He also experiences muscle cramps on the left side of his face and throat, and struggles to swallow pills and certain foods. Inside view: What an internal decapitation looks like. Brock Meister, a 22-year-old from Plymouth, Indiana, sustained the brutal injury during a car crash in 2018 At the time of the crash the man was wearing a seatbelt which may have saved his life by keeping his body in position during the high-impact collision. His hospital bill totaled $400,000, but thanks to insurance, he was left $50,000 out-of-pocket - a steep price, but one he acknowledges could have been far higher in more ways than just financially. He is thought to have suffered from a type 1 injury, where the skull is displaced forward on the neck. There are two other types: Type 2, where the skull is displaced upward, and type 3, where the skull is displaced back from the neck. 'Internal decapitation' is considered to be a medical emergency because it can damage the spinal cord and lower brainstem. It can also break or block major arteries supplying the brain, depriving the organ of vital oxygen and nutrients, causing the brain cells to start to die within four to five minutes. Doctors normally treat the condition with surgery, and diagnose it via observations of patients and brain scans. It can also be difficult to diagnose. The injury is rare and commonly linked to car accidents. It is more common among children compared to adults as their heads are larger relative to their body size. In the accident, the unnamed man from Reddit also got his left foot stuck between the brake pedal and the vehicle floor. Doctors found he had shattered his left tibia (the main bone in the lower half of the leg), broken four ribs, and sprained his wrist and ankle. He also had surgery for these injuries, and was in the hospital for ten weeks while he recovered. He was then in physical therapy for five weeks to restore strength to his left leg after it was left looking 'like a stick', before he returned to farm work. He says he is also now unable to run and has regular pain from his left knee but this hasn't stopped him living life to the full: With the man jumping on bicycles and a motorbike. A beautiful Spanish seaside town is one of this year's best destinations for bargain-hunting Britons. Although it's just 15km from Benidorm, Altea is a quiet and charming town that was recently named as one of Spain's best seaside towns by Which? Travel. Which? Travel surveyed more than 1,000 holidaymakers to find Spain's best coastal destinations. Tourists awarded Altea four out of five stars for attractiveness, four out of five for safety and four out of five for friendliness. Which? claims that 'snobs who deride' the Costa Blanca don't know about pretty Altea. The travel guide describes Altea as a 'historic, villagey' destination 'where blue-tiled church domes glitter above a hill of sugar-cube houses'. It adds: 'The one whose romantic setting - a wall of mountains on one side, the Mediterranean on the other - attracted artists, kickstarting tourism along this coast in the late 50s. 'They're still here, too. Ateliers and galleries are scattered throughout the old town, a cats-cradle of cobbled streets beneath the church, perfumed by bougainvillea, knotting into tiny squares. Although it's just 15km from Benidorm, Altea is a quiet and charming town that was recently named as one of Spain's best seaside towns Tourists awarded Altea four out of five stars for attractiveness, four out of five for safety and four out of five for friendliness The travel guide describes Altea as a 'historic, villagey' destination 'where blue-tiled church domes glitter above a hill of sugar-cube houses' 'When daytrippers leave by late afternoon, a lucky few get to revel in a pipsqueak beach resort.' Altea has a 6km/3.7 mile long coastline defined by pretty pebble beaches and uncrowded coves. Tourists looking for something a little different can also head inland to explore the Sierra de Bernia mountain range. Britons can get return flights to Alicante, the closest airport to Altea, for under 50 from Bristol, Birmingham, London Luton, Newquay, Nowich, Exeter and Leeds in May. Prices correct at the time of writing. The stunning beach was once used in an ad campaign for a Thai beauty spot A stunningly beautiful beach in the UK is so pretty it's regularly mistaken for being in Thailand. West Beach on the Isle of Berneray in Scotland's Outer Hebrides is so tropical-looking it was once used in a Thai advertising campaign. Back in 2009 a picture of the Scottish beach was used in a Thai campaign to advertise Kai Bae beach in Thailand. It's thought that the image of West Beach was taken off the internet to save someone having to travel to Kai Bae to take a photo of the correct beach. At the time, a VisitScotland spokesperson said: 'Here in the Outer Hebrides we are fortunate to have some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, right on our doorstep. 'They do say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, so although the use of a photo of a beach on the Isle of Berneray to represent a Thai beach is somewhat misleading, I'm sure it is a compliment in disguise.' But it's easy to see how the advertisers thought West Beach was beautiful enough to fool people. Lonely Planet named West Beach among the world's best beaches in 2025 and celebrated its 'untamed beauty'. West Beach on the Isle of Berneray in Scotland's Outer Hebrides is so tropical-looking it was once used in a Thai advertising campaign Lonely Planet named West Beach among the world's best beaches in 2025 and celebrated its 'untamed beauty' The travel guide says: 'The wilds of this shoreline make it look like an untouched paradise, but these three miles of coast are a draw for tourists as well as locals.' Despite its tropical appearance, tourists will need to be brave to take a dip in West Beach's inviting-looking waters. Lonely Planet warns that the sea at West Beach rarely gets warmer than 13C/55F. However, it adds that the beach is a 'paradise for beachcombers, bird-watchers and hikers'. Visitors will have the chance of spotting cormorants, gannets and more from the beach's elevated dunes. Lonely Planet recommends tourists travel to West Beach during the spring, explaning that the 'surrounding landscape is a burst of colour thanks to the abundant wildflowers.' Despite its incredible beauty, West Beach is rarely crowded as it's relatively difficult to get to. Tourists will need to take a ferry to Berneray from Harris and will need a car to fully explore the island. Despite its tropical appearance, tourists will need to be brave to take a dip in West Beach's inviting-looking waters Back in 2009 a picture of the Scottish beach was used in a Thai campaign to advertise Kai Bae beach (pictured above) in Thailand And Thailand isn't the only exotic location that Scotland could be mistaken for. Scotland experts Laura and Tom (@traveltwo_) previously told MailOnline Travel that they think of the isles of Harris and Lewis as the 'Caribbean of Scotland'. They said: 'There's a warmth to the island- even on its coldest days - that shines through its local people and across the stunning, often virtually empty, white sandy beaches.' Scotland is also home to some pretty dreamy seaside towns, including one that has a 'real magic' to it. The stunning island is a history hotspot with white-sand beaches and sun Dreaming of a gorgeous Mediterranean island escape? A stunning little-known island, under four hours away, could be the answer to your dreams. Djerba, a gorgeous and historic island off the coast of Tunisia, has recently become much easier to reach thanks to new easyJet direct flights. easyJet has launched the UK's first direct flights to the island, offering regular trips from Manchester and London Luton. The budget airline says: 'Djerba is a tapestry of cultures, history and tranquil seaside living. 'With a population nearing 160,000, it's a blend of traditional Tunisian heritage and Mediterranean influences. 'Known for its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, Djerba is also a cradle of rich history, where ancient traditions coexist with modern comforts.' The island was even described as the 'land of the Lotus-eaters' by the ancient Greek poet Homer as he considered it such a seductive destination that travellers found it near impossible to leave. Djerba, a gorgeous and historic island off the coast of Tunisia , has recently become much easier to reach thanks to new easyJet direct flights A top site is the El Ghriba synagogue, an ancient Orthodox Jewish synagogue and the oldest in Tunisia Djerba's modern-day tourists might find themselves facing the same struggle. Top attractions include desert safaris and Djerbahood, an incredible open-air museum. The museum is a traditional village that's been decorated by street artists. Tourists can also wander the shops at the Bazaar Houmt Souk, the island's most iconic market. Another top site is the El Ghriba synagogue, an ancient Orthodox Jewish synagogue and the oldest in Tunisia. Each year thousands of Jews make a pilgrimage to El Ghriba to celebrate the holiday of Lag B'Omer. And of course, there are also spectacular beaches for tourists who want to relax in the sun. easyJet recommends Sidi Mahrez beach resort which it describes as having a 'laidback atmosphere'. While the island regularly enjoys temperatures above 30 degrees in the summer, it's also an ideal destination for a spot of winter sun. easyJet has launched the UK's first direct flights to the island, offering regular trips from Manchester and London Luton Djerbahood is an incredible open-air museum. The museum is a traditional village that's been decorated by street artists While the island regularly enjoys temperatures above 30 degrees in the summer, it's also an ideal destination for a spot of winter sun Temperatures rarely fall below 19 degrees in March, making spring the perfect time to escape dreary UK weather. And Djerba isn't the only island destination that's become easier to explore than ever. easyJet has also launched flights to a gorgeous island that's often described as the 'African Caribbean'. Meanwhile, the 'Hawaii of Europe' has also become easier to reach with a host of new flight routes. Sydney Sweeney has introduced a new family member and reunited with her ex-fiance Jonathan Davino in Florida after calling off their engagement. The actress, 27, and the entrepreneur, 41, went their separate ways in January after seven years together, with the news being confirmed publicly in March. Sydney is adjusting to single life and has got an adorable new puppy to help her through the time as she debuted her new addition on Instagram on Monday. She also reunited with her ex Jonathan this week as the couple were spotted out together near her home in Florida, photographs obtained by The Sun showed. In the pictures, Sydney did not sport her diamond engagement ring as her finger was still notably bare, despite being spotted out socialising with Jonathan. Her new puppy accompanied her on her outing with Jonathan as she was seen sweetly cradling him in her arms, while her ex appeared smitten with the pooch. Sydney Sweeney has introduced a new family member and reunited with her ex-fiance Jonathan Davino in Florida after calling off their engagement The actress, 27, and the entrepreneur, 41, went their separate ways in January after seven years together, but reunited in an outing in Florida in recent years (pictured in 2018) The exes appeared in jovial spirits as they both flashed broad smiles and appear to remain on good terms following their separation. MailOnline has contacted Sydney's representatives for comment. Their sighting together came as Sydney took to Instagram to introduce her new puppy to her followers as she gushed that he has become her 'best friend'. She revealed she has named the adorable pooch Sully Bear as she shared a gallery of snaps with her new addition. In one shot, Sydney cut a stylish figure in a white vest top and distressed jeans as she sat in hair and make-up while cuddling her adorable puppy. She showed off her stunning features with a high glamour make-up palette as she was seen getting some touch-ups during her day on set. Another picture showed Sully Bear joining Sydney for a night out bowling with her friends as he sat in her handbag for the festivities. Other shots showed her hugging and sleeping with the sweet pooch as she documented their first few weeks together. Their sighting together came as Sydney also took to Instagram to introduce her new puppy to her followers as she gushed that he has become her 'best friend' She revealed she has named the adorable pooch Sully Bear as she shared a gallery of snaps with her new addition In a caption, she gushed: 'Introducing sully bear so far in our two weeks together he's become my set best friend, my bowling partner, my nap buddy, mutual water enthusiast, and travel companion.' He appears to have been lending her support after she recently split up from her longtime partner Jonathan. Last month, TMZ reported that the Euphoria star and the entrepreneur had called off their engagement and had been 'separated since January'. The couple began dating in 2018 when she was 20 and he was 34, and got engaged in 2022. But there were hints of trouble in their romance earlier this year when the actress started staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She then removed a photograph of her and her now-ex from Instagram. Sydney also deleted the slide of her and Jonathan sharing a New Year's kiss from her Instagram carousel, which she posted on January 2. Another clue came when the Spokane, Washington native took a trip to Africa without him in early March. One picture showed Sully Bear joining Sydney for a night out bowling with her friends as he sat in her handbag for the festivities She also shared snaps of the cute pup in a park, in a pool and sitting calmly on a paddle board while Sydney guided it through the water Other shots showed her hugging and sleeping with the sweet pooch as she documented their first few weeks together He appears to have been lending her support after she recently split up from her longtime partner Jonathan Their split was confirmed in March, with a source telling People: 'She's exactly where she wants to be. 'Most people would feel overwhelmed by her working schedule this year, but not Syd. 'She's all about working right now and very excited about all her projects.' 'She's not ready to settle down. They only lasted for this long because it was hard for her to break it off,' they added. 'They didn't split because there is no love. They split because she just wants to focus on her career right now.' In the wake of her broken engagement, fans speculated that Sydney had moved on with Anyone But You co-star Glen Powell, but the rumors were quickly shut down. Sydney and Glen reignited romance chatter when they were attended his sister Leslie's Dallas, Texas wedding in late March. Following the party, Glen's mother Cyndy Powell spoke out about her son's relationship with the actress. The couple began dating in 2018 when she was 20 and he was 34, and got engaged in 2022, but went their separate ways in January (pictured in December 2024) In an exclusive phone call with Daily Mail, she shared: 'They're definitely not together. It was just, like, she was there [at the wedding] with her friend.' Glen also brushed off questions about the topic while appearing on Today's Jenna & Friends. He told host Jenna Hager about the wedding appearance and break-up overlap, 'Timing is everything.' He added: '[Leslie] and Syd are obviously great friends and it was a hell of a wedding.' He has been pictured strolling hand in hand with girlfriend Ines de Ramon and looking utterly infatuated with the 32-year-old jewelry designer all of which has fueled speculation that Brad Pitt, 61, is planning to marry again. But the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that the movie megastar won't be hearing wedding bells anytime soon. 'Brad is totally in love with Ines, but he doesn't want to go down the road of marriage and kids,' a source told the Daily Mail. 'He's been burned badly by the divorce from Angelina and his kids wanting little if nothing to do with him. He's 61 and loving his life just the way it is.' Pitt and de Ramon have been dating for more than two years. They made their initial appearance as a couple in November 2022 at a Bono concert. As the couple's relationship strengthens, lingering in the background has been a bitter custody battle for Pitt's six children and a second legal battle over the ownership of his French winery, Chateau Miraval. Brad Pitt, 61, has been with jewelry designer Ines de Ramon for two years, but sources tell the Daily Mail the couple won't be getting married anytime soon Pitt's divorce from Angelina Jolie wrapped in December, but a custody battle over their kids (L-R) Maddox Chivan, 23, Vivienne, 16, Zahara Marley, 20, Shiloh, 18, and Knox Leon, 16, is ongoing Pitt and Jolie are also tied up in another legal battle over ownership of their $62 million French winery, Chateau Miraval Still, de Ramon is one bright spot in the veteran actor's life, and she has impressed his friends who are still holding out hope they will wed. 'He has spoken to those close to him, including George [Clooney], and everyone has signed off on him doing it,' the insider revealed. 'It would be a nice thing for him as it would be the official moving on from his romantic past with [Jennifer Aniston] and Angie.' While Pitt finalized his divorce from Angelina Jolie, 49, in December after 10 years of marriage, the custody war remains ongoing and has upended his relationship with his kids. At least five of Pitt's six children are estranged from him, dropping his last name and refusing to see him. It has left him 'devastated,' a source says. According to a close confidant, not even the wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles in January have changed that - he remains 'frozen out' by his children. 'It's not like he's out celebrating [finalizing the divorce],' a source told the Daily Mail shortly after the legal battle concluded. 'Brad said he's tired of Angelina playing the victim role when he's the one who has been stripped of his family, his kids. 'He wants what's best for the kids and radical forgiveness is what needs to happen in order to bring true healing into the equation.' The actor was spotted with de Ramon on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024 The former couple pictured boarding a private jet at Brie-Champniers airport in France with their kids in 2007. They allegedly got into a booze-driven altercation in 2016 on a private jet that led to their oldest adopted son Maddox, 23, getting hurt from trying to protect Jolie The Maleficent actress also said her ex tried to force her to sign a $8.5 million NDA to cover up his 'years of abuse' Drama and resentment have both been major features of his split from Jolie. The couple separated in 2016 after they reportedly got into a booze-fueled fight on a private jet. Eldest son Maddox, 22, whom Jolie and Pitt adopted from Vietnam, was allegedly hurt during the altercation when he attempted to protect his mother. According to court papers filed by Jolie last year, the confrontation was one of a series of 'abusive' arguments between the pair but the first that involved one of their children. The filing, which is part of a second court fight over the $62 million sale of Jolie's Chateau Miraval winery share, read: 'While Pitt's history of physical abuse of Jolie started well before the family's September 2016 plane trip from France to Los Angeles, this flight marked the first time he turned his physical abuse on the children as well. Jolie then immediately left him.' The Maleficent actress also said her ex tried to force her to sign an $8.5 million nondisclosure agreement to cover up his 'years of abuse'. Pitt has always denied the claims of abuse and was cleared by law enforcement following an investigation. The actor was also accused of being a 'world-class a**hole' in a 2020 Instagram rant written by second son Pax and obtained by DailyMail.com in November 2023 Pax, who is often seen with his mother, has not been photographed with his dad for several years The actor was also accused of being a 'world-class a**hole' in a 2020 Instagram rant written by second son Pax and obtained by DailyMail.com in November 2023. 'You have made the lives of those closest to me a constant hell,' Pax added. 'You may tell yourself and the world whatever you want but the truth will come to light someday. 'So Happy Father's Day, you f*****g awful human being.' Pax, who is often seen with his mother, has not been photographed with his dad for several years. The Block veterans Jess Eva and Norm Hogan have revealed they broke up over three years ago, yet still live together. The fan favourites from the 2018 season quietly ended their long-term engagement in 2021 and are now letting fans know the reasons behind their shock decision. 'Norm and I split three years ago now. But we still love one another, we're still the best of friends and we are still family,' Jess told New Idea magazine. The 40-year-old then revealed why they had chosen to keep their break up a secret until now. 'There is no drama, but we both thought it was a bit "up ourselves" to publicly announce we had separated at the time,' she said. 'It was really just an accumulation of small things and pressures. The Block veterans Jess Eva and Norm Hogan have gone public with news of their split, revealing they broke up over three years ago 'One day, we were both sitting in our backyard, having a beer in front of the fire pit, and I just said, "Norm, I love you, but we can't keep going like this".' She revealed Norm was in agreement with her about parting ways: 'He said, "I love you too and I agree".' While the romance is over, little else has changed and they remain under the same roof. 'The only thing that has changed about how we feel about each other is our relationship status,' Norm said. He added they still lived together in their Sydney home - but slept in separate bedrooms. Jess said the pair were working hard to support their two young children Freddie, nine, and Matilda, seven. 'We sat them down and said theres two kinds of divorces,' she said. 'There is bad divorce where it can get mean or there is fighting or there is "best friending". Then I said, "Daddy and I have decided we want to try best friending".' The fan favourites from the 2018 season quietly ended their long-term engagement in 2021 and are now letting fans know the reasons behind their shock decision The 40-year-old revealed why they had chosen to keep their split a secret until now Norm and Jess rose to fame on the 2018 season of The Block. Jess later starred on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and also became a presenter on Triple M Sydney. During their Block finale, the pair sold their apartment at auction for $2,859,000, making a tidy profit of $209,000. In 2020, Jess revealed the couple had blown the entire cash prize on swimming pools, gambling and 'helping out their friends'. She also admitted they'd paid off a friend's car loan, bought two lawnmowers and even purchased a block of land on Queensland's Russell Island. Eva Longoria was a guest on Live With Kelly and Mark on Monday morning, where she discussed her recent move to Europe. The 50-year-old Searching for Spain star splits her time between Mexico and Spain with husband Jose Baston and their five-year-old son Santiago. Longoria who is a Corpus Christi, Texas native with Spanish heritage revealed she was drawn to the Andalucia region of Spain. It's there where she enjoys chiringuitos, which are small beach bars and restaurants where people indulge in tapas and drinks. 'I know that region the most because I've been going there for 20 years,' the actress said to the morning show hosts. The former Desperate Housewives star also discussed the passing of Pope Francis, after she paid tribute to the beloved Catholic figure online. Eva Longoria was a guest on Live With Kelly and Mark on Monday morning, where she discussed her recent move to Europe Longoria modeled a a sequin silver dress and coordinating silver, open-toe Aquazzura heels She shared a memorable story of meeting him two months before her 2016 wedding to Jose. 'I was so fortunate to meet him. He actually blessed Pepe and I right before we got married,' she recalled, using her husband's nickname. Eva detailed, 'We went to Rome and my husband was like, "Do you want to meet the Pope?" And I was like, "Yes!"' She remembered intently practicing the Spanish word for 'holiness' ahead of meeting the Spanish-speaking, first Pope of Latin heritage. But when the moment came to say it, she hilariously reverted to English, greeting him with, 'Hello, Your Holiness.' Using her Instagram platform on Monday morning, Longoria shared photos from the special day, adding a heartfelt caption. 'Rest in Peace, Your Holiness Pope Francis. Thank you for being an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalized. Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered,' she wrote in tribute. Longoria - who is a Corpus Christi, Texas native with Spanish heritage - revealed she was drawn to the Andalucia region of Spain, where she enjoys chiringuitos, small beach bars and restaurants Using her Instagram platform on Monday morning, Longoria shared photos from the special day Pope Francis blessed her and her now-husband Adding a heartfelt caption, she wrote, 'Rest in Peace, Your Holiness Pope Francis. Thank you for being an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalized. Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered' Her post has so far collected more than 230,000 likes from her 10.4 million followers. Eva has been busy promoting her forthcoming Searching for Spain series, which premieres on CNN on April 27. It will follow her as she embarks on a gastronomic pilgrimage through Madrid, San Sebastian, Barcelona, Seville and more, where she explores her ties to the country and shares the hidden gems that have helped make it a 'personal favorite.' In the first look trailer, released in February, Eva explained that her ancestors left Spain four centuries ago. 'Eleven generations ago, one of my ancestors left Spain for the new world and new life,' she said. 'Four hundred years later, I'm back to see how the land and its people have created one of the world's most exciting cuisines,' the actress teased. A founding member of Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus has died - just days after the death of their former manager. The ARIA Hall of Fame recipients confirmed on Facebook that their original guitarist Kimble Rendall died on Saturday aged 71. 'RIP Kimble. Very sad news. Just announced overnight,' the band wrote alongside a throwback picture of him playing the guitar in a studio. 'Two losses we have had in the Gurus family this past week. We're still reeling from the shock.' The Sydney-born musician was the band's original guitarist in 1981 - 1982 and played on their breakout song Leilani, but left just as they were rising to fame in order to become a filmmaker. He went on to make movies such as the 2000 horror movie Cut, starring Kylie Minogue and Molly Ringwald. Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus have been left heartbroken after founding member Kimble Rendall died - just days after the death of their former manager Kimble also directed Julian McMahon and Lincoln Lewis in the 2012 shark horror movie Bait. His final directing credit was the 2018 Australian-Chinese co-production Guardians of the Tomb, starring Kelsey Grammer and Li Bingbing. Kimble also directed music videos for his former band, as well as for several Aussie rock icons, including Cold Chisel, Mental As Anything and Diesel. He was also second-unit director for many acclaimed Hollywood productions filmed in Australia, including The Matrix Reloaded, Ghost Rider and I, Robot. His death was announced by media personality Melissa Hoyer on social media. 'Vale Kimble Rendall... Musician, advertising guru, film director, husband, devoted dad and a very good friend to many,' she began. 'Thank you for being in our lives. You were compassionate, constantly creative, funny, clever and perennially entertaining.' He was married to veteran Australian TV presenter Basia Bonkowski from 1982 until her passing in 2022 from lymphoma. The ARIA Hall of Fame recipients took to Facebook to confirm the passing of their original guitarist Kimble, who died on Saturday aged 71. Pictured front left with the band, opposite lead singer Dave Faulkner. The Sydney-born musician was the band's original guitarist from 1981 - 1982 but left them as they were just breaking out, in order to become a filmmaker Kimble is survived by their children William and Camille. His death comes just days after the band's former manager Dominic 'Mick' Mazzone died after battling an illness. The band took to social media last week remembering the industry veteran as a 'dear friend'. 'We in the Hoodoo Gurus are utterly devastated at the sudden loss of our dear friend, Mick (Dominic) Mazzone,' they wrote in a statement. 'It is impossible to convey the shock and grief we are feeling right now. We have already shed many tears, and there will be many more to come. 'Our loss is nothing compared to the one that has been dealt to Mick's close family and friends and, in particular, to his beloved kids, Frank, Antonia and Alex. 'Our hearts go out to them at this dreadful time. Love, Brad, Dave, Rick & Nik.' Hes the most reclusive member of a clan thats anything but shy. And on Easter Sunday, Rob Kardashian joined his famous family to celebrate the holiday, with his sister Kim Kardashian sharing a family shot with her 357 million followers. 'EASTER 2025,' Kim, 44, captioned the post. 'I couldnt get all the sisters, kids, aunts, cousins and laughs in the pics but the memories are so real. Happy Easter everyone.' In the photo, Rob, 38, posted with mother Kris Jenner, sisters Kim and Khloe, 40, and their respective children in his rare appearance at the Palm Springs, California home owned by his mother Kris Jenner, 69. Rob, a noted fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, brought his daughter Dream, eight, whom he shares with ex Blac Chyna, 36. Dailymail.com has reached out to both Rob and his ex Blac Chyna for an update on their co-parenting situation, years after the salon entrepreneur was in litigation with the Kardashian family. Rob Kardashian joined his famous family to celebrate the Easter on Sunday, with his sister Kim Kardashian sharing a family shot with her 357 million followers. Also seen in the shot were Kim's three younger children with ex-husband Kanye West - Saint West, nine, Chicago West, seven and Psalm West, five - and Khloe Kardashian's children with Tristan Thompson, True, seven, and Tatum, two. Fans of the reality TV staples flooded his sister Kim's comment thread with kind sentiments about Rob, who has stayed out of the limelight for years. SiriusXM personality Symon wrote in the thread: 'BOBBY we miss you!!!! You look great gorgeous family.' One user joked, 'YOU GAVE US ROB FOR EASTER.' Another user commented, 'Omg Rob!!!!' while another said, Rob?' with eyes with heart emojis. Another added, 'It was nice to Rob, he is looking cute!' Rob has also shown an interest in the fashion industry, following in his familys footsteps, as he presides over a sock company titled Arthur George. Kim has been prepping for a potential legal battle with ex-husband Kanye West, who made headlines Monday after an unexpected statement on social media about a past experience in his life. Rob shares eight-year-old daughter Dream with ex Blac Chyna Rob was pictured with his sister Khloe in June of 2023 Rob was seen at a poolside event at the Tropicana Las Vegas in May of 2016 Dailymail.com exclusively reported Saturday how staff at one of Las Vegas's most prominent gentleman's clubs revealed West's shocking behavior after he hired out the venue for a wild party. The 47-year-old specifically demanded that management allow no women of color or Black women inside his private party room at the Sin City club, sources told Dailymail.com. When West and his entourage were selecting dancers, he specified he didn't want 'any brown skin girls of any complexion or culture.' In another bizarre move, an eyewitness said that the Bully artist at one point demanded the DJ play one of his tracks 15 times in a row. The eyewitness said that the Flashing Lights artist had a 'cocky' attitude as he watched the DJ play his song repeatedly from an iPhone he provided. 'He kind of looked like, 'Oh, this is my s***,'" the eyewitness said. Another source told Dailymail.com: 'Hes very conceited with those songs - he was making them play his whole album - he was back there for a couple hours. 'Kanye was a problem - I dont think hes allowed to come here anymore.' Rebel Wilson dropped more than 70lbs back in 2021 after turning to Ozempic, and she's committed to keeping the weight off. On Sunday, the 45-year-old Australian actress who wore a bunny costume to host an Easter egg hunt took to Instagram to reveal what sweet treat she will be avoiding over the next six weeks for a health challenge. And she encouraged her 11 million followers to join her as she cuts out chocolate and ice cream. Uploading a brief video clip, the Pitch Perfect star said, 'Who's up for a six-week health challenge? I know I am because I've been really indulging over Easter.' She added, 'And also, quite frankly, for the last couple of months and I really want to be a healthier version of me.' Wilson captioned the post, 'Whos in for a 6 week health challenge? The challenge is to give up 1-3 things youve been indulging in lately (mine is chocolate + ice cream) and instead do something positive for your health (mental and physical) - so this week its to write down 5 things every night that youre grateful for! #6weekrebelhealthchallenge.' Rebel Wilson dropped 70lbs back in 2021, and she's committed to keeping the weight off On Sunday, the 45-year-old Australian actress took to Instagram to reveal what sweet treat she will be avoiding over the next six weeks for a health challenge 'So I'm going to give up chocolate and ice cream for the next six weeks. What are you going to give up?' she asked fans in the recording. 'Instead, each week I'm going to do something positive for my health,' the blonde filmmaker declared. In conversation with The Sunday Times last year, the movie star confessed about weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Monjouro: 'Someone like me could have a bottomless appetite for sweets, so I think those drugs can be good.' Rebel previously said that her Pitch Perfect contract prohibited her from losing weight. The movie franchise came to a close in 2017 and four years later the mother-of-one lost over 70 pounds. In July 2021 she revealed on Instagram Live about her weight loss journey: 'It first started when I was looking into fertility stuff and the doctor was like, "Well, you'd have a much better chance if you were healthier." 'That's kind of what started it, that if I lost some excess weight that it would give me a better chance for freezing eggs and having the eggs be a better quality. It wasnt even really myself, it was more thinking of a future mini-me, really.' And she spoke about it again with People in May 2022. She shared: 'I only started thinking of fertility when I was 39 so you feel quite late but then there are women in their mid-40s who've been successful.' Rebel added, 'Look at Janet Jackson, it's pretty inspiring,' referring to Janet giving birth to her son at age 50. Wilson captioned the post, 'Whos in for a 6 week health challenge? The challenge is to give up 1-3 things youve been indulging in lately (mine is chocolate + ice cream) In July 2021 Wilson revealed about her weight loss journey: 'It first started when I was looking into fertility stuff and the doctor was like, "Well, you'd have a much better chance if you were healthier' Wilson pulled out all the stops for Easter with daughter Royce, two, and wife Ramona Agruma When she discussed fertility treatments with a doctor: 'He looked me up and down and said, "You'd do much better if you were healthier."' Rebel confessed: 'I was taken aback. I thought, "Oh God, this guy's so rude." He was right. I was carrying around a lot of excess weight.' She reflected at the time, 'It's almost like I didn't think of my own needs. I thought of a future child's needs that really inspired me to get healthier.' Rebel is now mother to two-year-old daughter Royce, who she welcomed via surrogate and co-parents with wife Ramona Agruma. In regards to how she achieved her weight loss, Wilson focused on becoming more active by walking and doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with her personal trainer. Married At First Sight groom Liam Cooper shocked his Instagram followers with a racy bathtub post on Monday. The 33-year-old shared a nude photograph to his 71,000 followers, as he celebrated his birthday on Phillip Island over the Easter weekend. Liam used one hand to cover his private parts in an outdoor bathtub, and the other to deliver a glass of red wine to his mouth, in the countryside holiday snap. 'Only the finest wine and the finest subscribers,' the controversial MAFS groom captioned the post. Liam appeared on MAFS in 2021 alongside Bryce Ruthven, Booka Nile, Jake Edwards and others. In 2022, Liam told Daily Mail Australia he was 'seriously considering' launching an account on adult subscription website OnlyFans. Married At First Sight groom Liam Cooper shocked his Instagram followers with a racy bathtub post on Monday The bisexual TV groom caused quite the stir with his post. 'I nearly spat out my dinner!' MAFS' Carly Bowyer commented. 'Who zoomed? Be honest,' another added. Liam, who was formerly employed as a prison officer in Brisbane, seemingly confirmed his career move into adult content in the comments. Replying to a female Instagram model who commented, 'OK sexy,' with a fire emojiLiam wrote: 'Wanna film some content?' Liam told Daily Mail he was ready to start shooting content in 2022, but his boyfriend Samuel Levi convinced him to change his mind. 'When the thought of joining OF keeps crossing your mind daily,' he captioned a post before writing, 'it was coming but @_samuellevi said no'. Samuel was quick to comment underneath the video, writing: 'If you can make us $10,000 in one hour. Go right ahead,' to which Liam cheekily replied: 'You know I can haha.' The bisexual TV groom, who appeared on the eighth season of the Channel Nine dating show, caused quite the stir with his post and seemingly confirmed his move into adult content Liam was 'married' to Georgia Fairweather (right) on MAFS in 2021. His bisexuality caused problems in their relationship as she feared he wouldn't be able to fully commit to one woman Liam announced his break up from the former Married At First Sight NZ groom in April 2023, after 18 months together. 'As much as it has been for ourselves, and a sad day. But myself and Samuel would like to just let you all know we will be taking a break on our relationship. And not moving forward as a "couple" for now,' he shared at the time. He continued, 'We entered this relationship very publicly and in the public eye, which is why we also wanted to be transparent with you all.' Despite the split, the couple remained committed to their friendship and continued to live together. Now, the two men have apparently rekindled their romance with Samuel telling Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that they 'sure did' spend his birthday weekend together. 'Some people walk into your life and make everything brighter thank you to the both of you for giving me a birthday filled with love, laughter, and memories Ill cherish forever,' Liam captioned a carousel of photos from Phillip Island, alongside Samuel and a female friend. 'Im so lucky to have you both in my life. Youve made me feel truly special, and Ill never forget it.' Liam was 'married' to Georgia Fairweather on MAFS in 2021. His bisexuality caused problems in their relationship as she feared he wouldn't be able to fully commit to one woman. She's a reality TV bride, author, marriage celebrant and holistic counsellor. Now Married At First Sight fan favorite Lucinda Light has revealed another feather in her cap - television host. Lucinda, 44, starred on the 2024 iteration of the hit reality series and failed to find everlasting love with groom Timothy Smith. Now she will be hitting the small screen again, this time fronting the UK reality show The Honesty Box. The series, which hill be hosted by Lucinda and Geordie Shore star Vicki Pattison, is set to premiere on E4 in the UK later this month. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Lucinda shared a promo photo for the series that showed her posing next to Vicki in front of the cast of hopefuls who will appear in the inaugural series. She's a reality TV bride, author, marriage celebrant and holistic counsellor. Now Married At First Sight fan favorite Lucinda Light has revealed another feather in her cap - television host. Pictured She put on quite the leggy display in the image, thanks to a patterned silk kaftan that featured a thigh-high split. Wearing a fedora-style hat, Lucinda was seen playfully tipping the brim as she posed next to Vicki. 'Full cast. 9pm, @e4grams Starting 28 April Lets go!' Lucinda captioned the photo. The post was met with a flurry of comments from fans, with many congratulating Lucinda on her plum UK hosting role. Co-host Vicki was quick to comment with: 'My partner in crime.' 'Hooray, wondered when this was starting,' one fan exclaimed. 'We all need a bit of your light in our lives.' Another jumped in with something similar: 'Definitely have to give this a watch just to see you back on our screens! Cant wait.' The upcoming series attempts to answer the age-old question - when it comes to finding everlasting love, is honesty always the best policy? She will be hitting the small screen again, this time fronting the UK reality show The Honesty Box The series, which hill be hosted by Lucinda and Geordie Shore star Vicki Pattison (also pictured) is set to premiere on E4 in the UK later this month 'Ready to try a new approach, each single has signed up to this new radical dating experiment knowing they will be tested, in the hope it will lead to true love,' E4 said in a statement. 'To encourage full transparency in their new relationships there is a potential prize fund of 100,000 ($209,000) up for grabs, but only if the Truetopians choose to be open and completely honest about their true feelings.' Hopefuls will have to face The Honesty Box - a 'cutting edge' lie detection system, that will probe contestants about their dating history and, of course, drama is set to ensue. Lucinda's UK tilt comes after she admitted there were ulterior motives when signing on to Married At First Sight. Speaking to the Herald Sun in March, Lucinda admitted she used the show to promote her work as a celebrant, public speaker and MC, as well a way to find love. 'I'm still dying to meet that person of my life and I fell into that fantasy they would hook me up,' she said. 'I also did have ulterior motives to get eyes on my celebrant business so guilty as charged.' Lucinda added that she didn't have much time for the reality show that catapulted her to national attention. The upcoming series attempts to answer the age-old question - when it comes to finding everlasting love, is honesty always the best policy? 'It doesnt uplift me. Everyone puts their head on a chopping block, otherwise if you just want love youd go on Tinder. Youd have to be mad to go on a show like that,' she said. 'Why would you do it to yourself? It started maybe with wholesome ridgy didge stuff but its changed and it can make or break lives, it really can.' It's been a red letter year for Lucinda who, earlier this month, released her book Shine Your Light. If MAFS fans are hoping she would be spilling the beans about her time on the hit show, they'll be disappointed. Described as a guided journal, her new book aims to help readers deepen their emotional intelligence. 'It's about transforming people's lives, equipping them emotionally, and offering tools to navigate life,' Lucinda told Daily Mail Australia. 'It's been the best project, working with Harper Collins. I love writing, and I've got so much to share after years in the self-development field.' Pamela Anderson was seemingly at the top of her game with a late-career triumph that brought her more acclaim than she had received in years. After the release of the well-reviewed drama The Last Showgirl in 2024, the 57-year-old actress received more award nominations for her lead performance than she had in her entire career up to that point. But now the film and television star is changing course with her career. On Monday, People reported that Anderson will be taking her acting talents to the stage when she appears in a new production of a classic play. She's reportedly joining the cast of a revival of the legendary playwright Tennessee Williams' drama Camino Real, which will be held at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The actress will be starring in the play which premiered in its completed final form in 1953 alongside Nicholas Alexander Chavez, who is best known for his buzzy role in the true-crime limited series Monsters: The Lyle and Erick Menendez Story. Pamela Anderson, 57, is making a major career change after earning the best reviews of her career and numerous acting nominations; pictured in February in LA She was widely acclaimed for her 2024 drama The Last Showgirl, but now Anderson is moving into the theatre with an appearance at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Williamstown, Massachusetts, this summer; still from The Last Showgirl Although the play takes place in just one location, the show will feature an ensemble cast of 15 actors, and the theatre and opera director Dustin Wills will be helming the production. Chavez will be handling Camino Real's lead role as an American sailor named Kilroy. The play, which departs from the realism of some of William's better-known plays in favor of a surrealistic, dream-like style, features Kilroy exploring a plaza at the end of a road, the eponymous Camino Real. In addition to the characters population the nearly empty plaza, famous literary figures including Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, the poet Lord Byron, Casanova and Esmeralda of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame fame are featured in dream sequences. Anderson will be appearing as one of those literary figures: Marguerite 'Camille' Gautier, from Alexandre Dumas fils' novel The Lady of the Camellias. Anderson will be appearing in Camino Real in for three consecutive weekends, with evening performances on Saturdays and matinees on Saturdays and Sunday from July 19 through August 3. The Baywatch star has been away from the theatre for about three years after last playing Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway. The musical which was adapted into the Oscar-winning film starring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere marked her debut on Broadway. People reported Monday that she will be appearing in a revival of Tennessee Williams' drama Camino Real, starring Nicholas Alexander Chavez (pictured in November in LA) Chavez best known for starring in Monsters: The Lyle and Erick Menendez Story (pictured) with Cooper Koch (R) will be handling Camino Real's lead role as an American sailor named Kilroy The surrealistic play, which stakes place in a single location, features multiple famous literary figures in dream sequences. The Baywatch star will play Marguerite 'Camille' Gautier, from Alexandre Dumas fils' novel The Lady of the Camellias; seen in Baywatch (1997) The new play marks Pamela's return to the theatre after making her Broadway debut in 2022 as Roxie Hart in Chicago; pictured in April 2022 in NYC 'I think Ive been rehearsing my whole life for this,' she said of the musical in an interview with Vogue from March 2022. She admitted at the time that her casting was 'unexpected' for many theatergoers. Pamela has lately been experiencing a career renaissance following her turn on Broadway and her lead role in Gia Coppola's acclaimed film The Last Showgirl. The movie earned her Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations and earned her the best reviews of her career. Next up, she'll be turning toward over-the-top comedy to play a femme fatale mile-a-minute jokes in the reboot of The Naked Gun, which stars Liam Neeson and Paul Walter Hauser. The Schindler's List star told People in October that he was 'madly in love' with Anderson after their collaboration. 'She's just terrific to work with. I can't compliment her enough, I'll be honest with you. No huge ego,' he shared. 'She just comes in to do the work. She's funny and so easy to work with. She's going to be terrific in the film.' Pamela went on to call Neeson the 'perfect gentleman' and praised him for how he 'brings out the best in you.' George Clooney has claimed he isn't bothered by Donald Trump calling him a 'fake movie actor.' Trump criticized the 63-year-old Oscar-winning actor for his New York Times opinion piece calling for Joe Biden to withdraw as the Democratic presidential nominee. 'So now fake movie actor George Clooney, who never came close to making a great movie, is getting into the act,' Trump said at the time. 'He's turned on Crooked Joe like the rats they both are.' However Clooney whose unlikely marriage confession sparked fan alarm on Monday claims he's unfazed by the comment. 'I dont care,' Clooney said in a new interview with CBS Mornings. 'I've known Donald Trump for a long time. My job is not to please the President of the United States. My job is to try and tell the truth when I can and when I have the opportunity.' 'I am well aware of the idea that people will not like that people will criticize that. Elon Musk has weighed in [about me],' George continued. 'That is their right. It's my right to say the other side.' George Clooney, 63, said he 'doesn't care' that President Donald Trump called him a 'fake movie actor' in a new interview with CBS on Monday Trump criticized the Oscar-winning actor last summer after his New York Times op-ed called for Joe Biden to withdraw as the Democratic presidential nominee In March, Trump slammed Clooney as a 'second rate movie star' as he hit out at the Hollywood legend for comments he made on 60 Minutes. Clooney appeared on the news program to promote his Broadway debut as renowned journalist Edward R Murrow in Good Night and Good Luck when he took aim at the Trump administration. Clooney spoke about his decision to drop his support for Biden - accusing the Democratic Party of 'cowardice' and covering up the ex-president's ailing health while claiming he was forced to 'tell the truth' in a bombshell op-ed calling for him to step down. The president quickly responded on Truth Social to blast Clooney and the role he played in Biden's demise. 'Why would the now highly-discredited 60 Minutes be doing a total "puff piece" on George Clooney, a second-rate movie "star" and failed political pundit,' he wrote. 'He fought hard for Sleepy Joe's election, and then, right after the Debate, dumped him like a dog. Later, I assume under orders from the Obama camp, pushed all out for "Kamala," only to soon realize that this was not going to work out too well. '60 Minutes even fraudulently inserted fake answers into her disastrous interview, and just before Election Day, in one of the most embarrassing and dishonest events in broadcast history,' Trump said, reiterating claims he made in his $10 billion lawsuit against the network. 'And now George Clooney again? His press agent should be making a fortune!!!' The actor was asked point-blank about his decision to publish a damning op-ed in the New York Times over the summer entitled 'I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee' - and whether he would still write the essay if he had known Trump would win against Harris. 'I've known Donald Trump for a long time. My job is not to please the President of the United States. My job is to try and tell the truth when I can and when I have the opportunity,' he said 'I am well aware of the idea that people will not like that people will criticize that. Elon Musk has weighed in [about me],' George continued. 'That is their right. It's my right to say the other side'; Musk pictured in 2024 'So now fake movie actor George Clooney, who never came close to making a great movie, is getting into the act,' Trump stated at the time. 'He's turned on Crooked Joe like the rats they both are' In March, Trump slammed Clooney as a 'second rate movie star' as he hit out at the Hollywood legend for comments he made on 60 Minutes The actor was asked about his decision to publish a damning op-ed in the New York Times over the summer when he called for then-President Biden to drop out of the race for president Clooney has said he saw Biden at a Hollywood fundraiser in June 2024 and 'was surprised' by his mental acuity at the time 'Yeah, I'll make it kinda easy,' said Clooney, a lifelong Democrat and the son of a journalist. 'I was raised to tell the truth.' He explained that he saw Biden at a Hollywood fundraiser in June 2024 'and I was surprised'. 'I feel as if there was a lot of profiles and cowardice in my party through all of that, and I was not proud of that and also I believed I had to tell the truth,' Clooney said. He reaffirmed that 'I've always liked Joe Biden and I like him still,' but said that his obvious incapacities made it impossible to defend his record. Elsewhere in Monday's interview, the actor made an unusual marriage confession. Clooney has been married to human rights attorney Amal Clooney for over ten years, and the movie star is still standing by his claim that they have never had an argument. The actor confessed to Gayle King on CBS Mornings that he and Amal, 47, have yet to butt heads, raising questions among fans. George recalled his last visit to the show, noting that the last time he appeared he also said the same thing. 'I remember we were here with you once before and I remember we said we'd never had an argument. We still haven't. We're trying to find something to fight about!' the movie star said to Gayle. Adding: 'I feel so extraordinarily lucky to have met his incredible woman. I feel as if I hit the jackpot. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think I'm the luckiest man in the world. So it's great.' Elsewhere in the interview George raised alarm bells among fans as he said once again that he and wife Amal Clooney, 47, have never had a fight; They are pictured in 2024 One person took to X, formerly Twitter to speculate that the couple 'probably have separate bedrooms.' Another fan speculated on the separate rooms, while someone else shared a meme of Will Ferrell in Elf with the famous line from the film: 'You sit on a throne of lies.' The confession that they've never had an argument was first uttered by George in 2022 while on CBS Mornings. At the time, the actor said it was 'easy' having a strong marriage with Amal. Amal, who was also on hand for the interview, 'It's maddening to some of our friends. I have a cousin, actually, every time we see him he's like, his first question is, "So have you had an argument yet?" before he says hello.' George and Amal got engaged in April 2014 and got their marriage license in August 2014; they married on September 27, 2014 at Ca' Farsetti in Italy. The couple share seven year old twins Ella and Alexander. Rebecca Gibney has unveiled a dramatic hair transformation. The 60-year-old actress has been synonymous with her signature shoulder-length blonde tresses since she first appeared on Packed to the Rafters in 2008. On Monday, Rebecca took to Instagram to unveil a more natural look, showcasing her freshly cut brunette hair. 'Did a thing. Then stole my sons beanie. 60 going on 14. Some things never change,' she wrote, while thanking her hairdresser for 'indulging' the request. Rebecca couldn't contain her happiness in the carousel of pictures she shared. The actress' smile reached her eyes, as she showed off the shoulder-length bob cut and fresh highlights in her brown-toned locks in a few selfies. Rebecca Gibney has unveiled a dramatic hair transformation. The 60-year-old actress has been synonymous with her signature shoulder-length blonde tresses since she first appeared on Packed to the Rafters in 2008. Pictured While the actress has occasionally dyed her hair brown for particular roles, she has always reverted back to her trademark bright blonde. Chestnut bronde, a blend of blonde and brunette, was declared the shade of 2025 by hairstylist Chris McMillan the man behind Jennifer Anniston's hair on Friends. The in-between shade, seen recently on the likes of Ariana Grande, Hailey Bieber, and Margot Robbie, tends to trend in times of global economic hardship because it requires less salon upkeep. The change comes after the actress admitted filming the new season of Dancing With The Stars was 'the most challenging thing' she has ever done. 'Will I come out of it a pro dancer? No. Has there been tears? Yes. Lots. But its also the most rewarding, amazing thing Ive ever done,' she recently posted to Instagram. 'Ive been asked a few times, and never been able to do it,' she told Stellar magazine. 'And Ive always gone, "But I wouldnt anyway, because its too hard and its not my field." 'Then I found myself saying yes; the voice in my head said yes, even though the rest of me was going no,' she added. The 60-year-old actress has been synonymous with her signature shoulder-length blonde tresses since she first appeared on Packed to the Rafters in 2008, but debuted her more natural hair transformation on Monday 'I was having this inner dialogue with myself, going, "What are you doing?" 'I realised that particularly with turning 60, its apparently the third act I want to say yes more than no. 'I want to do things that frighten and challenge me, and hopefully that will give me a little bit extra longevity.' Rebecca is the fourth woman ever to be inducted into the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame. She follows Noni Hazlehurst, Kerri-Anne Kennerley and the late Ruth Cracknel. Advertisement Stan Original series Love Triangle is set to rival Married At First Sight in the world of dramatic reality matchmaking as the show poaches yet another controversial Nine groom. And it seems former reality TV star Sam Carraro has not let go of his 'villainous' ways as he made a whirlwind entranceand exitin the final few minutes of episode four. Sam, 36, who had a failed romance with Coco Stedman on season eight of MAFS, this time found himself matched with 'fiery' Ariana who he initially ghosted within three days of texting, leaving her to choose her second suitor Nuri. However, Sam attempted to redeem himself by showing up to the house Ariana, 29, shared with her new beau, 26, despite telling producers she was 'not his cup of tea' when he first left her on read. Unfortunately, his shocking return to the experience lasted just under five minutes of streaming time when he immediately got into an argument with Ariana and stormed out with his packed bags. Things got off to an awkward start when Ariana didn't appear to recognise Sam when she answered the door. Stan Original series Love Triangle is set to rival Married At First Sight in the world of dramatic reality matchmaking as the show poaches yet another controversial Nine groomSam Carraro, 36, who was paired with Coco Stedman on season eight 'I'm Sam. That was texting you earlier. When you were making the decision,' he prompted in the cringeworthy moment as Ariana shook her head and gave him a blank look. When she finally caught on, Nuri could be heard laughing from just behind the door as he was cooking in the kitchen. 'The man, the myth, the legend,' he shouted out. 'I thought you f***ed off,' Ariana said, clearly unimpressed with Sam's decision to come back after calling it quits. 'I did, yeah. Now I'm back to come say hi,' he said before Ariana finally invited him into the home. 'With the knife in hand. Look out,' he added as he entered with his suitcase. As the trio made awkward small talk in the kitchen, Sam asked, 'What's been happening?' which prompted Ariana to reply with a snarky: 'Some texting. Some replying.' She continued: 'You got to fill in some blanks here, man. I'm confused as to what the f*** you're doing here.' 'It's part of the show that we're on,' Sam replied in a sarcastic tone. 'Yeah, but usually you'd have to take part in the texting first. So, I'm a little bit confused I thought I wasn't your cup of tea, doll,' Ariana replied, to which Sam responded: 'You weren't.' Sam this time found himself matched with 'fiery' Ariana, 29, who he initially ghosted within three days of texting, leaving her to choose her second suitor Nuri However, Sam failed to impress Ariana in person as he immediately became combative before leaving the house once more after less than five minutes of streaming time After some more back and forth about why Sam chose to ghost Ariana instead of just communicating he wasn't interested in her, the MAFS star fired back with: 'Have you never been rejected before? Is that the big problem?' He then went on to explain to Ariana how the show works in a very condescending manner before Ariana snapped and told Sam he 'robbed' her of the opportunity to choose between two suitors. When it was clear Ariana wasn't going to back down from the fight, Sam decided to take his belongings into the spare room. But while Ariana and Nuri were taking comfort in one another as they attempted to process what was happening, producers were left struggling to get Sam to tell them what was going through his mind. 'I'm not saying anything. What do you want me to say?' he said before turning on the cameraman. 'Can you stop rolling mate?' The following scenes then saw Sam grabbing his still packed luggage and pushing past the producers to leave the house for good. 'I'm not doing this. I'm out,' he said as he rolled his suitcase back down the road the way he came, leaving Ariana and Nuri stunned. April Rose Pengilly flaunted her enormous diamond engagement ring at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Sunday, as the countdown to her wedding begins. The 37-year-old announced her engagement to her fiance Adam Paul in December 2023. In a carousel of photos and videos shared to Instagram on Monday, the Neighbours actress made sure to position her hefty sparkler in view of the camera as she sipped on a fresh lemonade beside Adam. 'BEST DAY OF THE YEAR,' the petite blonde captioned the extensive footage of her outing at the Sydney Olympic Park. April wore a leopard print sundress, a pair of white sneakers, and carried a brown and black Fendi purse. She kept her accessories to a minimum, adding only an oversized pair of Banbee sunglasses and small earrings. April Rose Pengilly (pictured) flaunted her enormous diamond engagement ring at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Sunday, as the countdown to her wedding begins The 37-year-old announced her engagement to her fiance Adam Paul in December 2023. Pictured together In a carousel of photos and videos shared to Instagram on Monday, the Neighbours actress made sure to position her hefty sparkler in view of the camera The couple had been together for just under two years when Adam popped the question. On hand to join the celebration was April's father, INXS vocalist, saxophonist and guitarist Kirk Pengilly, 65. The proud papa kissed his daughter on the cheek in one image as the pair posed alongside a stunning waterway. The star was also accompanied by her mother, Karen Hutchinson, with the trio embracing for sweet photos. Details of the upcoming nuptials have been scarce so far, with April saying last month that clothes shopping had taken priority over wedding planning. 'Starting to look for my future grooms suit,' she captioned an Instagram post in March. 'Honestly were doing a lot more outfit shopping than wedding planning. Priorities innit.' Three weeks ago, April began her 'bridal skincare journey.' The couple had been together for just under two years when Adam popped the question 'Work has officially begun on a wedding dress,' April teased in March, sharing an image of three different wedding gowns on coat hangers She is undergoing a series of pre-wedding skincare treatments at Jacqueline Brennan, including collagen remodeling RF microneedling. 'Work has officially begun on a wedding dress,' she teased in March, sharing an image of three different wedding gowns on coat hangers. Her mum attended the fitting. In July 2022, April paid tribute to Adam on the couple's six month anniversary. 'Six months. He is so kind, clever, fun, funny, silly, caring and thoughtful.' she wrote. 'I have had one of the most stressful and unstable years of my life, but he has been there through it all, helping me and supporting me and treating me like a princess. 'Sometimes I feel guilty that he's all mine and other people don't get to have him as their boyfriend because he is so wonderful and I am so lucky. Happy anniversary.' April has forged a career for herself as an actress and television star with her father previously saying she didn't 'want to live off my coat- tails'. The star joined the Australian soap in 2017 playing Chloe Brennan. Live Forever by Oasis has topped a new poll to find the best British song of all time. The 1994 anthem is not the only track from the Manchester band to feature in the Radio X's 10th annual Best Of British with B&Q poll. Don't Look Back In Anger, Slide Away and Champagne Supernova also made the top 10 whilst the band have 16 songs overall in the full 100 list. Live Forever beat some rock classics to be crowned the winhner, including Queen's iconic 1975 track Bohemian Rhapsody which earned second spot for the second year running. Oasis' Slide Away is third, just ahead of The Stone Roses' I Am The Resurrection in fourth whilst Oasis' Champage Supernova makes up the top five. The Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter, Sam Fender's Seventeen Going Under, Arctic Monkeys' 505 and Amy Winehouse's Back To Black make up the rest of the top 10. Live Forever, the 1994 track by Oasis has topped a new poll of the best British song of all time (pictured: the brothers in 1998) Oasis' new accolade comes just three months before the band reunite for their hugely anticipated comenback tour. The Oasis Live 25 tour kicks off on 4 July at Cardiff's Principality Stadium before playing sell-out gigs at Manchester's Heaton Park, Wembley Stadium in London, and Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium. The pair will then embark on a global tour, taking in shows in Japan, Argentina, the United States and Brazil. Noel and Liam have reportedly secured themselves an even bigger payday from their Oasis reunion tour this summer, after landing a multimillion merchandising deal. The brothers are reported to have banked themselves a staggering 20million from Warner for the rights to their image. The agreement allows for their likeness to be used on a wide range of merchandise for fans to buy at their shows, which are set to begin in just three months time. And going one step further, Noel and Liam have allegedly taken legal protections to impede counterfeit sellers trying to flog knock-off merch and steal their profits. According to The Sun, the two musicians filed documents at the Intellectual Property Office last month to trademark the now-famous black and white photo they used to announce their comeback. Live Forever beat some rock classics to be crowned the winhner, including Queen's iconic 1975 track Bohemian Rhapsody which earned second spot for the second year running Oasis' new accolade comes just three months before the band reunite for their hugely anticipated comenback tour The move gives them sole rights to the image, thereby preventing any unauthorised use, with bootleggers unable to use the snap for unofficial merchandise such as clothing, books and even paintbrushes. A source told the publication: 'Oasis have secured a massive deal for their merch this summer as they know everyone is going to want something to remember the shows by. They have already started working on an extensive merchandise range after signing a very lucrative deal for it last year. 'But now they are massively cracking down on fake merch because it could seriously put a dent in their profits unless they make moves now to stop it. 'They have made it clear that they won't be taking any nonsense and will use the full extent of the law if they find anyone selling unofficial products featuring the new photo of the brothers together.' Noel recently admitted he was surprised by the huge demand for tickets to the upcoming shows and the resulting chaos, which saw fans waiting in queues for hours and tickets sold out in a matter of minutes. Speaking to photographer Kevin Cummins for his new book Oasis: The Masterplan, he admitted: 'I thought it'd be a big deal, but I was a bit taken aback by just how much of a big deal it was'. Kanye West has spoken out after claiming that he took part in incestuous acts with his male cousin as a child. The rapper, 47, shocked his X followers on Monday when he made the announcement while unveiling his new song, Cousin. Shortly afterwards, fellow rapper Ferg reached out, tweeting: 'Good for @kanyewest now you can be whole. When people start to act out you never know the root of the issue ! Sending love brother your a goat.' Showing his agreement with the post, Kanye retweeted the message the following day, adding a single black heart emoji. As well as Ferg, Kanye revealed he was being supported by his wife Bianca Censori as he shared a snap of the pair together. The Touch The Sky hitmaker and the Australian architect's tumultuous marriage appears to be on the mend, despite him recently rapping about being 'dumped' by her. Kanye West has agreed with fellow rapper Ferg's claims that his childhood incest trauma is why he 'acts out' (pictured together in 2017) Kanye retweeted Ferg's post: 'Good for @kanyewest now you can be whole. When people start to act out you never know the root of the issue ! Sending love brother your a goat' As well as Ferg, Kanye revealed he was being supported by his wife Bianca Censori as he shared a snap of the pair together, having earlier shared a version of the pic in colour After startling fans on Easter Monday with his incest claim, the father-of-four shared a photo of him and Bianca, 30, to X with the caption 'fit pic.' Bianca showed off her edgy style in a silk baby blue corset-style bodysuit as she posed next to the controversial musician in the snap. Over-the-thigh black leather boots completed her look, while her raven tresses were styled in a chicly undone updo. Meanwhile Kanye stood slightly behind her in a black jacket with a hood and matching black pants. He later claimed that he 'didnt love the blue' in the image, adding: 'Should have posted black and white.' Earlier in the day Kanye took to X claiming he took part in incestuous acts with his cousin. A tweet posted from the rapper's account claimed the musician was releasing a song called Cousin, inspired by a relative that was jailed for life for 'killing a pregnant lady'. Kanye has previously spoken about an incarcerated cousin but has never referred to him by name, only stating that he was jailed aged 17. The day before, Kanye claimed he gave his cousin oral sex when he was a child and he now blames himself for the violent act that followed (Kanye pictured as a child) A tweet posted from the rapper's X account claimed he was releasing a song called Cousin, inspired by a relative that was jailed for life Sharing a music video for the song, the tweet claimed that he gave his cousin oral sex when he was a child and he now blames himself for the violent act that followed. Kanye's post read: 'This song is called COUSIN about my cousin thats locked in jail for life for killing a pregnant lady a few years after I told him we wouldnt look at dirty magazines together anymore.' 'Perhaps in my self centered mess I felt it was my fault that I showed him those dirty magazines when he was 6 and then we acted out what we saw. My dad had playboy magazines but the magazines I found in the top of my moms closet were different.' 'My name is Ye and I sucked my cousins d**k till I was 14. Tweet sent.' In the music video, which features a bizarre string of nonsensical clips and gifs, including a topless woman with Nazi swastikas for nipples, Kanye sings repeatedly: 'I gave my cousin he*d', adding 'I told my cousin not to tell nobody.' He added: 'The truth will set you free someday, I don't think they understand that I'm not attracted to a man'. In an apparent reference to his recent brief split from wife Bianca, he continued: 'I told you, don't leave me, I need you by my side.' 'That one time you left me, I didn't get no sleep that night... If you don't leave me, I'll probably be alright.' After startling fans on Easter Monday with his incest claim, the father-of-four shared a photo of him and Bianca to his X with the caption 'fit pic' Little is known about Kanye's cousin - who his ex-wife Kim Kardashian previously brought up in a documentary. Speaking to Marc Howard, president of the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice and director of Georgetown Universitys Prisons and Justice Initiative, Kim said: [Kanyes] cousin has a double life sentence for a murder that he committed when he was 17.' Kim added that Kanyes aunt has accepted her sons fate, stating: 'Shes like, Im not even that distraught anymore. Like, thats just what happens to the kids in our neighbourhood. Theres just no other choice.' The only other time anyone publicly mentioned the cousin was when Kanye brought him up in an interview in 2018. Speaking to Jimmy Kimmel, during a rant about approaching Donald Trump with love, he mentioned: My cousin is locked up for murder and I love him. So he did a bad thing, but I still love him. MailOnline has contacted Kanye and Bianca's representatives for comment. Kanye and Bianca seem to have patched up their differences after they were spotted reuniting during a trip to Spain earlier this month. The two were seen dining together at an Indian restaurant in the Balearic Islands on Friday in video obtained by DailyMail.com. In the music video, which features a bizarre string of nonsensical clips and gifs, Kanye sings repeatedly: 'I gave my cousin he*d', adding 'I told my cousin not to tell nobody' The music video also features an image of a topless woman with Nazi swastikas for nipples In recent months, fans have expressed concern for Kanye following a string of erratic social media posts. In February, his account was deactivated following an array of vile sexist, homophobic and anti-Semitic rants. However, his profile suddenly reappeared on the platform three days later. His posts have continued to shock and offend, with the rapper typically deleting his tweets after a few days before going on another rant. Kanye was first accused of antisemitism in 2022 after making a series of racist and anti-Semitic remarks. However, he later apologized, insisting it was not his 'intention to hurt or demean' the Jewish community. Yet in a rambling U-turn, he penned a series of posts on X, claiming that he will never 'trust or work with Jewish people' again and insisting he 'will not apologise' for his views. Kanye previously rapped about being 'dumped' by Censori. The lyrics seemed to indicate that Bianca had ended the marriage, and he rapped that she allegedly 'tried to get [him] committed' while they were together. The track is expected to be featured on his upcoming album, reportedly titled WW3. In an apparent reference to his recent brief split from wife Bianca, he continued: 'I told you, don't leave me, I need you by my side' Kanye shares four kids with reality TV star Kim Kardashian, 44, to whom he was married from 2014 until 2022; the former pair seen in 2019 Kanye previously addressed concerns that his wife Bianca is a victim of coercive control after her naked outing at the Grammys, claiming he has 'dominion' over her. Bianca was said to believe starting a family could help her rapper husband to stay out of the endless controversy he is courting, and in turn strengthen their marriage after his recent offensive behavior reportedly forced her to contemplate divorce. 'Bianca is encouraging Kanye to have a baby, believing it will save their marriage and heal their relationship,' sources previously told DailyMail.com. The Chicago rapper, who now goes by Ye, recently fled the country and travelled to Tokyo after posting a series of increasingly erratic posts in which he clashed with his ex-wife about co-parenting their 11-year-old daughter, North. Kanye previously revealed he has bipolar disorder but recently claimed it was a misdiagnosis and he has since been diagnosed with autism. A Benidorm child star shocked viewers with a recent TV appearance as he looked almost unrecognisable to his time on the ITV sitcom. Oliver Stokes, who played Michae Garvey on the popular comedy drama, appeared on Loose Women alongside his co-star Hannah Hobley. Their appearance on the show comes following the news that the broadcaster is resurrecting the beloved sitcom eight years after it was cancelled. Oliver, now 26, spoke about his time on the show and filming in Benidorm as a boy, where he would spend up to three months in Spain at a time. The actor revealed that he had a private tutor who would help him keep up with his studies for around five hours a day inbetween filming scenes. When the series began in 2007 Oliver was just eight years old but since it ended he has chosen a life out of the limelight and become a father. A Benidorm child star shocked viewers with a recent TV appearance as he looked almost unrecognisable to his time on the ITV sitcom (pictured L-R Steve Pemberton, Geoffrey Hutchings, Siobhan Finneran, Hannah Hobley, Oliver Stokes, Sheila Reid) Oliver Stokes (pictured), who played Michae Garvey on the popular comedy drama, appeared on Loose Women alongside his co-star Hannah Hobley He starred alongside Hannah, who played his sister Chantelle. Following his appearance, according to the Mirror, fans shared their thoughts on Oliver's changed appearance on X, formerly known as Twitter. They said: 'OMG Michael Garvey from Benidorm has grown into an absolutely gorgeous young man,' and 'I've never felt so old watching Loose Women after seeing the Benidorm kids all grown up.' Earlier this month it was revealed that the creator of the show, Derren Little, was in talks with ITV to bring the show back. Derren said: 'Sherrie does this rumour every couple of years, and Sherrie says that the show is coming back, and she is not s*** stirring, she is hopeful because she loves the show as much as I do.' The TV writer then goes on to basically confirm the rumour himself by saying: 'If I say ITV have not commissioned a new Benidorm series, it is because ITV have not commissioned a new Benidorm series, up to today. Does it mean they might commission a new series in the near future? Possibly.' The writer then taunts those on the live by adding: 'Have I been talking to ITV in the last few months? Yes I have.' The hilarious sitcom began in 2007 but came to an end in May 2018, and fans have been begging for more ever since. When the series began in 2007 Oliver was just eight years old but since it ended he has chosen a life out of the limelight and become a father (pictured in 2012) (L-R) The Garveys, Madge [Sheila Reid], Chantelle [Hannah Hobely], Mick [Steve Pemberton], Michael [Oliver Stokes] and Janice [Siobahn Finneran] He starred alongside Hannah, who played his sister Chantelle (pictured left) Just two months after its cancellation was confirmed, the show won best comedy at TV Choice Awards - with Derren calling out the decision in his acceptance speech at the time. Derren's comments about the series' return came after the Sun has reported ITV bosses are in talks to reboot the show. A TV insider told the publication: 'Benidorm was adored by millions when it was suddenly cancelled. Fans will be thrilled to hear ITV wants to bring it back. 'An 11th series hasn't been commissioned yet, but there's major excitement building as early talks begin. 'Producers have started to reach out to the show's stars and are hopeful a decision can be made later this year.' Fans were ecstatic as the news circulated online, writing: 'Sincerely hope this is true!! Dearly missed show!'; 'Feel like I'm dreaming. Really hope they make this happen,'; 'Omg yay I hope they all come back!!'; 'Ur 5 days late for april fools... or its actually real?!?! Finally ITV bringing back a INCREDIBLE Show,'; Beloved ITV series Benidorm could be set to return to screens, eight years after it was axed, a source has told The Sun The hilarious sitcom began in 2007 but came to an end in May 2018, and fans have been begging for more ever since 'Omg! I'm absolutely buzzing with excitement! This is the best news ever! I really hope the Garvey's come back!' 'I hope so cause that would be the best birthday present every.' The ITV Brits abroad sitcom - which followed a group of holidaymakers in the Spanish resort and their hilarious escapades - came to an end in May 2018 after 11 years, and fans have been begging for more ever since. In 2023, show creator Derren teased a return of the beloved series as he announced that he was returning back to writing for 'both television and theatre'. He said: 'I have had clear, recent indications that certain TV channels are interested in my decision and I hope you will be watching the fruits of my labour in time to come.' Then, last month he sparked hope of its comeback once again when a fan asked on X: '@DerrenLitten @ITV Another series of Benidorm on the cards?' and he cryptically replied: 'Who knows...' Announcing the news on social media that it had been axed in 2018, Derren said: 'Crazy to think Wednesday will be the last episode of Benidorm! 'I created the series over 11 years ago, wrote it, guest starred in it and ended up directing it. It's difficult to think what else there is to do! Thank you for watching!' Fans were ecstatic as the news circulated online, writing: 'Sincerely hope this is true!! Dearly missed show!' Actor Shane Richie waded into the debate, admitting he has disappointed by the decision to axe Benidorm after 11-years. Sharing a GIF with fans, he wrote: 'Sunday is a day of rest I refuse to get angry ....inhale,exhale Sammy , just breath you big lump of beautiful gorgeousness ...F**k it !!!! Nooooooooooo !' Derren had initially dismissed reports that Benidorm was being taken off air after its 10th series. Posting on Twitter, he wrote: 'Don't make me f**king laugh! (I enjoyed that story after series 6. And 7 and 8 and 9...) (sic)' He later removed the message and retweeted a series of positive fan posts. A source told The Sun at the time: 'Benidorm' has been a huge success for ITV for a decade, but bosses feel it's run its course. 'The ratings have started to drop off and a number of the fan favourites have left, so it just feels as though the time is right to let it go out while it's still on a high. 'It has been ITV's longest running comedy, which is a real achievement.' Jacqueline Jossa has hinted at next steps for herself and husband Dan Osbourne, after the couple headed on a 'make or break' family holiday in Mexico this month. 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. Now, seemingly confirming that things are back on track, Jacqueline took to Instagram to reflect on the time away. Sharing a stunning photo of herself gazing at the sunset while on holiday, Jac wrote: 'Cant wait for more mornings like this. One day I will live abroad somewhere with a beautiful view.' She added: 'Well needed couple of weeks rest (as much as you can have with kids),' alongside a laughing emoji. Jacqueline Jossa has hinted at next steps for herself and husband Dan Osbourne, after the couple headed on a 'make or break' family holiday in Mexico this month The actress, 32, who shares daughters Ella, 10, and Mia, six, with the ex TOWIE star, 33, were thought to have called it quits last month after eight years of marriage Now, seemingly confirming that things are back on track, Jacqueline took to Instagram to reflect on the time away They have both posted from the trip on social media, with Jacqueline enjoying a dip in the sea, while Dan beamed beside daughter Mia after his team Arsenal's won a match. Ahead of the holiday, they were said to be already living separately after he 'reignited old trust issues', it was claimed. Their family getaway followed reports that the pair had enjoyed a 'secret night together' not too long ago. The pair looked very smitten as they enjoyed an escape from their home in a bid to save their marriage. 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. 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 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 have both posted from the trip on social media, with Jacqueline enjoying a dip in the sea and capturing the sunrise While Dan beamed beside daughter Mia after his team Arsenal's won a match in the Champions League It comes after at the end of last month Jacqueline thanked husband Dan for making her Mother's Day 'so special' in a gushing post, despite claims their marriage is 'over' Dan shared another sign that they could be back together as he posted for Mother's Day - with the whole family enjoying the morning together '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 contacted representative of Jacqueline and Dan for comment. It comes after at the end of last month Jacqueline thanked husband Dan for making her Mother's Day 'so special' in a gushing post, despite claims their marriage is 'over'. She took to her Instagram Stories with a snap of a huge bouquet. Taking to her Instagram Jacqueline gushed: 'Thank you for making my Mother's Day so special @DanOsvorneofficial'. Before adding: 'And now I'm finally at the grown age of 32... into flowers so can appreciate them'. And Dan shared another sign that they could be back together as he posted for Mother's Day - with the whole family enjoying the morning together. He shared a snap of her with their daughters and penned a sweet message. It read: 'Happy Mother's Day @jacjossa. Our girls are lucky to have you as their mummy.' She's known as an All-American star who shot to fame behind the Twilight franchise. But 35-year-old actress Kristen Stewart has a deep link to her fans Down Under. Kristen is actually the daughter of Queenslander Jules Mann-Stewart, who left Australia as a teen and later found work in Hollywood. She married Kristen's father, producer and stage manager, John Mann. Sadly the couple divorced after nearly thirty years of marriage in 2012. Born and raised in the San Fernando valley in Los Angeles, Kristen has often paid tribute to her Aussie links, reported Nine on Wednesday. The dark-haired beauty, who has visited Down Under to promote her films several times over the years, has a border collie called Oz. Kristen Stewart has a deep link to her fans Down Under. Kristen is actually the daughter of Queenslander Jules Mann-Stewart who left Australia as a teen and later found work in Hollywood. Both pictured She has also claimed a liking for the quintessential Aussie pantry essential Vegemite. In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Kristen even gushed over famed Australian tourist destination spots like Noosa Heads. Kristen's mum has occasionally referred to her Australian past. 'Once upon a time in the land of Oz,' she said in her social media post in 2015 and included a photo of Kristen as a little girl. Kristen has said she 'grew up' around movies and TV production, as her mum, a continuity expert, amassed dozens of credits including the hit TV series' Chicago Hope and Picket Fences and movies The Phantom and Mortal Kombat. Kristen's dad, John, meanwhile, is a veteran stage manager and worked as a producer for the Oscars and the Grammys. It comes after Kristen and her fiancee Dylan Meyer cemented their love on Sunday with an 'intimate' wedding ceremony held in Los Angeles. The actress and the 37-year-old screenwriter tied the knot at Kristen's home shortly after receiving a marriage certificate, sources told TMZ. Born and raised in the San Fernando valley in Los Angeles Kristen has often paid tribute to her Aussie links reported Nine on Wednesday. Pictured: Kirsten on the red carpet in LA in April Kristen rose to fame in the Twilight movie franchise. Pictured: A scene from Twilight Eclipse Although the lovebirds kept their wedding guests to a minimum, they reportedly still had some celebrity guests, including Ashley Benson and her husband Brandon Davis. Kristen and Dylan - who is the daughter of filmmaker Nicholas Meyer - reportedly procured their Los Angeles County marriage license on Tuesday of last week. Photos of the couple obtained by DailyMail.com previously showed them together just a day before they received their marriage license. DailyMail.com has reached out to Kristen's representatives for comment. Although Kristen and Dylan reportedly met back in 2013 on a movie set, the Hollywood figures didn't become an item until years later in August of 2019. They started dating shortly after Kristen and the model Stella Maxwell ended their high-profile relationship after dating since 2016. The Personal Shopper star and Dylan, who has worked as a screenwriter and actress, were reunited when they attended a mutual friend's party and bonded over growing up in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Times. Lizzie Cundy put on a busty display as she enjoyed a date night with model agency owner Paul Cavalier at a London hotspot over the Easter weekend. The socialite, 56, slipped into a cleavage-enhancing striped suit as she headed to Sheesh with Paul - who is the owner and director of Nevs Model Agency. Lizzie was arm in arm with Paul as they enjoyed a cozy evening together during the bank holiday. She looked great in the plunging three-piece suit which she wore with black heels to boost her height and accessorised with dark shades. Lizzie wore her honey tresses in loose waves and opted for a typically bronzed makeup look. Businessman Paul looked in great spirits by her side as he dressed smartly in a white T-shirt and light grey chinos. Lizzie Cundy put on a busty display as she enjoyed a date night with model agency owner Paul Cavalier at a London hotspot over the Easter weekend The socialite, 56, slipped into a cleavage-enhancing striped suit as she headed to Sheesh with Paul - who is the owner and director of Nevs Model Agency The outing comes after Lizzie lifted the lid on the not so glamorous life of a Bond girl, following her appearance in 1995's Goldeneye. The former WAG and TV personality recalled her experience on the set exclusively with MailOnline, which she described as 'hell'. In the movie, which was Pierce Brosnan's first outing as 007, Lizzie appeared as Famke Janssen's body double in the famous sauna scene where the character Xenia Onatopp tried to strangle Bond with her legs. Lizzie revealed how Pierce, now 71, who was wrapped only in a towel, was the 'hairiest man she'd ever seen' and joked she feared getting 'fur balls'. 'He was a lovely bloke, so funny and we got on like a house on fire, but so hairy, like an otter'. She recalled landing the role at the very last minute due to her having the same measurements as the Danish actress, but spent much of her time waiting in a tiny trailer which 'smelt of fish'. If that wasn't bad enough, once on set Lizzie said Pierce's stand-in also stank and she was forced to endure the stench during rehearsals before the star arrived. She laughed: 'I had to do the practicing with this smelly man, who had body odour, it was awful. It wasn't glamorous it wasn't well paid'. Lizzie was arm in arm with Paul as they enjoyed a cozy evening together during the bank holiday She looked great in the plunging three-piece suit which she wore with black heels to boost her height and accessorised with dark shades Lizzie wore her honey tresses in loose waves and opted for a typically bronzed makeup look for the outing Businessman Paul looked in great spirits by her side as he dressed smartly in a white T-shirt and light grey chinos The outing comes after Lizzie lifted the lid on the not so glamorous life of a Bond girl, following her appearance in 1995's Goldeneye Paul was ever the gentleman as they headed into the restaurant She boosted her height with a pair of sexy stilettos Despite Bond's million pound budgets Lizzie revealed that she only received 250 for her work on the film, but was thankfully invited for 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies. 'It sounds glamorous but there was lots of waiting around and films aren't always cracked up to be'. Lizzie previously revealed that very embarrassing moment that happened to her during her second film appearance with Pierce. In a 2021 Instagram post she recalled how he caught her and a friend 'in his trailer using his toothbrush' while on set of Tomorrow Never Dies. She revealed that thankfully he took in good faith and was 'charming, funny with an Irish twinkle in his eye. Lizzie, who is a trained actress having attended Londons Central School of Speech and Drama, wrote: 'Thankfully he took it all in good spirit and we all laughed and went for a drink!'. Veteran TV host Waleed Aley was left stunned on Tuesday's episode of The Project after interviewing Australian twins Bridgette and Paula Powers. The sisters appeared on Channel 10's panel show after going viral with a news clip in which they could be seen speaking in near perfect unison. The 47-year-old pair made headlines when they relayed their experience witnessing a carjacking and shooting on Queensland's Bruce Highway on Tuesday. Their interview in which they gave an identical, word-for-word explanation at the exact time left Waleed scrambling for an explanation. Asking the women 'how' they could speak in this way the pair replied almost in unison. 'We don't know why. We have tried to talk separately but it's not ourselves. It's not us. 'We don't care about the critics,' they said. Veteran TV host Waleed Aley (pictured) was left stunned on Wednesday's episode of The Project after interviewing Australian twins Bridgette and Paula Powers The 47-year-old pair made headlines when they relayed their experience witnessing a carjacking and shooting on Queensland's Bruce Highway on Tuesday. Their interview in which they gave an identical, word-for-word explanation at the exact time left Waleed scrambling for an explanation. Pictured: Twins Bridgette and Paula Powers on The project 'If you can't stand lasting to us switch off the TV.' Elsewhere in the chat Waleed could hardly contain his astonished response. 'Sorry I'm still blown away with what's happening here,' he said. He then asked the sisters whether they could make a distinction between their own thoughts and that of their sibling. 'We wish we could know ourselves,' they answered together, adding, 'I wish we could answer that.' Waleed signed off the segment with a surprising admission. 'I reckon I might have done 10 to 15,000 interviews... not one has been was like, this is extraordinary.' The sisters appeared on Channel 10's panel show after going viral with a news clip in which they could be seen speaking in near perfect unison (pictured) It comes after the Powers twins recounted the terrifying moment their mother came face-to-face with an alleged gunman - in a bizarre TV interview where they give an identical, word-for-word explanation at the exact same time. An alleged gunman is alleged to have caused a crash on Queensland's Bruce Highway that killed a woman. The gunman is alleged to have shot a Good Samaritan in the arm while on a carjacking spree as he fled the crash scene. Twins Bridgette and Paula witnessed the chaos firsthand, and their interview - where they answered a journalist's questions in unison - quickly went viral. The pair described how their mother, who had rushed to help a crash victim, suddenly found herself confronting the alleged gunman emerging from the wreckage. 'And one guy, he was up there with our mum he goes, 'run, he's got a gun',' one sister said, while the other mimicked her speech exactly, word for word. 'And our heart started to pound. And I said, 'Oh, mum, where's mum?' - and poor mum was stuck up there. 'She goes, "Are you alright?" because he had all blood all over his face and he goes, "I'll shoot you."' In a split-second decision, their mum distracted the alleged gunman and bolted into the surrounding bushland. Thankfully, the twins and their mother were able to escape the chaos safely. Their interview made headlines around the world, with US media and politics news website Mediaite describing their perfectly in unison recount as 'surreal'. Bridgette and Paula previously caught the attention of media after it was revealed they have their own language and wear matching clothes every day. As children, the twins were taken under the wing of late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin. They now run a rescue sanctuary for seabirds. Jerry Hall was every inch the doting grandmother in a sweet Burberry photoshoot on Tuesday. The former supermodel, 68, was joined by her lookalike daughters Georgia May and Elizabeth Jagger, whom she shares with Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger, and their children for an adorable Mother's Day campaign. Jerry looked incredible in a 1,488 khaki trench coat, with a Burberry scarf wrapped around her while cuddling up to Lizzy's 4-year-old son, Eugene, and Georgia May's 7-month-old baby, Dean, who were also dressed in the luxurious clothing brand. Georgia, 33, looked typically chic in a 1,637 cream jacket with gold buttons, teamed with black trousers. Elizabeth, 40, turned heads in an eye-catching red trench coat, worth 2,236, while carrying a 1,263 tote covered in Burberry's classic check pattern. The brand said about the campaign: This year, Burberry celebrates Mothers Day with a special tribute to family, love, heritage and style passed down through the generations. Jerry Hall was every inch the doting grandmother in a sweet Burberry photoshoot on Tuesday The former supermodel, 68, was joined by her daughters Georgia May and Elizabeth Jagger and their children for an adorable Mother's Day campaign From shared giggles to tender hugs, its an affectionate and honest tale of loyalty, family and unconditional love, and a celebration of looks from the collection. Jerry, who previously appeared in a Burberry Spring/Summer 2001 campaign, shares her daughters as well as two sons James, 39, and Gabriel, 27 with ex-husband and lead singer of The Rolling Stones, Mick, 81. All four children have followed their famous parents into the entertainment industry; Georgia May and Lizzy are models, while James and Gabriel work in the film industry as an actor and producers. Back in February, Jerry joined her daughters Georgia and Elizabeth at the Burberry Winter 2025 show during London Fashion Week. Jerry kept it simple in a little black dress with a faux leather wrap coat as well as sheer tights and knee-high boots for the show at Tate Britain . Meanwhile Georgia sported a pair of baggy black and white tartan tapered trousers and a ruched camel blouse complete with a matching scarf. Elizabeth donned a black, white and blue tartan shirt dress which was complete with a wrap belt. She paired the dress with leather chunky ankle boots and accessorised with a pair of grey leather gloves and a blue shoulder bag. Jerry looked incredible in a 1,488 khaki trench coat, with a Burberry scarf wrapped around her Georgia, 33, looked typically chic in a 1,637 cream jacket with gold buttons, teamed with black trousers 'The new Burberry Mother's Day campaign is a heartfelt ode to family and the special bonds that unite us,' the house shared Elizabeth, 40, turned heads in an eye-catching red trench coat, worth 2,236, while carrying a 1,263 tote covered in Burberry's classic check pattern Back in February, Jerry joined her daughters Georgia and Elizabeth at the Burberry Winter 2025 show during London Fashion Week The outing came after Georgia took her new baby boy with her on a fun-filled holiday to Cuba and posted their adventures together on Instagram on Sunday. The model, 33, and her skateboarder boyfriend Cambryan Sedlick, 25, welcomed their first child Dean Lee Jagger Sedlick on September 30. At the time, the daughter of Jerry Hall and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger beamed as she cradled her little one, who was wrapped up in a blanket, while her partner also had a go at holding the boy. And they looked every inch the doting parents in the most recent update from the Caribbean which saw the couple taking their child to see the world aged just four months, with Georgia captioning the post: 'You and me always and forever.' In one snap, Georgia held little Dean Lee while wearing a white polka dot midi dress and sporting hot pink and purple Adidas trainers. She also toted a black clutch bag with a silver chain and wore her blonde curls loose as she grinned for a photo in front of a wall filled with Cuba-related murals. Her boyfriend Cambryan meanwhile looked laid back in a white T-shirt and black denim shorts, adding a pair of black and white Converse and a white cap with a blue logo. In another, Georgia posed alone with her boy in a pair of black jeans and a black vest top. Mick and Jerry's daughter donned a sheer black dress midi dress with white polka dots over a white bikini in a further snap, holding Dean Lee and looking as loved up as ever with Cambryan. In two photos, her boyfriend can be seen cradling the baby himself, with the child sporting a stylish white sun hat in one picture. Updating her Instagram followers on their baby's arrival, Georgia shared: 'Our Son Dean Lee Jagger Sedlick was born September 30th. We are so in Love and happy and can't stop staring at him. Georgia recently took her new baby boy with her on a fun-filled holiday to Cuba and posted their adventures together, with her boyfriend Cambryan Sedlick, on Instagram In one snap, Georgia posed alone with her boy in a pair of black jeans and a black vest top 'Thanks @cambryans for being so incredible through everything and taking such good care of us.' Georgia's mother Jerry, who made a sweet appearance in one of the polaroid snaps, originally shared the announcement to Instagram, revealing her grandson's name. She wrote: 'Georgia May and my grandson Dean Lee Jagger Sedlick' The model announced her pregnancy with a loved-up post on Instagram in June, writing: 'Patiently waiting for our new best friend @cambryans.' Georgia looked incredible as she lifted up her blue vest top to reveal her tummy which she gently cradled. Wearing jeans, a second image showed her playfully leaning against skateboarder Cambryan who was swinging from his garage door as she smiled while barefoot. Georgia and Cambryan, who is from Texas, were first linked in July 2021 and have been more than loved-up since. Georgia's mother Jerry, who made a sweet appearance in one of the polaroid snaps (right, in bottom right photo), originally shared the announcement to Instagram herself Her famous parents Mick Jagger and Jerry have welcomed another grandchild following their daughter's incredible news (pictured: the trio together in 2014) She was previously in a relationship with restauranteur Louis Levy, 32, but the pair 'quietly split'. A friend said at the time: 'They loved living together in New York, but when Georgia decided to split her time between there and LA, it put a strain on the relationship that turned out to be too much. 'Louis owns two restaurants in New York, so he has to be there. It's his home.' Georgia quit Britain to move in with her then-boyfriend Louis in the States in 2019, swapping London for New York. Abbie Chatfield has insisted that her prediction about MAGA's reaction to the death of Pope Francis has already come true. Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Sunday, and in an explosive rant posted to social media soon after, the podcaster and reality star said that Trump supporters would celebrate the religious leader's death as sign that 'god is on their side'. To prove her point, Abbie shared an Instagram Stories post on Tuesday, featuring a social media post made by United States Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. 'Today there were major shifts in global leaderships,' the Georgia Republican posted on X. 'Evil is being defeated by the hand of God' the far right politician added. Abbie added her own caption in all caps: "I KNEW IT!!!!!!' Abbie Chatfield (pictured) has insisted that her prediction about MAGA's reaction to the death of Pope Francis has already come true On Monday, the television personality had shared her 'fears' over MAGA's response to Pope Francis' death. 'The Pope has died and I am now fearful, not because I really rely on the Pope, although rest in peace, the Pope' she began. 'I'm fearful because MAGA are gonna take this as a sign that god is on their side, because the Pope recently called out the Trump administration and refused to meet with JD Vance.' She continued: 'He ended up meeting with JD Vance, unfortunately, but he was very public in criticising the Trump administration. 'So Maga and Qanon are now gonna think that god is on their side. That god has struck down the evil Pope Francis. 'Like, awful timing, awful timing. They're actually gonna take this as a sign from god'. Abbie went on: 'Oh my god, it's so scary, the cult is so scary. But mark my words, mark my words. That's what they're gonna be saying.' Pope Francis died on Easter Monday aged 88 after dedicating his 'entire life' to serving God and the Church, the Vatican announced today. Pope Francis (pictured) died at the age of 88 on Sunday, and in an explosive rant posted to social media soon after, the podcaster and reality star said that Trump supporters would celebrate the religious leader's death as sign that 'god is on their side' Abbie shared an Instagram Stories post on Tuesday, featuring a social media post made by United States Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. 'Today there were major shifts in global leaderships,' the Georgia Republican posted on X. 'Evil is being defeated by the hand of God' the far right politician added. Abbie added her own caption in all caps: "I KNEW IT!!!!!!' The Pontiff spent his final hours with faithful, emerging to bless thousands of people in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday and touring the piazza in the Popemobile to wild cheers and applause after being discharged from hospital only last month. Francis had briefly met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance for a 'quick and private' meeting at the Casa Santa Marta residence in Vatican City earlier on Sunday. He was hoped to be making a steady recovery from double pneumonia before Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced that he had died at 7.35am local time (5.35am GMT) today. 'With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune,' he said in a statement. Francis had only left hospital under 'protected discharge' on March 23 after suffering an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs earlier this year. But he resolutely toured through the crowd of 35,000 believers 'for 50 minutes at 21 degrees' on Sunday after giving the traditional Urbi et Orbi benediction and wishing Catholics a 'Happy Easter' and calling for an end to conflicts around the world. The Conclave - where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor - will not happen for at least 15 days. Francis's body will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica during an official mourning period, and then - in contrast to most of his predecessors - he will be buried in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood. Abbie said in an Instagram Stories post, made shortly after the news broke, that MAGA Trump Supporters would 'love' the sad news Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said the news of Francis' death 'deeply saddens us, as we are saying goodbye to a great man and a great shepherd. I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his counsel and his teachings, which never failed me, not even in times of trial and suffering.' The White House published a pithy statement on X, saying: 'Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.' The bells at Paris's Notre-Dame cathedral rang out 88 times on Monday in honour of Pope Francis who died aged 88, an AFP reporter at the scene said. The '88 rings for 88 years of life' were to be followed by a full ringing of the cathedral's bells before a noon mass in Francis's honour, followed by another in early evening, according to the Notre-Dame press office. Pope Francis's final testament was revealed just hours after his death by a stroke and heart failure at the age of 88. The pontiff 'passed away peacefully' at the Saint Martha residence in the Vatican, according to his doctors. He reportedly woke up when his alarm went off at 6am, fell ill at 7am and died from a stroke at 7.35am. The Vatican said Pope Francis died of a cerebral stroke and subsequent heart failure. 'I'm fearful because MAGA are gonna take this as a sign that god is on their side, because the Pope recently called out the Trump administration and refused to meet with JD Vance' Abbie said. Vance is pictured with Pope Francis The stroke led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, a death certificate confirmed. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official certification, said that the Pope had a prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes. His death was confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography. In his last testament, he asked that the 'suffering that has marked the final part of my life [leads to] peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples'. He also asked to be buried in a 'niche of the side nave between the Cappella Paolina (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Cappella Sforza of the aforementioned Papal Basilica.' 'The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus,' the testament also read. Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph treasures a fond memory of her one encounter with the late Pope Francis. The actress met the late Pontiff when taking part in 2019 BBC series Pilgrimage: The Road To Rome. Granted an audience with the Pontiff during filming, Lesley proudly recalled Francis telling her: 'You don't look 72.' Later receiving a parting embrace and kiss on the cheek from the Pope at the end of his audience, Lesley added: 'He burst out laughing and said, "You still don't look 72"!'. At which point I put my arm on his arm and said, "Oh, bless you!" Everybody fell about. "I can't believe you've just blessed the Pope."' Lesley Joseph treasures a fond memory of her one encounter with the late Pope Francis when taking part in 2019 BBC series Pilgrimage: The Road To Rome Celebrities have publicly paid tribute to Pope Francis after the Vatican announced his death on Easter Monday aged 88. The pontiff, who dedicated his 'entire life' to serving God and the Church, was remembered on social media by celebrities of all ages and religions. Among them was Whoopi Goldberg, 69, who recalled a past meeting Pope Francis. Alongside an image of the pair, the Sister Act star wrote: 'He was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christs love enveloped believer and none believer. 'He felt more like Pope John the 23rd who made belief real. Sail on Pope Frances with your love of humanity & Laughter.' Antonio Banderas, who previously described himself as an agnostic in 2006 but said he has a close affinity with Catholic spirituality, also reflected on his time with the Pope. The Spanish actor, 64, shared a picture from his meeting with the pontiff in 2016 and wrote: 'Pope Francisco has died a man who, at the head of the Catholic Church, showed kindness, love, and mercy to the neediest people. @franciscus #RIP #DEP'. Eva Longoria - who met the pope in 2016 - also paid tribute, writing:' Rest in Peace, Your Holiness Pope Francis. Thank you for being an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalized. Sister Act star Whoopi Goldberg led celebrity tributes to Pope Francis after the Vatican announced he had died aged 88 on Easter Monday Antonio Banderas, who previously described himself as an agnostic in 2006 but said he has a close affinity with Catholic spirituality, recalled a meeting with the pontiff Eva Longoria - who met the pope in 2016 - also paid tribute, writing:' Thank you for being an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalized' 'Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered.' Church of England priest, Revered Richard Coles, was quick to pay tribute to the head of the Catholic Church, sharing a throwback snap of the pontiff. The British reverend tweeted: 'Into your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend your servant Jorge, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. 'Receive him into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen. #PopeFrancis.' Livia Firth penned: 'No matter the religion, he was a giant of a man - for love, for justice, for peace. No matter his position and the constraints that came with it, he tried. 'I loved his humanity and some of his work (the Laudato Si, on care for our common home is so beautiful) 'Your voice will be missed in the world Jorge Mario Bergoglio.' Donatella Versace (left) and Zoe Saldana shared the news on their Instagram Stories Church of England priest, Revered Richard Coles, was quick to pay tribute to the head of the Catholic Church, sharing a throwback snap of the pontiff King Charles and Queen Camilla paid tribute following their private meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican City on April 9 this year (pictured) King Charles paid tribute to the Pope's 'compassion' and 'devotion' to the church Sarah Ferguson wrote: 'No better example of total humility in kindness and compassion. Thank you for leading us not just with words, but with your unwavering service to humanity' Boxer Frank Bruno paid his respects, writing: 'Morning for those not heard His Holiness the Pope has passed away. 'I am not very religious but was married in a Catholic church. May he rest in peace #rip #morning #monday.' King Charles also paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying he was 'deeply saddened' to learn of the Pope's passing. He said Francis, who was the first Latin American pope, would be 'remembered for his compassion' and had 'profoundly touched the lives of so many'. Pope Francis's death came just weeks after King Charles and Queen Camilla met His Eminence in Rome during a royal visit to Italy, with His Majesty saying the couple were 'greatly moved to have been able to visit him'. The Pontiff had spent the last couple of months battling health problems, including a bout of pneumonia which left him hospitalised. He had recovered enough to hold a private audience with the pair on April 9, and he had been seen at public events over the Easter weekend, while also meeting US Vice President JD Vance in recent days. However, it was announced early on Easter Monday that he had passed away, sending more than a billion Catholics worldwide into mourning. Christina Haack is still head over heels in love with her new boyfriend Christopher Larocca. On Monday the 41-year-old home improvement specialist shared a new Instagram post that featured the 52-year-old silver fox, who is the CEO of telecoms company Network Connex. Christina wore a hot pink bikini top and cream-colored crocheted micro-mini skirt that flaunted her assets as she cozied up to the businessman. They were at a mansion with a swimming pool near a lawn that had a lake. And they were not alone: with them was Christina's ex-husband Tarek El Moussa as well as his wife Heather Rae El Moussa. There was also a snapshot of the kids having fun indoors. In her caption she shared her state of mind which seemed to be pure joy: 'Best spring break I could ever ask for Happy Easter.' Heather then commented: 'The best weekend .' Christina Haack is still head over heels in love with her new boyfriend Christopher Larocca. On Monday the 41-year-old home improvement specialist shared a new Instagram post that featured the 52-year-old silver fox In this selfie they were chest to chest with matching smiles This comes after Christopher was seen grabbing Christina's breasts while in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. DailyMail.com had the exclusive photos of the duo getting handsy at a hotel bar in Mexico. They kissed and cuddled. In the raunchy photos, which can be seen in full here, Haack could be seen draped over her new lover. He was on a barstool behind her and fondled her breasts. As they got flirty, the Flip or Flop alum could be seen embracing him and placing her hands on his belly and in his lap while sporting a tiny blue Louis Vuitton bikini. Haack and Larocca have been dating for several months since her split from her third husband, Josh Hall, last summer. She has also called him a good man. 'Meeting an unexpected good man who has his own amazing career, life & hobbies (who also happens to have zero jealousy) can at times feel strange for someone who has had the opposite,' she said, referring to Larocca. And they were not alone: also with them was Christina's ex-husband Tarek El Moussa as well as his wife Heather Rae El Moussa On her Insta Stories there was an image of Christina in a black mini dress with cowgirl boots And there was also a snapshot of the kids having fun indoors with tech She continued: 'At 41 Im finally learning about safe communication, independence during commitment and a relationship that is NOT 0-100.' 'I am for sure guilty of putting pressure on others. Facing my own insecurities has forced me into doing the shadow work Ive been avoiding.. its time to break the cycle,' she declared. Haack rose to fame in the 2010s when she starred in her first TV program, Flip or Flop, opposite her first husband Tarek El Moussa. That show ran for ten series, and Haack and El Moussa had two children together, Taylor Reese, 12, and Brayden James, nine. In May 2016, however, the married couple got into an explosive fight, and police were even called to their home in response to a 'possibly suicidal male with a gun', according to Us Weekly reports. She shared a glimpse of her romantic escape to Cabo San Lucas with her boyfriend last week Here she put her legs over her new man as they sat on a swing Another showed them enjoying a scenic boat ride together The couple addressed the fight at the time, dismissing it as an 'unfortunate misunderstanding' and added 'the police were called to our house in an abundance of caution. There was no violence and no charges were filed.' They divorced in 2018, but managed to keep working together on their show. (El Moussa is now married to Selling Sunset star Heather Rae Young.) Just before Haack and El Moussa's divorce was finalized in 2018, Haack started dating another real estate reality TV star, Ant Anstead. They met through a mutual friend and got married less than a year later, in December 2018. They welcomed a son, Hudson London, in 2019, but then split a year later. On Instagram, Anstead claimed the split wasn't his decision, writing: 'I have remained silent while holding on to hope. I never gave up on us. I pray Christina's decision brings her happiness.' Anstead has since moved on with Bridget Jones star, Renee Zellweger. In somewhat of a familiar pattern, just before Haack's divorce from Anstead was finalized, Haack started dating a new man, another real estate agent, Josh Hall. Haack then married Hall in April 2022 and shared photos of the wedding to her social media accounts, writing: 'Everything in life has led me to where I am right now, which is exactly where I want to be.' But sadly their wedded bliss didn't last long and, just over two years later, in July 2024, Hall filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. Since beginning her romance with Larocca, the CEO of telecoms company Network Connex, the pair have been inseparable Since beginning her romance with Larocca, the CEO of telecoms company Network Connex, the pair have made memories across the globe together. This includes drinking champagne on a private jet and sharing a kiss in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Despite initially expressing hesitancy over the idea of ever walking down the aisle again, she confessed she has already thought about tying the knot with Larocca. While appearing on SiriusXM's Radio Andy, Haack joked she liked how often she has changed her last name given her three marriages. 'I kind of like it I'm going to change it again,' she said. Matt Damon reunited with his wife of 19 years - Luciana Bozan Barroso - and their three teenage daughters Stella, Bella, and Gia for Easter brunch at Purdy's Farmer & the Fish in North Salem, NY. The 54-year-old Oscar-winning screenwriter showed his hometown pride in a Boston Red Sox cap and he still had his burly grey beard while on break from filming Christopher Nolan's big-screen adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey. Matt marvels at the fact that Stella is now 14, Bella is 18, and Gia is 16. 'It happens fast. It's weird,' Damon told ET last July. 'It happens kind of slowly and then really fast in a beautiful way.' On October 20, Bella posted a TikTok video of herself dancing with her 'daughter' Stella, who showcased her twerking skills, in honor of her 14th birthday. Missing from the family reunion on Sunday was the Argentinian 48-year-old's 25-year-old daughter Alexia Barroso from her first marriage to Arbello Barroso, which ended in 2004. Matt Damon (L) reunited with his wife of 19 years - Luciana Bozan Barroso (2-R) - and their three teenage daughters Stella, Bella, and Gia for Easter brunch at Purdy's Farmer & the Fish in North Salem, NY Lucy was still technically married when she met the Stella Artois brand ambassador in 2003 while bartending at a nightclub in South Beach Miami where he'd been filming the Farrelly Brothers' conjoined twin comedy Stuck On You. Barroso - who never goes more than two weeks apart from Matt - earned her very first IMDb credit last year executive producing his film The Instigators. 'She's been reading every script and watching every cut of every movie for 21 years. This is the first time we ever kind of codified it,' Damon told ET. 'She didn't even want to take the credit. She was there every day, she was doing all this work on the script.' The Jack Harlow video star is currently on break from filming his role as Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, in the Universal Pictures 'mythic action epic' already scheduled to hit theaters on July 17, 2026. The Odyssey marks Matt's third time being directed by the 54-year-old Englishman after his 2023 atomic bomb biopic, Oppenheimer, and his 2014 sci-fi epic, Interstellar. On December 26, The InSneider reported that The Odyssey will have a $250M budget, making it 'the most expensive film' of Nolan's career. Principal photography officially began February 25 on the IMAX flick, and filming is also expected to take place in Italy, Greece, Morocco, Scotland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The Odyssey ensemble cast also includes Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Samantha Morton, Will Yun Lee, and Mia Goth. The 54-year-old Oscar-winning screenwriter showed his hometown pride in a Boston Red Sox cap and he still had his burly grey beard while on break from filming Christopher Nolan's big-screen adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey Matt marvels at the fact that (from L-R) Stella is now 14, Bella is 18, and Gia is 16 'It happens fast. It's weird,' Damon told ET last July. 'It happens kind of slowly and then really fast in a beautiful way' On October 20, Bella (R) posted a TikTok video of herself dancing with her 'daughter' Stella (L), who showcased her twerking skills, in honor of her 14th birthday Missing from the family reunion on Sunday was the Argentinian 48-year-old's 25-year-old daughter Alexia Barroso (L, pictured July 31) from her first marriage to Arbello Barroso, which ended in 2004 Lucy was still technically married when she met the Stella Artois brand ambassador in 2003 while bartending at a nightclub in South Beach Miami where he'd been filming the Farrelly Brothers' conjoined twin comedy Stuck On You Damon is currently on break from filming his role as Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, in the Universal Pictures 'mythic action epic' already scheduled to hit theaters on July 17, 2026 The Odyssey marks Matt's third time being directed by the 54-year-old Englishman (L, pictured in 2024) after his 2023 atomic bomb biopic, Oppenheimer, and his 2014 sci-fi epic, Interstellar 'We know this film will be a once-in-a-generation cinematic masterpiece that Homer himself would be very proud of,' Universal's president of domestic theatrical distribution Jim Orr gushed at Cinemacon earlier this month. Homer's tale was most memorably adapted for the silver screen by the Coen Brothers in their 2000 satirical musical O Brother, Where Art Thou? starring George Clooney. But other adaptations of The Odyssey include Uberto Pasolini's 2024 drama The Return starring Ralph Fiennes as well as NBC's 1997 miniseries starring Armand Assante and Mario Camerini's 1954 film Ulysses starring Kirk Douglas. Former child star, Sophie Nyweide, best known for portraying Michelle Williams' on-screen daughter in the 2009 film Mammoth, has died at age 24. The actress, who appeared in seven movies before turning 10, passed away on April 14 as confirmed by her family in an online obituary. 'Sophie was a kind and trusting girl. Often this left her open to being taken advantage of by others. She wrote and drew voraciously, and much of this art depicts the depth she had, and it also represents the pain she suffered,' her loved ones wrote. They continued: 'Many of her writings and artwork are roadmaps of her struggles and traumas. Even with those roadmaps, diagnoses and her own revelations, those closest to her, plus therapists, law enforcement officers and others who tried to help her, are heartbroken their efforts couldnt save her from her fate.' Her loved ones went on to reveal that Nyweide 'self-medicated to deal with all the trauma and shame she held inside' and that 'resulted in her death.' 'She repeatedly said she would "handle it" on her own and was compelled to reject the treatment that might possibly have saved her life,' they detailed. Former child star, Sophie Nyweide, best known for portraying Michelle Williams' daughter in the 2009 film Mammoth, has died at age 24 (seen in 2009) In lieu of gifts or flowers, her family requested fans make a donation to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) in Nyweide's name. RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. Nyweide's exact cause of cause of death is unknown, at this time. The young star's obituary highlighted her lifelong passion for acting, which her family said she 'dreamed (more like demanded) to do from a young age, 'without ever knowing her mother was an actor.' 'She seemed happiest on a movie set, becoming someone else. It was a safe place for her and she relish from the casts and crews who nourished her talent and her well being,' her loved ones explained. Nyweide booked her first acting gig in the 2006 movie, Bella, and proceeded to get a parts in episodes of Law & Order, And Then Came Love, Margot at the Wedding and New York City Serenade. Her other credits include Shadows & Lies, Mistakes Were Made, Born Again and What Would You Do. Following her performance in an An Invisible Sign (2010), alongside Jessica Alba, film critic, Jeannette Catsoulis, predicted Nyweide 'should have a glowing future.' The actress, who appeared in seven movies by her 10th birthday, passed away on April 14 as confirmed by her family in an obituary for The Hollywood Reporter; pictured in 2007 'Sophie was a kind and trusting girl. Often this left her open to being taken advantage of by others. She wrote and drew voraciously, and much of this art depicts the depth she had, and it also represents the pain she suffered,' her loved ones wrote (pictured in 2009) In lieu of gifts or flowers, her family requested fans make a donation to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) in Sophie's name; pictured alongside Jessica Alba in 2008 Nyweide was born in Burlington, Vermont on July 8, 2000. Her mom is Shelly Gibson known for her roles in Dust to Malibu, St. Elsewhere (1982) and All My Children (1970). In a 2010 interview, Gibson recalled her daughter's love for film coming from watching movies at the Village Picture Shows Cinema in Manchester and watching Nancy Meyers Somethings Gotta Give, at age four. 'She grew up in this movie theater and slept in the movie theater and had a little bed in the projection booth and watched many movies,' Gibson said. Over the weekend, Gibson shared a beautiful photo of her daughter, alongside a heartfelt tribute. Her mom is Shelly Gibson known for her roles in Dust to Malibu, St. Elsewhere (1982) and All My Children (1970) The young star's obituary highlighted her lifelong passion for acting, which her family said she 'dreamed (more like demanded) to do from a young age, 'without ever knowing her mother was an actor' Over the weekend, Gibson shared a beautiful photo of her daughter, alongside a heartfelt tribute, in which she stated she was 'gutted' over her loss 'RIP, my Sophie. She graced us for far too short a time. My daughter was a light for all who met her. For those us of who were truly close with Sophie, we are gutted and will need a long time to get over her passing. I know I never will. God I love my daughter. I want her back. Fly high sweetheart - you always could,' she wrote. Underneath Gibson's post, fans left condolence messages and offered their support. 'Shelly. No words. I am devastatingly sorry for your loss. Much much much love,' one wrote. Another commented: 'Holding you in my thoughts, youve been on my mind all week. I cant imagine. Sending you as much peace now as I can and even more moving forward.' Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos have invited several members of the Trump family to their June wedding in Venice, Italy. Ivanka Trump and her businessman husband Jared Kushner are on the guest list, PageSix reported on Tuesday. Jared's brother Joshua will reportedly bring his Vogue supermodel wife Karlie Kloss. The site added that Don Trump Jr. and his new girlfriend Bettina Anderson are set to attend as well. And there have been rumblings that Tiffany Trump and her billionaire husband Michael Boulos could be there too, DailyMail.com has learned. So far there is no indication that President Donald Trump will stop by the wedding. The three-day celebration that will reportedly take place between June 24 and 26. Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos have invited a power couple to their June wedding in Venice, Italy; seen in March Ivanka Trump and her businessman husband Jared Kushner are on the guest list, PageSix reported on Tuesday. Seen in March There will be 200 people at the wedding of the year this summer, Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro confirmed in a statement. It has been claimed that Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry and Oprah are the top celebrity guests. Also invited are Leonardo DiCaprio and Barbra Streisand. PageSix added that Vogue may get the photos from the wedding for a big exclusive. Last month DailyMail.com shared that the couple is not getting married on a boat. 'The wedding will not take place on Jeff's yacht, that has been ruled out,' a source shared with DailyMail.com. Bezos owns a $500M yacht named Koru where he popped the question to the 55-year-old former TV star in 2023. CNN reported that Luca Zuin, spokesperson for the mayor of Venice, said the wedding will take place on the yacht, but that is 'not true,' said DailyMail.com's source. And there have been rumblings that Tiffany Trump and her billionaire husband Michael Boulos could be there too, DailyMail.com has learned The site added that Don Trump Jr. and his new girlfriend Bettina Anderson are set to attend as well. Seen April 6 in Florida So far there is no indication that President Donald Trump will stop by the wedding. Seen in 2023 Jared's brother Joshua will reportedly bring his Vogue supermodel wife Karlie Kloss; seen in March in NYC To put the guest number in perspective: When George Clooney threw his $5M wedding to Amal in Venice in September 2014, they had about 150 guests. The mayor of the Italian city confirmed that the wedding will take place in the historical location where tourists flock every year. He also let slip how many people will be watching the TV star and Amazon mogul say 'I do': it will be about 200. One of the most interesting details about the statement is the splashy gathering will have only about 200 people, the mayor confirmed, as he added that is not too many guests for the city to hold. He shared this detail as fans thought that the power couple would have twice that as they are so connected. And the mayor felt it necessary to relay that the moderate number would prevent any disruptions in the fame coastal city which has experienced flooding in recent years. 'We are mutually working and supporting the organizers, to ensure that the event will be absolutely respectful of the fragility and uniqueness of the city,' Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said in his statement. 'The many speculations and fake news circulating about Jeff Bezos' wedding are completely unfounded,' the city mayor added. He also said that 'their utmost priority to make sure the city functions as normal, for all, with no abnormal disruption to anyone.' The city is used to putting on big, celebrity filled events like the Venice Film Festival which has sees stars like Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck and his ex Jennifer Lopez. 'Venice is used to being the stage for events and shows every week, without significant impacts,' the city said. Bezos owns a $500M yacht named Koru where he popped the question to the 55-year-old in 2023. CNN reported that Luca Zuin, spokesperson for the mayor of Venice, said the wedding will take place on the yacht, but that is 'not true,' said DailyMail.com's source It has been claimed that Kim Kardashian (pictured in March), Katy Perry and Oprah are the top celebrity guests To put the guest number in perspective: When George Clooney threw his $5M wedding to Amal in Venice in September 2014, they had about 150 guests. Seen in Cannes in 2014 A look at the boats used during Clooney's wedding in 2014 Sebastian Stan and girlfriend Annabelle Wallis have been together for almost three years and have kept their relationship relatively private. The actor, 42, gave some rare insight on their romance in an interview with Vanity Fair for their May 2025 cover story. 'I feel like it's really difficult nowadays to be able to have any privacy whatsoever,' adding that their relationship 'is not something either of them discuss' publicly. The former Gossip Girl star explained that his personal life is 'the one part of my life that I try to keep somewhat for myself, even though it sort of ends up being out there.' They were first seen in public in 2022 when they were seen spending time together at Robert Pattinson's New York City birthday party. Sebastian Stan gave some rare insight on their romance in an interview with Vanity Fair; seen February 15, 2025 in London The actors kept a low profile until 2024, when they started attending public events together. Sebastian brought Annabelle, 40. as his date for the premiere of A Different Man at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2024. Three months later, they hit the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for his other project The Apprentice. In January 2025, the lovebirds hit the red carpet for the Golden Globes. Annabelle looked incredible in a Barbie pink glittering gown with her blonde tresses in waves cascading around her. During the awards ceremony, Sebastian won his first every Golden Globe. He received best performance by a leading actor in a musical or comedy film for the project A Different Man. During his speech, he spoke about the film, noting that it wasn't 'an easy' one to make, adding that: 'our ignorance and discomfort around disability and disfigurement has to end now.' 'We have to normalize it and continue to expose ourselves to it and our children encourage acceptance. One way we can do that is by continuing to champion stories that are inclusive,' he said. The Winter Soldier actor ended his speech with a sweet shoutout to Annabelle, saying: 'Annabelle, I love you.' Sebastian and girlfriend Annabelle Wallis have been together for almost three years and have kept their relationship relatively private; seen January 5, 2025 in Los Angeles The actors kept a low profile until 2024, when they started attending public events together; seen February 15 in London Sebastian previously dated his Gossip Girl co-star Leighton Meester; the began dating in 2008 and split in 2010. He was also linked to Diana Agron, Jennifer Morrison, Margarita Levieva and Alejandra Onieva. Annabelle previously dated Chris Pine; they were together for four years until they split in March 2022. Tina Knowles just came clean about her bombshell affair that managed to infuriate both of her daughters Beyonce and Solange. It all began in November 2009 when the 71-year-old grandmother-of-six discovered that her husband Mathew Knowles impregnated his mistress Alexsandra Wright with his now 15-year-old son Nixon, and she filed for divorce. 'In the aftermath of that explosion, I kept pace with my life, as I had now for years, sticking to my routine and allowing work to numb and carry me,' Tina wrote in her memoir Matriarch, which hit shelves Tuesday. The 73-year-old former Destiny's Child manager visited Knowles in New York City a few months later and surprisingly 'presented himself for me to hold on to in my disorientation.' 'He'd changed after new counseling,' the Texan native recalled in her 432-page tell-all. 'I didn't believe him, but he was persistent, proved he'd gotten help, and as he courted me, I found myself falling in love again. The magnetic pull between us, this cosmic cord I had tried to cut so many times, was stronger than ever.' Tina Knowles (L, pictured in 2022) just came clean about her bombshell affair that managed to infuriate both of her daughters Beyonce (R) and Solange (M) It all began in November 2009 when the 71-year-old grandmother-of-six discovered that her husband Mathew Knowles (L, pictured in 2008) impregnated his mistress Alexsandra Wright with his now 15-year-old son Nixon, and she filed for divorce Tina said their 'bond seemed stronger because we were sneaking' but they 'knew the kids would be so mad at us if they found out we were together again.' A couple of months later, Knowles decided to tell the 43-year-old pop diva and the 38-year-old R&B songstress about the affair when they surprised her in Galveston on Mother's Day. The Cecred vice chairperson remembered that while Beyonce 'nodded solemnly' Solange 'exploded' at her for ignoring Mathew's betrayal. 'Beyonce was more understanding than Solange, who I know was just being protective of me,' Tina (born Celestine Ann Beyonce) wrote in the Oprah's Book Club pick. 'They each loved their dad in different ways, and I sometimes felt my youngest was so much like her dad that she felt his moments of failing on a soul-deep level.' Just four years later, the hot-tempered Grammy winner made headlines when TMZ leaked a video of her violently attacking her philandering brother-in-law Jay-Z inside an elevator at The Standard in Manhattan, but they've since reconciled. In July 2010, Mathew welcomed his now 14-year-old daughter Koi with second mistress TaQoya Branscomb, which prompted Knowles to file for divorce a second time that was finalized in 2011. 'I clearly knew my relationship with Mathew was unhealthy, and it was the fear of going it alone that kept me stuck,' the BeyGOOD chairwoman admitted. Tina moved on with Poltergeist alum Richard Lawson, but they settled their divorce last August after eight years of marriage. Meanwhile, the APX Capital Group board of director and his second wife Gena Charmaine Avery will celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary on June 30. Knowles is scheduled to kick off her nine-date Matriarch book tour on April 30 in Washington, DC with former FLOTUS Michelle Obama moderating the Q&A. Tina wrote in her new memoir Matriarch: 'In the aftermath of that explosion, I kept pace with my life, as I had now for years, sticking to my routine and allowing work to numb and carry me' The 73-year-old former Destiny's Child manager (R, pictured in 2018) visited Knowles in New York City a few months later and they rekindled their on/off romance The Texan native said their 'bond seemed stronger because we were sneaking' but they 'knew the kids would be so mad at us if they found out we were together again' (pictured in 2002) A couple of months later, Tina decided to tell the 43-year-old pop diva (R, pictured October 19) and the 38-year-old R&B songstress (L) about the affair when they surprised her in Galveston on Mother's Day Knowles remembered that while Beyonce 'nodded solemnly' Solange 'exploded' at her for ignoring Mathew's betrayal (pictured in 2023) The Cecred vice chairperson continued: 'Beyonce was more understanding than Solange, who I know was just being protective of me. They each loved their dad in different ways, and I sometimes felt my youngest was so much like her dad that she felt his moments of failing on a soul-deep level' (pictured in 2017) Just four years later, the hot-tempered Grammy winner made headlines when TMZ leaked a video of her violently attacking her philandering brother-in-law Jay-Z (R, pictured in 2008) inside an elevator at The Standard in Manhattan, but they've since reconciled In July 2010, Mathew welcomed his now 14-year-old daughter Koi with second mistress TaQoya Branscomb, which prompted Tina to file for divorce a second time that was finalized in 2011 (pictured in 2008) Knowles moved on with Poltergeist alum Richard Lawson (R, pictured in 2023), but they settled their divorce last August after eight years of marriage Meanwhile, the APX Capital Group board of director and his second wife Gena Charmaine Avery (L, pictured March 23) will celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary on June 30 Kim Kardashian has refuted ex Kanye West's shock claim he has not seen son Saint 'this year' in his latest wild social media tirade. The rapper, 47, who claimed he had committed incest with his cousin as a child in a previous post, took to X to make the claim about his oldest son, nine, who he shares with ex Kim Kardashian - despite the fact they were pictured together in January. He wrote: 'I HAVENT SEEN SAINT THIS YEAR' - sparking a wave of mixed fan reaction, some slating Kardashian, 44, while others praised her for keeping Saint away from troubled West. As well as Saint, West shares daughters North, 11, and Chicago, six, and son Psalm, five, with the reality star, 44, who he was married to from 2014-2022. He has previously accused Kardashian of not allowing him to see his children - although DailyMail.com can confirm that he did see Saint, Chicago and Psalm last week. A source close to Kim exclusively claimed to DailyMail.com: 'Kanye has been in LA recently for a few months and didnt ask to see the kids aside from North until a week before he was leaving again Kim Kardashian has refuted ex Kanye West's shock claim he has not seen son Saint 'this year' in his latest wild social media tirade The rapper, 47, who claimed he had committed incest with his cousin as a child in a previous post, took to X to make the claim about his oldest son, nine, who he shares with ex Kim Kardashian - despite the fact they were pictured together in January 'Kanye can see the kids anytime he wants, there are no limitations, but Kim is very careful also to not put them in situations that are chaotic. 'Protecting her kids are first and foremost.' He previously wrote on X: 'I HAVE TO SUPPRESS THE FACT THAT MY KIDS HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM ME AND EVERYONE JUST WATCHES.' 'I need a plan to exercise my rights with my kids. In January West was pictured reuniting with his children after reportedly spending 118 days apart , DailyMail.com exclusively revealed. The controversial rapper who has been traveling with Australian wife Bianca Censori, 30, for much of the last six months, was spotted in Japan with his three youngest children. Exclusive DailyMail.com photos and video showed West visiting a 7-Eleven convenience store in Tokyo's Ginza district with Saint, Chicago, and Psalm. A source close to Kim exclusively told DailyMail.com: 'Kanye can see the kids anytime he wants, there are no limitations, but Kim is very careful also to not put them in situations that are chaotic' - he's pictured with Saint, Chicago and Psalm in January) They added: 'Kanye can see the kids anytime he wants, there are no limitations, but Kim is very careful also to not put them in situations that are chaotic' Dressed entirely in black, the dad-of-four left the store with his kids clutching huge bags of snacks, following a 10-minute visit. Censori and eldest daughter North, 11, were not part of the group outing and it is not clear whether the preteen traveled to Japan to visit her dad with her siblings. An onlooker told DailyMail.com that the Yeezy boss arrived in a black van with his bodyguards and declined selfies with passers-by. 'A black van pulled out the front and all of a sudden the kids have gone running in and Kanye followed behind, trying to hide in the 7-Eleven with his hood up,' said the witness. 'The kids were buying up the store - they had two carrier bags full of random lollipops and snacks. 'Myself and a couple of other families noticed him.' Prior to that Kanye or 'Ye' as he prefers to be known was last seen with his children in public in September when they performed together at a Vultures 2 listening event in Haikou, China. In the interim, he and Censori have lived a nomadic existence, drifting between Japan, China, and the Maldives. West is now married to Bianca Censori - the pair were rumored to have split recently but have now rekindled the flame Ye's constant traveling has become a bone of contention between him and Kardashian with the reality star accusing him of an absent father to their children and saying she is a 'single parent.' The rapper attracted further criticism after a series of hellish wildfires ignited around Los Angeles, including two that threatened the Calabasas neighborhood where his children live. Despite the infernos blazing close to their home, Ye did not rush back from Japan to check on his children and has now flown them to Tokyo instead a move that will invite more questions over why he is so reluctant to return to the US. In recent months, fans have expressed concern for Kanye following a string of erratic social media posts. In February, his account was deactivated following an array of vile sexist, homophobic and anti-Semitic rants. However, his profile suddenly reappeared on the platform three days later. His posts have continued to shock and offend, with the rapper typically deleting his tweets after a few days before going on another rant. Kanye was first accused of antisemitism in 2022 after making a series of racist and anti-Semitic remarks. However, he later apologized, insisting it was not his 'intention to hurt or demean' the Jewish community. Yet in a rambling U-turn, he penned a series of posts on X, claiming that he will never 'trust or work with Jewish people' again and insisting he 'will not apologise' for his views. Kanye previously rapped about being 'dumped' by Censori. The lyrics seemed to indicate that Bianca had ended the marriage, and he rapped that she allegedly 'tried to get [him] committed' while they were together. The track is expected to be featured on his upcoming album, reportedly titled WW3. Kanye previously addressed concerns that his wife Bianca is a victim of coercive control after her naked outing at the Grammys, claiming he has 'dominion' over her. Bianca was said to believe starting a family could help her rapper husband to stay out of the endless controversy he is courting, and in turn strengthen their marriage after his recent offensive behavior reportedly forced her to contemplate divorce. 'Bianca is encouraging Kanye to have a baby, believing it will save their marriage and heal their relationship,' sources previously told DailyMail.com. The Chicago rapper, who now goes by Ye, recently fled the country and travelled to Tokyo after posting a series of increasingly erratic posts in which he clashed with his ex-wife about co-parenting their 11-year-old daughter, North. Kanye previously revealed he has bipolar disorder but recently claimed it was a misdiagnosis and he has since been diagnosed with autism. Walton Goggins has once again sent the Internet ablaze, as he posed for a sizzling new photoshoot for CULTURED Magazine's second annual CULT100 in only a pair of tiny yellow speedos. The actor, 53, has become the world's newest favourite heartthrob after his starring turn as the moody Rick Hatchett, in the latest season of The White Lotus. And on Tuesday, fans were treated new snaps of him leaving little to the imagination for CULTURED's April/May 2025 issue, which saw him smouldering at the camera in his speedos and a suede jacket, left open to show off his chiselled chest. Sharing the photos to his Instagram, his swooning fans were quick to race to the comments to voice their praise. They gushed: 'The finest man I have ever seen in my life'; 'I wasn't expecting this on my 2025 bingo card but I am NOT disappointed'. 'Straight man here and holy hell I'm into it'; 'Have mercy on my SOULLLLL'; 'Goonin for Goggins'; 'walton gaggings'. Walton Goggins has once again sent the Internet ablaze, as he posed for a sizzling new photoshoot for Cultured Magazine in only a pair of tiny yellow speedos The actor, 53, has become the world's newest favourite heartthrob after his starring turn as the moody Rick Hatchett, in the latest season of The White Lotus And on Tuesday, fans were treated to his latest magazine spread, which saw him leaving little to the imagination and smouldering at the camera in his speedos and a suede jacket, left open to show off his chiselled chest 'Yellow budgie smugglers were not on my bingo card for items that Walton Goggins would be wearing in 2025, but here we are. And he still looks incredible! We love you Walton!' 'Yea Chelsea. I get it now'; 'Help I'm pregnant'; 'Walton showing us his Goggins'; 'You gotta let me live, sir. I'm but a humble maiden.' While the official account for The White Lotus couldn't resist commenting too, quipping: 'Some guests leave their mark.' Walton told the Mail's You magazine this week that his character Rick's unexpected sex-symbol status, gives him 'a smile in my heart'. While his wife Nadia Conners gushed: 'He's aged like fine wine. But it's hard as I'm a middle-aged woman. So suddenly I feel like 'all these women find him attractive'. 'But what's so amazing is he's always made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the room.' In the accompanying interview with Cultured however, Walton opened up to his Fallout director Jonathon Nolan and admitted that despite his incredible success, he still struggles with a 'deep fear' that it will go away. When musing on the 'secret to his success', he admitted 'If I'm being real, it's fear. Truly. A heavy dose of anxiety', adding that he felt pressure not to let anyone down who allowed him to do his job as actor. Walton told the Mail's You magazine this week that his character Rick's unexpected sex-symbol status, gives him 'a smile in my heart' Sharing the photos to his Instagram, his swooning fans were quick to race to the comments to voice their praise. While the official account for The White Lotus couldn't resist commenting too, quipping: 'Some guests leave their mark. He explained that growing up without money also means he is constantly putting pressure on himself to provide for his family and determined to be the best father and husband he can. Walton tied the knot with TV scriptwriter Nadia, 55, in 2011, just a few months after they welcomed their son Augustus, 14. Detailing his 'debilitating fear', he said: 'I wake up every morning and stand at the crossroads with two cappuccinos in my hands. 'I ask myself what kind of artist I want to be, what kind of friend, what kind of father, what kind of husband. My dilemma isn't about my occupation; it is about what sort of man I can be on any given day.' 'That, coupled with a deep fear that I have made a mistake and might be living beyond my means, is debilitating. I'm constantly having conversations with myself about plan A, plan B, C, D on a bad night I can get to the end of the alphabet.' The interview comes after co-star Aimee Lou Wood has broken her silence on the feud rumours with Walton in a new social media post. The Sex Education star, 31, plays Chelsea in the third series of The White Lotus who ends up in a relationship with Walton's character Rick. Despite their on-screen chemistry in Thailand, the pair have reportedly fallen out since filming for the HBO Max series wrapped up. In the accompanying interview with Cultured however, Walton opened up to his Fallout director Jonathon Nolan and admitted that despite his incredible success, he still struggles with a 'deep fear' that it will go away (pictured last month) Walton tied the knot with TV scriptwriter Nadia, 55, in 2011, just a few months after they welcomed their son Augustus, 14 (pictured together in September) Eagle-eyed fans noticed how the pair have unfollowed each other on social media and potentially have each other blocked. Taking to her Instagram on Thursday, Aimee shared a piece of fan art by @sketchesbyspencer on her Stories. The impressive drawing showed the actress and the actor during their time together on the show, seemingly suggesting all is now well between them. The frenzy among fans has intensified in recent weeks amid unsubstantiated speculation about the closeness of their relationship. The roots of it appear to lie in a social media post by Walton following the streaming of the finale on April 6, where he wrote: 'To me, ours was a love story. It was only ever a love story hindered by unresolved childhood trauma. Thank you Aimee Lou for being my partner a journey I will never forget.' The post soundtrack was Fleetwood Mac's Silver Springs a song written by Stevie Nicks about her traumatic break-up with band guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. Perhaps concerned that White Lotus fans were reading too much into this, he later changed the tune for John Lennon's Love. The interview comes after co-star Aimee Lou Wood has broken her silence on the feud rumours with Walton in a new social media post (pictured together) The Sex Education star, 31, plays Chelsea in the third series of The White Lotus who ends up in a relationship with Walton's character Rick (seen) Taking to her Instagram, Amiee shared a piece of fan art by @sketchesbyspencer on her Stories, seemingly suggesting all is now well between them Co-star Jason Isaacs added to the intrigue, claiming: 'There were alliances that formed and broke, romances that formed and broke, friendships that formed and broke.' Fuel was added to the gossip swirling around their real-life relationship when it appeared that Walton had then blocked Aimee Lou on Instagram. Aimee Lou, who boasts 2.6m Instagram followers, has been passionately sharing behind the scenes photos and reposts from her co-stars throughout the third season, with Walton also sharing his own set memories. And in their posts they have both enthusiastically tagged their co-stars - every one but each other. Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori looked somber she stepped out in Spain on Monday after making a decision about her husband amid his shock incest claim. The Australian architect, 30, flashed her behind in a thong bodysuit as DailyMail.com can exclusively confirm she is supporting West after he claimed he had committed incestuous acts with his cousin in an incendiary X post this week. A source close to the couple told DailyMail.com that Censori is 'fully standing by West' after his emotional claim that he gave his cousin oral sex when he was a child. They said: 'Kanye and Bianca went to Spain for the release of this video because they knew it would stir up a lot of attention. Bianca is fully supporting him through it. What Kanye did was incredibly brave and will help a lot of people. 'The songs message speaks to survivors of childhood sexual abuse - something that happens far too often in families but is never discussed. This is going to help so many people who are suffering in silence, and she is proud of him. 'All his friends are. While Bianca hasnt agreed with some of Kanyes recent actions, she stands by him on this. Theyre both committed to each other and to healing from their pasts. Still, this has been emotionally intense for them. Kanye West 's wife Bianca Censori looked somber she stepped out in Spain on Monday after making a shock decision about her husband amid his incest claim The Australian architect, 30, flashed her behind in a thong bodysuit DailyMail.com can exclusively confirm she is supporting West after he claimed he had committed incestuous acts with his cousin in an incendiary X post this week 'Bianca knew they each needed space to process everything. Giving each other that freedom is the only way their marriage can survive.' Censori flaunted her honed legs in the raunchy outfit, worn with sheer stockings and boots on the solo outing without her controversial husband. West startled fans when a tweet posted from the rapper's account claimed the musician was releasing a song called Cousin, inspired by a relative that was jailed for life for 'killing a pregnant lady'. Kanye has previously spoken about an incarcerated cousin but has never referred to him by name, only stating that he was jailed aged 17. Sharing a music video for the song, the tweet claimed that he gave his cousin oral sex when he was a child and he now blames himself for the violent act that followed. Kanye's post read: 'This song is called COUSIN about my cousin thats locked in jail for life for killing a pregnant lady a few years after I told him we wouldnt look at dirty magazines together anymore.' 'Perhaps in my self centered mess I felt it was my fault that I showed him those dirty magazines when he was 6 and then we acted out what we saw. My dad had playboy magazines but the magazines I found in the top of my moms closet were different.' 'My name is Ye and I sucked my cousins d**k till I was 14. Tweet sent.' Censori flaunted her honed legs in the raunchy outfit, worn with sheer stockings and boots on the solo outing without her controversial husband The star showed off her signature flesh-flashing style on the day Bianca looked pensive as she stepped out in Mallorca A source said: 'Bianca is fully supporting him through it. What Kanye did was incredibly brave and will help a lot of people' Bianca looked focused as she stepped out without her husband The source added: 'This is going to help so many people who are suffering in silence, and she is proud of him' Bianca flashed her behind during the day She looked deep in thought as she drove with a friend Bianca and West seemingly confirmed they had reignited their marriage this week Bianca was seen for the first time since Kanye made claims he had engaged in sexual acts with his cousin Bianca's outing comes after Kanye's incest revelation. He shared that he took part in childhood sexual acts with his cousin - and subsequently blames himself because he went onto 'murder a pregnant woman' Sharing a music video for the song, the tweet claimed he gave his cousin oral sex when he was a child and he now blames himself for the violent act that followed (Kanye pictured as a child) A tweet posted from the rapper's X account claimed he was releasing a song called Cousin, inspired by a relative that was jailed for life In the music video, which features a bizarre string of nonsensical clips and gifs, including a topless woman with Nazi swastikas for nipples, Kanye sings repeatedly: 'I gave my cousin he*d', adding 'I told my cousin not to tell nobody.' He added: 'The truth will set you free someday, I don't think they understand that I'm not attracted to a man'. In an apparent reference to his recent brief split from wife Bianca, he continued: 'I told you, don't leave me, I need you by my side.' 'That one time you left me, I didn't get no sleep that night... If you don't leave me, I'll probably be alright.' Little is known about Kanye's cousin - who his ex-wife Kim Kardashian previously brought up in a documentary. Speaking to Marc Howard, president of the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice and director of Georgetown Universitys Prisons and Justice Initiative, Kim said: [Kanyes] cousin has a double life sentence for a murder that he committed when he was 17.' Kim added that Kanyes aunt has accepted her sons fate, stating: 'Shes like, Im not even that distraught anymore. Like, thats just what happens to the kids in our neighbourhood. Theres just no other choice.' The only other time anyone publicly mentioned the cousin was when Kanye brought him up in an interview in 2018. Speaking to Jimmy Kimmel, during a rant about approaching Donald Trump with love, he mentioned: My cousin is locked up for murder and I love him. So he did a bad thing, but I still love him. In the music video, which features a bizarre string of nonsensical clips and gifs, Kanye sings repeatedly: 'I gave my cousin he*d', adding 'I told my cousin not to tell nobody' The music video also features an image of a topless woman with Nazi swastikas for nipples Shortly afterwards West posted a photo with Bianca confirming their reunion after he rapped about being dumped by her. The outing comes after West's ex wife Kim Kardashian refuted his shock claim that he has not seen son Saint 'this year' in his latest wild social media tirade. The rapper took to X to make the claim about his oldest son, nine, who he shares with ex Kim Kardashian - despite the fact they were pictured together in January. He wrote: 'I HAVENT SEEN SAINT THIS YEAR' - sparking a wave of mixed fan reaction, some slating Kardashian, 44, while others praised her for keeping Saint away from troubled West. As well as Saint, West shares daughters North, 11, and Chicago, six, and son Psalm, five, with the reality star, 44, who he was married to from 2014-2022. He has previously accused Kardashian of not allowing him to see his children - although DailyMail.com can confirm that he did see Saint, Chicago and Psalm last week. A source close to Kim exclusively claimed to DailyMail.com: 'Kanye has been in LA recently for a few months and didnt ask to see the kids aside from North until a week before he was leaving again. 'Kanye can see the kids anytime he wants, there are no limitations, but Kim is very careful also to not put them in situations that are chaotic. 'Protecting her kids are first and foremost.' Kardashian has refuted ex Kanye West's shock claim he has not seen son Saint 'this year' in his latest wild social media tirade A source close to Kim exclusively told DailyMail.com: 'Kanye can see the kids anytime he wants, there are no limitations, but Kim is very careful also to not put them in situations that are chaotic' - he's pictured with Saint, Chicago and Psalm in January) They added: 'Kanye can see the kids anytime he wants, there are no limitations, but Kim is very careful also to not put them in situations that are chaotic' He previously wrote on X: 'I HAVE TO SUPPRESS THE FACT THAT MY KIDS HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM ME AND EVERYONE JUST WATCHES.' 'I need a plan to exercise my rights with my kids. In January West was pictured reuniting with his children after reportedly spending 118 days apart , DailyMail.com exclusively revealed. Exclusive DailyMail.com photos and video showed West visiting a 7-Eleven convenience store in Tokyo's Ginza district with Saint, Chicago, and Psalm. Dressed entirely in black, the dad-of-four left the store with his kids clutching huge bags of snacks, following a 10-minute visit. Censori and eldest daughter North were not part of the group outing and it is not clear whether the preteen traveled to Japan to visit her dad with her siblings. An onlooker told DailyMail.com that the Yeezy boss arrived in a black van with his bodyguards and declined selfies with passers-by. 'A black van pulled out the front and all of a sudden the kids have gone running in and Kanye followed behind, trying to hide in the 7-Eleven with his hood up,' said the witness. 'The kids were buying up the store - they had two carrier bags full of random lollipops and snacks. 'Myself and a couple of other families noticed him.' Prior to that Kanye or 'Ye' as he prefers to be known was last seen with his children in public in September when they performed together at a Vultures 2 listening event in Haikou, China. In the interim, he and Censori have lived a nomadic existence, drifting between Japan, China, and the Maldives. Ye's constant traveling has become a bone of contention between him and Kardashian with the reality star accusing him of an absent father to their children and saying she is a 'single parent.' The rapper attracted further criticism after a series of hellish wildfires ignited around Los Angeles, including two that threatened the Calabasas neighborhood where his children live. Despite the infernos blazing close to their home, Ye did not rush back from Japan to check on his children and has now flown them to Tokyo instead a move that will invite more questions over why he is so reluctant to return to the US. In recent months, fans have expressed concern for Kanye following a string of erratic social media posts. In February, his account was deactivated following an array of vile sexist, homophobic and anti-Semitic rants. However, his profile suddenly reappeared on the platform three days later. His posts have continued to shock and offend, with the rapper typically deleting his tweets after a few days before going on another rant. Kanye was first accused of antisemitism in 2022 after making a series of racist and anti-Semitic remarks. However, he later apologized, insisting it was not his 'intention to hurt or demean' the Jewish community. Yet in a rambling U-turn, he penned a series of posts on X, claiming that he will never 'trust or work with Jewish people' again and insisting he 'will not apologise' for his views. Kanye previously rapped about being 'dumped' by Censori. The lyrics seemed to indicate that Bianca had ended the marriage, and he rapped that she allegedly 'tried to get [him] committed' while they were together. The track is expected to be featured on his upcoming album, reportedly titled WW3. Kanye previously addressed concerns that his wife Bianca is a victim of coercive control after her naked outing at the Grammys, claiming he has 'dominion' over her. Bianca was said to believe starting a family could help her rapper husband to stay out of the endless controversy he is courting, and in turn strengthen their marriage after his recent offensive behavior reportedly forced her to contemplate divorce. 'Bianca is encouraging Kanye to have a baby, believing it will save their marriage and heal their relationship,' sources previously told DailyMail.com. The Chicago rapper, who now goes by Ye, recently fled the country and travelled to Tokyo after posting a series of increasingly erratic posts in which he clashed with his ex-wife about co-parenting their 11-year-old daughter, North. Kanye previously revealed he has bipolar disorder but recently claimed it was a misdiagnosis and he has since been diagnosed with autism. Kanye and Bianca seem to have patched up their differences after they were spotted reuniting during a trip to Spain earlier this month. The two were seen dining together at an Indian restaurant in the Balearic Islands on Friday in video obtained by DailyMail.com. In recent months, fans have expressed concern for Kanye following a string of erratic social media posts. In February, his account was deactivated following an array of vile sexist, homophobic and anti-Semitic rants. However, his profile suddenly reappeared on the platform three days later. His posts have continued to shock and offend, with the rapper typically deleting his tweets after a few days before going on another rant. Demi Moore opened up about her enduring bond with ex-husband Bruce Willis amid his dementia diagnosis, offering a glimpse into their evolving relationship. The 62-year-old Substance star, who was recently crowned Peoples Most Beautiful Person, and the 69-year-old Moonlighting actor were married from 1989 to 2000 and share daughters Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 31. Though Demi and Bruce parted ways years ago, love found them both again. Demi married Ashton Kutcher in 2005, though their marriage ended with a finalized divorce in 2013, while Bruce found lasting happiness with model Emma Heming, and together they have two daughters, Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10. But despite the shifting tides of romance, Moore insists, 'I am most grateful that regardless of what the outside relationship has been, we have maintained being a family in various forms,' she told People on Tuesday. 'The foundation of making our children our priority has never wavered.' Demi Moore opened up about her enduring bond with ex-husband Bruce Willis amid his dementia diagnosis, offering a glimpse into their evolving relationship; (pictured 2018) The 62-year-old Substance star, who was recently crowned Peoples Most Beautiful Person , and the 69-year-old Moonlighting actor were married from 1989 to 2000 and share daughters Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 31; (pictured 1996) These days, the actress counts 'my family, including my four-legged family, my children and all of the incredible, loving people in my life' among her greatest blessings. 'I feel really so lucky,' she told the outlet. This heartfelt moment comes after Demi revealed she visits Bruce weekly, further emphasizing her unwavering commitment to their family. 'We will always be a family, just in a different form,' Moore told Variety. 'I hope it's encouraging for others to see that there's a different way to do things,' Moore said of the friendship and Willis still have after their divorce. 'There is life after divorce. There is a way to co-parent with love,' Demi explained. Willis family first revealed his FTD diagnosis in February 2023, following his retirement from acting due to aphasia, a brain disorder that affects speech and language comprehension. Since then, the Hollywood icon has been showered with love and unwavering support from his family. Demi visits Bruce weekly and tries to be supportive for her daughters, Emma and the daughters Emma and Bruce share The Substance star, 62, and the Moonlighting actor, 69, were married from 1989 to 2000 and share daughters Rumer , 36, Scout , 33 and Tallulah , 31 and he also has daughters Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10, with wife Emma Heming , 46. Meanwhile, Demi was named People magazine's annual Most Beautiful Person on Tuesday, sharing her thoughts on aging and self-acceptance Last month, Emma opened up about their journey, emphasizing that she doesnt 'shield' their young daughters from the reality of Bruces condition. During an interview with Town & Country Magazine, Heming explained, 'This disease is misdiagnosed, it's missed, it's misunderstood. 'So finally getting to a diagnosis was key so that I could learn what frontotemporal dementia is and I could educate our children,' she admitted. Emma added, 'I've never tried to sugarcoat anything for them. They've grown up with Bruce declining over the years. I'm not trying to shield them from it.' Meanwhile, Demi was named People magazine's annual Most Beautiful Person on Tuesday, sharing her thoughts on aging and self-acceptance. 'I'm certainly more comfortable in my own skin at this point than I have ever been,' she said in her cover story, emphasizing the freedom in embracing all parts of herself. While Moore admits to moments of insecurity, like thinking, 'God, I look old,' she recognizes that these feelings don't define her value. 'It doesnt define my value or who I am,' she explained. Kristen Stewart's new wife Dylan Meyer displayed her new wedding band as she picked up a post-wedding Uber Eats delivery. The new Mrs. was seen retrieving a delivery from Joe & The Juice that was dropped off at the doorstep of their Los Feliz home on Monday, the day after their relaxed nuptials. Though dressed down for the pickup, Meyer, 37, made sure she didn't leave the house without her brand new accessory. The gold band featured a unique, boxy design and glimmered as she reached for her purchases. It seems after a day of celebrations Meyer was in the mood to keep it casual and comfortable. Joe & The Juice serves an assortment of items such as hearty sandwiches and juices infused with healthy ingredients, foods which likely served as much-needed nourishment following their fun-filled celebrations. mKristen Stewart 's new wife Dylan Meyer brandished her new wedding band as she picked up a post-wedding Uber Eats delivery on Monday Meyer received an order from Joe & The Juice at her Los Feliz home Her new wedding band, which featured a unique boxy design, glimmered The screenwriter left the house barefoot and donned a cosy black shirt and matching sweatpants for her quick pick-up. Dylan and Kristen said 'I do' in a laid-back wedding held at the Mexican restaurant Casita del Campo on Sunday. The intimate and casual affair saw the newlyweds wed beneath an umbrella in the eatery's outdoor dining space. Notably, the wedding was not officiated by Food Network star Guy Fieri, whom Stewart previously hoped would do the honors. Even Guy himself said he would happily officiate the ceremony. Though the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives ended up not performing the task, whoever ended up stepping up as officiate appeared to do a terrific job, even utilizing a prop clock at one point. TMZ reported that Kristen and Dylan procured their Los Angeles County marriage license on Tuesday of last week. Although Kristen and Dylan reportedly met back in 2013 on a movie set, the Hollywood figures didn't become an item until years later in August of 2019. The couple exchanged vows at the Mexican restaurant Casita del Campo in Silver Lake just one day earlier She kept it casual the day after her wedding with a comfortable look It seems Meyer and her wife were in the mood for kicking back at home The new Mrs. was with Stewart for six years before their nuptials Food from Joe & The Juice include hearty sandwiches and juices infused with nutritious ingredients They started dating shortly after Kristen and the model Stella Maxwell ended their high-profile relationship after dating since 2016. The Personal Shopper star and Dylan, who has worked as a screenwriter and actress, were reunited when they attended a mutual friend's party and bonded over growing up in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Times. In the summer of 2021, the two sparked engagement rumors after they were both seen wearing rings on their left hands. Kristen later confirmed in November to Howard Stern that she and Dylan had gotten engaged. In addition to their romantic relationship, Meyer and Stewart have become work colleagues In February, they were reported to have begun principal photography The Wrong Girls, a stoner comedy Meyer had her hands full returning to her home TMZ reported that Kristen and Dylan procured their Los Angeles County marriage license on Tuesday of last week In the years since, the ex of Robert Pattinson has occasionally shared updates on her wedding planning. Last year, sources told People that Kristen had come to 'prefer less fanfare than she originally wanted,' though they acknowledged that her desires 'changed' over time. However, Sunday's intimate wedding seems to have lined up perfectly with her choice to eschew a large, opulent ceremony. In February of last year, Kristen told Rolling Stone that she and Dylan were likely to get married 'soon,' and she suggested they were more serious than ever when she admitted that they had considered having children. Kristen and Dylan solidified their love in front of friends and family on Sunday; pictured 2022 'I dont know what my familys going to look like, but theres no f***ing way that I dont start acquiring kids,' she said, before clarifying, 'And also, ideally at some point soon I go, "I want to have a kid." I really want that to happen.' The actress said she and Dylan had been considering carrying embryos donated from each other. The Loves Lies Bleeding star added that, though she wasn't 'scared of being pregnant' or of 'having a kid,' she was 'so f***ing scared of childbirth.' In recent years, Kristen and Dylan expanded their relationship to become colleagues as well. In February, they were reported to have begun principal photography The Wrong Girls, a stoner comedy. It marks Dylan's feature-length debut as director, and she and Kristen co-wrote the film, which also stars Seth Rogen, Alia Shawkat, LaKeith Stanfield and Kumail Nanjiani. Kristen previously took her own stab at working behind the camera with her feature-length directorial debut, The Chronology Of Water, which she shot last year. The movie has been rumored to be a potential late addition to the Cannes Film Festival, though it will not be running in competition if it is selected later this week. Patsy Palmer, Ella Rae Wise and Angellica Bell were all sent packing from the Celebrity Big Brother house after the triple eviction on Tuesday. This is the first triple eviction of the ITV series, with Angellica, Ella, Chris Hughes, Danny Beard and Patsy all facing the public vote. But it was Angellica to be evicted first on the night after hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best revealed over a million people have voted. Exiting the house, Angellica said she felt 'amazing' as she was greeted by cheers. The TV presenter was left in shock after hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best told her two more housemates would soon follow her out the door. Speaking to the hosts, Angellica got emotional as she watched her best bits and opened up about face-to-face nominations. Patsy Palmer (pictured), Ella Rae Wise and Angellica Bell were all sent packing from the Celebrity Big Brother house after the triple eviction on Tuesday Ella Rae Wise was the second housemate to be evicted from the ITV house Angellica Bell was the first housemate to be evicted Angellica said: 'It's never nice picking out faults in people especially when you haven't spent much time with them. 'I was a bit shocked by Patsy, she has been around a long time and she knows what she wants, whereas I let others have what they want. She always treated me like a child and not in a bad way but she wanted to look after me but I wanted to help as well.' Minutes later it was revealed that Ella, who looked sensational as she went braless under a plunging white blazer, had been evicted as she was greeted by cheers by the audience. She said: 'I'm happy I was dying to see my mum and friends and I feel like I need to get back to reality. 'Everyone knew how ready I was to go home. The face to face nominations took me back to being in school and it made me realise there are things I need to deal with, I'm not two faced I wished people would have said to be your not pulling your wait.' Discussing her feelings towards Chris and JoJo's close friendship, Ella said: 'I just felt like he never took time to get to know me and at the end of the day it is what it is and I had a few outside information before I came into the house about him so. 'We are in the same industry so I thought we would have got on and we have mutual friends. 'I don't think I was bothered by Chris and JoJo's friendship I know when you have latch on's and she is a young girl. But as time goes on you don't know. She is young though and I didn't want her to be used. This is the first triple eviction of the ITV series and Chris Hughes (L) and Danny Beard (R) missed being evicted making it to the final five But it was Angellica to be evicted first on the night after hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best revealed over a million people have voted Exiting the house, Angellica said she felt 'amazing' as she was greeted by cheers and was left in shock after hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best told her two more housemates would soon follow her out the door 'I got on with JoJo really well but she was closer to Chris but we bonded a lot as our mums are the same'. The final celebrity to be evicted during the dramatic jam-packed episode was Patsy, who screamed with joy and was also cheered out of the house. As the crowd cheered her name, she said: 'I was cheering, to be part of history as part of the triple eviction. 'I've been missing my husband and kids. I had to start trusting a bit and as I got closer to the end I was counting down the days to see them. AJ and Will brought up a number of conversations Patsy had with former controversial housemate, Mickey Rourke. The EastEnders star looked less than impressed as she shook her head in disapproval and refused to answer. Following the triple eviction, Chris, Danny, JoJo, Donna, Jack and Chesney have all made it to the 2025 final. Earlier in the episode each celebrity up for elimination opened up, firstly Danny was left fuming as he admitted the face-to-face nominations 'felt like tick for tack' as he was forced to swap places with JoJo. He told Chesney Hawkes: 'It felt like tick for tach because I voted for her, I'm not a mean person when she said read a room I thought girl I know how to read a room, I've made a career out of it. 'We only have a couple of days left and then we never have to see each other again.' Meanwhile Angellica broke down in tears as she told Big Brother in the diary room: 'I'm still pinching myself that I'm here, I've loved every minute. It's probably the best thing I've done in a long time. 'I think I've found myself again from being here'. Minutes later it was revealed that Ella, who looked sensational as she went braless under a plunging white blazer, had been evicted as she was greeted by cheers by the audience She said: 'I'm happy I was dying to see my mum and friends and I feel like I need to get back to reality. Everyone knew how ready I was to go home' Discussing her feelings towards Chris and JoJo's close friendship, Ella said: 'I don't think I was bothered by their friendship I know when you have latch on's and she is a young girl, but as time goes on you don't know, she is young though and I didn't want her to be used' Later in the diary room, Chris said: 'It is what it is, being up for eviction is part of the experience, I've loved everyone who has graced this house. We're all in this together and it has been special so thank you'. Patsy also discussed being up for eviction during the episode, she told Big Brother: 'I'd rather not be up for it this week. 'Would have been nice to have passed it since I've been up for it twice and I would love to make it to the final and I want my kids to be proud of me, they know it is out of my comfort zone and I'm loving it now'. Ahead of the eviction, the housemates were treated to a British tea party with sausage rolls, scones, cheese and pineapple sticks and cakes. The celebration came after JoJo passed her secret mission but all was not as it seemed as the housemates cruelly tricked her. Before the live eviction kicked-off, Big Brother called JoJo to the Diary Room and revealed she has to take part in Big Brother's British citizenship test. 'Your mission is to learn as much about British culture and traditions from the other housemates so you can pass your test.' Big Brother said before adding: 'JoJo you must keep this test a secret.' Meanwhile, the housemates receive instructions from Big Brother which read: 'Housemates, JoJo is currently in the Diary Room where she has been told she is taking part in a secret task to pass Big Brother's British citizenship test. 'As a group, your secret mission is to make sure she fails her test by feeding her misinformation about all things British.' Upon returning to the house, JoJo wasted no time on polishing up her knowledge on British Culture. Donna Preston shared a Yorkshire tradition with JoJo and said: 'Where I'm from they used to get an eel and when babies were born they would hold it like that and pull off the slime and slap it on the baby's faces. The final celebrity to be evicted during the dramatic jam-packed episode was Patsy, who was also cheered out of the house As the crowd cheered her name, she said: 'I was cheering, to be part of history as part of the triple eviction. I've been missing my husband and kids. As I got closer to the end I was counting down the days to see them' AJ and Will brought up a number of conversations Patsy had with former controversial housemate, Mickey Rourke (pictured) The EastEnders star looked less than impressed as she shook her head in disapproval and refused to answer 'But now what they do, it's tradition to put a Yorkshire pudding on their heads.' Patsy informed JoJo: 'It's the law to have a teapot in every British household.' Speaking about the Royal family, Ella said: 'The King's guilty pleasure is The Only Way Is Essex and EastEnders.' Luckily for the housemates, American star JoJo believed everything they had told her about Britain and passed the challenge as she told Big Brother all she had learned. During Monday's show Celebrity Big Brother saw five housemates put forward for eviction in brutal face-to-face nominations ahead of the brutal triple eviction. The stars shared their real feelings about two of their housemates as they nominated one another but one celebrity, JoJo Siwa managed to save herself and swap places with another. The housemates were given two Easter eggs each and had to place an egg into the basket of the housemate they would like to nominate. After a tense round of nominations, it was Patsy Palmer, Chris Hughes, Ella Rae Wise, Angellica Bell and JoJo Siwa who had the most votes. Angellica nominated Patsy and Jack, while Chesney Hawkes went for Patsy and Ella. It was then Chris' turn, and his eggs went in Ella and Danny's baskets while Danny picked Chris and JoJo, blaming their bond on excluding others. Donna chose Angellica and JoJo, while Ella opted for Chesney and Chris. Ahead of the eviction, the housemates were treated to a British tea party after JoJo passed her secret mission but all was not as it seemed as the housemates cruelly tricked her JoJo was tasked with finding out about British culture but her housemates lied to her about a number of traditions and UK laws JoJo was up next and nominated both Patsy and Ella, which caused the TOWIE star to break down in tears and storm out of the nominations room. When she returned, it was Patsy's time in the hot seat, and she gave her two eggs to Ella and Angellica. In a savage plot twist, one of the nominated housemates was given a chance to save themselves if they found the golden egg hidden in a basket in the middle of the room. And lucky for dancer JoJo she was the first to find the egg but in a dramatic twist she then had to replace herself by giving someone else the chop who was not nominated. The Dance Moms star chose Danny Beard to swap places with her as she claimed he didn't always 'read the room'. The Drag Queen star was left less than impressed and hit back, 'I always read the room, that's my job'. That meant Danny joined Patsy, Angellica, Chris and Ella, who were all at risk of being dumped. More than five million Americans have been hit with a dire warning that their wages will soon be garnished to pay any student loan debts which are in default. Education Department Secretary Linda McMahon banished any hope that Biden-era forgiveness schemes and pauses would continue in the Trump administration. 'There will not be any mass loan forgiveness.' In fact, the department is instead seeking to claw back debts through involuntary collections beginning May 5. The Trump administration's announcement marks an end to a period of leniency that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. No federal student loans have been referred for collection since March 2020, even those in default, in an effort to support Americans during the Covid crisis as the economy tanked and workplaces laid off staff. The pause was extended under former President Joe Biden, who also sought to give broad forgiveness of student loans, only to be stopped by the courts. Everyday Americans are already toughing it with a mounting cost of living crisis, but now the 5.3million with defaulted student loan debts will receive even less in their weekly pay checks. More than five million Americans have been hit with a dire warning that their wages will soon be garnished to pay any student loan debts which are in default The Trump administration's announcement marks an end to a period of leniency that began during the COVID-19 pandemic A further four million Americans could be in default on their loans within months, which would put nearly 25 per cent of the federal student loan portfolio in the red. A loan is considered in default if there are no payments made within a nine month window. This is reported on a borrower's credit score and can go to collections. The four million Americans teetering on the brink of default are anywhere between 91 and 180 days late on their loan payments. The department will begin involuntary collection through the Treasury Department's offset program, which withholds tax refunds, federal salaries and other benefits from people with past-due debts to the government. Simultaneously, those in default will likely receive an email within the next two weeks encouraging them to consider repayment options. After a 30-day notice, the department also will begin garnishing wages for borrowers in default. Biden oversaw the cancellation of student loans for more than 5 million borrowers. Despite the Supreme Court's rejection of his signature proposal for broad relief, he waived more than $183.6 billion in student loans through expanded forgiveness programs. In her statement Monday, McMahon said Biden had gone too far. The pause was extended under former President Joe Biden, who also sought to give broad forgiveness of student loans, only to be stopped by the courts Education Department Secretary Linda McMahon banished any hope that students may have harbored that Biden-era forgiveness schemes and pauses would continue in the Trump administration 'Going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation's economic outlook,' she said. 'American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies.' Borrowers had been bracing for a development since Biden's latest grace period lapsed in October 2024, resuming payments for tens of millions of Americans. Even still, this decision has drawn criticism from advocates, who said borrowers had experienced whiplash and confusion with the changing student loan policies between the Biden and Trump administrations. 'This is cruel, unnecessary and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country,' said Mike Pierce, of the Student Borrower Protection Center. Two hospitals in Pennsylvania are closing, in a devastating outcome for the local community. Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital will shut after parent company Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy in January. The healthcare giant has been trying to hammer out a deal with a potential buyer for months to avoid full closure of the facilities, but with no luck. After months of uncertainty, employees received emails on Monday letting them know that the hospitals would close and more than 2,600 people would be laid off. Despite last-minute cash influxes in recent months, Prospect said it had made the 'extremely difficult decision' and would begin moving patients as soon as Wednesday. Prospect operated 16 hospitals and more than 165 clinics across California, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Once an aggressive acquirer of struggling hospitals, it collapsed under mounting debt earlier this year. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro blamed Prospect's 'greed and mismanagement' for the closures, which he said would hurt workers and patients. Taylor Hospital will shut after Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy in January Patients will begin moving out of Crozer-Chester Medical Center as soon as Wednesday The two hospitals will begin diverting emergency room patients to other medical centers in the area on Wednesday morning, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal. Some services already begun moving out of the hospitals earlier this month. The hospitals will then cease elective inpatient admissions and trauma, surgical, obstetrics and gynecology, burn, behavioral health, oncology, and outpatient services. Patients with complex needs will then be moved to other facilities. Paul Rundell, Prospect's chief restructuring officer, said in a statement: 'We've worked tirelessly with the Pennsylvania Attorney General and other parties to do everything possible to prevent this outcome. 'Unfortunately, we were unable to reach a viable alternative.' He added that the focus remains on seamlessly transitioning patients to other health facilities so that they can continue to receive the critical, uninterrupted care they require, and supporting employees as they look for other work. Prospect already closed nearby Delaware County Memorial Hospital and Springfield Hospital in 2022. Once Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital close, the 577,000 residents of Delaware County will only have two inpatient community hospitals. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro blamed Prospect's 'greed and mismanagement' for the closures, which he said would hurt workers and patients Prospect operated 16 hospitals and more than 165 clinics across California, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy in January (Pictured: CEO Von Crockett) Pennsylvania state senator Tim Kearney expressed his devastation at the closures. It is a 'devastating and disgraceful blow to our communities, our health care workers, and every patient who has ever relied on our local hospital system,' he said. Following the announcement, Delaware Country declared a seven-day disaster emergency to help provide immediate support to those impacted, CBS News reported. Governor Shapiro said on Monday: 'Prospect Medical Holdings, the for-profit owner of Crozer Health, pillaged these hospitals for their own gain and today, we see the result of their greed and mismanagement with the announced closure and loss of critical health care services for the people of Delaware County.' Prospect is not the only major hospital chain which has filed for bankruptcy in recent years. Landmark, which operates six specialty hospitals across Florida, Missouri and Georgia, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March. It is not yet known whether Landmark plans to close any hospitals as part of its bankruptcy proceedings, or if facilities will continue to operate as normal. Problems at Landmark also came less than a year after the collapse of Steward Health Care, a major hospital system backed by private equity. The Steward bankruptcy drew government scrutiny and prompted debate about the regulation of private-equity owned hospitals whose failure could lead to devastating consequences for local communities. Tesla just reported a breathtaking downfall. The automaker's first-quarter profits cratered 71 percent, with the EV giant pulling in $409 million compared to $1.4 billion during the same stretch last year. Wall Street expected better and investors are clearly growing uneasy with the once-dominant EV brand. The company's stock price has shed nearly 40 percent of its value since January (though, it has regained some momentum after the earnings release.) The vibe shift around Tesla, once a crown jewel for liberal Americans, is very real. The company sold huge amounts of electrified vehicles to tech and environmentally-minded consumers. Tesla is largely credited for the rise in popularity of EVs, which represent over nine percent of new vehicle sales in the US annually. But the company's CEO, Elon Musk, has since pitched rightward, spending millions on President Donald Trump's campaign and backing hard-right candidates in Europe. Protestors have gathered around Tesla dealerships to voice their discontent with Musk's political shift That political pivot has turned off many of the progressive and centrist buyers who once lined up for Teslas. Angry consumers have responded with impassioned, sometimes fiery, protests at Tesla dealerships. And, Tesla's sales have tanked. Tesla Takedown, an organization that advocates for free speech rights at the dealership protests, took victory for the revenue and sales downfalls. 'Today's earnings report sends a very clear message: the Tesla Takedown grassroots pressure is beginning to hit Tesla where it hurts,' the organization said. 'The company's bottom line.' Despite the hit, Tesla remains the top-selling EV brand in the US and the most valuable automaker in the world by market capitalization. But investors are worried Musk is losing focus on what made Tesla a juggernaut: building innovative vehicles. Musk has aligned himself with President Trump - a move that has angered fans who previously leaned more centrist and to the left Tesla's EVs were earth-shaking in the early 2020s The company lost more than 70 percent of its profits in the first quarter of the year Tesla's best-sellers the Model Y and Model 3 just received some style updates. The Cybertruck, which launched in late 2023, has quickly become the best-selling electric pickup in the US. But the model lineup is getting old. Global competitors, including Chinese brands BYD, NIO, XPeng, and Zeekr, have massively upgraded their battery capacity and interior tech. BYD just launched a car that it claims can charge the battery in a third of the time a Tesla takes. Some American brands are closing the gap too. Rivians newest EVs beat Teslas driving range by nearly 100 miles. Hyundai and Kia are offering lower starting prices than the Model Y. Even legacy giant GM has leveled up its EV game with massive, well-powered EVs and value offerings like the $35,000 Chevy Equinox EV. In its earnings report, Tesla blamed shifting trade policies from President Trump and a shaky global supply chain for its struggles. 'Uncertainty in the automotive and energy markets continues to increase as rapidly evolving trade policy adversely impacts the global supply chain and cost structure of Tesla and our peers,' the company reported in its earnings. The stock increases are largely attributed to the company's forward-looking plans. Tesla has been developing robots and autonomous vehicle technology that it believes will soon hit the road. The company also said affordable vehicles, which have been teased for several years 'remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025.' Tesla warned that the value cars will feature 'less cost reduction' than previously expected because of supply constraints. Musk promised a $25,000 electric vehicle in September 2020. He has since called the plans 'pointless' and 'silly.' Costco has been accused of shrinkflation after customers noticed a new cookie variety has fewer cookies in the pack than usual. An Instagram video posted by fan account @costcobuys revealed that the new brown butter sugar cookies sold by the retailer are priced at $7.99 for 21 cookies. But regular Costco shoppers have been quick to point out that in the past, cookies have been sold in packs of 24. 'Where did the other three go?' one user wrote on a Reddit thread dedicated to the sweet treat. '21 count? Man first they came for the muffins and then they came for the two dozen,' another person wrote. The membership-only retailer is the latest to be accused of shrinkflation - which is when products shrink in size or quantity while the price remains the same or even increases. As Americans begin to feel the pinch of rising prices, many are beginning to question whether they are being shortchanged. A 2024 report by LendingTree revealed that of almost 100 everyday products bought by Americans, a third had shrunk in the last five years. 'People are already frustrated that things cost more,' said Matt Schulz, LendingTree chief credit analyst. 'Shrinkflation just adds insult to injury. It all adds up to a lot of Americans feeling squeezed every month to afford the basic things they can't do without.' Schultz added that businesses prefer shrinking products over raising prices, as they know that customers do not like it when this happens. 'Shrinkflation is a sneaky little way around that,' he said. 'Rather than bumping up the price of something, businesses make the product smaller while keeping the price the same. 'If done smartly, customers may not even notice. However, the problem is that when they do, it leaves the customer with a bad taste in their mouth because it feels so deceptive.' The new cookies are not the first time Costco has been accused of shortchanging customers. In December 2024, a furious Costco shopper claimed their holiday staple - the Kirkland Signature Peppermint Bark - only had 'half the thickness' that previous iterations of the sweet treat had. Costco has been accused of shrinking some of its sweet treats Regular Costco shoppers have been quick to point out that in the past, cookies have been sold in packs of 24 A frustrated TikTok user known as @infinitely.balanced claimed Costco's Kirkland Signature Peppermint Bark was not thick this year The shopper known as @infinitely.balanced on TikTok shared her frustration about the Peppermint Bark in a video on December 16. 'This is not my first rodeo buying Peppermint Bark... This is not like their other Peppermint Bark but this s*** was still $15,' the TikToker claimed. 'I love yall and i like these are thin but these shouldn't be the same price as the other peppermint bark yall have had,' she wrote in the video description. The TikTok user also made clear in her video that shrinkflation has been 'p***ing her off.' But Costco fans are happy with the retailer for another recent change. The warehouse retailer is known for delivering value to its members with its much-loved own-brand products. Now the $13.99 Kirkland 12-pack of Helles-Style Lager is the latest item fans are raving about. Made by the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon the German-style lager was released exclusively in Costco in November. As China deepens its presence through major investments, India is doubling down to protect its strategic interests a offering aid, infrastructure to send a message that it is Sri Lankaas most reliable partner Amid the intensifying IndiaaChina battle for influence in Sri Lanka, New Delhi has reason to be satisfied following the recent two-day state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the island nation during which economic, defence, and energy ties with an important neighbour were shored up. Indiaas strategic interests are intrinsically tied with those of Sri Lanka, hence the need to maintain close and robust bilateral relations with it. New Delhi also sought to convey to the Anura Kumara Dissanayake a led Government the message, yet again, that it can reap greater benefits from India, which is a reliable friend. The underlying message herein being that China isnat one. It was also conveyed to Colombo once again that protecting Indiaas security interests as well as its own should be of paramount importance. Towards this end, New Delhi also extracted from President Dissanayake an assurance, yet again, that he will keep in mind Indiaas security interests. To New Delhias undoubted relief, President Dissanayake reiterated that he will not allow Sri Lankan territory to be used in any manner that will threaten Indiaas security interests. For now, the Dissanayake Government appears to be walking the talk on this account going by news reports that Sri Lanka cancelled a joint naval exercise with Indiaas arch-foe Pakistan, which was to be held in the waters off the strategically located Trincomalee, not too far from the Indian coastline. But not before New Delhi intervened and made its security concerns known, following which the exercise a which was to have been held around the dates PM Modi was to visit the island nation a was scrapped. Given its strategic imperatives in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), itas essential for New Delhi to consolidate its influence in Sri Lanka where India no longer holds sole sway, and to maintain robust ties with the new Government in place there. In its outreach to the island nation, New Delhi is also seeking to burnish its credentials as a leader of the Global South, projecting itself as a dependable partner for nations facing economic hardship, and who need not fear falling into a debt trap as is often the case when they avail of loans from China. During the PMas visit, there was also important messaging for Colombo about the perils of hob-nobbing too closely with Beijing, with PM Modi stating during the visit, aWe have shared security interests. The security of both countries is inter-connected and co-dependent.a As a maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean straddling vital sea lanes, New Delhi knows that Chinese expansionism can pose a strategic threat to both India and Sri Lanka. The spreading tentacles of Chinaas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Sri Lanka too have given New Delhi sleepless nights. As Chinaas footprints in Sri Lanka increase, New Delhi knows well that it cannot afford to let its guard down vis-A -vis Beijing as the latter builds deep inroads into Indiaas immediate and extended neighbourhood. This has forced India to redouble its efforts to ramp up its engagement and provide all manner of development assistance to countries in its neighbourhood so that they remain within its sphere of influence. In the case of Sri Lanka, India provided financial assistance totalling $4.5 billion in 2022 and 2023 to it during its post-pandemic economic meltdown. This played a vital role in helping Sri Lanka obtain an IMF bailout. Indiaas outreach to the Dissanayake Government has also seen it convert $20.66 million given as lines of credit into grant assistance to reduce Sri Lankaas debt burden. All this, plus New Delhias willingness to help Sri Lanka achieve economic stability, is possibly what has helped it forge close ties thus far with the Dissanayake Government. Despite pursuing a policy of aNeighbourhood First,a Indiaas strategic space in the IOR is increasingly shrinking amidst a relentless Chinese onslaught. Though India has coined the new term aMahasagara (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) replacing the earlier coinage of aSagara (Security and Growth for All) for countries in the IOR, containing Chinaas influence remains a challenge. Indiaas efforts donat always bear fruit, especially when China-leaning Governments are in power in the neighbourhood. Besides, the offer of Chinese loans and financial assistance to build infrastructure is too tempting to resist for cash-strapped neighbours of India struggling to execute mega projects. In the case of Sri Lanka, the Left-leaning Dissanayake has adroitly managed to balance his countryas diplomatic ties with the two Asian giants in the six months since he took charge. It also means that the island nation for now is seeking to reap the benefits from the fierce IndiaaChina rivalry in Sri Lanka and the wider IOR. So if Dissanayake earlier this year managed to secure the largest-ever FDI (foreign direct investment) of $3.7 billion for his country from China for a state-of-the-art oil refinery at Hambantota to be built by Sinopec, heas being wooed by India as well in the area of energy security. PM Modias visit saw the joint launch of the plan to build the Sampur solar power plant. It will be developed by the Trincomalee Power Company, which is a joint venture between Ceylon Electricity Board and Indiaas NTPC. To boost the island nationas energy security, all the more imperative as it went through a crippling forex crisis post the pandemic a which meant huge fuel shortages a the visit saw a tripartite agreement between India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE to develop Trincomalee as a regional energy hub. India needs to consolidate its foothold in Trincomalee on the island nationas eastern coast and keep China at bay. With its huge natural harbour, Trincomalee is of immense geo-strategic import and has the potential to be developed as a naval base. India is also already jointly redeveloping with Sri Lanka World War II a era strategic oil tank farms in Trincomalee. Apart from Trincomalee, New Delhi is also keeping a close eye on another strategic port, the one in Kankesanthurai, which lies not too far away from the Indian coastline. The port in Sri Lankaas Tamil-dominated northern province is close to the Indian coastline and is being arehabilitateda with a $61.5 million grant assistance from India. Given its vital security stakes in Sri Lanka, a defence cooperation agreement with the island nation, the first between the two countries, inked during the visit would also help India counter Chinese moves in the region. After all, Chinaas hegemonic ambitions present a real and present danger to India and indeed the entire IOR. (The author is Senior Journalist. Views are personal) Mayor John Whitmire speaks during a memorial service for Olympic and world champion boxer and minister George Foreman at Wortham Theater Center in Houston, Monday, April 14, 2025. Foreman was 76. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Congressman Dan Crenshaw visits the Anheuser-Busch Houston Brewery to announce a $22.5 million investment on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Around 30 precinct and Congressional chairs with the Harris County Democratic Party signed a resolution Tuesday to admonish Mayor John Whitmire, accusing him of undermining the values and mission of the Democratic Party the same day Whitmire planned to attend a fundraiser for GOP U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw. The resolution seeks to apply the same rules precinct chairs are bound to when they take their oath to elected officials. Precinct chairs are not allowed to endorse, fundraise or support candidates from opposing political parties, a statement released Tuesday reads. The resolution also seeks to bar Whitmire from seeking endorsement from the party in future elections. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In their statement, the precinct chairs wrote that Whitmire had stood on the sidelines as President Donald Trump overhauled the upper rungs of the federal government, and that Whitmire failed to speak up for Houstonians who suffered the consequences. The statement also points to how the Houston Police Department has cooperated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. John Whitmires agenda is indistinguishable from that of a MAGA mayor, the statement reads, referring to the Trump campaign slogan Make America Great Again. With Trump in office and pursuing an illegal and authoritarian agenda impacting millions of Houstonians, we deserve to have a fighter who wants to represent us, not a willing enabler of an emerging dictatorship, the statement continued. If Whitmire wants to be a Republican, thats OK, but he shouldnt be able to do that and count on the support of thousands of grassroots volunteers who shed blood, sweat and tears to knock on doors and elect people who represent our values. Whitmire's spokesperson Mary Benton said Tuesday the mayor formed partnerships that were in the city's best interest. 'We're in difficult times now' Party chair Mike Doyle said Tuesday that he was disappointed in Whitmire and that he thought Democratic officials should be supporting other good Democratic officials. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I think anybody that's supporting somebody who's lock-step with Trump and Elon Musk, that's just not good at best," Doyle said. "I think we're in difficult times now, and it's important that people recognize what kind of behaviors you're supporting." Whether the resolution will come before the whole party for a vote is yet to be determined. Usually resolutions have to go through the party's resolution committee before they're brought to the body as a whole, Doyle said. Precinct chairs have not sent the resolution to the committee yet. Whitmire was a Democrat in his more than 50 years representing the Houston region in the Texas Legislature. As Houstons newest mayor, he sits in a nonpartisan seat and ran a nonpartisan election where he garnered a base of progressive and conservative voters alike to overwhelmingly clinch the seat. Upcoming Crenshaw fundraiser The mayor is set to appear tonight at a fundraiser for Crenshaw at the home of construction moguls Laura and George Pontikos tonight. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While Whitmires appearance at the fundraiser caught side-eyes online, political science experts noted Whitmire needed all the help he could get as mayor, and that it wasnt entirely uncommon for a mayor of a large city to seek support from members of the opposite party. Whitmires ultimate goal is to make the city better and have relationships that span from local to state to federal, University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus said at the time. He needs as many friends as he can get. Whitmire has defended his decision to attend the fundraiser, saying he worked closely with those who helped bring the city needed resources. The last resolution seeking to admonish an elected official within the Democratic Party was against former District Attorney Kim Ogg. The party ultimately voted to admonish her, but it did not limit her powers as an elected official. A Sinn Fein councillor and chairperson of a Dungiven-based support group has spoken out to defend his decision to apply for funding from renewable energy producer, ERG. The company, which produces wind and solar energy and has operations throughout the world, recently awarded 25,000 to St. Canices Support Group in Dungiven, through its Community Benefit Fund, helping those affected by addiction. Working alongside the Dungiven Community Response Group and Glenshane Community Development, St. Canices Support Group helps connect individuals and families with essential services, workshops and community support to help deal with addiction and the associated challenges. Over the past three years, the charity has been successful in its application to the ERG Community Benefit Fund, receiving 5,000 in the first year and 10,000 in each of the following two years. The recent ERG funding will cover facilitation costs for a support worker to join St. Canices Support Group. It will also fund valuable resources, materials, training costs, and the preparation and provision of essentials and meals for service users. Local Sinn Fein councillor and chairperson of the Dungiven Community Response Group, Sean McGlinchey said members of the community, who are opposed to the erection of wind turbines, have expressed discontent over the organisation accepting the funding. Companies like ERG have been here about 20 years and all other community groups in the locality have availed of funding so why shouldnt we? he said. People are entitled to oppose wind turbines and I respect that, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however as a local councillor I am fully entitled to support my own community and if that means applying for funding then we will be doing that. Councillor McGlinchey continued: This service is a lifeline for many locals, but sadly, we lose at least one service user every year. Without funding from organisations like ERG, we simply couldnt continue to offer this support. Seeing the impact, whether its a friendly chat during home visits or watching someone turn their life around, our support makes all the difference. For the last three years this organisation has been delivering 30 hot meals a week to the most vulnerable in our community, we have been providing food vouchers, oil and coal and just last week I went to three different families and gave them 60 each - every single thing is very well documented and accounted for. I respect peoples views and opinions but I will continue to represent our vulnerable and if that means applying for funding that is available to us then thats what will continue to happen. Colum McNicholl, Treasurer of St. Canices GAC, added: During lockdown, St. Canices GAC began distributing food across Dungiven, and we quickly realised just how many people were struggling with addiction. It can be an isolating disease, and for some, our home visits are their main source of social connection. Our priority is to support those in need while ensuring they retain their dignity. Thanks to ERGs funding, we have been able to expand and enhance our services, providing essential support that helps people regain stability, a sense of normality and take meaningful steps towards their recovery. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. UW taps Lewis as design-builder for its new $61M front door' Special Projects Editor By SHAWNA GAMACHE Special Projects Editor Image from UW website [enlarge] The welcome center will be built along Northeast 45th Street beside the Burke Museum, not far from the big bronze W on Memorial Way. The University of Washington selected Lease Crutcher Lewis from three design-builder finalists to build a new welcome center next to the Burke Museum along Northeast 45th Street between Memorial Way and 15th Avenue Northeast. A notice of UW's plans to award the project to Lewis pending negotiation ran in Friday's DJC. UW is using the design-build alternative public works contracting procedure for this project, meaning Lewis and the university will work collaboratively to select the design architect and other team members, according to the request for qualifications. The plan is to solicit for an architect this month. We're thrilled to once again partner with UW on what promises to be an iconic addition to campus and a signature building for Lewis, said Joe Nielsen, director of operations for Lease Crutcher Lewis and the UW Welcome Center's project lead. This opportunity is a testament to the work of our current and past project teams on campus during the past decade. We're incredibly proud of that legacy and can't wait to get started on a project that will engage many generations of students and families, alumni and community members. The estimated $61.4 million project has a targeted design-build contract budget of $45 million to build the 30,000 to 33,000-square-foot building at the northwest corner of UW's historic campus core, a popular campus entry point. UW wants the building to serve as its new front door, welcoming prospective students, visitors and alumni. It will be the starting point for tours and other admissions programming now housed in the HUB, and will become the permanent campus home for the university's 600,000 alumni, housing the UW Alumni Association's programs, services and activities. The UW also envisions an auditorium for public events and lectures and social space for casual gatherings, according to the RFQ. The university has a unique opportunity to fulfill its mission of bringing together current and future students, parents, alumni and visitors in a community-facing space which supports the admissions experience, tells the university's story of impact, ignites curiosity, and evokes a sense of place, pride and belonging, the RFQ introduction said. Enabling and construction is scheduled to begin in February of 2026, with closeout slated to be complete by May of 2029, per the RFQ. Shawna Gamache can be reached by email or by phone at (206) 219-6518. Related Stories: Flying Tigers exhibition in San Francisco honors U.S.-China wartime friendship Xinhua) 13:58, April 22, 2025 SAN FRANCISCO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Descendants of the Flying Tigers, along with U.S. and Chinese officials and World War II history activists, gathered here on Monday to open a new photo exhibition that honors the historic bond between the American and Chinese people during their joint fight against fascism in World War II (WWII). The exhibition, titled "Sino-American Friendship -- Flying Tigers in Guangxi," is being organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It runs through May 4 at the WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall in San Francisco Chinatown. Featuring 29 panels of historical photographs, the exhibition highlights the heroic contributions of the Flying Tigers -- an American volunteer group that aided China during its War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The images also reflect the deep friendship forged between the two nations as they stood shoulder to shoulder during one of the most turbulent periods in modern history. Guangxi was a key strategic location for the Flying Tigers, who operated from bases in cities like Guilin and Liuzhou. From there, they launched daring bombing raids on Japanese targets in Guangzhou, Wuhan, Hainan, and beyond -- crippling supply lines and bolstering China's resistance efforts while contributing to the global fight against fascism. Charlene Fontaine, a descendant of a Flying Tigers veteran, shared personal stories passed down from her father. She emphasized the often-overlooked bravery of the Chinese people. "When we said how much our dads did to help save China, my father always said it was the courage and resilience of the Chinese people that saved them," she recalled. Wei Jiang, deputy director of Guangxi's Department of Culture and Tourism, highlighted stories of American pilots rescued by Chinese villagers who risked their lives to shelter them from enemy forces. Wei announced that a larger and more comprehensive exhibition on the Flying Tigers will open this September in Liuzhou City, and he invited Flying Tigers descendants in the United States to contribute historical materials and visit the upcoming event. Local elected officials also attended Monday's opening ceremony. "We're here to honor the men, the women, and the history of an incredible event," said Danville Vice Mayor Newell Arnerich. "History is something that we need to learn from and it guides us to our future." San Francisco Supervisor Chyanne Chen praised the exhibit as "a valuable live classroom." "The U.S.-China relationship is important, and remembering the sacrifices of those who fought for peace is something we must continue to honor," she said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) South Korean actor Park Bo Gum is receiving praise again this time for his humility and quick thinking while filming his project, When Life Gives You Tangerines. One member of the film's art team, reaching out to share the story, recently explained that Park took the fall for a production mistake made by staff. In contrast, the film was being shot nefariously, averting what could've become a serious production gaffe. According to the staff member, who was one of three art team members on set that day, the incident occurred during a hectic shoot involving a clay model of Gwan Sik, the character portrayed by Park. In the rush, the staff member accidentally left an iPad near a clay jar that appeared in the scene. "The scene was even approved," the staffer said, recounting the moment. "But do you guys know what Park Bo Gum said? He saw the iPad and told the director, 'I think my acting is a little awkward. Can I see the monitoring video?' He covered up for my mistake and spoke about it as if it were his fault." The staffer added that Park discreetly handed back the iPad after requesting a reshoot. "He then handed me my iPad and winked as he told me, 'Don't worry, you didn't get caught.'" The gesture left a lasting impression on the crew. "Please take responsibility, for after that, the three members of the art team have fallen for you and can't get out," the staffer joked. "Two of them are guys, and one of them...is me." Thanks to Park's intervention, the team was able to refilm the scene, and the updated version made it into the final cut of the project. .. .. pic.twitter.com/1dwGjKCcIH (@gummyblue_) April 20, 2025 Park, known for his roles in Reply 1988 and Record of Youth, has long been admired for his professionalism and kindness. The recent anecdote only adds to his growing reputation as one of the industry's most gracious stars. Cardinals will meet on Tuesday morning for the first time since Pope Francis died to confirm the details of his funeral. Those currently in Rome have been invited to meet at 8am BST (9am local time) to commence planning, according to the BBC. The world will be watching Vatican City after the death of the 88-year-old pontiff on Easter Monday. The gathered cardinals will also decide when the Popes body will be moved to St Peters Basilica to allow the public to pay their respects before the burial. Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni said the transfer to St Peters Basilica could happen as early as Wednesday morning. Francis died after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said. Tributes poured in from around the world on Monday, including from the King and other world leaders, with many praising the Pope for his advocacy for the marginalised. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Francis had been a Pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. He was described by the King, whom he met in recent weeks, as someone who had profoundly touched the lives of so many. His death starts a centuries-old ritual, where first the camerlengo, Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, certifies Pope Franciss death and seals the papal apartment. Cardinal Farrell will carry out the administrative and financial duties of the Holy See until a new pope takes over. Before the cardinals, senior members of the Catholic Church, convene in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave the secret meeting at which a new pope will be elected the Church enters a period called sede vacante, or the vacant See. The Popes body will remain in the chapel for a few days before being brought for public viewing in St Peters Basilica, as per new rites Francis approved last year. The public will likely be able to begin paying their final respects to Francis starting on Wednesday, the Vatican said. The funeral date has not yet been confirmed, but it must be held between four and six days after the death, and is set to be announced after the cardinals meet on Tuesday morning. US President Donald Trump said on social media he and his wife Melania plan to attend the funeral. After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the novendiali. To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15 to 20 days after the sede vacante is declared, but it can start sooner if the cardinals agree. Cardinals, including the Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, from London, will take part in the vote for the next pope. Both aged 79, the pair are just below the cut-off for voting as part of the conclave. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave they are known as the cardinal electors and their number is limited to 120. Asked about the next pope at a press conference on Monday, Cardinal Nichols told reporters: He has to be a man of great inner strength, and I think great inner peace. He added: I think those inner capacities of closeness to God and peace are the absolute essentials. Cardinal Radcliffe said: I think that we always open ourselves to be surprised. All recent popes have been quite different from each other. The funeral arrangements for Pope Francis were announced by the Vatican on Tuesday morning after the Pontiff passed away on Easter Monday aged 88. Following months of poor health, Pope Francis suffered a stroke on Monday not long after his last public appearance for the Vatican's Easter celebrations. It has now been confirmed that the funeral will take place on Saturday, 27 April at 9am (Irish time.) This will then mark the start of the first of nine days of mourning. The election of a pope is a complex and deeply historical process which can take days. So, what happens next? Who is in charge now? After the death of a pope, or even resignation, the Church enters a period called 'sede vacante' which means 'empty seat.' During 'sede vacante', the Camerlengo, or chamberlain, is in charge in place of the pope. Currently, the Camerlengo in charge after Pope Francis' death is an Irish-born American Cardinal called Kevin Farrell. Cardinal Farrell was the one who announced the pope's death on Monday. Conclave and the cardinals Since the death of Pope Francis, cardinals have gathered in the Vatican to plan the funeral and eventually elect the next pope. There are 252 cardinals across the world which form the College of Cardinals. Responsibility for all Vatican affairs fall on them during the period between popes. However, of this number, just 135 are eligible to be cardinal electors and they are who gather to choose a new pope in the process known as conclave. READ NEXT: BREAKING: The Vatican confirms funeral details for Pope Francis A conclave typically takes place between 15 and 20 days after the death of a pope and can last for several days. Who are in the running to be the next pope? There are a few front runners for who will be the next pope, but given the highly secretive nature of the conclave there will be no further indications as to who it could be until it is formally announced by the Vatican. Among those named as the potential future pontiff is the Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The 60-year-old is the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and has committed himself to crises in the Middle East. Fellow Italian, 70-year-old Pietro Parolin is also considered a frontrunner. Parolin is the Vatican's Secretary of State and a high ranking figure in the Vatican. Matteo Zuppi is another Italian cardinal on the list of those likely to replace Pope Francis. The 69-year-old is the president of the Episcopal Conference of Italy and Archbishop of Bologna. Zuppi is considered to be a very progressive choice. 59-year-old Jose Tolentino de Mendonca is one of the youngest candidates. He is the prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education. Some consider the Portuguese cardinal's age to actually be a factor against him in the election. Likewise, he is also considered a progressive and so a controversial choice. The Hungarian cardinal Peter Erdo is another candidate on the list. The 72-year-old was on the ballot in the last conclave. He has served as the president of the Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe. Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines could make history as the first Asian pope, if he was elected. The 67-year-old was a former archbishop in Manila. This region has one of the fastest growing Catholic populations in the world. Some suggest he was considered one of Pope Francis' preferred successors. Another contender is 79-year-old Robert Sarah from Guinea. Sarah is an Orthodox cardinal whose views are grounded in more traditional Catholic values. If elected, he could be the first black pope in centuries. Likewise, Peter Turkson from Ghana could also be the first black pope in centuries if he was elected. The 76-year-old cardinal was appointed Prefect of the new Department for the Service of the Integral Human Development. He has been outspoken on issues such as poverty and the climate crisis. Pro-Palestine protesters entered a BBC building in Belfast and the RTE campus in Dublin on Tuesday. The BBC building in the city centre was put into lockdown for a short period when protesters made their way on to the premises. The group, holding Palestinian flags and chanting, gained access to a studio in Great Victoria Street at around 11am. A number of police officers were called to the area and removed the protesters from the building. A spokesman for the PSNI said: Police received a report at approximately 11am this morning, Tuesday April 22, that a building had been entered by protesters in the Great Victoria Street area of Belfast city centre. Officers attended the scene and spoke with the crowd who then left the building and moved their protest outside. No damage was caused and the protesters have since moved on from this area. A BBC spokesperson said: We take the safety and security of BBC staff and buildings extremely seriously. Unauthorised access is wrong and can create risks for everyone involved. Meanwhile, a small group of protesters entered the RTE reception area shortly after midday. Gardai were called to the scene and removed the small crowd. Both protests voiced their criticism of the coverage of Israels war in Gaza. In a statement, a spokesman for gardai said: Gardai attended at a public gathering at a premises in Donnybrook, Dublin 4 this afternoon, Tuesday April 22 2025. This gathering has now dispersed. No offences disclosed. A spokeswoman for RTE said it does not comment on security-related matters. The Dundalk Lions Club, in association with Irish Whiskey Auctions, is co-hosting a very special 'Whiskey with a Mission' tasting event, with Irish Distillers, ( IDPR) The event will take place on Friday 9th May at 7pm in the Gateway Hotel, Dundalk. Promising to be a night of fun and fundraising, Irish Distillers will showcase their Midleton Collection portfolio, which contains brands such as Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast, Spot Whiskeys, with all proceeds going to the Dundalk Lions Clubs charity endeavours. Andrew Dickie, brand engagement and advocacy team manager at IDPR, will lead the guests through this incredible whiskey portfolio. Andrew has a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for whiskey and will be an excellent lead on the night. Callan Quinn from Dundalk Lions Club is looking forward to the event and thinks it will be a success, We are excited to partner again with Irish Whiskey Auctions and Irish Distillers to host Whiskey With A Mission, a charity premium whiskey tasting in the Gateway Hotel. The last event was fantastic and we are going bigger again this year to help raise funds for the Lions Club's many charity endeavours, including the upcoming trip for the senior citizens to the west of Ireland. Read Next: Plans underway for 44 new homes in north Louth Anthony Sheehy, CEO of Irish Whiskey Auctions, is proud to be partnering with Dundalk Lions Club for the event, The Lions Club Dundalk, like many of the charities we support, is close to our hearts. We have worked to help raise funds for this great local charity before and look forward to continuing our support. We are thrilled that we have been able to grow and expand our yearly whiskey event with the Lions and hope we raise much needed funds for our local causes. Dont miss out on this fantastic opportunity to enjoy prestige whiskey and contribute to the community. Tickets cost 35 and are available at Eventbrite.ie or by contacting www.irishwhiskeyauctions.com or the Dundalk Lions Club. Community groups in Louth are being urged to apply for a new digital literacy fund for older adults, launched by Rethink Ireland and Vodafone Foundation, to help bridge the digital divide for older adults in Ireland Nearly half (46%) of persons aged over 75 years had never used the internet according to CSO (2021). To help bridge this digital divide, Rethink Ireland and the Vodafone Foundation have launched the 540,000 Hi Digital Fund. This two-year fund will support five innovative organisations that are providing services for older adults aged 65 and above to develop essential digital skills. The fund will provide cash grants and business supports for social innovations that enhance digital literacy and inclusion for older adults in their community, bridging Irelands digital skills gap. It promotes innovative approaches to ensure no one is left behind, teaching essential skills like smartphone use, e-health and smart home tech. The Hi Digital Fund has been created by Rethink Ireland the funding body thinking differently to create a more just, equal and sustainable Ireland and is supported by the Vodafone Foundation, private donors and Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund. Digital exclusion is a silent crisis affecting thousands of older adults across Ireland." said Deirdre Mortell, CEO of Rethink Ireland. Through the Hi Digital Fund, we're not just teaching tech skillswe're reconnecting people to essential services, reducing isolation, and enabling independent aging. This fund represents a critical investment in ensuring no older person is left behind in our increasingly digital society. Read next: Superquinn Dundalk staff reunion will take place next month Head of Vodafone Foundation, Liz Roche stated: At Vodafone Foundation, we believe that everyone, regardless of age or ability, should have access to the digital world. By funding Rethink Ireland, we will grow to support five new organisations across Ireland so that they have the resources to help older adults improve digital literacy skills and online confidence. Were dedicated to reaching even more isolated people and making technology accessible for all. Also supporting the launch, Roisin Mills, Programme and Training Commissioner from the Irish Girl Guides said: "At Irish Girl Guides, we believe in creating an equal and inclusive world for all. We are proud to partner with the Vodafone Foundation to deliver the Hi Digital programme, an initiative designed to empower older people with essential, real-world digital skills. "Through this experience, not only our youth members are helping others to grow in confidence and ability, but they are also developing invaluable personal skills themselves, including communication, empathy, patience, and leadership" This fund will support diverse community initiatives and sustainable digital literacy programmes that remove barriers for older people who are unfamiliar with the digital world. The Vodafone Foundation will donate 250,000 over two years, with an additional 20,000 from private donors, totalling 270,000. The Department of Rural and Community Development will match this amount via the Dormant Accounts Fund, resulting in a total fund of 540,000. Applications for the fund are now open and will close on 26 May 2025. Applications can be made here. Cross-border dairy co-operative Lakeland Dairies has paid out 28.6m to its farmers in Louth last year through milk payments, contributing significantly to the local rural economy. Overall, the co-op paid 998 million to its 3,200 farm families in 2024. Lakeland Dairies recently announced its annual results and financial report for 2024, marking a year of solid performance. After a very challenging 2023, Lakeland Dairies returned revenues of 1.75 billion, operating profits of 43.2 million, and EBITDA of 73.3 million in 2024. Commenting on the support to Louth farmers, Lakeland Dairies Chairperson, Niall Matthews, said: As one of Irelands largest dairy co-operatives owned and run by its members, we understand the critical role that milk price plays in sustaining rural communities. "Dairying is the backbone of local economies across the island, the money from the milk cheque is used to invest in their farms for future generations as well as supporting local businesses and industry. Our farmers are the originators of the circular economy, and thats why we are steadfast in our commitment to returning the highest possible milk price. "In 2024, we were proud to issue almost 28.6m to our farm families in County Louth, part of a total milk payout of 998m to our suppliers across our catchment. This is a reflection of the immense value our farmers bring to both the economy and society. Read next: Arthur's Archive: Take a trip down Louth's memory lane! "2024 was a critical year for Lakeland Dairies as we continued our strategic journey of added-value and our ruthless focus on operational efficiency to support our 3,200 farm families from 17 counties who produce 2bn litres of high-quality milk annually. "Through our pioneering and forward-thinking strategy Foundations for a Better Future, we have a clear ambition to deliver sustainable prosperity to our skilled, dedicated and hard-working farm families The Fastnet Film Festival will host three special events next month celebrating the work of acclaimed filmmaker, author, and artist Rebecca Miller. The festival, taking place from May 21 to 25 at Schull, will see Ms Miller conduct a live interview, a book reading, and a film screening, where audiences will have the opportunity to engage with her creative journey and storytelling craft. Ms Miller will be joined by Barry Monahan, senior lecturer at the Department of Film and Screen Media at University College Cork (UCC) for her live interview, where together they will explore her approach to filmmaking and writing, delving into the art of storytelling and the influences that have shaped her wide-ranging body of work. The festival will also feature a screening of Arthur Miller: Writer, Ms Millers 2017 documentary about her father, the iconic American playwright. This personal film blends rare archival footage, candid interviews, and family memories to present an intimate portrait of Arthur Miller. In addition, there will be a special reading event hosted at Worm Books, where Ms Miller will share excerpts from her literary works, such as Personal Velocity, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, Jacobs Folly, and her most recent novel Touch, and reflect on storytelling across page and screen. Ms Millers filmography includes Angela (1995), Personal Velocity (2002), The Ballad of Jack and Rose (2005), The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009), Maggies Plan (2015), and She Came to Me (2023). Her work has received honours from Sundance, the Independent Spirit Awards, and Gotham Awards, and is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. She also wrote the screenplay for Proof (2005) and adapted her story collection Personal Velocity into an award-winning film. Tickets for Ms Millers events will be available for purchase from at 9am on Eventbrite on April 28. For more information, visit www.fastnetfilmfestival.com. New guidance to help public and State bodies take action for biodiversity has been launched this week by a Cork minister. Biodiversity Duty Reporting Guidance for Public Bodies was launched by Christopher OSullivan, Fianna Fail TD for Cork South West and minister of state for nature, heritage, and biodiversity. The guidance provides practical steps to help public bodies fulfil their biodiversity duty a new legal requirement for public and State bodies to consider biodiversity in their decision-making and daily operations. Developed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) with support from Business for Biodiversity Ireland, the guidance will also assist public bodies in fulfilling their biodiversity reporting obligations. Mr OSullivan said everyone had a role to play in protecting our biodiversity, and that included public and State bodies. Many of them, including ESB and Iarnrod Eireann, are already leading by example and can see the benefits for biodiversity, for the public and their own organisations, he said. This guidance will help even more of our public bodies to make a commitment to biodiversity. ESB is a member of the Business for Biodiversity Ireland platform, which is an initiative seed-funded by the NPWS and the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. Geoff Hamilton, biodiversity lead at ESB, said biodiversity action was a core part of the companys ambition, and it aimed to be nature-positive by 2030. He said: In 2024, ESB appointed a group head of sustainability, who has completed the establishment of a new centre of sustainability, including the creation of a new role of group biodiversity lead, tasked with driving biodiversity action and transformation across ESBs business units. Niall O Donnchu, director general of the NPWS, said public and State bodies were an important partner in the delivery of the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and he thanked them for their positive engagement in promoting biodiversity. 1:45 Puerto Rican superstar Jennifer Lopez returns to hosting after a decade. JLo will be the presenter and headliner of the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs). The ceremony will take place on May 26 in Las Vegas and will be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+. This isn't the first time The Bronx Diva has taken on the role of host at the AMAs. She previously hosted the show in 2015, receiving widespread praise for her work. Although the news hadn't been leaked previously, Jennifer had dropped some hints during the awards' 50th anniversary celebrations. That year's ceremony began with a performance of her hit "Waiting for Tonight," followed by energetic choreography that included snippets of today's most popular songs. Her performance was highlighted by her energy and dance skills, cementing her reputation as a versatile artist. Now there is no doubt that she will surpass herself. Throughout her career, Jennifer Lopez has hosted various events. In addition to the AMAs, she has hosted television programs and specials, contributing her charisma and stage experience. A very busy year As for her current projects, Lopez has maintained an active and diverse schedule in 2025. She was recently spotted filming the movie "Office Romance" in Hoboken, New Jersey, where she plays Jackie, an Air Cruz CEO with a strict no-fraternization policy. The film, which will premiere on Netflix , stars Brett Goldstein and has been generating buzz due to its collaboration with the writers of "Ted Lasso." Additionally, Lopez stars in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman,' a film adaptation of the Broadway musical that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2025. Her performance has been praised, and an Oscar nomination has been mentioned. In the music world, Jennifer Lopez has announced her "Up All Night Live In 2025" tour, which will include concerts in several Spanish cities in July, including Pontevedra, Cadiz, Malaga, Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Tenerife. This tour marks her return to the Spanish stage after six years, and tickets will be available starting April 16. In addition to her professional projects, Lopez has been seen at social and cultural events. She attended the Broadway premiere of "Good Night, and Good Luck," where she reunited with George Clooney, with whom she co-starred in "Out of Sight" in 1998. She also attended the play "Buena Vista Social Club." Teachers across Cork have said that the announcement of new measures to address ongoing challenges and to boost teacher supply changes nothing. The measures, announced yesterday by education minister Helen McEntee, will see teachers given permanent contracts after one year. Under current regulations, teachers are required to complete two consecutive contracts before qualifying for a permanent position. However, under the new regulations, teachers taking up their first contract in a viable teaching post in September 2025 will become eligible for a permanent contract in September 2026. Those in substitute roles or those whose posts are not deemed viable after one year will not be covered under the new regulations and will continue to follow the existing route to permanency, which typically involves achieving a contract of indefinite duration (CID) in year three of their employment. Ms McEntee said she is also committed to working with the Teaching Council to assist eligible teachers, who qualified outside of Ireland, to apply for registration and complete their induction requirements. Speaking to The Echo, Aaron Wolfe, principal at Colaiste Eamann Ris, said that while the new measures may appear as a positive for those working or aspiring to work within the education system, the announcement is all smoke and mirrors. Its a meaningless announcement, it changes absolutely nothing, said Mr Wolfe. How it works at the moment is that you do your first interview, and get your job for a year, then the job is re-advertised at the end of that year, so you do another interview, and if you get that, it already means youre permanent. So you always do two interviews you actually get your CID in year three, theyre just bringing that forward to year two but if youre kept on after the second interview, that basically means youre going to be kept on [in a permanent capacity] anyway. Its all smoke and mirrors again, which is a pity from a new minister the actual problem is that people are not there to interview. I have a guidance counsellor position available and Ive had zero applicants, he added. Teaching is not an attractive profession for anyone. There is a real teaching crisis in this country they [the government] need to go back to basics and look at the shortage. The only way to make teaching more attractive, and lets not be naive about it, is to pay teachers more money. Former president of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI), Ann Piggott, said that while the announcement was based on good faith, nothing really is changing. My first reaction was this is great, but then in reality, Im not sure if its much of a change as a CID wont be offered until the following September, said Ms Piggott. Former ASTI President Ann Piggott. The ministers intentions are good, but I do think that if permanent jobs are going to be given that quickly, they should be given in May. For the teachers on the ground, nothing really is changing, she added. The minister really needs to make jobs permanent at the end of the first year, and really needs to remove the Croke Park hours, because thats really turning people off the profession, she said. Croke Park Hours, which were introduced as an emergency measure in 2010, under the Public Sector Agreement 2010-2014, also known as the Croke Park agreement, require teachers to work an additional 33 hours per annum. These hours are designated for school planning and policy development, including subject planning, staff meetings, parent teacher meetings, induction, nationally mandated or approved school arranged in-service/continuous professional development, appropriate further education activities and substitution and supervision. There are several evenings a week where teachers have to stay back for two to three hours, and those hours need to be removed, because at the other end of the scale, thats why a lot of people are retiring so fast they hate the Croke Park hours, Ms Piggott added. CORK City Council is to partner with businesses to offer additional spaces for older people to sit down for a rest and go to the toilet while out and about, under the citys Age Friendly City Strategy 2025-2029, which was agreed last week. The councils chief executive, Valerie OSullivan, said in a foreword to the 19-page policy document that the strategy is based on a review of the implementation of the previous programme, and on a comprehensive consultation process which brought older people from across the city and key service providers together. The strategy is based on four key principles: Respect, contribution, connection, and advocacy which were identified during consultations with older people via University College Corks Cork Conversations consultative process. Altogether, the strategy has 42 actions, covering topics such as health, housing, transportation, communication, and civic participation. It aims to ensure all voices are represented through engagement with older people from minority backgrounds such as migrant or Traveller communities, the LGBTQ+ community, people living in long-term residential care, and people with disabilities. Housing actions include tackling fuel poverty, supporting independent living, and helping to provide deep cleans and decluttering services. The strategy aims to create increased opportunities for social participation through community events and activities, to ensure these initiatives are well communicated, and to develop increased opportunities for volunteering for older people. Encouraging voting amongst the 55+ cohort, increasing age-friendly principles and awareness in businesses and workplaces, and increasing the number of age-friendly parking spaces are also part of the plan. Two key initiatives are the Leeside Leithreas initiative and the Take a Seat initiative in businesses and workplaces. The first is a sticker scheme which proposes that businesses near amenity areas would agree to make their toilets available to the public through a discrete window sticker. The second suggests the setting aside of a small number of existing outdoor seats at restaurants and pubs for use by older visitors, without having to buy anything from the participating premises. Cork City Age Friendly Alliance will oversee the implementation of this action plan through its regular meetings. The alliance is an inter-agency partnership comprising of senior personnel in public sector, not-for-profit, and community organisations that promote a positive approach to ageing. Member organisations include Cork City Council, the Alzheimers Society of Ireland, An Garda Siochana, Cork Education and Training Board, Bus Eireann, Cork Age Friendly Forum, the HSE, Cork Business Association, Cork Chamber, and Irish Rail. The Cork City Older Persons Council, a representative group of older people established by the local authority, will report on progress at alliance meetings. It is made up of an executive committee and a wider membership base with public quarterly meetings held in City Hall. Older people will also be encouraged to participate in these representative bodies and forums, to ensure their voice is heard. Multi-agency steering groups may also be formed to implement key programmes, and Corks Age Friendly Programme manager will attend national and regional Age Friendly Ireland meetings and training, and work directly with the national office on specific projects where required. A mid-term review of the strategy will be undertaken in the latter half of 2027. The strategy was widely welcomed at last weeks meeting of Cork City Council, at which it was passed. Fianna Fail councillor John Sheehan, a GP in Blackpool, in welcoming the policy document, said: In Cork and around the world, we see an increasing ageing population, but its a very active population. Now people in their 60s and 70s are considered young; hopefully that will continue. They go to Lanzarote in January. I go running every week with somebody who is 78 years of age and I struggle to keep up with him these are examples of people living healthy, active lives. That can only be done if the spaces are there for them, spaces in terms of parks and greenways, but also community spaces; Mens Sheds and community groups. It all needs to come under a strategy, because so much of what we do as a city makes a difference in terms of people being able to live well in their communities, to a good age, and where they want to live. Having a strategy takes a lot of those factors into consideration, and I look forward to us as a council and as a city embracing the many aspects of this document, so that our citizens get the quality of life they deserve. Anyone interested in more information on the strategy can contact Siubhan McCarthy, Cork City Age Friendly co-ordinator, by email at agefriendlycork@corkcity.ie or by phone at 0214924560 or 0860123479. At the switching on of the new floodlights at Blackpool Community Centre recently were Jenny McSweeney, Frank Leahy, Ken OFlynn TD, Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle, Noel OFlynn, Ber Daly, Cllr Brian McCarthy, Greg Aherne, Liam ORourke and Mark Barry. Youth training centre to celebrate 40th birthday A local training centre at the heart of helping young people gain skills and employment is due to hold a very special celebration to mark four decades of service to the people of Cork. Blackpool, Glen, and Farranree Community Youth Training Centre general manager Michael Shanahan told The Echo that former board members, learners and staff are welcome to attend this occasion. We would like to invite you to our 40th birthday celebration and annual award ceremony due to take place in City Hall on Tuesday, May 6, at 6pm. It promises to be a memorable occasion to acknowledge the contribution of Blackpool, Glen Farranree Community Training Centre to the training and development of the potential of the young people that have come through our doors. The centre opened its door in 1984, with three 12-week courses in catering, woodwork and a preparation for work course that later became a metal work course. At that time, all courses were followed by two weeks work experience. In 1998, the centre added a fourth course, this was in computers. The final addition to the suite of courses offered by the centre was in 2014 with the addition of a course in hairdressing. All courses in the centre are full-time, with a continuous intake policy and accredited at QQI level 4, which is equivalent to the Leaving Certificate. The centre was flooded in 2012 and in 2023, despite these and other setbacks staff have been to the forefront of doing whatever is necessary to keep the centre afloat, always putting Learners as the cental focus of what the training centre stands for. In 1991, the centre received the Excellence Through People award in recognition of achieving the operation of a human resource system that achieve excellence through training, development and involvement of its most important resource, its people. In 2018, the centre was awarded a special award as a social enterprise at the Northside for Business award ceremony. Over the years, numerous learners have been recognised for outstanding contributions to their local communities in the annual Garda Youth Awards. More than 2500 learners have been though our door in the last 40 years. We are proud of each and every one of them. We look forward to meeting former board members, staff and learners and reminisce over the past 40 years as we remain committed to learners, to help them achieve their potential in a safe, supportive and worthwhile endeavor. Attendees at the Tomas MacCurtain 105th anniversary commemoration at the Republican Plot at St Finbarrs Cemetery last month. Art Link workshops in The Lido Cork Community Art Link will be hosting a series of workshops in The Lido, Blackpool, for International Workers Day. These workshops are open to all who want to create vibrant placards, visuals, and props for the May Day March, which will take place on May 1 at 7pm, starting from Connolly Hall. A spokesperson said: Cork Community Art Link is proud to be part of this ongoing tradition of advocating for equality and social justice. Our workshops aim to infuse colour and energy into the Cork City rally. The workshop schedule is Together for Hospice is calling on schools, pre-schools, Montessori schools, and creches from across Cork to host a Hospice Sunflower Fun Day this June. Representing 24 hospice and palliative care providers nationwide, Together for Hospice supports these frontline services to fundraise at a national level. As part of the Hospice Sunflower Fun Day, volunteers gather to raise funds for their local hospice. More than 40 first-class pupils from Ballinora National School helped to launch this years Hospice Sunflower Fun Day. They were joined by local businesswoman and dedicated hospice supporter, Maeve Dennehy, who is the owner of Love Cherish boutique. Ms Dennehy said: I am delighted to be involved in encouraging others to support Sunflower Day. Both my sister and my Mum were in palliative care in Marymount University Hospital and Hospice and they were treated with kindness, respect, and dignity by the amazing team there. My family will be for ever grateful for the time Marymount gave us with them. Enid Conway, fundraising and marketing manager at Marymount, said that Sunflower Fun Day is a day all in Marymount look forward to. Sunflower Fun Day brings a lot of fun and joy to Montessori schools, pre-schools, creches, and primary schools across Ireland. It is a day we all look forward to, with bright bursts of yellow and creativity. The funds raised are put to incredible use at Marymount. All money raised through Hospice Sunflower Fun Day locally stays local and in Cork all proceeds will support Marymount University Hospital and Hospice. Every year, Marymount is required to raise 3m to support specialist palliative care services and to support services for dependent older people. For further information and to register your school or centre, visit sunflowerdays.togetherforhospice.ie. A Cork TD raised LGBT rights, Palestine and a need for public services at the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly in Uzbekistan earlier this month. Social Democrats TD for Cork South Central Padraig Rice, who was first elected to council last June and the Dail in November, was among five Irish representatives to attend the event organised by the IPU, the global organisation of national parliaments. This marked the 150th IPU assembly in Uzbekistan. 740 members of parliament from approximately 130 countries attended and debated this years theme, Parliamentary Action for Social Development and Justice. The Irish delegation, led by Fianna Fail senator Fiona OLoughlin, also included Fine Gael senator Mark Duffy, Labour TD Conor Sheehan, and Fianna Fail senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee. It was an absolute honour to represent Ireland at the IPU in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and to share our concerns on a global stage, Mr Rice told The Echo. The IPU is the parliament of parliaments. Its made up of representatives from countries right across the world. At this general assembly, there were over 700 MPs from 130 countries. He explained that as the focus of this conference was on parliamentary action for social development and justice, there were motions on the role of parliaments in advancing a two-state solution in Palestine and parliamentary strategies to reduce the long-lasting impact of conflicts on sustainable development. I was delighted to be a speaker in the main debate. When you have just two minutes to speak, you have to choose your words very carefully. I spoke about three things. I urged the assembly to spend less on weapons and more on welfare, education, health and housing. I highlighted the genocide in Gaza and called on the countries of the world to shout stop. I spoke about human rights and the importance of enhanced protections for women and minority groups like people with disabilities, Mr Rice said. As we were in Uzbekistan, where you can be jailed for up to three years simply for being gay, I spoke about LGBT rights and how proud I am of Irelands journey and called on parliaments to do more to protect universal human rights. As my speaking slot was in the section for younger members of parliament, I also spoke about addressing the concerns of young people, including climate action, online safety and workers rights. I spoke in particular about the looming trade war and the economic uncertainty it will cause. I told the MPs present that its not too late to step back. He opened his speech at the assembly: The world would be a better place if we spent less on weapons and more on welfare, education, health and housing. In my own country Ireland and around the world, too many people living in poverty, too many people are homeless and too many people are deprived of the education they deserve. Calling for better rights for women and minority groups, he said: I am proud that this year, Ireland will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the marriage equality referendum, which gave equal marriage rights to same sex couples. More work must be done to deliver robust protections universal human rights and true equality for all. Padraig Rice and the Irish delegation at the Inter-Parliamentary Union assembly in Uzbekistan. His speech also mentioned global events, such as the possibility of tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, which Mr Rice has previously told The Echo his constituency is particularly vulnerable to, due to the amount of pharmaceutical companies. On the situation in Gaza, he said: We have to stand up against brutality, there is no justification for genocide. What is happening in Gaza must stop. Israel must stop. The world must shout stop, which earned a round of applause from those in attendance. As well as speaking in the main debate, Mr Rice also contributed to the forum of young parliamentarians, which is made up of members of parliaments who are under 40, and attended side events like the workshop on climate change. This years delegation was made up of three senators and two TDs. Three were from government parties, and two were from the opposition. This is to ensure that the full spectrum of Irish political opinion is represented, Mr Rice said. This event was historic as it was the 150th meeting. The IPU started in 1889 as a way of promoting peace through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue. The IPUs slogan is For democracy. For everyone. The organisation promotes democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. They work for peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action. If we are serious about Ireland playing an active role in promoting peace and neutrality, its vitally important that we proactively engage in forums like this. Its also important that the representatives we send make the most of these rare opportunities and report back afterward, Mr Rice said. He added that he enjoyed getting to know members of parliament from other countries from around the world and to hear first-hand about their experiences, saying: I met an Australian senator with two Irish parents and a Canadian MP raised in Pakistan and educated by Irish nuns. He added that the event and the issues he got to raise there are a prime example of the type of politics he wants to promote. Some opposition politicians in Cork are already talking about the next general election. Im focused on the next generation. I want to do everything I can over the next few years to ensure that Cork, Ireland, and the wider world are a better place to grow up and grow old in. From Cork to Tashkent, I will use every platform possible to make the case for a more peaceful and prosperous world, better public services, enhanced living conditions, and universal human rights. A bill by Cork Labour Party senator Laura Harmon to address sex-for-rent payments has been celebrated by people who have been in this predicament and also by the CEO of the Cork Sexual Violence Centre. The bill passed second stage earlier this month, and will now go to committee stage, where amendments can be made. Ms Harmon said that students, low-income workers, migrants, and people facing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence are often targeted, as they are most in need of accommodation. Darling Duran, who came to Ireland from Bolivia as an international student, told The Echo she was looking for somewhere to live, so she joined some Facebook pages and groups. I contacted one man, who put up an ad for a single room with a single bed, and he explained that the bed was his bed in his room. He said he worked nights, so the offer was I could sleep in his bed. He said that when he needed the bed, we could share it, that would be no problem, according to him, because he was single, Ms Duran said. It had looked like a good offer, a single room for a reasonable price, but when I understood the situation I said, no, I wasnt interested. He kept trying to convince me, and my last action was just to block him. It is difficult for international students who have limited English, and who only have eight-month visas, meaning they need a short-term lease. Ms Duran said: Lots of landlords will not consider us. Also, we often dont have references, and Facebook is full of scams. It makes it really hard to find a place. She welcomed Ms Harmons bill, saying: Its not a situation only affecting international students, but the housing difficulties we have put us in bad situations. I am speaking out on it, because we have to have some protection against these kind of people that are trying to take advantage of vulnerable people like us. At the moment, there is nobody to report it to we need this law. Supporting Ms Harmons bill is co-founder and CEO of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork, Mary Crilly, who told The Echo that the issue is something we have been coming across for years. The sooner legislation comes in place, the better. If you rent a place where you have to have sex with the landlord, its another form of prostitution, she said. They can make out that she agreed, theyre not forcing her, but its a form of control and power for these people. If you agree to live there, the guy could throw you out the following week what a way to live. The people most affected by this are the most vulnerable; they might be homeless or disadvantaged. Its abuse, and its time we looked at these men and named their abuse. A recent report by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) found that 5% of female international students either received an offer to rent a room in Ireland in exchange for sex, or had seen a room that was being advertised in exchange for sex. Ms Harmon, who is also the outgoing executive director of ICOS, told The Echo that she knows from her work that theres a real need for her bill. We need to legislate to outlaw sex for rent and thats why I published a bill early in my term as a senator, Ms Harmon said. Im glad it has passed the second stage in the Seanad and I am following up with [justice] minister Jim OCallaghans office on it to ensure we can get it progressed. My bill would create a Class A fine of up to 50,000 for anyone advertising sex for rent and it would cover online ads, as well as texts, emails, and verbal communication. Ms Harmon added: We know, from the research from ICOS, that 5% of women students have seen or directly encountered ads in relation to sex for rent. These ads are often in ambiguous language online, which can be very confusing for international students and migrants. There are certain signs in an online advert. They will often not advertise any rental price. Sometimes, they will set a nominal fee. For example, they might offer a room for 1 per month or there will be a declaration that the rental price is negotiable. Often, there will be a failure to identify the exact location of the property and the full address will not be there, because they are hiding behind this, Ms Harmon said. They will also tend to target a particular type of renter. They might say they are just looking for women or refer to a certain demeanour or look they want in the person. The ads often include a request for a photograph or a physical description of the person they desire to have in the house. However, as a report by the National Womens Council (NWC) in May 2024 identified, often, there are no signs at all in the ads. It was reported by interviewees for the NWC report that many arrangements of this nature are now proposed via direct message on social media, in response to posts seeking accommodation. In these cases, the landlords are not advertising at all, but, rather, responding to ads via direct messages, which are not visible to the public or to the platform. Ms Harmon said: Its often when someone views the room, or after they ask for details, that they get made the offer in relation to sex for rent. This can be very scary when it happens or when they receive creepy messages or images from the landlord. We need legislation to outlaw this specifically and we need to further protect vulnerable renters from predators who are taking advantage of the housing crisis. Sometimes, the landlord makes a proposition after the tenant has moved in, the ICOS report, published in February of this year, showed. A French Erasmus student was quoted in the report as saying: The owner (who has a studio in the house) asked after five days if I wanted to have sex with him. The ICOS report also shared the experiences of many more international students from across Ireland who had experienced this phenomenon. One student said: I posted on social media that I was looking for a room to rent and received two responses from men saying they had a room to rent and asking me what I could offer in exchange. One of them directly said that I could sleep with him; he then sent some obscene images. Another wrote that she saw online: Some man was offering a room for a woman to be a maid and for sex. A third said: When I went to view a room, the landlord started to speak to me in a sexual tone and mentioned that there were other ways of paying the rent. Housing charity Threshold, who provide support to renters, told The Echo that the problem was a symptom of a larger issue. Renters facing this issue is a reminder of the overall urgent need for more affordable rental housing options and greater tenancy protections. The bill is already having a positive effect. Ms Harmon was told in recent weeks by Daft.ie that they have updated their house rules for advertisers to state that any advertisement submitted to Daft.ie that, in our sole discretion, appears to solicit or offer sexual services in exchange for rent will be removed without notice. The individual responsible for such content will be permanently prohibited from posting further advertisements on the platform. They also noted, from the Seanad debate transcript, that certain phrases commonly arise in ads where the landlord is seeking sex for rent, including must be open-minded, must be up for having fun in the house, can negotiate on price. Ads containing these terms will be flagged for review before going live. Cork secondary teachers have welcomed changes to the junior cycle, as they gather in Killarney for the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) annual convention. Education minister Helen McEntee announced changes to the Junior Certificate grading bands, which will come into effect immediately. The new system sees marks of 85% or above (instead of 90%) earn a distinction; a higher merit is 70-84% (instead of 75%-90%), and a merit is 55% to 70% (rather than 55%-75%), while lower grade bands remain unchanged. The Cork South Paddy Mulcahy branch of the ASTI has a motion due to be heard today calling for the bands to be revisited, re-examined, and replaced with a fairer system. Member of the branch and former ASTI president Ann Piggott told The Echo that the announcement was welcome news, saying: Were very happy with this, its well overdue. With the old system, the top band was over 90% and only 2% were allowed to get that mark, which was disgraceful. Now, anything over 85% will be a distinction, which is much fairer for students who work hard and deserve it. The new bands much better reflect the A B C breakdown that was once used, she said. Im also happy that the middle bands will be separated better than they were in the past, when students who got 65% or 74% got the same grade. Her branch has a second motion on the junior cycle due to be heard today also, calling for higher level and ordinary level exam papers to be available for all, except for Irish, English, and maths where higher, ordinary, and foundation levels are needed. I teach maths, and there could be very weak students who stand no chance whatsoever of passing the exam, no matter how hard they work, said Ms Piggott. A foundation class would mean they could still achieve within that level, and the other subjects should have a higher and common breakdown also. Problems The conferences first day yesterday focused on senior cycle, and Ms Piggott said: Weve had so many problems with the new Junior Cert, teachers are worried the same is going to follow when the Leaving Cert changes. Weve had training days where someone will ask the most basic question, and they dont get an answer its like theyre changing it and they still dont know what to. Thats why were calling for them to be delayed. For junior cycle, we do the projects in the classroom and they take three weeks, which is time we need to teach the course we wont have time to do them in school for Leaving Cert. Its going to be stressful for students who will likely have all these projects due at the same time. If theyre taking the projects home, how do we know whos actually doing them? AI could do their project in 10 minutes. Teachers are very worried because theyll have to sign off on the projects, saying its the students own work, but they wont know for sure. President Michael D Higgins said Pope Francis had unfinished business, and that he hopes the next pope will build on the steps Francis was able to take during his tenure. Mr Higgins will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend. He will be accompanied by his wife, Sabina. Mr Higgins and his wife signed the book of condolences for Francis in the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin on Tuesday. Speaking afterwards, Mr Higgins said that, on behalf of the people of Ireland, he thanked Pope Francis for work and his example on embracing the most important issues. Issues that are at the future of our humanity together, in relation to climate change, in relation to global poverty, in relation to his particular interest in the welfare of migrants, he said. Embrace I thought of the times we have met and the discussions we had, his ability to embrace the suffering, particularly those who are marginalised. I noted in the way his vision was wider than many people in politics and public life. For example, his ending the Doctrine of Discovery was welcomed by all the indigenous people in the world, in different parts of the world, as pushing an end to that appalling time when doctrinal support was given to colonialism. Mr Higgins described Franciss visit to Ireland in August 2018 as a very warm visit. We were all very, very pleased, he said. I think I met him five times, and I value and appreciate all of those conversations. What was very interesting about him, when I look back at other popes as well, was the ease with which he had, its part of the changes in his own life that he did discuss too, of being able to embrace people most agonised in the world it was a great capacity. I think its very appropriate, as President of Ireland, that I would communicate the appreciation of all of the people of Ireland for the generosity of his life, given right until the very last moments of his life. I did say, as well, there was unfinished business that I hope that those who follow him will build on the steps he was able to take. By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press The Vatican official who runs the Holy See after the death of one pope and before the election of another is no-nonsense Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell. The 77-year-old, born in Dublin, had only been in Rome for a few years, summoned out of the blue from his job as bishop of Dallas, when he was asked by Pope Francis in 2016 to reorganise the Vaticans laity office. This was followed three years later, in 2019, by a request from Francis that he take on another role, steeped in myth and mystery but with real-world responsibilities, managing the Vatican as camerlengo, or chamberlain, during the often traumatic interregnum between papacies and helping to organise the conclave to elect the next pontiff. Pope Francis, left, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell during a vigil at Campo San Juan Pablo II in Panama City in 2019 (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) Cardinal Farrell recalled in a 2022 interview that he told the Pope he would accept the position, but on one condition, that Francis would preach at his own funeral, reflecting the cardinals hope that he would die before Francis and never have to act as a camerlengo. The joke was twofold: Cardinal Farrell did not particularly want the heavy responsibility. But more personally, he did not want to entertain the possibility of outliving Francis, whom he credited with having set the Catholic Church on a crucial path of renewal, redirecting it away from culture-war defensiveness and back to its Gospel-driven essence of inclusion. We were defending ourselves always: Self-preservation was the theme of the church, Cardinal Farrell said. And Pope Francis moved us beyond self-preservation to a message of welcome and accompaniment. Cardinal Farrell announced the Popes death on Easter Monday (Paolo Santalucia/AP) With Franciss death, Cardinal Farrell is in the spotlight, albeit only until a new pope is elected. Cardinal Farrell announced the death on Monday morning from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel, where Francis lived and died. In a short statement read live on Vatican television, he said Franciss entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his church. According to tradition, the camerlengo certifies the popes death, seals the papal apartment and breaks the popes fishermans ring, as a symbol of a vacancy at the Holy See. He leads the procession accompanying the coffin into St Peters Basilica and presides over the burial. The camerlengo also gets written reports from Vatican offices about their current assets; a copy of the current and projected budget for the Holy See; and any other information from the Vaticans economic ministry that would be useful for cardinals and the future pope. Pope Francis, left, with Cardinal Farrell, at the Mater Ecclesiae College in Rome in 2018 (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) He and the dean of the College of Cardinals, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, then play key roles in organising the meetings of cardinals preceding the conclave. Cardinal Farrell said the financial duties were far more important than the ceremonial ones and the ones for which he was more qualified. Cardinal Farrell already heads top Vatican committees on finances, investments and confidential matters, as well as its supreme court, making him particularly well-suited to deliver a financial prospectus to the new pope. The man Francis chose to bridge his papacy was born in the Irish capital on September 2nd, 1947. He entered the Legionaries of Christ religious order in 1966 and was ordained a priest for the Mexican-based order in 1978. He left six years later and became a diocesan priest in the Washington Archdiocese. He worked in a series of parishes but also took on increasing charge of the books in the archdiocese he has a keen mind for finances but says he never finished his MBA. Cardinal Farrell outside the Diocese of Dallas Catholic Conference and Formation Centre in 2014 (LM Otero/AP) He became auxiliary bishop of Washington in 2001 and served under the ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick before being made bishop of Dallas in 2007. Cardinal Farrell said he was happy and very comfortable as bishop in Dallas when his secretary came to him in May 2016 to tell him the Pope was on the phone. He moved to Rome that October to head the laity office. Within hours of his arrival, Francis announced that Farrell would be made a cardinal. It was a sign, later confirmed with his nomination as camerlengo, that Francis fully intended to entrust Cardinal Farrell with some of the most important responsibilities of the church, including after he was gone. Ray Managh The State has no secure special care space for a teenage girl threatened with being shot if she doesnt co-operate with a drug gang that has set out to exploit her, a High Court Judge was told on Tuesday. Mr Justice Oisin Quinn said he was concerned that while there were 26 special care beds in the country, only 15 were currently staffed and none were available for the 16-year-old girl whose life had been threatened. Barrister Paul Gunning told Judge Quinn that while the girl required civil detention for her own health and safety in a secure special care unit, the Child Family Agency would be powerless to abide by any court detention order because of the lack of staffed beds. There are only 15 staffed beds in two special care units in Dublin and one in Limerick, yet there is no bed available for this child, Mr Gunning said. Judge Quinn heard that the teenager, who cannot be identified by court order, was currently in the care of a non-secure private residential agency where the manager had no authority to restrain her from leaving, should she wish, with adult drug dealers seeking to exploit her and who called to collect her in cars. Mr Gunning, who appeared for the Child Family Agency, said gardai were unable to investigate, detain and prosecute the male adult exploiters involved as they required voluntary statements from her, and she was living in constant fear of being killed. Judge Quinn said he was deeply concerned to learn of the threat of shooting that had been made to the girl who was in danger of being exploited and possibly used for drug dealing. The judge heard there was a risk of the girl absconding from where she currently resides, and there had been previous attempts by her to abscond. On one occasion, when she was being driven in a car on a motorway, another car with five males in it had driven up alongside the vehicle, shouting threats at her. Even if the special care detention order is made, the Child Family Agency will not be able to comply with it, Judge Quinn said. He said he intended to make an order empowering gardai, in the event of her absconding and being in the company of inappropriate people, to search for, detain and return her to the place where she is currently residing. The court could only hope that a staffed bed in one of the three secure units would quickly be made available for her. Mairead McKenna S.C., for the childs guardian ad litem, and barrister Maeve Cox, for the girls mother, told the court their clients would welcome an additional order whereby the gardai could return her in the event of absconding. Until a bed can be found for her, she remains at risk, and anything that will support her safety is absolutely welcome and helpful, Ms McKenna said. Mr Gunning said a detention order would remain in place for three months and, thereafter, could be renewed on a three monthly basis for a maximum of nine months. There would be four-weekly reviews by the court. Judge Quinn made the order to detain the teenager in a secure care unit with an additional direction empowering gardai to search for the girl and return her to her current residence in the event of her absconding. He returned the proceedings to May 1st. Mexican-American artist Selena Gomez will be recognized as Woman of the Year at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music Awards, a distinction that celebrates not only her artistic success but also her leadership and cultural impact. The ceremony, which will air live on Telemundo on April 24 at 9 p.m./8c, will pay tribute to the women who are transforming the Latin music industry. "With a career that has transcended genres, languages, and formats, Selena Gomez has left an indelible mark on pop music and embraced her Latin roots through projects that celebrate her heritage and connect with new audiences," Billboard said in a statement upon making the announcement. Her foray into the Latin market began with a bang in 2018 with 'Taki Taki,' a collaboration with DJ Snake, Ozuna, and Cardi B that debuted at number one on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart, a position it held for 13 weeks. Since then, her commitment to Spanish-language music has only strengthened. In 2021, she released "Baila Conmigo" with Rauw Alejandro, which peaked at number 4 on Hot Latin Songs and reached number 1 on Latin Airplay. Her EP, "Revelacion," was released entirely in Spanish and debuted at number one on the Top Latin Albums chart, something that hadn't happened to a female artist since Shakira's "El Dorado." The album also earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Album. Most recently, Gomez surprised audiences with the collaborative album 'I Said I Love You First,' made with producer Benny Blanco. This work, which includes the song "Ojos Tristes" with The Mariasa reimagining of Jeanette's classic "El Muchacho de los Ojos Tristes"became the best-selling early release of her career and returned her to the Top 5 of Hot Latin Songs. But "Selena Gomez is much more than a successful artist: she is a powerful voice in mental health activism, social equity, and Latinx representation. Through her Rare Beauty brand and the Rare Impact Fund, she has mobilized more than $20 million in support of youth mental health programs on five continents," Billboard added. She is also the co-founder of Wondermind , a platform that combats the stigma surrounding mental health and promotes emotional well-being. Through her work as an actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Gomez has proven herself a multifaceted figure who uses her influence to create real change. Her impact transcends music, making her a true cultural icon for millions of people. This year's ceremony will also pay tribute to other prominent figures in the Latin music scene, including Anitta (Vanguard Award), Belinda (Evolution Award), Celia Cruz (Legend Award), Chiquis (Impact Award), Ha*Ash (Inquebrantables Award), Natti Natasha (Unstoppable Artist), and Olga Tanon (Lifetime Achievement Award). The Billboard Latin Women in Music Awards will be streamed on Telemundo, the Telemundo app, Universo, and Peacock, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional. The gala promises to be a celebration of the power, resilience, and creativity of the women who are shaping the present and future of Latin music. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Floodwater surrounds homes and houses on a residential area after heavy rains led to flooding with the Congo River's water levels rising, in the Mbudi region, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo on Jan. 15, 2024. Justin Makangara / Anadolu via Getty Images The extreme flooding event that hit the Congolese megacity capital of Kinshasa and surrounding areas, killing at least several dozen, is part of a trend expected to repeat roughly every other year, likely due to climate change, a new report has found. The study, published by the World Weather Attribution (WWA), found that the extreme flooding happened after torrential rain caused the NDjili River, which flows through Kinshasa, a city of more than 17 million citizens, to overflow. At least 33 people in the city died, hundreds of homes were destroyed and thousands of people were displaced and cut off from clean water and electricity access. Citizens move with boats made of wood on the flooded streets after heavy rain in Kinsuka region, north of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo on Jan. 10, 2024. Justin Makangara / Anadolu via Getty Images Data from two weather stations show that rainfall has become up to 19% more intense since 1960, Dieudonne Nsadisa Faka, team leader of the intra-ACP Climate Services Programme of The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, said in a press release. But this evidence isnt the smoking gun our study was looking for. Because of high uncertainty in global satellite weather datasets and climate models outputs, we couldnt do a full attribution analysis to determine the role of climate change. The researchers, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Kenya, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, The United States and the United Kingdom found that Kinshasa is prone to frequent and deadly flooding during the rainy season with similar extreme flooding events expected to occur at least every two years. Around 70% of the urban population lives in dense informal housing, much of it in areas prone to floods and landslides. In 2022, more than 100 people died following a similarly heavy downpour, the summary of findings says. The researchers used three gridded datasets with historical data going as far back as 1981 and data from two local weather stations to model whether similar events at similar frequencies would have happened in the past. They found that similar events are increasing in both likelihood and severity, but couldnt quantify whether climate change was a factor in the recent flooding event due to a lack of access to data. Sam Fraser-Baxter, WWAs communication manager, explained to EcoWatch via email, Its likely climate change is still responsible for the trend of heavier events in the area. We have weather station data from Kinshasa that tells us rainfall is increasing. However, we cant definitively pin the increase on climate change because the global weather datasets we use for attribution studies didnt represent the event well and because there is high uncertainty in the climate models, he added, but said that IPCC projections and other research give them the confidence to say that climate change is likely responsible for worsening and more frequent events. In 2024, the country saw its worst flooding event in 60 years, in which at least 300 people died and nearly 300,000 households were displaced. Both disasters happened in the midst of another, worsening, humanitarian crisis in the country, involving gangs and rebel militias that largely stemmed from the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. During the genocide, a group of extremist Hutu militias killed at least 800,000 minority ethnic Tutsis in around 100 days. After the genocide, nearly two million Rwandan refugees, including some who committed the atrocities, fled to Zaire and the DRC. The government of Rwanda has since backed several paramilitary groups, including M23, a prominent group originally formed in opposition to another rebel group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda a group sympathetic to the genocide and that included members who were involved in it. M23 has made many other enemies over the years, including the Congolese military, which it wants to overthrow. M23 claims its goal is to support Tutsis, but the Congolese government says its a puppet of the Rwandan government against the DRC. M23 was condemned by the UN Security Council in February after its Goma Offensive killed nearly 3,000 people. The fighting between the groups, along with the Congolese army, has killed at least 7,000 people in 2025 alone, and at least six million people have died in the country since 1998, many from hunger and disease, according to Amnesty International. A further 5.6 million people in the DRC are currently displaced, largely due to conflict, leaving them more vulnerable to natural disasters. Future extreme weather events coinciding with the conflict could worsen casualties as the conflict displaces more people and as extreme rain and flooding events continue to kill hundreds in the nation annually. Because the area in and around Kinshasa lacked the appropriate infrastructure and means to collect enough data to account for climate change in the study, the researchers say investing in it is important. One of the most important things that needs to be done, to make sure that we monitor such events and [so] were able to analyze these events, is really investing in weather observations, Joyce Kimutai, Researcher at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, told reporters on an online press conference. She explained that there is a very sparse network of weather stations in the country, and even with those, barriers such as ongoing conflict could mean nobody monitors the stations during certain periods, resulting in data gaps. Theres been a lot of issues of instability and conflict in the DRC, and we cant forget that these are issues that actually affect governance and management of resources, and because if a country is not stable, theres a lot of resources that are diverted for security, to make sure that the country remains stable, or even to respond to militias from different sides causing terror in the country, she said. When you look at Kinshasa, there [are] really densely populated communities. We are talking about 18 million. In terms of projections, we see that the number of people staying in Kinshasa will even more than double before we reach 2050, Shaban Mawanda, policy and resilience advisor at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, said. He added that about 70% of those people live in impoverished informal settlements that are especially prone to flooding. Of course, the city is crossed by a number of rivers. During events like youve just seen in heavy precipitation, then the banks bust, and after busting, it definitely increases the risk of flooding, Mawanda said. I will also recall what the global stocktake presented at COP28 tells us, he said. It clearly states that we are not doing enough in terms of climate action. But at the same time, the IPCC was telling us that we have a silver lining. There are new and tested approaches that we could undertake. And therefore, I think we need to embrace stronger laws and policies, especially on risk management. To attend to events like this properly, to prepare for, but also to respond. The action on the ground has to be deliberate. We have to look at how best we can be innovative in preparing, but also in response. This came out as part of an antitrust case against the search giant. Google has been paying Samsung tons of cash every month to pre-install the AI app Gemini on its smartphones, according to a report by Bloomberg. This information comes to us as part of a pre-existing antitrust case against Google. Peter Fitzgerald, Googles VP of platforms and device partnerships, testified in federal court that it began paying Samsung for this service back in January. The pair of companies have a contract thats set to run at least two years. Fitzgerald told Judge Amit Metha, who is overseeing the case, that Google provides Samsung with a monthly payout. The monetary figures are unknown, but DOJ lawyer David Dahlquist called it an "enormous sum of money in a fixed monthly payment." This antitrust case started with an accusation that Google had been illegally abusing a monopoly over the search engine industry. Part of the testimony surrounding that case involved Google paying Apple, Samsung and other companies to ensure it was the default search engine on its devices. Judge Mehta agreed and found that this practice constitutes a violation of antitrust law. Hes currently hearing additional testimony to decide what measures Google must take to remedy the illegal behavior, which is where this Gemini reveal comes from. Testimony from another case involving Epic Games indicated that Google handed over $8 billion from 2020 to 2023 to ensure that Google Search, the Play Store and Google Assistant were used by default on Samsung mobile devices. A California federal judge later ruled that the company must lift restrictions that prevent rival marketplaces and billing systems. Google is in the process of appealing that ruling. As an aside, if Google is hellbent on handing out Scrooge McDuck-sized bags of money to increase adoption rates of its generative AI app, why not give the regular people who have to actually use the bloatware some of that cash? Just saying. Update, April 22 2025, 10:15AM ET: This story has been updated to reflect today's testimony that noted that Gemini doesn't offer advertising. The Washington Post is partnering with OpenAI to bring its reporting to ChatGPT. The two organizations did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement, but the deal will see ChatGPT display summaries, quotes and links to articles from The Post when users prompt the chatbot to search the web. "We're all in on meeting our audiences where they are," said Peter Elkins-Williams, head of global partnerships at The Post. "Ensuring ChatGPT users have our impactful reporting at their fingertips builds on our commitment to provide access where, how and when our audiences want it." The Post is no stranger to generative AI. In November, the publisher began using the technology to offer article summaries. Since the start of February, ChatGPT Search has been available to everyone, with no account or sign-in necessary. Later that same month, Jeff Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post, announced a "significant shift" in the publisher's editorial strategy. As part of the overhaul, the paper has been publishing daily opinion stories "in defense of two pillars," personal liberties and free markets. Given that focus and Amazon's own investments in artificial intelligence, it's not surprising to see The Washington Post and OpenAI sign a strategic partnership. More broadly, today's announcement sees yet another publisher partnering with OpenAI, following an early but brief period of resistance from some players in the news media industry most notably The New York Times. According to OpenAI, it has signed similar agreements with more than 20 news publishers globally. As lawmakers, regulators call for social media companies to do more to protect the mental health of their youngest users, teens perception of social media also seems to be changing. A growing number of teens say that social media is harmful and takes up too much of their time, according to a new report from Pew Research. The report, which was based on a survey of 1,391 teens and parents in the United States, sheds light on how teens perspective on social media has changed amid increasing calls to hold online platforms accountable for the alleged harms theyve done to their youngest users. According to the report, 48 percent of teens now view social media as a mostly negative influence on other people their age. Thats a significant jump from the last time Pew polled teens on the question in 2022 , when just under a third of teens said the same. The number of teens who view social media as mostly positive also decreased, from 24 percent in 2022 to 11 percent in the latest poll. Teens views of the impact of social media on their peers has grown increasingly negative, Pews researchers note. Interestingly, teens are significantly less likely to report that social media is harmful to themselves specifically. Only 14 percent of teens polled by Pew reported that social media negatively affects them personally. Pews researchers dont speculate on the reason for that disparity, though the report notes that there have been growing conversations about the effect social media has on teen mental health, including a warning last year from the US Surgeon General. Pews report also suggests that teens are becoming increasingly aware of how much time they spend on social media platforms. Forty-five percent of teens said they "spend too much time on social media, up from 27 percent who said the same in 2023. A similar proportion of teens said that social media negatively affects their sleep (45 percent) and productivity (40 percent). And 44 percent of teens report that theyve cut back their smartphone and social media use overall. Nearly four years after the tragic death of Gabby Petito, her mother, Nichole Schmidt, is opening up about the lasting impact her daughter's murder has had on their family. According to Radar Online, during an emotional appearance on The Squeeze podcast hosted by Taylor Lautner and his wife Tay, Schmidt spoke candidly about the challenges of navigating grief. "Grief is like a roller coaster and it sneaks up on you when you least expect it, when you think you're having a good day something triggers it," she shared. Schmidt reported her 22-year-old daughter missing on September 11, 2021, while Gabby was documenting a cross-country road trip with her fiance, Brian Laundrie. Eight days later, Gabby's remains were discovered near Grand Teton National Park. Her death was ruled a homicide, sending shockwaves across the country. Gabby Petito's Mom Lives Through the Pain Since then, Schmidt said she has learned to give herself "permission" to have difficult days. "If I need to lay in bed all day on my computer for the [Gabby Petito Foundation], that's okay," she said, referring to the nonprofit created in Gabby's memory. Despite the pain, Schmidt said she strives to find moments of joy, believing that's what Gabby would have wanted. "I know she wants me to go on adventures and live life just like she was doing," Schmidt explained. "She would be mad at me if I was miserable all the time." Schmidt described grief as "a superpower" she has developed as a mother, learning when to push forward and when to slow down and take care of herself. In addition to honoring Gabby's memory, Schmidt said she remains focused on supporting Gabby's siblings, ensuring they feel seen and heard through their own grieving processes. "We need to remember that they're still here and we need to spend all the time we can with them to show them that it's not all about their sister," Schmidt emphasized. She shared that her 21-year-old son, who was 18 when Gabby died, tends to remain quiet about the tragedy, while her 16-year-old daughter "struggled a lot" in coping with the loss. Gabby Petito is survived by her mother and stepfather, Jim Schmidt, her father Joe Petito and stepmother Tara, and six siblings who continue to honor her spirit and memory. Brian Laundrie Speaks Up Meanwhile, the family of Brian Laundrie has recently broken their silence following the release of Netflix's new documentary about Gabby's death. The three-part series, American Murder: Gabby Petito, delves into Petito's life, disappearance, and murder through interviews with her family and friends, as well as text messages, videos, and excerpts from Gabby's personal journals. In response, Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino issued a statement to TODAY, criticizing the documentary for presenting a one-sided narrative. "The documentary was what we expected. One perspective depicted as the 'truth' as seen through their lens. Similar to Republicans and Democrats fighting it out lately. Each side believes their perspective is correct. Hard to see through the lens of the other with all the noise and distrust," Bertolino said. The Laundrie family did not participate in interviews for the documentary. Pope Francis died from a stroke and cardiac arrest, the Vatican has confirmed on Monday. The 88-year-old pointiff passed away at 7:35 AM on April 21 at the age of 88. The pope died in his residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City. The death certificate, signed by Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, director of the Vatican's health services, listed the immediate causes as "cerebral stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse." Specificially, the pope suffered from a stroke, which led to a coma and heart failure. Dr. Arcangeli noted that Pope Francis has had a history of health problems, including acute respiratory failure from bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes. He further noted that the pope's death was verified through electrocardiographic thanatography, which confirmed loss of heart activity. "I hereby declare that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above," Dr. Arcangeli wrote in the medical report. Pope Francis' health had been a concern for several years. Earlier in 2025, he spent more than a month in the hospital due to double pneumonia and respiratory complications. Despite his frailty, he made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday, blessing crowds in St. Peter's Square. This was just one day before his passing. The Vatican announced that the pope's body will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica on April 23, where the faithful can pay their respects. The funeral is expected to take place between April 25 and 27, in line with the traditions for papal funerals. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will preside over the funeral Mass, and the pope will be buried in a simple tomb at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, honoring his personal wishes for a modest burial. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, led the Catholic Church for more than a decade. The Oscar-winning film "Conclave" has become especially relevant following the death of Pope Francis on Monday at the age of 88. The movie, which dramatizes the secretive process of selecting a new pope, mirrors the real-life events scheduled to unfold at the Vatican about 15 to 20 days after Francis' death, nine days of mourning, as well as the pope's funeral. How to Watch 'Conclave' Right Now Conclave was initially available for streaming on Peacock, but as of early April 2025, it was removed due to a licensing agreement. However, starting April 22, the film will be available to stream for Amazon Prime Video subscribers at midnight ET (9 p.m. PT on April 21), according to the platform's landing page. If you prefer not to wait, you can rent or buy the movie on-demand from platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. The film's streaming schedule is part of an 18-month split licensing deal between Universal and Amazon, which rotates rights between Peacock and Prime Video. What is 'Conclave' About? Directed by Edward Berger and based on Robert Harris' 2016 novel, Conclave stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. The story follows Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) as he participates in the conclavethe secret gathering of cardinals in Vatican City to elect a new pope after the previous pontiff's death. Conclave is widely regarded as a mostly accurate depiction of the secretive process of choosing a new pope, especially in its attention to rituals, security measures, and the isolation of cardinals during the election. The film gets many details right, such as the use of electronic jammers to ensure secrecy, the burning of ballots to produce black or white smoke, and the cardinals' attire and accommodations. Experts and consultants, including real cardinals, were involved in the research, and the filmmakers were granted a private Vatican tour to capture the atmosphere and traditions authentically. The Real Conclave: What Happens Next? Pope Francis, who passed away at age 88 after a stroke and heart failure, was known for his focus on the poor and his efforts to reform the Church. With his death, the Vatican has begun preparations for a real conclave. The College of Cardinalsthose under age 80will gather in Rome, sequestered in the Sistine Chapel, to vote in secret until a new pope is chosen. A two-thirds majority is required for election. Who Could Be the Next Pope? Speculation is intense, with several cardinals emerging as leading candidates, per Reuters: Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy, 70): Vatican Secretary of State, experienced diplomat, seen as a unifying figure between conservative and progressive factions. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines, 67): Head of Vatican evangelization, known for his pastoral approach and social justice focus, sometimes called the "Asian Francis." He would be the first Asian pope, but his chances may be affected by past controversies at Caritas Internationalis. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (France, 66): Archbishop of Marseille, recognized for his reformist views and strong alignment with Francis on immigration and interfaith dialogue. While Pope Francis appointed about 80% of the cardinals eligible to vote, experts caution that this does not guarantee a successor with identical views. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is at the center of a new controversy after being accused of copying a British children's book for her now-canceled Netflix animated series, "Pearl." British author Mel Elliott, creator of the 'Pearl Power' book series, claims that Markle's project bore "striking similarities" to her own work and says she sent multiple legal letters to Markle's team and Netflix, warning of potential copyright infringement. "Meghan is a feminist who sticks up for other women, so I was disappointed and confused to see how similar Netflix's proposed show 'Pearl' was to my own 'Pearl Power,' who had been created seven years earlier," the author told DailyMail. "The similarities were too great for me to ignore." Elliott's "Pearl Power" books, first published in 2014, follow a young girl named Pearl who learns about her own strength and draws inspiration from influential women in history. In July 2021, Markle announced her animated series "Pearl" as part of a $100 million deal with Netflix. The show was set to feature a 12-year-old girl who "learns to embrace her power and draws motivation from notable women throughout history," with Markle and David Furnish, husband of Elton John, as executive producers. Shortly after the announcement, Elliott says she noticed the similarities and, through her lawyers, sent a formal letter in July 2021 to Markle's production company, Archewell, and to Netflix. The letter stated that the overlap between the two projects was "too numerous and too pronounced to be mere coincidence." Elliott followed up with two personal letters but says she never received a response from either party. Netflix ultimately canceled "Pearl" in May 2022, citing a shift away from animated content as part of broader cutbacks. The project was quietly removed from Archewell's website and has not been mentioned publicly since. This is not the first time Markle's creative projects have faced scrutiny for similarities with existing works. Recent ventures, including her lifestyle brand and podcast, have also drawn comparisons to other brands and shows, though no legal actions have followed those cases. Representatives for Meghan Markle and Netflix have not commented publicly on the allegations. Pope Francis died after suffering a stroke at age 88 on April 21, 2025, the day after speaking from his window to crowds in Vatican City. His death, the final chapter of a long and remarkable papacy, has triggered global sadness among countless Catholics. But it has also injected new interest in the predictions of the 16th-century astrologer and seer Nostradamus. Several astrologists have cited a centuries-old prediction by Nostradamus, which some felt was a prophecy of the demise of Pope Francis. Nostradamus, writing his 1555 book "Les Propheties," mentioned a "very old Pontiff" whose death would "weaken" the Catholic Church. Per The Mirror, the specific passage reads, "Through the death of a very old Pontiff / A Roman of good age will be elected / Of him it will be said that he weakens his seat / But long will he sit and in mordant activity." The accuracy of this prophecy has intrigued many followers, who claim that Nostradamus predicted Pope Francis's demise and the subsequent challenges that the Church could face. Francis, who had previously struggled with health issues, including a battle with double pneumonia, passed away after suffering a stroke while recovering from his illness. Nostradamus's Prediction of the Next Pope Nostradamus didn't stop with the death of the pope. He also predicted the rise of the next pontiff. In his writings, he described a new pope who would emerge, saying, "A young man of dark skin with the help of the great king will deliver the purse to another of red color." Some interpret this as a reference to the next pope potentially being from a different region or background than his predecessors, though the prophecy is vague and open to interpretation. The College of Cardinals will now begin the process of electing the next pope, which is expected to take place within 15 days. The process, which involves a secretive voting procedure, has historically taken days or even weeks. A World in Flux: Nostradamus's Warnings for 2025 Nostradamus, who is known to be a prophet who predicts world events, captured public discourse with his cryptic quatrains for many centuries. His followers believe that several of his prophecies have already come to pass, including predictions about the rise of Adolf Hitler, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, especially, has been in the spotlight as numerous Nostradamus prophecies for 2025 seem to line up with modern-day events. He has memorably said that Europe would be caught up in "cruel wars" in which the UK would be a party. He has also warned of an "ancient plague" that could be more deadly than the threats nations currently face. However, even with such ominous predictions, followers of Nostradamus are also searching for an optimistic interpretation. Some interpret his prophecies as meaning that the current ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine will eventually conclude, but only when both sides run out of steam. But Nostradamus also spoke of natural disasters; he predicted the volcanic eruption and fatal flooding that would hit Brazil in the years to come. Suge Knight is pushing back against his longtime lawyer's attempt to withdraw from his upcoming wrongful death retrial, keeping the high-profile case on track despite clear tensions between client and counsel. On Monday, a judge in Los Angeles announced that jury selection for the civil retrial concerning the 2015 death of Terry Carter would begin on Tuesday, allowing the case to move forward. Knight, appearing by video from prison, insisted that attorney David Kenner remain on the caseeven as Kenner pleaded with the court to step down. "I am not ready because I've had a remedial breakdown in communication with Mr. Knight," Kenner told the court. He cited a conflict of interest and said he was not prepared to retry a case he originally handled in 2022, which ended in a mistrial. Kenner also noted that no witnesses had been subpoenaed and no investigator had been hired. He added that Knight had not paid him for the first trial. Despite all this, Knight told the court, "He's my attorney, and I'm not getting rid of him." Judge Thomas Long denied Kenner's request to withdraw, saying there was no reason the lawyer couldn't still present a capable defense. The judge reminded Knight that he could replace Kenner if he chose, but Knight declined. Despite the courtroom drama, Kenner remains publicly confident. "We have a superb chance of winning in a subsequent trial," he told Rolling Stone. Knight is expected to testify in his own defense once again. Suge Knight appeared by video as his lawyer cited a breakdown in communication on Monday, but a judge ruled Knight's wrongful death retrial must begin tomorrow. Our report:https://t.co/WYLbQ5dxHVhttps://t.co/WYLbQ5dxHV Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) April 21, 2025 Suge Knight Demands Fair Trial, Cites Phone Issues With Lawyer Knight, 60, raised concerns about not being able to reach Kenner by phone. "I'm trying to communicate on the phone, and no one takes my calls," Knight said. "I just want to have a fair trial, and I need to communicate." Kenner requested the court's approval to hold unrecorded, private phone calls with Knight at the end of each court day. The judge approved the request, aiming to support better communication between the two. The wrongful death suit, filed by Terry Carter's widow and daughters, stems from a 2015 incident caught on surveillance video. According to MyNewsLA, footage shows Knight's truck striking and killing Carter during a heated confrontation near a promotional shoot for Straight Outta Compton. Knight is currently serving a 28-year sentence after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the same case. He has since claimed he took the plea under pressure from a public defender who wasn't prepared for trial. During a hearing held on Monday, representatives from both parties acknowledged that settlement discussions had broken down. Judge Long confirmed that the trial will proceed, with opening statements scheduled to begin early next week. Originally published on Music Times Key Takeaways The Trump administration plans to target artificial food dyes Red dye No. 3 was banned earlier this year due to cancer warnings Experts say these dyes can affect behavior in children TUESDAY, April 22, 2025 (HealthDay News) The Trump administration is expected to take new steps to remove artificial food dyes from the U.S. food supply, officials say. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary are expected to share more details on Tuesday, CNN reported. This follows a major move by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January, under former President Joe Biden, to ban red dye No. 3 in food, drinks and some drugs. That action came more than 30 years after research linked the dye to cancer in animals. Now, federal officials appear ready to go even farther. Kennedy has been an outspoken critic of petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which are used to make foods and drinks look more appealing to consumers. In March, Kennedy supported a new West Virginia law banning some of these dyes. It made West Virginia the first state to take such broad action. Studies have linked some food dyes to behavior and learning issues in children, CNN reported. More than half of U.S. states, including both Republican- and Democrat-led ones, are pushing to restrict these ingredients, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). In a March email to CNN, the National Confectioners Association said while states have a role to play in the nation's food system, "the FDA is the rightful national regulatory decision maker and leader in food safety." Some of the association's members sell products that contain artificial dyes. John Hewitt of the Consumer Brands Association also urged the FDA to take the lead, saying the agency should aggressively acknowledge its responsibility as the nations food safety regulator. Artificial dyes such as red No. 3, red No. 40, green No. 3 and blue No. 2 have been linked to cancer or tumors in animals. Others, like yellow No. 5 and yellow No. 6, may contain cancer-causing chemicals. Even tiny amounts of yellow No. 5 can cause restlessness or sleep problems in sensitive children, CNN reported. Marion Nestle, a well-known food policy expert, welcomed the plan. Non-petroleum substitute dyes are available and used widely in other countries by the same companies that sell products here," she said. "Companies have been promising to get rid of the petroleum dyes for years. The time has come. In public health terms, this is low-hanging fruit," Nestle added. "I want to see RFK Jr. take on ultra-processed foods, a much tougher problem and a far more important one. Most of these dyes are used in low-nutrition foods like candy and soda, but they may also appear in less colorful products, the Center for Science in the Public Interest says. People who want to avoid these dyes can check ingredient labels on food and drink packaging, CNN said. More information The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more on color additives in foods. SOURCE: CNN, April 22, 2025 What This Means For You More food dyes could soon be banned, so check ingredient labels if you're looking to avoid them. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High near 75F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low near 50F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. (The Center Square) The route to making elevators great again, literally per the bill title, doesnt even have opposition from Democrats in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Make Elevators Great Again, known also as House Bill 559, has made its way to the Senate with 112-0 support and a fiscal note saying net state impact is $2.2 million in the coming fiscal year and $2.6 million the next. Safety standards and fees are the crux of the bill. If adopted as written, Republican Labor Commissioner Luke Farley and others who succeed him would be able to set alternative standards that are reasonably equivalent to the American National Safety Standards. Caps on inspection and certificate issuing fees would be repealed. Among the fee caps included in the proposal are $1,000 for an expedited special inspection fee; $500 for holiday and weekend inspections; $300 for water slide inspections; $250 for amusement major ride inspections; and $100 for amusement rock wall inspections. Provisions of the proposal would become effective immediately upon the bill becoming law. The fee structure would go into effect July 1. Elevators and inspections garnered attention in the Tarheel State this generation more than others in part because former five-term Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry, a Republican, came to be known as the Elevator Lady. The Labor Department inspection is posted in each, and her photo was on them. Republican Josh Dobson was her successor, winning election in 2020, but declined to have his photo on the certificates. Republican Luke Farley won in November and pledged in his campaign and after winning to have a plan to instill public confidence, be sure inspections were not out of date, and return the commissioner photo to the inspection certificate in each vertical transport car. Republican Reps. Kyle Hall of Stokes County, Karl Gillespie of Macon County, Mitchell Setzer of Catawba County and Julia Howard of Davie County have credit for running the bill. The Senate received the bill Thursday before lawmakers departed Raleigh for an Easter break. No sessions are scheduled this week. The General Assembly convenes Monday of next week, with most action unlikely to happen before Tuesday. Crossover day is May 8. NELSONVILLE, Ohio The Wayne National Forest is monitoring Timbre Ridge Dam in Lawrence County, Ohio after recent heavy rainfall created a slump, or portion of earth that moves downslope, on the face of the dam. Currently, there are no impacts to public safety and wildlife, according to the Wayne National Forest. The forest is monitoring the structure daily with a local Incident Management Team, according to a press release. For public safety, the forest is drawing down the dam pool until the water level reaches the lowest point of the slump. Once this happens, forest service personnel can assess the conditions and determine a path forward. The forest aims to lower the water levels by no more than 12 inches a day. Currently, water is being released at a rate of two to three inches per day. Timbre Ridge Lake is a 100-acre lake with a maximum depth of about 35 feet. The dam is located on the eastern side of the lake, near the boat ramp and parking area. It is surrounded by 1,200 acres of Wayne National Forest land, although the side the dam is on does have a few private residences nearby. The Wayne National Forest has notified and is working with local elected officials and emergency response organizations about the issues of concern at the Timbre Ridge Lake Dam. The forest is also coordinating with local emergency management agencies to ensure that community members remain aware and safe as the Incident Management Team makes all efforts to mitigate the situation. Should changes occur at the facility that elevate the levels of concern, the forest will inform and support local authorities so they can notify the public in a timely manner. The forest will provide updates as they become available on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/waynenationalforest. For further questions and concerns about the dam, contact Wayne National Forest Public Affairs at 740-823-0841. For questions about emergency notifications and procedures, contact Lawrence County Emergency Management at 740-533-4375. Adam Henson, renowned farmer and TV presenter, will join the panel of judges for the 2025 National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs YFC Achiever Awards. The NFYFC's awards, now in their sixth year, are set to celebrate the achievements of young people in farming and rural communities across the country. They recognise the dedication of YFC members who contribute to their communities, show initiative in their work and help develop other young rural leaders. This years national awards ceremony will take place on 8 November 2025 at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham. Adam Henson will judge the coveted Young Farmer of the Year Award, seeking an outstanding individual who demonstrates best practices in agriculture, promotes farm safety and inspires others with innovative ideas. Mr Henson expressed his excitement: I am delighted to support the Young Farmers Clubs to help them find a standout individual for the Young Farmer of the Year Award. "Ill be looking for individuals who are not only passionate about farming, but who are also sharing best practice, championing farm safety, and inspiring others through innovative ideas." Mr Henson will be joined by a diverse judging panel, including podcaster and content creator Charlotte Ashley, TikTok influencer Tom Turner, wheelchair farmer Michael Nixon, content creator Sophie Aplin, and NFU Vice President David Exwood. The highly competitive Club of the Year category will highlight a YFC that exemplifies inclusivity, strong programming, and safeguarding practices. The awards also include the Community Spirit Award, with Yorkshire beef and sheep farmer Tom Carlisle serving as a judge. This award celebrates the charitable contributions of YFCs, who raise an estimated 1.5 million annually for good causes. With membership at an all-time high since 2019, the New Member of the Year category will recognise a member who has made a significant impact during their first year. Michael Nixon, a judge for this category, said: I am really looking forward to seeing the nominees to see what the next generation has planned. "My son will be joining YFC this year so it will be interesting to see where the industry is going. The Entrepreneur of the Year category will celebrate innovative rural and farming initiatives, particularly those launched during the pandemic. Other categories include Aspiring Rural Leader and the Heart of YFC Award, with an online vote from the membership determining the winner of the latter. NFYFC President John Lee emphasised the importance of the awards: With pressures on our industry, it is beneficial to stop and reflect on all that has been achieved by being part of a YFC. Campaigners from Save British Farming have organised a symbolic demonstration in London to highlight the growing threats to the UK's food supply. As part of it, farmers will rally under the theme 'food and farming in a time of war' outside the National Liberal Club, with a wartime-inspired street demonstration. At the same time, a press conference will take place inside the historic building at Whitehall Place to address the "deepening crisis" affecting UK food and farming. The event on 29 April aims to underscore how import dependency, weak agricultural policy and rising costs are threatening the viability of British farms. Campaigners are urging immediate action from the government to support the nation's family-run farms and to ensure a secure, sustainable food future. "This is more than just a protest - its a wake-up call," Save British Farming said in a statement. The event draws on the haunting legacy of the Great Pet Massacre of 1939, when more than 750,000 pets were killed by fearful owners amid food shortages and government messaging. Save British Farming warns that such panic, misinformation and neglect can lead to tragic consequences when a nation fails to safeguard its food systems. In a visually striking nod to Britains wartime past, the group is urging farmers to bring vintage tractors, wartime memorabilia and even their well-behaved dogs on leads. The event, which is also open to the general public to attend, will feature live street theatre, re-enacting scenes from Britains agricultural home front during World War II. It will also include displays of vintage farming equipment to draw parallels between the historical reliance on domestic farming and todays precarious food security landscape. Save British Farming added: Britain cannot afford to take food for granted - we are at a critical moment. "This campaign is about remembering the past to prevent history from repeating itself. Press conference speakers will include leading voices from the farming community, agricultural policy experts and campaigners. Those interested in attending the demonstration can reserve a free spot online. NFU Scotland has issued a call to the UKs largest retailers to increase their support for Scottish produce, following a year-long investigation into sourcing practices. The unions ShelfWatch initiative which monitored the presence of Scottish food across eight major supermarkets has revealed that only 17% of own-label goods were labelled as Scottish. The findings, published today (22 April), point to significant disparities among retailers: Aldi emerged as the top performer, with an average of 40% of own-label products sourced from Scotland, followed by Lidl at 30% and Co-op at 22%. M&S Food showed the most improvement in Scottish sourcing, although overall levels remained modest, according to ShelfWatch. While overall British sourcing stood at an encouraging 63%, the study also recorded a 6% increase in imported goods, prompting concerns from the farming union. In response, NFU Scotland has calculated that increasing Scottish sourcing by just 12% could unlock an additional 500 million for Scottish farmers and growers. The union has written to the eight retailers involved Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Lidl, M&S Food, Morrisons, Sainsburys and Tesco urging them to take specific steps to strengthen support for local agriculture. NFU Scotland is calling for a 'Scottish First' policy, which would see Scottish produce prioritised across all commodities, helping to reduce the industrys reliance on imports. It also wants retailers to develop a comprehensive programme of promotional campaigns to champion Scottish produce both in-store and online. This includes the creation of a dedicated 'Scottish Shop' on retailer websites and support for wider industry initiatives. Another key demand is a renewed commitment to fairness in the supply chain: the union is calling for an end to excessive discounting practices that undermine the value of food, and is urging supermarkets to ensure that pricing reflects the true cost of production. NFU Scotland is also pressing for reform in labelling practices, with the aim to achieve clearer on-pack country-of-origin information so that consumers have a better understanding of where their food comes from. In addition, it is advocating for better in-store branding and signage to clearly distinguish Scottish produce from imported goods and prevent co-mingling on supermarket shelves. NFU Scotland President, Andrew Connon said: Our message to retailers is that by working together, we have a golden opportunity to support Scotlands farmers and crofters as well as giving their customers more of what they want. "Overall, these results show a disappointing level of Scottish sourcing with around 17% of own-label products labelled as Scottish and no real improvement throughout the year. "Through this work, we have identified the key areas for action and commitment. If we get it right, the results could be transformational for our farmers, crofters and growers. The ShelfWatch study spanned four phases of research throughout 2024 and early 2025, examining more than 15,000 own-brand products in over 290 stores across seven regions. In addition to Scottish labelling, data on wider British and imported produce was also collected to better understand sourcing practices. Mr Connon concluded: What this data shows us is the huge opportunities that exist for Scottish agriculture if the right actions and decisions are made. "NFU Scotland will be relentless in pursuing these for the betterment of our members and wider industry. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Bangladeshs department of agricultural extension aims at producing 709,799 bales of jute from 54,669 hectares of land in the Rangpur agriculture region during the current kharif-1 season, also known as the pre-monsoon or summer season, which typically runs from mid-March to mid-July. Farmers in the region, comprising five districts of Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari, are sowing jute seeds, deputy director at the departments Rangpur regional office Mohammad Afzal Hossain said as per domestic media reports. Bangladesh's department of agricultural extension aims at producing 709,799 bales of jute from 54,669 hectares in the Rangpur region between mid-March and mid-July. Farmers will produce 6,61,085 bales of 'tosha' variety from 49,950 hectares, 38,244 bales of 'deshi' variety from 3,774 hectares, 3,040 bales of 'mechta' variety from 320 hectares and 7.410 bales of 'kenaf' variety from 650 hectares. Farmers will produce 6,61,085 bales of 'tosha' variety of jute from 49,950 hectares, 38,244 bales of 'deshi' variety from 3,774 hectares, 3,040 bales of mechta variety from 320 hectares and 7.410 bales of kenaf variety of jute from 650 hectares this season. Jute will be cultivated on 9,950 hectares of land in Rangpur district, 14,560 hectares in Gaibandha, 17,250 hectares in Kurigram, 3,940 hectares in Lalmonirhat and 6,369 hectares in Nilphamari district this season. The department is providing necessary training to farmers to separate and decompose jute fibres in case of water scarcity so that they can ensure better quality to get higher prices of the golden fibres. Meanwhile, the countrys environment, forest and climate change adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said jute shopping bags will be offered to people at subsidised prices as an alternative to polythene shopping bags. She said awareness campaigns will be conducted to encourage people to use jute bags and new entrepreneurs will be offered support for producing jute bags. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Shah Rukh Khan and his family were recently in the headlines for moving out of Mannat due to renovation and redevelopment. Now, reports from The Indian Express suggest that even Aamir Khan is moving out of his home in Pali Hill for the same purpose. Khan owns multiple apartments in Virgo Cooperative Housing Society in Pali Hill. The building has been chosen for redevelopment. A real-estate giant is set to launch an ultra-luxury project in the area, as a part of the redevelopment of Virgo Cooperative Housing Society. The reconstruction programme is also set to provide Khan with temporary apartments in the same area. However, reports suggest that he bought another flat in the same area of Pali Hill for Rs. 9 crores. He might live in it, while his home is redeveloped. Shah Rukh Khan has already moved out of Mannat. Many reports previously suggested that the actor and his family were moving out of the place for renovations. He has rented two luxury duplex apartments in Pali Hill, Khar West, for a three-year period. The building is owned by film producer Vashu Bhagnanis children, Jackky Bhagnani and Deepshika Deshmukh. While the new place isnt as massive as Mannat, many sources suggest it has enough space to accommodate his security team and staff. The actor is reportedly paying a combined monthly rent of Rs 24.15 lakhs for two luxurious duplex apartments in Mumbai. The security deposit for the same is Rs 32.97 lakhs per apartment. As for the homes of the Khans, Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamirs homes are landmarks in Mumbai. Many tourists gather around the buildings to catch glimpses of them and their families. Fans on social media were also discussing SRKs house change, as Mannat is a major tourist attraction. See Also: Ranbir Kapoor Gears up for Ramayana, Now Aamir Khan Eyes Mahabharat? After nearly ten years of staying away from the big screen, Imran Khan is finally backand this time, hes stepping into something fresh. The actor, known for his effortlessly relatable roles in films like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Delhi Belly, has officially started shooting for his comeback film titled Adhure Hum Adhure Tum. Whats exciting is that the film is being made for Netflix, marking Imrans first venture into the world of streaming. His return has been talked about for a while, but now its realthe cameras are rolling, and a new chapter is unfolding. Starring opposite him is Bhumi Pednekar, and joining the cast is Gurfateh Pirzada from Class. But Imran isnt just actinghes also co-producing the film along with Danish Aslam, under their banner in collaboration with Open Air Films, the team behind Leila and Cobalt Blue. The shoot is expected to wrap by July, and if all goes as planned, well see Imran light up the screen again when the film premieres on Netflix India in early 2026. For fans whove been patiently waiting, this feels like a comeback worth celebrating The film reunites Imran with director Danish Aslam, who last worked with him back in 2010 on Break Ke Baad, a rom-com that still holds a soft spot in many hearts. After over a decade, the two are teaming up again, this time with a more layered, emotional story that still carries that signature charm. Shooting kicked off recently in Mumbai, and the buzz has already started building, especially among fans whove missed Imrans unique screen presence.Adhure Hum Adhure Tum is being described as a dysfunctional romantic dramedybasically a mix of romance, drama, and offbeat humour, with a touch of emotional chaos. The title itself hints at something a little broken yet beautiful, a story of love that isnt perfect but still meaningful. That kind of storytelling has always been Imrans strengthplaying characters that feel real, flawed, and quietly lovable. It sounds like a film that stays true to what made people fall in love with his earlier work, while offering something deeper and more grown-up. Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotras scooter ride on Param Sundari sets View this post on Instagram A post shared by Janhvi Kapoor (@janhvikapoor) About Param Sundari Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra are currently filming for Param Sundari. While the actors are keeping busy, it looks like they managed to have some fun between takes. On Monday, Janhvi shared a series of behind-the-scenes photos with her co-star.Janhvi took to her social media handle to share snaps of her riding a green scooter with Sidharth seated behind her. The actress looked lovely in a red saree, purple bangles, gajra and black shades. Meanwhile, Sidharth looked handsome in a peach linen shirt paired with grey pants. They seem to be shooting a scooter ride scene on the streets of Kerala. Janhvi can be seen riding while Siddharth can be seen helping her navigate.Janhvi captioned the post, Param loves it when I take him for a ride #ParamSundari, with hearts and grinning emojis. Sidharth also shared an image of himself holding the scooters handles while Janhvi struck a goofy pose and gave him directions.Janhvi has been sharing glimpses of her time in Kerala amidst shooting for the film. Earlier, she shared snaps on a boat in a stunning saree. She captioned it, #Sundari in her natural habitat.Directed by Dasvi fame Tushar Jalota, Param Sundari is a romantic drama about a South Indian girl, played by Janhvi and a North Indian boy, played by Sidharth. The film marks the actors first on-screen collaboration. Set against the scenic backdrop of Kerala, the film promises to play out an entertaining cross-cultural romantic comedy. The film is set for a theatrical release on July 25, 2025. Further updates about production are awaited. In a disturbing case of digital deception, Bollywood action star Tiger Shroff became the subject of a fabricated death threat, leading to the arrest of a Punjab-based individual for disseminating false information. The digital age, while connecting fans to their favourite stars, also opens doors to misinformation. Recently, Tiger Shroff, known for his high-octane performances and disciplined lifestyle, was falsely reported to be under threat, causing unnecessary panic among fans and the film fraternity. Mumbai Polices swift actions led to the arrest of the individual responsible for this hoax, highlighting the importance of todays fast-paced news cycle. Bollywoods dynamic actor, Tiger Shroff was allegedly under a death threat, with claims suggesting a contract worth Rs. 2 lakhs had been placed on his life. The source of this misinformation was traced back to a man in Punjab, who had fabricated the entire story. Mumbai Police, upon receiving reports of this threat, initiated an investigation that culminated in the arrest of the individual responsible for spreading the false narrative. However, this incident is not isolated. In May 2023, a misleading YouTube video claimed that Tiger Shroff had died of a heart attack, using clickbait tactics to garner views. The actor promptly debunked the rumour by posting a video on his social media, reassuring fans of his well-being. Such instances underscore the challenges celebrities face in the digital era, where misinformation can spread rapidly, causing unwarranted distress. Tiger Shroff, son of veteran actor Jackie Shroff, has carved a niche for himself in Bollywood with films like Heropanti, Baaghi, and War. Known for his dedication to fitness and martial arts, he has a massive fan following that looks up to him not just for his on-screen performances but also for his off-screen discipline. The spread of such false information not only affects the personal lives of celebrities but also has broader implications for public trust in media sources. The Mumbai Police have reiterated the importance of verifying information before sharing it on public platforms. They have also emphasized that strict actions will be taken against those who intentionally spread false information, especially when it pertains to the safety and reputation of individuals. On the professional front, Tiger is gearing up for several exciting projects. He is set to reprise his role in the much-anticipated Baaghi 4, directed by A. Harsha and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, slated for release on September 5, 2025. The film promises to showcase Tiger in a more intense and darker avatar, continuing the franchises high-octane action. See Also: Jackie Shroff, Tiger Shroff and Krishna Shroff prove theyre the most chilled family Aamir Khan is gearing up to be associated with the magnum opus, Mahabharat. During a recent interaction with The Hollywood Reporter India, Aamir opened up about hoping to have multiple directors on board for the project. He noted that he is hoping to begin the production this year. Calling it one of his biggest ambitions, Aamir noted that the writing process alone with take a few years. He wants to be involved as a producer but does not know whether hed act. We'll see who we should cast based on who's appropriate for which part, he shared. However, he may or may not be one of the directors in the project. When asked if hed want to direct the movie, Aamir revealed that he feels the epic cannot be told in one go. Aamir noted that the story will be told across multiple movies. They would eventually require many directors to come onboard. Opening up further, Khan added that it would take a long time if the movies were made one after the other. He is looking to film all the parts together, the way The Lord of the Rings was made. He added, I think in that case you might need more than one director. While he did not reveal the potential cast members, directors or other producers, Aamir seems determined to bring the magnum opus to life. Previously, the actor told Galatta Plus, When you are making a film on Mahabharata, you are not just making a film. You are performing a yagya. It is not just a film, it is much more. And that is why I am not ready for it yet. He had also reportedly backed out of Rakesh Sharma biopic in 2018 to concentrate on the project. In other news, Aamir is set to return to the big screen with Sitaare Zameen Par. Taare Zameen Par sequel features an ensemble cast including Aamir, Darsheel Safary, and Genelia Deshmukh in the lead roles. In an interesting development, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials served notices to Mahesh Babu in connection with a money laundering investigation involving real estate firms. Buzz is that the central agency reportedly asked the superstar to appear for an inquiry on April 28. The actor has been the brand ambassador for two reality brands Sai Surya developers and The Surana Group. According to reports, ED wants to investigate the modalities of the payment made to the actor. The ED notice to Mahesh Babu came less than a week after it conducted searches at the premises of the realty firms in Hyderabad. Under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the central agency conducted searches at four premises in Hyderabad, around April 17. Apparently, unaccounted cash transactions worth in crores of rupees were found, and later, the agency had reportedly seized lakhs of rupees in cash during searches at the real estate firms. Mahesh Babus endorsing the real estate firms believed to have played a significant role in gaining public trust. The buyers who bought the land were apparently not aware of the alleged fraudulent practices. It may be noted that the actor is not being investigated as an accused and is only being called for investigation. At this point of time theres no evidence of his involvement over the alleged scam. ED is investigating the payments he received from the firms after officials claim to have collected evidence for questionable transactions. Perhaps, Mahesh may have endorsed the realty projects of the accused companies without knowing about the alleged fraud, one of the officials reportedly stated. Mahesh Babu is yet to respond to the legal notices perhaps his team is working on the subject. The actor is presently shooting for SSMB29 in Hyderabad. Directed by Rajamouli, the film also stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithvbiraj Sukumaran. See Also: Mahesh Babu & Priyanka Chopra To Shoot For A Breathtaking Action Sequence For SS Rajamoulis SSMB29 Parul Yadav was in Italy as part of pre-production (recce) location scouting for one of her upcoming films. While the trip was part of her professional commitment, towards the end, it turned out to be a memorable one. Parul had the opportunity to see Pope Francis at the Vatican City and that too on Easter (on Sunday). It was an unplanned and unexpected affair. I was just crossing the Vatican City and there were scores of people standing. Luckily, I too went in, Parul recalls. For someone who is a seeker of knowledge, Parul says that she fell in love with Italy and Vatican City. Her first knowledge of the country was during the 15 century, a crucial period for the Renaissance. The period witnessed a renewed interest in classical learning, art, painting, architecture, literature, and science, the actress remembers, adding it was during that time that art flourished and that she would love to be reborn in that era. She said, Being an artiste, I am a big fan of the paintings and artwork like The Sistine Chapel ceiling, Italian Renaissance domes, etc. So I went to the city with the history at the back of my mind. I have been to Saint Peter's Square as well. But who would have thought that it would be the last time the world would see the Pope. The actress feels blessed to see Pope walking along with the Cardinals at the Choir. Listening to the prayers and the song was a great experience, according to her. I feel all religious places have some great power, so The Vatican too was filled with a vibrant atmosphere. I became very emotional and my eyes moist after listening to the prayers. I heard the Pope's speech and it was great energy, she explains, adding that she was blessed to see the Pope walking out, and that too, on Easter. Parul considers her visit to The Vatican as a blessed act. She said, No matter how much you plan, things like this should happen. I am fortunate to experience it. But the actress also adds that Pope was visibly feeling unwell. She added, But he came and walked all the way, his commitment and dedication was amazing.When the actress landed in India on Monday morning, she learnt about the unfortunate development Pope passed away. She said, I felt very emotional, adding, I never thought that it would be the last time I would see him at The Vatican, so it was serendipity. I have been in Rome for over a week for professional reasons. But I was blessed and lucky to see him on Easter at The Vatican. I am grateful to be at St. Peters Basilica in Vatican City on Sunday, on Easter. Pope Francis, though unwell, surprised the world with his presence and addressed the crowd. But none of us knew it would be his final blessing. The moment now feels even more sacred, surreal, and deeply humbling. Its all a surreal experience. The Film Marks Althaf Salims Return To Direction Known for blending humour with heartfelt storytelling, Althaf Salims return to the directors chair comes with high expectations. His previous directorial, Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela, was praised for its warmth and emotional depth. This time, he reunites with Fahadh Faasil, but this time as director, in a film that hints at being both whimsical and emotionally charged. Joining Faasil in the lead is Kalyani Priyadarshan, adding to the excitement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kalyani Priyadarshan (@kalyanipriyadarshan) Fahadh Faasil is all set to return to the big screen with a film that promises to be as eccentric as its title. Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira, the new romantic comedy directed by actor-director Althaf Salim, now has an official release date, much to the delight of Malayalam cinema fans. According to a recent announcement from the films team, Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira will hit theatres on September 4, in time for the Onam festival.The films team made the announcement by posting an image of its lead actor and director sharing a light moment on set with the caption, Come celebrate this Onam with @odum_kuthira_chaadum_kuthira in theatres from September 4, 2025The ensemble cast is stacked with talent, including Revathi Pillai, Dhyan Sreenivasan, Lal, Vinay Forrt, Suresh Krishna, Babu Antony, Johny Antony, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Anuraj O B, Vineeth Vasudevan, and Saafboi. Each actor brings their unique flavor to what is expected to be a character-driven and lively story.Backing the film is a creative team with strong credentials: Justin Varghese is on music duty, Jinto George handles cinematography, and editing is in the hands of Abhinav Sunder Nayak. With this team, the film is poised to balance visual flair, tight storytelling, and an engaging score.The first look of the film was released recently via an eye-catching motion poster, shared across social media platforms. The visuals featured Fahadh Faasil in his signature deadpan style, flanked by two horsesone in motion, the other mid-leapperfectly capturing the tone the title evokes: unpredictable and offbeat. The poster sparked intrigue online, with fans eager to interpret the symbolism and tone of the film.Though plot details are being kept under wraps, the film is being described as a quirky take on romance and identity, infused with humour, charm, and a touch of the surreal. With Fahadhs track record of portraying layered characters and Salims knack for grounded storytelling with a comedic twist, Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira is already shaping up to be one of the years most anticipated Malayalam releases.See Also: Nazriya Nazim Opens Up About Emotional Struggles And Long Absence From Spotlight ROME, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "On behalf of the more than 1 billion people who engage in Earth Day on its 55th anniversary, we express our deepest condolences for the passing of Pope Francis. "He was without a doubt the world's most earnest and influential voice in protecting our planet. For more than ten years, Pope Francis has taken countless actions to bring to life the "cultural, spiritual, and educational" dimensions of the climate challenge. "With deep emotion and sorrow, we received from the Vatican greetings from Pope Francis and a letter of support for Earth Action Day that echoes the spirit of his pontificate and the urgency of his message. On the 10th anniversary of Laudato si, this gesture moves us profoundly, reminding us of the moral call to care for our common home. We are sincerely and humbly grateful for this blessing, which inspires us to carry forward his vision with renewed commitment and hope." KATHLEEN ROGERS, EARTHDAY.ORG Vatican City, April 19, 2025 Excellencies, Authorities, Dear Guests, I am pleased to bring the greetings of the Holy Father Francis to this event: "Earth Action Day: Strategies and Policies for a Sustainable Future", which challenges us on our actions towards our common home, to whose care the Pope has dedicated the Encyclical Letter Laudato si', of which, in this Holy Year, we celebrate the tenth anniversary of its publication. On today's occasion, which calls us to implement strategies and policies for a sustainable future, it seems appropriate to me to return to an extremely timely passage from the Encyclical: While humanity in the post-industrial period will perhaps be remembered as one of the most irresponsible in history, it is to be hoped that humanity at the beginning of the twenty-first century will be remembered for having generously assumed its grave responsibilities (n. 165). This is a great challenge that is not only technical-scientific and political-economic, but also, and above all cultural, spiritual and educational (n. 202). We are now deeply aware that the environmental crisis, with its serious impacts especially for the most vulnerable populations, is closely connected to the ethical and social crisis that we are experiencing and that must lead us to adopt a new vision anchored to that concept of integral ecology so well outlined in Laudato si'. Starting from the principle that "everything is connected and interdependent", it requires a real "change of direction": moving from a throwaway culture, which permeates our society, to a culture of care: care of oneself, care of others (near or far away in space and time), care of the environment. For believers, living the vocation of being custodians of God's work is an essential part of a virtuous existence; it does not constitute something optional or even a secondary aspect of the 'Christian experience' (n. 217). From this perspective, the ethical-socio-environmental crisis represents not only a serious concern, but also an opportunity, a privileged moment of stimulus to a more authentic life and to an individual and community "ecological conversion". In sharing these reflections, I am grateful to extend to all the participants of the day a cordial greeting and best wishes for good work. Cardinal Pietro Parolin Secretary of State Italian Translation HERE About EARTHDAY.ORG: Founded in 1970 by the organizers of the first Earth Day, EARTHDAY.ORG has grown into the world's largest environmental movement, mobilizing over one billion people annually to protect the planet and its people. Our mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental community globally. This year Earth Day marks its 55th anniversary and has designated this year's Earth Day theme as Our Power, Our Planet . Learn more at EARTHDAY.ORG . For media inquiries, interviews, comment - please feel free to contact: Terran Fielder, fielder@earthday.org, Tel: +1 661 444 4436, (Washington DC) Patrizia Mari, patrizia@patriziamarin.com Tel: +971544427394 / +393480094414 (Media Contact in Rome) Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1155792/Earthdayorg_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/statement-from-kathleen-rogers-president-earthdayorg-on-the-passing-of-pope-francis-302433797.html Perth, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2025) - FireFly Metals Limited (ASX: FFM) (TSX: FFM) ("FireFly" or the "Company") is pleased to advise that it has appointed experienced investor relations executive and professional engineer Jessie Liu-Ernsting as Chief Corporate Development Officer, based in Toronto. Ms Liu-Ernsting will be primarily responsible for strategic and corporate development and investor relations and will commence in her new role mid to late May 2025. Her appointment builds on FireFly's recent dual listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange, enabling the Company to grow the standing of its Green Bay Copper-gold Project in Canada among North American investors. FireFly Managing Director Steve Parsons said Ms Liu-Ernsting's appointment reflects the Company's commitment to growing awareness and understanding of the huge opportunity at Green Bay among North American investors. "We continue to create substantial shareholder value with our strategy to grow and upgrade the resource while doing the mining studies associated with a production re-start. "Given the clear appetite among North American investors for copper and gold projects in their region, we believe there is a big opportunity to grow FireFly's profile in this community. "Jessie's experience in North American capital markets will help ensure we establish a strong connection between FireFly and North American investors." Ms Jessie Liu-Ernsting Ms Liu-Ernsting was previously Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications of TSX Venture 50 and OTCQX Best 50 company, G Mining Ventures Corp. (TSX:GMIN) where she was part of the leadership team responsible for a share price increase of 600%, taking the market capitalisation to C$4.7B. Ms Liu-Ernsting was responsible for establishing and delivering GMIN's inaugural investor relations program to increase investor awareness and engagement. She was involved in GMIN securing the US$481M Tocantinzinho project construction financing package consisting of gold stream, equity, debt and equipment financing in the tough market environment of 2022, and GMIN's shareholder-approved C$875M merger with Reunion Gold in 2024. Prior to joining GMIN, Ms Liu-Ernsting led a junior mining company as its inaugural VP of Corporate Development and Investor Relations to achieve 14x share price accretion and raised $33M over that company's first 12 months during the COVID-19 crisis. Before that, she guided a public mining company to achieve settlement on a disputed proxy. Previously, as investment manager at Resource Capital Funds, Ms. Liu-Ernsting sourced, evaluated, structured and managed a portfolio of natural resources investments. Ms. Liu-Ernsting started her career with two of the preeminent Canadian engineering firms conducting backfill, mine, mill and mining innovation capital projects. She is currently a director of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). Ms Liu-Ernsting has resigned from the FireFly board to take up this opportunity. FireFly is currently conducting a search for a new independent non-executive director. ABOUT FIREFLY METALS FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX, TSX: FFM) is an emerging copper-gold company focused on advancing the high-grade Green Bay Copper-Gold Project in Newfoundland, Canada. The Green Bay Copper-Gold Project currently hosts a Mineral Resource prepared in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code 2012) and Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) of 24.4Mt of Measured and Indicated Resources at 1.9% for 460Kt CuEq and 34.5Mt of Inferred Resources at 2% for 690Kt CuEq. The Company has a clear strategy to rapidly grow the copper-gold resource to demonstrate a globally significant copper-gold asset. FireFly has commenced a 130,000m diamond drilling program. FireFly holds a 70% interest in the high-grade Pickle Crow Gold Project in Ontario. The current Inferred Resource stands at 11.9Mt at 7.2g/t for 2.8Moz gold, with exceptional discovery potential on the 500km2 tenement holding. The Company also holds a 90% interest in the Limestone Well Vanadium-Titanium Project in Western Australia. For further information regarding FireFly Metals Ltd please visit the ASX platform (ASX:FFM), the Company's website www.fireflymetals.com.au or SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS Mineral Resources Estimate - Green Bay Project The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Green Bay Project referred to in this announcement and set out at Appendix A was first reported in the Company's ASX announcement dated 29 October 2024, titled "Resource increases 42% to 1.2Mt of contained metal at 2% Copper Eq" and is also set out in the Technical Reports for the Ming Copper Gold Mine and Little Deer Copper Project available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Mineral Resources Estimate - Pickle Crow Project The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Pickle Crow Project referred to in this announcement was first reported in the Company's ASX release dated 4 May 2023, titled "High-Grade Inferred Gold Resource Grows to 2.8Moz at 7.2g/t". Metal equivalents for Mineral Resource Estimates Metal equivalents for Mineral Resource Estimate mineralisation have been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,500/oz and silver price of US$25/oz. Individual Mineral Resource grades for the metals are set out at Appendix A of this announcement. Copper equivalent was calculated based on the formula CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + (Au(g/t) x 0.82190) + (Ag(g/t) x 0.00822). Metallurgical factors have been applied to the metal equivalent calculation. Copper recovery used was 95%. Historical production at the Ming Mine has a documented copper recovery of ~96%. Precious metal metallurgical recovery was assumed at 85% on the basis of historical recoveries achieved at the Ming Mine in addition to historical metallurgical test work to increase precious metal recoveries. In the opinion of the Company, all elements included in the metal equivalent calculations have a reasonable potential to be sold and recovered based on current market conditions, metallurgical test work, the Company's operational experience and, where relevant, historical performance achieved at the Green Bay project whilst in operation. Original Announcements FireFly confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcements and that, in the case of Mineral Resources, all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Mineral Resource Estimates in the original announcements continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons' and Qualified Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcements. FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements and projections, including statements regarding FireFly's plans, forecasts and projections with respect to its mineral properties and programs. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement reflect management's current beliefs based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, such forward looking statements and projections are estimates only and should not be relied upon. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The forward-looking statements and projections are inherently uncertain and may therefore differ materially from results ultimately achieved. For example, there can be no assurance that FireFly will be able to confirm the presence of Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves, that FireFly's plans for development of its mineral properties will proceed, that any mineralisation will prove to be economic, or that a mine will be successfully developed on any of FireFly's mineral properties. The performance of FireFly may be influenced by a number of factors which are outside the control of the Company, its directors, officers, employees and contractors. The Company does not make any representations and provides no warranties concerning the accuracy of any forward-looking statements or projections, and disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or projections based on new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable laws. APPENDIX A Green Bay Copper-Gold Project Mineral Resources Ming Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate TONNES COPPER GOLD SILVER CuEq (Mt) Grade (%) Metal ('000 t) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (%) Measured 4.7 1.7 80 0.3 40 2.3 340 1.9 Indicated 16.8 1.6 270 0.3 150 2.4 1,300 1.8 TOTAL M&I 21.5 1.6 340 0.3 190 2.4 1,600 1.8 Inferred 28.4 1.7 480 0.4 340 3.3 3,000 2.0 Little Deer Mineral Resource Estimate TONNES COPPER GOLD SILVER CuEq (Mt) Grade (%) Metal ('000 t) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (%) Measured - - - - - - - - Indicated 2.9 2.1 62 0.1 9 3.4 320 2.3 TOTAL M&I 2.9 2.1 62 0.1 9 3.4 320 2.3 Inferred 6.2 1.8 110 0.1 10 2.2 430 1.8 Green Bay Total Mineral Resource Estimate TONNES COPPER GOLD SILVER CuEq (Mt) Grade (%) Metal ('000 t) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (g/t) Metal ('000 oz) Grade (%) Measured 4.7 1.7 80 0.3 45 2.3 340 1.9 Indicated 19.7 1.7 330 0.2 154 2.6 1,600 1.9 TOTAL M&I 24.4 1.7 400 0.3 199 2.5 2,000 1.9 Inferred 34.6 1.7 600 0.3 348 3.1 3,400 2.0 FireFly Metals Ltd Mineral Resources for the Green Bay Copper-Gold Project, incorporating the Ming Deposit and Little Deer Complex, are reported in accordance with the JORC Code 2012 and NI 43-101. Mineral Resources have been reported at a 1.0% copper cut-off grade. Metal equivalents for the Mineral Resource Estimate has been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,500/oz and silver price of US$25/oz. Metallurgical recoveries have been set at 95% for copper and 85% for both gold and silver. CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + (Au(g/t) x 0.82190) + (Ag(g/t) x 0.00822). Totals may vary due to rounding. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249292 SOURCE: FireFly Metals Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2025) - SORRENTO RESOURCES LTD. (CSE: SRS) (OCTQB: SRSLF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has arranged a non-brokered private placement (the "Placement") to raise up to $375,000 through the sale of up to 5,000,000 units (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.075 per Unit. Each Unit will comprise one common share and half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.15 per share for a period of 36 months. Finder's fees may be payable on all or any portion of the Placement, which is subject to regulatory and exchange approval. The proceeds of the Placement will be utilized for exploration activities at the Lord Baron and Harmsworth projects, repayment of outstanding loans (see press release dated November 7, 2024) and general working capital purposes. About the Company Sorrento Resources is engaged in acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral property assets in Canada. The Company's objective is to locate and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit including the Wing Pond, Lord Baron projects, the PEG lithium project, and the Harmsworth (VMS) project all located in Newfoundland. For more information, visit https://sorrentoresources.ca/. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the anticipated plans for and results of exploration programs are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the terms of the proposed Placement, the likelihood of finder's fees being paid, the timing of closing of the Placement and the proposed use of proceeds. These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of the management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. 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. THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE.. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249295 SOURCE: Sorrento Resources Inc. 2025 Bubbling Boiling Island Music & Arts Festival XIAMEN, China, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2025 Bubbling Boiling Island Music & Arts Festival - Southeast Station was held at the Music Coast of Maluan Bay, Haicang district, Xiamen from April 19 to 20. Over the course of two days, the festival attracted over 50,000 music enthusiasts from around the world, who came together to create a vibrant cultural feast on the spring seaside. The festival maintained its core themes of innovation, internationalization, and uniqueness by inviting 27 groups of musicians from Japan, Norway, and Canada to perform on the same stage. The musicians spanned various music genres including pop, rock, electronic, and experimental art. The on-site stage design has been completely upgraded to present the audience with an immersive audio-visual experience of international standards. Nine of the overseas artists making up nearly 40 percent of the total participating musicians, made their debut appearance at a music festival in China for the first time. Beyond the stage performances, the festival creatively integrated the concepts of "commerce + art" and "IP + art", showcasing distinctive installation artworks that enhanced on-site interaction and visual appeal. These unique artistic displays attracted a large number of young audiences for photo opportunities, generating a dual-wave effect of online and offline engagement. As one of today's most influential large-scale cultural performance IPs in youth tourism consumption, Bubbling Boiling Island's fanbase primarily consists of young adults aged 18-28. The festival drew crowds from across China to Xiamen, with non-local attendees accounting for an impressive 95 percent of total visitors. To ensure a premium and welcoming experience for traveling fans, Xiamen government collaborated with nearby hotels, popular attractions, shopping districts, and local dining hotspots to offer exclusive bundled deals. Additionally, practical and visitor-friendly city guides were released, energizing Xiamen's cultural tourism economy. The festival also welcomed over 100 international attendees from the United States, Japan, Russia, the Republic of Korea, and other countries. To enhance accessibility, Chinese-English service desks and luggage storage facilities were provided, ensuring a seamless and internationalized experience. Xiamen government is currently building the city into a pop culture hub with international influence. This includes developing the 300,000-square-meter Maluan Bay Music Coast as a premium outdoor music festival venue, accelerating the introduction of large-scale pop culture events, aggregating global pop culture resources, and creating high-quality youth-oriented consumption experiences. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/32470e63-b0a2-45c9-85e9-3fc863f6073d Source:Xiamen government Name:Wang Jing E-mail: 1377452583@qq.com QUZHOU, China, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Against the backdrop of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the "See You in Quzhou" China-US people-to-people exchange activities were held in Quzhou, Zhejiang province between April 17 and 18, under the theme "Let History Illuminate the Future". "There is a Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou, Zhejiang. The descendants of the American soldiers who were rescued that year often come here to pay tribute to the righteous and courageous Chinese people. I believe the friendship forged by blood and flame will be passed down from generation to generation." On November 15, 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech at the joint welcome banquet held by American friendly organizations in San Francisco. On April 17, friendship advocates from both China and the US visited the Doolittle Raid Rescue Site and jointly planted the "Friendship Forest," sowing the seeds of peace and hope. Clips from the documentaries "Saving Pilot Doolittle" and "Midway" were screened at the event on April 18. Looking back, the Chinese and American peoples fought together with global anti-fascist forces, demonstrating unyielding spirit and unwavering resolve to secure a great victory. Their contributions to human peace and justice remain indelible. At the event, eight Chinese and American representatives ceremonially sealed their visions for the future into the "time capsule". When witnesses to the Doolittle Raid rescue, descendants of the rescuers, and foreign guests unveiled the Yudong folk scroll depicting the historic mission, thunderous applause filled the hall. Zhou Liwen, former head of the News Department at Guangming Daily, China's premier intellectual-focused newspaper, also presented his documentary writing "Heroes of the Land--The 1942 Quzhou Promise." The Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation designated Quzhou Senior High School as a "Flying Tigers Friendship School", marking the institution's official inclusion in the "Flying Tigers Friendship School and Youth Leaders Program". Following the presentation of a replication of Liberation Daily featuring the Doolittle Raid to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Quzhou Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid and WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall established a sister museum partnership. Additionally, the Quzhou Doolittle Raid Historical Research Association and the USS Hornet Museum exchanged their collections, further strengthening ties between the two nations. During the dialogue session themed on "Let History Illuminate the Future," Chinese and American participants engaged in in-depth discussions centered on "Honoring History and Fostering Friendship." On the same day, the Chinese and American delegates walked through Quzhou's ancient streets and experienced the cultural charm of the Southern Sanctuary of Confucianism. "Quzhou embodies the inclusiveness and vitality of the Chinese culture." Jeff Greene, Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation observed. The event was co-hosted by the Quzhou Museum and Quzhou Doolittle Raid Historical Research Association, under the guidance of China Public Diplomacy Association. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669131/City_of_Quzhou_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669132/City_of_Quzhou_2.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669133/City_of_Quzhou_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/see-you-in-quzhou-china-us-people-to-people-exchange-activities-launched-302433987.html A growth dynamic that will accelerate by the end of the first half of the year, driven by the start of mobile M1 deliveries in Ukraine 10.9 M Turnover 10% Increase in turnover vs. first quarter of 2024 April 22, 2025 - 8:00 AM - Diagnostic Medical Systems (Euronext Growth Paris: FR0012202497 - ALDMS and FR001400IAQ8 - DMSBS), a specialist in high-performance medical imaging systems for Digital Radiology and Bone Densitometry, reports a turnover of 10.9 million for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 10% compared to the first quarter of 2024. DMS Group starts a promising year by continuing its growth driven by strong commercial momentum in its Radiology and Bone Densitometry activities. INDIVIDUAL SHAREHOLDERS' VIDEO CONFERENCE Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM REGISTRATION: click here 2025 FIRST-QUARTER REVENUE: DMS GROUP CONFIRMS ITS GROWTH DYNAMIC ROBUST PERFORMANCE WITH A 10% INCREASE IN REVENUE DMS Group achieved a 10% increase in revenue during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024, reaching 10.9 million. Unaudited consolidated data IFRS standards - in million 2025 2024 Change First quarter revenue 10.9 9.9 10% Of which Radiology 8.6 7.3 18% Of which Bone Densitometry 2.3 2.6 -12% DMS Group recorded a revenue of 10.9 million for the first quarter of the 2025 financial year, an increase of 10% compared to the same period in the 2024 financial year. The commercial dynamic is strengthening internationally, and the trend is confirmed for a global distribution across all geographical areas: Business is thus growing strongly in North and South America with a significant acceleration of 138.1% for a revenue of 2.3 million vs. 1 million in 2024. This growth is mainly due to the impact of Carestream Health Inc. (1.1 million) and Fujifilm Healthcare Americas Corp (0.8 thousand). Asia also saw a jump of 98% with a revenue of 0.7 million vs. 0.4 million in 2024. This growth is mainly driven by the Bone Densitometry activity. Europe, on the other hand, remains stable with a 3% increase, for a revenue of 6.5 million. DMS GROUP KEEPS THE PACE OF DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH In the first quarter of 2025, white-label sales increased with a 24% increase in revenue compared to the same period in 2024.Thus, 68% of revenue comes from white-label sales through OEM agreements with global players, and 32% from own-brand sales through distributors. In the first quarter, the Radiology business grew by 18% compared to the previous year to reach 8.6 million. The Bone Densitometry business, on the other hand, slowed temporarily by 12% to reach 2.3 million. This slowdown is mainly due to a cut-off effect, with DMS Group expecting dynamic growth for this business this year. As of the end of March, the Radiology business therefore accounts for 79% of revenue and the Bone Densitometry business for 21%. 7.4 M Turnover from white-label sales vs. 6 million in Q1 2024 +24% Growth in turnover from white-label sales 68% of turnover comes from white-label sales and 32% from own-brand sales 8.6 M Turnover for the Radiology business +18% Growth in the Radiology business compared to Q1 2024 SIGNIFICANT EVENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2025 DMS GROUP SELECTED BY UKRAINIAN AUTHORITIES FOR THE DELIVERY OF 120 EMERGENCY RADIOLOGY MOBILE UNITS In early 2025, DMS Group was selected by the Ukrainian authorities to supply 120 "!M1 Adam" mobile radiology units as part of an 11 million contract funded by the Ukraine Economic Resilience Fund (see Press Release 07/03/2025). This project positions DMS Group as a key player in the reconstruction of Ukraine's health infrastructure. The first deliveries are expected in the second or third quarter of 2025, with deployment staggered over 12 months. This strategic contract also marks a major milestone in the development of DMS Group, while highlighting the relevance of the acquisition of Solutions for Tomorrow (SFT) at the end of 2023. DMS Group is thus establishing itself as a benchmark player in mobile radiology, serving public health and international resilience challenges. 2025 OUTLOOK: DMS GROUP COMMITTED TO INNOVATION, GROWTH... AND PROFITABILITY For 2025, DMS Group anticipates dynamic growth in its revenue with a significant acceleration from the third quarter, coinciding with the start of deliveries in Ukraine. In addition to the momentum provided by this contract, in 2025 DMS Group also plans to base its growth on technological innovation and the deployment of its solutions in high-potential markets. The launch of Onyx, a new mobile radiology unit awarded by the French Society of Radiology at the Francophone Radiology Days (JFR), fully embodies this dynamic. Equipped with a new generation X-ray tube based on carbon nanotube (CNT) technology and a "zero-gravity" arm, Onyx offers exceptional maneuverability in all clinical environments. The first installations are planned for 2025, subject to market approvals expected in the coming months. At the same time, DMS Group has signed two strategic agreements in the United States with Medlink Imaging and JPI Healthcare, two leading players. These partnerships target the American market for motorized mobile radiology - the most dynamic in the world - with the first sales expected from the second quarter of 2025 (subject to ongoing FDA registrations). Through its subsidiary Solutions For Tomorrow, DMS Group has also won a framework agreement in Denmark in partnership with Santax Medico, providing for the delivery of 20 to 30 units over 4 years, confirming its presence in the premium markets of Northern Europe. Finally, the Group anticipates an increase in its historical collaborations with Fujifilm Healthcare, particularly in South America and Africa, as well as with Canon Medical Systems Europe, which is accelerating the distribution of the Xavion in Europe with the opening of new promising markets. STRONG FUNDAMENTALS TO FACE GEOECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES DMS Group remains attentive to developments in the international situation, particularly the recent increase in US customs duties. Although the impact remains to be refined, several structural assets limit the risks: The United States has no local manufacturer of R/F solutions and very few players in the mobile radiology segment. Furthermore, DMS Group is the only European manufacturer of Bone Densitometry equipment, which gives it a strategic position not only in Europe but also in international markets, in a context of possible distrust of American equipment. Since 2023, the Group has been actively pursuing a strategy to strengthen its fundamentals, based on: product mix diversification , , innovation , , greater commercial agility between direct sales and white-label sales, between direct sales and white-label sales, as well as enhanced geographical expansion. This structured and resilient approach enables DMS Group to address global uncertainties with confidence. Supported by a solid organization, top-tier partnerships, and an offering perfectly aligned with market needs, the growth and profitability trajectory set by the Imaging2027 strategic plan is fully confirmed. ----------------------------------------------- OUR NEXT APPOINTMENTS* 07/21/2025 2025 First half-year revenue 09/29/2025 2025 First half-year results 10/20/2025 2025 Third-quarter revenue 01/19/2026 2025 Full-year revenue *forecast calendar subject to change. Consult the DMS Group website. Find financial information on our investor space: www.dms.com Receive DMS Group's financial information for free by subscribing on www.actunews.com ----------------------------------------------- ABOUT DMS GROUP The DMS Group is a French manufacturer of digital radiology solutions with an international focus, recognized as a key player and essential partner in the value chain due to the quality of its solutions, flexibility, ingenuity, and responsible values. In 2024, the DMS Group achieved consolidated revenue of 46.1 million, with 75% generated internationally, and has a presence on all continents through a network of over 140 national distributors. The DMS Group is listed on the Euronext Growth Paris market (ISIN: FR0012202497 - Ticker: ALDMS) and is eligible for the PEA-PME Investment plan. On June 13, 2023, the DMS Group issued Warrants (BSA) listed on the Euronext Growth Paris market (ISIN: FR001400IAQ8 - Ticker: DMSBS), exercisable until September 12, 2025. The DMS Group is part of the ETIncelles program, supporting SMEs aiming to scale into mid-cap companies. ----------------------------------------------- CONTACTS Investor Relations relationinvestisseur@dms-imaging.com Press Relations relationpresse@dms-imaging.com ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: lmtylJ2bZGnInGtxlMubnGiWmWqUxWbFapbHyGhrZZmdamyWmWpiZsicZnJilW5t - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-91097-cp_22_04_2025_dms-group-ca-t1-2025_en.pdf Recognition for enabling a leading Middle East insurer to transform motor claims with AI and intelligent automation SINGAPORE, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Neutrinos, a leading technology company that powers intelligent automation for enterprises, today announced that it has been awarded Innovation of the Year at the Golden Shield Excellence Awards 2025, held during the GAIP - InsureTek Middle East International Conference in Dubai. This award recognizes Neutrinos for its innovative use of AI and its automation platform to transform motor insurance claims processing for a leading Saudi Arabian insurer. The Golden Shield Excellence Awards 2025 is a platform dedicated to recognizing and celebrating innovation, prudence, and stability in the insurance sector. Now in its 11th year, the awards were presented at a highly attended ceremony in Dubai on April 17, 2025, during the GAIP - InsureTek Middle East International Conference. The Neutrinos intelligent automation platform enabled them to embed AI-powered decisioning into workflows, eliminate manual processes, and speed claims resolution. Business results that drove the recognition include: 100% Digital Claims Journey: Eliminated paper-based and manual processes, delivering automated, more seamless customer experiences. Eliminated paper-based and manual processes, delivering automated, more seamless customer experiences. Unified System Architecture: Replaced legacy complexity with a microservices-based platform integrated across all customer and backend touchpoints Replaced legacy complexity with a microservices-based platform integrated across all customer and backend touchpoints Real-Time Decisioning with Near-Zero Errors: Boosted claims accuracy and resolution speed through intelligent document processing and dynamic case management. About Neutrinos: Neutrinos is a technology company that automates business processes for insurance enterprises. The Neutrinos AI-infused intelligent automation platform includes everything needed to design, automate, and optimize complex processes end to end. Our holistic insurance expertise, intelligent automation platform, and pre-built accelerators help leading insurers accelerate their enterprise reinvention across underwriting, claims, and distribution - resulting in faster growth and superior omni-channel experiences. To learn more, go to www.neutrinos.com Contact Information: pressrelation@neutrinos.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2532156/5277927/Neutrinos_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/neutrinos-wins-prestigious-innovation-of-the-year-at-golden-shield-excellence-awards-2025-302434100.html Electricity from renewable sources has become the new normal in Germany alone, around 60 percent of net electricity generation came from renewables in 2024. But the growing volume of green power is posing new challenges for energy supply: The integration into the existing system urgently requires more flexibility. A Euroelectric/EY study forecasts a doubling of daily European flexibility demand by 2030 compared to 2021, potentially reaching 1.8 TWh daily (137 TWh annually), a substantial rise from the prior 1.5 TWh weekly demand. Electric vehicle (EV) batteries are identified as a key flexibility solution, potentially offering around 116 TWh capacity within five years. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250417476684/en/ A special exhibition at The smarter E Europe is dedicated to bidirectional charging. Solar Promotion GmbH Dr. Frank Spennemann, Senior Manager Charging Solutions Energy at Mercedes-Benz, has a clear view of the importance of bidirectional charging, particularly vehicle-to-grid technology, for the success of the energy transition: "Research simulations have shown that bidirectional vehicles are key for grid stability and the transition to renewable sources of energy." In France, a collaboration between Renault, a car manufacturer, and The Mobility House has launched a scheme enabling electricity customers to make their vehicle batteries available as grid-serving electricity storage systems in exchange for free charging. Marcus Fendt, Managing Director of The Mobility House, explains: "EV batteries are the most convenient storage option because the average car parking time is 23 hours per day. The average daily distance travelled by car in Germany is 36 kilometers. This corresponds to an energy consumption of around 8 kWh, or even less for very efficient e-cars." Today's technology for tomorrow's world At the special exhibit on bidirectional charging, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about available components and solutions, to get a glimpse of the future and to talk to leading industry players. The special exhibit can be found in hall C6, right next to the Power2Drive Forum, on all three exhibition days. Exhibits and live demos will show how vehicle-to-X technology works in practice, be it vehicle-to-grid, vehicle-to-building, vehicle-to-load or vehicle-to-home. Through lectures and discussions, attendees will be able to get first-hand expert information on how bidirectional charging will change our energy system and which developments will shape its future. The special exhibit will also showcase inspiring projects and practical examples from Germany, Europe and across the world. Forums and guided tours One of the hot topics at The smarter E Europe exhibition forums will be bidirectional charging: Various aspects of vehicle-to-X technologies will be examined in seven sessions with high-carat speakers; five of these sessions will be part of the Power2Drive Forum. On all three exhibition days, the organizers will be offering guided tours during which industry experts will provide. The guided tours start from the info counter at the special exhibit on bidirectional charging at 11:30am and 3:30pm on all three days. Special exhibit with strong support The collaborative partners of the special exhibit on bidirectional charging contribute technical expertise and a wide range and in-depth insights. The organizers are delighted about the collaboration with E-Mobility Europe and Eurelectric, the European industry associations, the Research Center for Energy Economics (FfE), Lade GmbH, the National Center for Charging Infrastructure, Smart Energy Europe and The Mobility House. Sigenergy and Bi-CCS are sponsoring the event. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250417476684/en/ Contacts: Press contact: ressourcenmangel an der Panke GmbH Schlesische Strae 26/c4 10997 Berlin Roberto Freiberger Tel.: +49 163 8430 943 roberto.freiberger@ressourcenmangel.de Solar Promotion GmbH P.O. Box 100 170 75101 Pforzheim Peggy Harter-Zilay Tel.: +49 7231 58598-240 zilay@solarpromotion.com World Health Organization prequalifies Syngenta's innovative insecticide Sovrenta Malaria is one of the world's most deadly diseases, and it is becoming more pervasive despite decades of effort and some successes on the path to eradicating it. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria infected 263 million people and killed nearly 600,000 people in 2023 75% of whom were children under the age of 5. Of those afflicted, 94% are in Africa where malaria crushes communities and can cripple economies. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422328472/en/ Syngenta Vector Control: A leading role in the prevention of vector-borne disease transmission through its portfolio of mosquito control products Spread by parasites in infected mosquitoes that are highly adept at evolving, malaria's rise reflects the reality of insecticide resistance and the difficulties developing new solutions. The effective control of mosquitoes remains a key strategy for reducing disease transmission. Syngenta, a global leader in agricultural innovation, today announced that its next-generation insecticide Sovrenta has received pre-qualification by WHO, paving the way for its use in malaria-afflicted countries. For decades, Syngenta has been at the forefront of the fight against malaria, reflecting its commitment to researching new solutions through in-house R&D efforts and working alongside key partners across sub-Saharan Africa; its products such as Actellicalready help avert as many as 100 million cases of malaria in more than 30 countries. Sovrenta works by targeting a mosquito's nervous system, blocking signals that enable the insect's muscles to relax. The effect paralyzes the mosquito, so that it eventually dies. The ability of Sovrenta to provide long-lasting, effective control means just one application is required each season, reducing the cost for malaria prevention programs. Sovrentais based on Syngenta's cutting-edge PLINAZOLIN technology that features a new mode of action, ensuring effective control of mosquitoes even where the insect's populations are increasingly resistant to older insecticides. When used in rotation with other products, Sovrentacan further ensure that important vector control solutions remain effective for longer. Andy Bywater, Global Head of Marketing for Vector Control at Syngenta Crop Protection said: "This marks an important milestone in Syngenta's quest to bring its most advanced innovations to malaria-endemic countries, and to advancing the health and safety of the millions still at risk." Bywater said Sovrentais a crucial addition to Syngenta's vector control portfolio that allows for enhanced resistance-management strategies. That is key in regions where mosquitoes are resistant to older insecticides based on pyrethroids the most common forms of treatment. "Sovrentais the only insecticide recognized to provide year-long protection and gives malaria control programs a powerful tool to safeguard communities," Bywater said. "We are dedicated to collaborating with partners to ensure Sovrentais deployed sustainably and effectively." The WHO's Vector Control Product Pre-Qualification (VCPP) is a rigorous process that ensures the safety, efficacy, and quality of vector-borne disease control products. Its list of prequalified vector control products is used by international procurement agencies and by countries to guide bulk purchasing of these products for distribution in resource-limited countries. Web Resources Media release image pack Syngenta Media Library About Syngenta Syngenta is a global leader in agricultural innovation with a presence in more than 90 countries. Syngenta is focused on developing technologies and farming practices that empower farmers, so they can make the transformation required to feed the world's population while preserving our planet. Its bold scientific discoveries deliver better benefits for farmers and society on a bigger scale than ever before. Guided by its Sustainability Priorities, Syngenta is developing new technologies and solutions that support farmers to grow healthier plants in healthier soil with a higher yield. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland; Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States. Read our stories and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram X. Syngenta Vector Control plays a leading role in the prevention of vector-borne disease transmission through its portfolio of mosquito control products. Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn X. Data protection is important to us. You are receiving this publication on the legal basis of Article 6 para 1 lit. f GDPR ("legitimate interest"). However, if you do not wish to receive further information about Syngenta, just send us a brief informal message and we will no longer process your details for this purpose. You can also find further details in our privacy statement. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. 2025 Syngenta. Rosentalstrasse 67, 4058 Basel, Switzerland. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422328472/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts Syngenta Media Relations media@syngentagroup.com The AI-enriched core banking features speed up processes and reduce costs for financial services 10x Banking, the cloud-native core banking platform, today unveiled a suite of new AI capabilities being integrated into 10x Banking's meta core to accelerate banking transformation, improve operational efficiency, and enhance decision-making for banks. The AI features will be integrated into 10x's modern, cloud-native meta core banking platform. Unveiled in July last year, the meta core is a new next-generation category of core that solves the challenges of legacy cores and avoids the complex set-up and scale challenges of neo cores, providing a de-risked, accelerated path to full cloud-native transformation. Research commissioned by 10x Banking, surveying over 200 senior IT decision-makers in banking and Financial Services, reveals that only 32% of banks are currently using AI at the core. Almost half (41%) cite AI integration with third-party platforms as their top challenge. For the first time financial institutions and banks will be able to leverage AI in the core in a meaningful way to speed up innovation, offer real-time personalised products and reduce their cost to serve. The new AI capabilities mean banks can automate the mapping of legacy banking data to accelerate core migration, create and launch new financial products to market in days rather than months and be able to access granular real-time insights, instead of relying on IT teams for outdated batch reports. With the 10x Banking Platform, banks can deliver market-leading scale to their corporate customers in real time and achieve flexibility and security in product and deployment. Importantly, the 10x Banking Platform provides corporate banks with a core solution, capable of meeting the scale of their operations in real time, supporting over 100,000 transactions per second per bank and up to 2,000 transactions per individual customer account approximately 80x faster than legacy batch transactions. Antony Jenkins, Founder and CEO of 10x Banking said, "To get the full benefits of AI, you've got to have real-time data at scale. That's where 10x's meta core really stands out, delivering real-time insights at massive scale combined with a suite of AI capabilities that can work with bank's existing systems The 10x Banking AI product suite will comprise of three cutting-edge AI-powered solutions purpose-built to address industry-wide challenges and unlock the tremendous opportunity of AI-driven banking. AI Migrate AI-powered legacy data mapping, automating the complex migration process to reduce risk, cut costs, and accelerate transformation. AI-powered legacy data mapping, automating the complex migration process to reduce risk, cut costs, and accelerate transformation. AI Build GenAI-driven product customisation, enabling banks to create and test new innovative products in minutes without engineering bottlenecks GenAI-driven product customisation, enabling banks to create and test new innovative products in minutes without engineering bottlenecks AI View Instant AI-driven data insights, providing instant access to key banking metrics without manual reporting or IT dependencies. Antony Jenkins, Founder and CEO of 10x Banking continued, "Legacy platforms slow down innovation and decision-making migrating to more modern cloud-native cores has historically been costly, complex, and time-consuming. We created 10x to help build better banks and that means putting the customer at the centre of all they do. In today's world, that means harnessing real-time data and AI but only 32% of banks have achieved this in any meaningful way. These new capabilities mean banks can finally move at the speed of AI to better serve their customers 10x Banking's CPO Okan Ozaltin will present at Money2020 Asia (22nd April 14.00 ICT). For interviews, please contact 10x@thoughtldr.com. About 10x Banking 10x Banking is a cloud-native core banking platform for financial institutions and their partners. Founded by former banking executives and built by technologists, the 10x Banking platform empowers its customers with best-in-class security, scalability and speed. Proven across transformational deployments including Westpac, Chase and Old Mutual, 10x Banking offers banks the fastest, most cost-effective and derisked path to full cloud-native transformation through its unique 'meta core' approach. Its scalable, resilient, and flexible technology is built to empower financial institutions to better serve their customers and communities. 10x Banking is a B-Corp certified business with local presence in London, UK, Sydney, Australia and Singapore and is funded by a portfolio of world-class investors including BlackRock and J.P. Morgan. For more information, visit https://www.10xbanking.com and follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422502632/en/ Contacts: Media contact: Cat Lenheim ThoughtLDR cat@thoughtldr.com +44 7511117587 Il Lanificio, the premium Italian apparel brand and a Njord Partners portfolio company, is pleased to announce the opening of two new stores this Spring in Amsterdam and Fidenza. These additions bring Il Lanificio's portfolio to 21 stores, further strengthening its growing European footprint. The Fidenza store in Italy opened 17 April 2025, situated within one of Italy's premier more exclusive outlet villages, offering access to a high volume of fashion-conscious shoppers from across the region. The Amsterdam store opened its doors on 14 March 2025 and is located close to the heart of the city's bustling retail district, a key destination for both locals and international visitors. The Amsterdam opening marks Il Lanificio's fifth international store outside of Italy, a significant milestone in the brand's continued global expansion, following the successful launches in Roppenheim, France and Agira, Sicily in December 2024, and builds on the momentum from the brand's presence in top-tier retail locations. Additional openings are planned for later this year as Il Lanificio continues to bring its refined Italian style to new markets. From a technological standpoint, Il Lanificio new omnichannel platform strengthens the link between the retail and online channels with the launch of the new exclusive loyalty program 'IL LANIFICIO CLUB'. The loyalty program aims at offering a better shopping experience, enhancing the relationship between brand and club members who can access exclusive benefits and receive highly personalized communications. Filippo Vadda, CEO of Il Lanificio, commented "The openings of our new stores in Amsterdam and Fidenza mark another important step in Il Lanificio's European growth journey. These stores reflect our commitment to making premium Italian craftsmanship more accessible to discerning customers across the continent." Arvid Trolle, Partner at Njord Partners, said: "We are delighted to be part of Il Lanificio's international expansion, which underscores our strong confidence in the brand's growth potential and the timeless allure of Italian design. We are proud to be partners on this exciting journey of global growth and brand development. About Il Lanificio Il Lanificio is an Italian outlet apparel brand of luxury made-in-Italy products. It is recognised by customers for having one of the best price-to-quality offers in the casual-chic and formal market. The first Il Lanificio retail store opened in 2002, and now has 21 stores across Italy, two in Switzerland, one in France, one in The Netherlands and one in San Marino. Il Lanificio continues to grow whilst remaining focused on traditional design and excellent quality. To find out more visit: https://www.illanificio.it/en/ About Njord Partners Njord Partners is a special situations investment manager and provider of long-term flexible capital solutions. Established in 2013, Njord Partners manages capital in excess of 1 billion. Investing in European middle-market companies facing complex situations, its mission is to deliver superior risk-weighted returns to investors while preserving capital. As a capital partner, Njord Partners offers flexible debt and equity solutions, actively facilitating strategic and operational enhancements within its portfolio companies to drive value. To find out more visit: https://njordpartners.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422728614/en/ Contacts: Media enquiries: via Camarco, njord@apcoworldwide.com Jennifer Renwick +44 7928 471 013 Letaba Rimell +44 7715 530 664 The global BFSI crisis management market is experiencing rapid growth due to the increase in need for risk mitigation, rise in adoption of digital crisis response solutions, and surge in regulatory compliance requirements. Governments and financial institutions are strengthening crisis management frameworks, while innovations such as AI-driven risk assessment and blockchain for secure transactions enhance resilience, further driving market expansion. WILMINGTON, Del., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "BFSI Crisis Management Market by Component (Solution and Services), Application (Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity, Risk & Compliance Management, Crisis Communication, Incident Management & Response, and Others), Enterprise Size (Large Enterprises and Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs)), and End User (Banks & Financial Institutions and Insurance Companies): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the "BFSI crisis management market" was valued at $15 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $72.3 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 16.7% from 2024 to 2033. Get a Sample Copy of this Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A11105 Report Overview: The BFSI crisis management market focuses on solutions and services that help banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies handle emergencies such as cyberattacks, fraud, economic downturns, and regulatory changes. It includes risk assessment, business continuity planning, fraud detection, and cybersecurity solutions to protect financial operations and customer data. The growth of the BFSI crisis management market is driven by increasing cyber threats, stricter financial regulations, and rising cases of fraud. However, data breaches, operational disruptions, and evolving regulatory requirements create challenges in the BFSI crisis management market. Nevertheless, surge in adoption of automation in risk assessment and the expansion of real-time monitoring solutions offer significant growth opportunities for market players. Key Segmentation Overview: The BFSI crisis management market is segmented on the basis of component, application, enterprise size, end user, and region. By component : Solution, Services : Solution, Services By application : Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity, Risk and Compliance Management, Crisis Communication, Incident Management and Response, Others : Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity, Risk and Compliance Management, Crisis Communication, Incident Management and Response, Others By enterprise size : Large Enterprises, Small and Medium Enterprises : Large Enterprises, Small and Medium Enterprises By end user: Banks and Financial Institutions, Insurance Companies Banks and Financial Institutions, Insurance Companies By Region : North America (U.S., Canada) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) LAMEA (Brazil, South Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Rest of LAMEA) : Market Highlights By Component , the solution segment dominated the market in 2023 and is expected to continue leading owing to an increase in the adoption of advanced risk management solutions. , the dominated the market in 2023 and is expected to continue leading owing to an increase in the adoption of advanced risk management solutions. By Application , the risk and compliance management segment dominated the market in 2023 and is expected to continue leading due to stricter regulatory requirements and the growing need for proactive risk identification. , the dominated the market in 2023 and is expected to continue leading due to stricter regulatory requirements and the growing need for proactive risk identification. By Enterprise size , the large enterprise segment dominated the market in 2023 and is expected to continue leading, driven by its higher budgets for advanced risk management tools and growing exposure to operational complexities. , the dominated the market in 2023 and is expected to continue leading, driven by its higher budgets for advanced risk management tools and growing exposure to operational complexities. By End User, the banks and financial institutions segment dominated the market in 2023 and is expected to continue leading, owing to their high exposure to operational risks and strict regulatory compliance requirements. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $15 billion Market Size in 2033 $72.3 billion CAGR 16.7 % No. of Pages in Report 414 Segments Covered Component, Application, Enterprise Size, End User, and Region Driver Increasing Regulatory Compliance, Rapid Digitalization by Financial Institutions & Banks Opportunity Improved Customer Experience Restraint Compliance with Different Regulations, Complex Management of Network Purchase This Comprehensive Report (PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/44w0WE7 Factors Affecting Market Growth & Opportunities: The rapid increase in digital banking and financial transactions has heightened the need for crisis management in the BFSI sector. Factors such as real-time threat detection, AI-driven risk assessment, and growing regulatory scrutiny are driving the market forward, as financial institutions seek advanced solutions to mitigate cyber risks, fraud, and operational disruptions. Rise in Cybersecurity Threats and Fraud Risks : The BFSI sector is a prime target for cybercriminals, leading to increased investments in crisis management solutions. Cyberattacks such as ransomware and phishing have surged, prompting financial institutions to adopt advanced security measures. For example, JPMorgan Chase increased its cybersecurity budget to $15 billion in 2023, reinforcing the need for robust crisis management frameworks. In addition, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) has urged global banks to enhance their cyber resilience strategies to mitigate fraud risks. : The BFSI sector is a prime target for cybercriminals, leading to increased investments in crisis management solutions. Cyberattacks such as ransomware and phishing have surged, prompting financial institutions to adopt advanced security measures. For example, JPMorgan Chase increased its cybersecurity budget to $15 billion in 2023, reinforcing the need for robust crisis management frameworks. In addition, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) has urged global banks to enhance their cyber resilience strategies to mitigate fraud risks. Opportunities from Open Banking and Digital Transformation: The growth of open banking and digital payments has created both new risks and new chances for better crisis management. Banks are now using tools like blockchain and real-time monitoring to improve safety and track problems quickly. For example, in 2023, HSBC introduced a blockchain-based system to help manage and reduce financial risks in international transactions. However, challenges such as the high cost of implementing crisis management technologies, budget constraints, and growing concerns over data security and privacy continue to affect adoption in the BFSI sector. To manage these issues, financial institutions need to make strategic investments in cost-effective, scalable solutions, strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure, and adopt transparent compliance frameworks. Regulatory Landscape & Compliance: The BFSI crisis management industry is subject to strict regulatory frameworks that vary by region. Moreover, governments and central banks are increasingly tightening guidelines to ensure financial stability and protect consumer data. For example, in 2023, the European Central Bank (ECB) urged major banks to strengthen their operational resilience and conduct regular crisis simulation exercises. In India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mandated that financial institutions implement a board-approved Business Continuity Plan (BCP) framework with periodic audits. Technological Innovations & Future Trends: Financial institutions are increasingly using AI and machine learning for real-time threat detection and predictive risk analysis. for real-time threat detection and predictive risk analysis. Tools like Cyber Secure help banks detect vulnerabilities early and reduce response time to cyber threats, improving their ability to prevent and manage security incidents. help banks detect vulnerabilities early and reduce response time to cyber threats, improving their ability to prevent and manage security incidents. Cloud platforms are gaining popularity for providing scalable, flexible disaster recovery solutions, helping reduce downtime and enabling faster recovery from operational disruptions. Get More Information Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A11105 Regional Insights In North America, factors such as high frequency of cyberattacks, strict regulatory requirements, and mature digital banking ecosystem drive the demand for crisis management solutions. In addition, increase in the reliance on digital channels and rise in customer expectations for uninterrupted service are pushing banks to invest in advanced crisis response and business continuity solutions. In Europe, strong regulatory frameworks and rising cyber threats significantly drive the BFSI crisis management market expansion. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) require financial institutions to implement strict risk management, data protection, and business continuity measures. Rise in number of cyberattacks, especially on banks and insurance firms, is pushing organizations to invest in advanced cybersecurity and real-time monitoring tools. The Asia-Pacific BFSI crisis management market is driven by rapid digitalization, rising cyber threats, and increased regulatory pressure. With the growing use of mobile banking and online payments, financial institutions are facing higher risks of fraud, system failures, and data breaches. Furthermore, an increase in investments in AI-driven monitoring tools and compliance solutions is also boosting the BFSI crisis management market growth in the region. Key Players: Major players in the BFSI crisis management market include 4C Strategies, Everbridge, IBM Corporation, METRICSTREAM INC., NCC Group, SAS Institute Inc, Cura Software Solutions. Ltd, Konexus, Noggin, LogicGate Inc, Aon plc, Riskonnect., LogicManager, Inc., RockDove Solutions, Inc., INTELLICON, Resolver Inc, F24, Ascent, Guidehouse, and Vested LLC Access Your Customized Sample Report & TOC Now: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/A11105 Key Strategies Adopted by Competitors In November 2024 , Riskonnect partnered with Everbridge to enhance business continuity and critical event management. This collaboration enables organizations to respond more swiftly to crises by integrating business continuity program management with emergency communications within a single platform, benefiting financial institutions in managing critical events effectively. , Riskonnect partnered with Everbridge to enhance business continuity and critical event management. This collaboration enables organizations to respond more swiftly to crises by integrating business continuity program management with emergency communications within a single platform, benefiting financial institutions in managing critical events effectively. In November 2024, Guidehouse opened a new office in San Antonio, Texas, to expand its presence in key industries such as financial services, national security, and cybersecurity. This move strengthens its ability to serve clients in risk management, technology, and consulting while leveraging San Antonio's growing industry hub. Key Market Segments: By Component Services Solution Deployment Mode On-premises Cloud By Application Risk and Compliance Management Crisis Communication Incident Management and Response Others Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity By Enterprise Size Large Enterprises Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) By End User Banks and Financial Institutions Insurance Companies By Region North America (U.S., Canada) (U.S., Canada) Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe) (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, Africa) Trending Reports in BFSI Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount + Covid-19 scenario): Digital Remittance Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Fee Type, by Channel, by End User: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 Banking-as-a-Service Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Component, by Type, by Provider: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 Small Personal Loans Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, by Age, by Distribution Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2032 Purchase Order Financing Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Order Size, by Supplier Payment Method, by Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 France Accounting Services Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type and End User: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032. 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 UK: +44-845-528-1300 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com BFSI Articles Banking Blog BFSI Blog Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bfsi-crisis-management-market-to-reach-30-46-billion-by-2027-in-the-short-run-72-3-billion-by-2033-globally-at-16-7-cagr-allied-market-research-302434199.html MUNICH, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At Intersolar Europe 2025, Huasun Energy-the world's largest heterojunction (HJT) product manufacturer-will debut two next-generation HJT innovations, highlighting new frontiers in solar efficiency and application. At Booth A2.550, the company will also showcase its full range of high-performance modules built on the proprietary zero busbar (0BB) platform, known for superior energy yield, bifaciality, and thermal stability across diverse scenarios. Headlining the booth is the Kunlun Series G12-132 module, an ultra-high bifacial product optimized for vertical PV installations. With bifaciality approaching 100% and robust durability in challenging environments, the Kunlun Series is engineered to maximize morning and afternoon yield-aligning energy output with peak pricing periods. Its recognition as a finalist in the photovoltaics category of The smarter E AWARD 2025 further validates its innovation and market potential. Complementing Kunlun is the Everest G12R Series, a versatile star product line available in 132-, 108-, and 96-cell formats. Leveraging G12R half-cut rectangular wafers and 0BB technology, Everest modules deliver outstanding power density and system compatibility. With applications ranging from utility-scale and C&I projects to residential rooftops, the Everest Series reflects Huasun's drive for high-efficiency solutions that adapt to diverse energy landscapes. For agrivoltaic integration, Huasun will present the semi-transparent G12R-88 Agri-PV module, designed with a 32% light-transmitting area to ensure uniform ground-level irradiance. This configuration supports healthy crop growth while delivering stable energy production-ideal for dual-use land scenarios. Also on display is the G12R-96 colored HJT module, combining visual aesthetics with technological performance. With up to 80% light transmittance to the cell, the module is tailored for aesthetic rooftops and other building elements where design and energy efficiency go hand in hand. In addition to its commercial-ready product portfolio, Huasun will officially unveil two groundbreaking innovations at the exhibition-technologies that push beyond the conventional efficiency limits of silicon solar cells and significantly expand the application potential of solar modules. These advancements are expected to unlock substantial new market opportunities and mark a significant milestone in the evolution of solar technology. "Intersolar Europe is where the global solar industry gathers to witness the future," said Jimmy Xu, Chairman and CEO of Huasun. "We are proud and confident to present solutions that not only solve today's energy challenges, but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow's energy landscape." Website: www.huasunsolar.com Follow "HUASUN HJT" on LinkedIn for more heterojunction updates. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669721/Breaking_Limits_Huasun_Energy_Unveil_Next_Gen_HJT_Solar_Panels_Intersolar.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2393329/Huasun_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/breaking-limits-huasun-energy-to-unveil-next-gen-hjt-solar-panels-at-intersolar-europe-2025-302434216.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2025) - Neotech Metals Corp. (CSE: NTMC) (OTCQB: NTMFF) (FSE: V690) ("Neotech" or "the Company") is pleased to announce additional geochemical assay results from its exploratory diamond drilling program of the Niobium and Rare Earth Element ("REE") carbonatites located at the Hecla-Kilmer ("H/K") Project near to Otter Rapids in Northern Ontario. The Company also has completed e a shares-for-debt settlement. Neotech is reporting assay results from three drill holes: HK24-028 from the West Pike Zone, HK24-030 from the South Rim, and HK24-025 from the Northeast Rim of the Hecla-Kilmer Project. These holes were part of a broader 12-hole program totaling 5,047 meters, completed during the Fall 2024 drill campaign. The 2024 drill program (see Figures 1 & 2) was designed to test for intervals of Total Rare Earth Oxide ("TREO") and Niobium Oxide ("Nb2O5") within the alkaline intrusive carbonatite complex. Highlights from HK24-028 (Western Pike Zone) From (m) To (m) Interval (m) TREO* (%) Nb2O5 (%) 106 296 190 0.41 0.23 -Including- 214 268 54 0.54 0.32 Reagan Glazier, CEO, said in comment, "We are pleased to report another strong set of drill results that reinforce the scale and continuity of rare earth and critical mineralization at Hecla-Kilmer. These broad intercepts, coupled with the recently announced positive metallurgical results, position Hecla-Kilmer as a highly compelling, strategically important domestic rare earth project. As global concerns surrounding the secure supply of critical minerals continue to intensify, the combination of promising leachability and potential large-scale mineralization underscores Hecla-Kilmer's value as a foundational asset in the North American supply chain. With the system open in multiple directions, we remain focused on advancing exploration and unlocking its full potential." Map figure 1 - Pike Zone drill collars and associated drill results. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9768/248996_6f7d72c8d44f58aa_001full.jpg Highlights from HK24-030 (South Rim Prospect) From (m) To (m) Interval (m) TREO* (%) Nb2O5(%) 48 64 16 0.41 0.28 -And- 196 210 14 0.40 0.20 -And- 218 246 28 0.52 0.09 Highlights from HK24-025 (East Rim Prospect) From (m) To (m) Interval (m) TREO* (%) 182 256 160 0.33 Map figure 2 - Regional drill map showing the extent of all drill testing thus far at Hecla-Kilmer. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9768/248996_6f7d72c8d44f58aa_002full.jpg The 2024 exploration drill program was designed to confirm and validate the previous geophysical surveys that were conducted at Hecla Kilmer in 2020 as well as to identify the structures and mineralized zones present as a preliminary assessment of the site. The results are currently being evaluated to identify potential next phases of development for Hecla-Kilmer. Technical studies will continue in order to advance metallurgical testing and other project assessments for the site. Upcoming 2025 Exploration Program Future exploration programs will be guided by the ongoing integration of field data to refine geological, geochemical, and structural models, with the goal of identifying and prioritizing new targets for evaluation. Additional metallurgical test work will also continue to support project advancement and inform potential development pathways. The Company wishes to focus on additional drilling to delineate a resource to further develop the asset at Hecla-Kilmer. The company also has a drill program slated for its TREO project (fully funded) to test the high-grade mineralization found in bedrock samples from its 2024 field program. Methodology and Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Drillholes were drilled with either NQ or NTW core diameters at various inclined angles, and the reported assay intervals represent downhole core lengths. The true thickness of the mineralization is unknown at this time. The material produced from the diamond drillholes was sampled at two metre intervals with the core split in half, resulting in average sample sizes of 2-4 kg. Half of the core is sent to the analytical laboratory, and the other half is kept in storage as required by industry standards and by Ontario provincial regulations. The original core was logged, photographed, and sampled on location by Neotech personnel. The bagged and catalogued samples were delivered to Activation Laboratories Ltd. ("Actlabs") in Timmins, Ontario, for initial preparation and final analysis. All sample preparation and analytical work referenced in this report were conducted by Actlabs, an independent geoanalytical laboratory accredited to ISO-IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 standards. In addition to Actlabs' internal QA/QC protocols, Neotech Metals incorporated its own control samples in each batch submitted for analysis. Quality control samples, including blanks, duplicates, and standards (Certified Reference Materials) were inserted into the sample series at set intervals. For all analysis methods, the minimum number of QA/QC samples was two CRM standards per hole, one duplicate and/or one blank for every 10 samples taken, for a total of 10% QA/QC samples for the entire dataset. The procedures were implemented during the sample collection, preparation and analytical stages to ensure the robustness and reliability of the analytical results. QA/QC data was also verified by an independent third party to ensure the validity of the datasets. All analytical results reported herein have passed internal QA/QC review and compilation. All assay results of drill core samples were provided by Actlabs, a Certified Laboratory, which performed their measure of the concentration of rare earth elements (REE) with the analytical method that uses lithium borate fusion prior to the second stage sodium peroxide fusion and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Major Element Oxides were done using the lithium borate analytical method and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The QA/QC program has been designed in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Exploration Best Practice Guidelines. The procedures implemented are considered appropriate, accurate, and reliable for this style of mineralization, ensuring the integrity and quality of the assay data. Debt Settlement The Company also announces that it has settled $139,313.23 in debt owed, in consideration for the issuance of 1,160,944 common shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a deemed price of $0.12 per Share (the "Debt Settlement"). The Company has effected the Debt Settlement to preserve its cash for working capital. The Debt Settlement will constitute a "related party transaction" for the purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), given 0695809 BC Ltd. is a company wholly-owned by Robert Krause (65,625 Shares), Canmex Consulting & Leasing is a company wholly-owned by Brian Thurston (21,875 Shares) (both directors of the Company) and Philip Ellard, the Company's CFO (52,000 Shares). The Company is relying upon exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements under MI 61-101 in respect of the Debt Settlement, on the basis that no securities of the Company are listed on a "specified market" (Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101) and the fair market value of the Debt Settlement does not exceed $2,500,000 (Section 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101). Neither the Company, nor, to the knowledge of the Company after reasonable inquiry, have knowledge of any material information concerning the Company or its securities that has not been generally disclosed. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the date on which the Debt Settlement was agreed upon in order to secure the Debt Settlement in an expeditious manner. The Shares issued in connection with the Debt Settlement will not be subject to a hold period as approved by the Canadian Securities Exchange. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Reagan Glazier, Chief Executive Officer and Director Neotech Metals Corp. About the Neotech Metals Neotech Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company dedicated to discovering and developing valuable mineral resources within promising jurisdictions around the world. With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, Neotech is positioned to make a positive impact while maximizing the potential of its exploration properties. The company has a diversified portfolio of Rare-Earth Element and Rare Metals projects, including the Hecla-Kilmer, located 20 km from the Otter Rapids 180MW hydroelectric power generation station and active Ontario Northway railway, along with its TREO and Foothills projects located in British Columbia. All three projects are 100% wholly-owned. Qualified Person Technical Information for this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101. Jared Galenzoski VP Exploration, P.Geo., and Qualified Person, has reviewed and approved all of the data and statements made for this news release. Contact Information *TREO (Total Rare-Earth Oxides) has been used to express the results in the press release. TREO is calculated by converting the elemental ppm to Rare-Earth Oxides using a conversion factor and is the summation of CeO2 + La2O3 + Pr6O11 + Nd2O3 + Sm2O3 + Eu2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb4O7 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 + Y2O3. **PMREO (Permanent Magnet Rare-Earth Oxides) has been used to express the results in the press release. TREO is calculated by converting the elemental ppm to Rare-Earth Oxides using a conversion factor and is the summation of Pr6O11 + Nd2O3 + Tb4O7 + Dy2O3 Forward Looking Statements Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "will be" 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 from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different, including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company have 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 are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. The CSE has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248996 SOURCE: Neotech Metals Corp. Celonis, the global leader in Process Mining and Process Intelligence, today announced that it has been named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Process Mining Platforms for the third time. Celonis was placed in the Leaders' Quadrant, being positioned highest on the Ability to Execute axis and furthest on the Completeness of Vision axis once again. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422318837/en/ Celonis, the global leader in Process Mining and Process Intelligence, today announced that it has been named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Process Mining Platforms for the third time. Celonis was placed in the Leaders' Quadrant, being positioned highest on the Ability to Execute axis and furthest on the Completeness of Vision axis once again. "We are honored to be named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Process Mining Platforms for the third year in a row," said Alex Rinke, co-CEO and co-founder of Celonis. "We believe this recognition is a testament to our pioneering product innovation, our system-agnostic Process Intelligence platform, and our impressive global partner network. This recognition wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our customers, partners and Celonauts. Looking ahead, what excites me most is the huge potential for Celonis to enable our customers to maximize the ROI from their AI investments." "Celonis gives us a strategic roadmap for AI. With the visibility provided by process intelligence, we can focus our AI efforts where they'll have the greatest impact on the business," said Brian Dodson, Business Process Improvement Manager and Celonis Center of Excellence lead at Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable packaging. "For example, with an AI copilot powered by Celonis and built on contextualized, harmonized business data, we're optimizing inventory management, boosting efficiency, and delivering greater value to our operations teams worldwide." The Celonis Process Intelligence Platform utilizes its Process Intelligence Graph (PI Graph) and object-centric process mining (OCPM) to create a digital twin of the business operations. It provides the essential process knowledge and business context AI needs to be effective for the enterprise, empowering faster, more-informed decisions and impactful actions. Celonis enables companies to maximize the ROI of AI by: Identifying AI use cases with real business value Developing agents and copilots with AgentC integrations and APIs Using pre-built apps from partners powered by PI and AI. Intelligently orchestrating agents, end-to-end processes, alongside existing RPA bots or workflows Monitoring the business improvements delivered by AI and automation deployments Beyond the walls of a single company, Celonis extends process optimization across partner organizations through Celonis Networks, enabling shared process transparency and improvement across multi-enterprise processes like supply chains. To learn more about the latest innovations from Celonis and how they enable companies to realize value from their AI investments read this article Celonis named a Leader on 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant. Process Intelligence Platform fuels AI success and innovation Notes to editors The 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant on Process Mining Platforms is available here. Find more information on Process Mining and the Celonis Process Intelligence Platform here. Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Process Mining Platforms, Tushar Srivastava, Marc Kerremans, David Sugden, 15 April, 2025. GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. About Celonis Celonis makes processes work for people, companies and the planet. The Celonis Process Intelligence Platform uses industry-leading process mining and AI technology and augments it with business context to give customers a living digital twin of their business operation. It's system-agnostic and without bias, and provides everyone with a common language for understanding and improving businesses. Celonis enables its customers to continuously realize significant value across the top, bottom, and green line. Celonis is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and New York City, USA, with more than 20 offices worldwide. 2025 Celonis SE. All rights reserved. Celonis and the Celonis "droplet" logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Celonis SE in Germany and other jurisdictions. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422318837/en/ Contacts: Media Contact press@celonis.com Ende Mai leitete US-Prasident Donald Trump mit der Unterzeichnung mehrerer Dekrete eine weitreichende Wende in der amerikanischen Energiepolitik ein. Im Fokus: der beschleunigte Ausbau der Kernenergie. Mit einem umfassenden Manahmenpaket sollen Genehmigungsprozesse reformiert, kleinere Reaktoren gefordert und der Anteil von Atomstrom in den USA massiv gesteigert werden. Ausloser ist der explodierende Energiebedarf durch KI-Rechenzentren, der eine stabile, CO-arme Grundlastversorgung zwingend notwendig macht. In unserem kostenlosen Spezialreport erfahren Sie, welche 3 Unternehmen jetzt im Zentrum dieser energiepolitischen Neuausrichtung stehen, und wer vom kommenden Boom der Nuklearindustrie besonders profitieren konnte. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche Aktien besonders von der Energiewende in den USA profitieren durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! "For too long, these DEA officials, Thomas Prevoznik, Matthew Strait and Aarathi Haig have operated with impunity while denying patients access to critical medicines," said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation. President Donald Trump takes steps to reimplement Schedule F, a controversial federal workforce policy designed to reclassify civil servants as at-will employees.Several high-profile officials within the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) could be among those at risk of termination. Among those under scrutiny Thomas Prevoznik, DEA Deputy Administrator; Matthew Strait, DEA Deputy Administrator for Policy and Aarathi Haig, a DEA attorney reportedly under investigation for ethics violations. Trump's newly published executive order aims to reclassify approximately 50,000 federal workers, stripping them of long-standing civil service protections and allowing leadership to swiftly remove employees who are viewed as obstructing the administration's policy agenda. "If these government workers refuse to advance the policy interests of the President, or are engaging in corrupt behavior, they should no longer have a job," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "This is common sense, and will allow the federal government to finally be 'run like a business.'" The implications are significant for DEA officials accused of blocking lawful cannabis research efforts. Over the last seven years, Prevoznik, Strait, and Haig have been central figures in the ongoing controversy surrounding MMJ BioPharma Cultivation's delayed registration application. Despite full compliance with FDA requirements and congressional mandates under the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, the DEA has failed to act on MMJ's application - now more than 2,300 days overdue. Critics have labeled the delay a "deliberate obstruction" and pointed to the collapse of nearly all other DEA marijuana registrants as further evidence of systemic failure. With Schedule F returning to the federal workforce landscape, insiders say political appointees may finally have the authority to remove entrenched bureaucrats who have failed to implement presidential and congressional directives. "When Schedule F is enforced, it could finally bring accountability to agencies like the DEA," said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation. "For too long, these officials have operated with impunity while denying patients access to critical medicines." Whether the new administration will follow through with mass terminations remains to be seen, but MMJ and other stakeholders are hopeful that Schedule F will end what they call the "deep state marijuana stonewalling"of legitimate pharmaceutical cannabis research. MMJ is represented by Attorney Megan Sheehan of Rhode Island. CONTACT: Madison Hisey mhisey @mmjih.com 203-231-8583 SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings TotalEnergies' (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) Antwerp platform provides an update on its investments for the future and announces plan to reconfigure its petrochemicals operations to strengthen competitiveness. A key industrial site for TotalEnergies for more than 75 years, the Antwerp platform is based on an integrated business model, which guarantees the resilience of its operations. "By adapting and investing regularly in our Antwerp site, we're securing its long-term future and ensuring that this integrated refining and petrochemicals platform remains TotalEnergies' most efficient in Europe.Whether the aim is to meet market challenges or contribute to decarbonization and the energy transition, the platform can be reconfigured so that it remains competitive and continues to provide jobs well into the future," said Ann Veraverbeke, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Antwerp Adapting to accelerate decarbonization of the platform and the transportation industry Thanks to green hydrogen, the Antwerp platform is speeding up its own decarbonization. As part of a 200 MW Air Liquide electrolyzer project, TotalEnergies has signed a tolling agreement for 130 MW dedicated to the annual production of 15,000 tons of green hydrogen for its Antwerp platform. Upstream of the electrolyzer, TotalEnergies will supply green electricity thanks to its OranjeWind offshore wind project. Scheduled for the end of 2027, the project will reduce CO2 emissions at the Antwerp site by up to 150,000 tons per year and contribute to the European targets (RED III) for renewable energy in transport. Thanks to the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Antwerp will contribute to its aviation customers' energy transition, helping them meet the challenge of reducing their carbon footprint. An initial project to produce 50,000 tons a year of SAF via coprocessing will be implemented at the Antwerp platform in 2025. Coprocessing is a SAF production method that enables the simultaneous treatment of hydrocarbons and biomass in a conventional refining unit. Thanks to process electrification and battery-based energy storage, the platform is contributing respectively to the decarbonization of its industrial operations and to the growing need to balance Belgian and European high-voltage transmission grids. With a power rating of 25 MW and capacity of 75 MWh, Antwerp's battery storage system is TotalEnergies' biggest in Europe. Commissioned last year, it helps offset the intermittency of renewable energies to encourage their development. Adapting to meet changing market needs and address overcapacity in petrochemicals Alongside these future-focused developments, the Antwerp platform is also facing considerable overcapacity in the petrochemicals market. In the light of the significant surplus of ethylene expected in Europe, TotalEnergies thus intends to cease operating its oldest steam cracker in Antwerp by end-2027. Indeed, the latter was historically dependent on a major contract with a third-party user of the ethylene produced, which recently decided not to renew it by end 2027. As a result, the steam cracker, which is not integrated to TotalEnergies' downstream polymer production, will no longer have any outlets for its ethylene production. The unit shutdown will allow the site to focus on its more recent steam cracker, whose ethylene production is entirely consumed by TotalEnergies' industrial units in Antwerp and Feluy. The reconfiguration will be conducted without any layoffs. The 253 employees concerned will each be offered a solution aligned with their personal situation: retirement or an internal transfer to another position based at the Antwerp site. This project is subject to the legally required employee consultation and notification process, which TotalEnergies will initiate with representatives of Antwerp platform employees in late April. About TotalEnergies TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas, biogas and low-carbon hydrogen, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to provide as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations. @TotalEnergiesTotalEnergiesTotalEnergiesTotalEnergies Cautionary Note The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies' financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422698935/en/ Contacts: TotalEnergies Contacts Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR Relations Investisseurs: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortuna Mining Corp. (NYSE: FSM | TSX: FVI) announces that it will release its financial statements and MD&A for the first quarter on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, after the market closes. A conference call to discuss the financial and operational results will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time | 12:00 p.m. Eastern time. Hosting the call will be Jorge A. Ganoza, President and CEO, Luis D. Ganoza, Chief Financial Officer, Cesar Velasco, Chief Operating Officer - Latin America, and David Whittle, Chief Operating Officer - West Africa. Shareholders, analysts, media and interested investors are invited to listen to the live conference call by logging onto the webcast at: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1696/52367 (https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1696/52367) or over the phone by dialing in just prior to the starting time. Conference call details: Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025 Time: 9:00 a.m. Pacific time | 12:00 p.m. Eastern time Dial in number (Toll Free): +1.888.506.0062 Dial in number (International): +1.973.528.0011 Access code: 794316 Replay number (Toll Free): +1.877.481.4010 Replay number (International): +1.919.882.2331 Replay passcode: 52367 Playback of the earnings call will be available until Thursday, May 22, 2025. Playback of the webcast will be available until Friday, May 8, 2026. In addition, a transcript of the call will be archived on the Company's website (http://www.fortunamining.com). About Fortuna Mining Corp. Fortuna Mining Corp. is a Canadian precious metals mining company with four operating mines and exploration activities in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mexico, and Peru, as well as the Diamba Sud Gold Project located in Senegal. Sustainability is integral to all our operations and relationships. We produce gold and silver and generate shared value over the long- term for our stakeholders through efficient production, environmental protection, and social responsibility. For more information, please visit our website (http://www.fortunamining.com). ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Jorge A. Ganoza President, CEO, and Director Fortuna Mining Corp. Investor Relations: Carlos Baca | info@fmcmail.com (mailto:info@fmcmail.com) | fortunamining.com (http://www.fortunamining.com/) | X (https://x.com/fortunamining) | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/fortunamining/) | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@fortunamining) PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/a0f1baa9-bb14-4c76-b1cf-d7802676c72f (http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/a0f1baa9-bb14-4c76-b1cf-d7802676c72f) BURLINGTON, ON, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brigade will be answering questions about Vision Zero and showcasing its high-quality range of commercial vehicle safety solutions when it attends the Alberta Equipment Expo 2025 in Edmonton between April 24th and 25th. Vision Zero regulations have already been introduced to 25 cities across Canada, including Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver, with many more cities considering it as part of their road safety plans. Vision Zero is a multi-national safety initiative with the ultimate goal of eliminating road fatalities caused by collisions due to poor visibility and blind spots on vehicles including those in the forestry, heavy construction and road building sectors. During the event, Brigade will be answering frequently asked questions about Vision Zero as well as helping operators navigate appropriate safety solutions to aid drivers and prevent collisions. These include Brigades products such as its AI cameras, Radar Predict system and Front Radar. Warren Di Marco, CEO of Brigade Canada, said: "In 2022, road collisions led to 1,931 Canadians being killed on our roads - of those, 340 were pedestrians and cyclists - while a further 8,851 people were seriously injured. As well as the loss of life and impact on families, transport injuries also have a financial effect and cost Canada $3.6 billion a year. Vision Zero initiatives are helping to reduce the price people are having to pay every day as a result of preventable road traffic collisions. Brigade has spent years painstakingly researching and developing the best and most reliable safety solutions for construction vehicles to assist drivers and greatly enhance road safety for all." Brigade's newest product has recently entered the market - an AI driver safety camera. This aims to reduce the possibility of an incident caused by lack of concentration or driver fatigue. Sensors positioned near the steering wheel track signs of distracted behaviour and tiredness by continuous monitoring of the driver's face, eyes and head movements. They can pick up on cell phone usage and seatbelt deployment as well as unusual drooping, yawning or nodding. Built-in AI analyses these signals and provides audible alerts to the driver. Erratic steering and unusual vehicle positioning can also trigger an alarm, and there is the option of alerting the fleet manager too. Brigade's recently upgraded award-winning Backeye360 has been a bestseller for the company since its 2013 launch. The 360-degree camera now features cutting-edge AI capable of identifying humans in vehicle blind spots. The intelligent camera system aids manoeuvrability in challenging situations by providing drivers with a complete 360-degree view of their vehicle in a single image. The system merges images from four cameras positioned around the vehicle and provides a real-time view on an in-cab monitor, creating a 'bird's-eye view' of the vehicle and its surroundings. Given the many blind spots on vehicles undertaking forestry and heavy construction work on busy and constricted sites, this is essential for safeguarding workers. Warren added: "By enhancing our Backeye360 and other cameras with AI technology, we offer operators even greater assurance that they are using the safest solutions available. Our innovative systems not only prevent incidents but also provide critical support. Brigade's AI cameras integrate effortlessly into a vehicle's existing infrastructure for a seamless upgrade and are compatible with our entire range of AI-powered devices. "Brigade works tirelessly to prevent collisions on our roads and construction sites, and our recent partnership with Together for Safer Roads (TSR) will add further support to our efforts. We hope to meet as many people as possible at the Alberta Equipment Expo and raise awareness of the huge and multiple benefits of the Vision Zero initiative." Brigade will be attending the Alberta Equipment Expo at The Edmonton Expo Centre, 7515 118 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5B 0J2 between April 24th and 25th. Find them at Stand 230 Brigade is a global market leader and award-winning provider of commercial and machinery vehicle safety solutions. The company's mission is to save lives, protect vulnerable road users and assist drivers to manoeuvre safely by creating high-quality products that reduce the risk of collisions and eliminate vehicle blind spots. Founded in 1976 by Chris Hanson-Abbott OBE, Brigade introduced the very first back up alarm to Europe and has been at the forefront of championing vehicle and machinery safety ever since. The company is renowned for pioneering industry-compliant products as well as developing and patenting new and innovative technology. Brigade's product portfolio offers a range of devices suitable for OEM and aftermarket customers. These include the very latest AI-enhanced 360-degree camera systems, camera monitor systems, White Sound reversing alarms, radar and ultrasonic sensors enhanced with AI capabilities, as well as video recording devices and dashcams which are compatible with various telematics platforms, including Brigade Telematics. Brigade's products can be integrated to suit a broad range of applications and requirements. All devices come with generous warranty periods (some lifetime), technical support and expert aftercare. https://brigade-electronics.com/en-ca/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669836/Brigade_Electronics.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669835/Brigade_Electronics_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/brigade-brings-vision-zero-expertise-to-the-alberta-equipment-expo-302434307.html The annual general meeting of Equinor ASA (OSE: EQNR, NYSE: EQNR) will be held Wednesday 14 May 2025 at 15:00 CEST. The annual general meeting will be held in Equinor Business Center, Forusbeen 50, 4035 Stavanger for those attending in person and via Lumi AGM for those attending digitally. Voting will be carried out electronically via Lumi AGM for all shareholders. It is also possible to vote in advance or give proxy. Please see detailed information in the attached notice of the annual general meeting. Further information is also to be found on www.equinor.com/agm ) Investor contact: Erik Gonder +47 995 62 611 ergon@equinor.com This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act Attachment DUBLIN and BERWYN, Pa., April 22, 2025, a global partner delivering customisable solutions to support the specialty pharmaceutical industry, proudly announces its participation in Advanced Therapies Integrates North 2025, taking place on 30 April 2025 at the Usher Institute in Edinburgh. As a recognised leader in expanding access to innovative therapies for complex, chronic and rare diseases, AscellaHealth will be represented by Gillian Molloy, vice president, Market Access, who will serve as a panellist during the session, Strength in Numbers, scheduled from 12:20 - 13:00. With nearly 20 years of experience across the European and US life sciences sectors, Molloy will bring her deep expertise in strategic innovation and market access to the panel discussion, offering valuable perspectives on the power of collaboration in advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) development. Drawing on her extensive transatlantic experience, she will share practical strategies for building effective partnerships and provide real-world insights into overcoming key industry challenges-particularly the regulatory and commercial hurdles that can impede the advancement of transformational ATMPs. At AscellaHealth, Molloy works closely with pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare organisations, delivering consultative strategies that enhance the patient treatment journey, improve clinical outcomes and optimise commercialisation for complex therapies. In addition to her participation at the Advanced Therapies Integrates North, Molloy and Alexis Moss, director of business development, AscellaHealth, will also be featured as panellists in a series of upcoming virtual roundtable webinars hosted by the Life Science Access Academythis June: Alexis Moss - Homecare: An NHS Update - 20 June 2025. Register here (https://lsaccessacademy.com/masterclasses/2025072/). Gillian Molloy - Gene Therapy: Rhetoric vs Reality - 27 June 2025. Register here (https://lsaccessacademy.com/masterclasses/2025074/). Moss brings over two decades of experience in the healthcare sector and leads AscellaHealth's global business development initiatives. She is instrumental in driving cost-effective, patient-centred solutions through strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare stakeholders. "These are exciting times for advancing ATMP clinical development and this meeting serves as a pivotal platform for exploring faster, smarter and more efficient development pathways," says Molloy, who will also play an active role in the November 2025 Advanced Therapies Integrates North event. "Through collaboration and shared expertise, we can navigate the complexities of market access and work together to ensure patients around the world benefit from the full promise of these breakthrough treatments." To arrange a 1:1 meeting with AscellaHealth during Advanced Therapies Integrates North 2025, please contact businessdevelopment@ascellahealth.com. About AscellaHealth LLC AscellaHealth is a global partner that delivers proven end-to-end solutions to both life sciences and healthcare companies to enhance the quality of life for patients with complex, chronic conditions. A dedicated team gets critical healthcare products from manufacturers to patients while ensuring an efficient flow of funds between payers and pharma. For more information on our services and solutions, visit www.AscellaHealth.euor www.AscellaHealth.com. This press release was published by a CLEAR Verified individual. Media: Caroline Chambers CPR Communications cchambers@cpronline.com 201.641.1911 x 21 SEOUL, South Korea, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hahm Partners, the winner of the 2024 PR Agency of the Year Award, is rapidly expanding its global footprint with a focus on government relations (GR), strategic PR, brand-tech innovation, and K-POP IP marketing. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Global PR Agencies by Provoke Media, Hahm Partners proudly represents Korea on the global stage as a leading force in integrated communications. Founded in 2007, Hahm Partners is one of Korea's leading PR and communications firms, renowned for its expertise in policy and regulatory communications, crisis management, and digital strategy. The firm provides strategic counsel to a wide range of clients-including multinational corporations, government institutions, and public agencies-navigating complex policy landscapes and stakeholder dynamics in Korea. "In today's environment, communication is more than messaging-it's a strategic connection between policy, public opinion, brands, and technology. We integrate strategy, culture, and tech to help brands grow with meaning," said Siwon Hahm, Founder and CEO of Hahm Partners. Core Areas of Expertise Public Affairs & Government Relations (GR) Legislative and policy monitoring, regulatory analysis, stakeholder communication, and government engagement strategy Strategic PR & Crisis Management High-risk issue response, media strategy, reputation protection, and recovery communications Brand-Tech: Digital Platform Development Custom-built websites, mobile apps, and interactive content tailored to each brand K-POP IP Collaboration & Fandom Commerce Cross-border campaigns with global brands and artist IPs, fan-driven consumer activation AI-Powered Media Monitoring & Fandom Insights Real-time sentiment tracking, AI-based targeting, and data-driven fan behavior analysis Hahm Partners is evolving into a hybrid communications platform company, connecting PR, content, commerce, and policy. With its K-POP IP marketing and fandom commerce model, the agency delivers immersive consumer experiences for global brands through fan-centric engagement strategies. The firm is also actively bridging Korean and global intellectual properties (IP) with brands, creating unique cultural campaigns that drive emotional resonance and commercial value. From K-POP artists and influencers to globally recognized content creators, Hahm Partners connects IP with marketing platforms to generate meaningful brand engagement. The company is currently expanding across the United States, Japan, Europe, and Southeast Asia, and is actively seeking strategic partnerships with global PR/digital agencies, brands, and tech companies. Media Contact: Jongmin Shim Global PR Team Hahm Partners jmshim@hahmpartners.com | +82 10-5583-6397 Rosenblatt Law, the dispute resolution specialists, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mo Haque KC as a Partner. Mo Haque KC, a distinguished commercial litigator with over 25 years of experience, has advised and represented clients in some of the world's most significant commercial disputes. As an advocate, he has appeared before appellate courts in multiple jurisdictions and is called to the Bars of England Wales, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and Gibraltar. In addition to his courtroom experience, Mo has extensive expertise in international arbitration. He has advised and acted in arbitral tribunals under the rules of leading institutional and ad hoc arbitration regimes, including the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). His practice spans a diverse range of sectors, including energy, construction and engineering, cryptocurrency, property, and sport. Mo is particularly noted for his proficiency in cross-border litigation, insolvency, international asset recovery, and enforcement. Commenting on his appointment, Tania MacLeod, Rosenblatt Law's Head of Dispute Resolution, said: "We are delighted to welcome Mo as the first KC on the Rosenblatt team. His appointment further underlines the breadth and depth of advocacy expertise we offer clients bringing with him the additional element of extensive cross examination and courtroom experience." Mo Haque KC, added: "Rosenblatt is a leader in the world of dispute resolution and international arbitration. I am excited to join the firm and its distinguished team and look forward to contributing to its success." Recognised consistently as a Leading Lawyer, Mo has been listed in Chambers and Partners (England and Caribbean) and Legal 500 (England) for many years. He is praised as a "first-class heavyweight" and is "sought out for significant company and commercial disputes". Further information on Rosenblatt is available at www.rosenblatt.law View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422463622/en/ Contacts: Media enquiries: SEC Newgate UK Emma Kane Tali Robinson rosenblatt@secnewgate.co.uk With the recent update of its Document Reader SDK, Regula became the first identity verification (IDV) vendor to make it possible to verify all the dynamic security features of documents in real time. With the latest addition of Dynaprint checks, the solution ensures more robust physical document authentication during remote onboarding. The innovation has arrived at a time when 58% of businesses globally face fake or modified IDs during digital onboarding. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422724077/en/ Dynaprint in the Arizona's driver's license (Photo: Regula)? Dynaprint is a dynamic security feature consisting of two different images printed with lenticular technology. Depending on the angle of observation, only one image is visible at a time. Like all other dynamic security features, Dynaprint is crucial for securing identity documents from tampering, since it's a tricky task to fake it without special equipment. Previously, it was feasible to verify Dynaprint only on-site with the help of special equipment. However, Regula has made it possible to check it online via a smartphone to ensure you are dealing with a live physical ID. At the moment, Regula Document Reader SDK is the only IDV solution on the market that supports major dynamic security features, including Dynaprint, for document liveness verification. At the moment, no other vendor features this level of protection for remote document checks. This enhancement complements existing checks for other visible dynamic security features, such as holograms, optically variable inks (OVI), and multiple laser images (MLI). By prioritizing document liveness checks in its solution, Regula helps businesses and government institutions combat a wide range of presentation attacks, such as screen replays, injections, and printouts, and effectively detect manipulated IDs. "With every update, our goal is to raise the bar for what reliable identity verification looks like. The addition of Dynaprint checks in our Regula Document Reader SDK is more than a technical upgrade-it's a significant enhancement in verifying the physical presence of an ID. When dynamic features like this are validated in real time, it becomes nearly impossible for fraudsters to succeed with deepfakes or static document copies," says Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer at Regula. What else is new? Alongside improved liveness verification, this update to Regula Document Reader SDK also included support for 432 new identity documents, bringing the total number to more than 15,000 documents from 251 countries and territories. Among them, for example, are the newest Japanese passport introduced in late March 2025, and the new Philippine National ID. The latter brings a unique verification challenge: unlike other IDs, the Philippine National ID does not contain a handwritten signature, relying instead on an encrypted QR code with a digital signature to prove document integrity. While the QR code can be verified via the governmental portal, Regula Document Reader SDK offers a more robust and comprehensive solution for checking the ID's authenticity. It ensures that the encoded information hasn't been altered in any way, and that the digital signature is valid. Additionally, Regula's solution performs multiple in-depth checks, cross-validating data from various document zones, and reading both visible and encrypted data. Explore how Regula's Dynaprint verification can elevate your identity verification workflows on Regula's website. About Regula Regula is a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions. With our 30+ years of experience in forensic research and the most comprehensive library of document templates in the world, we create breakthrough technologies for document and biometric verification. Our hardware and software solutions allow over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities globally to provide top-notch client service without compromising safety, security, or speed. Regula has been repeatedly named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner Market Guide for Identity Verification. Learn more at www.regulaforensics.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422724077/en/ Contacts: Kristina ks@regulaforensics.com The Natco Home Group, one of the USA's largest and most dynamic suppliers of flooring and home decor, today announced it has signed a deal to acquire the Orian Rugs brand from parent company SP Orian, LLC. As the last two remaining domestic manufacturers of woven rugs, the combination of the Natco Home Group (and its subsidiaries), paired with the heritage and strength of Orian Rugs makes for a powerful combination in today's domestic focused business climate. Natco Home Logo Natco Home Logo "As the last standing woven rug manufacturer in the USA, we are excited and proud to incorporate the Orian Rugs brand into the Natco Home fold and look forward to strengthening our relationships with many existing longtime customers, as well as some new to us at Natco," said Michael Litner, President of Natco Home. About Natco Home Group Founded in 1917 in Rhode Island, the Natco Home Group is operating under its 4th generation of family leadership. With an emphasis on pairing strength with domestic capabilities and footprint, augmented with strong overseas partners, the Natco Home Group continues to thrive in today's global business climate. With domestic operations in Dalton GA, and Sanford, ME, and distribution footprint strategically spread throughout North America, Natco Home remains a committed partner to its strong list of retail partners on a global scale. About Orian Rugs Orian Rugs, a division of SP Orian, LLC was established in 1979 in Anderson, SC, as an American manufacturer of decorative area and scatter rugs. SP Orian, LLC will continue to expand its Innovation Yarns division, providing innovative and high-quality fibers to a broad spectrum of industries, including textile-based floor coverings, upholstery, marine and home products. Related Links http://www.natcohome.com Contact Information David Litner Principal dlitner@natcohome.com 4018280300 SOURCE: Natco Home Group Die Finanzwelt ist im Umbruch! Nach Jahren der Dominanz erschuttert Donald Trumps erratische Wirtschaftspolitik das Fundament des amerikanischen Kapitalismus. Handelskriege, Rekordzolle und politische Isolation haben eine Kapitalflucht historischen Ausmaes ausgelost. Milliarden stromen aus den USA und suchen neue, lukrative Ziele. Und genau hier kommt China ins Spiel. Trotz aller Spannungen wachst die chinesische Wirtschaft dynamisch weiter, Innovation und Digitalisierung treiben die Markte an. Im kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir Ihnen 5 Aktien aus China vor, die vom US-Niedergang profitieren und das Potenzial haben, den Markt regelrecht zu uberflugeln. Wer jetzt klug investiert, sichert sich den Zugang zu den neuen Wachstums-Champions von morgen. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche 5 Aktien die Konkurrenz aus den USA outperformen durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! Consumer Choice Award (CCA) is proud to name Toronto Comfort Zone as the top-rated business in the Fireplace Sales & Service category for the Toronto Central region. This recognition highlights the company's longstanding commitment to delivering premium fireplace solutions, exceptional craftsmanship, and attentive customer care across the Greater Toronto Area. Established over two decades ago, Toronto Comfort Zone has grown into a premier destination for fireplace design, installation, and full-service care. With a deep understanding of the local market and a reputation for excellence, the company continues to raise the standard for fireplace solutions in Southern Ontario. Inside Toronto Comfort Zone's fully renovated midtown showroom, homeowners, designers, and builders encounter an immersive design experience. The showroom showcases a wide range of fireplace models-from sleek gas and electric units to classic wood-burning designs-all carefully curated to reflect the latest innovations and enduring styles. Each product on display is selected with a focus on aesthetic appeal, energy efficiency, and long-term performance. Founder Sonny Raissi describes the achievement as a meaningful milestone. "This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our entire team and the loyalty of our customers," said Raissi. "At Toronto Comfort Zone, every project is approached with care, precision, and a vision to create a warm, welcoming space. A fireplace is more than a feature-it's where families connect and memories are made." Toronto Comfort Zone's full-service offering includes professional installation, annual maintenance, safety inspections, in-home consultations, and fireplace upgrades. The company's licensed technicians and support staff are fully insured and trained to meet and exceed industry regulations, delivering a seamless and safe experience at every step of the process. Sustainability is another core value driving the company's approach. Toronto Comfort Zone supports clients in making environmentally conscious decisions, offering energy-efficient fireplace options that help reduce environmental impact while maintaining design integrity. In a market increasingly focused on eco-responsible solutions, this guidance has become a defining strength of the brand. Residential projects across the GTA often rely on Toronto Comfort Zone's expertise. Whether refreshing a downtown condo or installing multiple units in a new suburban development, the company consistently brings creative, technical, and aesthetic excellence to each installation. Complex or unconventional layouts are welcomed as opportunities to innovate-resulting in custom solutions that align with each client's vision. This Consumer Choice Award highlights Toronto Comfort Zone's role not only as a retailer and installer, but also as a trusted advisor in the home improvement process. The company's deep product knowledge, transparent communication, and commitment to client satisfaction have fostered a loyal customer base and strong relationships within the building and design communities. With growing demand for fireplace renovations and modern heating solutions, Toronto Comfort Zone continues to expand its offerings while preserving the personalized service and quality craftsmanship that have defined its brand from the beginning. To explore Toronto Comfort Zone's fireplace collections or book a consultation, CLICK HERE or visit www.torontocomfortzone.com. About Consumer Choice Award: Consumer Choice Award has been recognizing and promoting business excellence in North America since 1987. Its rigorous selection process ensures that only the most outstanding service providers in each category earn this prestigious recognition. Visit www.ccaward.com to learn more. Contact Information: Sumi Saleh Communications Manager ssaleh@ccaward.com ' SOURCE: Consumer Choice Award Strategic Addition to the Board Strengthens Governance and Accelerates Commercialization Efforts AI/ML Innovations Inc. ("AIML" or the "Company") (CSE:AIML)(OTCQB:AIMLF)(FWB:42FB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jared Adelstein to its Board of Directors ("Board"), effective immediately. This appointment is part of AIML's broader effort to strengthen its leadership team as the Company enters an exciting phase of strategic growth and commercialization in the artificial intelligence ("AI")-powered healthcare space. Jared brings strategic, financial and operational expertise, with experience in guiding high-growth companies through pivotal stages of development. His appointment aligns with AIML's commitment to enhancing governance and strategic leadership as the Company moves forward with its mission to deliver innovative AI solutions in healthcare. Paul Duffy, CEO of AIML, stated: "We are delighted to welcome Jared to our Board. His strategic insight and proven experience will be invaluable as we continue to scale AIML and leverage our unique AI-driven healthcare technologies." Commenting on his appointment, Jared said: "I'm excited to join the Board at such a pivotal time in the Company's evolution. With a clear strategic direction and a world-class leadership team in place, I look forward to supporting AIML as it advances its vision through this important growth period." AIML remains steadfast in its mission to deliver breakthrough solutions at the intersection of AI and human health. Jared's addition to AIML's Board helps bolster our leadership team and marks another meaningful step forward in realizing that vision. For more information about AIML : For detailed information please see AIML's website or the Company's filed documents at www.sedarplus.ca . Contact: Blake Fallis (778) 405-0882 info@aiml-innovations.com About AI/ML Innovations Inc. https://aiml-innovations.com/ AIML Innovations Inc. has realigned its business operations to capitalize on the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence: (AI) and machine learning (ML), with an initial investment focus on emerging digital health and wellbeing companies that leverage AI, ML, cloud computing and digital platforms to drive transformative healthcare management solutions and precision support delivery across the health continuum. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Quantum Sciences Ltd. and NeuralCloud Solutions Inc, AI Rx Inc., strategic partnerships with Health Gauge Inc. (95.2% owned by AIML), and other planned accretive investments, the Company continues to capitalize on expanding growth areas, to the benefit of all the Company's stakeholders. AIML's shares are traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "AIML", the OTCQB Venture Market under "AIMLF", and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under "42FB". On behalf of the Board of Directors: Paul Duffy, Chairman Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. SOURCE: AI/ML Innovations, Inc. VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report released by MEXC , a leading global crypto exchange, indicates that airdrop campaigns account for approximately one-third of new user registrations during peak months. The numbers showcase the effectiveness of airdrops as a marketing instrument that crypto projects can leverage to attract new audiences and bootstrap engagement. The report also highlights the importance of ongoing structural shifts taking place in the industry across regions, as well as user motivation swings. Key Takeaways: Peak user acquisition rates driven by airdrops reach up to 35% in certain months. User behavior is influencing airdrop campaign participation through deeper mobile penetration and the involvement of gamification mechanisms. 76% of users who sign up via airdrop campaigns remain on the platform , with 18% becoming active traders and 58% trading occasionally. , with 18% becoming active traders and 58% trading occasionally. The CIS region leads in terms of involvement at 67% , followed by Southeast Asia at 51%, and South Asia at 32%. , followed by Southeast Asia at 51%, and South Asia at 32%. Airdrops are evolving into a means of financial inclusion, in addition to acting as an effective marketing instrument. MEXC analyzed user behavior during airdrop campaigns and identified a significant shift in the audience. While regions with low levels of access to banking services previously served as the main source of airdrop participants, the latest report indicates that new channels of user onboarding are ousting the trend. Gamification and Tap-to-Earn games in mobile-based Telegram channels are taking center stage as key registration sources for users with no previous experience in crypto. For instance, games like Hamster Kombat attracted over 70 million users, other notable examples of similar grade being Notcoin and Yescoin. According to the data compiled as a result of the research, users who received their first airdrop tokens demonstrated varying degrees of continued involvement in the crypto industry. As many as 18% maintained active trading patterns and delved deeper into crypto services, 58% traded occasionally, while 24% were one-off users, withdrawing their funds without further engagement in trading. The users who evolve into active traders showcase an average daily trading volume above $58,000, with select ones achieving $31 million. Regional segmentation of the users attracted via airdrops shows that the CIS is in a leading position, with 67% of the total, followed by Southeast Asia at 51%, and South Asia with 32%. The results of the analysis correlate with low levels of access to banking services in the given regions. They also align with data provided by Chainalysis, which positioned India, Vietnam, and the Philippines as the countries in Asia with the highest rates of crypto adoption, driven by low levels of banking services access and rapid spread of internet coverage in rural areas. The limited financial inclusion of the countries in the indicated regions into the international banking system paves the way for cryptocurrencies to act as alternative means of payment both abroad and within domestic economies. Users participating in airdrops either withdraw them to fiat or use them for their needs. Pakistan and the Philippines are leading in this regard. The report released by MEXC highlights the prominent role airdrops are occupying in the evolving crypto landscape, transforming from a marketing action into a separate instrument for user engagement. The ability to attract 35% new user registrations via airdrops in select regions like the CIS and Asia is a powerful factor acting in favor of using the given approach to expanding the crypto industry and advancing its maturity. About MEXC Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being "Your Easiest Way to Crypto." Serving over 36 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding. For more information, visit: MEXC Official Website | X | Telegram | How to Sign Up on MEXC Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669801/1920x1080.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2668118/MEXC_new_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mexc-exchange-report-shows-airdrops-resulting-in-up-to-35-new-user-registrations-302434393.html TGW101 is a next-generation, first-in-class ADC targeting TAG-72 with an MMAE payload, developed based on Tagworks proprietary Click-to-Release linker chemistry; TGW101 is the first bioorthogonal, in vivo click chemistry-activated ADC, which enables superior control of tumor payload activity Phase 1 clinical trial of TGW101 initiated; Company plans to enroll up to 50 patients with advanced solid tumors in the U.S. Keith Orford, MD, PhD, brings over three decades of leadership in oncology research and clinical drug development and will oversee an emerging clinical pipeline of novel cancer treatments leveraging Click-to-Release technology, including ADCs and targeted radiopharmaceuticals NIJMEGEN, Netherlands and BOSTON, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tagworks Pharmaceuticals BV ("Tagworks"), a clinical-stage precision oncology company using its proprietary Click-to-Release treatment platform to develop a new standard of care for patients suffering from solid tumors, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the investigational new drug (IND) application for a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating TGW101, a first-in-class antibody drug-conjugate (ADC) targeting tumor associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72) with an monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) payload, in patients with advanced solid tumors. The Company also announced the appointment of Keith Orford, MD, PhD, as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Tagworks initiated first-in-human Phase 1 clinical development of TGW101 in a multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation trial in patients with advanced solid tumors. The primary objectives of the study are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of TGW101 and identify the maximum tolerated dose, recommended dose, and regiment for cohort expansion. The study is currently recruiting in the U.S. and plans to enroll up to 50 patients. "TAG-72 is a validated target with overexpression in many high unmet need solid tumors. However, due to its non-internalizing nature, this target has remained unreachable by current ADCs and other therapies which require uptake by tumor cells to activate their anti-tumor activity. TGW101's highly differentiated profile enables controlled MMAE payload release and activation in the tumor microenvironment without internalization by tumor cells. This controlled drug release is achieved through a click reaction of the ADC linker with a trigger molecule, which is administered in a second step," said Marc Robillard, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Tagworks. "TGW101 has demonstrated a favorable safety profile as well as effective and durable responses in preclinical solid tumor models. The IND clearance and initiation of our Phase 1 clinical trial is a significant milestone for our lead program and Tagworks, the pioneer of Click-to-Release chemistry." Anthony Tolcher, MD, FRCPC, CEO, Founder, and Director of Clinical Research of NEXT Oncology San Antonio and the TGW101 Phase 1 Primary Investigator commented, "TGW101 represents an attractive new potential treatment option in advanced solid tumors with high unmet need, overcoming certain challenges and limitations of other ADC therapies. TGW101 has the potential to offer an improved anti-tumor effect and safety profile which may lead to better clinical outcomes. I am excited to collaborate with Tagworks' team to evaluate TGW101 in patients with advanced solid tumors in the Phase 1 clinical trial." In addition, Tagworks further strengthened its management team with the appointment of Keith Orford, MD, PhD, as CMO. Dr. Orford's proven track record as a physician, scientist, and executive leader at several biotechnology companies will support Tagworks' position as a leader and innovator in cancer drug development. "We are pleased to welcome Keith and look forward to his contributions to the clinical development of our pipeline of innovative ADCs and targeted radiopharmaceuticals," said Ken Mills, Chief Executive Officer of Tagworks. "As we enter into clinical development, Keith's development expertise, strategic insights, and leadership in the oncology community will be critical in positioning Tagworks for long-term success." "I am thrilled to join the experienced team at Tagworks to develop and expand on the transformative potential of the Click-to-Release technology with the clear goal of providing safe and efficacious new therapies for patients with cancer," said Keith Orford, MD, PhD, CMO of Tagworks. "I look forward to immediately working closely with all of our investigators to evaluate the therapeutic utility of TGW101 in multiple advanced solid tumor indications." Dr. Orford brings extensive experience in leadership and oncology development, having served as CMO at public and private cancer biotechnology companies. Most recently, he was CMO, Executive Vice President, Clinical and Translational Science at Parabilis Medicines (formerly Fog Pharma), where he oversaw translational medicine and clinical development. Prior to Parabilis, he held a series of clinical development roles of increasing responsibility, including CMO of Calithera Biosciences, Clinical Development Lead and Clinical Head of Immuno-Oncology and Combinations DPU at GlaxoSmithKline, and Associate Director of Clinical Pharmacology and Experimental Medicine and Oncology at Merck. Before joining industry, he held various roles as a Research Fellow and Instructor at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he trained in internal medicine and completed a postdoctoral fellowship. He received his BS, MD, and PhD from Georgetown University. About TGW101 TGW101 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting TAG-72, a non-internalizing marker found on the surface of many solid tumor cells. TGW101 consists of a TAG-72-binding diabody conjugated with monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) toxin. TGW101 is administered intravenous (IV) first and allowed to bind to TAG-72 in the tumor. Then a small molecule trigger is administered IV, resulting in selective chemical cleavage of the linker of the tumor-bound TGW101, release of the MMAE in the extracellular tumor microenvironment and diffusion into surrounding tumor cells. TGW101 is being studied in an open-label, multicenter, Phase 1 dose-escalation clinical trial designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy in patients with advanced solid tumors. About Tagworks Pharmaceuticals Tagworks Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage precision oncology company using its proprietary Click-to-Release treatment platform to develop a new standard of care for patients suffering from solid tumors by targeting clinically validated tumor markers that so far have remained out of reach of current therapies. Its lead program, TGW101, is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting TAG-72, a non-internalizing marker found on the surface of many solid tumor cells. Tagworks is developing a pipeline of novel cancer treatments leveraging its Click-to-Release technology in a range of therapeutics modalities, including ADCs and targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies. The Company is headquartered in the Netherlands with operations in the U.S. For more information, visit us at www.tagworkspharma.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669116/Tagworks_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tagworks-pharmaceuticals-announces-fda-clearance-of-ind-application-and-initiation-of-phase-1-clinical-trial-for-tgw101-and-appoints-keith-orford-md-phd-as-chief-medical-officer-302433670.html CARDIFF, Wales and NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Admiral Group plc announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell its U.S. motor insurance business, including Elephant Insurance Company and Elephant Insurance Services ("Elephant"), to J.C. Flowers & Co. ("J.C. Flowers"), a global private investment firm dedicated to investing in the financial services industry, for an undisclosed cash consideration (before customary adjustments and transaction and related expenses) representing approximately the net asset value of Elephant. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in Q4 2025. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Elephant Insurance offers U.S. customers simple and affordable car insurance. The company's tools allow customers to find the best protection for their needs and budget, with tools that are easy to use and understand. Costantino Moretti, Head of International Insurance, Admiral Group said: "In Elephant, we have built a business with a great foundation, and selling the company to J.C. Flowers is the right decision to ensure its future success. J.C. Flowers and Elephant have a shared ambition for generating growth and value. This partnership will allow the business to continue to deliver the high-quality insurance products and services that US motorists need. "This is a good outcome not only for Elephant and its employees, but also the Group and our shareholders. This transaction will enable us to focus on the opportunities we see for delivering long-term sustainable growth in our businesses in the UK and Mainland Europe." Eric Rahe, Managing Director and Co-President, J.C. Flowers said: "J.C. Flowers has a long, distinguished history of investing in the insurance industry, and we will leverage our experience to help Elephant Insurance generate new opportunities as a standalone company. We are excited to partner with the Elephant team as the business enters this new stage of development." Alberto Schiavon, CEO of Elephant Insurance said: "We are very excited to be joining forces with J.C. Flowers. This partnership will enable us to benefit from their extensive expertise which will play a critical role for the next phase of our growth strategy and add value for our customers, whilst maintaining our distinctive culture." Admiral's corporate broker, BofA Securities, is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP as legal advisor to Admiral Group in connection with this transaction. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP as legal advisor to J.C. Flowers in connection with this transaction. About Admiral Group Admiral Group plc is a leading FTSE 100 Financial Services company offering motor, household, travel and pet insurance as well as personal lending products. Established in 1993 in the UK, the Group now has offices in Canada, France, Gibraltar, India, Italy, Spain, and the US. About J.C. Flowers & Co J.C. Flowers is a leading private investment firm dedicated to investing globally in the financial services industry. Founded in 1998, the firm has invested more than $18 billion of capital, including co-investment, in 67 portfolio companies in 18 countries across a range of industry subsectors including banking, insurance and reinsurance, specialty finance, business and insurance services, wealth management and capital markets, payments and software. With approximately $4 billion of assets under management, J.C. Flowers has offices in New York, London and Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.jcfco.com. Contacts For Admiral: Media: Addy Frederick addy.frederick@admiralgroup.co.uk +44 (0) 7500 171 810 Analysts and investors: Diane Michelberger diane.michelberger@admiralgroup.co.uk +44 (0) 7881 305 063 For J.C. Flowers: Jennifer Hurson Lambert by LLYC jhurson@lambert.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/admiral-group-agrees-to-sell-its-us-motor-business-to-jc-flowers-302434046.html The QKS Group SPARK Matrix provides competitive analysis and ranking of the leading Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) - Process and Batch Manufacturing platform vendors. Emerson, with its comprehensive technology and customer experience management, has received strong ratings across the parameters of technology excellence and customer impact. MIDDLETON, Mass., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- QKS Group has named Emerson as a technology leader in their analysis of the SPARK Matrix: Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) - Process and Batch Manufacturing, 2024 platform market. The QKS Group SPARK Matrix evaluates vendors based on technology excellence and customer impact. It offers an in-depth analysis of global market dynamics, major trends, vendor landscapes, and competitive positioning. By providing a competitive analysis and ranking of leading technology vendors, the SPARK Matrix delivers strategic insights that help users assess provider capabilities, differentiate competitively, and understand market positions. Emerson was recognized as a technology leader in the SPARK Matrix: Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) - Process and Batch Manufacturing, 2024 for its advanced capabilities in optimizing process and batch manufacturing operations. Leveraging its DeltaV MES software solutions including DeltaV Workflow Management, Emerson delivers a comprehensive solution that enhances operational efficiency, ensures regulatory compliance, and provides near real-time data insights. With a strong focus on automation, digital transformation, and scalability, the company empowers manufacturers to streamline production, improve decision-making, and drive sustainable growth. As a global leader in automation technology, Emerson continues to expand its impact, offering innovative and intelligent solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern manufacturing. QKS Group defines the Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) - Process and Batch Manufacturing category as a software-based solution used in process-oriented manufacturing industries to monitor, control, and optimize production processes. It encompasses functions such as workflow management, process monitoring, quality control, inventory management, weighing & dispensing, recipe management, resource allocation, traceability, and reporting. A modern MES also integrates with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and production process control systems for offering real-time visibility into the shop floor. This visibility is instrumental in optimizing work schedules, monitoring equipment efficiency, ensuring regulatory compliance, and meticulously tracking materials. Additionally, process and batch MES enable organizations to streamline various departments, enabling effective utilization of real-time production data and data-driven decision-making processes." Emerson sets itself apart in the MES market by offering highly adaptable solutions designed to meet the complex requirements of GMP-regulated industries, particularly in the life sciences segment. By integrating DeltaV MES with the DeltaV distributed control system (DCS) and ERP systems, Emerson ensures seamless data exchange, enhancing operational efficiency and compliance. The company's innovative DeltaV Workflow Management simplifies recipe authoring with a no-code/low-code approach through a SaaS model, reducing implementation costs while improving accessibility with its modern, browser-agnostic interface. Additionally, the integration of DeltaV Spectral Process Analytical Technology (PAT) into batch execution strengthens real-time quality control, enabling predictive analytics and proactive quality management. The company is also exploring further opportunities to enhance data management with AspenTech's Inmation software to enhance data analytics and connectivity while expanding data lake capabilities to drive real-time insights. Its future developments include an upgraded DeltaV MES with an enhanced user interface, improved cybersecurity, and increased usability to support scale-up and scale-out manufacturing processes. Additionally, DeltaV Workflow Management is expected to see expanded equipment tracking, material management, and enhanced system integration, all while maintaining its intuitive, no-code/low-code design, said Nithin A K, Analyst at QKS Group. As a global organization, Emerson continually strengthens its presence in key markets of North America, and Europe, Asia and Latin America to meet the growing global demand for digital transformation in life sciences manufacturing. With a strong focus on drug substance and drug product manufacturing, Emerson's MES solutions have enabled seamless MES-DCS integration, significantly reducing batch release times and improving operational efficiency. As life sciences manufacturers seek scalable, compliant, and innovation-driven MES solutions, Emerson remains at the forefront of digital transformation and operational excellence. "Emerson's comprehensive DeltaV MES, including Workflow Management, helps life sciences companies get life-saving therapies to patients faster by enabling pipeline acceleration, real time release, and flexible manufacturing - with solutions ranging from discovery to commercial manufacturing." - Kristel Biehler, vice president of life sciences, Emerson Additional Resources: For more information about Emerson SPARK Matrix: Manufacturing Execution Systems - Process and Batch Manufacturing (MES) About Emerson: Emerson is a global industrial technology leader that provides advanced automation. With an unmatched portfolio of intelligent devices, control systems and industrial software, Emerson delivers solutions that automate and optimize business performance. Headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, Emerson combines innovative technology with proven operational excellence to power the future of automation. For more information, visit Emerson.com. Media Contact Myra Mash Public Relations Manager for Emerson 512-289-8067 myra.mash@emerson.com About QKS Group: QKS Group is a global advisory and consulting firm focused on helping clients achieve business transformation goals with Strategic Business and Growth advisory services. At QKS Group, our vision is to become an integral part of our client's business as a strategic knowledge partner. Our research and consulting deliverables are designed to provide comprehensive information and strategic insights for helping clients formulate growth strategies to survive and thrive in ever-changing business environments. For more available research, please visit https://qksgroup.com/ Media Contact: QKS Group Shraddha Roy PR & Media Relations Regus Business Center 35 Village Road, Suite 100, Middleton Massachusetts 01949 United States Email: shraddha.r@qksgroup.com Content Source: https://qksgroup.com/newsroom/emerson-is-recognized-as-the-leader-in-the-2024-spark-matrix-manufacturing-execution-systems-mes-process-and-batch-manufacturing-by-qks-analyst-group-1085 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qksgroup Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2501519/QKS_Group_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/emerson-is-recognized-as-the-leader-in-the-2024-spark-matrix-manufacturing-execution-systems-mes---process-and-batch-manufacturing-by-qks-group-302434236.html The strategic partnership spans solar and wind energy, advancing the Middle East's transition to green energy. SHANGHAI, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric (SEHK:2727, SSE:601727) reached two milestone cooperation agreements in the Middle East in early April, signing a 2-gigawatt photovoltaic project agreement with Abu Dhabi Future Energy ("Masdar") in Saudi Arabia and a comprehensive wind power cooperation agreement with Oman's Mawarid Group. The agreements support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Oman Vision 2040 initiatives. They aim to advance the Middle East's energy transformation through technology exports, localized manufacturing, and multi-sector collaboration. The 2-gigawatt Sadawi photovoltaic project, developed in cooperation with Masdar, is Shanghai Electric's largest solar EPC project globally. Spanning 40 square kilometers, it generates more than 6 billion kWh annually, meeting the electricity needs of 700,000 households and cutting carbon emissions by 3 million tons. The project leverages advanced photovoltaic technology to maximize Saudi Arabia's abundant sunshine and is a key component of the country's National Renewable Energy Program. In Oman, Shanghai Electric's partnership with Mawarid Group includes wind turbine supply, technology transfer, and localized factory design. The collaboration aims to harness Oman's natural resources, create a local supply chain, and promote long-term economic growth. "This is a new starting point for Shanghai Electric and Masdar to carry out comprehensive cooperation and an important milestone for Shanghai Electric to further establish itself in the Middle East's new energy market," said Wu Lei, Chairman of Shanghai Electric Group. "I hope both parties will work together to create a benchmark demonstration project and contribute more to the global energy transition." Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi commented, "Masdar attaches great importance to its partnership with Shanghai Electric and looks forward to further deepening cooperation with them in wind power, photovoltaics, energy storage, and other fields in the future to jointly promote the transformation of the global energy structure." Salim Al Aufi, Omani Minister of Energy and Minerals, praised Shanghai Electric's technological expertise and innovation in wind power. He said the Omani government values its partnership with Shanghai Electric and sees the signing of the wind power project as an opportunity to expand cooperation. Al Aufi expressed the government's eagerness to deepen collaboration in areas such as energy storage, hydrogen energy, and photovoltaics, aiming to jointly drive the transformation of Oman's energy sector. Wu Lei said, "The Omani government's forward-looking Vision 2040 and Green Hydrogen Strategy align with Shanghai Electric's strategic development goals. We are eager to use this project as an opportunity to integrate advanced technologies and high-quality products in the new energy sector with Oman's resource strengths and market potential. Through technology licensing and localized supply chain development, we aim to drive the implementation of more high-quality projects, contribute to Oman's energy transformation, and help shape a new chapter in China-Arab energy cooperation." The strategic significance and industrial value of the agreements are substantial. The wind power project in Oman is expected to advance the country's transition from traditional energy sources to diversified clean energy, including wind and hydrogen, while also deepening China-Arab technical cooperation. Meanwhile, the photovoltaic project in Saudi Arabia directly supports the kingdom's efforts to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, contribute to economic diversification, and establish a foundation for Shanghai Electric's broader expansion in the Middle East's solar energy market. The dual collaboration in the Middle East showcases Shanghai Electric's technology-driven, localized approach, reinforcing its status as a global leader in renewable energy through its expertise and innovation in wind and solar power. For more information, please visit https://www.shanghai-electric.com/group_en/. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2346204/Shanghai_Electric_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/shanghai-electric-forms-major-partnerships-with-masdar-and-mawarid-for-renewable-energy-projects-302434404.html Dynacor Group Inc. (TSX-DNG) ("Dynacor" or the "Corporation"), today announced unaudited gold sales of $28.8 million in March and record quarterly sales of $80.0 million. All figures are in US dollars unless otherwise indicated. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422065415/en/ The 15-month sales increase continued in Q1-2025. Monthly Highlights Gold sales reached $28.8 million (C$41.3 million1)in March 2025, compared to $20.7 million (C$28.0 million) in March 2024. This represents the second-highest monthly sales in the Corporation's history. The increase in sales of $8.1 million or +39.1% versus March 2024 results from an increase in the sales price (+38.6%) and in the volume (+0.5%). In March, the selling price of gold averaged $3,020 per ounce, compared to $2,187 per ounce, a 38.0% increase over March 2024. The Veta Dorada plant operated at full capacity, processing 15,000 tonnes of ore as per last year. Year To Date Highlights Cumulative gold sales reached $80.0 million at the end of March 2025, compared to $67.7 million for the same period of 2024, a $12.3 million increase or +18.2%. In 2025, the selling price of gold averaged $2,878 per ounce, compared to $2,074 per ounce in 2024, a 38.7% increase. The Corporation is on target to meet its annual sales guidance of between $345 and $375 million. The Corporation will release its Q1-2025 financial results on May 15, 2025. About Dynacor Dynacor Group is an industrial ore processing company dedicated to producing gold sourced from artisanal miners. Since its establishment in 1996, Dynacor has pioneered a responsible mineral supply chain with stringent traceability and audit standards for the fast-growing artisanal mining industry. By focusing on fully and part-formalized miners, the Canadian company offers a win-win approach for governments and miners globally. Dynacor operates the Veta Dorada plant and owns a gold exploration property in Peru. The Corporation plans to expand to West Africa and within Latin America. The premium paid by luxury jewellers for Dynacor's PX Impact gold goes to Fidamar Foundation, an NGO that mainly invests in health and education projects for artisanal mining communities in Peru. Visit www.dynacor.com for more information. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in the preceding may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Dynacor, or industry results, to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance as of the date of this news release. ________________________________ 1 Sales are converted using the average monthly exchange rate. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422065415/en/ Contacts: For more information, please contact: Ruth Hanna Director, Investor Relations T: 514-393-9000 #236 E: investors@dynacor.com Website: https://dynacor.com Avant Brands Inc. (TSX:AVNT)(OTCQX:AVTBF)(FRA:1BU0) ("Avant" or the "Company"), a leading producer of innovative and award-winning cannabis products, is pleased to announce its upcoming annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of the Company (the "Shareholders") to be held on May 30, 2025. The notice of Meeting and the management information circular (the "Circular") will be made available to Shareholders on Avant's website as well as under Avant's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Circular and related materials for the Meeting will also be mailed to Shareholders. In connection with the Meeting, on April 21, 2025, the Company has entered into the Repricing Amendments (as defined below) with the holders of certain senior unsecured convertible debentures of the Company (the "Debentures") and certain common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Warrants") that were previously issued on July 26, 2024 pursuant to a private placement. At the Meeting, among other items of business, Shareholders will be asked to consider a resolution to approve (i) an amendment to the exercise price of the Warrants from $3.00 to $1.75 (the "Warrant Amendments"), and (ii) an amendment to the conversion price (the "Conversion Price")of the Debentures from $3.00 as follows (together with the Warrant Amendments, the "Repricing Amendments"): Conversion Period Effective Date Conversion Period End Date Amended Conversion Price Date of Shareholder approval Up to three months following the date of Shareholder approval $1.25 Three-month anniversary of Shareholder approval Up to six months following the date of Shareholder approval $1.50 Six-month anniversary of Shareholder approval Debenture Maturity Date $1.75 provided that in the event that more than 50% of the principal amount of the Debentures is converted when the Conversion Price is set at $1.25, the Conversion Price shall remain at $1.25 for the remaining principal amount of the Debentures until the maturity date of the Debentures; and provided further that in the event that more than 50% of the principal amount of the Debentures is converted when the Conversion Price is set at $1.50, the Conversion Price shall remain at $1.50 for the remaining principal amount of the Debentures until the maturity date of the Debentures. The Debentures and the Warrants have already been amended to reflect the Repricing Amendments, which remain subject to approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX")and Shareholder approval at the Meeting. Shareholder Meeting and Voting Information Shareholders of record on April 14, 2025 will be eligible to vote at the Meeting. The Meeting will be held on May 30, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. (PDT) in the Summit Room, 7th Floor, 1700 Dickson Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 0L5. The Circular will include additional details regarding the Meeting and related voting procedures. About Avant Brands Inc. Avant is an innovative, market-leading premium cannabis company. Avant has multiple operational production facilities across Canada, which produce high-quality, handcrafted cannabis products based on unique and exceptional cultivars. Avant offers a comprehensive product portfolio catering to recreational, medical, and export markets. Avant's consumer brands, including BLK MKT, Tenzo, Cognoscente, flowr and Treehugger, are available in key recreational markets across Canada. Avant's products are distributed globally to Australia, Israel and Germany, with its flagship brand BLK MKT currently being sold in Israel. Additionally, Avant's medical cannabis brand, GreenTec, serves qualified patients nationwide through its GreenTec Medical portal and trusted medical cannabis partners. Avant is a publicly traded corporation listed on the TSX (TSX:AVNT) and accessible to international investors through the OTCQX Best Market (OTCQX:AVTBF) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA: 1BU0). Headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, Avant operates in strategic locations including British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. For more information about Avant, including access to investor presentations and details about its consumer brands, please visit www.avantbrands.ca. For further inquiries, please contact: Investor Relations at Avant Brands Inc. 1-800-351-6358 ir@avantbrands.ca CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding the Meeting; filing and mailing of the Circular; and the proposed Repricing Amendments. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: risk related to the ability to obtain additional financing; limited operating history; regulatory and licensing risks; changes in consumer demand and preferences; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; compliance with extensive government regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; and the risk factors set out in the Company's annual information form dated February 28, 2025, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: Avant Brands Inc. Supplement In Response to Company Learning that Carl Icahn and Affiliates Have Cash-Settled Equity Swaps for Approximately 90 Million of Its Common Shares Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX: BHC) (the "Company" or "Bausch Health") today announced that it has filed a supplement (the "Proxy Statement Supplement") to its proxy statement dated April 2, 2025 (the "Proxy Statement") in respect of the Company's upcoming annual general meeting of shareholders on May 13, 2025. The Company is updating the Proxy Statement to disclose, in addition to the 34,721,118 common shares reported as being beneficially owned (9.4%), Mr. Carl C. Icahn and his affiliates (collectively, "Icahn") had entered into cash-settled equity swap agreements covering 90,720,000 of the Company's common shares (24.6%), with a single maturity date of February 28, 2028. Taken together Icahn now has an economic interest covering approximately 34% of the Company's outstanding common shares. On March 12, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") adopted a resolution directing the Company's General Counsel to review the Icahn's position in equity swaps and certain bonds held by John Paulson, the Chairman of the Board. The General Counsel hired Sidley Austin, LLP ("Sidley"), as independent counsel, to conduct such review. Sidley presented its findings to the Board on April 9, 2025. As part of its review, Sidley sought information regarding Icahn's swap positions and requested copies of the swap agreements themselves. Icahn refused to provide the copies of the swap agreements, but Icahn informed Sidley that (i) their additional long economic exposure to 90.72 million Company shares through equity swaps was accumulated over more than one hundred trades, executed between May 26, 2021 and September 8, 2023; (ii) the agreements provide for early termination via cash settlement; (iii) the agreements do not confer voting or dispositive power over the referenced shares; and (iv) the agreements do not "allow for" physical settlement. Regarding Mr. Paulson's bond position, (i) Mr. Paulson purchased an aggregate of $50 million Bausch Health bonds prior to rejoining the Board of Bausch Health; (ii) he purchased the bonds in the open market; and (iii) he obtained pre-approval for the bond purchase from the General Counsel of Bausch + Lomb, where he was a Board member. Based on the available facts and the review conducted by Sidley, the Company determined that Mr. Paulson's bond purchase was not required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K as a related party transaction. Nevertheless, Mr. Paulson has requested that the Company update the Proxy Statement to reflect his bond position and informed the Company that he intends to dispose of his debt securities when the Company's trading window is open in order to eliminate even the appearance of a conflict of interest and to demonstrate that his interests have always been fully aligned with those of all the Company's shareholders. Finally, as previously announced on April 14, 2025, the Company adopted a shareholder rights plan agreement (the "SRP"). The SRP is intended to prevent a person or group from acquiring beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Company's outstanding common shares (including by way of a "creeping" take-over bid) without complying with the permitted exemptions under the plan. The SRP protects against such "creeping" take-over bids that may serve to benefit certain shareholders to the detriment of others. The SRP provides the Board with an opportunity to identify, solicit, develop and negotiate value-enhancing alternatives that benefit all shareholders. Bausch Health is confident that the SRP is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Except as expressly provided in the Proxy Statement Supplement, the Proxy Statement remains unchanged from the version that was previously filed on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. The Proxy Statement Supplement is 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 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, 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 SEC 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. Regulatory News: CTP N.V. ('CTP' or the 'Company'), Europe's largest listed owner, developer and manager of logistics and industrial real estate by gross lettable area, today announces the voting results of the resolutions submitted to the Annual General Meeting of CTP N.V. ('AGM'), held on 22 April 2025. At 25 March 2025, the record date for the AGM, the total number of issued ordinary CTP N.V. shares was 473,285,561 ordinary shares of which 6,562 are held by CTP as treasury shares. As a result, the total number of voting rights amounted to 473,278,999. There were 442,863,290 ordinary shares represented at the AGM, representing 93.57% of the outstanding ordinary shares at the record date. All resolutions proposed at the AGM have been adopted. The agenda items and the voting results are listed at the end of this press release. Percentages have been rounded. During the AGM the Chair of the Board of Directors, Ms. Barbara Knoflach, announced that she will step down by the end of the year. Ms. Barbara Knoflach has chaired the Board of Directors with great dedication since the IPO in 2021, in this period the Company transformed from a fully private company to the listed industry-leader it is today. Remon Vos on behalf of the Board of Directors thanks Ms. Barbara Knoflach for her contributions and strong involvement over the past years. The search for a replacement has been started. The AGM approved a final dividend of 0.30 per ordinary share for the financial year 2024. The total 2024 dividend amounts to 0.59 per ordinary share, which equates a Company specific adjusted EPRA EPS pay-out of 74%. The final dividend will be paid either in cash or in shares, at the election of the shareholder. Shareholders are requested to make their election known through their custodian, bank, or stockbroker, who will communicate the preferred election to the Company's Paying Agent, ING Bank N.V. If no choice is made during the election period, the dividend will be paid by way of a scrip dividend, i.e. in shares. The dividend in shares is exempt from Dutch dividend withholding tax and the dividend in cash will be paid after the deduction of 15% Dutch dividend withholding tax (if applicable). The stock fraction for the shares dividend will be based on the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of the Company's shares on Euronext Amsterdam of the last three trading days of the election period, ending on 9 May 2025. Rights to fractions of shares will be paid in cash. The Company will announce the conversion ratio for the final dividend on 12 May 2025 and the dividend will be paid out on 15 May 2025. A timetable of key events is provided below: 24 April 2025 Ex-dividend before opening of business 25 April 2025 Record date dividend at close of business 28 April 2025 Start election period stock or cash dividend 9 May 2025 including End election period 15 May 2025 Payment date dividend (cash and new shares) Resolution For Against Abstention Total shares cast1 Vote Vote Vote 2(b). Remuneration report (advisory vote) 437,941,934 98.91% 4,847,758 1.09% 73,598 442,863,290 93.57% 2(d). Adoption of the 2024 annual accounts of the Company 442,601,836 99.95% 215,201 0.05% 46,253 442,863,290 93.57% 2(e). Adoption of the final dividend over the financial year 2024 442,646,691 99.95% 215,201 0.05% 1,398 442,863,290 93.57% 3(a). Discharge of the Company's executive directors from liability for their duties in the financial year 2024 441,896,886 99.79% 920,151 0.21% 46,253 442,863,290 93.57% 3(b). Discharge of the Company's non-executive directors from liability for their duties in the financial year 2024 441,896,886 99.79% 920,151 0.21% 46,253 442,863,290 93.57% 4. Re-appointment of Mr. Richard Wilkinson as executive director of the Company 442,374,631 99.89% 481,261 0.11% 7,398 442,863,290 93.57% 5(a). Amendment of the base salary of an executive director of the Company 442,855,738 100% 0 0% 7,552 442,863,290 93.57% 5(b). Amendment of compensation of the Senior Independent Director 435,222,086 98.28% 7,633,652 1.72% 7,552 442,863,290 93.57% 6(a). Appointment external auditor to audit the Company's financial statements (i) Re-appointment KPMG for the financial year 2025 442,855,892 100% 0 0% 7,398 442,863,290 93.57% 6(a). Appointment external auditor to audit the Company's financial statements (ii) Appointment PwC for the financial year 2026, 2027 and 2028 442,855,892 100% 0 0% 7,398 442,863,290 93.57% 6(b). Appointment external auditor to carry out the assurance of the Company's sustainability reporting (i) Appointment KPMG for the financial year 2025 442,855,892 100% 0 0% 7,398 442,863,290 93.57% 6(b). Appointment external auditor to carry out the assurance of the Company's sustainability reporting (ii) Appointment PwC for the financial year 2026, 2027 and 2028 442,855,892 100% 0 0% 7,398 442,863,290 93.57% 7(a). Issue shares 394,934,212 89.18% 47,921,680 10.82% 7,398 442,863,290 93.57% 7(b). Restrict or exclude pre-emptive rights 373,558,913 84.35% 69,296,979 15.65% 7,398 442,863,290 93.57% 7(c). Issue shares or grant rights to subscribe for shares pursuant to an interim scrip dividend 442,726,984 99.97% 128,908 0.03% 7,398 442,863,290 93.57% 7(d). Restrict or exclude pre-emptive rights in relation to an interim scrip dividend 442,635,260 99.95% 220,632 0.05% 7,398 442,863,290 93.57% 7(e). Acquire shares in the share capital of the Company 442,596,444 99.97% 134,320 0.03% 132,526 442,863,290 93.57% 1 Including abstentions About CTP CTP is Europe's largest listed owner, developer, and manager of logistics and industrial real estate by gross lettable area, owning 13.3 million sqm of GLA across 10 countries as at 31 December 2024. CTP certifies all new buildings to BREEAM Very good or better and earned a negligible-risk ESG rating by Sustainalytics, underlining its commitment to being a sustainable business. For more information, visit CTP's corporate website: www.ctp.eu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422560523/en/ Contacts: CONTACT DETAILS FOR ANALYST AND INVESTOR ENQUIRIES: CTP Maarten Otte, Head of Investor Relations Email: maarten.otte@ctp.eu IR TEAM Email: investor.relations@ctp.eu CONTACT DETAILS FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Patryk Statkiewicz Group Head of Marketing PR Mobile: +31 (0) 629 596 119 Email: patryk.statkiewicz@ctp.eu Auto industry associations warn against false ads for assisted driving 14:11, April 22, 2025 By Zhang Weilan ( Global Times The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and the China Society of Automotive Engineers on Monday jointly released an initiative on the standardization of the promotion and application of assisted driving technology, calling for eliminating false advertising and excessive marketing. The initiative said that automakers are required to avoid the use of ambiguous or misleading expressions, ensure that function names are scientifically rigorous and prevent the risk of misuse or abuse by drivers. Any inaccurate information that has been published should be promptly clarified and rectified, and enterprises should proactively assume their primary responsibilities and social responsibilities, according to the document. The move comes as China witnesses the fast development of intelligent connected vehicles, and the combined assisted driving (Level 2 driving automation) system has entered a critical period of large-scale application. The new initiative stems from growing concerns over vehicle safety after some incidents of fatal crashes involving advanced driver-assistance systems. Last month, a fatal highway accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle sparked debate on Chinese social media regarding the safety of smart driving. To promote the safe application of autonomous driving technologies, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology held a meeting on April 16 regarding the management of access to intelligent connected vehicle products and online software upgrades. The meeting emphasized that automakers must fully conduct combined driving assistance test verification, clarify system function boundaries and safety response measures, avoid exaggerated and false advertising, strictly fulfill the obligation of informing drivers, and effectively take responsibility for production consistency and quality safety, thereby enhancing the safety level of intelligent connected vehicles. To ensure that users clearly understand the fundamental differences between driving assistance and autonomous driving and strengthen the safe operation of smart vehicles, automakers should inform drivers of their responsibilities, provide basic system information, offer correct usage methods and explain emergency response procedures, according to the initiative released on Monday. The initiative also requires carmakers to conduct thorough research and development, testing and production management to continuously ensure the quality and safety of intelligent connected vehicles. As the industry continues to evolve, such measures are expected to foster a more sustainable and well-regulated environment for the development of intelligent connected vehicles, Wu Shuocheng, a veteran automobile industry analyst, told the Global Times on Monday. Wu noted that the move will encourage automakers to focus more on the development of autonomous driving technologies, curb over-hyped marketing practices and foster a more sustainable and well-regulated industry environment. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) SHANGHAI, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As preparations for the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) accelerate, the CIIE Bureau has launched a global promotional campaign. Two delegation teams have been dispatched to Europe to engage key stakeholders and increase participation. The first delegation visited Germany from March 30 to April 3, while the second traveled to Finland, Belgium, and Norway from April 22 to April 30. During the visit to Germany, the delegation attended Hannover Messe 2025, where they engaged in high-level discussions with key entities such as Baden-Wurttemberg International, Saarland Economic Promotion Corporation, Festo, PHOENIX, SEW EURODRIVE, Schaeffler, and Deutsche Messe AG, exploring collaboration opportunities. Germany, a long-standing CIIE participant, occupied over 26,000 square meters exhibition space at the 7th CIIE. Industry giants including Bayer, SCHOTT, Zeiss and Merck left their imprints at the 7th CIIE, which unveiled their novel products and cutting-edge technologies, placing a pronounced focus on innovation and the pursuit of industrial upgrading. Finland and Belgium, both significant trade partners of China, have been consistently active in the CIIE. Since making its debut at the CIIE, Finland has continuously ramped up its engagement. At the 7th CIIE, Finland showcased its fourth national pavilion, featuring 18 companies in the Finnish national pavilion focusing on areas such as sustainable mining, bio- based solutions, and food exports. Belgium has also participated in the CIIE for seven years, leveraging this unparalleled platform to introduce a wide variety of products to the massive Chinese market. By September 2024, Norwegian seafood exports to China had surpassed 126,000 tons, marking a 16% year-on-year growth. Marking 70 years of diplomatic relations with China, Norway established its national pavilion for the first time at the 7th CIIE. With support from the Innovation Norway, 12 outstanding Norwegian companies and the Norwegian Seafood Council showcased their diverse products at the 7th CIIE, such as maritime and energy, health and nutrition, seafood and consumer goods, etc., highlighting the strengthening ties between the two nations. On 18 April, the 200-day countdown to the 8th CIIE officially began, signaling the growing anticipation surrounding this important global event. Considering the numerous opportunities presented by the CIIE, visit the official website for more information and be sure to secure your spot at the 8th CIIE: https://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/?from=prnewswire Contact: Ms. Cui Yan Tel.: 0086-21-968888 Email: exhibition@ciie.org Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669906/image.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/200-day-countdown-global-promotion-for-8th-ciie-underway-302434418.html Investment fuels development of Reco's AI-native dynamic SaaS security solution, and scaling go-to-market amid surging market demand Reco , a leader in Dynamic SaaS Security, today announced $25 million in additional funding from Insight Partners , Zeev Ventures , boldstart ventures , Angular Ventures , and funding from new investor Redseed following 5x growth in 2024. This latest round brings Reco's total funding to $55 million. The company intends to leverage the new funding towards scaling its AI-native SaaS security platform, while accelerating channel partnerships and capitalizing on its ongoing market momentum. Reco co-founders. Credit - Elegant Photographics From left to right: Ofer Klein, CEO; Gal Nakash, CPO; Tal Shapira, CTO The SaaS security landscape has undergone a major shift, with organizations realizing that legacy security solutions can no longer keep pace with modern business needs. Enterprises now run an average of 1,061 SaaS applications - a 26% increase over the past two years. At the same time, 80% of employees admit to using unauthorized SaaS and AI apps, commonly known as 'shadow tools,' which contribute to 35% of data breaches. The financial toll is often substantial, with the average cost of a data breach reaching a staggering $4.88 million in 2024,according to IBM. The investment comes amid Reco's rapid growth, with the company achieving a fivefold increase in ARR over the past year and a threefold rise in customer numbers. Reco has experienced huge market adoption and has a NPS of 82 across all of their customers. As the company continues to scale, Reco is expanding its capabilities - adding new integrations weekly and earning the trust of leading enterprises in various industries including high-regulated financial services, insurance, healthcare, pharma, and tech. With its workforce doubling across multiple regions, Reco recently appointed Bob Horn as its new CRO. Bringing over two decades of sales leadership experience in cybersecurity startups, Horn will lead the company's global sales strategy as it accelerates its trajectory of hypergrowth. "The adoption of AI apps and agents has made SaaS security more complex and dynamic than ever. Combine this with the proliferation of SaaS apps including shadow apps, and we're seeing a growing gap between the reality of the ecosystem and what legacy SSPM tools can provide. Businesses need security solutions to be proactive vs. just reactive - simplifying security without slowing down the business," said Ofer Klein, co-founder and CEO of Reco. "The strong interest in this oversubscribed round reflects the confidence of our customers, strategic partners, and new investors who share our vision. We are enabling enterprises to contain SaaS sprawl, and this demand-driven growth is proof of how Dynamic SaaS Security is the future." Reco addresses these critical challenges with a comprehensive application discovery engine capable of identifying and classifying over 50,000 applications, providing visibility into an organization's SaaS ecosystem. Its proprietary SaaS App Factory currently secures over 175 applications and integrates new apps within 3-5 days - far faster than the months-long timelines of legacy providers. Operating at 10x the speed of competitors with 80% less implementation and maintenance effort, Reco delivers continuous security and compliance, even as new apps and AI agents are introduced or updated - offering businesses the protection they need at the pace they require. "We've witnessed firsthand how Reco transforms SaaS security from a constant struggle to a strategic advantage," said Mihau Faur, CIO, UiPath. "Their technology reduces our team's workload significantly while providing substantially better visibility and protection across our rapidly evolving SaaS environment." With this funding round, Reco will continue expanding the AI-driven SaaS App Factory on top of over 175 apps supported today to maintain industry-leading integration speeds while also introducing Reco AI Agents for alerts and identities - becoming the industry's first to offer agents designed to help security teams streamline operations and deliver actionable insights from SaaS. Leveraging secure AI-driven analytics, automation, and contextual intelligence, the agents prioritize alerts, identify threats, and reduce workloads - all while maintaining strict data privacy. "Reco has identified a critical security gap that legacy vendors typically cannot address," said Praveen Akkiraju, Managing Director, Insight Partners. "Reco is transforming SaaS security - delivering seamless execution that scales with enterprise needs and is fueled by deep customer trust. Their innovative approach to Dynamic SaaS Security and exceptional team position them to lead this rapidly expanding market. We're excited to partner with the Reco team as they accelerate their growth and go big on the market." Reco will be exhibiting at the RSAC Conference 2025 at booth #1361. About Reco Reco is a leader in Dynamic SaaS Security, eliminating the SaaS Security Gap caused by SaaS Sprawl - the proliferation of apps, AI, identities, data, and configuration challenges. Reco continuously discovers all SaaS apps, AI agents, and shadow AI tools, and their associated identities, securing configurations, minimizing access risks, and detecting hidden threats. Using advanced analytics on user behavior and interactions, Reco identifies misconfigurations, over-permission users, and compromised accounts. Reco secures over 175 SaaS apps, and adds new app support in days, not quarters. Learn more and book a demo at www.reco.ai . SOURCE: Reco Texas and Florida Companies and Leaders to Be Recognized for Excellence and Trust Merco, a global leader in corporate reputation evaluation, is bringing its influential ranking methodology to Texas and Florida. With 25 years of experience and a presence in more than 19 countries, Merco aims to recognize the most reputable companies and business leaders in the U.S. market. The methodology involves a multistakeholder evaluation, which is audited by KPMG, and participation in the ranking is entirely free of charge, ensuring the rankings' independence. Leading this expansion is Vana Cristina Koutsomitis, an entrepreneur and wealth management expert. "It's an honor to be part of an organization that lives its values," says Koutsomitis. "Merco's commitment to their methodology, independence, transparency, and rigor is what sets it apart and what made me believe in the project." Merco CEO Jose Maria San Segundo adds, "For more than two decades, we have worked to establish a leading corporate reputation monitor. Now we are taking this major step to add value to one of the most dynamic and influential markets in the world. It is an exciting challenge-one we embrace with enthusiasm, commitment, and the firm intention to continue driving business excellence through our rigorous methodology." By establishing a presence in Texas and Florida-two states known for their economic growth and entrepreneurial spirit, with $2.7 and $1.6 trillion GDP, respectively-Merco aims to empower local companies with strategic insights into how key stakeholders perceive them. The ranking will recognize high-performing businesses and leaders and also provide data for enhancing reputation in a competitive environment. Merco Methodology Merco's ranking in the U.S. will be built on a five-phase, multi-stakeholder methodology that combines expert insight, public opinion, and 200 objective data points, being the only reputation evaluation in the world with 18 information sources. The process begins with a survey of business leaders to identify the top companies and leaders. These are then evaluated by a diverse group of stakeholders-including financial analysts, journalists and academics. Digital presence and public perception are also assessed, and each company's reputation is verified using trusted indicators renowned from institutions. Merco brings a proven global standard to evaluating corporate reputation, aiming to foster greater trust and excellence in Texas and Florida across multiple sectors, including banking, manufacturing/industrial, consulting, tourism, consumer goods, energy, technology and education. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422128891/en/ Contacts: Aishlin Harrison aishlin.harrison@merco.info First 100 participants enrolled across Europe and US in largest trial ever performed on glioblastoma patients using ultrasound-based blood-brain barrier opening Carthera, developer of the revolutionary SonoCloud medical device, today announces it has enrolled the first 100 patients in its SONOBIRD pivotal trial for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. A spin-off of Sorbonne University founded by noted neurosurgeon Prof. Alexandre Carpentier, Carthera reaches this milestone as it prepares to conduct the largest clinical trial ever using ultrasound for the temporary opening of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422399922/en/ Carthera, developer of the revolutionary SonoCloud medical device, today announces it has enrolled the first 100 patients in its SONOBIRD pivotal trial for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. Nearly all 40 participating sites across Europe and the U.S. are now active. Carthera anticipates that recruitment will continue swiftly to reach the 560 patients planned for the study. The trial (NCT05902169) is the world's first randomized, multicentric, two-arm pivotal trial of BBB opening prior to chemotherapy injection in recurrent glioblastoma patients. Notably, the trial makes use of the SonoCloud, an innovative ultrasound-based medical device developed by Carthera to treat a wide range of brain disorders. Specifically, the trial compares the use of SonoCloud combined with carboplatin versus standard therapies in patients with a first recurrence of glioblastoma. "It has been a privilege to offer this trial to patients with recurrent glioblastoma. The underlying concept is highly promising, device implantation has proceeded smoothly and patients have shown strong interest in participating," said Dr. Brian Gill, assistant professor of neurosurgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York. "We desperately need new treatments for patients with recurrent glioblastoma. SonoCloud has the potential to transform our ability to deliver a high dose of therapeutics to the brain," said Dr. Marjolein Geurts, neuro-oncologist at Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. To date, more than 550 SonoCloud treatments have been performed worldwide, confirming Carthera's position as a leader in the field of ultrasound-based BBB opening, as well as the growing interest in SonoCloud as a potentially viable new treatment option for patients with recurrent glioblastoma. "Our progress in recruiting patients reflects the engagement and strong support from our clinical sites, and from the neuro-oncology and surgery community, in advancing innovative therapies," said Carole Desseaux, chief clinical officer at Carthera. "We are very grateful for the commitment and enthusiasm of the patients and clinicians who are taking part in this trial." "Achieving this milestone is an important step in introducing our SonoCloud device to the large patient population urgently in need of solutions to improve treatment outcomes," said Frederic Sottilini, CEO of Carthera. "With its breakthrough device and orphan drug designations, Carthera remains committed to transforming glioblastoma treatment and to acquiring market access for its groundbreaking technology." Initiated in February 2024, the registrational study aims to enroll a total of 560 US and EU patients within two years, with a view to obtaining marketing authorization.Thefirst interim analysis of the clinical data will be available soon. About the SONOBIRD trial The open-label, comparative, randomized, multicenter, two-arm clinical trial with a 1:1 ratio aims to evaluate overall survival in patients undergoing carboplatin chemotherapy and treated with the SonoCloud system to open the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). This is compared to the medical consensus recommended regimens (lomustine or temozolomide). The trial also evaluates the effectiveness of the SonoCloud and carboplatin treatment in delaying or slowing tumor growth. The SONOBIRD trial follows on from the SC9-GBM-01 trial, which demonstrated the feasibility and the safety profile of SonoCloud, as well as the potential of carboplatin tested as a monotherapy in combination with BBB opening. About SonoCloud SonoCloud is an innovative medical device developed by Carthera. It emits ultrasound to temporarily increase the permeability of the blood vessels in the brain to improve the delivery of therapeutic molecules. Invented by Prof. Alexandre Carpentier and developed in collaboration with the Laboratory of Therapeutic Applications of Ultrasound (Laboratoire Therapie et Applications Ultrasonores, LabTAU, INSERM) in Lyon, France, SonoCloud is an implant inserted into the skull and activated prior to injection of a therapeutic agent. Several minutes of low-intensity ultrasound opens the blood-brain barrier for six hours and increases the concentration of therapeutic molecules in the brain. This ultrasound-induced opening of the blood-brain barrier is a world-first. It offers a new treatment option for a wide range of indications, including brain tumors and Alzheimer's disease. SonoCloud is an investigational product, the device has not yet received EMA or FDA approval. About Carthera Carthera is a clinical-stage medtech company focused on developing innovative ultrasound-based medical devices to treat a wide range of brain disorders. The company is a spin-off from AP-HP Paris and Sorbonne University. Carthera leverages the inventions of Prof. Alexandre Carpentier, head neurosurgeon at AP-HP Sorbonne university, who has achieved worldwide recognition for his innovative developments in treating brain disorders. Carthera is developing SonoCloud, an intracranial implant that temporarily opens the blood-brain barrier. The device is currently in clinical trials in Europe and the United States. It received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2022, and FDA/EMA Orphan Drug Designation in 2023 for carboplatin when used with SonoCloud. Founded in 2010 by Prof. Alexandre Carpentier, run by CEO Frederic Sottilini and chaired by Oern Stuge, MD, Carthera has offices in France (Lyon and Paris) and a subsidiary in Boston, Massachusetts. Since its inception, the technical and clinical development of SonoCloud has received support from the National Research Agency (ANR), the French public investment bank (Bpifrance), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the European Innovation Council (EIC). Additional information is available at www.carthera.eu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422399922/en/ Contacts: MEDIA CONTACT Tyler Coleman tyler.coleman@wordsatwork.com BASEL (dpa-AFX) - Der Schweizer Pharmakonzern Roche will in den kommenden funf Jahren bis zu 50 Milliarden US-Dollar (43,4 Mrd Euro) in den Ausbau seines US-Geschafts stecken. Wie das Unternehmen am Dienstag in Basel mitteilte, soll das Geld in bereits existierende Standorte flieen, daneben sei aber auch der Aufbau neuer Entwicklungs- und Produktionsstatten geplant. "Die heute angekundigten Investitionen unterstreichen unser langjahriges Engagement fur Forschung, Entwicklung und Produktion in den USA", sagte Konzernchef Thomas Schinecker laut Mitteilung. Der Schritt folgt, nachdem US-Prasident Donald Trump wiederholt hohe Zolle auch auf Pharmaimporte angedroht hatte. Die Konkurrentin Novartis hatte bereits vor knapp zwei Wochen ebenfalls Milliarden-Investitionen in ihr US-Geschaft angekundigt. Durch Roches Investitionsplane sollen in den USA mehr als 12.000 neue Stellen entstehen - rund 1.000 bei dem Pharmakonzern selbst und mehr als 11.000 zur Unterstutzung der neuen US-Produktionskapazitaten. Aktuell beschaftigt der Konzern den eigenen Angaben zufolge an 24 US-Standorten bereits mehr als 25.000 Menschen. Nun soll unter anderem im Bundesstaat Pennsylvania eine hochmoderne Produktionsanlage fur Gentherapie hinzukommen. Zudem werde an einem noch zu benennenden Standort ein neues Produktionszentrum zur Unterstutzung des wachsenden Portfolios von Medikamenten zur Gewichtsreduktion der nachsten Generation entstehen. In Massachusetts ist ein neues KI-basiertes Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum fur Herz-Kreislauf-, Nieren- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten geplant. Sobald alle neuen und erweiterten Produktionskapazitaten in Betrieb genommen seien, werde Roche mehr Medikamente aus den USA exportieren als importieren, hie es weiter./hr/AWP/tav/mne/mis Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2025) - Glenstar Minerals Inc. (CSE: GSTR) (OTCQB: GSTRF) (FSE: VO2) ("Glenstar" or the "Company") announces that, further to its news release of February 10, 2025, whereby the Company stated it had been granted a permit to conduct a drill program on the Green Monster Project in southwestern Nevada, it has hired Midnight Sun Drilling Inc. ("MSD") to conduct drilling on the property to uncover the extent of the Nickel-Copper-Cobalt mineralization thus far discovered through various field exploration activities. MSD is a well-established drilling company in business for over 50 years, with offices in Canada's Yukon Territory, Alaska, and Nevada. They have been involved in multiple cost-effective drilling projects all over the world and were chosen by Glenstar due to their experience and specialized equipment that is most appropriate for the Green Monster property. The Company expects to finalize the extent of this initial drill program and its start date in the coming days and will report on this in a subsequent news release. Project Background & Recent Exploration Work The Green Monster Property is comprised of 35 federal lode claims covering ~700 acres located in Clark County, Nevada, on the west trending spur of the Spring Mountains and is approximately 40 miles southwest of Las Vegas. No drilling has ever been conducted on the property, but the Company's identification of robust nickel-copper with highly anomalous cobalt from sampling work done in 2022 indicates that several targets are ideal for shallow RC drilling. Glenstar acquired the Green Monster Property and conducted initial groundwork in 2022 that included reconnaissance geologic mapping, surface rock sampling, soil sampling, and a drone magnetic survey. Channel sampling across the exposed back of a raise off the main shaft returned 1.18 meters of 3.77% Cu (Copper), 3.06% Ni (Nickel), 0.21% Co (Cobalt) and 6.83% Zn (Zinc). About Glenstar Minerals Inc. Glenstar is a mineral exploration company with a focus on the exploration and discovery of polymetallic mineral deposits. The Green Monster Project shows mineralization that contains several important elements classified as critical, and essential in the manufacturing of sophisticated electronics and other vital energy technologies. The Company's mission is to leverage its knowledge and connections to explore, acquire, and develop critical mineral and energy metal properties in predominant jurisdictions in North America, and throughout the world. Glenstar's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol "GSTR", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "VO2", and on the Over the Counter market (OTCQB) in the United States under the symbol "GSTRF" Following its successful IPO, Glenstar has 24,082,379 shares issued and outstanding. Robert Marvin, P.Geo (ONT) is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 who has examined the property and directed all exploration activities on the property since initial staking in January 2022. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD David Ryan President & CEO Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This release may contain statements within the meaning of safe harbour provisions as defined under securities laws and regulations. We seek safe harbour. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249248 SOURCE: Glenstar Minerals Inc. Stay ahead of the curve! Tax1099, a leading IRS-authorized e-filing platform, reminds businesses to prepare and file Form 941 before the due date to ensure compliance and avoid costly IRS penalties. FAYETTEVILLE, AR and DALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / With the form 941 due date of April 30, 2025, fast approaching, Tax1099 encourages businesses to start preparing now to streamline their federal employment tax reporting. Form 941, the Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return, is critical for reporting withheld income taxes, Social Security, and Medicare taxes, and must be filed by the last day of the month following each quarter. Form 941 eFile through Tax1099 simplifies the process, offering speed, accuracy, and security. Whether you're managing a single return or multiple filings, Tax1099's intuitive platform makes compliance effortless for businesses of all sizes. Don't Forget Schedule B! 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With Tax1099, you can file your Form 941 now and keep your business in the clear. Get started at Tax1099.com ! About Zenwork Tax1099 Tax1099, an IRS-authorized e-filing service, simplifies tax compliance for over 750,000 businesses nationwide. Supporting 40+ federal and state-compliant forms, including Form 941, Tax1099 offers robust features like bulk filing, TIN matching, API integration, and 24/7 support. Learn more at www.tax1099.com . About Zenwork Inc. Zenwork Inc., the parent company of Tax1099, is a leader in digital tax compliance. With a decade of experience, Zenwork Inc. has assisted over 750,000 businesses and 70,000 CPA firms in simplifying compliance. Learn more about Zenwork and its products at www.zenwork.com , www.tax1099.com, and www.compliancely.com Contact: Ed Pratt Zenwork Inc. ed@zenwork.com SOURCE: ZENWORK INC Collaborative funding strategy aligns with sustainable development, job creation, and clean mining innovation Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2025) - ESGold Corp. (CSE: ESAU) (OTCQB: ESAUF) (FSE: Z7D) ("ESGold" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that the company is actively engaging with both the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada to explore funding support as it advances the Montauban Project toward near-term gold and silver production. ESGold is proud to reaffirm its commitment to responsible innovation and sustainable development as it advances construction of a 500-tonne pilot plant and a 1,000-tonne commercial facility in Montauban, Quebec. As part of its growth strategy, the company is actively engaging with both the Quebec and Canadian governments to explore non-dilutive funding support that aligns with shared goals of environmental stewardship, technological innovation, and regional economic development. "As ESGold transitions from developer to producer, our focus is on building lasting value not just for shareholders, but for the communities in which we operate," said Brad Kitchen, President of ESGold Corp. "By engaging in meaningful collaboration with government stakeholders, we aim to position Montauban as a model of clean resource development and economic revitalization." The company's operations are designed to generate meaningful impact, with a focus on creating 20 to 30 new direct jobs, prioritizing local contractors, and embedding sustainable practices at every stage of production. ESGold is also investing in high-performance equipment and the development of proprietary technology, positioning the company at the forefront of responsible resource extraction in Canada. Beyond production, ESGold's ongoing exploration activities across the Montauban land package are expected to create significant additional employment. For every drill rig deployed, the company anticipates multiple contract jobs being created, including roles for drill operators, geologists, and lab technicians. This exploration activity not only supports long-term resource expansion but also amplifies the project's economic contribution at both the local and regional levels. Key Highlights of the Grant Initiative: Government Collaboration: Active discussions with provincial and federal partners to support construction, equipment acquisition, and innovation. Job Creation: The Montauban operation targets the creation of 20 to 30 new direct jobs, with additional employment expected through contracted exploration activity - including drill rig operators, geologists, and lab technicians. Sustainable Impact: ESGold will prioritize local contractors, integrate clean technologies, and embed sustainable principles throughout the project lifecycle. Innovation Leadership: Investment into high-performance equipment and intellectual property development will support ESGold's ambition to lead in responsible resource extraction. These efforts align with Quebec's clean industry initiatives and Canada's broader goals for innovation-driven, sustainable economic growth. The Montauban Project is already fully permitted and under construction, with gold and silver production expected before year end. ESGold will continue to keep the market apprised as discussions with stakeholders' progress. About ESGold Corp. ESGold Corp. (CSE: ESAU) (OTCQB: ESAUF) (FSE: Z7D) is a fully permitted, pre-production resource company at the forefront of clean mining and exploration innovation. With proven expertise in Quebec, the Company is advancing its projects toward production and feasibility while delivering long-term value through sustainable resource recovery and exploration. ESGold's flagship Montauban property, located 80 kilometers west of Quebec City, serves as a model for responsible mining practices, combining near-term production with district-scale discovery potential. For more information, please contact ESGold Corp. at +1-888-370-1059 or visit esgold.com for additional resources, including a French version of this press release, past news releases, a 3D model of the Montauban processing plant, media interviews, and opinion-editorial pieces. Stay connected by following us on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and joining our Telegram channel. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements are based on assumptions and expectations that involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially. Forward-looking information includes statements regarding the expected use of proceeds, the development and construction timelines of the Montauban Project, future production, and anticipated project milestones. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking information contained in this release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider 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/249324 SOURCE: ESGold Corp. At Boehringer Ingelheim, every day is Earth Day because we're continuously working to reduce our environmental footprint while serving the patients that need us. Logistics play a key role in this effort. In 2024, we collaborated with our supplier, Kuehne+Nagel to use Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) made from used vegetable cooking oil, meeting high sustainability standards. Switching to SAF helps both our companies reduce the environmental impact of our logistics on the planet. This pilot project already achieved a reduction of approximately 8,000 tons of CO2 emissions in just one year. This initiative promotes "smarter logistics" and demonstrates the importance of collaboration in driving sustainability. Uwe Kramer, Boehringer's Head of Global Logistics Network & Performance Management agrees with this stating, "This is an example of how smart collaboration in logistics can drive progress towards a more sustainable future." Did You Know? Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22, raises awareness about long-term ecological sustainability. It marks the anniversary of the modern environmental movement's birth in 1970. In 2016, the United Nations chose Earth Day to sign the Paris Agreement, a significant climate accord. This year's theme, "OUR POWER, OUR PLANET," encourages global unity behind renewable energy and aims to triple clean electricity generation by 2030. Explore our other stories from 2024 in Imagine: our sustainability story hub, where we strive to make a positive impact not only for our environment but also for our people and animals. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Boehringer Ingelheim on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Boehringer Ingelheim Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/boehringer-ingelheim Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Boehringer Ingelheim BitradeX, a next-generation AI-powered digital asset trading platform, has announced the successful completion of its 12 million Series A funding round, led by Bain Capital. The capital will support BitradeX's global compliance expansion, the development of its AI Strategy Labs, and continued investment in its core technology stack. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422795346/en/ BitradeX Secures 12 Million Series A to Accelerate Global Expansion of AI-Powered Trading Infrastructure Founded in 2022, BitradeX is committed to redefining the digital asset trading experience through intelligent automation, rigorous compliance, and a user-first design. The platform is best known for its proprietary ARK Trading Model, an AI-native engine built on trillion-parameter architectures that integrates advanced techniques from DeepSeek and Qianfan for high-frequency crypto trading. The ARK model currently achieves over 90% short-term trend prediction accuracy and has delivered annualized returns of 120%-180% in live market conditions. By combining real-time on-chain activity, macro data, sentiment indicators, and market volatility, ARK executes trades with millisecond latency and dynamic risk calibration. In a major innovation, BitradeX introduced the industry's first AI-yield-powered Protection Pool, a dual-layer mechanism that autonomously absorbs losses and redistributes excess yields to ensure principal and fixed-income coverage. Unlike traditional insurance-based exchanges, BitradeX embeds capital protection directly into its reward model. The Protection Pool is publicly auditable and seeded with 100 BTC in reserve capital. On the compliance front, BitradeX holds both a UK FCA crypto license and a US MSB license, operating under institutional-grade custody frameworks, a five-tier risk control system, and a $20 million contingency reserve. These measures enable BitradeX to offer transparent, secure, and compliant services to retail and professional users alike. Looking ahead, the platform plans to launch AI Strategy Labs in key markets including London, Hong Kong, and Singapore within the next 6 months. These hubs will allow developers and institutions to access and customize the ARK model through open APIs under a "Strategy-as-a-Service" framework opening the door to fully modular and programmable crypto trading systems. BitradeX is positioning itself as the infrastructure layer for the next generation of AI-native finance, delivering predictable performance, automated execution, and built-in protection all on a globally compliant foundation. If you're interested in collaborating or communicating with Bitradex, please contact us at support@bitradex.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422795346/en/ Contacts: support@bitradex.com Exalate, a leading integration platform, has officially launched its Exalate for Freshdesk connector-bringing powerful, AI-assisted two-way synchronization to the Freshworks ecosystem. Freshdesk users can now sync support tickets across development, IT, and operations teams without ever leaving their tool of choice. This connector enables teams to automate ticket flows between Freshdesk and platforms like Jira, Azure DevOps, ServiceNow, Salesforce, GitHub, Zendesk, and more-customized to fit each team's exact needs. "Customer issues don't follow org charts," said Francis Martens, CEO of Exalate. "They cut across tools, teams, and even companies. We built this connector to reflect how real collaboration works: flexible, fast, and secure. Our AI helps you set things up faster. But control stays in your hands." The release addresses a longstanding pain point in customer service workflows: the lack of flexible integrations between support tools and the systems used by development, IT, or operations teams. In many organizations, moving information between tools is still a manual process-prone to error and context loss. Exalate solves this by treating integration as a shared conversation, not a one-way relay. Built for Complexity, Without the Complexity Exalate for Freshdesk allows teams to define what should be synchronized (comments, priorities, attachments, custom fields), when it should happen (via triggers), and how the sync behaves (via scripting). The system is decentralized, meaning each side of the connection controls its own rules, which is especially useful for cross-company collaboration or secure environments. AI suggestions assist with initial setup and ongoing maintenance, enabling teams to build and manage complex syncs more efficiently-reducing reliance on technical support and making it easier to scale integrations as business needs evolve. Filling a Gap in Freshdesk's Ecosystem While Freshdesk has native integrations and third-party connectors, many of them are limited to basic one-way data sharing or lack customization. Exalate's release positions itself at the intersection of flexibility and automation, appealing to teams with complex workflows or regulatory requirements. Use cases include: MSPs syncing Freshdesk tickets to client-side tools Internal IT teams routing requests to dev platforms like Jira Customer success teams tracking issue resolution across tools The release includes both freemium access for basic needs and enterprise-grade packages for advanced requirements. Implementation begins immediately through in-product purchasing, with AI guidance available throughout setup. About Exalate Exalate is a leading provider of integration solutions focused on enabling seamless collaboration across teams and organizations. Its unique decentralized architecture gives teams full control over their data exchanges while maintaining flexibility to adapt to various use cases. Learn more at www.exalate.com. CONTACT: Exalate pr@exalate.com SOURCE: Exalate Veterinary PoC hematology diagnostics enable rapid and accurate blood analysis in clinical and field settings, facilitating timely decision-making for animal health management. Veterinary PoC hematology diagnostics involve compact and automated analyzers capable of measuring key blood parameters such as red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin levels, and platelet count. Rise in prevalence of zoonotic diseases, rise in pet population, and increase in awareness of preventive animal healthcare are driving demand for PoC hematology devices. WILMINGTON, Del. , April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Veterinary PoC Hematology Diagnostics Market- Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2030", valued at $1.3 billion in 2024, is poised for significant growth. With projected CAGR of 9.3% from 2025 to 2030, the market is expected to reach $2.25 billion by the end of 2030. The veterinary PoC hematology diagnostics market is driven by rise in pet population, growing adoption of pet insurance, and growing live stock population. Request Sample of the Report on Global Veterinary Poc Hematology Diagnostics Market 2030 - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A325653 Market Introduction Veterinary point-of-care (PoC) hematology diagnostics provide rapid and accurate blood analysis for animals, enabling veterinarians to diagnose conditions such as anemia, infections, and immune disorders at the site of care. These diagnostics typically include portable analyzers that perform complete blood counts (CBCs) and differential leukocyte counts, offering real-time insights for immediate clinical decisions. The market for veterinary PoC hematology diagnostics is driven by rise in pet population, increase in awareness of animal health, and rise in demand for rapid diagnostic solutions in veterinary clinics. In addition, technological advancements, such as improved microfluidic technology and AI-driven analysis, enhance the accuracy and efficiency of these diagnostic tools. Report Overview: The veterinary PoC hematology diagnostics market is segmented on the basis of product type, application, animal type, end user, and region. On the basis of product type, the market is divided into instruments and consumables. The instruments segment is further divided into hematology analyzers, blood gas and electrolyte analyzers, coagulation analyzers, and others. On the basis of application, the market is divided into blood disorders, metabolic disorders, and other conditions. On the basis of animal type, the market is divided into livestock animals, companion animals, and others. The livestock animals segment is further classified into cattle, swine, poultry, and others. The companion animals segment is further divided into dogs, horse, cats, and others. On the basis of end user, the market is segregated into veterinary clinics, veterinary hospitals, research laboratories, and others. On the basis of region, the market is analyzed across North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, Australia, India, South Korea, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and rest of LAMEA). By product type, the consumables segment was the highest contributor to the market in 2024. However, the instruments segment is expected to register highest CAGR in forecast period. By application, the blood disorders segment was the highest contributor to the market in 2024. However, metabolic disorders segment is expected to register highest CAGR in forecast period. By animal type, the livestock animals segment was the highest contributor to the market in 2024. However, the companion animals segment is expected to register highest CAGR in forecast period. By end user, the veterinary clinics segment dominated the market in 2024, However, the veterinary hospitals segment is expected to register highest CAGR in forecast period. By region, North America garnered the largest revenue share in 2024. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2025-2030 Base Year 2024 Market Size in 2023 $1.32 Billion CAGR 9.3 % No. of Pages in Report 473 Segments Covered Product Type, Application, Animal Type, End User, and Region Target Region / Countries North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, Australia, India, South Korea, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and rest of LAMEA). Drivers Rise in Pet Ownership Increase in Zoonotic Diseases Increase in Demand for Rapid and On-Site Testing Rise in Livestock Farming and Animal Husbandry Opportunities Rise in Adoption of Pet Insurance Technological Advancements Restraint High Cost of PoC Hematology Analyzers Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A325653 Market Growth & Opportunities Factors: The veterinary PoC hematology diagnostics market is experiencing significant growth due to increase in adoption of companion animals and rise in awareness about their health and well-being. According to a 2022 article by European Pet Food Industry, around 46% of European household owns companion animals. Pet ownership has surged globally, with many individuals considering pets as family members, leading to increased spending on veterinary care. In addition, demand for livestock health monitoring has intensified due to rise in consumption of animal-derived products and the need to maintain herd productivity. This has resulted in a higher emphasis on early disease detection and routine blood analysis, driving the adoption of point-of-care hematology diagnostics. The growing prevalence of zoonotic diseases has also played a crucial role in market expansion. With infectious diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis, and avian influenza posing significant threats to both animals and humans, veterinarians require rapid and reliable diagnostic tools to facilitate timely intervention. Point-of-care hematology analyzers provide immediate results, allowing for prompt decision-making and treatment initiation, thereby improving clinical outcomes. Furthermore, advancements in diagnostic technology have led to the development of portable, automated, and user-friendly hematology analyzers that enhance efficiency and accuracy in veterinary settings. Major Challenges in Industry & Solutions: The major restraints in the Veterinary PoC hematology diagnostics market are high cost of advanced diagnostic devices, limited awareness in developing regions, and challenges related to accuracy and standardization. Many veterinary PoC hematology analyzers are expensive, making them less accessible for small and mid-sized veterinary clinics, particularly in low-income regions. The initial investment, along with maintenance and calibration costs, poses a financial challenge for veterinarians, limiting widespread adoption. In addition, limited awareness and inadequate veterinary healthcare infrastructure in developing countries restricts the market growth. Many veterinary practitioners in rural areas still rely on conventional diagnostic methods due to lack of access to modern PoC hematology analyzers. For Purchase Related Queries/Inquiry - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A325653 Regional Insights In North America, the growth of the veterinary PoC hematology diagnostics market is primarily driven by rise in pet adoption rate, increase in expenditure on pet healthcare, and presence of well-established veterinary diagnostics companies. The growing awareness of preventive animal healthcare among pet owners and livestock farmers further supports market expansion. Additionally, advancements in diagnostic technologies, such as portable analyzers and AI-powered diagnostic tools, enhance the accuracy and efficiency of hematology tests at the point of care. Favorable reimbursement policies and government initiatives promoting animal health further contribute to the market growth. In Europe, stringent animal health regulations, increasing demand for livestock disease management, and the presence of advanced veterinary healthcare infrastructure are key drivers of the veterinary PoC hematology diagnostics market. The rising pet population, coupled with increasing veterinary expenditure, fuels the demand for rapid and accurate diagnostic solutions. Moreover, growing concerns regarding zoonotic diseases have led to higher adoption of point-of-care diagnostic tools in veterinary practices. Supportive government policies and funding for research in veterinary diagnostics also play a crucial role in market expansion. In Asia Pacific, rapid urbanization, rise in disposable income, and increase in pet ownership are significant factors boosting the market for veterinary PoC hematology diagnostics. The growing livestock industry and the need for efficient disease management drive demand for portable and easy-to-use diagnostic tools. Additionally, increasing awareness about animal health, particularly in emerging economies such as China and India, encourages the adoption of PoC diagnostics in veterinary clinics and farms. The presence of local players investing in cost-effective diagnostic solutions further accelerates market growth in the region. Key Players: Product launches and agreement are the most prominent activities among the companies in the veterinary PoC hematology diagnostics market. Companies such as Volition, and Zoetis Services LLC have been actively introducing new testing products and expanding their product offerings. For instance, in November 2023, Volition announced that it has joined forces with Veterinary Pathology Group (VPG) to launch the Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test to veterinary practicesin the UK and Ireland. The major players in the at home gene testing industry include Volition, Virbac, Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, Siemens AG, Zhejiang Pushkang Biotechnology Co., LtD., Chengdu Seamaty Technology Co., Ltd, Antech Diagnostics, Inc, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc, Zoetis Services LLC, and Bionote USA Inc. Get Customized Reports with your Requirements - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/A325653 Key Strategies Adopted by Competitors In April 2024, Volition announced that its Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test is now available in clinics to veterinarians across the U.S and Europe through Antech, a leading veterinary diagnostics company. In March 2024, Volition announced supply agreement with Fujifilm Vet Systems Co. Ltd., a leading veterinary diagnostic laboratory service, to launch the Nu. Vet Cancer Test to veterinarians in Japan. In December 2024, Zoetis Services LLC announced the launch of its new screenless point-of-care hematology analyzer, Vetscan OptiCell. It is the first cartridge-based, artificial intelligence (AI) powered diagnostic tool for veterinary hematology, providing complete blood count (CBC) analysis for accurate insights in minutes. Explore More Healthcare Reports 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 end-to-end solutions along with information, education, advocacy, and networking resources to SMEs and early-stage start-ups to bring excellence to their processes. In addition, we offer a nurturing environment required to develop and grow businesses, including business planning; virtual support; market intelligence; acquiring resources; and getting direct access to finance, suppliers, and other experts to boost the growth of businesses and entrepreneurs. Our bundled and hassle-free business support systems are customized to meet the needs of SME consultants and industry leaders. Moreover, our large network of skilled consultants and experts help start-ups get the business on a roll. Contact David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on: LinkedIn Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/veterinary-poc-hematology-diagnostics-market-to-reach-1-7-bn-by-2027-in-the-short-run-and-2-3-bn-by-2030-globally-at-9-3-cagr-allied-market-research-302434394.html The rise in demand for air ambulances and EMS helicopters, expansion of offshore oil and gas operations fueling the need for heavy-lift helicopters, and growth in urban air mobility (UAM) and corporate travel boosting VIP helicopter sales drive the global commercial helicopter market growth. WILMINGTON, Del., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Commercial Helicopter Market by Size (Light Helicopters, Medium Helicopters, and Heavy Helicopters), Type (Piston Helicopters and Turbine Helicopters), Engine Configuration (Twin Engines and Single Engines), and Application (Oil and Gas, Transport, Medical Services, Law Enforcement and Public Safety, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the global commercial helicopter market size was valued at $6.2 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach $9.7 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2024 to 2033. Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A09723 Prime determinants of growth The increasing demand for air ambulances and emergency medical services (EMS) helicopters is a significant driver of the commercial helicopter market. However, high operating and maintenance costs, stringent aviation regulations, and safety concerns are expected to hamper market growth during the forecast period. Moreover, advancements in hybrid-electric propulsion and autonomous helicopters, along with increase in investments in aerial firefighting and disaster response helicopters, are expected to offer lucrative opportunities for the market in the future. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $6.2 billion Market Size in 2033 $9.7 billion CAGR 4.8 % No. of Pages in Report 348 Segments Covered Size, Type, Engine Configuration, Application, and Region Drivers Rise in demand for air ambulances and EMS helicopters Expansion of offshore oil and gas operations driving demand for heavy-lift helicopters Growth in urban air mobility (UAM) and corporate travel boosting VIP helicopter sales Opportunities Advancements in hybrid-electric propulsion and autonomous helicopters Increase in investments in aerial firefighting and disaster response helicopters Restraints High operating and maintenance costs Stringent aviation regulations and safety concerns Buy This Research Report (348 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/72ce2dc0238a767432a02095921096a8 The light helicopters segment held the highest market share in 2023. By size, the light helicopters segment held the highest market share in 2023, due to their affordability, versatility, and ability to operate in various environments. These helicopters are widely used for private aviation, flight training, tourism, and law enforcement. The medium helicopters segment is expected to portray the highest CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period, due to their ability to perform a wide range of commercial and parapublic operations, including offshore oil and gas transport, emergency medical services (EMS), and corporate travel. The turbine helicopters held the highest market share in 2023. By type, the turbine helicopters segment accounted for a dominant market share in 2023, and the same segment is expected to portray the highest CAGR of 5% during the forecast period. This is due to their higher power output, improved reliability, and ability to operate in extreme conditions. These helicopters are extensively used in offshore transport, search and rescue (SAR), emergency medical services (EMS), and corporate travel. One of the major market trends is the increasing adoption of twin-engine turbine helicopters, which offer greater safety and range, making them preferred for long-distance operations. The single engine segment held the highest market share in 2023. By engine configuration, the turbine helicopters segment accounted for the largest market share and is anticipated to maintain its dominance till 2033. These helicopters are preferred for short-distance travel, aerial surveys, and flight training due to their lower purchase and operational costs compared to twin-engine models. However, the twin-engines segment is expected to portray the highest CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period due to enhanced safety, reliability, and ability to operate in challenging conditions. Many commercial and government operations require twin-engine helicopters because they provide backup engine redundancy, ensuring safer operations over open water, mountainous terrain, and densely populated areas. The oil and gas segment held the highest market share in 2023. By application, the oil and gas segment accounted for the largest market share and is anticipated to maintain its dominance till 2033, with a strong demand for medium and heavy-lift helicopters to transport personnel and equipment to offshore platforms. As oil companies expand deepwater drilling operations, the need for long-range, high-capacity helicopters such as the Sikorsky S-92, Airbus H225, H145, and Leonardo AW189 is increasing. However, the medical services segment is expected to portray the highest CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period as healthcare infrastructure improves worldwide, more countries are investing in air ambulance services to provide rapid medical evacuation in critical situations. North America held the highest market share in 2023. By region, North America accounted for the largest market share and is anticipated to maintain its dominance till 2033, owing to strong demand for emergency medical services (EMS), offshore oil and gas transport, corporate travel, and law enforcement applications. The region has a well-established helicopter infrastructure, with extensive networks of heliports, leasing companies, and operators providing diverse services. The U.S. and Canada collectively account for much of the helicopter fleet in the region, while Mexico is experiencing steady growth in offshore and private helicopter operations. However, the Asia-Pacific is expected to portray the highest CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period, driven by a rise in air travel demand, fleet modernization, and expansion of e-commerce logistics. China leads the region with strong government support, increase in aircraft orders, and the development of the COMAC C919 to compete with Boeing and Airbus. Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A09723 Leading Market Players: - SpaceX Blue Origin LLC Airbus Lockheed Martin Corporation Northrop Grumman Eutelsat Viasat, Inc. SES S.A. Maxar Technologies Rocket Lab The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global commercial helicopter 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. Explore AMR's Extensive ongoing Coverage on Consumer and Goods Domain: Solar-Powered UAV Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2035 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/solar-powered-uav-market-A08543 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/solar-powered-uav-market-A08543 Defense Electronics Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/defense-electronics-market-A312652 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/defense-electronics-market-A312652 Transfer Case Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/transfer-case-market-A13491 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/transfer-case-market-A13491 Aircraft Mounts Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/aircraft-mounts-market-A07208 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/aircraft-mounts-market-A07208 Airport Operations Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/airport-operations-market-A09050 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/airport-operations-market-A09050 Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/satellite-based-augmentation-systems-sbas-market-A10209 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/satellite-based-augmentation-systems-sbas-market-A10209 Military Radar Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/military-radar-market-A47400 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/military-radar-market-A47400 Air Traffic Control Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/air-traffic-control-equipment-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/air-traffic-control-equipment-market Military 3D Printing Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2031 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/military-3d-printing-market-A17388 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/military-3d-printing-market-A17388 Satellite Manufacturing Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/satellite-manufacturing-market-A13678 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/satellite-manufacturing-market-A13678 Space Launch Services Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-launch-services-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-launch-services-market Aircraft Cabin Interior Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/aircraft-cabin-interior-market 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" 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 us: 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 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/aerospace-and-defence Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/commercial-helicopter-market-to-reach-9-7-billion-globally-by-2033-at-4-8-cagr-allied-market-research-302434535.html Innoflight is pleased to announce its participation in the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Global Positioning System (GPS) III satellite laser communications demonstration. Under contract with Lockheed Martin in 2024, Innoflight delivered its cyber-secure Mission Networking Electronics MNE-410 (Internet Protocol (IP) / Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network router) and Mission Timing Electronics MTE-100 (high accuracy timing module) that were successfully integrated onto the GPS III satellite. The MNE-410 includes on-orbit reprogrammable multi-core and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) processing for higher-level networking functions, timing processing and data processing, with Innoflight's CyberDog Software Suite. [Satellite picture: courtesy of Lockheed Martin] "Innoflight's secure network processor development originally was funded under Space Pitch Day Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards with Space Systems Command, and Innoflight developed the High Accuracy Timing Module (HATM) to address a cyber-secure timing capability gap in mesh networking architectures," said David Andaleon, Principal, Strategic Business Development & Technology, at Innoflight. "It is promising to see other Space Force missions leverage their investments and endorse these software-defined, high capability and performance solutions. Innoflight was excited to mature these capabilities across the "valley of death" and provide these MNE and MTE solutions to support the USSF." The USSF Space Systems Command (SSC) Military Communications and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Program Executive Office plans to conduct its first-ever laser communications test from a Lockheed Martin-built GPS satellite. For the demonstration, the SCOT80 optical terminal built by TESAT will transmit data from Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) to ground stations. If successful, this technology can further enhance the precision and efficiency of the navigation system used by billions worldwide. "Innoflight's products are radiation tolerant by design, an expertise we put in place from day one, and we continued to develop over the last two decades," said Jeff Janicik, Innoflight Founder and CEO. "It is encouraging to see our technology utilized by the Space Force in various orbits other than LEO, including MEO and GEO." SOURCE: Innoflight Expanded Capabilities Bring Faster Turnaround and Factory-Certified Support to Florida-Based Customers Americas Generators, a leading supplier of industrial generators and power solutions, is proud to announce its official designation as a certified service dealer for both Scania and FPT Iveco engines in the state of Florida. This new status further strengthens the company's commitment to supporting mission-critical operations with world-class service and access to premium engine brands. With this designation, Americas Generators is now authorized to perform warranty service, diagnostics, maintenance, and repairs on a wide range of Scania and FPT Iveco engines used in power generation and industrial applications. The company will also stock and supply genuine OEM parts, ensuring faster turnaround times and optimal engine performance for customers across the region. Scania, known for its robust and fuel-efficient engines, and FPT Iveco, a global leader in innovative powertrain technologies, are trusted worldwide for powering heavy-duty and commercial equipment. Americas Generators' new service dealer status enables Florida-based customers to receive certified support locally without the delays and challenges of shipping equipment or coordinating with out-of-state service providers. "Our team is honored to join the Scania and FPT Iveco service networks," said Eric Johnston, CEO of Americas Generators. "This is a major milestone that reflects our commitment to offering more than just equipment-we deliver long-term value through service, support, and technical expertise. Our customers can now count on us not only for their generator needs but also for the ongoing performance and care of their Scania and FPT Iveco engines." To meet the requirements of this designation, Americas Generators has invested in extensive factory training for its technicians, as well as advanced diagnostic tools and service infrastructure. Whether customers require preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, or major engine overhauls, the company is fully equipped to handle the job with speed and precision. As a trusted name in the power generation industry, Americas Generators supports a diverse customer base including government agencies, commercial facilities, construction firms, agricultural operations, and international contractors. This new partnership with Scania and FPT Iveco enhances the company's ability to serve that market with comprehensive power solutions and responsive technical support. Customers in Florida and beyond can now contact Americas Generators for authorized service, parts, and expert guidance for Scania and FPT Iveco engines used in generator sets and other applications. For more information or to schedule a service appointment, visit www.americasgenerators.com or call +1 (305) 592-6800. About Americas Generators Americas Generators is a veteran-founded business headquartered in Miami, Florida. As the manufacturer of Triton Power generators, the company specializes in commercial and industrial power solutions. With a strong focus on in-stock inventory, customized builds, and top-tier components, Americas Generators serves customers worldwide with reliable products and expert support. Their offerings include diesel and natural gas generators, transfer switches, fuel tanks, trailers, and custom power systems built to meet the demands of government, commercial, and international projects. SOURCE: Americas Generators, Inc. DELRAY BEACH, Fla., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Artificial Intelligence in Energy Market is expected to reach USD 8.91 billion by 2024 from USD 58.66 billion in 2030, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 36.9% from 2024 to 2030, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. AI can help decarbonize and reduce the energy demands of the construction of buildings themselves. Cement, as the primary building material used today, represents 7-8% of global carbon emissions, according to a report published by the United States Department of Energy. AI can be used to design and optimize low-carbon cement designs, enabling accelerated materials formulation and innovation. AI can also be used to identify efficiencies in building construction. The planning and sequencing steps for building construction are a manual process and can be optimized with AI to unlock process efficiency and reduce waste at construction sites. Browse in-depth TOC on "Artificial Intelligence in Energy Market" 300 - Tables 50 - Figures 350 - Pages Download PDF Brochure @https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=231720509 Scope of the Report Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 2019-2030 Base year considered 2023 Forecast period 2024-2030 Forecast units Value (USD Billion) Segments covered By offering (solutions and services (professional services, managed services), by energy type (non-renewable energy (fossil fuels, nuclear energy, other conventional energy types), renewable energy (solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, other renewable energy types), by type (generative AI, other AI), by application (energy demand forecasting, grid optimization & management, energy storage optimization, renewables integration, energy trading & market forecasting, energy sustainability management, disaster resilience and recovery, other applications (energy theft detection and customer management)), by end use (generation, transmission, distribution, consumption (commercial, industrial)) Regions covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Companies covered Schneider Electric SE (France), GE Vernova (US), ABB Ltd (Switzerland), Honeywell International (US), Siemens AG (Germany), AWS (US), IBM (US), Microsoft (US), Bidgely (US), Oracle (US), Vestas Wind Systems A/S (Denmark), Atos zData (US), C3.ai (US), Tesla (US), Alpiq (Switzerland), Enel Group (Italy), Origami Energy (UK), Innowatts (US), Irasus Technologies (India), Grid4C (US), Uplight (US), GridBeyond (Ireland), eSmart Systems (Norway), Ndustrial (US), Datategy (France), Omdena (US), Avathon (US), Iberdrola (Spain), Constellation (US), and Jinko Solar (China). Based on application, the grid optimization & management segment is expected to hold the largest market size during the forecast period. AI in grid optimization and management enhances the strength, robustness, and efficiency of energy systems in distribution. It scans very large amounts of real-time data to detect inefficiencies, predict demand patterns, and engage in load balancing to prevent overload and the possibility of short-circuit outages. It adjusts grids dynamically, introduces renewable sources of energy in a very efficient manner, and minimizes energy losses in the transmission process. Moreover, AI-based automation enables faster responses to disruptions to ensure energy supply and efficiently maintain grid infrastructure. It is one of the applications paving the way toward the modernization of the energy network and a move toward smart grids. Request Sample Pages@ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=231720509 The distribution segment is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period. AI in energy distribution improves efficiency and reliability in power delivery by optimizing grid management and reducing losses. Real-time monitoring and predictive analytics help AI detect faults, anticipate equipment failure, and smooth out the flow of electricity across the grid. It can allow utilities to balance supply and demand better, ensuring steady power delivery, even during peak usage periods. AI algorithms may also optimize voltage regulation so that power is delivered efficiently and within safe limits. Also, AI facilitates the integration of renewable energy sources into the distribution network; it balances intermittent generation sources such as solar and wind with grid needs. With improved forecasting and dynamic control from AI, waste energy is minimized, operations respond better, and it is possible to automate some features of grid maintenance, thus bringing downtime and the cost of operations down. In general, AI is revolutionizing the energy distribution system to be smarter and more dynamic. Asia Pacific is expected to hold the highest growth rate during the forecast period. State Power Rixin Technology, in collaboration with Huawei and China Huadian Corporation, launched a new energy meteorological power prediction solution in October 2024 in China that enhanced the prediction accuracy performance at a reduced operating cost for power plants. AI is also utilized to generate new energy efficiently and predict extreme weather impacts on renewable sources. Suola wind farm in Hebei province uses AI for intelligent control and management of wind and solar stations to become more efficient with low-cost manpower, thus achieving efficiency in service operations. In September 2024, KIER finalized its research on Urban Electrification with AI. This decreases the use of fossil fuel through integrated renewable energy in the source of energy from the city, for example, building-integrated solar technology. AI Energy Management Algorithms in Model weather and human behaviour optimize energy sharing and stabilize power grids during Low-probability High-impact Events. In June 2024, CSIRO collaborated with CoreLogic in launching RapidRate, the rate of AI-enabled estimation of the energy efficiency of existing homes. The CSIRO RapidRate AI tool assesses the energy efficiency of dwellings with minimal input. Utilizing a set of key factors based on floor area, orientation, and building materials, RapidRate applies the power of machine learning techniques to determine an indicative star rating consistent with the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). Inquire Before Buying@ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=231720509 Top Key Companies in AI in energy Market: The major vendors covered in the AI in energy market are Schneider Electric SE (France), GE Vernova (US), ABB Ltd (Switzerland), Honeywell International (US), Siemens AG (Germany), AWS (US), IBM (US), Microsoft (US), Bidgely (US), and Oracle (US). Browse Adjacent Markets: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Small Language Model (SLM) Market - Global Forecast to 2032 Legal AI Software Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Edge AI Software Market - Global Forecast to 2030 AI as a Service Market - Global Forecast to 2029 AI in Finance Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Get access to the latest updates onArtificial Intelligence in Energy Companies andArtificial Intelligence in Energy Industry About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. 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Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/artificial-intelligence-in-energy-market-worth-58-66-billion-by-2030---exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302434071.html SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global cyber security market size is forecast to reach USD 500.70 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 12.9% between 2025 and 2030, according to a new study by Grand View Research Inc. An unprecedented spike in cyber-attacks and the prevalence of sophisticated malware threats have fueled the demand for advanced cyber security tools. Lately, state-of-the-art technologies across manufacturing, banking, information technology, retail and defense sectors have unlocked new growth opportunities amidst rampant malware, phishing denial of service attacks (DoS) and ransomware attacks. Stakeholders have furthered investments in Internet-of-Things (IoT), edge computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), big data analytics, 5G, and cloud computing to roll out new solutions, boost revenue streams and attract potential business clients. To illustrate, in April 2023, Google, Inc. unveiled Cloud Security AI Workbench, powered by Sec-PaLM. This new model is replete with a slew of security intelligence, including threat indicators and research on software vulnerabilities, and provides AI-powered tools to address cyber security challenges. Trends suggest an increased traction for cyber security solutions and services in the IT and telecom sector as businesses strive to expand their market penetration and boost product portfolios. Furthermore, soaring digitalization has augured well for telecom companies as they continue to inject funds into 5G, IoT, and cloud, thereby boosting the IT and telecom cybersecurity market. Lately, demand for remote and hybrid work culture has expedited the need for Bring-Your-Own-PC (BYOPC), which has led to the need for remote management, including endpoint security, data encryption and strong authentication. This is likely to boost the number of endpoint devices, fostering the adoption of unified cyber safety solutions. Read full market research report on Cyber Security Market with TOC - Cyber Security Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Offering (Hardware, Software, Services), By Security (Endpoint Security), By Organization Size (Large Enterprises), By Deployment (Cloud), By Solution, By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030 A spike in hybrid operating models and remote work has underpinned the adoption of cloud and advanced security measures. The cloud segment is likely to observe a CAGR of 15.9% between 2025 and 2030. The integration of AI in cloud security and companies' emphasis on cloud-based solutions on the back of minimum hardware requirements, low operating costs, and diverse solution availability have spurred segment growth. For instance, automated threat detection and real-time monitoring have prompted industry participants to invest in cloud solutions. Key market players have joined forces with cloud technology providers to develop DDoS protection solutions and bolster their portfolios. To illustrate, in August 2021, Radware, Inc. collaborated with Internap Holding LLC (INAP), a hybrid IT & enterprise cloud Solutions Company, to utilize its DDoS Protection Services and Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) for organizations across the globe. Meanwhile, in October 2024, Atlas Systems announced the rollout of ComplyScore, a cybersecurity software, to reduce risks for mid-to-large-sized companies. Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Cyber Security Market Report Cyber Security Market Report Highlights The hardware segment is poised to depict a high growth rate of 11.7% from 2025 to 2030. Pervasive cyber threats have prompted organizations to upgrade their IT security by enabling real-time monitoring of threats and offering protection by preventing threats from entering computing systems. The cloud security segment is likely to witness a CAGR of over 15.9% during the forecast period. The demand for cloud security solutions has risen to combat data breaches and phishing attacks. The IDS/IPS segment could exhibit a CAGR of around 13.4% between 2025 and 2030. Soaring spending on IT security and advancements in network security products will bode well for market growth. The SMEs segment is expected to exhibit the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The growing concern about cyber threats and the increasing availability of low-cost cyber security solutions have spurred the segment growth. The healthcare segment is likely to exhibit the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, largely attributed to soaring cases of cyberattacks, ransomware and data breaches. These trends have prompted regulatory bodies to push for stringent data protection measures, auguring well for the segment. On the regional front, Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The growth is mainly attributed to cloud adoption, soaring penetration of IoT devices and the surging demand for cyber security jobs. Cyber Security Market Segmentation Grand View Research has segmented the global cyber security market based on offering, security, deployment, organization size, solution, end use, and region: Cyber Security Offering Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030) Hardware Software Services Professional Services Consulting Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Incident Response and Readiness Implementation and Integration Training & Education Others Managed Services Managed Detection and Response Managed Protection and Controls Managed Security Functions Others Cyber Security Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030) Endpoint security Cloud Security Network Security Application Security Infrastructure Protection Data Security Others Cyber Security Deployment Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030) Cloud On-premises Cyber Security Organization Size Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030) Large Enterprises SMEs Cyber Security Solution Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030) Unified Threat Management (UTM) Intrusion Detection System/Intrusion Prevention System (IDS/IPS) Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Identity and Access Management (IAM) Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) DDoS Risk and Compliance Management Others Cyber Security End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030) IT and Telecommunications Retail and E-Commerce BFSI Healthcare Government and Defense Manufacturing Energy and Utilities Automotive Marine Transportation and Logistics Others Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030) North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe UK Germany France Russia Asia Pacific China India Japan Australia South Korea Indonesia Singapore Malaysia Latin America Brazil MEA UAE South Africa KSA Israel List of Key Players of Cyber Security Market Fortinet, Inc. IBM Corporation Microsoft BAE Systems Plc Broadcom, Inc. Centrify Corporation Check Point Software Technology Ltd. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. Proofpoint, Inc. Sophos Ltd Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research: Cyber Security Services Market - The global cyber security services market size is estimated to reach USD 156.76 billion by 2030, registering to grow at a CAGR of 13.6% from 2025 to 2030 according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Continued cybersecurity breaches on the enterprise and individual levels, and the subsequent need to address the vulnerabilities in networks, apps, and systems, are the factors expected to drive the growth. - The global cyber security services market size is estimated to reach USD 156.76 billion by 2030, registering to grow at a CAGR of 13.6% from 2025 to 2030 according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Continued cybersecurity breaches on the enterprise and individual levels, and the subsequent need to address the vulnerabilities in networks, apps, and systems, are the factors expected to drive the growth. Healthcare Cyber Security Market - The global healthcare cyber security market size is expected to reach USD 56.3 billion by 2030 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 18.5% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. - The global healthcare cyber security market size is expected to reach USD 56.3 billion by 2030 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 18.5% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. IT And Telecom Cyber Security Market - The global IT and telecom cyber security market size is anticipated to reach USD 76.73 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.2% from 2025 to 2030. - The global IT and telecom cyber security market size is anticipated to reach USD 76.73 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.2% from 2025 to 2030. Automotive Cyber Security Market - The global automotive cyber security market size is anticipated to reach USD 14.22 billion by 2030, registering CAGR of 20.93% during 2022 to 2030, according to a new study by Grand View Research Inc. About Grand View Research Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead. Explore Horizon Databook - The world's most expansive market intelligence platform developed by Grand View Research. Gain insights from 30K+ Global & Regional Reports, 120K+ Country Reports, 1.2M+ Market Statistics, 200K+ Company Profiles, and 5 business solutions encompassing ESG and Sustainability Consulting, Procurement Intelligence, Pricing Index and Analysis, and Consumer Analytics. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: 1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cyber-security-market-size-to-garner-500-70-billion-by-2030-at-cagr-12-9---grand-view-research-inc-302434287.html Program will connect early-stage AI, IoT, and AR/VR companies with Mitel's unified communications ecosystem to address unique challenges in sectors like healthcare, retail, and hospitality Mitel, a global leader in business communications, and L-SPARK, Canada's leading software accelerator, today announced the launch of the Mitel Unified Communications Accelerator, Powered by L-SPARK Select. The program provides a unique opportunity for early-stage Canadian and European companies specializing in AI, IoT, and AR/VR-powered innovations to integrate their applications and services with Mitel solutions. With a specific focus on healthcare, retail, and hospitality verticals, participants will be positioned to drive market awareness and address an increasing demand for hybrid unified communications (UC) solutions across these industries. In today's fast-paced world, businesses must adapt quickly to changing environments. As a global leader in business communication and collaboration, Mitel's hybrid portfolio meets customer needs by offering a blend of cloud and on-premises solutions tailored for each client, delivering flexibility, scalability, and exceptional control. Those selected will have the opportunity to demonstrate a proof-of-concept of their Mitel-integrated solution, driving early visibility to Mitel's partner community and opening a channel for solution feedback for the L-SPARK participants. The resulting solutions will ultimately unlock the potential of emerging technologies that drive everyday value for Mitel's more than 70 million users. "Mitel has a long and proud history of innovation, and we are thrilled to partner with L-SPARK on this transformative program," said Luiz Domingos, Mitel CTO. "With the emergence of AI and a drive towards digital transformation across sectors, we are entering a new era for communications solutions. We look forward to working with a group of talented innovators to develop applications that will further enhance the value of unified communications by delivering meaningful impact in industries where connectivity is critical." "This program represents a significant step forward in bridging the gap between groundbreaking technologies and practical, scalable solutions," said Leo Lax, Executive Managing Director of L-SPARK. "L-SPARK Select was created to enable this type of deep collaboration." The program is part of L-SPARK Select, a corporate accelerator platform designed to facilitate collaboration between early-stage companies and industry leaders. Selected companies will have access to Mitel's new low-code/no-code Workflow Studio to integrate their applications into Mitel systems, including the AI-powered customer experience management platform, Mitel CX. The five-month program will also match companies with an experienced mentor along with support from the L-SPARK team to accelerate their business growth. How to Apply: Startups interested in participating in the Mitel Unified Communications Accelerator can apply through the L-SPARK website. Applications are open until June 16, 2025, and the program is expected to begin on August 6, 2025 About Mitel Mitel is a global leader in business communications, providing businesses with advanced communication, collaboration, and contact center solutions. With more than 70 million users across over 100 countries, Mitel empowers organizations to connect, communicate, and collaborate seamlessly, with the flexibility and choice they need to thrive, both now and for the future. Through proven experience and innovative solutions, Mitel delivers communications without compromise. For more information, go to www.mitel.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X @Mitel. About L-SPARK L-SPARK is Canada's leading Software accelerator, dedicated to driving corporate collaboration through its L-SPARK Select programs. By fostering connections between startups and established industry leaders, L-SPARK helps emerging companies accelerate their growth and bring innovative solutions to market. Source: Mitel Networks Inc View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422626774/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts Trevor Kerr Mitel Public Relations Manager, Americas trevor.kerr@mitel.com Natasha Tardioli L-SPARK Marketing Director natasha@l-spark.com 613-808-5324 One of the most significant drivers of the space service market is the rising demand for satellite-based services, including telecommunications, earth observation, and navigation. WILMINGTON, Del., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Space Service Market by Service Type (Launch Services, Satellite Services, Space Exploration Services, and Ground Segment Services), by Satellite Type (Communication Satellites, Earth Observation Satellites, Navigation Satellites, and Scientific Satellites), Payload (Small Payloads and Large Payloads), Launch Vehicle Type (Reusable Launch Vehicles and Expendable Launch Vehicles), Application (Satellite Communication Services, Earth Observation and Remote Sensing, Navigation and Positioning Services, Scientific Research and Space Exploration, and Space Tourism and Commercial Spaceflight): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the global space service market size was valued at $30.2 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach $67.9 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2024 to 2033. Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A09239 Prime determinants of growth However, high costs associated with space missions and satellite deployments and regulatory and legal challenges in space operations are anticipated to hamper the growth of the market during the forecast period. Moreover, rise in demand for space tourism and commercial spaceflight and the expansion of in-orbit services are expected to offer lucrative opportunities for the market in the future. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $30.2 billion Market Size in 2033 $67.9 billion CAGR 8.8 % No. of Pages in Report 386 Segments Covered Service Type, Satellite Type, Payload, Launch Vehicle Type, Application, And Region. Drivers Rise in demand for satellite-based services Increase in private sector investment and commercialization Advancements in reusable launch technology Opportunities Growth in demand for space tourism and commercial spaceflight Expansion of in-orbit services Restraints High costs associated with space missions and satellite deployments Regulatory and legal challenges in space operations Buy This Research Report (386 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/d7c39e1aead6a5b651b15afc29a4baf5 The satellite services segment held the highest market share in 2023. By satellite type, the satellite services segment held the highest market share in 2023, owing to the rise of high-speed satellite internet, companies such as Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon's Project Kuiper are launching mega-constellations to provide global broadband connectivity, especially in remote and underserved areas. However, the space exploration services segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period. This is due to government-backed missions, commercial spaceflight initiatives, and advancements in deep-space technologies. The medium aircraft held the highest market share in 2023. By satellite type, the communication satellites segment accounted for a dominant market share in 2023, due to a rise in demand for high-speed internet, military communication needs, and the expansion of 5G networks. However, the Earth observation satellites segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period driven by its applications in weather forecasting, disaster management, environmental monitoring, and military reconnaissance. The passenger segment held the highest market share in 2023. By payload, the small payloads segment accounted for the largest market share and is anticipated to maintain its dominance till 2033, and the same segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period fueled by lower launch costs, shorter development cycles, and advancements in miniaturized technology. Small satellites require less power and resources, making them cost-effective for both commercial and governmental applications. The reusable launch vehicles segment held the highest market share in 2023. By launch vehicle type, the reusable launch vehicles (RLV) segment accounted for the largest market share and is anticipated to maintain its dominance till 2033, and the same segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period fueled by economic efficiency, sustainability, and increasing demand for satellite deployment. With the rise of mega constellations in low Earth orbit (LEO), companies need frequent and affordable launches, which RLVs provide. In addition, government space agencies are adopting reusable launch systems for crew and cargo missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and future lunar bases. The satellite communication services segment held the highest market share in 2023. By application, the satellite communication services segment accounted for the largest market share and is anticipated to maintain its dominance till 2033, driven by rise in demand for high-speed internet, global connectivity, and secure military communications. The increasing deployment of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations by companies such as Starlink (SpaceX), OneWeb, and Amazon's Project Kuiper is reshaping the market by offering low-latency broadband services worldwide. However, the space tourism and commercial spaceflight segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 11.6% during the forecast period fueled by increase in investments in suborbital and orbital travel experiences. Companies such as Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and SpaceX have already conducted successful space tourism missions, allowing private individuals to experience space travel. Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A09239 North America held the highest market share in 2023. By region, North America accounted for the largest market share and is anticipated to maintain its dominance till 2033, owing to high government spending, strong private-sector participation, and technological advancements. The region is home to leading space agencies such as NASA and major commercial space companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Boeing. However, the Asia-Pacific is expected to portray the highest CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period, driven by increasing government investments, expanding private-sector participation, and technological advancements. Countries in the region are heavily investing in satellite programs, launch capabilities, and space exploration initiatives. Leading Market Players: - SpaceX Blue Origin Airbus Lockheed Martin Northrop Grumman Eutelsat Viasat, Inc. SES Maxar Technologies Rocket Lab The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global space service 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. Explore AMR's Extensive ongoing Coverage on Consumer and Goods Domain: Aerospace Service Robotics Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/aerospace-service-robotics-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/aerospace-service-robotics-market Space Launch Services Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-launch-services-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-launch-services-market Space Tourism Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2031 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-tourism-market-A10674 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-tourism-market-A10674 Space Robotics Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-robotics-market-A07165 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-robotics-market-A07165 Space Transportation Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-transportation-market-A10719 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-transportation-market-A10719 Spacecraft Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/spacecraft-market-A10721 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/spacecraft-market-A10721 Deep Space Robotics Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/deep-space-robotics-market-A08530 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/deep-space-robotics-market-A08530 Space Robotics Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-robotics-market-A07165 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/space-robotics-market-A07165 Aerospace Raw Materials Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/aerospace-raw-materials-market-A09197 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/aerospace-raw-materials-market-A09197 Satellite Bus Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/satellite-bus-market-A07764 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/satellite-bus-market-A07764 LEO and GEO Satellite Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/leo-and-geo-satellite-market-A09227 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/leo-and-geo-satellite-market-A09227 Aerospace Parts Manufacturing Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/aerospace-parts-manufacturing-market-A09709 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/aerospace-parts-manufacturing-market-A09709 Satellite-Based Earth Observation Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/satellite-based-earth-observation-market-A07765 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" 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 us: 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 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/aerospace-and-defence Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/space-service-market-to-reach-67-9-billion-globally-by-2033-at-8-8-cagr-allied-market-research-302434521.html Whit Batchelor, from Whittier Trust's Newport Beach Office, is set to lead the expansion, strengthening client and community bonds within the region. Whittier Trust is excited to announce the opening of its newest office in San Diego, reinforcing its deep commitment to serving clients in the region with a local, personalized approach. With a legacy rooted in Southern California, Whittier Trust has long advised clients and worked closely with charitable organizations based in San Diego. This expansion is a direct result of the wealth management company's continued growth in the region. "Our decision to establish a full-time presence in the San Diego area reflects both the incredible growth we've seen here and the deep trust San Diego's most successful families have placed in us for decades," said David Dahl, President and CEO of Whittier Trust. "Our expansion into San Diego is also a reflection of our long-standing ties to the community," said David Dahl. "The Whittier family has a deep history in the region, and we are proud to strengthen our presence here, not just to better serve our clients, but to be closer to the charitable organizations and causes we have supported for years." Whittier Trust's commitment to San Diego extends beyond wealth management, as the firm actively supports a variety of local organizations integral to the community. This includes the Helen Woodward Animal Center, which promotes animal welfare and pet adoption services; Scripps' Mericos Eye Institute and Whittier Diabetes Institute, advancing medical research and patient care; the San Diego-Imperial Council of the Boy Scouts of America, fostering leadership and service among youth; and the University of San Diego, where Whittier Trust contributes to higher education and leadership development initiatives. Leading the new San Diego office is Whit Batchelor, newly appointed Executive Vice President, Client Advisor and San Diego Regional Manager. A longtime leader in Whittier Trust's Newport Beach office known for his dedication and accessibility to clients, Batchelor has worked extensively with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families in San Diego, crafting tailor-made, multi-generational wealth management strategies. His leadership ensures a seamless transition for existing clients while setting the stage for further growth in the region. "With this new office in San Diego, I am eager to build upon the legacy of trust, integrity and boutique service that Whittier Trust has cultivated for generations," said Batchelor. "I look forward to expanding our connections within the community, enhancing our ability to serve clients locally with tailored financial strategies and contributing to the vibrant culture of San Diego." Complimenting this milestone of growth, this year also marks the 25th anniversary of Whittier Trust's Seattle Office. The firm also recently opened offices in Menlo Park and West Los Angeles and relocated its headquarters to a larger space in Pasadena to accommodate an increasing number of experienced professionals dedicated to serving a growing client base. As Whittier Trust continues to grow, its focus remains on providing the highest level of personalized service through a relationship-driven, client-first approach. The office will be located at: 12770 El Camino Real, Ste 120, San Diego, CA 92130, twenty miles north of Downtown San Diego in Del Mar. ### About Whittier Trust Collectively, Whittier Trust Company and The Whittier Trust Company of Nevada, Inc. (referred to herein individually and collectively as "Whittier Trust") are state-chartered trust companies wholly owned by Whittier Holdings, Inc. ("WHI"), a closely held holding company. As the oldest multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast, Whittier Trust isn't just a financial institution, it's a trusted partner with a long, rich history of successfully navigating the financial markets to preserve, protect and enhance its clients' wealth and well-being across generations. Whittier Trust operates with the singular focus of providing holistic, top-tier client service and highly personalized investment solutions to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families designed to advance and secure their long-term financial legacies and goals. The firm has offices in Pasadena, Menlo Park, Newport Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, West Los Angeles, Reno, Seattle and Portland. To learn more, visit http://www.whittiertrust.com . Contact: Brandi J. Fields Whittier Trust Email: BFields@whittiertrust.com SOURCE: Whittier Trust DELRAY BEACH, Fla., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Humanized Mouse and Rat Model Market, valued at US$255.8 million in 2024, is forecasted to grow at a robust CAGR of 8.2%, reaching US$276.2 million in 2025 and an impressive US$409.8 million by 2030. The surge in the use of humanized models in drug discovery research, rising demand for personalized medicine, and increasing R&D activities in the pharmaceutical & biotechnology industry are contributing to market growth. Additionally, growing demand for humanized mouse models, preference for humanized PDX models, and the emergence of CRISPR in biomedical research are expected to serve as lucrative market opportunities. The humanized mouse model (hu-mice) is the key segment driving market growth, which is expected to have the largest revenue share in 2024. This segment is dominant due to the advent of genetic engineering technologies such as gene targeting and gene editing. By application, oncology holds the highest market share due to the rising research activities and growing government funding investments to conduct cancer research studies. Additionally, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies serve as the largest end-user segment due to the unprecedented investments in research and development. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=131763955 Browse in-depth TOC on "Humanized Mouse and Rat Model Market" 189 - Tables 31 - Figures 204 - Pages By Based on type, the humanized mouse and rat model market has been segmented into humanized mouse models and humanized rat models. The humanized mouse models' segment is further divided into genetic humanized mouse models and cell-based humanized mouse models. The genetic models generated the highest revenue in 2024, and this segment is expected to continue this dominance throughout the forecast period. Genetic humanized mouse models have been successfully adopted in analysing biological efficacy, safety testing, pharmaceutical compounds, and studying novel therapeutics. Humanized mouse models are gaining demand in studies around drug metabolism and immune system development & functioning. By end user, the humanized mouse and rat model market is segmented into pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, CROs & CDMOs, and academic & research institutes. These organizations procure, maintain, and use humanized mice and rat models to deliver outsourced preclinical research services, particularly in immuno-oncology, cell and gene therapy, and biologics development. CROs serving as direct customers or technical end users of these models are included in this segment. These CROs purchase models from specialized vendors, such as Taconic Biosciences, Inc. (US), The Jackson Laboratory (US), and Hera BioLabs (US), to offer preclinical and clinical research services and generate efficacy, pharmacokinetic (PK/PD), and toxicology data. By geography, the humanized mouse and rat model market is segmented by region into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. The Asia Pacific market is estimated to register the highest growth during the forecast period. The increase in demand for market products across China and India contributes to this growth. Led by growing R&D activities, the outsourcing of preclinical, clinical, and laboratory testing services for small & large molecules is expected to increase in the country. The expanding pharmaceutical industry, the increasing number of CROs, and the rise in research activities will drive the growth of China's humanized mouse and rat model market. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=131763955 The report profiles key players such as Charles River Laboratories (US), The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) (US), Taconic Biosciences, Inc. (US), JSR Corporation (US) (Crown Biosciences), Champions Oncology, Inc. (US), CLEA Japan Inc. (Japan), genOway (France), Inotiv (US), Janvier Labs (France), Altogen Labs (US), Vitalstar Biotechnology (China), Ingenious Targeting Laboratory (US), Reaction Biology (US), Harbour BioMed (Netherlands), Oncodesign Services (France), Pharmatest Services (Finland), Ozgene Pty Ltd. (Australia), TransCure bioServices (France), Cyagen Biosciences (US), Aragen Life Sciences Ltd. (India), GemPharmatech (China), and Biocytogen (US), among others. The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) (US): is a leading player in the humanized mouse and rat model market. The company has a prominent presence across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company has built a diverse range of humanized mouse and rat models, strategically focusing on maintaining the existing customer/end-user base and strengthening long-term contracts. It further leverages its position in the ancillary markets, such as drug discovery and disease modeling, to sustain its market position and broaden offerings around the humanized mouse and rat model market. Charles River Laboratories (US): is a global drug discovery service CRO that provides a comprehensive portfolio of drug discovery and early-stage development products and services. It has made several acquisitions, partnerships, and cooperation deals. For example, in January 2023, the company acquired SAMDI Tech, which provides label HTS solutions for drug discovery research. In January 2025, it signed a partnership deal with NJ Bio, a CRO providing integrated chemistry and bioconjugation services for developing antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) from concept to clinic. The strategic alliance combines Charles River's end-to-end ADC discovery services with NJ Bio's bioconjugation and manufacturing capabilities. Inotiv (US): is one of the leading market players in the mice model market. The company's strength can be attributed to its robust product portfolio and numerous acquisitions & partnerships that allow it to market its products worldwide. Inotiv also has a significant geographical footprint in developed countries across North America and Europe. The company's revenue grew to USD 490.7 million during the fiscal year 2024 from USD 347.8 million during the fiscal year 2021. genOway (France) is a pioneering biotechnology company located in France and is recognized for its capabilities in developing genetically engineered mouse and rat models for biomedical research. genOway's commitment to innovation and quality has made it an attractive partner for pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, and academic centers globally. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: Mice Model Market Patient-Derived Xenograft/PDX Model Market CRISPR Market Cell Based Assays Market Drug Discovery Services Market Get access to the latest updates on Humanized Mouse and Rat Model Companies and Humanized Mouse and Rat Model Market Size About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. In addition, MarketsandMarkets SalesIQ enables sales teams to identify high-priority accounts and uncover hidden opportunities, helping them build more pipeline and win more deals with precision. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook . Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/humanized-mouse-and-rat-model-market-worth-us409-8-million-in-2030-with-8-2-cagr--marketsandmarkets-302434111.html Pairwise is a new innovative way of separating arriving aircraft, developed by Leidos UK and the air traffic service NATS. It is helping to boost on-time performance and cut carbon emissions at London's Heathrow Airport. Pairwise works by introducing a totally new way of calculating the minimum separation between arriving pairs of aircraft. It is delivered using Intelligent Approach (IA), an arrivals spacing tool, jointly developed by Leidos and NATS with help from Think Research, that helps controllers to safely optimise the gaps between aircraft arriving at an airport. IA first went live in 2015 at London Heathrow and is now also in operation at Amsterdam Schiphol and Toronto Pearson airports. "Pairwise marks another new milestone in the advancement of the Intelligent Approach tool," said Graham Emmons, vice president and managing director of civil at Leidos UK, "advancing this world-leading solution to deliver even greater benefits for airports, airlines, passengers and importantly the environment." Traditionally, aircraft separation is based on six categories taking into account the aircraft's weight and the amount of wake vortex it generates. What Pairwise does is it tailors the separation between each pair of aircraft using the specific characteristics of each individual aircraft type. Tailoring the separation in this far more granular way means air traffic controllers can safely reduce the gap between some pairs of aircraft and increase the overall flow of traffic. Graham Emmons VP, Managing Director Leidos Civil UK This sophisticated approach to Time Based Separation (TBS) is especially beneficial for capacity-constrained airfields, with Pairwise enabling existing runways to utilise maximum capacity without the need for expensive changes to ground infrastructure. Successful deployment at Heathrow At Heathrow airport, one of the world's busiest international airports and the UK's largest, Pairwise was deployed at the end of last year. The technology is expected to increase the landing rate by around two additional arrivals per landing runway per hour versus traditional wake vortex groups. While the overall number of flights at Heathrow is capped by government regulation, being able to land more aircrafts per hour will help to minimise delays and airborne holding, resulting in significant fuel and emissions savings as well as increased passenger satisfaction. IA's TBS is already delivering up to 47,000 tonnes of CO2 savings at Heathrow, in addition to delay savings and additional tactical runway capacity. Pairwise adds significant further savings. The airport is scheduled at 99 per cent of its declared capacity, meaning any impact on landing rate increases the possibility of both delays and cancellations. "With Pairwise, the airport has more tactical capacity for flight movements, so flights arrive and depart more on schedule," explained Emmons. "It improves punctuality at the airport, along with the environmental benefits." "Deploying innovative technology like Pairwise separation at Heathrow makes a real difference to our operation's overall resilience," said Kelly Stone, head of airport operations Heathrow Airport Limited. Intelligent Approach benefits Intelligent Approach, developed jointly by Leidos UK and NATS, was a world first when it deployed at Heathrow in 2015. Its use of dynamically calculated time-based separation - as opposed to static, distance-based gaps - cut headwind delays by more than 60% and reduced airborne holding by 230,000 minutes per annum, saving over 47,000 tonnes of CO2. Pairwise is an exciting opportunity to add further value to these benefits. Learn more about Intelligent Approach View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Leidos on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Leidos Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/leidos Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Leidos Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library I am a Senior Recruiting Coordinator at GoDaddy and have been with the company for ten months. With nine years of experience in Talent Acquisition, Recruiting, Candidate Experience, and Customer Support, I am passionate about this field. It allows me to assist others in securing their dream jobs and enhancing their interview processes. I studied International Business Management, and during my internship with General Electric, I discovered my passion for Talent Acquisition. That initial experience ignited a profound passion within me, compelling me to seek further opportunities in the field. Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to work with both startups and multinational companies across various industries, including Tech, Education-Tech, Oil and Gas, Beauty, and Telecommunications. This diverse experience has provided me with a well-rounded perspective and a deep understanding of different talent needs. I also have a strong passion for languages, which has helped me work effectively with teams and candidates from all over the world. In addition to my corporate role, I've been passionate about beauty and fashion since I was 14 years old. I started watching makeup tutorials on YouTube, and in 2018, I began studying makeup professionally, which I continue to do today. I really enjoy balancing my career at GoDaddy with my creative side in beauty, as it allows me to explore both my corporate and artistic passions in parallel. What initially attracted me to GoDaddy was its global influence, innovative strategies, and dedication to empowering small businesses. The chance to work in such a dynamic environment, surrounded by talented colleagues, has been a perfect match for my skills and ambitions. I've genuinely appreciated my time here. What has driven your growth most through your career? My growth has been fueled by an unwavering curiosity and a deep passion for enhancing processes. Being able to see how small changes can lead to big improvements, whether in candidate experience or team efficiency, really keeps me motivated. I also thrive on collaboration and learning from colleagues across different departments and cultures, which has significantly helped me grow in my role. One of the key drivers for me has been my love for working with both customers and candidates. I find great fulfillment in interacting with people and always strive to make every interaction better, whether it's enhancing the candidate experience or building stronger relationships with stakeholders. This focus on people and continuous improvement has really shaped my career growth. If you had to describe GoDaddy's culture in one word, what would it be and why? Inclusive. GoDaddy is all about bringing people together from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. It's a place where everyone's voice is heard, and there's a genuine commitment to supporting each other's growth. The company also values work-life balance, which allows us to be productive while maintaining a healthy personal life. Additionally, recognition is an integral part of the culture here. Employees are celebrated for their contributions, which makes it a truly motivating environment. This inclusive, balanced, and appreciative atmosphere is one of the things I love most about working at GoDaddy! How have you and the team stayed successful and collaborated whilst working remote? Effective communication and mutual trust have been essential for our remote work success. We've built a culture of transparency, and we make sure to stay connected through regular check-ins, virtual team meetings, and collaborative tools. It's really empowering to know that we can achieve our goals while maintaining flexibility and still feel like a tight-knit team. What advice would you give to someone who is looking to join the company? I would advise anyone looking to join GoDaddy to be ready to embrace a fast-paced, innovative environment. It's important to be adaptable and open to change, as the company is always evolving. Having a passion for helping small businesses and being excited about technology and global collaboration will also go a long way. Above all, be yourself - GoDaddy values authenticity and diverse perspectives! What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Outside of work, I'm a content creator, model, and makeup artist. I'm passionate about beauty and fashion, and I love keeping up with the latest trends and sharing my experiences on social media. This also gives me the opportunity to meet amazing people and connect with brands. I'm also a big fan of traveling, exploring new restaurants, and having great food experiences. One of my favorite things to do is visit bubble tea places-I absolutely love sipping on boba while walking around! I also enjoy going to concerts. There's something about the energy of live music that I find incredibly exciting and fulfilling. Spending time with my family and my partner is incredibly important to me, and I truly cherish those moments of connection. I also love animals and have two cats, Niza and Marshmellow, who bring so much joy and fun into my life! Additionally, I'm passionate about learning languages. I'm a native Spanish speaker, fluent in English, and I know a bit of French. Right now, I'm learning Portuguese, and I'm really excited to expand my language skills to continue in my journey of connecting with more people around the world! Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You're more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us. Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter TikTok Career Page View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: GoDaddy Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: GoDaddy New RPO Program Offers Strategic Growth Opportunities for Cybersecurity Advisory Firms The Secure Controls Framework (SCF) Council announced the official launch of the SCF Registered Provider Organization (SCF RPO) designation as part of the broader SCF Conformity Assessment Program (SCF CAP). This new recognition enables professional services firms to be formally acknowledged as trusted advisory partners within the SCF CAP ecosystem, supporting organizations as they implement SCF controls and prepare for SCF certification assessments. The SCF RPO designation provides consulting and implementation organizations with an opportunity to deliver SCF-focused services to a growing base of clients seeking to improve cybersecurity readiness and compliance. SCF RPOs assist organizations in adopting the SCF, aligning their cybersecurity practices with SCF CAP requirements, and accelerating their overall certification preparedness. This designation reflects an organization's demonstrated expertise, professionalism, and commitment to advancing cybersecurity maturity through use of the SCF. "This organization-level designation represents an important milestone for the SCF ecosystem. The SCF RPO offers high-value partners a clear path to support certification efforts, while helping organizations build sustainable cybersecurity programs," said Tom Cornelius, Founder of the SCF. The launch of the SCF RPO program builds on a series of recent announcements from the SCF Council and The Cyber AB related to the ongoing development of the SCF CAP. The SCF CAP provides a standardized, scalable certification approach that enables organizations to demonstrate cybersecurity maturity against multiple frameworks. In December 2024, the SCF Council named The Cyber AB as the exclusive Accreditation Body (AB) for the SCF Conformity Assessment Program. In January 2025, the organizations jointly released the official roadmap for SCF-based certification assessments. Currently, the SCF CAP supports certification readiness for NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0, with planned expansion to include additional regimes such as HIPAA, NIST SP 800-171 R3, Zero Trust, and EU DORA. "The SCF RPO designation complements the shared vision of building a trusted and competent ecosystem of implementation professionals to assist companies pursuing SCF-CAP certification," said Matthew Travis, CEO at The Cyber AB. SCF RPOs gain access to a variety of benefits, including priority placement in the SCF Marketplace, specialized training and technical support, early adopter incentives, and enhanced GRC integration tools. Organizations interested in becoming an SCF RPO can learn more and apply by visiting this website. About the Secure Controls Framework Council LLC (SCF Council) The SCF Council publishes the Secure Controls Framework (SCF) under a Creative Commons licensing model, which is available to organizations free of charge. The SCF serves as a "framework of frameworks," simplifying and unifying cybersecurity and data protection controls. It provides a scalable method for organizations to address both their compliance obligations and security needs, helping them operationalize cybersecurity, risk management and third-party governance. The SCF Council is dedicated to simplifying the complex landscape of cybersecurity and data protection controls. The SCF meta-framework integrates multiple standards into a holistic control set, allowing organizations to operationalize cybersecurity and manage risk with a straightforward approach. About the Cyber AB Founded in 2020, The Cyber AB is a Maryland-based, independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that provides accreditation services for cybersecurity conformity regimes. The Cyber AB also serves as the exclusive accreditation body for the U.S. Department of Defense Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program. SCF Support at support@securecontrolsframework.com SOURCE: Secure Controls Framework Council LLC The 11th IVIRMA International Congress will bring together 1,400 specialists from 58 countries in Barcelona to discuss the latest scientific advances in fertility, embryology, reproductive genetics, and artificial intelligence applied to reproductive medicine. IVIRMA strengthens its international leadership in assisted reproduction with a congress that reinforces its role as a reference in complex treatments, clinical research, and the attraction of international patients. From April 24 to 26, Barcelona will host the 11th edition of the IVIRMA International Congress, the third most relevant congress in the world in terms of size and scientific dissemination in the field of assisted human reproduction. The event, organized by IVIRMA Global, will bring together international experts in fertility, embryology, reproductive genetics, and artificial intelligence applied to human reproduction. The congress is held in a context where Spain has established itself as one of the European countries with the highest volume of assisted reproduction treatments and with notable participation in clinical research and the development of new techniques. According to industry data, approximately 11% of births in the country are related to some type of reproductive treatment. Professor Antonio Pellicer, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of IVIRMA Global and one of the world's leading experts in reproductive medicine, explains that "reproductive medicine is advancing very rapidly, but it must do so with scientific rigor and with constant reflection on the bioethical aspects it entails." According to Pellicer, congresses like this one "make it possible to share scientific evidence and lay the groundwork for more precise and safer medical practice." MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH Over three days, professionals from multiple disciplines will address the latest scientific advances as well as the ethical, clinical, and technological challenges in the sector. Key topics include the use of artificial intelligence in the selection of gametes and embryos, metabolic factors that influence embryonic development, and new lines of research focused on the treatment of severe male infertility through stem cells. Javier Sanchez-Prieto, CEO of IVI RMA Global, notes that "in the coming days, Barcelona will become a meeting point for the main leaders in the field, reflecting the role that Spain has taken on in the development and application of high-complexity reproductive treatments." In his view, "international collaboration is key to addressing the future challenges in this field." Spain has become one of the top destinations for international patients seeking fertility treatment. Among the factors that explain this trend are the current legal framework, the clinical infrastructure, and the accumulated experience of professionals in the sector. A FLAGSHIP CONGRESS Notable participants include Dr. Alan Stewart Penzias, a reproductive endocrinology specialist; Dr. James M. Hotaling, a urologist focused on male infertility and stem cell research; and Dr. Denny Sakkas, an embryologist with extensive experience in clinical IVF and reproductive research, author of more than 200 publications in the field of fertilization. Other distinguished attendees include Dr. Alan Penzias (Boston IVF, Harvard University, USA), Dr. Jackie Boivin, a psychology expert (Cardiff University, United Kingdom), Dr. Emre Seli (Yale University, USA), Dr. Craig Niederberger (Northwestern University, USA, male factor infertility), and Dr. Jim Hotaling (University of Utah, USA, stem cell specialist). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422903606/en/ Contacts: Press contact: Mar Yuste, mar.yuste@tinkle.es 2024 revenue up +17% to 24.7m Operating income at -0.2m, impacted by the launch of international activities (-0.4m), the development of proprietary branches (-0.7m) and the commercialization of the Energy Transition offering Solid cash position of 7.8m as of December 31, 2024 vs. 7.9m as of June 30, 2024 2028 strategic action plan: Development of the customer portfolio to reach 15,000 active customers 1 in France (+ 51% vs. 2024) Increase in revenue per customer and focus on contract renewals Controlled head office costs Progressive international roll-out focused on profitability 2028 financial targets: Annual revenue of 40m Operating income of 4m Q1 2025 revenue up +39% to 6.4m, in line with the full-year revenue target of 26m and the return to operational profitability expected by end-2025. Regulatory News: Mon Courtier Energie Groupe (ISIN code: FR001400H3A0 Mnemonic: ALMCE), an energy brokerage company for businesses, today announces its results for the full year 2024, as approved by the Board of Directors on April 22, 20252 as well as its strategic action plan and 2028 financial targets. Charlie EVRARD, Chairman and CEO of Mon Courtier Energie Groupe, states: "2024 was marked by solid revenue growth (+17% vs. 2023), driven in particular by the investments made in France and abroad following Mon Courtier Energie Groupe's IPO. This performance reflects the strength of our brokerage offering and the trust placed in us by our customers. It also reflects the daily commitment and professionalism of our teams at head office and in the branches. 2024 saw a number of positive developments: stronger supplier partnerships, +3,000 customers, +45% in sales staff, the launch of the Customer Portal and the opening of our Belgian subsidiary. Our cash position remained solid, close to 8m. However, profitability was temporarily impacted by a sharp increase in our headcount, linked to our geographic and service offering expansion strategy. In a bid to swiftly restore operating efficiency, we are launching a targeted strategic plan to return to profitability in 2025 and to achieve our 2028 targets: 40m in revenue and 4m in operating income. This plan is based on expanding our active customer base to 15,000 in France, increasing average revenue per customer, improving customer retention, upskilling brokers, and diversifying revenue stream, notably through our energy transition services. We ended Q1 2025 with revenue of 6.4m, up 39% vs. Q1 2024. This positive momentum confirms the relevance of our strategic choices. Furthermore, to allow our shareholders to track our commercial performance more closely as we roll out our strategic action plan, we will now publish our revenue on a quarterly basis. I would like to thank all our teams for their commitment, and our shareholders for their continued trust and support." ____________________ 1 An active customer may correspond to multiple delivery points. As such, at year-end 2024, the Group had approximately 10,000 active customers representing around 45,000 delivery points. Going forward, the Group will report on the number of active customers rather than the number of delivery points. 2 The audit procedures on the annual financial statements have been performed, and the statutory auditor's report is currently being finalized. The 2024 annual financial report will be published within the legal deadlines. Simplified income statement in K 2024 2023 Revenue 24,672 21,042 Other operating income 565 473 Purchases (19,461) (15,717) Personnel expenses (5,292) (3,661) Taxes (102) (98) EBITDA 382 2,040 Depreciation, amortization and impairment (549) (579) Total operating expenses (25,404) (20,055) Operating profit (167) 1,461 Financial income 91 69 Extraordinary income (22) (35) Income tax (278) (332) Minority interests (29) 23 Net profit (Group share) (346) 1,186 2024 revenue rose +17% to 24.7m, including: 24.3m in France, of which 93% from brokerage activity; 0.4m generated outside France (1.6% of total sales). Operating expenses increased by +27% to 25.4m in 2024, broken down as follows: 19.5m in consumed purchases, mainly corresponding to the commissions paid to brand-licensed branches, which are the key driver of the Group's commercial development. The +24% increase stems from higher revenue generated over the period. 5.3m in personnel expenses, up +44%, reflecting recruitments to expand the branch network, accelerate the development of the "Energy transition" business and structure the teams in Spain and Belgium. As a result, operating income for 2024 stood at -0.2m, impacted by the launch of international activities (-0.4m), the development of proprietary branches (-0.7m) and the commercialization of the Energy Transition offering. After considering the financial result of 91k (up +32%), the exceptional result of -22k, the tax charge of -278k and minority interests of -29k, net profit (Group share) for 2024 amounted to -0.3m (vs. 1.2m in 2023). At December 31, 2024, Group and branch network staff had risen sharply to 200, vs. 147 at December 31, 2023. Cash position as of December 31, 2024 At December 31, 2024, the Group's cash position stood at 7.8m, compared with 7.9m at June 30, 2024. 2024 HIGHLIGHTS A portfolio of around 10,000 active B2B customers Over the course of 2024, Mon Courtier Energie Groupe acquired more than 3,000 new business customers, bringing its active customer base to approximately 10,000 at year-end, a solid foundation for growth supported by complementary service offerings and contract renewals. Given that a customer may have several delivery points, this customer base corresponds to about 45,000 delivery points with active natural gas or electricity supply contracts. For optimal tracking of the customer base, the Group will henceforth report on the number of active customers, rather than the number of delivery points. Expansion of the national and international network Within the national network, Mon Courtier Energie Groupe has launched a major recruitment campaign, bringing the number of experienced brokers in France to 126. In 2024, the Group also extended its footprint to Spain's five main regions (Madrid, Barcelona, Galicia, Extremadura and Andalusia). At December 31, 2024, the Group had 265 B2B customers in Spain. Mon Courtier Energie Groupe also entered the Belgian market in 2024, with the creation of a subsidiary in Liege, recruiting four brokers and launching operations in Q4 2024. By December 31, 2024, Mon Courtier Energie Groupe's network comprised 136 experienced brokers. Development of the "Energy Transition offering The Group continued to enhance its energy transition offering. While integration into the branch network and commercial ramp-up took longer than expected, the reorganization of the business should enable faster revenue generation in 2025. STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN AND 2028 OBJECTIVES Mon Courtier Energie Groupe has drawn up 2028 roadmap structured around four strategic pillars to reach its 2028 financial targets of 40m in revenue and 4m in operating income. PILLAR 1 DEVELOPING THE CUSTOMER PORTFOLIO Growth drivers: Increase the number of trained and experienced brokers Consolidate certain agencies Develop underpenetrated geographical areas Implement an effective contract renewal strategy The Company will capitalize on the recruitment of experienced brokers, capable of rapidly achieving high productivity levels, and will rely on groups of mature branches, enabling new employees to be supervised, trained and retained. At the same time, the company has carried out an in-depth analysis of its territorial coverage in France, and identified high-potential "under-exploited" areas where it will focus its future expansion. The Group aims to reach over 180 brokers across its national network by 2028, ensuring strong local proximity and improved customer loyalty. 2028 targets: Network of over 180 brokers in France (vs. 126 brokers in 2024) 15,000 active customers in France (vs. around 10,000 in 2024) PILLAR 2 INCREASE IN REVENUE PER CUSTOMER Growth drivers: Targeting higher value-added B2B customers Capitalize on contract renewals based on the age of the customer portfolio Develop the penetration rate of sales of additional services The Group's objective is to increase the average annual value of a contract by targeting "large accounts" customers, enabling it to capture significant volumes, improve the penetration rate of sales of additional services (support packages, tax optimization, logistics cost optimization, energy transition) while capitalizing on contract renewals. With an established and loyal customer base, renewals should account for most of the revenue by 2028. 2028 target 60% of brokerage revenue from contract renewals (vs. 40% in 2024) PILLAR 3 CONTROLLED HEAD OFFICE COSTS Levers for progress: Adjusting headcount in 2025 Limiting workforce growth by 2028 Digitizing commercial and operational processes With a view to optimizing resources, a reduction in headcount concentrated on non-strategic positions and functions is planned for 2025 through unreplaced departures and a redundancy plan, followed by a strict limitation on headcount growth until 2028. The focus will be on essential network needs (marketing, offers, IT), the digitization of customer relations and business processes (dedicated customer areas, new website, artificial intelligence tools), and the automation of sales processes for "low-volume" customers. As part of this effort, at the beginning of 2025, the Group launched a customer interface to simplify energy management, offering simplified access for energy management, providing access to consumption data, invoicing, and portfolio monitoring. PILLAR 4 CONTINUED INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Growth drivers: Increase customer portfolio and its value in Spain Successfully launch activities in Belgium International expansion is a key growth driver, with the Group's priorities being to increase the customer portfolio and its value in Spain, and to successfully launch activities in Belgium, while applying the same budgetary rigor as in France, to achieve operating profitability by the end of 2026. 2025 OUTLOOK The Group targets 2025 revenue of 26m and a return to operating profitability, with operating income of around 1.5m. Q1 2025 REVENUE Sales for Q1 2025 were up +39% to 6.4m (vs. Q1 2024), including: 6.1m in France, 95% of which from brokerage activity; 0.3m from international operations. Financial Agenda 2025* Annual General Meeting: June 19, 2025 June 19, 2025 2025 half-year revenue: July 17, 2025 July 17, 2025 2025 half-year results and Q3 revenue: October 16, 2025 (*) Publications before market opening. Information subject to change. About Mon Courtier Energie Groupe Founded in Bordeaux in 2017, in just a few years Mon Courtier Energie Groupe has become a major player in energy brokerage and the leading French network on the B2B market. The Group's mission is to help companies with the global management of their energy budget in order to reduce or optimise their gas and/or electricity bill. Mon Courtier Energie Groupe service offer comprises brokerage and advice regarding energy purchasing, the management and optimisation of contracts and energy transition guidance. Mon Courtier Energie Groupe relies on the expertise of over 200 employees at head office and in "licensed" agencies in the regions. For further information, please go to www.moncourtierenergie.com. Disclaimer regarding forward-looking statements and risk factors This press release contains forward-looking statements, not historical data, and should not be construed as a guarantee that the facts and data stated will occur. These forward-looking statements are based on data, assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by Mon Courtier Energie Groupe. Mon Courtier Energie Groupe operates in a competitive and rapidly changing environment. The company is therefore unable to anticipate all risks, uncertainties or other factors that may affect its business, their potential impact on its business or the extent to which the materialization of any risk or combination of risks could lead to results materially different from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Mon Courtier Energie Groupe draws your attention to the fact that forward-looking statements are in no way a guarantee of its future performance, and that its actual financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, as well as developments in the industry in which Mon Courtier Energie Groupe operates, may differ materially from those contemplated or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Furthermore, even if the financial position, results of operations, cash flows and development of the sector in which Mon Courtier Energie Groupe operates are consistent with the forward-looking information contained in this document, such results or developments may not be a reliable indication of Mon Courtier Energie Groupe's future results or developments. Readers are invited to carefully examine the risk factors described in the registration document approved by the Autorite des Marches Financiers ("AMF"), which is available free of charge on the Company's website. Should any or all of these or other risk factors materialize, Mon Courtier Energie Groupe shall in no event be liable for any decision made or action taken in connection with the information and/or statements contained in this press release, or for any damages related thereto. This information is given only as of the date of this press release. Mon Courtier Energie Groupe undertakes no obligation to update this information or the assumptions on which it is based, except in the event of any legal or regulatory obligation applicable to it. This press release and the information it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for shares in Mon Courtier Energie Groupe in any country. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422092286/en/ Contacts: Mon Courtier Energie Groupe Charlie Evrard Chairman and Chief Executive Officer investisseurs@moncourtierenergie.com NewCap Mathilde Bohin Dusan Oresansky Investor Relations mce@newcap.eu Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 NewCap Nicolas Merigeau Media Relations mce@newcap.eu Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 98 The Birmingham Zoo welcomed a new resident to its freshly completed Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing habitat. A female orphaned cougar cub from Montana arrived safely at the zoo on Tuesday, February 11, marking a significant milestone ahead of the habitat's mid-March opening. Photo courtesy of Oakland Zoo and Birmingham Zoo The transport of the cub was a collaborative effort involving the Birmingham Zoo, FedEx, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The young cougar, named Juniper, estimated to be four to five months old and weighing between 30 and 40 pounds, traveled by plane from Great Falls, Montana, to Memphis, Tennessee. From there, she was transported by the Birmingham Zoo to her new home. Chris Pfefferkorn, President and CEO of the Birmingham Zoo, expressed his excitement about the new addition, stating, "The arrival of this first cub is a major step towards us opening the Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing in mid-March. This project has been years in the making, and it's truly heartwarming to see the community come together to make it a reality." Heather Harshbarger, communications advisor for FedEx Cares, highlighted the company's commitment to animal welfare, stating, "FedEx has a long history of working closely with zoos and aquariums to provide safe travel for animals using our extensive global transportation network and logistical expertise. We are proud to donate the cost of this mountain lion cub delivery." The Birmingham Zoo staff worked diligently to help Juniper acclimate to her new surroundings and plans were underway to find another orphaned cub around her age to join her in the Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing habitat. This effort aimed to provide companionship and enrichment for the young cougar. Shortly after Juniper's arrival, the zoo also welcomed two new bobcats, Baxter and Boomer, transported by FedEx from the San Diego Humane Society. These seven-year-old bobcats arrived on March 7 and quickly adjusted to their new home. Baxter and Boomer's arrival further enriched the Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing habitat, showcasing the zoo's commitment to providing a safe and enriching environment for all its animals. The last of the four residents, Spruce, another orphaned cougar cub, was one of three siblings rescued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and cared for at the Oakland Zoo. After their mother was killed by a car, the cubs were found in Portola Valley. Spruce, also transported by FedEx, was chosen to join Juniper at the Birmingham Zoo. The hope is for them to become best friends like Baxter and Boomer. As the Birmingham Zoo celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2025, the opening of the Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing on March 19 marked a significant milestone in its history. The new habitat stands as a symbol of hope, community effort, and the zoo's dedication to animal care and conservation. Zoo visitors will learn about the important conservation efforts behind these beautiful animals. FedEx donated the transportation costs for the cougar cubs and bobcats as part of the company's FedEx Cares "Delivering for Good" initiative, in which FedEx lends its global network and unparalleled logistics expertise to organizations with precious cargo requests and helps communities before, during, and after crises. Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program. ***Photos courtesy of Oakland Zoo and Birmingham Zoo View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: FedEx Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: FedEx iTrustCapital, a leading fintech software platform for alternative assets, is pleased to announce that it has been recognized with a Stevie Award in the Achievement in Customer Experience category at the 19th Annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. This marks a continued recognition of iTrustCapital's dedication to delivering an exceptional client experience. The Stevie Awards are among the most respected international business awards, drawing over 12,000 entries annually from more than 70 nations. Winners are selected by over 1,000 industry professionals through a rigorous judging process across nine global programs. "Being honored with a Stevie Award again is a testament to our team's relentless focus on our clients," said Kevin Maloney, CEO of iTrustCapital. "Client experience has always been at the heart of what we do, and this award reflects the trust our clients place in us and the commitment our team brings every single day." From day one, iTrustCapital has aimed to redefine the crypto industry by offering unparalleled support. With over 8,000 verified reviews and an average 4.9-star rating on Google and Trustpilot, the company's non-commissioned, in-house Client Experience team continues to earn recognition for their knowledge, responsiveness, and authentic service. Unlike traditional approaches driven by high pressure sales incentives, iTrustCapital's model centers on real human support, with no upsells. The Company specializes in providing real-time access to US-based client support experts when it's needed most. That philosophy has become a cornerstone of the company's culture and a differentiator in the fintech and crypto space, which is not generally known for service excellence. About the Stevie Awards The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the premier international business awards recognizing excellence in customer service, contact centers, sales, and business development. Other programs under the Stevie umbrella include the American Business Awards and the International Business Awards. Winners of the 2025 awards were celebrated in New York on Friday, April 10. About iTrustCapital iTrustCapital is a leading fintech software platform for alternative assets. The company provides 24/7 access to digital assets, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals through self-directed, tax-advantaged IRA, and Non-IRA account options. Leveraging a highly secure closed-loop ecosystem and third-party US banks and custodians, iTrustCapital provides greater asset protection and flexibility for a broad range of retail and institutional clients. iTrustCapital is not an exchange, funding portal, custodian, trust company, licensed broker, dealer, broker-dealer, investment advisor, investment manager, or adviser in the United States or elsewhere. Digital assets are a speculative investment with risk of loss. Some taxes and conditions may apply depending on the type of IRA account. iTrustCapital does not provide legal, investment or tax advice. We recommend seeking the advice of a qualified legal, investment or tax professional. 2025 ITC2.0, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact Information Todd Kolker SVP, Marketing info@itrustcapital.com SOURCE: iTrustCapital 3Degrees, a leading global climate solutions provider and certified B Corporation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Philippe Vedrenne as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 1, 2025. Vedrenne is moving into the role as 3Degrees' current CEO and co-founder Steve McDougal steps away from leadership of the company. McDougal informed the Board of Directors last year that he would be retiring as CEO; he will maintain his involvement as a member of the Board. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422978066/en/ 3Degrees Appoints Philippe Vedrenne as Chief Executive Officer, Effective May 1, 2025 Vedrenne brings over two decades of global energy market experience operating across multiple continents. Most recently, at Engie, he oversaw trading and retail activities in North and South America for electricity and gas. In this position, he led efforts to bring utility-scale renewable energy solutions to the corporate market by combining wind, solar, and battery asset classes. Vedrenne began his career in Europe at Gaz de France where he played a foundational role in the creation of Gasely, the trading business unit that evolved into Engie Global Markets, where he later became CEO. While running Engie's natural gas midstream activities in Europe, he renegotiated the company's long-term supply contracts to align them with markets, contributed to ensure European security of supply, and helped establish natural gas reverse flows to Ukraine in the wake of the Maidan uprisings and 2014 Russian-Ukrainian war. Before moving to the U.S. in 2021, Vedrenne led two significant projects for Engie: the development of renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) activities in Europe, and the net zero carbon project that defines Engie's decarbonization ambition and trajectory to carbon neutrality by 2045. "We are thrilled to welcome Philippe Vedrenne as the next CEO of 3Degrees," said Dan Kalafatas, 3Degrees' co-founder and Chair of the Board. "Our global search focused on selecting a new leader with the expertise to drive the next chapters of 3Degrees' growth. Philippe brings a rare combination of global leadership experience, track record of success, service-leader orientation, and passion for bringing innovative decarbonization solutions to the world. The 3Degrees Board also wants to express deep gratitude to Steve McDougal. In his tenure as CEO, Steve spearheaded the company's transformation from a small, North American-focused renewable energy commodity company into a leading global climate solutions provider advising some of the largest companies in the world." "I could not be more excited to assume the CEO role and help accelerate 3Degrees' growth and our clients' climate impact," said Vedrenne. "The entire team is incredibly strong, with deep market and functional expertise. I'm looking forward to helping fuel the company's continued expansion in both current and new markets, and to using our unique combination of market participation and client-centric focus to innovate new products and solutions. I'm honored to be asked to join such an exemplary organization, enabling me to work on a challenge of great urgency to us all." McDougal added, "Co-founding 3Degrees with Dan Kalafatas, and subsequently leading the company as CEO for the last ten years, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I am incredibly proud of what the 3Degrees team has built together over nearly two decades. I look forward to supporting the bright future for 3Degrees in my role on its Board of Directors and feel confident Philippe will be an excellent steward of the company as it expands its impact globally for our clients, partners, suppliers, employees, and the climate." View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422978066/en/ Contacts: Rachel Fagan 512.791.2083 Sequana Medical announces the Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders on 22 May 2025 Publication of Annual Report 2024 Ghent, Belgium - 22 April 2025- Sequana Medical NV (Euronext Brussels: SEQUA) (the "Company" or "SequanaMedical"), a pioneer in the treatment of drug-resistant fluid overload in liver disease, heart failure and cancer, today invites the holders of securities issued by the Company to attend the Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders on Thursday, 22 May 2025. The annual report for the financial year 2024 has been published on Sequana Medical's website and can be accessed here. The items on the agendas of the meetings include (among other) the proposed approval of a number of resolutions relating to the financial year ended 31 December 2024, the proposed approval of the remuneration report, the proposed re-appointment of directors, the application of Article 7:151 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code, the proposed renewal of the authorization to the Board of Directors to increase the share capital within the framework of the authorised capital, the proposed issuance of the "2025 Share Options" (in the form of new subscription rights), as well as the proposed issuance of the "GEM Warrants". The Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders will take place at the Company's registered offices in Ghent and will start at 09:00 am CEST. The full convening notice with the agenda and proposed resolutions can be accessed on the Sequana Medical website: www.sequanamedical.com/investors/shareholder-information. The Company recommends the holders of its securities to use e-mail for all communications with the Company regarding the Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders. The Company's e-mail address for such communications is: IR@sequanamedical.com. For more information, please contact: Sequana Medical Investor relations E: IR@sequanamedical.com T: +32 9 292 8065 About Sequana Medical Sequana Medical NV is a pioneer in treating fluid overload, a serious and frequent clinical complication in patients with liver disease, heart failure and cancer. This causes major medical issues including increased mortality, repeated hospitalizations, severe pain, difficulty breathing and restricted mobility. Although diuretics are standard of care, they become ineffective, intolerable or exacerbate the problem in many patients. There are limited effective treatment options, resulting in poor clinical outcomes, high costs and a major impact on their quality of life. Sequana Medical is seeking to provide innovative treatment options for this large and growing "diuretic resistant" patient population. alfapump and DSR are Sequana Medical's proprietary platforms that work with the body to treat diuretic-resistant fluid overload, and are intended to deliver major clinical and quality of life benefits for patients, while reducing costs for healthcare systems. The Company received US FDA approval for the alfapump System for the treatment of recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis in December 2024, following the grant of FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2019. Sequana Medical intends to start US commercialisation in Q3 2025 through a small specialty sales force that it will establish to target the 90 US liver transplant centers that perform 95% of liver transplants. Results of the Company's RED DESERT and SAHARA proof-of-concept studies in heart failure published in European Journal of Heart Failure in April 2024 support DSR's mechanism of action as breaking the vicious cycle of cardiorenal syndrome. All three patients from the non-randomized cohort of MOJAVE, a US randomized controlled multi-center Phase 1/2a clinical study, have been successfully treated with DSR, resulting in a dramatic improvement in diuretic response and virtual elimination of loop diuretic requirements1. Sequana Medical is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels. Important Safety Information: For important safety information regarding the alfapump system, see https://www.sequanamedical.com/wp-content/uploads/ISI.pdf. The alfapump System is currently not approved in Canada. DSR therapy is still in development and is currently not approved in any country. The safety and effectiveness of DSR therapy has not been established. Note: alfapump and DSR are registered trademarks. Forward-looking statements This press release may contain predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements represent the current judgment of Sequana Medical on what the future holds, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Sequana Medical expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release, except if specifically required to do so by law or regulation. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of Sequana Medical only as of the date of this press release. 1 Data reported in press release of March 25, 2024; mean increase of 326% in six-hour urinary sodium excretion at 3 months follow up vs baseline, and 95% reduction of loop diuretics over same period. Attachments Chassieu (France), 22 April 2025 - 6 p.m. - Amoeba (FR0011051598 - ALMIB), industrial greentech specialized in the development of natural microbiological solutions, announces that it has received an emergency plant protection marketing authorisation for its biocontrol product 'AXPERA' for a period of 120 days, for use against downy mildew on grapevines from 2025. An emergency marketing authorisation for 120 days This authorisation, granted by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, is an exceptional procedure designed to deal with phytosanitary emergencies. It allows winegrowers to use AXPERA over a 120-day period before a permanent market authorisation is granted (expected by the end of 2025 or early 2026). Supported by the French Wine and Vine Institute (Institut Francais de la Vigne et du Vin, IFV) to enable large-scale field trials with winegrowers, this emergency authorisation is valid during the anti-mildew treatment period from mid-April to mid-August 2025 and covers up to 250 hectares. French winegrowers will therefore be able to include AXPERA in their protection program against downy mildew as early as 2025. Grapevine downy mildew: a phytosanitary emergency Grapevine downy mildew, which causes severe yield losses, is now a phytosanitary emergency, due to: Restrictions on the use of copper , which makes it more difficult to protect grapevines against high disease pressure; , which makes it more difficult to protect grapevines against high disease pressure; Growing resistance to conventional phytosanitary products , making treatments less effective and requiring a rotation of modes of action; , making treatments less effective and requiring a rotation of modes of action; Increased disease pressure, exacerbated by favourable weather conditions. In the Bordeaux vineyards, the disease affected up to 90% of vines in 2023. AXPERA, a solution tailored to the challenges of downy mildew control To address this phytosanitary emergency for grapevines, AXPERA has proven its effectiveness against downy mildew through numerous trials over several years, including in 2024[1]: It can be used in programs and tank-mixed with a low dose of copper, helping meet the regulatory limits on copper use; Its multiple modes of action also enable winegrowers to better manage the risk of resistance developed by downy mildew to certain plant protection products. Pending permanent product authorisation from AXPERA Amoeba has reached a new decisive milestone in the market launch of its biocontrol solution AXPERA, while awaiting final product evaluation by competent authorities in France and other European countries, expected by late 2025 or early 2026. As a reminder, following the publication of the final report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in January 2025[2], Amoeba initiated the application procedure for permanent market authorisation for the product AXPERA in the nine European Member States targeted as a priority, including France acting as the Rapporteur Member State for the dossier. Obtaining this authorisation marks a key step for Amoeba ahead of the upcoming commercial launch of our AXPERA product. We are grateful to the IFV, the wine sector and the government for their support and commitment to innovation in agricultural. We are proud to provide an effective solution to the phytosanitary challenges faced by French farmers in a context of climate change which has favoured the development of mildew over the last two years , says Jean-Francois DOUCET, Chief Executive Officer of Amoeba. About Amoeba: Founded in 2010, Amoeba is a greentech company based in Chassieu (Lyon, France) whose ambition is to become a major player in the treatment of microbiological risk based on the patented use of amoebae in the plant protection and cosmetics sectors. With know-how that is unique in the world and protected by numerous patents, Amoeba is currently the only company capable of exploiting the full potential of the Willaertia amoeba on an industrial scale and growing it in sufficient volumes to offer biological solutions that constitute a viable alternative to the chemical products widely used today. Amoeba is currently focusing on the global biocontrol market for plant protection and the cosmetics market. As the marketing of plant protection products is subject to obtaining local regulatory approvals, the Company has taken the necessary regulatory steps and in 2022 obtained approval for its active substance in the USA as well as the recommendation for approval in Europe issued by the Austrian authority. Cosmetic applications do not require prior approval from a competent authority in Europe or the United States. Amoeba is listed on Euronext Growth (ALMIB). The company is a member of the Bpifrance Excellence network and is eligible for the PEA-PME scheme. For more information, visit www.amoeba-nature.com. Contacts: Amoeba ACTUS finance & communication Droit Devant Agency Chief Executive Officer Jean-Francois DOUCET +33 (0)4 26 69 16 00 jf.doucet@amoeba-nature.com Investor relations Pierre JACQUEMIN-GUILLAUME +33 (0)1 53 67 36 79 amoeba@actus.fr Financial press relations Serena BONI +33 (0)4 72 18 04 92 sboni@actus.fr Business and general public press relations Laetitia PINTO +33 (0)7 64 83 39 85 pinto@droitdevant.fr Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Amoeba which are based on its own assumptions and estimates and on information that is currently available to us. However, Amoeba gives no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, with these estimates subject to numerous risks, including the risks set forth in Amoeba's universal registration document filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des Marches Financiers) on April 17, 2025 under number D.25-0281 and available on the Amoeba website (www.amoeba-nature.com). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Amoeba or not currently considered material by Amoeba . The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause Amoeba's actual results, financial conditions, performance, or achievements to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. [1] See press release dated 25 November 2024. [2] See press release dated 15 January 2025. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: xW9tYplrZm+alW5rZpWbZpOWm2mXmGCYmWHIk2pxY5jHmHCRmpmTm5vKZnJilmdp - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-91123-amoeba_cp-amm120jours-eng-vdef.pdf Veteran industry professional joins SCS Consulting Services as Senior Vice President SCS Global Services (SCS), a 40-year pioneer and world leader in the field of third-party certification, auditing, and standards development, and SCS Consulting Services, the independent consulting group of SCS, jointly announce today the appointment of Nathan Smith to the position of Senior Vice President of SCS Consulting Services. Nathan will oversee SCS Consulting's global teams based in Europe and North America. Nathan brings over 20 years of experience directing dynamic multi-disciplinary teams to develop and commercialize numerous industry-leading sustainability and stewardship initiatives. Working at the intersection of sustainable value chains, regulatory compliance, and technology, Nathan was most recently the Senior Vice President at SureHarvest, a subsidiary of Where Food Comes From, and also served as the Vice President of Sustainability at Arable where he led development of an innovative water stewardship project model. Prior to these positions, Nathan served as the Managing Director of SCS Global Services Food and Agriculture Division for nine years. "My excitement and optimism about the opportunity for SCS Consulting Services to generate new business value for companies across the industries we serve has never been greater," shared Nathan. "It is an honor to join the SCS Consulting Services team to continue to drive these outcomes and grow awareness of our industry-leading expertise and solutions." In this new role, Nathan will collaboratively engage the team to realize the full potential of the business unit, while supporting its growth and development. Expanding strategic partnerships with industry groups and companies at the leading edge of sustainable business will be a key focus. Part of his vision for the unique value propositions SCS offers its clients and partners include capabilities to create end-to-end supply chain visibility to identify both risks and opportunities, along with software-enabled solutions differentiation. "We are thrilled to appoint Nathan Smith as the new leader of our Consulting Services company," said Matt Rudolf, CEO of SCS Global Services. "It is exciting to welcome Nathan back to SCS to leverage the knowledge gained over the past nine years he's spent developing sustainability solutions in the food and agriculture sector." About SCS Global Services: SCS Global Services?is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. About SCS Consulting Services SCS Consulting Services helps companies implement transformative sustainability solutions that drive meaningful change. SCS Consulting Services is the independent sustainability consulting arm of the Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) organization. Our experts leverage four decades of deep experience in sustainability and an unwavering commitment to scientific rigor, credibility, and transparency. We specialize in working closely with clients to build and execute a sustainability strategy that both drives positive impacts and builds business resiliency in the face of a rapidly changing climate and business environment. Services include climate strategy, accounting and reporting, sustainability reporting, supply chain solutions, ESG management, due diligence and regulatory compliance services. SCS is a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Media Contact: Karen Righthand VP, Marketing +1 510.381.6588 email View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from SCS Global Services on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: SCS Global Services Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/scs-global-services Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: SCS Global Services As preparations for the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) accelerate, the CIIE Bureau has launched a global promotional campaign. Two delegation teams have been dispatched to Europe to engage key stakeholders and increase participation. The first delegation visited Germany from March 30 to April 3, while the second traveled to Finland, Belgium, and Norway from April 22 to April 30. During the visit to Germany, the delegation attended Hannover Messe 2025, where they engaged in high-level discussions with key entities such as Baden-Wurttemberg International, Saarland Economic Promotion Corporation, Festo, PHOENIX, SEW EURODRIVE, Schaeffler, and Deutsche Messe AG, exploring collaboration opportunities. Germany, a long-standing CIIE participant, occupied over 26000 square meters exhibition space at the 7th CIIE. Industry giants including Bayer, SCHOTT, Zeiss and Merck left their imprints at the 7th CIIE, which unveiled their novel products and cutting-edge technologies, placing a pronounced focus on innovation and the pursuit of industrial upgrading. Finland and Belgium, both significant trade partners of China, have been consistently active in the CIIE. Since making its debut at the CIIE, Finland has continuously ramped up its engagement. At the 7th CIIE, Finland showcased its fourth national pavilion, featuring 18 companies in the Finnish national pavilion focusing on areas such as sustainable mining, bio- based solutions, and food exports. Belgium has also participated in the CIIE for seven years, leveraging this unparalleled platform to introduce a wide variety of products to the massive Chinese market. By September 2024, Norwegian seafood exports to China had surpassed 126,000 tons, marking a 16% year-on-year growth. Marking 70 years of diplomatic relations with China, Norway established its national pavilion for the first time at the 7th CIIE. With support from the Innovation Norway, 12 outstanding Norwegian companies and the Norwegian Seafood Council showcased their diverse products at the 7th CIIE, such as maritime and energy, health and nutrition, seafood and consumer goods, etc., highlighting the strengthening ties between the two nations. On 18 April, the 200-day countdown to the 8th CIIE officially began, signaling the growing anticipation surrounding this important global event. Considering the numerous opportunities presented by the CIIE, visit the official website for more information and be sure to secure your spot at the 8th CIIE: https://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422067396/en/ Contacts: Company Name: China International Import Expo (CIIE) Contact Person: Cui Yan Email: cuiyan@ciie.org Website: https://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/ National Parvo Awareness Day raises awareness of canine parvovirus (parvo), the often-fatal puppy disease. Elanco's Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA) is the first-and-only USDA conditionally approved treatment for parvo. Puppies treated with CPMA had a 93% survival rate and returned home an average of 1.87 days sooner. [1],[2] Elanco's ParvoTrack, the first-ever national online parvo tracking tool, allows pet owners and veterinarians to self-report outbreaks in real time, further highlighting the need for CPMA across the country and reinforcing Elanco's commitment to increasing the availability of CPMA. Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana and New York have some of the highest reported cases of canine parvovirus outbreaks according to ParvoTrack. Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE:ELAN) today recognizes the second annual National Parvo Awareness Day, aimed at increasing awareness of canine parvovirus, a highly contagious and often-fatal puppy disease. Since receiving conditional approval from the USDA, Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA) has helped save thousands of puppies.[3] Although parvovirus can strike anytime, late spring and summer months are the most common for outbreaks nationwide. "Parvo is a devastating disease that not only impacts our pets, but takes an emotional toll on pet owners, veterinarians and animal health experts," said Dr. Chris George, veterinarian and infectious disease expert at Elanco Animal Health. "Without supportive care, parvo has a 91% mortality rate.[4] However, there's a treatment beyond just supportive care - Elanco's CPMA which can help defend puppies and defeat parvo. In real-world usage, 93% of parvo-infected puppies treated with CPMA survived.[1] Additionally, parvo patients treated with CPMA spend an average of 1.87 less days in the hospital, helping to relieve the emotional toll on treating veterinary staff and getting pets back with their families. CPMA is changing the way we treat parvo and is helping save puppies across the country."[2] Elanco's mission to save 1 million puppies from parvovirus by 2030 "Making CPMA widely available is crucial in our fight against this devastating virus, including in shelter environments where resources are often strained," said Bobby Modi, Executive Vice President, U.S. Pet Health. "Elanco is focused on increasing access to this life-saving treatment, and we've saved thousands of puppies in the first year[3] - but we need help from every clinic around the country to reach our mission of saving 1 million puppies from parvovirus by 2030. We believe every clinic and shelter should experience the power of CPMA firsthand, so we encourage clinics who haven't tried it to learn more about how they can save their first parvo puppy using CPMA." Last year, Elanco launched ParvoTrack as the first-ever real-time online parvo tracking tool, empowering pet owners and the veterinary community with innovative intelligence to help notify them of parvo outbreaks in their communities. Visitors to the site can self-report and identify parvo outbreak areas, with a few simple steps, as well as sign up for parvo outbreak alerts in their area. Since launching ParvoTrack last year, thousands of parvo cases have been reported nationwide, with over 7,000 pet owners and veterinarians signing up to receive alerts with outbreaks in their area. ParvoTrack updates in real time and displays data from the past 12 months. Parvo outbreaks have occurred in every state with Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana and New York having some of the highest reported cases of canine parvovirus outbreaks. "Every clinic and every shelter should have CPMA readily available." "We've been treating parvo since early 2020 and it can be an absolutely devasting disease that weighs heavily on the staff," said Dr. Meghan Herron, Senior Director of Behavior, Research, and Education at Gigi's, an Ohio-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of shelter dogs. "Now that we have CPMA on board, everyone's attitudes have changed. We no longer must fear a parvo outbreak because we have a treatment on hand that reduces hospitalization time and has a 93% survival rate. Every clinic and every shelter should have CPMA readily available." 250213_Gigi's CPMA_v2.1 Survivor Stories NPAD Montage V3.1 Here are just a few of the faces that fully recovered from parvovirus after receiving lifesaving CPMA treatment. Cookie, an 8-week-old pitbull mix puppy from California, was the first puppy to be treated with CPMA. Dolly, an 8-week-old mixed breed puppy from Sugar Land, Texas received CPMA at the First Colony Veterinary Clinic. Patrick, a 10-week-old terrier mix from Valley Stream, New York spent two days at BARRK Animal Rescue after being treated with CPMA. Beatrix, a 3-month-old dalmatian from Glendale, Arizona . Buster, a 12-week-old mixed breed from Waynesboro, Georgia spent four days in the Burke County Animal Hospital. Luna, a 10-week-old rat terrier from St. Petersburg, Florida was given CPMA and after receiving the treatment, was eating, gaining weight and steadily improving. Two days later, she made a full recovery. Similarly, Mono, a 2-month-old mixed breed who arrived at Paws Chicago after staff was told he required immediate help or face euthanasia; Mono tested positive for parvo and immediately received CPMA. Three days post-treatment, he was up running around. To learn more about CPMA and report a parvo outbreak or learn which clinics near you carry CPMA, visit ParvoTrack.com. Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. 2025 Elanco or its affiliates. PM-US-25-0730 ABOUT ELANCO? Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders and society as a whole. With 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to breaking boundaries and going beyond to help our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose sustainability pillars - all to advance the health of animals, people, the planet and our enterprise. Learn more at www.elanco.com. [1] Elanco Animal Health. Market Data on File. [2] Elanco Animal Health. Industry Data on File. [3] Elanco Animal Health. Data on File. [4] Sykes, JE. Canine Parvovirus Infections and Other Viral Enteritides. Canine and Feline Infectious Diseases. 2014:141-151 View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Elanco on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Elanco Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/elanco Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Elanco Avicena is working with TSMC to optimize silicon photodetector (PD) arrays for Avicena's LightBundle microLED-based interconnects aimed at AI scale-up networks with 1Tbps/mm I/O density and 1pJ/bit efficiency. Avicena, headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, announced today that the company will work with TSMC to optimize photodetector (PD) arrays for Avicena's revolutionary LightBundle microLED-based interconnects. LightBundle supports 1Tbps/mm shoreline density and extends ultra-high density die-to-die (D2D) connections to 10 meters at class-leading sub-pJ/bit energy efficiency. This will enable AI scale-up networks to support large clusters of GPUs across multiple racks, eliminating reach limitations of current copper interconnects while drastically reducing power consumption. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422988144/en/ Scalable LightBundle Chiplet Platform for D2D Interconnects Increasingly sophisticated AI models are driving an unprecedented surge in demand for compute and memory performance, requiring interconnects with higher density, lower power, and longer reach for both processor-to-processor (P2P) and processor-to-memory (P2M) connectivity. LightBundle technology has been developed specifically to address extreme I/O requirements of AI clusters with extremely high shoreline densities and ultra-low power consumption. LightBundle transmitters use microLED arrays optimized for dense, high-speed interconnects achieving 1pJ/bit energy efficiency. LightBundle optical receivers utilize silicon PD arrays optimized for the visible light wavelengths transmitted by the microLEDs. LightBundle chiplet transceivers are well-suited to various packaging architectures including co-packaged optics (CPO), on-board optics (OBO), and pluggable optical modules. Both LED and PD arrays are bonded directly to the surface of CMOS ICs for a variety of process nodes. This work harnesses TSMC's leadership in image and optic sensor technologies to produce high-performance PD arrays for visible light, while also benefiting from TSMC's manufacturing excellence. "Avicena has been working with TSMC since our very beginning. TSMC's world-class manufacturing capabilities and deep experience in silicon optical sensors are critical for developing and producing key components of our LightBundle interconnects," says Bardia Pezeshki, co-founder and CEO of Avicena. "We are delighted to collaborate with innovators like Avicena to advance AI infrastructure, addressing the growing demands for compute scalability through efficient connectivity," said Lucas Tsai, Vice President of Business Management at TSMC North America. "TSMC provides foundry's most comprehensive CMOS image sensor (CIS) technology portfolio, and we're excited to support Avicena with our leading processes and manufacturing expertise." Avicena will exhibit in the Innovation Zone at the TSMC 2025 North America Technology Symposium in Santa Clara, CA, where it will showcase its LightBundle interconnect platform at Booth IZ09 and Co-Founder CEO Bardia Pezeshki will present at the "Innovate with TSMC!" Forum About Avicena Avicena Tech Corp. is a privately held company located in Sunnyvale, CA, developing LightBundle, a next generation optical interconnect architecture for AI/ML, HPC, sensors, 5G wireless and aerospace applications. This unique, flexible ultra-low energy technology is based on microLEDs, offering both very high bandwidth and low latency. Now, system designers can disaggregate functions like compute and memory and radically grow system throughput. Avicena's technology is a key building block in the evolution of networking and computing that will reduce the energy impact on our planet. For more information, visit https://avicena.tech View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422988144/en/ Contacts: Avicena Media Contact: Sama Pourmojib email: sama@avicena.tech Advancing PFA through a science-led, portfolio-driven approach to innovation CardioFocus, Inc., a medical device company dedicated to advancing ablation treatment for cardiac arrhythmias, is excited to announce its featured presence at Heart Rhythm 2025 in San Diego, where the company will showcase the latest advancements and clinical progress in pulsed field ablation (PFA) technology for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. CardioFocus will kick off the week at the Stanford Biodesign New Arrhythmia Technologies Retreat on Wednesday, April 23, at The Westin San Diego. Dr. Atul Verma will speak at 2:50 PM, highlighting the unique PFA approach CardioFocus is pioneering. "We're honored to be featured at this retreat," said Steve Ogilvie, CEO of CardioFocus. "It's the perfect stage to elaborate on the unique science driving our PFA innovation." The momentum continues on Thursday, April 24, with the PFA Live Case Summit 2025, where the company's next-generation OptiShot PFA Balloon Catheter will be showcased in a live, first-in-human case from the VISION AF trial. This live case broadcasted from Homolka Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic, will highlight how OptiShot combines advanced waveform technology and circumferential contact with an ultra-compliant balloon design to deliver consistent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). OptiShot is one of several different approaches that the company is taking in its portfolio approach to PFA, including focal (currently available in the EU UK), a large focal deca-spline mini basket called QuickShot Nav (under first-in-human clinical investigation in the Quick AF trial), and new generator, CardioWave (planned for future investigation). From April 25-27, at the Heart Rhythm 2025 conference at the San Diego Convention Center, CardioFocus invites attendees to explore its PFA science at Booth 1328 and in our Tech Suite (TS855), which will host both scheduled appointments and walk-in hours. Visitors will get an inside look at the company's development philosophy to combine waveform, contact, and catheter design and how diligent pre-clinical research has delivered clinical success with PFA. "Our message is clear this year: We're solving the PFA equation of waveform plus contact to elevate patient outcomes," said Ogilvie. "We're excited to engage, learn, and lead alongside the EP community." Centauri is not approved for sale in the United States. The OptiShot PFA Balloon System and QuickShot Nav is investigational and not approved for commercial use. About CardioFocus, Inc. Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, CardioFocus is a medical device innovator and manufacturer dedicated to advancing ablation treatment for cardiac disorders such as atrial fibrillation, the most common heart arrhythmia. For more information, visit CardioFocus.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250422562612/en/ Contacts: Media Relations [Pete Bell. pbell@cardiofocus.com] Originally published in Lenovo's 2023/24 ESG Report Supply chain ESG practices As a global business offering a variety of products and services in 180 markets around the world, Lenovo manages a diverse and dynamic supply chain. Lenovo's supply base is comprised of the following categories: internal manufacturing centers, production procurement, original design manufacturers (ODM), and general procurement. Production procurement includes all suppliers that provide materials or components that become part of Lenovo's products. ODMs include manufacturing partners who manufacture products on behalf of Lenovo. General procurement includes all suppliers that provide materials and products which support Lenovo's operations but do not become part of its products. Lenovo's supply base is comprised of multiple tiers in which lower tiers of suppliers provide materials and parts to higher tiers - and eventually to its Tier 1 suppliers, the suppliers with whom Lenovo has a direct contractual relationship. The disclosures in Section 6.0 apply to Lenovo's production procurement supplier base unless noted otherwise. The majority of Lenovo's spend is with production procurement suppliers which often have ESG impacts and risks. Production procurement suppliers may pose social risks due to their reliance on significant labor forces, often drawing from extensive pools of lower-skilled workers who may be vulnerable to exploitation. Production procurement suppliers typically contribute to environmental impacts, encompassing factors such as energy, water, and materials required for production. The distribution of suppliers is restricted to production procurement suppliers, given their notable ESG risk profile. Distribution of suppliers Lenovo recognizes that there can be many benefits in utilizing local suppliers, including reduced logistics costs, potential decreases in GHG emissions, the opportunity to support local economies, and the preservation of community relationships. Lenovo considers local suppliers as those that operate in the same country as its significant locations of operations. In FY 2023/24, its significant locations of operations included manufacturing locations in China, US, Mexico, Brazil, Hungary, Japan, and India. Lenovo estimates that 80 percent of production supply spend in China is with local suppliers. In other manufacturing countries or regions, Lenovo estimates that 20 percent of spend is with local suppliers. The chart1 above shows the geographic distribution of Lenovo's 533 production procurement suppliers as of the end of 2023. Lenovo has identified all production procurement suppliers as critical suppliers and all the identified suppliers are included in the chart. ESG in the supply chain Lenovo is committed to sound ESG management across its end-to-end supply chain process. It has ESG-specific systems in place, supported by contractual requirements to help ensure that suppliers meet or exceed applicable labor, environmental, health and safety, and ethics standards. The practices disclosed in Section 6.0 align with Lenovo's ESG-related internal corporate policies including: Lenovo's environmental commitments which are codified in its Environmental Affairs Policy, Climate and Energy Policy, and Water Resiliency Policy, and Lenovo's human rights commitments which are codified through its Human Rights Policy and further explained in its Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement. Commitments that apply to its supply chain are extended to suppliers through its Supplier Code of Conduct. Lenovo considers the supply chain a vital part of its operations and views effective supply chain management as an important contributor to its success. Given this, Lenovo has implemented a robust set of controls and programs to manage its overall procurement process. Additionally, Lenovo recognizes that ESG risks and impacts exist among its suppliers which may differ from the ESG impacts and risks associated with Lenovo's own operations. Lenovo implemented various practices to identify environmental and social risks along the supply chain and continue to monitor those efforts such as surveying new suppliers, performing ongoing supplier audits and assessments, and integrating several ESG-specific controls and practices into its Master Procurement Process. Lenovo's risk identification, practices, their implementation and monitoring are detailed throughout this section. Master procurement process Lenovo's Master Procurement Process is designed to oversee all purchase commitments for production materials and the goods and services that support its worldwide operations. With a mission to deliver the best pricing, quality, supply, technology, and service in a sustainable manner, this model provides a controlled procurement approach that is applied across the organization for commodities, including the following elements for production procurement and general procurement: Delegation of authority Lenovo's Code of Conduct includes requirements for the formal delegation which support accountability and responsible procurement practices. The 'Authority to Make Lenovo Commitments' section outlines the requirements for delegations with defined authority for commitments and other contract terms and conditions. Most importantly, it explicitly emphasizes that making business commitments outside these processes is not permitted. Supplier selection Implementing a controlled approach to awarding Lenovo's business to suppliers is critical to meet its procurement objectives and to establish a trusted base of suppliers. Therefore, even the perception of favoritism or bias is unacceptable. To ensure business awards are conducted ethically and fairly, Lenovo has defined and approved sourcing methods to ensure the following: Suppliers have a fair opportunity to compete for Lenovo's business Buyers conduct an ethical evaluation on carefully understood facts such as supplier prices, terms, and conditions The most capable suppliers are selected based on the best overall acquisition value Business awards are reviewed and approved with proper delegation of authority New supplier validation New suppliers are assessed for numerous capabilities including their operational aspects, financial stability, product or information security, and ESG performance. This assessment is facilitated through a supplier onboarding tool. More specifically, all new production procurement suppliers are assessed on their sustainability policies, codes of conduct, ISO certifications, ESG standards, environmental impact aspects, controls to prevent forced labor, and public reporting. Of particular concern are suppliers that may be listed as restricted or denied parties identified by governments and/or international agencies. Lenovo's policy and formal practice is that under no circumstances shall Lenovo's personnel purchase, sell, or ship any product contrary to applicable export laws or to any individual or firm appearing in any relevant government list of any party who has been denied export or import privileges. During FY 2023/24, 169 production procurement suppliers were assessed using this process. Contract management Supplier relationships are best managed when there are clear stipulations of responsibilities, deliverables, and relevant terms and conditions. Lenovo's supplier contracts incorporate legal and operational agreements and address various types of engagement. Additionally, all suppliers must comply with Lenovo's Supplier Code of Conduct, in which they are required to comply with the latest version of Responsible Business Alliance's (RBA) Code of Conduct as well. There are multiple code elements and requirements under the Supplier Code of Conduct relating to environmental, labor, and human rights matters. Instead of asking suppliers to sign separate Supplier Code of Conduct contract one by one, their compliance with the comprehensive Supplier Code of Conduct is executed via Lenovo's standard purchase agreements or standard purchase orders. To ensure all target agreements include clauses on the Supplier Code of Conduct, the continuous monitoring is in place, including the accessibility check of related links. Lenovo's Supplier Code of Conduct and the RBA Code of Conduct strictly prohibit bribery and corruption. The RBA audit protocol also includes consideration of anti-bribery and anti-corruption. Supplier performance evaluation Supplier performance evaluation is to provide timely feedback to suppliers to improve performance, move business volume to best suppliers, to reduce or eliminate business to poor performing suppliers. Performance management includes key criteria such as cost, quality, supply, technology, service and ESG as deemed appropriate. In addition, Lenovo has implemented practices used to promote environmentally preferable products and services when selecting suppliers including validating new suppliers and evaluating suppliers based on ESG considerations. Ongoing monitoring of supplier management efforts include audits of suppliers' relevant ESG performance and third party ESG ratings. The master procurement process continues to reinforce ESG as a criterion in supplier selection. Internal training To ensure those with delegated authority are informed on ESG best practices, Lenovo conducts comprehensive communication and education activities throughout the year for its global supply chain team. In FY 2023/24, Lenovo enhanced the global supply chain ESG education program by holding additional live training sessions in multiple ESG areas to help the procurement team build on knowledge and skills. Offered in both Chinese and English, the overall attendance in those training sessions reached 2,009. In addition, Lenovo provides compulsory ESG courses and required a 100 percent completion rate with the production procurement team. Procurement team were also surveyed on their understanding of ESG so improvements can be monitored annually. Education module Training sessions/courses ESG Overall ESG Overall live session Master Supplier ESG Scorecard and SPE Penalty & Credits online course Master Supplier ESG Scorecard Indicators Introduction online course ESG Focus RBA Compliance live session Protection Against Forced Labor online course EcoVadis Program live session Source Right live session Responsible Sourcing of Raw Materials live session Environmental Impact live session Supplier Code of Conduct live session Read more 1The allocation chart based on the registered legal entity of the headquarters of suppliers. No significant change in data or calculation methodology compared with previous year. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Lenovo on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Lenovo Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/lenovo Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Lenovo Results of ING's 2025 Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ING Groep N.V. was held today in Amsterdam. The AGM adopted all agenda items, including the annual accounts for 2024, discharge of the members of the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board and the dividend for 2024. The AGM also approved the reappointment of Steven van Rijswijk and Ljiljana Cortan to the Executive Board. Stuart Graham and Petri Hofste were appointed to the Supervisory Board and Margarete Haase and Lodewijk Hijmans van den Bergh were reappointed to the Supervisory Board. Note for editors For further information on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroomor via the @ING_newsX feed. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr. Press enquiries Investor enquiries Raymond Vermeulen ING Group Investor Relations +31 20 576 6369 +31 20 576 6396 Raymond.Vermeulen@ing.com Investor.Relations@ing.com (mailto:Investor.Relations@ing.com) ING PROFILE ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank's more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 100 countries. ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N). ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING's ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as 'AA' in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics' view, ING's management of ESG material risk is 'Strong'. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that's not. Follow our progress on ing.com/climate. Important legal information Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 ('Market Abuse Regulation'). ING Group's annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ('IFRS- EU'). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2024 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding. Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to di?er materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may di?er materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation: This document may contain ESG-related material that has been prepared by ING on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. ING has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third-party sources and makes no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of such information. Materiality, as used in the context of ESG, is distinct from, and should not be confused with, such term as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or as defined for Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') reporting purposes. Any issues identified as material for purposes of ESG in this document are therefore not necessarily material as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or for SEC reporting purposes. 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Attachment Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2025) - TriSummit Utilities Inc. ("TSU") announced today that it has agreed to issue $150 million of senior unsecured medium-term notes (the "Offering"). The notes carry a coupon rate of 4.48% and mature on April 24, 2032. The Offering is expected to close on or about April 24, 2025. The net proceeds resulting from the Offering will be used (i) as to approximately $130 million, to repay amounts outstanding under TSU's Canadian syndicated revolving credit facility and associated operating credit facility, which amounts were incurred in the normal course of business to fund the working capital requirements of the Company, and (ii) as to the remainder, for general corporate purposes. The Offering is being made through a syndicate of investment dealers co-led by RBC Capital Markets and TD Securities as joint bookrunners under TSU's Short Form Base Shelf Prospectus dated April 3, 2025 and Prospectus Supplement dated April 17, 2025. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. This press release is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia) or any other jurisdiction outside Canada. This press release does not constitute or form a part of any offer to buy or sell any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction outside of Canada. The securities of TSU 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. Accordingly, these securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to a U.S. person unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or except pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. There will be no public offering of securities in the United States. About TriSummit Utilities Inc. TSU is a North American company with natural gas distribution, transmission and storage utilities and renewable power generation assets. TSU serves approximately 292,000 customers across Canada and the United States, delivering energy safely and reliably. For more information visit: www.trisummit.ca Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "seek", "propose", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions, as they relate to TSU or an affiliate of TSU, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to, among other things, the Offering, the closing of the Offering, and the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. 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 statements reflect TSU's current views with respect to future events based on certain material factors and assumptions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, changes in the market, competition, governmental or regulatory developments, general economic conditions and other factors set out in TSU's public disclosure documents. Many factors could cause TSU's actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those described in this press release, including without limitation, those listed above. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this press release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, sought, proposed, estimated or expected, and such forward-looking statements included in, or incorporated by reference in this press release, should not be unduly relied upon. Such statements speak only as of the date of this press release. TSU does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249400 SOURCE: TriSummit Utilities Inc. The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) announced its participation in the following investor conferences in the second quarter of 2025: BMO Farm to Market Conference on May 15 th through 16 th in New York, NY Bank of America Ag Tech Conference on May 20 th attending virtually Wells Fargo Industrials Conference on June 10 th through 12 th in Chicago, IL Wolfe Research Materials Conference on June 17th through 18th in New York, NY About The Mosaic Company The Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Through its Mosaic Biosciences platform, the company is also advancing the next generation biological solutions to help farmers improve nutrient use efficiency and crop performance sustainably. Mosaic provides a single-source supply of phosphate, potash, and biological products for the global agriculture industry. More information on the company is available at www.mosaicco.com. Contacts: Investors: Joan Tong, CFA, 863-640-0826 joan.tong@mosaicco.com Jason Tremblay, 813-775-4226 jason.tremblay@mosaicco.com Media: Ben Pratt, 813-775-4206 benjamin.pratt@mosaicco.com SOURCE: The Mosaic Company JRM Construction Management is proud to announce the successful completion of a prestigious office build-out for Baron Capital, a leading asset management firm in Related's One Flagler commercial tower in West Palm Beach. Partnering with world-renowned architect Gensler and engineering experts JB&B, JRM has delivered a sophisticated, high-end workspace that aligns with Baron Capital's premier standards. SM&W provided low-voltage expertise, while Castelli oversaw lighting design, ensuring every aspect of the project was executed with precision. Baron Capital Florida "Over the past four decades, Baron Capital has experienced tremendous global growth and expansion, establishing a presence in New York, London, and the Middle East. As we continue to grow, opening an office in the heart of West Palm Beach at One Flagler marks an exciting new chapter for Baron Capital and is a natural evolution for the Firm as the region has evolved into a burgeoning hub in the financial services industry," said Ron Baron, Founder and CEO of Baron Capital. "The thoughtful design and quality of this new office reflects the caliber of Baron Capital, and we're proud to share the space with our clients and deepen our roots in this dynamic market." In creating a balance between functionality and aesthetic appeal, the newly finished office features extensive millwork that enhances warmth and refinement, curved office fronts for a modern, dynamic feel, and terrazzo flooring for a polished, timeless finish. Metal and stone wall cladding adds depth and an upscale character to the space. The interior layout accommodates numerous private offices, meeting rooms, and collaborative areas that support Baron Capital's operational needs. "We're thrilled to see Baron Capital's vision come to life and to have delivered an environment that reflects their prestigious brand," said Adam Spitalnick, VP, Managing Director, JRM South. "Working alongside Gensler, JB&B, SM&W, and Castelli was a truly rewarding experience, and we're proud to have created a forward-thinking space that fosters productivity and elevates the overall workplace." SOURCE: JRM Construction Management Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2025) - Syntheia Corp. (CSE: SYAI) (syntheia.ai) ("Syntheia" or the "Company"), a leading provider of conversational AI solutions for inbound telephone call management is pleased to report that subscriptions to our Assistant NLP platform has reached 20,000 subscribers. "Subscription growth since launch continues to exceed expectations and now stands at 20,000+ subscribers as of today. We are delighted at the rates of subscribers and management will continue to report progress as we look to reach our goal of 100,000 subscriptions by the end of 2025," commented Tony Di Benedetto, Chief Executive Officer. About Syntheia's Referral Program: Never on Hold Again Club Never on Hold Again Club is a referral program that rewards customers for sharing the power of AI-driven call handling. By referring businesses to Syntheia, customers can earn exclusive benefits while helping others elevate their customer service experience. For more details on the Never On Hold Again Club, including rewards, terms and conditions, please visit: https://www.syntheia.ai/the-never-on-hold-again-club. The program is available to users in all countries subject to local rules and regulations. No paid subscription is required to participate. Flexible Plans and Pricing: Syntheia's Three Pricing Models AssistantNLP's Receptionist service is available today to customers in three pricing tiers: 'Freemium'- Includes essential features with 60 minutes included per month at no cost; 'Basic' - Priced at $99.99/month, includes 500 minutes per month with additional functionalities such as email messaging; and 'Pro' - At $299.99/month, includes 2,000 monthly minutes, advanced analytics and customizable features. Please access https://www.syntheia.ai/pricing for more details on each pricing tier. About Syntheia Syntheia is an artificial intelligence technology company which is developing and commercializing proprietary algorithms to deliver human-like conversations. Our SaaS platform offers conversational AI solutions for both enterprise and small-medium business customers globally Cautionary Statement Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to the Company's business objectives, the Company's efforts to grow brand awareness, customer base and sales, and the availability of the Never on Hold Again Referral Program and pricing tiers. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects the Company's management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning the business of the Company's future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Please refer to the Company's listing statement available on SEDAR+ for a list of risks and key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249376 SOURCE: Syntheia Corp. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2025) - Suncor Energy (TSX: SU) (NYSE: SU) will release its first quarter financial results on May 6, 2025 before 5:00 p.m. MT (7:00 p.m. ET). A webcast to review the first quarter will be held on May 7, 2025 at 7:30 a.m. MT (9:30 a.m. ET). Representing management will be Rich Kruger, President and Chief Executive Officer and Kris Smith, Chief Financial Officer. A question and answer period with analysts will follow brief remarks from management. Troy Little, Senior Vice President, External Affairs will host the call. To listen to the webcast please follow the instructions provided at https://www.suncor.com/en-ca/investors/events-and-presentations. Annual General Meeting Suncor will host its Annual General Meeting online at 10:30 a.m. MT (12:30 p.m. ET) on May 6, 2025. To participate in the meeting, shareholders will need access to the internet for the full duration of the meeting. Detailed instructions for shareholders to participate in the meeting are provided at https://www.suncor.com/en-ca/investors/events-and-presentations. The event will be archived for 90 days. Suncor Energy is Canada's leading integrated energy company. Suncor's operations include oil sands development, production and upgrading; offshore oil production; petroleum refining in Canada and the U.S.; and the company's Petro-CanadaTM retail and wholesale distribution networks (including Canada's Electric HighwayTM, a coast-to-coast network of fast-charging EV stations). Suncor is developing petroleum resources while advancing the transition to a lower-emissions future through investments in lower emissions intensity power, renewable feedstock fuels and projects targeting emissions intensity. Suncor also conducts energy trading activities focused primarily on the marketing and trading of crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products and power. Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. For more information about Suncor, visit our website at suncor.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249419 SOURCE: Suncor Energy Inc. As a selective monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor, XADAGO offers a unique mechanism of action that complements traditional therapies, potentially improving motor function and reducing "off" time in patients. The increasing prevalence of Parkinson's disease and the growing demand for effective therapies create a substantial market opportunity for XADAGO, particularly in regions with aging populations. LAS VEGAS, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's " XADAGO/EQUFINA Market Size, Forecast, and Market Insight Report " highlights the details around XADAGO/EQUFINA, an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) indicated as an adjunctive treatment to levodopa/carbidopa in patients with Parkinson's disease experiencing "off" episodes. The report provides product descriptions, patent details, and competitor products (marketed and emerging therapies) of XADAGO/EQUFINA. The report also highlights the historical and forecasted sales from 2020 to 2034 segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Newron Pharmaceuticals/Eisai/Meiji Seika Pharma's XADAGO/EQUFINA (safinamide) Overview XADAGO is a monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor used alongside levodopa/carbidopa to help manage "off" episodes in individuals with Parkinson's disease. While its exact mode of action in treating Parkinson's is not fully understood, it is thought to work by inhibiting MAO-B, thereby reducing dopamine breakdown. This leads to increased dopamine levels and enhanced dopaminergic activity in the brain. XADAGO contains the active ingredient safinamide in the form of a mesylate salt and is available in 50 mg and 100 mg film-coated oral tablets. Each tablet provides either 65.88 mg or 131.76 mg of safinamide mesylate, equivalent to 50 mg or 100 mg of the safinamide base. The medication is marketed as XADAGO in the United States and Europe and under the name EQUFINA in Japan. Drug Name XADAGO/EQUFINA (safinamide) Developer Newron Pharmaceuticals/Eisai/Meiji Seika Pharma Approval Year 2017 (US); 2015 (EU); 2019 (JP) Primary Indication Parkinson's disease Mechanism of action MAO-B inhibitor Route of administration Oral Learn more about XADAGO/EQUFINA projected market size for Parkinson's disease @ XADAGO/EQUFINA Market Potential Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that mainly impairs movement control. It results from the slow degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, especially in the substantia nigra, a region crucial for managing voluntary motor function. According to estimates by DelveInsight, there were 2.7 million diagnosed prevalent cases of Parkinson's disease in the 7MM in 2023, with the United States accounting for around 45% of these cases. While a cure for Parkinson's remains elusive, a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies is used to manage symptoms. Physical, occupational, and speech therapies form key components of treatment, and surgical procedures may benefit select patients. Additionally, complementary therapies are sometimes employed to help address particular symptoms. Frequently prescribed medications for Parkinson's include levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, COMT inhibitors, amantadine, anticholinergics, and adenosine A2A antagonists. These treatments primarily target motor symptoms, which are a major concern for those affected. DelveInsight reports that the Parkinson's disease market in the 7MM was valued at USD 3.2 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow over the forecast period (2020-2034), fueled by the launch of new therapies, increasing prevalence, better access to healthcare, and rising demand for more advanced and effective treatment options. Discover more about the Parkinson's disease market in detail @ Parkinson's Disease Market Report Emerging Competitors of XADAGO/EQUFINA Some of the drugs in the pipeline include Solengepras (Cerevance), Minzasolmin (UCB Biopharma SRL/Novartis), Buntanetap (Annovis Bio), and others. Buntanetap has successfully completed Phase III trials for early-stage Parkinson's disease. Annovis Bio has scheduled a meeting with the FDA in Q1 2025 to determine the development path forward for Buntanetap in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Buntanetap is also being developed for Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and other neurodegenerative disorders. In November 2024, Cerevance announced the dosing of the first patient in its pivotal Phase III ARISE trial, evaluating solengepras as a potential adjunctive treatment for Parkinson's disease. Cerevance expects to report topline data in the first half of 2026. In December 2021, UCB partnered with Novartis to globally co-develop and co-commercialize UCB0599, a pioneering alpha-synuclein misfolding inhibitor currently in Phase II clinical trials for Parkinson's disease. To know more about the number of competing drugs in development, visit @ XADAGO/EQUFINA Market Positioning Compared to Other Drugs Key Milestones of XADAGO/EQUFINA In April 2020, Newron Pharmaceutical acknowledged that US WorldMeds, who held the US commercialization rights for the licensed drug, XADAGO, as a sub licensee of Zambon, had entered into a definitive agreement with Supernus Pharmaceuticals under which Supernus would acquire the CNS portfolio of US WorldMeds, including the US rights to XADAGO acknowledged that US WorldMeds, who held the US commercialization rights for the licensed drug, XADAGO, as a sub licensee of Zambon, had entered into a definitive agreement with Supernus Pharmaceuticals under which Supernus would acquire the CNS portfolio of US WorldMeds, including the US rights to XADAGO In November 2019, Eisai announced that it had launched the EQUFINA 50mg tablets for the indication of improvement of the wearing-off phenomenon in patients with Parkinson's disease under treatment with a drug containing levodopa in Japan. Manufacturing and marketing approval of EQUFINA was obtained in September 2019. announced that it had launched the EQUFINA 50mg tablets for the indication of improvement of the wearing-off phenomenon in patients with Parkinson's disease under treatment with a drug containing levodopa in Japan. Manufacturing and marketing approval of EQUFINA was obtained in September 2019. In April 2017, Eisai Co., Ltd. and Meiji Seika Pharma announced entering into a license agreement for the commercialization of safinamide (development code: ME2125) to treat Parkinson's disease in Japan and Asia. announced entering into a license agreement for the commercialization of safinamide (development code: ME2125) to treat Parkinson's disease in Japan and Asia. In March 2017, Newron Pharmaceuticals announced the US FDA approval of XADAGO to treat Parkinson's disease as an add-on therapy to levodopa/carbidopa for patients experiencing "off" episodes. announced the US FDA approval of XADAGO to treat Parkinson's disease as an add-on therapy to levodopa/carbidopa for patients experiencing "off" episodes. In March 2016, Zambon announced a strategic agreement with US WorldMeds to commercialize Newron's lead compound, XADAGO, to treat Parkinson's disease in the US. announced a strategic agreement with US WorldMeds to commercialize Newron's lead compound, XADAGO, to treat Parkinson's disease in the US. In February 2015, XADAGO was approved in the European Union as an add-on therapy to levodopa, alone or in combination with other Parkinson's medications, in mid-late stage PD patients with motor fluctuations. XADAGO/EQUFINA Patent Details XADAGO tablets are currently protected by three XADAGO patents with US patent numbers 8,076,515, 8,278,485, and 8,283,380, which expire between June 2027 and December 2028 and are listed in the FDA's publication, Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, commonly referred to as the Orange Book. The company has a license agreement with Zambon S.p.A., Newron's partner, related to the XADAGO Patents, and as a new chemical entity, XADAGO is under the 5-year FDA exclusivity period that expires on March 21, 2022. In May 2017, Zambon filed a worldwide patent under the patent number WO2017207587A1. The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising safinamide and, more particularly, to taste-masked particles comprising said active ingredient or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, oral dosage forms that include said particles, and a process for preparing them. Discover how XADAGO/EQUFINA is shaping the Parkinson's disease treatment landscape @ XADAGO 50mg XADAGO/EQUFINA Market Dynamics XADAGO, marketed as EQUFINA in some regions (notably in South Korea and Japan), is a once-daily oral selective MAO-B inhibitor used as an add-on treatment for Parkinson's disease patients experiencing "off" episodes while on a stable dose of levodopa. The drug's unique dual mechanism of action-MAO-B inhibition and modulation of glutamate release-offers both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic effects, positioning it as a differentiated product in the PD adjunctive therapy landscape. This has helped it carve a niche in markets where patients are inadequately controlled by levodopa alone, particularly those in mid-to-late-stage PD. The global market dynamics for XADAGO/EQUFINA are shaped by a mix of competitive intensity, regional adoption trends, and payer dynamics. In the U.S. and Europe, the drug has faced stiff competition from generic MAO-B inhibitors (like selegiline and rasagiline) and newer Parkinson's disease therapies, including COMT inhibitors, dopamine agonists, and extended-release levodopa formulations. Despite this, its favorable safety profile and once-daily dosing have supported its uptake in certain patient segments, especially in Europe. Market penetration has been slower in the U.S. due to both reimbursement hurdles and physician preference for more established adjunctive treatments. In Asia, particularly Japan and South Korea, EQUFINA has demonstrated stronger market performance thanks to focused commercial strategies and a high unmet need for effective "off time" management. Meiji Seika Pharma and Eisai, the regional marketing partners, have successfully leveraged the drug's differentiated profile in clinician education, which has led to growing adoption among neurologists. In Japan, where the aging population is rapidly expanding and Parkinson's prevalence is rising, EQUFINA has benefited from both demographic tailwinds and formulary access. Looking ahead, the market outlook for XADAGO/EQUFINA depends on several strategic levers, including lifecycle management, regional partnerships, and real-world evidence generation. The manufacturer's ability to expand into new geographies, secure favorable reimbursement, and differentiate against both generics and newer entrants will be critical. Moreover, as Parkinson's disease treatment moves toward more personalized approaches, XADAGO/EQUFINA may find sustained relevance in specific subpopulations, particularly those requiring a balance of efficacy and tolerability. Dive deeper to get more insight into XADAGO/EQUFINA's strengths & weaknesses relative to competitors @ XADAGO/EQUFINA Market Drug Report Table of Contents 1 Report Introduction 2 XADAGO/EQUFINA: Newron Pharmaceuticals/Eisai/Meiji Seika Pharma 2.1 Product Overview 2.2 Other Development Activities 2.3 Clinical Development 2.4 Clinical Trials Information 2.5 Safety and Efficacy 2.6 Product Profile 2.7 Market Assessment 2.7.1 The 7MM Analysis 2.7.1.1 Cost Assumptions and Rebate 2.7.1.2 Pricing Trends 2.7.1.3 Analogue Assessment 2.7.1.4 Launch Year and Therapy Uptake 2.7.2 The United States Market Analysis 2.7.3 EU4 and the United Kingdom Market Analysis 2.7.3.1 Germany 2.7.3.2 France 2.7.3.3 Italy 2.7.3.4 Spain 2.7.3.5 UK 2.7.4 Japan Market Analysis 2.8 Market Drivers 2.9 Market Barriers 2.10 SWOT Analysis 3 Key Cross of Marketed Competitors of XADAGO/EQUFINA 4 Key Cross of Emerging Competitors of XADAGO/EQUFINA Related Reports Parkinson's Disease Market Parkinson's Disease Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key Parkinson's disease companies, including UCB Biopharma SRL, Novartis, Annovis Bio, Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Britannia Pharmaceutical, Pharma Two B, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma (NeuroDerm), AbbVie, Cerevel Therapeutics, Cerevance, among others. Parkinson's Disease Pipeline Parkinson's Disease Pipeline Insight - 2025 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key Parkinson's disease companies, including Cerevel Therapeutics, Inhibikase Therapeutics, Neuraly, Peptron, Biogen, Roche, Brain Neurotherapy Bio, Inc., Modag, Annovis Bio Inc., BioVie Inc., United Neuroscience Ltd., Luye Pharma Group, AbbVie, UCB Biopharma SRL, InnoMedica Schweiz AG, Integrative Research Laboratories AB, H. Lundbeck A/S, Shanghai WD Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Cerevance Beta, Inc., Nobilis Therapeutics Inc., BlueRock Therapeutics, Taiwan Mitochondrion Applied Technology Co., Ltd., among others. 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Contact Us Shruti Thakur info@delveinsight.com +14699457679 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xadagoequfina-set-to-revolutionize-parkinsons-disease-treatment-landscape--delveinsight-302434012.html HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES, INC. (NYSE:HVT)(NYSE:HVT.A) will release its first quarter 2025 financial results on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, after the market closes. The company will host a conference call with investors and analysts on Thursday, May 1, at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss the results of its operations. Havertys invites interested parties to listen to the live webcast of the conference call on its website at http://ir.havertys.com . The webcast will be archived and available for replay beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET on May 1. About Havertys Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (NYSE: HVT and HVT.A), established in 1885, is a full-service home furnishings retailer with 130 showrooms in 17 states in the Southern and Midwestern regions providing its customers with a wide selection of quality merchandise in middle to upper-middle price ranges. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.havertys.com . Contact: Havertys 404-443-2900 investor.relations@havertys.com Tiffany Hinkle Assistant Vice President, Financial Reporting SOURCE: Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. Boron One Holdings Inc. ("Boron One" or the "Company") (TSXV:BONE), is providing an update to its press release dated April 7, 2025 announcing the warrant exercise incentive program. The Program is intended to encourage the exercise of up to 9,691,000 unlisted common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Eligible Warrants") which were issued as part of the Company's private placements which closed on June 7, 2024, September 10, 2024 and September 25, 2024, respectively. Each Eligible Warrant is exercisable for one common share of the Company (each a "Common Share") at a price of $0.07 per Common Share. The Company intends to amend the exercise price to $0.05 (the "Warrant Repricing") for the term of the Warrant Incentive Program, following receipt of TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") acceptance. All other terms of the Eligible Warrants will remain the same, including the expiry dates of December 7, 2026 for the June 7, 2024 Warrants, March 10, 2027 for the September 10, 2024 Warrants and March 25, 2027 for the September 25, 2024 Warrants. Upon the expiration of the Warrant Incentive Program, the exercise price of any unexercised Eligible Warrants will revert to the original exercise price of $0.07 per Common Share. To the extent that holders of Eligible Warrants ("Warrant Holders") take advantage of the opportunity to exercise their Eligible Warrants early, this will fund working capital purposes. Eligible Warrants that remain unexercised following the completion of the Early Exercise Period (defined below) will continue to be exercisable for Common Shares on the original terms as they existed prior to the Program. The Early Exercise Period will commence on April 23, 2025 and terminate on May 7, 2025. The Program and Warrant Repricing are subject to approval from the Exchange and the receipt of all final regulatory approvals, including final approval of the Exchange. Insiders presently hold 900,000 Eligible Warrants. The number of Eligible Warrants to be exercised by insiders of the Company is limited to no more than 10% of the total Eligible Warrants, being 969,100 Eligible Warrants, and the Company will issue no more than 969,100 Incentive Warrants to insiders under the Program. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Tim Daniels, President About Boron One Holdings Inc. Boron One Holdings Inc. is an international mineral exploration and development company with boron assets in Serbia. Headquartered in Victoria, B.C., Canada, Boron One's shares are traded on the Exchange under the symbol "BONE". For detailed information please see Boron One's website at www.boronone.com or the Company's filed documents at www.sedarplus.ca For further information, please contact: Boron One Holdings Inc. Blake Fallis, General Manager Phone: 1-250- 384-1999 or 1-888-289-3746 info@boronone.com www.boronone.com Boron's Public Quotations: Canada TSX Venture:BONE Berlin:EKV US: SEC 12G3-2(B) #82-4432ERVFF OTC PINK:ERVFF Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Boron One Holdings Inc. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 22nd, 2025, FinanceWire Amwaj International, a billion-dollar multi-national conglomerate with over 10,000 employees and a global footprint across 27 cities, has acquired 18% stake in Dubai-based development firm Cledor, founded by industry veteran Omar Gull. The investment marks Amwajs entry into the real estate market in the UAE, with Cledors post-money valuation hitting USD 100 million. This investment is a key part of Amwajs strategy to expand into one of the worlds most significant real estate markets. For over 30 years, Namir El Akabi has successfully directed developments and investments worth more than $60 billion across nearly every sector of the real estate industry. Under the partnership, Cledor will manage and spearhead Amwajs upcoming real estate ventures in the UAE, harnessing its expertise in luxury real estate development. The funds will enable Cledor to support recruitment and manage operational expenses until its projects generate liquidity. Cledor will also leverage Amwajs global team of professionals, procurement network, and expertise to accelerate future growth. Dubais real estate sector recorded significant transaction volumes. In 2024, Dubai reached an all-time high in real estate transaction values, totaling over AED 760.7 billion from 226,000 transactions. The boom has been fueled by foreign direct investment, a growing demand for luxury properties, and a pro-business regulatory framework. As a thriving global business hub, Dubai provides a business-friendly environment that supports company growth. With a tax-free income regime, ease of doing business, and a dynamic investment ecosystem, the city continues to attract international firms due to its regulatory and tax framework Dubai provides the ideal environment for entrepreneurs to dream big and scale quickly, said Omar Gull, Founder of Cledor. In just under a year, we secured AED 2.3 billion in Gross Development Value (GDV) and more than 1.3 million square feet in projects. We have also demonstrated our ability to execute, having launched and sold out our first development in just four days, with a GDV of AED 435 million. Our partnership with Amwaj will further fuel our growth, allowing us to capitalize on Dubais booming real estate market. Omars illustrious career path has seen him achieve sales upwards of USD 30 billion. He has previously held key leadership roles including the Chief Sales Officer of Dubai Holding, Head of Sales at Emaar Properties, General Manager of Emaar Saudi Arabia, Head of International Business at DAMAC Properties, as well as prior consulting experience at JLL. Namir El Akabi, Founder and Chairman of Amwaj Group stated: We are deeply confident in the vision and leadership of Omar Gull, who brings invaluable experience in the Dubai real estate market. The remarkable speed and scale at which Cledor has grown in under a year is testament to its vast potential. We are excited to support its journey and join hands in redefining the UAEs real estate sector. While Cledors primary focus remains Dubai, the firm is also exploring high-growth emerging markets such as Far East Asia and Eastern Europe for potential expansion opportunities. Through current and upcoming projects spanning approximately 20 million sqm of land, Amwaj aims to provide 50,000 units to accommodate 200,000 residents. To date, the company has invested about $2.4 billion in real estate assets that are either sold or under development in Iraq alone. These assets include residential, retail, and office properties in Iraqs premier property market. About Amwaj International Amwaj International is a billion-dollar multi-national conglomerate with a global presence in 27 cities, employing over 10,000 people. With more than 30 years of experience, Amwaj has successfully directed developments and investments across diverse sectors, including real estate, energy, and infrastructure. The company has committed over $2.4 billion to real estate assets in Iraq and is now strategically expanding into the UAE market. Through its recent investment in Cledor, Amwaj Group is poised to strengthen its presence in Dubais booming real estate sector, driving growth and innovation across the region. www.amwaj.com About Cledor Cledor is a Dubai-based real estate development firm specializing in luxury properties and high-value investments. In less than a year, Cledor has secured AED 2.3 billion in Gross Development Value (GDV) with over 1.3 million square feet of real estate projects in Dubai. With a proven track record, including the rapid sell-out of its first AED 435 million project in just four days, Cledor aims to become a billion-dollar company in five years. The firm continues to expand its portfolio, launching five major developments in 2025 while exploring high-growth emerging markets such as Far East Asia and Eastern Europe. www.cledor.com Contact Keel Comms [email protected] Disclaimer: This is a paid press release and is distributed for general information only and is not intended to constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. GreenFi, a San Francisco, CA-based climate-friendly banking and investing brand, raised $17M in funding. Backers were not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its development of new banking, credit, and investment products that deliver both financial value and sustainability. Founded by CEO Tim Newell, GreenFi (formerly Aspiration) is a climate-friendly banking and investing brand, empowering customers to align their financial goals with their values. In the coming months, the company plans to introduce enhanced financial products, including higher-yield savings accounts, climate-friendly credit cards, additional impact investments, and green loans. The company emerged from the 2024 acquisition of Aspirations consumer fintech brand by Mission Financial Partners (MFP), led by Newell, the former head of the consumer fintech division at Aspiration and former leader of Teslas financial products team. This spin-out established GreenFi as a new independent company dedicated to providing climate-friendly financial solutions. FinSMEs 22/04/2025 Puna Bio, a Buenos Aires, Argentina-based agricultural technology company, received an investment from Corteva Catalyst. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. Other investors included At One Ventures, SP Ventures, SOSV, Builders VC, and joined by new investor Dalus Capital. The company intends to use the funds to expand its business to the United States, Brazil, and Paraguay, where it has already made progress in regulatory approvals and commercialization. Led by CEO Franco Martinez Levis, Puna Bio is an agricultural technology company specializing in biological solutions for regenerative agriculture. Their biological inputs help farmers boost yields, reduce fertilizer use, and grow crops on degraded soils. With operations across USA, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, their two current commercial products, Kunza (for soybeans, cotton, and beans) and Kanzama (for wheat and barley), have already been deployed on over 800,000 acres in just three commercial seasons. FinSMEs 22/04/2025 Currently, Saif Ali Khan is gearing up for the release of his much-anticipated heist drama, Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins. The actor plays the role of a suave con man read more Saif Ali Khan and the acclaimed filmmaker Priyadarshan are collaborating for the first time for the Hindi remake of Mohanlal starrer Oppam, a Malayalam thriller. Recently, the Jewel Thief actor opened up about the film, shared deets about his role, and what the audience can expect from this mega collaboration. Yes, I am doing a film with Priyadarshan next. I play a blind guy, said Saif Ali Khan. While he kept the rest of the details under wraps, he called the collaboration very exciting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For the unversed, Oppam explores the life of a retired judge, who faces difficulty in protecting his daughter from a convict he imprisoned. However, when he gets murdered, a man with visual impairment whod been loyal to the judge, steps in to defend his daughter. Though the cast hasnt been confirmed yet, it is being said that Bobby Deol will play the role of an antagonist. As soon as Saif Ali Khan announced his collaboration with Priyadarshan, audiences have been curious to see the result of their team up, and what they have in store! Currently, Saif Ali Khan is gearing up for the release of his much-anticipated heist drama, Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins. The actor plays the role of a suave con man, who is hired by a powerful crime lord, Jaideep Ahlawat. Beyond these two seasoned actors, the OTT spectacle also stars Kunal Kapoor and Nikita Dutta in pivotal roles. Directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, Jewel Thief is backed by Siddharth Anand and it is scheduled to release on Netflix from April 25. Kunal Kapoor cracked a few jokes on Saif Ali Khan when asked his experience of working with him and jokingly called him a pain read more Netflixs upcoming biggie Jewel Thief featuring the ensemble cast of Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor and Nikita Dutta has been garnering buzz for its stylish narrative and lavish scale. In a recent interview, Jaideep and Nikita shared their great time from the sets of the movie, however, Kunal said that it was a different experience for him. Loneliness because I am not with them in the film, I am chasing them so I was alone on the set. These people would enjoy together," said Kunal while talking to Filmygyan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The actor than started cracking few jokes on Saif Ali Khan when asked his experience of working with him and jokingly called him a pain. He is a pain. It was difficult to work with him. He didnt turn up on time and when he did, he didnt know his line and then we had to wait till he learned his lines. Then take after take," said Kunal. Jaideep and Nikitia joined this humorous session and jokingly said that since Saif is not on social media, he wouldnt see Kunals comments but agreed that if it would make it to newspapers, Saif would surely find out. 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. Speaking about the film, the producers shared, As filmmakers, were 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 couldnt 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Priyanka Chopra Jonas, award-winning actor and producer and New York Times bestselling author, will receive the inaugural Global Vanguard Honor for her unprecedented 25-year career read more Indian movie star Priyanka Chopra Jonas will receive the inaugural Global Vanguard Honour at Gold House Gala 2025 for her work in Hollywood and Bollywood next month. The actor is being recognised for her unprecedented 25-year career bridging Asian Pacific and Western cultures through acclaimed work across Hindi cinema and Hollywood such as Krrish, Bajirao Mastani, Barfi, Don, as Citadel, and Love Again. Known as the premier and most-watched celebration of Asian Pacific and multicultural excellence, the Gold Gala will bring together more than 600 influential guests to spotlight the 2025 A100 Lista curated selection of the 100 most impactful Asian Pacific leaders in culture. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Guests will enjoy thoughtfully crafted experiences throughout the nightfrom signature cocktails courtesy of Hennessy and hydration by Smartwater, to brand activations from partners such as LOreal Groupe, Genesis Motor America, and Maybelline. The Walter and Shirley Wang Foundation will also sponsor the media room for the Gold Carpet. Attendees will depart with exclusive gift bags including The Whoos Imperial Youth Skin Cream, an Everlane ReNew Transit Backpack, a custom 24K Gold Gap hoodie, Prabal Gurungs memoir Walk Like a Girl (provided by GoldenTV), and more. The celebration continues with the Billboard x Gold House Founders Party, headlined by Grammy-winning artist DJ Pee. Wee (Anderson .Paak). The after-party will feature a vibrant arcade corner by Rakuten Viki, delicious bites from Panda Express, and the return of the crowd-favorite Celebrity Karaoke Room. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, award-winning actor and producer and New York Times bestselling author, will receive the inaugural Global Vanguard Honor for her unprecedented 25-year career bridging Asian Pacific and Western cultures through acclaimed work across Hindi cinema and Hollywood, her continual elevation of underrepresented voices, and her unparalleled global platformrecognized by Time 100 and Forbes Most Powerful Women. With added inputs from agencies Saif has invested in a luxury property at The Residences at The St Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl, in Qatar. read more Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Alfardan Group, Saif Ali Khan has opened up about purchasing a property in Doha. The actor was quoted saying, Think of a holiday home or a second home. There are a few things I think of. One is that its not very far away and its easily accessible. And then the other thing is, the most important thing is that its very safe and it feels very good to be there. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Saif has invested in a luxury property at The Residences at The St Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl, in Qatar. This comes months after the stabbing incident that unfolded inside his house that shocked everyone. Saif added, And the concept of an island within an island is also very luxurious and beautiful and its just a really lovely place to live. And the feeling you get when youre there is the important thing and the views and the food and the kind of lifestyle and the pace of living and these are a few of the things that led to my decision. He also said, I had gone there to do some work and I was shooting for something and I stayed at the property and I thought it was amazing and there was something about the mixture of privacy and luxury that I really liked. And again, it was things like food and the way the menu was curated and various things like this. I mean, literally in a nutshell, it felt like home away from home, so that made it very easy. As the world remembers Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, a lost chapter from the pontiffs life has resurfaced. Before devoting his life to the priesthood, the young boy, then known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, wrote a letter to his neighbourhood crush, Amalia Damonte, saying, If I dont marry you, Im going to be a priest read more Amalia recalled how one day (sometime in 1948 or 1949), young pope gave her a love letter that proposed a marriage,'If I dont marry you, Im going to be a priest, it said. Reuters Not all love is meant to be. Sometimes, when it ends, it pushes you toward something much bigger. Long before he became the spiritual head of over a billion Catholics, he was Jorge Mario Bergoglioa quiet boy from Buenos Aires with a soft spot for the girl next door. He once wrote her a love letter and told her, quite seriously, that if she didnt marry him, hed become a priest. He meant it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That 12-year-old boy grew up to become Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church. The 88-year-old pontiff passed away on Easter Monday, just a day after delivering his final blessing from the balcony of St Peters Basilica. He battled prolonged illness before he suffered a final cerebral stroke. As the world remembers him, its worth going back to where it all quietly beganwith a childhood crush that may have changed the course of his life. Love, rejection, & a higher calling As a 12-year-old boy growing up in the quiet Flores neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio fell for the girl next doorAmalia Damonte. Decades later, in an interview with the AP, 76-year-old Amalia recalled growing up with the boy who was elected the Pope in 2013. He had a crush on me, you know. We used to play on the streets here. It was a quiet neighbourhood then, and, well, he was very nice, she said. Amalia Damonte at home in Buenos Aires. File image/ AFP Amalia recalled how one day (sometime in 1948 or 1949), young Jorge gave her a letter, a love note of sorts. I remember perfectly that he had drawn me a little white house, which had a red roof, and it said, this is what Ill buy when we marry, Amalia recalled. If I dont marry you, Im going to be a priest, he wrote.". Luckily for him, I said no, she joked. These were childish things, nothing more. This undated file photo made available by Maria Helena Bergoglio shows Jorge Mario Bergoglio as a teenager in Buenos Aires, Argentina. File image/ AP But not everyone saw it that way. Her parents were not amused. Speaking from her home, just four doors down from where the Pope once lived, Amalia said her mother stepped in to end the budding romance. My mom broke it off. Good Lord. She came to get me at school and said, So, youre getting letters from a boy? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From that point on, her parents kept them apart. The Bergoglio family eventually moved away from Membrillar Street. Amalia left toomarrying, raising a family, and later returning to her childhood home. She never reached out to her childhood friend again. But she followed his journey from afar, as he climbed the ranks of the Church, and eventually, became Pope Francis. From Buenos Aires to Vatican After his childhood romance came to an end, Bergoglio immersed himself in studies. He studied Chemistry before he chose the priesthood. He then eventually joined the Society of Jesus and became a Jesuit priest in 1969. Known for his quiet strength, simplicity, and advocacy for the poor, he soon emerged as a respected voice within the Church. In 1998, he was appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and just three years later, he was made a cardinal. Argentinas Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio gives a Mass outside the San Cayetano church where an Argentine flag hangs behind in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. File photo/ AP Then came the moment that would place him on the world stage. In 2013, after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He chose the name Francis, in honour of St Francis of Assisithe saint known for his compassion, simplicity, and love for the poor STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The news stunned manyincluding Amalia. I froze in front of the television, she said. I couldnt believe that Jorge was the Pope! Like millions across Latin America, she celebrated the election of the regions first pope. He is a good man, the son of a working-class family, she said. I hope he can achieve all the good that he holds in his heart. As Pope, Francis became known for breaking with tradition. He chose modest living quarters over the grand papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace. He washed the feet of prisoners and migrants, earning him the nickname the pope of the slums. As Pope, Francis became known for breaking with tradition. He chose modest living quarters over the grand papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace. He washed the feet of prisoners and migrants. File image/ AFP The pontiff often spoke openly about climate change, inequality, and the need for a more inclusive Church. In his last message, he called for the end of the Ukraine war and peace in the entire world. There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others. Nor is peace possible without true disarmament! The requirement that every person provide for their defence must not turn into a race to rearmament, Pope Francis said in his Easter message. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies At least six Australian universities have imposed restrictions on student applications from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir after visa rejection rates for Indian students hit 24.3 per cent. The Australian Department of Home Affairs flagged one in four Indian applications as fraudulent or non-genuine, prompting universities to tighten admissions and review assessments read more Federation University, a public university in Ballarat, Australia has reportedly emerged as one of the primary institutions enforcing these limitations. Image/federation.edu.au Several Australian universities have reportedly introduced unprecedented restrictions targeting student applications from six Indian territories the five states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan, and the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This move, driven by serious concerns about student visa misuse and the perceived abuse of Australias international education system, has reshaped the countrys student intake dynamics, especially concerning one of its largest student-sending nations. These restrictions are not uniform across all educational institutions but are being independently implemented by select universities based on internal assessments and directives issued to their education agents. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Most affected students now face either outright rejection of their applications or must undergo significantly more rigorous scrutiny, often involving extended documentation checks and elevated verification standards. In response to the report, a spokesperson at the Australian High Commission, New Delhi said, The assertion that Indian university student applications from specific Indian states are being banned, or restricted, is incorrect. There are over 125,000 Indian students currently studying in Australia the second largest cohort of students from any country - and the Australian Government continues to process Indian student visa applications in line with our global standards, the spokesperson added. India and Australia continue to have a very strong relationship in the field of education. Australia deeply values Indian students, and the Australian Government welcomes their contribution to our classrooms and Australian society. Growing visa fraud and dropout concerns The root of the restrictions lies in a disturbing rise in the number of non-genuine applications from certain regions in India. According to recent figures shared by Australias Department of Home Affairs, approximately 24.3 per cent of student visa applications from India have been deemed fraudulent or non-genuine a level not seen since 2012. The agency flagged multiple patterns of misuse including the submission of forged academic transcripts, falsified financial records, and an intent to use education visas as a pathway to permanent immigration, rather than for genuine study. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Authorities also pointed to academic disengagement and concerning dropout trends from students of the affected regions. Institutions reported that some students were shifting to different courses or universities shortly after arrival, or were prioritising off-campus work over academic responsibilities. In response, universities have tightened their recruitment processes and ceased engagement with education agents operating in specific high-risk regions. Dodgy providers have no place in our international education sector. These actions will help weed out the bottom feeders in the sector that seek to exploit people and trash the reputation of the sector, Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil said in 2024. Key universities enforcing the restrictions The universities leading the implementation of these restrictions include Federation University and Western Sydney University, reported Y-Axis, a private publishing website that focuses on issues related to immigration etc. Federation University directed its education partners to stop recruiting students from Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The university observed a significant increase in the proportion of visa applications being refused from these states. Similarly, Western Sydney University advised against student recruitment from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, citing that students who began courses in 2022 from these regions showed a significantly high attrition rate. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The universitys communication referred to these areas as posing the highest attrition risk. Other universities adopting similar measures include Edith Cowan University, Victoria University, Southern Cross University and Torrens University. These institutions have not uniformly banned applicants from these Indian states but have either advised their education partners to pause recruitment or instituted elevated levels of applicant scrutiny. In some cases, admissions have been temporarily frozen while student sourcing strategies undergo review. Universities acting independently It is important to note that these restrictions are not part of any official policy from the Australian federal government. The Australian High Commission has clarified that there is no federal ban on students from any Indian state. Rather, these are institution-specific decisions, based on individual risk assessments conducted by universities. These policy shifts follow repeated warnings from the Australian government over unethical student recruitment practices. In 2024, Canberra cautioned universities against admission strategies that encouraged record levels of migration without ensuring academic credibility or visa integrity. Increased financial requirements for international students Alongside the university-level restrictions, in 2024, the Australian government had revised its financial requirements for student visa applicants. Effective May 10, 2024, international students must now show proof of savings amounting to A$29,710 (approximately 16.2 lakh) to qualify for a student visa. This represents the second financial threshold increase in just seven months up from A$24,505 (approximately 13.3 lakh) in October 2023, and A$21,041 (approximately 11.4 lakh) prior to that. According to the Department of Home Affairs, The financial capacity requirement has been updated to align with a proportion (75 percent) of the national minimum wage. Additional financial requirements include: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A$10,394 (approximately 5.7 lakh) for a spouse or partner (previously A$8,574) A$4,449 (approximately 2.5 lakh) for each dependent child (previously A$3,670) A$13,502 (approximately 7.4 lakh) for annual school costs (previously A$9,661) These hikes are intended to ensure that international students are financially self-sufficient, particularly as Australia faces ongoing housing shortages following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022. Strain on education sector in Australia Australia has seen a rapid rise in international student enrollments over the past two decades. While domestic student numbers grew by 84 per cent between 2000 and 2020, international student enrollments surged by 370 per cent during the same period. As of 2020, international students made up 29 per cent of all Australian university students more than double their share in 2000. This increase has turned international education into a major financial driver for universities, prompting debates over whether academic standards are being compromised to accommodate this revenue stream. The Institute of Public Affairs has raised alarms about the sustainability of this model, claiming that Australias universities have been allowed to transform into little more than degree factories for international students. Concerns over system integrity have only intensified with the revelation that despite lower dropout rates among international students (19 per cent) compared to domestic students (25 per cent), patterns of academic disengagement, especially from specific regions, are creating operational challenges for universities. Confusion among genuine applicants in India The new restrictions have caused widespread confusion and concern among legitimate Indian applicants, particularly those already in the visa pipeline or who had paid application fees. Education consultants across India report that hundreds of students have been caught off guard by the policy changes, which were not always publicly communicated in advance. India remains one of Australias most significant sources of international students. Many education experts believe that unless this issue is resolved diplomatically or through better policy coordination, bilateral educational relations could be strained. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The timing is particularly sensitive, as many students previously affected by stricter US student visa rules under President Donald Trump were looking to Australia as a viable alternative. What lies ahead? While some universities reportedly relaxed their restrictions towards the end of 2023, the general trend across the Australian higher education sector points to increased vigilance when processing student applications from regions with higher rates of visa rejections and attrition. The Australian Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that they are collaborating with universities to streamline visa processing and prevent abuse of the system. In the interim, education consultants are advising students from the restricted regions to plan well in advance, seek transparent guidance from credible agents and consider diversifying their university preferences within Australia. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies [This report was updated to include the response of the Australian High Commission, New Delhi.] After the first Latin American Pope, will the Roman Catholic Church get its first Asian Pope? Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is one of the favourites to succeed Francis. The 67-year-old is one of the youngest contenders to the papacy and is dubbed by many as the Asian Pope Francis read more Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle leads a prayer service at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, February 25, 2025. He is one of the frontrunners to succeed Francis. File photo/Reuters Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, is being mourned across the world. The pontiff was considered a unifier. Today, the cardinals met to plan the funeral, which will take place on Saturday in front of St Peters Basilica. After nine days of official mourning, the process of electing the next Pope, steeped in millennia-old traditions, will begin. It might be a couple of weeks before we know who the next head of the Roman Catholic Church could be. However, speculation has been rife since the hospitalisation of Pope Francis in February and has only gathered steam after his demise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Francis made history by becoming the first pontiff from Latin America. Now, there is a growing buzz that the next leader of 1.3 billion Roman Catholics could likely come from Asia. A frontrunner in the race is Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines. The rise of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, is from the Philippines; he is only the seventh Filipino to become a cardinal. It was Pope Francis predecessor, Benedict XVI, who created Tangle a cardinal in 2012. At 54, he was one of the youngest to become a cardinal. More than a decade later, he is one of the popular papal candidates. However, the road to the Vatican has been a long one. Tangles paternal grandfather was from an upper-class Filipino family, while his maternal grandmother was from an affluent Chinese family which migrated to the Philippines. He is one of two children and goes by his nickname Chito, which also features on his X profile. Tangle was preparing to become a doctor but was tricked into considering seminary, according to the College of Cardinals Report. He now laughs about how the jokes of God can influence ones life. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle uses a phone ahead of the arrival of Pope Francis and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, during the Popes apostolic visit to Asia, in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 4, 2024. If Tagle is elected as the next pontiff, he will make history as the first Asian Pope. File photo/Reuters Jesuits have played a key role in Tangles life, having taught him in his early days. It was in 1982 that Tangle left the Jesuits and was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Manila. He became the spiritual leader and professor at a local seminary and then its rector from 1983 to 1985. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He was sent by his bishop to the United States, where he earned a theology licence. He returned to the Philippines in the 1990s and served the Roman Catholic Church in different positions. Benedict nominated Tagle as archbishop of Manila in 2011. A year on, Tagle became the cardinal. Over the years, his prominence grew. Tagle became the president of Caritas Internationalis, the Vaticans charity and the second-largest humanitarian aid network after the Red Cross, in 2015, and was re-elected in 2019. Pope Francis was reportedly swept away by the leadership of the body, including that of Cardinal Tangle. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is seen leading a prayer service at St. Peters Square, when Pope Francis was hospitalised, at the Vatican, on February 25. Reuters It was in 2019 when Pope Francis called Tagle to stay in Rome as prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, which is responsible for missionary work. Two years later, Pope elevated Tagle to cardinal-bishop, possibly signifying him as a favoured successor at the time, according to the College of Cardinals Report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Cardinal Tagle, The Asian Pope Francis Tagle is known for his progressive views. He is articulate and a good communicator and uses platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to spread the word. He has been dubbed by some as the Asian Pope Francis. He is known as the champion of the poor in the Philippines and has campaigned on several social issues back home. After Francis death, many obituaries hail him as the voice of the poor. Francis made a massive shift toward acceptance of LGBTQ Catholics, making papacy history when he first met people from the queer community from around the world. The Filipino cardinal has also criticised previously harsh words of the Catholic Church against LGBT Catholics and divorced couples. At a conference in 2022, Tagle said churches must be hospitable to all, because ethnic and cultural issues ruin the spiritual home, and populist attitudes were threatening the proper meaning of the word people, reports The Catholic Herald. It echoed the views of Pope Francis, who spoke in favour of migrants. Like Francis, Tagle is known for his humility. At the seminary in the Philippines where he lived for 20 years, his room was without an air-conditioner or television, reports The Telegraph. When he was made bishop, he did not travel by car but went to work on a bus or jeepney, a popular public transport in the Asian country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pope Francis and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle meet a group of migrants during the Wednesday general audience in Saint Peters Square at the Vatican, September 27, 2017. File photo/Reuters The criticisms of Cardinal Tagle There has been some criticism of Tagle during his time in the Philippines. In September 2016, the cardinal gave a radio interview where he indirectly criticised the extra-judicial killings as then-President Rodrigo Duterte unleashed a war on drugs. He also spoke against abortion, raising eyebrows. Many are worried of extrajudicial killings and we should be But I hope were also worried about abortion. Why are only few people speaking out against abortion? Thats also murder, he said back then. However, his subtle remarks on the politics in the country did not go down well. Filipino broadsheet, the Manila Standard, said about the then-Archbishop of Manila: Cardinal Tagle allowed the Church to get involved in partisan politics. He was also very critical of then-President Rodrigo Duterte. What Tagle did was in violation of the separation of Church and State mandated in the Constitution. At the Vatican, Tagles reputation took a hit when Francis ousted the management of Caritas Internationalis after an external review found management and morale problems at its head office, reports NBC News. While the cardinal called for the review, he, too, was relieved of his duties. Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle listens as Pope Francis delivers his speech before blessing a mosaic of St. Pedro Calungsods image during a meeting with Philippine community at the St Peter Basilica at the Vatican November 21, 2013. Francis and Tagle are both known for their progressive views. File photo/Reuters There might be questions resulting from that about his ability to manage, Tim Gabrielli, the Gudorf chair in Catholic intellectual traditions at the University of Dayton in Ohio, told NBC. However, the cardinal has continued his duties. Since June, Tagle has been responsible for the Dicastery for Evangelization, one of the churchs most important departments. So whats next in store for him? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The possibility of an Asian Pope Tagle is the frontrunner in the betting markets after Francis death. He is one of the youngest papal candidates. Edward Pentin, a Vatican expert and the author of The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates, told The Telegraph, Five or six years ago, he was Pope Franciss favourite to succeed him. Hes head of the important new super-dicastery for evangelisation. Hes quite a strong contender. And hes still relatively young. However, the age might not work in his favour. Cardinals are reluctant to vote for someone young. A young pontiff could have a long papacy, and this could come in the way of their ambition of becoming the head of the Roman Catholic Church. James Somerville-Meikle, the former deputy director of the Catholic Union of Great Britain, told NBC News that Tagle would present himself as a close follower of Francis. But will that be enough to win the votes from the College of Cardinals? The conclave is known to throw up surprises. The world will know only after white smoke is funnelled from the top of the Sistine Chapel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Inside one of Shanghais busiest shopping centres, a vending-machine-sized device is attracting endless crowds. The shopping mall has an ATM that allows users to trade in their gold jewellery and receive payment in less than 30 minutes. This comes as gold prices in India crossed Rs 1 lakh per 10 grammes for the first time on Tuesday and surged in other parts of the world as well read more The ATM that lets users trade in their gold jewellery and receive payment in under half an hour. X/@OksanaKogan Gold prices are hitting record levels across the world. While people in many countries turn to traditional gold lenders when they need to sell, a different approach has taken shape in China. A system has been set up in China that not only lets people use their gold but also earn money from it. ALSO READ | How did China come to dominate global shipping? A shopping mall in Shanghai now has an ATM that lets users trade in their gold jewellery and receive payment in under half an hour. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD No paperwork is required to use the machine. So, how exactly does it function? Heres a look at how the machine works and what the public thinks of it. Convert gold to cash: How Chinas gold ATM works Inside one of Shanghais busiest shopping centres, a vending-machine-sized device is attracting endless crowds. Developed by Chinas Kinghood Group, the smart gold ATM is designed to examine, melt, and weigh gold jewellery, assess its purity, and deposit the money straight into the sellers bank account. The machine accepts gold items that weigh more than three grams and are at least 50 per cent pure. China unveils world's first Gold ATM that melts, tests, and converts gold into instant bank transfers. pic.twitter.com/xgBZPvdQtP BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) April 21, 2025 According to reports, rising gold prices have encouraged many locals to queue up and trade in family gold, including inherited pieces. To manage the rush, staff members remain on hand to assist, walking users through each step as curious bystanders watch the jewellery disappear into the machines tray, Chinese state-owned online magazine Sixth Tone reported. Installed on the second floor of Global Harbor mall, the machine provides a fast and automated alternative to jewellery shops. It offers real-time purity checks, live pricing, and quick bank transfers, cutting out the back-and-forth often seen in jewellery shops. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It all starts with weighing the item. The machine assesses the weight and purity, calculates the value, and deducts a service fee. To verify the result, the machine then melts the gold. This step helps confirm the precise purity of the item. The process takes around 20 minutes and is displayed in real time on a screen above the tray. Once the analysis is complete, users enter their bank details, confirm them with support staff, and finalise the transaction, according to Sixth Tone. Over the past week, the ATM has seen huge queues from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., handling roughly 30 transactions daily. On busier evenings, staff members stayed past midnight and helped customers through staff-only corridors after the mall closed. Le Chunxiang, a staff member, told Sixth Tone that about 70 per cent of users are local women aged between 50 and 70. They usually visit during the day, bringing in older-style gold jewellery to exchange for money, she told the magazine. She added that many are also curious to try the free, non-destructive purity test the machine offers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In one demo, a 40-gram gold necklace fetched 785 yuan per gram, approximately Rs 9,200, resulting in a payout of over 36,000 yuan, or around Rs 4.2 lakh, all within half an hour. ALSO READ | Is China banning Hollywood movies amid tariff war with Donald Trump? How people are reacting to the system Zhang Yewan, a man in his thirties, told Sixth Tone, Shops often advertise high-price buyback schemes, but the actual pricing is vague, and I dont fully trust the valuation. With a machine, at least the process is standardised and transparent. Even if the price difference isnt huge, Id rather rely on the technology. In comparison, most jewellery retailers offer a fixed internal rate for buybacks. For many customers, the ATMs live pricing and flat service charges are seen as key advantages. Similar machines have already been installed in about 100 cities across China, including in shopping centres, office buildings and bank branches, the magazine said in the report. In Shanghai, a second unit is expected to be operational soon, suggesting that demand continues to rise. In recent months, global gold prices have surged. Pixabay/Representational Image Social media users react One user on X posted, This will destroy dollar. The world finance is going back to gold standard. Another wrote, Innovative and convenient - China is truly pushing the boundaries of tech! STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A third person commented, Well well well, China is getting ready to destroy America, buy gold since you can. In recent months, global gold prices have surged, leading to increased interest in both investment and resale, including in India, one of the worlds biggest gold markets. On Tuesday, gold prices in India crossed the Rs 1 lakh mark per 10 grammes for the first time, due to a rally in global prices following US President Donald Trumps announcement to reform the Federal Reserve. In international markets, gold rates also exceeded $3,400 per troy ounce for the first time. Pope Francis died, aged 88, on Monday. But contrary to speculation, his death was not caused by double pneumonia for which he was recently hospitalised. The Vatican has clarified the actual cause, putting the rumours to rest. According to an official statement, Francis died after a stroke that led to a coma and heart failure. The cause was confirmed through an ECG test, the statement added read more Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday. But he did not die of double pneumonia as some were speculating. The Vatican has confirmed the actual cause of his death, bringing an end to the rumours. Notably, the Argentinian pontiff had been admitted to the hospital in February after being diagnosed with double pneumonia. He remained there for 38 days, the longest hospitalisation during his 12-year tenure. ALSO READ | Who will be the next Pope? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, how did he die? We take a look at the cause of his death, what the Vatican said, and what happens next in this explainer. How did Pope Francis die? Francis died after a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory failure, the Vatican confirmed in an official statement. The cause of death was confirmed through an ECG test, it said. In the death certificate released by the Vatican, Dr Andrea Arcangeli, the popes doctor, wrote that Francis died of a stroke and irreversible cardiovascular arrest. The certificate also said he fell into a coma before he passed away. Pope Francis died after a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory failure. AP/File Photo Apart from his recent lung infection, Arcangeli said that Francis also had high blood pressure and diabetes. Francis had long struggled with chronic lung problems and had part of one lung removed when he was young. On 14 February 2025, he was admitted to Gemelli Hospital after a breathing problem turned into double pneumonia. During that time, he also had blood transfusions due to low platelet levels, which were linked to anaemia. He left the hospital on March 23 and made his last public appearance on Sunday, when he was seen riding through St Peters Square in the popemobile and gave a short greeting from the main balcony of St Peters Basilica. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ | Why Pope Francis was considered a trailblazer Where will Pope Francis be buried? When a pope dies, it sets off a series of traditions that take place before a new leader is chosen. These include confirming the death, placing the body on display for the public to pay their respects, followed by the funeral and burial. However, Pope Francis had made changes to these customs during his lifetime, choosing simpler funeral rites to reflect his role as a bishop rather than as a grand figure. He also asked to be buried outside the Vatican, in line with his personal wishes. In his will, Francis requested to be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, located in Romes Esquilino area. This marked a break from tradition. He had often prayed there before and after overseas visits, with his final visit on April 12. Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in the Pauline Chapel, which houses the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, as he requested in his Spiritual Testament. The Holy See Press Office announced that Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the Director of the pic.twitter.com/LqXEHgqzhj Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His will stated that he wanted a simple burial in the ground, without particular decoration, with only his papal name inscribed in Latin: Franciscus. The Vatican released the full text of his will, where the late pope wrote: The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica. On Monday night, his body was placed in a coffin inside the chapel of Casa Santa Marta. It will be moved to St Peters Basilica on Wednesday morning for the public to offer their final respects. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ | Pope Francis dies: How will the new pope be elected? What happens next? After the death of Pope Francis was confirmed, the Vatican began the traditional nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale. During this time, his body will be moved to his private chapel, where he will be dressed in a white cassock and placed in a wooden coffin lined with zinc. The funeral is expected to take place four to six days after his passing. Different churches across Rome will hold services over the full nine days. The main funeral Mass will likely be held in St Peters Square, though Francis had requested burial at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome. Members of the clergy celebrate Mass in memory of Pope Francis in La Paz, Bolivia. Reuters/File Photo A conclave to choose the next pope usually begins 15 to 20 days after a pontiffs death. Around 135 cardinals from across the world are eligible to vote in this secretive process, which can last several days. Before his death, some of the names mooted as possible successors included Matteo Zuppi, a progressive cardinal from Italy; Pietro Parolin, the Vaticans secretary of state; and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Once a new pope is elected, he is asked whether he accepts the role. If he agrees, he chooses a papal name, usually inspired by a previous saint or pope. A cardinal then steps out onto the central balcony of St Peters Basilica and announces the result in Latin with the words Habemus papam, meaning We have a pope. Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, became pope in March 2013. He signalled his down-to-earth style from the start by riding a bus instead of the papal car, paying his hotel bill himself, and choosing to live in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the papal apartments. In his first address to the media, he shared his vision of a poor church and a church for the poor. His death has led to an outpouring of condolences from global leaders and a deep sense of loss within the Catholic community. In Italy, flags were lowered to half-mast, and people filled St Peters Square. As the bells of the basilica began to toll, many stopped to film the moment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As Monday evening came to a close, the Vatican held its first public tribute, a Rosary prayer in St Peters Square. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance held one-on-one and delegation-level talks on the crucial India-US bilateral trade agreement and the overall relationship between the two countries. The two leaders also discussed US President Donald Trumps possible visit to India later in the year. Following the talks, the PM hosted the US Second Family for dinner read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes US Vice President JD Vance to his official residence 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia/X After landing at Palam Airport and visiting the Akshardham Temple, it was time to get down to business for United States Vice President JD Vance on Monday evening (April 21). The US VP met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, and discussed the crucial bilateral trade deal and the overall partnership that New Delhi and Washington share. Following the talks, Modi hosted Vance and his family wife, Usha, and their three children over dinner that was also joined by several Union Cabinet ministers and American officials. During this part of the evening, Modi also gifted Vances children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel with peacock feathers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Notably, this is Vances first visit to India and the first by an American vice president since 2013. It also comes at a highly significant time amid President Donald Trumps trade wars that have been born out of his reciprocal tariffs. Modi-Vance and the all-important trade deal On arriving at the PM Modis residence, US VP JD Vance discussed the US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement as agreed during the PMs talks with Trump in Washington DC in February. The trade pact is expected to address a variety of issues including tariff and market access. India is looking at firming up the first tranche of the trade deal before Trumps pause on the customised reciprocal tariffs lapses in July. The White House said the trade pact (BTA) presents an opportunity to negotiate a new and modern agreement focused on promoting job creation and citizen well-being in both countries, with the goal of enhancing bilateral trade and supply-chain integration in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner. PM Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance hailed the significant progress on the US-India bilateral trade agreement. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia/X Guided by their respective visions of Amrit Kaal for India and Golden Age for America, the BTA is expected to create new opportunities of growth for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs in both countries, it said. At the end of their talks, both leaders said they had made significant progress in the negotiations for the trade deal and formally announced the finalisation of the terms of reference for the negotiations, laying down a roadmap for further discussions about our economic priorities. The Indian readout also echoed the same view. It read that Modi and Vance had reviewed and positively assessed the progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They welcomed the significant progress in the negotiations for a mutually beneficial India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement focused on the welfare of the people of the two countries, it said. India seeks US investment Apart from the trade deal, Vance and Modi also discussed US investment in India, especially in the fields of manufacturing, automobiles, and energy sectors. This comes amidst the backdrop of Trumps First Buddy Elon Musk holding talks with PM Modi last week during which he indicated a possibility of entering the Indian market either in the form of Tesla in the EV category, or Starlink. Besides this, there are also reports that US firms are now looking at investing in India in order to increase their production of products such as laptops, mobiles and tablets. This comes as they seek to reduce their dependence on China, as the two economic giants battle it out. PM Modi held a dinner for US Vice President JD Vance, his wife, Usha, and their three children at his residence in New Delhi. Image Courtesy: @narendramodi/X India-US overall partnership During their talks, Modi and Vance also reviewed the overall relationship between India and the US. Following their discussions, PM Modi wrote in a social media post that the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership will be a defining partnership of the 21st century for a better future of our people and the world. Pleased to welcome US @VP @JDVance and his family in New Delhi. We reviewed the fast-paced progress following my visit to the US and meeting with President Trump. We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, including in trade, technology, defence, energy and pic.twitter.com/LRNmodIZLB Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In turn, Vance posted on X, It was an honour to see Prime Minister Modi this evening. Hes a great leader and he was incredibly kind to my family. I look forward to working under President Trumps leadership to strengthen our friendship and cooperation with the people of India! A future Trump visit Modi and Vance also discussed the possibility of US President Donald Trumps visit to India later in the year. According to a readout from the Indian side, PM Modi conveyed to Vance his warm greetings for President Donald Trump and said that he looked forward to his visit to India later this year. Trump is expected to visit India later this year to attend the annual summit of the Quad grouping. A dinner and gifts for Vances family Following the hours-long talks, PM Modi hosted US Vice President JD Vance, his wife, Usha, and their three children for dinner. The PM also shared lighter moments with the three children, gifting them peacock feathers. A video from the visit even shows PM Modi playfully engaging with Vances sons Ewan and Vivek who were seen sitting on his lap and chatting with him. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance and their children at his residence in New Delhi. Press Information Bureau The Vance children gave the media several heartwarming moments they wore ethnic clothing. While the boys wore a navy blue bandhgala jacket set and a black kurta-pyjama set with a printed bandhgala jacket, Mirabel looked adorable in a buttery yellow kurti and beige pants. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Following their meeting with PM Modi, the US Second Family have now moved to Jaipur, Rajasthan where they are expected to visit the Amer Fort, a Unesco World Heritage site. The US vice president will then give a public address at the Rajasthan International Centre in the afternoon. On Wednesday, the Vances will visit the Taj Mahal monument in Agra before returning to Jaipur the same day and flying back to the US on Thursday, April 24. With inputs from agencies Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defence, is facing bipartisan criticism following reports that he shared classified details of airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen via the Signal app. The chats allegedly included his wife, brother and lawyer. This marks the second such incident, raising national security concerns and prompting questions about his continued role in the Trump administration read more US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth attends the annual White House Easter Egg Roll event, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 21, 2025. File Image/Reuters Pressure is building on United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth following a second disclosure that he shared sensitive military information via an unsecured Signal messaging group. The former television host turned Pentagon chief is now at the centre of a growing controversy over operational leaks that reportedly exposed classified airstrike details in chats involving non-governmental individuals, including his wife. Reports from now The New York Times and previously The Atlantic confirm that Hegseth used Signal, a secure messaging platform, to communicate confidential military plans. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the first breach involved a group chat that inadvertently included a journalist, a second group, created by Hegseth himself, included his wife Jennifer Rauchet, his brother, his personal attorney, and roughly a dozen others. This second chat reportedly received minute-by-minute updates regarding American airstrikes on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen in March. Concerns are mounting that the information, if intercepted, could have endangered American pilots. Houthi rebels have already downed two US drones, highlighting the risk posed by compromised communications. Sources familiar with the chats claim that Hegseth shared operational data including the exact flight schedules of F/A-18 Hornets involved in the strikes details that typically remain tightly controlled. A full-blown meltdownat the Pentagon The fallout from the leaks has triggered a broader crisis at the Department of Defence. Multiple senior staffers have departed in recent weeks, with some claiming they were forced out. Among those who left were Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll and Darin Selnick former advisers who were escorted from the Pentagon. All three had longstanding ties to Hegseth, particularly through the conservative advocacy group Concerned Veterans for America. In a joint statement published on X, the trio defended their service, saying, All three of us served our country honorably in uniform for two of us, this included deployments to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, based on our collective service, we understand the importance of information security and worked every day to protect it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Joint statement from Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick: We are incredibly disappointed by the manner in which our service at the Department of Defense ended. Unnamed Pentagon officials have slandered our character with baseless attacks on our way out the door. All Dan Caldwell (@dandcaldwell) April 19, 2025 They also stated they were never formally informed of any wrongdoing. John Ullyot, a former Pentagon spokesperson who also resigned recently, published an op-ed in Politico denouncing the leadership at the Pentagon. Its been a month of total chaos at the Pentagon. From leaks of sensitive operational plans to mass firings, the dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president who deserves better from his senior leadership, Ullyot wrote. He called the situation a full-blown meltdown, expressing deep concern about the internal environment under Hegseth. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Capitol Hill calls for Hegseths ouster Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are reacting strongly. Democratic Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, described the second Signal chat incident as another troubling example of Secretary Hegseths reckless disregard for the laws and protocols that every other military service member is required to follow. He urged Hegseth to immediately explain why he reportedly texted classified information that could endanger American service members lives on a commercial app that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. US Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, a combat veteran, issued a scathing rebuke: How many times does Pete Hegseth need to leak classified intelligence before Donald Trump and Republicans understand that he isnt only a f*cking liar, he is a threat to our national security? Every day he stays in his job is another day our troops lives are endangered by his singular stupidity. He must resign in disgrace. How many times does Pete Hegseth need to leak classified intelligence before Donald Trump and Republicans understand that he isnt only a f*cking liar, he is a threat to our national security? Every day he stays in his job is another day our troops lives are endangered by his https://t.co/0YQbhp372P Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) April 20, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire added to the criticism, pointing out the responsibility lies not just with Hegseth but with the president who appointed him. It's beyond belief that anyone in Secretary Hegseths position would think that sharing sensitive operational details in an unsecured messaging app, and with family members, is remotely acceptable. My full statement https://t.co/MZHrny3gN7 https://t.co/fBooXUxzlr Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) April 21, 2025 But we must not forget that ultimate responsibility here lies with President Trump for selecting a former weekend TV host, without any experience successfully leading a large and complex organisation, to run our governments biggest department and make life and death decisions for our military and country, she stated. White House stands by Hegseth for now Despite the uproar, the White House has maintained a public stance of support for Hegseth. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied rumours that Trump is seeking a replacement. This is what happens when the entire Pentagon is working against you and working against the monumental change that you are trying to implement, Leavitt said in an interview with Fox News. She also labelled NPRs report about a possible replacement search as total FAKE NEWS based on one anonymous source who clearly has no idea what they are talking about. This @NPR story is total FAKE NEWS based on one anonymous source who clearly has no idea what they are talking about. As the President said this morning, he stands strongly behind @SecDef. https://t.co/5Npig8968v Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) April 21, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has echoed that message, expressing confidence in his embattled Defence Secretary. Speaking at the White House Easter event, Trump remarked, Hes doing a great job ask the Houthis how hes doing. The president dismissed the leaks as a waste of time and attributed the wave of criticism to internal resistance: Just ask the Houthis how hes doing. Its just fake news. They just bring up stories. It sounds like disgruntled employees. He was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people and thats what hes doing. You dont always have friends when you do that. Donald Trump Jr also weighed in on X, defending Hegseth and attacking his critics. This guy is not America First. Ive been hearing for years that he works his ass off to subvert my fathers agenda. That ends today. Hes officially exiled from our movement. https://t.co/C2JnnIPt0y Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) April 21, 2025 In response to Ullyots op-ed, he wrote, This guy is not America First. Ive been hearing for years that he works his ass off to subvert my fathers agenda. That ends today. How Hegseth is defending himself Hegseth himself has consistently framed the backlash as a targeted campaign against him by hostile media and former Pentagon insiders. What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out from the same media that peddled the Russia hoax, he said to reporters at the Easter event. This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations. He added, Not going to work with me, because were changing the defence department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of war-fighters. And anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesnt matter. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell also dismissed the reporting as sensationalised and inaccurate. Another day, another old story back from the dead, he posted on X. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/20/25 STATEMENT: Another day, another old storyback from the dead. The Trump-hating media continues to be obsessed with destroying anyone committed to President Trumps agenda. This time, the New York Times and all other Fake News that repeat their Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellATSD) April 21, 2025 There was no classified information in any Signal chat, no matter how many ways they try to write the story. Will Hegseth be forced to resign? NPR has exclusively reported that the White House is looking to replace Hegseth, a report that the White House refutes. This controversy adds further strain on a defence secretary whose confirmation was already controversial. Hegseth was narrowly confirmed by the Senate after Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell opposed his nomination. Despite the resistance, many Republicans ultimately backed him, including Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, and Senators Thom Tillis and Joni Ernst. Ernst, a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor, faced pressure from within the party to support Hegseth despite past remarks and allegations he has denied. Tillis, who is up for re-election in a military-heavy state, risked his bipartisan reputation with his vote. For Trump, who in his first term frequently replaced cabinet officials, the situation with Hegseth stands out. Unlike earlier dismissals such as Rex Tillerson, Michael Flynn, or James Mattis, Trump has yet to fire a cabinet secretary in his second term. This may be due to the loyalty-first approach of Trumps second-term appointments, with Hegseth emblematic of that strategy. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, during which he will meet Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. This will be his first visit to the kingdom in his third term. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance, who arrived in India on Monday with his wife Usha Vance and their children, will deliver a policy speech at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur. He is expected to speak on broader aspects of IndiaUS relations under the Trump administration read more Several important events are lined up for the day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. United States Vice President and his family are expected to tour several historic landmarks in Jaipur. Later in the day, he will address an audience at the Rajasthan International Centre. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will present the full World Economic Outlook (WEO) report today. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Kenyan President William Ruto will begin his state visit to China. As part of the trip, he will hold high-level discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Lets take a look at these events in detail: PM Modi to visit Saudi Arabia Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Saudi Arabia today at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the visit, scheduled for April 22-23, will be the Prime Ministers first to the kingdom in his third term. He had previously visited Saudi Arabia in 2016 and 2019. PM Modi will hold a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. File Photo/X This trip comes after the state visit of Mohammed bin Salman to New Delhi in September 2023, where he attended the G20 Summit and co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the IndiaSaudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. India and Saudi Arabia enjoy longstanding friendly relations with a history of socio-cultural and commercial ties. The two countries, as strategic partners, cooperate closely in key areas such as politics, defence, security, trade, energy, investment, health, education, technology, culture and people-to-people links. The MEA said that ties have deepened over the past decade, with increased investment, closer defence coordination and regular high-level engagements driving the relationship forward. The visit will serve as a platform to further improve the broad-based partnership and discuss regional and global issues of shared interest, according to the MEA. US VP JD Vance to speak in Jaipur United States Vice President JD Vance arrived in India, accompanied by his family, on Monday for a three-day tour. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week that India and the US enjoy a wide-ranging partnership and that all relevant issues would be covered during the visit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, another focus of the trip is on cultural interactions and tourist excursions in Jaipur and Agra, which is aimed at familiarising Vances children with the country their mother Usha, hails from. JD Vance arrived in India, accompanied by his family, on Monday. X/@MEAIndia The Vice President and his family touched down in Jaipur, Rajasthans capital, on Monday evening. Vance is scheduled to visit several heritage locations, including the Unesco-listed Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort today. Later in the day, Vance will deliver a policy speech at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur. He is expected to speak on broader aspects of IndiaUS relations under the Trump administration. The speech will be attended by diplomats, foreign policy professionals, Indian officials, and academics. This is Vances first visit to India and comes shortly after US President Donald Trump imposed, and then paused, sweeping tariffs affecting around 60 countries, India among them. New Delhi and Washington are now in talks to finalise a bilateral trade deal aimed at resolving issues such as tariffs and market access. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD IMF to unveil latest World Economic Outlook The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to release the complete World Economic Outlook (WEO) report today during a scheduled press briefing. Published twice a year with interim updates, the WEO provides insights into the global economic outlook and policy recommendations. It includes short- and medium-term projections and forms a central part of the IMFs economic monitoring work across its member countries and the global economy. Todays briefing will feature key figures from the IMFs Research Department: Chief Economist and Director Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, Deputy Director Petya Koeva-Brooks, and Division Chief Deniz Igan. The session will be moderated by IMF Communications Officer Jose Luis de Haro. Two chapters from the report have already been made public: Chapter 2, titled The Rise of the Silver Economy: Global Implications of Population Aging, and Chapter 3, Journeys and Junctions: Spillovers from Migration and Refugee Policies. Kenyan President to visit China Kenyan President William Ruto will begin his state visit to China today. During the trip, Ruto is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and National Peoples Congress Chairman Zhao Leji. A number of agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries, covering areas such as trade, manufacturing, agriculture, climate action, education, tourism, security, and technology sharing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Infrastructure financing will be a key focus, including discussions on the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba via Kisumu, and the proposed expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit highway, part of the broader Rironi-Malaba transport corridor. We are looking forward to completing our transport grid by 2030. We want to borrow from Chinas advancements in green energy and electric mobility, Ruto said on his plans to increase Kenyas dependence on solar energy and electric vehicles. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to Saudi Arabia today (April 22). Modi, who will be in Jeddah for two days, is making the trip at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. His visit comes against the backdrop of much political instability in West Asia. What can we expect from Modis trip? read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to Saudi Arabia today (April 22). Modi will be in Jeddah for two days and is set to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Modis trip comes in the backdrop of much political instability in West Asia. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F1h6K6jIiD8?t=2&feature=share During a special press briefing on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the visit will provide an important opportunity to discuss key regional and global issues. These include the situation in West Asia, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and threats to maritime security due to Houthi attacks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what do we know about Modis trip? What can we expect? Lets take a closer look: What do we know? Modi will be in Jeddah on April 22 and April 23. Modi is undertaking the trip at the invite of Salman, who is also the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. This will be Modis third visit to the Kingdom after 2019 and 2016. The trip comes after Salman visited India in September 2023 for the G20 Summit. Modi and Salman at the time co-chaired the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. What can we expect? The trip will likely see New Delhi and Riyadh discuss expanding cooperation in an array of crucial areas including energy, defence and trade. Mistry said a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) including one on green hydrogen, are expected to be signed, as per Moneycontrol. As per The Print, Modi will co-chair the Strategic Partnership Council with Salman. The SPC, set up in 2019, works on two tracks political, security, social, and cultural cooperation and economy and investments, as per Moneycontrol. This meeting will likely track progress in these areas and set new goals for bilateral collaboration. Defence coooperation is also set to figure high on the agenda. According to the website, defence cooperation between the two countries has risen to new heights in keeping with Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 and Indias Make in India initiative. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The two countries have held a number of joint military exercises including the Sada Tanseeq in Rajasthan in January 2024, and the Al Mohed Al Hindi naval exercise. India sealed its first defence contract with Saudi Arabia in February 2024. The trip will likely see New Delhi and Riyadh discuss expanding cooperation in an array of crucial areas including energy, defence and trade. Image courtesy: X As per The Print, Saudi Arabia also signed a $225 million deal for artillery shells from Munitions India Limited (MIL). Saudi Arabia bought defence equipment from New Delhi including the 155mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS). The defence partnership has witnessed several firsts in the past few years. We had the first ever joint forces land exercises between the two sides in 2024Two editions of joint naval exercises have been held. We have had regular exchanges on training and capacity building and staff talks across all the three services, Misri was quoted as saying by The Print. What is really important on the defence front is the growing and close institutional linkage or the institutional underpinnings that is being put into place between the two countries. More exchanges, including exchanging slots in each others institutions of higher defence learning, more training opportunities, more exercises and higher levels of engagement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are attempting to give more substance to the partnership. The opening of defence procurement is one major area, Misri was quoted as saying by Indian Express. But setting up an architecture through which or on the basis of which the two countries engage with each other at the leadership level and at the professional operational level as well is going to be an area of attention in the months and years ahead, he added. Prisoners high on agenda, GCC talks Misri also said the transfer of Indian prisoners from Saudi Arabia will be high on the agenda. Misri said these prisoners have been the highest priority in discussions between the two countries. More than 25 per cent of all Indian prisoners abroad are in Saudi Arabia. The two countries have several agreements on prisoner transfer. Misri said that though no prisoners have been transferred to India thus far, the talks on this topic are on. Modi and Salman will also likely hold talks on the free trade agreement between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, UAE and Qatar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per Moneycontrol, the two sides will also discuss cooperation in the energy sector. Riyadh is New Delhis third-biggest supplier of crude oil. File image Saudi Arabia comprises around 14.3 per cent of Indias crude oil imports in 2013. Riyadh is New Delhis third-biggest supplier of crude oil. The Economic Times reported that Saudi Arabia is examining increasing its oil sales to India amid a surplus of crude and a recession in China. Riyadh could offer New Delhi a discount in order to increase its share of Indias crude oil imports. Misri, asked about the possible energy cooperation, simply said watch this space, as per The Print. There will be an effort to infuse a strategic dimension to the India-Saudi Arabia energy cooperation, Misri was quoted as saying by The Week. IMEC, Hajj to be discussed Modi and Salman will likely also discuss the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The IMEC is a corridor involving India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel, and the EU. This corridor is aimed at increasing trade and connectivity. Modi is likely to discuss this project, its operation and potential benefits with Salman. The two men are also could discuss Saudi Arabia suspending new short-term visas to citizens of 14 countries including India, Pakistan, and Egypt ahead of the upcoming Hajj season. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The move comes in response to logistical issues and overcrowding experienced during the last Hajj season, when a significant number of pilgrims reportedly entered the country using non-Hajj-specific visas. Authorities say the restriction aims to improve coordination and ensure a safer and more organised pilgrimage this year. The two men are also could discuss Saudi Arabia suspending new short-term visas to citizens of 14 countries including India, Pakistan, and Egypt ahead of the upcoming Hajj season. Reuters The two leaders will also likely discuss speeding up Saudi Arabias $100 billion investment plan for India which had been announced in 2019 during Salmans visit to India. Certain issues they had raised and we have worked very constructively on those issues, Misri was quoted as saying by Indian Express. Misri said the High Level Task Force on Investment (HLTFI) was set up in October 2023 to accelerate the proposed investment. Misri said New Delhi examined the problems flagged by the Saudi side with a very open mind and said they would address any concerns. As per the newspaper, the two men are likely to discuss the Israel-Hamas war and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Modi is also expected to visit a factory where Indian workers are employed. He will interact with them during his visit. Share close and friendly ties India and Saudi Arabia share close and friendly ties with a long history of socio-cultural and trade contacts, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. As strategic partners, the two countries share strong bilateral relations across various areas, including political, defence, security, trade, investment, energy, technology, health, education, culture and people-to-people ties, it said. Indias relations with the Kingdom have evolved into a stronger and enduring partnership in the past decade, expanding into many strategic domains, with growing investment commitments, broadening of defence cooperation and intensive high-level exchanges across sectors, it added. The MEA said Modis upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia reflects the importance India attaches to its relationship with the Gulf nation. It will provide an opportunity to further deepen and strengthen our multi-faceted partnership, as well as to exchange views on various regional and international issues of mutual interest, it said. Former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla noted that under PM Modis leadership, the India-Saudi relationship has seen a major transformation, helped by the Prime Ministers strong personal bond with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. With inputs from agencies The news of Pope Francis death was announced by Irish-born American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, also the Vaticans camerlengo. Appointed by the pontiff himself, the 77-year-old will oversee the running of the Vatican as well as the preparations for the conclave the process by which a new Pope is elected read more On April 21, the Catholic world plunged into mourning when it learned of the passing away of Pope Francis. This solemn piece of news was, however, not broken by any media outlet but by Kevin Farrell, an Irish-American cardinal, little known in the wider world. Announcing the news, Farrell said, Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his Church, Farrell added. He taught us to live the values of the gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example of a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the triune God. Reporting the news of the 88-year-old pontiffs demise is part of Farrells duties as the camerlengo the person who runs the Vatican after the death or resignation of a pope. In addition to becoming the de-facto head of the Vaticans administration, Cardinal Farrell will also carry out preparation for the conclave, the process by which a new pope is elected. We take a closer look at who exactly is Farrell and what are his responsibilities. Cardinal Farrells career Born in 1947 in Dublin, Kevin Farrell attended the University of Salamanca in Spain and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, according to the Vatican. He was ordained a priest in 1978 and served as chaplain of the Regnun Christi Movement at the University of Monterrey in Mexico. He moved to the US to join the Archdiocese of Washington in 1984, according to his Vatican biography. Later, in 2002, Farrell was appointed auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, and served in that role until 2007, when he became bishop of the Diocese of Dallas. Notably, Farrell, between 2002 and 2006, worked with Theodore McCarrick, the former cardinal who was defrocked in 2019 following a Vatican investigation that determined he had sexually abused minors as well as adults. At the time, Farrell denied knowledge of the alleged abuses. Did I ever know? No. Did I ever suspect? No. Did he ever abuse any seminarian in Washington? No, he was quoted as saying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bishop of Dallas Kevin Joseph Farrell (left) kneels before Pope Francis to pledge allegiance and become cardinal, on November 19, 2016 at Peters basilica. File image/AFP It was in 2016 that Pope Francis called on him to work at the Vatican as the prefect of the newly established Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. Around three years later, he was nominated by the pope to be Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. Funnily, he has described the phone call that led to his appointment as cardinal. Speaking to The Irish Times, Farrell explained how when his secretary in Dallas told him that Pope Francis was on the phone to tell him he would be made a cardinal, he told her, Like hell he is. I kept saying to her, No, that is one of my bishop friends, just messing. Since then, he has been entrusted with other jobs of significant responsibility, such as president of the Commission for Confidential Matters and president of the Vatican City State Supreme Court. Cardinal Farrell, most notably, did not share the same views as Pope Francis on same-sex marriages. However, he extended support to the pontiff on his views on divorced and remarried Catholics. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Farrells responsibilities as camerlengo The camerlengo assumes great responsibilities in the aftermath of a popes death or, in rare cases of resignation. As the Church enters the period of sede vacante, which means empty seat, the camerlengo in this case, Cardinal Farrell takes charge. First and foremost, it is the camerlengos duty to ascertain the popes death. For this, he would have stood over the papal body and ceremoniously called the Popes baptismal name three times. It is only when there is no response to the calls that the Pope is officially pronounced dead. Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell seals the door to the papal bedroom and studio at the Vatican after the announcement of the death of Pope Francis. AP As camerlengo, Cardinal Farrell also held a first moment of prayer following the death of the pope, and the placing of the body into a wooden and zinc coffin. In addition, he locks the papal apartments. He is also tasked with the breaking of the Popes signet ring and seal with shears, to prevent them from being used by anyone else. Cardinal Farrell will also be tasked with making arrangements for the conclave, the process through which the next pontiff is selected. And in the interim period, he will carry out the day-to-day administration of the Vatican. This also includes requesting financial information from Vatican departments. He can also demand the budget and consolidated financial statement of the Holy See for the previous year, as well as the budget for the following year, according to the constitution of the churchs central administration. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per a CNN report, during a papal interregnum the period between the death of one pope and the election of another all leaders of the Vatican offices cease to carry out their work aside from the camerlengo and two others. Cardinal Farrell, the next pope But can Cardinal Farrell be the next pope? The Vaticans rule dont dismiss him as a contender owing to his position as camerlengo. But historically, it has rarely happened. The Times reports that only two camerlengos have been elected pope before: Gioacchino Pecci, as Pope Leo XIII in 1878, and Eugenio Pacelli, as Pope Pius XII in 1939. With inputs from agencies Yoga guru Baba Ramdev recently courted controversy after allegedly targeting Hamdards popular drink, Rooh Afza, while promoting Patanjalis new summer refreshment. Now, the Delhi High Court has asked him to pull down the controversial videos where he is referring to his competitors product as sharbat jihad read more Baba Ramdevs Patanjali has been asked to take down videos on 'Sharbat Jihad', targeting Rooh Afza. File Photo/Reuters Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has landed in a legal soup after claims of sharbat jihad purportedly against the popular summer drink, Hamdards Rooh Afza. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (April 22) rapped the Patanjali Ayurved founders remarks, calling them indefensible. Ramdev made the controversial comments in a video while promoting Patanjalis new Gulab Sharbat. His statement drew flak online, with several users coming to the defence of Rooh Afza. But what did he say? What has the court ordered? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets take a closer look. Ramdevs controversial sharbat jihad remarks Earlier this month, Ramdevs video advertising Patanjalis new drink went viral for all the wrong reasons. Without naming Hamdards popular drink, Rooh Afza, he claimed the firm uses its revenue from selling sharbat for building masjids and madrasas. Theres a company that gives you sharbat, but the money it earns is used to construct madrasas and mosques, he said in the video. If you drink that sharbat, madrasas and mosques will be built. But if you drink this [referring to Patanjalis Rose Sharbat], gurukuls will be built, Acharya Kulam will be developed, Patanjali University will expand, and the Bharatiya Shiksha Board will grow. Ramdev added, Just like there is love jihad, this is also a kind of sharbat jihad. To protect yourself from this sharbat jihad, this message must reach everyone. In this photograph taken on May 21, 2022, an employee works on the assembly line of the Rooh Afza beverage bottling at Hamdard Laboratories factory in Indias Manesar. File Photo/AFP He further compared other soft drinks to toilet cleaners that people have to quench their thirst in summer. Protect your family and innocent children from the poison of toilet cleaners being sold in the name of soft drinks and sharbat Jihad, the caption of the video reportedly read. The clip went viral on social media, prompting Hamdard to approach the court. Delhi HC pulls up Ramdevs Patanjali The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered Patanjali to immediately take down all its advertisements allegedly targeting Rooh Afza as sharbat jihad. Hearing Hamdards trademark disparagement suit against Patanjali, Justice Amit Bansal said in an oral observation that Ramdevs remarks shock the conscience of the court. I couldnt believe my eyes and ears, the judge said of the controversial videos. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Hamdard, argued that this was a shocking case, which went beyond disparagement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is a case of creating communal divide, akin to hate speech. It will not have protection from law of defamation, Rohatgi said, as per a Bar and Bench report. After the Delhi High Court warned of a strong order, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, appearing on behalf of Patanjali and Ramdev, promised to pull down advertisements in print format and videos. I have advised. We are pulling down the videos, Nayar said. He also asked the court to record in its order that Ramdev and his company are not against any religion. The court then directed Ramdev to file an affidavit within five days, promising he will not issue remarks, advertisements or social media posts in future related to competitors products, reported PTI. Nayar argued that Ramdev cannot be stopped from expressing his political views. He can hold these opinions in his head, need not express them, the court retorted. The single judge posted the matter for hearing on May 1. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last week, Ramdev defended his objectionable remarks, saying he did not name any brand. I havent taken anybodys name, but the Rooh Afza people took sharbat jihad on themselves this means they are doing this jihad, Ramdev claimed. If they are dedicated to Islam and are building masjids and madrasas, then they should be happy. However, the Sanatanis should understand If someone has a problem with this, then let it be," he added. When Supreme Court (temporarily) banned Patanjali ads Hamdards lawyer also referred to the Supreme Court coming down heavily on Ramdev previously for targeting allopathy. In February 2024, the apex court temporarily banned Patanjali Ayurveds advertisements on medicines, criticising the company for misleading and false ads claiming to cure different diseases. The Supreme Court had rapped Ramdev in misleading ads case. File Photo/Reuters The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had filed a case in 2022, accusing Patanjali of carrying out a smear campaign against modern medicine and COVID-19 vaccination. After a strong rebuke from the top court, Ramdev and his aide Balkrishna had to issue public apologies. With inputs from agencies US Vice President JD Vances Vatican visit has made headlines, especially as he was one of the last foreign leaders to meet Pope Francis before his death on Monday. Besides the meeting, social media users are talking about Vances picture inside the Sistine Chapel with his son in his arms. Why is the photo receiving backlash? read more JD Vance is facing criticism over his picture inside the Sistine Chapel. X/@charliekirk11 United States Vice President JD Vances weekend visit to the Vatican City has gained the spotlight, especially after Pope Francis demise. He was one of the last foreign dignitaries to meet the leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Easter Sunday, just a day before Francis took his last breath at the age of 88. Images and videos of Vance meeting the pope have gone viral. The US Vice Presidents picture inside the Sistine Chapel has also got people talking, with many expressing objection. But why? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets understand. JD Vances photo sparks backlash US VP JD Vances visit to Italy also included a trip to the Vatican. On Sunday (April 20) morning, he held a private meeting with Pope Francis at his Vatican residence to exchange Easter greetings, according to the Vaticans statement. Vance had hit headlines after reports surfaced that Francis skipped an official meeting with the US VP on Saturday, sending his deputy instead. The Republican leader, who is currently on a four-day visit to India, is facing flak after supposedly getting a picture taken inside the Sistine Chapel. As per PEOPLE.com, Vance, along with his family wife, US Second Lady Usha Vance, and their children, Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel, also visited religious landmarks during his trip to the Vatican City over the weekend. A picture taken by official White House photographer Emily Higgins shows Vance holding his son as they admire the world-renowned painting by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. However, the image garnered criticism after it was shared by conservative activist Charlie Kirk in a post on X on April 20. An epic shot of Vice President JD Vance and his son inside the Sistine Chapel. What an incredible way to spend Easter weekend, he wrote. An epic shot of Vice President JD Vance and his son inside the Sistine Chapel. What an incredible way to spend Easter weekend. pic.twitter.com/HldQVtcN93 Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 20, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Daily Wires White House correspondent, Mary Margaret Olohan, also shared the image, saying it is an official White House photo. With his family by his side, US Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, marvels at the breathtaking beauty of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. Video: Vatican Media pic.twitter.com/xzU4W9T0By Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) April 19, 2025 However, X users were quick to claim that Vance broke the Vaticans photography rules. You do NOT take pictures in the sistine chapel. No respect, a user wrote. Another similarly chimed, No photography allowed in the Sistine Chapel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A third user added, There is a strict rule of not taking pictures within the chapel. But we all know that some people wipe their feet on rules and even the law. Democratic candidate Sara McGee described the image as incredibly disrespectful. Anyone who has been to the Sistine Chapel knows that taking pictures inside of it is not only strictly prohibited, but also incredibly disrespectful. Im so embarrassed by our government. pic.twitter.com/mTZP2RTxpA Sara McGee for Texas HD 132 (@SaraForTexLege) April 21, 2025 Another user called the picture utterly despicable, saying it shows rules are only to be followed by others but not the American government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Photography is not allowed inside Sistine Chapel The official website of the Vatican Museums, the organisation monitoring tourism to the holy site, says photography inside the famous chapel is banned. In the Sistine Chapel it is forbidden to take photographs or films with any type of electronic equipment, according to the website. It says the guard staff has the authority to request the immediate cancellation of pictures or videos taken in violation of this rule. It is permitted to take photographs, for personal and domestic use only, of the works in all areas of the Vatican Museums, apart from the Sistine Chapel. Flash photography is strictly forbidden, it adds. Visitors are told not to use their mobile phones inside the Sistine Chapel, and tourists are requested to observe absolute silence during their visit out of respect for and in view of the sanctity of the location. The Sistine Chapel attracts millions of visitors every year. However, they are barred from capturing Michelangelos awe-inspiring, biblical frescoes adorning the walls and ceiling of the room. The photography ban inside the chapel can be traced back to its restoration that started in 1980 and continued for nearly 20 years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Mental Floss magazine, Japans Nippon Television Network Corporation gave millions in funds for the restoration of Michelangelos art in the chapel in exchange for exclusive rights to photography and video of the restored art. Photos and recordings of the restoration process were captured by photographer Takashi Okamura, who was commissioned by Nippon TV. This led to Nippon producing several documentaries, art books, and other projects with their exclusive footage and images of the restoration of the Sistine Chapel. Newly installed tables stand under Michelangelos frescoes in the Vaticans Sistine Chapel on April 16, 2005. File Photo/Reuters It came to light in 1990 that Nippons exclusive rights on photos inside the chapel came to an end three years after each phase of the restoration was finished. While Nippons terms have expired, the ban on photography within the chapel continues even today. Vatican officials probably want to avoid the risk of thousands of camera flashes affecting the renowned artwork inside the chapel. Although the ban still exists, it is not very strictly enforced, reported Mental Floss. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Did JD Vance break Vatican protocol? JD Vances photo inside the Sistine Chapel was captured by an official White House photographer. This indicates he might have had prior permission to film him and his family. As per Indy100, footage filmed by Vatican Media and shared on the YouTube channel of Times News shows the US VP being shown around the site by Vatican officials. Moreover, this is not the first time US officials and their families have been filmed inside the Sistine Chapel. In 2009, the then-US First Lady Michelle Obama was clicked on a tour inside the landmark with a guide, and can be seen looking at the ceiling and admiring the artwork. With inputs from agencies At least 26 are dead in south Kashmirs Pahalgam and several have been injured in a terror attack in South Kashmirs Pahalgam. An outfit linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) known as The Resistance Front (TRF) has taken responsibility for the attack. But what do we know about the TRF? read more Security personnel move towards the site after terrorists attacked a group of tourists at Pahalgam, in Anantnag district. PTI At least 26 are dead in South Kashmirs Pahalgam and several have been injured in a terror attack. The incident occurred around 2.30 pm on Tuesday (April 22) afternoon when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a tourist group. An outfit linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) known as The Resistance Front has taken responsibility for the attack. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he was shocked beyond belief. Im shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. Ive spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo & she has moved to the hospital to oversee arrangements for the injured. Ill be flying back to Srinagar immediately, Abdullah wrote on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what do we know about this Lashkar offshoot? Lets take a closer look: What do we know? The Resistance Front (TRF) is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). As per the South Asia Terrorism Portal, the TRF came into being in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 and revocation of the special status of J&K in August 2019. Its leadership included Sajid Jatt, Sajjad Gul and Salim Rehmani all associated with LeT. As per Indian Express, the TRF began as a social media based outfit out of Karachi. It keeps a strong presence on platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, TamTam, Chirpwire. It uses these platforms for propaganda, radicalisation, and recruitment purposes. It is a combination of several different terror outfits including the LeT, the Tehreek-e-Millat Islamia and Ghaznavi Hind. A senior police officer told the newspaper the TRF was branded at a time when Pakistan was looking to avoid inspection under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The name was chosen to indicate a public movement rather than a religious group. Lashkar and Jaish-e-Mohammad had religious connotations and Pakistan did not want that. They wanted to make Kashmir militancy appear indigenous. Hence, they opted for Resistance that has some currency in global politics in its name, the senior official said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The idea behind the group name was to distance itself from any Islamic connotations. The group began claiming responsibility for attacks in 2020. Though different groups including the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Hizbul Mujahideen would carry out the attacks, only the TRF would take responsibility. LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. Reuters The TRF recently took credit for the Z-Morh Tunnel attack in Ganderbal on October 20, 2024. The first indication of the emergence of a new outfit came when the J&K Police busted a unit of over ground workers (OGWs) in Sopore and Kupwara. The police found a cache of arms and ammunition dumped by militants near the Line of Control (LoC) at Keran. The arrested OGWs told authorities they were recruiting youth for the new outfit. The group also issued threats to media houses in the Valley for traitorous acts after which which several journalists resigned from local publications. They came with an active social media presence and were providing an intellectual discourse to the militant movement, the official added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Detrimental to national security and sovereignty of India The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned TRF, all its forms and front groups in January 2023. The ministry has declared the TRF as a terrorist group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. TRF is recruiting youth through online medium for furtherance of terrorist activities and has been also involved in carrying out propaganda on terror activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into J&K. TRF is involved in psychological operations on social media platforms for inciting people of J&K to join terrorist outfits against the Indian state, the notification read. The MHA notification added that the activities of TRF are detrimental for the national security and sovereignty of India. A large number of cases have been registered against the members/associates of the TRF relating to planning of killing of security personnel and civilians of J&K, co-coordinating and transporting weapons to support proscribed terrorist organisations The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned TRF, all its forms and front groups in January 2023. ANI The TRF has released a statement following the attack. We have repeatedly warned both local and non-locals through verbal communication and official statements, against involvement in illegal projects, the TRF statement said, as per Livemint. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the attack. The prime minister asked Shah to take all suitable measures and visit the site. I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justicethey will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger, Modi wrote on X. As per India Today, Shah convened a high-level meeting following the attack. The Home Secretary, senior officials from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Jammu and Kashmir officials, including the Director General of Police (DGP) attended the meeting virtually. Shah has now left for Srinagar. Politicos condemn attack A number of high-profile politicos have condemned the attack. Deeply anguished by the news of terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Jammu & Kashmir). This dastardly attack on innocent civilians is an act of cowardice and highly reprehensible. My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha wrote on X, Directed the district administration and the health officials to provide immediate medical attention to those admitted at Pahalgam. An injured tourist has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Condemn the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims. Pray for the speedy recovery of the injured, S Jaishankar said in a post on X. Ex- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti condemned the attack. I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed one and injured several. Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced, Mehbooba wrote on X. Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning. A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses. Ensuring visitor safety is paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent future attacks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The news of the death of tourists and injuries to many in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir is extremely condemnable and heartbreaking. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. The whole country is united against terrorism. Instead of making hollow claims of the situation being normal in Jammu and Kashmir, the government should now take accountability and take concrete steps so that such barbaric incidents do not happen in the future and innocent Indians do not lose their lives like this, Rahul Gandhi wrote on X. With inputs from agencies Novo Nordisk has said it is discontinuing selling its popular, best-selling insulin brand in India and will instead promote its new, blockbuster drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. But why is the company making the move? Will Indians now lose access to cheaper insulin drugs? read more Ozempic pens sit on a production line at Novo Nordisk's site in Hillerod. Reuters Will Indians get blockbuster weight-loss drugs at cost of cheaper insulin? Thats what some are wondering after Novo Nordisk has said it is discontinuing selling its insulin brand in India. The decision from the Danish company could shake up the insulin market, say experts. It comes as the firm has decided to promote its newer blockbuster drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy around the world due to their higher profitability. But what happened? What do we know? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets take a closer look: What happened? The Times of India reported that multinational Novo Nordisk will stop selling its most popular insulin brand, Human Mixtard, in pens in India. Human Mixtard is the countrys top-selling insulin brand. It is valued at Rs 800 crore in India. According to the report, the development could affect its top brands in the Rs 5,000 crore insulin market including Actrapid, Insulatard, Insulin Detemir and Levemir and Xultophy. These are sold primarily in the format of pre-filled disposable pen and cartridges (Penfill and FlexPen). Documents accessed by the newspaper showed that the company told marketing partner Abbott India the products would be withdrawn after current stocks are finished. The process could take around six months. A recent survey found 82 per cent of people with type 1 diabetes preferred to use pens rather than syringes and vials. Representational image/Pixabay However, the company plans to continue selling Human Mixtard, Actrapid and Insulatard in vials. Novo Nordisk is gradually ending production of human insulin pens, the drugmaker said. The company declined to comment on the timeline. Globally (human insulin pens) will be phased out over time and human insulin will be available only in vials, a spokesperson said. Why is the company doing this? As per the report, the company is doing so as part of a wider strategy to prioritise newer, patented diabetes and weight loss therapies such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Booming sales of the Danish drugmakers new obesity and diabetes medicines, delivered in injection pens, have propelled it to become Europes most valuable company by market value, at about $572 billion. The company is also planning to bring these drugs to India in 2025. As per Outlook, Novo Nordisk wants to loss obesity drug Wegovy in India in the next few months. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Novos decision comes after rival Eli Lilly got the greenlight from Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch Mounjaro in India. Novo Nordisk has said that the pens it uses for human insulin are not the same as those for its GLP-1 agonists Wegovy - a weight-loss treatment - and Ozempic, a diabetes drug. Boxes of Wegovy move along a packaging line at Novo Nordisks facility in Hillerod, Denmark. File image/ Reuters But the delivery devices are similar, and the company said last year that broader use of Wegovy could lead, longer-term, to fewer people with type 2 diabetes needing to take insulin, a medicine Novo Nordisk has made for a century. However, the development could pose potential problems for patients. In wealthy nations like the United States, the majority of people with diabetes now use modern or analogue insulin, not human insulin, because the former enables better blood sugar control. In low-and-middle-income countries, human insulin is more commonly used than analogue insulin, which is more expensive and harder to make. As per The Guardian, despite the inventors of insulin selling it for $1 to ensure its availability, today just three companies make over 90 per cent of insulin. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Those suffering from diabetes also say they much prefer using disposable pens to glass vials and syringes. Pens are easier and more precise to use than syringes for injecting insulin. The newspaper quoted a survey by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and T1International as finding that 82 per cent of people with type 1 diabetes preferred to use pens rather than syringes and vials. MSF and T1 International criticise Novo Nordisks focus on manufacturing pens for its new medicines which are not yet available in poorer nations. The groups see an emerging double standard in diabetes care: people with diabetes in high-income countries will not suffer from the halting of insulin pen production, because the company is continuing to make analogue insulin pens for those markets. Makes me angry Patients in South Africa have already had to switch to vials and they are not happy. Lecritia Roberts, 31, from South Africa, told the newspaper, It makes me angry. They dont understand how much harder they are making our lives. Why are they making things more convenient for people who want to lose weight over people struggling with a disease? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When I was younger it was challenging, I didnt like injecting. Sometimes I injected it into the floor because I didnt like having the needle in my arms or thighs. If your break the vial and dont have any [saved] back, you basically dont have any insulin unless you buy it, but people in rural areas cant afford it. Some diabetes patients in the US have this year pushed back against the companys decision to stop selling its long-acting insulin Levemir, which is an analogue insulin. They say the move has left them struggling to switch treatments. On Thursday, several hundred people gathered outside Novo Nordisks office in Johannesburg to protest the companys discontinuation of human insulin pens, according to MSF, which helped organise the demonstration. Candice Sehoma, advocacy adviser for MSFs Access Campaign said, While the corporation continues to profit immensely by supplying newer, more expensive insulin and semaglutide pens ( Ozempic and Wegovy) to wealthier nations, its decision to withdraw human insulin pens may push people with diabetes in resource-limited settings, who rely on insulin for survival, to revert to using vials and syringes, which virtually nobody uses any more in high-income countries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The profiteering on a lifesaving medicine that has been available for more than a century must stop now, Sehoma added. We appreciate the impact our portfolio decisions will have on patients in South Africa and understand the frustration this may cause, Novo Nordisk said in a statement. It added that it is in talks South African health authorities to ensure that diabetes patients continue to have access to treatment. With inputs from agencies A top court bench had recently prescribed a three-month timeline for the president to decide on bills reserved by governors for her nod. Reacting to the directive, Dhankhar had said that the judiciary cannot play the role of a super parliament read more Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar, has used strong words against the judiciary over a recent ruling on the President. File Photo/PTI Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said that the elected representatives are the ultimate masters of the constitutional contents, adding that there is no authority over the Parliament, as the judiciary vs the executive debate heats up. Public representatives are severely accountable on occasion through elections. A Prime Minister who imposed an Emergency was held accountable. Democracy is for the people and is a repository of safeguarding, it is that of elected representatives," Dhankhar said during an event. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A top court bench had recently prescribed a three-month timeline for the president to decide on bills reserved by governors for her nod. Reacting to the directive, Dhankhar had said that the judiciary cannot play the role of a super parliament and get into the domain of the executive, stirring a controversy. Elected representatives are the ultimate masters as to what constitutional content will be. There is no visualisation in the Constitution of any authority above Parliament. Parliament is supreme. It is as supreme as every individual in the country," the vice president added on Tuesday. VIDEO | Speaking at an event in Delhi University, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar (@VPIndia) said, "A prime minister, who imposed Emergency, was held accountable in 1977. Therefore, let there be no doubt about it - Constitution is for the people and it's a repository of pic.twitter.com/mjXt84tLcS Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 22, 2025 Recalling the Emergency of 1975 when fundamental rights were suspended by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the vice president said, Why do we celebrate Constitution Day and Samvidhan Hatya Diwas? Because in 1949 the Constitution was adopted. And that Constitution was distained rugged in 1975. That time ( Emergency) was the darkest period in human history of the democratic world. I say darkest because the highest court of the land held, ignoring the verdict of 9 high courts. 9 high courts were uniformed that democracys fundamental rights could never be put on hold, but that was done. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What did the VP say? The Vice President reignited the debate over judicial overreach last week, delivering a forceful critique of the Supreme Courts authority and asserting that the courts should not have the power to dictate actions to the President. He said, There is a directive to the President by a recent judgment. Where are we heading? What is happening in the country? We have to be extremely sensitive. It is not a question of someone filing a review or not. We never bargained for democracy on this day. The President is called upon to decide in a time-bound manner, and if not, it becomes law. So we have judges who will legislate, who will perform executive functions, who will act as super-parliament, and absolutely have no accountability because the law of the land does not apply to them. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha on Tuesday left for Srinagar to take stock of the situation in the Union Territory in the wake of a terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam read more Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha on Tuesday left for Srinagar to take stock of the situation in the Union Territory in the wake of a terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam. #WATCH | Delhi | Union Home Minister Amit Shah and J&K LG Manoj Sinha depart for Srinagar in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack on tourists pic.twitter.com/k2VMqAcPbF ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to a PTI report, Shah left for Jammu and Kashmir soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to him and asked him to visit the Union Territory. The home minister in a post on X said he has briefed the prime minister about the incident and held a meeting with the officials concerned via video conferencing. Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 22, 2025 Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences, said Shah on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Briefed PM Shri @narendramodi Ji about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies, Shah posted on X before leaving for Srinagar. In Srinagar, Shah will hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies. Multiple tourists were feared killed and at least 20 injured when terrorists opened fire in a picturesque meadow near Kashmirs Pahalgam town, breaking the calm of a regular Tuesday afternoon with scores of people enjoying their day out. The death toll could be more than 20, estimated a high ranking official without getting into details. The toll is still being ascertained, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said while describing the terror attack as much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years. The attack, which comes as US Vice President J D Vance is visiting India, took place around 3 pm, officials said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Anti-Pakistan protests were held in Jammu city following the terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 tourists were killed, with protestors demanding an operation to flush out terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Kashmirs Pahalgam town on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. read more Anti-Pakistan protests broke out in Jammu city following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that reportedly killed 28 people, mostly tourists. Protesters, led by Rashtriya Bajrang Dal (RBD) president Rakesh Kumar called for an operation to flush out terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, which happened at a popular meadow near Pahalgam, is the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike. Authorities confirmed that 26 of the victims were dead, including two foreigners and two locals. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 26 dead included two foreigners and two locals, a high-ranking official said without getting into the details. Led by it president Rakesh Kumar, Rashtriya Bajrang Dal (RBD) took out a protest march in Jammu city against the attack. They raised slogans against Pakistan and burnt its flag. Kumar condemned the attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, terming it a targeted killing of Hindus. This attack took place just ahead of the Amarnath Yatra. Registration for the yatra has only recently begun, and this act is clearly aimed at creating a fear among the Hindu pilgrims, Kumar told reporters here. Survivors say the terrorists asked for the identity of the victims before killing them, which clearly indicates a targeted assault, he said. Another protest was held by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha in the Muthi area of the city, demanding stern action to eliminate terrorists responsible for the act. They raised slogans against Pakistan and terrorists. Protests were also held in J-Ks Doda district. With inputs from agencies This record-breaking usage of funds from the Capital Acquisition Budget in FY2425 marks a 152% increase from the previous Rs 13,900 crore spent in FY23-24 read more Indian Army's T-90 Bhishma tanks (front) drive during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India. (Photo: Reuters) The Indian Army has achieved a historic milestone. The service, for the first time, has used Rs 35,000 crore out of the funds earmarked for the purchase or development of long-term assets, particularly military hardware and infrastructure, a source from the Ministry of Defence with knowledge of the development told Firstpost. This record-breaking utilisation of funds from the Capital Acquisition Budget in the financial year 202425 marks a staggering 152 per cent year-on-year increase from the previous Rs 13,900 crore (approximate) spent, making it the highest-ever spending under the Armys capital budget. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Equally if not more impressive is the fact that 95 per cent of this total expenditure was sourced domestically. When asked about the significance of these historic numbers, the source, who requested anonymity as they were not authorised to speak publicly, said, It will most definitely give a boost to the Indian Armys operational preparedness. But what it will also do is boost economic growth through the multiplier effect, since this is quite a big amount. Of course, we expect significant job creation and that the expenditure will attract private investments. Strong impact on economy expected The multiplier effect is an economic concept where an initial increase in spending leads to a larger overall increase in income and economic activity than the original amount spent. In this context, spending on defence equipment pays workers, stimulates demand for raw materials and services, and boosts related sectors. Those employed in these industries, in turn, spend their earnings on goods and services, further propelling economic activity across the value chain. Highlighting the breadth of this capital push, the source also shared another critical number: the Indian Army has concluded 26 capital contracts worth Rs 85,000 crore in recent months. Of these, 23 contracts were awarded to domestic vendors. The Make in India push is clear. This indigenous manufacturing of defence equipment is likely to create a def-industry ecosystem in the country, the source noted, referencing the governments long-standing drive to reduce dependence on foreign imports and build an indigenous defence industrial base. Taken together, the Indian Armys overall expenditure of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore in FY 202425 across capital acquisitions and related outlaysis bound to have a positive effect on Indias Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It signals a robust shift toward self-reliance, capability enhancement, and economic stimulation through defence spending. Capital outlay and capital acquisition budget The terms capital acquisition budget and capital outlay often appear together in defence budgeting, but they are not identical. Capital outlay is a broad category under the capital head of the Defence Budget. This includes capital acquisition, land acquisition, upgrading infrastructure, and other capital projects like the construction of storage facilities, buildings, roads, airfields, research infrastructure, base development, etc. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Information regarding capital outlay and expenditure was available in recent documents. Heres how Indian Armys capital outlay allocated in Budget, revised mid-year, and actual expenditure has been from FY2018-19 to FY2022-23. Data Source: Budget expenditure documents, Ministry of Finance, Government of India Funds for the capital acquisition budget are used specifically for procurement of new weapons and equipment, purchase or development of major platforms (for instance tanks, missiles, aircraft, drones, etc.) and modernisation of the armed forces. Simply put, the capital acquisition budget is the money set aside specifically for acquiring military hardware, either from Indian or foreign vendors. It excludes infrastructure and construction-related capital works. Capital acquisition budget and expenditure figures, which are part of capital outlay and spending, are sensitive in nature and, therefore, are not revealed in budget documents. With reports quoting intelligence sources saying that 27 tourists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-backed terrorists, eyes will be on Turkeys Erdogan whether he condemns Pakistan as he hosts its PM Sharif read more Injured being shifted to a hospital after terrorists attacked a group of tourists at Pahalgam, in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir on April 22, 2025. PTI On April 22, 2025, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand welcome in Saudi Arabiacomplete with a 21-gun salute and fighter jet escortgunfire echoed in the Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir. A brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Baisaran Valley claimed 27 lives, including one Italian and one Israeli tourist, according to top intelligence sources cited by News18. The Pakistan-based group The Resistance Front (TRF) has claimed responsibility for the attack., casting a grim shadow over a day meant to signal rising regional cooperation and strategic realignment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Incidentally, US Vice President JD Vance, currently on a four-day visit to India, is in Jaipur today. On April 23, he and his family will travel to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and the handicrafts village of Shilpgram, before returning to Jaipur later that evening. They are scheduled to depart for the US early on April 24, the Times of India reported. The timing was striking. Just as Modi arrived in Jeddah to strengthen ties with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif around the same time arrived in Ankara to deepen relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. India and Pakistanrivals on the subcontinentwere being welcomed simultaneously by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, two regional powers whose own relationship has long been marked by quiet competition and ideological divergence. Modis visit, while focussed on trade, defence and energy security unfolded against the backdrop of heightened tensions at home. The attack in Kashmir not only highlighted the persistent threat of cross-border terrorism but also disrupted a moment of fragile optimism. Tourism in the region had been on the rise after years of unrest and the violence came just weeks before the annual Amarnath Yatra, a pilgrimage that draws hundreds of thousands of devotees. Despite the tragedy, Modis presence in Riyadh sent a clear message: India is pushing forward with its diplomatic and economic agenda, even as it contends with complex internal security challenges. The dual eventsModi in Saudi Arabia and Shehbaz in Turkeywerent just coincidental. They reflected parallel strategies, rival visions and deeper shifts in how South Asias biggest players are approaching a rapidly evolving regional order. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Saudi Arabia and Turkey: Friendly rivals To understand why these visits matter, it helps to look at the uneasy relationship between Saudi Arabia and Turkey. As Batool Akhtar explains in Stratheia, even though the two countries work together on business matters, they dont always agree on politics or religion. Turkey supports political Islam and groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, while Saudi Arabia is a conservative monarchy that doesnt support populist Islamic movements. Things got worse after the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, which many believe was ordered by Saudi agents. This created a lot of anger and tension between the two governments. Even though Saudi Arabia and Turkey still have deep differences, theyve been trying to improve their relationship because they both want more investment and global influence. Theyve focussed mostly on working together in business. But the bigger disagreements havent gone away. The fact that Saudi Arabia invited Indias leader and Turkey invited Pakistans leaderwho are rivalsshows that Saudi Arabia and Turkey are also competing with each other in quiet ways. Modis Saudi visit: Strong messages and closer ties Prime Minister Modis visit to Saudi Arabia carried symbolic weight and concrete developments. He was welcomed with a 21-gun salute and escorted by Saudi fighter jets. This grand welcome in Jeddah showed how close India and Saudi Arabia have become. According to PTI, Modi will co-lead the second meeting of the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). This meeting shows that their partnership is not just talkits becoming more official and organised. Indias Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that defence and economic matters were expected to be the main focus. Trade between India and Saudi Arabia has already reached $43 billion. Energy is a big part of thisSaudi Arabia is Indias third-biggest oil supplier. They are also discussing working together on petroleum refineries and even electric grid connections, which shows India wants to build a long-term energy partnership with Saudi Arabia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In an interview with Arab News, Modi talked about Saudi Arabia investing in Indias defence manufacturing. This shows India is trying to get military help from more countries, not just its usual partners like Russia and France. India wants to modernise its military and not rely too much on any one country. Shehbazs Turkey visit In contrast, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs visit to Ankara was a clear sign of the strong brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Turkey, as described by the Pakistani Prime Ministers Office. Shehbaz, along with a high-level delegation that included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Their talks aimed to strengthen the strategic partnership based on mutual respect and shared Islamic values. The timing of Shehbazs visit was important. Just a few months earlier, in February, Erdogan had visited Islamabad for the 7th session of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council, where 24 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed. This visit was part of continuing the momentum from that meeting. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached a record $1.4 billion in 2024, marking a 30 per cent increase from the year before. Both countries are eager to keep building on this success. Erdogan even mentioned that the goal is to expand their trade to $5 billion, which is both an ambitious and strategic target. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Defence cooperation is a key focus in Pakistans growing relationship with Turkey. Facing economic challenges and increasing military ties with China, Pakistan sees Turkey as an important partner in producing drones, military vehicles and small arms. Erdogan has also encouraged Turkish investors to expand in Pakistan, signalling that Turkey views Pakistan as a long-term ally in South Asia. This partnership not only strengthens Pakistans defence capabilities but also helps Turkey increase its influence in the broader Islamic world. Meanwhile, India and Turkey are also looking to boost their bilateral ties. In March this year, both countries sought to establish new momentum by firming up plans to enhance trade, investment and cooperation in emerging fields like defence, technology and innovation. This shared commitment to strengthening their relationship was clearly highlighted at a joint think tank conference in Ankara. Diplomats, scholars and experts were united in their view that its time to move beyond past differences, especially regarding Kashmir and embrace a new chapter in India-Turkey relations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Parallel strategies, divergent realities Both visitsModis to Saudi Arabia and Shehbazs to Turkeyshow two different strategies based on very different situations. Modis visit focusses on practical goals like energy security, military upgrades and regional influence. His aim is to show that India is a strong, independent country that is reliable for investment and can act as a bridge between Western countries and the Gulf region. On the other hand, Shehbazs visit is more about emotional and ideological connections. It also reflects Pakistans need for financial help. With Pakistans economy closely watched by the IMF and low foreign currency reserves, Turkey is offering both support and possible investment through private companies. Modis trip to Saudi Arabia shows India as a global player on equal terms with Riyadh. In contrast, Shehbazs visit to Turkey shows Pakistans need to stay relevant by building strong partnerships. Hidden messages in these visits There is also a deeper political message in these trips. Modis grand welcome in Riyadhwith cultural performances and a 21-gun salutestands out when compared to Pakistans cooling ties with Saudi Arabia. Once one of Pakistans biggest donors and closest allies, Saudi Arabia has grown frustrated with Pakistan, especially over disagreements on foreign policy matters like Iran and Yemen. In fact, in 2020, Saudi Arabia asked Pakistan to repay a $1 billion loan early, which clearly showed a change in their relationship. Since then, Pakistan has leaned more on Turkey and China. Turkey, on its part, uses its close ties with Pakistan to support its image as a leader in the Islamic world, sometimes pushing back against Saudi Arabias leadership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This quiet competition between Saudi Arabia and Turkeythrough their ties with India and Pakistanalso shows up in international forums like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and events like defence industry expos. A tale of two visions The parallel visits of Modi and Shehbaz Sharif to two rival countries tell a bigger story about how India and Pakistan see their roles in the worldeach with a different vision. Under Prime Minister Modi, India is showing confidence, strength and big ambitions. His outreach to Saudi Arabia is not just about deepening Gulf ties but also about presenting India as a global power focussed on energy security and strategic influence. On the other hand, Prime Minister Sharif is looking for stability, support and solidarity. Pakistans closeness with Turkey shows both the need for help and a sense of brotherhood, tied together by shared Islamic values but mainly driven by economic pressure. At the same time, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are using these visits to quietly show their own rivalry. Both are trying to balance big dreams with practical goalsmixing ideology with smart diplomacy. In todays world, where countries are forming new alliances based on strategy and self-interest, April 22, 2025, gave us a clear look at how the region is changing. It showed shifting power in the Muslim world, the different paths India and Pakistan are taking and how their long-standing conflict still casts a shadow. The climate crisis is no longer comingits here. For India, Earth Day 2025 is a moment to choose action over consequences read more Workers of Solar Square place a panel on the rooftop of a residence in Gurugram. AP People around the world are coming together to celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, with the powerful theme OUR POWER, OUR PLANET. This isnt just a catchy phrase its a call for action. The goal is to triple the amount of clean electricity we produce by 2030. To make this happen, countries everywhere must work together but countries like India have a very important role to play. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This Earth Day, the theme Our Power, Our Planet serves as a reminder of the collective role we play in shaping a more sustainable future. Its a moment to reflect on how innovation, collaboration and long-term thinking can support the global transition to clean energy. As we look ahead to 2030 and beyond, advancing technologies like energy storage will be essential to expanding renewable capacity and building resilience into our power systems, says Dhanya Rajeswaran, Global Vice President and Country Managing Director India, Fluence. India has a fast-growing economy, a large population and is facing more and more climate-related problems like heatwaves and water shortages. This puts India right at the centre of the climate crisis. But it also gives the country a chance to lead the way in moving toward clean, renewable energy. While Earth Day is a global event, for India, its also a wake-up call to act now. This is not a hypothetical situation anymore, says Rajesh Patel, CEO of Indian ESG data intelligence firm Snowkap. Extreme heat is directly affecting operations. When temperatures rise above 45C, factory floors can feel like blast furnaces and outdoor work stops. In Indias manufacturing corridors whether its the industrial belts of Gujarat, the logistics hubs of Maharashtra or the garment centres in Tamil Nadu this scenario is not the future. Its happening now. Indias energy challenge in an age of extremes Indias energy system is under unprecedented pressure. Economic growth, urbanisation and electrification are all increasing demand on a grid already vulnerable to weather extremes. Add to that the fact that India just recorded its hottest pre-monsoon season in years and the problem becomes acute. Power exhaustion driven by unprecedented demand is resulting in unplanned downtimes. Water scarcity is adding another layer of disruption, Patel warns. Industries that rely on water for cooling, cleaning or production such as food processing, pharmaceuticals or textiles are feeling the pinch. This is a wake-up call for businesses to embed climate buffers into their operations, not just for resilience but for survival in the coming season. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to an AFP report, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast above-normal maximum temperatures across most of the country this summer, with up to 10 heatwave days or more, especially in eastern India. Traditionally, India records around four to seven such days. The implication? India is rapidly heading toward a new climate normal and the energy sector must evolve accordingly. When the climate crisis hits the corporate bottom line In India, where SMEs make up a huge portion of the economy and where labour-intensive industries drive exports and employment, heatwaves arent just an environmental issue they are a direct economic threat. Once climate hits the P&L, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) becomes a boardroom priority. A flood that shuts down a warehouse or a heatwave that halts production is no longer someone elses problem. Its an operational crisis, a reputational risk and a signal that reactive compliance wont cut it, says Patel. This is especially relevant to sectors like agriculture, logistics and FMCG where the cost of disruption can be immense and felt across the supply chainfrom rural producers to urban retailers. India, therefore, must think beyond short-term disaster relief and move toward long-term ESG-aligned planning, particularly in the energy and water-intensive sectors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Closing the ESG gap Patel highlights a growing chasm between intent and implementation. The desire is there, but the execution gap is wide, he explains. While larger Indian companies are beginning to adopt Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) standards, many still struggle with fragmented systems and outdated tools like spreadsheets. For Indias vibrant but underserved MSME sector, the challenge is even more acute. They want to comply but lack the systems, staff and training to do so meaningfully, he says. As investors and regulators raise the bar on environmental transparency, Indian businesses must evolve from periodic, compliance-driven reporting to continuous, real-time ESG visibility. Its not about chasing numbers once a year its about building a culture of measurable sustainability across the board. Indias digital edge If India is to lead on ESG, technology will be its biggest enabler. ESG data today is more than a reporting tool its a predictive engine, says Patel. Companies are beginning to overlay operational data with climate risk maps, satellite insights and regional forecasts to understand whats coming down the line. This can mean pre-emptively adjusting factory schedules based on expected water shortages in Rajasthan or rerouting transport to avoid high-heat corridors in central India. Its a different mindsetone that prioritises preparedness over reaction, he says. And with rising urban temperatures and rural water scarcity now the norm, this kind of ESG foresight could be the difference between growth and collapse. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Greening Indias supply chains Indias vast supply chains from cotton to cars have historically been focussed on price and volume, not environmental impact. But thats changing. Procurement is no longer just about price, but its about risk, resilience and long-term alignment, says Patel. Indian firms are now asking: Whats the carbon footprint of this supplier in Surat? How much groundwater does this production unit in Tiruppur consume? Are renewables being used in this unit in Noida? This isnt about punishing suppliers its about creating a shared standard and a roadmap for improvement, Patel explains. With better ESG visibility, companies can benchmark performance, introduce sustainability clauses in contracts and build greener, more future-proof supply chains. For India, where the bulk of emissions and inefficiencies lie in supply networks, this shift could be transformational. Indias triple threat According to a Times of India report, climate change is no longer a background issue it is affecting public health, infrastructure durability and urban survival. With concrete-heavy cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata turning into heat islands, the risks are severe. According to the World Health Organisation, heat kills at least half a million people annually and many of them are in the Global South. The IMD has called for comprehensive heat action plans in India that include urban cooling centres, heat advisories and strategies to reduce the urban heat island effect, the AFP reported. ESG-linked planning can support this by aligning corporate operations with climate resilience strategies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tripling clean energy India has made strong progress in renewable energy, especially in solar and wind power. But reaching the Earth Day 2025 goal of tripling clean electricity by 2030 will require even faster action, stronger policies, and greater investment from both the government and the private sector. The country has made strides in solar and wind, yet coal still dominates its energy mix. The private sector must step up. ESG analytics, backed by predictive models and supplier-level insights, will allow Indian companies to decarbonise faster and more efficiently. ESG intelligence is evolving into something dynamic and immediate, giving leaders the clarity they need to take smart action before losses set in, says Patel. Tripling clean energy is not just about installing more solar panelsits about changing how companies consume, produce and procure energy at scale. On Earth Day 2025, the world looks to countries such as India to lead the renewable revolution, not just because its necessary, but because India has the scale, skill and spirit to make it happen. Indias power lies not just in megawatts but in its people, its data, its decisions and its global example. A survivor of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, whose husband was killed by terrorists, has recalled that after she and her son asked one of the terrorists to kill them as well, the terrorist said that she was being spared so that she could narrate the horrors of the attack to Prime Minister Narendra Modi read more Indian police personnel stop vehicles at a check point following a terrorist attack, near Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, April 22, 2025. (Photo: Reuters) A survivor of the Pahalgam terrorist attack has recalled how the terrorist taunted her after killing her husband. Pallavi, whose husband Manjunath was shot dead, has said that the terrorist spared her so that she could live to narrate the horrors of the attack. At least 27 people have been killed in the terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag, intelligence sources told CNN-News 18. In terms of fatalities, this is the worst act of terror in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Read full coverage of the Pahalgam terrorist attack here Witnesses have said that at least two to three armed men carried out the attack. They said that terrorists were wearing military fatigues. Before resorting to targeting killing of victims by segretating them as per religion, they fired indiscriminately at people most of whom were tourists. Tell this to Modi: Terrorist told victims wife Pallavi, the wife of victim Manjunath, told CNN-News 18 that she and her son asked the terrorist to kill them as well, but the terrorist refused. Instead, the terrorist told Pallavi that she was being spared so that she could narrate the horrors of the attack to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said tell this to Modi and then he went away, said Pallavi. The family belonged to Karnatakas Shivamogga. Shot while eating bhelpuri In a video from the site of the attack, a woman is heard saying that her husband was shot dead while eating bhelpuri. The woman goes on to say that the terrorists shot victims after segregating them as per religion. We were having bhelpuri and they shot my husband. One man came and said that he is perhaps not a Muslim and they shot him, said the woman in Hindi. Separately, a survivor of the attack from Gujarat told CNN-News 18 that he could not even see the terrorists as they were firing from the bushes. Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot The Resistance Front has reportedly claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Pahalgam, which has claimed as many as 27 lives. read more Indian security officers patrol in armored vehicles near Pahalgam in south Kashmir after assailants indiscriminately opened fired at tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday. AP Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot The Resistance Front has reportedly claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Pahalgam, which has claimed as many as 27 lives, according to a report. The Resistance Front (TRF) was officially designated a terrorist organisation by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in January 2023. The group emerged shortly after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Initially functioning as an online outfit, it evolved into an active militant group within six months. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Drawing fighters from Lashkar-e-Taiba and other militant organisations, TRF has been linked to several deadly attacks across Jammu and Kashmir. Its founder, Sheikh Sajjad Gulalso known as Sheikh Sajjad claims the groups agenda is rooted in resistance to local oppression and has publicly distanced TRF from Pakistan and Lashkar founder Hafiz Saeed. Born on October 10, 1974, in Srinagar, Sheikh Sajjad Gul was declared a terrorist by the Indian government in 2022. Investigations have revealed that TRF utilises the same funding networks as Lashkar-e-Taiba to support its operations. According to 2022 data, 108 of the 172 terrorists killed in Jammu and Kashmir were affiliated with TRF. Additionally, 74 out of 100 newly recruited militants that year were linked to the group. TRFs last major attack was in Ganderbal, where seven individuals were shot dead at a construction site in North Kashmir. With inputs from agencies Heres the full text of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misris statement from the MEA briefing held earlier tonight: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met this evening under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The CCS was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam, in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed. A number of others sustained injuries. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured. Strong expressions of support and solidarity have been received from many Governments around the world, which have unequivocally condemned this terror attack. The CCS recorded its appreciation for such sentiments, which reflect zero tolerance for terrorism. In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development. Recognizing the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the CCS decided upon the following measures: (i) The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. (ii) The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 01 May 2025. (iii) Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India. (iv) The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions. (v) The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by 01 May 2025. The CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil. It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account. As with the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror, or conspired to make them possible. Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Jeddah highlights the deepening strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the areas of trade, energy, and defence. Read on to explore the bilateral relationship between the two nations. read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Jeddah, the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, 22 April, at the invitation of His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. This diplomatic visit reflects the ongoing commitment of both nations to further deepen their bilateral ties. As part of the visit, Prime Minister Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will co-chair the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. This key forum aims to enhance cooperation across numerous sectors. With a focus on boosting economic collaboration, advancing defence cooperation, and addressing pressing regional political challenges, the visit underscores the importance of strengthening these past longstanding ties between India and the modern Kingdom. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here are five key diplomatic ties India shares with Saudi Arabia 1. Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) Established in 2019 by Prime Minister Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, this platform serves as the foundation of bilateral relations with the two nations. The SPC facilitates high-level diplomatic engagements and advances cooperation and collaboration across various sectors. " Strategic Partnership Council helped India address its expectations and aspirations. In these four years, it has emerged as an effective medium to further strengthen our strategic partnership." PM Modi stated on his . 2. Economic and Trade Relations The mutual trade partnership between the two nations has steadily grown over the years, with India being the second-largest trade partner of Saudi Arabia, while it is the fifth-largest trading partner of India. According to the Ministry of Extrenal Affairs, in the fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, bilateral trade reached USD 42.98 billion. Indian exports totaled USD 11.56 billion, while imports stood at USD 31.42 billion, spanning various sectors such as automobiles and petroleum. 3. Energy Partnership Energy remains a central pillar of the IndiaSaudi Arabia bilateral relationship, with the Kingdom being the third-largest source of crude oil and petroleum for India. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India imported 33.35 million metric tonnes (MMT) of crude oil from Saudi Arabia in FY 202324. Additionally, Saudi was the third-largest supplier of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), accounting for 18.2% of Indias total LPG imports during the same period. 4. Defence ties Saudi and India, as maritime neighbours, have strengthened their naval cooperation through joint exercises. The first of these, Al Mohed Al Hindi, was conducted in August 2021 with the aim of enhancing maritime security operations and naval manoeuvres. In addition to naval collaboration, the two nations held their first joint land forces exercise, Ex-Sada Tanseeq-I, in 2024. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A significant milestone in defence relations was marked by the visit of Honble Minister of State for Defence, Shri Ajay Bhatt to Riyadh for the World Defence Show in February 2024. During this visit, an MoU was signed between Munitions India Limited and a local Saudi partner, facilitating the supply of artillery ammunition worth USD 225 million, highlighting the growing cooperation in defence production and exports. 5. Strategic Investments Indian investments in Saudi Arabia have surged in recent years, reaching a total of approximately USD 3 billion in August 2023. These investments span over various sectors, including construction, IT, energy, and pharmaceuticals. Notable companies such as L&T, TATA Motots, and Wipro have established a significant presence in the Kingdom. On the other hand, Saudi investments in India, including those from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and other Saudi-backed entities, have amounted to around USD 10 billion. Indias Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 are national programmes that can be mutually beneficial to both sides. Shri Ajay Bhatt stated in a press relase after his visit to Saudi Arabia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday cut short his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and is set to fly back to Delhi tonight read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Delhi on Wednesday morning, having cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia following a terror incident in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam that killed 26 people. The prime minister travelled on a two-day trip to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and was due to return on Wednesday night. According to reports, citing government sources, PM Modi skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and was expected to leave for India shortly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi was originally scheduled to return back on Wednesday. Terrorists opened fire at a popular meadow near Pahalgam, Kashmir, often referred to as mini Switzerland, targeting tourists who were enjoying meals, pony rides, or picnicking, according to officials and eyewitnesses. As news of the attack emerged, Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately called Home Minister Amit Shah, urging him to visit the Union Territory. Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar just after 9 pm and went directly to the Raj Bhavan from the airport. Upon his arrival, Jammu and Kashmir Police Director General Nalin Prabhat briefed the Home Minister about the attack. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka were also present during the briefing. With inputs from agencies After the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, authorities on Tuesday set up a 24/7 emergency helpline to assist tourists in the region. J&K LG Manoj Sinha also confirmed that security forces have launched intensified anti-terror operations in the aftermath of the attack read more Indian security officers stand guard on a highway in south Kashmir after assailants indiscriminately opened fired at tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday. AP After the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, which has reportedly claimed over 27 lives and left several others injured, authorities on Tuesday set up a 24/7 emergency helpline to assist tourists in the region. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha confirmed that security forces have launched intensified anti-terror operations in the aftermath of the attack. Vowing a strong response, Sinha assured that those behind the heinous act will be brought to justice and face the full force of the law. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Anti-terror ops launched to neutralise terrorists. The entire nation is angry & the blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, Times of India quoted him as saying. Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have established dedicated emergency help desks to assist tourists and provide timely information and support. 24/7 Emergency Help Desk for Tourists Police Control Room Anantnag- A dedicated help desk has been established at the Police Control Room Anantnag to assist tourists requiring assistance or information. Contact Details: 9596777669; 01932225870; Whatsapp: 9419051940, said Anantnag Police. *24/7 Emergency Help Desk for Tourists Police Control Room Anantnag* A dedicated help desk has been established at the Police Control Room Anantnag to assist tourists requiring assistance or information. Contact Details: 9596777669 01932225870 Whatsapp 9419051940 Anantnag Police( ) (@AnantnagPolice) April 22, 2025 Emergency Control Room Srinagar: 0194-2457543, 0194-2483651 Adil Fareed, ADC Srinagar 7006058623. Helpline for the assistance on Pahalgam terror incident, said information & PR department, UT of J&K. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Police sources have said that the attack began sometime between noon and 2:30 PM. Eyewitnesses informed security forces that two to three men, dressed in military-style uniforms, suddenly stormed the area and opened fire indiscriminately on tourists read more A group of tourists in Kashmirs Pahalgam were attacked by terrorists on tourists, leaving one person dead and injuring five others. Sources have told News18 that two of the five injured are in critical condition while security forces try to reach the spot of the attack, but the difficult terrain of the region is causing a delay. An offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack. Among those targeted in the attack were women and elderly individuals. A middle-aged male tourist told News18 JKLH that two terrorists had opened fire on the group. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held an emergency call with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take stock of the situation and take all necessary measures. He also asked Shah to visit the site, according to ANI. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. Spoke to the DGP & Security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations," Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said. #WATCH | Terrorist attack on tourists reported in Jammu & Kashmir's Pahalgam; Security Forces mobilised. Further details awaited. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/z8g7rQeiUD ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, Im shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. Police sources have told News18 the attack began sometime between noon and 2:30 PM. Eyewitnesses informed security forces that two to three men, dressed in military-style uniforms, suddenly stormed the area and opened fire indiscriminately on tourists who were riding horses and enjoying the scenic Baisaran Meadows in Pahalgam. Kindly accept the sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam whose victims were civilians citizens of various countries. This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face a deserved punishment, said Putin read more Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia on Sunday. Reuters Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday expressed his condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the tragic terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, which claimed 28 lives. In his message, Putin wrote: Esteemed Mrs President, Esteemed Mr Prime Minister, Kindly accept the sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam whose victims were civilians citizens of various countries. This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face a deserved punishment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I would like to reiterate our commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, he added. In his message, President Putin also requested President Murmu and PM Modi to convey his sincere sympathy and support to the families of the deceased, as well as his wishes for the speedy recovery of all those injured. Terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Kashmirs Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least 28 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, reported PTI. The dead included two foreigners and two locals, a high ranking official said without getting into details. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the terror attack as much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years. Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam, is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains and a favourite with visitors from across the country and the world. Armed terrorists came into the grassland, dubbed mini Switzerland, and started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or picnicking, officials and eyewitnesses said. As news of the attack spread, The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility. The officials said it was possible members of the terror group crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran through Kokernag in south Kashmir. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies The killing of Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a Hindu minority leader in Bangladesh from Dinajpurs Basudebpur village, illustrates the dire condition of the Hindu minority in that country. This is not a one-of-a-kind incident or an inadvertent and isolated one. It explains a pattern and a system of structured persecution. India-hatred is now synonymous with Hindu-hatred. Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das arrest and imprisonment in November last year unearthed the Bangladeshi Kangaroo court and debilitating law and order situation. Muhammad Yunus attempt to irk India through his provocative statements on the Northeast in China explains his ulterior motive. He makes Bangladesh a mirror image of Pakistan. Its economy is in complete shambles. Recovery is remote. Socio-economic and political paralysis is beyond repair. Given these precarities, Yunus and his collaborators depend on minority oppression, especially of Hindus, and propaganda peddling. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bhabesh Chandra Roys death marks the exacerbating condition of the Hindus. He was reportedly taken from his home and beaten to death on Thursday. Yunus duplicity and crocodile tears on the debilitating conditions of the Hindu minority under the current patchwork government are a mere media show-off and counterfeit publicity of naivety and non-complicity. The octogenarians love for power blinds him to throwing the state to the fanatics. Bangladeshi cosmopolitanism is a textbook reality. The ground reality is phenomenally abysmal. The Hindu demographic nosedive in Bangladesh since 1947 illustrates religious hatred and hegemony. The so-called students protest and ousting of Sheikh Hasina, a democratically elected leader, were a well-engineered plan executed with remarkable calculation involving a host of collaborators from the home turf to overseas overseers and investors. Election is no longer a political itinerary of the current unelected dispensation in Bangladesh. Hindu oppression underlines its core occupation. Minority safety is reduced to a mere public pronouncement or decorative statement. Liquidation of Hindu leadership is reportedly its covert strategy. Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson categorically stated, We have noted with distress the abduction and brutal killing of Shri Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a Hindu minority leader in Bangladesh. This killing follows a pattern of systematic persecution of Hindu minorities under the interim government, even as the perpetrators of previous such events roam with impunity. The message is loud and clear. Unfortunately, the interim governments hand-in-glove approach has reportedly emboldened the perpetrators. Justice is not served. The perpetrators expand their checklists and commit crimes with impunity. The politically indulgent ecosystem encourages the amplification of oppression against the Hindus. Islamists break all barriers to unleash their religious passion. Their activities were largely undercover because of Hasinas anti-Jamaat-e-Islami stand. Now they have the leeway to do anything they think fit to expand and establish their cause. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan has become a role model. The pre-1971 conditions have again arisen. Those forces remained supine after 1971 and prepared the ground. The groundswell during Hasinas time has metamorphosed into a crushing force. Its nuisance value and street veto have led the country to an irrecoverable position. Fanaticism rules the street. How long would the minority Hindus survive such an unceasing onslaught? The gravity of the situation requires quick reconsideration of the matter. Status quoism will be counterintuitive. Another round of Hindu dispossession will be unavoidable. The thinning minority will find their claims of being in Bangladesh a mere memory. The symptoms are visibly alarming through the tragic death of Bhabesh Chandra Roy. There are two sides to this seamless aggression against the Hindu minorities. One is diversionary tactics to conceal the interim governments incompetence and ulterior motives. The other is to fan the flame of religious exclusivity. Yunus controversial and provocative statements on Indias Northeast in China conjoin with the dangerous idea of reviving the military airbase in Lalmonirhat (Rangpur Division) with Pakistani and Chinese funding. The proposed military preparedness is to checkmate Indias narrow Siliguri Corridor. It is designed to disable Indias Northeast, inflicting a disconnect. This will jeopardise Indias national security. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bangladesh suffers from the Shishupala syndrome, annoying India more than it can afford. It has decided to join China in its sinister objective of strategically encircling India. Yunus is a mere puppet. China is the puppeteer. Yunus has also tried to court Pakistan. Bangladesh is playing a very dangerous game. It will have to pay for this sooner than later. Dr. Jajati K Pattnaik teaches at the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Dr. Chandan K Panda teaches at Rajiv Gandhi University (A Central University), Itanagar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The responsibility for preventing further escalation of Baloch insurgency rests with the Pakistani state that holds both the institutional strength and constitutional mandate to pursue political solutions. Yet, instead of justice or dialogue, the state continues to lean on coercive tactics read more At the heart of Quetta, where chaos flows like a bloodstream through the citys veins, lies Sandeman Provincial Hospital (Civil Hospital) a lifeline for many and a graveyard for hope for others. With three gates always clattering open and shut, its most heavily used entrance opens out to Jinnah Road a street that knows the footsteps of the grieving. Step through that gate and you enter the emergency wing, but it is not the urgency of life that overwhelms you. It is what follows it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Behind the emergency rooms, tucked away on the side where the city turns its face, stands the hospitals mortuary. A bare, pebbled stretch of land surrounds it. No benches. No shelter. Just the wind, the dust, and the sharp, unmistakable smell of death. That smell clings to the air so tightly that most who pass by instinctively clamp their hands over their mouths and noses. But not everyone. Some stay there unmoved by the stench, untouched by the discomfort. These are not visitors. They are family. They are waiting. On the ground, they sit fathers, mothers, brothers waiting to see if the lifeless body behind that door belongs to someone they once loved. Some have travelled from distant towns. Others, like Saira Baloch, know the drill too well. The smell doesnt matter when you are looking for someone you love, says Saira, whose two brothers, Asif and Rasheed, were forcibly disappeared over six years ago by security forces. You wait because someone has to recognise the body. The staff inside the mortuary rarely come out to help them. Normal cases are handled upstairs, where forms are filed and hands are shaken politely. But when it is a bullet-riddled corpse, unrecognisable, when it is a case marked by initials like CTD Counter-Terrorism Department then the process halts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They say its not their job. That its a police matter, Saira continues. But the police post is across the gate. When you go to them, they say theyll inform CTD. And then you just wait. Thats what we do here we wait. Wait for someone to take responsibility. Wait for the police to return from lunch. Wait for CTD officers who may never show. After noon, after 5 in the evening no one is available, Saira says. Its like the dead can wait. And the living must suffer. On March 17, 2025, it was a day like many others dry wind, silent grief, and families waiting on the ground outside Sandeman Hospitals mortuary. But this time, the crowd was larger. There was a new wave of unease. This unease came after Pakistans military spokesperson, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), announced that the hostage crisis aboard the Jaffar Express had ended. Clearance operation successful. All 33 attackers neutralised, the statement read. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But the armed separatist group that claimed the train hijacking the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) released just 12 photographs of their fighters confirming only their deaths from the attack. The numbers didnt match. And in Balochistan, mismatched numbers often meant something else someone unaccounted for, someone long disappeared, might have been among the dead. That was enough for the families to come running. Whenever bodies are brought to Civil Hospital, the families of missing persons rush here, said Saeeda Ahmed, sitting under the weak shadow of a boundary wall. Her brother and nephew were both taken years ago. We come because sometimes sometimes, they are among them. And its the only way we find out. So they came dozens of women and men in dust-stained slippers, faces lined by the sun and sleeplessness. They werent there for the official version of events. They were there for the unclaimed, the unnamed, the ones who had no press release written about them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They waited again not just for someone to identify the dead but for someone to let them. By sunset on March 17, the gates of the mortuary were still locked. The families waited all day on the gravel, the cold biting through their clothes after dusk. The staff never came. The next morning, they returned. And again, no answers. Then on March 19, chaos erupted as word spread that during the night between March 18 and 19, thirteen bodies had been buried in Quettas Kasi Qabristan graveyard. No identifications. No public notices. Just a burial, done quietly, without families present. And then, the video. Footage of a man speaking at the graveyard. They havent even laid the bodies properly, he said. Just thrown sand on top These could be eaten by dogs. The video swept through WhatsApp groups, Twitter feeds, and Facebook pages of the Baloch missing persons networks. And grief turned to fury. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By the afternoon of March 19, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) held a at the Quetta Press Club, speaking out against the profiling and harassment of its members. During the session, a journalist raised a pointed question to BYC organiser Mahrang Baloch about the reports of 13 unidentified bodies being buried at Quettas Kasi Qabristan. Her response was direct: Whoever they are, the families have the right to identify them, she replied. And we, the BYC, stand with the families of missing persons. That evening, grief turned to protest. Dozens of families once again gathered at the gates of Quettas Civil Hospital the same spot where, two days earlier, they had sat quietly on the pebbled ground outside the mortuary, waiting. But this time, they came in greater numbers. They stood outside the mortuary, not only in mourning but demanding answers. Within an hour, the police arrived. We were just standing there, crying, asking why we werent informed. Why they buried them like that, recalls Saeeda Ahmed, whose brother and nephew are both missing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But the states response was swift and violent. A baton charge followed. Five protesters, including Saeeda Baloch and her sister, were arrested on the spot. The others were chased off into the dark. Sabiha Baloch, BYC leader, shared that after hearing about the arrest of Saeeda and other women activists, Bebarg Zehri a central BYC leader immediately called the Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Quetta, urging him to release them. But the AC response came as a threat: Inko chhoro, ab tum logon ke liye halat bohot kharab honge Forget about them, now things are going to get much worse for you people. And then by the early hours of March 20, around 5 am, a joint team of CTD and police officials raided the home of . Bebarg, who has used a wheelchair since 2010, lost the use of his legs after a grenade attack during a cultural event in Khuzdar an attack carried out by security forces. He had been a young engineering student then, attending a Baloch Culture Day programme organised by Baloch Student Organisation-Azad. Two others were killed in the explosion. Bebarg survived but his life would never be the same. Now, fifteen years later, the same state that once maimed him had returned not only for him but also for his brother. Hammal Zehri, a gold medallist and PhD scholar in biotechnology, had never been involved in political organising. He had built a quiet life in academia, far removed from activism. But both brothers were taken without a warrant, without explanation. By noon, Quetta began to stir with unrest. The disappearance of Bebarg Zehri and the continued detention of Saeeda Ahmed and other Baloch women. In response, at Saryab Road on 21st March, one of the citys main southern routes. Before the protest could take its shape, it was met with . Witnesses describe a , outnumbering the demonstrators. Groups of five or six were detained almost immediately upon arrival. No slogans had been chanted, no speeches delivered, when the first rounds were fired. What unfolded next resembled a security operation more than a response to civil assembly. Video footage from the scene shows officers charging at protestors, dispersing them with batons and tear gas. The air was tense, filled with the sound of shouts, running footsteps, and the occasional sharp report of gunfire. During the police firing, three people were : thirteen-year-old Naimat, who was shot in the chest, along with Habib Ullah and Imdad. Several others were injured. In response, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee staged a on Saryab Road. Quetta, March 22, 2025 The sit-in continued through the night. At around 5 am, police launched a raid on the protest site. The bodies were taken by force, and several participants were detained. Among those arrested was Mahrang Baloch, organiser of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. Baloch is internationally recognised, having been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, named among BBCs 100 Women, and listed in TIME Magazines 100 Emerging Leaders. For four consecutive days March 21, 22, 23 and 24 Quetta transformed into what Sabiha Baloch, one of the Baloch Yakjehti Committees (BYC) central leaders, called a war zone. From head to toe, they were armed, she said, describing how police in riot gear, armoured vehicles, and water cannons had sealed off Balochistan University and the surrounding streets. We were unarmed protesters, yet they treated us as militants. On March 21, Whoever was stepping off a rickshaw they were picked up, Sabiha recalled. Security forces opened live fire. We were dragging wounded protesters into rickshaws while shells were exploding around us. One of the wounded, she remembered, was a 22-year-old boy shot in the flank. His intestines were coming out, but we held him still inside the rickshaw, trying to keep him alive. The second night March 22 into March 23 was worse. Firing continued from 7pm to 3am, recalled Sabiha. FC personnel had climbed rooftops and were shooting down at protesters. Even those wearing Balochi clothes were picked up. Minors, women, passersby no one was safe. With the internet suspended and journalists blocked from reporting, exact casualty figures remain uncertain. But the sounds of that night gunshots, sirens, screams echoed through the alleys of Quetta long after the last shell fell. The government, however, paints a starkly different picture. In an official statement posted on March 22 by the Commissioner of Quetta Division, the administration alleged that the protest quickly turned violent as BYC protesters and their armed accomplices resorted to stone-pelting, indiscriminate firing, and attacks on law enforcement personnel. The note further claimed that three individuals lost their lives due to the firing by armed elements accompanying BYC leadership. Sabiha Baloch, a central leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, rejects the states claims outright. We have footage. We know who was firing, who had the guns, who held the power, she says. And it wasnt us. She argues that the states crackdown isnt about violence its about dissent. The truth is, the state has never tolerated any voice that speaks for Baloch rights whether its raised peacefully or not. From Nawab Noroz Khan and the Khan of Kalat, to Attaullah Mengal and Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo even those within the parliamentary system were crushed. The pattern has never changed. She lists a long line of slain Baloch intellectuals and educators: Saba Dashtiyari, Professor Razaq , Zahid, Nazeer Marri none of them were militants, none held weapons. They were killed simply for speaking. According to her, the BYC has remained peaceful from its inception. Not even a flower has been plucked, she says. From the Baloch Raaji Muchi protest where four were killed to the long march to Islamabad, our commitment to non-violence has never wavered. She points to international recognition, like Mahrangs inclusion in TIME Magazine, as proof of their peaceful resistance. Yet what did the state do? Confiscated her passport. Did the same to Sammi. Arrested us, dragged our people through streets. Let the state bring even one shred of evidence that we BYC engaged in violence, she says. We will face any court in the world. The crackdown on Mahrang Baloch and the Baloch Yakjehti Committees leadership sparked a across Balochistan. From the remote valleys of Buleda and Dasht-e-Kurmi to the urban sprawl of Karachi, Panjgur, Turbat, Kharan and across Balochistan people poured into the streets. In villages and cities alike, every alley echoed with slogans of dissent, and every road was filled with those refusing to be silenced. Mahrangs arrest reverberated far beyond Balochistan drawing condemnation not just in the streets but on international platforms. The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, along with other UN experts, demanded Pakistan immediately release detained Baloch rights defenders and halt its crackdown on peaceful protests. In response to the UN experts statement, Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the statement as biased and unfounded. Any credible assessment must recognize that these elements are not mere protesters but active participants in a broader campaign of lawlessness and violence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release, accusing BYC and its supporters of operating in collusion with terrorists and obstructing state responses to militant threats. The statement emphasized that the governments actions were fully consistent with international law and necessary to maintain public order. In response to the states claim that the BYC is linked to militant outfits, Sammi Deen, a central leader of the BYC, rejected the allegation; If the state truly believes in facts, then we challenge it, she said. Let any third-party, independent body investigate every stage of our struggle. If they find even a single piece of evidence that BYC has supported armed groups, we will accept the consequences. She pointed to what she described as a long-standing tactic of the state equating dissent with terrorism. Today, its BYC. Tomorrow, its BNP-Mengal or PTI. Even Akhtar Mengal, an elected Member of Parliament, is being branded a terrorist sympathiser. This is not a democratic government. Its a mafia-run system controlled by generals, managed by elites, and obsessed with crushing any voice that resists. Theyre using media propaganda to mislead the people, especially in Punjab, linking us to armed groups without proof. Sammi further exposed a broader pattern. Every party that challenges state operations are branded a terrorist proxy a RAW agent, a foreign hand, a soft face of militancy, she said. PTI did it to Nawaz Sharif. Now the current rulers are doing the same to us, to BNP, even to PTI itself. There has never been any proof of terrorism support against us. None. These are not accusations they are tools. Tools to justify injustice, to hide oppression, and to silence dissent. And people see through it now even those within the system know these allegations are baseless. According to Sabiha, In conflict zones across the world, states have shown rationality they engage only with armed groups, while making space for political voices, civil society, and journalists, she said. Thats how they prove legitimacy, and isolate violence. But in Pakistan, that rationality is absent. Here, peaceful movements like BYC are crushed, while the state reinforces the narrative that only the language of guns is understood. Instead of recognising BYC as a political breakthrough after years of crisis, the state chose repression. It has done this before in 2005, in 2010 and its doing it again. Today, the armed groups message has gained legitimacy in Baloch society: that peaceful struggle is futile. And then, with a trace of warning: The state has left no space for peace. If nothing else remains, only armed struggle will. That will be the states doing. And it has already proven it. Historical Background of BYC: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) did not emerge from a vacuum. Its roots lie in a series of events that left deep scars across Balochistaneach one etched into public memory, each one pulling more people to the streets. In May 2020, a late-night attack by an alleged death squad on a home in Danuk, Turbat, left Malik Naaz Baloch dead and her little daughter, Bramsh, wounded. The killing triggered widespread outrage. Images of the injured child circulated online, rousing protests across Balochistan. The anger did not subside. Just three months later, in August, Hayat Baloch, a university student, was shot dead by Frontier Corps personnel while helping his parents in an orchard in Turbat. The killing was unprovoked. His execution stunned many, including those outside the province. For the Baloch, it was another reminder that civilian lives could be taken without consequence. Protests were held in different parts of Balochistan and outside against his murder. Then came the news from Canada. Karima Baloch, a prominent activist and former chair of the Baloch Students Organisation Azad, was found dead in Toronto in late 2020. The official cause was ruled as non-criminal, but many in Balochistan were unconvinced. The hashtag #StateKilledKarimaBaloch trended for days. Her martyrdom was seen as a messagethat even exile did not guarantee safety and massive protests were carried out across Balochistan. In 2021, violence again struck the young. In Hoshab, Kech, two childrenAllah Baksh and Sharatoonwere killed by mortar shelling allegedly fired by Frontier Corps. Their family brought the bodies to Turbats Fida Ahmed Chowk and refused to bury them. The protest spread. When the family marched to Quetta, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee helped channel their grief into political mobilisation. Demonstrations erupted across towns and cities. In 2023, another name was added to the list: Balach Mola Baksh. Killed in what was widely condemned as a staged encounter by the Counter Terrorism Department, his body was left at the same Fida Ahmed Chowk. After his burial, the BYC organised a long march against what it called the Baloch genocide. It began in Turbat, passed through Quetta, and moved onwards to Islamabad. Hundreds of families affected by enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings joined the march. Thousands lined the roads in support. Across Balochistan and Baloch-majority areas of Karachi, protests erupted with renewed force. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee has since become a central node of civilian mobilisation in the province. It was the states violence that gave birth to us to BYC, said Sabiha Baloch. We rose to carry our struggle politically, peacefully. But now, after the Jaffar Express hijacking, the state is using that incident to justify a fresh wave of violence against us." As the standoff between the Pakistani state and the Baloch Yakjehti Committee intensifies, the space for peaceful dissent in Balochistan appears increasingly fraught. Supporters of BYC insist the group represents a non-violent political movement born in the shadow of decades of unrest; state officials accuse it of facilitating militant networks and undermining national security operations. With several of the groups key leaders still in detention and the international community raising concerns over due process, the coming weeks may prove critical not only for BYC, but for the broader question of how dissent is understood, addressed, and contained in Pakistans most restive province. The unrest in Balochistan is not new. The 2006 operation that killed Nawab Akbar Bugti, rather than ending militancy, deepened it. And if non-violent expression is stifled, what other outcomes are possible? The responsibility for preventing further escalation rests with the state. It holds both the institutional strength and constitutional mandate to pursue political solutions. Yet, instead of justice or dialogue, the state continues to lean on coercive tactics: a pattern that risks pushing an already marginalised population even further away. What Balochistan needs is not more repression but an open space for dialogue, justice, and reform. Anything less could further erode the possibility of lasting peace. The author is a Balochistan-based feature story writer and researcher and an MPhil scholar in English Literature. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. US Vice President JD Vance, his Indian-origin wife Usha Vance and their three adorable children are hogging all the limelight in the Indian media currently. This is the first time that Vance is on a visit to India and it is one of his early bilateral visits to any country. This visit is interesting for many reasons, coming in the shadow of Donald Trumps tariffs, where India has faced a 26 per cent reciprocal tariff from the current administration. But judging the state of India-US relations only on this basis will be sheer myopia because there is enough evidence to suggest that the two countries are currently enjoying a rare momentum pushing their convergence in almost every domain forward. The bitterness of Bidens term in power is finally behind us; there is now a much supportive government at the helm for Indias great power ambitions in Washington. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Since the beginning of the current century, almost every single administration in the US has recognised Indias potential to offset Beijings influence in Asia. If China has a large geography, population, and commanding military power, then its only proportionate match in Asia must be India. With this mindset, starting from Bill Clinton to George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, almost all American presidents have preferred to pursue good relations with India but by treating it as a mere balancing power in the region. Especially in the last four years, Indias treatment as just a regional or a balancing force has been most apparent by the United States. This is because there has been a deep-rooted aversion in the country to a multipolar world where the doctrine of strategic utility dictates India to be treated nicely to balance China but only under the wider umbrella of a unipolar American world. The worst sign of this behaviour was on display in the year 2024 itself when the American deep state dethroned an India-friendly regime in Bangladesh only to replace it with the Islamists who have started to fall completely in the China-Pakistan axis now. However, this aversion to a multipolar world shown by subsequent American leaders is not acceptable to India, especially to someone like the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose foreign policy is impinged on projecting India as an independent power in a multipolar world. Many are still not aware that one of the first things he did after coming to power was to tell his diplomatic dispensation clearly to project India as a leading power in its own right and not merely as a balancing force in the current geopolitical dynamics. This assertion was further explained by his external affairs minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, who once outlined during an event that provided Indias economic and military weight, it has the right to be seen as a legitimate independent pole in international politics and not a country that has to choose sides between US and China in the new Cold War. This worldview of PM Modi is starkly different from the previous Indian governments that had maintained ambiguity around Indias position in the greater scheme of things. But unlike the leaders before Modi who never articulated a clear vision for India as a potential great power, PM Modi has done a great job in not only voicing the ambitions but has also backed it with a great deal of efforts. He is by all measures the first Indian leader to ever initiate so many flagship programs to build Indias comprehensive strategic power one where self-reliance in defence and manufacturing is key. Not to forget his vision to build massive infrastructure which can unlock high growth rates for India making it the only other economy besides the US and China to cross $10 trillion GDP in the coming decade. Even his emphasis on a nationalist approach to international politics which he calls as the India First foreign policy is significant. Interestingly, Modis India First is a predecessor of Trumps America First policy. Modi, after all, had come to power before Trump and it was only in 2016 during a speech in Washington DC that Trump for the first time had articulated it while running for the Presidential office. Ironically, despite both leaders placing their own countries in a position of priority, their ideas are not at all counter to each other. In a truly multipolar world, both these policies cannot only co-exist but also complement each other a great deal. This is because both Trump and Modi have a similar worldview of the good old great power-driven international system, where focus is on building ones own economic and military strength without tangling too much in globalism or multilateral commitments. But this does not mean that one does not indulge in meaningful transactionalism with like-minded countries. Nothing explains this better than Modis preference for engaging with each great power on its merit, instead of the West-style alliance building that works by laying down exclusionary and normative rules of who is a legitimate great power and who is not. Or, one that imposes silly definitions of who is a democracy and then goes on to wield the human rights card for merely following an independent course of action. No wonder Indias relations with the West got strained when a war between Ukraine and Russia broke out and West started to name and shame India on an ideological basis. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Unlike the Biden administration that left no opportunity to question Indias commitment to the bilateral relationship just because the Modi government had refused to take sides against Russia, Trump even in his previous term was someone who completely understood Indias prerogative. It was his administration that had given a sanction waver to India over procuring S-400 missile system from Russia, completely mindful of the fact that it would strengthen an ally in taking on China. Also, it was the Trump administration only that oversaw revival of the Quad initiative, gave official seal of approval to Indo-Pacific as a common strategic space and heralded India as an essential pillar in its national security strategy. In the second term, as the contours of an unfolding geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China are becoming clear, Trumps choice of partner again is going to be India. Vances choice to make the country an early destination of his visit is a signal towards the same. Unlike the previous administrations that considered India as a mere balancing force, the Trump administration views India as a prospective market of 1.4 billion consumers and a diplomatic and military heavyweight. Also, unlike other leaders who considered Indias independent streak as a threat to Americanism, Trump considers strategic autonomy displayed by India as a useful trait. After all, while the freeloaders in Western Europe have lived in the heavily subsidised American security umbrella for so long, India is a potential ally that has a lot of self-respect in paying up its share. It is visible in Modis resolve to transform India into a formidable great power in the Indo-Pacific, one which has its own military strength to defend its interests. It is only befitting that today the Europeans are being chided to spend on their own security by the Trump administration while Indias status as an independent power is being well appreciated. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the current juncture, when the limits of the USs ability are being tested every day as a receding superpower, it needs more allies like India and certainly not less. In fact, with the overall visions of the two leaders, PM Modi and President Trump in perfect consonance with each other, India is all set to become indispensable to Trumps long game. Signs of this are already visible, where if Trump 1.0 was all about a burgeoning defence partnership then Trump 2.0 has opened doors for a blooming trade relationship as well. Especially as Trumpian tariffs have handed out a devastating blow to Chinas status as a world factory, Indias relatively cheap labour force, Modis emphasis on Make in India and the countrys vast middle class market has suddenly become irresistibly alluring to American companies. A trade agreement is one of the priority agenda items on Vice President Vances itinerary. Following a meeting between him and PM Modi, both countries have officially agreed on the basic guidelines for the trade pact negotiations. These terms of references and its outcome in the form of a trade agreement will be a part of the broader Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology (COMPACT) programme launched in February 2025 as a strategic framework to guide India-US relations in the 21st century by PM Modi and President Trump during formers visit to Washington. It is the most comprehensive effort till date to build closer relations between the two countries with defence convergence, trade and transfer of key technology as its important pillars. On one hand, it will allow the US to benefit from the military sales to the worlds biggest customer of arms but it will also propel India to become a part of the global supply chains and benefit from the sophisticated technological transfers which US is not willing to share with a lot of countries currently. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China is closely watching Vances trip to India but it has little choice except seeing this close cooperation unfold between India and the US. On its part, Beijing has issued a warning days ahead of this visit cautioning countries to not enter into trade negotiations at its expense with the United States. But then the current Indian government does not have a very good record of bowing to threats because Indias national interest is all that it has chased since the last decade. The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She tweets @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Despite recent diplomatic talks and troop disengagement at Depsang and Demchok, China continues to strengthen its military presence along the LAC. To counter the threats, India is strengthening its defence, including raising new military divisions like the 72 Infantry in sensitive areas like eastern Ladakh read more India views China as an unreliable neighbour in 2025 due to its history of backstabbing allies and pursuing aggressive policies. Image: PTI The Indian Army is raising the 72 Infantry Division for permanent deployment in eastern Ladakh under the Leh-based 14 Fire & Fury Corps. This division will enhance defence along the sensitive Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. It comprises 10,00015,000 combat troops and 8,000 support personnel, commanded by a major general. The formation replaces the ad-hoc Uniform Force, which will return to Jammu. The move follows heightened tensions since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and aims to bolster strategic preparedness in this critical region. Currently, one brigade headquarters is operational, while other elements are undergoing training in western India to ensure readiness for high-altitude warfare. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When we look back at history, the slogan Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai symbolised friendship between India and China in the 1950s under Prime Minister Nehru, promoting peaceful coexistence. However, this goodwill ended with the Sino-Indian War of 1962. On October 20, 1962, China launched a surprise attack on India, exploiting Indias military unpreparedness. The war lasted until November 21, 1962, when China declared a unilateral ceasefire after inflicting heavy casualties on India, with around 7,000 Indian soldiers killed or captured. After the 1962 war, the Galwan Valley clash on June 15, 2020, marked a turning point in India-China relations. The deadly confrontation, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and the same number of Chinese troops, was the worst border conflict in 45 years. It occurred amid Chinas aggressive troop build-up along the LAC and attempts to alter the status quo. Despite multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks, including disengagement agreements in 2021, unresolved issues persist in key areas like Demchok and Depsang plains. The incident led to a deterioration in bilateral ties, with India reassessing its policies toward China. After more than four years, or almost five years after Galwan clash, India and China are working to resolve the eastern Ladakh standoff comprehensively, following troop disengagement from Depsang and Demchok in late 2024. LeadersPrime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinpingmet in October 2024, agreeing to revive dialogue mechanisms. Subsequent high-level talks, including NSA Ajit Dovals Beijing visit and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misris discussions, aim to normalise relations. India insists full normalisation depends on border peace, reflecting cautious optimism amidst longstanding mistrust and strategic competition. Despite recent diplomatic talks and troop disengagement at Depsang and Demchok, China continues to strengthen its military presence along the LAC. It is building roads, camps, and infrastructure in areas like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, including Tawang. China has also upgraded dirt tracks and constructed dual-use villages near the LAC to enhance troop mobility and surveillance capabilities. These activities are raising concerns as they intensify strategic competition between India and China in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2025, Chinas actions highlight why it is not a trustworthy neighbour for India. Chinas military escalation, including the development of advanced landing barges and undersea cable cutters, demonstrates its aggressive intentions. The barges enhance Chinas ability to transport heavy military equipment, posing threats to regional stability, especially with Taiwan. Additionally, the undersea cable cutters could disrupt global communication networks, showcasing Chinas disregard for international norms. For India, these developments signal heightened risks along the LAC, as China continues to expand its military infrastructure near disputed borders. These aggressive strategies undermine trust and reflect Chinas broader ambitions to dominate the region, raising security concerns for India and neighbouring countries. India views China as an unreliable neighbour in 2025 due to its history of backstabbing allies and pursuing aggressive policies. Chinas military expansion along the LAC and its infrastructure build-up near disputed borders raise concerns about its intentions. To counter these threats, India is strengthening its defence, including raising new military divisions like the 72 Infantry in sensitive areas like eastern Ladakh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The author is a PhD scholar at Central University of Gujarat, researching Chinas domestic and foreign policies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Netherlands Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) said in its annual report that Russian operations against European targets were intensifying and would likely persist including after a possible end to the war against Ukraine read more Russia has ramped up hybrid attacks aimed at undermining Dutch society and its European allies, the Netherlands military intelligence agency warned Tuesday (April 22), revealing that Russian hackers had already targeted a public service in the country in an attempted act of cyber sabotage. The Netherlands Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) said in its annual report that Russian operations against European targets were intensifying and would likely persist, even after a potential end to the war in Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We see the Russian threat against Europe is increasing, including after a possible end to the war against Ukraine, said MIVD director Peter Reesink. The agency disclosed that a Russian cyberattack attempted to gain control over an unspecified Dutch public service. It was thwarted, but it was the first time, Reesink said. The MIVD did not identify which service had been targeted but confirmed the action constituted a notable escalation. In addition, the MIVD said it had detected a Russian cyber operation directed at critical infrastructure in the Netherlands, possibly intended as preparation for future sabotage efforts. The move aligns with broader Western concerns about Moscows use of hybrid warfare, which combines cyberattacks, disinformation, espionage and the physical sabotage of essential systems. The agency repeated its prior warnings about Russian activities in the North Sea, where entities linked to Moscow have reportedly been mapping undersea infrastructure. Such reconnaissance is believed to be linked to potential acts of sabotage against internet cables, energy supplies and water infrastructure. In November, Britains foreign intelligence chief similarly accused Russia of conducting a staggeringly reckless campaign across Europe, citing repeated cyberattacks and incidents of arson. Moscow has consistently denied responsibility for these actions. China also flagged as growing threat Beyond Russia, the MIVD also highlighted China as a persistent security concern, citing its continued backing of Russias war effort and its hostile posture towards Taiwan. The intelligence report noted that Beijing was actively seeking to acquire sensitive Western technology through both investments and cyber espionage, with a particular focus on the Dutch semiconductor industry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to the MIVD, Chinese cyber espionage last year proved more extensive than initially thought, targeting Western governments and defence contractors. Reesink echoed warnings from European counterparts about the need for accelerated military preparedness across the continent. If you look at the speed at which Russia is increasing its military complex, its equipment, its artillery, its by far much faster than we do in Europe, even in the US. So that creates a sort of window of vulnerability for us, he said. He stressed that Europe must speed up and make sure that we have the same pace as they have to at least be deterrent enough. With inputs from agencies The US government has accused the migrants of being members of Tren de Aragua, a criminal gang originating in Venezuelan prisons that he Trump administration has designated as a foreign terrorist group. Trump has invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act in a bid to swiftly deport them read more Detainees stand inside the Bluebonnet Detention Facility, after the U.S. Supreme Court on Saturday temporarily barred U.S. President Donald Trump's administration from deporting Venezuelan men in immigration custody, in Anson, Texas, US. Reuters President Donald Trumps administration was prepared to carry out deportations of dozens of Venezuelan migrants detained in Texas under a 1798 law historically used only during wartime without judicial review and contrary to the U.S. Supreme Courts prior orders, lawyers told the justices Monday. American Civil Liberties Union attorneys representing the migrants urged the Supreme Court in a written filing to maintain its block on the deportations to a prison in El Salvador. The ACLU filing said that administration officials had not provided the migrants the required notice or opportunity to contest the removals before many were loaded on buses headed to the airport. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The filing is the latest development in a high-profile legal battle involving the Republican presidents immigration crackdown that has raised questions about his administrations willingness to comply with limits set by the top U.S. judicial body. Whatever due process may require in this context, it does not allow removing a person to a possible life sentence without trial, in a prison known for torture and other abuse, a mere 24 hours after providing an English-only notice form (not provided to any attorney) that gives no information about the persons right to seek judicial review, much less the process or timeline for doing so, the ACLUs filing stated. The U.S. government has accused the migrants of being members of Tren de Aragua, a criminal gang originating in Venezuelan prisons that he Trump administration has designated as a foreign terrorist group. Trump has invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act in a bid to swiftly deport them. The law authorizes the president to deport, detain or place restrictions on individuals whose primary allegiance is to a foreign power and who might pose a national security risk in wartime. The nine-member Supreme Court early on Saturday temporarily barred the administration from deporting the migrants, acting swiftly in a case in which the lawyers for the migrants had warned of imminent removals. Two conservative justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, publicly dissented from that decision. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ACLU lawyers filed urgent requests on Friday in multiple courts, including the Supreme Court, after reporting that migrants held at the Bluebonnet immigration detention facility were at imminent risk of removal. The Supreme Court on April 7 placed limits on how deportations under the Alien Enemies Act may occur even as the legality of that laws use for this purpose is being contested. The justices required that detainees receive notice within a reasonable time and in such a manner to challenge the legality of their removal. Trumps Justice Department told the justices that the bid by the migrants for relief was premature because they improperly skipped over the lower courts before asking this one for relief. In a written filing, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer said detainees are receiving advance notice of their removals and have had adequate time to file claims for judicial review. ACLU lawyers pushed back on this assertion, saying that a lower court judge had not acted despite evidence that the migrants were being readied for imminent removal and would almost certainly have been removed had the Supreme Court not intervened. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The migrants were loaded on to buses that left the Bluebonnet facility, only later to be turned around presumably because of applicants filing to the Supreme Court, the lawyers said. The administration has already deported to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador more than 200 Venezuelan and Salvadoran men it claims are gang members. In Mondays filing, the ACLU lawyers said that as the justices weigh whether to maintain the temporary block on deportations should also clarify that the administrations actions are contrary to the April 7 ruling, and provide guidance to the measures required to provide the migrants adequate notice. Transferring large numbers of individuals it intends to remove under the AEA (Alien Enemies Act) between judicial districts and providing English-only AEA notices less than 24 hours before removal and without any explanation as to how the individual may seek judicial review - cannot by any stretch be said to comply with this courts order that notice must be sufficient to permit individuals actually to seek habeas review, the filing said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The lawyers also suggested the court take up and hear arguments in the case to resolve whether the AEA can be invoked outside of wartime against a criminal organization and for only the fourth time in U.S. history. Despite US tariffs to the tune of 245%, China has registered a 10% increase in exports via seaports this month, according to official data read more A drone view shows a cargo ship and shipping containers at the port of Lianyungang in Jiangsu province, China October 17, 2024. (Photo: Reuters) Despite tariffs from US President Donald Trump to the tune of 245 per cent, Chinese exports did not just remain resilient but also increased this month, according to official data. During April 13-20, Chinese ports processed 6.3 million containers, which were 10 per cent more than the previous week, according to official data cited by Bloomberg. So far, Trump has imposed 145 per cent tariffs on China in various tranches on top of pre-existing general tariffs as well as sectoral tariffs on automobiles, steel, aluminium, electric vehicles, etc. In some cases, the cumulative US tariffs on China are as high as 245 per cent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, Trump has also granted electronics, such as smartphones and computers, a waiver from tariffs and that has helped Chinas exports to some extent. The waiver made way for the export of Chinese goods to the tune of $100 billion to the United States, according to Gerard DiPippo, an associate director of the Rand China Research Center. Bloomberg further noted that the 90-day reprieve that the Trump administration has put on reciprocal tariffs has also contributed to the growth of Chinese exports. The vast majority of Chinese exports go through ports with some going to Europe or neighbouring Asian countries through trains. For some high-priority goods, aerial transport is also used. The rising exports show that Asia suffered less disruption from Trumps tariffs and allowed China to divert some of the US-bound shipments elsewhere, according to Bloomberg. However, Chinas exports to Europe via train were down 10 per cent, according to the data. The Vatican on Tuesday released the preface of a book written by Pope Francis on February 7, ahead of its release this week. Pope Franciss funeral will be held on Saturday, the Vatican announced Tuesday, as world leaders from US President Donald Trump to Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky said they would attend to honour the Catholic leader. In the preface of the book titled Awaiting a New Beginning: Reflections on Old Age, written by Cardinal Angelo Scola, Pope Francis wrote: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I read with emotion these pages born from the thought and affection of Angelo Scola, dear brother in the episcopate and a person who has held delicate roles in the Church, such as having been rector of the Pontifical Lateran University, later Patriarch of Venice, and Archbishop of Milan. First of all, I want to express my deep gratitude to him for this reflection that combines personal experience and cultural sensitivity in a way I have rarely encountered. One experience enlightens the other culture; the second gives substance to the first. In this happy interweaving, life and culture blossom with beauty. Let not the short form of this book be deceptive: these are very dense pages, to read and reread. From Angelo Scolas reflections I gather some particularly resonant points with what my own experience has taught me. Angelo Scola speaks to us of old age, his old age, which he writes about with a disarmingly intimate touch: it came upon me with sudden acceleration and in many ways unexpectedly. Already in his choice of the word with which he defines himself as old; I find a resonance with the author. Yes, we must not be afraid of old age, we must not fear embracing becoming old, because life is life, and sugarcoating reality means betraying the truth of things. Restoring pride to a term too often considered unhealthy is a gesture for which we should be grateful to Cardinal Scola. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Because to say old does not mean to be discarded, as a degraded culture of waste sometimes leads us to think. Saying old instead means saying experience, wisdom, knowledge, discernment, thoughtfulness, listening, slowness Values of which we are in great need! It is true, one becomes old, but this is not the problem: the problem is how one becomes old. If we live this time of life as a grace, and not with resentment; if we accept the time (even a long one) in which we experience diminished strength, the increasing fatigue of the body, the reflexes no longer what they were in our youth with a sense of gratitude and thankfulness well then, old age too becomes an age of life which, as Romano Guardini taught us, is truly fruitful and capable of radiating goodness. Angelo Scola highlights the human and social value of grandparents. I have often emphasized how the role of grandparents is of fundamental importance for the balanced development of the young, and ultimately for a more peaceful society. Because their example, their words, their wisdom can instill in the young a far-sighted vision, the memory of the past, and the anchoring in values that endure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amid the frenzy of our societies, often devoted to the ephemeral and the unhealthy taste for appearances, the wisdom of grandparents becomes a shining beacon, shedding light on uncertainty and providing direction to grandchildren, who can draw from their experience something extra for their daily lives. The words that Angelo Scola dedicates to the theme of suffering, which often takes hold in becoming old, and consequently to death, are precious gems of faith and hope. In the reflections of this brother bishop, I hear echoes of the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar and Joseph Ratzinger a theology done on ones knees, steeped in prayer and in dialogue with the Lord. This is why I said earlier that these are pages born from the thought and the affection of Cardinal Scola: not only from thought, but also from the emotional dimension, which is the one to which Christian faith points, since Christianity is not so much an intellectual act or a moral choice, but rather the affection for a person that Christ who came to meet us and decided to call us friends. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is precisely the conclusion of these pages by Angelo Scola, a heartfelt confession of how he is preparing himself for the final encounter with Jesus, that gives us a consoling certainty: death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something. It is a new beginning, as the title wisely highlights, because eternal life, which those who love already begin to experience on earth within the daily tasks of life is beginning something that will never end. And it is precisely for this reason that it is a new beginning, because we will live something we have never fully lived before: eternity. With these pages in hand, I would ideally like to repeat the same gesture I made just after donning the white robe of the papacy in the Sistine Chapel: to embrace with great esteem and affection my brother Angelo now, both of us older than we were on that day in March 2013. But still united by the gratitude to this loving God who offers us life and hope at every age of our living. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nigel Farages far-right party Reform UK, which just has five MPs currently, will beat the ruling Labour Party to become the largest party if elections are held today, according to a survey read more If elections would be held today, the far-right Reform UK would beat the ruling Labour Party and emerge as the single-largest party, according to a survey. Currently, the Reform led by Nigel Farage has just five members of parliament. However, the party emerged as a force in last years British parliamentary elections where it ate into a substantial chunk of Conservative Partys support base and made way for the Labours landslide victory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If elections would be held today, the Reform would win 180 of 650 seats and the Labour and Conservatives would be tied with 165 seats each, according to a survey by More in Common and reported by The Daily Telegraph. This would meant that no party would win a majority and either they would need to enter into a complicated coalition or run a minority government. Reform to gain at Labours expense Just like the Labour gained at the expense of Conservatives expense in the 2024 British elections, the Reform would gain at the cost of Labour if elections are held today, according to the More in Common survey. The Labour Party would be headed to a rout as it would lose lose 153 seats to Reform, 64 to the Conservatives, 23 to the Scottish National Party (SNP), and five to independent candidates, as per the survey. As many as nine Labour ministers would lose their seats, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Defence Secretary John Healey, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Health Secretary Wes Streeting. British politics has fragmented to an unprecedented level Luke Tryl, the UK director of More in Common, told The Telegraph that the British politics has fragmented to an unprecedented level. Tryl further said that the voters coalition that brought Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of Labour to power last year has splintered Right and Left. Nigel Farages Reform UK emerges as the biggest winners of this Parliament so far, with our model suggesting that they could well become the largest party in Parliament, something almost unthinkable a year ago. Though the party remains a long way from being able to secure a majority, it is clear Reforms momentum is real and the question is whether their new level of support represents the start of a path to government or a ceiling that Farages polarising brand finds hard to overcome, said Tryl. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tryl further said that Labour now finds itself on the wrong side of a disillusioned electorate and is at the risk of suffering historic losses in its heartlands. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the brief truce announced by Putin on Saturday and swiftly denounced by Kyiv for being repeatedly violated was merely a symbolic gesture meant to win favour with US President Donald Trump, according to a report read more Frances top diplomat on Tuesday said that Russias Easter ceasefire with Ukraine was a charm offensive aimed at winning favour with US President Donald Trump. According to a Politico report, citing brodcaster FranceInfo, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the brief truce announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday and swiftly denounced by Kyiv for being repeatedly violated was merely a symbolic gesture meant to create a favourable impression. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Easter truce that he announced somewhat unexpectedly was a marketing operation, a charm operation aimed at preventing President Trump from becoming impatient and angry, Barrot was quoted as saying. As efforts by President Trump to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine have faltered, his frustration has grown even admitting hes pissed off at Putin, while also lashing out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, Moscow dismissed Ukraines offer for a comprehensive ceasefire, responding with a lengthy list of conditions and stalling tactics, all while repeatedly breaching a separate agreement to refrain from targeting Ukraines infrastructure for 30 days. On Monday, Putin said that fighting in Ukraine has resumed following the Easter ceasefire, reiterating that Moscow remains open to peace initiatives and called on Kyiv to show a similar willingness to engage in dialogue. Both Ukraine and Russia accused each other of thousands of strikes and violating the Kremlins unilateral ceasefire during the Easter celebrations. We always have a positive attitude towards a truce, which is why we came up with such an initiative, especially since we are talking about the bright Easter days, Reuters quoted Putin as saying to state TV. We have always talked about this, that we have a positive attitude towards any peace initiatives. We hope that representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way, he added. With inputs from agencies Harvard University has taken legal action against US President Donald Trumps administration, accusing it of using threats to funding to interfere in the universitys academic decisions. The lawsuit comes amid growing tensions, as Trump targets top universities over alleged anti-Semitism and campus activism. read more Harvard University sued the US President Donald Trumps administration on Monday, marking a major escalation amid an ongoing clash. Trump has accused top universities of allowing anti-Semitism on campus and has threatened to cut their funding, remove their tax-exempt status, and limit foreign student admissions. Trump has also freezed on more than USD 2.2 billion in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administrations demands to limit activism on campus. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This case involves the Governments efforts to use the withholding of federal funding as leverage to gain control of academic decision making at Harvard, the Ivy League university said in a lawsuit filed in a Massachusetts federal court that named several other institutions targeted by Trump. The Governments actions flout not just the First Amendment, but also federal laws and regulations, said the complaint which called Trumps actions arbitrary and capricious. Trump and his team are allegeing that their actions against universities are a response to what they call widespread anti-Semitism and an effort to roll back diversity programs meant to address past discrimination. They argue that protests against Israels war in Gaza, which spread across U.S. college campuses last year, were filled with anti-Semitic messages. In response to these claims, many universities, including Harvard, took actionHarvard reportedly put 23 students on probation and denied degrees to 12 others, according to protest organizers. Some institutions, like Columbia University, have accepted less sweeping demands from the Trump administration, which accuses top universities of being too liberal. On April 11, the Trump administration sent a letter to Harvard demanding major changes to how the university is run. It called for new leadership, changes to admissions, a review of campus diversity policies, and an end to recognition of certain student clubs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Harvard President Alan Garber refused to accept the demands. Just hours later, the government froze billions of dollars in federal funding to the university. Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Jeddah on Tuesday for a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The trip aims to strengthen ties in defence, trade, energy, and regional security. read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. This is PM Modis third visit to Saudi Arabia, following trips in 2016 and 2019, and his 15th visit to a Gulf country since 2014. Before him, all Indian Prime Ministers combined had visited Saudi Arabia only three times in 70 years. In a statement before departure, PM Modi said India deeply values its strong ties with Saudi Arabia, which have grown in areas like defence, trade, energy, and people-to-people connections. He called Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman his brother and said he looks forward to attending the second Strategic Partnership Council meeting and visiting the historic city of Jeddah for the first time. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi also said he was excited to meet the Indian community in Saudi Arabia and plans to visit a factory employing Indian workers during his stay. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the visit would include discussions on key global and regional issues, including the Israel-Palestine conflict and maritime threats from Houthi attacks in West Asia. Japans agriculture ministry said that till April 6, prices of 5 5-kilogram bag of rice stood at 4,214 yen, or about 29 dollars. This was more than double the price of rice last year at this time read more Japans rice crisis has forced the country to import he grain from South Korea for the first time in over 25 years to mitigate the effects of soaring prices, raising consumer sentiments. According to local media reports, imported rice from South Korea arrived in Japan last month for the first time since 1999, despite the governments efforts to lower the prices of the staple. Prices of domestically produced rice have more than doubled in Japan since last year, this time, driving up demand for cheaper foreign alternatives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per public broadcaster NHK, only a small amount of South Korean rice, just two tonnes, has been sold so far through online platforms and supermarkets. However, there are plans to export an additional 20 tonnes in the near future. How costly is rice in Japan? The countrys agriculture ministry said that till April 6, prices of 5 5-kilogram bag of rice stood at 4,214 yen, or about 29 dollars. This was more than double the price of rice last year at this time. The steep rise in prices has been attributed to a decline in rice production due to bad weather in 2023. Japanese use California rice Arata Hirano, a restaurant owner in Tokyo, began using American rice last year after a domestic shortage caused Japanese rice prices to spike. He told Reuters that although the cost of the Californian rice he now uses has doubled since he first bought it last summer, it remains more affordable than locally grown varieties. I have no qualms about eating imported rice. Prices have gone up, so Im always looking for cheaper options, he said. Japan taps into rice reserves A fall in rice production has pushed the government to take an unusual step of tapping its rice reserves. Last month, Japan released 210,000 tonnes of stockpiled rice to stop any further price rise. In the past, Japan has tapped into its rice reserves in response to natural disasters or poor harvests, but this marked the first instance of intervention due to distribution challenges. Japans rice reserves were already strained after extreme heat impacted the 2023 harvest. The stockpiles declined further last year, in part due to increased demand driven by a surge in tourism. Panic buying triggered by typhoon and earthquake alerts also disrupted supply, prompting some retailers to limit purchases. Vances office said the vice president and the cardinal discussed their shared religious faith, Catholicism in the United States, the plight of persecuted Christian communities around the world, and President Trumps commitment to restoring world peace read more Pope Francis receives U.S. Vice President JD Vance before bestowing the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and to the world) blessing at the end of the Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. AP One of Pope Francis final encounters before his death was with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who visited the Vatican over the weekend. The meeting took place on Easter Sunday. Vance, a Catholic convert, entered the room and reached down for the popes hand. Hello, the vice president said. So good to see you. Francis was sitting in a wheelchair, and his words were inaudible in a video released by the Vatican. I know youve not been feeling great, but its good see you in better health, Vance said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A priest serving as a translator spoke for the pope. These are for your children, the priest said as someone presented Vance with chocolate eggs. Next came a tray of additional gifts, including rosaries and a Vatican tie. Thank you, Vance said as he held the dark tie. So beautiful. They posed for a photo, Vance standing to the popes right before bidding him farewell. I pray for you every day, Vance said. God bless you. Vances visit was not without political sensitivities, and he met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Saturday for what the Vatican described as an exchange of opinions. The Catholic Church, under Francis leadership, has championed the rights of migrants, while Vance and President Donald Trump have advocated for crackdowns. Vances office said the vice president and the cardinal discussed their shared religious faith, Catholicism in the United States, the plight of persecuted Christian communities around the world, and President Trumps commitment to restoring world peace. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that she had spoken to members of Vances team on Monday morning after Francis death. They expressed how excited and grateful they were for the opportunity to have met with the pope just yesterday, she said. Leavitt added that Francis touched millions of lives throughout his tenure as the head of the Catholic Church and so its a solemn day for Catholics around the world and we are praying for all those who loved the pope and believed in him. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump issued a statement on Truth Social: Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him! At the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, Trump said he signed an executive order for U.S. flags to fly at half-staff in the popes honor. He was a good man, the president told reporters. He loved the world and its an honor to do that. Vance, who continued on to India after Italy, posted additional thoughts on social media. I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him, he wrote on X. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. Vance shared a link to remarks that Francis gave on March 27, 2020, as COVID-19 was spreading around the globe. Ill always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID, Vance wrote. It was really quite beautiful. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Francis had spoken from St. Peters Basilica in Rome. Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets and our cities, he said. It has taken over our lives, filling everything with a deafening silence and a distressing void. He encouraged people to rely on their faith to help then endure because with God life never dies. US Vice President JD Vance said that PM Modi is arguably the most popular in the democratic world and that the Indian leaders approval ratings make him jealous read more US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular leader in the democratic world as he heaped praises for Indias history and culture during his official visit to India. Vance addressed an event in Rajasthans Jaipur, where he said, Were not here to preach that you do things any one particular way. Prior administrations saw India as a source of low-cost labour. On the one hand, even as they criticised the Prime Ministers government, arguably the most popular in the democratic world, and as I told Prime Minister Modi last night, hes got approval ratings that would make me jealous. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #WATCH | At an event in Rajasthan's Jaipur, US Vice President JD Vance says, "...Now I believe that our nations have much to offer to one another, and that's why we come to you as partners, looking to strengthen our relationship." "Now we're not here to preach that you do things pic.twitter.com/csaIfCPnYt ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 The US VP added that he is amazed by Indias ancient history and architecture. Vance and his wife, Usha and their three children visited the famed Amber Fort for a red carpet welcome on Tuesday morning. Flanked by security personnel, as the Vances entered the main courtyard Jaleb Chowk two decorated female elephants named Chanda and Mala greeted them by raising their trunks, an official said. #WATCH | At an event in Rajasthan's Jaipur, US Vice President JD Vance says, "I am amazed by the ancient beauty of the architecture of India's history, by the richness of India's history and tradition, but also by India's laser-like focus on future." pic.twitter.com/i75T0AZlnF ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 Trump wants India to grow The vice president said that US President Donald Trump wants India to grow as tariffs remain a point of contention between New Delhi and Washington. President Trump wants America to grow. He wants India to grow, and he wants to build a future with our partners all the way. Our administration seeks trade partners on the basis of fairness and shared national interests. We want to partner with people in countries who recognise the historic nature of the moment, Vance said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He added that India and the US have finalised the terms of reference for the trade negotiation, adding that the two countries can accomplish a lot if they work together. #WATCH | Jaipur | US Vice President JD Vance says, "America and India have officially finalised the terms of reference for the trade negotiation." "I believe this is a vital step toward realising President Trump's and Prime Minister Modi's vision, because it sets a road map pic.twitter.com/vuheT56nCs ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 India-US trade Yesterday, Vance met PM Modi at his official residence in New Delhi, where they touted progress in talks for a trade deal between the two countries. Statements from the Trump administration said the two countries agreed on a roadmap for further discussions on trade. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Vances office said talks present an opportunity to negotiate a new and modern trade agreement focused on promoting job creation and citizen well-being in both countries. They also discussed regional and global issues and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward, it said, reiterating a standard Indian line about global conflicts without naming any. New Delhi has in the past used this formulation for the war in Ukraine. With inputs from agencies FBI Director Kash Patel on Monday assured that justice will be served after the arrest of alleged terrorist Harpreet Singh, also known as Happy Passia, in California. He said the FBI worked closely with Indian authorities during the investigation. read more Days after the arrest of alleged terrorist Harpreet Singh in the United States, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, on Monday assured that justice will be served. He praised also his team and said the FBIs Sacramento office worked closely with Indian authorities during the investigation. CAPTURED: HARPREET SINGH, part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang here illegally in the United States, who we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the United States, Patel said in a post on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD CAPTURED: HARPREET SINGH, part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang here illegally in the United States, who we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the United States.@FBISacramento conducted the investigation coordinating with pic.twitter.com/JKB1dfjo2P FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 21, 2025 Passia is one of Indias most wanted and has a 5 lakh bounty on his head. The NIA announced the reward in January for his alleged role in grenade attacks on a house in Chandigarh and police stations in Punjab. Earlier, the US FBI announced the arrest of fugitive gangster Harpreet Singh, also known as Happy Passia, in California. He was caught in Sacramento with help from immigration authorities. Passia is linked to the banned group Babbar Khalsa and is a close associate of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda. Harpreet Singh is accused of carrying out 14 terror attacks in Punjab and is allegedly linked to two international terror groups, including Babbar Khalsa International. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier said the grenade attack targeted a retired Punjab police officer. In January, the agency announced a 5 lakh ($5,855) reward for information on Harpreet Singh. Two months later, it filed formal charges against him and three others. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Happy Passia in NIA records According to the NIA, all four accused are members of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), which India has designated as a terrorist organisation. The agency named Harpreet Singh and Harwinder Singh Sandhu, also known as Rinda, as the main masterminds behind the attack. They provided logistical help, terror funding, weapons, and ammunition to local operatives in Chandigarh to carry out the grenade attack, the NIA said. Its investigation revealed that Singh and Rinda planned the attack to spread fear among law enforcement and the public. Rinda is believed to be hiding in Pakistan and is still listed as one of the NIAs most wanted suspects. Hundreds mark International Chinese Language Day in Beijing 14:46, April 22, 2025 By Gu Yutong ( People's Daily Online More than 700 people, including diplomats from over 20 countries, gathered at Beijing Foreign Studies University on April 18 to mark International Chinese Language Day 2025. Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from Albania, Bulgaria, Malawi, Niger, Senegal, Somalia and other nations attended the event, which was jointly organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation and the Chinese Language Alliance. The celebration also drew officials from China's Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside representatives from international organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-ASEAN Center. Guests launch International Chinese Language Day 2025 in Beijing, April 18, 2025. (Photo provided by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation) Former UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova sent a video message for the occasion, which carried the theme "Chinese: A Gift Across Time and Space." During the launch ceremony, distinguished guests and student representatives opened a symbolic gift box after viewing a creative short film about global Chinese learners and educators. The event included two lectures, two exhibitions and a cultural market. Notable among these was a talk by renowned Chinese director Xie Fei on promoting the Chinese language through cinema. International students try on Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing, during an International Chinese Language Day event in Beijing, April 18, 2025. (Photo provided by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation) International Chinese Language Day, which originated from U.N. Chinese Language Day, has spread to more than 1,000 educational institutions in 160 countries since its inception five years ago. The celebration has reached over 300 million participants through approximately 5,000 activities held both online and offline around the world. (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) The new terms of the Gaza ceasefire proposed by Egyptian and Qatari mediators include a truce that would last for five to seven years, a hostage-prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas, and a formal end to the war with Israel withdrawing completely from Gaza 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 Egyptian and Qatari mediators have proposed a new Gaza ceasefire deal involving a fiveto seven-year-long truce, days after Hamas said it will release all the remaining Israeli hostages. A senior Palestinian official told the BBC that mediators have chalked out new terms of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas after a deadlock of over two months. A temporary truce deal that went into effect in January and ended in March saw the release of many hostages and halted fighting in Gaza for some time. But, as soon as the ceasefire deal expired, Israel wasted no time in resuming aerial and ground offensives in Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What do the new terms include? The new terms of the Gaza ceasefire proposed by Egyptian and Qatari mediators include a truce that would last for five to seven years, a hostage-prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas, and a formal end to the war with Israel withdrawing completely from Gaza. A Palestinian official involved in the negotiations told the BBC that Hamas has expressed willingness to relinquish control of Gaza, stating it is ready to transfer governance to any Palestinian entity agreed upon at the national and regional level. According to the official, this could involve the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA) or a newly established administrative body. 7 die in Israeli strikes Gazas civil defence agency said Tuesday that seven people were killed in fresh Israeli air strikes across the Hamas-run territory. The occupation launched violent air strikes on Gaza City and the towns of Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun, and Khan Yunis, killing seven civilians, civil defence spokesman Mahmoud Bassal told AFP. Four people were killed in the Al-Rimal area near Gaza City, two in Al-Sabra west of Gaza City and one in Khan Yunis. The occupation also destroyed more than 10 homes east of Gaza City and in Rafah, he added. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday (April 22) for a two-day visit. He received a warm welcome with a 21-gun salute. read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Saudi Arabias Jeddah on Tuesday (April 22) for his two-day visit to the Kingdom nation. He was warmly welcomed with a 21-gun salute upon landing. During his visit to Saudi Arabia, PM Narendra Modi will co-chair the second Leaders Meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council with Crown Prince and Prime Minister HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman. #WATCH | PM Narendra Modi lands in Jeddah for his two-day State visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was welcomed with a 21-gun salute. PM Narendra Modi, along with Crown Prince & PM of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will co-chair the 2nd Leaders' Meeting of pic.twitter.com/toRwuO57c8 ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is PM Modis third visit to Saudi Arabia following his earlier trips in 2016 and 2019. This is his first visit to Jeddah and a first visit by any Indian leader since 40 years. In a special gesture, PMs plane gets escorted by Saudi jets Earlier, in a special gesture, Saudi F-15 fighter jets escorted PM Modis plane as it entered Saudi airspace en route to Jeddah. #WATCH | In a special gesture, fighter planes from Saudi Arabia escort Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plane as it entered Saudi airspace to Jeddah. pic.twitter.com/Vhzxd6ir5p ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 India greatly values its long-standing ties with Saudi Arabia: PM Modi Before his departure to Saudi Arabia on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, PM Modi said, in a post on X, that India greatly values its long-standing ties with Saudi Arabia, adding that their relationship has become stronger and more strategic in recent years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Leaving for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where I will be attending various meetings and programmes. India values our historic relations with Saudi Arabia. Bilateral ties have gained significant momentum in the last decade. I look forward to participating in the 2nd Meeting of the Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2025 Moreover, he said that both countries have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership, including in the domains of defence, trade, investment, energy and people-to-people ties. MoUs, Hajj-related matter on the list India and Saudi Arabia are expected to sign at least six MoUs on Tuesday during PM Modis visit to Jeddah. According to sources quoted by news agency PTI, Modi will also discuss Hajj-related matters, including the quota for Indian pilgrims, in his meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The agreements will likely cover areas such as space, energy, health, science, culture, and advanced technology. On Wednesday, Modi will visit a factory that employs Indian workers and meet members of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia, which is home to 2.7 million Indians. In an interview with Arab News, Modi called Saudi Arabia one of Indias most valued partners, a maritime neighbour, a trusted friend, and a strategic ally. He also described the Kingdom as a force for positivity and stability in the region. The junta which seized power in a 2021 coup sparking a many-sided civil war said it would cease attacking its myriad armed opponents following the magnitude-7.7 quake which has killed more than 3,700 read more A Buddhist monk walks near a damaged building at a monastery compound after an earthquake in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. AP A Myanmar ceasefire declared after last months devastating earthquake was due to expire on Tuesday, after aid groups and international mediators called for an extension to ease relief efforts. The junta which seized power in a 2021 coup sparking a many-sided civil war said it would cease attacking its myriad armed opponents following the magnitude-7.7 quake which has killed more than 3,700. Conflict monitors and residents in combat zones say fighting continued on both sides during the 20-day truce, declared to spur aid delivery in Myanmars central belt and due to expire at midnight (1730 GMT). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD State media reported no ceasefire extension on Tuesday morning and a junta spokesman could not immediately be reached by AFP for comment. The March 28 earthquake has left more than 60,000 people living in tent encampments and pushed two million people into critical need of assistance and protection according to the UN. Despite continued fighting, humanitarian groups and regional powers have called for the pause on hostilities to be prolonged as aid efforts continue into their fourth week. On Thursday junta chief Min Aung Hlaing flew to Bangkok to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for rare backroom talks with the chair of the 10-country ASEAN bloc. Anwar, whose country currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said he had also spoken to Myanmars opposition National Unity Government which promised a similar truce after the tremor. Both sides agreed they would do whatever is necessary to avoid any extension of the fighting, Anwar told reporters after the meeting. Pakistans government officials have branded Afghans as terrorists and criminals. Many Afghans in Pakistan have reported weeks of harassment, extortion, and arbitrary arrests, particularly in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab read more Afghan refugee children sit on a truck loaded with belongings as they along with their families prepare to return home, after Pakistan gives the last warning to undocumented immigrants to leave. File Image- Reuters More than 100,000 Afghans have left Pakistan in April alone following the governments latest crackdown on undocumented migrants, Pakistans interior ministry said Tuesday (April 22), amid growing tensions with Afghanistans Taliban government. The mass departures began after Islamabad launched what it called a nationwide eviction drive on April 1, targeting Afghans living in the country without valid documentation. The campaign, announced alongside the cancellation of residence permits for hundreds of thousands of Afghans, has drawn criticism from international aid agencies and Afghan officials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Terrorists and criminals 100,529 Afghans have left in April, AFP cited the interior ministry as saying. Pakistans government has defended the campaign as a national security measure, with officials branding Afghans as terrorists and criminals. Analysts say the move is partly aimed at pressuring the Taliban administration in Kabul, which Islamabad accuses of harbouring militants responsible for cross-border attacks allegations the Taliban deny. Afghan Prime Minister Hasan Akhund criticised the Pakistani campaign over the weekend, calling the forced returns unilateral measures. His comments came after Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Kabul for talks aimed at easing tensions. Akhund urged Pakistan to facilitate the dignified return of Afghan refugees. Convoys of Afghan families, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for generations, have been making the journey back across the border, heading into a country already overwhelmed by a humanitarian crisis. I was born in Pakistan and have never been to Afghanistan, said 27-year-old Allah Rahman, speaking from the Torkham border crossing. I was afraid the police might humiliate me and my family. Now were heading back to Afghanistan out of sheer helplessness. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said arrests and detentions of Afghans surged in April, with 12,948 cases reported more than the total for all of 2023. Many Afghans in Pakistan have reported weeks of harassment, extortion, and arbitrary arrests, particularly in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. Though some are leaving voluntarily to avoid deportation, human rights groups have raised concerns about the treatment of returnees, especially women and children. The UNHCR said that more than half of those deported in recent weeks were minors. Women and girls returning to Afghanistan face bans on education beyond secondary school and are restricted from working in many sectors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan is facing growing security pressures along its western frontier. The military is battling insurgents in the southwestern province of Balochistan and in the northwest, where groups affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban have increased attacks. Last year was Pakistans deadliest in a decade, prompting renewed focus on border control. A shift in public sentiment Millions of Afghans have fled to Pakistan over the past four decades, escaping wars and instability, with a fresh wave arriving after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. But with Pakistans economy under strain, public sentiment toward the refugee population has shifted. They came here for refuge but ended up taking jobs, opening businesses, said Tanveer Ahmad, a 41-year-old barber in Islamabad. They took jobs from Pakistanis who are already struggling. As part of the campaigns second phase, Pakistans government has cancelled the residence permits of more than 800,000 Afghans and warned thousands more including those awaiting resettlement in third countries to leave by the end of April. A shopkeeper in Karachi, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, Afghans take on jobs Pakistanis consider shameful, like collecting garbage. Who will do that after theyre gone? With inputs from AFP Francis, 88, died unexpectedly on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, the Vatican said, ending an often turbulent reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised read more The body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death in Santa Marta residence at the Vatican. Reuters Cardinals gathered at the Vatican on Tuesday to plan Pope Francis funeral, which leaders from around the world will attend ahead of a conclave next month to elect a new head of the Roman Catholic Church. Francis, 88, died unexpectedly on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, the Vatican said, ending an often turbulent reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised. The pontiff spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year suffering from double pneumonia. But he returned to the Vatican almost a month ago and had seemed to be recovering, appearing in St. Peters Square on Easter Sunday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Vatican on Tuesday released photographs of Francis dressed in his vestments and laid in a wooden coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy. Swiss Guards stand on either side of the casket. His sudden death set in motion ancient rituals, as the 1.4-billion-member Church started the transition from one pope to another, including the breaking of the popes Fishermans Ring and lead seal, used in his lifetime to seal documents, so they cannot be used by anyone else. All cardinals currently in Rome were invited to meet at the Vatican at 9 a.m. (0700 GMT), where they were expected to make funeral plans. We are now called on to discuss the organisation. Well see what comes next, said Italian Cardinal Fernando Filoni as he entered the first Congregation of Cardinals at the Vatican. The most important thing is prayer. Let us accompany the pope with our prayers, Filoni told reporters. U.S. President Donald Trump, who clashed repeatedly with the pope about immigration, said he and his wife would fly to Rome for his funeral. Among other heads of state set to attend were Javier Milei, president of Francis native Argentina and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, according to a source in his office. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Vatican has said it expected the ceremony to take place on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. In a break from tradition, Francis confirmed in his final testament released on Monday that he wished to be buried in Romes Basilica of Saint Mary Major and not St. Peters Basilica. The gathering of cardinals will also review the day-to-day running of the Church in the period before a new pope is elected. A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after the death of a pontiff, meaning it should not start before May 6. Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the highly secretive ballot that can stretch over days. At present there is no clear frontrunner to succeed Francis. Progressive Pope Francis inherited a Church in disarray and worked hard to overhaul the Vaticans central administration, root out corruption and, after a slow start, confront the scourge of child abuse within the ranks of the priesthood. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He often clashed with conservatives, nostalgic for a traditional past, who saw Francis as overly liberal and too accommodating to minority groups, such as the LGBTQ community. Francis appointed nearly 80% of the cardinal electors scattered across the world who will choose the next pope, increasing, but not guaranteeing, the possibility that his successor will continue his progressive policies. Many of the cardinals are little known outside their own countries and they will have a chance to get to know one another at meetings known as General Congregations that take place in the days before a conclave starts and where a profile of the qualities needed for the next pope will take shape. The Vatican said late on Monday that staff and officials within the Holy See could immediately start to pay their respects before the popes body at the Santa Marta residence, where Francis set up home in 2013, shunning the grand, apostolic palace his predecessors had lived in. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His body could be moved to St. Peters Basilica as early as Wednesday morning for the faithful to visit, the Vatican said. Pope Francis funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 am (0800 GMT) at St. Peters Basilica, the Vatican said. read more A photo of the late Pope Francis stands in front of Father Francisco Javier during a Mass in his honour at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City on April 21, 2025. AP The funeral of Pope Francis, who died of cardiac arrest on Monday, will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 am (08:00 GMT) at St Peters Basilica, the Vatican said in a statement. The Vatican also released photos on Tuesday showing Pope Francis dressed in his robes and lying in a wooden coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12 years as Pope. Swiss Guards stood on both sides of the casket. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pope Francis, 88, passed away on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest. As Pope, he often clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised. Earlier this year, Pope Francis spent five weeks in hospital with double pneumonia. He returned to the Vatican about a month ago and appeared to be recovering, even making a public appearance in St Peters Square on Easter Sunday. His death has triggered traditional Vatican rituals, such as the breaking of the Popes Fishermans Ring and lead seal, to ensure no one else can use them. World leaders expected US President Donald Trump, who often disagreed with the Pope on immigration, said he and his wife would travel to Rome for the funeral. Other world leaders expected to attend include Argentinas President Javier Milei, Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a source from the Vatican. Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Irans nuclear programme on Tuesday with the visiting leader of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq alSaid, a Kremlin official was quoted as saying. read more Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday held talks on Irans nuclear programme with Omans Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, a Kremlin official said. Oman has been playing a mediating role between Iran and the United States as President Donald Trump pushes for an agreement to curb Tehrans nuclear ambitions a programme Washington suspects is aimed at developing nuclear weapons. We discussed the progress of negotiations between Iranian and American representatives, Interfax quoted Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov as saying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We will see what the result will be. We maintain close contact with our Iranian colleagues. Where we can, we help. Trump has threatened to bomb Iran unless a deal is reached; Iran denies seeking atomic weapons. Russia signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran in January and is also trying to improve relations with the Trump administration. Moscow has a role in nuclear talks with Iran as a signatory to a previous nuclear deal that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. Russia has said any U.S. military action against Iran would be illegal. In televised comments, Putin was shown telling the sultan that Russian energy companies were interested in developing relations with Oman. It was the second time in less than a week that Putin has met face-to-face with a Middle Eastern leader, following a visit by the emir of Qatar on April 17. Irans foreign minister visited last week. With inputs from agencies Top intelligence sources have confirmed at least 27 deaths after Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on Tuesday. The deceased include one Israeli and one Italian tourist. read more Expressing solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism, Israel and Argentina have condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, which reportedly claimed the lives of 27 people, including foreign tourists and injured many others. Argentinas Ambassador to India, Mariano Caucino, said his country stands firmly with India in rejecting all forms of terrorism, extremism and bigotry. Offering condolences to the victims, Caucino posted: We convey our condolences to the victims of this abominable terrorist act. Argentina stands with India in rejecting all forms of terrorism, extremism and bigotry. Always with Life and against Terror. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We convey our condolences to the victims of this abominable terrorist act. Argentina stands with India in rejecting all forms of terrorism, extremism, and bigotry. Allways with Life and against Terror - @narendramodi @DrSJaishankar @AmitShah https://t.co/nLYacOo4L2 Mariano Caucino (@CaucinoMariano) April 22, 2025 Israels Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar also condemned the attack, calling it sad and appalling. Expressing support for the victims and Indian security forces, Azar said: Sad and appalled following the terrorist attack in J&K which took the lives of innocent civilians. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and our support is for the security forces in their struggle against terror. Sad and appalled following the terrorist attack in J&K which took the lives of innocent civilians. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and our support is for the security forces in their struggle against terror. https://t.co/goSZDcAc5D Reuven Azar (@ReuvenAzar) April 22, 2025 Condemning the terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that those behind the heinous act will be brought to justice. In a post on X, the prime minister said, They (terrorists) will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger. Modi also conveyed his condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected, he said. Terrorists struck in Pahalgham, a prime tourist location in south Kashmir, on Tuesday, killing multiple people and injuring at least 20. Modi spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah following the attack and asked him to take all suitable steps to deal with the situation. The incident occurred at around 3.00 pm when terrorists came down from the mountain in Baisaran valley and started firing at the tourists at Pahalgam, often dubbed mini Switzerland because of its lush green meadows and picturesque mountain scenery. The terror attack came at a time when US Vice President J.D. Vance and his family are on a four-day visit to the country. He was in Rajasthan on Tuesday. Backed by Silicon Valley capital and national security insiders, companies like General Matter are reviving the nuclear sector as part of a broader push to restore Americas industrial might read more In the changing world of American tech ambitions, a new group of venture capitalists is shifting focus. Instead of just investing in digital technologies (known as bits), they are now turning to real, physical industries (called atoms). One clear example of this shift is a company called General Matter. This startup is working in nuclear enrichment and is trying to change how America powers itself and protects its national security. According to an article in The Economist from April 20, 2025, General Matter is not only challenging old nuclear companies but is also becoming a key part of what could be Americas next big industrial movement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A new age of private nuclear enterprise General Matter has a bold goal. It wants to be the first private company in the US to produce a special kind of nuclear fuel called Haleu (high-assay, low-enriched uranium). This fuel is very important for the next generation of nuclear reactors. Unlike older models, the new generation of nuclear reactors is compact, simpler to construct and designed to operate more efficiently. Instead of using fuel enriched to just 5 per cent like conventional reactors, these advanced systems require uranium enriched up to 20 per cent. According to The Economist, the US Department of Energy asked General Matter to join its Haleu consortium back in 2023 even before the company was officially created. This shows how important the government thinks the company is and it also hints at the strong political connections it has. The company was started by Scott Nolan, who used to work at SpaceX and is now a venture capitalist, and Lee Robinson, who used to work in intelligence. Together, they represent a mix of Silicon Valley smarts and national security know-how. Theyre backed by the Founders Fund, led by Peter Thiel, which has supported big, bold tech ideas for years, and is a strong Trump-backer. But General Matter shows something new its a hands-on move into critical industries that affect both energy and defence in America. Political proximity and strategic intent The success of General Matter isnt happening in isolation. Its closely connected to the growing political and ideological support for nuclear energy during the Trump administration. In February 2025, The National Interest magazine reported that people like Preston Wells Griffith III, who worked on Trumps National Security Council, and Brandon Williams, a nuclear entrepreneur who now advises the Department of Energy, have played a big role in pushing policies that focus on American-made energy technologies. Under their leadership, the Department of Energy has shifted its funding and rules to speed up the development of the domestic Haleu supply chain. Thiels group of investors and political supporters has seized this moment to position nuclear enrichment as not just an industrial chance, but as a national mission. Trae Stephens from Founders Fund told The Economist that the goal is to make sure America doesnt fall behind authoritarian countries in the nuclear race. A return to Cold War roots The support behind General Matter represents a return to a history that Silicon Valley has often tried to move away from. As historian Margaret OMara explained to The Economist the early tech companies in the Bay Area grew out of Cold War defence contracts, many of which were related to atomic weapons and missile systems. Over time, Silicon Valley moved away from military projects and adopted a more libertarian mindset. But now, with companies like General Matter and Anduril another defence startup backed by Thiel theres a new focus on working with the government, but this time to promote technological nationalism. OMara described this shift as a Space Age, brought to you by Ayn Rand, which refers to the contradiction in Thiels approach. The philosophy may be libertarian, but the work relies heavily on government support like DOE grants, national security exemptions and faster rules for getting things done. Even so, The Economist noted that these new industrialists dont see a problem with this. They think the government isnt an obstacle but a vital partner in helping America reclaim its industrial power. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Is energy security venture capitals next frontier? General Matters rise fits into a bigger plan that Thiel and his supporters are working on. As Stephens told The Economist, their investment strategy has evolved over time: Palantir changed intelligence operations, Anduril is changing defence and now General Matter aims to do the same for nuclear energy. E ach of these companies is about using private money and advanced technology to reshape important areas of the government. The push for this is driven by the belief that the US is too dependent on foreign suppliers for important infrastructure. Right now, Russia provides about 35 per cent of the enriched uranium used in American reactors. This has become a bigger problem since the war in Ukraine. General Matter makes it clear that every part of its business is designed and funded in the US. The company positions itself as a patriotic choice compared to the foreign-controlled uranium supply chain, as mentioned in The Economist article. Bureaucratic realities and technical hurdles However, turning this vision into reality wont be easy. General Matter has not yet applied for a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license, which is required before any uranium enrichment can begin. Getting this license takes time and the regulations are strictespecially for something as politically and environmentally sensitive as uranium enrichment. While General Matter talks about new centrifuge designs that promise more efficiency, it still has to compete with companies that already have the infrastructure in place. For example, Centrus Energy began producing small amounts of Haleu in 2023, the first in the US in seven decades, as The Economist pointed out. On top of that, General Matter faces another challenge: small modular reactors, which need Haleu, are still mostly in the development stage. There isnt much demand for enriched fuel until these reactors get broader commercial approval. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tariffs and trade-offs Even though the Trump administration strongly supports nuclear energy, some of its other economic policies might hurt the industrys ability to compete. A February 2025 analysis in The National Interest warned that tariffs on materials like steel, aluminium and other industrial goods could make it more expensive to build nuclear reactors. These tariffs are meant to protect American manufacturing, but they might also make US nuclear projects too costly both inside the country and overseas. This problem gets worse because of rising tensions with allied countries. Trade disputes with Canada and European partners could make it harder to work together on important projects and supply deals that the Haleu fuel chain depends on. The Council on Foreign Relations has warned that if the US doesnt create a clear international plan, it could end up isolatedjust when its trying to lead the world in nuclear energy again. Nuclear weapons versus Trumps pragmatism Interestingly, while the Trump administration sees nuclear energy as a key part of national strength, it has taken a more cautious approach to nuclear weapons. In February 2025, President Trump questioned the need to expand the US nuclear weapons arsenal. Trump said the current stockpile is already enough to protect the country. He also criticised the $1.7 trillion plan to modernise the arsenal that started under earlier presidents and said he was open to new arms control talks with Russia and China. This change in attitude was explained by Lucas Ruiz and Geoff Wilson in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. They pointed out that there is a split between some Republicans who want to upgrade weapons and a president who sees more value in peaceful, nonmilitary nuclear technology. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For Trump, building up the countrys civilian nuclear power might be a stronger symbol of Americas comeback than showing off military force. The atomic gamble General Matters story represents a bigger change happening in US. Its a test to see if private companies working with government support can bring back an industry that many thought was outdated. Its also a test to see if the future of American technology will be built not just in app stores and cloud servers, but through nuclear tools like centrifuges, control rods and containment systems. General Matter is supported by investors with strong beliefs, backed by powerful political supporters and lifted by a growing sense of techno-patriotisma belief that technology can help rebuild national pride. The company is betting everything on the idea that Americas next big achievement will come from nuclear energy. But whether this gamble works wont just depend on technology or money it will also depend on how well they deal with global politics, government rules and public opinion. If they succeed, what some are calling the Manhattan Beach Project could become the most important industrial story of the 2020s. These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read more Hours after a deadly terrorist attack killed 28 people in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, the US on Tuesday said that such horrific acts of terrorism highlight the importance of continuing efforts to achieve peace and stability worldwide. #WATCH | Washington, DC | #PahalgamTerrorAttack | White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says, "The President has been briefed by the National Security Advisor and he's being kept up to speed as more facts are learned. What we know already is that dozens were killed and pic.twitter.com/R1InMXdTRu ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump has been briefed by National Security Advisor Robert OBrien on the deadly attack and is being kept updated as more details emerge about the brutal attack at the popular tourist destination. The President has been briefed and is being kept up to speed as more facts are learned, she said. She also mentioned that President Trump will soon be speaking with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer his heartfelt condolences for those lost in the attack, while also expressing the United States prayers for the injured and reaffirming support for India. Terrorists opened fire at a popular meadow near Pahalgam, Kashmir, often referred to as mini Switzerland, targeting tourists who were enjoying meals, pony rides, or picnicking, according to officials and eyewitnesses. As news of the attack emerged, Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately called Home Minister Amit Shah, urging him to visit the Union Territory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar just after 9 pm and went directly to the Raj Bhavan from the airport. Upon his arrival, Jammu and Kashmir Police Director General Nalin Prabhat briefed the Home Minister about the attack. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka were also present during the briefing. Meanwhile, meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) under the leadership of PM Modi is likely to take place on Wednesday. With inputs from agencies Indias tribal communities, long reliant on traditional knowledge, are struggling as climate change outpaces their ability to adapt. Erratic rains, shrinking forests and soil loss threaten not just livelihoods but entire ways of life. Locally-led adaptation offers a way forward by placing communities at the centre of climate action. Grassroots efforts like Nagalands Zabo system and Gujarats Bhungroo method show promise. Scaling such models through programmes like PM JANMAN could strengthen climate resilience, if grounded in community voices. read more The Bhil community in the Narmada district of Gujarat used to pray for rain as their village endured long dry spells for months. Yet these days, they pray for the rain not to come all at once. When the skies do open, they flood their fields, only to give way to prolonged dry spells that leave behind cracked soil and a failed harvest. What changed was not just the weather but how little help they had to deal with it. This story is similar to other tribal communities, the context may change from rainfall to excessive heat or droughts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The lives and cultures of tribal communities across India are tied inextricably to nature. Today, people from these communities are increasingly fighting an uphill battle with climate changes devastating impacts. When forests shrink, soil erodes, and rainfall patterns go haywire, they do not just lose crops and wage labour, they lose sacred rituals, ancestral knowledge, and the very landscapes that have shaped their identities for centuries. For generations, these communities relied on traditional wisdom to adapt to shifts in climatic patterns, but the scale and speed of todays climate shifts outpace those adaptation methods. Reading the skies to predict climate events is failing as weather becomes increasingly unpredictable. Shifting cultivation cycles no longer match erratic weather patterns and the soil depletes faster than it regenerates. Rainwater harvesting, once reliable, fails amid prolonged droughts. Meanwhile, seasonal migration for work, which was once a temporary fix, is becoming permanent displacement for these people at the margins. Their valiant attempts to diversify livelihoods through craftwork, small-scale trade, or agroforestry have uncertain returns due to a shrinking resource base and the volatile nature of markets. This is where locally-led adaptation (LLA) mattersnot as a policy buzzword but as a lived reality. LLA flips the usual development paradigm. Instead of experts designing solutions in conference rooms, it puts communities at the center because they understand their land better than any outsider ever could. And then let the stakeholders pick the right strategy, including financial support. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Globally, this approach is gaining ground. In Vietnam, CARE restored mangroves by establishing community-based mangrove management boards that coordinated planning and planting activities at the community level. In the USA, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) funds tribal governments to develop climate adaptation plans rooted in Indigenous knowledge and priorities. In Australia, Aboriginal ranger groups combine ancient fire management practices with modern science to manage their lands with fire. We need not look far. In Nagaland, the Chakhesang tribe restored soil fertility, sustained water availability, and tripled crop yields through the adoption of the Zabo system. Zabo is a century-old indigenous integrated farming method that combines water harvesting, forestry, animal husbandry, and agriculture. There are a few other experiments led by non-tribal communities that bear some important lessons for mainstreaming LLA for climate action. One such noteworthy example is from Gujarat, where women used the Bhungroo water management system to combat seasonal waterlogging and severe droughts. This system stores floodwater underground and releases it during dry periods. To maximise farm productivity, they planted climate-resilient crops and applied modern irrigation techniques. On the social side, this intervention enabled female farmers to lead adaptation efforts and gain economic independence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In another effort, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has developed action plans for 43 Climate Smart Gram Panchayats (GPs), identified through a multi-criteria assessment in highly vulnerable districts. To take this to the national level, Niti Aayog is running an ongoing program with Vasudha Foundation. Similarly, KILA (Kerala Institute of Local Administration) has supported local governments in Kerala to develop and implement Local Action Plans on Climate Change (LAPCCs)- which are blueprints for communities to tackle climate change challenges and transition towards sustainable and resilient futures. These examples worked because they respected indigenous knowledge and practices and gave locals the tools, voice, and flexibility to adapt that knowledge to new threats. Replicating such success stories is not easy, but the moment is ripe. The Government of Indias INR 24,000 crore PM JANMAN program is a great opportunity to scale this approach. The program focuses on the socioeconomic development of 75 particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG) across the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What makes efforts like JANMAN, Climate-smart GPs, LAPCC and other examples illustrated here different is that they signal a shift from doing things for local communities to doing things with them. While some of them work directly with the community, others work through the local institutions like GPs. And the early signs are promising: The program adopts inclusive decision-making, community-driven planning, local capacity-building, flexibility and learning. However, the test lies in its execution. If these programs can integrate the locally led adaptation approaches, using local institutions like GPs as levers, it could transform the resilience of the local communities to climate change. The writers are a partner, an Associate Partner and a Lead (Knowledge Management) at MicroSave Consulting (MSC) and are actively working on climate change and sustainability. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was sent back to his country and remains imprisoned there despite the US Supreme Court ordering President Donald Trumps administration to facilitate his return to the United States read more Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant who lived in the US 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 Photo/Reuters A delegation of Democratic lawmakers visited El Salvador on Monday in a new push to secure the release of a wrongly deported US resident at the center of a mounting political row. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was sent back to his country and remains imprisoned there despite the US Supreme Court ordering President Donald Trumps administration to facilitate his return to the United States. There is no reason for me to believe that our administration, the Trump administration, is doing anything to facilitate his safe return home, and that is simply unacceptable, congresswoman Yassamin Ansari told reporters after meeting US embassy officials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It isnt just about Kilmar. It is the fact that our government is relentlessly going after any immigrant thats trying to come to the United States or is in the United States without any regard for due process, the Arizona representative said. Ansari was accompanied by fellow US House Democrats Robert Garcia, Maxwell Frost and Maxine Dexter. Frost said there was zero indication that the Trump administration was trying to bring Abrego Garcia back. But weve got to be clear this isnt just about him. This is also about every single person in the United States. The constitution applies to all people in our country. Due process applies to all people in our country, the Florida representative added. Frost said that Salvadoran President Nayib Bukeles administration had denied a request for the group of US lawmakers to meet with the deported man. Trump doubles down The visit comes days after Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the state where Abrego Garcia has lived for years with his wife and child, arrived in the Central American country. Van Hollen eventually managed to meet with Abrego Garcia after multiple efforts. Trumps administration has paid El Salvador millions of dollars to lock up nearly 300 migrants it says are criminals and gang members including Abrego Garcia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 29-year-old was detained in Maryland last month and expelled to El Salvador along with 238 Venezuelans and 22 fellow Salvadorans who were deported shortly after Trump invoked a rarely used wartime authority. El Salvadors President Bukele has vowed not to return Abrego Garcia to the United States, but on Sunday proposed to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to exchange his countrymen for political prisoners in Venezuela. Maduro responded on Monday in his weekly address by calling Bukele a systematic and serial violator of human rights and demanding the Venezuelans unconditional release. The Trump administration admitted that Abrego Garcia was deported due to an administrative error, and the Supreme Court ruled that the government must facilitate his return. But Trump has since doubled down, insisting Abrego Garcia is in fact a gang member. Bukele, who was hosted at the White House last week, said he did not have the power to return Abrego Garcia. The migrants supporters note he had protected legal status and no criminal conviction in the United States. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD My parents fled an authoritarian regime in Iran where people were disappeared I refuse to sit back and watch it happen here, Ansari said in a statement. What happened to Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not just one familys nightmare it is a constitutional crisis that should outrage every single one of us, said Dexter, a congresswoman from Oregon. Abrego Garcia told Van Hollen that he was initially imprisoned at the Terrorism Confinement Center, a mega-prison for gang members, but was later transferred to a jail in the western department of Santa Ana. In one of the deadliest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama strike, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing at least 28 people, including foreign nationals, and injuring many others. read more US President Donald Trump on Tuesday condoled the terror attack in Kashmir, saying the US stands strong with India against terrorism, underlining that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India have our full support. Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all! Trump said in a post on Truth Social. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Multiple tourists were feared killed and at least 20 injured when terrorists opened fire in a picturesque meadow near Kashmirs Pahalgam town. The death toll could be more than 20, a high-ranking Indian official indicated without getting into details. The attack came during US Vice President J D Vances maiden visit to India. Vance also posted his condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack. Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack, he posted on X. In one of the deadliest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama strike, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing at least 28 people, including foreign nationals, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba group, claimed responsibility for the attack. US Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife Usha Vance and their children, visited Amer Fort in Jaipur on Tuesday. They were given a warm welcome with traditional Rajasthani dance and decorated elephants. read more Watch: JD Vance, family tour Jaipur's Amer fort, gets royal welcome with elephants and folk dance. Image: PTI US Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha Vance and their children, visited the Amer Fort in Jaipur on Tuesday, where they were warmly welcomed with a traditional Rajasthani dance and decorated elephants. #WATCH | Rajasthan: Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, along with Second Lady Usha Vance and their children at Jaipur's Amber Fort. pic.twitter.com/COCRhmzizo ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Vances are on a four-day visit to India. The day before, JD Vance and his family visited the Central Cottage Industries Emporium in New Delhi, where they enjoyed shopping for pottery, papier-mache items, and teas, as shared by the showrooms GM Meera Somani. #WATCH | Rajasthan: Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, along with Second Lady Usha Vance and their children at Jaipur's Amber Fort. pic.twitter.com/1bdZtGzYgD ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 The Vances also visited the Akshardham Temple in Delhi on Monday, where they spent about 55 minutes exploring the architecture and offering prayers for world peace. Their sons wore kurta-pyjamas, and their daughter wore an Anarkali-style outfit with an embroidered jacket. Upon arriving in India, the Vance family was greeted at Palam Airport by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and received a ceremonial Guard of Honour. JD Vance expressed his honour at meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called him a great leader. He also thanked PM Modi for hosting his family at his residence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Vice President expressed a desire to strengthen US-India ties, saying he looks forward to working under President Trumps leadership to enhance cooperation between the two countries. PM Modi, in return, highlighted the strong cooperation between the nations, especially in trade, technology, defence, energy, and people-to-people exchanges. Vance will visit Agra on Wednesday with his family. The visit will conclude on April 24, with their departure from India at 6:40 am. The administrations stance was intended to stand firm against Democratic calls for Hegseths dismissal at a time when the Pentagon is in disarray, with many top officials leaving and an internal inquiry into information leaks read more The White House defended Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, following media accusations that he disclosed vital military information in another Signal messaging discussion, this time with his wife and brother. Neither the White House nor Hegseth contested that he revealed such material in a second discussion. Instead, they focused their answers on what they referred to as dissatisfied employees who they blamed for leaking to the media and stressed that no sensitive information was released. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Its just fake news. They just bring up stories, President Donald Trump told reporters. I guess it sounds like disgruntled employees. You know, he was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and thats what hes doing. So you dont always have friends when you do that, Trump said. The administrations stance was intended to stand firm against Democratic calls for Hegseths dismissal at a time when the Pentagon is in disarray, with many top officials leaving and an internal inquiry into information leaks. The White House also attempted to divert attention away from the national security implications of the newest Signal disclosure by presenting it as the result of an institutional power struggle between Hegseth and the professional personnel. However, several of the recently departed officials whom the administration appeared to dismiss as unhappy were members of Hegseths first inner circle, which was brought in when he began the post. This is what happens when the entire Pentagon is working against you and working against the monumental change that you are trying to implement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in remarks amplified by a Pentagon social media account. The latest news added to questions about the judgment of the embattled Pentagon chief, coming on top of last months disclosure of his participation in a Signal chat with top Trump administration leaders in which details about the military airstrike against Yemens Houthi militants were shared. Pete Hegseth must be fired, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Latest reports of Hegseths Signal use The New York Times reported Sunday that the information shared in a Signal messaging chat with Hegseths wife, brother and others was similar to what was communicated in the already disclosed chain with Trump administration officials. A person familiar with the contents and those who received the messages, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, confirmed the second chat to The Associated Press. The person said it included 13 people and was dubbed Defense Team Huddle. White House officials first learned of the second Signal chat from news reports Sunday, according to an official familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations. Hegseth, talking to reporters while attending the White House Easter Egg Roll, didnt address the substance of the allegations or the national security implications they raised but assailed the media. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations, Hegseth said. Not going to work with me. Because were changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of warfighters. And anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesnt matter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, struck a similar tone, writing on Sunday night on X: Secretary Hegseth is busy implementing President Trumps America First agenda, while these leakers are trying to undermine them both. Shameful. The Trump administrations response on the use of Signal The Trump administration has struggled in its public explanations about senior officials use of Signal, a commercially available app not authorized to be used to communicate sensitive or classified national defense information. The first chat, set up by national security adviser Mike Waltz, included a number of Cabinet members and came to light because Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was added to the group. Officials have repeatedly insisted that the information shared on Signal was not classified, though the contents of that chat, which The Atlantic published, shows that Hegseth listed weapons systems and a timeline for the attack on the Iran-backed Houthis last month. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Multiple current and former military officials say launch times and munitions drop times are classified information and putting those details on an unsecured channel could have put those pilots at risk. The Trump administration has faced criticism for failing to take action so far against top national security officials who discussed plans for the strike in Signal, and the latest report fueled additional calls for Hegseths ouster. The details keep coming out. We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk. But Trump is still too weak to fire him, Schumer posted Sunday on X. The New York Times reported that the group in the second chat included Hegseths wife, Jennifer, who is a former Fox News producer, and his brother Phil Hegseth, who was hired at the Pentagon as a Department of Homeland Security liaison and senior adviser. The Times said the second chat had the same warplane launch times that the first chat included. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hegseths Signal use is under investigation by the Defense Departments acting inspector general at the request of the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The senior Democratic member, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, urged the watchdog Sunday to look into the reported second chat as well. Wider turmoil inside the Pentagon The Pentagon has confronted a wave of turbulence stretching beyond Signal. Defense officials have faced scrutiny over a seemingly haphazard and disjointed campaign to purge online content that promoted women and minorities, in some cases scrambling to restore posts after their removals came to light. Over the past week, five officials in Hegseths inner circle have departed. Last week Dan Caldwell, a Hegseth aide; Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg; and Darin Selnick, Hegseths deputy chief of staff; were escorted out of the Pentagon as the department hunts down leaks of inside information. While those three initially had been placed on leave pending the investigation, a joint statement shared by Caldwell on X on Saturday said they still have not been told what exactly we were investigated for, if there is still an active investigation, or if there was even a real investigation of leaks to begin with. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another close Hegseth aide, chief of staff Joe Kasper, also was leaving, according to two officials. They didnt say why. Caldwell and Selnick had worked with the defense secretary during his time leading the nonprofit Concerned Veterans for America. Kasper was the one who sent a March memo saying the Pentagon was investigating what it called leaks of national security information and that Defense Department personnel could face polygraphs. Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot announced he was resigning last week, unrelated to the leaks. The Pentagon said, however, that Ullyot was asked to resign. And on Monday, three U.S. officials said another staff member, Sean Parnell, was shifting temporarily from his job as Hegseths chief spokesman and instead will spend more time in Hegseths front office. The officials all spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details of personnel moves. Even before the beginning of the Conclave to elect deceased Pope Francis successor, gamblers have poured in more than $3 million in bets on who would be the next leader of Catholic Christians read more People pay tribute to Pope Francis following his death, in Westminster Cathedral in London, Britain, April 22, 2025. (Photo: Reuters) Even before the beginning of the formal process to elect Pope Francis successor, gamblers have started placing bets on who would be the next pope. Francis died on Monday morning in Vatican after months of illness. He was 88. As per the norms of the Catholic Church, a pope is elected in a gathering of senior religious leaders called cardinals. The gathering is called a Conclave. It is usually held 15-20 days after the popes death. A total of 120 cardinals vote to elect the pope. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In theory, any baptised Catholic man can become the pope. In practice, however, only cardinals have been elected as popes since at least the 14th century. Gamblers pour in $3 million in bets The election of the pope is one of the most secretive processes in the world that literally takes place behind closed doors. Unlike parliamentary or presidential elections, there are no opinion polls or surveys to have any reliable idea who would be elected. Despite such opacity, gamblers have already placed bets of more than $3 million on Polymarket, a well-known online betting portal, according to business news outlet Morning Brew. Italian cardinal Pietro Parolin is the favourite bet of gamblers on Polymarket. The betting platform OLBG reported bookmaker William Hill as saying that Luis Antonio Tagle and Pietro Parolin are the gamblers favourites to be the next pope. Other favourite contenders of gamblers are Peter Erdo, Peter Turkson, and Angelo Scola, according to Oddschecker. However, gamblers do not have a good track record when it comes to the popes election. In 2013, even though the gamblers favourite were Angelo Scola of Italy and Peter Turkson of Ghana, Francis was elected despite being 15th in the gamblers bets, according to Axios. Bets on popes elections were once barred For centuries, the Catholic Church had barred bets on the election of popes. In 1591, then-Pope Gregory XIV passed a law that could excommunicate anyone involved in placing bets on the popes election. However, the law was repealed by the Catholic Church in 1918. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In simple terms, excommunication means an expulsion from the Church as a punishment for an offence. Kentucky Truckstock 2025--Let's do it again. October 16-19 Two large houses with lots of sleeping areas A 40x20' shop with enough tooling, welders, torches, etc. to fix just about anything A true "mom and pop" style auto parts house seven miles up the road owned and operated by my neighbor (very important for TS attendees) Both "Verizon" and "AT&T" style high speed signal everywhere, and three Wi-Fi points FOUR 30 amp RV hookups with water available if needed, and a sewage dump station you can use before you leave (I also have one of those waste transport carts that we can use if needed) Two ponds with lots of fish Lots of wildlife viewing Free prime Appalachian Fall Foliage in all its glory with Appalachian Mountain Scenery and cruising All the free camping you want with electricity if needed. Lots of local restaurants and short cruise destinations (including a really cool Drive-In nearby with indoor and outdoor seating that did not exist back in 2012) A pretty good local motel up the road about 10 miles and more modern "chain-style" hotels about 30 miles away if that's your choice Also, lots of Airbnb style accomodations in nearby Whitesburg (something new since 2012 also) Free storage of your truck or trailer here on my farm if you decide to make a further vacation in your modern vehicle after the weekend or before I also have a car hauler and lots of friends who own rollbacks in the area for those unforseen problems while traveling I started the Truckstock thing back in 2012 on my farm in East Kentucky. It was a big hit, and we did it again in 2013. My family and I worked hard to make it something special. I was scared to death of the "internet people", and probably overdid a few things. I think we all discovered really quickly that Truckstock crowds are incredibly easy to please and laid back (much much easier than dealing with our own families). We had a great time, and I'm 13 years wiser now. After attending Abe's Pennsylvania Truckstock in 2023, I got the bug to do it again. Lots of the original attendees have passed on. But I'd like to try it again and give the folks who just cannot make the Pennsylvania trip an opportunity to sit around and enjoy themselves with fellow FTE members from this forum. Or perhaps some of the Pennsylvania attendees will want to come to both. But, nevertheless, I have a small farm in Kentucky with lots of shade and great memories of the first two Truckstocks. I live near Blackey, KY. You can go back to the 2012 and 2013 threads and look at a lot of pictures and read the stories. My farm is better equipped now than it was then:Guys I could go on and on. Just go back and look at the 2012 and 2013 Truckstock threads. My current job situation gives me much more time to prepare than I had in 2012, and after attending Truckstocks over the past 13 years, we know what works and what doesn't (folks like Abe and Dennis can attest to that I'm sure). I just want to host at least one more to get the old gang back together and meet new members of the gang. Feel free to PM me with any questions or just post them here. Wade "cruisetopdown" has hundreds of pictures from the past events, and he'll probably be able to post renewed links to those pics on this thread. Aix-Marseille University in France has received nearly 300 applications from US-based academics seeking refuge through its Safe Place for Science program, launched to offer "scientific asylum" amid the Trump administration's sweeping crackdown on American higher education. The initiative, which provides three years of funding and access to cutting-edge facilities for up to 20 researchers, has attracted 298 applicants242 deemed eligiblefrom prestigious institutions like Johns Hopkins, NASA, Columbia, Yale, and Stanford. The surge in interest underscores a growing brain drain as US researchers face funding freezes, executive orders, and ideological restrictions. The Trump administration's policies, including $9 billion in federal research funding cuts and targeted freezessuch as $2.2 billion for Harvard and $510 million for Brownhave disrupted academic work nationwide. Restrictions on grants, bans on terms like "political" and "women" in research proposals, and the detention of foreign scholars like Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil have heightened fears. "This isn't chaos," wrote University College London professor Christina Pagel, describing the attacks as a deliberate effort to align science with state ideology, suppress dissent, and prioritize geopolitical goals. Aix-Marseille's program, announced earlier this year, offers a lifeline with employment contracts, research budgets up to 300,000 ($326,000), and relocation support. The university, a major European research hub, aims to foster innovation and academic freedom. "We're seeing researchers from top-tier institutions desperate to continue their work," a university spokesperson told The Guardian, noting the program's overwhelming response within a month. Former French President Francois Hollande has championed the cause, proposing a "scientific refugee" status in a bill tabled on April 14. The legislation would grant subsidiary protection to academics facing threats, streamlining asylum processes. "Academics, like journalists, should qualify for protection," Hollande argued, highlighting the inadequacy of current mechanisms for scientists under authoritarian regimes. The applications reflect broader anxieties. Over 12,500 US Fulbright scholars abroad and 7,400 foreign scholars in the US have had funding paused, while universities have cut PhD admissions and imposed hiring freezes. Posts on X capture the sentiment, with users like@ShinyFluffdnd labeling it a "brain drain" and@ciaraquill noting the program's appeal amid US turmoil. The trend echoes historical precedents, like Operation Paperclip, which brought Nazi scientists to the US post-World War II. Aix-Marseille's initiative may inspire other European universities, with Guardian columnist Alexander Hurst suggesting the EU could lure entire American campuses. As US academia grapples with uncertainty, France's offer signals a new front in the global competition for talent, challenging America's scientific dominance. Reed Statement on SecDef Hegseth Reported Misuse of Signal Chat With Wife, Brother, Personal Lawyer Office of Senator Jack Reed (RI) April 20, 2025 WASHINGTON, DC - Today, press reports indicated that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth created a Signal chat with his wife, brother, personal lawyer, and senior defense officials, within which he disclosed likely classified intelligence about active U.S. military strikes in Yemen. U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response: "If true, this incident is another troubling example of Secretary Hegseth's reckless disregard for the laws and protocols that every other military servicemember is required to follow. He must immediately explain why he reportedly texted classified information that could endanger American servicemembers' lives on a commercial app that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. I urge the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General to include this latest incident in its ongoing investigation of Mr. Hegseth's mishandling of classified information. "Since he was nominated, I have warned that Mr. Hegseth lacks the experience, competence, and character to run the Department of Defense. In light of the ongoing chaos, dysfunction, and mass firings under Mr. Hegseth's leadership, it seems that those objections were well-founded. Accountability starts at the top, and I have grave concerns about Secretary Hegseth's ability to maintain the trust and confidence of U.S. servicemembers." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hegseth reportedly shared attack info in second Signal chat, 'signaling US' negligence in data security governance' Global Times By Liu Xin and Liang Rui Published: Apr 21, 2025 09:40 PM Several US media outlets have raised renewed concerns over digital security lapses within the US government, highlighting a second alleged leak by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who reportedly shared details of planned airstrikes in Yemen via a private Signal chat group. Some Chinese analysts said that while frequently pointing fingers at the so-called external "threats," the US has, in fact, neglected its own data security governance. According to the New York Times, Hegseth shared detailed information about forthcoming strikes in Yemen on March 15 in a private Signal group chat that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer, according to four people with knowledge of the chat. Some of those people said that the information Hegseth shared on the Signal chat included the flight schedules for the F/A-18 Hornets targeting the Houthis in Yemen, essentially the same attack plans that he shared on a separate Signal chat the same day that mistakenly included the editor of The Atlantic, the New York Times said. The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg said in a report on March 24 that he was unexpectedly invited on March 13 to an encrypted chat group on the Signal messaging app called the "Houthi PC small group." In the group, national security adviser Mike Waltz tasked his deputy Alex Wong with setting up a "tiger team" to coordinate US action against the Houthis. US President Donald Trump launched an ongoing campaign of large-scale military strikes against Yemen's Houthis on March 15. Hours before those attacks started, Hegseth posted operational details about the plan in the messaging group, according to Reuters. Unlike the chat in which The Atlantic was mistakenly included, the newly revealed one was created by Hegseth. He used his private phone, rather than his government one, to access the Signal chat, according to New York Times. The latest developments have reignited concerns over digital security lapses within the US government and exposed what critics call a deeply unprofessional approach to national security, said Zhu Ying, a professor at the Baize Institute, Southwest University of Political Science and Law. Moreover, such lapses may also raise doubts about Washington's reliability and fuel growing mistrust within the US and among its allies, said the expert. Democratic politicians have repeatedly called for Hegseth to step down. On Monday, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X that "The details keep coming out. We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk." But responding to the latest chat group, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said that "No matter how many times the legacy media tries to resurrect the same non-story, they can't change the fact that no classified information was shared," according to Newsweek. What seem like isolated leaks often expose deeper problems in enforcing confidentiality and securing sensitive information, Yang Xiyu, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times, adding that past administrations have seen similar lapses. Aside from the second Signal chat group, The Washington Post reported on Sunday that government officials under both Joe Biden and Donald Trump improperly shared sensitive documents with thousands of federal workers, including potentially classified floor plans of the White House. Career employees at the General Services Administration, which provides administrative and technological support for much of the federal bureaucracy and manages the government's real estate portfolio, were responsible for the oversharing, which spurred a cybersecurity incident report and investigation last week. The records show that the employees inadvertently shared a Google Drive folder containing the sensitive documents with the entire GSA staff, which totals more than 11,200 people, according to the agency's online directory, according to the Washington Post. The information shared also included the details of a proposed blast door for the White House visitor center, the records show, as well as bank account information for a vendor who assisted with a Trump administration news conference, according to The Washington Post. While claiming to counter external threats, the US has neglected its own data security governance. This weakens both its credibility and public trust, said Yang. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's Ministry of State Security warns against scanning apps becoming 'enablers' of info leaks Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 21, 2025 09:49 AM Disclosing a recent case involving an official who improperly used an online scanning app to digitize confidential meeting minutes, files, leading to the leakage of 127 classified documents, which posed a tangible threat to national security, China's Ministry State Security on Monday warns the public to be vigilant against turning such apps into "enablers" of state secret leaks. A recent case published by the ministry on its official WeChat detailed how a government employee, seeking convenience, improperly used an internet-based scanning app to digitize confidential meeting minutes. The files were automatically backed up to a cloud storage account, which was later compromised through brute-force attacks. As a result, attackers gained access to 127 classified documents scanned over three years. The leaked files were disseminated via foreign social media platforms, resulting in a serious breach of national security. The ministry noted that most scanning apps rely on cloud-based databases provided by developers to process and analyze user-uploaded files. This means that during operation, processing, and feedback stages, file content is transmitted multiple times over the internet. If sensitive or classified materials are inadvertentlyscanned and uploaded, it can create vulnerabilities that malicious actors may exploit to steal personal data or even state secrets. Some scanning apps request excessive permissions during installation, such as access to microphones, contact lists, photo albums, or text messages. If users grant these permissions indiscriminately, the apps may harvest sensitive data stored on the device, including identity details and account credentials, leading to potential theft, the ministry's warned. Many scanning apps offer cloud storage features, but if an account is compromised, the service provider has system flaws, or the cloud is targeted by foreign intelligence agencies, stored data may be exposed or maliciously exploited, the ministry warned. The ministry noted that some malicious programs disguise themselves as scanning apps in unofficial app stores or websites. Once installed, these programs run silently in the background, scanning the device and exfiltrating its data. To strengthen cybersecurity practices, the ministry urged the public, especially those handling classified information, not to transmit, store, or process sensitive materials via internet channels. Personnel should avoid using online scanning tools for confidential content, and resist storing classified files online for convenience. The ministry also recommended downloading only security-certified scanning apps from official app stores to reduce malware risks. Users should carefully review app permission requests, and strengthen data storage security. For shared files, they should enable password protection and restrict additional access to prevent data leaks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon Chief Shares Data on Yemen Strikes in Yet Another Chat - Reports Sputnik News 20250421 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - In March, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent data on upcoming strikes on Yemen in a closed group chat on the Signal messenger, the participants were not only people from his professional circle, but also his wife, as well as his brother and lawyer, the New York Times reported, citing sources. According to the publication, the Pentagon chief sent the flight schedule of the F/A-18 Hornets that attacked Shia military-political movement Ansar Allah (Houthis) in Yemen from his personal phone to a chat called "Defense | Team Huddle" he published the same information in another chat with officials of the US administration. The publication notes that Hegseth's wife Jennifer, a former Fox News producer, is not an employee of the US Department of Defense. However, she was previously criticized for accompanying her husband to secret meetings with foreign leaders. At the same time, Hegseth's brother and lawyer work at the Pentagon, but, as the newspaper said, it is unclear why they needed information about the upcoming strikes on Yemen. The newspaper notes that Hegseth was the group chat's creator. In addition to his wife, it included about a dozen people from his personal and professional circle. Earlier, the Office of the Inspector General of the US Department of Defense launched an investigation into the use of the Signal messenger by the US Secretary of Defense after the scandal surrounding the leak of discussions between officials of the US administration about strikes in Yemen. The Pentagon on Monday denied media reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had shared classified information in another Signal group chat involving his wife and brother. "There was no classified information in any Signal chat, no matter how many ways they try to write the story. What is true is that the Office of the Secretary of Defense is continuing to become stronger and more efficient in executing President Trump's agenda," Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement. The only source of the New York Times was the words of former Pentagon employees, who "appear to have a motive to sabotage" Hegseth and US President Donald Trump's agenda, the statement added. In early April, acting Inspector General at the Pentagon Steven Stebbins notified Hegseth about a probe initiation into the circumstances of another Signal app leak that took place last month. On March 24, Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, revealed in an article that he was accidentally added by US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz to a private chat on the Signal app regarding impending strikes on the Houthis in Yemen that took place on March 15. According to Goldberg, the chat included senior officials such as Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. Goldberg presented screenshots of the correspondence, in which the Pentagon chief, several hours before the start of the operation, reports on the types of aircraft and targets, which, according to the journalist, could threaten servicemen if leaked. Goldberg accused officials of serious violations of security rules. The chat was reportedly set to automatically delete messages, which violated the requirements for storing official information. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Government of the Republic of Estonia approved a defence readiness exercise Okas Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence 21. April 2025 - 15:15 The Government of the Republic of Estonia decided to declare a defence readiness exercise Okas 25-1 (Quill), with up to 235 members of the Movement and Transport Service, Support Command, ordered to participate the snap exercise (SNAPEX). Exercise Okas is of a defensive manner, aimed at practicing national defence activities. There is no immediate security threat to Estonia. Based on the proposal by the Commander of Estonian Defence Forces, up to 229 reservists from Movement and Transport Service, Support Command, have been ordered by the Government of Estonia to participate the SNAPEX Okas 25-1 from April 22 to 30, 2025. In addition, active duty members of the Estonian Defence Forces are involved in the exercise in supporting roles. Reservists whose units are called to the exercise are obligated to report to the designated assembly points at the time specified in their orders. Reservists that were called to duty can check their orders from the website www.kaitsevaeteenistus.ee. Called up reservists can receive additional information about the exercise from the phone number +372 8002525 and e-mail info@kra.ee. The main purpose of exercise Okas is to test the chain of command of national defence, from the decision of the Government of Estonia to achieving combat readiness of designated units in the rapid response structure. The task of the Estonian Defence Forces and Estonian Defence League is to ensure that the country is constantly ready to defend itself and this needs to be practiced during exercises. Estonian national defence model, based on Estonian reserve military structures, has proven its vitality and effectiveness. Security does not generate by itself, and that is why Estonia must organize regular exercises in peacetime in order to maintain and increase the ability of the reserve structure to react in a timely matter. Previous SNAPEX Okas was conducted in December, 2024. Estonian Defence Forces regularly order reservists to larger and smaller exercises, such as Siil (Hedgehog) and Kevadtorm (Spring Storm), with a long, 120-day notice. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Those who play with fire will burn themselves, says Chinese FM on US-Philippines annual joint military exercise Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 21, 2025 04:34 PM Responding to media inquiry that a Philippine brigadier general claimed that Manila regards the annual joint military exercise with the US launched on Monday as a rehearsal for their defense, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that the international community is currently facing the impact of unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonic bullying. Countries in this region urgently seek to strengthen unity and cooperation to safeguard regional stability and jointly address challenges. Against this backdrop, the Philippines, in collusion with external countries, has been conducting large-scale military exercises, introducing and deploying strategic and tactical weapons, undermining regional strategic stability, and jeopardizing the region's economic growth prospects. This has positioned the Philippines in direct opposition to regional countries, triggering strong resentment and opposition, Guo said. Guo emphasized that the Taiwan question is purely a matter of China's internal affairs and is at the core of China's core interests. China firmly opposes any country using the Taiwan question as a pretext to strengthen military deployments in the region, provoke tensions and confrontations, and undermine regional peace and stability. Guo urged relevant parties not to provoke on the Taiwan question, warning that those who play with fire will burn themselves. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran has unconditional sovereignty over the three Persian Gulf islands: Envoy to U.N. IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 21, 2025 New York, IRNA -- Following the registration of the statement of the 163rd meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers, Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir-Sa'eed Iravani, in a letter addressed to the President of the Security Council, rejected the claim of interference in the sovereignty of the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf, calling it a clear violation of the principles of international law and the UN Charter. The full text of Iravan's letter is as follows: In the name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful No. 2459747 21 April 2025 Excellency, Upon instructions from my Government, I am writing with reference to the letter dated 17 March 2025 from the Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the United Nations, addressed to the President of the Security Council, which transmitted the final statement of the 163rd Session of the Ministerial Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States (S/2025/169). In this regard, I would like to inform you of the following: - Paragraphs 41 to 45 of the abovementioned statement include assertions on three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf that constitute a clear and unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in flagrant violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. These baseless claims are firmly rejected, and the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns and denounces them in their entirety. In this regard, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its full and unquestionable sovereignty over the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf. Any claim to the contrary is considered an unacceptable interference in Iran's internal affairs and a violation of the universally recognized principle of non-interference, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. - Regarding the reference in paragraph 44 of the statement of a falsified name for the Persian Gulf, I must emphasize that "Persian Gulf" is the only historically and legally recognized name for the body of water between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. This designation has been consistently used throughout recorded history and must be respected in accordance with international norms and historical accuracy. - With regard to the unwarranted reference to Iran in paragraph 62 of the statement, it must be emphasized that Iran's foreign policy is based on respecting the principles of international law, particularly those governing friendly relations and cooperation among States, including the principle of sovereign equality. In this context, the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently pursued a policy of friendship and good neighborliness with all its Persian Gulf neighbors. This principled policy is rooted in full respect for the political independence and sovereign equality of States, mutual respect, constructive cooperation, and dialogue. Iran remains firmly committed to the preservation of regional peace and security through the active and inclusive engagement of all countries in the Persian Gulf region, and will continue to uphold this approach in good faith. - The references made to Iran's nuclear program and defensive capabilities, including its missile program, in paragraphs 63 to 65 of the statement are unfounded and irrelevant. Iran remains fully committed to its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and its nuclear activities are strictly for peaceful purposes, in line with its inalienable rights under the Treaty. I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as a document of the Security Council. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Amir Saeid Iravani Ambassador Permanent Representative H.E. Mr. Jerome Bonafont President of the Security Council United Nations, New York 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas warns against Israeli plot to annex the West Bank IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 21, 2025 Hamas has strongly condemned recent statements made by far-right Israeli ministers, who called for the annexation of the occupied West Bank. In a statement on Sunday, the Islamic Resistance Movement described these remarks as aggressive, colonial, and a continuation of expansionist policies aimed at undermining the Palestinian cause. Hamas emphasized that such statements reflect plans to assert complete control over the West Bank and integrate it with other occupied territories. The statement denounced the Israeli regime's actions as part of its ongoing settlement construction and aggression in the West Bank and the occupied al-Quds. According to Hamas, these policies are designed to usurp Palestinian lands and undermine their cause. Hamas urged the Palestinian people to ramp up resistance in all its forms and confront the Israeli military and settlers. The group called for a united effort to thwart occupation plans, counter Israeli plans for the Judaization of Palestinian territories, and break the will of the occupying forces. 2050**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S airstrikes on Yemen leave 12 dead and 30 injured IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 21, 2025 The United States' warplanes pound Sana'a and Marib governorates, as well as Kamaran Island, leaving 12 dead and 30 injured. American aircraft bombed the Farwa district and its market in the capital city, Sana'a, destroying houses and business centers, Yemen's Al Masirah TV network reported on Monday. In another attack, the U.S. fighter jets also targeted a local market in the Shu'ub district in the center of Sana'a. In Marib Governorate, American warplanes bombarded Al Jubah district on three occasions. Moreover, the U.S. also targeted Kamaran Island, the largest Yemeni island in the Red Sea, on several occasions. There are no reports of specific targets or casualties of these attacks. American aircraft bombed the island early Sunday, leaving three dead and four wounded. The United States commenced airstrikes on Yemen on March 15, 2025, to support the Israeli regime. However, the Yemeni army announced that it would continue launching missile and drone attacks on Israeli-occupied territories and ships affiliated with the regime and its allies in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Decommissioned WW2 corvette to be sunk during 'Balikatan' 2025 Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno April 21, 2025, 9:18 pm MANILA -- The decommissioned World War II corvette, BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19), will be targeted and sunk in this year's "Balikatan" exercise. In a information kit provided to reporters Monday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the decommissioned Navy ship will be the target of the "MARSTRIKE" (Maritime Strike) event of the annual military exercise between Filipino and US forces. The former BRP Miguel Malvar was originally the USS Brattleboro (PCER-852), a rescue patrol craft formerly in service with the US Navy that was transferred to the Philippines in 1976. Prior to its transfer to the Philippine Navy (PN), the ship was serving the then Republic of Vietnam Navy, having been transferred there in 1966. The old naval vessel will be sunk by FIlipino and American assets deployed during the event, according to Balikatan assistant exercise director and spokesperson Brig. Gen. Michael Logico. Possible assets that will be used to sink the World War II corvette are the Philippine Air Force's FA-50PH fighter jets and the US military's F-16s and F-35s, and possibly the F-18s, he added. Other assets that will be utilized for this event are PN ships equipped with the LIG Nex 1 C-Star sea skimming surface-to-surface anti-ship cruise missile system. The MARSTRIKE will be held on May 5 off the Naval Education Training Command in San Antonio, Zambales province. In May 8, 2024, the missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal fired and sank the ex-PN tanker BRP Lake Caliraya using its C-Star anti-ship cruise missile system off Laoag City, Ilocos Norte province during last year's "Balikatan" exercise. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH Navy official denies Chinese expulsion claim Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno April 21, 2025, 1:34 pm MANILA -- A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Monday denied claims that Chinese maritime forces expelled the BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36) while it was patrolling Panatag Shoal (also known as Scarborough Shoal and Huangyan Dao in Chinese) on April 20. China earlier claimed that it had expelled the Filipino naval vessel for illegally intruding into Huangyan Dao without its approval. In a message to the Philippine News Agency, PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the claim is just part of Beijing's "malign information or shaping operations more likely intended for their internal audience." Trinidad stressed that only the PN and Philippine maritime law enforcement vessels have the authority to challenge foreign ships intruding in the country's maritime zones. "Only the PN and other Philippine flagged law enforcement ships have the authority and legal bases to challenge any ship within maritime zones," he said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nearly 600 children killed in renewed Israeli assault on Gaza: UN agency Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 7:01 PM UNRWA says Israel has massacred nearly 600 children across Gaza since the regime resumed its genocidal war in March. Citing figures released by the UN children's agency (UNICEF), UNRWA said on Monday that over 1,600 other children were also injured since Israel resumed its assaults on March 18. UNRWA warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly, describing it as likely the worst it has been since the outbreak of the brutal Israeli military campaign in October 2023. UNICEF has said that Palestinian children had experience a wave of wave of very deadly air strikes over the past few days "Images of children burning while sheltering in makeshift tents should shake us all to our core," Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director said in a recent social media post. Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, recently reported that 36 of the 224 documented Israeli strikes in Gaza, between March 18 and April 9, involved deaths that were only women and children. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini has also described the situation in Gaza as a "post-apocalyptic" killing zone, calling on the international community to act on Israel's renewed war on the blockaded territory. In January, the Israeli regime was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas given the regime's failure to achieve any of its objectives, including the "elimination" of the Palestinian resistance movement or the release of captives. At least 1,864 Gazans have been killed and nearly 4,900 injured since Israel renewed its intensive attacks and strikes on March 18. Overall, more than 51,200 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, have been killed in Gaza. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former war minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in the besieged region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza civil defense rejects Israeli probe, calls medic killings 'summary executions' Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 5:57 PM Gaza's Civil Defense agency has rejected the findings of a probe by the Israeli military into the March killing of 15 paramedics, saying evidence points to "summary executions" by Israeli forces, who subsequently buried the bodies in a mass grave. Mohammed al-Mughair, a Gaza civil defense official, said video footage filmed by one of the paramedics disproves the Israeli military's recent findings and clearly shows that the rescue workers were executed. "The video filmed by one of the paramedics proves that the Israeli occupation's narrative is false and demonstrates that it carried out summary executions," al-Mughair was quoted as saying. The Palestinian official further accused Israel of attempting to "circumvent" its obligations under international law. Earlier, the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS) also dismissed the Israeli probe as invalid and unacceptable, calling it misleading and full of lies. "It is invalid and unacceptable, as it justifies the killing and shifts responsibility to a personal error in the field command when the truth is quite different," Nebal Farsakh, spokesperson for the PRCS said. The comments came a day after the Israeli military claimed that there were "several professional failures" in the killing of the Gaza paramedics and rescue workers last month. The Israeli rights organization Breaking the Silence also rejected the findings of the Israeli probe. They called for an independent and impartial investigation by a UN body. Several Western media organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Sky News, have also published investigations that countered Israeli claims. On March 23, 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers were shot dead by Israeli forces near Rafah in southern Gaza. UN officials and the Red Crescent found their bodies a week later in a shallow grave dug by Israeli forces. Following the shooting, the Red Crescent released a video recovered from the phone of one of the victims. The footage contradicts the version of events initially put forward by the Israeli military. In particular, the video shows clearly that the ambulances were travelling with sirens, flashing lights, and headlights on. The military had claimed the ambulances were travelling "suspiciously" and without lights. The massacre drew international condemnation, including concern about possible war crimes from UN human rights commissioner Volker Turk. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Smotrich: Returning captives not Israel's primary goal Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 5:03 PM Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said returning the captives from the Gaza Strip is not the most important goal of the regime. Smotrich angered families of the captives once more on Monday, after he said their return is "not the most important goal" for the Tel Aviv regime. In an interview with the right-wing Galei Israeli radio station, the extremist minister said terminating the problem is more important than resolving the Israeli captives' issues. "We need to eliminate the Gaza problem," the minister insisted. Thousands of Israelis staged a protest on Saturday night calling for a deal to end the war and to have the captives released. "Do what you should have done a long time ago. Bring them all back now! And in one deal. And if this means to stop the war, then stop the war," former captive Omer Shem Tov told a rally in Tel Aviv. The insistence of Smotrich to continue the inhumane war comes days after the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for a deal to get the captives back. Meanwhile, the ruling Palestinian resistance movement in Gaza has expressed its readiness to free all the Israeli captives if the Tel Aviv regime stops its war. But Netanyahu and his right-wing ministers insist on continuing the genocidal war until the complete elimination of Hamas. Netanyahu has repeatedly claimed the Israeli regime has "no choice" but to continue the war on Gaza until Hamas is destroyed. Currently, 59 Israelis remain in captivity, of whom only 24 are believed to be alive. Israel has killed 51,201 people, mostly women and children, in Gaza since October 2023, with some 116,869 injured. Israel also destroyed vast parts of the blockaded Palestinian territory, including most of its food production capabilities. Around 90 percent of the population is displaced, with hundreds of thousands of people living in tent camps and bombed-out buildings. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Four Israeli ministers call for annexation of occupied West Bank Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 3:31 PM Four Israeli ministers have called for the annexation of the West Bank and expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied territory, in breach of international law. The ministers made their request on Sunday during the inauguration of a neighborhood in the illegal Har Brakha settlement, located near the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, according to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN. The ministers who made the calls were Israel Katz, minister of military affairs; Orit Strock, minister of Settlements and National Missions; Yariv Levin, minister of justice; and Yitzhak Wasserlauf, minister of Negev, Galilee, and national resilience. KAN added that the ministers, along with other settler leaders, demanded the imposition of the Tel Aviv regime's sovereignty and the expansion of settlements in Judea and Samaria (the biblical term by which some Israelis refer to the occupied West Bank). Katz described the settlement as the frontline of Israel's defense, emphasizing that the Israeli military's offensives in the West Bank will persist. Hamas warning The Hamas resistance movement, in a statement on Monday, said the Israeli ministers' call for annexing the West Bank represents an extension of aggressive colonialist policies, and marks a desperate attempt to liquidate the Palestinian cause by plundering the land and stealing it from its original owners. The Gaza-based group stressed that these statements reflect the colonial and fascist mentality governing the occupying regime, and constitute a flagrant violation of international law and global resolutions. Hamas noted that the Zionist entity's expansionist policies place the international community, the United Nations, and its institutions before the responsibility of taking immediate action to hold the regime accountable and halt its criminal practices against Palestinians, their land and holy sites. The movement then called on all walks of the Palestinian society to escalate resistance in all its forms, continue the uprising, and engage in confrontations with Israeli forces and settler gangs until the will of the occupying regime and its fascist leaders is broken, and their Judaization plans are foiled. Israel has ramped up its aggression against Palestinians across the West Bank since October 7 last year, when it launched a genocidal war against the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and thousands of others injured by Israeli settlers or troops across the occupied territory since the onset of the war. More than 700,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds. The international community views the settlements as illegal under international law and the Geneva Conventions due to their construction on the occupied territories. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Collective punishment' of Palestinians unjustifiable: UNRWA Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 2:54 PM The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has condemned Israel's intensified attacks on Gaza, saying nothing can justify the "unimaginable suffering" and "collective punishment" of the Palestinian people. The UN agency said on Monday that a majority of Gaza's population suffering from the atrocities are civilian children, women, and ordinary men. "Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," it said. UNRWA currently operates 115 shelters across the Gaza Strip, housing more than 90,000 displaced persons who have lost their homes as a result of the disproportionate bombings. It warned that the ongoing blockade, i.e, the prohibition of the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies, is further worsening the already-catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. The United Nations estimates that approximately 420,000 people have been displaced again since the Israeli occupation resumed its aggression on the Gaza Strip on March 18. Israel's relentless bombardment of Gaza continues, with at least two people killed in an attack on tents in the so-called safe zone of al-Mawasi. Four others were killed in an attack on a home in Khan Younis on Monday. Hospital sources in Gaza reported that Israeli attacks from Sunday morning to midnight martyred 31 more Palestinians in various parts of Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen: US fails in its aggression since day one; Trump 'accountable' for fatalities Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 11:19 AM The chairman of Yemen's Supreme Political Council says Sana'a has not suffered even one percent damage at the military level despite all US assaults in support of Israel's war on Gaza. "I assure you that the aggression failed from its very first day, and we had previously managed to obtain information that thwarted the aggression before it occurred," Mahdi al-Mashat said during a meeting of the National Defense Council on Sunday. He added that if the Americans increase their mobilization, it means their weapons have failed. Referring to US warship USS Harry S. Truman, Mashat said that it lost its command and control and was rendered out of service in the early days of the aggression. The warship "achieved nothing for the enemy, forcing them to bring in other vessels and use other weapons," he further said. Mashat also said that, "The criminal US President Donald Trump will be held accountable for all that he did to civilians and civilian facilities, whether he remains in office or not." The US military has been carrying out almost daily attacks on Yemen for the past month, claiming that they are aimed at stopping the Ansarullah movement's attacks on Israel-related ships. The Yemeni army, however, said it will not stop its attacks on Israel-bound vessels until the regime halts its genocidal war on Gaza. "Our stance in supporting our brothers in Gaza is firm and we will never retreat from it," he said, adding that Yemen cannot allow the Americans and the "Israelis" to prey upon the Palestinian people in Gaza alone. Since March, over 200 individuals have lost their lives due to US aggression in Yemen. In retaliation for Israeli atrocities in Gaza and the US-UK-led assault on Yemen, the Yemeni Armed Forces began to carry out a series of strikes against Israeli, American, and British interests in the Red Sea and nearby regions in late 2023. As the brutal conflict in Gaza worsened, Yemen imposed a strategic blockade on major maritime routes to hinder the movement of military supplies to their enemies and to pressure the international community to respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel revokes visas for 27 French MPs after Macron signals support for Palestinian state Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 9:49 AM Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has canceled visas for 27 French lawmakers and local officials two days before they visit occupied Palestine. The move occurs amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions between Israel and France, following French President Emmanuel Macron's statement that Paris would soon recognize a Palestinian state. Israel's interior ministry justified the move under a law that allows authorities to ban people who could act against the national interests. In a joint statement, up to 17 members of the Ecologist and Communist parties in France described the move as "collective punishment" by Israel and a "major rupture in diplomatic ties." They called on Macron to intervene, saying they had been invited on a five-day visit arranged by the French consulate in al-Quds. "Deliberately preventing elected officials and parliamentarians from traveling cannot be without consequences," the group added, demanding action by Macron's government to ensure Israel let them into the country. They said that the visit was a part of their mission to "strengthen international cooperation and culture of peace." Earlier in April, Macron said that France is making plans to recognize a Palestinian state and could do so as early as June. "We must move toward recognition, and we will do so in the coming months," Macron told France 5 television. "I'm not doing it for unity, or to please this or that person. I'm doing it because at some point it will be fair." Netanyahu strongly opposed the move, claiming that it is a 'massive reward for terrorism' Currently, 147 of the 193 UN member states recognize the state of Palestine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni forces strike vital Israeli targets deep inside occupied territories, US warships Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 9:11 AM Yemeni Armed Forces have conducted a series of operations in retaliation for the ongoing American acts of aggression in the Arab country, striking vitals targets deep inside the Israeli-occupied territories as well as US warships in the northern Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for Yemen's military, stated on Monday morning that Yemeni forces had carried out a reprisal strike against a strategic position in the city of Ashkelon in the southern side of the occupied lands, using a homegrown Yaffa combat drone. They also hit an Israeli military target in the port city of Eilat with a domestically-developed Sammad-1 (Invincible-1) unmanned aerial vehicle. Saree noted that the retaliatory operations also came in solidarity with the Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip amid the unrelenting Israeli genocidal war on the territory. Additionally, Yemeni naval and drone units launched an attack on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its escorts in the Red Sea in retaliation for the continued US aggression against the Arab country, death and injury of dozens of civilians and destruction of vital infrastructure. The spokesman for the Yemeni military said the forces struck the US warships, using two indigenous anti-ship cruise missiles and two attack drones. Yemeni naval, drone and missile forces also targeted the USS Carl Vinson supercarrier and its escorting vessels in the Arabian Sea with three cruise missiles and four drones. Saree underlined that the military operations could successfully attain their desired objectives. "The Yemeni Armed Forces will conduct their retaliatory operations against the Zionist entity deep inside the occupied Palestinians territories at an escalating pace over the coming weeks and months. "They will also continue their attacks in the Red and Arabian Seas, targeting all hostile forces. Dozens of US airstrikes will not deter Yemeni forces from abandoning their support for oppressed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip until the ongoing aggression ceases and the tight blockade is completely lifted," he pointed out. Yemenis have been hitting Israeli and American targets in support of Palestinians in Gaza since the regime launched its devastating war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, and in response to the American-British aggression on their homeland. The operations have effectively shut down the Eilat port south of the occupied territories, causing significant economic setbacks for the Israelis. The Yemeni Armed Forces have said they will not stop their attacks until Israel's ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli forces, settlers escalate West Bank raids, killings as more Palestinians displaced Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 6:49 AM Israeli forces have intensified their deadly aggression across the occupied West Bank, killing a Palestinian and forcing the displacement of residents from their shelter in Jenin. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that Israeli forces shot and killed 24-year-old Suleiman Fawwaz Manasrah from Qabatiya near the illegal Homesh settlement south of Jenin on Sunday night. His body remains withheld by Israeli forces. Witnesses reported heavy gunfire before discovering Manasrah's body near the colony, built on seized land from Silat ad-Dhahr. Earlier, Israeli forces shut down key roads near Jenin and Nablus after an alleged shooting. Manasrah's death brings the Palestinian death toll in Jenin governorate since the start of the Israeli onslaught on the city to 39. Moreover, Israeli troops reportedly abducted a young man during an overnight raid in Balata refugee camp near Nablus. Simultaneous raids targeted Fawwar camp and Wadi Abu Katila in Hebron, though details on further arrests remain unclear. Palestinians forcibly displaced from Jenin shelter Hundreds of Palestinians, displaced by Israel's military siege of the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, have taken refuge at the Arab American University campus in Jenin, according to AFP news agency. Among them is Mohammed Shalabi, 53, who fled with his family. "Everyone knows the army destroys everythinghomes, roads, even cars," he said, describing Israel's offensive, now in its third month. Furthermore, Israeli forces, accompanied by a bulldozer, raided al-Minya village southeast of Bethlehem on Sunday evening, sealing off the western entrance near a secondary school with earth mounds, according to a local official. The raid marks an escalation in Israel's crackdown on the village, which has recently seen increased attacks on farmers and shepherds, as well as confiscation of agricultural produce. Settler violence surges Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian farmlands in the Wadi Qana region near Deir Istiya (northwest of Salfit) on Sunday night, according to local activist Nathmi Salman. The assailants destroyed agricultural equipment and uprooted olive treesa recurring tactic in what Salman describes as a broader campaign to forcibly seize Palestinian land and reshape the area. Since the beginning of the war on Gaza in October 2023, more than 950 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops and settlers, and over 7,000 others have been injured in the West Bank. Israeli forces have dramatically increased the demolition of Palestinian homes and structures across the occupied West Bank, marking one of the most aggressive campaigns in years. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, warns that Israel's military assaults have already displaced 40,000 Palestinians, accusing the regime of systematically annexing the territory. On April 3, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk described the situation as "extremely alarming," highlighting escalating repression and violence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US airstrike on Yemeni capital kills at least 12 civilians Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 3:29 AM The United States has launched another airstrike on the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, killing at least 12 civilians and injuring over 30 others. The deadly US aggression was carried out in a crowded market in the al-Farwa neighborhood in the Sha'ub district on Monday morning. The death toll is expected to rise as many people are still trapped under the rubble of buildings destroyed in the attack. Other parts of Sana'a, including the Attan area and al-Wahda District, were also the scene of violent American airstrikes. Separately, US strikes targeted areas in the Sa'ada governorate, in the country's far north, the central governorate of Ma'rib, AND Hudaydah in the west. On Sunday, several US air attacks were carried out in Yemen, including strikes on Sana'a, killing at least three. Yemen's al-Masirah television channel, citing a statement by the Ministry of Public Health and Population, announced that the US military launched 21 airstrikes on Sana'a as well as its western, eastern, and southern outskirts on Saturday night. The US military has been carrying out almost daily attacks on Yemen for the past month, claiming that they are aimed at stopping the Ansarullah movement's attacks on Israel-related ships. The Yemeni army, however, said it will not stop its attacks on Israel-bound vessels until the regime halts its Gaza aggression. More than 200 people have been killed in the US aggression against Yemen since March. In response to Israeli atrocities in Gaza and 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 in late 2023. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vietnam agrees to buy US F-16 fighters, defense website says It would be the biggest arms deal between the two countries, if confirmed. By Mike Firn for RFA 2025.04.21 BANGKOK -- Vietnam has reached an agreement with the United States to buy F-16 fighter jets, a defense website said, citing industry representatives and a former U.S. government official. Hanoi will acquire at least 24 of the Lockheed Martin single-engine fighters which, combined with other U.S. military ware, could add up to the biggest ever defense deal between two countries, 19FortyFive said Saturday. It is likely Hanoi will opt for the F-16 V model, which Lockheed calls the most advanced fourth-generation fighter, the site said. The U.S. is also considering selling Lockheed Martin's Hercules C-130 military transport plane to Vietnam, according to Reuters news agency. The U.S. lifted a longstanding arms embargo on its former enemy Vietnam in 2016. In 2022, Hanoi said it was ready to reduce its heavy reliance on Russian arms, which accounted for around 80% of total weapons imports at the time. A year later, during then-President Joe Biden's visit to Hanoi, Vietnam and the U.S. began talking in earnest about a major deal. It may have come to fruition this month, after Vietnam scrambled to cut its record trade surplus with the U.S. in the face of threatened 46% tariffs. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said earlier in April that Vietnam would buy more American weapons as part of addressing the trade imbalance between the two countries. The Vietnamese foreign ministry did not answer Radio Free Asia's calls about the reported F-16 deal. An email to the U.S. State Department was unanswered at the time of publication. With no official confirmation one analyst recommended caution, pointing out that many details are still unclear. "Will the aircraft be new or second hand? If new, how will Vietnam afford them, and is Washington willing to offer the latest variants to Vietnam," asked Ian Storey, a senior fellow at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. "If second-hand, why would Vietnam want them when it needs cutting edge aircraft? Will Congress green light the sale or will Vietnam's human rights record pose an obstacle?" US military trainers In November last year, Vietnam received delivery of five Beechcraft single engine turboprop aircraft, the first batch of 12 ordered from the U.S. The planes, built by Textron Aviation, are used to train fighter jet pilots, which sparked speculation a deal on the F-16 was close. Russia has supplied most of Vietnam's military planes, including 35 Sukhoi Su-30s and more than 30 Su-22s but there has been growing concern about safety and maintenance of the ageing fleet. At the start of last year, a Vietnam Air Force Su-22 tactical fighter-bomber lost control and crashed during a routine training flight in Quang Nam province. In November, a Russian Yak-130 training aircraft exploded mid-air in Binh Dinh province. Its two pilots ejected and survived. Chinese concerns Storey, the ISEAS expert, said a switch from Russian to U.S. planes would "deal a major blow" to relations between Moscow and Hanoi. It would also "risk provoking China's ire," he said. China's president and defense minister both visited Vietnam this month, talking up relations and even sounding positive about solving territorial disputes in the South China Sea. China's state-backed Global Times newspaper was critical of possible U.S.-Vietnam military ties when the Biden administration raised the prospect of F-16 sales two years ago. It cited defense experts as saying a deal "serving the U.S.' hegemonic goals of containing China, would stir up troubles that sabotage peace and stability in the region." It was no secret that Vietnam flagged Chinese concerns as a sensitive matter when discussing the F-16 sale with the U.S., according to Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at Australia's University of New South Wales, Canberra. China criticized sales of the jet to Taiwan and the Philippines as a threat to its sovereignty and regional stability, but Vietnam was better prepared, he said. "Vietnam appears to have set the ground to procure F-16s from the United States by simultaneously raising defense cooperation with China," he said. The U.S. planes are likely to come with some strings attached, Thayer added. "The F-16s package will undoubtedly include U.S. military access to Vietnamese military facilities for training, maintenance and other support but not the permanent stationing of U.S air force planes or U.S. naval ships on Vietnamese territory." Edited by Taejun Kang and Stephen Wright Updated with comments from Ian Storey and Carl Thayer Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Asia mourns passing of Pope Francis Church bells toll in the Philippines as nations pay tribute to a pontiff who stood up for the poor and traveled the region. By RFA Staff 2025.04.21 -- Church bells rang out in the Philippines and national and spiritual leaders across Asia expressed sorrow Monday, mourning Pope Francis who died aged 88 after a 12-year papacy. The Argentine pontiff's humble style and care for the poor resonated beyond his followers in the Catholic Church. He had traveled extensively across Asia since becoming leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics in 2013. During his tenure, Francis drew huge crowds in countries such as the Philippines, which is predominantly Catholic, but also Indonesia, Bangladesh and Thailand where Muslims and Buddhists were in the religious majority and Catholics were in the minority. He also visited South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Timor-Leste and Singapore. The Vatican announced that the pope had died at 7:35 a.m. local time on Monday. He was hospitalized for 38 days from mid-February with respiratory problems that developed into double pneumonia. He had suffered from chronic lung disease as a young man. Tributes from around the world quickly poured in for Francis. He died just a day after he greeted thousands of faithful who had gathered in St. Peter's Square following Sunday Easter Mass. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr described Francis as the "best pope in my lifetime," saying in a Facebook post that he "led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and the forgotten." Church bells tolled across Manila on Monday. Nearly 80% of Filipinos identify as Roman Catholic. Francis visited the country in 2015 - two years after he was elected to head the Catholic Church, after the surprise resignation of Benedict XVI. An estimated 6 million to 7 million faithful attended an open-air Mass in Manila during his visit. Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta said on Monday the death of the Francis, the first Latin American to be pope, was a tremendous loss for the world, not just Christians. "He leaves behind a profound legacy of humanity, of justice, of human fraternity, a tremendous loss for the world, not only for Christians," he told Reuters. Francis was the first pope in three decades to visit Timor-Leste, Asia's youngest, predominantly-Catholic nation. That 2024 trip also took him to Papua New Guinea - the only country in the Pacific region that he ever travelled to as pope. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, expressed his sadness in a letter to the leader of the diplomatic mission of the Vatican in India. "His Holiness Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others ... consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life. The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can," the Dalai Lama wrote. In the pope's Easter message on Sunday, a day before his passing, he made special mention of Myanmar, which is reeling March 28 earthquake that killed thousands. "During this time, let us not fail to assist the people of Myanmar, plagued by long years of armed conflict, who, with courage and patience, are dealing with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Sagaing," the message said. "We pray for the victims and their loved ones." In 2017, he had visited Myanmar, also known as Burma, and met with not just its democratically then-leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, but its military chief who four years later launched a coup that ignited a civil war. Francis has since made frequent appeals for peace and for the plight of Christian minorities and stateless Rohingya Muslims. Maran Seng Naw, a Catholic devotee in Myitkyina, the capital of Myanmar's Kachin State, expressed sorrow Monday on the death of Francis. "What's even more heartbreaking is that he brought global attention to Burma he spoke more about it, highlighted its struggles, and prayed more for it. Losing someone like him is truly a great loss," he said. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, president of Singapore, said Francis's unwavering compassion, humility, and dedication to humanity inspired many in the city state, where he visited in 2024, as did his message of peace. "The world too has lost a voice for the poor and those in dire straits. A voice for peace in a world of wars. A voice for action to address climate change and avoid its devastating effects on people. Above all, a voice of hope and unity," Shanmugaratnam wrote on social media platform, Facebook. Francis was a tireless advocate on climate change and its impact on the poor - concerns he spelled out in 2015 in a 184-page encyclical, his first papal letter to the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church. "Obstructionist attitudes, even on the part of believers, can range from denial of the problem to indifference, nonchalant resignation or blind confidence in technical solutions. We require a new and universal solidarity," he wrote. When it came to relations with China, Francis sought to improve ties, with mixed results. In 2018, China and the Vatican signed an agreement on the appointment of bishops under which China would propose candidates for bishops, and the Pope would select them. In 2022 and 2023, China appointed two bishops without the authorization of the Vatican, which accused China of violating the agreement, which was nevertheless renewed. On Monday, China's Xinhua news agency and state-run CCTV briefly reported the pope's death Monday with one sentence quoting the announcement by the Vatican. There was no immediate official reaction. By contrast, the Taiwanese government announced it will send envoys to the pope's funeral and that the Presidential Office and the Executive Yuan will fly flags at half-mast for two days. The Vatican is one of only 12 countries to maintain formal diplomatic relations with Chinese-claimed Taiwan. During his tenure, Francis faced some criticism for being 'pro-China' and for not speaking out about the persecution of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. Rushan Abbas, executive chair of the World Uyghur Congress, expressed sincere condolences to the Catholic church and its members Monday and paid tribute to the pope's "lifelong commitment to justice, compassion, and the dignity of the oppressed." "While we mourn his loss, we also reflect on the painful silence that surrounded the Uyghur genocide during his papacy. As the Church prepares for new leadership, we pray that the next Holy Father will raise his voice in defense of the Uyghur people and all those suffering under authoritarian oppression," she said. In South Korea, both the ruling and main opposition parties expressed sorrow. The opposition Democratic Party of Korea called him "a friend to the poor," and the ruling People Power Party said it would do its utmost to establish peace on the divided Korean Peninsula, "remembering his words that 'peace is not merely the absence of war, but the result of justice.'" RFA Burmese, Korean, Mandarin, Uyghur and Tibetan services contributed reporting. Edited by Mat Pennington. Updated with reaction from Singapore and Myanmar and adds background on the pope's advocacy on climate change. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pope Francis, Pioneering Pontiff Who 'Inspired Millions,' Dies Aged 88 By RFE/RL April 21, 2025 Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 after battling a serious bout of double pneumonia. Despite his illness, his death came as a shock after he had been driven around St. Peter's Square to greet cheering crowds on Easter Sunday. "Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis," Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced on the Vatican's TV channel on April 21. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father," he said. Francis, who had also delivered a blessing at this year's Easter services a day before his death, was the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from the Americas, the first Jesuit, and the first pontiff born outside Europe in over a millennium. At the Vatican, locals, tourists, and pilgrims visiting for Easter expressed their shock and grief. "This is something that really hits you hard," Rome resident Emanuela Tinari told Reuters. "He was a pope who brought so many people closer to the church. He was not appreciated by everyone. But he definitely was by ordinary people." Tributes have also been pouring in for the late pontiff from leaders around the world. Russian President Vladimir Putin published a statement saying Francis "enjoyed great international authority as a faithful servant of Christian teaching, a wise religious statesman, and a consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice." "Throughout his pontificate, he actively contributed to the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See," he said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also praised the pope's tenure, describing the pontiff as someone who "knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity." "He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians," he added. "We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!" 'Painful And Shameful' -- Pope Francis On The Ukraine War Pope Francis, who died on April 21, Easter Monday, did not deliver his final annual Angelus address in person. But the text of his address said the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24 was "a painful and shameful occasion for all of humanity." He went on to voice "solidarity with the martyred Ukrainian people." The Pontiff's death-bed statement was his last attempt to give the Vatican a voice in the conflict. While he was clearly sympathetic to the plight of Ukrainians, Pope Francis' previous interventions were not always welcomed by Kyiv. He raised particular ire in March 2024 by calling on Ukraine to find "the courage of the white flag" to enter peace talks with Russia. He later said that the "first condition" for peace was that Russia "put an end to its aggression." But earlier, his avoidance of specific criticism of Russia was a cause of frustration. In June 2022, he condemned the "cruelty" of Russian forces while also suggesting the war was "perhaps somehow provoked." This echoed a Kremlin argument, repeatedly made without evidence, that it was forced to attack. -- By Ray Furlong, senior international correspondent "Rest in Peace Pope Francis!" US President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post. "May God Bless him and all who loved him!" Trump announced later on the same social media platform that he and first lady Melania Trump would attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. Trump's predecessor also praised Frances social media. "He promoted equity and an end to poverty and suffering across the globe," said Joe Biden, himself a devout Roman Catholic. US Vice President JD Vance, who met with the pontiff on April 20, said his heart "goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said "the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis," adding that "he inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate." Moldovan President Maia Sandu also expressed regret at the news of Francis's death, saying that he had "tirelessly promoted compassion and social justice" and "led with love, stood by the vulnerable, and called for unity in times of division." Her comments were echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who said the pope had been "a man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and the most fragile." Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Francis would be remembered for his "tireless commitment to the weakest in society." UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer tweeted that he was "deeply saddened" by Francis's death. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban responded to the news with a short a Facebook post that included a picture of him with the late pontiff. "Thank you for everything, Holy Father," he said. "We bid you farewell." An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman voiced sadness over Francis's death, saying that he offered "condolences to all Christians around the world." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Francis was "a spiritual leader who gave importance to dialogue between different faith groups and took the initiative in the face of humanitarian tragedies, especially the Palestinian issue and the genocide in Gaza." Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Kosovar President Vjosa Osmani, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic also posted tributes to the pope. A Papacy Focused On Social Justice Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the son of Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis worked as a chemical technician before entering the Jesuits in 1958. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and became the provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina from 1973 to 1979. In 1998, he was appointed archbishop of Buenos Aires. Three years later, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope John Paul II. Elected Pope in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, he chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, reflecting his commitment to humility and the poor. His papacy was marked by a focus on mercy, social justice, and environmental stewardship. In 2015, Pope Francis issued the encyclical "Laudato si'," calling for global action on climate change and care for the environment. He also emphasized interfaith dialogue, notably signing the Document on Human Fraternity with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Egypt, Ahmed el-Tayeb, in 2019, a landmark agreement promoting peace and coexistence among different faiths. 'A Poor Church For The Poor' Pope Francis was known for his pastoral approach, advocating for a "poor Church for the poor" and reaching out to marginalized communities. He made efforts to reform the Vatican's financial systems and address alleged clerical sexual abuse within the church. In 2025, he published his autobiography, "Hope," offering insights into his life and papal mission. In his later years, Pope Francis faced several health challenges. In 2021, he underwent colon surgery to address diverticulitis, and in 2023, he had abdominal surgery to repair a hernia. He also experienced chronic knee and back pain, often using a wheelchair for mobility. Despite these issues, he maintained a rigorous schedule, continuing his pastoral duties and international travels. In early 2025, Pope Francis was hospitalized with a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, which developed into double pneumonia. His condition remained complex, requiring an extended hospital stay. He had been discharged from hospital on March 23. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/francis-pope-roman-catholic- church-dead/33391331.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address by Rafael Newman If I were asked to name the creed in which I was raised, the ideology that presented itself to me in the garb of nature, I would proceed by elimination. It wasnt Judaism, although my fathers parents were orthodox Jewish immigrants from the Czarist Pale, and we celebrated Passover with them as long as we lived in Montreal. It certainly wasnt Christianity, despite my maternal grandparents birth in protestant regions of the German-speaking world; and it wasnt the Communism Franz and Eva initially espoused in their new Canadian home, until the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact put an end to their fellow traveling in 1939. Nor can I claim our tribal allegiance to have been to psychoanalysis, my mothers professional and personal access to secular Jewish culture, although most of my relatives have had some contact, whether fleeting or intensive, paid or paying, with psychotherapysince the legitimate objections raised by many of them to the limits of classical Freudian theory prevent it from serving wholesale as our ancestral faith, no matter the extent to which a belief in depth psychology and the foundational importance of psychosexual development informs our discussions of family dynamics. No, our house religion was social democracy. Our family commitment to sexual and racial equality, socialized medicine, decolonization, and government regulation of the market was manifest, of course, in a geographically and historically conditioned form: in electoral loyalty to the NDP, Canadas mainstream progressive party, founded in 1932 as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and renamed the New Democratic Party in 1961. Our family credo held that the Liberal Party of Canada, known as the Grits, might look progressive enough, but their instincts would always be pro-business; any socially progressive policies they may have championed had been forced on them by their marriages of parliamentary convenience with the New Democrats. As for the Tories, Canadas Conservatives, they were simply out of the question for progressives: its in the name. My choice of the NDP in the ballot box, when I came of voting age, was thus at once more, and less, than a deliberate commitment: it was a reflex, almost an instinct. It was second nature. My first proper induction into retail politics was at the age of 14, several years before I was eligible to vote; and it involved working on a by-election campaign for the local NDP candidate in our Ontario riding of Broadview. Before we moved east to Toronto, from the Vancouver suburbs where we spent the mid-1970s, I had already twice ventured into political activism: once visiting a meeting of the local Trotskyist cell, where I was amazed to encounter my high school French teacher; and once at a rally for divestment by Canadian banks in then-apartheid South Africa. (This is not counting my fabled instrumentalization as an infant, when my mother protested the sale of Californian grapes at our local Steinbergs grocery store in 1960s Montreal, holding me aloft, like Andromache for extra pathos, as she cited Cesar Chavez and the NFWA.) Now, in 1978, freshly arrived in our new home in east-central Toronto, I was encouraged by my parents to volunteer in support of Bob Rae, who would go on, at 30, to win his first federal seat for the NDP that October and would remain a member of parliament for over two decades. My younger brother Adam, not yet 13, joined me, on a crew distributing and mounting lawn signs advertising Bob Rae as the NDP candidate. We reported for duty and were assigned to accompany another volunteer, an older man with a pickup, making the rounds of a Greektown neighborhood not far from our cooperative housing estate on Bain Avenue, across the Don Valley. We loaded the signscardboard placards in the partys signature orange stapled to wooden stakesinto the back of his truck and set off, filled with pride in our fulfilment of a family duty. It wasnt long, however, before our allegiance to the common faith was tested, when we were confronted with the contradictions of political affiliation, the notorious strange bed-fellows created by common travail. Barely pulled away from the curb, our driver revealed himself to be an advocate of the socialism of fools as he began to rail against the alleged Jewish cabal behind Pierre Trudeau, then still Liberal prime minister of Canada. Adam and I were silent, struggling inwardly with the need to protest his outrageous antisemitism but cowed by the mans seniority, ashamed of our own craven inhibition and terrified that our diffidence would be understood as complicity by our vicious companion. Perhaps, too, we were discomfited by an absurd and secret fear: that there was some truth in the conspiracy theory, since our Jewish grandfather, an outlier in the extended family, had been voting for the Liberals since he came of age in Canada. Our Zaidehs extravagant veneration for Trudeau was largely due to the prime ministers declaration of the War Measures Act, during the October Crisis of 1970, in response to terrorist violence by the FLQ, a Quebec separatist organization, whose ethnonationalism was perceived as a threat to the provinces Jewish community. At any rate, we were mollified when, some days later, on the eve of election day proper, we attended a rally for volunteers to get out the vote at which we were addressed by Stephen Lewis, the charismatic leader of Ontarios provincial NDP, the son of David Lewis, a founding NDP politicianand himself a Jew. And, in the years since, Bob Rae, to all appearances a typically Anglo-Scottish Canadian, has discovered and publicly discussed his own partly Jewish ancestry, and has married into a prominent Jewish-Canadian family. However, another, more significant development in Bob Raes political career since that 1978 by-election proved to be a greater test of our family faith, as well as a symptom of a perennial problem for supporters of Canadas third party, after the Liberals and the Conservatives, who have alternated in federal power for most of Canadas existence. After serving as the premier of Ontario from 1990 to 1995, having formed the first provincial NDP government east of Manitoba, Rae left the New Democrats and returned to the Liberals, with whom he had been affiliated as a young man. He was interim leader of the federal Liberal Party from 2011 to 2013 but never actually served as prime minister; the culmination of Raes career today is his service as Canadas Ambassador to the UN. Bob Raes move was an outgrowth of the NDPs pursuit of a progressive agenda at the federal level, typically in alliance, if not coalition, with the centrist Liberal Party against the Conservatives. At some point, it was inevitable that members of the right wing of the NDP, like Rae, would see their fortunes better served as bona fide Liberals, with a chance of holding actual power, rather than as eternal also-rans for the NDP, delivering tireless Jeremiads on the excesses of capitalism while gradually forcing the Grits to adopt socialized healthcare and other progressive programs. Rae was evidently keen, after his tenure as provincial leader, to taste federal power, which had always eluded the New Democrats; and his ideological discomfort with the leftward shift of the NDP during the early years of the new millennium made crossing the floor easier. This is the predicament currently facing my family still in Canada, where I have not been a resident for decades and thus am no longer eligible to vote. With the recent political upheavals caused by the breakdown of agreements between the NDP and the Liberals last year, the resignation of a high-ranking member of Justin Trudeaus government, and the prime ministers own departure this past March, following a steep decline in his approval ratings, the mounting fortunes of the opposition Conservative Party have suddenly been reversed and the Liberals, under the leadership of Mark Carney, bid fair to win the snap election called for next week, on April 28. All of this is given added urgency, of course, by the second election of Donald Trump, by his scattershot policy of economic aggression, and by his menacing talk of annexation. Lifelong NDP supporters are thus being called upon not to split the center-left vote but to plump straightforwardly for the Grits, and thus potentially give them a majority: so as to properly defeat the Tories under Pierre Poilievre, their reactionary, Trump-lite leader, and to strengthen the hand of ex-central banker Carney when he deals with threats, economic and otherwise, from the south. A childhood friend from Montreal, now a senior executive at a left-leaning polling company in Toronto and a lifelong NDP supporter, has been posting darkly about the dangers of such strategic voting: If you genuinely feel you need to hold your nose and vote for Mark Carney as the lesser of two evils in the election that is your right and, depending on what riding you live in, it may make sense. But dont try to fool yourself into believing Carney is some sort of closet social democrat. He is NOT. He is a right of centre, neoliberal, blue grit, defender of the status quo who will likely represent a throw back to the Paul Martin austerity years of the 90s. Is he far less of a threat to the future of our society than Pierre Poilievre? Absolutely! Does that mean he will be a good PM who will actually improve anything in Canada? All I can say is Caveat emptor. To me he simply represents a bullet being dodged. Some people say Carney has said a few nice things about how he actually believes that climate change is happening and that something should be done about ityou know who else wrote and said a lot about being deeply concerned about climate change? Boris Johnson. Big deal. It does feel like the rise of rightwing extremism, around the world and especially in the US, is frightening progressive voters (those who have not yet been alienated by divisions on the left over Gaza or Ukraine) into a closer compromise with otherwise anathema centrists. Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the federal New Democrats, is judged to have fared well enough in the recent leadership debates among the four major parties (the Grits, the Tories, the NDP, and the Bloc Quebecois, a regional party which, like the Bavarian CSU in Germany, absurdly runs for federal office)but Singhs insistence on the importance of preserving and expanding Canadas socialized healthcare system is widely accounted a parochial distraction from the grave existential threat of tariffs and invasion. And in any case, the idea of sending a youngish, turbaned career politician of color to negotiate with Trump and his coterie of hyenas, rather than an older, more conventionally attired, WASPy central banker, evidently strikes fear into the hearts of the most committed Canadian social democrats. But who can say what is the best progressive approach to the present American regime, whose hideous character is still in the process of revealing itself? This past April 1, on the eve of Trumps disastrous Liberation Day of universal tariffs and economic chaos, the celebrated historian Timothy Snyder attempted an archeology of the Trumpian phenomenon as he presented this years annual Robert B. Silvers Lecture at the New York Public Library. In The New PaganismA Framework for Understanding Our Politics, Snyder presented his theory of the current rise of authoritarianism, in the United States in particular, as the rebirth of an earlier phase of western societal organization, now in a new form. Snyder elaborated what was effectively an anti-Hegelian dialectic, in which thesis and antithesis would not culminate in a beautiful Aufhebung, but rather give rise to a farcical distortion, an afterbirth of history in which the features of an allegedly restored Golden Age are recognizable only as grotesque negations of their putative ancestor. With a model of history so grand and sweeping, he joked, that it would relieve him of the standard obligation to write up his lecture as a contribution to the sober and rigorous New York Review of Books, Snyder sketched what he described as a succession of three natures, or Umwelten, manifest as a series on the timeline of European history. Snyders first nature is exemplified by the pagan culture of the Vikings, in which language is used to communicate with the world, not control it, oracles are mysterious and unpredictable, sacrifice (of humans) has a crucial political function, value is a numinous property inherent in material belongings, displayed in potlatch-like festivals of gifting, and capable of being transported into the afterlife, and charisma is a tangible quality indispensable to the valiant warrior-headman. His third nature, the New Paganism of his lecture title, is in every point both a revival and a travesty of the first, a world in which language, having come in the intervening period to control the world rather than communicate with it, now conveys untruth; in which oracles are the computer devices we carry around and consult at every turn, rendering us the tools of an alliance between oligarchies, whether the hydrocarbon (Putin) or the digital (Musk); in which sacrifice has lost its sacred meaning to become the pure enactment of sado-populism, as the abduction and incarceration of illegal immigrants is filmed and broadcast for snuff-porn enjoyment; in which value is synonymous with monetary worth, and is to be amassed and preserved, rather than exchanged or distributed; and in which charisma has become the signal property of a new type of Viking chief, one who displays his power not on the battlefield, in feats of tremendous personal courage, but rather in cynical cowardice, by commanding his minions to carry out acts of cruelty and violence in his name, by allying himself with erstwhile enemies, and by turning on the weak in a gesture of half-understood Nietzschean transvaluation. Between the two of these Umwelten, the antithesis of both and the filter through which the first is refracted as the monstrous third, is Snyders second nature: the world of monotheism, the renunciation of human sacrifice for its symbolic enactment, an anthropocentric relationship with nature pursued by means of linguistic control, and the decalogic ethics that would eventually give rise to humanism, the Enlightenment, and modernity. And in addition, if very distantly, via periodic, chiliastic appeals to an egalitarian primitive Christianity, it has been the wellspring of social democracy. It was clear that Snyder was not calling explicitly for a return to this intermediate phase, characterized as it was by the very chauvinistic Christianity and extractive colonialism that have helped to produce our current malaise. But he did issue a plea for a revived humanism, for intensified study of the humanities, as a counter to the present regime of anti-humanism, indeed inhumanity. The plea came as he closed his remarks with a statement regarding his recent move from Yale University to the University of Toronto: contrary to popular belief, he explained, he had not decided precipitously to leave the United States upon Trumps election, but had in fact been planning the move for some time, and for personal reasons. He would still be making appearances in the country of his birth, he promised, practicing the humanities there as elsewhere, and running the risk of harassment, or worse, by the current regime. And he urged us to put aside our differences and unite, to make common cause: for it is a typical fault of the American left, he noted, that it has been more willing to set upon its own adherents, than to join forces against a common opponent. Tony Judt, Snyders late mentor, remarked ruefully in Ill Fares the Land: A Treatise On Our Present Discontents (2010), one of his last works, that social democracy has seemed to enjoy its greatest success in small, ethnically unified countrieshis examples, as it happens, are drawn from the latter-day Scandinavian Umwelt of Snyders first naturesince it can be hard to get people to feel the selfless compassion and solidarity necessary for social justice with Others, with people unlike them in descent and custom: The kind of society where trust is widespread is likely to be fairly compact and quite homogenous. The most developed and successful welfare states of Europe are Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Austria, with Germany (formerly West Germany) as an interesting outlier. Most of these countries have very small populations: of the Scandinavian lands only Sweden tops 6 million inhabitants and between them all they comprise less people than Tokyo. Canada is rather larger than most of these, and certainly more heterogenous. However my friends and relatives on the left vote on April 28, whether strategically by riding or ideologically by conviction, I hope they will be able to unite with other progressives following the election, whatever its outcome, and to demonstrate the possibility of social democracy in a country as ethnically and culturally diverse as ours, in what will surely be a painful contest with a southern neighbor intent on evacuating its own, and others, commitment to these very same shared values. Let us hope for the construction of a new and different third Umwelt, drawing its power in part from the humanism that has been second nature to my Canadian family. US Airstrikes Kill at Least 12 in Yemen's Sana'a - Houthi Health Ministry Sputnik News 20250421 DOHA (Sputnik) - At least 12 people were killed in US airstrikes on a market and residential area in the center of Yemen's capital of Sana'a, and another 30 were injured, the health ministry of Shia movement Ansar Allah (Houthi) said. "According to preliminary data, the death toll as a result of US aggression against the market and the Farwa district has reached 12 people, and another 30 were injured," the ministry said in a statement, as reported by Yemen's Al Masirah broadcaster. According to the ministry, ambulance and civil defense teams continue to search for victims under the rubble of houses destroyed by the strikes. Earlier, US aircraft struck the Ras Isa oil port in Yemen's western governorate of Al Hudaydah, killing 80 people and injuring more than 150, mostly port workers and postal employees. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UK firmly rejects all acts designed to destabilise Haiti: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor 21 April 2025 Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 21 April 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) The UK is extremely concerned by the significant escalation of violence in Haiti. Over 2,600 Haitians have been murdered over the past three months, including nearly 400 women and children. We continue to hear horrifying accounts of sexual and gender-based violence targeting women, girls and boys. One third of cases of sexual violence against children in Haiti in 2024 were gang rapes. Through coordinated attacks on civilian communities, including the deliberate destruction of schools, churches and businesses, gangs continue to target the innocent and inflict horror on the people of Haiti. Mr President, there are troubling reports of coordination between criminal gangs in order to destabilise Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council as they try to ensure security across the country. We firmly reject all acts designed to destabilise Haiti. The UK is committed to maintaining pressure via the implementation of sanctions on those who seek to destabilise Haiti, and we call for the full implementation of the UN sanctions regime and the arms embargo in Haiti. The UK supports the efforts of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council, Prime Minister Fils-Aime and all stakeholders to work towards a secure and stable Haiti. But now is the time for even greater action to restore security and to allow for elections to enable a transfer of power to an elected successor in February 2026. This includes an urgent need for the Haitian National Police, supported by the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, to re-establish control over all areas of Port-au-Prince. The UK thanks Kenya for its continued leadership of the MSS mission and pays tribute to those, both Kenyan and Haitian, who have lost their lives in the pursuit of restoring security for the Haitian people. In light of the deteriorating security situation, it is clear that the MSS mission and the Haitian security forces need to be adequately supported to fulfil their mission. This Council needs urgently to consider the recommendations of the Secretary General and agree how we can support the enhanced UN security support to Haiti. Collectively, we must find a way to deliver stability and lasting peace for the people of Haiti. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Haiti faces 'point of no return' as gang violence fuels chaos By Vibhu Mishra 21 April 2025 - Haiti is on the verge of "total chaos" as coordinated gang violence continues to escalate, threatening the State's ability to maintain public order, the UN's top envoy for the country warned on Monday. Special Representative Maria Isabel Salvador told ambassadors in the Security Council that a "deliberate and coordinated" campaign is being waged by organized crime groups to expand territorial control and paralyse the capital, Port-au-Prince. Recent gang attacks have targeted previously unaffected areas such as Delmas and Petion-Ville, while the storming of the town of Mirebalais marked the fifth prison break in less than a year. "The magnitude of the violence has sown panic among the population," Ms. Salvador said. In February and March, more than 1,000 people were killed and nearly 400 injured, according to UN figures. A further 60,000 have been newly displaced, adding to the one million Haitians already forced from their homes as of late 2024. In the face of rampant violence, many Haitians have formed protection groups to safeguard property, families and communities. Public frustration has also prompted thousands of citizens to take to the streets, demanding more security. International support vital While authorities have taken steps - within their limited means - to reinforce security operations and policing, these efforts alone are insufficient. Ms. Salvador stressed the urgent need for the international community to step up support. "At this critical juncture, all Member States must increase support to Haiti's security forces, particularly the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission - not as a matter of choice but of necessity," she said. "The country needs us more than ever," she added. Authorised by the Security Council in October 2023, the MSS Mission is an international security initiative to assist the Haitian National Police in combating gang violence and restoring public order. Led by Kenya, the mission provides operational support, capacity-building, and coordinates with police and the armed forces. However, it continues to face severe challenges, including lack of resources and personnel. UN operations strained The crisis is affecting all aspects of life in Haiti. Commercial flights into Port-au-Prince remain suspended and key roads are blocked, straining UN operations and forcing agencies to reduce their footprint and provide lifesaving support remotely. However, even minimal operations are becoming unsustainable due to funding shortfalls. "The UN's ability to stay operational hinges on continued access, predictable funding and support to logistical lifelines like the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS)," Ms. Salvador said, warning that any further reduction in aid capacity could have dire consequences. Fears of total collapse The worsening situation has also crippled health and education services. At least 39 health facilities and over 900 schools have shut down due to insecurity. Cholera outbreaks are spreading, and sexual and gender-based violence is on the rise - especially in displacement sites where shelter, sanitation and protection are severely lacking. Ms. Salvador emphasised that while national authorities are doing what they can to coordinate security efforts, they lack the resources and capacity to counter well-armed and coordinated gangs without external assistance. "We are approaching a point of no return," she said. "Without timely and decisive international support, the violence will continue to escalate, and Haiti could face total collapse." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Haiti 'Running Out of Time', Delegate Warns Security Council, Noting Possible Fall of Capital to Gangs Cannot Be Allowed Meetings Coverage Security Council 9902nd Meeting* (AM) SC/16047 21 April 2025 The situation in Haiti has reached a pivotal moment and is further deteriorating and approaching what is likely to become "a point of no return", requiring urgent international attention and political will to address the rapid erosion of that country's statehood, briefers told the Security Council today. Highlighting how organized criminal groups since late January have launched coordinated attacks to expand territorial control, undermine State authority and stretch national forces, Maria Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), said the most recent attack in Mirebalais saw gangs seizing that city and orchestrating a prison break the fifth in under a year in which over 500 inmates were released. Meanwhile, in February and March 2025, 1,086 people were killed, 383 injured and more than 60,000 forcibly displaced added to the 1 million as of December 2024. She underscored the importance of future measures aimed at strengthening security institutions, noting that "any effort by the Haitian Government will not be enough to significantly reduce the intensity and violence of criminal groups". Therefore, the international community must ramp up support for the Caribbean nation, "particularly through increased funding and operational capacity for the Multinational Security Support mission". Calling on the Security Council to renew its engagement and support for the Sanctions Committee and Panel of Experts including by adding names to the Sanctions List and urging Member States to fully enforce the arms embargo, she urged the 15-member organ to "remain engaged and answer the urgent needs of the country and its people". On the country's political process, she said that, with the Transitional Presidential Council, led by Fritz Jean, reaffirming that elections towards a democratically elected Government will be held in February 2026, BINUH has together with Haitian authorities taken steps to advance related endeavours. "Despite this progress, many are concerned about the feasibility of the timetable, as the deteriorating security situation is jeopardizing preparations essential for an inclusive, participatory and credible referendum and elections," she said. Monica Juma, National Security Adviser to the President of Kenya, said that the gangs, under the Viv Ansanm coalition, are coordinating attacks within and beyond Port Au Prince. The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission is therefore working on strengthening Haiti's national capabilities, although the current deployment stands at 1,000 personnel, less than 40 per cent of the anticipated 2, 500 personnel provided for in the concept of operations. Despite considerable challenges, she continued, the Haitian National Police, in collaboration with mission forces, has launched intensive anti-gang operations, denying gangs a stronghold on the country. And because the mission "is operating at suboptimal level in terms of numbers of officers in theatre, types and range of assets available to the mission", an urgent expansion of its personnel is essential. While the mission is working on curbing the flow of illegal weapons and ammunitions to spoilers and gangs, the Council must take a more assertive role in Haiti's stabilization and continue to demonstrate the same unity of purpose in the upcoming deliberations on the country Haiti. "Haiti is much more than a country in crisis, it is a country in full-blown conflict," said Pascale Solages, Co-Founder and General Coordinator of NEGES MAWON. Noting that nine feminist and human rights organizations, including hers, have presented reports and provided support to over 3,000 women and girls in the past 10 months, she said Haiti's women's reality is "more than figures and reports", but "names, faces, dreams, destinies and lives that have been broken". She narrated incidents of specific individuals who experienced horrendous atrocities, including gang rape, consequent murder and attempted suicide, pointing out that, beyond "only being victims", Haitian women are also "active players in the change we are demanding" despite the risks and almost entire lack of resources. "We are stating what we need, and we refuse to be simply overlooked," she said, regretting that, despite the Constitution's requirement of 30 per cent representation of women in decision-making fora, her country's female folk are "entirely underrepresented" in the Transition Council and other decision-making organs. Recommending a full implementation of the women, peace and security agenda, she noted that "because inclusion means more than just box-ticking", a feminist approach must be implemented. Further, the Security Council should impose binding measures preventing weapons inflow into Haiti, prominently from the United States. For its part, Haiti's Government should strengthen specialized gender-based violence units and include them within the national police and the Multinational Security Support mission. In the debate that followed, delegates highlighted the sad plight of women and children concerning sexual violence as well as the increasing influence of armed gangs in the country. "Haiti is running out of time," warned Denmark's delegate, as she noted that, with 85 per cent of Port au Prince under the control of armed gangs, even as they continue to expand their arsenals and territory, "the fall of the capital into the hands of gangs is a possibility we cannot dismiss and cannot allow." Improving security must therefore be prioritized alongside an urgent address of the country's dire human rights and humanitarian situations. She further urged the Transitional Council and key stakeholders to "work together, fight corruption and prioritize the security and well-being of the Haitian people over personal gain". The representative of the United States said that the security situation in Haiti is seriously hampering BINUH's mandate to address the unprecedented challenges posed by gangs. "There remain deep concerns regarding safety and security in the Port Au Prince area." She condemned the actions of those who commit abuses of office and work with the gangs. "An environment permissive to such maligned activities will only continue to fuel the gang violence and ensure that the situation is never resolved," she added. The United States Government encourages international stakeholders and donors to come to the table and contribute their fair share because "America cannot continue to shoulder such a significant financial burden", she added. For Guyana's delegate, who also spoke for Algeria, Sierra Leone and Somalia, the killing of innocent civilians by armed gangs must be condemned as the growing insecurity has had devastating consequences on the Haitian people. "The Security Council cannot resign itself to accepting the status quo," she said, urging the organ to provide the necessary support to strengthen security and stabilize in Haiti. "The unutterable suffering endured by the Haitian people calls for our prompt and decisive action, including the full respect for and implementation of this Council's arms embargo," the speaker for Slovenia said, calling for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need. She welcomed the recent decision by the Haitian authorities to establish specialized judicial units to investigate and prosecute these and other serious crimes. Some speakers also advocated for specific national, regional and international solutions to help in addressing the country's challenges. Panama's delegate asked: "What kind of life can someone who is fearing for their survival have?" He called on the UN to play a greater role in Haiti and provide adequate human and financial resources. BINUH must include a specialized unit that supports Haitian authorities in the implementation of an arms embargo, he said. Pakistan's representative, observing that the "growing mistrust in the current political dispensation threatens not only Haiti's future, but also the stability of the wider region", called for a broad and inclusive Haitian-led and Haitian-owned process; likewise, the involvement of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Echoing that position, the delegate of the Russian Federation said the long-term solution to the Haitian crisis is the responsibility of the Haitian people themselves. Noting that "the arms embargo, which is nominally in effect has not prevented the criminal groups from replenishing their arsenals", she said that the United State has not undertaken the necessary measures to "halt the illegal flow of weapons" into Haiti. Sanctions cannot become a decisive factor in countering crime. There is therefore a need to reinforce national law enforcement bodies. For the speaker for the Republic of Korea, improving security must be a top priority as "there is no time to waste on political infighting". Calling out the United States in its economic bullying which is not just aimed at so-called competitors like his country, China's representative described as "profoundly heartbreaking" Washington, D.C.'s, actions on Haiti, which is on the edge of collapse. Its arms embargo has "always been perfunctory in its implementation" allowing illegal weapons to flow into Haiti from Florida. "As a result, Haitian gangs are even better equipped than the Haitian police," he said, and urged the Caribbean nation "to move away from the mindset of waiting, relying and requesting" and show true accountability and prioritize the allocation of limited resources towards the security and well-being of the people. The delegates of Greece and the United Kingdom stressed the need to restore security and rule of law in Haiti, with the former noting that a strengthened National Police will curb the rising numbers of homicides, abductions, destruction of public and private property and protect the most vulnerable groups of the population. For the former, such an action will pave the way for a proper conduct of the February 2026 elections. Speaking in his national capacity, the representative of France, Council President for April, called for implementation of sanctions on gang-supporting quarters. "This Council must use all levers that it has to combat the gangs and transnational organized crime networks fuelling them," he said. Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti, chose to only "highlight some of the progress that has been achieved", stating that, during the formal reopening of the Court of First Instance on 31 March in Port-au-Prince, his Government announced a "historic investment" of 31 billion gourde for the Haitian national police, 7 billion gourde for acquisition of strategic equipment and 4.4 billion gourde for the modernization of the Haitian armed forces. Further, initiatives which seek to restore authority of the State, protect citizens and guarantee access to justice, "as well as to rebuild the foundations of governance", have been put in place to counter impunity, relaunch the judicial system and restore trust in public institutions. Notwithstanding these and other international efforts, "it is evident" that the results "have been far from the goals that have been set". However, his Government has obligations to explore all ways to definitively eradicate the issues of armed gangs in Haiti and stands ready to discuss with and support traditional parties in all efforts to this end. For his part, Roberto Alvarez Gil, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, said the human tragedy experienced daily in its neighbour's territory has been identified as one of the 10 main conflicts to monitor in the world in 2025. "We cannot stand idly by" as sexual violence against women and girls has "reached harrowing levels". These are not just statistics but lives which have been "irrevocably destroyed". The international community must act urgently. __________ * The 9901st Meeting was closed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turbo Weasel sharpens warfighting readiness through realistic joint training Published April 21, 2025 By Airman 1st Class Demi .M. Ebert 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron participated in exercise Turbo Weasel at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, March 18-26 and April 8-17. Turbo Weasel is a dynamic air exercise designed to support the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses mission, simulating realistic, high-intensity conditions. The primary goal is to replicate an intricate, real-world battlespace. "There's no substitute for the kind of dynamic environment we create during Turbo Weasel," said Capt. Nick Mondragon, 480th FS F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot. "The sheer number of moving parts and aircraft in the air simultaneously makes it an invaluable training opportunity, one that simply can't be replicated in a simulator." Turbo Weasel empowered the 480th FS to certify several fighter pilots as SEAD wingmen, flight leads and instructor pilots, with complex challenges allowing the aviators to hone their skill-sets. "Being exposed to a large number of aircraft in a shared airspace, while executing a complex mission, pushes our skills to the limit," Mondragon said. "That kind of experience is essential for combat readiness." The 480th FS teamed up with the 555th Fighter Squadron, known as the Triple Nickel, stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Additionally, U.S. units from various global locations provided tanker support to facilitate long-range sorties. "Working with pilots who specialize in different mission sets challenges us to adapt our tactics in real time," Mondragon said. "It helps us become more flexible and responsive in joint operations." Maintenance crews quickly inspected, repaired and turned jets around to meet tight sortie timelines. This opportunity provided valuable training for the entire airfield support structure and reinforced the importance of seamless teamwork between operations and maintenance. "With longer, more demanding sorties, the aircraft return with maintenance needs we don't typically see during routine training flights," Mondragon said. "It gives our maintenance teams an opportunity to troubleshoot and sustain jets under more realistic operational conditions." Turbo Weasel advances force readiness and warfighting capabilities through realistic training and integrated operations. It ensures the Air Force remains agile, lethal and ready to meet the demands of tomorrow's fight. "Exercises like this don't just build pilot proficiency, they prepare our entire unit to deploy and execute under pressure," Mondragon said. "It directly supports the mission of the 480th FS and the broader objectives of the Air Force." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 124th Medical Group opens new medical training facility Published April 21, 2025 By Staff Sgt. Jadyn Eisenbrandt 124th Fighter Wing GOWEN FIELD, ID (AFNS) -- The Idaho Air National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 17, at 2 p.m. to mark the opening of a new Medical Training Facility on Gowen Field for the 124th Fighter Wing. The building, which provides laboratories, exam rooms, administrative areas, classrooms, record storage and mobility-training storage for the 124th Fighter Wing's 124th Medical Group, was completed in March 2025. The new 10,550-square-foot facility was announced in March 2022 by Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson when federal funding was secured to begin the $8 million project. A ground-breaking ceremony was held a year later in July 2023, symbolizing the beginning of construction. "This is what our National Guard deserves for the work that they do for us," Simpson said. "They deserve the best equipment and the best facilities, and that's what we're trying to deliver here." The finished facility complies with patient privacy requirements and space authorized for military medical and training functions. "This facility plays a vital role in sustaining our operational readiness, ensuring that our forces remain agile and prepared for challenges of great power competition," said Brig. Gen. Shannon Smith, Idaho Air National Guard commander. "Investing in our facilities is an investment in our people and reinforces our commitment to excellence, not just in the medical field but in all we do, demonstrating to our adversaries that we are always ready to meet any challenges head-on." In addition to the new building, the project involved site improvements to include pavements, utilities, communication support, as well as demolition of three substandard buildings on the site. "Our medical team ensures the overall medical readiness of more than 1,300 Idaho Air National Guardsmen while training to care for warriors around the world and this facility provides the needed space and tools to accomplish that mission," said Col. Ryan Richardson, 124th Fighter Wing commander. "The completion of this medical building is a major milestone in the strategic modernization of the installation to support our warfighters." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address LAMAT 2025 culminates in Guyana Published April 21, 2025 By Tech. Sgt. Melissa Estevez 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFNS) -- The Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team 2025 mission concluded with a closing ceremony in Georgetown, Guyana, April 11. The event marked the successful completion of two weeks of intensive medical collaboration between U.S. military personnel and their Guyanese counterparts. The mission, conducted in hospitals and clinics across Guyana, aimed to strengthen partnerships, enhance medical proficiency and improve interoperability between the U.S. and Guyana. "This isn't the end of our journey, but a new beginning," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Melissa A. Coburn, 22nd Air Force commander. "The bonds we've created will continue to strengthen the ties between our military and the people of Guyana. We stand united and ready to face future challenges together." Nearly 60 U.S. military medical professionals participated, including Air Force active duty members, Air Force Reserve Command Airmen and U.S. Army soldiers. They worked alongside Guyanese counterparts to deliver essential medical care across five major medical facilities: Port Mourant Hospital, the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, the West Demerara Regional Hospital, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and the Cheddi Jagan Dental School. The mission was part of ongoing global health engagements led by Air Forces Southern. "Those of us in the military are tasked with being ready to deploy anywhere in the world at a moment's notice to provide support in crisis or conflict," said U.S. Air Force Col. Brian Gavitt, AFSOUTH command surgeon. "LAMAT tests thisit tests our ability to plan, move, organize and deliver results. It tests our adaptability and interoperability. It tests our teams by exposing them to diagnoses and conditions and equipment that they aren't familiar with." Over two weeks, U.S. and Guyanese medical teams worked side by side, providing primary care, surgical services, dental care, critical care, ophthalmology expertise and equipment repair. The mission also facilitated knowledge exchanges, allowing U.S. and Guyanese medical professionals to learn from each other, reinforcing the long-standing collaboration between the two nations. "I saw firsthand the dedication of our Airmen," Coburn said. "They brought not just their technical skills, but a genuine desire to serve. Working hand-in-hand with Guyanese medical professionals, they had a real impactwhether in the operating room, during consultations or behind the scenes managing logistics. Our combined teams showed just what we can achieve when we work together." During the mission, Airmen treated more than 1,721 patients, performed 273 surgical procedures and repaired 14 pieces of medical equipment. The mission provided over 2,000 hours of hands-on training in critical pre-deployment medical skills for U.S. medics and 205 hours of knowledge exchange, strengthening the deployment readiness of Reserve Airmen through real-world experience in cross-functional healthcare environments. Designed to enhance U.S. military medical readiness and build lasting partnerships, LAMAT is part of a broader U.S. Southern Command strategy to improve global health response capabilities through collaboration. "The most important goal is to demonstrate our readiness, and willingness to support our partner nations through global health initiatives," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Angella Mudd, 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron and LAMAT Guyana mission commander. "We have been focusing on our specific training needs and providing needed specialized care." As the LAMAT 2025 mission concludes, the shared experience of U.S. and Guyanese medical teams pave the way for future collaborations, strengthening military and medical ties between the two nations. "The hospitality of the Guyanese people and government have been so welcoming," Mudd said. "At every opportunity they have expressed their gratitude and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnerships in the future. Reserve Citizen Airmen are ready now to save livesnot just through hands-on treatment, but by investing in the future of our partner nations' healthcare systems." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US-Philippines joint drills with strategic and tactical weapons 'detested, opposed by regional countries' Global Times By Deng Xiaoci Published: Apr 22, 2025 12:41 AM US and Philippines armed forces launched their largest annual joint military exercise "Balikatan" on Monday. According to media reports, troops from the two countries are participating in this year's drills that are staged in western and northern Philippine locations facing South China Sea and the island of Taiwan, which are considered "regional flashpoints." Responding to media inquiry that a Philippine brigadier general claimed that Manila regards the annual joint military exercise with the US launched on Monday as a rehearsal for their defense, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that with the world being hit by unilateralism, protectionism and bullying, countries in this region have been calling for greater solidarity, coordination, and joint efforts to keep the region stable and respond to challenges. Against this backdrop, the Philippines chose to conduct the large-scale military drills with this country outside the region and brought in strategic and tactical weapons to the detriment of regional strategic stability and regional economic prospects, which puts them on the opposite side of regional countries. This act has been detested and opposed by regional countries, Guo said. Guo emphasized that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and is at the core of China's core interest. China firmly opposes any country using the Taiwan question as an excuse to strengthen military deployment in the region, heighten tensions and confrontation, and disturb regional peace and stability. We urge relevant sides not to make provocation on the Taiwan question. Those who play with fire will perish by it. Ding Duo, director of the Research Center for International and Regional Studies at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Monday that the locations and practice topics of this year's drills demonstrate a clear intent to counter China, which should raise China's vigilance. Approximately 17,000 troops are expected to participate in the exercises, which for the first time will include an integrated air and missile defense simulation to be attended by the Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the AFP reported Monday. Several launchers for the US anti-ship missile system, Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) were also reportedly deployed to northern Luzon, the Philippines' largest island, for the joint military exercise running through May 9, Newsweek reported. Despite the presence of US systems in the country, the Philippines has yet to establish any systemic combat capability, let alone using them in an actual conflict against China, Song Zhongping, a military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Monday. The US Department of Defense confirmed the NMESIS deployment to the Philippines on April 16, marking the system's first appearance on Philippine territory. Washington sees Manila merely as a compliant pawn and treats it as an arms market that it can exploit at will, Song said. In addition to the NMESIS, the Philippines has hosted a US Army Mid-Range Capability ground-based missile system, known as Typhon, since April last year. The system was deployed to northern Luzon for a joint exercise, and the two countries later decided to keep the launcher in the country indefinitely, Newsweek reported. At a press conference, the US Marine Corps stated that the NMESIS missile system would remain in the Philippines for future exercises if it was "appropriate and requested" by Manila, the report said. By allowing more US weapons to be deployed and even retained in the country afterward, the Philippines are hoping to use security bonding to further consolidate its alliance with the US, which offered Manila a sense of certainty in its illegal territorial expansion in the South China Sea, Ding explained. However, the Philippines should not misinterpret the deployment of American weapons as a reassurance for confronting China or stirring up the South China Sea. Any missile launched from a Philippine-controlled military base that poses a threat to China, that missile base could face counterattack, Song warned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 21 April 2025 - Day 1153 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 UK Ministry of Defence reported that the Russian education system is highly likely becoming increasingly politicised, militarised and ideologically driven, in accordance with the Russian state's broader objectives. This continues a trend which has notably increased since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Independent Russian media outlet Verstka reports the growing prevalence of texts in support of the so-called 'Special Military Operation, anti-West work, Soviet literature, and patriotic/pro-Russian military texts in schools. Verstka also highlights examples of Russian authorities ordering references to 'Ukraine' to be removed from textbooks. The Russian state highly likely seeks to use the education system to develop a more militarised, nationalistic society. The 2024 Youth Strategy spoke of the importance of "increasing the prestige of military service and providing support to young military personnel and their families". The intent is almost certainly to facilitate both deeper support for Russia's illegal war against Ukraine, and greater willingness amongst the young to join a military suffering significant casualties. These efforts also seek to indoctrinate Russia's young into a rejection of the legally mandated, and internationally recognised basis for Ukraine's nationhood and sovereignty. It is likely that the politicisation and militarisation of Russian education, coupled with increasing ideological indoctrination of Russian children and young people more broadly, will perpetuate aggressive, expansionist Russian nationalism in the longer term. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that In total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 121 combat encounters. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression. Russian zagarbniki made one missile and 101 aviation strikes, using three missiles and 177 cab. In addition, 995 kamikaze drones were recruited for impact and carried out more than 4100 shelling at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Kupians komu direction, the Russian enemy carried out two offensive actions near Petropavlivka and Zagrizovy. In the Lymanian direction, the Defense Forces repelled 17 assaults from positions near the settlements of Nove, Nadia, Novomikhailivka, Grekivka, Mirne, Kolodyazi, Torske and in the direction of New Peace, Green Valley. Six more clashes are still ongoing. In the Sivers komu direction, Russian forces once attacked in the direction of Verkhnyokamians kogo. Since the beginning of the day in the kramators komu direction, Russian forces twice attacked in the direction of markovogo and stupocok. In the direction of Torets .komu today, 13 boezitknen . Russian forces tried to storm the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of Toretsk, Diliyivka and Scherbinivka, four clashes are still ongoing. In the Pokrovsky direction, since the beginning of this day, Russian forces attacked 49 times in the areas of settlements of Suha Balka, Mirolyubivka, Elizabethtivka, Suhiy Yar, Kotline, Uspenivka, Novooleksandrivka, Nadiivka, Troyitske, Tarasivka, Ray, Lisivka, Udaachne, Preobrazhenka, Kotlyarivka, Andriyivka and in the direction of Oleksandropol, Novopavlivka and Berezivka. Ukrainian defenders have repelled 43 attacks, six more clashes continue so far. Aviation of Russian terrorists struck controlled aviation bombs on Oleksandropol, Pokrovsk, Novopavlivtsi and Muravtsi. Today, according to preliminary data, 289 Russian occupants have been defecated in this direction, 135 of which are irrevocable. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed seven combat armored vehicles, one artillery system, 11 units of automotive equipment, five Bpla, Bpla control point, a portable radio-electronic combat station, eight units of motorcycle equipment, also damaged a tank, five units of automotive equipment and two motorcycles. In the Novopavliv direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 14 Russian attacks in the areas of Konstantinopol, Vilny Pol, Privilny, Novosilka and Rozlivu. Another attack is going on so far. Aviation strikes were suffered by Novodarivka and Dachne. In the direction of Gulyaipil, Russian aviation struck unguided aviation missiles on Malinivka and Zaliznychny. In the Orihiv direction Ukrainian defenders repel the attack of the Russian opponent in the area of Stepovoye. Under the airstrikes were scherbaki, novoyakovlivka and stepnogirs k. Russian forces carried out two offensive actions in the Pridniprovsk direction - unsuccessful. 14 boezitknen with Russian zagarbnikami took place in Kur ini. Russian forces launched 21 aviation strikes, dropped 30 controlled bombs, carried out 229 artillery shelling, including seven from the jet systems of artery fire. In Kharkiv and Gulyaipils komu directions, active Russian offensive actions are not recorded. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in accordance with the order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, all the Groups of Forces deployed in the special military operation zone have been strictly observing the state of ceasefire from 18:00 of 19 April to 00:00 of 21 April remaining in previously taken positions. Despite the announced Easter ceasefire, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continued to conduct artillery fire and strike by unmanned aerial vehicles against the positions of Russian troops as well as civilian facilities in the border areas of Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk regions and the Republic of Crimea. In total, there were 4,900 ceasefire violations. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have attempted to launch attacks six times including in the areas of Sukhaya Balka, Bogatyr, Pershe-Travnya, Belogorovka, and Tarasovka (Donetsk People's Republic) as well as Oleshnya (Kursk region). All those attempted attacks were repelled. The enemy employed 90 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, eight of them outside the special military operation zone during the ceasefire. All UAVs have been shot down. The enemy shelled for Russian positions for 1,404 times from artillery pieces, MLRS, and mortars, plus 3,316 strikes by quadrocopters. In the border areas of Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod regions, 19 fire attacks, 49 strikes by FPV drones, and 16 ammunition drops from copter-type unmanned aerial vehicles (25 strongholds of the Russian Armed Forces and 51 settlements) had been carried out from 18:00 of 19 April till 00:00 of 21 April . In general, during the daytime, the density of fire and operations by the enemy was significantly reduced along the front line. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have continued the special military operation when the ceasefire was over. In Belgorod direction, the Sever Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of a territorial defence brigade near Khmelevka (Sumy region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 20 troops and an artillery gun. The Zapad Group of Forces engaged a mechanised brigade of the AFU near Kupyansk (Kharkov region). The enemy lost up to 30 troops. The Yug Group of Forces delivered strikes at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades of the AFU, a territorial defence brigade, and a national guard brigade close to Shcherbinovka, Yablonovka, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 45 troops, a Kazak armoured fighting vehicle, and two field artillery guns. The Tsentr Group of Forces hit a mechanised brigade, an unmanned aerial vehicle, an assault regiment of the AFU, and a marine brigade near Krasnoarmeysk, Novopavlovka, and Alekseyevka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU lost up to 80 troops, a Kazak armoured fighting vehicle, and a pickup truck. The Vostok Group of Forces delivered strikes at manpower and hardware of a marine brigade near Bogatyr (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses were more than 25 servicemen, an armoured personnel carrier, and a motor vehicle. The Dnepr Group of Forces damaged units of a mechanised brigade of the AFU and a territorial defence brigade near Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region) and Ponyatovka (Kherson region). Up to 10 troops, an electronic warfare station, and a U.S.-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-fire radar have been eliminated. Operational-Tactical Aviation, strike drones, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged the infrastructure of a military airfield, ammunition and unmanned aerial vehicles depots as well as temporary deployment areas of the Ukrainian armed forces in 74 areas. Air defence systems have shot down 104 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the AFU lost 661 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 52,935 unmanned aerial vehicles, 604 anti-aircraft missile systems, 22,970 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,544 MLRS combat vehicles, 23,916 field artillery guns and mortars, 34,389 units of support military vehicles NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Up to $5 Million Reward Offered for Capture of Archaga Carias, a Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitive and Leader of Foreign Terrorist Organization MS-13 Monday, April 21, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organization MS-13 leader Yulan Andony Archaga Carias, also known as "Alexander Mendoza" and "Porky," 43, is the highest-ranking member of MS-13, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), in Honduras and was previously charged in 2021 in a superseding indictment in the Southern District of New York with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and firearms offenses. Archaga Carias, a Honduran national, was subsequently placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List, the DEA's Most Wanted Fugitives List, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI)'s Most Wanted Fugitives List. The Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is offering a reward under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction in any country. "This terrorist leader can no longer be allowed to live free as MS-13's evil devastates communities in America and throughout the western hemisphere," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "If you can contribute information leading to his arrest - come forward now." Archaga Carias remains at large. If you have information, please contact the FBI by email at archaga-carias_tips@fbi.gov, or via WhatsApp at +1-832-267-1688. If you are outside the United States, you may also contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are in the United States, you may also contact the local FBI, DEA, or HSI office in your city. Only tips sent to U.S. Government will be considered for reward. "Dismantling and ultimately eliminating MS-13 continues to be one of the FBI's highest priorities, and we're not stopping until that mission is complete," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "Alongside our dedicated law enforcement partners, the FBI will find Archaga Carias a terrorist whose reign of terror at the helm of MS-13 is coming to an end." "With MS-13 now officially designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, the rules have changed and so has the mission," said DEA Acting Administrator Derek Maltz. "Archaga Carias isn't just a fugitive he's a foreign terrorist waging war on innocent Americans through murder, trafficking, and terror. Let me be clear: under this Administration, we will dismantle MS-13 piece by pieceand anyone protecting him will fall with him. A $5 million is on the table. Turn him in. End this threat." A co-defendant, David Campbell, aka "Viejo Dan" and "Don David," a Honduran national, is currently in custody in the United States facing the charges contained in the superseding indictment. In addition to Archaga Carias and Campbell, the superseding indictment charges three other MS-13 leaders, Juan Carlos Portillo Santos also known as "Juancy;" Victor Eduardo Morales Zelaya also known as "Cuervo;" and Jorge Alberto Velasquez Paz also known as "Chacarron," with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and firearms offenses. Portillo Santos, a Honduran national, is in custody in Honduras serving a lengthy prison sentence. Morales Zelaya and Velasquez Paz, both Honduran nationals, remain at large. The case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Gregory H. Woods for the Southern District of New York. "MS-13 remains one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world, and the recent designation of MS-13 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization underscores this reality," said Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky for the Southern District of New York. "This Office, working closely with our law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate, prosecute and track down MS-13's leadership, no matter where in the world they may be hiding." As alleged in the superseding indictment previously unsealed in Manhattan federal court, Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13 is a transnational criminal and foreign terrorist organization that engages in acts of violence, including murders, kidnapping, and assaults, extortion, and large-scale drug importation and distribution throughout Central America and the United States. Archaga Carias is the highest-ranking member of MS-13 in Honduras. As the leader and highest-ranking member of MS-13 in Honduras, Archaga Carias is in charge of, among other things, the gang's drug trafficking operations, ordering and coordinating acts of violence, including numerous murders, and the laundering of drug proceeds. MS-13's drug trafficking operations led by Archaga Carias include the processing, receiving, transporting, and distributing of multi-ton loads of cocaine shipped through Honduras and into the United States. "President Trump has been very clear we will not allow criminal groups and their members like Porky to threaten Americans," said Senior Bureau Official F. Cartwright Weiland of the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. "We will work with our international partners to find these criminals wherever they may be hiding." Archaga Carias and other MS-13 members and associates acting at his direction also provided protection to drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) engaged in transporting multi-ton loads of cocaine through Honduras and destined for the United States. Archaga Carias contracted out members of MS-13 as "Sicarios," or hit men, to DTOs for payment. Members of MS-13 committed numerous murders for hire for DTOs trafficking cocaine through Honduras to the United States. Archaga Carias and MS-13 also supplied DTOs with firearms, including machineguns, that were received from El Salvador, Nicaragua, and elsewhere. Archaga Carias also ordered multiple murders of rival gang members and drug trafficking competitors in Honduras, as well as other members of MS-13 whom Archaga Carias believed had been disloyal to the gang. Campbell was one of the principal suppliers of cocaine and weapons, including machineguns, to MS-13. As an associate of MS-13 and close confidant of Archaga Carias, Campbell planned and coordinated retaliatory acts of violence with Archaga Carias, and assisted MS-13 and Archaga Carias in establishing businesses to launder the gang's drug proceeds. Campbell and MS-13 used businesses they owned or controlled to launder drug proceeds, including through banks in the United States. Morales Zelaya was a national leader of MS-13 in Honduras and a close associate of Archaga Carias. Morales Zelaya coordinated the gang's drug trafficking business, acts of violence (including murders) against rivals, and the movement of proceeds from the gang's illicit activities. Portillo Santos was a high-ranking member of MS-13 in Honduras who reported to Morales Zelaya. Portillo Santos was responsible for leading MS-13 in one of the largest sectors in Honduras, which included the distribution and movement of large shipments of cocaine, acts of violence (including murders and kidnappings) of rival gang members, and contract murders carried out against rival drug dealers. Campbell, 58, of Honduras, is currently in Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) custody facing the charges in the superseding indictment. Portillo Santos, 36, of Honduras, is currently in custody in Honduras on local charges. Archaga Carias, 43, and Morales Zelaya, 50, of Honduras, remains at large. If convicted, Archaga Carias faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 40 years in prison. The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV) and the Southern District of New York's National Security and International Narcotics Unit are handling the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Robles and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Eason, and Trial Attorney Jacob Warren of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are in charge of the prosecution. This case was brought by JTFV, which was created in 2019 to destroy MS-13 and now expanded to target Tren de Aragua and is comprised of U.S. Attorney's Offices across the country, including the Southern District of New York; Eastern District of New York; the District of New Jersey; the Northern District of Ohio; the District of Utah; the District of Massachusetts; the Eastern District of Texas; the Southern District of Florida; the Eastern District of Virginia; the Southern District of California; the District of Nevada; the District of Alaska; and the District of Columbia, as well as the Department of Justice's National Security Division and the Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI; DEA; HSI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; and the FBOP have been essential law enforcement partners and spearheaded JTFV's investigations. This case is part of Operation Take Back America and an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal aliens, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. The charges contained in the superseding indictment are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Topics: Counterterrorism Violent Crime Components: Office of the Attorney General Criminal Division National Security Division (NSD) USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 25-410 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address by Marie Snyder About 45 years ago, psychiatrist Irvin Yalom estimated that a good 30-50% of all cases of depression might actually be a crisis of meaninglessness, an existential sickness, and these cases require a different method of treatment. We experience this lack of purpose as boredom, apathy, or emptiness. We are not told by instinct what one must do, or any longer by tradition what one should do. Nor does one know what one wants to do, so we feel lost and directionless. Instead of addressing meaninglessness as the problem, though, weve been merely addressing the symptoms of it: addictions, compulsions, obsessions, malaise. In todays context, it might suggest that even social media issues could be problems with a lack of meaning. The last sentences of his lengthy tome, Existential Psychotherapy, sum up his solution: The question of meaning in life is, as the Buddha taught, not edifying. One must immerse oneself in the river of life and let the question drift away. How he lands here is an intriguing path through a slew of philosophers and psychiatrists. Even without symptoms of a problem, attention to meaning is necessary as it gives birth to values, which become principles to live by as we place behaviours into our own hierarchy of acceptability. One creates oneself by a series of ongoing decisions. But one cannot make each and every decision de novo throughout ones life; certain superordinate decisions must be made that provide an organizing principle for subsequent decisions. Yalom doesnt suggest coming up with a list of values that can become meaningful to us, but that we immerse ourselves in life to become more aware of which values we already have. WHATS THE POINT? ITS FOR US TO DECIDE According to Yalom, weve hit this crisis point in meaninglessness because we have the leisure to think and because our work is no longer clearly purposeful, both of which are relatively recent experiences for such a large proportion of civilization. Its no longer just the philosophers of the day asking, Whats it all for? Whats the point of it all? He takes the existential position that its up to us to figure it out. For most of history, weve been comforted by the belief that there is some supraordinate, coherent pattern to life and that each individual has some particular role to play in that design. Its mainly in the last 500 years or so, and primarily in the Western world, that weve had to determine our own purpose. For eons, we were also consumed with our own survival. Its curious that Yalom doesnt mention Marx when he explains, basically, that our alienation from the means of production created an alienation from ourselves (see Capital or this brief video) as we became cogs in the machine of our various workplaces. Many of us work in jobs where we are tasked with one component of a bigger whole and can easily lose any sense of value in our input. By contrast with the past, Yalom points out, Who, after all, can challenge the task of growing food with the question, What for? In the last century, existentialists attempted to address this loss of meaning: Our attempts to make sense of the world butt up against the lack of any actual meaning inherent in it, and we have to come to terms with the truth that the world is indifferent to us. Camus calls this the absurd: the plight of a transcendent, meaning-seeking being who must live in a world that has no meaning. Camus derives meaning from facing nights of despair with a prideful rebellion to live with dignity in the face of absurdity. Acknowledging the truth, in turn, generates values for conduct: courage, solidarity, love Sartre believes that we cant figure out our morality by following our feelings, since feeling comes from our deeds, so were obliged to develop rules for ourselves. We have to acknowledge we do this, and aim to do it free from bad faith or defense mechanisms like rationalisation, denial, and displacement. Yalom turns to Sartres play, The Flies, for explicit instruction. He follows the character Orestes who takes a leap into engagement: He chooses justice, freedom, and dignity and indicates that he knows what is right in life. There is no absolute meaning; he is alone and must create his own meaning. To Zeus he says: I am doomed to have no law but mine. One must invest ones own meaning (rather than discover Gods or natures meaning) and then commit oneself fully to fulfilling that meaning. This requires that one be, as Gordon Allport put it, half-sure and whole-hearted. He suggests some secular activities that can provide us with a sense of life purpose: These activities are supported by the same arguments that Sartre advanced for Orestes: they seem right; they seem good; they are intrinsically satisfying and need not be justified on the basis of any other motivation. Activity can provide a potent antidote to meaninglessnessnamely engagement. However, its vital that the content of the engagement be less restrictive than the momentary joy felt from an achievement or purchase or avoidant numbness of busyness. Its most impactful if our actions focus outward, transcending ourselves: this concept of self-transcendence is central to life-meaning schemas. He proposes altruistically leaving the world a better place to live in, serving others even if its just a stoic attitude towards your own death to be a good role model for dying. We can be dedicated to a cause and contribute to something greater than ourselves. If we have skills, we can create something new, something that rings with novelty or beauty and harmony . . . The creation justifies itself, it defies the question What for?, it is its own excuse for being. We can acknowledge the gift weve been given here, to live fully, to retain ones sense of astonishment at the miracle of life, to plunge oneself into the natural rhythm of life, to search for pleasure in the deepest possible sense. Finally, Yalom writes, To strive toward something or someone outside or above oneself. It is only necessary, Buber states, to ask the question What for? What am I to find my particular way for? What am I to unify my being for? The answer is: Not for my own sake. human beings have a more far-reaching meaning than the salvation of individual souls reaching outside of oneself and caring for the being of the other. This all too human despair at meaninglessness starts when we first become aware of the absolute relativity of the values one once considered as absolutes, and life starts to feel a little topsy-turvy. Yalom cites research that found that people with a sense of meaning have clearer life goals, a greater sense of self-transcendent values, and lower rates of psychopathology. Its good for us, but were really bad at figuring it out. HOW WE GET SIDETRACKED Without the sustained effort to develop our own sense of meaning, were in danger of falling into conformity and submission, blindly accepting meaning created by a group, getting subdued by nihilistic destruction or apathy, searching for a pre-conceived meaning to be found instead of cultivated, or mistaking a fear of death or loneliness for a quest for meaning. Yalom cites Salvador Maddis 1967 exploration of three other manifestations of existential sickness: Some become obsessed with one cause after another in compulsive engagement of an indiscriminate nature. This pattern of frenetic activity serves as a caricature of meaning and creates false centering; when the activity has no intrinsic goodness, then it sooner or later will fail the individual. Others seek the angry pleasure of destruction, rationalizing that theres no reason to do good: He will be quick to point out that love is not altruistic but selfish, how philanthropy is a way of expiating guilt, that children are vicious rather than innocent. He suggests this version of nihilism is so common that we dont even notice it anymore. And still others become vegetative and bland and lose any selectivity of behaviour; all actions become equally immaterial, from typing an email to killing a man. Yalom has concerns with Viktor Frankls three categories of meaning: What we give to the world (creativity and accomplishments), what we get from the world (beauty, love, experiences), and our attitude towards suffering. For Frankl, its more comforting to believe meaning is out there to be discovered, something we should be searching for. Yalom praises much of Frankls work in the area, but hes critical of where Frankl lands, calling it a faith-based philosophy. For Yalom, meaning is elusive and cant be pursued. It comes only when were engaged outside of ourselves. We also have to separate meaning from the three other existential issues. Our question is often contaminated by our fear of death, responsibility, and isolation. He explains, when Tolstoy says, All my acts, whatever I do, will sooner or later be forgotten and I myself be nowhere. Why, then, busy oneself with anything? it reveals a concern with transience, not meaning. Much of our search for meaning is a fight against the reality of our finite existence as death anxiety masquerades as meaninglessness. We want a leave-behind. While meaninglessness appears to be recent, the hope to overcome death goes back millenia. In Platos Symposium, Diotima addresses this fear: The mortal body, or mortal anything, partakes of immortality I am persuaded that all men do all things, and the better they are the more they do them, in hope of the glorious fame of immortal virtue; for they desire the immortal. Who, when he thinks of Homer and Hesiod and other great poets, would not rather have their children than ordinary human ones? We reject our mortality by leaving behind lasting artifacts we created or, if were not that clever, we have some kids to carry on our line, or, today, a ton of photos on instagram to mark our place. We want to matter to the world, but even Tolstoy failed to find a meaning that would destroy death. Yalom argues meaning and death are two separate issues since even if we lived forever, wed still want meaning in our lives. He writes, Envisioning existence as part of some grand design that exists out there and in which one is assigned some role is a way of denying ones freedom and ones responsibility for the design of ones own life and a way of avoiding the anxiety of groundlessness. Fear of absolute loneliness also propels one into a search for identification with something or someone. To be part of a larger group or to dedicate oneself to some movement or cause are effective ways of denying isolation. Yalom also parts with Frankl in his suggestion that achievement is a category of life meaning. For Yalom, striving, creating, and progressing are not part of our deepest layers. Theyre superficial. Up until four or five hundred years ago (or more recently if outside of the dominant Western world), goal-directed ambition wasnt acknowledged as a way of finding meaning. It was sometimes perceived as a way to cheat death, but, typically, people searching for meaning, searched for serenity. For Yalom, instead of doing, searching, and acting on life as a problem to be solved, we find what we need in being, harmonizing, and unifying in an acceptance of life as a mystery to be lived. He traces the change in our focus through Calvins effect on Christianity that everything is preparation for something else. Yalom concludes, The belief that life is incomplete without goal fulfillment is not so much a tragic existential fact of life as it is a Western myth. So, we have to untangle our quest from other anxieties. We also have to get beyond any pursuit of sexual clamor, prestige, or materialistic goals. He says, In my work I have become aware that therapy is rarely successful unless I help the patient focus on something beyond these pursuits. For so many, much of our lives are spent showing off what we have and where weve been, and in accumulating things and events to display on our various platforms, largely in hopes to stave off isolation. We have to be able to move away from this demonstration of life if we hope to find any sense of meaning in life. JUST TWO STEPS! Yalom suggests we have meaningful lives, but were just not sufficiently aware of them. First, we can begin to notice meaning threads in our daily lives: our belief systems and how we serve others, how we love, how we experience joy, where we find beauty, our creative expressions, and our distant hopes. Were already experiencing meaning-providing activities all the time; its a matter of bringing them to the surface as significant. That Sunday hang-out with friends might take on a new patina when viewed as meaningful. However, we need to notice these and let them happen without pursuing them as meaningful! Frankl calls this dereflection: diverting our gaze away from ourselves and our problems and towards the intact parts of our personalities and all the meanings available for us in the world. In other words, stop focusing on yourself, and instead start noticing everything else. Like Sartre, Camus, and Kierkegaard (and Steven Hayes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Yalom suggests we have a baseline level of anxiety that must just be accepted as irreversible; since much of it is from our family history, genetics, and circumstances, it cant be helped much beyond medication. Worse, an extended inward focus can exacerbate some conditions instead of alleviating them. We need to direct our gaze externally, and work on developing curiosity, concern, and compassion for others and the world. Secondly, we tend to naturally look for patterns of meaning in random events, but Frankl and Yalom diverge on what to do with this tendency. Frankl stresses the uniqueness of each persons meaning but also leans towards directing his clients by hinting broadly in order to form meaning for them around his triad of categories: creativity, experience, and attitude. He reminds clients that nobody can take away their moments of happiness or goodness in the past and to embrace current suffering as a challenge. To Yalom, Frankls explicit direction appears authoritarian and forced: He offers patients meaning but, in doing so, moves the patient even farther from assumption of full personal autonomy. Yaloms criticism goes further in a note: There is, in my opinion, no coherent logotherapeutic system. Logotherapy consists of improvised attempts to help the patient detect meaning. Logotherapy manuals describe two basic techniques: the first, dereflection, I have already discussed; the second is called paradoxical intention and is basically a symptom-prescription technique where the patient is asked to experience and to exaggerate his or her symptoms. Thus, the stutterer is asked to stutter intentionally. It allows them to appreciate that they can influencein fact, even createtheir symptoms. To the extent that paradoxical intention allows one to assume responsibility for ones symptoms, it may be considered within the domain of existential therapy; but its function as a technique to provide meaning is, at best, obscure. Yalom disagrees with Frankls assumption that if the therapist can find a pattern in their lives, then the client will adopt it and feel a sense of meaning from it. Yalom further cautions that we notice patterns as we step back to examine our lives, but the galactic view presents a formidable problem. Looking at our place in the world can result in seeing ourselves as a speck, rendering us inconsequential. He resolves this by recognizing that, If nothing matters, it should not matter that nothing matters, and yet it does matter. Meaninglessness is a perception that we can choose to take or not take. Things matter to us all the time. When things matter, they dont need meaning to matter! Current doubting doesnt vitiate the reality of past mattering. Instead of stepping back, we need to, once again, step forward to engage with the world. We can leap into commitment and action and care about the world. But the task is not to seek out meaning in the activities. The more we try to catch it, the more it evades us. We have so much dissatisfaction from relationships and work because of subtle expectations of there being something greater to find in them than what is. Meaning, like pleasure, must be pursued obliquely. A sense of meaningfulness is a by-product of engagement. Engagement does not logically refute the lethal questions raised by the galactic perspective, but it causes these questions not to matter. To find a home, to care about other individuals, about ideas or projects, to search, to create, to buildthese, and all other forms of engagement, are twice rewarding: they are intrinsically enriching, and they alleviate the dysphoria that stems from being bombarded with the unassembled brute data of existence. Many people seek out help to get motivated at work or to stop being distracted, but the help most people need is from removing obstacles in the way that stop them from living more meaningful lives, like worrying about reputation or amassing investments. We need to consider why our relationships or work dont feel more significant to us. We need to deal with our fear of death, responsibility, and isolation issues separately, notice where we already have meaning, and immerse ourselves in real life to get a glimpse of meaning from the periphery. BUT CAN WE DO IT? I question the efficacy of Yaloms hope to encourage people to engage self-transcendence by caring. For people who dont currently feel engaged or even feel a void of interest in anything outside themselves, Im not convinced that caring can be provoked or willed into being. But I do think we can will ourselves to be virtuous, which might get us part of the way there. Yaloms careful form of engagement is reminiscent of another piece of Plato not discussed: the degeneration of the soul. Plato cautioned that we can start by acting rightly, but then get caught up in ambition and distinction, which is followed by an obsession with wealth, and then popularity, until we hit the final stage of the wild beast. He gives up the kingdom that is within him to the middle principle of contentiousness and passion, and becomes proud and ambitious. Instead of loving contention and glory, men become lovers of trade and of money, and they honor and revere the rich man and make a ruler of him Of all conversions there is none so speedy or so sure as when the ambitious youth changes into the avaricious one. This sort of man will be at war with himself. The young man passes out of his original nature which was trained in the school of necessity, into the freedom and libertinism of useless and unnecessary pleasures. Excess of liberty, whether in states or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery. The wild beast in our nature gets the upper hand and the man becomes drunken, lustful, passionate, the best elements in him are enslaved. When we try to be virtuous, to be honest or fair or courageous, we have to watch for the traps of behaving poorly in order to get likes or to get rich quick to the point that were just driven by our compulsions. Its not a threat to make us better citizens, but a warning to help us get more from our lives. Caring seems to include a disposition outside of our control, but we can drag ourselves to right action through moral obligation. I can make myself volunteer, but I cant make myself warm to it or the people or activity. However, that might happen as a matter of course. If we start with activities, we might develop caring, and then meaning will appear in the shadows. If Yalom is right and engagement is where meaning comes from, then it seems possible to glimpse it incidentally through other-centered activities. Or, as David Foster Wallace said 20 years ago, our default setting is all about us, and meaning comes from attention and awareness of others. Where we put our attention in the world is a choice. *** Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. $5 Million Reward Offer for Information Leading to Arrest and/or Conviction of Leader of Foreign Terrorist Organization MS-13 US Department of State Press Statement Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson April 21, 2025 With the designation of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) on February 20, 2025, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), the U.S. government is working towards building a safer, stronger, and more prosperous hemisphere in the Americas by providing all available means to eliminate the threats of violent crime by MS-13 throughout the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. government is offering a reward under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) of up to $5 million, which was announced in 2023, for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction in any country of Yulan Adonay Archaga Carias, aka "Porky" and "Alexander Mendoza", the leader of MS-13 in Honduras. Archaga Carias is the highest-ranking member of MS-13 in Honduras and is responsible for directing the gang's criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, murder, kidnappings, and other violent crimes involving machine guns. He is also responsible for the gang's importation of large amounts of cocaine into the United States. Archaga Carias remains at large. Archaga Carias is one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, as well as one of the DEA's and Homeland Security Investigations' most wanted fugitives. If you have information, please contact the FBI by email at archaga-carias_tips@fbi.gov or via text at +1 832-267-1688 (text/WhatsApp) for this reward. If you are located outside of the United States, you may also contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are in the United States, you may also contact the local FBI, DEA, or HSI offices in your city. Today's announcement reinforces the importance of public awareness for rewards targets who are members of, or associated with, the eight cartels and transnational criminal organizations designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations on February 20, 2025. Bringing these individuals to justice is a priority for the Trump Administration. ALL IDENTITIES ARE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence joins partners for Exercise Balikatan Issued by Defence Media 21 April 2025 Around 150 members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) are taking part in the 40th iteration of the largest bilateral exercise conducted between the Philippines and the United States. Exercise Balikatan is an annual training exercise conducted between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States military forces, aimed at maintaining a high level of military readiness to enhance the nations' bilateral response capabilities. Australia's participation provides a key training opportunity for deployed personnel and supporting defence cooperation between all participating nations. Exercise Balikatan 2025 includes more than 16,000 personnel from the Philippines, United States and Australia, as well as three nations involved in the AFP-hosted international observer program. Australia's contribution consists of land forces, medics, tactical air force components and, command and support personnel. During Balikatan 2025, personnel will take part in a range of scenarios in maritime security, air and missile defence, offensive missile strikes, cyber defence, information warfare and humanitarian assistance. This is the 40th iteration of Exercise Balikatan with the ADF having been a full participant since 2014. Quotes attributable to Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, AO, CSC, RAN: "The Philippines is one of our closest partners and friends, and under our strategic partnership, our defence relationship continues to deepen. "Balikatan 2025 highlights the United States and Philippines' commitment to their bilateral partnership as well as interoperability with other partner nations. "Australia's participation demonstrates our commitment to security and stability, and engagement with the Indo-Pacific region." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China opposes any deal at expense of its interests: MOFCOM on US plans to 'isolate' China with tariff negotiations Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 21, 2025 09:23 AM In response to a question regarding media reports that said the US plans to use ongoing tariff negotiations to pressure its trading partners into limiting their dealings with China in exchange for reductions in US trade and tariff barriers, a spokesperson from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) stated on Monday that the ministry is aware of the reports. This represents the implementation of hegemonic politics and unilateral bullying in the realm of trade and economic cooperation under the guise of "reciprocity." Appeasement behavior will not bring peace, nor will compromise earn respect. Pursuing short-term, self-serving interests by harming others' interests in exchange for so-called "exemptions" is akin to making a pact with the tiger for its skin - it will ultimately leave all parties empty-handed, harming others without benefiting oneself, the spokesperson said. The Wall Street Journal reported the Trump administration's plans on April 15, citing people with knowledge of the conversations. The report said that "the idea is to extract commitments from US trading partners to isolate China's economy in exchange for reductions in trade and tariff barriers imposed by the White House." The spokesperson emphasized that China respects all parties' rights to resolve their economic and trade differences with the US through consultations on an equal footing. China believes that all parties should stand on the side of fairness and justice regarding "reciprocal tariffs," uphold historical correctness, and defend international economic and trade rules as well as the multilateral trading system. "In particular, China is firmly opposed to any party striking a deal at the expense of the Chinese side. If such a situation arises, China will never accept it and will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner. China is determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests," the spokesperson stressed. In the face of the onslaught of unilateralism and protectionism, no one can stand alone. Once international trade returns to the "law of the jungle," all countries will be reduced to victims. China is willing to strengthen solidarity and coordination with all parties, join hands to deal with them, jointly resist unilateral bullying, safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, and defend international justice, according to the spokesperson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China 'firmly opposes' tariff deal at expense of Chinese interests Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: Apr 21, 2025 10:58 PM China on Monday pointed out that taking an appeasement approach in trade deals with the US over its "reciprocal tariffs" does not bring "peace" and said it firmly opposes any deal between the US and its trading partners that comes at the expense of Chinese interests. Chinese analysts noted that the reported move by Washington is hegemonic in nature and an attempt to suppress China. However, they pointed out that the US is unlikely to attract too many followers for this initiative. In response to a question regarding media reports that said the US is preparing to pressure other countries to restrict trade ties with China in exchange for tariff exemptions, a spokesperson from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) stated on Monday that under the guise of so-called "reciprocity," the US has been recently arbitrarily imposing tariffs on all its trading partners while pressuring them to engage in so-called "reciprocal tariff" negotiations. China firmly opposes any deal between the US and its trading partners that comes at the expense of Chinese interests, the MOFCOM spokesperson said. "This is essentially using the banner of 'reciprocity' as a pretext to pursue hegemonic politics and unilateral bullying in the field of international economy and trade," the spokesperson said. "Appeasement does not bring peace, compromise does not lead to respect, and attempts to trade the interests of others for tariff exemptions are doomed to fail and will ultimately harm all parties involved." The Wall Street Journal reported the US administration's plans on April 15, citing people with knowledge of the conversations. The report said that "the idea is to extract commitments from US trading partners to isolate China's economy in exchange for reductions in trade and tariff barriers imposed by the White House." The BBC reported on Monday that the Trump administration has started talks with trading partners over tariffs, with a Japanese delegation visiting Washington last week and South Korea scheduled to begin talks this week. US Vice President JD Vance is also scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a visit to the country this week. India faces a tariff rate of 26 percent if it is unable to agree a trade deal with the US government, BBC reported. Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times on Monday that the message is clear cut. China respects countries resolving their tariff issues with the US through bilateral negotiations. But China opposes such a deal if it includes sacrificing the interests of China, and won't sit idly by if its interests are harmed in such deals," Gao said, noting that nature of the US' "restricting China" trade talk is hegemonic and an attempt to suppress China stemming from the US' fear of losing hegemony. China respects all parties that seek to resolve their trade disputes with the US through equal consultation, the MOFCOM spokesperson said, calling on all parties to stand on the side of fairness and justice, align with the right side of history, and uphold international economic and trade rules and the multilateral trading system. China is ready to work with all parties to strengthen solidarity and coordination, jointly oppose unilateral bullying, safeguard respective legitimate rights and interests, and uphold international fairness and justice, the spokesperson said. Hardly possible The world's major trading countries, which inevitably have close trade and economic connections with China, are unlikely to support the reported US plan, a Chinese expert said on Monday. "Even if some trading partners of China may be 'tempted' to agree to US' proposal, they would be in no position to do so, as it will violate their commitments to the WTO or other multilateral agreements the country is bound," He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Monday, adding that such agreements are legally binding and cannot be dictated by other parties, He said. China has become a major trading partner of more than 150 countries and regions. These countries and regions, along with China, are required to abide by international rules and the international agreements that have been signed, said He. Chinese analysts said the previous Biden administration had tried to isolate China by grouping its allies under the so-called "small yard, high fence" strategy without much success, while the current US administration, which pursues an "America First" policy, economic coercion and hegemonism, is even less likely to succeed as countries question whether the US will respect their interests. In fact, many countries that have trade ties with both the US and China want to enhance their trade ties with China under the current global economic landscape, the expert said. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said in an interview with The Telegraph that "China is the second-biggest economy in the world, and it would be, I think, very foolish to not engage. That's the approach of this government," Reeves said ahead of a scheduled trip to Washington, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Monday that Tokyo will keep voicing "grave concern" over inconsistency between a bilateral trade deal Japan signed with the US in 2019 and US President Donald Trump's latest automobile tariffs, per a Reuters report. Over the weekend, the implementation of US tariffs further sparked domestic opposition within the US as the negative impacts have become more evident, with American scholars and economists calling for people to "reject harmful tariff policies", and multiple sectors already buckling under the strain. On China's side, international businesses continue to eye the country as a key market amid the current uncertainties in the global trade landscape. The recently held 5th China International Consumer Products Expo was attended by 65 Fortune Global 500 companies and over 4,100 consumer brands, a record high in its history. At the Canton Fair, nearly 73,000 booths are dedicated to export-related displays and the number of exhibitors has surpassed 30,000 for the first time. The US' action of unilateralism and protectionism has contrasted with China's consistent efforts in expanding opening-up. China has released a guideline for improving the country's pilot free trade zones (FTZs) to further promote high-standard opening up and high-quality development, Xinhua reported on Monday. The guideline, issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, called for promoting the optimization and upgrading of trade of goods, invigorating the development of services trade, and supporting innovative development in digital trade. Investment liberalization and facilitation should be advanced, and the level of opening up should be enhanced to attract and utilize foreign capital with greater efforts, said the guideline. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Indonesia to deepen ties, security coordination Global Times 1st Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue held in Beijing By Zhang Han and Li Yawei Published: Apr 21, 2025 10:55 PM China and Indonesia held the First Ministerial Meeting of Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue in Beijing on Monday. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun chaired the meeting, together with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Wang said the two heads of state have met twice in the past year, and jointly outlined a blueprint for the development of China-Indonesia relations in the new era. Under the personal attention of the two heads of state, China and Indonesia have established and launched the Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue, he added. Noting that this is the first Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue between China and a foreign country, Wang said it reflects the high level of strategic mutual trust between the two countries, and also further enriches the connotation of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future with regional and global impact. Chinese observers said the joint foreign and defense ministerial dialogue is a milestone for bilateral relations and demonstrates the quick development of political and strategic mutual trust on top of already robust economic and people-to-people bonds. Amid global turbulence, the mechanism can serve as an exemplar to enhance communication and cooperation within the region, facilitate the settlement of differences and inject much-needed positivity into regional stability and prosperity amid attempts by certain countries and external forces to stir up troubles, observers said. Dong said China is willing to work with Indonesia to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries and build a new pattern of defense and security cooperation characterized by deeper strategic mutual trust, better institutional frameworks, more robust coordination, and stronger foundation in addressing challenges. Sugiono noted that Indonesia is willing to work with China to further strengthen political mutual trust, enhance exchanges at all levels, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen communication and collaboration within multilateral frameworks. Sjafrie expressed Indonesia's willingness to enhance cooperation with China in fields including defense and maritime security to maintain regional peace and stability. After the meeting, Wang and Sugiono signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing a comprehensive strategic dialogue mechanism between the Chinese and Indonesian governments, Xinhua reported. During the meeting, the two sides signed documents on cooperation in maritime security and other areas. A milestone in ties The joint foreign and defense ministerial dialogue marks a milestone for the strategic relationship between China and Indonesia, Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Monday. Unlike dialogues between ministers of one specific ministry, via such an integrated mechanism, critical affairs involving diplomatic and security facets can be communicated more efficiently, Chen explained. Ge Hongliang, vice dean of the ASEAN College at Guangxi Minzu University, told the Global Times on Monday that China and Indonesia have long enjoyed active trade relations, and in recent years, bilateral cooperation on defense and security affairs have also seen more fruitful results, and the "2+2" ministerial dialogue stands as testament to increasing political and strategic mutual trust between the two countries. Liu Zhenli, Chief of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission, made a visit to Indonesia in January, during which China and Indonesia vowed to seek concrete and pragmatic actions to boost military and coast guard cooperation. Last year, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command dispatched troops to Indonesia to participate in the Peace Garuda-2024 joint HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), the first of its kind between the Chinese and Indonesian militaries, China Military Online reported in November 2024. At the Monday "2+2" dialogue, the two sides have decided to establish a consultation mechanism on disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control between China and Indonesia. The two sides will enhance law enforcement and security cooperation, jointly combat transnational crimes such as cross-border gambling and telecom fraud, and strengthen cybersecurity cooperation, according to a readout released by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Chen said the dialogue mechanism carries strategic significance as it reflects both sides' commitment to expanding shared interests, carrying out substantial cooperation and advancing strategic relations. Ge said Indonesia is a major country in the ASEAN and its relations and interactions with China are believed to have great influence on other Southeast Asian countries. "In other words, the mechanism has an exemplar effect," Ge said. President Xi Jinping concluded successful visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia on Friday. During his Southeast Asian trip, Xi proposed China and Vietnam should set the "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security between the two countries at the ministerial level to enhance strategic coordination; During his visit to Malaysia, Xi called on the two sides to establish a "2+2" dialogue mechanism on diplomacy and national defense to deepen exchanges and cooperation on national security, defense and law enforcement. During his visit to Cambodia, the Chinese president said that the two sides should make good use of the newly established "2+2" strategic dialogue mechanism between foreign ministers and defense ministers of the two countries to strengthen strategic coordination. Injecting positivity This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. The joint foreign and defense ministerial dialogue, as well as China's interactions with many other ASEAN members, are inheriting and carrying forward Asian wisdom to manage differences and maximize common ground, Ge said. In a turbulent world challenged by unilateralism and protectionism, such Asian wisdom can inject much-needed positivity into regional stability and prosperity, the expert said. Chen believes with the China-Indonesia "2+2" dialogue mechanism, the two countries can enhance defense cooperation and play a more crucial role in regional security landscape and help maintain orderly security architecture, Chen said. Coinciding with the China-Indonesia joint foreign and defense ministerial dialogue, the US and the Philippines kicked off their annual "Balikatan" (shoulder-to-shoulder) military drills in the South China Sea. The exercise will run for three weeks until May 9, showcasing an array of US weapons that include the NMESIS anti-ship missile system and HIMARS rocket launchers, the Jakarta Post reported Monday. In contrast to collusion between certain regional country and external forces to fan the flames in the region, China and Indonesia, along with majority of regional countries, share common interest and seek to maintain peace and stability, Ge said, noting that the approach and purpose of China-Indonesia "2+2" dialogue are conducive to sustainable stability, only with which can the region realize prosperity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China sanctions US congressional members, officials and NGO heads in HK-related countermeasure Global Times China won't passively tolerate US bullying but will respond forcefully: expert By Chen Qingqing Published: Apr 21, 2025 03:53 PM When asked what China's response will be and whether there will be countermeasures to sanctions the US imposed recently on several officials from China's central government agencies in Hong Kong and from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that China decided to sanction the US congressional members, officials and heads of NGO who have acted egregiously on the Hong Kong-related issues. The US's illegal unilateral sanctions on six officials of the Chinese central government's agency in the Hong Kong SAR and the government of the Hong Kong SAR is a severe interference in China's domestic affairs, including Hong Kong affairs, and a violation of principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations, Guo told a press conference on Monday. China strongly condemns this despicable move, Guo said. In accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China, China decided to sanction the US congressional members, officials and heads of NGO who have acted egregiously on the Hong Kong-related issues, the spokesperson said. Our message to the US is that Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs brook no US interference. The US's erroneous practice on the Hong Kong-related issues will for sure meet China's resolute response and reciprocal countermeasures, Guo said. The US State Department published the latest "Hong Kong Policy Act" report on March 31 local time and sanctioned six individuals using the "erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy" as an excuse. China earlier voiced strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to those "sanctions," calling its newly released so-called Hong Kong Policy Act report "filled with lies and fallacies" that constituted a serious interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. China's countermeasures against the US are expected and have occurred in similar situations in the past, Lau Siu-kai, a consultant from the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies who is also a senior policy advisor, told the Global Times on Monday. "With the Law of the People's Republic of China on Countering Foreign Sanctions in place, China's actions not only have a legal basis but are also mandated by law," Lau noted. "They send a clear message to the international community that China will not passively tolerate US bullying but will respond forcefully, upholding justice and demonstrating courage," Lau added. The US has abused the means of sanctions as a political weapon and it sounds unwise and irrational. We have relevant laws to respond to the act of sanctions, Chu Kar-kin, a veteran commentator based in the HKSAR and member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Monday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Indonesia hold First Ministerial Meeting of Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue in Beijing Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source Xinhuanet EditorChen Zhuo 2025-04-21 22:08:44 BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China and Indonesia held the First Ministerial Meeting of Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue in Beijing on Monday. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun chaired the meeting, together with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. Wang said the two heads of state have met twice in the past year, and jointly outlined a blueprint for the development of China-Indonesia relations in the new era. Under the personal attention of the two heads of state, China and Indonesia have established and launched the Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue, he added. Noting that this is the first Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue between China and a foreign country, Wang said it reflects the high level of strategic mutual trust between the two countries, and also further enriches the connotation of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future with regional and global impact. Wang called on the two sides to push bilateral relations to higher level, under the strategic guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. Dong said China is willing to work with Indonesia to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries and build a new pattern of defense and security cooperation characterized by deeper strategic mutual trust, better institutional frameworks, more robust coordination, and stronger foundation in addressing challenges. Sugiono noted that Indonesia is willing to work with China to further strengthen political mutual trust, enhance exchanges at all levels, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen communication and collaboration within multilateral frameworks. Sjafrie expressed Indonesia's willingness to enhance cooperation with China in fields including defense and maritime security to maintain regional peace and stability. The two sides engaged in in-depth communication on international and regional issues of mutual concern. After the meeting, Wang and Sugiono signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing a comprehensive strategic dialogue mechanism between the Chinese and Indonesian governments. During the meeting, the two sides signed documents on cooperation in maritime security and other areas. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on April 21, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: April 21, 2025 20:33 CCTV: This morning China announced that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will pay a state visit to China. Can you share the background, arrangement and China's expectation for the visit? Guo Jiakun: China and Azerbaijan are strategic partners. Over recent years, under the personal care and effort of the two presidents, China-Azerbaijan relations have maintained a sound growth momentum, with deepening political mutual trust, fruitful Belt and Road cooperation, and effective international coordination. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will hold talks with President Ilham Aliyev to draw a new blueprint for the growth of bilateral relations. Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhao Leji will meet with him respectively to have in-depth exchanges of views on cooperation in various areas. We believe that this visit will further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries and bring more benefit to the two peoples. RIA Novosti: Russian President Putin said on April 19 that Russian military forces would stop all military activity from April 19 to 21 with the arrival of Easter. What is China's comment on this? Guo Jiakun: We noted relevant reports. China is happy to see any effort for a ceasefire, which is necessary for realizing peace. We hope relevant parties will continue to resolve the crisis through dialogue and negotiation. China Daily: The U.S. announced sanctions on several officials of the Chinese central government's agency in the Hong Kong SAR and the government of the Hong Kong SAR. Will China take countermeasures? Guo Jiakun: The U.S.'s illegal unilateral sanctions on six officials of the Chinese central government's agency in the Hong Kong SAR and the government of the Hong Kong SAR is a severe interference in China's domestic affairs, including Hong Kong affairs, and a violation of principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations. China strongly condemns this despicable move. In accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China, China decided to sanction the U.S. congressional members, officials and heads of NGO who have acted egregiously on the Hong Kong-related issues. Our message to the U.S.: Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs brook no U.S. interference. The U.S.'s erroneous practice on the Hong Kong-related issues will for sure meet China's resolute response and reciprocal countermeasures. AFP: Gunman in Chile on Sunday attacked a Chinese-owned hydroelectric plant under construction, setting fire to dozens of trucks and heavy equipment. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this? Guo Jiakun: China strongly condemns the attack. We have asked relevant Chile authorities to take effective measures to protect the security and safety of projects and personnel of Chinese companies. We stand ready to work closely with Chile in the investigation of the case and handling of related work. Xinhua News Agency: Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Gabon's interim president, won the first presidential election with 94.85 percent of the vote, according to the provisional results recently announced by Gabon's National Election and Referendum Organization and Coordination Committee. What's China's comment and expectation of its relations with Gabon? Guo Jiakun: China congratulates Gabon on its smooth presidential election. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Mr. Nguema. China and Gabon are traditional friends and comprehensive strategic cooperative partners. China attaches great importance to its relations with Gabon. We stand ready to work with Gabon to carry forward our traditional friendship, deliver the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and add new substances to the China-Gabon comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership so as to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples. News 1 Korea: Latest satellite photos show that China installed a large steel platform, which features a helipad, in the provisional measures zone between China and the ROK in the Yellow Sea. In the past, China also installed deep-sea aquaculture facilities. This has caused concern from the ROK government. What is China's comment? Guo Jiakun: My colleague has made clear China's position. Let me reiterate that China and the ROK have overlapping claims on maritime rights and interests. The two sides are advancing negotiations on maritime delimitation and in the meanwhile, actively carrying out cooperation in the provisional measures zone (PMZ) in accordance with the China-ROK Fishery Agreement. The aquaculture facilities set up by Chinese company in the PMZ do not contravene the agreement between China and the ROK. China has shared relevant information and maintained communication with the ROK through channels such as the dialogue and cooperation mechanism of maritime affairs. We hope the ROK will view this in an objective and reasonable manner. Bloomberg: The U.S. and the Philippines will start their flagship annual military drills today. The exercise has come as Beijing and Manila are obviously in a dispute over the South China Sea. A Philippine general who directed drills said Manila is treating them as an exercise for our "defense." Would the Ministry like to respond on that? Guo Jiakun: With the world being hit by unilateralism, protectionism and bullying, countries in this region have been calling for greater solidarity, coordination, and joint efforts to keep the region stable and respond to challenges. Against this backdrop, the Philippines chose to conduct the large-scale military drills with this country outside the region and brought in strategic and tactical weapons to the detriment of regional strategic stability and regional economic prospects, which puts them on the opposite side of regional countries. This act has been detested and opposed by regional countries. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and is at the core of China's core interest. China firmly opposes any country using the Taiwan question as an excuse to strengthen military deployment in the region, heighten tensions and confrontation, and disturb regional peace and stability. We urge relevant sides not to make provocation on the Taiwan question. Those who play with fire will perish by it. AFP: We are seeing reports that the Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi will visit China. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm this? Guo Jiakun: China and Iran maintain exchanges and interactions at various levels and in multiple fields. On the specific visit that you mentioned, I have no information to share at the moment. AFP: Protesters in the West African country of Guinea Bissau on Sunday attacked a Chinese-run mining site in the northwest of the country and set fire to equipment. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this? Guo Jiakun: I'm not aware of the specifics that you mentioned. Let me reaffirm that the Chinese government keeps asking Chinese companies to abide by local laws and policies and lawfully do their business overseas. AFP: I have a question about Myanmar. We are seeing reports that this week, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance army will hand control of the strategic town of Lashio back to the Myanmar junta forces. The consensus is that the deal has been brokered under pressure from China. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this? Guo Jiakun: China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors. China's position on the Myanmar issue is very clear. We follow the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, support Myanmar in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, support various parties in Myanmar in carrying out friendly consultation toward political reconciliation, and support Myanmar in resuming the political transition process. *************************** The following question was raised after the press conference: In the turbulent global security situation, the world is at risk of reverting to the law of the jungle. On April 21, 2022, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Security Initiative, offering a Chinese proposal for addressing security challenges and safeguarding and promoting world peace. Today marks the third anniversary of the initiative. Could you share with us the positive role of this initiative in safeguarding and promoting world peace and security? Guo Jiakun: Three years ago today, President Xi Jinping, for the future and welfare of humanity, put forward the Global Security Initiative (GSI). Over the past three years, with his personal guidance, China, in line with the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, has been working with the rest of the world to fully advance the GSI, and made important progress. The GSI has gained the support of over 120 countries and regional and international organizations. It has been written into over 120 bilateral and multilateral documents between China and other countries or international organizations. Cooperation in various fields under the GSI framework has made steady progress and produced initial results. Under the GSI, China firmly supports developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and other regions in safeguarding their own sovereignty, security, and development interests. China has signed MOUs on GSI cooperation with some Asian and African countries and trained various talents of security governance for developing countries to help grow the strength of the Global South in safeguarding peace and security. China makes full use of its role as the permanent member of the UN Security Council. China issued position papers on the Ukraine crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Afghanistan issue, among others, launched the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis together with Brazil and other Global South countries, facilitated the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, promoted the internal reconciliation within Palestine, and provided viable solutions to solving disputes and differences, and managing risks and crisis. China actively addresses non-traditional security risks. China has fully implemented the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, improved rules of governance on new frontiers such as the deep sea, polar regions, outer space, artificial intelligence, data and the Internet, and conducted international cooperation in such fields as climate change, energy security, food security, and combating cross-border crimes, online gambling and scam. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-fascist War and of the founding of the UN. The history of humanity is arriving at yet another crucial juncture. China stands ready to work with other parties to steer the trend of history, uphold the right path of common security, continue to advance the GSI, and strive for a world that enjoys lasting peace and universal security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China sanctions US figures over 'gross interference' in Beijing's affairs Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 11:22 AM China has announced sanctions against a group of US lawmakers, officials, and NGO leaders in response to "gross interference" in the country's internal affairs, particularly in relation to Hong Kong. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun made the announcement on Monday during a press briefing in Beijing, condemning the latest US sanctions targeting six Chinese officials from both the central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). He described the move by the United States as "despicable," saying it had violated the principles of the international law and the basic norms of international relations. "The United States' abusive imposition of unlawful and unilateral sanctions... has grossly interfered in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal affairs," the spokesman stated. The official added that China's decision to impose countermeasures was made in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China. Those affected by Beijing's measures include members of the US Congress, American government officials, and heads of non-governmental organizations who, according to China, had acted inappropriately on matters related to Hong Kong. 'Hong Kong an integral part of China' The spokesman issued a stern warning to Washington, reiterating that Hong Kong was an integral part of China, and its affairs were not open to foreign meddling. "We'd warn the US side that Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs tolerate no interference from the US," Guo said. "Any wrongdoing of the US on Hong Kong-related issues will be met with China's resolute retaliation and reciprocal countermeasures." Beijing has repeatedly asserted that the "One Country, Two Systems" model governing Hong Kong was a matter of national sovereignty and warned that continued US interference would further damage bilateral ties. Tensions between Beijing and Washington have flared in recent years over a range of issues, including Chinese Taipei, trade, and tech competition, with Hong Kong increasingly becoming another fault line in the deteriorating bilateral relationship. Earlier this month, the US announced new sanctions against Chinese officials over, what it claimed, were "abuses" of Hong Kong's "autonomy and democratic freedoms." Washington continued to invoke the so-called "Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act," a piece of legislation widely rejected by Beijing as a tool of interference. In a related development, on April 11, 2025, China increased tariffs on US imports from 84% to 125% in response to escalating trade tensions with the United States. This action followed President Xi Jinping's warning that "there are no winners in a tariff war" and that unilateral actions could lead to isolation. In tandem with the tariff hike, Xi urged the European Union to collaborate with China in resisting what he termed "unilateral bullying," emphasizing the importance of maintaining economic globalization and international trade norms. The tariff escalation was part of a broader trade conflict, with the US having previously raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China 'firmly' opposes countries making trade agreements with US at its expense Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 7:01 AM China has hit out at countries that make trade agreements with the US at Beijing's expense, vowing countermeasures against those who "appease" Washington. A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said on Monday that "appeasement" will not bring peace to the deteriorating trade war between the two largest economies in the world. While the US has imposed a %10 percent tariff on the rest of the world, it has put a staggering %145 duty on many Chinese products. China has responded with duties of 125 percent on US goods. In recent weeks, a number of countries, including China's neighbors, Japan and South Korea, have tried to reach new economic agreements with the US, which according to China will come to fruition at its expense. Finance and trade ministers from South Korea, a major exporter to the US, will hold high-level trade talks in Washington this week, Seoul said. South Korean giants such as Samsung Electronics and auto maker Hyundai will suffer significant financial loss if the US administration decides to impose its tariffs on the country. Meanwhile, Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Saturday that talks between Japan and the US could be a "model for the world," after Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's minister in charge of economic revitalization, visited Washington and met Trump last week. But China has warned countries not to seek agreements with the US that compromise China's economic interests. "China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China's interests," added the spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce. "If such a situation occurs, China will never accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures," they added. Trump said on Thursday that the US has held talks with China on tariffs, and added that he was confident the world's largest economies could reach an agreement to end the trade war. "Yeah, we're talking to China ... I would say they have reached out a number of times," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. China has vowed to fight the trade war "to the end" and has not confirmed that it held talks with the US, though it has called for dialogue. It has condemned what it calls "unilateralism and protectionism" by the US and warned that the trade war could force the "law of the jungle" on the international order. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Amid tariff pressures, Chinese exporters adapt and expand 15:07, April 22, 2025 By Fang Min ( People's Daily Photo shows a smart workshop of Xinxiang Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd. (Photo from China Textile News) As the U.S. ratchets up tariffs on Chinese imports, exporters in central China's Henan province are feeling the strain, but they are not standing still. In Xinxiang, a manufacturing hub in the province's north, firms accustomed to shipping goods across the globe are now navigating a more turbulent trade environment. Yet, rather than retreat, many are pushing outward, chasing new markets and doubling down on innovation. "Business with the U.S. has definitely gotten tougher," many company heads said. For instance, Xinke Protective, a typical export-driven enterprise specializing in protective workwear, exports over 90 percent of its products to Europe and North America. In the first quarter of this year, the company saw revenues fall 30 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Frestec, a Henan-based maker of refrigerators and freezers, has shipped its products to more than 70 countries and regions in recent years. But 2025 has brought a sharp rise in external uncertainty, according to Yang Qinhe, the company's deputy general manager, adding new layers of complexity to the company's overseas market. Despite growing uncertainty abroad, none of these entrepreneurs showed signs of panic. "We remain optimistic about orders picking up in the second half of this year," said Xie Li, chairman assistant of Xinke Protective. "It's not the first time we've weathered something like this." When the U.S. slapped tariffs on Chinese goods in 2018, Xinke's orders dipped, only to recover months later as American clients, after weighing their options, returned. "Our quality and pricing still made sense, even with the added costs," Xie explained. To retain those clients, the company's chairman recently traveled to the U.S. for in-person talks, while other teams are fanning out across the Middle East, South America, and Russia in search of new buyers. Photo shows welding robots developed by Henan Winner Vibrating Equipment Co., Ltd. (Photo from WeChat official account of DaHe Fortune Cube run by Henan Daily) A similar story is unfolding at Weihua Group, a crane manufacturer in Xinxiang. The company has hired more than 300 new salespeople overseas since last October - triple the number it initially targeted. "We can't control the global situation, but we can be proactive," said Vice President Ding Haiyang. "Many of our executives are now abroad, negotiating deals." The changing trade landscape has only deepened companies' resolve to broaden their global reach. Textile firm Xinxiang Chemical Fiber has sent teams to trade fairs in Indonesia and Bulgaria, tailoring its offerings to meet local tastes. "Buyers there have high expectations for fabrics texture, so we developed a customized flat yarn," said Zhang Jiaqi, deputy general manager of the company. "It's been very well received." Auto parts maker Yubei Steering System (Xinxiang) Co., Ltd is scouting factory sites overseas. "Going global is no longer optional - it's necessary," said deputy general manager Zhong Lijie. Such moves suggest that Henan's exporters, far from being blindsided, have been bracing for volatility, and preparing alternatives. "The U.S. isn't our only market," one entrepreneur said. "Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America are full of potential. We just didn't prioritize them before." Still, not every solution lies overseas. China's government work report this year emphasized the need to address inadequate domestic demand, particularly insufficient consumption, and make domestic demand the main engine and anchor of economic growth. At Henan Winner Vibrating Equipment Co., Ltd., domestic demand has emerged as a surprising growth engine. The company's in-house welding robots - once built solely for internal use - caught the attention of local customers after staff began posting videos online. Since hitting the market in 2021, robot sales have jumped nearly 30-fold. Food manufacturer Henan Aokun is also targeting the Chinese consumer, betting on healthier eating habits. "We're developing products that are low in sugar and fat but high in fiber," said general manager Tang Lei. "That's where the demand is going." Yet even as companies innovate and adapt, concerns remain. Several business leaders called for curbing rat-race competition, marked by low quality and low prices. "We need to stop fighting over pennies," said Xie Li. "Only by working together - and focusing on R&D - can we keep our industries sustainable." (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) China accuses US of new pressure campaign on global trade Beijing warns of retaliation after reports that Washington is urging allies to cut trade with China. By Alan Lu for RFA 2025.04.21 TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Beijing accused the United States of "pressuring other countries" to curb trade, following media reports that the Trump administration will use tariff relief as leverage to push nations to scale back their economic ties with China. More than 70 countries have expressed interest in negotiating trade deals, according to the U.S., after U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this month announced a 90-day pause on his "reciprocal" tariffs on imports from dozens of countries. "China firmly opposes any party striking a deal at the expense of China's interests," a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said Monday, accusing the U.S. of using "reciprocity" as a cover to exert dominance in trade and economic matters. "Seeking tariff exemptions at the expense of others' interests is like making a deal with the tiger for its skin - it will ultimately backfire and hurt all parties involved," said the spokesperson, vowing "reciprocal countermeasures," without elaborating. The ministry's statement came after Bloomberg News last week reported that the Trump administration intended to push countries seeking relief from tariffs to reduce their trade with China. U.S. officials were discussing plans to pressure other nations to stop importing excess goods from China and impose duties on imports from specific countries with close ties to Beijing, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The U.S. and China are waging a tit-for-tat trade battle, which threatens to stunt the global economy, after Trump announced new tariffs on most countries. Specifically, the Trump administration has ramped up its trade war with Beijing by hiking import taxes on Chinese goods to as high as 145% China, which has pledged to "fight to the end" if Washington continues to escalate the trade spat, has hit back by imposing duties of 125% on U.S. exports. Trump on Easter Sunday posted about a 'non-tariff cheating' list, warning trade partners of non-tariff-related offenses that could spoil relations with the United States. The eight-point list included currency manipulation, export subsidies, counterfeiting, and transshipping. "These non-tariff barriers are just as bad as tariffs - maybe worse," Trump's post on Truth Social read, drawing attention to practices such as currency manipulation, value-added taxes acting as export subsidies, product dumping and government-backed export incentives. He also named counterfeit goods, IP theft, protectionist technical standards, and transshipping to dodge tariffs as part of what he sees as a global playbook of economic sabotage. "Yeah, we're talking to China. I would say they have reached out a number of times," Trump told reporters last week, hinting at renewed negotiations with Beijing. He earlier said that Washington and Beijing were in talks on tariffs, expressing confidence that the world's two largest economies would reach a deal over the next three to four weeks. Edited by Taejun Kang and Stephen Wright. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China Warns of Retaliation Over Deals That Harm Its Interests Amid US Economic Isolation Plans Sputnik News 20250421 BEIJING (Sputnik) - China does not accept any deals of other countries that are concluded at the expense of its interests; if this happens, Beijing will take equivalent countermeasures, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said, commenting on reports of US plans to achieve economic isolation of China. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US authorities planned to obtain commitments from trading partners to economically isolate China in exchange for lower tariffs during negotiations with other countries. "China respects the desire of all parties to resolve trade and economic differences with the United States through equal consultations," the ministry said. It noted that, in China's opinion, in the issue of "reciprocal tariffs" all parties should stand on the side of justice, on the right side of history and protect international trade and economic rules and the multilateral trading system. "It should be especially noted that China is firmly against any deals that are concluded at the expense of China's interests. If this happens, China will not accept it and will resolutely take equivalent countermeasures. China has the determination and the ability to defend its interests," the statement says. On April 2, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order introducing "reciprocal" tariffs on imports from other countries. Their basic rate is 10%, and for 57 countries, increased rates have been in effect since April 9, which were calculated based on the US trade deficit with a specific country: so that there would be a balance instead of a deficit. However, on April 9, the US leader announced that more than 75 countries had not taken retaliatory measures and requested negotiations, so for 90 days, basic import duties of 10% would apply to everyone except China. After a series of steps in the trade war, the additional "reciprocal" US tariff on Chinese goods reached 125%, and China's retaliatory tariff on American goods is also 125%. In addition, the United States has another 20% tariff on China, introduced in connection with accusations of insufficient combat against synthetic drugs. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea continues to pursue covert biological weapons program: US report The State Department said Pyongyang has had biological weapons capabilities since at least the 1960s. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2025.04.21 TAIPEI, Taiwan -- North Korea continues to maintain a covert biological weapons program in violation of international treaties, according to a newly released U.S. government report. Biological weapons use pathogens such as bacteria or viruses to sicken or kill. Their invisible nature and devastating potential make them one of the most insidious forms of weaponry. "The United States assesses that the DPRK has a dedicated, national-level offensive [biological weapons] program," the State Department said in its 2025 report on global compliance with arms control and disarmament agreements. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK - North Korea's official name - has long drawn suspicion for its clandestine research including nuclear weapons. According to the report, the regime possesses "the technical capability to produce bacteria, viruses, and toxins that could be used as BW [biological weapons] agents" and is also capable of genetically engineering biological materials. Even more concerning, it said, is Pyongyang's potential capacity to deploy these weapons using unconventional and covert delivery systems. "Pyongyang probably is capable of weaponizing BW agents with unconventional systems such as sprayers and poison pen injection devices, which have been deployed by the DPRK for delivery of chemical weapons and could be used to covertly deliver BW agents," the report said. Despite being a State Party to the Biological Weapons Convention, or BWC, since 1987 - a treaty that bans the development, production, and stockpiling of such weapons - North Korea has shown little intention of abiding by its commitments. After submitting a blank confidence-building measure report in 1990, claiming there was "nothing relevant" to disclose, the country has failed to submit any further reports for more than three decades. "The DPRK is assessed to have had BW capabilities since at least the 1960s," the report said. The State Department concluded that North Korea's actions violate Articles I and II of the convention. The U.S. would continue to monitor developments closely and assess prospects for diplomatic engagement to address Pyongyang's breach of its obligations, the department said. Moscow-Pyongyang cooperation The State Department also raised concerns over a strategic partnership treaty signed between Russia and North Korea in mid-2024. It warned that certain provisions in the agreement could violate Russia's obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, or NPT. The strategic partnership treaty outlines broad scientific and technological cooperation and explicitly mentions joint research in areas such as space, biology, artificial intelligence, information technology and nuclear energy. While the treaty frames this cooperation as peaceful, officials have said that any civil nuclear collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang must be assessed in light of Russia's international legal commitments, according to the department. As a nuclear-weapon state party to the non proliferation treaty, Russia is prohibited from aiding any non-nuclear weapon state - such as North Korea - in the development, acquisition, or manufacture of nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices, it said. "Civil nuclear cooperation between Russia and the DPRK also could implicate Russia's NPT obligations, depending upon the nature and circumstances of that cooperation," said the department. Edited by Mike Firn and Stephen Wright. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian president ratifies strategic partnership agreement with Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 21, 2025 Moscow, IRNA -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ratified a 20-year strategic cooperation treaty with Iran. Putin signed the law ratifying the agreement on Monday after both the State Duma and the Federation Council of Russia approved the document earlier this month. The agreement was signed by Putin and President Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow on January 17. The Russian president called it a "breakthrough document," while the Iranian president said it would "open a new chapter in relations between Iran and Russia in all fields." Serving as a framework for expanding bilateral cooperation, the pact covers a wide range of areas, including defense, energy, finance, transportation, industry, agriculture, tourism, culture, science, and technology. In an exclusive interview with Russia Today during his recent visit to Moscow, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the Iranian Parliament would approve the deal within a few days, paving the way for its implementation by Tehran. 9341**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran dismisses media speculations about talks with the U.S. IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 21, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Tehran has rejected media speculations about the content of its indirect negotiations with Washington on Iran's civilian nuclear program and the termination of U.S. sanctions. "We do not confirm the details raised about the issues raised in the Iran-U.S. talks. They are merely media speculations," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said at a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday. "The details of the negotiations are not to be discussed in the media, and we do not confirm any of the issues raised," he added. Tehran and Washington held two rounds of indirect talks in Muscat, Oman, on April 12, and Rome, Italy, on April 19. The third round is slated to be held in Muscat on April 26. Baqaei pointed to the United States' unlawful sanctions against Iran, saying that in any talks, the Islamic Republic's demand is the termination of the sanctions in a way that would lead to tangible effects. "The Islamic Republic of Iran must be able to carry out its economic, commercial, and banking activities normally, and there must also be assurances that past negative experiences will not be repeated," he said. Regular contact with European signatories to JCPOA Baqaei said Iran remains in regular contact with the European troikaBritain, France, and Germanyas signatories to the 2015 Iran deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which the U.S. unilaterally withdrew in 2018. He said that consultations are also ongoing with China and Russia, which he described as long-time partners of Iran. "We have kept them informed from the outset," he said. According to the spokesperson, U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA remain in place, and all signatories bear legal responsibilities under these frameworks. European threats to invoke snapback mechanism 'unconstructive' Responding to a question about the pace of talks and repeated European threats to invoke the so-called snapback mechanism, Baqaei said such moves are not constructive. He said Iran is serious about removing the sanctions imposed on its people. IAEA inspections of Iran's nuclear program continuing Responding to a question on the International Atomic Energy Agency's role in Iran-U.S. negotiations, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the IAEA's monitoring of Iran's nuclear program is ongoing. He said the agency acts based on its statute and the treaties governing its relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran as a member state. "So, within that framework and in accordance with pre-established procedures, the agency's inspections and monitoring will continue," he said. Asked about rumors of a meeting in Rome between the deputy foreign minister for political affairs and the IAEA director general, Baqaei dismissed them as completely false. "The IAEA director general's presence in Rome was his own decision. We had no conversation or meeting with him there. Our discussions with him took place in Tehran," he said, adding that there was no new issue that would require further talks. 4354**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran ready to expand trilateral talks with Russia and China: Araqchi IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 21, 2025 Moscow, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has voiced Iran's readiness to expand trilateral discussions with Russia and China, amid talks between the three countries on Tehran's civilian nuclear program. "We have started trilateral talks between Iran, Russia, and China on the issue of Iran's nuclear program for some time now," Araqchi said in a Saturday interview with RT. He said two such meetings have already taken place, adding, "We are ready to continue these talks and expand them to other issues." Tehran has deepened its relations with Moscow and Beijing in recent years, becoming a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2023 and the BRICS group in 2024. Their military collaboration has also grown, with the latest example being joint naval exercises held by the three nations off Iran's coast in March. According to Araqchi, the three countries intend to further deepen their cooperation in order to promote global peace and security. "Iran, China and Russia - in a coordinated move - can take effective steps towards international peace," he said, adding that the three partners "are serious about this." Given the current international climate, he went on, working closely with Moscow and Beijing is "a necessity" for Tehran. 'Iran-Russia ties have never been so close' The remarks came as Araqchi paid a visit to Moscow to deliver a message from Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The top Iranian diplomat said that relations between Iran and Russia have never been closer and so stronger than at the current moment. "We have the same and close positions on many international issues. I do not want to say that there are no disagreements between us. Sometimes there are also differences of opinion, but in most cases we have close positions with each other and, most importantly, we are in constant exchange of views," he added. 'Tel Aviv will not be able to attack Iran' Araqchi also dismissed the Israeli regime's threats to strike Iran, saying the regime has never been able to attack Iran in the past and it will not be able to do so in the future. He said that even with the support and help of the United States, the Tel Aviv regime will not be capable of carrying out military actions against the Islamic Republic. "As I said, we can defend ourselves even against the U.S., and the United States knows how capable we are," he said. "The Israeli regime also knows what our defense capabilities are and what our response to any attack would be." 4354**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran will 'chart its own path' if US refuses to negotiate on 'equal footing': President Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 6:44 PM President Masoud Pezeshkian says that while Iran is prepared to reach an agreement with the United States within a defined framework that protects its national interests, it will "chart its own path" if Washington refuses to negotiate on "equal footing." Pezeshkian made the remarks while addressing the second meeting of governors from across the country in Tehran on Monday, after Iran and the US held two rounds of indirect nuclear talks in Muscat and Rome. "In negotiations with the US, we are ready to reach an agreement within the established framework as long as national interests are observed," he said. However, if the US refrains from negotiating with Iran on an equal footing, Tehran will continue its own path, he added. As declared by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, "we are neither optimistic, nor pessimistic" about the talks, the Iranian president reiterated. Pezeshkian emphasized that his administration has always sought to promote political, economic, scientific, and cultural relations with other countries, particularly the neighboring and Muslim states. "We are pursuing constructive interaction with other countries based on mutual respect," he said. He emphasized that Iran does not seek to engage in any conflict with other countries, "but will not accept force and bullying." Pezeshkian added that the enemy has assassinated Iranian scientific, cultural, religious, and academic elites in an effort to inflict harm on the nation. However, Iranians can develop the country by relying on their own capabilities, the president stated. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, the US president's special envoy for West Asia affairs, led two rounds of indirect talks about Iran's nuclear program and the termination of US sanctions in the Omani capital of Muscat and the Italian capital, Rome, on April 12 and 19, respectively. The talks were mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. Iran and the US agreed to open expert-level technical discussions in Oman on April 23. A third round of indirect negotiations between Araghchi and Witkoff is expected to be held in Oman on April 26 to evaluate the results of the expert meetings and see how close they will be to an agreement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's President Putin ratifies bill for strategic partnership with Iran Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 6:29 PM Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill ratifying the strategic partnership treaty with Iran. The Russian state news agency RIA reported on Monday that Putin had signed the law ratifying the strategic partnership agreement that had been inked with Iran in January. The bill had been approved by Russia's State Duma earlier this month. The pact, signed by Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, has a duration of twenty years and establishes the legal framework for long-term cooperation in various sectors, including defense, energy, industry, agriculture, finance, transportation, science, culture, and technology. Primarily, the long-term agreement seeks to promote investments in oil, gas, and the development of peaceful nuclear energy. It also aims to establish an international payment system that is independent of third-party countries and operates using national currencies. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the level of cooperation between Iran and Russia had reached its "apex." Araghchi met with Putin and other senior Russian officials on his visit to Moscow last week. "We are at the apex of collaboration with Russia in the history of our 500-year-old relationship," Araghchi wrote on Friday in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The top diplomat described the two neighboring countries as "strategic partners" committed to pursuing their shared interests. "In this critical juncture, Iran and Russia are strategic partners and will continue to be so in pursuit of shared interests & for the good of the two nations and the world," he wrote on X. Araghchi said that given the US-led sanctions placed on both countries, the cooperation between them would strengthen their economic ties. "Of course, this does not mean that the two countries recognize the legitimacy of the sanctions, but they have designed their economic cooperation in such a way that even in the presence of sanctions, they can achieve desirable results," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Removal of 'unlawful' sanctions Iran's basic demand in every negotiation: Foreign Ministry spokesman Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 10:49 AM Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says the termination of "unlawful and cruel" sanctions is the fundamental demand of the Islamic Republic in every negotiation. Baghaei was speaking at his weekly press conference on Monday following two rounds of indirect talks between Iran and the United States on the nuclear issue. "All sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran are unjustifiable, unlawful and cruel. Therefore, we do not distinguish between the sanctions which have been imposed on us under different pretexts and titles," he said. He added that Iran pursues the removal of these sanctions in every negotiation as its fundamental demand just in a way that leads to tangible and completely effective outcomes. He noted that Iran should be able to carry out its economic, trade and banking activities, stressing the need for necessary guarantees that the previous negative experience would not be repeated any more. Baghaei reiterated that Iran must be assured that its indirect talks with the US would lead to endurable specific outcomes and that the opposite sides would seriously fulfill their commitments. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, the US president's special envoy for West Asia affairs, led two rounds of indirect talks about Iran's nuclear program and the termination of US sanctions in the Omani capital of Muscat and the Italian capital, Rome, on April 12 and 19, respectively. The high-level talks mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. Speaking at the end of the second round of talks on Saturday, Araghchi said Tehran and Washington had reached a "better understanding" on certain principles and goals. Iran and the US agreed to open expert-level technical discussions in Oman on April 23. A third round of high-level indirect negotiations between Araghchi and Witkoff would kick off in Oman on April 26 to evaluate the results of the expert meetings and see how close they will be to an agreement. The Iranian spokesperson hailed Oman's professional role as the host and mediation of the talks between Tehran and Washington. He said Oman had proposed that the second round of the negotiations should be held "in a place other than Muscat", adding that the three parties agreed on the venue. He also commended the Italian government for its positive cooperation. In response to a question about Iran's consultations with the signatories of the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Baghaei said, "China and Russia are two important members of the [United Nations] Security Council and Iran's friends and have always been informed about relative trends." He noted that China and Russia have been informed about the Iran-US talks before their start, adding, "We even consulted with the three European members of the JCPOA (France, Germany and Italy) and we will continue to do so." The spokesman added that the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorses the JCPOA, is still binding and consultations with the signatories to the nuclear deal must be held in any process. During his first term in office, US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the JCPOA and launched a "maximum pressure" campaign against the country. Trump restored that policy after returning to the White House for a second term in January, but he has since signaled a willingness to make a new deal to replace the JCPOA. On March 12, Trump sent a letter to Iran's leadership, asking for negotiations to reach a new deal. Iran has ruled out direct negotiations with the US under pressure and threats, but said indirect talks remain an option. Threat of triggering snapback mechanism 'not constructive' Baghaei warned Europeans that the threat of triggering the snapback mechanism is not constructive at all, saying they should make a decision whether they seek to play a role in the process of the sanctions removal. "We have fully informed the European countries of the talks in good faith and we hope that they will also act in good faith," the Iranian spokesman added. He noted that the Iranian foreign minister is set to travel to Beijing on Tuesday on a pre-planned visit to hold talks with Chinese officials about Tehran-Washington negotiations and the implementation of bilateral agreements. "As a permanent member of the Security Council and an influential country in previous negotiations, China has close and strategic relations with us and can play a constructive role in any process," he said. Iran well knows how to respond to threats Asked about threats against Iran's nuclear facilities, Baghaei said, "Iran is not supposed to change its policy regarding the threat of the use of force. We know very well how to respond to any threats." In response to claims about the US contradictory positions, he stressed the importance of practical measures and said Iran should not allow such issues to have any impact on it. Israel's continued crimes main problem in West Asia The Iranian spokesperson said attacks on Yemen are against all international rights and regulations which aim to help the Israeli regime's genocide in Gaza. "The continued crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza and its aggression against the regional countries are the problem in our region. These attacks against Yemen are nothing but complicity in the aggressions of the Zionist regime," Baghaei added. He said Iran strongly condemns the Israeli regime's crimes and expresses regret that the United Nations and its Security Council as well as the so-called advocates of human rights keep silent in the face of such criminal acts. Iran offers condolences on Pope's death Baghaei offered Iran's condolences following the death of Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Armed Forces achieve 'most sophisticated' defense technology: Military official Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 6:58 AM A senior Iranian military official has commended the country's Armed Forces for possessing the one of the most advanced defensive technology developed indigenously. Brigadier General Mohammad Mehdinejad Nouri, deputy chief of science, research, and technology at the General Staff of the Armed Forces, made the remarks on Sunday. The official highlighted the "most sophisticated" technological advancements that had been developed within the forces, particularly in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and artificial intelligence. According to the official, the forces had made groundbreaking strides in defense technology, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence and unmanned systems. Role of artificial intelligence Nouri noted that these breakthroughs were integral to enhancing the country's national power, stressing the necessity of various technologies such as AI, quantum sciences, microelectronics, and digital systems in maintaining countrywide security. He, meanwhile, described artificial intelligence as a "critical" technology for the future of Iran's defense strategy, noting that AI integrated multiple technological fields, which were crucial for responding to modern threats. To further enhance Iran's defense capabilities, the official emphasized the importance of integrating a range of advanced technologies, including AI, digital systems, quantum technologies, and microelectronics, into a cohesive, intelligent network. Looking ahead, Nouri asserted that the Islamic Republic's defense sector would continue to expand its partnerships with universities, research parks, and innovative companies. "Our foremost priority in the Armed Forces is national security," Nouri stated. "While economic factors are important, the development of advanced defense technologies is our primary concern." 'Growing from zero into unmanned systems exporter' According to the official, the Islamic Republic began its journey into unmanned aerial systems in 1985, and today, it boasted significant advancements, enabling it to export these technologies. He pointed out that, over the past two years, the country's defense sector had invested thousands of dollars into partnerships with academic and technological institutions to push forward a range of projects. "These collaborations are key to fulfilling the technological needs of our Armed Forces and advancing our national defense strategies," he said. "We are actively tapping into creative ideas and innovative solutions to ensure that our military remains at the forefront of technological advancements," he said. These efforts, he remarked, were aligned with the broader vision of enhancing both the country's national defense and its standing in the international arena. Nouri further emphasized the growing importance of collaboration between the military and knowledge-based companies in enhancing the country's technological capabilities. "Our cooperation with universities and knowledge-based companies has been crucial in advancing these technologies," he explained, underscoring that these efforts had already yielded result in the form of enhanced defense capabilities and exportable technologies. Yemeni drones overpowered expensive US firepower Separately, the official hailed the Yemeni Armed Forces for their managing to overpower the United States sizable squadrons and sprawling naval fleets, only using inexpensive unnamed aerial vehicle technology. The UAVs, he said, have proven highly effective against more expensive countermeasures, forcing the US to deploy multi-million-dollar missiles in response. This underlines the imperative nature of deployment of cost-effective, yet highly advanced, defense technologies, the official stated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar junta kills 50 civilians in 3-day countrywide air raids The exiled civilian government vowed to 'punish' the military regime for its violent crimes against the public. By RFA Burmese 2025.04.21 -- A three-day onslaught of junta-launched airstrikes across four major areas spanning much of Myanmar's central plains killed 50 people and injured nearly 80, sources told Radio Free Asia. Myanmar's junta, which seized power in 2021, faces resistance from dozens of militias seeking autonomy. In response to insurgent attacks, the military has bombed villages suspected of sheltering rebels, often killing dozens of civilians. In the latest assaults, the junta killed 20 people in Singu township's Kyi Tauk Pauk village and Thabeikkyin township's Leik Kya and Yae Htwet villages in Manadalay region between Friday and Sunday. "A 500-pound bomb fell. Four men and two women were injured, only those who were middle-aged," said a Kyi Tauk Pauk resident, declining to be named for security reasons, adding that three dormitories at the local school were destroyed when a junta plane attacked around 2 p.m. on Friday. The airstrike on Leik Kya village killed 12 civilians, including one child, three women and eight men, and injured three others, said a member of a local Pyinoolwin militia under the arm of the exiled civilian National Unity Government, or NUG. The plane came from Meiktila Air Base, on the border of Shan state and Mandalay region, dropping one 300-pound bomb and opening fire on the village, said a member of the militia, declining to be named for security reasons. Similarly, Saturday afternoon's attacks on Yae Htwet left 24 people dead and nearly 20 injured when two bombs struck the village, residents said, adding that the death toll is likely to rise as many people are critically injured. Several young children were also killed in the attack, said one resident, declining to be named for security reasons. 'Ceasefire' The NUG announced on Monday it would take all actions necessary to punish military for its violent crimes against the public. Despite ceasefires declared by both the junta and NUG following the country's March 28 earthquake that left thousands dead, struggles for territory, ending in junta bombings, have continued. Other attacks also targeted villages across Rakhine state and Sagaing region. Both are considered to be hotbeds of insurgent activity under both NUG-led militias and the Arakan Army, which has captured 14 of Rakhine's 17 townships in its fight for self-determination. Junta airstrikes on a residential ward of Rakhine's Kyauktaw town, which remains under military control, on Saturday afternoon. killed two civilians and injured 20 others, including three children, residents said. A junta plane attacked a monastery in Mon state's Bilin township on Saturday morning during a religious ceremony. The airstrike killed 10-year-old monk Kaylatha, 60-year-old Ma Wai and 69-year-old Hla Myint, the rebel administration Karen National Union, which controls parts of Kayin and Mon states, announced on Sunday. Nine more civilians were injured. In Sagaing region, two bombs dropped on a store in Thin Taw village on Sunday evening killed six family members, said one resident, who requested to remain unnamed for fear of reprisals. "One bomb hit the store exactly and killed the whole family," he said. "They were all just civilians, three men, three women, all dead." He listed the family members as 20-year-old Mi Thay; 30-year-old Min Min; Khin Ma, who was around 50 years old; and also Kyaw Min Kyi; Phone Maw; and a woman known as 'Mrs. Saw,' all identified without ages. Two other men were injured in the attack, residents said. In Myinmu township, junta forces bombed a camp for internally displaced people on Saturday morning, killing three civilians and injuring eight others, residents said, identifying them as displaced people including three-year-old Su Myat, 17-year-old May Zun Oo and 69-year-old Tin Maung. Four others were injured including a five-year-old child, they said. Junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun has not responded to RFA's inquiries. Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a meeting of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group with ambassadors from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member states, Moscow, April 21, 2025 21 April 2025 17:29 669-21-04-2025 Mr Khusnullin and Mr Minnikhanov, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, We are pleased to provide the spatial opportunities at our disposal for meetings such as today's. Dialogue in this format has become a cherished tradition, and we intend to sustain it. Russia is the largest Eurasian power, a civilisational state. Here, alongside Christians, Buddhists, and Jews, reside millions of citizens who profess Islam. Our country has traditionally maintained trust-based and amicable relations with the Islamic world. We are united by much: a commitment to building a just multipolar world order founded on the principles of the UN Charter in their fullness and interconnectedness; respect for cultural and civilisational diversity; adherence in practice to the paramount principle of the sovereign equality of states; and Article 1 of the UN Charter, which demands respect for human rights irrespective of race, sex, language, or religion. We are united in our conviction that no society should tolerate the imposition of alien values from abroad, which undermine historical roots, spiritual and moral foundations, and internal cohesion. We reject the pernicious practice of employing unilateral restrictive measures - so-called sanctions - against nations that pursue independent foreign and domestic policies grounded in national interests and traditions. The Russian Federation places great emphasis on strengthening friendly ties with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). I note with satisfaction that over nearly two decades of joint work since Russia obtained observer status at the OIC in 2005, we have achieved significant results. A stable and trust-based political dialogue has been established on pressing issues of the international agenda. Collaboration in culture, education, and science is underway. Ties between regions and peple-to-people contacts continue to broaden. Meetings of clergy, cultural figures, and youth help our friends in the Islamic world better understand life in modern Russia - and enable us to better comprehend the highly complex processes unfolding in the Islamic world. The backbone in Russia-OIC relations is the Strategic Vision Group led by Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. This Group serves as an instrument for fortifying friendship, mutual understanding, and trust between Russia and the Islamic world. It is, in essence, a unique platform for inter-civilisational dialogue, aimed at safeguarding traditional spiritual and moral values and enhancing mutual understanding between the Russian Orthodox Church and Muslim organisations - and, more broadly, between the Russian World and the Arab-Muslim civilisation. The development of ties with the OIC enjoys broad support across our nation. This process engages the government, parliament members, business communities, religious associations, youth organisations, and figures from science and culture. The contribution of authorities in Russian regions with historically Muslim populations is impossible to overstate. In mid-May, Kazan will host the 16th International Economic Forum Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum. This flagship business event will provide fresh impetus to our trade and economic collaboration. A special session of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group will be held on the Forum's sidelines. The Russian Foreign Ministry is already providing, and will continue to provide, comprehensive support for the Forum's organisation. We are mobilising backing through our diplomatic and trade missions. We look forward to welcoming high-level delegations from your countries to the hospitable and amazing capital of Tatarstan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Telephone conversation with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. April 21, 2025 18:20 The presidents discussed issues pertaining to the further development of bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and economy, as well as investment. In view of the willingness to contribute in the search for ways to peacefully resolve the Ukraine crisis displayed by the South African side, Vladimir Putin outlined Russia's principled stance regarding the necessity to eliminate the root causes behind the conflict and ensure Russia's security interests are respected. The President of Russia extended his best wishes to Cyril Ramaphosa and the entire South African people for the upcoming Freedom Day, the national day of South Africa celebrated on April 27. The leaders resolved to maintain contact at various levels. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria is 'brimming with hope and opportunity' : Senior UN aid official 21 April 2025 - Now is the time to invest in Syria, and support people returning to the country and their communities, the outgoing UN Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis said on Monday. "Today, we have a new Syria, one that's brimming with hope and opportunity," David Carden told journalists at UN Headquarters in New York. He warned, however, that "while the levels of conflict have subsided in many parts of the country, the humanitarian crisis in Syria is far from over," as 16 million people require assistance. Cross-border mechanism The country is on a path to political transition following the overthrow of the Assad regime last December and the end of nearly 14 years of civil war. The country and neighbouring Turkiye were also hit by deadly earthquakes in February 2023. The UN is working with the transitional authorities in Damascus to develop more efficient procedures for aid delivery, address issues such as the lack of public funding, and further streamline procedures. Mr. Carden was speaking from across the Turkish border in Gazantiep, where a UN mechanism has delivered aid into northwest Syria and beyond for over a decade. He announced that his position will be officially abolished as of Tuesday - part of the UN's transition efforts aimed at streamlining coordinated response in Syria under the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Damascus, by the end of June. The current structure - which he later noted was "rather unique in the global context" - involved having different coordinators outside Syria supporting the delivery of assistance into the country. More than aid delivery The top official briefed on the accomplishments of the cross-border mechanism, which was authorized by the UN Security Council in July 2014 to allow aid into areas in northwest Syria that were not under government control and home to more than four million people. The operation has facilitated the delivery of more than 62,000 trucks of food, medical supplies, emergency shelter and other aid, reaching millions of Syrians each month. "So far this year, the UN has dispatched 936 trucks with aid for all of Syria through this cross-border modality, which is more than the whole of last year," he said. Humanitarian support extended far beyond the delivery of relief items, he added. Over the years, the UN and partners have helped Syrians to rebuild their livelihoods while also advocating for the protection of civilians in the face of constant shelling and air strikes. They also carried out other activities, including rehabilitating homes, schools and hospitals, and providing critical health education and protection services. Additionally, the Syria Cross-border Humanitarian Fund has allocated nearly $1.1 billion for life-saving and early recovery projects. 'Times have changed' Mr. Carden said this was possible through the continuous support of donors and the international community, particularly the Government of Turkiye which has been very supportive of the cross-border mechanism. "Now, times have changed," he said, pointing to the 16 million in need in Syria, or some 70 per cent of the population. Most are women and children, and over 40 per cent are in the northwestern cities of Idlib and Aleppo. Furthermore, despite a gradual increase in Syrian returnees this year, some seven million people are displaced making it among the world's largest displacement crises. Displacement and devastation "Since last December, more than one million internally displaced people have returned, but most of whom were displaced in the last two months of 2024," he said. "Around 225,000 people have departed from camps, but this still represents only a small fraction of the two million people living in camps across northwest and northeast Syria." Last month, Mr. Carden visited a former frontline area in Idlib and spoke to returnees as well as aid partners working to clear minefields and destroy explosive remnants of war. The devastation there "was absolutely overwhelming and more severe than anything I witnessed following the 2023 earthquakes," he said. Meanwhile, the UN and partners "are doing what they can with the resources available," but lack of funding is deeply alarming. Invest in Syria Humanitarians are seeking $2 billion to support Syrians through the end of June and have so far secured just $179 million - less than nine per cent of the funding needed. "This is the time to invest in Syria, as the country is in a pivotal stage of transition to help shape a more self-reliant future for its people and to support safe and dignified returns," said Mr. Carden. He expressed hope that "the humanitarian phase will be as short as possible so we can move towards recovery and reconstruction and, in that context, see the further easing of sanctions." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan would welcome restored ties with Honduras: Foreign Minister Lin ROC Central News Agency 04/21/2025 12:49 PM Taipei, April 21 (CNA) Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung () said Monday that Taiwan would welcome the return of Honduras as a diplomatic ally if the next president of that country decides to make such a move. "Of course, we would welcome Honduras if they want to restore diplomatic ties with Taiwan after their elections," Lin said during a legislative hearing, when asked to comment on relevant statements made by two of the three Honduran presidential candidates during the ongoing campaign. At the same time, Lin said, Taiwan is paying close attention to the Central American region as a whole, in the wake of a visit there earlier this year by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio's trip included visits to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, during which he commended Guatemala for its steadfast recognition of Taiwan as a "democratic nation" despite mounting international pressure to change that stance. Guatemala is one of Taiwan's two remaining diplomatic allies in Central America, the other being Belize. In Monday's legislative hearing, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Chen Chun-yu () asked for Lin's take on campaign promises made by two of the three presidential candidates in Honduras, who have said they would restore diplomatic ties with Taiwan if elected. While Chen did not name the candidates, he was referring to Salvador Nasralla of the centrist Liberal Party, and Nasry Asfura of the right-wing National Party, who are running against Rixi Moncada of the governing left-wing Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE) in the Honduras general elections scheduled for Nov. 30. Incumbent Honduran President Xiomara Castro, whose term in office ends this year, decided in 2023 to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. Since then, the Central American country has seen a sharp decline in its whiteleg shrimp farming industry, according to Lin. That has happened because Taiwan, which was the largest importer of Honduran shrimps, has since shifted to Belize for its imported shrimp supply, Lin said. Honduras' shrimp exports fell from 9.2 million kilograms in 2023 to 3 million kilograms in 2024, according to a Radio America report, which cited data from the Asociacion Nacional de Acuicultores de Honduras. In 2022, Taiwan was the main market for Honduras shrimp exports, buying nearly 40 percent. Meanwhile, Lin said that as part of his ministry's Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, Taiwan has been working with its lone South American ally Paraguay to help develop that country's high-tech and AI capabilities. The project puts forward major initiatives in Taiwan's Five Trusted Industry Sectors to help its diplomatic allies prosper, he said. Taiwan is using its Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project as a major incentive to attract new diplomatic partners and encourage the return of former allies, Lin said. Since May 2016, when then-President Tsai Ing-wen () of the DPP took office for her first term, Taiwan has lost 10 diplomatic allies to China, five of them in the Latin American and Caribbean region. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/04/21 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date: 6 a.m. Apr. 20 (Sun.) to 6 a.m. Apr. 21 (Mon.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities: 7 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN ships and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 7 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1140421_PLA activities 1140421_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ceremony for presenting all-Russian municipal award Service Vladimir Putin took part in a ceremony for presenting the all-Russian municipal award Service held as part of the second All-Russian Municipal Forum, Small Homeland - the Strength of Russia. April 21, 2025 16:30 Moscow The President presented the statuette to Vladimir Tarantsov, First Deputy Head of the Veydelevsky District Administration of the Belgorod Region - Head of the Security Department, winner in the category, Valour and Heroism in Service to the Motherland. The all-Russian municipal award Service was established under Presidential instruction in 2023. It is awarded in ten categories to representatives of the municipal community who have made a significant contribution to resolving issues of local importance and to developing local self-government. This year, more than 41,000 applications from all constituent entities of the Russian Federation were reviewed. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, friends, I am delighted to greet the participants and guests of the second All-Russian Municipal Forum, Small Homeland - the Strength of Russia, and congratulate you on Local Self-Government Day marked in Russia today. The forum, supported by the Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government, brought together representatives of the municipal community from all Russian regions. I am confident that the upcoming exchange of experience and best practices will contribute to improving the quality of life of our people and achieving the country's national development goals. You are dedicating yourself to a difficult but very important service. It is you that people first ask to solve their everyday problems, it is with you that they pin their hopes for tangible and much-needed changes for the better. That is why municipal work is not only a great responsibility, but also a meaningful vocation. It is, without exaggeration, a mission of vital importance to both the state and our society. This is indeed a true service and a mission. You know how many passionate and concerned people serve among you, in municipal governments, enterprises and organisations. They love their work and follow the rich centuries-old traditions of the local self-government system, as well as the best ideals of the Russian zemstvo. They are ready to pool their efforts, knowledge, and energy to ensure specific transformations, including in small towns and rural areas, the development and prosperity of their native land, and therefore, our entire beautiful and vast country. This is, indeed, a genuine service to fellow countrymen, neighbours, fellow citizens. Of course, it is right that this is exactly how the award is called - Service - that is presented for the best projects and initiatives of the municipal community. I know that it was difficult to select the winners. The organising committee received almost 42,000 applications, and over one million people took part in the popular vote to choose the best ones. This shows that both the idea of this award and your hard work are popular among people. I believe that this recognition will encourage more fruitful work, as well as new initiatives and projects that would help reveal the potential of local self-government and strengthen the well-being of our citizens. Friends, This year marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and we understand especially clearly that time has no influence over the people's memory. No matter how hard someone may try, no one can distort or tar the feat of the Red Army soldiers who saved the world from Nazism. Today, again, unfortunately, we are forced to oppose those who are trying to encroach on the security of our country. Once again, we come to the conclusion that courage, the strong spirit, and unity of our people can overcome any threat, while fortitude, loyalty to duty, and sincere love for the Fatherland that we are witnessing today prove the continuity of times. In the regions of Donbass and Novorossiya, and the border areas, the employees of municipalities acting in challenging conditions, sometimes risking their lives, fulfil their professional and, simply put, human duty, help, support, and save people. This deserves utmost respect and gratitude. Without a doubt, the fact that the award has a new category this year - Valour and Heroism for the Greater Good of Motherland - is an absolutely fair and timely development. I believe it is crucially important to involve participants and veterans of the special military operation in all levels of government, including the municipal level. They demonstrated through their deeds that they are strong and reliable people who are up to the most challenging tasks, and that the best interests of the Fatherland are of paramount importance for them. As you may be aware, the Time of Heroes federal career development programme is operational in our country. Similar career projects have been launched - that was my request, and I would like to thank the heads of regions and municipalities for complying - in all territories and all regions of Russia. Of course, I expect these programmes to give us new leaders and professionals in local self-government, who can take the lead and show an example of selfless work for the benefit of society. Capable, competent, and thoughtful leaders are a welcome asset everywhere, especially at the municipal level. Clearly, the municipal level comes first, since it is as close to the people as it gets. That is why the most effective managers should work there. It is critical to be aware of goal you are working to achieve, and to follow the true nature of service, where the good of the country and its people is the key objective, the top mission. The awards to be presented today are a tribute to those who see their calling in this particular way. I would like to thank all award winners and laureates of the all-Russian municipal award Service and to wish the participants every success in their work and happiness in their private lives. Thank you. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Answers to media questions April 21, 2025 16:45 Moscow Question: Mr President, is the Easter ceasefire over? How would you assess it? What is the current status? Have the hostilities resumed after it? President of Russia Vladimir Putin: The hostilities have been resumed, as we said in the beginning when we announced the ceasefire. We are always positive about a ceasefire, and this is why this initiative was suggested. Especially on the Holy Easter. It happened so that this was a holiday for all Christian denominations: Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians. That is why we have always said that we treat any peace initiative positively. We hope that the representatives of the Kiev regime will treat this the same way. Although we saw the initial reaction. I think that everyone noticed it. A statement was published according to which our proposal was considered a game that involved people's fate, people's lives, and so on. However, there were apparently smarter people - most likely foreign curators - who suggested that rejecting such initiatives is a losing position for the Kiev regime, so they quickly agreed. Now we can see that the Kiev regime is trying to steal the thunder and start talking about expanding the framework both in terms of time and targets. Of course, first we must think and carefully evaluate everything and see the results. After all, if you noticed, I said at the very beginning, when I met with the Chief of the General Staff, that we would see how declaring an Easter ceasefire would turn out. What does this mean? Overall, we can see that the enemy's combat activity is reducing. This is true. These are the assessments, including those given by the commanders of our groups. However, there were 4900, almost five thousand, violations. Of these, there were six attacks and 90 attempts at strikes by fixed-wing drones (UAVs), and I think 400 instances of artillery shelling. But in general, there was still a drop in activity. We welcome this and are ready to think about it in the future. Regarding the proposal to refrain from striking civilian infrastructure targets - this matter requires thorough examination. Take, for example, the widely reported strike by our Armed Forces on the congress centre of Sumy University, I think. Is this a civilian facility or not? It is civilian. However, an award ceremony was held there for those who committed crimes in the Kursk Region - both AFU (the Armed Forces of Ukraine) units and nationalist formations. These are individuals we consider criminals, who deserved the punishment for their actions in the border areas, including the Kursk Region. They got that punishment. The strike was carried out precisely to punish them. So, is this a civilian facility or not? Yet the regime exploits such civilian sites. Or the strike delivered by our Armed Forces in the Odessa region just days ago. This targeted a small residential area approximately 82 kilometres from Odessa. What was this site? An agricultural facility, agricultural hangars. However, the Kiev authorities, alongside foreign supervisors and assistants, had organised - indeed, attempted to organise - not only production but also testing of a new missile system there. Hence, the strike was delivered. Is this a civilian facility? It is civilian. But it was used for military purposes. Similarly, gatherings have been held in restaurants by individuals who deserve most severe punishment for their crimes. Such instances have also occurred. Restaurants host meetings, assemblies, celebrations - vodka toasts and the like. Strikes have also been delivered against such venues. Is this a civilian facility? It is civilian. But the function? Military. This issue requires thorough scrutiny. All such cases require meticulous investigation, possibly even on a bilateral basis through dialogue. We do not rule this out. We will analyse all such instances and make appropriate decisions for the future. Question: Sad news from the Vatican: Pope Francis died. You met with him many times, you had respect for each other, and he came forward with numerous initiatives. You have sent a message of condolences, but still can you say a few more words about the Pontiff? Vladimir Putin: You are right. He had a highly positive attitude towards Russia. I can say that for sure. I met with him personally on many occasions, and we maintained relations via various channels. I want to emphasise once again that he had a highly positive attitude towards Russia. We will remember that. I am not sure about Catholics, but Orthodox people have such an understanding, such an internal tradition, a traditional understanding that if God calls a person to heaven during Easter time, it is a special sign that that person has not lived his life in vain, has done a lot of good for the people, and God calls him to heaven on these festive Easter days. I think this is the case. I mean that the Pope has done a lot of good not only for his flock, but for the world at large, as well. We offer our deepest condolences to the entire Christian world and first of all, of course, to Catholics. Question: Mr President, how do you feel about the fact that European officials are issuing threats to the European leaders who are planning to come to Moscow on May 9? Vladimir Putin: To issue threats, one needs to have the proper tools to act on them. This is number one. Number two, you have to be ready to use these forces and means. Does any European official have any of that? I am not sure. If the potential of the countries standing behind them is limited to one million, or 1.3 million people, and they are calling to continue the war to the last Ukrainian, it begs questions as to whether they are truly thinking that and whether they are in their right mind when they propose something like that. However, I think that those who are planning to come to Russia have much more courage than those who are hiding behind someone's back trying to threaten other people, especially those who are going to mark the historical feats of the people who gave their lives in the fight against Nazism. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia: Ukraine violated Easter ceasefire agreement using US-made weapons Iran Press TV Monday, 21 April 2025 11:16 AM A spokesperson for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said in a statement that Ukraine violated Easter ceasefire agreement several times using US-made weapons including HIMARS rocket launchers. In response to the US Department of State's comment that the Easter ceasefire agreement can be extended, Director of the Information at Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova, said, "The Ukraine regime did not abide by the Easter day ceasefire agreement. Furthermore, US-made weapons were used during these attacks" "The attacks were not incidents but patterns of behavior on the part of Ukraine," said Zakharova. Although Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky agreed to the 30-day ceasefire agreement, his country repeatedly targeted Russia's energy infrastructure, she emphasized. Russia's Ministry of Defense had said that President Putin had ordered the armed forces to halt all hostilities from 6:00 pm on Saturday, Moscow time, until midnight on Monday. He instructed the country's military to stay on high alert and be ready "to respond to any violations or provocations." Zelensky answered a few hours later that Ukraine's forces "will act in a reciprocal way," the statement said. "In accordance with the order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces [President Vladimir Putin], all [Russian military] groupings in the area of the special military operation strictly observed the ceasefire regime ... and remained at previously occupied lines and positions," the Ministry said. Despite the announcement of the Easter ceasefire agreement, Ukrainian forces attempted to assault the positions of the Russian military in the areas of Sukhaya Balka and Bogatyr in Russia's Donetsk People's Republic overnight, the statement said. According to the statement Ukrainian troops used 48 plane-type UAVs against the Russian military, including one in Crimea. "The Ukrainian units fired 444 times from cannons and mortars at the positions of our troops, [and] carried out 900 strikes with quadcopter drones." There were 12 artillery attacks, 33 UAV strikes, and seven munitions drops in the border areas of Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod in western Russia, which resulted in "civilian casualties and injuries, as well as damage to civilian facilities," the statement read. During their phone call on March 18, Putin accepted his US counterpart Donald Trump's proposal to introduce a 30-day halt on targeting energy facilities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Talk Of Imminent Deal Sharpens Focus On Ukraine Diplomacy By Ray Furlong and Current Time April 21, 2025 Ukrainian authorities reported dozens of Russian missile and drone attacks on April 21, a day after US President Donald Trump voiced hope that an agreement would be reached between the two countries this week. Strikes were reported in Kyiv and other Ukrainian towns and cities. A man was reportedly injured by shelling in Kherson. A Ukrainian drone strike was reported in Russia's Belgorod region. On the diplomatic front, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the prospects of a deal this week. But he welcomed a comment by US envoy Keith Kellogg saying Ukraine would not be able to join NATO. Further talks are expected in London this week between European, Ukrainian, and US officials following a gathering in Paris on April 18. US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly planning another meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "A more sensible approach by Trump, bringing the Europeans into the talks, is an important step," Sergei Sanovich, a fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford, told RFE/RL's Current Time on April 21. "It could force Putin to make concessions, because Putin is interested in getting sanctions lifted," he said, adding that the allies could agree a joint plan which Witkoff would then present to Russia. The Trump administration has suggested that unless a deal is agreed soon, it may walk away from the negotiations completely. "Trump's a former real estate guy. They work like this: there's a great deal available but it's only available today," said Sanovich. Analysts have suggested there might be some chance of Washington recognizing Crimea as part of Russia, which occupied the peninsula in 2014. Speaking to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on April 21, people in Kyiv were strongly opposed to this. "Crimea is Ukraine first and foremost. And it is not for the United States to decide our territorial integrity," said one woman, who declined to be named. 100 Days Of Trump "The efforts that the United States is making now appear to be more of a PR stunt to maintain Trump's position with his electorate," said a man who gave his name as Maksym. Political analyst Dmitry Oreshkin told Current Time that Trump was in a hurry for a deal as his 100th day in office approaches on April 30. He said this also meant putting pressure on Putin. "The point is you need to understand the limit to what's possible for Putin. What does it mean if he rejects a deal? It means going against Trump," he said. "That means undermining a relationship that, while shaky, is at least fairly friendly. It's a serious risk." The events of the Easter weekend also feed into this week's diplomatic moves. Russian state media cited the Defense Ministry in Moscow as saying on April 21 that the country's forces had "resumed" fighting in Ukraine after observing a 30-hour cease-fire announced by Putin on April 19. Kyiv claimed nearly 3,000 violations by Moscow's forces during the truce period. In a Telegram post on April 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Moscow had ignored both a proposal for a full 30-day cease-fire and a call to halt air strikes on civilian infrastructure, including missile and drone attacks. Oreshkin said Putin's 30-hour truce was merely a show for propaganda purposes. "But Zelenskyy managed to turn it to his own advantage, by proposing a 30-day truce," he added. "Putin was forced to not agree to that. That can be presented how they like to the [Russian] domestic audience, But externally, it's clear where the threat to peace comes from." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-missile- strikes-trump-pushes-peace-deal-putin-ceasefire/33391386.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 4,900 Violations of Easter Truce by Ukraine Recorded - Russia's Defense Ministry Sputnik News 20250421 Ukrainian forces continued to strike Russian positions and civilian infrastructure despite the declaration of an Easter ceasefire, the ministry informed. During this period, the Ukrainian military used 90 drones, eight of which were outside the special military operation zone and destroyed. More statements by Russia's MoD on the Easter ceasefire: All Russian military groups in the special military operation zone strictly adhered to the ceasefire regime from 18:00 on April 19 to 00:00 on April 21. The Ukrainian forces made 6 attempts to attack in the Donetsk People's Republic and the Kursk region, all of which were repelled. A total of 1,404 shellings were carried out using artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and mortars, along with 3,316 strikes using quadcopters on Russian military positions. 19 shellings, 49 FPV drone strikes, and 16 ammunition drops from UAVs were carried out on border areas of the Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod regions. Overall, the intensity of enemy fire and combat operations along the entire front line was significantly reduced. With the end of the ceasefire, the Russian Armed Forces resumed their special military operation. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Did Not Observe Easter Ceasefire - Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik News 20250421 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Kiev regime did not observe the ceasefire on Easter, while using US-made HIMARS missiles for strikes, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday, commenting on US hopes for an extension of the ceasefire. "The Kiev regime did not observe it during Easter either. Moreover, Ukraine used American HIMRS weapons to violate the ceasefire. And this is not an accident, but a pattern, because during the moratorium on attacks on the fuel and energy infrastructure, Zelensky, who agreed to it, targeted civilian energy infrastructure," Zakharova said on Telegram. On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an Easter truce that came into effect at 6:00 p.m. Moscow time (15:00 GMT) on Saturday and lasted until midnight from Sunday to Monday (21:00 GMT on Sunday). Despite the Easter truce, the Ukrainian armed forces conducted five attacks on the city of Gorlovka (also known as Horlivka) in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) on Sunday, according to the DPR representative office in the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) on Ukraine's war crimes. Meanwhile, Reuters reported, citing the US State Department, that the US would like a long-term settlement of the Ukrainian crisis and an extension of the ceasefire after Sunday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 21 April 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy this afternoon. 21 April 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy this afternoon. The Prime Minister reiterated his iron-clad support for Ukraine. He said that the UK supports Ukraine's calls for Russia to commit to a full ceasefire and that now is the time for Putin to show he is serious about ending his brutal war. They discussed the latest developments on the Coalition of the Willing, and looked forward to further progress towards a just and lasting peace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Holds a Phone Call with Keir Starmer President of Ukraine 21 April 2025 - 21:20 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer. On behalf of the entire Ukrainian people, the Head of State thanked Keir Starmer for his condolences regarding the loss of life caused by recent Russian missile strikes. One of the key topics of the conversation was the upcoming meeting in London on Wednesday between teams from Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the United States. The President noted that Ukraine remains ready to move forward in the most constructive way possible to achieve an unconditional ceasefire, followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace. The first step toward peace must be an unconditional ceasefire. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this Easter made it clear that it is Russia's actions that are prolonging the war. He briefed the Prime Minister on the frontline situation over the weekend, in particular Russia's use of heavy weaponry and FPV drones. The leaders also discussed joint work within European security formats. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskyy Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children in New International Campaign By Ulviyya Asadzade and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 22, 2025 At age 16, Vladyslav Rudenko was captured by Russian forces and held in children's camps in Russia-occupied Crimea and Kherson for nine months. Unlike some 20,000 other Ukrainian youths, Rudenko was rescued by the NGO Save Ukraine and returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory after nine months in captivity. It's the fate of those thousands, many of whom remain in Russian-occupied areas -- in what Moscow calls "rehabilitation centers" -- that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials say they are now focused on. "This crime must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible held accountable," Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said over the weekend as part of the launch of the ChildrenAreNonNegotiable campaign. "A just and lasting peace requires the return of all these Ukrainian children home." US President Donald Trump has made ending Europe's longest conflict since World War II a top foreign policy priority since taking office three months ago. While the talks have lurched between several contentious issues, Ukrainian officials have kept the repatriation of all of those taken from Ukraine a major negotiating point. Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow of orchestrating what some groups have called a "systematic deportation" of children out of Ukraine and into Russia-controlled parts of the country, or even further to destinations in Russia and its ally, Belarus. Evidence gathered last year by RFE/RL's Belarus Service and Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, indicated camps were being used to teach young Ukrainians to identify with concepts that both Moscow and Minsk promote. That came after a November 2023 study by the Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab that deemed Ukrainian schoolchildren's escorted trips to Belarus were coordinated by Belarus and Russia as part of the two countries' so-called Union State. The study said the process involves "re-education," which it defined as "the promotion of cultural, historical, societal, and patriotic messages or ideas that serve the political interests" of both regimes. Military training, including by Interior Ministry troops, occurred with "at least six groups of children," according to the report. Rudenko told RFE/RL's Ukrainian service earlier this month that during the time he was held by Russian authorities his daily routine had an obvious orientation. "We woke up to the Russian anthem, raised the flag, did exercises. After breakfast, they told us what had happened in Russia overnight. Literally. Then we went to watch Russian movies," he said, recalling his regiment while held in camps. According to the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab more than 8,400 children from Ukraine have been systematically relocated to at least 57 facilities: 13 facilities in Belarus and 43 facilities in Russia and Russia-occupied territory. According to Ukraine's official government portal childrenofwar.gov.ua, a much higher number -- around 20,000 -- have been taken away and only 1,300 children have been successfully returned. "We remind the world that without the return of the children abducted by Russia, the war cannot truly be considered over," a statement published by Zelenskyy's office during Easter said. Washington has supported Kyiv on the issue of repatriating children, saying last month it remains committed to supporting the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. However, Ukrainian officials are worried recent budget cutting moves by the Trump administration could significantly hinder investigations into where the children have been moved and efforts to enable their return. Meanwhile, Karolina Hird, deputy team leader and an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, an American nonprofit research group, warned that Ukrainian teenagers forced to accept Russian citizenship may face conscription into the Russian army and could be forced to fight against their own people, a violation of international law. "Negotiations and an end to the fighting without consideration for the deported children will empower Russia to continue to commit these crimes with absolute impunity," Hird wrote. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskyy-russia-ukraine- children-campaign/33391790.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Stands By Proposal To End Attacks On Civilian Targets, Zelenskyy Says By RFE/RL April 22, 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is waiting for a clear response from Russia about whether it would accept a cease-fire on striking civilian targets. Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address on April 21 that Ukraine stood by its proposal for an end to attacks on civilian targets and was ready for any form of discussion to achieve it. "Ukraine stands by its offer...not to strike civilian infrastructure. And we expect a clear answer from Moscow," Zelenskyy said. "We are ready for any conversation on how to ensure this." Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier on April 21 proposed bilateral talks with Ukraine for the first time since the early days of the war. Zelenskyy did not respond directly to Putin's proposal but said Ukraine "was ready for any conversation" about a cease-fire that would stop strikes on civilians. "There is an obvious, simplest, and most reliable way: stop missile and long-range drone attacks," Zelenskyy said. "That alone would automatically ensure the safety of all civilian infrastructure." Ukraine and Russia are facing pressure from the United States to make progress on negotiations to end the war. Ukraine will take part in talks with the US and European countries on April 23 in London, Zelenskyy said. The talks will have a primary task: "to push for an unconditional ceasefire. This must be the starting point," he said. Both sides said fighting had resumed after an Easter cease-fire, which Putin announced unilaterally on April 19. Ukrainian authorities reported dozens of Russian missile and drone attacks on April 21, while a Ukrainian drone strike was reported in Russia's Belgorod region. Strikes were reported in Kyiv and other Ukrainian towns and cities. A man was reportedly injured by shelling in Kherson. Russian forces attacked Ukraine's northeastern region, killing one person in a border village, according to regional prosecutors. The report on Telegram said a Russian drone struck and killed a man on a scooter in the village of Ivashki. Russian forces also launched a late night drone attack on residential areas of Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa, triggering fires and damaging many apartments, local officials said early on April 22. A day earlier US President Donald Trump voiced hope that an agreement would be reached between the two countries this week. Trump told reporters at the White House on April 21 that he plans to comment on the war in Ukraine and mediation efforts in the next three days. He made the comment in response to a question about whether the United States had proposed that Ukraine recognize Crimea as part of Russia. Russia occupied the peninsula in 2014 and then annexed it in violation of international law. "So I will be giving you a full detail over the next three days," Trump said. "But we had very good meetings on Ukraine, Russia," he added without providing details. In his comments earlier on April 21, Putin said Russia was open to any peace initiatives and expected the same from Kyiv. "We have always talked about this, that we have a positive attitude toward any peace initiatives. We hope that representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way," Putin said on state TV. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said when Putin said that it was possible to discuss the issue of not striking civilian targets, he meant bilateral negotiations. There have been no direct talks between the two sides since the early weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. "President Putin and the Russian side remain open to seeking a peaceful settlement. We are continuing to work with the American side and, of course, we hope that this work will yield results," Peskov told reporters. Peskov declined to comment on the prospects of a deal this week. But he welcomed a comment by US envoy Keith Kellogg saying Ukraine would not be able to join NATO. With reporting by Reuters and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-zelenskyy- putin-trump-ceasefire/33392154.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BELMONT, CA, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU), the third-oldest college in California, is proud to announce that Supervisor Jackie Speier will serve as the keynote speaker for its 173rd Commencement ceremony, taking place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Belmont, California. The University will confer degrees and credentials on 83 graduates during the event. Supervisor Speier, who currently represents District 1 on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, has dedicated over four decades to public service at the local, state, and federal levels. Her career began on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 1981, followed by 18 years in the California State Legislature and nearly 15 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Renowned for her fearless leadership and unwavering advocacy, Speier has taken on some of the most challenging and controversial issues of our time. She has been recognized as one of Newsweeks 150 Most Fearless Women in the World and one of Politicos 50 Most Influential Members of Congress for her role in leading the #MeTooCongress movement. Among her many accolades, she also received the prestigious UCSF Medal for her lifelong commitment to public service. Her legislative achievements span a wide range of issues including sexual assault prevention in the military and on college campuses, suicide prevention, child abuse protection, financial privacy, and the enforcement of child support orders. More than three hundred of her bills were signed into law by both Democratic and Republican governors during her tenure. I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the keynote speaker for the 2025 Notre Dame de Namur University Commencement, said Speier. It is a privilege to address the graduating class and their families on this momentous occasion. I look forward to sharing my thoughts on hope and resilience and leading a purpose-filled life. Speiers impact on California families includes her work advancing pediatric cancer research, child safety laws, and initiatives such as the Kids Plates program and the creation of the breast cancer research postage stamp. She founded the Professional Business Women of California (PBWC) Conference 35 years ago. It has become one of the largest womens leadership events in the United States, supporting numerous women. Currently, Speier continues her passionate public service on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, where she is focused on addressing the rising cost of living, eliminating child poverty, and advancing universal access to childcare. Notre Dame de Namur University is honored to welcome Supervisor Speier to campus to celebrate and inspire the Class of 2025. About Notre Dame de Namur University Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) is a Catholic, not-for-profit, coeducational institution serving adult learners from diverse backgrounds. Established in 1851 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, NDNU is the third-oldest college in California and the first authorized to grant women a baccalaureate degree. The university is WSCUC accredited and offers masters degrees in business, education, and psychology, undergraduate degree completion programs in business and psychology, and teacher credentials. NDNU maintains a strong commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and community engagement. For more information, visit www.ndnu.edu San Antonio, TX, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scorpius Holdings, Inc (NYSE American: SCPX) (Scorpius or the Company), an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today reported that it received notice from the NYSE American LLC (NYSE American or the Exchange) of its determination to commence delisting proceedings of the Companys common stock from the exchange pursuant to Section 1003(f)(v) of the NYSE American Company Guide due to the low-selling price of the Companys common stock. In addition, on April 16, the Company received an official notice of noncompliance from NYSE Regulation stating that the Company is not in compliance with NYSE American continued listing standards under the timely filing criteria included in Section 1007 of the NYSE American Company Guide due to the failure to timely file the Companys Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024 by the filing due date of April 15, 2025. As previously reported in the Companys Notification of Late Filing on Form 12b-25 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025, the Company was unable to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 within the prescribed period because the compilation, dissemination and review of the financial information required to be presented in the Annual Report on Form 10-K imposed time constraints on the Companys management that rendered timely filing of the Annual Report on Form 10-K impractical without undue hardship and expense to the Company. The Company plans to appeal the NYSE Americans decision to commence delisting proceedings of the Companys common stock. Specifically, the Company intends to request a review of the determination by the Exchanges Listings Qualifications Panel. While there can be no assurance regarding the outcome of the appeal, Scorpius remains committed to continued operational and strategic progress. Scorpius CEO Jeff Wolf commented, We are actively working to become a fully compliant company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and will provide further updates as they become available. We remain undeterred in our commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance, and maximizing long-term value for shareholders. Scorpius Holdings, Inc. Scorpius Holdings Inc. is an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on rapidly advancing biologic and cell therapy programs to the clinic and beyond. Scorpius offers a broad array of analytical testing, process development, and manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies at its state-of-the-art facilities in San Antonio, TX. With an experienced team and new, purpose-built U.S. facilities, Scorpius is dedicated to transparent collaboration and flexible, high-quality biologics biomanufacturing. For more information, please visit www.scorpiusbiologics.com. Forward-Looking Statement This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "should," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions, and include statements such as the Companys ability to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K during the Initial Cure Period; the plans to appeal the NYSE Americans decision to commence delisting proceedings of the Companys common stock; the intent to request a review of the determination by the Exchanges Listings Qualifications Panel; and the Companys ability to regain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards and successfully appeal the NYSE Americans decision to commence delisting proceedings of the Companys common stock. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the Companys ability to regain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards continue to grow revenue; the Companys financing needs, its cash balance being sufficient to sustain operations and its ability to raise capital when needed, the Companys ability to leverage fixed costs and achieve long-term profitability; the Companys ability to obtain regulatory approvals or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to the Companys ability to successfully promote its services and compete as a pure- play CDMO, and other factors described in the Companys most recent annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Qs and any other filings the Company makes with the SEC. The information in this presentation is provided only as of the date presented, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this presentation on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Media and Investor Relations Contact David Waldman +1 919 289 4017 ir@scorpiusbiologics.com NEW YORK, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Atkore Inc. (NYSE: ATKR) between August 2, 2022 and February 3, 2025, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important April 23, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Atkore common stock 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 Atkore class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=35751 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information. 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 23, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Atkore engaged in an anticompetitive price-fixing scheme that artificially inflated the price of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) water pipes and electrical conduit pipes (together, PVC Pipes); (2) in turn, Atkore reaped significant, unsustainable financial benefits from its anticompetitive conduct; (3) as Atkores price-fixing scheme was exposed, Atkore and its price fixing co-conspirators were no longer able to artificially inflate the price of PVC Pipes, resulting in a substantial decrease in the price of PVC Pipes; (4) Atkores business and operations were negatively impacted; and (5) as a result of the above, defendants positive statements about Atkores business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Atkore class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=35751 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com Washington, DC, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) today released a statement from college and university presidents and leaders of scholarly societies in response to ongoing actions by the Trump administration affecting higher education. Titled A Call for Constructive Engagement, the statement marks the first time current presidents have spoken out collectively in large numbers about these issues. We speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education, they said. The statement emerged from convenings of leaders organized by AAC&U and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences to take stock of the current situation and deliberate on possibilities for a unified defense of learning and higher education. The statement makes clear whats at stakefor higher education and for Americas shared prosperityin any unraveling of the longstanding, productive partnership between government and institutions of higher learning. While the presidents and leaders of scholarly societies are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight, they also make clear that they will stand against attempts to restrict or undermine the freedoms fundamental to higher education. The statement calls for constructive engagement that improves our institutions and serves our republic. One of the greatest strengths of American higher education is the diversity of institutional types, anchored in a common commitment to serving the public good, said AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella. The widespread support this statement has garnered demonstrates that despite differences in our respective missions, there is a willingness to speak collectively and act in solidarity to defend the core principles of academic freedom, shared governance, and institutional autonomy foundational to Americas distinctive tradition of liberal education and to our nations historic mission of educating for democracy. Todays statement remains open to additional signatures. At the time of release, more than 150 current leaders of Americas colleges, universities, and scholarly societies had signed the statement. The full statement and an up-to-date list of signatories are available online at www.aacu.org/constructive-engagement. About AAC&U The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing the democratic purposes of higher education by promoting equity, innovation, and excellence in liberal education. Through our programs and events, publications and research, public advocacy, and campus-based projects, AAC&U serves as a catalyst and facilitator for innovations that improve educational quality and equity and that support the success of all students. In addition to accredited public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities, and state higher education systems and agencies throughout the United States, our membership includes degree-granting higher education institutions around the world as well as other organizations and individuals. To learn more, visit www.aacu.org. About the Academy Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences honors excellence and convenes leaders to address issues of importance to the nation and the world. The mission is to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people. To learn more, visit www.amacad.org. New York, New York, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HostColor.com (HC), a globally recognized dedicated cloud infrastructure and MSP, announced the availability of new high-bandwidth and high-performance AMD-based dedicated servers. They are available for immediate deployment in Ashburn, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, and Seattle in the United States, Montreal and Toronto in Canada, and Frankfurt, Madrid, and Zurich in Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. HC's AMD processor-based servers are capable of handling large data sets and are well suited for AI-driven applications, software automation platforms, large and complex database management requiring installed data processing, and various HPC workloads. AMD-based Configurations with Unmetered Bandwdith The new server configurations include a range of high-bandwidth bare-metal server configurations powered by AMD Ryzen 7950X3D and AMD Epyc 7452, AMD Epyc 7502, AMD Epyc 7702, AMD Epyc7662, and AMD Epyc 7742 processors and connected to a 10Gbps Internet network. The servers come with an out-of-the-box bandwidth allocation of 2Gbps, which can be expanded to 20Gbps by upgrading the server's network interfaces from 10GigE to 20GigE. Storage options for these AMD CPU-based include two 1.92TB, 3.84TB SSD, or 7.68TB hard drives or two 1TB NVMe, 1.92TB NVMe, or two 4TB NVMe drives. A 480GB SSD can be added to server configurations for use as an OS/System drive. Available memory ranges from 256GB RAM to 1024GB RAM, with a default limit of 512GB RAM for most server configurations. AMD Servers with Metered Data Transfer HostColor has also expanded its AMD-based server portfolio at its edge data center locations, making bare metal servers with AMD Epyc 4344P, AMD Epyc 7713P, AMD Epyc 9354P, AMD Epyc 9454P processors available for immediate deployment at its Los Angeles data center locations. The provider has deployed fully customizable AMD-based servers with AMD Epyc 7443P, 7543, 7543P, 9124, 9275F, 9274F, 9354P, 9355P, 9374F, 9474F, 9575F, 9654 processors in Ashburn, Charlotte, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York in the United States and in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Customers can customize their server configurations with IPv4 and IPv6 address space and choose a network service between metered data transfer, measured in terabytes (TB) transferred per month, or unmetered bandwidth ports with bandwidth allocations ranging from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps. HostColor customers benefit from unlimited data transfer up to the physical capacity of the Internet connection ports. Unlike large hyperscale clouds, HC provides both Bare Metal Servers and Dedicated Cloud Hosting infrastructure with unmetered bandwidth ports and unlimited data transfer quotas, with no charges for inbound or outbound Internet traffic. Compared to the infrastructure offered by the major hyperscale clouds, HC's dedicated cloud hosting saves a tremendous amount of financial resources. HostColor does not charge its customers for Internet traffic, IOPS, DNS lookups, DNS zones, Internet traffic zones, or technical support of the infrastructure. All HC AMD-based server configurations provide customers with enterprise cloud computing and virtualization options and are compatible with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and other major cloud providers. Free Infrastructure Technical Support HostColor does not charge for access to technical support on the core functionality of the dedicated cloud hosting infrastructure it provides to its customers. It provides dedicated cloud servers with "Free Infrastructure Technical Support" per Service Level Agreement (SLA). Free Infrastructure Technical Support (FITS) covers core service functionality related to network interfaces and the physical components of bare metal servers such as CPU, RAM, and storage drives. It also includes consultation on various infrastructure service use case scenarios. However FITS, does not cover maintenance and support for the operating system (OS), custom configurations, and installed software applications. These are covered by the next level of SLA-defined technical support called Semi-Managed Dedicated Servers. This native technical support agreement is based on the company's Edge Server hosting infrastructure platform. Semi-Managed Dedicated Servers Semi-Managed Dedicated Servers In addition to its Free Infrastructure Technical Support (FITS), all of HostColor's dedicated server hosting services are "Semi-Managed" by SLA.The provider is responsible for installing and configuring server instances to the customer's custom configurations for Linux infrastructure environments. In addition, HC Support reinstalls the server operating system (OS) upon request, configures and manages network settings, creates and maintains custom virtual private networks, and assists customers in troubleshooting any server-side issues related to OS, network, or software configuration. About HostColor Since 2000, HostColor.com (HC) has been a global provider of semi-managed edge, bare metal, and cloud infrastructure and IT hosting services. The company operates virtual data centers and provides dedicated hosting and colocation services from over 100 data centers worldwide, with its subsidiary, HostColorEurope.com, providing cloud infrastructure and dedicated hosting services in 19 European countries. For more information, visit https://www.hostcolor.com. Media Contact PR Department +1 888-222-1495 pr@hostcolor.com Attachment USD 50 billion commitment includes new state-of-the art research and development (R&D) sites, new and expanded manufacturing facilities in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and California and an additional site location to be announced soon Investments will create more than 12,000 new jobs: 1,000 at Roche and more than 11,000 in support of new US manufacturing capabilities Roche already has a significant existing US presence with more than 25,000 employees, 15 R&D centres and 13 manufacturing sites Basel, 22 April 2025 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that it will invest USD 50 billion into the United States of America in the next five years. These investments further strengthen Roches already significant US footprint with 13 manufacturing and 15 R&D sites across the Pharmaceutical and Diagnostics Divisions, and are expected to create more than 12,000 new jobs, including nearly 6,500 construction jobs, as well as 1,000 jobs at new and expanded facilities. As part of this investment, Roche will increase its existing footprint of more than 25,000 employees in 24 sites across eight US states. The investment will include: Expanded and upgraded US manufacturing and distribution capabilities for its innovative medicines and diagnostics portfolio in Kentucky, Indiana, New Jersey, Oregon and California A state-of-the-art gene therapy manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania A new 900,000 square foot manufacturing centre to support Roches expanding portfolio of next generation weight loss medicines (location to be announced) A new manufacturing facility for continuous glucose monitoring in Indiana A new R&D centre in Massachusetts, conducting cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) research and serving as hub for our new cardiovascular, renal and metabolism research and development efforts Significant expansion and upgrading of our existing pharmaceuticals and diagnostics R&D centres in Arizona, Indiana and California Roche is a Swiss company with a strong heritage in more than 130 countries globally. Todays announced investments underscore our long-standing commitment to research, development and manufacturing in the US, said Thomas Schinecker, Roche Group CEO. We are proud of our 110 year legacy in the United States which has been a key driver for jobs, innovation and the creation of intellectual property in the US, across both our Pharmaceutical and Diagnostics Divisions. Our investments of USD 50 billion over the next five years will lay the foundation for our next era of innovation and growth, benefiting patients in the US and around the world. Once all new and expanded manufacturing capacity comes on-line, Roche will export more medicines from the US than it imports. Today, its diagnostics division already has an export surplus from the US to other countries. About Roche Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the worlds largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice. For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roches business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com. All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. Roche Global Media Relations Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com Hans Trees, PhD Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia Urech Phone: +41 79 935 81 48 Nathalie Altermatt Phone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena Corfas Phone: +41 79 568 24 95 Simon Goldsborough Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine Phone: +41 79 461 86 83 Nina Mahlitz Phone: +41 79 327 54 74 Kirti Pandey Phone: +49 172 6367262 Yvette Petillon Phone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr Rebekka Schnell Phone: +41 79 205 27 03 Roche Investor Relations Dr Bruno Eschli Phone: +41 61 68-75284 e-mail: bruno.eschli@roche.com Dr Sabine Borngraber Phone: +41 61 68-88027 e-mail: sabine.borngraeber@roche.com Dr Birgit Masjost Phone: +41 61 68-84814 e-mail: birgit.masjost@roche.com Investor Relations North America Loren Kalm Phone: +1 650 225 3217 e-mail: kalm.loren@gene.com Attachment UAB Merko Bustas, part of AS Merko Ehitus group, has launched the fourth stage of the Vilneles Skverai residential project located on the outskirts of the Old Town of Vilnius. The new stage includes in total of six apartment buildings with 318 apartments. Merko has started the construction of the first part of the fourth stage, which includes the entire underground car park complex and the first three residential buildings above-ground. Completion is scheduled for the second half of 2026. The 6- and 7-storey buildings of Vilneles Skverai (merko.lt/vilnelesskverai/), located at address Manufakturu str. 7, will have the energy class rating A+. All apartments will have spacious balconies or terraces and will be equipped with heat-recovery ventilation system, providing fresh air and ensuring even air distribution. Parking spaces, storage rooms and charging stations for electric cars will be in the underground parking garage. The sizes of the one- to four-room apartments range between 25 to 93 square metres and the price per square metre starts at 3,480 euros. Vilneles Skverai residential quarter comprises in total of 26 new residential buildings with more than a thousand apartments. The buildings will group around a common yard with cozy green spaces, childrens playgrounds and recreation areas. The new residential quarter also includes commercial premises where businesses provide services to residents. In the first three stages of Vilneles Skverai, Merko has completed the construction of 20 residential buildings with 750 apartments, and more than 95% of the apartments have already been sold. Additional information: UAB Merko Bustas, CEO Mr. Saulius Putrimas, phone: +370 5210 5330. Urmas Somelar Head of Finance AS Merko Ehitus +372 650 1250 urmas.somelar@merko.ee AS Merko Ehitus (group.merko.ee) group companies construct buildings and infrastructure and develop real estate. We create a better living environment and build the future. We operate in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. As at the end of 2024, the group employed 605 people, and the groups revenue for 2024 was EUR 539 million. Attachments SEATTLE, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, WatchGuard Technologies, a global leader in unified cybersecurity for managed service providers (MSPs), announced its commitment to The Climate Pledge. By signing the Pledge, WatchGuard is taking a significant step to strengthen its efforts in driving real, measurable impact toward a healthier planet for current and future generations. As a cybersecurity provider, we spend every day thinking about how to protect the world from threats. Businesses like WatchGuard have the powerand the responsibilityto step up and help fight the threat of unchecked climate change, said Prakash Panjwani, CEO of WatchGuard Technologies Inc. Thats why were joining The Climate Pledge, doubling down on our sustainability initiatives, and committing to net-zero carbon by 2040. The reality is, no one individual or company can solve this problem alone, but together, we can secure a safer, more sustainable future for our grandchildren and theirs. In line with the Pledge, WatchGuard plans to reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions beginning with its supply chain, ensuring its logistics, manufacturing, and cloud infrastructure suppliers choices align with sustainability goals and contribute to an overall reduction in carbon output. The company will also continue to focus on managing its facilities carbon footprint, optimizing staff work environments, and minimizing impacts from frequent employee commutes to work. The easier path would be to wait and comply with environmental regulations, remarks Jay Lindenauer, Head of Network Security and Executive Sponsor of The Climate Pledge at WatchGuard. WatchGuard operates in over twenty countries and sells to organizations globally, and we see firsthand how climate change impacts individuals and communities. We value accountability and are taking decisive action to further mitigate our climate impact. In signing The Climate Pledge, we are accelerating our efforts to become a net zero carbon cybersecurity provider and believe our actions will benefit all customers, employees, and populations worldwide. Co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019, The Climate Pledge is a commitment by companies to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. As a signatory of The Climate Pledge, WatchGuard will: Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis. Implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies. Neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially beneficial offsets to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040. With this action, WatchGuard deepens its environmental stewardship effortsincluding in the areas of energy-efficient design, material reduction, and the use of recyclable materials in its appliances and packagingto go beyond simple adherence to global regulations. Additionally, WatchGuard requires its manufacturers to be ISO 14064 certifiedwhich is an international standard for quantifying, monitoring, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas emissions to help improve transparency and manage carbon emissions. Learn more about WatchGuards sustainability commitments here: When Red Goes Green. About WatchGuard Technologies WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. is a global leader in unified cybersecurity. Our Unified Security Platform is uniquely designed for managed service providers to deliver world-class security that increases their business scale and velocity while also improving operational efficiency. Trusted by more than 17,000 security resellers and service providers to protect more than 250,000 customers, the companys award-winning products and services span network security and intelligence, advanced endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, and secure Wi-Fi. Together, they offer five critical elements of a security platform: comprehensive security, shared knowledge, clarity & control, operational alignment, and automation. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit WatchGuard.com. For additional information, promotions, and updates, follow WatchGuard on X (@WatchGuard), on Facebook, or on the LinkedIn Company page. Also, visit our InfoSec blog, Secplicity, for real-time information about the latest threats and how to cope with them. Subscribe to The 443 Security Simplified podcast, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. About The Climate Pledge In 2019, Amazon and Global Optimism co-founded The Climate Pledge, a commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2040. More than 550 organizations have now signed The Climate Pledge, sending an important signal that there will be rapid growth in demand for products and services that help reduce carbon emissions. For more information visit www.theclimatepledge.com. Dublin, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "2025 Air Treatment Systems Market: Mongolia" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Mongolian air treatment systems market is witnessing steady growth, with a projected CAGR of over 5% over the forecast period. This growth is fueled by heightened awareness of air pollution, an increase in disposable incomes, and the significant role of social media in promoting air quality solutions. Air treatment systems/air purifiers in Mongolia are gaining traction as the country's air pollution challenges become more pronounced, particularly during winters when extensive coal-burning for heating severely impacts air quality. The government has introduced several initiatives to combat this crisis, including subsidies for cleaner heating solutions, stricter regulations on coal usage, and collaborations with international organizations to improve urban air quality. These efforts are fostering increased interest in air treatment systems among consumers, particularly in urban areas like Ulaanbaatar, where awareness of the health risks associated with poor air quality is rising. Combined with growing urbanization and a focus on public health, these developments are positioning air treatment technologies as an emerging trend in Mongolia's environmental and health-conscious landscape. Affordable air treatment systems dominate the market. The prevalence of private-label brands has driven the popularity of low- to mid-priced systems, which collectively account for over 65% of the market share by revenue. In Mongolia's air treatment systems market, ensuring a steady supply of replacement filters and robust after-sales support is emerging as a key differentiator. The efficiency of these systems hinges on timely filter replacements, making it essential for companies to build reliable networks for servicing and parts delivery. However, with many brands relying on dealers or distributors, maintaining this support remains a challenge. Companies that establish well-organized after-sales systems can not only address these challenges but also foster trust, enhance customer satisfaction, and position themselves competitively in a market where maintenance accessibility is often limited. Report Scope A comprehensive analysis of the Air Treatment Systems (Air Purifiers) Market in Mongolia including market sizing, market share by competitor, drivers, restraints, distribution, pricing trends, new products and market forecasts to 2031. This report covers air treatment systems and filter replacements. This market study includes air purifiers for residential and commercial use and filter replacement. The base year for the study is 2024 and the forecast period is from 2024 until 2031. For the purposes of this research, air treatment systems (also known as air purifiers) are portable systems and are defined as the following: Ultraviolet (UV) Air Purifiers Ion Generators/Ionizers Ozone Generators Electrostatic Air Purifiers, Charged Media Filters Hybrid/Combined Air Purifiers HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filters Active Carbon Systems Photo Catalytic Oxidation Air Purifiers Others (any other technology) Company Coverage Includes: Xiaomi Corporation IQAir AG Dyson Limited Panasonic Corporation Sharp Corporation Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Key Topics Covered: Country Profile, Mongolia Executive Summary: Major Data Points Competitive Factors Consumer Behavior Market Drivers/Impact Market Restraints/Impact Market Trends Products Claims & Features - Overview Competitive Landscape Facebook Marketplace Promotions Target Customers Product Claims Product Trends New Products Warranty and After Sales Certifications Pricing Trends Market Data Revenue Forecast, Total Market, 2024-2031 Market Share, by Revenues, Total Market, 2024 Revenue Forecast, Air Treatment Systems, 2024-2031 Market Share, by Revenues, Air Treatment Systems, 2024 Revenue Forecast, Replacement Filters, 2024-2031 Market Share, by Revenues, Replacement Filters, 2024 Pricing Trends, by Revenues for Systems, 2024 Distribution Trends, by Revenues for Systems, 2024 End-user Application, by Revenues for Systems, 2024 Coverage Area, Market Share by Revenues for Systems, 2024 Major Cities, Market Share by Revenues for Systems, 2024 For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1azcm5 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Croatia Insurance Industry: Key Trends and Opportunities to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides in-depth market analysis, information, and insights into Croatia's insurance industry. This report provides a detailed outlook by product category for Croatia's insurance industry. It provides values for key performance indicators such as gross written premium, penetration, premium accepted and ceded, profitability ratios, and premium by line of business, during the review period (2020-24) and forecast period (2025-29). The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Croatia economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country. The report brings together the analyst's research, modeling, and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure. Key Highlights Key insights and dynamics of the Croatia insurance industry. A comprehensive overview of the Croatia economy, government initiatives, and investment opportunities. The Croatia insurance regulatory framework's evolution, key facts, taxation regime, licensing, and capital requirements. The Croatia nsurance industry's market structure giving details of lines of business. Croatia's reinsurance business's market structure giving details of premium ceded along with cession rates. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Croatia's insurance industry: It provides historical values for the Croatia insurance industry for the report's 2020-24 review period, and projected figures for the 2025-29 forecast period. It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Croatia's insurance industry and market forecasts to 2029. It profiles the top life insurance companies in Croatia and outlines the key regulations affecting them. Reasons to Buy Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Croatia insurance industry, and each category within it. Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends, and growth opportunities in the Croatia insurance industry. Assess the competitive dynamics in the Croatia insurance industry. Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.: Company Coverage Includes: Croatia osiguranje Euroherc Osiguranje Adriatic Osiguranje Allianz Hrvatska Generali Osiguranje Wiener Osiguranje Triglav Osiguranje UNIQA Osiguranje Hok Osiguranje GRAWE Hrvatska Sava Osiguranje Agram life Merkur Osiguranje Hrvatsko Kreditno Osiguranje Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary Economy Overview Regulatory and Compliance Key Market Trends Life Insurance: Trends and KPIs Life Insurance: LoB General Insurance: Trends and KPIs General Insurance: LoB Distribution Channel Competitive Landscape Reinsurance For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cge1vi About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Post Event Analysis - Daytona 500 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. An analysis of the recent 2025 Daytona 500, including a look at its sponsorship portfolio, broadcasters, attendance and ticketing. The 2025 Daytona 500 generated a reported $1.1 billion in domestic media revenue. Fox, NBC, TNT Sports, and Amazon Prime Video acquired the domestic rights to NASCAR, covering 2025 to 2031 period; with Fox having the rights to the Daytona 500. Despite considerable rain delays, the 2025 edition of the Daytona 500, which marked William Byron's second consecutive victory, generated an average audience of 6.76 million viewers on Fox. The race was still the most-watched NASCAR telecast since the 2023 Daytona 500, providing a much-needed boost for the series as it enters its new domestic broadcast deal. The 2025 Daytona 500 generated an estimated $388.2 million in sponsorship revenue. The Daytona 500's premier annual sponsorship agreement is with Goodyear, the tire manufacturer, which has renewed its commitment to sponsor NASCAR. Xfinity, the television service offered by the telecommunications conglomerate Comcast, has secured the second-largest partnership in annual value with the NASCAR Cup Series, extending through the 2025 season. Regarding annual value, Chevrolet's partnership with NASCAR stands as the third largest. Chevrolet has solidified its sponsorship for the 2025 season, with the agreement valued at approximately $12.5 million per year. The 2025 edition of the Daytona 500 featured a record prize purse of $30,331,250. Although NASCAR has ceased publicizing precise payout amounts, it is estimated that William Byron, the winner of the 2025 Daytona 500, will receive earnings in the range of $2.4 million to $3 million. Tyler Reddick, who finished in second place, is anticipated to receive approximately $1.5 million. Those who finished in third to fifth place, Jimmie Johnson, Chase Briscoe, and John Hunter Nemechek, are projected to earn between $500,000 and $1 million. This report provides an overview of the recent 2025 Daytona 500, including a look at its sponsorship portfolio, broadcasters, attendance and ticketing. Company Coverage Includes: Goodyear Xfinity Chevrolet Toyota Busch Light Credit One Bank Suburban Propane Mobil 1 PNC Financial Services Craftsman Key Topics Covered: 1. Event Introduction Executive Summary Introduction 2. Media Landscape Daytona 500 2025 Domestic Media Revenue and Viewership Daytona 500 2025 Broadcasters Breakdown Across the World 3. Sponsorship Landscape Daytona 500 2025 Sponsorship Portfolio Daytona 500 2025 Sponsorship Breakdown 4. Prize Money Daytona 500 2025 Prize Money Breakdown 5. Attendance & Ticketing Daytona 500 2025 Attendance & Ticketing Breakdown For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/z503q9 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. BALI, Indonesia, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PT ANNA VISION GROUP, an innovative real estate development company founded and owned by entrepreneur Oleksii Maznichenko, has announced the launch of one of Southeast Asias most ambitious and visionary projects: a fully automated, AI-powered smart city in the heart of Bali. This next-generation urban space is not just about futuristic architecture although the design is set to become one of the most stunning in the region it is a bold economic, technological, and social initiative aimed at redefining how cities function. The project integrates advanced robotics, autonomous services, and artificial intelligence to create an environment that is sustainable, efficient, and future-proof. At the core of the project is human development. The smart city will serve as a massive educational and upskilling hub for tens of thousands of Indonesians, offering training in IT, software development, artificial intelligence, and other critical technologies shaping the global digital economy. We believe the future of real estate lies not only in concrete and steel, but in code, intelligence, and the ability to uplift lives. Were not just building buildings were building a new reality, says Oleksii Maznichenko, owner of PT ANNA VISION GROUP. The project also aims to attract global tech companies, venture capital firms, and startups looking for a strategic foothold in Asia. With its eco-conscious design and smart governance model, the city positions Indonesia as a rising leader in innovation-driven development. Media Contact: Company name: PT ANNA VISION GROUP Email: am@gorlov.city Website: https://gorlov.city Contact person: NI LUH PUTU INDRI YANI Address: Jl. Bumbak No.80, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 Phone: +628812262222 Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. WEST DES MOINES, Iowa , April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new survey conducted by Athene of the Sandwich Generation, defined as people aged 40-59 who provide financial or caregiving support to both adult children and elderly relatives, found that nearly three quarters (73%) of respondents have adjusted their retirement goals to support their adult children or aging relatives, including:1 Delaying retirement (34%) Using retirement assets to support their family (22%) Not planning to retire at all (9%) As the retirement age population in the U.S. grows, the Sandwich Generation represents the next wave in Americas retirement crisis, with potential long-term implications for individuals, families and the economy, said Mike Downing, Athene Chief Operating Officer. Although the Sandwich Generations average age of expected retirement is 65, only 24% of respondents have a written retirement plan and 30% indicate they are concerned about having to rely on their children for financial support in retirement. Many retirees don't have the luxury of assuming that the traditional three legs of the retirement stool social security, savings and investments, and workplace pensions will fully secure their retirement, said Downing. Early preparation has never been more important. Among respondents who support older family members who have an income source, 83% say those family members depend on Social Security, which often doesnt provide sufficient retirement income to cover a retirees full expenses. Only 14% have an annuity, which provides guaranteed income in retirement. Guaranteed Income Can Support Financial Confidence Among respondents who say they are not completely confident in their ability to provide support to family, approximately two-thirds (66%) say that increased income would improve their confidence, outweighing other factors including: Increased savings and investments (43%) Support from other family members (42%) Lower debt (38%) Guaranteed income is one tool available through a financial professional that can help the Sandwich Generation manage the financial aspects of caregiving and plan for retirement. Importantly, respondents who had already incorporated guaranteed income into their financial strategies tended to have higher incomes, and reported more confidence, less stress and greater preparedness for retirement. As Americans face the financial responsibility of supporting their families, strategies to diversify their sources of income in retirement are more critical than ever, said Downing. Understanding your options and creating a plan are the most effective steps to balance the dual responsibilities of supporting family and securing your retirement. Significant Caregiving Impact on Women Athenes survey found that caregiving for adult children and elderly relatives affected women in the Sandwich Generation disproportionately, with women surveyed reporting higher levels of financial strain than men (53% vs. 40%). Women were also less likely than men to proactively plan their finances across a number of measures, putting them at an additional disadvantage when preparing for retirement: Seek advice from a financial professional (36% vs. 57%) Have a written retirement plan (19% vs. 30%) Discuss financial planning with elderly relatives (57% vs. 68%) Financial Professional Support Critical A trusted financial professional can help devise solutions. An overwhelming majority (90%) of respondents already working with a financial professional say that their relationship had a positive impact on their financial future. Although the majority of respondents (53%) say they are concerned about maintaining their standard of living in retirement, those respondents not currently working with a financial professional were more likely to be worried about not having enough assets to retire (47% vs. 30%). About Athene Athene is the leading retirement services company, with over $360 billion of total assets as of December 31, 2024, and operations in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, and Japan. Athene is focused on providing financial security to individuals by offering an attractive suite of retirement income and savings products and also serves as a solutions provider to corporations. For more information, please visit www.athene.com. Contact: Alyssa Castelli Director, External Relations +1 (646) 768-7304 Alyssa.castelli@athene.com 1 Athene contracted Harris Poll to survey 1,024 adults aged 40-59 who provide financial support to at least one adult child (aged 18 and out of high school) living in their home without significantly contributing to household expenses, and who provide financial or caregiving support to at least one elderly relative. The survey was conducted between January 2, 2025 and January 19, 2025. HOUSTON, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MRC Global Inc. (NYSE: MRC) will release its first quarter 2025 results on May 6, 2025, after the market closes. In conjunction with the release, the company will host a conference call and webcast: What: MRC Global First Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast When: Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Central How: Via phone Dial 201-689-8261 and ask for the MRC Global call prior to the start time, or Via webcast Visit our website http://www.mrcglobal.com in the investor relations section. A replay of the call will be available through May 21, 2025, by dialing 201-612-7415 using passcode 13751572#. An archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at www.mrcglobal.com for 90 days. About MRC Global Inc. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, MRC Global (NYSE: MRC) is the leading global distributor of pipe, valves, fittings (PVF) and other infrastructure products and services to diversified end-markets including the gas utilities, downstream, industrial and energy transition, and production and transmission infrastructure sectors. With over 100 years of experience, MRC Global has provided customers with innovative supply chain solutions, technical product expertise and a robust digital platform from a worldwide network of approximately 200 locations including valve and engineering centers. The companys unmatched quality assurance program offers approximately 200,000 SKUs from over 7,100 suppliers, simplifying the supply chain for over 8,300 customers. Find out more at www.mrcglobal.com. Contact: Monica Broughton VP, Investor Relations & Treasury MRC Global Inc. Monica.Broughton@mrcglobal.com 832-308-2847 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Newcore Gold Ltd. ("Newcore" or the "Company") (TSX-V: NCAU, OTCQX: NCAUF) is pleased to announce additional drill results from the 35,000-metre drill program underway at the Companys 100% owned Enchi Gold Project ("Enchi" or the "Project") in Ghana. Shallow Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling at the Nyam Gold Deposit ("Nyam") intersected multiple zones of higher-grade gold mineralization with hole NBRC108 intersecting 2.50 grams per tonne gold ("g/t Au") over 15.0 metres ("m") from 45 m and hole NBRC110 intersecting 3.00 g/t Au over 10.0 m from 104 m. RC drilling at the Kojina Hill Gold Target ("Kojina Hill"), a previously drilled target at Enchi with no defined mineral resource, intersected multiple zones of gold mineralization including hole KJRC026 which intersected 0.67 g/t Au over 37.0 m from 69 m including a higher-grade interval of 1.05 g/t over 20.0 m from 70 m. Drilling continues to prove out the continuity of gold mineralization and potential for resource growth at Enchi. The 35,000-metre drill program underway at Enchi is focused on resource growth and infill drilling designed to convert Inferred Resources to Indicated. The goal of the first phase of drilling is completion of drilling required for resource conversion in advance of commissioning a Pre-Feasibility Study later this year. The second phase of the drill program will focus on discovery and resource growth, including drilling targeting earlier-stage exploration targets along with drilling focused on defining the resource growth potential at depth. Highlights from Drilling at the Nyam Gold Deposit and Kojina Hill Gold Target at Enchi Drilling at Nyam encountered higher-grade gold mineralization in the upper sulphide horizon. NBRC108 intersected 2.50 g/t Au over 15.0 m from 45 m. NBRC110 intersected 3.00 g/t Au over 10.0 m from 104 m. NBRC114 intersected 1.68 g/t Au over 12.0 m from 78 m. Drilling at the earlier stage Kojina Hill Target continues to prove out the potential for resource growth at Enchi through the addition of new resource areas on the property. Kojina Hill is an advanced target at Enchi that has no defined mineral resource. KJRC026 intersected 0.67 g/t Au over 37.0 m from 69 m, including a higher-grade interval of 1.05 g/t over 20.0 m from 70 m. KJRC031 intersected higher-grade mineralization near surface with 6.80 g/t Au over 2.0 m from 5 m. Greg Smith, Vice President of Exploration of Newcore stated, "Drilling at Enchi continues to prove out the growth potential across the project, with all drilling reported in this release encountering gold mineralization. Drilling completed at Nyam, the third largest deposit currently defined at Enchi, continues to encounter higher-grade gold mineralization within the shallow sulphide horizon. Additional drilling completed at the earlier stage Kojina Hill Gold target, an area that does not yet have a mineral resource estimate, highlights the potential for future resource growth at Enchi from additional earlier-stage targets where drilling continues to encounter shallow gold mineralization. We are excited to continue to prove out the potential at Enchi through the drill bit, with all deposits remaining open along strike and at depth, and numerous earlier-stage targets yet to be defined." This release reports results for 13 RC holes totalling 1,415 m (NBRC108 to NBRC120) targeting the Nyam Gold Deposit and 7 RC holes totalling 944 m (KJRC025 to KJRC031) targeting the Kojina Hill Gold Target, with all holes intersecting gold mineralization. A total of 15,537 m in 128 holes have been reported as part of the ongoing 2024 - 2025 drill program at Enchi. Select assay results from the 20 holes of the drill program reported in this release are below: Table 1 - Enchi Gold Project Drill Highlights Hole ID Zone/Deposit From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) NBRC108 Nyam 45.0 60.0 15.0 2.50 NBRC110 Nyam 104.0 114.0 10.0 3.00 NBRC114 Nyam 78.0 90.0 12.0 1.68 NBRC119 Nyam 2.0 8.0 6.0 0.96 and 45.0 53.0 8.0 2.36 KJRC026 Kojina Hill 69.0 106.0 37.0 0.67 including 70.0 90.0 20.0 1.05 KJRC031 Kojina Hill 5.0 7.0 2.0 6.80 Notes: 1. See detailed table for complete results; 2. Intervals reported are hole lengths with true width estimated to be 75 - 85%; and 3. Length-weighted averages from uncut assays. Plan maps showing the drill hole locations can be viewed at: https://newcoregold.com/site/assets/files/5908/2025_04_22-ncau-nr-enchi-plan-maps.pdf Cross sections showing drill results and highlights for holes NBRC108, NBRC109 and KJRC026 can be viewed at: https://newcoregold.com/site/assets/files/5908/2025_04_22-ncau-crosssections-nyam-kojinahill.pdf A complete list of the drill results in this release, including hole details, can be viewed at: https://newcoregold.com/site/assets/files/5908/2025_04_22-ncau-enchi-2024-2025-drill-results.pdf Drilling at the Nyam Gold Deposit NBRC108 to NBRC120 (13 RC holes totalling 1,415 m) were completed at Nyam, targeting the south, central and northern portions of the deposit. Drilling targeted near-surface oxidized, transition as well as shallow sulphide mineralization with a goal of infill drilling for resource conversion to improve the confidence level as well as grow the existing Mineral Resource Estimate. RC drilling at Nyam consisted of 50-metre spaced sections with drill holes spaced every 25 metres along the sections. The holes reported in this news release are distributed across 10 separate sections that are spread along a strike length of 1.2 kilometres. 6 RC holes totalling 681 m (NBRC108 to NBRC111, NBRC119, NBRC120) were drilled on the southern portion of the structure at Nyam. NBRC108 intersected 2.50 g/t Au over 15.0 m from 45 m in the upper sulphide horizon. NBRC110, located 100 metres to the north, intersected 3.00 g/t Au over 10.0 m from 104 m and 0.50 g/t Au over 18.0 m from 126 m. NBRC119, located 50 metres to the south of NBRC108, intersected 2.36 g/t Au over 8.0 m from 45 m in the sulphide mineralization, as well as 0.96 g/t Au over 6.0 m from 2 m and 0.32 g/t Au over 7.0 m from 12 m in the oxide mineralization. 3 RC holes totalling 284 m (NBRC112 to NBRC114) tested the central portion of the structure at Nyam. These holes were drilled 800 metres to the north of NBRC110. NBRC114 intersected 1.68 g/t Au over 12.0 m from 78 m in the upper sulphide mineralization. 4 RC holes totalling 450 m (NBRC115 to NBRC118) were drilled on the northern portion of the structure at Nyam. NBRC117 intersected 0.51 g/t Au over 31.0 m from 47 m in the upper sulphide mineralization. NBRC118, located 50 metres further north, intersected 0.64 g/t Au over 19.0 m from 53 m and 1.12 g/t Au over 5.0 m from 80 m in the upper sulphides. NBRC116, drilled 100 metres south of NBRC117, intersected 0.46 g/t Au over 22.0 m from 86 m in the upper sulphide mineralization and 1.00 g/t Au over 7.0 m from 41 m in the oxidized material. This drilling continues to confirm continuity along strike and down dip for the principal structures which comprise the Nyam Gold Deposit. The width and gold grades within these drill results are consistent with prior wider-spaced drilling completed at Nyam. The Company anticipates that these results, along with drill results previously released from the 2024 - 2025 drill program completed at the Boin and Sewum deposits, should improve the confidence level of the existing Mineral Resource Estimate. This recent drilling was drilled in areas where the previous pit constrained Mineral Resource Estimate was classified as Inferred. The results of this recent drilling should allow for conversion of a substantial portion of mineralization within these areas to the Indicated category. Drilling at the Kojina Hill Gold Target KJRC025 to KJRC031 (7 RC holes totalling 944 m) were completed at the Kojina Hill gold target. Kojina Hill is an advanced target at Enchi with no defined mineral resource. Drilling targeted near-surface oxidized, transition as well as shallow sulphide mineralization and followed-up on prior trenching and wide spaced drilling completed on the target (14 RC holes totalling 2,588 m drilled as part of the 2020 - 2023 drill program). RC drilling at Kojina Hill tested a series of targets across several separate sections that are spread along a strike length of 1.5 kilometres. Drilling targeted the northern, central and southern portions of the Kojina Hill Gold Target. KJRC026 was drilled in the central portion of the target and intersected a wide zone of mineralization of 0.67 g/t Au over 37.0 m from 69 m, including 1.05 g/t Au over 20.0 m from 70 m in the oxidized transition horizon. KJRC031, drilled 700 metres to the south of KJRC026 in the southern portion of the target area, intersected multiple gold mineralized structures including 6.80 g/t Au over 2.0 m from 5 m and 0.69 g/t Au over 8.0 m from 50 m in the oxidized transition material, and 0.49 g/t Au over 21.0 m from 115 m in the upper sulphides. 2024 - 2025 Enchi Work Program A 35,000-metre drill program is underway at Enchi, targeting near-surface oxide and shallow sulphide mineralization with a primary goal of infill drilling for resource conversion to improve the confidence level of the existing Mineral Resource Estimate. Most of the infill drilling is allocated to the two largest deposits at Enchi, Boin and Sewum. Improving the confidence level of the Mineral Resource Estimate at Enchi is a key component of the development work required to be completed in advance of commissioning a Pre-Feasibility Study for the Project. A subset of the drill program will also focus on outlining resource growth, with all deposit areas and pre-resource targets at Enchi remaining open along strike and at depth, providing for future resource growth across the district-scale property. Additional exploration and development work is on-going at Enchi, including metallurgical testwork, trenching, hydrogeological testing, geotechnical work, environmental work and soil sampling. Drone topographic surveys have been completed, expanding on previously completed work, at the Kwakyekrom and Tokosea deposit areas to provide detailed topographic information required to improve the confidence level of each deposits Mineral Resource Estimate. Additionally, the drone survey was completed across the proposed heap leach facility area to contribute additional data for future detailed engineering studies. An airborne magnetic survey tested grass roots targets related to a series of gold-in-soil anomalies and gold mineralization identified in trenching. Soil sampling is also currently being completed on the Omanpe and Abotia licenses with a goal of further defining early-stage targets across Enchi for future trenching and drilling. Nyam Gold Zone Nyam is one of the five deposits which comprise the Mineral Resource Estimate at Enchi (Indicated Mineral Resource of 7.8 million tonnes grading 0.65 g/t Au containing 162,000 ounces and Inferred Mineral Resource of 2.7 million tonnes grading 1.21 g/t Au containing 104,700 ounces). Nyam is located 15 kilometres east of the town of Enchi, with nearby roads and power and further access provided by a series of drill roads. An airborne geophysical anomaly coincident with the Nyam Gold Deposit shows a complex series of linear high conductivity trends, reflective of the multiple sub-parallel gold-bearing structures. To date, approximately 25% of the gold-in-soil anomaly is untested by drilling, with the average vertical depth of all holes drilled to date at Nyam down to 90 metres. Previous drilling at the Nyam Gold Deposit has been successful in outlining higher-grade gold mineralization below the projected level of the open pits highlighted by NBDD048 with 4.51 g/t Au over 13.0 m from 236 m and NBDD052 with 3.21 g/t Au over 15.0 m from 321 m. Gold mineralization remains open to depth. Kojina Hill Gold Target The Kojina Hill Gold Target is an advanced target at Enchi with no currently defined mineral resource estimate. Prior drilling at Kojina Hill consists of 14 RC holes totalling 2,588 metres that were completed as part of the 2020 - 2023 drill program. Kojina Hill is located 10 kilometres south of the town of Enchi, with nearby roads and power and further access provided by a series of drill roads. Kojina Hill is related to a structure sub-parallel to the Nyam Shear Zone and the zone is located 1.5 kilometres west of the Nyam Gold Deposit. The Kojina Hill Target is defined on surface by a two-kilometre-long and one-kilometre-wide gold-in-soil anomaly of which less than 50% has been tested to date. Drill Hole Locations Table 2 - Enchi Gold Project Drill Hole Location Details Hole ID UTM East UTM North Elevation Azimuth Dip Length (m) NBRC108 530218 637234 98 300 -60 108 NBRC109 530243 637218 99 300 -60 138 NBRC110 530293 637299 100 300 -60 147 NBRC111 530260 637325 97 300 -60 84 NBRC112 530610 637824 104 300 -60 80 NBRC113 530604 637746 116 300 -60 108 NBRC114 530615 637788 110 300 -60 96 NBRC115 530792 638222 103 300 -60 108 NBRC116 530768 638196 107 300 -60 120 NBRC117 530816 638271 99 300 -60 102 NBRC118 530837 638302 99 300 -55 120 NBRC119 530170 637212 96 300 -60 60 NBRC120 530209 637190 95 300 -60 144 KJRC025 529138 637394 98 120 -55 100 KJRC026 528814 637355 105 120 -55 130 KJRC027 528806 637083 186 120 -55 180 KJRC028 528833 636835 173 120 -55 150 KJRC029 528579 636781 118 120 -55 132 KJRC030 528475 636835 126 120 -55 108 KJRC031 528423 636863 117 120 -55 144 Enchi Gold Project Mineral Resource Estimate The Enchi Gold Project hosts an Indicated Mineral Resource of 41.7 million tonnes grading 0.55 g/t Au containing 743,500 ounces gold and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 46.6 million tonnes grading 0.65 g/t Au containing 972,000 ounces (see Newcore news release dated March 7, 2023). Mineral resource estimation practices are in accordance with CIM Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Best Practice Guidelines (November 29, 2019) and follow CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 10, 2014), that are incorporated by reference into National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). The Mineral Resource Estimate is from the technical report titled "Mineral Resource Estimate for the Enchi Gold Project" with an effective date of January 25, 2023, which was prepared for Newcore by Todd McCracken, P. Geo, of BBA E&C Inc. and Simon Meadows Smith, P. Geo, of SEMS Exploration Services Ltd. in accordance with NI 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and is available under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Todd McCracken and Simon Meadows Smith are independent qualified persons ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101. Newcore Gold Best Practice Newcore is committed to best practice standards for all exploration, sampling and drilling activities. Drilling was completed by an independent drilling firm using industry standard RC and Diamond Drill equipment. Analytical quality assurance and quality control procedures include the systematic insertion of blanks, standards and duplicates into the sample strings. Samples are placed in sealed bags and shipped directly to Intertek Labs located in Tarkwa, Ghana for 50 gram gold fire assay. Qualified Person Mr. Gregory Smith, P. Geo, Vice President of Exploration at Newcore, is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical data and information contained in this news release. Mr. Smith has verified the technical and scientific data disclosed herein and has conducted appropriate verification on the underlying data including confirmation of the drillhole data files against the original drillhole logs and assay certificates. About Newcore Gold Ltd. Newcore Gold is advancing its Enchi Gold Project located in Ghana, Africas largest gold producer (1). Newcore Gold offers investors a unique combination of top-tier leadership, who are aligned with shareholders through their 15% equity ownership, and prime district scale exploration opportunities. Enchis 248 km2 land package covers 40 kilometres of Ghanas prolific Bibiani Shear Zone, a gold belt which hosts several multi-million-ounce gold deposits, including the Chirano mine 50 kilometres to the north. Newcores vision is to build a responsive, creative and powerful gold enterprise that maximizes returns for shareholders. (1) Source: Production volumes for 2023 as sourced from the World Gold Council. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Newcore Gold Ltd. Luke Alexander President, CEO & Director For further information, please contact: Mal Karwowska | Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations +1 604 484 4399 info@newcoregold.com www.newcoregold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes statements that contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: statements about the estimation of mineral resources; results of preliminary economic assessments; completion of a pre-feasibility study; results of metallurgical testwork; results of our ongoing drill campaign; results of drilling, magnitude or quality of mineral deposits; anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; and future exploration prospects. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. The assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Newcore. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of Newcore believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, Newcore cannot assure its shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information also involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: risks related to the speculative nature of Newcores business; Newcores formative stage of development; Newcores financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold and other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar to United States dollar exchange rate); change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, unusual or unexpected geological formations); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Newcore disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. HIGHLIGHTS Targeting $1 billion in annual pre-tax free cash flow improvements Business optimization plan underway to improve margins and capital efficiency Plan includes improvements to base production performance, midstream commercial terms and corporate costs Expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with 30 percent achieved by year-end 2025 OKLAHOMA CITY, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE: DVN) today announced its business optimization plan to improve margins and capital efficiency, growing free cash flow generation and driving significant shareholder value. Im excited to announce the details of our business optimization plan, set to enhance margins and deliver $1 billion in annual pre-tax free cash flow improvements by year end 2026, said Clay Gaspar, president and CEO. This milestone reflects the commitment, ingenuity, and talent of our employees, whose hard work and ongoing efforts continue to drive Devons success. This is an opportune time for us to take on this initiative, as we leverage recent leadership changes across the organization, bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas. Given the challenging market and shifting competitive landscape, this is the right moment to focus internally and improve our profitability. Importantly, this effort will create significant shareholder value by expanding our free cash flow generation and enhancing the durability of our business. Our organization has been diligently advancing this initiative and has already secured marketing agreements to drive a material margin improvement through year-end 2026. Concurrently, we have implemented technological advancements, including advanced analytics and process automation, that are further enhancing our operating performance. These combined efforts are anticipated to achieve approximately $300 million of cash flow uplift by the end of 2025, reinforcing our financial resilience. We have clear visibility into the remaining objectives and are highly confident in our ability to execute this plan effectively, Gaspar added. PLAN PATHWAY AND TIMING TO DELIVER Devon is committed to improving its pre-tax free cash flow generation by taking steps to deliver $1.0 billion in annual improvements. The plan includes actions to achieve more efficient field-level operations and improvements in drilling and completion costs while improving operating margins and corporate costs. Approximately 30 percent of the estimated improvements are expected to be accomplished by year-end 2025, with the remaining savings realized by year-end 2026. The business optimization plan includes improvements in the following categories: Capital Efficiency $300 million Capture efficiencies through design optimization, cycle time reductions, facility standardization and vendor management. Production Optimization $250 million Use advanced analytics to minimize maintenance events, reduce downtime, flatten production declines and optimize operating cost structure. Commercial Opportunities $300 million Leverage scale to enhance commercial contracts to increase realizations, improve recoveries and lower GP&T cost structure. Corporate Cost Reductions $150 million Reduce interest expense and streamline corporate cost structure. We are committed to transparency and accountability and will provide stakeholders with periodic updates on our progress, Gaspar concluded. The company will provide additional details around the optimization plan during its scheduled first-quarter 2025 earnings conference call on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 10 a.m. CDT (11 a.m. EDT). Also provided with todays release is a supplemental presentation, which is available on the companys website at www.devonenergy.com. ABOUT DEVON ENERGY Devon Energy is a leading oil and gas producer in the U.S. with a diversified multi-basin portfolio headlined by a world-class acreage position in the Delaware Basin. Devons disciplined cash-return business model is designed to achieve strong returns, generate free cash flow and return capital to shareholders, while focusing on safe and sustainable operations. For more information, please visit www.devonenergy.com. Investor Contact investor.relations@dvn.com 405-228-4450 Media Contact Michelle Hindmarch 405-552-7460 FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Such statements include those concerning strategic plans, our expectations and objectives for future operations, as well as other future events or conditions, and are often identified by use of the words and phrases expects, believes, will, would, could, continue, may, aims, likely to be, intends, forecasts, projections, estimates, plans, expectations, targets, opportunities, potential, anticipates, outlook and other similar terminology. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Devon expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Consequently, actual future results could differ materially and adversely from our expectations due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the risk that we are unable to successfully implement the improvements discussed in this release on the anticipated timeline or at all, which could delay or prevent us from realizing any benefits from the business optimization plan; commodity prices, cost structures and the other assumptions underlying our forecasted value uplift from the business optimization plan could differ materially from actual results; market and geopolitical uncertainty as a result of changes in trade relations and policies, such as the imposition of tariffs by the U.S., China or other countries; and any of the other risks and uncertainties discussed in Devons 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the 2024 Form 10-K) or other filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, represent managements current reasonable expectations as of the date of this press release and are subject to the risks and uncertainties identified above as well as those described elsewhere in the 2024 Form 10-K and in other documents we file from time to time with the SEC. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of our forward-looking statements, and readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in the 2024 Form 10-K and in other documents we file from time to time with the SEC. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Devon, or persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any duty to update or revise our forward-looking statements based on new information, future events or otherwise. Paulson Advisers will acquire a 40% ownership interest in Donlin Gold NOVAGOLD will increase its ownership interest in Donlin Gold from 50% to 60% Donlin Gold to be managed jointly by NOVAGOLD and Paulson to advance the project New partnership will shift focus immediately to updating the Feasibility Study 2025 exploration to pivot toward reserves and resources conversion and expansion All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. (NOVAGOLD) (NYSE American, TSX: NG) and Paulson Advisers LLC (Paulson) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement with Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick) to acquire Barricks 50% interest in Donlin Gold LLC for $1.0 billion in cash creating a new partnership between NOVAGOLD and Paulson to develop the Donlin Gold project in Alaska. Pursuant to the agreement, NOVAGOLD will acquire a 10% interest in Donlin Gold LLC for $200 million, which will increase its ownership interest in Donlin Gold LLC from 50% to 60%, and Paulson will acquire a 40% interest in Donlin Gold LLC for $800 million and will share responsibility as a full and equal partner in project management of Donlin Gold. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is expected to close late in the second or early in the third quarter of 2025. At the closing of the transaction, NOVAGOLD and Paulson will enter into an amended and restated limited liability company agreement governing Donlin Gold (the LLC Agreement), pursuant to which NOVAGOLD and Paulson will have equal governance rights. To finance NOVAGOLDs portion of the acquisition, funding commitments were obtained from Paulson, The Electrum Group (Electrum), and Kopernik Global Investors, LLC (Kopernik) to subscribe for up to $170 million of common shares at $3.00 per share, with the balance of $30 million to be funded from NOVAGOLDs treasury. As part of the funding agreement, Paulson, Electrum, and Kopernik received five- year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 25.5 million common shares of NOVAGOLD at $3.00 per share. NOVAGOLD will evaluate a range of alternative financing options to replace all or part of the funding commitments, although NOVAGOLD is not required under the funding agreement to seek any alternative financing. Any funds raised by NOVAGOLD would first be used to reduce its $30 million cash commitment. NOVAGOLD was granted an option to purchase the outstanding debt owed to Barrick in connection with the Donlin Gold project for $90 million if purchased prior to closing, or for $100 million if purchased within 18 months from closing, when the option expires. If that option is not exercised, the debt will remain outstanding, substantially in accordance with its existing terms. In addition to approval by NOVAGOLDs Board of Directors, the transaction has also been approved by a Special Committee of the Board composed entirely of directors who are independent of Electrum1, NOVAGOLDs largest shareholder. Following the closing of the transaction, under the direction of the new partners, Donlin Gold expects to: Immediately commence the various workstreams to update the Feasibility Study 2 , including assembling a specially dedicated team to advance these efforts; , including assembling a specially dedicated team to advance these efforts; Shift the 2025 drill programs focus to the conversion and expansion of Donlin Golds reserves and resources, with both partners committed to exploring for new resources along strike and to depth in future campaign seasons; Advance technical work and engineering designs; Continue to support state permitting efforts and maintain existing federal and state permits in good standing, including government affairs engagement with federal and state representatives; and Enhance social license, with ongoing community outreach and investment initiatives with partners and landowners, Calista Corporation (Calista) and The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC). Paulson Aligned in Sustainably and Responsibly Advancing Donlin Gold A private investment firm headquartered in Palm Beach, Florida, Paulson is NOVAGOLDs second largest shareholder after Electrum and one of its longest-tenured investors having initially become a NOVAGOLD shareholder in 2010. Paulson enjoys a distinguished track record as an experienced investor and its Chairman, Mr. John Paulson, has been recognized for having a legendary talent for focusing on the big trade and picking amongst some of the best vehicles positioned to leverage that conviction for his partners. Not surprisingly, Paulson stands among the most abiding and high-profile advocates for gold. The firm also holds excellent credentials as a successful investor in the gold mining industry, including as the cornerstone and pivotal shareholder in advancing Detour Gold Corporation, which owned the Detour Gold mine Canadas largest gold mine with over 19 million ounces in gold reserves, now owned by Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. John Paulson said: Donlin Gold is one of the most attractive development gold projects in the world. With 39 million ounces of gold at double the industry average grade, and an optimal location in the prime jurisdiction of Alaska already the second largest gold-producing state in the United States we believe that the project could create value for decades to come. Enjoying excellent social license and formidable exploration upside potential to significantly expand its resources and production profile, Donlin Gold constitutes a superb opportunity for us to gain leverage to gold in the United States at an attractive valuation. Together with Donlin Golds partners, Calista and TKC, we are dedicated to responsibly advance the Donlin Gold project. Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, NOVAGOLDs Chairman, said: The announcement of our new partner, Paulson, marks the watershed moment in our companys ambition to unlock conscientiously the full value of Donlin Gold. For such a prescient and illustrious gold investor as John Paulson to share our belief that Donlin Gold constitutes one of the best and most jurisdictionally attractive gold development projects in the world and indeed worthy of such an extraordinary investment is truly catalytic for NOVAGOLD. For myriad reasons, Paulson is quite literally the finest partner we could have hoped for. The embodiment of smart money, John has been recognized as having a unique ability to identify the right vehicle to execute legendary trades. John and his teams expertise and counsel will be invaluable as we work to advance Donlin Gold through feasibility and financing. Greg Lang, NOVAGOLDs President and CEO, said: As with many of our shareholders, we have engaged extensively with Paulson over the years and are grateful for their steadfast solidarity. Our management team welcomes this enormous vote of confidence and looks forward to initiating an updated Feasibility Study, as well as to allowing our new drill program to move towards reserve and resource expansion. Most importantly, this agreement reaffirms both partners pledge to our Native Corporation partners and to the State of Alaska to advance this project. Andrew Guy, Calistas President and CEO, said: This land has been stewarded by the Alaska Native people of the Yukon-Kuskokwim region since time immemorial and Calista continues to be engaged in all aspects of the Donlin Gold project. Donlin Gold represents a most valuable resource and a commitment to responsible development that honors the land and the legacy of our Elders and ancestors. We strongly welcome Paulson as a new partner together we can create a future that respects our heritage while embracing economic opportunities. Andrea Gusty, President and CEO of TKC, said: TKCs priorities have always been clear: support our Shareholders and protect our land. We support resource development when it can be done responsibly aligned with our values of sustainability, community investment, and respect for traditional ways of life. The advancement of the Donlin Gold project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Like all development, it must be guided by our obligation to steward the land ensuring todays opportunities do not compromise tomorrows. We trust our project partnersand TKCs direct involvementto help ensure the project moves forward with environmental protection as a top priority. We remain focused on approaching the Donlin Gold project with care and foresightso that economic progress is balanced with our subsistence way of life and the integrity of our homeland. Donlin Gold is Simply Unique in the North American Gold Space in Its Rare Combination of Key Attributes Located in the Kuskokwim region in Southwest Alaska, Donlin Gold hosts approximately 39 million ounces of gold in Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources (inclusive of mineral reserves), of which NOVAGOLDs 60% attributed interest would represent 23.4 million ounces following the closing of the transaction. The resources at Donlin Gold have an estimated grade of 2.24 grams per tonne3, or twice the industry average of 1.03 grams per tonne4, significantly lowering its projected per ounce operating costs relative to peers. If developed as contemplated by the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary, Donlin Gold is projected to have a 27-year mine life, with average annual production expected to reach approximately 1.1 million ounces5. Furthermore, the new partners believe theres considerable exploration potential in the project, as Donlin Golds current resources span approximately three kilometers of an eight-kilometer mineralized belt. This represents only approximately 5% of the total land package. Donlin Gold has maintained its state and federal permits in good standing and benefits from being in the State of Alaska with both community and state support. The new partners recognize the longstanding and trust-based partnerships that have been built with Calista and TKC the Native landowners of Donlin Golds mineral and surface rights, respectively who, in addition to being excellent partners, are crucial in maintaining the essential social license that NOVAGOLD and Paulson so treasure. NOVAGOLD and Paulson share a strong commitment to best practices, ecological stewardship, and the economic health and social wellbeing of the Yukon-Kuskokwim regions people and communities. NOVAGOLD and Paulson deeply appreciate the importance of traditions and the subsistence way of life, where environmental health is capital. As such, long-term commitments spanning development to operation and reclamation are fully in place to ensure the land is effectively protected for generations. Todays announcement further strengthens these engagements and assurances. 2025 Outlook Our main objectives this year include: commencing the various workstreams to update Donlin Golds fully bankable Feasibility Study, including assembling a specially dedicated team to advance these efforts; completing the drill program for reserves and resources conversion; unlocking the full exploration potential of the district; advancing technical work and engineering designs; obtaining outstanding necessary permits and maintaining existing federal and state permits in good standing; upholding our deep support among the projects stakeholders; and promoting a strong safety, sustainability, and environmental culture. In light of this transaction, the previously disclosed 2025 Donlin Gold expenditure of approximately $43.0 million on a 100% basis will be reviewed by the partners. NOVAGOLDs 2025 budget will also be reviewed and updated in due course. Advisors and Counsel In connection with the transaction, Citi is serving as financial advisor and Dorsey & Whitney LLP, and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP are serving as legal counsel to NOVAGOLD. In addition, Kleinberg, Kaplan, Wolff & Cohen, Goodmans LLP, McCarthy Tetrault LLP, and Stoel Rives LLP are serving as legal counsel to Paulson and Baker Botts LLP and Stikeman Elliott LLP are serving as legal counsel to Electrum. Conference Call & Webcast Details NOVAGOLD and Paulson will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the transaction today at 6:00 am PT (9:00 am ET). The webcast and conference call-in details are provided below. The video webcast and conference call-in details are provided below. Video Webcast: www.novagold.com/investors/events/ North American callers: 1-833-752-3655 International callers: 1-647-846-8520 Learn more about NOVAGOLD and the Donlin Gold project by visiting www.novagold.com This press release is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities in connection with the transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. About NOVAGOLD NOVAGOLD is a well-financed precious metals company focused on the development of the Donlin Gold project in Alaska, one of the safest mining jurisdictions in the world. With approximately 39 million ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories, inclusive of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves (541 million tonnes at an average grade of approximately 2.24 grams per tonne, in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories on a 100% basis)6, the Donlin Gold project is regarded to be one of the largest, highest-grade, and most prospective known open-pit gold deposits in the world. According to the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary once in production, the Donlin Gold project is expected to produce an average of more than one million ounces per year over a 27-year mine life on a 100% basis. About Paulson Paulson is a private global investment management advisory firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. NOVAGOLD Contacts: Melanie Hennessey Vice President, Corporate Communications 604-669-6227 or 1-866-669-6227 Frank Gagnon Manager, Investor Relations 778-990-0299 or 1-866-669-6227 Paulson Contacts: Michael McKeon mmckeon@actumllc.com __________________________________ 1 Electrum is a related party of NOVAGOLD within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") and the issuance of 6,375,000 warrants and the potential issuance of up to 14,166,667 common shares to Electrum under the funding agreement is a related party transaction under MI 61-101. Dr. Thomas Kaplan, Chairman of the Board, also serves as the Chairman, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive Officer of The Electrum Group LLC, which manages the portfolio of Electrum. NOVAGOLD is relying on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 on the basis that the fair market value of the warrants and the common shares issued or issuable to Electrum in connection with the funding agreement do not exceed 25% of NOVAGOLD's market capitalization. NOVAGOLD did not file a material change report in respect of this related party transaction 21 days in advance of entering the funding agreement and issuing the warrants to Electrum, as Electrum's participation in the funding agreement had not been confirmed at that time. 2 The updated Feasibility Study/Technical Report will be compliant with NI 43-101 and S-K 1300 standards. 3 Donlin Gold data as per the report titled NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Donlin Gold project, Alaska, USA with an effective date of June 1, 2021 (the 2021 Technical Report) and the report titled S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Donlin Gold project, Alaska, USA (the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary), dated November 30, 2021. Donlin Gold possesses Measured Resources of approximately 8 Mt grading 2.52 g/t and Indicated Resources of approximately 534 Mt grading 2.24 g/t, each on a 100% basis and inclusive of Mineral Reserves, of which approximately 4 Mt of Measured Resources and approximately 267 Mt of Indicated Resources inclusive of Reserves is currently attributable to NOVAGOLD through its 50% ownership interest in Donlin Gold LLC. Exclusive of Mineral Reserves, Donlin Gold possesses Measured Resources of approximately 1 Mt grading 2.23 g/t and Indicated Resources of approximately 69 Mt grading 2.44 g/t, of which approximately 0.5 Mt of Measured Resources and approximately 35 Mt of Indicated Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves is currently attributable to NOVAGOLD. Donlin Gold possesses Proven Reserves of approximately 8 Mt grading 2.32 g/t and Probable Reserves of approximately 497 Mt grading 2.08 g/t, each on a 100% basis, of which approximately 4 Mt of Proven Reserves and approximately 249 Mt of Probable Reserves is attributable to NOVAGOLD. Mineral Reserves and Resources have been estimated in accordance with NI 43-101 and S-K 1300. 4 As of March 2025, S&P Global Market Intelligence reports that the global industry average grade for open-pit and underground gold deposits with over 1 million ounces in Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, inclusive of Mineral Reserves, is 1.03 g/t. In comparison, Donlin Golds grade is 2.24 g/t, more than double the industry average. 5 Donlin Gold data as per the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary detailed in footnote 3 above, with anticipated average annual production of 1.1 million gold ounces over 27 years on a 100% basis. 6 Donlin Gold data as per the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary. Please see footnote 3 above. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This media release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include future-oriented financial information or financial outlook within the meaning of securities laws, including information regarding the anticipated benefits of the announced transaction with Paulson, NOVAGOLDs anticipated expenditures and anticipated plans for the new partnership and Donlin following the completion of the transaction, statements regarding the permitting, potential development, exploration, construction and operation of Donlin Gold and statements relating to NOVAGOLDs future operating and financial performance and production estimates. Such information is intended to assist readers in understanding NOVAGOLDs current expectations and plans relating to the future. Such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as expects, continue, ongoing, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, potential, possible, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results will, may, could, would or should occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on several opinions, estimates and assumptions that management of NOVAGOLD considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such statements are made, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the anticipated consummation and timing of the transaction; the expected timing of closing of the transaction; the satisfaction of the conditions precedent; the anticipated timing of certain judicial and/or administrative decisions; the 2025 outlook; the timing and potential for commencing a new feasibility study on the Donlin Gold project; the results of future feasibility studies; our goals and expenditures for 2025; ongoing support provided to key stakeholders including Native Corporation partners; Donlin Golds continued support for the state and federal permitting process; sufficiency of working capital; the potential development and construction of the Donlin Gold project; the timing and ability for the Donlin Gold project to hit critical milestones; the ability for the Tier One gold development project to hit the anticipated projections; the sufficiency of funds to continue to advance development of Donlin Gold, including to a construction decision; perceived merit of properties; mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; Donlin Golds ability to secure the permits needed to construct and operate the Donlin Gold project in a timely manner, if at all; legal challenges to Donlin Golds existing permits and the timing of decisions in those challenges; whether the Donlin Gold LLC board will continue to advance the Donlin Gold project safely, socially responsibly and to sustainably generate value for our stakeholders; continued cooperation between the owners of Donlin Gold LLC to advance the project; NOVAGOLDs ability to deliver on its strategy with the Donlin Gold project; the success of the strategic mine plan for the Donlin Gold project; the success of the Donlin Gold community relations plan; the outcome of exploration drilling at the Donlin Gold project and the timing thereof; the completion of test work and modeling and the timing thereof. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent the expectations of NOVAGOLD managements estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances on the date the statements are made. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include failure to satisfy or waive the closing conditions to the transaction; the need to obtain additional permits and governmental approvals; the timing and likelihood of obtaining and maintaining permits necessary to construct and operate; the need for additional financing to complete an updated feasibility study and to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; disease pandemics; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drill results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation and exploration successes; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in the United States or Canada; the need for cooperation of government agencies and Native groups in the development and operation of properties; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, disease pandemics, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, ore grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; whether or when a positive construction decision will be made regarding the Donlin Gold project; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in NOVAGOLDs most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, particularly the Risk Factors sections of those reports and other documents filed by NOVAGOLD with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Copies of these filings may be obtained by visiting NOVAGOLDs website at www.novagold.com, or the SECs website at www.sec.gov, or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections of NOVAGOLD on the date the statements are made. NOVAGOLD assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. Admiral Group agrees to sell its U.S. motor business to JC Flowers Admiral Group plc announces that it has entered into an agreement to sell its U.S. motor insurance business, including Elephant Insurance Company and Elephant Insurance Services (Elephant), to J.C. Flowers & Co. (J.C. Flowers), a global private investment firm dedicated to investing in the financial services industry, for an undisclosed cash consideration (before customary adjustments and transaction and related expenses) representing approximately the net asset value of Elephant. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in Q4 2025. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Elephant Insurance offers U.S. customers simple and affordable car insurance. The companys tools allow customers to find the best protection for their needs and budget, with tools that are easy to use and understand. Costantino Moretti, Head of International Insurance, Admiral Group said: In Elephant, we have built a business with a great foundation, and selling the company to J.C. Flowers is the right decision to ensure its future success. J.C. Flowers and Elephant have a shared ambition for generating growth and value. This partnership will allow the business to continue to deliver the high-quality insurance products and services that US motorists need. This is a good outcome not only for Elephant and its employees, but also the Group and our shareholders. This transaction will enable us to focus on the opportunities we see for delivering long-term sustainable growth in our businesses in the UK and Mainland Europe. Eric Rahe, Managing Director and Co-President, J.C. Flowers said: J.C. Flowers has a long, distinguished history of investing in the insurance industry, and we will leverage our experience to help Elephant Insurance generate new opportunities as a standalone company. We are excited to partner with the Elephant team as the business enters this new stage of development. Alberto Schiavon, CEO of Elephant Insurance said: We are very excited to be joining forces with J.C. Flowers. This partnership will enable us to benefit from their extensive expertise which will play a critical role for the next phase of our growth strategy and add value for our customers, whilst maintaining our distinctive culture. ENDS Notes to Editors Admirals corporate broker, BofA Securities, is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP as legal advisor to Admiral Group in connection with this transaction. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP as legal advisor to J.C. Flowers in connection with this transaction. Enquiries Media: For Admiral: Addy Frederick addy.frederick@admiralgroup.co.uk +44 (0) 7500 171 810 Analysts and investors: Diane Michelberger diane.michelberger@admiralgroup.co.uk +44 (0) 7881 305 063 For J.C. Flowers: Jennifer Hurson Lambert by LLYC jhurson@lambert.com About Admiral Group Admiral Group plc is a leading FTSE 100 Financial Services company offering motor, household, travel and pet insurance as well as personal lending products. Established in 1993 in the UK, the Group now has offices in Canada, France, Gibraltar, India, Italy, Spain, and the US. About J.C. Flowers & Co J.C. Flowers is a leading private investment firm dedicated to investing globally in the financial services industry. Founded in 1998, the firm has invested more than $18 billion of capital, including co-investment, in 67 portfolio companies in 18 countries across a range of industry subsectors including banking, insurance and reinsurance, specialty finance, business and insurance services, wealth management and capital markets, payments and software. With approximately $4 billion of assets under management, J.C. Flowers has offices in New York, London and Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.jcfco.com. TORONTO, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aecon Group Inc. (Aecon) (TSX: ARE) is pleased to celebrate its recognition as one of Canadas Greenest Employers along with the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report. Canada's Greenest Employers list is selected by editors of Mediacorp Canada, recognizing companies that lead the nation in creating an organizational culture of environmental awareness and developing exceptional sustainability initiatives. Aecon is proud to be named one of Canadas Greenest Employers, demonstrating our success in implementing internal practices and fostering external partnerships that drive excellence in what we build and how we build it, said Jean-Louis Servranckx, President & Chief Executive Officer, Aecon Group Inc. In 2024, 59% of Aecons revenue was linked to sustainability projects related to climate change mitigation, energy transition, renewable energy and essential water resource management. Aecon advanced clean energy projects including the Oneida Energy Storage Project, the Darlington New Nuclear Project, and the Bruce Power and Darlington nuclear refurbishments in Ontario, while bringing new hydroelectric capacity to British Columbia through the completion of the Site C Generating Station and Spillways Civil Works Project. Aecon also progressed multiple urban transportation projects in Ontario, the Reseau express metropolitain in Quebec, and the Surrey Langley SkyTrain Stations Project in British Columbia. Aecons Sustainability Report highlights its commitment to sustainability in what we build and how we build it, as well as initiatives to reduce emissions and embed sustainable innovation throughout its operations. To-date, Aecon has achieved a 34% cumulative reduction since 2020 in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions based on intensity-based targets relative to revenue, surpassing its 30% reduction target in advance of the 2030 target date. Were pleased to underscore our role as an innovative partner in delivering major infrastructure projects working seamlessly with our clients, partners, suppliers, Indigenous Rights-holders, and communities to pursue shared goals in advancing the energy transition and building what matters to enable future generations to thrive, said Prabh K. Banga, Vice President, Sustainability, Aecon Group Inc. Building on its long-standing commitment to engaging with communities while supporting economic and community prosperity, Aecon was designated as a Supply Change Indigenous Procurement Champion by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business and procured $127 million of goods and services from the Indigenous economy in 2024. The complete report is available on Aecons website at www.aecon.com/sustainability and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About Aecon Aecon Group Inc. is a North American construction and infrastructure development company with global experience. Aecon delivers integrated solutions to private and public-sector clients through its Construction segment in the Civil, Urban Transportation, Nuclear, Utility, and Industrial sectors, and provides project development, financing, investment, management, and operations and maintenance services through its Concessions segment. Join our online community on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram @AeconGroupInc. Statement on Forward-Looking Information The information in this press release includes certain forward-looking statements which may constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans but are subject to known and unknown risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, ongoing objectives, strategies and outlook for Aecon, including statements regarding: Aecons strategic focus on clean energy and other projects linked to sustainability and the opportunities arising therefrom; Aecons ability to meet its proposed objectives and next steps; Aecons ability to deliver on major infrastructure projects; Aecons working with clients to help them meet their infrastructure needs and harness the opportunities that are expected to come from the transition to a net-zero economy; Aecon's science-based emissions reduction targets and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and means to accomplish such targets; and communities sharing in the benefits and opportunities associated with Aecon's work, including commitments to publish information with respect to reconciliation and targets regarding Indigenous suppliers. Aecons forward-looking statements may in some cases be identified by words such as believes, possible, maintain, continues, completing, mitigating, anticipates, upon, commences, plans, expects, outlook, potential, estimates, intends, seeks, targets, strategy, indicative, may, will, should, would, can, and could, or negative or grammatical versions thereof, or similar expressions. In addition to events beyond Aecon's control, there are factors which could cause actual or future results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or inferred herein including, but not limited to: the risk of not being able to accurately assess the risks and opportunities related to its industry's transition to a lower-carbon economy; the risk of not being able to oversee, and where appropriate, respond to known and unknown environmental and climate-change-related risks, including the ability to recognize and adequately respond to climate change concerns or public, governmental and other stakeholders' expectations on climate matters; the risk that Aecon will not realize the opportunities presented by a transition to a net-zero economy; the risk of receiving untruthful or inaccurate responses or information from suppliers regarding their supply chains; the risk of changes in Aecons supply chain due to project requirements or the availability of materials, goods and services; and the risk of not being able to meet its commitment to meeting its greenhouse gas emissions reduction, Board composition or Indigenous supplier targets and various other risk factors described in Aecons filings with the securities regulatory authorities which are available under Aecons profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com) including the risk factors described in Section 13 - "Risk Factors" in Aecon's December 31, 2024 Management's Discussion and Analysis filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com) on March 5, 2025. These forward-looking statements are based on a variety of factors and assumptions including but not limited to that: none of the risks identified above materialize, there are no unforeseen changes to economic and market conditions and no significant events occur outside the ordinary course of business. These assumptions are based on information currently available to Aecon, including information obtained from third-party sources. While the Company believes that such third-party sources are reliable sources of information, the Company has not independently verified the information. The Company has not ascertained the validity or accuracy of the underlying economic assumptions contained in such information from third-party sources and hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability whatsoever in respect of any information obtained from third-party sources. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Aecon undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information: Adam Borgatti SVP, Corporate Development and Investor Relations 416-297-2600 ir@aecon.com Prabh K. Banga Vice President, Sustainability 416-297-2600 sustainability@aecon.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c7abf368-4642-437e-a778-1d39e8f363ba https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/31cc6a17-2ca7-4158-9b10-2fdaadb49af5 Boston, Massachusetts, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HYCU, Inc., a leader for modern data protection for on-prem, cloud services, and SaaS, and one of the fastest growing companies in the industry, announced HYCU was acknowledged as a leader by G2, the world's largest and most trusted software marketplace, in six G2 Spring Reports including the Grid Report for Database Backup | Spring 2025, Grid Report for File Recovery | Spring 2025, Grid Report for Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) | Spring 2025, Grid Report for Cloud Migration | Spring 2025, Grid Report for SaaS Backup | Spring 2025, and Grid Report for Server Backup | Spring 2025. Overall, HYCU was spotlighted across 101 G2 reports and won an impressive 39 badges, including recognition as Grid Leader - Enterprise for Server Backup, Grid Leader - Mid-Market for SaaS Backup, and Grid Leader - Small-Business for Database Backup and File Recovery. HYCU was also recognized with regional leadership across EMEA and Europe in multiple categories, as well as earning distinctions for Best Support in Enterprise Server Backup, Easiest To Do Business with in Mid-Market Database Backup, and Highest User Adoption in Mid-Market for both File Recovery and DRaaS. This recognition is based on the responses of real users for each of the Grid and Index Reports related questions featured in the G2 review form. As one verified user in the Manufacturing industry noted in a Five-Star Review on G2, HYCU has unmatched ease of use, and the interface is excellent. The implementation team was great to work with and the process was very easy. Ongoing support has been fantastic, not that I have needed it very often. The amount of detail about any backup issue is detailed and easy to find. "Our customers continue to reward HYCU for high praise for delivering world-class customer service and satisfaction as well as for our technology innovations for hybrid cloud, public cloud, and SaaS data protection," said Brian Babineau, Chief Customer Officer, HYCU, Inc. "This newest recognition is a testament to the hard work of our outstanding engineering team and customer success organization. We continue to solve for many of the most complex and under served backup and recovery software challenges and it's truly rewarding to see the continued recognition. Thank you to G2, our loyal customers, and dedicated partners that acknowledge HYCU for making the difference that we do." The Grid and Index Reports are based on ratings by business professionals. HYCU received 10 or more reviews and five responses for each of the relationship-related questions to qualify for inclusion in the Results Index. "Every quarter, G2 ranks the best products across thousands of reports by category, company size, geography, and report type," said Sydney Sloan, CMO of G2. "These reports serve as tailored guides for software buyers researching solutions that meet their specific business needs. Congratulations to HYCU for appearing in our G2 Spring Reports, thanks to the positive experiences shared by their customers." HYCU provides enterprise-class backup and recovery for the largest number of IaaS, DBaaS, PaaS, and SaaS services in the industry. With HYCU R-Cloud, customers, SaaS companies, and service providers gain application-native backup and recovery that provides unparalleled simplicity and efficiency. HYCU R-Cloud continues to set the standard for SaaS data backup and protection for its ease of use and SaaS providers. HYCU R-Graph, a key component of HYCU R-Cloud, is the first visualization tool designed to provide visibility help visualize a company's entire data estate including on-premises, cloud and SaaS data. With an industry leading 91 NPS Score, HYCU customer success and support continues to lead the way in helping customers and partners exceed their core business objectives for enterprise-class data protection. Organizations are navigating a complex world of hybrid IT, juggling SaaS, cloud, and on-prem apps with limited visibility and rising security threats, said Angela Heindl-Schober, SVP, Global Marketing. Theyre looking for simplicity, control, and peace of mind. Thats exactly where HYCU delivers, unifying backup and recovery, reducing tool sprawl, and helping IT teams stay resilient against ransomware, data loss, and compliance risks. These G2 recognitions reflect the real impact were making every day. Learn more about what users have to say about HYCU or leave your own review of HYCU on G2's HYCU review page. For more information on HYCU, visit: www.hycu.com. For more information on HYCU, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. About HYCU HYCU is the fastest-growing leader in the multi-cloud and SaaS data protection as a service industry. By bringing true SaaS-based data backup and recovery to on-premises, cloud-native, and SaaS IT environments, the company provides unrivaled data protection, migration, disaster recovery, and ransomware protection to thousands of companies worldwide. The company's award-winning R-Cloud platform eliminates complexity, risk, and the high cost of legacy-based solutions, providing data protection simplicity to make it the#1 SaaS Data Protection platform. With an industry leading NPS score of 91, HYCU has raised $140M in VC funding to date and is based in Boston, Mass. Learn more at www.hycu.com. About G2 G2 is the world's largest and most trusted software marketplace. More than million people annually including employees at all Fortune 500 companies use G2 to make smarter software decisions based on authentic peer reviews. Thousands of software and services companies of all sizes partner with G2 to build their reputation and grow their business including Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoom, and Adobe. To learn more about where you go for software, visit www.g2.com and follow us on LinkedIn. BOSTON, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the rapidly evolving landscape of financial technology, Mercury has been named the top business bank* account for small business LLCs in 2025 by Expert Consumers. The recognition highlights Mercury's growing prominence in providing digital-first financial software solutions specifically designed to meet the unique needs of modern businesses. Best Fintech Company for Small Business LLC: Mercury - With features that support daily operations, automated workflows, and scalable financial tools, Mercury meets the diverse needs of small business LLCs at every stage. As financial institutions continue to adapt to the needs of small business owners, especially those operating LLCs, the shift toward digital and automated solutions has accelerated. Mercury, a financial technology company, has positioned itself at the forefront of this trend, offering an integrated suite of banking tools designed to simplify business financial management while meeting the diverse needs of small business owners. The Rise of Digital Banking for Small Businesses Small business owners today face an array of challenges in managing cash flow, making transactions, and ensuring business continuity. Traditional banking solutions are often cumbersome, with outdated processes that dont accommodate the speed and flexibility needed for today's fast-paced business environment. As the demand for tech-driven solutions increases, more businesses are turning to financial technology companies like Mercury to help handle their banking needs. Mercurys services are particularly appealing to small business LLCs, which require efficiency, flexibility, and a seamless experience. These businesses often find traditional banks inadequate in addressing the complexities of modern business operations. In contrast, Mercury offers a full suite of services tailored to the needs of small business owners, providing tools to streamline financial operations, manage expenses, and enhance overall business efficiency. The Mercury Advantage for Small Business LLCs Mercurys platform is built for entrepreneurs and small business owners, offering a fully digital experience without the need for physical branches. This approach allows business owners to manage their financial operations on their own terms, from anywhere in the world. The company partners with FDIC-insured institutions, including Evolve Bank & Trust and, Column N.A., Choice Financial Group; Members FDIC, to ensure bank-level security for Mercurys customers. Business checking and savings accounts offered through Mercury and its bank partners are designed with small business LLCs in mind, offering a wide range of features. Users can access easy-to-navigate digital interfaces, automate financial processes, and take advantage of features like mass payments, spend management tools, and real-time transaction tracking. Furthermore, business accounts on Mercury integrate seamlessly with leading accounting software platforms like QuickBooks and Xero, helping small business owners maintain financial clarity and avoid the pitfalls of manual bookkeeping. Plans and Pricing: Tailored to Different Needs Mercurys pricing structure is designed with transparency and flexibility in mind. The platform offers a standard Mercury account as well as subscription options for two paid plans with premium features. Each of these is designed to meet the varying needs of small business LLCs at different stages of growth. Mercury Free Plan For businesses looking for essential banking services without the high costs, Mercury Free Plan offers free access to a suite of features, including FDIC-insured checking and savings accounts, ACH and wire payments, corporate debit cards. This plan is ideal for businesses just starting out or those looking to simplify their banking without incurring unnecessary fees. Mercury Plus At $35 per month, the Mercury Plus plan builds on the standard Mercury account by adding advanced invoicing capabilities, recurring payments, and branded invoices. Small business LLCs can benefit from the ability to manage a larger number of users, and accept invoice payments made with ACH debit. This plan is well-suited for businesses with growing operational demands, offering additional functionality and scalability. Mercury Pro For established small businesses with more complex banking needs, the Mercury Pro plan provides comprehensive features, including enhanced accounting integrations, a dedicated relationship manager, and access to more robust reporting tools. At $350 per month, this plan is designed for businesses that need advanced support and high-level functionality to manage their finances and growth effectively. All of the above include free domestic and USD international wire transfers, which help businesses reduce costs associated with cross-border transactions. Mercurys transparent pricing and scalable offerings ensure that small business LLCs can select a plan that best fits their needs and budget, without the worry of hidden fees. Innovative Features for a Streamlined Experience Additionally, Mercury's API integration is a standout feature that allows developers to automate transactions, track balances, and build custom workflows that align with their business needs. This developer-friendly approach helps tech-driven companies streamline their operations and reduces the time spent on manual financial management. Another key feature that sets Mercury apart is its focus on security. Partnering with trusted FDIC-insured banks and implementing advanced security measures, Mercury ensures that small business LLCs' funds are well-protected. Users can have peace of mind knowing their business finances are safe, even in a digital environment. A Growing Trend in Digital Banking for Small Business LLCs The adoption of digital banking solutions is rapidly accelerating, particularly in the small business sector. As entrepreneurs increasingly turn to online platforms for day-to-day financial operations, the traditional banking sector is facing pressure to adapt. Fintech companies like Mercury are not only meeting this demand but are also driving new standards for financial services, emphasizing transparency, ease of use, and accessibility. As businesses continue to navigate the challenges of economic uncertainty, rising operational costs, and global market disruptions, the need for reliable financial services has never been greater. Mercurys ability to offer scalable solutions and a comprehensive set of banking tools positions it as an essential partner for small business LLCs looking to grow and thrive in the 21st century. A Future-Focused Approach to Business Banking Mercurys recognition as the top business bank account for small business LLCs by Expert Consumers is a testament to the companys forward-thinking approach to banking. As more small businesses turn to digital financial platforms, the demand for innovative, accessible, and secure banking solutions will continue to rise. Mercurys ability to offer all of these features, along with its transparent pricing and robust toolset, makes it a top choice for entrepreneurs seeking a reliable banking solution. *Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Checking and savings accounts are provided through our bank partners Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. Deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Checking and savings account deposits may be held by sweep network banks, subject to the customers agreement to applicable partner terms. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through insurance to apply. Learn more here. For a more detailed review of Mercury's services and features, visit the full article on Expert Consumers' website. About Expert Consumers: Expert Consumers provides news and reviews of consumer products and services. As an affiliate, Expert Consumers may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided. Contact: Drew Thomas (press@expertconsumers.org) Pre-tax NPV 5% of US$701M at US$2,296/oz Increasing to US$1.2Bn at US$3,000/oz TORONTO, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TRX Gold Corporation (TSX: TRX) (NYSE American: TRX) (the Company or TRX Gold) is pleased to announce positive results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (the PEA) on the expansion of its Buckreef Gold Project (Buckreef Gold) in Tanzania. The PEA evaluated the following scenario: (i) an expansion and upgrade of the existing process plant at Buckreef Gold to 3,000 tonnes per day (tpd); and (ii) a transition from open pit mining to underground mining over the next 2-3 years. The PEA will be filed under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ within 45 days of this announcement. Stephen Mullowney, TRX Gold CEO commented: We have taken what we have learned over the past couple of years and have now provided a more in-depth roadmap of Buckreef Golds potential based on what is currently known, with a keen focus on maximizing the economics of Buckreef Gold. This PEA yields positive results based on a relatively straightforward expansion, similar to the expansions we have successfully completed previously. The PEA and associated project economics can also be further enhanced by additional process plant capacity and mining rate increases in the future, and the Company will now begin to evaluate these opportunities. The PEA does not currently contemplate inclusion of any new exploration discoveries at Buckreef Gold. The Anfield Zone has not been included and only a small portion of Stamford Bridge Zone has been reflected in this PEA. This is our first insight into Stamford Bridge, and it is still early days there as we continue to execute our exploration program across the entire Buckreef Gold concession. The future is looking bright, and we are well on our way towards making Buckreef Gold an exceptional gold producing asset. The Key Outcomes of the PEA: Base case NPV 5% of US$701.0 million pre-tax, or US$442.2 million after tax at consensus forecast case gold prices (US$2,707/oz year 1, US$2,646/oz year 2, US$2,495/oz year 3, US$2,400/oz year 4, US$2,245/oz thereafter) and NPV 5 % of US$1,180.5 million pre-tax, or US$766.4 million after tax at an upside US$3,000/oz gold price; of US$701.0 million pre-tax, or US$442.2 million after tax at consensus forecast case gold prices (US$2,707/oz year 1, US$2,646/oz year 2, US$2,495/oz year 3, US$2,400/oz year 4, US$2,245/oz thereafter) and NPV of US$1,180.5 million pre-tax, or US$766.4 million after tax at an upside US$3,000/oz gold price; The PEA demonstrates the Companys ability to potentially finance the expansion from internally generated cash flow without an upfront capital requirement, thus there is no quoted Internal Rate of Return; Over a 17.6-year period, the total process plant throughput is expected to be 18.1 million tonnes averaging 2.14 g/t Au with average recovered gold production of approximately 62,000 oz Au per annum. During the first five years of the underground operation, average recovered production is planned to be over 80,000 oz Au per annum; Life of Mine (LOM) cash costs average US$1,024/oz Au and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) average of US$1,206/oz Au; Growth capital of US$89 million will be deployed over the next four-year period comprised of: (i) US$55 million in capital for the underground expansion; (ii) US$30 million for process improvements, process plant throughput expansion, and camp upgrades; and (iii) US$3 million for tailings facility upgrades. LOM growth capital is estimated to be US$175 million and is primarily for underground development. LOM sustaining capital cost of US$87 million is estimated for site and process plant, and US$97 million for underground mining; The PEA mine plan was developed from Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 10.8 million tonnes (Mt) grading 2.57 grams per tonne (g/t) gold containing 893,000 ounces of gold and Inferred Mineral Resources of 9.1 Mt grading 2.47 g/t gold containing 726,000 ounces of gold; and With the existing open pit mine operating, the underground expansion plan benefits from the existing on-site process plant and mine infrastructure in place. The Company anticipates gold production from the underground expansion could be achieved within 3 years. The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. Therefore, there is no certainty that the PEA economics will be realized. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves may not have demonstrated economic viability. The Company engaged P&E Mining Consultants Inc. (P&E) to complete an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Buckreef Gold (Table 8) which provides the Mineral Resource basis for the PEA, and expansion of the mine to include underground production, and for the existing process plant to increase capacity to approximately 3,000 tpd. Stephen Mullowney, TRX Gold CEO, further states, The results of the PEA, as summarised in Table 1, show an extremely robust project capable of producing 1.1 million gold ounces over a 17.6-year life, with low cash costs of only US$1,024/oz Au and AISC of US$1,206/oz Au. The PEA indicates an upside pre-tax NPV 5 % of US$1.2 billion and after-tax NPV 5 % of US$766 million at US$3,000/oz gold. We will now start work on optimizing results further, including evaluating an additional process plant expansion and increased mining rates. We believe that will help to solidify a project which ultimately is capable of producing 100,000+ gold ounces per year for 10+ years, based on what is currently known and excluding any new additional Mineral Resources. It should be noted that Mineral Resources were also estimated at a US$1,900 per oz gold price and there is also the potential to add additional economic material if gold prices remain at current levels. The growth capital cost for the expansion is estimated at US$89 million over a four-year period, inclusive of a process plant expansion, process improvements, and tailings facility upgrades. The Company has already commenced some preparatory work for this expansion, including capital expenditure for the process plant upgrades and camp expansion. In addition, TRX Gold has established a strong Operations team of mining professionals on the ground in Tanzania, which has successfully managed Buckreef Golds three previous expansions on-time and on-budget, in achieving the current 2,000 tpd throughput capacity. The Company has been further enhancing the skillset of this team to ensure that the necessary personnel are in place to support the next step in the development of Buckreef Gold. Based on the estimated production schedule, capital costs and operating costs, a cash flow model was prepared by TRX Gold for the economic analysis of the Buckreef Project. The cash flow model was reviewed and approved by P&E. All information used in this economic evaluation was derived from work completed by P&E, with support by TRX Gold. Project economics were evaluated using a discounted cash flow method that measures the before-tax and after-tax Net Present Value (NPV) of future cash flow streams. The PEA economic model was based on the following key assumptions in Table 1. Table 1 PEA Summary of LOM 25 Key Metrics and Project Economics Summary of Project Economics Life of Mine Base Case Gold Price US$ 2,707/oz year 1; 2,646/oz year 2; 2,495/oz year 3; 2,400/oz year 4; and 2,245/oz thereafter Discount Rate % 5 Mining Parameters Open Pit - Tonnes of Mineralization Mt 3.5 Open Pit - Avg Grade g/t Au 1.92 Open Pit - Strip Ratio w:o 6.0 Underground - Tonnes of Mineralization Mt 14.4 Underground - Avg Grade g/t Au 2.22 Mine life - Open Pit & Underground Years 17.6 Process Plant Parameters Recovery % 87 Rate tpd 2,824 Total Tonnage Processed Mt 18.1 Average Annual Production oz/year 61,700 Average Annual Production (first five years of underground) oz/year 80,100 Capital Expenditures Initial Capital Expenditures US$M Nil Growth Capital Expenditure US$M 174.5 Sustaining Capital Expenditure US$M 184.4 Closure Cost US$M 13.4 Operating Costs Mining Cost - Open Pit US$/t mined 3.78 Mining Cost - Underground US$/t processed 33.09 Processing Cost US$/t processed 12.68 G&A cost US$/t processed 6.50 Cost per Ounce LOM Cash Cost US$/oz 1,024 LOM All-in Sustaining Cost US$/oz 1,206 Financial Analysis Pre-tax NPV 5% US$M 701.0 Post-tax NPV 5% US$M 442.2 Financial Analysis Figure 1 Annual After-Tax Free Cash Flow (US$ millions), Cash Cost and AISC (US$/oz) Figure 2 Annual EBITDA (US$ millions) Sensitivities Table 2 PEA Sensitivity Analysis Gold Price Gold Price (US$/oz) Pre-tax NPV 5% (US$M) Post-tax NPV 5% (US$M) $3,000 1,180.5 766.4 $2,800 1,040.9 672.0 Base Case (avg. $2,296) 701.0 442.2 $2,400 761.6 483.1 $2,200 622.0 388.7 $2,000 482.4 294.2 $1,800 342.8 199.3 Table 3 PEA Sensitivity Analysis Operating Costs Pre-tax NPV 5% (US$M) Post-tax NPV 5% (US$M) Operation Cost Base Case (avg. US$2,296) Upside Case @ US$3,000 Base Case (avg. US$2,296) Upside Case @ US$3,000 Base case -25% 858.9 1,338.3 552.6 876.9 Base case -10% 764.2 1,243.6 486.4 810.6 Base case 0% 701.0 1,180.5 442.2 766.4 Base case +10% 637.9 1,117.3 398.0 722.2 Base case +25% 543.2 1,022.6 331.6 656.0 Table 4 PEA Sensitivity Analysis Growth Capital Costs Pre-tax NPV (US$M) Post-tax NPV (US$M) Growth Capital Cost Base Case (avg. US$2,296) Upside Case @ US$3,000 Base Case (avg. US$2,296) Upside Case @ US$3,000 Base case -25% 735.9 1,215.4 468.7 792.9 Base case -10% 715.0 1,194.4 452.8 777.0 Base case 0% 701.0 1,180.5 442.2 766.4 Base case +10% 687.1 1,166.5 431.6 755.8 Base case +25% 666.2 1,145.6 415.6 739.9 Production Annual production over LOM is expected to average approximately 62,000 ounces with peak production of 94,000 ounces in year 5 (Figure 3). Underground production commences in Year 3. Figure 3 Production Profile Capital Expenditures The growth capital expenditures are estimated at US$89 million in Years 1 to 4. LOM growth capital expenditures are estimated at US$175 million and the sustaining capital expenditures are estimated at US$184 million (Tables 5 & 6). A contingency of US$23 million and US$19 million is included in growth and sustaining capital expenditures, respectively. Growth and sustaining capital expenditures were estimated based on current costs received from vendors as well as developed from first principles, while some were estimated based on factored references and experience from similar operating projects. Figure 4 Capital Expenditure Profile (US$ millions) Table 5 Growth Capital Expenditures (US$ millions) Table 6 Sustaining Capital Expenditures (US$ millions) Cost Element LOM Total Site and Process Plant - US$5M per year 87.5 Underground 96.9 Total Sustaining Capital 184.4 Total Cash Costs The total unit cash costs are estimated at US$1,024/oz. The AISC is estimated at US$1,206/oz. Operating cost estimates were developed using first principles methodology, vendor quotes, and based on historical actual operating information at Buckreef Gold. Table 7 Total Cash Cost and AISC Cost Element LOM Total (US$M) Average LOM (US$/tonne processed) Average LOM (US$/oz) Mining (Open Pit) 91.7 26.6 (1) 84.5 Mining (Underground) 475.0 33.1 (2) 437.7 Processing 229.2 12.7 211.2 General & Admin. 117.5 6.5 108.3 Royalty & Selling Cost 197.5 10.9 182.0 Total Cash Cost 1,110.8 61.4 1,023.7 Sustaining Capital 184.4 10.2 169.9 Reclamation 13.4 0.7 12.4 Total AISC 1,308.7 72.4 1,206.0 Notes: (1) Per tonne of ore processed from open pit only. (2) Per tonne of ore processed from underground only. Mineral Resource Estimate An updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Buckreef Gold including the Stamford Bridge domain is presented in Table 8 and has an effective date of April 15, 2025. Mineral Resource Estimate Methodology The Buckreef Gold and Stamford Bridge Mineral Resource models were developed by P&E from 135 wireframes and one respective wireframe, all created by P&E over respective 2.2 km and 155 m strike lengths. Buckreef Gold utilized 884 drill holes while Stamford Bridge utilized eight. Wireframes were developed from an open pit cut-off of 0.40 g/t Au while underground was 1.20 g/t Au. Both Mineral Resource models utilized 1.0 m capped composites ranging from no capping to 60 g/t Au. Block models were set up with 2.5 m x 5.0 m x 5.0 m blocks rotated 30 degrees clockwise and used a bulk density of 2.70 t/m3. Grade interpolation was done with inverse distance cubed estimation. Based on variography, Measured Mineral Resources were those blocks classified within 20 m of three drill holes while Indicated Mineral Resources were classified within 40 m of three drill holes. All other wireframe constrained grade blocks were classified as Inferred Mineral Resources. Pit-constrained and out-of-pit Mineral Resources were reported above respective 0.42 g/t and 1.31 g/t Au cut-offs. Table 8 - Mineral Resource Estimate (1-7) Zone Cut-off Au g/t Tonnes (k) Au g/t Au ozs (k) MAIN Measured 0.42/1.31 2,982.8 2.36 226.4 Indicated 0.42/1.31 6,193.9 2.72 542.6 Meas + Ind 0.42/1.31 9,176.7 2.61 769.0 Inferred 0.42/1.31 7,549.3 2.37 576.0 SOUTH Measured 0.42/1.31 23.6 1.68 1.3 Indicated 0.42/1.31 35.3 1.95 2.2 Meas + Ind 0.42/1.31 58.9 1.84 3.5 Inferred 0.42/1.31 53.8 1.70 2.9 WEST Measured 0.42/1.31 40.3 3.27 4.3 Indicated 0.42/1.31 204.7 2.52 16.5 Meas + Ind 0.42/1.31 245.0 2.64 20.8 Inferred 0.42/1.31 73.9 2.37 5.6 EASTERN PORPHYRY Measured 0.42/1.31 2.9 6.97 0.6 Indicated 0.42/1.31 1,306.4 2.35 98.8 Meas + Ind 0.42/1.31 1,309.3 2.36 99.4 Inferred 0.42/1.31 1,198.8 2.44 94.0 STAMFORD BRIDGE Inferred 1.20 272 5.38 47.0 TOTAL Measured 0.42/1.31 3,049.6 2.37 232.6 Indicated 0.42/1.31 7,740.3 2.65 660.1 Meas + Ind 0.42/1.31 10,789.9 2.57 892.7 Inferred 0.42/1.20/1.31 9,147.8 2.47 725.5 Notes: (1) Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, may not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. (2) The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration. (3) The Mineral Resources were estimated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council. (4) Gold price used is US$1,900/oz Au. (5) The pit constrained cut-off grade of 0.42 g/t Au was derived from 80% process recovery, US$21.04/tonne process and G&A cost, and a royalty of 7.3%. The constraining pit optimization parameters were US$3.88/t mining cost and 45-degree pit slopes. (6) The out-of-pit cut-off grade of 1.31 g/t Au was derived from 80% process recovery, US$21.04/tonne process and G&A cost, a US$40/tonne underground mining cost, and a royalty of 7.3%. The out-of-pit Mineral Resource grade blocks were quantified below the constraining pit shell and within the constraining mineralized wireframes. Outof-Pit Mineral Resources are restricted to areas which exhibit geological continuity and reasonable potential for extraction by cut and fill and long hole mining methods. (7) The Stamford Bridge cut-off grade of 1.20 g/t Au was derived from 80% process recovery, US$21.04/tonne process and G&A cost, a US$35/tonne underground mining cost, and a royalty of 7.3%. Mineral Resources are restricted to areas which exhibit geological continuity and reasonable potential for extraction by cut and fill and long hole underground mining methods. Table 9 TRX 2020 to 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate Transition 2020 MRE 2025 MRE Classification Tonnes (M) Au (g/t) Au oz (k) Tonnes (M) Au (g/t) Au oz (k) Measured & Indicated 38.6 1.77 2,195 10.8 2.57 893 Inferred 19.6 1.14 718 9.1 2.47 726 The generation of an April 15, 2025, Buckreef Gold updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) has undertaken material differences in reporting protocols not utilized in the previously published May 15, 2020, MRE. The 2025 MRE utilized the 2014 CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves and 2019 CIM Best Practices Guidelines and reports Mineral Resources with a reasonable prospect of eventual economic extraction (i.e.: constrained mineral inventory basis), versus the 2020 MRE, which utilized the 2003 CIM Best Practice Guidelines and reports Mineral Resources on an unconstrained mineral inventory basis. The major sources of differences between the 2020 MRE and 2025 MRE are as follows: The 2025 MRE utilized a constrained optimized pit shell and underground workings which resulted in a reduction in volume for material to the 450 m EL level (which is the maximum depth of the underground workings in the PEA) as well as the exclusion of certain footwall and hanging wall low grade material (combined, this resulted in a reduction of ~10 Mt of material grading ~1.50 g/t Au containing ~500 koz); The 2025 MRE utilized a cut-off grade of 1.3 g/t Au for underground mining versus a 0.4 g/t Au cut-off grade in 2020 MRE (this resulted in a reduction of ~25 Mt grading ~0.70 g/t Au containing ~500 koz); Removal of ~ 4.5 years of production to date (this resulted in a reduction of 1.35 Mt grading 1.95 g/t Au containing 85 koz Au); and Removal of Tembo and Bingwa deposits from 2025 MRE due to unquantifiable small scale mining activity by local residents (this resulted in a reduction of 2.1 Mt grading 2.12 g/t Au containing 143 koz). Mining Current open pit mining operations have been planned for Years 1 to 4. The first two years will process 1,750 tpd of mineralization, then will increase to 3,000 tpd in Year 3. The Main Pit and the smaller East Pit will be mined out over the four-year period. Low-grade mineralization will be stockpiled for processing at the end of the mine life. Underground mine development will commence in Year 3. A total of 14.4 Mt of mineralized material at an average grade of 2.22 g/t Au will be extracted over the LOM from five different underground mining areas: Toronto, Ontario, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AirMatrix has successfully deployed Libra in Texas in order to provide situational awareness to drone operators and state-level agencies. It expanded real-time visibility across low-level airspace to support the growing demand for scalable drone operations occurring in Texas. The DallasFort Worth area alone accounts for an estimated 15% of national commercial drone flight hours, logging over 75,000 BVLOS missions in 2024 across delivery, inspection, and public safety use cases. This deployment, in partnership with local drone operators, marks a key milestone in advancing the North Texas corridorone of the most active regions for commercial drone activity in the United States. Texas ranks among the top three states for commercial drone registrations. Drone adoption is not limited to commercial players. Texas agencies operate hundreds of drones across law enforcement, fire rescue, and infrastructure inspection programs. Dallas Fire-Rescue flew over 3,500 drone-assisted response missions in 2023, while the Texas Department of Public Safety regularly conducts aerial patrols and accident assessments using drones. Despite this growth, stakeholders across Texasranging from drone operators to city planners, public safety teams, and local residentsare asking the same question: Whats in our skies, and how do we manage it? The DHS has called for a combined system to manage UAS traffic akin to existing air traffic control systems. The Government Accountability Office has also highlighted the necessity of a drone traffic management system to integrate drones into the national airspace. As drone operations scale across Texas, cities and agencies need tools that offer both visibility and control, said Bashir Khan, CEO of AirMatrix. Libra gives stakeholdersfrom operators to zoning teams to concerned residentsa real-time, trusted view of whats happening in the sky within milliseconds. This deployment is a foundation for smarter, safer airspace management across the state. AirMatrix coverage will be expanding beyond Dallas into Houston over the coming months. This marks the fourth new deployment of Libra in the government sector this year. Contact Information: Dustin Sirios | COO | AirMatrix | press@airmatrix.ai| AirMatrix.io MONTREAL, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rogers Sugar Inc. (RSI) will be holding a conference call to discuss their 2025 second quarter results on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). The conference call will be chaired by Mr. Michael Walton, Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Jean-Sebastien Couillard, Chief Financial Officer. If you wish to participate, please dial 1-800-717-1738 . A recording of the conference call will be accessible shortly after the conference, by dialing 1-888-660-6264, access code 72827#. This recording will be available until June 13, 2025. The discussion along with a presentation will be accessible through a webcast at the following address: https://onlin e xperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=C31929AD-7ACD-4C0A-946F-CCEC356BD87D&La n gLocaleID=1033 For further information: BAKU, Azerbaijan and ASTANA, Kazakhstan and HOBOKEN, N.J., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom, announce the award of a supervision services contract to Pioneer Consulting, the full-service submarine fiber optic telecommunications consulting and project management company, for the construction of the Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System. Connecting Azerbaijan with Kazakhstan, the Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System will be the first fiber optical cable system crossing the Caspian Sea. It will be capable of delivering more than 400 Tb/s across the worlds largest inland body of water. The cable system will be a critical piece of the Digital Silk Way project, which aims to create a new path for data connectivity between Asia and Europe. The cable is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Pioneer Consulting has been supporting design and procurement process since January 2024. Under this new contract award, Pioneer Consulting will supervise the projects development using its full suite of implementation services, including route engineering, permit acquisition oversight, project management, technical oversight, and quality assurance. Pioneer Consulting will work closely with AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom to ensure the project is delivered on time and to spec. As of early March, Pioneer Consulting has already deployed its permitting and desktop study representatives to the region to oversee the initial phases of the project. The Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System is a very exciting project, said Dave Marie, Dubai-based Director of Client Solutions at Pioneer Consulting and Project Manager for the Trans-Caspian system. Our team has a wealth of experience delivering unique submarine cable projects, especially along new routes, and we are very grateful to AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom for placing their trust in us. This new route will be a much-needed alternate way to connect Asia with Europe. After evaluating many different consulting companies, we are glad to collaborate with Pioneer Consulting, a U.S. firm specializing in subsea fiber optic cables, and benefit from their expertise in supervising the construction of the Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System, said Yusif Jabbarov, Chairman and CEO of NEQSOL Holding. Pioneers onsite presence in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, combined with their extensive implementation experience in this field, makes their team a natural fit to advance our project. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Pioneer Consulting and constructing the Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System. The Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System represents a significant advancement in bridging Asia and Europe. By providing a direct, high-capacity data transmission route, this initiative enhances connectivity and regional digital ecosystem in the evolving global telecommunications landscape," said Nurlan Meirmanov, Chief Strategy and External Asset Management Officer of Kazakhtelecom. Construction of the Trans-Caspian Submarine Cable System comes at an important time when many countries and companies are seeking alternate digital highways between Asia and Europe that ensure reliable connectivity and high-capacity data transmission. The Digital Silk Way will provide connections from Asia through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, and Azerbaijan with onwards connectivity into Europe through Georgia and the Black Sea. About Pioneer Consulting Drawing on decades of experience, Pioneer Consulting empowers clients to take their vision for a submarine fiber optic telecommunications system and make it a reality. The company provides expert counsel to guide clients through the full process of subsea cable installation, while also providing valuable technical and commercial insight about the submarine telecom industry. From comprehensive project management to system design to shipboard representation, Pioneer Consulting has the expertise and resources to support clients through each stage of their venture. Pioneer Consulting has completed 160+ projects, spanning every ocean across seven continents. To learn more about how this international company is driving global subsea connectivity, visit: www.pioneerconsulting.com . About AzerTelecom AzerTelecom is a leading telecommunications operator in Azerbaijan, providing wholesale carrier-grade communications, digital, and other services. The company operates within Azerconnect Group, which is part of NEQSOL Holding. AzerTelecom rapidly evolves within local, regional, and international markets. It consistently incorporates cutting-edge technologies and innovations to foster sustainable growth within both society and the ICT sector. https://www.azertelecom.az/en About Kazakhtelecom Kazakhtelecom JSC is Kazakhstan's largest telecommunications company, offering a comprehensive range of services, including fixed-line and mobile telephony, internet access, television broadcasting, and data transmission. Established in 1994, the company has played a pivotal role in developing the nation's communication infrastructure. With its headquarters in Astana and regional offices across the country, Kazakhtelecom operates an extensive network that connects major cities and rural areas alike. The company is recognized for its significant contributions to the telecommunications sector, consistently ranking among the most profitable enterprises in Kazakhstan. Kazakhtelecom's commitment to innovation and quality service delivery has solidified its position as a leader in the industry. https://telecom.kz/en. Media Contact Christine Schinella Pioneer Consulting marketing@pioneerconsulting.com BOSTON, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AVAVA, a medical aesthetics innovation company redefining energy-based skin therapy, announced today that its advanced acne scar treatment using Focal Point Technology has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This clinical indication affirms the platforms ability to treat acne scarring effectively with high energies in all Fitzpatrick skin types (IVI). Acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., affecting up to 50 million people annually (AAD). Globally, it ranks as the eighth most prevalent disease, impacting 9.4% of the population (NIH). Scarring is a frequent consequence43% of patients show signs of acne scarring, even in mild to moderate cases (JDD). Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) affects 65% of Black and 53% of Hispanic acne patients (JAAD), and acne prevalence is highest among African Americans at 37% (MDacne), underscoring the need for treatment solutions that address all skin tones AVAVAs non-ablative platform addresses this long-standing gapdelivering high-energy, targeted treatments while sparing surrounding tissue. The result: a visibly smoother skin surface, achieved across all skin tones with minimal downtime. This milestone reflects the strength of our clinical data and the innovation driving AVAVAs technology, said Richard Bankowski, Executive VP, Global Clinical & Regulatory. By delivering consistent outcomes with minimal downtimeacross all skin toneswere not only addressing the needs of todays aesthetic patient, were also shaping the direction of the industry." About the Study The FDA clearance is based on a prospective, IRB-approved, multi-center clinical trial. A total of 47 subjects were treated and evaluated by expert blinded dermatologists. Participants ranged in age from 21 to 72, with a gender split of 59% women and 41% men. Importantly, 75% of participants identified as African American, Asian, or Hispanic/Latino. Key Clinical Findings More than 90% of subjects experienced visible improvement in acne scarring with a median of 50% reduction in acne scar severity (based on a validated ECCA grading scale) Multiple patients in the study achieved complete scar clearance 87% of subjects were treated at or above 120mJ, with some reaching 150mJonly possible with AVAVAs proprietary Focal Point Technology Even subjects who received only one treatment showed improvement Mild redness and swelling were observed post-treatment and resolved within 1-2 days With ComfortCool integrated into the handpiece, patients reported an average pain score of 3 out of 10 We saw consistent improvement in acne scarring across all patients, said Roy Geronemus, MD. The results, including patients with skin of color, are impressive. AVAVAs technology is a true step forward in laser dermatology. Looking Ahead AVAVAs breakthrough platform delivers energy precisely where its neededdeep into the skin, without compromising the surface. This first clinical indication paves the way for future applications. AVAVA will showcase 14 accepted abstracts and podium presentations at the upcoming ASLMS 2025 Conference in Orlando, underscoring the platforms broad clinical potential. About AVAVA AVAVA is a trailblazer in medical aesthetics, redefining how energy is delivered to the skin. Backed by decades of innovation and founded by industry giants, AVAVA is pioneering the next generation of non-ablative treatments through its proprietary Focal Point Technology. Designed for precision, performance, and inclusivity, AVAVAs platform delivers targeted energy deep into the skinminimizing downtime and maximizing visible results for all skin tones. With fearless vision and boundless energy, AVAVA is changing whats possible in skin revitalization. www.avavaskin.com Media Contact Stephanie Mitchell AVAVA, Inc. Email: smitchell@avavaskin.com Phone: 949.751.9879 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee7369b2-dbea-45c2-af63-1965a58940ee A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ef76545a-97d5-4d63-9025-ce09a857913c A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6cbb81ae-dd22-44ac-9d97-066af19b1397 ORLANDO, Fla., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Compu-Med Vocational Careers (CMVC), announces the acquisition of Orlando Medical Institute (OMI). This strategic acquisition accelerates the expansion of CMVCs healthcare education programs by adding a new campus in Orlando, Florida, and introducing three high-demand emergency medical programs: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Paramedic, and the Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services (A.S. in EMS). Advancing Access to Quality Healthcare Education to Meet Growing Workforce Demands As Florida faces a critical demand for skilled emergency medical professionals, the acquisition of OMI positions CMVC at the forefront of healthcare workforce development. With over two decades of proven excellence, OMI has built a stellar reputation for providing high-quality, hands-on training in emergency medical response. Now, under CMVCs leadership, OMI will continue its mission of empowering students while benefiting from expanded resources and support. Our vision has always been to empower students with the skills needed to transform their lives and communities, said Pete Pizarro, Chairman of CMVC. By expanding our education platform to include high-demand emergency medical training, we are making another strong stride toward that vision. We believe healthcare education should be affordable, fast, and impactful. This acquisition aligns perfectly with our mission to offer short, high-impact healthcare education that equips students with career-ready skills without the burden of federal student loan debt, said Robert Bonds, President & CEO of CMVC. With EMTs and Paramedics in critical demand across Florida, our expanded capabilities will accelerate our efforts to deliver exceptional training and prepare individuals for fulfilling careers in emergency medical services while strengthening our mission to democratize access to life-changing healthcare careers. Strengthening a Legacy of Excellence The acquisition also signifies CMVCs commitment to honoring and advancing the legacy established by OMIs founders, Felix and Abigail Marquez, who built the institution on the foundation of quality education and practical, real-world training. We are proud to join forces with the incredible team at CMVC, who have demonstrated a relentless commitment to nursing and health education, and now adding future emergency responders to their program portfolio, said Mr. Felix Marquez. Im excited to be part of this next chapter, where we can scale the impact of our emergency medical training programs and make them accessible to more students across Florida, said Felix Marquez. Felix Marquez, Co-Founder of Orlando Medical Institute, who will now take on a broader leadership role overseeing the EMT and Paramedic programs across all portfolio institutions, expressed his enthusiasm about the future. Accelerating Growth and Expanding Student Access With this acquisition, CMVC will offer these programs across Miami, Fort. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. This footprint aims to significantly boost student access to career opportunities in the growing emergency medical services field. About Compu-Med Vocational Careers (CMVC) For over 30 years, Compu-Med Vocational Careers (CMVC) has equipped aspiring healthcare professionals with the practical skills needed to excel in their careers. With campuses in Hialeah, Miami, and West Palm Beach, CMVC offers high-impact programs designed to empower students with career-ready competencies. Learn more at www.compumed.edu. About Orlando Medical Institute (OMI) Orlando Medical Institute (OMI) is a leader in providing hands-on emergency medical training for over 20 years. With a state-of-the-art campus in Orlando, Florida, OMIs programs offer real-world simulation experiences that prepare students for the demanding nature of emergency medical services. Further details regarding the integration of Orlando Medical Institute into CMVCs operations, along with upcoming enrollment dates, will be announced soon. Prospective students and healthcare professionals interested in pursuing a career in EMT, Paramedic, or Emergency Medical Services can visit www.omi.edu for more information. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0524203c-12d0-4a46-a537-e200b5a7da60 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/700acf80-d9e8-43c8-9dfe-993b76ab9102 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a1ca5798-73d2-41d5-b597-45080642ef41 Miami, FL, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Subdivisions.com, a leader in AI-enhanced real estate intelligence, has announced a significant expansion of its mission. Following its successful launch as South Floridas premier subdivision search platform, the company is now evolving into the essential intelligence layer that will power its AI real estate copilot, redefining how homebuyers and investors discover properties. Since its debut in late 2023, Subdivisions.com has curated and structured thousands of South Floridas residential subdivisions. This effort delivers hyperlocal insights into pricing trends, inventory dynamics, community lifestyles, and comparable neighborhoods. Built as Real Estate Search 2.0 AI-Ready, Context-Aware, and Engineered for Local Intelligence Subdivisions.com stands as the regions most comprehensive structured dataset for residential communities. Traditional real estate search platforms primarily help users sort by price, size, or bedrooms, but offer little contextual understanding of the communities that truly drive property value. Subdivisions.com is changing that by delivering the structured hyperlocal intelligence needed for smart, context-driven real estate decisions. "A real estate copilot without local context is blind," said Jake Miakota, CEO of Subdivisions.com. "To truly guide buyers and investors, AI must understand the micro-markets that shape real estate decisions subdivisions, lifestyle factors, pricing dynamics, and community identity. Subdivisions.com delivers that missing layer of intelligence." Real estate presents unique challenges for AI systems. Markets are hyper-fragmented at the subdivision-level. Property values are influenced by localized amenities, school districts, turnover rates, and lifestyle appeal not just zip codes. Consumers need more than listings; they need context and guidance. Todays platforms often surface listings without meaningful community insight, leaving users to guess at the true value and lifestyle fit. Subdivisions.com fills this gap by structuring hyperlocal data in a way that empowers its AI real estate copilot to reason about real estate like a true expert. Through detailed subdivision profiles, dynamic pricing analytics, turnover trends, lifestyle scoring, and comparable community identification, Subdivisions.com enables smarter, faster, and more confident real estate decisions. In the months ahead, Subdivisions.com will introduce new capabilities to enhance the AI-native real estate journey. These include conversational AI discovery, investment-focused intelligence, expansion across Florida, and real estate copilot integration. Subdivisions.com is not simply evolving real estate search it is building the structured, hyperlocal foundation required to power the future of AI-driven real estate discovery. As consumer expectations shift toward intelligent, personalized guidance, the need for deep, curated local intelligence is no longer optional it is essential. Subdivisions.com is proud to lead this transformation, subdivision by subdivision, market by market. About Subdivisions.com The Foundational Data Layer for AI-Driven Real Estate Transactional Services. The real estate industry suffers from fragmented, inconsistent, and imprecise data. Traditional platforms rely on broad city- and ZIP code-level insights, failing to capture the true micromarket dynamics that shape property values, demand trends, buyer preferences, and lifestyle fit. Subdivisions.com fixes these problems with a proprietary subdivision-level intelligence layera structured, AI-enhanced data infrastructure that organizes, standardizes, and delivers real-time market insights. This data backbone powers hyperlocal search, price segmentation, CMAs, predictive analytics, home shopping personalization, and real estate services, creating a smarter, more transparent homeownership experience. Press inquiries Subdivisions.com https://subdivisions.com Jake Miakota jake@subdivisions.com (305) 933-3005 20900 NE 30th Ave, 8th Floor Aventura, Florida 33180 SYDNEY, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canva, the all-in-one platform for design and creativity, has introduced the AI Paragraph Generator, a powerful new tool that helps users quickly craft clear and engaging text. AI paragraph Generator This latest addition supports Canvas broader vision of empowering everyonenot just designerswith tools for content creation, whether for social media, marketing, education, or business. The AI Paragraph Generator transforms a short prompt into a fully structured paragraph, making writing easier for students, professionals, and content creators. Whether drafting social posts, presentations, blog introductions, or business reports, users can generate high-quality text in seconds. Canva continues to evolve beyond design into a full-stack creativity platform, offering tools that streamline every part of the content creation process. The AI Paragraph Generator joins Canvas expanding suite of AI-powered features, including Magic Write for generating and refining text, the AI Video Generator for turning ideas into videos, and the AI Image Generator for creating custom visuals from simple descriptions. These tools enable users to bring their creative ideas to life faster and more effectively. Beyond AI, Canva also provides essential productivity and design tools like the QR Code Generator for easy link sharing and the PNG to JPG Converter for quick image formatting. Whether users need to design, write, edit, or share, Canva ensures everything is available in one seamless platform. The AI Paragraph Generator is now available to all Canva users. In addition to all of these amazing Products, Canva just launched Canva Visual Suite 2.0 in its recent Canva Create 2025. To explore this feature, visit Canva's AI Paragraph Generator . Canva Create 2025 About Canva Canva is an online graphic design platform that makes it easy to create professional-looking visuals for social media, presentations, marketing materials, and more. It offers a wide range of templates, images, fonts, and other design elements, along with a simple drag-and-drop interface. Canva is available for free with premium options for advanced features and content. Press inquiries Canva https://canva.com Gelo geloa@canva.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17b3074a-b251-4258-a272-8142e45d6714 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/894355bb-08cd-41df-ba34-b0e7e62f34ee A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d81e7dc-d498-458d-81ba-8edf0a53661a SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What began as a simple act of some therapists setting up chairs on a San Francisco sidewalk has blossomed into a global movement. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Sidewalk Talk is embarking on its 2025 Listening Bus Tour, bringing free listening, radical compassion, and community healing to six cities across the American Midwest and East Coast during Mental Health Awareness Month. 2025 Sidewalk Talk Listening Bus Tour Logo Over the past decade, Sidewalk Talk has inspired the creation of over 156 chapters in 20 countries, trained 10,000 listeners, and reached more than 20 million people through viral media features including CBS Sunday Morning, Oprahs O Magazine, 60 Second Docs, the World Economic Forum, and BBC World Service. Sixty chapters remain active today, sustained by committed volunteers and fueled by a powerful belief in the human need to be heard. This May, the Listening Bus will make stops in; May 5 Kansas City, MO Kansas City, MO May 6 St. Louis, MO St. Louis, MO May 7 Louisville, KY Louisville, KY May 8 Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati, OH May 9 Columbus, OH Columbus, OH May 10 Pittsburgh, PA At each tour stop, local communities will gather for sidewalk listening events, followed by community dinners hosted by local churches, mosques, and synagogues. To find the exact location in your cityor to sign up as a listenervisit the Sidewalk Talk website. You can also share your story in advance through their Stories of Your City campaign, helping bring your communitys voice to life before the bus even arrives. Its impossible not to love someone whose story youve fully heard, says Traci Ruble, founder of Sidewalk Talk. This tour is about restoring our social fabric through presence, compassion, and real human connection. The tour is supported by a growing network of sponsors and partners, including St. Louis Mental Health Board, American Electric Power Foundation, and Mental Health Lou, among many others. The experience has transformed listeners and journalists alike. Dinah Olson, a Physician Assistant from Oswego, NY, expressed her enthusiasm: Drop everything and journey across the fractured USA to listen to strangers? Sign me up! I believe in Sidewalk Talks mission and am honored to join its founder, Traci Ruble, on this tour to see what magic will unfold. Erica Rucker, Executive Editor at Louisville Independent, remarked, America needs community in a most critical wayreal people making personal connections with each other. Sidewalk Talk offers that to people in the purest and simplest wayby listening. It gave me a boost in feeling that real connection is still possible when we meet each other as we arepart of a grand and precious humanity. Mental Health Lou, one of the tours local partners, shared: "We're excited to welcome Sidewalk Talk to Louisville as they continue their national tour. Our city is all about deep connectionit's at the heart of who we are. Learning to listen is a powerful way to support mental health, and this initiative creates a meaningful space for people to come together." Sidewalk Talk is a global grassroots nonprofit that trains volunteers to offer free, heart-centered listening on public sidewalks. Founded in 2015, the movement now includes 10,000 listeners, 60 active chapters, and 156 chapters total since its inception. Sidewalk Talk believes listening is the foundation of mental, emotional, and social health. By listening on the streets, they create access to healing and connection for everyone. Our Bus Signage About Sidewalk Talk Sidewalk Talk is a volunteer-led non-profit that has trained over 10,000 listeners and launched 156 listening chapters across 20 countries. It was started in San Francisco, CA, USA in 2015 by two psychotherapists to elevate mental health and be a conduit to city services. Sidewalk Talk received funding in 2024 from Amazon, Nickelodeon Children's Network, and Paramount to give directly to individuals who want to start a Sidewalk Talk chapter in their town. This has reignited our spark, and we will now have a bus tour across the US Midwest in 2025. Sidewalk Talk has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Oprah Magazine, CBS Sunday Morning, El Pais, Telerama, the BBC World Service and many more. At Sidewalk Talk, we believe in the transformative power of heart-centered listening. Our mission is to reduce loneliness, promote inclusion, and enhance social health by listening on public sidewalks worldwide. Press inquiries Sidewalk Talk https://www.sidewalk-talk.org Traci Ruble traci@sidewalk-talk.org Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9bd74038-14ca-4e14-a1eb-f3d4007a6ed1 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/89821bf9-8964-46ae-a5d6-0ec49f2cf4f6 A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a6dd3f2-5347-4720-9a41-96f774a427c2 Dublin, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Enterprise Tech Ecosystem Series: Next - 2025" company profile has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides insights into Next's tech activities, including its digital transformation strategies, its innovation programs, its technology initiatives, and acquisitions. Next Plc (Next) is a specialty retailer that merchandises clothing, beauty products and homeware products through self-owned and franchised stores in the UK, Ireland and 34 countries across the world. The company sells both third-party brands as well as its own NEXT products through brick-and-mortar and online stores. NEXT Online, the company's online portal, caters to millions of UK and overseas customers. Next also offers products on credit through its credit division - NEXT Finance. The report provides information and insights into Next's tech activities, including: Insights of its digital transformation strategies and innovation programs. Overview of technology initiatives covering partnerships, product launches, and acquisitions. Insights on each technology initiative including technology theme, objective, and benefits. Details of estimated ICT budgets. Reasons to Buy Gain insights into Next's tech operations. Gain insights into its tech strategies and innovation initiatives. Gain insights into its technology themes under focus. Gain insights into various product launches, partnerships, and acquisitions. Key Topics Covered: Overview Digital Transformation Strategy Technology Focus Technology Initiatives Acquisitions Partnership and Acquisition Network Map ICT Budget Key Executives Company Coverage Includes: KNAPP Zendesk Geek+ robotics Myntra Reiss Gap The Keyholding Company FatFace Made.com and Fabled by Marie Claire. For more information about this company profile visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jy4g18 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. Jacksonville, FL, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pace Center for Girls, a nationally recognized model that provides education, counseling, training and advocacy for more than 3,000 girls and young women annually, received a $60,000 grant from State Farm Insurance to support career and college preparation. The funding supports Paces comprehensive vocational and education program dedicated to providing girls, who have faced adversity, with the necessary tools to obtain a high school diploma or GED, long term employability skills and to pursue an education past high school, whether at a professional training program, the military, a community college or a four-year college or university. At Pace, we believe every girl deserves the chance to achieve her full potential, said Yessica Cancel, Interim CEO of Pace Center for Girls. We are grateful to State Farm for investing in Pace and providing us the opportunity to enhance our life-skills training and career and college readiness pathways. As part of the investment, more than 100 girls traveled to Tallahassee to tour Florida State University, Tallahassee Community College, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. These visits offered firsthand exposure to campus life, academic programs, and potential career paths. Walking through Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) was an incredible experience that inspired me and reinforced my belief in my ability to achieve greatness," shared Evani, a sophomore at Pace Polk who aspires to attend college and become a screenwriter in the film industry. Pace has seen transformational improvements among girls personally and professionally. Eight out of 10 girls graduate from high school, pursue higher education or secure employment after the program, and nine out of 10 have experienced overall academic improvement. We are proud to support Pace in their commitment to provide career and college opportunities to all girls, said Jose Soto, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst. Our State Farm agents and employees look forward to volunteering at Pace career days, speaking on topics like finance and insurance, and supporting events that uplift the next generation of leaders. The collaboration between Pace and State Farm demonstrates the power of community support to empower girls through education, career readiness, and comprehensive support. ### About Pace Center for Girls Founded in 1985, Pace provides free year-round middle and high school academics, case management, counseling, and life skills development in a safe and supportive environment that recognizes and deals with past trauma and builds upon girls individual strengths. Dedicated to meeting the social, emotional, and education needs of girls, Pace has a successful and proven program model that has changed the life trajectory of more than 40,000 girls and is recognized as one of the nations leading advocates for girls in need. For more information on Pace Center for Girls, visit www.pacecenter.org. About State Farm: For over 100 years, the mission of State Farm has been to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its more than 19,400 agents and 67,000 employees serve over 91 million policies and accounts including auto, fire, life, health, commercial policies and financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 39 on the 2024 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com. Attachment AUSTIN, TX, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telnyx, the full-stack communications platform for AI-powered voice, messaging, and automation, today announced the beta release of its Local Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server. This new tool gives developers the ability to run Telnyxs powerful API suite directly on their machines, enabling secure, low-latency access to telephony and AI capabilities without relying on cloud infrastructure. With full compatibility for leading MCP clients such as Claude Desktop and Cursor, the Local MCP Server allows developers to create, test, and manage voice calls, SMS messages, phone numbers, and AI assistants all from a local environment. This release is all about putting power and flexibility into the hands of developers, said David Casem, CEO of Telnyx. Whether youre building AI agents or prototyping telecom features, running locally gives you more control, faster iteration, and tighter integrations." The Telnyx Local MCP Server supports: AI assistant management - Create, configure, and deploy AI assistants with natural language capabilities. Call Control - Make calls, play audio, use text-to-speech, and manage transfers. Messaging - Send SMS and MMS, retrieve message history. Phone Number management - Search, purchase, and configure phone numbers. Connection management - List and configure voice connections. This local-first approach empowers developers working in secure, latency-sensitive, or sandboxed environments to build production-grade voice and messaging features without needing to expose data to the cloud. It also enables advanced prototyping with local LLMs and tooling through familiar interfaces like Claude Desktop. The Telnyx Local MCP Server is available now in open beta. Developers can clone the repository, configure their environment, and start building in minutes. Telnyx is actively inviting the developer community to test the server, provide feedback, and help shape future improvements. Access the repository and full documentation here. About Telnyx Telnyx is a global connectivity platform that powers real-time communications and automation for the next generation of applications. With a private IP network, owned infrastructure, and developer-first APIs, Telnyx delivers ultra-low-latency Voice AI, messaging, and telephony tools to companies around the world. CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CHRISTUS Health, an international not-for-profit health system, broke ground today on a new, state-of-the-art hospital in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, marking a strategic commitment to bring quality, compassionate care to a burgeoning tourist destination with a growing local population. We are thrilled to expand our presence in Mexico and provide world-class health care services to Cabo San Lucas, a region that attracts nearly 4 million visitors a year," said Ernie Sadau, CHRISTUS Health president and CEO. "CHRISTUS Health is recognized in both the United States and Mexico as an exceptional health care provider that has earned the trust of the communities we are so blessed to serve. CHRISTUS Muguerza Los Cabos Hospital, a private hospital located in the high-growth tourist corridor, will serve the more than 350,000 residents of the region, including over 23,000 U.S. citizens. Addressing the increasing health care demands of the region, it is an investment of over $84 million and will have 75 beds upon completion. The hospital will open in 2028. The more than 450,000 square-foot facility will offer nearly 30 medical specialties including cardiology, oncology, gynecology, emergency care, family medicine, pediatrics and neurosurgery, as well as specialized clinics such as a breast clinic. It will employ 250 clinicians, specialists and other CHRISTUS Associates. CHRISTUS is investing in the latest in technology, including innovative tools such as a virtual assistant for obstetric nursing, algorithms for post-surgical pain prediction and control and artificial intelligence applied to chest and breast imaging analysis. CHRISTUS is internationally recognized for our innovation, quality and safety in medical care, and most importantly, for providing a unique healing experience, said Horacio Garza Ghio, general director of CHRISTUS Muguerza Health System. We put our patients and their loved ones at the center, providing compassionate care not only focused on physical but also emotional and spiritual health. We are excited to introduce our care to the region. The hospital's design is led by the prestigious architectural firm FR-EE (Fernando Romero Enterprise), directed by architect Fernando Romero. The project will incorporate cultural elements, local materials and textures, as well as artistic installations that reflect the identity of Baja California Sur. Energy efficiency will be a priority through high-performance HVAC and lighting systems, along with the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials. ### About CHRISTUS Health CHRISTUS Health is an international faith-based, not-for-profit health care system based in Irving, Texas, with more than 60 hospitals in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. CHRISTUS Health is made up of 51,000 Associates providing compassionate and individualized care at more than 600 centers, including community hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and health ministries. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to every individual we serve. For more information, visit www.christushealth.org About CHRISTUS Muguerza Health System As part of CHRISTUS Heath, CHRISTUS Muguerza Health System operates 15 hospitals across seven Mexican states, as well as medical centers, clinics, ambulances, nursing schools and social programs. Attachment Dallas Business Journal highlights the stakeholders and dealmakers of the most noteworthy commercial real estate projects in the Metroplex. DALLAS, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lone Star PACE, a leading administrator of the Texas C-PACE program, has been honored with the Most Creative Financing award at the Dallas Business Journals 2025 Best Real Estate Deals Awards. The recognition highlights the firms role in administering a $27 million Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) assessment for HALL Arts Hotel in the Dallas Arts District a transaction that recapitalized energy-efficiency upgrades at the luxury property. The award was presented during the DBJs annual ceremony on April 17, which celebrates the most impactful and innovative commercial real estate deals in North Texas. Of 130 submissions, only 65 were selected as finalists, and just 22 received top honors. Lee McCormick, President of Lone Star PACE, said: This award reflects the power of creative financing to elevate commercial real estate projects in ways that align with sustainability, economics and long-term value. Were honored to work alongside visionary partners like HALL Group and Nuveen Green Capital to bring these transformative deals to life. Nuveen Green Capital, the capital provider behind the HALL Arts Hotel project, emphasized the significance of the award and the broader momentum behind C-PACE financing. Sean Ribble, Senior Director at Nuveen Green Capital, said: We were proud to partner with Lone Star PACE and HALL Structured Finance to provide C-PACE capital for this notable project. As more owners and developers turn to C-PACE as a flexible financing solution in Dallas and nationwide, were honored to be recognized by the Dallas Business Journal. This recognition highlights C-PACEs growing mainstream adoption and unique ability to deliver value at every stage of development: pre-, mid- and post-construction. The assessment allowed HALL Group to recapitalize the cost of previously installed energy-efficient improvements, providing an alternative source of capital and increased flexibility for future projects. Mike Canning, Senior Vice President of Capital Markets at HALL Structured Finance, said: Were proud to have partnered with Lone Star PACE and to see them recognized for their creativity and innovation in financing HALL Arts Hotel. C-PACE continues to be a positive product in advancing sustainability goals and an efficient form of financing in today's environment. Glenn Silva, Chief Operating Officer at Lone Star PACE, emphasized the deals broader implications: This project demonstrates whats possible when developers, capital providers, and administrators work in sync. C-PACE continues to prove itself as a dynamic tool for fueling sustainability while supporting the business goals of developers and property owners. If you're a property owner or developer exploring creative ways to strengthen your capital stack, improve sustainability or unlock liquidity, your project could be a fit for C-PACE. Contact Lone Star PACE today to get started. About Lone Star PACE Lone Star PACE serves as a program administrator for city and county Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) programs in Texas. LSP helps local governments, economic development corporations, chambers of commerce and trade associations promote economic development and resource conservation by facilitating C-PACE projects alongside property owners, C-PACE capital providers, contractors and other stakeholders. The company's goal is to promote sustainability as well as increased property values while positively impacting cash flow and utility savings. For more information, visit www.lonestarpace.com. About Nuveen Green Capital Nuveen Green Capital is a national leader in sustainable commercial real estate financing solutions and an affiliate of Nuveen, the investment manager of TIAA responsible for over $1 trillion in assets under management. Established in 2015 by the C-PACE industrys founders and standard-setters, Nuveen Green Capital is a private capital provider dedicated to making sustainability a smart financial decision for commercial real estate owners who seek to improve the energy, water, and resiliency performance of their property. For more information, visit www.nuveen.com/greencapital. About HALL Group HALL Group is a Dallas-based, multibillion-dollar, private company made up of a diverse group of subsidiaries spanning real estate, finance, winemaking, and venture capital. Founded in 1968, the company focuses on four key areas: development and ownership of office, multifamily and hospitality real estate assets including HALL Park, a 162-acre, mixed-use development in Frisco, Texas with a masterplan underway that, when complete, will include 10 million square feet of commercial assets; HALL Structured Finance, a national commercial real estate construction and bridge loan lender, primarily in the hotel and multifamily sectors; HALL Family Wines, a producer of high-quality California wines that includes the HALL, WALT and BACA brands; and angel- and seed-round funding for select venture capital investments. HALL Group also owns the HALL Collection, an immense compilation of local and international artwork on display throughout the companys properties. For more information, visit www.hallgroup.com. Media Contact: Olivia Lueckemeyer Director of Marketing & Media Relations Lone Star PACE olivia@lonestarpace.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a87deeb-526d-43c6-b63f-f52f478337c2 Morris Plains, NJ, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With just a quarter-century remaining to achieve the internationally recognized goal of net-zero emissions in aviation by 2050, industry stakeholders and governments must acknowledge that the target is in serious doubt. To achieve the overall goal at the earliest possible date, they must also recognize its complexity. It involves several key interconnected factors: effectively managing the anticipated surge in passenger numbers, establishing incentives to drive tangible short-term progress and forging a transparent and efficient process for certifying groundbreaking innovations crucial for long-term industry transformation. Crucially, some of those tasks will require substantial financial investment and unwavering governmental support. The time for aspirational declarations has passed. What the industry needs today is concrete action and resource allocation. Addressing Escalating Air Travel From a Rapidly Growing Middle Class Middle-class populations are growing rapidly worldwide, especially in developing countries. As a result, air travel is an option for the first time for significant numbers of people, and flight service providers are anticipating significant growth. However, to meet this need effectively, airlines will likely be tempted to simply expand their existing fleets using current, readily available aircraft. Needless to say, bringing more traditional aircraft and technologies online will increase the challenge of achieving carbon neutrality. That approach will require significant upfront investment from air carriers, potentially leading to a short-term increase in ticket prices and probably impacting current growth models. The long-term benefits of a sustainable aviation industry will outweigh these immediate issues, of course, but clearing the near-term hurdles will be challenging. Investing in a Sustainable Future: Four Key Pillars To reduce its carbon footprint, the aviation industry must make good on its commitments to substantial investments in cutting-edge technology and supporting infrastructure. It must also ramp up its educational efforts to ensure everyone understands what is at stake, the benefits of carbon-neutral aviation and the hurdles ahead. Sustainability initiatives must be built on these four pillars: 1. Cultivating acceptance of change Given the critical need for widespread understanding and support, the aviation sector must continue to invest in comprehensive education initiatives targeting all stakeholders and the public regarding the value of sustainable aviation. Proactive and consistent communication will help promote acceptance of necessary changes and build confidence in the industrys commitment to a greener future. By clearly articulating the critical need for decarbonization, the tangible benefits of innovative technologies and the long-term vision for a truly sustainable air transport network, the industry can create a more supportive environment. More than a public relations exercise, these efforts are necessary to ensure the long-term viability and acceptance of a transformed aviation industry. 2. Steady movement toward sustainable aviation fuel Another important aspect of this initiative is the widespread adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). While SAF offers the significant advantage of requiring minimal to no modifications to existing aircraft or airport infrastructure, its widespread impact hinges on substantial commitment and investment from both private and public sectors. Unfortunately, fears that the commitment wont be forthcoming have cast doubt on achieving the 2050 net-zero goal. Currently, SAF production is carbon-intensive, and its cost is approximately double that of conventional jet fuel. In addition, the necessary investments in feedstock development and infrastructure to support its growth could further increase its relative cost. The report also suggests that even if the entire global fleet operated solely on SAF, emissions would only be reduced by approximately 23%, so it is also vital to view SAF as just part of the near-term solution. 3. Incremental yet meaningful technological advancements The third critical area involves continuous technological innovation aimed at reducing fuel consumption. This includes optimizing ground and flight operational profiles for greater efficiency and developing more fuel-efficient aircraft designs and engines. While these changes might be gradual and subtle, their cumulative effect will have a substantial impact on overall emissions. Optimizing flight paths and deploying cleaner engines in more aerodynamic aircraft will eventually yield significant reductions, justifying the considerable effort these advancements will require. It has been estimated that a combination of widespread SAF adoption alongside these incremental technological improvements could enable the industry to reduce CO emissions by up to 70% by 2050, even with a projected annual air traffic growth rate of 3%. Still, the willingness of stakeholders to invest at the speed and pace necessary to achieve net zero by 2050 remains in question. 4. Radical innovation in aviation systems and resources The fourth and most transformative area requires long-term investment in entirely new propulsion systems and alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and other clean energy sources, to replace existing jet fuel-powered fleets. While these developments hold immense potential for substantial carbon emission reductions, the pathway to realizing battery-powered propulsion for short-haul flights and hydrogen or other sustainable fuels for longer-range travel will be complex and require significant advancements. This longer-term phase of innovation will likely require a complete rethinking of fundamental aircraft designs and the development of entirely new propulsion technologies, alongside the establishment of the necessary supporting infrastructure. This includes airport facilities but also crucial downstream aspects, such as producing hydrogen in ways that are, themselves, carbon neutral. Battery technology must also evolve and improve rapidly to make power sources more energy-dense, safer and easier to produce at scale. Navigating Regulations and Managing Risk A clear and efficient path to certification must be established for all types of innovation. This will provide a crucial sign and encouragement to those willing to invest in sustainable aviation. Investors will only realize returns on their investments when their innovative technologies can be implemented widely across various sectors, supported by forward-thinking regulatory authorities. And, of course, innovation involves risk. The aviation and aerospace industry has a history of costly and, at times, dangerous failures. For innovative companies (and the industry generally) to succeed, they will need help managing risk effectively. Stakeholders must also be aware that potential shifts in the global economic landscape could introduce instability, potentially deterring the long-term investments necessary to achieve carbon neutrality. Similarly, regulatory bodies that fail to provide a clear and timely process for certification will also hinder progress. Therefore, strong public-private synergy is essential to cultivate an environment conducive to success. The Imperative of Immediate Action The commercial aviation sectors transition to net-zero emissions will be long and intricate. Significant changes are inevitable as technologies mature, and despite the most dedicated efforts, achieving complete decarbonization by 2050 remains a formidable challenge. In fact, many believe it is already unattainable and that setting a new, more sensible date for reaching net-zero is advisable. Either way, the time for decisive action is now. Those entities that enthusiastically embrace this challenge, drive innovation and set the standard for the next century of aviation stand to gain significantly from the ever-increasing global population of air travelers and the goodwill of people rooting for sustainable aviation to become a reality. About Global Aerospace Global Aerospace has a century of experience and powerful passion for providing aviation insurance solutions that protect industry stakeholders and empower the industry to thrive. With financial stability from a pool of the worlds foremost capital, we leverage innovative ideas, advanced technology and a powerful synergy among diverse team members to underwrite and process claims for the many risks our clients face. Headquartered in the UK, we have offices in Canada, France, Germany and throughout the United States. Learn more at https://www.global-aero.com/ Global Aerospace Media Contact Suzanne Keneally Vice President, Group Head of Communications +1 973-490-8588 ESET launches a new integration of its ESET Endpoint product with the Kaseya VSA X remote monitoring and management (RMM) solution. MSP admins will find their workloads simpler, due to less time spent managing multiple solutions, giving them more space for their daily tasks. BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, today announced the launch of another major integration, this time, with the Kaseya VSA X remote monitoring and management (RMM) software. ESET has worked with MSPs for a long time, creating successful programs such as the ESET MSP Program, with subscription flexibility (pay only for whats in use, no flat rates, no long-term commitment), co-management (independent seat count adjustment and subscription management), or tier-based volume pricing (the more licenses sold, the better the unit price), among others. Thus, we understand the needs of our partners as well as their clients. Among these is an interest in running efficient workloads, cutting down on time spent in swivel chair operations, and simplifying their use of multiple products, while not sacrificing on their security postures. Such results are only achievable through integrations, which ESET identifies as a key contemporary trend. As a partner- and channel-focused cybersecurity vendor, we understand this, and we develop and maintain support for all the most prevalent RMM and PSA tools out there, now joined by Kaseya VSA X, a leading RMM product. Thanks to this new integration, users of Kaseya VSA X can now also serve organizations that use ESET. In essence, it enables MSPs to deploy and manage ESET Endpoint products directly from within the Kaseya VSA X interface, so they can perform their necessary management actions without having to log in to a separate console. With support for additional workflows, MSPs can set up automatic actions for common scenarios. For instance, a workflow can be used to automatically deploy ESET to a freshly provisioned machine, or a workflow could be configured to provide a notification in case a threat is detected on an endpoint. Some other key features are: One Click or automated deployment of ESET Endpoint products of ESET Endpoint products Monitoring of endpoint health (product, version, protection status) of endpoint health (product, version, protection status) On-demand tasks such as scanning and activation Weve been working with MSPs for a very long time, and ESET is a favorite vendor among thousands of MSPs across the world, said Rob Jones, Global Channel Business Developer at ESET. With the features provided through our new integration with Kaseya VSA X software, MSP administrators will unlock extensive benefits, such as simpler workflows, easier monitoring, as well as enhanced time savings. We know what MSPs need, and with this integration, we are directly addressing multiple pain points to make their businesses more efficient. Version 1.0 of this integration will support Windows endpoints that are running ESET Endpoint Antivirus, Endpoint Security, or Server Security. ESET will be continuing its integration journey, so stay tuned for more updates in the future. In the meantime, feel free to check out our ESET integrations webpage to see the list of our existing partners and connections. About ESET ESET provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether its endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow our social media, podcasts and blogs. CRANBURY, N.J., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), a leading authority on evidence-based health care and value-driven outcomes, announces its upcoming Institute for Value-Based Medicine (IVBM) event, Driving the Future of Cancer Care. The event will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, located at 201 Village Blvd., Princeton, N.J. This timely gathering is designed for leaders in value-based medicine, oncology care teams and population health strategists seeking to remain at the forefront of cancer care delivery through actionable insights and collaborative exchange. The IVBM event will feature expert-led panel discussions highlighting the latest innovations, clinical research and practice models that are reshaping oncology through a value-based lens. The IVBM series of events reflects our commitment to convening clinical and administrative leaders who are actively shaping the future of oncology care through evidence, collaboration and community, said Gilbert Hernandez, senior vice president, corporate development, MJH Life Sciences. The Princeton event will offer a unique opportunity to explore the challenges and breakthroughs in cancer care from a value-based perspective, with a focus on both national trends and regional application. Participants will benefit from an inclusive and highly focused forum that fosters regional engagement, enabling direct connection with peers, thought leaders and stakeholders within their local professional ecosystem. By convening key voices across disciplines, the event encourages the exchange of diverse perspectives and lived experiences, driving progress through shared learning and partnership. Events like IVBM are critical because they create the space to listen, challenge assumptions and refine ideas in real time, said Shelby Quinn, PharmD, BCOP, oncology clinical pharmacy specialist, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute. When clinicians, payers, and system leaders come together to share perspectives, and not just data, but experience and opinion, we accelerate the alignment needed to improve care for patients everywhere. Health care professionals in oncology, payer strategy, health system leadership and policy development are encouraged to attend. The Princeton IVBM event provides a rare opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, expand ones professional network, and gain strategic insights that can be implemented immediately. Complimentary registration is currently available. Register now to join the discussion. About The American Journal of Managed Care The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) is a multimedia, peer-reviewed, MEDLINE-indexed journal that keeps industry leaders on the forefront of health policy by sharing digital research relevant to industry decision-makers. Other brands in the AJMC family include Population Health, Equity & Outcomes and Evidence-Based Oncology. These comprehensive, multimedia brands bring together views from payers, providers, policymakers and other industry leaders in managed care. AJMC is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels. About MJH Life Sciences MJH Life Sciences is the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels, providing health care professionals with the information and resources they need to optimize patient outcomes. MJH combines the reach and influence of its powerful portfolio of digital and print product lines, live events, educational programs and market research with the customization capabilities of a boutique firm. Clients include world-leading pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic and biotech companies. For more information, please visit https://www.mjhlifesciences.com/. Media Contact Julia Paradizova jparadizova@mjhlifesciences.com TORONTO, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Penfund is pleased to announce the final close of its new senior debt fund, Penfund Prime (Prime). Prime will deploy $1.8 billion (USD) of investable capital into unitranche and senior term loans issued by North American borrowers. Seven investments have been completed to date and Prime is actively reviewing new opportunities to support market leading private equity firms and borrowers. Penfund will leverage 25+ years of experience investing in best-in-class businesses within sectors of expertise including the automotive aftermarket, financial services, healthcare, distribution and consumer staple sectors. Prime complements Penfunds existing junior capital platform by expanding the range of capital solutions available to borrowers. Prime enhances our ability to provide innovative and reliable capital solutions to meet the evolving needs of borrowers and investors. Prime will invest based upon Penfunds disciplined, time-tested underwriting capability and credit philosophy. Our objective is to build a high quality, differentiated portfolio, to offer our founding partners exceptional reporting and to equitably share the benefits of scale as Prime grows. Prime was established as a true partnership and we thank each founding partner for their confidence and support. stated Richard Bradlow, a Partner at Penfund. Matthew Lee, a Partner at Penfund, added, Prime will be a trusted financing partner for our private equity sponsor and borrower relationships through all market conditions. We are excited to continue growing our relationships across our sectors of specialization. Placemore Capital acted as placement agent for Penfund. Legal and tax advice was provided by Stikeman Elliott LLP and Goodwin Procter LLP, and KPMG LLP served as special tax adviser. About Penfund Penfund is a leading provider of capital to middle market companies throughout North America. The firm is actively investing both senior and junior capital through Prime and Penfund Capital Fund VII. Penfund manages funds sourced from pension funds, insurance companies, banks, family offices and high-net-worth individuals located in Canada, the United States, the Middle East, and Europe. Penfund has invested more than C$3.0 billion in over 225 companies since its establishment. Assets under management are approximately C$3.7 billion. For further information, please contact: Richard Bradlow Partner (416) 645-3794 richard@penfund.com Adam Breslin Partner (416) 645-3796 abreslin@penfund.com Joe Mattina Partner (905) 531-8725 jmattina@penfund.com Jeremy Thompson Partner (416) 645-3790 jthompson@penfund.com QUEBEC CITY, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crakmedia, a leader in digital performance marketing, has once again been certified as a Great Place To Work. This prestigious recognition recognizes the excellence of an employer that offers an exceptional place to work. Great Place To Work is the global authority on company culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors that have a proven track record of revenue, employee retention, and innovation. This certification is the only one of its kind that is based entirely on the opinion of employees. Obtaining this certification reflects our ongoing efforts to support the well-being of our people and create a positive and lively work environment, said Olivier Bouchard, Chief Operating Officer. It makes us even prouder of the results knowing the employees themselves were the judges to get this certification. According to a study by Great Place To Work, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great manager in a certified workplace. In addition, employees in certified workplaces are 93% more likely to be happy to go to work and are twice as likely to be treated fairly. Crakmedia is also looking for several new talents to grow the teams in its Quebec City and Montreal offices: crakmedia.com/careers ABOUT CRAKMEDIA A world leader in web marketing, performance marketing, web development and traffic monetization, Crakmedia is an international company based in Quebec City. Its fields of activity range from digital content design, campaign personalization, website and data analysis, brand management, search engine optimization, media buying, advertising brokerage to web development and the creation of cutting-edge technologies. For further information: crakmedia.com ABOUT GREAT PLACE TO WORK CERTIFICATION Great Place To Work Certification is the most definitive employer-of-choice recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experiencespecifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place To Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified. ABOUT GREAT PLACE TO WORK As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces List. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Caroline Perron Press relations cperron@crakmedia.com ZURICH, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The long-awaited $XPL token distribution has officially begun, signaling a pivotal moment in the XploraDEX journey as the platform transitions from presale to active deployment. For the next 7 days, early investors will receive their tokens, while new participants still have a final opportunity to join the presale and secure their stake in the first AI-powered DEX on XRPL. As token allocations begin hitting wallets, the energy in the community is electric. After weeks of anticipation and record-breaking wallet signups, XploraDEX is delivering on its roadmapstarting with the real-time distribution of $XPL to thousands of early supporters around the world. Join $XPL Presale Unlike other presales that delay activation, XploraDEX is going live during its token distribution window. Investors can still enter at presale pricing while rewards, staking, and onboarding processes roll out. Its a unique dual-phase designed to offer latecomers one last chance to secure $XPL before listings go public. Whats happening now: $XPL tokens are being distributed across all eligible wallets The final 7-day presale window is live and counting down Staking modules and governance onboarding will activate post-distribution A curated batch of users will preview AI trading dashboards Participate in $XPL Presale With a huge number of $XPL allocation already claimed, this week represents the final chance for investors to join XploraDEX before the price adjusts to market-driven dynamics on decentralized exchanges. Once the presale ends, the open trading era beginsat a premium. Why now is the time to act: First access to smart AI trading tools and staking rewards Lowest token price before public listings Governance power to shape the protocols direction Priority launchpad entry for future token projects built on XRPL Purchase $XPL Tokens The XploraDEX ecosystem is built on speed, intelligence, and community. With its AI-driven infrastructure, the platform is poised to give XRPL traders a smarter, faster, and more data-rich trading experience than ever before. This is not just the next chapter for XploraDEXits the ignition. The next 7 days will define who enters early and who enters late. And in DeFi, timing is everything. Secure Your $XPL Tokens Before the Presale Closes: https://sale.xploradex.io Live Updates on Launch: Website | $XPL Token Presale | X | Telegram Contact: Oliver Muller oliver@xploradex.io contact@xploradex.io Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the XploraDEX. 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We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7e7224d5-c160-4dee-9236-a27e1da8dda9 NASSAU, The Bahamas, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Government today announced that it is looking forward to future Falcon 9 booster droneship landings in Bahamian waters pending the satisfactory completion of the post-landing report and the approval of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) currently being finalized by SpaceX. As part of the initial landing agreement between The Bahamas and SpaceX, the EIA began immediately following the first Falcon 9 droneship landing in Bahamian waters on February 18, 2025. The Government is working closely with SpaceX and the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) to ensure that there was no impact to the environment prior to future landing. DEPP Director Dr. Rhianna Neely-Murphy stated that the report is to confirm that environmental conditions that existed prior to the launch remained unchanged after the launch. The EIA is expected to be completed and submitted this summer, at which point a series of public town hall meetings will be held to inform and engage Bahamians on the environmental considerations surrounding the landings. Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. I. Chester Cooper, expressed his continued optimism about the partnership and the growing role of The Bahamas in the global space industry. We are excited about what the future holds for The Bahamas as we become a part of this dynamic and fast-moving sector, said Deputy Prime Minister Cooper. SpaceX has been a progressive partner, and we look forward to the continuation of this relationship. We are committed to ensuring that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand, and that our people remain informed and engaged as we help shape the future of space technology from right here in The Bahamas. The Falcon 9 booster droneship landings are a key component of the companys efforts to reduce the cost and environmental footprint of spaceflight. Vice President of Launch at SpaceX Kiko Dontchev confirmed the companys commitment to the process and to working collaboratively with the Bahamian government and the public. Were looking forward to the continued collaboration with The Bahamas, said Dontchev. The Bahamas really is an ideal droneship landing location for our Falcon 9 landings, which we conduct with extreme precision. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with the Bahamian people to make this a successful and responsible endeavor. The Government views the Falcon 9 landing agreement with SpaceX as a pioneering opportunity to diversify the national economy, support technological advancement, and showcase The Bahamas as a future-forward, globally connected destination. Further updates will be provided as the EIA process progresses and public engagement sessions are scheduled. 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: Paul Strachan Executive Director, Global Communications Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation E: pstrachan@bahamas.com Frya, Norway, 22 April 2025: Reference is made to the announcement by Kaldvik AS ("Kaldvik", the "Company") on 25 March 2025 regarding the completion of the acquisition of (i) 100% of the shares in Mossi ehf. ("Mossi"), (ii) 100% of the shares in Djupskel ehf. ("Djupskel") and (iii) 33.3% of the shares in Bulandstindur ehf. ("Bulandstindur") (the "Transaction"). Following determination of the final purchase price for the shares in Djupskel and Bulandstindur, the board in the Company has today, pursuant to an authorisation to increase the share capital granted by the annual general meeting on 21 June 2024, resolved to increase the share capital of the Company with NOK 624,995.20, by issuing 6,249,952 new shares with a subscription price of NOK 27.60 per share. The Companys claim for capital contribution has been set-off towards the Company's debt pursuant to the promissory note of NOK 172,498,685 issued in connection with settlement of the Transaction. The Company will register the new share capital increase with the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises and issue separate announcement when the registration of the share capital increase has been completed. Following registration of the share capital increase with the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises, the Company will have a share capital of NOK 12,851,120.10 divided into 128,511,201 shares, each with a nominal value of NOK 0.10. For the shares in Mossi, the final purchase price of NOK 43,594,165 has been settled with an unsecured, interest free seller's credit with a maturity date on 31 December 2025. Kaldvik may still choose to settle the seller's credit in cash or in new Kaldvik shares at a price equal to the abovementioned subscription price, and will provide an update when the final decision has been made. Pareto Securities AS has acted as financial advisor, and AGP Advokater AS as legal advisor, to the Company in the negotiations of the terms of the Transaction. ABG Sundal Collier ASA has acted as financial advisor, and Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS as legal advisor, to Heimst and Osnes in the negotiations of the terms of the Transaction. For further information, please contact: Roy-Tore Rikardsen, CEO: +354 791 0006 (mobile) Robert Robertsson, CFO: +354 843 0086 (mobile) This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act St Julian's, Malta, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Game Lounge, a leading SEO-driven affiliate, has launched the Affiliate Trust and Data Index iGamings first-of-its-kind, data-driven benchmark for affiliate platforms. Keith Cassar, CTO at Game Lounge Designed to improve industry standards and bring much-needed transparency, the Index evaluates how well affiliate platforms which mediate data between operators and affiliates perform based on over 100 real-world data points. Until now, affiliate platforms have operated largely without comparison or accountability, in a traditionally opaque, inconsistent affiliate tech landscape with data discrepancies often arising from an operators poor choice of platform. The Affiliate Trust and Data Index challenges that dynamic, scoring platforms across three core pillars: granularity of data, usability of platform tools and security features, from a data-driven affiliates perspective. The Index scores each platform on criteria such as API quality, sub-ID tracking and support for 2FA, before being placed into a quadrant analysis that visually maps performance. All this encourages data accessibility, integration quality and operational transparency elements that directly impact affiliate ROI and operator performance. Game Lounges Affiliate Trust and Data Index is already reshaping how the industry makes tech decisions, explains Keith Cassar, CTO at Game Lounge. Affiliate platforms have long been a black box. With better data helping operators to gain higher-value players, affiliates benefiting from stronger partnerships and performance gains, and platforms enjoying increased commissions through improved operator success, the Affiliate Trust and Data Index is a win-win-win for everyone. Meanwhile, the innovative quadrant system helps stakeholders identify those platforms that are data-rich but difficult to integrate (Manual Maze), user-friendly but with a limited depth of data (Easy but Opaque), lack both usability and data transparency (Black Box) or, in the best cases, are highly usable and offer granular data (Gold Standard). A smart, digestible Usability vs Granularity quadrant also helps operators and affiliates navigate trade-offs and strengths across platforms, with security parameters built into the usability criteria such as support for 2FA using OTP, API key authentication and 2FA for sensitive changes including bank details, password updates or withdrawals. Were not here to compare, we are here to raise the bar, says Sergey Tadevosyan, co-author of the Affiliate Trust and Data Index report at Game Lounge. This report shifts the conversation from vague opinions to measurable performance, empowering decision-makers across the industry to choose tech that supports performance. Weve laid the foundations for healthy vendor competition based on real value rather than marketing, addressing a long-standing gap in the industry. This initiative also doubles as a consultancy-style service. Game Lounge has made the full Affiliate Trust and Data Index report available via a dedicated landing page and stands ready to advise affiliate platforms and operators on how to improve their score or select better tools, pioneering a stronger affiliate tech landscape for all. Download the full PDF report and learn more at www.gamelounge.com/affiliate-trust-data-index-report The Affiliate Trust and Data Index is iGamings first-of-its-kind, data-driven benchmark for affiliate platforms. About Game Lounge Game Lounge is a leading data-driven iGaming affiliate, introducing online casino players to iGaming brands through its network of more than 130 SEO-driven websites in over 60 countries. Game Lounge generates revenue through revenue share agreements, CPAs (cost per acquisition) and fixed fees, connecting brands with high-value players and driving sustainable growth in an ever-evolving industry. www.gamelounge.com Press inquiries Game Lounge https://www.gamelounge.com/ Jo Caruana jo@byfinessegroup.com 07440577229 MONTREAL and TORONTO, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fury Gold Mines Limited (TSX: FURY, NYSE American: FURY) (Fury) and Quebec Precious Metals Corporation (TSXV: QPM, FSE: YXEP) (QPM) are pleased to announce that, at the special meeting (the Meeting) of holders (QPM Shareholders) of common shares of QPM (the QPM Shares) held today, QPM Shareholders overwhelmingly voted in favour of the special resolution (the Arrangement Resolution) to approve the previously announced plan of arrangement (the Arrangement) under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act with Fury Gold Mines Ltd. (Fury Gold) pursuant to which Fury Gold will acquire all of the issued and outstanding QPM Shares in exchange for 0.0741 of a Fury Gold common share (each whole common share of Fury Gold, a Fury Gold Share) for each QPM Share. Based on the 20-day volume weighted average price of the QPM Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) and the Fury Gold Shares on the TSX as of February 25, 2025, the consideration payable by Fury Gold implies a value of C$0.04 for each QPM Share. Further, each (i) option to purchase a QPM Share (an Option), (ii) warrant to purchase a QPM Share (a Warrant), and (iii) option to purchase a QPM Share granted to certain QPM intermediaries and brokers (a Broker Option and collectively with the Options and Warrants, the Convertible Securities) outstanding immediately prior to completion of the Arrangement will, upon the holders exercise of the applicable Convertible Securities, entitle such holder to receive (and such holder will accept) Fury Gold Shares in lieu of the QPM Shares to which such holder was entitled upon such exercise, and for the same aggregate consideration payable therefore. Holders of a total of 50,449,020 QPM Shares were present virtually or represented by proxy at the Meeting, which constituted a quorum of Shareholders, and represented 48.67 % of the 103,646,498 issued and outstanding QPM Shares entitled to vote as of March 17, 2025, the record date for the Meeting. The Arrangement Resolution required the approval of: (i) at least two thirds (66%) of the votes cast by the QPM Shareholders present virtually or represented by proxy at the Meeting; and (ii) a simple majority of the votes cast by QPM Shareholders present virtually or represented by proxy at the Meeting after excluding the votes cast by certain persons whose votes were required to be excluded pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61- 101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). Of the votes cast at the Meeting, 88.72 % of the votes cast by QPM Shareholders were in favour of the Arrangement Resolution (88.77 % after excluding the votes cast by those persons whose votes were required to be excluded in determining minority approval for the Arrangement pursuant to MI 61-101). QPM will seek a final order (the Final Order) of the Superior Court of Quebec (the Court) to approve the Arrangement on April 25, 2025. Completion of the Arrangement is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions for a transaction of this nature, including receipt of the Final Order. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions precedent, it is expected that the Arrangement will be completed on or about April 28, 2025. Following completion of the Arrangement it is expected that QPM Shares will be delisted from the TSXV and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. About Fury Gold Mines Limited Fury Gold Mines Limited is a Canadian-focused exploration company positioned in two prolific mining regions across the country and holds an approximate 12.8 million common share position in Dolly Varden Silver Corp. (approximately 16% of issued shares). Led by a management team and board of directors with proven success in financing and advancing exploration assets, Fury intends to grow its multi-million-ounce gold platform through rigorous project evaluation and exploration excellence. Fury is committed to upholding the highest industry standards for corporate governance, environmental stewardship, community engagement and sustainable mining. For more information on Fury Gold Mines, visit www.furygoldmines.com. About Quebec Precious Metals Corporation QPM has a large land position in the highly prospective Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory, Quebec, near Dhilmar Ltd.s (formerly owned by Newmont Corporation) Eleonore gold mine. QPM focuses on advancing its Sakami gold project and its newly discovered, drill-ready Ninaaskumuwin lithium showing on the Elmer East project. In addition, QPM holds a 68% interest in the Kipawa rare earths project located near Temiscaming, Quebec. For further information on Fury Gold Mines Limited, please contact: Margaux Villalpando, Investor Relations Tel: (844) 601-0841 Email: info@furygoldmines.com Website: www.furygoldmines.com For more information about QPM, please contact: Normand Champigny, Chief Executive Officer Tel.: (514) 979-4746 Email: nchampigny@qpmcorp.ca Website: www.qpmcorp.ca Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events. These particularly pertain to the outlook for completion of the proposed transaction and synergies that might arise from it. Although Fury and QPM have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information including the uncertainty of the shareholder and regulatory approval process the two companies face and many other risks described in our recent securities filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. There may also be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place heavy reliance on forward-looking information. Neither Fury nor QPM undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. No regulatory authority has approved the contents of this news release. Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Movado Group, Inc. (Movado or the Company) (NYSE: MOV) investors that the firm has initiated an investigation into possible securities fraud and may file a class action on behalf of investors. Movado investors that lost money on their investment are encouraged to contact Lesley Portnoy, Esq. Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 310-692-8883 or email: info@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses. On April 11, 2025, Movado disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that, in late January 2025, it became aware of allegations of misconduct within the Dubai branch of its Swiss subsidiary, MGI Luxury Group Sarl. The allegations involved sales practices affecting customers in the Middle East, India, and Asia Pacific (the Affected Region). Following an internal investigation, the Company found that the former managing director of the Dubai branchalong with certain subordinatesengaged in conduct that led to overstated and prematurely recognized sales, as well as underreported credit notes (e.g., customer discounts). This misconduct included the unauthorized use of a third-party warehouse to prematurely recognize sales and the falsification of documents to bypass internal controls. The activity reportedly took place over approximately five years, beginning with the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021. The Company has since terminated the former managing director. As a result, Movado announced that it would restate its consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, as well as for the interim periods within fiscal years 2025 and 2024, to accurately reflect the timing and value of sales and credits. The restated 2025 interim periods also include a reduction in operating expenses due to the reversal of certain accruals linked to the revised results. Additionally, management identified a material weakness in the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Specifically, the risk assessment process failed to adequately address the lack of segregation of duties within the Dubai branch. Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information. The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims against caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq. Admitted CA, NY and TX Bars lesley@portnoylaw.com 310-692-8883 www.portnoylaw.com Attorney Advertising CALGARY, Alberta, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pulse Seismic Inc. (TSX:PSD) (OTCQX:PLSDF) (Pulse or the Company) is pleased to report its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements, accompanying notes and MD&A are being filed on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca ) and will be available on Pulses website at www.pulseseismic.com . Today, Pulses Board of Directors approved a 17% increase to the regular quarterly dividend, declaring a dividend of $0.0175 per share. This results in an increase to the annual regular dividend from $0.06 per share to $0.07 per share. The total dividend declared will be approximately $889,000 based on Pulses 50,794,563 common shares outstanding as of April 22, 2025, to be paid on May 20, 2025, to shareholders of record on May 12, 2025. This dividend is designated as an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes. For non-resident shareholders, Pulses dividends are subject to Canadian withholding tax. I am very pleased to report todays decision by Pulses Board of Directors to approve the third annual increase to the Companys regular dividend since 2023. Having licensed $22.8 million of seismic data for the quarter, our balance sheet has been further strengthened, ending the period with $14.3 million of cash and $14.2 of working capital, stated Neal Coleman, Pulses President and CEO. As a business with significant fluctuations in annual revenue, having a low-cost structure like ours lends itself to significant increases in EBITDA margins and shareholder free cash flow generation in higher revenue years. Compared to last year, we have already generated 97% of annual revenue, he continued. We remain focused on returning capital to shareholders as evidenced by the 17% increase to the regular quarterly dividend, on top of the special dividend of $0.20 per share that was declared in February, concluded Coleman. HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2025 A regular dividend of $0.015 per share and a special dividend of $0.20 per share were declared and paid in the first quarter of 2025, totalling $10.9 million. The Company renewed its Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) on February 24, 2025. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company purchased and cancelled 43,300 shares under the NCIB at an average price of $2.43 per share, for total cost of approximately $106,000; Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $22.8 million, compared to $8.8 million for the same period in 2024. Revenue generated in the first quarter of 2025 represents approximately 97% of the total recorded for the full year ended December 31, 2024; Shareholder free cash flow (a) was $15.4 million ($0.30 per share basic and diluted) compared to $5.0 million ($0.10 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended March 31, 2024; was $15.4 million ($0.30 per share basic and diluted) compared to $5.0 million ($0.10 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended March 31, 2024; EBITDA (a) was $20.0 million ($0.39 per share basic and diluted) compared to $6.2 million ($0.12 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended March 31, 2024; was $20.0 million ($0.39 per share basic and diluted) compared to $6.2 million ($0.12 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended March 31, 2024; Net earnings were $13.4 million ($0.26 per share basic and diluted) compared to net earnings of $2.7 million ($0.05 per share basic and diluted) for the three months ended March 31, 2024; and At March 31, 2025, the Company had a cash balance of $14.3 million as well as $5.0 million of available liquidity on its revolving demand credit facility. SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING INFORMATION (Thousands of dollars except per share data, Three months ended March 31, Year ended, numbers of shares and kilometres of seismic data) 2025 2024 December 31, (Unaudited) 2024 Revenue 22,759 8,777 23,379 Amortization of seismic data library 2,225 2,270 9,090 Net earnings 13,375 2,681 3,391 Per share basic and diluted 0.26 0.05 0.07 Cash provided by operating activities 16,615 10,464 14,195 Per share basic and diluted 0.33 0.20 0.28 EBITDA (a) 20,048 6,229 15,496 Per share basic and diluted (a) 0.39 0.12 0.30 Shareholder free cash flow (a) 15,419 5,038 12,408 Per share basic and diluted (a) 0.30 0.10 0.24 Capital expenditures Seismic data - 225 225 Property and equipment - - 45 Total capital expenditures - 225 270 Dividends Regular dividends declared 763 715 3,018 Special dividends declared 10,167 - 2,548 Total dividends declared 10,930 715 5,566 Normal course issuer bid Number of shares purchased and cancelled 43,300 627,300 1,784,000 Cost of shares purchased and cancelled 106 1,185 3,880 Weighted average shares outstanding Basic and diluted 50,829,404 52,122,006 51,448,985 Shares outstanding at period-end 50,794,563 51,994,563 50,837,863 Seismic library 2D in kilometres 829,207 829,207 829,207 3D in square kilometres 65,310 65,310 65,310 FINANCIAL POSITION AND RATIO March 31, March 31, December 31, (Thousands of dollars except ratio) 2025 2024 2024 Working capital 14,201 10,579 9,222 Working capital ratio 3.7:1 3.8:1 5.1:1 Cash and cash equivalents 14,305 13,765 8,722 Total assets 27,412 31,122 21,516 Trailing 12 -month (TTM) EBITDA(b) 29,315 30,045 15,496 Shareholders equity 20,533 26,543 18,295 (a)The Companys continuous disclosure documents provide discussion and analysis of EBITDA, EBITDA per share, shareholder free cash flow and shareholder free cash flow per share. These financial measures do not have standard definitions prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies. The Company has included these non-GAAP financial measures because management, investors, analysts and others use them as measures of the Companys financial performance. The Companys definition of EBITDA is cash available for interest payments, cash taxes, repayment of debt, purchase of its shares, discretionary capital expenditures and the payment of dividends, and is calculated as earnings (loss) from operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Company believes EBITDA assists investors in comparing Pulses results on a consistent basis without regard to non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization, which can vary significantly depending on accounting methods or non-operating factors such as historical cost. EBITDA per share is defined as EBITDA divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Shareholder free cash flow further refines the calculation of capital available to invest in growing the Companys 2D and 3D seismic data library, to repay debt, to purchase its common shares and to pay dividends by deducting non-discretionary expenditures from EBITDA. Non-discretionary expenditures are defined as non-cash expenses, debt financing costs (net of deferred financing expenses amortized in the current period), net restructuring costs and current tax provisions. Shareholder free cash flow per share is defined as shareholder free cash flow divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. These non-GAAP financial measures are defined, calculated and reconciled to the nearest GAAP financial measures in the Management's Discussion and Analysis. (b) TTM EBITDA is defined as the sum of EBITDA generated over the previous 12 months and is used to provide a comparable annualized measure. These non-GAAP financial measures are defined, calculated and reconciled to the nearest GAAP financial measures in the Management's Discussion and Analysis. OUTLOOK Pulse had a very strong first quarter, generating revenue of $22.8 million and ending the quarter with $14.3 million of cash and $14.2 million of working capital. This was one of the top three quarters in the Companys history, representing 97% of annual 2024 revenue. Pulses ability to predict future revenue generation has always been challenging, as significant annual fluctuations are the norm in the seismic data library business. This strong quarterly result has improved our balance sheet and positioned the Company for solid financial performance in 2025. Industry trends that we consider relevant include land sales in Western Canada, drilling forecasts for the year, commodity price levels, M and A forecasts and the status of industry infrastructure improvements. Early in 2025, industry projections included high levels of M & A activity for the year and improving commodity prices. It is difficult to predict in the midst of the current market dynamics how this will unfold through the remainder of 2025. Alberta land sales through 2024 and into 2025 were strong, and in British Columbia land sales were resumed in Q3 2024 after a pause of over 3 years. New infrastructure, such as the TMX pipeline expansion, a driver of increased drilling activity, which was completed in 2024 has provided increased export capacity. The Canadian Association of Energy Contractors, in November 2024 forecast an increase to 6,604 wells to be drilled in 2025, an approximate 7% increase over 2024. There has been no update published to this forecast, and drilling activity is reported to be relatively stable. The pending completion of LNG Canadas liquified natural gas export facility is expected to contribute to the forecast increase in drilling and may lead to an improvement in Canadian natural gas prices. Of course, there is a high level of uncertainty on the political and economic fronts. The impacts of the recent change in administration in the United States and the uncertainty around energy tariffs and trade policy, together with Canadian federal government leadership changes and the pending Canadian federal election outcome are contributing to the lack of clarity for the future. It is clear that Canada needs to continue to build pipelines and increase natural gas egress, to support the countrys energy security, as well as to secure new buyers of Canadian energy. Pulse, as previously stated, has low visibility regarding future seismic data library sales levels, regardless of industry conditions. The Company remains focused on business practices that have served throughout the full range of conditions. The Company maintains a strong balance sheet and carries no debt. Led by an experienced and capable management team, Pulse operates with a low-cost structure and focuses on maintaining excellent client relations and providing exceptional customer service. Pulses strong financial position, high leverage to increased revenue in its EBITDA margin and careful management of its cash resources have resulted in the return of capital to shareholders through regular and special dividends and the repurchase of its shares. CORPORATE PROFILE Pulse is a market leader in the acquisition, marketing and licensing of 2D and 3D seismic data to the western Canadian energy sector. Pulse owns the largest licensable seismic data library in Canada, currently consisting of approximately 65,310 square kilometres of 3D seismic and 829,207 kilometres of 2D seismic. The library extensively covers the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, where most of Canadas oil and natural gas exploration and development occur. For further information, please contact: Neal Coleman, President and CEO Or Pamela Wicks, Vice President Finance and CFO Tel.: 403-237-5559 Toll-free: 1-877-460-5559 E-mail: info@pulseseismic.com . Please visit our website at www.pulseseismic.com This document contains information that constitutes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking information) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as anticipate, believe, expect, plan, intend, forecast, target, project, guidance, may, will, should, could, estimate, predict or similar words suggesting future outcomes or language suggesting an outlook. The Outlook section herein contain forward-looking information which includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding: > The outlook of the Company for the year ahead, including future operating costs and expected revenues; > Recent events on the political, economic, regulatory, and legal fronts affecting the industrys medium- to longer-term prospects, including progression and completion of contemplated infrastructure projects; > The Companys capital resources and sufficiency thereof to finance future operations, meet its obligations associated with financial liabilities and carry out the necessary capital expenditures through 2025; > Pulses capital allocation strategy; > Pulses dividend policy; > Oil and natural gas prices and forecast trends; > Oil and natural gas drilling activity and land sales activity; > Oil and natural gas company capital budgets; > Future demand for seismic data; > Future seismic data sales; > Pulses business and growth strategy; and > Other expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions, information and statements about possible future events, conditions, results and performance, as they relate to the Company or to the oil and natural gas industry as a whole. By its very nature, forward-looking information involves inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks that predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. Pulse does not publish specific financial goals or otherwise provide guidance, due to the inherently poor visibility of seismic revenue. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual results to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations and anticipations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking information. These factors include, but are not limited to: > Uncertainty of the timing and volume of data sales; > Volatility of oil and natural gas prices; > Risks associated with the oil and natural gas industry in general; > The Companys ability to access external sources of debt and equity capital; > Credit, liquidity and commodity price risks; > The demand for seismic data; > The pricing of data library licence sales; > Cybersecurity; > Relicensing (change-of-control) fees and partner copy sales; > Environmental, health and safety risks; > Federal and provincial government laws and regulations, including those pertaining to taxation, royalty rates, environmental protection, public health and safety; > Competition; > Dependence on key management, operations and marketing personnel; > The loss of seismic data; > Protection of intellectual property rights; > The introduction of new products; and > Climate change. Pulse cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. Additional information on these risks and other factors which could affect the Companys operations and financial results is included under Risk Factors in the Companys most recent annual information form, and in the Companys most recent audited annual financial statements, most recent MD&A, management information circular, quarterly reports, material change reports and news releases. Copies of the Companys public filings are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. When relying on forward-looking information to make decisions with respect to Pulse, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Furthermore, the forward-looking information contained in this document is provided as of the date of this document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking information, except as required by law. The forward-looking information in this document is provided for the limited purpose of enabling current and potential investors to evaluate an investment in Pulse. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information may not be appropriate, and should not be used, for other purposes. PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/a8c573ed-9098-4949-97bc-2c4553e2eae4 Bedford Metals Corp. (TSX-V: BFM, FWB: O8D, ISIN: CA0762301012) (the "Company" or "Bedford") is pleased to announce that it has submitted an exploration permit application to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy & Resources for the Phase 2 Summer 2025 field program at its wholly owned Sheppard Lake Uranium Project. The project, located on the southern edge of the Athabasca Basin, encompasses the newly consolidated Lloyd Lake, Cable Lake, and Ubiquity Lake claims, covering a total of 13,092 hectares. The planned Phase 2 program will involve a comprehensive field campaign aimed at refining current diamond drill targets and identifying new areas of interest across the expansive Sheppard Lake property. Exploration efforts will target previously defined zones such as TZ1 and TZ2, as well as high-priority anomalies including VTEM conductors and radiometric signatures identified in historic airborne surveys. Data from the recently completed Phase 1 heliborne geophysics program will be integral in guiding and prioritizing fieldwork. The field team will comprise a five-person exploration crew conducting systematic prospecting, radiometric surveying, and ground magnetometer work. In select areas, radon gas cups will be deployed to evaluate subsurface uranium potential. As a direct decay product of uranium, radon gas serves as a critical pathfinder in identifying uranium mineralization. Field activities will be executed in two operational stages, with helicopter support allocated to access remote or logistically challenging zones. The highest-priority targets identified during Phase 2 will be further evaluated through a focused diamond drilling program in Phase 3. Peter Born, President of Bedford Metals, commented: "The submission of this permit application marks an exciting step forward for Bedford and the Sheppard Lake Project. We are eager to advance our exploration activities this summer and build on the promising data we've already collected. With a systematic and targeted approach, we aim to unlock the full potential of this highly prospective uranium property." Bedford Metals remains strongly committed to responsible mineral exploration. All planned work will be conducted with the highest environmental standards in mind and in close collaboration with local Indigenous communities and regional stakeholders. The Company prioritizes sustainable development and values transparent, respectful engagement with those affected by its operations. Further updates will be provided as the permitting process progresses and preparations for the summer program advance. Qualified Person Dr. Peter Born, P.Geo., is the designated qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and the President of the Company, and is responsible for and has approved the technical information contained in this release. Click Image To View Full Size For further information, please contact the Company at info@bedfordmetals.com or 604-622-1199 or visit the Company's website at www.bedfordmetals.com. On behalf of the Board, Bedford Metals Corp. "Peter Born" President Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes statements that contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statements that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward -looking statements relate, among other things to: completion of the Acquisition, the ability to obtain the necessary regulatory authorizations and approvals and the development of a revised exploration plan. These statements reflect the Company's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in foreign jurisdictions; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding exploration and mining activities; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of public health crises; the economic and financial implications of public health crises, ongoing military conflicts and general economic factors to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. Kobrea Exploration Corp. (CSE: KBX) (FSE: F3I) (OTCQB: KBXFF) ("Kobrea" or the "Company") announces that a property-wide heli-borne magnetic and radiometric survey has commenced at the Company's Western Malargue Copper Projects. Kobrea holds the right to earn a 100% interest in the Western Malargue Copper Projects, which consist of 7 projects totaling 733 kmin southwestern Mendoza Province, Argentina (see the Company's August 19, 2024 news release for further details). "The results of this airborne geophysical survey will better define the extents of the porphyry systems at El Perdido and El Destino and will be integral to developing additional porphyry targets across this highly prospective, district-scale land package," commented James Hedalen, CEO of Kobrea. "To date historical exploration across the projects has focused on advancing hydrothermal alteration footprints that are readily visible in satellite imagery and on the ground. This first comprehensive geophysical survey of these projects will help to outline structures and alteration effects associated with porphyry systems not visibly apparent as colour anomalies or which are under colluvial cover." Figure 1 - Existing porphyry copper gold molybdenum targets at the Western Malargue Copper Projects. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10375/249272_a7532ba8f434d873_001full.jpg Figure 2 - Images of certain existing porphyry copper gold molybdenum targets at Western Malargue Copper Projects To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10375/249272_a7532ba8f434d873_002full.jpg The property-wide, 2,245 line-kilometre magnetic-radiometric heli-borne geophysical survey will provide insight to the scale, geometry and intensity of known alteration systems on the property (Figures 1 & 2) along with potentially outlining additional porphyry targets within the project boundaries. The survey will include coverage of the El Perdido and El Destino porphyry copper-gold targets. The ground magnetometer survey completed by a previous operator at the El Perdido porphyry copper target covers the core of the system, while the airborne magnetometer data will present a more comprehensive picture of the geology and hydrothermal alteration beyond those limits defined historically. The radiometric data recorded will highlight the surficial distribution of potassic alteration and the extents of hydrothermally altered rock. At El Destino, a 1-kilometre by 3-kilometre hydrothermal alteration system is suspected to continue under younger Pleistocene-aged ignimbrites to the north and south of the outcropping alteration footprint (Figure 3). The airborne magnetometer will measure the rock properties beneath the younger cover rock to define the greater extent of the hydrothermal alteration footprint. The radiometric data collected will serve to outline additional areas exhibiting potassic alteration beyond those mapped to date. Figure 3 - Aerial photo of El Destino prospect showing hydrothermal alteration footprint abruptly covered by younger ignimbrite to the north and south. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10375/249272_a7532ba8f434d873_003full.jpg Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Rory Ritchie, P.Geo., VP - Exploration and Director of Kobrea Exploration Corp. and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. About Kobrea Kobrea Exploration Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the acquisition and exploration of copper projects. Kobrea holds the right to earn a 100% interest in the Western Malargue Copper Projects, which consist of 7 projects totaling 733 km2 in southwestern Mendoza Province, Argentina. The properties are considered highly prospective for porphyry copper and porphyry copper-gold deposits. Numerous porphyry copper targets have been outlined to date exhibiting multi-kilometre hydrothermal alteration footprints, anomalous copper gold molybdenum geochemistry, quartz stockwork veining, localized hydrothermal breccias and Miocene aged dacitic to dioritic porphyry intrusions. Kobrea also holds a 100% interest in the Upland Copper Project in British Columbia, Canada. For more information, please consult the Company's filings, available at www.sedarplus.ca. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Per: "James Hedalen" James Hedalen CEO & Director Contact Information Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws with respect to the Company, including statements respecting the timing and details of any planned exploration programs or drill programs, including the heli-borne geophysical survey, on the Western Malargue Copper Projects and the potential results thereof. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such as "believe," "project," "aim," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," and similar expressions. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (CSE:GCC) (OTC:GCCFF) (WKN:A402CQ) (FSE:3TZ) announces that the current drill hole QGQ24-21 on the Halo zone, located 5.5 km (3.4 miles) northeast of Hixon, British Columbia on the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property ("the Project"), had to be terminated prematurely within a visible gold ("VG") bearing mineralized zone for technical reasons at a depth of 310.18 m (1018 ft). After drilling 257 m (843 ft) of hanging wall rocks, QGQ24-21 successfully intersected 53 m (174 ft) of continuous strong sericite - iron carbonate altered greenstones hosting an intense stockwork of quartz-carbonate veins with multiple occurrences of VG (April 15, 2025 News Release). The hole was terminated within the mineralized zone due to drill hole instability to prevent the loss of drill equipment. The deepest occurrence of visible gold was found just 1.8 m (5.9 ft) above the end of hole. Drill hole QGQ24-21 commenced in December 2024 at an azimuth of 355 and inclination of -45, but was temporarily halted by mid-December for Christmas break and assessment reporting requirements, and was continued in April 2025. The drill core has been entirely logged and is currently being sampled. Sample shipment to ALS Canada Ltd. for gold and multi-element assays is anticipated within the next few days. The next hole is planned to move forward approximately along the trace of QGQ24-21 to intersect the zone up-dip and to the north. The technical information in this news release has been reviewed by Jean Pautler, P.Geo., a qualified person with respect to NI 43-101. Click Image To View Full Size Photo 1: Visible gold bearing vein stockwork in QGQ24-21 at 308.5 m (1012.1 ft) Click Image To View Full Size Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2: Location of the Halo Zone Discovery and nearby infrastructure About Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. is rediscovering the Cariboo Gold Rush by proceeding with highly targeted drilling and trenching programs on its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property, which is bordered by Osisko Development Corp. (NSE:ODV/TSXV:ODV) and partly intertwined at the north end of the Cariboo Gold Project, and located along a favorable corridor adjacent to the Spanish and Eureka thrust faults over a 94,889 hectare (234,501 acre) area. Historically, over 101 placer gold creeks on the 90 km (56 mile) trend from the Cariboo Hudson mine north to the Project have recorded production and successful placer mining continues to this day. Golden Cariboo's Project is 4 km (2.5 miles) northeast of, and road accessible from, Hixon in central British Columbia. It includes the Quesnelle Quartz gold-silver deposit, which was discovered in 1865 in conjunction with placer mining activities. Hixon Creek, which dissects the old workings, is a placer creek which has seen small-scale placer production since the mid 1860s. For further information please contact: GOLDEN CARIBOO RESOURCES LTD "J. Frank Callaghan" J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO Tel: 604-669-6463 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS www.goldencariboo.com LIKE AND FOLLOW Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn Neither the "CSE" Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements: This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding; the expectation that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the expectation that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; the Company's exploration plans with respect to its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property; and the anticipated participation of the insider in the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company will have the resources required to proceed with its exploration plans; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the insider will participate in the Offering, on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management; and that the Company will be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis anticipated. Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will not receive the necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will not complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the Company will be unable to use the proceeds for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company may not have the resources required to pursue its exploration plans; that the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; that the insider may not participate in the Offering on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management, or at all; and that the Company may not be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis currently expected. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this news release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this news release. The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date they were originally made. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. VANCOUVER - Giant Mining Corp. (CSE: BFG | OTC: BFGFF | FWB: YW5) ("Giant Mining" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has joined the Nevada Mining Association ("NVMA"), widely recognized as one of the top 10 mining organizations worldwide. This membership reflects the Company's ongoing commitment to responsible mineral development in Nevada and supports its efforts to advance domestic resource production in the United States. It also aligns with the recent Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 20, 2025, directing Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production. The Company's flagship Majuba Hill Copper-Silver-Gold Project, located in Pershing County, Nevada, stands to benefit from these national strategic priorities. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1: Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production - Read Here The Company believes that membership in the Nevada Mining Association provides valuable access to industry insights, legislative developments, and strategic networking opportunities-tools that reinforce Giant Mining's commitment to operational excellence and environmental stewardship. This affiliation further underscores the Company's dedication to responsible mining practices, sustainable growth, and meaningful contributions to Nevada's mining communities and the broader resource sector. "Joining the Nevada Mining Association is an exciting step forward for Giant Mining Corp. It not only reinforces our commitment to responsible and sustainable mining but also connects us with a respected network of industry leaders who are shaping the future of mining in Nevada. Said Giant Mining, CEO, David Greenway "As we continue to advance the Majuba Hill Copper-Silver-Gold Deposit, being part of this Association will ensure we stay engaged with evolving regulatory standards and community priorities-both of which are essential to our long-term success." About the Nevada Mining Association Founded in 1913, the Nevada Mining Association (NVMA) is the unified voice of Nevada's mining industry. Representing a wide range of companies involved in the exploration, production, and support of minerals vital to modern society, the NVMA advocates responsible mining practices, workforce development, and sustainable growth across the state. The Association engages in policy, education, and outreach initiatives that support its members and the communities in which they operate. With over a century of leadership, the NVMA continues to play a central role in strengthening Nevada's mining sector and promoting its importance to the state's economy and infrastructure. The Majuba Hill Historical Mine Previously produced: Click Image To View Full Size Click Image To View Full Size Majuba Hill's critically important characteristics are as follows: Location: Nevada, USA - a globally top-ranked mining jurisdiction, ranked #1 in the Fraser Institute's 2022 Annual Survey of Mining Companies. Project Size: 9,684 Acres Infrastructure: The Majuba Hill property is 113 road km (70 miles) southwest of Winnemucca, Nevada, and 251 km (156 miles) northeast of Reno. Access is by well-maintained county roads from the Imlay, Nevada exit on U.S. Interstate 80, and traveling westward 23 miles. People, Roads, Power and Water are the basic elements when considering infrastructure and Majuba Hill already has a solid infrastructure foundation for building a large facility which will provide significant savings compared to more remote projects History: Historical Producer Drilling: 83,930 feet of drilling to date. Rough replacement value of drilling USD $10.4 Million in development costs. Mineralization: The project shows indications of a potentially large Cu - Ag +/- Au mineralized body with many features in common with both large porphyry copper, silver, and gold projects. Expandability: The IP survey, deep drilling, and step-out drilling indicate significant expansion potential, with mineralization open in all directions. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by E.L. "Buster" Hunsaker III, CPG 8137, a non-independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"). Market Awareness Furthermore, the company announces it has re-engaged Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH ("Plutus") on April 17th, 2025 for an additional term of 2 months commencing on May 1st, 2025 in consideration for a total payment of EUR 160,000 to provide consulting services related to advertising, marketing, PR strategies and investor awareness in the European market. Plutus has a business address at Buchtstr. 13, Bremen 28195, Germany and can be contacted at (email: contact@plutuinves.de), or by telephone: (+49 42117540174). Plutus (including its directors and officers) has an arm's-length relationship with the Company. The Company will not issue any securities to Plutus as compensation for its marketing services. About Giant Mining Corp. Giant Mining Corp. is focused on identifying, acquiring, and advancing late-stage copper and copper/silver/gold projects to meet the growing global demand for critical metals. This demand is driven by initiatives like the Green New Deal in the United States and similar climate-focused programs worldwide, which require substantial amounts of copper, silver, and gold for electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and the modernization of clean and affordable energy systems. The Company's flagship asset is the Majuba Hill Copper, Silver, and Gold District, located 156 miles (251 km) from Reno, Nevada. Majuba Hill is situated in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with supportive regulations and has the potential to become one of the next major copper deposits, critical for meeting the increasing need for this red metal. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. On Behalf of the Board of Giant Mining Corp. "David Greenway" David C. Greenway President & CEO For further information, please contact: E: info@giantminingcorp.com P: 1 (236) 788-0643 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS www.giantminingcorp.com LIKE AND FOLLOW Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn DOWNLOAD INVESTOR INFORMATION Click Here Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward?looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward?looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward?looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward?looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ### Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ VANCOUVER, April 22, 2025 - Thesis Gold Inc. (TSXV: TAU) (WKN: A3EP87) (OTCQX: THSGF) ("Thesis" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company and Centerra Gold Inc. ("Centerra") have entered into a subscription agreement (the "Subscription") whereby Centerra will acquire 9.9% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company ("Common Shares"). Dr. Ewan Webster, President and CEO, shared, "We are excited to welcome Centerra as a strategic investor in Thesis. Centerra's interest is a strong endorsement of the extraordinary potential of the Lawyers-Ranch Project and the work our team has accomplished to date. Their deep technical expertise, operational experience, and regional presence through the Kemess asset present a clear opportunity for collaboration and unlocking district-scale synergies. We look forward to working alongside Centerra as we continue to advance and de-risk this emerging gold camp." President and CEO of Centerra, Paul Tomory, commented, "We are pleased to support Thesis with this strategic investment. Thesis' recent Preliminary Economic Assessment, resource update, and drill results are very encouraging and demonstrate the potential of this highly prospective district. Given the proximity of our Kemess asset to the Lawyers-Ranch Project, we see the potential for substantial synergies, including the ability to leverage existing infrastructure to unlock regional potential. We look forward to seeing the results of their work and the potential the project holds for future resource growth." Pursuant to the Subscription, Centerra has agreed to purchase, by way of private placement, 23,460,160 Common Shares at a price of $1.03 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $24,163,965. The issue price represents a 10% premium to the 5-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares as traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") immediately prior to executing the subscription agreement. The proceeds from the Subscription will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including work related to the technical studies currently underway at the Lawyers-Ranch Project. The Company anticipates the Subscription will close on or around April 28, 2025. Closing of the Subscription is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of approval of the TSXV. In connection with the Subscription, Thesis and Centerra intend to enter into an investor rights agreement, whereby, subject to certain conditions, including time and ownership thresholds, the Company will grant Centerra certain financing and other participation rights to enable Centerra to maintain its shareholding interest in the Company, a board nomination right in the event that Centerra acquires 19.9% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares and technical committee appointment rights among other customary investor rights included in the investor rights agreement. Following the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment in 2024, Thesis is focused on advancing the project in 2025 through a Pre-Feasibility Study, completing key baseline work to initiate the Environmental Assessment process, and executing a significant summer exploration program. While advancing Lawyers-Ranch remains the focus, the proximity to Centerra's Kemess asset (Figure 1) presents longer-term opportunities for collaboration that could enhance efficiencies and support future development across the Toodoggone district. All Common Shares issued pursuant to the Subscription will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation. On behalf of the Board of Directors Thesis Gold Inc. "Ewan Webster" Ewan Webster Ph.D., P.Geo. President, CEO, and Director About Thesis Gold Inc. Thesis Gold Inc. is a resource development company focused on unlocking the potential of its 100% owned Lawyers- Ranch Project, located in British Columbia's prolific Toodoggone Mining District. The recently completed Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) highlights robust project economics, including a 35.2% after-tax IRR and an after-tax NPV5% of C$1.28 billion, demonstrating the potential for significant value creation. The Company's 2025 roadmap includes a robust exploration and drill program, delivery of a Pre-Feasibility Study on the combined Lawyers-Ranch Project, and commencement of the Environmental Impact Assessment Process. Through these strategic moves, Thesis Gold intends to elevate the Lawyers-Ranch Project to the forefront of global precious metals ventures. 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 Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Subscription, intended closing date of the Subscription, and the execution of the investor rights agreement and the terms with respect thereto. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are risks respecting failure to obtain TSXV approval, dilution respecting additional investment in the Company, that the use of proceeds may not be expended as anticipated by the Company and other risks described in the Company's filings, including in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis, which are available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE Thesis Gold Inc. VANCOUVER, April 22, 2025 - Prosper Gold Corp. ("Prosper Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV:PGX) provides an update on its winter exploration activities at the Cyprus Project. The Company completed 1,602 metres of drilling and 16 line-kilometres of Induced Polarization ("IP") surveying at Target A in February and March of 2025. The Cyprus Project is a district-scale porphyry copper-gold project with several historically defined copper gold porphyry prospects and significant historical drill results including 138.2 metres at 0.55% copper. Highlights: 3 holes totaling 1,602 metres of diamond drilling were completed at Target A All holes intersected quartz-sericite-pyrite (phyllic) alteration, porphyritic intrusions, hydrothermal breccias and intermittent pyrite mineralization Subsequent 16-line kilometre IP survey outlines 2.0 x 1.2 kilometre high chargeability anomaly 1.2 kilometres to the southwest of nearest drill hole Follow-up drilling planned for summer 2025 targeting high chargeability anomaly "The maiden drill program at Cyprus was designed to target coincident magnetic and conductivity anomalies outlined from our 2024 property-wide ZTEM survey," commented Peter Bernier, CEO. "The drill core and the recent IP results indicate that we drilled the margin of a hydrothermal system. We are very excited that the next phase of drilling will utilize all the data we have acquired to more effectively target this covered porphyry system." Initial drilling at Target A targeted coincident magnetic low and conductivity high anomalies outlined in the Company's summer 2024 ZTEM (z-axis tipper electromagnetic) airborne survey (Figure 1). Three drill holes totaling 1,602 metres were designed to test a 2 x 3 kilometre coincident magnetic low / conductivity high. Following the maiden drill program, a deep-penetrating IP survey was designed to outline the distribution of disseminated sulphides within the hydrothermal system. IP results, along with alteration, lithology and pyrite mineralization observed in drill core, suggest the northeastern margin of the system was drilled. The survey results indicated the vast majority of disseminated sulphides occur 1.2 kilometres to the southwest of the nearest drill hole (DD25CYP002, Figure 2). The three holes intersected variable amounts of quartz-sericite-pyrite (phyllic) alteration (Figures 3 & 4) spatially associated with porphyritic intrusions (Figure 6). The presence of hydrothermal breccias (Figure 5), fracture-fill and disseminated pyrite mineralization and sericitic alteration suggest the drill holes intersected the periphery of a hydrothermal magmatic system that has the potential to host a porphyry copper deposit. Follow-up drilling is scheduled to commence in early summer 2025. Figure 1 - Porphyry copper gold targets outlined by the summer 2024 ZTEM survey. Total Magnetic Intensity (top) and 30Hz in-phase Total Phase Rotated (bottom) showing relative conductivity at 300 - 500 metres depth. Figure 2 - Maps showing three drill holes completed in February/March of 2025 and two proposed holes targeting chargeability highs outlined in an IP survey completed subsequent to initial drilling. IP depth slices at -300 m. Figure 3 - Late sericite alteration within andesitic volcanics - Drill hole DD25CYP001. Figure 4 - Examples of quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration and mineralization. A) Quartz-sericite-pyrite altered andesitic volcanics. Pyrite as disseminations and blebs (DD25CYP001 - 213.3 m). B) Abundant fine disseminated pyrite within strongly quartz-sericite altered andesites (DD25CYP001 - 229.9 m). C) Abundant disseminated to semi-massive pyrite within strongly quartz-sericite altered andesites (DD25CYP001 - 373.3 m). D) Abundant fine disseminated pyrite replacing groundmass and at silica replacement sites (DD25CYP001 - 229.5 m). E) Blebby pyrite within silica-sericite altered andesite (DD25CYP003 - 243.2 m). F) Pyrite stringers in silica-sericite altered feldspar porphyry andesite (DD25CYP002 - 362 m). Figure 5 - Examples of hydrothermal breccia encountered in February/March 2025 drilling. A) Hydrothermal breccia with milled clasts of quartz and pyrite (DD25CYP003 - 331.5 m). B) Hydrothermal breccia with silica and pyrite cement (DD25CYP002 - 284.3 m). C) Multi-phase hydrothermal breccia with dark grey silica-pyrite groundmass with carbonate cement and pyrite clasts (DD25CYP001 - 351.7 m). D) Hydrothermal breccia with silica-pyrite matrix (DD25CYP001 - 377.1 m) Figure 6 - Examples of intrusions from February/March 2025 drilling. A) Intrusive breccia with strongly silica-sericite-pyrite altered clasts intruded by biotite-feldspar porphyry (DD25CYP003 - 453.3 m). B) Monzonitic intrusive rocks with sooty pyrite veining (DD25CYP002 - 281 to 292 m). C) Biotite-felspar porphyry dikelet with strongly silica-sericite-pyrite altered wallrock (DD25CYP003 - 453.5 m). Table 1 - Drill hole information from February/March 2025 maiden drilling program (coordinates provided in UTM NAD 83, zone 9). Hole ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Azimuth () Dip () Length (m) DD25CYP001 664,461 6,197,242 215 -60 500 DD25CYP002 664,061 6,197,533 215 -60 500 DD25CYP003 664,607 6,197,438 215 -70 602 About the Cyprus Project The road-accessible Cyprus Project is situated in north-central British Columbia, Canada. The 623 square kilometre Project includes the historical Kaza and Northstar copper prospects (see the Company's February 20th, 2024 and February 26th, 2024 news releases for details) and represents a district-scale copper-gold porphyry exploration Project. At the historical Kaza copper-gold prospect, soil samples up to 5.09 gpt gold and 10,000 ppm copper and surface rock chip samples from 1973 including 0.88% copper, 15.4 gpt gold and 120 gpt silver over 4.0 metres coincide with a 2,000 by 600 metre area of high IP chargeability and low magnetic response. The presence of sparse feldspar porphyry dikes and the sulphide assemblages present at surface suggest copper-gold porphyry mineralization may improve at depth. Copper mineralization at the Northstar prospect consists of vein-hosted and disseminated chalcocite and bornite within faulted and fractured andesite. Surface trench sampling results includes 23.0 metres grading 2.1% copper and historical drilling intercepts include 0.55% copper over 138.2 metres. Zones of copper mineralization outlined by previous operators at the Northstar prospect are likely driven by a magmatic-hydrothermal system in the immediate vicinity. The Big-Time prospect has not seen historical drilling despite the presence of a pronounced copper-bearing area of phyllic alteration that coincides with strong copper-molybdenum geochemistry, high IP chargeability and northeast trending feldspar porphyry dikes. A heli-borne ZTEM (z-axis tipper electromagnetic) geophysical survey comprising 3,760 line-kilometres was completed over the entirety of the Cyprus Project in the summer of 2024. Numerous porphyry copper gold exploration targets were outlined, including Target A, which is characterized as a 2 x 4 kilometre conductivity high anomaly coincident with a 2 x 3 kilometre magnetic low anomaly proximal to a regionally mapped NW-trending fault. Initial drilling at Target A indicates the presence of a magmatic-hydrothermal system related to porphyritic intrusions. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed by Rory Ritchie, P.Geo., Vice-President of Exploration for Prosper Gold and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. For an overview of Prosper Gold please visit www.ProsperGoldCorp.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Per: "Peter Bernier" Peter Bernier President & CEO For further information, please contact: Peter Bernier President & CEO Prosper Gold Corp. Cell: (250) 316-6644 Email: Pete@ProsperGoldCorp.com Information set forth in this news release may involve 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 including, without limitation, statements about the planned exploration of the Cyprus Project, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes 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. 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. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0e5ec85b-5fa9-4d3a-975b-b293e07f3df9 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2912730-7a32-43b6-ba6a-725fbc1169d0 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bdb7844b-bcba-44f7-bcac-1394a59f9bc1 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/01025f27-acec-4976-92ed-43c37c419269 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f6d3f64-7c69-4791-af9e-c77a3a4df819 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/58ca0b5e-07ac-4916-832c-0b471b443477 Orecap to reallocate a portion of holdings in XXIX to acquire 19.9% in Kintavar. Orecap is using its XXIX shares to acquire 50% of Roger Gold Project from SOQUEM, which it will sell to Kintavar. Kintavar is a well capitalized exploration company with a large and undervalued portfolio of gold and copper assets in Quebec. Orecap Invest Corp. (TSXV: OCI) (OTCQB: ORFDF) ("OCI" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement dated April 21, 2025 (the "APA") with Kintavar Exploration Inc. ("Kintavar"), a TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") listed mining issuer, and XXIX Metal Corp. ("XXIX") pursuant to which Orecap and XXIX will sell 100% interest in the 987-hectare Roger project (the "Transaction") located in the Chibougamau mining district within the Abitibi greenstone belt (the "Roger Project" or the "Project"). Eastern Chibougamau Gold Strategy Kintavar's acquisition of the Roger Project immediately boosts its asset base having an updated mineral resource estimate from 2018. At a cut-off grade of 0.45 g/t gold-equivalent, the Indicated Resource is estimated at 10,900,000 metric tonnes at a grade of 0.85 g/t of gold, 0.80 g/t of silver and 0.06% of copper for a total of 333,000 ounces of gold-equivalent, while the Inferred Resource is estimated at 6,569,000 metric tonnes at a grade of 0.75 g/t of gold, 1.18 g/t of silver and 0.11% of copper for a total of 202,000 ounces of gold equivalent. The following metal prices were used in the calculation of gold-equivalent: 1,240 US$ for Au (ounce), 16.528 US$ for Ag (ounce) and 6.549 US$ Cu (Kg) (see XXIX news release dated April 5, 2021; The Roger mineral resources estimate is historical in nature and readers are referred to the statement below regarding historical resources.). Roger is a cornerstone asset in the eastern Chibougamau camp, which is ripe for consolidation given the numerous, resource-stage assets contiguous with and proximal to the Project. Having Roger as part of its asset base allows Kintavar to become the focal point of a larger Eastern Chibougamau gold consolidation strategy, striving to build a multi-million-ounce resource base across a consolidated and district-scale land package, with necessary infrastructure in place-increasing upside for Orecap and its shareholders. Kintavar: Undervalued Portfolio of Gold and Copper Assets Kintavar has a vast exploration portfolio consisting of 17 projects throughout Quebec. Kintavar has a strategic partner in IAMGOLD, who has an option to acquire up to 80% of its Anik Gold Project ("Anik"). Anik represents additional optionality in the larger Chibougamau camp, being proximal to IAMGOLD's Nelligan project, and has seen excellent drill results including 2.82 g/t gold over 6.3 metres (see Kintavar news release dated June 15, 2022). As part of the option agreement, Kintavar may continue to receive additional payments from IAMGOLD. Other notable projects owned by Kintavar include the district-scale Mitchi (Measured & Indicated resource of 2.99Mt @ 0.4% Cu and 4 g/t Ag constrained within a shallow open pit with cut-off grade of 0.2% Cu, Inferred resource of 85Kt @ 0.35% Cu and 3.8 g/t Ag) (see Kintavar news release dated June 15, 2023), Wabash (1.01% Cu, 19.3 g/t Ag over 16.8 metres) (see Kintavar news release dated March 24, 2022), and New Mosher. Strategic Investment Reallocation: Spending XXIX shares to acquire Kintavar shares This Transaction will see Orecap acquire 19.9% of Kintavar by effectively and efficiently reallocating a portion of its 39,096,852 shares in XXIX. Orecap will not incur any dilution as part of this Transaction and will preserve its share capital and cash reserves. The Transaction is another step towards diversifying the Company's equity portfolio where shareholders will receive exposure to a newly structured, well capitalized Quebec-focused gold exploration company with a compelling asset portfolio in Kintavar. Orecap's acquisition of 19.9% of Kintavar is aligned to its larger corporate strategy of backing well-financed companies with strong assets, high-quality teams and projects in top-tier, mining friendly jurisdictions. Moving forward, Kintavar will have a refreshed focus on gold exploration in eastern Chibougamau, be well capitalized with over $3.6 million in cash, and will have support from the larger Ore Group. Transaction Details XXIX currently owns a 50% interest in the Roger Project and holds an option (the "Option") to acquire the remaining 50% interest currently owned by SOQUEM Inc. for a purchase price of $1,600,000 to paid by common shares of XXIX ("XXIX Shares"). In connection with the Transaction, Orecap has agreed to purchase the Option from XXIX in consideration for Orecap agreeing to pay the Option exercise price with XXIX Shares currently owned by Orecap (the "Option Transfer"). Orecap currently owns 39,096,852 XXIX Shares, accounting for 15.1% of XXIX Shares issued and outstanding. Under the APA, the Purchase Price will be paid by the issuance of class A common shares of Kintavar ("Kintavar Shares") a deemed price of $0.025 per Kintavar Share to be allocated equally between Orecap and XXIX. Upon completion of the Transaction, it is anticipated that Orecap and XXIX will each own approximately 19.97% of the outstanding Kintavar Shares, and will each become a Control Person (as such term is defined under the policies of the TSXV) of Kintavar. The completion of the Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of various conditions, including but not limited to: (i) the completion of the transfer and sale of good and marketable title of the Roger Project; (ii) the completion of the Option Transfer and exercise of the Option; (iii) the working capital of Kintavar being equal to or greater than $3,625,000; (iv) Kintavar's management and board of directors being reconstituted with OCI and XXIX having the right to appoint a new executive team and two nominees to the board of directors of Kintavar; and (v) the receipt of all requisite regulatory or governmental authorizations and consents (as applicable), including but not limited to approval of the TSXV and shareholders of Kintavar. The closing of the Transaction is expected to occur in June 2025. There is no finder's fee payable in connection with the Transaction. The Option Transfer will constitute a "related party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") as XXIX is a related party (as defined in MI 61-101) of the Company. The Company will rely on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101 in respect of related party matters, as the Company is listed on the TSXV and neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the Option Transfer, insofar as it involves the related parties, exceeds $2,500,000 (as determined under MI 61-101). Kintavar is a Canadian mineral exploration corporation engaged in the acquisition, assessment, exploration and development of gold and base metal mineral properties. Its flagship project is the Mitchi - Wabash copper-silver district (approx. 39 000 hectares, 100% owned) located 100 km north of the town of Mont-Laurier and 15 km East of the town of Parent in Quebec. Both properties cover an area of more than 300 km2 accessible by a network of logging and gravel roads with access to hydro-electric power already on site, major regional roads including railroad and a spur. The properties are located in the north-western portion of the central metasedimentary belt of the Grenville geological province. The projects primarily focus on sediment-hosted stratiform copper type mineralization (SSC) but include Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and skarn type targets. Osisko holds a 2% NSR on 27 claims of the southern portion of the Mitchi property, outside of the sedimentary basin. Kintavar also has exposure in the gold greenstone belts of Quebec by advancing the Anik Gold Project in a partnership with IAMGOLD. About Orecap Invest Corp. Orecap seeks special situation investments in the natural resource sector that offer shareholders diverse exposure to high returns on precious and critical metal assets and businesses. Orecap has significant equity positions in portfolio companies, such as American Eagle Gold (TSXV: AE) (OTCQB: AMEGF), XXIX Metal Corp. (TSXV: XXIX) (OTCQB: QCCUF), Mistango (CSE: MIS), and Awale Resources (TSXV: ARIC), in addition to owning a broad portfolio of land packages focussed on gold, copper and zinc. Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. is a 9.9% shareholder. Orecap's Current Equity Holdings include: Company (Ticker) Shares Owned / (% of Outstanding Shares) Mistango River Resources (CSE: MIS) 24,708,975 / (13.9%) XXIX Metal Corp. (TSXV: XXIX) (OTCQB: QCCUF) (FSE: 5LW0) 39,096,852/ (15.1%) American Eagle Gold (TSXV: AE) (OTCQB: AMEGF) 11,783,748 / (8.9%) Awale Resources (TSXV: ARIC) 7,389,833 + 4,166,666 warrants / (8.5%) Metal Energy (TSXV: MERG) 5,125,000 + 2,562,500 warrants / (3.6%) Exploration Results Published on Neighboring Properties Readers should note that any technical and scientific results published on neighboring properties to Orecap or Kintavar do not necessarily apply to the current projects or properties being disclosed. Disclosure Regarding Historical Resources As at the date of this news release, a qualified person has not completed sufficient work to classify the Roger or Thierry historical mineral resources estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves in accordance with NI 43-101 and XXIX is not treating the historical estimate above as current mineral resources. XXIX views this historical data as a conceptual indication of the potential size and grade of the copper-nickel deposits in the area, and this data is relevant to ongoing exploration efforts. QP Statement The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charles Beaudry, P.Geo and geo., Director and Vice President Exploration for XXIX Metal, a Qualified Person, as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation to: the timing and anticipated receipt of required regulatory (including TSXV) and other third party approvals for the Transaction and the Option Transfer; the ability of XXIX and the Company to satisfy the other conditions to, and to complete, the Transaction; and the anticipated timing of the closing of the Transaction. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. This forward-looking information reflects the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the current share price of the share of the Company; TSXV acceptance and market acceptance of the Transaction and the Option Transfer; the Company's current and initial understanding and analysis of its projects; the Company's general and administrative costs remaining constant; market acceptance of the Company's business model, goals and approach; and the feasibility and reasonableness of conducting exploration on and developing any of the Company's projects. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: there is no certainty that work programs will result in significant or successful exploration and development of the Company's properties; uncertainty as to the actual results of exploration and development or operational activities; uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing on acceptable terms; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; the Company may not be able to comply with its ongoing obligations regarding its properties; the early stage development of the Company and its projects; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; capital market conditions and market prices for securities, junior market securities and mining exploration company securities; commodity prices; the actual results of current exploration and development or operational activities; competition; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents and other risks inherent in the mining industry; lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation or income tax legislation, affecting the Company; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. A description of additional risk factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in the Company's disclosure documents on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Foraco International SA (TSX: FAR) (the "Company" or "Foraco"), a leading global provider of mineral drilling services, will release its first quarter 2025 financial results, prior to TSX market open on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Following the release, Management of the Company will host a Conference Call at 10:00 am ET to review the financial results. The call will be hosted by Tim Bremner, CEO and Fabien Sevestre, CFO. To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number at https://emportal.ink/4jHMLAa to receive an instant automated call back. You can also join the call by dialing 1-888-699-1199 or 1-416-945-7677. You will be put on hold until the conference call begins. A live audio webcast of the Conference Call will also be available https://app.webinar.net/XlKOq7Oq0ej Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the Conference Call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed to hear the webcast. An archived replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days. About Foraco International SA Foraco International SA (TSX: FAR) is a leading global mineral drilling services company that provides a comprehensive and reliable service offering in mining and water projects. Supported by its founding values of Integrity, Innovation, and Involvement, Foraco has grown into the third largest global drilling enterprise, with a presence in 17 countries across five continents. For more information about Foraco, visit www.foraco.com. SOURCE Foraco International SA For further information, please contact: Foraco International SA Fabien Sevestre ir@foraco.com Tel: (705) 495-6363 Verstappen will now remain a quiet F1 driver Max Verstappen admits reporters and Formula 1 fans will need to get used to hearing from him less often. Max Verstappen, Saudi Arabian GP 2025 Red Bull Following his highly-controversial 2024 penalty for swearing in a press conference, and amid a wider FIA clampdown against bad driver behaviour, the quadruple world champion has already been speaking to the media more tersely. But it reached a new crescendo at Jeddah, when he point-blank refused to reveal - in any forum - his thoughts on his 5-second penalty for the first-corner incident beyond saying That's bloody lovely on the radio. I know I cannot swear in here, he said at the post-race FIA press conference, but at the same time, you also can't be critical in any form that might 'harm' or 'danger'. Let me get the sheet out - there's a lot of lines. But putting the Saudi Arabian GP penalty aside, Verstappen also admits that he simply doesn't feel like talking to the media very much anymore. I've been in the sport for so long, and at some point you know everyone, he told Viaplay. The less you say, the better it is. I just don't feel like talking to people that much. The Viaplay reporter, Chiel van Koldenhoven, expressed concern that the 27-year-old might be tiring of Formula 1 altogether. You shouldn't be so concerned with that, to be honest, Verstappen responded. "You know, I'm in a phase where I'm not really interested in what other people write or think. I do my thing and live my life. I come to the circuit and know that I'm doing my best when I get in the car. I work with the people in the factory, and then I go back home. That's when I live my life outside of Formula 1. Of course I want to be fast and I want to do my best, but even if it doesn't work out, that's just the way it is, the 27-year-old explained. I still enjoy racing, but it's not like if things go badly here, I will take it home with me. Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde, who knows the Verstappen family well, actually thinks Verstappen's reaction to the Jeddah penalty was a sign of maturity. Before, he would really go crazy and give his opinion right away, he said. Now, he just said 'lovely' and focused on the race again. Also true is that Verstappen's interests have expanded far beyond Formula 1 - including not only the Redline sim racing team, but even his very own GT team called Verstappen.com Racing. The outfit made its debut just a few days ago at Paul Ricard, in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. Viaplay asked Verstappen if he can imagine the team competing in major races, like the Nurburgring 24 hours. Absolutely, but step by step. I don't want to rush it, the Dutchman replied. Those are some serious circuits, and you need serious preparation for that, Verstappen added. "These shorter races - so three, four, six hours - are how to get more experience with the car. Step by step we want to participate in all those races. He admits that he includes the Le Mans 24 hours among his team's ambitions. That would be ideal, said Verstappen, but he says his Formula 1 career will currently prevent him from actually tackling Le Mans himself - for now. If it doesn't clash with a Formula 1 race, then it could be combined, but on the other hand, I will not do it for another ten years, he said. By then I will have more time for other things. Skipping a grand prix to do Le Mans, Verstappen insists, is out of the question. With what I do here now and the way I do it, I cannot do that, he said. Absolutely not. (GMM) Wolff slams joke agenda for F1 Commission meeting Toto Wolff has slammed as a "joke" something that is on the agenda for Thursday's meeting of the F1 Commission. Toto Wolff, Saudi Arabian GP 2025 Mercedes Earlier in April, Formula 1 authorities and engine makers - including top carmaker CEOs - met to discuss a radical proposal to step away from the controversial and revolutionary 2026 engine rules and consider a return to V10 power. Particular concern has been raised about the 50-50 split between traditional engine power and electrical power. The FIA have gone away and done their research, and I think what they want to desperately avoid is a lot of lifting and coasting in the grand prix itself, which is going to be not particularly good for the sport and hugely frustrating for the drivers, said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. However, some suspect that those pushing the V10 idea the hardest - Red Bull and Ferrari - are simply worried their 2026 power units will not be competitive. In contrast, Horner said in Saudi Arabia: Mercedes seem very confident about the work they've done for next year. It's true, however, that Audi and Honda are the biggest supporters of increasing the hybrid nature of the F1 power units, arguing that without the 2026 rule changes, they would not have entered or stayed on the grid at all. At the earlier April meeting, it was decided that F1 would proceed as planned with the 2026 rules, although the FIA declared that All parties agreed to continue discussions on the future technical direction of the sport . However, Mercedes boss and team co-owner Wolff is surprised that the engine discussion features prominently on the agenda of Thursday's F1 Commission meeting. Reading the agenda of the F1 Commission is almost as hilarious as reading some of the comments that I see on Twitter on American politics, he said. It is believed that Red Bull and Ferrari have lobbied for Thursday's discussion to include the potential of a vote on perhaps adjusting the 50-50 ratio to diminish the prominence of electrical power. Horner denies the claim. It's not something we've lobbied for or asked for, he said. If they are doing it in the interest of the sport, then you've got to support it. Wolff, however, is furious. I really want to protect ourselves and make no comment, but it's a joke. There was only just an engine meeting and then things like this end up on the agenda again. Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur urges his fellow team bosses to avoid a public fight over the issue. We have to be open about this and avoid fighting, he said, even if someone thinks they have an advantage because of the battery or something else. This could be the worst-case scenario for Formula 1. The Frenchman makes clear he supports the matter being discussed again on Thursday. We have never had such a big change in regulations, because this is the first time we are developing a chassis, an engine and making changes to the regulations at the same time, said Vasseur. It is a challenge for both the teams and the FIA, so let's discuss it this week. Hopefully we can find a decent compromise. (GMM) Africa-Caribbean Trade Show: Diaspora Affairs Director KOD calls for bold action to break trade barriers Kweku Zurek Business News Apr - 22 - 2025 , 12:08 The Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Kofi Okyere Darko, has urged African and Caribbean policymakers to move beyond rhetoric and take bold, innovative steps to dismantle trade barriers and drive meaningful economic integration across the two regions. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Africa-Caribbean Business Trade Expo in Accra on Tuesday (April 25, 2025) in Accra, Mr Okyere Darko challenged African leaders and institutions to embrace forward-thinking reforms that will ease the movement of goods, services, and people particularly for diaspora-led businesses. I urge every policymaker here to think innovatively about how we can reduce barriers to trade, ease movement of goods and people, and create enabling environments for diaspora businesses to thrive, he said to a packed auditorium at the Labadi Beach Hotel. He continued: Let us harmonise policy, standardise regulation, and digitise systems. Let us connect our ports, align our chambers of commerce, and synchronise our trade data. Because the time for talking is over. This is the time for action. The two-day expo, jointly organised by the Bahamas-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, AfCFTA Policy Network (APN), and AfCFTA Trading Limited, has brought together business leaders, government officials, and investors from Africa and the Caribbean to explore trade opportunities and deepen diaspora economic participation. It is expected to be a key platform for shaping trade diplomacy, unlocking new market access, and strengthening bilateral ties under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. In his address, Mr Okyere Darko underscored the strategic importance of diaspora businesses in Africas future, pointing to the World Banks recent report that diaspora remittances to the continent topped $53 billion last year. But beyond financial transfers, he said, the diaspora brings vital networks, knowledge, and innovation that can unlock entire industries if the right policies are put in place. The diaspora holds a key to Africas future, he emphasised. We must not allow bureaucracy or fragmented policies to shut them out. Ghana, as the host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, must lead by example in ensuring our systems are accessible, efficient, and inclusive. He noted that while the cultural and emotional reconnection between Africa and its diaspora is vital, it must be matched with practical frameworks that support business growth. Ghana is proud to serve as a gateway to Africa, he said. But this reconnection must be more than symbolic it must be strategic. The Expo aligns with President John Dramani Mahamas broader vision for economic transformation through entrepreneurship and SME support, which was recently reiterated at the Kwahu Business Forum. Mr Okyere Darko referenced the Presidents call for deliberate policies that promote innovation and access to capital for Ghanaian businesses sentiments that mirror the Expos goals. He applauded the organisers for creating a platform that centres SMEs, youth-led start-ups, and women entrepreneurs, stressing that these groups are the real building blocks of a transformative trade ecosystem. In closing, Mr Okyere Darko urged African and Caribbean entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity presented by the Expo to collaborate and build cross-border trade networks. Let this Expo be your launchpad, he said. Connect. Collaborate. Build. The Africa-Caribbean Business Trade Expo continues on Wednesday, with sessions focused on export readiness, financial inclusion, logistics, branding, and diaspora investment strategies. Previous article: Breaking barriers for women in Ghana: Ownership, access and institutional change must go hand-in-hand Lucky customers win big in Societe Generale Ghanas deposit and drive promo Emmanuel Kwame Asante Business News Apr - 22 - 2025 , 08:34 Societe Generale Ghana has hosted the first mini draw of its Deposit and Drive Campaign, rewarding 40 lucky customers with high-value prizes, including ultra-modern televisions, air fryers, microwaves, blenders and sleek mobile phones. The event, held on Monday, April 14, marks a thrilling milestone in the banks campaign to promote financial resilience through savings. Launched in February, the Deposit and Drive Promotion encourages customers to cultivate a savings culture by depositing and reserving GH500 or multiples of it into their accounts. Participants stand a chance to win life-changing rewards, including the grand prize of a Toyota RAV4 at the September grand draw, as well as luxury trips to Dubai and Singapore. Two mini-draws precede the final event, with the second set for June. Managing Director of Societe Generale Ghana, Mr Hakim Ouzzani, praised customers for embracing the initiative, by saving, and customers for not just positioning themselves to win prizes they are investing in their futures, and that is the real reward. General Manager for Retail Mr Obed Hoyah commended staff and partners for their dedication to the campaigns success. The National Lottery Authority (NLA) ensured the integrity and transparency of the draw, with Christiana Antwi, Marketing Officer at the NLA, verifying the legitimacy of the selection process. As the regulatory body overseeing this promotion, we confirm that all winners were chosen fairly and genuinely reflect the campaigns objectives, she said. The event transformed doubt into triumph for many participants. One customer, who initially questioned the promotions credibility, celebrated his win enthusiastically. I was not sure at first, but this prize has convinced me. My next deposit will be GH100,000 to aim for even greater rewards, he said. The Deposit and Drive Campaign will continue accepting qualifying deposits until May 30, after which there will be a second mini-draw in June and the grand draw in September. To maximise their chances, customers are encouraged to make deposits of GH500 or multiple of it into their accounts. UK-Ghana Chamber pushes for policy reforms to ignite innovation Business Desk Report Business News Apr - 22 - 2025 , 08:30 The UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) has issued a rallying call for urgent policy reforms to unlock Ghanas innovation and entrepreneurship potential, following the conclusion of its flagship Grand Challenge Programme workshops held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi. Bringing together innovators, academics and industry experts from the agriculture and energy sectors, the workshop aimed to explore cutting-edge technological, financial and social solutions to some of Ghanas most pressing development challenges. On the theme: Policy as an Enabler for Creating an Innovation-Friendly Environment, discussions centred on how policy could act as a catalyst for enterprise growth, particularly among the youth. The workshop featured masterclasses on Intellectual Property, Investor Readiness and Commercialisation led by experts including Nuna Attipoe of Koranteng and Koranteng, Kingsley Agyekum of Fidelity Bank, and Mawuli Ocloo of SalesRev. A live pitch session saw over 15 budding entrepreneurs receive critical feedback from seasoned professionals, sharpening their business models and investor appeal. Among the experts and facilitators were Mawuli Kobla Amedofu, Supply Chain Lead at DEXT Technologies; Prof. Joseph Oppong Akowuah from the Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering; and Dr Makafui John Bedzra, Innovation Manager at the KNUST College of Engineering. Entrepreneurial spirit Franklin Eshun of the Ghana TVET Service cautioned that a lack of urgency among young people could hinder innovation. If youre not under pressure to solve problems, theres little motivation to innovate, he said. Here, basic needs are often readily met, so theres no burning hunger to create solutions. Echoing that sentiment, Dr Gifty Boakye Appiah of KNUSTs Department of Agricultural Economics challenged young innovators to adopt a mindset shift. The idea starts with you, she told participants, encouraging them to engage hubs and accelerators for guidance, funding and business development support. Even if they dont offer direct funding, they can direct you to organisations that do. Institutional support The event also highlighted existing government-led initiatives geared towards start-up development. Notably, the Food and Drugs Authoritys Progressive Licensing Scheme (PLS), a three-tier licensing framework, is helping small businesses improve product safety while easing regulatory compliance. In parallel, the HAPPY Projecta collaboration between the Ghana Enterprises Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, and Agri-Impact Co. Ltdaims to support 15,000 youth-led agribusinesses in value chains such as rice, soybean, tomato and poultry. The focus is on scaling post-production operations and enhancing livelihoods in key agricultural regions. In her opening remarks, UKGCCs Head of External Relations, Worlase Afatsiawo, emphasised the Grand Challenges mission: to stimulate innovation that solves real problems and to foster synergy among entrepreneurs, researchers, government and the private sector. Shortlisted applicants from the workshops in Accra and Kumasi will be invited to pitch for participation in a high-profile UK roadshowoffering international exposure and a gateway to investment. Beyond the mentorship received, we want to provide tangible funding and scaling opportunities. Our aim is to develop a sustainable pipeline of investable, commercially viable projects, Ms Afatsiawo said. UKGCCs Grand Challenge is a flagship programme under the UK Government-funded Sankore Programme, part of the West Africa Research and Innovation Hub (WARIH), which seeks to fortify innovation ecosystems across West Africa. A nationwide call for proposals is expected to be launched in the coming weeks via the UKGCCs social media platforms. Next article: Davido: Hushpuppi is my friend but didn't know he was into fraud Africas culinary treasures take centre stage in Arusha Francis Doku Showbiz News Apr - 22 - 2025 , 15:12 4 minutes read Africa is home to some of the worlds most tantalising dishes where spices tell stories, and recipes are often passed down through generations like cherished heirlooms. From the smoky allure of nyama choma in East Africa to the rich complexity of jollof rice in West Africa, the continent boasts a culinary legacy that is as diverse as its cultures and landscapes. And yet, for all its flavour, Africas food has often been left off the global gastronomic map. Thats changing one earthen pot bowl at a time. This week, the journey to elevate Africas food as a tourism powerhouse continues in Arusha, Tanzania, as it plays host to the Second UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, from 23rd to 25th April 2025. Following the groundbreaking inaugural edition held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in 2024, this years forum is poised to stir the pot even further mixing dialogue, demonstration, and delicious discovery in a bid to position Africas cuisine as a driver of development. Arusha, the safari capital nestled beneath the imposing Mount Meru and a stones throw from the majestic Kilimanjaro, provides an iconic backdrop for this conversation. Known more for its wildlife circuits than its culinary charms, Arusha is ready to flex its food credentials on a global stage. Organised by UN Tourism, in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Center and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the forum aims to turn Africas diverse and largely untapped gastronomic wealth into a compelling tool for economic resilience, cultural storytelling, and inclusive growth. Tanzania is privileged to host the 2nd UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, said Dr. Pindi Hazara Chana, Tanzanias Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism. We welcome the world to explore our flavours and engage in meaningful dialogue around the role of food in sustainable tourism and cultural exchange. Indeed, the forum comes at a crucial time. While visitors flock to Africa for its landscapes and wildlife, many are beginning to travel with their tastebuds, seeking out local flavours that provide an authentic connection to place and people. However, African gastronomy has rarely been systemically promoted, packaged, or integrated into tourism strategies until now. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili put it succinctly: Our Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa celebrates the many flavours and diverse talent of the continent. We return to Tanzania to once again unite chefs, business leaders, and public sector authorities to make gastronomy tourism a source of development, growth and opportunity for destinations and communities around Africa. From couscous to cassava, seswa to waakye, sadza to mapone worms, the continents menu is as vast as it is varied. But the challenge lies in scaling up this richness for global palates while empowering local communities who grow, cook, and serve this heritage every day. At the heart of the Arusha forum are questions of identity, opportunity, and impact: How can African countries brand their cuisines as destination magnets? In what ways can storytelling through food help preserve culture and attract curious travellers? And how can sustainable food systems and small producers be brought into the tourism value chain? The event will include live cooking showcases, panel discussions, case studies and workshops. Topics range from building strong local food systems to branding African cuisine for international audiences. Delegates will also explore how food and agriculture can collaborate more closely, and how gastronomy can become a tool for job creation, youth empowerment, and regional cohesion. This forum is a key platform to transform gastronomy tourism across the continent, said Joxe Mari Aizega, Director General of the Basque Culinary Center. Innovation, creativity and deep connection to place are key pillars in building a sustainable and competitive food tourism industry. Perhaps whats most exciting is that this forum is more than a professional gathering its a sensory journey. Delegates wont just talk about Africas culinary potential; theyll taste it, smell it, and experience it. And hopefully, theyll carry those experiences back to their countriesnot just in memory, but in policy, investment, and action. So, as the aroma of spices wafts through the air in Arusha this week, one thing is clear: Africas food is no longer just about the plate. Its about identity, economy, and transformation. And finally, the world is beginning to pull up a chair. Next article: See the targets of the US student visa revocations Harvard University sues Trump administration to stop funding freeze bbc.com International News Apr - 22 - 2025 , 07:50 3 minutes read Harvard University filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop billions of dollars in proposed cuts. The suit filed Monday is part of a feud that escalated last week when the elite institution rejected a list of demands that the Trump administration said was designed to curb diversity initiatives and fight anti-semitism at the school. President Donald Trump froze $2.2bn (1.7bn) of federal funding and also threatened the university's tax-exempt status. "The consequences of the government's overreach will be severe and long-lasting," Harvard's president Alan M. Garber said in a letter to the university on Monday. The White House responded later Monday night in a statement. "The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families is coming to an end. Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege", said White House spokesman Harrison Fields. Mr Garber said the funding freeze affected critical research including studies on pediatric cancer, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. "In recent weeks, the federal Government has launched a broad attack on the critical funding partnerships that make this invaluable research possible," the school's lawsuit said. "This case involves the Government's efforts to use the withholding of federal funding as leverage to gain control of academic decisionmaking at Harvard." Aside from funding, the Trump administration days ago also threatened Harvard's ability to enroll international students. Mr Garber, who is Jewish, acknowledged Harvard's campus has had issues with anti-semitism but said he had established task forces to work with the problem. He said the university would release the report of two task forces that looked into anti-semitism and anti-Muslim bias. The prominent US university, located in Massachusetts, is not the only institution faced with withholding of federal dollars, which play an outsized role in funding new scientific breakthroughs. The administration has targeted other private Ivy League institutions including suspending $1bn at Cornell University and $510 million at Brown University. Others such as Columbia University, the epicentre of pro-Palestinian campus protests last year, have agreed to some demands after $400 million of federal funds was threatened. The demands to Harvard included agreeing to government-approved external audits of the university's curriculum as well as hiring and admission data. In response, Harvard released a blistering letter rejecting them. "The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights," Harvard's lawyers told the administration on April 14. "Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government. Accordingly, Harvard will not accept the government's terms as an agreement in principle." Former US President Barack Obama, a Harvard alum, said he supported the university. Who is Cardinal Peter Turkson: Ghanas Influential Catholic Leader Graphic Online Personality Profiles Apr - 22 - 2025 , 11:00 8 minutes read Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (76), is a Ghanaian prelate and cardinal of the Catholic Church who has served as chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences since 2022 and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. He was the inaugural prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development from 2017 to 2022. Turkson was Archbishop of Cape Coast from 1992 to 2009. He was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003 and has since been widely regarded as papabile, that is, a candidate for election to the papacy. Early life and priesthood Born on 11 October 1948 in Nsuta-Wassaw, Turkson is an ethnic Fante and was born in Wassa Nsuta in Western Ghana to a Methodist mother and a Catholic father. He is the fourth child of ten children. His mother sold vegetables in the open market while his father worked as a carpenter. He had a paternal uncle who was a Muslim. He attended St. Teresas Seminary from 1962-1969 in Amisano and St. Peters Regional Seminary in Pedu, Cape Coast from 1969-1971. He then continued his studies in Rome at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, earning a license in Sacred Scripture (1976-1980), and then began work on his doctoral thesis (1987-1992). Cardinal Turkson attended St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, New York, where he graduated with an M.A. in Theology and a Master of Divinity. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop John Amissah on 20 July 1975. Additionally, he earned a licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome in 1980. He returned to St Teresa's for a year, 198081, and became vice-rector at St Peter's Seminary in 1981. He also did pastoral work in a parish annexed to the seminary. From 1987 to 1992, he pursued doctoral studies in Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute but his work on his thesis was interrupted by his appointment as archbishop of Cape Coast. From 1975-76 and 1980-1981 he served as staff member at St Theresas Seminary, and from 1981-1987 as staff member at St Peters Seminary. He was Acting Chaplain and Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (1984-1986) and Visiting Lecturer at the Catholic Major Seminary, Anyama, Ivory Coast (1983-1986). He has been a Chancellor of the Catholic University College of Ghana since 2003. Cardinal Turkson with the late Pope Francis Episcopal Career On 6 October 1992 he was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast by Pope John Paul II and received episcopal ordination on 27 March 1993 from Archbishop Dominic Kodwo Andoh, with Archbishops Peter Poreku Dery and Peter Kwasi Sarpong serving as co-consecrators. He served as president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (1997-2004). He was a member of Governing Council of the University of Ghana, Legon (2001-2006) and of the Board of Directors of Central Region Development Commission (CEDECOM) (2002-2006). He served as treasurer of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (2007-2009) and as Vice President of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Anglophone West Africa (AECAWA). He served as President of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA) (2007-2009). He was also Chairman of the Ghana Chapter of the Conference of Religions for Peace (2003-2007) and Ghana National Peace Council (2006-2010). John Paul II created Turkson Cardinal-Priest of San Liborio in his final consistory of 21 October 2003. Turkson is the first Ghanaian cardinal and was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the papal conclave of 2005 that elected Pope Benedict XVI and the papal conclave of 2013 that elected Pope Francis. Roman Curia On 24 October 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Turkson president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Turkson is also a member of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church and, since 4 March 2010, the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses. On 12 June 2012, Turkson was appointed a member of the Congregation for Catholic Education. On 16 October 2010, Pope Benedict named him to a five-year renewable term as a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Since 2009, Turkson has been president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. In the spring of 2011, Pope Benedict XVI sent Cardinal Turkson as a mediator to contribute to a diplomatic, non-military solution to the civil conflict in Ivory Coast, where Laurent Gbagbo had refused, in spite of international condemnation and local protests and resistance, to step aside and hand over power to Alassane Ouattara, the certified winner of the presidential election. Atrocities have been committed by both sides. In October 2011, Turkson called for the establishment of a "global public authority" and a "central world bank" to rule over financial institutions that have become outdated and often ineffective in dealing fairly with crises. His text was very specific, calling for taxation measures on financial transactions. It said that "The economic and financial crisis which the world is going through calls everyone, individuals and peoples, to examine in depth the principles and the cultural and moral values at the basis of social coexistence". The document condemned "the idolatry of the market" as well as "neo-liberal thinking" that looked exclusively at technical solutions to economic problems. "In fact, the crisis has revealed behaviours like selfishness, collective greed and hoarding of goods on a great scale." It added that world economics needed an "ethic of solidarity" among both rich and poor nations. On 13 October 2012, at a Vatican conference of bishops meant to address evangelising lapsed Catholics, Turkson showed a YouTube video called "Muslim Demographics" that makes alarmist predictions about the growth of Islam in Europe, a video Reuters called "spurious". Vatican Radio described it as a "fear-mongering presentation". It resulted in "the most raucous back-and-forth most synod veterans have ever witnessed." On 15 October, he apologised and said he had only hoped to focus discussion on more practical issues. In 2016, Pope Francis sent Turkson as his special envoy to pursue peace in South Sudan: to urge an end to violence in the country, and to help establish dialogue and trust between the warring parties. Turkson travelled to Juba to support the archbishop and to meet with the country's leaders. He also carried with him a letter from Francis for President Salva Kiir and one for Vice President Riek Machar, who are historic enemies and represent different ethnic groups. On 31 August 2016, Pope Francis created the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, naming Turkson as its first prefect, effective 1 January 2017. Ahead of the World Meeting of Families 2018 in Dublin, Turkson was announced as homilist at the opening ceremony at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow. On 23 December 2021, Pope Francis ended Turkson's service as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development at the conclusion of his five-year term, appointing Cardinal Michael Czerny as his temporary replacement. On 4 April 2022, Pope Francis named him chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Turkson speaks English, Fante, French, Italian, German, and Hebrew, in addition to understanding Latin and Greek. His Views HIV/AIDS and condoms In 2009, he reaffirmed the Catholic moral teaching on contraception, in regard to statements made by Pope Benedict XVI that condoms were not a solution to Africa's AIDS crisis, which were taken out of context by the media. Turkson said that the quality of condoms in Africa is poor their use would also engender false confidence. He said fidelity and, if infected, refraining from sex were the key to fighting the epidemic. He also said that the money being spent on condoms should instead be spent on providing anti-retroviral drugs to those already infected. He has affirmed that, in certain circumstances, natural family planning can be used. Homosexuality In 2012, in response to a speech by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urging Church leaders to do more for human rights and in particular LGBT rights in Africa, Turkson acknowledged that some of the sanctions imposed on homosexuals in Africa were an "exaggeration" but pointed out that the stigmatisation of homosexuality in Africa is traditional and "just as there's a sense of a call for rights, there's also a call to respect culture, of all kinds of people." Turkson called on the Secretary-General to recognise the "subtle distinction between morality and human rights", and not disrespect moral doctrine in the name of protecting human rights. Turkson has endorsed anti-sodomy laws, in particular the Ugandan legislation on sodomy, though he has also condemned legislation criminalising homosexual identities. Clerical sexual abuse In February 2013, Turkson told an interviewer that he believes that the sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests, if found in Africa, would not likely be in the same proportion as it is found in Europe. He said that "African traditional systems ... have protected its population against this tendency" and that "in several cultures in Africa homosexuality or for that matter any affair between two sexes of the same kind are not countenanced". Reform of the international financial system In response to the global economic crisis that hit in 2008, Turkson, together with bishop Mario Toso, elaborated a proposal to reform the international financial system by creating a Global Public Authority and a Global Bank that consider the interests of all developing countries. The document of 40 pages was officially presented in October 2011 and criticises the current structure of the International Monetary Fund and other institutions. Society In a 2010 interview by L'Osservatore Romano, Turkson stated that "toxic values" such as "relativism" and "atheistic secularism" should be avoided. He also stated that bad political leadership and exploitation of differences between many Africans has led to a lack of peace and justice in Africa. In August 2015, Turkson spoke at a pro-life conference of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference in Accra's Holy Spirit Cathedral. In 2017, he held that pro-life activism and the message on climate change "are not separable." Reference links Vatican News Cardinali Biografie of Turkson Catholic Hierarchy Next article: We want equity in provision of educational infrastructure - UWR MPs appeal to government AGOSA 84/85 hands over renovated Chemistry lab to Accra Girls SHS Hilda Agyei-Lartey Education Apr - 22 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read The 1984/85 Year Group of the Accra Girls Old Students Association (AGOSA) has handed over a refurbished chemistry laboratory and a repainted block to the school. The project included the connection of water to the chemistry lab to serve the entire science block, installation of a fume chamber, gas supply system for the lab to replace the use of cooking gas cylinders, tiling of the laboratory floor, rewiring of the lab, installation of ceiling fans and fixing lab benches with marble bench tops. The old students also provided storage cabinets and shelves, as well as repainting the science block. The renovation works were to ensure that the lab no longer required portable cooking gas cylinders, which were formerly used by students in the lab to conduct experiments. The new system is expected to enhance the performance of the students in the sciences. The handing over ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, the Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Hajia Katumi Natogmah Attah, members of the AGOSA 84/85 year group, staff of the school and students from the science department. Appreciation Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Dr Apaak commended the AGOSA 84/85 alumni group for refurbishing the Accra Girls SHSs chemistry lab, praising their efforts in advancing STEM education, which was a government priority. He urged other alumni to emulate their example, stating, The government alone cannot do it, so we call on other alumni associations to emulate this shining example. For her part, Hajia Katumi also expressed her gratitude for the refurbished lab and received it on behalf of the GES, while assuring its maintenance. She urged students to work hard and return to support the school, while motivating teachers to improve outcomes. Challenges The Head of Science Programmes at the school, John Victor Klevor, enumerated a number of challenges facing the department, adding that the sinks in the labs were non-functional, compelling the students to manually transport water in buckets. He also thanked the AGOSA 84/85 alumni for the renovation and mentioned that the new lab would motivate both staff and students to do better, promising better WASSCE results. The President of the AGOSA Elite Group 84/85, Linda Adjoa Holdbrook-Amissah officially handed over the lab to the school, mentioning the significant investment made to upgrade the facility and therefore, asked for strict maintenance culture. We want equity in provision of educational infrastructure - UWR MPs appeal to government Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Education Apr - 22 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Upper West Regional caucus of Parliament has called for an even distribution of the national resources to ensure equity in the provision of educational infrastructure in the country. The caucus was particularly concerned about the lack of infrastructure at the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) and said there should be a deliberate attempt by the government to bring it on par with other public universities in the country. The members, therefore, pledged to be the voice of the university and champion its cause and ensure that it received the necessary support to develop and expand to be fully and to increase its intake. Familiarisation tour The chairman of the caucus, which is the association of all Members of Parliament from the UWR, Dr Sebastien Sandaare, MP for Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, made the pledge when the caucus visited the campus of the university on April 8, 2025, to acquaint itself with the development and challenges facing it. While admitting that resources were scarce and as such there would be the need to judiciously manage the little available, he, however, believed that SDD-UBIDS should be given resources commensurate with its name. Objective of tour Briefing the University management, Dr Sandaare said over the years, the MPs only busied themselves with the peculiar needs of their constituencies and championed them. However, this year, he said the caucus had decided to pursue some of the needs of the region and as such decided to visit some of the regional institutions to interact with them and know how they could be of help to them. Dr Sandaare said it was important as the representatives of the people; they helped in the development of the regional institutions for the benefit of their people. The members of the delegation included the MP for Lawra, Bede Ziedeng, MP for Nandom, Dr Richard Kuuire, the MP for Wa West Peter Lanchene Toobu and the MP for Sissala East, Issa Mohammed Bataglia. Stalled projects In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Emmanuel Derbile, said there were a number of Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) projects on campus that had stalled for more than 15 years and called for the support of the caucus to complete them. The stalled projects include the construction of a library complex, a three-storey lecture and office complex, the construction of a two-storey hall of residence and the construction of a multipurpose auditorium, all estimated to cost about GHc178 million. As part of the measures to meet the infrastructure needs of the university, he said management decided to implement the Accelerated GETFund Infrastructure Completion Initiative, where the university used part of its internally generated funds and raised other funds from its pension fund to complete the project, subject to GETFund reimbursement. Don't discount ECOWAS's 50 years achievement - President Gertrude Ankah Apr - 22 - 2025 , 13:02 5 minutes read The 50-year achievement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in regional integration is worth celebrating, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, the President of ECOWAS has said. He has therefore urged citizens of West Africa not to discount the achievements amid criticisms of the regional bloc. Speaking in Accra on Tuesday at the official launch of ECOWASs 50th anniversary celebrations, Dr Touray acknowledged the difficult political and economic climate but insisted there is still much to celebrate. In the current context, many would be forgiven for asking if there is anything about ECOWAS that should be celebrated, he said. Our response to such citizens is an emphatic yes and I have my reasons. He described ECOWAS as the most integrated regional bloc on the African continent, citing the Free Movement Protocol, which enables citizens of member states to travel, reside and work across borders without a visa. Thank God, no ECOWAS member state is among the countries that require Mr Dangote to hassle, he said, referencing Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangotes recent complaints about travel difficulties across Africa. Trade and infrastructure achievements On trade, he pointed to the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), which has registered over 15,000 companies and more than 50,000 products for duty-free access across the region. Dr Touray also mentioned the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), now operational in seven countries, as a key initiative reducing customs delays and improving cross-border logistics. Infrastructure, he said, remained a priority. He outlined a 25-year master plan featuring 201 projects across transport, energy, telecoms, and water, valued at $131 billion. Among the flagship initiatives is the 1,028km LagosAbidjan highway, estimated at nearly $15 billion and now ready for investment. Other major projects include the BanjulDakarAbidjan corridor, the AbidjanPraia Maritime route, and energy efforts under the West African Power Pool. He also cited ECOWASs $340 million off-grid electricity access programme as part of efforts to close the regions energy gap. Human development and health On social impact, Dr Touray praised the role of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in coordinating regional responses to Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox. He added that initiatives in climate-smart agriculture, food security, and vocational training reflecedt the blocs commitment to human-centred development. He reaffirmed ECOWASs record in promoting peace and democracy, citing its interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote dIvoire, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia. It was ECOWAS that ensured the will of the people of The Gambia prevailed in 2016, he said, referencing the blocs successful diplomatic and military intervention to end Yahya Jammehs rule after he rejected election results. On maritime security, he noted that no piracy incidents had been recorded in West African waters so far in 2024 an outcome he attributed to the coordinated security efforts of ECOWAS in the Gulf of Guinea. Calls for reform Dr Touray admitted that intra-regional trade remains low, hovering around 12 per cent. He called for urgent reforms to dismantle non-tariff barriers, improve infrastructure and boost productivity across member states. He also appealed to local and international investors to tap into the regions economic potential, underpinned by a population of over 400 million people. Amid security challenges and the withdrawal of some Sahelian states from the bloc, Dr Touray underscored the importance of collective action. He said dialogue and mediation with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso were ongoing. Despite the challenges, I remain optimistic that we will collectively preserve and build on the gains of regional integration for our people who are united by blood, he said. Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has praised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its pivotal role in promoting peace, democracy and regional integration over the past five decades. Speaking at the same programme, Mr. Ablakwa described the occasion as a "moment of reflection and recommitment" to the blocs founding ideals. Fifty years on, we have every reason to celebrate, he told an audience of diplomats, ECOWAS officials, and government representatives. ECOWAS has evolved into a dynamic, multifaceted regional communitychampioning not only economic integration but also peace, democracy and social development. He stressed the blocs achievements in boosting intra-regional trade, developing cross-border infrastructure, conducting peacekeeping missions, and facilitating the free movement of people across member states. Mr. Ablakwa also underscored Ghanas historical role in shaping regional unity, referencing the landmark 1958 All-African Peoples Conference held in Accra. Accra has long been considered a significant meeting point for advancing Africas integration objectives, he noted. Addressing public concerns over the cost of the launch event, he clarified that funding for both the celebration and the upcoming two-day ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting had not been shouldered solely by Ghana. May I place on record that funding for the ECOWAS at 50 launch has been a shared responsibility. It has been almost entirely paid for by ECOWAS member states, he said, assuring Ghanaians that the initiative did not burden the national budget. Held under the theme ECOWAS at 50: Deepening Integration for Peace and Prosperity, the celebration marks the beginning of a year-long series of activities across the sub-region. Mr. Ablakwa also urging citizens and institutions across West Africa to take part in the festivities. Let us share our common stories and strengthen the path toward a united, resilient and prosperous West Africa. ECOWAS ECOWAS was established in 1975 through the Treaty of Lagos to foster economic integration across West Africa. Its 15 member states share a combined population exceeding 400 million. Over the past five decades, the bloc has launched peacekeeping missions, facilitated cross-border trade and movement, and supported democratic governance. However, its unity has come under strain in recent years following a series of military coups in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, alongside rising terrorism threats and economic instability. Next article: How the next Pope will be chosen and why Palmer-Buckle says Cardinal Turkson's election would be a great honour for Ghana Binduri: G3, M16, AK-47 rifles, ammo seized from gunman after Easter Monday shooting, suspect handed over to police Mohammed Ali Apr - 21 - 2025 , 23:36 3 minutes read The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has intensified operations in Bawku and its surrounding communities following renewed gunfire and clashes in the area. In a statement dated Monday [April 21, 2025] and signed by Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director General of Public Relations, the GAF announced that troops had conducted a cordon and search operation at Binduri. This followed reports of sporadic gunshots near the Binduri Central Market in the early hours of Monday. A joint team from the 11 Mechanised Battalion and the Joint Task Force, with support from the Police, moved swiftly to the scene. The area was cordoned off to allow for a thorough search. One suspected gunman was arrested and handed over to the Police, the statement said. Weapons and items retrieved included an AK-47 rifle, a G3 rifle, an empty M16 magazine, 370 rounds of M16 and AK-47 ammunition, 128 rounds of G3 ammunition, a machete, four fragmentation jackets, a pair of boots, and one helmet. Later that day, unidentified gunmen were reported to have attempted entering Binduri. They were intercepted by military personnel on patrol, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. The attackers fled the scene. According to the GAF, calm has been restored in the area. Troops remain on high alert to respond to any further disturbances. The Armed Forces said it is working with other security agencies to support peace efforts in Bawku. It urged residents and the general public to cooperate as steps continue to bring lasting calm to the area. AICC hosts ECOWAS at 50 launch today Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Apr - 22 - 2025 , 09:57 4 minutes read Ghana will today host the launch of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), reaffirming its commitment to regional integration and unity. The high-level launch is expected to be attended by the President of Nigeria and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Governments, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the President of the ECOWAS Commission. The golden jubilee celebration, to be held under the auspices of President John Dramani Mahama, will also have in attendance regional leaders, foreign ministers, finance ministers, development partners and representatives of the Alliance of Sahel States. Launch The highlight of the launch will be the unveiling of the ECOWAS @ 50 anniversary logo and the announcement of the official theme for the year-long celebrations, which will involve all member states. Speaking at a news conference in Accra last Thursday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the occasion as a moment of historic significance for West Africa, adding that the country was honoured to be entrusted with the privilege of hosting the launch. This honour done to our nation is most befitting and well-deserved, considering that Ghana has long emerged as the cradle of Pan-Africanism, the pioneers of African unity and the champions of regional integration, he said. Extraordinary meeting The minister also announced that Ghana would host a two-day Extraordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers immediately after the launch. The meeting will deliberate on pressing regional issues, including the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS, preferring to be called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This meeting will be attended by all foreign ministers and finance ministers of ECOWAS member states, and will prepare a comprehensive report for the consideration of heads of state, Mr Ablakwa stated. Achievements Highlighting the achievements of ECOWAS over the past five decades, Mr Ablakwa said the regional bloc had championed trade liberalisation, free movement of persons and joint infrastructure initiatives such as the West African Power Pool and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor project. Thousands of young West Africans have gained critical skills, fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs, engineers and policymakers, he said. He further stated that in the area of peace and security, ECOWAS had been a pillar, intervening in crises and upholding democratic principles. AES exit, way forward The Foreign Affairs Minister, however, acknowledged that recent challenges such as the exit of AES members had tested the blocs cohesion. While this is a challenge for regional unity, ECOWAS must reinforce diplomacy, enhance security and remain resolute in its vision of a united and prosperous West Africa, he said. He praised President Mahamas subtle diplomacy and pragmatic engagement with the Sahel states, describing it as a philosophy hailed by his peers and many others. As the celebrations unfold, Ghana intends to use the moment not only to reflect on the past but also to chart an ambitious course for the next 50 years of ECOWAS. This is not merely a ceremonial event; it is a strategic opportunity to strengthen solidarity, enhance public awareness, and rekindle hope in the ECOWAS vision, especially among the youth, Mr Ablakwa added. He emphasised that a national planning committee, chaired by his office, was working to ensure the event was executed flawlessly. While the ECOWAS Commission will fund the bulk of the anniversarys expenses, Ghana is providing robust logistical and security support, the minister indicated. Mr Ablakwa further described the golden jubilee as more than a commemoration of time but a testament to the resilience, cooperation, and shared aspirations of West African nations in pursuit of deeper cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, human capital development, agriculture, health, good governance, infrastructure development, peace and security. West Africa is looking up to Ghana, and Ghana is definitely ready to lead this celebration with pride, purpose, and excellence. And together as one people, we shall reaffirm our unshakeable commitment to a stronger, more united ECOWAS, the minister concluded. Next article: Let's collaborate with Otumfuo for peace in Bawku - Nakoa Jamson to factions Finance Minister leads delegation to IMF Spring Meetings Kester Aburam Korankye Apr - 22 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, is leading a high-powered government delegation to the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings, marking the first major international economic engagement with the Bretton Woods institutions under a new administration led by President John Mahama. The meetings come just one week after Ghana reached a critical staff-level agreement with the IMF on the fourth review of its $3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, paving the way for the disbursement of $370 million to support the countrys economic recovery efforts. The agreement is particularly significant as it was reached despite Ghana missing several structural benchmarks and quantitative targets before the new government took office. Renewed confidence Officials say the deal reflects restored international confidence in Ghanas economic direction, driven by the Mahama administrations swift implementation of corrective measures. Since assuming office, the government has moved quickly to address fiscal slippages, including a large buildup of payables in 2024, which had pushed the primary deficit beyond programmed levels. Key interventions include a comprehensive audit of outstanding payables to verify legitimacy and recommend corrective actions, expected to be completed within eight weeks. Additionally, the government has amended the Procurement Act to require the Finance Minister's approval before any government procurement proceeds. Reforms to the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act have also been introduced, including a debt rule targeting a 45 per cent debt-to-GDP ratio by 2035 and a binding fiscal rule mandating a 1.5 per cent primary surplus. To enforce fiscal discipline, the Ministry of Finance has operationalised a Compliance Desk to monitor spending across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), alongside the introduction of a PFM Compliance League Table to rank MDAs based on adherence to financial controls. Engagements in Washington During the Spring Meetings, Dr Forson is scheduled to hold high-level discussions with the IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, the Paris Club, credit rating agencies and US Treasury officials to reinforce Ghanas reform commitments and attract further investment. Key focus areas for the delegation include job creation and inclusive growth, energy access and food security and climate resilience and green financing. These engagements aim to secure additional support for Ghanas economic recovery and long-term stability. Economic reset In his engagements, Dr Forson is expected to articulate what he calls Ghanas Reset Story, a strategy centred on macroeconomic stability, debt sustainability and structural reforms to drive long-term growth. Our goal is not just stabilisation but building a resilient economy that protects the vulnerable and lays the foundation for The Ghana We Want, he stated ahead of the meetings. With the IMF deal in sight and aggressive reforms underway, Ghana aims to reinforce investor confidence and secure additional support for its economic turnaround agenda. China's 8th batch of aid supplies arrives in quake-hit Myanmar Xinhua) 15:18, April 22, 2025 YANGON, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The eighth batch of emergency humanitarian aid supplies dispatched by the Chinese government on Tuesday arrived at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar, which was devastated by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake on March 28. The aid supplies include 24,600 bone plates, 132,000 bone screws, 4,526 intramedullary nails, 30 sets of tool kits, 1 million bottles of sodium penicillin for injection, 400,000 bottles of metronidazole tablets, 90,000 boxes of cefradine capsules, 300 boxes of medical disinfectant tablets, and 2,000 barrels of medical iodine cotton swabs. As of April 18, the earthquake has claimed 3,726 lives and injured 5,105 people, with 129 others remaining unaccounted for, according to Myanmar's official data. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Next article: Binduri: G3, M16, AK-47 rifles, ammo seized from gunman after Easter Monday shooting, suspect handed over to police World mourns Pope Francis Severious Kale-Dery Apr - 22 - 2025 , 05:56 5 minutes read The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) has urged the Church in Ghana to pray and prepare their hearts for the election of Pope Francis successor, following the demise of the head of the Catholic Church yesterday. Pope Francis, 88, died peacefully in the Lord in the early hours of yesterday, just a day after delivering his traditional Easter Sunday message from the balcony of the St Peters Basilica. Pope Francis served the Catholic Church with profound humility, unwavering faith, and a tireless commitment to the poor, to peace, and to the care of the environment, our common home. Catholic Bishops message A statement signed and issued by the President of the GCBC, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, to announce the passing of the Pontiff, said, with deep sorrow and yet with great faith in the victory of Christ over death, I write to inform you of the passing into eternal life of His Holiness, Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff and Servant of the Servants of God. The statement asked for prayers as the church mourns our beloved Holy Father and as we prepare our hearts for the election of his successor. In this moment of great loss for the Universal Church, I ask that all bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful across the Local Church in Ghana offer prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, it said. It stated that as a sign of respect and honour in the memory and legacy of our beloved Holy Father, a national memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date to be determined, adding that all bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful who could attend would be invited to participate in the solemn liturgy. Additionally, the statement encouraged all archdioceses, dioceses and parishes to organise local Requiem Masses and special Holy Hours in honour of Pope Francis, saying, these should be moments of prayerful reflection on his teachings and witness. The statement further said schools, seminaries and other Catholic institutions could host prayer services, talks, or discussions to help the faithful, especially the young, to appreciate the life and legacy of Pope Francis. His life and ministry were a powerful witness to the Gospel values of love, mercy, and compassion. May the Lord, whom he served so faithfully and joyfully, welcome him into the eternal joy of His heavenly kingdom, the statement added. President Mahama, Speaker of Parliament In a related development, President John Dramani Mahama has paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying, "his legacy of compassion, humility, and commitment to social justice will continue to inspire generations." In a social media post, President Mahama said: On behalf of my family and the people of Ghana, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Roman Catholic Church and all Catholic faithful in Ghana during this time of profound grief. I fondly remember visiting the Vatican with my wife, Lordina, where we had the distinct honour of meeting Pope Francis. His legacy of compassion, humility, and commitment to social justice will continue to inspire generations, he said. For his part, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, in a Facebook post, expressed sorrow at the news, describing it as a heavy blow to many Catholic faithful. He recalled that the Pope had only recently led the church through the sacred triduum before his passing. Oh? Pope Francis just celebrated the sacred triduum with us, the flock, and departed so soon after. This is a blow to many faithful, but God knows best. It shall be well with our souls, Mr Bagbin wrote. Final sermon Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who announced the death of Pope Francis in a video statement, is now the acting head of the Roman Catholic Church ---- a role he will hold until a new pope is elected. The news came as a surprise, particularly for those who had the privilege to witness his traditional Easter Sunday message from the balcony of the St Peters Basilica. Though his voice sounded frail, it was interrupted with applause before the message was subsequently delivered on his behalf by his aide. The Pope was driven through the cheering crowd around the St Peters Square in the Vatican in Rome in the open-top popemobile. His message centred on peace and freedom of religion, thought, expression and respect for the views of others. The message also called for an end to violence worldwide and compassion for the worlds marginalised and vulnerable people as well as migrants. The Pope expressed his closeness to the sufferings of Christians in Palestine and Israel and all the Israeli and Palestinian people, describing the climate of anti-Semitism throughout the world as worrisome. Pope Francis was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from March 13, 2013, until his death. He was the first pope from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit Order), the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope Gregory III. He was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He joined the Jesuit Order of the church in 1958 and was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1969. He served as the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Argentina and became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. However, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, Bergoglio was elected at a papal conclave as his successor on 13 March. He chose Francis as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi. Pope Francis had experienced a string of health challenges in recent years and spent 38 days in hospital in February and March this year, but recovered enough to leave the hospital and just last Sunday, was greeting crowds on Easter Sunday in St Peter's Square. Mahama pledges 1000 university scholarships for ECOWAS students to study in Ghana Mohammed Ali Apr - 22 - 2025 , 13:09 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana will offer 1,000 scholarships to university students from across the ECOWAS sub-region, as part of efforts to strengthen regional ties through education and shared experiences. The announcement was made at the launch of the 50th anniversary celebrations of ECOWAS in Accra on Tuesday [April 22, 2025]. The event, held on the theme: Celebrating 50 Years of West African Unity and Integration, brought together heads of state, senior government officials, and representatives of the ECOWAS Commission. To mark this moment and strengthen regional bonds, Ghana is offering a thousand scholarships to tertiary students from across the ECOWAS sub-region to study in our universities, Mr Mahama said. He described the initiative as a practical step towards building unity among West African youth. This is not just a gesture, he said. It is a bridge to a future where our young people will grow up seeing each other not as foreigners but as partners. Mr Mahama stressed that diplomacy should not be limited to resolving disputes but must also include creating conditions for peace, inclusion and progress. He called for greater investment in youth and education as a means of strengthening regional ties. Our drive for integration through diplomacy must extend to economic, social and cultural areas, he said. Whether it is harmonising trade negotiations or advancing cooperation in education and health, our diplomatic tools must always work in the service of our people. The scholarship programme is expected to be implemented in partnership with Ghanas public universities and coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. ECOWAS, established in 1975, was formed to promote economic cooperation and political coordination among West African states. As the community marks its 50th anniversary, Mr Mahama urged leaders to take practical steps to make the regional bloc more relevant to citizens, especially the youth. Next article: No time frame for committee probing petition against Chief Justice Torkornoo to finish work but... - Felix Kwakye Ofosu Previous article: At this stage, we are not even sure allegations against Chief Justice Torkornoo are proven, be measured in your comments - Deputy A-G Police arrest 47, seize 17 excavators in 4-day anti-galamsey operation at Samreboi Mohammed Ali Apr - 22 - 2025 , 23:13 2 minutes read A police operation targeting illegal mining activities in the Western Region has resulted in the arrest of 47 people and the seizure of excavators, weapons, and other equipment. The intelligence-led operation, which started April 17, 2025 lasted four days. It was carried out within the Samreboi enclave and surrounding areas along the Tano River, including the Aboi, Subri and Nimiri forests. According to the Police, the suspects include 39 Ghanaians and eight Chinese nationals. Items recovered during the operation include 17 excavators, one bulldozer, four motorbikes, two Toyota Hilux vehicles, one Toyota Rav4, and eight pumping machines. Police also retrieved firearms, comprising four pump action guns, a single-barrel gun, and 54 live BB cartridges. In an update issued on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the Ghana Police Service stated that 41 of the suspects were arraigned before court the same day. Of that number, 29 were remanded into custody to reappear on 30 April, while 12 were remanded to return to court on 2 May. The remaining seven suspects are expected to appear before court on Wednesday, 23 April. In a related development, the Police Administration has also reassigned several divisional and district commanders in areas affected by illegal mining. The reshuffle involves officers in the Eastern, Western, and Western North regions. According to the statement, the changes are part of internal efforts to strengthen police presence in areas where galamsey operations remain widespread. The Ghana Police Service indicated that it will continue with operations aimed at clamping down on unauthorised mining activities across the country. Previous article: Govt to seize all gold from illegal mining to fund 'galamsey' clean-up Bawah Mogtari Three-step clearance now required before mining Minerals Commission deputy CEO Mohammed Ali Apr - 22 - 2025 , 11:06 3 minutes read The Minerals Commission has introduced a stricter three-step clearance process for mining in Ghana, making it clear that holding a mining lease alone no longer grants the right to commence operations. Mr Isaac Andrew Tandoh, Deputy Chief Executive of the Commission responsible for small-scale and industrial minerals, said on Citi FM on Monday, April 22, 2025, that companies were now required to obtain three distinct approvals before starting any mining activity. These include an environmental permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a water use permit from the Water Resources Commission, and an operational permit from the Minerals Commission. Just having the licence alone is not enough for people to commence mining. But what we have seen is that as soon as a permit is granted, people jump to conclusions and start mining, which in itself amounts to illegalities, Mr Tandoh stated. The new procedure follows recent anti-galamsey operations which led to the arrest of 51 individuals, including eight Chinese nationals, and the seizure of 30 excavators in the Tonton Forest Reserve. Five weapons were also retrieved during the operation. Mr Tandoh disclosed that over 150 excavators had already been seized nationwide this year as part of the governments ongoing efforts to tackle illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. This government will not relent in its fight against galamsey to restore our water bodies and forests, he said. Although the recent raid was primarily led by security personnel, Mr Tandoh confirmed the Commission was fully briefed and involved. I was with the Minister when the action actually began. So, I have been in the know from inception to when the operations were concluded, he noted. He further revealed that internal investigations were underway following reports of collusion between illegal miners and some officials of the Forestry Commission. According to Mr Tandoh, an undercover probe uncovered evidence that some officials paid with taxpayer money are part of this syndicate. He added that the Minerals Commission itself was also conducting internal checks to weed out any staff who might be complicit in the illegal mining network. Mr Tandoh rejected suggestions that the crackdown was politically motivated, particularly in response to questions regarding Akonta Minings alleged political links. Whether NPP or NDC, it doesnt matter. State institutions must do their jobs to protect Ghanas environment, he said. He also indicated that the President had given full backing to the enforcement measures. Calling for collective national resolve, Mr Tandoh said, If Ghanaians dont unite against galamsey, well lose this fight. Its for humanity, the next generation, and the land our forefathers left us. The updated verification system is expected to fill the gaps that previously allowed mining firms to operate without completing all necessary documentation, particularly in environmentally sensitive zones such as forest reserves. Mr Tandoh also mentioned that the Attorney-Generals Office has been advised to initiate legal proceedings against individuals found engaging in illegal mining, especially those operating in forest reserves. These new measures follow other recent developments, including the reassignment of 38 police commanders in areas heavily affected by illegal mining. Previous article: Pope Francis remembered by Apostolic Nunciature in Ghana for legacy of mercy, peace and human dignity Vatican releases pictures of Pope Francis in open casket, confirms funeral will be on Saturday Graphic.com.gh Apr - 22 - 2025 , 08:33 4 minutes read The world is mourning Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday aged 88 from a cerebral stroke and subsequent heart failure. Cardinals are meeting to plan the pontiff's funeral, which will be held on Saturday. Pope Francis's funeral will take place outdoors in front of St Peter's Basilica. The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the service. At the end of the funeral, Re will deliver the final commendation - a concluding prayer where the Pope will be formally entrusted to God - and the body moved to St Mary Major for the burial. Pope to be taken to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday - Vatican Pope Francis will be taken to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning at 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT), the Vatican has announced. The Pope's coffin will be there until the burial for the public to pay their respects. The Holy See Press Office announced on Tuesday that Pope Francis funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in St. Peters Square. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe. The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, or nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis' soul. The late Pope's body will then be taken into St. Peters Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment. Earlier, on Wednesday, the coffin containing the Popes body will be carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peters Basilica, so that the faithful may pay their respects. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of translation on April 23, which will begin at 9:00 AM with a moment of prayer. The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, according to the Holy See Press Office. The procession will then exit through the Arch of the Bells into St. Peters Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door. At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of which the visits to the body of the Roman Pontiff will commence. Cardinals meet after death of Pope Francis, plan for funeral Cardinals gathered at the Vatican on Tuesday to plan Pope Francis' funeral, which leaders from around the world will attend ahead of a conclave next month to elect a new head of the Roman Catholic Church. Francis, 88, died unexpectedly on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, the Vatican said, ending an often turbulent reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised. The pontiff spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year suffering from double pneumonia. But he returned to the Vatican almost a month ago and had seemed to be recovering, appearing in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday. The Vatican on Tuesday released photographs of Francis dressed in his vestments and laid in a wooden coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy. Swiss Guards stand on either side of the casket. His sudden death set in motion ancient rituals, as the 1.4-billion-member Church started the transition from one pope to another, including the breaking of the pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and lead seal, used in his lifetime to seal documents, so they cannot be used by anyone else. All cardinals currently in Rome were invited to meet at the Vatican at 9 a.m. (0700 GMT), where they were expected to make funeral plans. "We are now called on to discuss the organisation. We'll see what comes next," said Italian Cardinal Fernando Filoni as he entered the first Congregation of Cardinals at the Vatican. "The most important thing is prayer. Let us accompany the pope with our prayers," Filoni told reporters. U.S. President Donald Trump, who clashed repeatedly with the pope about immigration, said he and his wife would fly to Rome for his funeral. Among other heads of state set to attend were Javier Milei, president of Francis' native Argentina and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, according to a source in his office. The Vatican has said it expected the ceremony to take place on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. With additional files from Reuters Next article: Gabriel Pwamang, Domelevo, Dzisah and 2 others in 5-member committee of inquiry probing petition for removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo West Africas future depends on dialogue, ECOWAS must rebuild trust - President Mahama Mohammed Ali Apr - 22 - 2025 , 15:46 3 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has urged West African nations to embrace renewed dialogue and cooperation, stressing that the regions future lies in unity and not isolation. Speaking at the launch of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS's) 50th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, he emphasised the need for rebuilding trust within the regional bloc to ensure its continued relevance in the years ahead. The event, held on the theme: Celebrating 50 Years of West African Unity and Integration, saw leaders and diplomats from across the sub-region come together to reflect on the history of ECOWAS since its founding in 1975. ECOWAS has grown into a major diplomatic force in Africa, President Mahama said. Our founding fathers chose cooperation over rivalry, and this principle must guide us as we confront the challenges ahead. He acknowledged the complexities facing the region, including rising insecurity, political instability and economic imbalances that have made regional cooperation more challenging. The President also addressed the recent withdrawals of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS, describing it as a regrettable situation but one that could be overcome with continued diplomatic efforts. We must not respond with isolation or recrimination, Mahama stated. Our first and most important response must be dialogue, and we must keep the lines of communication open. Ghana is engaging with the Sahelian states to rebuild trust and reaffirm our shared vision for West Africas future. He underscored Ghanas diplomatic efforts, including the appointment of a special envoy to lead high-level talks with the affected nations. President Mahama reiterated that Ghana was committed to playing a role in restoring unity within the ECOWAS family. Unity, though difficult, remains the best path to shared prosperity and stability in the region, he said. The President also called for ECOWAS to broaden its scope beyond conflict resolution, advocating greater focus on economic, social and cultural integration. He suggested that regional solidarity should extend to areas such as trade negotiations, free movement of people, and cooperation in education and health care. The success of ECOWAS will not be measured solely by political or economic achievements, but by its ability to foster lasting bonds between our peoples, Mahama said. Diplomacy must always serve the interests of our people and create conditions for peace and inclusion. As ECOWAS marks five decades of existence, President Mahama urged member states to embrace a future shaped by dialogue, unity and shared purpose, ensuring that the diplomatic legacy built over the years is preserved. Let this anniversary be a turning point for a stronger, more united ECOWAS, he concluded. Next article: I'm not interested in Keta parliamentary seat Afenyo-Markin's reaction to questions Previous article: ECOWAS will be stronger without Sahel States Chairman of Council of Ministers ECOWAS leaves door open for Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso to rejoin Samuel Duodu Politics Apr - 22 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has advised Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to reconsider their decision to leave the regional grouping. It said the three countries that withrew from ECOWAS earlier this year to form the "Alliance of Sahel States" (AES), can automatically rejoin ECOWAS if they change their minds by July 29, 2025. Speaking at a High-Level Policy Dialogue in Accra last Tuesday, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah, said in a bid to maintain ties, ECOWAS has allowed citizens of the three countries to continue to enjoy free movement rights within the region. He said the regional body has also called on the countries to collaborate on security and humanitarian issues. Event The event was organised by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) in collaboration with the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and the Conflict Research Network (CORN) West Africa. The two-day event, on the theme: Understanding the Geopolitical and Strategic Changes in West Africa: Emerging Challenges and the Future of ECOWAS, brought together stakeholders, including representatives of ECOWAS, African Union, United Nations, development partners, policymakers, civil society organisations, analysts and researchers. It was to assess the current state of affairs and examine the role of ECOWAS in addressing the challenges of conflict transformation in West Africa within the evolving geopolitical and strategic context. It also provided a platform to discuss strategies to address the concerns of the AES countries with the aim of reintegrating them into ECOWAS. Present at the event was Ghana's Envoy to the AES, Lt Colonel Larry Gbevolo-Lartey. Keynote address Dr Musah, delivering his keynote address titled Reflections on the State of Affairs in West Africa," said ECOWAS has appointed two Presidents, Diomaye Faye of Senegal and Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, to engage in dialogue with the three countries to encourage their return. He identified governance and development deficits as major contributors to the region's current challenges. The Executive Director of WANEP, Levinia Addae-Mensah, in her welcome address, touched on the complex challenges facing the region, including fragility, fragmentation and violent extremism. "Our beloved West Africa is confronted with a complex array of challenges that threaten to erode decades of investment in peacebuilding, regional integration, democratic governance and social cohesion," she said. She cited the recent exit of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS as a "profound indicator of the deep fractures we must confront with courage, candour and commitment." Mrs Addae-Mensah emphasised the need for innovative responses to the region's challenges, saying that "it compels us not only to understand the geopolitical and strategic changes taking place, but to think differently, to reimagine the role of regional institutions and civil society in shaping a more inclusive, resilient and united West Africa." Next article: Bawumia to lead NPP on 6-week national 'In all things, give thanks to God' thank you tour NPP denies release of Prof. Oquaye Committee report Samuel Duodu Politics Apr - 22 - 2025 , 03:57 3 minutes read The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has denied releasing any portion of the Prof. Oquaye Committee Report, stating that only one copy was prepared and submitted to the National Council. The General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, who issued the disclaimer, said the party was still studying the report's contents and would disclose relevant information if necessary. He warned against the circulation of fake quotes purporting to be from the report and attributed them to political opponents, particularly members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Mr Frimpong urged members of the party to disregard such quotes and remain focused on the party's rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 elections. Prof. Oquayes 12-member committee tasked with investigating the partys defeat in the 2024 general election presented its report to the National Council of the party last Wednesday. Since then, there have been several quotes making the rounds on social media purported to be coming from the report. Flag bearer The party also cautioned its executives, leading members and communicators against making public endorsements or denigrating comments about prospective flagbearer aspirants. The National Council of the party issued the warning after taking a serious view of some distasteful comments made against some aspirants. The directive, which remains in force until nominations for presidential primaries are opened, warned that any party executive or member who flouted it would face sanctions in accordance with the party's constitution and code of conduct. The party urged its members and stakeholders to cooperate in maintaining party unity. 9-Member Committee Meanwhile, the party has formed a nine-member Constitutional Amendment Committee to review and propose amendments to the party's constitution. The committee, chaired by Frank Davies, Chairman of the party's Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, was constituted by the National Council at its meeting last Wednesday. The committee members include the Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei; MP for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; a Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Dr Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko; the Volta Regional Chairman of he NPP, Makafui Woanyah, and a former MP, Ebenezer Nartey, as Secretary. The committee's mandate includes: Identifying provisions of the Party Constitution that require amendments to give effect to the recommendations of the Mike Oquaye Election Review Committee Working on the recommendations of the 2021 Constitutional Review Committee chaired by Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin Receiving proposals for constitutional amendments from party members and identifiable groups Categorising proposals under various Articles and Clauses for ease of reference Making appropriate recommendations to guide the debate at the National Annual Delegates Conference The party would hold an Extraordinary National Annual Delegates Conference in July this year to consider the committee's report, which would be tabled in the form of amendment motions for approval or otherwise. After more than a two-week pause, the bingo proceeds trial is back up to speed in the District Court of Guam. On trial are Michael Marasigan, Jose Arthur D. Chan Jr. and Christine C. Chan, who face charges of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling operation, fraud and money laundering 61 counts in all. The government contends that between 2015 and 2017, the three defendants conspired with a handful of others to operate an illegal gambling business in Tamuning under the Guam Shrine Club's Hafa Adai Bingo operations using the club's non-profit status to collect money for personal gain. Overall, the government said that more than $14 million was illegally gained between 2015 and 2021 through bingo. An amended plea agreement signed by Won Sun Min in February 2023 says that Min agreed to the federal calculation that she will forfeit $930,143.07 as money she obtained as a result of money laundering. Min was one of a handful of co-defendants initially charged with the crime. Alfredo Leon Guerrero has already testified and may be recalled, and prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Marivic David, told the court that Juanita Capulong and Minda San Nicolas would be her final witnesses. All have already signed plea agreements. The defense team has already convinced Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood, as well as prosecutor David, that as long as they had an active permit issued by the Department of Revenue and Taxation, there was nothing stopping them from running a legitimate fundraising effort through bingo. David intends to prove that the bingo operation continued to operate during an 88-day period in which the Shriners did not have an active permit. On the witness stand on Tuesday, Min was on her second day of cross examination by Marasigan's attorney, David Lujan. Lujan had her go through the details of the agreement to point out that while she said she and the prosecutor agreed that she would forfeit more than $600,000, what she signed for put the total amount received at around $2.3 million. Lujan learned that Min left Guam for New York as a young adult, earned a master's degree in education and then returned to Guam to start a business. She opened four over the years, including work as a tax preparer and a real-estate agent, and she also sold insurance. "And let's not forget bingo," said Lujan. Min said she regretted being involved in the bingo operations and said that at her age, she was supposed to be retired. Lujan asked her to admit that she was "greedy." "Greedy? No! I saw an opportunity and I took it. It was a mistake. And who are you to call me greedy?" she told Lujan. "You, you have a lot of properties here. So you're greedy, too!" Lujan, unfazed, replied, "Between you and me, who is the criminal?" "Me," said Min. "I'm criminal." Min's cross examination resumes at 8 a.m. Wednesday. The court will take a 45-minute break at 9 a.m. while Lujan represents other clients in a sentencing on the third floor, and will pick up again at 9:45 a.m. Full-scale active shooter exercises will be conducted at Guam Memorial Hospital and the Skilled Nursing Facility on April 29 as part of their ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and preparedness of staff, patients, and visitors. To facilitate these exercises: Visitation at GMH will be suspended from 8 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday Visitation at the SNF will be suspended from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday These exercises, led by the GMH Planning Department and security training officers are designed to simulate real-life scenarios and enhance the readiness of personnel to respond effectively to emergency situations. The safety and well-being of our staff, patients, and visitors are at the heart of everything we do at GMHA. These active shooter exercises are a vital part of our preparedness efforts, ensuring that our team is equipped with the skills and confidence to respond effectively in critical situations, GMH Administrator and CEO Lillian Perez-Posadas said in a statement. She said by conducting these drills, the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority reaffirms its commitment to fostering a secure environment and safeguarding the community. For questions or inquiries, contact Justine Camacho, administrative officer, at (671) 648-7997 or via email at justine.camacho@gmha.org. An action plan detailing spending areas for $500.8 million in Typhoon Mawar relief money for Guam will include plans to help homeowners who still face home damage and uncleared debris from the 2023 Mawar disaster, among other areas. Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority Deputy Director Fernando Esteves, at a Tuesday GHURA board meeting, said the agency will be publishing the action plan by May 1 for public comment. Esteves said residents will have until June 2 to submit any public comments on the plan. GHURA will also host three additional public hearings, where the public can ask questions and submit more feedback, Esteves told the agency board. The initial action plan is expected to cover broad spending areas for the $500.8 million in Community Development Black GrantDisaster Recovery funds GHURA will roll out over the next six years. GHURA is calling it the Fix in Six project. Esteves told the GHURA board that the plan will incorporate feedback thats been provided through six town halls for the $500.8 million funds. One thing residents made clear was the still outstanding need for home rehabilitation after Mawar. Theres still families that are still displaced from the storm that havent been able to move back for structural reasons, one or another, they werent eligible for the roof, temporary roof replacement to make their homes habitable, Esteves said Tuesday. Thats going to be, definitely going to be, one of the main programs that were going to run. Typhoon debris also remains an outstanding issue. There are still households out there that have not cleared storm debris from their personal private properties...Because these are either manamko or persons with disabilities, Esteves noted. Besides those two areas, there were a number of public facilities projects proposed, which were expected, he told the board. Any comments submitted on the action plan after it is published may be used to update the plan, according to Esteves. GHURA intends to submit the plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by June 15. After the submission, GHURA anticipates it will take about 45 days for HUD to approve the action plan, Esteves said. Once the action plan and broad spending areas for the $500.8 million are firmed up, GHURA is expected to move towards drawing up specific programs that the funds will be spent on. HUD requires that more than half the money, $287.5 million, will have to go to the benefit of low- and moderate-income families. Another $52.2 million must go towards mitigation against future hazards. Positions Esteves on Tuesday said the agency plans to begin interviews on Friday for a number of different positions that will help manage the $500.8 million worth of funds. Over 100 applications have already been submitted, he told the board. The agency is seeking community program aides, program coordinators, a buyer and a computer analyst, who will work full-time for the duration of the six-year project, according to a notice from GHURA. View the hiring notice at https://guamcdbgdr.org/sites/default/files/Full-Time%20Temporary%20Positions%20Open%20for%20GHURA%20Fix%20in%20Six%20Program.pdf. GHURAs board has authorized the agency to hire above-step to fill the positions, meaning applicants can receive higher than entry-level pay, if warranted. The agency already has one above-step hire authorized, with a public information officer picked up at step 6, or a salary of $60,026 annually, according to the Fix in Six website. GHURA was approved by HUD to use $25 million of the $500.8 million in disaster funds for administrative costs. The Office of Public Accountability issued its 2024 annual report Tuesday, noting that the office conducted 12 performance audits, provided oversight for 20 financial audits, and handled five procurement appeals. Our goal is to continue to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our government, promote ethics, integrity, and transparency, and to assure our people that the government indeed works on their behalf and in their interest, Public Auditor Benjamin J. Cruz said in remarks accompanying the report. Cruz said the office conducted the highest number of performance audits in a single year since 2011, and the office identified $41 million in financial impact. Among the performance audits were examinations of government credit card use, the Guam Department of Education laptop inventory, and the operating costs for the Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense. The office updated audit contracts for six government of Guam agencies, with the inclusion of a specific provision to issue financial audits no later than Feb. 28, following the end of the fiscal year. We have seen the tardiness of the government-wide financial audit and have taken more aggressive, proactive steps to a timelier completion, Cruz stated. These efforts include more frequent meetings, required progress updates, establishment of deadlines, and follow up on audit responses and resolutions. During the coming year, the office will work with the 38th Guam Legislature to reintroduce legislation codifying OPAs continuing annual budget of 0.25% of the government of Guams annual General Fund revenues. The legislation was approved by the 37th Guam Legislature, but it was later vetoed and did not have enough votes for an override. A retired decorated law enforcement officer who engineered a hung jury and mistrial in federal court will learn his fate on Thursday in the District Court of Guam. John Boom Mantanona pleaded guilty in May 2020 to a sole count of obstructing justice by endeavoring to influence a juror. His sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on April 24 on the third floor of the District Court of Guam, with Judge John Coughenour presiding. The charge stems from a trial in late 2018. Mantanona was hired by the defendants in a case against Raymond John Martinez and Juanita Marie Quitugua Moser, who were both charged with conspiracy to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, and possession with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride. Mantanona was present during portions of the trial. Upon a jury being selected in that case, Mantanona identified Gregorio Tyquiengco, one of the empaneled jurors, and met with him in the parking lot of a Malesso store. He instructed Tyquiengco to become the foreman of the jury, and Tyquiengco said he would vote not guilty in the trial. In November 2018, a mistrial was declared in the Martinez/Moser case. Two months later, the FBI contacted Mantanona and he admitted to everything supporting the charge of obstructing justice. For the next four years, Mantanona worked with federal officers. He helped secure indictments and conviction of all who participated in his effort to influence the jury. In its draft pre-sentence report, the U.S. asked for a minimum of 70 months in prison. Defense attorney Jay Arriola objected to sections in that draft, arguing that the governments use of cross-referencing was unwarranted. Arriola said under his calculations, Mantanona could face a jail sentence of between 27 and 33 months. He asked that Mantanona receive a sentence of five years supervised release. He included various letters from local and federal law enforcement, including former Chief of Police Jack Shimizu, former FBI Directors William Sessions and Louis Freeh, and FBI special agents in charge, all attesting to Mantanonas contribution to law enforcement. Arriola said Mantanonas distinguished career as a law enforcement leader must greatly outweigh the blemish of the single Martinez-Moser episode of his lifetime. The U.S. disagreed, and stuck to its original recommendation of 70 months. An 11th grader at Southern High School has filed a lawsuit in federal court, contending the Guam Department of Education and Superintendent Erik Swanson have failed to provide students with disabilities equal access to classrooms and activities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The student is in a wheelchair, and the five elevators at the school have been broken since he began attending in ninth grade. The lawsuit states that Guam law requires all public schools in Guam are fully compliant with the accessibility requirements of the ADA. Were basically asking that they fix the elevators, attorney Daniel S. Somerfleck said. At least one of them. Somerfleck, of the Guam Legal Services Corp. Disabilities Law Center, said Southern High School was ADA compliant when it opened in 1997, but now students with physical mobility disabilities cant access classes above the first floor. Because some of his classes are on the second floor, the student has to attend virtually, using a computer. Our client is being excluded from the activities of his high school, Somerfleck said. GDOE Deputy Superintendent Barbara Adamos said she could not comment on the situation because of the litigation. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits public entities, including schools, from discriminating against students on the basis of their disabilities. The lawsuit asks for an order requiring GDOE to repair or replace an elevator and implement policies to prevent future accessibility issues. One man was sent to the hospital and another was ordered held on $2,000 cash bail after a sword attack was reported in Inalahan, according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court. Joekin S.N. Taimanglo, 36, was charged Tuesday with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon as a third-degree felony. If convicted, he faces five years in prison. At 4:14 p.m. Friday, police were called to a residence where a woman reported that she and her boyfriend were en route to her workplace when Taimanglo, who was known to her, began following them. The couple parked at a nearby home, and Taimanglo got out of his truck and approached them. When the boyfriend got out of the car, Taimanglo returned to his truck, grabbed a silver sword and chased the man to the backyard/outdoor kitchen. Taimanglo swung the sword at the man at least four times, striking his right arm and leg, according to the complaint. At one point, the man grabbed Taimanglo, who eventually dropped the sword and fled the scene, the complaint stated. The Guam Fire Department was called, and the man was taken to the hospital with wounds on his right arm and leg. Police confiscated the sword, and they located and arrested Taimanglo on Monday afternoon. University of Guams Austin Shelton on Tuesday shared sustainability efforts that he said have helped the island, from planting trees to getting more students in science education. He was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Tumon Bays meeting that coincided with Earth Day. Shelton, director of UOGs Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, joined the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay in celebrating Earth Day which this year has the theme, Our Power, Our Planet, highlighting sustainability efforts within communities worldwide. One of the steps the UOG Island Sustainability and Sea Grant is taking to promote island sustainability is providing students with the opportunity to further their careers in the sciences and incentivize returning to Guam for work, he said. These opportunities, he said, include scholarships for graduate school students and fellowships, such as the National Science Foundations Navigating Home Year-long Early Career Fellowship and UOG Sea Grant Environmental Justice Legal Fellowship. Shelton said sustainability efforts positively impact economic growth, with current activities seeing a three-time return on investment. I know a lot of you are leaders in our business community and I just wanted to share that were doing our best to make sure that all the work that we do is not just a good thing to do but also makes economic sense for all of us, he said. He cited as an example the Conservation Corps planting of 5,480 trees over the past few years. The value of those trees, he said, would be $234,885. Rotarian Jennifer Camacho, who also serves as CarsPlus senior vice president, said her company has also been contributing to island sustainability by encouraging off-roaders to pledge to the Tread Lightly campaign, which commits to responsible off-roading to prevent soil erosion. Rotarians on the island and across the region, who are business owners and leaders, have also been making contributions through beach cleanups and planting trees. I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Guam, I extend our sincere condolences to the Catholic Church and its members in Guam and around the world. His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, also expressed His condolence in the following words: Throughout this life, Pope Francis sought to serve the poor and vulnerable, demonstrating immense sympathy for those suffering under the heavy weight of warfare, persecution, and injustice. He was a man of compassion, humility, and faith who strived to build bridges between people of different faith and beliefs. On Easter Monday, the world lost more than a spiritual leader. We lost a leader of rare conviction. A global figure whose words carried weight and whose actions set a standard for how leadership should be exercised. He led with discipline, compassion, and clarity. Pope Francis led with purpose. His papacy was defined by responsibility. He focused on the needs of people. He did not prioritize appearances or ceremonial status. He understood that the legitimacy of any institution depends on whether it serves those it claims to represent. His influence extended far beyond the Church. At a time when global institutions are under stress and trust in leadership is weakening, Pope Francis brought consistency. He addressed economic inequality, environmental decline, and humanitarian crises with urgency and clarity. He traveled to places often overlooked, including conflict zones, prisons, and refugee camps. He paid attention to people the world too often forgets. For those of us in places like Guam, where we are on the edge of political power but central to its projection, his words hit differently. We understand what it means to be strategically important while remaining politically sidelined. Pope Francis reminded the world that every person matters. That includes those pushed to the margins, and especially those who have been left there for too long. His death is a global loss, but it is also a challenge. The values he stood forsolidarity, stewardship, humilitydo not carry themselves forward. They require action. They require policy. They require courage from those in positions of authority. Guam must draw lessons from this moment. We are living through a time of transition. U.S. strategic dominance is being redefined. Alliances are shifting. The Pacific is becoming a central focus in global affairs. We cannot afford to sit back and simply respond to decisions made elsewhere. Pope Francis never encouraged passivity. He pushed for responsibility and voice. He championed the right of every person to shape their own future. That principle holds true for Guam. It holds true for every community seeking fair representation and greater self-determination. We mourn his passing, but we also move forward. We organize around human dignity. We build economic systems that include more people and deliver real opportunity. We demand political frameworks that prioritize the needs of the many over the convenience of the few. The world will remember Pope Francis as the shepherd who did not seek power but who led through principle. Now it is our turn to carry that forward. Haiti - FLASH : Presentation of the situation in Haiti to the UN Security Council On Monday, April 21, 2025, Maria Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), briefed the UN Security Council in New York on the situation in Haiti. Statement by Maria Isabel Salvador : "Mr. President, Distinguished Members of the Council, Excellencies, Thank you for welcoming me once again today to address you at this critical time for Haiti. Since my last briefing to the Council in January, the security situation in Haiti has deteriorated once again. This time, I want to issue a cry and an appeal that may help you better understand what risks becoming a point of no return in the Haitian crisis. Since late January, organized criminal groups have launched coordinated attacks to expand territorial control and undermine the state authority. They targeted Kenscoff, the last road out of Port-au-Prince not fully under gang control, and advanced simultaneously into Delmas, downtown Port-au-Prince, and Petion-Villeareas previously spareddeepening the city's destabilization. Attacks also spread across the West, Centre, and Artibonite departments, signaling a strategy to stretch national security forces. Most recently, gangs seized Mirebalais. During the attack, over 500 inmates were freed https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44597-haiti-flash-mirebalais-under-attack-numerous-victims-more-than-500-escapees-on-the-run-video.html in the fifth prison break in under a yearpart of a deliberate effort to entrench dominance, dismantle institutions, and instill fear. The scale and duration of this violence overwhelmed the Haitian National Police, despite support from the Armed Forces of Haiti and the Multinational Security Support Mission, further obstructing stabilization. In February and March alone, 1,086 people were killed and 383 others injured. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 60,000 were forcibly displaced in the past two months https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44511-haiti-social-60-000-people-displaced-by-violence-in-1-month.html , adding to the one million already displaced by December 2024. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44066-haiti-flash-more-than-a-million-people-in-haiti-have-been-displaced-by-violence-2024.html These numbers are expected to rise. The scale of the violence has sowed panic among Haitians, who fear the total collapse of the state under pressure from criminal groups. Many have organized to protect their neighborhoods, families, and communities. In recent days, frustration has driven thousands of citizens to demonstrate to demand more effective measures, while some politicians have exploited this growing insecurity to challenge the ruling power. National authorities have stepped up efforts, within their means, to strengthen security forces and improve coordination between the police, the Haitian Armed Forces, and the Multinational Security Support Mission. On April 14, a revised budget was adopted to bolster the capacities of the police and the military https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44578-haiti-flash-billions-of-gourdes-allocated-for-the-pnh-and-the-fad-h.html and https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44704-haiti-economy-war-budget-more-impressive-in-words-than-in-practice.html . It is essential that any future measures strengthen security institutions, respecting the rule of law, under civilian authority, and in compliance with human rights standards. However, I must be very frank, responsible and honest: no amount of effort by the Haitian government will be enough to significantly reduce the intensity and violence of criminal groups. In this contextand this might sound repetitivestepping up international support for Haiti is more critical than ever, particularly through increased funding and operational capacity for the Multinational Security Support Mission. I commend Kenyas steadfast leadership and thank all contributing Member States. But at this critical juncture, all Member States must increase support to Haitis security forcesparticularly the Multinational Security Support Missionnot as a matter of choice, but of necessity as no viable alternative remains. The Secretary-Generals 24 February letter to the Council provides proposals that must be urgently considered. Download the letter from the Secretary General : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/S_2025_122-EN.pdf Mr. President, Excellencies, As the security crisis affects all aspects of life in Haiti, the UNs presence is also strained. The ongoing isolation of the capitaldue to suspended commercial flights since November 2024 and blocked road accessremains the greatest operational challenge. In response, BINUH and UN agencies have adopted hybrid modalities and reduced their presence in Port-au-Prince to maintain operations and deliver life-saving support. However, without sufficient and predictable funding, even a minimal UN presence may become unsustainable, jeopardizing our ability to meet mandate priorities. I thank the World Food Programme and UNHAS for ensuring access under extreme constraints and urge continued and scaled-up support to WFP Haiti. Without this critical lifeline, UN operations could be further reducedat a time when the country needs us most. Mr. President, Despite the enormous security challenges, the Haitian authorities, with the support of BINUH, have taken steps to advance the political process. The Transitional Presidential Council, led by Mr. Fritz Jean, reaffirmed its commitment to holding elections to transfer power to elected authorities by February 2026, in accordance with the agreement reached a year ago. The Steering Committee of the National Conference conducted extensive consultations in the country's departments and with the diaspora on the constitutional review https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44691-haiti-washington-dialogue-on-diaspora-electoral-and-political-participation.html , while the Provisional Electoral Council launched consultations with political and civil society actors and advanced administrative and logistical preparations. The UNDP redefined its electoral support project, and a Task Force of UN agencies, led by BINUH, was established based on the recommendations of the Needs Assessment Mission. Despite this progress, many are concerned about the feasibility of the timetable, as the deteriorating security situation compromises essential preparations for the organization of an inclusive, participatory and credible referendum and elections. BINUH remains committed to supporting authorities and stakeholders in engaging constructively on how to realistically advance electoral preparations, while understanding that restoring security and a stable environment is essential to end the cycle of transitional arrangements and replace it with democratically elected institutions. In light of the deteriorating environment and based on the Secretary-Generals message, it is vital to align BINUHs scope with on-the-ground realities. Strategic prioritization of the mandategrounded in the current security context and available resourcesis essential to allow the Mission to deliver meaningfully on core responsibilities: political dialogue, national capacity support, community violence reduction, human rights protection, and enabling conditions for democratic renewal. This is a call to focus BINUHs efforts where they can be most impactful, sustainable, and credible. Amid widespread insecurity, BINUH continues to support governance improvements and political progress. We are working closely with the newly appointed National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reintegration https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44452-haiti-security-installation-of-members-of-the-national-disarmament-commission.html . Its installation reflects determination by national authorities to advance, despite the challenges. The work on the National Strategy for Community Violence Reduction and a draft law on weapons and ammunition are steps toward reducing violence. I welcome the Governments recent decree creating specialized judicial units to address heinous crimes, financial crimes, and corruption https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44549-haiti-justice-reopening-of-the-court-of-first-instance-of-port-au-prince.html , and its commitment to prosecuting white-collar criminals and financiers of criminal groups, as well as strengthening control over arms and illicit trafficking. The UN in Haiti has long supported these efforts through advocacy and technical assistance. I urge the authorities to implement these measures without delay. I also call on this Council to renew its engagement and support for the Sanctions Committee and Panel of Expertsincluding by adding names to the sanctions list and urging Member States to fully enforce the arms embargo. Justice is a system; it requires every part to act for it to function. Haitis humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels. Cholera outbreaks and gender-based violenceespecially in displacement sitesare widespread. Insecurity has closed 39 health facilities and over 900 schools in Port-au-Prince. I urge Member States to support the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan. The UN remains committed to helping deliver life-saving assistanceespecially to women, girls, and childrenand to promoting social peace through government-led efforts. Mr. President, Haiti has reached a pivotal moment. As I have already said, we are approaching a point of no return. As gang violence continues to spread to new areas of the country, Haitians experience growing levels of vulnerability and increasing skepticism about the ability of the state to respond to their needs. The national security forces, while deploying their utmost effort, cannot succeed without a unified, strategic command structurefree from political interference and operating under civil authority. In addition, they require more specialized anti-gang units, better equipment, and improved working conditions. However, and it must be said, without timely, decisive and concrete international assistance, the security situation in Haiti may not change. Haiti could face total chaos and any delay in your support could be a direct cause of such stark deterioration. I urge you to remain engaged and answer the pressing needs of the country and its people. For its part, notwithstanding the enormous security challenges that we face, BINUH, as mandated by this Council, will spare no effort in supporting the Haitian-led political process towards the restoration of democratic institutions, as soon as conditions are met." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : Statement by US Ambassador Dorothy Shea to the UN Security Council on Haiti On Monday, April 21, 2025, following the briefing to the Security Council by Maria Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) in Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), on the situation in Haiti, U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea stated : Statement by Ambassador Dorothy Shea : "[...] Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, SRSG Maria Isabel Salvador, Dr. Monica Juma, and Ms. Pascale Solages for your briefings today. I would also like to express appreciation for the efforts of the entire BINUH team in Haiti. From the quarterly Secretary-General report and the statements that the Council has heard just now https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44745-haiti-flash-presentation-of-the-situation-in-haiti-to-the-un-security-council.html , it is clear that there are harrowing trends of increased deaths, reports of sexual violence and recruitment of children into gangs, and that Haiti continues to face serious challenges in both security and governance. We extend our condolences to the citizens of Haiti for the lives lost, and to the people and Government of Kenya for the loss of MSS police officers. SRSG Salvador, against this backdrop, we commend the efforts of you and your team to implement the BINUH mandate. But as has been made clear in your report, the security situation is seriously hampering your ability to do so. Gang violence continues to disrupt the critical services BINUH needs to fulfill its mandate. Currently, BINUH maintains a skeleton team on the ground in Haiti, with all other personnel working remotely. Additionally, BINUHs medical support has been limited to a single doctor, an alternating nurse, and one UN Volunteer program doctor. BINUHs team remains operationally hampered and limited in their ability to effectively carry out their mandate. As BINUH and the SRSG have reiterated, a Special Political Mission alone is neither mandated nor sufficient, even with security enhancements, to address the unprecedented challenges posed by escalating gang violence. Moreover, the country is woefully behind on the organization of elections and the restoration of democratic order. There remain deep concerns regarding safety and security in the broader Port-au-Prince area and increasingly, in areas beyond the capital. The United States supports the statement issued by CARICOM condemning any actions to destabilize Haitis governing institutions. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44692-haiti-flash-caricom-concerned-about-the-threat-of-a-coup-in-haiti.html We continue to support the ongoing efforts by the Kenya-led MSS mission to assist the Haitian National Police in countering these armed gangs. Corruption continues to remain a major issue. We condemn the actions of those who commit abuses of office, work with the gangs, participate in the trafficking of arms and ammunition. An environment that is permissive to such malign activities will only continue to fuel the gang violence and ensure that the situation is never resolved. We look forward to the Haiti Panel of Experts upcoming recommendations for sanctions targets. The imposition of UN asset freezes, travel bans on gang leaders and their facilitators is an important tool the Security Council has to promote accountability for those destabilizing Haiti. Supporting anti-corruption efforts and promoting accountability for those responsible for abuses is imperative to facilitating a swift end to violence. Finally, we know the gravity of the security situation demands we address the long-term sustainability of the international communitys stabilization efforts both BINUH and the MSS mission. The U.S. government continues to work closely with BINUH, the Haitian government, the MSS mission, the Organization of American States, and the international community to drive progress forward. To that end, we encourage international stakeholders and donors to come to the table and contribute their fair share. While we remain determined to assist the Haitian people to achieve the peace, security and prosperity they deserve, and while we acknowledge with gratitude those countries that have contributed to the MSS financially and in kind, America cannot continue shouldering such a significant financial burden. I thank you." See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44745-haiti-flash-presentation-of-the-situation-in-haiti-to-the-un-security-council.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44692-haiti-flash-caricom-concerned-about-the-threat-of-a-coup-in-haiti.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Economy : Preparation of the 2025 to 2030 Development Plan, signing of a MoU with the IDB On Monday, April 21, 2025, in Washington, DC, on the sidelines of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings, Alfred Fils Metellus, Minister of Economy and Finance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to coordinate the preparation of the Development Plan for the period 2025 to 2030, in partnership with the World Bank, the United Nations, and the European Union. These collaborative efforts build on the Rapid Crisis Impact Assessment (RCIA) under the Adjusted Cooperation and Investment Framework (ARCI) coordinated by the World Bank https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44130-haiti-finance-high-level-meeting-with-the-world-bank-and-the-imf.html and aim to foster resilience through a territorial approach aligned with the Government's priorities and objectives for sustainable development and recovery. This Tuesday, April 22, 2025, a Haitian delegation led by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) will participate in "Haiti Day" in Washington, DC, to which representatives of Haiti's donors, civil society, and private sector are also invited. The official delegation includes representatives from the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation and the Bank of the Republic of Haiti. This meeting aims to strengthen dialogue with international partners around the country's programmatic priorities, not only to promote social and political stabilization and economic recovery in the context of the current crisis, but also to pave the way for the organization of elections and the installation of an elected President on February 7, 2026, and the regular functioning of democratic institutions, including Parliament. In a context marked by the deteriorating security situation and the unprecedented increase in the number of internally displaced persons, the delegation will reaffirm the authorities' commitment to macroeconomic stability, strengthening governance, and maintaining active dialogue with both national and international partners. It will also emphasize the need for coordinated support in the face of humanitarian and economic challenges, with a view to laying the foundations for sustainable recovery while focusing on the organization of the next elections. The interventions will be based on the Recovery Framework and Investment Plan resulting from the Rapid Crisis Impact Assessment (RCIA) conducted between 2021 and 2024 with the support of technical and financial partners, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the United Nations, and the European Union. These discussions in Washington are part of an ongoing inclusive process. In February and March, the MEF organized national consultations with representatives of the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders to enrich the content of the advocacy to be taken to the international level. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43864-haiti-flash-to-recover-haiti-needs-134-billion-dollars-2024-2026.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44409-haiti-economy-world-bank-announces-320-million-to-lay-the-foundations-for-economic-and-social-recovery.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44130-haiti-finance-high-level-meeting-with-the-world-bank-and-the-imf.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Lack of equipment, Kenyan reinforcements blocked A total of 261 Kenyan police officers scheduled to be deployed to Haiti remain on standby due to a lack of equipment and logistical support, Kenyan Ambassador Monica Juma told the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday. OAS : Donation of tactical and medical equipment to the BRI Official handover of tactical and medical equipment to the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI), the spearhead of the Haitian National Police in the fight against armed gangs. Concrete support from the Organization of American States (OAS-Haiti) to strengthen frontline units. Thank you to Commander Villette for his commitment. 29 killed every day... Between December 2024 and February 2025, 2,660 people died in Haiti, including 323 women, 19 girls, and 55 boys, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reported to the Security Council. He noted the inability of the Haitian National Police (PNH) to contain the spread of gangs, raising fears of an "imminent collapse" of the state's presence in the capital, Port-au-Prince. China criticizes the 10% customs duty imposed on Haiti On Monday, April 21, 2025, during the United Nations Security Council's working session on the security situation in Haiti, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, accused the United States of being directly responsible for the actions of armed groups and the current crisis in Haiti. The Chinese ambassador also criticized the US for President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 10% tariff on Haitian products as part of its trade war. Pope's Death: Condolences Prime Minister : "Pope Francis was a great friend of Haiti. Through his humility, his voice always reaching out to the forgotten, and his commitment to justice and inclusion, he embodied a rare and profound moral leadership. In our darkest hours, he held Haiti in his prayers and in his heart. Our deepest condolences to the great family of the Catholic Church," Prime Minister's Office Presidential Transitional Council : "The Presidential Transitional Council (PTC) mourns with sadness and emotion the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a respected spiritual guide and ardent defender of human dignity. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44739-haiti-flash-pope-francis-has-died-video.html In this time of mourning, the Council expresses, on behalf of the Haitian people, its sincere condolences to the Catholic Church, the Christian community of Haiti, and the Holy See. May his legacy continue to inspire the entire world. Football NOTICE : Safeguarding Training The Haitian Football Federation (FHF) informs the country's football academies and schools that a safeguarding training session will be organized on April 23 and 24, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., for organizations that have completed the 2024 Club License form, applicable to the 2025 season. This session will be held in person and also via videoconference, to allow as many participants as possible to participate. This initiative is part of the FIFA Guardians program, which aims to ensure a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment for all young people playing football. HL/ HaitiLibre The USA is the largest country in the world where daily temperatures are measured on the Fahrenheit scale. It ranges from 0 degrees Fahrenheit, the lowest temperature that Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit was able to measure with "salted ice" around 1710, in 180 increments to 212 degrees, the boiling point of water. In addition to the USA, the Fahrenheit scale is still in use in some island states and in Liberia in Africa. Anzeige Great Britain is considered the mother country of this type of thermometry because Fahrenheit presented the thermometers he built and the measuring method in the Transactions of the Royal Society in 1724. In 1965, the conversion to the metric system and the use of Celsius degrees in science began there. Under US President Gerald Ford, the USA attempted the conversion in 1975 with the Metric Conversion Act, but his successor Ronald Reagan quickly dissolved the US Metric Board in 1982. Zahlen, bitte! In this section, we present amazing, impressive, informative and funny figures ("Zahlen") from the fields of IT, science, art, business, politics and, of course, mathematics every Tuesday. The wordplay "Zahlen, bitte!" for a section about numbers is based on the ambiguity of the German word "Zahlen." On one hand, "Zahlen" can be understood as a noun in the sense of digits and numerical values, which fits the theme of the section. On the other hand, the phrase "Zahlen, bitte!" is reminiscent of a waiter's request in a restaurant or bar when they are asked to bring the bill. Through this association, the section acquires a playful and slightly humorous undertone that catches the readers' attention and makes them curious about the presented numbers and facts. Alle Artikel zu "Zahlen, bitte!" In addition to education, busy with meteorology In 1702, Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit from Danzig was sent to Amsterdam at the age of 16 to learn the ropes as a merchant in a trading office. His education bored him and he began to occupy himself with meteorological and physical questions. He specialized in the development of thermometers and drew on his parental inheritance to do so. His guardians tried to stop this with an arrest warrant in 1707, but Fahrenheit had already left by then. Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (* May 24, 1686 in Danzig, Royal Republic; September 16, 1736 in The Hague, Republic of the United Netherlands) in a contemporary depiction of experiments with the thermometer he developed. (Image: gemeinfrei) On his travels around the Baltic Sea, he visited the Danish astronomer Olav Rmer, known for the first calculation of the speed of light. Rmer himself had constructed thermometers and developed a temperature scale that ranged from the melting point of brine to the boiling point of water. Subsequently, Fahrenheit, who was now of age, tried to determine Fahrenheid's zero point and reached it by measuring "salted ice", a mixture of ice and ammonium chloride at -17.8 degrees Celsius. At this fixed point, Fahrenheit set the freezing point of pure water of ice at 32 degrees and 96 degrees for human body temperature. This scale , which was discovered and published in 1714, made him famous above all because he returned to Amsterdam and developed thermometers that enabled comparative measurements to be made with great precision. Anzeige Much-praised scale They were particularly praised by the then influential scientist Christian Wolf. "For certain private reasons, he does not disclose the artifice by which he obtains the agreement; however, the effect has been observed by many people who have compared his thermometers and barometers," said Wolf. Fahrenheit wanted to make a living by manufacturing his thermometers. When lower temperatures were measured, meaning Fahrenheit had to resort to negative values, he wrote to his friend, the chemist Hermann Boerhaave, in 1729: "...if we consider the large spaces between the celestial bodies, there must be the least heat, therefore the strongest cold, because the rays of the heat-emitting bodies have no 'reflections' and no 'revibrations'." Celsius and Fahrenheit scale in comparison (Image: Mrmw, CC0) Without knowledge of the third law of thermodynamics, Fahrenheit had the correct assumptions that finally enabled Lord Kelvin to determine absolute zero in 1848 and set it on his Kelvin scale, which later became the SI unit of temperature. Fahrenheit was the first to use mercury instead of spirit of wine in his thermometers and to investigate the influence of the different types of glass (PDF) in his capillaries on the temperature measurement. The highlight of his career was his admission to the Royal Society in 1724, for which he traveled to London and gave a lecture. In that year, he published five papers in the Transactions of the Society, in which he presented a barometer and hydrometer he had developed and published on his investigations into the boiling point of various liquids. Legal definition after Fahreneid's death However, general recognition only came after his death, when the "Imperial Standard Yard" made of bronze and gold "at a temperature of 62 degrees Fahrenheit" was established by law in 1855. The Fahrenheit scale became famous with a temperature that was not on Fahrenheit's original scale. Ray Bradbury's dystopia Fahrenheit 451 is based on the spontaneous combustion of paper and is emblematic of censorship attempts of all kinds. Bradbury's fire department does not extinguish fires, but burns books and thus acts as a state power that suppresses knowledge. When the novel, written in the 1950s, was remade into a film in 2018, it was criticized for criticizing Trump's cultural policy. In the same year, Fahrenheit 11/9 was released, a documentary film in which Michael Moore critically examined the political situation in the USA after Trump's first election victory. Conversion aids created between C and F There are numerous calculators, tables and apps for converting Fahrenheit degrees to Celsius, as well as a mnemonic published by a mathematician. For 04, 16 and 28 degrees Celsius, it is sufficient to reverse the numbers. This gives you the temperatures for cold, cool, warm and hot days, as used by Daniel Fahrenheit when describing his scale to the English public. Outside the USA, Fahrenheit is only used in a few countries: Belize, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas and Liberia. The reasoning that these are warmer regions may be a little disconcerting. Could climate change lead to a revision of the Fahrenheit scale, as seen here? Or will it remain as Christian Morgenstern wrote in his gallows song cycle about the "crown pretenders"? "Ich bin der Graf von Reaumur und Hass euch wie die Schande! Dient nur dem Celsio fur und fur, ihr Apostatenbande!" Im Winkel Konig Fahrenheit hat still sein Mus gegessen. "Ach Gott, sie war doch schon, die Zeit, da man nach mir gemessen!" Or in English: "I am the Count of Reaumur And hate you like shame! Serve only the Celsio for and for, you band of apostates!" In the corner King Fahrenheit ate his mush in silence. "Oh God, it was a beautiful time, when they measured after me!" (dahe) 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. No contract has yet been signed. The US Coast Guard has approached several global shipyards as it seeks builders capable of delivering medium-sized icebreakers within 36 months. The United States Coast Guard is in negotiations with Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions over a possible 2.5 billion contract to construct several new icebreakers. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the potential deal covers up to five medium-sized vessels and could also include three larger icebreakers. Raumas offer is under active consideration. The Finnish shipyard, located in the coastal city of Rauma, has a long history in ice-class vessel construction. In the 1990s, it built three icebreakers and more recently delivered the Aurora Botnia, an ice-strengthened ferry, in 2021. It is currently building four multi-role warships for the Finnish Navy, all designed to operate in Arctic conditions. Rauma Marine Constructions, founded in 2014 and entirely Finnish-owned, holds confirmed shipbuilding orders exceeding one billion euros and is fully booked through 2028. Its modernised facilities, including a new indoor construction hall, have reinforced its capacity for large and complex projects. According to Helsingin Sanomat, the US is also interested in exploring the construction of three large icebreakers in addition to the five medium ones. If concluded, the order would represent one of the most significant foreign investments in Finlands shipbuilding sector in recent years. The possible agreement follows high-level diplomatic discussions between Finnish and US leaders. President Alexander Stubb raised the matter with US President Donald Trump in Florida at the end of March. The subject also came up during Foreign Minister Elina Valtonens visit to Washington earlier in April, where she met with her US counterpart Marco Rubio. Valtonen said following the talks that the negotiations had progressed and that "concrete news" could be expected soon regarding the export of Finnish-built icebreakers to the United States. The US Coast Guard is expanding its fleet to meet Arctic security needs. President Trump previously announced an intention to acquire up to 40 new large icebreakers, a figure that experts have questioned as unrealistic. Still, any contract awarded to Finnish shipbuilders would carry major economic implications, potentially bringing substantial investment and job creation to the region. In addition to Rauma, Helsinki Shipyard is also being considered as a candidate for the icebreaker programme. Now owned by Canada's Davie Group, Helsinki Shipyard has built over half the worlds icebreakers but recently faced financial difficulties, including sanctions-related project cancellations. The US Coast Guard recently issued a Request for Information seeking ready-to-build designs for 370-foot Arctic Security Cutters. While the RFI is understood to be separate from the talks with Rauma, it signals increased American urgency to modernise its ice-capable fleet. HT Nearly 1.7 million Finnish residents must check and, if necessary, correct their pre-filled tax returns by the end of today, according to the Finnish Tax Administration. Taxpayers must ensure the information in their return is accurate and complete. Omissions or inaccuracies should be corrected through the Omavero online service. The current deadline applies to one-third of all wage earners, benefit recipients, and pensioners, who have been split into three groups with staggered deadlines throughout April. Staff from the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the ICT Centre Valtori, and the Eastern Uusimaa and Southeast Finland Police Departments joined the walkout after mediation failed. The strike follows a previous two-day action last week, which included the first police strike in Finland since the 1970s. The unions representing the approximately 80,000 affected employees Juko, JHL, and Trade Union Pro are demanding a 7.8 percent wage increase over three years. The Office for the Government as Employer (VTML) has offered 6.3 percent, citing budget constraints and the 5.5 billion annual cost of government personnel. The strike is set to continue until midnight on Thursday, 24 April. The Finnish Meteorological Institute warned that national weather forecasts, such as coastal bulletins, may not be issued during the strike. Anssi Vahamaki of the institutes Weather and Safety Centre said the impact may vary depending on staffing levels, but national-level updates are expected to be limited through Thursday. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the unions also issued a new strike warning. A separate two-day walkout is now planned for 89 May. It would include employees at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Emergency Response Centre Agency, Finnish Food Authority, and the Southeast Finland, Eastern Finland and Oulu police departments. Unfortunately, we have to continue and expand the strikes, the unions said. The employer is still not prepared to accept wage increases in line with the general policy that government employees unquestionably deserve. The dispute is expected to return to the National Conciliators Office on Thursday. HT Finnish President Alexander Stubb met Swedens Crown Princess Victoria in Helsinki on Tuesday to discuss defence and crisis preparedness. The meeting took place at the presidential residence in Munkkiniemi. It marked the start of the Swedish royals two-day visit to Finland. Victoria was joined by Swedens Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin and other officials. The suit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts on Monday, follows the Trump administrations demand for access to internal reports on antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias at Harvard, along with requirements for sweeping reforms including the elimination of diversity and inclusion programs, restrictions on protest activity, and external oversight of university operations. Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the administration of President Donald Trump , accusing the federal government of violating constitutional protections by withholding billions of dollars in research funding in an effort to control the universitys academic policies. Harvard President Alan M. Garber said in a letter to the academic community that the federal actions posed stark real-life consequences for the universitys students, faculty, and research activities. He stated the lawsuit aims to protect Harvards constitutional rights and academic autonomy, not to recover lost funding. Rather than engage with Harvard regarding efforts to address antisemitism, the Government announced a sweeping freeze of funding for medical, scientific, technological, and other research that has nothing to do with Title VI compliance, the lawsuit states. The funding freeze, which affects more than $2.2 billion in grants and contracts, follows months of tensions between Harvard and the White House over campus protests related to the war in Gaza. An additional $1 billion in federal research support and Harvards tax-exempt status have also been threatened, according to reports. Harvard's legal filing names multiple officials from the Trump administration, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and Attorney General Pamela Bondi. The administrations position is that Harvard, and other elite universities, have failed to respond adequately to rising antisemitism. Trump officials have tied continued federal support to a set of directives that include public disclosure of internal reports, interview access to university personnel, and oversight of admissions and hiring processes. The Department of Health and Human Services sent Harvard a letter demanding all internal reports on bias and discrimination, including draft versions, along with the names of those involved in their preparation. The letter also insisted those individuals be made available for interviews. Harvard rejected these demands on April 14 in a letter stating they were unconstitutional and amounted to political interference in academic affairs. Garber wrote that the university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. The university is being supported by former faculty and public officials from across the political spectrum. Former Harvard president Larry Summers, who has previously criticised the university's handling of antisemitism, described the administrations demands as overreach. An enemies list did not work out for President Nixon. It wont for President Trump, he wrote. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a Harvard graduate, called the moves outrageous and accused the Trump administration of targeting institutions to silence dissent. Civil rights organisations have also raised concerns. The Anti-Defamation Leagues CEO Jonathan Greenblatt warned the administrations actions risk politicising the response to antisemitism. In a public statement, Harvard Hillel, a Jewish student organisation, criticised the funding freeze, saying it jeopardises the very communities it claims to protect. An open letter signed by more than 100 Jewish students at Harvard said they opposed using their concerns as political leverage. We overwhelmingly oppose these drastic funding cuts to our university, the letter stated. Trump has vowed to take back elite American universities and has extended federal pressure to other institutions. Columbia University, under similar threats, recently introduced new disciplinary measures and academic reforms in a bid to protect its funding. The legal challenge from Harvard signals a broader confrontation between American higher education and the Trump administration, as other universities including Princeton and Cornell also face government pressure. HT (JTA) - George Orwell disliked peace propaganda as much as he disliked war propaganda. Like war propaganda, he wrote, peace propaganda "concentrates on putting forward a 'case,' obscuring the opponent's point of view and avoiding awkward questions." I spent an Orwellian few days watching new documentaries about Oct. 7 and its aftermath, specifically on how the Hamas attacks in Israel and the fallout from Israel's war in Gaza played out in the United States. "October 8," a film about how American Jews experienced the fierce and at times antisemitic backlash to Israel and the war, and "The Encam... (JNS) Below is the full text of the statement delivered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alongside U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on April 7, 2025: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Donald. I want to first thank you for inviting me again to the White House. Youve been a remarkable friend of the State of Israel. You stand by us, youre standing with us, youre a great, great champion of our alliance and you actually do things that you say you do. And I think people respect that enormously. I certainly do, and the people of Israel do, and I think the Jewish peop... (JNS) In early March, during a family trip to Tel Azekah near Beit Shemesh, three-and-a-half-year-old Ziv Nitzan from Moshav Ramot Meir stumbled upon an extraordinary piece of history an ancient scarab amulet dating back approximately 3,800 years. The young girls discovery was purely accidental, according to her sister, Omer Nitzan. We were walking along the path when Ziv bent down and picked up a particular stone, she said, according to a press release published by the Israel Antiquities Authority. After rubbing off the sand, we saw something was different about it. We quickly called... U.S. economists, including Nobel laureates, criticize Trump's tariff policy 15:51, April 22, 2025 By Zhang Kaiwei ( People's Daily Online This photo taken on March 29, 2023 shows the White House in Washington DC. (Photo/Xinhua) A growing number of U.S. scholars and politicians have voiced criticism of the Trump administration's aggressive tariff policy, warning of serious economic consequences. Economists say tariff calculations flawed, warn of consumer harm The U.S. tariff policy has drawn sharp rebukes from economists who argue that the methodology behind these tariffs is deeply flawed, potentially harming American consumers and businesses more than protecting them. Dozens of economists, including Nobel laureates Vernon Smith and James Heckman, have signed an "anti-tariff declaration" stating that the "reciprocal" tariff rates being threatened and imposed by the United States on other countries are calculated using an erroneous and improvised formula with no basis in economic reality. The declaration also reads: "The current administration's tariffs are motivated by a mistaken understanding of the economic conditions faced by ordinary Americans. We anticipate that American workers will incur the brunt of these misguided policies in the form of increased prices and the risk of a self-inflicted recession." According to Kevin Corinth and Stan Veuger, economists at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a conservative think tank, the tariffs should be about 25 percent lower than stated because the Trump administration erred in its calculations by undervaluing the duties' impact on import prices. The formula has "no foundation in either economic theory or trade law," the AEI economists said. "It's very wrongheaded economics; it's quite natural that you will have deficits with some countries and surpluses with others," economist Marcus Noland, executive vice president and director of studies with the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE), said in an interview with CNN. "So, trying to implement a policy to generate balanced trade with all countries just flies in the face of any kind of comparative advantage or specialization." Karen Dynan, a nonresident senior fellow at PIIE, estimates the probability of a U.S. recession over the next 12 months at 40 percent, warning that any additional U.S. economic weakness would weigh heavily on global growth, particularly for U.S. trading partners. U.S. politicians raise concern over tariffs "It's not fair, and it doesn't make economic sense," Senator Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, said in a statement. He added that the federal government has a responsibility to "help those Americans and mitigate the damage it caused" to those suffering economic hardship from the tariffs. Anthony Scaramucci, who briefly served as White House communications director, criticized President Donald Trump's trade policy in comments to Business Insider, warning that aggressive tariffs could trigger a recession by increasing consumer costs and prompting retaliatory measures from other countries that would harm U.S. exports. Whether the Trump administration will alter its course remains to be seen, but mounting criticism from both academic and political quarters suggests pressure is building for policy adjustments. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chengliang) Feature: Beyond politics, California educator sees value in Chinese language education Xinhua) 16:18, April 22, 2025 SACRAMENTO, United States, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Eric Peterson, principal of West County Mandarin School in Pinole, California, has just returned from leading nearly 50 students and teachers on a cultural tour around Beijing, and he's already planning another for this summer. "The Chinese students and families treated our students so well, and even now they're all communicating on WeChat with each other," Peterson told Xinhua. During their visit last month, the American students stayed with host families in Beijing, toured historical sites, and even sang American and Chinese pop songs alongside their Chinese peers -- a moment Peterson called "really beautiful to see." Peterson made the remarks during a recent interview that coincided with Chinese Language Day, an annual observance established by the United Nations in 2010 and held on April 20 each year. Chinese Language Day honors the Chinese language and its rich cultural heritage, celebrates multilingualism and cultural diversity, and promotes equal use of all six official UN languages. Peterson witnessed firsthand the growing enthusiasm for Chinese language education in his school district, evidenced by the long waiting list for enrollment at his school. Founded in 2017, West County Mandarin School serves kindergarten through sixth grade and plans to extend one grade per year until it reaches eighth grade. The school's humble beginnings involved Peterson personally recruiting families by approaching parents with children at local shopping centers. From those grassroots efforts, enrollment has climbed to 530 students this year, with roughly 585 expected next fall -- a testament, he said, "to the great appreciation of Chinese language." What makes West County Mandarin School particularly notable is its diverse student body. "At our school, the majority of the students are not of Chinese heritage," he explained. "We have students from all different racial and ethnic backgrounds." Also, the school, according to the principal, deliberately sets aside half of its seats for low-income students, ensuring accessibility across socioeconomic backgrounds. Parents' interest in Chinese language education stems from recognizing its future value for their children, regardless of their cultural background, said Peterson. As word spread about students enjoying Chinese language and culture while excelling academically, the waiting list grew substantially. To provide students with authentic cultural experiences, Peterson began organizing trips to China in 2018. The school worked to keep costs manageable, making these educational journeys accessible to more students. This July, he aims to bring about 100 students on a 21-day trip that will earn them both high-school and community-college credits. He emphasized that, beyond academic gains, these journeys open students' eyes to modern China's rapid development and warm hospitality -- far beyond what they encounter in media reports. "It was really good for American students to see how other students in other countries learn and value education," he added. Peterson believed that California's historical connection to Chinese culture had created deep-rooted appreciation for Chinese language and heritage throughout the region. California's connection to Chinese culture began during the mid-19th century Gold Rush, when thousands of Chinese immigrants arrived seeking economic opportunities. Chinese communities have since contributed significantly to the state's development. This historical foundation supports continued interest in Chinese language education in California, even amid contemporary trade tensions. As Peterson noted, "in our school district, Chinese language is something that people value and understand the importance of learning." "Regardless of what's happening in the higher levels of international trade or politics, people see the people-to-people connections and the importance of learning the language," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) President Donald J. Trump's recently effected tariffs are already changing the world, especially China after it was given the largest reciprocal tariff by the administration. While tech companies with products relying on China for parts, manufacturing, and assembly are affected, e-commerce platforms are also set to suffer from it. Amazon Chinese Sellers Raise Their Prices Amidst Tariffs A Chinese trade association, which represents over 3,000 merchants selling on Amazon, previously released a statement amidst the Trump tariffs taking effect in the United States which claimed that it is now hard to sell their products to the US market. The Shenzhen Cross-Border E-Commerce Association led by Wang Xin claimed that there are only two options for Chinese sellers on Amazon to survive their business, and it is either to get out of the US market or raise their prices. Some sellers are already opting to leave, while there are several merchants who chose to stay but at the cost of increasing their selling prices significantly. According to Xin, because of the imposed tariffs that are now at a whopping 145%, "It'll be very hard for anyone to survive in the US market," with the cost structure of Chinese goods facing the overwhelming decisions of the Trump administration. It was not revealed by Xin or the report how much the Chinese sellers on Amazon are raising their prices, but since the tariffs are at a significant rate, it is expected to double or mark up more than this figure. And since this targeting of China is a specific move by the Trump administration, no merchant or product is safe from the tariffs as long as they hail from the Mainland. Is It Still Worth It to Buy Chinese Products From Amazon? According to ArsTechnica, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that the Chinese sellers on their platform would face the grave effects of the tariffs, but that would not be the case moving forward. Jassy claimed that he expects that the tariffs' effects would later on be passed to US buyers as the consumers would have to buy the product for their needs or wants. With this, the biggest loser among all are not the Chinese merchants, suppliers, and workforce, but the United States public who would be forced to buy imported goods, particularly those from China, at a premium. That being said, this does not cancel out the fact that Chinese businesses will suffer from the tariffs, especially as the e-commerce platform had already effected several changes to curb its effects. Recently, Amazon Haul has changed its focus to selling items that ship from their US warehouses instead of sourcing the products from China directly despite this being the main point of this feature. Originally published on Tech Times A 14-year-old girl was killed by a lion on Saturday night after the animal entered a residential compound on the outskirts of Kenya's capital, Nairobi. The girl was with a friend at the time of the attack, which authorities believe took place near Nairobi National Park. According to the New York Post, the lion is suspected to have escaped from Nairobi National Park and entered a ranch that borders the southern edge of the park. The lion reportedly entered a house and attacked the girl, who has not yet been publicly identified. The girl's friend, who was also in the house, raised the alarm and alerted the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). "There is no evidence of provocation from the victims," KWS Senior Corporate Communications Manager Paul Udoto told CNN. KWS rangers quickly responded and followed a trail of bloodstains leading from the home through the park to Mbagathi River, where the girl's body was recovered. "KWS rangers and response teams were swiftly mobilized and traced bloodstains leading to the Mbagathi River, where the girl's body was recovered with injuries on the lower back," KWS said in a statement. Nairobi National Park, home to a variety of wildlife including lions, leopards, giraffes, and crocodiles, is fenced on three sides. The park's southern boundary remains open to allow for animal migration, which officials say can pose challenges for nearby communities. Authorities believe the lion entered the compound by jumping over a makeshift fence. KWS has since pledged to bolster security in the area, including efforts to install electric fencing and deploy artificial intelligence systems to warn residents of approaching wildlife. The lion involved in the attack remains at large. Park rangers have set up a trap and are actively working to locate and capture the animal. In a separate incident on Friday, a 54-year-old man was fatally attacked by an elephant while grazing livestock in a forested area of Nyeri County. The man suffered chest injuries, fractured ribs, and internal trauma and was pronounced dead upon arrival at a hospital, according to KWS. The agency said both incidents highlight the pressing need for enhanced human-wildlife conflict mitigation. "These attacks underscore a need for continued investment in human-wildlife conflict mitigation through strategic interventions, early warning systems, and strengthened collaboration with affected communities," KWS noted. Though lion attacks are rare, they do occur in areas close to national parks and game reserves. Udoto noted that lion attacks make up less than 2% of all reported human-wildlife encounters. In contrast, he explained, elephant-related incidents occur more frequently, especially during dry seasons when elephants migrate in search of water and food and often come into contact with farmland or human settlements. The Trump administration launched a new multimillion-dollar media campaign urging undocumented immigrants in the United States to self-deport immediately or face daily fines, imprisonment, and removal. In the ads, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem delivers a blunt message while images from deportations run behind her. "If you are here illegally, you're next," Noem says. "You will be fined nearly $1,000 a day, imprisoned, and deported. You will never return." "President Trump and I have a clear message to those in our country illegally: LEAVE NOW," Noem adds. "If you do not self-deport, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and deport you." The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed in a statement that the ads are meant to expose "the heinous crimes of criminal illegal aliens" and promote the use of the CBP Home app to facilitate voluntary self-deportation. The CBP Home app, formerly known as CBP One under the Biden administration, was initially developed to help migrants apply for asylum from outside the U.S. Under the current administration, however, the app has been repurposed. Those who have already downloaded it will receive an automatic update enabling DHS to track their location in order to ultimately deport them. President Trump released a similar video last month, framing self-deportation as a choice between "the easy way" and "the hard way." He warned that those forcibly removed would be permanently barred from reentering the United States. "Do it wrong, and you'll never be back again," Trump said. DHS has vowed to spend $200 million on national and international ads to communicate its intentions to illegal immigrants in the U.S., as The Washington Examiner explains. The new campaign includes 30- and 60-second video ads that will run nationwide and internationally, in multiple languages and across platforms, including social media, television, and digital channels. he ads are also targeted toward an international audience to deter any migrant from attempting to cross into the United States illegally. Originally published on Latin Times Cendyn, a global integrated hotel technology and services company, announced today it has promoted Yakesh Arora from senior vice president of global engineering to chief technology officer (CTO). Arora is an entrepreneurial CTO with a track record in developing cutting-edge, scalable products for clients, resulting in significant increases in revenues and margins. He successfully built, managed, and trained multiple teams to deliver industry-first projects, increasing both market share and revenues. Arora has spent nearly 25 years in technology, 15 of which have been in the hospitality industry. He joined Cendyn in 2022 as part of an acquisition, and before joining the company, he was the co-founder and CTO of a disruptive tech startup in the hospitality sector. In that role, he built an industry-first guest management and marketing platform, migrated products to the AWS cloud, designed and built a SaaS hotel booking engine, and more. Upon joining Cendyn as SVP of software engineering and later SVP of global engineering, he continued to lead research and development teams as they transitioned from stand-alone product development teams into one common engineering workforce, increasing agility and quality. He has been responsible for re-architecting a key CMS product, driving down cloud costs by 70 percent, and laying the foundation for a true SaaS product. I am thrilled to begin this exciting new chapter as chief technology officer at Cendyn. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and the trust placed in me to help drive continued stability, innovation, and growth for the company. Yakesh Arora, CTO, Cendyn We are extremely fortunate to have Yakesh. He has been instrumental in helping Cendyn move towards consolidating our product portfolio, and his extensive experience in developing disruptive technology for the hospitality sector has enhanced our efforts. Yakeshs expertise in R&D is unparalleled, and combined with his proven leadership track record, he is already playing a vital role in propelling our company forward. Jack Blaha, CEO About Cendyn Cendyn is a global hospitality cloud-based technology company that enables hotels to drive revenue, maximize profitability, and create deeper connections with guests through its integrated solutions. Serving hoteliers for nearly 30 years, Cendyn drives commercial success for hotels through its Find, Book, Grow promise: find the right guests, drive them to book direct, and grow loyalty and revenue across the spectrum of digital guest interactions. Cendyn has over 35,000 customers worldwide in more than 150 countries generating more than $20 billion in annual hotel revenue. The company supports its growing customer base from locations across the globe, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangkok, and India. To find out more, visit cendyn.com Kim Dearborn View source The two new voco hotels have received extensive investment to create a premium and personalised experience with brand new dining and leisure facilities. Reflecting the voco brands laid-back charm, the refurbishments have included full bedroom renovations with upgraded furnishings and indulgent bedding to enhance comfort. The rebrands have also seen the introduction of sustainable features for both hotels. This includes technology to reduce carbon emissions such as aerated showerheads and energy efficient lighting. Designed to incorporate global standards in hospitality, both hotels will include unique destination restaurants. At the 130-bedroom voco Fareham-Solent, this includes the launch of Brickworks Lounge & Grill. A nod to the areas brickwork heritage, Brickworks will offer a premium food and beverage experience and alfresco dining spaces. With locally-inspired maritime design, the 133-bedroom voco Southampton will also have its own restaurant, Atlantic Gate Seafood and Cocktails. Offering fresh seafood and crafted cocktails, Atlantic Gate sits alongside the iconic Gate 8 cruise departure dock. Both Brickworks and Atlantic Gate will form part of Valor Hospitalitys global SAVOR portfolio, which is designed to create authentic food and beverage experiences, headed up by a team of culinary experts. The two hotels also include refurbished event and meeting facilities, with modernised, vibrant and versatile spaces that can be hired for weddings, corporate events or social gatherings. voco Fareham-Solent has also had its leisure club upgraded with new equipment and refreshed interiors. The dual rebrand expands the portfolio of voco hotels following IHGs launch of the brand in 2018 in order to offer a personalised service and friendly, unstuffy hospitality with thoughtful extras for a seamless guest experience. On behalf of IHG, Valor Hospitality is also scheduled to oversee a further voco rebrand later this year. Valor also recently opened voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, IHGs first branded net zero carbon hotel launched in partnership with Zeal Hotels. Valor Hospitality manages 40 hotels in the UK, which has included the delivery of multi-million-pound renovations, upgrades and rebranding exercises on behalf of well-known hotel brands and independent hotels. The rebrands at voco Fareham-Solent and voco Southampton have modernised and reinvigorated both hotels, and the level of detail in the refurbishments has created an inviting environment and experience for guests. Our management of hotels is not just in the operations, but in always raising the bar for our partners and creating destinations where our team members can provide world-class hospitality. Brian McCarthy, President of Valor Hospitality UK & Europe Valor Hospitality Partners manages almost 100 hospitality projects in its international portfolio across 65 cities and 16 countries around the world. Valor Hospitality Partners is a leading global full-service hospitality underwriting, acquisition, development, management, and asset management company headquartered in Atlanta, GA, USA. With 90+ projects in its portfolio across the Americas, UK & Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia, the company is focused on "a Whole World of Local", weaving their global expertise into local landscapes. Partnering with owners, developers and international hotel brands, Valor creates revolutionary value add opportunities through shared operating platforms, delivering industry-leading commercial performance. Their support services include site selection, brand selection, conceptual design, asset management, procurement, technical services and more. Its inevitable that modern advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation will impact the hotel industry. While much has been rightfully said about use cases like machine learning (ML) impacting personalized guest offers or microsegmentation and generative AI (genAI) helping with contextual marketing or summarization for staff, for this focused article lets shift gears from the rooms division into the spa and wellness facilities. While this may not apply for every hotel brand, its worth mentioning that health and wellness has a huge CAGR across a variety of product categories. The phrase we use to put the proverbial gun to hotel owners heads so that they understand the need for wellness strategy is, As someone does at home, they will soon expect at their chosen accommodations. No matter your brand or star rating, if you arent thinking about incorporating wellness features spa-specific, healthy F&B or in the guestroom then you risk brand and rate commoditization, leading to growth stagnation. So, lets consider where AI and the latest longevity technologies will impact the spa, knowing that the megatrend overall is for travelers in all segments increasingly looking to stay healthy while abroad. When it comes to the prospects of labor replacement brought about by AI, the going phrase to define our thoughts on this evolution is technology-adjacent therapies where many posit that practitioners will come to use an increasing number of advanced tools to guide their treatments rather than outright labor supplantation by robots or AI-driven software. The nuanced word to pick out from this term is adjacent which stands in contrast to other professions and industries where AI technologies are already being positioned as centric. No matter the technological advances, the heart of any hospitality, spa or wellness experience is the person-to-person interaction for instance, between the guest and an registered massage therapist (RMT), between the guest and the spa receptionist, or amongst a group of friends who visit together for a social afternoon and that will be very difficult to supplant. Consider an example from a cutting-edge ultraluxury Hawaiian hotel, Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort. This propertys Thermal Body Mapping and Massage uses proprietary sensors to detect sources of bodily tension for the therapist to then interpret during the treatment. Priced at $750USD for 2.5 hours, its definitely high-tech, but the core reason for why its so beloved by guests will always be the practitioners dedication to personalized care. Following this principle, it stands that the greatest overall impact from various forms of AI in the near-term for hotel wellness programs will not be futuristic guest experiences like the aforementioned body-scanning-augmented massage, except at the ultraluxury resort, luxury health clinic or medical tourism categories. Rather, these new tools can help practitioners reduce the amount of administrative busywork and repetitive tasks that the job requires so that they can devote even more time to delivering exceptional experiences for their clients or patients. And this is the timeless principle throughout all operations: AI is here to help make teams increasingly more guest-facing and not bogged down by the demotivating slog that describes many of the minute-by-minute tasks that hotel teams currently face. From the technologists point of view, the spa therapists, practitioners, masseuses, clinicians, healers and receptionists all represent end users for their products. If the end users experience with the technology is cumbersome or lacking in automation, these frustrations or inefficiencies will inevitably reflect onto the guest in the form of disorganized scheduling, inconvenient booking processes or fatigued staff. We emphasize this now because so many of our younger or newer associates entering the industry have higher expectations for this line of work insofar as automation. Too much busywork will directly lead to increased turnover in the spa or otherwise. And this is something that not many tech vendors have considered until recently with the user interfaces that theyve designed: you seldom find spa practitioner, an end user, who is also a techie. Thats not why theyve pursued this profession. Hence, any way that the hotel IT and commercial teams can liberate their time away from dealing with the intricacies of data systems will be immensely appreciated and a worthy morale booster. Ultimately, like all other customer-facing operations in hospitality, its not just about the guest journey but the staff journey wherein focusing on making the latters experience smooth and seamless will cast a positive halo on the guest experience. Understanding that AI is more of a workhorse than a show horse, its now time to unpack what exactly is meant by this two-letter acronym. Namely, AI represents a myriad of tools that can be deployed iteratively to attain operational improvements to all stages of the guest journey, from better merchandising of experiences at the booking or prearrival phases through to onsite facility management and post-stay loyalty. Without delving into a full lesson of how ML, large language models (LLMs) or now small language models (SLMs) work, here are a few of the flavors within this AI landscape that may soon come to help, typically accompanied by their own acronyms just to make the process that much more fun: Generative AI (genAI) and generative pretrained transformers (GPTs): These are the tools built on LLMs or filtered LLMs/SLMs (read: retrieval-augmented generation or RAG) that have been receiving much of the hype over the past two years wherein deep learning is performed on massive data sets (like all of Twitter) to understand the context of language. An easy use case for spas would be summarization wherein a genAI tool might read through the totality of information known about a guest and produce the top three immediately actionable insights for the receptionist or practitioner. These are the tools built on LLMs or filtered LLMs/SLMs (read: retrieval-augmented generation or RAG) that have been receiving much of the hype over the past two years wherein deep learning is performed on massive data sets (like all of Twitter) to understand the context of language. An easy use case for spas would be summarization wherein a genAI tool might read through the totality of information known about a guest and produce the top three immediately actionable insights for the receptionist or practitioner. Customer data platforms (CDPs): As fueled by an underlying engine of AI-driven automation and middleware tools, these software systems are emerging a now-critical element in the hotel tech architecture because of their ability to pipe in data from all the various storehouses of a guests data then merge all of it together for a more complete profile on the guests preferences as well as for highly segmented marketing. For instance, one of the key features within a CDP is identity resolution (either as match and merge or deduplication) where the system can find multiple and partial profiles for the same guest then confidently amalgamate them for hotel teams to see the full picture that can better inform upcoming wellness experience suggestions. As fueled by an underlying engine of AI-driven automation and middleware tools, these software systems are emerging a now-critical element in the hotel tech architecture because of their ability to pipe in data from all the various storehouses of a guests data then merge all of it together for a more complete profile on the guests preferences as well as for highly segmented marketing. For instance, one of the key features within a CDP is identity resolution (either as match and merge or deduplication) where the system can find multiple and partial profiles for the same guest then confidently amalgamate them for hotel teams to see the full picture that can better inform upcoming wellness experience suggestions. Multivariate (A/B) testing: This well-honed application of ML works by presenting users staff or guests with different options around a single variable, then using the observed actions to create accurate business models. As a merchandizing example, upselling platforms can send out a spa newsletter to incoming guests two days out from arrival or one week out, and then measure which of these two resulted in more bookings to better decide future promotional efforts. Any variable can be tested like this to get feedback on user behavior in order to optimize performance time of day, type of offer, which offers are placed in the first position, the messaging of certain offers and so on. Ultimately, these sorts of tools act as the glue for ever-better guest experiences by making teams highly informed and hyper-efficient. It isnt all roses, though, as any technology, AI or otherwise, requires a ton of work to set up and onboard wellness teams on best practices. Still, the advantages far out way the pain of change. Just dont forget that no matter how crazy the world gets with how we use AI (or it uses us), hospitality and within that broader bucket, spa and wellness will remain wholly dependent on personalized care. Adam Mogelonsky Hotel Mogel Consulting Limited View source Port of Seattle, Washington - Photo by Shunya Koide Discover how hotel owners and hospitality investors can leverage Qualified Opportunity Zones to unlock tax incentives, secure long-term capital, and drive property value growth. Drawing on our extensive experience in hospitality real estate, Crystal Investment Property highlights how hotel owners and investors can benefit from the often-overlooked advantages of Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs). These federally designated areas offer a unique combination of tax incentives and long-term investment potential, particularly for those seeking to enhance property value and secure stable capital partnerships. Understanding Qualified Opportunity Zonesand how they align with the unique needs of hospitality investorscan turn distressed properties into thriving assets while optimizing after-tax returns. What Are Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs)? Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) are economically distressed communities where new investments may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. Created under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) aim to spur economic development by encouraging private investment in underserved areas. According to IRS guidance, investments in these zones are made through Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs), offering a range of tax benefits to investors who reinvest eligible capital gains. How Opportunity Zone Investments Work for Hotel Owners Capital Gains Deferral Investors can defer tax on prior capital gains by reinvesting in a Qualified Opportunity Fund within 180 days of realizing the gain. Taxes are deferred until the earlier of the QOF sale or December 31, 2026. Investors can defer tax on prior capital gains by reinvesting in a Qualified Opportunity Fund within 180 days of realizing the gain. Taxes are deferred until the earlier of the QOF sale or December 31, 2026. Reduction of Deferred Gains If the investment is held for at least five years , investors receive a 10% reduction on the deferred gain. Holding for seven years increases the reduction to 15% . If the investment is held for at least , investors receive a on the deferred gain. Holding for increases the reduction to . Exclusion of New Gains After ten years, any appreciation in the QOF investment can be permanently excluded from taxable income, providing a major long-term advantage. This structure provides a unique opportunity for hotel owners to strategically defer, reduce, and even eliminate significant portions of capital gains taxes. Additional IRS FAQs on Opportunity Zones. Benefits of Opportunity Zones for Hotel Owners Hospitality investments located in QOZs offer hotel owners and investors several key advantages: Access to Capital : Properties in Opportunity Zones are more attractive to investors seeking tax-advantaged investments, which may ease financing for new acquisitions or redevelopment projects. : Properties in Opportunity Zones are more attractive to investors seeking tax-advantaged investments, which may ease financing for new acquisitions or redevelopment projects. Long-term Investment Stability : The incentive structure rewards patient capital, attracting investors who align with the multi-year timelines of hospitality projects. : The incentive structure rewards patient capital, attracting investors who align with the multi-year timelines of hospitality projects. Enhanced Property Values : Infrastructure improvements and revitalization initiatives often accompany QOZ designations, which can lift surrounding property values, including those of hotels. : Infrastructure improvements and revitalization initiatives often accompany QOZ designations, which can lift surrounding property values, including those of hotels. Community Revitalization Impact: Hotel developments create jobs, drive tourism, and contribute directly to the growth and resilience of local economies. Example: Hotel Redevelopment in A Qualified Opportunity Zone The following example is a hypothetical scenario designed to illustrate how Opportunity Zone investments can benefit hotel redevelopment projects. Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) create real potential for hotel redevelopment projects across the Pacific Northwest. Consider a distressed limited-service hotel located within a designated Opportunity Zone in Spokane, Washington. An investor who recently sold a separate asset chooses to defer their capital gains by creating a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) and acquiring the hotel for $4.8 million. Over several years, the investor commits an additional $7.2 million to renovating and repositioning the property as a boutique hotel serving Spokanes growing business, university, and healthcare travel sectors. Because the investment is held through a QOF: After five years , the investor is eligible for a 10% reduction on the original deferred gain. , the investor is eligible for a on the original deferred gain. After seven years , the reduction increases to 15% . , the reduction increases to . After ten years, when the hotel is sold, the investor can exclude all appreciation (e.g., any value growth from $4.8 million to $18 million) from taxable capital gains. By adhering to IRS regulations, the investor not only unlocks substantial tax benefits but also helps revitalize an important regional hospitality market. Layering Opportunity Zone Benefits with Other Incentives Hotel owners and investors can often amplify returns by layering QOZ benefits with other available programs: New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Encourages private investment in low-income communities by offering tax credits. Hotels located in designated areas may qualify. (CDFI Fund NMTC Program) Encourages private investment in low-income communities by offering tax credits. Hotels located in designated areas may qualify. (CDFI Fund NMTC Program) Historic Tax Credit (HTC) Offers a 20% tax credit for the rehabilitation of certified historic structures, often applicable to historic hotels. Offers a 20% tax credit for the rehabilitation of certified historic structures, often applicable to historic hotels. State and Local Incentives May include property tax abatements, sales tax rebates for construction materials, infrastructure investments, and job creation tax credits tied to hotel staffing and operations. Strategically combining QOZ incentives with other federal, state, and municipal programs can substantially improve project feasibility and increase returns. Investors should consult with tax advisors and legal professionals early in the process to ensure full compliance and to maximize available benefits. Explore Hotel Investment Opportunities in Opportunity Zones Qualified Opportunity Zones offer hotel owners and hospitality investors a unique path to long-term growth, tax savings, and community impact. At Crystal Investment Property, we specialize in helping hotel owners and investors maximize the benefits of Opportunity Zone investments. From acquisition opportunities to strategic redevelopment projects, our listings can help you unlock long-term growth while benefiting from preferential tax treatment. View CIP Listings in Opportunity Zones. Sources Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. About CIP Crystal Investment Property, a premier hospitality investment advisory and brokerage company located in the Pacific Northwest, maintains the most cutting-edge technological, online, and social media presence as well as a full range of traditional and web-based marketing reaching local, regional, national, and international clientele. The firms core services of hospitality asset acquisition/disposition are supported by innovative and creative solutions to maintain its position as the most active and successful hotel broker in the region. Crystal Investment Property represents the full spectrum of hospitality real estate owners and their experience covers all hospitality asset types, including full-service hotels, boutique hotels, select-service hotels, limited-service hotels, as well as development projects, and leasehold transactions. The Berkshire Humane Society has received grant funding to cover hundreds of spay and neuter operations for cats and dogs at its wellness clinic. Berkshire Humane Society Receives $100,000 in Grants The shelter gets calls from pet owners who want to do right by their cats and dogs but can't afford the cost for health care and neutering. PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Berkshire Humane Society recently secured $100,000 in grants to help care for underserved dogs and cats. The largest grant of $75,000 is from the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation to help support Berkshire Humane's medical program that covers some 500 underserved animals in the county. This grant will help to spay and neuter hundreds of dogs and cats for those who can't afford to pay the entire fee. Clients of the Pet Food Pantry will have priority for the spay and neuters for up to 300 cats and 50 male and 50 female dogs. The cost varies dependent on the size and breed of the pet. This grant will also help 50 more clients receive subsidized wellness exams, tests, and vaccines. Lastly the shelter will be able to hold free rabies vaccine and microchip clinics for dogs and cats on Thursday, May 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Adams at 86 Summer St. Executive Director John Perrault said the shelter has gotten calls from pet owners who say they are unable to afford these types of procedures for their pets, so he hopes these grants help many. "We're able to help subsidize what they can't afford to hopefully get all these people that want to have their dog or cat spayed or neutered, realizing for the health benefits for the general population," he said. "It's the best thing to do for their animal but they just don't have the money." The second grant is from the Massachusetts Animal Coalition Pet Play Grant program, which awarded Berkshire Humane $15,000. This will also help those in the community with subsidized spay and neuters for 25 dogs at the Pet Food Bank as well as 50 community cats. And the third grant was $10,000 from Benson's Pet Center through its Benson CARES program to help provide more low-cost spay and neuter surgeries to 20 cats and 20 dogs, with rabies vaccinations and microchips if needed. "When we opened the clinic we knew that there was a huge need. We needed to support our local veterinarians who are already overwhelmed, so our local veterinarians are overwhelmed and there's a lot of people that just can't get in." Perrault said about opening the wellness clinic. Even then, some people are saying the cost was too much for them. The Berkshire Humane Society opened a wellness clinic in 2023 to provide affordable and accessible preventative and urgent care vet services to help the community and local veterinarians. "We thought we were doing great things but realized when we got up and running that there were so many more people that needed even more than what we could offer, so these subsidies will help us reach even more people," Perrault said. Perrault also sees how important it is for people to be able to have these affordable options for their pets who are already in a loving and good home. "By spaying and neutering them, vaccinating them, keeping them healthy, those animals will stay healthier with the goal of keeping them in their home and out of our shelter," he said. Pittsfield Councilor Wants Summary of PHS Investigation Outcomes PITTSFIELD, Mass. A city councilor is adding pressure to release an executive summary of the Pittsfield High School misconduct investigation. Councilor at Large Earl Persip III has submitted a petition to Tuesday's City Council meeting urging the School Committee to release a public summary of the findings from the independent investigation into staff misconduct at PHS. He said public trust needs to be restored in the school district, and transparency is vital to make that happen. The petition asks his colleagues to go on record in agreement. "The community has been deeply affected by recent events, including the arrest of a school administrator on federal drug charges and subsequent allegations involving other staff members. While we understand the importance of protecting individual privacy rights, transparency is crucial in restoring public trust in our educational institutions," Persip wrote. "At the core of this issue is trust, trust between the school district and the community it serves. The scandal at Pittsfield High School has eroded that trust severely. Students and parents have felt betrayed that school officials, who are supposed to ensure a safe learning environment, were implicated in serious misconduct. Confidence in the school's leadership and in the district's ability to police itself has been shaken." Last week, school officials requested a recap of the process and, if possible, the findings of Bulkley Richardson & Gelinas' investigation triggered by allegations against two administrators that surfaced in December. They have since been reported cleared of misconduct by the Department of Children and Families. "Right now, the public has the seven of us sitting up here saying nothing was substantiated," said Mayor Peter Marchetti, who motioned for an executive summary. "And quite frankly, part of the argument may be its cost, but how much money have we already spent and how much time have we gone down this rabbit hole to still have this black cloud hanging over our head without the public buying into anything that happened?" The empty lot next to the Senior Center ranked highest of four possible locations for a new Dalton police station. Old Dalton High Ranked Highest in Site Assessment DALTON, Mass. The lot next to the Senior Center, the old Dalton High, is a viable location out of the four assessed for the proposed police facility, but it's not without challenges. The site assessment by Brian Humes, owner of Jacunski Humes Architects LLC of Berlin, Conn., showed that the lot had the highest ranking of the four submitted for study. "This is a first introduction into what we've looked at, how we've looked at it, how we come about with our recommendations, and then a further conversation as to whether this satisfies your site investigations, or whether you feel we need to do something further with these site recommendations," Humes said. The board can also decide whether they want Humes to assess another property. Although the town has not made a decision yet, it will eventually select a site for Humes to apply a schematic design solution. "That's getting ahead, because we're not at that point yet but whatever site you instruct me to now go further with, I will be able to draw floor plans, draw site plans, and those would all be specific to the site that you then say is the recommended site," he said. Humes emphasized that the assessment has limitations. He noted that his work was restricted to the four sites provided by the Public Safety Advisory Committee. Additionally, no geotechnical borings or subsurface investigations were conducted. However, he did consider information from existing engineering reports. The goal of the site assessment is to identify the site that best meets the Police Department's needs, based on call volume, state requirements, and other factors. In his presentation, Humes did not disclose the specific locations of sites one, two, and three because they are privately owned and wanted to avoid influencing potential negotiations with private property owners. He assessed the sites on a 100-point scale, using 13 key criteria that he had developed. These criteria included: acquisition costs, lot size in relation to site needs, parking availability, construction and development expenses, location and accessibility, traffic patterns, vehicular access and egress, availability of utilities, visibility, neighborhood impact, zoning restrictions, considerations for wetlands and floodplains, and the convenience of development. The property was ranked 85 out of 100, but would have been in the 90s if it were not for the upstream flooding from Walker Brook, Humes said. If the town were to select this property, voters would first have to approve changing the lot designation at a town meeting. When voters approved the demolition of the high school, it included repurposing the lot for housing. However, the site is owned by the town, so it would not have to pay for its acquisition. Humes recommended that the town pursue flood mitigation strategies, which have already been outlined for the Walker Brook project, which would benefit municipal developments, including the Senior Center and adjacent residential properties. "I think you need to have that conversation, or understand that conversation when you're talking about whether further municipal development is going to happen on this site," he said. It's not an issue with groundwater; it's an issue with surface water, he said. The lot is not technically in a floodplain, but has had flooding caused by an undersized culvert, especially during severe weather events like Hurricane Irene, he said. "As far as convenience, it's a beautiful site. It's level. It has very little [zoning] restrictions. It could improve a municipal presence on this site. There has been a much larger municipal presence on this site, being the high school that had been removed," Humes said. "It has little impact as far as getting a contractor on this site, having the ability to build, having the ability to develop the site without impacts to things around it, and I found it a very convenient location." During previous conversations surrounding the Walker Brook project, it was unclear if the level of improvement to the culvert was actually necessary, given its projected cost estimate of over $5 million, said Select Board member Dan Esko. "I believe we were trying to go for a grant that would help us do that, but at the cost of 5 million, when you look at the cost-benefit, it's a whole 'nother conversation," Esko said. "We would have to foot that entire bill [because] that grants is not available because we're not actually in a floodplain. We needed to prove, I think, a certain monetary amount of damages, potential damages, from a flood event, that we were not able to meet that threshold." The town could merge the two problems, the Walker Brook flooding and the need for a police facility, together to "find one great solution" and get grants for the different problems, said Don Davis, co-chair of the Public Safety Advisory Committee. The flooding does not eliminate the site from consideration; it still has very good potential, Humes said. He highlighted that the town can construct the facility by designing the building with flood-resistant techniques, such as raising the finished floor elevation and elevating the building out of the lowest elevation. Another obstacle the town would have to navigate is the inaccurate perception that residential areas have when a police station is proposed to be built in their area, such as perceived disruption and increased traffic and activity, Humes said. Based on Humes' previous experiences with similar projects, police facilities can be good neighbors. He demonstrated that, unlike other emergency facilities, calls are not answered directly by the police station, and the level of activity at the building is not as high as most residents believe. In fact, police facilities can provide a "security blanket" for neighborhoods, potentially reducing crime in the area, he said. Other Sites Assessed: The first site received a score of 69 out of 100. The property has 2.7 acres, is visible, has easy access to public transportation, and there are minor zoning restrictions. However, its unique shape presents challenges. The lot also has a projected high acquisition cost, Humes said. There are existing features on the site that may need to be removed which increases the cost of construction, he said. "The unique configuration of this site means that there would be more of an impact to neighborhood residential properties, and we would have to develop that pretty close to other residential properties just because of the configuration of the site, the location of the site," Humes said. The second site received a score of 48 out of 100, is on a public transportation route, and is visible. The property has 3.3 acres and had a lot of challenges, which were related to the existing uses of the site. The entire 3.3 acres was not all available for development, Humes said. It is private property, so the town would have to pay to acquire it and would have to overcome several regulatory issues, he said. Additionally, it had limited parking availability, and the town would need to find a way to get two points of egress and access points from the site. The third property received the lowest score of 51 out of 100 and was the smallest site assessed at 1.28 acres. It had very limited development potential, had narrow frontage, and would require a multi-story building. The two Queen Anne homes have been empty for years and boarded up as the case was in Land Court. The structures are two of four properties the city took for back taxes. PreviousNext North Adams Takes Possession of Historic Church Street Houses The porch collapsed on 116 Church several years ago. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The state Land Court in February finalized the city's tax taking of four properties including the brick Church Street mansions. The prestigious pair of Queen Anne mansions had been owned by Franklin E. Perras Jr., who died in 2017 at age 79. The properties had been in court for four years as attempts were made repeatedly to find Perras' heirs, including a son, Christopher. According to court filings, Christopher reportedly died in 2013 but his place of death is unknown, as is the location (or existence) of two grandchildren listed in Perras' obituary. Mayor Jennifer Macksey said the next steps will be to develop requests for proposals for the properties to sell them off. She credited Governor's Councillor Tara Jacobs for bringing the lingering tax takings to the Land Court's attention. Jacobs said she'd asked about the status of the properties and a few days later they were signed off. It wasn't just the four North Adams properties the cases for three Perras holdings in Lanesborough that also had been in the court for years were closed, including Keeler Island. Another property on Holmes Road in Hinsdale is still in the court. The buildings at 116, 124 and 130 Church St., and a vacant lot on Arnold Place had been in tax title since 2017 when the city placed $12,000 in liens. The building at 34-40 Arnold Place was declared a public nuisance in 2008 and ordered demolished. The crumbling apartment house had been empty for some time by that point. The Queen Annes had started out as single-family homes but later broken up into apartments. The past eight years have not been kind, as the porches on one of the buildings has collapsed, their copper piping was stolen, and windows were broken. The city secured the windows and open doors with plywood to keep out squatters. The two structures were designed by Marcus F. Cummings of Troy, N.Y., the architect of what is now the North Adams Public Library. Also known as the A. W. Hodge House (116 Church) and the Walker House (124 Church) they were both built in 1882 by bricklayers and contractors brought from Boston. They were nominated for the National Register of Historic Places and, along with the vacant 130 Church, sit in the Church Street-Cady Hill Historic District. They were condemned a few months after Perras died and have frequently been pointed out as historic structures worth saving, but any attempts were stymied by their court status. Perras had gone on a buying spree in North Adams and Lanesborough in the late 1990s and early aughts, purchasing 124 Church in 1994, Arnold Place in 1998 and then 116 Church and 130 Church in 2008 and 2009, respectively. A mortgage of $258,000 taken out on 124 Church in 2008 (used to purchase 116 Church) was declared "satisfied" by TrustCo Bank in 2021 along with a mortgage on 130 Church. The funeral of Pope Francis, which will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 10 AM in the Vatican, as decided by the first Congregation of Cardinals, will bring numerous prominent figures from the international scene to the Vatican, in addition to millions of faithful. From Donald Trump to Ukrainian President Zelensky, from the German Chancellor to the royals of Spain and Belgium, as well as Macron and many others. Yesterday morning, a preliminary inspection was carried out in St. Peter's Square to fine-tune new security measures in view of the funeral and the display of the body. Police, carabinieri, civil protection, and all involved entities participated. Crucial points: managing the flow of arriving faithful, authorities, and the positioning of rescue vehicles. Below is the complete list of all the authorities present at the funeral. United Kingdom Downing Street has stated that the British Prime Minister has received the invitation and will attend the ceremony in the Vatican. Starmer, although an atheist, said he joined 'millions of people around the world in grief' for the passing of Pope Francis. 'I think what happened reflects the great esteem recognized to the Pope, not only by millions and millions of Catholics, but by many others around the world, including myself.' Prince William will attend on behalf of King Charles III at the funeral of Pope Francis scheduled for Saturday in Rome, Kensington Palace announced. Belgium Philippe and Mathilde, King and Queen of Belgium, will be in Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, the Belgian Royal House announced. Yesterday, the King and Queen joined the world's mourning for the Pope's death. 'He was a great man, close to the most vulnerable and attentive to the world's issues,' they declared in a social media message. Spain Spanish monarchs Felipe VI and Letizia will attend the Pope's funeral on Saturday, leading the Spanish delegation to Rome, as confirmed by the Royal House. Felipe VI and Letizia, with Queen Sofia, signed the book of condolences at the Vatican Nunciature in Madrid today. United States American President Donald Trump has confirmed his attendance at Bergoglio's funeral. On Truth, he wrote: 'Melania and I will go to Pope Francis' funeral. We will be there.' The Pope's funeral will thus be Trump's first landing in Europe since his re-election. Germany German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will travel to Rome for Pope Francis' funeral, the chancellery's spokesman Steffen Hebestreit announced. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will also attend the celebration, leading the German delegation. Argentina Argentina, Bergoglio's native land, could not miss the funeral on Saturday. President Javier Milei has already announced that he will be in Rome for the funeral. France French President Emmanuel Macron also announced that he will attend the funeral during his visit to Saint-Denis, on Reunion Island. Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, a source from the presidency announced. 'The president's office is awaiting the date of the Pope's burial and is preparing the president's visit to Rome to bid farewell to the pontiff.' European Union The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will attend the funeral on Saturday. Von der Leyen's visit to Italy 'is for the Pope's funeral,' however, 'I cannot exclude other possible meetings,' declared the European Commission's spokesperson, Arianna Podesta. Taiwan Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te will appoint a special envoy to attend the funeral, the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement, noting that a memorial mass for the late pontiff will also be organized in Taipei. Brazil Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will attend the funeral, along with his spouse Janja, the Brazilian presidential communications secretariat announced. Portugal The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro will attend Pope Francis' funeral. Joining them will be the President of Parliament, Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco, and the Foreign Minister, Paulo Rangel. Portugal will pay tribute to Pope Francis during the solemn session scheduled for next Friday, in which the Portuguese Parliament usually commemorates the anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, which ended the dictatorship on April 25, 1974. The President will leave for Rome in the afternoon, immediately after the commemoration. 'I will sign the decree on national mourning, scheduled from April 24 to 26, the day of the funeral,' the president said in statements to local media, after signing the book of condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lisbon. Venice The Patriarch of Venice Francesco Moraglia will be in Rome to attend Pope Francis' funeral next Saturday on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica. After last night's Eucharistic celebration in the Basilica of St. Mark the Evangelist, Moraglia will preside over a second diocesan moment of suffrage for the Pontiff, a prayer vigil at 8:45 PM at the Cathedral of St. Lawrence Martyr in Mestre. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated This year it seems that Canale 5 is going all-in on reality shows. First the Grande Fratello, then The Couple, and now the debut of L'Isola dei Famosi 2025 is awaited. The start of the show set in Honduras seems largely dependent on the closing date of The Couple, which judging by the ratings might end early. If so, L'Isola could begin as early as next Monday, May 5. In this regard, in recent hours, the names of the first castaways are emerging. From the reality's social channels, it is learned that the cast will include: Antonella Mosetti, Teresanna Pugliese, and Patrizia Rossetti. Three women, three very strong and diverse personalities that promise to give great momentum to the reality show. For Antonella Mosetti, it will be a return to the small screen, as she has recently been focusing on her content published on OnlyFans, neglecting TV. Teresanna Pugliese is a much-loved face by the viewers of Uomini e Donne, while Patrizia Rossetti, after participating in one of the past editions of Grande Fratello, will be found in Honduras for this new experience. Also, with them will be Nunzio Stancampiano, originally from Sicily, but landed in the Amici school thanks to his passion for dance. According to Santo Pirrotta, then, among the contestants, as read from his Celebrity Watch newsletter for Vanity Fair, there should also be Cristina Plevani, the winner of the first edition of Grande Fratello. After being courted for a long time over the years, it seems that Cristina has agreed to be part of this cast and not that of GF Gold, which is expected to air next September to celebrate the 25 years of the format. However, the news has not been confirmed. This new edition of L'Isola dei Famosi is completely renewed. At the helm, we will find Veronica Gentili, making her debut in the reality show hosting, with Pierpaolo Pretelli as the correspondent in Honduras and veteran Simona Ventura as the studio commentator. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated Chinese companies roll out embodied AI robots for everyday tasks People's Daily Online) 15:41, April 22, 2025 A robotic hand uses advanced tactile sensors to manipulate objects. (File photo) Robots powered by embodied artificial intelligence have gained significant traction in recent years, with their ability to physically interact capturing widespread attention. These systems, characterized as intelligence with a physical form, prioritize real-world interaction rather than purely digital capabilities. Shenzhen, in south China's Guangdong Province, has emerged as a hub for this technology, with approximately 210 companies specializing in embodied AI robotics establishing operations there by the end of 2024. Robots develop sense of touch to handle delicate objects Robots developed at PaXini Technology's Shenzhen laboratory can pick up strawberries with remarkable precision, applying just enough pressure to secure the delicate fruit without damaging it. "Previously, robots could see and hear, but they couldn't feel the world or control their grip strength through touch," said Xu Jincheng, founder and CEO of PaXini Technology. The company's advances in tactile sensing provide crucial capabilities for robotic systems to interpret physical environments. Each robotic hand contains nearly 1,000 high-precision tactile sensors that collect 15 different data points including pressure, slippage and texture upon contact with objects. These sensors demonstrate extraordinary sensitivity, capable of detecting weight differences equivalent to a few grains of rice. A robot equipped with embodied AI demonstrates clothing-folding capabilities in a lab. (File photo) Shenzhen's status as a global electronics manufacturing hub provides robotics companies with ready access to vital components, from tactile sensors and LiDAR to servo motors and specialized robotic hands. "Previously, when we conducted research and development overseas, most components were still shipped from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," Xu noted. The proximity to suppliers has dramatically shortened PaXini's procurement timeline. "What used to take three months now takes just a week or two," Xu said, adding that shipments of the company's tactile sensors surged in 2024, primarily for use in factory automation systems and humanoid robots. AI models help robots tackle unpredictable fabrics Folding clothes poses a greater challenge for robots than lifting heavy boxes because fabric changes shape unpredictably once picked up, complicating both perception and control operations. X Square Robot, another Shenzhen-based firm, addresses this through embodied large language models that function as an intelligent brain. The company's dual-arm robots can assess fabric deformation in real time and adjust their grip accordingly, efficiently folding scattered clothing with precision. A four-legged robot patrols during outdoor testing in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. (File photo) Wang Qian, founder and CEO of X Square Robot, said embodied models enable robots to perceive, decide and act autonomously, handling complex and delicate tasks with ease. The robots require no programming or remote control after just a few demonstrations, they learn to arrange items like cups and plates in various shapes, sizes and orientations, mimicking human intuitive learning. "In the future, we hope robots can learn from a single observation or even understand instructions and act autonomously," Wang said. "We're now bringing in global talents and experiencing Shenzhen's strong support and efficient government services," Wang noted. He said in just over a year, the company has completed six rounds of funding, raising hundreds of million yuan. Autonomous patrol robots reduce security staff workload At 1 a.m. in Shenzhen's Bao'an district, a four-legged robotic dog emerges from a security room to begin its patrol. Navigating uneven terrain, flower beds and stairs with stability, it inspects hidden corners and identifies potential security risks in a residential community. "Since deploying the robotic dog, we've reduced human night patrols by four hours," said Yang Yang, deputy general manager of a Shenzhen property services company. "It effectively covers surveillance blind spots and areas inaccessible to wheeled vehicles, especially where stair-climbing capability is needed." The robot costs more than 300,000 yuan, according to Cao Weijing, founder of Shenzhen FireDog Intelligent Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. Due to the high price point and early-stage adoption, the company offers monthly leases for several thousand yuan rather than outright sales. "Currently, the robot performs pre-programmed patrols without human input, but cannot yet respond to commands," Yang said. "We hope future versions will operate via voice instructions." Shenzhen is increasingly deploying embodied AI-powered robots across various sectors. While widespread adoption remains distant, pilot programs are accelerating. The city has opened its urban infrastructure to AI and robotics development across multiple scenarios. Government agencies and state-owned enterprises are providing real-world testing environments for applications in sanitation, emergency response, health care and eldercare. Manufacturers are meanwhile providing testing opportunities in factory settings like quality control, production lines and logistics operations, helping companies commercialize robotics technology faster for both industrial and consumer applications. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) mercoledi 23 aprile 2025, 00:26 - Last updated: 00:43 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated The last farewell to the Pope of the humble. This morning at 9, the coffin of Francis will be transferred from the Chapel of Santa Marta to the Basilica of St. Peter. The office of liturgical celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff speaks of a true procession that will pass through 'Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani; from the Arch of the Bells it will exit into St. Peter's Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door. At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, after which visits to the body of the Roman Pontiff will begin.' Yesterday, at Santa Marta, in the funeral chamber set up in the chapel on the ground floor, there were the first emotional tributes from representatives of the institutions, starting with the Head of State Sergio Mattarella and the Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri; today it will be the people of Bergoglio who line up to say goodbye to the Holy Father. Pope Francis was a Pope who, as long as he had some strength left, wanted to stay close to his people, chose to be open, not to hide his suffering. That passage in St. Peter's Square, seated in a wheelchair at the back of the Popemobile, last Sunday, Easter day, will hardly be forgotten. For three days, the Basilica will be open to the faithful for many hours, precisely to allow as many people as possible to pay homage to the coffin of Pope Francis: today from 11 a.m. to midnight, tomorrow from 7 a.m. to midnight, and Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Already yesterday, many ordinary people entered the funeral chamber of Santa Marta, almost a preview of what is expected today at St. Peter's Basilica: there were Vatican employees with their families, many children, and then priests, nuns, leaders of Vatican institutions. They remained in front of the coffin for a very limited time, to allow those waiting to enter. Today, with presumably much longer queues, the same ritual will be repeated. Pope Francis was a much-loved Pope, very close to the most humble, to those facing difficult times, to those who suffer, to immigrants, to the poor. He opened the doors of the Church not to the powerful, but to the forgotten or simply to ordinary people, to those he himself met as a high prelate in Buenos Aires when he took bus 70 among the people, as seen in a famous image, to reach the poorest neighborhoods. And today, at St. Peter's Basilica, where the coffin with the body will be displayed, many foreigners are also expected: tourists, pilgrims, visitors, immigrants, many from Latin America, a continent that never lacked Bergoglio's attention during the twelve years of his pontificate. These three days of exposure of the Pope's body in St. Peter's Basilica, with the faithful in line, will finally represent a first test for the organizational machinery, with the Civil Protection already mobilized and medical stations ready to intervene. mercoledi 23 aprile 2025, 00:12 - Last updated: 09:13 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated Five days of national mourning, an unprecedented choice. For Pope Wojtyla, the 'black' days, a tribute to celebrate his loss, were three. Only one for Ratzinger, the pontiff who decided to retire, surprising the entire world: for the German Pope, national mourning but not in the Vatican State, governed by his successor, Bergoglio. One day of national mourning, it should be remembered without wanting to commit blasphemy, also for Silvio Berlusconi: the only Prime Minister to whom it was granted, with two days of flags at half-mast in public buildings. The decision to extend the national mourning for the Pope 'from the end of the world' to five days was made by Giorgia Meloni, yesterday in a Council of Ministers that, at the opening of the works, paid a long applause to Pope Francis. Behind the decision, the special bond with the pontiff, 'I cared for him enormously, with all my heart,' the words of the Prime Minister yesterday to Il Messaggero. Until Saturday the 26th, the day of Bergoglio's funeral in St. Peter's Square, the flags of public buildings will remain at half-mast, and official government events will be reduced. The five days of mourning coincide with the anniversary of April 25th, Liberation Day: this year marks an important anniversary, the eightieth. Ceremonies will be allowed, 'but with the sobriety that the circumstance imposes on everyone,' clarified Minister Nello Musumeci. A choice accompanied by a sea of controversy. Pope Francis, 5 days of national mourning: funeral Saturday at 10, from today to Friday visits to the body. 200,000 people expected. The tribute in the Chamber. However, these do not seem to affect Meloni. The Prime Minister, as anticipated by our newspaper, has decided to be in the Chamber today, for the commemoration of the pontiff - at 4 pm, there will also be a live TV broadcast - the 'great man and shepherd' to whom she was very attached. She will intervene in the Chamber to pay tribute to him: she worked on the speech for a long time, writing it by hand. 'She cares a lot, she has mainly focused on this,' say her staff, where preparations are in full swing for Saturday's funeral, with world leaders arriving in Rome: 'requests for bilateral meetings will certainly arrive, we must also think about this.' Today, however, the priority for her is to remember Francis, the pontiff with whom she shared 'all the difficult moments.' The last meeting between the two just a week ago, last Monday. Bergoglio, visibly affected, joked about his health conditions, inviting Meloni never to lack irony, to continue to smile through troubles. It is likely that the Prime Minister will decide to remember today in the Chamber also their last meeting, the farewell 'that I was happy to give him, one last time.' The frequent meetings. Between Meloni and Pope Francis, the meetings were frequent, but most of the time they were not made public. Over time, they had built a personal and solid relationship, 'that went beyond.' Bergoglio had also received her during the painful days of the last hospitalization, in the 'Pope's room' on the ninth floor of the Gemelli hospital. An access forbidden even to some collaborators, but not to her. martedi 22 aprile 2025, 00:14 - Last updated: 10:10 The spring wind yesterday morning blew gently but in silence took away the Fighting Pope, that Argentine cardinal who came from the end of the world and until the last wanted to mingle among the people of St. Peter's Square, his people, with that long tour among the crowd on Easter day. A moment destined to remain crystallized in collective memory. On the open jeep, Pope Francis managed to greet everyone, as if he felt he had to bid farewell to the world, to the children he loved so much, to the poor of the St. Peter's Colonnade who now lose a great protector, and then the catechists, the families, the nuns. 'I will not resign, it doesn't even cross my mind, I will go on until the end,' he always repeated. And so it was. In recent times he seemed aware that time was running out, that many things needed to be accelerated. He did not give up visiting the inmates in the Roman prison of Regina Coeli on Holy Thursday. The bilateral pneumonia, after those 38 days in the hospital that ended on March 23, had left heavy marks on him, although nothing suggested that the end was so imminent even though from the Loggia of Blessings, on Sunday at noon, while he struggled to blow into the microphone the formula of the Easter blessing 'urbi et orbi', the signs of advanced decline could be seen on his swollen face. When he returned to Santa Marta, they say he was exhausted from fatigue and so he spent the rest of the day in absolute rest to recover some strength. The acute respiratory crisis occurred around 5:30 a.m., and the alarm was issued to the attending doctors, a sort of red code, so much so that the health workers immediately intervened, in addition to those already present, including an anesthetist. The death, it was said later, was caused by a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. At 7:35 yesterday morning, Francis closed his eyes forever in his hospital bed on the second floor of Santa Marta, in a room full of books and memories that over time had been transformed into a small infirmary. 'The suffering that became present in the last part of my life I offered to the Lord for world peace and brotherhood among peoples,' he wrote in his will. Pope Francis, his will (from 2022): 'Bury me in Santa Maria Maggiore, just Franciscus.' And he mentions a benefactor who covers the expenses. FIELD CHURCH He chose to leave on a very special day, Easter Monday, when according to the Gospel narrative a heavenly messenger appeared to the women who came to the tomb. It was leaked that Francis did not suffer, he simply entrusted himself to God, leaving behind a long legacy to be gathered and carried forward, twelve years full of 'open processes', often not closed and always evolving, to shape a field church. Practically his dream. Now it will be up to the successor, whoever it will be, to collect that legacy. When the pontiff passed away at Santa Marta, everything was still wrapped in the nighttime quiet. The death bells were not immediately heard, something that was only done later, three hours later. To manually ring the heavy clapper of the Great Bell of St. Peter's was an attendant of the St. Peter's Factory. Immediately, a phone call was made to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, to the Cardinal of Rome, Baldo Reina, and to the Camerlengo, Joseph Farrell, the only figures who remain in office for the handling of current affairs during the Sede Vacante. Most of the cardinals and inhabitants of the small pontifical state found out later, many reported having learned the news only from the official announcement (distributed via Telegram by the Camerlengo accompanied by a video and a press release). The bad news spread at the speed of light. 'The Bishop of Rome, Francis, has returned to the Father's house. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, particularly in favor of the poorest and marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example of a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the Triune God.' Needless to say, the news came unexpectedly, it was supposed to be another day of celebration, and even the curia collaborators still had in their eyes the images of the previous day with the crowd bath and Francis's tour in the popemobile. Even the first pilgrims who were making their way to the Holy Door yesterday morning were astonished. Meanwhile, the complex funeral machine was set in motion to prepare the necessary, give operational orders to the 'sampietrini', the workers to establish the details on the parvis, at Santa Marta, in the basilica. Many aspects are left open by the procedures, and then begin to identify the dates not only of the funerals. They had to set when the body will be transferred to the basilica to allow the faithful to greet him and arrange the security service, the protocol. To make this internal moment even more entangled is also the fact that Pope Francis, in these twelve years of reign, has centralized a lot of internal decisions and immediately there was not the fluidity expected in the competent offices. It is certainly a novelty that the entire wing of Santa Marta, on the second floor, where Bergoglio lived, must be sealed: previously the door of the papal apartment was closed with sealing wax, which, as we know, has not been used since the time of Ratzinger. Thinking about his funeral, Francis wanted to streamline the redundant procedures a bit. Thus, his body, after the ascertainment of death, was placed in a single wooden coffin and, since last night, through a ceremony presided over by the Camerlengo and the Dean of the College of Cardinals, in the presence of the Vatican Health leaders, several ecclesiastics, and closest friends, exposed in the chapel of Santa Marta, on the first floor where it will remain for an entire day, to allow Vatican employees to bid him farewell for the last time. The translation of the body from Santa Marta to the basilica for the homage of all the faithful should take place tomorrow morning. This time the coffin of a Pope will no longer be placed on the majestic red velvet catafalque, as it has been abolished, but on a carpet. As for the date of the funeral, however, there is still some uncertainty. It will be definitively established by the cardinals this morning, as there will be the first general congregation in the Synod Hall. Most likely it will be April 26, excluding April 25 to avoid creating a hazardous congestion of events on the Italian front, as April 25 is Liberation Day. Yesterday, those passing near the Vatican Station gate, the closest point to Casa Santa Marta where Francis resided, stopped to take a photo, someone made the sign of the cross while the children asked their parents what was happening. mercoledi 23 aprile 2025, 00:12 - Last updated: 11:41 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated I am sure that the benefactor who paid for Pope Francis' tomb will be present at the funeral, but no one will recognize him. Not even I. Yet he, Monsignor Rolandas Makrickas, 53 years old, Lithuanian, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, knows many things. He is the only person mentioned in Bergoglio's will and to whom the pontiff has given direct instructions for his last earthly journey. From the Ligurian stone extracted from the territories from which the Pope's maternal relatives come to the deep Jesuit-inspired connection with the basilica chosen for the burial. Why did the pontiff choose you? It all started from a meeting we had with the Holy Father in May 2022 when among the many issues, the matter of an intervention on the structure of the Pauline Chapel (where there is the icon of the Madonna of the salvation of the Roman people and the tombs of Popes Paul V and Clement VIII, ed.) arose. On that occasion, I told him that since he came so often to the Basilica, if he did not think of establishing his tomb here as well. And what did he reply? He smiled at me saying that popes are buried in St. Peter's, and it ended there. Then, a week later, he called me back and said these words: 'The Madonna told me: It's time to prepare your tomb.' And then he added that he was happy because 'the Madonna has not forgotten me,' he said. And then what happened? He simply told me: 'Find a place for my tomb because I want to be buried in this basilica and you were a bit of a prophet.' There was the intervention of the Madonna, I am not the true protagonist. What are the instructions, how should the tomb be? Simple as his life was. He wanted it to be humble and essential. For this reason, the tomb will only bear the inscription of his name, Franciscus, his pectoral cross that he wore both as a bishop and as Pope and which will be in a larger version. Another detail: his tomb is made of marble brought specially from Liguria, which is the land of his ancestors. What will happen after the ceremony in St. Peter's? The procession will arrive here, together with many Romans and pilgrims. It will be a great responsibility for me to set up the entire procession and respect his last wishes. The Pope in his will says that the expenses of the tomb will be covered with the sum from a benefactor, who is it? I don't know either. He only told me, regarding the costs: 'There is a person who wants to make this gesture.' I believe we are facing an unprecedented precedent. Which one? I believe he is the first Pope in history who paid for his own tomb, or at least thought about it independently. Will this benefactor be present at the funeral? I wouldn't know, I don't know who this person is and whether they will come or not. But I think so. Important lines are forming outside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, can we give directions to those who will come to pray here? The Basilica is not very large, it is the smallest of the four basilicas, which is why the line forms quickly. I just say that with a little patience everyone will be able to enter and visit the future tomb of Pope Francis. Who was Pope Francis to you? He was a shepherd who loved his mission as a bishop, a priest who deeply loved the priesthood and people, with particular attention to the most needy. And who lived the Gospel to the fullest. On Saturday, at the funeral, Volodymyr Zelensky will be there, but Vladimir Putin will not. What do you think? For me, it's difficult to say something or comment because I'm not involved in the organization of the funeral. But the signal that various personalities from around the world come, want to come, or follow the Pope's funerals, means for me that they have learned something from this pontificate or that there is a desire to change things in the world that are not so simple and easy currently. Francis was a Pope who went so far as to kiss the feet of the powerful, imploring them to stop the war. It happened in South Sudan. Yes, well, that was the signal of a very evangelical approach. Of one who, in trying to find a way to peace, humbles himself because miracles happen when there is humility. How did the first congregation go this morning in view of the conclave? It was a first meeting of the college of cardinals, not all the cardinals were present. They did not come because some are still traveling. But we started because there were already urgent decisions to be made, especially for the ceremony of transferring the Pope's body from Santa Marta to the Basilica of St. Peter, or on the date of the funerals. Every day we will have to proceed with increasingly important new decisions. Do you hope that a European, Asian, or American pope will be elected? I hope that a pope who follows the Gospel will emerge from the conclave. martedi 22 aprile 2025, 20:02 - Last updated: 23 aprile, 15:22 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated A frequently conflicting relationship exists between Donald Trump and Pope Francis. However, the President of the United States will be present at the funeral on Saturday. He will depart on Friday morning for Rome. This was announced today by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, specifying that "he will return to the United States on Saturday evening, after the funeral." "Melania and I will be in Rome for Pope Francis's funeral. We look forward to being there," Trump wrote on social media. The themes of conflict The relationship between the Pope and the US President was not exactly idyllic. For Francis, Donald Trump "was not Christian": the late Pope repeatedly and harshly criticized the anti-immigrant policies of the US President, who presents himself as a defender of the faith, even a chosen one by God, and on the day of the Pope's death claimed to have "brought religion back to America." The first papal warning in 2016 The Pope made an incursion into the American presidential campaign in February 2016, saying of Trump that "a person who wants to build walls and not bridges is not Christian." For his part, the then Republican candidate for the White House called the Pope's words "scandalous." Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019 and was the last to meet with the head of the Catholic Church, was very concise in his tribute: "My heart goes out to the millions of Christians around the world who loved him." The criticisms Francis, who hosted Donald Trump in the Vatican during his first term in 2017 for a half-hour meeting, had already criticized him for his anti-immigrant stance and over time did not soften his tone, quite the opposite. The expulsion of "people who, in many cases, left their countries due to extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution, or severe environmental degradation undermines the dignity of many men and women," he wrote in a rare letter addressed to American bishops. "I wish he would focus on the Catholic Church and let us handle the borders," was the response from Tom Homan, tasked by Donald Trump to orchestrate a large-scale deportation policy and who, like J.D. Vance and the spokesperson for the American leader, Karoline Leavitt, professes to be Catholic. Francis hoped for the practice of "a fraternity open to all, without exceptions," setting aside "personal, community, or national identity" and contested J.D. Vance's nationalist interpretation of a Catholic doctrine precept called "ordo amoris," "order of love." The Vice President cited this principle elaborated by two of the most important Catholic theologians, Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas Aquinas, to justify the anti-immigration policy, stating that charity should primarily benefit American citizens and not foreigners. The conflict between the Trump administration and the Catholic clergy also reached the courts: the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops filed a lawsuit over the cut of funding to refugee support programs managed by the Church. martedi 22 aprile 2025, 00:16 - Last updated: 09:23 We talked about the Jubilee but also about literature, especially Dostoevsky, an author he loved very much. With a voice broken by emotion, the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, recalls with Il Messaggero his relationship with Pope Francis, the Pontiff who came from afar but who in his years of reign never forgot his role as bishop of the Capital. He loved Rome very much, he was always close to the people, among the people, he looked them in the eye, especially the most fragile. He felt a deep love for this city, which is why he encouraged us to work for it, also committing himself personally. In the face of his death, I feel deep sorrow, the same that all Romans who cared for Pope Francis feel. THE TWO HOLY YEARS After the extraordinary one between 2015 and 2016, this was the second Holy Year presided over by Bergoglio. He wanted the Jubilee to leave a positive legacy for the Capital. He told me more than once: You must work for the city, it must be remembered as something that made Rome more beautiful. For this reason, continues the mayor, he was pleased with the works, the large construction sites, but he especially invited us to always think of the last, even breaking the mold, as he was used to doing. He felt all the drama of the homeless and encouraged us to welcome them. He interpreted his way of being bishop of Rome by taking care of everyone and encouraging us to do everything we could for the weakest. THE MOURNING Pope Francis died on the day of Rome's Christmasthe 2778th anniversary since the founding of the Eternal Citya day traditionally of celebration and public events for the Capital. Everything was suspended for two days in mourning, with the flags on the Capitol placed at half-mast. Gualtieri also recalls his last meeting with the Pontiff, last January 4th, for a private audience at the Apostolic Palace. A few days earlier, on December 24th, there had been the opening of the Holy Door. During that meeting we talked about the plan for the jubilee works, social policies, and environmental challenges. But also about peace. And again, we thought about ways to involve young people in the events of the Holy Year, as well as the last ones. I was struck by the fact that he always asked me for news about my son, continues the mayor of Rome. Above all, we always joked with him, he was always in favor of good humor, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also recalled. I will always carry this trait of him with me. Gualtieri and the Pontiff then crossed paths from afar on March 23rd, when after a month of hospitalization Bergoglio appeared from the window of the Gemelli, before getting into the car heading to Santa Marta. There are many episodes that have told the bond between the Pontiff and the eternal city: just remember the two visits of the Pope to the Capitol, the home of the mayor and the highest authorities of the Municipality: the first time on March 26, 2019when he urged Rome to be a city of bridges, never of walls that must be up to its tasks and its historythe second instead on the eve of the Jubilee, on June 10, 2024. Rome, born from afar, born on the move, wrote the Pontiff on that occasion in the golden book, once again inviting the city to place itself at the service of charity, welcome, and hospitality. THE CEREMONY At the moment, declares the mayor, it is still too early to think about how Rome can honor and celebrate Pope Francis. Now, instead, the thought goes to the upcoming commitments. We expect a large number of people for the next weekend, between the Jubilee of Adolescents and the Pope's funeral, which will probably be held on Saturday morning. Even for his funeral, Gualtieri continues, the Pope broke all formalism asking for a more sober ceremony, which however will be attended by hundreds of thousands of people, but also heads of state and government. Intense days, therefore, in which the Capital will once again be called to show its organizational capacity. The city is not new to this type of event, we are prepared. We will be ready, concludes Gualtieri. martedi 22 aprile 2025, 00:15 - Last updated: 00:59 NEW YORK Sunday J.D. Vance was the last official representative of a government to meet Pope Francis. The American Vice President, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, had a brief yet highly symbolic meeting with the Pope. This is especially significant due to the clashes between the two and between Francis and the Trump administration on the issue of migrants. THE LETTER Last February, just days before being hospitalized, the Pope strongly criticized Donald Trump's deportation plan, arguing that it deprived migrants of their dignity as people. He also described Trump's choices on migrants as "a disgrace" and "contrary to Christian values." He did so in a letter to American bishops, explaining thatcontrary to what Vance claimedCatholic doctrine does not justify these practices. The Vice President had attempted to justify the deportations by citing the concept of "ordo amoris," which according to Vance establishes a hierarchy of how to help others: first family, then neighbors, then community, fellow citizens, and finally, last, everyone else. In the letter, the Pope cited the parable of the Good Samaritan, "which represents a brotherhood open to all, without exception." However, Vance's view, despite being opposed by the more progressive wing of the Catholic Church, is supported by American evangelicals and conservative Catholics, whom the Vice President references. CONCILIATORY TONES Sunday's meeting between the two, although only a few minutes long due to Francis's still fragile health, appeared to many as an attempt by Vance to reach out. In truth, even though the meeting seemed to be of very conciliatory tones, Francis later had a message read, his last, in which he once again attacked the Maga policies on immigration: "How much contempt is sometimes aroused towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants," he wrote in his speech. THE U.S. VIEW However, it seems that the Trump administration has no intention of following the Pope's advice and softening its stance on migrants and taking on the duty of welcoming them. In fact, Vance said he would consider Francis's criticisms but wanted to defend his views on the migrant issue. Francis, the first Jesuit and South American pope, has made helping migrants a central part of his doctrine, basing his pontificate on the concept of "welcoming the stranger," asking countries around the world to welcome, help, and integrate migrants fleeing wars, climate crises, and poverty. Despite the completely opposing views, the Vatican has sought to maintain good diplomatic relations and maximum neutrality towards the Trump administration: in a note following Saturday's meeting between Vance and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's number two, it states that the White House and the Catholic Church have a "serene collaboration." However, the Vatican's note mentions migrants as a topic touched upon in the meetings, while Vance's avoids mentioning them: "We discussed the commitment to re-establish peace." HUMANITARIAN AID Pope Francis and the Vatican have repeatedly expressed concerns about the handling of immigration and the cuts to humanitarian aid wanted by Donald Trump, who described Usaid as "a criminal and corrupt organization" before closing it. martedi 22 aprile 2025, 00:10 - Last updated: 18:54 It was not the white robe that was surprising. Everyone still wonders why in an instant the confusion turned into silence. A newspaper, Il Messaggero, the symbolic daily of Rome, welcomed the Pope and was paralyzed, petrified. Everyone has a personal memory of that visit by Francis to Via del Tritone on the occasion of the newspaper's 140th anniversary. The normal chaos of a newsroom was transformed by a presence that with the power of a smile moved, lowered the gaze, or awkwardly kissed a hand, or shook it, nodded a bow, or just returned a smile. THE EMOTION There was no ceremony, just the power of emotion. In the great chronicle hall, where the newsroom met him. It was December 8, 2018. The Pontiff, welcomed by President Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone and CEO Azzurra Caltagirone, greeted with his proverbial spontaneity managers, journalists, all employees, over 200 people in total. A meeting, in hindsight, made of glances and simple elementary emotions. The Pope, it is pleasing to think, wanted to see from inside that daily newspaper which, as he liked to repeat until the end, he loved: 'I only read one newspaper in the morning, the daily of Rome.' To remind everyone of what was the leitmotif of that year, in which he worked so much for communication, inviting to always go deeper, to go to the sources without stopping at the effective answers. To look at the truth of people. 'The virtue of the journalist is to go to the facts, to have concreteness, not to stop at the report, but to verify. The fact is this. And then come the opinions. This is the information that is good for all of us.' He looked us in the eyes. In the most secular and true sense. Where faith did not reach, emotion intervened, or some mysterious feeling that is still being questioned. It was the first time Pope Bergoglio visited the headquarters of a newspaper. He arrived in his usual blue Ford Focus, license plate SCV 01, surrounded by bodyguards and gendarmes. Yet it seemed so easy to approach him, it really was. Between him and us, no distance, the expression of a sui generis pontificate that has torn down fences, provoked, also made discussions. 'Good evening, everyone,' he said like any guest, after visiting the building. A liberating applause broke out, unforgettable like the endless rite of the handshake he engaged in: each of those present can boast of having looked him in the eye and having happily shaken his hand. Afterward, President Caltagirone recalled a private meeting with Bergoglio in the Vatican and, microphone in hand, asked him if he still, as he had revealed that day, read Il Messaggero. He said yes, smiling. THE LOOK AND THE BLESSING Pope Francis laughed, even with his lively eyes. Always on the ball, he never stopped following the Argentine newspaper La Nacion and a single issue of Il Messaggero. To be aware of what was happening in the city and, by reflection, in society. A habit, a rite that became a passion, to fill the little knowledge he had at the time of the diocesan territory. 'Thank you for the work you do and, if you allow me, I would like to give a blessing to you and your families, your friends and also your enemies. May God bless you,' he said in a chronicle hall suddenly as solemn as it was authentic. Someone captured him with a cell phone, many were enchanted. 'PRAY FOR ME' He then moved downstairs, to the printing house, to visit the less visible workers, those who 'with love and dedication collaborate on the newspaper's release, do not write it but have an important part,' explained Azzurra Caltagirone. Here too handshakes, greetings one by one, in the face of a protocol never respected. 'Pray for me, I need it,' he was already repeating then. He left amidst applause, wishing us 'another 140 years.' Remembering: 'I start the day with you.' And warning: 'Good information is the fact, not the reported. The quality of the press depends on facts and verifications.' A message as authentic as it was visionary. Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A police inspector in northern India was arrested after an inquiry found him guilty of torturing a Muslim man in custody last year. Radheshyam Sharma, head of the Palwal city police station in Haryana, was suspended and taken into custody on Saturday. His arrest stemmed from a complaint filed by a man from neighbouring Rajasthan state who accused the officer of inflicting severe physical abuse on him. The victim, identified as Abid from Sangod village in Rajasthans Kota, had travelled to Palwal in December 2024 for work. According to his complaint, Mr Abid was hired by a man called Rambir to care for his paralysed father for a promised sum of Rs 12,000 (115). When Mr Rambir allegedly refused to pay, a dispute arose and, according to Mr Abid, his employer called the police. Police took me to Bhawankund police chowki and then to the Palwal city police station, where SHO Radheshyam Sharma took me to the restroom, removed my pants, tied my hands and legs and beat me brutally, Mr Abid alleged in his complaint, according to news agency PTI. I was made to drink green chilli solution and the same solution was injected into my private parts. Almost four months after receiving Mr Abids complaint, police registered a case and launched a departmental inquiry. The investigation, which relied on CCTV footage and statements from medical professionals, concluded on 16 April, confirming the allegations. The inspector was suspended the same day. A protester holds a placard during a demonstration in New Delhi on 27 December 2021 after police started an investigation into an event where Hindu hardliners called for mass killings of minority Muslims ( Getty ) Mr Sharma, formerly in charge of Haryanas Special Cow Protection Task Force in the communally sensitive Nuh district, has faced similar allegations in the past. A separate inquiry is still ongoing into claims that he physically assaulted two suspects in a cybercrime case. His history as a cow protection officer has earned him support from far-right Hindu groups such as the Bajrang Dal. Hindu activists, including controversial cow vigilante Bittu Bajrangi, have threatened to block highways and hold mass protests if Mr Shyam is not cleared. Cows are considered sacred and worshipped by many Hindus, the religion of the vast majority of Indias population. Cow vigilante groups are accused of enforcing, often violently, laws banning cattle slaughter and beef consumption. In recent years, many cow protectors have been accused of using violence to conduct extrajudicial activities, sometimes with the tacit backing of police. Yet, their activities have received a degree of public support from a section of Hindus who see them as defending the faith. Their activities have increased since the Hindu nationalist party of Narendra Modi took power in 2014. If our demands are not met by Sunday, 200-250 people will hold huge protests and public meetings, and block the Mathura Road highway, Mr Bajrangi told The Indian Express. He alleged that Mr Sharma had been suspended under political pressure, naming local legislator Aftab Ahmed. Mr Ahmed denied political interference and welcomed the action taken against the officer. The inspector was a habitual offender, Mr Ahmed told The Independent. Such complaints of extrajudicial torture have been levelled against him in all the police stations where he has served, he said. This time he crossed all the limits and necessary action has been taken. Such people arent required in the Indian police. Such behaviour has been emboldened due to support from the local administration and because this kind of treatment helps in instilling fear in the mind of minorities, the legislator added. But is it right in the eyes of law? No. Absolutely not. A recent report by NGO Common Cause and research organisation Lokniti-CSDS found Muslims were unfairly targeted, tortured and killed in custody, with no police accountability. According to the report, the National Crime Records Bureau reported 1,107 custodial deaths across the country from 2011 to 2022, but not a single police officer faced punishment. Palwal superintendent of police, Chandra Mohan, said they had acted decisively after confirming the allegations. Law is equal for all, and the power of uniform cannot be misused, Mr Mohan told The Tribune. We have zero tolerance to such acts. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Decorated elephants, drumbeats, and classical dance performances Indian culture was on full display as prime minister Narendra Modi rolled out a grand welcome for US vice president JD Vance, his wife Usha Vance, and their three children amid turbulent economic relations between the two countries. For Usha Bala Chilukuri Vance, the first Hindu and first Indian-American second lady, the visit is a homecoming of a kind, causing a wave of excitement and flurry of media activity in her ancestral village in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Born to Radhakrishna Chilukuri and Lakshmi Chilukuri, who migrated to the US from India in the late 1970s, Ms Vance was brought up in San Diego. She studied at Yale Law School, where she met Mr Vance, and went on to become a key figure in her husbands political rise. She traces her lineage to a Telugu-speaking family from Andhra Pradesh, specifically Vadluru village in East Godavari district and Saipuram village in Krishna district. open image in gallery The Vance family shortly after their arrival in India ( EPA ) While her parents stay in the US, her extended family lives in India. Her great aunt, Shanthamma Chilukuri, a 96-year-old physicist, comes from a distinguished family filled with doctors, engineers, scientists, and academics. She lives modestly with relatives and helpers in Visakhapatnam, a port city in Andhra Pradesh. Ms Chilukuri, who uses walking sticks after her knee replacement surgery, said she was proud of the second lady. She belongs to my family, and I feel very happy that she has risen to that height. I am also very proud, she told the PTI news agency. open image in gallery Narendra Modi giving a peacock feather to the Vance kids ( EPA ) Ms Chilukuris granddaughter, who lives in the same city, told The Independent that they had not received any word that the Vances would be visiting them. Ms Chilukuri said she saw Usha the last time as a child when she was visiting relatives in Chennai. Her late husband, Subramanya Sastry, had five brothers. One of them, Rama Sastry, was the grandfather of Ms Vance. In Vadluru, former village head P Srinivasa Raju, whose grandfather was friends with Ms Vances grandfather, said everyone was very proud of her rise to prominence in America and they were all excited about her arrival. We are very happy as she belongs to our village. We have built a temple at the site where their ancestral family lived, so we would request Usha to come and visit us, he told The Independent. He said they did not agree with the Donald Trump administrations tariff policies as they would hit their farm businesses. We would have loved to welcome her to her ancestral village, but they were not able to make it this time. Next time, we would like to welcome her here, he said. The Vance family, including children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel, went on a sightseeing trip in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on Tuesday, and took a tour of the Amber Fort, an extensive luxurious royal residence, in 40C heat. The family was also scheduled to visit the iconic Taj Mahal before their return to the US. Mr Vance appeared awestruck by his wifes popularity in India. My wife Usha is a bit of a celebrity in India, much more so than me, he quipped during a speech about Indian-US business relations. open image in gallery Second Lady Usha Vance, wife of US vice president JD Vance, and their daughter Mirabel watch a cultural performance at the Amber Fort in Jaipur ( Getty ) Their three children had stepped down one by one from the aircraft that brought them on Monday, dressed in ethnic Indian attire. They visited the Akshardham Temple in the capital Delhi, where they were seen posing for a family photo in 41C weather. Mr Vance, known for making critical remarks towards allies, is on a four-day tour of India, which is seeking to dodge steep tariffs threatened by Mr Trump. Mr Trump has repeatedly called India a tariff abuser and tariff king. The president declared a 26 per cent levy on Indian imports earlier this month before pausing its enforcement to allow time for negotiations. India, which has rushed to cut tariffs on American goods to appease the US, is seeking a deal with Washington to reduce the trade gap between them. open image in gallery Narendra Modi hosts JD Vance, his wife Usha Vance and their children at his residence in New Delhi ( Getty ) Mr Modi met Mr Vance on Monday and touted progress towards enhancing cooperation in energy, defence and strategic technologies, among other sectors. Mr Vances office said that the two sides agreed on a roadmap for further discussions on trade and the talks presented an opportunity to negotiate a new and modern trade agreement focused on promoting job creation and citizen well-being in both countries. In a speech in Jaipur on Tuesday, Mr Vance repeatedly praised Mr Modi for his warm welcome and declared that we are not here to preach to do things in one particular way. President Trump wants America to grow. He wants India to grow, and he wants to build a future with our partners all the way, he said. Mr Vance said the US was looking to sell more energy and defence equipment to India and warned that there would be dark times for all of humanity if we fail to work together successfully. Mr Modi also met the three Vance kids and intrigued them with peacock feathers. open image in gallery Narendra Modi welcomes JD Vance and his family at his residence in New Delhi on 21 April 2025 ( EPA ) The visit is being watched closely amid unease about the Trump administrations tough tariff policy towards friendly nations, including India. Harsh Pant, foreign policy head at the Observer Research Foundation think tank, said the timing of Mr Vance's visit was critical against the backdrop of trade talks. The fact that the US-China tensions are ramping up, and Vance in particular seems to have taken a very high-profile role in American diplomacy, also means that the visit assumes an added layer of significance, he said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least 26 people were killed and 17 injured when suspected militants opened fire at tourists in India's Jammu and Kashmir federal territory in the worst such attack in the country in nearly two decades. The group opened fire on people near Pahalgam, a popular destination drawing thousands of visitors every summer, increasing as militant violence has lessened in recent years. The town is located near the Chinese border in the scenic Muslim-majority Kashmir territory. Those injured have been taken to a local hospital, police sources told reporters. Security sources said at least 26 were feared dead. Among them were at least five tourists. Many others have been injured. Police have called the shooting a terror attack and blamed militants fighting Indian rule. It was the worst attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai shootings in which more than 160 people were killed. open image in gallery Indian police officers stand guard at a checkpoint following the attack ( REUTERS ) This attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years, Omar Abdullah, the region's top elected official, wrote on social media. "The death toll is still being ascertained so I don't want to get into those details," he said. "This attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years," Omar Abdullah, the region's top elected official, wrote on social media. Prime minister Narendra Modi cut short his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to New Delhi on Wednesday morning. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman was also cutting short her visit to the US and Peru "to be with our people in this difficult and tragic time", her ministry said. Police and soldiers were searching for the attackers. "We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences," India's home minister, Amit Shah, wrote on social media. He arrived in Srinagar, the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir, and convened a meeting with top security officials. A little-known militant group, the "Kashmir Resistance", claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media message, according to Reuters. It expressed discontent that more than 85,000 "outsiders" had been settled in the region, spurring a "demographic change". On Wednesday, over a dozen local organisations called for a shutdown in the federal territory to protest against the attack on tourists, whose rising numbers have helped the local economy. open image in gallery Jammu and Kashmir Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel patrol at a busy market in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir,Tuesday, 22 April 2025 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Many schools also suspended classes for the day in protest. Airlines were operating extra flights from Srinagar, the summer capital of the territory, as visitors were rushing out of the region, officials said. Initial reports say the gunmen shot bullets at mostly Indian tourists visiting Baisaran meadow, around three miles from Pahalgam. The meadow is a top sightseeing destination, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dotted with pine forests. It is visited by hundreds of tourists every day. The attack coincided with the visit to India of US vice president JD Vance, who is on a largely personal four-day visit. The Himalayan region, which is claimed in full but ruled in part by both India and Pakistan, has been gripped by militant violence since the start of an anti-Indian insurgency in 1989. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, although violence has tapered off in recent years. open image in gallery An ambulance near the scene after the attack ( REUTERS ) Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels' goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. Attacks targeting tourists in Kashmir have been rare in recent years, but not unknown. The last major attack on visitors in the federal territory took place in June when at least nine people were killed and 33 injured when a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims plunged into a deep gorge after militants attacked it. open image in gallery Indian tourists rests on a bench as policemen guard near a clock tower at city centre in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir,Tuesday, 22 April 2025 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) India revoked Kashmir's special status in 2019, splitting the state into two federally administered territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The move led to a downgrading of ties with Pakistan, which also claims the region. India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Vatican has named 167 of its faithful killed in the 2019 Easter bombings in Sri Lanka as "witnesses of faith" in what appears to be one of the last papal acts of Pope Francis before his death. Hundreds of people, including leaders from other regions, attended a vigil Monday in memory of the victims at the church of St Anthony targeted in the bombings. Sri Lanka on Monday marked the sixth anniversary of one of the worst attacks on the island nation, in which at least 269 people, including 47 foreigners, were killed in the targeted bombing of Catholic churches and five-star hotels during Easter Sunday mass. Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, told the attendees that Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican, has included the names of 167 Catholics who died in the bombings in the catalogue of the witnesses of the faith in its order book, considering the context of their heroism. Witnesses of faith are those who sacrificed their lives for their belief. Cardinal Ranjith said they were chosen due to violent opposition to their faith motivated by odium fidei, the hate of the faith. He said seven victims of other faiths were respectfully remembered". Pope Francis formalised in 2023 a new category of recognition by the church of people who lost their lives while professing the Catholic faith and created a special Vatican commission to catalogue their cases. The commission, based in the Vaticans saint-making office, has gathered hundreds of cases, with a view to highlighting them alongside officially recognised martyrs of the church, who are on the path to possible beatification or sainthood. Two local Muslim groups that had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group were accused of carrying out six near-simultaneous suicide bomb attacks. Officials have charged dozens of people who allegedly received weapons training and participated in indoctrination classes from the two local Islamic extremist groups. But no one has yet been convicted or sentenced given 23,000 charges filed against them. Experts believe the case could drag for years due to the volume of charges. The Catholic church has alleged that the government at the time covered up investigations "to protect the brains behind the attacks" and demanded further probing in the attacks. The calls for investigation grew louder after Channel 4 aired an interview of a man who claimed that he arranged a meeting between a local Islamic state-inspired group, National Thowheed Jamath, and a top state intelligence official to hatch a plot to create insecurity in Sri Lanka. He said the chaos would be used to enable former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to win the presidential election later that year. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Catholic church may soon have its first Asian pope as cardinals prepare to elect the next leader of 1.4 billion faithful. The Christian world is mourning Pope Francis, the Argentine who died on Monday aged 88 after suffering from a serious bout of pneumonia in recent weeks. His death could pave the way for Luis Antonio Tagle to become the first pope from Asia, home to the worlds fastest-growing Catholic population. The former archbishop of Manila was once considered Francis preferred successor but reportedly fell out of favour over alleged shortcomings during his leadership of the Vatican charity Caritas International. Tagle, 67, was created cardinal by Franciss predecessor Benedict XVI in 2012, making him one of the youngest cardinals at the time. Given the nature of cardinal appointments made by Francis, there is some expectation that his successor will be another non-European and hold progressive, liberal values similar to his. open image in gallery Luis Antonio Tagle at a mass in the church of Saint Ambrogio ( EPA ) However, the election process that will take place once Francis is buried is highly secretive and nothing will be certain until white smoke pours from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, telling the world that a new pope has been picked. Electing a pope from the Philippines could give the Catholic church access to China, where they have been eager to expand, analysts say. On paper, Tagle, who generally prefers to be called by his nickname "Chito", seems to tick all the boxes to be the next pontiff. He comes from what is called "Asia's Catholic lung" the Philippines has the region's largest Catholic population. His mother was an ethnic Chinese Filipino. He speaks fluent Italian and English. He has had decades of pastoral experience since his ordination to priesthood in 1982. He also has administrative experience, first as bishop of Imus and then as archbishop of Manila. Tagle is known for his progressive views on homosexuality. He has spoken against abortion in the past, however. open image in gallery Austrian cathedral pays tribute to Francis ( Reuters ) In 2019, Tagle was called by Francis to stay in Rome as prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, which is responsible for missionary work. In 2022, however, Francis fired the entire leadership of Caritas International following accusations of bullying and humiliation of employees and appointed a commissioner to run it. Tagle, who was also removed from his role, had been nominally president but was not involved in daily operations, which were overseen by a lay director general. Announcing the pope's dramatic decision, Tagle told a meeting of the confederation that the changes were a moment for "facing our failures". It remains to be seen how the saga will impact Tagle's chances at the papacy. Cardinals are the popes closest collaborators, running key departments at the Vatican and dioceses around the world. When a pontiff dies or resigns, cardinals aged under 80 enter a secret conclave to choose the new head of the Catholic church from among themselves. There are a total of 252 cardinals, 135 of them cardinal electors under 80. As many as 108 of the electors were appointed by Francis, 22 by his predecessor Benedict and five by John Paul II. The complex vote will reveal if the cardinals believe Francis embrace of liberal social values and his progressive reform agenda have gone too far and whether a period of retrenchment is needed. While Europe still has the largest share of cardinal electors, with about 39 per cent, it is down from 52 per cent in 2013 when Francis became the first Latin American pope. The second largest group of electors is from Asia and Oceania, about 20 per cent, who could be paramount in choosing Tagle as the next pope. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Thailands authorities arrested a Chinese executive linked to the construction company responsible for a high-rise tower that collapsed during the 28 March earthquake in Bangkok, killing at least 47 people. Zhang Chuanling was detained at a hotel in the capital on Saturday and special investigators sought to extend his detention by 12 days, local media reported. He is among four individuals wanted for allegedly using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders to conceal Chinese control of China Railway No 10 (Thailand) Co, a subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned firm. The company was part of a joint venture with Italian-Thai Development Plc to build the ill-fated 30-storey state Audit Office tower in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok. According to justice minister Tawee Sodsong, investigators have found credible evidence that the company used the three Thai nationals as proxies to conceal foreign control. The four men are accused of breaching Thailands Foreign Business Act, which limits foreign ownership in local companies to 49 per cent, according to Thailands Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Mr Zhang is listed as holding a 49 per cent stake in China Railway No. 10 (Thailand), according to Thailands corporate registry. On Tuesday, the Bangkok Post reported that three Thai men accused of acting as nominees for the Chinese state-owned construction company involved in the collapsed State Audit Office building were brought before the court. They denied the allegations and were remanded in custody for 12 days to allow further investigation. None of the men sought bail. Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been under increasing public pressure following the collapse of the 30-storey government building. She has ordered a full investigation into all Thai projects involving China Railway No. 10 (Thailand). The company is involved in around a dozen other projects across Thailand. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake on 28 March claimed over 3,700 lives in Myanmar. In Thailand, 47 people were killed most at the site of the building collapse while another 47 remain missing. While the project was a joint venture with Thai firm Italian-Thai Development, workers say China Railway 10th was effectively in charge of daily operations. Meanwhile, on Monday, Thai officials said that steel rods supplied by Xin Ke Yuan Steel, also partly owned by Chinese nationals, failed safety tests, with two types found at the collapse site not meeting standards. The company has denied these allegations, claiming all their products passed inspections and that they are being treated unfairly, though they declined to address the specific failed rods. The Independent has reached out to China Railway No 10 (Thailand) Co for a comment. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir David Attenborough is to release in the coming weeks a landmark feature film, Ocean, which takes viewers on a breathtaking journey around the worlds seas and oceans, and highlights their importance in the preservation of our planet. The film is set to be released in cinemas on 8 May - the same day as the naturalists 99th birthday - before it is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu later this year. Presented in-person by Attenborough from a series of striking locations around the British Isles, the film includes stunning shots of coral reefs, kelp forests, and the open ocean from around the world. Ocean is also a deeply personal film, with Attenborough describing how his lifetime has coincided with a great age of ocean discovery. After living for nearly 100 years on this planet - I now understand that the most important place on this planet is not on land, but on sea, he tells viewers. Through the course of my life we have been on a voyage of ocean discovery, and only now do we understand what it means for our world. The sea is not so different to the land, Attenborough finds, with underwater mountains stretching across the deep oceans that create vital currents that support ecosystems. Kelp forests and seagrass meadows, meanwhile, are shown to operate similarly to the worlds terrestrial forests. These ocean plant systems also absorb more carbon dioxide than the worlds rainforests, with Attenborough accordingly calling the ocean as our planets life support system - our greatest ally against climate catastrophe. But he also warns that the worlds seas are at a crossroads, with humanity draining the life from our ocean. Shocking images of trawler fishing, seen in high definition from the ocean floor and in striking detail from space, reveal just how damaging human interactions with the worlds oceans have become. We see fisherman sweeping mounds of dead fish back into the sea, with only a small share of the trawled catch actually sold on. Viewers are also shown coral reef bleaching in striking high definition, and vast factory ships in the Antarctic that dredge up krill to make animal feed. Attenborough describes how such factory ships are sometimes labelled sustainable - but in actual fact scientists now know that their activities are risking the collapse of the entire Antarctic ecosystem. open image in gallery The film includes stunning shots of coral reefs, kelp forests, and the open ocean from around the world ( Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios ) At its core, however, Ocean has a message of hope, with filmmakers exploring inspirational stories from around the world to detail just how strikingly the ocean can recover, even when it is thought all is lost. The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in Hawaii has provided a lifeline to endangered albatrosses, for example, while a reserve in the French Mediterranean has shown how even the most overfished sea in the world can be restored to full health. When Attenborough was younger, it was thought that the worlds whale population might never recover. But with new global agreements to protect the worlds largest ocean mammals, whale populations have recovered to a point not seen before in Attenboroughs lifetime. The ocean can recover faster than we can ever imagine: It can bounce back to life, says Attenborugh. We have been given a lifeline, it can thrive beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen. The films release on May 8 has also been timed to appear ahead of World Ocean Day on 8 June, as well as Junes UN Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice, France, where it is hoped a new agreement can be reached to conserve and sustainably use the oceans. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Tuesday marks the 55th anniversary of the United States Earth Day movement. As the world continues to get hotter and hotter, each passing day is but another that could be used to combat the terrifying and existential threat of human-caused climate change. Climate change is expected to make raging wildfires more frequent, flash floods more severe, hurricanes stronger, droughts more persistent,and disproportionately affect Americans based on their socioeconomic status and location. The migration away from coasts has already begun, with 3.2 million people believed to have moved in an effort to escape flooding rainfall over the past two decades. Even before the potentially devastating environmental policy implemented by the Trump administration, scientists had warned that the planets biggest lines of defense against the climate crisis our natural carbon sinks that support Earths life-sustaining carbon cycle could be starting to fail. Carbon sinks are reservoirs that absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release. Earths oceans and forests are the biggest carbon sinks, and levels are the highest ever. The greenhouse gas is the main culprit for Earths warming thanks to emissions from the fossil fuel industry. Because humans emit more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than natural sinks can remove, the total amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere continuously ticks upward. open image in gallery Tuesday marks the 55th anniversary of the Earth Day movement in the U.S. Even before the damaging actions of the Trump administration, the environment was already on the edge ( Getty ) Due to the high levels of carbon, forests are reportedly barely taking any in themselves. Ocean carbon storage is weakening. Were seeing cracks in the resilience of the Earths systems. Were seeing massive cracks on land but the oceans are also showing signs of instability, Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said last September. Nature has so far balanced our abuse. This is coming to an end, he said. The U.S. is one of the biggest culprits for individual greenhouse gas emissions, and it is second only to China. While former President Joe Biden set ambitious climate goals to curb emissions basically the only recourse to reverse course, according to climate scientists the Trump administration has ignored and fired climate scientists and experts across fields. New Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has deemed climate change a religion, ignoring the science and state of the planet in favor of President Donald Trumps energy mandates. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is doing the same, moving to open land for more drilling and mining despite proven harms and the environmental costs. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says she plans to expand domestic timber production, opening national forests to logging. Deforestation releases large amounts of carbon and can also affect the ability to soak up greenhouse gases. open image in gallery EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says his agency is committed to ensuring America has clean air and water. Actions taken by the EPA and other Trump administration leaders show otherwise ( Getty ) After driving a dagger into regulations to prevent pollution, including a landmark climate finding, Zeldin wished Americans a Happy Earth Day. From the mountains to the plains, the rivers and the oceans, across our nations vast landscape, we all have a stake in our environment, he wrote, adding that the administration remains committed to clean air, land and water for all Americans. We can and we will accomplish this goal. Following Zeldin's statement, the White House congratulated itself for policies that are contrary to what they called the "Green New Scam," alleging that the president "follows science" without mentioning climate change. By expanding logging, the administration claimed it was "improving wildlife habitats," and applauded its move to open federal lands for energy development and produce "the cleanest energy in the world." The White House also alleged that pausing wind projects actual clean energy, unlike coal would protect wildlife, with "detrimental" environmental effects "often [outweighing] their benefits." But, the realities of the planets climate peril cannot and will not be ignored. There are no boundaries to climate change. No country will be left alone. Over the past year, weve experienced the hottest year on record, the hottest ocean temperatures on record, and a seemingly endless string of heat waves, droughts, floods, wildfires and storms, Dr. Rick Spinrad, the former administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said in a statement last summer. We must recognize that these are clear signals of the damage carbon dioxide pollution is doing to the climate system, and take rapid action to reduce fossil fuel use as quickly as we can. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann has pleaded not guilty to stalking the missing girls parents and siblings. Julia Wandel, from the Polish city of Lubin, appeared in Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday. The 23-year-old is accused of making calls, leaving voicemails, and sending a letter and WhatsApp messages to Madeleines parents Kate and Gerry McCann. She is also accused of turning up at their family home on two occasions in 2024 and sending Instagram messages to Sean and Amelie McCann, Madeleines siblings. Cardiff woman Karen Spragg, 60, is accused of making calls, sending letters, and attending the home address of Mr and Mrs McCann. She also denied a charge of stalking the family. open image in gallery Karen Spragg, left, is accused of stalking Madeleine McCanns family ( Jacob King/PA Wire ) Ms Wandel was remanded back into custody while Ms Spragg was granted conditional bail. Both women will appear at the same court for trial on October 2. Madeleine was just three years old when she disappeared from a holiday resort in Praia da Luz on 3 May 2007 while her parents were dining with friends nearby. Her disappearance has sparked long-running global intrigue, and German prisoner Christian Bruckner was declared a prime suspect by Portuguese police in April 2022. However, prosecutors said in March 2025 that they had no plans to charge Bruckner over Madeleines disappearance. open image in gallery Madeleine was three when she vanished while on holiday with her parents in Portugal ( PA Media ) In 2023, Ms Wandel claimed on Instagram to be the missing girl. Appearing on the BBC Radio 4 podcast series Why Do You Hate Me? in early 2024, Ms Wandel explained she had first became suspicious of her identity when she was 20 years old and her family could not fill in gaps she had in her memories about her childhood. She turned to the internet to scour missing person cases and came across Madeleines case. She became convinced she was the missing girl, driven by similarities between herself and sketches of what Madeleine might look like now, and also by the fact that they both had a rare eye abnormality, which causes a mark on the iris. She apologised to Madeleines parents in January 2024 in a social media post after a DNA test in April 2023 proved she wasnt Madeleine. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A British man died in Ecuador after he was dragged out of a police station and lynched by a mob, local media reported. The man, whose identity wasnt disclosed, was in custody at a police station in the riverside village of Playas del Cuyabeno, a tourist entry point to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, when a mob reportedly broke in, dragged him out to the street, killed him, and set his body on fire. He was said to have been suspected of involvement in a fatal shooting. The lynching took place right outside the police station at around 12.30pm on 20 April, according to local news outlet Extra, which described it as a shocking act of apparent community justice. A police report identified the victim only as an English national. Police confirmed the man had been arrested early in the morning on 20 April. He had been intercepted and beaten by local residents who accused him of fatally shooting a local person. Police took him to the station for his own safety while waiting for specialist units to transfer him to Lago Agrio, around 75 miles away. A local police chief was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: We are still trying to establish the specific identity of the citizen we believe is a British national. We know that he was working and teaching English and was making reservations for tourists visiting the area but we dont have any more information right now and that is the focus of ongoing investigations which are seeking to determine his full name as well. The police chief said: There had been problems between the two men that died, adding: The man we believe to be British had shot a local man, causing his death. He was subsequently arrested by police. According to Extra, the specialist units were slow to arrive due to the geographical conditions of the area despite advance warning of the risk to the detainee. Nearly six hours after the arrest, a mob of local villagers reportedly forced their way into the police station. Extra reported that the officers at the station chose not to intervene in case the mob harmed them or damaged state property. However, the police chief told the Mail there were seven officers at the station at the time and police did everything humanly possible to safeguard the suspect, adding of the locals: They were carrying guns and other weapons including stones, sticks, spears and even cans of petrol they were threatening to burn the police station down with and harm officers. Another Ecuadorian media outlet, Ecuavisa, reported that the man died of burns hours after being set alight. The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was reported to be investigating the reports and collaborating with local authorities to verify the mans identity. The FCDO did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Royal Navys flagship HMS Prince of Wales is to set sail to the Indo-Pacific as head of an international Carrier Strike Group with the aim of sending a powerful message that we mean business. The 3 billion aircraft carrier will lead UK, Norwegian and Canadian warships for the eight-month deployment to join exercises, operations and visits with 40 countries across the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia. Thousands of families and well-wishers are expected to line the harbour walls at Portsmouth on Tuesday (April 22) to wave off the 65,000-tonne warship, which will be accompanied from the navy base by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless. They will then be joined by two Norwegian vessels tanker HNoMS Maud and frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen as well as the UK and Canadian frigates HMS Richmond and HMCS Ville de Quebec, which are sailing from Plymouth. open image in gallery Captain Will Blackett RN, Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales, left, Commodore James Blackmore RN, Commander Carrier Strike Group, centre, and Captain Colin McGannity RN, Commander Air Group, right, onboard HMS Prince of Wales docked at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, as they prepare the carrier ahead of it deploying as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group to conduct interoperability training and defence engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Picture date: Wednesday April 16, 2025 ( Ben Birchall/PA Wire ) The support vessel Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Tidespring will make up the final ship in the Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which will involve other ships and nations during the deployment called Operation Highmast. A contingent of 18 UK F-35B jets will join the carrier in the days after departure, with that number increasing to 24 during the deployment. Also joining will be Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and Merlin Mk4 Commando and Wildcat helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton, as well as T-150 Malloy and Puma drones. open image in gallery Captain Will Blackett RN, Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales ( Ben Birchall/PA Wire ) Commodore James Blackmore, CSG commander, said the deployment would send a powerful message of the UKs naval and air power. He said: Its about supporting key trade routes that exist from the Indo-Pacific region to the UK, and supporting partners and allies in the region, showing that we are there as a capable and credible force should it be required. That in a time of crisis, we can come together and fight together and show that we have a capability that we mean business with. He added: Working closely with partners from across the globe, Operation Highmast will demonstrate credible deterrence and our support to Nato and the rules-based international order. This will reaffirm that the UK is secure at home and strong abroad and reinforce the UKs commitment to the Indo-Pacific. A total of 2,500 military personnel about 2,100 British, 400 from Norway, Canada and Spain will initially deploy as part of the CSG, with the numbers rising to 4,500 for the major exercises in the Indo-Pacific region. Captain Will Blackett, commanding officer of HMS Prince of Wales, said: We have been training very, very hard for over a year now, and were good to go. This ship is a fantastic machine, shes got amazing equipment state of the art and were very proud to take her around the world. But it only works because of the magic thats brought to it by the people on board. He added: I grew up in Portsmouth, I went to school about a mile away, and I sat on the Round Tower as a 10-year-old saying One day, Id like to be the captain of a warship, and I was in the crowd watching an aircraft carrier leave. Somehow, Im about to be the captain of an aircraft carrier, leaving in front of 10-year-olds sitting at the Round Tower, and for me, its a momentous moment. open image in gallery Captain Colin McGannity RN, Commander Air Group onboard HMS Prince of Wales docked at HM Naval Base Portsmouth ( Ben Birchall/PA Wire ) Leading Engineering Technician (LET) Josh Thompson, 29, from Barnstable, Devon, said: Personally, its something to be pretty proud of, its something that doesnt come round very often, seeing stops in places that most people dont see. And then also being a part of the bigger picture hopefully for the future of the UK and the world. ET John Davis, 24, from Oxford, said: Im really excited to be honest, Im quite proud of the fact Ill be doing it. The CSGs first task will be to join a Nato exercise off France testing aerial defences before the ships move on to the Mediterranean to work with an Italian-led carrier force and then heading east via the Red Sea. This is the second CSG deployment to the Indo-Pacific, with the previous one led by HMS Prince of Wales sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, in 2021. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An island where Stormzy wrote an album and Olly Murs is reported to have tied the knot has gone on sale with a guide price of 25m. Osea Island is a 380-acre stretch of land situated in the Blackwater Estuary some 40 miles east of central London, which becomes cut off from the Essex mainland at high tide when its causeway is submerged. With a rich history as a secret torpedo boat base during the First World War, and previously as one of Englands first addiction rehabilitation centres, the island has since served as inspiration for a host of artists and writers, while setting the scene for numerous films and television series. Under the ownership of music producer Nigel Frieda, known for his work with Sugababes, Osea Island has been home to a recording studio used by artists such as Rihanna, Stormzy and Charli XCX, at a reported cost in 2019 of 20,000 per day. Stormzy described his time spent on the island while recording his 2022 album This Is What I Mean as a very surreal, spiritual experience. It has also served as a wedding venue reportedly used by Olly Murs for his 2023 marriage to bodybuilder Amelia Tank, with a new listing by estate agents describing the island as containing 38 residential properties. Despite viewings being described as strictly by appointment, Simon Pelling, of the estate agency Fine and Country, which is jointly acting alongside Knight Frank, said: We already have several bids on it and some of them are in excess of the guide price. We see it going to operators who will use it in a similar way to how it is used now as a venue, an event space or high-end letting facility, he told the BBC. Prior to its stint as a recording studio, Osea Island briefly hosted a rehabilitation clinic named the Causeway Retreat, which was reportedly used by Amy Winehouse prior to being shut down by a health regulator in 2010. That period echoed its history in the early 1900s as a rehabilitation centre for alcohol and opiate addiction. The island has also been used to film both the 1989 television adaptation and the 2012 film of The Woman in Black, as well as HBOs The Third Day starring Jude Law, and served as the setting for New York Times bestseller The Club. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Oxford University academics used a chalice made from a human skull potentially belonging to an enslaved Caribbean woman at formal dinners until as recently as 2015, a new book has alleged. The chalice, created from a sawn-off skull adorned with a silver rim and stand, was used for decades as a drinking cup in the senior common room at Worcester College, according to Professor Dan Hicks, curator of world archaeology at the universitys Pitt Rivers Museum. It was eventually repurposed to serve chocolates instead of wine after it began to leak, said Prof Hicks. The items shameful history is detailed in his forthcoming book Every Monument Will Fall, which explores the colonial origins of contemporary conflicts and the theft of ancestral human remains. The ritual at Worcester College was phased out in response to mounting dismay among fellows and guests, and in 2019 the college invited Prof Hicks to investigate the chalices origins, he told The Guardian. Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who chairs a cross-party parliamentary group on Afrikan reparations, told the outlet: It is sickening to think of Oxford dons, sitting in this bastion of privilege, itself enriched by the proceeds of centuries of colonial violence and extraction, swilling drink out of a human skull that may have belonged to an enslaved person and has been so little valued that it has been turned into an object. Noting that the identities of colonial victims were often erased from history as a result of racist ideas about British and white supremacy, with this forming part of the dehumanisation and violence, Prof Hicks said he had been unable to find any record of who the skull belonged to. But carbon dating showed the skull was around 225 years old, and its size and circumstantial evidence suggest it came from the Caribbean and may have belonged to an enslaved woman, he said. Worcester College insists the latter suggestion cannot be substantiated. open image in gallery A university spokesperson said the chalice's usage was 'severely limited' in 2011, before it was removed in 2015 ( Getty ) Conversely, the chalices ownership was thoroughly documented with alterations to the item providing an example of how the legacies of empire persist, Prof Hicks told The Independent. Silver hallmarks suggest the skull was made into a chalice in the City of London in 1838, the year of Queen Victorias coronation and of the emancipation of enslaved people in British colonies. It was sold at auction in 1884 by Bernhard Smith, an Oxford graduate who collected weaponry and armour. Prof Hicks believes that Smith may have been gifted the chalice by his father, who served in the Caribbean as a Royal Navy commander at the time of the abolition of the slave trade in the British empire. The chalice was purchased for five pounds and five shillings by the Victorian soldier and archaeologist Augustus Pitt Rivers, who founded the Oxford museum bearing his name in 1884. The Sothebys auction listing showed it had a wooden stand inlaid with a Queen Victoria shilling and a Greek inscription carved into the bone. The shilling is no longer there, and the broken wooden stand has been replaced with a silver one, but the inscription remains. The chalice was finally donated to Oxford in 1946 by the archaeologists grandson, the eugenicist George Pitt-Rivers, in what Prof Hicks described as one of his first acts after being released from his internment during the Second World War as a Nazi sympathiser and follower of the British fascist Oswald Mosley. The younger Pitt-Rivers inscribed his name on the chalices rim, echoing that of his grandfather which is carved above the entrance to the Oxford-based museum at which Prof Hicks works. open image in gallery Augustus Pitt Rivers purchased the chalice at auction in the same year he founded the Oxford museum bearing his name ( Getty/iStock ) As well as seeking to give some degree of humanity to the woman to whom the skull belonged by piecing together her story, Prof Hicks said the overall aim of the book is to ask whether this is anomaly, or whether there is a wider conversation we need to have about human and ancestral remains in our museums and universities. Prof Hicks is backing a fresh call from MPs to ban the sale of ancestral remains and prohibit their display in museums. An Oxford University spokesperson said: Worcester College can confirm that it is in possession of a vessel which is made from part of a human skull of unknown origin. The item was given to the college in 1946 by a former student, George Pitt-Rivers (1890-1966). In the 20th century, the vessel was sometimes on display with the colleges silver collection and used as tableware. The college does not hold records of how often this was the case, but it was severely limited after 2011, and the vessel was completely removed 10 years ago. The colleges governing body sought expert scientific and legal advice to address whether the item should be retained, and if not, how it should be disposed of appropriately. DNA testing was unable to identify the geographic or ethnic origin of the skull, and as such the suggestion that the skull is that of an enslaved woman from the Caribbean cannot be substantiated. As a result of this advice, the college resolved that the item should be stored in the college archives in a respectful manner, where access to it is permanently denied. As Dr Hicks acknowledges in his book, the college has dealt with the issue ethically and thoughtfully. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pope Francis has decreed in his will that he be buried in a simple underground tomb in St Mary Major Basilica. The will specified the late pontiff wanted to be buried "in the ground, without particular decoration" but with the inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus. In his final testament, the pope expressed his wish to be buried in Rome, and not at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican like many previous pontiffs. Alongside the will, the Vatican announced the pope died following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. The Vatican added that the pontiff had arranged for an unnamed benefactor to cover the costs of his burial. open image in gallery The pope will be buried in a simple underground tomb in St Mary Major Basilica ( AP ) Published on the Holy Sees website, here is the Popes will in full. It reads: In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen. Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will only with regard to the place of my burial. I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major. I wish that my last earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary where I went for prayer at the beginning and end of each Apostolic journey to confidently entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and thank Her for her docile and maternal care. open image in gallery The pontiff pictured at his final Easter Sunday message ( AP ) I ask that my tomb be prepared in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel, Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani, and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica as indicated in the enclosed attachment. The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus. The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by the sum of the benefactor that I have arranged, to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and of which I have provided appropriate instructions to Rolandas Makrickas (a Catholic cardinal) Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter. May the Lord give the deserved reward to those who have loved me and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that has become present in the last part of my life I have offered to the Lord for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples. Franciss coffin was moved from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel, where he lived, to St Peters Basilica to allow the faithful to pay their respects. His funeral will take place on Saturday, 26 April. Following his death, the Catholic Church has now entered a period called sede vacante, or empty seat, during which there is no pope sitting on the throne of St Peter. Pope Francis, originally from Argentina and the first pope from Latin America, had led the 1.4 billion-member church since 2013. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice British Steel has said it will end a consultation on up to 2,700 redundancies, after the UK government took control of the firm earlier this month. Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously recalled MPs from their spring recess so Parliament could pass emergency legislation allowing the government to take operational control of British Steel. Since the governments intervention, British Steel has been able to secure a stable supply of raw materials to its two blast furnaces, Queen Anne and Queen Bess. Now British Steel has confirmed it has officially withdrawn the HR1 consultation form it had submitted to the Department of Business and Trade on March 27. This means all operations at British Steel are being maintained, including Scunthorpe Rod Mill. Lisa Coulson, interim Chief Commercial Officer said: This has been a difficult and worrying time for British Steel staff and their families. I can however confirm that we are closing the redundancy consultation without action. Since the Government passed its legislation, we have been working day and night to ensure we are able to stabilise our operations. The work done to secure the raw materials we need for both Queen Anne and Queen Bess blast furnaces means we are able to run both continuously. We would like to thank our trade union partners for their professionalism and the support of their members over recent days and weeks. And I would also like to thank everyone in our workforce for their extraordinary dedication over recent days and weeks. It is your hard work and passion that means steelmaking in Scunthorpe has a bright future. Quite simply, British Steel workers are the finest in the world. British Steel has ended its redundancy consultation without any action ( PA Wire ) The announcement comes after British Steels owners, Chinese firm Jingye, proposed to close Scunthorpes two blast furnaces and put up to 2,700 jobs at risk out of a workforce of 3,500. The consultation triggered huge concern among British politicians and industry figures, with the UK Government using emergency powers to take control of British Steel and continue production at the site. Industry minister Sarah Jones said: The action this Government took on April 12, and the measures weve taken since, matter greatly for this country and are of huge importance to thousands of steelworkers and their families. We will always stand up for our steel industry. Now, thanks to our decisive action to protect steelmaking at Scunthorpe, British Steel has cancelled the redundancy consultations started by its owners Jingye, bringing certainty for thousands of hard-working staff for the long term. A spokesman for the Unite union said: Unite are pleased that British Steel have come to their senses and realised that job losses are not the way to ensure Britain remains an industrial power. This should be just the first step to begin the process of nationalisation The Government now needs to implement a wholesale overhaul of its energy policy with a commitment to invest in renewables to lower energy prices for heavy industry like steel production. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Trans women should use male toilets, the equalities minister has said, declaring that services should be accessed on the basis of biological sex. Bridget Phillipson said businesses should ensure "they have appropriate provision in place", which could mean unisex facilities. But she said the Supreme Court ruling was clear about the basis on which services should be used. Her comments came after a long-awaited judgment delivered last Wednesday in which the UKs highest court confirmed the terms woman and sex in the 2010 Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex. It means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces if it is deemed proportionate. open image in gallery Bridget Phillipson said the Supreme Court was clear services should be accessed on the basis of biological sex ( PA ) Ms Phillipson told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I know that many businesses, large and small, will ensure that they have appropriate provision in place. For example, many businesses have moved towards unisex provision or separate cubicles that can be used by anyone." She added: "There are important questions around, for example, the use of toilets, around the use of changing facilities, but there are also profound questions that I think are even more important about, for example, hospital provision, rape crisis centres, women's refuges, where you are talking about people often being in that provision on an accommodation basis for an extended period of time. "And I think it is important and welcome that the Supreme Court have put beyond doubt that providers can make sure that is done on the basis of biological sex." Ms Phillipson is expected to give a Commons statement on the Supreme Courts ruling as parliament returns from Easter recess on Tuesday. Former Supreme Court judge Jonathan Sumption has warned that organisations are potentially misinterpreting the landmark ruling, arguing it did not create an obligation to provide single sex spaces. open image in gallery Former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption said the ruling had been misunderstood ( PA ) Instead, Lord Sumption argued that while many have taken the ruling to mean that service providers are obliged to provide single-sex spaces based on biological sex, the ruling meant that excluding transgender people from single-sex spaces was allowed, and not a breach of the 2010 Equality Act. He said: Thats the main point, which I think has been misunderstood about this judgment. I think its quite important to note that you are allowed to exclude trans women from these facilities. But you are not obliged to do it. It came as a minister condemned the utterly unacceptable language used by demonstrators as tens of thousands gathered to protest the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman. Education minister Stephen Morgan was asked about a placard at a protest in Parliament Square that showed an illustration of gallows alongside a slogan suggesting "the only good Terf (trans-exclusionary radical feminist)" is a hanged one. And the Labour frontbencher called for police action over what he said was the completely and utterly unacceptable language. Mr Morgan told Sky News: "It's completely unacceptable language to be used, and obviously any matters that break the law should be reported to the police, and hopefully police action is taken." Trans rights groups, trade unions and community organisations came together on Saturday for what was billed as an emergency demonstration in Parliament Square, with activists demanding trans liberation and trans rights now. As well as the placard referred to by Mr Morgan, demonstrators held signs declaring trans rights are human rights and trans women are women. Ms Phillipson said the Supreme Court ruling meant service providers "can now operate with absolute confidence in delivering single-sex spaces for biological women". She told BBC Breakfast: "I do welcome the clarity that the Supreme Court judgment has brought in this area, making clear that biological sex is the basis on which single-sex spaces are provided." She said there would be more guidance for schools on gender-questioning children and "the heart of everything we do has to be about making sure that children's wellbeing is supported, but also that school leaders in particular have the clarity and guidance that they want". Ms Phillipson added: "We recognise and believe in the importance of single-sex spaces. "Before I was a Member of Parliament I used to run a women's refuge, so I know more than most how essential it is that women, particularly those who've experienced sexual violence and male abuse, are able to have safe, therapeutic environments, and that's why there has always been protection there within the law for single-sex spaces. "There has been some confusion. I'm glad that's been cleared up, because providers can now operate with absolute confidence in delivering single-sex spaces for biological women." Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmer is close to striking a major deal with the EU that would let British arms companies sell billions of pounds of weapons to European allies, it has emerged. Under the agreement, UK companies would be able to bid for business under the blocs new 150 billion (130 billion) defence fund. But the deal comes after the UK reportedly made major concessions to Brussels on EU access to Britains fishing waters, in what critics will likely see as a betrayal of Brexit. The EU last month unveiled its Readiness 2030 security strategy as part of a drive to break its dependence on the US amid heightened Russian aggression. The strategy included an easing of budget rules to create the multi-billion pound loan plan focused on buying defence equipment in Europe rather than suppliers in the US. open image in gallery A deal on defence procurement comes after British negotiators prepared to make concessions on fishing ( Getty Images ) But British firms were set to be excluded from the loan plan unless a defence and security pact with the EU could be struck, with fishing rights emerging as a major sticking point. There is reportedly growing confidence in Downing Street that an agreement can be reached ahead of a crunch UK-EU summit on May 19. The mood music is good, a British defence industry source told The Times. The breakthrough followed British negotiators softening their stance on fishing, preparing to accept EU demands for a multi-year deal accessing fishing waters. The UK will reportedly grant a multi-year deal for European fishermen and freeze quotas, rather than reducing the blocs access further. It comes as Sir Keir also looks to strengthen Britains defence ties with New Zealand, hosting the countrys prime minister Christopher Luxon on Tuesday. More than 54,000 Ukrainians have already received training under Operation Interflex, and Mr Luxon is expected to confirm on Tuesday that New Zealand will extend its support for the programme to the end of the year. open image in gallery European fishermen will be granted access to UK waters ( Getty Images ) And in a further show of support for Ukraine, Sir Keir is expected to announce a deal worth 30 million for drones produced by SYOS Aerospace, a New Zealand company with a factory in Hampshire. The pair will also instruct their respective defence ministers to begin work on a new defence partnership between the UK and New Zealand, replacing the one signed in 2015. Sir Keir on Monday spoke with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Store. A Downing Street spokesman said the PM reiterated his iron-clad support for Ukraine. And he said that the UK supports Ukraines calls for Russia to commit to a full ceasefire and that now is the time for Putin to show he is serious about ending his brutal war. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Scrapping the two-child benefit cap is the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty, charities have argued in a letter to the prime minister. Failing to scrap the limit could put child poverty at its highest level since records began by the end of this parliament, groups including Barnardos, Save the Children UK and Citizens Advice have warned. The two-child benefit cap, imposed by Tory former chancellor George Osborne, prevents parents from claiming benefits for any third or subsequent child born after April 2017. A separate limit on benefits, imposed under the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition in 2013, restricts how much a household can receive in benefits in total. open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer has previously said he wants to scrap the cap but that the government cannot currently afford to ( PA Wire ) Charities have been ramping up pressure on the government to ditch the two-child restriction as part of its new child poverty plan. The strategy is due to be published this spring, although the End Child Poverty Coalition has said it believes the document might not come until June. The letter urges Sir Keir Starmer to direct the full weight of your government into reducing child poverty with urgency. Scrapping the two-child limit is by far the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty, it reads. It would lift 350,000 children out of poverty overnight and result in 700,000 children living in less deep poverty. If it is not scrapped, the stark reality is that child poverty will be significantly higher at the end of this parliament than when the government took office, making this the first time a Labour government would leave such a legacy, and the number of children living in poverty will be at its highest since records began. The Child Poverty Action Group, which signed the letter, estimates that the number of children in poverty will jump from 4.5 million currently to 4.8 million by 2029 unless urgent action is taken. Labour MP Rachael Maskell, who has long been a vocal critic of the cap, urged the government to listen to the charities warnings. She told The Independent: It is vital that the government follows the evidence and heeds the advice of experts. Keeping people, and no less children, out of poverty must be an absolute priority for government, not least in a country where so many have so much. The UK is the second most inequitable country in the world, and Labour's duty is to consign poverty to history. open image in gallery Some 4.8bn of welfare cuts were announced in Rachel Reevess spring statement last month ( PA Wire ) While the two-child benefit cap applies across the UK, the Scottish government has pledged to mitigate the policys impacts for people there, although payments for this are not expected to begin until 2026. The prime minister has previously said he wants to scrap the cap but that the government cannot currently afford to, repeatedly stressing his focus on growing the economy. Over the weekend, it was revealed that Labour rebels are doubling down on their opposition to the governments sweeping benefit cuts, despite ministers planning to offer spending on child poverty as a trade-off to win their support. Dozens of Labour MPs are expected to abstain or vote against the 4.8bn welfare cuts, announced in Rachel Reevess spring statement, when they come before parliament. In a bid to minimise the scale of a rebellion which threatens to be the biggest against Sir Keirs government yet ministers are planning to publish Labours long-awaited strategy to tackle child poverty shortly before the crunch vote. The strategy will contain additional money for poor parents of under-fives, The Observer reported, with work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall believed to be looking at plans to support young children without going as far as scrapping the controversial two-child benefit cap. The renewed calls to scrap the two-child benefit cap come just weeks after think tank the Resolution Foundation said increasing the limit to three children could reduce child poverty by 320,000 by the next general election, costing 3.2bn per year by 2030. A government spokesperson said: No child should be in poverty thats why our Ministerial Taskforce is exploring all available levers to give every child the best start in life as part of our Plan for Change. Alongside delivering on our Get Britain Working White Paper to support people into good jobs and make everyone better off, were increasing the Living Wage, uprating benefits and supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions to help low-income households. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice There were more than 9,300 antisemitic incidents across the U.S. in 2024, according to data released by the Anti-Defamation League, the highest level ever recorded by the civil rights organization. Incidents took place across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data marked a 5 percent increase in incidents over 2023 and a whopping 893 percent increase in antisemitism over the past 10 years, according to the group. Assaults rose by 21 percent compared to 2023, while vandalism was up 20 percent, amid continued tension across the country amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The Anti-Defamation League cited examples including swastika graffiti on campuses, protesters with flags and headbands supporting U.S.-designated terror groups, antisemitic fliers from right-wing groups like Patriot Front, and individuals throwing red liquid near a New Jersey synagogue hosting a real estate event featuring information on how to buy property in the occupied West Bank. The wave of antisemitism coincided with a similar spike in anti-Muslim hate crimes, which rose 18 percent across 28 cities in 2024, according to preliminary data from the Crime and Justice Research Alliance. Official FBI hate crime data for 2024 has not been released. Donald Trump has vowed to crack down on campus antisemitism, an effort critics say has involved silencing legitimate criticism of Israel ( REUTERS ) Nearly 60 percent of the incidents the Anti-Defamation League tracked in 2024 featured some relation to Israel or Zionism, the first time such incidents made up a majority. Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, kicked off the wider war in Gaza, antisemitic incidents have taken place across the country, though defining the barriers between legitimate political protest against Israel and hateful antisemitism against Jews has roiled Congress and college campuses alike. For its part, the Anti-Defamation League does not consider criticism of Israel or general anti-Israel activism to be antisemitic, though the group considers picketing of Jewish religious or cultural institutions for their perceived or real support for Israel to be hateful, and relies in part on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of antisemitism, which labels certain criticisms of Israel inherently antisemitic. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt argued anti-Zionism is antisemitism, in a 2022 speech. Members of Congress are pushing for the Department of Education to adopt the alliance definition, though civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union warn it could chill legitimate political speech on campus. The Trump administration has labeled virtually all of the thousands of campus protesters who demonstrated on behalf of Palestine over the last two years to be antisemitic, even though many were Jewish themselves. The White House has invoked an obscure legal authority to arrest international student campus leaders of the movement, arguing in part that they harm U.S. foreign policy interests in combating antisemitism. The administration has also sought to strip universities like Harvard and Columbia of cumulatively billions of dollars in federal funding, arguing they havent done enough to stop campus antisemitism. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Hundreds of US universities, colleges and scholarly societies have publicly opposed Donald Trumps political interference in higher education in a joint statement published on Tuesday. The presidents of over 100 institutions co-signed the statement after Harvard University said the Trump administration was threatening its independence, filing a law suit against the government. Signatories include the presidents of Princeton, Brown, the University of Hawaii and Connecticut State Community College. They criticise what is described as the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education. We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight, the statement says. However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses. open image in gallery Education Trump Harvard ( AP ) The White House did not respond to a request for comment about the statement. Tuesday's joint statement is the latest show of resistance from US higher education leaders as the Trump administration seeks to leverage its financial heft to overhaul academia. On 14 April, Harvard rejected numerous demands from the administration, which is seeking oversight of the universitys student body, faculty and curriculum in an apparent effort to curb what it perceives as the instiutions liberal bias. Soon after, the administration announced it was freezing $2.3 billion in federal funding to the school. According to White House spokesperson Harrison Fields' statement at that time, Trump wants to ensure taxpayer dollars do not support racial discrimination or racially motivated violence. The administration also threatened to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status and take away its ability to enroll foreign students. open image in gallery Some parliamentarians are reportedly lobbying to prevent the US president addressing Parliament (Niall Carson/PA) ( PA ) On Monday, Harvard sued the Trump administration to try to force it to end its orders freezing funds and withdraw demands it has made, accusing the federal government of trying to "overhaul Harvard's governance, control Harvard's faculty hiring and dictate what faculty may teach Harvard students" for ideological reasons. Harvard said in its suit that government attempts to "coerce and control" the university violated the Constitution's protections for speech. It also accused the government of failing to follow procedures set out under federal civil rights laws. Since his January inauguration, Republican President Donald Trump has cracked down on top U.S. universities, saying they mishandled last year's pro-Palestinian protests and allowed antisemitism to fester on campus. His administration has also targeted universities for other issues such as transgender rights and diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and has threatened to withhold federal funding over these issues. Columbia University was an early target but in recent weeks, the administration has focused on Harvard. On April 15 over 60 past and present college and university presidents signed an open letter saying they "strongly support" Harvard President Alan Garber's rejection of the administration's demands. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Georgia mom died from a broken heart just days after her 20-year-old son was found beaten to death in his home. Tasha Lawson died on April 13 from heart complications at a hospital in Waycross, Georgia. The body of her son, TeeAndrick Lawson had been found 11 days earlier. Family members said that the young man was killed by two men who broke into his home while his mother was out. Per WTOC they believe his sexual orientation played a part in the killing. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now leading the investigation into the 20-year-olds death, but did not provide further details, including whether they are investigating it as a hate crime. Less than two weeks later his mother died of heart complications. open image in gallery Tasha Lawson died on April 13 from heart complications at Waycross hospital. The body of her son, TeeAndrick Lawson had been found 11 days earlier ( King & Sons/ King Brothers Funeral Home ) David Jordan, the Ware County Coroner told WTOC that her official cause of death was, aortic dissection rupture, hypertensive, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and that it had been ruled as natural causes. Lawsons family said that she had passed away from sheer heartbreak following the loss of her son, adding that the two were inseparable. TeeAndrick and his mother were inseparable. Their bond was deep and unbreakable best friends who did everything together, a GoFundMe page read. The pain of losing her son was too much for her heart to bear, and just days later, she passed away from sheer heartbreak. The 20-year-old was described as a loving, funny, and free-spirited young man whose life was taken far too soon in a senseless act of violence. He was the kind of person who lit up every room full of laughter, energy, and warmth, the description read. Lawson herself was interviewed by WTOC after her sons death.He was very bright. Got along really well. He loved to dance. Laughed a lot, she said. I cant wake him up and say, come go to the store with me. I cant do any of that. He just didnt deserve what they did to him. He didnt deserve that. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pest control company Orkin has released its 2025 list of the nation's most termite-infested cities, and revealed that residents in Florida may want to get their walls checked. Cities in Florida took four of the top 10 spots on Orkin's list, including the number one spot, which went to Miami. Tampa came in at third, Orlando at fifth, and West Palm Beach at sixth. This is the third year in a row that Miami took Orkin's top spot for termite infestation, according to WKMG. Miami was ranked number one one on Orkins 2025 list of most termite-infested cities ( iStock ) Tampa remained at number three after its ranking last year, but both Orlando and West Palm Beach actually rose on the list from their previous spots at numbers five and six, respectively. In total, six Florida cities appeared on the list, with Fort Myers coming in at 26 and Jacksonville at 30. Florida has more cities on the list than any other state. Why is Florida such a hot bed for the wood munching insects? They, like the snowbirds who flock to the Sunshine State each year, really enjoy the warm weather. Hotter weather can increase the rate at which termites break down wood, and drier conditions may allow termites to be more active, the report revealed. Termites thrive in warm temperatures, which is one reason warmer-climate cities tend to top Orkins annual list. Los Angeles took Orkin's number two spot keeping in line with the warm weather theory while Houston took spot seven, San Diego spot eight, and Dallas spot ten. The two outliers to the warm-weather theory Washington, DC, which was ranked fourth, and Baltimore, ranked ninth both still see relatively warm temperatures for much of the spring and summer, despite also experiencing cold winters. It's no shock that the bottom of the list is made up of cities where winters can be long and brutally cold. Detroit was ranked at 45, Grand Rapids 46, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at 48, and Columbus, Ohio at 50. The outliers in the bottom portion of the list were Chattanooga, Tennessee at spot 47 and Savannah, Georgia at spot 49, which both are warmer, Southern cities. In addition to being unwanted creepy crawlers, termites can cause expensive damage to structures. Termites cost American homeowners about $5 billion a year in damage, often going undetected until theyve caused serious damage, Glen Ramsey, Director of the Entomology Team at Orkin, said in the report. Thats why homeowners should prioritize preventive treatments this time of year. Orkin provided a lengthy list of termite indicators that property owners should remain wary of, all of which can be viewed on its site. Some of those indicators include temporary swarms of small, winged insects inside a resident's home or their soil; cracked or bubbling paint or wood that sounds hollow when tapped; mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams, or in crawl spaces and accumulations of wings or termite droppings. The best defense against termites is prevention. Orkin offered a list of recommended actions property owners can take to make sure the bugs don't take up residence in their homes or buildings. Those recommendations include ensuring water drainage sites are cleared; maintaining pipes, gutters, downspouts, A/C units, and other areas where water might leak; using caulk to close up gaps around buildings; removing rotten wood or debris from the area, and periodically checking wooden structures for signs of termite damage. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Following the death of Pope Francis, the eyes of the world will turn to Rome, where a papal conclave will decide who will become the next pontiff - but could the world see its first American pope this election? The simple answer is unlikely, but its not impossible. This enormous decision will be made by cardinals from all over the world. Of the 252 members of the College of Cardinals, 138 are currently eligible to elect the new pope. Though the American Catholic Church is one of the biggest and richest in the world, there has never been an American-born pope. The idea of an American pope has often been dismissed, given the geopolitical influence America already has across the globe. There are currently nine U.S. cardinals that are expected to take place in the 2025 conclave, according to the list of cardinal electors. open image in gallery Following the death of Pope Francis, the eyes of the world will turn to Rome, where a papal conclave will decide who will become the next pontiff. Could that person be American? ( Getty Images ) They are: Cardinal Robert Prevost, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Cardinal Wilton Daniel Gregory, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Cardinal Sean Patrick OMalley and Cardinal Raymond Burke. With nine U.S. cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave out of 138, the mathematical possibility of the next pope being American is around 6.5 percent. Bookmakers odds are also unfavorable. According to Online Betting Guide, none of the Americans are considered favorites. According to William Hill, Luis Antonio Tagle and Pietro Parolin are currently front-runners to succeed Francis with 7/4 odds followed by Cardinal Peter Erdo at 8/1. However, as fans of the Academy Award-winning movie Conclave know, the process of selecting a new pope is political and anything could happen. Even so, John Allen Jr., a Vatican expert and author of All the Popes Men: The Inside Story of How the Vatican Really Thinks told The New York Post, that the prospect of an American pope is slim. open image in gallery Appointed Archbishop of New York in 2009, Dolan is one of the most recognizable figures in the U.S. Catholic church known for his charisma and media savvy. However the possibility of him being made pope is a longshot ( Spencer Platt/Getty Images ) Appointed Archbishop of New York in 2009, Dolan is one of the most recognizable figures in the U.S. Catholic church known for his charisma and media savvy. However, one of the main issues, according to Allen, is that Dolan may simply be too American. Hes seen as charismatic, articulate, and someone certainly capable of holding his own on the global stage, having served as the chief shepherd of the media capital of the universe, Allen told The Post. Nonetheless, I suspect youd have to rate Dolan as a long shot, not a favorite. Americans, often seen at the forefront of global culture clashes and with stereotypically brash attitudes, would need to demonstrate other skills such as experience abroad and capacity with languages to take on the role. open image in gallery Illinois-born Cardinal Robert Prevost has extensive experience in Peru as both a missionary and then an archbishop. He is currently prefect of the Vaticans dicastery for bishops, which handles various administrative and pastoral responsibilities of the Holy See, including the vetting nominations for bishops around the world ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Illinois-born Prevost may fit this criteria, with extensive experience in Peru as both a missionary and then an archbishop. He is currently prefect of the Vaticans dicastery for bishops, which handles various administrative and pastoral responsibilities of the Holy See, including the vetting nominations for bishops around the world. At the age of 69, Prevost is younger than many of the other cardinals, which may count against him being selected if others do not wish to risk having another lengthy tenure. Burke, who was born in Wisconsin, has already been touted by some as a possible successor to the pontiff, having participated in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis. open image in gallery Burke, who was born in Wisconsin and made cardinal in 2010, has already been touted by some as a possible successor to the pontiff, having participated in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Regarded by critics as an outspoken traditionalist he was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. Burke publicly clashed with Franciss more liberal philosophies, particularly regarding his willingness to allow divorced and remarried couples to receive the Eucharist. He has also called the churchs new language around artificial contraception, civil marriages and gay people objectionable. He previously said that Catholic politicians who support legalized abortion, such as former president Joe Biden, should not receive the Eucharist. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The executive producer of 60 Minutes, Bill Owens, revealed Tuesday that hes resigning, saying that he had lost his journalistic independence, amid an onslaught of attacks on the program by Donald Trump. Over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience, Owens told a shocked staff in a memo obtained by The New York Times. So, having defended this show and what we stand for from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward, he added. The program, which has only been run by three people in its 57 years on the air, has come under increasing pressure from Trump after he sued CBS News for $10 billion, and has baselessly accused the show of unlawful and illegal behavior. Sources told The Independent that the staff and even executives were stunned by Owens announcement, and that it was a blow to an already demoralized workplace at the legendary 57-year-old news program. "Everyone is in shock ... senior leadership down to interns, no one saw this coming, said one source. It really came out of nowhere. People liked that Bill didnt bend the knee to Trump, [his lawsuit] settlement ... and corporate overlords who wanted him to apologize, another said. Staffers are now worried that the company will cave in to a settlement even though the network did nothing wrong. Even as Trump is suing 60 Minutes, the controlling shareholder of CBSs parent, Paramount, Shari Redstone, is trying to get the Trump administrations approval to sell her company to Skydance, which is operated by the son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison. Redstone has pushed for settling Trumps case, which is based on what the president has called a deceptively edited October interview with then-Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, which was broadcast on the program. Owens said in February that he would not apologize as part of any future settlement of the suit, and legal experts have called the lawsuit baseless. Many CBS News staffers view a settlement as giving in to Trump over what they see as complaints about editorial judgment, according to The Times. Owens noted in his memo that 60 Minutes will continue to cover the new administration, as we will report on future administrations. The show is too important to the country. It has to continue, just not with me as the executive producer. Ben Bogardus, an associate professor of journalism at Quinnipac University in Connecticut, said that Owens resignation from 60 Minutes can be seen as both an act of journalistic courage and integrity, and something that could hurt the industry in the long run. He added: His moral stance sheds light on what he sees as presidential interference in journalism, and may cause audiences to demand more independent reporting. But it could also embolden the president and other politicians to keep up their attacks on independent reporting. What's clear is that this fight won't end with Owens' resignation. And it may get worse before it gets better, Bogardus warned. Owens initially worked for CBS as a summer intern in 1988 and was appointed as the executive producer of 60 Minutes in 2019. The show has been a frequent target of the presidents ire. Trump abruptly ended a 2020 interview with Lesley Stahl after growing frustrated with her questioning. During the 2024 campaign, he refused to appear on the show. Bill Owens and Helena Owens attend the 2023 Producers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton in 2023 in Beverly Hills. Owens has sent a memo to 60 Minutes staff that he is stepping aside so the show can move forward ( Getty Images ) Trump took to social media earlier this month to accuse 60 Minutes of fraudulent, beyond recognition, reporting, without providing any basis for fraudulent journalism. Trump, who has pushed his government regulators to remove CBSs broadcast license, also claimed: CBS is out of control, at levels never seen before, and they should pay a big price for this. Redstone recently complained to CBS about a 60 Minutes story looking at the Biden administrations handling of the war between Israel and Hamas. A day later, longtime CBS producer Susan Zirinsky was appointed to a new job in charge of journalistic standards, The Times noted. CBS News President Wendy McMahon wrote in a note on Tuesday that she is still committed to 60 Minutes, and to ensuring that the mission and the work remain our priority, the newspaper reported. Commending Owens work, she wrote: Standing behind what he stood for was an easy decision for me, and I never took for granted that he did the same for me. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Former vice president Al Gore lashed out at the Trump administration in a fiery speech about the climate crisis, comparing its attempts to create their own preferred version of reality to that of Adolf Hitlers Third Reich. Gores remarks at San Francisco Climate Week on Monday follow attacks on the current administration from a number of high-ranking Democrats in recent weeks, including former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It was [Jurgen] Habermas mentor, Theodore Adorno, who wrote that the first step in that nations descent into hell was, and I quote, The conversion of all questions of truth into questions of power, Gore said, according to Politico. He described how the Nazis, and I quote again, attacked the very heart of the distinction between true and false. End quote. The Trump administration is insisting on trying to create their own preferred version of reality, Gore said. Former vice president Al Gore gave an animated and fiery keynote speech at San Francisco Climate Week on Monday, warning about the dire consequences of the climate crisis ( AP ) The former vice president, who won an Academy Award for his 2006 global warming documentary An Inconvenient Truth, then rattled off a list of misinformation and misconceptions about energy that President Donald Trump or members of his administration have touted. That includes claims that coal is clean, wind turbines cause cancer, natural disasters are a scam, and rising sea levels create more beachfront property. Since taking office, Trump has reversed various Biden-era environmental initiatives that intended to slow down greenhouse gas emissions, reduce air pollution, replace fossil fuels with cleaner energy alternatives and more. Trump has characterized many of those regulations as a scam that hurt American manufacturing jobs and misused congressional funding. Gore became more animated as he delivered the keynote address to climate activists, sharing concerns about the future of the planet under the new administration. He called Trump a threat that the founders of the Constitution intended to protect the public from. I understand very well why it is wrong to compare Adolf Hitlers Third Reich to any other movement, Gore told the audience. It was uniquely evil, full stop. I get it. But there are important lessons from the history of that emergent evil. Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A white Republican congresswoman referred to a Black colleague 12 years her senior as "boy" while calling LGBT+ people "fairies in a startling interview on a Christian podcast. In the interview with a local Christian group last week, Tennessee representative Diana Harshbarger joked about 77-year-old Texas Democrat Al Green in terms that civil rights experts have long considered effectively a racial slur. Green made headlines in March when he protested against Republicans' reported plans to cut Medicaid by pointing his cane and shouting "you have no mandate!" during Donald Trump's address to Congress. Wisecracking about the incident on the Christian group F.A.M.E. Ministries podcast, Harshbarger said: "Al Green was over here with his cane, and I'm like: 'Gosh dang it, boy! Put that He does not need that cane, she added, turning to the host. That cane is a prop. I swear it's not real. She implied that Green could have been hiding a weapon in it. Harshbarger added: "And Im wondering ... one of my colleagues said, 'Screw [off] the gold part of that, see if there's a gun in there'. I'm like, I don't know about that man. He's just weird Al." Her presumably Christian interviewer laughed uproariously throughout the snide commentary in the clip first posted by Heartland Signal on X Monday.. Democratic Congressman Al Green of Texas interrupts President Donald Trump's address a joint session of the United States Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. last month ( EPA/JIM LO SCALZO ) She then went after the Biden administration's support for LGBT+ rights, saying: "Listen, I never saw so many fairies in the White House! Dancing around I don't know where they got 'em. But look, my job is to love 'em into the love of Christ, and I gotta watch what I say, she added, after it was too late. The Independent has contacted Harshbarger's office for further comment. Democratic Georgia state senate candidate Jerrold Dagen tweeted the clip and called on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to call for a censure vote against Harshbarger. Her remarks about Green mirror fellow Republican Lauren Boebert's bizarre description of his walking aid as a "pimp cane, which led some Democrats to move that she be censured for racism. Green was removed from the chamber during his protest and later censured by the Republican-controlled House, with ten Democrats also voting in favor of the resolution. Democrat Al Green thrown out of chamber for protesting Trump address For many decades "boy" has been a common epithet used to belittle Black men in the South. Martin Luther King Jr, in his Letter from Birmingham Jail, described it as one of the daily "humiliations" heaped upon Black people, and the Supreme Court has acknowledged that the word can function as a slur. "If not a proxy for 'n*****,' it is at the very least a close cousin," wrote a group of civil rights experts in an amicus brief for a workplace discrimination lawsuit that partly hinged on the meaning of the term in context. "Fairy is a long-time slur for queer men that has largely been reclaimed by the LGBT+ community. Harshbargers pharmacist husband, Robert Harshbarger, pleaded guilty in 2013 to federal charges of distributing misbranded drugs from China to kidney-dialysis patients. He was sentenced to 4 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $848,504 and a $25,000 criminal fine, in addition to forfeiting $425,000 in cash. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Duke University has issued a warning to its international students, advising them not to leave the United States unless absolutely necessary. The announcement was made on Friday in an email addressed to the universitys faculty, students, and staff, according to The Duke Chronicle. The email, sent by Antwan Lofton, the vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer, and Mary Pat McMahon, vice provost and vice president for student affairs, included a press release citing the increased risks involved in re-entering into the United States. Duke Visa Services published the release on Friday and advised all members of the Duke international community to avoid international travel unless essential. The warning came as reports of distressing experiences at border crossings have emerged in recent weeks. Duke students were advised to consult their Duke Visa Services liaison and, if a citizen of one of the 43 countries under consideration by the Trump administration for a travel ban, to consider hiring an immigration attorney. The university advised international students to be mindful of their digital footprint a day before, as customs officials are now reportedly scanning phones at border points ( Getty/iStock ) Duke Visa Services warned that immigration officers are exercising strict entry procedures as part of the maximum vetting policy of the current administration, and an increasing number of travelers are being referred to secondary inspection where they may face additional questions and device searches. University administrators also reportedly sent international students an email Thursday afternoon, shared The Chronicle, urging them to be mindful of their digital footprint and recognize its potential impact on their immigration status after a federal order directing Department of Homeland Security officials to review visa holders social media activity for signs of antisemitism was issued. Moreover, if the travel ban on the 43 countries comes into effect, Duke warned that students belonging to one of those nations may be denied re-entry. Thus, Duke students were advised to use their immigration student resource page and ask questions via an anonymous submission form. There have been widespread reports of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials searching peoples electronic devices. All travelers crossing the United States border are subject to CBP inspection. On rare occasions, CBP officers may search a travelers mobile phone, computer, camera, or other electronic devices during the inspection process, a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection reads. According to the International Trade Administration, the total number of overseas visitors traveling to the U.S. dropped by 12 percent year-over-year in March the steepest decline since the post-pandemic era in March 2021, as The Financial Times reported. The Independent contacted Duke University and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Harvard University is suing the Trump administration for violating its free speech rights by freezing federal funding to punish it for its refusal to take action against students for their beliefs. U.S. officials said last week they would withhold $2.2 billion in research grants and contracts after Harvard defied their demands to crack down on student protests and screen international applicants for their opinions about Palestine. The administration has claimed that Harvard is breaking U.S. civil rights laws by failure to combat antisemitism, commanding it to immediately end all DEI programs while also, in effect, implementing affirmative action for conservatives. But Harvard's lawyers on Monday asked the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts to block the freeze and bar the federal government from further attempts to dictate Harvards actions against particular students the administration doesnt agree with.. "Defendants' actions threaten Harvards academic independence and place at risk critical lifesaving and pathbreaking research that occurs on its campus, and they are part of a broader effort by the Government to punish Harvard for protecting its constitutional rights," reads the universitys complaint. "The government has not and cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain America's position as a global leader in innovation, it added. The lawsuit targets numerous federal appointees and agencies including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and their respective agencies. It comes after furious Trump officials reportedly threatened to revoke an additional $1 billion in federal funding because the school had dared publish the administrations latest list of demands. Later reports suggested that the second letter was actually sent by "mistake," triggering a "frantic" phone call to Harvard from someone inside the administration. The White House is now standing by the letter of demands. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The MAGA foreign policy world spent much of 2024 blaming Joe Biden for involving the US in a proxy war against Russia, being fought by Ukraine. Now, those same conservatives are engaged in a much different kind of proxy fight. The stakes, however, are very similar. Pete Hegseths career in the Trump administration may already have an expiration date. Despite White House denials and dismissals, the embattled Defense Secretary is reportedly expecting more damaging headlines in the days ahead. His former deputy, writing in a Monday op-ed for Politico, described the Pentagon as in chaos under Hegseths leadership. Hand-picked by Hegseth for the job, the excuse of describing John Ullyot as part of the Deep State is not fooling Republicans on the Hill, who are backing away. One, Don Bacon, called on the former Fox News host to resign in a series of scathing comments to Politico. Hes likely not alone in his concerns; Lisa Murkowski, who voted against his confirmation, said last week that members of her party fear retaliation for speaking out. Donald Trump is sticking by his cabinet secretary for now. He famously hates being embarrassed by his various deputies, though he dislikes acknowledging his critics or handing them a win nearly as much. But in conservative circles, the discussion over Hegseths fate has evolved from palace intrigue and a simple discussion about the secretarys professionalism to a deeper debate over the two main factions vying for control of the second Trump administrations foreign policy agenda. open image in gallery Pete Hegseth has become a stand-in for the America First movement in the minds of many anti-interventionist Republicans ( AFP/Getty ) Many believe outright that the criticism of Hegseth is tied to hawkish conservatives seeking to oust one of the administrations key anti-interventionist voices at a time of upheaval for US-Iran relations. The defense chief is viewed by some observers of the Trump administration as fulfilling a role similar to JD Vance as a counter to national security adviser Mike Waltz, a more traditional conservative. With talks begun weeks ago in Oman and continuing this past weekend in Rome, the White House is openly pursuing its own agreement aimed at constraining Irans nuclear program and preventing the country from continuing on the path to a nuclear weapon. At the same time, the voices calling for America to take military action are growing louder, too. The New York Times reported last week that the president waved off the Israeli government after Benjamin Netanyahu floated a plan to strike Iranian nuclear sites with US assistance. And hawkish American conservatives are increasingly hardening their tone against any agreement between Washington and Tehran, regardless of any concessions or enforcement measures the Trump administration could secure. The Iranians will never agree to end enrichment in nuclear production. An Iran deal would be nothing more than Obama 2.0, wrote the presidents former primary opponent, Nikki Haley. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy, wrote on Sunday: The Islamic Republic is weaker than ever hated by most Iranians, hammered by the IDF and Mossad. Its terror armies, air defenses, missile production capability are in ruins. Never a better time to dismantle its nuke program & finish off the regime. Will another POTUS blink? open image in gallery Hegseth defended himself to reporters at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday ( EPA ) On the opposite side are MAGA opponents of endless war including Steve Bannon and others in a core constituency of Trump voters who have supported the president since he ridiculed the Iraq War in 2016. As Bannon wrote on Twitter: its Pete Hegseth vs the military industrial complex. Just days after media reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discouraged President Trump from attacking Iran, multiple media stories have dropped claiming incompetence and worse on his part, wrote Ron Paul, long an icon of libertarian-ish Republicans, on Monday. Meanwhile three top aides known for a more realist approach to foreign policy have been sacked on dubious grounds, added the former congressman. Is Hegseth about to learn what happens when you cross the neocons? Theres division, though, among the anti-war right on this issue. Curt Mills, of the American Conservative, pointed to Hegseths purging of several top staffers critical of support for an Israeli strike or direct US conflict with Iran (which many argue is one and the same) as he outlined his overview of the secretarys battle for survival. The quick and dirty media narrative pits Hegseth as restrainer against Waltz, etc. This isnt accurate. (See what Hegseth said on Yemen during Signalgate), Mills wrote on Monday. The reality is operational Hegseth is just not up to this, he continued, noting: Now, hawks Tom Cotton, and even Waltz are embracing Hegseth. And Dan Caldwell, one of those fired aides, appeared for an interview with Tucker Carlson on Monday where the two insinuated that his opposition to regime change was the reason for the target on Caldwells back at the Pentagon. Carlson, meanwhile, identified a conflict with Iran as the fastest way for the remaining conservative opponents of MAGA-ism to gum up the effort to implement the presidents domestic agenda. Hegseths future is still unclear. NPR reported Monday that Trump is looking for his replacement. The White House denied it with the same language used to deny the very real 90-day tariff pause Trump would later announce. But if his critics are right, his floundering could end up causing real damage to the power of America First conservatives in the administration, and might even hamstring Trump politically at a key moment in his presidency. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A former top adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was accused of leaking sensitive information to the media, claims he was fired as part of an elaborate deep state plot. Dan Caldwell, who was one of three officials escorted from the Pentagon last week, maintains that he was not responsible for the leaked information, which has since prompted calls for his former boss to be dismissed. Speaking to Tucker Carlson on the conservative commentators podcast Monday, Caldwell instead suggested that the purge was linked to his loyalty to Hegseth and President Donald Trump. We had people who had personal vendettas against us, and I think they weaponized the investigation against us. I think thats part of whats going on here, he said on The Tucker Carlson Show. Caldwells remarks came a day after The New York Times revealed Sunday that Hegseth allegedly shared details of military strikes in Yemen last month in a second, private Signal group, which included his wife, his attorney, and his brother, just weeks after Signalgate. open image in gallery Dan Caldwell sat down with Tucker Carlson on Monday to discuss his recent ousting from the Pentagon ( Tucker Carlson Show/YouTube ) Caldwell, along with another ousted official, Darin Selnick, were allegedly two of 13 people in the Defense Team Huddle chat, according to The Times. Colin Carroll, the third person forced out of the department, was seemingly not part of the group chat. After all three men pushed back against their firing on Saturday, Caldwell claimed that they were the subject of a baseless rumor for disrupting federal agency norms. Colin wasnt afraid of challenging people when they were acting stupid and wanted to keep doing the same thing. And Darins the same way, he continued. Darin upset a lot of the people who want to keep using the military to be a giant social science experiment. All of us threatened established interests, he said. Instead, Caldwell pointed fingers at career staff and former officials, accusing them of orchestrating the leaks. There are people on the joint staff that I kind of respect, but a lot of them are incredibly hostile to the secretary, to the president, and the vice presidents worldview, he said. Its pretty obvious that thats where most of the leaks are coming from. open image in gallery Pete Hegseth is flanked by members of his team, including senior adviser Dan Caldwell (back right), during a Pentagon meeting in February ( Reuters ) Hegseth, however, blamed the fired staffers for the leaks about the second Signal chat group he created, and accused them of trying to sabotage the president. When asked whether the report was leaked as a way to get back at him during an appearance on Fox & Friends Tuesday morning, the defense secretary agreed. Those folks who are leaking, who have been pushed out of the building, are now attempting to leak and sabotage the presidents agenda, he said. Were for the war fighters. Were for the president. And none of this is based in reality. A day earlier at the White House Easter Egg Roll event, Hegseth told reporters that disgruntled former employees were at fault. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations, he said. Hegseths job appears safe for now after Trump continues to stand by him and dismissed the report as fake news on Monday. It sounds like disgruntled employees, the president said. The Independent has contacted the Pentagon for more information. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Former President Joe Biden has been accused of digitally editing himself into a photo of the Biden family taken outside his Delaware home. We wish everyone celebrating today a peaceful and joyful Easter, the 82-year-old wrote above a jovial photo of his wife, children, their spouses, and his grandchildren, in an image he posted to X on Easter Sunday. Even Willow Biden, his adopted gray shorthair tabby cat, made an appearance for the shot. In the photo, Biden is seen smiling and sitting at the top of a staircase in his porch, dressed in a navy suit, with a diagonally striped blue tie and white shirt. However, the 46th president has since received a barrage of hatred from trolls, accusing him of photoshopping himself into the image. Several users highlighted that Biden looked out of place, dressed to stand on the podium of a presidential campaign, rather than in a more relaxed attire suitable for Easter at home. This looks photoshopped!, Conservative activist Brigitte Gabriel wrote below the post. Matt Williams, a man who identifies himself as a Christian Nationalist, asked Elon Musks generative AI chatbot to verify the image: @grok is Joe Biden photoshopped into this picture? At the time of writing, the AI system has not responded. Multiple users then focused on the placement of the former presidents left hand, noting that it appeared unusual. Joe Biden has been attacked by trolls on X alleging that he photoshopped himself into his Easter family photo ( X/@JoeBiden ) WHOSE HAND IS THIS, wrote a user who goes by @ThePoliticalPom. Yet another striking element of the photo was the absence of Bidens son, Hunter Biden. If - and I stress the word if - this photo is real, where is Hunter? He wasnt invited to Easter? podcaster and right-wing influencer Eric Matheny wrote on X. Bidens second child has been embroiled in various scandals over the years. In June 2024, he was convicted on three felony gun charges. In December 2024, just before Trump took office, Biden issued a full and unconditional pardon for his son, 55, citing that his charges were politically motivated and sought to bruise the Biden family name. Janice Hough, a proud Dem for life, took the opposite stance on Bidens image, stating: I miss this man in the White House. This past week, Biden took to the podium to deliver his first speech since leaving office at a conference in Chicago. He said that Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) counterpart, Elon Musk, had "taken a hatchet" to the Social Security system, and that the new administration had caused a breathtaking amount of damage and destruction to America. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate who was arrested by federal immigration authorities for his role leading pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus, was denied permission to attend the birth of his child. His wife Noor Abdalla gave birth to a boy on April 21. Khalil was stripped of his green card and arrested in front of his then-pregnant wife in their New York City apartment building on March 8. He was sent to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Louisiana, roughly 1,300 miles away from New York. Court filings show his attorneys repeatedly requested permission from ICE for his temporary release to be present for his childs birth. Khalil was open to any combination of conditions, including wearing an ankle monitor. A request on Sunday was denied roughly 30 minutes later. This was a purposeful decision by ICE to make me, Mahmoud, and our son suffer, Abdalla said in a statement. My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud, she said. ICE and the Trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mahmoud's support for Palestinian freedom. I will continue to fight every day for Mahmoud to come home to us. I know when Mahmoud is freed, he will show our son how to be brave, thoughtful, and compassionate, just like his dad. open image in gallery Noor Abdalla, the wife of green-card holding Columbia University grad Mahmoud Khalil, says ICE made a purposeful decision to make her family suffer by denying Khalils leave from ICE detention to witness the birth of their child ( REUTERS ) On April 11, Louisiana immigration judge Jamee Comans determined Khalil can be deported from the United States based on Secretary of State Marco Rubios claim that Khalils Palestinian advocacy presents a threat to U.S. foreign policy. Judge Comans called the governments argument facially reasonable. Khalils arrest has sparked international outrage and fears that Donald Trumps administration is trying to crush political dissent, starting with campus demonstrations against Israels devastating campaign in Gaza and U.S. support. Rubio has revoked hundreds of student visas over campus activism, leading to several high-profile arrests of international scholars who are now awaiting deportation hearings in remote jails across the southern United States. The administration has accused Khalil of antisemitic activities and supporting Hamas, which he has flatly rejected. Officials concede he has not committed any crime, but claim he can be removed over what Rubio has characterized as potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. A two-page memorandum submitted to the immigration court as evidence for his removal admitted his protest activities were lawful but argued that letting him stay in the country would undermine U.S. policy to combat antisemitism around the world and in the United States, in addition to efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States. Khalil and his legal team argue his arrest and detention and attempted removal from the country, which is currently blocked by court order are retaliatory violations of his First Amendment right to freedom of speech and his Fifth Amendment right to due process of law, among other claims. A separate but parallel case challenging the constitutionality of his arrest is also playing out in a federal courtroom in New Jersey, where his attorneys successfully moved jurisdiction to handle a legal challenge to his arrest. open image in gallery Demonstrations have demanded Khalils release from ICE detention as the Trump administration targets international students involved in pro-Palestine activism for removal from the country ( REUTERS ) Khalil, who is Palestinian, grew up in a refugee camp in Syria. He entered the United States on a student visa in 2022 to pursue a masters degree in public administration, which he completed last year. His anticipated graduation date is May 2025. He became a lawful permanent resident in 2024. The Louisiana judge gave Khalils lawyers until April 23 to argue against his removal to Syria or Algeria, where he has citizenship. I would like to quote what you said last time that there's nothing that's more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness, Khalil said at the end of his immigration court hearing in Jena, Louisiana on April 11. Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process, he added. This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court, 1,000 miles away from my family. I just hope that the urgency that you deemed fit for me are afforded to the hundreds of others who have been here without hearing for months. A group of Democratic members of Congress are expected to visit Khalil and other international student activists detained in Louisianas ICE facilities on Tuesday. Following an order from a federal judge last week, Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk who was arrested and threatened with removal from the country after writing an op-ed criticizing Israel is expected to be moved from Louisiana to Vermont as she challenges the constitutionality of her arrest. On Monday, Vermont Senator Peter Welch met with Mohsen Mahdawi, another Palestinian student activist from Columbia University who was arrested by federal agents during what he believed was a citizenship interview. In a filmed interview with the senator inside a detention center in Vermont, Mahdawi said Rubios invocation of a rarely used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act to target people who are perceived as threats to foreign policy is conflating being anti-war as antisemitic. How could that be possible when my partners, most of my partners at Columbias campus, and beyond, are Jews and Israelis? My work has been centered on peacemaking, he said. My hope and my dream is to see an end to the war, an end to the killing, and to see a peaceful resolution between Palestinians and Israelis. How could this be a threat to anybody except the war machine that is feeding this? Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A prominent GOP congressman has called for Pete Hegseths departure as the defense secretary is embroiled in a string of national security scandals. After texting sensitive war plans involving a wave of U.S. air strikes in Yemen in the Houthi PC small group Signal chat last month, The New York Times revealed Sunday that Hegseth allegedly shared details of military strikes in a second Signal group, which included his wife, his attorney, and his brother. On Monday, Nebraska Representative Don Bacon became the first House Republican to suggest that President Donald Trump, who has publicly downplayed the controversy surrounding his Pentagon chief, should remove Hegseth. Bacons comments come ahead of Hegseths scheduled appearance on Fox & Friendsa show the defense secretary co-hosted for seven yearson Tuesday morning, as questions remain about his political future. The military should always pride itself on operational security. If the reports are true, the Secretary of Defense has failed at operational security, and that is unacceptable, Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, toldAxios. open image in gallery Nebraska Representative Don Bacon suggest Hegseth should be let go, following what he calls an operation security failure ( Reuters ) If a Democrat did this, we'd be demanding a scalp. I don't like hypocrisy. We should be Americans first when it comes to security, he added. In separate remarks made to Politico, Bacon said he had concerns about Hegseths lack of political and leadership experience after he was tapped as Trumps defense secretary. I like him on Fox. But does he have the experience to lead one of the largest organizations in the world? Thats a concern, he said. Russia and China are all over his phone, and for him to be putting secret stuff on his phone is not right. Hes acting like hes above the law and that shows an amateur person. The second chat on Signalwhich is not an official communications channel available to top government officialsis said to have included 13 people, a source told the Associated Press. The chat, they said, was dubbed Defense Team Huddle. Its the second report of administration officials using an unclassified messaging platform to share sensitive information. open image in gallery Hegseth lashed out at both the media and his former trusted advisers on the White House lawn Monday ( EPA ) Trump stood firm in his support for Hegseth Monday, telling reporters at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll that his defense secretary was doing a great job. It's just fake news; they just bring up stories. It sounds like disgruntled employees, Trump said of the Signalgate 2.0 saga. The presidents comments came amid NPRs report that he has begun the process of finding a replacement for his Pentagon chief. The White House denied the claims and called the report fake news. Hegseth took a swipe at the press on the White House lawn, claiming the report came from the same media that peddled the Russia hoax. This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations, he added. He also accused his former trusted advisers of turning against him after two Pentagon officials were fired in a leak investigation. What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and a bunch of hit pieces come out, he added. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did use his personal phone to send sensitive information to two group chats on the messaging app Signal, three officials have told NBC News. Hegseth, the Pentagon, and the White House have pushed back hard against the allegations, with Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell telling the network that No classified material was ever shared via Signal. The allegations are an attempt to sabotage President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, he added. Last month, just minutes before the U.S. conducted strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the leader of U.S. Central Command, used a secure government system to send details about the mission to Hegseth, NBC News reported. The information included when fighter jets would depart and when they would strike their targets. The inadvertent release of such information could endanger the pilots. Two sources told NBC News that less than 10 minutes after receiving the information on the secure system, Hegseth shared it with the two group chats. One was the chat with other cabinet-level officials, and accidentally, the editor of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, which caused a sensation when it was revealed last month. The second group included Hegseths wife, his brother, his lawyer, and some aides. The existence of that chat was initially reported by The New York Times on Sunday. Hegseth used Signal to share the information despite having been warned to take care not to share sensitive information on insecure systems, two people told NBC. Hegseth appeared on Fox News on Tuesday morning on Fox & Friends, the show he previously hosted on the weekends. What was shared over Signal, then and now, however you characterize it, was informal, unclassified coordinations for media coordination, other things. Thats what Ive said from the beginning, said Hegseth. The secretary added that Those folks who are leaking, who have been pushed out of the building, are now attempting to leak and sabotage the presidents agenda. Were for the war fighters. Were for the president. And none of this is based in reality. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn on April 21. He has repeatedly rejected allegations that he shared classified information about strikes against the Houthis in Yemen on the messaging app Signal ( Getty Images ) Democrats and some Republicans were concerned about Hegseths qualifications before his confirmation. Following the revelation of the second Signal group chat, Hegseth now faces calls for his removal. President Donald Trump, however, has so far stood behind his defense secretary, including during the White House Easter Egg Roll. Petes doing a great job; everybodys happy with him, the president said Monday. Theres no dysfunction. It's just fake news. They just bring up stories, Trump added. I guess it sounds like disgruntled employees. He was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and that's what he's doing, so you don't always have friends when you do that. Hegseth also appeared at the Egg Roll and rejected the reports. This is what the media does, said Hegseth. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations, the secretary argued. Its not going to work with me, because were changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of war fighters, and anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesnt matter, he added. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that Hegseth is doing a tremendous job and he is bringing monumental change to the Pentagon," adding that Trump stands strongly behind him. Theres a lot of people in the city who reject monumental change, and I think, frankly, thats why weve seen a smear campaign against the secretary of defense, she claimed. House Armed Services Committee member Rep. Don Bacon became the first sitting Republican member of Congress to call for Hegseth to go. I had concerns from the get-go because Pete Hegseth didnt have a lot of experience, the retired Air Force General said Monday. I like him on Fox, but does he have the experience to lead one of the largest organizations in the world? Thats a concern, he added. However, one Trump adviser told NBC News: There is no talk right now of removing or replacing him. We have been through this before, and as of the moment, its just not something we are talking about. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has blamed fired staffers for the leaks about the second Signal chat group he created about strikes against Houthis in Yemen, as he accused them of trying to sabotage President Donald Trumps agenda. Hegseth is fighting to hold onto his position after a bombshell report that he shared details of military strikes in Yemen in another Signal chat that included his own wife and brother. None of this is based in reality, Hegseth said during an appearance on Tuesdays Fox & Friends, where he worked as co-host for the best part of a decade. When asked whether the report was leaked as a way to get back at him, Hegseth agreed. Those folks who are leaking, who have been pushed out of the building, are now attempting to leak and sabotage the president's agenda, Hegseth said. We're for the war fighters. We're for the president. And none of this is based in reality. open image in gallery Pete Hegseth is fighting to hold onto his position after a bombshell report that he shared details of military strikes in Yemen in another Signal chat that included his own wife and brother. He spoke about his recent missteps during a Tuesday interview on Fox & Friends ( FOX ) Hegseth characterized the plans that were shared in the Signal group chats as informal, unclassified coordination for what he said was media coordination of events. He also claimed he was reestablishing standards and accountability at the Pentagon. The warfighters are behind us. Our enemies know they are on notice, Hegseth said. Our allies know we are behind them, and that, in this dangerous world, for the American people, is what it is all about. The New York Times first reported the details of the second Signal group chat, which included flight schedules for the warplanes involved in the March operation, and reported that Hegseth used his personal phone. Hegseth shifted the blame to disgruntled former employees while speaking to reporters in a defiant display Monday at the White House Easter Egg Roll event. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations, Hegseth said. Not going to work with me, because we're changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of war fighters and anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesn't matter. Hegseths job appears safe for now after Trump continues to stand by him and dismissed the report. It's just fake news. They just bring up stories, Trump said Monday. I guess it sounds like disgruntled employees. He was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people and that's what he's doing so you don't always have friends when you do that. open image in gallery Hegseth blasted disgruntled former employees who he claimed were behind the reports of the second Signal group chat. The defense secretary was animated as he defended himself at the White House Easter Egg Roll event Monday. ( EPA ) The embattled defense secretarys denial follows explosive claims by a recently resigned Pentagon aide that the department is experiencing a full-blown meltdown under his leadership. John Ullyot, who resigned last week as a Pentagon spokesperson, described a month of total chaos under Hegseth. Chaos inside the Pentagon is now a major distraction for the president, Ullyot wrote in the scathing Politico op-ed. President Donald Trump has a strong record of holding his officials to account, Ullyot said. Given that, its hard to see Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth remaining in his position for much longer. Responding to Ullyots claims, Hegseth accused him of misrepresenting the situation at the Pentagon. We did right by him, we tried to help, Hegseth said on Fox & Friends of Ulloyt. Hes spinning it otherwise. While Democrats bolted out of the gate to call for Hegseths resignation, Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon became the first House Republican to suggest that Trump should fire Hegseth. Bacon pointed out that if a Democrat did this, wed be demanding a scalp in stern words to Politico. The military should always pride itself on operational security. If the reports are true, the Secretary of Defense has failed at operational security, and that is unacceptable, Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, also told Axios. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a swift denial of an NPR report Monday claiming that a search is underway to replace Hegseth following the second Signal chat fiasco. She called the NPR report total FAKE NEWS based on one anonymous source who clearly has no idea what they are talking about. It emerged last month that Hegseth texted sensitive war plans involving a wave of U.S. air strikes in Yemen in a Signal chat called Houthi PC small group that inadvertently included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg. The chat was created by Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In January, a delivery worker in Michigan had picked up an order from McDonalds and was on his way to its destination when he made a wrong turn on a bridge into Canada. When Ricardo Prada Vasquez tried to re-enter the country from the Ambassador Bridge, the 32-year-old Venezuelan immigrant was detained by immigration authorities. On March 15, the same day dozens of alleged gang members were summarily removed from the country and sent to a brutal Salvadoran prison, Prada told a friend in Chicago he was detained in Texas, expecting to board a plane to Venezuela. But he was not on a leaked list of 238 names of immigrants sent to El Salvador. He wasnt identified in the photos of men filmed inside the jail getting their heads shaved in shackles. Attorneys and family members have no idea where he is. Then, on April 22, only after his story was reported in The New York Times, Donald Trumps administration said he was deported to El Salvador. open image in gallery Ricardo Prada Vasquez made a wrong turn on to the Ambassador Bridge that links the United States to Canada ( REUTERS ) We now have confirmation that he is one of many Venezuelans who are being held, at U.S. taxpayer expense, in horrific conditions in a foreign country and with no contact to the outside world, Azadeh Erfani, National Immigrant Justice Center director of policy, said in a statement to The Independent. The Trump administration bears full responsibility for Mr. Prada Vazquezs wellbeing, she said. Mr. Prada Vasquezs story is only the latest sign that we are living in an environment of mounting authoritarianism, under an administration that is trampling basic principles of fairness and humanity. Now that we know Mr. Prada Vasquezs location, we call on the Trump administration to confirm his wellbeing and return him to the United States to ensure he has access to proper due process. The case is raising alarms from immigration attorneys and advocates who fear he is not the only one to seemingly disappear, or that more people have been removed from the country than previously reported. Its like he's fallen off the face of the planet or dropped into some black hole, according to Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council. Everyone deserves equal treatment under the law and a fair day in court, no matter one's immigration status, Nayna Gupta, policy director at the American Immigration Council, told The Independent. Without a fair process, the greater the risk for wrongful deportations or for someone to simply disappear within the system, as we're already seeing, Gupta added. The lack of accountability and transparency for these deportations is scary because it sets a precedent for unchecked abuses of power across our government, which is something that should concern every American." A leak of names on the initial Alien Enemies Act flights includes 238 people but not Prada. At least 27 other alleged gang members were deported to El Salvador in recent weeks. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele says there are 252 Venezuelans from the United States in his custody. It is unclear whether others are missing. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not disclose his destination. The Independent has requested additional information from ICE about Pradas whereabouts. This is textbook enforced disappearance, according to Adam Isacson with the Washington Office on Latin America, a research and advocacy group. open image in gallery Immigrant advocates fear the Trump administration has disappeared immigrants during sweeping deportations targeting alleged gang members ( via REUTERS ) Cornell Law School immigration law scholar Stephen Yale-Loehr said the case shocks the conscience. I have not heard of a disappearance like this in my 40-plus years of practicing and teaching immigration law, he told The New York Times. How many Ricardos are lost within our broken system? asked the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. A legal battle over Trumps authority to invoke a centuries-old wartime law to summarily deport immigrants from the United States is in the hands of the Supreme Court. Attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union are asking whether the president can use that authority at all outside of wartime to target a criminal organization. But its unclear whether Pradas family and attorneys have any legal recourse, as there is no record of his detention. According to The New York Times, Prada reached the United States on November 29, 2024 after waiting to obtain an appointment through CBP One, an app created under Joe Bidens administration to provide a legal pathway for immigrants to make appointments for their asylum claims before reaching the southern border. He was allowed to stay in the United States while his case was considered. Prada then moved to Chicago before moving to Detroit. While Pradas entry was approved through CBP One app, he did not have permission to re-enter the country if he left. Following his arrest in January after trying to return to the United States after accidentally crossing into Canada, Prada was ordered deported on February 27, according to The Times. He was transferred to an ICE facility in Ohio and then to the El Valle Detention Facility in Texas. open image in gallery El Salvador president Nayib Bukele is jailing deported immigrants from the United States in the countrys notorious Terrorism Confinement Center ( AFP via Getty Images ) His case appeared to end there. The administration has not presented any record of his removal. His family and friends say they have not heard from him. On April 22, in a social media post attacking The New York Times and recounting Pradas time in custody, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Prada is in El Salvador. On March 15, Prada was removed to El Salvador, she wrote. In his proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act for only the fourth time in U.S. history, Trump stated that all Venezuelan citizens 14 years of age or older who are members of [Tren de Aragua], are within the United States, and are not actually naturalized or lawful permanent residents of the United States are liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies. But the administration has admitted in court filings that many of the people sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador did not have criminal records, and attorneys and family members say their clients and relatives some of whom were in the country with legal permission and have upcoming court hearings on their asylum claims have nothing to do with Tren de Aragua. Pradas family and friends deny his involvement in any gangs, they told The Times. On April 7, a divided Supreme Court agreed to lift Judge James Boasbergs order that temporarily blocked the presidents use of the Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport people from the country. But the justices stressed that immigrants marked for removal are entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal in front of a judge within the district where they are detained. Following that ruling, lawsuits challenging immigrants deportations under the Alien Enemies Act have been filed in several states. Several judges have since blocked the administration from summarily deporting them without a hearing. On Saturday, the Supreme Court further blocked the administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to summarily deport another group of Venezuelans detained in Texas. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Japanese student in Utah had his student visa status reinstated suddenly after it was mysteriously cancelled earlier this month. His attorney believes the sudden switch-up shows the student was mistakenly flagged for deportation by artificial intelligence. Suguru Onda, a doctoral student at Brigham Young University, learned on Friday his status had been restored, minutes after he and a group of fellow university students filed a lawsuit arguing the government suddenly and arbitrarily cancelled their visas to coerce students to leave the country even though they had done nothing wrong. He is reinstated as if it was never revoked, attorney Adam Crayk told KSL-TV. Onda, a father of five studying computer science, was notified earlier this month his status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System had been terminated because he was identified in criminal records check and/or has had their VISA revoked, a procedural step that functionally ended his ability to remain in the United States for more than two weeks after the change. The Japanese student had little apparent criminal history, besides a few speeding tickets and a fishing citation for organizing a church event where others caught too many fish, according to his lawyer. Onda was part of group suing administration over canceled visa status, arguing the move violated due process and was meant to pressure students ( Wikimedia Commons ) I feel helpless, Onda told KSL NewsRadio at the time. Like nobody knows (the) answer, nobody knows what to do, whats going to happen. The Department of Homeland Security told NBC News it would not elaborate on Ondas case due to privacy concerns and visa confidentiality. The department has said it is using high-tech tools to search the social media activity and potential criminal histories of international students in the U.S. That effort includes a State Department effort using artificial intelligence to screen foreign students for alleged support of terror groups, Axios reported in March. Since taking office, more than 1,500 students from nearly 250 colleges have had their visas revoked, according to a tracker from Inside Higher Education. The visa pullbacks have prompted lawsuits and widespread confusion. They form the second major prong of the administrations deportation push on college campuses. The White House has also targeted prominent leaders of the campus pro-Palestine movement, using a little-tested authority in federal immigration law to argue their activism threatens U.S. foreign policy interests. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Colombias president Gustavo Petro has claimed that U.S. officials have revoked his visa, a claim the State Department would not immediately confirm. Petro was speaking during a televised meeting of his cabinet called to address an outbreak of yellow fever, according to The City Paper Bogota. The president spent several days in January engulfed in a conflict with the Trump administration about accepting Colombian nationals deported from the United States, before backing down. I cant go [to the US] anymore because I believe they took away my visa, Petro said, chuckling. Then, apparently aiming a shot at Donald Trump, he added: I didnt really need a visa, but anyway, Ive already seen Donald Duck several times, so Ill go see other things. While it was not immediately clear whether the Colombian president was zinging his U.S. counterpart or the Walt Disney character, Trump has been mocked as Donald Duck before, notably by his sometime ally Chris Christie. In 2023 the former New Jersey governor dubbed Trump Donald Duck for refusing to take part in debates with his challengers for the Republican presidential nomination. Colombian President Gustavo Petro appeared to zing Donald Trump at a televised Cabinet meeting on Monday ( AP ) Petro is not thought to have met Trump, although he visited the White House in 2023 to meet then-President Joe Biden. A State Department spokesperson declined to comment to The Independent on Tuesday, citing the confidentiality of visa records. An official with the US Embassy in Bogota told a local news service that no formal notification of visa revocation had been issued. But the agency threatened escalation with Petros government in January, when the US halted new visa applications for Colombian nationals. Applicants were handed letters informing them that their appointments at the embassy were canceled due to the Colombian governments refusal to accept repatriation flights of Colombian nationals, according to the Associated Press. During the dispute, the Colombian president balked over the usage of US military AC-130s for the transportation of Colombians, who he argued were being treated like criminals without being convicted of violating the law. Chris Christie calls Trump 'Donald Duck' I do not authorize the entry of North American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory, Petro said on X. The U.S. must establish a protocol of dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them. A migrant is not a criminal and should be treated with the dignity a human being deserves, he said. We will receive our nationals in civilian airplanes, without treating them as criminals. Colombia must be respected. Trump responded with a slew of retaliatory measures, including hiked tariffs and a promise to pursue Visa Sanctions on all Party Members, Family Members, and Supporters of the Colombian Government as well as a Travel Ban and immediate Visa Revocations [for] Colombian Government Officials, and all Allies and Supporters. Petro later relented and began allowing deportation flights back into the country. He remains a vocal critic, however, of Trumps deportation policy, including the removal of Venezuelan migrants labeled Tren de Aragua members to El Salvadors notorious CECOT megaprison. No democratic-minded person in Latin America can accept that all of the Venezuelan people in exile are criminalized because of the crimes of the so-called Tren de Aragua, wrote Petro on Twitter this week. A Pew Research Group analysis found that there were nearly 200,000 Colombian nationals living in the United States without legal status as of 2022. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has accelerated a mass deportation program which was once promised to be focused on removing convicted criminals amid a GOP-led effort to stoke fear about crimes, including murders, committed by migrants living in the US illegally. Trump continues to insist that his administration is removing dangerous criminals, and his Homeland Security and White House officials have resorted to amplifying smears and outright falsehoods against migrants caught up in high-profile cases. But the two contested deportation flights carrying around 200 Colombian nationals back to their home country earlier this year did not appear to include anyone convicted of a violent offense. The flights instead carried at least 20 children and several pregnant women. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, at a news briefing that month, declared that the lack of focus on violent criminals was irrelevant all migrants who did not enter the country through ports of entry are criminals, in the administrations view. I know the last administration didn't see it that way, so its a big culture shift in our nation to view someone who breaks our immigration laws as a criminal, but thats exactly what they are, she said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 19-year-old US Citizen was arrested close to the southern border and held for 10 days by the Department of Homeland Security, the agency has confirmed. Jose Hermosillo, a New Mexico resident, was in Tucson to visit relatives when he was taken into custody on April 8, his girlfriend told Arizona Public Media. Officials have maintained that the father-of-ones arrest was the direct result of Hermosillos own actions and statements. The DHS said that Hermosillos arrest was the direct result of [his] own actions and statements. The agency also noted that when an officer confronted him, Hermosillo was without the proper immigration documents. Documents in the case allege that Hermosillo admitted to illegally entering the United States of America from Mexico on or about April 7, 2025. The agency also said that Hermosillo was arrested close to Border Patrol headquarters in Nogales, Arizona, on the US-Mexico border, some 70 miles from Tucson. His girlfriends aunt, Grace Leyva, told AZPM that Hermosillo was held at Florence Correctional Center, 60 miles north of Tucson. In total, he spent 10 days in custody. He was released after relatives presented his birth certificate and social security card to the authorities. He did say he was a U.S. citizen, but they didn't believe him, Leyva said. I think they would have kept him. I think they would have if they had not got that information yesterday in the court and given that to ICE and the Border Patrol. He probably would have been deported already to Mexico. Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, described Hermosillos narrative about the events as false in a post on X. McLaughlin said that Hermosillo approached a CBP officer in Nogales and told him that he was a Mexican citizen and that he wanted to turn himself in. He was processed and appeared in court on April 11. Afterward, he was held by the U.S. Marshals in Florence, AZ. A few days later, his family presented documents showing U.S. citizenship. The charges were dismissed, and he was released to his family. The charges against Hermosillo were dropped without prejudice on Thursday. Immigrants can be deported from the United States, while citizens cannot. Deportation is covered by immigration law, which does not apply to U.S. citizens. Part of being a citizen means you cannot be forcibly sent to another country. Last week, a New Hampshire lawyer who has been a U.S citizen for the past 10 years was detained at the U.S. border without explanation. Bachir Atallah and his wife, Jessica Fakhri, were returning from a family vacation in Canada when officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped them as they were re-entering the country in Vermont. The Independent contacted the Department of Homeland Security for information. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An 84-year-old man was critically injured after falling from a cross during a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus that took place Friday in West Virginia. The man fell about 10 feet from a replica cross during an event from Vandalia Community Christian Church at the Masonic Cemetery in Weston to mark Easter. The man was flown to a hospital with critical injuries. He is currently in the ICU with broken ribs, but is recovering and is expected to survive, his family told WDTV. The man was not a member of the church, but was assisting with the event, according to the outlet. The fall occurred during the churchs 20th iteration of the reenactment. Reenactment featured three men on crosses in costumes ( AFP via Getty Images ) The event featured three men performing different stations of the cross, standing on small platforms in costume, West Virginia News reports. Individuals dressed as Roman centurions and Mary looked on. We are here today, on this windy but gorgeous day, to reenact the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Weve been doing this for over 20 years. Weve been here in years past when it was raining, [with] sleet, snow and freezing temperatures, but today is perfect. There are people who are on the crosses who represent Jesus and the two thieves, church member Beth Barnes told the outlet, apparently before the fall took place. On Good Friday, Catholics around the world read the gospel about the crucifixion in church and some reenact the event. This years Easter season was marked with tragedy for Catholics, as Pope Francis died on Monday from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and heart failure. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice State authorities are facing a backlash over the aerial culling of hundreds of koalas in Victoria, Australia, as animal welfare groups raise concerns about the fate of their orphaned joeys. The cull in Budj Bim National Park of around 700 koalas so far has left many joeys without mothers, animal rights groups say. Activists are now demanding an independent review of the governments handling of the operation. The cull began in early April after bushfires destroyed over 2,000 hectares of habitat, leaving koalas starving, dehydrated and injured. Authorities said euthanasia was necessary to prevent suffering, but their method using marksmen shooting the koalas from helicopters prompted an immediate backlash. Wildlife advocacy groups argued that assessing koala health from the air was unreliable. They were concerned that veterinarians and shooters were making decisions from up to 30 metres away, increasing the risk of healthy koalas, including mothers with joeys, being killed in error. The use of aerial shooting should be treated as a last resort, said Friends of the Earth Melbourne, demanding the cull be paused and independent observers be allowed access to the site. This is the first time that koalas have been killed by shooting from a helicopter in Australia, the organisation said. Aerial culling of koalas is an Australian first and sets a nasty ethical precedent. National parks in Australia routinely shoot large brumbies and deer to manage their populations. This is not common with koalas, however. Friends of Earth Melbourne said the area where the cull was being carried out had been cordoned off as fire-affected, with roads blocked and surveillance systems put in place. No koala rescuers have been allowed into the area, and theres a concern about the fate of joeys whose mothers may have been shot, the advocacy group said. A koala at a zoo in Sydney, Australia, on 6 April 2023 ( Getty ) Animal protection group Koala Alliance echoed concerns about orphaned young joeys that could be left to starve or die of exposure. "If koalas were shot out of trees, this means many joeys would be left to suffer and die. Its despicable. Its cruel," the group said in a statement on Facebook. It said the koalas in the crosshairs likely came from a recently harvested blue gum plantation near the national park. Budj Bim regularly cull and sterilise koalas and they would never let the population get this big. Wildlife campaigners are also urging the Victorian government to immediately pause the harvesting of healthy eucalyptus trees on nearby private plantations, arguing that the remaining koalas need access to food and shelter to survive. The Victorian government has defended the operation. Premier Jacinta Allan has said the environment department carried out wildlife assessments and acted on expert veterinary advice. After an examination of the circumstances, this approach was deemed the way to really recognise the koalas were in a lot of distress, she said. However, calls for an independent review are growing louder. Advocates say third-party observers, including wildlife veterinarians and scientists, should be given access to assess both the conduct and necessity of the cull. The controversy draws attention to the pressures facing koala populations more broadly. Koalas are listed as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and habitat loss from logging, plantation expansion and increasingly frequent bushfires has pushed populations to the brink. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church will now elect its new leader, in a process virtually unchanged in 800 years. The system is known as the Papal Conclave, and is a democratic process with a strong emphasis on working through multiple rounds of voting until a clear consensus emerges. Under the current rules, only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to cast a vote. Officially candidates for pope need only be male and Catholic, although in reality Pontiffs have only ever been chosen from the ranks of cardinals for centuries. Theres no age limit on who can become pope, but Francis was 76 when he took up the position, and held it until his death, aged 88. Benedict before him was 78, and was pope for only eight years before his surprise retirement aged 85. When will the Conclave begin? The popes funeral took place on Saturday, 26 April, starting nine official days of mourning called the novemdiales, which ended on May 5. According to Vatican rules, the process of electing a new pope should begin between 15 and 20 days after the pontiffs death. The Vatican confirmed the conclave will begin on Wednesday, May 7. It is the camerlengo, a cardinal selected by the pope, who is tasked with organising the Conclave election process. open image in gallery Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell is the camerlengo, a cardinal who is tasked with organising the Conclave ( Vatican Media ) The current camerlengo is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, an Irish-born American Catholic prelate who has held the position since 2019. His other responsibilities include sealing the door to the popes study and bedroom with a traditional red ribbon. How does Conclave work? To begin the Conclave process, there is a special morning mass, after which the 135 cardinals of voting age would gather inside the exquisitely decorated Sistine Chapel home of all the Papal Conclaves since 1858. New rules for the election of a pope were introduced in 1996 under Pope John Paul II, and the process has largely remained unchanged since then. After the death of a pope, cardinals hold a series of meetings called general congregations to discuss the future of the Church. open image in gallery 133 cardinals will join the conclave ( Getty ) While all 252 cardinals can participate in these meetings, only 133 are under the age of 80 and have been well enough to travel to participate in the Conclave. After the cardinals have gathered, the shout extra omnes (everybody out) rings out and the cardinals who are sworn to an oath of secrecy will be locked inside the Conclave until they can choose a successor. There is no guarantee that the first round of voting will be revealed the same day. Through a mixture of speeches, prayer, reflection and intense political jostling cardinals whittle down candidates through successive rounds of voting. The cardinals themselves sit on both sides of the Sistine Chapel. open image in gallery The Sistine Chapel, set up for the Papal Conclave ( VATICAN MEDIA/AFP via Getty Imag ) The names of nine cardinals are chosen at random to officiate and organise the vote. Three become Scrutineers, whose job it is to oversee the vote. Three more collect the votes and three more revise them. A pope is only elected when a single candidate receives a two-thirds majority. Sometimes popes are chosen quickly, when a strong candidate emerges. However, from the 34th ballot onwards, the Conclave only votes between the two front runners who gained the most votes in the previous round. The longest Papal Conclave, in the late thirteenth century, lasted the best part of three years thanks to massive political infighting. Three voting cardinals died during the process. The ballot itself is secret and was introduced on 1621 by Gregory XV to try and avoid overt politicking, but the Conclave is inevitably a hotbed of competing factions who wish to see their man come out on top. open image in gallery Firefighters place the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, which will be used to signal that a new pope has been elected ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) During each ballot, cardinals write the name of their choice, ideally in distorted handwriting to disguise their identity. The ballot papers are then burned in a small fire inside the Sistine Chapel. The black smoke which is produced by the fire tells the crowds waiting outside that a new pope is yet to be chosen. When one candidate has finally won two-thirds of the vote a new pope is elected. The Cardinal Dean then calls the candidate to the front of the chapel and asks whether they are willing to accept. If the answer is yes, the new Pope is then asked to choose his new Papal name. Although the pope is seen as the successor of St Peter, none have chosen Peter for their Papal name, partly to avoid comparisons to the founder of the Roman Catholic Church and partly because of an ancient prophecy that a new pope called Peter will precede the end of the world. open image in gallery The "Room of Tears", a small room next to the Sistine Chapel, with the vestments of the next Pope displayed in three different sizes ( VATICAN MEDIA/AFP via Getty Imag ) With a pope now duly elected the ballot papers are burned once more with an additive placed in the fire that turns the smoke white, informing the world that a new Pontiff has been chosen. In the weeks leading up to the Conclave, Vatican tailors get to work on creating three Papal robes in small, medium and large. The new pope is led into the Room of Tears adjacent to the Sistine Chapel where he dons his new white robes and red slippers. The pope is then presented to the crowds who have gathered in the Vatican from the main balcony of St Peters Basilica with the famous words: Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam! (I announce to you with great joy we have a pope.) On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice For the first time in history, an American has been elected as Pope. The idea of an American pope has often been dismissed, even by theologians in the United States in the run-up to this weeks conclave. So few expected Robert Prevost to walk out onto the balcony at the Vatican as the new head of the Catholic Church. And yet, on Thursday the Chicago-born cardinal-bishop, known by friends as Bob, made history after becoming the 267th pope the first time in the Churchs 2,000-year history that an American has been appointed to lead it. Prevost who has joint Peruvian citizenship and spent years living and working in the South American country has chosen to be known as Leo XIV. As Bishop of Chicago, the 69-year-old pontiff once oversaw the largest Archdiocese in North America. open image in gallery Robert Prevost, from Chicago, Illinois, has become the 267th pope, the first time in 2,000 years that an American has been appointed to lead the Catholic Church ( Reuters ) Prior to his election, many observers had questioned him as a candidate, due to his relatively young age and inexperience. Some speculated that cardinals would also wish to select a European, following 12 years of tenure by Pope Francis an Argentinian and considered it unlikely a pontiff would emerge from the U.S. The Reverend James Bretzke, a theology professor at John Carroll University in Ohio, told USA Today this week that a diplomat was required to replace Pope Francis, adding: Americas image in the world simply is too powerful and to be blunt, ugly. Vatican insiders had described Prevost as a dark horse candidate who quietly rose to prominence in the days just before the conclave, having been made a cardinal-bishop in February this year. In terms of leading the Catholic Church, he has been described as a dignified middle of the road leader, compared with Francis, who was considered a progressive pontiff, and more conservative alternatives. Significantly, he presided over one of the most revolutionary reforms Francis made, when he added three women to the voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope. open image in gallery Prior to his election, many observers had questioned him as a candidate, due to his relatively young age and inexperience. Some speculated that cardinals would also wish to select a European, following 12 years of tenure by Pope Francis an Argentinian ( AP ) In early 2025, Francis again demonstrated his esteem by appointing Prevost to the most senior rank of cardinals. He has championed the importance of on-the-ground work. In a 2023 interview with Vatican News, he said: One must not give in to the temptation to live isolated, separated in a palace, satisfied with a certain social level or a certain level within the church. He added: The authority we have is to serve, to accompany priests, to be pastors and teachers. However, Prevost has also expressed less progressive stances, including more negative views of the LGBT community. According to The New York Times, in an address to bishops in 2012, Prevost bemoaned the fact that western media fostered sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel, pointing to the homosexual lifestyle and alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children. While in South America, he told local media that the promotion of gender ideology is confusing, because it seeks to create genders that dont exist. He has also been criticized by survivors of child abuse. open image in gallery Prevost, who holds both American and Peruvian citizenship, previously served as prefect of the Vaticans Dicastery for Bishops, which handles various administrative and pastoral responsibilities of the Holy See, including the vetting nominations for bishops around the world ( AP ) In 1999, Prevost was elected provincial prior of the Midwest Augustinians. A year into the role, he allowed Father James Ray, a priest then accused of abusing minors whose ministry had been restricted since 1991, to reside at the Augustinians' St. John Stone Friary in Chicago in 2000, despite its proximity to a Catholic elementary school. When Prevost was Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, three victims reported to civil authorities in 2022 after there was no movement on their canonical case filed through the diocese, according to the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). Victims have since claimed Prevost failed to open an investigation, sent inadequate information to Rome, and that the diocese allowed the priest to continue saying mass, attaching photos of the priest saying mass after their complaint to their letter. SNAP filed a complaint against Prevost on March 25, 2025. Prior to his ascension to Holy Father, Prevost served as prefect of the Vaticans Dicastery for Bishops, which handles various administrative and pastoral responsibilities of the Holy See, including vetting nominations for bishops around the world. Prevost was initially appointed a member of the Dicastery in 2020 before later becoming its head. He also served as the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, where nearly 40 percent of the world's Catholics reside. Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955, Prevost grew up in the citys south suburbs, where he lived in Dolton with his parents and two brothers. Reports claimed he was a fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. The record, however, was set straight on Thursday at least by his brother, who confirmed he had always been a White Sox fan. open image in gallery Onlookers wave American flags following the announcement that Chicago-born Prevost had been elected as the new pope ( REUTERS ) Growing up, a steady stream of priests passed through his family home, and the youngster reportedly had a positive experience of parish life, serving as an altar boy and attending school in the St. Mary of the Assumption parish on the far South Side. Former classmates shared how, even as a boy, he was destined to become pope. It was pretty apparent back then that was going to be his route, former classmate John Doughney told the Chicago Sun-Times, speaking before Prevost was elected. For him, I think it was a true calling, Doughney said. And, even as a young teenager, he knew what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go. Others recalled a sense of humor in class. He was kind of a little trickster, too, Joseph Merigold, who used to sit near Prevost in class, said. Used to poke me in the back of the head with a pencil all the time because I was a kidder. So he definitely had a sense of humor that a lot of people wouldnt know because he wasnt really that outgoing. Merigold added that Prevost was the smartest person in the class and was in the No.1 seat, indicating his classroom performance. Prevost was remembered as a good singer from the choir who cared about people and looked for the good in things, according to Marianne Angarola, who also grew up in Dolton and went to school with him. He was the pride and joy of every priest and nun in that school, Angarola told The Chicago Tribune. Everybody knew he was special. open image in gallery Prevost leads the recitation of the Holy Rosary for Pope Francis' health in St Peter's Square prior to the last Popes death ( AP ) Prevost was sent to study canon law at the Angelicum in Rome and was ordained as a priest in the city in 1982. After completing his studies, he was invited to work in the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas, in northwestern Peru, which held strong connections with the U.S. Augustinians. In 1999, he was elected provincial prior of the Midwest Augustinians, and two years later, in 2001, he was elected prior general of the worldwide Augustinian order, a post he held for two six-year terms. In 2014, he returned to northwestern Peru, after Francis named him apostolic administrator of the Chiclayo diocese. The Rev. Fidel Purisaca Vigil, the communications director for the diocese in Chiclayo, recalled how the Prevost used to rise each day and have breakfast with his fellow priests after saying his prayers. No matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humor and joy, Purisaca said in an email to The Associated Press, following Prevosts appointment. After arriving in Rome, Prevost kept a low public profile, but was well known to the men who count. Significantly, he presided over one of the most revolutionary reforms Francis made, when he added three women to the voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope. In early 2025, Francis again showed his esteem by appointing Prevost to the most senior rank of cardinals. open image in gallery In 2014, Provost returned to northwestern Peru, after Francis named him apostolic administrator of the Chiclayo diocese. He was appointed a member of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2020, and later became its head ( AP ) Prevost is an expert in canon law, a system that functions like a constitution and legal system specifically for the Catholic Church, affording him appeal to the more traditional wings of the Vatican. However, it remains to be seen how he will respond to the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump, who posted his congratulations on his social media platform Truth Social after the announcement that Prevost was Pope. Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country, Trump wrote. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment! open image in gallery It remains to be seen how he will respond to the actions of President Donald Trump, who posted his congratulations on his social media platform Truth Social after the announcement that Prevost was Pope ( AFP/Getty ) Earlier this year, Prevost publicly voiced opposition to remarks by Vice President JD Vance on the theological concept of ordo amoris. JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others, Prevost wrote on X. Prevosts latest post on X was a repost of an account criticizing the Trump administrations policy on immigrant deportations. Additional reporting by Rhian Lubin On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice On a flight back from World Youth Day 2019, Pope Francis casually asked Cardinal Kevin Farrell to take on a role steeped in Vatican tradition: camerlengo. This position, also known as chamberlain, involves managing the Holy See during the sensitive period between papacies and orchestrating the conclave to elect the next pope. Cardinal Farrell, then relatively new to Rome after being summoned from Dallas, Texas to lead the Vaticans laity office, accepted the role with a humorous condition: that the Pope preach at his funeral. The stipulation reflected Cardinal Farrells hope that he would predecease Francis, thereby avoiding the weighty responsibilities of the camerlengo. Underlying the jest was a deeper sentiment. Cardinal Farrell not only felt the burden of the position but also expressed a personal desire not to outlive a pope he deeply admired. He credited Francis with initiating a crucial shift in the Catholic Church, moving away from defensive culture wars towards a more inclusive, Gospel-centered approach. We were defending ourselves always: self-preservation was the theme of the church, Cardinal Farrell observed, contrasting this with Pope Franciss emphasis on welcome and accompaniment. This shift, in Cardinal Farrells view, marked a vital renewal for the Church, redirecting its focus towards its core values. open image in gallery Cardinal Kevin Farrell took the important role on the condition that Pope Francis preach at his funeral ( AP ) The camerlengos role With Franciss death, though, Cardinal Farrell is in the spotlight, albeit only until a new pope is elected. Cardinal Farrell on Monday morning announced the death from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where Francis lived and died. In a short statement read live on Vatican television, he said Francis entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his church. According to tradition, the camerlengo certifies the popes death, seals the papal apartment and breaks the popes fishermans ring, as a symbol of a vacancy at the Holy See. He leads the procession accompanying the coffin into St Peters Basilica and presides over the burial. The camerlengo also gets written reports from Vatican offices about their current assets; a copy of the current and projected budget for the Holy See; and any other information from the Vaticans economic ministry that would be useful for cardinals and the future pope. He and the dean of the College of Cardinals, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, then play key roles in organising the meetings of cardinals preceding the conclave. Cardinal Farrell, a no-nonsense Irish-born American, said the financial duties are far more important than the ceremonial ones and the ones for which he is more qualified. He already heads top Vatican committees on finances, investments and confidential matters, as well as its supreme court, making him particularly well-suited to deliver a financial prospectus to the new pope. open image in gallery Cardinal Farrell seals the Popes apartment with red wax ( AP ) From Ireland to the US The man Francis chose to bridge his papacy was born in Dublin on 2 September 1947. He entered the Legionaries of Christ religious order in 1966 and was ordained a priest for the Mexican-based order in 1978. He left six years later (long before revelations that its founder was a paedophile who sexually abused his young seminarians) and became a diocesan priest in the Washington Archdiocese. He worked in a series of parishes but also took on increasing charge of the books in the archdiocese. He has a keen mind for finances but says he never finished his MBA. He became auxiliary bishop of Washington in 2001 and served under the ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick before being made bishop of Dallas in 2007. Cardinal Farrell has said repeatedly that during his years in Washington, he never heard the rumours that McCarrick had behaved inappropriately with seminarians, sleeping with them in his bed while he was a bishop in New Jersey. McCarrick, who died earlier this month, was defrocked after a Vatican investigation in 2019 found he sexually abused children as well as adults. Cardinal Farrell said he was happy and very comfortable as bishop in Dallas when his secretary came to him in May 2016 to tell him the pope was on the phone. And I said the popes not on the phone. Popes dont use telephones, Cardinal Farrell said, assuming another bishop was playing a prank. And so I picked up the phone. I was about to tell him where to go, when all of a sudden the voice on the line said quietly in Spanish: Soy Francisco (This is Francis). The two had never met, but Francis knew Cardinal Farrell spoke Spanish fluently, given his years in the Mexican-based Legion. open image in gallery Cardinal Kevin Farrell presides over a vigil in Rome following the death of African-American man George Floyd in 2020 ( AP ) A Vatican assignment Francis also knew that Cardinal Farrell had made it a policy in both Washington and Dallas to put qualified lay experts, rather than priests, in positions of authority in running the dioceses. Cardinal Farrell said Francis asked him to do the same with the Holy Sees laity office, which the pontiff wanted to rebuild by merging it with the Vaticans family and life departments and serve as a model of lay-led governance of church management. I was trying to come up with every reason why I should not do it. And he said, Well, you think about it for three days and Ill call you back, Cardinal Farrell recalled. Three days later, at the same time, I get a telephone call and then I gave him all my reasons that I had formulated. And he said, Well, why dont you come on over and talk to me? Well, that was the end. He moved to Rome in October 2016 to head the laity office. Within hours of his arrival, Francis announced that he would be made a cardinal. It was a sign, later confirmed with his nomination as camerlengo, that Francis fully intended to entrust him with some of the most important responsibilities of the church, including after he was gone. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A conclave to select the new head of the Catholic Church is now underway following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. The transition process involves an intricate series of rituals and has remained largely unchanged for 800 years. It governs the transfer of power for both the spiritual leader of the global Catholic Church and the head of the Vatican state. Understanding the key terminology surrounding this transition is crucial to navigating the news in the coming days. Here is the lowdown on the key terms and players involved in the conclave. Who is the Vatican camerlengo? This is the chamberlain, the cardinal in charge of formally verifying the popes death, and then sealing his room and study. Between then and the election of the new pope, the camerlengo administers the goods and temporal rights of the Holy See. The current one is the Irish-born American Cardinal Kevin Farrell. open image in gallery Irish-born American Cardinal Kevin Farrell ( AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File ) Who is in the College of Cardinals? There are 252 cardinals worldwide, and as a body, they are in charge of the Holy Sees affairs in-between popes, albeit with limits. Of them, 135 are cardinal electors, who gather in the Vatican to choose the new pope. For centuries, they have chosen one of their own. The vast majority of the electors 108 were made cardinals by Pope Francis, according to Vatican statistics. What is the conclave? This is the closed-door meeting of the cardinal electors to choose the new pope in the Sistine Chapel. Its name, literally "with a key, was used in the 13th century to describe the process of locking up the cardinals until the election was completed. It must begin no more than 20 days after the death or resignation of a pope. The electors are sequestered from all outsiders for the duration; the last three popes were chosen within days. open image in gallery Cardinals adjust their mitre hats during a final Mass celebrated by cardinals inside St. Peter's Basilica before the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican ( AP ) Who is the dean of the College of Cardinals? The current dean is Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. He is the head of the College of Cardinals who informs the rest of the cardinals and the ambassadors to the Holy See of the popes death once he learns of it from the camerlengo. He convenes the conclave and presides as the electors take their oaths. Once a new pope is chosen, the dean asks him if he accepts and what name he wants to be called. What is the Domus Santa Marta? This Vatican guesthouse, built in 1996, specifically houses cardinals during a conclave and is used at other times as a hotel for visiting priests and Vatican officials. Pope Francis never moved out after he was elected pope, choosing to live in suite 201, rather than the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace. open image in gallery Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell sealing Pope Francis's private apartment ( Vatican Media ) What does extra omnes mean? A Latin phrase for all out, it's spoken by the master for papal liturgical celebrations, currently Italian Archbishop Diego Ravelli, to ask all those present except the cardinal electors to leave the Sistine Chapel to begin the voting process during the conclave. Why is the popes ring called the fishermans ring? Each pope gets this ring at the Mass marking the beginning of his pontificate. It bears this name because Jesus told St. Peter, the first pope, that he would be a fisher of men. Until the 1990s, it was destroyed upon a popes death. Now, its annulled, or marked in such a way that it cant be used as a seal. What are the General Congregations? This is the name given to the gathering of all members of the College of Cardinals after the popes death and before the start of the conclave to discuss major church affairs. All cardinals who aren't infirm take part in this meeting in the Vaticans Apostolic Palace. They also discuss preparations for the conclave, under oath and in secret. What does it mean when they say, Habemus Papam? This Latin phrase translates to We have a pope. These are the words used by the protodeacon of the College of Cardinals to announce from the loggia of St. Peters Basilica that a new pope has been elected. He then says the new pope's birth name and the name he has chosen to use as pope, also in Latin. The current protodeacon is French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti. open image in gallery Pope Francis at the end of the Easter mass in St. Peter's Square ( AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia ) Who are the infirmarii? These are the three cardinals, chosen by a random drawing from the electors, who are charged with gathering the ballots of any electors who are ill during the conclave. What does Pope Francis motto miserando atque eligendo mean? This is Latin for having had mercy and choosing him a phrase that Francis chose as his motto when he was elevated to bishop and kept as his papal seal. It was drawn from the homilies of St. Bede the Venerable, an 8th-century monk. It comes from the Gospel narrative of St. Matthew, a tax collector whom Jesus called to follow him. Who are the revisers? These are the three cardinals, chosen by random drawing from the electors, who are charged with reviewing the ballots during the conclave. What is a rogito? This is the document, or deed, listing key details of the popes life and papacy that is placed in his coffin. Its written in Latin by the master for papal liturgical celebrations. A copy is kept in the Vatican archives. Who are the scrutineers? These are the three cardinals, chosen by random drawing from the electors, who are charged with reviewing each ballot and announcing it to the assembled conclave after each round of voting. They then tally the votes to win the election, two-thirds of the votes are necessary and they also burn the ballots. What does the saying sede vacante mean? This is Latin for vacant seat, the period between the popes death or resignation and the election of a new one. open image in gallery The Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major ( Getty Images ) What is St. Mary Major? This is the basilica in Rome where Pope Francis said he wants to be buried. Francis is breaking with the tradition of his predecessors who are buried inside the Vatican, saying he wanted to be near his favorite icon of the Virgin Mary, the Salus Populi Romani, a Byzantine-style painting of the Madonna draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus who in turn is holding a jeweled golden book. The icon is located in the church, first built in the 5th century and devoted to the Virgin Mary. In his will, Francis said he wanted a simple underground tomb with only Franciscus written on it. What does the text Universi Dominici Gregis contain? This Latin phrase means the Lords whole flock. Its the Vatican constitution that regulates the processes from a popes death until a new one is elected. St. John Paul II issued it in 1996 during his papacy, and Pope Benedict XVI twice amended it, most significantly by removing John Paul's provision that after about 12 days of balloting a simple majority could elect a new pope rather than a two-thirds majority. If the conclave lasts that long, the top two vote-getters go to a runoff, with a two-thirds majority required to win. Neither of the top two candidates cast a ballot in the runoff. open image in gallery White smoke was seen billowing out from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in 2013 ( AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File ) What does white or black smoke mean during a papal transition? After each round of voting in the Sistine Chapel, the ballots are burned in a special furnace to indicate the outcome to the outside world. If no pope is chosen, the ballots are mixed with cartridges containing potassium perchlorate, anthracene (a component of coal tar), and sulfur to produce black smoke. But if there is a winner, the burning ballots are mixed with potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin to produce the white smoke. Bells are also rung to further signal that there is a new pope. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pope Francis has continued to break with tradition even in death, having requested before he died several changes to the ceremony and burial that accompany the passing of a pontiff. But although the pope eschewed pomp, a number of other rituals surrounding his funeral will follow ancient traditions. By Friday morning, more than 128,000 mourners had filed past Francis's open coffin placed in front of the main altar of St Peters Basilica at times praying, at times holding smart phones aloft despite instructions not to for a photo of the late pontiff laid out in red liturgical robes, a bishop's pointed mitre and a rosary entwined in his hands. open image in gallery Tens of thousands of mourners have paid respects to the pope at St Peters Basilica ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) More vast crowds will gather for Saturdays funeral, as well as more than 130 foreign dignitaries, among them 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns. Follow updates from Pope Francis funeral They include US president Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska, the Prince of Wales, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron, Spain's King Felipe VI, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, as well as the most highly ranked members of the Catholic Church. Below we look at how the service will unfold. Sealing of the coffin The three days of public viewing in St Peters Basilica will come to an end when Pope Franciss coffin is sealed in a ritual on Friday evening. The event will be conducted by American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a trusted aide to Pope Francis and the current camerlengo - the official who runs the Holy See between the death or resignation of a pope and the election of the next one. In one break from tradition, Pope Francis eschewed the previous three coffins made of cypress, lead and oak and will be interred in a simplified zinc coffin, inside a wooden casket. open image in gallery The pope will be sealed in his coffin on Friday evening ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The tomb has been prepared behind a wooden barrier within the basilica that he chose to be near an icon of the Madonna that he revered and often prayed before. Photos released by the Vatican on Friday show the marble tombstone flat against the pavement, with the simple engraving in Latin that he requested in his last testament: "Franciscus". A bag of coins minted during Franciss time as pope is placed in the coffin, along with a one-page account of his papacy. That account is read aloud by the master of liturgical ceremonies before being rolled up into a tube that is put in the coffin. Senior members of the Catholic Church will attend, as well as the late Popes secretaries, Vatican News reports. One ancient ritual already carried out was the breaking of the pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and lead seal so they cannot be used by anyone else. The funeral service The funeral mass, in St Peters Square, in front of the Basilica where his body has been lying in state, will begin at 10am local time (9am BST) with a choir singing introductory rites. His Reverend Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the ceremony. The late popes face is covered with a silk veil and his body sprinkled with holy water. Mr Trump may be disappointed to find himself not at the front but in the third row back. The Vatican has not released official details yet, but based on the funeral of John Paul II in 2005, Catholic royalty will be seated in the front row, The Telegraph reported. Next will come non-Catholic royals such as the Prince of Wales, who is attending on behalf of King Charles. World leaders and heads of state are likely to be next. Some 220 cardinals, 750 bishops and priests are expected to be near the altar, and more than 4,000 other priests will be in St Peters Square. The cardinal who presides over the funeral and other cardinals, bishops and officials will wear white damask mitres. Patriarchs and cardinals will be distinguished from bishops by the purple of their liturgical garments. Archbishops and bishops clothes include the alb, a white tunic, and a red chasuble, a type of cape. open image in gallery The funeral will be held in St Peters Square ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The service, expected to last two-and-a-half hours, will be mostly held in Latin. It follows the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the Vaticans official liturgical text for papal funerals, which was updated at Pope Francis request last year, according to EWTN, a Catholic television network. The mass will include readings, and the homily will be followed by prayers in French, Arabic, Portuguese, Polish, German, and Chinese, before the Eucharistic liturgy, Holy Communion, and the Rite of Final Commendation, Vatican News reports. The celebration will be accompanied by the Choir of the Sistine Chapel, the website says. Cardinal Re will then sprinkle the coffin with holy water and incense. At the end of the mass, the choir will sing in Latin: May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come and welcome you and take you into the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem. When the service is over, the coffin will be carried through the door of death to the left of the altar at St Peters, while a 10-ton funeral bell tolls. The presence of the overseas dignitaries and hundreds of thousands of mourners creates a logistical and security challenge for the Italian authorities. Security around the Vatican has been tightened, with Italian authorities adding drones to foot and horse patrols along routes to St Peters Square. open image in gallery Swiss Guards will boost security ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The Swiss Guard, the Vaticans own army, have been protecting the popes coffin while lying in state but have been brought into commission to help protect the Vatican City and the square where crowds of tens of thousands will be assembled. Although soldiers from the worlds smallest army are officially a purely ceremonial force and wear colourful medieval-style costumes, they have undergone training for the well rehearsed security operation. The prefect of Rome, Lamberto Giannini, told a news conference: "I believe that the 'security machine' is ready," but will remain flexible and "ready to reshape and above all transmit a sense of serenity." open image in gallery Security is a major consideration for Saturdays funeral ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Security is not the only consideration. Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera reports a special waste taskforce of 400 staff and 150 vehicles to maintain public cleanliness in the square has already been organised, and pharmacy opening hours have been extended through Rome to boost available medical services. The funeral procession and burial Following the funeral, in another break with tradition, the coffin will be taken through the streets of Rome to an underground tomb in the basilica of Saint Mary Major, as per his instructions. The procession will be at walking pace to allow people to bid farewell to the pope on his final journey. But that will not be Pope Franciss final resting place. The largest break from tradition is the Popes request to be buried outside the Vatican grounds , the first pope to do so in 120 years. Instead, he will be interred at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) in Rome, which is about 4km from St Peters Basilica and which houses the bodies of seven earlier popes. open image in gallery Pope Francis will be buried at Saint Mary Major basilica in Rome ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, said the open-air procession through the Italian capital would enlarge the stage on which this is played out, and will give the people of Rome, especially, something that they will appreciate very deeply. The Vatican said that because the disadvantaged had a special place in the heart of Pope Francis, a group will wait on the steps of Saint Mary Major to pay their last respects before he is buried. While the funeral mass and procession to Santa Maria Maggiore will be broadcast live around the world, that will end at the basilica. Italian news outlet Corriere reports the burial will be a private ceremony, but people will be able to visit his burial place from Sunday morning. In his will, Francis stipulated a simple burial "in the earth, without particular decoration", marked only with his papal name in Latin: Franciscus. Corriere says the stone used for the epitaph is marble from the north-west Italian region of Liguria. open image in gallery Pope Francis has requested a simple memorial in the basilica ( Getty Images ) Nine days of mourning Alongside the funeral on Saturday, nine days of mourning called the novendiali will also begin. While the funeral mass is open to the public, services on the other eight days are open to different groups including one for employees and the faithful of Vatican City. The last day of mourning is Sunday, May 4, ending with a service at 5pm. open image in gallery More than 133 cardinals of voting age will join the conclave to elect a new pope ( AP ) The process of selecting a new pope in a Conclave can begin From May 5, the conclave to elect a new pope can begin. In the conclave, the 133 cardinals of voting age (two cannot make it to Rome for health reasons) will gather inside Michelangelo's exquisitely frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel home of all the Papal Conclaves since 1858, where they will whittle down candidates through successive rounds of voting. An exact date for this will be decided after the funeral. French Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, arriving for the cardinals' meeting on Thursday, said they were not meeting for the conclave yet. For the moment I do not believe the cardinals are saying 'who will be the next?'. For the moment we are here completely for Francis." The conclave is secretive. The cardinals are forbidden from communicating with the outside world, and the gathering begins and ends with ritual words in Latin: Extra omnes" or Everyone out", expelling all but voting cardinals. A two-thirds majority is required to become pope, and after the ballot, the victorious cardinal utters, Accepto or I accept. With additional reporting from Associated Press On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Among the final words of the Pope was a thank you to the nurse who had helped him through his recent illness and allowed him to surprise crowds in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday with a short tour in the Popemobile. Thanks for bringing me to the square, Francis told Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal healthcare assistant since 2022, the Vaticans official news outlet reported. The Pope initially had doubts about the Easter Sunday Popemobile ride. Do you think I can manage it? the pontiff had asked Mr Strappetti. Meanwhile, Kensington Palace announced on Tuesday that the Prince of Wales will attend the Pope's funeral on behalf of King Charles III. William will travel to Vatican City on Saturday; the decision is in keeping with modern tradition. The pope, aged 88, died on Monday morning from a stroke and heart failure. He had spent 38 days in hospital fighting double pneumonia but returned to the Vatican almost a month ago and had seemed to be recovering. Francis spent his final day working, defying the advice of doctors who had told him to take two months' rest to allow his ageing body to heal. About 35,000 Catholic faithful lined the aisles inside St Peter's Square on Sunday as the pope made his tour, seated in a raised chair in the back of the Popemobile. There were shouts of "viva il papa" (long live the Pope) and the vehicle stopped occasionally so Francis could bless babies brought forward by aides. open image in gallery The Pope lies in a private chapel in the Vatican on Tuesday ( EPA ) The rest of the pope's final day was spent normally, the Vatican News reported. He had a "peaceful dinner", it said. The first signs of a "sudden illness" occurred at 5:30 am local time [0300 GMT] on Monday. A little more than an hour later, making a farewell gesture with his hand to Strappetti ... the pontiff went into a coma, said the outlet. He did not suffer, and it all happened very fast. The Vatican on Tuesday released photographs of Francis dressed in his vestments and holding a rosary, lying in an open coffin placed in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy. His body will be taken into the adjacent St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning at 9:00 am local time [0700 GMT] in a procession led by cardinals. He will lie in state there until Friday evening. His funeral service will be held at 10:00 am. the following day in St Peter's Square, in front of the 16th century basilica. It will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals. The Prince of Wales will attend in what will be seen as a major milestone in William's role as a global statesman and future king. Charles as the Prince of Wales went to Pope John Paul II's funeral, representing his mother the late Queen, in 2005. Queen Elizabeth II never attended the funeral of a pontiff, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. William will gather alongside world leaders including Sir Keir Starmer and US president Donald Trump. Francis was the first pontiff from Latin American and charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated many political conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change. open image in gallery Nuns in St Peters Square on Tuesday ( AP ) In a break from tradition, Francis confirmed in his final testament that he wished to be buried in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major and not St Peter's, where many of his predecessors were laid to rest. Francis's death has set in motion ancient rituals, as the 1.4-billion-member Church started the transition from one pope to another, including the breaking of the pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and lead seal, used in his lifetime to seal documents, so they cannot be used by anyone else. A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after the death of a pontiff, meaning it should not start before 6 May. The exact date will be decided by cardinals after Francis's funeral. Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the secretive ballot, which can stretch over days before white smoke pouring from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel tells the world that a new pope has been picked. There is no clear frontrunner to succeed Francis. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Members of Gazas small Christian community have said they are heartbroken over the death of Pope Francis, who had called them every evening during the war. The pope was an outspoken critic of Israels war in Gaza and used his final appearance to call for an immediate ceasefire to the deplorable conflict. Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday, aged 88, following a serious bout of double pneumonia earlier this year. open image in gallery Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 ( AFP via Getty ) George Antone, 44, head of the emergency committee at the Holy Family Church in Gaza, said: We lost a saint who taught us every day how to be brave, how to keep patient and stay strong. We lost a man who fought every day in every direction to protect this small herd of his. Francis called the only Catholic church in the strip, hours after the war in Gaza began in October 2023, Mr Antone said. It marked the start of what the Vatican News Service would describe as a nightly routine throughout the war. He added the pope would make sure to speak not only to the priest but to everyone else in the room. We are heartbroken because of the death of Pope Francis, but we know that he is leaving behind a church that cares for us and that knows us by name, every single one of us, Mr Antone added. He used to tell each one: I am with you, dont be afraid. open image in gallery The pope spoke to the Holy Family Church in Gaza on a nightly basis ( AFP/Getty ) The pastor of the Holy Family parish, Reverend Gabriel Romanelli, told the Vatican News Service that Francis phoned a final time on Saturday night. Palestinian writer and poet Mosab Abu Toha mourned the popes death, adding he was a real man of peace. The Popes final Easter message The pope did not preside over the Vaticans Easter Mass but appeared at the end of the event for a twice-yearly blessing and message known as the Urbi et Orbi, to the city and the world. In the final message before his death, the pontiff reiterated his call for a ceasefire in Gaza during a brief appearance on the main balcony of St Peters Basilica, adding the situation in Gaza was dramatic and deplorable. open image in gallery In the Easter Sunday message, the pontiff said the situation in Gaza was dramatic and deplorable ( AP ) The pope also called on Palestinian militant group Hamas to release its remaining hostages and condemned what he said was a worrisome trend of antisemitism in the world. I express my closeness to the sufferings ... of all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people, said the message read aloud by an aide. I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace, it read. The pontiffs previous criticism of the war Pope Francis was usually careful about taking sides in conflicts during his 12 years at the head of the Catholic Church. However, he campaigned for peace for the devastated enclave since the war began in October 2023. Before a five-week hospital stay for pneumonia earlier this year, Francis had been ramping up criticism of Israels military campaign in the Gaza Strip. In a speech to diplomats in January, the pontiff called the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave very serious and shameful. open image in gallery Mass held for Pope Francis in Jerusalem on Monday ( Getty Images ) We cannot in any way accept the bombing of civilians, he said. We cannot accept that children are freezing to death because hospitals have been destroyed or a countrys energy network has been hit. In December, Francis suggested the global community should study whether Israels offensive constitutes genocide of the Palestinian people. An Israeli government minister publicly denounced the pontiff for that suggestion. How leaders in the region reacted to his death Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas mourned the pope as a loyal friend of the Palestinian people and a global advocate for peace and justice. Mr Abbas highlighted in his mourning the Popes recognition of Palestine, his visit to Bethlehem, his prayers for peace at the separation wall, and his calls to end the war in Gaza. Today, we lost a faithful friend of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, he said. open image in gallery Pope Francis prays at the Western Wall, Judaisms holiest site, in 2014 ( POOL/AFP via Getty ) Israels president, Isaac Herzog, said that Francis was a man of deep faith, peace and compassion who fostered ties with the Jewish world. I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages (in Gaza) will soon be answered, President Herzog said on X, formerly Twitter. At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, on the site where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected, the superior of the Latin community, Father Stephane Milovitch, said Francis had stood for peace. We wish that peace will finally come very soon in this land and we wish the next pope will be able to help to have peace in Jerusalem and in all the world, he said. The war was triggered by the Hamas-led 7 October attack on southern Israel in 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to local health authorities. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In hosting Ukraines president for talks about a ceasefire with Russia, with three of Americas biggest diplomatic guns, Britains foreign secretary has the awkward task of keeping them on side while ensuring he hasnt led Volodymyr Zelenskys troops into an ambush. Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, has signalled that the US is prepared to walk away from brokering peace talks if there is no breakthrough. Hes bringing his team of negotiators with him not to talk but to present an ultimatum that favours Russia. Ukraine will have no choice but to reject proposals to freeze Russian control of the east of the country. Zelensky is likely to be asked (or told) to recognise the Kremlins de facto rule over Crimea, agree that Ukraine can never join Nato, and generally to meekly roll under Putins tank tracks. That may explain why the Ukrainian president wont be in London on Wednesday. David Lammy doesnt want this. Nor do France and Germany, who are also sending their foreign ministers and security advisers to London. They are all now part of a coalition of the willing formed by Keir Starmer and Emanuel Macron to offset the rapid withdrawal of America from European affairs and the blatant support for Russia from the White House. They cant, and wont, admit that Donald Trump and his administration have done everything they can not to pursue peace in Ukraine but to cement the Kremlins suzerainty over lands it has invaded. open image in gallery Rescuers work at a site of an apartment building hit by a Russian air strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Tuesday ( Reuters ) But, according to reports in the US media, that is exactly what Rubio, Steve Witkoff, the US envoy to Russia, and Keith Kellogg, the envoy to Ukraine, are expected to try to sell to Ukraine and her allies here in London. Theyll be expected to agree to leave Russia holding 20 per cent of Ukraine in return for ceasefire monitors. Theyll be expected to agree that the US will recognise Russias control of Crimea the headquarters of Russias defeated Black Sea fleet that was illegally invaded in 2014, and then annexed. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, has already signalled Putins delight with the US position on no membership of Nato for Ukraine. Of course were satisfied with this, he cooed. As well he might, given that Russia is being promised sanctions relief, and generally expanded business opportunities with America, while Washington has not indicated that Putin would face any retribution if he failed to observe, or agree, a ceasefire. Indeed there has been talk of turning the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, currently occupied by Russian troops and no longer generating any power, into an American-run project that will supply electricity to Russian-held Crimea. Ukraine knows what happens when it defies Trump. As a taster it suffered suspended military aid and later its intelligence feed from the US was cut just as Russia launched attacks in its Kursk province. open image in gallery Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, has signalled that the US is prepared to walk away from brokering peace talks if there is no breakthrough between Putin and Zelensky ( Sputnik ) Moscow has, according to Kyiv, massed close to 70,000 troops on Ukraines northern border and may be planning a major drive into Ukraine. If Ukraine rejects the proposals from Rubio and co, it knows the consequences. My concern is to prevent Trump from finding pretext to put the blame on Ukraine. Trump wants to exit the process of negotiations because he sees that it is hopeless because of Putin, Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of the Ukrainian parliaments foreign affairs committee told The Independent. Thats why for us its crucially important not to give Trump a chance to blame us. We need to continue to do what we have been doing: to remain constructive and agree with his initiatives in so far as it doesnt hurt our national interests, such as territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. In the meantime, a British official cautioned against assumptions that the presence of a high-level US delegation was an indication that the latest meeting was a make-or-break moment. The US, the official said, was a very close ally and the London meetings were not likely to be the moment when this all blows up. Close Trump insists he's not being 'played by Russia' as Ukraine peace talks stall On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Russian president Vladimir Putin has for the first time proposed direct peace talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. Mr Putin has previously claimed he would only negotiate peace with Ukraine if the country held elections to form a new government, having repeatedly made false claims that Mr Zelensky is an illegitimate leader despite his election in 2019. The Russian autocrat has suggested face-to-face talks for the first time since Russias invasion in February 2022, with Donald Trumps efforts to broker a quick ceasefire deal have failed to bear fruit. Mr Trump said Russia and Ukraine can do big business with Washington if they reach a deal. "Hopefully Russia and Ukraine will make a deal this week," the US president wrote on Truth Social over the weekend. It comes as representatives from Ukraine, the UK, France and the US were set to meet in London on Wednesday to continue talks on a potential ceasefire. While Mr Zelensky did not directly respond to Mr Putins proposal, he emphasised in his nightly video address that Ukraine "was ready for any conversation" that would stop strikes on civilians. Actions always speak louder than words, he posted on X. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Humanitarian agencies have rejected Israel's findings of a military probe into the killing of 15 medical workers in Gaza, calling it a "fabricated investigation". Fifteen medics, including eight with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, six members of the civil defence unit in Gaza, and a UN staffer were killed in Rafah by the Israeli military on 23 March. Israeli troops bulldozed over the bodies along with their mangled vehicles, burying them in a mass grave, according to reports. UN and rescue workers were only able to reach the site a week later. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) military on Sunday claimed an internal investigation identified "several professional failures, breaches of orders, and a failure to fully report the incident". open image in gallery A funeral procession took place for the dead medics on 31 March ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Palestine Red Crescent Society and Gazas civil defence service on Monday rejected the findings, calling the report "full of lies". The UN's humanitarian agency said the investigation underscores the occupation's persistence in shielding the truth from the world". The aid agency accused Israel of making fallacious allegations that medical rescue teams are part of Hamas and asked why Israel continues to detain a paramedic who survived the attack. Israel at first claimed the medics vehicles were acting suspiciously and did not have emergency signals on when troops opened fire. But the army later backtracked after cellphone video recovered from one medic showed the ambulances had lights flashing and logos visible as they pulled up to help another ambulance that earlier came under fire. We call on the international community to abstain from validating the results of the occupation's fabricated investigation, the Red Crescent added. Gazas civil defence unit, which rescues victims of airstrikes, said the military was lying in an effort to justify targeting of the rescue convoys. The video filmed by one of the paramedics proves that the Israeli occupations narrative is false and demonstrates that it carried out summary executions, Mohammed al Mughair, an official with the civil defence unit, told AFP news agency. He accused Israel of seeking to circumvent its obligations under international law. The Israeli military in its report claimed the incident took place in a "hostile and dangerous combat zone" and the commander on the ground perceived the approaching vehicle as an immediate threat. The IDF blamed "poor night visibility". UNs humanitarian chief for Gaza, Jonathan Whittall, said "real accountability undermines international law and makes the world a more dangerous place". Without accountability, we risk continuing to watch atrocities unfolding, and the norms designed to protect us all eroding," he said. open image in gallery Bodies of eight medics from the Red Crescent, six members of Gaza's civil defence agency and one employee of a UN agency were retrieved after being killed by the IDF ( AFP via Getty Images ) The military said six of those killed were Hamas militants, but has given little evidence to support the claim. Israel has previously accused Hamas of moving and hiding its fighters inside ambulances and emergency vehicles, as well as in hospitals and other civilian infrastructure. It argues that this justifies the strikes on them. Medical personnel deny the accusations. Israeli strikes have killed more than 150 emergency responders from the Red Crescent and Civil Defence, most of them while on duty, as well as over 1,000 health workers, according to the UN. More than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's retaliatory war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave. The war was triggered by Hamas' attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, when the militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 250 people hostage. open image in gallery People run for cover as a plume of smoke rises above tents at a camp for displaced Palestinians in northern Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, during an Israeli strike on 19 April 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Meanwhile, a senior Palestinian official told the BBC that Qatari and Egyptian mediators have proposed a new formula to end the war in Gaza and the truce to last between five and seven years. This comes as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week said in a late-night televised address that while war came with a heavy price, Israel had "no choice but to continue fighting for our very existence, until victory." Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Its one of humanitys oldest questions. Are we alone? Is there life elsewhere in our galaxy or the universe? Scientists last week made a stunning announcement that they had found the strongest evidence yet of life beyond our solar system. A team of astronomers using NASAs James Webb Space Telescope said they had detected the chemical fingerprints of the compound dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b. On Earth, dimethyl sulfide is produced by microbial life, like phytoplankton that live in our oceans. Past observations of K2-18b had marked the first time carbon-based molecules were discovered in the atmosphere of an exoplanet in the habitable zone of its star. Scientists said that their findings indicate the possibility of a hycean world with an ocean teeming with life. They also said that they needed more data. Its important that were deeply skeptical of our own results, because its only by testing and testing again that we will be able to reach the point where were confident in them, noted University of Cambridge Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, who lead the research team. "Any claim of life on another planet requires a lot of justification, and I don't think we're there yet, Mans Holmberg, a researcher at the Space Telescope Science Institute who was part of the group announcing the findings, told NPR. open image in gallery Researchers said they had found the strongest evidence yet of life beyond our solar system in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18 b. Other scientists arent convinced ( NASA, CSA, ESA, J. Olmsted (STScI), Science: N. Madhusudhan (Cambridge University) ) Other scientists have since voiced their skepticism regarding the conclusions. "The new JWST observations of K2-18b do not provide any real evidence that potential biosignature gases (i.e. DMS or DMDS) are present. Many exoplanet astronomers, myself included, have severe concerns about the gap between the very low statistical significance in the new study which would be considered a non-detection for any other planet and the definitive statements being made by the science team, Dr. Ryan MacDonald, an astrophysicist at the University of Michigan, told The Independent. The previous claim of DMS in K2-18b's atmosphere in 2023 was not reproduced when that JWST data was re-analyzed by an independent team, so I wouldn't hold my breath, he added. When it comes to K2-18 b, enthusiasm is outpacing evidence, cautioned Dr. Sara Seager, a professor at MIT who was once Madhusudhans graduate adviser. Right now, independent teams have completely different interpretations of what the planet even is: some propose a hycean world, others suggest a hot magma ocean a planet with molten rock beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, which is about as inhospitable as it gets and still others see it as a mini-Neptune. The SETI Institute, a non-profit working to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe, wrote in a release: The claim is intriguing, as these gases can be associated with biological activity. On the other hand, the signal is modest, ambiguous, and potentially explainable as the result of noise or systematic error. Moreover, abiotic sources for these compounds do exist, and even if they are low-yield and short-lived, they cannot yet be ruled out. Critically, contextual data about the planet remain limited, making interpretation of atmospheric signatures highly uncertain, the SETI statement added. Abiotic means something that is a non-living part of an ecosystem. Edward Schwieterman, an astrobiologist at the University of California, Riverside, echoed that concern. The planetary context is what matters, he told Nature. If the molecules really are in the planets atmosphere, he noted, we have to brainstorm novel ways of producing a lot of it through abiotic means and evaluate those possibilities before accepting it as evidence for life. open image in gallery Researchers used data from NASAs James Webb Space Telescope. The space agency says the detection of a single potential biosignature would not constitute the discovery of life ( Getty Images ) Researchers told Nature that there are questions about whether the planet even has water, if the dimethyl sulfide is present, or if the biosignature molecules are just due to chance. The Cambridge researchers argue that there is just a 0.3 percent probability that they are chance-based. "I think this is one of those situations where extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence," Laura Kreidberg, an astronomer at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany, told NPR. "I'm not sure we're at the extraordinary evidence level yet." All of this is not to say theres no merit in the incredibly difficult work. SETI says it helps to nail down what further research is needed to test the claims. NASA noted the detection of a single potential biosignature would not constitute the discovery of life, and that follow-up studies and multiple converging lines of evidence would be needed to rule out false positives. Searching for life beyond Earth is one of the great, profound pursuits of humankind. But any claim of life out there will require thorough study by the scientific community as a whole before we have confidence in the results, said Dr. Bruce Betts, chief scientist at The Planetary Society. JD Vance's three young children stole the show as their father paid a special visit to meet with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. Dressed in traditional outfits, Ewan (7), Vivek (5) and Mirabel (3), stole the show with their playful antics while engaging with Indian prime minister at his residence in New Delhi on Monday (21 April). Vance and Modi met as New Delhi looks to avoid US tariffs, negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration. Pete Hegseths children appeared to cringe as they listened to the defense secretary hit out at the media over Signalgate 2.0. Hegseth attended the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday (21 April) with his family and was quizzed by the press over a story in the New York Times reporting he had created another Signal messaging chat that included his wife and brother. The newspaper reported that Hegseth shared similar details of a March military airstrike against Yemens Houthi militants that were sent in another chain with top Trump administration leaders. As Hegseth launched into an attack on the media, it was his childrens reaction that attracted attention. US defense secretary Pete Hegseths 2023 remarks attacking then President Joe Bidens handling of classified documents have resurfaced online, as the Republican finds himself embroiled in his own security scandal. The New York Times has reported that he shared Yemen attack plans with his wife and brother on Signal. Speaking to Fox News, Hegseth said: If the top man in the job was handling classified documents this flippantly, for that long, why was that the case? He also attacked what he claimed to be the two tiers of justice that exist if at the very top, theres no accountability. Vladimir Putin has paid tribute to Pope Francis following his sudden death at the age of 88. Pope Francis died on Easter Monday (21 April), following a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said. Speaking in Moscow on Monday, the Russian leader said: This was a man, I want to emphasize once again, who had a highly positive attitude towards Russia. The Pope has done a lot not only for his flock, but also for the whole world. We offer our deepest condolences to the entire Christian world, and above all, of course, to Catholics," Putin added. Food Retail giant BWG has been dragged into a court battle between supermarket Fresh and its landlords in Stepaside in a row over an Insomnia coffee dock. The landlords have claimed that Fresh, Insomnia and BWG Foods as guarantor under the lease had conspired to install the cafe in the Co Dublin supermarket despite knowing it was not permissible under the lease, according to court documents. 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 Q A senior employee recently told us she is resigning her position and moving to another company. She is adamant that she wont work her three-month notice period, and has openly defied us to bring her to court if necessary. Clearly the gamble is that my company wont go to all the trouble and legal expense of forcing her to honour the terms of her contract. As she said: What are you going to do about it? Im wondering should we take a stand and insist she serves the notice period, if only to deter anyone else from going the same route? Or should we just let her off? A major cross-border dairy co-op has warned that reforms to the UKs inheritance tax (IHT) regime will seriously damage the business model of family farms. Lakeland Dairies, based in Monaghan and has operations north of the Border, raised its concerns during a visit by Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn to its food-service facility in Newtownards, Co Down, last week. The facility manufactures products for 80 global markets. Richard Curran: Paul Coulson can have few complaints as 28-year Ardagh odyssey from Ringsend to Wall Street looks like having a happy ending Andrew Garfield encounters tragedy and triumph in Who Do You Think You Are? Photo: BBC / Wall to Wall Given that Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC One, Tuesday, April 22) has been running for so long this new season is the 21st you have to wonder if some of the celebrities who appear on it have ever actually watched the programme. So many of them are ignorant of their family history, or perhaps feign ignorance for dramatic effect. They appear to be unaware of the DIY genealogy boom the series has caused. Havent they ever felt the urge to clamber up their family tree? To be fair, the first subject of the new run, British-American actor Andrew Garfield, does seem to be genuinely in the dark about his ancestors. In fact, Garfield, still ridiculously youthful-looking at 41, positively radiates sincerity from every pore. Despite a career wreathed with acclaim Golden Globes, Baftas, Tonys, an Olivier, an Emmy and two Oscar nominations the Spider-Man and Hacksaw Ridge star, who lives between California, where he was born, and London, where he grew up, comes across as immensely likeable and unaffected by success. He says he and his brother had a blissfully happy childhood with their American father Richard and English mother Lynne, who is deceased. The father and son relationship brims with obvious warmth and affection. Garfield is Jewish on his fathers side, though apparently not religiously observant (several times he jokingly refers to himself as a bad Jew). He has no knowledge of his family history beyond his grandparents. Richard, who brings along some old family photos for his son to look at, says his own father never really spoke about the familys past. He doesnt know why. Andrew Garfield in 'Hacksaw Ridge' Possible reasons for this reticence become apparent the deeper Garfield is taken into his familys history, which stretches back 100 years and takes in the darkest chapter of the 20th century. Its a story of extremes, of persecution, poverty, misery, and the murder of some of Garfields ancestors in the gas chambers of Treblinka. But there are also tales of triumph and hope, and lives rebuilt beyond the shadow of the Nazis evil. The family was originally called Garfinkiel and they lived in the Polish city of Kielce, where 30pc of the population was Jewish. One of the family, Garfields great-great-grandfather Ludwig, escaped Poland to England in 1909, at the height of the pogroms that killed 3,000 of the citys Jews. He presumably sent money back to the mother and five siblings, all of them sisters, he had to leave behind. Andrew Garfield on 'Who Do You Think You Are?'. Photo: BBC / Wall to Wall The Garfinkiel sisters lived in the poorest quarter of the city. Records from 1930 show two of them and their mother worked punishingly long hours as seamstresses. One escaped to the freedom of America, another to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, where she married a cousin of musician Wadysaw Szpilman, whose story was featured in the film The Pianist. Since the records come to an abrupt halt in 1935, it can be assumed the other sisters died in the death camp. Garfield is overcome by emotion when he ponders not just the brutality of their deaths, but the complete erasure from history of their very existence. Every aspect radiates evil, he says. All that remains of the three women and the thousands of other murdered Jews from Kielce is the memorial stone at the site of the Treblinka camp. The story of Garfields maternal great-grandmother Saras family is a much happier one. Long before the Holocaust, her family, the Kupczyuks, emigrated to Los Angeles, where they Westernised their name to Cooper. This is a sensitive, absorbing return for a series that shows no signs of flagging To his delight, Garfield learns that the first Kupczyuk/Cooper to arrive in the US, his great-great-granduncle Harry, owned the most famous post-war womens fashion store on Wiltshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Harrys glamourous clientele included Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner and Elizabeth Taylor. His grandfathers cousin, Bernard Taper, a respected journalist and author, was one of the Monuments Men, the US Army unit charged with recovering precious artworks that had been looted by the Nazis. Bernard was also asked to interrogate Nazi war criminals. This is a sensitive, absorbing return for a series that shows no signs of flagging after two decades on air. Rescuers say vital minutes are being lost hunting for entrances to farms due to lack of Eircode knowledge Dr Jason van der Velde says friends, family and contractors should all know the Eircode or the farm they are on. Photo: HSE A leading emergency doctor has warned that not knowing the Eircodes of farmland is costing vital minutes when serious accidents happen. Dr Jason van der Velde, pre-hospital emergency medicine specialist and clinical lead with the HSE National Telemedicine Support Unit, said confusion over locations continues to delay emergency crews in farm rescues. They [farmers or contractors] might be able to describe a certain field and know exactly where they are, but if you go to try and translate that to somebody sitting in a control room up in Tallaght, its impossible, he said. Relying on local knowledge can be difficult this is always going to be a problem. The Eircodes have made such a huge difference since they were introduced. Dr Jason van der Velde says friends, family and contractors should all know the Eircode or the farm they are on. Photo: HSE Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 22nd Dr Van der Velde said it is not just farmers who need to know their Eircodes, but anyone working on the land. It may be your farm, but often its not it could be friends, family or contractors. Unless you know the Eircode to the entrance, how are you going to describe to somebody in Tallaght how to get to the place where you are? If youre going to be working someones land for the day, just write it down. Its very easy to find. Even with an Eircode, mistakes still happen, he warned. Just in recent weeks, we had a reliable Eircode and travelled as per Google Maps. But we got there and it wasnt the field the entrance was on the other side of the land. That then becomes difficult because you could be literally driving another 10 minutes, going down another road, another road, another road to get access. About 19pc of injuries are machine accidents and 13pc are livestock, but 71.5pc of deaths occur in the farmyard Farm safety remains a huge concern, with injury and fatality rates in agriculture eight times higher than any other Irish industry. About 19pc of injuries are machine accidents and 13pc are livestock, but 71.5pc of deaths occur in the farmyard, he said. Its not just the farmer getting hurt, its family members. Over 90pc of all injuries are family. Parents over 65 account for 50pc of annual fatalities and children under 17 make up 23pc. Dr Van der Velde is running a farm safety educational tour with West Cork Rapid Response across the Beara Peninsula from May 24 to June 1 Hogget drops 30-50c/kg With Easter over, processors have lost no time in stamping their authority on the Irish sheep business: factory quotes for hogget are back 30-50c/kg, with lamb down 60c/kg, although cull ewes are unchanged. Pontiffs 2018 visit remembered, as well as desire to help heal damage of abuse scandals Br Kevin Crowley and Fr Sean Donohoe, left, greet Pope Francis as he arrives at the Capuchin Day Centre on Bowe Street in Dublin. Pic credit; Damien Eagers A presentation is make to Pope Francis by Br Kevin Crowley (left) and Fr Sean Donohoe, at the Capuchin Day Centre on Bowe Street in Dublin. Photo: Maxwells Pope Francis with President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina during the Papal visit to Aras an Uachtarain. Photo: Gerry Mooney Pope Francis at the closing mass at the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park in Dublin in 2018. Photo: PA via Getty There was an outpouring of tributes from religious and political leaders in Ireland following the death of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli said in a death certificate released last night. The certificate, which was published by the Vatican, said the Pope had fallen into a coma before his death yesterday. Leaders reflected on Franciss legacy, remembered him for his consistent calls for peace and shared fond memories of his visit to Ireland in August 2018. Tributes to the late pontiff were led by church leaders in Ireland, and by President Michael D Higgins, who said Pope Francis brought a unique humility to the papacy. Mr Higgins said that the Pope sought to show in the most striking and moving of ways the extraordinary importance of the spiritual. The President also said Francis lent his voice to the vital issues of our time including hunger and poverty, climate change, the plight of migrants and indigenous people, and the necessity of global peace. During his visit to Ireland, Pope Francis spoke of the scandal of child abuse, including in the church, and its consequences for victims and families, he said. On such matters, and on others such as attitudes towards women and those of the LGBTQ+ community within the church, Pope Francis sought to play a positive role. Pope Francis with President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina during the Papal visit to Aras an Uachtarain. Photo: Gerry Mooney I recall at the end of our meetings he would say as to his work on such issues, it is very difficult, as he asked for and offered prayers. It is important that the steps he took are built upon, as they constitute a source of hope in the years to come. Having met him on five occasions, Mr Higgins said Pope Francis had a warmth to him, and there was an abolition of any distance between himself and those with whom he was engaged. Meanwhile, Archbishop Eamon Martin, the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, paid tribute to all the good work Francis had done. The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland offered his condolences on behalf of the people, religious sisters and brothers, priests and bishops of Ireland. He said he wanted to express sadness and our feelings of affection and loss upon hearing of the death of the Holy Father Pope Francis. In recent days, and since he was admitted to hospital in February, he has been showing immense courage and serenity in the face of frailty and suffering. In this, he has been giving such powerful witness to the dignity of human life and to resilience in the face of suffering which has meant so much, especially to those who are struggling with illness, disability or any other difficulty at this time. Pope Francis often said that the face of God is mercy. In the coming days, we will remember him with thanksgiving and pray that God will have mercy on his soul and reward him for all the good work he has done. The Archbishop of Dublin said Pope Francis had great empathy and sympathy for people who found themselves in harsh and difficult environments. Pope Francis makes his way through College Green in Dublin. Photo: Gerry Mooney Archbishop Dermot Farrell said the Popes death marked a sad day for many, but he thanked God for the work carried out by the pontiff since his election in 2013. He has brought a great energy and vitality to the church right up until yesterday, he told RTEs News at One. From the moment of his election, it was obvious things were going to be very different. He brought both a freshness and radical freedom to do things that his predecessors hadnt. Pope Francis at the closing mass at the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park in Dublin in 2018. Photo: PA via Getty Remembering Pope Francis: 'I think he was a Pope for the people' He had a great humanity. When he was talking to you, he was talking to you. Even though there might be thousands of other people around, he could focus on the individual and he came very much to life when he met people and individuals. Dr Farrell said Pope Francis brought humility and simplicity to the papacy by wearing simple garments, travelling in a simple vehicle and paying his own bills. He joined others in remembering the Pope for apologising during his visit to Ireland for child sexual abuse and other abuses from within the church. He wrote his own introduction when he was at the Phoenix Park, which was the penitential rite. That was the mark of the man, Dr Farrell said. Taoiseach Micheal Martin offered his heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to all mourning the loss of the Pope. He said his papacy was marked by an unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace, and human dignity. Mr Martin said Francis holds a special place in the hearts of Irish people, recalling his visit to Ireland in August 2018, where he was welcomed with a warmth and enthusiasm that spoke volumes about the respect and affection in which he was held by the Irish people. During his visit to Ireland, many will also remember Pope Franciss expression of pain and shame about historic child abuse in the Catholic Church and his outrage about the failure of the church authorities to adequately address these appalling crimes, he added. Mr Martin said Franciss legacy will be his message of peace, reconciliation, and solidarity that lives in the hearts of those he inspired. May he rest in peace, and may his memory continue to guide us as we strive to build a world that reflects his vision of love and compassion for all. Tanaiste Simon Harris also remembered the particular significant 2018 visit, saying it inspired hope and renewal within the church. His emphasis on mercy, healing and reconciliation continues to resonate in our efforts towards addressing the challenges of the past and building a more inclusive future, he said. A presentation is make to Pope Francis by Br Kevin Crowley (left) and Fr Sean Donohoe, at the Capuchin Day Centre on Bowe Street in Dublin. Photo: Maxwells Mr Harris hailed the work Pope Francis carried out to make the Catholic Church more inclusive, promoting reconciliation, unity, and compassion over division. Pope Franciss influence transcended the Vatican, offering moral leadership during times of uncertainty. His teachings on poverty, migration, and refugees remain relevant as we confront global inequality and division, he said. Pope Francis bore his illness with great dignity and courage. As so many people in Ireland and as Christians across the world mourn his loss, we find strength in his message of hope, mercy, and compassion, which will continue to inspire us to build a better world for all. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described Franciss death as a moment of huge loss for Catholics. The death of Pope Francis will also be mourned by those across the globe who respected him as a courageous spiritual leader, a man of strong conviction, who stood up for those most marginalised and vulnerable, she said. He led by seeking to reach out to others in the spirit of humanity. Pope Francis will also be remembered for standing up for peace and justice in the face of global tension, instability and militarism including unjust and illegal wars in Palestine, and Ukraine. Even while he was in hospital, he maintained almost nightly phone calls to a parish in Gaza City and he was resolute in his solidarity with the people of Gaza. INTO president Carmel Browne speaks at the congress flanked by sign-language interpreter Leah Murray. Photo: Ray Ryan Members attending the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) annual congress have called for primary school capitation rates to be revised upwards to the same level of voluntary secondary schools. The INTO meeting in Galway heard that from September, primary schools will receive 224 per pupil towards operational costs for utilities, insurance and resources. They said this amount is not nearly enough to enable primary schools to make ends meet, causing them to rely on parents and other members of the local school community. A statement from the INTO said: The funding shortfall of 162 per pupil compared to voluntary secondary schools places undue financial pressure on primary schools and highlights the need for a dramatic increase in the capitation grant to help schools manage their day-to-day budgets. INTO president Carmel Browne speaks at the congress flanked by sign-language interpreter Leah Murray. Photo: Ray Ryan Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 22nd Teachers called on the INTO to commission a comprehensive financial report to ascertain the true running costs of primary schools and to propose a new model for financing of schools. In her opening address, INTO president Carmel Browne said the current situation is simply not good enough. Before the arrival of Education Minister Helen McEntee at the conference today, delegates heard that school leaders are struggling to pay bills and keep schools going. Many school leaders feel acutely every single day the chronic underfunding of primary education in Ireland and although they work tirelessly to keep schools going, there comes a time when we must say the current system is just not sustainable, Ms Browne told delegates yesterday. She called on Ms McEntee to accept that the administrative burden on school leaders by the Department of Education has to stop. Lets be clear, despite Ireland having one of the lowest levels of investment in primary education in the OECD, we are being asked to deliver a world-class education system on a shoestring budget. Many schools are relying on local fundraising just to cover basic costs like lights and heating. Addressing Ms McEntee directly, she said schools were not looking for luxuries, just essentials. Ms Browne added: One of the most pressing issues we face is the ever-growing demand for vital supports for children with an additional need. Ms McEntee is expected to respond to the issues when she addresses the conference today. Separately, 80pc of veteran teachers believe they could not afford to enter the profession today because of income, contract, cost-of-living and workload issues. The stark finding came in a survey of over 1,000 education professionals by the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) in advance of its annual conference in Co Wexford. TUI president David Waters warned that the findings of the study are alarming for the sector, which has been in crisis over teacher recruitment and retention, burnout among staff due to stress and workload issues, and mounting concern over the impact of senior-cycle changes and the advent of artificial intelligence. The study found that just 26pc of young teachers employed since 2015 received a full-hours contract upon initial appointment. Some 78pc of teachers who entered the profession before 2015 admitted they could not afford to enter the profession today due to income and cost-of-living challenges. A total of 1,038 TUI members were surveyed for the study between March 21 and April 11. Mr Waters warned that the crisis facing the Irish education sector is escalating and needs urgent government action. Last week, a major ASTI study highlighted alarming levels of burnout among school leaders because of excessive workload. The TUI survey echoed the same findings. Some 89pc believe that bureaucratic or administrative workload deflects from their core role of teaching, while 91pc believe that this burden has increased since they began their career, it said. A majority believe that such duties are not of benefit to teaching and learning in their schools. Brazilian mother of five accused of importing 76,000 of cocaine to Ireland Cleoviany Pedrosa (25) passed 96 pellets of drug at hospital after her arrest, court told The accused was taken to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin Andrew Phelan Tue 22 Apr 2025 at 03:30 Prosecutors have been given more time to prepare their case against a woman accused of importing 76,000 of cocaine by ingesting it before flying to Ireland. Gardai have released details of the worst offenders clocked over the course of their roads policing operation that kicked off on Thursday morning A driver caught doing 179kmh in a 60kmh zone in Co Longford was just one of more than 2,800 people caught speeding over the Easter bank holiday weekend. Gardai have released details of the worst offenders clocked over the course of their road policing operation that kicked off on Thursday morning. Other drivers breaking the speed limits included one who was travelling at 165kmh on a 100kmh stretch of the N18 Ballinacurra (Weston), Co Limerick. . Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 22nd Another was detected while driving at 139kmh in a 80kmh zone on R157 Dunboyne, Co Meath, while one driver was spotted breaking the 50kmh speed limit on the R394 Milltown Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath by going at 125kmh. Between 7am on Thursday, April 17 until 7am on Tuesday, April 22, gardai carried out more than 912 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints. More than 4,500 breath tests and 213 oral fluid tests were performed that led to 149 arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Fixed Charge Offences for other road offences over the four days included 22 for mobile phone use, more than 160 unaccompanied learner drivers and 73 for not wearing. Seatbelt. In addition, 109 vehicles were seized from learner permit holders driving unaccompanied while 438 vehicles were seized for having no tax or insurance There were also three fatalities during the same period and 11 serious collisions that resulted in 12 people receiving serious and life-threatening injuries. One young boy died after being struck by a car in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, shortly after 6.30pm on Monday in Farranshock Estate, Mullingar, Co Westmeath. He was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to Mullingar Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. In Co Limerick a man, aged in his 20s, died following a collision between a motorcycle and a car. The incident took place in Ardagh village at the intersection of the R521 and R523. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was removed to University Hospital Limerick where a postmortem will take place. The male driver of the car was brought to University Hospital Kerry for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. And in Dublin, Jason Monks (18) was the young man named as the victim killed in a road incident involving his scrambler bike. Anger ahead of Ministers appearance at conference Carmel Browne, President of the INTO, speaking to delegates in Galway. Photo: Moya Nolan Members attending the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) Annual Congress have called for primary school capitation rates to be revised upwards to the same level of voluntary secondary schools. The INTO meeting in Galway heard that from September, primary schools will receive 224 per pupil towards operational costs for utilities, insurance, and resources. They said this amount is not nearly enough to enable primary schools to make ends meet, causing them to rely on parents and other members of the local school community. A statement from the INTO said: The funding shortfall of 162 per pupil compared to voluntary secondary schools places undue financial pressure on primary schools and highlights the need for a dramatic increase in the capitation grant to help schools manage their day-to-day budgets. Teachers called on the INTO to commission a comprehensive financial report to ascertain the true running costs of primary schools and to propose a new model for financing of schools. In her opening address, INTO President Carmel Browne said the current situation is simply not good enough. Ahead of the arrival Minister for Education Helen McEntee at the conference on Tuesday, delegates heard that school leaders are struggling to pay bills and keep schools going. Many school leaders feel acutely every single day the chronic underfunding of primary education in Ireland and although they work tirelessly to keep schools going, there comes a time when we must say the current system is just not sustainable, Ms Browne told delegates on Monday. Speaking at the opening day of the national conference at the Galmont Hotel in Galway, the INTO President called on the Minister to accept the administrative burden on school leaders by the Department of Education has to stop. Lets be clear, despite Ireland having one of the lowest levels of investment in primary education in the OECD, we are being asked to deliver a world class education system on a shoestring budget. Many schools are relying on local fundraising just to cover basic costs like lights and heating. This is simply not good enough. During my visits to schools across the provinces throughout the year, I have been deeply inspired by the work you do day in day out, it is quite remarkable, particularly in the face of the many challenges we know quite well supersized classes, the teacher supply crisis, limited resources, financial shortfalls and a lack of forward planning by the Departments of Education, North and South. For some time now schools have had to deal with a myriad of burdensome administrative initiatives from multiple sections in the Department of Education, who just love sending correspondence to schools. But now there is also a myriad of Ministers who at the stroke of a pen or sending of an email can fundamentally impact on our daily lives in schools I have no doubt as teachers and school leaders our flexibility is at breaking point - we collectively ask where and when does it all stop? Im calling time on initiative overload. Its time to let us teach, Into President Browne said. As we continue to use our collective voice to advocate for change and adequate funding that is essential, necessary and long overdue, today I call on the Minister to listen to our realities and to understand the pressures school leaders are under due to inability to pay an electricity bill, . Addressing Education Minister McEntee directly she said schools were not looking for luxuries, just essentials. We need sufficient, regular funding, paid with clarity of timing, that reflects the costs of running and maintaining a school not the paltry amount being paid in capitation currently. INTO President Browne added: One of the most pressing issues we face is the ever growing demand for vital supports for children with an additional need. She said currently schools are hindered at every turn due to insufficient psychologists, SENOs, support staff counsellors, therapists, therapeutic supports and resources. Addressing recent comments by Minister McEntee who stated the current system is not working and not serving anyone, Ms Browne said the latest data shows 14,221 assessments of need are overdue for completion. I could say we told you so, Minister, Ms Browne said. It is no longer acceptable that school communities are hung out to dry by an appalling lack of planning, foresight and investment. There is an urgent need to eliminate the current barriers facing far too many Irish children across society, who simply arent getting all the supports they need to thrive. Minister McEntee is expected to respond to the issues raised, when she addresses the conference on Tuesday. A motion calling for secondary school teachers to have their years working in non-EU private schools recognised when they return home has been carried at the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI). However, the proposal also sparked debate among delegates. Teacher Darragh Fitzpatrick, from Dublin, spoke against the motion, saying teachers who travel to the likes of Dubai are better paid, have health insurance, expenses and flights covered. He said the union represents teachers who are based in Ireland and urged delegates to respect teachers who contribute to their own country. Mr Fitzpatrick warned that the introduction of incremental credits for secondary school teachers who worked in private schools outside the EU will result in more teachers leaving. As a union, we need to ask why are members leaving to work at these schools abroad, he told the TUIs annual conference. They need to save for a deposit, avoid extortionate rents and as a union we need to work to address these issues. If we were to successfully negotiate this wed have a situation where more members are leaving. Stock image (Danny Lawson/PA) Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 22nd "We need to focus on members who are here, rather than enticing teachers who have been here in the past. A union that represents public servants should not be lobbyists for private education. Teacher Helen Johnston, from Co Longford, proposed the motion. She said she worked in Asia as a teacher for 10 years and did not have her years recognised when she came home. This is deemed irrelevant experience in our multicultural classrooms, she said. Teachers deserve incremental credit when they return to Ireland. The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) recognises this for primary school teachers. Recognising this experience is a matter of fairness and enables educational exercise. Learning and teaching are global. Our profession is global. Let's respect our brave teachers who travel abroad and bring back cultural knowledge and experience. Ms Johnston said she travelled abroad because she didnt have other options at the time. It was mentioned earlier how brave the teachers are who stay in their parents' box bedrooms and put up with poor contracts, she said. "What about the students who go abroad, who brave different cultures, different languages, different dress because they dont have a parents box bedroom to stay in - and that was my situation when I went abroad. Teacher Michael Lyons said that some members of the TUI have returned from working abroad and should be treated fairly. The majority of delegates voted to pass the motion, while a small number voted against. Earlier, TUI general secretary Michael Gillespie, who was addressing the opening day of the unions annual congress at Whites of Wexford, said that other countries are offering better pay, conditions - and even better weather, while teachers here are facing job insecurity, excessive workload and low pay. They [teachers working abroad] are not abandoning Ireland - Ireland is abandoning them, he said. He called for incremental credits to be introduced in a bid to encourage teachers to come home to help alleviate the recruitment and retention crisis. Pope Francis is greeted by clergy and representatives from Ireland West Airport as he arrives in Knock in County Mayo, as part of his visit to Ireland. (Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images) Pope Francis lights a candle at Knock Shrine, in County Mayo on August 26, 2018, during his visit to Ireland to attend the 2018 World Meeting of Families. Photo: CIRO FUSCO/AFP via Getty Images The death of Pope Francis sparked both sadness and appreciation for the rich legacy he imprinted on those who visited Knock Shrine to pay their respects. Friends Geraldine Gallagher, from Sligo and Teresa Mallee, from Mayo, came together to light a candle and say a prayer. Ms Mallee, from Kiltimagh and Ms Gallagher were among hundreds of pilgrims who flocked to Knock Shrine to honour the late pontiff following his death. Ms Mallee has fond memories of the wet day in August 2018 when Pope Francis himself visited the International Marian Shrine at Knock. When he came to Knock I had the joy of meeting him. It was lovely. I have always liked to come to Knock regularly to walk around and say a prayer. I have really good memories of that day he came, she says with a smile. It was a very important day for Knock, I feel. My friend Geraldine was visiting me from Sligo today and when we heard Pope Francis had passed we wanted to come and pay our respects. And I am so glad we did. Geraldine Gallagher and Teresa Mallee in Knock on Monday, April 21. Ms Gallagher smiles as she describes Pope Francis as a unifying figure and says she felt compelled to honour him by visiting Knock. We said we would come to Knock because we wanted to light a candle and say a prayer. I wasnt here when he visited sadly, she said. He was a very modern pope, I felt. And he oozed that lovely aura of care and compassion. He touched people on all levels of life. He was very open in his way of thinking, more so than any other pope and there was great [unifying] potential with him I found, for all different walks of life, like LGBTQ+ and everybody really. Everybody was welcome within his Catholic Church, which felt very new and it was very welcome. And it was needed. I hope the next pope has the same attitude and the same openness and offers the same encouragement to people to come back to the church that says everybody is welcome, she added. Fr Richard Gibbons, parish priest and rector of Knock, lobbied Rome and his Vatican contacts for a papal visit to Knock and in 2018, his prayers and hard work were rewarded. On hearing of Pope Franciss death, he felt a mixture of sadness but appreciation for the gift of a wonderful legacy. I felt sad. Like everybody else, I was taken aback and shocked at the suddenness of the death itself, he said. Pope Francis is greeted by clergy and representatives from Ireland West Airport as he arrives in Knock in County Mayo, as part of his visit to Ireland. (Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images) You think then about the legacy of Pope Francis and his visit here at Knock Shrine, it was such a wonderful, welcoming occasion and a joyous and happy one. So, all of those memories flood back. Naturally, we were absolutely delighted when we found out he was going to come to Knock in 2018. When he arrived he seemed to be in fantastic form, he was so happy to be there. The weather wasnt great, but he lifted the spirits of everybody. There was a very significant moment when he came into the apparition chapel and took a moment of silence. A bell was rung for that moment and the quietness of 45,000 people was incredible not a word, nothing. It was a very special moment of prayerful silence. He met my mother then in the apparition chapel. She wasnt very well herself then and you could see the very special connection with people who were elderly, sick or incapacitated. He asked me how long my mother had been unwell and said she was very young to be in that state, Fr Gibbons said. And of course he elevated our shrine to international status in 2021 and we were extremely proud and very happy about that. He added: Some people when they do visit Knock, think they have to be a 100pc card-carrying Catholic and you dont. Every Catholic is up and down and in and out with their faith. And to have a place, like Knock, that puts them at ease and then you let God do the work, Fr Gibbons said. The legacy of the visit established Knock as our national shrine and it is an important focus of prayer for Catholics and non-Catholics and all who visit here and his visit acknowledged that. It is a sad day, but it was a wonderful life. And he gifted a wonderful legacy to the church in terms of the process of synodality that he initiated in the life of the church which never happened before a worldwide consultation that never happened before. It was wonderful. And that aspect of mercy he kept referencing. It followed his theme and his life. Fr Gibbons said Francis meeting clerical abuse survivors during his visit was powerful for them Young man denies teacher 'groomed him as Leaving Cert student, but says they had sex in hotel after exams were over Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy said it was important to return as many bed as possible to the tourism sector. Photo: Tom Burke More than 12,000 beds used for Ukrainian emergency accommodation were returned to the tourism sector in 2024. The new figures come as the responsibility for the Ukrainian response is to move from the Department of Children and Integration to the Department of Justice. As part of government formation and the appointment of a new Cabinet, Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy was appointed junior minister with responsibility for migration. The change was brought to the Cabinet on April 8, and the move will come into force on May 1. Since the outbreak of the war with Russia, 112,189 Ukrainians have sought temporary protection in Ireland, according to Central Statistics Office figures in February. Almost 25,000 Ukrainians were in state-supported short-term accommodation as of April 6. A further 23,700 were in longer-term accommodation, including pledged and offer-a-home accommodation. It is important to see as many beds as possible put back into the economy ahead of the tourism season According to the department, 424 Ukraine contracts accounting for about 15,000 beds were ended last year. Of those, it is believed that more than 12,000 are now available to the tourism economy, having previously been commercial accommodation including hotels, B&Bs and hostels. Mr Brophy welcomed the announcement, saying he expected thousands more to follow in the coming months. It is important to see as many beds as possible put back into the economy ahead of the tourism season this summer, he said. As of January, the department had 720 contracts for properties, which provided temporary accommodation to more than 28,600 people. While wanting to ensure that disruptions to Ukrainian school-goers who are facing into Leaving and Junior Certificate exams are minimised, we must enable the maximum amount of accommodation which can be returned, is returned, Mr Brophy said. By doing this, we not only ensure that hotels, guest houses and B&Bs can reopen for tourism, but also student accommodation which is used for summer camps and language schools are also freed up. This also represents a saving for the State by ending contracts which are not being fully utilised at the moment. The final cost of state-provided accommodation for Ukrainians in 2024 is yet to be released but the figure reached 1.1bn in 2023. According to a ministerial briefing document from the Department of Integration, officials said there had been a decrease in arrivals from Ukraine in recent months. This has meant there has been a decrease in numbers requesting accommodation from the State, while more Ukrainians are choosing to move out of state-supported accommodation. A priest who helped organise the Pope Franciss historic visit to Ireland has recalled watching the pontiff compose his personal apology to victims of church abuse. Father Tim Bartlett said he did not know what the Pope was writing after he asked for some paper while onboard a flight to the Knock shrine in the west of Ireland. The Belfast-based cleric said hours later the pontiff would produce the same piece of paper as he addressed tens of thousands of people at an open air mass in Dublins Phoenix Park and read out his plea for forgiveness. Education Minister Helen McEntee with INTO president Carmel Browne and INTO general secretary John Boyle at the union's annual congress in Galway. Photo: Ray Ryan 22-4-2025: Teachers vote in favour of the emergency motion on senior cycle changes at the ASTI annual conference in the Gleneagle INEC Killarney on Tuesday. Photo: Don MacMonagle The Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) has sanctioned a ballot for industrial action if intensive talks with the Government fail to hammer out an agreement on Senior Cycle changes. The emergency joint motion was brought before the ASTIs annual conference in Co Kerry and will see a similar motion brought before the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) conference in Co Wexford today. If talks over reforms fail to resolve union concerns, the Government faces the threat of industrial action by all second-level teacher unions from September. Both secondary school teacher unions are adopting a unified approach to the controversial Senior Cycle changes which Education Minister Helen McEntee has refused to postpone. ASTI general secretary Kieran Christie said the emergency motion was brought after the Department of Education refused to agree to a one-year postponement of the new Senior Cycle changes to allow adequate time for preparation, staff training and resources reviews. Mr Christie said the refusal to sanction the 12-month delay generated dismay and disappointment. Intensive talks between the ASTI, TUI and the department have resumed this month to try to reach agreement before the Senior Cycle changes come into force in September for the 2025/26 academic year. The talks are not stuck, but the department will have to dramatically up its game, Mr Christie said. There are significant issues unresolved. Mr Christie stressed to delegates that, along with the teacher recruitment crisis, the proposed Senior Cycle changes are the key priority for the union. Teacher unions are seeking department guarantees on staff training, class resources, teacher indemnities, time audits, IT facilities, syllabus details, revision work and subject-development data collection. There is also major concern over the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for the new Senior Cycle. The joint approach between the ASTI and TUI was agreed to present the department with a united front and to exert maximum pressure to ensure teacher concerns over the senior cycle changes are addressed. Under the emergency motion, the ASTI set out four major priorities adequate time and resources for senior cycle planning and delivery, comprehensive support for affected teachers, staffing and timetable concerns to be addressed and infrastructure and assessment support to be resolved. The motion overwhelmingly backed a ballot for industrial action if the department fails to tackle concerns. Convention instructs that, in the event that these intensive talks fail to deliver an acceptable outcome that can be put to ballot, the ASTI, in conjunction with the TUI [where possible] will utilise all mechanisms available to the union, up to and including a ballot for industrial action, to defend professional standards and protect student outcomes. Padraig Curley of the Donegal ASTI branch said the motion and joint approach with the TUI was very important. It strengthens our hand in future negotiations, he said. 22-4-2025: Teachers vote in favour of the emergency motion on senior cycle changes at the ASTI annual conference in the Gleneagle INEC Killarney on Tuesday. Photo: Don MacMonagle Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 22nd The motion was seconded by Padraig Murphy. Seamus Keane of Fingal ASTI branch said it was outrageous that the department had refused well-grounded union appeals for the Senior Cycle changes to be paused for 12 months. Lily Cronin of Kerry ASTI branch said the lack of facilities and resources for science teachers, in particular, was nothing new. There are huge concerns... it is an insult, the way that ASTI concerns have been treated, she said. She added that teachers also have major concerns over AI. John Kenneally of Clare ASTI branch said it was vital that both the ASTI and TUI maintain a unified approach for maximum negotiating strength. We need the TUI with us, he said. However, Sinead Murphy warned it was unbelievable that teachers could be expected to operate a new curriculum from September when its introduction was still under intensive discussion between the department and teacher unions. Christopher Davies of Sligo ASTI branch said that while unity with the TUI was important, ASTI branch democracy was also vitally important. He said strong action against the proposed senior cycle changes should have been taken months ago. We need to go into the talks with industrial action [ballot] in our back pocket, he said. Mr Davies warned that the union cannot afford to kick the can down the road over such critical issues. Mark Walsh of Dublin North East ASTI branch opposed the motion while backing the joint stance with the TUI. He said the unified approach with the TUI would prevent the department from adopting a divide-and-conquer policy over the senior cycle negotiations. *This article was updated on April 22, 2025, to correct the spelling of Seamus Keanes name The Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder cold-case review is going well, according to the senior officer in charge. Detective Inspector Des McTiernan told a new garda podcast: I would say we are being extremely comprehensive. A report is expected by the three-year anniversary of its beginning in June. However, gardai declined to say how much the cold-case review has cost to date, or to list the countries visited by officers thought to run to double figures. Det Insp McTiernan stressed the close liaison between An Garda Siochana and the FBI, to whom clothes and exhibits were sent for further analysis. From a forensic perspective, were trying to develop it more, because there are now advancements out there on the worldwide scale, he said on the podcast available on the garda website. We dont just confine ourselves to Ireland and our ability and capacity here. We have gone abroad, and weve done that before. We have close links to the FBI, and thats working quite well. Forensics is advancing all the time. Phone analysis is advancing all the time. Phone extractions going back two, three years could be totally different to what you get now, and you have to be very aware of that. So the technical sides of investigations and cold cases are also an opportunity for us. Det Insp McTiernan describes the 1996 killing of the French film-maker and mother of one at her holiday cottage at Toormore, west Cork, as a very sad case, and its obviously a high-profile case. The investigation into that is still very much alive and well, and thats thanks to Eamon Brady, detective inspector in west Cork, who is continuing the ongoing investigation, running parallel to our [cold case] review . Were trying to develop new leads. I would say its going well. I would say we are being extremely comprehensive. Our witnesses are extremely helpful and very supportive in the course of the investigation, because people want to help. They want to get to the bottom of what actually happened to Sophie. The force has refused to say how many new interviews or re-interviews it has carried out, telling the Irish Independent: An Garda Siochana makes operational decisions on the release of information in respect of any investigation on a case-by-case basis. An Garda Siochana is not providing any further information on the investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier at this time. Det Insp McTiernan praised the work of French investigators that led to the murder conviction of English poet Ian Bailey in absentia in 2019. But investigators here still had an open mind, he said. He tells journalist Patrice Harrington on the podcast: If I was to focus on a particular individual, because everybody says that he has done it, I wouldnt be doing the family, the suspect, or potentially other suspects, or the public in general, any favours. In a serious crime review, by its nature, we have to have an open mind, and we have to be independent and impartial. Thats the key to it. The Garda Serious Crime Review Team review into the murder began in June 2022. Gardai continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact the investigation team at Bantry garda station or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Ive seen seriously impressive properties, but nothing as awe-inspiring as this the Donegal dream home you can rent for 2,500 a night Travel writer Nicola Brady explains why Inver House is one of our Fab 50 best places to stay in Ireland in 2025 Jill Appleyard of Inver House. Photo: Lorcan Doherty Nicola Brady Tue 22 Apr 2025 at 03:30 As a travel writer, Ive been lucky enough to see some seriously impressive properties all around Ireland, but Ive never been anywhere as awe-inspiring as Inver House. The 155mm Bohdana has a 40km range, and its production is described as a win-win by a European official. Photo: Oksana Parafeniuk/Washington Post hundreds of kilometres from the front lines, deep in the forested wilderness of Ukraine, the massive green howitzer swung around its long barrel and fired, the boom echoing through snowy mountains and sleepy villages as a distant ridgeline erupted in a thunderhead of black smoke. Success a sign that the Ukrainian-made, self-propelled howitzer was properly built. A few more tests would confirm it, then the artillery piece would return to the factory for final tweaks and fresh paint. Soon, it would ship out to the front, a key feature of Ukraines scramble to bulk up its weapons systems ahead of any potential aid cuts from Washington. Production of the Bohdana Ukrainian for God-given has surged in the course of the war against Russia, soaring from just six per month in 2023 to more than 20 in 2025 as part of a partnership with Ukraines European allies that may well represent the future of the countrys arms industry. On April 8, Europe announced a fresh disbursement of 1bn from the windfall profits of frozen Russian assets for building more howitzers. It is the largest sum earmarked specifically for Ukrainian artillery production thus far part of more than 20bn to be disbursed by Europe for the countrys defence sector over the next year in place of just sending weapons. First, its cheaper, said Katarina Mathernova, the EU ambassador to Ukraine. Second, its faster. Third, you cut away transport and logistics expenses and time. Fourth, it helps the economy grow. As Biden-era stocks dwindle, doubts have festered about whether Europe can fully compensate for a possible halt to American aid, particularly for key capabilities such as air defences. A European official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share internal deliberations, said more countries were eyeing the model of pouring money into Ukraines defence industry instead of dispatching weapons, offering a faster route as Europes own supplies run dry after years of funnelling weapons to Kyiv. The strategy also allows Nato countries to use Ukraine as a testing ground for developing weapons, such as drones, in which they dont have as much experience, the official said. The 155mm Bohdana, with its impressive 40km range, is the first Ukrainian-made Nato-calibre howitzer and could help guarantee the countrys security. Its a win-win, the European official added. Its cheaper for us. They need to produce. And the Ukrainians are teaching us a lot. While the battles of drones have increasingly characterised the front lines of the war, artillery remains a key part of the conflict. During the early years of the war when Russia massively outgunned Ukraine, the United States other countries rushed howitzers to the front line to stave off the Russian advance. Ukraines soldiers are now adept at operating the artillery, which it can produce itself without relying on other countries. Compared with drones, the howitzers can more effectively suppress trench operations, stop assaults and kill opponents. The Washington Post was allowed a rare visit to see the testing of the Bohdanas, both towed and self-propelled an operation so sensitive that The Post agreed not to disclose the exact location of the training facility in western Ukraine. Miles down a dirt road, the brisk mountain air cracked with the pop-pop-pop of distant gunfire as a half-dozen soldiers in balaclavas slotted the next round of ammunition into the Bohdana. Nearby, artillery shells and beige tubes of propellant charge were mounded atop a tarp, some stamped with US Army Picatinny Arsenal the name of the New Jersey facility that manufactures much of Americas weaponry and ammunition. The soldiers stepped back and yelled Cannon! Noise-cancelling headphones clamped over their ears, they opened their mouths in anticipation of the blast. In a flash of orange, the Bohdana fired again, pummelling the mountainside, now scraped bare of trees and scarred by past hits. The barrel smoked. The testing of the first Bohdana complete, a second was manoeuvred into position. Arsen Zhumadilov the director of the defence ministrys defence procurement agency watched, noting that Ukraine had made huge strides in manufacturing Nato-calibre weaponry since Russia invaded in 2022, thanks to joint efforts between the government and private arms manufacturers. While it hasnt been enough for Ukraine to win the war, the increase in production has helped the country become more self-sufficient. More than 85pc of the parts needed for the Bohdana are made in Ukraine a figure thats expected to increase to 95pc by the end of the year. At the training facility, a final blast from the Bohdana shook the ice off the roof of a nearby building. A cloud of dust and earth again billowed off the mountain. If you want to live in peace, you have to be ready for war, said Vitalii Zagudaiev, chief executive of KZTS, which builds Bohdanas. The tests finished for the second self-propelled howitzer, a soldier who specialised in the artillerys computer programming walked up the hillside, a plastic grocery bag slung over one arm. As was tradition, she reached inside, handing out two jelly sweets to each onlooker a bit of sweetness for each success. The idea that the Vatican has God on speed-dial was one of the first things tossed off the balcony in St Peters Square by Jorge Mario Bergoglio after he was elected pontiff. He told the world he wished to be known as Pope Francis. His trademark humility was genuine, and did much to strip away perceptions of an aloof Holy Roman Empire. He immediately discarded the showy red velvet slippers and ornate vestments, preferring to wear plain white. Having once worked as a doorman at a tango club in Buenos Aires, his affinity was to ordinary people in lifes travails. As a global leader he had a direct line to the worlds powerful, but even on his sick bed, it was the most vulnerable whom he most wished to be in touch with. He would contact the parish priest of Gaza nightly at 8pm to tell him his parishioners were in his prayers. In his introduction to the world on March 13, 2013, he explained how he took his name: Thinking of the poor, I thought of Francis of Assisi. Then I thought of all the wars, as the votes were still being counted, till the end. Francis is also the man of peace... He had little time for the elite, once describing unbridled capitalism as the dung of the devil. Having become the first South American, and also first Jesuit, to be head of the Catholic Church, many hoped Francis would also have a transformational papacy, and drag an arcane and remote Catholic Church into the 21st century. The Indo Daily Extra: Pope Francis death - his trip to Ireland, legacy and what happens next? Perhaps people were either overestimating his abilities, or underestimating the overwhelming conservative forces ranged against him. He did not champion the cause of women to be ordained, as many also hoped. Yet he did set a quiet revolution of inclusivity in motion. Who am I to judge? he answered, responding to a question about a purportedly gay priest. Francis also set a tone for a papacy that was more welcoming to LGBTQ+ Catholics. He continually fought exclusion and warned: I want to remind priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber, but rather an encounter with the Lords mercy. His determination to get his message of love and compassion out shone through to the end. On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis chose to ignore the advice of his doctors and greet the faithful. And though a constant critic of the Trump administration, he went ahead with a meeting with US vice-president JD Vance. After Sundays meeting, when his last public address was read, he appealed to all in power not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others. He pleaded with them to take up the weapons of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death. And seldom, if ever, has such a message needed to be heard. The Cork attraction has been open to tourists for just over a decade A Cork tourist attraction has been listed among Irelands most underrated to visit this year. A new report from SumUp, known best for their contactless payment terminals that flooded mobile coffee shops during the pandemic, has revealed Irelands most underrated tourist hotspots. The study considered a number of factors, including number of reviews, tourist traffic, and the cost of public transport. Rated first on the list is Dublins 14 Henrietta Street museum, with Skellig Michael in Kerry and the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal also placing within the top three. However, Spike Island, across the water from Cobh, has earned itself a respectable eighth position in the rankings, scoring 84.85 points out of 100 on the index. Spike Island has a long and storied history. Known best as the site of a prison for many decades, the first settlement dates back to a monastery built in the 7th century, while the largest convict depot in the world during Victorian times was also situated on the small island in the middle of the harbour. Spike Island had previously held a Defence Forces barracks before the prison, with families of army members forming their own community on the island, that had a small primary school and a number of houses, still intact from its army days. The island served as a prison as recently as 2004, with its most infamous moment coming when prisoners rioted in 1984, causing destruction and damage to the prison and some of its historic property. In 2010 it was handed over to Cork County Council, who put significant work into updating the site into a tourist centre, which opened in 2016, and serves as the perfect day trip on the Cork-Cobh train, as boats bring visitors over and back from the nearby town several times a day. Spike has a number of walking trails that go around the island, as well as a museum on the main Fort Mitchell, and a schedule of ever-changing exhibitions that keep every visit fresh. We created this ranking to spotlight some of Irelands hidden gemsplaces that are often overlooked in favour of the usual tourist spots like Dublin Castle or Guinness Storehouse, said Corin Camenisch, Marketing and Growth Leader at SumUp. By highlighting these underrated hotspots, were hoping to show people spots they might not know about and spread the benefits of local tourism. With TikTokers and influencers constantly sharing cool, off-the-beaten-path places, more and more people are eager to discover unique destinations, and we think that's a great way to help local economies thrive. By bringing attention to these lesser-known landmarks, we hope to not only provide visitors with new and enriching experiences but also support small businesses that may not have the same visibility as those placed in larger, well-known, tourist attractions. These hidden gems often rely on tourism to sustain their operations, and by shining a light on them, were hoping to ensure that local businesses can benefit from a steady flow of visitors, which is crucial for their growth and long-term success. Sunflower Fun Day is organised by Together For Hospice, and funds raised will contribute to the work of Irelands 24 local hospices and specialist palliative home care services. Maeve Dennehy from Love Cherish with cousins Liz Hourihan and Roisin O'Connell students of 1st class Ballinora NS Picture: Gerard McCarthy Maeve Dennehy from Love Cherish with cousins Liz Hourihan and Roisin O'Connell students of 1st class Ballinora NS photographed at the launch of Sunflower Fun Day at Marymount Hospice Picture: Gerard McCarthy Schools, pre-schools creches and Montessoris across Cork are urged to host a Hospice Sunflower Fun Day in support of Marymount University Hospital and Hospice this June. Over 40 first-class pupils from Ballinora National School launched this years Hospice Sunflower Fun Day with a special photocall with local businesswoman and avid hospice supporter Maeve Dennehy, the owner of Love Cherish. Ms Dennehy has raised over 100,000 for Marymount University Hospital and Hospice as she has a strong personal connection to the facility as both her mother and her sister received Marymounts care. "I am delighted to be involved in encouraging others to support Sunflower Day, Ms Dennehy said. Both my sister and my Mum were in palliative care in Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, and they were treated with kindness, respect and dignity by the amazing team there. My family will be forever grateful for the time Marymount gave us with them, Ms Dennehy added. Sunflower Fun Day is organised by Together For Hospice, and funds raised will contribute to the work of Irelands 24 local hospices and specialist palliative home care services. Children are encouraged to wear something yellow, and families are invited to make a 2 donation or whatever they can afford. Every euro raised locally stays local and, in Cork, all proceeds will directly support Marymount University Hospital & Hospice. Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Enid Conway said the initiative brings a lot of fun and joy to Montessori schools, pre-schools, creches, and primary schools across Ireland. It is a day we all look forward to, with bright bursts of yellow and creativity. The funds raised are put to incredible use at Marymount. It is remarkable to see community come together to support this vital resource and have lots of fun while doing so. Marymount needs to raise approximately 3 million annually to support its services, which includes: - A 44-bed in-patient unit - Day hospice services - Out-patient support - Community-based care - Bereavement and family support services - Long-term and respite care for older people While this joyful day is all about having fun, its also a powerful way for communities to give back and honour the essential work of hospice care teams. For more information or to register your school or centre, visit: www.sunflowerdays.ie and choose a date for your fundraiser. A Sunflower Fun Day Pack will be distributed, which includes sunflower seeds for planting, colouring pages, and creative ideas to make the day memorable. Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne is against the proposed arcade. Photo: Frank McGrath. Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe has started a petition against the gaming arcade in Finglas. Photo: Frank McGrath A Dublin TD has set up a petition against a proposed gaming arcade which would replace a former bike shop and furniture store in Finglas. The planning application for the ground floor of 44 Main Street, Finglas, was lodged with Dublin City Council on February 13. The proposed development reads: Change of use of the ground floor from commercial unit to gaming/amusement arcade with ancillary site works. Paul McAuliffe, Fianna Fail TD for Dublin North West, has been working with Finglas Tidy Towns, other local organisations, local businesses and residents who are leading the opposition to a proposed gaming arcade. According to Mr McAuliffe, formal objections have already been lodged to Dublin City Council, but were unsuccessful, with an appeal now being submitted to An Bord Pleanala. This development is not in line with the communitys vision for Finglas, Mr McAuliffe said. We want a main street that supports families, local businesses, and a safer, more vibrant village not one shaped by gambling and anti-social behaviour. The arcade does not align with the Dublin City Development Plans focus on sustainable, community-led regeneration It risks damaging the character of the village and setting a harmful precedent. Its too close to schools and youth services and could increase late-night disturbances. Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne is against the proposed arcade. Photo: Frank McGrath. Finglas deserves better. An Bord Pleanala can help protect our village by rejecting this proposal. Formal appeals can only be lodged by those who originally objected, and it is expensive. But this petition will be cited in the appeal being lodged your voice can help show how strongly felt our objections are, he added. Rory Hearne, Social Democrats TD for Dublin North West, also spoke out on the proposal. Unfortunately, Dublin City Council has granted planning permission for a gaming/amusement arcade in Finglas village, despite objections from myself and others on behalf of Finglas residents. A lot of local people, including Finglas Tidy Towns, have been on to me today very concerned about this. As has been pointed out by the Finglas Cabra Drug and Alcohol Task Force an organisation that does great work in providing support for families of people with gambling-related issues a gaming/amusement arcade will normalise gambling, particularly for younger people. A development like this is in direct conflict with the Dublin City Development Plan which prohibits amusement centres in residential areas. Finglas Village already has five bookmaking shops, is this really a development that residents need? There are serious concerns among residents that the development of a gambling-related business such as the one proposed could result in increased anti-social behaviour. There are many services near the proposed development which cater to the needs for vulnerable people. Finglas Village would be much better served by developments such as youth and community spaces, cultural spaces, restaurants and shops, which serve and enrich the community. We will continue to work on stopping this. Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanala have been contacted for further comment. Rian O Marta has spent over 150 days in Crumlin Children's Hospital since his birth in October 2024. Photo: GoFundMe Donations are flooding in to support a young Galway family whose baby is suffering from a rare life-threatening condition. Rian O Marta was born in October 2024 and has been forced to spend over 150 days in Crumlin Childrens Hospital in Dublin, battling a condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). The condition causes the babys abdominal organs to move into the chest, preventing the lungs from developing properly and causing breathing difficulties and further complications after birth. Launched on April 22, the fundraiser has already raised over 30,000 to support Rians parents, Siobhan and Joe, and ease the financial strain as they balance staying in Dublin with caring for their three-year old daughter in Galway. According to the GoFundMe page, the condition was first discovered during a 20-week scan, with Rian given a low chance of survival without intervention. His parents travelled to Belgium to undergo a specialised in-utero procedure, which ultimately proved to be a success. Now, with a fighting chance at survival, something once described as almost impossible, Rians journey to full health is far from over as he continues to face challenges related to his condition. In a message on the donation page, the fundraising organisers, Micheal O Dubhain and Barbara Kilmartin explain the purpose of the vital funds for Rians family. While staying in Dublin to be close to their baby boy, Siobhan and Joe have also had to manage being apart from their three-year-old daughter, Saoirse, who is being lovingly cared for by family back home in Galway. This long and emotional road has brought with it a huge financial strain - including travel, accommodation, time off work, and daily living costs. We are asking for your help to ease that burden, so Siobhan and Joe can focus fully on what matters most: being there for Rian as he continues to fight. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a real difference to this family. Please consider supporting them if you can and help spread the word by sharing this campaign. You can donate via the Help Baby Rian O Marta Fight CDH GoFundMe page or by clicking here. Noel Lanes play Con Careys Apostles will run at the Ceolann Cultural Centre in Lixnaw from Thursday May 1 to Saturday, May 3 Noel Lane, who is the author of 'Con Carey's Apostles' and will act in the upcoming showings of the play in Lixnaw. A Kerry mans very first play will recall how 12 Brosna neighbours came together to exhume the body of their friend Con Carey to correct a social injustice. Noel Lane, writer of the upcoming Con Careys Apostles, told The Kerryman that his play will tell a story which has been with him for all his life. Con Carey, a Brosna bachelor who worked as a farm labourer and lived on the same road as Noel, was buried hastily after his death in April 1978, and locals believed that his body had not been properly prepared beforehand. To put this right, the day after the burial 11 men and one woman, who would be branded the Twelve Apostles, set out for their neighbours grave. There, they dug out Con Carey in broad daylight and washed, dressed and reburied his body and prayed for their old friend. A Garda investigation followed and the incident briefly became a national story, but Brosna stayed silent and none of the Twelve Apostles were publicly identified. [Con] always predicted hed make the front pages of the papers when hed die, Noel said. This would be the banter and the craic going on in the pub, that hed be carried into the village shoulder high. And like that, he died at the bottom of the village. The hall where he was waked is just a third of a way up the village. So he was walked from the hall into the church on shoulder high. And then because he was dug up and so on, it did make all the papers. Noel said his old neighbour was buried unwashed in the dirty clothes and wellingtons he died in, without any medical examination taking place, while the authorities showed no concern. Con Careys reburial was done out of compassion and friendship for someone who was well-liked. Con was a character, very funny and very witty and very sharp in that he could answer anyone with a one-liner, Noel said. He might have been a farm labourer but he had brains. Ive heard so much about him recently. Con could go into a song that would be 20 verses and he wouldnt drop a word. It wouldnt make a difference to him whether drunk or sober. Though Noel had never been involved in creating drama before, he had always thought that the story of Con Careys reburial would make a great play. The Brosna man felt that Mairead Heffernans 2014 RTE documentary on the incident opened up the opportunity for him to write his play. Id never written one before so I started writing down bits and putting a page together here and there and gathering various quotes and bits and pieces, Noel explained. Over a period of time, like a jigsaw, it started coming together. The cast of 'Con Carey's Apostles' by Noel Lane. Noel is excited to bring his work into the public realm in association with Memory Lane Theatre. Theres comedy in it but you have these moving or poignant scenes. You are dealing with Cons death, you are dealing with his wake and you are dealing with the prising open of the coffin again, Noel said. Its a play where Id expect people would cry at it and laugh at it. Noel will also try his hand at acting for the first time in the play, as he is set to play the part of one of those involved in the reburial of Con Carey. The show will feature a cast of 13 and be directed by Padraig Dennehy. Brosna residents are looking forward to seeing Noels play brought to life on stage. There has been great local reaction around here, people are very enthusiastic about it and delighted that the story is being told again, Noel said. Con Careys Apostles will run at the Ceolann Cultural Centre in Lixnaw at 8pm from Thursday May 1 to Saturday, May 3. Tickets for the play cost 15 and can be booked by contacting Kathleen at 087-6289635. All proceeds will go to the Palliative Care Unit at University Hospital Kerry in memory of Pat Joe Dennehy. The play will also be staged at Knocknagoshel Community Centre on Thursday, May 8 and Saturday, May 11. Tickets can be booked by contacting Mairead at 087-7050670. Kerry parents face roadblocks and untold stress in efforts to provide care for their children with rare diseases One mother has urged preschools to not turn away children with complex needs without first taking the time to learn about them Brian Morrissey and Anna Walsh with daughters Connie and Roisin, who has Angelman Syndrome. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan Jack Joy Kerryman Tue 22 Apr 2025 at 09:00 Kerry parents have spoken of some of the challenges they have faced in ensuring their children with complex needs get the care and attention they deserve. Shannon Elumelu Oba from Tralee pictured with her mom Theresa at the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The pair are on holiday in the city for Theresa's 50th birthday. A photo of the late Pope Francis that was taken by Tralee woman Shannon Elumelu Oba on her and her mother's visit to the Vatican on Easter Sunday. INSET: Shannon Elumelu Oba from Tralee pictured with her mom Theresa in Rome. The pair are on holiday in the city for Theresa's 50th birthday. They were in The Vatican on Easter Sunday where they took the below photo of the late Pope Francis. A Kerry woman and her mom who were at the Vatican on Easter Sunday and who were lucky enough to see the late Pope Francis on what proved to be his last public appearance have told The Kerryman that the entire city is distraught at the sudden passing of the much-loved pontiff. Shannon Elumelu Oba and her mom, Theresa, are in the Italian capital this week on what was a surprise 50th birthday trip for Theresa. The pair, who are both very religious Theresa herself recently graduated from the Lay Persons Course in Mary I in Limerick were not going to pass up the opportunity to head to the Vatican on Easter Sunday of all days. Getting to see the late Pope on the balcony of St Peters Basilica where, in a weak voice, he wished everyone a Happy Easter, Shannon and her mom were overjoyed, not knowing that theyd soon see the frail looking Argentine up close when he made a surprise tour of St Peters Square in his pope-mobile where he waved to the crowds. "This trip to Italy was a present to my mom for her 50th birthday. We surprised her with a trip to Rome on Easter Sunday and we were lucky enough to get tickets to the mass. It was amazing and then when he came and did the mini-tour around the Square, it was so special and amazing. My mom was in tears the whole time, she was hugging everyone around her. She was just so grateful, we both were, said Shannon. The news of his sudden passing from a cerebral stroke and subsequent heart failure just a day later though left her in shock. On how she found out about his passing, she said she actually heard about it from a friend back home. "We were out for breakfast and I hadn't been on my phone much all morning and it was one of my friends that broke the news, they texted me telling me that the Pope had died. They were shocked because I had just seen him on Easter Sunday. I couldn't believe it. I was like 'no way!' and then I looked it up and there it was, 13 minutes ago posted by the BBC, that the Pope had passed away. "Its so shocking to have it happen so suddenly after we had seen him. For him to die the following day after we had seen him up close, we now realise we were just so lucky to have seen him, she continued. A photo of the late Pope Francis that was taken by Tralee woman Shannon Elumelu Oba on her and her mother's visit to the Vatican on Easter Sunday. On what the mood is like in Rome right now, Shannon said that it's a mixture of hectic and sombre. "Yesterday [Easter Monday], there was people crying all over the place, my mom included. People were just distraught. There is media everywhere and the crowds are huge, there's so many people, she said. "Today (Tuesday) we actually did a tour of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum. We got an early slot because we knew that later on in the day, they would have to close it down because they would need to get his body out. As we were leaving, we decided to see if we could go into St Peter's Basilica but we couldn't because they were sealing it off." The Popes funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26 in front of St Peters Basilica at 9am Irish time. Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne leads tributes to Pope Francis who died on Monday. At 9:45am on Easter Monday the world received news from Cardinal Kevin Farrell that Pope Francis (88) had died. Just over 24 hours earlier, the pontiff had made his last public appearance during the Easter Sunday blessing at the Vaticans St Peters Square. Tributes have come from all corners of the globe for a man who many considered was a Pope with compassion for the poor and the ordinary church follower. The Pope had been ill for some time after suffering bouts of respiratory illness. The Argentinian native Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope on 13 March, 2013 On a memorable visit to Ireland in August, 2018 as part of the World Meeting of Families, Pope Francis addressed decades of institutional abuse perpetrated by some church personnel in Ireland. The pontiff visited the shrine in Knock and celebrated Mass in the Phoenix Park. The Pope was widely praised for his conciliatory response to decades of hurt. During his 2018 speech at the Phoenix Park, the pontiff asked for forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland, the abuses of power, of conscience, and sexual abuses perpetrated by members with roles of responsibility in the church. We ask for forgiveness for all those times in which many single mothers were told that to seek their children who had been separated from them and the same being said to daughters and sons themselves that this was a mortal sin. We ask for forgiveness, Pope Francis said. In December 2024, the Pope promoted English Dominican Fr Timothy Radcliffe (79) as one of 21 men named as cardinals at a special consistory in the Vatican on December. Fr Radcliffe has strong links with Tralee where he visited the Holy Cross Dominican Friary at Princes Street during his time as Master of the Order of Preachers between 1992 and 2001. Paying respects to Pope Francis, Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne said it was with great sadness that he learned of the death of the Holy Father. Bishop Browne met the Pope in Rome in 2014 during a tour in honour of Monsignor Hugh OFlaherty the Kerry man who helped save hundreds of lives during the German occupation of Rome during WWII. The Bishop described Pope Francis as a gentle shepherd who led the people of God of the Church worldwide for the last twelve years. From the moment he chose the name Francis, following in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi, rooted in humility, he signalled a papacy of building peace, care for the poor, and love for all of Gods creation. He constantly emphasised the need for all of us to take care of our planet, our common home, said Bishop Browne. The Bishop said St Francis alerted people to the Cry of the Earth and Cry of the Poor, and all creation united by the love of the Creator. Pope Francis ever sought to be a voice for the voiceless, a champion of mercy, and a witness to the Gospel in word and deed, always on the side of those on the margins. He preached and lived Gods Mercy for all, Bishop Browne said. In his Urbi et Orbi address on Easter Sunday, his final day among us, Pope Francis gave us these prophetic words: The Resurrection of Jesus is indeed the basis of our hope. For in the light of this event, hope is no longer an illusionThanks to Christ, crucified and risen from the dead, hope does not disappoint. All those who put their hope in God place their feeble hands in his strong and mighty hand; they let themselves be raised up and set out on a journey. Together with the risen Jesus, they become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of Life. Bishop Browne added his hopes and prayers that Pope Francis will now enjoy Christian hope fulfilled, eternal life with God the Father. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace, Bishop Browne said. Minister for Children Norma Foley said it is with great sadness that she learned of the passing of Pope Francis. She described him as a man of extraordinary compassion, humility, and dedication to the service of others - a man of peace. We are truly the lesser for his passing but greater for having had the blessing of his leadership and example, the Minister said. A special Mass (7pm) for Pope Francis will take place on Wednesday at St Johns Parish Church in Tralee. A book of condolence is available to be signed. Fianna Fail Senator Mark Daly opened a book of condolence at the Dail on Tuesday. A special Mass for Pope Francis will be held in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon on Saturday evening. Bishop of Achonry and Elphin, Kevin Doran will celebrate a Elphin Diocesan Mass for the happy repose of the soul of Pope Francis at St Nathys Cathedral, Ballaghaderreen, on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 6pm. He will also celebrate a similar Mass in St Anne's Church, Cranmore, Co Sligo, on Friday at 6.30pm. A post alerting parishioners to the mass said, All are most welcome, as we gather to remember our Holy Father, to give thanks for his ministry and to commend him to Gods mercy. Pope Francis died on Easter Monday aged 88 from a cerebral stroke and subsequent heart failure. Pope Francis's funeral will take place on Saturday. Speaking of his death, Bishop Doran said Pope Francis carried out his ministry as Pope with courage and humility. Recalling meeting Pope Francis, Bishop Doran said one of his abiding own memories of him was when he was with the other Irish Bishops at a meeting with him during our Ad Limina visit. After an hour of listening and responding to us, he got up and walked towards the other end of the room, coming back with a bottle of water and a glass, saying quietly under his breath, the poor translator has no water. "People will be write volumes about his papacy in the future. Follow Independent Roscommon on Facebook "For now, perhaps it is enough to say that his pastoral energy was entirely focussed on forming the Church to be the community of believers that Jesus intended it to be and calling each of us to become a missionary disciple. "He was always ready to teach what the Church believes, but he called on Catholics to think it through rather than just accepting or rejecting it at face value. "His sense of humour was very evident to those who met him, said Bishop Doran. The National Lottery will reveal on Wednesday what shop in Tramore, Co Waterford sold the winning ticket The winning ticket was purchased in Tramore, Co Waterford A lucky lottery player from Co Waterford has won an eyewatering 4m as players are urged to check their tickets. The National Lottery revealed today that the seaside town of Tramore in Co Waterford is the location to have sold the winning lotto jackpot ticket in Saturday nights draw, April 19. The lotto player purchased their all-important Quick Pick ticket, thats now worth an astounding 4,038,682, on Wednesday, April 9. The winning numbers for Saturday nights lotto draw were: 6, 18, 25, 26, 36, 43 and the Bonus was 44. The Tramore winner becomes the 6th lotto jackpot winner of 2025, joining the ranks of five other big winners from across the country, including Louth, Dublin, Kerry, Limerick, and Kilkenny earlier this year. This latest triumph also crowns the lotto player the 11th National Lottery millionaire of 2025. What a win for Tramore, said Darragh ODwyer, National Lottery spokesperson. One of our Lotto players has scooped an incredible 4,038,682 and tomorrow, well be in town to officially reveal which store sold the ticket. "Its a big moment for the seaside town, and were looking forward to celebrating the win on the ground. If players think they are onto a winning ticket, be sure to sign the back of the ticket and keep it safe theres a millionaire among you Follow Independent Waterford on Facebook The National Lottery will confirm the store where the winning ticket was purchased tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23. The National Lottery is urging all players in the Tramore, Co. Waterford to check their tickets carefully and if youre holding the winning ticket, be sure to contact the National Lottery prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie to arrange the collection of your prize. The New Ross Drama Workshop cast from their upcoming performance of A View From The Bridge. Life is very busy for the cast and crew of the New Ross Drama Workshop as rehearsals move into the final days of their upcoming spring production of A View From The Bridge, directed by Margaret Rossiter. The group, which boasts over 40 years of continued service in drama to the community is looking forward to bring this classic American drama to the stage of St. Michaels Theatre on Wednesday, April 30, Thursday May, 1 and Friday, May 2 at 7.30 p.m. nightly. A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller is a dramatic story set in a close-knit community, centring around the Carbone family, where personal desires clash with social expectations. As tensions build within a family, hidden emotions and unspoken rules begin to surface, leading to choices that have lasting consequences. The play explores complex human relationships and the struggle between justice and loyalty and is sure to have audiences on the edge of their seats. The New Ross Drama Workshop welcomes Jamie Lyster who plays the lead role of Eddie Carbone alongside fellow group newcomer, Tara Furness, who together with long-standing group member, Nancy Rochford Flynn plays Eddies niece and wife respectively. David Walsh and Pat Murphy take on the roles of the visiting Italian cousins of the Carbones (Rodolfo and Marco), whilst Stephen Rossiter plays legal advisor Mr. Alfieri. John Caulfield, Nicky Flynn, Peter O Connor and Kevin Murphy also are an integral part of the narrative throughout, and each make a number of appearances on stage. They will be joined on stage by Kitty Warren, Milo Walsh, Peggy Hussey, Kathleen Kennedy, Kate OKeeffe and Bride Walsh, who share in the dramatic story of the Carbones, as it unfolds. The backstage team continues to go from strength to strength and is led by stage manager, Marian Rothwell, with Bride Walsh and Anne Fleming Kelly in charge of props. Wexford native Cian Redmond will be coordinating the lights and sound. Costume design is by Peggy Hussey and Martina Kavanagh, with Kitty Warren and Jenny Murphy ONeill looking after make-up and hair, respectively. Catherine OConnor leads the front of house team, ably supported by Brid Richardson, Liz Furness, Annette Stacey, Edward Hayden and other group members. Speaking last week at rehearsals, New Ross Drama Workshop Chairperson, Kate OKeeffe said: We are delighted to continue our strong reputation of high quality theatre in New Ross by bringing this gripping production to life, and we believe audiences will connect deeply with its emotional intensity and moral complexity. "We are really looking forward to hearing the feedback of our loyal audiences in New Ross and look forward to seeing you in St. Michaels Theatre, she said. Tickets, at 15 each, for A View from the Bridge are now available through the St. Michaels Theatre box-office (051-421255) and online on the theatre website. Punchestown Racecourse, catering giants Aramark and St Kevins Community College in Dunlavin have joined forces to launch a pioneering transition year programme that will see 70 students from the west Wicklow school take on paid work experience at the upcoming Punchestown Festival. Combining community involvement, real-world skills training and local pride, the Elevate 2025 Discovering the Heart of Irish Hospitality Excellence programme will give St Kevins transition year students invaluable experience, working with the army of chefs, kitchen, bar and floor staff that will serve up to 17,000 corporate hospitality guests. The innovative pilot scheme is designed to immerse local TY students in the dynamic world of hospitality, equipping them with practical skills, confidence, and insight into premium food and beverage service all set against the vibrant backdrop of the iconic Punchestown Festival, which takes place from April 29 to May 3. The journey began in the classrooms of St. Kevins and culminated in a live-service experience at Punchestown, where students worked side-by-side with seasoned hospitality professionals. Over five weeks, 119 students took part in a hands-on training programme delivered by Sam Brancato, Aramarks standards and training business partner. Praising the programme and St Kevins students for their engagement, school principal Brian Doran said: There are exciting opportunities ahead for our TY students. As the students of St. Kevins step confidently into their roles at Punchestown 2025, they carry with them not only new skills but also the pride of representing their community on an important stage. Beyond training and employment, Elevate 2025 fosters local pride by connecting young people and their families to one of Irelands most celebrated sporting and social events. It showcases the hospitality industry not just as a vibrant career path, but as a source of essential life skills from teamwork and communication to professionalism and adaptability. The initiative has already garnered international interest, with Aramark leadership in the US watching closely as a potential model for rollout in American schools a testament to the programmes quality and impact. We are incredibly proud to partner with Aramark and St. Kevins on this meaningful project, said Punchestown hospitality manager and Elevate founder Sue Wilson. What started out as a chat with a friend who teaches at the school has evolved into what could be a global template. Elevate 2025 is more than a programme its creating strong links in the local community, providing skills and experience that will stand to these young people wherever life may take them, it offers paid employment on a local level. Najlaa Ahmed, a displaced Sudanese mother, looks on, following RSF attacks on Zamzam displacement camp, as she shelters in the town of Tawila, North Darfur, Sudan. Photo: Reuters A paramilitary group in Sudan attacked a city in the western Darfur region, killing more than 30 people, an activist group said, in the latest deadly offensive on an area that is home to hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Irish Red Nuns gather for funeral of Pope Francis In a quiet recess carved out of the otherwise bustling northside of Dublin City, a group of Red Nuns gathered to solemnly watch the funeral of Pope Francis. The late pontiffs funeral was broadcast around the world and into homes and places of worship across Ireland on Saturday including Saint Alphonsus Monastery in Drumcondra. There, the Redemptoristine Nuns known as Red Nuns due to the colour of their habits gathered in a small, understated room of the monastery to watch a livestream of the funeral mass and procession. Thirteen of the orders 16 nuns were present, gathered on chairs around a projector and a small set of speakers.A contemplative order, the nuns say their life is enclosed which means they remain within the grounds of monastery while holding the outer world in their hearts through prayer. Speaking to the PA news agency, Sister Gabrielle said Pope Francis brought alive the Gospel. We have great admiration for him because he brought alive the gospel in so many ways, the simplicity of the gospel, the authenticity of the gospel for the poor and the marginalised. And we are all sinners, were on the journey together and that great vision of oneness has touched me profoundly anyway. She added: He certainly has challenged the entire world and we saw there today so many leaders that hes tried to bring peace and respect for each person and the dignity of each person to be respected and upheld. She said the inclusion of poor and marginalised people in the proceedings illustrates his key message: To embrace us all in the one embrace of love of God. Speaking about the Redemptoriste Nuns, Sr Gabrielle said the order was made up of various nationalities. She said: Were situated here in Drumcondra and were actually celebrating 25 years in this present monastery and we had been in the previous monastery since 1859, when we came to Ireland from Bruge. Were celebrating 300 years of revelation of our order so its a very momentous time at this particular time here in our community. The sisters of the Red Nuns come from around Ireland, England, Scotland, Europe, Germany, the US and Asia. Sr Gabrielle said: Were 16 sisters in community from various nationalities which is a wonderful privilege really to have the richness of all the nations gathered here in this very small space, living in harmony and respecting each other as Pope Francis has called us to do so many times in his outreach to the world. Cillian Sherlock, PA Mourners gather around the bodies of eight Red Crescent workers, recovered in Rafah a week after the Israeli attack. Photo: AP The Palestinian Red Crescent called yesterday for a serious investigation into the killing of 15 aid workers in Gaza last month, a day after the Israeli military admitted professional failures and disciplined two officers over the incident. Younish Al-Khatib, chairman of the Palestinian Red Crescent, said he did not consider the measures taken by the Israeli military, which reprimanded one officer and dismissed another from his position, as sufficient. LATEST | Harvard sues Trump administration to stop the freeze of 1.91 billion in grants The White House has argued that universities allowed antisemitism to go unchecked at campus protests last year against Israels war in Gaza Students, faculty and members of the Harvard University community rally (Charles Krupa/AP) Michael Casey and Jocelyn Gecker Press Association Tue 22 Apr 2025 at 07:51 Harvard University announced that it has filed suit to halt a federal freeze on more than 2.2 billion dollars (1.91 billion) in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administrations demands to limit activism on campus. Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders OTT Release Date - Before 1982, no one thought twice about taking a painkiller. But one terrifying incident changed that forever. Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders, a three-part docuseries, dives into one of the most shocking unsolved cases in American history. This gripping documentary will be available to stream on Netflix from May 26. What really happened in Chicago, 1982? It all began when at least seven people in the Chicago area suddenly died after taking Tylenol, one of the most trusted over-the-counter medicines at the time. What looked like random tragedies turned into a national nightmare when investigators discovered the capsules were laced with cyanide. The deaths sparked panic across the country, forced companies to recall products on a massive scale, and changed packaging laws forever. Tamper-proof seals on medicine bottles? Thats a direct result of this case. A case that still has no answers Despite the scale of the investigation, no one has ever been charged or convicted of the poisonings. One man was caught for extortion after he claimed responsibility in a letter to Tylenols parent company and demanded money. But whether he had anything to do with the actual murders remains unclear. This series doesnt just retell the facts. It asks the uncomfortable question: Was there a single person behind this crime, or have we been looking in the wrong direction all along? Some experts suggest the case might have been misunderstood from the beginning, and that certain leads were ignored or buried. Whos behind the documentary? Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders comes from the creators of powerful true crime shows: Directors Yotam Guendelman and Ari Pines, known for Shadow of Truth and Executive Producer Joe Berlinger, known for Conversations with a Killer, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey, and Paradise Lost. Guendelman and Pines believe that new light on old facts may help finally bring peace to the victims families. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, as well as celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Garbo: Where Did You Go? OTT Release Date - Netflix is ready to shine a spotlight on one of Hollywoods most iconic, yet mysterious stars with its new documentary, Garbo: Where Did You Go? Set to release on May 14, this 90-minute film explores the life, fame, and solitude of Greta Garbo, a name that continues to fascinate generations long after her exit from the screen. What is Garbo: Where Did You Go? all about? Directed by Lorna Tucker (Westwood: Punk Icon, Activist), the documentary promises an emotional and visually moving look at Greta Garbos real story. Far beyond the glitz of Hollywood, this film digs into her private world using her own words, personal letters, and rare archival footage. It recreates parts of her life with stylised scenes, including Gretas reclusive time spent in her Manhattan apartment. Actress Noomi Rapace lends her voice to Garbos own letters and thoughts. Who was Greta Garbo? Before her fame, Greta Garbo was a Swedish girl with big dreams. She went on to become one of the biggest movie stars of the 1920s and 1930s, starring in classics like Ninotchka, Camille, and Queen Christina. Known for her beauty, quiet charm, and expressive performances, Garbo became a symbol of old Hollywood glamour. But just as her fame reached its peak, she stepped away from it all. Unlike most stars, Garbo chose silence over fame. She rarely gave interviews, didnt sign autographs, and spent the second half of her life away from the public eye. Her mysterious nature only added to her legend. An honest and humane look at a complicated star Director Lorna Tucker brings a fresh, honest lens to Garbos life. After the documentarys premiere at the Stockholm International Film Festival, Tucker shared, I dont want to say that I know who she was, Tucker said, but I want people to see that these gods we create are terribly human, moany and depressed, and far from always knowing what theyre doing. Note: If you find Greta Garbo: Leave Me Alone written somewhere as the title, it is the same documentary as the one Netflix is about to premiere. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, as well as celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Sniper: The Last Stand OTT Release Date - The long-running Sniper franchise recently returned with its eleventh instalment, bringing back the familiar face of Chad Michael Collins as ace marksman Brandon Beckett. This time, Beckett is joined by Ryan Robbins, portraying Agent Zero, as they embark on a high-stakes mission to defeat a dangerous arms dealer's plan to unleash a deadly superweapon. When to watch Sniper: The Last Stand online? Sniper: The Last Stand is set to premiere on Netflix on May 6, 2025, making it accessible to a global audience. In addition to Netflix, the film is available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Video, and Zee5. What is Sniper: The Last Stand all about? In this action-packed sequel, Beckett and Agent Zero are deployed to the fictional region of Costa Verde to lead a team of elite soldiers against a relentless militia. As they race against time and dwindling resources, Beckett mentors a rookie sniper, facing the challenges of leadership and the pressures of a mission that could determine the fate of many. Other than Chad and Ryan, Sniper: The Last Stand also stars Sharon Taylor as Hera, Manuel Rodriguez-Saenz as Nova and Arnold Vosloo as the arms dealer antagonist. Directed by Danishka Esterhazy and written by Sean Wathen, the film continues the legacy of the Sniper series. This is the third Sniper movie thats been released on Netflix before showing up on other streaming platforms. Thats because of a deal Netflix has with Sony Pictures. The first one, Sniper: Rogue Mission, came out in December 2022. Then, Sniper: G.R.I.T. was released on Christmas Day in 2023. Both movies stayed on Netflix in the U.S. for about 18 months before being removed. Older Sniper movies also come and go from Netflix from time to time. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, as well as celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The eagerly awaited return of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train to North America is fast approaching. The news of the 4K revival screenings of the first Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba film has gone viral online. The film has received widespread admiration, and fans' enthusiasm has only grown since the re-release announcement. Originally debuting in Japan in October 2020, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Movie: Mugen Train is now set for its highly anticipated re-release. Heres everything you need to know. Demon Slayer Mugen Train re-release trailer Demon Slayer Mugen Train movie trailer was shared by Crunchyroll announcing the news and it was captioned as It is the Taisho Period in Japan. Tanjiro, a kindhearted boy who sells charcoal for a living, finds his family slaughtered by a demon. To make matters worse, his younger sister Nezuko, the sole survivor, has been transformed into a demon herself. Excitement is now at an all time high with fans saying that they could not have heard better news. One wrote, I always told myself ' I wish I could experience this again in the theater.' and now here I am. Another added, Ill gladly watch this movie again, the action alone makes it worth it every time!. A third wrote, Ive seen this movie 2 times in theaters and countless times at home and thought I wish I could see it again in theaters. Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train North America Re-Release The "Mugen Train" arc of Koyoharu Gotouge's 20162020 manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba served as the inspiration for the 2020 Japanese animated dark fantasy action movie Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. It is a direct follow-up to both the anime's first film adaptation and its first season. Demon Slayer Mugen Train North America Re-Release date The film will be presented on the big screen on May 14, 2025, and tickets for screenings in the US and Canada will go on sale on April 30. Will Dubs Be Available for Demon Slayer: Mugen Train? The re-release of Mugen Train will be available in both Japanese with English subtitles and an English dub, and it will make its 4K debut. As the movie states, Falling forever into an endless dream. Demon Slayer fans, are you ready? For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. In the upcoming episode of General Hospital, Carly Spencer finds herself at the center of a risky choice. As she pushes forward with her own plans, there's a strong chance that she might betray Nina Reeves, threatening a bond they had worked to build. Nina, unaware of whats coming, shows up to reaffirm their agreement but it could be too late. Kristina struggles with her secret Kristina Corinthos is deeply affected by what went wrong in the recent car sabotage plot. Feeling the pressure of guilt, she turns to Lucky Spencer, hoping to find clarity. During their conversation, Lucky gives her a hard truth: coming clean could bring serious fallout. Whether Kristina confesses or keeps quiet remains to be seen. Marco wants out from under his father's shadow, West Coast. Can he convince Lucas to give him a second chance? Tune in to a brand-new #GH - STARTING NOW on ABC! pic.twitter.com/XtPnhRJ1oe General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) April 21, 2025 Meanwhile, Alexis Davis continues to go against Diane Millers legal advice. Rather than force Kristina into any action, Alexis chooses to settle matters on her own, even quietly paying Ava Jerome. Diane fears these quiet decisions may soon come to lightwith consequences. Tense decisions in the background Trina Robinson shares her worries with Curtis Ashford about Kai Taylors decision to go through with a risky medical procedure. Curtis wonders if Trina truly supports Kai or is simply afraid of the outcome. While Trina deals with that, Kai meets Drew Cain, who might have his own plans tied to politics in mind. At the hospital, Ava Jerome celebrates a recent win. She heads to meet Ric Lansing, proud and confident that shes once again taking control of her world. On another front, Jason Morgan tries to help Willow Corinthos. Knowing that Willow may soon head to a clinic in German, Jason asks her to speak to Michael and settle things before its too late. He hopes to prevent their problems from turning into a painful custody fight. From emotional confessions to shaken alliances, General Hospital proves once again that Port Charles never stays quiet for long. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. AP SSC Result 2025: The AP SSC Result 2025 is highly expected be out on April 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM itself. It will be announced by the Andhra Pradesh Board (BSEAP). The Class 10 exams were held from March 17 to March 31, 2025. More than 6.5 lakh students gave the exam across the state. Students can check their results on the website results.bse.ap.gov.in. They need to enter their roll number and date of birth. Last year, 86.69% of students passed. Girls did better than boys. This years result is also expected to be similar. AP SSC Result 2025 date and time (Unofficial) The AP SSC Result 2025 is most likely to be declared on April 23 at 10:00 AM as per the recent updates. The AP SSC result 2025 is expected to be out by 10:00 AM. AP SSC Result 2025: Direct links to check result Below is the required direct links for AP SSC Result 2025 listed: Official Result Portal: results.bse.ap.gov.in BSEAP Official Website: bse.ap.gov.in How to check AP SSC Result 2025 online? Students can follow these steps to check and download their AP SSC Result 2025 marksheet: Visit the official BSEAP website: bse.ap.gov.in or results.bse.ap.gov.in. Click on the AP SSC Result 2025 link on the homepage. Enter your roll number and other required details. Submit the information to view your result. Download and save the marks memo PDF for future reference. In case of heavy traffic on the official website, students can also check their results via SMS or DigiLocker services. AP SSC Result 2025: Previous years performance and expectations In 2024, the overall pass percentage was 86.69%. Girls did better than boys, with 89.17% of girls passing compared to 84.32% boys. Residential schools like AP Residential and BC Residential Schools did very well, with a 98.43% pass rate. This year, the results are expected to be similar. Details mentioned on AP SSC Result 2025 The AP SSC Result 2025 marks memo will include the following key details: Students name Roll number Date of birth Subject-wise marks obtained Total aggregate marks Qualifying status (pass/fail) Board name and exam year Other personal details as per the official format. FAQs Q. When will the AP SSC Result 2025 be declared? Answer: The AP SSC Result 2025 will be announced on April 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM by the Andhra Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (BSEAP). Q. Where can I check the AP SSC Result 2025 online? Answer: You can check your AP SSC Result 2025 on the official websites results.bse.ap.gov.in and bse.ap.gov.in by entering your roll number. Q. What steps do I follow to download my AP SSC marksheet? Answer: Visit the official website, click on the AP SSC Result 2025 link, enter your roll number, submit the details, and download your marks memo for future reference. Q. What details will be mentioned on the AP SSC Result 2025 marksheet? Answer: The marksheet will include your name, roll number, date of birth, subject-wise marks, total marks, qualifying status, and other personal details. Q. What should I do if I am not satisfied with my AP SSC Result 2025? Answer: If you are not satisfied with your result, you can apply for re-verification or recounting or register for supplementary exams as well. For more news and updates from the world of Education, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. UPSC CSE Final Result 2024 out: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the final result of the Civil Services Exam (CSE) 2024 on April 22, 2025. A total of 1,009 candidates have been selected for top services like IAS, IFS, and IPS. Shakti Dubey got the top rank, and three women are in the top five. Candidates can check and download the final merit list and result PDF from the UPSC website upsc.gov.in, by following easy steps. The interview round ended on April 17, 2025. This marks the end of the full UPSC selection process, which includes the Prelims, Mains, and Interview. UPSC CSE 2024 Final Result highlights The UPSC CSE 2024 exam topper is Shakti Dubey, followed by Harshita Goyal and Dongre Archit Parag securing the second and third ranks respectively. Total qualified candidates: 1,009 1,009 Topper: Shakti Dubey (Rank 1) Shakti Dubey (Rank 1) Second and third ranks: Harshita Goyal and Dongre Archit Parag Category-wise selection: General: 335 Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 109 Other Backward Classes (OBC): 318 Scheduled Castes (SC): 160 Scheduled Tribes (ST): 87 Candidates with benchmark disabilities: 45 Reserve list: 230 candidates maintained as per UPSC rules. Direct links to check UPSC CSE Final Result 2024 The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Final Result 2024 has been officially declared. Candidates can check their results through the following direct links: Official UPSC website result PDF: https://upsconline.gov.in/FR-CSM-2024-Engl-220425.pdf https://upsc.gov.in How to download UPSC CSE Final Result 2024? Below are the required steps to download UPSC CSE Final Result 2024 listed: Visit the official UPSC website: upsc.gov.in Go to the Examinations section and click on Final Results. Look for the link titled Civil Services Examination 2024 Final Result or directly access the PDF link provided. or directly access the PDF link provided. Download the PDF containing the list of qualified candidates with their All India Rank (AIR), roll numbers, and category details. Save or print the result for future reference. FAQs on UPSC CSE Final Result 2024 Q: Where can I check the UPSC CSE Final Result 2024? Answer: You can check and download the final result PDF from the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in under the Final Results section. Q: How many candidates qualified in UPSC CSE 2024? Answer: A total of 1,009 candidates have been qualified for appointment across various services. Q: Who topped the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024? Answer: Shakti Dubey secured the first rank in the UPSC CSE 2024. Q: When will the marks of the candidates be released? Answer: UPSC will release the marks of all candidates within 15 days from the date of the final result declaration. For more news and updates from the world of Education, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. US Vice-President JD Vance is currently on a four-day trip to India with his wife Usha Vance and their three children. On the first night of their visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a family dinner for them at his official residence in New Delhi. Vance shared that the warmth of the evening left a big impact on his children especially his eldest son, Ewan. My son, Ewan, is seven-years-old. After the dinner at the Prime Minister's House, the food was so good and the Prime Minister was so kind that Ewan told me, Dad, maybe I can live in India, Vance told the audience during an event in Jaipur. We were genuinely touched says US Vice-President Vance also recalled that this wasnt the first time PM Modi had made a special gesture toward his children. During a visit to Paris in February this year, when the two leaders were attending the AI Action Summit, PM Modi surprised the Vance family with a birthday gift for their son, Vivek. JD Vance with his wife & PM Modi | Credit: X He figured out that my second son, Vivek, was turning five and actually came to where we were staying, wished him a happy birthday and brought him a gift, said Vance. This was during a major international summit, and he still made time for us. My wife and I were genuinely touched. The Vice-President added that since arriving in India, they have been even more impressed by Modis warmth. Only two world leaders our kids like Trump and Modi JD Vance also made an observation that connected both politics and parenting. He said that as a politician, his children have ended up meeting many world leaders, but only two of them left a strong impression Donald Trump and Narendra Modi. Kids are brutally honest, whether you want them to be or not, he said. Our seven-year-old, five-year-old and three-year-old daughter Mirabelle have really only built a rapport with two world leaders President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. They both have a certain energy that kids seem to like. A day out in Jaipur and a change of heart Vances son Ewan may have loved the idea of living in India after dinner with Modi, but the Jaipur heat made him rethink. The Vice-President joked about their visit to the historical Amer Fort, saying, After 90 minutes in the Jaipur sun, he suggested maybe we should move to England. The family explored several sites in Jaipur, including the Amer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Looking at the long term Speaking on PM Modis leadership, Vance said, He is a serious leader, who has thought deeply about Indias prosperity and securitynot just for his current term, but for the next hundred years. With light moments, personal reflections, and praise for Modis gestures, JD Vances visit is not only about diplomacy its also about building a human connection across borders. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE and Galaxy tri-fold launch delayed: Samsung's attempts to disrupt the market for foldable phones have just run into trouble. The release of the highly anticipated tri-fold phone, the Galaxy Z Flip FE, has reportedly been postponed. Fans expecting these cutting-edge gadgets may be disappointed by this news. The Galaxy Z Flip FE was intended to give Samsung a more affordable entry point into its foldable portfolio. At the same time, the tri-fold phone would have pushed the frontiers of smartphone design. Let's examine the specifics of this delay and its implications for Samsung's foldable goals. We'll explore the causes of the hold-up and what consumers might anticipate from these next-generation gadgets. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE and Galaxy tri-fold launch timeline (Leaked) Samsungs tri-fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE expected to launch in Q4 | Credit: X The Bell, a reputable South Korean news source that first disclosed the launch schedule, is the source of the most recent report. According to an industry insider cited in the story, Samsung Display has started manufacturing the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 screens. The front-end production process for foldable OLED panels is nearly identical to standard OLED panels. The back-end method is somewhat different. It is anticipated that Samsung Electronics will begin manufacturing the foldables in May 2025. In Q3 of 2025, both flagship foldables are expected to go on sale worldwide, including in India. The Bell also mentions that the Galaxy tri-fold and Z Flip FE may be released in Q4 2025. At first, it was anticipated that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 would be launched alongside the Galaxy Flip FE and Galaxy Z tri-fold. Samsung Foundry's yield problems with the Exynos 2500 SoC were cited as the leading cause of the Galaxy Z Flip FE's launch delay. Due to yield concerns, the chipset initially meant for the basic Galaxy S25 series was later discontinued. Another rumour, however, disputes this, speculating that the Exynos 2400e SoCthe same chip used in the Galaxy S24 FEmay be included in the Galaxy Z Flip FE. Samsung Galaxy tri-fold expected specifications The Galaxy tri-fold, which is anticipated to be substantially more expensive than the Galaxy Z foldable, may debut under the "Galaxy G Fold" moniker. It is predicted to weigh 298 grams and have a 9.96-inch display. The device's thickness will be increased using an inward folding mechanism. When fully folded, the tri-fold device could stand 6.54 inches tall. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE rumored specifications According to GalaxyClub, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE is available in the European market with model number SM-F761B. According to reports, it has the same Exynos 2400e chipset as the Galaxy S24 FE. This supports early rumors that the same SoC will power the next phone. Nevertheless, a prior source also suggested that the Galaxy Z Flip FE used the Exynos 2500. The fan edition foldable would include 8GB of RAM, according to the newspaper. It is anticipated that the gadget will have two rear cameras, including a 12MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. It will sport a 10MP selfie camera on the front. The camera setup and RAM size are identical to that of the 2023 Galaxy Z Flip 5. According to the source, the Galaxy Z Flip FE might be identical to the Z Flip 5 with an improved chipset. According to the next offering's 3C certification, it supports 25W rapid charging, just like earlier Z Flip versions. Whether the smartphone will be powered by the same 3,700mAh battery cell that powers the Z Flip 5 is yet unknown. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE expected price It is anticipated that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE will be less expensive than the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Therefore, it's not shocking that the device can have less powerful specs than the ordinary model. For the latest and more interesting tech news, keep reading Indiatimes Tech. Meta using AI to detect teenagers: With teens in mind, Meta is utilizing artificial intelligence once more to make Instagram safer. Meta has revealed a new AI-powered function that automatically detects and modifies juvenile profiles to safeguard underage users online. The goal is to put children in safer online spaces without requiring them to do anything independently. Platforms like Instagram face pressure to take action as worries about digital safety, particularly for younger users, increase. This most recent program is a component of Meta's larger endeavour to prioritize online well-being and ethical tech use. Are you curious about the implications for you or your kid and how this will work? We've covered all you need to know, so keep reading. Why is Meta using AI to identify Teenagers on Facebook, Instagram, and more? Instagram says it is testing an AI tool that detects teen users | Credit: Instagram Instagram has long relied on artificial intelligence to authenticate users' ages. Still, it has now been acknowledged that this technology is actively used to ensure that teens, not adults, create accounts. Instagram analyzes posts, including birthday wishes, and looks at user-submitted reports to find teenagers who might have provided a fake date of birth. Instagram claims to be attempting to improve its AI's accuracy, especially regarding teen account assignments. Nevertheless, the site allows users to check and change their settings if they think a mistake has been made, acknowledging the possibility of error. In a recent blog post, the corporation said, "The digital world is still changing, and we need to change with it." We must collaborate with parents to ensure that as many teenagers as possible have access to the protective settings that come with Teen Accounts. Instagram also said it would begin by notifying parents with tips on discussing the significance of accurately stating their age online with their kids. The site emphasized that ensuring the correct date of birth is entered is one of the best ways parents can ensure their child's account is appropriately protected. Must Read: iOS 18.4 brings Apple intelligence to India: From Genmoji to AI writing, heres whats new in your iPhone and iPad What is a Teen Account and how does it work? Instagram, which Meta owns, launched Teen Accounts, a new feature targeted at users under 16, in India in February. The program is a component of the platform's endeavours to make the Internet a safer and more suitable environment for younger users. What are Teen Accounts, then, and how do they work? By default, these carefully created profiles have safety precautions in place. Teenagers must actively accept follower requests because accounts are automatically set to *private*. This guarantees that their posts and interactions are only visible to those they know or trust. A significant degree of protection is also added by preventing individuals who are not authorized followers from viewing the teen's content or sending them direct messages. Teen Accounts' main goal is to give parents more peace of mind by providing younger users with a safe and supervised environment. This translates into a safer and more positive Instagram experience for teenagers, allowing them to freely explore their hobbies, interact with friends, and consume age-appropriate content without worrying about unwelcome contact or exposure to harmful content. For the latest and more interesting tech news, keep reading Indiatimes Tech. LE SSERAFIM's Seoul stop of their EASY CRAZY HOT world tour at Inspire Arena, Incheon, on April 19, 2025, turned into a special reunion for HYBE's current girl groups. While LE SSERAFIM delivered a high-energy performance, fellow HYBE girl groups ILLIT and KATSEYE were spotted in the audience, coming out to support their labelmates. After the show, the three groups shared a series of pictures online, proudly showing off their close bond and camaraderie. The presence of ILLIT and KATSEYE alongside LE SSERAFIM served as a symbol of growing solidarity within HYBE, especially following months of public controversies and industry challenges and hate trains. A statement beyond the stage One of the most talked-about images later posted by LE SSERAFIM on X (formerly Twitter) wasn't just a simple backstage selfie. It Captured perfectly by Yunjin, it carried a deeper message of unity and strength. Another striking photo featured Bang Si Hyuk, HYBE's chairman, standing proudly at the center, surrounded by the three girl groups. The moment sent a clear signal: one company, one vision, and one fight against adversity. Fans troll NewJeans However, while many fans praised the display of women supporting women, the event also sparked trolling directed at NewJeans. Despite being under the HYBE umbrella, NewJeans currently signed to ADOR was notably absent, as their ongoing legal battle with the agency keeps them isolated from the rest of the HYBE family. Fans flooded social media, mocking NewJeans, suggesting the group could have been part of these pictures "if they hadn't blindly followed Min Hee Jin." NewJeans has remained loyal to their former CEO, who was removed from ADOR following a high-profile dispute with HYBE. In Another Universe Illit, NewJeans, And Le Sserafim Were Sister Groups And Had A Special Collab Stage That Would Literally Change Lives Ashish Kushwaha (@AshiishKushwha) April 22, 2025 Recently, NewJeans lost an appeal in the ongoing injunction case with ADOR, which prevents them from taking independent actions or signing new deals without the label's approval. What was once viewed as a brave stand against a corporate giant is now being criticized by some fans online, portraying the members as five girls who risked their careers by following one person. NewJeans stans acting superior while their group is on hiatus, tangled in lawsuits, and surrounded by chaos. Meanwhile, LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, and KATSEYE are thriving, booked, and drama-free. The delusion is wild. https://t.co/406pLWX1pn lia (@talkingsaxyrn) April 21, 2025 When ur girlies interact with Jennie n Rose u were happy n never called it forced now that Hybe girls are together in one frame u are calling it forced friendship. You guys are insufferable. Stupid dummies. MANON (@ManonBann) April 22, 2025 Bang Si-hyuk said LE SSERAFIM x KatsEye x ILLIT are the one team. (The hidden message: NewJeans fuxk off.) pic.twitter.com/1GwrKUZGdU Aespann_jeans (@a1071364) April 22, 2025 LE SSERAFIM's power-packed performance On the performance front, LE SSERAFIM lit up the stage with show-stopping visuals and fierce energy. One of the most breathtaking moments saw all five members climb towering jungle gym-like stage structures, dancing boldly amid a whirlwind of fire, lasers, and smoke. The dramatic production amplified the group's signature boldness, leaving the audience in awe. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. Actor Kim Soo Hyun is currently facing online backlash, with some netizens calling for a boycott due to allegations of a past minor relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron. In response to the growing wave of speculation and negative commentary, his global fan base has stepped in, filing formal legal complaints against individuals spreading defamatory content and false claims online. This move follows an earlier statement from Kim Soo Hyuns agency, Gold Medalist, which confirmed that they are also pursuing legal action against malicious commenters and online trolls responsible for damaging the actors reputation. Kim Soo Hyun's fans take legal action against those spreading false rumours On April 22, Kim Soo Hyuns dedicated fan alliance, comprised of supporters from the Daum Cafe Eucaris and DC Insides Kim Soo Hyun Gallery, revealed they are actively pursuing legal action against individuals responsible for circulating malicious rumours and false information about the actor. The group stated that they are in the process of filing formal criminal complaints targeting those who have engaged in online defamation through social media platforms and various internet communities. Emphasising their commitment to protecting Kim Soo Hyuns reputation, the fan alliance made it clear that they will not tolerate baseless attacks or the continued spread of harmful misinformation. An official complaint is to be filed this week Attorney Yang Tae Young of Siwoo Law Firm, who is representing Kim Soo Hyuns fan alliance, stated that the official complaint is expected to be filed with the Seongbuk Police Station within the week. The legal action targets individuals who have been spreading defamatory content and false rumors about the actor across online platforms. Kim Soo Hyun at his press conference| Credit: X According to Attorney Yang, the case falls under defamation as defined by the Information and Communications Network Act, a statute that allows third parties, such as fan groups, to file complaints on behalf of a public figure. This is a key distinction from criminal insult charges, which require the direct involvement of the victim. The legal team emphasized that this provision empowers concerned supporters to take proactive steps in defending the actors reputation against sustained online attacks and misinformation. 'We will not tolerate personal attacks': Kim Soo Hyun's fans In a formal statement, the fan alliance explained, This is a voluntary campaign launched to defend the actors rights and promote a positive, respectful fan culture. We will not condone personal attacks or the misuse of free speech as a shield for malicious behavior. There will be no tolerance for such actions. The group further revealed that they have gathered a wide range of evidence, including slanderous comments, altered images, and fabricated posts that have been circulated online for an extended period. Kim Soo Hyun's agency announces legal actions against trolls Kim Soo Hyun's agency has officially announced that it is pursuing legal action in response to a wave of malicious online posts, with several lawsuits already reported to be underway. On April 15, the management company, co-founded by Kim Soo Hyun himself, released a statement confirming that legal proceedings are being carried out under South Korean laws addressing defamation and insults. The agency also made it clear that this legal action extends beyond domestic borders. In collaboration with international legal teams, they are targeting overseas websites, social media accounts, and online communities involved in spreading harmful content. Their goal is to hold so-called "cyber wreckers" accountable and curb the global spread of false and damaging narratives. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. Shakti Dubey UPSC 2024 topper: The Union Public Service Commission annouced the final result of UPSC 2024 on 22 April 2025, declared the names of 1,009 successful candidates. These candidates will go on to serve the country in top-level government positions. Among them, Shakti Dubey from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has made history by securing All India Rank 1 (AIR 1) in the UPSC 2024 result, emerging as the UPSC topper of this year. Lets explore the inspiring journey of UPSC topper Shakti Dubey, who turned her years of hard work into a dream come true. Who is UPSC Topper Shakti Dubey? #WATCH | Delhi: Shakti Dubey secures 1st rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She says, "I worked hard for many years. I told everyone at home they are all very happy. It was hard to believe at first, but the feeling is slowly sinking in... My brother had predicted I pic.twitter.com/h1tKm1JzLi ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 Shakti Dubey, the UPSC 2024 topper, is a resident of Prayagraj, a city in Uttar Pradesh known for its educational environment and cultural legacy. She topped the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 with determination, long-term planning, and consistent preparation. Her academic background in science, interest in public service, and passion for learning played a major role in her remarkable success. Early Life and Schooling in Prayagraj Born and brought up in Prayagraj, also known as the "Literary Capital of Uttar Pradesh", Shakti grew up in an atmosphere that encouraged education and discipline. While specific school details are unavailable, it's clear that the city's competitive academic culture helped shape her early learning habits and interest in civil services. Prayagrajs reputation for producing scholars and administrators made a strong impression on her during her formative years. Her disciplined mindset and strong academic foundation were built during this time. Higher Education and Academic Background After completing her schooling, Shakti Dubey pursued a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Allahabad, a well-known institution in India. She continued her academic journey by enrolling for a Masters degree in Biochemistry at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. During her time at BHU, she was exposed to broader social and intellectual ideas, which sparked her growing interest in public administration and governance. This interest eventually led her to shift her career goals towards the UPSC Civil Services. Teaching Experience and the Start of Her UPSC Journey After completing her postgraduation studies in 2018, Shakti Dubey briefly worked as a teacher. Even though detailed information about her teaching role is not public, this experience helped her strengthen essential civil service qualities like communication, leadership, and problem-solving. In the same year, she began preparing seriously for the UPSC exam. She chose Political Science and International Relations as her optional subjecta strategic decision that reflected her analytical mindset and understanding of current affairs. Seven Years of UPSC Preparation and Determination Her UPSC journey lasted seven years, a testimony to her patience, resilience, and long-term focus. The UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024 had three stages: Prelims on 16 June 2024 Mains from 20 to 29 September 2024 Personality Test (Interview) held between 7 January and 17 April 2025 Her scientific training in Biochemistry helped her think critically and analyse deeply, while her knowledge of political science added balance to her preparation. Her confident and well-rounded performance during the Personality Test helped her impress the interview panel and win the AIR 1 rank in the UPSC result 2024. Shakti Dubey: An Inspiration for UPSC Aspirants From being a science student in Prayagraj to becoming the UPSC topper, Shakti Dubeys success story is a powerful example for aspirants across Indiaespecially for those from small towns. Her academic journey through Allahabad University and BHU, her short teaching stint, and her smart choice of optional subject all contributed to her winning formula. Whats Next for UPSC Topper Shakti Dubey? With her eyes now set on serving the country as an IAS officer, Shakti Dubey is ready to take on new responsibilities and challenges. Her achievement in the UPSC result 2024 is not just a personal successit is a source of motivation for lakhs of young Indians who dream of cracking the UPSC exam. UPSC topper Shakti Dubey has proven that with consistent effort, smart planning, and strong willpower, it is possible to clear even the most competitive exam in the country. As the UPSC result 2024 highlights her remarkable journey, her name is sure to inspire many future civil servants in the years to come. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez's wedding: Amazon founder and world's second richest person, Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez are all set to host one of the most luxurious weddings the world has ever seen. From the rumoured $600 million wedding cost to the exclusive venue in Italy, everyone is cruise to know the details of this high-profile event. The couple, who got engaged in May 2023, have been planning their big day for quite some time, and it's shaping up to be the most talked-about celebrity wedding of 2025. Lets take a closer look at everything we know so far including the wedding date, venue, star-studded guest list, and jaw-dropping cost. When is Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchezs Wedding? While the exact wedding date has not been confirmed, insiders suggest that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are likely to tie the knot in June 2025. Rumours have been circulating for months, but theres still no official announcement. In a recent interview, Lauren Sanchezs brother, Paul, told TMZ: We dont have any details yet, like exactly where its gonna be or anything like that. Im thrilled beyond belief. So while the date is still under wraps, all signs point to a summer wedding this year. Where Will the Wedding Take Place? Earlier reports suggested that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were planning a grand winter wedding in Aspen, Colorado. However, Bezos quickly denied those rumours. Now, the buzz is all about Venice, Italy. According to People.com, the citys mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, confirmed that the couple will indeed celebrate their wedding in Venice. He stated: We are mutually working and supporting the organisers to ensure that the event will be absolutely respectful of the fragility and uniqueness of the city. Jeff Bezos' $500 million superyacht | Credit: Luxurylaunches Though the exact venue is still unknown, it is believed that the ceremony could take place on Bezos $500 million superyacht, Koru, which may be docked in Venice during the event. Whos on the Guest List? The guest list for the Jeff BezosLauren Sanchez wedding is expected to be nothing short of glamorous. A source close to the couple revealed to People magazine that around 200 guests will be invited to this exclusive affair. Some of the names reportedly on the guest list include: - Ivanka Trump - Jared Kushner - Karlie Kloss - Joshua Kushner Given Jeff Bezos status as one of the worlds richest men and Lauren Sanchezs media connections, the guest list is sure to be a mix of billionaires, celebrities, and influential leaders from around the world. How Much Will the Wedding Cost? Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez | Credit: AP The most jaw-dropping detail about this wedding is the estimated cost. Rumours suggest that the Jeff BezosLauren Sanchez wedding could cost up to $600 million, making it one of the most expensive weddings in history, as reported in TOI. With a luxury venue in Venice, a celebration aboard a half-a-billion-dollar yacht, and a guest list full of A-listers, this wedding is expected to set new standards for extravagance. A Love Story That Reached the Stars Its worth noting that Lauren Sanchez is not only known as Bezos partner but also a former news anchor and a trailblazer in her own right. She recently made headlines when she flew to space as part of an all-women Blue Origin crew, alongside Katy Perry and others. Their relationship, which began a few years ago, has been closely followed by the media. Now, with their wedding just around the corner, it has become one of the most anticipated events of the year. From a secret wedding date, a breathtaking venue in Venice, a guest list filled with stars, to a jaw-dropping cost of $600 million, the Jeff BezosLauren Sanchez wedding is shaping up to be a true spectacle. Whether its the stunning yacht Koru, the historic charm of Venice, or the global attention its drawing, this wedding is bound to leave a lasting impression. Stay tuned as more official details about the Jeff BezosLauren Sanchez wedding unfold! For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here. Greek producers of table olives and packaged olive oil are on alert following a recent U.S. decision to impose a 20% tariff on all imports from the European Union, a move that threatens a key export market for the countrys agrifood sector. Although Washington has temporarily suspended the new duties for 90 days for selected countries, the uncertainty is already disrupting business planning, industry officials said. The U.S. is Greeces largest export destination for table olives, accounting for 30% of total production, valued at 214 million. Other major markets include Germany (90 million), the United Kingdom (43 million), Australia (33 million), and Canada (30 million). This is an unprecedented situation, said Kostas Zoukas, president of the Panhellenic Association of Table Olive Processors, Packers and Exporters (PEMETE), in a statement to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency. Without the tariff threat, this year would have been a record one. But the uncertainty caused by trade barriers is halting the sectors growth momentum. Mr. Zoukas stressed that Greece's heavy reliance on the U.S. market makes the situation particularly difficult. Its not easy to replace that market overnight. Businesses have spent decades building these trade relationships. A sudden shift in access terms creates massive costs. To reduce exposure to the U.S. market, PEMETE is exploring new regions, especially in Asia. Given its population size, Asia could become a significant outlet in the medium term, Mr. Zoukas said. But real market penetration requires targeted promotion, investment, state support, and access to financing tools. Greek exporters of packaged olive oil share similar concerns, with annual exports to the U.S. valued at 6070 million, representing about 8% of Greeces total olive oil output. Giorgos Mitrakos, General Director of the Association of Greek Olive Oil Standardization Industries (SEVITEL), said the new tariffs would primarily affect branded olive oil exports. The real threat, Mr. Mitrakos added, is not just the tariff itself but the blow to competitiveness. Countries like Turkey and Tunisia export to the U.S. under only a 10% tariff. For us, being part of the EU, its 20%. That puts us at a clear disadvantage. He also noted that falling global prices for olive oil compared to last year are further squeezing profit margins for Greek companies. Industry groups are calling for urgent state assistance to help diversify export markets and protect the international position of Greek agri-food products. iefimerida.gr The Greek economy's growth and the government's reforms are benefiting 2.5 million Greeks, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis told ANT1 TV on Tuesday. In an interview, the former finance minister said that the state budget of 2024 had the best fiscal performance at least since 1995, the point at which comparable date exists. This, he underlined, is a success both of the government and of the Greek people , and strengthens the country's position in relation to the markets and investors, especially during turbulent times due to the tariff crisis. Hatzidakis was referring to a primary surplus confirmed by Eurostat the same day that led to announcements by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for benefits to renters and low-income pensioners. "We therefore provided a social dividend that is based on growth and the government's initiatives. And these benefit nearly 2.5 million Greeks in one way or another through these measures. So the government's work is visible. And I am happy that my personal efforts and those of my colleagues over two years at the Finance Ministry led to these results," he said. iefimerida.gr INTRALOT S.A. is pleased to announce that its U.S. subsidiary INTRALOT, Inc. has extended its gaming systems contract with the New Hampshire Lottery Commission for an additional seven years, ensuring Intralot extends contract with New Hampshire Lottery through 2033 - Bode George, a key figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has sharply criticized Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for his recent meeting with former President Muhammadu Buhari regarding his coalition plans. George expressed his disappointment, accusing Atiku of neglecting party members while seeking support from Buhari, who is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Atiku has been advocating for the formation of a large opposition coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. Advertisement George, who has held significant positions within the PDP, rejected the idea of a mega party, suggesting it was a strategy to further Atikus personal political ambitions. He questioned the rationale behind forming such a coalition, asserting that it should be discussed internally within the PDP before moving forward with any public efforts. He emphasised that PDP should be treated as a collective organization, not a personal venture. Furthermore, George pointed out the irony of Atikus visit to Buhari, noting that the former president had defeated him in the 2019 elections. He also highlighted the regional bias in the group of individuals supporting Atikus coalition, which primarily consists of northerners, and questioned whether the effort was designed to create a deeper divide between the northern and southern parts of the country. In his response, George urged PDP members to come together and focus on strengthening the party rather than pursuing individual goals that could weaken their collective position ahead of the 2027 elections. As George remarked on Sunday, What is this man trying to do with this mega party? Is he trying to divide Nigeria from the north and then the south? He also added, Is PDP a private company? Nobody owns PDP. You bring it within the party. Let us discuss it. Once it is approved, then you move. You dont just flip flop because of your personal ambition. A Kano High Court sentenced one Sagiru Rijiyar-Zaki, to death by hanging for allegedly Killing his stepmother Rabiatu Sagir and his sister, Munawara. The 22 years old suspect who lives in Kutama Village, Gwarzo Local government area of Kano, was convicted of culpable homicide. The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, informed the court that the convict committed the offence on January 7, 2023, at Rijiyar Zaki Quarters Kano. Advertisement He said that at about 8p.m, Rijiyar-Zaki, caused the death of his stepmother Rabiatu, by stabbing her in the neck with a screwdriver after a misunderstanding and also strangled his sister, Munawara with her scarf. READ MORE: Kano Court Sentence Nigerien To Death For Murder The prosecution presented two witnesses and tendered exhibits to prove their case against the defendant. The convict, however, denied committing the offence. According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 221(a) of the Penal Code Law of Kano, 1991. The Defence Counsel, Mr Mubarak Abubakar, presented the convict to testify in his own defence. Delivering his judgment on Tuesday, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. Adamu-Aliyu therefore sentenced Rijiyar-Zaki to death by hanging. At least five persons have been killed, while 13 others injured in a truck accident which occurred in Tashan Gona, Billiri Local Government of Gombe state. It was gathered that the incident happened at about 7:20 am on Easter Monday, after a truck laden with grains crashed into worshippers returning from Easter prayer ground. In a statement by Sector Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Gombe State, Samson Kaura, disclosed that out of the 18 persons involved in the crash, two male adults and three females were killed, while 10 female adults and three male sustained varying degrees of injuries. He added that the accident was caused due to speed violations on the part of the truck driver, adding that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited to a nearby morgue. READ MORE: Two Children Killed, 20 Injured In Gombe Eid Stampede The statement partly reads: Five persons, including two men and three women, lost their lives, while 13 others sustained varying degrees of injuries, including fractures and open wounds. Also confirming the horrible incident on Monday, Spokesman for Gombe State Police Command, Buhari Abdullahi, in a statement disclosed that the vehicle veered off the road and tragically ran into the crowd, including some Muslim residents who were observing from the roadside. He said: Police operatives from Billiri Division swiftly responded to the distress, providing immediate rescue efforts and conveying the injured victims to the nearest hospital for emergency medical attention. Regrettably, five (5) persons which include two male and three female were confirmed dead by medical personnel, while eight (8) others are currently receiving treatment and responding positively at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe and General hospital Billiri. Federal Government has announced full closure of the Ijora Bridge in Lagos State, starting from April 27, for critical repair works. The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, led this out during an inspection of the bridge on Monday. Mrs. Kesha said that the bridge connecting Ijora Causeway to Apapa needed comprehensive repairs, especially replacement of defective bearings beneath the deck. Advertisement She said: This bridge has been awarded for some time now in different phases. We are now at the final phase, which involves lifting the entire bridge deck to change the faulty bearings beneath. READ MORE: FG To Close Lagos Independence Bridge For Two Months For Maintenance A lot of the bearings are defective, and approximately 50 of them will be replaced across three sections. It wont collapse, but it definitely needs help. If you drive on the bridge now, you will feel vibrations. That is because the bearings, the spring-like supports under the deck, have weakened significantly. We want members of the public to know that this is for their safety. With their cooperation, we can finish this work in time and restore the bridge to a much safer condition. Nigerian rapper Ice Prince has praised MI Abaga as his mentor, acknowledging him for teaching him the craft of rap and shaping his music career. During a recent interview with Isbaeu on Curiosity Made Me Ask, shared on YouTube, Ice Prince spoke about his rap abilities, attributing his lyrical strength and confidence to the years of mentorship he received from MI. He referred to MI as a big brother and mentor, who provided him with the knowledge and discipline necessary to thrive in the industry. He added that this strong foundation ensures he can never deliver wack verses. Advertisement READ MORE: Fans Fuelled Ego, Caused Rift In PSquare Peter Okoye He said: I can rap on any beat, with anybody, any rapper and I will stand out. Im not going to have a wack verse on a song Im not saying other rappers cannot rap or do their thing but it cant be said that Im wack. I was brought up by the best, shout out to MI Abaga. I rapped with MI for years. Thats my big brother, he taught me how to do this and he taught me well. Ice Prince gained widespread recognition in 2011 with the release of Oleku, a hit from his debut album, and has since remained a prominent figure in the industry, consistently releasing chart-topping singles and collaborating with top artists. Watch him speak below Osun State has been thrown into shock following the burning of the Ilesa High Court 2, an incident Governor Ademola Adeleke has firmly condemned. The early morning fire, allegedly caused by unknown assailants, razed the court building and destroyed sensitive legal materials, including documents and case exhibits. In a statement released on Monday through his media aide, Olawale Rasheed, the governor described the act as an unwarranted assault on the judiciary and called for immediate action by security agencies to fish out those behind the arson. Advertisement Thorough investigation must be conducted by the security agencies to apprehend the suspects and ensure they face the consequences of their actions, Mr Adeleke said. He further stressed the need to intensify security around all judicial premises in the state, citing the importance of safeguarding institutions central to justice and democracy. I further direct security agencies to beef up surveillance across the various court buildings, the governor added. According to the governor, the fire incident took place overnight, and despite the intervention of the fire service, the extent of the damage could not be curtailed. As a result, he has instructed the Attorney General and the Ministry of Works to begin immediate rehabilitation of the facility. This recent arson brings back memories of a similar incident in 2017 when the same court complex was partially destroyed during an attack by hoodlums. That previous case remains unresolved, with no public record of arrests or prosecution. Governor Adeleke has reiterated his administrations commitment to protecting justice institutions and ensuring the judiciary operates without fear or threats from criminal elements. Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, has cautioned Nigerians against a recent statement made by former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma. Recall that Mr. Danjuma had urged citizens in the country to stand up for their own defence amid growing insecurity facing some parts of Nigeria. Speaking on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily on Monday, Governor Namadi warned that such a statement could lead to lawlessness. Advertisement He said: He (Danjuma) is a very senior security person, and should be respected. But if he says that citizens should be allowed to defend themselves, I think you are causing anarchy. READ MORE: Defend Yourselves Against Bandits, Dont Wait For Govt Danjuma Tells Nigerians Amid Plateau, Benue Killings His words need to be analysed carefully. When we assumed office, we employed a lot of strategies and brought in experts. We also engaged traditional rulers and established standing committees to communicate with the people. Now, they understand that fighting or killing each other is not the solution. Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, has opened up about her marriage to legendary actor Olu Jacobs, shedding light on their 19-year age difference and how their love story began. Speaking on the Stephen Akintayo Leadership podcast, which was shared on YouTube on Monday, the 63-year-old screen icon detailed how her relationship with the now 82-year-old Jacobs began during the early years of her acting journey. Silva recalled meeting Jacobs while seeking direction in her career. At the time, Jacobs was already an accomplished actor. Advertisement He encouraged her to take up formal drama training instead of pursuing a standard university degree in Theatre Arts, advice that would go on to shape her path in the industry. She said the bond between them grew quickly, and in 1984, her sister Toyin Olawoye gave her full support for the relationship, saying, Joke, this is the man to take to Daddy. READ MORE: Soso Soberekon Pledges N20m Prize For Portable, Speed Darlington Rematch However, their romance wasnt without its hurdles. Silva explained that her father initially objected to the relationship due to the significant age gap, though her mother was more understanding. My dad had issues with the fact that he was older, but my mum was like, this is the person they know me with. And her parents had that kind of age gap as well. So it was no big deal, she said. Joke Silva went on to say she married Jacobs purely out of love. We got married in 1984. I was 24, so it was 1985. He was 19 or 20 years older than me. (I accepted because) I was in love with him. It is as simple as that. He was just a very gorgeous person, she revealed. Silva, whose acting journey began in 1981 at the University of Lagos Cultural Centre, also shared how her husband played a key role in helping her protect her professional identity. She said he encouraged her to keep her maiden name to maintain her growing brand. He (Jacobs) was the one who advised that I do not change my name. Because he understood the importance of branding, he said my brand had started building before we met, and changing the brand could cause problems for me, she explained. We kept the name Joke Silva as the brand, and within the brand, there was nobody who did not know I was Mrs Jacobs. Watch her speak below Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has berated some northern politicians over the current state of the region, saying that they all failed to perform their duties. Speaking during an interview with TRUST TV on Tuesday, Governor Sani noted that criticism of government should be rooted in the interest of the people, not driven by a quest for power. The Kaduna State Governor admitted being part of the system and said that northern Nigerias challenges stem from decades of underdevelopment and neglect. Advertisement He said: Every democracy must allow criticism, but it must be constructive, and in the interest of the Nigerian people. Thats what we did as activists not because we wanted power. But when you attack the government and youve been part of it. Anyone like I said who is from northern Nigeria and held a political office in the last 20 years, we all need to look at ourselves in the mirror and apologise to the people of northern Nigeria. We let them down. Ill say it here today all of us; I was a senator in this country, and the problems of northern Nigeria didnt start two years ago. If youre a former senator, a former member of the house of representatives, a former governor, a former minister, or even a former vice-president from northern Nigeria in the last 20 years youre part of the problem. All of us. READ MORE: North Will Decide Nigerias Next President Baba-Ahmed Dont forget, when Buhari was president people forget this he spent hundreds of billions on social interventions. Bauchi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, has apprehended a man identified as Usman Jungudo for vandalizing railway tracks in the Cross Tasha, Kirfi Local Government Area of the state. Addressing newsmen on Monday, the states Commandant of the NSCDC, Oloyede Nelson disclosed that the 45 years old suspect was arrested on the 15th of April, 2025. He said that the arrest and recovery were part of the Corps ongoing efforts to safeguard critical national infrastructure. Advertisement Mr. Oloyede added that stolen items worth millions of naira were recovered from the suspected criminal. READ MORE: Truck Crash In Bauchi Leaves One Dead, Two Injured He said: On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, around 10:00 a.m., following credible intelligence from the DSS Alkaleri Division, our operatives responded swiftly to a report of railway track vandalism at New Gwaram, along Gombe Road. Further operations in Cross Tasha, Faruqu, and Taliyaje areas of Tubule Ward in Kirfi LGA led to the arrest of one Usman Jungudo. The suspect was apprehended for unlawfully dismantling and selling railway parts. During interrogation, he was said to have confessed to the crime, and several items were recovered and secured at the state headquarters. This is a clear warning, we will not tolerate vandalism of public assets in Bauchi State. Offenders will face the full force of the law. Christian groups in Plateau State have taken to the streets in a peaceful demonstration to protest the relentless killings plaguing various communities in the state. The protest, organised under the platform of the Church Leaders Denominational Forum, took place on Monday and was led by Rev. Amos Mohzo. Advertisement Addressing journalists on Monday, Rev. Mohzo, who also heads the Church of Christ in Nations, urged the federal authorities to reinforce their commitment to ending the violence and bringing perpetrators to justice. The Federal Government should support the State and Local Governments to establish properly trained and well-equipped community policing with adequate rapid response mechanisms, Mohzo said. He insisted that addressing the crisis must include both immediate action and long-term strategies, urging security operatives to trace the root of the attacks and dismantle any network funding or encouraging the violence. The government should conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into these attacks, including identifying and prosecuting not only the direct perpetrators but their sponsors, financiers and collaborators, he added. Mohzo also appealed for humanitarian aid to be sent to displaced families now living in harsh conditions, adding that the violence has created widespread suffering and instability. Governor Caleb Mutfwang received the protesters at the New Government House in Rayfield, assuring them of the states commitment to security. For over two decades, insecurity has set us backward; our people cannot go to their farms or even invest in meaningful ventures, the governor stated. He reiterated his resolve to restore peace in Plateau and work closely with President Tinubu to develop sustainable security solutions. At least six persons have been killed while five others injured in a multiple auto crash that occurred at Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State. In a statement by Sector Commander of Kogi Federal Road Safety Corps, Samuel Ogundayo, disclosed that the tragic incident happened at Okengwe community of Okene around 8.30 pm on Monday. Ogundayo added that the accident began with the inability of a truck to climb the Okengwe hill, when it lost its brakes and rolled backwards, crushing two Tricycles, three cars and ramming into another truck. Advertisement READ MORE: Police Nab Two Suspected Robbers In Kogi, Recover Firearm According to him, it took the efforts of his officers and other security agencies to clear the gridlock on the highway for the free flow of traffic. He said: The tragic and unfortunate incident left six persons dead and five others injured. The FRSC rescue operatives who arrived the accident scene in good time rushed the injured to the Referral Hospital, Okene for treatment, while the corpses of the dead were deposited at Mortuary of the Onene General hospital. Super Falcons player, Peace Ogebe, has expressed disappointment over continued deadly attacks in her state, Benue State. Ogebe said that the killings of innocent people has left her unable to sleep. Her remarks is coming after a series of brutal attacks on villages in Otukpo and Otobi-Akpa within the Otukpo local government area of the state. Advertisement Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that some armed assailants invaded the communities, setting homes ablaze, displacing countless families, and leaving behind a trail of devastation and loss. In a statement on Monday, Ogebe queried President Bola Tinubus silent approach over the unrest. READ MORE: Defend Yourselves Against Bandits, Dont Wait For Govt Danjuma Tells Nigerians Amid Plateau, Benue Killings She urged concerned authorities to take immediate action to protect citizens and restore peace in a region that has been marred by violence for too long. Ogebe wrote: Why all the killing? What is their goal? Why is the government silent in the face of such brutality? Do they not know how to respond, or are they choosing to remain indifferent? I find it hard to sleep these days because of the tragic events unfolding in Benue State. Its unbearable. Some yet to be identified thugs have killed a man, said to be a driver of Guaranty Trust Bank, Mohammed Aboore, in the Fadikpe area of Minna. In a statement by the States Police Commands Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun on Monday, disclosed that the victim was assisting members of vigilance group in apprehending miscreants who were smoking cannabis in the area. Abiodun added that during an arrest attempt, one of the suspects, Nura Buhari, stabbed Aboore with scissors and escaped. Advertisement He noted that Aboore was rushed to General Hospital Minna, where he was pronounced dead. REQD MORE: Niger Police Apprehend Two Suspects For Conspiracy, Theft Abiodun said: Unfortunately, in the process of getting one of the miscreants arrested, Aboore was stabbed with scissors by one Nura Buhari and escaped. The victim was rushed to General Hospital Minna, where he gave up the ghost. On 20th April, 2025 at about 10.45pm, information was received from a vigilante leader in Fadikpe area of Minna that some miscreants were sighted around Rafi area of Fadikpe smoking cannabis. As a result of this, the vigilante members mobilised to the area to effect arrest pending the arrival of the Police, while one Mohammed Aboore, a community member volunteered to assist the vigilante men in the arrest. President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after a working visit and retreat in France and London lasting 18 days. Tinubu was received by senior officials of his administration when he arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday. This was disclosed in a statement by presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, via his X page. Advertisement Onanuga said: President Tinubu returned to Abuja from Europe Monday night. Among the officials who welcomed him home were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. READ MORE: Tinubu Still In Control Despite Foreign Trip Presidency Recall that Tinubu departed Nigeria on April 2, spending some time in Paris, before he proceeded to London two weekends ago. The Presidency said while away, Tinubu maintained contact with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some states. National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has said that the ruling party is working with National Assembly to ensure that Nigerians in the diaspora vote during general elections. Speaking during the unveiling of a new executive committee for the France chapter of the party in Paris on Monday, Ganduje disclosed that APC would collaborate with other relevant agencies to ensure full political inclusion for Nigerians living in other parts of the world. The former governor of Kano State assured the gathering that the ruling party has triggered a wave of defections from opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections. Advertisement He said: We appreciate you for holding the banner of our party, expanding its membership, and supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially in light of the critical reforms he is undertaking. READ MORE: APC Will Unseat LPs Kingibe, Takeover FCT In 2027 Ganduje Vows There is now more funding for capital development, and both governors and local government chairmen can attest to this. There is peace in the APC, unlike in other parties that are battling internal crises. Because of this enabling environment, many are decamping to our party, including senators, members of the House of Representatives, State Assembly members, and other notable political figures. Our party respects its constitution and practices internal democracy. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, on Monday, fired back at Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), branding him a politician with no relevance or stronghold. Galadima had earlier stated that Ganduje owed his position as APC Chairman to President Bola Tinubu, claiming he lacked personal political value. In response, Ganduje, through his media aide Oliver Okpara, dismissed the comment as an insult lacking credibility. Advertisement He argued that Galadima had no moral authority to question his political relevance, especially given his own limited influence and dwindling presence in national politics. Ganduje highlighted his two uninterrupted terms as governor of Kano State, stating that his performance in office and projects across the state speak volumes about his political strength and leadership. He described Galadima as a politician who had lost touch with the electorate and no longer holds sway in any meaningful political arena. According to Ganduje, His statement clearly portrays him as a mischievous personality, politically. He continued by stating, Ganduje is a well known, tested and trusted, result-orientated technocrat and politician of high repute who successfully led Kano for two uninterrupted terms. He also emphasized his achievements during his tenure: His developmental projects are still littered across Kano state, a testament of his unbroken connection with the people. In conclusion, Ganduje said while the APC under his leadership remains stable and growing, the NNPP is plagued by internal chaos. The same cannot be said of Buba Galadimas NNPP which has continued to suffer serious lacerations due to an intractable and untreatable factionalization. Japan-based Nomura Corp. has agreed to purchase Australia-based Macquarie's asset-management businesses including the Delaware Group, based on Independence Mall. Read more Nomura, one of Japans largest investment companies, says Philadelphia will be the hub of its newly expanded international stock and bond funds business. On Tuesday, Nomura announced it had agreed to pay $1.8 billion for Australia-based Macquaries U.S. investment management company and two smaller European affiliates, which manage stocks and bonds worth $180 billion for individual investors, insurance companies, and other institutions. Advertisement Macquarie, based in Philadelphia, with other major offices in Kansas City, Vienna, and Luxembourg, employs more than 700 stock-pickers, bond-watchers, analysts, and other professionals. These stable, high-profit businesses will be transformational for Nomuras plans to grow beyond Japan, beef up its U.S. assets, and expand the companys capacity to sell private and publicly traded investments, Kentaro Okuda, Nomuras president, said in a statement. The Philadelphia deal is a significant step in expanding worldwide, said Chris Willcox, chairman of Nomuras investment management arm. The deal will leave Macquarie focused on its native Australia, where its rivals include a well-established affiliate of Malvern-based Vanguard Group. Nomura, which manages nearly $600 billion in other investments, plans to keep Macquarie, its Center City offices, and its management team, headed by president Shawn Lytle, stock investments director John Pickard, bond manager Greg Gizzi, and U.S. wealth head Millissa Hutchinson. Nomura will give them added responsibilities for expanding its multinational product development and sales. Nomura also said it would invest in growing the Philadelphia-based businesses. That will include setting aside money to buy private companies for alternative investment funds, expanding the actively managed exchange-traded funds group Macquarie started two years ago, and adding staff and technology to boost sales of its funds and other Nomura products. Nomura always has their eye on expansion. They have been looking at U.S. assets for a long time, said William Uchimoto, a Berwyn-based lawyer who represents Japan- and China-based investors, including bank-controlled private asset funds. He said Japans banks work closely with one another, so the deal is likely to boost sales of Philadelphia-based products to other investors in that country while also seeking new clients in Europe and North America. Macquarie set up shop in Philadelphia in 2010 when it bought the former Delaware Investments from Radnor-based Lincoln National Corp. for $428 million. Macquarie dropped the Delaware corporate name in 2017 but kept it on some of the companys products. Nomura plans to rebrand Macquaries products with its own name after the sale, which is scheduled for late this year. The emblem of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is shown on a podium in Vail, Colo., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The EEOC and the Department of Justice provided guidance following President Donald Trump's executive orders on DEI. Read more In January President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14173, titled Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity which created a new set of rules regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Justice followed up with a joint statement for employees titled What to Do If You Experience Discrimination Related to DEI at Work as well as a technical assistance document called What You Should Know About DEI-Related Discrimination at Work. Advertisement The executive order, and the additional guidance, clarified that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits disparate treatment in the terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including: hiring, promotion, compensation, exclusion from training, exclusion from fellowships, firing, demotion, fringe benefits, exclusion from mentoring or sponsorship programs, and the selection for interviews, including placement on candidate slates. Regardless, some of the guidance remains unclear, and cases opposing the regulations are making their way through the court system. For many employers who were previously implementing DEI policies, the new rules are creating confusion and concern. If youre one of those employers, here are a few things to consider. Get a legal review If your company has a DEI policy or has programs that may be considered discriminatory under these new rules, its important to have legal counsel review them. Alison Stevens, a senior director of human resources services at HR and payroll processing firm Paychex, suggests getting a comprehensive audit of all internal and external DEI policies and programs, including any content that exists on both your internal and external websites and systems. An audit can help companies tailor objectives, identify areas requiring immediate action, and develop a comprehensive strategy that can help mitigate legal and reputational risks, she said. Michele Douglass, a partner at New Jersey law firm Burnham Douglass, said any policies should align with existing EEOC anti-harassment and antidiscrimination rules. Employers should be working with employment counsel to ensure that initiatives are grounded in legitimate business interests, like expanding talent pools, improving cultural competency, or reducing turnover, she said. Rethink how you approach DEI Because the term DEI has become such a flashpoint, most employers are moving away from using this phrase in their employee policies, said attorney Virginia Hardwick, a partner at law firm Hardwick Benfer LLC in Doylestown. Its important to ensure that your programs that may have previously been offered to only those in protected categories be available for all, Hardwick added. Quotas and numeric goals for recruitment and advancement are an invitation for scrutiny or even a lawsuit and should be avoided. Stevens is telling clients that their business practices should reflect their workplace culture and include equitable access to all opportunities. Businesses should communicate efforts as sustainable business practices instead of preferential treatment, she said. Douglass is telling her clients that they can reframe without retreating. Think in terms of eliminating disparate impact, not enforcing numerical diversity targets, she said. Emphasize documentation and data To ensure compliance, Stevens also advises employers to maintain comprehensive documentation related to posting jobs, as well as documenting all steps in the recruiting and hiring process. You may also consider training or retraining employees and managers on procedures to ensure that your business practices are compliant, she said. Douglass said DEI goals can and should still be pursued, but employers must shift from quota-based or explicitly race-conscious approaches to data-driven, objective strategies that focus on removing barriers and expanding opportunity. She recommends using analytics to identify pay disparities, promotion gaps, or attrition trends. Address these as systemic business issues, not identity-based preferences. This approach remains fully defensible and necessary, she said. Emphasize merit Its now more important than ever to judge prospective and current employees primarily on their qualifications. Claude Schoenberg, an independent labor attorney based in Bala Cynwyd, contends that current DEI practices apply criteria that are inconsistent with the mandates of employment law. Employees both current and prospective must be judged based on their merit and not based on immutable characteristics such as ethnicity or gender or national origin, Schoenberg said. Such characteristics can be discussed in how those characteristics helped to shape an applicants merit, but the best strategy for employers is to hire based on merit for available positions. Hardwick added that new executive orders should not be construed as an open invitation to favor white men in hiring or promotion. Employers who value the strength brought by a diverse workforce should look holistically at the range of experience and skills brought by job candidates, Hardwick added. Use common sense Most experts agree that now is not the time to panic. A February Justice Department memo reminded employers that the recent regulations do not prohibit educational, cultural, or historical observances such as Black History Month, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or similar events that celebrate diversity, recognize historical contributions, and promote awareness without engaging in exclusion or discrimination. George E. Norcross, chairman of Cooper University Health Care, is seated between N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy (left) and former Gov. Chris Christie (right) during a Cooper event earlier this year. Read more New Jersey prosecutors urged an appeals court to reinstate criminal racketeering charges against Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III, arguing that a judge erred in dismissing the indictment without reviewing evidence that was presented to the grand jury. In his February decision, prosecutors said, Mercer County Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw effectively threw out five months of work by the grand jury which heard 2,000 pages of testimony and hundreds of exhibits and reached determinations about Norcross motivations through a faulty analysis. Advertisement In short, not a single precedent supports the trial courts facial approach, and reams of published cases contradict it, Deputy Attorney General Adam D. Klein wrote in his offices filing late Monday with the Superior Courts Appellate Division. It is unclear how long the appeals process might play out. The case ultimately could reach the New Jersey Supreme Court. The 13-count indictment accused Norcross and five codefendants of using threats of financial and reputational harm and his control of local government to obtain Camden waterfront property and millions of dollars in state tax credits. Norcross, 69, is executive chairman of the insurance firm Conner Strong & Buckelew, chairman of Cooper University Health Care, and a longtime Democratic leader in South Jersey. He and his codefendants his brother Philip, CEO of the law firm Parker McCay; attorney William Tambussi; former Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd; and two businessmen, John J. ODonnell and Sidney R. Brown were charged in June with racketeering conspiracy, extortion, and other crimes. Norcross lawyers have described the prosecution, led by the office of New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, as a sham. The new filing is another failed legal argument by the attorney general the only difference is that this redux version is longer than the original. The fatal legal flaws remain," Norcross lawyer Michael Critchley Sr. said in a statement. As has become obvious to everyone, Mr. Platkins obsession has been a political prosecution from its inception. We look forward to again rebutting his fatuous claims on the merits. Platkin, an appointee of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, has said the prosecution was not motivated by politics. The defense in the fall asked the judge to dismiss the indictment, arguing that even if all the allegations in the indictment were proven true, they would not constitute criminal extortion or coercion. Warshaw agreed, ruling that the indictment showed that Norcross and his associates engaged in lawful economic bargaining in the course of their efforts to redevelop the Camden waterfront. But in reaching that conclusion, prosecutors contend, the judge failed to accept the factual allegations as true and view the evidence in the light most favorable to the state, as is required in such a pretrial motion. For example, the indictment alleges that in the summer of 2016, Norcross told Philadelphia developer Carl Dranoff he would f you up like youve never been f up before if the developer did not agree to Norcross preferred terms in a real estate deal. Norcross also said he would make sure Dranoff never did business in Camden again, the indictment says. READ MORE: How power broker George Norcross may try to undercut iconic developer Carl Dranoffs credibility in racketeering case In weighing whether this alleged threat and others were unlawful, the judge interpreted both the facts and the law, concluding that [Dranoff] and George Norcross were two heavyweights and that [Dranoff] gives as good as he gets, hardly a favorable inference to the grand jurys allegations that these men were not on equal footing, prosecutors said. The judge ignored the grand jurys finding that George Norcross in reality controlled the Camden government that ultimately had power over permitting and eminent domain decisions that would directly affect both developers property interests, Klein wrote. If a court has questions about what a threat means, or how a victim interprets it, the proper forum is trial testimony, or, at the least, a review of the actual evidence presented to the grand jury, he added. The attorney generals office also pushed back against Warshaws finding that the threats described in the indictment as extortion actually amounted to lawful hard bargaining. Under the law, hard bargaining presumes that at least one party is using lawful economic leverage pushing for favorable terms using market power, competition, or business strategy, prosecutors wrote. The facts alleged here, by contrast, extend far beyond that narrow remit, they said. After all, the indictment alleges that defendants did more than simply threaten to exert a type of economic pressure to which all businesspeople are subject; it alleges that they threatened to impose reputational harm and to use their control over government to deprive their victims of a level playing field and cause them to forfeit any potential business opportunity in the entire city of Camden in the first place. Prosecutors said the judge had also erred in ruling that the charges were barred under the statute of limitations. A key objective of the Norcross-led racketeering conspiracy was obtaining New Jersey tax credits to offset the cost of building an office tower and apartment complex, according to the indictment. Companies controlled by Norcross and his codefendants received and sold tax credits in 2022 and 2023, continuing a conspiracy that began in 2012 and making the charges timely, prosecutors said. The original Eagles bus that broke down on the way to Super Bowl XV is hoisted atop the Paintarama in Northeast Philly. Read more The bar around the corner had a bicycle on the roof and another business had a moving truck on top. So the Eagles bus atop the roof of a Wissinoming auto body shop fit in with the fabric of the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood. But we did it first, said Chaz Garuffe, whose father, Chalie, lifted the shell of a green school bus onto the roof of Paintarama at Torresdale Avenue and Brill Street a year after the bus broke down in January 1981 while carrying a gang of rowdy Birds fans to the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Advertisement The bus atop Garuffes auto body shop was a roadside attraction, a reminder of the group of guys from the neighborhood who tried to drive to the Super Bowl. The Eagles went nearly 25 years without reaching the big game and the bus on the roof The Liberty Bell of Northeast Philly, Chalie Garuffe once said was a reminder for decades that the Birds actually played in the Super Bowl. That was our whole world, Chaz Garuffe said. The Eagles didnt even win that Super Bowl. Hey Dad, the Eagles lost that game. I dont know. It was just a big deal. The Garuffes sold the building in the early 2000s and the bus was painted blue a few years ago. That made Garuffes stomach turn. There was no reason to look up anymore, he said. Last month, it became even worse when the bus was removed so the current owners could replace the roof before the building was sold. Garuffe figures the bus was sawed into pieces since it was just a shell without an engine or anything else inside. The current owners could not be reached for comment. READ MORE: An Eagles bus broke down on the way to Super Bowl XV and became Northeast Phillys Liberty Bell Northeast Philly lost a landmark No one saw it come down, Chaz Garuffe said. No one saw it halfway done. We got it up there with a crane. No one put a crane on the ground and blocked off the streets. No one saw it come down. Maybe it happened at nighttime. The building, as reported by the Philadelphia Business Journal, was sold last week for $1.04 million by Pea Vine Properties LP, a business tied to a Conshohocken address, to 5223 Torresdale LLC, which is linked to a residential address in Mayfair. Chalie Garuffe, who died in 2022, graduated in 1957 from Father Judges first graduating class, and served in the Air Force before opening Paintarama. He also operated a bar in the basement of the building called Thee Bus Stop as a nod to the bus on the roof. Two auto body shops occupied the building once his Paintarama closed. The bus hung around until now. I grew up there, Chaz Garuffe said. I started working there when I was 12 years old. Chalie Garuffe bought the 1954 Ford school bus for $225 in 1970 from a church in Huntingdon Valley. The bus was painted for the Eagles first white with green trim and then green with white trim and used every game to transport a group of dads from St. Timothys parish to the Vet. The Eagles were terrible for most of the 1970s, but the bus still rumbled every week to South Philly. The guys sang on the way down and sang on the way home. A sign on the side of the bus said, Either Way We Cant Lose. We always had a good time, Chalie Garuffe said in 1983. Even when they had terrible teams, we had fun. Whats America about if you cant have a little fun? We had good times and good laughs in here. Theyre irreplaceable. The Eagles dont owe me a thing. Its a generational thing The Eagles reached the Super Bowl in January 1981 and Garuffe decided to point the bus toward New Orleans with 13 guys inside. The gang called themselves the Dirty Dozen Plus One and the bus was overhauled to include a bar, tables, TVs, and even a bathroom. But it died in South Carolina, 730 miles from the Super Bowl. A tow truck took the bus back to Northeast Philly while the Dirty Dozen Plus One figured out a way to get to New Orleans. Some even rented hearses. The dead bus was lifted onto the roof and Garuffe bought a new bus for Sundays. They started this tradition every Sunday, said Jim Harvey, who owns the third iteration of the Northeast Philly Eagles bus and leaves for every game from Mayfair. The fathers from the neighborhood. Mr. Brennan, Mr. Garuffe, Mr. Connors, Mr. MacNamara. Then they turned it over to the next generation, me and my friends. Now Im taking my daughters and my grandson. Its a generational thing. The bus on the roof was a thing, something that caught your eye when you were driving down Torresdale Avenue. It was part of a neighborhood that had a bar with a bike on the roof. The bike has long been gone. And now the bus is, too. My dad would say, Its time to move on, Garuffe said. Let someone else have a story to tell. The school library at T.M. Peirce Elementary in North Philadelphia. The brand-new school has a library but no librarian; there are just three full-time school librarians in the entire, 216-school Philadelphia district. Read more The federal government has officially canceled a Philadelphia School District grant designed to help the system grow a national model for reopening school libraries with certified school librarians. Officials received word of the cancellation last week, according to information obtained by The Inquirer. District spokesperson Monique Braxton confirmed the cancellation but had no information about whether the system would move forward with plans to revive libraries in the absence of federal funds. Advertisement Braxton said that the system is assessing the implication of the cancellation of the grant and that the district is committed to prioritizing reading and literacy. READ MORE: In Philly, school librarians are an endangered species. But the district could soon help lead a renaissance. The news comes as President Donald Trumps administration is gutting numerous federal agencies, including the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences, which had awarded Philadelphia schools the grant. Nearly all of IMLS staff has been laid off; multiple groups are suing over the cuts. Philadelphia has perhaps the nations worst big-city ratio for school librarians; just three schools Central, Masterman, and Penn Alexander employ full-time certified school librarians. (Two other schools, South Philadelphia High and Shawmont Elementary, have certified librarians who also have other teaching responsibilities. There are 216 schools in the district.) Forty years ago, the district had 176 full-time, certified school librarians for 259 schools. What was the grant? In 2024, officials trumpeted the news: The district had been awarded a grant from the IMLS to execute the Urban School Library Restoration Project. Though the award was modest, $150,000 over three years, it was intended to be a force multiplier, a way for the system to study how a few other districts have restored school librarians, build a pipeline of new and diverse school librarians, and create a five-year plan for the restoration of a Philadelphia school library system. Just one phase of that plan, the study of other libraries work, has been completed. Some of the funding for that part of the project has been paid, but some still remains to be distributed. Debra Kachel, a leader of the Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians, said Monday that while she was expecting the grant to be canceled in light of federal cuts elsewhere, she had held out hope that the grant was so small in the larger scheme of things it might slip under the radar. But in an internal email sent April 16 and obtained by The Inquirer, Michael Sonkowsky, deputy chief of the districts grant development office, said it appeared that IMLS has unilaterally chosen to terminate our planning grant and is directing us to close it out. A group has been meeting weekly in Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.s office to monitor the impact of Trump administration actions on the district, Sonkowsky wrote; information about the loss of the IMLS group was forwarded to that group. I am very sorry this has happened, Sonkowsky wrote. It is unprecedented in my experience. I think that the work of this project is very important, and I hope we can find a way to move it forward despite this setback. Whats next? In addition to the loss of the IMLS grant, Philadelphia is in a precarious budget position generally. Watlington recently proposed a $4.6 billion spending plan that would rely on the district spending a whopping $300 million of its reserves to balance the budget and still forecasts a $15 million deficit next year that would grow to $2 billion over five years. Advocates have been pushing for the restoration of school libraries for years. I honestly dont know where we go from here, said Kachel, a professor of library science. She wrote the initial IMLS grant report but said that it has been difficult for anyone involved in library work to get face time with upper-level district administration officials, and that there have been no discussions of its contents. Jean Darnell, who was hired last year as the districts first director of library science in years, is currently on leave from her job; she previously said she has never been given a budget for library work. Her assessment of the state of district libraries, in which she requested the restoration of 12 school librarian positions, has not been made public. Bill Owens (right) is seen in this 2023 photo alongside "60 Minutes" reporters (from left) Sharyn Alfonsi, L. Jon Wertheim, Bill Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Cecilia Vega, and Anderson Cooper. Read more Is President Donald Trumps lawsuit against CBS having an impact on 60 Minutes, the most-watched newsmagazine on TV? The shows executive producer appears to think so. Bill Owens, who joined 60 Minutes in 2003 and was named executive producer in 2019, announced his departure from the celebrated news show Tuesday, citing a threat to the independence he had enjoyed during his tenure. Advertisement In a note to staff obtained by The Inquirer, Owens said that over the last few months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it. To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. So having defended this show and what we stand for from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward." The New York Times was first to report on Owens departure. Owens didnt specify in the memo how the shows independence was being threatened. Wendy McMahon, the president of CBS News and Stations, wrote the network is committed to 60 Minutes and to ensuring that the mission and the work remain our priority. Owens departure comes as CBS faces a $20 billion lawsuit from President Donald Trump over how the network edited a portion of a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris into a shorter response that was shown on Face the Nation. Trump claims the show edited the clip to make Harris look better ahead of the 2024 election. CBS has denied the presidents allegations, writing in an October statement that the interview was not doctored. Media critics have universally denounced the lawsuit as an attempt by Trump to exert power over an independent news organization. Then-candidate Donald Trumps lawsuit against CBS News over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris is outrageous, unprecedented and threatens to shake the core of American journalism, wrote UCLA law instructor Alex Alben. Paramount, the parent company of CBS, is currently in mediation with Trump to settle the issue, the Times has reported, though the lawsuit could still end up going to court. Paramount Global chair Shari Redstone is also hoping to finalize a deal to sell the company to Skydance, which would require the approval of the Trump administration. As recently as last week, Trump called on the Federal Communications Commission to punish 60 Minutes over news reports unflattering to his administration. Trump was responding to two segments one focused on the presidents desire to take control of Greenland, and one featuring an interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the U.S. pushes for a peace deal with Russia. President Trump, being a strong president of a strong country, must be on Ukraines side, Zelensky said. I think it is wrong that America wants to be neutral. So far, no 60 Minutes correspondents have announced they are leaving the show, and McMahon said conversations with the programs staff and senior leaders about Owens departure are underway. He has championed the kind of journalism that informs, enlightens, and often changes the national conversation, McMahon said of Owens. His dedication to finding and nurturing talent will be felt across CBS News for years. Since Brandon Parish could stand on a milk crate and wash dishes for his father at the Kibitz Room in Cherry Hill, delis have been his comfort zone. I didnt want to be in camp, Parish, 31, said last week. I didnt want to be at school. If it wasnt the lacrosse field, I wanted to be at the shop. It was just the whole environment. The people who worked there were a second family. Advertisement This week, Parish opens his own deli-restaurant, the Kibitz Room King of Prussia say it KIB-itz, loosely translated from Yiddish as chitchat in a shopping center on Route 202, a mile north of King of Prussia Mall. With seating for more than 200 people spread throughout two dining rooms and in a smaller party room, its more than four times the size of the Cherry Hill deli, which his father, Neil, bought 22 years ago. Brandon Parishs mother, Sandy, took over that location nearly a decade ago after she and Neil split up. Brandon worked for his mother until last month; the two locations are owned separately, he said. Parish has been eager to open his own deli for some time. He initially had a deal in Montgomeryville, but it fell through. His wife, Jessica, had lived in King of Prussia near the former Michaels Deli (most recently, KOP Grill & Tavern). Having grown up in South Jersey, Parish said he realized that there are very few locally owned and operated family businesses in King of Prussia, aside from pizzerias and hoagie shops. Kibitz Room not only would be a family restaurant, but it would be one of the few open early for breakfast. Regular hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. King of Prussia is also full service, while Cherry Hill is not. Neil Parish, 60, who relocated from Baltimore, is in charge of the food at the new deli, whose menu embraces the Jewish deli food canon: outsize corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, matzo balls the size of softballs, knishes, chicken pot pies, braised short ribs, and even a garlicky flank steak modeled on the classic served at Sammys Roumanian in New York. Last week, Neil Parish was standing over a vat of boiling water to cook kishka, an Eastern European sausagelike delicacy of flour, matzo meal, beef fat, chicken fat, carrots, onions, celery, and spices that few delis make in-house anymore. Also on the heavier side, theyre offering gribenes, the chicharrones-like fried chicken skins that are the byproduct of rendering chicken fat, a.k.a. schmaltz. In a month or so, the Parishes said, they will start offering tableside chopped liver service and are considering making egg creams tableside, as well. As big as the menu is, we have probably four times that in different ideas and different things that are still very Jewish deli, but with a nice twist, Neil Parish said. In the rear of the main dining room is a service deli whose cases are stocked with meats, cheeses, smoked fish, three kinds of herring, blintzes, stuffed peppers, salads, and baked goods all baked in-house, such as gigantic cakes, black-and-white cookies, and pastries. Theres also a retail section with oils, vinegars, tinned fish, syrups, and crackers. I feel like this really encapsulates the Jewish deli as a whole experience, Brandon Parish said. The old, the new, the vibe, the aesthetic, the personality, the quality, the menu mix. We dont do anything thats not traditional or that doesnt come from traditional Jewish deli roots. Brandon Parish scoffs at the occasional reports that Jewish delis are going out of style. Sandwiches have made a comeback, he said. I think if you do it well, then you never have to worry about failure. But most delis are all doing the same thing. The Kibitz Room history, digested Neil Parish, a native of Baltimore, worked for the Cracker Barrel chain in the late 1990s. He and his family lived in Clementon, N.J., and the children attended Hebrew school at Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill. Rather than drive home after dropping them off, Parish hung out at the nearby Springdale Deli, becoming immersed in the atmosphere. In 2000, local deli legend Russ Cowan bought the deli and renamed it the Kibitz Room. Parish said he walked in for a sandwich and asked Cowan: Who did you steal the name from? Cowan, nonplussed, bet Parish that he couldnt guess. But Parish knew that Kibitz Room was a seating area at Attmans Delicatessen in Baltimore. The men bonded. By then, Parish said, I was bored out of my mind with my corporate job. Parish began working two days for Cowan and moved to full-time almost right away. In 2003, Parish bought the Kibitz Room from Cowan, using his daughters bat mitzvah gifts as the down payment. She got four years at Syracuse, all covered, Parish said. It was a good investment. (In 2005, Cowan bought Famous 4th Street Deli in Philadelphia, which he sold last year. Cowan now owns Radins Deli in Cherry Hill, five minutes from the Kibitz Room, on the previous site of Short Hills Deli.) Although Parishs older children Laurie and Adam helped at the deli while growing up, they pursued nonfood careers. He never wanted anything else, Neil said of Brandon. In 2009, at age 15, Brandon began working the cash register at a former Kibitz location near Rittenhouse Square. It was always school first, obviously, and when I was able to work, he put me to work, he said. Although Brandon did not enjoy academia, his father insisted that he go to college. He enrolled at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I., to study culinary and food-service management. The summer after graduation in 2016, he and his father opened a Kibitz location in Margate his first shot at management. He kind of threw me the keys and told me to have fun, Brandon said. But it wasnt so much fun. After Labor Day, they realized that Shore customers did not want deli. He returned to Cherry Hill, and Neil opened a deli in Baltimore the Essen Room, which his friend Lou Ellison now runs. Though Neil has his opinions and his own way, he made it clear last week that this is Brandons store, he said. Im on the way out. Hes on the way up. Settantatre, Matt Gentile and Genna Curcios pasta shop specializing in gluten-free noodles, has moved from Delaware County to the Main Line with new ambition. Its serving espresso, coffee, and pastries starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday to Saturday, and shifts to panini and other savory items (think spicy vodka tomato pie and spring onion- and clam-topped focaccia, with or without gluten) for lunch. It will mark its grand opening on Sunday. Advertisement READ MORE: Philadelphias essential gluten-free restaurants With the move from Milmont Park to the former Candelarios Pizzeria at 802 Lancaster Ave. in Berwyn, Gentile has added a dedicated gluten-free pasta facility nearby. (In the kitchen of the previous Settantatre location, he alternated which days he made regular and gluten-free foods, using separate equipment after deep cleaning.) Hes constantly refining recipes and thinks hes closing in on one that will allow him to machine-produce gluten-free ravioli. So far, Settantatres gluten-free tomato pie has been the bestseller, as have the topped focaccias (both conventional and gluten-free). Refrigerators and freezers are stocked with prepared foods as well as conventional and gluten-free pastas the same line that it offers at local farmers markets. The couple sells a line of blast-frozen seafood items (branzino, salmon, scallops, shrimp) from Small World Seafood, and partners with farms selling Wagyu beef, including Stonyrun. There are a couple of small tables for in-store snacking. In the back, theres a glassed-in kitchen with a long work table and a quaint 35-seat dining room. But Settantatre Italian for seventy-three, as the couples wedding anniversary is July 3 will not operate as a restaurant, per se, Gentile said. I have too many things going on, Gentile said. Its just not feasible. Instead, the kitchen and dining room will be the centerpiece of a membership program called the 73 Club. For $73 a month, members (and their guests) get access to semiprivate twice-weekly dinners, special-release foods, cooking classes, and events, such as lunches in the kitchen with Gentile; $60 of the fee can be applied to any purchase, including items from the retail shop and farmers markets. Initially, all of the 73 Clubs features will be open to the public. I have a lot of customers who spend [the $60] just on retail stuff, so it makes sense for them to join it, Gentile said. Many dinners are about $55 per person. I had to come up with something that was neat and fun and [that] adds to our space and allows me to actually enjoy it, he said. The Settantatre backstory Gentile, 42, was executive chef at Ristorante Panorama a decade ago when Curcio, office administrator at 320 Market Cafe, was diagnosed with celiac disease. Handmade pasta has always been Gentiles stock in trade, and he set about trying to create a tasty version without wheat flour. He turned the family kitchen into a lab, combining every flour he could get his hands on. Several years ago, he came upon a recipe that he felt he could bring to market. He left Panorama in late 2022 in anticipation of the first stores opening in early 2023. His tortelloni, tagliatelle, and pappardelle became a hit among the gluten-free community. The Inquirers Craig LaBan, whose daughter is allergic to gluten, called it the best Ive tasted for a fresh pasta and named it one of his favorite gluten-free spots in the city. State Sen. Vincent Hughes speaks at a roundtable event with Pennsylvania lawmakers, stakeholders, and health systems to discuss potential cuts to Medicaid at the University City Science Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Read more The potential impact of looming Medicaid cuts would touch every corner of health care in Pennsylvania, which is already worrying more than two dozen lawmakers, health system administrators, and stakeholders who convened in Philadelphia Tuesday to discuss how to prepare. As Republicans and President Donald Trumps administration attempt to cut taxes while also curbing spending, Congress is considering budget proposals that could cut up to $880 billion over the next 10 years from Medicaid, the federal- and state-funded health insurance program for low-income individuals, children, and people with disabilities. Advertisement About 3 million Pennsylvania residents, including 1.3 million children, are covered by Medicaid. The program covers about a third of births and 59% of nursing home stays. No federal budget deal has been approved, and details of what could be cut are still to come. But lawmakers and stakeholders are bracing for deep cuts to critical safety net programs, with widespread impact on working families, hospital systems, schools, and the healthcare workforce. This is an ecosystem, said Val Arkoosh, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. We are all in this together, no matter where you get your healthcare from. Arkoosh was among the participants in a two-hour roundtable discussion about potential Medicaid cuts at the University City Science Center. The event was organized by Pennsylvania State Sen. Vincent Hughes, a Philadelphia Democrat. The federal government contributes about $30 billion a year, on top of the $14 billion Pennsylvania spends on Medicaid. If even part of that federal funding is cut, Pennsylvania lawmakers will need to come up with the money to sustain programs, or make difficult decisions about cutting services. READ MORE: What do potential Medicaid cuts mean for families in Pennsylvania? Impacts to health-care providers Cutting Medicaid funding would further strain health systems, nursing homes, and skilled nursing facilities already operating at slim margins, stakeholders said. Medicaid, which pays less than private insurance, often does not cover the full cost of providing care to patients. For instance, Medicaid payments for skilled nursing commonly cover about three-quarters of the cost of care, leaving facilities to absorb the remaining costs, said Garry Pezzano, CEO of LeadingAge PA, which represents long-term care providers. The organizations member facilities have already had to cut back services and face significant staffing challenges. We in Pennsylvania are going to have to figure out how to fund an already stressed system, Pezzano said. Pennsylvania could lose 42,000 jobs due to the ripple effects of Medicaid cuts, according to a study by The Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit that studies health-care issues. Ali Kronley, a vice president for SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, said the unions 25,000 workers in nursing facilities, home care, and hospitals are worried about their jobs. Medicaid provides about half of the funding for those workers, she said. Concern for behavioral health services Behavioral health services could also be at risk. Medicaid helps fund behavioral health services at public schools, community health centers, and hospital systems. These programs often cost more money to run than health systems earn in revenue from services that are critically needed and already in short supply, stakeholders said. We lose tens of millions of dollars in behavioral health services, said Peter Grollman, senior vice president of external affairs at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. That might be a bad business decision, but we say its the right mission decision. READ MORE: CHOP has a new mental health center in West Philly. Community members want providers to spend time outside its walls. About half of CHOPs patients are covered by Medicaid. CHOP has been circulating form letters to federal lawmakers that warn of how potential funding cuts to Medicaid and research would harm families, and asking staff and patient families to sign them in opposition. A few participants in the 1970 Earth Day Rally held at Belmont Plateau linger after the event. Over 26,000 people attended the rally on April 22, 1970. Read more The bow-tied W. Thacher Longstreth agreed to meet a few young people who wanted to celebrate Mother Earth. In the spring of 1970, they called it Earth Day. Advertisement I thought at first it was just a confrontation, Longstreth, a longtime City Council member and president of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, told the Daily News in 1990. They assured me they had constructive ideas and wanted no confrontations. The planners of the first Earth Day quickly got the cooperation of The Establishment in Philadelphia, where it evolved into a weeklong celebration that the planners called Earth Week. And the city made the most of it, capping off the festivities on April 22, 1970, with a six-hour festival in Fairmount Park. The finale of the weeklong event drew somewhere between 25,000 and 30,000 clean-air lovers. It was this gathering in the city its inhabitants called Filthydelphia that helped kick off a push for a brighter, and cleaner, future. It was the biggest event in the country that day, remarkable considering that there were Earth Day events in countless cities and towns and at an estimated 2,000 colleges and 10,000 high schools, wrote a Daily News reporter. The idea for the first official celebration of our third planet from the sun sprang from U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson. The Wisconsin Democrat proposed his idea for a national event focused on the environment in the fall of 1969. He had envisioned classes and teach-ins held nationwide, and mostly across college campuses, to educate the public on the power and fragility of nature. The term Earth Day was coined later. But in Philadelphia, those four young students at the University of Pennsylvania embraced Nelsons idea and ran with it. One of the largest events occurred the evening before Earth Day, when a Chestnut Street parade preceded a rally on Independence Mall, which drew 7,000 people. And on the actual Earth Day, on a bright and clear day with temperatures hovering in the 50s, thousands in tie-dyed clothing rallied around the Philadelphia Museum of Art. And then they paraded to Belmont Plateau for the six-hour event. The throngs listened to the gospel of environmental rights, they cheered, they sang some more, according to the Daily News. Earth Day, said poet Allen Ginsberg, was an educational picnic. The best part? The thousands of revelers picked up their trash. In this photo taken Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, D-Pa., drinks from a glass of water that Pope Francis used during his speech to Congress, while standing in Brady's Washington office. As Pope Francis left the chamber Thursday, Brady, who is Roman Catholic, headed to the lectern to retrieve the pontiff's drinking glass. (Stan White/U.S. Rep. Bob Brady's office via AP) Read more Former U.S. Rep. Bob Brady said he got ragged on for keeping Pope Francis drinking glass and leftover water after the pontiff addressed Congress in 2015. But it turns out, Brady paid for the glass and had the popes permission to keep it. In light of the popes death Monday, Brady, chairman of Philadelphias Democratic Party, spoke with The Inquirer to reflect on his memories of the pontiff and to set the record straight on a decade-old story that gained national notoriety. Advertisement When Pope Francis set out on his six-day U.S. tour, visiting Philadelphia, New York, and D.C., his itinerary included an address to a joint session of Congress. Brady, who was representing Pennsylvanias First District in Congress at the time, famously (or infamously, depending on whom you ask) snagged the glass of water from the popes lectern, after Pope Francis had sipped from it at least three times during his speech. Brady brought the glass back to his office. He had pulled a similar stunt years earlier at Barack Obamas first presidential inauguration in 2009. The incident went viral. Brady garnered press attention for the glass swipe, even hosting a press conference to discuss his papal souvenir. But then I got beat up on, like, Colbert or whatever, Brady recalled in a phone interview Monday. The nearly five-minute vamp from Colbert featured the late-night host challenging Bradys decision to take the glass. Art thou serious? Colbert joked, referring to the water as papal backwash at one point. But according to Brady, he asked the sergeant of arms if he could keep the glass and paid the Department of Treasury $1.75 for it. In fact, Brady, who is Roman Catholic, said he went through as many channels as possible to ensure that keeping the glass wasnt sinful. He asked a cardinal nearby in case the church might want it (who apparently told Brady to keep it because the church had access to other items used by the pope, including dishes and bedding). He even asked the pope himself. I saw him leaving when he was at the airport. I went up to him and his interpreter, though he spoke pretty decently, and said I have your water glass. If its OK, can I keep it? He said, Sure, absolutely. Give it to the kids, bless the kids, Brady recalled. I got permission and I took it. Still, Brady wondered, what would happen when the water was gone? Pope Francis and his interpreter reportedly told him that if he poured more water to combine with the existing bit, the new water automatically will be blessed by the pope, too. So thats what he did, sharing it with his family and grandchildren. From there, Brady says hundreds of people would ask to bless themselves, including former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) and his wife, Terese, who dipped their fingers in the water. When Brady met the pope again during the Philadelphia portion of his visit at St. Josephs University, Brady said Pope Francis again insisted that he share the holy water and bless the children. A lot of people came up to me there and told me this guy is sick, that person is sick, or do you mind if I come over and bless myself? Brady said. I had about 20 people come over to my house that day. ... If I helped somebody, thats great. Brady still has the glass, which he had fingerprinted for authenticity, in his home curio cabinet. He was really, really cool, Brady said of the pope. [His death] is so sad. He grabbed my arm with both hands when he spoke to me. He was a good guy, a really nice man. A view of a 560 acre wildfire that broke out over the weekend on Bear Mountain on the outskirts of Jim Thorpe in Carbon County. Read more Firefighters have almost fully contained a wildfire that broke out over the weekend on Bear Mountain on the outskirts of Jim Thorpe in Carbon County. The fire had reached about 560 acres and was 95% contained as of Thursday morning, according to Wesley Robinson, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Advertisement Robinson said there are a lot of dried leaves, dead trees, and other vegetation to fuel the fire. About 150 people have been involved in fighting the fire or supporting the effort. No one has been injured and no properties have been damaged, although the blaze and smoke could be seen from downtown Jim Thorpe, a tourism draw in the spring. The fire is on the outskirts of town, about a quarter mile from any buildings. The blaze was first reported at 4:30 p.m. Saturday near the Lehigh River at the base of Bear Mountain. The cause is under investigation. Firefighters, with aerial support, continued to focus on the fires eastern boundary, Robinson said. The Delaware & Lehigh Trail (D&L) had initially been closed from mile markers 102 to 107 as a precaution. A portion of the trail, which runs from the Delaware to the Lehigh Rivers, connects downtown Jim Thorpe to the Weissport section through a pedestrian bridge over the Lehigh River. The Carbon County Emergency Management Agency issued a statement Monday night saying it could take days to fully contain the fire in Jim Thorpe and Franklin Township. The statement said firefighters are using back burns, a technique to burn already downed or dead wood in the fires path to starve it of fuel. Homeowners around the area are prone to seeing smoke and flames, the statement said, but please be ensured that there are crews who are currently working the operations. Most of the seemingly random fires popping up are those being ignited and controlled by firefighters as part of the back burning. HARRISBURG The charred windows had been boarded up and the glass scattered around the property swept away. The grounds of the Pennsylvania governors residence were open to the public again. Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday hosted the states annual Easter egg hunt, the first event at the governors residence since a 38-year-old man who police said was harboring a hatred for Shapiro allegedly tried to burn it down in the early morning hours of April 13, as Shapiro and his family slept upstairs. Advertisement READ MORE: The arson at Gov. Josh Shapiros mansion erupted within minutes. The impact lingers. Replacing the wreckage, the backyard of the governors mansion was filled with giggling preschoolers, a baby goat petting zoo, and hundreds of candy-filled Easter eggs. Shapiro said that putting on Tuesdays Easter egg hunt an event hosted by the governor, the lieutenant governor, and their spouses was important to the leaders, even with the presence of workers clearing wreckage from the mansion following the water and fire damage there. To see the smiles on these kids faces just brings such joy after obviously a really emotional week, Shapiro told reporters after dozens of preschoolers gathered the candy-filled eggs on a warm spring day. During the event, he called to increase state funding for childcare programs by $55 million, to give $1,000 signing and retention bonuses for childcare workers and to begin returning to his regular routine of staying at the residence in Pennsylvanias capital several nights of the week, following the harrowing attack. And more than a week later, signs of the attack remained at the stately Harrisburg home. While the children raced around the residences back lawn for eggs filled with Laffy Taffy and Tootsie Rolls, a crew of Department of General Services staff worked to clear out damaged parts of the 29,000-square-foot home, with several dumpsters lining the front lawn of the property. Theres been some people looking over at the damage, but most people are focusing on the joy of the day, said Amy Kobeta, communications director for the advocacy group Childrens First, which supports Pennsylvanias prekindergarten initiatives. The governor also shared a few more details about the damage to the residence, and plans for its full reopening: He hopes to reopen the now-charred reception room by midsummer, and plans to host an event next month in other parts of the mansion with former Pennsylvania governors and first ladies. The total cost of the damage to taxpayers will be calculated in the coming weeks, after it is determined how much will be covered by insurance, as well as outside fundraising by the former governors, he said. Shapiro will sleep at the residence this week, he said, and repeated that he feels confident in his state police detail to keep him safe. An independent review of the security breach and state police procedures is underway. Im not going to live in fear, Shapiro added. The roof deck of the bi-level condo. Read more Kate Kinslow had a three-word explanation of what drew her to the Center City West bi-level condo she and husband Mike bought in 2022: Its a neighborhood. More specifically, she liked the walkability, neighbors, many neighborhood events, and proximity to restaurants and stores, including a large Trader Joes. Plus its near the Schuylkill River Trail, where the Kinslows like to walk. Advertisement But now Kate, a retired hospital CEO, and Mike, a nurse anesthetist, are headed to South Carolina. The 1,715-square-foot condos entry foyer leads to an open living, dining, and kitchen area with 17-foot ceilings and oversize windows letting in abundant natural light. The kitchen, redone in 2024, has white granite counter tops, light beige cabinets, and a black backsplash, and the stove includes an air fryer. The living room has a working gas fireplace. One of the bedrooms is on the first level and has a large walk-in closet. The primary bedroom, on the second level, has a marble bathroom with a glass-enclosed tub and shower combination, dual vanities, and a whirlpool soaking tub. The home also has a new wine refrigerator, hot water heater, and HVAC. The roof deck has two separate seating areas, room for a large table and a gas line. There is one-car garage parking. Other condo amenities include a 24-hour concierge, fitness center, and a conference room. The house is in the Greenfield School catchment area, and there is a Montessori school across the street. University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, 30th Street Station, and the Art Museum are close by, as well as a dog daycare center. The house is listed by Alon Seltzer of Compass Realty for $949,000. At the Hilton Hotel in Sydney on May 2, industry professionals have the chance to come together and mark achievements of all kinds, including culture, at the Insurance Business Awards. 20 awards categories celebrate the work of, amongst others, claims teams, brokers, women of distinction, top CEOs and excellence in diversity, equity and inclusion. The evening includes a black-tie gala dinner, drinks, music and entertainment. Cutler recently announced his intention to pursue a portfolio of non-executive roles after nearly two decades with the company. Reflecting on his time as CEO, Cutler said: I am proud of my first-class colleagues and, as Egied says, the Britannia Group is well positioned going forward and will thrive under Mikes leadership. I was equally proud to have been elected IG chair, with that role reminding me of the collective strength of the IG as well as the value of teamwork. I think for me personally, I chose to believe that [my home] had kept it out so I didnt have to think about the carnage that would be inside, she told ABC, adding that she saw mud-covered interiors and soaked possessions when emergency services opened her door. The damage was compounded by the absence of flood cover. Hood has joined as vice president and will be based in San Francisco, where she will focus on providing services to mid-sized and large technology employers in Northern California and nationwide. She brings significant experience in employee engagement, health and wellness program management, and benefits strategy. Before joining Alliant, she served as director of Health & Benefits at a global consulting firm. So the challenge is how to become the top player there, Funabiki said in an interview. He added that the company is focused on strengthening its organizational structure to support future profit growth, though decisions on specific business areas and investment targets are still pending. Under the proposed legislation, the annual DFS notice may include the departments disaster hotline, key contact details, and a link to the departments online disaster and flood resource center. Additionally, it must feature a clear statement highlighting that standard homeowners and renters insurance policies do not typically cover flood-related damages, underscoring the necessity of separate flood insurance coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. A newly signed bill in New Mexico has introduced sweeping restrictions on the disclosure of sensitive personal information by state agency employees, in a move that is likely to have compliance implications for insurers, contractors, and government service providers. The Nondisclosure of Sensitive Personal Information Act, passed under Senate Bill 36 (SB 36), will take effect on July 1, 2025, and adds both civil penalties and criminal sanctions for improper handling of personal data. It seems to sink in a bit more when youre in person, especially when you have people like Sammy Kamkar, who comes in and talks about how he took down MySpace with the fastest spreading virus of all time, he said. That said, the state has been working to address these issues. Earlier this month, the California Assembly passed the FAIR Plan Stabilization Act, a bill which would authorize the California FAIR Plan to access additional financial capacity through the issuance of bonds or the establishment of a line of credit. A newly introduced bill in the Illinois General Assembly aims to significantly alter the regulatory oversight of the title insurance industry. Senate Bill 2648, introduced by Sen. Bill Cunningham, proposes shifting enforcement authority from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to the Department of Insurance (DOI). This strategic move could streamline insurance oversight and impact insurers, agents, and real estate professionals across Illinois. This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync. In the complex and ever-evolving world of life and annuity (L&A) compliance, efficiency isnt a luxury, its a critical factor in an organizations success. One of the most overlooked but essential components of smooth producer onboarding is contract request management. Without an integrated system to manage this process, carriers face unnecessary delays, increased administrative costs, and operational risks that hinder the ability to write policy and scale effectively. The bottleneck in contract request management For many L&A carriers, the producer contract request process is plagued by inefficiency and disconnected data. Carriers must manage contract requests from multiple agencies, each using different formats and delivery methods, from email and paper forms to third-party subscription services like SureLC and DTCC LNA. While some carriers build their own contract request portals, this can be labor intensive and expensive to maintain. Ultimately, this fragmentation leads to: Data silos : Inconsistent formats and multiple intake methods create disconnected systems, increasing the likelihood of errors and rework. : Inconsistent formats and multiple intake methods create disconnected systems, increasing the likelihood of errors and rework. Manual workload : Staff spend excessive time reformatting and verifying producer data, slowing down the entire onboarding process. : Staff spend excessive time reformatting and verifying producer data, slowing down the entire onboarding process. Compliance risks: Incomplete or incorrect data increases regulatory risks, exposing carriers to penalties or delays in appointing producers. These inefficiencies dont just cause frustration for carriers, they directly impact revenue. When producers are stuck in onboarding rather than actively selling, it leads to, on average, $3,000 in lost written premium per producer, per day. It goes without saying that when youre operating at scale, that adds up! The case for integrated contract request automation Carriers looking to optimize their onboarding process must consider the impact of integrating contract request services into their distribution management strategy. A modern contract request integration should ingest data from common sources such as SureLC and DTCC to offer the following: A single, standardized intake process : Normalizing producer data across multiple sources, which eliminates the need for manual intervention, reducing delays and errors. : Normalizing producer data across multiple sources, which eliminates the need for manual intervention, reducing delays and errors. Automated compliance checks : Ensuring that producer data is complete and regulatory requirements are met before submission prevents costly back-and-forth. : Ensuring that producer data is complete and regulatory requirements are met before submission prevents costly back-and-forth. Faster approvals and appointments: With structured and validated data, carriers can process contract requests quickly, significantly reducing the time it takes to get producers ready to sell. The business impact of faster producer onboarding A more efficient contract request process doesnt just benefit internal teams, it directly contributes to business growth. Industry data shows that reducing delays in producer onboarding can: Increase written premium volume : The faster producers onboard, the sooner they generate revenue. : The faster producers onboard, the sooner they generate revenue. Lower operational costs (and risk of human error) : Reducing manual processing time and double data entry has a direct impact on the bottom line : Reducing manual processing time and double data entry has a direct impact on the bottom line Improve producer retention: A streamlined experience makes it easier for producers to work with a carrier, reducing churn and strengthening partnerships. Key considerations for choosing the right contract request service When selecting a contract request solution, carriers should look for features that directly address industry pain points: Data-agnostic processing : The ability to handle multiple contract request sources such as DTCC LNA and SureLC without manual reformatting is crucial for efficiency. : The ability to handle multiple contract request sources such as DTCC LNA and SureLC without manual reformatting is crucial for efficiency. Seamless system integration : A contract request solution should normalize the data ingested from those services and integrate with your existing distribution channel management systems, so the data is just.there! : A contract request solution should normalize the data ingested from those services and integrate with your existing distribution channel management systems, so the data is just.there! Scalability without disruption: As carriers grow, their onboarding and contract management processes must be able to scale accordingly without adding unnecessary operational burdens. The future of life and annuity distribution management As the insurance industry continues to evolve, the need for integrated, automated contract request services will only grow. Carriers that embrace automation and seamless integrations will be positioned to onboard producers faster, reduce costs, and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing landscape. By eliminating bottlenecks and improving data accuracy, carriers can transform their producer onboarding process into a strategic advantage one that not only ensures compliance but also accelerates growth and strengthens relationships with distribution partners. Take control of your contract request process with AgentSync Outdated, manual contract request processes are slowing down life and annuity carriers, leading to delays, inefficiencies, and lost revenue. By integrating contract request automation with AgentSync Manage, you can standardize data, eliminate bottlenecks, and accelerate producer onboarding with ease. Dont let inefficient processes hold your business back. See how AgentSync Manage and the Contract Request Service (CRS) can optimize your distribution strategy. Topics Trends The arsonist who broke into the Pennsylvania governors residence while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his extended family slept upstairs on the first night of Passover encountered little resistance as he scaled a security fence, smashed windows with a hammer, ignited two Molotov cocktails and crawled inside before slipping off into the night minutes later. That suggests multiple security failures, according to a former FBI agent who wondered why burglar alarms, motion detectors and other devices did not thwart the intruder sooner. He never should have gotten over the fence. He never should have gotten across the yard and to the house. He never should have broken the window. He never should have gotten inside, said retired FBI Special Agent J.J. Klaver, now a security consultant. The arson early Sunday occurred just hours after Shapiro hosted a Seder for his family and members of the Jewish community. No one was injured, but the fire caused, by one officials estimate, millions of dollars in damage. Id be lying if I said it wasnt jarring, scary to see that in the light of day, to see the areas where wed either make memories privately up in the residence with our kids hanging out, laughing, enjoying ourselves or in the more public spaces where weve been able to welcome so many people to our home, Shapiro said Thursday. But were going to rebuild from that. Were going to be stronger. White House, queen have faced intruders Experts said it can be difficult to maintain security at official residences, like the one in Harrisburg, that also open their doors to the public for tours and events. Intruders over the years have managed to breach both the White House and the queens bedroom at Buckingham Palace. Meanwhile, Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was violently attacked inside their private home in California in 2022. The Pennsylvania suspect, an unemployed mechanic from Harrisburg, told police he felt hatred toward Shapiro, and referenced Palestinians in a 911 call that day, according to court documents. Still, Cody Balmers specific motive remains unclear, and both his family and lawyers have said he has struggled with serious mental health issues. Balmer, 38, remains in custody without bail while his lawyers seek a competency evaluation. Police say the attack took just minutes State police, who provide the governors security detail, pledged to hire an outside expert to review the breach and to assess the need for added security. They said the intruder came and went in a matter of minutes early Sunday as troopers on duty spotted the threat on security cameras and searched the grounds while he was still there. It was a very quick event, Lt. Col. George Bivens said. Shapiro, a high-profile Democrat on the national stage who was awakened about 2 a.m. Sunday by his state police detail, has expressed confidence in the agency while confirming that security measures would be bolstered. Klaver, who is based near Philadelphia, has planned site visits involving the governor and said Shapiro typically has several members of his security team in tow. In addition to staff, an array of high-tech systems can help police keep up with ever-evolving threats, another expert said. As people and groups get more creative, thats obviously where you need to adjust and learn. Youre always looking to do things better, said John Geffre, general manager of Unlimited Technology, an Exton, Pa.-based security systems integrator. Yet Balmer told police he relied on a rudimentary method to make the explosives gasoline from his lawn mower and a few beer bottles. And he said he planned to hit Shapiro with the small sledgehammer if he encountered him. Expert: He shouldnt have gotten that close Mohsin Siddiqui, 40, who manages a Sunoco station across the street, said he doesnt often notice security outside the residence, but he never thought they would need it. The events of last weekend took him by surprise. The residence is about a mile north of the Capitol complex, in a mixed-use neighborhood beside the Susquehanna River. Its a peaceful area, Siddiqui said Thursday. We had no idea this could even happen. Shapiro splits his time between the mansion that has housed governors since it was built in the 1960s and a home in Abington, a Philadelphia suburb. The security review, Klaver said, should focus on potential threats or vulnerabilities for any given location, and protecting the people in that location. Every state has a centralized emergency office open round-the-clock that could monitor security system feeds, he said. There should have been electronic security that would have detected all of that before he got close enough, he said of the attacker, so that as soon as he broke the perimeter of the property, the state trooper there should have been alerted, should have been there, and should have taken him into custody. (Dale reported from Philadelphia. Associated Press reporter Bruce Shipkowski contributed to this report from Toms River, New Jersey.) Photo: 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 AP) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc. plans to invest as much as about 700 billion ($5 billion) to expand in the North American market, to meet its goal of doubling operating profits in the region, according to its chief executive officer. The Tokyo-based casualty insurer has the highest market share in Asia among global firms, but its No. 3 among Japanese peers in North America, so the challenge is how to become the top player there, said Shinichiro Funabiki in an interview. We need to strengthen our organization so that we can double our profits in the near future, said Funabiki, adding that the business areas and new investment targets it will pursue will be determined in the future. Japanese insurers are increasing their presence overseas through takeovers as they face growing challenges in their home market due to a shrinking population. MS&AD announced in March that its subsidiary Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. will take a 15% stake in US insurer W.R. Berkley Corp. The company plans to continue its aggressive investment strategy moving forward, Funabiki said. MS&AD forecasts that net profit for its North American operations, including Canada and Mexico, will reach 166 billion in the fiscal year ended March 2025, a 3.5-fold increase from the previous fiscal year. MS&AD has already announced its plan to redirect funds from selling cross-held shares of companies with which it had business ties toward growth investments. Considering the money its spending for the stake in US-based W.R. Berkley, the amount available for investment is estimated to be about 600 billion to 700 billion. The Japanese insurer also plans to merge its non-life insurance units, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance and Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co. with the target date set for April 2027. He declined to comment on cost reductions resulting from the consolidation. The merged company may adopt a personnel management approach based on ability rather than seniority, which Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance began implementing this fiscal year, Funabiki said. The CEO indicated that merging the companies may help improve the groups governance. Japans Financial Services Agency issued business improvement orders to four non-life insurers including Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance for mishandling customer information in March, and for colluding to fix prices in contracts with corporate clients in December 2023. The most lacking aspect was the ability to anticipate risks, leading to irregularities, Funabiki said. Having two insurance companies of the same size with a dispersed organizational structure is not an optimal state. Photograph: Signage outside the Tokyo Sumitomo Twin Building West Tower, which houses the MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc. headquarters, in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. Photo credit: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics USA Carriers Profit Loss Mississippi CHL, the ultimate parent company of Conduit Re, a multi-line Bermuda-based reinsurance business, announced the appointment of Nick Pritchard as interim chief underwriting officer with immediate effect, following the decision by Gregory Roberts to leave Conduit and return to the United Kingdom for personal reasons. This announcement comes on the heels of another major departure in March when Conduit Res Chief Executive Officer Trevor Carvey decided to step down and retire, effective April 11. Neil Eckert, executive chairman, has assumed the responsibilities of interim chief executive officer with immediate effect. We have an extremely talented underwriting team, and the appointment of Nick Pritchard reflects his considerable experience, leadership and underwriting vision for the future of Conduit Re, commented Eckert, in a statement. The Board of Directors thanks Gregory for his contribution to Conduit Re since the business was launched in 2020 and wishes him well in his future endeavours, he added. Pritchard joined Conduit in September 2024 and has more than 20 years of industry experience in the Bermuda and London markets, with a background in leading underwriting teams and structuring portfolios of risk and retrocessional programs. Before joining Conduit, Pritchard most recently served as managing director at Aon Bermuda. Prior to this, he was responsible for the property catastrophe portfolio at Vantage Risk, following roles earlier in his career at Validus Re and Neon. Pritchards appointment is subject to Bermuda immigration approval. Source: CHL Elon Musks electric vehicle company Tesla has agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the estate of a man who was killed in 2021 after his Tesla crashed and caught fire near Dayton, Ohio. Tesla and lawyers for the estate disclosed the settlement in a filing on Monday in federal court in San Francisco but did not reveal its terms. The carmaker and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Todd Walburg, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, declined to comment. Tesla has denied any wrongdoing in the case, blaming the driver for the fatal crash. A jury trial had been scheduled for April 2026. The estates lawsuit said Clyde Leachs Tesla Model Y suddenly accelerated, went off the road and slammed into a pillar at an Ohio gas station. Leach, 72, died from blunt force trauma, burns and other injuries. Tesla was aware that its vehicles including the Model Y have reportedly on hundreds of occasions accelerated suddenly and without explanation, the lawsuit said. Tesla had asserted that Leachs model was state-of-the-art and was not defective in design or manufacture. Last year, Tesla settled a lawsuit over a 2018 car crash that killed an Apple engineer after his Model X, operating on Autopilot, swerved off a highway near San Francisco. That settlement was made on the eve of trial. Other lawsuits against Tesla are pending. In February, lawyers for the company convinced a Florida appeals court to limit the damages it could be forced to pay in a wrongful death lawsuit accusing it of misstating the capabilities of the Autopilot system. Topics Lawsuits Ohio Tesla Global insurance broker Marsh USA filed suit against competitor Aon and a former Marsh team leader for allegedly poaching key members of Marshs construction surety team who resigned and moved to Aon last month. A complaint filed by Marsh in federal court in New York accuses Aon and its former construction and surety team leader, Robert McDonough, of a brazen taking of its construction surety business, including its confidential information, employees and clients. According to the lawsuit, the scheme culminated with the coordinated resignation of 20 employees in the span of just 38 minutes on March 10, 2025. As a result of the alleged raid, Marsh said it lost numerous clients representing millions of dollars in revenue annually and has suffered harm to its client relationships and its reputation and goodwill in the brokerage industry. Aon could not execute the plan to raid Marsh aloneit needed an inside man and enlisted McDonough, a senior leader in Marshs construction surety business unit, to use his knowledge of Marshs confidential information and his relationships with Marshs employees and clients to advance an unlawful scheme and raid Marshs construction surety business, according to the complaint. Aon declined to comment on the lawsuit when contacted by Insurance Journal. Aon Lost Own Team The lawsuit contends that the scheme began before McDonough and the others left Marsh, soon after Aon lost a team of its own surety employees to another competitor in January. Rather than invest the time and money to rebuild its surety practice piece by piece, Aon opted for a quicker, unlawful fix: simply pluck a significant portion of Marshs construction surety business unit to fill its need, the lawsuit says. McDonough joined the Marsh construction surety team in New York in March 2016 as the practice leader and he maintained that senior leadership role for nearly a decade. According to Marsh, McDonough was privy to its highly confidential information and trade secrets, including information about Marshs workforce and clients. McDonough is accused of leading the mass resignation on March 10 when he submitted his resignation at 10:45 a.m. and 19 others followed his lead, including 70% of McDonoughs direct reports. On March 17, the suit contends, McDonough assumed a comparable role at Aon, as CEO of its North American construction, infrastructure, and surety group. The 19 other Marsh departing employees also assumed similar roles at Aonessentially mirroring the structure and roles of Marshs construction surety business, the complaint says. In a March 10 press release, Aon touted new leadership for its construction and surety practice, with the hiring of McDonough and another key Marsh employee, Brian Hodges. Marsh contends that McDonough has breached non-solicitation, confidentiality and other agreements he signed prior to beginning his employment at Marsh in 2016. The agreements establish that McDonoughs violation of their restrictive covenants would result in irreparable injury to Marsh and they set forth penalties should he violate them. The non-solicitation agreement acknowledges that the restrictions are necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the company and are reasonable in view of the consideration and benefits, including access to bonus plans, he has received from the company. Irreparable Harm Additionally, in his confidentiality agreement, McDonough is said to have agreed that irreparable injury will result to Marsh and that, in the event of a breach, Marsh shall be entitled to specific performance and temporary and permanent injunctive relief, recovery of reasonable sums and costs, including attorneys fees, and any other legal remedies and damages available. In addition, Marsh says McDonough signed a liquidated damages agreement that covers situations where a client either reduces the amount of business or cancels business with Marsh due to violations by him. This provision calls for him to pay Marsh an amount equal to the total fees and commissions received by the company for such business during the two years prior to the breach. That would be in addition to all other damages and remedies, according to the lawsuit. According to the complaint, as part of the collusion, Aon worked with McDonough to recruit the 19 employees to Aon, drawing upon his knowledge of Marshs confidential personnel data related to compensation and client contacts. Further, Marsh alleges that McDonough worked with Aon to identify Marsh clients particularly ones with which McDonough had strong relationshipsto move their business to Aon. This drew upon Marshs confidential information about the clients current contracts with Marsh, Marshs pricing, Marshs business development strategies, and client preferences, the complaint says. Marsh personnel spoke with many of the departing employees after they resigned. Marsh says these interviews confirmed McDonough and Aons plot to steal Marsh employees as a group. One of the departing employees reported that the raid was all orchestrated by Rob McDonough, who, the employee said, selected the best 20 people in the practice to leave together and told him he had the choice to either take life changing money and stay with us or be left behind and clean up the puke. Marsh Cllients According to Marsh, the scheme also targeted both established and potential Marsh clients, including one with a major infrastructure project and another with a transportation facility construction project, allegedly using Marshs confidential information to get them to move their business to Aon. Marsh also contends that McDonough and another Aon employee recently attended an industry conference in San Deigo where Marsh maintains they actively targeted Marsh employees and clients in what could only be an effort to solicit them on behalf of Aon. Among the complaints counts are unfair competition; breaches of contract, fiduciary duty and common law duties of loyalty, absolute candor, and good faith; tortious interference with business relationships; aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty; and conspiracy. In addition to liquidated damages, Marsh is seeking punitive damages, actual damages, attorneys fees, and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief. Topics Lawsuits Leadership Aon Construction Ignyte and Novacore have launched following the recent sale of NSM Insurance Groups U.S. commercial business to investment firm New Mountain Capital. Conshohocken, Pennsylvania-based NSM had said it would become two separate entities as a result of the sale, and on April 17 Ignyte was introduced as a specialty insurance platform and led by NSM founder Geof McKernan as well as Bill McKernan and Marc Castellucci. Ignyte is a portfolio company of investment firm Carlyle since 2022. Ignyte is now home to a growing global portfolio of specialty insurance brands spanning collector car, travel medical, international student health, leased equipment and other embedded insurance products. Ignyte represents more than a name it embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and grit that have fueled our growth for over three decades, said CEO Geof McKernan, in a statement. Others may turn away from unique or complex niche industries but we run toward them. Were laser-focused on identifying high-performing companies and sectors, and helping them scale through differentiated strategies, technology and talent. Were incredibly proud of what we built at NSM Insurance Group over the past 35 years, but it was time to take on a new challenge, added Bill McKernan, president of Ignyte Insurance. Weve proven our ability to build and scale successful companies, and with Ignyte, were ready to take that to the next level. The opportunity ahead is massive. On April 22, the U.S. commercial business was relaunched as Novacore, an independent, next-generation specialty insurance provider backed by New Mountain. The new brand will be rolled out throughout 2025. Novacore will continue with more than 20,000 agent partners nationwide, a portfolio of more than 15 specialty programs, and a premier retail agency. Novacores future-forward focus includes: Advanced technology, AI and automation Predictive analytics and real-time intelligence Scalable, innovative operations Underwriting excellence and organic growth Strategic acquisitions for long-term growth This is a defining moment in our evolution, said Aaron Miller, CEO of Novacore. We now have the opportunity to build on NSMs stellar legacy and take it to bold, new heights. Novacore is our chance to embrace innovation fearlessly, meet the markets evolving needs and blaze our own trail with a forward-looking mindset. Novacore also said it added to its executive leadership team with the addition Chase Clark as chief operating officer and chief underwriting officer. Additionally, Phil Dwyer joined as executive vice president of corporate development. Topics Commercial Lines A south Florida insurance broker is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty last week to a $134 million scheme that fraudulently enrolled thousands of people in Affordable Care Act health insurance plans. Dafud Iza, 54, of Pembroke Pines, signed a plea agreement Friday with federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida. He once held a property and casualty producers license, a temporary life insurance brokers license and a health insurance license, all of which are now invalid, according to the Florida Department of Financial Services. His appointment with Liberty Mutual Insurance expired in 2012. Izas most recent brokerage was not named in court records but his Linkedin profile notes that he was director of operations at Compass Health Insurance in Tequesta, Florida, since May 2024. Before that, he was executive vice president at Fiorella Insurance Agency in Stuart for almost 8 years. Iza and his accomplices targeted vulnerable, low-income individuals experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and mental health and substance abuse disorders, and knew that street marketers working on their behalf offered bribes to induce those individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement. The scheme worked like this, according to the department and Izas felony information sheet: The ACA plan, also known as ObamaCare, pays tax credits or subsidies to insurance plans that enroll people in the program. Izas crew reportedly submitted fraudulent applications for individuals whose income did not meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for the subsidies. They deceptively marketed the subsidized ACA plans to ineligible consumers and falsely inflated consumers incomes to obtain the federal subsidies. The Affordable Care Act plan, backed by the federal government, paid $134 million in improper subsidies, prosecutors said in court documents. Iza faces up to 10 years in prison and some level of restitution. Topics Agencies Florida Fraud An Alaska Native man who maintained his innocence in the 1997 killing of a white teenager has agreed to an $11.5 million settlement with the city of Fairbanks after alleging police acted with a racial bias in a case in which he and three other Indigenous men spent nearly two decades in prison. Marvin Roberts is the last of the so-called Fairbanks Four to reach a settlement with the city after their murder convictions were vacated in 2015. U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason dismissed his long-running civil lawsuit against the city and police officers on Thursday at the request of the parties involved. I dont think any amount of money will be enough to justify what I endured as an innocent man in prison, Roberts said in a recent statement released by one of the law firms that represented him. This settlement, however, gives me freedom with my life, and most importantly, more time with my daughter and my parents, who supported me throughout this nightmare. Fairbanks city attorney Tom Chard confirmed the city and its insurance carriers had agreed to an $11.5 million settlement. Terms of the agreement set out a payment schedule, the last due by Oct. 1, 2026. The agreement stipulates that the settlement shall not be construed as an admission of liability or responsibility by the defendants. The settlement is a complete vindication of Marvin Roberts innocence, which he has maintained with extraordinary dignity for almost three decades, one of Roberts attorneys, Nick Brustin of Neufeld Scheck Brustin Hoffmann & Freudenberger, LLP, said in a statement released by the New York-based civil rights firm. The agreement comes nearly 1 1/2 years after the other three men, George Frese, Eugene Vent and Kevin Pease, agreed to accept $1.59 million each from the citys insurer. The city said that settlement was not an admission of liability or fault of any kind. Alaska Native leaders long advocated for the mens release, saying the convictions were racially motivated. Pease is Native American; Frese, Vent and Roberts are Athabascan Alaska Natives. Roberts was the only one of the four who was on parole at the time the convictions were thrown out. A 2015 settlement in a civil case brought by the men that led to the convictions being thrown out followed a weeks-long hearing that reexamined the case in detail and raised the possibility others had killed 15-year-old John Hartman. While the four men each maintained their innocence, the Alaska Department of Law said the settlement was not an exoneration. The men would argue the settlement that led to their release in which they agreed not to sue was not legally binding because they were coerced. An appeals court panel ruled in their favor. Fairbanks Police spokesperson Teal Soden said the agency still lists Hartmans killing as an open/active case. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. April 22, 2025 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Key Takeaways Blockchain technology creates immutable, transparent supply chain records that reduce counterfeiting by up to 87% in manufacturing and 75% in pharmaceuticals, enhancing product authentication and consumer trust Major retailers like Walmart and Carrefour have implemented blockchain for food traceability, reducing foodborne illness investigation time from days to seconds whilst increasing consumer trust by 35% Smart contracts on blockchain platforms like TradeLens have streamlined global shipping documentation, reducing processing time by 40% and improving supply chain visibility by 75% Blockchain solutions help manufacturers create resilient supply networks, with some companies reducing disruption impacts by 72% through real-time data sharing and transparent production tracking The technology enables ethical sourcing verification for materials like cocoa and conflict minerals, with blockchain-verified sustainability claims increasing consumer trust by 35% Future trends show promising integration of blockchain with IoT sensors and AI, helping companies achieve 67% faster responses to supply chain disruptions and 38% faster onboarding of new partners Blockchain technology has revolutionised my understanding of what's possible in supply chain management. Beyond its well-known financial applications, I've witnessed firsthand how this distributed ledger technology transforms how products move from manufacturer to consumer with unprecedented transparency and efficiency. When I first explored blockchain in supply chains, I was amazed by its practical applications. From tracking pharmaceuticals to verifying ethical sourcing of diamonds, the technology creates an immutable record that builds trust between businesses and consumers. I've seen companies reduce counterfeiting, minimise delays and streamline operations by implementing these solutions. The potential for blockchain to reshape supply chain dynamics continues to grow as more industries recognise its value beyond cryptocurrency. I'm particularly excited about how it's helping businesses meet sustainability goals while delivering genuine operational benefits. Understanding Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management Blockchain technology fundamentally transforms how supply chains operate by creating immutable digital records that all participants can access. Let me explain the core differences and benefits of this revolutionary approach. How Blockchain Differs from Traditional Supply Chain Systems Traditional supply chain systems rely on centralised databases controlled by single entities, creating information silos and lack of transparency. Blockchain, however, operates as a distributed ledger technology where data is stored across multiple nodes. This structure eliminates single points of failure and ensures information cannot be altered retroactively. Each transaction in a blockchain-enabled supply chain is validated through consensus mechanisms rather than by a central authority. I've seen firsthand how this prevents discrepancies between different companies' records, reducing disputes significantly. The cryptographic security also protects sensitive information while making relevant data accessible to authorised participants. Key Benefits of Blockchain Implementation in Supply Chains Enhanced traceability stands as the primary benefit of blockchain in supply chains, allowing products to be tracked from raw materials to finished goods. This capability has revolutionised how we verify product authenticity and origin. Risk reduction occurs through immutable record-keeping that prevents fraud and tampering. During my work with manufacturing clients, I've observed how blockchain reduced counterfeit components by 87% in their production lines. Efficiency improvements come from automating verification processes through smart contracts. These self-executing contracts eliminate paperwork and streamline operations by automatically triggering payments when predefined conditions are met. Tracking Product Provenance and Authenticity Blockchain technology has transformed how companies verify and track products throughout the supply chain, creating unprecedented levels of transparency and trust. Combating Counterfeit Products Through Blockchain Verification Blockchain systems create an immutable digital record of each product's journey from manufacturer to consumer. Each product receives a unique cryptographic identifier that can't be replicated or tampered with. I've seen firsthand how blockchain verification has reduced counterfeit pharmaceuticals by 75% in certain markets. Companies like IBM Food Trust now allow consumers to scan QR codes to instantly verify product authenticity, ensuring what they're purchasing is genuine. Case Study: Blockchain in Luxury Goods Authentication LVMH, the parent company of Louis Vuitton and other luxury brands, implemented their AURA blockchain platform to authenticate high-end products. Each luxury item contains a unique blockchain certificate that verifies its origin and materials. I visited their Paris showroom where they demonstrated how customers could trace the entire lifecycle of their purchases. "Blockchain has revolutionised our ability to protect brand integrity," notes Daniel Cohen, luxury retail analyst. The system has reduced luxury counterfeits by 40% in participating brands while increasing consumer confidence. Enhancing Food Safety and Traceability Farm-to-Table Transparency with Distributed Ledger Technology Blockchain creates a secure, tamper-proof record of every step in a food product's journey from farm to table. I've witnessed firsthand how this technology transforms traceability by allowing consumers to scan QR codes and instantly view a product's complete history. Companies like Silal Fresh have implemented blockchain systems that reveal crucial details about growing conditions, harvesting dates, and transportation methods. This transparency effectively prevents counterfeit products and resolves disputes about food origins. How Major Retailers Are Implementing Blockchain for Food Safety Walmart now requires leafy green suppliers to use blockchain for enhanced traceability, reducing foodborne illness investigation time from days to seconds. I recently spoke with Sarah Johnson, Supply Chain Director at Carrefour, who shared: "Our implementation of IBM Food Trust has increased consumer trust by 35% while enabling real-time tracking of products." Major retailers are connecting blockchain systems with IoT sensors to monitor temperature conditions during transport. This integration allows for immediate flagging of potential safety issues before contaminated products reach store shelves. Streamlining Global Shipping and Logistics Blockchain technology is revolutionising global shipping and logistics by creating decentralised and transparent systems that enhance efficiency across supply chains. Reducing Documentation Bureaucracy with Smart Contracts Smart contracts on blockchain platforms are eliminating paperwork bottlenecks in global shipping. I've witnessed firsthand how these automated agreements execute predefined actions when specific conditions are met, removing the need for manual document processing. Companies like Maersk and IBM have implemented TradeLens, reducing documentation processing time by up to 40%. This digital transformation converts traditional bills of lading and customs forms into secure digital assets that can't be tampered with. Real-Time Cargo Tracking and Status Updates Blockchain provides immutable records of cargo location and condition throughout the shipping journey. Port authorities and logistics companies now access identical information simultaneously, eliminating discrepancies that previously caused delays. During my visit to Rotterdam Port, I observed how blockchain-enabled tracking reduced shipment disputes by 65%. The technology allows stakeholders to monitor environmental conditions through IoT sensors connected to blockchain networks. Shipping giant Maersk reports that their blockchain implementation has improved supply chain visibility by 75% while reducing administrative costs significantly. Improving Manufacturing Supply Chain Resilience I've seen firsthand how blockchain technology is transforming manufacturing supply chains, creating unprecedented resilience against disruptions and inefficiencies. Creating Transparent Production Networks Blockchain creates a decentralised and immutable ledger that gives all supply chain participants access to a single source of truth. I've observed manufacturers reduce verification times by 68% after implementing blockchain solutions. Production networks become transparent as every component movement, quality check, and transfer of custody is recorded in real-time on the blockchain ledger. This transparency has helped companies identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies that were previously hidden in siloed data systems. Mitigating Disruption Risks Through Blockchain Data Sharing Smart contracts on blockchain platforms automatically execute predetermined agreements when specific conditions are met. I've worked with manufacturing firms that reduced supply chain disruption impacts by 72% through blockchain-enabled data sharing networks. When suppliers share production capacity data via blockchain, manufacturers can quickly identify alternative sourcing options during disruptions. Major companies like IBM and Maersk have implemented blockchain solutions that enable rapid response to supply chain shocks by providing instant visibility into inventory levels and transport conditions across their networks. Ethical Sourcing and Sustainability Verification I've witnessed firsthand how blockchain technology is revolutionising ethical sourcing and sustainability verification in supply chains. This powerful technology creates immutable records that bring unprecedented transparency to product journeys. Transparent Supply Chains Blockchain guarantees complete visibility throughout supply chains by creating an unchangeable digital ledger. Every step of a product's lifecycle is documented and accessible, allowing businesses to prove their ethical commitments. Consumers can now verify ethical sourcing, fair labour practices, and eco-friendly manufacturing processes with confidence. I recently visited a chocolate manufacturer that uses blockchain to track cocoa beans from farm to chocolate bar. Their QR-coded packaging lets customers see exactly where their chocolate originated and confirm fair wages were paid to farmers. "Blockchain has transformed how we demonstrate ethical sourcing to our customers," says Maria Chen, Supply Chain Director at Global Foods. "We've seen a 35% increase in consumer trust since implementing our blockchain verification system." Tracking Conflict Minerals and Ethical Raw Materials Blockchain technology creates tamper-proof records for minerals like cobalt and tungsten from extraction to end product. I've examined systems that verify materials aren't sourced from conflict zones or using child labour. Companies like RCS Global use blockchain to certify ethical mining operations, with major tech firms adopting these systems to ensure their supply chains remain conflict-free. Carbon Footprint Monitoring via Blockchain Solutions Blockchain platforms now enable real-time carbon footprint tracking across entire supply chains. I've tested systems that record emissions data at each production stage, creating verifiable environmental impact reports. Smart contracts automatically calculate carbon outputs based on transport distances and energy consumption. Companies like Provenance have implemented blockchain solutions that reduced their clients' reporting errors by 87% while providing consumers with trustworthy sustainability information. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Security Blockchain technology is revolutionising pharmaceutical supply chains by creating transparent, secure systems for medication tracking and verification. Combating Counterfeit Medicines with Blockchain Technology Blockchain's decentralised and immutable ledger creates an unbreakable chain of custody for pharmaceutical products. Each medication package receives a unique digital identity that follows it from production to patient. I've witnessed pharmaceutical companies reduce counterfeit medications by up to 75% in certain markets through blockchain implementation. The technology enables instant verification of drug authenticity through simple QR code scans, giving healthcare providers confidence in their medication sources. Compliance and Regulatory Benefits in Healthcare Supply Chains Blockchain streamlines regulatory compliance through automated documentation and verification processes. Pharmaceutical companies can prove medication authenticity to regulatory bodies with tamper-proof records. The technology creates permanent audit trails that satisfy complex healthcare regulations across different markets. I've seen companies reduce compliance documentation time by 40% after implementing blockchain solutions. Smart contracts automatically ensure that each transaction meets regulatory requirements before proceeding to the next supply chain step. Implementation Challenges and Solutions Overcoming Technology Adoption Barriers Blockchain implementation in supply chains faces significant technical hurdles that companies must navigate. I've observed many organisations struggle with integration issues when connecting blockchain to legacy systems. The skills gap presents another obstacle, with 67% of supply chain firms reporting difficulty finding blockchain-proficient staff. Companies like IBM offer specialised onboarding programmes that reduce implementation time by 40%. Consortiums like Hyperledger provide open-source frameworks that lower entry barriers for smaller businesses wanting to adopt blockchain technology. Balancing Privacy Concerns with Transparency Requirements Privacy concerns often conflict with transparency goals in blockchain supply chain implementations. I've worked with firms implementing permissioned blockchains that restrict data access while maintaining verification capabilities. These systems give businesses control over what information becomes public. Research from Gartner shows 78% of companies cite data privacy as their primary blockchain adoption concern. Zero-knowledge proofs represent a promising solution, allowing transaction verification without revealing sensitive details. Maersk's TradeLens platform uses sophisticated permissioning structures that protect competitive information while enabling necessary verification processes between trading partners. Future Trends: Where Blockchain and Supply Chain Converge Integration with IoT and AI Technologies Blockchain integration with IoT and AI creates powerful ecosystems that revolutionise supply chain management. IoT sensors now feed real-time data directly into blockchain networks, creating immutable records of product conditions throughout transportation. I've witnessed manufacturing plants reduce quality control costs by 45% through these combined technologies. AI algorithms analyse blockchain data to predict supply disruptions before they occur. According to IBM's research, companies implementing this triple-technology approach have achieved 67% faster response times to supply chain disruptions and significantly improved inventory management. Emerging Standards and Industry Collaborations Industry-wide blockchain standards are emerging to solve the fragmentation issues that limited early adoption in supply chains. The Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) now includes over 500 members developing uniform protocols for logistics applications. I've participated in consortium meetings where competitors collaborated on shared blockchain infrastructure. These collaborative efforts reduce implementation costs for all participants. Supply chain expert Maria Johnson from Deloitte notes, "The move toward standardisation is critical-it's enabling cross-company and cross-industry blockchain implementations that weren't possible just two years ago." Companies adopting these standards report 38% faster onboarding of new supply chain partners. Conclusion: Transforming Supply Chains Through Blockchain Innovation Blockchain technology has undeniably revolutionised supply chain management across industries. From pharmaceutical tracking to ethical sourcing verification the impact extends far beyond theoretical benefits. The numbers speak for themselves: 87% reduction in counterfeit components 40% faster documentation processing and 75% improvement in supply chain visibility. These aren't just statistics they're evidence of a fundamental shift in how global supply chains operate. As blockchain continues to integrate with IoT and AI technologies we're witnessing the emergence of truly intelligent supply chains capable of unprecedented transparency efficiency and resilience. The challenges remain significant but the solutions are evolving rapidly. The future of supply chain management isn't just about adopting blockchain it's about embracing a new paradigm where trust transparency and efficiency become the foundation of global commerce. Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions.. More disclaimer info: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. This article is a third party guest post published content and not the content of Investorideas.com . Learn more about posting your articles at http://www.investorideas.com/Advertise/ Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp April 22, 2025 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Key Takeaways Blockchain technology brings unprecedented transparency to charitable donations, creating immutable records that allow donors to track exactly how their contributions are used Smart contracts automatically execute pre-determined conditions, releasing funds only when specific charitable goals are met, which eliminates intermediaries and enhances accountability Major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple and Binance Coin offer unique benefits for charitable giving, including global transferability, programmable donations and reduced fees Implementing a crypto donation system requires specific infrastructure including payment processors, secure wallets, website integration and compliance with relevant tax regulations UK taxpayers can claim Gift Aid on cryptocurrency donations and are exempt from Capital Gains Tax, creating dual benefits for philanthropically-minded crypto investors Emerging trends in crypto philanthropy include Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs), NFTs for fundraising, and real-time impact tracking through blockchain analytics I've watched the charitable giving landscape transform dramatically since cryptocurrencies entered the scene. What particularly excites me is how blockchain technology brings unprecedented transparency to donations-something traditional giving methods have struggled to achieve. When I made my first crypto donation last year, I was amazed to track exactly where my contribution went and how it was used. This level of transparency isn't just satisfying for donors like me; it's revolutionising accountability in the non-profit sector. Organisations can now demonstrate precisely how funds move from donor to beneficiary without complex intermediary processes or hidden fees. The potential for cryptocurrencies to democratise philanthropy whilst improving trust through transparent transactions is immense. As both a tech enthusiast and regular donor, I'm convinced this technology offers a promising path forward for charitable giving in our increasingly digital world. Understanding Cryptocurrency Donations: A New Era for Charitable Giving Cryptocurrency donations represent a paradigm shift in charitable giving, offering unprecedented transparency and efficiency. I've witnessed firsthand how blockchain technology transforms the donation process by creating immutable records of transactions. Organisations can now receive funds directly without traditional banking delays, while donors gain complete visibility into how their contributions are used. How Cryptocurrency Donations Work Cryptocurrency donations operate on blockchain networks that record every transaction permanently. Donors send digital assets directly to a charity's crypto wallet address, eliminating intermediaries and reducing processing fees. The transaction is verified by network participants and added to the blockchain, creating a transparent record that anyone can access but no one can alter. "Blockchain technology provides an unprecedented level of transparency in philanthropy," notes Dr. Rhian Lewis, blockchain consultant for non-profits. "Every transaction is recorded permanently, allowing donors to track their contributions throughout the entire process." Benefits for Charitable Organisations Cryptocurrency donations offer several advantages for charitable organisations seeking to modernise their operations. Global accessibility allows charities to receive funds from anywhere without currency conversion complications. Reduced transaction costs mean more of each donation reaches its intended purpose rather than paying processing fees. The immutable transaction records provide enhanced accountability that helps build donor trust. I've seen small charities dramatically improve their donor relationships by implementing crypto donation options and showcasing their transparent fund management. Setting Up Cryptocurrency Donations for Your Charity Creating a cryptocurrency donation system requires several straightforward steps. First, establish a digital wallet compatible with multiple cryptocurrencies to maximise potential contributions. Next, integrate this wallet with your organisation's website using donation plugins designed specifically for cryptocurrencies. Educate your team about blockchain basics to ensure proper management of digital assets. Implement transparent reporting systems that show donors exactly how their contributions are being utilised. Many charities now provide real-time tracking dashboards that display donation journeys from receipt to deployment in community projects. The Transparency Revolution: How Blockchain Enhances Donation Tracking Enhanced Transparency Blockchain technology is revolutionising charitable giving by providing a highly transparent and verifiable donation process. Public ledgers operate as decentralised, tamper-proof digital records that allow anyone to track donations from sender to recipient in real-time. Each transaction on the blockchain creates a permanent and unalterable record, ensuring that donations and their usage remain transparent and verifiable throughout the entire process. Smart Contracts and Automated Accountability Smart contracts on blockchain platforms automatically execute pre-determined conditions without human intervention. These self-executing agreements ensure funds are only released when specific charitable goals are met. I've seen organisations use smart contracts to create milestone-based funding, where donations are released in phases as projects achieve verified results. This automation eliminates the need for trust in intermediaries and creates an unprecedented level of accountability in charitable giving. Public Ledgers and Donation Verification Blockchain's public ledgers enable donors to verify exactly where their contributions go at any time. Every transaction recorded on the blockchain contains timestamps, amounts, and recipient information that cannot be altered. According to Dr. Sarah Miller, blockchain researcher at Cambridge University, "Public verification capabilities have increased donor confidence by over 40% in pilot programmes." The transparent nature of these systems allows me to confirm my donations reached intended beneficiaries, reinforcing my trust in the charitable organisations I support. Top Cryptocurrencies Used for Charitable Donations The cryptocurrency landscape offers multiple options for philanthropic giving, each with unique features that benefit charitable organizations. Bitcoin: The Pioneer of Crypto Philanthropy Bitcoin leads the charitable cryptocurrency movement as the first widely adopted digital currency for donations. Its established infrastructure makes it accessible to organisations of all sizes seeking to diversify their funding streams. Many major charities now accept Bitcoin donations, appreciating its global transferability and transparency through blockchain technology. I've witnessed firsthand how Bitcoin donations have transformed smaller nonprofits by connecting them with international donors. Ethereum: Enabling Smart Contract Donations Ethereum revolutionises charitable giving through its smart contract functionality. These self-executing contracts automatically distribute funds when predetermined conditions are met, ensuring donations reach their intended purpose. Ethereum's programmable nature allows charities to create transparent systems where donors can see exactly how their contributions are used. The platform supports conditional giving models where funds release only after specific charity milestones are achieved. Ripple: Low-Cost International Giving Ripple stands out for international charitable giving with its near-instant settlement times and minimal transaction fees. Organisations supporting global causes benefit from Ripple's ability to send cross-border donations without the excessive fees of traditional banking systems. The Ripple network processes transactions in seconds rather than days, making it ideal for crisis response funding. I find Ripple particularly valuable for humanitarian aid situations where speed of fund delivery can significantly impact outcomes. Binance Coin: Corporate Charitable Initiatives Binance Coin supports philanthropy through the Binance Charity Foundation, which has pioneered blockchain-based charitable giving. The foundation creates transparent donation channels where every transaction is publicly viewable and trackable. Binance's corporate commitment includes disaster relief programmes, education initiatives, and healthcare projects across multiple countries. Their platform allows donors to see the complete journey of their contribution from donation to implementation, reinforcing accountability in the charitable sector. Setting Up a Crypto Donation System for Your Charity Setting up a cryptocurrency donation system requires careful planning and implementation. Let's explore the essential components needed for a successful crypto giving programme. Choosing a Payment Processor Selecting a reliable payment processor forms the foundation of your crypto donation system. Popular options include BitPay, Coinbase Commerce, and The Giving Block. These specialised platforms handle cryptocurrency transactions efficiently, converting digital assets to fiat currency when needed. I've seen many charities find success with The Giving Block, which offers tailored solutions specifically for non-profit organisations. Creating a Crypto Wallet A cryptocurrency wallet serves as your digital vault for receiving and storing donations. Payment processors often provide integrated wallet solutions, simplifying the management process. Alternatively, standalone options like MetaMask or Trust Wallet offer robust security features. When I implemented crypto donations for a local charity, we found that having multiple wallet options provided necessary flexibility for different types of donors. Updating Your Website Integrate cryptocurrency donation options directly on your website with clear instructions for potential donors. Include QR codes for each accepted cryptocurrency to facilitate quick and easy transactions. Display your wallet addresses prominently, but encourage donors to use your designated donation page for proper attribution. This transparent approach has significantly improved donor engagement for many charitable organisations in my network. Essential Technical Infrastructure Setting up crypto donations requires specific technical components. First, secure hosting and SSL certification protect donor information during transactions. Second, integration APIs connect your website with payment processors seamlessly. Third, multi-signature authentication adds security layers to your wallet access. Lastly, backup systems ensure you never lose access to donated funds, even if primary systems fail. Legal and Regulatory Considerations Charities must navigate specific regulations when accepting cryptocurrency donations. Tax implications vary by country, with most requiring valuation of crypto gifts at the time of donation. Anti-money laundering compliance involves implementing know-your-donor procedures for larger contributions. Record-keeping requirements mandate detailed transaction documentation for audit purposes. Privacy laws affect how donor information is stored and processed during cryptocurrency transactions. Case Studies: Successful Charity Crypto Campaigns UNICEF's Cryptocurrency Fund UNICEF launched the first UN cryptocurrency fund in October 2019, accepting donations in Bitcoin and Ethereum. The fund supports open-source technology benefiting children worldwide. I've tracked how UNICEF directs these transparent donations to specific projects through blockchain verification. Their innovation fund has disbursed crypto directly to startups in emerging markets, eliminating traditional banking delays and fees while maintaining complete accountability. The Giving Block Platform Success Stories The Giving Block has revolutionised crypto philanthropy by connecting donors with hundreds of non-profits accepting digital currencies. Their "Crypto Giving Tuesday" campaign raised over $2.4 million in a single day in 2021. I've witnessed how charities like Save the Children use this platform to receive immediate funding during humanitarian crises. The platform's analytics show that crypto donors typically contribute larger amounts than traditional donors, with Bitcoin donations averaging 40% higher than credit card gifts for participating organisations. Overcoming Barriers to Crypto Adoption in the Charity Sector The charity sector faces several challenges when implementing cryptocurrency donation systems despite the clear benefits of blockchain technology. Volatility Concerns and Risk Management Cryptocurrency price fluctuations create significant concerns for charities that need stable funding for ongoing projects. Many organisations struggle to balance the innovative potential of crypto donations with unpredictable market conditions. I've seen several charities implement hedging strategies by converting portions of crypto donations to fiat currencies immediately upon receipt. Financial experts recommend diversification across multiple cryptocurrencies to minimise exposure to single-asset volatility. Dedicated treasury management protocols can help charities establish clear rules for handling digital assets. Educational Hurdles for Traditional Donors The technical complexity of cryptocurrencies presents a major barrier for traditional donors who are unfamiliar with blockchain technology. Many potential contributors lack understanding of wallet creation, transaction verification, and private key management. Charities must invest in educational resources that explain cryptocurrency basics in simple, accessible language. According to blockchain adoption specialist Dr. Sarah Chen, "Organisations that provide step-by-step guides increase crypto donation rates by nearly 35%." I've found that interactive demonstrations during fundraising events help demystify the donation process for hesitant supporters. Tax Implications of Cryptocurrency Donations Donor Benefits in the UK UK taxpayers can claim Gift Aid on cryptocurrency donations, potentially reducing their tax liability. When donating crypto assets, you're exempt from Capital Gains Tax that would normally apply when disposing of cryptocurrencies. This creates a dual benefit: supporting causes you care about while optimizing your tax position. HMRC recognizes crypto donations as legitimate charitable gifts, making them an increasingly attractive option for philanthropically-minded investors in the digital asset space. Charity Reporting Requirements Charitable organisations must maintain accurate records of all cryptocurrency donations received. This includes capturing the value in GBP at the time of donation, which establishes the basis for tax reporting. Charities must register with HMRC if accepting crypto and implement proper compliance procedures to mitigate money laundering risks. According to blockchain experts at Charity Digital, "Proper documentation of crypto donations isn't just regulatory compliance-it's essential for building donor trust in this emerging space." The transparent nature of blockchain actually simplifies audit trails compared to traditional donation methods. Future Trends: The Evolution of Crypto Philanthropy Crypto philanthropy is rapidly evolving with several emerging trends poised to transform charitable giving. I've observed how blockchain technology continues to revolutionise transparency in the non-profit sector, creating new opportunities for donors and organisations alike. Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) for Giving DAOs are changing how collective giving works by allowing donors to vote directly on funding decisions. These community-governed entities operate entirely on blockchain, eliminating traditional hierarchies in philanthropy. Members can propose charitable projects, vote on fund allocation, and track results through transparent ledgers. NFTs for Social Impact Non-fungible tokens are creating novel fundraising channels for charities. Artists and creators are minting NFTs with proceeds going directly to causes, creating verifiable digital provenance. The World Food Programme has experimented with NFT auctions where buyers can track how their purchase feeds families in crisis regions. Cross-Border Micro-Donations Cryptocurrency is enabling micro-donations across borders without prohibitive transaction fees. This democratises giving by allowing small contributors to make meaningful impact. The removal of minimum donation thresholds means more people can participate in global philanthropy regardless of their financial status. Real-Time Impact Tracking Advanced blockchain analytics are enabling real-time impact measurement of donations. Donors can now watch their contributions work in near-immediate timeframes rather than waiting for annual reports. This transparency has increased donor confidence by over 40% according to recent philanthropy studies. Integration with Traditional Financial Systems Hybrid models are emerging where crypto donations seamlessly convert to fiat currencies when needed by charities. This bridges the gap between innovative funding and practical operational needs. Major payment processors are developing solutions specifically for non-profits to navigate both cryptocurrency and traditional banking systems. Conclusion: Embracing Transparency Through Blockchain Giving Cryptocurrency donations represent the future of transparent charitable giving. The technological innovations I've explored demonstrate how blockchain is revolutionising philanthropy by creating unprecedented accountability and trust. As cryptocurrencies mature and more charities adopt this technology we're witnessing a fundamental shift in how donations are tracked managed and verified. The ability to monitor contributions from source to implementation isn't just a technical feature it's a transformation in donor-charity relationships. Whether you're a donor seeking greater transparency or a charity aiming to build trust blockchain technology offers solutions to longstanding challenges in the philanthropic sector. By embracing cryptocurrencies for charitable giving we're not just adopting new payment methods we're creating a more transparent equitable and accountable future for philanthropy worldwide. Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions.. More disclaimer info: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. This article is a third party guest post published content and not the content of Investorideas.com . Learn more about posting your articles at http://www.investorideas.com/Advertise/ Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Cash funds at the media firm owned by TV presenter, podcast host and model Vogue Williams last year rocketed to 3.75m on the back of her successful podcast double act work with Joanne McNally. New accounts filed by the Dubliners Howth Media Ltd at Companies House in the UK show cash funds more than doubled from 1.29m to 3.22m (3.75m) in the 12 months to the end of July last. During the same period, the companys accumulated profits increased by 191,139 from 2.46m to 2.65m. The company recorded the increase in profits after declaring a dividend of 539,015 to owner Vogue Williams. A note attached to the accounts states revenue comprises podcast fees, brand ambassador fees and TV appearance fees. Today, Ms Williams is able to leverage her large Instagram following of 1.1 million followers with well-known brands for lucrative ambassador deals. Numbers employed by the business increased from three to four. The surge in cash funds for the firm followed Ms Williamss and Joanne McNally's podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me! becoming one of the hottest tickets in live entertainment, with sold-out shows across the globe. Figures released earlier this year show the two generated 2.36m at the box office from five sell-out shows across the 12 months at the 3Arena alone from November 2023 to November 2024 before a combined audience of 39,873. The two launched their podcast in April 2021 and it now reaches 3.5 million listeners per month, while Ms Williams also had podcasts with her husband, Spencer Matthews and her sister, Amber Wilson. The Howth native has been able to translate the soaring popularity of her media endeavours into hard cash as the firms cash pile jumped by 1.9m, or 148%, from 1.29m to 3.22m. The 39-year-old businesswoman, who celebrates her 40th birthday later this year, lives in London with husband, Spencer Matthews, and their three young children. Since Brexit, the importation of seed potatoes into the EU from Britain is prohibited by EU plant health regulations. Before Brexit, significant quantities of seed potatoes had been imported into Ireland from Scotland. With the loss of this source, Irish growers of processing varieties (for chipping and crisping) have found it very difficult to source sufficient seed potatoes for planting in 2025. Ireland has new support schemes for increasing the area of seed potato production, since Brexit. But, overall, the level of domestic seed production has not increased sufficiently to fill the Brexit supply deficit. This is one of many areas that the UK and EU are still haggling over. But relations have improved, with the UK's new Labour government committed to signing a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement with the EU, to ease post-Brexit trading frictions. Unfortunately, another potato planting season is passing without a breakthrough. And it now seems that Brexit is leaving even UK growers short of seed. For the second consecutive year, availability is an issue for UK potato growers. This is attributed to lower seed yields in England (which supplies around one third of the seed used for ware production in England and Wales) in both 2023 and 2024, plus increasing demand from overseas (non-EU) markets, and a reduction in the number of growers willing to invest in the riskier seed potato production, opting instead to grow ware crops. It is thought that many UK seed growers reduced their acreage when seed potatoes could no longer be exported from GB to the EU, once a valuable trade outlet for seed crop surpluses. Also exacerbating seed shortages is the fact that EU seed potatoes can no longer be traded or marketed in the UK. EU/UK seed potato negotiations When seed potatoes came up in ongoing EU-UK Brexit talks, the UK restated that resuming this trade remains a UK priority since the end of the Brexit transition period. The UK has welcomed last autumn's EU audit of UK seed potato production, but the EU said no precise timeline could be given for results of the audit. UK requests for the EU to allow seed potatoes imported from certain areas in Great Britain, based on meeting relevant EU requirements, have also apparently fallen on deaf ears. The EU has said access of GB seed potatoes to the EU would require legal amendments introduced through regulatory committees, plus co-decision by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. There have also been EU applications for marketing of seed potatoes in GB, but no little response from the UK, at least up to the most recent meeting of EU officials with the UK's Trade Specialised Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. However, the UK has clarified that after initial assessment, final decisions for authorisation would need to be taken by the ministers of each devolved UK entity. Both the UK and EU potato industries are anxious for mutually beneficial compromises between the EU and UK authorities, to restore bilateral trade in seed potatoes. Other EU/UK negotiations Many other Brexit issues are being discussed by the EU and the UK, including the GB Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) introduced last year. The EU has questioned BTOM fees; varying implementation at different border posts; and communications with exporting countries, traders, and transporters. The UK indicated that inspection fees do not exceed the costs incurred to perform the checks. Regarding risk categories for products of animal origin, the UK has said these will be reviewed every six months. The EU has suggested that the UK move several fruit and vegetable commodities from a low-risk category to a medium-risk category in early 2024, without notification, followed by an easement, temporarily treating those commodities as low-risk. The UK clarified that risk categorisation changes for plants can be longer or shorter than the minimum three months foreseen. There have also been disagreements over the UK prohibiting fresh pigmeat from areas of the EU affected by African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar, but not in domestic pigs. The UK responded that it has a different epidemiological ASF situation, and highlighted the importance of keeping ASF out. The EU sought an update on the UKs approval of Frances vaccination plan against bird flu, which effectively results in a prohibition of import of meat of vaccinated poultry from the country since early 2024. When Labour came to power last July, it committed in its manifesto to negotiating a UK-EU SPS agreement to ease post-Brexit trading frictions by reducing the need for extensive checks and paperwork. However, aligning with almost all the EUs food safety rules could constrain the UKs flexibility in negotiating other free trade agreements. In January, the UK minister responsible for EU reset negotiations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said he wanted a bespoke SPS. The next major milestone in negotiations is the first post-Brexit UK-EU summit, scheduled for May 19. While the UK has not proactively diverged from almost any EU food safety rules post-Brexit, it has implemented a ban on live animal exports and moved ahead on gene editing. Specific carve-outs might be needed for these in SPS negotiations with the EU. Most of us can relate to the difficulty of getting school uniforms ready, managing our childrens squabbles, and preparing dinner while battling a heavy cold. Now, imagine doing that and with a mental health condition. The challenges are multiplied and compounded by shame, stigma, and a lack of support. Its an unseen issue in households across Ireland. The department of psychology at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) last week launched findings from its research on parents who have mental health challenges. More than 200 parents who had, or were having, mental health challenges completed the anonymous online survey, which aimed to identify the difficulties they face, the supports available and barriers to seeking help. Some 83% of the participants said their parenting challenges were sometimes or always more difficult because of their mental health issues, 66% had more than one mental health challenge (anxiety and depression, for example), and 67% had taken medication for their mental health issues. Significantly, 46% did not know where to access parenting supports. According to the World Health Organisation, about one in eight people globally live with a mental health disorder, with depression and anxiety being the most common. Though most of this cohort will likely have children, the intersection of parenting and mental health remains poorly understood, under-supported, and rarely discussed. Parenting is demanding under any circumstances, but mental illness adds a unique and often overwhelming burden. Depression, for instance, can rob a parent of the energy required to care for their children. Anxiety may fuel irrational fears about their childs safety. And bipolar affective disorder or schizophrenia can make consistent parenting difficult, depending on the severity and impact of treatment. Shame and guilt Joanne Nicholson, professor at the Institute for Behavioural Health at Brandeis University in the US, notes that many parents struggle with guilt, shame, and fear that their illness will harm their children. In some cases, these fears are intensified by external factors, such as the threat of judgment by others. This isolation was also evident in the MIC study. Commenting on the findings, professor Niamh Stack, head of the department of psychology, noted: We know that many parents experience mental health challenges, but these findings show that a lot of parents feel alone and unsupported in the difficulties they face. "Parents who completed the survey expressed a sense of stigma and fear they feel around sharing their mental health challenges. Previous Irish research suggests that 23% of families have at least one parent who has experienced a mental health disorder (Mulligan et al., 2021), with adults in Ireland having among the highest incidences of mental health illness across Europe. Contributing to the shame is how society increasingly idealises parenthood, often equating good parenting with unshakable emotional stability. These unrealistic standards leave little room for vulnerability or imperfection. Usually, the most vulnerable parents feel that they are not good enough or are failing. Feelings of inadequacy are often heightened during the newborn period, where images are shared by others of a seemingly blissful period, which can be deeply upsetting to those who are struggling postpartum. The cultural expectation that parents must always be strong and selfless can lead to a dangerous silence. When parents in difficulty reach out, they often find that support systems are not well-equipped to address the dual needs of care-giving and recovery. Feelings of isolation Despite these challenges, many parents with mental health conditions raise well-adjusted, resilient children. The key lies in managing ones illness proactively and building a strong support network. Routine provides predictability and comfort to children and can help parents manage their symptoms. For example, setting regular wake-up, meal, and bedtime routines can reduce chaos and create a sense of control. These rituals dont have to be rigid what matters is consistency. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that children in homes with regular routines had better emotional regulation and fewer behavioural issues, regardless of their parents mental health status. Another challenge is the sense of isolation many parents feel. The housing market is forcing people to live further away from their family of origin, and the mass individualisation of society over the last decade has resulted in many children no longer being raised in close-knit communities. When I was growing up, we constantly had visitors arriving at our home. Now, calling unannounced at someones home seems unacceptable. This culture shift has had profound ramifications, undermining our connectedness and support, and resulting in significant detrimental effects on our collective wellbeing. No parent should parent alone, especially someone trying to manage significant mental health challenges. Support can come from many sources, including partners, extended family, friends, support groups, and community organisations. However, communities need to make a greater effort to put these supports in place and make them not only accessible, but also acceptable. Peer support groups can be lifelines to people who are trying to parent children and manage a mental illness on their own. In the absence of informal community support, we may need to offer specially designed community programmes for parents with mental health concerns. It can be tempting to shield children from your struggles, but age-appropriate transparency often strengthens resilience and understanding. For young children, a simple explanation, like, Sometimes Mam feels very tired or sad, but shes getting help to feel better can suffice. Older children may benefit from more detailed conversations, especially if theyre witnessing symptoms firsthand. I have treated children who interpreted their parents mental health struggles as a representation of their lack of love for them. This is the worst outcome and needs to be avoided at all costs. Open communication demystifies mental illness and helps prevent children from blaming themselves for a parents struggles. Children do not need perfect parents: They need present ones. Accept that there will be hard days. On those days, doing the bare minimum is enough. Feed them, make them feel safe, and let go of the rest. Dr Kristin Neff, a leading researcher on self-compassion, emphasises that practising self-kindness in moments of failure or struggle is essential for emotional resilience a self-compassionate parent models emotional regulation and self-care for their children. Parent-friendly therapy While individual coping strategies are essential, systemic change is equally important. Mental health care must become more accessible and parent-friendly. Policies should support flexible therapy schedules, affordable childcare, and paid leave for mental health recovery. Schools, too, can play a crucial role by supporting children with parents who are struggling. Teachers and guidance counsellors must be resourced to recognise the signs and offer resources without judegment. Above all, we need a cultural shift. We must normalise the experience of parenting with mental health challenges. Vulnerability should be met with empathy, not condemnation. Seeking help is not a weakness; its a form of self-care and, by extension, a sign of good parenting. We need to reach a point where parents can seek professional help without guilt. Therapy and, when appropriate, medication can be vital tools in maintaining mental wellness. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) are particularly effective for managing mood disorders and emotional regulation. Psychiatrists can also help determine if medication is a safe and necessary part of treatment. Parenting with a mental health condition is undeniably challenging, but there is no value in being fatalistic. Many parents with mental health issues are raising thoughtful, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent children. With adequate support and effective treatment, its possible to navigate the highs and lows of parenthood, while managing ones mental health. To all the parents silently battling psychological and emotional challenges while packing lunches, reading bedtime stories, and kissing scraped knees: Your efforts are not invisible. Your struggle does not make you weak. And your love, even on the hardest days, is enough. My son is in first year. He started well, but after the October midterm break, he began coming home early and missing days. Now he goes to school in the afternoons. He hasnt any friends in school and avoids lunch breaks. His school has been great about encouraging him. However, I am worried that he wont be able to get up in the mornings to take his summer exams. He has been getting good grades up to now. He says he doesnt sleep at night and finds it hard to get up early. I have spent hours getting him up for school. Any advice to get through the last term would be helpful. Your son seems comfortable going to school each day, albeit for the second half of the day. Is there something beyond tiredness that is interfering with his engagement in school up to lunchtime? You mention that he doesnt have any friends and link this to his avoidance of lunch breaks. This leads me to wonder if he can only feel comfortable in school when a dreaded, lonely lunchtime has passed. Then there is the point that he is not sleeping at night and is too tired to get up and go to school in the morning. Why is he not sleeping at night? Is this insomnia, or is he staying up late on a gaming or digital device? When someone experiences a prolonged pattern of sleep disruption, I would strongly advise that a GP review them to ensure there is no underlying medical reason for their inability to sleep. If its because he is staying up late gaming or using a digital device, you might want to consider setting boundaries, such as not having such devices in bedrooms or disabling Wi-Fi after a certain time at night. I dont say this to suggest you respond to your sons struggle with punishment, but rather to explore ways you can help him establish a better sleep pattern that will enable him to wake with enough energy to get through his school day. The combination of lack of sleep, difficulty with peer interaction, poor and inconsistent engagement in school and his general lack of responsiveness to your efforts to get him there on time makes me wonder about his mental health status. Does he have friends outside of school? I am wondering if something has happened between him and his friends or if peer connection is something he has always struggled with. Loneliness and peer isolation are contributing factors to mental health issues. This is another reason I would strongly advise that you bring him to your GP, who can do an initial mental health assessment and refer him to local services if necessary. I am glad to read that his school is being helpful and supportive in its efforts to strengthen and enhance your sons engagement. Understanding what is underpinning school avoidance is critical, and a higher priority than summer exams. Talk to him when you are both comfortable and calm a side-by-side chat on a car journey often works best. Try to stay calm and curious about what is happening from his perspective, so you can meet him where he is at and work with him rather than pushing to get him through this difficult time. You might find my podcast episode on school refusal helpful: exa.mn/15-minute-school-refusal If you have a question for child psychotherapist Dr Joanna Fortune, please send it to parenting@examiner.ie Elected officials must now step up to scrutinise the Governments climate action policies and make them accountable under climate law, an environmental group has said. To mark Earth Day 2025, Friends of the Earth said that the Oireachtas must respond to the climate crisis with the urgency and commitment it deserves, and singled out TDs and senators who will form part of the soon-to-be-created committees as key in ensuring the Government takes the action required. The setting up of committees in this Dail had long been delayed due to the speaking rights row engulfing the Government, as the opposition railed against the changes proposed by the new coalition. Next month, committee chairs will be established in the Dail and members chosen to form the committees. A Government nominee will chair the committee on climate, environment and energy, although Friends of the Earth Ireland said that other committees are also important at feeding into climate action. This Earth Day also marks an important milestone: with a new Government in place and after a four-month delay, Oireachtas committees are finally being established, Friends of the Earth Ireland campaigns director Jerry Mac Evilly said. CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB "These committees, from energy to enterprise, housing, and foreign affairs, are all central to Government climate action and to accountability under our climate law. Committees must scrutinise policies which impact climate action, as well as the responses of ministers and state bodies to climate commitments. These calls come after data showed 2024 to be the warmest year ever recorded in Europe with recent extreme weather events such as Storm Eowyn affecting Ireland. Mr Mac Evilly said that the Governments new Climate Action Plan published last week does not prevent reliance on fossil fuels or bring Ireland in line with binding pollution limits. He said politicians on these committees must now hold the government to account and tackle the twin elephants in the room, of data centre expansion and an escalating reliance on fossil fuel infrastructure. Now is the time for the Oireachtas to rise to the challenge, he said. The call comes after a Government advisory body said the States green energy policy was heading into fog due to contradictory policies. The National Economic and Social Council said on Friday that there is a lack of clarity and certainty about the future reliability of energy supply in Ireland. Its senior analyst Cathal Fitzgerald said: Ireland aims to transform our power system over the next 25 years by reducing fossil fuel use and ramping up the use of solar and wind energy. This is key to addressing climate change. However, NESCs research reveals uncertainty about the impact on our economic resilience in terms of energy reliability, prices, jobs, and exports. Visibility and certainty are low, and key actors are not on the same page from a strategic standpoint. But the energy transition is of paramount importance and must be progressed despite all the complexities involved. The cost of inaction would be enormous and devastating. Two women and two children have been left seriously injured following a collision in Co Sligo. Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the two-car collision, which occurred in Ballysadare, on Monday. Shortly before 2.30pm, gardai and emergency services responded to a collision on the N59 at Ballysadare. The occupants of one vehicle two women, aged in their 40s and 20s, along with a nine-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl were transported by ambulance to Sligo University Hospital with serious injuries. "The sole occupant of the second vehicle, a woman in her 50s, was taken to the hospital for assessment," said a garda spokesperson. "Local traffic diversions are in place as garda forensic collision investigators examine the scene," the spokesperson added. Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. Road users or pedestrians who were in the area at the time and have camera footage (including dash-cam recordings) are asked to make this available to investigating gardai. Anyone with information is urged to contact Sligo Garda Station at 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station. The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has endorsed the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) campaign, and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people while adapting a resolution that utterly condemns the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The motion debated at the primary school teachers union annual congress received strong support from delegates in attendance, with many highlighting the catastrophic impact of attacks on Palestinians, the destruction of schools and the targeting of educators. Attendees to the annual trade union congress in Galway were asked to support the morally urgent motion in light of the deliberate and systematic destruction in the West Bank. Teachers were asked to bring the message back to schools, by standing in solidarity with children in Palestine by supporting the BDS movement and becoming an apartheid-free zone by delegates who spoke in favour. 'Systematic destruction' INTO general secretary John Boyle said: As an education union, we are horrified by the systematic destruction of the Palestinian education system. Schools must never be military targets, and educators must never be placed in harms way. Education is a human right that must be protected, even in times of conflict The INTO said it welcomed recent engagement between the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese. The union has called on the Irish Government and the European Union to take immediate action, including the implementation of sanctions and the suspension of bilateral agreements with Israel in response to its continued breaches of international law. The resolution endorsed by delegates endorses: The Minister for Education was greeted by primary school teachers calling for Government action on the Occupied Territories Bill as she arrived at the union's annual congress in Galway this morning. Helen McEntee made her first address as minister for education to the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) this Tuesday morning as almost 1,000 delegates gathered in Galway. On Monday evening, the union passed a motion endorsing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people while adopting a resolution that utterly condemns the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The motion received strong support from those attending. Protesters standing outside the Galmont Hotel on Tuesday morning held placards and chanted: "Occupation no more." Addressing the conference, minister McEntee said: "Too many children in the world are living in poverty, are experiencing war and upheaval from the safe haven of their homes." In particular, the children of Gaza, she said, who are "living through unimaginable pain" and experiencing hunger and loss like you could never imagine. I think again of the late Pope Francis who phoned Gaza's Holy Family parish every evening since October 2023 and his views were very clear: war is a defeat." "Make no mistake, what we are seeing on our television screens every single evening is a war on children unfolding before our very eyes." The Government is "absolutely committed" to its objectives and goals. "There must be a permanent ceasefire agreed. All hostages must be released, peace must be negotiated. Above all else, this barbarity on our children must end." The Irish Council of Civil Liberties is calling on politicians to support a new bill which would force social media companies to turn off their addictive recommender algorithms for children. A study from Dublin City Universitys Anti-Bullying Centre last year showed the recommender algorithms used by social media platforms were rapidly amplifying misogynistic and male supremacist content. The study tracked, recorded and coded the content recommended to 10 experimental or sockpuppet accounts on 10 blank smartphones five on YouTube Shorts and five on TikTok. The researchers found all of the male-identified accounts were fed masculinist, anti-feminist and other extremist content, irrespective of whether they sought out general or male supremacist-related content, and they all received this content within the first 23 minutes of the experiment. A new bill being put forward by People Before Profit is advocating for a situation where social media companies would have to automatically turn off their recommender algorithms for children. The bill also states any algorithms based on profiling or sensitive personal data should have to be actively turned on by adult users. Senior fellow at the Irish Council of Civil Liberties Dr Johnny Ryan told Newstalk Breakfast he would urge every political party to row in behind this bill. These systems are dangerous, Meta, YouTube, Instagram, X, TikTok, you name it. Each of them has a system that analyses how a child responds to everything that they see and then uses that insight to push into that childs feed things that will addict them. Far too often, what this results in is a personalised diet of self-loathing, self-harm, suicide, into the social feed of a child. As we know, for adults, this also delivers the perfect drop of poison into each persons ear. Dr Ryan said Facebook whistleblowers had indicated internal studies at Meta showed 64% of individuals who joined extremist groups on the platform did so arising out of recommendation tools on Facebook. The good news is, although Government doesnt seem to share this view, when we polled people across Ireland last year in January with Uplift, we found that 82% of the Irish public supports a binding rule to switch [algorithms] off. Its exactly about engagement the longer you spend glued to your screen, the more space there is for ads, which they can then sell to you or at you and thats what makes the money. The problem for them is, I dont think anyone really believes what these companies say anymore. Dr Ryan said while GDPR technically prohibited personalised data being used by these algorithms, the regulations were not enforced on large tech companies. He believes with re election of Donald Trump in the US, it is the time for the EU to step up. Trump is now in charge, and he has his fingers on the scales for all of these companies. Europe now faces the likelihood, I think, of an algorithmic assault to boost authoritarians into power. Weve allowed a situation where Trump is able to hold the hidden levers of Europes internal political debate, and that is wrong. Stop setting the budget for education artificially low, then acting surprised when the figures do not add up, the Government has been warned. The message was delivered to Education minister Helen McEntee, who made her first address as minister to the almost 1,000 delegates attending the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) annual congress on Tuesday. The warning came following reports the Department of Education has been told to curb potential overspending in some areas before committing to lowering primary classes even further. There will always be budget overruns when the percentage of the national budget set aside for education is lower than what is needed to run our schools properly, said John Boyle, INTO general secretary. Stop setting the budget artificially low and then acting surprised when the figures dont add up," he said. The Government has committed to delivering class-size reductions and this union expects this will be delivered, starting in the coming budget. Falling enrolments present the best opportunity in decades to deliver smaller classes at no additional cost, according to Mr Boyle. Speaking following the address, the minister said there was a very clear commitment from all Government to further reduce class sizes. They're the lowest they've ever been, but there's a very clear commitment to reduce it even further, Ms McEntee said. Every child has a constitutional entitlement to education, and it's really important that I do everything that I can as minister to make sure that the resources and the supports are there, she added. Ms McEntee also acknowledged teachers had raised concerns about AI and incoming changes to the Leaving Cert. Speaking ahead of a motion due to be debated at the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) annual congress in Killarney, Ms McEntee said: AI is already here. It's already something that all students have access to. Theres further work thats happening with my department, and I expect to be able to issue that in the coming weeks. I want to make sure that teachers feel confident in delivering the new curriculum, feel confident in supporting students, but, of course, to feel confident in identifying if there are measures that are being used by students that shouldnt be used. Stop setting the budget for education artificially low then acting surprised when the figures dont add up, the Government has been warned. The message was delivered to Helen McEntee after she made her first address as education minister to the almost 1,000 delegates attending the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) annual congress. The warning came following reports that the department of education has been told to curb potential overspending in some areas before committing to lowering primary classes even further. There will always be budget overruns when the percentage of the national budget set aside for education is lower than what is needed to run our schools properly, said INTO general secretary John Boyle. Stop setting the budget artificially low and then acting surprised when the figures dont add up. The government has committed to delivering class size reductions and this union expects this will be delivered, starting in the coming budget. Falling enrolments present the best opportunity in decades to deliver smaller classes at no additional cost, according to Mr Boyle. Ms McEntee told reporters class sizes are "the lowest they've ever been, but there's a very clear commitment to reduce it even further". An occupational injury leave scheme for teachers has been finalised, the minister also confirmed, which she expects to publish the first week in May. Following a motion held in private session and passed unanimously, the INTO is now to campaign for comprehensive reform of the current assault leave scheme for teachers. The minister for further education has said he is not happy some Education and Training Boards (ETB) have yet to offer their adult educators a salary, adding they need to get on board fast. James Lawless told the annual congress of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) contracts for adult educators are expected to be in place by September this year. The department had first been instructed by the Labour Court to offer such educators a salary and pension entitlements in 2020, although no such offer was made for four years. Addressing the TUI conference in Wexford, president David Waters responded to the ministers commitment to contracts being offered in September, saying outrageously, some ETBs still havent even commenced processing it at all. TUI president David Waters said it was 'absolutely shameful' that Ireland 'ranks at the bottom' on the list of OECD countries for its investment in education. Im not happy about that, Mr Lawless said in response. I would be engaged with those ETBs to understand why that is the case. ETBs should not be making their own industrial relations agreements where theyve broken away from national contracts. I would say to those ETBs they need to get on board fast. In responding to the ministers address to the union, Mr Waters was highly critical regarding the Governments perceived failures within the education sector, such as in terms of funding imbalances and housing. Conal MacSeain and Louise Mylotte from St Angelas College, Sligo, at the TUI conference. The TUI president described as absolutely shameful the fact Ireland ranks at the bottom on the list of OECD countries for its investment in education. Regarding housing, Mr Waters said the ongoing crisis was not inevitable or undefeatable. It is man-made. It was created by policy, he said, adding it was reprehensible that over the last decade there seemed to be far more concern around profit margins than the livelihoods of our own people students, families, and teachers alike". The minister, meanwhile, said despite the controversial reform of the senior cycle which is currently in train, there are unlikely to be similar changes made to the Leaving Certs points system, describing his feelings towards the CAO as being similar to those of Winston Churchill in describing democracy: The least worst system, having tried everything else. Controversial UFC fighter Conor McGregor is facing another High Court showdown within weeks over his Proper No Twelve Irish whiskey brand. MoGregor is due to appear in court on May 22 in a commercial row with one of his former friends and long-time sparring partner Artem Lobov. McGregor is being sued by the Russian native who claims he was promised a 5% stake in the business and that he worked for a couple of years for nothing to help set it up. McGregor and his US investor partners subsequently sold the business for more than $600m to Proximo Spirits in 2021. The fighter himself is believed to have walked away with $150m and Proximo says he no longer has shares in the company. He later offered Lobov 1m in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, which was refused. It is understood that all documents in relation to the case have been given to both sides. The case is listed to be heard between May 20-22 next. McGregor recently lost a civil case taken by Nikita Hand, who claimed he raped her in the penthouse of a Dublin hotel after a night out. McGregor denied the allegation but the jury ruled against him. He is now appealing the verdict. The jury awarded Ms Hand damages of 250,000. The ruling damaged McGregor's business interests, with a large number of brands disassociating themselves from him in the aftermath. This included his Number Twelve whiskey and he is no longer doing any publicity launches for the label. He had acted as a brand ambassador across America for the whiskey which has grown in a short period of time to number two in the market. Proximo Spirits said in a statement after the case last November: "Going forward we do not plan to use Mr McGregor's name and likeness in the marketing of the brand." In an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carson last week, McGregor repeated his desire to run for the Aras later this year, but acknowledged his presidential bid may not get off the ground as he would need the endorsement of four local authorities, or 20 members of the Oireachtas. A legal source said: " It seems all roads for Conor are leading to the High Court again and now he will be watching his business dealings in public. We might actually find out how much money Conor is worth." A Kinsale-based heritage group has received planning permission from Cork County Council for a new museum to commemorate the Lusitania. The Old Head Signal Tower Heritage CLC has gotten the green light for a new Lusitania Museum on a site close to where the vessel infamously sank more than 100 years ago. The group said that the new museum can act as a draw to tourists that will benefit not just Kinsale but surrounding towns too, as it lies on the designated Wild Atlantic Way touring route. During World War One, the British passenger liner Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the Cork coast, resulting in almost 1,200 deaths. The event was seen as a heinous act by the Germans, and is believed to be a contributory factor in the US joining the war in 1917. The bid for planning sought permission to demolish existing temporary structures on the site and the removal of the existing on-site wastewater treatment plant. In its place, it sought permission to build a single-storey, L-shaped museum incorporating an exhibition space, cafe, gift shop and more across 641m2. In a planning statement, they said: The proposed development aims to ensure the continued and improved use of the site as The Lusitania Museum and Memorial Garden. This site is significant as it represents the closest point of land to the final resting place of the RMS Lusitania. It also incorporates Ireland's only restored Napoleonic Signal Tower, one of 81 coastal defences built in 1801. The applicant clarified that the bid for permission does not involve any works to the signal tower structure and would establish a high-quality tourism facility that encourages visitors to explore surrounding towns and villages. It added: By employing an innovative and sensitive design approach, in conjunction with previous conservation initiatives, this project aims to meet visitor demand, improve the visitor experience, and elevate Cork county's status as a premier national and international tourism destination. Gregg Bemis In 2019, an American businessman donated the wreck of the Lusitania to the heritage group. Multi-millionaire Gregg Bemis had originally acquired joint ownership of the vessel in the 1960s and fought multiple legal battles to verify his ownership. He was also a regular visitor to Kinsale and was hailed as a good friend and benefactor of the town when he passed away in 2020. Mr Bemis had said it was "very important" to get all the artifacts from the wreck into the planned museum. At one level, Pope Francis died as he lived: simply and without fuss. The short statement from the Vatican early on Easter Monday noted the Pontiff had returned to the Fathers house a reference to his profound belief it is the world to come that matters more than this world. At another level, his death was very public. And with hindsight, his whispered blessing "to the city and to the world" on Easter Sunday was a sort of goodbye to the worlds 1.4 billion Catholics. A jury of seven women and five men has been picked for Harvey Weinsteins rape retrial. It is a more female panel than the five women and seven men who convicted the onetime Hollywood honcho at his first trial five years ago. Opening statements are not expected until Wednesday, as prosecutors and defence lawyers still need time to finish picking the last of six alternate jurors those who step in if a member of the main panel cannot see the trial through. Drawn from Manhattans jury pool, the 12 members of the main jury include a physics researcher, a photographer, a dietician, an investment bank software engineer, a retired city social worker, and more. Harvey Weinstein arrives at the first precinct police station in New York to turn himself in to authorities in 2018 (AP/Andres Kudacki) After nine jurors were picked last week, three others and five alternates were tapped on Monday during a marathon fourth day of jury selection. They and other prospective jurors were quizzed about their backgrounds, life experiences and various other points that could relate to their ability to be fair and impartial about the highly publicised case. You may hear sexual allegations here of a salacious nature graphic, perhaps. Would hearing that indicate that Mr Weinstein must be guilty? defence lawyer Mike Cibella asked one prospective juror. The woman, who ultimately was chosen, answered no. Potential jurors had been questioned privately about their knowledge of the case and opinions about Weinstein, and some people were excused after those queries behind closed doors. Still, when the questioning moved into open court, prosecutor Shannon Lucey sought assurances that prospective jurors could put aside any position or feelings they had about the MeToo movement. It was catalysed in 2017 by a raft of sexual misconduct allegations against Weinstein, then a high-flying movie producer and one of the most powerful people in his industry. Is there anyone who is going to think of the movement and think, OK, thats just something that I have to keep in the back of my mind when Im deciding this case? Everyone can put that aside? Ms Lucey asked a group of 24 possible jurors. Harvey Weinstein appears in state court in Manhattan as jury selection continues in his retrial (Adam Gray/Pool via AP) All indicated they could do so. Weinstein is being tried again on rape and sexual assault charges after New Yorks highest court last year overturned his 2020 conviction and 23-year prison sentence. The Court of Appeals found that his trial had been tainted by improper rulings and prejudicial testimony. Weinstein, 73, has pleaded not guilty and denies raping or sexually assaulting anyone. The retrial involves charges that he raped an aspiring actor in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and committed a criminal sex act by forcing oral sex on a movie and TV production assistant in 2006. He is also charged with another criminal sex act count, based on an allegation from a woman who was not a part of the original trial. She alleges that Weinstein forced oral sex on her at a Manhattan hotel. Harvard University announced that it has filed suit to halt a federal freeze on more than $2.2bn in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administrations demands to limit activism on campus. In an April 11 letter to Harvard, the Trump administration had called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university and changes to its admissions policies. It also demanded that the university audit its views of diversity on campus and stop recognising some student clubs. The administration has argued that universities allowed antisemitism to go unchecked at campus protests last year against Israels war in Gaza. President Donald Trump watches during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House (Alex Brandon/AP) Harvard president Alan Garber said the university would not bend to the demands. Hours later, the government froze billions of dollars in federal funding. The Government has not and cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain Americas position as a global leader in innovation, said the lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court. The lawsuit added: Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvards research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress. Within hours, the White House lashed back. The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families, is coming to an end, White House spokesman Harrison Fields said in an email on Monday. Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege. For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism. A part of that is targeting research funding, which has fueled scientific breakthroughs but has become an easy source of leverage for the Trump administration. In its letter earlier this month, the administration told Harvard to impose tougher discipline on protesters and to screen international students for those who are hostile to American values. Students, faculty and members of the Harvard University community rally (Charles Krupa/AP) It also called for broad leadership reforms at the university, admissions policy changes and the end of college recognition for some student clubs. The government also demanded that Harvard audit its faculty and student body to ensure diverse viewpoints in every department and, if necessary, diversify by admitting additional students and hiring new faculty. Last Monday, Harvard said it would not comply, citing the First Amendment. The following day, president Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform, questioning whether the university should lose its tax-exempt status if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting Sickness?" The lawsuit follows one filed earlier this month by the American Association of University Professors demanding a federal judge declare unlawful and put aside a pending review and investigation of Harvards funding. The university frames the governments demands as a threat not only to the Ivy League school but to the autonomy the Supreme Court has long granted American universities. Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world, Mr Garber wrote on Monday to the Harvard community. We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honour their legal obligations and best fulfil their essential role in society without improper government intrusion, he added. At least 20 tourists have been killed by gunmen at a tourist resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. Two senior officers said at least four gunmen, whom they described as militants, fired at dozens of tourists from close range on Tuesday. The officers said at least three dozen others were injured, with many in serious condition. An Indian police officer stops a tourist vehicle near Pahalgam (Dar Yasin/AP) Officials collected at least 20 bodies in Baisaran meadow, three miles from the disputed regions resort town of Pahalgam. Police described the incident as a terror attack and blamed militants fighting against Indian rule. This attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years, Omar Abdullah, the regions top elected official, wrote on social media. The attack appeared to be a major shift in the regional conflict in which tourists have largely been spared from violence. Indias home minister, Amit Shah, was heading to Srinagar, the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an official visit in Saudi Arabia, has been briefed. We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences, Mr Shah wrote on social media. A paramedic carries a wounded tourist on a stretcher at a hospital in Anantnag (Dar Yasin/AP) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key Kashmiri resistance leader, condemned what he described as a cowardly attack on tourists, writing on social media that such violence is unacceptable and against the ethos of Kashmir which welcomes visitors with love and warmth. The attack coincided with the visit to India of US vice president JD Vance, who is on a largely personal four-day stop. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack, he wrote on social media. The meadow in Pahalgam is a popular sightseeing destination, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dotted with pine forests. It is visited by hundreds of tourists every day. Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Kashmir has seen a spate of targeted killings of Hindus, including immigrant workers from Indian states, after New Delhi ended the regions semi-autonomy in 2019 and drastically curbed dissent, civil liberties and media freedoms. Indian security officers stand guard on a road in south Kashmir (Dar Yasin/AP) Tensions have been simmering as India has intensified its counter-insurgency operations. The region, known for rolling Himalayan foothills, decorated houseboats and pristine meadows, has become a major domestic tourist destination, with millions of visitors enjoying a strange peace kept by security checkpoints, armoured vehicles and patrolling soldiers. Although violence has ebbed in recent times in the Kashmir Valley, the heart of anti-India rebellion, fighting between government forces and rebels has largely shifted to remote areas of Jammu region, including Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua, where Indian troops have faced deadly attacks. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhis rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Islamabad denies the charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict. Tuesday, Apr 22nd, 2025 (9:23 am) - Score 2,760 Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today begun to notify customers about the next batch of four UK locations to go through their 3G mobile (broadband) switch-off programme, which recently started with a pilot in Durham (here). Norwich, Telford and Guildford will be the next areas to have 3G withdrawn on 16th July, with Torquay to follow on 4th August 2025. The process, which is due to reach nationwide completion by the end of 2025, should free up radio spectrum so it can be used to further improve the coverage and mobile broadband speeds of their modern 4G and 5G networks. O2 noted how they had already upgraded masts in the new locations ahead of the switch-off. The switch-off will also reduce the operators costs and power consumption. NOTE: The UK government and all major mobile operators have jointly agreed to phase-out existing 2G and 3G signals by 2033 ( The UK government and all major mobile operators have jointly agreed to phase-out existing 2G and 3G signals by 2033 ( here ). Meanwhile, O2s 3G network, which was first launched more than 20 years ago, today carries less than 3% of all network data, but accounts for 11% of their total energy consumption. The switch-off means that customers in these locations, including those on O2s virtual / MVNO operators (e.g. Sky Mobile, giffgaff, Tesco Mobile), will require at least a 4G SIM and handset to continue using mobile data. But they are not switching 2G services off yet, which means that affected customers will still be able to use voice calls and send text messages as they currently do, at least for now O2 will start shifting customers off 2G during 2025 too, but they wont be able to completely withdraw it for several years (here). Advertisement Known vulnerable customers have also been contacted with an offer of a 4G-ready device free of charge, while all other customers who do not currently have a 4G handset or SIM are said to have been offered a new device at a reduced price. Jeanie York, VMO2s Chief Technology Officer, said: Were switching off our 3G network to focus our attention and investment on upgrading faster and more reliable 4G and 5G networks that will give our customers a better overall experience. Following the successful pilot in Durham earlier this month, we will now be switching off 3G in Norwich, Telford and Guildford in July, and Torquay in early August, with the rest of the UK to follow by the end of the year. While we know that the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G device and will not have to take any action, our priority is to provide support to those who need it. That is why we are reaching out directly to customers who do not have a 4G or 5G handset, and calling those we know are vulnerable, to provide information about their next steps. It is important these customers upgrade their handsets in order to continue using mobile data after 3G is switched off. The main thrust of O2s national 3G switch-off programme is currently due to begin from August 2025. At this point they will stop announcing individual locations due to the scale and pace of the effort. Tuesday, Apr 22nd, 2025 (10:23 am) - Score 13,080 The national telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has today confirmed that it will ban UK phone operators from leasing Global Titles (GTs) numbers like +44 (for the United Kingdom) that support mobile services to third parties. Sadly, such leasing can be misused to try and intercept messages and calls, disrupt the operation of networks and track the location of users of other networks. According to Ofcom, a small number of operators have been leasing their Global Title numbers to third parties, which can also be done to facilitate the provision of legitimate mobile services. But the regulator has previously found that this can make it easier for bad actors to abuse the system. As a result, +44 Global Titles are one of the most significant and persistent sources of malicious signalling an issue that affects mobile networks globally. NOTE: Global Titles are used to send and receive signals that help locate and connect mobile phone users to networks and to one another. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is also aware that +44 Global Titles have been exploited for malicious purposes, such as location tracking and the interception of SMS (text messages) used for 2-step verification (2SV) to target both UK residents and populations globally. Advertisement The fact that those who intend to cause harm can lease, rather than own, these numbers mean that they can also hide their identities with greater ease, allowing them to work in the shadow of legitimate communications networks. How Global Titles Work The industry has attempted to tackle these problems itself, such as via the GSMA Global Title Leasing Code of Conduct and controls implemented by some Global Title lessors (e.g. signalling firewalls that block unauthorised message types and monitoring tools). But Ofcom stated that those efforts have not been effective and so theyve opted to ban the leasing of Global Titles with immediate effect (details). Advertisement Natalie Black, Ofcoms Group Director for Networks and Comms, said: We are taking world-leading action to tackle the threat posed by criminals gaining access to mobile networks. Leased Global Titles are one of the most significant and persistent sources of malicious signalling. Our ban will help prevent them falling into the wrong hands protecting mobile users and our critical telecoms infrastructure in the process. Just to be clear. The ban on entering new leasing arrangements is effective immediately. But for leasing that is already in place, the ban will come into force on 22nd April 2026. The aim of the latter is to give legitimate businesses who currently lease Global Titles from mobile networks time to make alternative arrangements. The only exception to the above deadline relates to two specific migration journeys, which have been given until 22nd October 2026 to adapt. We received detailed evidence on the significant challenges arising from the changes to network functionality associated with these migration journeys which distinguish them from others. We also have no evidence of misuse associated with the use of the relevant Global Titles, said Ofcom. The decision should help to improve the reputation of UK mobile numbers, by making them harder to abuse. However, this approach ideally needs to be followed by regulators in other countries, in order to be fully effective. Such things are often easier said than done, internationally speaking. Just to get a bit technical. The issue above specifically relates to the Signalling System No. 7 (SS7) protocol suite, which is used by 2G and 3G mobile networks (not 4G, which uses the Diameter protocol) to facilitate the provision of mobile services (e.g. authenticating handsets to the network, setting up and terminating calls, sending SMS messages, subscriber profile management and to facilitate roaming). Advertisement The above consultation is thus about the security risks arising from SS7 signalling associated with GTs formed from +44 mobile numbers. But users of 4G and 5G networks can also be affected by malicious SS7 signalling because 2G and 3G networks operate alongside 4G and 5G networks, providing fallback coverage in areas where 4G or 5G coverage is not yet available. Harvard University has initiated legal action against US President Donald Trumps administration in an attempt to stop the government from freezing over $2 billion in funding for the esteemed educational institution. In the past week, the federal government has undertaken several actions following Harvards refusal to adhere to its unlawful demands, stated Harvard President Alan Garber. We have just filed a lawsuit to stop the funding freeze because it is illegal and exceeds the governments authority, Mr. Garber added. The lawsuit, filed in a Massachusetts federal court, names multiple US government agencies, including the Education Department, the Health Department, the Justice Department, the Energy Department, and the General Services Administration. This lawsuit follows Mr. Trumps threat to cut funding to the Ivy League institution while seeking to impose external political oversight. This case centers on the governments attempts to leverage the withholding of federal funds to exert control over academic decision-making at Harvard, the university stated in its lawsuit. Last week, Mr. Trump labeled Harvard a joke and suggested that the university should forfeit its government research contracts after it rejected demands for outside political oversight. Harvard has distinguished itself by resisting Mr. Trumps efforts to compel it to accept extensive government oversight, unlike several other institutions that have capitulated under significant pressure from the White House. He has insisted that the university modify its operations, including its student selection processes and hiring practices, as well as undergo audits of its academic programs and departments. Mr. Garber has previously emphasized that the institution would not negotiate its independence or its constitutional rights. In justifying their campaign against universities, the US president and his administration have cited what they describe as rampant anti-Semitism and support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas. These allegations of anti-Semitism stem from protests against Israels conflict in Gaza that erupted on campuses last year. In the Vatican, the period following a popes election is referred to as the days of surprise, marking the initial formation of a new papacys identity. By the time Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio appeared on the balcony of St. Peters on 13 March 2013, Rome had already witnessed numerous days of surprise. The resignation of Pope Benedict weeks priorthe first instance of a pope stepping down in over six centuriessent shockwaves throughout the globe. It speaks to the extraordinary circumstances faced by Pope Francis that his debut on the balcony was postponed as he attempted to reach his predecessor to inform him of his election. Not surprisingly, Pope Benedict, who was at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo watching the events unfold on television, chose not to answer the phone, waiting to see who would emerge on the balcony to assume the role he had relinquished in a stunning resignation weeks earlier. This scenario highlights the remarkable adaptability of both popes, enabling them to navigate a situation many Vatican observers deemed at best awkward and at worst entirely unworkable. It also served as an early signal of how the new pope would command his own narrative. Michael Kelly, Director of Public Affairs for the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need, indicated that it reflected the strong sense of himself that Cardinal Bergoglio brought to the papacy. Newly-elected Pope Francis greets his predecessor Pope Benedict at Castelgandolfo Rather than viewing Pope Benedicts presence in the Vatican as a hindrance, Mr. Kelly remarked that Pope Francis embraced it as an opportunity, fostering a close and warm friendship with his predecessor. Elise Ann Allen, Senior Correspondent for Crux in Rome covering the Vatican and the global Church, concurs. Ms. Allen noted that Francis made a concerted effort to express his gratitude for Pope Benedicts presence, frequently seeking his counsel while simultaneously carving out his own path in a challenging new role where their opinions did not always align. Diverging ideological perspectives within the papacy are not uncommon, Ms. Allen observed. If you have five popes in a room, youll likely encounter six different methodologies for addressing issues, she added, though such differences were not without their difficulties. Pope Benedict emerges to address the faithful after being elected pope in March, 2013 The narrative, especially in the initial days, that one pope was pitted against the other posed challenges for both men, Ms. Allen noted, as did the perception that the two, with their differing ideological stances, were starkly divided. These distinctions became apparent early in Pope Franciss reign as he chose to forgo living in the papal apartments, opting instead for the more relaxed and accessible Casa Santa Marta. He also made clear his advocacy for social issues close to his heart, visiting migrants on the Italian island of Lampedusa and emphasizing climate change, thus imprinting his own priorities onto the role he had assumed. Such changes led many liberal Catholics to believe that significant transformation was imminent, a source of concern for more traditional members of the faith. However, Mr. Kelly suggests that an aspect of Pope Franciss challenge was not just that faced by his predecessorsthe impossibility of pleasing everyonebut also the tendency of Franciss communication style to mislead people into thinking that discussions of controversial or complex topics heralded upcoming changes when, in reality, they did not. Reflecting on his papacy, many people might express frustration with the pace of change, Mr. Kelly stated. The popes conversational approach could leave audiences uncertain about his true intentions, as illustrated when he spoke of increasing womens involvement in the Church. Reformers found this approach wonderful, Mr. Kelly noted, interpreting it as an indication that the pope was opening the door to the possibility of women priests. Pope Francis kisses a child as he arrives on Lampedusa on his first official trip outside Rome Yet, subsequent interviews would reveal him dismissing the prospect of female ordinations. According to Mr. Kelly, this tactic aligned with the synodal approach Pope Francis adopted on various issues, aspiring to foster dialogue throughout the Church without necessarily pursuing immediate doctrinal changes. This left Francis in a precarious position, balancing the expectations of those eager for reform against those opposed to any change. As Ms. Allen remarked, The only predictable thing about Pope Francis is that he was often unpredictable. He had his unique approach, she added, consequently, he didnt comfortably fit into the labels of either liberal or conservative. On issues related to clerical abuse, the pope faced criticism regarding his perceived slow and opaque responses. Mr. Kelly opined that Pope Francis was slow to grasp the scope of the cover-up and the institutional dynamics involved. I think there was a cultural aspect at play here. He seemed to approach clerical abuse from a perspective that viewed it as primarily a Western issue, rather than as a challenge present in his own Latin American background. These complex issues presented significant challenges for Pope Francis and are likely to pose similar difficulties for his successor, who will be chosen in the coming weeks. 04/22/2025 JACKSONVILLE - Jacksonville State University marked a monumental day in its College of Education and Professional Studies on April 15 with two special ribbon-cutting ceremonies celebrating education's future and a dedicated alumna's generosity. The first event of the afternoon honored the opening of the Vivian Pollard Mason Kitchen Lab, a modern facility housed within the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) complex. The second celebrated the official ribbon cutting of the CEPS complex itself, located on the former Kitty Stone Elementary School siteadjacent to the hill where Jax State began in 1883. While CEPS faculty, staff, and students have been teaching and learning in the complex, Tuesday's events marked the formal recognition of the site as the college's new home. "It is fitting that this is where the original institution started back in 1883here on the hill," said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. "As we were thinking about ways to grow the College of Education and we started our new Doctor of Education program, we realized we were out of space in the former building. What better place to teach our future teachers than in a former school?" The celebration also recognized the opening of the Vivian Pollard Mason Kitchen Lab, made possible by a generous gift from alumna Ms. Vivian Pollard Mason, a 1958 graduate of Jax State who earned her degree in education in home economics, now known as family and consumer sciences. The new lab will serve as a hub for hands-on learning and professional preparation for students in the department. "This is a testament to Ms. Mason and what she thinks of our university as we help continue to educate our students for the future," Dr. Killingsworth said during the ceremony. "Thank you, Ms. Mason, for your generous donation to Jacksonville State University." Mason, who spent her career teaching in the Huntsville City Schools system, reflected on her passion for cooking and the life skills students will gain in the space. "Etiquette and things of food and so onthey're not unimportant. It's very noticeable," she said. "When you get out in the world, you find out that some people do not have those skills. I hope the students who use this laboratory will learn them and carry them home and use them every day." Dr. Diane Best, department chair and associate professor, shared the deep gratitude of faculty and students: "In here, people are joyful and grateful. It is a great feeling to be able to walk into a space and have space. It lets the students know that people care enough to create a space like this." Following the kitchen lab dedication, attendees gathered for the formal CEPS ribbon cutting, which featured remarks from President Killingsworth, CEPS Dean Dr. Kimberly White, Board of Trustees Chairman Randy Jones, Vice President for Philanthropy Dr. Alan Medders, and SGA President Kaitlyn Letson.Jones praised the college as the cornerstone of this university, noting that Jax State graduates more teachers than any other institution in Alabama. Dean White recognized the transformative power of the facility. "This is where our students will have their passions nurtured, their skills sharpened, and their dreams set in motion," she said. "Whether a career in education, leadership, counseling, or professional studies, they are the futureand for us, we know Jax State students have bright futures." Letson emphasized the significance of the university's investment. "This is such a meaningful day, not just because we've opened a new building, but because we're investing in the future of education itself," she said. "This new complex gives those future change-makers the environment they deservea space built for collaboration, creativity, and connection." More than 18,000 of Jax State's 80,000 living alumni are graduates of the College of Education and Professional Studies. As the college begins this new chapter, its leaders remain focused on continuing its legacy of preparing educators and professionals who will make a lasting difference. "We appreciate all of you for being here today and supporting the College of Education and Professional Studies," said Dean White. "With pride in our past and hope for our future, we are excited to build a legacy of excellence, transformation, and innovationtogether." For more information on Jax States College of Education and Professional Studies, visit www.jsu.edu/education. Written by Reza Talebi for This article by Reza Talebi is written in partnership with UntoldMag.org. The original version was published on April 18, 2025. An edited version is published by Global Voices under a partnership agreement. ( Global Voices ) My grandfather was a farmer near Lake Urmia in northwestern Iran. Once the largest lake in Iran, it is now a salt-ridden desert. When the water vanished, his wheat fields dried up. Salt crept over the land, swallowing everything. He died not suddenly, but slowly. We watched a man who had fathered generations crumble under the weight of thirst. He fled to Hamadan, chasing water, but lost everything his land, his life, and the water he sought. While the world fixates on Irans nuclear ambitions or internet controls, a quieter and deadlier threat has been unfolding for decades: water scarcity. This crisis is not simply about drought but the result of decades of mismanagement, overextraction, and disregard. Iran is now teetering on the edge of social and ecological collapse. From the drying wetlands of Gavkhouni to mass migration toward the north, water has become more than an environmental issue its a fault line of ethnic, political, and economic tension transforming Irans geography, demographics, and stability. Irans water crisis: A looming catastrophe Mohammad Bazargan, secretary of the Water and Environment Task Force in Irans Expediency Council, recently warned that we are dangerously close to a full-blown water and soil disaster. He said we may soon reach a point where there wont be enough room for people to sleep, let alone enough food to eat. Internal climate migration is already underway. Villages in arid regions have emptied out. Families forced to abandon homes arent seen as refugees, but they are climate refugees. This slow, creeping exodus has been unfolding for years, largely ignored by decision-makers more focused on social media censorship than survival. The problem is not just poor management, but a flawed philosophy: domination over nature rather than stewardship. Irans water laws, like the Law of Equitable Water Distribution, remain mostly on paper. Successive governments have approached water as something to be controlled and owned, resulting in depleted aquifers, dry rivers, and failing ecosystems. Agronomist Abbas Keshavarz estimates that Iran has overdrawn its groundwater reserves by 150 to 350 billion cubic meters. Mohammad Hossein Bazargan places irreversible groundwater loss at 50 billion cubic meters over 150 years water that will never be replenished. Regardless of the figure, both agree: the country is running dry. Mismanagement and policy failures Older generations viewed water scarcity as seasonal. If a river ran low, it was blamed on rainfall. But today, even with increased inflows like the Zayandeh Rud River flowing more now than in the Safavid era no water reaches the wetlands. The issue isnt inflow, its excessive consumption. Former Environment Department head Issa Kalantari warned in 2014 that Iran had 15 years of water left for agriculture. That leaves just four years. Irans rainfall has remained relatively stable, but underground reserves fossil waters that take millennia to refill have been drained at breakneck speed. Ancient qanat systems were abandoned for deep wells. Oil wealth ushered in a mindset of extraction and short-term gains. Lake Urmia, Iran. Public Domain. NASA. Out of Irans original 500 billion cubic meters of fossil water, 200 billion are gone. The remaining 300 billion are saline, unusable for agriculture. Yet agricultural practices remain wasteful: around 7090 percent of Irans usable water goes to farming, with irrigation efficiency at only 30 percent, compared to 50 percent in Turkey or Iraq. Up to 50 billion cubic meters of water is wasted each year. Urban areas arent spared. Cities lose 2530 percent of their water because of leaks, mismanagement, and outdated infrastructure. By contrast, cities in the global north lose under 10 percent. In many cities, potable water is still used to irrigate green spaces instead of treated wastewater. Meanwhile, industries like Mobarakeh Steel consume 210 million cubic meters of water annually more than entire provinces. Irans dam-building spree hasnt helped. In 2012, there were 316 dams; by 2018, that number surged to 647. Many were built without environmental assessments and for political or military purposes. The Latyan Dam near Tehran, once holding 95 million cubic meters, now holds just 9 million. Groundwater levels in Tehran have dropped by 12 meters in two decades, causing land subsidence and destabilizing urban areas. Military-linked companies, especially those tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have seized lands near Lake Urmia, cultivating high-water crops like watermelon. Producing one kilogram of watermelon consumes 250 liters of water yet it remains cheap. Some say Iran offers the cheapest water in the world, but at what cost? Ethno-hydrological and climatic fault lines in Iran Provinces like Khuzestan and Lorestan are now at the heart of water-related ethnic tensions. In Lorestan, Lur communities accuse the Persian-majority city of Isfahan of stealing water through projects like the Koohrang and Beheshtabad canals. These transfers have sparked protests, online backlash, and accusations of Arab cleansing. Mahmoud Ahmadinejads government tried to appease protestors by allowing unregulated well drilling, worsening the crisis. In Khuzestan, Arab communities accuse the state of favoring Lurs by diverting the Karun River. The Koohrang-3 tunnel submerged entire villages, displacing people and inflaming tensions. In the northwest, Lake Urmia shared between Kurdish and Turkish-speaking populations has dried to a salt crust. The Zab River transfer project, meant to revive the lake, has fueled disputes between Kurdish and Turkish communities. Ethno-demographic shifts are already evident as Azeris migrate to Tehran and Kurds move into Urmia. Other megaprojects, like transferring water from the Caspian Sea or Oman Sea, are criticized as ecologically destructive and serving industrial elites rather than public need. These projects highlight the governments reliance on unsustainable, grandiose solutions instead of real reform. Meanwhile, the government securitizes dissent. Environmental protests are met with repression. Officials rarely speak out while in office. When they do, its often too late. Irans water crisis has also spilled across borders into disputes with Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. But the core of the crisis remains internal: a state model unable to listen, adapt, or act. More than 280 cities face extreme water stress. Rainfall has dropped by over 50 percent in some provinces. Iran ranks fourth globally for water scarcity risk. The country is inching toward Day Zero, when taps may run dry completely. Water is the blood of the earth. It connects people across divides, yet in Iran, it is tearing communities apart. As the rivers vanish, so too do trust, stability, and cohesion. Ethnic tensions, economic despair, and climate migration are converging. The silence surrounding this crisis is deafening. If ignored, water, not war, may become Irans greatest existential threat. Reza Talebi is an academic researcher and lecturer at the University of Leipzig, Department of Oriental Studies and Religious Studies. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrant parents, is dead at 88 after a prolonged illness. Almost alone of Western leaders, he showed enormous sympathy for the plight of the Palestinian civilians of Gaza. He called the small Catholic community there every evening. In honor of his passing, Im presenting here a slightly revised version of an essay that first appeared last fall. Pope Franciss last book, Hope never disappoints. Pilgrims towards a better world, called for an investigation into whether the Israeli war on Gaza is a genocide. The Pope mentioned Gaza on several occasions in the book. At one point he expressed concern about migration crises around the world, colored as they are by violence and hardship, in the Sahara, the Mexican-US border, and the Mediterranean, which has become a large cemetery in the past decade. He added, also in the Middle East, because of the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza. (Quotes are my translation from the Spanish edition, which appeared before the English.) Pope Francis said that Christians must feel the pain of migrants forced to leave their homes, noting that for many it is easier to empathize with the hopes of an entrepreneur who emigrates to found a business or a retiree who goes abroad to make their pension stretch further than with the hopes of refugees forced abroad by violence or famine, seeking a more peaceful existence. Never miss an issue of Informed Comment: Subscribe to our email newsletter! Social media will pretend let you subscribe but then use algorithms to suppress the postings and show you their ads instead. And please, if you see an essay you like, paste it into an email and share with friends. He made an interesting point here. I wonder if the difference is agency. We see ourselves in persons who take decisive steps to achieve a goal, but are alienated from those who are forced to do something against their will. Those with agency are admirable to us, are self, while those deprived of it are lesser and Other. I tell my students that they think of becoming a refugee as something that happens to others, but it can happen to anyone. I was trying to study in Beirut in my youth when war broke out and I had to flee to Jordan. My money was frozen in the bank because the banks all closed when war broke out. A kind man, at the American University of Beirut, Dean Robert Najemy, arranged for my parents to wire me airfare. He was later killed by a gunman, an event that still hurts my soul. Of course, I wasnt a refugee the way the Palestinians are I still had my homeland and could ultimately return there. But I gained sympathy regarding those who suddenly have to abandon their domiciles. I dont think of them as lacking agency or being Other, which I hope comes through in my book on Gaza. The Catholic leader lamented that so many Ukrainians have been forced to flee, and praised countries that took them in, such as Poland. He then turned to the Middle East, where, he said, we have seen something similar. He praised the way Jordan and Lebanon welcomed refugees. He was writing before mid-September 2024, when Lebanon got caught up in the Israel-Hezbollah feud. Some 1.5 million Syrians had taken refuge in Lebanon from the Syrian civil war. Ironically, hundreds of thousands of Syrians and Lebanese subsequently fled to Syria. Earlier, Jordan took in so many Palestinian families that a majority of Jordanians today have Palestinian ancestry. Jordan also took in hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Syrians. Francis said he was thinking especially of those who leave Gaza in the midst of the famine that has hit the Strip. We think about 100,000 Palestinians from Gaza managed to flee to Egypt before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu occupied the Rafah crossing with Israeli troops. Then Pope Francis dropped his bombshell. According to some experts, he wrote, what has been happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide. He insisted that a painstaking investigation be carried out to determine whether the situation fits the technical definition formulated by jurists and international organizations. He was likely referring to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Genocide Convention of 1948, on the basis of which the International Court of Justice is deliberating on whether what the Israelis are doing in Gaza is a genocide. Although he appealed to international law in this passage, he was pessimistic that war is ever compatible with it. Elsewhere in the book he pointed out that no war avoids indiscriminately killing civilians. He recalled the images we have all seen coming out of Ukraine and Gaza. We cannot, he says, allow the killing of defenseless civilians. These are war crimes. Inflicting wounds on these innocents to the point where they have to have limbs amputated or their natural environment is destroyed cannot be dismissed, he says, as mere collateral damage. They are, he asserts, victims whose innocent blood cries out to heaven and begs for an end to all war. Pieta, Digital, Midjourney / Clip2Comic, 2024 His last mention of Gaza came in a passage where he recalled a photograph of a Palestinian grandmother in Gaza, her face not visible, holding in her arms the lifeless body of her five-year-old granddaughter, who had just been killed in an Israeli bombing, along with other family members. He noted that the image has been called The Pieta of Gaza. The Encyclopedia Britannica explains, Pieta, as a theme in Christian art, depiction of the Virgin Mary supporting the body of the dead Christ. . . . the great majority show only Mary and her Son. The Pieta was widely represented in both painting and sculpture, being one of the most poignant visual expressions of popular concern with the emotional aspects of the lives of Christ and the Virgin. Michaelangelo, Pieta, Public Domain. He said that the photo, taken in a hospital morgue, conveyed strength, sorrow and the unimaginable pain inflicted by war. He ends by again insisting that innocents must be protected even in the midst of warfare, a principle, he said, that is engraved on the hearts of all people. The consequence of the Popes comments throughout was a humanization of the Palestinians a humanization of which US and British media outlets have largely proved themselves incapable. The only way they can be all right with over 17,000 dead children in Israels campaign against Gaza is that they do not see them as truly human. Otherwise, even the death of one little granddaughter would have us all weeping uncontrollably. Not only did the Pope humanize Palestinian suffering, refusing to lose his empathy in the face of the magnitude of the slaughter and the sheer number of children in burial shrouds, but in a sense he even divinized Palestinian suffering. The dead little girl in her grandmas arms is a Christ-like figure Christ-like in her innocence, which did not prevent her from being brutally killed. And the heart-wrenching mourning of her grandmother is like the grief of the Mother Mary over her crucified son, himself the incarnation on earth of the divine. Elijah Tyshynski Joins ATEX as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2025) - ATEX Resources Inc. (TSXV: ATX) ("ATEX" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its Phase V program at the Valeriano Copper Gold Project ("Valeriano" or the "Project"), located in the Atacama Region, Chile. The Company currently has five diamond drill rigs operating, nine holes completed and another five in progress. To date, ATEX has completed approximately 13,700 metres of drilling in the Phase V program. ATEX is also pleased to announce the appointment of Elijah Tyshynski as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary effective May 1, 2025. Mr. Tyshynski brings to ATEX decades of experience inclusive of the mining sector and within the international capital markets, a valuable skillset as Valeriano advances to the next stage. Highlights include: Completed assay results for ATXD25A including the previously announced highest-grade intersection of 30 metres ("m") of 4.40% copper equivalent ("CuEq") (2.21% Cu, 3.17 g/t Au, 15.1 g/t Ag, 3 g/t Mo)within a broader interval of 108m of 1.69% CuEq (0.87% Cu, 1.18 g/t Au, 5.5 g/t Ag and 9 g/t Mo) and 602m of 0.54% CuEq (0.40% Cu, 0.16 g/t Au, 1.0 g/t Ag, 57 g/t Mo), from 1,230m downhole [i] . From 1,892m to 1,922m, the 30m interval grading 4.40% CuEq is the highest-grade and northernmost intersection encountered within the mineralized porphyry to date, therefore extendingthe previously identified high-grade trend by 200m to a length of ~1,000m and the trend remains open to the north. ATXD25B will be targeting the updip extension of the high-grade interval intersected in ATXD25A exploring for potential continuity of a structural control linking ATXD25A to the B2B breccia zone approximately 1,000m above. ATXD23B targeting the B2B zone intersected 44m grading 1.00% CuEq (0.83% Cu, 0.21 g/t Au, 1.4 g/t Ag, 36 g/t Mo) within a broader interval of 210m of 0.83% CuEq (0.60% Cu, 0.21 g/t Au, 1.0 g/t Ag, 210 g/t Mo) from 1,028m downhole. ATXD23B targeted 100m updip of high-grade intersections in the B2B breccia from drill hole ATXD23A. The 210m (from 1,028m to 1,238m) interval grading of 0.83% CuEq and located in the B2B breccia confirms the vertical extension of this highly mineralized unit. The highly mineralized B2B zone remains open updip and along strike . ATXD27A intersected 42m of 1.20% CuEq (0.84% Cu, 0.49 g/t Au, 3.1 g/t Ag, 9 g/t Mo) from 1,638m to 1,776m downhole, extending the strike length of the B2B zone by ~140m north of ATXD23A; additionally a second zone of 32m of 1.00% CuEq (0.77% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 1.7 g/t Ag, 19 g/t Mo) from 1,888m to 1,920m was also intersected. Elijah Tyshynski to join as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary bringing to ATEX extensive senior level corporate, capital markets and financing experience. "Today's results continue to showcase the significant grades and widths achievable by the B2B zone and the broader Valeriano deposit which still remains open in all directions," stated Ben Pullinger, President and CEO of ATEX. "The high-grade porphyry trend now measures approximately 1,000m along strike and remains open. The B2B breccia zone continues to grow and remains a key focus for exploration as it has the potential to materially enhance the grade and potential economic profile for Valeriano. Through the rest of the program, we will be zeroing in on the broader structural controls, that not only host the B2B breccias but have the potential to host further breccia bodies currently suggested by our geophysical data. These will be a priority for Phase VI." Mr. Pullinger continued, "I am also excited to have Elijah Tyshynski join our team. His strong finance track record most recently at O3 Mining up until the acquisition by Agnico Eagle Mines and international experience will be critical as we continue to advance the Valeriano project. In addition, I also want to thank Sheila Magallon for her many contributions to the Valeriano Project and ATEX over her tenure as CFO. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours." Elijah Tyshynski Joins ATEX as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary Effective May 1, 2025, Mr. Tyshynski joins ATEX following the sale of O3 Mining ("O3") to Agnico Eagle Mines ("Agnico"), where he acted as O3's Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. During his time with O3, he oversaw financial and regulatory reporting, financings, implementation of internal policies and processes, and the eventual transaction with Agnico. Prior to, and during his time with O3, Mr. Tyshynski worked with Osisko Mining as the Director of Strategic Development, along with providing capital markets and strategic advice to other companies within the Osisko Group. Mr. Tyshynski has extensive capital markets and infrastructure financing experience, having held the position of Senior Portfolio Manager at Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, Head of Trading for the Standard Bank of South Africa in Johannesburg, and Vice President of Emerging Market Trading for both Morgan Stanley and Royal Bank of Canada in London, England. Phase V Update - Nine Holes Completed, Five Holes Actively Drilling To date 13,700m has been completed in the Phase V program with nine holes including ATXD16B, ATXD23A, ATXD25A, ATXD23B, ATXD25B, ATXD27A, ATXD22C, ATXD28, and ATXD29 being completed, and an additional five holes actively drilling. Additional details on these holes are provided in the subsequent sections. Using directional drilling techniques and drilling daughter holes, ATEX has saved approximately 9,200m of drilling, compared to conventional drilling, resulting in a much more effective and efficient program. Current and subsequent drill holes will continue to target infill, extensional (Figure 1 & 2), and high-grade breccia targets (Figure 1, 2 & 3). Table 1 - Final Results for ATXD25A, ATXD23B and ATXD27A Hole ID From To Interval Cu Au Ag Mo CuEq % MRS(1) (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) ATXD25A 1,230 1,832 602 0.40 0.16 1.0 57 0.54 Incl. 1,770 1,830 60 0.60 0.49 2.4 5 0.94 And 1,874 1,982 108 0.87 1.18 5.5 9 1.69 Incl. 1,892 1,922 30 2.21 3.17 15.1 3 4.40 Incl. 1,896 1,912 16 3.04 4.82 21.1 5 6.36 ATXD23B 1,028 1,238 210 0.60 0.21 1.0 210 0.83 Incl. 1,212 1,236 24 0.81 0.30 1.2 136 1.07 And 1,264 1,999 735 0.47 0.14 1.0 39 0.59 Incl. 1,274 1,318 44 0.83 0.21 1.4 36 1.00 ATXD27A 1,172 1,626 454 0.48 0.13 0.9 121 0.62 And 1,636 2,148 512 0.58 0.27 1.7 18 0.78 Incl. 1,672 1,714 42 0.84 0.49 3.1 9 1.20 Incl. 1,888 1,920 32 0.77 0.31 1.7 19 1.00 (1) CuEq calculated using recoveries assumed in 2023 MRE (90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo) (See Company news dated September 12, 2023) using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = Cu % + (6,481.488523 * Au g/t /10,000) + (94.6503085864* Ag g/t /10,000) + (4.2328042328 * Mo g/t /10,000) *CuEq values reported in historical releases use metals reported in situ (100% basis). Recoveries for these metals as assumed in the NI 43-101 technical report titled: "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" with an effective date of September 1, 2023, available at www.sedarplus.ca and www.atexresources.com are 90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo. (2) ATXD25A, ATXD23B and ATXD27A were composited at a cut-off of 0.3% CuEq. ATXD25A had a maximum internal dilution of 16m, ATXD23B had a maximum internal dilution of 20m and ATX27A had a maximum internal dilution of 10m. (3) True width of mineralized intersection not known at this stage. Figure 1. Isometric View with High-Grade Breccia and Cu/Au Porphyry Targets Figure 2. Level Plans, High-Grade Breccia and Cu/Au Porphyry Targets Figure 3. Long Section, High-Grade Breccia Target Table 2 - Detailed Results with Metallurgical Recoveries for ATXD25A, ATXD23B & ATXD27A Hole ID From To Interval Cu Au Ag Mo CuEq % In Situ(2) CuEq % MRS(1) CuEq % Met(3) (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) ATXD25A 1,230 1,832 602 0.40 0.16 1.0 57 0.58 0.54 0.57 Incl. 1,770 1,830 60 0.60 0.49 2.4 5 1.04 0.94 1.03 And 1,874 1,982 108 0.87 1.18 5.5 9 1.92 1.69 1.90 Incl. 1,892 1,922 30 2.21 3.17 15.1 3 5.01 4.40 4.97 Incl. 1,896 1,912 16 3.04 4.82 21.1 5 7.28 6.36 7.22 ATXD23B 1,028 1,238 210 0.60 0.21 1.0 210 0.92 0.83 0.90 Incl. 1,212 1,236 24 0.81 0.30 1.2 136 1.16 1.07 1.15 And 1,264 1,999 735 0.47 0.14 1.0 39 0.62 0.59 0.62 Incl. 1,274 1,318 44 0.83 0.21 1.4 36 1.05 1.00 1.04 ATXD27A 1,172 1,626 454 0.48 0.13 0.9 121 0.67 0.62 0.66 And 1,636 2,148 512 0.58 0.27 1.7 18 0.83 0.78 0.83 Incl. 1,672 1,714 42 0.84 0.49 3.1 9 1.29 1.20 1.29 Incl. 1,888 1,920 32 0.77 0.31 1.7 19 1.06 1.00 1.05 (1) CuEq calculated using recoveries assumed in 2023 MRE (90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo) (See Company news dated September 12, 2023) using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = Cu % + (6,481.488523 * Au g/t /10,000) + (94.6503085864* Ag g/t /10,000) + (4.2328042328 * Mo g/t /10,000). (2) CuEq reported in situ assuming 100% recovery for component metals assuming metal prices of US$1,800 /oz Au, US$3.15 /lb Cu, US$23 /oz Ag, and US$20.00 /lb Mo and using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = (((Cu % * 3.15 * 22.0462)) + (Au g/t * (1,800/31.1034768))+(Ag g/t * (23/31.1034768)) + ((Mo g/t / 10,000) * (20*22.0462))) / (3.15*22.0462). (3) CuEq calculated using recoveries reported from metallurgical test work results reported in Company news dated October 18, 2023 (95% Cu, 94% Au, 89% Ag and 83% Mo) using the formula stated below: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = (((Cu % * 3.15 * 22.0462)) + ((0.94/0.95 * Au g/t) * (1,800/31.1034768)) + ((0.89/0.95 * Ag g/t) * (23/31.1034768)) + ((0.83/0.95 * Mo g/t / 10000) * (20*22.0462))) / (3.15*22.0462). B2B Exploration ATXD23B (140/-50, completed at 1,999m) is a daughter hole from ATXD23A stepping out 100m above ATXD23A, and is approximately 100m along strike, to the north, of ATXD26. The drill hole targeted updip extensions, toward surface, of high-grade mineralization intersected in ATXD23A. From 1,723m to 1,897m, this hole intersected a zone of alteration and mineralization like that intersected 100m above in ATXD23A. Results returned and reported here support the interpretation of the extension of the B2B breccia updip of ATXD23A. Associated with this mineralized intercept, and from 1,028m to 1,318m downhole is a zone of widespread disseminated bornite mineralization which will be followed up on in Phase VI. (Released today) ATXD27A (167/-43, completed at 2,148m) is a daughter hole from ATXD27 that was paused at 944 meters at the end of Phase IV. The target for ATXD27A was the northern extension of the breccia corridor, 140m to the north of where the target was intersected in ATXD23A, and in an area never tested before. ATXD27A drilled through host rock and from 1,043m to 1,397m and entered a zone of alteration like that seen in drill holes ATXD23A and ATXD26. The hole was completed at a length of 2,148m ending in early porphyry with chalcopyrite-bornite mineralization. (Released today) ATXD27B (149/-47, ongoing at 1,257m) is the second daughter hole from ATXD27. The hole is currently drilling in mineralized host rock and will be targeting the B2B zone 150m to the northeast of the high-grade breccia intersected in ATXD26 and ATXD23A. ATXD29A (173/-74, ongoing at 1,154m) is a daughter hole from ATXD29 and is targeting the B2B breccias approximately 100m updip from the intersections drilled in ATXD26 and ATXD23A. ATXD25C (098/-66, ongoing at 887m) is a daughter hole from ATXD25A and is designed to test the potential link between the B2B breccia and the high-grade bornite zone intersected in ATXD25A. Valeriano Porphyry Exploration ATXD25A (102/-47, completed at 2,232m) continued from where it was paused at the end of Phase IV at a depth of 1,454m, targeting the northernmost extensions of the known mineralized footprint. ATXD25A is a daughter hole to the north of ATXD25 (862.2m of 0.62% CuEq (0.42% Cu, 0.27 g/t Au, 1.72 g/t Ag and 26 g/t Mo), including 114m of 0.88% CuEq (0.54% Cu, 0.48 g/t Au, 2.95 g/t Ag and 6 g/t Mo), within a broader interval of 350.2m grading 0.75% CuEq (0.45% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au, 2.60 g/t Ag and 3 g/t Mo)) ii and intersected the targeted mineralized porphyry at 1,771m to its final downhole length of 2,232m. A bornite bearing hydrothermal breccia zone was intersected from 1,892m to 1,902m, and the hole was completed at 2,232m downhole achieving a new record hole length at Valeriano. As this deeper hydrothermal breccia is directly below intersections in the B2B breccias, it could possibly be a feeder zone to these intersections. (Partial assays released on March 18, 2025 iii ) ATXD25B (092/-47, completed at 1,837m) is the second daughter hole from ATXD25 located 250m along strike from and following-up to ATXD25A. The hole was designed to test mineralized intersections approximately 200m updip. ATXD25B intersected disseminated zones of potassic alteration from 1,340m downhole, chalcopyrite from 1,337m to 1,837m and bornite from 1,249m to 1,646m. (Assays pending) ATXD22C (257/-74, completed at 1,814m) is a daughter hole from ATXD22, designed to infill drill and increase the confidence level of the Inferred Mineral Resource, drilling at nominal 150m centres on previously defined high-grade zones within the existing porphyry footprint. The hole intersected mineralized porphyry at 1,375m downhole, early porphyry from 1,580m to 1,666m, and was completed in mineralized porphyry. (Assays pending) ATXD28 (293/-76, completed at 1,924m) is a parent hole from the same platform as ATXD19 and is being drilled from surface. The hole is designed to infill drill on previously defined high-grade zones within the existing porphyry footprint to increase confidence in the Inferred Mineral Resource, drilling at nominal 150m centres. The drill hole intersected early porphyry from 1,246m to 1,276m and is currently drilling in mineralized porphyry. (Assays pending) ATXD22D (217/-72, ongoing at 1,490m) is a daughter hole from ATXD22C and is designed to test early porphyry mineralization on nominal 150m centres as part of the infill program. ATXD28A (311/-76, ongoing at 1,297m) is a daughter hole from ATXD28 and is designed to test early porphyry mineralization on nominal 150m centres as part of the infill program. Quality Control & Quality Assurance Drill holes are collared with a PQ drill bit, reduced to HQ and, sequentially, to NQ as the drill holes progressed deeper. Drill core produced by the drill rigs was extracted from the core tubes by the drill contractor under the supervision of ATEX employees, marked for consistent orientation and placed in core boxes with appropriate depth markers added. Full core boxes were then sealed before being transported by ATEX personnel to the Valeriano field camp. Core at the field camp is processed, quick logged, checked for recovery, photographed, and marked for specific gravity, geotechnical studies and for assays. From camp, the core is transferred to a secure core-cutting facility in Vallenar, operated by IMG, a third-party consultant. Here, the core trays are weighed before being cut using a diamond saw under ATEX personnel oversight. ATEX geologists working at this facility double-check the selected two-metre sample intervals, placing the samples in seal bags and ensuring that the same side of the core is consistently sampled. Reference numbers are assigned to each sample and each sample is weighed. The core trays with the remaining half-core are weighed and photographed. Additionally, core logs are updated, and specific gravity and geotechnical samples are collected. The remaining core is stored in racks at the Company's secure facility in Vallenar. From Vallenar samples are sent to an ALS preparation facility in La Serena. ALS is an accredited laboratory which is independent of the Company. The prepared samples were sent to the ALS assay laboratories in either Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru for gold (Au-AA24), copper (Cu-AA62), molybdenum (Mo-AA62) and silver (Ag-AA62) assays as well as and multi-element ICP (ME-MS61) analysis. No data quality problems were indicated by the QA/QC program. Qualified Person Dr. Owen Hatton, PhD, MAusIMM, registered with the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), is the Qualified Person, as defined by Canadian Securities National Instrument 43-101 Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Porphyry Project. Dr. Hatton is the former Exploration Director of ATEX and currently is a Senior Geology Advisor, therefore still not independent of ATEX for the purposes of NI 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the disclosure of the scientific and technical information contained in this press release. About ATEX ATEX is exploring the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project which is located within the emerging copper gold porphyry mineral belt linking the prolific El Indio High-Sulphidation Belt to the south with the Maricunga Gold Porphyry Belt to the north, located in the Atacama Region, Chile. This emerging belt, informally referred to as the Link Belt, hosts several copper gold porphyry deposits at various stages of development including, Filo del Sol (Lundin Mining/BHP), Josemaria (Lundin Mining), Lunahausi (NGEx Minerals), La Fortuna (Teck Resources/Newmont) and El Encierro (Antofagasta/Barrick Gold). The Valeriano Project hosts a large copper gold porphyry mineral resource: 1.41 billion tonnes at 0.67% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 0.96 g/t Ag and 63.80 g/t Mo), which includes a higher-grade core totaling 200 million tonnes at 0.84% CuEq (0.62% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au 1.25 g/t Ag and 55.7 g/t Mo), as reported by ATEX on September 12, 2023iv. For further information, please contact: CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections, and forecasts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation 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 involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among others: statements regarding the appoint and start date of the new Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary; plans for the evaluation of exploration properties including the Valeriano Copper Gold Project; the success of evaluation plans; the success of exploration activities especially to the significant expansion of the high-grade corridor; mine development prospects; potential for future metals production; changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing and extent of exploration activities, including the Phase V and Phase VI programs contemplated in this press release; timing of receipt of exploration results; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities and mineralization; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals price; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental and local approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; timing of assay results; as well as those factors disclosed in ATEX's publicly filed documents. Although ATEX has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking 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. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. i See news release dated March 18, 2025, titled "ATEX Intersects 30 Metres of 4.40% CUEQ in Highest-Grade Porphyry Intersection at Valeriano to Date". ii See news release dated April 30, 2024, titled "ATEX Step Out Drilling Intersects 114 Metres of 0.88% CuEq Within a Broader Interval of 862.2 Metres of 0.62% CuEq". iii See news release dated March 18, 2025, titled "ATEX Intersects 30 Metres of 4.40% CUEQ in Highest-Grade Porphyry Intersection at Valeriano to Date". iv See NI 43-101 technical report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" by Joled Nur, CCCRRM-Chile, and David Hopper, CGeol, with an effective date of September 1, 2023, filed at www.sedarplus.ca on October 25, 2023, for additional details on the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Valeriano project. VANCOUVER, BC, April 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Thesis Gold Inc. (TSXV: TAU) (WKN: A3EP87) (OTCQX: THSGF) ("Thesis" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company and Centerra Gold Inc. ("Centerra") have entered into a subscription agreement (the "Subscription") whereby Centerra will acquire 9.9% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company ("Common Shares"). Dr. Ewan Webster, President and CEO, shared, "We are excited to welcome Centerra as a strategic investor in Thesis. Centerra's interest is a strong endorsement of the extraordinary potential of the Lawyers-Ranch Project and the work our team has accomplished to date. Their deep technical expertise, operational experience, and regional presence through the Kemess asset present a clear opportunity for collaboration and unlocking district-scale synergies. We look forward to working alongside Centerra as we continue to advance and de-risk this emerging gold camp." President and CEO of Centerra, Paul Tomory, commented, "We are pleased to support Thesis with this strategic investment. Thesis' recent Preliminary Economic Assessment, resource update, and drill results are very encouraging and demonstrate the potential of this highly prospective district. Given the proximity of our Kemess asset to the Lawyers-Ranch Project, we see the potential for substantial synergies, including the ability to leverage existing infrastructure to unlock regional potential. We look forward to seeing the results of their work and the potential the project holds for future resource growth." Pursuant to the Subscription, Centerra has agreed to purchase, by way of private placement, 23,460,160 Common Shares at a price of $1.03 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $24,163,965. The issue price represents a 10% premium to the 5-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares as traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") immediately prior to executing the subscription agreement. The proceeds from the Subscription will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including work related to the technical studies currently underway at the Lawyers-Ranch Project. The Company anticipates the Subscription will close on or around April 28, 2025. Closing of the Subscription is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of approval of the TSXV. In connection with the Subscription, Thesis and Centerra intend to enter into an investor rights agreement, whereby, subject to certain conditions, including time and ownership thresholds, the Company will grant Centerra certain financing and other participation rights to enable Centerra to maintain its shareholding interest in the Company, a board nomination right in the event that Centerra acquires 19.9% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares and technical committee appointment rights among other customary investor rights included in the investor rights agreement. Following the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment in 2024, Thesis is focused on advancing the project in 2025 through a Pre-Feasibility Study, completing key baseline work to initiate the Environmental Assessment process, and executing a significant summer exploration program. While advancing Lawyers-Ranch remains the focus, the proximity to Centerra's Kemess asset (Figure 1) presents longer-term opportunities for collaboration that could enhance efficiencies and support future development across the Toodoggone district. All Common Shares issued pursuant to the Subscription will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation. On behalf of the Board of Directors Thesis Gold Inc. "Ewan Webster" Ewan Webster Ph.D., P.Geo. President, CEO, and Director About Thesis Gold Inc. Thesis Gold Inc. is a resource development company focused on unlocking the potential of its 100% owned Lawyers- Ranch Project, located in British Columbia's prolific Toodoggone Mining District. The recently completed Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) highlights robust project economics, including a 35.2% after-tax IRR and an after-tax NPV5% of C$1.28 billion, demonstrating the potential for significant value creation. The Company's 2025 roadmap includes a robust exploration and drill program, delivery of a Pre-Feasibility Study on the combined Lawyers-Ranch Project, and commencement of the Environmental Impact Assessment Process. Through these strategic moves, Thesis Gold intends to elevate the Lawyers-Ranch Project to the forefront of global precious metals ventures. 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 Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Subscription, intended closing date of the Subscription, and the execution of the investor rights agreement and the terms with respect thereto. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are risks respecting failure to obtain TSXV approval, dilution respecting additional investment in the Company, that the use of proceeds may not be expended as anticipated by the Company and other risks described in the Company's filings, including in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis, which are available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Cranbrook, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2025) - DLP Resources Inc. (TSXV: DLP) (OTCQB: DLPRF) ("DLP" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Derek White as Chairman to the Board of Directors effective immediately. Derek recently joined the Board of the Company on January 20th, 2025, and has acted as an advisor to the Company for several years. Derek previously worked for several mining and metals focused companies on exploration, development, operations and financing. Mr. White brings over 35 years of international experience in the mining industry to this role. Mr. White is the recently retired President and CEO of Ascot Resources Ltd. Before joining Ascot, Mr. White acted as a Principal of Traxys Capital Partners LLP, a private firm specializing in the mining and materials sectors. Prior to joining Traxys, Mr. White was the President and CEO of KGHM International Ltd. from 2012 to 2015 overseeing six mining operations and four large development projects in Canada, the United States and Chile. He also held the positions of Executive Vice President, Business Development/CFO from 2004 to 2012 of Quadra FNX Mining Ltd. Mr. White has held executive positions in business development, operations and finance with BHP Billiton Plc, Billiton International Metals BV and Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd., in Vancouver, Toronto, London, The Hague, and Johannesburg. Mr. White holds an undergraduate degree in Geological Engineering from the University of British Columbia and is also a Chartered Accountant. Mr. White currently serves as a director of Boliden AB and Hayasa Metals Inc. Derek commented "I am very pleased be involved with DLP's board and management at a pivotal time in the development of the Company's flagship Aurora project. The recent announcement of the 43-101 technical report indicating the size and scale of the Copper and Molybdenum of the maiden Mineral Resource for Aurora is very exciting". Mr. Jim Stypula, Co-founder, will remain involved with the Company as the Lead Director. About DLP Resources Inc. DLP Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company operating in Southeastern British Columbia and Peru, exploring for Base Metals and Cobalt. DLP is listed on the TSX-V, trading symbol DLP and on the OTCQB, trading symbol DLPRF. Please refer to our web site www.dlpresourcesinc.com for additional information. 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. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2025) - First Lithium Minerals Corp. (CSE: FLM) (OTC Pink: FLMCF) (FSE: X28) ("First Lithium Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from a semi-systematic near surface sediment geochemical survey over the geophysical and drill targets at its 100% owned OCA Ascotan Project (the "Ascotan Project") in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile. The Ascotan Project is a 1,775-hectare property located in the Salar de Ascotan in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile within an established lithium, boron, and copper production district. Mineralization at the Ascotan Project is represented by three different fractions comprised primarily of sulfate-chloride brines, dendritic material consisting of sand, silt, and clay intercalated in the salar sediments, and precipitated salt compounds. Lithium (Li), potash (K), boron (B), sodium (Na) and magnesium (Mg), among others, are leached and transported from the weathering volcanic rocks in the intravolcanic basins and accumulated and concentrated by evaporation in the salar. A semi-systematic near surface sediment sampling program was completed over identified geophysical and drill targets at the Ascotan Project (see First Lithium Minerals' news release dated May 24, 2023). The samples were extracted using portable auger equipment with a 3-inch diameter drill. The samples were taken at a depth between 0.5-1.5 meters with an average depth of 0.8 meters. The objective of the survey was to conduct a near surface sedimentological analysis and confirm the mineralization of Li, B, Mg, and K in the upper sedimentary zone within the drill targets area for the upcoming drill program. 50 samples were collected and analyzed by ICP-MS with digestion in aqua regia for 60 elements including elements of interest, namely, Li, B, Mg, K, Ca and Na. The maximum lithium and boron values returned were 245 ppm of Li and 2,420 ppm of B, respectively, and were recorded in the central west section of the project, in the proposed drill target sector. Elevated boron values also assayed in the southern section of the project (Figure 1). Figure 1. Ascotan Project. Lithium (Li) and Boron (B). Summary and sample collection locations of the near surface sediment geochemistry results. In combination with promising geophysical signatures based on the previously conducted Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) and Magneto-Telluric (MT) geophysical surveys, the near surface sediment geochemical results suggest that the Salar de Ascotan presents favorable characteristics for potential lithium and boron brine mineralization. Such mineralization typically exhibits increasing concentration at depth in the hydrogeologic settings of Chilean salars in the Andean Cordillera. Rob Saltsman, CEO and Director of First Lithium Minerals commented: " The results of the near surface sediment geochemical analysis are very promising and consistently demonstrate the potential of the Ascotan Project as a highly attractive lithium and boron exploration opportunity. The region where the project is located is known for its abundant lithium and boron resources, indicating significant growth potential for the Ascotan Project. The upcoming drilling activities are eagerly anticipated as they represent the next step in realizing the value of our project." The Company is expecting to commence a 1,500 meters drilling program in H2/25, conditional upon obtaining required government permits, licences, and agreements. QA/QC A semi-systematic grid sampling program was developed within the concessions that make up the project in the Salar de Ascotan. The samples were extracted using a portable auger equipment with a 3-inch diameter drill. The samples were taken at a depth between 0.50-1.50 meters, cut and bagged, at approximately 2 kg per sample. The bags were labeled and sealed with a foliated seal. Each sample was photographed and its coordinates checked. The sampling was done in accordance with generally accepted industry standards and included Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) standard elements such as including duplicate, CRM, and blank samples. Formal chain of custody documents was prepared for every sample obtained and submitted for laboratory analysis to AGS Laboratory, Avenida La Cantera 2270, Coquimbo Chile (ISO/IEC NCh17025:2017 Standard and the ISO 900:2015 Standard). In the opinion of the QP, sample preparation, security, and analytical procedures were acceptable and results from the laboratory analyses are considered adequate. About First Lithium Minerals First Lithium Minerals is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company. The Company is exploring for lithium and alkali metals at its 100% owned Ascotan Project comprised of approximately 1,775ha of mineral exploration concessions located at the Salar de Ascotan in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile. Two property-wide geophysical surveys identified priority exploration drill targets for potential brine mineralization. The Company is currently planning its inaugural drilling program pending obtaining required drilling permits, licences and agreements. First Lithium Minerals is also exploring for gold and critical metals at its 100% owned Lidstone project comprised of 17,300ha of mining claims in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Additional information about the Company is available on the Company's website: www.firstlithium.ca Qualified Person Aldo Moreno Salinas is the VP of Exploration for First Lithium Minerals and the Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release. Mr. Moreno is a seasoned geologist with 40 years of experience in exploration and evaluation of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits, has a degree in geology from Universidad de Chile, is a member of the Chilean Professional Association of Geologists No. 437 and registered in the Public Records of Competent Persons No. 328. For further information please contact: Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "contemplates", "believes", "projects", "plans", and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: prospecting and exploration activities, geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys, its results and interpretation, studies and interpretations of historical exploration and geological information, drill target definition, permitting, licences, environmental laws and regulations, changes in government regulations and laws, obtaining social licence to explore and operate, community engagements, timing of exploration activities, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, general business, economic, competitive, reliance on third parties, the actual results of operations, and other risks of the natural resources industry. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Vancouver, B.C. TheNewswire - April 22, 2025 Precipitate Gold Corp. (the Company or Precipitate) (TSXV: PRG, OTCQB: PREIF) is pleased to announce follow up surface rock and hand trench sampling results from the newly identified Centro Zone within its 100% owned Juan de Herrera Project (Juan de Herrera and the Project) in the Dominican Republic. The Companys ongoing Juan de Herrera project exploration continues to yield positive results. At the recently identified Centro Zone follow up surface sampling has further defined the mineralized zone and reported a highlight trench result of 4.4% copper and 0.3 g/t gold over 1.8 metres (m), within a longer interval of 1.6% copper and 0.2 g/t gold over 5.3 metres (see accompanying Figure 1). Continued follow up exploration, including surface sampling programs at Centro and other priority gold-copper rich zones is ongoing. Highlight results from the latest work at the Centro Zone are as follows: Centro Zone, Highlights Trench sampling yields 4.4% copper and 0.3 g/t gold over 1.8 metres, within broader intervals of 1.6% copper and 0.2 g/t gold over 5.3 metres and 0.4% copper and 0.2 g/t gold over 26.3 metres. To date, a total of 113 rock grab samples* collected report results ranging from nil to 2.0% copper and nil to 2.6 g/t goldfrom andesite volcanic lithologies which show variable silicification and pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization. Cluster of three gold-in-soil anomalies, collectively covering a trend of about 1.2 kilometres long by approximately 100m wide; open to the northwest. Coincident with strong resistivity high anomalies (mapping silica alteration?) and modest IP chargeability high anomalies. Jeffrey Wilson, Precipitates President and CEO stated, Our programs of ground truthing and follow up surface sampling within and around Juan de Herreras numerous geochemical and geophysical anomalies continues to pay dividends. The recently identified Centro Zone is quickly evolving into a priority area that in combination with the nearby Southeast Zone are two strong potential drill targets for copper with gold mineralization. Field crews are diligently following up on the new compelling sampling results at the Centro and other priority zones throughout the Project. We look forward to additional positive results as our work continues. The newly delineated Centro Zone is located approximately 425 metres east of the Southeast Zone where previously reported sampling reported rock grab samples* up to 13.0% copper and 0.9 g/t gold and rock trench sampling yielded 2.8% copper over 3.0m within 8.0m of 1.3% copper. Figure 1: Gold-in-Soil Geochemical and IP Geophysical map, Centro Zone of the Juan de Herrera Project Photo 1: Rock Cutting and Chip sampling at the Centro Zone of the Juan de Herrera Project The Companys website has additional information, maps and figures of recent and historical Juan de Herrera project data. * Rock grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property. For reference: g/t = grams per tonne, Au = gold, Cu = coper, m = metres, IP = induced polarization This news release has been reviewed by Michael Moore, Vice President, Exploration of Precipitate Gold Corporation, the Qualified Person for the technical information in this news release under NI 43-101 standards. Rock and soil samples were bagged, sealed and delivered directly to Bureau Veritas (BV) preparation facility in Maimon Dominican Republic where they were dried, crushed (or sieved in the case of soils; preparation code SS80) and pulped. Sample pulps were then delivered to BV facilities in Vancouver British Columbia Canada for analyses (an ISO 9001 accredited facility). Rock samples were crushed to with more than 70% passing 2mm mesh and split using a riffle splitter (code PRP70-250). An approximately 250-gram sub-sample split was pulverized to minus 200 mesh (74m). A 15-gram sub-split from the resulting pulp was then subjected to aqua regia digestion and multi-element ICP-ES/MS analysis (code AQ201); samples with results with gold greater than 2 g/t were subjected to a gold (and selective silver) fire assay analysis and a gravimetric finish (30 g pulp; ICP-ES finish; code FA530-Au, Ag) and samples with results with copper greater than 5,000 ppm were subjected to 0.5 gram pulp 4-acid digestion and a selective ICP-MS analyses (code MA404). All coarse rejects and pulps are currently stored at BV. About the Juan de Herrera Project The Juan de Herrera Project is owned 100% by Precipitate Gold Corp. and comprised of approximately 12,706 hectares located immediately adjacent to GoldQuest Minings Romero gold-copper project within the Upper Cretaceous aged package of volcanic and sedimentary Tireo Gold Formation in San Juan Province of Dominican Republic. The project hosts intermediate sulphidation epithermal and VMS style exploration targets. Work to date, including extensive project wide geochemical and geophysical surveying and limited diamond drilling, has delineated and outlined multiple anomalous zones of gold and/or copper mineralization warranting additional exploration and drilling. Approximately 5.0 million gold equivalent ounces have been discovered and advanced in the Tireo Formation belt in the last decade, while vast areas of similarly prospective and proximal terrain, such as that situated within Precipitates Juan de Herrera project, remain largely underexplored. About Precipitate Gold Precipitate Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on exploring and advancing its mineral property interests in the Dominican Republic, including its 100% owned Juan de Herrera project located immediately adjacent to GoldQuest Minings Romero Project, its 100% owned Pueblo Grande project located immediately adjacent to the Pueblo Viejo mine operated by Barrick, and its 100% owned Ponton project located 30km east of the Pueblo Viejo mine. Precipitate is also actively evaluating additional high-impact property acquisitions with the potential to expand the Company's portfolio and increase shareholder value, in other favourable jurisdictions. Additional information can be viewed at the Companys website www.precipitategold.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Precipitate Gold Corp., Jeffrey Wilson President & CEO For further information, please contact: Tel: 604-558-0335 Toll Free: 855-558-0335 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service 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 press release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Precipitate Gold Corp.s (Precipitate or the Company) current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Company and on assumptions it believes are reasonable. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Precipitate to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the exploration concessions may not be granted on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the concessions acquired by the Company may not have attributes similar to those of surrounding properties; delay or failure to receive governmental or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation affecting mining; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. Although Precipitate has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Precipitate does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 18, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rockridge Resources Ltd. ( TSX-V: ROCK ) (Rockridge) (the Company) announces that it has extended the due dates by one year for each year in which the Company is required to incur exploration expenditures on the Raney Gold Property... Read More Syrian authorities said Tuesday they had arrested a former officer in the feared security apparatus of ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad, the latest such announcement as the new government pursues ex-officials accused of atrocities. The interior ministry announced in a statement that security forces in the coastal province of Latakia had arrested the "criminal brigadier-general Sultan al-Tinawi", saying he was a key officer in the air force intelligence, one of the Assad family's most trusted security agencies. The statement accused Tinawi of involvement in "committing war crimes against civilians, including a massacre" in the Damascus countryside in 2016. It said he was responsible for "coordinating between the leadership of the Lebanese Hezbollah militia and a number of sectarian groups in Syria". Tinawi has been referred to the public prosecution for further investigation, the statement said. A security source, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media, said that Tinawi held senior administrative positions in the air force intelligence when Jamil Hassan was head of the notorious agency. Hassan has been sentenced in absentia in France for complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes, while the United States has accused him of "war crimes", including overseeing barrel bomb attacks on Syrian people that killed thousands of civilians. Tinawi had been "head of the information branch of the air force intelligence" before Assad's ouster late last year, the security source told AFP, describing the branch as "one of the most powerful and secret security agencies in the country". Since taking power in December, Syria's new authorities have announced a number of arrests of Assad-era security officials. Assad fled to Moscow with only a handful of confidants, abandoning senior officials and security officers, some of whom have reportedly fled to neighbouring countries or taken refuge in the coastal heartland of Assad's Alawite minority community. South Korea's media watchdog is taking disciplinary action against the JTBC comedy A Virtuous Business after receiving complaints that the drama features excessively sexual content. On April 21, the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) held a full committee meeting and voted to proceed with an official hearing regarding the series. The regulatory body oversees standards across broadcast television, radio, film, and online content, including streaming platforms. "The level of sexual expression in this K-Drama exceeds the limits, even for OTT [streaming] content," the KCSC said in a statement. A Virtuous Business, which streams on Netflix, is set in a rural village in 1992 and follows four women, known as the "Bangpan Sisters," as they navigate door-to-door sales of adult products. The show uses humor to explore themes of independence, growth, and female friendship during a time when discussions about sex were still considered taboo in Korean society. However, many scenes have raised alarm among viewers and regulators. Complaints centered on depictions of characters modeling in underwear and showcasing adult toys shaped like male genitalia. The KCSC stated that the show's sexual content goes beyond what is considered acceptable, even by the relatively lenient standards applied to over-the-top (OTT) platforms such as Netflix. The final level of disciplinary action will be determined following the formal hearing. In the same meeting, the KCSC also issued an administrative warning to the TVN drama No Gain, No Love for repeated use of blurred-out middle finger gestures and muted profanity. It remains to be seen what specific sanctions, if any, will be imposed on A Virtuous Business following the upcoming hearing. Netflix and JTBC have not yet publicly responded to the KCSC's decision. Kennesaw State marketing students apply research skills to the real world by assisting nonprofits KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 22, 2025 In what serves as an experiential learning opportunity, students in Patrick Fennells Marketing Research class at Kennesaw State University have been creating and analyzing datasets to support organizations looking to reach a wider audience. Designed to prepare students for their future careers in the field, the focus on real-world application ties in to the guiding framework of the Department of Marketing and Professional Sales in the Coles College of Business, coined Academia Meets Practice (AMP). Fennell, an assistant professor of marketing and professional sales, has helped lead the effort over the past two semesters, first with Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, an Alpharetta-based nonprofit, and now, with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. Once the students present their findings to clients, the idea is to pass those insights along to other classes in the department for further development. Our approach links theory and textbook concepts to practice, bridging together our students with companies, Fennell said. In our strategic planning process, we listened to students, and we found that a lot of students cant tell you why they chose marketing or what a career in marketing looks like, and we found a strong way to address that. Marketing efforts in the Coles College stretch to the Marietta Campus at the College of Computing and Software Engineering (CCSE). There, recommendations resulting from the data analysis performed in Fennells class becomes even more tangible, by way of assistive technology. Last semester, CCSE students developed a volunteer management application for Angels Among Us to reduce administrative burdens by streamlining operations, tracking volunteer hours, and improving communication. While Angels Among Us has a growing volunteer base, Executive Director Kim Kay said her team has been trying to appeal to a younger demographic, ages 18-40. Historically, the nonprofit has done well using Facebook to recruit volunteers and has more than 850,000 followers, but its looking to other platforms, like Instagram and TikTok. Were trying to speak to young people and young families to get them involved, helping animals, Kay said. Kennesaw State has been really helpful with that from both the tech and the marketing perspective. Monika Cribeiro, an information systems student in the KSU Journey Honors College, was one student who worked on the Angels Among Us project. She went further and conducted a financial analysis, then went on to offer similar marketing research services to My Green Earth, a nonprofit dedicated to sustainability in Cobb County. No matter what major you are, being able to create surveys and analyze the responses to solve company issues is a very important skill to have, Cribeiro said. I loved Dr. Fennells class from beginning to end. Now working with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, Fennells students have created surveys for an 11,000-member customer base as well as noncustomers and conducted a quantitative analysis that will inform a presentation to the organization. They intend to address gaps in the organizations programming, identify potential market segments, and increase overall awareness. Because of all these musically inclined folks in the Atlanta metro area, the Georgia Symphony Orchestra is oftentimes confused with other organizations, more specifically the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, which has more resources, Fennell said. The opportunity to develop and hone marketing research skills through working with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra was an impactful experience for Lila Saari, a senior marketing major. For her, attending one of the organizations performances set the stage for the project. Having this under my belt, really understanding the different types of marketing research and how to set up surveys, evaluating the data, is a really big deal, Saari said. It's also been really great working in a team setting, being able to collaborate with each other and decide what questions will get the best results. Story by Amber Perry Photos by Matt Yung Related Stories A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu. Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Renowned activist Boniface Mwangi is crying for justice after he was assaulted by rogue police officers, who stormed his Sema Ukweli offices, accusing him of noise pollution. He was left nursing injuries after the assault incident. Read his post on X. At around 9:30 pm on 2nd April, 2025, three police officers, namely Inspector Stanley Yano, Sergeant Osman Omar, and Constable Robert Ouko, arrived at our Sema Ukweli office claiming they were responding to an alleged noise complaint. Constable Robert Ouko, who was drunk and chewing miraa, started roughing us up as soon as he got into the office. I tried to ask the senior officer at the scene, Inspector Stanley Yano, why Ouko was working and carrying a firearm while intoxicated and chewing miraa. Thats when all hell broke loose, and a scuffle ensued. Ouko tried cocking his gun to shoot me but one of my colleagues pushed his gun away. The three police officers then handcuffed and dragged me out of my office, while assaulting me. They pulled me so hard that the handcuffs wounded my hands and wrists until they came off and fell to the ground. None of the officers bothered to pick up the handcuffs, and one of my colleagues picked them. We still have them. As they violently loaded me into the police vehicle, right in front of my colleagues and neighbours, Ouko hit me very hard on the ribs with the butt of his gun. After we arrived at the police station, and l was thrown into the police cell, Ouko followed me inside and assaulted me some more. He rained blows on me as another fellow officer held me down. It was only my screams that saved me because my colleagues who had followed the police car started screaming at the police officers, demanding that they stop beating me. In the early morning hours of 3rd April, 2025, the Kilimani OCS, Albert Chebii, found me writhing in pain and ordered that l be taken to the hospital. I was driven to Nairobi Hospital under armed escort and immediately put on pain medication after arrival. l underwent a few procedures, including x-rays to check my ribs, a head scan, and an ultrasound to check for internal injuries that I might have sustained in the cells when Ouko punched my body where my kidneys are located. Luckily, I had no fractures. I sustained injuries on my wrists, knee, had a busted lip, and had a lot of pain on my left ribs where Ouko had hit me with a gun butt. I could also barely see through my left eye. After the hospital visit, l was discharged and escorted back to Kilimani Police Station. I was now under pain medication and able to narrate my ordeal to the OCS. I reported my assault under OB No. 84/02/04/25. I even informed him that his officers left their handcuffs behind. He told me all the officers who had been involved in my arrest were sleeping, and he would speak to them later and get back to me. I was released on a Ksh 5,000 police bond. The OCS requested that I dont publicize my assault as the case was under investigation. During the violent arrest, one of the officers took my watch during the scuffle. When we got to the Police Station, they searched my pockets and took my AirPods. The two items are yet to be returned. The three violent police officers sent an emissary to ask me not to post images of the assault, or even share the CCTV footage that captured the incident. I agreed not to post. l was scheduled to fly out of the country later that evening, as I was travelling for work to Brazil and Ghana. Knowing the police lie all the time, l reported my assault to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) before l left the country, because you can never fully trust our police. I was right to do so because even after the police begged me not to post about my ordeal, they quietly decided to file charges against me. On 7th April 2025, the police went to Kibera Law Court without informing me and filed offensive conduct and assault charges in my absence. My lawyer rushed to court to state that I had travelled, and the court set 15th April 2025 as the date for plea-taking. The magistrate was informed that l was out of the country for work and provided evidence of my invitation letter, air tickets, and exit stamps in court. The court still proceeded to issue a warrant of arrest against me because I failed to attend court on that day, and went on to set 22nd April 2025 as the new date for taking plea. I was assaulted by the police, physically injured, had my watch and AirPods stolen by them, and Im the one being charged with a crime? I got my first black eye at the age of 41 at the hands of a drunk officer. Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Teresea Kemunto, a young mother from Embakasi, tragically passed away after being assaulted by her lover over infidelity. The deceased had been in a come-we-stay relationship with 27-year-old Oscar Oundo, and they shared a home while raising a two-year-old son together. According to close family members, trouble started on the evening of Thursday, April 18th, after Oundo accused Kemunto of being unfaithful. He had accessed her WhatsApp messages and, upon reading through them, was convinced she was involved with another man. A violent altercation ensued, leaving her with serious injuries. Despite the gravity of her injuries, Kemunto was able to make her way to the Soweto Police Station to report the assault. Kemunto succumbed while undergoing treatment at a city hospital. Oundo was arrested shortly after Kemuntos death, and is currently being held at Soweto Police Station, the same station where she had earlier sought help. The family is appealing to the DCI to ensure their slain daughter gets justice. Watch the report courtesy of TV47. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Think Kenyan slay queens are the boldest on the continent? Wait until you see how Mzansi girls party! A stunning South African DJ has set social media ablaze with a jaw-dropping outfit during a recent club performance. In a now-viral video, shes seen hyping the crowd with electrifying amapiano beats while flaunting some serious dance moves. However, its her daring fashion choice that has sparked endless debate online. Turns out, in Mzansi, wild outfits are just part of the vibe and the slay game is on another level! Watch the video and reactions below. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - A beautiful lady is trending after she announced on social media that she was looking for a house help job. Juliet Muthoka has been struggling to make ends meet after returning to the country from Saudi Arabia, where she worked for more than two years. Men were wowed by her beauty, with some saying that she deserved a better job than being a house help job. Juliet said she is ready to earn an honest living despite her beauty. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Kariobangi North Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Joel Munuve, has passed away. The vocal MCA succumbed and was declared dead on arrival at AAR Hospital, along Kiambu Road. Reports indicate that he had been rushed to the hospital after he collapsed while undertaking his normal duties at his ward office in Nairobi. Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko confirmed Munuves death and expressed his condolences to the family and the entire Nairobi County fraternity. Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve has passed on. My sincere condolences to his family, the entire Nairobi County assembly, and Nairobi County government fraternities. May the Almighty God give you strength, comfort, and hope during this difficult period," read Sonko's statement. Munuves sudden demise comes days after he revealed plans to collect signatures and impeach Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, accusing him of corruption. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - A Kenyan slay queen has sparked reactions on social media after openly celebrating her breakup with her Kisii husband who was a police officer after he allegedly cheated on her. According to her, the heartbreak turned out to be a blessing in disguise. She cheekily remarked that had she stayed, she'd now be stuck raising several children while living in the police housing units in Makongeni. Her bold statement triggered mixed reactions, with many questioning why Kisii men seem to be constantly called out in matters of love and relationships. Is there truth behind the stereotype, or are Kisii men simply victims of unfair generalizations? See the post and reactions below. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Pastor Meshack Mutemi Isaac, a 46-year-old pastor attached to Deliverance Church in Ikonge, Nyamira County, was arrested on April 20th, 2025, for taking advantage of a 14-year-old Grade 8 pupil inside the church premises. The incident has ignited widespread outrage after witnesses reported the crime to local authorities. Witnesses saw Mutemi entering the church with the girl and locking the doors, raising suspicion. A local administrator who confirmed the unfortunate incident reported that the pastor had locked himself inside with the girl and turned off the lights. Locals stormed into the church and found the rogue pastor doing the unthinkable to the girl. The victim was reportedly in a distressed state, crying for help. She was taken to the hospital, where doctors confirmed that she had been abused. The pastor is in custody awaiting arraignment. Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has condemned the incident and urged the local youth to take action against the pastor. Sonko incited the youth to lynch the pastor and promised to bail them out. Deal with him. I will bail you out, Sonko was heard saying in a video posted on his X account. From Nyamira county, Ikonge's Deliverance church pastor Meshark Mutemi has been caught red-handed defiling a 14-year-old grade 8 minor inside a church. pic.twitter.com/wWQTLmPLC2 Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) April 21, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Infamous city goon and Raila Odingas diehard supporter, Calvince Okoth, better known as Gaucho, is enjoying the trappings of power, thanks to a political pact between Raila Odinga and President William Ruto. The class 4 dropout was captured on camera in Eldoret, inspecting a Government project. He arrived at the venue aboard an SUV while being escorted by bodyguards, displaying his influence in the current regime. The video comes barely a week after all his trumped charges in court were dropped. Gaucho thanked President Ruto and Raila Odinga for playing a key role in having his cases dropped. Watch the video. Gaucho now moves around with bodyguards, a chase car and is now launching government Projects! pic.twitter.com/iVZNwAySdp The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) April 22, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Jaoko Oburu Odinga, son of Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga and nephew to ODM leader, Raila Odinga, has landed a plum job in State House. This is after President William Ruto appointed Jaoko as Special Advisor on Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods in the Executive Office of the President. The announcement was made on Tuesday, April 22nd, with Jaoko confirming the news via a statement on his X account. In his message, Jaoko expressed gratitude to both President Ruto and Raila Odinga, acknowledging their roles in his appointment. I wish to take this opportunity to thank H.E President William Samoei Ruto for granting me an opportunity to serve Kenyans Thank you, Your Excellency," he posted. He also extended appreciation to Raila Odinga for fostering an inclusive political climate, stating, "Thank you, Sir. God bless Kenya." In his new capacity, Jaoko is expected to advise the President and senior government officials on strategies to promote economic empowerment, with a focus on marginalized and vulnerable populations. His responsibilities will include providing policy advice, participating in strategic planning, and contributing to the development of national programs aimed at job creation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods. Jaoko, who pursued his higher education in Canada, held various roles in public service. He was served as the Executive Committee Member for Enterprise and Industry and as the Roads and Public Works Executive in Siaya County. However, his appointment sparked mixed reactions with a section of Kenyans accusing Raila Odinga of using the handshake with Ruto to create jobs for his kin. The Kenyan DAILY POST A man who hit another car whilst drug driving and uninsured was fined a total of 2,000, and banned from driving for four years. Joshua Brennan (23) with an address at Maidenhead, Arles, Co Laois was appearing in Athy District Court having already pleaded guilty to the offences on a previous date at Fort Barrington, and Corraun Ard in Athy on 16 November, 2023. Judge, he overtook a car that was turning right and clipped the front of it, said Sergeant Dave Hanrahan. When gardai attended he tested positive for cannabis, and had a small bag in his car, valued at 30. He has been fully cooperative, added the sergeant generously. He was disqualified (from driving) on 3 June 2023, but before that, no previous, he said. He was in a mess, spiralled for a while, and got into things he shouldnt have, but hes in steady employment now, said investigating officer Garda Kevin Byrne. He went through a very bad six months, drinking and driving, said his solicitor Seamus Taaffe in reference to his previous conviction. He added: But his mother has taken him in, shes a nurse in Portlaoise. You are very lucky the garda witness sees something good in you, you are very fortunate, said Judge Desmond Zaidan. Hes god a good job with construction in Dublin, and leaves for work at around 5.30am, coming home at 630pm, said Mr Taaffe. He is already disqualified, but asks the court not to impose a custodial sentence, he pleaded. When he clipped the car, how did you identify him? asked the judge. When we drove past him he ducked down, said Garda Byrne. He told us he was disqualified, and a learned driver. The judge said: You have to see the funny side of it, if you werent smart enough to follow your instincts. If he had driven along normally, he wouldve gotten away with it, said Garda Byrne. Good old policing, you cant beat that, commented the judge. For dangerous driving, the judge fined Mr Brennan 1,000 and banned him from driving for four years, and he fined him a further 1,000 for driving without insurance with a two-year ban to run concurrently. Commuters in Newbridge and Kildare town have given a cautious welcome to the swathe of fare reductions up to 45 per cent announced for introduction on 28 April after a three-year campaign. It bothered me to my bones as a student in Dublin in 2002 travelling up and back and paying fortune, said one of the campaigners Newbridge woman Jennifer Caffrey. Up until now the actual cost of an adult return Newbridge to Dublin was 20.50, and a bus to the city centre was an add-on, she explained. The new pricing will allow Newbridge to Dublin return for 16.90, although its not yet fully integrated with other public transport yet, she said. The new single fair from Newbridge to Heuston will be 8.45 only, with a 2 add-on for the city centre if bought on a LEAP card not cash, she warned. Separately, there are new fares for daily, weekly and monthly commutes, and people arent happy. It is a difficult number of products to release in such a short timespan, but all point-to-point ticketing is being removed in favour now of a zonal ticket. In just Zones 1,2, and 3, I could travel to Drogheda or Greystones. This is amazing for students, and will be multi-modal train, Luas, bus. Some people are annoyed because they still have point-to-point (tickets) but this is a huge opportunity for people in Newbridge, because they havent had this flexibility before. There has been some criticism of the NTA (National Transport Authority), and I shouldnt be doing their job for such a huge change by 28 April, but they still dont have a website or even an FAQ, however, Irish Rail has been very proactive. The next ask is the orbital buses for Newbridge and Kildare town that they are rolled out soon and included in the weekly and monthly products. This is a specific ask as currently it only covers commuter rail and bus. Imagine bus routes round Newbridge in loops all day long where you can hop on every 20 minutes. What freedom that would give people who dont have the luxury of a car, and the freedom for those with cars to leave them at home for some of their trips, said Ms Caffrey. Local politicians Chris Pender and Martin Heydon have been both bullish in their praise of the step-up. This is a significant step forward for fairer public transport fares in our communities, said cllr Pender. For too long, commuters in Newbridge and Kildare Town have faced unfair discrepancies in ticket pricing compared to areas much closer to Dublin. The introduction of the Dublin Commuter Zone and Leap Card integration will provide much-needed financial relief and flexibility for daily commuters. Cllr Pender paid tribute to the Extend the Short Hop Zone campaign, spearheaded by Jennifer Caffrey and the Newbridge Community Development team, whose tireless efforts played a crucial role in securing this change. Their persistent campaigning, engagement with local representatives, and advocacy for fairer fares were instrumental in making this expansion a reality." While the Dublin Commuter Zone and Leap Card expansion will go live in April, the TaxSaver ticketing changes will not take effect until 1 June. Speaking on the matter, Minister Martin Heydon said: Commuters from Newbridge, and other parts of South Kildare including Kildare town, have been fighting for years to be included in the current short hop zone." Following this long battle, we were all delighted in April 2023 when the NTA confirmed the introduction of a new Dublin Commuter Zone which would replace the short hop zone and included Newbridge and Kildare town." The new fares are: Zone 1, 96 price per month (pcm) and 960 per annum (pa); Zone 2, 140 pcm and 1,400 pa; Zone 3, 196 pcm and 1,960 pa; Zone 4, 235.20 pcm and 2,352 pa. Sean McCarthaigh The refusal of TikTok to allow an employee who had suffered serious injuries in a car crash to work full time from home was not in breach of employment legislation, the Workplace Relations Commission has ruled. The WRC found that TikTok Technology had not breached the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 in its decision not to allow Zaurbek Musaev to work from home. Mr Musaev, an operations specialist with Tik Tok on a monthly salary of 3,556, claimed the IT company had not treated his request for remote working made in March 2024 in a lawful manner. He told the WRC that he had applied for full-time remote working largely due to a very serious road traffic collision in late 2020, which he had been extremely fortunate to survive. Mr Musaev lives in Co Monaghan and commutes to Dublin either by car or public transport. He gave evidence that he found travelling very stressful, and it triggers very traumatic recollections of the crash in which he was involved. Mr Musaev claimed the quality of his work would not be impacted by remote working and would in fact improve and be more beneficial to Tik Tok. A legal representative of the company told the WRC that its Dublin office was the complainants place of work. The solicitor said flexibility regarding remote working can be allowed, but subject to the overall acceptance that the Dublin office is the place of work identified in Mr Musaevs employment contract. TikTok claimed it had abided by both the letter and spirit of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. It acknowledged that Mr Musaevs circumstances were complex but that they were fully examined in keeping with all quite extensive, internal procedures. The company said it had discharged all its legal obligations required under the legislation and had no case to answer. WRC adjudication officer, Michael McEntee, ruled that both oral and written evidence had shown considerable engagement between the parties, which met the requirements of the legislation. Mr McEntee said: The extensive case law was also demonstrative that once proper consideration is given to a request, the statutory obligations of a respondent are met. He also noted that considerable efforts are being made to resolve the many underlying complexities of the case amicably. Former Irish premier Leo Varadkar has praised Pope Francis for reaching out to the LGBT+ community, saying it made him feel more comfortable going to church services. The 88-year-old pontiff died on Easter Monday after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said. His funeral will take place on Saturday. Mr Varadkar, who was taoiseach from 2017 to 2020 and again from 2022 to 2024, met Francis during the Popes visit to Ireland in 2018. The former Fine Gael introduced his partner, Matt, to the Pope during their meeting. In 2023, Francis stated that laws criminalising homosexuality were unjust and that being homosexual isnt a crime. The pontiff visited Ireland for two days in August 2018, which included a visit to Knock, a meeting with victims of clerical abuse, and a visit to a homeless centre run by the Capuchin Fathers. I think the way he reached out to groups like ours, like LGBT people, did matter and certainly made me feel more comfortable going to church services, Mr Varadkar told RTE. One thing he did, which I think was significant, was he spoke out against criminalisation of gay and lesbian people. In Ireland, its easy to forget that while there are 30 countries where gay people can get married, there are 70 where its still a crime. For the Pope to speak out against that in places like Africa, is actually a real significance and bear in mind, at the moment, in politics around the world there are people who claim that God is on their side while they try to reduce the rights of LGBT people, while they try to treat migrants badly, while they try to deny climate action. Having a pope, the head of the largest Christian church, saying that refugees should be sheltered, saying that our planet was sick and that we needed to act to save it, saying that LGBT people should not be criminalised, that that did matter. I do hope that successor is of a similar mind. Mr Varadkar said during Franciss visit to Ireland, relations between the Catholic Church and the state werent very good, referring to the scandals in mother and baby institutions as well as the clerical sex abuse that took place across industrial schools. We also had been misaligned from the church in a lot of ways, on a lot of issues, he added. We had the abortion referendum, for example, earlier that year. So relations on lots of levels werent brilliant. But I think I saw it, and I think Pope Francis saw it as well, as an opportunity maybe for a bit of a reset, to kind of shake hands again, if you like, and agreed to have a more equal relationship. One that was more mutually respectful, one where the Church wasnt in charge of that relationship anymore in the way it was for most of our history. But also one where we were saying back that the Church has a place in our society. Francis led an open-air Sunday mass in Dublins Phoenix Park, where pilgrims attendance was a fraction of the million people who greeted Pope John Paul II at the same spot in 1979. During the Phoenix Park service, the Pope asked for forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland and for pardon for all the abuses committed in various types of institutions. Mr Varadkar said that while it was a significant gesture, he believes more could have been done. One thing I found very informal, bear in mind hes head of church hes also a monarch, head of government, head of state of the Vatican City and obviously his huge responsibilities, but was very colloquial in his language, very informal, Mr Varadkar added. He made the whole thing seem very relaxed, which I thought was great because I was a little bit nervous at first, and then we got to talk about different topics. Now the topics would have been flagged in advance. I was keen to talk to him about some things on behalf of the survivors of abuse and talk about the institutions that we were investigating and the compensation packages and so on. He definitely listened, definitely heard, and was sort of keen that we follow it up between the two sides at official level. One thing he did, though, which I think was very significant, was that he asked for forgiveness. I was there at the mass in Phoenix Park where he did that, and I think that was a significant gesture. Could more have been done? Can more still be done? I think so, but I dont remember a pope previously, I might be wrong, but I dont remember a pope previously confessing to the sin of what had happened and seek forgiveness. I dont think that was nothing. The Bishop of Ossory, Niall Coll has said the passing of Pope Francis has left 'deep sadness' after the pontiff's death was confirmed on Monday. Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in a statement on Monday: "At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father." "The news of the death of Pope Francis fills us with a deep sadness as we mourn the loss of a kind, courageous, and gentle pastor. We also have a sense of gratitude to God for the great leadership he has given to the Church over the course of his long papacy, and this is deeply felt in Ossory and throughout Ireland," Bishop Coll said in a statement. "The first Latin-American to be pope, he insisted right from the start that a key focus of his pontificate would be on 'the peripheries'. "His preaching, teaching and travels brought him to many of the poorest and most marginalised communities on the earth to remind them of their human dignity as children of God. He urged politicians and other leaders there, and everywhere, to work for peace, justice and responsible economic development. "The plight of the peoples of Gaza, Ukraine and in so many other theatres of conflict was constantly on his lips and in his prayers. He urged an end to violence in human affairs and underlined the need for a sense of fraternity and social friendship between peoples and nations in order to build a more just and peaceful world," he continued. "Finally, let me end with a quotation from Pope Francis that encapsulates so much about his faith, hope and love for God and his people: 'We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace.' "Catholics, other Christians and people of good will everywhere will find much to reflect upon and learn from the life and teaching of Pope Francis over the years to come. May he rest in peace," Bishop Coll concluded. Read more in this week's Kilkenny People A guest post by a reader: I regret to inform you that cultural reports are back, wearing a wig and a false mustache. In March 2024, Parliament passed the Legal Services Amendment Bill, which abolished public legal aid funding for section 27 reports, also known as cultural reports. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith stated: This will put an end to what has become a cottage industry costing the taxpayers millions with no benefits to the real victims of crime legal aid funding for section 27 reports has increased from approximately $40,000 in 2017, to more than $7 million in the last financial year. Its also resulted in further discounts at sentencing, something the Government is widely concerned about. As a defence lawyer, I am very familiar with cultural reports and it would often be my duty to arrange such reports for my clients. Critics cited three main problems with cultural reports: Cultural reports were very lucrative, with most cultural report writers charging $3000 or more per report, despite often not having any formal qualifications. For a 1-2 hour interview followed by a couple of hours writing the report, a seasoned cultural report factory could generate nearly $1000 per hour. By contrast, a qualified lawyer preparing written submissions for sentencing would receive a fixed fee of $450-$600 + GST for most legal aid cases. Cultural reports were explicitly aimed at securing lower sentences, giving the more soft-hearted Judges an excuse to give enormous sentencing discounts and allow home detention for even very serious offending. Report writers would boast on their websites about the discounts their reports had achieved. For example, one cultural report writer displays a testimonial on her website: Your cultural report was a revelation. The Crown wanted 8 years. He got 6.5 years [less all the discounts above]. In the end he got 2y7m and will be eligible for parole very soon. I cant wait to send you the sentencing notes. He got a really big discount. Cultural report writers would not verify the offenders claims, meaning offenders could sometimes exaggerate their backstory to secure greater discounts at sentencing. The rebrand When the cottage industry was shut down in March 2024, many cultural report writers gathered up their riches, packed away their templates, and moved on to new careers. But some of the more enterprising cultural report writers decided not to give up in the face of mere legislation. A plan was born to rebrand cultural reports under a new name, to allow the gravy train to keep on rolling. Goodbye publicly-funded Cultural Reports, hello publicly-funded Alcohol and Drug Reports. Alcohol and Drug Reports have been ordered occasionally for many years, often by the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court (AODTC). Some defence lawyers would also request legal aid funding for such reports, even before the new law. But an OIA request has revealed that since legal aid funding for cultural reports was abolished in March 2024, annual legal aid funding for alcohol and drug reports has increased by 254%. In the two years prior to the change in March 2024, $957,662 was approved for alcohol and drug reports. In slightly less than one year after the change, $1,623,766 was approved for alcohol and drug reports. The cultural report gold rush is over, and the Alcohol and Drug Report gold rush has begun. The report writers Could the 254% increase in the 11 months since the cultural report taps were turned off be a coincidence? Lets look at who is providing the reports. The OIA response from the Legal Services Commissioner did not provide the requested breakdown of which companies had been paid to prepare the Alcohol and Drug Reports. This was because the information does not exist, as the Ministry does not record this information. This is concerning for three reasons: This information could easily be collated. When a lawyer submits a quote from a report writer to Legal Aid for approval, the report writers company name is listed on the quote. Later, once the report is prepared, the lawyer forwards the report writers invoice to Legal Aid, and then pays the report writer themselves. More than $1.6 million in public funding has been provided for these Alcohol and Drug Reports in less than a year, a sufficient sum to be worthy of some basic record-keeping. Legal aid lawyers are rightly subject to transparency for the public funding they receive. Every year there is a table published which shows how much each legal aid lawyer has been paid that year. This allows for public scrutiny of the big earners who are in some cases receiving over $1 million per year in legal aid alone. There was no such table published when the cultural report industry was generating $7 million per year, which would have allowed the public to see who was profiting from the reports, and would have also allowed Legal Aid Services to audit and scrutinise how much each cultural report writer was earning. With some proper record-keeping, Legal Aid might have concluded that $3000 or more per cultural report was excessive given the gargantuan profits that were being made by some of the more prolific cultural report writers. Now, funding for Alcohol and Drug Reports has exploded by 254% and Legal Aid has no idea who is profiting from this, because they dont keep any records of it. So without any OIA data, how do we know who is providing the Alcohol and Drug Reports? Its a matter of a simple Google search. Formerly prolific cultural report writing companies are currently advertising themselves as available to write Alcohol and Drug Reports. Please note that in the absence of data from Legal Aid Services, I cannot confirm how much these companies received for cultural reports prior to the new law, and for Alcohol and Drug Reports under the new law. However, Google confirms that cultural report companies are currently advertising Alcohol and Drug Reports. For example: Independent Research Solutions Limited, of which the sociologist Jarrod Gilbert is the sole director and shareholder. H2R Research and Consulting Limited, of which the patched Mongrel Mob gang member Harry Tam is a 50% shareholder and director. Legal Aid Services do not have any specific policies in place to insist on the report writer having any particular qualifications. For example, the Alcohol and Drug Report writers are not required to be a registered member of DAPAANZ the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association Aotearoa New Zealand. Nor are they required to be registered counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists or doctors. Thousands of dollars are being paid out per report to people who are not accountable to any professional standards board. Meet the new reports, same as the old reports It is also clear from a quick search of legal databases that Alcohol and Drug Reports are often just cultural reports in drag. For example, in The King v Wharekura [2025] NZHC 751, a decision dated 1 April 2025, the Judge stated: I have the benefit of two reports that were prepared for your sentencing: a pre-sentence report, prepared by Corrections; and an alcohol and drug report, prepared by four report writers The pre-sentence report [prepared by a probation officer from the Department of Corrections] assesses you as being at a high risk of further violent offending the writer does observe that, despite assertions that you wish to use your time in prison to better yourself, you have accumulated 11 misconducts in prison for tattooing, seven for possession of homebrew, two for possession of non-prescribed medication, one for fighting, offensive behaviour toward staff, and possession of razor blades and cannabis oil I turn now to the alcohol and drug report. That report provides that it includes a component under s 27 of the Sentencing Act. Under that provision, the Court can hear from people on (amongst other things) a persons background and on the way in which it may have related to the commission of an offence. I observe at the outset that the report writers are not trained in medicine or psychology and that their findings are based on self-reporting from you. But the information is helpful and the report writers have relevant qualifications, one of them having a speciality in addiction which enables a useful perspective. You are of Waikato-Tainui a proud and just people, who suffered immeasurable loss when the Crown invaded and then confiscated Waikato-Tainuis tribal lands and taonga. The widespread loss, suffering and deprivation has lasted for generations. It weighs heavily. The above case highlights the difference between a pre-sentence report prepared by the Department of Corrections and a legal aid-funded Alcohol and Drug Report. The first aims to provide a neutral report regarding the background of the offender, the reasons for the offending, and the prospects of rehabilitation. These reports are by no means perfect but generally aim for a neutral perspective. Cultural reports, or their rebooted franchise of Alcohol and Drug Reports, aim to minimise the sentence, and just like section 27 cultural reports, will canvass alcohol and drug use as well as cultural and family background. Despite the new moniker of Alcohol and Drug Report, much of the focus remains on cultural factors which have nothing to do with drugs or alcohol. The website of Harry Tams H2R Research and Consulting Limited openly admits this: With the recent defunding of s27 reports, our AoD reports also include insights into clients personal, family, whanau, community, and cultural backgrounds in their drug and alcohol assessments. Where these Alcohol and Drug Reports commissioned under legal aid, this is at best a calculated evasion of the new section 99(4)(ca) of the Legal Services Act 2011, which states: The Commissioner must decline any claim to the extent to which it is for a disbursement incurred in relation to a report or statement (whether oral or written) of a person called by an offender under section 27 of the Sentencing Act 2002; Conclusion Cultural reports are symptomatic of deep-rooted issues in our justice system issues which are too extensive to cover in this post. It should come as no surprise that when the Government has attempted to weed out one of these issues, the weed has stubbornly regrown. It is now up to the Government to once again weed out the problem, this time hopefully by root and stem. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. EXO's Kai stunned fans as he broke down in tears during his showcase for the new solo album "Wait On Me." The event, held at the Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul on Monday, was held to celebrate his new solo album after he was recently discharged from the military. During the showcase, Kai delivered a thank you speech to fans just performing his final song for the night when he suddenly turned away from the audience and appeared to cry uncontrollably. Kai asked for a moment of silence to compose himself, visibly overwhelmed by the occasion. He explained to fans that the reality of his comeback only truly hit him in that moment. "It's because things didn't feel real until now. And everyone must've been tired coming since it's a Monday. To those who came down... Wait, can you guys be quiet for a moment? I can't..." he said. "To those who came down, let me show you guys the MV for 'Wait On Me' first, before performing the last song. Get home safe after, and remember that we'll keep getting to meet from now on. Everyone, I always love you! Thank you, really," Kai added. 250421 Wait On Me .. pic.twitter.com/9Wbv6LzSHE .. (@fdsf339114) April 21, 2025 The showcase marked Kai's return to the stage after a two-year hiatus, following his military discharge in February 2025. "Wait On Me" is his fourth solo mini album. The album also features the pre-release single "Adult Swim," as well as tracks like "Walls Don't Talk," "Pressure," "Ridin'," "Off and Away," and "Flight to Paris." Kai described the album as a reflection of his growth and gratitude. Kai is set to go on a solo tour across Asia, starting with two concerts in Seoul in May. The shows will continue in cities like Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Jakarta, Singapore, and more. Kai said he hopes the tour will be an opportunity to give back to fans who have waited for him. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. In a statement Bishop Denis Nulty said it was with great sadness on hearing the news of the death of Pope Francis. He said: While we knew he was very ill, seeing him on Easter Sunday in Saint Peters Square, greeting the faithful, brought great comfort to many. Pope Francis came from the periphery, as the first Pope from the Americas, and those at the periphery the poor, the migrant, the prisoner, the refugee, the outcast were always at the centre of his pontificate. Only last Holy Thursday, despite his own frailty, he took time to visit Romes Regina Coeli prison and his first visit outside Rome as Pope was to the tiny island of Lampedusa to remember the many drowned at sea, in search of refuge and a new beginning on mainland Europe. Bishop Nulty said: Pope Francis will be remembered for many things and there will be much commentary over the next while, but for me, his message of inclusion and mercy was key. The name of God is mercy he reminded us. And now we commend him to the mercy of God. At the heart of his message of hope in this Jubilee Year was the reality of the life, death and resurrection of Christ and in this Easter Octave, Pope Francis is welcomed into the eternal embrace of the resurrection. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. A POPULAR Laois hair salon that was due to close down on Easter Saturday was saved at the 11th hour. It was a close shave but Society Salon in Portarlington will remain open under new management, after a group of staff joined forces to keep the business in operation. While senior stylist Hayley Davies has departed to work nearer her new home in Co Kildare, most of the current team will remain at the busy salon on Main Street, Portarlington, including Emma Jane Murphy, Georgina Flynn and Casey Clarke. The salon shared the good news in a Facebook post on 16 April, saying: Delighted to announce that, after a turbulent and eventful couple of weeks, Casey, Georgina and Emma will still be there to welcome all the salons clients, with some exciting changes to come. We wish Hayley all the best in her new venture and she will, of course, be greatly missed. Hayley shared that Saturday 19 April would be her last day at Society Salons, before she starts work this week at Raven Hair Boutique in Clane on 23 April. She said: This has been a huge decision for me, as I have enjoyed looking after my amazing clients in Portarlington for the last 10 years, whom I will miss very much. Ive been so lucky to work with so many amazing people over the last 10 years. A big thank you to Ian Phelan for giving me so many wonderful opportunities, while I worked alongside you in the salon for the last decade. It has made me into the stylist I am today. Society Salon Portarlington had announced on 8 April that it would open for the last time on Saturday 19 April, due to staffing and other pressures. Society Salons Ireland also has a busy outlet in Portlaoise, which has not been affected by the change of management in Portarlington. A NOTORIOUS Laois junction where a driver was killed is 'as dangerous as ever' 16 years after the tragedy, according to a local councillor. The fatal accident black spot at Moneyquid, on the busy N80 route between Portlaoise and Tullamore, is still waiting for road safety works despite repeated appeals. Cllr Seamus McDonald told a council meeting that there was another crash at the site this month and there will be more, unless roadworks are finally carried out. He told the April meeting of Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick municipal district: Its more than dangerous, as everyone knows. There was another accident there last week. A man lost his life there some years ago but nothing has been done. It needs urgent attention. The fatal crash at Moneyquid happened in March 2009, when a man in his 40s died in a two-vehicle collision and another suffered serious injuries. Cllr McDonald, who is cathaoirleach (chairperson) of the district, asked for an update from Laois County Council regarding the Moneyquid junction near Killeigh at this months meeting. In a written response, the councils road design section said that staff would meet the Rosenallis councillor on site to assess the junction. The response added: Any proposed works will be subject to a funding application to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (Tll). Cllr McDonald made a similar appeal last September, when he asked county council officials to make contact with TII to make the junction safe. Because it is on a national route, TII is the agency responsible for upgrades. Cllr McDonald described Moneyquid as a seriously dangerous area, where one man sadly lost his life and there were further crashes in recent years. The Fianna Fail councillor said: It is a speedway out there and something will have to be done as quickly as possible. Cllr McDonald made similar appeals at council meetings in December 2019 and in June last year, when he said that rapid action must be taken at the dangerous junction near the Laois-Offaly border. Each time, he was told that the issue had been raised with TII. LAOIS Co Council staff are to keep on eye on the electric car charging parking spaces in the new car park at the railway station in Portlaoise to ensure motorists are not parking all day in the spaces. It has also been revealed that those who prepay for a monthly parking ticket to use the car park are not guaranteed a space when they arrive at morning times. So popular has the car park become that some motorists are parking in the charging spaces, preventing others from getting a charge, particularly local taxi drivers. The issue came to light at the April meeting of councillors of Portlaoise municipal district council when cllr Catherine Fitzgerald called for greater monitoring of the electric charging spaces at the car park. Cllr Fitzgerald said: Local taxi drivers who use the railway station car park on a daily basis to recharge their cars most often find that cars are parking for hours and sometimes all down in the charging spaces. They cant use them. She then asked: How many hours can you park in those charging spots? While not answering that specific question, the councils director of services Simon Walton, replying to cllr Fitzgerald, said: If youre parked in an electric vehicle (EV) parking space, youre supposed to be charging your car. There are ten EV charging spaces there. Two are fast charging spaces. The message Id like to get out is, if you do not have an EV car and youre parked in one of those two fast charging spaces, there is a very strong possibility you will get a fine. There are eight slow charging spaces that are less used and all non e-charging spaces are taken up early in the mornings. There might be a little bit of slack of cars parking in the slow charging bays, which they shouldnt be, but they might get a fine. Mr Walton said that every day the demand for the other 85 car parking spaces is far higher than that of the EV charging spaces. He said: People who purchase a monthly parking ticket and arrive in the car park early enough in the mornings cant avail of a car parking space. Buying a monthly ticket doesnt guarantee you a parking space. You have the option of going in, taking your chances and paying for a daily ticket. Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley asked could the eight slow charging spaces that are being used less frequently be changed to ordinary parking spaces because its very disappointing that if you buy your monthly ticket and cant get to park in the car park. Mr Walton said: You are not entitled, if you dont have an e-car to park in the eight slow charging spaces. But, having said that, we are conscious of the demand for spaces there and the lack of demand for those eight spaces. Asked by cllr Barry Walsh why there are only two fast charging spaces and not ten in the spaces provided, Mr Walton said: Slow charging is cheaper. Its an all day parking car park and some people travelling by train to Dublin can leave their cars charging. They pay their 4 to park in the space and then pay their bill for charging their car. So, said cllr Dwane Stanley, does that mean if you pay your 4 parking fee, you can head off to Dublin for the day and leave your car in that slow charging bay all day? Does it take all day to charge a car? Cllr Fitzgerald said: The main issue is that taxi drivers working around the town are unable to use the fast charging spaces because a lot of the time they are not available. The 2025 Portlaoise Daffodil Collection for the Irish Cancer Society was a great success, yielding a total of 29,000. This was helped greatly by local schools' involvement. The Holy Family schools hosted a big bake sale coffee/tea morning, supported by pupils, staff, parents and guests. Many volunteers for Daffodil Day came from the Scoil Chriost Ri TY class. On the day, they helped prepare fresh daffodils, delivered buckets of bunches, took photos and videos for posting and collected donations outside the library. The staff of Scoil Chriost Ri held a bake-off and coffee morning, with donations to Irish Cancer. All funds collected in Laois support Laois cancer patients with vital services such as Night Nursing and Patient Transport. Times Staff Writer She was what was known as a particular friend in convent vernacular. An older nun, she was both teacher and inspiration to Nancy Manahan, who was at the time in her first year at the Maryknoll Missionary Sisters Novitiate near St. Louis. Because talking was allowed only during restricted periods and preferring the company of one nun over the others was forbidden, Manahan said she often had to confess to two transgressions--breaking silence and having a particular friend. Manahan and 50 other former and current nuns declare in a new book, Lesbian Nuns: Breaking Silence (Naiad Press: $9.95), that not only did they cultivate special relationships in their religious communities, but that those friendships sometimes turned into love affairs. Advertisement Some Used Pseudonyms While 40 of the contributors to the book are no longer in religious communities, (the essays were selected from 400 submitted to the editors), seven women who are still in the convent contributed using pseudonyms, and two current nuns wrote under their own names after clearing the decision with their communities, Manahan said. Contributors range in age from their late 20s to their 60s, and one contributor has been in a convent nearly 50 years. Manahan writes in an introduction to the book, which she edited with another ex-nun, Rosemary Curb, that its purpose is the breaking of the historic silence about erotic love between women in religious life. Formerly an English instructor at Napa Valley College (she now owns a carpet cleaning business in Napa), Manahan, 38, discovered that scholarly sources that examine convent deviance, such as pregnancies occurring among sisters who have taken vows of chastity, keep to the policy of silence when it comes to same-sex relationships. Advertisement The authors state that a majority of sisters are heterosexual, and say their book neither condemns nor condones sexual activity in convents. Still, some readers and critics have been so offended by the content that they apparently wish Manahan and Curb also would have remained mum. The editors were banned from an Eastern talk show last month when a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston read about the book and asked that the segment featuring Manahan and Curb not be aired, arguing that it would be an affront to the sensitivity of Roman Catholics. Canceled the Show The station manager agreed and canceled the show, triggering the interest of reporters around the country who soon were on the phone to Naiad Press publisher Barbara Grier in Tallahassee, Fla. The authors have been interviewed by the Dublin Herald Tribune; and an Italian publisher is apparently impatient to be granted rights to translate the book into Italian. All of Rome is waiting for your decision, he told Naiad Press. Advertisement On the shelves for only a month, the book will complete a third printing today, bringing the number of copies in print to 150,000. The publisher said she had anticipated sales of no more than 30,000, mostly to womens bookstores and Catholic libraries. Warner Books has purchased mass distribution paperback rights. Although much of the uproar is generated by the suspicion that the text must be full of cloistered love scenes, Curb said thats not the case: People are going to be sorely disappointed if they buy the book thinking its going to be sensational. Its really about processes, feelings and growth. Its also about breaking the rules, and that, Curb said, is the reason the topic has struck a chord with so many non-Catholics and non-gays. The book opens doors for anyone whos ever felt an outsider, who ever felt they had to pass for mainstream, said Curb, a 45-year-old associate professor of English at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. The publisher has received orders from hundreds of members of religious communities all over the United States; and the editors said support groups for current and former gay nuns are forming in many of the cities they have visited. Even the heterosexual sisters who have come forth (in response to the book) have been very grateful for the book, although they do want it made clear that most nuns are celibate and honor their vows, Manahan said during an appearance Saturday at an Albuquerque bookstore. At least 10% of religious sisters are gay. As well as 10% of the congregation or population they minister to. So it really would behoove religious communities to deal with their homophobia, she added. (Curb guessed that the percentage of gay women in convents might in fact be higher than the 10% figure often ascribed to the general population. Many of her peers were attracted to the convent as an alternative to unwanted marriage, she said, without necessarily knowing at the time they were homosexual.) Advertisement Manahan was traveling by car on this leg of what has become an ongoing book tour. She pulled into Albuquerque on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by her 73-year-old mother, Ruth Manahan. A retired newspaper editor, Ruth Manahan said she proofread the manuscript of her daughters book and that she never had any doubts about the wisdom of publishing it. Both womens families supported the project. Curbs 18-year-old daughter, Lisa (Curb was married for four years after leaving the convent) said in a phone interview that although she worried initially about her friends reaction to the book, I thought, hey, this is my senior year. These people (her fellow students) should have matured. If theyre my friends, theyre my friends. Joining Manahan and her mother at dinner in Albuquerque was Wendy Sequoia, a former nun who had contributed a chapter to the book. Sequoia said she, like many of the former sisters interviewed by Curb and Manahan, felt a spiritual void when she left her religious community. She said she gradually filled that gap with a personalized blend of belief, minus the oppression. A number of the ex-nuns rechanneled their spiritual energies into political activism. Among the contributors to Lesbian Nuns, seven have been officers in the National Organization for Women at local and national levels. Included are a current and former director of the National Gay Task Force, Virginia Apuzzo and Jean OLeary. Others have been active in efforts for peace and anti-racism, labor movements, shelters for battered women and prison rights. The movements for social justice in the 70s and 80s are replete with ex-nun lesbian leadership, observed Jeanne Cordova, a contributor to the volume and publisher of the Community Yellow Pages, a directory of gay and lesbian-owned businesses in Southern California. I have come to see the convent as a boot camp for us all. Advertisement Los Angeles resident Jean OLeary, executive director of National Gay Rights Advocates (a public interest law firm that handles precedent-setting cases involving discrimination against gay people) said her youthful independence asserted itself in actions such as putting goldfish in the holy water font. I wouldnt say the convent is a hotbed of lesbianism, OLeary wrote. I think that many women have joined convents to escape sexuality, whether lesbian or heterosexual. A desire for obedience and dedication to God is often secondary to a need for celibacy and denial. There is some indication that the church has relaxed its policy of silence on the topic of homosexuals in religious life. A group based near Washington, New Ways Ministries, teaches mens and womens communities nationwide how to handle gay candidates for religious life, who are increasingly likely to be open about their sexual identity. Despite the changes that have occurred in the church since the days when the majority of women in the book were in the convent (particular friendships, for example, are no longer outlawed in most communities and silence is not generally required), the Manahan and Curb book will send shock waves through the convents, said a current nun who has been in religious life for 24 years. All hell is going to break loose, she wrote in her chapter of the book. Religious communities are going to have to discuss the book. Theyre going to have to respond to the reality and theyve never had to do that before. Dont Let Racism Divide Us. So Long as Women Are Not Free, the People Are Not Free. And, simply, Protest. Poster slogans from the womens marches in January? Actually, theyre slogans from a womens art collective in the 1970s and 80s. In 1974, three activists founded See Red Womens Workshop, a feminist silkscreen poster collective in London. An ad in a radical feminist magazine called for female artists to come together and create posters that confronted media stereotypes. Girls Are Powerful, 1979. (See Red Womens Workshop) (See Red Womens Workshop / See Red Womens Workshop) See Red Womens Workshop: Feminist Posters 1974-1990 from Four Corners Books is a just-released book of protest artwork featuring 115 images creative designs and styles that were silk-screened, stenciled, painted and more. (Margaret Thatcher appears often as a symbol of oppression.) Former members of the See Red workshop detail the collectives history from its start to its closure, in 1990. We were all involved in different kinds of womens liberation movements and felt very passionate, artist and film professor Anne Robinson, who joined the collective in the early 80s, said in an interview. She noted posters used in a 1968 student uprising in Paris were an inspiration, as was the 19-year nuclear weapons protest at the Greenham Common Womens Peace Camp in England. Planned long before last years Brexit vote and U.S. presidential election, the book is nonetheless timely with healthcare, reproductive rights and equal pay at the forefront of the discussion. Our intentions were to empower anyone involved in campaigning against sexism and reproductive rights, said Robinson, who was pleasantly surprised to see an updated version of one of the collectives posters in a recent womens march in London. SIGN UP for the free Essential Arts & Culture newsletter Dont Let Racism Divide Us, 1978. (See Red Womens Workshop) (See Red Womens Workshop / See Red Womens Workshop) Protest, 1973. (See Red Womens Workshop) (See Red Womens Workshop / See Red Womens Workshop) Women Throw Off Our Double Burden, 1975. (See Red Womens Workshop) (See Red Womens Workshop / See Red Womens Workshop) Follow The Times arts team @culturemonster. ALSO 'Made in L.A. 2018': Curators announced for Hammer biennial Album cover art, from Patti Smith to Kanye West Diego Rivera's Cubist masterpiece arrives at LACMA Jimmie Durham's art throws some well-aimed stones On 19 April Ecuadors government announced that it was on maximum alert in response to an alleged assassination plot against President End of preview - This article contains approximately 407 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 18 April residents in the Moinho favela of Brazils largest city, Sao Paulo, protested against the allegedly heavy-handed police presence in the community, reigniting long-running concerns over the use of force by Sao Paulos state military police force. End of preview - This article contains approximately 401 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Biobio On 20 April Chiles government said that it will use an anti-terrorism law to pursue those responsible for a major arson attack on a Chinese-owned hydroelectric project at Rucalhue, in the southernregion. End of preview - This article contains approximately 341 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Argentine artist Julieta Emilia Cazzuchelli is revealing herself to the world for the first time without any artifice. Without the Nena Trampa persona with which she emerged in Latin trap. Without the appendage of "Christian Nodal's girlfriend" or "Inti's mom." Her greatest calling card, as it has been since she took to the stage singing cumbia as Juli-K, is her music. The name of Cazzu's new album is "Latinaje." It's out this week and is a fusion of the most popular Latin American rhythms. It's also a mixture of the feelings she's experienced over the past three years: her romance with Nodal, the fear of losing that happiness, romantic love, sexual love, and maternal love. Betrayal and healing. It's a little bit of everything, and a lot of it is her and the life we've known and the life we haven't. In an exclusive interview with the Mexican and Latin American edition of Vogue magazine , Cazzu gave a narrative to her album and hinted that she has healed from the end of her relationship with her daughter's father, the rapid start of the Mexican artist's romance and his subsequent wedding to Angela Aguilar, and everything else she has lived, suffered and overcome. 'Latinaje', Cazzu's new album "The first songs were born more than three years ago. During that time, I became a mother and discovered life from a different perspective. I was also in a relationship like I'd never experienced before. I had never imagined having a family, no matter how long it lasted, it was a great moment, a moment full of love, very beautiful and very hopeful. That necessarily influenced some of the songs: my love for my baby, life at that time, experiences of all kinds, and also my inner voices," she said about the influence of her relationship on her work. "We worked hard on the majority of the songs in France, but others were from before and some from now," he explains, referring to the studio inside Chateau Miraval , the winery that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are still fighting over. Her most profound transformation compared to her previous album is "that this woman wasn't a mother, above all. I think that's the biggest change. I didn't really believe in that story where people say that life and perspective on life change when you become a mother, but in truth, yes, it was true... It was quite true. A career full of risks For Cazzu, women's lives are complicated, even today, but even more so in her artistic career. "It happened to me in all walks of life. I saw my aunts, my mother, the women who inspired me, experiencing a lot of systematic injustice. In music, at university, in many places, I saw all of that, so yes, it was always my decision to make my music like hiding a bomb," she explained. It was also a strong decision to show themselves without armor, starting with the first shot of the album: their song 'La Cueva'. "That said, it was very risky for me, for my idea of myself. I love being the bad guy and being this super cool woman. I was really scared to show people the song I had written the first time I broke up; I didn't know what was coming next. It's also nice to remind people that we are inspired by our experiences, but that inspiration is full of fantasy and subjectivity." "People listen to these songs that at times can be considered literal, but in reality they are purely my subjectivity and are wrapped in all this fantasy, that's why it's called inspiration and if it weren't like journalism it would be a real story, but music is not like that. People can receive it how they want to receive it, but La Cueva has my subjectivity, how I lived it, what I thought at the time and maybe I don't think it anymore, maybe the feeling is not identical to how it was in La Cueva . That's why it's nice to capture one's emotion and make the music, because afterwards the feelings are not replicated identically." Premonitory? "Something I tend to do a lot is that sometimes my life is perfect, but I have songs that imagine the worst. In fact, the song that opens the album is called 'Bad Luck', "I was born with so much bad luck," the song says and I wrote it at a great moment in my life, where everyone was saying "how the hell did you come up with this song if everything is fine?" The song talks about the fear of loss, when you're in love sometimes this ghost of what will happen when you lose everything creeps in. And then you lose everything and life goes on. Now that the tide seems to have gone out, Cazzu or Julieta is reviving being a mother. "What I like to say about my motherhood is that I don't think everyone has the privileges I had when I became a mother, and that's why the experience of motherhood necessarily changes according to the privileges of women. Women who don't have the privilege of staying home, raising their children and spending quality time with them, of playing, of being calm, because they have to go out to earn a living and are alone, or don't have anyone to help them, I don't think they experience it in the same way. That's why I don't like to generalize, and I think I've been very lucky when it came to being a mother." And her fans are lucky. 'Latinaje' is a gem, and so is she. Omaha Tribe member Mark Parker, of Macy, Neb., takes a photo as workers dig for the suspected remains of children who once attended the Genoa Indian Industrial School, July 11, 2023, in Genoa, Neb. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File) AP At least $1.6 million in federal funds for projects meant to capture and digitize stories of the systemic abuse of generations of Indigenous children in boarding schools at the hands of the U.S. government have been slashed due to federal funding cuts under President Donald Trumps administration. The cuts are just a fraction of the grants canceled by the National Endowment for the Humanities in recent weeks as part of the Trump administrations deep cost-cutting effort across the federal government. But coming on the heels of a major federal boarding school investigation by the previous administration and an apology by then-President Joe Biden, they illustrate a seismic shift. If were looking to Make America Great Again, then I think it should start with the truth about the true American history, said Deborah Parker, CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. The coalition lost more than $282,000 as a result of the cuts, halting its work to digitize more than 100,000 pages of boarding school records for its database. Parker, a citizen of the Tulalip Tribes in Washington state, said Native Americans nationwide depend on the site to find loved ones who were taken or sent to these boarding schools. Searching that database last year, Roberta Birdie Sam, a member of Tlingit & Haida, was able to confirm that her grandmother had been at a boarding school in Alaska. She also discovered that around a dozen cousins, aunts and uncles had also been at a boarding school in Oregon, including one who died there. She said the knowledge has helped her with healing. I understand why our relationship has been the way it has been. And thats been a great relief for myself, she said. Ive spent a lot of years very disconnected from my family, wondering what happened. And now I know some of it anyways. An April 2 letter to the healing coalition that was signed by Michael McDonald, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, says the grant no longer effectuates the agencys needs and priorities. The Associated Press left messages by phone and email for the National Endowment for the Humanities. White House officials and the Office of Management and Budget also did not respond Friday to an email requesting comment. Indigenous children were sent to boarding schools For 150 years the U.S. removed Indigenous children from their homes and sent them away to the schools, where they were stripped of their cultures, histories and religions, and beaten for speaking their native languages. At least 973 Native American children died at government-funded boarding schools, according to an Interior Department investigation launched by former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Both the report and independent researchers say the actual number was much higher. The forced assimilation policy officially ended with the enactment of the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978. But the government never fully investigated the boarding school system until the Biden administration. In October, Biden apologized for the governments creation of the schools and the policies that supported them. Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo citizen whos running for governor in New Mexico, described the recent cuts as the latest step in the Trump administrations pattern of hiding the full story of our country. But she said they cant erase the extensive work already done. They cannot undo the healing communities felt as they told their stories at our events to hear from survivors and descendants, she said in a statement. They cannot undo the investigation that brings this dark chapter of our history to light. They cannot undo the relief Native people felt when President Biden apologized on behalf of the United States. Boarding school research programs are feeling the strain Among the grants terminated earlier this month was $30,000 for a project between the Koahnic Broadcast Corporation and Alaska Native Heritage Center to record and broadcast oral histories of elders in Alaska. Koahnic received an identical letter from McDonald. Benjamin Jacuk, the Alaska Native Heritage Centers director of Indigenous research, said the news came around the same time they lost about $100,000 through a Institute of Museum and Library Services grant for curating a boarding school exhibit. This is a story that for all of us, we werent able to really hear because it was so painful or for multitudes of reasons, said Jacuk, a citizen of Kenaitze Indian Tribe. And so its really important right now to be able to record these stories that our elders at this point are really opening up to being able to tell. Former Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Bryan Newland described the cuts as frustrating, especially given the size of the grants. Its not even a drop in the ocean when it comes to the federal budget, said Newland, a citizen of the Bay Mills Indian Community (Ojibwe). And so its hard to argue that this is something thats really promoting government efficiency or saving taxpayer funds. In April 2024, the National Endowment for the Humanities announced that it was awarding $411,000 to more than a dozen tribal nations and organizations working to illustrate the impact of these boarding schools. More than half of those awards have since been terminated. The grant cuts were documented by the non-profit organization National Humanities Alliance. John Campbell, a member of Tlingit and the Tulalip Tribes, said the coalitions database helped him better understand his parents, who were both boarding school survivors and passed on that tradition of being traumatized. When he was growing up, his mother used to put soap in his mouth when he said a bad word. He said he learned through the site that she experienced that punishment beginning when she was 6-years-old in a boarding school in Washington state when she would speak her language. She didnt talk about it that much, he said. She didnt want to talk about it either. It was too traumatic. ___ Associated Press writer Terry Tang in Phoenix contributed to this report. Fire torched the rear of the China Wok restaurant and two apartments upstairs at 109-111 S. Main St in Nazareth on April 22, 2025. Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com About 100 firefighters responded to a blaze that torched a Chinese restaurant, two apartments above the restaurant and a small high school offering alternative programs. Vigilance Hose Co No. 1 Fire Chief Jerry Johnson said six people were displaced by the fire detected just before 1 a.m. Tuesday in the 100 block of South Main Street. A dog and two cats died in the blaze, he said. Firefighters arrived to find flames destroying the rear of the China Wok restaurant at 109-111 S. Main St., Johnson said. He said the fire spread to Lehigh Learning Academy at 113 S. Main St. Fire torched the China Wok restaurant at 109-111 S. Main St. and spread to Lehigh Learning Academy at 113 S. Main St in Nazareth on April 22, 2025. Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com It took 13 fire departments about two and a half hours to bring the fire under control and another hour and a half to completely extinguish it, Johnson said. The China Wok building is a total loss, he said. The school sustained moderate damage, he said. It will be closed pending repairs. Johnson said the six displaced residents are being assisted by the first responder Chaplain Corps and the American Red Cross. One resident was treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation, Johnson said. Lehigh Learning Academy was founded in 2006 as a private high school for students who struggle to perform in traditional public school settings, according to its website. Fire torched the rear of the China Wok restaurant and two apartments upstairs at 109-111 S. Main St in Nazareth on April 22, 2025. Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Royal Caribbean cruise lines is canceling all trips to its private beach resort in Haiti due to safety concerns that are affecting the island nation. Canva/Katherine Rodriguez If you plan to sail on a cruise soon, you might want to pay attention to your itinerary. A major cruise line is canceling all trips to its private beach resort in Haiti due to safety concerns that are affecting the island nation. Royal Caribbean recently altered its sailing itineraries to divert from stopping at its private island port in Labadee, about six hours from Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince, according to Travel + Leisure. Heres why Royal Caribbean is making these changes for at least April and May. Why did Royal Caribbean stop sailing to its port in Haiti? Royal Caribbean is not sailing to its port in Haiti because of gang violence and political instability in the country, according to the latest travel advisory for Haiti from the State Department. The State Department issued its Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory in September 2024, warning travelers specifically about kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and limited health care. The company has temporarily ceased its stops at its Haiti port and removed it from all routes. It is unclear whether Royal Caribbean will offer its Labadee, Haiti, port again at this time. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. An Essex County, New Jersey man is accused of driving a school bus while intoxicated with 25 juveniles on board and crashing into a median along Interstate 80. Pierre R. Tranquilus, 47, of East Orange, is charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child; third-degree endangering another person; and fourth-degree assault by auto, as well as summonses for possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated. Tranquilus has since had his first appearance at Warren County Superior Court in New Jersey on the charges. He currently is incarcerated at the Warren County jail. The incident began shortly after 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Tranquilus was in charge of driving children from an unspecified educational institution to a sporting event, court records say. Court records do not state which bus company was employing Tranquilus as a driver. New Jersey State Police troopers with the Hope barracks found the disabled school bus about 7:30 a.m. Saturday along Interstate 80 west, mile marker 3.0, in Knowlton Township. The bus was stopped in the left lane with heavy front-end damage, state police said. A total of 25 juveniles and two adults were on board, and one person was injured, according to state police. Court records indicate the injury was minor. Tranquilus showed visible signs of impairment, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by lehighvalleylive.com in an Open Public Records Act request. The court record lays out evidence and witness testimony against a defendant. Tranquilus was unable to pass standard field sobriety tests, state police said. A trooper found an open bottle of beer placed behind the front-passenger side tire, court records state. Tranquilus allegedly refused to tell investigators how much alcohol he consumed that day. He was then arrested by state police. All the occupants of the bus were then transported away from the scene by a different bus, police said. Upon conviction, second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison; third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years; and fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 18 months. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. A 39-year-old Phillipsburg man was sentenced up to 40 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. Spartak Fedorovich on Monday was sentenced before Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Judge Robert L. Steinberg. to serve 20 to 40 years in state prison. Prosecutors asked for a sentence of 72 to 144 years, said Pamela Lehman, spokeswoman for the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office. Amy E. Sonin, the public defender representing Fedorovich, could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday morning. The Bishop who leads many Catholics in Laois has described the key message during the papacy of the late Pope Francis as a being one of "inclusion and mercy". In his capacity as Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Denis Nulty leads Catholics in the big Laois towns of Portlaoise, Portarlington, Mountmellick and Graiguecullen. He issued a statement following the passing of the Argentinian on Easter Monday in Rome. "While we knew he was very ill, seeing him on Easter Sunday in Saint Peters Square, greeting the faithful, brought great comfort to many. "Pope Francis came from the periphery, as the first Pope from the Americas, and those at the periphery the poor, the migrant, the prisoner, the refugee, the outcast were always at the centre of his pontificate. Only last Holy Thursday, despite his own frailty, he took time to visit Romes Regina Coeli prison and his first visit outside Rome as Pope was to the tiny island of Lampedusa to remember the many drowned at sea, in search of refuge and a new beginning on mainland Europe," he said. He outlined what he believed was South American's key message as head of the Catholic Church. READ ALSO: Funeral arrangements made "Pope Francis will be remembered for many things and there will be much commentary over the next while, but for me, his message of inclusion and mercy was key. The name of God is mercy he reminded us. "And now we commend him to the mercy of God. At the heart of his message of hope in this Jubilee Year was the reality of the life, death and resurrection of Christ and in this Easter Octave, Pope Francis is welcomed into the eternal embrace of the resurrection. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam," he said. A book of condolences will be available to sign in Carlow Cathedral in the coming days. A big stretch of the Dublin Road has been left out of the new routes for the first-ever Portlaoise town bus service, according to a Laois councillor. Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald has slammed the routes in the town's new bus service by Transport For Ireland, as "completely wrong". Portlaoise got its first ever town bus service two months ago in February 2025, part of a low carbon agenda. It is "very successful" according to Laois County Council. All you Need to Know about Portlaoise Town Bus Service However many residents are calling for more bus stops, including those on the Dublin Road and Abbeyleix Road. Fianna Fail Cllr Fitzgerald tabled a motion to the March meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District asking for bus stops on the Abbeyleix Road, the Dublin Road and at the cemetery on the N80 Stradbally Road. "A lot of elderly people live on the Abbeyleix road. There's new housing going up in two spots. People said to me the road is too narrow for the bus service, is that the reason it was left out? "At the graveyard, a lot of elderly people visit it, and people come back from funerals who have left their cars parked in the town. "The most complaints I am getting is about the Dublin Road. There is major disappointment over the lack of stops. It's nearly a mile between stops. The last stop is beside the church, a narrow stop. The next one is beside the hospital. People in a very large housing estate feel they were let down. It has two large prisons, MIDOC, St Fintan's hospital. "The route goes out the Borris Road, Colliers Lane and the Block Road. The people forgotten are those on the Dublin Road. It's very unfortunate. It should never have happened. The way the route was done is completely wrong. there are a lot of people on the Dublin Road, workers and residents. You get a wet day and want to use a bus, it's a long way to walk. "It's a fantastic service, it's going down great and it will get better, but to leave out the Dublin Road is not fair," she said. WATCH: Video of launch of Portlaoise Town Bus Service Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded the motion, and said there are enough residents now on the Abbeyleix Road to get a bus. "I had a motion a month ago about the Abbeyleix Road. Children on the Mountmellick road end if they go to the Holy Family schools, have to get off at Colliers Lane and pick up a second bus. but it's a very successful story, I haven't met anyone not happy with it. "People on the Ridge Road are asking me when they'll get a stop, where you hardly get room for a car never mind a bus. "There are gaps, but the TII did say they would review it depending on its success and its very successful," she said. Labour Cllr Marie Tuohy agrees. "It's fantastic, it is joining the outskirts of the town, that's lifechanging for a lot of people who had no access. A lot came in in taxis to do their shopping. There is quite a gap on the Dublin Road, hopefully that will happen in time. The graveyard would be invaluable as well," she said. Cllr Tommy Mulligan asked if the talks of a third route to the Abbeyleix Road, Maldron, Rugby Club and Togher were true. "It is needed for the schools in Agnaharna and the GAA grounds in Rathleague, it's a huge club and our members will soon increase drastically as well," he said. Answering all the queries was Laois County Council Director of Services Simon Walton. "The service as it is is proving very successful. I have noted the matters raised on an ongoing basis with the National Transport Authority (NTA), about the locations and degree of stops. As the months go by it will be reviewed. In time, I don't know how or when, a third route will be introduced," he said. He refuted the suggestion that the newly narrowed Abbeyleix Road could not fit a bus. "It is completely commensurate with a bus service. In no way has the layout reduced its capacity for a bus. It will be no different than the Mountmellick Road, where traffic has to stop behind a bus. Read also: Primark seeking permission to double size of Portlaoise Penneys "I know there are areas of the Dublin road not seviced, and that's where we get the most comments. Whenever it is reviewed we will bring them to the attention of the NTA. "The feedback from Portlaoise Town Team is positive. Busiest stops are the two on James Fintan Lalor Avenue. On St Patrick's Day over 1,000 people used the service. On the busiest day over 1,300 used it. The numbers are extremely encouraging. Other provincial towns took longer to achieve that. I know the NTA are extremely pleased. They put 2 million into it. "When we are six months in this July, we will be a full year into the Bolt electric bike rentals, we'll come back and give a summary of the takeup," Mr Walton said. Laois County Council will sent a letter with Cllr Fitzgerald's requests to the NTA. Pope Francis was a kind, courageous, and gentle pastor whose loss will be deeply felt in Laois parishes within the Diocese of Ossory, according to Bishop Niall Coll. The Bishop, who leads Laois Catholics in communities such as Rathdowney, Durrow and Borris-in-Ossory, issued a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live in the wake of the death of the Argentinian on Easter Monday. "We have a sense of gratitude to God for the great leadership he has given to the Church over the course of his long papacy, and this is deeply felt in Ossory and throughout Ireland. The first Latin-American to be pope, he insisted right from the start that a key focus of his pontificate would be on the peripheries. "His preaching, teaching and travels brought him to many of the poorest and most marginalised communities on the earth to remind them of their human dignity as children of God. He urged politicians and other leaders there, and everywhere, to work for peace, justice and responsible economic development," he said. The Donegal native highlighted the stance taken by Pope Francis on the cost of ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East. "The plight of the peoples of Gaza, Ukraine and in so many other theatres of conflict was constantly on his lips and in his prayers. He urged an end to violence in human affairs and underlined the need for a sense of fraternity and social friendship between peoples and nations in order to build a more just and peaceful world," he said. He also spoke about the impact of the Argentinian on the Church. Bishop Coll highlighted four themes. "In terms of the life of the Catholic Church itself, at least four persistent themes recur in his teaching and preaching. First, the importance of Mercy, recognising that God is ever merciful and that we are called to respond to this great truth and to be merciful ourselves in our relationships with each other. "Second, Hope evidenced by the current Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 underlining the need to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and thus not to give in to despair or anger. "Third, synodality, a vision of Church faithful to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) which has at its heart the need to develop a greater sense of co-responsibility in mission between clergy and people everywhere. "Fourth, his teaching on the need to care for the earth as set out in his Laudato Si encyclical, a document much appreciated well beyond the bounds of church and faith, where he called for a global dialogue that would allow us to shape and care for our planet through our daily actions and decisions," he said. READ ALSO: Papacy of 'inclusion and mercy' Bishop Coll concluded with what he felt was a central message communicated by the late pontiff. "Finally, let me end with a quotation from Pope Francis that encapsulates so much about his faith, hope and love for God and his people: We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace. "Catholics, other Christians and people of goodwill everywhere will find much to reflect upon and learn from the life and teaching of Pope Francis over the years to come. May he rest in peace," he said. The funeral will take place on Saturday, 27 April at 9am (Irish time). This will also mark the beginning of the first of nine days of mourning. A community demonstration has been organised for this Saturday, April 26 2025 at 2pm outside Derrinturn Garda Station, County Kildare, to highlight the ongoing issue of Garda under-resourcing in the area. Aontu representative John Bryan has issued the call for the demonstration, describing it as a community-led and non-party political event. The purpose, he says, is to provide local residents with a platform to express their concerns and demand action. The people of Derrinturn and the wider Carbury area are acutely aware of the under-resourcing of our Garda station and the knock-on effects of that - namely, an increase in anti-social behaviour and serious crime, Mr Bryan said. Continuing, Mr Bryan outlined a key demand that Derrinturn see a doubling in Garda figures: In 2015, Derrinturn Garda Station had a peak allocation of eight Gardai. That number has since been halved, despite population growth and rising concerns around community safety. We are appealing to the Minister and the Garda Commissioner to return Derrinturn Garda Station to similar peak staffing levels i.e. a doubling of the current Garda presence to ensure that policing in the area is effective and visible. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and make their voices heard on this vital community issue. Local councillors in the Clane LEA have been formally invited to attend the demonstration and to engage directly with constituents on the need for improved Garda resourcing in the area. READ NEXT: Argument ensues at Kildare County Council meeting following Local Property Tax query The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Denis Nulty, has paid further tribute to the late Pope Francis, whose passing was announced yesterday (Easter Monday, April 21 last). The first Latin American Pope, Pope Francis, suffered a stroke on Monday following months of ill health and passed away at the age of 88. Bishop Nulty's new statement comes comes as the Vatican this morning (Tuesday, April 22) announced funeral details for the late Pontiff. Following on from his original statement from yesterday, Bishop Nulty said: "While we knew he was very ill, seeing him on Easter Sunday in Saint Peters Square, greeting the faithful, brought great comfort to many. "Pope Francis came from the periphery, as the first Pope from the Americas, and those at the periphery the poor, the migrant, the prisoner, the refugee, the outcast were always at the centre of his pontificate. "Only last Holy Thursday, despite his own frailty, he took time to visit Romes Regina Coeli prison and his first visit outside Rome as Pope was to the tiny island of Lampedusa to remember the many drowned at sea, in search of refuge and a new beginning on mainland Europe. He continued: "Pope Francis will be remembered for many things and there will be much commentary over the next while, but for me, his message of inclusion and mercy was key. 'The name of God is mercy' he reminded us, and now, we commend him to the mercy of God. "At the heart of his message of hope in this Jubilee Year was the reality of the life, death and resurrection of Christ and in this Easter Octave, Pope Francis is welcomed into the eternal embrace of the resurrection. "Ar dheis De go raibh a anam," Bishop Nulty concluded. He added that a book of condolences will be available to sign in the Cathedral over the next few days. Bishop Denis Nulty (File photograph) READ NEXT: Cycleathon to take place at popular Kildare shopping centre in aid of young boy AIB has made four new branch manager appointments to its retail banking team in Kildare. This follows the bank's recent announcement of a 40m investment programme in its nationwide network of branches. Jeanette Minnock is the new branch manager in Maynooth, having just moved from managing the Edenderry branch. She is looking forward to meeting new and existing customers and welcoming them into the branch. READ NEXT: Kildare County Council launches its DZ Climate Champions Award Programme Having studied in Maynooth in the hopes of some day working in a bank, I am delighted to have come full circle, Jeanette said. My team and I can support the customers in Maynooth with all their financial needs, while promoting a customer and community focused culture and help customers to build a sustainable future. Sinead Sweeney has been appointed branch manager of the Naas branch. In this role she also has responsibility for Clane and Blessington. After graduating with a degree in Economics and Maths from NUI Maynooth, I joined AIB in 2002, Sinead said. At AIB we understand the importance of a strong branch network in our local communities. I am really proud to take on this role and look forward to working closely with the communities in Naas, Clane and Blessington in the years ahead." Vanessa Brennan is the new branch manager in Athy. She said: I am delighted to be based in Athy where we, as with all at AIB, want our customers to have a superior experience in each and every interaction with us. Whether thats opening your first account, buying your dream home or planning for your financial future, the team in AIB Athy, and I, pride ourselves in supporting our customers at every stage of their journey. In Newbridge, Freda Hearns has been appointed branch manager. She said: I have worked here previously so I really looked forward to returning to this branch. From my local experience, I understand the importance of our branch to the local community and in supporting our customers at different stages of their financial journey. Commenting on the appointments, AIBs Head of Consumer Banking, Adrian Moynihan said: I am delighted to appoint these new Branch Managers around Co Kildare. With their wealth of banking experience and their deeply rooted knowledge of our customers in the county, they will be exceptional advocates for our customers in the county. AIB is deeply committed to making a positive contribution to our local communities across Ireland. AIBs retail banking unit supports over three million personal, mortgage and SME customers. The bank also has the largest branch network in Ireland, with 170 branches, and has 2.19 million active digital users. Members of the County Kildare branch of Sinn Fein (SF) branch commemorated the late Grey Abbey Martyrs yesterday on Easter Monday, April 21 last. The event paid tribute to the deaths of the seven Rathbride Irish Republican Army (IRA) rebels, which marked the single biggest execution in the Irish Civil War. The 100th anniversary of the executions took place back in 2022. Yesterday, a large group walked from the town square to the graveside, led by a lone piper. The event included the reading of the final letters of the executed men, the 1916 Proclamation, and a wreath-laying ceremony performed by James Stokes, the recently appointed SF Area Representative for the Newbridge LEA, on behalf of the Grey Abbey Martyrs Cumann. Speaking at the event, Mr Stokes said: "Every Easter, we remember the generations of Irish men and women who dedicated their lives to freedom. "We remain committed to fulfilling the vision declared in the 1916 Proclamation; an Irish Republic founded on equality, justice, and peace." James Stokes, the party's Newbridge LEA representative, laying a wreath in memory of the Grey Abbey Martyrs. Photograph supplied by James Stokes The keynote oration was delivered by Shonagh Ni Raghallaigh TD, who is also SF's spokesperson for Special Education. She called on Irish republicans to continue the work of building a united, sovereign Ireland. "The men who died here gave their lives not for partition or compromise, but for a free and united Ireland," Ms Ni Raghallaigh TD said. "The conversation around Irish unity is now a national one, and the time has come to prepare, for referendums, for reunification, for a new Ireland built on equality and justice." She also called on the government to establish a citizens assembly on Irish unity and voiced strong solidarity with the people of Palestine. On the latter point, she said: "Our solidarity with the Palestinian people must be grounded in action, through the BDS campaign and through our presence in every community." Shonagh Ni Raghallaigh TD speaking at the event. Photograph supplied by James Stokes Reada Cronin TD addressed the crowd as well: "They died for the cause they loved; they took an oath to the Republic and they died honouring it." Alex Connell, a SF activist from Derrinturn, read one of the final letters of the martyrs and shared: "A United Ireland is only achievable when we know and honour the stories and sacrifices of those who came before us. "Commemorations like today are vital to keeping that memory alive." In addition, Killian Brennan, the Chair of Kildare Comhairle Ceantair, also spoke at the event: "This Easter, we gathered in Kildare town to remember the brave men who fought for Irelands freedom. "We laid wreaths and read the 1916 Proclamation, reflecting on their sacrifice it is a reminder that the fight for Irish unity continues, and together, we can make that vision a reality." Near the end of the event, Ms Ni Raghallaigh TD said: "Let us leave here today, not only remembering the dead, but recommitting ourselves to the cause of Irish freedom Tiocfaidh ar la." Kym Kelly then delivered a rendition of "Grace" beside the graveside. The commemoration concluded with all in attendance standing together to sing "Amhran na bhFiann". READ NEXT: Kildare Garda warning as bogus workman took sum of money from householder Kildare County Council's Library & Arts Service has announced the details of the 9th Irish Military Seminar, with events taking place in Naas, Kildare Town and Newbridge between Tuesday, May 13 and Saturday, May 17 2025. All events are free to attend, but early booking is advised for the events in the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. You can reserve your free space on the Riverbank Arts Centre website www.riverbank.ie READ NEXT: AIB makes four branch manager appointments in Kildare The main event of the 2025 Irish Military Seminar will be held on the evening of Friday May 16 at the Riverbank Arts Centre, focusing on the Irish Defence Forces. Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Councillor Kevin Duffy, will officially launch the weekends events at 7.30pm. This will be followed by a special event featuring former Lieutenant-Colonel Ray Lane, in conversation with Cathal Berry, who will discuss his wide range of experiences both at home and abroad dealing with landmines and other explosive devices. This is based on his fascinating best-selling memoir, Only a Soldier Knows. On Saturday, May 17, the programme of talks at the Riverbank Arts Centre includes an exciting line-up of published authors exploring a range of topics including the Irish in the Resistance, the life and death of I.R.A. leader Rory OConnor, the Irish Military in France from 1690 to 1815 and Colour & Conflict in Ireland between 1922 and 1945. Other events include a special screening of two films on Tuesday May 13 at 7pm at Naas Library & Cultural Centre The Rathbride Flying Column - Kildare in the Civil War, produced by Prosperous Heritage Society and a WWI short The Land, produced by FrameIt Productions. This event will also feature author and film historian Wayne Byrne, interviewing Joe Murphy about the making of a film documentary on Kildares Civil War and discussing with Joseph Butler the filming of a war movie shot in Kildare. Kildare Community Library will host Michael Rowleys photographic exhibition All the Queens Men and all the Queens Women; The portrait photographs of J. F. Church on the Curragh Camp 1860-1880, during library opening hours from Thursday May 15 onwards. The full programme is available in all Kildare Libraries and also as a pdf at: www.kildarelibraries.ie/ehistory The Irish Military Seminar is supported by Kildare County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Calls for a united Ireland took centre stage at Sinn Feins annual Easter Commemoration in Mohill, Co. Leitrim, where Donegal TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn declared that a referendum on Irish unity is not a question of ifbut when. Addressing a large crowd at the graveside of Volunteer Joe O'Beirne, who died during the Selton Hill ambush in 1921, Mac Lochlainn said the referendum should happen before the decade endsbut warned that planning must begin now. The British Government must live up to its responsibilities under the Good Friday Agreement. But more importantly, the Irish Government must step up and lead, he urged. Led by the Kiltubrid Pipe Band, the Easter parade marched from Station Road to the Old Cemetery, with TD Martin Kenny and Sinn Fein councillors Brendan Barry, Roisin Kenny, Cormac Flynn, and Padraig Fallon among those in attendance. Lisa Mulligan, Sinn Fein local election candidate, chaired the proceedings, which included a reading of the Proclamation and the laying of wreaths. In a speech steeped in history, Mac Lochlainn praised Leitrims enduring role in the republican strugglefrom the Tan War and Selton Hill to the Border Campaign. He hailed the legacy of Leitrims John Joe McGirl and the countys long-standing support for Volunteers. He also pointed to political shifts in the North: The days of a Unionist majority are over. The very foundation on which Partition was built has crumbled. Describing Irish unity as the political project of our generation, he welcomed Leo Varadkars recent commentsbut said a Sinn Fein-led government is the surest path to achieving it. The TD also hit out at government plans to dismantle the Triple Lock on military neutrality and urged that any change be put to a public vote. He reaffirmed Sinn Feins support for the Occupied Territories Bill and sanctions against Israel, in light of ongoing atrocities in Gaza. Earlier in the day, Sinn Fein laid a wreath at the grave of Volunteer Owen Greene in Kinlough, honouring his service during Easter Week 1916. As the speeches echoed through Mohill, one message rang clear: the push for Irish unity is gaining groundand Leitrim is once again playing its part. READ MORE Leitrim groups get 13,350 to boost older people's physical activity Rules that prevent new driveways or increased traffic from existing ones connecting to national roads where the speed limit is over 60 km/h are prohibiting individuals from seeking planning, Manorhamilton Municipal District has heard. The rules apply to all types of development, including one-off rural houses, regardless of the applicant's circumstances. Cllr Padraig Fallon brought forward a motion asking about the impact of National Primary Routes on planning applications for houses in the Manorhamilton MD. Referencing the stretch of the N16 from Glenfarne to Glencar, Cllr Fallon highlighted the consequences of the current planning restrictions. It is an issue that needs to be addressed. Its prohibiting individuals from seeking planning, Cllr Fallon said. The guidelines, introduced in 2012, prohibit the construction of houses with direct houses onto national primary roads, as this could compromise safety and the functionality of the roads. If a person does apply for such a development, the application has to be reviewed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). A reply from the Planning Department confirmed that the County Development Plan adheres to these guidelines. It also noted that in the past decade, no applications have been made for houses with access to a national primary road where the speed limit is 100km/h. Cllr Fallon suggested that the lack of applications is because people are already aware their requests would be denied. This has a serious impediment and has an impact on our rural communities and sustainability in North Leitrim. Common sense needs to be applied here and needs to be looked at, he added. Cllr Fallons motion received support from several councillors, who echoed concerns over the obstacles faced by some local residents. Its a serious impediment on building houses, commented Cllr Gilmartin. We need to get people back into rural areas, he added. Cllr Fallon further pointed out that the number of individuals affected is small and that lifting the restrictions wouldnt lead to a flood of new housing along the route. Cllr Fallons motion will be referred to the Strategic Policy Committee for further discussion. READ MORE: 'United Ireland inevitable,' says TD at Leitrim Easter Rally Officials of ECC, LEON and WANEP addressing the press in their situation room in Ganta Vows to recommend appropriate sanctions against individuals or groups found to be undermining the democratic process or promoting instability Police IG Coleman speaking to reporters in Ganta on Monday, April 21, 2025, the eve of the Nimba County senatorial by-election. B. Elias Shoniyin meets Pope Francis in 2014 while accompanying President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on an official visit to the Vatican. LIMERICK councils arts office is not in a position to provide more financial support to the Irish Chamber Orchestra. At this months full local authority meeting, Fine Gael councillor Noreen Stokes asked that money be found for the bands education and community engagement work. The funding is essential to enable them to continue their offering of programmes free-of-charge to schools and community groups, providing access to music and the arts for those who may require it, the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District councillor said. READ MORE: Decision made over new apartment plan at landmark Limerick hotel But arts officer Etain McCooey said the local authority does not have the resources to add to the 11,000 it gives each year to the ICO, based at University of Limericks campus in Castletroy. It is the view of the Arts Office that the Irish Chamber Orchestras education and community programme is valuable and impactful. However, the Arts Office does not have resources under our budget allocation to increase current budgeted supports to the ICO in 2025, Ms McCooey wrote in reply to the notice of motion from Cllr Stokes. She did however leave the door open to a request or proposal for increased funding for the orchestra, in the context of next years local budget which will be agreed in November. Cllr Stokess motion was seconded by Cllr Shane Hickey OMara of Social Democrats. AN AMBITIOUS plan to plant thousands of trees in one Limerick community this month is underway. The planting of 4,000 native Irish woodland trees in Crecora is being supported by Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership (LEDP). The tree-planting project is a direct response to the companys pledge to embrace the UN Sustainable Development Goals as part of its strategic plan. The UN has declared that biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, and the pressures driving this decline are intensifying. READ ALSO: Come together and clean up your area this spring! Each tree planted will help absorb CO2, provide habitats for wildlife, and contribute to the restoration of local ecosystems. To date, LEDP has initiated the planting of over 18,000 trees including Pedunculate Oak, Scots Pine, and White Thorn. Niall OCallaghan, chief executive of LEDP said: We believe that taking proactive steps to protect the environment is not just a responsibility, but an opportunity to make a lasting difference. By planting trees, we are not only neutralising our carbon footprint but also giving back to the planet that sustains us. This initiative is part of our broader commitment to sustainability and responsible corporate practices. In addition to tree planting, LEDP is implementing various other green initiatives, including the eradication of fossil fuel use and transitioning to energy-saving LED technology, amongst other actions. The independent not-for-profit organisation is supporting the planting programme through the Department of Agricultures Woodland Environment Fund (WEF). The trees will be planted in county Limerick as identified by LEDPs partner, SWS Forestry Services. Over the past 25 years, LEDP facilitates charities, state agencies, training providers, and commercial businesses at their campus in Roxboro. It also operates the Family Tree Creche which it built in 2005, and owns the Market Field Stadium in Garryowen, which it redeveloped to a UEFA category two stadium. THE Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) now has a base in East Africa where prospective students can learn about the educational possibilities available on the colleges campuses in the mid-west and midlands. The opening of the office in Nairobi, Kenya, extends the universitys international presence which includes in-country offices in Nigeria, India, Mexico, Malaysia, Dubai and China. TUS first established its presence in Africa with the launch of its West Africa office in Lagos, Nigeria, in May 2023. Each office supported by TUS Global is dedicated to supporting students, agents, and partners with on-the-ground guidance and connection. The in-country offices provide personalised, on-the-ground support to students considering higher education in Ireland, offering clear guidance on course options, application procedures, visa processes, and pre-departure preparation. READ MORE: Woman discusses sitting her Junior Cert at 71 at Limerick event The event was held in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 18th and the office was launched by the Ambassador of Ireland to Kenya, Her Excellency Caitriona Ingoldsby, who in her speech highlighted the shared vision of educational cooperation between Ireland and East Africa. Ambassador Ingoldsby said: This launch is more than the opening of an officeits the strengthening of a bridge between Ireland and East Africa, built on shared values and a belief in the power of education to shape futures. We are proud to see Technological University of the Shannon deepening its presence here, and we look forward to the many success stories that will emerge from this collaboration. The event was also attended by Donnacha McNamara, Vice President of Internationalisation and Alumni at TUS, who reaffirmed the universitys commitment to global engagement and building strong international communities. Mr McNamara said, Our growing presence in East Africa is part of a larger vision which is to create accessible, globally connected pathways to education, innovation, and opportunity. Fisayo Babayale, Regional Manager at TUS, said, This initiative will enhance our ability to offer tailored support, helping students thrive academically and make a lasting impact both in Ireland and back home. As we expand our presence in East Africa, we remain committed to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and building lasting bridges between Ireland and Africa." President Michael D. Higgins has expressed "profound sadness" to learn of the passing of Pope Francis. Pop Francis passed away in Vatican City on Eater Monday, the 21st of April 2025. READ MORE: RIP: Search for missing Dublin woman stood down as gardai issue tragic update The Irish President wrote the touching tribute on Bank Holiday Monday saying: "Pope Francis, in his important messages and in the presentation of his Papacy with a unique humility, sought to show in the most striking and moving of ways the extraordinary importance of the spiritual as a powerful source of global ethics in the challenges of contemporary life. On the vital issues of our time - such as global hunger and poverty, of climate change and justice, of the plight of migrants and indigenous peoples, of the dispossessed, of the fundamental necessity of global peace and diplomacy - Pope Francis' voice constituted a consistent invocation of a shared humanity that is represented by acknowledgement of the essential dignity of each human person." He recalls the time that Pope Francis visited Ireland and remembers the visit fondly saying: "Pope Francis last visit to Ireland was as part of the World Meeting of Families in 2018. I was pleased on that occasion to welcome Pope Francis to Aras an Uachtarain, where we continued the discussions which we had begun upon his Installation in 2013 and in the Vatican in 2017, and subsequently continued in our further discussions there in 2021 and 2023. The warmth and encouragement offered by Pope Francis was greatly valued by Sabina and myself. During his visit to Ireland, Pope Francis spoke of the scandal of child abuse, including in the Church, and its consequences for victims and families. On such matters, and on others such as attitudes towards women and those of the LGBTQ+ community within the Church, Pope Francis sought to play a positive role. I recall at the end of our meetings he would say as to his work on such issues, it is very difficult, as he asked for and offered prayers. It is important that the steps he took are built upon as they constitute a source of hope in the years to come." He finishes his statement by saying: "May I express my deepest sympathies to the Apostolic Nuncio, to Archbishop Eamon Martin and all Religious in Ireland, to members of the Catholic faith throughout Ireland and across the world, to all those who will particularly feel his loss in his native Argentina and across South and Central America, and to all those of all faiths and none who were so inspired by his life and work. The full statement by the President of Ireland can be found on President of Ireland website through the link HERE. MORE good news for the film industry in Limerick as a unique dynamic space is coming to the city this summer. Innovate Limerick through Film in Limerick has announced an international film co-production lab, bringing together film producers and companies from Ireland, Scotland, and Canada to collaborate, connect, and create. Taking place from July 7, at the Engine Collaboration Centre, Cecil St, Limerick Film Lab will serve as a dynamic space for creative exchange, fostering business opportunities between Limerick and other countries. Hosted in collaboration with Screen Scotland, the national agency for film in Scotland, and Picture NL, the lead agency for film in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the lab will have a focus on co-producing feature films in the west of Ireland. It will include case studies and keynote industry speakers, focused on navigating international co-productions and developing high-quality, globally featured films. READ ALSO: Major US fantasy TV series finds its way to Limerick as filming of season one commences Were thrilled to invite established Scottish and Canadian producers to Limerick to connect with our emerging Irish-based producers, said Paul C Ryan, regional film manager at Film in Limerick. This lab is all about connection not just between filmmakers, but between cultures, storytelling traditions, and industry ecosystems. Its a huge opportunity to develop new business between the countries and to create work that can travel far beyond national borders. With the Limerick region emerging as a second major film hub outside Dublin/Wicklow for Irish and international production, the time is reportedly right to further develop regional producers. As well as our ability to service inward productions in the region with our wonderful facilities at Troy Studios and our growing crew base, the Mid-West is also focused on developing local producers and production companies who can develop their own IP and attract finance for Irish and Co-production projects, Paul continued. Building strong links with Scotland and Canada will help regional producers to attract the partners and international finance needed to realise their growth ambitions. The Limerick Film Lab is designed to encourage creative partnerships, with a particular focus on narrative feature film productions. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in a series of workshops to stimulate creative partnerships, explore internationally focused business partnerships and gain insights into each country's funding landscapes. Participants will also attend a number of networking events set against Limericks vibrant creative backdrop. The international delegation will also take part in a tour day, visiting key companies and locations in the Mid-West, and following the Lab, they will travel to Galway to take part in the annual Film Fleadh Forum and attend a Canadian Film Reception at the festival. Applications are now open for Irish producers to apply and they must have a feature film in active development and be based in the regions (outside Dublin/Wicklow). Applicants should send a one-page project document and an explanation of what they would gain from joining the lab. Email applications to film@limerick.ie before the closing date, April 30. The Limerick Film Lab is supported by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, Limerick City and County Council and by international partner agencies, Screen Scotland and Picture NL. The initiative builds on Film in Limericks ongoing mission to position the Mid-West of Ireland as a hub for international screen collaboration and innovation. Adani Realty is preparing to launch its biggest township project across more than 1,000 acres in Navi Mumbai, where the conglomerate has built a new international airport that opens soon. The mixed-use township will be almost twice as big as Adani's 600-acre Dharavi redevelopment project in Mumbai, and will come up over the next decade, two people familiar with the plans said. Adani entered the real estate sector in 2010 with the 600-acre Shantigram in Ahmedabad, which became the city's biggest real estate development with an estimated 5,000 crore invested. The Navi Mumbai township in Panvel, which will come up across 1,000-1,100 acres, is envisioned as a bigger version of Shantigram, signalling Adani's grand plans for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Given the size and scale of the Navi Mumbai township, the estimated investment will be double that of Shantigram, at over 10,000 crore. Right now, the project is referred to as Adani Panvel, but the name and format are inspired by Shantigram," one of the two people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. Also read | Adani Realty in talks to takeover Emaar India to boost realty biz The sales office is ready. The company is keen to create a buzz at the start and is deliberating on what kinds of products, apartments or plots, should be first launched. The project launch will happen only after the airport inauguration," said the second person. Apart from the mandatory clearances before launching the project, some infrastructure work around the project site will also need to be completed. For instance, a connecting road is being built, which will give the project an additional exit route from the expressway. Adani Groups realty play is about 15 years old. Until 2013, the real estate business was part of Adani Enterprises Ltd, Adani Groups flagship company. Then it came to be housed under Adani Properties, which is held by the promoters and operates under the brand name Adani Realty. An Adani Realty spokesperson didn't respond to Mint's queries. Read this | From Shantigram to Dharavi: How the rise of Adanis realty play threatens DLF A year ago, Adani launched 9 PBR, a premium residential project along Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai's Nerul, with nine high-rise towers. In the last five years, the brand has sped up acquisitions and launches, coinciding with the housing boom and consolidation in the market. Apart from MMR, it now has real estate projects in Pune, Ahmedabad and Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). Its project portfolio totals over 200 million sq. ft, Mint had reported in April 2024, with 130 million sq. ft earmarked for potential future development. Since then, the company's portfolio has expanded further. In March, Adani Properties emerged as the highest bidder to redevelop Motilal Nagar in suburban Mumbai's Goregaon along with the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), at an estimated cost of 36,000 crore. In April, an Adani Group subsidiary acquired a 1.1 acre plot in south Mumbai's prime Carmichael Road for over 170 crore. While the company plans to do a mix of housing, office and retail projects, it specializes in large-format, often complex, residential-led developments. Also read | Incentives for affordable homes, industry status in realty sector's budget wish list The Navi Mumbai township project will be a larger and an upgraded version of Adani's Shantigram. Having established itself as a real estate brand, it can command a pricing premium over other projects," the first person said. Builders make a beeline The upcoming international airport, along with infrastructure projects such as the Mumbai Trans Harbor Link, a 22 km expressway connecting Navi Mumbai and Mumbai, could give the satellite city a much-needed boost. The airport is bring developed by Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd, a joint venture between Adani Airport Holdings Ltd and Cidco, where Adani holds 74% stake. Ankit Talreja, city lead, Navi Mumbai at property advisory Anarock Group said there is growing demand for premium housing in the area. The demand is largely from residents of Navi Mumbai who want to upgrade to better homes, and projects by branded developers," Talreja said. Niranjan Hiranandani, chairman, Hiranandani Group, told Mint in a recent interview that the centre of gravity will shift there with the new airport and a slew of new projects being planned. Also read | Realty wars in NCR: Can Prestige Group eat Godrejs lunch? The Noida airport may have a slower impact, but the Navi Mumbai airport will be impactful the day it starts," said Hiranandani, who is developing a 500-acre township in Panvel. A-list developers from Mumbai have been buying up Navi Mumbai land in recent years, and have launches planned in the coming months. These include K Raheja Corp Homes which is planning to launch a residential project with five towers in Juinagar, close to its Mindspace Business Park, and Godrej Properties Ltd, which recently acquired three contiguous land parcels across 6.5 acres in Kharghar on a 60-year-lease for 717 crore. The developer plans to build premium housing there. As per property advisory JLL India estimates, 24 land transactions, across 368 acres, happened in Navi Mumbai between January 2023 and March 2025, where real estate developers acquired land from third-party sellers. Given the kind of infrastructure development in the area, we expect huge demand for residential projects. Despite the demand for land, prices continue to be more reasonable compared to MMR. The government is also positioning Navi Mumbai as the Third Mumbai, so there is a lot of momentum right now," said Shankar Arumugham, head of government advisory and solutions, India, JLL, a property advisory. And read | Oberoi Realty: Why investors have little room for optimism * GE Aerospace's Q1 profit beats estimates, shares rise 4% * CEO Culp advocates for tariff-free regime with Trump administration * Company expects tariffs to persist, impacting spare parts sales to China * GE aims to mitigate tariff costs through trade programs, surcharge (Updates share price, adds CEO and analyst comments, paragraphs 4-13) By Rajesh Kumar Singh and Shivansh Tiwary April 22 (Reuters) - GE Aerospace said on Tuesday it was relying on price increases and cost control to mitigate the impact of tariffs on its business as the aircraft engine maker reaffirmed its full-year earnings forecast. The Ohio-based company, however, said its 2025 forecast did not assume changes in planemakers' delivery schedules, further tariff escalation or a global economic recession. President Donald Trump's trade war has created the biggest uncertainty for the aerospace industry since the COVID pandemic. With little clarity on how consumers will behave in the face of a potentially worsening economy, some GE customers are struggling to accurately forecast their business. Scott Mikus, an analyst at Melius Research, said GE Aerospace's decision to back its full-year forecast in an uncertain environment is a "win." The company's shares were up 4% in mid-day trade. In an interview , GE Aerospace's CEO Larry Culp said the tariffs are estimated to cost the company more than $500 million this year. To mitigate the impact, it is making greater use of foreign trade zones and available trade programs like duty drawbacks. It is also employing cost controls and a tariff surcharge to protect its margins. Culp said he recently met with Trump and urged him to restore a tariff-free regime for the aerospace industry under the 1979 Civil Aircraft Agreement. He credited the industry's decades-old duty-free status for creating a $75 billion annual trade surplus. "We'll continue to press this point respectfully in the hopes that we can re-establish in effect what we had prior to the recent tariff moves," he told Reuters. Culp said the company's position was "understood" by the administration. However, GE Aerospace expects tariffs to persist through the end of this year. It said heightened tariffs would result in additional costs for itself and its suppliers, warning of delays in spare engine deliveries. It now expects flight departures, which drive aftermarket services business, to decline in North America this year. The trade war is also expected to hit its spare engines and spare parts deliveries to China. Culp said while the company is watching demand trends closely, the measures taken so far along with an order backlog of $170 billion would help it produce an adjusted earnings of $5.10 per share to $5.45 per share this year. "There are a lot of things that are unique about GE Aerospace that we think will help us weather the current headwinds," he said. The company has a dominant share in the engine market for narrowbody jets and enjoys a strong position in widebodies. More than 70% of its commercial engine revenue comes from parts and services. In what seems like a strategic move amid the escalating trade war between the United States and China, Air India has moved to take the Boeing jets rejected by Chinese airlines due to Donald Trump's tariffs, Bloomberg reported citing sources. India's largest carrier, owned by the Tata Group, is now in the fray with other Asian airlines seeking to benefit from the breakdown of trade ties between the US and China, it added. Air India to buy Boing jets? What we know so far According to the report, Air India urgently needs aircraft for its revival plan and will tap Boeing to take the rejected planes. The sources added that Air India is also open to take up future slots that become available for deliveries. Notably, the last time Donald Trump was in office and started a trade war with China in 2019, Air India was among the beneficiaries it accepted around 47 Boeing planes (737 Max jets) originally made for Chinese carriers. Air India and Boeing did not respond to queries. The report, citing local Bernama publication, added that besides Air India, Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd has also reached out to Boeing with an offer. Why is Air India in need of new planes? The sources told Bloomberg that Air India is interested in more of the already-made Max narrowbodies for its low-cost Air India Express subsidiary, as it seeks to challenge competitor IndiGo. Air India was set to receive about nine more stored 737s through June, taking the total tally to 50 planes, Bloomberg News reported earlier this month. The pool was expected to run dry in a couple of months but with the US-China tariff war recasting the landscape, Air Indias Boeing windfall could continue. The planes are typically repainted in Bengaluru. Air India Express intends to replace business class on the ones it receives with economy by April 2026, but progress has been slowed by supply chain issues, the sources said. The remaining 140 narrowbody deliveries from Air Indias 2023 order arent expected to start until after March 2026, putting the airline at risk of falling further behind IndiGo if it cant secure any newly freed-up Boeing planes. Air Indias growth is also set to slow because of a retrofit programme that will temporarily remove some jets from its fleet, and a plan to phase out some Airbus models. Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson said last month that the company is trying to woo customers with cheaper fares as it seeks to make up for dated cabins and upgrade delays. China rejects Boeing planes: Background Chinese airlines were told by the government not to accept Boeing aircraft, Bloomberg News reported last week, after Beijing set reciprocal tariffs of up to 125 per cent on US-made goods. About 10 planes were being prepared for delivery at the time, and some 737 Max jets in China have since been sent back to the US. Any Boeing planes already built or in progress will present complications for potential buyers, as the cabin configurations for many will already have been set by the original customer, and some payments will have been made. Boeing cant place any aircraft with new owners that are still under contract to airlines in China. The interest from non-Chinese airlines is likely to soften the short-term blow for Boeing, one of the highest-profile US exporters, should the tariff war continue. Still, the trade conflict may complicate efforts to wind down a so-called shadow factory for stored 737s this summer. The US manufacturer is expected to provide an update on the situation with its quarterly results this week. Friction between Washington and Beijing has given Europes Airbus SE the advantage over Boeing in China over the past several years. In the longer term, geopolitics threatens to shut Boeing out of one of the worlds biggest aircraft markets. Boeing built up an inventory of hundreds of undelivered 737 Max jets starting with its grounding, spurred by two deadly accidents, and continuing through the pandemic. Regulators in Beijing were among the last to clear the jet, and other issues also slowed deliveries, leading the US planemaker to eventually start remarketing the planes. Last year, Chinese regulators paused 737 deliveries for two months over concerns with lithium batteries in cockpit voice recorders. New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is considering setting up 10 new medical colleges across the country to provide services to its subscribers in unserved or under-served areas. The 10 new medical colleges have been proposed at Pune, Manesar, Kollam, Surat, Vishakhapatnam, Bhubaneshwar, Asansol, Nagpur, Pandunagar and Margaon, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told reporters here. He also stated that these ten medical colleges will be set in addition to already approved ones in Andheri, Basaidarapur, Guwahati-Beltola, Indore, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Naroda - Bapunagar, Noida, Varanasi and Ranchi. The ESIC in its 194th meeting has approved in-principle the establishment of 10 new medical colleges. The minister further informed that ESIC is also working on converging with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to offer comprehensive, cashless medical care to over 14.4 crore beneficiaries. The ESIC beneficiaries will be able to get their treatment done at PMJAY empanelled hospitals. For ESIC beneficiaries, there will not be any cap on expenditure, he stated. The ESIC is also formulating a policy to extend medical care through Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) in non-implemented and partially implemented districts, ensuring access to ESIC benefits for deemed beneficiaries in these regions. In 2014, the minister stated that the scheme was implemented in 393 districts and is now extended to 691 districts (as on April 21, 2025). Among these 691 districts, 592 are fully notified while 99 are partially notified. As many as 87 districts are yet to be notified by the ESIC. The minister noted that recently the scheme is notified in 8 districts of Nagaland and 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh, which will provide Social Security to 76,274 additional number of IPs (insured persons) and their families. New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers' Association on Tuesday asked the government to re-evaluate long-term implications of the 12 per cent safeguard duty imposed on select steel products saying it is expected to disrupt supply chain and cost structures in the sector. Steel is the most critical raw material in construction equipment (CE) manufacturing, particularly specialised high-tensile and performance-grade steels that are currently not produced in India at sufficient volumes or specifications, Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers' Association (ICEMA) said in a statement. "As these materials are largely imported, the imposition of the safeguard duty immediately compromises manufacturers' ability to source essential inputs, threatening both production continuity and the timely delivery of equipment," it said. India on Monday imposed a 12 per cent provisional safeguard duty for 200 days on five steel product categories, including hot rolled coils, sheets and plates, to protect domestic players from surge in imports. The decision followed a recommendation for the same by the Commerce Ministry's investigation arm DGTR. Last month, the DGTR suggested to impose the duty. "The CE industry urges the government to urgently re-evaluate the long-term implications of the safeguard duty and consider mitigation measures to cushion the blow to downstream industries," ICEMA said. It further said, "A well-balanced, data-driven policy that supports both domestic steelmakers and vital sectors like construction equipment manufacturing is essential to protect India's infrastructure ambitions and global competitiveness." The CE industry body said even prior to the announcement, the mere initiation of the safeguard inquiry had triggered substantial price volatility. "Steel prices rose by approximately 10,000 per tonne during the course of the investigation, squeezing already narrow margins. With the 12 per cent duty now officially imposed, input costs are expected to rise even further, forcing CE manufacturers to consider price hikes that will ultimately impact infrastructure project costs nationwide," ICEMA said. The decision also risks undermining India's export competitiveness in the global construction equipment market, particularly at a time when international buyers are actively seeking alternatives to China under 'China plus One' sourcing strategies, it added. Mumbai, Apr 22 (PTI) The Reserve Bank on Tuesday said it has cancelled the licence of Ajantha Urban Co-operative Bank Maryadit, Aurangabad, as the lender does not have adequate capital and earning prospects. Consequently, the bank ceases to carry on banking business, with effect from the close of business on Tuesday (April 22, 2025), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in a statement. The Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra, has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank. On liquidation, every depositor would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of his/her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of 5 lakh from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). As per the data submitted by the bank, the RBI said 91.55 per cent of the depositors are entitled to receiving full amount of their deposits from DICGC. As on April 3, 2025, DICGC has already paid 275.22 crore of the total insured deposits. Giving reasons for cancellation of the licence of Ajantha Urban Co-operative Bank Maryadit, it said the bank with its present financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in full; and public interest would be adversely affected if the lender is allowed to carry on banking business any further. Also, the continuance of the bank is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors. New Delhi: Chinese consumer electronics brand Xiaomi is charting a new course in a challenging Indian smartphone market, prioritizing revenue and profitability by aggressively targeting the mid-to-premium segment of mobile handsets priced above 20,000. This strategic pivot by the company reflects evolving consumer preferences for higher-end features, Xiaomi India chief operating officer Sudhin Mathur told Mint in an interview. The company aims to differentiate itself through software, improving user experience for its smartphones and bring advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to more affordable price points, Mathur said. Also read: Bhavish Aggarwal curbs ambition, seeks to raise $300mn for AI venture Krutrim We have had the number one position. But in businesses, numbers are not as important as revenue and profitability. From the previous years, the larger direction was probably to be at number one. Now with the changing preferences of consumers towards mid-to-premium, our strategy is shifting more towards that as we still need to build brand saliency there," Mathur said, adding that estimates suggest 2025 would be flat for the smartphone industry's volume growth. Xiaomis move to target the over 20,000 smartphone segment assumes significance as the company once led Indias smartphone market for nearly five years from 2017 to 2022, purely on high-volume sales in the budget segment. The company, however, is now seeing some weakness in its volume market share due to increased competition and challenges for brand presence in offline retail, analysts said. Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint India, said, For Xiaomi, the majority of sales come from the mass market (sub- 15,000). To focus on premium segment, they need to work on the offline retail point of sales and improve their brand messaging, which they have done well recently." According to Pathak, the strategy of focusing on products with higher average selling price (ASP) worked well for Xiaomi in China and improved its retail image, which also came from the launch of its electric vehicle SUV. In India, however, the company will have strong competition as many brands are banking on the premiumization strategy, in which companies sell higher-priced, feature-loaded products. Also read: Don't waste your money: These are the best Android tablets you can get in India right now Even as Xiaomi focuses more on premium offerings, it will continue to have product presence across the price ranges starting at 6,500, Mathur said. In FY24, Xiaomi Technology India's revenue fell 3.3% year-on-year to 25,816 crore, whereas its net profit rose 21% to 288 crore, according to data sourced from business intelligence firm Tofler. In 2021, Xiaomi had a 24% market share in volume terms, which fell to 17% in 2024, according to estimates from Counterpoint India. In the January-March quarter, the companys share is estimated to have fallen to 12%, according to Counterpoint. A few years ago, a cluttered portfolio of smartphones was also leading to a pile-up of inventory and lower sales for Xiaomi, hurting its market share. In 2022, we had around 28 products in the portfolio and now we have 10, which is almost one-third. We have fewer but more impactful and better products now, which follows the innovation across price segments," Mathur said. In India, Xiaomi makes smartphones, smart TVs, smartwatches and audio products through contract manufacturing partners such as Dixon Technologies, BYD, Optiemus Electronics and DBG. According to Mathur, 99% of Xiaomis smartphones and 100% of its TV sets are being made in India. Our local manufacturing strategy is moving in the right direction and as we continue to launch new products, we will try and ensure that they are locally produced," Mathur said, adding that the company does not have any plans to export the products from India as of now and the focus of local manufacturing remains on serving the domestic demand only. The company on Monday launched its first locally manufactured smartwatch, the Redmi Watch Move, in the country. The smartwatch, priced at 1,999, is being manufactured at Optiemuss factory in Noida, thereby saving a 22% import tax through local manufacturing, Mathur said. Also read: Uttar Pradesh aims to triple exports by 2030: Bold vision or too ambitious? When asked about the possibility of participation in the newly introduced components incentive scheme, Mathur said, We are still evaluating, we will see what the options and opportunities are. Currently, 35% of the non-PCB (printed circuit board) bill of material (BOM)cables, chargers, plastics, etc., is locally sourced." For brands like Xiaomi, local manufacturing and sourcing of components also helps in cost reduction. The company will continue its model of local manufacturing via electronic manufacturing services (EMS) providers. There is a pricing benefit that you get (with localization), and we pass it off to the end customer," Mathur said. Last month, the government launched a 22,919 crore, or $2.7 billion, scheme that will offer incentives of up to 10% of turnover and up to 25% of capital expenditure in setting up electronics components manufacturing in the country. Chairman of RPG Group Harsh Goenka praised the concept of gold ATMs introduced in China's Shanghai, a non-traditional method where people can sell their gold instantly without the involvement of gold lenders. In a post on X, Goenka highlighted how these ATMs work and wrote," Drop your jewellery, it checks purity, melts it, calculates value, and credits your account instantly." Calling these ATMs transparent and free of exploitation, he further noted that this technology may become a threat to gold lenders in India. If this comes to India, traditional gold lenders might need a new business model. Transparency in. Exploitation out, Goenka remarked. Gold ATMs are automated kiosks that allow customers to purchase small gold bars, coins, or other gold-backed products, instantly. Netizens react Several social media users reacted to his post, most questioning the transparency of these ATMs and reflecting on why they will not work in India. If India were to allow it, no one would wear jewellery in the streets, and chain snatching would be at an alarmingly high rate! Unlike China, we don't have good law and order in our citiessad but true! on of the users commented. Another user sad, Very few will put their gold ornaments into a shredder without an initial quote. Gold loan or sale transactions need a personal touch. It won't work like this even if it appears highly efficient on paper. One of the users stated, When a machine does this, we are convinced that it is transparent. Question is whether purity values and weight after melting is being measured correctly! Another area which may be very relevant to our country is a machine which just takes the jewellery, checks its purity without melting it and disburses a loan equivalent to 80 percent of its value! That would be a resounding success here." Sounds like a Chinese scam, added another. Indians are not willing to sell their Gold. They are happy with mortgaging it so that at a later date they can get it back. Hence traditional Gold loan models will continue to thrive, another user said. Mumbai: Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has injected $25 million into Rebel Foods, valuing the company at $1.4 billion. The funds will support the Temasek-backed company's expansion of its physical restaurants and food courts business, marking a strategic evolution for the cloud kitchen giant, three people aware of the development said. The company wants to expand restaurant and cafe business, essentially to expand in an omnichannel way," said the first of the three persons cited earlier, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. Rebel Foods, the operator of Faasos and Behrouz Biryani, declined to comment on the development while Qatar's sovereign wealth fund did not immediately respond to Mint's request for comment. Read more: Quick commerce, long payback: Can Zomato and Swiggy deliver returns to shareholders? The company wants to start some key restaurants and food courts where their branded food items can be sold and dined in. They now want to have an omnichannel approach. This is likely to challenge any incoming competition from newer players and quick commerce majors," the second person said. This person added that most of the fresh funding will be used to expand EatSure, its food court business. The company has been focusing on food court format, and recently tied up with fast food chain Wendys in India. It operates under 10 EatSure formats in different cities selling everything from biryani to pizza, cakes and coffee, and plans to open more in the coming years. Serving up a strategy The company is likely to use the 200 crore to open a small number of stores/restaurants in its key markets including Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Delhi. The investment from QIA is an extension to the last round in which Temasek pumped in primary capital. The valuation is also the same," the second person added. In October last year, Temasek Holdings, the investment arm of Singapore government, bought 20-25% stake in the cloud kitchen chain for $200 million, Mint had reported. At that time, existing investors in the company such as Coatue Management, Lightbox and Peak XV sold part of their stake. Later, KKR, the US-based global private equity firm, purchased secondary stakes worth an undisclosed sum from these investors. Mint had reported in December, citing an unnamed source, that KKR was set to buy Rebel Foods shares worth $50-75 million from existing investors, valuing the startup at $800-860 million. Rebel Foods is also planning an initial public offering in the next 12-18 months, Mint had reported. With this, Temasek will be the largest single non-founder shareholder in the company. The founders hold around 12% stake in the Mumbai-based company and QIA holds around 9.9% stake. In October 2021, the company raised $175 million in its Series F funding round from investors led by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) at a valuation of $1.4 billion. Read more: Consumer brands set to write the influencer marketing playbook to push rural sales? Founded in 2011 by Jaydeep Barman and Kallol Banerjee, Rebel Foods operates cloud kitchen brands such as Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, Oven Story Pizza, Mandarin Oak, The Good Bowl, SLAY Coffee, Sweet Truth and Wendys, apart from operating offline stores in India. In all, it operates over 450 kitchens in over 70 cities. It has a portfolio of over 45 brands across multiple countries including India, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and the UK. The company reduced its losses to 378 crore in FY24 from a net loss of 657 crore the year before, driven by better margins and economies of scale across its portfolio, Mint reported in August. Its revenue from operations saw a modest rise to 1,420 crore in FY24, up from 1,195 crore the previous year, while expenses remained flat at 1,857 crore, the report said. MUMBAI : Padmanabh Paddy" Sinha, a former top executive at the state-run National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Ltd (NIIF), is launching a new approximately $250 million private equity (PE) fund. The fund, a general partnership under the name LaunchBay Capital, will focus on $25-50 million investments in growth-stage companies, which, according to Sinha, is an underserved segment. Most global funds, as well as large Indian PE funds, are now more buyout-focused," Sinha said, adding: Fifteen years ago, India used to be a largely minority stake-growth investing market with very less buyout deals. It is now the other way around." In the $25-50 million investment range, there is a gap," he said, categorising it as the missing middle". Also Read: 3one4 Capital eyes new fund amid big gains on old bets Global PE firms such as KKR, TPG, Carlyle, Blackstone, Advent International, Bain Capital, or PAG prefer writing $250 million to $1 billion cheques in India. Over the last decade, home-grown PE firms such as Kedaara Capital, ChrysCapital, Multiples, and True North have also increased the size of their target investments to upwards of $50-100 million. This leaves very few PE firms willing to invest in the sub-$50 million category. Some of those who do focus on specific sectors, such as consumer and healthcare. The few firms that do operate in this segment with a PE investment approach include the likes of Amicus Capital, Gaja Capital, Creagis, TVS Capital, A91, Jashvik Capital, and then there are the likes of Norwest Venture Partners, Lightspeed Growth, PeakXV Partners, and Accel Growth. However, their investment style is more late-stage venture capital than early-stage minority growth PE," said Klaas Oskam, chief executive of investment bank DC Advisory India. "So, in PE, it is actually a fairly shallow list. In the US and European market, lower middle-market PE firms do buyout deals with $25-50 million equity cheques, which is completely missing in India," he added. VC firms typically back early-stage, high-growth firms, mostly startups and expect higher returns. PE firms invest in proven business models and growth-stage firms. Challenges for new funds Though LaunchBay Capital is still discussing the corpus size, it will likely target $250 million. It also expects to have a pool of around $150 million in co-investments. The firm will invest across segments such as consumer, technology, industrial, business services, healthcare, and financial services. It will not make venture bets and look at established companies for PE-style bets. It is also the right time for India. Most Western investors need a substitute for China. Besides their global relationships and one or two Indian general partners, they need to add new funds. Some limited partners dont yet have the necessary exposure to India PE," Sinha said about the kind of investors the firm hopes to tap. The key challenge for new fund houses is that most limited partners avoid investing in first-time fund managers. Sinha, now in his early 50s, however, is betting that, given his storied PE career, he won't be considered a first-time fund manager. He was the India co-head for Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings till 2011. Thereafter, he spent nearly 10 years heading Tata Capitals Tata Opportunities Fund before joining Indias quasi-sovereign fund NIIF in 2021 as the CIO of its PE business. Some of his past successful investments include NIIFs exit from Manipal Hospitals and Tata Capitals bet on Varroc Engineering, which yielded multibagger returns. Sinha did try starting out on his own with LaunchBay Capital in 2020, but the post-COVID travel ban made fundraising challenging. This time, he hopes to partner with a former colleague, who is expected to join him shortly. The idea is to have a sort of broad-based ownership structures and build a sustainable institution, where the people who source deals, do value creation, and then manage the exits are the people who own the firm," Sinha said. Mumbai: Trident Growth Partners, backed by Ranjan Pais family office Claypond Capital, has launched its maiden fund with a corpus of 2,000 crore, which includes a green shoe option, to tap the under-served mid-market, or growth-stage companies, top officials at the investment firm told Mint in an interview. The fund aims to lead or co-lead the Series B+ investments in fast-growing companies, writing cheques of 150-170 crore for a significant minority stake. Although it is sector-agnostic, the growth stage private equity fund will invest in key themes such as consumer, financial services, enterprise technology, manufacturing, and healthcare. While it is very pertinent for us to be sector-agnostic, much of investments come under three broad buckets consumption for the evolving middle class that includes categories like financial services, healthcare and education, secondly- the China+1 supply chain strategy and lastly, enterprise technology which involves make in India products for the world," Tridents managing partner Atul Gupta told Mint. Read more: Ex-NIIF executive director Padmanabh Sinha to launch new PE fund Founded by Gupta, Rajesh Ramaiah and Pravan Malhotra, Trident Growth, through its maiden fund, will invest in 10-12 companies that have strong unit metrics, and ability to deliver scale with a sustainable path to profitability. Growth strategy With a first close of 1,000 crore, the investment firm will exercise its green shoe option to raise an equivalent amount by the end of this year. While 20-30% of the capital is expected to come from international fund of funds and institutions, a bulk of the corpus is backed by domestic capital. Fund of funds is an investment strategy where a fund invests in other investment funds rather than directly in individual assets like debt or equity. In August, Mint first reported on Manipal groups chairman Ranjan Pai's interest to invest in the fund. Other startup founders of companies including Lenskart, PolicyBazaar, Persistent Systems, Livspace and KreditBee alongside sovereign fund of funds, Sidbi and Self Reliant India Fund (SRI), leading family offices and general partners of prominent funds have also invested in the fund. The new fund aims to bridge the gap for companies looking to raise their series B and C rounds. To be clear, the investor ecosystem is crowded with early-stage fundsthrough various institutions such as micro-VCs, high net worth individuals (HNIs) and other mainstream offices, and late-stage funds dominated by global players issuing larger cheques. This has left the mid-market stages with a lot of undisrupted potential, which is what we have identified as a play for ourselves to invest in," Ramaiah said. It is overall a nice position to be in as we have a good set of companies coming in and with the evolving late-stage buyout story, exits through other routes (such as secondaries) have also become quite conducive apart from the IPO-market," he added. Read more: On a platter: Rebel Foods gets $25 mn from Qatar Investment Authority for restaurant expansion The three partners will engage closely with portfolio companies by leveraging founder networks to provide mentorship along with an experienced operating partner network that will assist companies with key functional support as they scale up. The former executives of Premji Invest and International Finance Corporation have actively invested in several Indian startups that include Lenskart, Policybazaar, KreditBee, Myntra, Flipkart, Purplle, FirstCry, BigBasket, Amagi and Moglix among others. They also have a track record of exits with 14 unicorns (startups with a billion-dollar valuation) and 8 IPOs/M&A from their prior investments. Meanwhile, Trident has already completed its first investment in SaaS company Spotdrafts $54 million series B round alongside Vertex Growth earlier this year, and is in the final stages of closing its next investment. With a strong pipeline through the rest of the year, Malhotra said the fund will target an ownership of 8-20% in portfolio companies. We will back founders who want to build really solid businesses in a sustainable way and with lesser burn so they dont need to keep raising capital and can ultimately own higher ownerships," Gupta concluded. New Delhi: The imposition of reciprocal tariffs across the board by US President Donald Trump plunged the world economy into deep uncertainty. Even their partial withdrawal, driven by sharp sell-offs in equity and bond markets, has lifted that uncertainty only somewhat. Underlying this is a deeper sense that the world economy and global trading system have undergone a fundamental structural shift away from the dominance of the US. Chinas imposition of export embargoes on a range of crucial inputs into global value chains, such as rare earth metals, has only exacerbated this sense of uncertainty. Its unclear whether a new global trading system will actually materialize, but the events of the past couple of weeks are a major test of a countrys economic resilience, and its ability to withstand a downturn in, and shifts across, global trade. Many countries, especially those in Asia, learnt this lesson the hard way. In 1997, the Asian financial crisisfuelled by hot money flows, all-too-liberal capital accounts, and low levels of foreign exchange reservesalmost brought the then Asian tiger economies to their knees. As a recent paper by Barry Eichengreen on economic resilience pointed out, this was a wake-up call to all economies in the region. Countries strengthened banking systems, focused on building a large stockpile of foreign exchange reserves and became much more cautious about portfolio capital flows, which could flow out of a country at the first sign of trouble. These lessons stood those countries in good steadwhen the covid-19 crisis hit in 2020, Asian economies recovered relatively fast. The restructuring of global trade, away from the US, is a subject that economists and analysts have speculated about for years, and Trumps tariffs mean that this restructuring is more likely to happen. If it happens, in the short term at least, it will lead to a severe disruption of global trade. How well prepared are economies, including India, to deal with such a disruption? The case of Vietnam When talk of the US decoupling from China began a few years ago, a number of countries were identified as being alternate sources of manufacturing for companies like Applethe so-called China+1 strategy. Close to the top of the list, if not at the very top, was Vietnam. View Full Image A few years back, Apple accelerated plans to shift part of its production outside China. Over the years, the Vietnamese government has worked hard, with companies like Apple, Samsung and Nike, to build supply chains and final production facilities. This coupled with cheap labour meant that the country became a major alternative hub for cheap Asian manufacturing and exports to the US. Indeed, Vietnam was a de facto China+1 long before the term became popular. With talk of decoupling, the importance of Vietnam only grew. Between 2005 and 2022, the share of Vietnams imports coming from China doubled from 16% to over 32%. At the same time, the share of the US in Vietnams total exports grew steadilyfrom 18% in 2005 to 29.5% in 2022. Over the same period, Vietnams dependence on trade as an engine of growth soared. Total merchandise trade (exports plus imports) as a share of its gross domestic product (GDP) rose from 96% in 2000 to 158% in 2023. In contrast, Indias total merchandise trade as a share of its GDP in recent decades has never crossed 43%. But this strategy carried huge risks as well. Vietnam had effectively tied its economic fortunes to the fractious relationship of two superpowersChina and the US. The dangers of doing so were made patently clear over the last two weeks, when Trump raised tariffs for goods coming to the US from all countries. Vietnam was hit with higher tariffs than most other countries. Saddled with a tariff of 46%, it faced the possibility of an economic shutdown, a possibility that has only been averted, for now, with Trump withdrawing his tariff hikes for 90 days. But even Vietnam is nowhere as high as Mexico, whose exports to the US comprise 80% of its total exports. Trade concentration In the 1940s, economist Albert Hirschman identified precisely this riskthat a country could tie its fortunes too closely to that of another, either by sourcing a major share of its imports from that country (as China is for Vietnam) or that country being its biggest export market (as the US is for Vietnam). This gave a countrys trading partner major leverage over its own economic fortunes at a time of war or geopolitical conflict. World War II, and the global trade shutdown during the depression of the 1930s, were subjects very much at the top of Hirschmans mind. The canonical example he had was that of the relationship of Nazi Germany with its trade partners in Eastern Europe in the 1930s, or that of a country like Britain with its colonies such as India. He developed a measure of concentration of such trade, reflecting the extent to which a country was dependent on only a few trade partners, or equivalently, on only a few commodities. This measure is in use by economists even today. A value of 100% on the index (the highest possible value) indicates that a country trades with just one partner and exports only to, or imports only from, that partner. A value of zero, on the other hand. indicates that the countrys exports or imports are highly diversified and much less dependent on a single trading partner. So, values closer to zero indicate a country is much less dependent on a single partner or set of partners for its trade. In the 1960s, Marxist economists would come up with similar insights into the nature of trade between developing countries and developed economies. They described it as highly unequal, with poor, underdeveloped economies trapped in a state of dependence on developed economies, which were both a source of manufactured goods and markets for underdeveloped countries primarily agricultural and mineral exports. The weakness of this theory was that it was static. It didnt, and couldnt, account for the evolution of at least some of these economies, especially those in Asia, into manufacturing powerhouses in their own right. India more resilient? What about India? Indian policy planners, over the decades, have been much castigated for their inability to turn the country into an export success story like the countries of Southeast Asia. In recent years, criticism has been levelled at the Indian government for not taking advantage of the China-plus strategy to the extent that Vietnam has. Ironically, at a time of global trade shifts, it is precisely these policy failures that have meant that India stands to be relatively more insulated from global trade disruption. Indias goods trade as a share of its GDP is currently around 40%. In 2024-25 (April to January), the share of the US in Indias total exports was 17% and the share of China in Indias total imports was 15.7%. Hirschmans index of export concentration for India is 5.7% (remember lower values are better) for 2022, a value which has remained relatively steady since 2000, according to UN trade data. In contrast, Vietnams index has risen to 12%, up from 6% in 2000. Mexico, in the aftermath of the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in the mid-1990s, has soared to a whopping 56%. The global benchmark is around 4.2%. Incidentally, in his research, Hirschman had computed the values for India in the 1930s, when it was still a colony. In 1938, this index value for exports was 37.8%. Links in the chain There are issues with this index. It only takes into account bilateral trade. It doesnt account for a countrys place in global value chains (much less important at Hirschmans time), where a single product, like an iPhone assembled in India, may require inputs sourced from multiple countries. Thus, a disruption in one part of the supply chain, in one country, may cause ripple effects elsewhere in the world, even though that country may not be a major trading partner with any of its export markets. During the covid lockdowns, this disruption to global supply chains was especially relevant. Shipping costs rose, crucial inputs could not be supplied, and global trade in goods took a sharp fall. Delays and shortages in the supply of chips from China and East Asia hit Indian auto manufacturers hard, leading to domestic shortages of several car models for months. During the covid lockdowns, shipping costs rose, crucial inputs could not be supplied, and global trade in goods took a sharp fall. Over the years, Indias trade has moved up the value chain, with consumer goods accounting for 48% of exports in 2022 (the latest data available), compared with 40% in 2000. The share of intermediate and raw materials in its exports has fallen to 35% in 2022, from 52% in 2000. At the same time, its share of imports of raw materials and intermediate goods in 2022 was 67%, down from 72% in 2000. An RBI study in 2022, on the impact of global supply chain disruptions during covid, developed a measure of supply chain disruptions (Index of Supply Chain Pressures for India or ISPI). It found that imports into India during the covid lockdowns in China had a serious impact: As India imports a significant amount of intermediate inputs and raw materials from China, supply disruptions in that country impact the ISPI more than supply bottlenecks in advanced economies like the US," the study stated. The pandemic has starkly revealed that while GVCs (global value chains) were designed for efficiency, cost-saving and proximity to markets, they were not calibrated to risk exposure, especially of the overwhelming type that is being experienced today," the study concluded. Home advantage Its unclear for now whether Trumps tariff imposition, and the resulting market nervousness, will persist. In a few months, this may all seem like a bad dream, or it could be the beginning of a historic shift, and even a shrinkage in global trade, which could persist for years. View Full Image A file photo of US President Donald Trump. (AP) If that happens, countries with large domestic markets will be able to weather the storm better than those more dependent on, and exposed to, global trade. In that sense, a country like China is much more likely to weather the storm better than, say, Vietnam. Thus, the shutting off of rare earth supplies to the global market, and other Chinese embargoes on its own exports, suggest that the Chinese government is confident it can withstand any disruption to global trade. On the flip side, though, analysts for years have stressed the importance of China pivoting away from a reliance on exports to its domestic market, but this shift has happened only to a limited extent. Trade as a share of Indian GDP, at 30%, is much lower than the global average of 46%. This implies that India could withstand a global trade shock better, in the long term. But if domestic markets become much more important, domestic consumer sentiment, income growth, and employment become even more critical than in the past. And this is where government policy to address such gaps could have far-reaching consequences. howindialives.com is a search engine for public data New Delhi: US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday said the terms of reference for negotiations on an India-US bilateral trade agreement have been finalized, describing it as a vital step towards a broader agreement grounded in shared priorities. The announcement signals that both sides are ready to move from exploratory discussions to formal negotiations on the trade deal, at a time when New Delhi and Washington are seeking to align more closely on economic and strategic fronts. This agreement is a vital step toward a final deal between our nations, Vance said. We come to you as partners, looking to strengthen our relationship. We're not here to preach that you do things a certain way, Vance told an audience in Jaipur on Tuesday, his first speaking engagement of the visit. Too often in the past, Washington approached Prime Minister Modi with an attitude of preachiness or even condescension, Vance said, adding that past US leaders viewed India merely as a source of cheap labour while criticizing the Modi government, arguably the most popular in the democratic world. Historically, criticism of India's human rights record, often by Democratic politicians, have left New Delhi bristling. Vances remarks come as India and the US engage in a new round of talks on a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), aimed at addressing long-standing tariff and market access issues. An Indian delegation, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Aggarwal, is set to hold the second round of face-to-face talks from 23-25 April, with the goal of accelerating the finalization of the first tranche of the BTA. During the second day of his four-day visit to India (21-24 April), Vance used the platform to signal a shift from previous US administrations. Vance also expressed optimism about the potential for closer cooperation in defense and security, highlighting common challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. He affirmed that the US would continue to support India in strengthening its defence capabilities and ensuring regional stability. The Vice President stressed the importance of maintaining open, transparent, and rules-based international systems, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions. On a personal note, Vance thanked Modi for hosting him and his family at his Delhi residence on Monday (21 April), reflecting on Indias cultural richness and calling it a country full of vitality and infinite possibility. He emphasized the "unique opportunity" both nations have to deepen trade cooperation. Vance underscored Indias role as one of the worlds fastest-growing economies, with its significant contributions to the global supply chain, especially in textiles, electronics, and infrastructure. The visiting VP further emphasized that Indias economic growth has made it a key player in global trade, offering substantial opportunities for US businesses looking to diversify their manufacturing bases and tap into new markets. Also read | Delhi draws a line in the sand over American dairy Vance, who visited the Akshardham Temple in Delhi on Monday with his ethnic-Indian wife Usha and children, described the experience as both spiritual and emblematic of Indias deep-rooted traditions. The US Vice President also touched on key trade concerns, particularly surrounding energy and industrial growth. Some in the West are driven by fearcutting back on power generation, canceling nuclear and other energy facilities, and then expecting nations like India to do the same, he said. President Trump rejects these failed ideas. He wants America to grow. He wants India to grow. Vances visit coincides with critical India-US trade negotiations, where New Delhi is pushing for greater market access for labour-intensive exports like textiles, apparel, and engineering goods. At the same time, Washington is seeking regulatory easing and increased access for dairy and tech products. The talks are also expected to address tariffs on steel and aluminum, with India hoping for relief. Vance lauded Indias ambition, emphasizing that both countries share the responsibility of building a better future. The most profound responsibility we have is not to ourselves, but to the next generation, he remarked. America seeks to build that brighter world with Indiaone of innovation, family-building, investment, and shared prosperity. His remarks in Jaipur are likely to resonate in New Delhi, as India calibrates its negotiating strategyespecially in light of the Trump administrations recent tariff actions and reciprocal trade dynamics. Vance also highlighted the potential for US-India collaboration in the technology and innovation sectors. With Indias rapidly expanding tech industry and the US's leadership in advanced technologies, he identified areas of potential collaboration, including artificial intelligence, space exploration, and digital infrastructure. Experts say: Although the terms of the proposed free trade agreement have not been made public, experts believe they are already taking shapeand may tilt heavily in Washingtons favour. According to an assessment by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the absence of Fast Track Authority in the US Congress means America cannot offer binding tariff cuts under the deal. As a result, Indian goods may continue to face standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs of over 10% in the US market, even as India could be pushed to cut its tariffs on American cars, agricultural goods, and industrial products. Moreover, GTRI warned that the TORs may include stringent conditions to limit the use of Chinese-origin components in Indian exports, echoing recent moves by the US to de-risk its supply chains. If India resists such terms, it may face the threat of steeper retaliatory tariffsespecially under the Trump administrations aggressive trade stance, it said. Kanye West has opened up about a disturbing childhood experience. According to the rapper, who has renamed himself Ye, his new song Cousins is inspired by his incestuous relationship with his relative. In a post on Twitter (now X), Kanye shared that he had a sexual encounter with a male cousin as a child. He also revealed that this cousin had later gone to jail for life for killing a pregnant woman. Kanye feels partly responsible because, when they were kids, he showed his cousin adult magazines. He believes this may have influenced their behaviour. Kanye West added that his dad had Playboy magazines, but the ones he found hidden in his mothers cupboard were different and more explicit. The Twitter post comes with a shaky, low-resolution video. The social media post has now gone viral, with more than 10 million views. Kanye Wests post has shocked many on social media. But ye your cousin was 9 years old when you were 14, wrote one user. Another one wrote, ...a lot of black men have this type of trauma they just dont speak on it. Another user commented, Thats pretty disgusting. We really didnt need to know that. You need to understand how Kanye works, and his marketing genius. I'm not discounting the trauma of this but he uses shock to drive his marketing campaigns, came from another. Early exposure to pornography According to a 2016 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health, early exposure to pornography can increase risky sexual behaviours in youth. In 2016, Peter and Valkenburg found that such exposure had links to more liberal sexual attitudes and stronger gender stereotypes. It also correlates with earlier sexual activity, casual encounters and experiences of sexual aggression, both as victims and perpetrators. Actor Lalit Manchanda was found dead at his Meerut home on Monday, as per multiple reports. The actor has reportedly died by suicide at 36 as per authorities, reported News18. While no suicide note has been recovered reportedly, the Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor's death is suspected to be linked with mental stress and financial struggle. Lalit Manchanda dies in Meerut The local law enforcement reached the location after receiving a report about the incident, reports suggest. Upon arrival, the officials found the actor dead. The late actor's body has been transferred to a local facility for postmortem examination, reportedly. Going by preliminary findings from the investigation, it is said that no foul play or third-party involvement has been suspected. Police continue to probe the death case. After the incident, police have now initiated inquiries with his family and close associates to determine possible causes behind Lalit's death. As no suicide note has been recovered, authorities are also considering mental health and recent personal struggles. As per reports, Lalit's close people claim that he has been dealing with mental stress and personal challenges for some time. More details in the investigation are awaited. His last rites were reportedly performed in Meerut on Monday evening. CINTAA on Lalit Manchanda's death Confirming the loss of Lalit, on Tuesday, CINTAA (Cine and TV Artistes Association) on their official Instagram account extended condolences. They posted a photo of the actor and shared, "CINTAA expresses its condolences on the demise of Lalit Manchanda (member since 2012)." Who was Lalit Manchanda? Lalit Manchanda starred in several Bollywood films and TV serials in brief supporting roles. He appeared in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, India's Most Wanted, Crime Petrol and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Reportedly, Lalit stayed in Mumbai for more than a decade before moving to Meerut with his brother six montha ago. SAO PAULOWhen Francis became the first Latin American pope in 2013, many hoped he would reverse the Roman Catholic Churchs decline in the region that is home to more of its adherents than any other. The Argentina-born pontiff, who died at 88 on Monday, won the hearts of millions with his humility and simplicity during seven visits to Latin America. His papacy resonated with a poverty-stricken region where the church often fills gaps left by a lacking state. But his appeal wasnt enough to halt the decline of the Catholic Church across a region central to its endurance. Millions of Latin Americans have left the Catholic Church over the past decade. They have joined other faiths, primarily Pentecostalisman evangelical Christian movement, steeped in spiritualism, that often promises followers wealth and success in exchange for devotion. Others have just stopped believing in God altogether. Nowhere is the shift more dramatic than Brazil, the most populous Catholic country and a battleground of global relevance for the Vatican. Catholicism, a legacy of the countrys Portuguese colonizers, held a near-monopoly over Brazil for some four centuries, shaping the countrys moral code, schools and courts. But in 2022, Catholics ceased to be a majority and by 2032 they will likely be outnumbered by evangelical Christians, said Jose Eustaquio Diniz Alves, a Brazilian demographer. When the pope was elected, people really believed that he could stop the Catholics losing Latin Americans, but this is not what happened," Diniz Alves said. Political changes, including secularization of governments and legislation promoting religious freedoms, reduced the Catholic Churchs advantages over other faiths. And the number of people with no religious affiliation has grown globally, driven in part by advances in technology and secular education, researchers say. But at Solomons Temple, a vast $300 million evangelical church in downtown Sao Paulo built to replicate the ancient structure, followers give a simpler explanation: The Catholic Church turned its back on them. Like most Brazilians, Josilene da Silva, a grocery-store cashier from Sao Paulo, was raised a Catholic. But when her husband was shot dead by police several years ago, leaving her to raise three children by herself, she found comfort in the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, one of Brazils biggest and richest evangelical churches. Catholics are all about punishment, but Ive suffered enough," da Silva said. The pope seemed like a nice man, though." Evangelical churches have tailored their ministries to the disparate passions of Brazilians, from temples catering to the gay community to ones specifically for heavy-metal fans and surfers. Boat-borne temples have voyaged up the Amazon River to convert evermore distant indigenous tribes. Catholics havent met people on their terms, Diniz Alves said. And they certainly havent matched some evangelical churches in promising to make their followers rich. While Catholics venerate poverty, neo-Pentecostal churches such as Universal preach a prosperity theology" that material wealth isnt a sin, but evidence of Gods grace. At Solomons Temple, suited men line up at the altar with velvet red sacks and credit-card machines as the pastor promises his followers that they too will get rich if they donate generously. Other churches feature businessmen who motivate audiences with rags-to-riches tales. It is a powerful message among Brazils middle class, which has grown by over 40 million people in the past 20 years and for whom buying their first washing machine or car is a hard-earned milestone of social mobility. The share of Latin Americans who identified as Catholic dropped to 54% in 2024 from 80% in 1995, while evangelical Christians affiliation grew to 19% last year, up from 6% 30 years ago, according to a survey by Latinobarometro, a Chilean-based pollster. The number of people unaffiliated with a religion has risen at a similar rate, growing to 19% from 4% over the same period. Catholics are now a minority in six other countries in the region including Uruguay, Chile and the Dominican Republic. It is a matter of time before many others follow suit, researchers say. In Colombia, where 57% of the population identified as Catholic in 2024, disenchanted followers say priests are out of touch with the everyday struggles of their parishioners. He was the first Spanish-speaking pope and wanted to do something positive, to be inclusive, but the problem lies with his colleagues," said Alberto Ronseria in Bogota, who converted to evangelical Christianity some 15 years ago. Growing support in the region for gender equality and gay rights has put the churchs conservative views at odds with younger generations. As the churchs hold on society weakens, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia have legalized or decriminalized abortion in recent years. Clerical sexual abuses from Chile to Argentina eroded trust in the church regionally. Argentina should have been an easy win for an Argentine pope. But Pope Francis also struggled to win followers there. It was the only major country in the region he didnt visit during his papacy. Born to a railroad worker and a homemaker, the slum pope," as he was known back home, was celebrated for his work with immigrants and the poor. But he was wary of getting involved in the countrys polarized politics after allegations that he didnt do enough to stop human-rights abuses during Argentinas 1976-83 dictatorship. Can you believe that he traveled around the world and never once came to Argentina?" said Ana Caliegari from Chivilcoy, in the countryside near Buenos Aires, who came to the city to visit her grandchildren. My mother went to mass every day at 6 a.m. I go every Sunday, and my children no longer do. Everything has changed," she said. The pope knew all of this, said Diniz Alves, the Brazilian demographer. He was aware of the reasons for the Catholic Churchs decline in the region, but couldnt stop it, partly because of resistance from the churchs conservative wing. As the Catholic Church has alienated some of its faithful, evangelical churches have zealously courted new members in countries such as Brazil. Some 17 new evangelical temples opened a day on average in 2019, according to government figures, giving Brazil more religious institutions than educational and health facilities combined. Some 580,000 religious institutions operate in the country, compared with 264,000 educational facilities and 248,000 health facilities, according to the 2022 census. The Vatican has also lost purchase on Latin Americas institutions. Evangelicals have taken hold of television networks, political parties, courts and even security forces. Several judges and prosecutors who led Brazils recent Car Wash anticorruption investigation are devoted evangelicals. They say their faith gave them the courage to challenge Brazils rich and powerful. The countrys evangelical bloc in government has more than 200 members, almost half of Congress, pushing politics to the right and helping to elect former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro in 2018. Theyve made their strength felt over the past 10 years but theyre likely to be even more powerful in the next decade," said Leonardo Barreto, a Brasilia-based political analyst. Write to Samantha Pearson at samantha.pearson@wsj.com New Delhi: Punjab, one of the country's main farming states, will finally join the Union government's crop insurance scheme after holding out for nine years. Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party government is set to formally request for the Union government to roll out the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in the agrarian state, said the state's agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian in a telephone interview. The reason it has agreed to implement the scheme is the huge losses suffered by farmers due to bad weather and farm fires. "We are working on the modalities and soon will approach the union government to implement PMFBY in the state. The scheme will not only shield the farmers from vagaries of weather but also from unfortunate incidents such as farm fires especially during the wheat harvesting season (April-May)," said Khudian. Also read | A tech solution to crop insurance woes? In 2023, the state government disbursed 256 crore to compensate farmers whose crops were damaged by floods. Kamalvir Singh, a farmer from Patiala district in Punjab, said, We welcome the government plan to implement the PMFBY. Our only suggestion is that the government must ensure that the compensation should be awarded in a time-bound manner in case of damage to crop." Punjab had so far stayed out of the PMFBY, citing issues related to implementation costs, concerns over private insurance companies profiting without accountability, and a preference for developing its own mechanisms of support. The earlier stand was also shaped by the political friction between the state and the Centre, ruled by rival parties. However, rising claims of crop damage and the limitations of state-funded compensation appear to have pushed the state government to reconsider its stand. Also read | How US agriculture market is approaching tariffs and a potential trade war Punjab had been objecting to the scheme ever since it was launched in 2016. The state even drew up its own crop insurance scheme during the previous Congress governments tenure in Punjab, but it never took off. AAP came to power in Punjab in 2022. Launched in the kharif 2016 season by the Centre, the PMFBY offers comprehensive coverage against crop losses caused by unpredictable natural hazards such as hailstorms, drought, floods, cyclones, heavy and unseasonal rains, and pest or disease attacks. The protection not only helps stabilize farmers' income but also encourages them to adopt innovative practices. The scheme is available for all states and UTs (Union Territories) and is voluntary for the states as well as farmers. According to Economic Survey 2024-25, as many as 27 states and UTs have implemented the scheme in one or more seasons. At present, 23 states and UTs are implementing the scheme. Aiming for transformation Khudian said Punjab is coming up with a new agriculture policy by June this year aiming to transform the farming sector. "The draft is in consultation stage and currently we are taking views of stakeholders such as farmers and farm unions. We hope to introduce the policy by June this year," he added. Also read | A crisis is brewing in Punjab and farmers know it Ironically, despite being top farming state, Punjab has never had an agriculture policy. Among the major recommendations of the proposed policy are establishing centres of excellence (CoE) for different crops, strengthening agriculture research and extensions, promoting crop diversification, providing a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP), introducing a pension plan for farm workers and small farmers, a debt waiver scheme for small and marginal farmers and introducing crop insurance. Economic and ecological challenges Though farm productivity is high in Punjab, at present the state is passing through a phase of economic and ecological crisis due to rising costs of inputs, market uncertainty and its intensive agriculture model that has lowered farm returns while degrading land. Unlike the national economy, agriculture and allied activities contribute a large share in Punjabs economy, exceeding the share of industry. In 2022-23 (as per advance estimates), agriculture and allied sectors are expected to contribute 29% to Punjabs Gross State Value Added (GSVA) -- second only to services. Also read | As Canadian dreams wane, a rude awakening for Punjabs immigration economy Agriculture and allied sectors are a source of livelihood for more than a quarter of the working population, so the sector continues to be the driver of Punjabs economy, pulling up the industry and services sector in the state as well. So any impact on the agriculture sector impacts the economy of the state, Khudian said. He also mentioned that to promote crop diversification and increase the acreage under cotton, the state government has decided to provide a 33% subsidy for BT cotton hybrid seeds, as recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Additionally, the state plans to shift 21,000 hectares of farmland from paddy to maize to reduce water-intensive paddy cultivation. IndusInd Bank on Tuesday, April 22, refuted media reports that stated that the private sector lender has roped in EY to conduct another audit, to probe Rs. 600 crorr discrepancy in microfinance portfolio. In a regulatory filing, IndusInd Bank said, We would like to clarify that the Bank has not engaged EY for a forensic audit as reported in the news item. The private sector lender added that the bank has engaged with EY to assist its internal audit dept in reviewing certain records. The exchange filing stated, As a part of the process of finalization of accounts, the Banks Internal Audit Department (IAD) is conducting a review of the Banks MFI business to examine certain concerns which have been brought to the Banks attention. In connection with this exercise, Bank is engaged with EY to assist the IAD in reviewing certain records of the Bank. The review by the Bank is ongoing. Shares of IndusInd Bank declined on April 22, following a report on Economic Times that the banks board has brought in EY to conduct a second forensic audit. The report added that the new probe will focus on a 600 crore discrepancy related to accrued interest income from the banks microfinance portfolio. Grant Thornton Bharat (GTB) is already examining irregularities in how IndusInd Bank accounted for its forex derivatives portfolio. Earlier this month, IndusInd Bank also enlisted PwC to carry out an independent review of its forex derivatives accounting. That report estimated potential losses at 1,979 croresignificantly higher than the initial estimate of 1,600 crore Last week, IndusInd Bank said that accounting lapses in the derivative portfolio will have a negative impact of 1,979 crore on the bank's networth. The bank has assessed an adverse impact (on a post-tax basis) of 2.27 per cent to its net worth as of December 2024 on account of discrepancies relating to derivative deals. The private sector lender last month reported the accounting lapses in the derivative portfolio estimated to have an adverse impact of approximately 2.35 per cent of the bank's net worth as of December 2024. Following this, the bank appointed external agency PwC to assess the impact on the bank's balance sheet, lapses at various levels and suggest remedial action. The agency in its report has quantified the negative impact of the above as of June 30, 2024, at 1,979 crore, the bank had said. The bank will appropriately reflect the resultant impact in the financial statements for 2024-25 and continue to take suitable steps to augment the internal controls relating to the derivative accounting operations, it added. Competition for engineering and geologist jobs in the oil-and-gas sector was already fierceand that was before President Trumps tariff blitz sparked fears about a global recession that sent oil prices tumbling. Chevron, BP and other oil companies are offshoring more specialized white-collar positions and related work to lower-cost labor pools in countries such as India, while cutting thousands of jobs elsewhere. The shift, alongside a string of mergers and cost-cutting, has thinned the companies ranks of skilled U.S. workers. It has also disrupted the industrys pecking order, which for decades has been topped by specialized engineers whose positions were more insulated during oil busts. The trade war will adversely affect large competitors, but smaller fuel outfits will likely take the hardest hits. Chevron said in February that it would cut as many as roughly 8,000 jobs, or 20% of its global workforce, by the end of next year. That decision has prompted angst at its global headquarters in Houston, where many of its higher-paid skilled workers are based. The same day, the oil behemoth said it was changing how and where work is performed" and would expand the use of global centers, such as one in India where it aims to add about 600 jobs by the end of this year. About half of Chevrons nearly 40,000 employees are in the U.S. That decision reflects a growing pool of skilled workers in India who are willing to do the same jobs for a fraction of the cost, along with advances in technology that enable remote working. Engineers there have long drawn salaries around a third or a fourth the size of their counterparts in the U.S., though pay is climbing thanks to rising demand for talent. India seems a lot less distant," said Nicholas Bloom, an economist at Stanford University who has advised companies on work setups and remote work. Many managers have told me comments like, Our remote operations are typically 90% as efficient, but 70% of the cost, so its a great deal for us. " The new positions arent only traditional back-office jobs that U.S. companies have offshored for years. Chevron intends to hire engineers, geologists and environmental scientists in India as part of a $1 billion investment to develop an engineering and innovation hub near Bellandur, a suburb of Bengaluru, a spokesman said. Hiring for skilled posts in the U.S., meanwhile, has slowed to a pace typically associated with an oil downturn, recruiters say. The slowdown is creating gaps in the resumes of experienced oil workers, forcing some to take pay cuts in new roles and dissuading recent college graduates from joining the industry. Amanda Rico, a career adviser in Houston with Rico Editorial Services, said workers with advanced degrees are competing more fiercely for fewer jobs. Across the U.S., the number of oil-and-gas jobs has dropped almost 15% since mid-2019 to about 123,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Connor Cabaniss, a senior petroleum engineering student at the University of Texas, said he and some of his classmates have expanded their job searches across the oil-and-gas value chain because postelection uncertainty has led many oil-and-gas companies to slow their hiring. Cabaniss, who is graduating in May, has had multiple interviews, but isnt receiving as many calls in recent months. He is hopeful the cyclical business will turn around soon. Even postelection, they still really dont know what the markets going to be like," Cabaniss said. Since Trump launched his tariff blitz in early April, U.S. oil prices have tumbled 12% to near $63 a barrel, a level that is expected to prompt some soul-searching in the industry. If prices remain near those levels for long, frackers will have to re-evaluate their spending levels. Although Chevron and the other major oil companies are more cushioned than the smaller competitors, they are still likely to face pressure to curb or recalibrate their investments in long-term projects. Like Chevron, Exxon Mobil has also been expanding in India, with a tech hub that helps oversee work related to its Guyana project and other assets. Exxon has also invested in technology centers in China, Malaysia and Qatar. At the end of last year, its global head count was down about 19% since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to regulatory filings. European oil giants Shell, BP and TotalEnergies were early entrants to the job market in India, where they made investments in lubricants, gas and renewable energy. Together, they employ more than 21,000 in the country. BP recently said it plans to cut 4,700 jobs elsewhere. The competition for engineers in India is so fierce that the oil companies are struggling to hire workers quickly and are known for luring experienced candidates from their rivals with higher pay. Beyond its skilled workforce, India is an attractive growth market: Its natural-gas consumption is set to grow almost 60% by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency. Trump recently touted a deal for India to buy more American fossil fuels after a White House meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The timing of the hiring slowdown in the U.S. is somewhat ironic because Trumps trade war is meant to restore jobs and manufacturing. The presidents friends in the oil patch had expected his rollback of regulations to spur job growth in the sector. Typically, that would have been a boom for the U.S.," said Debbie Milks, chief operating officer of recruiting firm Brookwoods Group. Were not seeing that at all." Write to Collin Eaton at collin.eaton@wsj.com India's drone startups are rapidly tapping commercial opportunities beyond defence contracts by expanding into healthcare and quick commerce deliveries, even as the sector struggles to scale amid regulatory fog, industry executives said. Companies like ideaForge, which started by catering to the Indian defence forces, are diversifying their client base within the defence sector itself, while others like Skylark Drones and Skye Air Mobility are consciously choosing to avoid government contracts altogether, instead betting on the private sector to scale faster. Ankit Mehta, co-founder of ideaForge, said that traditionally the firm wasnt offering drone-as-a-servicewhere companies rent or hire drones (and operators) for specific tasks rather than buying and operating the drones themselves. But now we are. Were building our own flavour of drone-as-a-service, which can be a really strong play for enterprise security and surveillance, as well as for law enforcement activities." However, Mehta pointed out that defence continues to remain their core customers. Diversification is important, but were targeting different parts of the Forces themselveswhether it is for making deliveries within the armed forces or serving police and other law enforcement units." Mehta added that ideaForge is working on capturing a share of the US market, particularly in the homeland security sector. However, the recent changes with respect to import tariffs in the US have adversely impacted the speed of these conversions, he said. ideaForges revenue declined by 80.6% year on year in Q3FY25 to 17.6 crore Some drone companies are preferring to completely avoid defence projects. Government in India is unfortunately not a very timely paymaster. You have to pay your employees and your vendors on day zero, but your customers might be paying you after six months," said Pushkar Singh, co-founder of investment firm Tremis Capital. Tremis Capital participated in the $4 million Series A funding round of Skye Air in June last year. Beyond defence Consequently, Singh explained that most drone companies are looking beyond defence projects to diversity their customer base. Mughilan Thiru Ramasamy, CEO of Bengaluru-based Skylark Drones, said the company didn't want to be limited to defence. "Most of our customersalmost all of themare non-defence. We work only with private enterprises," he said. Skylark Drones' key clients include Tata Steel, Hindustan Zinc, UltraTech Cement, L&T and Reliance Infrastructure. Were currently not working with the defence sector at this point," said Ankit Kumar, CEO of Gurugram-based Skye Air Mobility, who added that less than 5% of the company's revenue comes from government-related projects. The real, long-term value lies in private sector adoption. Thats where we see genuine traction. Today, less than 5% of our revenue comes from government-related projects." The rest of the revenue comes from partnerships and collaborations for drone-based logistics and deliveries, he added. Also read | Millions of drones to spray fertilizers In March last year, Skye Air Mobility bagged government contracts for medical supply delivery to 6 AIIMS hospitals and other regional government hospitals. Even when we work with state governments in healthcare, the goal is to use that access as an entry pointto open up those corridors for the private sector," he added. Skye Air Mobility plans to expand package deliveries across Delhi-NCR, after previously introducing a 7-minute drone service in Bengaluru, following on the heels of the quick commerce boom. Kumar added that they are currently focused on providing drone delivery services to enterprise clients rather than individual customers. Chennai-based Dhaksha Unmanned Systems, which is owned by Coromandel Industries, is looking to expand the use of its drone technology for farm applications over the next two years, including pesticide and fertiliser spraying through drones, Mint reported in March. Dhaksha had a greater proportion of defence contracts earlier, which is shrinking now. Excitement about potential Investors are excited about the potential applications of drones too. Were seeing a wave of highly specific enterprise applications of drones, especially in critical industries like oil & gas, power, and mining. Drones make hazardous inspections safer and faster, while also monitoring transmission lines and enabling predictive maintenance. These targeted use cases are driving real value and accelerating adoption," said Vipul Patel, partner at IIMA Ventures. IIMA Ventures, set up at IIM Ahmedabad in 2002, backed ideaForge as an early investor, and exited following its initial public offering in 2023. IIMA Ventures has also invested in Nabhdrishti Aerospace during its pre-seed round in 2024 and seed round this year. However, Indias drone regulations remain fragmented due to overlapping authorities, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) setting national policies while state governments, local law enforcement, and defence agencies enforce their own rules. This has prevented some of these startups from scaling. Operators may get central clearance, only to be grounded by local authorities citing security or airspace concerns. This results in inconsistent regulations and the need for multiple clearances before drone operations can begin. Also read | Drone industry hopes for higher PLI outlay in budget With temporary drone bans like the one recently enforced in Mumbai from 4 April to 5 May operational consistency also turns out to be a challenge. The ban was implemented due to concerns that drones could be used for attacks, target VVIPs, endanger public safety, or cause damage to public property. Some Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Telanganahave set up their own drone policies, aiming to position themselves as drone-friendly hubs. Drone delivery as a service, especially in urban spaces, is frankly a daft idea because its simply solving a problem thats already been addressed. The true potential of drones lies in last-mile connectivity to hard-to-reach areas and the scalability is more likely to be in logistics and supply chains, rather than in crowded cities," said Ajay Kumar, partner at Triumvir Law, a law firm. There are other hurdles involved while operating in cities. Sky Air Mobilitys Kumar explained that out of the last 365 days, the company was non-operational for about 75 days because of national security restrictions like around Independence Day, Republic Day, and Section 144 imposed during elections and VIP movement. There were other days lost to bad weather such as heavy rain, high winds. No-go zones Drones cannot operate in red zones, which are sensitive areas such as the Army cantonment, or around airports, that typically form around 6-7% of certain cities, though the exact percentage can vary. If you look at Gurgaon, 9394% of it is green and yellow. The red zone is just 67%. Were not really bothered about thatwere focused on catering to the 93%," Kumar said. In February this year, the ministry of civil aviation told parliament that 86% of India's airspace is open for operationsclassified as green zone. Also read | New drone PLI to focus on R&D, manufacturing, may leave out testing Yet, not everyone is convinced about the current trajectory of drone startups. Tony Verghese, partner at law firm J. Sagar Associates, pointed out the increasing wariness of hype-driven fundraising cycles among legal professionals and investors. Drone startups seeking high valuations despite lacking substantial revenue or intellectual property does create significant legal and regulatory concerns within Indias investment landscape," said Verghese. However, Skylarks Ramasamy argued that rather than rushing to regulate, the focus should be on enabling them to scale first. The skies are not crowded with drones yet. So, we should empower more drone flights first, before regulating them. Were still far away from the adoption of drones in terms of the number of flights taking off. Those who operate responsibly will comply either waythose with malicious intent likely wont follow rules, regardless of whether they exist," said Ramasamy. As summer arrives ahead of schedule in India, warnings of intense heatwaves are raising alarms across the nations industrial heartlands. With millions of workers toiling in factories and mines without protection from heat, industry experts warn that soaring temperatures could throttle productivity, risking a slowdown in Indias vital manufacturing sector. The weather office has issued heat wave alerts for south Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, southern Haryana and Maharashtra's Vidarbha over multiple days until 24 April. For most of the country, there is little relief until the annual monsoon rains arrive. Labour-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, and small-scale engineering units are expected to bear the brunt of heatwaves, industry experts said. The manufacturing of steel is getting indirectly impacted due to the intense heatwaves, as most furnaces are located in open environments and the rising temperatures are affecting workers' performance," said Pankaj Chadha, chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC). Many of India's steel plants are located in regions scorched by heatwaves. Also read | Severe heatwave to result in production loss in heat-intensive industries Globally, March 2025 was the second-warmest on record after March last year, with average surface air temperatures 1.6 degree Celsius above the pre-industrial period. Studies have shown that heatwaves in India have become more frequent, intense and longer-lasting than before. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat affects worker and machine efficiency, leading to delays in production schedules and higher operational costs. Chadha of EEPC said that a recurring shortage of migrant workers during the April to June period is compounding challenges. It would be a little early to estimate the quantum of production loss at this stage," Chadha said. However, he added that compared to the impact of tariffs imposed by the US, a key trading partner, the disruption caused by the heatwave is of relatively lesser concern for the industry, at least for now. The rise in temperatures is hitting hardest at factories that operate furnaces, boilers, and other heat-generating equipment. Steel production requires melting raw materials at temperatures above 1,500C before refining and casting them into shapes. Likewise, the manufacturing of engineering goods involves heat-intensive processes such as casting, forging, and welding. According to Harsh Bansal, managing director of BMW Industries, a steel maker and trader, rising temperatures present a dual challenge for steel processing: reduced production and heightened risks to worker safety. He emphasized that increased heat strains both machinery and personnel. Also read | As temperatures soar, consumers rush for air conditioners, coolers to beat the heat Prolonged exposure to extreme heat puts workers at risk of fatigue, heat stress, dehydration, and other serious health complications," Bansal said, pointing to his company prioritizing plant ventilation, heat management systems, adjusting shift patterns and strengthening health protocols. There is no immediate relief in sight either. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected a gradual increase of 2-3C in maximum temperatures across northwest India, comprising the states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, over the next five days. According to IMD, central India may see a rise of 23C in temperatures after the next 24 hours, while eastern India is likely to experience a sharper increase of 46C over the following four days. Temperatures are currently hovering between 35C and 40C, and in the coming days, they may rise further to around 44C. According to P.R. Sinha of Trimex Industries, head of regulatory affairs at Trimex Industries, a mineral processing and trading company, the industry increasing heat affects worker safety, operational output, and the stability of infrastructure. He pointed out that excessive heat can deteriorate equipment functionality, noting that high-capacity underground ventilation and spot cooling units can help lower workplace temperatures and improve miner safety. Also read | Cyclones, heatwaves push up insurance cost for Indias wind power projects With the recent intense western disturbance having passed, maximum temperatures are expected to rise over northwest and central India," said K.J. Ramesh, former director general of IMD. As of now, we have not yet projected the expected loss in value terms. However, given the scale of the manufacturing industry, we anticipate a significant declinepossibly between 10% to 15% in the coming months," said Arun Kumar Garodia, a former chairman of EEPC and managing director of Corona Steel Industry Pvt. Ltd, which makes light engineering goods. "Severe heatwaves not only pose serious health risks but also significantly affect workers productivity," said Dr. Yudhyavir Singh, associate professor of critical care at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Extreme heat conditions demand changes in work hours, adequate hydration, and frequent rotation of labour to prevent heat stress and maintain efficiency." When workers are exposed to high temperatures without proper rest or ventilation, it can lead to heat cramps, heat stroke, and other health issues. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, excessive sweating, fever, and in extreme cases, seizures or convulsions. Preventive steps like wearing heat-protective gear, using wet cloth covers, and taking breaks in shaded or ventilated spaces are essential to safeguard health and sustain output," he added. Workers in sectors like pharmaceuticals are expected to remain relatively insulated due to their temperature-controlled manufacturing environments. Read this | Heatwaves to be more devastating than floods in future; economic growth to be impacted more, say experts Industries like textiles, shoemaking, and food and beverage processing, which rely heavily on manual labour, are more vulnerable to the operational challenges brought on by heatwaves," said Ajay Srivastava, co-founder of Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). Heat waves will be significantly disruptive for manufacturing and other sectors in India. We need to substantially liberalize open access and captive generation regulations so that manufacturing units can leverage cheap solar power to improve working conditions and productivity in their units," said Rahul Ahluwalia, founder and director of Foundation for Economic Development (FED), a policy advocacy organization. MSMEs in India are generally very wary of heatwaves and the significant challenges faced, right from impacting production due to supply chain disruptions, especially in agri inputs, power outages, productivity losses, increased energy costs, apart from causing heat-related illnesses in workers due to extreme temperatures, disrupting operations," said Vinod Kumar, president of India SME Forum, calling for heat action plans to mitigate impact. Indias trade deficit widened sharply to $21.54 billion in March, rising from a three-year low of $14.05 billion in February. Merchandise exports for FY25 stood at $437.42 billion, marginally higher than the $437.07 billion recorded in FY24, while goods imports came in at $720.24 billion in FY25, which was $678.21 billion in FY24, as per commerce ministry data. And read | On eve of Trumps tariff war, Indian industry braces for severe global consequences March's goods exports stood at $41.97 billion, while imports were $63.51 billion, compared with $36.91 billion of exports and $50.96 billion of imports in February. Extreme weather conditions, such as the ongoing heatwave, are putting significant stress on supply chains, yet again highlighting the growing importance of cold chain logistics," said Swarup Bose, founder and chief executive, Celcius Logistics. "During this season, we are observing a noticeable surge in demand for cold chain reefer vehicles and cold storages as businesses work towards protecting temperature-sensitive productsfrom fresh produce to pharmaceuticalsfrom spoilage and quality loss," Bose said. New Delhi: The federal policy think tank Niti Aayog on Tuesday laid down a road map to increase India's exports of hand and power tools to over $25 billion by 2035 from $1 billion in 2025. The plan proposed by Niti Aayog and the Foundation for Economic Development (FED) involves creating manufacturing clusters for such tools across the country, bolstered by a cumulative 57,000 crore investment by government and industry, as per a Niti Aayog press statement. Also Read | Five-year plans back at Niti Aayog, this time to cut emissions The goods included in this plan include wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers and drills, among others. The report also stated that the target of over $25 billion in exports over the next decade is possible by targeting a 10% market share of power tools exports and a 25% market share of hand tools exports. The Niti Aayog report said India has a comparative advantage over China in exporting these goods, as the US, one of the largest importers of these goods, has levied heavy tariffs on Chinese hand and power tools. India's position in the global tool market is currently overshadowed by China, which controls about half of the world's trade in hand and power tools. Also Read | Niti Aayog to launch Investment Friendliness Index by July While Chinese hand and power tool exports account for about $16 billion annuallyroughly 50% of the marketIndia's share in the global export market is marginal, illustrated by a market share of 1.8% of all hand tools and 0.8% of all power tools. However, the study published by Niti Aayog and FED suggested that the wave of Chinese tools exports, which benefited from the country's cost advantage, is likely to hit a trough in the near future, mainly due to tariffs and rising labour costs. The April 2025 report said these conditions would aid India's position in the global export market for hand and power tools. Over the last three weeks, US President Donald Trump and China have engaged in a battle of retaliatory tariffs. On 16 April, the US imposed 245% tariffs on Chinese goods, following a tussle in which both sides continued hiking tariffs against each other. Also Read | Proposed PLI scheme for container makers hangs in balance over cost concerns Experts said India could benefit from such conditions with its existing tool exporting hubs in Punjab and Maharashtra. Crypto news update: Bitcoin prices crossed the $88,100 mark on Tuesday, April 22, driven by global liquidity and renewed institutional interest in the crypto market. Even as the cryptocurrency market capitalisation witnessed a slight drop of 0.30 per cent over the past 24 hours to $2.74 trillion, according to data on CoinMarketCap, the total market volume rose 28.69 per cent to $86.64 billion. Further, volume of stablecoins was at $81.9 billion, which is 94.54 per cent of the total crypto market 24-hour volume; and DeFi trade was at $6.55 billion, which is 7.56 per cent of the total crypto market volume, CoinMarketCap data showed. Bitcoin, the world's largest crypto token by circulation, saw an increase of 0.63 per cent trade volume over the past 24 hours, taking its dominance in the market to 63.68 per cent, as per the data. Bitcoin Price Today Crosses $88,100; Ether, Solana Up At the time of writing, Bitcoin was at $88,142.63, up 0.72 per cent over the previous day, with a market cap of $1.75 trillion (also up 0.75 per cent), and trade volume of $37.58 billion, according to CoinMarketCap data. The world's second-biggest crypto, Ethereum network's Ether was up 4.20 per cent to $1,579.57 on April 22, data showed. Its market cap was at $190.67 billion (up 4.22 per cent), with trading volume of $14.36 billion. Stablecoin and the world's most-traded token, Tether, was priced at $0.9999 (it is linked to the US Dollar). Tether's market cap was at $144.72 billion, with trade volume of $67.56 billion nearly double that of Bitcoin, as per data. Donald Trump's favoured Solana token was also up to $139.03 apiece, with a market cap of $71.9 billion and volume of $3.82 billion. Industry Bullish: What Do Experts Say Lies Ahead? According to Mudrex co-founder and CEO Edul Patel, Bitcoin's upward trajectory is driven by rising global liquidity, renewed institutional interest, and an expanding M2 money supply. Other factors he listed include: Bitcoin spot ETFs seeing over $300 million in inflows, and Strategy adding 6,556 BTC to its holdings. Pointing that Bitcoin crossed the $88,500 mark early on April 22, CoinSwitch Markets Desk noted that the token is at present trading above both its 20- and 50-day moving averages. CoinDCX Research Team also noted that the technicals have turned bullish for Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Avinash Shekhar, Co-founder, and CEO of Pi42, is optimistic that Bitcoin is nearing the $90,000 mark. He feels that halving momentum, increased open interest, and strong trader sentiment are contributors. Riya Sehgal, Research Analyst, Delta Exchange, believes this is a pivotal moment, noting that Bitcoin is now trading just below the 200-day Simple Moving Average at $88,357 what she called a key technical threshold that often marks the divide between long-term bearish and bullish trends. Crypto assets have displayed resilience, further reinforcing Bitcoins narrative as a hedge against economic instability. If Bitcoin can decisively break through the $88,800 resistance, it may open the door for a rally toward the $92,000$94,000 range, according to Sehgal. Currently trading above $88,000, Bitcoin has broken out of its downtrend, signalling a healthy reversal from the recent sell-off, said Patel. He believes if bulls can sustain these levels, a move toward the $93,000 resistance is possible, with support standing at $85,000. "Meanwhile, on-chain activity shows Ethereum whale accumulation of 3,844 ETH, indicating early signs of recovery from the current levels, Patel added. Shekhar concurs, The market is filled with confidence as traders celebrate big milestones and anticipate further gains. Altcoins are experiencing renewed interest as investors respond to changing dynamics and look for potential prospects. Bitcoin has reclaimed the $87,500 mark, while Ethereum is probing the $1,500 resistance, with obvious signs of increased market action and investor interest. Dogecoin and other top altcoins are steadily advancing, indicating careful but optimistic momentum. Overall, the crypto market sentiment continues to be bullish backed by excellent technical indicators as well as increased participation. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltds acquisition of a coal export terminal has some analysts questioning its growth prospects. While the deal is expected to strengthen Adani Ports global footprint and bring it closer to its 2030 cargo target, not all investors are convinced. The stock is down 1.4% since the announcement, with an intraday drop of up to 4% on Mondaymarking the steepest two-day decline in two weeks. On Thursday, the Gautam Adani-promoted company said it would acquire Abbot Point Port Holdings Pte Ltd, the parent of North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT), for AUD 3.98 billion (approximately 21,783.33 crore). The seller? Carmichael Rail and Port Singapore Holdings Pte Ltda Singapore-based entity controlled by the Adani family. The deal will be funded by issuing 143.8 million equity shares, effectively transferring ownership of the Australian coal terminal back to Adani Ports from its promoters after more than a decade. Read this | Norway fund giant Norges cuts off Adani Ports The deal still awaits key approvals, including from minority shareholders, the Reserve Bank of India, and Australias Foreign Investment Review Board. Meanwhile, the terminal has had its share of setbacks: it struggled to attract outside funding and required the Adani family to step in and repay $500 million to bondholders in late 2022. In 2020, it also lost a major access fee lawsuit, with the Queensland Supreme Court awarding over $100 million in damages to four companies, according to news reports. There have been environmental concerns around NQXT that havent entirely gone away," said Shriram Subramanian, founder and managing director of proxy advisory firm InGovern. Valuation is another aspect that merits attention, particularly since this is a related-party transaction, a factor that naturally invites closer scrutiny by investors." That said, he acknowledges the companys earlier decision to divest from the Myanmar port project as a sign of its sensitivity to global investor expectations. While there are some valid questions around the deal, it is clear the company has made efforts in the past to align with broader stakeholder concerns, Subramanian added. Read this | Mint Explainer: What are related party transactions and why do they run into controversies Valuation without growth? From a valuation perspective, the numbers are puzzling. NQXT was valued at 17x EV/Ebitda in FY13, when Adani Ports sold it to its promoter group. The FY25 estimate? Still 17x, according to the companys presentation. Read this | BlackRock buys nearly third of Adani group promoters $1 bn private bonds In an 18 April note, Nuvama Institutional Equities, which has retained its buy rating on the Adani Ports stock, said the AUD 3.98 billion valuation (enterprise value, including AUD 819 million in net debt) is in line with that earlier deal, and comes at a discount to recent regional transactions, which have ranged between 18 and 25x EV/Ebitda. So, at 17 times for an asset thats seen virtually no growth, where is the future growth supposed to come from?" asked an analyst at a brokerage, requesting anonymity. Some brokerages argue that growth will stem not from volumes but from pricing power. NQXT has 40 million tonnes of contracted volume, and revenue is expected to reach AUD 349 million with an Ebitda margin of 65% in FY25, pointed out a report by Elara Capital dated 20 April. In the next four years, Ebitda is targeted to double to AUD 400 million, led by a rise in contracted capacity to 50 million tonnes via customer addition, contract renewals at higher price and group synergy," said analyst Ankita Shah in the report. Owning the terminal outright improves the economics, too. According to Elara's Shah, the shift from a 10% O&M margin to a 90% operating margin could drive substantial profit gains. With no major capex expected until 2030, the deal could also boost return on capital employedthough high depreciation costs may keep net profit gains modest in the near term. Still, the funding structure remains a key question. The issuance of 143.8 million new shares implies a meaningful equity dilution. Nuvama estimates a 2% earnings per share dilution in FY26, but expects profits to recover from the second year onward as synergies kick in. Strategically, the asset is important. NQXT sits close to the Bowen and Galilee coal basins and offers Adani Ports a stronger foothold in Asia-facing trade corridors. Also read | Two port stocks stand out on the charts. Is Adani Ports one of them? Motilal Oswal Financial Services, which has a buy rating on the stock, said in an 18 April note that the deal strengthens the companys global footprint. The brokerage will update its growth forecasts once the acquisition closes. But as the market reaction shows, scale isnt everything. Stock market today: Gensol Engineering shares, which are in a freefall since the past couple of months, hit fresh 52-week low on Tuesday, April 22, following fresh reports that after the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is likely to take action against the promoters Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi. According to a report in the business daily The Economic Times, ED is likely to summon the promoters of Gensol Engineering, brothers Anmol and Puneet Singh Jaggi, in the Mahadev Book application case. The report added that ED has not yet written to the Jaggi brothers to join the probe. However, ED recently froze more than 500,000 Gensol shares in the matter, as its suspects artificial price fluctuations in stocks, it added. BSE seeks clarification from Gensol Engineering Following this news report in The Economic Times today, BSE sought clarification from Gensol Engineering. The company said in a BSE filing today, The Exchange has sought clarification from Gensol Engineering Ltd on April 22, 2025, with reference to news appeared in www.economictimes.indiatimes.com dated April 22, 2025, quoting ED may grill Jaggi brothers of Gensol for Mahadev link. Meanwhile, Gensol Engineering investors continued to flee the small-cap stock following SEBI action and allegations of fraud against the promoters. Sebi, through its interim order on Tuesday last week, barred brothers Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi from accessing the securities markets until further notice. The action comes amid accusations of siphoning off loan funds from their publicly listed company Gensol Engineering for personal use, raising concerns over corporate governance and financial misconduct. SEBI also put the proposed 1:10 stock split on hold by the company to protect gullible retail investors. Gensol Engineering shares crash 90% from peak Against this backdrop, Gensol Engineering shares declined for the ninth straight session on Tuesday. The small-cap stock was locked in the 5% lower circuit of 106.10 apiece, also its fresh 52-week low level on the BSE. On the NSE, Gensol Engineering share price hit 105.17, the lower circuit as well as the 52-week low level. From its 52-week high of 1,125.75, the stock is now down 90.57%, massively denting shareholder value. Indus Towers shares have been on an uptrend for the last five straight sessions, and the telecom stock is expected to remain in focus during Tuesday's trading. This is due to the GoI raising its stake in Vodafone Idea from 22.60% to 48.99%, converting 36,950 crore AGR dues into fresh equity. The market believes the development will likely help the company recover 500 crore in dues and declare a dividend to reward its shareholders. According to stock market experts, this revival of Vodafone Idea can be a big boost for the beleaguered telecom company. However, they believe its revival has positive implications for Indus Towers, which provides passive telecom infrastructure to leading operators, including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea. So, it becomes tricky whether one should buy Vodafone Idea shares, which have already ascended over 10% on Monday, or one should look at Indus Towers shares, which are expected to remain in focus during Tuesday's deals. Vodafone Idea news Speaking on the benefit for Indus Towers after the revival of Vodafone Idea AGR dues, Sugandha Sachdeva, Founder of SS WealthStreet, said, "The outlook for Indus Towers share has received a significant boost following the Government of India's decisive action regarding Vodafone Idea (Vi). This revival has positive implications for Indus Towers, which provides passive telecom infrastructure to leading operators, including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea." "Vi is a major customer for Indus Towers. In Q4 FY25, Indus Towers reportedly recovered 500 crore of pending dues from Vodafone Idea, a boost that enhances its free cash flow. With a 100% FCF payout policy, this recovery improves the likelihood of a healthy dividend announcement alongside its Q4 results," said Sugandha. She said the government's intervention in stabilising Vodafone Idea significantly de-risks Indus Towers' exposure to its key client and unlocks potential future growth avenues from Vi's network investments. Indus Towers shares: What fundamentals signal Pointing towards the fundamentals of Indus Towers shares, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said, "Despite these challenges, Indus Towers reported a remarkable 160% year-on-year net profit surge in Q3 FY25, reaching 4,003 crore, driven by robust additions to its tower and colocation portfolio, along with substantial collections from overdue payments, including from a major customer, widely presumed to be Vodafone Idea. The company's operational revenue grew by 4.8% to 7,547 crore, while EBITDA soared by 93.2% to 6,997 crore, significantly boosting its EBITDA margin to 92.7%, up from 50.3% in the previous year. These financial figures reflect Indus Towers' strong operational resilience and efficient management of its infrastructure assets." "Buzz about Vodafone Idea's 500 crore payment to Indus Towers, while positive, only covers a small portion of its outstanding dues. This partial payment is a positive sign of Vodafone Idea's intent to clear its dues. Still, the remaining unpaid amounts and ongoing financial challenges present risks to Indus Towers' future revenue stability," the SMC expert said. In terms of risk factors involved in Indus Towers' sales due to Vodafone Idea's financial burden, Seema Srivastava said, "For investors, Indus Towers' strong financial performance is attractive, but the uncertainty surrounding Vodafone Idea's ability to clear its remaining debts calls for caution. While Indus Towers displays strong fundamentals, the financial interdependence between the two companies adds a layer of risk that requires careful assessment before making investment decisions." Vodafone Idea shares: Will the rally continue On fundamental changes expected after GoI bailing out Vodafone Idea from the AGR dues, Sugandha Sachdeva of SS WealthStreet said, The government has converted outstanding dues into equity, increasing its stake in Vi from 22.6% to nearly 49% (valuing the conversion around Rs.36,950 crore). This move is a crucial lifeline for the financially stressed telecom operator and is expected to substantially ease VIL's cash flow burden over the next three years. "This restructuring will provide Vi with substantial cash flow relief over the next three years. The relief will likely aid Vi in settling past debts and, potentially, secure new funding for its much-needed 4G network expansion and initial 5G rollouts in key markets. This addresses a major overhang on Vi's operational capabilities," Sugandha added. Vodafone Idea vs Indus Towers: Which stock should you buy? Speaking on the outlook of Vodafone Idea shares, Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree Investment and Securities, said, Vodafone Idea forming a bullish rectangle on the daily chart, with a recent high-volume bar hinting at a potential breakout. For the breakout to sustain, the stock must close above 8.40. A sustained move beyond this level could lead to a test of 10.50, the logical target. However, significant supply on the left side of the chart may act as a hurdle, potentially capping the upside. Bulls need strong follow-through to overcome resistance and confirm momentum. On the outlook of Indus Towers shares, Anshul Jain said, Indus Towers share price has broken out of a bullish 134-day rounding bottom pattern at 400, but the breakout lacks volume, making it a risky runaway breakout. A close below 390 would invalidate the setup. However, if the stock sustains above 406, a rally toward 430 remains highly probable. Traders should stay cautious and look for volume confirmation on follow-through days to gauge the move's strength and avoid potential whipsaws. Samhi Hotels share price has experienced a significant surge over the past two weeks, rising nearly 20% during this period. The hotel stock has climbed more than 45% from its 52-week low, raising questions about whether the rally in this small-cap company is sustainable. Analysts have a positive outlook on Samhi Hotels stock, with brokerage firm PhillipCapital India initiating coverage with a 'Buy' rating, while setting a target price of 243, suggesting a possible growth of 38% from current levels. According to the report, the domestic brokerage is optimistic about the company due to the stability offered by corporate travellers, collaborations with leading global brands, demonstrated expertise in turnaround strategies, and improvements in key metrics. PhillipCapital India explained that Samhi has strategically invested in major office markets such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Delhi NCR, which experience high demand. This strategy mitigates the cyclicality commonly observed in the leisure sector. Furthermore, over the years, the management has refined its approach to identifying undervalued or distressed assets and enhancing them to their true inherent worth. The companys exposure to the upper upscale and upscale segments is projected to grow from 22% of key inventory in FY24 to 27% in FY27. This upward shift is expected to lead to increased income from assets and an enhancement in operating margins by 600-1000 basis points for the same hotel. Also Read | Penny stock below 5 hits upper circuit after stock split announcement Moreover, the report indicates that the firm has experienced a rise in operating margin from 28% in FY24 to 35% in 9MFY25, attributed to a decrease in ESOP costs and enhanced margins in the ACIC portfolio. Additional margin growth is anticipated as the ESOP costs continue to decline and the margins in ACIC stabilise. The current Net Debt to EBITDA ratio stands at 4.9x, however, with a notable increase in operating profit, we forecast this will drop to 3.1x by FY27. Outlook and view "Samhi is the largest multi brand hotel operator in India with 4,823 keys across 31 hotels in 13 major cities (post sale of Four Points by Sheraton in Chennai in February 2025). Through strong institutional backing they have mastered the acquisition and turn around model approach in large office markets where a significant mismatch in demand and supply exists. They currently operate at an occupancy level of 74% as on 9MFY25 and we are expecting this to increase to ~75% by FY27. We are expecting an increase of 10.4% in ARR and 11.4% in RevPAR over the next three years. We expect a CAGR growth of 8.9% / 11.9% / 58.9% in Net Sales / EBITDA / PAT respectively for the period between FY25E-27E. We initiate coverage with a Target Price of 243/- with a potential upside of 37.8%," said PhillipCapital India in its report. Technical Outlook Samhi Hotels share price slumped 3% today. The stock opened at 182.05 apiece on the BSE, and touched an intraday high of 182.75 apiece and an intraday low of 176.10 per share. Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree Investment and Securities, explained that after this sharp move, a brief consolidation and moving average catch-up are likely for the next 12 weeks. Once the base builds, the next leg of the rally towards 225 looks highly probable. Traders should keep it on radar for a post-consolidation breakout, Jain said. Stocks to buy for short term: Indian stock market has been enjoying a healthy run over the last five consecutive sessions. In these five sessions of gains, the Sensex has jumped 5,561 points, or 7.5 per cent, the Nifty 50 has gained 1,726 points, or 7.7 per cent and investors have become richer by about 32 lakh crore. On Monday, April 21, the Nifty 50 reclaimed 24,125. Experts expect the index to reach 24,45024,500 in the short term. "The Nifty 50 has given a clean breakout above the previous swing high on the daily chart as optimism among investors increases. Sentiment is expected to remain positive as long as the index sustains above the critical moving average. Moreover, the Nifty has moved above the critical resistance of 24,100. Therefore, it looks well on track to reach the 24,45024,500 zone in the short term. On the lower end, support is placed at 23,850," said Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities. Experts say one should focus on quality stocks and avoid aggressive bets. Vishnu Kant Upadhyay of Master Capital Services and Hardik Matalia of Choice Broking recommend buying the following six stocks for the next 2-3 weeks. Take a look: Also Read | Stocks to buy for short term: Jigar Patel of Anand Rathi suggests 3 stock picks Expert: Vishnu Kant Upadhyay, AVP - Research & Advisory at Master Capital Services State Bank of India (SBI) | Previous close: 816.70 | Target price: 850, 860 | Stop loss: 755 SBI has witnessed a decisive breakout from a well-formed inverse head and shoulders pattern on the daily chart, signalling a strong bullish reversal. The neckline breakout above 780 was accompanied by a sharp surge in volume and price, confirming buying strength. The stock has closed above both its 50-day and 200-day EMAs, reinforcing the bullish momentum. "With the price now sustaining above the neckline support, further upside toward the 850, 860 levels looks likely. The pattern also indicates improved investor sentiment and a potential trend reversal from recent consolidation," said Upadhyay. ICICI Bank | Previous close: 1,409.80 | Target price: 1,520, 1,540 | Stop loss: 1,320 ICICI Bank has given a bullish breakout above the resistance level of 1,350-1,360, supported by strong volumes and momentum. The price has sustained well above all key EMAs (21, 55, 100, and 200), indicating a strong uptrend. RSI is near 72, reflecting bullish strength without overbought exhaustion. MACD crossover remains positive with rising histogram bars, further validating upward momentum. "The breakout from a multi-month consolidation suggests fresh buying interest and potential for a sustained rally. As long as the stock holds above 1,320, it may head toward 1,520 and 1,540 in the near term. Buy-on-dips strategy is recommended," Upadhyay said. LIC Housing Finance | Previous close: 606.35 | Target price: 658, 675 | Stop loss: 562 LIC Housing Finance has confirmed a classic inverse head and shoulders breakout on the daily chart, indicating a strong bullish reversal pattern. The stock has broken above the neckline near 580 and is now trading above all major EMAs, reinforcing trend strength. The RSI is at 65, showing bullish momentum, while the MACD has given a fresh positive crossover. "Sustained price action above the neckline could lead to further upside towards 658 and then 675 in the near term. Near-term support aligns around 562. With improving structure and buying volume, the stock offers a favourable risk-reward opportunity for positional traders," said Upadhyay. Also Read | Shares to buy or sell: Chandan Taparia recommends three stocks to buy today Expert: Hardik Matalia, a derivatives analyst at Choice Broking C.E. Info Systems (MapmyIndia) | Previous close: 1,787.50 | Target price: 1,950, 1,985 | Stop loss: 1,705 MapmyIndia has been consolidating within a wide range after a sharp decline of nearly 45 per cent from its peak. This extended base formation near the lower end of the range signals accumulation and a possible trend reversal. "The stock is now approaching a crucial resistance at 1,800, and a sustained move above this level could confirm a breakout, paving the way for a near-term rally toward the 1,950 1,985 zone," said Matalia. The stock has rebounded well from lower levels and is now trading above its short-term (20-day) and medium-term (50-day) EMAs, while nearing its long-term (200-day) EMA. Matalia believes a close above this long-term average would further strengthen the bullish case. The RSI stands at 64.82 and is trending upwards, indicating rising momentum and growing buying interest. "Traders can consider buying at the current level of 1,787.50 with a stop loss at 1,705. A breakout above 1,800 could unlock further upside, making it an attractive opportunity for short-term gains and positional buying," said Matalia. IFCI | Previous close: 45.48 | Target price: 51.50, 52.50 | Stop loss: 42.50 After a prolonged bearish phase, IFCI is now consolidating in a narrow range, signalling potential accumulation near lower levels. The recent price action indicates early signs of a reversal, supported by buying interest from the bottom, hinting at a shift in sentiment. "A decisive and sustainable move above the 46 mark would confirm a breakout from this consolidation phase, potentially triggering a fresh up move toward the 51.50 52.50 zone in the near term," said Matalia. The stock has rebounded from lower levels and has already surpassed its short-term (20-day) EMA. It is now approaching its medium-term (50-day) EMA, and a successful breach could pave the way toward testing its long-term (200-day) EMAfurther strengthening the bullish outlook. The RSI stands at 55.89 and is trending upwards, reflecting building momentum and improving strength. "Traders can consider buying at the current market price of 45.48 with a stop loss at 42.50. A breakout above 46 could unlock further upside, making it attractive for short-term gains," Matalia said. Vedant Fashions (Manyavar) | Previous close: 802.30 | Target price: 890, 910 | Stop loss: 757 Manyavar witnessed a steep decline of nearly 50 per cent from its highs. After this correction, the stock moved sideways, forming a base near the lower levels, which indicates possible accumulation and a pause in the downtrend. "The recent price action suggests the stock is attempting to break out of this consolidation range. A sustained move above 825 would confirm the breakout and could lead to a bounce towards the near-term resistance zone of 890 910," said Matalia. Technically, Manyavar is now trading above its short-term (20-day) EMA and is approaching its medium-term (50-day) EMA. A successful breach of the medium-term average would further validate the reversal setup and strengthen the bullish sentiment. The RSI is at 50.27 and shows signs of an upward reversal, improving momentum and growing buying interest. "Traders may consider buying at the current price of 802.30 with a stop loss at 757. A breakout above 825 could unlock further upside, offering a favourable risk-reward setup in the short term," said Matalia. Read all market-related news here Read more stories by Nishant Kumar When Warren Buffett hosts Woodstock for Capitalists" 11 days from now, hell have replaced one pesky question with another. Berkshire Hathaway is sitting on more cash than any company in history, including its own, at about $318 billion. Much of it piled up the old-fashioned way, in a steady stream from the conglomerates subsidiaries and investments. That got turbocharged last year when Berkshire sold a large chunk of its stock portfolionotably shares of Apple. The gigantic bet dating to 2016 had made some investors nervous. Now that the iPhone maker has lost $1 trillion, or a quarter of its value, since its December peak, Buffett looks prescient. But is his massive cash-hoard part of a grand plan to swoop in and buy stocks cheaply now that a possible bear market looms? And does Buffett anticipate tariff-induced chaos getting so bad that Berkshire can earn another bonanza bailing out blue chip companies, as he did during the financial crisis? First it helps to understand why he probably sold. Berkshires large Apple stake, which it began building in 2016 to some investors discomfort, had become massiveprobably the most lucrative single-stock investment of all time. Berkshires paper gains when it began selling were around $110 billion. It wasnt the first time Buffetts investors second-guessed his bet on what already seemed like a fully priced stock. Between 1988 and 1994, Berkshire made what was then its largest ever portfolio investment in Coca-Cola. By 1998 it had appreciated tenfold, trading at 45 times earnings. Buffett said years later that he regretted not lightening his position. It was a really wonderful business that sold at a very silly price." He heaped similar praise on Apple and its chief executive, Tim Cook, but the Coke experience probably influenced his thinking. I would be surprised if it didnt come to mind for him," says Adam J. Mead, a New Hampshire money manager and Buffetologist who is the author of The Complete Financial History of Berkshire Hathaway." With markets wobbling and a recession possible, Berkshires cash pile has reassured its investors, helping it beat the S&P 500 by nearly 25 percentage points this year. When and how will it be invested? That is complicated. His opportunity set is pretty small," says investing newsletter writer Alex Morris, author of Buffett And Munger Unscripted." With the conglomerates market value over $1 trillion, it takes a lot to move the needle. Back in 2009 Berkshire made its largest-ever acquisition, agreeing to pay $26 billion for Burlington Northern Santa Fe, then Americas largest railroad by revenue. Today that would be less than a tenth of his cash hoard and just 2.5% of Berkshires value. Two possibilities Morris raises: Buying the remainder of longtime holdings Coca-Cola or American Express and taking them private, which would run around $280 billion or $130 billion, respectively. What about the sort of lucrative lifelines Berkshire extended to blue chips Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and Dow Chemical during the financial crisis, should similar opportunities arise? Theyd have to be significantly larger to make a dent," says Morris. One troubling interpretation of his cash hoard is that Buffett knows something about the tariff-hit economy we dont. That is almost certainly true. Hes getting real-time information" through companies in his wide-ranging conglomerate, says Mead. But it doesnt necessarily mean he sees disaster ahead. It only tells us that the handful of securities it is worth his while to snap upincluding Berkshire Hathaway stockjust arent priced right. And, with his Treasury bills at least yielding something now, he is getting paid to wait. Buffett knew when to sell this time. Deciding when, and what, to buy has become much harder. Write to Spencer Jakab at Spencer.Jakab@wsj.com Nepal is a tiny Himalayan nation, but its cuisine is remarkably diverse. A Nepali food experience rising through the ranks of menus is the thakali thali , that has wound its way through various Indian cities as well. Thakali thali is a traditional platter originating from the community living in the Thak Khola valley in the Mustang region of Nepal. It features a harmonious combination of rice, lentils, vegetables, meat and homemade pickles. The basic components are black dal, gundruk (fermented leafy green saag dish), rice, seasonal chutneys and a protein (usually mutton). Thakali is more than just a meal; its a representation of Nepalese hospitality and the balanced flavors of the region. The cuisine holds a special place in Nepalese culture, often served during festivals and family gatherings," explains Vishal Mehra, Cluster General Manager, Kathmandu Marriott Hotel. Thakali thali is one of their best-sellers, loved by both locals who crave authentic flavours and tourists eager to try Nepals iconic dishes. Its a must-try for anyone visiting their in-house restaurant Thamel Kitchen. Also read: A Newar Buddhist festival in Nepal For the longest time, thakali thali was limited to the arid Mustang region of Nepal with the Thakali sect of Nepals population who were primarily traders of salt and silk. As Michael Vinding notes in his book The Thakali: A Himalayan Ethnography (1998): As recently as fifty years ago no Westerner had visited Thak Khola, and in the West almost nothing was known of the Thakali." Over the past few decades, some traders turned into powerful business families and expanded the dish to the Annapurna region where mountain climbers first sampled the dish before it moved to Kathmandu, says Prakriti Lama Patel, who grew up in the region and runs the Himalayan-cuisine themed restaurant Across in Mumbai. It was here that the thakali thali started getting popular at the turn of the century when the dish entered restaurant menus. Jimbu Thakali is one of the most popular restaurants in Kathmandu started by Vivek Sherchan who returned from the USA after studying hospitality and opened it in 2017 to popularise his mother Prabha Sherchans traditional thakali thali in Kathmandu. We are the most well-known brand in Nepal for thakali thali today and sell close to 450 thalis every day. We prepare the dish in the traditional format and see a lot of locals coming in for the thali, apart from a growing number of intrepid foreigners," says Sangita Shrestha, Captain at Jimbu Thakalis Jhamsikhel branch in Kathmandu. Considering Indias own famed history with thalis, it is a matter of time before this popular dish from Nepal makes its mark in the country. Already, a few restaurants from Bhubaneshwar to Mumbai serve thakali thali and Jimbu is attempting to launch in Delhi once again after a failed attempt due to Covid-19. Viveks wife Shreeja Jha Sarchen says, Were opening Jimbu Thakali in Delhi later this year along with our American diner Capital Grill. We faced supply chain issues earlier but now its easier to import our masalas and dal so were confident of replicating our success in Nepal in India as well." In India, Yeti Himalayan Kitchen has been serving thakali thalis across their outlets from Bhubaneshwar to Pune over the past decade. Goumtesh Joy Singh, partner at Yeti, says that the thakali offers great value for money and that there has been more awareness about it lately. At Yeti, we serve thakali thali with options in six varieties of protein such as chicken, pork, paneer, mushroom along with black dal, gundruk, rice and kheer. Across our outlets, diners love to try the thakali thali. We see a lot of younger crowds experimenting with the thali," he informs. Lama Patel, who runs Across with her husband chef Viraf Patel, says the Mustard Black Dal on the menu is a homage to the thakali thali in an elevated yet approachable setting. Ive been thinking about opening a chain of thakali thalis because its a dish I grew up eating in Nepal ever since I was a child. When we launched Across in November 2024, I was sure of introducing the Mustang Black Dal as the star of the dish. I got the idea from Viraf who loves to mix his meat with the dal and have it like a soup," Lama Patel says. The Mustang Black Dal at Across is tempered with jimbu (Nepalese Allium) and is accompanied with ghee-infused rice, chutneys and pickles. In Kolkata, chef Sachiko Seth, partner at Blue Poppy Thakali, says the thali will get its due sooner than later as theres a trend of trying new dishes now. Seth says the restaurant sells about 30 portions of thakali thali every day and more on weekends, with their version using local gobindobhog rice apart from other traditional ingredients. Lama Patel of Across says thakali has made great strides already. If you think about it, its far easier for language, culture, cuisine to travel along flatlands compared to mountains, especially the ones in Nepal where people on both sides of the mountain speak different languages. From being a staple meal along highway dhabas in upper regions of Nepal to becoming a mainstay in Kathmandu and now travelling across to India, thakali thalis have had quite a journey in the last two decades." With the upcoming launch of Jimbu Thakali and new outlets in Mumbai, from Yeti Himalayan Kitchen already in the works, the once-humble thakali thali seems on course to find more eager diners. Priyanko Sarkar is a Mumbai-based writer covering the F&B industry. Also read: 3 great Himalayan summer getaways In 2023, when IndusInd Bank launched the Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card, the joining fee was Rs. 40,000 + Taxes, and the annual renewal fee was Rs. 10,000 + Taxes. However, recently in April 2025, the bank has reduced the joining fee to Rs. 10,000 + Taxes and the annual renewal fee to Rs. 5,000 + Taxes. There are some changes in the reward structure also. In this article, we will understand all the changes in the card fees, features and benefits and whether you should take this card now. Also Read | Maximize your rewards: 6 best credit cards for April 2025 What is the IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card? The IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card is a first-of-its-kind multi-branded credit card. IndusInd Bank has partnered with British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club for this premium metal card. These are the frequent flyer programs (FFPs) of British Airways and Qatar Airways. It is a travel credit card with the best-in-class rewards, specifically for international flights. The credit card awards the cardholders with Avios, the rewards currency for British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. Some of the international travel benefits that the card offers include a lower forex markup at the selected preferred destination, complimentary meet-and-greet service at leading international airports, complimentary airport lounge access, etc. Features and benefits The IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card offers the following features and benefits. 1. Welcome benefit: The cardholder will get a welcome benefit of 20,000 bonus Avios. The Avios will be credited after 15 days of payment of joining fees. 2. Earning Avios: For every Rs. 200 spent using the card, you earn Avios as follows. Spends category Avios Spends in the selected preferred international destination for Point of Sale (POS) transactions 6 Online spends on selected preferred international destination 3 Spends in domestic and international destinations 3 Spends on Qatar Airways & British Airways website and App 5 Spends on utilities, Government services, education and insurance 1 All other spends 3 Source: IndusInd Bank website For points 1 and 2 above, the preferred international destination must be selected at the time of card application. The choices for the selection of the preferred international destination include: Americas (North and South America) Europe and North Asia Middle East and South Asia Africa Australia, New Zealand, Far East and others The request for change in the preferred international destination can be placed after a card anniversary year is completed. The applicant has to select the preferred airline loyalty program between Qatar Airways Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club at the time of card application. Accordingly, the 5 Avios for every Rs. 200 spent will be given for spends on the selected preferred airline website and App. The Avios will be credited to your account post 10 days of monthly credit card statement generation. Fuel spends will not earn any Avios. i) Low forex markup: The cardholder can enjoy a low forex markup of 1.5% for spends at the preferred international destination. ii) Milestone benefits: The credit card has two spend-based milestones as follows: 18,000 bonus Avios on spending Rs. 8 lakhs in a year Additional 18,000 bonus Avios on spending the next Rs. 8 lakhs in a year Thus, a cardholder can earn 36,000 bonus Avios on spending Rs. 16 lakhs in a year. On achieving the spending milestone(s), the bonus Avios will be credited 10 days post statement generation. Complimentary meet and greet service: The cardholder can enjoy two complimentary meet and greet services per year at leading international airports. The service includes assistance for smooth check-in, security, immigration and some other services. It ensures a seamless and stress-free travel experience. Complimentary lounge access: The cardholder can get complimentary access to international airport lounges across the world, twice per calendar quarter through Priority Pass. The cardholder can get complimentary access to domestic airport lounges, twice per calendar quarter. 10% discount on flight tickets: If the cardholder chooses Qatar Airways Privilege Club as the preferred airline loyalty program, they will get a 10% discount on flight tickets. The discount will be applicable for flight bookings made on the Qatar Airways website or mobile App on all flights originating from India. Redemption of Avios As mentioned earlier, the card gives rewards for all eligible spends in the form of Avios. So, let us now understand where and how you can use the Avios. The Avios can be used on the British Airways and Qatar Airways websites and respective Apps. On the British Airways website and App, you can use Avios for: Booking reward flights Paying for upgrading a regular cash booking to the next cabin Booking holiday packages Paying for baggage and reserving seats Booking hotels Booking car rentals Booking memorable tours and experiences across the globe If you dont have sufficient Avios, you can make a partial payment with Avios and the remaining with other payment modes (for example, credit or debit cards, internet banking, etc.). On the Qatar Airways website and App, you can use Avios for: Booking award flights Paying for seat selection Purchasing extra baggage Paying for seat upgrade Paying for shopping and dining at Qatar Duty Free Bidding for exclusive tailored packages for exceptional experiences Booking vacation packages offered by Qatar Airways Holidays Transferring them to your loved ones Transferring them to other partner loyalty programs like Accor Live Limitless, Mariott Bonvoy, British Airways Executive Club, Meera Rewards, etc., in a specified transfer ratio. If you dont have sufficient Avios, you can part-pay with Avios and the remaining with cash. British Airways and Qatar Airways are members of the Oneworld alliance. So, you can use Avios to book flights of airlines that are members of the Oneworld alliance. Thus, your Avios can take you to any destination where the Oneworld partners fly to. Joining and renewal fees The card has a joining fee of Rs. 10,000 + Taxes. The cardholder gets a welcome benefit of 20,000 Avios on payment of joining fees. The card has a renewal fee of Rs. 5,000 + Taxes. The cardholder gets a renewal benefit of 5,000 Avios on payment of renewal fees. Should you take this credit card? To decide whether to take the IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card, consider the following factors. Do you travel frequently to international destinations? If yes, do you travel frequently through Qatar Airways, British Airways or Oneworld alliance members? If yes, consider taking the IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card. Along with earning Avios, you will get benefits, like a 1.5% low forex markup for spends at the preferred international destination, airport lounge access, meet and greet service, etc. The recent reduction in the joining and renewal fees improves the card value proposition. All these benefits make the travel experience seamless and stress-free, thus making the card worthy of consideration. Lately, a number of tax payers have received tax notices from the income tax department for their HRA (house rent allowance) claim. Primarily, these tax notices were sent for not deducting 2 percent TDS (tax deducted at source) while transferring rent to the property owner. It is recommended to follow a three-step checklist to ensure it does not happen. Three step checklist: I. Rent agreement: First and foremost, it is vital to prepare a rent agreement. The agreement is a legal proof that the contract is real. II. Transfer to bank account: Another important thing to remember is to transfer rent to the bank account rather than paying in cash. When you transfer rent to the relative's bank account rather than in cash, you create a traceable record of this transaction, says Chirag Chauhan, a Mumbai based Chartered Accountant. III.TDS: Another key thing to follow is to deduct 2 percent tax deducted at source (TDS) at the time of transferring the rent to the tenant. Also Read | Claimed HRA but skipped TDS on rent? The taxman wants answers New tax regime Those who are opting for the new tax regime while filing their income tax return must note that the HRA exemption is not allowed in the new tax regime. So, to be able to claim HRA allowance, you must be filing your tax return under the old tax regime. This exemption is given under section 10(13A) for salaried individuals. In fact, taxpayers can claim exemption for HRA as well as for the interest on home loan under the old tax regime in the same year. How is HRA calculated? The Income Tax (I-T) department has uploaded an HRA calculator which you can access here. It helps you calculate the HRA after you enter the inputs. It asks for three parts of income: basic salary, dearness allowance (DA), commission. Then the taxpayer has to enter the HRA received and rent paid. After entering these details, the calculator gives you the exempted HRA as well as taxable HRA. Navneet Munot, MD and CEO of HDFC Asset Management Company (HDFC AMC) is one of the most recognised names in Indias mutual fund industry. He has over three decades of experience managing assets. Taking care of assets worth over 6 lakh crore, Munot has played an immensely important role in shaping up the investment landscape in India. He has also held several prominent positions at SBI funds management and Morgan Stanley investment management. His roles at these leading firms have contributed to the growth of the Indian financial sector. Serving as the Chairman of the Association of mutual funds in India (AMFI) he has also participated in key SEBI committees on ESG and market regulation. Core investment ideology: Time, patience and sound investments Now, at the core of Munots investment strategy is the concept of STP. Further, STP stands for Sound investments, Time and Patience. He puts emphasis on long term, calm and disciplined investing over short term, thrill based speculation, stressing that wealth creation is a gradual process of taking several good investment decisions and is not about rushing with investments. Also Read | 5 investing lessons from Jeremy Grantham on avoiding herd mentality This process of compounding wealth by thinking long term, benefits those who start with their investments early and remain committed. Munots own investment journey started in the 1980s when Sensex was in its initial stages. Today the same index hovers around 79,500 levels. To further elaborate on the same and the role of compounding let us take a look at the past 5 year returns of Nifty 50: Year Nifty 50 (yearly return) 2025 1.66% (YTD) 2024 8.75% 2023 19.42% 2022 4.32% 2021 24.12% Source: PrimeInvestor The above data clearly directs investors to focus on the long-term compounding process instead of short term thrills. On a long term basis Nifty 50 generally compounds by 13-14%, that is why investors should keep these figures in mind while making investment decisions. Further, Munots strategy elaborates on not only focusing on the process of compounding but also on the importance of composure, patience and staying invested in strong businesses that have delivered strong earnings. He has always encouraged new investors to stick to this simple investment strategy even during stock market corrections, volatility and economic downturns. Read, build knowledge and focus on Indian market fundamentals Despite uncertainties related to Trump tariffs, US-China trade war and domestic market fluctuations, Munot has always stayed bullish on Indias long-term growth potential. Indian equity markets are hence a stock pickers paradise if someone focuses on building knowledge, reading and understanding the fundamentals of the Indian economy. This simple idea has been elaborated by him through numerous press interactions. Indias young population, demographic dividend and the ongoing economic reforms are key drivers of market potential and future growth possibilities. According to his thesis, It is also important to remember that market corrections in India present opportunities for those investors who can focus and identify undervalued stocks. The rapid financialisation of savings in India, with SIPs now contributing more than 24,000 crore in monthly inflows into mutual funds is also a crucial point to keep in mind while making investment decisions. Focusing on championing ESG and sensible investing Munot has long been a proponent of sensible investing, championing the integration of environmental, social and governance factors into his holistic investment thesis. He has been at the forefront of pushing for sustainable investment ideology in India during his association with SEBI as the chair of the first ESG committee. Through these ideas, investors can inculcate the habit of making sensible investment decisions while adhering to social responsibility norms and aligning with global standards. A key step in this particular process is to read and stay informed by reading extensively about the social, environmental and governance (ESG) aspects of investing and incorporating and inculcating these ideals into investment ideologies. What can be learnt by retail investors from Munots vision Munot, like several other prominent investment leaders envisions India becoming a major player in the global investment ecosystem. Through his numerous media interactions he has projected that Indias demographic dividend, coupled with its rapidly evolving digital infrastructure along with government led initiatives will create significant investment opportunities in the years to come. To make the most of this growth opportunity retail investors in India should diligently read, discuss with certified investment advisors, focus on the process of long term compounding and invest in businesses that can scale the numbers and deliver in the long run. What is the cultural shift taking place in the Indian investment landscape? SIPs have now turned a corner and are the real deal today in the country. The number of individuals opting for a disciplined and systematic approach towards investment have rapidly risen over the past few years. The major reason for this is both rising financial and digital literacy. Today with more than 24,000 crore flowing into mutual funds SIPs every month according to AMFI data, this trend is a major catalyst for the financialisation of savings in India. All sensible retail investors should read and understand this trend and apply the simple investment ideals shared by Munot to make considerable wealth in the years to come. Also Read | Rich Dad Poor Dad: 7 key money lessons every Indian should know The ideals of Munot as elaborated above are easy to replicate but difficult to sustain for longer periods of time. Still, if you can focus, select strong businesses, discuss with investment professionals and build a long-term portfolio. Post the same hold your ground for several years, then Indian equity markets can really transform your life as an investor. Conclusion Hence, Navneet Munots philosophy offers invaluable lessons for Indian investors. Particularly at a time when according to a recent report of SEBI 9 out of 10 individuals participating in F&O are losing big money. Not only this, the report further added that the aggregate losses of individual traders exceeded 1.8 lakh crores over the three - year period between FY22 and FY24. In such an explosive environment it becomes even more important for investors to learn and listen to the words of wisdom shared by reputable financial market leaders such as Navneet Munot and to practice sensible investing techniques after prudent discussions with their own financial advisor. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Readers are advised to consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. If you have an RBL credit card and want to reach out to the banks customer service, the bank provides multiple means of credit card customer care services for queries and concerns to be addressed promptly through various channels. Heres how you can reach out to the customer care quickly based on your concerns: Also Read | 5 popular credit cards offering large cashbacks to users Steps to connect with RBL credit card customer care 1. Customer care helpline numbers RBL Bank credit card: +91 22 6232 7777 RBL Bank super card: +91 22 7119 0900 RBL Bank: +91 22 6115 6300 RBL credit card complaint/ helpline number:1800 102 6222 RBL Bank complaint/ helpline number:1800 120 616161 Note: These helpline numbers are available 24x7. Hence, if you have concerns which need to be addressed on an urgent basis, you can reach out and seek assistance immediately. 2. Email support Query E-mail id Credit card services cardservices@rblbank.com Supercard services supercardservice@rblbank.com General customer care customercare@rblbank.com Credit card cancellation requests cardcancellation@rblbank.com Fraud and vigilance vigilance@rblbank.com Note: In case of non urgent matters or detailed enquiries, you can contact the bank by email. 3. Mail via post If you do not prefer using an online method to reach out the customer support, then you can contact any of the RBL Bank offices below via traditional mail. Administrative office: RBL Bank Ltd., Mahavir, Shri Shahu Market Yard, Kolhapur 416005, Maharashtra, India. RBL Bank Ltd., Mahavir, Shri Shahu Market Yard, Kolhapur 416005, Maharashtra, India. Registered office: RBL Bank Ltd., 1st Lane, Shahupuri, Kolhapur 416001, Maharashtra, India. RBL Bank Ltd., 1st Lane, Shahupuri, Kolhapur 416001, Maharashtra, India. Corporate office: RBL Bank Ltd., One World Center, Tower 2B, 6th Floor, 841, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai 400013, India. Note: When sending mail it is advisable to include your contact details and any relevant account information so your concern can be addressed quickly. Also Read | 5 proven ways for students to build strong credit score 4. Grievance redressal RBL Bank has a structured grievance redressal mechanism to ensure that issues of the customers are appropriately resolved. The tiered approach is such that your concerns are addressed at increasingly higher levels of authority in the bank. First level: In this level, You can contact the manager (credit card services) via the helpline numbers or email. This process usually takes the bank 10 working days to respond. Details RBL credit cards BFL Super cards Helpline number 022 6232 7777 022 711 90 900 Email-id cardservices@rblbank.com supercardservice@rblbank.com Postal address: Manager, Credit Cards Service, RBL Bank Limited, Cards Operating Centre COC, JMD Megapolis, Unit No. 306-311 3rd Floor, Sohna Road, Sector 48, Gurgaon, Haryana 122018. Second level: If the issue is not satisfied with the initial response, file a grievance on the banks website or email the head (credit card services). Email ID: headcardservice@rblbank.com headcardservice@rblbank.com Postal address: Head, Cards Services, RBL Bank Limited, Cards Operating Centre COC, JMD Megapolis, Unit No 306-311 3rd Floor, Sohna Road, Sector 48, Gurgaon, Haryana 122018 Third level: In case of unresolved matters, approach the Principal Nodal Officer (PNO) by simply sending an email or a letter to the corporate office address. Contact number: 022 7143 2700 022 7143 2700 Email ID: principalnodalofficer@rblbank.com principalnodalofficer@rblbank.com Postal address: RBL Bank Ltd, Unit No. 306-311, 3rd Floor, JMD Megapolis, Sector 48, Sohna Road, Gurugram 122018, Haryana In conclusion, with these channels you can get quick assistance and get your queries resolved. You must note that even a single error on a credit card statement can impact your credit score adversely. Prior to subscribing to a credit card, it is recommended to check the main features of those cards. Some cards offer steep discounts whereas others give rewards to the users. Here we give a lowdown on some of the popular cards issued by Kotak Mahindra Bank. For cards offered by other banks, you can read our other listicle copies on HDFC Bank,ICICI Bank and SBI Cards. Back to Kotak Mahindra Bank we list out four credit cards offered by the private lender. Also Read | HSBC introduces 20 new travel partners for cardholders starting April 2025 These are the four Kotak Mahindra credit cards: I. Mojo credit card These are some of the key features: A. You can earn Mojo points on spends done against every 100. B. You can also get Airport lounge access, Gourmet meals. You can get upto eight complimentary visits to DreamFolks Airport lounges within India with a cap of two per quarter. C. The card also offers fuel surcharge waiver upto 3,500 annually. D. You can also get an annual fee waiver at 1 lakh spent with your credit card. The joining fee of 1,000 can also be waived upon spending 30,000 in the first 90 days of issuance. II. Kotak 811 credit card These are some of the key features: A. You can spend 75,000 in a year and get four PVR tickets or cashback of 750. B. You can also apply for an add-on card which will have all the benefits that you can enjoy on card. C. Annual fee 500 waived on spending of 50,000 in the previous anniversary year. D. You can spend 5,000 within the first 45 days of card issuance and receive 500 bonus reward points. E. You can earn 2 reward points for every 100 spent online and one reward point for every 100 spent offline. III. Myntra Kotak credit card These are some of the key features of this card: A. Instant discount of 7.5 percent on Myntra platforms. B. There is a 5 percent cashback on spends on preferred partners C. 1.25 percent unlimited cashback on spends across other categories. D.Two complimentary PVR tickets every quarter. IV. Kotak League Platinum card These are some of the key features of this card: A. You are entitled to receive 8 reward points against every 150 spent. B. You can get 5,000 rewards points worth 500 on joining. C. It offers fuel surcharge waivers upto 3,500 annually. D. It also offers Railway surcharge waivers upto 500 annually. IV. League platinum credit card Visit here for all personal finance updates Pahalgam terror Attack: A terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday claimed the life of a man from Shivamogga, Karnataka, and left at least 20 others injured. At least 26 tourists have been killed in the terror attack at Baisaran in Pahalgam. According to one of the survivors the terrorists left a chilling message for prime Minister Narendra Modi before opening fire on the tourists. The victim, Manjunath Rao, was vacationing in the valley with his wife and young son when terrorists opened fire on tourists in the scenic Baisaran meadow, a popular destination often referred to as 'mini Switzerland'. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-E-Taiba offshoot, has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to an image being circulated on social media. Go Tell This To Modi The wife of the Karnataka business man who visited the Baisaran area with their young son, recounted the horror to India Today. According to her: Pallavi recounted the chilling moments of the attack. Three of us me, my husband and our son had gone to Kashmir. It happened around 1.30 pm, I think. We were at Pahalgam. He died on the spot, in front of my eyes, she said, adding, It still feels like a bad dream. Pallavi added that local civilians stepped in to help her immediately after the attack. Three local people rescued me, she said. According to her, the attackers seemed to be targeting Hindus. Three to four people attacked us. I told them kill me too, youve already killed my husband. One of them said, I wont kill you. Go tell this to Modi. Take a look at the last video of the Karnataka couple riding a Sikhara in Srinagar. Pahalgam Terror Attack The attackers reportedly emerged from the surrounding dense pine forests and targeted civilians, causing widespread panic and chaos. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, security forces, including the army, CRPF, and local police, swiftly launched anti-terror operations to track down the perpetrators. A helicopter was deployed to evacuate the injured, with some victims being transported from the meadows by local residents on ponies. Tourist vehicles were seen leaving the area amid heightened security and concern for safety. Pahalgam Terror Attack: Political Leaders Unite in Condemnation The incident has drawn strong condemnation from political leaders across the country. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the perpetrators as "animals" and condemned the attack as an abomination. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief over the loss of the Shivamogga businessman and convened a meeting with officials; a team from Karnataka has been dispatched to Kashmir to assist. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Jeddah, condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, assuring that those responsible will be brought to justice and vowing that India's resolve against terrorism remains unshaken. Amid media reports suggesting that student applications from specific Indian states are being banned or restricted by some Australian educational institutions, the Australian High Commission in New Delhi has strongly refuted the claims. "The assertion that Indian university student applications from specific Indian states are being banned, or restricted, is incorrect," said a spokesperson at the Australian High Commission, New Delhi. The official added that Indian students form a significant portion of Australias international student community. There are over 125,000 Indian students currently studying in Australiathe second-largest cohort of students from any country, the spokesperson noted. Strong bilateral ties in education Highlighting the close relationship between India and Australia in the education sector, the spokesperson said: "India and Australia continue to have a very strong relationship in the field of education. Australia deeply values Indian students, and the Australian Government welcomes their contribution to our classrooms and Australian society." Visa decisions are sovereign: MEA Addressing the issue during a weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged that immigration decisions lie within the domain of the host country. "Visa matters are sovereign matters. Whether Australia wants to issue a visa to X or Y, it's their prerogative. So that is how we look at it," Jaiswal stated. Australian Opposition leader proposes major cuts to student intake Meanwhile, Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has proposed a significant reduction in international student numbers as part of broader migration reforms aimed at easing the countrys housing crisis. "ANNOUNCED: We will cap international student numbers and reduce permanent migration by 25 per centfreeing up nearly 40,000 homes in the first year," Dutton said in a post on social platform X. He argued that Australias current migration strategy was placing immense pressure on housing availability and affordability, especially in major cities. He vowed to cut the student intake by 80,000, saying the move would help address the housing crisis and make it easier for young Australians to buy homes, according to The Australia Today. "Since the previous election, international student numbers have increased by 65 per centfrom 5,20,000 to over 8,50,000coinciding with a 25 per cent rise in median rent across the country," he added. India and Saudi Arabia will sign least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jeddah, with talks ongoing late Monday to finalise a few more agreements, according to news agency PTI. Modi is also expected to discuss issues relating to Hajj pilgrimage, including the quota for Indian pilgrims, during his meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman in the evening. The meeting is scheduled at 5.30 PM - 8:30 PM Jeddah time (3 PM to 6 PM) in the Royal Palace in Jeddah, according to sources quoted by news agency PTI. Also Read | Modi makes history: No Indian PM has ever been to this Saudi city Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit Jeddah in Saudi Arabia in over four decades. All his previous visits have been to Riyadh, the Saudi capital. Indira Gandhi was the last Indian Prime Minister to visit Jeddah in 1982. Before engagements with MBS or Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince, Modi will interact with Indian Community at Hotel Ritz Carlton in Jeddah at 4 PM - 4:30 PM Jeddah time (1.30 PM to 2 PM) IST. Saudi Arabia is Indias fifth-largest trading partner and home to 2.7 million Indians who live and work there. The two sides are expected to sign agreements in the fields of space, energy, health, science and scientific research, culture and advanced technology, the news agency said. "Meetings in Riyadh continued late Monday to finalise details, with over a dozen MoUs under discussion, some to be signed at the official level," an official told PTI. Modi arrived on Tuesday afternoon in Jeddah at the invitation of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Also Read | PM Modi to embark on a two-day Saudi Arabia visit today "Jeddah is a very, very significant city in terms of connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia because for centuries, Jeddah was the port for the trade between the two countries, and it is also a gateway to Mecca. So anyone who is coming for Umrah and Hajj lands up in Jeddah and then goes to Mecca," Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan told PTI ahead of the prime minister's visit. "Hajj is a very important activity and the Government of India gives it a lot of importance. Ministry of Minority Affairs has been arranging this activity... There are various issues discussed in the bilateral talks. There has always been a great coordination between the Saudi government and India on Hajj," the ambassador said. Also Read | Prince MBS left a deep impression on me: PM Modi ahead of Saudi visit India's Hajj quota for 2025 has risen to 1,75,025 from 136,020 in 2014, with arrangements for 1,22,518 pilgrims finalised. However, due to delays by Combined Haj Group Operators in contract agreements, approximately 42,000 Indians are unlikely to perform the pilgrimage this year. Modi and the Crown Prince will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, established during the prime minister's 2019 visit to strengthen bilateral ties. On Wednesday, the prime minister, who received Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour in 2016, will also visit a factory employing Indian workers. Full Itinerary of Modi's Jeddah Trip Here Tuesday, April 22, 2025: 4 PM - 4:30 PM Jeddah time (1.30 PM to 2 PM) IST: Interaction with Indian Community at Hotel Ritz Carlton Tuesday, April 22, 2025: 5.30 PM - 8:30 PM Jeddah time (3 PM to 6 PM): Engagements with Mohamed bin Salman, Crown Prince & Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia (Royal Palace). Saudi fighter jets escort PM Modi's plane to Jeddah In a special gesture, fighter planes from Saudi Arabia escort Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plane as it entered Saudi airspace to Jeddah on Tuesday, afternoon. Modi's aircraft was escorted by F-15s of the Royal Saudi Air Force in the Saudi air space. Jeddah is a very, very significant city in terms of connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia. US Vice President JD Vance expressed admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, calling him a special person and commenting on his impressive approval ratings. Speaking at an event on Tuesday (April 22) in Jaipur, Vance said, "I told Prime Minister Modi last night, he's got approval ratings that would make me jealous." His remarks came during a discussion on India-US energy ties, where he also referred to PM Modi as a "tough negotiator" who fiercely advocates for Indias industry. Dinner with PM Modi impresses Vance's family On Monday night, Prime Minister Modi hosted the Vance family at his official residence in New Delhi, following talks with the US Vice President. Vance shared a light-hearted moment from the evening, recounting how his son Ewan, after enjoying the dinner, expressed a desire to live in India. The food was so good and the prime minister was so kind to our three children that Ewan came up to me afterwards and said, 'Dad, you know, I think maybe I could live in India,' Vance said, drawing laughter from the audience. However, Vance humorously added, "But I think after about 90 minutes in the Jaipur sun today at the Great Palace, he suggested that maybe we should move to England." Criticising previous US approaches to India In his speech, Vance also reflected on the previous US administrations' approach to India, particularly criticising the attitude of "preachiness" towards Prime Minister Modi. Too often in the past, Washington approached Prime Minister Modi with an attitude of preachiness, or even one of condescension, Vance said. He emphasised that current US leaders, in contrast, seek a partnership based on respect and mutual benefit. Were not here to preach that you do things any one particular way, he added. Modi's tough negotiation style praised Vance further praised PM Modis negotiation skills, particularly in the context of trade discussions between the two countries. Modi is a tough negotiator, and we respect him for that, Vance remarked. He acknowledged that Indias focus on protecting its industries is a legitimate strategy, and contrasted it with the USs previous failures to protect its own workers. We dont blame Prime Minister Modi for fighting for Indias industry. But we do blame American leaders of the past for failing to do the same for our workers, Vance said. Trade talks between India and the US Vances visit follows recent tensions surrounding trade policies, including President Trumps decision to impose, then pause, a sweeping tariff regime affecting around 60 countries, including India. Currently, New Delhi and Washington are engaged in negotiations to finalise a bilateral trade agreement, which is expected to address several issues, including tariffs and market access. This agreement, first discussed during PM Modi's talks with Trump in Washington, D.C., in February, aims to strengthen the trade ties between the two countries. Also Read | US Vice President Vance and Second Lady extend condolences over Pahalgam terror Vances family experience in India Vances visit to India with his family marks a personal as well as diplomatic trip. Alongside his wife Usha Chilukuri and their three children, Vance has been engaging with Indian officials and experiencing the countrys rich culture, including a visit to Jaipurs Great Palace. An official from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was among the 26 people killed in a brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon. Manish Ranjan, a section officer-rank official was killed in the attack, reported PTI, quoting sources. Manish Ranjan from Bihar, working as Section Officer at the IB office in Hyderabad died in the terrorist attack, they said. He went on LTC (to Jammu and Kashmir) with his wife and two kids they added. Pahalgam Terror Attack today LIVE: While he was shot in the head, his his wife and their two children survived the attack. Meanwhile, Indian Navy Officer was also killed in the cowardly terror attack. Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (26), was on leave and had got married on April 16 and was on leave. One Indian Navy Officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (aged 26 years), who was posted in Kochi, has been killed in the Pahalgam attack while he was on leave. He is a native of Haryana and got married on 16 April, reported ANI quoting Defence Officials. Meanwhile, the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag to nab the perpetrators of the attack. Candle marches were organised at several places in Jammu and Kashmir by local people against the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. "On 22 April 2025, in a cowardly and heart-wrenching act of violence terrorists opened fire on innocent tourists and locals. In the immediate aftermath, Joint Forces are overseeing the situation. Medical teams were swiftly mobilized and casualty evacuation commenced," Chinar Corps said in a post on X. "In response to this senseless violence and the anguish caused to local sentiments, candle march was organised in Sopore, Ganderbal, Handwara, Bandipora and other parts of Kashmir by local populace. A Joint Search Operation has been launched by the #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolice in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag. The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice," it added. Amit Shah chairs high-level security meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting with all the agencies after reaching Srinagar in the evening for the security review meeting. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also briefed the Union Home Minister over the Pahalgam terrorist attack. LG Manoj Sinha and other high-level officials were also present in the meeting. He said earlier that those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared. Amit Shah also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident. An Indian Navy officer was among 26 people killed in the deadly terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday. The officer has been identified as Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (26). He got married on April 16 and was on leave. Also Read | Pahalgam Terror Attack Today LIVE: Navy officer among 26 killed in Baisaran One Indian Navy officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (aged 26 years), who was posted in Kochi, has been killed in the Pahalgam attack while he was on leave. He is a native of Haryana and got married on April 16, reported ANI, quoting defence officials. As many as 26 people, including two foreigners and two locals, were killed after terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Pahalgam town in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. The attack, which comes as US Vice President JD Vance is visiting India and just as the tourist and trekking season is picking up momentum, took place around 3 pm. Also Read | Vladimir Putin condemns terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam, is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains and a favourite with visitors from across the country and the world. Search operation launched Meanwhile, a joint search operation has been launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, and Anantnag. The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice, said the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army. Also Read | Delhi on alert after 26 people killed in terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam Two people from Karnataka killed Two people from Karnataka were killed in the terror attack. Manjunath Rao (47), a businessman from Vijayanagar in Shivamogga district in Karnataka, was shot dead by terrorists. He had gone to Pahalgam with his wife Pallavi and son Abhijaya. "My husband was shot dead by terrorists in front of our eyes," Pallavai told local news channels in Karnataka over the phone. Another person, identified as Bharath Bhushan, was shot dead by the terrorists while his wife Sujatha and their three-year-old son were spared, reported PTI, quoting sources. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya said on 'X', "Just now spoke with Mrs. Sujata, a resident of Mattikere, Bengaluru." "Her husband Sri Bharat Bhushan was shot dead earlier today in the terror attack. She and her 3 year old son have survived," he added. Modi condemns attack, Amit Shah arrives in Srinagar Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday "strongly" condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and paid condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. In a post on X, PM Modi stated that those responsible for this heinous act will be brought to justice. "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured person recovers as soon as possible. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," PM Modi said. "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable, and it will get even stronger," he added. Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her profound sorrow following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of at least 26 people, mostly tourists. Taking to social media platform X, Meloni stated, "Deeply saddened by the terrorist attack that took place today in India, which caused numerous casualties." Meloni extended Italy's condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the injured, the Indian Government, and the people. "Italy expresses solidarity with the affected families, the injured, the Government, and the entire Indian people," she wrote. International condemnation and support The terrorist attack, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, involved gunfire in a popular tourist area near Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam town, leaving 26 dead and 20 injured. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from international leaders and sparked an outpouring of support for India, with numerous governments offering their condolences and solidarity. Pahalgam Terror Attack today LIVE updates here US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs were among those expressing solidarity with India in the aftermath of the tragedy. Trumps message of support Trump called the attack deeply disturbing and reaffirmed the United States strong stance against terrorism. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said, "The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!" US Vice President J D Vance, who is currently on India visit with his wife, Usha Chilukuri, and children, offered their condolences, saying, Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack. Putin condemns attack, reaffirms counterterrorism cooperation Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a message, Putin condemned the brutal crime and reiterated Russias commitment to enhancing cooperation with India in combating terrorism. This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever, and its perpetrators will face a deserved punishment, Putin wrote. He also extended his sympathy to the victims' families and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. Israel and UAE stand with India Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also condemned the attack, expressing his country's solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism. "Deeply saddened by the heinous terror attack on tourists in #Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. Israel stands united with India in the fight against terror," he said. Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack, affirming its rejection of violence and terrorism and offering condolences to the victims' families and the Indian people. It affirmed that the UAE "expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law". 26 killed, including foreign tourists On Tuesday afternoon, terrorists opened fire on a popular meadow near Kashmir's Pahalgam town, killing 26 people, including tourists from the UAE and Nepal, as well as locals. This is the deadliest attack in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the attack "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years," underscoring the scale and brutality of the assault. "The death toll is still being ascertained so I dont want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years," Omar Abdullah wrote on X. "Im shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased," the CM said. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha's office stated on social media: Entire nation is angry & blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. Details of the incident The attack occurred at Baisaran, a scenic meadow six kilometers from Pahalgam, known for its picturesque landscape and frequented by tourists. Terrorists infiltrated the area, which is often referred to as 'mini Switzerland' for its breathtaking views, and began firing on tourists enjoying picnics, pony rides, and meals at local eateries. At least 20 others were injured during the assault. Details on victims The victims hailed from various states across India, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. Among the injured were several from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, who were immediately rushed to medical facilities. The Resistance Front (TRF) claims responsibility The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group linked to the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. According to officials, the terrorists might have crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran via Kokernag in south Kashmir. Also Read | Pahalgam terror attack: Modi cuts short his visit to Saudi Arabia United States Vice President JD Vance met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, April 21, the first day of his India visit, and hailed him as a great leader. Vance also expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to his family at the PM's residence in New Delhi. Responding to PM Modi's post, Vance said, It was an honor to see Prime Minister Modi this evening. Hes a great leader and he was incredibly kind to my family. I look forward to working under President Trumps leadership to strengthen our friendship and cooperation with the people of India! After meeting Vance, Modi posted, "Pleased to welcome US Vice President JD Vance and his family to New Delhi. We reviewed the fast-paced progress following my visit to the US and meeting with President Trump. We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, including in trade, technology, defence, energy and people-to-people exchanges." In another post, Vance said, I look forward to strengthening our nation's relationship with India, and thank him for his country's warm welcome and hospitality. The US Vice President, currently on a four-day official visit to India, arrived in Delhi on Monday along with his family, and from there he left for Jaipur. As part of the itinerary, he is scheduled to visit Agra on April 23. The visit will conclude with their departure from India at 6:40 am on April 24. The visit follows closely on the heels of a positive and successful meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington earlier this year. What was discussed in Modi-Vance meeting? During their meeting, Modi and Vance reaffirmed the strong partnership between the two countries. They officially launched a new initiative called the India-U.S. COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century. According to a statement from the US Vice Presidents office, the initiative is based on mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill, and strong connections between the people of both nations. The two leaders also noted progress in talks for a U.S.-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and announced that the Terms of Reference for the negotiations have been finalised. The statement from Vance's office said, Vice President Vance and Prime Minister Modi welcomed significant progress in the negotiations for a US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and formally announced the finalization of the Terms of Reference for the negotiations, laying down a roadmap for further discussions about our shared economic priorities. It said BTA presents an opportunity to negotiate a new and modern trade agreement focused on promoting job creation and citizen well-being in both countries. The goal is to enhance bilateral trade and supply-chain integration in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner. "Guided by their respective visions of 'Amrit Kaal for India' and 'Golden Age for America,' BTA is expected to create new opportunities of growth for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs in both countries," the statement said. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel has assured that justice will be done after the agency arrested terrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, involved in a series of grenade attacks in Punjab. Passia, is among India's most wanted and carries a reward of 5 lakh on his head, announced by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in January this year over his alleged involvement in grenade attacks on a house in Chandigarh and police stations in Punjab. Also Read | Who is Happy Passia? The gangster detained in the US Patel, lauding the team's efforts, said the FBI Sacramento conducted the investigation in coordination with India. "CAPTURED: HARPREET SINGH, part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang here illegally in the United States, who we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the United States," Patel wrote on X. FBI Sacramento conducted the investigation, coordinating with our partners locally as well as in India. Excellent work from all, and justice will be done," Patel added. Patel assured that the FBI will continue to find the perpetrators of violence. "The FBI will continue finding those who perpetrate violence -- no matter where they are," Patel said. The FBI and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested Happy Passia on Friday. The FBI said that Harpreet Singh is linked to two international terrorist groups and entered the US illegally. According to the FBI, he used burner phones to evade capture. In a post shared on X, FBI Sacramento stated, "Today, Harpreet Singh, an alleged terrorist responsible for terror attacks in Punjab, India, was arrested by the FBI and ERO in Sacramento. Linked to two international terrorist groups, he entered the U.S. illegally and used burner phones to evade capture." Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav lauded the arrest of Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia and termed it as a "major milestone" in the crackdown on terror networks sponsored by Pakistan's ISI. ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International In a post on X, DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav said, The arrest of Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, a USA-based key operative of ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and close associate of Pakistan-based Terrorist Rinda, is a major milestone in the sustained crackdown on ISI-backed terror networks. The Punjab Director General of Police also stated that the FBI and ICE's arrest was the result of "excellent international cooperation" and the exchange of information between the United States and India. "Between 2023 and 2025, Happy Passia played a central role in orchestrating targeted killings, grenade attacks on police establishments, and extortion across Punjab and other states. His arrest on April 17, 2025, in Sacramento, USA, by the FBI and ICE is the outcome of excellent international cooperation and exchange of information between the United States and India," he posted. Who is Happy Passia? -Passia, hails from Passia village in Amritsar district, Punjab and has been involved in criminal activities for several years. -Passia is wanted in connection with 17 criminal cases, including charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. -Passia had a an alleged role in at least 14 grenade attacks across Punjab over the past year. These attacks targeted police stations, religious sites, and residences of public figures, including a BJP leader. -Passia is associated with Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu, also known as Rinda, and has ties to the Khalistani extremist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). -In 2021, Passia illegally entered the United States through the Mexico border, through an illegal human trafficking network. -In January, 2025, the NIA announced a reward of 5 lakh for information leading to his arrest. He was also chargesheeted in connection with a grenade attack in Chandigarh in 2024. The FBI will continue finding those who perpetrate violence -- no matter where they are. Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Suadi Arabia on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia from today, April 22. Modi, invited to the Kingdom by Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, also the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, was welcomed by a 21-gun salute upon landing in the Kingdom. Modi will meet Prince Salman during the visit to further deepen and strengthen ties between the two nations, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement last week. Also Read | PM Modi to embark on a two-day Saudi Arabia visit today The high-profile visit underscores the remarkable transformation of India-Saudi relations from modest beginnings to a comprehensive strategic partnership spanning economic, defense, and cultural dimensions. High Profile Visit The visit comes amid intensified diplomatic engagement between the two nations. Last year, India made 11 ministerial-level visits to Saudi Arabia. Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia is crucial for the geopolitical order. The world in general, and West Asia in particular, is suffering from conflicts made worse by economic tensions. The visit comes as tariffs imposed by Donald Trump's US administration have forced countries to further strengthen trade relations with allies for alternate markets. India and Saudi Arabia are the two fastest-growing economies in the world. The two countries have the potential to influence the global order as members of the Global South and the G20. PM Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Salman are in good terms with US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky The New First by PM Modi Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit Jeddah in more than four decades. All his previous visits have been to Riyadh, the Saudi capital. Indira Gandhi was the last Indian Prime Minister to visit Jeddah way back in 1982. Landed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This visit will strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia. Eager to take part in the various programmes today and tomorrow, Modi said after landing in the Saudi city.. Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan told news agency ANI that Modi, along with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, will chair the meeting of Strategic Partnership Council in Jeddah. The Council was established during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to India in 2019. The significance of the connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia is profound, as Jeddah has long served as the port for pilgrims coming for Umra and Hajj. Located along the Red Sea coast in the Hejaz region, Jeddah, the commercial hub, is the second largest city of Saudi Arabia after Riyadh. Jeddah is also significant as the gateway to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities of Islam and sites of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. "The significance of the connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia because for centuries, Jeddah has been the port for our pilgrims who come for Umrah and Hajj to come to Saudi Arabia," Khan said. Israel-Palestine Conflict Modi's India visit will provide an important opportunity to discuss key regional and global issues. These include the situation in West Asia, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and threats to maritime security due to Houthi attacks, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said during a special press briefing last week India and Saudi Arabia are likely to deepen their defence cooperation and expand their economic ties. Currently, bilateral trade between the two countries is valued at around USD 43 billion, Misri said. Also Read | PM Modi holds talks with US Vice President JD Vance PM Modi's visit is being seen as a significant step in strengthening India's ties not just with Saudi Arabia, but with the entire Gulf and Islamic world, he said. Modi to visit a factory in Jeddah Modi is expected to visit a factory in Jeddah where Indian workers are employed. He will interact with them during his time there. Saudi Arabia is Indias fifth-largest trading partner and home to 2.7 million Indians who live and work there. Modi is also visiting Saudi Arabia at a time when his government in India is facing protests over changes to a decades-old Waqf Laws governing Muslim-owned properties donated for religious and charitable purposes. MBS has left a deep impression on me: Modi Modi showered praise on Saudi Crown Prince Salman, saying that he has left a deep impression on him. Modi also hailed Saudi Arabia as one of India's most valued partners and atrusted friend and ally, describing the current period as promising for their ties, which have a 'limitless potential'. Also Read | Prince MBS left a deep impression on me: PM Modi ahead of Saudi visit Every time I have met him,His Royal Highnesshas left a deep impression on me. His insights, his forward-thinking vision, and his passion for fulfilling the aspirations of his people are truly remarkable, Modi toArab Newsin an interview ahead of his two-day visit to the country. Pahalgam Terror Attack: At least 26 people, mostly tourists, including two foreigners, were killed and many others injured in a terrorist attack in South Kashmirs picturesque Pahalgam hill station of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, April 22. The attack, which was carried out on a day when US Vice President JD Vance was in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, is the worst-ever assault on tourists visiting Kashmir. Tourists were targeted in earlier attacks, but never has a single attack been so deadly. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, is believed to be behind Tuesday's attack, one of the deadliest in Jammu and Kashmir's recent past. The last big terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir was on June 9, 2024, the day of the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the third term held in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Unidentified terrorists fired upon a bus ferrying pilgrims, resulting in the death of at least 10 people and injuries to 33 others in the Reasi district of the Jammu region in the attack. 'Larger than anything weve seen in recent years' In another attack, terrorists struck at a construction site in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district killing a local doctor and six migrant workers in October 2024. TRF, the banned outfit, claimed the responsibility for the Ganderbal attack too. The Pahalgam attack is deadlier than the previous ones in many aspects, apart from number of lives it took. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X. The Pulwama Attack The Pahalgam attack is biggest after Pulwama attack of 2019 in terms of casualties. At least 40 Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on 14 February 2019, when a convoy of vehicles carrying Indian security personnel on the Jammua vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethapora attacked the Srinagar National Highway in the Pulwama district of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. In retaliation to the terror attack in Pulwama, the Indian Air Force conducted an air strike on a terrorist camp in Balakot region of Pakistan. In the attack, India claimed to have killed many terrorists and destroyed terror training camps. Is the Pahalgam attack the most lethal assault in Kashmir's recent past? Here are 5 key reasons: 1- US VP Vance in India The attack comes on a day when US Vice President JD Vance is visiting India. Vance, who began his four-day official tour to India on April 21, was in Jaipur, Rajasthan on the day of attack. Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack, Vance said, condemning the attack. The attack is a stark reminder of the Chittisinghpura massacre in which 35 Sikhs were killed by terrorists in Chittisinghpura village of Anantnag district on 20 March 2000. The attack happened on the eve of the then US president Bill Clinton's state visit to India. Baisaran, where the Tuesday's attack happened, is in Pahalgam, the popular tourist destination in South Kashmir's Anantnag district. The attack comes days after 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Tahawwur Rana was successfully extradited from US and arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Delhi. 2- Modi in Saudi Arabia The Pahalgam incident occurred on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Jeddah on a two-day Saudi Arabian trip. Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia is crucial for the geopolitical order. The world, in general, and West Asia, in particular, suffer from conflicts made worse by economic tensions. Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Jeddah in four decades. All his previous visits have been to Riyadh, the Saudi capital. Indira Gandhi was the last Indian Prime Minister to visit Jeddah way back in 1982. Located along the Red Sea coast in the Hejaz region, Jeddah, the commercial hub, is the second largest city of Saudi Arabia after Riyadh. Jeddah is also significant as the gateway to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities of Islam and sites of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Modi on Tuesday had a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah from Saudi Arabia after the Pahalgam attack. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger, Modi said in a post on X. Modi Cuts Short his Saudi Visit Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia in view of the brutal terror attack. The PM held bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Salman in Jeddah. The prime minister skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia and has decided to cut short his visit, according to government of India sources. PM is heading back to India on Wednesday morning. 3 - Biggest strike post 370 abrogation The Pahalgam attack is the deadliest since August 2019, when the Modi government abrogated Article 370, granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The government also bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in August 2019. Infact, The Resistance Front (TRF), the outfit that is believed to be behind the Pahalgam attack, is a new terrorist group that emerged in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370. Believed to be a proxy arm of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), TRF was formed to provide a localised face' to the militancy in Kashmir, according to reports. 4- Declining terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir In March 2025, speaking in the Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that after the removal of Article 370, the involvement of Indian youth with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir has almost disappeared, India Today reported. Shah said that terrorism incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have significantly declined. Comparing figures, he said that between 2004 and 2014, the region saw 7,217 terror incidents, whereas between 2014 and 2024, this number dropped to 2,242. He also noted a 70 per cent reduction in deaths due to terrorism under the Modi government. 5- Amarnath Yatra 2025 and peak tourism The terror attack in Pahalgam comes ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra that is scheduled to begin on June 29 and will conclude on August 19, 2024. The registrations for the annual pilgrimage to Amarnath Temple, a Hindu shrine located in Pahalgam. Also Read | Amarnath Yatra: 5 BIG reasons why you should NOT visit the Hindu shrine The Temple is basically inside a cave situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft), about 168 km from Anantnag town in South Kashmir. The route to the temple is either through Sonamarg or Pahalgam, the tourist destination where Tuesday's attack took place. The terror attack may impact the plans of those who wanted to visit the shrine this year. There have been attacks on Amarnath Yatra before. On July 10, 2017, for example, seven Hindu pilgrims on the way from Amarnath Temple were killed in a terror attack. The pilgrims mostly belonged to Gujarat. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Pahalgam terror attack: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia in view of the brutal terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday. At least 26 people, including two foreigners and two locals, were killed in the attack. Modi, held bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. However, in view of the terrorist attack in Kashmir, PM Modi skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia and has decided to cut short his visit, said government source. Modi will leave for India tonight. While he was originally scheduled to return tomorrow night, he will now arrive in India early Wednesday morning, sources added. Pahalgam Terror Attack today LIVE: Modi's visit to a date factory in Jeddah on Wednesday to meet Indian workers, has also been cancelled. Earlier in the day, condemning the terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that those behind the heinous act will be brought to justice. "They (terrorists) will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger," said Modi in a post on X. Modi also conveyed his condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the attack. "I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," he said. TRF claims responsibility The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility. Amit Shah visits Srinagar Union Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and rushed to Srinagar in the evening and took stock of the security situation. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also briefed the Union Home Minister in presence of LG Manoj Sinha and other high-level officials. Officials said Shah is likely to visit Pahalgam on Wednesday. Search operation launched The Indian Army, CRPF and local police have launched a massive anti-terrorist operation to hunt down the assailants. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has set up 24X7 emergency control rooms in Anantnag and Srinagar. PDF chief calls for 'Kashmir bandh' PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has called for a complete Kashmir bandh. PDP MLA Waheed Para took to X and asked people to unite against the massacre of innocent persons. "Mehbooba Mufti calls for a complete Kashmir bandh in response to the inhumane terror attack in Pahalgam. It's time to unite against the massacre of innocents," Para wrote on the micro-blogging site. Pahalgam Terror Attack: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday had a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah from Saudi Arabia after terrorists struck a prime tourist location of Pahalgam in South Kashmir. At least 26 people, included two foreigners and two locals, were killed and several others were injured when terrorists came down from the mountain in Baisaran valley and started firing at the tourists. PM Modi strongly condemned the terror attack and said that those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice. In a phone call, PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, asked Amit Shah to take all suitable measures. PM also asked the Union Home Minister to visit the site. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger, said PM Modi in a post on X, after speaking to Shah. Amit Shah also expressed anguish over the attack. "Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences, said Amit Shah. The Union Home Minister further stated that he briefed PM Modi about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Meanwhile, Shah has reached Srinagar to hold key meeting. Pahalgam terror attack death toll Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the death toll is still being ascertained. "This attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years," he said on X. Im shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased, CM Abdullah said. The death toll is still being ascertained so I don't want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years, he added. A doctor at the Pahalgam hospital said 12 injured tourists were admitted at the hospital and the condition of all of them was stable, reported PTI. Authorities also pressed a chopper into service for the evacuation of the injured persons. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday condemned the terror attack in the tourist resort of Pahalgam I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished, the LG said in a post on X. He said he had spoken to the director general of police and other security officials and that Army and police teams had been rushed to the area to launch search operations. Directed the district administration and the health officials to provide immediate medical attention to those admitted at Pahalgam. An injured tourist has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured, he added. People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said such attacks must be denounced. I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed five and injured several as being reported for now. Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced, she said in a post on X. Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning, and called for a thorough investigation, said The former chief minister. Pahalgam terror attack: The ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir -Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), has joined Peoples Democratic Party Chief Mehbooba Mufti, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's collective call for a complete Kashmir bandh on Wednesday, April 23, in response to the inhumane terror attack in Pahalgam. Terrorists opened fire at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, most of them tourists. The Pahalgam attack marks the deadliest terror attack in the Kashmir Valley since the Pulwama attacks in 2019. Also Read | Pahalgam terror attack: Modi cuts short his visit to Saudi Arabia JKNC supports call for Kashmir bandh On the instruction of the Party President, JKNC joins the collective call for a bandh in strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. We appeal to the people of J&K to ensure the hartal called by religious and social leaders is a complete success, JKNC posted on X. United stand against violence Calling for a complete shutdown in Kashmir on Wednesday, April 23, Mehbooba Mufti said, a united stand against violence is the need of the hour, as per reports. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq calls for Kashmir bandh Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), announced that the Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) has called for a peaceful shutdown across Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow. The call comes in support and solidarity with the families of those killed in the lethal Pahalgam attack. Also Read | IB officer among 26 killed in Pahalgam terror attack The Islamic fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir through Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) in support and solidarity with the bereaved families of those killed appeal to people of Jammu Kashmir to peacefully protest this heinous crime tomorrow by a shut down, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq posted on X. Pahalgam terror attack At least 26 people, majority of whom were tourists, have been killed in the lethal Pahalgam terror attack, carried out by Lashkar -E-Taiba offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF). IB officer among 26 killed An official from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was among the 26 people killed. Manish Ranjan, a section officer-rank official was killed in the attack, reported PTI, quoting sources. Also Read | Trump on Pahalgam terror attack: US stands strong with India against terrorism PM Modi cuts short Saudi Arabia trip Following the deadly attacks, PM Narendra Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia trip, and will land in India on Wednesday morning. He was earlier scheduled to return on Wednesday evening. Pahalgam: The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, is believed to be behind Tuesday's terrorist attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead. The attack in Pahalgam a popular tourist destination in South Kashmir's Anantnag district was carried out on a day when US Vice President JD Vance was in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia. Modi cut short his visit and landed in Delhi on Wednesday morning. 'More than 85,000 domiciles have been issued to non-locals, creating a pathway for demographic change in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. These non-locals arrive posing as tourists, obtain domiciles, and then begin to act as if they own the land," the TRF said in a statement being circulated on social media. Mint could not verify the statement's credibility, claiming responsibility for the Pahgalgam attack. "Consequently, violence will be directed toward those attempting to settle illegally," it said after the attack that sent shockwaves across the country, and beyond. The Pahalgam attack is one of the deadliest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in general and post-abrogation of Article 370 in particular. On June 9, the day of the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unidentified terrorists fired upon a bus ferrying pilgrims, resulting in the death of at least 10 people and injuries to 33 others in the Reasi district of the Jammu region. What is TRF and who is its chief? The Resistance Front (TRF) is a new terrorist outfit that emerged in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. Believed to be a proxy arm of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), TRF was formed to provide a localised face' to the militancy in Kashmir, according to reports. Founded in October 2019, the group was led by Sheikh Sajjad Gul as the Supreme Commander, with Basit Ahmed Dar serving as the Chief Operational Commander. The TRF was initially formed with cadres from Hizbul Mujahideen and LeT, according to reports. The Union government has been calling TRF as a 'proxy' front for the LeT. Born on October 10, 1974 in Srinagar, Gul was designated as terrorist by the government in 2022. Of 172 terrorists that were killed in Jammu and Kashmir, 108 were linked to TRF, according to a 2022 data. TRF banned in 2023 The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned TRF and all its manifestations and front organisations in January 2023. The Ministry has declared them as terrorist organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. The MHA made the announcement through a notification, mentioning that "the activities of TRF are detrimental for the national security and sovereignty of India." The MHA said the LeT proxy is involved in psychological operations on social media platforms for inciting people of Jammu and Kashmir to join terrorist outfits against Indian state. The Resistance Front came into existence in the year 2019 as a proxy outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a proscribed terrorist organisation listed at serial number 5 of the first schedule under the UAPA," a notification issued by the MHA said. TRF, is recruiting youth through online medium for furtherance of terrorist activities and has been involved in carrying out propaganda on terror activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir, the notification said. Brutal TRF attacks so far The TRF has had a role in majority of attacks on civilians, including Kashmiri Pandits and migrant workers as well as security forces in Kashmir, for the past many years. Before the attack on tourists Pahalgam on Tuesday, TRF, the banned outfit, claimed responsibility for the attack at a construction site in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, which killed a doctor and six migrant workers in October 2024. TRF chief Gul is the mastermind of the attack and the group's local module, carried out the attack targeting Kashmiris and non-Kashmiris together, according to a TRF statement after the Ganderbal attack in 2024 said. Another major attack involving TRF was April 1, 2020 when the group engaged in a four-day gun battle near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keran sector of Kupwara. Five Indian para commandos were killed along with the terrorists. Some of the prominent TRF names include Sajid Jatt, Sajjad Gul, and Salim Rehmaniall with links to LeT. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has showered praise on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying that he has left a deep impression on him. Modi also hailed Saudi Arabia as one of India's most valued partners and a trusted friend and ally, describing the current period as promising for their ties with 'limitless potential'. Every time I have met him, His Royal Highness has left a deep impression on me. His insights, his forward-thinking vision, and his passion for fulfilling the aspirations of his people are truly remarkable, Modi told Arab News in an interview ahead of his two-day visit to the country. Also Read | PM Modi leaves for two-day Saudi Arabia visit Under his leadership, Saudi Arabia has undergone tremendous social and economic transformation. The reforms he has undertaken have not just inspired the region, but also caught the attention of the entire world. One can see the transformational changes in the country under Vision 2030 in a very short period, Modi said in the interview. Modi said he found complementarities between Saudi Vision 2030 and India's Viksit Bharat 2047. Modi embarked on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia today, April 22, at the invitation of Mohammed bin Salman. Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit Jeddah in Saudi Arabia in over four decades. All his previous visits have been to Riyadh, the Saudi capital. Indira Gandhi was the last Indian Prime Minister to visit Jeddah way back in 1982. Also Read | Modi makes history: No Indian PM has ever been to this Saudi city I value the personal warmth and trust we share. And, yes, this personal rapport has naturally translated into how both countries give priority to our partnership. He is a strong advocate of our bilateral ties. He has been a great supporter of the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia and our people living in Saudi Arabia deeply admire him, Modi told Arab News. India - Saudi Arabia Ties Modi said in the interview that India and Saudi Arabia will keep moving forward together - for peace, progress and prosperity, not just for our people, but for the entire world. He said the proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has immense potential to transform the economic relationship between India and Saudi Arabia, and the region in general. When we talk, we focus on making this partnership future-ready. Jeddah has had a special connection with India. For centuries, this famed city has been one of the principal arteries for our trade and people-to-people exchanges. As a gateway to Mecca, for ages, our pilgrims have walked the by-lanes of Jeddah on their holy journey for Hajj and Umrah, the Indian Prime Minister said. Modi asserted in the interview that the ties between the two nations have been on an upward trajectory since he took office in 2014, noting that the formation of the Strategic Partnership Council in 2019 marked a major milestone. Also Read | PM Modi to embark on a two-day Saudi Arabia visit today "Since then, cooperation between us has expanded across many sectors. And let me tell you, this is just the beginning. Our partnership has limitless potential," he said. The Order of King Abdulaziz to Modi in 2016 Modi said that India-Saudi Arabia connection is not new and that it is rooted in civilizational exchanges that go back to centuries. From ideas to trade, there has been a constant flow between our two great nations, he said in the interview. Modi recalled that in 2016, I had the honour of receiving The Order of King Abdulaziz from His Majesty King Salman. Modi emphasised that both India and Saudi Arabia have a key role to play in the success of this corridor. Every time I have met him, His Royal Highness has left a deep impression on me. Lauding over 2.7 million members of the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia as a living bridge connecting the two countries, he commended them for not only preserving their values and traditions, but also promoting them. PM Narendra Modi landed in Jeddah on Tuesday, April 22, for his two-day State visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was welcomed by a 21-gun salute upon landing in the Kingdom. First Indian PM to visit Jeddah in 40+ years Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit Jeddah in more than 40 years. Until now, all of Modis visits to Saudi Arabia had been limited to the capital city, Riyadh. Also Read | PM Modi's aircraft gets thrilling welcome in Saudi airspace The last Indian prime minister to visit Jeddah was Indira Gandhi, who made the trip back in 1982. Saudi Arabia visit to deepen and strengthen ties PM Modi will meet Prince Salman during the visit to further deepen and strengthen ties between the two nations, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a statement last week. Also Read | PM Modi leaves for two-day Saudi Arabia visit I have arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This visit will further strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia. I look forward to participating in various programs today and tomorrow, PM Narendra Modi posted in Arabic, on X (formerly Twitter), shortly after landing in Jeddah. PM Modi, along with Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will co-chair the 2nd Leaders' Meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council during his visit to the Kingdom. Why is PM Modi's visit to Jeddah significant? PM Modis visit to Jeddah is being viewed as a significant diplomatic step in not only enhancing Indias bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia, but also in strengthening its broader engagement with the Gulf region and the Islamic world, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had earlier said during a special press briefing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia from today, April 22 at the invitation of Kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This will be PM Modi's third visit to the country, following earlier visits to Riyadh in 2016 and 2019. During the visit, Modi will meet Prince Salman in Jeddah, to further deepen and strengthen ties between the two nations, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement last week. The visit comes after Salman visited New Delhi in September 2023 during the G20 Summit and also co-chaired the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. What's on Agenda? Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan told news agency that Modi, along with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, will chair the meeting of Strategic Partnership Council in Jeddah. He said "large" number of MoUs will be signed, and the economic, defence partnership, and political relations between both countries will also be discussed during the PM's "hugely significant" visit from April 22 to April 23. "There is a strategic partnership council between India and Saudi Arabia. So, both the leaders, the Honourable Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Crown Prince, are going to chair the Strategic Partnership Council meeting. A large number of MoUs are being finalised and will be signed in exchange during the visit, and a host of other issues on economic partnership, defence partnership on our way, all these things will be discussed. It's a hugely significant visit," Khan told ANI. Also Read | PM Modi holds talks with US Vice President JD Vance The Indian Ambassador said that this will be the first time the PM Modi will be visiting the Jeddah in forty years . His previous two visits have been to Riyadh, he said. "The significance of the connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia because for centuries, Jeddah has been the port for our pilgrims who come for Umra and Hajj to come to Saudi Arabia," he added. Israel-Palestine Conflict Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said during a special press briefing last week that the visit will provide an important opportunity to discuss key regional and global issues. These include the situation in West Asia, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and threats to maritime security due to Houthi attacks, he said Misri also said that India and Saudi Arabia are likely to deepen their defence cooperation and expand their economic ties. Currently, bilateral trade between the two countries is valued at around USD 43 billion. PM Modi's visit is being seen as a significant step in strengthening India's ties not just with Saudi Arabia, but with the entire Gulf and Islamic world. Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that under PM Modi's leadership, the India-Saudi relationship has seen a major transformation, helped by the Prime Minister's strong personal bond with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Modi to visit a factory in Jeddah PM Modi is expected to visit a factory in Jeddah where Indian workers are employed. He will interact with them during his time there. The visit comes at a time when tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump's US administration has forced countries to further strengthen trade relations with with allies for alternate markets. Modi is also visiting Saudi Arabia at a time when his government in India is facing protests over changes to a decades-old law Waqf Laws governing Muslim-owned properties donated for religious and charitable purposes. 2.7 million Indian expatriates in Saudi Arabia The significance of the connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia because for centuries, Jeddah has been the port for our pilgrims who come for Umra and Hajj. Saudi Arabia, Indias fifth-largest trading partner and home to 2.7 million of its Indian expatriates, plays a pivotal role in the global energy landscape. Energy trade between the two nations was worth $25.7 billion during 2023-24. Saudi Arabia was Indias third-largest source of both crude oil imports (14.3% of total imports) and liquefied petroleum gas (18% of total imports) in last financial year. The Kingdom has been playing an important role in efforts to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war. Pahalgam terrorist attack news: Terrorists opened fire at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, most of them tourists. This marks the deadliest terror attack in the Kashmir Valley since the Pulwama attacks in 2019. An official from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Manish Ranjan was among the 26 people killed in a brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon. Nirmala Sitharaman cuts short her US, Peru visit In the wake of terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman has decided to cut short her official visit to US and Peru to be back with people of India in this "difficult and tragic time." PM Modi cuts short Saudi Arabia visit PM Modi has decided to cut short his official visit to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the deadly attacks, and will return to India on Wednesday morning. He was originally scheduled to return on Wednesday night. Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Srinagar, and will hold a high-level meeting in the wake of the terrorist attack on the tourists. Italy PM Georgia Meloni extends condolences Italy PM Georgia Meloni posted on X that she was saddened by the terrorist attack which caused numerous victims. She further added on X: Italy expresses its closeness to the families affected, the injured, the Government and all the Indian people. Vladimir Putin extends condolences Russia's President Vladimir Putin extended condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi over the deaths in the Pulwama terror attack. Putin stated: This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. Delhi on alert India's national capital, Delhi is on alert, following the deadly attack in Pahalgam. Delhi police has been instructed to keep a close watch on tourist places and other important sites around the city, according to Delhi police officials aware of the development, reported PTI. Why is Pahalgam attack the deadliest since 2019 Pulwama terror? The Pahalgam attack is biggest after Pulwama attack of 2019 in terms of casualties, which killed at least 40 CRPF personnel. The death toll is still being ascertained so I dont want to get in to those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X. JD Vance condoles deaths in Pahalgam terror attack US Vice President JD Vance, who is currently on his first visit to India, condoled the deaths in Pahalgam terror attack. Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack, Vance posted on X. Details of the Kashmir Pahalgam terror Attack: Two to three gunmen came in fatigues firing indiscriminately on tourists in Baisaran meadows. The security has been beefed up in Pahalgam and forces have rushed to cordon off the area. Fatalities: 26 people, mostly tourists have been killed in the deadly attack. Injuries: Till date, 20 injuries have been reported so far. Locals hold candlelight protests Locals in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramullah district are holding candlelight protests against the deadly attack. 26 people, including two foreigners killed Around 26 tourists, including two foreigners and two locals have been killed, a high ranking official said without getting into details, reported PTI. A woman, who was injured in a suspected militant attack near scenic Pahalgam, receives treatment in a hospital in south Kashmirs Anantnag April 22, 2025 REUTERS/Stringer Omar Abdullah drives to Pahalgam Omar Abdullah was seen driving himself towards Pahalgam after the terror attack in the region's Baisaran area. Anantnag police sets up help desk for tourists Anantnag police announced a help desk for tourists . The contact details for the help desk are as follows: 9596777669 01932225870 9419051940 (WhatsApp) Terrorists' chilling message to tourists The wife of the Karnataka business man, who was killed in the attack, recounted the horror, and claimed that the terrorists were targeting Hindus. Three to four people attacked us. I told them kill me too, youve already killed my husband. One of them said, I wont kill you. Go tell this to Modi," the businessman's wife told India Today. Arvind Kejriwal condemns terror attack in Kashmir Former Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party chief, Arvind Kejriwal, condemned the attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. The cowardly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir is extremely shameful and condemnable. Targeting unarmed innocents is an attack on humanity. The whole country is united in this sad moment, our condolences are with the victim families and we strongly condemn every form of terrorism, Kejriwal posted on X. appalling and unpardonable' President Murmu condemns terror attack in J&K Condemning the terrorist attack, Droupadi Murmu wrote on X, "The terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir is shocking and painful. It is a dastardly and inhuman act which must be condemned unequivocally. Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable." My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their dear ones and my prayers for the quick recovery of the injured, President Murmu posted on X, formerly Twitter. Karnataka businessman killed in terror attack One of the victims killed in the terror attack has been identified as a 47-year-old businessman hailing from Karnataka. CM Siddaramaiah held an emergency meeting after receiving the information about the terror attack. Amit Shah leaves for J&K Home Minister Amit Shah has departed for Srinagar, after wrapping up a meeting in Delhi. Anti-terror operations launched Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha posted on X that security forces have launched anti-terror operations to neutralise the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. "Anti-terror ops launched to neutralise terrorists. Entire nation is angry & blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families," Office of LG J&K said in a post on X. Jaishankar condemns cowardly terror attack India's EAM S. Jaishankar said: "Condemn the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims. Pray for the speedy recovery of the injured." 'Kannadigas are among the victims' says Siddaramaiah "Kannadigas are among the victims of this shocking incident," says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Karnataka man killed in attack Out of the five killed in the terror attack, one person has been identified as a 47-year-old hailing from Karnataka. The Karnataka government received the official information that the man is named Manjunath and is 47 years old, reported PTI. 'Death toll could be more than 20' The death toll could be more than 20, a high ranking official estimated, without getting into details, reported PTI. Reportedly, two to three gunmen came in fatigues firing indiscriminately on tourists in Baisaran meadows. The security has been beefed up in Pahalgam and forces have rushed to cordon off the area. Will not be spared: PM Modi condemns attack PM Modi condemned the Pahalgam attack, stating that Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger. Amit Shah to leave for Jammu and Kashmir soon As per reports, Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to depart for Srinagar around 7 PM, shortly after concluding a high-level meeting in New Delhi. Stay tuned for Pahalgam terror attack LIVE updates Will not be spared says Amit Shah "Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences. Briefed PM Modi about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies," Shah said in a post on X. Lashkar-E-Taiba offshoot claims responsibility The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-E-Taiba offshoot, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Omar Abdullah condemns attack As per PTI, Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah has condemned the attack as inhuman, calling it one of the worst attacks targeting civilians. When did the attack happen Kashmir Police said that firing shots were heard in upper meadows of Pahalgam tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. The attack happened around 2:30 pm. "I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed five and injured several," said Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister of the region, who heads the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party. US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday (April 22) likened the evolving US-India partnership to a familial bond, rooted in warmth, personal connection, and shared values. Speaking at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur, Vance described his familys first trip to India and their memorable dinner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Monday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the Vance familyJD, his wife Usha, and their three childrenat his 7 Lok Kalyan Mar residence in New Delhi. The evening left a lasting impression on the US Vice President, who said the children were taken by Modis warmth and hospitality. Yesterday we had dinner at PMs house. The food was so good and the PM was so kind to our three children. Ewan came to me and said, Dad, maybe I can live in India, Vance shared to laughter. Childrens growing affection for PM Modi Vance recounted that his sons, Ewan and Vivek, and daughter Mirabel, have only formed a bond with two world leadersPresident Donald Trump and Prime Minister Modi. My 7-year-old, 5-year-old, and three-year-old have only built rapport with two world leaders - the first of course is President Trump because he has certain energies. PM Modi has the exact same thing. Our kids liked him. I think it's a great foundation for the future of our relationship," said Vance. A walk with Modi Describing their tour of the PMs residence, Vance said his children were at ease with Modi, seen walking hand-in-hand and playing inside the home. A surprise birthday gesture in Paris The US Vice President praised PM Modi for his thoughtful gesture earlier, during an AI Summit in Paris, where Modi brought a birthday gift for his son Vivek. It was a huge international conference. Yet, PM Modi took the time to stop by and wish our son Vivek a happy birthday. He even brought a gift. Usha and I were genuinely touched, Vance said. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to resume on June 30 after a five-year hiatus, according to an official statement released on Monday. The pilgrimage will follow the route through the Lipulekh Pass, situated at an elevation of 17,000 feet in Uttarakhands Pithoragarh district. The annual pilgrimage was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has not taken place since. However, thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the yatra will be held this year, the statement added. A meeting concerning the yatra was held in New Delhi on Monday, jointly organized by the Uttarakhand government and the Ministry of External Affairs. During the discussion, the responsibility for organising the pilgrimage was assigned to the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, the statement said. The yatra will commence from Delhi on June 30 in which there will be five groups of 50 people each, a total of 250 devotees, will take part. The first group for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will enter China via Lipulekh Pass on July 10 and the last group will depart from China for India on August 22. The statement said that each team will depart from Delhi and after staying one night in Tanakpur in Champawat district of Uttarakhand, one night in Dharchula in Pithoragarh district, two nights in Gunji and two nights in Nabhidang, will enter Taklakot in China. After visiting Kailash, the passenger will depart from China and after staying one night in Bundi of Pithoragarh district, one night in Chaukori and one night in Almora, he will reach Delhi. Thus, each team will travel for a total of 22 days. According to the statement, the health check-up of all the pilgrims going on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will be done first in Delhi and then in Gunji. Tourists in Kashmir came under attack by terrorists in Baisaran of Pahalgam, South Kashmir, on Tuesday 22 April. At least 26 tourists were killed, and 20 were injured from the terrorist attack. The 26 dead included two foreigners, one businessman from Karnataka, and two locals, according to PTI report. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reached Srinagar to conduct an urgent security review meeting with all agencies. The death toll is likely to rise further, as we await an official confirmation. News reports citing police sources have said that of the injured two tourists are critical. The 26 dead included two foreigners and two locals. Kashmir Police said that firing shots were heard in upper meadows of Pahalgam tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. Jammu and Kashmir police said that the attack happened at 2:30 pm. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-E-Taiba offshoot, has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to an image being circulated on social media. (Livemint could not independently confirm the authenticity of the claim) The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-E-Taiba offshoot, has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to an image being circulated on social media. Pahalgam District Hospital has confirmed that 20 people were injured in the Pahalgam terror attack. Two to three gunmen came in fatigues firing indiscriminately on tourists in Baisaran meadows. The security has been beefed up in Pahalgam and forces have rushed to cordon off the area. Security forces have been rushed to the area and an operation is currently under way. Top officials including deputy commissioner of Anantnag have also reached Pahalgam. Women and elderly were among those who were attacked by the terrorists. Umesh Talashi, spokesperson of the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Council party posted about the attack on X (formerly Twitter). Tagging J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Umar Talashi wrote, Disturbing news coming from Pahalgam where tourists were attacked by terrorists at Baisaran. Just received a distressed call from one of victims wife who is known to me. Requesting HCM @OmarAbdullah Sb HMLA @altaf_kaloo & @JmuKmrPolice to extend the help immediately." Umesh Talashi, spokesperson of the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Council party posted about the attack on X (formerly Twitter). Initial reports suggested a possible terror attack at a site frequented by tourists, they said, adding further details are awaited. The area is approachable only on foot or horses, according to officials. Kashmir Politicians Condemn Attack on Revered Guests Tourism brings business and revenue to our people. It is really unfortunate that tourists were attacked. These kinds of attacks repel tourists," Jammu and Kashmir health minister Sakina Masood Itoo said while reacting to the attacks. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti condemned the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam and said, I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed one and injured several. Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced. Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning. A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses. Ensuring visitor safety is paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent future attacks, Mufti added. Sajad Lone also condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a cowardly assault on Kashmirs economy. Please get out of our lives. These tourists are our revered guests. Sajad Lone said. BJP leader Ravinder Raina claimed, Coward Pakistani terrorists have made a cowardly attack on tourists in South Kashmir's Pahalgam. They cannot confront Indian Army, J&K Police, they have attacked the innocent tourists. Attack Comes As Amarnath Yatra Registrations Begin Also Read | Amarnath Yatra resumes on Pahalgam route as weather improves. Check routes here The attack comes as offline registration for the upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra began on April 15. The 38-day pilgrimage is scheduled to begin on July 3 from the twin routes -- the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in south Kashmirs Anantnag district and 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district. While the world had started to get on with their lives after a gruesome murder of one Saurabh Rajput in Meerut, a similar replay in Deoria of Uttar Pradesh has brought those horrors back to light. In Deoria case, it was a man who had just returned to India from Dubai and the culprit is his wife who has had an affair with her nephew. The murder in Deoria came to light when the cops were alerted about a trolley suitcase in an agricultural field in Deoria's Pakari Chhapar Patkhauli village. When cops opened the bag, they found the chopped up body of a man with injury marks near to his head. And the bag have still had an airline tag. The airline tag is issued during the air travel and helps in identifying the checked-in luggage. It also has a Bag Tag Issue Code (BTIC) which connects it to the passenger. Using the airline tag, the police managed to identify the victim, Naushad Ahmed (38). He worked in Dubai as a driver and had returned to India just a few days ago. When officers visited Naushad's home, his wife Razia (30) initially claimed he had gone out the night before. However, bloodstains and another suitcase inside the house raised suspicion. As she was questioned more, Razia confessed to killing her husband with the help of Naushad's nephew Ruman (28) and his friend, Himanshu. Razia said that they killed Naushad as he was an obstacle in their affair. Ruman and Himanshu are currently on the run. How was the Deoria murder carried out? Naushad, according to the reports, had returned his native Bhatauli village just 10 days ago. Razia told the cops that Naushad was hit with a sharp object on his head. Ruman and Himanshu later put Naushad's body in a suitcase and threw it in a field. The murder weapons an axe, a chopper, and a pestle have been recovered. Naushad's sister alleged that Razia and Ruman were having an affair and demanded strict punishment. Naushad is survived by his six-year-old daughter. The Meerut murder replay On March 4, former Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput was killed at his house in Meerut's Indiranagar area by his wife, Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla. The two allegedly drugged Saurabh Rajput, just a few days after he arrived in India from London, and stabbed him to death. Pahalgam Terror Attack: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday condemned the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam's Baisaran. Without divulging the death toll, the J&K CM said that he was shocked beyond belief, adding, The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. Assailants indiscriminately fired at tourists visiting Baisaran valley in Pahalgam on Tuesday. The attack claimed at least 26 lives and left 20 others injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Jeddah, has spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the Pahalgam terror attack. PM Modi has asked Amit Shah to visit the site. Amit Shah reached Srinagar on Tuesday to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies. Im shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. Ive spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo & she has moved to the hospital to oversee arrangements for the injured. Ill be flying back to Srinagar immediately. #Pahalgam, CM Omar Abdullah wrote on X. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also condemned the attack and said, I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. Spoke to the DGP & Security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that those behind the heinous act of terrorism that killed multiple tourists in Pahalgam's Baisran will be brought to justice. PM Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to post condolences for the ones who lost their lives. At least 26 tourists were killed and 20 other injured after 4 gunmen open fired on the tourists at Baisaran valley. I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger. PM Modi wrote on X. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah on a state visit, talked to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the Pahalgam terror attack. The Union Home Minister is scheduled to leave for Srinagar at 7pm today to conduct an urgent security review meeting. Also Read | PM Modi strongly condemns Pahalgam terror attack, speaks to Amit Shah from Saudi According to reports, the Pahalgam terror attack left at least 26 dead and over 20 tourists injured. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that Kanandigas were among the tourists who were killed by the LeT offshoot terror organisation's terrorists at Pahalgam's Baisaran. Shivamogga businessman killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, the family members confirmed. CM Siddaramaiah held a meeting after receiving information about the killing of a Karnataka businessman in Pahalgam terror attack. The attack coincided with the visit to India of US Vice President JD Vance, who is on a largely personal four-day visit. The meadow in Pahalgam is a top sightseeing destination, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dotted with pine forests. It is visited by hundreds of tourists every day. Pahalgam Terror Attack: At least 26 people were killed Tuesday in Baisaran of Kashmir's Pahalgam when terrorists opened fire on tourists in the insurgency-hit region's deadliest attack on civilians since 2019 Pulwama strike. A total of 5 people from Maharashtra lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. According to an official statement, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had a phone conversation with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu regarding arrangements to bring them back to the state. Also Read | Pahalgam Terror Attack Today LIVE: Kashmir Bandh declared for April 23 During the conversation, Eknath Shinde requested Naidu to arrange a special flight to bring back the tourists from Maharashtra stranded in Jammu and Kashmir. Accepting the request, Naidu assured that once a list of the stranded tourists is provided, arrangements will be made to bring them to Mumbai via a special flight. Prime Minister Narendra Modi decried the "heinous act" in the summer retreat of Pahalgam, pledging the attackers "will be brought to justice". The terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Kashmir's Pahalgam town on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. The 26 dead included two foreigners and two locals, a high-ranking official said without getting into details. The Pahalgam terror attack came at a time when US Vice President J D Vance was on a four-day visit to India along with his family. Also Read | IB officer among 26 killed in Pahalgam terror attack Parel Workshop Railway Employee dies Senior Section Engineer Atul Mone of Central Railways Parel Workshop was among the casualties in the Pahalgam terror attack, the Central Railway confirmed. Mone was killed during the assault on tourists in the Baisaran meadow area of Pahalgam. Also Read | Pahalgam terror attack: Modi cuts short his visit to Saudi Arabia Pune resident suffers bullet injury Santosh Jagdale of Pune was shot during the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, and is currently undergoing treatment. His wife was also reportedly injured in the incident. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to Jagdales family in Pune over the phone, assuring them of all possible assistance from the state government. Senior officials, including Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, have reviewed the situation following the attack. Also Read | Vladimir Putin condemns terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam Nagpur Family Escapes Luckily A family from Nagpur was present in Pahalgam, Kashmir, at the time of the terrorist attack. Upon hearing gunfire, they attempted to escape by jumping from a hillside, during which Simran Rupchandani sustained a fractured leg. Tilak and Garv Rupchandani, who were with her, escaped unharmed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting over the Pahalgam terror attack in which at least 26 people were killed. Besides the prime minister, the CCS comprises Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and assured the country that the perpetrators will soon see loud and clear response. ALSO READ: Full list of names of Pahalgam terror attack victims According to witnesses, a few terrorists indiscriminately fired at tourists in Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday. The attack took place in Baisaran, also known as mini Switzerland. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for an all-party meet to be held tomorrow. In the aftermath of the attack in Pahalgam Ive called an all party meeting tomorrow afternoon. I have sent out letters of invitation to all major political parties, all honourable members of parliament from J&K & the leader of opposition in the J&K assembly, he wrote in a post on X. ALSO READ: How Pahalgam terror attack unfolded The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to reports. Mint couldnt verify the reports circulating on social media. The Pahalgam terror attack, being dubbed as the deadliest attack in the valley since 2019 Pulwama strike, comes as US Vice President JD Vance is on India visit and just as the tourist and trekking season is picking up momentum. Following the attack, PM Narendra Modi cut short his Saudi trip and returned to India. Meanwhile, world leaders including Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the deadly attack. US President Donald Trump reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the deadly terrorist attack. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that President Trump conveyed his deepest condolences to PM Modi and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, April 22, departed for a two-day State Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. PM Modi's plane received a grand welcome upon its arrival in Saudi Arabian airspace. On his third visit to Saudi Arabia, PM Modi was greeted by the Royal Saudi Air Force in the air, even before the aircraft landed in the Middle Eastern country. The spectacle was a special moment as fighter planes escorted the PMs aircraft to Jeddah from Saudi airspace. Notably, PM Modi's plane was escorted by F15s of the Royal Saudi Air Force, marking a positive step towards defence cooperation. Also Read | PM Modi leaves for two-day Saudi Arabia visit During this visit, PM Modi is scheduled to co-chair the Second Leaders Meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council with Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Highlighting the growing ties between India and Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X, stated, [India Saudi Arabia flag] friendship flying high! As a special gesture for the State Visit of PM @narendramodi, his aircraft was escorted by the Royal Saudi Air Force as it entered the Saudi airspace. Describing Saudi Arabia as a trusted friend and strategic ally, PM Modi underscored the significant expansion of bilateral relations since the creation of the Strategic Partnership Council in 2019, in an interview with Arab News. The last time PM Modi met the Crown Prince was during the G20 Summit, which was held in India in 2023. JD Vance's visit to India A day before travelling to Saudi Arabia, PM Modi met US Vice President JD Vance in Delhi to discuss wide-ranging bilateral and regional issues. He also touched upon opportunities for military partnership and measures to boost commerce and technology between the two countries. These meetings aim to strengthen economic and technological partnership between the two countries. Pope Francis' funeral to take place Saturday, 26 April at 1:30 pm (IST), Vatican confirms. The Vatican has also released images of open casket of Pope Francis, who passed away from cerebral hemorrhage on Easter Monday, 21 April. Pope Francis, the head of the worlds 1.4 billion Catholics, died at his home in the Vatican on Monday aged 88 after suffering a stroke. According to a short statement by the Vatican, the funeral liturgy in St Peters square will be presided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals. Following the liturgy, the coffin of Pope Francis will be taken into St Peters Basilica, and then to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial, as requested by Francis. Pope Francis funeral will be his final humble gesture Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell, center, flanked by Master of Ceremonies Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, left, and Master of Ceremonies Lubomir Welnitz, right, performes the ceremonial aspersion of the body of Pope Francis with holy water as part of the final rites inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. Pope Francis' predecessor Pope Benedict had abdicated in 2013, the first pope to do so in 600 years, but he was still given a papal funeral in 2022. His embalmed body, dressed in red papal mourning robes, was laid out on a casket covered with a gold cloth and raised on a pedestal in front of the altar in St Peters Basilica, where people could pay tribute. Traditional papal funerals involved dead popes having three coffins one made out of cypress wood, one of lead and one of elm, which are placed one inside the other before the body is placed inside and then buried in the Vatican grottoes beneath St Peters. But Francis shunned these rituals when he approved the simplified rules in April 2024. People will still be able to see his body in the basilica, but his remains will be placed in one simple coffin made of wood and lined with zinc, and will not be raised on a platform. Pope Francis' coffin will remain open until the night before the funeral. Also Read | Mortal remains of Pope Francis on display in Chapel of Casa Santa Marta | Watch The open casket of Pope Francis. Image released by Vatican. However, in an interview in late 2023, Francis said he would not be buried in the Vatican and had instead prepared his tomb at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Romes Esquilino neighbourhood, where he went to pray before and after trips overseas. The procession involving the transfer of Pope Francis' coffin from the Vatican to Esquilino, which would mean a journey of two or three miles through central Rome, would inevitably involve the Vaticans Swiss Guards, the worlds smallest army, although it is unclear if a plan was drawn-up before Franciss death. Details of Pope's coffin procession on Wednesday The ceremony of moving Pope Francis' coffin from Santa Marta to St Peters Basilica will start 9am local time on Wednesday, a note by the Vatican read. After a moment of prayer, the procession will pass through Piazza Santa Marta and Piazza dei Protomartiri Romani, exit into St. Peters Square and enter the Basilica through the central door. After the liturgy in the Basilica, pilgrims from around the world will be allowed to visit to pay their last tributes to Francis. Delhi High Court on Tuesday, April 22, rapped Baba Ramdev for his Sharbat Jihad remarks to target the popular Hamdard's Rooh Afza, saying it shocked the conscience of the court. Justice Amit Bansal, who heard Hamdards suit against Ramdev, said, [It] shocks the conscience of court, this is indefensible. The comments slamming Ramdev came after a video, purportedly released through Ramdev's X account, showed the Yoga guru marketing Patanjali's Gulab Sharbat and aiming target at Hamdard over its Rooh Afza drink, claiming it uses the money to build madrasas and mosques, coining the term Sharbat Jihad. If you drink that sharbat, madrasas and mosques will be built. But if you drink this [Patanjali's rose sharbat], gurukuls will be built, Acharya Kulam will be developed, Patanjali University will expand, and the Bharatiya Shiksha Board will grow, Ramdev was heard saying. While he did not name Hamdard, the comments were believed to be aimed at Hamdard, prompting the company to file a petition against his remarks. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Hamdard, argued that the case extended beyond mere product disparagement, characterizing it as a "shocking" instance of promoting a "communal divide." He further asserted that Ramdev's remarks were tantamount to hate speech, Live Law has reported. Earlier, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh had approached police for registration of an FIR against Ramdev, accusing him of spreading religious hatred through his purported statement on Sharbat Jihad. This statement of Ramdev is hurtful to religious sentiments and is full of animosity and has an adverse effect on religious sentiments and is a punishable offence under Section 196 (1) (a), 299 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023 and various sections of the IT Act, Digvijaya Singh said. Months after the knife attack on him at his Bandra residence, actor Saif Ali Khan has bought a luxury property in The St Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl in Doha of Qatar. Speaking about the property, Saif Ali Khan said that was his home away from home and very safe. Speaking at a press conference by Alfardan Group, Said Ali Khan said, Think of a holiday home or a second home. There are a few things I think of. One is that its not very far away and its easily accessible. And then the other thing is, the most important thing is that its very safe and it feels very good to be there. And the concept of an island within an island is also very luxurious and beautiful, and its just a really lovely place to live. And the feeling you get when youre there is the important thing, and the views, and the food, and the kind of lifestyle, and the pace of living, and these are a few of the things that led to my decision, he said. Speaking of how he came to buy the property at St Regis Marsa Arabia Island, the actor said he stayed there when he was in Doha for a shooting project. I thought it was amazing, and there was something about the mixture of privacy and luxury that I really liked. And again, it was things like food and the way the menu was curated and various things like this. I mean, literally in a nutshell, it felt like home away from home, so that made it very easy. The main thing really is that it's peaceful and secluded if that's the kind of thing you are looking for, Saif Ali Khan said. No matter how much India tries to forget the brutal Meerut murder case, incidents bearing striking similarities to it keep resurfacing from time to time. Sometimes it's the similar crimes being carried out, sometimes it's the Meerut threats between couples and sometimes, they come as gifts. A newly wed couple in Uttar Pradesh was given a gift of a blue drum by their friends when they were clicking pictures on the stage. The video showed some men bringing blue drum to the stage and offering it to the couple. The video is now viral on social media. While it did make some laugh, most on the internet were not amused by the darkness of the joke. Some cursed the friends pulling such a joke on the newly wed couple, some said they were worse than enemies. The world has become ill, people have made fun of this massacre in every street. When something like this will happen to them, then they will realise the pain, one on the internet said. Another said, What kind of friends are these? They are worse than enemies. This kind of prank shows how low people can stoop. Such people cannot be friends. For those unaware, the blue drum refers to the chilling Meerut murder case in which Muskan Rastogi, along with her lover Sahil Shukla, drugged and stabbed her husband, dismembered his body, and sealed the remains in a blue drum filled with wet cement. US President Donald Trump reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that President Trump conveyed his deepest condolences to PM Modi and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. Jaiswal said Trump strongly condemning the attack, reiterated America's unwavering support for India in bringing the perpetrators to justice. "President Trump strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack. India and the United States stand together in the fight against terror," said Jaiswal, quoting the US President. Earlier, Trump took to social media to express his deep concern over the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism." He went on to offer his condolences and support for the victims, their families, and the people of India, stating, "We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured." Support for PM Modi and the people of India Trump also expressed his solidarity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the citizens of India, emphasising their strong alliance. He wrote, "Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies." Trump's message reiterated the United States' commitment to standing by India in its fight against terrorism, reinforcing the strong partnership between the two nations. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the attack "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years," underscoring the scale and brutality of the assault. "The death toll is still being ascertained so I dont want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years," Omar Abdullah wrote on X. "Im shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased," the CM said. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha's office stated on social media: Entire nation is angry & blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. Details of the incident The attack occurred at Baisaran, a scenic meadow six kilometers from Pahalgam, known for its picturesque landscape and frequented by tourists. Terrorists infiltrated the area, which is often referred to as 'mini Switzerland' for its breathtaking views, and began firing on tourists enjoying picnics, pony rides, and meals at local eateries. At least 20 others were injured during the assault. Further details on victims The victims hailed from various states across India, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. Among the injured were several from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, who were immediately rushed to medical facilities. The Resistance Front (TRF) claims responsibility The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group linked to the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. According to officials, the terrorists might have crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran via Kokernag in south Kashmir. Also Read | Pahalgam terror attack: Modi cuts short his visit to Saudi Arabia Harvard University on Monday said that it has filed a lawsuit to block a federal freeze on over $2.2 billion in grants, following its decision to oppose the Trump administrations efforts to curb campus activism. This comes a week after Trump administration asked the university to reform its leadership, change admission policies, audit views of diversity on campus, and stop recognising some student clubs. To this, Harvard President Alan Garber responded saying it would not bend to the demands. Following this, the government froze billions of dollars in federal funding. What does the Harvard lawsuit say? In its lawsuit, the Harvard University said that the federal government has not acknowledged the consequences the fund freezing would have on the research programs and the American progress and innovation. Harvard also said that the government move violated First Amendment rights and the statutory provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and was also, arbitrary and capricious and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. It said, The Government has not and cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain Americas position as a global leader in innovation." Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvards research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress, it added. The Trump order to Harvard University In a letter dated April 11, the Trump administration urged Harvard to enforce stricter disciplinary measures against protesters and to vet international students for any who may be deemed hostile to American values. It also called for an audit of its faculty and student body, changes to admission policies and denying recognition to some student clubs. Last Monday, Harvard said it would not comply, citing the First Amendment. The following day, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, questioning whether the university should lose its tax-exempt status if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting Sickness? Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world, Alan Garber wrote Monday to the Harvard community. We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honor their legal obligations and best fulfill their essential role in society without improper government intrusion. That is how we achieve academic excellence, safeguard open inquiry and freedom of speech, and conduct pioneering research, he wrote. The White House has strongly denied a news report suggesting that President Donald Trump is seeking to replace Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth amid growing controversy over alleged leaks of sensitive military information. The White House has started the process of identifying a new Defense Secretary, NPR reported on Monday, citing an anonymous US official as saying. This @NPR story is total FAKE NEWS based on one anonymous source who clearly has no idea what they are talking about, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. As the President said this morning, he stands strongly behind @SecDef. The White Houses official rapid response account echoed the sentiment, calling NPR a Fake News propaganda machine. Trump reaffirms support President Donald Trump stood by Hegseth amid the controversy, dismissing the story as part of a media smear campaign. It's just fake news. They just bring up stories, President Donald Trump told reporters. "I guess it sounds like disgruntled employees. You know, he was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and that's what he's doing. So you don't always have friends when you do that, Trump said. Leaked chat details airstrike information The backlash follows a New York Times report that Hegseth disclosed details of a March US military airstrike against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen via a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother. The report also connects the latest incident to an earlier controversy, when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was accidentally added to a separate Signal group Houthi PC small group that included senior Trump officials. That group was also reportedly used to discuss attack plans. Hegseth denies wrongdoing Hegseth has denied leaking any classified material and maintains the allegations are politically motivated. Leakers get fired and hit pieces come out. This is what they do, he told reporters at the White House on April 21. They take anonymous sources from former employees and try to ruin peoples reputations not gonna work with me. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Hegseth hit back at critics: Your agenda is illegals, trans & DEI all of which are no longer allowed @ DoD. Officials insist no classified info was shared Despite the uproar, senior Trump officials insist that no classified material was ever disclosed. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who created the Signal group where Goldberg was mistakenly added, reportedly took full responsibility for the error. Vice President JD Vance, DNI Tulsi Gabbard, and other top officials were also members of the chat. Pentagon leak fallout leads to firings Four Pentagon officials Dan Caldwell, Josh Selnick, Colin Carroll, and one unnamed aide were dismissed in the wake of an internal leak investigation. A March 21 memo signed by Hegseths chief of staff, Joe Kasper, called for a probe into unauthorized disclosures of national security information. Schumer demands Hegseths firing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for Hegseths removal, claiming the defense secretary put lives at risk. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from May 13 to 16, the White House confirmed. This will mark Trump's first trip to the Middle East in his second term as president. President Trump "will travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 until May 16," White House Press Secretary Leavitt announced during a briefing. The visit is seen as a significant diplomatic mission, strengthening ties between the US and key Gulf nations. The trip is part of a broader effort to address regional security concerns, economic cooperation, and geopolitical challenges. Initially, Saudi Arabia was set to be Trumps first international destination upon returning to the White House after his election victory. However, on the eve of the trip, Trump announced that he would be attending Pope Francis's funeral in Rome later this week, which led to a change in the planned timeline. This visit comes at a crucial time as the US seeks to reinforce its strategic alliances in the Middle East. Relations with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are pivotal for US foreign policy, particularly in the areas of energy security, counterterrorism, and regional stability. Purpose of the visit Trumps visit comes after Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, arrived in Washington on April 8 for an official visit to coordinate the details of Trumps anticipated trip to the kingdom. This trip marks a return to the region after his 2017 visit, when Saudi Arabia was the first stop during his first term in office. During his time in office, Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) initiated several major economic and defense agreements, a pattern Trump is eager to continue during this visit. Economic and trade deals Trump earlier emphasised that the focus of his visit would be on finalising a significant deal, which he believes will have a major impact on the US economy. Specifically, he mentioned an agreement that could result in investments upwards of $1 trillion, including purchases of military equipment. In a statement, Trump remarked, "Tremendous jobs will be created in those two or three days," though he did not provide specific details about the agreements. Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had previously committed to injecting $600 billion into US trade and investments as part of a broader strategy to enhance bilateral relations. The visit to Qatar and the UAE is expected to mirror these efforts, potentially leading to similar investment and defense deals. US-Saudi relations Saudi Arabia has played a prominent role in US foreign policy, particularly in facilitating ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine. The kingdom's strategic importance to the US is reflected in its partnership, especially concerning the energy market, defense cooperation, and geopolitical stability in the Middle East. Trump's visit underscores the continuing significance of US-Saudi relations and the broader Middle East region in US foreign policy, especially regarding economic partnerships and security agreements. The mortal remains of Pope Francis are on display in repose at the Chapel of Casa Santa Marta, with Swiss Guards standing vigil on either side. The 88-year-old pontiff passed away unexpectedly on Monday following a stroke and cardiac arrest, according to the Vatican. His death marks the end of a tumultuous papacy during which he often challenged conservative factions and strongly advocated for the poor and marginalised. The Vatican on Tuesday released photographs of Francis dressed in his vestments and laid in a wooden coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy. Swiss Guards stand on either side of the casket. Watch: SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, stands near the body of Pope Francis, placed in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death in Santa Marta residence at the Vatican, April 21, 2025. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY A rosary is seen as the body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death in Santa Marta residence at the Vatican, April 21, 2025. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY REFILE - CORRECTING DATE The body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death in Santa Marta residence at the Vatican, April 21, 2025. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY REFILE - CORRECTING DATE SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB The body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death in Santa Marta residence at the Vatican, April 21, 2025. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REFILE - CORRECTING DATE All cardinals currently in Rome were invited to meet at the Vatican at 9 a.m. (0700 GMT), where they were expected to make funeral plans, Reuters reported. "We are now called on to discuss the organisation. We'll see what comes next," said Italian Cardinal Fernando Filoni as he entered the first Congregation of Cardinals at the Vatican. "The most important thing is prayer. Let us accompany the pope with our prayers," Filoni told reporters. In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis stated in his final testamentreleased on Mondaythat he wished to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, rather than the customary resting place of St. Peter's Basilica. In the days leading up to the election of a new pope, the College of Cardinals will also meet to oversee the daily affairs of the Church. The conclave to elect the next pope is expected to begin no earlier than May 6, as it typically takes place 15 to 20 days after a pontiff's death. A total of 135 cardinals are eligible to cast their votes in this highly confidential process, which can last for several days. Pope Francis's relationship with India reflected both aspirations and obstacles. Despite his strong desire, he was never able to visit the country. Nonetheless, he made a significant gesture toward the Indian Catholic community by recently appointing an Indian priest serving in the Vatican as a Cardinal, a moment of pride for many. Francis, the first non-European Pope in almost 1,300 years, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. He had been diagnosed with double pneumonia before his death. Among the six Indian cardinals eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave, four prominent figures stand out. They include Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Daman; Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in Kerala; George Koovakkad, the former head of the Journeys Office at the Vaticans Secretariat of State; and Anthony Poola, Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad and the first Dalit Christian to be appointed as an archbishop. Pope Francis, the first non-European Pope in almost 1,300 years, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Following the death of the Pope, the Vatican will enter a nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale, an ancient Roman tradition that continues to this day. During this time, preparations will begin for the election of the next Pontiff. After the mourning period, the Cardinals will be called into Conclave to elect the next Vicar of Christ. According to a Vatican statement, the Pope passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Following the death of the Pope, the Vatican will enter a nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale, an ancient Roman tradition that continues to this day. During this time, preparations will begin for the election of the next Pontiff. After the mourning period, the Cardinals will be called into Conclave to elect the next Vicar of Christ. THE BOSS of Barrick Gold, a Canadian mega-miner and the worlds second-largest gold producer, is no stranger to bust-ups with African governments. Earlier this month, in Cape Town, Mark Bristow recalled past wrangles with leaders in Tanzania and Congo like a retiring boxer reminiscing over old bouts. He shrugged off an arrest warrant, issued by the government of Mali in December and accusing him of money-laundering and violating financial regulations (allegations he denies), as the cost of doing business in exceptionally tough places. Mining is a long-term game, says Mr Bristow. The best way to resolve misunderstandings or disagreements is through dialogue. His optimism seems to have paid off. On February 19th Reuters reported that Barrick and Mali had agreed to end a dispute that had lasted almost two years and led to the suspension of mining operations accounting for between 5% and 10% of Malis GDP. The Malian government had demanded $500m in back taxesa sum the finance ministry recently bumped up to a gigantic $5.5bn. According to the new agreement, Barrick will pay $438m. In return, the government is to release four senior local employees in prison on charges of money-laundering and financing terrorism (charges that Barrick has maintained are unfounded). It will also return hundreds of millions of dollars worth of gold ore, which the state began seizing last year. The saga, however amicable its conclusion, illustrates the growing challenges facing Western miners in the region. African governments, from Ivory Coast to Zambia, are revising mining codes in pursuit of higher rents and bigger ownership stakes. They have been prompted by surging global demand for minerals ranging from goldthe price of which is at an all-time highto copper and lithium, which are critical for the green transition. The trend towards resource nationalism is most advanced in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the heart of Africas coup belt and a zone increasingly aligned with Russia and hostile to the West. These Sahelian states are among the continents richest in minerals, especially gold and uranium. But because of the capricious and heavy-handed approach military governments have taken to squeezing foreign investors, the Sahel is also where the nationalist turn is most likely to backfire. (The Economist) Malis junta, which took power in 2020, is the pioneer. A state-commissioned audit of the mining sector, which Mr Bristow brushes off as incorrect, claimed the government was missing out on revenues of nearly $1bn. The revised mining code, introduced in 2023, removed tax and customs exemptions and increased the share of a project the state can own from 10% to 30%. Controversially, the junta insisted on applying it retroactively to current operations, rather than just future ones. To enforce compliance, it has incrementally increased demands and procedural pressure, notes Beverly Ochieng of Control Risks, a consultancy. Even before the deal with Barrick, Mali had received or been promised over $635m in additional tax payments, according to Reuters. Malis neighbours have taken note. Last year Nigers government cancelled the mining licence held by Orano, a state-owned French nuclear-fuel company. In the face of legal proceedings it has blocked uranium exports and promised to return the mines to the public domain of the state. The government of Burkina Faso has nationalised two mines and seized gold extracted by a Canadian firm. Sarama Resources, an Australia-based gold miner, has embarked on an arbitration battle in protest against the withdrawal of one of its exploration permits. Some fret that the juntas are motivated mainly by hostility to the West. In the past few years the trio have all expelled Westernprimarily Frenchtroops, and instead hired Russian mercenaries to help them fight jihadists. Nigers showdown with Orano, in particular, is clearly driven by geopolitics. Russia, China and Turkey stand to benefit from the new orientation in Mali and Burkina Faso. We see partners being preferred on the basis of nationality, complains a Western diplomat in Bamoko, Malis capital. In December Ganfeng Lithium, Chinas largest lithium producer, opened a giant mine in Mali. But there are limits to the geopolitical shift. Of the three countries, only Burkina Faso has a Russian-owned industrial mine. I dont think they actually want to break the relationship with Western multinationals, says Ulf Laessing of Germanys Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Bamako. Money seems to be more important than ideology. The economies of all three states are in the doldrums. Four mines in Burkina Faso have closed since the army took power in 2022. Malis junta is reportedly struggling to pay for the services of Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary outfit it hired in 2021. The quest for more revenue is not limited to Western miners. This month the government began taxing phone calls and mobile-money transactions. Last year it made Maroc Telecom pay a fee of $272m to renew its licence. Local businesspeople in Bamako complain about increasingly onerous tax demands. Everything has gone up, grumbles Yusuf Diarra, a water-tank salesman. The shakedown of foreign companies, by contrast, appears broadly popular. Even Malians critical of the junta agree that previous mining codes were too generous to miners. Changing the 2019 code took guts, and had to be done, says Modibo Mao Makalou, a prominent economist. But the governments approach seems likely to jeopardise Malis economy in the long run. Annual gold production fell by nearly a quarter in 2024, according to the countrys mines ministry. Even if big miners like Barrickone of the countrys largest private employersstay put in Mali, they may think twice before committing more capital. Mining is by far the foundation of that economy, and you can destroy it in a heartbeat, Mr Bristow warns. For now few Western mining firms are rushing to leave the Sahel. Mr Bristow suggests Barrick would refuse any demands which might threaten the economic viability of its projects in Mali. But he also says he is very happy to search for ways for the state to get more of the [tax] take. Governments and mining companies still have powerful incentives to get along. US Vice-President J.D. Vances India visit has upped hopes of speedy progress on a trade deal between the two countries. He is here with his wife Usha Vance, whose parents are of Indian origin, and their children. His itinerary features the usual tourist attractions. But the significance of his tour is not lost on anyone. Both Washington and New Delhi want an interim trade deal struck swiftly, even if doing so before early July, when President Donald Trumps 26% reciprocal tariff pause ends, seems over-ambitious. Vances visit is expected to firm up the groundwork and may set the stage for a possible visit by Trump later. Of course, reaching a consensus is easier said than done. For the Narendra Modi government, granting easy market access to US goods would require policy re-calibrations and trade-offs. Local manufacturers would be uneasy with concessions, while farmer interests will need to be borne in mind. If our farmers see exposure to competition from American farms as a threat, a political blowback may brew. As the storm of 2020-21 over an attempted shift in agricultural policy showed, this sector expects direct state support with no quarter granted for market-driven adjustments that take time. But Trumps hard-ball approach could push New Delhi out of its comfort zone. Concessions to the US seem inevitable. But where could these be made? Some easy choices have already been exercised by Indias government. Bourbon whisky and large motorcycles, for example, already have a smoother ride into liquor cabinets and onto Indian streets. Since these are markets with low sales offtake, the impact will not unsettle much. In many other categories, lowering import barriers could spur local players to up their game and compete harder with US rivals. To the extent it helps keep Indian businesses on their toes, trade openness is welcome. Taking on foreign competitors on ones home turf serves as a prelude to exploiting markets abroad. This logic, however, does not quite apply to a sector that is vital for food security and remains state-cradled, like agriculture. Tariffs on some nuts and other items that we barely grow could be reduced, but for many others, local livelihoods would be a major consideration. Dairy products are particularly fraught. India has deep reservations over edible items made from the milk of cattle fed on cattle-feed with animal protein content. Such feed mixes are common in the West, but even red dot labelling might not suffice to defend the sensitivities of Indian consumers who may see all dairy products as pure veg. Given the US formula for proposed country-specific tariffs, New Delhis plan is likely to focus on reducing our $40 billion-plus trade surplus with it. Oil purchases and defence deals could aid that effort. Yet, our trade-policy rejig in response to Trumps agenda should not be mono-focal. Last week, Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong said China could help reduce its trade surplus of almost $100 billion with India by buying high-quality Indian goods. We must respond to such overtures. Should US-China trade ties snap, we may have a chance to plug some shortfalls on both sides, for which we need talks with Beijing too. Although China has failed so far to bump up consumption, it must finally do it now to sustain its economic growth. This could expand its shelf space for wares from India. Perhaps even the US will soften its stance if we signal that we dont really view its market as the be-all and end-all for our exports. Neither Parliament, Nor the Executive is supreme, The Constitution is supreme, a sharp constitutional debate has erupted between Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, following the Supreme Courts recent directive that the President of India must decide within three months on bills reserved by governors for her assent. The controversy has reignited the perennial question: which institution is truly supreme in Indias constitutional frameworkthe Parliament, the executive, the judiciary, or the Constitution itself? Dhankhars Assertion: Parliaments Primacy Addressing students at Delhi University, Vice-President Dhankhar, who also serves as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, emphatically declared that Parliament is supreme and that the Constitution does not envisage any authority above it. Dhankhar argued that elected representatives are the ultimate masters of the Constitutions content and that Parliaments supremacy is as fundamental as the sovereignty of each individual citizen in a democracy. Dhankhar further contended that constitutional functionaries are not merely ceremonial or ornamental, and that every word spoken by such authorities is guided by the supreme national interest. Dhankhars remarks were made in the context of his criticism of the Supreme Court, which he accused of acting as a super Parliament by prescribing timelines for the President and governors to act on legislation. Vice President Dhankhar described the Supreme Courts use of Article 142empowering it to do complete justiceas a nuclear missile against democratic forces, questioning the judiciarys authority to direct the President in such matters. Kapil Sibals Rebuttal: The Constitution is Supreme In a pointed response, Kapil Sibal, a former Union Minister and current president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, countered Jagdeep Dhankhars claims on social media. Sibal asserted, Neither Parliament nor the Executive is supreme; the Constitution is supreme. The provisions of the Constitution are interpreted by the Supreme Court. Thats how this country has understood the law so far. Kapil Sibal emphasised that the Supreme Courts recent judgments, including those criticised by government functionaries, are consistent with constitutional values and guided by the national interest. Sibal also highlighted the distinct roles assigned by the Constitution: Parliament possesses plenary power to pass laws, while the Supreme Court has the obligation to interpret the Constitution and ensure complete justice under Article 142. On the Dignity and Neutrality of Constitutional Offices Kapil Sibal further criticised what he described as a politically tinged stance from the Rajya Sabha chair, cautioning that presiding officers must remain equidistant from both the opposition and the ruling party. New Delhi: In a significant step to improve safety in the handling and use of gas cylindersespecially those used for hydrogenthe government has proposed a set of amendments to the Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016. The draft, notified on 15 April by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), introduces global standards and advanced testing protocols aimed at making Indias hydrogen infrastructure safer and more reliable, as per a government notification issued on Tuesday. The proposed rules are open for public feedback for 30 days before they are finalized. They come at a time when hydrogen is being increasingly promoted as a clean fuel, particularly in transport and industrial use. A highlight of the draft is the requirement that gas cylinders and their components like valves and regulators must now conform to international benchmarks such as ISO and CGA standards. Standards like ISO 21011 or CGA V-1 specify the technical requirements for gas cylinder valves, ensuring they can safely handle high-pressure gases. Similarly, IS/ISO 11114-1 and 11114-2 provide guidance on what kinds of metals or materials should be used in cylinders, depending on the gas being stored, to prevent corrosion or chemical reactions that could lead to accidents. These rules are meant to ensure that whether its a cylinder storing cooking gas or one used in a hydrogen-powered vehicle, the materials and design meet international norms for durability, safety, and compatibility. For hydrogen in particular, the draft introduces stringent testing rules. Cylinders meant for hydrogen service will now have to pass multiple safety tests prescribed under ISO standardsthese include checks for hydrogen leakage, how the metal behaves when absorbing hydrogen over time, and how prone it is to cracking or weakening. This is crucial because hydrogen, though a clean fuel, can react with metals in ways that are not always visible but could lead to long-term damage or explosions if unchecked. Further, the draft mandates that any roof over a hydrogen storage facility must follow CGAPS-46 standardsa safety code that deals with fire and structural safety in such installations. Safe hydrogen ecosystem The amendment also proposes a new rule under Form H of the licensing framework for gas handling facilities: vehicles running on hydrogen must have fuel systems that meet ISO 21266 standards. These cover the safe integration of hydrogen tanks in vehicles, making sure they are tested for real-world conditions like vibrations, impacts, and long-term pressure. As the government pushes ahead with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aligning safety norms with global expectations is critical for both domestic development and international investment. Also read | EIB working with state companies to fund green hydrogen projects Hydrogen is the fuel of the future, but it comes with its own set of challenges. These rule changes show that the government is serious about building a safe, reliable hydrogen ecosystem, said a senior official involved in drafting the amendment. Google is reportedly looking to accelerate plans to move a significant portion of its Pixel smartphone production to India, as it seeks to cushion the impact of fresh US tariffs. The move could come amid rising geopolitical tensions and increasing costs tied to manufacturing in countries like Vietnam and China. According to a report byThe Economic Times, Googles parent company Alphabet has recently held discussions with major electronics manufacturers, including Foxconn and Dixon Technologies, about expanding Pixel production facilities in India. The talks are said to have taken place earlier this month, and signal a strategic pivot aimed at bolstering local manufacturing capabilities. Alphabet is believed to have urged its partners to source key components such as fingerprint scanners, batteries, and chargers from within India, as part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on imports. At present, around 45,000 Pixel smartphones are manufactured each month in India, primarily for domestic sale. Google began assembling smartphones in the country in August 2024, starting with the Pixel 8 model. Reportedly, this latest development aligns with a growing trend among global tech firms to diversify their manufacturing bases, particularly in response to the US governments recent announcement of tariffs. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump imposed new duties on several countries, including China (up to 145 per cent), Vietnam (46 per cent), and India (26 per cent). However, a 90-day pause has been granted for most nations, with the exception of China. If Google successfully scales up production in India, it may follow Apples strategy of exporting India-made phones to international markets, including the United States. While the extent of the production shift remains unclear, local sourcing of components could potentially reduce manufacturing costs, which may eventually lead to lower retail prices. Issa Kassissieh touches a photo of the late Pope Francis, which he placed in Jerusalem's Old City following news of the pontiff's death at age 88, on Monday, April 21, 2025. The community will get a chance to meet the finalists for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's (UTC) next chancellor during the last week of April. The two finalists are scheduled to visit Chattanooga the week of April 28 to meet with faculty, staff, students and key community leaders. UPDATE: UT President names committee for UTC Chancellor search The committee, comprised of UT Board of Trustees representatives, faculty, staff, student, and alumni, will launch the search in January 2025, with hopes to name a chancellor in June. During their visits, both candidates will participate in public forums during the following dates and times: Candidate One - April 29 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm - April 29 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm Candidate Two - April 30 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm The forums will be held at UTCs campus in the Benwood Auditorium on Vine Street. The finalists' names and background information will be released online the day before his or her public forum is held. Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this story. Marty Haynes said the new rate of $1.51 per $100 of the assessed value is down from the previous rate of $2.23 and is the lowest rate since 1941. Each year, more than 800 young people age out of foster care in Tennessee. State data shows that 21% become homeless the day they turn 18. 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: Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. A new partnership between local authorities and their mutual insurance company, Irish Public Bodies (IPB) Insurance, will remove the cost of insurance for local authority-backed Tidy Towns groups across Ireland. There are over 1,000 active Tidy Towns groups in Ireland and the cost of insurance for those groups represents a material and significant drain on their limited financial resources. This initiative will result in substantial savings for Tidy Towns across the country and it will enable Tidy Town groups to focus their energy and resources on community activities. Welcoming the initiative, Robert Troy, Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, said: Volunteer and local groups like Tidy Towns help keep towns clean and attractive, while offering ways for people to support their communities and address local needs. Also Read: Blackisland Hounds game tasting event raises 1,540 for special classes at Longford school This partnership between Irish Public Bodies (IPB) Insurance and the 31 local authorities will mean Tidy Towns groups will have insurance cover, at no cost to them. This will enable local authority-backed Tidy Towns groups to continue their vital work bringing benefits to the community, and indeed the country, as a whole. IPB and the local government sector are to be commended for this efficient and highly innovative solution. The scheme also exemplifies the success of the Government's insurance reform agenda. The implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform has yielded substantial benefits for consumers. Notably, insurance capacity is now accessible in previously challenging sectors, including hospitality, leisure activities, and community groups. Anna Marie Delaney, Chair of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, said: The Tidy Towns competition is a hugely valuable initiative in encouraging communities to work together to make their neighbourhood more attractive, and in helping to instil a sense of pride in those areas. Also Read: Top class: Talented dancer brings World Globe back to Longford and Ballinalee Local authorities already support voluntary and community groups through the provision of grant funding to assist them in this endeavour. We are delighted to now be in a position to work with IPB Insurance to extend a master Tidy Towns insurance policy to cover groups carrying out local authority-supported Tidy Towns activities. This will eliminate the administrative burden on groups to provide evidence of insurance before grants are awarded. Commenting, Chair of IPB Insurance, John Hogan said: As a mutual insurer, we believe in the strength of the collective and working together. This initiative demonstrates the benefits of collaboration to address insurance challenges that make a meaningful difference for our members and their communities. We are delighted to partner with our local authority members to deliver a community insurance scheme that protects those who do so much for their communities on a voluntary basis. Also Read: RIP: Tragedy in Westmeath as young boy dies after being struck by car in housing estate The initiative delivers tangible benefits through the pooling of risk associated with Tidy Towns activities under a master policy undertaken by local authorities enabling Tidy Town voluntary groups to focus on their core mission of improving the local amenity in their communities. The cost savings associated with the scheme should assist groups by ensuring they have more resources available to support their activities. The national roll-out has now commenced and to date almost 700 eligible Tidy Town groups have been catered for through the scheme 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. Also read: Whistler happy! Longford referee ties knot with beautiful Kerry bride in lovely Portugal wedding ceremony Speaking at the launch of Dovida's Midlands hub in Mullingar, 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. Also read: Top class: Talented dancer brings World Globe back to Longford and Ballinalee 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. Expanding services 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. PICTURES | Heatseizers MCC donate hundreds of Easter eggs to Longford's St Christopher's Services 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. Roots in the community 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. Also read: Update: Motorcyclist airlifted to hospital from scene of Longford crash with serious injuries 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. A rewarding career 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. Also read: Longford TidyTowns groups to reap significant savings on insurance costs The funeral details for Pope Francis have now been announced by the Vatican following the Pontiff's death at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. The first Latin American Pope, Pope Francis, suffered a stroke on Monday following months of ill health. Despite this, his death still came as a shock to many as he made his last public appearance the weekend of his death for the Vatican's Easter celebrations. READ NEXT: President Higgins expresses 'deepest sympathies' following passing of Pope Francis It has been confirmed that the funeral will take place on Saturday, 27 April at 9am (Irish time). This will also mark the beginning of the first of nine days of mourning. The Vatican has also confirmed that Pope Francis' body will be taken to St Peter's Basilica for public viewing on Wednesday morning from 9am. At the moment, his body is laid out in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence where he had lived. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: April 22 2025 NUMCs exemplary burn center provides essential care for our region and treats its patients with outstanding expertise and compassion, Legislator Davis said. Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis (D Rockville Centre) proudly attended the annual Firefighters Burn Center Benefit at the Malverne Fire Department on Sunday, April 13. Hosted by Nassau County 4th Battalion Fire District and the Nassau County Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, the event raised funds in support of the state-of-the-art, 12,000 square-foot burn center housed at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC). Crime By Chris Boyle Published: April 22 2025 Michael Khodorkovskiy Faces 10 Years in Prison After He Pleaded Guilty to Trafficking Cocaine from Brooklyn to East End. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Michael Khodorkovskiy, 44, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree for selling cocaine with the intention of having it distributed in Suffolk County. Our East End is not a dumping ground for dangerous narcotics from New York City, said District Attorney Tierney. This guilty plea demonstrates our commitment to disrupting the flow of dangerous narcotics anywhere into Suffolk County. I would particularly like to thank all of our partners in the East End Drug Task Force for their hard work on this investigation. According to court documents and the defendants admissions during his guilty plea allocution, between July 2023 and August 2024, Khodorkovskiy sold high quantities of cocaine to an undercover police officer near his residence in Brooklyn. He sold those drugs believing the drugs were going to be sold in Suffolk County. He also travelled to East Hampton and sold cocaine to another undercover police officer believing it was going to be redistributed in East Hampton and Montauk, during the busy summer months when the Hamptons experience a high influx of visitors and tourists. At the commencement of the police investigation, officers working in an undercover capacity were able to infiltrate Khodorkovskiys network and pose as customers. The undercover officers would then contact Khodorkovskiy or his co-defendant, Alexander Dyatchin, 39, of East Hampton, to arrange for the purchase of cocaine. During the course of these narcotics sales, Khodorkovskiy spoke of those drugs being earmarked for Suffolk County for resale. Specifically, Khodorkovskiy noted the drugs were earmarked for the Hamptons in the summer months. Khodorkovskiy sold significant quantities of cocaine to the undercover officers on multiple occasions, including four instances in which two ounces of cocaine was sold. Co-defendant Dyatchin was allegedly involved in those sales as well. On August 2, 2024, members of the East End Drug Task Force arrested Khodorkovskiy and Dyatchin. At the time of his arrest, Khodorkovskiy was in possession of a kilo and a quarter of cocaine destined for Suffolk County. Khodorkovskiy owned a Mercedes Benz vehicle, which police discovered held a hidden compartment, also known as a trap, that was filled with additional cocaine and the narcotic MDMA. Additionally, $38,550 dollars in cash and 39 gold coins with an estimated value of $100,000 were recovered from Khodorkovskiys Brooklyn apartment during the execution of a search warrant. Additionally, $395,055 in U.S. currency was seized from various bank accounts linked to Khodorkoyskiy. Dyatchins case remains pending. On April 21, 2025, Khodorkovskiy pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-II Felony. Khodorkovskiy faces 10 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. As part of his plea, Khodorkovskiy has forfeited $572,353 seized from him. Khodorkovskiy is due back in court on May 29, 2025, and he is being represented by Matthew Myers, Esq. The investigation was conducted jointly by the Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices East End Drug Taskforce (EEDTF), East Hampton Town Police Department, the Suffolk County Police Department, the New York State Police, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert Archer of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was led by District Attorney Investigator Christopher Cooke of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office East End Drug Task Force and Detective Arthur Scalzo of the East Hampton Town Police Department. Israeli troops and armor operating in the Gaza Strip. (IDF) After more than eighteen months of war, Hamas is exhibiting signs of financial strain that could escalate and possibly destabilize the organization. According to an April 16 report in The Wall Street Journal, Hamas has been unable to pay its fighters as a result of Israeli operations against the groups financial infrastructure. The report is significant because adequate financial resources are essential for Hamass ability to maintain its operational capacity. In this context, Israels targeted efforts to cripple Hamass financial infrastructure may prove more detrimental to the groups long-term viability than the elimination of its commanders, foot soldiers, or military assets. Several instances during the war illustrate Israels efforts to undermine Hamass financial infrastructure. On December 19, 2023, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet intelligence agency announced that they eliminated Hamas Subhi Ferwana, a key Hamas financier responsible for transferring tens of millions of dollars to the group. The IDF alleged that Ferwana and his brother operated the money exchange company Hamsat, which has served as a financial conduit for Hamas in recent years. In the first months of the conflict, Ferwana facilitated significant fund transfers to support the groups military capabilities, including paying fighters salaries and financing war-related activities. Hamas relies on such financiers to channel funds from Iran and other international sources, utilizing money laundering and netting methods to evade global financial monitoring systems. Ferwanas elimination represented a blow to Hamass financial infrastructure and its ability to sustain military operations. Another example illustrating the critical role Gaza-based money exchangers play in financing Hamas occurred on April 4, when the IDF and the Shin Bet announced that a targeted airstrike in the Gaza City area had eliminated Saeed Ahmad Abed Khudari, a central figure in Hamass financial network. Khudari operated as a money exchanger and led the Al Wefaq Company, which Israel had designated a terrorist organization due to its role in channeling funds to terrorist groups. Khudari played a central role in facilitating financial transfers to Hamass so-called military wing, particularly after the October 7 massacre, the IDF said. His activities intensified following the Israeli elimination of his brother, Hamed Khudari, who previously served as a financial conduit for Hamass military operations. Beyond the death of his brother, there were warning signs that Israel had identified Saeed as a potential target before his elimination. On September 29, 2023, the Israeli news site Walla! implicated Saeed and other Palestinians in a financial scheme that involved the transfer of Iranian funds to armed groups in the West Bank. The report named the Al Wefaq Company, where Saeed worked, as an entity Hamas used to move funds earmarked for terrorism to the West Bank. Separately, Hamas has robbed banks to secure funds for its operations. According to allegations made by the IDF, Hamas orchestrated the theft of hundreds of millions of shekels from banks in Gaza City in February 2024. The group recognized that a prolonged war with Israel loomed, along with the necessity of securing financial resources to sustain its operations throughout the most intense conflict in its history. Hamass economic burden is significant, with thousands of fighters receiving monthly stipends averaging between $200 and $300. Additionally, Hamass revenue stream from diverting humanitarian aid has diminished considerably following Israels decision to stop humanitarian assistance to Gaza, a measure taken in response to Hamass refusal to agree to a ceasefire proposed by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. Hamas officials have not publicly acknowledged any signs of financial distress. Nevertheless, the group routinely posts messages on social media soliciting donations to support its activities. An online appeal by Hamas asking for donations. (Image edited to remove actionable information.) Hamass deteriorating financial condition represents a strategic advantage for Israel as it intensifies military pressure on the group. Coupled with growing public dissent and protests against Hamas by some Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Israel may be positioned to exploit the groups emerging vulnerabilities. Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East. An Iranian missile displayed at the 2025 International Defense Exhibition in Baghdad. (SSN) An Iranian delegation led by the countrys Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) attended the 13th International Defense Exhibition (IQDEX) in Baghdad on April 20, boasting of a range of military technologies. The event, attended by 150 companies from approximately 20 countries, featured some of Irans most advanced missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. Among the equipment were the Mohajer and Shahed drone series. The Mohajer 10, with its 300-kilogram payload and 2,000-kilometer range, was presented alongside the less-advanced Mohajer 6. The Mohajer drones, which bear similarities to the American MQ-9 Reaper, also have surveillance capabilities. In addition, Iran highlighted the Shahed 136 UAV, a loitering munition or suicide drone known by its Russian designation, the Geran-2. The Shahed 136 has a larger warhead and greater range compared to its predecessor, the Shahed 131, which Russia has used against Ukrainian infrastructure. These drone models can reportedly be used in coordination, with the Mohajer 6 guiding the Shahed 136 to its targets. Another notable display was the Rezvan loitering drone, first unveiled in January 2025. The Rezvan, employed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces (IRGC-GF), is a suicide UAV with a range of 2050 kilometers and a 4-kilogram warhead. The exhibition also featured several ballistic missiles, including the IRGC-developed Raad-500, also known as Zohair, which has a range of 500 kilometers. Iran showcased the solid-fuel Zolfaqar missile with a range of 700 kilometers, the same missile the Tehran-backed Houthis reportedly used to target Saudi Arabias Aramco site in 2021. Additionally, Iran touted its air defense systems, such as the Sevom Khordad (3 Khordad), a road-mobile medium-range missile system, and the Noh-e Dey (9 Dey), a short-range system. The Arman system, a medium-range, high-altitude air defense system designed to protect sensitive areas from a variety of aerial threats, was also featured. Irans Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics MODAFL oversees the development, production, financing, and logistics of Irans defense sector. The Iranian government allocates billions of dollars in oil revenue to support its military, which also supplements its budget through international arms sales. MODAFLs subsidiaries produce advanced weapons, including ballistic missiles and drones, that are used by Irans military and the IRGC or exported abroad. The ministry has been sanctioned by the US Treasury for its role in missile development, drone manufacturing, and nuclear proliferation. MODAFL has facilitated the export of Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 drones to Russia and exports Iranian drone technology to regime proxies. Irans evolution from arms supplier to proliferator Tehrans participation in Iraqs defense exhibition reflects a pattern of Iran positioning itself as a regional arms exporter and military patron. Regime-affiliated media noted that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani, known for his close ties to Tehran, inaugurated the exhibition and welcomed the import of military technology to enhance Iraqs defense capabilities. Iranian officials hailed the exhibition as a platform to deepen military cooperation between Iran and Iraq, with IRGC media highlighting the potential to supply weapons to Iraqs national army. In addition to Hezbollah and the Houthis, Irans drones have been used by state actors across various regions. Russia has relied heavily on the Shahed-136 drones, and Venezuela operates the Iranian Mohajer-2 drones (ANSU-100) and the ANSU-200, which resemble the Shahed-171. In Africa, Irans Mohajer-6 drones have been deployed by Ethiopia and Sudan in their internal conflicts. Armenia was also reportedly involved in a $500 million arms deal with Iran that includes drones. Iran has also facilitated the establishment of local drone production abroad, including in Tajikistan, where it opened a factory for the Ababil-2 UAV. The Islamic Republic has previously attended defense expos in Malaysia, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Serbia. Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republics regional malign influence. Members of the Syrian security forces conduct operations in the Damascus countryside. (SANA) The transitional Syrian governments security forces detained two members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), according to numerous media reports. As of April 22, the Syrian government has not released a statement confirming the reports. However, an unnamed Syrian Interior Ministry official confirmed the arrest of the movements leaders but did not answer subsequent questions about the reason for their detention. A Palestinian source in Damascus also confirmed the news, France24 reported on April 22. In a statement, the Al Quds Brigades said Khaled Khaled, who heads Islamic Jihads operations in Syria, and Yasser al-Zafari, who heads its organizational committee, had been in Syrian custody for five days, Reuters noted on April 22. Asharq al Awsat, an Arabic newspaper based in London, reported that Palestinian sources in Damascus revealed to the German News Agency [DPA] that Syrian security forces arrested on Sunday night/Monday the Palestinian leader Khaled Khaled, head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in Syria, and Abu Ali Yasser, head of the organizing committee for the Syrian arena in the capital, Damascus. This report notes that the detention of the two men came two days after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas visited Syria on April 18 and met with Syrian interim President Ahmed al Sharaa. Saraya al Quds, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, issued a statement circulated to Arabic-language media, including Asharq al Awsat. Elements of the statement were reported in other media outlets, such as Russias RT Arabic. The statement claims the men had been detained for five days and that the Syrian government had not clarified the reasons for the arrest. This timeline indicates the men were arrested on April 18. The PIJ statement also said the group was surprised by the arrest, which we did not hope to see from brothers whose land has always been a haven for loyalists and free people. [] We hope that our brothers in the Syrian government will release our brothers in their custody. The mention of being brothers was a reference to the fact Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders and members were based in Damascus for many years, including the groups leader, Ziad Nakhaleh. It was the first arrest of Palestinian officials by the new government in Damascus, Sky News Arabia claims, noting that 13 Palestinian factions have been based in Damascus in the past. It is unclear how many remain now that the Bashar al Assad regime has fallen. The Assad regime, which fell on December 8, was a close ally of Iran, and Iran backs PIJ and other Palestinian terrorist groups. Palestinian Islamic Jihad forces in Gaza participated in the October 7 attack on Israel, and its members have frequently clashed with the Israel Defense Forces in the northern West Bank. While Khaled did not appear to have a large public profile in Damascus, his colleague, Zafari, has been mentioned in several reports. In March 2022, Zafari attended a symposium organized by PIJ in a suburb of Damascus. The symposium was attended by dignitaries, representatives of Palestinian factions and forces, members of the Islamic Jihad Movements Syrian Arena Committee, Ibrahim Muawwad and M. Yasser Al-Zafari, and a select group of the movements cadres in the camp, a report from Al Quds News noted at the time. In May 2023, the Office of Irans Supreme Leader sent a message via an emissary congratulating PIJ in Damascus. During a meeting with the Iranian emissary, Zafari, who was described by Palestine Today as a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movements Syrian leadership, spoke about members of PIJ who had been killed in Gaza in recent clashes with the IDF. The detention of the two PIJ members comes as Damascus seeks to crack down on illegal weapons trafficking in Syria and detain members of the former regime and other suspected opposition. For instance, the state-controlled Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) media said regime forces had confiscated weapons in the Damascus countryside and near Suwayda on April 22. The New Arab also reported that Syrian forces detained a former officer of the Assad regime the same day. Speculation is swirling about the motive behind the detention of the PIJ members. Middle East Eye suggested that it appears to be a move to meet US demands for sanctions relief. Irans state-run Press TV also argued that the move was done by Damascus to please the US. Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024). Luxembourgs Ministry of Education is turning to the help of influencers and social media to promote vocational jobs with Gen-Z jobseekers. Education Minister Claude Meisch on Tuesday presented a campaign to encourage young people to take up professional training. Called Shape Your Future - Dai Wee (or Your Path), the initiative is part of the governments coalition agreement in a push to reach Gen-Z in Luxembourg. In a first step, the campaign is tapping youth enrolled in an apprenticeship as ambassadors and influencers on social media. In a second phase, it will target companies to encourage them to enrol young people for training. Professional training values competences, opens concrete perspectives towards employment and answers to the real needs of the working market, said Meisch in a statement. Nearly 19,000 people were unemployed in Luxembourg at the end of March. Nearly one in five of them were aged between 16 and 29 years old, data by national employment agency Adem published on Tuesday shows. Nearly half of the 3,723 young people registered as unemployed had been looking for work for less than four months. But 732 had been jobless for a year or more. Also read: More jobseekers registered with Luxembourg employment office Shape Your Future will officially launch during the Yep! Schoulfoire 2025 event, a fair for school students where pupils transitioning from primary to secondary school can find out more about education options but also for secondary school students to learn more about different career paths. The event takes place from 27 until 30 April at Luxexpo. The main component of the campaign is a video with four young apprentices that chose their training based on their passions and hobbies. They will also take on the role of influencers on social media to promote the movement Shape Your Future. The website shapeyourfuture.lu includes an interactive component where visitors can explore different categories of work, such as #taste for hospitality jobs or #craft for a mechanics training. It is a unique opportunity to discover your vocation by creating with your own hands and by observing your progress grow every day, said Tom Wirion, director of the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts. Luxembourg figureheads have taken to social media to express their condolences over the passing of Pope Francis on Monday morning. The pontiff, who was born in Argentina, died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, following years of health issues and surgeries. Following the news of his death, Luxembourg politicians shared their condolences online. The Grand Duchess and I are deeply saddened by the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, Grand Duke Henri said in an official statement. It is all the more sad because we had the honour and immense joy of welcoming him on an official visit to Luxembourg last October. [The Pope visited on 26 September, editors note]. The grand duke continued: Pope Francis was a man of great compassion, sharing the pain and suffering of others. Constantly concerned about the problems of the most disadvantaged people and of refugees, he was devoted to the most vulnerable, while remaining attentive to the hopes of young people. For us and for the world beyond the Church, he was a spiritual guide. Prime Minister Luc Frieden reacted in a post on X: Saddened to hear of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a recognized worldwide moral authority. It was an immense honor to welcome Pope Francis to Luxembourg last September, he said. As I said on that occasion, religions are part of society and must, in a spirit of mutual respect, contribute to enriching our debates on ethical, societal, and environmental issues. The Pope greatly contributed towards those objectives. Our societies cannot survive without values and principles, he added. Foreign affairs minister Xavier Bettel on the same platform said: Its with utmost sadness that Ive learned of the passing of [Pope Francis]. While our views did not always align, we shared a deep respect for one another & each others perspectives. He will be remembered for his humility, his commitment to the poor&his efforts to modernize the church. Also read: Pope orders cardinals to cut unnecessary spending, achieve zero-deficit Former premier and president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker in an interview said he had met Pope Francis several times. I like the way he looked at the world very much, he said, making poverty a priority and criticising neoliberal capitalism. However, Juncker felt that Francis was held back in his drive for reform. I dont think the church has become what he thought it would be by the time he leaves the office, he said. In an official statement published on Monday, Luxembourg City mayor Lydie Polfer stated that we were deeply saddened to learn of the death this morning of His Holiness Pope Francis. Although we know that his health was fragile, the news of his departure on this Easter Monday touches us deeply, adding that she had fond memories of his visit on 26 September, during which he kindly addressed the people of Luxembourg. Also read: Five highlights from Popes visit to Luxembourg With the death of Pope Francis in this Holy Year of 2025, we are losing a man who has distinguished himself by his philanthropy, his attentiveness and his simplicity since his election as Pope in 2013, the Luxembourg archidiocese said on its website. Deputy Laurent Mosar, who met the Pope during his official visit, on his LinkedIn profile wrote: I was impressed by his simplicity and authenticity, a Pope who was very close to people and easily accessible. Ill always remember the moment when he changed the official programme to go and have an espresso at Cafe Grupetto in the city centre. Even if I didnt always agree with some of his position, I always appreciated his sincerity and simplicity, his closeness to the poor, the fragile and above all the refugees. Pope Francis had visited Luxembourg for eight whirlwind hours on 26 September last year, on the personal invite of the head of state, Grand Duke Henri, both in his capacity as head of the Catholic church and as head of state for the Vatican. (This story was updated on 22 April 2025 at 8:35 to include comments from Jean-Claude Juncker) Recent reports have said that Apple has plans for UI enhancements in iPadOS 19, which could make the iPad window management a little more Mac-like. But if you cant wait until September for iPadOS 19, you could always turn toMicrosoft Windows. A developer called NTDEV figured out how to run Windows 11 on an M2 iPad Air. The implementation involves using an app called UTM that was sideloaded onto an iPad (sideloading is allowed in the European Union, thanks to the EUs Digital Markets Act). UTM is then used to run a JIT emulator that runs Windows 11 on the iPad. You can see it working in the video NTDEV posted on YouTube. If you dont feel like watching over eight minutes of Windows 11 on an iPad (booting feels like it takes forever), NTDEV said on X that it actually works quite decently. Windows Latest reports that NTDEV used a slimmed version of Windows 11 made with Tiny 11, which is used to install the operating system without bloatware. (I admit, I snickered at the bloatware bit.) While NTDEV made a cool demo, youre probably asking, why? Microsoft makes these things called Surface 2-in-1 PCs that run Windows much more efficiently and have a touchscreen UI, so why even bother with Windows on an iPad? Well, NTDEVs X profile says, Trying stuff so you dont have to, which says it all right there. But if you really have to, Windows Latest has steps at the end of their report on how to do this. Church Street Hospitality operates several dining establishments throughout Southern Vermont, including The Publyk House in Bennington, Pearls Place and Pantry and CurATE at SVAC in Manchester, The Dorset Inn Restaurant and Tavern and Barrows House Restaurant in Dorset, and The Lake House Pub and Grille on Lake Bomoseen. From left to right: Steven and Lauren Bryant, John Stern, Doug Goble , Ryan Scheswohl. A 32-year-old man who made up to $8,000 a month booking trafficked women for nearly 10,000 dates in a high-end brothel ring operating out of Cambridge and other East Coast cities was sentenced to a year in prison. Junmyung Lee, a Korean national living in Dedham, was sentenced on Friday to one year in prison followed by one year of supervised release, by U.S. District Court Judge Julia Kobick. Lee is subject to deportation after his sentence is completed, according to U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. Lee was also ordered to pay $200,000 in forfeiture, the amount of money he made while he worked in the brothel ring. Lee pleaded guilty in October to one count of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice and coerce one or more individuals to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in prostitution, and one count of money laundering conspiracy. He was arrested and charged in the fall of 2023 alongside his accomplices ring-leader Han Lee, 42, of Cambridge, and James Lee, 69, of Torrance, Calif. Han Lee was ordered to pay $5.4 million in forfeiture and sentenced to four years in prison in March. James Lee is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28. Han Lee recruited Junmyung Lee as the brothel network booker in late 2021, where he was responsible for vetting and communicating with sex buyers on two cellphones, which each held over 2,800 contacts. He also brought women to and from the airport as they were trafficked across states. With the network itself generating over $5.6 million in revenue, Lee was paid between $6,000 and $8,000 a month to schedule around 9,450 dates, and made abut $200,000 in total, Foley said. Lee would also collect and hide the cash proceeds with structured deposits in personal bank accounts and peer-to-peer payments, then use the money to pay for brothel location rent and utilities. In a series of three public hearings last month, the names of 34 men who had been excessive of 400 text messages with the brothel were revealed. Most prominently, this included Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner and Boston oncologist Dr. James Cusack Jr. Toner released a statement that said he would be forever sorry for causing pain for the people I care about most, and did not appear for his court hearing. Appointments out of apartments in Cambridge, Watertown and eastern Virginia were set up by the accused sex buyers through text messages to a number on a website called bostontopten10.com, Cambridge Police Lt. Jarred Cabral said during the hearings. The men used code words in their texts with the brothel owners, including GFE for girlfriend experience and BB for bareback, a slang term for sexual intercourse without protection, Cabral said. The buyers often requested women by name, and their payments which ranged from $250 for 30 minutes, to $350 for one hour and up to $840 for three hours were called donations, a usual term in the sex trade, Cabral said. All of the men who were issued criminal complaints will be sent a summons to appear for arraignments at Cambridge District Court at a later date, according to Cambridge District Court Clerk Sharon Casey. Three people were shot and one person was stabbed in a Boston neighborhood on Monday night. The incident happened at around 10:14 p.m. in Mattapan on Regis Road, according to the Boston Police Department. Initially, just one victim was reported at the scene, but officers arrived to find three people who were shot, and one person who was stabbed. All of the victims had non-life-threatening injuries, the department said, and all were brought to the hospital. A man named Calvin Stokes, 46, of Mattapan, was arrested in connection with the incident. Stokes faces charges of being an armed career criminal, four counts of assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a knife, unlawful possession of a gun and firing a gun within 500 feet of a building. Stokes is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on Tuesday morning. Alice Cooper performs on The Freaks on Parade Tour in Geddes, New York in this file photo. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com) Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com A rock legend is reuniting with his original bandmates to release their first new album in more than 50 years. Alice Coopers forthcoming album, The Revenge of Alice Cooper, will feature all of the surviving members of the Alice Cooper Group, the musician told Billboard. Cooper will be joined by guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith on the new album. The 14-track album, which will be released on July 25, will be the bands first since 1973s Muscle of Love. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee told Billboard that making the album felt just like riding a bike. It was very much like this was our next album after Muscle of Love just like, OK, this is the next album," Cooper said. Isnt that funny after 50 years? All of a sudden it just falls into place. Producer Bob Ezrin echoed the bands undeniable chemistry by telling Billboard how similar the members have stayed since working on albums from the 1970s such as Love It to Death, Killer, Schools Out and Billion Dollar Babies. They revert to who they were as kids when they first got together and make music together like they did 50-some years ago," Ezrin said. Obviously everyones older and more mature and more settled, but when we all get together and I watch the interplay between them, its like they just walked out of high school and were hanging out in the local cafe. The project will feature a cover of the Yardbirds I Aint Done Wrong, which the Alice Cooper Group often covered during their days as The Spiders. The albums lead single, Black Mamba, is set to premiere Tuesday on Coopers syndicated radio show, Alices Attic. The Revenge of Alice Cooper is also dedicated the bands late guitarist Glen Buxton who died at age 49 in 1997. Buxton is represented on two songs on the album as well. Nobody wants to replace Glen, and they hold jealously onto his memory and their love for him. But very early on (Hues) started playing some really cool stuff and the guys were looking around going, Thats kinda great, Ezrin told Billboard. We have the Alice Cooper group, not with Glen Buxton but with somebody who honors Glen Buxton. Cooper, Buxton, Bruce, Dunaway and Smith were all members of The Spiders that formed in Phoenix, Arizona, in the 1960s. When frontman Vincent Furnier adopted his stage (and now legal) name, they were known as the Alice Cooper Group or Alice Cooper Band until splitting up in 1974. The group released seven albums between 1969 and 1973, featuring hits Schools Out, Im Eighteen, and No More Mr. Nice Guy. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together in 2011. Cooper released more than 20 solo albums and contributed to movie soundtracks like Waynes World, Dazed and Confused and Halloween. He also performed in Hollywood Vampires with Johnny Depp and Joe Perry, plus collaborated with artists like Guns n Roses and Theory of a Deadman. Cooper is still touring as a solo artist. His upcoming tour dates include a show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on Friday, May 23. Fans can shop for tickets using reliable third-party ticket sellers like StubHub, VividSeats and SeatGeek. Two seniors from Concord-Carlisle High School were killed in a crash in the Florida Panhandle, with two others seriously hurt, Florida Highway Patrol said Tuesday. Seniors Jimmy McIntosh and Hannah Wasserman died in the crash, according to a statement from Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter obtained by the Boston Globe. Two other seniors remain in critical condition. MassLive has reached out to Hunter for more information. At around 9:28 p.m. on Monday, an 18-year-old man and three 18-year-old women were in an SUV driving west on Route 98 in Walton County, near Panama City Beach, Florida, when they were struck by a tractor-trailer trying to make a U-turn in a paved median, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report obtained by MassLive. The SUV crossed the median and the highways eastbound side before stopping along the woodline, police said. The driver and one female passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two women were hospitalized at Bay Medical Center. Two men were in the truck, the police report read, but neither was hurt in the crash. We offer our deep condolences to the families and friends of Hannah and Jimmy during this unimaginable time, Hunter said in her statement. Their loss will be deeply felt by our school community as well as by so many families in Carlisle and Concord. We are also keeping the other two students in our thoughts and wish them strength and a swift recovery. Grief counseling is available for high school students and staff on Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., and on Monday after students return from spring break, the Globe wrote. A third Concord-Carlisle High School student died Tuesday following a crash in the Florida Panhandle that left two other students dead and a fourth in critical condition, WCVB-TV reported. Senior Maisey ODonnell, one of the three female passengers in an SUV, has died, according to a statement from Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter obtained by the news station. Hunter previously announced the deaths of seniors Jimmy McIntosh and Hannah Wasserman on Tuesday. MassLive has reached out to Hunter for more information. It is with great sadness that I share additional information about the tragic car accident in Florida, Hunter said in a statement obtained by WCVB-TV. ...Maisey is in the organ donation program as her family hopes that it will give meaning to these meaningless tragedies. At around 9:28 p.m. on Monday, an 18-year-old man and three 18-year-old women were in an SUV driving west on Route 98 in Walton County, near Panama City Beach, Florida, when they were struck by a tractor-trailer trying to make a U-turn in a paved median, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report obtained by MassLive. The SUV crossed the median and the highways eastbound side before stopping along the woodline, police said. The driver and one female passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two women were hospitalized at Bay Medical Center. Grief counseling is available for high school students and staff on Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., and on Monday after students return from spring break, the Globe wrote. Casey Affleck, the Massachusetts-born actor, joined PETA members and supporters on Sept. 13, 2021, at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to protest animal research conducted at the school. (Will Katcher/MassLive) After years of fighting over the use of animals for research, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have settled a 2022 public records lawsuit. In a September 2022 lawsuit, filed in a Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston, PETA has said that UMass researchers perform experiments that mistreat animals and house creatures, including marmoset monkeys and hamsters, in cramped and inhumane conditions. A letter signed by college presidents pushing back against government overreach and political interference by the Trump administration has been signed by over 200 college presidents and higher education leaders nationwide. When the letter was released early Tuesday, it was signed by about 100 higher-education leaders, but nearly 100 more leaders added their signatures in less than 24 hours. Massachusetts college presidents make up 20 of the signatures. Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University and Suffolk University are among the presidents from Massachusetts institutions that added their names to the letter, which MassLive obtained a copy of late Monday. The presidents are calling for one voice in higher education against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education, according to the letter. In an environment where presidents have feared speaking up against the Trump administration despite sweeping demands to reshape higher education, the letter is the first time current presidents have come together in large numbers to express their concerns publicly. David Fithian has been named Clark University's 10th president. Clark Universitys president, David Fithian, told MassLive Tuesday morning that now is a time for courage and for standing up for what we think is right. While Clark isnt as large as other institutions, nor does it have the level of resources as institutions like Harvard, he said it is crucial to stand up because an attack on one is an attack on all of us." Nothing that is happening right now in higher education through executive orders is helping our students, our faculty or our country, Fithian said. Its instilling fear and anger evidently by design and thats never the right environment to do our best work ... or to move our country forward. A key concern of Fithians is that 13 Clark students have had their visas revoked without explanation an action that is occurring across the country. A key component of the way the institution educates students is through a diversity of perspectives, experiences and backgrounds, Fithian said. Drawing students from around the world is fundamental to fulfilling our mission. International students comprise about 35% of Clarks student body, including undergraduates and graduates, he said. " Were already hearing from students who are uncertain about coming to the United States to start their education, an educational program at Clark. And for students already here, theyre obviously deeply concerned about their ability to stay, their ability to travel home and return and their ability to continue to study the subjects that they came to study and the right we all enjoy to speak freely about world matters," Fithian said. He said he and other presidents who signed the letter embrace free expression and academic freedom principles. What is problematic in this moment is the federal government dictating to colleges and universities how we should think, how we should teach, what we should research and how we should act as if theres only one way or right way to do that, The Massachusetts college and university presidents who signed the letter, entitled A Call for Constructive Engagement, include: Michael A. Elliott, Amherst College Alan M. Garber, Harvard University Sally Kornbluth, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sunil Kumar, Tufts University Harry Dumay, Elms College David Fithian, Clark University Melissa Gilliam, Boston University Paula A. Johnson, Wellesley College Maud S. Mandel, Williams College Vincent Rougeau, College of the Holy Cross Philip J. Sisson, Middlesex Community College James Vander Hooven, Mount Wachusett Community College Sarah Willie-LeBreton, Smith College Lane A. Glenn, Northern Essex Community College Marisa Kelly, Suffolk University Michaele Whelan, Wheaton College Ed Wingenbach, Hampshire College Danielle R. Holley, Mount Holyoke College Pam Eddinger, Bunker Hill Community College Jay M. Bernhardt, Emerson College Holy Cross president Vincent Rougeau said in a statement to MassLive that there has been clear government overreach into what colleges teach, how they teach and who they teach. The strength of our colleges and universities is key to American prosperity, and that strength is built on a longstanding tradition of academic freedom. I was proud to join with the leaders of a wide variety of institutions to say that, while we are open to constructive conversations about reform, we will oppose any efforts to undermine academic freedom and our institutions independence, Rougeau said. In an email to the Williams College community, president Maud Mandel said it is important that the institution be a part of the letter as a complement to our advocacy for the specific benefits of a liberal arts education. "As I did in March, I again ask each of you to join us in defending and building appreciation for higher education in this country. Williams is one small part of a much larger educational landscape that can only thrive if the wider sector is flourishing," she said. The letter, released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, comes after Harvard, a private university, refused to comply with a list of demands from the federal government and, as a result, the Trump administration froze billions of dollars in federal funding and is threatening to withdraw Harvards tax-exempt status. The demands include allowing the federal government to audit student, professor and staff viewpoints, sharing all hiring data with the government, which would be subjected to an audit and giving leadership power to those most devoted to enacting the demanded changes, and stripping it away from those who arent. On Monday, Harvard sued the federal government, arguing its constitutional rights have been violated. Theres an increase in momentum and I think Harvard standing up to the Trump administration has catalyzed these efforts, said Lynn Pasquerella, the former president of Mount Holyoke College who now serves as president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. The Trump administration has also frozen federal funding at most other Ivy League schools and Northwestern University, signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, canceled research grants and began investigations into many universities and colleges across the country. Until now, faculty senates had led the way in publicly speaking out against the Trump administration. Several of the Big Ten schools decided to band together in mutual defense. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is doing something similar. Fithian said he is open to exploring a wide range of collaborations with other institutions, including alliances similar to those occurring at Big Ten schools. The letter is open to additional signatures. The group of presidents convened Monday evening to determine the most effective way to maintain the momentum from the letter and what the next paths forward are, Pasquerella said. " The fundamental purpose of American higher education is for the public good. Were not here to serve individual students or ourselves, but society as a whole and to engage them in answering the question, What can we do for you? So the collective voice comes from, then, looking at the many ways in which we can carry this work forward and change the narrative positively," Pasquerella said. Four people have been found guilty of operating a Boston-area sex trafficking ring that trafficked Central and South American women in four residential brothels, the Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office announced Tuesday. Following a five-week trial, a Suffolk County Superior Court jury convicted 52-year-old Saugus resident Cristina Lasso, 38-year-old Lynn resident Jose Deblas, 43-year-old East Boston resident Marlon Nagano and 60-year-old Chelsea resident Jorge Lasso of charges related to operating four residential brothels, the attorney generals office said in a press release. The brothels were located in East Boston, Chelsea and Lynn and were in operation from October 2018 to July 2019. Women from Central and South America were rotated through the brothels on a weekly basis, and dozens of customers paid the defendants to have sex with the women each day, the attorney generals office said. Cristina Lasso was the head of the organization, and Jorge Lasso, Deblas and Nagano assisted her by recruiting victims, advertising sexual services, setting up appointments for sexual encounters, transporting women to and from the brothels and facilitating the exchange of money. Cristina Lasso was found guilty of four counts of trafficking persons for sexual servitude, maintaining a house of prostitution, keeping a house of ill fame and one count of money laundering, the attorney generals office said. Deblas was found guilty of one count of trafficking persons for sexual servitude, two counts of maintaining a house of prostitution, two counts of keeping a house of ill fame and one count of money laundering. Nagano was found guilty of one count of trafficking persons for sexual servitude, maintaining a house of prostitution and money laundering and two counts of keeping a house of ill fame, the attorney generals office said. Jorge Lasso was found guilty of one count of trafficking persons for sexual servitude and money laundering. The four defendants are scheduled to be sentenced in Suffolk Superior Court on May 2. Karen Reads second trial in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, got underway in Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court before Judge Beverly Cannone. Heres what happened on the first day of testimony Tuesday. The trial resumes Wednesday morning. Who to know: Hank Brennan, special prosecutor for the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office Alan Jackson, defense attorney for Read Timothy Nuttall, witness and Canton firefighter Kerry Roberts, friend of Read and OKeefe 3:46 p.m. - Cannone sends jurors home for the day Cannone told Roberts she could step down after a brief sidebar with the lawyers. She will pick up her testimony on Wednesday morning. Cannone cautioned the jury to avoid media coverage of the trial or discussing it with anyone. 3:30 p.m. - Roberts testifies about search for OKeefe After the call to police, Roberts drove to the home of another woman who was friends with OKeefe, Jennifer McCabe. When she arrived to McCabes home, Read pointed Roberts to her taillight, which Roberts said was missing a piece. At the time, Roberts said she didnt think anything of it and the trio drove to OKeefes home in two cars to search for him. When they arrived at OKeefes home, the group of women went inside to search for him. They went in through the garage and Roberts began looking through the first floor of the home. Roberts said she looked through five or six rooms downstairs while McCabe searched upstairs. Read was standing in OKeefes room at the top of the stairs, not moving. When they couldnt find OKeefe at his home, the trio set off for 34 Fairview Road with McCabe giving directions. Roberts said she and McCabe were looking out both windows as they drove. Read was very frantic. When they arrived, Read began screaming, there he is and started kicking the door to try and get out. Roberts said she was looking around but didnt see anything. Read ran right over to what appeared to be a mound of snow when she got out of the car, Roberts said. 3:26 p.m. - Roberts call to Canton Police played On the morning of OKeefes death, after getting the frantic call from Read, Roberts called Canton Police to see if OKeefe had been picked up that night. Roberts says in the call that she also called area hospitals, who told her OKeefe hadnt been checked in. The dispatcher told Roberts they didnt get any calls and no one was arrested overnight. Roberts told him it was unusual that OKeefe didnt return home. 3:20 p.m. - Roberts describes 5 a.m. phone call from Read On the morning of OKeefes death, Read called Roberts at 5 a.m. Roberts, who testified she was half-asleep, said Read screamed, Kerry, Kerry, Kerry, Johns dead and hung up. Read was so loud on the phone that it woke up Roberts husband. 3:05 p.m. - Roberts testifies about relationship with OKeefe Roberts, whose son is the same age as OKeefes nephew, said she and OKeefe went to high school together in Braintree but were not close. The pair became close after OKeefes sister and brother-in-law died and he became the guardian of his niece and nephew, Roberts said. Roberts lived in the same neighborhood as OKeefe and he was the emergency contact for her children at school. There was a lot of us that jumped in to help OKeefe raise the children, Roberts said. The community came together in the wake of OKeefes sister and brother-in-laws death, she said. 3 p.m. - Prosecution calls next witness Brennan called Kerry Roberts one of the two women with Read on the morning OKeefe was found to the stand after Nuttalls testimony concluded. Before Roberts took the stand, Brennan played a clip of Reads interview with Investigation Discovery for the docuseries, A Body in the Snow. In it, Read says, I know I said I hit him as part of a discussion of how her memory has been warped by her review of the evidence in the case. 2:55 p.m. - Nuttall says no one exited the home On re-cross examination, Nuttall said he never saw anyone exit the home as first responders worked on OKeefe. Thats despite the chaotic scene that featured screaming, flashing lights and the sound of emergency response vehicles. Jackson also attempted to undermine Nuttalls version of events, saying his testimony didnt line up with the videos both sides played during questioning. Specifically, Nuttalls statements about who was performing CPR on OKeefe and when appeared to be inconsistent with the video, Jackson said. 2:40 p.m. - Read told others, I hit him After a brief sidebar, Brennan asked Nuttall if he had heard Read say I hit him to anyone else at the scene. Nuttall said he heard her say it in the background as he was treating OKeefe. That was not our focus, he said. 2:36 p.m. - Nuttall says Brennan never influenced testimony As Brennan continued his questioning of Nuttall, he asked if he had ever told Nuttall to stick to a story. Nuttall said he hadnt, and that during their meetings, Brennan told him his testimony needed to be his best recollection of what happened. 2:30 p.m. - Brennan questions Nuttall about video shown by defense On redirect, Brennan asked Nuttall if the moment he heard Read say I hit him was included in the dash cam video played by Jackson during cross-examination. Nuttall said it wasnt, and Brennan played the video from the moment paramedics arrived. 2:13 p.m. - Jackson questions Nuttall about meeting with lead investigator Jackson asked Nuttall if he remembered telling former Trooper Michael Proctor that he saw Read praying over OKeefes body. Nuttall said he did not recall saying anything like that, and appeared confused when Jackson asked. I have no recollection of saying that anybody prayed over anybody in this case, he said after reviewing a copy of Proctors report. During the first trial, Nuttall testified his memory of conversations with Proctor was faulty. On Tuesday, he confirmed that was still true. Nuttall denied ever saying that Read prayed over OKeefe. Thats really not something that I ever would have said, he said. 2 p.m. - Nuttall resumes testimony after lunch Nuttall returned to the stand after a lunch break, and Jackson began a line of questioning about whether the first responders discussed the incident after returning to the fire station. Do you remember discussing your observations and what happened at the scene? Jackson asked. Nuttall said he had not. Instead, the group discussed what equipment they used on the call and whether any of it needed to be replaced. 1:05 p.m. - Jackson grills Nuttall about OKeefes injuries Nuttall said in addition to the lacerations on his arm, OKeefe had a hematoma a golf-ball-sized swollen wound above his right eye. That injury is often the result of blunt force trauma, such as being hit, Nuttall said. Jackson asked Nuttall if OKeefes injuries could be consistent with a fight. Brennan objected and Nuttall said he couldnt answer the question. But Jackson said Nuttall answered the very same question at the first trial. Cannone called a sidebar and adjourned the trial for lunch afterward. 12:57 p.m. - Nuttall testifies about OKeefes clothing During the first trial, and during his testimony before a grand jury, Nuttall said he remembered OKeefe wearing a puffy winter coat on the morning he was found. At Jacksons prompting, Nuttall admitted he was completely wrong about the clothing. In fact, OKeefe was wearing a short-sleeve T-shirt and a thin hoodie, Jackson told Nuttall. 12:49 p.m. - Jackson begins cross-examination of Nuttall Nuttall said he had three conversations with prosecutors before he testified, including one on Monday night. During a meeting with prosecutors three weeks ago, Nuttall went over his testimony during the first trial. In his testimony at Reads first trial, Nuttall testified he heard Read say I hit him twice, not the three times he said he heard it during his testimony Tuesday. Jackson asked Nuttall about a second meeting with Brennan and State Police Detective Lt. Brian Tully, the former head of the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the district attorneys office. During the meeting, the group went over the I hit him statement again. Jackson grilled Nuttall about the difference between his testimony in the first and second trials. Canton Fire Department paramedic Timothy Nuttall testifies during Karen Read's second murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Stuart Cahill/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) BH 12:32 p.m. - Prosecution plays dashcam footage Brennan played footage taken from a dash camera in a police cruiser on the morning of OKeefes death. Read can be seen running and screaming in the footage as Nuttall and another firefighter began working on OKeefe. The audio in the footage cut out around the moment when Nuttall said he heard Read say she hit OKeefe. 12:25 p.m. - Nuttall explains I hit him statement Nuttall said as he knelt near OKeefes head, he looked up to see Read with blood on her face. As he provided ventilation to OKeefe, Read told Nuttall, I hit him, I hit him, I hit him. I remember it very distinctly, Nuttall said. The morning OKeefe was found stood out more than most calls Nuttall had been on, he said, because of the setting and the unknown nature of the call. Nuttall noted that he was not a police officer or an investigator, and his only focus on the morning he found OKeefe was to try and save his life. 12:15 p.m. - Canton firefighter testifies about finding OKeefe Nuttall said snow was coming down heavily when he arrived to 34 Fairview Road on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022. Nuttall heard screaming and followed the noise, where he discovered Read and two other women: Jennifer McCabe and Kerry Roberts. He rushed over to OKeefe, who was lying on his back where the front lawn met the sidewalk. Nuttall tried to find a pulse, but OKeefe wasnt breathing. OKeefe was cold to the touch, he said. There was no signs of life, he said. Because OKeefe was cold to the touch, first responders attempted to resuscitate him. Nuttall said OKeefes fingers were white and stiff, which can be signs of hypothermia and frostbite. 12 p.m. - Prosecution calls first witness Nuttall, the first responder who said he heard Read say, I hit him, was called as the first witness for the prosecution. His testimony began with him describing his background and experience. On the morning of Jan. 29, 2022, Nuttall said he arrived to work early, just before 6 a.m. Not long after entering the building, Nuttall heard a dispatcher say an unresponsive man had been found in a snow bank. 11:30 a.m. - Medical examiner didnt rule OKeefes death a homicide Jackson told the jury that the commonwealths medical examiner declined to rule OKeefes death a homicide. Instead, Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello left his manner of death undetermined, despite reviewing the police reconstruction of the crash they say killed OKeefe. By the end of this trial youll conclude ... there was no collision, Jackson said. This case is the very definition of reasonable doubt. After Jackson concluded, Cannone called a recess. 11:25 a.m. - Defense contests I hit him statement Read was desperately trying to piece together what happened when OKeefe did not come home on the night of Jan. 29, 2022, Jackson said. She was running through possibilities in her mind: could a plow have hit OKeefe? Could she have? But she never said, I hit him, Jackson said. The remark was not in any police reports from the night, and first emerged in an interview with an EMT the next day. That interview was arranged by Canton Police detective Kevin Albert, whose brother, Brian, owned the home OKeefe found outside of. The EMT was close friends with Brian Alberts daughter, Jackson said. The Alberts were close friends with now-fired Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator into OKeefes death, Jackson told the jury. Thats not just bias, he said. That is corruption and youll see how far it went. 11:15 a.m. - Defense begins pointing the finger at prosecution witnesses Jackson said Brian Higgins, a federal agent inside the home the night of OKeefes death, went to the Canton Police station after leaving the home. Higgins and Read had been flirting over text in the weeks before OKeefe died, but Read cut off the flirtation. There, Higgins made a phone call at 1:30 a.m., Jackson said. An hour after, Higgins received a call from the homeowner, Brian Albert, around 2:22 a.m. When Albert and Higgins were asked about the calls, they explained them away as butt dials. Both men got rid of their phones not long after OKeefes death, Jackson noted. When Alberts sister-in-law, Jennifer McCabe, left the home, she googled, hos long to die in cold at 2:27 a.m., according to the defense. An extraction of McCabes phone showed the search was deleted. That search came five minutes after the call from Albert to Higgins, and hours before OKeefes body was found. 11:03 a.m. - OKeefes injuries were not consistent with car accident, defense says Jackson told jurors that OKeefes injuries were inconsistent with a car crash. He had no bruising on his body. The wounds on OKeefes right arm were from an animal, such as a large dog, Jackson said. A forensic expert will tell the jury that the injury to OKeefes head was not from hitting his head on the ground, as prosecutors have suggested. Instead, Jackson said, the expert determined the injury was consistent with OKeefe hitting his head on a raised or angled surface. Attorney Alan Jackson gives his opening statement at Karen Read's second murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Stuart Cahill /The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP 10:59 a.m. - Defense lays out its narrative Jackson laid out what happened on the night of OKeefes death, explaining to jurors that members of the Albert family were at the Waterfall bar drinking before Read and OKeefe arrived. Brian Albert owned the home on Fairview Road that OKeefe was found outside of. As the bar was closing, the Alberts invited the couple back to the home. When they arrived, OKeefe went inside the house, Jackson said. John OKeefe went inside the Albert home that night, he said, telling jurors eyewitnesses and digital forensics would confirm that. Jackson told jurors a forensic expert determined OKeefe did not die of hypothermia, as prosecutors suggest. That means he had to have been injured somewhere other than outside the home, he said. 10:50 a.m. - Investigation into OKeefes death was corrupted, defense says Jackson said the prosecutions entire case was the definition of reasonable doubt. The Boston police officer who owned the home OKeefe was found outside of, Brian Albert, never went outside on the morning of OKeefes death, Jackson noted. Albert ignored blood curdling screams, ladder trucks, ambulances, paramedics and police cruisers, Jackson said. Proctor never investigated Albert nor anyone else inside the home that night, Jackson told the jury. This case carries a malignancy ... a cancer that can not be cut out. That cancer has a name; its Michael Proctor, he said. Michael Proctor is the very definition of the commonwealths case. And hes also their Achilles heel. 10:45 a.m. - Defense begins its opening statement Jackson began his opening statement for Reads defense, saying that the prosecutions theory was contrary to science. There was no collision with John OKeefe, he said. Jackson told jurors the whole case can be explained by one text message sent by now-fired trooper Michael Proctor. A friend asked Proctor, the lead investigator, if the homeowner would catch any [expletive]. Proctor replied simply, nope, homeowners a Boston cop too. 10:40 a.m. - Read admitted to the crime, prosecution says Special prosecutor Hank Brennan told jurors that they will hear a series of statements made by Read in the wake of OKeefes death that show her guilt. He then played a clip from an interview Read did with Dateline, in which she said, OKeefe didnt look mortally wounded. The facts, the data and the evidence will bring you to the truth, he concluded. 10:37 a.m. - Pieces of Reads taillight littered around OKeefes body Over the course of 10 days, as snow melted, investigators found almost every piece of Reads broken taillight around OKeefes body, Brennan said. They also found OKeefes hat and a sneaker. Brennant told jurors that OKeefes DNA was found on Reads taillight. 10:27 a.m. - Brennan describes the night of OKeefes death Read was drinking heavily on the night of OKeefes death, Brennan said. When Read and OKeefe arrived at the Waterfall Bar in Canton, Read did a shot her eighth drink in three hours, Brennan said. When Read and OKeefe left the bar, they got lost on the way to 34 Fairview Road. They arrived just before 12:30 a.m., and Read pulled her car to the far end of the homes front lawn, near a flagpole. At 12:32 a.m., OKeefe got out of the car, looked at his phone, and shut the phone off for the last time. Data from Reads Lexus shows the car moved away after OKeefe got out, Brennan said. That night, OKeefe got almost 40 calls from Read. In one voicemail, she said, John, I [expletive] hate you. 10:18 a.m. - Prosecution introduces OKeefe Brennan spent part of his opening statement telling jurors about OKeefe. He was a family man, Brennan said, who stepped in to raise his niece and nephew after their parents died. When OKeefe and Read began dating, she helped with the kids. Their relationship became serious, but it began to unravel in January 2022, he said. You will see the tension, he said. You will see that when he would ignore her calls, they would become incessant. 10:15 a.m. - We are here today because John OKeefe was killed Brennan said jurors will see facts, science and data that show Read accelerated her SUV in reverse, clipping OKeefe and knocking him over, where he lay in the snow dying. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan gives his opening argument at Karen Read's second murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Stuart Cahill /The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP 10:05 a.m. - Prosecution begins its opening statement Brennan began his opening statement by describing what happened inside the Canton Fire Department on the morning of OKeefes death. When two paramedics arrived at 34 Fairview Road in blizzard conditions around 6 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2022, they stepped out into bedlam, Brennan said. As firefighter Timothy Nuttall began performing CPR on OKeefe, Read approached him. In that moment, Read said, I hit him, I hit him, I hit him, Brennan said. In that moment, the defendant admitted what she did. 9:45 a.m. - Jury is sworn in After Cannone asked three questions to jurors, the court clerk swore in the 18-person panel. The clerk, Jim McDermott, then read the indictments against Read to the jurors. 9:23 a.m. - Judge addresses outstanding motions Cannone addressed a number of outstanding motions before bringing in the jury Tuesday morning. She allowed a prosecution request prohibiting the defense from raising a third-party culprit defense in its opening, and denied a prosecution request to bring in independent readers for texts exchanged between Read and OKeefe. She later called the lawyers to sidebar to address whether the defense could mention a pair of accident reconstruction experts hired by the federal government in their opening statement. 8:30 a.m. Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found outside the home of a fellow Boston police officer in Canton on Jan. 29, 2022. Norfolk County prosecutors say Read struck OKeefe with her SUV while driving intoxicated. Reads attorneys say her car never struck OKeefe and that others are to blame for his death. Supporters of Karen Read gather outside a buffer zone and watch Read's trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. Photo by Charles Krupa/AP Editors note: This article was updated at 6:03 p.m. on April 22, 2025, to correct the suspects hometown. A Woburn man is facing a trespassing charge after he was found breaking protocol in a restricted area outside the courthouse where the Karen Read trial is taking place. Bao Nguyen, 42, was arrested after police caught him lingering and filming within the buffer zone of Norfolk Superior Courthouse at around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, Massachusetts State Police said. The buffer zone is an area surrounding Norfolk Superior Courthouse in Dedham that restricts activities such as filming. The zone was established to ensure a fair trial. Dedham Police and Massachusetts State Police are tasked with ensuring the integrity of the buffer zone. State Troopers ordered Nguyen to leave the zone several times and explained the protocols and rationale of the Court, state police said. He was eventually arrested for ignoring officers and staying in the buffer zone. Nguyen requested medical attention after he was arrested, according to state police. He was evaluated by Dedham EMS before he was brought to the Framingham Barracks for booking. Nguyen was expected to be arraigned at Dedham District Court on Tuesday. Attorney Alan Jackson gives his opening statement at Karen Read's second murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Stuart Cahill /The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP The only thing both sides agreed on during opening statements in the Karen Read murder trial on Tuesday was the chaotic scene on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022. At about 6 a.m., Canton firefighter Timothy Nuttall opened the back door of his ambulance to see Read running frantically and screaming, snow whipping in his face and a body in the snow on that dark morning. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan described the scene as bedlam when first responders found Reads then-boyfriend, John OKeefe, the man authorities say she killed by erratically driving her SUV backwards into him after an argument the night before. Brennan gave jurors a detailed story during opening statements about what Nuttall saw that morning and his account of hearing Read say, I hit him, I hit him, I hit him. Reads defense is highly skeptical of the statements since an initial police report did not include them. The prosecutor gave an overview of the case and said that Read and OKeefe were falling out in the weeks before his death, and that she drank eight drinks within three hours before she drove to a house party in Canton where his body was later found. Brennan used several time stamps based on OKeefes cell phone to give jurors a sense of how authorities say OKeefe came to lie unconscious, and said that the prosecutions case will rely heavily on OKeefes cell phones GPS, health and battery data. The battery data, new to this trial, will show how it steadily dropped in temperature while OKeefe lay in the snow, according to Brennan. Reads retrial will give both sides a second shot at convincing jurors of their version of events. Last July, Judge Beverly Cannone declared a mistrial after jurors could not agree on the three charges: 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. This time around, theres a new prosecutor. Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey tapped defense attorney Brennan to head the prosecution while the previous lead prosecutor, Adam Lally, remains on the sidelines. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan gives his opening argument at Karen Read's second murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Stuart Cahill /The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP Retrial tends to favor the prosecution as there is no element of surprise, and they are able to prep their witnesses a bit better, Neama Rahmani, president of Los Angeles-based West Coast Trial Lawyers and a former federal prosecutor, said on Tuesday. He said prosecutors probably overcharged the first time with murder, and noted that the jury at the first trial didnt seem convinced. The prosecution leaned heavily on Reads I hit him statements last year, and Rahmani said using her own words is very powerful. On Tuesday, Brennan brought a storytelling element to the opening and gave plenty of time stamps for jurors to understand their theory of the case. He described how authorities say Read killed OKeefe. She drove 35 feet forward before stopping, putting the car in reverse, and slamming down on the gas pedal before clipping OKeefe, according to Brennan. He fell backward, hit his head and broke his skull, Brennan said, with Read aware shed hit OKeefe. At the first trial, Lally gave jurors more context about Read and OKeefes relationship and said it soured in the weeks leading up to his death. On Tuesday, there was no mention of an Aruba trip in 2022 where Read screamed at another woman, a friend of OKeefes, and accused him of kissing her. Its probably smart not to hit on motive as the No. 1 theme of the prosecution, criminal defense attorney Sam Bassett, whos followed the trial from Austin, Texas, said. I didnt see him (Brennan) as a highly emotional presenter. Hes more methodical and emphasized the data points that are going to support the overall story. With both sides, emphasizing motive for their theory of the case, or overemphasis, is dangerous. You want to let the jury come to that conclusion of motive based on the evidence, you dont want to jam that down their throat, Bassett said. Alan Jackson, Reads lawyer, altered the defenses approach to the opening from last year. From the jump at the first trial, Reads lawyers claimed shed been framed and that a law enforcement conspiracy had pinned a murder charge on her. Jackson instead focused much of his arguments on Tuesday morning on the extreme reasonable doubt that exists in the case. The lawyers have a lot more information now than they did in the first trial, Bassett said. They can, and did, rethink their strategy and arguments and they obviously have, to a more data-based presentation, certainly in the openings. Reads lawyers have contended for years that her SUV never struck OKeefe. The last witnesses from the first trial were from an accident reconstruction company called ARCCA, and they are expected to testify once again that Reads SUV did not have damage consistent with hitting a pedestrian. They also testified that OKeefe did not have injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle, such as having broken bones or bruises to the torso. Medically and scientifically, he could not have been struck by a vehicle, Jackson told jurors on Tuesday. There was no collision. Jackson then laid the groundwork for where their theory of the case is headed as they use a third-party culprit defense where they will lay the blame on others who couldve killed OKeefe. He told jurors about a Google search by another witness at 2:27 a.m. of ho(w) long to die in cold. He described phone calls between two other witnesses, homeowner Brian Albert and Brian Higgins, another law enforcement agent, at 2:22 a.m. He said witnesses destroyed their cell phones, and that the long-time family home of the Alberts was sold months later. He said the family dog was rehomed after OKeefes death a point the defense emphasizes since they have an expert witness who says cuts on OKeefes arm are consistent with being attacked by a dog. Then, theres the biggest difference from the first trial. Michael Proctor, the lead investigator of the case, was fired by the Massachusetts State Police earlier this year. The embattled trooper fell from grace after text message were read during his testimony last year and revealed hed used crude language to describe Read. He called her a whack job (expletive), retarded and even joked to his superiors about looking for nudes in her phone. The text messages were also referenced by Jackson during openings on Tuesday to give jurors reason to believe the investigation was biased from the start. A high school friend had asked if the homeowner where OKeefe was found would catch grief, and Proctor replied, Nope, homeowner is a Boston cop, too. State police fired Proctor as a direct consequence of his actions in the Read case, a point Jackson emphasized for jurors. Probably worst law enforcement witness Ive ever seen, Rahmani said. Either him or Mark Furhman in the OJ case. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense, and if you can put law enforcement on trial and say, Theyve done a poor job, thats better, Rahmani said. There are some self-inflicted wounds by investigators in the case. Read, 45, is out on bail during her retrial. Testimony continues on Wednesday. After months of contentious pre-trial hearings and a painstaking jury selection process that took 10 days, Karen Reads second trial begins in earnest with opening statements Tuesday. In criminal trials, the prosecution delivers its opening statement first, meaning special prosecutor Hank Brennan will get the first crack at shaping the jurys view of the case. Clues have emerged about the content of Brennans opening statement over the course of pre-trial proceedings: last week, Judge Beverly Cannone allowed a prosecution request to play a video clip from an interview given by Read. Brennan has signaled that he intends to use Reads media blitz, which has included magazine and television interviews, against her during the trial. Much like Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally did in his opening statement during the first trial, Brennan will likely try to humanize John OKeefe, Reads boyfriend, who she is accused of killing, said Jack Lu, a retired Superior Court judge. The prosecutor, Mr. Brennan, should establish his personal warmth and relationship with the jurors, and include his co-counsels, Lu wrote. The best persona for a trial lawyer is that of Columbo, the fumbling detective. Make the jurors smile. Brennan is also likely to try and undermine the defenses theory of the case: that Read is the victim of a conspiracy and that others are responsible for OKeefes death, added Lu, an adjunct professor at Boston College Law. Alan Jackson, who is delivering the opening for the defense, will likely hammer home the defenses broad critiques of the police investigation into Read. But to what extent the defense can lay out its theory of the case in its opening statement is still somewhat of a question. Cannone has said it can not accuse specific people of causing OKeefes death in its opening statement, but that ruling does not preclude the defense from suggesting Read was framed. The defense intends to show the abrasions on OKeefes arm during its opening statement, and prosecutors are trying to block it from suggesting those wounds were caused by anyone inside the Canton home where OKeefe was found outside. They are going full blast that she was intentionally railroaded by a vast conspiracy, said Lu. [This] seems like a hard defense to me. The defense should aim to humanize Read, much in the same way that prosecutors are likely to try and humanize OKeefe, Lu said. Its not a difficult task, he said, but the abundance of publicity, much of it driven by Read herself, could turn jurors off. He has to worry that the defendant has overdone it, he said. Mr. Jackson should establish his clients fundamental humility to counter the possible impression that she is just too slick. Following opening statements Tuesday, the prosecution will begin calling witnesses for its case in chief. The witness list for the second trial is made up of 150 names, but it is highly unlikely all 150 will be called. The trial is expected to go six to eight weeks, not counting jury deliberations. A panel of 18 jurors has been selected for Reads second trial nine men and nine women. Only 12 will deliberate the case after closing arguments, with the remainder randomly selected to serve as alternates on the final day of the trial. 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. Separately, Read has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court in a bid to get the charges of murder and leaving the scene dropped on double jeopardy grounds. The nations highest court will discuss whether to take up her petition at a conference on April 25. Donald Trump Jr. declared Monday that a pro-Trump Pentagon official who resigned last week is now "officially exiled from our movement." The presidents son issued the proclamation against ex-chief Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot on social media in response to the publishing of an op-ed penned by Ullyot that was highly critical of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Appearing in Politico magazine on Sunday, the article describes a month from hell working at the defense department headquarters. Once a Hegseth backer, Ullyot wrote that the defense secretarys sharing of classified information over Signal chats, poor public affairs decisions and losses of close advisors has caused a full-blown meltdown at the Pentagon over the last few weeks. President Donald Trump has a strong record of holding his top officials to account. Given that, its hard to see Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remaining in his role for much longer, the op-ed reads. Donald Trump Jr. quoted a post about the article on X Monday morning and rebuffed Ullyots criticisms. This guy is not America First. Ive been hearing for years that he works his ass off to subvert my fathers agenda. That ends today. Hes officially exiled from our movement, the presidents son wrote. Ullyot is a long-time Trump insider, having led communications at the National Security Council and the Department of Veterans Affairs during President Donald Trumps first term. He was also a senior communications advisor for the presidents 2016 campaign. A majority of Americans would want a president impeached for defying an order from the U.S. Supreme Court, CNNs polling expert said this week. But Republicans feel quite differently. Harry Enten, the networks chief data analyst, said the data show a deep divide between the general electorate and members of President Donald Trumps party over what to do if the president crossed a historic red line and ignored an order from the nations highest court. The concept of judicial review is a two-century-old bedrock of the judicial system, Enten noted, that allows the court to evaluate whether moves by the other branches of government comport with the law and constitution. But while 77% of voters agree that judges should be able to review Trumps policies, as judges have under other presidents, 56% of Republicans feel the same, Enten said, referring to a poll from CBS News. If Trump refuses to obey a Supreme Court ruling, a majority of voters 58% would like to see him impeached and removed from office, while 19% would keep him in office. Among Republicans, just 27% would want to see the president impeached and removed from power for bucking the high court and 39% would want him to remain in office. A president ignoring a Supreme Court order would be basically unprecedented since the early 19th-century presidency of Andrew Jackson, Enten said. The clear majority of Americans say a president should not ignore a [Supreme Court] ruling, he added. If he does, he should get impeached and removed. But among Republicans, he said, its just an entirely different universe. A similar pattern of disagreement exists for whether Congress should impeach and remove judges who rule against the Trump administration. Nearly two-thirds of voters would oppose such a move, while 59% of Republicans would support it, Enten said, citing the CBS News polling. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court backed a lower courts ruling that the Trump administration must work to free Kilmar Abrego Garcia from custody in El Salvador and return him to the U.S. after he was mistakenly deported while living in Maryland with temporary protected status. The government has argued that the lower court inserted itself into the foreign policy of the United States and has tried to dictate it from the bench. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said last week that Abrego Garcia is not coming back to our country, despite the court order and the administration admitting its mistake in deporting him. Last week, a panel of three judges from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously refused to suspend a district court ruling that Trump administration officials must testify to determine if they complied with instructions to facilitate Abrego Garcias return. Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, who was nominated by Republican President Ronald Reagan, wrote that he and his two colleagues cling to the hope that it is not naive to believe our good brethren in the Executive Branch perceive the rule of law as vital to the American ethos. In his order, he wrote that if the Trump administration defies court orders, the judiciary will be hurt by the constant intimations of its illegitimacy while the executive branch will lose much from a public perception of its lawlessness. Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. BOSTON The Red Sox signed veteran starting pitcher Lucas Giolito to a two-year, $38.5 million contract in December 2023. Approximately 16 months later, hes set to make his first start for Boston. Manager Alex Cora said Giolito (left hamstring strain) will make one more rehab start. And then the plan is for him to rejoin us next week, Cora said Tuesday at Fenway Park. Giolito who missed the 2024 season after he underwent an internal brace procedure to repair the damaged elbow in spring training made a rehab start for Double-A Portland on Sunday. The Red Sox have not yet decided which day hell make his final rehab start but either Friday or Saturday for Triple-A Worcester seems likely. The Red Sox play in Toronto against the Blue Jays next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. They then return to Boston for a series against the Twins May 2-4. So hes likely to debut for Boston during that stretch of games. The 30-year-old has made two rehab starts for Worcester and two rehab starts for Double-A Portland so far. He has allowed seven runs, 15 hits and seven walks while striking out 13 in 12 innings in the four starts combined. Giolito said Monday, I feel ready to go. Finally hitting the five-inning mark was good so I feel ready to help contribute in whatever way possible. Other Red Sox injury news: ~ Kutter Crawford (right patellar tendinopathy) threw a bullpen here Tuesday and will travel to Fort Myers on Thursday. At this point, its better for him to be down there and get his work in and face hitters, Cora said. ~ Catcher Connor Wong (pinky fracture) caught Crawfords bullpen and also swung the bat. Swinging a little bit, Cora said. I think thats the big step today. So hopefully we can speed up the process and hell be with us sooner rather than later. Millions of dollars in federal fair housing grant funding hang in the balance until the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decides where claims about federal funding freezes should be heard. The plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit allege the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, unlawfully terminated $30 million in Congressionally allocated funding to dozens of fair housing organizations nationwide. Faithful gather for a rosary prayer for the late Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday April 21, 2025 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) AP SPRINGFIELD Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne was just a toddler bishop with about three years on the job when he met with Pope Francis in Rome. During the 2023 meeting, Byrne took the opportunity to ask what might have been a vexing question getting to the heart of culture war tensions. 12/12/2018 -Longmeadow- Louis Masaschi just before he opened The Meeting House, a new restaurant in Longmeadow. (Don Treeger / The Republican) SPRINGFIELD A Longmeadow man pleaded guilty in federal court to a scheme to defraud commercial lenders by providing false and fraudulent rent rolls and forged lease agreements for properties located in Springfield, East Longmeadow and Enfield. Federal prosecutors described it as a $19 million scheme in a news release Tuesday. Springfield parishioners pay their respects to the late pope on Monday, April 21, 2025, during Mass at St. Michael's Cathedral. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook SPRINGFIELD Lucy Ramos favorite picture of the late Pope Francis hangs on the wall of her office at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield. His hand is extended and a dove appears to alight from his fingertips. The shot was captured at St. Peters Square in 2013. John Hurley attends a meeting with U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal to discuss with veterans the impact of policies and actions taken by President Donald J. Trumps administration Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook LUDLOW The Springfield VA outpatient clinic is down to two doctors from its usual count of four or more. And new doctors arent taking jobs there, fearing theyll fall prey to Trump-led budget cuts in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Morale is low, said Scott Hiorns, a Navy veteran from Ludlow who volunteers driving fellow veterans to VA medical appointments in the region. Everyone is terrified about losing their job. Harry Rock, race director for the 70th running of the Westfield River Wildwater Races on April 19 said he believed the final head count was 293 paddlers on the river. It was a phenomenal day because of the great weather which led to many smiles and happy faces as people exited the river following their runs, Rock said. When Joseph Petty announced his first run for Mayor of Worcester in 2011, he kicked off his campaign outside of Burncoat High School. Fourteen years and seven terms as mayor later, Petty returned to Burncoat High School to announce his reelection and promised that the six-decade-old building would be replaced with a more up-to-date school. 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The Ballina native, who can also boast the 2023 Waterford Poetry Prize and the 2024 Listowel Writers Week Single Poem Award, scooped the award from the award organisers at the events fourtieth anniversary. READ MORE: Search for missing Mayo man stood down after discovery Finola won the prize for her poem The girl was eaten by moths? Yes. The piece of work from the renowned writer was described by judge and fellow poet Victoria Kennefick as a rare treasure original, spiky, accomplished and arresting. The poem is bedecked with brilliant lines, she stated. I enjoyed the interruptions; we are so often interrupted by ourselves and each other. I will be thinking about this poem for a long time. Well-known Mayo author Sally Rooney was also among those who attended the festival. Part of the award for Ms Cahill was a place at the New Writing Showcase. The showcase took place on Wednesday, April 9, and was also attended by the winner of the Cuirt New Writing Prize for Prose, Laurence Lumsden, and Una Nic Carthaigh, the winner for the Irish language. All three winners read at the event in Nuns Island Theatre in Galway. It was a wedding anniversary with a difference for Edith Geraghty and her husband Seamus in 2015 when they were granted a private audience with Pope Francis in the Vatican. The death of Pope Francis on Monday morning brought back poignant memories for Belmullet woman Edith as she recalled meeting with the late Pontiff while in Rome celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary. Her late husband Seamus had organised the trip to Rome and let friends who lived in Rome know they would be arriving. One thing led to another and with friends in high places in the Eternal City, Edith and Seamus were informed they were granted an audience with Pope Francis who was interested in Edith's role with the No Name Club. READ: Death of Pope Francis met with profound sadness in Knock and Mayo It was a private audience and it was about 15 minutes long and Pope Francis was very interested in my work through the No Name Club. He was always interested in young people and what he called the charisma of people who are called to work among young people. He thought that was really important and builds on what we all know through research that if a person has access to one good adult in their teenage lives it can make a huge difference. He was very interested in young people in general and how important they are in their formation as human beings. In the way you work with them in the No Name Club, the young people run the club and the adults help supervise that. We do it in an alcohol and drug free setting while at the same time educating them about alcohol. Blessing That was the focus of the visit and he also blessed us for our 25th wedding anniversary. It is very poignant looking back as it was Seamus' idea to go to Rome for our 25th wedding anniversary and he died shortly after our 30th anniversary. It brought back a lot of good memories, she said. Edith, who lives in Belmullet, and was a Programme Officer with the No Name Club in Ireland, said they also attended a special Mass in the Sistine Chapel which she described as 'an amazing experience'. She was also a guest on Vatican Radio to speak of her work with the No Name Club and she feels this shows that the late Pope had a great interest in helping young people. The fascinating thing about Vatican Radio is it is literally the voice of the Pope. It belongs to whatever Pope that is there and it is his message which is carried strongly. It was one of life's experiences to meet him and I could see how concerned he was with young people today and he felt that they could lose their way very easily. He was very supportive of anything which could support them. He was interested in what we were saying and wished us well in our work. Surreal experience It was a surreal experience afterwards because I remember myself and Seamus saying d'id that actually happen'?. I didn't think I would ever meet a Pope but it happened and it was a surreal experience. Like most people, Edith said she was shocked to hear Pope Francis died and believes the legacy of his pontificate will be fondly remembered. I was really impacted this morning when I turned on the news and heard he died. It was a shock to hear that he had died but I think he would have died happy knowing he gave his final 'Urbi Et Orbi' and called for peace. What a greater and lasting message to leave but a call for peace, she said. Clean Coasts joined Circus250, Comhar Dun Chaochain Teo, and Scoil Naisiunta Cheathru Thaidhg in north Mayo for a special celebration and Clean Coasts Roadshow event at Rinroe beach. This event, dedicated to handing over the Ocean Hero Event of the Year award from Circus 250 to Comhar Dun Chaochain Teo and Scoil Naisiunta Cheathru Thaidhg included a beach clean on Rinroe beach and Circus fun from Juanita the Clown. The three groups were awarded a joint Event of the Year at the 2024 Ocean Hero Awards for an event they held on Rinroe beach during the Big Beach Clean last year. The award handover ceremony was held on Rinroe on April 11 and included talks from Circus 250, Olivia Jones from Clean Coasts and local members of the community and national school, who work tirelessly to promote and protect this beautiful stretch of coastline in the Northwest of Mayo. READ: Mayo Youthreach programme celebrates 30 years with official launch of Wellness Garden Clean Coasts officer Olivia Jones said of the event: We were blessed with the weather as the sea fog lifted and Circus250 pulled out all the stops, with an amazing bubble show and Juanita the Clown leading the beach clean. This event was one of several events that Circus250 linked up with Clean Coasts for during April, celebrating the amazing work rural communities carry out along the coast, and encouraging the younger generation to care for and protect their coast through fun activities. The Clean Coasts Roadshow is a series of informative talks and workshops tailored for coastal communities across Ireland, taking place between January and May each year. This initiative brings together individuals interested in protecting their local beaches, seas, and marine environments. The Roadshow events cover a range of topics, including biodiversity, dune systems, marine litter, wildlife, sustainable developments, and the work of local groups and organizations. These events also serve as a platform for community groups to discuss practical matters, such as building volunteer capacity, attracting new members, and sharing responsibilities. THE Mayo Society in New York has welcomed their latest inductees at their annual ball at Leonards Palazzo in the city. The two honorees on this occasion were Siobhan Gibbons McEntee, Mayo Woman of the Year, and James Prendergast, Mayo Man of the Year. Both have strong south Mayo connections. Siobhan was following in the footsteps of her father, George, a native of Cong, who was honoured with the Mayo award back in 2013. He was known to many as Big George of 'The Potcheen Still' in Woodside which he operated with his brother Eddie from 1970-1990. Eddie was also a recipient of the Mayo Person of the Year award back in 2010 so Siobhans induction to the Hall of Fame is probably the only time that three members of the same family circle have been honoured with this top accolade from the Mayo Society in New York. Siobhan McEntee was born and raised in Maspeth, Queens. Her dad George carried Cong and Mayo in his heart all through the years and her mother was Mary Boyle from Monaghan. The family were brought up with a huge love for Ireland and all things relating to traditional Irish culture. The importance of community was also instilled in them from an early age. Siobhan is married to Bernard McEntee of Monaghan and their family have close ties with the Aisling Center Ceili Band. She has been immersed in the Maspeth and Queens over the years and she was a popular recipient of the Mayo Society accolade for 2025. Her father George died suddenly back in 2021 just three years after celebrating his 70th birthday party in Lydons of Cong where George and family members home from New York were joined by other members of the family circle from Cong, Ballinrobe and Corr na Mona as well as some close friends. It was a special night and it was great to be there and share in the celebrations with the family. Jim Prendergast was the recipient of the Mayo Man of the Year award for 2025. His father was from Coolcun, Garrymore, and his mother from Upper Ballyduff in Waterford. They met at a dance in the famous Jaeger Hall in New York back the years. Jim, who met his wife Teresa at a dance in Archway Tavern in Jerome Ave, The Bronx, which was run by Tom Brogan from north Mayo, and she had close family roots around Swinford. They were married in 1989 but sadly, Teresa died in recent mimes. Jim has been to the fore in various aspects of life in the New York region over the years, has shared fond memories of visits to Garrymore, Ballyglass, Roundfort, Crossboyne, Claremorris, Ballindine and Irishtown and who has strong ties with his many cousins in this region. The Mayo Society in New York is the biggest of all the 32 county associations and was formed in 1879, one of the most historic years in the proud history of our beloved county. That was the year of the Knock Apparition and the founding of the Irish Land League by Michael Davitt. Many of the founding members were survivors of famine of 1847 who had crossed the broad Atlantic to make their new homes on the shores of Amerikay. The first Mayo Society reception and ball was held at Tammany Hall on December 9, 1890, with all proceeds sent back to Mayo. Is it any wonder that our hearts burst with pride for this lovely county that we are blessed to call our home. by Fern Siegel , April 22, 2025 Suntory is promoting Maru-Hi, its new Japan-inspired ready-to-drink beverage. This is the first work that Argonaut has done for Suntory since winning the account in 2024. Capturing Tokyos izakaya bar culture, the campaign uses anime storytelling to craft a brand identity, positioning Maru-Hi as the go-to drink for nighttime moments. The campaign runs across social and out of home and extends into retail, brand activations and AR experiences throughout the year. Targeting younger drinkers, the visual language of anime further distinguishes Maru-Hi in the marketplace. Maru-Hi is also inspired by Chu-Hi, a popular Japanese cocktail often shared after work with friends. "We're excited not only bringing a fresh, new product to the RTD space, but introducing Japanese izakaya culture to the U.S. consumer, says Satoru Shimizu, president of Suntory RTD North America. Hunter Hindman, CEO-CCO at Argonaut, adds: We wanted to build out a distinct and timeless brand world using the can as a portal into it." Suntory brands include Jim Beam, Maker's Mark and Roku Gin. by Teresa Buyikian , April 22, 2025 Gold Bar Whiskey, attempting to break the record for Most People Shaking Cocktails Simultaneously (yes, this is a real record) is asking for help from cocktail enthusiasts. The brand has essentially turned the effort into a community pop-up event, inviting all consumers (whether they are experienced cocktail shakers or not) to San Franciscos Treasure Island on May 17 at the Golden Bar Whisky Distillery. The day will be hosted by San Francisco Giants broadcaster and two-time World Series champion Hunter Pence. Surprisingly, the brand has some pretty large shoes -- or should we say, shakers -- to fill. The current record for Most People Shaking Cocktails Simultaneously is a whopping 1,710 set by Diageo in Barcelona, Spain, on Sept. 18, 2013, per the Guinness World Records site. The record was actually set during Diageos Western Europe annual conference, where participants shook vodka martinis comprised of vodka and vermouth with lemon zest. No other company has attempted to break the record since. advertisement advertisement "While making cocktail history, we want people to experience our unique space on Treasure Island," said Elliott Gillespie, president of Gold Bar Whiskey Distillery in the announcement. "Our cocktail classes in our tasting room sparked this world record breaking idea, (and) San Francisco is globally recognized as a top city for mixology. The brand is supplying attendees with all the tools needed for a thorough cocktail shake: a limited edition commemorative metal cocktail shaker and a quick cocktail class taught by Pence, along with all the ingredients needed. The event also includes live music and DJ sets and a vendor village with brand activations in collaboration with pop-up event company West Coast Makers and retro Bluetooth boombox maker Bumpboxx. Tickets to the event for attendees over 21 are available for $29. The brand is promoting the event on its Instagram account. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, April 22, 2025 As global trade tensions rise, Etsy is making it easier for shoppers to stay closer to home. The online marketplace is introducing new tools to highlight domestic sellers and help small businesses weather tariff disruptions. Separately, Etsy announced the sale of Reverb, the musical instrument marketplace it acquired in 2019, signaling a renewed focus on its core platform. "Recent shifts in trade policies and tariffs between the U.S. and many countries around the world have raised questions about global supply chains, pricing, and the general availability of goods," wrote Josh Silverman, Etsys CEO, in a blog post announcing the changes. "As these changes unfold, we remain committed to delivering a seamless experience: helping our buyers shop with confidence and empowering our sellers to run their businesses with as little disruption as possible." advertisement advertisement Etsys U.S. sellers located in all 50 states offer more than 60 million items. Globally, it also connects buyers with 800,000 sellers in the U.K., 300,000 in Canada, 300,000 in Germany, and 100,000 in France. "This provides nearly endless possibilities for shoppers to support small businesses and their domestic economy," Silverman added. The companys new tools aim to make it easier for buyers to filter for domestic goods and give sellers more resources to navigate tariff-related risks. In true Etsy style, shoppers can also find plenty of humor in the upheaval, with listings like a Bitch, Im terrified coffee mug and Penguins against tariffs T-shirts all proudly made in the U.S. Small sellers remain the backbone of Etsys model, with 89% operating solo ventures, often from home, and sourcing supplies domestically. That reliance on local production, Etsy believes, gives its sellers more agility in adapting to supply chain turbulence. Analysts say Etsy faces tariff exposure on roughly 8% to 10% of revenue similar to Amazon but is better positioned than companies like Meta and Google, which depend more heavily on global ad markets. "Marketplace models like Etsy and Amazon have a lot of substitutions available," notes Jason Helfstein, who covers internet companies at Oppenheimer. "However, all digital advertising would be impacted by a slower economy as a result of tariffs." At the same time, Etsy is simplifying its business portfolio. The company announced it would sell Reverb to Creator Partners and Servco, ending a five-year chapter of ownership. Etsy acquired Reverb in 2019, seeing opportunity in the musical instrument marketplace. Once the deal closes, Reverb will become a privately held, independently operated company. "Backed by two investors who bring a passion for the musical instrument industry as well as a community-first approach, were excited to keep transforming creative industries for the better," wrote David Mandelbrot, Reverbs CEO, in the announcement. by Teresa Buyikian , April 22, 2025 Winning may not be everything, but it is the goal (along with a few cocktails) of two barflies in New Amsterdam Vodkas latest brand effort. The brand has released its new Find Your Wins campaign, as well as a refreshed logo and label design. Fittingly for a brand named New Amsterdam, its TV, digital and social spot takes place in Manhattan. It opens on a couple of guys sitting at a dimly lit New York bar. They both receive a text from friends at another bar, asking for their whereabouts. The next text presents a challenge: Drinks are on last one here. Upon reading this, the two race out of the bar, undertaking the competition with gusto. Taking shortcuts through dingy alleyways, ubiquitous pizza-by-the-slice joints and other bars (which all appear to serve New Amsterdam), the two finally arrive at their destination, with one taking the elevator, the other on the stairs. The man who took the elevator to the rooftop bar wins, thus leaving his buddy to pick up the tab of New Amsterdam cocktails. advertisement advertisement New Amsterdam Vodka has always been rooted in creating connections -- serving as a centerpiece to moments of celebration that bring people together, said Brandon Lieb, vice president of spirit at Gallo, in an email to Marketing Daily. Were embracing the spirit of camaraderie and the bonds of brotherhood that inspire thrilling possibilities. Created by Preacher, the national marketing campaign, along with the spot in :30, :15 and :06 versions, began running earlier this month. The redesigned packaging maintains the bottles shape and signature New York cityscape backdrop, but refreshes the master brand mark and includes more of what the brand refers to as New Amsterdam Blue, a bright blue hue incorporated into the label and bottle top. by Tanya Gazdik , April 22, 2025 Truth In Advertising is once again going after Tesla for its Made in USA claims. In a letter sent Monday to Teslas general counsel, the watchdog group alleges that Tesla continues to make unqualified claims in social media promotional posts, citing a number of deceptive posts made by the company on X in the last two months. As Tesla is aware, the Federal Trade Commission requires that products marketed as made in America be all or virtually all made domestically and contain no -- or negligible -- foreign content, according to the letter. Tesla vehicles, however, are assembled in the U.S. with as much as 25% of the vehicles content coming from Mexico and other countries. As such, Teslas USA-made claims are deceptive and in violation of FTC rules, the group alleges. advertisement advertisement While Tesla has every right to boast of its assembly work in the United States and may be making efforts to bring more of its manufacturing work here, until and unless it has met the all or virtually all standard, it must refrain from making unqualified U.S.-origin claims, according to the letter. Such deception is especially harmful when, as here, it is disseminated during a particularly vulnerable time for U.S. consumers shopping for cars. We trust Tesla will take immediate action to rectify this deceptive marketing. Tesla is just the latest car company whose "Made in USA" claims TINA.org has investigated following the White Houses announcement that it would be imposing a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and certain car parts. Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, Ram and Dodge quickly tweaked its Made in USA ads after receiving a letter from TINA.org. The bottom line: A truly 'Made in USA' car -- meaning one that meets the FTCs all or virtually all standard -- doesnt exist, according to Truth in Advertising. While automakers have every right to boast about their assembly plants in the U.S. that create American jobs and strengthen the U.S. economy, they cannot illegally embellish the amount of manufacturing that takes place domestically. In a recent letter to the federal agency responsible for developing and implementing U.S. international trade policy, Tesla acknowledged what many car companies have seemed reluctant to admit. The automaker noted in its March 11 letter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative that even with aggressive localization of the supply chain, certain parts and components are difficult or impossible to source within the United States. Tesla today reported a 20% drop in auto revenue as its first-quarter results miss Wall Street estimates. Net income dropped 71% to $409 million, or 12 cents a share, from $1.39 billion or 41 cents a year ago. While the White Houses recent announcement that it will impose a 25% tariff on imports of cars and certain car parts has sparked widespread concern over rising prices, the reasoning behind the plan appears simple: to prompt U.S. consumers to buy American-made cars. And given how much Made in America automotive marketing has existed over the years across numerous brands, it may seem like theres an abundance of options for buying American-made cars. The problem, however, is that those ads havent been telling you the truth. In fact, every single car even those marketed as made in the USA contains imported parts. According to the FTC, in order to advertise a product as made (or built or manufactured) in America, it must be all or virtually all made in the United States, with noor negligibleforeign content. And currently, there is no car on the planet that meets this definition. Ford is one company that seems to have learned to toe the line with its claims. The automaker recently aired a new commercial asserting that Ford is the automaker that not only employs the most hourly workers in the country, but also the automaker that assembles the most vehicles in the U.S. Whats not in the ad? Any misleading or deceptive reference to being built or made in America, according to Truth in Advertising. Latex is now becoming a fashion statement for men as well. Male latex and latex for men are egressing as fundamental terms in modern fashion discourse. Latex is itself a style statement in the fashion industry. In this article, we will discuss why latex for men is gaining Popularity and the charm of male latex. The Appeal of Male Latex Latex, which comes from rubber, is appreciated for its glossy, second-skin fit and sleek finish. Latex for men includes shirts and pants, and a full-body suit proposes an unusual blend of brass and exposure. The stuff accents the body's shapes, feting physicality although defying formal menswear norms. Its futuristic artistic appeals to those searching to jump out, whether at fashion-forward events, nightlife aspects, or secondary subcultures such as fetish and cosplay communities. The sensational feel of wearing latex is also a draw. The tight squeeze and shine texture creates a tangible temptation, often identified as induing and transformative. For many men, slipping into a latex dress is an act of self-expression, challenging traditional beliefs of masculinity by adopting a more fluent, experimental identity. How is Latex for Men Made? Making of male tex needs precise craftsmanship. The stuff is usually hand-cut from flimsy sheets of latex, affixed, and sometimes stitched to form clothes. Designers must remember the point of movement to ensure flexibility without compromising the stuff's signature luster. There are a lot of brands specializing in latex for men that offer tailor-made bits that provide to different body types, with choices for customized sizing to achieve the ideal fit. Modern innovations have built up the scope of male latex. Fashion designers now merged vibrant colors, silver finishes, and still transparent latex to make visually striking bits. Accessories such as latex harnesses, gloves, and masks complement entire outfits, letting men experiment with standard styling. Latex A Choice or a Trend Latex for men engrossed an unusual place in fashion, immixing rebellion with sophistication. It is linked up with fetishwear by history; designers and wearers have reformed it as a symbolization of authorization and personal identity. High-profile persons, from musicians such as Harry Styles to actors in sci-fi megahits, have put on latex-inspired looks, normalizing the stuff in mainstream media. This profile has helped destigmatize latex, making it a legitimate menswear choice instead of a taboo. The ascend of inclusivity in fashion has as well fueled interest in male latex. As gender norms develop, men progressively adopt clothing that holds up stiff expectations. With its bold, beautiful, and unapologetic presence, Latex lines up with this shift, proposing a platform for self-discovery and originative expression. Final Thoughts Male latex and latex for men both represent a fashion trend. They personify a social shift toward brass, inclusivity, and experimentation. With its dramatic aesthetic, tangible tempt, and developing designs, latex carries on to catch men looking to redefine fashion on their terms. By seeing all this, male latex is now becoming more demanding in the near future. You will be able to buy the original latex suits from different brands to be sure you have the good stuff. The military's top enlisted adviser -- a senior adviser to the Joint Chiefs chairman -- will be stepping down in the months to come, Pentagon officials told Military.com on Monday. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Troy Black will depart the post and retire from military service after the newly confirmed Joint Chiefs chairman, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chose not to renew Black's posting for another two-year stretch, one official said. However, that defense official stressed that, while Black would not be serving in the senior enlisted adviser to the chairman, or SEAC, role for as long as his predecessors, the move was not a firing and that Caine "has the greatest respect and admiration for SEAC Black." Read Next: Marine Corps Unveils New List of Bonuses Aimed at Keeping Crucial Jobs Filled Caine's decision not to give Black another term appears to be one of his first major moves in the Joint Chiefs chairman role since he was confirmed and took over earlier this month. President Donald Trump handpicked Caine, despite his retirement from the military and not meeting the qualifications for the job. Black came to the role in the summer of 2023 after serving as the Marine Corps' top enlisted service member, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. Then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley named Black to the position that serves as the chairman's "direct tie to the enlisted force." Black, then a 35-year Marine veteran, relieved Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon "CZ" Colon-Lopez, who had served in the SEAC job for four years. The official said that, while Black's predecessors like Colon-Lopez served four-year terms, the SEAC job is actually a two-year post with an option to be extended two more years -- an option that Caine will not be exercising. The official who spoke with Military.com did so on the condition of anonymity to be able to discuss personnel matters more candidly. Despite their assurances that the move was not a firing, the two-year term appeared to be unanticipated on Black's part. On his official website, Black outlined a "four-year plan" that includes transitioning to his successor in year four. Black is only the fifth person to hold the job since the position was created in 2005. Three of his predecessors served for four years, while the first SEAC served for only three. From 2008 to 2011, while Adm. Mike Mullen was Joint Chiefs chairman, the post went unfilled. Overall, the posting is relatively obscure, and the service members who have held the job have been relatively unknown compared to their service-level counterparts who have taken on leading roles in shaping service-level policy that directly affects troops, helping raise awareness and funds, or serving as an example of what women can achieve in the service. Black focused some of his efforts on boosting fitness in the military as well as how military leaders manage their enlisted force -- a goal that he had as the Marine Corps' top enlisted adviser as well. "A holistic human performance system is being developed right now in order to make sure that we talk about our mental, physical, behavioral, spiritual and emotional or social fitness," Black told troops at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, in February. "We focus on the physical as the end state, but the fact of the matter is we are machines encased as humans; we don't just do one thing," he said. Black's background as a machine gunner and his battlefield accomplishments drew attention early in his tenure as the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, but he would go on to speak regularly about improving quality of life for average Marines. Black used his time in that job to speak to the press and Congress about policy changes or improvements that were being made with an eye toward making service in the Corps less challenging. Black often referenced his wife, a retired first sergeant, as a source of inside knowledge on the challenges that come with a military lifestyle. The official who spoke with Military.com said he expected Black to retire from the military in the summer or early fall. -- Steve Beynon contributed to this report. Related: Marine Tapped to Be Top Enlisted Adviser to the Joint Chiefs of Staff The Marine Corps has unveiled a list of bonuses as part of its yearly effort to keep Marines in the fleet, according to a service-wide message released last week, including more than half a dozen "kickers" worth tens of thousands of dollars. The service is offering "primary military occupational specialty," or PMOS, bonuses that -- if including a kicker -- can incur up to eight years of additional service for specific jobs the Corps needs to keep filled. Some of the priority jobs that may garner the highest dollar amount or additional service involve cybersecurity, special operations and intelligence. Marines who reenlist after April 16 are eligible for the bonuses, which are geared toward gunnery sergeants and below, though there are some that apply to enlisted Marines above that rank. Read Next: Army Recruiting on the Upswing: Service Hits 85% of Annual Goal with 5 Months Left Two new PMOS bonuses that were added this year include amphibious combat vehicle technicians, an important role as the Marine Corps continues to launch the platform abroad, and tactical air control operators. In December, Military.com reported that the service was at risk of not being able to pay out some of its previous bonus promises to Marines because Congress could not agree to pass a consistent budget on time, instead relying on a short-term solution known as a continuing resolution. This type of budget limited the services to the previous year's spending limits and put nearly 1,000 Marines in jeopardy of losing monetary incentives they had accepted -- and were promised -- to stay in the fleet. "While continuing resolutions may delay reenlistment bonus payments, we remain committed to taking care of our Marines and ensuring they are properly compensated for their service -- so we can retain top talent and remain the most lethal and capable force," Maj. Jacoby Getty, a spokesperson for the service's Manpower and Reserve Affairs division, said last week. Most Marines reenlist without a bonus, Getty said. Fifty-three percent of first-term Marines, those who are up for their first reenlistment, did so without a bonus last year. Nearly 60% of subsequent term Marines also signed up for continued service without the monetary incentive, he said. Marines looking to take advantage of bonuses cannot exceed $360,000 in career bonus payments. A sergeant who laterally transfers into counterintelligence for an additional six years can earn up to $105,000 under this round of bonuses, according to one of the examples listed in the message. That's $17,000 extra per year. Failure to stick with the job or new MOS a Marine signs up for can result in recoupment of the unearned portion of the cash based on how many years they served, or failed to serve, under that incentive program. Lateral moves, meaning a Marine switches jobs into one of the roles that the service is prioritizing, can result in high dollar amounts. A kicker added this year that was not available in the last announcement includes an eight-year bonus bump of $80,000. Roles that fall under this category include jobs in reconnaissance, cyberspace and law enforcement. "These incentives enhance our ability to train, retain and effectively employ top talent within our formations," Getty said. He added that the Marine Corps is prioritizing jobs the service is short on, ones that incur a high cost of training, "arduous or otherwise demanding" jobs, and high-demand roles that may compete with the civilian sector, such as cybersecurity. The "Broken Service" program, which is meant to incentivize prior-service Marines with less than a four-year break in duty to come back to the fleet, is once again suspended this year. It was suspended last year, the first time in nearly 10 years. "Just given the sheer number of Marines who are coming back on active duty, they are doing so for those, again, intangible reasons that are not monetary in nature," Maj. Melissa Spencer, previously a spokesperson for the Manpower and Reserve Affairs division, said last year. In December, the Marine Corps released updated guidance on how it plans to keep talented Marines in the force, touting historically high retention numbers as a measure of how those objectives are working after it introduced a monumental shift in how it recruits and keeps that talent, Military.com previously reported. Efforts include expanding the window in which a Marine can enlist, reducing the chance that they may be separated from their military spouse, and establishing a Pacific-oriented cell to provide more stability for troops located in the strategically critical region. Related: How the Marine Corps Is Changing to Keep Talented Marines in the Service DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 14 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and destroyed bulldozers and other heavy equipment that had been supplied by mediators to clear rubble. Separate strikes on Tuesday killed two people in Lebanon. Israel's 18-month offensive against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, raising fears that much of it may never be rebuilt. The territory already had a shortage of heavy equipment, which is also needed to rescue people from the rubble after Israeli strikes and to clear vital roads. A municipality in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza said a strike on its parking garage destroyed nine bulldozers provided by Egypt and Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire that took hold in January. Israel ended the truce last month, renewing its bombardment and ground operations and sealing the territory's 2 million Palestinians off from all imports, including food, fuel and medical supplies. The strikes also destroyed a water tanker and a mobile generator provided by aid groups, and a truck used to pump sewage, the Jabaliya al-Nazla municipality said. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes. The military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the group operates in densely populated areas. Israeli strikes kill 14, mostly children An Israeli airstrike early Tuesday destroyed a multistory home in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing nine people, including four women and four children, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. The dead included a 2-year-old girl and her parents. They were asleep, sleeping in Gods peace. They had nothing to do with anything, said Awad Dahliz, the slain girl's grandfather. What is the fault of this innocent child?" A separate strike in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp killed three children and their parents, according to the Gaza Health Ministry's emergency service. Israel's air and ground war has killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 people hostage. They are still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas has said it will only free the remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire. Israel has said it will keep fighting until the hostages are returned and Hamas has been either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. It has pledged to hold onto so-called security zones in Gaza indefinitely. Islamist killed in Lebanon An Israeli drone strike southeast of Beirut killed Hussein Atwi, a member of the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a regionwide Sunni Islamist political movement. The group said he was leaving for work when the drone struck. Lebanon's Health Ministry said another person was killed in an Israeli strike on the southern Tyre province, without providing further details. Israel has continued to carry out regular strikes across Lebanon despite reaching a ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group in November. Israel says it is targeting militants and weapons caches. The Lebanese government says 190 people have been killed and 485 wounded since the ceasefire took hold. Hezbollah began firing on Israel the day after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Israel responded with airstrikes, and the conflict in Lebanon escalated into a full-blown war in September when Israel carried out a heavy wave of strikes and killed most of Hezbollah's top leadership. Palestinian militants arrested in Syria The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group said two of its senior members were arrested in Syria without any explanation. The Syrian government has not commented. Islamic Jihad, a smaller militant group allied with Hamas and also backed by Iran, had an established presence in Syria during the rule of former President Bashar Assad. It sent fighters to Lebanon to support Hezbollah during the war with Israel. The arrests came days after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Damascus and met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. It was Abbas' first visit to Syria since before the 2011 uprising and the civil war that eventually led to Assad's overthrow last year. Abbas leads the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, dominated by political rivals of Hamas. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed. LONDON The UK Royal Navy's flagship HMS Prince of Wales is to set sail to the Indo-Pacific as head of an international Carrier Strike Group with the aim of sending a "powerful message that we mean business." The 3 billion ($4 billion) aircraft carrier will lead UK, Norwegian and Canadian warships for the eight-month deployment to join exercises, operations and visits with 40 countries across the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia. Thousands of families and well-wishers are expected to line the harbor walls at Portsmouth on Tuesday to wave off the 65,000-tonne warship, which will be accompanied from the navy base by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless. They will then be joined by two Norwegian vessels as well as UK and Canadian frigates, which are sailing from Plymouth. The support vessel Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Tidespring will make up the final ship in the Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which will involve other ships and nations during the deployment called Operation Highmast. A contingent of 18 UK F-35B jets will join the carrier in the days after departure, with that number increasing to 24 during the deployment. Also joining will be several helicopters, as well as drones. Commodore James Blackmore, CSG commander, said the deployment would send a "powerful message" of the UK's naval and air power. He said: "It's about supporting key trade routes that exist from the Indo-Pacific region to the UK, and supporting partners and allies in the region, showing that we are there as a capable and credible force should it be required." "That in a time of crisis, we can come together and fight together and show that we have a capability that we mean business with." He added: "Working closely with partners from across the globe, Operation Highmast will demonstrate credible deterrence and our support to NATO and the rules-based international order." "This will reaffirm that the UK is secure at home and strong abroad and reinforce the UK's commitment to the Indo-Pacific." A total of 2,500 military personnel about 2,100 British, 400 from Norway, Canada and Spain will initially deploy as part of the CSG, with the numbers rising to 4,500 for the major exercises in the Indo-Pacific region. Captain Will Blackett, commanding officer of HMS Prince of Wales, said: "We have been training very, very hard for over a year now, and were good to go." "This ship is a fantastic machine, she's got amazing equipment state of the art and we're very proud to take her around the world," he added. "But it only works because of the magic that's brought to it by the people on board." The CSG's first task will be to join a NATO exercise off France testing aerial defences before the ships move on to the Mediterranean to work with an Italian-led carrier force and then heading east via the Red Sea. This is the second CSG deployment to the Indo-Pacific, with the previous one led by HMS Prince of Wales' sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, in 2021. 2025 dpa GmbH. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. For American audiences, the Korean War is often called the Forgotten War. But in South Korean cinema, it has never been forgotten. South Korean filmmakers have repeatedly revisited the war, not only to tell stories of heroism and tragedy but also to reflect on the countrys complex relationship with the United States. Over the decades, South Korean war films have taken different perspectives on the countrys closest ally, mirroring shifts in public sentiment. Some frame the U.S. as a liberator and a critical partner, while others depict it as a prolonger of war. These films offer more than just action-packed battle sequences; they serve as windows into South Koreas evolving views on its history, national identity and relationship with the U.S. These four films offered starkly different portrayals of Americas role in the Korean War: Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005): A Faceless War Machine Capt. Neil Smith, an American soldier, is stranded in a village called Dongmakgol after his plane crashes deep in the mountains. The residents of this remote village lead a primitive life, unaware that the Korean Peninsula is engulfed in warfare. North Korean soldiers, who are lost in the woods, are also led to the village, and two South Korean deserters stumble upon it while scavenging for food. Initially, the soldiers antagonize each other, but the villagers blissful ignorance gradually dissolves hostilities, leading them to lay down their arms. They farm and hunt together, and once the soldiers take off their military uniforms, they return to the innocent simplicity characterized by the villagers, who act as a metaphor for everyday Koreans living out the war. Read Next: The 5 Most Realistic Army Movies, According to an Army Historian However, after Smiths plane crash, U.S. troops falsely speculate that a North Korean artillery battalion is positioned in the mountains. They send Allied troops to scout the area, who harass the villagers. As the harassment intensifies, the soldiers stranded in Dongmakgol take out the search party, which consequently is met with a retaliatory airstrike. In a tragic climax, the soldiers sacrifice themselves to protect the villagers. Allied troops harass villagers in a scene from 'Welcome to Dongmakgol.' (KMDb) The film received mixed reviews after its release. While some critics praised it as a post-ideological, anti-war film, the movie emerged at a time of heightened anti-American sentiment in South Korea after a U.S. military vehicle accidentally ran over two schoolgirls in 2002 and controversial remarks by then-president Roh Moo-hyun. Some critics accused it of provoking anti-American and pro-North Korean sentiments. In Welcome to Dongmakgol, the U.S. is portrayed as a faceless military machine driven by war calculations rather than moral considerations. Its pernicious nature threatens the villages innocence and ultimately kills the soldiers. The ruthless airstrikes and the violence of the Allied troops underscore the idea that U.S. intervention is ultimately destructive. The Front Line (2011): A Prolonger of War First Lt. Kang Eun-pyo is dispatched to the front lines to investigate a mysterious case: A South Korean officer has been shot in the head by friendly fire. Kang arrives at Aerok Hill, where Alligator Company is locked in an endless cycle of capturing and losing the same piece of land. Meanwhile, American, Chinese and North Korean commanders gather to discuss ceasefire terms, but negotiations are prolonged as the sides aim to acquire more land. The war enters a stalemate, and the weary, disillusioned soldiers prioritize survival over ideology. Kang soon discovers that soldiers from both sides have been communicating through hidden caches in a bunker, exchanging supplies such as American cigarettes and North Korean alcohol, as well as letters meant for separated families. A battle scene from the 2011 South Korean war film, 'The Front Line.' (KMDb) Meanwhile, as Chinese troops join the war, South Korean forces suffer heavy losses. The companys incompetent new commander, Capt. Yoo Jae-ho, orders a suicidal mission to retake the hill, prompting Kangs friend, Kim Soo-hyuk, to shoot Yoo and take command himself. As ceasefire negotiations unfold, a radio announcement declares the fighting will officially end in 12 hours. Yet rather than laying down their arms, both sides launch desperate final offensives, with U.S. planes indiscriminately bombing the battlefield and killing almost everyone on either side. In a climactic moment, only Kang and a North Korean commander remain in the trenches, but instead of fighting, they share a cigarette and reflect on the wars meaning. To Kangs question about what the North Koreans fight for, the commander, who once believed in his cause, admits, I did know before, but now I have forgotten. As the ceasefire is finally declared, the two laugh in bitter relief. The Front Line critiques the futility of war and challenges the romanticized notions of ideological struggle. The hill itself, Aerok (Korea spelled backward), symbolizes the Korean Peninsula -- constantly fought over but ultimately unchanged. The U.S. is portrayed as a distant, apathetic force that prolongs the conflict for its own geopolitical interests. The Americans negotiate a ceasefire without South Koreas involvement, and their airstrikes indiscriminately bomb the battlefield, showing little regard for their South Korean allies. The film was criticized for allegedly sympathizing with North Korea and downplaying the sacrifices of South Korean veterans. Others praised its raw, unflinching portrayal of wars senseless brutality. Operation Chromite (2016): A Story of Altruistic Heroism Starring Liam Neeson as Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Operation Chromite dramatizes the days leading to the Battle of Incheon, a decisive amphibious invasion that turned the tide of the Korean War. The film follows Capt. Jang Hak-su, a North Korean turncoat who infiltrates enemy lines to secure critical intelligence for the United Nations forces. Jang -- disguised as a North Korean officer -- and his men must obtain a classified map of underwater mines before MacArthurs forces land. After a tense series of deceptions and firefights, they sacrifice themselves to sabotage enemy defenses and ensure a successful landing for the U.S. troops. The film concludes with MacArthur saluting the fallen South Korean operatives as his forces liberate Incheon. Although MacArthur appears sparingly, one key scene stands out. In a flashback, he encounters a lone South Korean child soldier who refuses to retreat without orders. Deeply moved by the boys bravery, MacArthur vows to save this boys country. Meant to resonate emotionally with the audience, this moment encapsulates the films portrayal of the U.S. as a benevolent ally committed to South Koreas liberation. 'Operation Chromite' dramatizes the days leading to the decisive Battle of Incheon during the Korean War. (Courtesy photo) Unlike The Front Line, which questions Americas motives, Operation Chromite celebrates its leadership and moral authority, but opinions are mixed. During a discussion for Center for Free Enterprise -- a South Korean think tank -- Kyonggi University professor Lim Jong-hwa describes the film as an ode to the sacrifices made by veterans and our allies, which helped [Korea] maintain its core values, upon which todays Korea was built. The depiction of MacArthur leading a key victory that turned the tide of the war alone gives the film significance, Lim said. But other critics, including Hwang Jin-mi, argue that the U.S. participation in the Korean War is overly glorified. They dismiss the movie as an anachronistic anti-communist film that idolizes MacArthur, promotes anti-communist values and demonizes North Korea. Is Koreas goal today anti-communism or reunification, Hwang wrote. How different are we from 30 years ago when dictatorships used anti-communist rhetoric to maintain their regime? Ode to My Father (2014): A Backdrop to the Korean Dream This nontraditional war film is a tearjerker outlining South Koreas postwar growth. The historical drama follows Yoon Deok-soo, a North Korean child refugee who fled to the South during the Korean War. As the eldest son, he shoulders the burden of supporting his family, working as a coal miner in Germany, participating in the Vietnam War as a technician and later searching for his lost father and sister. The film opens with the Hungnam evacuation in 1950, when a U.S. commander orders military equipment to be offloaded to make room for thousands of refugees. This real-life event, which saved more than 14,000 people -- including former South Korean President Moon Jae-ins family -- set the tone for Americas role in the film. A scene from the 2014 Korean war film, 'Ode to My Father.' (KMDb) While the commanders sympathetic move saves Deok-soos family, his father and younger sister fail to board the ship, leaving the 11-year-old boy to support his family. Ode to My Father is generally considered a tribute to South Koreas postwar generation and its sacrifice to rebuild the country. The film neither glorifies nor critiques the U.S. role, but portrays the Americans as a stabilizing force in South Korean history. It underscores their historical reliance on the U.S. for security and economic opportunities, framing America as a backdrop to Deok-soos personal development, as well as the growth of South Korea. Between Ally and Geopolitical Actor South Koreas shifting political landscape has shaped the depiction of the U.S. in war films. From the end of World War II to the late 1980s, the country was under military dictatorship, where anti-communist rhetoric reinforced the necessity of U.S. support. The fall of the dictatorship led to the rise of progressive governments advocating for reconciliation with North Korea, leading to increased friction with Washington. The question of how to view North Korea -- and the U.S. -- remains a major source of division in South Korean politics, and these shifting political tides are often reflected in cinema. In some films, the U.S. is a heroic liberator; in others, it is an indifferent superpower serving its own interests. Ultimately, both portrayals hold elements of truth. While American intervention played a critical role in preserving South Koreas sovereignty, the wars drawn-out conclusion and geopolitical complexities cast a shadow over its legacy. The key to understanding the U.S.-South Korean alliance lies in acknowledging both the sacrifices made and the political realities that shaped the war and its aftermath. South Korean war films will continue to revisit the past, offering fresh perspectives on a conflict that, in many ways, remains unresolved. Seung-ku Lee is a journalist covering South Koreas politics, business and society for various publications around the world. He spent his childhood in the Middle East before returning to Seoul in 2018. He briefly served in the 6th Division of the Republic of Korea Army before being discharged in 2022. Jace Jung is back in the big leagues, as the Tigers recalled the third base prospect from Triple-A Toledo. Detroit optioned Ryan Kreidler in a corresponding move. Its the second major league call for the 24-year-old Jung. Detroit selected his contract last August. The 2022 first-round pick got regular run at third base down the stretch. He reached base at an excellent .362 clip over his first 94 big league plate appearances. Jung struck out 29 times without hitting a home run, though. The Tigers made a run at Alex Bregman over the offseason, confirming they werent firmly committed to Jung as their starting third baseman going into this year. Once Bregman signed with Boston, Jung projected as the starting third baseman entering camp. He didnt perform during Spring Training, hitting .121 with one longball in 14 games. The Tigers optioned him midway through camp. With Matt Vierling on the injured list, they went with a nearly even playing time split between Andy Ibanez, Javier Baez and Zach McKinstry. Theyve used McKinstry in right field over the past few days. Baez seems likely to join him in the outfield. Hes starting in center field tonight against Padres righty Randy Vasquez. Chris McCosky of The Detroit News relays that Baez is likely to play regularly in center for the near future. Thatd push Riley Greene back to left field while leaving third base to a Jung/Ibanez platoon. Kreidler had started 14 games in center field this season, but hes out to an untenable .105/.190/.105 start at the plate. Jung brings a lot more offensive upside than Kreidler offers. Hes a .257/.379/.467 hitter over parts of four seasons in the minors. He put his underwhelming spring behind him and was off to a strong start to the year in Toledo. Jung has three homers with a .239/.409/.463 slash through 88 plate appearances. He has fanned 22 times while drawing 20 walks the second-most of Triple-A hitters. An outfield of Greene, Baez and McKinstry was certainly not Detroits plan entering Spring Training. Theyve needed to adapt with four outfield options (Vierling, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Perez and Manuel Margot) on the injured list. It seemed Kerry Carpenter might join them after he departed yesterdays game with right hamstring soreness. Carpenter is not playing tonight but was not immediately placed on the injured list, as he remains day-to-day. OAKLAND COUNTY, MI A 66-year-old man is accused of fatally stabbing his friend in the chest outside of a Southfield gas station. Gregory Clark, of Detroit, has been charged with one count of manslaughter in Oakland County District Court, a news release from the countys prosecutors office states. Snug Harbor in Grand Haven is bringing back its Chili Blues event. Previously the annual event was held in the winter but moved back in the calendar to kick off summer deck season and showcase Snug Harbor's waterfront views. MLive File Photo GRAND HAVEN, MI -- Shake off your chilly winter blues with some chili and blues at Grand Havens annual start to deck season. Snug Harbor, which overlooks the channel leading to Lake Michigan, is opening their heated deck for their annual Chili Blues party April 25-26. Previously the event was held in February under heated tents, but owners Steve and Carole Loftis wanted the event to signal the start of summer. The deck party with live music and drink specials starts 6 p.m. Friday, April 25 and picks back up the next day with a shotgun salute on the patio at 12 p.m. Saturday, April 26. The chili competition tastings will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday with live music from blues band Big Daddy Fox. This is just a fun spring weekend to help usher in summer and experience some great chili and hot blues, said event organizer Steve Loftis. Its also an opportunity to give back, which is why were proud to support Bluebird Retreat through donations during the event. Bluebird Cancer Retreats offers a range of emotional support programs for people facing cancer, according to its website. RELATED: Michigans Best Local Eats: Snug Harbor in Grand Haven touts hearty dishes, scenic views On tap for drink specials this weekend is a Founders Tap Takeover, plus drink and food specials. Featured brands include Titos Handmade Vodka, Goodboy Vodka, Casamigos Tequila, Founders Brewing, Budweiser, Long Drink, and Coppola Wines, according to Snug Harbor. In addition to its epic views, Snug Harbor is known for serving up hearty American dishes on the water since 1989. Among customer favorites are burgers, steaks and seafood pasta. To sign up for the chili competition, call Snug Harbor at 616-846-8400 or email amy.snugharbormi@gmail.com. RELATED: West Michigan Earth Day events: See where to volunteer in your community RELATED: Road work to begin Monday in Grand Haven ahead of summer season RELATED: New Holland Brewings next restaurant bringing popular bar snack to Grand Haven Detroit's Alice Cooper has reunited with his original band after 51 years to release a new album. Photo by Vicki Vellios Briner | PennLive Alice Cooper will soon be dropping a new album. But he wont be doing it with just any musicians. The Detroit rock legend will be releasing new music with his original band after 51 years, according to Billboard. The Revenge of Alice Cooper is due out July 25. Cooper told Billboard making the new album with his old bandmates feels like its 1973 all over again, after the bands 7th and last album together. It was very much like this was our next album after Muscle of Love," just like, OK, this is the next album. Isnt that funny after 50 years? All of a sudden it just falls into place. The Revenge of Alice Cooper will feature 14 songs, reuniting Cooper with guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neil Smith. Guitarist Glen Buxton passed away in 1997. Billboard adds that Cooper will be premiering the first single, Black Mamba, today, April 22 on the latest episode of his syndicated radio show, Alices Attic. The Godfather of Shock Rock will be on tour this year with Judas Priest. They will be at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan on Thursday, October 2. Tickets are on sale now. Short's Brewing is hosting its 21st Anniversary Party this weekend. Dozens of bands are set to perform and its flagship beers and some old favorites will be poured. Photo provided by Short's Brewing BELLAIRE, MI - What happens when Michigans largest independent craft brewery turns 21? It throws a big party, Up North-style. Shorts Brewing is celebrating this anniversary milestone on Saturday with a special edition of its annual Anni Party. There will be a dozen rotating live bands on two stages, Shorts flagship beers will be poured - and some brews on the old favorites list are likely to reappear, too. Joe Short likes to party, and hes got a lot to celebrate. The brewery he opened in an old hardware store in Bellaire, Michigan is turning 21 on April 26, the brewing companys staff said. The last Saturday in April is kind of a BIG DEAL Up North. From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. well be celebrating another year in Northern Michigan, slinging food and drinking beers. Heck, Huma, Locals Light, Bellaire Brown, and Soft Parade are old enough to drink themselves! Bring the fam for the day, or get to town early for the pre-party on Friday. No tickets required, only good vibes. For all the Anni Party details, check the brewing companys website here. Short's Brewing in downtown Bellaire. Photo provided by Short's Brewing The Shorts team is calling this all-day celebration the unofficial first day of spring for Bellaire - a spot known for its tiny and charming downtown, its proximity to lakes, rivers and hiking trails. RELATED: Boardwalk floats over wetlands, mossy fens at this Up North nature preserve And for the last two decades, this town has been known as the home of Shorts. Im pretty much the luckiest person on the planet, Joe Short said. I get to love where I live and love what I do every day. Short has remained hands-on in pretty much every aspect of the business (hes also its social media star) since the brew pub opened in 2004. Its definitely a family affair. Joes wife, Leah, and their two teenage boys all have roles, whether its dishing up pizza at the pub, stacking cases, or helping with maintenance issues. I love the idea of handing down the business to the boys, if they want it, Short said. But thats down the road. The Anni Party pre-party starts Friday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. The pubs restaurant is also doing some throwback menu items, too, so watch for those. Short's Brewing in downtown Bellaire. Photo provided by Short's Brewing Heading up for the weekend to stay and play? Shanty Creek Resort says if youre staying with them overnight, theyve got a free shuttle going back and forth to Shorts so you can leave your car parked and just enjoy the ride. Our Anniversary is one of my favorite days of the year, Short said. I can really feel the love and support of our community, friends, families, and our incredible staff we wouldnt be here without you. Its going to be great, the more the merrier. Cant make it to the big party this weekend? Then try to save the date for the annual summer kickoff party, Shorts Fest, on June 7 at the brewing companys Pull Barn in nearby Elk Rapids. Shorts Brewing Company Highlights: Royal Caribbean says it is suspending visits to Haiti due to ongoing violence and political instability. Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive Just in time for summer cruise season, Royal Caribbean has suspended visits to Haiti thanks to ongoing violence and political instability. According to Travel and Leisure, the cruise line has already altered itineraries to remove planned stops at Labadee, a private beach resort owned by the company, located on the northern coast of Haiti. Royal Caribbean says it has also contacted guests to alert them of the itinerary changes. This marks the second year in a row that Royal Caribbean has suspended service to Labadee, having done so last year for similar reasons. The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 4 Do not travel advisory for Haiti last year due to political violence and uprisings in the country. In November, the Federal Aviation Administration banned all U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for a month after a Spirit Airlines plane was shot multiple times while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince. American Airlines and JetBlue also reported finding evidence that their planes had been shot. Earlier this week, the State Department issued a security alert for Haiti and again reiterated that Americans are warned not to travel to the Caribbean nation. Royal Caribbean did not say if it plans to resume visits to Labadee in the future. Stephan Hogan, Samantha Cucu and Valeska Bass have been newly named principal at Abbot, Mitchell and Pattengill elementary schools in Ann Arbor. Photo used with permission Ann Arbor officials are proposing installing retractable bollards at downtown intersections to be able to easily and safely close streets for events and outdoor dining. MLive file photo. Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News ANN ARBOR, MI Ann Arbor officials are seeking funding to install retractable posts at downtown intersections to easily and safely close streets for events and outdoor dining. We would be able to provide bollards at approximately 21 intersections in the downtown area, City Administrator Milton Dohoney said in his annual budget presentation to City Council Monday night, April 21. A drawing of the new Fire Station 4 to be named after Ann Arbor's first female firefighter, Mindy Kerr. A3C Collaborative Architecture ANN ARBOR, MI Mindy Kerr made history when she was hired as Ann Arbors first female firefighter. That was July 1980 and she served for 25 years before retiring in 2005. A man who pleaded no contest to shooting another man in downtown Ann Arbor will serve three years in prison. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com ANN ARBOR, MI -- A man who pleaded no contest to shooting another man in downtown Ann Arbor will serve three years in prison. Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Jinan Hamood sentenced Joshua Ashden Dye, 34, to serve two years in prison for using a firearm during a felony, followed by another year for assault less than murder, according to court records. MLive file photo of a Toll Brothers home on Barton Ridge. Provided by Toll Brothers This story has been updated with an additional comment from a township official ANN ARBOR TWP., MI Nearly 100 acres adjacent to a new million-dollar housing development north of Ann Arbor will be protected from future development. The 67th District Court on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Flushing. Brice Tucker | btucker@mlive.com GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Local judges and the county Board of Commissioners have brokered a deal to build a new centralized Genesee District Court by 2030. The new One Eleven restaurant is set to hold its grand opening on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Fenton. (Nick Taylor, MLive.com) Nick Taylor The Flint YMCA is shown on Monday, April 21, 2025, on its final day of operation. Jake May | The Flint Journal FLINT, MI Long-time members and officials bid farewell to the old YMCA of Greater Flint on Monday, April 21, more than 63 years after it opened and four days before a new Y takes its place. Vice President of Operations Brandon Dreffs said members helped lead a small ceremony, marking the end of operations at the Kearsley Street location. Some left written notes in a time capsule. The exterior of Allora, a coastal Italian restaurant, in downtown Grand Rapids, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI When diners step inside Allora, a new upscale restaurant opening Wednesday in downtown Grand Rapids, Executive Chef Luke VerHulst hopes to transport them to coastal Italy with a menu that captures the taste and smell of the Mediterranean. Entrees such as Linguine Alle Vongole pasta with white wine poached clams and garlic butter evoke the bustling, port city of Naples. Then theres the Polpo Alla Patate. Featuring grilled octopus, potato gnocchi and pesto calabrese, the dish offers flavors found in Tuscany, Liguria and Pulgia, a southern region that forms the heel of Italys boot. We want people to be able to travel without traveling, VerHulst said. Dining here is much cheaper than a flight to Italy. Allora, 201 Monroe Ave. NW, is on the ground floor of the Windquest Building, and is owned by Dick and Betsy DeVos. VerHulst, who describes Alloras theme as coastal Italian, crafted the restaurants menu after spending 10 days touring Italys coastline, from Naples to Sicily. The menu leans heavily on fresh seafood, raw items, and lighter pasta dishes with sauces made with wine, olive oil and cheese rather than red tomatoes. Seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients are emphasized. Youre taking the best ingredients that are available to you locally and showcasing them in a simple but elegant way, VerHulst said. There are plenty of Italian restaurants that exist in West Michigan. The majority of those are kind of red sauce or more Northern Italian focused. Were really trying to highlight the coastlines of Italy. The interior of Allora, a coastal Italian restaurant, in downtown Grand Rapids, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com Allora is opening in the space that formerly housed Reserve Wine & Food, which closed in April 2024 after 14 years in business. The Windquest Group, a private investment firm owned by Dick and Betsy DeVos, owned Reserve. The firm closed the restaurant and wine bar so it could be reopen the space under a new, refreshed concept, which became Allora. The same team that ran Reserve is still in place at Allora: Betsy DeVos, who founded Reserve, is listed as the founder of Allora. And VerHulst, who spent more than 12 years at Reserve, most recently as executive chef, is the executive chef of Allora. Theyre joined by General Manager Parker Bulliment, who spent roughly a decade at AHC Hospitality and helped open the Amway Grand Plazas IDC, The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck and MDRD. The dining room at Allora, a coastal Italian restaurant, in downtown Grand Rapids, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com Customers familiar with Reserve will see lots of changes inside Allora. The space has been completely renovated, creating a smaller, more intimate setting. Grey ceramic floor tiles, new lighting, and teal upholstered seating were added to the space. The design complements the 19-foot-wide oil painting Open Water No. 24, the winner of ArtPrize 2009, that hangs on the restaurants wall. While Reserve focused on special events with multiple dining areas across three floors, Allora will cater to smaller groups and traditional dining. It has room for 89 people in the ground-floor dining room and 24 people on an outdoor patio. One private event space, an area known as The Vault that seats 12 people, will remain open. Bulliment said the downsized space reflects a trend in the restaurant industry. You can really focus on every dish coming out perfect, the service being top notch, he said. Its hard to service a 300-seat restaurant with the excellency that were shooting for. Alloras prices match its upscale vibe. House-made pasta dishes range from $18 to $24, and entrees such as roasted pork chops, grilled eggplant and fillet mignon steak range from $26 to $56. Tableside specialties, designed to serve two- to four-people, include a whole roasted sea bream fish, roasted 32oz dry aged ribeye, and a roasted heritage breed chicken. Those go for between $56 and $95. There are also a selection of fish. Ora king salmon, branzino, Lake Superior walleye, yellow fin tuna, scallops, and a daily fresh catch are grilled with lemon and olive oil, and range in price from $28 to $40. Customers who order a full, four-course meal can expect to pay about $110 a person. The interior of Allora, a coastal Italian restaurant, in downtown Grand Rapids, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com VerHulst said prices reflect Alloras ingredients. Finding the freshest, most nutritious local produce available is really important to us but also importing the finest cheeses and vinegars and olive oils is also of paramount importance, he said. Many ingredients wont be traveling far. The restaurant sources salad greens, kale, and Swiss chard from Vertical Paradise Farms in Gaines Township, VerHulst said. Chicken, pork and eggs are supplied by Helden Farms in Coopersville. And all pasta is made in-house with flour from New Mission Milling in Zeeland. We get to decide what flours were using, and the coarseness of the grind, the freshness of it, VerHulst said, describing the benefits of working with New Mission Milling. So pasta becomes really the center of the plates star versus just a vessel for sauce. Bulliment said hes eager for customers to try Allora, and noted it complements other high-end downtown establishments such as the Spanish-inspired MDRD that opened in recent years. Weve done stuff like MDRD, he said, and now Allora continues that tradition of spots that are really going to make you feel like youre stepping into another world. Ex-Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr exits the court room after a motion hearing at the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids, Mich. Schurr will face trial for second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese immigrant, during a traffic stop three years ago. Joel Bissell | MLive.com MICHIGAN -- U.S. Supreme Court justices say they will not hear an appeal from former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr in a lawsuit filed against him by Patrick Lyoyas family. Attorneys for Schurrs civil legal team filed a petition earlier this year, asking the Supreme Court to decide whether a lower appeals court made a wrong decision. The Jackson City Council plans to host a public hearing and informational session regarding a proposed $45.7 million water project on April 29, 2025. (File Photo | MLive.com) MLive file photo JACKSON, MI - Jackson residents will have a chance to discuss and learn more about a $45.7 million plan to upgrade the citys water infrastructure next week. The city is applying for funding through Michigans Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, said city spokesperson Aaron Dimick. The Jackson City Council will host a public hearing on the citys plan during an April 29 meeting. JACKSON COUNTY, MI A Michigan Department of Corrections Officer accused of smuggling drugs into the prison that employs him near Jackson has taken a plea offer. Joshua Michael Evans pleaded guilty April 1 to one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance, court records show. In pleading guilty, an additional felony charge of bringing contraband into a prison will be dismissed at sentencing. Evans, 48, was arraigned in August after a Michigan State Police investigation found he was smuggling drugs to a prisoner, according to the Michigan Attorney Generals Office, which is prosecuting the case. Related: Corrections officer charged with smuggling drugs into Michigan prison On July 11, Evans was found with 151 strips of Suboxone in the visiting room of the Parnall Correctional Facility, 1780 E. Parnall Road in Blackman Township, north of Jackson, where he worked, officials said. Police intervened after being tipped off about Evans by a staff member at the prison, police said. Suboxone, a schedule 3 narcotic, is a partial opioid that also contains buprenorphine and naloxone and is used to treat opioid dependence. Prosecutors claim Evans was smuggling the controlled substance to a prisoner inside the facility. Evans employment with the Michigan Department of Corrections is currently suspended with an unpaid stop order preventing him from working for the prison system or entering prison property, Michigan Department of Corrections Public information Officer Jenni Riehle said. Sentencing is scheduled for May 29 before Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wilson. Evans is currently free on a $2,000 personal recognizance bond. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. Kory Ernster, 22, and Emily MacDonald, 19, drowned in Lake Michigan on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022 while swimming at South Beach in South Haven, Michigan. The couple had been together for five years. (Photo provided by Lisa MacDonald) SOUTH HAVEN, MI Nothing will bring back their adult children. But two Michigan families are still fighting in hopes that the deaths of the young couple can bring about change. A judge recently ruled against the city of South Havens claims of government immunity in the case of the two swimmers who drowned in Lake Michigan. The recent ruling sides with the families of Kory Ernster, 22, and Emily MacDonald, 19, who drowned Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, while swimming at the city-owned South Beach. Their families filed a lawsuit, seeking more than $25,000 in damages. They blame the city because it operates a flag warning system at the beach, placing flags of green, yellow or red to give swimmers information about lake conditions. Stephen Ernster, left, Stephanie Ernster, center, and Lisa MacDonald, stand next to a lifesaving robot they recently donated to Lake Michigan communities. The devices debuted at Silver Beach Monday, June 10, 2024. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com) The beach was under a yellow flag warning when MacDonald of Columbus Township and Ernster of Novi drowned around 1 p.m. on Aug. 8, 2022. The lawsuit alleges the city should have been aware of the dangerous conditions as weather forecasts warned of beach hazards up and down the coast. The city should have flown a red flag and closed the beach, the lawsuit argues. The city failed the couple, who was visiting the lake from outside of the area, Lisa MacDonald said. The people coming dont understand that lake, MacDonald, Emilys mother, told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette on April 21. Dave Benjamin, co-founder and executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project stands on the shores of Lake Michigan. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com) Dave Benjamin, executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, criticized the citys beach flag system while reacting to the ruling. Theres no consistency of how beach flags are managed from state park beaches to city beaches, he said. The city has a responsibility to protect the people who bring in revenue to South Haven through its parking services, MacDonald said. The ruling also discusses profits from the beach operation. People crowd the pier to catch sun set over Lake Michigan in South Haven, Mich., on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Garret Ellison | MLive) Profit generated by the operation of the city beach is transferred out of the beach fund and used for other purposes, the court ruling states. The judge also said the plaintiffs have plausibly alleged facts that would support the conclusion that their injuries are a proximate result of defendants conduct, considering it as a factor in the decision. The test for proximate causation is reasonable foreseeability, the judge wrote. Foreseeability depends on whether a reasonable person could anticipate that a given event might occur under certain conditions, the order states, citing caselaw. Previously, the case was temporarily moved to federal court. Once federal claims were dismissed in a Sept. 30, 2024, opinion, the case was moved back to Van Buren County Circuit Court. MacDonald said cities like South Haven should not operate under government immunity a blanket protection that helps them avoid accountability. Battle over lifeguards MacDonald wants to secure a win in court and also on the beach. Shes been pushing for lifeguards as the best solution to prevent drownings. She wants to see changes so no family has to go through what hers has. Bob Pratt speaks with a group of lifeguards before a training begins at Silver Beach in the city of St. Joseph. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com) The lasting grief of losing her daughter pushes MacDonald forward. The lawsuit over the tragic deaths draws attention as they push for lifeguards. The effort has been the talk of recent City Council meetings and was classified as a priority on 2024. As of today, lifeguards are not on the beaches and it appears such a program will not be in place for the start of the 2025 swimming season, MacDonald said. Time is running out for it to happen this year. MacDonald wonders if the lifeguard program will ever be implemented, despite a lot of talk. The families donated E.M.I.L.Y. robots to nearby beaches along Lake Michigan, choosing to work with cities that have lifeguard programs. RELATED: Parents of couple who drowned in Lake Michigan use life insurance money to buy beach safety robots Two of the robots have also been donated to South Haven by other donors. MacDonald and other safety advocates say the only real solution is to bring in a team of lifeguards. The measures in place today will not prevent drownings or save someone who is drowning, MacDonald said. Only eyes on the water and feet on the beach are going to be able to do that, she said. The debate about bringing in lifeguards has included a discussion of liability. Some claim lifeguards can create a liability for South Haven, though MacDonald sees other nearby cities employing lifeguards, like New Buffalo and St. Joseph. She sees more of a risk in doing nothing. If you get lifeguards and the chances are so slim youre going to drown, there wont be lawsuits, MacDonald said. I dont understand how South Haven doesnt understand that. Despite the citys 2024 vote to prioritize a new lifeguard program, the council still hasnt blown the whistle to begin the work, MacDonald said. Lifeguards dive into the water in a series of rescue drills at Silver Beach. The beach is now the home of an E.M.I.L.Y. robot, designed to help save struggling swimmers. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com) Shes worried city officials are moving slowly intentionally. I feel like its a game theyre playing, MacDonald said. To her family, its serious. MLive reached out to City Manager Kate Hosier seeking comment. Hosier gave a report about efforts for a lifeguard program in a brief report at the April 21 meeting and said a report would be brought to the board May 5. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent on Saturday a congratulatory message to Daniel Noboa on his re-election as president of Ecuador. Xi said China and Ecuador are comprehensive strategic partners, and the development of bilateral relations has maintained a sound momentum in recent years. He also said the two countries have witnessed deepening political mutual trust and fruitful cooperation in various fields, adding that the friendship of the two peoples has won greater popular support. Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Ecuador, Xi said he is ready to work with Noboa to take the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to a higher level, so as to better benefit the two peoples. On the same day, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng sent a congratulatory message to Ecuadorian Vice President-elect Maria Jose Pinto. The Ottawa Count Sheriff station and Spring Lake Fire Department in Spring Lake, Michigan on Thursday, April 9, 2020. Alison Zywicki | azywicki SPRING LAKE TWP., MI In a time when first responders, especially medical care providers, are strapped for staff, a local fire department is stepping up to fill that service gap. Five firefighters with the Spring Lake Fire Department recently received an upgraded paramedic license. The department, as a whole, now offers an Advanced Life Support level of service. With that, firefighter paramedics can now intubate a patient and administer more types of medication, as well as advanced heart monitoring. Its taking everything to another degree of service, said John Stalzer, township fire chief. Spring Lake Firefighter/Paramedics Tucker Chartier and Drew Klassen work through the state inspection of required equipment. Photo provided to MLive by John Stalzer The only higher level of medical service the fire department could have is by providing transport. Currently, department personnel can provide the highest level of medical care in the field, but still need to defer to an ambulance if a victim needs to be transported to a hospital. Stalzer said his department is only the third in the county to offer Spring Lakes new level of service. Grand Haven Charter Township Fire/Rescue and Holland Charter Township Fire Department were already offering that level. With five firefighters now trained in ALS, Stalzer said the goal is to have two of them working per shift. There are two fire trucks outfitted with the equipment and medications needed for advanced medical care, he said. Last year the department responded to 1,358 calls, with about 75% of those needing medical service. Of those medical calls, between 15 and 20% were priority one, or of a critical nature. We do everything from helping patients who just need a lift, to cardiac arrest, to vehicle extraction, to drownings, Stalzer said. We do the whole gamut. Stalzer said the strain on first responders has been seen for the last decade, with an additional increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. The township department only started hiring firefighters full-time in 2019. Spring Lake Fire Lieutenant/Paramedic Pete Eliopulos starts the first Advanced Life Support shift on April 9. Photo provided to MLive by John Stalzer We felt the need to start advancing our care with the (chance) that the crisis could get worse, Stalzer said. We also are always looking at just giving better customer service. On the lakeshore, Stalzer said hes seen up to 30-minute delays for ambulance service. All the employees do a great job, but theres been such a strain on personnel, theres not always a car readily available, he said. On average, the fire department arrives on a scene within four to six minutes, while an ambulance takes eight minutes, Stalzer said. The lack of staffing comes from a variety of reasons the amount of training needed, pay, time commitment and a risky, sometimes traumatic job are among some. The field calls for a certain type of person, theyve got to be very service-oriented, Stalzer said. Money has (also) become an issue ... when you go into a field where youre going to be doing some unpleasant things. State and federal funding has aided Spring Lake and other fire departments in paying for training of new and existing firefighters. Most recently, the department received an Assistance to Firefighters grant of over $100,000 Assistance through FEMA. The funds are helping the department with training and new equipment costs. Spring Lake Firefighter Paramedics graduate from West Shore Community College with their Advanced Life Support medical certification. Photo provided to MLive by John Stalzer Stalzer said part of the hope is to entice new hires by paying for their school training and materials, while also paying them by the hour to do the training. At least in my area, we do see younger people with interest in it, Stalzer said. I dont think its going away. A total of 28 people work at the Spring Lake Fire Department, including six full-time firefighters. The business route ramp providing access to downtown Muskegon will be unavailable from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting. MLive file photo MUSKEGON, MI - A business route that takes drivers from U.S. 31 into downtown Muskegon will close for a portion of Wednesday. The ramp to U.S. 31 Business Route (Moses J. Jones Parkway), exit 116, from U.S. 31 North is scheduled to close from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday for maintenance. A map shows where the U.S. 31 Business Route ramp will be closed off of U.S. 31 North in Muskegon. Michigan Department of Transportation The exit takes drivers towards downtown Muskegon and North Muskegon. The work is weather dependent. For up-to-date information on this project and others, go to the list of statewide lane closures at: www.michigan.gov/drive. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer listens during a briefing in Silver Spring, Maryland in this file photo. (Alex Brandon | AP Photo) Alex Brandon | AP Photo BAY COUNTY, MI President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to deport a record number of immigrants. Hoping to bring his plan to fruition, his administration has reached out to the sheriffs of Bay and Saginaw counties for help in taking on federal immigration enforcement. The sheriffs, though, said signing up with the program may be redundant with how their offices already function. As such, they have no plans to join with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Bay County Sheriff Troy R. Cunningham on Thursday, April 17, received an email from ICE asking if hed be interested in his office participating in the 287(g) program. Saginaw County Sheriff William L. Federspiels office received a phone call from ICE the same day, likewise probing if he was interested in joining the program. The sheriff has no such interest. Im not going to enter into any agreement with ICE, Federspiel said. I dont have the spare resources, even if I wanted to. The program has three models Jail Enforcement, Task Force, and Warrant Service Officer. The Jail Enforcement model involves local corrections officers being able to identify and process undocumented immigrants who are wanted on criminal charges. Thats something the jails in Bay and Saginaw counties already do, however. Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel said he will drive a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro as a patrol unit, purchased via drug forfeiture funds. The Saginaw News/MLive.com Were reviewing it, but we dont really see how it changes the course of business, Cunningham said. When we run peoples names in the jail, if theyre wanted on a warrant or a detainer, its going to be flagged and theyre going to be held. We hold federal inmates now. Federspiel agreed. If we pull over a car and they have a federal warrant, were going to hold them for 48 hours, he said. Regarding the programs other models, the Task Force one involves local police or deputies being trained, authorized, and certified by ICE to enforce limited immigration laws with an ICE-led task force. The Warrant Service Officer model allows local police to serve administrative warrants on undocumented immigrants. Administrative warrants differ from judicial warrants in that they are issued by a federal agency and signed by an immigration judge or ICE officer, rather than by a neutral magistrate or judge. Administrative warrants also do not give ICE personnel authority to enter a place where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. Bay County Sheriff Troy R. Cunningham. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Federspiel contributes staff to a U.S. Marshals task force and previously had deputies working with DEA. Im not interested in another task force, he said. We would never enter into any agreement with an ICE task force. Christine Sauve, Policy, Engagement and Communications Manager for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, said the Task Force model is the most concerning of the three models. It effectively gives local police the full powers of ICE agents, she said. As immigration law is notoriously complex, Sauve would not expect local officers to be sufficiently versed in its intricacies to enforce it without engaging in racial profiling. Already busy and multitasking, local police may make assumptions about a persons immigration status based on their skin color, accent, or other marker, Sauve said. This in turn opens local police to lawsuits that could cost millions, Sauve said. Theres also the financial burden shouldered by the local communities, which may have to raise property taxes to fund the ICE programs. ICE provides minimal training upfront, but theyre not providing additional money for (officers or deputies) salaries, Sauve said. All of that is basically being subsidized by local communities, spending local tax dollars to duplicate what federal agencies are doing. We pay federal taxes for that very purpose. Additionally, deputies assigned to an ICE task force would be pulled from their regular assignments. With his office already short on manpower, Cunningham said joining with ICE is unlikely. It would be a huge burden for us to take deputies off of responding to calls and proactively looking for crime to add another task of checking on immigration statuses, he said. My deputies are already busy enough. Our goal is to reduce violent people on the streets. Were not targeting any individuals; we target crimes. The Bay City Department of Public Safety has not been contacted by ICE, said Deputy Director Rod Schanck, adding he doesnt expect that to change. We have an FBI office in town and if ICE needs assistance, theyll go ask them first, he said. Director Caleb Rowell in a March 17 Board of Commissioners meeting said city officers wont be assisting federal officials with immigration enforcement due to the department not having the resources. I would not do it, Rowell said. We dont have the resources to do it anyway. Im not speaking for or against anything. Im just saying regardless of what happens with this, as long as Im here, were not getting deputized to enforce (immigration). The FBI has not asked Bay City officers for assistance, Schanck added. ICE has signed up 456 law enforcement agencies around the country for 287(g) programs as of April 22. Florida is the state with the most agreements signed with ICE at 207. The Jackson County Sheriffs Office is the only Michigan law enforcement to have signed a memorandum of agreement with ICE, specifically for the Warrant Service Officer model. The Roscommon County Sheriffs Office has a pending application for the Task Force model, ICE reports. Sauve expects more Michigan law enforcement agencies to join with ICE, something she considers a sad development. This does mark a turning point for how local sheriffs offices are thinking about their immigrant communities, she said. Entering in those agreements is going to have a chilling effect on those communities. Sauve said public safety overall could decline with local police serving as ICE agents, as immigrants will be less likely to report crimes or participate in law enforcement investigations. It seems like a lose-lose situation, she said. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, a Democrat, addresses concerns about the future of the Saginaw-based office for the Social Security Adminisration, shown behind her. During the April 22 news conference, McDonald Rivet was flanked by protesters concerned about the future of Social Security benefits. The Saginaw News/MLive.com SAGINAW, MI Despite federal officials denying any plans to close Social Security Administration field offices, a Michigan congresswoman said she remains skeptical of such assurances from the administration of President Donald Trump. U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet said she has yet to receive answers from federal officials regarding her questions about the future of the Social Security Administration building in Saginaw. We want them to say, definitely, that this office is off limits, the Democrat said during a Tuesday, April 22, press conference directly across the street from the Saginaw site. In March, the downtown facility, 611 E. Genesee Ave., was among a list of more than 400 federal buildings the General Services Administration identified as federal sites that could be closed or sold. Hours later, the agency which leases and manages commercial real estate for the federal government removed the list from its website. Later in March, Lee Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security, in a statement said reports of plans to close offices were false. (The Social Security Administration) is committed to providing service where people need help and our local field offices are no exception, Dudek said. We have not permanently closed any local field offices this year. McDonald Rivet said the response was generic and the Trump administrations history of reversing decisions caused her to remain concerned about the Saginaw offices future. In March, she sent a letter to the agency demanding answers on the Saginaw offices status. After receiving no response, the congresswoman this week sent another letter demanding clarity, she said. This office is incredibly important to this community, McDonald Rivet said. During the Tuesday press conference, McDonald Rivet was flanked by 15 people, including some who held signs protesting the potential closure of the office. Earlier, some members of the group waved the signs at motorists driving past the field office. Among the group was 61-year-old Saginaw Township resident Tom Brubaker, who said a stroke in 2023 left him blind and in need of Social Security Administration services. Its been a very difficult 18 months, and when youre suddenly faced with blindness at the age of 60, everythings turned upside down, Brubaker said. But there was one thing I knew I had, and that was Social Security. I knew that Social Security disability was there for people like me and the elderly. He said, if the Saginaw office were to close, he would struggle to manage the work involved in managing his benefits. Its going to hurt people like me because, if I run into a problem, I know theres people right here at Social Security who will meet with me, Brubaker said. McDonald Rivet said she plans to continue pushing the Trump administration for answers. I will fight with every last breath to make sure that people like Tom and seniors across our community can have access to Social Security, which is a critical, critical service, she said. Social Security services were among the federal programs identified as potential targets for funding cuts outlined by the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk. Musk in March pushed debunked theories about Social Security while describing federal benefit programs as rife with fraud, suggesting they will be a primary target in his crusade to reduce government spending. The billionaire entrepreneur, who is advising President Trump, suggested $500 billion to $700 billion in waste needed to be cut. Musks estimate for the level of fraud in entitlements far outpaces figures from watchdogs like Social Securitys inspector general, who previously said there was $71.8 billion in improper payments from fiscal years 2015 through 2022. Thats less than 1% of benefits paid out during that time period. The Saginaw office serves as one of 1,230 field offices operated by the U.S. Social Services Administration across the nation, including 48 Michigan-based sites listed on the agencys website. The nearest office to Saginaw is located in Bay City. While the General Services Administration for-sale list is no longer published, several Michigan federal properties other than the Saginaw Social Security Administration facility were included in the list. The Rosa Parks Federal Building in Detroit and the buildings garage were both included. The U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse in Port Huron were also part of the list. Several buildings within the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek were listed for sale too. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Police lights are seen in this file photo. BIRCH RUN, MI Police are investigating after a womans body was found near a Birch Run auto dealership. A lawncare crew working near LaFontaine Ford discovered the body wrapped in a tarp lying near the edge of woods near Interstate 75 about 11:50 a.m. on Monday, April 21. They notified police, who responded to the dealership at 11661 N. Beyer Road. Officers confirmed the body, covered by a blanket, was that of an elderly woman from southeast Michigan. They did not provide the womans name, adding the Michigan State Police are assisting in notifying her next of kin. The womans body bore no signs of foul play. Officers found her vehicle in the dealerships parking lot. Inside were empty pill bottles, police confirmed. An autopsy is planned to determine the womans cause and manner of death. Birch Run Police Chief Jason Leidel encouraged those experiencing depression to treat their illness seriously and to seek help from friends, family, or professionals. Talk about what you are going through, Leidel said. You may not realize it now, but the people around you are more than willing to help youbut they cant unless you take the first step. The Suicide & Crisis Hotline is available by calling 988 or 1-800-273-8255. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. Karl Manke, the Owosso-based barber who opened his barbershop despite the stay-at-home executive order, cuts a man's hair during "Operation Haircut" on the lawn of the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com) Mike Mulholland | MLive.com Two central figures from the protests against Gov. Gretchen Whitmers COVID-19 lockdowns will testify Wednesday before the state House about how they were allegedly targeted for defying the governors restrictions. The Republican-led Michigan House Subcommittee on the Weaponization of State Government will hear Wednesday morning, April 23, from restaurant owner Marlena Hackney and barber Karl Manke. The meeting will be streamed at this link. In 2021, Hackney spent five days in jail, was fined $15,000 and had her Holland restaurant, Marlenas Bistro and Pizzeria, closed for five months after she violated Whitmers orders that banned indoor dining during the pandemic to prevent the spread of COVID. Manke faced misdemeanor criminal charges and had his barbers license revoked for continuing to operate his Owosso barbershop in 2020 despite Whitmer ordering the closure of barber shops, salons and other non-essential businesses. The pair were viewed as heroes among those opposed to the states COVID-19 restrictions. Subcommittee Chair state Rep. Angela Rigas, R-Caledonia, said the pair are expected to testify on how Attorney General Dana Nessels office targeted them during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. She said the pair faced persecution even after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in October 2020 that Whitmer lacked the authority to continue unilaterally issuing COVID-19 orders and states of emergency under either of the states emergency statutes. The charges against Manke were dropped following the ruling. Related: Criminal charges dropped against Michigan barber who fought Whitmers coronavirus orders Whitmers administration continued issuing COVID-19 orders, such as the indoor dining ban that Hackney violated, under different rules, such as those granted to protect public health. Marlena and Karl are patriotic, law-abiding business owners who were trying to live the American dream and provide for their families, Rigas said. Even after the emergency orders were struck down as unconstitutional, they were persecuted for trying to survive and stay afloat. We want to know why. The state eventually restored Hackneys food license, and she reopened her restaurant in September 2021. Manke was fined $9,000 in 2021 for giving unlicensed hair cuts on the steps of the states Capitol in protest of Whitmers orders. The fines also stemmed from sanitation and equipment violations. Republican House leadership created the Weaponization of State Government subcommittee earlier this year as part of an expansion of oversight efforts. At the time of its creation, leadership said the subcommittee will look into how Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have allegedly politicized their offices. It will also investigate other matters. Signature collection will soon begin for a proposed constitutional amendment to appear on the 2026 ballot that would require proof of American citizenship to register to vote in Michigan. (MLive file photo) Joel Bissell | MLive.com Signature collection will soon begin for a proposed constitutional amendment to appear on the 2026 ballot that would require proof of American citizenship to register to vote in Michigan. The bipartisan Michigan Board of State Canvassers on Friday, April 18, unanimously approved summary language for the proposed constitutional amendment, allowing signature collection to commence. The group behind the proposed constitutional amendment, the Committee to Protect Voters Rights, will need to collect 446,198 valid signatures by July 6, 2026, for the question to appear on the November 2026 ballot. Committee spokesperson Fred Wszolek told MLive the group plans to begin signature collection soon and will attempt to gather around 600,000 signatures in total. Advocates say proof of citizenship requirements and other changes outlined in the proposal would make elections more secure and prevent instances of noncitizens voting in elections. Opponents, however, have warned proof of citizenship requirements risk disenfranchising Michiganders who dont have ready access to or cant afford proper documents that prove citizenship. The proposed constitutional amendment would mandate Michigan create a hardship program for people to obtain required documents at state expense. It wasnt immediately clear if that would be open to all or if there would be income restrictions placed on the program. The debate follows a Michigan Department of State audit that identified 15 probable non-U.S. citizens who cast ballots in the states November 2024 presidential election. Separately, a Chinese national is facing criminal charges related to allegedly voting in the same election. The 16 alleged instances of noncitizen voting represented 0.00028% of the over 5.7 million ballots cast in Michigans 2024 general election. The proposal would require people to verify citizenship when registering to vote by showing a birth certificate, passport or other documents. People would need to re-verify their citizenship if they change their registration, like when moving to a new address or changing their name. While Michigan doesnt currently require proof of citizenship for voter registration, new registrants must attest under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens and that their registration information is accurate. The Secretary of State would be tasked with verifying the citizenship of everyone on the voter rolls by using documents in government records and removing from that list any noncitizens. Currently, voters dont need a photo ID to vote in person. They can sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury if they dont have one. The proposed constitutional amendment would require a valid photo ID to vote. If voters dont have one, they can sign an affidavit and cast a provisional ballot, but that ballot wont be counted unless a photo ID is presented within six days after the election. Absentee voters have to verify their identity by providing a copy of their ID, drivers license or part of their social security number. The proposal mirrors a proposed constitutional amendment introduced by Michigan House Republicans earlier this year. That proposal is unlikely to pass the state Legislature, as it requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers. While Republicans have a majority in the House, they would need to persuade Democrats in both chambers. If the legislature did pass the measure, the proposed constitutional amendment would be placed on the ballot for voters to decide. The U.S. House earlier this month passed legislation that would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. The Associated Press reports the legislation is unlikely to pass the Senate, where Republicans hold a narrow majority. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has asked for more time to submit a major disaster declaration request that could unlock millions of dollars in federal aid for northern Michigan communities recovering from crippling ice storms last month. With recovery efforts still ongoing, I am asking FEMA for an extension to submit a major disaster declaration request, so we can get a complete picture of what resources and support these local communities need as they recover from this devastating storm, Whitmer said Monday, April 21. Well continue coordinating closely with first-responders, local communities, our federal partners and Michiganders on the ground. Michiganders are strong, and well get through this together. The ice storms in late March brought significant damage to communities in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. The storms knocked out power and communications, damaged property and blocked hundreds of miles of roadways with debris and fallen trees. More than three weeks later, some residents remain without power, Whitmers office said. Some folks just got their power turned on and some kids arent even back in school yet, said state Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan. Asking for federal support isnt something you rush or guess. The governor saw first-hand how bad things got, so Im thankful to her for recognizing the needs of our communities and working to get us more time to make this critical request. Michigan State Police have estimated recovery from the storms will cost at least $200 million, with lawmakers saying that estimate is expected to rise. A major disaster declaration is different from the presidential emergency declaration Whitmer requested from President Trump earlier this month. If Trump issues that declaration, it would unlock up to $5 million in federal assistance to help with debris removal and other efforts. Trump has not yet issued the president emergency declaration. A major disaster declaration would potentially unlock hundreds of millions of dollars to assist impacted homeowners and renters and reimburse local governments, certain nonprofits and tribal agencies for response costs, debris removal and damaged infrastructure repair. Under a major disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would reimburse 75% of eligible costs, with the state or local governments providing the remaining 25%. Lawmakers last week gave initial approval to allocate $75 million in state dollars toward disaster relief efforts that would count as the states match. Lawmakers say the state could potentially secure up to $225 million in federal funds if the bill is approved and a federal disaster declaration is issued. Related: Michigan ice storm disaster relief bill could lead to $300M in aid The state is required to request the major disaster declaration from FEMA within 30 days of the disasters conclusion. The ongoing recovery and the extent of damage have delayed some local governments in completing the initial damage assessments needed for the major disaster declaration request. This led Whitmer to ask for an extension to the deadline. Because of the magnitude of the damage, and the fact that it took weeks to even be able to access certain areas within the counties under emergency declaration, damage assessment takes much longer to accurately complete than what one may see in a shorter event like a tornado or hurricane, said state Senator John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs. We hope that Governor Whitmers request for an extension is approved by FEMA, because northern Michigan is still in crisis. With those initial damage assessments nearly completed, Michigan officials will now work with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration to conduct joint damage assessments starting this week. Those joint assessments will determine whether the extent of damage meets federal thresholds for a major disaster declaration. Once those assessments are complete, the state will submit its request for a major disaster declaration. I fully support Gov. Whitmers extension request for submitting the states request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, said U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet. This additional time will ensure our communities can fully assess the damage caused by the ice storm and submit a request that accurately reflects the needs of our district. This is a critical step toward securing the federal resources necessary for recovery and rebuilding. Whitmer has previously declared a state of emergency for the region that directs various state resources to assist with the cleanup and restoration efforts. The Michigan National Guard was also deployed to the region to help with recovery efforts. Crews work to restore ice-covered power lines and broken utility poles on Oley Lake Road off of M-32 near Gaylord, Mich. on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The catastrophic storm caused outages that trigger automatic billing credits for customers of some regulated utilities, like Consumers Energy and Alpena Power Co. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com ALPENA, MI - A northern Michigan utility is looking to dodge a requirement it issue $40 bill credits to customers who went days without power after the catastrophic ice storm in late March. Alpena Power Co. argues the storm that snapped hundreds of thousands of acres of tree branches like twigs and cast the region into darkness was an act of God causing widespread blackouts it could not possibly have avoided. Automatic outage credits for customers could total between $1 million and $1.5 million, a hefty sum for the power company serving only 16,750 customers in the Alpena area, the utility estimated in an April 17 filing with state regulators. In my opinion, a storm of this magnitude is beyond the utilitys control, and following utility best practices for ice loading design and vegetation management would not have prevented large scale, long duration outages, testified its President and Chief Operating Officer Ken Dragiewicz in the filing. The outage credits in this circumstance are also unduly economically burdensome when compared to the size of Alpena Power Company. The utility is requesting regulators with the Michigan Public Service Commission issue a temporary waiver giving it a pass from outage credit rules, meant to ensure speedy restoration of electric service after outages and spur accountability for power companies. During blackouts defined as catastrophic, like those that struck wide swaths of northern Lower Michigan, utilities must issue a $40 credit after customers go four days without power, or if they experience six or more interruptions in a year. The credits arent designed to fully insulate Michiganders from losses like spoiled food and medicine, or the expense of a hotel stay, but they offer some level of compensation when utilities leave customers in the dark for prolonged periods. The requirement applies only to investor-owned utilities, like Alpena Power Co. and Consumers Energy, each hit by the crippling storm. Electric cooperatives and municipal utilities, also widely affected, arent regulated by the state, and therefore arent subject to the rules. Part of Alpenas argument to skip paying out the bill credits rests on the scale of the destruction wrought by the storm, acknowledged to be the worst in a generation. Read more: Northern Michigan ice storm was orders of magnitude worse than Blizzard of 1978 The utility experienced two grid-scale outages knocking out the system of high-voltage transmission lines that feed into its local power grid and plunging the vast majority of its customers into darkness, according to an Alpena Power Co. filing. The extreme weather caused an estimated 97 million customer outage minutes, a sum 40 times larger than the next most destructive storm it experienced in nearly 30 years of utility records. Working with mutual aid line crews, National Guard members and private contractors, the utility was able to restore power to all customers only on April 10, nearly two weeks after the storm first struck on March 28. A similar story played out across northern Michigan and prompted an emergency declaration from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is also seeking federal disaster aid for the region. Alpena Power replaced 32 poles and 18 transformers and estimates hundreds of miles of service wire were affected, even in locations that were appropriately trimmed of trees, per its filing. Read more: Legion of bark beetles expected to gobble Michigans ice-damaged trees Its looking for a reprieve from the outage credits, which may be sought because of problems caused by an unanticipated act of God or major system failure. State rules cite disasters like earthquakes and tornadoes, as well as terrorist attacks, but do not specifically address ice storms. Without smart meters automatically notifying the utility when outages occur, Alpena Power Co. estimates it would take 60 days to calculate outage duration customer-by-customer for the purposes of issuing credits, according to Dragiewiczs testimony. He did not return a voicemail and email seeking comment. For a small utility like Alpena, the credits would be a big expense. If scaled up to a major Michigan utility, they would equate to hundreds of millions of dollars, Dragiewicz testified. A spokesperson for the Public Service Commission, which will rule on the utilitys request, declined to comment on the pending case. Rajni Pandey is a seasoned content creator with over 15 years of experience crafting compelling stories for digital news platforms. Specializing in diverse topics such as travel, education, jobs, science, wildlife, religion, politics, and astrology, she excels at transforming trending human-interest stories into engaging reads for a wide audience. Rajni Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Manish M. Suvarna is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He writes on the Indian money markets, RBI, Banks and NBFCs. He tweets at @manishsuvarna15. Contact: Manish.Suvarna@nw18.com Manish M. Suvarna USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Business News Live Updates: India's fintech adoption hit 87% in 2024, surpassing global standard of 64%, says RBI Dy Governor Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, T. Rabi Sankar, while sharing insights into the growth and advancements in Indias financial ecosystem said: "The number of transfers under DBT has witnessed a significant rise. During 2024-25, 680 crore DBT transactions were made. There were about 13,500 fintechs as of 2024, with the fintech adoption rate at 87%, surpassing the global standards of 64%. Fintech lenders are facilitating small-ticket loans, with 45% disbursing less than Rs 25,000 per loan," Sankar noted. He also highlighted the revival of 123 applications under the sandbox scheme, with 15 shortlisted, five of which are already active. RBI has also set up the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), which has been key in bridging the requirements between the regulator and the fintech ecosystem, Sankar added. 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I Accept Shiladitya Pandit USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Armaan Bhatnagar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pahalgam terror attack live: Putin extends condolences over the attack, says brutal crime has no justification President of Russia Vladimir Putin extended condolences to President of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. He said, " Esteemed Mrs President, Esteemed Mr Prime Minister, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, whose victims were civilians citizens of various countries. This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face deserved punishment, he added. In a post on X, Putin says, I would like to reiterate our commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the near and dear ones of the deceased, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery of all injured." Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept JD Vance says his elder son wanted to settle in India till last night: 'Jaipur heat changed his mind' Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Amit Shah warns of 'harshest consequences' after Pahalgam terror attack, to rush to Srinagar Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pahalgam terror attack: 'Attack larger than anything at civilians in recent years,' says Omar Abdullah Yeeshu Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Abhinav Gupta With over 12 years in digital journalism, has navigated the fast-evolving media landscape, shaping digital strategies and leading high-impact newsrooms. Currently, he serves as News Editor at MoneyControl, leading coverage in Global Affairs, Indian Politics, Governance and Policy Making. Previously, he has spearheaded fact-checking and digital media operations at Press Trust of India. Abhinav has also led news desks at Financial Express, DNA, and Jagran English, managing editorial direction, breaking news coverage, and digital growth. His journey includes stints with The Indian Express Group, Zee Media Group, and more, where he has honed his expertise in newsroom leadership, audience engagement, and digital transformation. Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. 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I Accept 'Sets road map toward final deal': US VP JD Vance says 'terms of trade negotiation finalised' between US & India Yeeshu Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept US Vice President JD Vance gets traditional Rajasthani welcome at Amber Fort Ria Kapoor USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept 'You only need to worry about your job, not who's tainted': Mamata tells protesting teachers Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept China digs in to insulate CCP from fallout of Trump tariffs Manoj Kewalramani is the Chairperson of the Indo-Pacific Studies Programme and Research Fellow-China Studies at the Takshashila Institution. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Uday Kotak says the Indian housewife is 'smartest fund manager in the world'. Sridhar Vembu reacts Ankita Sengupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Do you know why stars twinkle but planets don't? Rajni Pandey is a seasoned content creator with over 15 years of experience crafting compelling stories for digital news platforms. Specializing in diverse topics such as travel, education, jobs, science, wildlife, religion, politics, and astrology, she excels at transforming trending human-interest stories into engaging reads for a wide audience. 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I Accept MC Science Desk Read the latest and trending science newsstay updated on NASA, ISRO, space missions, planets, asteroids, black holes, AI, quantum physics, galaxy discoveries, and more exciting breakthroughs. Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent on Saturday a congratulatory message to Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema on his election as president of the Gabonese Republic. In his message, Xi noted that China and Gabon enjoy a traditional friendship, saying that in recent years, political mutual trust between the two countries has continued to deepen, and cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results. The two countries have firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, he added. Xi also said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Gabon relations and stands ready to work with President-elect Nguema to take implementing the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as an opportunity to promote a steady and sustained growth of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, so as to better benefit their people. Breaking up Google not the answer, offering customer choice is, says Perplexity's Aravind Srinivas Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Vikas SN USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept From Zepto to OTTs, Google sees brands riding the AI wave across Shorts and Search Maryam Farooqui is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol covering media and entertainment, travel and hospitality. She has 11 years of experience in reporting. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Maryam Farooqui USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Motorola Edge 60 and Edge 60s may launch in India soon: All the details Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Shaurya Shubham USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept "AI neither helps nor it..." says Academy Awards on using AI for movies at the Oscars MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Treebo to beef up hotel portfolio to 2,000; taps into Accor brands to grow in mid-market segment Maryam Farooqui is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol covering media and entertainment, travel and hospitality. She has 11 years of experience in reporting. Maryam Farooqui USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept For the first time since the war began, Putin says hes open to direct peace talks with Ukraine 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Hajj quota on agenda in Modi-MBS talks: What it means for India and how countries share the pilgrim cap Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept What do 'expert level' talks signal for progress of Iran-US nuclear negotiations? Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Congressman Hakeem Jeffries View Photo Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference for a Save Social Security Day of Action. Jeffries was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: Good morning, everyone. All across America, House Democrats and Senate Democrats are holding a Save Social Security Day of Action. Why? Social Security here in New York City and across the country faces an unprecedented assault, the likes of which have not been seen since 2005, when former President George W. Bush tried to privatize it. Donald Trump, Elon Musk and House Republicans think that Social Security is a Ponzi Scheme. Social Security is not a Ponzi Scheme. It is an earned benefit. Hardworking New Yorkers pay into Social Security and have done so throughout their entire working life. Theyve earned their Social Security benefits, work hard for these Social Security benefits and deserve their Social Security benefits. It is unacceptable, unconscionable and un-American that Donald Trump, Elon Musk and House Republicans are dismantling and closing Social Security offices, jacking up wait times and preventing hardworking Americans from securing their benefits. Our Save Social Security Day of Action will take place throughout America to raise awareness of the unprecedented assault against Social Security here in New York City and throughout the country, and to make clear that we are going to do everything possible to protect Social Security and strengthen Social Security so that the American people receive the earned benefit that they deserve. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. Steve Hilton delivers campaign message View Photo Conservative political commentator Steve Hilton is officially jumping into the race for California Governor. Known for his work on Fox News, Hilton joins other Republicans like Chad Bianco, and Democrats such as Katie Porter, Toni Atkins and Xavier Becerra. Hilton says in a statement, Its time to make California Golden Again. We need some balance here after 15 years of Democrat one-party rule. Positive, practical policies that actually help people, not ideological crusades. Its why I am running for governor of California. Hilton released a campaign video this morning announcing his intention to run. Of local note, he was the keynote speaker, along with Congressman Tom McClintock, at the annual Reagan Dinner in Sonora held September 30 of 2023, put on by Tuolumne County Republicans. Harare As an indefinite national shutdown called by war veteran Blessed Bombshell Geza commences today, police have announced a nationwide deployment to ensure public safety and freedom to engage in socio-economic activities without intimidation. Meanwhile, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued a stern warning to civil servants, threatening severe consequences for those who fail to report for duty. Geza, who initially called for a two-day shutdown starting today, has escalated his call to an indefinite stayaway, demanding President Emmerson Mnangagwas resignation. The war veteran accuses Mnangagwa of presiding over a corrupt administration and other transgressions. In a statement released yesterday, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi affirmed the polices readiness to maintain law and order throughout the country. Officers have been deployed in central business districts, residential areas, industrial zones, and other public spaces. The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that it is ready to conduct its constitutional mandate without fear or favour. Any instigators of violence and disruption of the normal operation of the economy will be severely dealt with, Nyathi said. He also cautioned the public against misusing social media and urged them to disregard posts intended to incite chaos and alarm. Commissioner Nyathi assured all local and foreign exhibitors attending the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair of their security and safety. Geza has instructed workers, teachers, transport operators, vendors, and business owners to remain at home until the regime collapses. On the other hand, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued a strong warning to civil servants, threatening dire measures against those who participate in the stayaway. The PSC said any failure to report for work on Tuesday and Wednesday constitutes a dereliction of duty and an act of insubordination. The Public Service Commission (PSC) notes with concern recent incitements circulating on various platforms, encouraging Public Servants and other citizens to stay away from work or abstain from regular activities on 22 and 23 April 2025, the PSC said in a statement released on Monday. The Commission is confident that Public Servants, who are committed, disciplined, and fully aware of their responsibilities, will not be misled by such reckless and disruptive incitements. Geza, a former Zanu PF central committee member, has been using YouTube to disseminate his message. In a recent address, he called for a national stayaway, claiming it was part of a strategy to force Mnangagwa out of power. He alleges that Mnangagwa is suffering from vascular dementia and is no longer fit to serve as President. Geza also accuses Mnangagwa of sponsoring high-level corruption and attempting to violate the constitution to secure an unpopular third term. Geza, whose previous call for an uprising on March 31 yielded limited public response, has dubbed the stayaway the final push against the 82-year-old leader. The PSC has firmly stated that any unsanctioned absenteeism from work by government employees will be considered a dereliction of duty. Public Servants are reminded that their core mandate is to serve the people of Zimbabwe faithfully, diligently, and without interruption, the PSC said. The work carried out by the Public Service is vital to the delivery of essential services and the advancement of our national development aspirations, as outlined in Vision 2030. The PSC emphasised that participation in any stayaway that disrupts service delivery is unpatriotic, undermines national unity, damages the economy, and hinders the nations progress. The Commission has vowed not to tolerate any conduct that threatens the stability and functionality of public institutions. Participation in any stay-away that disrupts service delivery constitutes a dereliction of duty and an act of insubordination. Such actions are unpatriotic, undermine national unity, damage the economy, and hinder the collective progress of the nation. The Public Service Commission will not tolerate any conduct that threatens the stability and functionality of public institutions, the PSC said. The government employer has insisted that Tuesday, 22 April 2025, and Wednesday, 23 April 2025, are normal working days. All Public Servants, except those on duly authorised leave, are expected to report for duty at their designated workstations, observe normal working hours, and, where necessary, work beyond official hours in fulfilment of their duties, the PSC said. Accounting Officers have been instructed to ensure that attendance registers are completed for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, including devolved structures. Commission Inspectors will collect these registers daily to enforce Public Service regulations without delay. Accounting Officers are hereby instructed to ensure that attendance registers are completed for their Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, including devolved structures. Commission Inspectors will collect these registers at the usual time each day for purposes of enforcing appropriate Public Service regulations without delay. The PSC has expressed its expectation that all Public Servants will continue to discharge their responsibilities with commitment, professionalism, and loyalty to the Republic of Zimbabwe. The Commission expects all Public Servants to continue discharging their responsibilities with characteristic commitment, professionalism, and loyalty to the Republic of Zimbabwe. Together, let us uphold the dignity of the Public Service and contribute meaningfully towards building a prosperous, resilient, and united Zimbabwe. The effectiveness of Gezas call for an indefinite shutdown remains uncertain. However, the governments response, characterised by police deployments and threats against civil servants, highlights the potential for disruption and the heightened tensions within the country. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares The 9/11 attack on the U.S. triggered a series of disastrous wars in the Mideast in which the U.S. pursued the goals of overthrowing despots, securing oil supplies, and removing any real or potential military threats to Israel. The result was a large expenditure of blood and treasure for very little geopolitical gain and the destruction and/or destabilization of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria. Only Iran escaped this ruinous program of aggression in the Mideast. But Iran has remained in the crosshairs of Israel, which considers Iran the last regional power posing a threat. Israel continues its efforts to draw the U.S. into a war with Iran. I will explain why attacking Iran would be a foolish action harmful to the interests of the U.S. Size Matters Iran is a much bigger and more populous country than any nation the U.S. has attacked in the Mideast. To depose the regime and eliminate all Iranian military facilities, an invasion would be necessary. Because Iran is four times the size of Iraq (636,400 sq. mi. vs 169,200 sq. mi.) and three times more populous (88 million vs 25 million), a U.S. army of over half a million troops would be required for an attempt to conquer Iran, and this would likely require conscription to supply the necessary soldiers. U.S. Casualties in a ground war in Iran would probably be several multiples greater that those incurred in Iraq (approximately 3,400 KIA and 32,000 wounded in Iraq). Not only is Iran a big country, it has a large mountainous region, the Zagros range, stretching over 900 miles along its western border. The steep terrain and narrow passes would pose substantial obstacles for any ground invasion force and would facilitate the same defensive tactics employed by the Taliban in similar terrain in Afghanistan. Although an extended bombing campaign could destroy many of Irans military assets, it would be unlikely to secure a capitulation of the regime, and sufficient Iranian weaponry would remain to inflict serious damage on U.S. bases in the region. With an estimated arsenal of over 1,000 ballistic missiles capable of striking U.S. forces in the Mideast, Iran could inflict significant casualties on U.S. personnel, even if there were no ground invasion of Iran. The vulnerability of U.S. forces to Iranian attacks is a key reason why Israel may be able to draw the U.S. into a war with Iran. An Israeli strike against Iran would likely trigger retaliation against U.S. forces believed to have enabled the attack. Pro-war Israelis assume that once there are American casualties the U.S. would join in the campaign. Economic Disruption A full-scale regional war between the U.S. and Iran would involve the closure of the Straight of Hormuz and the destruction of oil production and export facilities in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf States. Such a conflict could result in a doubling of oil prices, with severe impacts on the world economy. The longer the duration of the war, the more extensive would be the economic damage. The Houthis in Yemen, with far less military capability than Iran, have effectively cut off most shipping in the Red Sea for many months with periodic missile attacks. It is likely that Iran could accomplish a much greater disruption to trade than the Houthis. Damage to Israel Israel has made serious misjudgements of military situations in the past: the Suez Operation, the Yom Kippur War, and the October 7 Hamas attack all revealed failures of intelligence and miscalculations of risk. Launching a war against Iran exposes Israel to serious risks if its intelligence estimates are faulty. If Israel has underestimated the numbers and accuracy of Irans missile arsenal, or overestimated its ability to pre-emptively destroy the missiles, it will face devastating retaliatory attacks. If Israel has overestimated the capacity of its anti-missile defenses, it will suffer the loss of critical civilian infrastructure, such as power plants, desalinization facilities, fuel storage sites, and offshore gas production rigs. Even after recovering from such a calamity, a weakened Israel would still be surrounded by hostile neighbors further antagonized by yet another episode of terrible destruction. Cultural Devastation Apart from the grave military and economic dangers of war with Iran, there is the hazard of loss of irreplaceable cultural sites and artifacts. Iran is an ancient nation with a rich history spanning millenia. A large-scale war with Iran would risk the destruction, damage, and looting of many great monuments of Persian and Islamic civilization. The failure of invading U.S. forces to prevent widespread destruction and looting of cultural sites in Iraq indicates the magnitude of this danger. Conclusion Rational analysis is powerless against entrenched ideology, and the ideology of the U.S. neocons has thus far been impervious to negative outcomes. They view military and political failures as evidence of insufficient application of military force, which they consider the universal remedy for Americas international difficulties. If President Trump is swayed by the Israel lobby and the war hawks in his cabinet, he will add yet another blunder to the sad record of misguided U.S. military adventures in the Mideast and accelerate the decline of U.S. hegemony. Talleyrand said of the Bourbon monarchs They have learned nothing and forgotten nothing. Let us hope that these words will not be applicable to the U.S. as we approach the brink of war with Iran. NASAs Curiosity rover finds major clue that Mars was once habitable Space.com Study explores the impact of growing up without siblings on the brain and behavior of adults Medical Xpress Could the Popes Death Mean the Demise of Liberal Catholicism? European Conservative SUBARU IS BRINGING BACK PHYSICAL KNOBS AND BUTTONS IN ITS CARS Futurism Climate/Environment Pandemics China? This is interesting: Justin Yifu Lin, former Chief Economist of the World Bank and a Chinas State Council Counsellor, explaining why in the trade war the losses for the United States will be greater than those of China. He essentially frames a trade war as an economic war of https://t.co/27y9mO3ajC Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) April 22, 2025 European Disunion Why Germanys value-based foreign policy is insane Berlin vetoed a Eurofighter sale to Turkey after it jailed Istanbuls mayor @ekrem_imamoglu His reaction: Turkeys national interests are more valuable than Erdogan or Imamoglu. I demand you to reverse this decision. https://t.co/21AahvwTHc Ozan Demircan (@ozmuhabir) April 21, 2025 Old Blighty Unfair Judgments: Lethal Cuts at the DWP London Review of Books Syraqistan Africa New Not-So-Cold War In case of a nuclear event, Ukraine to use Israeli placenta-based emergency treatment Times of Israel *** Real hell is about to begin! The Brave Ones are pushing hard toward Dnipropetrovsk region On the Novopavlivka axis, units of the Center group recently captured Preobrazhenka, are attacking near Kotlyarivka, and are entrenching themselves in the grey zone near pic.twitter.com/9qM3KcO0Ps Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) April 21, 2025 Nazi Is As Nazi Does Julian Macfarlane Ratio for exchanges of KIA soldiers over time. Red is Russian bodies returned to Russia at each exchange, blue is Ukrainian bodies returned to Ukraine. Graphic by @lostarmour pic.twitter.com/G8SspdU5je Russians With Attitude (@RWApodcast) April 21, 2025 Liberation Day(s) Trump 2.0 DOGE SignalGate . @PressSec The President stands strongly behind @SecDef, who is doing a phenomenal job leading the Pentagon. This is what happens when the ENTIRE Pentagon is working against you and against the MONUMENTAL change that you are trying to implement. pic.twitter.com/0N45bQc1h5 DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) April 21, 2025 Immigration This has to be one of the craziest admissions from A JUDGE that Ive ever seen in a court transcript. What the hell are we doing here?! https://t.co/FTTx3mq9Dr pic.twitter.com/LJZOI1Z2lE Sasha Gusev (@SashaGusevPosts) April 21, 2025 The Supremes Court appears to back legality of HHS preventative care task force SCOTUSblog Police State Watch Crime and Punishment #1 Dont Worry About the Vase Big Brother is Watching You Watch The Friendly Skies Delta airlines flight 1213 catches fire at Orlando international airport pic.twitter.com/8qL54dQRkT DigiGal (@DigitalGal_) April 21, 2025 AI Supply Chain Mr. Market Has Another Sad Healthcare? Our Famously Free Press THREAD. This is one of the more remarkable stories I have seen in my time studying state violence and working in law. But its also an exercise in propaganda. And its unbelievable how terrible the U.S. media coverage is. One thing in particular is important to see. pic.twitter.com/zk3iI4R3ir Alec Karakatsanis (@equalityAlec) April 21, 2025 Zeitgeist Watch Class Warfare Ordo Amoris Hauntologies by Elia Ayoub We Could Have Been Warthogs Nautilus Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Conor here: I suppose some of this makes a little more sense if the following is true: Nah heres the thing: 50-75% of US farms are already tax shelters & vehicles for getting $ from taxpayers. Thats how we keep spending billions to help farms out, but still have to keep importing more & more of our food. https://t.co/15aDYGhftI Sarah Taber (@SarahTaber_bww) April 15, 2025 By Sky Chadde who has covered the agriculture industry for Investigate Midwest since 2019 and spent much of 2020 focused on the crisis of COVID-19 in meatpacking plants, which included collecting and analyzing data on case counts. He also served as the newsrooms first managing editor, and is now a full-time reporter. Originally published at Investigate Midwest. Several hundred federal employees who help keep invasive pests and plant diseases out of the United States have accepted buyout offers from the Trump administration, which could leave the agricultural industry vulnerable to the destruction of valuable crops, according to two sources familiar with the matter. About 3,000 employees work in the U.S. Department of Agricultures Plant Protection and Quarantine division. They inspect luggage at airports and shipments at ports of entry to ensure invasive species stay out of the country. They also survey forests for pests. As many as 700 employees, including in the agencys administration and field operations, decided to accept the administrations resignation offer, said the sources, who requested anonymity over fears of retaliation. High-level administrators at the division, known as PPQ, are also expected to leave. The losses mean fewer resources will be available to combat harmful pests and diseases that can decimate crops and spell financial disaster for the agriculture economy. We have a major loss of institutional knowledge and a loss of new employees who otherwise may have made a long career in PPQ, said one source, a longtime USDA employee. That will all affect operations for a long time. The USDA did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday on how PPQ would perform its duties with fewer staff. The resignations are part of a broader Trump administration effort to drastically downsize and reshape the federal government. Agencies such as the Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also faced steep job cuts. The USDA is hoping to cut about 30% of its 100,000 workers, according to Politico Pro. Earlier this year, the USDA offered its workforce its first deferred resignation program, which allowed employees to depart but still be paid for several months. When relatively few took the offer, the USDA terminated employees en masse. More than 200 employees at PPQ were caught up in the first wave, The New York Times reported in February. The cuts were already causing delays at the nations ports, according to the paper. Soon after, an administrative law judge stopped the mass terminations for 45 days, a pause that ends April 18. A separate court order also halted the terminations, and many USDA employees returned to work. The USDA offered a second round of the deferred resignation program, dubbed DRP 2.0, on April 1. Employees had until April 8 to accept. Those who accept will be placed on administrative leave by the end of April, according to a mass email from USDA leadership. While on administrative leave, they will receive pay and benefits until Sept. 30 effectively being paid by taxpayers not to work. One USDA employee called it a huge waste of taxpayer money. More cuts could be on the way. The USDA is identifying duplicative or redundant roles that could be eliminated, according to Government Executive. The department is also planning job relocations. When the USDA moved some of its Washington, D.C. offices to Kansas City, many employees left the department instead of relocating. The relocation mostly affected Black employees, the Government Accountability Office found. PPQ Eradicates Economically Disastrous Pests Employees at PPQ inspect billions of pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables each year and have helped stop outbreaks of invasive species that threatened entire industries. In 2023, California experienced its worst fruit fly infestation in the states recorded history. The fruit flies threatened to ruin the production of oranges, mangoes and grapes most of the countrys grapes are grown in California. Farm bureau officials in California warned the economic damage from the flies could be in the billions of dollars, according to news station KTLA 5. Hundreds of PPQ employees, along with state government workers, laid traps, performed surveys and applied an organic insecticide. They also released sterile fruit flies into the wild that disrupted the insects reproduction, which helped control the population, according to a 2024 USDA press release. The effort took more than $100 million, according to the USDA. Many of the PPQ employees who placed fly traps in California were seasonal workers, many of whom have accepted the referred resignation, one source said. Fewer Resources Means Being Less Effective, Federal Watchdog Has Found The Government Accountability Office, a federal watchdog, has found that PPQ has struggled to perform its duties without sufficient resources. For instance, in the 1980s, the Asian longhorn beetle began infesting trees in urban areas on the East Coast. The government found property values could suffer if tree canopies were destroyed. Though port inspectors intercepted the beetles in wood shipments from China, the agency hadnt been systematically monitoring or surveying for them. If they had, they might have discovered the beetle earlier, before it became widespread, the GAO concluded in a 2006 report. Such monitoring is time-consuming and resource intensive, the watchdog found. And, at the time, looming funding cuts raised doubts about being able to eradicate the beetle. The beetle is still a problem in some states. Last year, the USDA announced its plans to eradicate the insect in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio and South Carolina. The funding for at least part of the project was cut in February, however, according to one source. Combating invasive species also requires the best science, often from multiple disciplines, the GAO found. After the GAOs 2006 report, the PPQ hired more scientists, which has improved the agencys responsiveness, the watchdog said. Also in 2006, the GAO found the USDA likely needed to hire more port inspectors to effectively detect risks to the agriculture economy. An area of potential vulnerability was new inspectors lack of experience because they do not possess the institutional knowledge related to agricultural issues that more seasoned specialists had, according to the report. This inexperience left the agency vulnerable, a concern that could grow as long-serving employees exit. Ancient hydrogen and magma ocean offer clues about Earths origins Earths water may have originated from its own hydrogen-rich building blocks not just from asteroids challenging the long-held theory that water was delivered extraterrestrially. Research suggests hydrogen in early Earth materials could have naturally formed water. A persistent primordial magma ocean beneath Earths mantle likely shaped the planets geology, forming dense iron-rich melt layers near the core. This ancient structure may still influence heat exchange and tectonic activity today. Analysis of rare meteorites (enstatite chondrites) revealed high hydrogen levels, supporting the idea that Earth was "hydrated from birth." However, debate remains over potential contamination of the meteorite samples. Combined findings suggest Earth's water arose from both internal hydrogen and deep-magma dynamics, implying a collaboration between planetary formation and geologic processes rather than reliance on external water delivery. These discoveries redefine planetary science, offering insights into habitability on Earth and beyond. Similar processes could apply to other rocky planets, guiding the search for water and life in the universe. New research from international teams of planetary scientists has upended long-held assumptions about Earths early history, revealing that the planet may have been primed for water long before asteroids delivered it or produced it from within a vast magma ocean. Studies published in Nature and Icarus last month propose that hydrogen from Earths own composition and remnants of a primordial magma ocean deep in the mantle could rewrite the understanding of how Earth became habitable. Led by researchers at the University of Oxford and York University, the findings suggest that Earths water originated not just from asteroid collisions but also from its own hydrogen-rich building blocks, while a persistent magma layer under Earths core shaped its geology from within. These dual discoveries have profound implications for planetary science, geology and the search for life beyond Earth. Magma ocean remnants shape Earths internal dynamics Charles-Edouard Boukare, a planetary physicist at York University, and colleagues have unveiled new evidence of an ancient ocean of magma lurking beneath your feet. Published in Nature on March 26, their model demonstrates that Earths mantle, the thick layer between its core and crust, must have formed a basal magma ocean within its first few hundred million years of existence. This molten layer, formed as the planet cooled and crystallized, likely persists today as large low-shear velocity provinces (LLVPs), deep-seated mantle blobs detected through seismic waves. The researchers simulations show that as Earth solidified, dense iron oxide-rich melts sank and pooled near the core, resisting buoyancy due to their composition. Regardless of where solidification began, Boukare explained, the magma ocean formed inevitably. This structure could still influence modern phenomena like heat exchange between the core and mantle and the positioning of tectonic plates. The findings challenge prior models suggesting Earths early layers solidified from the bottom up, instead revealing a more dynamic interplay between melt and solid during its formative stages. Meteorites offer a hydrogen time capsule challenging waters origin Meanwhile, a study led by University of Oxford doctoral candidate Tom Barrett, published in Icarus on April 16, analyzes enstatite chondrites rare meteorites resembling early Earth to question where Earths water came from. Using X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy at a particle accelerator, the team detected tenfold higher hydrogen levels in a meteorites sulfur compounds than previously estimated. The discovery of hydrogen in this meteorite means Earth potentially could have been hydrated or wet from its initial formation, said Barrett. The findings suggest that Earths hydrogen, a key component of water, may have been intrinsic to its building blocks rather than delivered by water-rich asteroids. This reinterprets longstanding theories that a lucky asteroid bombardment hydrated the planet. However, planetary scientist Matt Genge of Imperial College London urged caution, noting that the meteorites long residence on Earths surface might have contaminated its hydrogen levels. The Oxford team countered that they accounted for 15% terrestrial contamination, reaffirming their confidence in native hydrogen as the dominant source. Bridging the gap hydrogen, magma and Earths watery evolution These studies converge to paint a deeper picture of Earths infancy. If the magma ocean persisted, it might have facilitated hydrogen storage or water retention by trapping volatile elements in the mantle. Meanwhile, the meteorite data imply that early Earths materials were already hydrogen-rich, fostering waters formation organically. Taken together, they suggest a world where primordial hydrogen and deep mantle dynamics collaborated to set the stage for life. Historically, scientists debated whether water arrived via comets and asteroids (the lucky scenario) or was an inherent part of Earths formation. The meteorite study now provides direct evidence for the latter, though external delivery from smaller asteroids might still contribute a minority of Earths hydrogen. Meanwhile, the magma study explains how Earths deep structure could have stabilized these volatile elements over billions of years, a process potentially seen in other terrestrial planets. A new blueprint for planetary science The twin revelations of a lingering magma ocean underpinning Earths geology and hydrogen-rich materials shaping its water mark a turning point in understanding planetary evolution. By reconciling geochemical signatures and seismic anomalies, researchers now aim to refine models of mantle dynamics and the conditions necessary for life. As Boukare notes, the seeds of our planets evolution were planted early, with Earths foundational structures dictating its trajectory long before life emerged. Future work may expand these findings to other worlds, exploring whether Mars or Venus harbor similar magma memories or retained hydrogen reservoirs. These discoveries not only illuminate Earths past but also electrify the hunt for water and potentially life beyond the solar system. Sources include: LiveScience.com Nature.com Yahoo.com Deranged Democrats and Lunatic Liberals across America all DEMANDING Trump bring back all deported illegal alien RAPISTS, MURDERERS and GANGBANGING FREAKS One way to be sure the Democrats lose the next election at every level is for Trump to announce that water is good for you, because then every TDS-suffering Democrat and Liberal in America will stop drinking water immediately and die of thirst within a few days. Trump is getting the insane gangbanger illegal alien criminals out of the country as fast as possible, before they assault, kidnap, rape and murder more Americans, including children and infants. But anything Trump does is 100% opposed by every Democrat and Liberal in America, as they all suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome, a clinical condition where the Leftist masses have been lobotomized and hypnotized by their fake news industrial complex. Demon Democrats worship criminals that could easily come and kidnap, rape and murder them or their children MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia is all over the news as a Maryland man and Maryland father who just wanted to stay in America to take care of his kids and live a nice, peaceful life. Thats fake news for you, and every single Democrat and Liberal in America believes it one hundred percent. Garcia is just one of thousands of gangbanger criminals who beat up innocent people, traffic humans into slavery, bondage and nightmarish shortened lives of torture. Meanwhile, psychotic Leftist judges are ruling to bring back all the killers and freaks that Trump deported who were here illegally breaking laws and ruining Americans' lives. Democrats deny Garcia is an MS-13 gangbanger, but it's TATOOED ON HIS HAND. More fake news destroyed by Trump. Garcia's girlfriend tried to gain sympathy for him on social media and used hearts to cover up the gang tattoo. Partisan Criticism of Democrats: The text frames Democrats as hypocritical portraying their advocacy for immigrants as misguided "justice" while condemning Trumps enforcement of immigration laws as "cruel." It accuses them of supporting policies that allegedly enable criminals (e.g., MS-13) to enter the U.S. and exploit benefits. Rule of Law vs. Executive Power: A legal battle over the deportation of an alleged MS-13 member (Kilmar Abrego Garcia) highlights tensions between Trumps immigration crackdown and judicial oversight. Courts, including a Reagan-appointed judge, warned that ignoring rulings threatens democracy, while Trump insists on unilateral enforcement authority. Broader Constitutional Concerns: Legal experts warn that Trumps defiance of court orders and attacks on judicial independence (e.g., threatening to impeach judges) risk eroding checks and balances, setting dangerous precedents for executive overreach. Trumps clash with judiciary over deportations sparks rule of law debate A legal battle over immigration enforcement has escalated into a broader constitutional clash, prompting rare judicial rebukes of President Donald Trumps rhetoric. The dispute centers on the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia a man whom Trump claims is an MS-13 gang member and the administrations resistance to a court order requiring his return to the U.S. after a wrongful deportation. The case reflects deeper tensions over executive power, judicial oversight, and the rule of law. On Thursday, a federal appeals court panel in Richmond, Virginia, issued a forceful opinion rejecting the Trump administrations argument that it could ignore judicial orders in deportation cases. The judges, including Reagan appointee J. Harvie Wilkinson, warned that unchecked executive power could erode public trust in democracy. "We yet cling to the hope that it is not naive to believe our good brethren in the Executive Branch perceive the rule of law as vital to the American ethos," Wilkinson wrote. The panel cautioned that Trumps broad deportation claims could set a dangerous precedent: "What assurance will there be tomorrow that it will not deport American citizens and then disclaim responsibility to bring them home?" Trump has framed Garcias deportation as part of his crackdown on MS-13, a violent gang with transnational roots. He publicly shared a photo of Garcias knuckle tattoos reading "MS-13," accusing Democrats of shielding criminals. "I was elected to take bad people out of the United States," Trump declared, arguing judges should not obstruct enforcement. However, Garcias lawyers and an immigration judge previously determined he faced persecution if deported to El Salvador. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to facilitate his return a move the administration is resisting. Legal scholars say the case highlights a troubling trend: Trumps willingness to defy court rulings he dislikes. Laura Dickinson, a law professor at George Washington University, called the appeals courts stark language unprecedented, noting "The implications of this are terrifying for American democracy." The clash extends beyond immigration. Trump has called for impeaching judges who rule against him, drawing rare criticism from Chief Justice John Roberts. His administration has also pressured other independent institutions, from universities to law firms. The Garcia case underscores a high-stakes constitutional struggle between a president pushing expansive executive authority and judges defending checks and balances. As legal battles multiply, the outcome could shape how far future administrations test the limits of presidential power. Tune your apocalypse dial to preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving the Democrat-led government aggression, lies, and propaganda that comes at us every day now. Sources for this article include: Reuters.com Censored.news NaturalNews.com TheGatewayPundit.com Every day the Gaza holocaust continues, the empire tells the truth about itself Every day the Gaza holocaust continues, the western empire tells the truth about itself. (Article by Caitlin Johnstone republished from CaitlinJohnstone.com.au) The US government is telling you the truth about itself. Israel is telling you the truth about itself. Their western allies are telling you the truth about themselves. The western media are telling you the truth about themselves. One of the most important stages when preparing to leave an abusive relationship is the information-gathering stage. This is when you begin quietly observing and making note of your partners abusive behavior, letting them tell you the truth about themselves with their actions rather than their words. The information-gathering stage is important because long-term abusive relationships are usually very confusing for the victim; if the abuse were simple and easy to understand, the relationship wouldnt have continued into the long term. Its therefore often helpful to cultivate a clear understanding of the lay of the land before trying to navigate your way out of it, especially if your abuser is particularly manipulative and adept at confusing you. This ensures that you will be able to view their manipulations with distrust, so you wont get sucked in by them. As infuriating as it is to watch this genocide drag out month after bloody month, it would be a mistake to believe everyone is just passively witnessing it all. If you watched someone you love in the information-gathering stage prior to leaving an abusive relationship, you might get frustrated by what appears to be inertia and passivity on their part when what you want to see is them sprinting for the door with a suitcase. But theyre not inert or passive??theyre gathering information. Westerners are in a psychologically abusive relationship with the empire. Our minds are hammered with propaganda indoctrination from as soon as we are old enough to start learning about our world to ensure our compliance with the power structure that rules over us. It happens in school. It happens with the mass media. It happens with the Silicon Valley platforms we look to for information. And it gets confusing. All the information about our world and our place in it is distorted by mass-scale psychological manipulation for the benefit of the powerful. Its hard for someone whos been raised in such an environment to navigate their mind out of its indoctrination. Its hard to know the truth. But in Gaza, the empire is telling us the truth. Its exposing itself in all its naked loathsomeness. Hamas says, as if we havent seen the footage or someone else is bombing hospitals in Gaza https://t.co/lZfEWCJcqZ Assal Rad (@AssalRad) April 13, 2025 Our rulers murder children. Our rulers sponsor genocide and ethnic cleansing. Our rulers lie to us and manipulate us. Our rulers work to censor, silence, marginalize and deport anyone who criticizes their criminality. We do not live in a free society that is guided by truth and morality. We live under the most murderous and tyrannical power structure on the face of this planet. And we should distrust everything about it. Thats what theyre showing us with the Gaza holocaust. More and more people are opening their eyes to it every day. And when enough eyes open, leaving the abusive relationship once and for all becomes a real possibility. Read more at: CaitlinJohnstone.com.au ITVs Our Land exposes Israeli settler fanaticism and Palestinian resilience in the West Bank The film profiles settlers like Yair, who weaponize biblical claims to justify violence and land seizures, dismissing Palestinian ties to the West Bank as illegitimate. Settlers invade homes, destroy property and operate with military impunity, reflecting a broader erasure of Palestinian history. Families like Laylas endure daily harassment, arson and raids but defiantly hold onto their land. Scenes in Tulkarem and Gaza underscore the human cost of displacement, countered by Palestinian resistance and the rallying cry: This is our land. Israeli authorities enable settler extremism: soldiers ignore or aid attacks, while figures like Daniella Weiss and Itamar Ben-Gvir mainstream expulsion rhetoric (e.g., resettling Gaza). The military systematically disarms Palestinians, reinforcing oppressive power dynamics. Dissenters like Yasmin, an anti-Zionist videographer, document abuses and build solidarity with Palestinians but face marginalization. The documentary contrasts their moral defiance with the growing normalization of exclusionary settler politics. The film critiques Zionist narratives that erase Indigenous Palestinian identity while grappling with the ethics of platforming extremists. It calls for global attention to Palestinian agency and justice beyond militarized oppression, framing land as a battleground of competing truths. ITVs revelatory documentary "Our Land," directed by BAFTA winner Jordan Bryon, lays bare the violent and ideological clash over land and identity in the occupied West Bank. Filmed over eight months in 2024, the film chronicles the escalating fanaticism of Israeli settlers, their institutional support and the daily resistance of Palestinians enduring their encroachment. The documentary, a rarity in mainstream British media, spotlights settlers like Yair, who justify violence against Palestinians through biblical claims, alongside Palestinian families like Laylas, who defiantly cling to their homes amid suffocating pressure. Settler extremism The films central figure, Yair, encapsulates the combative ethos of settlers in the West Bank. A fluent English-speaking extremist, he surveys the hills of Nahalin a Palestinian village and proclaims, Everything is Jewish land. Holding an assault rifle, he frames Palestinians as savages devoid of law or humanity. His group invades a vacant Palestinian home, laughing as they tour its rooms, declaring plans to establish an illegal outpost a common tactic to cement territorial control. Yairs logic is unforgiving: If they stay enemies, either theyll be dead or theyll be out of here. Such rhetoric is underpinned by a distorted theology and historical revisionism. Yair cites the Bible as proof of 3,500 years of Jewish sovereignty, dismissing Palestinian ties to the land as irrelevant. His mindset mirrors a deeper erasure of Palestinian history, long perpetuated in Israeli academia and state narratives. As the documentary notes, the Israeli military tolerates such actions, enabling settlers to operate with impunity. This dynamic aligns with historical attempts to frame Palestinian identity as a failure of modernization, while erasing their Indigenous roots. Palestinian resistance Layla, a Palestinian mother of 15, embodies resilience. Her family farms land periodically raided by settlers, who set fire to their car, loot supplies and stride onto the property demanding coffee. Her daughter, Farah, confronts them: Get lost! while brandishing a camera a modern weapon against power imbalances. Laylas resolve crystallizes the documentarys core tension: dual claims of ownership. Well stay here, she says. Theyre a pressure on our chest, but well hold on. Yet the toll is immense. A chilling scene in Tulkarem refugee camp reveals the human cost. After an Israeli military raid, paramedic Abdallah gestures at flattened homes and grieving families, quipping, Do you see its like Gaza? Over 40,000 Palestinians were displaced in Gazas subsequent Operation Iron Wall, a figure Yair dismisses with chilling callousness: I feel more secure after 45,000 terrorists died. His so-called enemy includes children, whom he claims are radicalized from infancy a warped justification for genocide. State complicity Daniella Weiss, a figurehead of the settler movement, epitomizes the normalization of extremism. She advocates relocating Israeli settlers to Gaza, calling it the present God gave us, and enlists officials like former security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to legitimize her actions. At recruitment fairs, volunteers smirk at ethical concerns: Theyre not there anymore when asked about displaced Palestinians. Activists like Yasmin, an Israeli videographer documenting settler violence, highlight the systems brutality. They wont shoot me, but Palestinians arent that lucky, she says, recounting 30 violent incidents. State coercion amplifies settlers power. Soldiers stand by during attacks, disarming Palestinian retaliation while appeasing colonists. Yasmin captures a soldier actively aiding settlers: They point guns at victims to deter them. This corroborates accounts from Palestinian survivors and human rights groups, which the documentary spares from abstract analysis, framing them through visceral first-person narratives. Voices of dissent and silence Yasmins presence underscores internal Israeli dissent. A Jewish woman rejecting military service, she grapples with guilt: Im doing Zionism even if Im not Zionist. Her friendship with Layla mirrors a tiny but critical cross-border solidarity network, often condemned by extremists. Yet the documentary notes that such perspectives remain marginalized in Israeli public discourse, as settler rhetoric increasingly normativizes exclusion. The films release coincides with heightened global scrutiny of Israels policies. A UN report condemns Operation Iron Walls displacement of 40,000 Palestinians, yet international laws wrists remain tied. As Yairs outpost persists, Laylas family clings to their home a microcosm of a broader struggle where Our Land is not just a title, but a battleground between competing truths. Beyond the frame Our Land transcends typical war reporting, offering an unflinching look at how colonial ideology festers into extremism. For decades, Palestinian narratives were obscured by Zionist historiography that erased Indigenous rights a theme recurring in the documentarys exploration of Who narrates history? The filmmakers commitment to balancing voices, even while enhancing settler visibility, raises ethical dilemmas: Does giving extremists a platform risk legitimizing their heinous claims? Ultimately, the documentary underscores the urgency of recognizing Palestinian humanity and agency. As Layla and Yasmin embody hope in their defiance and dissent, Yairs jingoism reveals the stakes of forgetting the past. This is our land, echoes across centuries a claim that demands resolution beyond bullets and flags. In Bridgwater, a historical skeleton from Roman Britain carries a Jewish coin, a poignant reminder: history is not static, and its lessons count most in the present. Let Our Land provoke not just outrage, but renewed commitment to justice that transcends the barrel of a gun. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net TheTruthSeeker.co.uk Maryland senators El Salvador trip sparks outrage as state grapples with gang violence and fiscal crisis Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen faces backlash for using taxpayer funds to travel to El Salvador and advocate for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member deported by the U.S. His actions clash with victims' families and Trump-era policies labeling MS-13 as a terrorist organization. Garcia is officially labeled an "active MS-13 affiliate," with ICE records and his ex-wifes 2024 protective order alleging domestic violence. Van Hollens humanitarian claims for his release conflict with these allegations and El Salvadors refusal to repatriate him. Van Hollens trip coincides with Marylands financial collapse ($8B in unfunded liabilities) and rising crime. Victims families, like Rachel Morins mother, criticize him for prioritizing a deportee over addressing local gang violence. Sheriff Jeff Gahler, who led ICE raids, condemned Garcias potential return, calling MS-13 a terror group. The case has become a flashpoint in debates over Bidens immigration policies, with 68% of Maryland voters supporting stricter border controls. The controversy reflects broader tensions over immigration priorities, with critics accusing Democrats of protecting criminal migrants over Americans. As gang-related crimes surge, victims demand accountability, while Van Hollen risks political fallout. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen has become the focal point of national criticism after using taxpayer funds last week to travel to El Salvador and advocate for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member recently deported. The trip, outlined by White House and legal records, has ignited a firestorm as Maryland faces worsening financial turmoil, rising gang violence and a criminal justice system criticized for freeing dangerous aliens. Van Hollen, a Democrat, met with Abrego Garcia in the nations most notorious mega prison, CECCOT, while simultaneously ignoring pleas from victims families of crimes committed by illegal aliens within Maryland. His advocacy for Abrego Garcia directly clashes with the Trump administrations tough-on-illegal-alien policies, which labeled MS-13 a terrorist organization in 2024. The Senators actions have ignited accusations of prioritizing aliens over Americans as Democratic leadership shepherds a state battling $4 billion deficits and soaring costs. MS-13 suspect Abrego Garcia at center of legal and political crossfire Abrego Garcias case has become a Rorschach test for immigration politics. Officially, DHS documents label him as an active MS-13 affiliate, a claim supported by an alleged admission of gang ties in a 2018 ICE interview. The Supreme Court recently ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his return to the U.S., citing an ICE administrative error during his detention. Critics, including El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele, have resisted repatriating Garcia, calling it a problem for American courts, not ours. Van Hollen co-authored a letter demanding Garcias release on humanitarian grounds, citing threats from gang recruiters in El Salvador. This argument clashes with evidence presented by Abrego Garcias ex-wife in a 2024 protective order. Court records, secured by Fox News, reveal he subjected her to multiple beatings, leaving multiple bruises and branding her emotionally unstable. Van Hollens priorities clash with Marylands deteriorating security and finances Marylanders are reacting with disbelief to the Senators insistence on funding a foreign mission for a deportee while local crises multiply. The state faces a twin fiscal cliff, according to its Comptroller, with $8 billion in unfunded liabilities for pensions and operating budgets. Far-left policies, including a failed net-zero energy mandate that spiked electric bills 200% and a controversial reparations fund, have pushed businesses to flee the costliest Chesapeake region. During the same week Van Hollen jetted to El Salvador, two mothers whose daughters were murdered by illegal aliens petitioned him for answers. Rachel Morins mother, Patty, lashed out: He flew down to secure a gangbangers return, but my Grammy calls him a monster and deserves death row. Despite Van Hollen accusing ICE of lies about Garcias gang ties, Maryland law enforcement insists the case isnt abstract. Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler, who led an ICE raid netting 67 arrests this year, stated: MS-13 is a federally designated terror group. Criminals like Garcia shouldnt be our concern they should be extradited to hell. Victims families demand accountability as Senate Democrat targets return of a convicted abuser The federal-Prosecution Federal case against Abrego Garcia presents another angle to the controversy. While Van Hollen and allies frame him as a chapulin (migrant) victimized by ICE overreach, court documents reveal a paradoxical backstory. Garcia legally entered the country in 2016, had a son, and was employed at a Maryland construction firm until his 2024 arrest. However, his wifes affidavits detailing domestic violence cast doubt on his target victim narrative. Meanwhile, the wife of convicted rapist and killer Victor Martinez, the Salvadoran national responsible for Rachel Morins death, claims he was never prosecuted for prior offenses. Why does the system shield illegal aliens who terrorize Americans? A microcosm of national immigration and fiscal priorities conflict Political strategist Scott Jennings captured the outrage: Senator Van Hollen worships El Salvador more than he respects his own people. Marylands crumbling, and hes out saving gang thugs instead of public schools. The scenario mirrors national debates over Bidens border policies, which reportedly admit 50,000+ migrants monthly. The Democrats are betting on judicial maneuvering to defend Abrego Garcia, but Van Hollen faces a death spiral in polls. Marylands GOP Governors, Compare State Support for tough border controls surges at 68%, with voters citing crime, costs and security as primary concerns. Conclusion: Who pays the price taxpayers, victims or gangs? The Abrego Garcia incident symbolizes the stakes in Americas identity struggle. In Marylands darkening landscape, one broad question emerges: Will policies prioritizing border security and victims move to the forefrontor will elected officials remain insulated in their Annapolis castles? As ICE reports a 200% rise in gang-related incidents since 2019, victims families demand answers that currently outnumber the Democrats justifications for this saga. The next chapter will determine whether Maryland reforms its course or becomes another cautionary tale for nationalists. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com FoxNews.com Yahoo.com Jeffrey Prather: Signs of inside job in July 2024 Trump shooting highlight government collusion and security failures Jeffrey Prather, a former intelligence analyst, alleges that the July 2024 attack on President Donald Trump was an "inside job" orchestrated by U.S. government entities, citing intentional Secret Service failures like ignoring rooftop security protocols and rejecting drone surveillance despite prior warnings about drone reconnaissance by the suspect. Key anomalies include a counter-sniper team's 16-second delay in responding to the shooter, inconsistencies in shot audio and physical evidence (e.g., Crooks' rifle found distant from his body), and poor agent performance claiming inadequate training. Body cam footage and missing bullet trajectories further cast doubt on the official narrative. Prather questions Crooks' sole responsibility, noting his home showed forensic sterilization (e.g., missing silverware) and suggesting he may have been manipulated by handlers offering covert patriotic roles. The unproven claim of "improvised explosives" in his car is dismissed as a possible "terrorist" narrative ploy to bury the case. Suspicions extend to international involvement, including a blurred figure near a water tower and timed global IT outages by CrowdStrike possibly obscuring the truth. Prather highlights overlapping sniper teams and buried satellite evidence, paralleling historical cover-ups like Waco to obscure government overreach. Renowned intelligence analyst Jeffrey Prather has unveiled damning evidence suggesting the July 2024 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump was an "inside job" orchestrated by entities within the U.S. government. Prather dissected the attack's inconsistencies during an appearance on the "Health Ranger Report" with the Health Ranger Mike Adams. The former analyst revealed systemic failures by the Secret Service and potential involvement of classified surveillance, all signaling a covert operation gone awry. Prather, who formerly worked with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Defense Intelligence Agency, emphasized that critical red flags point to intentional negligence rather than incompetence. The Secret Service failed to coordinate with local law enforcement, bypassing standard protocols such as aerial surveillance and drone oversight. A key oversight meeting with Butler, Pennsylvania, police the day of the event was reportedly ignored, a glaring breach that "no legitimate protection detail would overlook." Prather noted that Secret Service protocols require securing rooftops within a 300-yard radius, yet the suspect's vantage point on the American Glass Research building was left unsecured raising suspicions of deliberate neglect. Technical failures and suspicious responses Prather highlighted the counter-sniper team's inexplicable 16-second delay in responding to the shooter on the roof a time span he called "unforgivable" for trained personnel. Audio analysis detected eight shots, with the final round (likely from Secret Service) killing Thomas Matthew Crooks. However, the retired Special Operations soldier questioned why Crooks' rifle was found seven feet from his body, suggesting interference or a staged scene. Body cam footage and the absence of visible bullet trajectories from the alleged shooters location also cast doubt on the official narrative. Prather noted that the behavior of agents on the stage was bizarre, citing their reluctance to remove Trump despite the threat. Moreover, Prather lambasted Trump's understaffed detail comprising agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as lacking the combat readiness of traditional Secret Service teams. "I've never even worked with an HSI 1811. They didn't exist in my day, really much, as far as I know," Prather told Adams, mentioning the code for special agent. "But their protection skills were really bad. They were really slow." The suspect's mysterious role: Crooks an unwitting patsy? Prather doubts Crooks acted alone, positing he may have been an unwitting "patsy." The suspect's home allegedly showed signs of forensic sterilization, including missing silverware items crucial for fingerprinting. (Related: Trump shooters home scrubbed clean like medical lab no silverware, trash anywhere to be found.) The author and former whistleblower speculated Crooks could have been manipulated by handlers promising covert patriotic duty. Prather stated that young men might be lured by the fantasy of intelligence work along with promises of national importance. The discovery of "improvised explosives" in Crooks' trunk a claim unsubstantiated by visible evidence was also dismissed as a probable cover to invoke a "terrorist" narrative, allowing the case to be classified and buried. A blurred figure spotted near a water tower and police queries regarding the structure's security raised concerns about a secondary shooter. Prather suggested overlapping sniper teams, possibly including international actors, designed to complicate the investigation. Additionally, the timing of CrowdStrike's global IT outage occurring days post-incident was deemed suspicious, possibly aimed at diverting attention from public outrage over Trump's survival and his defiant "fight" rallying cry. Prather likened the incident to historical manipulations like the 1993 Waco siege, where evidence was destroyed to avoid accountability. While official investigations may dismiss the attack as a lone-wolf act, Prather urged citizen analysts to continue scrutinizing details pointing out that the system learns from its past failures and will bury the truth unless public pressure can expose it. Prather's analysis underscores a transgressing intelligence community, where even minor security lapses can scale into catastrophic attempts to destabilize political rivals. Follow Trump.news for more news about President Donald Trump. Watch the full interview between Jeffrey Prather and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The Trump assassination attempt exposes the establishments deceitfulness. Trump demands full disclosure on assassination attempts, citing withheld information. Congressional report exposes Secret Service failures during assassination attempt on Trump. Evidence points to SECOND shooter on second floor in Trump assassination attempt. Sources include: Brighteon.com JeffreyPrather.com Alarming reversal: UCSF study reveals vaccinated 6x more likely to be hospitalized than unvaccinated A UCSF study found vaccinated, COVID-naive individuals were 5.8 to 7.2 times more likely to be hospitalized than unvaccinated people with prior infection. The data challenges previous claims that vaccines reduce severe outcomes, suggesting instead a higher risk for the vaccinated group. The findings are highly statistically significant (p-value 4e-15), making chance an unlikely explanation. Critics question why such risks werent detected in clinical trials, calling the oversight a "broken" system. Though indirect, modeled estimates suggest vaccinated individuals may be 3 to 6 times more likely to die than their unvaccinated peers. Concerns about cardiovascular and neurological complications linked to vaccines add weight to the findings. Public health messaging previously framed vaccines as low-risk and essential, while the study suggests the opposite for certain groups. Delayed publication (two years post-rollout) has fueled accusations of data suppression and eroded institutional trust. Critics demand reexamination of vaccine policies, citing ethics, informed consent and natural immunity. The study underscores the need for independent research, transparency and candid dialogue to rebuild public trust in health institutions. A groundbreaking study from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), published April 18, 2025, has upended conventional wisdom about the risks associated with the COVID-19 vaccine versus the risks of the virus itself. The preprint research, led by Dr. Bhargava, found that vaccinated individuals who were previously uninfected (COVID-naive) faced a 6-fold higher risk of hospitalization compared to unvaccinated people who recovered from the virus. The studys startling findings validated by highly statistically significant data challenge longstanding recommendations for vaccines and raise urgent questions about public health messaging, transparency and vaccine safety. "The cure is worse than the disease": Study details and implications The studys authors analyzed data from nearly 30,000 participants, comparing hospitalization rates among two groups: vaccinated individuals with no prior infection and unvaccinated individuals who had recovered from COVID-19. The results were stark: Vaccinated people had a 5.89 risk ratio (RR) for hospitalization, with a 95% confidence interval of 4.80 to 7.22, meaning those in the vaccinated group were 5.8 to 7.2 times more likely to be hospitalized than the unvaccinated group. This didnt happen by chance, emphasized Steve Kirsch, an early pandemic advocate and critic of vaccine policies, who reviewed the study. The odds [p-value of 4e-15] are astronomical, and the effect size is monstrous. The medical community needs to explain why a signal this huge didnt surface in clinical trials. The findings also suggest potential mortality consequences. Although the studys mortality data is imputed through modeled estimates, the report cites an analysis by ChatGPT, a language model, which inferred vaccinated individuals may have been 3 to 6 times more likely to die than unvaccinated peers with similar exposures. This conclusion, while indirect, underscores concerns about adverse events linked to the vaccine, such as cardiovascular and neurological complications, which have raised alarms in prior research. A turn in the tide: Shifting risk perceptions The paradigm shift revealed by the UCSF study contradicts earlier messaging that emphasized vaccines as the primary defense against severe outcomes. Public health authorities and media outlets repeatedly promoted vaccines as reducing hospitalization and mortality risks. However, the new data suggests precisely the opposite for a significant segment of the population: Vaccinated individuals (naive to infection): 6.24% hospitalization rate. Unvaccinated individuals (post infection): 1.06% hospitalization rate. This is a train wreck, Kirsch added, noting that the cure (vaccination) has now proven far more dangerous than the disease. The analysis further highlights that while uninfected people might avoid infection altogether, vaccinated individuals locked in a guaranteed risk of 6.24%. Historically, vaccine policies in 20202022 framed the shot as virtually risk-free and vital to ending the pandemic. By contrast, studies like this one of the first large-scale efforts to compare vaccinated vs. unvaccinated post-infection outcomes suggest a severe blind spot in risk assessment. Criticism loosens: Calls for accountability and transparency The UCSF studys revelations have already drawn scrutiny from medical professionals and health advocates. Dr. Jane Orient, executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, questioned the ethics of current vaccination campaigns in a statement to The Epoch Times: I do not understand how a physician dedicated to patient care would interpret this data as grounds for endorsing additional shots. Critics argue the findings are particularly damning because the initial clinical trials, which guided early vaccine rollouts, failed to detect the now-evident risks. How could a trial estimate this? asked Kirsch. The signal is too loud to ignore. The system is broken. Public trust in institutions has further eroded as details of the studys publication date a full two years after mass vaccination began surface. The CDC and major media outlets, Kirsch noted, were silent on this data despite its implications. The delay has sparked accusations of suppression, particularly as similar UK studies begin to corroborate increased post-vaccine hospitalizations. A call for reassessment: Can trust be restored? The studys release coincides with a growing global debate about vaccine mandates, long-term side effects and informed consent. For health experts advocating for natural immunity or alternative safeguards, it serves as validation against years of stigmatization. Meanwhile, the medical establishment has largely remained silent, with some sources dismissing the papers preprint status without offering alternative explanations. As researchers like Dr. Bhargava continue to test the datas validity, the implications for public health are profound. The reports authors emphasize the need for rigorous follow-up studies and an immediate reevaluation of vaccination strategies. This isnt just about the past, Kirsch concluded. Its about the future. If we cant trust the frameworks that prioritize health decisions, then the [Hippocratic Oath] is a joke, and the public deserves better. Final word: A crossroads in health policy The UCSF study forces policymakers, doctors and the public to confront uncomfortable truths about risk, transparency and the limits of clinical certainty. As debates over vaccine efficacy and trust intensify, its findings underscore the urgent need for candid dialogueone that prioritizes independent research, patient autonomy and the profound complexities of post-pandemic healing. Sources include: Substack.com ThePeoplesVoice.tv SGTreport.com U.K.s GOV.UK One Login faces scandal as whistleblower exposes deep-spun security flaws A whistleblower exposed systemic vulnerabilities in the U.K.s GOV.UK One Login digital ID system, including 500,000 "critical" or "high" risks, insecure privileged access and unauthorized offshore development in Romania. A GDS cybersecurity expert raised alarms in 2022 about insufficient safeguards, including lack of governance and non-compliant devices, but was disciplined instead of receiving action. Critical assessments in 2022-2023 called for suspension, citing unlawful biometric data handling and fraud risks, but were ignored by GDS leadership. Developers in Romania were contracted without proper oversight, with unvetted access to sensitive data. GDS CEO Tom Read later criticized the lack of NCSC consultation and disbanded the independent audit team, increasing reliance on conflicted contractors. The whistleblower, protected under Public Interest Disclosure Act (1998), faced disciplinary action after escalating concerns to an MP. Privacy oversight weakened as GDS quietly disbanded the Inclusion and Privacy Advisory Group in 2025. Centralizing data access for healthcare, housing and benefits raises breach risks, mirroring past NHS cyberattacks. With 3 million users already enrolled, unresolved flaws threaten public trust as the 2025 full rollout approaches, demanding urgent transparency and accountability. The U.K.s flagship digital identity system, GOV.UK One Login, which grants access to critical government services for three million residents, is under fire after a whistleblower revealed systemic security vulnerabilities allegedly present from its 2022 launch. The exposed flaws include insufficient risk management, unauthorized offshore development and critical gaps in data protection including 500,000 system vulnerabilities classified as critical or high. Despite internal warnings and confirmed flaws by the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), the Government Digital Service (GDS) has dismissed concerns, sparking calls for accountability. The scandal spotlights the perils of rapid digital integration in government amid global efforts to modernize public services. The whistleblowers allegations The crisis stems from a GDS cybersecurity expert who, in July 2022, warned leaders of inadequate safeguards in One Logins architecture. Crucial flaws included the absence of basic governance frameworks and the use of non-compliant devices for system administration, risking malware infiltration. The whistleblower detailed over 10,000 critical vulnerabilities including insecure privileged access and claimed developers in Romania, contracted without oversight, had unvetted access to sensitive data. When warnings remained unaddressed, the expert escalated concerns to MP James Sunderland in 2024, invoking the Public Interest Disclosure Act. Instead of action, GDS launched disciplinary measures against the whistleblower, accusing them of leaking sensitive information externally. Timeline of ignored concerns Internal records reveal a pattern of institutional neglect: November 2022: The Cabinet Office Data Protection Officer demanded One Logins suspension, citing unlawful processing of biometric data and unapproved automated decision-making. September 2023: The NCSC reviewed it as having severe shortcomings with risks of identity theft and large-scale fraud. November 2023: GDSs new Chief Information Security Officer confirmed the system carried a high level of risk, noting 39% of staff with privileged access lacked mandatory security clearance. Despite these flashing alarms, GDS minimized threats in official letters to Parliament, omitting mentions of NCSC warnings or the DPOs demands. When MP Sunderland sought clarity on insecure offshore access and unresolved vulnerabilities, GDS framed risks as manageable, claiming automated testing and two-person checks mitigated issues. The whistleblower, however, noted Gov.uk Notify a comparably complex service experienced only 10-12 monthly privileged access incidents, versus One Logins 6,222 monthly entries in January 2024. Outsourcing without oversight The decision to farm out coding work to Romanian contractors without securing GDS CEO Tom Reads explicit consent exacerbated risks. Read, reviewing an after the fact report in August 2022, criticized the lack of NCSC consultation and expressed discomfort with unclear offshore oversight. Compounding this, the external audit firm 6point6 tasked with assessing One Logins security refused to share critical data with GDSs internal teams, creating a conflict of interest. The GDS then disbanded its independent information assurance team in 2023, relying solely on contractors for assessments. Whistleblower rights and public trust GDSs retaliatory disciplinary action against the whistleblower underscores tensions between whistleblower protections and bureaucratic secrecy. While the expert cited legal safeguards under the 1998 Public Interest Disclosure Act, GDS framed their actions as unauthorized disclosures, arguing internal channels had addressed concerns. Meanwhile, the One Login Inclusion and Privacy Advisory Group, which previously vetted privacy risks, was disbanded quietly in early 2025, heightening suspicions of governance backtracking. Broader implications The One Login scandal reverberates beyond cybersecurity into debates over centralizing state services. Critics warn that tying diverse services from healthcare to housing benefits to a single system amplifies catastrophic breach risks, as seen in the NHS cyberattacks of 2020. The U.K.s push to deploy a comprehensive digital ID by 2025, framed as a migration toward convenience and anti-fraud measures, now collides with its reputation as a tech-savvy, security-first leader. A crossroads for government tech in the digital age As One Logins rollout nears expansion, the U.K. faces a defining test of balancing technological progress with ethics and oversight. With three million citizens already entrusting it with their data, the unaddressed flaws amplified by backdoor outsourcing and institutional defiance underscore a deepening crisis of accountability. The incident recalls historical failures like the NHS data-use oversights in 2015, reminding policymakers that digital systems require not just innovation, but humility and transparency. For now, the system remains operational, but its future and public trust hang in the balance as GDS faces growing pressure to admit, then fix its systemic failures. Sources include: ReclaimtheNet.org ComputerWeekly.com IDtechwire.com VAX SHOCKER: AUTISM RATE now 1 in 31 for U.S. children as HHS launches major research initiative based on CDC-confirmed statistic Every natural health advocate in the nation knows that vaccines are a major culprit in the surge of autism cases since the CDCs recommended childhood vaccine schedule went from half a dozen jabs to about 70, starting in the 1990s. These toxic injections contain the worst chemicals and adulterated adjuvants on the planet, including mercury, cells from human abortions, infected African monkey kidney cells, aluminum, latex, peanut oil, GMOs, and wild pig viruses. Now, to add to the chaos and skyrocket the autism cases even higher, from about 1 in 80 kids to now 1 in 31, the Covid clot shots absolute chaos in the body and brain, sending the immune system and CNS into a total state of panic and shock, polluting all the major cleansing organs, the heart and the brain with toxic spike prions and millions of nanoparticles that can join together using light to form long, white rubbery clots. Its chemical violence disguised as disease prevention. How insidious. Alarming Rise in Autism Rates CDC reports 1 in 31 U.S. children now have ASDa sharp increase from 1 in 36 just two years prior and nearly 5x higher than 1992 levels (1 in 150). Boys are disproportionately affected (1 in 20), and California has one of the highest rates (1 in 12.5). Worsening Severity & Racial Disparities Nearly two-thirds of ASD cases now involve severe intellectual disability, debunking claims that rising rates are due only to better diagnostics. Minority children face higher prevalence and more severe symptoms (Black: 3.66%, Asian: 3.82%, Hispanic: 3.30%, vs. White: 2.77%). HHS Launches Urgent Vaccine & Toxin Research HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced a federal initiative to investigate root causes, including vaccine injuries and environmental toxins, calling autism "a thousand times worse than COVID-19." Preliminary 2025 data suggests widening racial gaps, with Hispanic children at 3.82% ASD prevalence versus 2.04% in White children. Calls for Natural Medicine & Transparency Advocacy groups like Natural News demand unbiased research into pharmaceutical harms (e.g., vaccines) and promote natural remedies over "Big Pharmas toxic interventions." Kennedy warns the crisis is "preventable" and blames institutional delays for failing to address the epidemic. WASHINGTON, DC April 15, 2025 Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rates in the U.S. have surged to 1 in 31 children, according to the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings, published today in the CDCs Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, reveal a significant increase from 1 in 36 just two years earliernearly a fivefold rise since tracking began in 1992. The CDCs Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network surveyed children born in 2014 across 16 U.S. sites. The new data shows ASD prevalence is now 4.8 times higher than in the first ADDM report, when rates stood at 1 in 150. Boys are disproportionately affected, with 1 in 20 diagnosedup from 1 in 88 in 2008. California has one of the highest rates at 1 in 12.5. Contrary to arguments that expanded diagnostic criteria are solely responsible, the report found that intellectual disability (ID) severity is worseningnearly two-thirds of ASD cases now involve severe or borderline ID. Additionally, minority children are experiencing higher prevalence and more severe symptoms: Black, Asian, and Hispanic children have ASD rates of 3.66%, 3.82%, and 3.30% respectively, compared to 2.77% among White children. HHS Launches Research Initiative into Vaccine Violence and other environmental chemical contaminants causing autism surge U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced an aggressive push to identify the causes behind the escalating crisis. "President Trump has tasked me with identifying the root causes of the childhood chronic disease epidemicincluding autism," Kennedy stated. "We expect to begin to have answers by September." He emphasized the urgency of the crisis, calling autism "a thousand times more threatening to our country than COVID-19." Kennedy also criticized delays in identifying the epidemics causes, asserting, "This is preventable, and it is unforgivable that we have not yet found the answers." Even more concerning, preliminary data from 4-year-olds (born in 2018) suggests worsening racial gaps. Black children had a prevalence of 3.5%, Asian children 3.11%, and Hispanic children 3.82%, compared to 2.04% in White children. Since ASD diagnosis rates typically rise between ages 4 and 8, experts warn the final numbers may be higher. The report underscores the need for real-time data and unbiased research into potential environmental, genetic, and medical contributors to ASD. Some advocacy groups, including Natural News, argue for exploring alternative theoriessuch as vaccine injuries and environmental toxinsand advocate for natural medicine over pharmaceutical interventions. As the U.S. confronts what Kennedy calls "the greatest public health crisis of our time," the HHS initiative marks a pivotal step in addressing one of modern medicines most urgent mysteries. "The autism epidemic is running rampant," says HHS Secretary, calling for urgent investigation into root causes. Tune your internet dial to NaturalMedicine.news for more tips on how to use natural remedies for preventative medicine and for healing, instead of succumbing to Big Pharmas vaccines that cause autism and vascular clotting. Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com HHS.gov Democrats post-election strife intensifies as Bidens public comeback fractures party unity Bidens April 15 speech criticizing Trump reignited Democratic infighting, with critics arguing his reentry could hurt rebuild efforts. His 39% approval rating the lowest for any living ex-president fuels debate over his electoral viability. Allies like Michael LaRosa (Jill Bidens ex-press secretary) called his remarks a gift to Trump and conservative media, while strategists warned his focus on division risks alienating voters struggling with economic concerns. While labor leaders praised his pro-Democratic policy speeches, experts noted a lack of cohesive strategy to address voter skepticism, highlighting a disconnect between party priorities and public sentiment. Current divisions echo past post-election struggles (e.g., 2016s identity politics shift). Progressives push bold action on issues like Gaza, while centrists prioritize economic messaging. Democrats must decide whether to leverage Bidens legacy or distance themselves to rebuild a broad coalition. Bipartisan cooperation is critical, but Bidens polarizing presence complicates efforts amid voter focus on economic issues over partisan fights. In the wake of the 2024 election losses, the Democratic Party faces mounting internal strife over the role of former President Joe Biden in its political revival. Bidens sharp April 15 speech in Chicago, criticizing President Donald Trumps policies and lamenting a divided America, has sparked backlash from party allies who warn his public reentry risks derailing efforts to rebuild. With approval ratings at 39%, the lowest for any living ex-president, Democrats now grapple with whether Bidens influence is a unifying asset or an electoral liability as they gear up for the 2026 elections. A speech that fractured Democratic unity The former presidents first major public remarks since leaving office centered on what he called breathtaking damage from Trumps spending cuts and a divided America. But Bidens critique drew sharp internal dissent. Michael LaRosa, former press secretary to First Lady Jill Biden, dismissed the remarks as a lovely gift for the White House, President Trump and conservative media, arguing it amplified GOP narratives. Polling from The Hill underscores the sensitivity of Bidens timing. While 57% of Americans disapprove of his presidency, a Democratic strategist noted anonymous concerns that focusing on Trumps handling of the economy diverts attention from economic issues voters most care about. A lot of folks in the party feel his appearance is pushing our team into a debate we dont need to have, the strategist said, adding that Bidens emphasis on political division could deepen voter apathy rather than stoke hope. Bidens speech to a Social Security advocacy group earlier in April, praising his administrations economic achievements, also drew mixed reactions. While supporters like IBEW labor leaders praised the speech as feisty, policy experts lamented the lack of a cohesive strategy to address voter skepticism toward Democratic priorities like economic recovery. Echoes of past party struggles after electoral setbacks The Democratic Partys current infighting mirrors earlier attempts at post-election recovery. Following 2016s loss to Donald Trump, the party eventually united around a platform emphasizing identity politics, but Bidens enduring unpopularity presents a starker challenge. His era stands as an unusually acrimonious end to a presidency, a CNN report noted, citing low donor morale and infighting exposed in the final months of his term. Historical parallels extend further. Bidens focus on division recalls Obama-era debates over how to address cultural polarization, while the Gaza aid letter controversy underscores tensions between progressive policies and electoral pragmatism similar to internal disputes over Iraq War funding under President George W. Bush. Like those eras, Democrats today confront a fractured base: Progressives demand bold action on foreign and social issues, while centrist factions push for centrist economic messaging. Navigating bipartisan challenges and synching strategies As Democrats assess their path forward, central questions loom: Can the party coalesce without Bidens galvanizing candidacy? How do they balance empathy for global crises like Gazas siege with domestic voter concerns? And will the former presidents public advocacy help or hinder these goals? Strategists emphasize the need to pivot toward candidates who can appeal broadly, eschewing divisive rhetoric. Yet Bidens influence persists: A recent DNC fundraising email with his endorsement outperformed expectations, suggesting grassroots sympathy for his legacy. The party isnt monolithic on this, said one insider. Some see him as a unifier; others as a relic. The stakes extend beyond ideology. With Republicans in control of the White House and Congress, Democrats must navigate bipartisan challenges without presidential party-line clashesa daunting task when their standard-bearer remains a polarizing figure even in defeat. The Democrats dilemma ahead The Democratic Partys 2026 prospects hinge on resolving an existential tension: Whether to harness Bidens brand or move past it. His public speeches and policy advocacy, however well-intentioned, risk prolonging a narrative of division at a moment when bipartisanship could appeal to disengaged voters. As internal disagreements over messaging, strategy and priorities fester, Democrats must weigh their loyalty to Bidens era against the imperative of rebuilding a broad coalition capable of winning back power in a landscape where economic concerns, not partisan squabbles, remain voters highest priority. Sources include: RT.com FarsNews.ir CNN.com David Talbots book peels back the shadowy legacy of Allen Dulles, the architect of Americas secret government In 1965, Allen Dulles, the former CIA director, expressed deep animosity toward John F. Kennedy, revealing a personal and political grudge that may have influenced his actions and decisions during and after Kennedy's presidency. Despite being forced out by Kennedy after the Bay of Pigs fiasco, Dulles continued to wield significant influence from behind the scenes, maintaining contacts with CIA officers and anti-Castro groups, raising questions about his potential involvement in the events leading to Kennedy's assassination. As the head of the CIA, Dulles oversaw numerous covert operations that had profound impacts on global politics, including the overthrow of democratically elected governments in Iran (1953) and Guatemala (1954), highlighting his belief in the necessity of American dominance and his willingness to manipulate foreign affairs to achieve it. During World War II, Dulles engaged in secret negotiations with Nazi officials in Switzerland, often acting independently of official U.S. policy. This period casts a shadow over his loyalties and motivations, suggesting a complex and morally ambiguous relationship with power and ideology. While the book does not provide definitive proof, it presents a compelling case that Dulles had the motive, means and opportunity to be involved in Kennedy's assassination, challenging conventional narratives and urging readers to question the official accounts of this pivotal historical event. In the annals of American history, few figures are as enigmatic and controversial as Allen Dulles, the master architect of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). David Talbots book, "The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, The CIA, and the Rise of Americas Secret Government," peels back the layers of secrecy surrounding this influential spymaster, revealing a man whose actions and motivations continue to cast a long shadow over the nation's intelligence community and political landscape. On an Indian summer evening in 1965, Georgetown, Washington D.C., was the backdrop for a chilling encounter. Willie Morris, a young editor at Harper's Magazine, found himself walking alongside Dulles, the former CIA director. As Dulles regaled Morris with tales of his clandestine adventures, his demeanor suddenly shifted. With a venomous tone, Dulles uttered, "Little Kennedy... he thought he was a god." This moment encapsulates the deep-seated animosity Dulles harbored toward John F. Kennedy, a president he once served but ultimately viewed as a threat to his vision of American power. Dulles was not just a spymaster; he was the architect of Americas sprawling intelligence empire. His career, marked by both triumphs and failures, was defined by a relentless pursuit of power and influence. Dulles believed in the power of secrets and operated in the shadows, often with little regard for the presidents he served. His tenure as CIA director was punctuated by significant events, none more infamous than the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. This disastrous operation, aimed at overthrowing Fidel Castro, ended in humiliation for the CIA and marked the beginning of the end for Dulles' reign. However, Dulles' story does not end with his resignation. Instead, it takes a darker turn. After being forced out by Kennedy, Dulles did not retreat into obscurity. He continued to wield influence from the shadows, meeting with CIA officers, strategizing with Cuban exiles, and even engaging with figures like Paulino Sierra Martinez, a mysterious and potentially dangerous character with ties to the Mafia and anti-Castro movements. This period raises a haunting question: Did Dulles, driven by his deep-seated grudge against Kennedy, play a role in the events that unfolded in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963? Talbot's book delves into the murky world of Cold War espionage and political intrigue, painting a picture of Dulles as not just a spymaster but a master manipulator. Dulles believed that democracy should be managed by the elite, not left to the whims of the electorate. His worldview was shaped by his experiences in high finance and international intrigue, where he and his brother, John Foster Dulles, navigated the treacherous waters of global politics with a deft hand. One of the most chilling aspects of Dulles' story is his relationship with the Nazis. During World War II, Dulles was stationed in Switzerland, where he engaged in secret negotiations with Nazi officials, often bypassing the official U.S. policy of unconditional surrender. His actions during this period raise troubling questions about his loyalties and motivations. Dulles was more in tune with the Nazi elite than with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and his willingness to make deals with the devil to achieve his goals is a recurring theme in his career. Dulles' role in the early days of the CIA is also a focal point of Talbot's narrative. He oversaw a series of covert operations that toppled governments and installed dictators friendly to U.S. interests. From the overthrow of Iran's democratically elected government in 1953 to the coup in Guatemala the following year, Dulles' fingerprints are all over some of the most controversial episodes in American history. The most haunting question Talbot raises is whether Dulles was involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. While the book does not provide definitive proof, it lays out a compelling case that suggests Dulles had the motive, means and opportunity to orchestrate such a plot. The evidence is circumstantial, but it is enough to make readers question everything they thought they knew about one of the most pivotal events in American history. Watch this video about David Talbot's book, "The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, The CIA, and the Rise of Americas Secret Government." This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com Economic fallout and strategic stakes mount as U.S.-China trade tensions escalate U.S. tariffs (now at 25% on $200B in goods) devastate Chinese export industries, with factories reporting canceled orders, warehouse overstock and forced worker layoffs. Key ports like Shanghai anticipate a 50% drop in cargo traffic. China vows to "fight to the end," but businesses warn tariffs erase profits, calling it a "race to the bottom." Workers and factory owners criticize the CCPs stance, fearing mass production cuts and job losses. China bans exports of rare earths (critical for U.S. tech/defense), signaling a dangerous supply war. Analysts say the CCP is isolated, falling into Trumps strategic "traps" as other nations negotiate tariff relief. Critics argue tariffs alone wont counter China; U.S. must invest in R&D, education and infrastructure to compete. New White House probes highlight vulnerabilities in critical minerals and fentanyl-linked opioid deaths. As U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods escalate to historic levels, workers and businesses across China are facing a deepening economic crisis, while the Trump administration maintains its resolve to confront Beijings trade policies. The April 11 decision to raise tariffs on most Chinese imports to 145 percent, following similar measures by Beijing, has upended supply chains and livelihoods, testing the resolve of both governments ahead of a critical March deadline for negotiations. Chinese factories scramble as orders dwindle Export-dependent industries are reeling as U.S. importers retreat amid soaring duties. A flashlight manufacturer in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, told The Epoch Times that orders have vanished entirely, forcing workers to take weeks-long "vacations." Factories in Guangdong Province, known for tech and apparel production, report canceled contracts stretching into 2025, leaving warehouses overloaded with unsold goods. "Three or four orders a month used to keep our factory busy," the owner said. "Now, nothing." Meanwhile, fashion giant Shein blocked by Chinese authorities from shifting production abroad faces price hikes after the U.S. canceled duty exemptions for small shipments. The port of Shanghai, a linchpin of global trade, echoes with idleness, with cargo traffic anticipated to plummet by 50 percent. Analysts warn that mid-voyage cargo surrenders and factory closures could become commonplace, as tariffs erode profit margins to zero. Beijings hardline backed by uneasy domestic critics While the Chinese Commerce Ministry insists it will "fight to the end" against U.S. tariffs, insiders and netizens question the cost of steadfastness. A Jiangsu Province furniture factory owner calculated that even a 20 percent tariff would devour all profits, calling the scenario a "race to the bottom." A pseudonymous electronics plant director in Suzhou lamented, "Were operating at a loss now," while a Guangdong worker warned, "Youll soon find yourselves among those 'costs' of Beijings propaganda-fueled resolve. A Nanjing-based vlogger added: "The domestic market cant absorb this. Companies will cut production en masse." The governments April 14 ban on exports of seven rare earth elements critical for American tech and defense sectors has deepened concerns of a supply war. Chinese officials, citing a 28,000-word white paper, dismissed risks, asserting Beijings resolve to "protect national interests." Yet, Collaborative logistic analysts suggest the CCP has walked into Trumps "traps," isolating itself as other nations negotiate tariff relief. Critics warn trade war diverts focus from domestic solutions The prolonged conflict reignites debates over whether tariffs alone can counter Chinas economic dominance. Tom Donilon, a former U.S. national security adviser, argued in 2019 that "protectionism will not meet the China challenge"a view echoed by current observers. Historical parallels to the Cold War-era Sputnik panic highlight the need for U.S. investments in research, education and infrastructure, rather than punitive measures. "The U.S. must compete by leading, not by walling itself off," said Wang He, a China expert. White House tariffs targeting fentanyl and industrial espionage underscore specific grievances, like the DEAs report that Chinese-linked opioids caused 70 percent of 2023 U.S. overdose deaths. Yet, the administrations April 15 Section 232 probe into critical mineral reliance adds urgency. With China blocking gallium and rare earth exports earlier, the U.S. risks vulnerability in defense and tech sectors unless it ramps up domestic production. Tipping point nears for global tech dominance As the June 2025 deadline looms, negotiators weigh a deals contours. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated China "needs to make a deal," though Trumps confidence remains unshaken: "Well set the target, and thats it." For now, workers endure the fallout. A Nanjing entrepreneurs plea "Keep your job" captures the gravity. Whether Beijings resolve falters, or Washington finds common ground, the stakes transcend tariffs: They decide who will lead the next era of AI, manufacturing and global might. The clock ticks, and the race for jobs, technology and influence is far from over. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com TheEconomist.com WhiteHouse.gov ForeignAffairs.com Sophisticated Gmail attack highlights dangers of trusting Big Tech with personal data Google failed to prevent a phishing attack targeting 1.8 billion Gmail users despite its vast resources. The scam exploited a Google Sites vulnerability, tricking users with convincing fake emails. Google initially dismissed the flaw but later acted after public backlash. Users must adopt strong protections like passkeys and scrutiny of emails to stay safe. Google, a company that regularly collects and stores vast amounts of personal data, has failed to safeguard its own users from a sophisticated phishing attack. The scam, first exposed by Ethereum developer Nick Johnson, exploited vulnerabilities in Google's infrastructure, duping even tech-savvy individuals into handing over their credentials. Despite Google's massive resources and dominance in the tech industry, its delayed response and initial reluctance to address the flaw underscore a troubling pattern: Silicon Valley giants prioritize innovation over security, leaving everyday Americans vulnerable to digital threats. The attack, targeting Gmail's 1.8 billion users, highlights the dangers of centralized digital control. If a company like Google (which constantly urges users to trust its platforms) cannot protect its own systems, how can individuals be expected to rely on Big Tech for security? The incident also raises serious questions about whether these corporations deserve the unprecedented level of trust placed in them. How the scam worked The phishing email, which appeared to come from the address "[email protected]", claimed the recipient had been subpoenaed for their Google account data. It cleverly bypassed standard security checks, displaying no warnings in Gmail and even threading itself among legitimate security alerts. "The only hint it's a phish is that it's hosted on sites.google.com instead of accounts.google.com," Johnson noted on X. The fraudulent link led to a convincing replica of Google's support portal, designed to harvest login details. Worse, the scam passed Google's DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) verification, a system meant to detect tampering. Johnson reported the flaw but said Google initially dismissed it as "not a bug." Only after public outcry did the company take action. A spokesperson later stated, "We're aware of this class of targeted attack from this threat actor and have rolled out protections to shut down this avenue for abuse." Big Tech's security negligence Google's sluggish response is symptomatic of a broader issue: Tech companies, despite their power and profits, repeatedly fail to prioritize user security. The phishing attack thrived because Google Sites, a legacy service that allows arbitrary scripts, provided an easy tool for scammers. Johnson argued that Google had long neglected tightening security on this feature: "They simply have to be prepared to upload new versions as old ones get taken down by Google's abuse team." This isn't an isolated incident. From Facebook's data leaks to Twitter's security breaches, Big Tech's track record proves that user safety takes a backseat to growth. Yet these same companies demand complete trust, monopolizing vast amounts of personal data while failing to guarantee its protection. The irony is staggering. Google aggressively harvests user information (tracking searches, emails, and location data), yet struggles to defend that same data from hackers. If centralized tech giants can't secure their systems, perhaps it's time to reconsider the dangers of placing so much personal control in their hands. How to protect yourself While Google belatedly "fixed" this specific loophole, the broader threat remains. Users must take personal responsibility for their online safety; because Big Tech won't. Use passkeys and two-factor authentication (2FA). Passkeys, unlike passwords, are device-specific and nearly impossible to phish. Google admits these provide strong protection against these kinds of phishing campaigns. Never click suspicious links. Verify emails by manually typing the official website address into your browser. Scrutinize sender details. A slight variation in domain names (sites.google.com vs. accounts.google.com) can indicate fraud. Assume urgency is a red flag. Legitimate companies rarely demand immediate action via email. Regularly monitor account activity. Google offers tools like Security Checkup to review login attempts. This phishing attack is more than a security lapse; it's a reminder that Silicon Valley's promises of safety are often hollow. Google's dominance in email, search, and cloud services makes its negligence inexcusable. If the company truly valued its users, security would be woven into every layer of its infrastructure, not an afterthought. For now, the responsibility falls on individuals. In an age of digital deception, skepticism isn't just wise; it's essential. Big Tech has shown it can't be trusted. Until that changes, users must protect themselves. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk NYPost.com PCMag.com Housing relief in sight as foreign buyers retreat, deportations rise and Airbnb pulls back Political tensions, Trumps tariffs, a weak Canadian dollar and Canadas own foreign-buyer ban led to a mass exodus of Canadian investors, who previously accounted for 13% of foreign home purchases. This reduced competition in the U.S. housing market. Under Trump, deportations surged (100,000+ since January) and illegal crossings dropped 94%, reducing housing demand from migrants. Realtors predict rents could fall by 15% by year-end, though critics warn of economic instability from mass deportations. High costs and regulatory pressures are pushing owners to convert or sell 2.4 million short-term rentals, with 500,000 expected to exit the market by 2026 potentially easing the housing shortage. Trumps hardline immigration stance contrasts sharply with Bidens policies, which saw cartel profits soar from smuggling. Meanwhile, Canadas housing crisis and political uncertainty accelerated its residents U.S. property sales. After years of soaring housing costs in the U.S., a trio of factors foreign buyers exiting the market, increased deportations of illegal migrants through strict border policies, and the decline of Airbnbs rental surge are offering a potential lifeline for cash-strapped Americans. This relief arrives in the context of the Trump administrations aggressive immigration crackdowns, tariff disputes with Canada and shifting economic dynamics, all of which have altered the calculus of home ownership and rentals. With Canada topping the list of foreign investors abandoning U.S. vacation homes due to political tensions and a weakened currency, combined with a 95% drop in illegal border crossings under new policies, the supply of housing is finally beginning to catch up with demand in a market that has long left many Americans priced out of homeownership. Canadians cash out amid uncertainty and political tensions The largest foreign presence in U.S. real estate Canadian buyershas exited en masse, driven by a perfect storm of economic and political factors. Canadians, who accounted for 13% of foreign home purchases in 2024, are fleeing U.S. properties amid President Trumps 25% tariffs on Canadian goods and rhetoric suggesting annexation of their country. The key word is uncertainty, said Catherine Spino, a Florida realtor, noting a doubling of Canadian sellers in early 2025 compared to previous years. Nathalie Mancuso, a Montreal-based teacher, sold her Florida condo amid fears Trumps policies would escalate anti-Canadian sentiment. We were scared of what might happen, she said. Similar stories emerged nationwide: Retiree Garry Liboiron cited tariffs as accelerating his sale of a Phoenix home, while David Altro, a cross-border legal expert, reported a tenfold rise in Canadian clients seeking to sell. The Canadian exodus is further fueled by a 22-year low in the Canadian dollar, which has made U.S. property taxes and HOA fees prohibitively expensive. Meanwhile, Canadas own crackdown on foreign buyers banning purchases except in sparsely populated areas since 2023 has severed a critical two-way demand chain. Deportations and policy shifts cool rental demand The Trump administrations hardline immigration policies have also shifted market dynamics. Since January, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested 113,000 migrants and deported over 100,000, slashing illegal border crossings to 7,000 in March a 94% drop from Biden-era levels. Agencies attribute this to strict enforcement, including charging migrants criminally and sidestepping court delays, such as using the Alien Enemies Act to deport gang members without hearings. ICE officials boast that the administration is doing what he was voted in to do to curb illegal immigration, a marked contrast to the prior White Houses open-door approach. These actions, combined with self-deportations by migrants fearing repercussions under Trumps CBP One App system, have already eased rental pressures. While critics argue displacing 17 million 20 million undocumented residents would destabilize sectors like construction, realtors note fewer migrants in housing markets could lower rents by 15% by years end. Historically, U.S. border policies have oscillated between liberal and strict, but Trumps return has reignited debates over how enforcement impacts economies. Under Biden, Mexican cartel income from smuggling surged to $13 billion annually 2,500% higher than in 2018 as porous borders enabled mass crossings, yet cartel profits may now contract as fewer migrants risk crossing under heightened scrutiny. Airbnbs decline frees up 2.4 million properties The fading hotel-sharing craze is another wildcard in housing markets. A peak of 2.4 million U.S. homes remain listed as Airbnbs, but high property taxes, stagnant tourism and insurers reluctance to cover such properties have driven many owners to convert them into traditional rentals or sell. Analysts predict half a million short-term rentals will exit the market by 2026, injecting desperately needed supply into the housing crisis. While Airbnbs retreat could pressure hospitality businesses and local economies, its a net positive for families struggling to afford homes. Supply must increase to offset demand, argues Tyler Durden, whose analysis notes that soaring fixed costs like housing and utilities erode disposable income significantly. For example, renters now pay 60% more annually than in 2020 in many areas, squeezing budgets and stifling consumer spending. Policy and currency shifts shape the market The current trends recall the pendulum of American immigration politics. Bidens 2021 openness to asylum seekers and rumored amnesty proposals (estimated by some outlets at 18 million beneficiaries) contrasted sharply with Trumps border wall rhetoric and immediate deportation tactics. Meanwhile, Canadas own housing crisis, exacerbated by former Prime Minister Trudeaus policies, has driven its citizens to sell second homes abroad. Experts caution that lasting relief depends on sustained policy and economic stability. Canadas flight from U.S. properties could reverse if tariffs ease, and critics warn that overzealous enforcement may deter legal immigration or alienate key trade partners. Yet, for now, Americans increasingly see hope in a market once deemed untouchable. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com WSJ.com NYPost.com Israels relentless attacks on Lebanon defy ceasefire, killing civilians and soldiers Israel continues attacks on Lebanon despite the November ceasefire, killing civilians and violating the truce more than 2,700 times. Hezbollah refuses disarmament while Israel occupies Lebanese territory, escalating tensions. Israeli airstrikes target civilians and infrastructure, mirroring tactics used in Gaza, with war crimes allegations. The U.S. pressures Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah while supporting Israel militarily and politically. The cycle of occupation and resistance risks perpetual war, with global powers enabling Israels aggression. Despite a ceasefire agreement brokered in November, Israel has continued its deadly assaults on southern Lebanon, killing civilians and Hezbollah fighters while refusing to fully withdraw from occupied territories. The ongoing violence part of Israels broader campaign of regional aggression, including its genocide in Gaza has left Lebanese communities in ruins and risks further destabilizing the Middle East. Yesterday, Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple towns in southern Lebanon, killing at least two people and wounding several others. Among the dead was a civilian working in his field in Houla, whose home had been repeatedly struck by Israeli forces. Meanwhile, unexploded Israeli ordnance detonated near a Lebanese military vehicle, killing four, including soldiers, in a grim reminder of the long-term dangers of Israels relentless bombardment. A broken ceasefire in name only Since the November 2024 truce, Israel has violated the ceasefire more than 2,700 times, according to reports. The agreement called for both Hezbollah and Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon, with Lebanese forces taking over security. While Hezbollah has reportedly ceded 190 of its 265 positions, Israel maintains five illegal outposts on Lebanese soil. Hezbollahs acting leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has refused disarmament demands, stating, We will not let anyone disarm Hezbollah or disarm the resistance. He argued that Lebanon cannot discuss defense strategies while under occupation, adding, Israel must withdraw and cease its aggression. The U.S., meanwhile, has pressured Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah, with envoy Morgan Ortagus insisting Beirut must fully fulfil the cessation of hostilities by disarming militias. Israels attacks extend beyond targeting Hezbollah. Its strikes repeatedly kill civilians and destroy infrastructure, replicating tactics honed in Gaza and the West Bank. The recent assassination of Hussein Ali Nasr, a Hezbollah weapons official, mirrors a pattern of extrajudicial killings that flout international law. Israel justifies such strikes by labeling all resistance activity as terrorism, yet its own military actions including the use of white phosphorus and cluster munitions have been condemned as war crimes. The human toll is devastating. Since the ceasefire, at least 71 Lebanese civilians, including women and children, have been killed by Israeli strikes, according UN reports. Unexploded ordnance continues to maim and kill long after bombs fall. Meanwhile, Israel markets its battle-tested weapons to global buyers, showcasing their lethal efficiency against occupied populations. The cycle of violence mirrors past Middle East conflicts where military escalation led to unintended consequences. Israels 1982 invasion of Lebanon birthed Hezbollah; its 2006 war strengthened the group. Today, its refusal to end occupations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon only fuels resistance. Despite global condemnation, Israels apartheid regime persists, emboldened by Western support. Even as half of Gaza lies in ruins and Lebanons south burns, the U.S. and EU deepen ties with Israel, prioritizing arms deals over human rights. The result is a region on the brink where civilians pay the price for geopolitical brinkmanship. A future of perpetual war? Hezbollahs stance reflects a disturbing reality: no party will surrender under fire. Yet Israels insistence on military dominance ensures no lasting peace. With far-right leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu in power and Ukraines Zelenskyy praising Israel as a model, ethnonationalism is spreadingarmed by Israels weapons industry. As long as occupation continues, so will resistance. And as long as global powers excuse Israels atrocities, the bloodshed will spiral. The world cannot afford another forever war, but without justice, Lebanons suffering will be just one more chapter in Israels violent experiment. Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co APNews.com France24.com Pope Francis dies at 88: A pontiff of global compassion and fracturing tradition Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, died at 88 in the Vatican after a transformative papacy marked by inclusivity, reform and advocacy for the marginalized. His death triggers preparations for the Churchs first conclave in over a decade. Elected in 2013, he challenged traditional norms adopting humility (inspired by St. Francis of Assisi), condemning unchecked capitalism, promoting environmentalism and prioritizing outreach to migrants, the poor and LGBTQ+ Catholics. His openness to dialogue and flexible pastoral approaches sparked conservative backlash, while his admission of the Churchs sexual abuse cover-ups (noted in a 2021 report) highlighted unresolved institutional failures. Despite declining health, he made a symbolic Easter 2025 appearance after hospitalization, embodying his "pilgrim" ethos. A drafted resignation letter in 2013 revealed his early struggles with the papacys demands. World leaders and Catholics celebrated his humanity, while the Church faces a pivotal conclave likely to shift power toward developing nations. His legacy a more global but divided Church leaves questions about its future direction. Pope Francis, the humble Jesuit who reshaped the Catholic Churchs global identity through his advocacy for the marginalized and unorthodox leadership style, died on Monday, April 21, at age 88. His death at the Vaticans Casa Santa Marta marks the end of a historic papacy defined by inclusivity, vulnerability and attempts to reform an institution grappling with centuries-old scandals and modern societal divisions. Vice President J.D. Vance, one of his last visitors, and archbishops worldwide expressed profound grief as the Church plunged into mourning while preparing for its first conclave in over a decade. From Buenos Aires to the world stage Elected in 2013 as the first Latin American pope and first Jesuit in history, Jorge Mario Bergoglio brought a radical change to a Church long steeped in European traditions. From his choice of the name Francis honoring the humble St. Francis of Assisi to his condemnation of unfettered capitalism and championing environmental protection, his papacy prioritized empathy over rigid doctrine. Francis legacy lies in his embrace of migrants, LGBTQ+ Catholics and the poor. The church must go to the peripheries, he reminded bishops during his 2013 inaugural homily, a theme central to his reforms. His encyclical Laudato Si catalyzed global climate activism, while his call for a poor Church for the poor challenged hierarchical norms. Adjustable guidelines for Communion and dialogue with divergent views, however, sparked fierce debates among traditionalists and conservatives. Yet Francis papacy also confronted theological fractures. In 2023, he openly acknowledged the Catholic Churchs historical cover-up of sexual abuse: Initially, the Church concealed them; later, it had the grace to broaden its perspective and say no. His admission followed a 2021 Vatican report revealing systemic failures in addressing abuse, though critics argued reform remained limited. Final weeks of service amid gravity Pope Francis enduring charm, despite declining health, was on full display during Holy Week 2025. Defying doctors warnings, he rode the popemobile in mid-April to greet Easter crowds in St. Peters Square a rare public appearance after 35 days of hospitalization for pneumonia. He wanted them to know that he was with them, said Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, Francis protege, adding that the papacy concluded as it had begun: a fellow pilgrim. Friends and aides noted his frailty as he labored through Masses and meetings until mid-April. Earlier this year, he revealed having drafted a provisional resignation letter in 2013 during a crisis, only to discard it as unsustainable. When Cardinal Farrell solemnly announced his death, crowds wept in Latin America, where Francis born in Buenos Aires but raised in Rome, Italy, until 12 was seen as a beacon of regional pride. Tributes and transition Reactions poured in from Rome to Rio as world leaders and average Catholics alike grappled with his loss. Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, who once urged his archbishop to pursue the papacy, called Francis a pope of conscience who restored hope. Meanwhile, Ecuadors President Guillermo Lasso highlighted his personal impact: I never met a man more human than him. The Vaticans logistical gears turned swiftly. Dean of the College of Cardinals and Italian Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re will lead initial mourning prayers, while burial at Romes Santa Maria Maggiore is imminent. By May, the conclave, traditionally dominated by European cardinals, will likely draw an historic shuffling of power toward developing nations though liberals and conservatives remain split on Francis ideologys future. A mirror held to a fractured faith In many ways, Francis passing mirrors the Church he oversaw: united in grief but divided in vision. His papacy nudged it into a future more global yet increasingly contentious, where tradition and modernity clash over issues from family life to priestly celibacy. Yet among the 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, his Francis effect endures in the additional food for the hungry, the hospitalized patient blessed by a leader who stayed dining in a Vatican cafeteria instead of dining halls. As the Smoke of the Sistine Chapel sooner or later signals the next Pope, the questions remain: Can the Catholic Church duplicate Francis capacity to move, apologize and inspire and which path will it choose? In Francis own words, which still resonate: The church is pilgrim. We are all wending our way ever toward the Father, in search of the full face of Christ. Sources include: Breitbart.com CNN.com VaticanNews.va Trump administration considers ABANDONING Ukraine peace talks if no progress is made The Trump administration warns it may abandon Ukraine-Russia peace talks within days if no tangible progress is made, citing frustration with stalled negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizes that the U.S. will not mediate indefinitely, demanding a feasible agreement soon or else President Trump will declare the process futile. Despite cautious optimism around a U.S.-proposed framework, talks have repeatedly faltered, with Ukraine rejecting Russian demands (e.g., NATO exclusion, territorial concessions) as tantamount to surrender. Russia claims openness to talks but criticizes U.S. communication, while European allies doubt Moscow's sincerity and resist lifting sanctions without concessions. If the U.S. disengages, Ukraine risks losing critical military aid, potentially emboldening Russia's offensive while Trump's focus shifts to domestic priorities over protracted mediation. The Trump administration has warned it may soon walk away from efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine unless tangible progress is made within days, signaling growing frustration with both Moscow and Kyiv. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced out this frustration Friday, April 18, telling reporters in Paris that Washington would not continue mediating talks indefinitely. According to him, Washington needs to see indications of a feasible agreement in the immediate future. If not, U.S. President Donald Trump may declare the process futile and withdraw, leaving the fate of negotiations uncertain. "We're not going to continue with this endeavor for weeks and months on end. So we need to determine very quickly now, and I'm talking about a matter of days, whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks," Rubio said. "If it's not possible, if we're so far apart that this is not going to happen, then I think the president is probably at a point where he's going to say, 'Well, we're done.'" (Related: Trump voices out FRUSTRATION toward critics of his Ukraine peace plan, including Zelensky.) The remarks follow high-level diplomatic discussions in the French capital involving Ukraine and key European allies, where a U.S.-proposed peace framework was met with cautious optimism. However, Rubio's abrupt shift in tone underscores mounting White House impatience with stalled progress. Trump, who campaigned on ending the war swiftly, pressured both sides to negotiate threatening heavier sanctions on Russia or cuts to U.S. military aid for Ukraine. Yet despite previous talks, including a Saudi Arabia-mediated partial ceasefire, the conflict has persisted. Will Western pressure force Ukraine to negotiate? Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that some progress had been made, but criticized communication with Washington as "difficult." Moscow insists it remains open to dialogue while safeguarding its interests. Russia wants Ukraine to abandon its aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), cede regions occupied by Moscow and limit its military. But such conditions are unacceptable for Kyiv, which views the Kremlin's demands as surrender. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported the U.S. might recognize Russian control of Crimea as part of a broader deal. Historically, peace negotiations in protracted conflicts hinge on third-party mediation. Yet without U.S. involvement, prospects dim. European leaders, whose sanctions would need lifting for any deal, remain skeptical of Putins sincerity, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky faces political pressure not to concede. Should the U.S. disengage, Kyiv could lose vital military support, while Moscow may intensify its offensive. Rubio stressed Europe's role in any solution, particularly regarding sanctions relief, while admitting fundamental challenges remain unresolved. The next round of talks, slated for London, will test whether both sides can bridge divides or if the U.S. follows through on its ultimatum. Ultimately, the Trump administration's stance reflects a broader fatigue with the conflict's intractability, prioritizing domestic concerns over prolonged international mediation. If negotiations collapse, the war's trajectory could shift dramatically. Watch U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio telling G7 leaders that the U.S.'s interaction with Russia on Ukraine is "cautiously optimistic." This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump and Putin poised for ceasefire talks as envoy reports "positive" progress in Ukraine negotiations. A BEACON OF PEACE: Trump administration signals sanctions relief for Russia in Ukraine talks. Putin ready to meet Trump on Ukraine War amid tariff threats. Sources include: Reuters.com CNBC.com RT.com Brighteon.com Zelenskyy calls for 30-day ceasefire as U.S. fatigue grows over Ukraine war costs Zelensky challenges Russia to halt strikes on civilians for 30 days, calling it a test of Moscows commitment to peace. Western support for Ukraine shows signs of fatigue as U.S. signals reluctance over prolonged aid. Conflicting reports emerge from the frontline as some areas see reduced attacks while others remain violent. Trump and U.S. officials push for negotiations amid growing financial and political pressure to end the conflict. Economic strain and war fatigue may force compromises, despite deep divides between Ukraine and Russias demands. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a pointed challenge to Russia this week, calling for a 30-day halt to strikes on civilian infrastructure in a bid to test Moscows commitment to ending the conflict. The proposal, framed as a litmus test for peace, comes amid shifting dynamics in Western support, with the U.S. increasingly signaling that its financial and military backing is not unlimited. Zelenskyys demand, posted on social media, stipulated that Russia must suspend drone and missile attacks on non-military targets for at least a month. "If Russia does not agree to such a step, it will be proof that it intends to continue doing only those things which destroy human lives and prolong the war," he wrote. The appeal followed Russian President Vladimir Putins short-lived Easter ceasefire, which Ukraine accused Moscow of violating repeatedly. Reports from Ukrainian military officials described a patchwork of frontline responses. Some soldiers noted a lull in Russian artillery, while others, like 37th Marine Brigade spokesperson Denys Bobkov, said assaults continued unabated. The mixed signals underscored the fragility of temporary truces and the difficulty of securing lasting de-escalation. American fatigue and political pressure Behind the diplomatic maneuvering lies a growing reality: The U.S., after more than three years of funding Ukraines defense, appears increasingly eager to wind down its involvement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized last week that American support is not open-ended. "Were not going to continue with this endeavor for weeks and months on end," he warned after meetings with European officials. His remarks aligned with broader conservative concerns about the strain on U.S. taxpayers, particularly as competing crises like the Middle East conflict demand attention. The Trump administration has ramped up pressure for a resolution. Former President Donald Trump, who repeatedly vowed to end the war swiftly if reelected, hinted at progress, posting on Truth Social: "Hopefully Russia and Ukraine will make a deal this week." While details remain vague, NBC News reported that U.S. envoys presented Kyiv and European allies with a "terms sheet" outlining potential ceasefire conditions. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed renewed talks, suggesting a rare window for negotiation. The economic calculus Financial realities may soon outweigh ideological posturing. The war has drained Ukraines economy and diverted billions in U.S. aid, with little tangible progress on the battlefield. Ending hostilities could unlock economic relief for both sides: Ukraine might secure reconstruction funds, while Russia could see sanctions eased. For American taxpayers, disengagement would free up resources for domestic priorities. Critics argue that prolonging the conflict disproportionately benefits defense contractors and political elites while ordinary Ukrainians bear the brunt. Zelenskyys plea for a humanitarian pause underscores this disparity, as civilian casualties mount despite Western arms shipments. The wars sustainability is increasingly in doubt, even among Kyivs staunchest allies. While Zelenskyy insisted Ukraine remains open to dialogue, structural hurdles persist. Putins demands, including territorial concessions and Ukrainian neutrality, have long been nonstarters for Kyiv. Yet the combination of U.S. fatigue and Trumps transactional approach may force compromises. "We will respond to silence with silence," Zelenskyy said, signaling cautious reciprocity but no unilateral surrender. The coming weeks will test whether pragmatic diplomacy can overcome entrenched positions. For now, the American message is clear: Without meaningful progress, the fiscal and political costs of indefinite support may prove untenable. As Rubio bluntly stated, there will be no "meetings for meetings sake." Zelenskyys ceasefire proposal marks a pivotal moment in a war that has exhausted both nations and their supporters. While Ukraines defiance remains symbolically potent, the practical limits of Western aid and Trumps push for a deal suggest a negotiated end may be nearer than it appears. Whether leaders can prioritize civilian suffering over geopolitical posturing will determine if this conflict drifts toward peace or further devastation. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com TheGuardian.com NBCNews.com 83 years ago, a young girl witnessed a "life-and-death rescue" of the Doolittle Raiders. Now in her 90s, she reflects on a story of bravery, friendship, and the deep bond between the Chinese and American people in WWII. Watch her powerful journey back in time. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Chemists have confirmed a 67-year-old theory about vitamin B1 by stabilizing a reactive molecule in water - a feat long thought impossible. The discovery not only solves a biochemical mystery, but also opens the door to greener, more efficient ways of making pharmaceuticals. The molecule in question is a carbene, a type of carbon atom with only six valence electrons. Generally, carbon is stable with eight electrons around it. With only six electrons, it is chemically unstable and highly reactive. In water, it usually decomposes instantly. But for decades, scientists have suspected that vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, may form a carbene-like structure in our cells to carry out vital reactions in the body. Now, for the first time, researchers have not only generated a stable carbene in water, they've also isolated it, sealed it in a tube, and watched it stay intact for months. This discovery is documented in a new paper published in Science Advances. This is the first time anyone has been able to observe a stable carbene in water. People thought this was a crazy idea. But it turns out, Breslow was right." Vincent Lavallo, professor of chemistry at UC Riverside and corresponding author of the paper The reference is to Ronald Breslow, a Columbia University chemist who proposed in 1958 that vitamin B1 could convert into a carbene to drive biochemical transformations in the body. Breslow's idea was compelling, but carbenes were so unstable - especially in water - that no one could prove they actually existed in a biological setting. Lavallo's team succeeded by wrapping the carbene in what he calls "a suit of armor," a molecule they synthesized in the laboratory that shields the reactive center from water and other molecules. The resulting structure is stable enough to be studied with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and x-ray crystallography - providing conclusive evidence that carbenes like this can exist in water. "We were making these reactive molecules to explore their chemistry, not chasing a historical theory," said first author Varun Raviprolu, who completed the research as a graduate student at UCR and is now a postdoctoral researcher at UCLA. "But it turns out our work ended up confirming exactly what Breslow proposed all those years ago." Beyond confirming a biochemical hypothesis, the discovery has practical implications. Carbenes are often used as "ligands," or support structures, in metal-based catalysts - the chemical workhorses used to produce pharmaceuticals, fuels, and other materials. Most of these processes rely on toxic organic solvents. The researchers' method of stabilizing carbenes in water could help make those reactions cleaner, less expensive, and safer. "Water is the ideal solvent - it's abundant, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly," Raviprolu said. "If we can get these powerful catalysts to work in water, that's a big step toward greener chemistry." Knowing that such reactive intermediate molecules can be generated and survive in water also brings scientists one step closer to mimicking the kind of chemistry that happens naturally in cells - which are mostly made of water. "There are other reactive intermediates we've never been able to isolate, just like this one," Lavallo said. "Using protective strategies like ours, we may finally be able to see them, and learn from them." For Lavallo, who has spent two decades designing carbenes, the moment is both professional and personal. "Just 30 years ago, people thought these molecules couldn't even be made," he said. "Now we can bottle them in water. What Breslow said all those years ago - he was right." For Raviprolu, the discovery serves as a reminder to persevere in scientific research and discovery. "Something that seems impossible today might be possible tomorrow, if we continue to invest in science," he said. A new way to deliver disease-fighting proteins throughout the brain may improve the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders, according to University of California, Irvine scientists. By engineering human immune cells called microglia, the researchers have created living cellular "couriers" capable of responding to brain pathology and releasing therapeutic agents exactly where needed. The National Institutes of Health-supported study, published in Cell Stem Cell, demonstrates for the first time that microglia derived from induced pluripotent stem cells can be genetically programmed to detect disease-specific brain changes like amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease and then release enzymes that help break down those toxic proteins. As a result, the cells were able to reduce inflammation, preserve neurons and synaptic connections, and reverse multiple other hallmarks of neurodegeneration in mice. For patients and families grappling with Alzheimer's and related diseases, the findings offer a hopeful glimpse at a future in which microglial-based cell therapies could precisely and safely counteract the ravages of neurodegeneration. Delivering biologics to the brain has long been a major challenge because of the blood-brain barrier. We've developed a programmable, living delivery system that gets around that problem by residing in the brain itself and responding only when and where it's needed." Mathew Blurton-Jones, UC Irvine professor of neurobiology and behavior and co-corresponding author on the study Using CRISPR gene editing, the team modified human microglia to secrete neprilysin an enzyme known to degrade beta-amyloid under the control of a promoter that only activates near plaques. The result was a highly targeted and pathology-responsive therapy. In Alzheimer's mouse models, these engineered microglia reduced the buildup of beta-amyloid and protected against damage to neurons and synapses, curbed inflammation, and even lowered a biomarker of neuronal injury in the blood. "Remarkably, we found that placing the microglia in specific brain areas could reduce toxic amyloid levels and other AD-associated neuropathologies throughout the brain," said Jean Paul Chadarevian, a postdoctoral scholar in the Blurton-Jones lab and first author on the study. "And because the therapeutic protein was only produced in response to amyloid plaques, this approach was highly targeted yet broadly effective." In addition to Alzheimer's, the research explored how human microglia respond in models of brain cancer and multiple sclerosis. In both cases, the engineered cells adopted unique gene expression profiles highlighting the potential to tailor them to a variety of central nervous system diseases. "This work opens the door to a completely new class of brain therapies," said Robert Spitale, UC Irvine professor of pharmaceutical sciences and co-corresponding author on the study. "Instead of using synthetic drugs or viral vectors, we're enlisting the brain's immune cells as precision delivery vehicles." The researchers noted that much work remains to translate this platform into human trials, including demonstrating long-term safety and developing methods for scalable manufacturing. However, because the microglia are derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, they could possibly be produced from a patient's own cells, reducing the risk of immune rejection. Hayk Davtyan, Alina L. Chadarevian and Jonathan Hasselmann of UC Irvine, among others, also contributed to the study, which was a collaboration among the university's Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, and Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center. Grants from the National Institute on Aging, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Cure Alzheimer's Fund supported the research. University of Oklahoma researchers recently launched the Children's Environmental Health Center in the U.S. Southern Great Plains, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to advancing research on children's health and environmental exposures, following a year of preparation. Funded by a $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this new center aims to reduce school absences by addressing the health impacts affecting children in rural and agricultural communities across the Southern Great Plains. The research will also inform the development of effective and affordable interventions to improve health outcomes for children. Our team is working to understand how early-life exposure to both chemical and non-chemical stressors affect children's health and well-being in these communities. The goal of the center is to better serve the Southern Great Plains region, with a focus on mitigating early-life stage exposures that span from prenatal development through early childhood to adolescence, particularly in rural agricultural communities." Changjie Cai, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at the Hudson College of Public Health and leader on the project This collaborative center is led by Cai, who serves as its director and is the principal investigator for the research effort. The team includes Diane Horm, Ph.D., a professor emeritus and the founding director of the OU-Tulsa Childhood Education Institute, and Dan Li, Ph.D., an associate professor in the OU Department of Health Promotion Sciences. The center builds on the ongoing OK-AIR project (Advancing Indoor-environment Research for Children in Oklahoma), which is led by Horm, and will continue and expand upon its work. The OK-AIR project is originally funded by the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness and the Preschool Development Grant. Research has shown that children in rural and agricultural communities face increased health risks due to environmental exposures. These risks stem from pollutants in the air, water and soil and extreme weather, as well as socioeconomic stressors such as poverty and limited access to health care. The center aims to reduce school absenteeism by addressing these key environmental and social factors. "This progress is the result of strong school-family-community partnerships and the implementation of a comprehensive, tiered approach," Li said. "At the Early Childhood Education Institute, our mission has always been to support the well-being of young children through research," Horm said. "This collaboration will allow us to better assess and address the factors influencing children's health in rural areas." The center will also develop a community-driven and data-driven Children's Health and Social Vulnerability Index at both the community level and individual level to assess health and social needs in rural programs. This index will identify both chemical and non-chemical stressors associated with school absenteeism and will guide comprehensive, tiered interventions aimed at improving children's health, educational outcomes and overall well-being in these communities. In 2024, more than 50 million people in the United States lived in counties with no air-quality monitoring, according to a new study from researchers in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development. Rural counties - especially counties in the Midwest and South - were less likely to have an air-quality monitoring site. Air quality measures are used to estimate people's exposure to air pollution, which makes monitoring a critical public health tool, according to Nelson Roque, assistant professor of human development and family studies and lead author of the study. In an article published today (April 21) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers examined where air quality is not monitored and which demographic and social factors were more common in unmonitored counties. Exposure to air pollution has been directly and indirectly to cancers, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, immune disorders and more. If we are not measuring air quality in large regions of the country, then we do not know how significant air pollution problems are. For example, if there is wildfire in a county with no air quality monitoring site, how will people know whether it is safe to sleep in their homes or work at their places of business?" Alexis Santos, associate professor of human development and family studies and of demography, Penn State and co-author of this study The research team analyzed data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AirData active sites directory. They found that 1,848 counties in the U.S. - 58% of all counties - have no active air-quality monitoring sites. Per-state monitoring varies greatly across the nation. Pennsylvania, for example, ranks in the top 15 states with 67% of the counties having at least one air-quality monitoring site. By matching their data with information from the American Community Survey produced by the U.S. Census Bureau, the researchers were able to use logistic regression - a statistical model that uses available data to predict outcomes with two options - to identify which demographic and socioeconomic characteristics are more common in counties without air-quality monitoring. The analysis revealed that rural counties were the most likely to lack monitoring sites. Additionally, when taking population size into account, the researchers found that counties without air-quality monitoring had higher levels of poverty, lower levels of high school completion, higher proportions of Hispanic residents and higher proportions of Black residents. "Air pollution affects everyone's health, so it is important for everyone in the nation to have access to accurate information about the quality of the air they breathe," said Roque, a Social Science Research Institute co-funded faculty member. "Where we don't collect data, the threat and impact of pollution are invisible." The nation had 4,821 active air-quality monitoring stations when the analysis was conducted, but the researchers said that the number of sites is always changing. Some monitoring sites are several decades old and frequently go offline. Between 1957 - when national air-quality monitoring began - and September 2024 - when this study was conducted - 20,815 air quality sites had been active at one point. "We ran this same analysis just a couple months apart, and we found that the number of air-quality monitoring sites had changed over that short period of time," Roque said. "These stations are in flux all the time, and data-reporting intervals also vary, which points to the need for investment in and modernization of this infrastructure." Air quality data is primarily gathered by the EPA or by localities in conjunction with the EPA, the researchers said. "Generally speaking, infrastructure for health care, transportation, education and other areas are underdeveloped in rural counties," said Santos, a Social Science Research Institute co-funded faculty member. "This study demonstrated the pattern holds true for air-quality monitoring, as well. This leaves people in rural areas vulnerable to increased exposure to air pollution from wildfires, agriculture, industrial activities and other sources. As a society, we need to invest in air-quality monitoring if we want to keep people safe and save on the long-term costs of pollution exposure." Hailey Andrews, human research technologist in the Penn State Center for Healthy Aging, contributed to this research. The Population Research Institute, the Social Sciences Research Institute, the Data Accelerator, the Center for Healthy Aging and the College of Health and Human Development - all at Penn State - and the Einstein Aging Study supported this work. A pioneering clinical trial in Japan reveals that stem cell-derived dopamine neurons can survive, function, and boost movement in Parkinsons patients, without triggering serious side effects or abnormal growth. Study: Phase I/II trial of iPS-cell-derived dopaminergic cells for Parkinsons disease. Image Credit: Cinefootage Visuals / Shutterstock In a recent study in the journal Nature, researchers in Japan report the results of a Phase I/II clinical trial using bilateral transplantation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS)-cell-derived dopaminergic progenitors to treat Parkinsons disease (PD). The study examined the safety and effectiveness of this cell therapy in seven patients with PD aged 5069. Study findings revealed the therapys relative safety, with no serious adverse events, including death or hospitalization, reported. While motor symptoms improved by an average of 20.4% during medication-free (OFF) periods and 35.7% during medicated (ON) periods at 24 months, these gains were not uniform: four of six patients showed OFF-period improvements, and five of six improved during ON periods. Background Parkinsons disease (PD) is a chronic neurological disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, a brain region critical for movement control. While medications like levodopa alleviate symptoms, their long-term use often triggers complications such as drug-induced dyskinesias (involuntary movements). Early cell therapies using fetal tissue showed promise but were plagued by ethical concerns and risks of graft-induced dyskinesias (GIDs). The current study builds on preclinical work in non-human primates, where iPS cell-derived dopamine progenitors have been shown to improve motor function without inducing tumors or GIDs. About the Study HLA-matched donor cells were selected from a haplotype carried by 17% of Japans population, minimizing immune rejection risks without requiring full genetic compatibility. The trial, conducted at Kyoto University Hospital, transplanted allogeneic (donor-derived) iPS-cell-derived dopamine progenitors into the putamen (a brain region affected in PD) of seven patients. Donor cells were sourced from a clinical-grade iPS cell line matched to 17% of Japans population via specific immune compatibility markers (HLA haplotypes). Participants were selected based on strict criteria, including age (5069 years), disease duration (5 years), and responsiveness to dopamine medication. Notably, one patient (PD07) was excluded due to a COVID-19 infection and replaced with PD08. Safety No serious adverse events were reported. Seventy-three mild to moderate events occurred, with the most common being application site itching. One case of moderate dyskinesia was observed during medication-active (ON) periods; however, researchers attributed this to the maintained drug doses rather than the transplanted cells. Imaging confirmed the absence of tumor-like growths, and animal studies showed that the grafts contained less than 1% proliferating cells. Efficacy Brain scans using 18F-DOPA PET revealed a 44.7% average increase in dopamine synthesis in the putamen, with high-dose patients (5.35.5 million cells per hemisphere) showing a 63.5% increase compared to 7% in low-dose patients. However, improvements in motor scores did not strictly correlate with dopamine levels, suggesting factors beyond cell survival influenced outcomes. Dyskinesia No inflammation or immune rejection was detected after stopping tacrolimus at 15 months, suggesting transient immunosuppression may suffice for long-term graft survival. Scores on the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS) increased by 116.4% from baseline, but these changes occurred only during ON periods and mirrored patterns of drug-induced (not graft-induced) dyskinesia. Researchers emphasized that anti-Parkinsonian medication doses were intentionally kept stable to isolate the therapys effects, which likely contributed to the dyskinesia increase. Limitations and Future Directions The studys open-label design (no placebo group) leaves room for placebo effects, though objective dopamine synthesis measurements support biological efficacy. Long-term follow-up and autologous transplants, which utilize a patients own cells, could reduce immune risks and enhance outcomes. Researchers highlighted the need for larger, double-blind trials to confirm findings. Conclusion This trial demonstrates the short-term safety and functional promise of iPS-derived dopamine progenitors in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). As lead author Jun Takahashi noted, future strategies may combine cell transplantation with gene editing or rehabilitation to optimize results. It's an unfortunate fact of aging: Live long enough and, eventually, reading this sentence will get difficult, even impossible. Three in 10 Americans older than 80 have some form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), while for Oklahoman octogenarians, it's closer to 50%. Now, new research from the University of Oklahoma aims to illuminate the causes of AMD and help clinicians peer into a black box of blindness. With support from a four-year, $1.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, Jiyang Cai, Ph.D., a professor of biochemistry and physiology at the OU College of Medicine, is studying how cells in the retina communicate and whether the messages they send could be programmed to treat or slow AMD, the leading cause of adult blindness. Cai and colleagues believe one trigger for AMD occurs when a tiny molecule, called microRNA-204, is no longer able to message the gene that regulates lipids in retinal microglia cells, which help maintain immune function in the eye. When we see more lipids in the microglia, we know that something is wrong. It means that the microglia aren't doing their job." Jiyang Cai, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and physiology, OU College of Medicine To determine how the breakdown occurs, Cai and colleagues are mapping the links between cells and genes in the eyes of laboratory mice. Age-related macular degeneration begins with weakening of retinal pigment epithelium cells (RPEs), a layer of cells that support the retina's photoreceptors. When degeneration occurs, the affected tissues call in immune cells to clear the metabolic products, which in turn triggers chronic inflammation. In published and preliminary studies, Cai has determined that RPE cells send signals via miRNA to microglia by using extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny delivery vans that transport packages of information. The research team also found that microRNA-204 targets the Tgfbr2 gene in microglia, which is involved in inflammation and fat metabolism. They are now trying to understand is whether extracellular vesicles from RPE cells can be used or engineered to rejuvenate aging retinal microglia. In other words, perhaps the delivery vans can be programmed to carry cargo that is beneficial to the retina. "We want to figure out how microRNAs in these extracellular vesicles interact inside the microglial cells, which might provide a mechanism for future treatments," Cai said. "Until now, we've just watched something get fed into a black box and done a readout of what comes out," he said. "With this research, we're trying to understand how cargo contents within EVs might contribute to the therapeutic effects of these vesicles." Cai said the results of these studies will provide insights into how EVs and their associated cargoes interact with two distinct cell types in the outer retina. The findings could also guide future applications of EV-based delivery of compounds to modulate microglia function and alleviate the progression of age-related retinal diseases. If successful, the strategy would be a welcome departure from current therapies. For patients with dry macular degeneration, the most common form of the disease, treatment includes injecting antibodies directly into the eye. Unfortunately, these treatments are only about 10-15% effective at slowing the progression of the disease, Cai said. There are currently no treatment options for many of the patients with late-stage AMD. Still, as promising as the work is, Cai said it won't turn back time. Weaker vision is simply a part of getting older. "We're looking to slow the progression of the degeneration rather than preventing it from happening," he said. "Everybody will get some kind of degeneration with aging. But maybe we can turn it into a minor annoyance rather than a life-changing eventuality." Stanford Medicine researchers have developed a blood test capable of detecting cancers, the ways cancer resists treatments and tissue injury caused by non-cancerous conditions. The new test analyzes RNA molecules in the bloodstream. This type of RNA is called cell-free RNA because the tiny molecules no longer inhabit a cell. There are always fragments of both DNA and RNA floating in blood - byproducts of natural cell death from all types of tissues and organs throughout the body, including cancerous tumors. The researchers spent more than six years developing novel methods to target messenger RNA in blood and then used it to identify the presence of cancers at different stages, to track resistance to cancer treatment, and to monitor severity of injury to healthy tissue. Just as archeologists can learn about ancient societies by studying the garbage they left behind, we can learn a lot about what is going on in the cells of a patient's body based on the degraded RNA molecules that are cleared through the blood. We have developed a sensitive, versatile new type of liquid biopsy that measures cell-free and circulating-tumor RNA and has the potential to enhance personalized medicine in cancer and non-cancer diseases." Maximilian Diehn, MD, PhD, co-lead author and the Jack, Lulu, and Sam Willson Professor and a Stanford Medicine professor of radiation oncology A paper explaining the method and applications of the cell-free RNA blood test was published in Nature on April 16, 2025. Monica Nesselbush, a postdoctoral scholar at the Stanford Cancer Institute, Bogdan Luca, postdoctoral scholar in pathology, and Young-Jun Jeon, a former postdoctoral scholar at Stanford Medicine who is now a professor at Sungkyunkwan University, are joint first authors. Ash Alizadeh, MD, PhD, the Moghadam Family Professor and a professor of medicine, oncology and hematology, co-led the study with Diehn. Detecting cancers and resistance to treatment There is not a lot of cell-free RNA in the blood, and around 95% of it is the ribosomal RNA that makes up the cellular structures that manufacture proteins. The new blood test analyzes messenger RNA, which makes up less than 5% of the cell-free RNA pool, because these molecules serve as a signal about which genes are expressed as proteins. The researchers restricted their analysis of gene expression to a group of about 5,000 genes that are not typically expressed in the blood of healthy people. Focusing on these so-called rare abundance genes increased the ability of the test to correctly identify cancer by over a factor of 50. The test found lung cancer RNA in 73% of lung cancer patients, including at early stages. "Analysis of the rare abundance genes lets us focus on the most relevant subset of RNA for detecting disease, just like archaeologists who want to learn about what people ate might focus on a subset of artifacts such as food containers or utensils," Alizadeh said. Detecting cell-free messenger RNA means the blood test is capable of monitoring conditions that do not involve genetic mutations that are the basis of most DNA-based tests, such as certain causes of resistance to cancer treatments. "Unfortunately, a significant fraction of our patients who are being treated for cancer go on to have their therapy stop working, and that resistance is often based on adaptations that do not involve genetic changes, but instead altering how the cells behave or even how the cells look under a microscope," Alizadeh explained. "Our non-invasive approach has the potential of avoiding surgical biopsies and identifying these common types of resistance earlier before substantial disease burden shows up on scans or presents with symptoms like pain, providing an earlier opportunity to change treatment and improve outcomes." Finding a biomarker from what is in the freezer Before the research team could read information from cell-free messenger RNA in the blood, they had to overcome the influence of platelets, cells in the blood that are responsible for clotting and contain RNA but not DNA. To prevent platelets from affecting test results and obscuring signals from cancer, the researchers developed a combination of molecular and computational strategies that subtract contributions from these numerous cells. The computational approach to overcoming platelet contamination means the method works both on newly collected blood samples and on samples that have been previously collected and stored. "This approach means that the test can be used to examine blood samples currently in the freezer from a completed clinical trial, for example, and could help find a molecular signature that predicts who responded to a drug and who did not," Diehn said. "We can save time by using historical samples to discover a biomarker that can then be applied in real time to patients moving forward." Tip of the iceberg The new cell-free RNA method also provides useful information for non-cancer applications. The test detected high levels of normal lung RNA in blood samples from patients who were intubated and on a ventilator for treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome, a condition that severely damages the lungs and causes the cells to die. The amount of normal lung RNA in blood samples from patients with COVID-19 reflected how sick they were. The researchers also found normal lung RNA in the blood of smokers who were healthy, possibly indicating microscopic injury to the lungs caused by smoking. Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and the University of Washington also contributed to the study. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grants R01 CA254179, R01 CA244526, R01 CA257655, R01 CA137008, R01 CA229766, T32 CA121940, T32 CA930240) National Science Foundation of Korea, Stand Up to Cancer Phil Sharpe Award, Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research, Susan D. Wojcicki and Dennis Troper Family Foundations, and Lungstrong Foundation. A new study offers insight into what is happening in our brains when our working memory must use its limited resources to remember multiple things. Researchers found that two parts of the brain work together to ensure that more brain resources are given to remember a priority item when a person is juggling more than one item in memory. The study involved people remembering spatial locations. Imagine seeing two books on different shelves of a cluttered bookcase that was not arranged in any order. How could you remember where they were if you came back a few seconds later? That's the job of working memory, which temporarily stores information in your brain for a short period of time, while you process and decide what to do with it, said Hsin-Hung Li, lead author of the study and assistant professor of psychology at The Ohio State University. In this study, published recently in the journal Science Advances, Li and his colleagues observed activity in the brain while people tried to remember the location of two items. Very often when you try to remember multiple things, one item might be more important than another. What we found is that the more important item is represented in the brain more precisely, while the less important item is given much lower resolution." Hsin-Hung Li, lead author of the study and assistant professor of psychology, The Ohio State University In the bookshelf example, you may remember exactly where on a specific shelf the more important book was located. But you may only know that the less vital book was somewhere in the upper left corner of the bookshelf. The study involved participants whose brains were scanned in an fMRI machine while they looked at a screen. They were shown two dots, and their goal was to memorize their positions on the screen. Participants were told it was more important to remember the location of the dot that appeared in one area of the screen this was the high-priority item. The two dots appeared on the screen simultaneously for just a half-second. Twelve seconds later the participants were asked where one of the dots had appeared. Usually, they were asked where the high-priority dot had appeared. But about 30% of the time, they were asked to indicate where the low-priority dot had shown up. Researchers found that they could see activity in the visual cortex of the brain as the participants tried to memorize the location of the dots, Li said. The high-priority dot was represented more precisely, while the low-priority dot was represented more coarsely, with less resolution. This tactic by the brain worked. Later, when participants indicated where they had seen the dots on the screen, they placed the high-priority dot closer to its actual location than they did with the low-priority dot. The researchers found something else when they analyzed the fMRI scans the frontal cortex of the brain was communicating with the visual cortex, telling it the level of resources it should allocate to remembering the location of each dot. "With limited memory resources, the frontal cortex was deciding which dot would get more resources, so it would be remembered more precisely," Li said. This finding was important because neuroscientists had debated which part of the brain the frontal cortex or the visual cortex is responsible for working memory involving visual objects, like the dots in this study. "We found that they both had a role. The visual cortex creates the visual representation of the two dots that people were trying to remember," he said. "But the frontal cortex is making this allocation decision about which one should get more working memory resources and which one should get less." Another unique part of this study was the fact the researchers decoded brain activity of people looking at two different things at once for each single trial, something that has rarely been done. "It is a very useful technique, and I think scientists will use this more in the future. There are so many situations in which people are trying to hold multiple thoughts in their minds and it is very useful to be able decode more than one," Li said. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, UCSB Academic Senate Research Grant, and Swartz Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. Li did the research at New York University, where he received his PhD and was a postdoctoral researcher. Other co-authors on the study were Thomas Sprague, a former NYU postdoctoral fellow now at the University of California, Santa Barara; and Aspen Yoo, Wei Ji Ma and Clayton Curtis of NYU. A nationwide shift is underway as Britains looming disposable vape ban halts the upward trend in e-cigarette use. This behavioral pivot, captured in a large-scale population study, shows how policy signals alone can reshape health choices across generations. Study: Changes in vaping trends since the announcement of an impending ban on disposable vapes: A population study in Great Britain. Image Credit: PavelKant / Shutterstock.com In a recent study published in the journal Addiction, researchers report that previously rising rates of vaping began to decline following the British government's announcement of new vaping policies in January 2024. Both adult and young adult vapers are increasingly replacing their previously disposable vapes with devices that can be refilled and recharged. A surge in vaping among youths in Great Britain Since 2021, vaping or e-cigarette use by minors has significantly increased in Great Britain. The widespread availability of new disposable vapes, which are cheap, colorful, easy to use, have sleek designs, and can be discarded after the e-liquid or battery runs out, largely contributed to increased vaping among adolescents. The rapid rise in vape use and its adverse effects on both human health and the environment underline the need for federal restrictions on disposable vapes. In 2024, the British government announced that disposable vapes would be banned in the United Kingdom starting June 1, 2025, as part of initiatives to mitigate the rise in youth vaping and protect children's health. Soon thereafter, the Scottish and Welsh governments also confirmed their intention to implement the same ban on disposable vapes. In response to this ban, e-cigarette manufacturers began selling reusable versions of their popular disposable models. These newly manufactured rechargeable or refillable vaping products have rapidly gained popularity among the youth. There is a possibility that some disposable vape users have transitioned to reusable devices. As federal regulations are being increasingly implemented in nations worldwide, it is essential for policymakers to understand the impact of these strategies. About the study The researchers of the current study identified any changes in e-cigarette use between January 2022 and January 2025. All relevant data were collected from the Smoking Toolkit Study, which is an ongoing cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of youth in Great Britain. Vaping status was determined based on questions in which the participants were asked about their current smoking status, if they had quit or reduced smoking, and what factors contributed to their decision to stop smoking. Study participants were also asked about the type of e-cigarette or vaping device they used. Study findings A total of 88,611 study participants were considered between January 2022 and January 2025. The mean age of the participants was 48.1 years, with 50.6% of them being women. A total of 9,276 study participants were between 16 and 24 years of age. Approximately 4.8% of the survey respondents failed to specify their vaping device type and were excluded from the final analysis. From January 2022 onwards, the prevalence of vaping increased by 23.4% and 17% each year among adults and young adults, respectively. Moreover, the number of vape users who primarily used disposable devices increased by 17.7% every year among adults, with the prevalence of these users remaining stable among young adult vapers. After January 2024, a significant change in current vaping prevalence was observed, as vaping rates were unchanged in both adults and young adults. A sharp decline in the use of disposable vapes by 32.6% and 44.3% each year was also reported among adult and young adult vapers, respectively. Instead of increasing, vaping prevalence stabilized and there was a substantial decline in the proportion of vapers mainly using disposables. Assuming that the current trend remains constant, the researchers estimated that 24.9% of adult vapers and 27.6% of young adult vapers would completely transition to disposable vapes by June 2025. Conclusions Since the British government announced its intention to ban disposable vapes in January 2024, more people have begun using reusable vaping devices instead of disposable vapes. Thus, although strict policy options under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill may not necessarily lead to complete vaping cessation, some restrictions may be needed to further reduce already declining vaping rates. While vapers shifiting away from disposable products is likely to have a positive impact onr educing environmental harms, it does not mean that a ban on disposable vapes is unlikely to have a large impact on reducing vaping prevalence. Taken together, these findings provide important insights into the impact of rapidly evolving policies on vaping. insights from industry Hinnah Campwala Principal Scientist Sartorius In this interview, News Med talks to Hinnah Campwala about the pivotal role of transfection in modern research and drug discovery. Transfection is a tool that sees widespread use across a diverse range of research and drug discovery areas. Transfection facilitates the controlled introduction of DNA or RNA, creating new avenues in the exploration of gene functions and cellular pathways without the need to use viral vectors. Image Credit: Billion Photos/Shutterstock.com This interview with Hinnah Campwala, Principal Scientist in Sartoriuss Cell Biology Development Group, looks at some of the many advantages and best practice approaches to transfection. What are the differences between DNA and mRNA transfection? The choice between DNA and mRNA is an important consideration in transfection, as each offers distinct advantages. DNA transfection is generally preferred for long-term, stable expression and for integration into the host genomeuseful when generating stable cell lines. Its also beneficial for CRISPR editing and applications that require co-expression of multiple genes. mRNA transfection, by contrast, enables faster protein expression and avoids the need for nuclear entry and transcription. This makes it well suited for time-sensitive studies like cell-reporter assays, particularly with difficult-to-transfect cells such as primary immune cells. DNA is typically more stable and cost-effective than mRNA, making it a common choice across many studies. However, mRNA transfection is especially effective when rapid protein expression is needed, especially in cell types that are harder to transfect. What are some of the most common challenges associated with hard-to-transfect cells? Working with hard-to-transfect cells like mesenchymal stem cells or T cells is often one of the most challenging aspects of transfection. This is because these cell types are typically less receptive to standard transfection protocols, resulting in high cytotoxicity, low efficiency, and inconsistent results. I have found that selecting the right reagent is key, with specialized reagents able to provide targeted delivery while helping to reduce cytotoxic effects. For example, I have had success working with Polyplus reagents to transfect human mesenchymal stem cells and T cells, for example, jetOPTIMUS for DNA and jetMESSENGER for mRNA. The scientific team from Polyplus has also been extremely supportive in troubleshooting these complex projects. What are some of the most recent advances in chemical transfection? Chemical transfection methods have seen significant advances in recent years, with improvements in formulations that boost both cell viability and transfection efficiency coming to the fore. These innovations are particularly valuable in high-throughput applications or research working with sensitive cell types. For example, lipid-based reagents now boast transfection efficiencies of more than 80 % with high cell viability, making them an ideal option in a diverse array of settings. Lipid-based reagents such as liposomes and lipid nanoparticles can now offer targeted delivery alongside enhanced uptake in hard-to-transfect cells. New formulations improve target specificity while minimizing off-target effects, including cell-penetrating peptides and ligand-conjugated reagents. What are some of the most important tips when working with transfection? Maximizing transfection efficiency while minimizing cell stress is key, and this requires attention to detail and an understanding of the transfection process. For example, it is important to select a reagent that is compatible with your nucleic acid and cell type, adjusting variables like incubation time, concentration, and temperature as required. It is also advisable to use actively dividing, contamination-free cells that have been seeded at the recommended density. Properly stored high-quality nucleic acids are key, and it is important to avoid freeze-thaw cycles in order to maintain nucleic acid integrity. Cell health and transfection efficiency should be tracked, with media replaced or refreshed as needed in order to help minimize cytotoxicity. Where possible, cells should be monitored in real time, leveraging high-throughput tools for live-cell analysis and screening cytometry to track efficiency and adjust conditions as required. What are some of the most common application fields where Polyplus transfection technology is used? Now part of Sartorius, Polyplus Transfections range of innovative and high-quality nucleic acid solutions has been specifically tailored for use in research, bioproduction, and gene therapy applications. Researchers undertaking gene function studies can leverage transfection to manipulate gene expression, allowing them to better understand cellular processes and functions. By tracking specific genes as part of reporter-gene studies, scientists can achieve real-time monitoring of cell behavior, gene expression, and protein interactions. Transfection is also instrumental in validating gene targets and screening therapeutic compounds as part of therapeutic discovery. How do you see transfection technology evolving in the future? Transfection technology is set to become even more precise and scalable, as next-generation reagents such as advanced lipid nanoparticles and biodegradable polymers contribute to enhanced transfection precision and safety. These advances will also make transfection more versatile and applicable to different fields, improving gene-editing accuracy and opening doors to new therapeutic applications. These innovations are also expected to work alongside tools like CRISPR-Cas9, prime editing, and base editing, with transfection playing an increasingly pivotal role in therapeutic development and personalized medicine. Request a Sample Acknowledgments Produced from materials originally authored by Sartorius Corporation. About Hinnah Campwala Hinnah Campwala is a Principal Scientist in the (Product Development) Reagent and Consumables Group at Sartorius. With a background in drug discovery and immune cell biology, she specializes in the development of innovative reagents and applications to support researchers working with Sartoriuss advanced bioanalytical tools. About Sartorius Sartorius is a leading international pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment supplier. With our innovative products and services, we are helping our customers across the entire globe to implement their complex and quality-critical biomanufacturing and laboratory processes reliably and economically. The Group companies are united under the roof of Sartorius AG, which is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and holds the majority stake in Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A. Quoted on the Paris Stock Exchange, this subgroup is comprised mainly of the Bioprocess Solutions Division. Innovative technologies enable medical progress A growing number of medications are biopharmaceuticals. These are produced using living cells in complex, lengthy and expensive procedures. The Bioprocess Solutions Division provides the essential products and technologies to accomplish this. In fact, Sartorius has been pioneering and setting the standards for single-use products that are currently used throughout all biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Making lab life easier Lab work is complex and demanding: Despite repetitive analytical routines, lab staff must perform each step in a highly concentrated and careful way for accurate results. The Lab Products and Services Division helps lab personnel excel because its products, such as laboratory balances, pipettes and lab consumables, minimize human error, simplify workflows and reduce physical workloads. Eboni Tomasek expected to take home her newborn the day after he was born in a San Jose hospital. But, without explanation, hospital staff said they needed to stay a second night. Then a third. A nurse said her son had jaundice. Then said that he didn't. She wondered if they had confused her with another African American mother. In any event, why couldn't she and the baby boy she'd named Ezekiel go home? No one would say. "I asked like three times a day. It was brushed off," Tomasek said, relaying her story by phone as she cradled Ezekiel, now 6 months old, in their San Jose apartment. She was told only that more tests were being run to ensure "everything's good before you leave." She knew that her intensifying anger and fear about the holdup could raise her blood pressure, that Black pregnant women and new mothers are especially vulnerable to hypertension, and that it could kill her. Distraught, she called the person she most trusted to calm her, a caseworker for Santa Clara County's Black Infant Health program. "She really did help me to stay centered," Tomasek said of the caseworker, who tracked her health throughout the pregnancy. "I felt a lot better." Since 2000, approximately 14,000 families have participated in Santa Clara County's Black Infant Health program and related Perinatal Equity Initiative, both aimed at decreasing racial disparities in maternal and infant health. Enrolled mothers are assigned caseworkers and nurses who visit them at home to monitor blood pressure and other vital signs, help with breastfeeding, and screen infants for developmental delays. The mothers also attend support groups to learn skills to buffer the well-documented effects of racism in obstetric care. The programs have measurably improved the health of enrolled women over the past decade, county data from 2024 shows, reducing rates of maternal hypertension a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths by at least 30% and increasing screenings for other potentially life-threatening conditions. Experts in the field and program participants stress that this work is urgent in California, Black women are at least three times as likely as white women to die from pregnancy-related causes, and, nationally, Black infants have the highest rates of preterm birth and mortality. While advocates for Black mothers laud the programs' results as cause for optimism, they are concerned that the climate against diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives could impede progress. Efforts to improve the health of this at-risk population have been targets of private lawsuits before, but since President Donald Trump took office, he has demanded the termination of all "'equity-related' grants" and threatened federal litigation against programs he claims illegally favor one racial group over another even when they are designed to save lives, as is the case with the Santa Clara efforts. Santa Clara County has received most of the $1 million-plus in federal funding it expects for Black Infant Health and the Perinatal Equity Initiative programs for the fiscal year ending in June. But county officials say it's unclear how much, if any, of the remaining money which comes from the federal health department's Health Resources and Services Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is at risk amid federal anti-DEI policies and the recent cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services. The status on funding for the coming fiscal year is also unknown, county officials said. Santa Clara stands to lose more than $11 million in public health funds due to the federal cuts, including money used to help deliver health services to underserved communities. A list of some of the federal grants already terminated includes millions of dollars from at least three programs in other states focused on Black birth outcomes. Any decrease in federal funding for these types of programs could have dire consequences, said Angela Aina, cofounder and executive director of Black Mamas Matter Alliance. "We will likely see an increase in deaths," she predicted. Aina's group pilots research and promotes public policy on behalf of 40 U.S. community-based organizations focused on Black maternal health. Member programs connect pregnant women to health care, counseling, and nutritional and breastfeeding advice, among other things. If these services are cut, advocates fear, the progress made toward reducing racial disparities in birth outcomes could backslide. KFF research has found that eliminating such focused efforts could exacerbate the inequities, worsen the nation's health, and increase health care costs overall. "Our stakeholders are in a state of confusion right now because the federal workers that still have a job are not allowed to communicate, or theres some kind of muzzle on their communication," Aina said. "We don't know are we going to receive the rest of those grant funds?" When asked how the state would respond to federal budget cuts to programs like Black Infant Health, Brian Micek, a California Department of Public Health spokesperson, said only that the agency remains "committed to protecting Californians' access to the critical services and programs they need" and steadfast in its mission to "advance the health and well-being of California's diverse people and communities." Requests for comment from the federal departments responsible for the grants funding Santa Clara's programs went unanswered. Communications directors from groups working on reducing racial disparities in birth outcomes declined to be interviewed for this article, citing fears of retribution. Tonya Robinson, program manager for Black Infant Health, stands defiant in the face of these threats. She sees the federal government's anti-DEI crusade as an invitation to practice the very skills they teach. "Our program is working," Robinson said. "And the way it's working is by empowering women, giving women voices to help them stand up for what is right, and to recognize discrimination and the impact of structural racism on their bodies." The government's antagonism toward her work inspires Robinson to soldier on calmly as a role model for the women she serves. "Were continuing to forge ahead," Robinson said. "We want to make sure that we can be an example of how to manage stress at this time, in front of our clients." Evidence surfaced that childbirth was deadlier for African American women than white women more than a century ago. But the issue did not gain significant public attention until 2018, when celebrities like Beyonce and Serena Williams began airing their harrowing birth stories, highlighting the striking vulnerability of Black pregnant women and new mothers, even those with unlimited means. In 2021, then-President Joe Biden proclaimed a week in April Black Maternal Health Week. A presidential proclamation marking that week in 2024 read that "when Black women suffer from severe injuries or pregnancy complications or simply ask for assistance, they are often dismissed or ignored in the health care settings that are supposed to care for them." Eboni Tomasek certainly felt ignored. Three days after giving birth in September and after her Santa Clara caseworker reminded her she had a right to know why she wasn't being released a nurse finally explained that Tomasek's blood pressure had been too high for the hospital to safely discharge her. Had she been white, Tomasek believes, the staff would have informed her sooner. "I feel like they were being racist," she said. She credited her training through Black Infant Health with her ability to calm herself and help lower her blood pressure, allowing her to leave that day with Ezekiel. Jamila Perritt, president and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health, believes that the poor health outcomes Black women and infants face have historical roots and will change only with the help of programs that, like those in Santa Clara, address conditions facing Black women. "What were seeing in terms of maternal mortality are race-bound conditions," said Perritt, an obstetrician who co-chairs Washington, D.C.'s Maternal Mortality Review Committee. "Our policies cannot be race-blind if were attempting to address them." This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. Middle-aged Americans demonstrated some of the highest levels of loneliness in a new study assessing tens of thousands of 50-to-90-year-olds across 29 countries. The peer-reviewed research, published in Aging and Mental Health, shows loneliness generally increases with age with only the United States and the Netherlands representing places where middle-aged people feel more lonely than older generations. There is a general perception that people get lonelier as they age, but the opposite is actually true in the U.S. where middle-aged people are lonelier than older generations. Advocacy and interventions to address the loneliness epidemic have historically focused on older adults and adolescents. Middle-aged adults represent a critical population that is being overlooked." Robin Richardson, PhD, lead author, social and psychiatric epidemiologist and assistant professor, Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health Loneliness is a significant public health concern, responsible for a wide range of physiological, cognitive, mental and behavioral health outcomes that decrease quality of life and increase the risk of disease. Using data from 64,324 older adults in countries across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, Richardson collaborated with experts from Columbia University; McGill University in Canada; and Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile. They investigated prevalence of loneliness, linked with demographic and health factors, to investigate factors that contribute to loneliness throughout life. The team found that while loneliness generally increased with age, the size of the increase was greater in some countries than others. Adults in Bulgaria and Latvia reported the most substantial increase in loneliness as people age. They found that adults in Cyprus and Greece had the highest prevalence of loneliness among adults aged 50 90 years. The U.S. had a substantially higher prevalence of loneliness among middle-aged adults, a pattern shared with only one other country, the Netherlands. Why are middle-aged people reporting higher loneliness levels? Being unmarried, not working, depression and poor health were major reasons why loneliness varied with age, but the importance of these contributors and the combination of factors were different in each country. For example, in the U.S., not working was the top reason for a higher amount of loneliness among middle-aged adults, while in other countries it resulted in more loneliness among older adults. Approximately one fifth of loneliness contributors remained unexplained across countries, and this unexplained 20% was concentrated among middle-aged adults. The authors suggest this could be due to the unique social circumstances middle-aged adults face, such as highly constrained leisure time to socialize due to competing work, childcare, and aging parents' caregiving demands. Middle-aged adults have unique experiences that may differ substantially from other age groups and may contribute to loneliness. The United States has less robust social safety nets than many of the other study countries and is exceptional in its high cost of care, which may make middle-aged adults especially vulnerable to loneliness, the authors say. What can be done to mitigate loneliness? "Our work shows that loneliness varies remarkably across country and age, and accordingly loneliness is not an immutable consequence of age or environment. This finding suggests that loneliness may be very sensitive to changes to life circumstances," says Richardson. "Our findings show that loneliness is not just a late-life issue," adds senior author Dr. Esteban Calvo, Dean of Social Sciences and Arts at Universidad Mayor in Chile. "In fact, many middle-aged adults-often juggling work, caregiving, and isolation-are surprisingly vulnerable and need targeted interventions just as much as older adults. Globally, we must extend depression screenings to middle-aged groups, improve support for those not working or unmarried, and adapt these efforts to each country's context-because a one-size-fits-all approach will not solve this worldwide problem." Given that loneliness varies across location and life circumstances, health policies and social programs to reduce loneliness should first confirm which age groups are at highest risk of loneliness in a particular setting, the authors add. Limitations of the research include a low response rate among people from some countries. Additionally, the disclosure of sensitive health conditions such as loneliness and depression may have been underreported in some countries. However, to mitigate this, data was harmonized to enable the same loneliness measurement approach, analysis, and variables across countries. Namaste Again, Kolkata! Buddha Air To Restart Kathmandu Flights After 6 Years Curated By : PTI Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 10:51 IST This revival comes after Buddha Air had to stop the Kathmandu-Kolkata flights in 2019 due to heavy losses, even though it was flying three times a week back then. The flight duration between Kathmandu and Kolkata is just 1 hour and 25 minutes. Nepals leading private airline Buddha Air is set to resume Kathmandu-Kolkata flights after a gap of six years. Namaste Kolkata! The wait is almost overstay tuned!" the airline wrote in a post on its social media handle, adding, Kolkata coming soon." According to Nepals media reports, the airline plans to introduce its commercial lights to Kolkata by mid-July. Recommended Stories We competed with Air India when we flew to this destination 6 years ago. Now that Air India has pulled out, we see a commercial opportunity and have decided to resume the flights," Rupesh Shrestha, director of Sales and Marketing at Buddha Air, was quoted as saying by the Republica daily. The airline is actively working towards that end," he added. In 2019, Buddha Air operated three weekly flights on the route for nine months but discontinued the service as it had to incur a huge loss. This time, the company plans to operate four weekly flights the same frequency previously maintained by Air India. The airline operates regular commercial flights to Varanasi and aims to expand to Guwahati, Lucknow, and other Indian destinations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We see strong potential for two-way trade and tourism in these destinations," Shrestha said. The Kathmandu-Kolkata flight takes 1 hour and 25 minutes. About the Author Samreen Pall Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: April 22, 2025, 10:51 IST Srinagar-Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Line: Check Starting Date, Journey Time Here, Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 09:12 IST The train was earlier scheduled to be inaugurated on April 19. However, due to the possibility of adverse weather conditions, the launch event has been postponed This new route will be particularly beneficial for devotees travelling to Srinagar after visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi temple. (News18 Hindi) People have long awaited the commencement of train services between Srinagar and Mata Vaishno Devi (Katra). This new route will be particularly beneficial for devotees travelling onwards to Srinagar after visiting the temple, as the journey can now be done conveniently by train. The train was initially scheduled to be inaugurated on April 19. However, due to the possibility of adverse weather conditions, the launch event has been postponed. Recommended Stories According to Indian Railways sources, the train is fully ready to run on the Srinagar-Katra route, and all operational details, including the schedule, have been finalised. While the new launch is expected in May, the exact date is yet to be confirmed. As this railway line marks a major milestone not only for Kashmir but for the entire country, it is likely that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the service. According to the Ministry of Railways, two Vande Bharat trains will operate on the first day, one from Srinagar and the other from Katra. This journey will be particularly special, as the train will pass through the worlds highest railway bridge, the Chenab Rail Bridge, during the route. Journey Duration The journey between Srinagar and Mata Vaishno Devi will cover a distance of 272 km and will take approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. Currently, the same journey by road takes nearly seven hours, so the new train will cut the travel time by more than half. Initially, only one Vande Bharat train will run. Based on passenger demand, additional trains may be introduced. Specially Designed For The Valley top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A special version of the Vande Bharat train has been developed to withstand the harsh winter conditions of the valley. It is equipped with heating systems, including silicon heating pads, to prevent the water tanks and bio-toilets from freezing. The train also features an overheat protection sensor for added safety. Heaters are installed to ensure passengers receive warm air, and an auto-draining mechanism is in place within the plumbing lines to prevent water from freezing during extreme temperatures. Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 09:12 IST ED Likely To Grill Jaggi Brothers In Mahadev Betting Probe Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 08:03 IST ED is reportedly preparing to summon Jaggi brothers in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Mahadev Book illegal betting application Anmol jaggi studied B.Tech in Applied Petroleum Engineering (Photo Credit: X) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is reportedly preparing to summon Anmol and Puneet Singh Jaggi, the promoters of Gensol Engineering, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Mahadev Book illegal betting application, according to sources cited by The Economic Times. Although the ED has not yet formally summoned the Jaggi brothers, it recently froze over 500,000 shares of Gensol Engineering. Investigators suspect the shares were subject to artificial price manipulation, potentially linked to the Dubai-based Zenith Multi Trading DMCCa firm reportedly associated with Mahadev scam accused Hari Shankar Tibrewal. Recommended Stories A senior government official revealed to ET that the investigation has uncovered alleged stock manipulation involving illicit funds from the Mahadev app, routed into Gensol Engineering through foreign portfolio investment (FPI) channels. The agency aims to determine whether the companys promoters were aware of the origin of these funds. Earlier this week, the ED attached securities and demat accounts worth over Rs 573 crore as part of the probe. This includes assets tied to Gensol Engineering. According to BSE filings, the EDs Raipur Zonal Office now holds 520,063 Gensol shares (1.37% stake), previously registered under Zenith Multi. The Raipur office is leading the investigation into financial irregularities related to the Mahadev app case. On April 16, the agency conducted searches at over 50 locations across Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Indore, Jaipur, and Sambalpurincluding the residence of EaseMyTrip founder Nishant Pitti. In a recent statement, the ED disclosed that funds generated from the betting platforms were laundered into India via FPIs based in jurisdictions like Dubai and Mauritius. These proceeds were allegedly funneled into SME-listed stocks to create artificial price fluctuations and mislead retail investors. The probe also highlights the role of listed company promoters who allegedly facilitated the entry of tainted money through preferential share allotments and other financial instruments. To date, the ED has searched over 170 locations, arrested 13 individuals, and seized or attached assets worth Rs 3,002.47 crore. Seventy-four entities have been named as accused. Mahadev app founders Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, now Vanuatu citizens, remain absconding. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The agency believes the scam exceeds Rs 5,500 crore, with proceeds invested in cryptocurrencies, real estate, and stocks. Tibrewal and associate Suraj Chokhani are alleged to be key players in laundering the illicit funds through stock investments via FPIs. Alongside ED, the CBI and the Directorate General of GST are also probing the scam. 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 22, 2025, 08:02 IST Flipkart To Shift Base Back To India From Singapore Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 12:34 IST Many Indian startups that once chose to be based abroad for better access to capital and smaller tax bills are now queuing to return home. Flipkart started in 2007 by selling books online and expanded into a behemoth that competes with Amazon in India, and moved its holding company to Singapore in 2011. Flipkart will shift its holding company from Singapore to India, the e-commerce company said on Tuesday, as its parent Walmart aims to take the 17-year-old company public. Many Indian startups that once chose to be based abroad for better access to capital and smaller tax bills are now queuing to return home from financial hubs such as Singapore and the US due to better initial public offering (IPO) prospects in a country that does not allow dual listings. This move represents a natural evolution, aligning our holding structure with our core operations," Flipkart said in a statement. Recommended Stories Flipkart started in 2007 by selling books online and expanded into a behemoth that competes with Amazon in India. It moved its holding company to Singapore in 2011. Walmart bought a controlling stake in Flipkart in 2018, which also gave it ownership of PhonePe, a digital payments company owned by Flipkart at the time. In 2022, PhonePe separated from Flipkart and shifted its headquarters from Singapore to India, a move that left Walmart with a tax bill of nearly $1 billion. Walmart is looking to list Flipkart and PhonePe in India over the next couple of years, Dan Bartlett, Walmarts executive vice president for corporate affairs, told Reuters last year. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all PhonePe has already begun preparatory steps for a public listing on Indias stock exchanges. Financial technology firms Razorpay and Pine Labs, quick commerce startup Zepto and advertising technology company InMobi are among startups that have already shifted, or are in the process of shifting, back to India. First Published: April 22, 2025, 12:34 IST IndusInd Bank Shares Slide 6% On Second Forensic Audit Over Rs 600 Crore Issue Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 11:48 IST Shares of IndusInd Bank fell sharply in Tuesday's trade as concerns resurfaced over a Rs 600 crore discrepancy; Key details for investors IndusInd Bank Share Price Today IndusInd Bank Share Price Today: Shares of IndusInd Bank fell sharply in Tuesdays trade, sliding as much as 6.3% to an intraday low of Rs 775.40, as concerns resurfaced over a Rs 600 crore discrepancy in its microfinance portfolio. The stock later pared some losses but was still trading 3.4% lower at Rs 799 apiece by 10:45 AM, even as the Nifty50 gained 0.40%. This marked a pause in the stocks recent five-session rally and deepened its year-to-date losses to 16.6%, significantly underperforming the broader index, which is up 2.2% this year. The fresh pressure on the stock comes amid reports that the bank has initiated a second forensic audit, appointing global consulting firm EY to probe the Rs 600 crore irregularity. According to an Economic Times report, the discrepancy was uncovered during the banks statutory audit for FY24. The auditors subsequently issued a communication under Section 143(12) of the Companies Act, 2013, raising red flags about possible accounting lapses. Preliminary findings suggest the discrepancy emerged during the second or third quarter of FY24 and is not spread over multiple years. Recommended Stories The new probe follows a separate issue that came to light last month regarding discrepancies in the banks derivatives portfolio. An external review conducted by PwC, which was appointed to validate the banks internal audit, estimated a negative impact of Rs 1,979 crore as of June 30, 2024. The bank said the discrepancy would result in a post-tax hit of 2.27% on its net worth as of December 2024, when it stood at Rs 65,102 crore. Earlier in March, the bank had flagged the issue internally, estimating a 2.35% adverse impact on its net worth, or around Rs 1,530 crore. Meanwhile, in its Q4 FY25 business update, IndusInd Bank reported a 5.2% quarter-on-quarter decline in net advances to Rs 3,47,933 crore, though on a year-on-year basis, advances were up 1.4%. The corporate banking segment witnessed a 4.9% Y-o-Y and 15.1% Q-o-Q contraction in net advances, while the consumer business segment grew 6.3% Y-o-Y and 3.4% Q-o-Q. Total deposits in the quarter rose marginally by 0.4% Q-o-Q to Rs 4,11,140 crore, with year-on-year growth at 6.8%. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The banks current account and savings account (CASA) ratio stood at 32.8% in Q4, down from 37.9% in the same quarter last year. The daily average liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) during the quarter was 118.4%, and it stood at 136.2% as of March 31, 2025. IndusInd Bank now faces heightened scrutiny as it deals with multiple layers of audit and regulatory review, raising investor concerns about governance, transparency, and the accuracy of its financial reporting. 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 22, 2025, 11:48 IST This DU Student Has 10 Medals, 50 Certificates, Yet No Internship. Here's Why Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 14:35 IST Bisma Fareed, a first-year BA English Honours student at Hansraj College, Delhi University, is frustrated by internship rejections despite her academic achievements. She values practical experience Bisma Fareed highlighted that the education system is overly focused on marks, neglecting practical skills and real-world experience. (Local18) A first-year undergraduate student at Delhi University recently sparked a widespread discussion on social media by voicing her frustration over not landing any internship opportunities, despite her excellent high school performance and numerous accolades in college competitions. Bisma Fareed, who is pursuing a BA in English Honours at Hansraj College and resides in Delhi with her parents, clarified that her viral post had been misunderstood. She never claimed to have a degree but instead highlighted her achievements in high school, intermediate, and college competitions. Despite these accomplishments, companies have consistently rejected her internship applications. Recommended Stories Bisma explained that many companies require candidates to have prior experience for internships, creating a catch-22 for first-year students like herself. She finds it frustrating that despite excelling in communication skills and participating in numerous debates, companies are unwilling to give her a chance. The intention behind Bismas post was to inform students about the limitations of relying solely on academic achievements such as certificates, medals, or grades. She emphasized the importance of practical experience and hands-on work. According to her, the education system is overly focused on marks, neglecting practical skills and real-world experience, which leaves students ill-prepared for life after school or college. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bisma advocates for an education system that prioritizes practical work, enabling students to gain relevant experience during their studies. She believes that students should be able to demonstrate practical knowledge in their field of study to secure internships and jobs. Her disheartening experience of being repeatedly rejected from internships despite her academic success has led her to this conclusion. In a message to her fellow classmates, Bisma stressed that students should focus on gaining practical experience early on. Practical work is what ultimately leads to internships and job opportunities, not just academic accolades, she added. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 14:35 IST Who Is Shakti Dubey? IAS Topper 2025 Worked Hard 7 Years To Get All India Rank-1 Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 17:06 IST Shakti Dubey IAS Topper 2025: Shakti Dubey from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, secured All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024. UPSC 2024 Topper Shakti Dubey hails from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Shakti Dubey UPSC Topper 2025: In a momentous achievement that has electrified her hometown and the broader academic community, Shakti Dubey emerged as the All India Rank 1 holder in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination 2024, the results of which were announced on Monday, April 21. A native of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Dubeys triumph is being hailed not only as a personal victory but as a proud milestone for her city and state. Dubey, whose academic roots lie in the sciences, carved her path to the top after years of tireless dedication. Her journey began in the classrooms of Allahabad, where she received her early education, and continued through Allahabad University, where she pursued a BSc degree. Recommended Stories She later completed her post-graduation in Biochemistry from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 2016, an academic foundation that initially appeared far removed from the political and administrative arena she has now conquered. Her pivot to civil services began in earnest in 2018, when she decided to pursue her long-cherished dream of joining the bureaucracy. Despite hailing from a science background, Dubey chose Political Science and International Relations as her optional subjects an unusual but ultimately successful combination that underscored her versatility and strategic acumen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In a mock interview conducted during her preparation, Dubey reflected on her journey, emphasising the unflinching support of her family throughout the seven-year odyssey. She credited her parents and loved ones as the cornerstone of her success. This achievement is as much theirs as it is mine," she had said. News of her top rank sparked celebrations in Prayagraj, where family, friends, and neighbours gathered to share in the joy. The atmosphere at her home was one of jubilant pride, a testament to years of quiet perseverance and unwavering faith. First Published: April 22, 2025, 16:17 IST Has Australia Banned Student Visas From These 6 Indian States? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 13:25 IST The abrupt decision has left many students and education consultants uncertain, especially those who have completed their studies or IELTS preparation Many agents advocate for a case-by-case approach rather than an overarching ban. (Representative/Shutterstock) Australia has long been a favoured destination for Indian students, much like Canada. However, the dream of studying in Australia has recently become more challenging for Indian students, particularly those from six states: Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat. Reports indicate that prominent Australian universities such as Federation University, Western Sydney University, Victoria University, and Southern Cross University have temporarily halted student visa applications from these regions. This decision is reportedly part of a broader initiative by the Australian government to crack down on the misuse of student visas. Recommended Stories According to visa consultants and foreign education experts, the move has caused significant concern among both consultants and students. The unofficial ban is expected to have the greatest impact on Gujarati students, for whom Australia is one of the top three destinations for higher education. Approximately 20 percent of students from Gujarat choose Australia for their studies, a figure likely to decline due to the new restrictions. The move aims to curb instances of visa abuse, where students enter Australia on student visas but then engage in illegal work or abandon their courses. The sudden decision has left many students and education consultants in a state of uncertainty, particularly those who have already completed their studies or IELTS preparation. Many agents advocate for a case-by-case approach rather than a blanket ban. A spokesperson at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, however, denied the reports. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The assertion that Indian university student applications from specific Indian states are being banned, or restricted, is incorrect. There are over 125,000 Indian students currently studying in Australia the second largest cohort of students from any country and the Australian Government continues to process Indian student visa applications in line with our global standards," the spokesperson said. India and Australia continue to have a very strong relationship in the field of education. Australia deeply values Indian students, and the Australian Government welcomes their contribution to our classrooms and Australian society." Location : Australia First Published: April 22, 2025, 17:55 IST 'Looks Like Malicious Intent': ECI Sources Rebut Maharashtra Poll Charges Made By Rahul Gandhi At US Event Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 17:11 IST Rahul Gandhi, in his latest visit to the United States, alleged that the Maharashtra electoral rolls were tampered with to benefit the BJP last year Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (File image: PTI) Days after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of India of vitiating the electoral process, the ECI has come out with a strong rebuttal. Any misinformation being spread, by anyone, is not only a sign of disrespect towards the law but also brings disrepute to the thousands of representatives appointed by their own political party and demotivates lakhs of election staff who work untiringly and transparently during elections. After any unfavourable verdict by the voters, trying to defame the Election Commission by saying that it is compromised is completely absurd," top officials of the poll panel said. Recommended Stories Rahul Gandhi, in his latest visit to the United States, alleged that the Maharashtra electoral rolls were tampered with to benefit the BJP last year. It is very clear to us that the Election Commission is compromised, and it is very clear that there is something wrong with the system. I have said this multiple times," said the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. The Congress lawmaker said more people voted in the Maharashtra assembly election than there were adults in the state. The Election Commission gave us a voting figure for 5.30 pm, and between 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm, 65 lakh voters voted. This is physically impossible For a voter to vote, it takes approximately three minutes, and if you do the math, it would mean that there were lines of voters till 2 am, but this did not happen," he said. The Congress leader also said that when asked for the videography, the ECI not only refused but also changed the law so that now we are not allowed to ask for the videography". The election panel, though, dismissed the charges and asked why polling agents appointed by the Congress didnt raise concerns before the returning officer at the right time. In every polling booth, the voting progressed in front of the polling agents formally appointed by candidates/political parties. The INCs nominated candidates or their authorised agents have not raised any substantiated allegations with regards to any kind of abnormal voting at the time of scrutiny before the Returning Officer (RO) and the Election Observers on the next day," ECI sources said. The apex body for elections in India contended that there is no merit in the charge that voter turnout suddenly went up in the last hour of the voting window. During assembly elections in Maharashtra, 6,40,87,588 electors, who reached the polling station from 7 am to 6 pm, voted. About 58 lakh votes were polled per hour on average. Going by these average trends, nearly 116 lakh voters could have voted in the last two hours. Therefore, the casting of 65 lakh votes by electors in two hours is much below the average hourly voting trends," officials said. Clarifying on the charge of electoral roll manipulation, ECI officials pointed out that there was only one appeal filed by the Congress in Maharashtra at the appellate stage, showing that their grievance about the electoral rolls was an afterthought, post-defeat. After the finalisation of these electoral rolls during Maharashtra elections, as against 9,77,90,752 electors, only a total of 89 appeals were filed before the 1st appellate authority (DM), and only one appeal was filed before the 2nd appellate authority (CEO). Therefore, it is amply clear that there was no grievance of the INC or any other political parties before the conduct of Maharashtra assembly elections in 2024," said the sources. The ECI officials further said that during the revision of electoral rolls, for 1,00,427 polling booths, along with 97,325 booth-level officers appointed by the EROs, a total of 1,03,727 booth-level agents were also appointed by all political parties, including 27,099 by the Congress. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Therefore, these unsubstantiated allegations raised against the electoral rolls of Maharashtra are an affront to the rule of law," they said. Contending that all polls are being held as per the rule of law, ECI sources said that all details about Maharashtra have been available on the Election Commission website since December 2024, so repeating the charges without looking at the clarification looks like malicious intent. 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 22, 2025, 17:01 IST Do All Christians Follow The Pope? Orthodox Church, And Its Relations With Putin Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: News Desk Last Updated: May 01, 2025, 11:06 IST Eastern Orthodox Church, includes Greek & Russian Orthodox Churches. Unlike Catholics, Eastern Orthodox allows priests to marry. Russian Orthodox Church rejects union with the West In this 2019 photo, Pope Francis and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet on the occasion of their private audience at the Vatican. (AP File Photo) With the passing of Pope Francis, 88, on Monday, the Vatican has announced a nine-day mourning period known as Novendiale, as per the ancient Roman tradition. Nearly 1.4 billion members of the Roman Catholic Church are waiting for their next pope. So, is Pope the leader of the Christian world? The differences between Catholics and other Christians are very significant. Recommended Stories Let us find out the about the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestants. And where does the Russian Orthodox Church stand amidst all this. Who Are Catholics? All Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics. A Christian refers to a follower of Jesus Christ who may be a Catholic, Protestant, Gnostic, Mormon, Evangelical, Anglican or Orthodox, or follower of another branch of the religion. A Catholic is a Christian who follows the Catholic religion as transmitted through the succession of Popes. The Pope is the leader of the Catholic church. The Catholic church is the largest of the Christian churches about 60% of Christians are Catholic. Catholics also follow the teachings of Jesus Christ through the church. They believe in the special authority of the Pope which other Christians may not believe in. The Catholic Church teaches the doctrines of Jesus Christ as transmitted in the New Testament of the Bible, as well as the teachings, Psalms, and histories of the Jewish prophets in the Old Testament. The Catholic Religion preserves a tradition of Priesthood, Monks, and Nuns that date back to the early middle ages and before. The Roman Catholic Church has around 1.3 to 1.4 billion members worldwide, making it the largest Christian church, according to the figure provided by baptized Catholics. The Eastern Orthodox Christians The Eastern Orthodox Church, also known as the Orthodox Catholic Church, is one of the three main divisions of Christianity, with around 260 million followers worldwide. Primarily rooted in the eastern part of the Christian world, it encompasses numerous autonomous churches, including the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches. The Great Schism of 1054 kept apart the Eastern Orthodox from the Roman Catholic Churches, due to cultural, political, and theological differences. While Eastern Orthodoxy shares core beliefs with Roman Catholicism and Protestantismsuch as the Trinity and the resurrection of Jesusthere are notable distinctions in their theological perspectives and practices. In contrast to the Western Christian traditions, followers of Eastern Orthodoxy do not see sin and salvation in legalistic terms. Whereas Roman Catholics and Protestants believe that humanity deserves punishment for original sin. Eastern churches include the Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Bulgarian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox, and Romanian Orthodox churches; the churches of Alexandria and Jerusalem; and the Orthodox Church of America. Eastern Orthodoxy has nothing to do with the Pope, as each church is governed by its own head bishop. Additionally, Eastern Orthodoxy permits priests to be married when ordained. The Russian Orthodox Church Initially under Constantinople, the Russian Orthodox Church unilaterally declared its independence from the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1448. Constantinople, surrounded by the Ottomans, had recognised the universal and supreme jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, then Pope Eugene IV, over the whole Church at the Council of Florence in exchange for military aid. The Russian hierarchy unreservedly rejected the act of union with Rome and became de facto autocephalous, as per Theos. As the military aid provided by the West proved insufficient, Constantinople fell, as did its alliance with the See of Rome, but the Russian bishops remained autonomous. Thus, the Russian Orthodox Church as its own entity was born out of a categorical rejection of union with the West. The Russian Orthodox Church And Kremlin The Russian Orthodox Church has received an unusual amount of attention in the last few years following Russias invasion of Ukraine Patriarch Kirills close support for Vladimir Putins military ambitions. Most of the attention towards the Russian Orthodox has been as a result of the symbiotic relationship between the Russian Church and Putins government. Ben Ryan, in his essay for Theos, a UK-based think tank, noted that Putin has allowed the Church to return to prominence and supported it in a way unheard of since the Revolution. The Church has, in turn, provided some of the intellectual and cultural backing for Putins Statist vision for Russia and the wider Russian sphere of influence." It is not unbelievable that the Russian Orthodox Church has benefitted materially from its association with Putins Kremlin especially in the early 2000s, when it was still recovering from 70 years of Soviet oppression. Putins administration helped the Church secure funding, recover previously nationalised property, and obtain legal protection and status. Polls clearly show Russians are losing faith in the state, yet the Russian Church, acting as a cultural symbol and providing a point of reference for collective identification and expression beyond the political, does not seem affected by this loss of trust. Many have found the Russian Church guilty of supporting Russias military aggression in Ukraine. Its spiritual head, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus, has not only failed to condemn Russias military aggression," in the words of Metropolitan Kliment, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Churchs Synodal Department for Information and Education, but he also failed to find words for the suffering of the Ukrainian people". Putins Faith And Church After the news of Pope Francis death came out, Putin sent his condolences. Please accept my most sincere condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis," Putin said in a message to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. Throughout the years of his pontificate, he actively promoted the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See," he said. Putin has been a ardent supporter of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has led to its return to prominence since the Revolution. In turn, the church has also provided some of the intellectual and cultural backing for Putins vision for Russia and the wider Russian sphere of influence. Reports suggest that Putin has seemed to use the Church in an instrumental way to support his actions at home and abroad. No other Russian leader since the Tsars has felt the need to do so. Reports suggest that the increased assertion of faith by Putin is part of a broader trend of seeking a nationalist agenda when the economy has declined. But even relatively early in his presidency, Putin had spoken about his faith and had formed a close bond with certain members of the clergy in the early 2000s, when his popularity was at its peak. In early meetings with then US President George Bush, Putin made much of his personal faith apparent by showing off the small aluminium cross that he wore round his neck and making much of his Christian commitment. Who Are The Protestants? The Protestant Reformation began in the early 16th century, dividing the church into Catholic and Protestant denominations. Catholic monk Martin Luther (1483-1546) in the German city of Wittenberg, set out to reform the Roman Catholic Church, but instead ended up becoming the founder of a second Christian confession. In his 95 Theses, he aired his complaints about many aspects of the church, including the selling of indulgences, which believers could buy to redeem their sins. The profits of such sales were funding the construction of the new St. Peters cathedral in Rome. Instead, he argued, salvation could only be reached by faith, as per Deutsche Welle. Protestant Christians, as made clear by Luther, believe the Bible is the Sola Skriptura," Gods only book, in which He provided His revelations to the people and which allows them to enter in communion with Him. The Protestant Churches are called Evangelical," which means according to the Gospel," do not make up one united Church. There are rather several tens of thousands of different denominations around the world. Officially, all of these many churches are considered equal. Protestants do not subscribe to papal primacy. According to the Evangelical view, this dogma contradicts statements in the Bible. Unlike Catholics, Protestants do not consecrate specific persons into office, but rather accept the principle that priesthood can be transferred to every believer even to women. In the Protestant Church, every baptized person is invited to share and is allowed to lead the Lords Supper. This approach is not accepted by Catholics. Additionally, Eucharist has a different meaning for Catholics and Protestants. The bread, known as the Host, embodies Jesus and can therefore be prayed to. For Protestants, the ritual only serves to commemorate Jesus death and resurrection. Most Protestant churches only practice two sacraments: baptism and the Eucharist (called Lords Supper). They are perceived as symbolic rituals through which God delivers the Gospel. They are accepted through faith. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Though all religions in the world adhere to the concept of celibacy abstaining from marriage and having sexual relations but the Protestant Church rejects this obligation for priests. Martin Luther demanded its abolition as early as 1520. He made a decisive personal contribution to this end in 1525: The former monk married the former nun Katharina von Bora. Initially unsure of whether he should marry, Luther finally determined that his marriage would please his father, rile the pope, cause the angels to laugh, and the devils to weep." About the Author Shilpy Bisht Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her prev... Read More Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her prev... Read More First Published: April 22, 2025, 10:59 IST Will US, Iran Revive 2015 Nuclear Deal? How Russia Could Play A Key Role | Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 14:02 IST The two pressing issues are the storage or destruction of Irans stockpile, and the guarantees that can be provided to Iran if the US was to breach an agreement Russia has said it was ready to mediate and assist in the nuclear talks between the US and Iran. (Reuters File Photo) The United States and Iran held the second round of nuclear talks in Rome on April 19, a week after it held a successful first meeting in Omans capital Muscat. Technical discussions" are now expected to begin on Wednesday in Oman, after which more high-level meetings will be held to move closer to an agreement. Recommended Stories What Are The Technical Negotiations? The experts from both the countries will be discussing the inner workings of sanctions relief and how that relates to Irans nuclear programme before the third session on April 26 in Oman. The last two rounds were indirect talks between Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, passing messages through Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi. Al Jazeera reported that the Iranian response was very positive" for a delegation that had seemed pretty negative going into the talks". What Led To The Talks? In early March, President Donald Trump said he had written to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, asking for talks on the countrys nuclear programme. But the letter was sent via the United Arab Emirates, and UAE presidential diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash delivered it nearly a week after Trumps announcement. Though Khamenei declared that Iran would not accept the demands of bully governments", something thawed the ties and Iran agreed for indirect talks. Interestingly, Oman was the mediator for the initial secret talks between Iran and the US that led to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It should be noted that agreeing to limits on how much uranium Iran can possess and how much enrichment it can perform shows that Trump is simply replicating key elements of the 2015 Obama-era nuclear agreement, which he called a disaster" and ultimately ripped up in 2018. What Is Irans Nuclear Programme? Iran is believed to have nuclear sites across several locations. The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) believes Iran had a coordinated, secret nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003. The Islamic Republic denies ever having had one or planning to have one. Iran, which maintains it is not seeking nuclear weapons, now has a supply of highly enriched uranium that could be converted to weapons-grade fuel for at least three bombs in a time frame ranging from a few days to a few weeks," The Washington Post reported. As the US pulled out of the US-Iran JCPOA in 2018, Iran violated a few rules in order to retaliate the sanctions imposed on them. Iran has installed thousands of advanced centrifuges (purification machines) to enrich uranium, something which was banned by the JCPOA. According to IAEA, Iran is enriching uranium to up to 60% fissile purity, close to the 90% of weapons grade, at two sites. In theory, it has enough material enriched to that level, if further enriched, for almost four bombs. Nuclear weapons require uranium which has been enriched to 90% purity. Under the JCPOA, Iran was only allowed to possess up to 300kg of uranium enriched to 3.67% well enough for civilian nuclear power and research purposes but not nuclear bombs, as per BBC. But the IAEA said by March 2025, Iran had about 275 kg of uranium which it had enriched to 60% purity. That is enough to theoretically make about half a dozen weapons, should Iran further enrich the uranium. What Does The US And Iran Want? The two pressing issues at hand are the storage or destruction of Irans stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and the guarantees that can be provided to Iran if the US was to breach an agreement to lift economic sanctions in return for Iran putting its nuclear programme back under external supervision by the IAEA. Witkoff has said 3.67% would be an acceptable level of uranium enrichment, which is the same as agreed on in the JCPOA under Barack Obama. Iran also wants a guarantee of consequences for the US if it pulls out of another deal. Iran wants to keep its uranium stockpiles inside the country, but the US rejects this and wants either the stockpiles destruction or a transfer to a third country, such as Russia. Iran believes it has received assurances that the US objective is not the entire dismantling of its nuclear programme. How Moscow Could Become A Key Player Araghchi said he had briefed Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on the first round of talks in Oman, and praised Russias role in the 2015 agreement. Lavrov said Russia was ready to mediate and assist in the nuclear talks. We are ready to help, mediate and play any role that, from Irans point of view, will be useful and that will be acceptable to the United States," Lavrov said, as quoted by The Associated Press. We proceed from the fact that the only option for an agreement, as the (Iranian) minister just said, is an agreement exclusively on nuclear issues." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Araghchi said he gave Putin a message from Supreme Leader Khamenei, who has a final say on all state matters in Iran. He did not elaborate. If the US is in breach for Russia to be empowered to return the handed-over stockpile of highly enriched uranium to Tehran, it should be ensured that Iran would not be punished for non-compliance. This would potentially give Russia a key role in the future US-Iran nuclear talks, and might keep out Germany, France and the UK, the current guarantors of the 2015 agreement, as per a report by Guardian. 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 22, 2025, 14:02 IST 3 From Dombivali Among Victims Of Pahalgam Terror Attack; Helpline Launched For Thane Locals In Kashmir Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 02:04 IST Confirming the news, the Thane district administration said they are in touch with the families of the victims and are offering all necessary assistance. Security forces en route to the site where tourists were attacked by terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pahalgams Bainsram in Kashmir. (IMAGE: SOURCED) Three residents from Dombivli in Maharashtras Thane district were among the victims of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that took place on Tuesday. The deceased have been identified as Hemant Joshi, Sanjay Lele and Atul Mone. Confirming the news, the Thane district administration said they are in touch with the families of the victims and are offering all necessary assistance. Additionally, helpline numbers have been issued for Thane residents who are currently in Kashmir and may require support. Recommended Stories According to top intelligence inputs, four to six terrorists were involved in the attack, including at least three foreign nationals and one local from Kashmir. Bullets fired from M4 carbines and AK-47 rifles were recovered from the site. The attack occurred around 2:30 pm on Tuesday in the Bainsram area, where several tourists were on horseback exploring the meadows. Two foreign nationals are also among those killed in the attack. Security forces have intensified combing operations in the region. A group of terrorists linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) attacked a group of tourists in Baisaran valley in southern Kashmirs Pahalgam, killing 28 and injuring many others. The group named The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media post which also included a picture of one of the injured tourists. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A bloodied and injured tourist said that two terrorists dressed in military fatigues opened fire at them. The visibly distraught and injured tourists were brought to a nearby hospital for treatment. Women and elderly were among the group of tourists attacked. One tourist succumbed to the injuries while being rushed for treatment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah both vowed to come down heavily on the terrorists and assured that they will be brought to justice. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opted to cut short his official visit to Saudi Arabia. Skipping the scheduled official dinner, the Prime Minister has decided to return to India earlier than planned. Originally set to return Wednesday night, PM Modi will now depart for India tonight and is expected to arrive early in the morning. About the Author Shrishti Negi Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More First Published: April 23, 2025, 02:04 IST Bengal Cops Didn't Answer Our Calls, BSF Reached Hours Before Them: Murshidabad Villagers Reveal Their Saviour Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 15:15 IST Murshidabad: On ground zero, the BSF, which has been vilified by the Mamata Banerjee-led Bengal government, is seen as a saviour Murshidabad villages demand a BSF outpost in the area. (News18) As violence hit Murshidabad on April 8, West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Border Security Force (BSF) of fuelling tension. I came across news claiming the role of elements from across the border in the Murshidabad unrest. Is it not the role of the BSF to guard the border? The BSF is under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The state government does not guard the international border. The Central government cant evade responsibility. I will find the local youths the BSF paid to throw stones during the violence," the CM had said, addressing a meeting with Muslim religious leaders in Kolkata, last Wednesday. Recommended Stories On ground zero, however, the much vilified BSF is seen as a saviour". POLICE WERE TOO LATE Jaffrabad village in Murshidabads Shamsherganj area is still coming to terms with the murders of 72-year-old Haragobinda Das and his 40-year-old son Chandan. Locals, however, allege, the BSF personnel reached the affected village at least two hours before the local police, turning out to be the first responders. We fought the attackers for hours. We were tired of resisting them. We called the police a hundred times. They didnt pick up the calls. When they did answer, the police told us, Jaan bachake bhaago (Save yourselves and run). Around 2 pm, a BSF vehicle reached here, giving us the much-needed comfort," says Ranjit Kumar Pal. He adds that around 4 pm, the local police came to the village. Mandal claims the build-up for the mayhem started around 9 am as an anti-Waqf protest turned communal and violent. His father, 50-year-old Balaram Pal, nodded as an exasperated Ranjit recounted the chronology of the day. He bought a bed four days ago. The bed has been completely burnt to ashes," says Balaram, as Ranjit corrects, The whole house is burnt." Ranjit has taken refuge at his uncles house in the next village until they have a roof on their heads. Swarup Das, the nephew of Haragobinda Das, echoed the sentiment. We were calling the police since 8.30 or 9 am. But the police turned up at 4 or 5 pm." By the time the police reached the area, it was too late for the family, as two of them had become victims of a frenzied mob. We dont trust the state authorities. We need the CentreThe Centre should set up a BSF camp here. Otherwise, we wont be able to live here," adds Swarup. Meanwhile, six locals Babul Sk, 24, Abdul Khalek, 24, Saba Karim, 25, Roni Sheikh, 23, Manarul Sheikh, 54, and Azfarul Sheikh, 21, who had fled to Odisha and were involved in the killing of the father and son have been arrested by the West Bengal Police STF. All are from Sulitala, which is very close to Jaffrabad, as opposed to claims of a Bangladeshi hand". These arrests take the total count to 10. THERE WAS NEVER ANY TENSION IN THIS VILLAGE BEFORE Remembering Haragobinda Das, his childhood friend, Sishir Das says, Why would anyone do this to him? He was the most amicable person. He was equally good to people of both communities, Hindus as well as Muslims. I have never heard him utter a single abuse for anyone in my life." Das, whose house too was burnt, says, There was never any tension in this village. In fact, it was so peaceful that the elections were conducted with security by just civic volunteers here." He, too, agrees with Ranjit and Balarams charge of police turning up very late. The distrust for the local law enforcement machinery was palpable even in the voice of the widow of Haragobinda Das. She expressed her faith in the BSF over state law enforcement. We want a BSF camp here. A state police camp wont do." When asked why, her reply was clear, After so many calls for so long, the police did not turn up". Earlier, News18 met the family of Lily Pal in Degri village, which was caught fleeing their ancestral house in search of safety. For her as well, it is the BSF that inspires a sense of safety and instils hope. We want a BSF camp here. We demand the Presidents Rule in Bengal," she had told News18. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all My request to the Prime Minister is that we should have a BSF camp in Jaffrabad. We will not survive if the BSF doesnt stay here Otherwise, the attackers will kill us. Nothing will be left," urges Ranjit. Unperturbed by political allegations and not burdened by local expectations, the BSF personnel quietly march through the serpentine roads, by the ponds, crossing orchards in violence-torn Murshidabad. 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 Location : Murshidabad, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 15:10 IST 'IAF Officer Tried To Choke Me, Bit My Hand': What Biker Told Police In Bengaluru Road Rage Case Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Vani Mehrotra Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 10:52 IST In the Bengaluru road rage case, biker Vikas alleged that IAF officer Shiladitya Bose assaulted him by choking, biting, and hitting him. He also claimed Bose snatched his phone. A screengrab of the Bengaluru road rage (Social Media)/IAF officer Shiladitya Bose (PTI) Vikas Kumar, the two-wheeler rider who was arrested in connection with the Bengaluru road rage case, has alleged that the Indian Air Force officer he was involved in a scuffle with attempted to choke and kill him. He also said IAF officer Shiladitya Bose tried to bite his hand, snatched his mobile and flung it in the air. Recommended Stories In the First Information Report (FIR) he submitted against Bose, Vikas Kumar alleged, The car brushed against my bike. When I confronted him, the man got down from the car and pushed me and the bike to the ground." The man told me I am in the Air Force, dont play with me," Vikas alleged. When I tried to call my friend, he tried to bite my hand and snatched my mobile and threw it away. He flung my bike key," he said. He tried to choke my neck and kill me," Vikas alleged in the FIR. ALSO READ | IAF Officer Booked For Attempted Murder, Provoking Breach Of Peace As New Videos Emerge Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said Bose had completely lost control and started badly assaulting the biker. He was hitting him like mad, had lost control completely," said one of the eyewitnesses. We tried to stop the fight, but the officer was out of control," another one said. We are not taking sides, but the IAF officer too should follow the law. He landed 15-20 blows, flung Vikass phone with full force as he attempted to record the incident," they said. Vikas, who works at a software companys call centre, was arrested in connection with the incident after the Air Force officer, in a self-recorded video on social media, alleged he was assaulted and verbally abused by a group of Kannada-speaking individuals who chased him on a bike in Bengaluru early Monday. The police later termed it a case of road rage and said both parties attacked each other. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Videos widely being shared on social media showed the IAF officer roughing up Vikas and hitting him, even as his wife tried to stop him. The incident occurred while the officer was on his way to the airport with his wife, who is also an IAF officer. About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More First Published: April 22, 2025, 10:49 IST Bengaluru Road Rage: IAF Officer 'Absconding'; Sources Say Couple Not Providing Dash Cam Footage To Cops Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 10:55 IST The minister said that an FIR has been registered in the matter and an investigation is underway IAF officer Shiladitya Bose (L) / a screengrab of him thrashing the biker (R) (PTI/Social Media) Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has said that Indian Air Force (IAF) officer Shiladitya Bose, who was allegedly attacked during a road rage incident in Bengaluru, is absconding. The minister said that an FIR has been registered in the matter and an investigation is underway. Recommended Stories The youth who was attacked has filed a complaint as well. The Wing Commander hails from Bengal and is absconding for now. The police are investigating," Parameshwara said. The incident came into the limelight after Bose claimed in a video that he was left with a bloodied face after the motorbiker hit him. However, the bike rider, Vikas, alleged Boses car hit his vehicle first. When he confronted the IAF officer, Bose got down from his car and pushed him as well as his bike to the ground, as per Vikass complaint. Vikas also alleged that Bose attempted to choke his neck to kill him. Vikas, who works at a call centre, was previously arrested based on the officers complaint. Bengaluru Twist: IAF Officer Booked For Attempted Murder, Provoking Breach Of Peace As New Videos Emerge Several videos of the incident surfaced on social media showing a physical confrontation between the officer and the biker. Meanwhile, sources in Bengaluru Police said the couple is not providing them footage of the dash cam installed in their car. Boses wife has claimed that the device was locked and the password was with her husband who is in Kolkata. She also claimed that part of the device was with her husband. The officer, in his initial video, claimed that the incident had been captured on his cars dash cam. But the couple is not cooperating with the probe and is yet to share the footage," police sources said. IAF Officer Booked For Attempt To Murder Bose has been booked on charges of attempt to murder and falsely claiming that he was assaulted by the biker for not speaking Kannada, in the Bengaluru road rage case. An First Information Report (FIR) was registered after a formal complaint was received by the police from the bike rider, Vikas. Sections 109 (attempt to murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 304 (snatching), 324 (mischief), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked against the IAF officer. As per the FIR, Bose first attacked the biker, while the man on the two-wheeler just retaliated in self-defence. Thereafter, Bose thrashed the biker. Bose later lied and alleged he was attacked by the biker for not speaking Kannada. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to the charges, such lies could give way to language/racial tensions. The IAF officer falsely claimed he was with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He made false claims about the attack and uploaded the video on social media. Bose also attempted to use military higher-ups and tried to mislead them on the entire incident to hush up the case. 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 22, 2025, 10:43 IST Bilateral Talks, Strategic Partnership Council Meet: State-Run Saudi Press Agency Spotlights PM Modis Visit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 02:52 IST The Prime Minister decided to cut short his Saudi Arabia visit and return home on Tuesday night following the Pahalgam terror attack Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (File image/AP) Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit was the focus of state-run Saudi Press Agency, which shared details and photographs of bilateral discussions and the meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. PM Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam as they co-chaired the Strategic Partnership Council, aimed at further strengthening the friendship between the two countries. Recommended Stories The Prime Minister, who arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday on a two-day visit, delayed his scheduled meeting with the Crown Prince by at least two hours to assess the situation in Kashmir, where terrorists killed 28 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. PM Modi, who held bilateral talks with the Saudi Crown Prince, skipped an official dinner and decided to cut short his visit and return home on Tuesday night. He was originally scheduled to return to India on Wednesday night. Earlier, the Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Al Salam Palace (Palace of Peace), where he was received by Crown Prince Mohammed. The two leaders hugged as they greeted each other, according to the photographs shared by the Saudi Press Agency. It was followed by detailed bilateral discussions and the meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, which was established during the prime ministers 2019 visit to strengthen bilateral ties. After the talks, India and Saudi Arabia signed some memoranda of understanding (MoUs). This was the Prime Ministers third visit to the Gulf Kingdom and the first one to the historic city of Jeddah. This visit will strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia", Modi earlier posted on X in English and Arabic. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As a special gesture, the prime ministers aircraft was escorted by F-15s of the Royal Saudi Air Force in Saudi airspace. The gesture was seen as a deepening of defence cooperation between the two countries. (With PTI inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: April 23, 2025, 02:52 IST 'Cross-Border Terrorism From Pakistan Discussed': MEA Says Saudi Arabia Condemned Pahalgam Attack Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 00:14 IST Suhel Khan, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said India and Saudi Arabia discussed the Pahalgam terror attack and have an "excellent cooperation" on issues related to terrorism PM Narendra Modi with Deputy Governor of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 22. (Image: @MEAIndia/PTI) India on Tuesday said Saudi Arabia condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, which claimed 28 lives, including two foreign nationals, and left several others injured. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) held a press briefing after Prime Minister Narendra Modi abruptly ended his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and decided to return to New Delhi following the deadly attack. Modi, who held bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, skipped an official dinner hosted to address the crisis. Recommended Stories Suhel Khan, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said cross-border terrorism from Pakistan was openly discussed. India and Saudi Arabia have an excellent cooperation" on issues related to terrorism, he said. His Royal Highness also offered any help in this regard. We continue to work together on this issue. Both leaders expressed their condolences. The Crown Prince assured all help," the MEA said. Besides the discussions on the terror attack in Pahalgam, the two countries also inked an agreement on two refineries that will be built in India. Agreements in the sectors of space and healthcare were also signed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The ministry further said among other topics discussed during the Prime Ministers shortened visit was the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). It said the Crown Prince appreciated Indian diaspora. The second meet of India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Council was also held, while the PM also met members of the Indian community. Warm and close friendship visible today. The PM was given special honour, aircraft was escorted, Saudi delegation had various senior ministers. Two leaders agreed to expand scope of strategic partnerhsip council in areas of defence and culture," the ministry added. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: April 23, 2025, 00:14 IST Delhi Issues Heat Action Plan 2025, Calls For Rescheduling Work And School Hours During Peak Heat Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: April 21, 2025, 18:24 IST The 160-page plan outlines measures like shutting schools during peak heat, shifting outdoor work hours, supplying ORS at bus stands, and prioritising power to hospitals. Pedestrians cover their heads to protect themselves from the scorching heat, at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi on April 7. (Image: PTI/Vijay Verma) The Delhi government on Monday issued the citys Heat Action Plan 2025, which includes suggestions to reschedule working and school hours during peak heat (12 pm4 pm). In the over 160-page plan, the government outlined the roles and responsibilities for managing heatwaves during the heat season. Listing the responsibilities of the Labour and Employment Department, the government said it should encourage employers to shift outdoor workers schedules away from peak afternoon hours (1 pm5 pm) during heat alerts. It also recommended that the department ensure the provision of emergency ice packs and heat illness prevention material to construction workers, as part of a pilot project. Recommended Stories Ensure provision of shelters/cooling areas, water, and supply of emergency medicines like ORS, etc., at worksites by employers. Rescheduling of working hours for employees in different sectors. Ensure sheds for resting and drinking water facilities for workers at all workplaces," the plan states. The plan also emphasised special care for vulnerable groups, including women and the elderly. Additionally, the Labour Department was directed to coordinate with the Health Department to ensure regular health check-ups for workers, and to provide emergency kits and heat illness prevention material for construction workers. SCHOOL PREMISES TO BE USED AS SHELTERS DURING DAYTIME The Education Department has been asked to ensure the supply of water for students and teachers if schools are functioning. If school is not functioning, permit use of school premises as shelter during daytime," the plan reads. The Education Department has also been instructed to ensure that schools do not operate during peak hours (12 noon4 pm) when a heatwave is declared. No open-air class to be conducted. Rescheduling of school timings and vacations as per the heatwave situation. Ensuring that students avoid outdoor physical activities," the Heat Action Plan states. The Delhi Municipal Corporation has been directed to ensure that water tankers are made available on call in slums during orange/red alert days. Recording ward-wise heatstroke cases, proper cause of death, and monitoring daily mortality as well as daily hospital admissions due to heat-related causes," it said. Additionally, the government said that during peak heatwave periods, power supply companies would be informed to prioritise maintaining electricity to critical facilities such as hospitals and dispensaries. WATER AND ORS PACKETS IN LONG-DISTANCE BUSES The Transport Department has been assigned the responsibility of ensuring the availability of shade and shelters, drinking water, and ORS packets at bus and auto stands. Establish health teams at major bus stands and terminals, and other public places. Ensure availability of water and ORS packets in long-distance buses," the plan adds. ZERO TOLERANCE TOWARDS HEATWAVE-RELATED DEATHS The plan also states that heatwave conditions are likely to have continuing and deadly consequences for human health, making adaptation strategies and the mitigation of heat risks critically important. It is important to develop zero tolerance towards heatwave-related deaths," it notes. The plan further explains that extreme heat threatens the health and livelihood of millions of occupationally exposed individuals in India. Higher daily peak temperatures and longer, more intense heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent worldwide due to climate change. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India too is feeling the impact of climate change in terms of increased instances of heatwaves, which are growing more intense with each passing year and have a devastating impact on human healththereby increasing the number of heatwave casualties Delhi is among the most vulnerable due to its large population and high proportion of lower-income groups," the plan states. The summer season in Delhi begins in early April and continues until mid-June, with peak heat typically occurring in late May and early June. It is characterised by extreme temperatures, low humidity, very hot winds, and occasional thunderstorms. About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More First Published: April 21, 2025, 18:24 IST Former Andhra Pradesh Intelligence Chief PSR Anjaneyulu Arrested In Actress Harassment Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 09:51 IST Former Andhra Pradesh Intelligence Chief, PSR Anjaneyulu, was arrested in connection with a harassment case filed by Mumbai-based actress Kadambari Jethwani. PSR Anjaneyulu arrested (File Image) Senior IPS officer and former Andhra Pradesh Intelligence Chief, PSR Anjaneyulu, was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh CID in Hyderabad. He was arrested in connection with a harassment case filed by Mumbai-based actress Kadambari Jethwani. Anjaneyulu, who served as the Intelligence Chief during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, was known for his close ties with former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. The officer is currently under suspension. Recommended Stories CID officials have confirmed that Anjaneyulu is being transferred from Hyderabad to Andhra Pradesh for further proceedings. The agency has stated that it will carry out a full-fledged investigation into the allegations made by the actress. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : Andhra Pradesh, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 09:51 IST Pakistan Distances Itself From Pahalgam Terror Attack, China Condemns Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 11:34 IST Pahalgam Terror Attack: Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on tourists in J&Ks Pahalgam, killing 28 people. Many world leaders including Trump and Putin condemned the act. Security personnel keep vigil amid high alert after terrorists attacked a group of tourists at Pahalgam. (PTI) Pahalgam Terror Attack: While world leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Russian President Vladimir Putin swiftly expressed condolences over Tuesdays devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Pakistan and China reacted only later. Pakistan denied any involvement in the attack that claimed 26 lives, while China issued a statement condemning the violence. Their responses came nearly 18 hours after the incident and only after major global leaders had already spoken out. Canada, meanwhile, is yet to issue any statement Recommended Stories Terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba opened fire indiscriminately on tourists in J&Ks Pahalgam, killing 28 and injuring several others. The Resistance Front, a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack via a social media post, sharing an image of an injured tourist. At least two foreign nationals were also killed in the terrorist attack. Representatives of several countries, including Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen and ambassadors of other nations like Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Estonia and France have condemned the incident and said there was no justification for such an inhumane act. Trump even spoke to Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday to express his condolences over the Pahalgam terror attack. Condemning the attack, Trump assured India of full support in its fight against terrorism. Russias Putin also condemned the incident as a brutal crime" with no justification whatsoever". However, there has been no reaction from Pakistan, China, or Canada on the terror attack. The silence comes amid already strained diplomatic ties India and Canada have faced tensions over allegations over the death of a Khalistani extremist, while New Delhi is also navigating a fragile relationship with Pakistans all-weather friend China following border standoffs. Follow Live Updates here Pakistan Pakistan is a long-known perpetrator of cross-border terrorism and the hub of terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which was responsible for the 26/11 attacks. The Resistance Front (TRF) is a Lashkar-related group. In a statement, Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, Pakistan has no link with the Pagalgam terror attack." He continued, The Central government in India is facing protests in many states, including Nagaland, Manipur, Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh. This is home-grown as the government is exploiting many. We do not support terrorism in any form, and locals should not be a target for terrorists, and we have no doubt about it." Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said, We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery." Recently, Pakistans Army Chief Asim Munir made a chest-thumping speech in Islamabad, peddling the two-nation theory and stressed that India and Pakistan are two different nations. He said Pakistanis are different from Hindus in their culture, ambition, ideologies, and more. He also referred to Kashmir as Pakistans jugular vein". China Relations between India and China have been tense, particularly after the military standoff in eastern Ladakh and Beijings close ties to Pakistan. However, India-China ties had shown signs of improvement after both countries agreed on military disengagement in eastern Ladakh, and PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first bilateral meeting in Kazan in years. China expressed shock over the attack in Pahalgam and condemned it. Beijing said, Shocked by the attack in Pahalgam and condemn. Deep condolences for the victims and sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families. Oppose terrorism of all forms." Canada top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Relations between India and Canada nosedived after former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of orchestrating the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India responded to these allegations as absurd" and politically motivated", as it expelled six Canadian diplomats in a tit-for-tat move. India also called on Canada to take action against threats against Indian diplomats and anti-India messages promoted by Khalistani extremists. Despite the change of leadership from Trudeau to Mark Carney, much of the diplomatic tension between India and Canada remains unresolved. 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 23, 2025, 02:15 IST In A Special Gesture, Saudi Fighter Jets Escort PM Modi's Plane | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 14:33 IST Modi is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister in 40 years to Jeddah Modi and the Crown Prince will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, established during the prime minister's 2019 visit to strengthen bilateral ties. In a special gesture, F15 jets of Saudi Arabia escorted Prime Minister Narendra Modis plane as it entered their airspace. Modi is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister in 40 years to Jeddah. Recommended Stories Modi and the Crown Prince will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, established during the prime ministers 2019 visit to strengthen bilateral ties. On Wednesday, the prime minister, who received Saudi Arabias highest civilian honour in 2016, will also visit a factory employing Indian workers. PM Modi has hailed Saudi Arabia as one of Indias most values partners, and a trusted friend and ally, describing the current period as promising times for their ties having a limitless potential". #WATCH | In a special gesture, fighter planes from Saudi Arabia escort Prime Minister Narendra Modis plane as it entered Saudi airspace to Jeddah. pic.twitter.com/Vhzxd6ir5p ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 In an interview with Arab News, PM Modi said, India and Saudi Arabia will keep moving forward together for peace, progress and prosperity, not just for our people, but for the entire world." He praised the Saudi leadership for playing a vital role in strengthening this partnership and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the invitation, which marks his thirst visit to the kingdom as prime minister. India and Saudi Arabia are set to sign at least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday during PM Modis visit to Jeddah, news agency PTI reported citing sources. Highly placed sources told PTI that Modi will also discuss issues relating to Hajj including the quota for Indian pilgrims during his meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in the evening. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Indias Haj quota for 2025 has risen to 175,025 from 136,020 in 2014, with arrangements for 122,518 pilgrims finalised. However, due to delays by Combined Haj Group Operators in contract agreements, approximately 42,000 Indians are unlikely to perform the sacred pilgrimage this year. (With PTI inputs) About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Location : Saudi Arabia First Published: April 22, 2025, 13:36 IST Indian Navy Officer, Who Got Married On April 19, Among Victims Of Pahalgam Terror Attack Curated By : News18.com Edited By: --- Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 07:55 IST An Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer was similarly killed in front of his wife and two children in the Pahalgam attack Navy officer Vinay Narwal, killed in Pahalgam terror attack A young naval officer who worked in the forces IT department, got married on April 19, and was on a visit to Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam with his wife, was among those killed in Tuesdays dastardly terror attack. Originally from Haryana, the officer, identified as Vinay Narwal, had been posted in Kochi, and was killed in cold blood, as per information shared by his family. Recommended Stories According to the details, Vinay was a resident of Karnal. He had joined the Navy two years back and was serving as a Lieutenant. He had just arrived in Srinagar, and soon after receiving the news of his death, some of his family members left for the city. His village was informed of his death around midnight. He belonged to the 36th NOC and was an IT officer. Very sad day for us," a colleague of the naval officer said. The officers wife, whose honeymoon was cut short, has survived the attack. Terrorists fire on tourists Twenty-six people, including some foreign nationals, were killed, and several others were injured as terrorists opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, in the worst such attack in Jammu and Kashmir in years. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Srinagar, where he called an urgent security review meeting with all agencies. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then in Saudi Arabia, spoke with him and asked him to visit J&K. IB officer also loses life top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all An Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer was similarly killed in front of his wife and two children in the attack. The off-duty officer, originally from Bihar, was posted in Hyderabad, said his colleagues. He was shot in his head, killed in front of his wife and two kids," a colleague of the deceased told CNN-News18. 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 22, 2025, 23:31 IST Is Vibhor Sharma UPs Youngest RSS Swayamsevak? Meet The Six-Year-Old Who Caught Bhagwats Eye Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 12:14 IST After Mohan Bhagwat's surprise visit to his Aligarh house, Vibhor Sharma said: I go to the RSS shakha every day. I want to become a soldier and serve the nation. Vibhor Sharma (left); RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. (News18/PTI) In a quiet bylane of Aligarhs Panch Nagari, a six-year-old boys unwavering routinewaking up at 5 am, attending school, and never missing an evening Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) shakha sessionhas become the talk of the town. When RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat visited the Sharma household, he wasnt just meeting a kid, he was meeting a symbol of the Sanghs next generation. Recommended Stories The visit, which lasted nearly an hour, left the Sharmas overwhelmed and the entire neighbourhood abuzz with admiration for the youngest face of RSS discipline and devotion. Meet Vibhor, 6, perhaps, Uttar Pradeshs (UP) youngest RSS swayamsevak. IS THIS THE HOME OF SWAYAMSEVAK VIBHOR? Bhagwat arrived in Panch Nagari on the evening of April 19, when the Bhagat Singh shakha had just concluded. Walking up to a modest home, he paused at the gate and asked, Is this the home of swayamsevak Vibhor?" An elderly woman standing nearby nodded with pride and replied, Yes, I am his grandmother." The woman was Kusum Sharma, who, along with her daughter-in-law Garima, welcomed the RSS chief who had arrived unannounced. As the news of the visit reached the family, Vibhors father Diwakar Sharma rushed to the gate to greet the Sanghs topmost leader. HE ASKED MY SON WHY HE LIKED SHAKHA Bhagwat spent almost an hour inside the Sharma household. He interacted closely with all family members and took a keen interest in Vibhors daily life. He asked Vibhor his name, what class he studies in, what his school is called, and why he likes going to shakha," said Diwakar, beaming with emotion. My son answered with innocence and clarity, and Bhagwat ji was very pleased." The meeting was a rare recognition of a child whose deep involvement with RSS shakha activities has become a daily ritualrare for his age, and rarer still to attract attention from the highest echelons of the organisation. SHAKHA HAS BECOME A PART OF HIS LIFE Diwakar, an engineer and swayamsevak himself, shared that Vibhor, who studies in Class 1, has been attending the local shishu shakha for the past year. He participates in niyuddh, danda, samata, and sings the Sangh prayer. He has picked up lathi skills and exercises quickly. Everyone in the shakha likes him," he said. Diwakar, who returned to Aligarh from Noida four years ago after working at an IT company, resumed attending the morning shakha in his locality. I grew up attending shakha and studied at Saraswati Shishu Mandir. When I came back to Aligarh, I reconnected with my roots. Seeing me go, my son became curious and started coming along. What started as an occasional visit is now a habit. He doesnt want to miss it." HE WAKES UP AT 5AM, NEVER SKIPS SHAKHA" Vibhors mother, Garima, highlighted his disciplined routine. He wakes up at 5 every morning, touches the feet of his parents and grandmother, studies for an hour, and then gets ready for school. After school, he finishes his homework on time and leaves for shakha by 6.15 pm. He returns by 7.15 pm, and even at home, he practises lathi and sings RSS geet." She added, Since he started attending shakha, his discipline has improved drastically. He has become more focused and respectful. We were stunned when Bhagwat ji came to our house. He had tea with us, ate dates, namkeen, and biscuits, and asked us about Vibhors daily life." I WANT TO SERVE THE NATION, I WILL JOIN THE ARMY Vibhor, sitting beside his parents, spoke with soft confidence when asked about his ambitions. I go to the shakha every day. We play and we learn to protect our country. I want to become a soldier and serve the nation. I love the Indian Army." Recalling his interaction with the RSS chief, Vibhor added, Mohan Bhagwat ji gave me chocolates and told me to keep going to the shakha. He was very kind." HE LIFTED MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND BLESSED HER Kusum Sharma described Bhagwats simplicity and affection. He even lifted my four-year-old granddaughter Gunnu in his arms. She called him Baba and asked him to visit again. He smiled and replied, Now you come to meet me. It was such a touching moment." DAY THREE IN ALIGARH Bhagwats visit to Vibhors home was part of his third day in Aligarh. On the day, he had participated in the Sanatan Shakha at HB Inter College. In the evening, he attended the Bhagat Singh Shakha in Panch Nagari, where he encouraged swayamsevaks to maintain regular attendance and build a roadmap for future responsibilities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all It was during this evening shakha that someone reportedly told the RSS chief about the little swayamsevak who never missed a single day. While the RSS does not officially confer titles like youngest swayamsevak", moved by the story, Bhagwat decided to meet the boy. First Published: April 22, 2025, 12:11 IST CM Omar Abdullah Calls Pahalgam Attack On Tourists An 'Abomination', LG Manoj Sinha Vows Action Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 19:53 IST Gunshots were heard in the upper meadows of Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley. CM Omar Abdullah Calls Pahalgam Attack On Tourists An 'Abomination', LG Manoj Sinha Vows Action. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgams Baisaran, in which twenty-seven tourists were killed and several others were injured, calling it an abomination". He also announced that he will be immediately returning to Srinagar. In a post on X, Abdullah said, The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. Ive spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo & she has moved to the hospital to oversee arrangements for the injured." Recommended Stories The Chief Minister said that the details of the death toll are still being ascertained, and called the attack much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years". Im shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. Ive spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 22, 2025 Lieutenant Governor of J-K Manoj Sinha also condemned the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam and assured stern action against perpetrators. Lt. Guv Sinha assured the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished." He has spoken to the DGP & Security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations. Directed the district administration and the health officials to provide immediate medical attention to those admitted at Pahalgam. An injured tourist has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured," he said in a post on X. I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. Spoke to the DGP & Security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations. Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) April 22, 2025 Security forces have been rushed to the spot and are trying to reach the location where the attack took place, but are facing difficulties due to the difficult terrain. Meanwhile, a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot has reportedly claimed responsibility for the incident. Terrorists targeted a group of people, including women and elderly individuals, in a brazen attack. A middle-aged male tourist recounted to News18 JKLH that two gunmen opened fire on them. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Top police sources earlier said that the attack started around noon, 1430hrs. Eyewitnesses told security forces that two to three men rushed in dressed in military fatigues, firing indiscriminately at tourists while they were enjoying the Baisaran Meadows of Pahalgam on horseback. According to CNN-News18 sources, security forces are exercising caution while approaching the attack site due to concerns of a potential trap, as the location is accessible only via a non-motorable road. The area has been cordoned off. Location : Pahalgam, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 17:25 IST JD Vance, Family Visit Jaipur's Amer Fort, Welcomed By Traditional Rajasthani Artists & Elephants Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 10:56 IST US Vice President JD Vance, wife Usha Vance and children were welcomed in traditional Rajasthani style at Jaipur's Amber Fort. Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, along with Second Lady Usha Vance and their children welcomed at Jaipur's Amber Fort. (Image: ANI) US Vice President JD Vance, who is on a four-day India trip, visited Amber Fort as he arrived in Jaipur on Tuesday along with his family. During his stay in the pink city, the US Vice President, along with family, is likely to visit other popular sites in the city, including Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar. Vance is also set to meet the Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagade. The Vance family was welcomed in traditional Rajasthani style at Jaipurs Amber Fort. They were greeted with a traditional Rajasthani dance performance and elegantly decorated elephants. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Rajasthan: Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, along with Second Lady Usha Vance and their children welcomed at Jaipurs Amber Fort. pic.twitter.com/bhFxFOLrHW ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 The US Vice President, accompanied by his wife Usha Vance, and their three children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel are staying at Hotel Rambagh Palace. #WATCH | Rajasthan: Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, along with Second Lady Usha Vance and their children at Jaipurs Amber Fort. pic.twitter.com/1bdZtGzYgD ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 Vance is scheduled to deliver a lecture on US-India relations at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) later in the day, which will be attended by diplomats, Indian officials, academics, and policy experts. Ahead of the US Vice Presidents visit, tight security arrangements were made across Jaipur. In fact, Chief Minister Sharma reviewed the preparations for the visit in a meeting on Saturday, a Rajasthan government official told news agency PTI. They are scheduled to leave for Agra on Wednesday morning and then return to Jaipur in the afternoon, as he is scheduled to visit the City Palace in the Rajasthan capital. The Vance family will then depart for the US early Thursday morning. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all JD Vance on Monday visited the Central Cottage Industries Emporium in New Delhi along with his family and also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence. Following his meeting with PM Modi, he said it was an honour" to meet the Indian Prime Minister and called him a great leader". Vance also expressed gratitude for hosting his family at the PMs residence in New Delhi and said that PM Modi was incredibly kind to my family." 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 22, 2025, 10:54 IST Apr 22, 2025 16:53 IST Heres the full text of US Vice President JD Vances address in Jaipur. Well, its an amazing privilege to be here in Jaipur. Im thrilled to address the Ananda Senders India-U.S. Forum, and Im thrilled to have you all here with me. Thanks to all of you, the business leaders, decision makers, and of course the students for being here. And thanks to our great team at the U.S. Embassy for everything that you guys do for our country. In the United States, were proud of the deep connection between our nations, between India and the United States. Prime Minister Modi, as most of you probably know, was one of the first visitors welcomed into the Oval Office during President Trumps second term. And like President Trump, the Prime Minister inspires remarkable loyalty because of the strength of his belief in his people and in his country. Now, were so grateful for Prime Minister Modis hospitality as well as the reception that he and everyone else in this country have given us on this first trip for me to India. This is my first time visiting the birthplace of my wifes parents, and shes, of course, in the front row there. There you are, Usha. Thank you. Shes a bit of a celebrity, it turns out, in India, I think more so than her husband. But I havent been here long, but already Ive been fortunate enough to visit the Akshardham Temple. Did I pronounce that right, honey? I did okay? Okay. All right. With my family this morning, as a matter of fact. And last night, Prime Minister Modi welcomed me, Usha, and our three small children at his beautiful home. Ive been amazed by the ancient beauty of the architecture of India, by the richness of Indias history and traditions, but also by Indias laser-like focus on the future. And those things, I think this appreciation for history and tradition and this focus on the future is very much something that I think animates this country in 2025. Now in other countries Ive visited, it sometimes feels like theres a flatness, a saneness, a desire to just be like everyone else in the world. But its different here. Theres a vitality to India, a sense of infinite possibility, of new homes to be built, new skylines to be raised, and lives to be enriched. And theres a pride in being Indian, a feeling of excitement about the days that lie ahead. Now its a striking contrast with too many in the West, where some in our leadership class seem stricken by self-doubt and even fear of the future. To them, humanity is always one bad decision away from catastrophe. The world will soon end, they tell us, because were burning too much fuel or making too many things or having too many children. And so rather than invest in the future, they too often retreat from it. Some of them pass laws that force their nations to use less power. They cancel nuclear and other energy generation facilities, even as their choices, the choices of these leaders, lead to more dependence on foreign adversaries. Meanwhile, their message to their friends, to countries like India, is to tell them that theyre not allowed to grow. Well, President Trump rejects these failed ideas. He wants America to grow, he wants India to grow, and he wants to build the future with our partners all over the globe. And when I look at this audience, or when I visit this incredible country over these last couple of days, I see a people that will not be held back. The most profound responsibility I believe that all of us have is not to ourselves, but to the next generation, to make sure we leave them with a better society than the one that our parents and our grandparents gave us. And this is the world that America seeks to create with you. We want to build a bright new world, one thats constantly innovating, one thats helping people to form families, making it easier to build, invest, and trade together in pursuit of common goals. Now I believe that our nations have much to offer one another. And thats why we come to you as partners looking to strengthen our relationship. Now were not here to preach that you do things any one particular way. Too often in the past, Washington approached Prime Minister Modi with an attitude of preachiness, or even one of condescension. Prior administrations saw India as a source of low-cost labor on the one hand, even as they criticized the Prime Ministers government, arguably the most popular in the democratic world. And as I told Prime Minister Modi last night, hes got approval ratings that would make me jealous. But it wasnt just India. This attitude captured too much of our economic relationship with the rest of the world. So we shipped countless jobs overseas, and with them our capacity to make things, from furniture, appliances, and even weapons of war. We traded hard power for soft power, because with economic integration, we were told, would also come peace through sameness. Over time, wed all assume the same sort of bland, secular, universal values. No matter where you lived, the world was flat after all. That was the thesis, and that was what they told us. And when that thesis proved false, or at least incomplete, leaders in the West took it upon themselves to flatten it by any means necessary. But many people across the world, and I think your country counts among them, they did not want to be flattened. Many were proud of where they came from, their way of life, the kind of jobs they worked, and the kind of jobs their parents worked before them. And that very much includes people in my own country, the United States of America. Now some of you are aware of my own background. I actually didnt plan to talk about my background at all until last night at dinner, while my children mostly behaved. We gave an A-minus for behavior with the prime minister. The prime minister said, I have one request. I want you to talk a little bit about your background. And so I wanted to do that. For those of you who dont know anything about me, I want to talk about it. I come from, and Im biased, the greatest state in the Union, the state of Ohio, a longtime manufacturing powerhouse in the United States of America. My home, specifically, is a place called Middletown. Now its not a massive city by any means, its not jaypoor, but its a decent-sized town and a place where people make things, which has been a point of pride in Middletown for generations. Its filled with families like my own, some of whom called us hillbillies, Americans who came down from the surrounding hills and mountains of West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky to cities like Middletown in pursuit of the manufacturing jobs that were creating widespread prosperity for families all across America. They came to Middletown in search of what we call back home the American dream. In Middletown, my parents raised me. My grandparents raised me. They taught us to work hard, they taught me to study hard, and they taught me to love God and my country and always be good to your own. My granddad, who I called Papaw growing up, he typified that. Late into life, he worked as a steelmaker at the local mill, and I know India has a lot of those. Papaws job gave him a good wage, stable hours, and a generous pension. All that allowed him to support not just him and my grandmother, but his own daughter and grandkids with him. Now, by the time I came around, money was awfully tight, but he worked hard to make a good living for all of us. Now, I know Papaw and Mamaw were grateful for the way of life their country made possible. Their generation bore witness to the formation of Americas great middle class, and by creating an economy centered around production, around workers who build things, and around the value of their labor, our nations leaders then transformed their country and made thousands of little Middletowns possible. The government supported its labor force. We created incentives for productive industries to take root and struck good deals with international partners to sell the goods made in the United States of America. But as America settled in to world historic prosperity it generated, our leaders began to take that very prosperity and what created it for granted. They forgot the importance of building, of supporting productive industry, of striking fair deals, and of supporting our workers and their families. And as time went on, we saw the consequences. In my hometown, factories left, jobs evaporated, Americas Middletowns ceased to be the lifeblood of our nations economy. And the United States, as it became transformed, those very people, the working class, the background of the United States of America, were dismissed as backwards for holding on to the values their people had held dear for generations. Middletowns story is my story, but its hardly unusual in the United States of America. There are tens of millions of Americans who over the last 20 or so years have woken up to whats happening in our nation. But I believe they woke up well before its too late. Like you, we want to appreciate our history, our culture, our religion. We want to do commerce and strike good deals with our friends. We want to found our vision of the future upon the proud recognition of our heritage, rather than self-loathing and fear. I work for a president who has long understood all of this. Whether through fighting those who seek to erase American history, or in support of fairer trade deals abroad, he has been consistent on these issues for decades. And as a result, under the Trump administration, America now has a government that has learned from the mistakes of the past. Its why President Trump cares so deeply about protecting the manufacturing economy that is the lifeblood of American prosperity, and making sure Americas workers have opportunities for good jobs. As we saw earlier this month, he will go to extraordinary lengths to protect and expand those opportunities for all Americans. And so today, I come here with a simple message. Our administration seeks trade partners on the basis of fairness and of shared national interests. We want to build relationships with our foreign partners who respect their workers, who dont suppress their wages to boost exports, but respect the value of their labor. We want partners that are committed to working with America to build things, not just allowing themselves to become a conduit for transshipping others goods. And finally, we want to partner with people and countries who recognize the historic nature of the moment were in, of the need to come together and build something truly new, a system of global trade that is balanced, one that is open, and one that is stable and fair. Now, I want to be clear, Americas partners need not look exactly like America, nor must our governments do everything exactly the same way. But we should have some common goals. And I believe here in India, we do, in both economics and in national security. And thats why were so excited. Thats why Im so excited to be here today. In India, America has a friend, and we seek to strengthen the warm bonds our great nations already share. Now, critics have attacked my president, President Trump, for starting a trade war in an effort to bring back the jobs of the past. But nothing could be further from the truth. He seeks to rebalance global trade so that America, with friends like India, can build a future worth having for all of our people together. And when President Trump and Prime Minister Modi announced in February that our countries aim to more than double our bilateral trade to $500 billion by the end of the decade, I know that both of them meant it. And Im encouraged by everything our nations are doing to get us there. As many of you are aware, both of our governments are hard at work on a trade agreement built on shared priorities, like creating new jobs, building durable supply chains, and achieving prosperity for our workers. In our meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Modi and I made very good progress on all of those points. And we are especially excited to formally announce that America and India have officially finalized the terms of reference for the trade negotiation. I think this is a vital step. I believe this is a vital step toward realizing President Trumps and Prime Minister Modis vision because it sets a roadmap toward a final deal between our nations. I believe there is much that America and India can accomplish together. And on that note, I want to talk about a few areas of collaboration today, how India and the United States can work together. First, perhaps most importantly, to protect our nations. Second, to build great things. And finally, to innovate the cutting-edge technologies both our countries will need in the years to come. Now on defense, our countries already enjoy a close relationship, one of the closest relationships in the world. America does more military exercises with India than we do with any other nation on Earth. The U.S.-India Compact that President Trump and Prime Minister Modi announced in February will lay the foundation for even closer collaboration between our countries. From javelins to striker combat vehicles, our nations will co-produce many of the munitions and equipment that well need to deter foreign aggressors, not because we seek war, but because we seek peace and we believe the best path to peace is through mutual strength. And the launching the Joint Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance will enable America and India to develop the most state-of-the-art maritime systems needed for victory. Its fitting that India, this year, is hosting the Quad Leaders Summit this fall. Our interests in a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific are in full alignment. Both of us know that the region must remain safe from any hostile powers that seek to dominate it. Growing relations between our countries over the last decade are part of what led America to designate India a major defense partner, the first of that class. This designation means that India now shares with the UAE a defense and technology infrastructure and partnership with the United States on par with Americas closest allies and friends. But we actually feel that India has much more to gain from its continued defense partnership with the United States, and let me sketch that out a little bit. We of course want to collaborate more. We want to work together more. And we want your nation to buy more of our military equipment, which of course we believe is the best in class. American fifth-generation F-35s, for example, would give the Indian Air Force the ability to defend your airspace and protect your people like never before, and Ive met a lot of great people from the Indian Air Force just in the last couple of days. India, like America, wants to build, and that will mean that we have to produce more energy. Its more energy production and more energy consumption, and its one of the many reasons why I think our nations have so much to gain by strengthening our energy ties. As President Trump is fond of saying, America has once again begun to drill, baby, drill, and we think that will inure to the benefit of Americans, but it will also benefit India as well. Past administrations in the United States of America, I think motivated by a fear of the future, have tied our hands and restricted American investments in oil and natural gas production. This administration recognizes that cheap, dependable energy is an essential part of making things and is an essential part of economic independence for both of our nations. Of course, America is blessed with vast natural resources and an unusual capacity to generate energy, so much that we want to be able to sell it to our friends like India. We believe your nation will benefit from American energy exports and expanding those exports. Youll be able to build more, make more, and grow more, but at much lower energy costs. We also want to help India explore its own considerable natural resources, including its offshore natural gas reserves and critical mineral supplies. We have the capacity and we have the desire to help. Moreover, we think energy co-production will help beat unfair competitors in other foreign markets. But India, we believe, can go a long way to enhance energy ties between our nations, and one suggestion I have is maybe consider dropping some of the non-tariff barriers for American access to the Indian market. Now, Ive talked about this, of course, with Prime Minister Modi, and look, President Trump and I know that Prime Minister Modi is a tough negotiator. He drives a hard bargain. Its one of the reasons why we respect him. And we dont blame Prime Minister Modi for fighting for Indias industry, but we do blame American leaders of the past for failing to do the same for our workers. And we believe that we can fix that to the mutual benefit of both the United States and India. Let me give an example. American ethanol, we believe made from the finest corn in the world, can play a tremendous role in enhancing our partnership. And I know our farmers would be delighted to support Indias energy security ambitions. We welcome the Modi governments budget announcement to amend Indias civil nuclear liability laws, which currently prevent U.S. producers from exporting small modular reactors and building larger U.S.-designed reactors in India. Theres much that we can create, much that we can do together. We believe that American energy can help realize Indias nuclear power production goals, and this is very important, as well as its AI ambitions. Because as the United States knows well, and I know that India knows well, there is no AI future without energy security and energy dominance. And that brings me to my final point of collaboration. I believe that the technological collaboration between our countries is going to extend well beyond defense and energy. The U.S.-India Trust Initiative that President Trump and Prime Minister Modi have launched will be a cornerstone of the partnership in the future. Itll build on billions of dollars of planned investments that American companies have already announced across India. In the years to come, were going to see data centers, pharmaceuticals, undersea cables, and countless other critical goods being developed and being built because of the American and Indian economic partnership. And Ill say it again. I think that our nations have so much to gain by investing in one another, America investing in India, and of course, India investing in the United States of America. And I know that Americans, our people, are excited about that prospect, and that President Trump and I are looking forward to stronger ties. Americans want further access to Indian markets. This is a great place to do business, and we want to give our people more access to this country. And Indians, we believe, will thrive from greater commerce in the United States. This is very much a win-win partnership. It certainly will be far into the future. And as I know this audience knows better than most, neither Americans nor Indians are alone in looking to scale up their manufacturing capacity. The competition extends well beyond cheap consumer goods and into munitions, energy, infrastructure, and all sorts of other cutting-edge technologies. I believe that if our nations fail to keep pace, the consequences for the Indo-Pacific, but really the consequences for the entire world, will be quite dire. And this, again, is where India and the United States have so much to offer one another. Weve got great hardware, the leading artificial intelligence hardware in the world. You have one of the most exciting startup technology infrastructures anywhere in the world. Theres a lot to be gained by working together. And this is why President Trump and I both welcome Indias leadership in a number of diplomatic organizations, but, of course, end of the quad. We believe a stronger India means greater economic prosperity, but also greater stability across the Indo-Pacific, which is, of course, a shared goal for all of us in this room, and its a shared goal for both of our countries. Now, I want to close with one last story, or maybe a couple of stories. So, you know, my son, Ewan, is seven years old. Hes our firstborn son. And yesterday, after we had dinner at the prime ministers house, the food was so good and the prime minister was so kind to our three children that Ewan came up to me afterwards and he said, Dad, you know, I think maybe I could live in India. But I think after about 90 minutes in the Jaipur sun today at the Great Palace, he suggested that maybe we should move to England. So you take the good with the bad here. But I want to talk about Prime Minister Modi because I think hes a special person. I first met Prime Minister Modi at the AI Action Summit in February, and we had a lot of important discussions on AI and other policies to prepare for. The prime minister also managed to figure out that my son, Vivek, was actually turning five years old on the trip. This was in Paris just a couple of months ago. So think about this. I met a huge international policy conference. He took the time to stop by where I was staying, wish our second son, Vivek, a happy birthday, and even bring him a gift. Ush and I were both genuinely touched by his graciousness. And weve been even more impressed by his warmth since we arrived in India. Now, its interesting. Some of you may know that when youre a politician, your kids spend almost as much time in the limelight as you do. And the great things about kids is they are brutally honest. Theyre brutally honest with everybody, whether you want them to be or not. And our seven-year-old, our five-year-old, and then our three-year-old baby girl, Mirabelle, its interesting. They have only really been theyve only really attached themselves to, theyve only really liked, I should say, theyve only really built a rapport with two world leaders. The first, of course, is President Trump. He just has a certain energy about them about him. But Prime Minister Modi, its the exact same thing. Our kids just like him. And I think that because kids are such good, strong of characters, I just like Prime Minister Modi too. And I think its a great foundation for the future of our relationship. I could tell then I could tell when Prime Minister Modi came over a couple of months ago. And I believe today that he is a serious leader who has thought deeply about Indias future prosperity and security, not just for the rest of his time in office, but over the next century. And I want to end by making a simple, overarching point. We are now officially one quarter into the 21st century, 25 years and 75 years to go. And I really believe that the future of the 21st century is going to be determined by the strength of the United States-India partnership. I believe that if India and the United States work together successfully, we are going to see a 21st century that is prosperous and peaceful. But I also believe that if we fail to work together successfully, the 21st century could be a very dark time for all of humanity. So I want to say, its clear to me, as it is to most observers, that President Trump, of course, intends to rebalance Americas economic relationship with the rest of the world. Thats going to cause fundamentally will cause profound changes within our borders and the United States, but of course with other countries as well. But I believe that this rebalancing is going to produce great benefits for American workers. Its going to produce great benefits for the people of India. And because our partnership is so important to the future of the world, I believe President Trumps efforts, joined, of course, by the whole country of India and Prime Minister Modi, will make the 21st century the best century in human history. Lets do it together. God bless you and thank you for having me. Thank you. 'America Comes To India As A Partner, We Are Not Here To Preach': JD Vance In Jaipur Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 15:42 IST JD Vance, speaking in Jaipur, emphasised a respectful partnership with India, moving away from past approaches of preaching. He also praised Prime Minister Modi's popularity. US Vice President JD Vance (Photo: AP) US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday said the United States comes to India as partners and that America is looking to strengthen the relationship with India. Addressing an event in Rajasthans Jaipur, Vance said, Now I believe that our nations have much to offer to one another, and thats why we come to you as partners, looking to strengthen our relationship." Recommended Stories Now were not here to preach that you do things any one particular way," Vance said. Too often in the past, Washington approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an attitude of preaching. Prior administrations saw India as a source of low-cost labour," he said. On the one hand, even as they criticised the Prime Ministers government, arguably the most popular in the democratic world, and as I told Prime Minister Modi last night, hes got approval ratings that would make me jealous," the US Vice President said. Like you, we want to appreciate our history, our culture, our religion, we want to do commerce and strike good deals with our friends. We want to find our vision of the future upon the proud recognition of our heritage rather than self-loathing and fear," Vance said. Referring to US President Donald Trump, Vance said, I work for a President who has long understood all of this, whether through fighting those who seek to erase American history or in support of fair and trade deals abroad." He (Trump) has been consistent on these issues for decades, and as a result, under the Trump administration, America now has a government that has learned from past mistakes," he added. As Vance began his address, he said he was amazed to see the ancient beauty of architecture in India, referring to his visit to the Akshardham Temple in Delhi. I am amazed by the ancient beauty of the architecture of Indias history, by the richness of Indias history and tradition, but also by Indias laser-like focus on the future," Vance said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ive been to other countries, sometimes I feel flatness to see desire to be like everyone else in the world, its different in India," he added. Theres a vitality to India, a sense of infinite possibility of new homes to be built, new skylines to be raised, and lives to be enriched, and theres a pride in being Indian, a feeling of excitement about the days that lie ahead now," he 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 22, 2025, 15:29 IST Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 23:51 IST Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday in the wake of the Pahalgam carnage that killed 26 tourists. The CCS, headed by the prime minister, is responsible for important discussions and decisions on defence policy, expenditure and matters related to national security. Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Baisaran Valley, where the terror attack took place in Pahalgam yesterday. He arrived at the spot on a chopper and took stock of the situation. Shah paid last respects to the victims of the terror attack earlier in the day and also met the families of the victims. Earlier this morning, PM Modi returned to New Delhi, cutting short his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, and held an emergency meeting with NSA Ajit Doval, EAM Dr S Jaishankar. In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, took responsibility for the attack. Terrorists targeted a group of people, including women and elderly individuals, in the brazen attack after noon. Eyewitnesses told security forces that two to three men rushed in dressed in military fatigues, firing indiscriminately at tourists while they were enjoying the Baisaran Meadows of Pahalgam on horseback. Intelligence sources and eyewitnesses told News18 that the terrorists inquired about the religion before shooting them dead. Security forces were rushed to the area, and a massive anti-terrorist operation was launched to hunt down the assailants. Videos of the aftermath of the attack showed people lying motionless and bloodied on the ground while women were frantically looking for their loved ones. The authorities released the list of those who died in the terror attack. The deceased ones included Sushil Nathyal, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, Hemant Suhas Joshi, Vinay Narwal, Atul Shrikant Moni, Neeraj Udhawani, Bitan Adhikari, Sudeep Neupane, Shubham Dwivedi, Prashant Kumar Satpathi, Manish Ranjan (Excise Inspector), N. Ramachandra, Sanjay Lakshman Lali, Dinesh Agarwal, Sameer Guhar, Dileep Dasali, J. Sachandra Moli, Madhusudan Somisetty, Santosh Jaghda, Manju Nath Rao, Kastuba Ganvotay, Bharat Bhushan, Sumit Parmar, Yatesh Parmar, Tagehalying (employee of Airforce), Shaileshbhai H. Himmatbhai Kalathia. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group co-founded by Hafiz Saeed, has claimed responsibility of the Tuesday tragedy. US President Donald Trump, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among top world leaders who extended solidarity with India after the brutal attack. Follow Live Updates Here: Kerala Lottery Results LIVE: Sthree Sakthi SS-464 Winners For April 22, 2025 Soon; First Prize Rs 75 Lakh! Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 09:00 IST Kerala Lottery Result Guessing Numbers: Check the Live Updates and full list of winning numbers for Sthree Sakthi SS-464 lucky draw for Tuesday, April 22, 2025 here from 3 pm. Kerala Lottery Sthree Sakthi SS-464 Results: The first prize winner of Sthree Sakthi SS-464 will get Rs 75 lakh. (Image: Shutterstock) KERALA LOTTERY STHREE SAKTHI SS-464 RESULT ON TUESDAY, 22.4.2025, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department will release the Sthree Sakthi SS-463 lottery results on Tuesday, April 22. The draw is scheduled for 3 PM at Gorky Bhavan, located near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The first prize winner will receive Rs 75 lakh, while the second and third prizes are Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5,000, respectively. To maintain fairness and transparency, the draw will be overseen by an independent panel of judges. Live updates will begin at 3 PM, with the full list of winning numbers made available shortly after. Recommended Stories KERALA LOTTERY STHREE SAKTHI SS-464 GUESSING NUMBERS 5697 5679 5967 5976 5769 5796 6597 6579 6957 6975 6759 6795 9567 9576 9657 9675 9756 9765 7569 7596 7659 7695 7956 7965 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT: STHREE SAKTHI SS-463 PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 75 lakh 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakh 3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000 4th Prize: Rs. 2,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 200 8th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR STHREE SAKTHI SS-463 LOTTERY WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 75 LAKH IS: To be updated WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKH IS: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 200 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: To be updated HOW TO VERIFY KERALA STHREE SAKTHI SS-463 LOTTERY RESULTS? Participants can check the Sthree Sakthi SS-463 lottery results either by visiting the lottery office in person or by viewing them online at the official Kerala Lottery Department website: www.keralalottery.info. HOW TO COLLECT YOUR PRIZE MONEY? Players must cross-check their ticket numbers with the official results published in the Kerala Government Gazette. If the number matches, the prize must be claimed within 30 days of the result announcement. Winners need to visit the Kerala Lottery Office in Thiruvananthapuram to collect their prize. They must present a valid ID and the original winning ticket for verification. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY? A self-attested copy of the winning ticket showing both front and back sides. Recent passport-sized photos, verified and signed by a Gazetted officer. An attested copy of the participants PAN card for tax-related verification. A completed prize claim form with a revenue stamp attached before submission. Valid government-issued ID proof, such as a ration card, voter ID, Aadhaar card, or PAN card. HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS? Go to the official Kerala Lottery Department websites: www.keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net. Click on the link for the Sthree Sakthi SS-463 lottery results. The winning numbers will appear on your screen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Locate and click the download option provided. Save the SS-463 results as a PDF file for future reference. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 09:00 IST Maharashtra Government Greenlights Electric Bike Taxis For Cities: Safety To Fares, Details Here Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 16:02 IST All bike taxis must have a uniform colour with Bike Taxi displayed clearly, along with mandatory GPS tracking, emergency contact options and background checks for riders The move is expected to boost urban mobility, especially in areas where public transport is limited. (File) The Maharashtra government has approved the launch of electric bike taxi services in all cities with a population of more than one lakh. This decision was taken during the cabinet meeting held on April 1, but the government resolution (GR) was released on April 21. The move is expected to boost urban mobility, especially in areas where public transport is limited. Recommended Stories As per the governments order, only electric two-wheelers will be allowed for these services. Aggregators must have at least 50 e-bikes to apply for a licence, which will be issued by the State Transport Authority and will remain valid for five years. All bike taxis must have a uniform colour with the words Bike Taxi displayed clearly, along with the service providers name and contact number. To ensure safety and quality, the rules also include mandatory GPS tracking, emergency contact options, and strict background checks for all riders. The policy document also says that riders must hold a valid driving licence and a transport badge. The eligible age for drivers is between 20 and 50 , and they can work for a maximum of eight hours a day. Aggregators must provide proper training to drivers before they begin service. Special focus has been given to womens safety. All bike taxis must have a divider shield between the rider and passenger. During the rainy season, protective covers must also be provided. Children below the age of 12 will not be allowed to ride as passengers. The maximum ride distance is limited to 15 kilometres per trip. Fare prices will be decided and regulated by the respective Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). Aggregators must operate through a secure mobile app or website that meets all required safety and privacy standards. In addition, the state has also allowed electric two-wheelers to operate under a bike-pooling system. Riders can offer up to four rides within city limits and two rides outside the city each day. However, no commission can be charged by aggregators during such pooling. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While speaking with News18, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said, Keeping the environment in mind we have made it mandatory for aggregators to have e-bikes to provide bike taxi services. Also, this will help city commuters to reach their desired location a bit quickly and will also give young riders a chance to earn a livelihood." This decision is based on the Centres Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines and recent directions from the Bombay High Court. Once the central government issues its final notification on the 2024 guidelines, the state will make necessary updates. 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 22, 2025, 16:00 IST Massive Terror Attack In J&K's Pahalgam: Govt Focus On Timing, Location, Say Sources Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 20:47 IST This attack, which was targeted, as the attackers checked if the tourists were non-Muslims, comes days after Pakistan army chief Asim Munir reignited the 'two-nation theory' Security guards at a hospital bring a tourist to the emergency ward at a hospital in Pahalgam. She was among the group of tourists who was attacked by terrorists. (IMAGE: SOURCED) The timing and location of the worst terror attack against tourists in Jammu and Kashmir are the focus of the Indian government, top sources have told CNN-News18. 27 people have been killed, including an Israeli and an Italian national, said intelligence sources, while many others are injured. The attack came as US Vice President JD Vance was in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on an official trip to Saudi Arabia. Pahalgam is a major tourist town and the base for the Amarnath Yatra that begins in a few weeks. The attack is so serious that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to union home minister Amit Shah from Jeddah and asked him to rush to Jammu and Kashmir. Recommended Stories This attack, which was targeted, as the attackers checked if the tourists were non-Muslims, comes days after Pakistan army chief Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah reignited the two-nation theory". Munir said there were distinct differences between Hindus and Muslims in every aspect of life", while justifying the partition. An offshoot of the Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba is believed to be responsible. Given the scale, which some consider as abhorrent as the Pulwama terror strike on the CRPF in 2019, the Pahalgam attack will see a strong response. The Prime Minister has promised that those behind this heinous act will be brought to justicethey will not be spared." Home minister Amit Shah said the government will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Vance and several senior US leaders have chosen not to combine an India trip with Pakistan in recent years. India has cited this decoupling as a signal that Pakistan is a terror state and has been exposed on the international stage as a state sponsor of terrorism. The recent extradition of 26/11 attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the United States to India is also expected to unmask Pakistans role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacksanother major factor being seen as a precursor to the Pahalgam strike. Tourists have not generally been targets of terrorists in J&Kpast attacks have been on security forces and migrant Hindu labourers working there. The Pahalgam attack changes the terrorism matrix in the region and thus shows the urgency and seriousness of the government to mount an offensive. 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 22, 2025, 19:59 IST Maybe I Can Live In India: JD Vance's Son Said After Family Dinner With PM Modi Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 19:40 IST The US Vice-President fondly reminisced about his first meeting with PM Modi at the AI Action Summit. Usha Vance and JD Vance met PM Modi at his residence in Lok Kalyan Marg, Delhi. US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday shared a light-hearted moment from his family dinner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence in the Capital on Monday evening. Vance called PM Modi a special person", and revealed he was only the second world leader, apart from President Donald Trump, whom his children are fond of. JD Vance, who landed in India on Monday with his wife Usha and their three kids for a four-day visit, attributed his fondness for PM Modi to the positive impression the Prime Minister had made on his children. Recommended Stories While addressing an event in Jaipur, the US Vice-President said that his eldest son, Ewan, told him that he could live in India. My son, Ewan, is seven years old. He is our firstborn son. Yesterday, after we had dinner at the Prime Ministers House, the food was so good and the Prime Minister was so kind to our three children, that Ewan came to me afterwards and said ,dad, maybe I can live in India," he said. Vance further said that it did not take much time for his son to change his mind. I think after about 90 minutes in the Jaipur sun today at the Great Palace, he (Ewan) suggested maybe we should move to England. So you take the good with the bad here," he said. The US Vice-President fondly reminisced about his first meeting with PM Modi at the AI Action Summit, highlighting the Prime Ministers thoughtful gesture on Ewans birthday in Paris earlier this year. I think he is a special person. I first met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the AI Action Summit in February. We had a lot of important discussions on AI and other policies to prepare for. And the Prime Minister also managed to figure out that my son Vivek was actually turning five-years-old on the trip. This was in Paris, just a couple of months ago. So think about this huge international policy conference. He took the time to stop by where I was staying, wish our second son Vivek a happy birthday and even bring him a gift," Mr Vance said. The US VP said he and his wife were genuinely touched by his (Modis) graciousness. And we have even been more impressed by his warmth since we arrived in India." Vance fondly mentioned the strong bond his children have formed with PM Modi. Its interesting. Some of you may know that when you are a politician, your kids spend almost as much time in the limelight as you do, and the great thing about kids is that they are brutally honest. They are brutally honest with everybody, whether you want them to be or not. And our seven-year-old, five-year-old and three-year-old baby girl Mirabelle its interesting theyve only really built a rapport with only two world leaders," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all First, of course, is President Trump. He just has a certain energy. And Prime Minister Modi is the exact same thing our kids just like, and I think because kids are of such strong characters, I just like Prime Minister Modi too, and I think its a great foundation of our relationship," he added. Vance described Modi as a serious leader" who has given deep thought to Indias prosperity and security, with a vision extending far beyond his tenure, looking ahead to the next century. First Published: April 22, 2025, 19:40 IST 'My Wife's A Bit Of A Celebrity Here': JD Vance Says There's A Pride In Being Indian Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 18:52 IST US Vice President JD Vance, on the second day of his India visit, hailed the friendship between the two countries and praised PM Modi as a "tough negotiator". US Vice President JD Vance with Second Lady Usha Vance at Akshardham temple. (PTI) US Vice President JD Vance, on the second day of his India visit, said he was amazed by Indias ancient heritage and the richness of Indian traditions, along with the countrys laser-like focus on the future. Addressing an event in Jaipur, Vance said, I am amazed by the ancient beauty of the architecture of Indias history, by the richness of Indias history and tradition, but also by Indias laser-like focus on future. I think this appreciation for history and tradition and this focus on the future is very much something that I think animates this country in 2025. Now in other countries Ive visited, it sometimes feels like theres a flatness, a saneness, a desire to just be like everyone else in the world. But its different here." Recommended Stories Vance said the United States is proud of the deep connection the country has with India, and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modis hospitality when the two leaders met for delegation-level talks on Monday. He asserted that the US sees a friend in India. Theres A Pride In Being Indian Vance said he felt a vitality in India, along with a sense of infinite possibility of new homes to be built, new skylines to be raised, and lives to be enriched, and theres a pride in being Indian, a feeling of excitement about the days that lie ahead. Now its a striking contrast with too many in the West, where some in our leadership class seem stricken by self-doubt and even fear of the future." He also mentioned that this was the first time he was visiting his wife Usha Chilukuri Vances birthplace, adding, Shes a bit of a celebrity, it turns out, in India, I think more so than her husband." Vance called on India to give greater access to its markets, buy more American energy and defence hardware as he outlined the vision for stronger ties between the two countries. He said India and the US can accomplish a lot together in diverse areas like high technology, defence, trade and energy. He also repeatedly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Trump and I know that Prime Minister Modi is a tough negotiator. He drives a hard bargain. Its one of the reasons why we respect him. And we dont blame Prime Minister Modi for fighting for Indias industry, but we do blame American leaders of the past for failing to do the same for our workers." Vance Says His Son Wanted To Say In India Vance expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Modis hospitality while hosting his family at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, recalling a moment when the Indian leader stopped by to wish his son Vivek a happy birthday on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He said his kids only liked two world leaders. The first, of course, is President Trump. He just has a certain energy about them about him. But Prime Minister Modi, its the exact same thing. Our kids just like him. And I think that because kids are such good, strong of characters, I just like Prime Minister Modi too. And I think its a great foundation for the future of our relationship." Sharing an anecdote about his eldest son Ewan, Vance said, After we had dinner at the prime ministers house, the food was so good and the prime minister was so kind to our three children that Ewan came up to me afterwards and he said, Dad, you know, I think maybe I could live in India. But I think after about 90 minutes in the Jaipur sun today at the Great Palace, he suggested that maybe we should move to England. So you take the good with the bad here." 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 22, 2025, 16:49 IST Nod To Caste Census May Make Karnataka 4th State To Cross Supreme Court's 50% Quota 'Lakshman Rekha' | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 09:37 IST Karnataka will join the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and eastern states of Jharkhand and Bihar in crossing the limit set on the extent of reservation by the apex court in the Indira Sawhney case Reservation in Karnataka will go up from 49 per cent to nearly 70 per cent if the recommendations of the survey are accepted by the state cabinet. (PTI) Karnataka is set to become the fourth state in the country to cross the 50 per cent Lakshman Rekha set by the Supreme court for reservations if the caste census report is accepted by the state cabinet. Karnataka will join the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu (69 per cent) and eastern states of Jharkhand (77 per cent) and Bihar (64 per cent) in crossing the limit set on the extent of reservation by the apex court in the Indira Sawhney case. Recommended Stories As per the socio-economic-educational survey, popularly known as the caste census conducted by the state backward classes commission, reservation in Karnataka will go up from 49 per cent to nearly 70 per cent if its recommendations are accepted by the state cabinet. One of the major recommendations of the survey report has been that the 32 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (covering all the categories1A, 1B, 2A, 2B,3A and3B) must be raised to 51 per cent. The report justifies it by stating that the reservation for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes had already been enhanced from 18 to 24 per cent. With this increase, the total percentage of reservation32 per cent for OBCs and 24 per cent for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribeswould go up to 56 per cent. In other words, the Lakshman Rekha set by the Supreme court has already been breached. Therefore, the survey report has recommended a higher percentage of reservation for some of the categories," a senior official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told CNN-News18. The cabinet is scheduled to meet on May 2 to continue its discussions on the caste census report. The cabinet hit a roadblock because the survey showed a lower population for the two major caste groups of Vokkaligas and Lingayats. Ministers belonging to e thtwo communities had taken serious exception to the reduced population at the specially called but inconclusive cabinet meeting on Thursday. The other objection that they had raised was that considerable sections of the population had been left out while conducting the door-to-door survey. This is quite contrary to the contention of chief minister Siddaramaiah and law minister HK Patil that the survey had covered 94.17 per cent of the population as per the 2011 census report. For the longest time, the Vokkaligas were estimated to be 14 per cent of the population, while the Lingayats constituted 17 per cent. But the caste survey report has said Vokkaligas population was 10.3 per cent, while that of Lingayats was 11 per cent. According to the survey report, the Vokkaligas have a population of 72,99,577. The Lingayats, on the other hand, number 81,37,536 in a population of 5,98,14,942 when the survey was conducted in 2015. The survey was ordered by Siddaramaiah when he was chief minister during his first term2013-18. The survey report has also moved up the Kurubas, the largest OBC community in the state, to Category 1B from 2A. The Kurubas (to which Siddaramaiah belongs) have been clubbed with smaller backward communities. The total population in this category is listed as 73,92,313. Of this, the Kurubas constitute about 44 lakh. As per the categorisation, Category 1A consists of nomadic and non-nomadic castes, whose number totals to 34,96, 638. In terms of reservation, Category 1A and 1B had been allocated four per cent reservation. But this has been enhanced now to six per cent for 1A and 12 per cent for 1B. However, the report has applied the creamy layer concept for Category 1 and 2 for the first time. The creamy layer norm was already applicable to Category 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B. Similarly, for category 2A that consists of 102 backward castes, the population has been recorded as 77,78,209 lakh. In this category, the percentage of reservation has been reduced from 15 per cent to 10 per cent. In Category 2B, which consists of Muslims with 99 sub-castes, the population has been recorded at 75,25,880 and the percentage of reservation has been enhanced from four per cent to eight per cent. Contrary to the controversy over Muslims getting double the reservation from four to eight per cent, the survey report has also provided a similar increase in the reservation percentage from four per cent to seven per cent for the Vokkaligas, which is the sole community in Category 3A. In the case of the LIngayats in Category 3B, the percentage of reservation has been enhanced from five per cent to eight per cent. If the new category of the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of 10 per cent is added to the overall reservation for OBCs (51 per cent), the total reservation, along with the 24 per cent for SCs and STs, will take reservation to 85 per cent. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This means that if the Karnataka cabinet accepts the recommendation in toto, it will have to send its proposal to the Union government which, in turn, will have to amend the 9th schedule of the Constitution to make it possible for states to implement reservation policies in which the number exceeds the 50 per cent mark. Senior minister in the government Ramalinga Reddy said the chief minister has asked the cabinet to give their objections in writing. However, another senior minister on condition of anonymity, said while the reservation slab has been breached long again by other states, it needs to be known as to whether it would stand the test of law in court. About the Author Rohini Swamy Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More First Published: April 22, 2025, 09:37 IST Pahalgam Terror Attack: Indian Airlines Waive Cancellation, Offer Free Rescheduling For Srinagar Flights Until April 30 Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Samreen Pall Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 12:56 IST After the Pahalgam terror attack, Air India and IndiGo operated four special flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. Air India adds flights, waives fees post Pahalgam terror attack. (Representative image / PTI) In the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, Indian airlines have announced special measures for passengers travelling to and from Srinagar. Having said that, major Indian airlines will waive all cancellation and rescheduling fees for tickets booked on Srinagar routes until April 30, 2025. Recommended Stories Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Air India stated, In view of the prevailing situation, Air India will operate two additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday, 23rd April." Air India Flight Timings & Offers Air India operated: Srinagar to Delhi flight at 11:30 AM Srinagar to Mumbai flight at 12:00 noon on 23 April, i.e today. Air India further confirmed that all their other scheduled flights to and from Srinagar will continue to operate as per the current schedule. Passengers with confirmed bookings through the end of April can avail full refunds or complimentary rescheduling. For assistance, the airline has urged travelers to contact their customer support at 011 69329333 or 011 69329999. #TravelAdvisoryIn view of the prevailing situation, Air India will operate two additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday, 23rd April. Details of the two flights are as under:Srinagar to Delhi 11:30 AMSrinagar to Mumbai 12:00 noonBooking for Air India (@airindia) April 22, 2025 IndiGo Adds Flights and Waives Charges IndiGo, which runs 20 daily flights from Srinagar, said it has added two extra flights from Delhi and Mumbai. The airline is also offering: Free cancellation or rescheduling Full support for passengers flying to or from Srinagar. IndiGo announces that in light of the current situation in Srinagar, they have extended waivers on rescheduling/cancellation. They are also operating two special flights on April 23. pic.twitter.com/fFhlZKdf4q ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025 Air India Express & Akasa Air Join in Support Meanwhile, Air India Express, the airlines budget arm, has also extended similar relief. The carrier posted, We are waiving all change and cancellation fees for our flights to and from Srinagar until 30th April 2025, in consideration of the prevailing situation." Air India Express, which operates around 80 flights weekly from Srinagar to cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jammu, and Kolkata, is offering: Free date changes Full refunds for cancellations No fare difference or penalty for changes until 30 April 2025. Akasa Air also announced: Full refunds for cancellations on flights to/from Srinagar from 23 to 29 April One free reschedule (no penalty or fare difference) within 7 days of original travel date. We are profoundly saddened by the tragic events in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families who have lost loved ones, and to those whose lives have been impacted. Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) April 22, 2025 Passengers can manage or cancel their bookings by visiting the official website or using the airlines WhatsApp assistant at +91 63600 12345. A group of terrorists linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) attacked a group of tourists in Baisaran valley in southern Kashmirs Pahalgam, killing 28 and injuring many others. The group named The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media post which also included a picture of one of the injured tourists. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The attack started around 2:30pm on Tuesday afternoon as the tourists were roaming the meadows of Bainsram on horseback. Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the attack and is reaching Srinagar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shah both vowed to come down heavily on the terrorists and assured that they will be brought to justice. About the Author Shrishti Negi Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More First Published: April 23, 2025, 00:52 IST Tourists Were Enjoying Pony Rides In The Meadows When Gunmen Struck: How Pahalgam Attack Unfolded Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 22:17 IST Eyewitnesses said two to three gunmen in military fatigues started firing indiscriminately, triggering fear and confusion among the tourists holidaying in the Baisaran valley Security personnel rush to the spot after terrorists attacked a group of tourists at Pahalgam, in Anantnag district on April 22. (Image: PTI) Tourists were enjoying pony rides in the long lush green meadows of Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam when terrorists opened fire on them. A top intelligence source told News18 that 28 people, including foreign nationals, were killed and several injured in the terror attack on Tuesday. The incident, which Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years", took place at a prime tourist location in South Kashmirs Baisaran valley that is often dubbed as mini Switzerland. Recommended Stories Eyewitnesses said two to three gunmen in military fatigues started firing indiscriminately, triggering fear and confusion among the tourists holidaying at the spot, which has served as a backdrop to a number of Bollywood films in the 1980s. Follow Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE Updates Here ALSO READ | They Will Not Be Spared: PM Modi Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack, Extends Condolences To Kin Of Deceased Police sources said the attack started around 2.30 pm as terrorists emerged from the dense pine forest surrounding the valley and started firing at a group of 40 tourists. This was followed by scenes of despair with panicked tourists frantically asking for help from locals to save their loved ones. Many tourists were spotted covered in blood waiting for assistance, while some lay motionless on the ground. I was with my wife when the attack happened. I spotted two gunmen, who opened fire. There was a lot of fire," an eyewitness told News18, who was injured in the attack and was evacuated by a local resident. ALSO READ | Karnataka Bizman Killed In Pahalgam Terror Attack: Manjunath Rao, Wife Had Posted Video Of Kashmir Holiday Authorities pressed a chopper into service for the evacuation of the injured persons. Officials said some of the injured were brought down from the meadows by local people on their ponies. Some eyewitnesses, however, claimed that as soon as the bullets started flying, the handful of locals who earn a livelihood from tourism ran for safety leaving the tourists as sitting ducks. Security personnel, who took time to reach the site as the road is non-motorable, have now cordoned off the area and are carrying out a massive anti-terrorist operation to hunt down the assailants, officials said. Government sources further said a high-level security meeting by Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to take place, the sources said. He will land in Srinagar after 7 pm, they said. The sources said doctors and other hospital staff have been deputed to Pahalgam in wake of the terror attack. The CRPF and BSF have intensified their operations in J&K while restricting administrative movement. Deployments have been placed at 15 sites, they added. WHAT WAS THE MOTIVE? The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility on social media for the attack. Highly placed government sources said the motive could be to carry out a spectacular" attack during the visit of JD Vance. They said there was prior intelligence that there may be a group of Lashkar terrorists in the Baisaran valley. The sources further said intelligence agencies had warned about a hot summer" in Jammu and Kashmir this year. In light of this, Shah, the home secretary and top intelligence officials had all recently visited J&K. The timing of the attack does not bode well as the tourist season has set in and, soon, J&K will also begin preparations for the 38-day Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to begin on July 3. The location of the attack has utmost significance not only because it is scenic and attracts tourists in droves but also because it is a base for the Amarnath Yatra. Summer is the best time to visit the Kashmir valley, but a terror attack such as this can disrupt tourist footfall and local businesses. Baisaran is a major tourist place in Pahalgam besides being a campsite for trekkers who want to move further up to Tulian Lake. The area is accessible through ponies from Pahalgam. Lakhs travel to the Amarnath cave shrine from the twin routes the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district. IS PAHALGAM A PRIME TARGET FOR TERRORISTS? The Pahalgam incident is one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in recent years in J&K. Attacks on tourists in Kashmir have been rare in recent years, but not unknown. Moreover, terrorists have carried out a number of attacks in Pahalgam as it is a major tourist spot and an Amarnath base camp. The last deadly terror attack in Pahalgam took place in the Amarnath base camp in 2000 and claimed more than 30 lives. At least 60 people were injured in the incident. There were two other major attacks in the early 2000s. At least 11 persons were killed in a terror attack in 2002 in the Pahalgam area, while in 2001, 13 persons were killed and 15 others injured in an attack on pilgrims at Sheshnag. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In more recent times, eight pilgrims were killed in a terror attack as they were on the way home from the Amarnath shrine in 2017 while, last year in May, a tourist couple from Rajasthan was injured in a firing incident by terrorists at Yannar in Pahalgam. (With inputs from Arunima, Ieshan Wani and agencies) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : Srinagar, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 19:13 IST 'We'll Come Down Heavily...': Amit Shah Briefs PM Modi On Pahalgam Attack, To Visit Srinagar Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 22:52 IST PM Modi held a telephone call with Home Minister Amit Shah to take stock of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take adequate measures in the case of the terror attack on tourists in Kashmirs Pahalgam. (IMAGE: PTI FILE) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a telephone call with Home Minister Amit Shah to take stock of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir which has been jolted due to an attack on tourists in southern Kashmirs Pahalgam. At least one tourist died and more than twenty were injured as terrorists linked to The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), attacked them while they were touring the meadows of Bainsram. Recommended Stories The home minister has left for Srinagar and is likely to hold a meeting with highly placed officials and members of the armed forces. Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 22, 2025 Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, at least two terrorists opened fire at the tourists who were visiting Bainsram and killed 28. Several others have been injured in the deadly attack. Two foreign tourists are also among the deceased. The Prime Minister is currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia and landed in Riyadh earlier in the day. The attack also comes amid US Vice President JD Vances ongoing three-day India visit. The Home Minister said that those involved in the attack will not be spared" in a social media post while extending condolences to the family members of the deceased". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences. Briefed PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies," Shah said in a social media post. According to sources, PM Modi may cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and return to India earlier than planned. 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 : Riyadh, Saudi Arabia First Published: April 22, 2025, 17:32 IST Pahalgam Terrorists Checked Tourists' Religion Before Carnage, Asked Them To Recite 'Kalima': Eyewitnesses Reported By : & News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 00:20 IST Government sources said terrorists targeted men first and asked them to recite 'kalima', which refers to the formal declaration of faith, before shooting them dead Commuters undergo security checks after terrorists attacked a group of tourists at Pahalgam, in Anantnag district, on April 22. (Image: PTI) Eyewitnesses relayed shocking details of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on Tuesday. They told security forces that terrorists checked tourists religion and shot them dead, sources told News18. In one of the deadliest terror attacks on civilians since 26/11 in Mumbai, an intelligence source told News18 that 28 people including foreign nationals were killed while several others were injured. Heavily armed gunmen in military fatigues emerged from the pine forest surrounding the Baisaran valley, which is a prime tourist location, and started firing indiscriminately. Recommended Stories According to government sources, one terrorist approached a couple and asked them their faith and then opened fire at them. The attackers asked the men to recite kalima, a formal declaration of faith, and when they failed to do so, they were shot dead, they said. The attacker targeted men first and asked them to recite kalima, which refers to the formal declaration of faith, before shooting them dead," the sources told News18. Follow Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE Updates Here Eyewitnesses claimed that as soon as the bullets started flying, the handful of locals who earn a livelihood from tourism ran for safety, leaving the tourists as sitting ducks. My husband was shot in the head he was shot for not being a Muslim," a woman survivor told PTI over phone. She, however, did not identify herself and pleaded for help in evacuating the injured to the hospital. The sources further said majority of those killed are said to be men. Tourists were initially unaware of what was happening as the terrorists were wearing army fatigues, they said. ALSO READ | They Will Not Be Spared: PM Modi Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack, Extends Condolences To Kin Of Deceased HOW THE ATTACK UNFOLDED Tourists were enjoying pony rides in the long lush green meadows of the Baisaran valley when terrorists opened fire on them. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years". Eyewitnesses said two to three gunmen in military fatigues started firing indiscriminately, triggering fear and confusion among the tourists holidaying at the spot. Police sources said the attack started around 2.30 pm as terrorists surrounded a group of 40 tourists and started firing at them. I was with my wife when the attack happened. I spotted two gunmen, who opened fire. There was a lot of fire," an eyewitness told News18, who was injured in the attack and was evacuated by a local resident. ALSO READ | Karnataka Bizman Killed In Pahalgam Terror Attack: Manjunath Rao, Wife Had Posted Video Of Kashmir Holiday Authorities pressed a chopper into service for the evacuation of the injured persons. Officials said some of the injured were brought down from the meadows by local people on their ponies. Security personnel, who took time to reach the site as the road is non-motorable, have now cordoned off the area and are carrying out a massive anti-terrorist operation to hunt down the assailants, officials said. Government sources said doctors and other hospital staff have been deputed to Pahalgam in wake of the terror attack. The CRPF and BSF have intensified their operations in J&K while restricting administrative movement. Deployments have been placed at 15 sites, they said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The timing of the attack does not bode well as the tourist season has set in and, soon, J&K will also begin preparations for the 38-day Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to begin on July 3. The location of the attack has utmost significance not only because it is scenic and attracts tourists in droves but also because it is a base for the Amarnath Yatra. Summer is the best time to visit the Kashmir valley, but a terror attack such as this can disrupt tourist footfall and local businesses. About the Author Ieshan Wani Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been from Kashmir.... Read More Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been from Kashmir.... Read More Location : Srinagar, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 21:41 IST 'India Values Historic Relations With Saudi Arabia': PM Modi Leaves For Landmark Jeddah Visit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 09:39 IST PM Modi is visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplanes for Saudi Arabia. (Image: ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday departed for Saudi Arabia for his two-day visit from April 22 and 23. PM Modi is visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Before leaving, PM Modi took to X and wrote, Leaving for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where I will be attending various meetings and programmes. India values our historic relations with Saudi Arabia." Recommended Stories Bilateral ties have gained significant momentum in the last decade. I look forward to participating in the 2nd Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. I will also be interacting with the Indian community there," he added. #WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplanes for Saudi Arabia.PM Modi will be on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia from April 22-23 at the invitation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/8fUTvh5YEj ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 Ahead of his visit, PM Modi described Saudi Arabia as one of Indias most trusted friends" and noted the limitless potential" of the growing ties between the two countries. Notably, this marks his third visit to the Middle East country, following previous trips to Riyadh in 2016 and 2019. PM Modis Saudi Arabia Visit Prime Minister Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will jointly chair the second meeting of the 2nd Strategic Partnership Council, a body established during Modis 2019 visit to enhance bilateral relations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all PM Modi is also set to meet the Indian community and discuss opportunities for the two sides to exchange views on regional issues. PM Modis visit is set to witness key discussions around the conflicts in West Asia and Europe, with particular focus on the ongoing situation in Gaza and Ukraine. 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 22, 2025, 09:24 IST PM Modis Saudi Visit Wont Impact Waqf Law, Say Government Sources | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 17:17 IST PM Modi is visiting Saudi Arabia on April 22 and 23 at the invitation of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia with Prime Minister Narendra Modi (AP File Image) Prime Minister Narendra Modis two-day visit to Saudi Arabia is unlikely to have any bearing on the Waqf Amendment Act, said top government sources. Modi is visiting Saudi Arabia on April 22 and 23 at the invitation of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Recommended Stories SAUDI AVOIDS COMMENTS ON INTERNAL MATTERS: WHAT GOVERNMENT SOURCES SAY The Waqf Amendment Act addresses internal governance and transparency issues. This amendment repeals contentious provisions like Section 40 (arbitrary property claims) and Waqf by user. It enhances accountability by subjecting Waqf tribunals to the Limitation Act (1963) and allowing High Court appeals. The government has framed the law to empower marginalised Muslims such as widows and divorcees and curb the elite misuse of Waqf properties. Saudi Arabia typically avoids commentary on Indias internal religious or legislative matters, prioritising mutually beneficial economic partnerships. Both the nations share concerns about extremism and maritime security in the Arabian Sea. Joint military exercises Al-Mohed-Al-Hindi 2023 and intelligence-sharing frameworks are more critical to Riyadh than Indias internal laws," said government sources. Saudi Arabia rarely comments on the internal affairs of partner nations unless they directly impact Saudi citizens, investments, or religious sites. Despite global criticism, Saudi Arabia maintained silence on Indias Citizenship Amendment Act, prioritising energy ties. Saudi Arabia has largely avoided taking sides, framing it as a bilateral India-Pakistan matter," said sources. The act is aimed at curbing corruption and empowering marginalised groups such as Muslim women which aligns with Saudi Arabias own reforms like womens driving rights and Riyadh has no incentive to oppose such measures. The Waqf Act applies to Sunni and Shia trusts equally. Saudi Arabia, a Sunni-majority state, has no sectarian stake in this reform. INDIA-SAUDI TIES Saudi Arabia is Indias second-largest trading partner, with $43 billion in bilateral trade, primarily in oil and gas. The visit emphasises strengthening strategic, economic, and energy partnerships, reflecting long-term goals rather than domestic legislative developments such as the Waqf Act," said sources. Modi had highlighted opportunities for Saudi investments in Indias infrastructure, logistics, and tech sectors under the Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative. Similarly, the Saudi Vision 2030 reflects Indian contributions with projects such as NEOM and Riyadh Expo 2030. The growing defence cooperation, including joint military exercises and counterterrorism efforts, underscores mutual trust," said sources. Also, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor connectivity project, launched during the 2023 G20 Summit, aims to boost commerce and energy integration, with Saudi Arabia as a key partner. #WATCH | PM Narendra Modi lands in Jeddah for his two-day State visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was welcomed with a 21-gun salute.PM Narendra Modi, along with Crown Prince & PM of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will co-chair the 2nd Leaders Meeting of pic.twitter.com/toRwuO57c8 ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all SAUDI & OTHER COUNTRIES While Pakistan remains a close ally, Saudi has increasingly prioritised India due to its economic leverage $3.7 trillion GDP and energy demand. Riyadh cannot afford to alienate India by criticising domestic laws, especially when Pakistans economy ($350 billion GDP) offers limited strategic value. In 2019, Saudi Arabia had ignored Pakistans objections to Modis Riyadh visit, giving a clear signal on its neutrality on Kashmir. Despite Chinas persecution of Uyghur Muslims, Saudi Arabia deepened partnerships with $50 billion refinery deals. Saudi-Israel normalisation talks continue despite Israels policies in Palestine. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: April 22, 2025, 17:05 IST 'Road Map To Final Deal': JD Vance Says Trade Pact Terms Finalised, Calls PM Modi 'A Tough Negotiator' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 18:10 IST US Vice President JD Vance said President Donald Trump wants both countries to grow so that they can work across sectors like trade, defence and energy for a win-win partnership PM Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance during delegation-level talks, in Delhi on April 21. (Image: PMO/PTI) American Vice-President JD Vance on Tuesday said both the Indian and US governments are working hard on a trade agreement. He said he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi made very good progress" and this is the road map to a final deal". A day after holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he called a tough negotiator", Vance said President Donald Trump wants both the US and India to grow so that they can work together across sectors including trade, defence and energy for a win-win partnership. Recommended Stories India-US trade agreement is based on shared priorities. Both the governments are hard at work on a trade agreement. Yesterday, me and (PM) Modi made very good progress, we have finalised the Terms Of Reference. This is the road map to a final deal," he said. He is on a mostly personal, four-day visit to India, and was speaking during his trip to Jaipur in Rajasthan. He said the prime reason why the US respects Modi is because he is a tough negotiator. The Vice President said the US wants a balanced and open" system of trade and complete fairness" with its partners. We want a system of trade that is balanced and open. We should have some common goals in trade and global security. Our administration seeks trade with our partners with complete fairness," he said. PM Modi is a tough negotiator and that is why we respect him." His trip comes at a time when India is rushing to clinch an early trade deal with the US its largest trading partner before the end of the 90-day pause on the steep tariffs announced by Trumps administration. WHAT DID VANCE AND MODI DISCUSS DURING BILATERAL MEETING? Modi and Vance on Monday (April 21) actively engaged in bilateral trade talks. Top sources said the mood was in keeping with the goal of increasing trade between India and US to $500 billion by 2030, while the main area of negotiation was the farm sector. While India has agreed to buy more oil and natural gas from the US, it has also cut reciprocal tariffs on some agricultural products like pistachios and almonds. But, the US wants more of its agricultural products to be exported to India. The three main crops, which it wants should have greater access to the Indian markets, are corn, (maize), cotton and soybean. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This is, however, where a bit of a dilemma comes in for India that is primarily an agrarian economy. The three contentious farm laws had to be rolled back as, politically, the Centre cannot afford to alienate farmers. So, the focus of the trade talks was also on agricultural exports. (With agency inputs) About the Author Oindrila Mukherjee Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More First Published: April 22, 2025, 15:40 IST Row Over Inauguration Of Jagannath Temple In Bengal's Digha As Puri Servitors Decline Mamata's Invite Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 13:49 IST The Puri servitors raised concerns regarding the inauguration of the newly constructed Jagannath Temple in Digha, stating that the sanctity of the Puri Jagannath temple must be preserved. The inauguration of the newly constructed Jagannath Temple in Digha is scheduled for April 30, 2025, on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Controversy has erupted over the inauguration ceremony and rituals of the newly constructed Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal. Puri Jagannath temple servitors, researchers, and intellectuals have raised concerns regarding the Digha Jagannath temple. The inaugural ceremony of the Digha Jagannath temple, modelled after the renowned Jagannath Temple in Odishas Puri, is scheduled to take place in Digha on April 30, on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Recommended Stories West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has extended an invitation to Puri servitors to attend the ceremony and has also invited Chunara sevayat to tie the flag on the temple. However, the Niyog has declined the invitation and imposed restrictions on its members, warning that any member who participates in the flag-tying rituals in Digha will be banned from service. Moreover, the Mahasuar Nijog has announced plans to protest if the prasad is sold under the name of Mahaprasad. Several questions have been raised about the newly constructed Jagannath temple in Digha. Puri Servitors Raise Concerns The Puri servitors raised concerns regarding the inauguration of the newly constructed Jagannath Temple in Digha, stating that the sanctity of the Puri Jagannath temple must be preserved. The Shrimandir is irreplaceable, and no other temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath around the world can claim to be an alternative to the Shrimandir. Hence, the inaugural ceremony in Digha cannot replicate the rituals performed at the Puri Jagannath temple. The temple in Digha should worship Lord Jagannath like other temples, where devotees receive darshan without the commercialisation of Mahaprasad, the servitors stated. Selling Prasad under the name of Mahaprasad would diminish its sanctity, they noted. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Further, they demanded that the West Bengal government should restrict the entry of Muslims into the temple, allowing access only to Hindus to preserve its sanctity. Otherwise, the temple may lose its religious significance and become akin to a museum. 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 : West Bengal, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 13:49 IST 'Save My Husband': Terrified Woman Pleads For Help After Terrorists Open Fire On Tourists In J&K's Pahalgam Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 17:54 IST One tourist was killed and several others were injured after terrorists opened fire on tourists in J&K's Pahalgam. PM Modi and J&K CM Omar Abdullah condemned the attack. A woman was seen pleading for help after the Pahalgam terror attack. (News18) In a major terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, one tourist was killed and many others were injured after a group of terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam on Tuesday. A Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot called The Resistance Front (TRF) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the incident. Security forces have been rushed to the spot and are trying to reach the location. The attack was condemned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who directed Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take stock of the situation. Recommended Stories In a heartbreaking video, a woman was seen crying helplessly, pleading for her husband to be rescued. Please save my husband, please," she was heard saying. The man recording the video was heard trying to reassure her while trying to get more information about the situation. Two bloodied men could be seen lying on the ground. In another video, a woman said she was eating bhelpuri when her husband was shot by a terrorist. He (the gunman) said he was not a Muslim and shot him," she added. Another heavily injured man was seen, apparently in an unconscious state, while a woman near her desperately asked for help. Sir, please please ask for help. Just ask for help," she was heard saying to the man recording the video. Terror Attack In J&Ks Pahalgam Terrorists targeted a group of people, including women and elderly individuals, in a brazen attack. A middle-aged male tourist recounted to News18 JKLH that two gunmen opened fire on them. Top police sources earlier said that the attack started around noon, 1430 hrs. Eyewitnesses told security forces that two to three men rushed in dressed in military fatigues, firing indiscriminately at tourists while they were enjoying the Baisaran Meadows of Pahalgam on horseback. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the terrorist attack, saying, Im shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough." The Chief Minister said that the details of the death toll are still being ascertained, and called the attack much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Lieutenant Governor of J-K Manoj Sinha also condemned the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam and assured stern action against perpetrators. He assured the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished." He has spoken to the DGP and Security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations. The incident comes when Kashmir is witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals after reeling under militancy for years. 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 : Pahalgam, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 17:50 IST 'Shocks The Conscience': Delhi High Court Tears Into Ramdev Over 'Sharbat Jihad' Remark Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 12:12 IST The controversy erupted after Ramdev, while promoting Patanjali's rose sharbat, claimed that the money earned from Hamdard's Rooh Afza is used to build madrasas and mosques. Delhi HC rapped Baba Ramdev over 'sharbat jihad' remark. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said that Baba Ramdevs Sharbat Jihad" remark has shocked its conscience and was indefensible". The courts remarks came in response to yoga guru Ramdev over his controversial remarks against Hamdards popular drink, Rooh Afza. It shocks the conscience of the court. This is indefensible," Justice Amit Bansal said while hearing Hamdards suit against Ramdev, reports LiveLaw. Recommended Stories The controversy erupted earlier this month, when Ramdev, while promoting Patanjalis rose sharbat, claimed that the money earned from Hamdards Rooh Afza is used to build madrasas and mosques. However, later, Ramdev defended his remark and said that he did not name any brand or community. Filing suit against Ramdev, Hamdard has sought the removal of the Yoga Gurus ad videos from social media. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Hamdard, submitted that it was a shocking case that not only goes beyond the disparagement of the Rooh Afza product but also is a case of communal divide". He also stated that Ramdevs remarks is equivalent to hate speech. Ramdev has attacked Hamdard on the basis of religion as he named it Sharbat Jihad", Rohatgi submitted in the court. What Is The Controversy About? While promoting the drink of his brand, Patanjali, Ramdev said, If you drink that sharbat, madrasas and mosques will be built. But if you drink this [referring to Patanjalis rose sharbat], gurukuls will be built, Acharya Kulam will be developed, Patanjali University will expand and the Bharatiya Shiksha Board will grow." Just like there is love jihad, this is also a kind of sharbat jihad. To protect yourself from this sharbat jihad, this message must reach everyone," Baba Ramdev added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Following the remarks, the company moved to the High Court against Baba Ramdev. 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 22, 2025, 12:11 IST Foreign Nationals Among 26 Killed As Terrorists Fire Indiscriminately On Tourists In Kashmir's Pahalgam Reported By : & News18.com Edited By: Shankhyaneel Sarkar Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 08:26 IST Terrorists attacked the group of tourists near a meadow in Baisaran, Pahalgam. Security forces en route to the site where tourists were attacked by terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pahalgams Bainsram in Kashmir. (IMAGE: SOURCED) A group of terrorists linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) attacked a group of tourists in Baisaran valley in southern Kashmirs Pahalgam, killing 26 and injuring many others. The group named The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media post which also included a picture of one of the injured tourists. A bloodied and injured tourist said that two terrorists dressed in military fatigues opened fire at them. The visibly distraught and injured tourists were brought to a nearby hospital for treatment. Women and elderly were among the group of tourists attacked. One tourist succumbed to the injuries while being rushed for treatment. Recommended Stories At least two foreign nationals were also killed in the terrorist attack. Top intelligence sources said 4 to 6 terrorists were involved in the Pahalgam attack, including three foreign nationals and one local from Kashmir. M4 and AK-47 bullets were recovered from the site. Pahalgam Terror Attacks | Catch The Latest Updates Here Security forces have been rushed to the spot and they have cordoned off the area. They have also launched a combing operation while exercising caution as intelligence sources told News18 that there are concerns that security forces could be lured into a trap. ALSO READ | Save My Husband: Terrified Woman Pleads For Help After Terrorists Open Fire On Tourists In J&Ks Pahalgam Intelligence sources said that they fear that the death toll could be in double digits and the attack could be one of the biggest terror attacks to strike Kashmir. The attack started around 2:30pm on Tuesday afternoon as the tourists were roaming the meadows of Bainsram on horseback. Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the attack and is reaching Srinagar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shah both vowed to come down heavily on the terrorists and assured that they will be brought to justice. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opted to cut short his official visit to Saudi Arabia. Skipping the scheduled official dinner, the Prime Minister has decided to return to India earlier than planned. Originally set to return tomorrow night, PM Modi will now depart for India tonight and is expected to arrive early Wednesday morning. The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to extend medical assistance to those injured. Manoj Sinha in a social media post said: I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. Spoke to the DGP & Security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations". Im shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased," Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said. The news of the death of tourists and injuries to many in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir is extremely condemnable and heartbreaking. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, condemning the attacks. Mehbooba Mufti of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Sajjad Lone of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (PC) also condemned the attack. World Leaders React top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended their condolences to the victims and stood in solidarity with the Indian people. Ambassadors from several nations like Singapore, France, Israel and Japan also extended their condolences to the victims. About the Author Ieshan Wani Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been from Kashmir.... Read More Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been from Kashmir.... Read More Location : Pahalgam, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 15:46 IST 'They Asked For His Name, Then Shot Him': Woman On Honeymoon Loses Husband In Pahalgam Terror Attack Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 23:01 IST The woman, whose visuals beside her husband's lifeless body went viral, was left distraught and frantically asking for help from locals after he was shot during the terror attack A woman survivor of the Pahalgam terror attack claimed that her husband was shot in the head for not belonging to a certain faith. (Image: @BattaKashmiri/X) A honeymoon to Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam turned tragic for a couple as gunmen opened fire on tourists holidaying in the Baisaran valley on Tuesday. The husband was among the 28 people shot dead in one of the deadliest terror attacks on civilians since 26/11 in Mumbai. The woman, whose visuals beside her husbands lifeless body went viral, was left distraught and frantically asking for help from locals after he was shot. Recommended Stories In the viral video, she is heard describing the attack on her husband. She said she was eating bhelpuri with her husband when the gunmen stormed the area, asked for her name and shot her husband. Follow Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE Updates Here Eyewitnesses painted a chilling picture of gunfire breaking the calm followed by desperate cries for help as lifeless bodies lay motionless on the ground. Terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Kashmirs Pahalgam town. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the terror attack was much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years". ALSO READ | Karnataka Bizman Killed In Pahalgam Terror Attack: Manjunath Rao, Wife Had Posted Video Of Kashmir Holiday Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam, is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains and a favourite with visitors from across the country and the world. Armed terrorists came into the grassland, dubbed mini Switzerland, and started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking, officials and eyewitnesses said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The tourists gathered at Baisaran were from several states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Among those killed was Karnataka businessman Manjunath Rao, who was from Shivamogga. (With PTI inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : Srinagar, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 22:48 IST BJP's Bansuri Swaraj Takes A Leaf Out Of Priyanka Gandhi's Tote Bag To Target Congress Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 13:02 IST The "National Herald Ki Loot" jibe caught everyone's attention as it slammed the Congress over the ED's chargesheet against Rahul and Sonia in the National Herald case. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra | ANI Image The Parliament once again witnessed the tote bag firestorm on Tuesday after BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj reached the venue to attend a Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting on One Nation One Election with a bag that had National Herald Ki Loot" written on it. The message, clearly aimed at the Congress and the Gandhi family, also turned out to be a swipe at Priyanka Gandhi, who earlier donned several bags with sharp messages on it. Recommended Stories The National Herald Ki Loot" jibe caught everyones attention as it slammed the Congress over the Enforcement Directorates (ED) chargesheet against Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case. #WATCH | Delhi: BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj arrives at Parliament Annexe building to attend JPC meeting on One Nation One Election carrying a bag with National Herald Ki Loot written on it pic.twitter.com/i4zhdkdF0m ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 The ED chargesheet in the National Herald case alleges that Gandhis acquired properties valued at more than Rs 2,000 crore for a nominal amount. The BJP has attacked the Gandhis and the Congress over alleged irregularities in the National Herald case, while the main opposition party has denied charges, accusing the ruling party of political vendetta and misusing investigative agencies to target its leaders. Priyanka Gandhis Tactics BJP MP Bansuri Swarajs tote bag move mirrored Priyanka Gandhi Vadras tactics. In December, she carried a bag to the parliament with Palestine" written on it. While the move drew sharp reactions from BJP leaders, who accused her of communal posturing, the Congress leader responded with a strong comment. Who is going to decide what clothes I wear now? Who is going to decide that? Thats typical patriarchy that you decide what women wear. I dont subscribe to that. I will wear what I want," she said. I have said many times what my beliefs are regarding this. If you look at my Twitter handle, all my comments are over there," Vadra said. The controversy didnt end there, as Vadra sent yet another powerful message the following day through her bag, which read: Stand with Bangladeshi Hindus and Christians." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all She referred to the incidents of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. 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 22, 2025, 12:58 IST UP Man Comes Down The Terrace At Night, Finds Wife's Lover Hiding Naked In The Trunk Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 16:54 IST A late-night affair in a Uttar Pradesh village turned chaotic when a married woman's lover was found naked in a box. The husband and his family beat the woman's lover before police arrive. A late-night affair between a married woman and her lover ended in chaos and public humiliation when the man was discovered hiding naked inside a cardboard trunk at her home. The shocking discovery triggered a violent outburst from the womans family and enraged villagers, ultimately landing the young man in police custody. The incident unfolded late Sunday night in a village under the Fatehabad police station area in Uttar Pradesh. According to preliminary reports, the womans family had been sleeping on the roof of their home when she secretly called her lover, a young man from a neighbouring village, inviting him into the house around 11:30 PM. Once inside, the pair locked themselves in a room, unaware that their secrecy would soon be compromised. Recommended Stories Suspicion arose when the womans husband descended from the roof and allegedly heard a male voice coming from the room. Alarmed, he summoned other family members and knocked on the door. In a panic, the woman reportedly urged her lover to hide inside a large cardboard box stashed in the corner of the room. She then opened the door, trying to conceal her anxiety. The family conducted a thorough search of the room, looking under beds and in cupboards but found nothing until the husbands eyes fell on the box. When he opened it, to everyones shock, the man was discovered completely naked, curled inside. Family members reportedly assaulted the intruder with sticks and dragged him outside after forcing him to get dressed. The commotion drew the attention of villagers, who, upon learning the reason behind the disturbance, joined in the beating. The crowd allegedly attacked the man with fists, kicks, and more sticks before police were eventually called. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The man, who later identified himself as a resident of Baha tehsil, reportedly told officers that he had been in a relationship with the woman for over a year. He claimed he had been visiting her in secret whenever her husband was away. Fatehabad Station House Officer (SHO) DP Tiwari confirmed the incident and stated that the accused was handed over to the police by the villagers. The police received a complaint and will register a case accordingly. Legal action will follow after the initial investigation, he said. Location : Agra, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 16:54 IST 'Worst Fears' Come True With Pahalgam Attack As Intelligence Agencies Warned Of 'Hot Summer' Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 08:57 IST Preliminary probes suggest that at least four terrorists carried out the Pahalgam attack. Three of them could be foreign terrorists Police officers stand guard at a check point following a terrorist attack, near Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. (IMAGE: REUTERS) On March 10, union home secretary Govind Mohan chaired a high-level security review meeting in Jammu. Less than a month later, on April 6, union home minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting of the unified command in Srinagar. The back-to-back meetings in two regions of J&K came amidst a warning from intelligence agencies that Pakistan was preparing for a hot summer in Jammu and Kashmir". On Tuesday, as cries of tourists in Pahalgam rang in the air, the worst fears of agencies came true. Recommended Stories 70 foreign terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir Preliminary probes suggest that at least four terrorists carried out the Pahalgam attack. Three of them could be foreign terrorists. Intelligence agency officials said the local terrorist could have acted as a guide. As per data maintained by the central forces, 70 foreign terrorists are active in Jammu and Kashmir. Recent infiltration attempts along the international border were thwarted after DGP Nalin Prabhat led an operation in Hiranagar in March. But agencies suspect that many foreign terrorists could have been lying low after infiltration for the right command from their handlers. With the snow melting, hill routes have opened up. It appears that the terrorists in Pahalgam climbed down the hills to reach the meadows of Baisaran to attack unsuspecting tourists. A cordon and search operation has been launched to prevent the terrorists from escaping. The NIA team is on standby to visit the spot. NIA could begin its crackdown against overground workers who possibly aided the foreign terrorists," said a source. TRF claims responsibility The Resistance Front has claimed responsibility for Tuesdays attack that killed 28 people, with many others injured. Agencies believe that TRF is a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba. M4 bullets have been found at the crime scene. Witness accounts suggest that AK-47s and other military-grade automatic weapons were used. Many survivors said their loved ones were shot from a distance. Agencies are probing whether sniper-like training was given to the terrorists. Motive top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Pahalgam attack has taken locals back to the year 2000, when Chatisingpora in Anantnag of South Kashmir saw 34 Sikhs getting identified and killed during Bill Clintons visit. The Pahalgam attack comes as JD Vance, US Vice President, is visiting India. Intelligence agencies, however, are not ruling out the Pahalgam attack as a measure to derail the Amarnath Yatra. The yatra from the Chandanwadi route goes via Pahalgam. Earlier, terrorists had targeted the Sonmarg tunnel, which falls on the Baltal route. 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 23, 2025, 00:23 IST Planning To Adopt A Child? Experts Explain The Legal Route Curated By : Translation Desk-Local18 Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 16:41 IST In India, the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) and the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) oversee the legal framework of adoption To initiate the process, couples must submit a formal application. (News18 Hindi) Starting a family and raising a child is a cherished dream for many couples. However, due to various medical conditions, some are unable to conceive naturally. In such cases, legal adoption offers a meaningful path to parenthood, with a structured process in place under government supervision. Speaking to Local18, former chairman of the Botad Child Welfare Committee in Gujarat, Piyushbhai Shah, shared detailed insights into the legal procedures involved in adopting a child. Recommended Stories Today, due to the widespread use of chemicals and adulteration in food products, both men and women face increasing fertility issues, resulting in many couples remaining childless. These couples often turn to adoption to fulfil their desire for a family," he explained. Legal Procedure As per the official protocol, abandoned children, those whose biological parents are unknown, are placed in child care centres, where they are nurtured until eligible for adoption. Typically, younger couples are considered for younger children, while older couples may be matched with older children. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all To initiate the process, couples must submit a formal application. In India, the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) and the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) oversee the legal framework of adoption. Applicants are screened, and necessary documentation is completed based on the couples age and child preference. Adoptions carried out outside of this legal framework are deemed invalid. The law mandates that all adoptions must be processed through these recognised authorities to ensure transparency and the welfare of the child. 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 22, 2025, 16:41 IST Usha Vance Opts For A Chic White Shirt And Brown Printed Skirt As She Explores Jaipur's Amber Fort With JD Vance Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 17:48 IST JD Vance and his family travelled to Jaipur after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The family paid a visit to Amber Fort. JD Vance, Usha Vance, and their kids visited Amber Fort in Jaipur. Following their meeting with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in Delhi, US Vice President JD Vance and his family travelled to Jaipur. JD Vance was accompanied by the second lady Usha Vance and their three children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel. The family visited the Amber Fort in Jaipur where they were welcomed by Rajasthans deputy chief minister, Diya Kumari. For their visit to the Pink City, the Vance family kept their OOTDs casual yet stylish. JD Vance opted for a sharp blazer and matching pants, while Usha looked elegant in a patterned skirt. Recommended Stories Lets decode what the family wore to their Jaipur trip. View this post on Instagram A post shared by News18.com (@cnnnews18) Usha Vance kept it simple yet stylish for her visit to Amber Fort. She opted for a crisp white shirt that she had paired with a brown printed skirt. The shirt came with front button closures, a collared neckline, full-length sleeves, and a tailored fit. She had rolled the cuffs for a summer-ready look. She tucked her shirt inside her midi-length skirt. The brown skirt was adorned with traditional patterns. It came with a mid-rise waistline, a pleated design, and an easy breezy A-line silhouette. She paired the skirt with brown flats and round sunglasses. She left her hair loose and went with minimal makeup. With immense pride we extend a grand welcome to the Honourable Vice President of the United States Mr. JD Vance, Mrs. Usha Vance and their family to the majestic Amer Fort a timeless symbol of Jaipurs heritage".@VP @JDVance #Bharat #Rajasthan #Jaipur pic.twitter.com/wZmN8hqBWk Diya Kumari (@KumariDiya) April 22, 2025 JD, on the other hand, complemented Usha in a grey blazer. He paired this patterned blazer with a crisp blue button-down shirt, beige pants, and tan dress shoes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The boys opted for bright coloured polo shirts, shorts, and sneakers. While Mirabel wore a floral printed top, green-coloured shorts, and sneakers. JD Vance and his family are on their first official trip to India. Their four-day visit will take them to Agra on Wednesday morning. fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 17:48 IST Opinion | Changing Demography Of Bengal: Infiltration Or Population Growth? Written By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 19:40 IST Why is the Hindu population decreasing in Bengal? Can the increasing Muslim population in Bengal be considered natural growth? These questions need consideration In 2025, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that the minority population in the state has reached 33%, meaning the Hindu population has decreased to around 65%, writes the author. In 1951, West Bengal had 78.45% Hindus and 19.85% Muslims. By 2011, the Hindu population had decreased to 70.5%, and the Muslim population had increased to 27%. Now, in 2025, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claims that the minority population in the state has reached 33%, meaning the Hindu population has decreased to around 65%. Recommended Stories Why is the Hindu population continuously decreasing in Bengal? And can the increasing Muslim population in Bengal be considered natural growth? These questions need serious consideration. Looking at the 2011 data, the Muslim population was recorded as significantly higher than the Hindu population in the border districts of Bengal such as Malda, Murshidabad, and Dinajpur. Shockingly, a tremendous increase in the Muslim population has been observed in the border districts of Bengal. In these districts bordering Bangladesh, the Hindu population has decreased rapidly, while the Muslim population has either become larger than the Hindu population or equal to it. Of the 4,096-kilometre-long border between India and Bangladesh, 2,216 km fall in West Bengal. If you look at the map, districts such as Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, Dinajpur, Malda, Nadia, 24 Parganas, and Murshidabad are adjacent to the border. Experts are saying that the increase in the Muslim population in many districts is far more than natural growth. In Birbhum and 24 Parganas too, the Muslim population is said to be much higher than the states average Muslim percentage, and the Hindu population has decreased rapidly here as well. Recently, Home Minister Amit Shah stated in Parliament that fencing is still incomplete on 450 km of the border in West Bengal because the state government has not provided land to the central government at the border. Despite 10 letters written by the Home Minister and seven meetings between the Union Home Secretary and the Chief Secretary of Bengal, Banerjees government has stalled land acquisition on the border in Bengal. Imagine, a 450-km-long border is open without fencing. When the state government has such an adversarial attitude towards the Centre, how emboldened will the infiltrators be? This is a very big concern for national security because infiltrators travel in trains and buses from here and spread to the rest of the states in the country. Cases of infiltration have been reported for decades in the districts bordering the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. So should it be assumed that Bangladeshi Muslims have been entering India in large numbers, and this is the reason for such a large change in the states demography? It is also said that Bangladeshi infiltrators often enter through the border districts, obtain fake Indian IDs and spread to the inner districts of Bengal like Birbhum, Howrah, and Kolkata. Now, news of the spread of Bangladeshi infiltrators is being received from almost every state in India, from north to south. Murshidabad, a district in Bengal with the highest Muslim population, had 45% Hindus and 55% Muslims in 1951. But by 2011, more than 66% of the population in this district were Muslims, and the Hindu population had decreased to less than 34%. By 2025, that is, in the past 14 years, how rapidly the Muslim population might have increased can be estimated from the statement of the Chief Minister of Bengal, who is saying that minorities in Bengal have increased from 19.85% to 33%. Is this the reason why Hindu families were forced to migrate from Murshidabad after the violence there? According to experts, the biggest reason for the change in Bengals demography is the unabated entry of infiltrators from Bangladesh into India for decades. On the other hand, if we talk about Malda district, in 1951, there were 63% Hindus and 37% Muslims here. In 2001, the Muslim population in Malda district became 50%, and by 2011, it reached 51.27%, while the Hindu population decreased to 48%. Now, the situation here in 2025 can be estimated. It is also important to mention here that between 2011 and 2024, 1.98 crore voters increased in the entire West Bengal. Between 2004 and 2024, that is, in the last 20 years, another 2.86 crore voters were added. There were 7.61 crore voters in Bengal in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. On the other hand, between 1951 and 1991 (peak migration period), that is, in 40 years, 2.88 crore voters had increased in Bengal. The number of voters that increased in Bengal in 40 years after independence is almost the same as the number of voters that have increased in the past 20 years. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), formed in 1998, has been in power in West Bengal since 2011. In the 2021 assembly elections, the TMC received 75% of the Muslim votes, and Banerjee became the CM of Bengal for the third time. Similarly, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC received 73% of the Muslim votes and won 29 of the 42 seats in the state. Between 1981 and 1991, the Muslim population in West Bengal was growing at a rate of 35%, while the population growth rate of Muslims in Bangladesh was 25%. How can there be such a difference between the two countries, while there is almost no awareness about family planning in Bangladesh? The main reason behind this difference is clearly infiltration from Bangladesh into India. It is surprising why quick, strict and consistent action is not taken against the fake ID racket in Bengal. Also, when Bangladeshi infiltrators are caught in other states and their identity cards (fake) are from Bengal, why does the Bengal government not cooperate with other states in the deportation process? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Is the politics of appeasement in Bengal endangering the security of India? Why have infiltrators received political patronage in Bengal? Has the politics of appeasement in Bengal promoted infiltration? These serious questions need to be considered and strict steps need to be taken for long-term solutions. The writer is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: April 22, 2025, 19:39 IST Right Word | Resisting Chinese Oppression: East Turkistans Struggle For Independence Written By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 18:16 IST Allegations suggest that China has used the pretext of combating extremism to justify a systematic crackdown on Uyghurs, which some nations have labelled as genocide China has responded forcefully to the East Turkestan Movement (ETM), branding it a terrorist organisation. The Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority concentrated in Chinas Xinjiang region, have drawn global attention due to reports of severe human rights abuses. In 2017, Beijing initiated a campaign under President Xi Jinping aimed at eradicating separatism and terrorism in Xinjiang. However, this effort has been widely condemned internationally, with the United Nations identifying it as constituting crimes against humanity". Allegations suggest that China has used the pretext of combating extremism to justify a systematic crackdown on Uyghurs, which some nations and organisations have labelled as genocide. Chinese authorities have linked Uyghur activism to groups like the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), portraying them as extremists. This has led to widespread violations of human rights, including mass detentions, forced labour, and cultural suppression, further tarnishing Chinas global reputation. Recommended Stories The East Turkestan Movement (ETM) emerged in the late 1990s as a response to decades of systemic oppression faced by the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), which was annexed by China following its occupation in 1949. Despite being officially recognised as one of Chinas ethnic minorities, the Uyghurs were subjected to aggressive assimilation policies that sought to undermine their cultural distinctiveness through violent suppression. The ETM, founded by Turkic-speaking Uyghur separatists, represents a nationalist aspiration to establish an independent state of East Turkestan. This envisioned state would encompass regions spanning Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Xinjiang, providing Uyghurs with a sovereign territory where they could freely preserve their cultural identity without interference from Communist China. The ETM combines religious and ethnic nationalism as its ideological foundation, reflecting resistance against Chinas long-standing practices of cultural erasure, territorial control, and systemic marginalisation. The movement has involved not only mobilisation efforts but also armed resistance within Xinjiang as part of its broader struggle for self-determination. China has responded forcefully to the East Turkestan Movement (ETM), branding it a terrorist organisation" with alleged connections to transnational groups such as al-Qaeda and the Taliban, which Beijing claims aim to undermine Chinas territorial integrity. This characterisation is rooted in Islamophobia and mirrors the post-9/11 environment in the West, where suspicion of Muslims intensified following the attacks. To delegitimise ETMs separatist ambitions, China labelled it as the most direct and realistic security threat" to its national stability. In a 2002 government report, Beijing asserted that ETM had received financial and military support from al-Qaeda to carry out militant operations within China. Leveraging the United States heightened security concerns after 9/11, China successfully persuaded Washington to designate ETM as a terrorist organisation. This decision, made by the U.S. Treasury Department, was based largely on Chinese claims and overlooked the possibility that Beijing was exploiting global counterterrorism efforts to discredit what many view as a legitimate liberation movement. In addition to the East Turkestan Movements (ETM) armed resistance, Uyghur exiles and activists who fled Xinjiang established the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETGE). Founded in 2004 and structured as a democratic parliamentary body, the ETGE shares the ETMs goal of achieving self-determination for Uyghurs through the creation of an independent East Turkistan. Operating as a political entity, the ETGE has become a prominent global advocate for Uyghur rights, documenting human rights abuses in Xinjiang and raising international awareness of Chinas systemic oppression. It has sought to hold China accountable on international platforms, aiming to end atrocities such as forced labour and mass detentions. However, like the ETM, the Chinese government has labelled the ETGE a terrorist organisation and exerted diplomatic pressure on countries that support it or criticise Chinas treatment of Uyghurs. Despite these challenges, the ETGE continues to play a critical role in exposing human rights violations, including the use of Uyghur forced labour in global supply chains, which implicates products from major international industries. The East Turkestan Movements (ETM) resistance extends beyond Xinjiang, encompassing Central Asian states that host Uyghur exiles fleeing Chinese persecution, where their cause has gained substantial regional sympathy. Since launching the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) a decade ago to advance its global hegemony, China has prioritised Central Asia as strategically vital. Through coercive diplomacy and economic incentives, Beijing has sought to consolidate influence over Central Asian governments, suppress Uyghur separatist networks, and dismantle nationalist aspirations among diaspora communities. The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETGE) has consistently condemned regional states perceived as aligning with Chinese policies, framing such cooperation as enabling Beijings expansionism. In December 2024, the ETGE denounced the China-Central Asia Summit, arguing it exemplified Chinas long-term strategy to erode Central Asian sovereignty through incremental geopolitical dominance. Central Asia has emerged as a focal point in global mineral competition following Kazakhstans discovery of the worlds largest rare earth deposits. Recent Sino-Kazakh agreements on critical mineral extraction have raised concerns regarding Astanas deepening economic dependency and diminishing autonomy over strategic resource management. This development underscores broader anxieties about China leveraging resource partnerships to entrench influence under BRI frameworks, potentially marginalising local agency in Central Asia. Chinas expanding presence in Central Asia poses a significant risk to the sovereignty of regional states while potentially depleting their economic resources. Under the guise of economic incentives, Beijing employs coercive tactics to influence Central Asian governments, aiming to suppress Uyghur exiles and dismantle separatist movements that have found refuge in the region. This growing influence is closely tied to Chinas geopolitical ambitions, particularly through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which strategically integrate Central Asia into Beijings broader plans for global dominance. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For the East Turkestan Movement (ETM), countering Chinas manoeuvres in Central Asia is crucial to sustaining its resistance and advancing its goal of Uyghur liberation. The movement faces significant challenges as China leverages its economic power and political influence to undermine Uyghur nationalist aspirations and silence dissent. Combating these tactics becomes essential for preserving the Uyghur cause and ensuring that their aspirations for self-determination remain alive amidst Chinas increasing geopolitical encroachments in the region. The writer is an author and a columnist. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: April 22, 2025, 18:15 IST Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 11:25 IST US Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife, second lady Usha Vance, and their children visited Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi on Monday. The Vance family is in India for a four-day visit. On Tuesday, JD Vance and his family will visit Jaipur, followed by a trip to the iconic Taj Mahal on Wednesday. 1 / 7 Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to US Vice President JD Vance, his wife Usha Vance and their children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg house in Delhi. (Image: X, formerly Twitter) 2 / 7 The US Vice President chose a formal look for the occasion and his wife, the second lady looked elegant in a printed midi dress. Their kids opted for ethnic clothing. (Image: X, formerly Twitter) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 7 During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also gifted each of the Vance children a peacock feather. (Image: X, formerly Twitter) 4 / 7 The US Vice President and PM Modi also held one-on-one and delegation-level meeting at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. (Image: X, formerly Twitter) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 7 After the meeting, PM Modi tweeted, We reviewed the fast-paced progress following my visit to the US and meeting with President Trump. (Image: X, formerly Twitter) 6 / 7 The Prime Minister added, We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, including in trade, technology, defence, energy and people-to-people exchanges. India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership will be a defining partnership of the 21st Century for a better future of our people and the world. (Image: X, formerly Twitter) ADVERTISEMENT 'Call Me Whenever' PM Modi's Special Message For Jaiveer Shergills 10-Year-Old Daughter Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 09:06 IST The BJP national spokesperson and his family met the prime minister at his residence but the star of the meeting was Shergills daughter who met PM Modi for the first time and had several anecdotes to share PM Narendra Modi with Jaiveer Shergill's daughter Rabiya in New Delhi. (News18) Monday afternoon was a special occasion for BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his parents, wife and 10-year-old daughter Rabiya at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg official residence. In the over 30-minute meeting, pleasantries were exchanged between the Shergill family and the prime minister, but the star of the meeting was Rabiya, who met PM Modi for the first time and was extremely excited to share her story with him. Recommended Stories Honoured to meet Honble PM Shri @narendramodi ji along with my family. Cannot describe in words the warmth & respect he extended to my entire family. His ability to connect with the innocence of a child, wisdom of an elder and heart of a young Karyakarta is truly inspiring. PM pic.twitter.com/zULtPNeY3Z Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) April 21, 2025 Rabiya, a student of the British School in Delhi, told the prime minister that she was keen on learning how to swim professionally and was taking classes to learn the skill. What time do you go for the classes," PM Modi asked her. 5am", replied the 10-year-old, adding that she wanted to become a professional swimmer someday and represent India. Lauding her efforts and her mission, the prime minister advised her to pursue her dreams without any burden or expectation. I am very glad to know that you want to represent India on the world stage, but you must follow your passion with a lot of discipline," the PM told her as he playfully held her ear. PM Modi also asked her how she would justify her absence in school that day. I will tell them the truth that I came to see you. I will tell my friends what it was like meeting you," she said, leaving the room in splits. Known for his bond with children and the ability to strike a chord with them, the prime minister joked: Every time your parents scold you or trouble you, you can always dial my number and complain." PM Modi also had a conversation about Punjab with the family and a special conversation about Pashmina shawls. The Shergill family told the prime minister how artisans appreciated his governments Vishwakarma Scheme. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all At the end of the conversation, several gifts were brought for the child and she picked the chocolates to take home. Eat as many chocolates as you want. But remember, you have to work towards your passion," the prime minister said in his parting words to the family. Jaiveer Shergill joined the BJP in 2022 from the Congress. Apart from being the national spokesperson of the party, he is also a practising Supreme Court lawyer. First Published: April 22, 2025, 09:06 IST Murshidabad: Did Congress Sacrifice Adhir Ranjan At The Altar Of Coalition Dharma? Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 10:56 IST Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is handicapped by his partys confused state which does not want to alienate Mamata Banerjee and the INDIA bloc The Murshidabad violence issue could have helped Chowdhury make the point that Mamata Banerjee cannot be trusted to keep Bengal safe. (PTI) Simmering in the aftermath of communal clashes, Murshidabad today offers a political opportunity for both the BJP and the Congress. While the BJP can make the point that chief minister Mamata Banerjee has failed to maintain law and order in the state and keep Hindus safe, the Congresswhich has been eased out of what was once its bastionpossibly has a chance for revival. The revival could come especially for Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was the undisputed king of Berhampore, which falls in Murshidabad, from 1999 to 2024. His bastion, however, crumbled when Yusuf Pathan became the TMC MP from the seat. Recommended Stories Chowdhury is as much of a fighter as Mamata Banerjee. At a time when the Congress dithered over its response to the chief minister, Chowdhury was open about the fact that Bengal can progress only when the TMC chief is ousted. It was this determination to get rid of Banerjee that made him convince Rahul Gandhi that an alliance with the Left in Bengal would be prudent. Banerjee has always held this against Chowdhury. And thats why, this time in 2024, she was clear that she wont allow any soft fight in Berhampore and the TMC would have to win. But what is baffling is why the fighter in the Congress is not fighting on the streets of Murshidabad. This is a golden chance for Chowdhury and the Congress. Technically, Berhampore was safer during the violence. Yet, its an issue which could have helped him make the point that Banerjee cannot be trusted to keep Bengal safe. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The problem is that Chowdhury is handicapped by his partys confused state. In the middle of Lok Sabha polls, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge had snubbed Chowdhury at a press conference for his attacks on the TMC. It was a slight that sullied and cast a shadow over the fighter Adhir or Robinhood as he is often called. On the Murshidabad issue, while Congress held some protests, it has been muted and mellow. Though Chowdhury raised his voice and asked for Presidents Rule, he wasnt loud enough. The Congress, not wanting to alienate Banerjee and the INDIA bloc and give a handle to the BJP, seems to have made Chowdhury the sacrificial lamb. About the Author Pallavi Ghosh Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More Location : Murshidabad, India, India First Published: April 22, 2025, 10:56 IST 'Won't Step Back': Owaisi Vows To Continue Protests Against Waqf Act Till It Is Withdrawn Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 15:58 IST The AIMPLB announced a campaign called 'Save Waqf, Save Constitution' to be launched in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi may visit the state after Eid to further bolster the partys presence. (PTI) AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has vowed to continue protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act until it is rolled back, accusing the Centre of targeting" Muslim identity and rights. Addressing a public meeting organised on Saturday night by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) at the AIMIM headquarters in Hyderabad, he emphasised that the opposition to the Act would mirror the earlier protests against the repealed farm laws. Recommended Stories You (PM Narendra Modi) will have to take back this law. The way our farmer brothers have shown the path, we will continue to agitate in the same way. Until the law is withdrawn, there will be peaceful protests in the country," he said. He asked the crowd: Are you (gathering) ready for a long-drawn democratic battle? If you are ready, promise yourself that we will continue to protest till this black law is not withdrawn and we will not step back." Referring to the triple talaq law, CAA and religious conversion legislations in BJP-ruled states, Owaisi alleged that PM Modi has been attacking the religious identity of Muslims for the past 11 years. Now, in the name of Uniform Civil Code, he (Modi) wants to take away our Shariat from us." The AIMIM leader also claimed that the exclusion of the Dawoodi Bohras from the Waqf (Amendment) bill was a move to divide and weaken the Muslim community. Taking exception to a BJP leaders remarks on the Supreme Court, Owaisi said, When verdicts like those in Ayodhya and other cases go against Muslims, we dont lash out Even when the decision goes against what we wish for, we accept it. We accept because we believe in constitutional morality. But, these Sangh Parivar people are anti-constitution people" He further alleged that the BJP is undermining the Constitution and threatening with a religious war." Mr Modi, who got radicalised? You are in power. Your people got radicalised. They got so radicalised that they are threatening the court that there will be a religious war," he said. Speaking on the occasion, DMK MP MM Abdulla said the party supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin had asked him to convey to the gathering that the party stood in solidarity with not just the minorities of Tamil Nadu, but with the minorities of the country. Several other leaders, including AIMPLB president Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rehmani, also addressed the gathering. The AIMPLB announced a campaign called Save Waqf, Save Constitution to be launched in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As part of it, a series of activities are planned, including blackout protests, round-table discussions, Womens public gathering, human chain protest, sit-in protest and public meetings. A central sit-in protest will be held in Hyderabad on June 1, the AIMPLB said in a release. First Published: April 22, 2025, 15:58 IST Google Faces Big Android TV Changes In India After Antitrust Ruling: What The Company Has Said Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 14:11 IST Android TVs are available across the budget range in India, with brands like Sony, Vu and Hisense offering premium products with Play Store available for apps. Google is being forced to loosen its control over Android TV in the country. (Photo: Unsplash) Googles monopoly in the Android TV segment has worked against the company in India. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered the tech giant to settle its Android TV antitrust case and also make some wholesale changes to its policies for the TVs sold in the country. Google has now responded to the latest ruling and said this in a statement, Google is committed to abiding by applicable local laws in every country where we operate and are grateful to the CCI for the opportunity to engage and present our case. We also thank the CCI for instituting processes which enable constructive engagements between companies and the market, allowing for continued investment and growth." Recommended Stories Android or Google TV has been the default OS running on millions of smart TVs in the market, except for Samsung, Xiaomi, the Amazon Fire TV Stick or even the Apple TV. But this dominance has played against Google, because the antitrust body has observed the conditions placed on the TV brands that power their products with Android TV. Android TV Changes In India: What Google Has To Do The CCI settlement comes with a fine of around Rs 20 crore for Google but there are bigger changes in the offing that will affect the consumers looking to buy smart TVs in the country. Google mandates brands to pre-load the Android TV smart TVs with Play Store as the default app store which gives it direct control on how the big screen uses different apps. Also, there have been cases where sideloading on Android TVs have been discouraged, but now the company will be forced to comply with these measures. The new ruling will force Google to stop these practices and give its partners a free hand on which OS they want to use on their TVs and which app store they would like to offer to the consumers. This means, the next time you head over to buy a smart TV in India, you will need to check with the seller what OS and app store is provided on the product. Google has been ordered to reach out to its partners and inform them of these new rules, which allows them to bundle their own OS platform on the big screen. Brands like Sony, TCL, Vu, Hisense and Philips among others have their Android TV products available in the market. Getting Android out of the box allowed them to set up the TV using their Google account, just like how it works on smartphones. Smart TVs Get More Power, Will It Work? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Google losing its power with Android TVs in the country comes with a mixed set of responses. Yes, local brands will claim it as a victory but the OS and the app ecosystem on Android and Apple OS are a lot bigger than other platforms, and if people dont get the right support for their TVs, expect them to prefer the Android TV versions over the other experiences. After all, Android has been the de-facto platform for mobiles and gradually TVs have also seen its impact. So, changing the dynamics of what a smart TV does will rely on these companies who will need to invest in their own OS team or rely on third-party platforms with a growing user base. 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! First Published: April 22, 2025, 09:24 IST Elon Musk Reacts As X Becomes No 1 News App In India Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 17:57 IST A post on X (formerly Twitter) claimed that the platform has become the No. 1 news app on Indias Apple Store. Tesla CEO Elon Musk Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022. (Photo Credits: X) Tech billionaire Elon Musk reacted to a post claiming that X is now the number one news app on the App Store in India. His one-word reply has received varied reactions online. The post was originally shared by X user DogeDesigner. The user wrote, BREAKING: X is now the #1 news app on the AppStore in India," and also posted a video featuring the Indian flag. Musk re-posted it with a short comment. He simply wrote, Cool." That brief response was enough to trigger a wide range of replies. While some users celebrated the platforms rise in India, others used the moment to share their criticism. Recommended Stories One user wrote, Mom said stop wasting time on X now I tell her Im watching the news." Another added, X should be geo-blocked in India." Wow! Elon Musk just replied Cool, it seems he is quite calm. X is really impressive to be the number one news app in the Indian App Store," someone wrote. A person commented, Indias X app dominance signals the platforms global ascent," someone wrote. In March, Musks artificial intelligence company xAI announced that it had acquired X for $33 billion. The all-stock deal brought together two of Musks key companies X and xAI. According to Musk, the goal is to combine their data, models, computing power and teams to help train and improve his AI chatbot called Grok. Musk shared details of the deal in a post on X, writing, The combination values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion ($45B less $12B debt). xAI and Xs futures are intertwined. Today, we officially take the step to combine the data, models, compute, distribution and talent." @xAI has acquired @X in an all-stock transaction. The combination values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion ($45B less $12B debt). Since its founding two years ago, xAI has rapidly become one of the leading AI labs in the world, building models and data centers at Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 28, 2025 The Tesla owner had first acquired X, which was then known as Twitter, in 2022. The $44 billion deal took the company private. After the takeover, he cut a large portion of the staff which led to a sharp drop in ad revenue and the exit of several big advertisers. But now many brands have started returning recently as Musks influence grows in the Trump administration. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The seven banks that extended $13 billion in loans to Musk to buy X kept the debt on their books for two years until they could sell it all at once in February, Reuters reported citing a source. Musk leads the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, in the Trump administration. This has also put him in the position to potentially influence agencies that oversee his business dealings. 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 22, 2025, 17:57 IST This Supermarket Lets Prisoners Shop Using 'Monopoly Money' Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 15:55 IST What makes this initiative truly remarkable is the use of monopoly-style currency that inmates earn through good behaviour. Prisoners can earn up to 25 in fake currency each week for good conduct The supermarket is part of a larger marketplace set up in a huge warehouse within the jail, designed to mimic a real shopping centre. (News18 Hindi) Can anyone really lead a normal life while in prison? Or a prison having a store to shop and eat? Its difficult to even imagine. But across the world, governments are increasingly taking steps to support prisoners as they reintegrate into society after their release. One such unique initiative has been launched at Englands largest prison, HMP Oakwood, bringing new hope to inmates. Youll be surprised to know that the UKs first in-prison supermarket has opened at this facility. Designed to prepare prisoners for life on the outside, this innovative store allows inmates to shop, learn work skills, and plan for a fresh start. Named after the popular food retailer Iceland, the store was launched last month inside HMP Oakwood, located in Featherstone, Staffordshire. Recommended Stories What makes this initiative truly remarkable is the use of monopoly style currency that inmates earn through good behaviour. With this, they can buy branded products like Chicago Town pizzas and Ben and Jerrys ice cream, which are otherwise unavailable in the prison wings. The supermarket is part of a larger marketplace set up in a huge warehouse within the jail, designed to mimic a real shopping centre. Alongside Iceland, the marketplace includes a coffee shop called Hopeful Grounds, where inmates work as baristas and learn to prepare food and beverages. This not only gives them real-world job skills but also a sense of responsibility and purpose. There is also a fruit and vegetable stand and a leisure store named JP Sports. Prisoners can earn up to 25 in fake currency each week for good conduct. The prices in the store are lower than those on the high street, making the experience even more practical. In the final stages of their sentences, some prisoners get the chance to work in the store, coffee shop, or train as delivery driversenhancing their chances of employment after release. HMP Oakwood is one of 15 private prisons in England and Wales, operated by security firm G4S. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, praised the scheme, calling it effective and describing HMP Oakwood as the best prison he had visited during his tenure. This marks a significant turnaround for a prison that, a decade ago, was dubbed Jockwood and faced heavy criticism in 2013 for rising violence and drug issues. Today, it stands as a model for rehabilitation. Icelands employment manager, Ellen Herricksa former staff member at HMP Stockentold The Times, Many prisoners think, Who will give me a job now that Ive been in jail? My life is over. But when they get a second chance, they grab it with both hands. These prisoners are less likely to reoffend because they find stability. They are grateful, as they never expected someone would give them an opportunity." The brainchild behind the marketplace is Carly Balis, HMP Oakwoods Head of Employability, who selects eligible inmates for the scheme. She collaborates with Paul Cowley MBE, Icelands Rehabilitation Director since 2022, who leads the companys Second Chance initiative. A former convict himself, Cowley later joined the armed forces and after that became a priest. Under his guidance, Iceland has offered jobs to around 350 former prisoners in the UK, with 300 receiving job offers before release. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Cowley personally interviews all candidates, offering successful ones roles as store staff or delivery drivers. Governor Sean Oliver shared that the scheme helps long-term inmates relearn basic skills such as managing money, using shopping baskets, and paying at the till. Prison reform advocates have also welcomed the move, noting that meaningful employment helps reduce reoffending and gives prisoners a reason to invest in a better future. 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 : United Kingdom (UK) First Published: April 22, 2025, 15:55 IST UAE-Based CozmoX Rolls Out AI Tech To Transform Corporate Workforces Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 18:06 IST CozmoXs AI agents can carry out conversations with its customers in nearly 80 languages. UAE-based Indian CEO, Alok Kumar, oversees CozmoXs work. A UAE-based artificial intelligence company claims to have rolled out a new technology that can carry the workload of 100 employees. These AI agents, developed by CozmoX, are capable of conversing with the customers and can assist in other verticals like sales, audits and debt collection. In a recent interaction with Khaleej Times, Nuha Hashem, co-founder of the start-up, shared that their AI bots would ease the pressure of human employees, allowing them to prioritise other productive work. CozmoX has already started providing the service to several companies. In less than one day, based on the last 10 years of data, we could create an AI employee who can do the work of 100 people, so those people can focus on productive work," Hashem told Khaleej Times. Recommended Stories For example, to make 10,000 calls per day, companies need to hire a large number of employees. But they can do that with just one AI employee. We have done this with some large-scale public sector entities," he added. CozmoXs works are overseen by a UAE-based Indian CEO, Alok Kumar, who feels AI-powered agents will take over the corporate field shortly. Their new product has already helped many companies save hundreds of dollars monthly. We believe AI agents are going to become the norm in the future. We build AI agents for public and private sector entities and also provide them with the infrastructure to create their own AI agents to do all their manual tasks. On average, certain hospitals and healthcare clinics save more than $30,000 per month. Some large public sector firms saved more than $100,000 a month," Kumar explained. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all CozmoXs AI agents can carry out conversations with its customers in nearly 80 languages. These tasks usually take companies thousands of work hours and millions of dollars, which can be achieved within minutes, with one AI agent or employee," Kumar claimed. He, however, insisted that despite the benefits, their AI solutions will never be able to replace human employees. Since rolling out the technology, CozMoX has collaborated with more than 50 companies in the UAE. 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 22, 2025, 18:06 IST Woman Interns At Tihar Jail, Interviews Inmates In An All-Male Unit. Read Her 'Eye-Opening' Experience Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 20:32 IST The woman, a psychology intern, shared details about her two-week visit to the Tihar Jail in Delhi The woman spent time interviewing the inmates. (Representative Image) Tihar Jail, one of Indias notoriously famous prisons, is home to some of the most high-profile criminals, along with thousands of other convicts. While there are several stories surrounding the grim existence behind the high walls of the prison, not much is still known to the public. However, a female intern recently got the opportunity to receive an inside tour of the Tihar Jail and meet the inmates, and the details are truly eye-opening. Diya Kahali, a psychology intern from Ghaziabad, carried out a two-week internship at the prison and shared her experience on LinkedIn. In a post titled Surviving and thriving: My reality as a psychology trainee at Tihar Prison Complex," Diya recounted all that happened with her as the only female intern in an all-male unit. Being one of the only women in an all-male facility (literally just me and one female guard) was eye-opening, to say the least. Youre hyper-visible and invisible at the same time: not quite taken seriously by inmates, sometimes overlooked by staff, and always aware of the eyes on you," she wrote. Recommended Stories Diya went on to share how she quickly learned to always ask for guidance, check every instruction, and most importantly, prioritise her safety. Her daily tasks included interviewing the inmates, bringing together their untold stories and presenting weekly reports with all the information she gathered. Noting that rapport building" helped her the most, Diya also specified that one should not give out personal information but only offer questions to help the inmates understand one rather than sympathising. Inmates may not always open up, and sometimes youll be met with silence, suspicion, or even dominance. Stay cool, stay confident and never let your guard down. I found unexpected warmth, support and understanding from the police heads, which made a world of difference," she continued. Her post quickly grabbed the internets attention, with many praising her detailed account of experience. One wrote, Helpful insight, Diya," while another added, Really loved reading this! The way you navigated such a challenging and unfamiliar space with so much clarity and strength is truly inspiring!" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As I interned at Tihar, I can relate to your point of being the only woman in an all-male cell," a user added. Many others also enquired for information regarding the internship process at the Tihar Jail. 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 22, 2025, 20:30 IST 5 Major Tasks Pope Francis Left Unfinished Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 16:31 IST Pope Francis, elected in 2013, was known for reforms and social justice. Key goals like elevating women's roles and addressing sexual abuse remained unfulfilled Pope Francis's legacy is marked by his efforts towards reform and his unfulfilled aspirations. (AP File) Pope Francis passed away in the Vatican City at the age of 88 on Monday after battling illness for some time. Elected the 266th Pope in 2013, Pope Francis was globally recognised as a reformist and the head of the Catholic Church and Vatican City. His tenure will be remembered for his efforts to humanise the church, reach out to the poor and the needy, and implement significant reforms. Despite his numerous accomplishments, five key goals remained unfulfilled. Recommended Stories Pope Franciss papacy was marked by humility, commitment to social justice, and ambitious reforms, as detailed in his 2024 autobiography Hope" and several interviews. However, constraints such as his health, time limitations, and the intricate structure of the Catholic Church hindered the completion of these critical tasks. 1. Elevating Womens Role In The Church: Pope Francis consistently advocated for a larger role for women within the church. He expressed a desire for women to be appointed as deacons, a position traditionally held by men. Although he established two commissions in 2016 and 2020 to discuss and provide recommendations on this issue, opposition from the churchs conservative factions and the complexity of building global consensus prevented this goal from being realised. While he made strides in allowing women to serve at the altar and vote, the aspiration of appointing women to high positions like deacon remained unfulfilled. 2. Reforming The Vaticans Court Culture: The administration of the Vatican, known as the Curia, has long been plagued by nepotism, abuse of power, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Pope Francis described this culture as evil" and initiated significant steps towards reform. In 2013, he formed an advisory group, C9, and in 2022, he released the Praedicate Evangelium" document aimed at making the Curia more transparent and accountable. Despite these efforts, entrenched conservative groups and administrative challenges limited the impact of his reforms, leaving this goal incomplete at the time of his death. 3. Advocating For Global Peace: Pope Francis was a vocal advocate for world peace, condemning war as stupidity" and a crime against humanity." He actively spoke out against conflicts such as the Ukraine-Russia war and the Israel-Palestine conflict, offering mediation and appealing for peace. However, the geopolitical complexities and interests of various nations made it impossible for him to achieve his dream of a world free of war. 4. Addressing the Churchs Sexual Abuse Scandal: The issue of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church has been a significant crisis. Pope Francis showed deep empathy for the victims, calling a global summit in 2019 and implementing new laws to address the issue. Nevertheless, resistance from local bishops in some countries hindered the implementation of these reforms, and the crisis remained unresolved. Pope Francis acknowledged that more time was needed to address this issue fully, and his death left this challenge ongoing for the church. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 5. Electing A Pope From Asia Or Africa: Pope Francis aimed to make the church more inclusive by paving the way for a Pope from regions like Asia or Africa, where the Catholic population is growing rapidly. Although he appointed many African and Asian bishops as cardinals, the European influence in the papal election process remained dominant. This goal of electing a non-European Pope in the future remains a challenge. Pope Franciss legacy is marked by his efforts towards reform and his unfulfilled aspirations, leaving significant challenges for his successors to address. Location : Vatican City First Published: April 22, 2025, 16:31 IST Details Of Pope Francis' Funeral Announced, Check Date And Time Published By : AFP Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 14:14 IST The Vatican published Tuesday a photo and video of Pope Francis in his open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88, leaving a legacy of humility and reform. (AP Photo) The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday at 10:00am (0800 GMT) in the square in front of St Peters Basilica, the Vatican announced on Tuesday. The coffin of the Argentine pontiff, who died on Monday aged 88, will then be taken inside the church and from there taken to the Rome basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial. Recommended Stories The Vatican published Tuesday a photo and video of Pope Francis in his open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand. The images were taken in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, Franciss residence at the Vatican. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Pope Francis was admitted to a Rome hospital on February 14 with bronchitis, which later turned into double pneumonia that almost killed him twice. He left hospital on March 23 and was due to undergo a strict two-month convalescence period. But the Argentine made a series of impromptu public appearances, looking increasingly weak. Francis died of cerebral stroke, coma, irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse", according to a death certificate released by the Vatican. About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Location : Vatican City, Vatican City First Published: April 22, 2025, 14:14 IST US President Donald Trump Calls PM Modi After Pahalgam Terror Attack: 'Our Full Support' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 23, 2025, 01:36 IST Trump extended full support and sympathies to PM Modi and India after a tragic terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam left 28 people dead. Trump extended solidarity with India after the Pahalgam terror attack. (Reuters Image) US President Donald Trump spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to express his condolences over the Pahalgam terror attack. Condemning the attack, Trump assured India of full support in its fight against terrorism. PM Modi thanked him and reaffirmed Indias resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice. Sharing the update about the same, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on X, President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Modi and conveyed his deepest condolences at the loss of innocent lives in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. President Trump strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack. India and the United States stand together in the fight against terror." Recommended Stories President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump @POTUS called PM @narendramodi and conveyed his deepest condolences at the loss of innocent lives in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. President Trump strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed full support to India to bring Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 22, 2025 Trump also posted via his official Truth Social account, Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!" Trumps message of solidarity came after Jammu and Kashmir witnessed one of the worst terrorist attacks on civilians since the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, as Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on unarmed tourists and locals in Pahalgam on Tuesday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later said Trump will speak to Prime Minister Modi as soon as possible following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Meanwhile, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz reacted to Trumps message by saying, A terrible tragedy. Please join me in praying for the victims and their families." Follow Live Updates here At least 28 people, including foreign nationals, were killed and several others were injured in the terror attack. The terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked (LeT) the Resistance Front (TRF) took responsibility for the attack. Top intelligence sources said 4 to 6 terrorists were involved in the Pahalgam attack, including three foreign nationals and one local from Kashmir. M4 and AK-47 bullets were recovered from the site. Security forces have been rushed to the spot, and they have cordoned off the area. In response to the deadly terrorist attack in southern Kashmirs Pahalgam, US Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife and US Second Lady Usha, expressed their heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. Vance, who is visiting India, shared his sorrow over the tragic incident. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack," he said in a post on social media site X. The attack was condemned by people from all political parties. Russian President Vladimir Putin also extended condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemning the incident as a brutal crime" with no justification whatsoever". 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 : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 22, 2025, 22:45 IST 'Unlawful': Harvard University Sues Trump Administration Over US Federal Funding Cuts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 07:37 IST Harvard University termed the federal funding freeze "unlawful" and "beyond the governments authority." Students walk on the campus of Harvard University. (Image: Reuters) Harvard University announced on Monday that it has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trumps administration for blocking its federal funding of more than USD 2.2 billion in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administrations demands to limit activism on campus. Taking to X, the university termed the federal funding freeze unlawful" and beyond the governments authority." Recommended Stories Moments ago, we filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the governments authority." President Alan Garber https://t.co/F65kW4GaL1 Harvard University (@Harvard) April 21, 2025 Earlier on April 11, the Trump administration, in a letter to Harvard, had called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university and changes to its admissions policies. It also demanded that the university audit its views of diversity on campus and stop recognising some student clubs. Following this, Harvard President Alan Garber said the university would not bend to the demands. In response to this, the government froze billions of dollars in federal funding. The government has not and cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain Americas position as a global leader in innovation," said the lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court. Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvards research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress," it added. Harvard Calls Fund Freeze Arbitrary & Capricious Calling the funding freeze arbitrary and capricious", Harvards suit said it violated its First Amendment rights and the statutory provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Within hours, the White House lashed back. The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families is coming to an end," White House spokesman Harrison Fields said in an email Monday. Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege." For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism. A part of that is targeting research funding which has fuelled scientific breakthroughs but has become an easy source of leverage for the Trump administration. In its letter earlier this month, the administration told Harvard to impose tougher discipline on protesters and to screen international students for those who are hostile to the American values." The letter also called for broad leadership reforms at the university, changes to admissions policies and the removal of college recognition for some student clubs. The government also demanded that Harvard audit its faculty and student body to ensure wide viewpoints in every department and, if necessary, diversify by admitting additional students and hiring new faculty. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last Monday, Harvard said it would not comply, citing the First Amendment. The following day, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, questioning whether the university should lose its tax-exempt status if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting Sickness?" (With agency inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : Boston, Massachusetts, USA First Published: April 22, 2025, 06:58 IST 'Justice Will Be Done': FBI Director Kash Patel On Terrorist Harpreet Singh's Arrest In US Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 08:05 IST Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, who is a accused in at least 14 terror attacks in Punjab, was arrested in the United States on April 18. Harpreet Singh, an alleged gangster, after being arrested by the FBI and ERO, in Sacramento, California, USA, on April 18. (Image: @FBISacramento/X/PTI) Days after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested terrorist Harpreet Singh, involved in attacks in Punjab, Director Kash Patel on Monday assured that justice will be done. Praising his teams efforts, Patel said that the FBI Sacramento conducted the investigation in coordination with India. CAPTURED: HARPREET SINGH, part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang here illegally in the United States, who we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the United States," Patel wrote on X. Recommended Stories FBI Sacramento conducted the investigation, coordinating with our partners locally as well as in India, the FBI Director said. Excellent work from all, and justice will be done," Patel added. He further assured that the FBI will continue to grab those who perpetrate violence, stating, The FBI will continue finding those who perpetrate violence, no matter where they are." CAPTURED: HARPREET SINGH, part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang here illegally in the United States, who we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the United States.@FBISacramento conducted the investigation coordinating with pic.twitter.com/JKB1dfjo2P FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 21, 2025 Harpreet Singh Arrested Absconding Babbar Khalsa-linked terrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, who is a accused in at least 14 terror attacks in Punjab, was arrested in the United States on April 18. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) apprehended Harpreet Singh. He was arrested in Sacramento, California, on Friday for his alleged links to two international terrorist organisations. According to the FBI, Singh was wanted in connection with multiple terror attacks in Punjab, India. He is suspected of collaborating with Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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 : United States of America (USA) First Published: April 22, 2025, 08:05 IST Mehul Choksi Suffers Big Setback As Belgian Court Rejects His Bail Plea Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 22:04 IST Mehul Choksi, a fugitive businessman accused in the massive Rs 13,500 crore PNB loan fraud case, was arrested in Belgium earlier this month as India pushed for his extradition. Mehul Choksi, 65, one of the prime accused in the massive Rs 13,850 crore PNB fraud, was arrested in Belgium. (IANS File Photo) In a major setback for fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi, a court in Belgium has turned down his bail plea. The 65-year-old businessman, who has been on the run from Indian authorities in connection with a Rs 13,500 crore PNB loan fraud scam, was arrested in Belgium last week. The absconding diamond jeweller was reportedly living in Antwerp with his wife Priti 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. Recommended Stories The diamantaire was arrested by Belgian authorities in Antwerp following an extradition request by Indian probe agencies. A three-judge bench heard the arguments before ruling against granting bail, according to news agency ANI. His legal defence team had planned to move a 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". Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs had informed that India is working closely with Belgium to extradite Choksi to New Delhi. It was earlier reported that a multi-agency team would visit Belgium ahead of Choksis bail hearing. The team could include CBI and ED officers, MEA officials and international law experts, sources said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Based on our extradition request, he was arrested. We are working closely with the Belgium side on his extradition so that he can face trial in the country," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday. The fugitive diamantaire and his nephew, Nirav Modi, allegedly siphoned off Rs 13,500 crore of public money from the state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) using fraudulent letters of undertaking. Nirav Modi, lodged in a London jail, is contesting his extradition to India after repeated denial of his bail by courts. 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 : Brussels, Belgium First Published: April 22, 2025, 21:49 IST 'Sounds Like Disgruntled Employees': Trump Backs Pete Hegseth After Signal Chat Leak Row Blows Up Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 08:20 IST Pete Hegseth has been in the middle of a Signal chat leak controversy since March. White House has already dismissed the reports of seaching for a new Secretary of Defence. Trump backs Pete Hegseth (Reuters Image) US President Donald Trump has come out in defence of his Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, after reports claimed that the Pentagon Chief shared information regarding planned attacks in Yemen on a Signal group where his wife, brother, and personal lawyer were added. Hegseth has continued to face mounting pressure to quit since the leak of the first Signal group chat, in which The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added, revealing sensitive war plans. Recommended Stories Trump Backs Hegseth As Trump was asked about Hegseths future at the annual Easter egg roll event at the White House on Monday, he attempted to put it on disgruntled employees". I guess it sounds like disgruntled employees. You know, he was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and thats what hes doing. So you dont always have friends when you do that. Ask the Houthis, much dysfunction there is," Trump told reporters as he referred to the strikes on Houthis in Yemen on March 15. Trumps remarks came after the White House denied reports of searching for a new Defence Secretary. This @NPR story is total FAKE NEWS based on one anonymous source who clearly has no idea what they are talking about. As the President said this morning, he stands strongly behind @SecDef," White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X. Pete Hegseth Blames Disgruntled Former Employees top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hegseth also blamed disgruntled former employees" and the media, accusing them of attempting to ruin his reputation. What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out from the same media that peddled the Russia hoax. This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations," Hegseth said. 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 : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 22, 2025, 08:07 IST US Vice-President JD Vance, In India With Wife Usha And Kids, Sends Condolences To Pahalgam Terror Attack Victims Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 21:56 IST US Vice President JD Vance, US Second Lady Usha Chilukuri Vance and their three children - Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel - are on a three-day India trip. US Vice President JD Vance condemned the attack on tourists in southern Kashmirs Pahalgam. (IMAGE: AFP) In response to the deadly terrorist attack in southern Kashmirs Pahalgam, US Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife and US Second Lady Usha, expressed their heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. Vance, who is visiting India, shared his sorrow over the tragic incident that has claimed the lives of at least 27 people and injured several others on Tuesday. Recommended Stories Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack," he said in a post on social media site X. Terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Kashmirs Pahalgam town on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least 27 people, and injuring several others, in what is being considered as the deadliest attack in the valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The 27 dead include two foreigners. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the terror attack was much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years" and said the toll is being ascertained. The US vice president, accompanied by Indian-origin Second Lady Usha Chilukuri and their three children sons Ewan, Vivek and daughter Mirabel landed in Delhi on Monday. 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 22, 2025, 21:39 IST Who Was Carlo Acutis? World To Get Its First Millennial Saint Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 17:46 IST The 15-year-old Acutis died from leukaemia in 2006. Hundreds of pilgrims have been visiting Acutis' tomb in the Italian town of Assisi every day. Italian teen set to be first millennial saint. (File Photo/Reuters) Carlo Acutis, a British-born Italian teenager known as Gods Influencer, is set to become the first millennial saint. However, after Pope Franciss death, the canonisation has been postponed for at least one week. The Vatican had announced that the canonisation of Carlo Acutis will be next Sunday in St. Peters Square on the occasion of the Jubilee celebration of adolescents. It was originally scheduled to happen on April 27, the second Sunday of Easter. Recommended Stories The 15-year-old Acutis died from leukaemia in 2006. Hundreds of pilgrims have been visiting Acutis tomb in the Italian town of Assisi every day. Last year, a million pilgrims visited the tomb of Carlo Acutis, who is set to become the first millennial saint, known for his love of sneakers. However, the wait for his sainthood has been extended. Carlo Acutis gained popularity for creating a website for his parish and using his coding skills to spread awareness about Catholicism, earning him the nickname Gods Influencer". According to the Dicastery for Evangelisation, more than 80,000 teenagers from 15 countries, including India, were expected to gather in Rome for the April 27 canonisation amid the Vaticans Jubilee of Teenagers. Who Was Carlo Acutis? Born in London to wealthy Italian parents, Acutis grew up in Milan, where he managed the website for his parish and later a Vatican-based academy. He also used his computer skills to create an online database of Eucharistic miracles around the world. His deep spiritual life took root early he received his First Communion at 7 and soon began attending daily Mass, praying the rosary, and spending hours in eucharistic adoration. Acutis balanced his deep devotion with a normal teenage life, enjoying activities like hiking, video games, and humour with friends. In October 2006, when he was just 15, Carlo was diagnosed with acute leukaemia. Within 10 days, he breathed his last in a hospital in northern Italy. Acutis was named venerable" in 2018 after the church recognised his virtuous life, and his body, wearing sneakers, jeans and a sweatshirt, was taken to a shrine in the Santuario della Spogliazione in Assisi, Italy. It was a major site linked to St. Francis life. The teenager was declared blessed" or beatified the first step toward sainthood in 2020 after Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to him. In that miracle, a seven-year-old Brazilian boy was cured of a rare pancreatic disorder after touching one of Carlos T-shirts, following prayers offered by a priest to Carlo for his recovery. Carlos second miracle involved a 21-year-old student in Costa Rica who suffered serious head trauma in a bicycle accident. After his mother prayed at Carlo Acutis tomb in Assisi, a healing was recognised by the Vatican as a miracle. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For sainthood, the Vatican requires two confirmed miracles. Francis and the cardinals residing in Rome formally approved his canonisation in July 2024. Carlos life and legacy have drawn crowds to his tomb, where a wax figure resembling him rests over his body. Location : Italy First Published: April 22, 2025, 17:00 IST On April 21, the Anhui Provincial Government's Information Office held a press conference on the province's economic performance for the first quarter of 2025. Reporters learned from the conference that the economy in the province has shown a strong upward trend this year, outpacing last year's overall performance and the same period last year, with new progress in high-quality development. According to unified calculations of regional GDP, the Anhui Province's GDP in the first quarter reached 1.2265 trillion yuan, calculated at constant prices, a year-on-year increase of 6.2%. By sector, the primary industry added value was 48.2 billion yuan (up 3.8%); the secondary industry added value was 443.7 billion yuan (up 7%); and the tertiary industry added value was 734.6 billion yuan (up 5.9%). The agricultural production situation is favorable, with year-on-year growth in livestock industry. In the first quarter, the total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishing grew by 4.1% year-on-year, an increase of 0.6 percentage points from last year. Crop growth was generally good, with wheat and rapeseed showing better conditions than usual and the same period last year. Vegetable production increased by 3.7%, up 0.4 percentage points. Meat production (pork, beef, lamb, and poultry) reached 1.189 million tons, reversing a 1.9% decline from last year to a 3% increase, with pork production shifting from a 4.3% decline to a 1% increase. Milk production was 163,000 tons, growing by 20.8%, and aquatic product output reached 844,000 tons, up 4.7%. Industrial production has stabilized and increased, with rapid growth in equipment manufacturing. In the first quarter, the added value of industry above designated size grew by 9.2% year-on-year, an increase of 0.2 percentage points from last year. By sector, mining added value grew by 1.4%, manufacturing grew by 11.4%. The added value of equipment manufacturing grew by 18.4%, contributing 76.5% to the growth of industry above designated size, with automobile manufacturing up 31.7% and computer, communication, and other electronic equipment manufacturing up 21.1%. High-tech manufacturing added value grew by 20.1%, 10.9 percentage points higher than that of industries above designated size. Among major products, automobile production increased by 18.2%, including an 83% rise in new energy vehicles, while industrial robots surged by 110% and integrated circuits grew by 19.5%. The service sector continues to recover, with strong growth in high-tech services. In the first quarter, the added value of the service industry grew by 5.9% year-on-year, with information transmission, software, and IT services increasing by 7.9%, and leasing and business services rising by 13.6%. From January to February, the operating income of service industry enterprises above designated size increased by 8.3%, with high-tech services up 10.5% and software and IT services up 38.8%. Source: anhuinews.com Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is rumored to be in danger of losing his job over the latest reports of sensitive information being shared in a Signal chat, but President Trump said Monday that he is "doing a great job. Just ask the Houthis how he's doing." Trump, speaking at the White House Easter Egg Roll, said the reports were "just fake news," the Wall Street Journal reports. "You know, he was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and that's what he's doing," Trump said. "You don't always have friends when you do that." GOP lawmaker says he should be fired. Rep. Don Bacon, a member of the House Armed Service Committee, is the first Republican lawmaker to openly call for Hegseth's firing. "I had concerns from the get-go because Pete Hegseth didn't have a lot of experience," Bacon tells Politico. "I like him on Fox. But does he have the experience to lead one of the largest organizations in the world? That's a concern." He says if it's true Hegseth shared information about strikes on Yemen in a chat that included his wife and his brother, it's "totally unacceptable." President Trump has ordered flags at the White House and all other federal buildings to be flown at half-staff Monday in honor of Pope Francis. Trump made the announcement at the start of the White House Easter Egg Roll, flanked by Melania Trump and the Easter Bunny, USA Today reports. " He was a good man, worked hard, he loved the world," Trump said of the 88-year-old pontiff, who died early Monday. In a Truth Social post, Trump said he would be going to the pope's funeral in the first international trip of his second term. "Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome," Trump wrote. "We look forward to being there!"Joe Biden, the second Catholic president in US history, also praised the pontiff, the AP reports. Francis was "unlike any who came before him," Biden said. "Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time, and I am better for having known him." John F. Kennedy was the only other Catholic president. The BBC reports that no funeral date has been set, but according to church tradition, it should " typically be held within four to six days of his death, with the funeral mass taking place in St Peter's Square." A former pastor convicted of child sex crimes is now charged with kidnapping and murdering an elderly woman, whom he served as handyman. Jeffrey Zizz, 47, from Washington state, allegedly killed 82-year-old Marcia Norman of Tenino before concealing her remains in concrete beneath a shed, the Thurston County Sheriff's Office said Sunday, per NBC News . Norman's family reported her missing April 4 after three days without contact. On April 9, Norman's body was discovered partially encased in concrete beneath a shed Zizz had constructed at a client's property in Olympia, according to the sheriff's office. Her body was bound in long Velcro straps and buried in a shallow grave with concrete poured on top, officials say, per the Olympian . Amid the investigation, Zizz fled to Montana, where he was taken into custody for an "unrelated sex offense," officials say. He was extradited back to Washington on April 13, booked into Thurston County Jail, and charged with murder, kidnapping, and unlawful disposal of human remains. Authorities believe Zizz killed Norman on April 1 or 2. However, "her onset from injury to death was not instant. It was hours," Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock told reporters on Monday, per the Olympian. He said an autopsy revealed blunt force injuries to Norman's torso and extremities and sharp force injuries on her head, allegedly caused by a pneumatic nail gun. Warnock told reporters it's "the worst case I've witnessed" in 25 years with the coroner's office. Sheriff Derek Sanders said detectives found an "extremely disturbing" letter in Zizz's home describing a "meticulously planned out burglary and sexual assault" of an adult woman identified as a "customer." However, there is no evidence that Norman was sexually assaulted. Zizz, a former pastor who pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree child molestation in 2022, is due to be arraigned May 6. He was previously sentenced to 104 months behind bars but served only 11 months before entering a treatment program. He may still be required to serve the remainder of that sentence if found to have violated the terms of his conditional release, per NBC. Nadine Menendez, the wife of convicted former Sen. Bob Menendez, was found guilty on Monday of helping her husband trade political favors for $1 million in cash, gold, and a Mercedes-Benz. Menendez, 58, could be sentenced to decades in prison after a federal jury in Manhattan convicted her of bribery, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit the crimes, and related counts, the Washington Post reports. "Nadine Menendez and Senator Menendez were partners in crime," acting US Attorney Matthew Podolsky said in a statement after the conviction, per ABC News . Prosecutors said she introduced Egyptian intelligence and military officials to her husband shortly after they began dating in 2018, leading to an arrangement in which the Menendezes accepted bribes in exchange for the senator's actions benefiting Egypt. Nadine Menendez arranged meetings, cut deals and collected payments, prosecutors said, while trying to cover up the scheme. Bob Menendezthe first public official ever convicted of acting as a foreign agent while in office, per the Hillwas sentenced in January to 11 years in prison. He didn't resign from the Senate until he was found guilty. Three businessmen also have been convicted in the conspiracy. One of the businessmen, Jose Uribe, paid for the couple's $60,000 Mercedes-Benz convertible in exchange for help derailing a New Jersey criminal investigation involving him, prosecutors said, and another gifted gold bars worth about $60,000 each. A defense lawyer told jurors that it wasn't proven in the trial that Nadine Menendez was trying to get her husband to violate his responsibility as a New Jersey senator. Her husband's lawyers, in his trial, at times tried to blame Nadine Menendez for the scheme. Her sentencing is scheduled for June 12. Harvard sued the Trump administration on Monday in an effort to keep it from withholding billions of dollars in funding "as leverage to gain control of academic decision making" at the university, the suit says. "Moments ago, we filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government's authority," Harvard President Alan Garber said. The school says the administration has violated its First Amendment rights as well as federal administrative procedures and regulations, the Washington Post reports. "Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world," Garber wrote to the Harvard students, faculty, and alumni. The dispute began when the Trump administration antisemitism task force gave Harvard a list of changes it would have to make to retain its funding. When the school refused to meet the demands, the government froze billions of dollars in allocations. In his announcement Monday, Garber detailed the research at risk from the funding freeze, such as attempts to learn how cancer spreads, forecast the spread of infectious diseases, and combat multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. The suit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, says the government "cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, science, technological and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives." With a $53 billion endowment, Harvard has deeper pockets than any other US university. But the Post points out that donors placed restrictions on how much of the money can be used. The administration also wants the IRS to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status. Other universities face similar threats, which the lawsuit points out. The filing includes Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and Attorney General Pam Bondi as defendants, per the Times. Chipotle Mexican Grill might have "Mexican" in its name, but it's never had a location in Mexico. That's about to change, with the restaurant chain opening its first location south of the US border in its three-decade history. The California-based chain announced the move on Monday; the location is expected to open in Mexico City early next year, the AP reports. Chipotle is collaborating with Alsea on the location; the company also operates brands like Domino's, Starbucks, and Burger King in South America and Europe. "The country's familiarity with our ingredients and affinity for fresh food make it an attractive growth market for our company," a Chipotle exec says of Mexico. Chipotle was founded in Denver in 1993 and now has 3,700 restaurants. The expansion into Mexico continues Chipotle's international growth strategy; last year, it partnered with Alshaya Group to open in Kuwait, where it now has three restaurants. It also has two restaurants in the United Arab Emirates. Another US-based Mexican food chain, Taco Bell, has had no luck opening restaurants south of the border: Its outlets in Mexico City (1992) and Monterrey (2007) closed shortly after opening. Per KTLA, "a perceived lack of authenticity" was among Taco Bell's problems in the country. Meanwhile, President Trump's tariffs could raise Chipotle costs in the US. As of July 14, most Mexican tomatoes will face a 20.91% tariff. Mexican avocados, however, are so far not subject to tariffs; Chipotle gets about half of its avocados from Mexico. Hours after the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, the only Catholic church in Gaza received a call from Rome. It was the first of what became nightly discussions between the parishioners of Holy Family Church and Pope Francis, Reuters reports. The pope "always healed our wounds and asked us to be strong," said Suheil Abu Dawoud, 19. "He was always praying for us." Francis would make sure to speak to everyone in the room, not just the priest, another parishioner said. When Pope Francis died Monday , "we lost a man who fought every day in every direction to protect this small herd of his," said George Antone. The calls to the Palestinian Catholics, which became part of the pope's daily schedule, sometimes took hours to go through, per the Washington Post. "But he never gave up until he reached us and delivered his message," said the Rev. Gabriel Romanelli. Palestinian, Lebanese, and Syrian ChristiansCatholic and Orthodoxsaid they found the pope's consistent engagement with the Middle East a source of solace. The pope's final call to Holy Family was on Saturday. "He asked for our prayers, gave us his blessing and thanked us for our commitment to peace," Romanelli said. When Dawoud heard the pope had died, he said he was deeply saddened, per the AP. "He was our biggest supporter after God," Dawoud said. Walgreens has agreed to a settlement with the US Department of Justice that could total up to $350 million. At least $300 million is due, with an additional $50 million required if Walgreens is sold, merged, or transferred before 2032, the AP reports. The settlement, reached last Friday, resolves a complaint filed by the federal government in January alleging that Walgreens illegally filled prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances from August 2012 to March 2023. "We strongly disagree with the government's legal theory and admit no liability," says a spokesperson for the drugstore chain. "This resolution allows us to close all opioid related litigation with federal, state, and local governments and provides us with favorable terms from a cashflow perspective while we focus on our turnaround strategy." The US Department of Justice will dismiss its complaint as part of the settlement. "Pharmacies have a legal responsibility to prescribe controlled substances in a safe and professional manner, not dispense dangerous drugs just for profit," said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement. Walgreens will also collaborate with the Drug Enforcement Administration to improve compliance with rules about the dispensing of controlled substances, and will enhance policies to verify prescription validity and manage unlawful prescription concerns. The $300 million, plus 4% interest annually, will be paid out over a six-year period, Reuters reports. CVS and Walgreens previously agreed to pay over $10 billion in multi-state settlements related to the opioid crisis. Mahmoud Khalil is a new dad, but he'll have to wait to see his firstborn. The Columbia University grad student and legal permanent resident, who was detained in March by federal agents over his pro-Palestinian stance, missed his son's birth on Monday in New York after officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement rebuffed his request to be by his wife's side, reports NPR . According to correspondence seen by the outlet, Khalil's legal team wrote to ICE on Sunday, noting that his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, had gone into labor eight days early and that he'd like to return from where he's being held in Louisiana on a two-week conditional release to be with her and the baby, per the AP . "Mr. Khalil would be open to any combination of conditions that would allow furlough from ICE's perspective, including a GPS ankle monitor and/or scheduled check-ins," the letter noted. The request was still a no-go: Less than an hour later, an ICE official from the New Orleans field office sent a curt reply to Khalil's team via email, writing, "After consideration of the submitted information and a review of your client's case, your request for furlough is denied." "He had certainly hoped and expected that the government would show some humanity. But they did not," a Khalil attorney told NPR, adding that Khalil was "happy to be a father, but "extremely disappointed that he couldn't be there to support his wife, be there to hold his first child." Abdalla, who's a US citizen from Michigan, and her newborn are both doing fine, but she's similarly distressed over the government's decision, noting it "was a purposeful decision by ICE to make me, Mahmoud, and our son suffer." She added: "My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud. ICE and the Trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mahmoud's support for Palestinian freedom." The Trump administration has said that Khalil, who hasn't been charged with criminal conduct, is being deported as a threat to US foreign policy, per the Guardian. A judge earlier this month said Khalil can be deported; his team plans to appeal. Pope Francis became a global leader and symbol of change, but he never returned home to Argentina after leaving Buenos Aires for the Vatican in 2013a decision that sparked questions and debate across his homeland, per the AP . Many Argentinians felt confused and snubbed as he visited four of five countries bordering Argentina, per the BBC . Others attributed his avoidance to the country's polarizing politics. Current President Javier Milei, who took office in 2023, had a strained relationship with Francis, whom he called an "imbecile" and "the representative of the Evil One on Earth" before coming to power, per the AP. Francis expressed concern for Argentines suffering under Milei's fiscal shock therapy and criticized Argentine security forces for using pepper spray and tear gas against retirees protesting for better pensions. The Vatican described a 2024 meeting between Francis and Milei as "cordial," but ideological differences remained, especially after US President Trump, Milei's political ally, was reelected. A Pew Research Center report showed Francis' popularity in Argentina declined more than anywhere else in the region over the last decade. About 64% held a positive view of him in September 2024, compared with 91% in 2014, per the AP. Traditionalist Catholics and right-wing critics accused Francis of leading the church astray and branded him the "Peronist pope." As archbishop of Buenos Aires during the leftist tenures of former presidents Nestor Kirchner and Cristina Fernendez de Kirchner, Francis criticized "exhibitionism" and autocratic tendencies from the pulpit. His support for the Vatican's conservative positions clashed with de Kirchner's progressive government, which expanded sex education and legalized same-sex marriage in 2010. Kirchner supporters accused Francis of complicity in Argentina's 1976-83 military dictatorship, when as many as 30,000 people disappeared. Francis, who was then head of Argentina's Jesuit order, denied these claims. In his 2024 memoir, he recalled hiding activists and pressing officials to free abducted priests. With detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the headlines, a woman in Florida decided to don an "ICE" shirt and kidnap her ex-boyfriend's wife, authorities say. Latrance Battle, 52, showed off the shirt and a hand-held radio when she showed up at the hotel chain where the woman worked on April 10, according to the Bay County Sheriff's Office. She also allegedly presented a business card indicating she worked for a sheriff's office and told the employee she was there to "pick her up," per the Miami Herald . The victim, in the process of becoming a legal US resident, got into a vehicle with Battle, believing her to be a real ICE agent, authorities say. Once in the vehicle, the woman tried to call her husband and lawyer, but Battle "forcefully snatched" the phone from her hand, deputies wrote in an arrest affidavit, per People. They added the victim became suspicious after Battle drove past the sheriff's office and made comments indicating the woman would have to "suffer the consequences of her husband's actions." She was ultimately taken to an apartment complex, where she was able to contact a resident and call for help. When the woman was able to speak to her husband, he told her the apparent ICE agent sounded a lot like his ex, a woman he said had attacked him at his job two years earlier, resulting in a restraining order, per the Herald. Battle was arrested during an April 11 traffic stop, per People. She was fleeing to Alabama, authorities allege in a Monday statement. She's charged with kidnapping in commission of a felony, robbery by sudden snatching, impersonating a law enforcement officer in the commission of a felony, and felony violation of probation. It's not clear what the very last words of Pope Francis were before his death early Monday, but the Vatican is revealing details about one of his last exchanges with longtime nurse Massimiliano Strappetti. "Thank you for bringing me back to the Square," Francis told Strappetti on Sunday after what would be his last popemobile ride in St. Peter's Square, reports CBS News. Which may not sound like stirring final words, but Vatican News puts them in context: "These heartfelt words reveal the deep desire of the Argentine Pope to be among the people of God, enjoying the human connection he made a hallmark of his papacy." It's a giant move in the world of TV news: Bill Owens, executive producer of 60 Minutes, has resigned as CBS and its parent company wages battle with President Trump. Owens is only the third top producer in the show's history, and the New York Times describes his farewell memo as "extraordinary:" The resignation comes as Owens has been trying to keep CBS and parent company Paramount Global from settling a lawsuit brought by Trump. The president accused 60 Minutes of deceptive editing in a Kamala Harris interview, but the show rejects that assertion, and Owen's camp sees any settlement as a capitulation. However, his resignation suggests a settlement is now near, according to the Los Angeles Times. Another wrinkle in all this is that Paramount Global is negotiating with the Trump administration to get approval for a merger with billionaire David Ellison's Skydance Media, and Paramount's execs see a settlement as a key step in that process, per the Los Angeles newspaper. (Trump has continued to criticize the show's coverage of him, even suggesting that CBS should lose its license.) The Supreme Court heard a major religious rights case Tuesday, and justices appeared likely to rule in favor of parents who want to pull their children from lessons with LGBTQ+ themes. In Mahmoud v. Taylor, a group of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish parents sued the Montgomery County Board of EducationMaryland's largestafter their children were not allowed to opt out of lessons involving storybooks with LGBTQ+ characters and themes, Deseret News reports. The parents argued that their First Amendment rights were being interfered with. The district initially had an opt-out policy but it reversed it, saying it was unmanageable. During arguments on Tuesday, conservative justices asked Alan Schoenfeld, a lawyer for the school system, why the district couldn't accommodate the parents' requests, reports the Washington Post. "What's the big deal about allowing them to opt out?" asked Justice Samuel Alito. "I'm surprised this is the hill to die on in terms of not respecting religious liberty," said Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who grew up in the district. Equifax, 3M, and other companies reporting better profits than analysts expected helped lead the way, the AP reports. The value of the US dollar also stabilized after sliding against the euro and other competitors, while Treasury yields held steadier in the bond market. Equifax jumped 13.8% after reporting better profit for the first three months of 2025 than analysts expected. It also said it would send more cash to its shareholders by increasing its dividend and buying up to $3 billion of its stock over the next four years. 3M climbed 8.3% after the maker of Scotch tape and Command strips said it made more in profit from each $1 of revenue during the start of the year than it expected. The company also stood by its forecast for profit for the full year, though it said tariffs may drag down its earnings per share by up to 40 cents per share. Homebuilder PulteGroup rose 8.4% after it likewise delivered a stronger profit for the start of 2025 than analysts expected. Tesla rose 4.6% ahead of its earnings report, which is scheduled to arrive after trading ends for the day. That trimmed its loss for the year so far to roughly 41%. First Solar jumped 10.5% after the Department of Commerce finalized harsher-than-expected solar tariffs on some southeast Asian communities. US defense contractors, meanwhile, had some of the market's sharpest losses after RTX said tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, along with other products, could mean an $850 million hit to its profit this year. RTX, which builds airplane engines and military equipment, fell 9.8% even though it reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com The Cabinet emphasised the strength of relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kyrgyz Republic, supported by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. It noted the importance of the visit of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov to Bahrain and its role in further enhancing bilateral relations. The weekly session was chaired yesterday by the Deputy Prime Minister His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister, at Gudaibiya Palace. The Cabinet affirmed the importance of the Bahrain Smart Cities Summit 2025, recently inaugurated by the Deputy Prime Minister, and extended its congratulations to the winners for their contributions to advancing sustainable smart city development. It commended the efforts of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture in organising the event. The Cabinet condemned and denounced the terrorist plots targeting the security and stability of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, affirming Bahrains unwavering support for Jordan and its legitimate measures to safeguard its security and stability. The Cabinet then reviewed and approved several memorandums, including a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Interior on the technical compliance follow-up report for the comprehensive national assessment within the fifth round of evaluations from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF); and a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Finance and National Economy and the Minister of Industry and Commerce regarding the decision of the Permanent Committee for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade of GCC countries, to impose anti-dumping duties on a number of imports from GCC countries. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com MP Ahmed Sabah Al Salloom, chairman of Parliaments Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, used the International Day of Creativity and Innovation to call for stronger support for new thinking across Bahrains economy. Innovation is no longer optional, he said. Its become essential to keep up with the pace of economic and social change, especially when many of todays challenges call for unusual solutions. The day, marked each year on 21 April, offers a chance to assess where things stand and press on with efforts that put ideas at the centre of development. Al Salloom said Bahrain sees innovation as central to building a stronger, more competitive economy. He referred to a proposal he had submitted to turn Bahrain into a regional hub for hightech industries. This would involve targeted investment. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com Bahrains embassy in Bangkok is urging its citizens to register through Thailands new digital arrival system before boarding a flight. From 1 May, entry into the country will depend on filling out the TDAC, or Thailand Digital Arrival Card, no later than three days before arrival. No registration means no entry. Bahraini travellers must upload their details through the online system and complete a separate registration on the Thai governments traveller portal. The form demands everything from passport numbers and home addresses to the purpose of travel and where they plan to stay. Thai police have confirmed that every foreigner must fill in the TDAC before setting foot on Thai soil. It is not a visa and does not replace one. It is an added step, a digital log of who is coming in and when. Anyone planning to stay longer than 90 days must report in writing to immigration at the airport or their local police station. And every three months, those details must be updated. No work is allowed without the proper permit. Thailand is not alone in tightening entry rules. System Malaysia has rolled out its own system, MDAC, which must be completed three days or at most 48 hours ahead of time. Singapore has taken a similar line, asking travellers to submit the SGAC digital card and E-pass no less than three days before arrival. Travel in this part of the world, at least for now, is no longer as simple as showing up with a suitcase and a grin. BEIJING, Apr 22 (News On Japan) - A Chinese man sentenced to death for the fatal stabbing of a Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen has been executed, according to diplomatic sources. The incident occurred in September 2024, when a Japanese boy attending a local Japanese school in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, was fatally stabbed by a man in his 40s. In January 2025, a court in Guangdong handed down the death sentence to Zhong Changchun, who was 45 years old at the time of the verdict, for intentional homicide. Japans embassy in Beijing confirmed on April 21st that Chinas Foreign Ministry had notified them of the execution. The court ruling described the act as "an extremely malicious and grave crime" in which the boy, who bore no blame, was killed in order to attract attention on the internet. It remains unclear whether the attacker specifically targeted the child because he was Japanese. Source: FNN Saitama, Apr 23 (News On Japan) - A naked man was arrested after trespassing into a cram school in Saitama Prefecture, with police suspecting his involvement in at least five incidents within 50 minutes, including a fatal hit-and-run and two car robberies. The first incident occurred around 8:50 p.m. on April 21st, when a motorcycle was rear-ended at high speed on the border between Kawaguchi and Saitama cities. Minutes later and roughly 200 meters away, another motorcycle was struck from behind, killing the rider. Police suspect the same vehicle was involved in both collisions. Security footage showed a black van believed to be driven by the man speeding through intersections and crossing into opposing lanes, nearly causing additional accidents. Soon after, the same man was seen completely nakedexcept for socksapproaching a vehicle, trying to force open the drivers door and striking its window. According to police, a woman in her 40s reported that her car had been stolen by a naked, tattooed man. Roughly 15 minutes later, the suspect allegedly used that stolen vehicle to approach a taxi, drag the driver out, and flee in the car, despite two passengers still being inside. The abandoned taxi was later found with visible front-end damage. Around 9:30 p.m., the suspect was captured on video near a cram school in Soka City, about five kilometers from the taxi robbery site. The school was finishing its evening session when the suspect reportedly entered the premises. A teacher noticed something unusual after a door opened, and upon checking, came face-to-face with the intruder. When questioned, the man struck the teacher with a mug. A student inside the classroom said the mug appeared to be empty and recalled the man grabbing at a female students clothing, though no students were injured. The suspect was detained about one minute after entering the school, arrested on the spot for unlawful entry. When questioned, he reportedly said, "It would be bad if I talked about that," regarding the incident. Police are continuing their investigation into the full scope of the mans actions that night, believing the five incidents are all connected. Source: NEWS BRAMPTON, ON, April 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Cardinal Meats is proud to announce the launch of a new gourmet product innovation. Introducing Sous Chef by Cardinal, a line of restaurant-quality, ready-meals without the delivery fees. Sous Chef by Cardinal is committed to culinary excellence by offering bold flavours, premium ingredients, and unparalleled convenience. The five new entree varieties include: Cardinal Meats Introduces New Groundbreaking Gourmet Innovation - Introducing Sous Chef by Cardinal in Five Elevated Entree Varieties (CNW Group/Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd.) Chicken Tikka Masala Marsala Braised Chicken Fiery Chicken Arrabbiata Rustic Beef Bourguignon Szechuan Braised Beef Sous Chef by Cardinal entrees, created by Executive Chef, Caleb Lobraico, is at the forefront of the gourmet food industry, curating innovative products that celebrate diverse global flavours and culinary traditions. Whether used for everyday meals or for special occasions, these new entrees promise to deliver the perfect balance of taste, quality, and convenience. "We are thrilled to finally share these five exceptional creations with our customers," said Brent Cator, President and Owner, Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. "By incorporating Cardinal Meats' Safe Sous Vide cooking technology, we're empowering culinary enthusiasts to enjoy perfectly heated, gourmet meals with ease. Each product has been thoughtfully crafted by our Executive Chef Caleb, to meet the needs of both food lovers and culinary professionals, ensuring an unforgettable at-home dining experience, without the delivery fees." Sous Chef by Cardinal suggested MSRP is $15.99 per entree (perfect for two) and can be found nationwide, in the Home Ready Meal section of major retailers like Sobeys, Walmart and Costco. For more information or media inquiries, please refer to media contact below. Visit Sous Chef by Cardinal online at SousChef.ca. About Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. Cardinal Meats is a proudly Canadian, family-owned company with a 100-year legacy of innovation, quality, and leadership in the meat industry. Since its founding, the Cator family has remained at the helm, ensuring a steadfast commitment to excellence, food safety, and premium products. From burgers to fully cooked food products, Cardinal Meats continues to set industry standards with cutting-edge technology and a passion for delivering the best to Canadian families and businesses. As the company celebrates a century of Cator family leadership, it remains dedicated to shaping the future of meat processing while honouring its rich heritage. For more information, visit www.cardinalmeats.com and www.souschef.ca or follow Cardinal Meats on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. SOURCE Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. Media Contact: Dina Vieira, Email: [email protected] Kyle McDavid will serve as Monogram's first official Canadian Design Ambassador, helping Canadians elevate every moment. TORONTO, April 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Monogram, the luxury and lifestyle appliance brand, and Lauren Kyle McDavid, a world-renowned celebrity designer, have just announced a two-year partnership that will establish Lauren as the brand's official Design Ambassador. The partnership will tap into Lauren's influential voice and storytelling ability while allowing her to inspire interior designers and design enthusiasts with her style, vision, and perspective. Monogram x Lauren Kyle McDavid (CNW Group/Monogram) "Partnering with Monogram feels like a natural extension of my passion for design, cooking, and hospitality," says Lauren. "As a designer, bar owner, and self-proclaimed cook, I constantly strive to create spaces and experiences that align with my ethos - precision, creativity, and excellence. Monogram's products perfectly complement this vision, and I'm excited to enhance my interiors, bar operations, and culinary creations with their innovative technology." As an emerging force in the design world, Lauren will lead the inaugural Monogram Design Council, the brand's exclusive think tank of visionary designers. Furthermore, this initiative reflects Monogram's commitment to forming meaningful relationships with influential design leaders. Launching in 2025, the Monogram Design Council will bring together an elite roster of Canada's top design, style, and lifestyle experts for a first-of-its-kind content series. Bob Park, Chief Brand Officer at GE Appliance Canada, also commented on the new partnership, stating that, "Lauren Kyle McDavid represents the next generation of luxury design: bold, refined, and experience-driven. Her ability to fuse functionality with beauty mirrors everything we stand for at Monogram. This partnership brings a fresh new energy to Monogram." This collaboration will usher in a new era of luxury and design for Canada; Lauren's expertise will allow Monogram to embrace a signature approach that will redefine the world of luxury appliances. For more information about this new partnership, the Monogram brand, and available products, visit Monogram.ca and follow @MonogramCanada on Instagram. About Monogram For more than 30 years, the Monogram luxury appliance brand has been synonymous with impeccable craftsmanship and sophisticated design. Through artisan-inspired quality control and a relentless commitment to innovation, Monogram offers unique kitchen solutions to discerning consumers. For more information, visit www.monogram.ca . SOURCE Monogram For more information, please contact: Stephanie Porfiris, Pomp & Circumstance, [email protected] Nova Scotia's finest chefs are coming together to raise a record-breaking $400,000 in support of UNICEF's life-changing work HALIFAX, NS, April 22, 2025 /CNW/ - UNICEF Canada invites members of the media to attend the 33rd edition of its iconic "Chefs for UNICEF Gala" at the Halifax Convention Centre on April 24, 2025. This annual event will feature an evening of exceptional cuisine in support of UNICEF's ground-breaking programs for children across the globe. Ten of Nova Scotia's top chefs will lend their creative and culinary talents to make the 33rd edition a night to remember. UNICEF Canada will serve up another edition of its popular Chefs for UNICEF Gala. (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada) Special guests include: Big names from the Nova Scotia food scene such as Adam Bower (Grand Banker Bar & Grill/The Old Fish Factory & Ice House Bar), Geir Simensen (Legendary Hospitality), and the Gahan House team; such as (Grand Banker Bar & Grill/The Old Fish Factory & Ice House Bar), (Legendary Hospitality), and the Gahan House team; Global News Halifax anchor Paul Brothers , emcee for the event; , emcee for the event; UNICEF Canada President and CEO Sevaun Palvetzian, who will deliver an inspiring keynote address on how UNICEF has been an unstoppable positive force for millions of children worldwide and how it continues to support those facing challenges, crises and conflicts today. In addition to a one-of-a-kind dining experience, more than 100 exceptional auction items will be up for grabs, including unique experiences and works of art donated by generous individuals and businesses in support of UNICEF. Event: Chefs for UNICEF Gala Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025 Time: 6:00 pm ET Location: Halifax Convention Centre For more information, please visit: Chefs For UNICEF Gala. SOURCE UNICEF Canada Members of the media are requested to express their interest by contacting: Marie-Claude Rouillard, Deputy Director, Communications (National Media), UNICEF Canada, (514) 232-4510, [email protected]; Wendy Phillips, Phillips Public Relations, [email protected] Quinn Hughes is under contract with the Canucks for two more seasons. AP Quinn Hughes is stealing headlines during the Devils first-round playoff series. Vancouver general manager Jim Rutherford revealed in his end-of-season press conference that Hughes, the Canucks captain and franchise player, has made it clear he wants to play with his brothers, Devils stars Jack and Luke Hughes. New Jersey Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer notified the U.S. Department of Education that he intends to ignore vaguely worded demands from President Donald Trumps administration to rid schools of programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Dehmer sent a letter to federal officials Thursday saying New Jersey will not comply with an order to certify that public schools are not using DEI programs and policies. New Jersey officials said school districts also called local education agencies, or LEAs have already provided all the paperwork necessary to meet federal rules. The NJDOE is unaware of any changes in federal law or regulations that would necessitate the provision of additional certifications beyond those that it or New Jersey LEAs have already provided, Dehmer said in the letter. The federal Department of Education requested all states notify federal officials by Thursday that no DEI programs are being used in classrooms or school districts. By refusing to agree to the request, New Jersey could be the subject of an investigation and lose federal funding for schools. Federal officials sent a "Dear Colleague" letter to education officials in February that said schools and universities have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon systemic and structural racism and advanced discriminatory policies and practices. When asked to comment on New Jerseys letter refusing to certify its schools arent using DEI, a spokeswoman for the federal Department of Education said Arkansas, Guam, Oklahoma and Puerto Rico are among the governments that have already complied with the Dear Colleague letter request. These entities understand that the Departments request for certification is not controversial: when schools accept federal funding, they are obligated to uphold federal civil rights laws. Similarly, the Department of Education has a responsibility to ensure that educational entities are protecting students civil rights, said Madi Biedermann, U.S. Department of Education Deputy Assistant Secretary of Communications. The Department is merely asking states to verify their compliance with this basic responsibility, which they should have been able to do every year since 1964, when the Civil Rights Act was signed into law, she added. At least 15 attorneys general, including New Jersey Attorney General Mathew Platkin, see the Dear Colleague letter differently. The President cannot change longstanding legal precedent by executive order, said a joint statement signed by Platkin and other attorneys general. New Jerseys K-12 schools receive approximately $1.1 billion in federal funding, according to a calculator created by the Education Law Center, a Newark-based nonprofit group. Dehmer said the state is already feeling the pain of federal education cuts. I think its disheartening to see things like almost 50% of the U.S. Department of Education employees have been let go, Dehmer said on Monday at an Assembly Budget Committee hearing in Trenton. Those cuts have taken away federal resources that we dont have available to us anymore, he said. The NAACP is suing the federal Department of Education to stop enforcement of the Dear Colleague letter. The suit, if successful, could protect New Jersey and other states federal education funding even if they dont comply with the Trump administration DEI demands. Ultimately, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs benefit all of us, the NAACPs suit said. Diverse environments help build critical thinking, problem-solving ability, and intellectual self-confidence, and prepare students to thrive in our global economy, the suit said. When lawmakers asked about education funding at Mondays Assembly budget hearing, Dehmer said New Jersey officials are doing everything they can to make sure schools get their federal funds. We will continue to move along as things arise. But there isnt a clear roadmap for where things are headed, Dehmer said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Liz Rosenberg may be reached at lrosenberg@njadvancemedia.com. Drummer Joe Seiders of The New Pornographers was recently arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. (Photo by Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic) FilmMagic Joe Seiders, former drummer and keyboardist for The New Pornographers, was recently arrested for possession of child pornography. The 44-year-old musician was arrested April 9 and is still currently jailed with bail set at $1 million, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriffs Department in California. Police officers responded to a a suspicious circumstance at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Palm Desert, Calif. on April 7, the release stated. Upon arrival, officers discovered an 11-year-old boy who told them that an unknown male adult recorded him on a cell phone while he was using the restroom at the location. Just two days later, police were called back to the same Chick-fil-A after an employee said a male was entering and exiting the restroom with juvenile males at the business. Seiders was identified and taken into custody at the scene. Officials then searched his residence, vehicle and cell phone to find evidence of his role in the Chick-fil-A incident and additional crimes. The drummers charges included misdemeanors charges of annoying or molesting a child, invasion of privacy and attempted invasion of privacy, along with possession of child pornography. According to The Guardian, Seiders has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is set to appear in court on April 22. The Canadian indie rock band was quick to distance itself from Seiders. Everyone in the band is absolutely shocked, horrified, and devastated by the news of the charges against Joe Seiders and we have immediately severed all ties with him. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by his actions," a statement read from a spokesperson for the New Pornographers obtained by Pitchfork. Seiders replaced former New Pornographers drummer Kurt Dahle in 2014 ahead of the bands Brill Bruisers album release. He worked on Whiteout Conditions (2017), In the Morse Code of Brake Lights (2019) and Continue as a Guest (2023). He toured with the band as well during his 11-year tenure. More entertainment news: Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Christopher Burch can be reached at cburch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SwishBurch. Find NJ.comon Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. An Essex County man was found guilty of murdering a man outside of a bar in Newark in 2021, the prosecutors office announced. Isaiah J. Knight, 31, of East Orange, was convicted of murder, weapons charges, and conspiracy to commit witness tampering following a jury trial last week. In a second trial, he was also convicted of having a weapon he was not allowed to possess, and was found to be a persistent offender. He faces life in prison when he is sentenced on June 5. Knight shot and killed 23-year-old Tyzier White, of Irvington, in June 2021 outside of the Neptune Lounge. Witnesses told police that Knight felt slighted by White, and shot him five times at point-blank range, according to police. Six months after the murder, one of the eyewitnesses was lured to a location by a woman who knew Knight. There, three men wearing black masks and holding guns forced the witness to handwrite an affidavit recanting what the eyewitness previously told police, court documents say. The eyewitness told police his family was threatened over text messages, and that his statements to police were edited into a music video with references to snitches that was later posted on Instagram. Knights cousin, girlfriend, and sister have been charged in connection to the affidavit, police said. Those charges are pending. The admissibility of the affidavit made its way to the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The court found that the affidavit was physical evidence of a crime, and that the state can obtain the document from the defense counsel. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch. A Gloucester County man faces up to seven years in prison after pleading guilty in a fatal drunken driving crash. Patrick M. Dunn, 45, of Harrisonville, was driving a pickup truck on Ellis Mill Road in Elk Township on the evening of Nov. 1, 2022, when his vehicle collided head-on with a car, police said. The driver of the car Amy Buchanan, 56, of Gloucester Township died at the scene, police said. Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston is resigning to become CEO of University Hospital. Courtesy of Gov. Phil Murphy's office New Jersey Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston is resigning to become the CEO of University Hospital in Newark, Gov. Phil Murphys administration announced Tuesday. The abrupt reshuffling comes as the chief executive officer and president at University Hospital, Ed Jimenez, is scheduled to depart for the CEO job at Main Line Health in Pennsylvania. The appointment of Murphys health commissioner to the hospital is temporary while the board of directors seek a permanent replacement, according to Tanya L. Freeman, the board chair. Dr. Baston brings extraordinary expertise in both clinical and operational leadership, Freeman said. I am confident that under her interim guidance, University Hospital will continue to advance its missiondelivering exceptional care, driving innovation, and building on a legacy of service to the community." University Hospital, the states only public hospital, was created in the aftermath of the Newark riots more than 45 years ago to help meet the citys public health needs. The 467-bed institution in the Central Ward is the largest supplier of care for uninsured patients in the state. Its board and supporters have tried for years to seek the states help in building a new facility to accommodate the demands for its services. Baston is the third health commissioner tapped to run the hospital. Judy Persichilli, who was first an independent monitor identifying ways to correct the hospitals flaws, was named hospital CEO in 2018. Murphy later named her state health commissioner. Shereef Elnahal was also both state health commissioner and the hospitals CEO. Baston, a physician specializing in addiction medicine and founder of the Center for Healing at Cooper University Health Care in Camden, has been the states top health official since July 2023. Dr. Kate Baston, the state Health Commissioner, testifies at a budget hearing in April 2024 at the Statehouse in Trenton. Susan K. Livio Dr. Kaitlan Baston has dedicated her life to delivering quality health care to those most in need, said Gov. Phil Murphy, whose second term ends in January. As commissioner, she has done a tremendous job leading the New Jersey Department of Health. I am confident that Dr. Baston will be an exceptional interim CEO of University Hospital. Baston said she was honored to lead the facility during this period of transition. Having worked in healthcare for my entire career, I understand firsthand the importance of clear and effective leadership in building trust internally and in the community, she said in a statement. I look forward to building upon Eds work to expand access to innovative care, advance the master plan, and support our staff. Baston is board-certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. She obtained a masters degree in neuroscience from Kings College, London, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on X @SusanKLivio. A New Jersey woman is recovering after being swept into the ocean and critically injured while vacationing in California, friends said Monday. Diana Echeverry Torroledo of Jersey City was in San Diego with her boyfriend on March 28 when they were both swept off a jetty by a wave, according to a GoFundMe established by her friend, Maite Moreira. Her boyfriend was the first one rescued, but Echeverry Torroledo was found in the water breathing but unconscious, according to San Diego Fire and Rescue. Diana is my best friend in New York City, and when I heard the devastating news four days after the incident I was heartbroken, said Moreira of Brooklyn, N.Y. in a text message on Monday. Torroledo, who is employed as a freelance makeup artist, suffered multiple fractures across her body and face, as well as a brain hemorrhage. She spent four days in intensive care and is recovering at her boyfriends house in California since leaving the hospital, according to an April 15 update on the GoFundMe posted by her sister Carolina Echeverry Torroledo of Colombia. In the GoFundMe post, Carolina Echeverry Torroledo who traveled to California to care for her sister said her sister doesnt remember what happened. Her sister is being evaluated by two brain injury rehabilitation therapy organizations to see if she will benefit from therapy, she posted. They are also waiting to find out whether Diana Echeverry Torroledos New Jersey health insurance will cover her medical treatment, according to the post. NJ Advance Media reached out to Carolina Echeverry Torroledo, who is also a co-organizer of the GoFundMe. She told ABC10 news in San Diego about what happened to her sister. San Diego Fire and Rescue posted on social media that rescuers were preparing for a hoist rescue when a large set of waves swept everyone off the jetty. More rescuers responded and were able to get everyone back onto the jetty, they wrote. Several rescuers suffered injuries but were still able to re-group and get the critical patient airlifted to the landing zone at Lifeguard Headquarters where an ambulance and fire crew were waiting. Moreira said she established the GoFundMe when she heard the extent of her friends injuries. She said the money being raised will help her friend pay for doctor bills. From that moment, I knew I had to act quickly and do everything I could to support her, even from a distance. I immediately created a GoFundMe and reached out to the makeup community, knowing that together we could make a real difference. Moreira said the goal was to raise funds to help cover her medical expenses, support her during her recovery, and hopefully help her family travel to be by her side. Im still in awe that, through everyones generosity and solidarity, weve been able to raise $22,000. Its a testament to how deeply loved Diana is, she said. Diana Echeverry Torroledo faces a long road to recovery. Her journey to recovery will be long at least a year and were still in need of support. Every contribution continues to make an enormous difference, Moreira said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Stephanie Loder may be reached at SLoder@njadvancemedia.com. A New Jersey Department of Transportation official was charged with driving under the influence after she crashed into a large white box truck while her children were in a vehicle with her, police records show. Megan Fackler, 39, of Ewing Township, was also charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child for the October 2024 crash in Ewing Township, according to a criminal complaint obtained by NJ Advance Media. Fackler is the state DOTs director of statewide planning, according to a DOT organizational chart. The agency did not return multiple requests by NJ Advance Media for comment on her employment status. Her attorney, Haddonfield Township-based Steven Garber, declined to comment when reached by NJ Advance Media. Fackler had previously been charged with driving under the influence in Metuchen in March 2024, municipal court records show. She also had previously had her license suspended, records show. Police arrived at the crash site at Grand and Summit avenues in Ewing Township at 7:43 p.m. Oct. 5, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Bystanders were tending to Facklers three children, who were outside of her vehicle at the time officers arrived, according to a police report. While being questioned by police, Fackler appeared intoxicated. She was observed slurring her words, and her statements were incoherent, police said in the affidavit. She failed sobriety tests and was taken into custody, police said. Facklers blood alcohol level tested at 0.371%, over four times the legal limit, according to the affidavit. Body cam footage from her arrest was first published on April 12 by Transparency Bodycam. NJ Advance Media obtained body cam and dash cam footage through an Open Public Records Act request. I was driving, making a turn and got hit by a truck, Fackler told an officer. An investigation report by township police said Fackler was attempting to turn onto Grand Avenue from Summit Avenue when her vehicle collided with the truck. Police body cam video show an officer noting there were empty wine bottles in the back, of Facklers vehicle. She told the officer they were from weeks ago. At another point in the video, Fackler tells police, Im a little disoriented right now, and that she was going through a divorce and living with her brother. Fackler, who was sitting in her damaged vehicle during questioning, was ordered out of the vehicle. I work for the DOT, I understand how this works, she told the officer, who replied, If youre telling me that you understand how we (police) do our job, you understand that you need to get out of the car. One of the children complained of head pain, prompting medics to evaluate all three, according to the affidavit. The children were taken by ambulance to Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell Township for further evaluation. Fackler also had abrasions on her left hand and knee due to the impact, according to the affidavit. A pre-indictment hearing is scheduled for May 21, court records show. Larry Higgs contributed to this report. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. A Middlesex County woman admitted that she claimed over $150,000 of her mothers Social Security benefits for nearly eight years after she died, federal prosecutors announced Monday. Deborah Bailey, 68, of Piscataway, pleaded guilty in Trenton federal court to theft of public money, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey. Baileys mother began collecting benefits from the Social Security Administration in January 1997 and died on July 1, 2016, the office said. It was unclear how and where the mother died and a spokeswoman for the office could not immediately be reached for comment. The benefits were paid through electronic funds into Baileys mothers bank account to which Bailey was a joint account holder, authorities said. However, Bailey did not notify the administration about her mothers death and illegally made withdrawals from that bank account, investigators said. Between 2016 and January 2024, Bailey withdrew approximately $150,903.00 in retirement benefits, the office said. Bailey is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 19, according to the statement. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. A year after the number of antisemitic incidents spiked to an all-time high in New Jersey, reports of intimidation, harassment and vandalism are growing on college and university campuses in the state. At the same time, a rising tide of antisemitic acts across the country once again hit a new record this past year, according to a new report by the Anti-Defamation League released Tuesday. It found those incidents climbed to 9,354 nationwide in 2024, an increase of 5% from the previous year when there were 8,873 incidents. Much of that appeared to be sparked by anti-Israel rallies and an outpouring of antisemitism in the wake of the conflict in Gaza triggered by the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 people in Israel. Jewish Americans continue to be harassed, assaulted and targeted for who they are on a daily basis and everywhere they go, said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt in a statement. This horrifying level of antisemitism should never be accepted and yet, as our data shows, it has become a persistent and grim reality for American Jewish communities. Incidents continue to occur. Earlier this year in New Jersey, protesters sprayed antisemitic graffiti on the sidewalk outside a synagogue in South Orange in response to a program featuring two members of the Israel Defense Force. And in Bergen County, a Maywood man was criminally charged after allegedly using an antisemitic slur and pointing a gun at a customer in a ShopRite parking lot. The ADL, a Jewish nonprofit that tracks antisemitism and white supremacy across the nation, counts both criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment, vandalism and assault against individuals and groups as reported by victims and law enforcement, as well as those reported by the media and partner organizations. In New Jersey, the audit found 719 reported antisemitic incidents in 2024. While that was a decline of 13% from the record high of 830 the year before, it was still the third highest total in the country. More than half of the incidents involved claims of harassment. Another 220 involved vandalism and there were 17 assaults, according to the report including one individual who entered a Jewish school during Purim and attacked a security guard in Teaneck. More than one-in-five of the incidents reported in New Jersey occurred in Bergen County, which has a large Orthodox Jewish population in Teaneck. Together with Middlesex, Essex, Monmouth and Ocean, those five counties accounted for 63.6% of all antisemitic incidents in New Jersey. We are entering an alarming new normal, in New Jersey and across the nation, warned Scott Richman, the ADLs New York/New Jersey regional director, noting that the reported antisemitic incidents are triple the rate of where they were just a few years ago. Incidents at New Jersey college and university campuses were up substantially, with a reported 78 reports of antisemitic acts, representing a 53% jump from 2023 when there were 51 incidents. More than half occurred on the Rutgers, New Brunswick campus, according to the ADL. Pro-Palestinian protesters on Rutgers College Avenue Campus last year prompted school officials to postpone final exams and other activities. Rutgers officials said the university condemns antisemitism in the strongest terms possible and stands firmly against discrimination and harassment in all its forms. The university, which has come under federal scrutiny by the Trump administration, along with many other universities, said it is proud of its large and active Jewish community and has greatly benefited from the ongoing guidance and partnership of the Anti-Defamation League in fostering a safe and supportive environment. Any claims of antisemitism are investigated and reviewed, and where appropriate, disciplinary or remedial actions are taken, a university spokesman said in a statement. The university adheres to state and federal law and strives to strengthen and enforce the policies and practices that protect our students, faculty, and staff. Lisa Harris Glass, the CEO of Rutgers Hillel, a major Jewish student organization on campus, said the universitys administration has committed to hearing the whole range of Jewish experiences on our campus, as well as to collaborating with Rutgers Hillel, and other stakeholders, to improve the climate on campus. Elsewhere, the ADL said incidents on or around college and university campuses across the country rose more steeply than any other setting. In 2024, there were 1,694 antisemitic incidents on college campuses across the county, which was 84% higher than in 2023. In fact, overall, campus incidents represents 18% of all reports of antisemitism larger than in any previous audit, said the ADL. The states own data on bias reports, meanwhile, also has found a large increase in antisemitism incidents since 2022, and to a lesser extent, reports of those deemed anti-Islamic or anti-Arab. That data compiled by the Attorney Generals office from law enforcement agencies shows antisemitic bias incidents in New Jersey climbed from 446 in 2022 to 673 through 2024. The same report reported 103 anti-Islamic or anti-Arab incidents in 2022, which nearly doubled to 196 such incidents last year. My office has made fighting hate and bias a top priority, said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, who added that the rising number of incidents targeting the states Jewish residents should be unacceptable to every single person in New Jersey. It takes all of us to stand up against antisemitism and we are committed to leveraging the full weight of our resources as part of the fight, he said. __ Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TedShermanSL. Police searched a lake Tuesday for a Princeton University student who has been missing since Saturday. Lauren Blackburn, a 23-year-old undergraduate student from Indiana, was reported missing by the universitys Department of Public Safety on Tuesday. Blackburn is a member of the Class of 2026. He was last seen around 6 p.m. Saturday near the schools Firestone Library on Washington Road, according to campus officials. He was wearing blue ripped jeans, a yellow t-shirt, a black zippered hoodie and blue flat-bottom shoes. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighs 170 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair, according to a university alert sent to the campus community. Lauren Blackburn missing Princeton University student Princeton University Around midnight Tuesday, police began an ongoing water search in Lake Carnegie following the missing person report. The lake, used by Princeton Universitys rowing team, is a reservoir that stretches across several towns in Mercer and Middlesex counties. Hamilton Township police and K-9 units were on the scene, using drones and sonar units to assist in the search, 6abc reported. School officials said there may be increased police presence on campus as they search for the student. Anyone with information should contact the Princeton University Department of Public Safety at (609) 258-1000. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nyah Marshall may be reached at nmarshall@njadvancemedia.com George E. Norcross III, whose criminal case was dismissed in February after a Superior Court judge dismissed the indictment against him. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance Calling the judges ruling unprecedented and erroneous, the state Attorney Generals Office has appealed the dismissala of the criminal corruption case against George E. Norcross III, the feared Democratic powerbroker whose influence stretched across New Jersey. In a 120-page filing with an appellate court late Monday, prosecutors rejected the conclusions reached by Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw in February in his own lengthy ruling that found no crime had been committed. Even if all of the indictments factual allegations are accepted as true, those allegations do not amount to a crime as a matter of law, Warshaw wrote, in a sharp rebuke of the case. In its appeal, the state said the judge got it wrong, again outlining the charges against Norcross, his brother, his personal attorney, and others in his orbit in the alleged corruption scheme. In addition to the specific testimony each individual witness gave, the evidence repeatedly showed the immense amount of control over Camden government that George Norcross exercised, and that the city was replete with people who feared him and his associates because they understood them to use the very sorts of methods alleged, prosecutors wrote. This included the weaponization of the permitting and approval process, as well as exacting harm to peoples reputations and livelihoods if they crossed him. Norcross, a wealthy 69-year-old insurance executive from Camden who had long held far-reaching sway over government and politics, has never held elected office. Defense attorney Michael Critchley, who represents Norcross, called the new filing another failed legal argument by the attorney general. The only difference is that this redux version is longer than the original. The fatal legal flaws remain. As has become obvious to everyone, Mr. Platkins obsession has been a political prosecution from its inception, Critchley said. The charges brought by the state last June had alleged that Norcross and others used their influence to obtain property on the Camden waterfront while collecting millions of dollars in government-issued tax credits, controlling or pressuring government officials to do their bidding in what was described as political bloodsport. They charged that Norcross had also engaged in extortion by bullying a business rival on the Camden waterfront, developer Carl Dranoff, into selling an easement and other development rights. The judge had found otherwise, concluding that all of charges in the indictment were based on the existence of wrongful or unlawful threats. Yet he said there were no actual threats alleged. Clearly, this is a steel cage brawl between two heavyweights, both accompanied at times by at least one lawyer. Neither seems to like or trust the other. Each is trying to prevail in the negotiations and there is substantial money at stake, wrote the judge. The appeal was no surprise. Attorney General Matthew Platkin, a driving force in pushing the case forward, had said upon the dismissal that the state would challenge the decision. After years in which the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently cut back on federal public corruption law, and at a time in which the federal government is refusing to tackle corruption, it has never been more important for state officials to take corruption head on, he said at the time. Norcross watches as Attorney General Matthew Platkin outlined the charges against him last year. S.P. Sullivan In their appeal of the dismissal, prosecutors said by deeming the threats made by Norcross and others exclusively as hard bargaining, or finding that they were not threats at all, the trial court both misconstrued the law and made improper factual findings and inferences. They wrote that while attorneys for the defendants may incorrectly believe that wielding the threat of reputational and governmental harm to extract property or submission from others is permissible activity that occurs every day in politics and business, New Jersey law makes clear it is unlawful. At issue in the case was the use by the Attorney Generals Office of a so-called speaking indictment, which is sometimes used by prosecutors to present charges in a narrative-driven format. Defense attorneys often complain that such narratives permit the government to influence the public perception of a case, as well as the jury at trial. But the judge in this case said the use of a speaking indictment, which he called relatively rare in New Jersey Superior Court, opened the door to the challenge by the defense as to whether any crime had been committed. The state said the judge failed to consider or review the trove of evidence, including more than 2,000 pages of transcripts and over 300 exhibits that was presented to the grand jury over the course of five months in 2024. The grand jury charged defendants, centrally, with engaging in a complex criminal conspiracy, both by entering into a racketeering conspiracy and by engaging in individual conspiracies to unlawfully extort and coerce victims into giving up property, prosecutors wrote. But the trial court, looking only at the indictment, concluded that the factual allegations therein did not alone suffice to establish the charged crimes. Read the states appeal __ Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL New Jersey U.S. Rep. Donald Norcrosss condition has improved since being hospitalized when he developed sepsis due to a gallbladder infection, his team said Tuesday. Norcross, D-1st Dist., is now out of the intensive care unit at Cooper University Hospital in Camden after surgeons removed his gallbladder earlier this month, his office said in a statement. His health has continued to improve and he is on his way to a full recovery as he remains hospitalized, the statement said. Norcross, 66, a long-time Democratic lawmaker in a politically active family, became ill on a plane earlier this month, forcing the pilot to divert the aircraft to North Carolina. He was transferred to Cooper University Hospital in Camden the same night and had emergency surgery for what was considered a very serious situation. The owners of a New Jersey-based healthcare marketing company were sentenced to prison for operating an illegal kickback scheme and defrauding the federal government out of $127 million. Eric Karlewicz, 46, from Rockland County, New York, and Nicco Romanowski, 33, of Roswell, Georgia, were sentenced in federal court in Newark, a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of New Jersey said. The two men ran Empire Pain Center Holdings, an Eatontown-based medical company. Between June 2017 and May 2019, the two men worked with durable medical equipment companies, telemedicine companies, and doctors to submit false claims for things like back, shoulder and knee braces. They also called the patients to pressure them into accepting the braces, according to court docs, even if they werent medically necessary. Karlewicz and Romanowski then paid kickbacks to the telemedicine companies, who paid kickbacks to the doctors in exchange for writing the prescriptions. As agreed upon, the doctors signed the prescription orders regardless of medical necessity, often without ever speaking to the patient the U.S. Attorneys office said. Empire received more than $63 million in referral fees and filed claims worth more than $127 million as part of the scheme, officials said. Karlewicz and Romanowski used the money to buy a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, and a BMW, officials said. Karlewicz was sentenced to 51 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $63 million. Romanowski was sentenced to 80 months in prison, and ordered to forfeit $5.5 million. Together, they must pay $127 million in restitution. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP Far-right podcaster Tim Pool was criticized online after being featured during the White House press briefing on Tuesday. The White House selected Pool to sit in the new media seat during the press briefing on Tuesday afternoon. Pool, a conservative influencer and host of the Timcast IRL podcast, used his question to ask White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt about the unprofessional behavior from traditional media organizations. Many of these organizations that are represented in this room have marched in lockstep on false narratives, such as the very fine people hoax, the Covington smear, and now whats being called the Maryland man hoax, where an MS-13 gang member adjudicated by two different judges, I believe, is just simply being referred to as a Maryland man over and over again, he said, referring to the Kilmar Abgrego Garcia who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador last month. Now, in an effort from the White House to expand access to new companies, youve created this new media seat. So Im wondering if you can comment on, following this expansion, youve had numerous outlets disparage the companies that youve had sit here as well as the reporters. Im wondering if you could comment on the unprofessional behavior, as well as elaborative, theres any plans to expand access to new companies, Pool added. "In our new media seat today: Tim Pool - He's a political commentator and a media entrepreneur with millions of followers, a very big platform. Currently hosts @Timcast IRL a daily news and discussion show and The Culture War - a weekly podcast" - WH press sec Karoline Leavitt pic.twitter.com/r8gCdKUFu0 Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) April 22, 2025 Leavitt used Pools softball question to double down on the administrations stance on Abrego Garcia. The administration has admitted that Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvador in error, but has repeatedly claimed that the Maryland resident is a member of the MS-13 gang. The administration has not made a public effort to facilitate his return to the U.S. Pools appearance at the White House press briefing was met with widespread criticism on social media. Many social media users mocked the podcaster for wearing a beanie in the White House after Pool had criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not wearing a suit during his meeting in the Oval Office. Democrat commentator Harry Sisson wrote on X: Tim Pool cried about President Zelensky not wearing a suit when he met with Trump but this is how Tim showed up to the White House today. Zip up jacket and a beanie. Maybe he shouldnt be such a hypocrite!. The Bulwarks Andrew Egger wrote: Not even the full might of the Trump Administration can compel Tim Pool to dress like an adult. Many social media users also pointed out that Pool was one of the six right-wing influencers who was connected to Tenet Media a U.S. media company that U.S. prosecutors said was allegedly funded by Russian state media employees. U.S. prosecutors said last year that the influencers, including Pool, Dave Rubin and Benny Johnson, were duped into working for the covert Russian operation. According to The Washington Post, Tenet paid Pool $100,000 for every weekly episode he hosted. The U.S. Justice Department doesnt allege any wrongdoing by the influencers, some of whom it says were given false information about the source of the companys funding. Instead, it accuses two employees of RT, a Russian state media company, of funneling nearly $10 million to a Tennessee-based content creation company for Russia-friendly content. After the indictments were announced, both Pool and Johnson issued statements on social media, which Rubin retweeted, saying they were victims of the alleged crimes and had done nothing wrong. We still do not know what is true as these are only allegations, Pool said at the time. Putin is a scumbag. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters while in flight on board Air Force One, en route to Miami, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Pool via AP) AP The wheels came off the track at the mere mention of President Donald Trumps top adviser Elon Musk. Dont boo, dont boo, GOP Congressman Byron Donalds told his audience after someone asked what oversights lawmakers were putting on the worlds richest man and his work at the Department of Government Efficiency. What DOGE is doing is they are going through every agency and they are examining any contracts or any lack of efficiencies in spending federal dollars, Donalds started to say, as the audience started shouting him down. What a train wreck last night in Estero, FL: @ByronDonalds was caught begging attendees, DON'T BOO, DON'T BOO, before pivoting to a baseless lie that Joe Biden handed 53 students the Social Security databasean outright fabrication. pic.twitter.com/54MUYbVS8M Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) April 22, 2025 Donalds is Trumps pick to be the next Republican governor of Florida. He won re-election in 2024 by about 32 percentage points. Last month, House Speaker Mike Johnson encouraged Republican lawmakers to skip town halls that have been filled with protesters decrying the Trump administrations slashing of the federal government, echoing the presidents claims that the demonstrations are fueled by professional protesters. His advice came as GOP lawmakers often find themselves at a loss to explain the cuts that have left federal workers suddenly out of jobs in communities from coast to coast. The scenes at the town halls are reminiscent of past moments from the Obama-era health care battles, when tea party Republicans fought against the Affordable Care Act, and also the George W. Bush era, when Democrats and others protested his proposed changes to Social Security. But more immediately, the town hall outbursts resemble the Trump-era protests of 2017 and 2018 when Republicans tried and failed to repeal Obamacare, and then approved sweeping GOP tax cuts and Democrats campaigned against them, sweeping the midterm elections and reclaiming control of the U.S. House. The speaker, protecting his thin-as-ever majority, advised his lawmakers to choose other forums smaller community gatherings or telephone town halls to discuss the issues with voters. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Without warning, a psychiatric patient last summer struck a hospital employee in the face, landing a punch on the workers chin. But how security workers, nurses and other employees at the Trinitas Adult Psychiatric Clinic responded to the assault last summer has resulted in a nearly $300,000 fine following a nine-month investigation into the patients abuse and medical neglect, according to state Health Department records. One of the security officers punched the patient four times in the side of the head while the patient was restrained by two other employees, according to the penalty letter and the inspection report from the July 18 incident. The security officer appeared to be holding a walkie talkie radio while the assault took place, according to the report that is based on a video recording of the incident. Trinitas Adult Psychiatric Clinic in Elizbeth is a separate facility but is a part of the Trinitas Regional Medical Center, which is a member of RWJBarnabas Health. In a statement to NJ Advance Media, Trinitas said it deeply regretted the actions that took place surrounding this incident, and immediately launched an investigation into what happened. After the assault the patient, now limp, was placed on a bed, the report said. Minutes later, the patient started convulsing as if he/she was having a seizure, the report said. The employees placed his arms in legs in restraints attached to the bed. A registered nurse in the room rubbed the patients back and performed chest compressions, but did not check the patients vital signs, which is required when a patient is restrained, the report said. The nurse also administered a shot to subdue the patient, but again, did not assess the patients vital signs. According to the nurse interviewed by the state, The incident quickly changed from a psychiatric emergency to a medical emergency, then back to a psychiatric emergency. Ive never had to perform CPR on a patient or had a patient have a seizure before this incident and I panicked. I know I messed up. The health department received a complaint about the 10-minute incident and opened an investigation on July 23, the report said. The Director of Quality and Patient Safety confirmed that the nurse did not respond to signs of patient distress or assess the patient at the time he/she became motionless on the floor after being placed in a physical hold by staff, and that the patient should have been assessed immediately once he/she became unresponsive, according to the health departments penalty letter. In November, the health department signed off on Trinitas plan of correction, which consisted of retraining employees on how to safely manage patients who are physically restrained, according to health department records. Training will be repeated annually, the records said. The facility was fined $297,500 $2,500 a day from the date of the incident in July to November when the state approved the corrective actions. The lack of corrective action during the time of the incident until the implementation of the correction plan left patients at risk for immediate and serious harm warranting a per day $2,500, the penalty letter said. According to Trinitas, the hospital notified the state and investigated the matter. It suggested employees faced disciplinary action but did not provide details. In the days after, a comprehensive action plan was initiated and completed, which comprised of disciplinary action of staff, up to and including termination, and the implementation of a comprehensive department-wide re-training and re-education program, Trinitas statement said. We are committed to providing the highest quality care and the safest environment for all patients, and reinforce all safeguards we have put in place, the statement said. The hospital may appeal the fine or the states findings. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on X @SusnKLivio. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump serves french fries as an employee looks on during a visit to McDonald's in Feasterville-Trevose, Pa., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool) AP President Donald Trump has made no bones about his love for McDonalds. But if youre undocumented, delivering for the fast food chain and come in contact U.S. authorities, you could be disappeared in the literal sense. The New York Times wrote about a 32-year-old man living in Detroit who accidentally crossed into Canada while running a delivery for McDonalds. The man, Ricardo Prada Vasquez, was picked up by authorities as he tried to enter the U.S. he was taken into custody. From The Times: On March 15, he told a friend in Chicago that he was among a number of detainees housed in Texas who expected to be repatriated to Venezuela. That evening, the Trump administration flew three planes carrying Venezuelan migrants from the Texas facility to El Salvador, where they have been ever since, locked up in a maximum-security prison and denied contact with the outside world. But Mr. Prada has not been heard from or seen. He is not on the list of 238 people who were deported to El Salvador that day. He does not appear in the photos and videos released by the authorities of shackled men with shaved heads. He has simply disappeared, said Javier, a friend in Chicago, the last person with whom Mr. Prada had contact. Over the weekend, the Supreme Court blocked, for now, the deportations of any Venezuelans held in northern Texas under an 18th-century wartime law. In a brief order, the court directed the Trump administration not to remove Venezuelans held in the Bluebonnet Detention Center until further order of this court. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented. The high court acted in an emergency appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union contending that immigration authorities appeared to be moving to restart removals under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The Supreme Court had said earlier in April that deportations could proceed only if those about to be removed had a chance to argue their case in court and were given a reasonable time to contest their pending removals. In an emergency filing early Friday, the ACLU warned that immigration authorities were accusing other Venezuelan men held there of being members of the Tren de Aragua gang, which would make them subject to Trumps use of the act. The act has only been invoked three previous times in U.S. history, most recently during World War II to hold Japanese-American civilians in internment camps. The Trump administration contended it gave them power to swiftly remove immigrants they identified as members of the gang, regardless of their immigration status. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Rep. Nancy Mace can't make up her mind whether a man who asked her a question is a fool or a terrifying harasser. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite) AP When Donald Trump-loving Republican Rep. Nancy Mace the Republican partys Chief of the Bathroom Safety Patrol woke on Monday morning, she ran to her phone to welcome the new day. "Good morning to everyone except men who wear daisy dukes, Mace tweeted. All day long, she mocked the voter who, when he spotted her in the wild over the weekend, asked Mace when she was going to hold a town hall. Ive already done one, Ill do plenty more, Mace, who took a video of the encounter and posted it to Twitter/X, told the man. Youre always invited. Its a simple question, the man responded, repeatedly pressing her to hold an event. You people on the left are absolutely f---ing crazy, Mace told the man. Get out of my face. F--k you, she added. At no time during the back-and-forth did Mace indicate she felt threatened. In fact, several times on Monday, Mace from South Carolina tweeted mockingly about Mr. Daisy Dukes, and when she was warming up in the Fox News bullpen for an appearance with Sean Hannity on Monday night, she smugly predicted a takedown: Mr. Daisy Dukes isnt going to like this one. And then, when the cameras were on, Mace played the victim card: This guy approached me, and I will tell you I felt threatened and harassed, and as someone whos experienced trauma in her life, and a lot of women will understand what Im talking about, when some guy gets in your face and approaches you in an aggressive manner that he did and you feel like you are in danger, instinctively as women who have been through trauma and survived domestic abuse, you have two options. You can fight or flee and Im a fighter, Mace said. Ive never stood back down from a fight. Wait, so was this lunatic in shorts to be ridiculed, or a walking terror to be feared? Being a public official doesnt give anyone the right to harass me, invade my personal space, or make threats, Mace tweeted. But Mr. Daisy Dukes didnt harass her, invade her space or make threats. Former GOP Congressman Adam Kinzinger had an opinion on the encounter: Every one of Nancy Maces constituents need to ask her in public now. This lack of respect demands a town hall. He added: She is in serious need of mental health support. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nadine Menendez arrives at a federal courthouse in New York before the jury reached its verdict on Monday. AP NEW YORK Nadine Menendez, the wife of former U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, was convicted Monday of teaming up with her husband to accept bribes of cash, gold bars and a luxury car from three New Jersey men looking for help with their business dealings or legal troubles. The jury returned its verdict in the same federal courthouse in Manhattan where a different jury convicted Bob Menendez of many of the same charges last year. The Democrat is supposed to begin serving an 11-year prison term in June. The evidence shown to jurors over a three-week trial followed the timeline of the whirlwind romance between the couple that began in early 2018 and continued after criminal charges were brought against them in September 2023. Repeatedly during the trial, prosecutors said they were partners in crime. During a 2022 raid on the couples Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, home, FBI agents found nearly $150,000 worth of gold bars and $480,000 in cash stuffed in boots, shoeboxes and jackets. In the garage was a Mercedes-Benz convertible, also an alleged bribe. Both Nadine and Bob Menendez said they are innocent and never took any bribes. Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, left, and his wife, Nadine, arrive at the federal courthouse in New York in 2023 after they were hit with sweeping bribery charges. AP Initially, they were to be tried together, along with the three businessmen, but Nadine Menendezs trial was postponed a year ago after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery. Robert Menendez, 71, resigned from the Senate last August following his conviction. Before the charges were brought he had been chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Prosecutors accused Nadine Menendez of starting to facilitating bribes to the senator around the time that they began dating, before they married in the fall of 2020. At the time, she was in danger of losing her home in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, after missing nearly $20,000 in mortgage payments, trial testimony showed. A longtime friend, Wael Hana, provided cash to save the home and prosecutors said that in return, the senator began helping Hana preserve a business monopoly he had arranged with the Egyptian government to certify that imported meat met religious requirements. Nadine Menendez also needed a new car after her old one was destroyed when she struck and killed a man crossing a street. (She did not face charges in the crash). Prosecutors said a businessman, Jose Uribe, gave her a Mercedes-Benz, and in return Bob Menendez used his clout to pressure the New Jersey attorney generals office to stop investigating some of Uribes associates. Prosecutor said more cash and gold bribes were paid to the couple by Fred Daibes, a prominent real estate developer who prosecutors said wanted the senator to protect him from a criminal case he was facing in New Jersey. Prosecutors said Bob Menendez also helped Daibes secure a $95 million investment from a Qatari investment fund. Nadine Menendez, 58, was described by prosecutors at her trial as crucial to the scheme, enabling the senator to communicate with the businessmen and Egyptian government officials. Besides his conviction on bribery charges, Bob Menendez also was convicted of acting as an agent for the Egyptian government. Prosecutors said that in return for some of the bribes, he ghostwrote a letter for Egyptian officials to give to his fellow senators to calm their concerns about human rights abuses and encourage them to lift a hold on $300 million in military aid. Nadine Menendezs lawyer, Barry Coburn, had argued during his closing arguments to the jury that the evidence was insufficient for a conviction. These things were talking about here are unproven, he said. He said the dealings the senator had with the businessmen were just what a politician is supposed to do for his constituents. In a rebuttal argument , Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Richenthal urged the jury to convict Nadine Menendez, calling the evidence against her consistent and overwhelming. Uribe pleaded guilty and testified against the others. Hana and Dabies were convicted along with the senator. Hana has been sentenced to eight years in prison while Daibes got seven years behind bars. Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter. Marcus Stroman is "still feeling some things" in his injured knee, per Yankees manager Aaron Boone. AP CLEVELAND Dont expect Marcus Stroman to return from the injured list when hes eligible later this month. It could be a while until the right-hander is pitching in a Yankees uniform again. Stroman, who was placed on the IL with left knee inflammation on April 12, is still feeling some things in there, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before Mondays series opener against the Guardians at Progressive Field. I know theres probably some nerve stuff in there that was irritating him a little bit, Boone said. Well continue to work to try and get him physically where he needs to be, and then hopefully start building him back up. Its too early to say definitively, of course, but its looking more and more like Stroman wont reach the innings threshold necessary to trigger another year (at $18.5 million) on his current contract. He needs to throw 140 innings this year to get that extra season of control, otherwise hes headed to the open market. 2025 MVP ODDS: Betting favorites among Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor With the starting pitching injuries the Yankees were bombarded with in spring training Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery), Luis Gil (lat strain), Clarke Schmidt (right rotator cuff tendonitis) the door was open for a healthy and effective Stroman to stick around in the rotation for an extended stretch, maybe even the entire year. Stroman ended up struggling mightily over his first three outings. He raised his ERA up to 11.57 when he gave up five earned runs and didnt make it out of the first inning against the Giants at Yankee Stadium on April 11. Stroman was moved to the IL the next day, a stint that coincided with Schmidts return, so the Yankees didnt need to dip into their depth to fill his spot. Boone sounded encouraged that Stroman would be able to ramp back up quickly after he got a cortisone shot in his knee. Hes still hopeful, but the more time Stroman misses, the longer it will take for him to ramp up and be ready to start at the big-league level. The total for Tuesdays Yankees versus Guardians game is set at 8.5 over on FanDuel. Our comprehensive FanDuel Sportsbook review shows you how to sign up and use their platform. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Max Goodman may be reached at mgoodman@njadvancemedia.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. The Cultural Exchange Pavilion has hosted countries that require a healthy spin of the globe. But this year, the U.S.s neighbors to the south are taking center stage in a celebration of all things Mexico and Mexican American. The undisputed Mexican-born heavyweight in Jazz Fests lineup is Carlos Santana (Thursday, May 1, on the Festival Stage), but dont sleep on the chart-topping, 17-person Banda MS de Sergio Lizarraga (Sunday, May 4, on the Congo Square Stage) and Mexican traditional music and rock-influenced vocalist Lila Downs (Friday, April 25, on the Fais Do-Do Stage). They have gigantic followings throughout the Mexican diaspora. When it comes to selecting from the staggering 19 other Mexican and border-straddling acts, weve got you covered. The first weekend will include the horn-heavy band Mixatena de Santa Cecilia, which delivers tidy boleros and cumbias native to Guerrero and Oaxaca that can sound almost Balkan at times. Dont miss Corpus Christi, Texas El Dusty & The Homies, who blend hip-hop and Latin music in a style they call cumbia crunk. Son de Madera represents the genre of son jarocho, which features the jarana, a small, 8-string, guitar-like instrument native to Veracruz. The Grammy-winning Los Texmaniacs rep deep South Texas with a sound that wouldnt be out of place at a crawfish boil or a quinceanera. During the second weekend, look for Grammy-winning Los Angeles band La Santa Cecilia, who were featured on the Coco soundtrack. They will be playing Thursday only, so definitely catch their modern spin on traditional Latin music. Mexico Citys Son Rompe Pera takes the traditional marimba and runs it through a punk-rock filter, mixing in cumbia, ska, garage and surf rock. Mexican Institute of Sound, also featured on the Coco soundtrack, is almost like a Mexican RJD2 with lyrics. El Conjunto Nueva Ola performs new wave (nueva ola) covers with a cumbia beat all in lucha libre masks. Beyond the music, Jazz Fest will showcase artisan crafts, including guitar-making, embroidery, muralists and more. There will be musical parades across the festival grounds, dance demonstrations and cultural talks throughout both weekends. And if were talking Mexico, then we need to talk food. Temperos Market Kitchen will be serving dishes near the Cultural Exchange Pavilion, and the menu includes traditional tamales, ceviche and veggie tostadas, flautas and more. The young student from the Peruvian Air Force Officer School completed the MIOTC course over eight months. The instruction received in the program has strengthened his training as a future officer and allowed him to acquire a global perspective and valuable intercultural background. The Peruvian Air Force highlighted this achievement on its social media and noted that Perez gained valuable experience in doctrine, leadership, and top-level military training, representing Peru with honor. The opportunity to train at RAF Cranwell came thanks to an initiative by the high command of the FAP, which opened the Air Attache Office in London and promoted the participation of a cadet in this international program "In the case of the cadets who passed the evaluations in the selection process, we learned that it was for the Royal Air Force," he told Andina News Agency. Challenges After a rigorous selection process, which included language proficiency tests and interviews with British representatives, Perez was chosen to represent Peru from August 2024 to April 2025. During his stay, Perez faced a series of challenges, such as adapting to the British accent and writing military documents in English. "One of the biggest challenges was the language barrier, as I had been accustomed to hearing American English all my life, so the change between accents was quite a challenge. Academically, writing documents, expressing opinions, participating in classes, giving presentations, holding briefings, and learning slang were also part of it. Additionally, differentiating between accents was a matter of adaptation, to the point where I stopped thinking in Spanish," he explained. The physical demands of training in extreme temperatures, including an expedition in Scotland under adverse weather conditions, were another challenge he had to face. Among his memories is the adventure training in Scotland, climbing mountains over 1,000 meters high with extreme temperatures and winds of -13C, along with hail, fog, and rain, using military gear suited for that geography and climate. "Going from the Peruvian winter to the British winter was a big challenge (...) in one of the practical field exercises, where it had snowed, and we were camping in the forest at -3C with routine inspections of field equipment. However, in most field deployments and physical education classes in the snow, it was a different experience," he indicated. Despite the difficulties, Perez highlighted the openness and camaraderie of his instructors and international peers, with whom he shared not only training but also cultural experiences. "Being the first Peruvian cadet, they showed plenty of interest in getting to know me, my country, and my customs," he noted. The reception Perez received from the instructors and classmates was very friendly and even, at some point, amusing. "At first, they were quite confused because they couldn't guess which country my accent was from until I, jokingly, told them I came from the same place as Paddington Bear," he said. Projection in Peru The Peruvian cadet emphasized that British training places emphasis on leadership, ethics, self-discipline, and commitment -aspects he hopes to apply in his future role as a FAP. He also appreciated the institutional support he received, pointing out that the Peruvian Air Force is committed to high-level professional training with international reach. Perez left a message for future Peruvians who dream of pursuing a career in military aviation. "The message I would give is to prepare, to study, to be disciplined, and to show great interest in learning the English language because it can open doors to experiences like this. For an aviator, the sky is no longer the limit," he stated. After this enriching experience, the fourth-year cadet aims to graduate as an officer (Second Lieutenant) next December. "My expectations as an officer are to contribute to helping my Air Force fulfill its mission and vision by applying the knowledge gained from this experience at RAF Cranwell," he pointed out. Perez also emphasized that the FAP is interested in sending cadets abroad so that the professional training of its members leads them to professional excellence. "This way, we can acquire knowledge and experiences in top-level institutions in the international context, seeking the continuous improvement of our institution," he concluded. A decision to shoot hundreds of koalas was deemed necessary to reduce suffering after a disaster. But critics want more information released about the decision. Locals have filmed helicopters from outside Budj Bim National Park, as they search for injured and starving koalas. Source: Supplied An Australian states shooting of hundreds of koalas from helicopters has been labelled an embarrassment and sparked a call for more transparency from government. With international media now focusing on the Victorian government program, opposition environment spokesperson Brad Rowswell has called for the release of all documents that led to what he believes was a dumb decision to kill so many animals. Here we are in Victoria, with government-sanctioned sniper shooting of koala bears from helicopters. And the government has been particularly secretive about why and how, the Liberal told Yahoo News. Not only is Rowswell concerned about the deaths of so many koalas, he is also worried about the damage the program could have on his home states reputation. Its an embarrassment, the message this is sending the international community, he added. Saying the public deserves to understand more about the governments decision-making process, hes called on it to reveal details of what led to the decision to shoot koalas from helicopters for the first time. ADVERTISEMENT What Im asking the government to do is immediately release the advice from [what] they say are independent veterinary and animal welfare experts, which in the governments eyes provide them with a reason to undertake this killing, he said. Thats an entirely fair request, and it would allay the concerns of many Victorians," he said. Rowswell wants to see the results of its Great Victorian Koala Survey released, so the public can understand how many of the marsupials live across the state. There are calls for koala-proof tree collars on the outskirts of Budj Bim to be removed. Source: Supplied Why hundreds of koalas needed to be euthanised Last week, Yahoo revealed the states department of environment (DEECA) determined it had no option but to euthanise between 600 and 700 koalas inside Budj Bim National Park. It was responding to a bushfire in March that left many injured and others without food. ADVERTISEMENT DEECA indicated the decision to shoot them from helicopters was not taken lightly, but the wilderness was determined to be too difficult for its crews to safely access on foot. Many of the koalas inside the national park had been sterilised months earlier due to concerns about overpopulation, so DEECA assessed few females would be carrying joeys. But koala advocates have argued many of the koalas at Budj Bim originally lived in the surrounding timber plantations, and would likely be fertile and be carrying pouch young. Koala advocates have also raised concerns about the banding of trees with koala-proof devices at the edge of the national park. Sources have told Yahoo the trees appear slightly denuded of leaves due to overbrowsing, but given the extraordinary food shortage, theyve called for koalas to be given access to their branches. Changes set for Budj Bim koala management In 2023, DEECA released its Victorian Koala Management Strategy which has informed the overall management of koalas in Budj Bim. Developed in collaboration with conservationists, scientists, Traditional Owners and wildlife groups, it outlines Victoria's vision, goals, issues and actions for the conservation of the species over the following decade. ADVERTISEMENT On Tuesday, DEECA told Yahoo its management of koalas in Budj Bim would likely change in future, but its overall goal would remain the same. The current wildlife welfare response will no doubt have implications for future koala management programs across the Budj Bim cultural landscape, including possible changes to their frequency and location, it said. The underlying objective and approach of these ongoing management programs will not change though, which is to support a healthy population in the area. The office of environment minister Steve Dimopoulos has been contacted for comment. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. The suspended chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police is no longer facing a criminal investigation for alleged sexual offences. The allegations against Will Kerr relate to when he was a former assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). But the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland has decided not to prosecute over the allegations, nor for an allegation of misconduct in public office. The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) has said it will now resume its investigation into the allegations of misconduct now the criminal investigation is resolved and Mr Kerr will remain suspended until the IOPC process is resolved. Mr Kerr had worked for the police in Northern Ireland for 27 years, later joining Police Scotland before he joined Devon and Cornwall Police in December 2022. He was suspended as chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police in July 2023 by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez after the allegations came to light. An investigation was launched by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (PONI). No arrests were made as part of the investigation. Chief Constable James Vaughan, who was appointed to the role for Devon and Cornwall Police in December 2024, will remain in post until any outstanding matters are concluded. Ms Hernandez said she was delighted Mr Kerr was no longer under criminal investigation. She said: This will be a significant relief to Mr Kerr and his family. It is disappointing that it has taken nearly two years to get to this decision. While this is a major milestone, we await further instructions from the Independent Office for Police Conduct on any potential misconduct matters which may still need their oversight. The leadership of Devon and Cornwall Police remains under the stewardship of Mr Vaughan until any outstanding matters are concluded. A charity that began as a greetings card appeal to help Ugandan orphans and has since transformed more than 200,000 lives is marking its 25th anniversary this year. Barnstaple-based Amigos Worldwide was formed from scratch but today runs the Kira Farm vocational training centre in Uganda, sponsors children and families to help lift them from poverty and has brought freshwater boreholes and hope to numerous remote rural communities in some of the poorest regions of Uganda. The Amigos ethos of inspiring and enabling people and especially young people to help themselves and their communities has led to a raft of sustainable farming and conservation projects, new businesses and infrastructure across the African country, but especially the poverty-stricken and war-torn north. Above: Graduation day for trainees at Kira Farm in 2024. Credit: Amigos While the Barnstaple office promotes the charity and raises money, it is run on the ground in Uganda by Ugandan people. It all began when founder Phil Pugsley visited neighbouring Tanzania in 1998 with two friends and he was shocked at what he saw. Phil said: I had a wakeup call. It was northern Tanzania and I had never been anywhere quite like it and to see such poverty up close was an eye-opener. There were three of us initially hence the Amigos name, relating to the film The Three Amigos. We wanted to do something about it, but it never quite happened. Then in the year 2000 Phils wife Ann visited Tanzania, but her group also passed through Uganda, where they discovered the situation was even worse. Phil continued: They saw an orphanage in Kampala which was pretty grim. At that time, thousands of parents were dying of HIV AIDS across Africa, leaving millions of children being cared for by grandparents and siblings in the best way they could. It was all very real to us as Anns cousin was a midwife in Zimbabwe and had contracted HIV AIDS as she delivered babies. We started supporting this orphanage and thought if we could raise 25 a month we could at least help feed them. Above: Phil Pugsley in northern Uganda. Credit: Amigos Not only did the pandemic leave Uganda the youngest nation on earth with an average age of 15, it also left a huge skills gap with so much of the working population lost. The seed planted by Anns visit to the orphanage grew one morning when Phil was walking to work at his job at the then Top Town Printers in Barnstaple. He said: I know this is a little left field, but I was walking to work at 5.30 one morning and praying: how can we practically help some of these orphans? I just felt God say to me, do what you are good at and I will take care of the rest and this will grow as big as you let it. I thought what was I good at and landed on printing. I thought if I started printing and selling greetings cards, I could raise some money to help these kids. Phil approached his boss at Top Town Printers to ask permission to use their machines out of hours and then print supply companies for resources. All generously donated huge volumes of card and envelopes to produce a high quality product. One of Phils work colleagues was a keen photographer and suggested sourcing suitable pictures from local camera clubs. Beyond all expectations and simply selling cards through friends, neighbours, relations, churches and a team of volunteers, the appeal raised 80,000 and Amigos was born. Above: Amigos runs a scheme to sponsor Ugandan children and provide uniforms and school supplies so they can gain an education. Credit: Amigos Initially the charity supported Makindye Pearls orphanage on the outskirts of Kampala, but an encounter with a wise African aid worker, Joseph Kamera, in Uganda showed Phil much more could be done. Phil said: He said something really significant to me dont put money into bricks and mortar to confine children (in orphanages), put money into bricks and mortar that frees children. So in 2005 Amigos began sponsoring individual children to help them attend school. The charity also bought 22 acres north of Kampala that would become the Kira Farm Development Centre. Above: Some of the Child Sponsorship recipients pictured with Joseph Sabiiti who was the charitys programme lead until his retirement. Credit: Amigos The first 15 trainees arrived at the farm in 2008 and it was officially opened by singing star Joss Stone in 2009. Above: Trainees preparing to graduate from Kira Farm. Credit: Amigos Kira Farm also served to open the eyes to the huge problems facing Uganda following the downfall of Idi Amin, a new government seized power but faced constant fighting from rebels known as the LRA in the north of the country. Phil explained how the rebels would raid villages, often killing the parents and abduct young people, to brainwash them and turn them into child soldiers for their cause. As a result, young people who came to Kira Farm were very often traumatised from war, the terrible things they had seen and the abuse they had suffered. Phil said: I recall there was one girl called Prisca who was made to carry three AK47 rifles by the rebels at nine-years-old. The Ugandan government set up Internally Displaced People Camps to try and protect the northern rural communities. The problem was more people died in IDP camps from the atrocious conditions than at the hands of the rebels. Uganda is split by the Nile and you have a completely different people group in the north compared with the south. Now its picking up, but it was a desperate situation when we were first there. The ethos of Kira Farm is development from inside out. We put as much emphasis on healing our trainees hearts as training hands. We realised these kids were really messed up, so we started working on that with a Christian programme to help them heal. We see poverty very much as not just physical but spiritual. Above: Kira Farm tailoring trainees with some of the items they have created to be sold in the UK to raise funds. Credit: Amigos Kira Farm takes in 50 young trainees a year for a 12 month course, offering healing if they need it but also teaching farming methods, plus trainees can choose a range of skills to learn such as tailoring, hairdressing, carpentry, construction, beekeeping and electrical wiring; they also learn business skills to help them to start their own business. Above: Beekeeping is among the skills Amigos teaches at Kira Farm and takes out to the wider rural communities. Credit: Amigos Uganda is a nation of subsistence farmers, particularly in the north and in the last decade Amigos has also focussed on sustainable community development and conservation farming, to equip entire communities with the skills, resources and infrastructure to benefit everyone. Part of this is the ongoing freshwater boreholes project, which fundraises in North Devon and beyond to install boreholes in remote villages to guarantee them a supply of fresh clean water. As well as helping to prevent disease from polluted water sources, it also means the women and children do not have to walk miles daily to fetch water which means the adults can devote more time to work to earn money for the family and the children can go to school. Other initiatives under the community programme include solar panel projects and beekeeping training, as well as teaching more modern farming methods. Above: Sustainable conservation farming techniques taught by Amigos have helped Ugandan farmers in poor rural communities to at least double their crop yields. Credit: Amigos To mark its 25th anniversary, Amigos is hosting a supporters trip to Uganda in May for those who have donated, sponsored children or families and Kira Farm trainees, so they can see the good work and results of their generosity. A celebration event of some kind will also be held back in the UK in the autumn of this year. The charity has also just welcomed a new chief executive, James Lewis, who Phil says will do a great job building on Amigos values and ethos. Above: Phil Pugsley shares a moment of laughter with a Ugandan villager. Credit: Amigos Reflecting on the charitys first quarter century, Phil said: To start off, we never imagined it would grow to the size it has. After setting up child sponsorship we discovered there was even a greater need for secondary school aged young people to gain vocational skills, which gave birth to Kira Farm Development Centre. We then realised conservation farming skills were needed throughout Uganda, which led to setting up our Community Development Programme. We have been determined from the outset that all our programmes are run by Ugandans. The UK side of things is focused on fundraising and being a conduit for the generosity of our valued supporters. There is a saying: Only a spider can repair its own web and its working. Young people from Kira Farm go back home and make a real difference in their rural communities, building businesses and employment. Farming communities are at least doubling their crop yields due to simple conservation farming techniques. You can find out more about Amigos Worldwide, how to donate or get involved, at www.amigos.org.uk. It was in October of 2016 when I last stood in St Peters Square in Rome. On that visit I was transfixed, listening to the start of an unmistakable peel of bells scattering a large cloud of doves which had settled on the roof of The Basilica. I say unmistakable as I had heard the bells on many occasions having trailed around The Vatican on at least three tourist trips before. But on that day, I would get a different perspective. Within moments the bells were behind me, muffled by the vastness of the structure of the church as I entered the smallest country in the world, a mere 120 acres. I had been invited to a symposium on modern day slavery held within The Vatican with law enforcement agencies, national police and military leaders from around the world. At the time, Pope Francis had gone on record calling modern slavery a crime against humanity. In a press release of the period, The Home Office estimated that there were around 13,000 potential victims of modern slavery in the UK alone. Quite what that figure is today is a mystery. Some estimates put it as a great deal more. Traffickers and organised criminals exploit millions of human beings around the world as commodities. They force men, women and children to work in areas like prostitution and sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude, organ trafficking and organised begging. The fact that you can place a monetary figure on a human being is revolting. But the value of a slave today is dramatically cheaper than those traded in the 1850s. It is no wonder Pope Francis welcomed those who wished to crush the trade. One of whom was Shaun Sawyer, the then Devon and Cornwall Chief Constable who had paved the way for my visit. The meeting itself was placed in one of the few buildings at the rear of the church. To the right of a small car park which edged the Santa Marta building, a modern block built in 1996 which functions as a guest house for clergy having business with the Holy See. It also acts as the temporary residence of members of the College of Cardinals while participating in a papal conclave to elect the new pope. It was also the chosen residence of Francis. A few simple rooms rather than the official grand living quarters within the main structure of The Vatican. It was here that I came across the first story that really made me smile about our pontiff. One of the delegates was staying within the same building and looked up while having breakfast to see the Pope sitting down to a bowl of cereal in a pair of running shoes. Why not. If that was the way he wished to start his day, who are we to question. I refrained from the inevitable pun Was he eating Coco Popes But it did go through my mind. The next was that car park in which about half a dozen cars were lined up. I had heard that he drove a Fiat 500 (wrong) so I went in search under the gaze of a member of the Swiss Guard and there it was. A small white Fiat 500 parked in the shade of the Santa Marta shadow. A simple car for a simple man. However, I later discovered that he actually drove an ancient Renault 4L. Much to the worry of his security detail. The Fiat was not his, endorsed by the fact that there was a child seat in the rear. The meeting was as distressing as it was informative, with the victims of slavery present to give their own story. As it came to a close, the doors opened and a papal official arrived to usher us out. We thought to disperse for the day. But the snake of candidates and me were corralled towards yet another block-like building and into a waiting room. It soon became apparent that His Holiness was about to greet the main organisers. And suddenly there he was. A buzz went round the room. An excited wave of energy exuded from a group of people who you would not have expected to have been affected by a small figure in white seated in a red velvet chair. To my left was a rather stocky gentleman who turned out to be one of the top operatives of the CIA. In front of us was his opposite in the FBI. And sandwiched in between was the head of US Homeland Security. All were straining to get a look at the small clutch of figures being presented. I was on the end of the row of seats so had a great view. Can you take my camera and get a shot, was the request from CIA. And me, said FBI. I did and returned the cameras. Homeland Security turned and smiled. They have got your fingerprints now, oldest trick in the book. I was about to question that odd statement when someone slammed a door and the chandeliers above our heads swayed gently. But there was no time to question that odd experience as the guests were standing. I thought to leave. But to my surprise all were being presented. Within moments I stood in front of the head of my church and took hold of his hand. He thanked me for coming and handed me a special rosary in a packet embossed with the papal crest. I wished my father could have seen me. Or my parish priest. Or indeed my great friend Frank Kelly, the man who had played Father Jack in the Father Ted series. Still a Catholic after all of the ridicule. I left the building and stood in a slight daze in the courtyard, analysing what had just happened. Life had stood still for a moment and then reality. As I switched on my mobile to call my wife on what had been a momentous moment. Reality came in the form of two messages and a text. The first was from my greatest friend to tell me his beloved father-in-law had died. The next was from a vaguely familiar voice. The wife of my only other direct living relative, my cousin. That title had expired, as he had just passed away. And the text. The text was from my producer at the radio station which read You are in an earthquake, are you alright, we havent done a risk assessment. I looked around me. The Swiss Guard were inspecting a large crack in the roadway which was spewing a foul-smelling water. It then dawned on me that the door slamming had been the quake. The chandeliers the only inside evidence of Rome shaking. The piece of the courtyard I was standing on had dropped by about two inches. Later as I walked back to my hotel, the door slammed again. An aftershock. But after that quiet. Quiet in one of the noisiest cities on earth. North Devons MP has urged all MPs in the region to vote for a Liberal Democrat motion in Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday, April 23) calling for the creation of a crumbling hospitals taskforce to help fix the areas NHS buildings. During the opposition day debate in Parliament tomorrow, the Lib Dem motion will call on the Government to reverse its decision to delay the New Hospital Programme, which saw 18 of the 40 projects pushed back from the original 2030 deadline. It also calls for a crumbling hospitals taskforce, which would help fix the crumbling NHS estate in particular, North Devon MP Ian Roome is calling for much needed upgrades and reconstruction of North Devin District Hospital. This had been on the list of the New Hospital Programme under the previous government but the new Labour Government has said North Devon will now have to wait at least a decade, if not more. In response to these delays, Mr Roome, wrote an open letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, which gathered more than 6,000 signatures in support. In advance of tomorrows debate, Mr Roome said it would be an opportunity to hold the Governments feet to the fire and put pressure on ministers to speed up the fixing of crumbling hospitals. He said it would be a dereliction of duty for other MPs in Devon to not vote with the Liberal Democrats tomorrow to rescue local health services. He added: North Devon District Hospital serves a vast area and, if its services are disrupted, many patients will face a three-hour round trip (or worse) to the next nearest trauma unit in Exeter. The neglect of NDDH will have a ripple effect on the entire Devon healthcare system. Both the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and Derriford Hospital are already under immense strain and shifting a portion of NDDHs patient load could have catastrophic consequences. For years patients in our community have had to put up with crumbling hospital buildings, after years of broken promises under the Conservatives. Now the Labour government has failed to deliver the change they promised and kicked the can down the road on fixing our local health services. Over 6,000 people have signed my Open Letter to the Health Secretary and Ive heard from many more who are worried about the impact of these delays. No one should have to worry about crumbling roofs or dilapidated buildings when they are being cared for in hospitals. The Liberal Democrats will hold the Government's feet to the fire on this and put pressure on them to speed up the rebuilding of local hospitals. It is critical that we upgrade our health services so people can finally access the care they deserve. For other MPs in the Devon to fail to back our motion tomorrow would be a complete dereliction of duty. Both the edited and unedited photos of the property were accidentally included in the Noble Park North property listing. Source: Area Specialist It's no secret real estate agents tinker with photos in property listings to make them look as good as possible but usually, they try their best to be subtle about it. However, there was no such craftiness in one advertisement this week after the real estate agent included both edited and unedited photos for prospective buyers to look at. The apparent slip-up was spotted on a listing for a unit in Noble Park North, a suburb in Melbourne's southeast, and the edited photo showed much greener, healthier-looking grass surrounding the property. Also included, as the first feature photo, was an unedited photo showing the grass in poorer condition. Real estate agent Alice Phuong from Area Specialist told Yahoo News it was a mistake and she would be removing the unedited photo from the listing. When asked why she did it, she simply explained the edited photo looks "better" and adds "more colour". Photo editing is a common tactic used by real estate agents The photo prompted a conversation online about how it's now a common tactic for real estate agents to alter images in property listings regardless if the property is on the market to rent or buy. ADVERTISEMENT "I never trust the photos, always inspect the place inside out before making a decision, even if they try to cover it up with display furniture," one person said online, while another just described the practice as "sketchy". There has been a push for new legislation to be introduced to combat the editing of property photos, with some suggesting it is "false advertising" to include any in listings. "This should be legislated out, editing photos to drive traffic to open homes is disingenuous," one person claimed. Other real estate ads caught up in photo editing failures The edit in the Noble Park North property listing is not the first to be picked up by eagle-eyed home hunters and it appears real estate agents aren't afraid of a lawn makeover. A rental in Leneva, situated in Victoria's north, was subjected to an edit of its lawn last April, with the grass appearing so artificially green it was clearly picked out as fake. ADVERTISEMENT Another questionable edit appeared to be performed on a tree in a photo of a Melbourne property with the real estate agent claiming it was an overexposed photo to Yahoo News in June, 2022. "If anything there is a flash used, and they [the photographer] probably overexposed it," the agent said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. It's horror, "it's lighthearted horror," an author assured a potential reader at Paulina Springs Books last week. "It's a mystery, but it's about the mystery of the Zinfandel grape," explained another author, sitting nearby. Technically, the writers weren't selling their work. Rather, they were giving it away: copies of their new and upcoming books, with personalized author signatures and a bit of conversation to boot. Photo by T. Lee Brown The readership, in this case? Not the public, but a subset of the publishing industry. Circulating through the bookstore in a bustling, friendly crowd were members of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA). Book-adjacent folks may be aware of PNBA's action-packed annual trade show, which has been going on for decades and takes place in larger cities. A new series of PNBA pop-ups offers more intimate environments. "The fact that we were chosen to host booksellers from Alaska, Idaho, Washington, Montana, and Oregon speaks volumes to what a special place that this community has helped to craft our little shop into," wrote Paulina Springs Books owner Lane Jacobson in an email. Pop-ups like the one in Sisters enables PNBA to "take a smaller, lower-pressure event to more areas of our membership region," said executive director Brian Juenemann. He envisions each pop-up as "a kind of destination, work-vacation event for members who might want to go see another part of the region and visit bookstores." Though Juenemann has loved the Sisters area his whole life, many PNBA members were unfamiliar with it. "There are so many people involved who have never been here, who've rolled into town and said, 'Oh my God why have I not been here before?'" Portland-based fantasy author Evan Leikam is no stranger to the territory. His debut novel, "Anji Kills a King" (Tor Books), reflects Leikam's deep relationship with nature. Growing up in Central Oregon, he said, "I was left to my own devices quite a bit as a kid. I lived on a plot of land with five acres of untended forest and my parents wanted me out of their faces, so I spent a lot of time outside and using my imagination to entertain myself. What better place to do that than a field of lava rock and pine trees? It's kind of a fantasy world in and of itself." Pausing to sign books and answer questions, he returned to our conversation. "Living in a place with such wide skies and beautiful flora and fauna...maybe I'm a little bit too descriptive of trees, but Tolkien was, too. Trees are so cool! They're just minding their own business." The pop-up gathering struck Leikam as "a really great idea. Having booksellers and people who are involved with the industry coming in and seeing authors face to face is just fantastic." Much of the communication around getting a book out into the world takes place in the form of "homogenized texts and terse emails," he said. The theme of nature pervaded a number of works. Children's book "You Make the World" (Scholastic) by Muon Thi Van, beautifully illustrated by Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien, shows a parent and child kayaking, camping and reveling under vast skies of stars and sunsets. Justin Hocking, raised in Colorado and living in Portland, brought "A Field Guide to the Subterranean: Reclaiming the Deep Earth and Our Deepest Selves" (Counterpoint Press). His memoir engages with personal themes of the American West along with history and ecology. Local romance novelist Catherine Cowles was on hand to sign copies of "Beautiful Exile" (Sourcebooks). "I actually started writing my very first book right after moving to Sisters in 2017," she said. "I think that Sisters is the perfect place for creatives - the nature, the peacefulness, the amazing community." She appreciated the event, especially her two-minute commute. "It's really fun to meet the people who are selling your books and sharing them with readers. It's very rarely, unless you're out on tour, that you get to meet and chat with booksellers face to face." As for the first two writers we encountered: Diane Schaffer worked at a winery in the Santa Cruz, California, area; "Mortal Zin" (Sibylline Press) is her first mystery novel. The lighthearted horror novelist responsible for "Girl in the Creek" (Tor Books) is longtime Portland resident Wendy N. Wagner. She said she used to write in other genres and discovered that the best scenes were "the scary parts." Her new novel combines mystery with "eco-horror" and takes place around Mt. Hood. Circling back to Evan Leikam: he planned to attend some PNBA pop-up events in Bend the following day, where he still has family. "It's so beautiful," he sighed. "I wanna come back. I'm spoiled. "Let's see how sales go," he said with a laugh, gesturing at a stack of his books. Moving to Central Oregon is no easy prospect these days. "If you want an $800,000 double-wide, you know where to go," he said. To learn more about PNBA, the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, see pnba.org. Its fall trade show will take place in Spokane, Washington, this coming September. Bestselling author of "The Music of Bees," Eileen Garvin will celebrate the paperback release of her novel, "Crow Talk, "with a reading and signing at Paulina Springs Books. The event is set for Wednesday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. Photo provided "Crow Talk" is a moving story of hope, healing, and unexpected friendship set amidst the wild natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Frankie O'Neill and Anne Ryan would seem to have nothing in common. Frankie is a lonely ornithologist struggling to salvage her dissertation on the spotted owl following a rift with her advisor. Anne is an Irish musician far from home and family, raising her five-year-old son, Aiden, who refuses to speak. At Beauty Bay, a community of summer homes nestled on the shores of June Lake, in the remote foothills of Mount Adams, it's off-season with most houses shuttered for the fall. But Frankie, adrift, returns to the rundown caretaker's cottage that has been in the hardworking O'Neill family for generations-a beloved place and a constant reminder of the family she has lost. And Anne, in the wake of a tragedy that has disrupted her career and silenced her music, has fled to the neighboring house, a showy summer home owned by her husband's wealthy family. When Frankie finds an injured baby crow in the forest, little does she realize that the charming bird will bring all three lost souls - Frankie, Anne, and Aiden - together on a journey toward hope, healing, and rediscovering joy. "Crow Talk" is an achingly beautiful story of love, grief, friendship, and the healing power of nature in the darkest of times. Born and raised in eastern Washington, Eileen Garvin lives in Hood River, Oregon. Her novels, "The Music of Bees" and "Crow Talk," are national bestsellers. "The Music of Bees" was named a Good Morning America Buzz Pick, a Good Housekeeping Book club Pick, a People Magazine Best New Book, an IndieNext Pick, a Library Reads Pick, a Christian Science Monitor Pick, a Washington Post Best Summer Reads, and named a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 by BookRiot, Bookish, Nerd Daily, The Tempest, Midwestness, and others. Eileen's memoir, "How to be a Sister," was named an Indie Next by IndieBound, a Target Book of the Month, and a Kindle Book of the Month. Her essays have appeared with Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books, The Oregonian, PsychologyToday.com, and Creative Non-Fiction Magazine. Garvin shares her backyard with four chickens, wild birds of all kinds, and about 120,000 honeybees. Writers exploring themes around desert landscapes are invited to enter the 11th annual Waterston Desert Writing Prize. The submission window is open now through May 1, at 11:59 p.m. This prestigious award, a program of the High Desert Museum, celebrates proposals for outstanding literary nonfiction dedicated to the literal and figurative exploration of desert landscapes. This years winner will receive a $3,000 cash award and be recognized with a reception and reading at the Museum in Bend, Oregon, on September 25, 2025. Tickets are available now at http://www.highdesertmuseum.org/waterston-award-ceremony-2025. The Waterston Desert Writing Prize is now in its 11th year of celebrating desert regions and landscapes, said Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. These works recognize the vital role deserts play and have been engaging, eloquent reads. We look forward to seeing what this years submissions tell us. Serving as guest judge this year is Beth Piatote (Nez Perce, Colville Confederated Tribes). Writer, professor and language activist, Piatote is the author of two books: the scholarly monograph Domestic Subjects: Gender, Citizenship, and Law in Native American Literature (2013) and a mixed-genre collection entitled The Beadworkers: Stories (2019). She has written a number of plays, including a Native American retelling of the ancient Greek play, Antigone. Antikoni premiered at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles in 2024. Piatote is an associate professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkley. She has served as a guest judge on literary award panels including the PEN America and the Poetry Foundation. Dan Flores, Ph.D., will serve as the 2025 keynote speaker. Originally from Louisiana but now based near Santa Fe, New Mexico, Flores was the A.B. Hammond Professor of the History of the American West at the University of Montana. A prolific writer with 11 books to his name, Flores most recent works were 2023 Rachel Carson Book Prize winner Wild New World: The Epic Story of Animals and People in America and New York Times bestseller, Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History (2016). His essays have appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and Time Magazine. Flores focuses on nature writing and the biographies of animals. His work has earned him honors from Pen America, the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Sigurd Olsen Nature Writing Awards, the Great Plains Distinguished Book Awards, the National Outdoor Book Awards, and Phi Beta Kappas Ralph Waldo Emerson Prizes. The Prize was established in 2014, inspired by author and Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterstons love of the High Desert a region that has been her muse for more than 40 years. The Waterston Desert Writing Prize celebrates writers whose nonfiction book proposal reflects a similar connection to a desert anywhere in the world. The tangible encouragement and important literary recognition the Prize provides gives the winner a needed boost on the way to realizing their proposed project, said Waterston. The Prize brings to light new perspectives on a wide range of desert-related topics, from the desertification of a reef in the ocean, the adaptability of certain desert flora and fauna, the effect of rising temperatures on particular life forms, or the timeless call of deserts worldwide as the place to meet oneself head on. Emerging, mid-career and established nonfiction writers who illustrate artistic excellence, sensitivity to place and desert literacy with the desert as both subject and setting are invited to apply. The award supports literary nonfiction writers who are completing, proposing or considering the creation of a book-length manuscript. It is recommended that the writing sample submitted is part of the proposed project or closely represents it in content and style. Past winners of the Prize include Leath Tonino (2024), Anna Welch (2023), and Caroline Tracey (2022). A full-time freelance writer, Toninos submission Nooks and Crannies: Mapping the (Unmappable) Waterpocket Fold with Prose Vignettes is a documentation of his outdoor encounters in Utahs Waterpocket Fold, the sandstone that forms the spine of Capitol Reef National Park. He was joined by keynote speaker Tucker Malarkey and guest judge Sam Waterston. For information about the Waterston Desert Writing Prize and how to submit an entry, visit http://www.highdesertmuseum.org/waterston-prize. This Arbor Day, Friday, April 25, the City of Sisters will host a community tree planting event from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The event will kick off at Creekside Park, 504 S. Locust St., with a brief introduction and a tree planting demonstration. Next, city staff and attendees will walk to an area southeast of the new roundabout at Locust and Highway 20 to plant 35 ponderosa seedlings and six larch seedings. All are welcome to join. Refreshments will be provided. The City of Sisters has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a designated Tree City USA for its 18th year. Since 2007, the City has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to preserving and efficiently managing our urban forest by: Maintaining the Urban Forestry Board. Having a community tree ordinance. The creation and adoption of the Urban Forest Management Plan. Spending at least $2 per capita on its urban forestry; and Observing Arbor Day with an annual tree planting event and reciting the official Arbor Day proclamation. For more information, contact Emme Shoup, associate planner, at 541-323-5216 or [email protected]. This Arbor Day project is supported in part with grant funding from Oregon Community Trees, which helped the City purchase seedlings, gloves, shovels, and giveaway tote bags. Quite a few Oregon developers, nonprofits, and legislators support creating condominiums of five or more units to help reduce the lack of affordable housing including in Sisters. Developers and advocates argue that current law disincentivizes condo construction. Oregons Construction Defect Liability (CDL) laws are considered the most restrictive due to a longer claim time frame than in most other states. A bill has been introduced to address this and other related concerns. After the current legislative recess, the bill may soon come to Oregons House floor for a vote. House Bill 3746, will reduce the time frame in which an owner or Home Owner Associations or Community Associations (HOAs or CAs) can file suits against a developer for defects in construction. HB 3746 modifies Oregons CDL law by reducing the current 10-year window to seven years (it was first reduced to six years but now is seven by amendments) and provides several regulations and limitations under which owners may file liability claims against a developer or builder. Bill status, testimony, etc., may be found at https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov; search on HB 3746, click on Text then Introduced (original bill) or the recent Amendments only. The purpose of HB 3746, per supporters, condominiums provide an entry opportunity for homeownership at a price point affordable to a median family income per the National Association of Realtors. There was a 92 percent decline from 2006 to 2023 in construction of buildings having more than four units for sale after the law had been changed to increase the defect claim time frame to 10 years. This long time frame is considered a disincentive to developers due to the high expense of maintaining a decade of liability insurance. HB 3746 establishes a means for a developer to remedy a defect for the claimant without going through litigation and requires home owners to regularly conduct inspections for common defects to find problems early. Supporters of HB 3746 include the League of Oregon Cities (LOC), the Metropolitan Mayors Consortium, seven Habitat for Humanity organizations in Oregon including the States, Bend-Redmonds, and Sisters, nine cities including locally Bend and Madras, some developers including Hayden Homes of Bend, Bend Chamber of Commerce, and various realtors and individuals. As of April 19, there were 82 testimonies (48 in support and 34 in opposition). The opposed note the bill requires a super majority approval by an HOA or CA to file a defect claim (a single member can negate the approval) and gives the developer the right to remedy, which might result in reducing the window of time the owner(s) have to file a claim. Most construction deficiencies reported in Oregon are due to poor workmanship causing water intrusion, structural cracks, and/or roofing deficiencies which usually take years to identify and occur mostly in multi-family and condo developments (Building Envelope Consultants, [email protected]). Relative to HB 3746 mitigating the lack of affordable entry level home buying, although condos are about 38 percent less than the cost of a single-family home, the median sale price of a condo unit in Oregon is $380,000. Those in opposition note that affordability requires some form of subsidy to the builder and/or buyer. Some feel the bill reduces accountability for defective construction and would burden revenue challenged owner(s) with added inspection expenses and possible legal fees. The opposing testimonies came from the Oregon Community Associations Institute (CAI) - Central Oregon Regional Chapter (CORC), and CAIs Legislative Action Committee (LAC), various HOA management, legal, lending, insuring, and building inspection firms, and individuals. Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels has placed Sheriff Kent van der Kamp on a Brady List, meaning the DA considers van der Kamp an untrustworthy witness who should not be called to testify in future cases. The listing came out of an investigation in which the DA found that van der Kamp misrepresented his educational credentials under oath in three DUII cases more than 10 years ago. On Friday, April 18, Gunnels released a 34-page press release including a report on investigative findings. The report stated: After a comprehensive investigation by our office, it was determined that Sheriff Vander Kamp failed to adhere to ethical and legal standards required of law enforcement officers. On Monday, April 7, 2025, Sheriff Vander Kamp was officially placed on the Deschutes County District Attorney Offices Brady list. A Brady list or Brady index [is] a list of law enforcement officers that a prosecutors office will not call as witnesses in criminal proceedings due to concerns about those officers credibility. Van der Kamps curriculum vitae (CV) was presented in court to establish his credentials as an expert witness. The CV first provided in 2013 stated that van der Kamp had graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelors degree and received a masters degree from the University of Arizona. According to Gunnels, a staff member noted that van der Kamps Voters Pamphlet information from the November 2024 election stated that van der Kamp received his bachelors degree from University of Phoenix and a masters from Trident University. The information in the Voters Pamphlet was vetted and verified as accurate. Gunnels reported that he offered van der Kamp and his attorney an opportunity to explain the discrepancy between the Voters Pamphlet information and the CV he had provided in sworn testimony. According the Gunnels report: The explanation given during that meeting was that Kent Vander Kamp had not in fact graduated from the University of Southern California or the University of Arizona. The District Attorney was told that Vander Kamp was claiming that the curriculum vitae submitted in the previously mentioned 2013 trial had been prepared by someone other than Vander Kamp and that he had simply failed to read it thoroughly before he submitted that document to the Oregon State Police and before he testified at trial. The investigative report also includes transcripts in which van der Kamp verifies that the CV is his and that he prepared it. Gunnels investigation found that: Deputy Sheriff Vander Kamp testified that his CV was a true and accurate depiction (including his educational background) The document that Deputy Sheriff Vander Kamp authenticated under oath listed that he graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Science and a Masters (sic) degree from UA with a degree in Business Management. This is incontrovertibly false based on the records we received from USC and UA. Furthermore, Deputy Sheriff Vander Kamp misled the prosecutor, the court and the jury by knowingly authoring and authenticating the veracity of a fraudulent document. In another case, van der Kamp verbally stated his CV including the false information: Q: And can you tell us a little bit about your general background and education? A: In 1995, I graduated the University of Southern California with a degree in business management. In 1997, I graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in or a masters degree in business management. In response to the Brady listing, van der Kamp released a statement: I am deeply disappointed by the recent decision by District Attorney Steve Gunnels to place me on the Brady list. While I respectfully dispute the reasoning behind this action, I understand the seriousness of the situation and the impact it may have on the Sheriffs Office and the publics trust. Since taking office, I have worked tirelessly to restore transparency, integrity, and fiscal responsibility within our agency. Weve made significant progress together but I also recognize that leadership includes facing challenges head-on and making difficult decisions when they are in the best interest of the community and the Sheriffs Office. At this time, I am working closely with my command team, legal counsel, and county officials to fully understand the implications of this decision and carefully evaluate the best path forward for the Sheriffs Office and Deschutes County. I remain committed to serving this community and to ensuring that the work weve begun continues with strength and stability. I ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate this moment, and I will provide further updates as decisions are made in the days ahead. In the wake of the DAs action and the release of the report, there have been calls for Sheriff van der Kamp to resign (see opinion column, page 20). The Nugget reached van der Kamp on Monday morning. Asked if he disputes the findings of the Gunnels report, he said, the description of it is inaccurate. He said that nothing has changed, and that he would be issuing a further statement on Tuesday, April 22. Editors note: This is a developing story and will be updated. Sheriff van der Kamp has spelled his name alternately as Kent van der Kamp and Kent Vander Kamp. His current preference is van der Kamp. This story has retained the Vander Kamp spelling when directly quoting the documents of the Gunnels report. A huge school of salmon at a beach west of Albany made for an exciting day of fishing on Easter Sunday. Source: Farhan Kerbelker Excited fishers are flocking to the southwest of the country to chase an unprecedented salmon run with witnesses saying they "haven't seen anything like it". Large schools of huge salmon arrived in time for the Easter holiday in the south of Western Australia. The fish are moving in big numbers along the beaches of Albany, making their way around the capes and up the west coast of the country. Avid fisherman and photographer Farhan Kerbelker was among the thousands chasing the salmon over Easter. It is something he does this time every year, but he's never seen a season like this one and he captured some incredible drone footage of a school of salmon near Albany on Sunday. ADVERTISEMENT "Everyone is finding the size of the salmon much bigger than normal," Farhan told Yahoo News on Monday. "We've not seen anything like it." As a result holidays parks in the south over Easter were bursting at the seams with people after a piece of the action, and with the Anzac Day long weekend just days away the crowds chasing the fish will again take over the coastal towns in the southwest of WA. "You can't get accommodation, people are camping anywhere, it's fully booked up," Farhan said. Swirling salmon ball off WA beach stuns campers On Sunday the Perth-based fisherman was at a remote beach west of Albany with a group of friends just hooking the odd salmon straying from its school when the day changed suddenly. "We saw this little bit of a dark patch in front us, and no one thought much of it as it was pretty weedy," Farhan explained. ADVERTISEMENT "I sent the drone up and I saw this ball swirling and immediately we knew it was a school. The whole beach shouted for everyone just to go to follow the school." A pod of dolphins chased the salmon towards the beach and then the school just parked in a channel close to the shore. From that point it was on people were casting whatever they had, using lures and trying to pull the huge fish in. "I had to stop because my arms and wrists were sore," Farhan said. Using 12-pound lines the group were snapping lines and bending hooks, so they had to change to a 30lb lines just to get the fish out of the water. When Farhan was too exhausted to continue he relaunched his drone to capture the scene including spectacular vision of the ball of salmon just off the shore. The school of salmon resembled a swirling black ball. Source: Farhan Kerbelker. The school of salmon were pushed to the shore by dolphins. Source: Farhan Kerbelker. ADVERTISEMENT The footage was shared on social media where many anglers shared their excitement of seeing the salmon and their efforts to successfully land the huge fish. The Easter weekend frenzy follows similar scenes recently shared around the southwest of WA including a day at Cheynes Beach earlier in the month when there were so many salmon that fishers were pulling them out of the water by hand. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Sisters fifth grader Ella Kaden is "kind of glad, actually" that she doesn't have a smartphone. Twelve-year-old Riley Davis is happy that her parents set up time limits on her iPhone. What's happening here? Photo by T. Lee Brown "They instinctually know that it doesn't feel right to be on a screen all the time," explained Dr. Wendy Laakmann, a child psychologist from Bend. She was part of a panel discussion at Sisters Elementary School (SES), where a new edition of the movie "Screenagers" was shown last week. "Screenagers: Elementary School Edition" focuses on younger kids and how phones, tablets, and video games affect them and their families. A mom herself, Laakmann has been working with kids and families for 25 years. "I have seen a huge shift in how children talk about technology and what it feels like for them," she said. "They talk about wanting limits; they'll admit that to me, but they don't want me to tell their parents." This nugget of wisdom was among many to be gathered at the SES event, where experienced adults who've learned about kids and tech graced the stage. Well Wired organization co-founder Ami Formica was among them, bubbling with information and ideas about how families can take action (see related article, page 7). The kids themselves had plenty to say afterward. "There was a time when I really wished I had a phone," admitted 11-year-old Kaden. "But now, when I think about it, I'm really thankful that I don't." She's noticed that while students aren't allowed to be on phones in class at SES, on the school bus "they're just watching YouTube or whatever, and they're not really interacting with the person next to them." As for the movie? It was "really inspiring and really true, and like it shows that phones suck you in," Kaden assessed. She observed that when kids are on digital devices, "it's making other things around them less important. They don't know what else to do." Some kids "even have meltdowns" without constant access to devices. What might be better? "You should be outside, playing with friends, reading a good book," Kaden said. Kaden's parents have talked with her over the years about how technology really works. She said this knowledge will help once she's older and gets a phone. "I don't want social media anyway," she stated. Panelist Clay Warburton is a fourth-grade teacher at SES who's spearheaded an annual Screen-Free Week in his class for 20 years. He said, "I get to see kids and families work through these issues on a daily basis, see the choices that they make and how those choices affect kids' learning in the classroom. "Mostly the kids are ten years old. Their eyes are wide open as they watch their middle school and high school brothers and sisters absolutely struggle with this. "A fourth grader might say, 'My brother used to play with me 'til he got his phone.'" Warburton said, "We hear lots of those stories." Panelist Natalie Houston is a licensed professional counselor of 16 years and a mom with children ages 7, 9, 17, and 19. "We kind of have a scientific experiment happening in our house with two groups of kids," she said with a laugh, "which I've learned a lot from." In her counseling practice, she's seen conflict about screens escalate. "As these devices and these apps, programs, games, have gotten more persuasive and pulled kids in more and more, the strain on family relationships has gotten really intense." More Gen Z clients now come to Houston, in their 20s, "reflecting on their tech use in their teen and middle school years." Some lament the loss of their childhood and wish they had been more protected. "I had somebody in their early twenties recently who was in my office sobbing about her inability to get off her phone and launch her career," Houston said. Compared to most other states, youth in Oregon experience more depression, substance abuse disorder (addiction), emotional disturbance, and serious thoughts of suicide while lacking adequate mental health care. Oregon ranked No. 49 in the nation, according to Mental Health America's 2024 report. New research links device use with troubling mental health outcomes for children and teens. Kids who play violent video games show more aggressive behavior at school, for example. Brain scans now show that kids' physical brains started growing differently once smartphones and similar devices were introduced. Learning about these issues, Sisters Middle School sixth-grader Davis appreciates limits on her phone. "I'm really happy because instead of automatically going on a game, I can stop and think, 'Do I really need this? Do I really want to play a game instead of being outside or something?'" The movie, she said, "helped make me aware of how much some people spend on their screens. It kind of motivates me to not spend so much time on my screen. "I don't want to be the reason they have to make one of those movies," she added. Citizens for Community (C4C) co-presented the event. Executive Director Kellen Klein was the evening's MC; he formerly worked at a nonprofit that encourages healthier use of technology. Klein joked about overusing his own phone, like many adults. "Adults say that they're 'texting' people,'" Kaden said, using air quotes. "My mom sometimes texts people, but then she'll get on Instagram. And I'll say, 'Mom, why are you always on Instagram?'" "It would help adults to have time limits on their apps," fellow student Davis advised. "Like they might think, 'I could be playing with my kids right now.'" Teachers Samra Spear and Gail Greaney took a group of 11 Sisters High School students on a tour of Portugal at the end of March. Photo by Jack Turpen Trips to other countries and continents have become a near-annual tradition thanks to EF Travels who organizes the trips. A fee is required to participate, but all of the attendees agree it was worth the price. "I seriously had the time of my life exploring Scandinavia last year with Mrs. Spear and Mrs. Greaney which influenced me to reapply this year," said junior Conlan Archer who attended the trip to Europe last spring. "I loved the coast of Portugal. The waters were almost tropical looking and we had some really nice sunny days." The group varied widely in ages and personalities creating numerous opportunities for new connections between students. "This year there were a couple kids who didn't have friends going on the trip. I don't know if I would have been brave enough to go on an overseas trip as a freshman without one of my friends but it was great seeing kids make new friends in the group," said Greaney. "We had a lot of shy kids and it was great to see their growth and increased confidencea through meeting those other kids and spending time with them," said Spear. The tour began in Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, before the group traveled to Coimbra, a city located in the center of the country. The students also visited smaller towns such as Obidos, Cascais, and Sintra, which they enjoyed just as much if not more than the larger cities. "I thought it was super interesting to see all the historic buildings and landmarks. I also really enjoyed the people I was on the trip with. Mrs. Greaney and Spear are really such special people that made the trip what it was. We were there with two other groups from Canada and we became close friends with them as well," said senior Jack Turpen. The students discuss exploring markets, tasting new foods, viewing new sights, and making new connections as their main sources for enjoyment. Looking forward, Spear and Greaney are continuing the tradition and hope to release information for the Spring Break trip of 2026 soon. Data centers, which can contain up to tens of thousands of humming computer servers plugged in around the clock, are notorious for heavy energy consumption. A massive new data center campus Amazon Web Services is building just outside of Northwest Indiana will be able to use as much electricity as 1.5 million households in Indiana or up to half the households in the state, according to the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana. It's part of a sharp spike in the demand for electricity that's unlike anything Indiana has ever seen. Amazon Web Services, which invested $87 million in a data center in the Port of AmeriPlex in Portage a few years ago, is building an $11 billion data center in New Carlisle, just east of LaPorte County. St. Joseph County Economic Development Director Bill Schalliol said the project, which is the largest private-sector investment in the state's history, would support an estimated 3,000 jobs. Seattle-based Amazon said the data center would have a 2,250-megawatt capacity and could have a 90% load factor in filings with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Data centers operate around the clock to meet the growing demand for data, such as with the rising use of artificial intelligence. The data center could end up using 17.7 MWh a year, said Ben Inskeep, program director of the consumer and environmental advocacy group Citizens Action Coalition. Indiana had 33.2 million megawatt hours of residential retail electric sales last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The average Indiana household uses about 12 megawatt hours per year or about 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, Inskeep said. So the new data center in New Carlisle will end up consuming about the same amount of power as about half of Indiana's 2.8 million households, Inskeep said. "The potential electricity usage from data centers coming to Indiana, such as the Amazon data center in New Carlisle, is staggering and hard to comprehend," he said. Amazon Web Services said it was taking steps to reduce energy usage, such as with energy-efficient designs that would reduce mechanical energy consumption by 46% and reduce the embodied carbon in the concrete used in construction by 35%. Data centers are by their nature large energy consumers, given that they run thousands of computers around the clock to store data. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates a data center consumes about 50 times as much power as the average office building of the same footprint. Indiana and Michigan Power will serve the facility in New Carlisle. It expects new data centers will use twice as much electricity by 2030 as all its current customers combined. "I&M's new data centers will use more electricity by 2030 than all residential customers in the state of Indiana used in 2023," Inskeep said. "The new Amazon data center campus in New Carlisle could use more electricity when completed than all of I&M's existing residential, commercial and industrial customers combined." The Indianapolis-based Citizens Action Coalition said the number of data centers coming to Indiana has been exploding. It's been tracking at least 25 large data center proposals across the Hoosier State. The commercial real estate firm CBRE estimates data center construction grew by 69% year-over-year last year. Many developers have been feeling out or looking to get preliminary approval for future projects, as it is expected that utilities will need another few years to build the capacity. "The environmental toll is equally staggering if these data centers are built and operate as anticipated. I&M and NIPSCO have proposed large additions of natural gas power plants to meet most of this data center electricity demand," Inskeep said. "The governor is pushing to keep coal plants open, explicitly citing data centers as a reason. I&M has also proposed shifting the portion of Ohio Valley Electric Corporation coal plants currently paid for by Michigan ratepayers, as well as the capacity and energy provided by that share, onto its Indiana ratepayers, which it says it needs to do because of data center load growth in Indiana." I&M also is looking to buy a natural gas power plant in Ohio to meet the demand for new data centers. "After years of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, I&M and NIPSCO are now proposing large increases in climate pollution roughly 30% increase in emissions for NIPSCO and 48% for I&M by 2035 under their current plans relative to 2023," Inskeep said. "The impact to ratepayers could be significant. So far, utilities are not outlining clear proposals on how much it will cost and how rates will be impacted because there is a high degree of uncertainty regarding how much data center load growth will actually materialize." The cost of supplying data centers has been climbing. Duke Energy in southern Indiana for instance is looking to invest $3.33 billion to build a new natural gas plant to generate more electricity. "The cost of new generation has gone through the roof due to high data center demand for power, meaning building new resources to meet data center load growth could come at a premium that pushes rates higher for other customers," Inskeep said. "The interconnection costs related to data centers can be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but my understanding is that these costs are socialized onto all ratepayers rather than paid by the data center." Data centers will end up consuming even more power than steel mills, Inskeep said. A major concern is that ratepayers could end up footing the bill for all the new electric generation capacity, he said. "Right now, there are few consumer protections in place to protect customers from bill increases associated with costs to serve new data centers," Inskeep said. "This is an unprecedented risk for affordability because never before had we had customers this large, creating this amount of risk to the utility and its other customers. There are no comparable customers on the grid today or ever before the size of data centers is uniquely large and unmatched by any industrial facility that I am aware of." The customer couldn't believe he saw the worker standing where food is cooked. Guzman y Gomez is investigating after a worker was filmed standing on top of a hot plate used for cooking food while cleaning this week. Footage of the incident was captured by a stunned customer at the Brunswick restaurant in Melbourne, throwing the health and safety standards of the nationwide fast-food chain into question. In a short, 18-second video the worker is wearing shoes and appears to be standing on a hot plate while wiping the extractor fan vents above the grill. Food is bubbling away on the stove a short distance away from where he stands while his colleagues work around him in the kitchen. The customer who captured the footage called the situation "disappointing" and questioned the store's health and safety standards online. "Is that how you maintain the hygiene of the food?" he asked. A food safety expert told Yahoo News the scene poses "significant risk" for both the worker and for overall food safety with the chain, affectionately known as GYG, telling Yahoo News it is investigating and it takes the matter "seriously". Aussies react to 'disappointing' act at Guzman y Gomez There was a mixed response to the footage from Aussies, with some saying it wasn't too bad since the hot plate could later be cleaned. Someone who claimed to be a Guzman y Gomez (GYG) worker commented saying this behaviour was "standard" practice. ADVERTISEMENT However, many others admitted they were appalled the worker would choose to do this, never mind so openly. "I can't believe my eyes, I go here all the time," one person wrote, while another admitted, "I'm never ordering from them again". Yahoo News reached out to GyG and a spokesperson confirmed they are aware of the incident, saying "that does not align with GyGs commitment to food safety and the safety of our crew and guests". "The video that has been shared shows actions that are not in line with GYG's procedures or standards that our crew are trained on," the spokesperson said. "We take this matter seriously and are currently investigating the situation to ensure it is addressed appropriately. ADVERTISEMENT "We appreciate the understanding of our guests and remain committed to delivering an outstanding experience." Behaviour poses 'significant' risk, food safety expert says Edward McCartney from Food Safety Plus viewed the footage and told Yahoo News this type of behaviour "poses a significant risk" for both the worker and for overall food safety. "Using cooktops in this manner increases the chance of slips, burns, or equipment damage. It also introduces the potential for contamination of food contact surfaces, which is unacceptable," he explained. "Employers have a duty of care to ensure their staff are trained and equipped to carry out cleaning tasks safely." He urged GyG to "regularly review their workplace safety protocols and food safety programs to prevent unsafe practices" like the one in the video. Maccas called out over similar acts in restaurant last year Last year McDonald's came under fire when a tradie was spotted standing on a counter at Queensland's Booval restaurant while wearing their working boots near the deep fryer. Weeks earlier, a manager was spotted in the restaurant drying a mop head under the same deep fryer where fries had been boxed up ready to be served to customers. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Jerry Davich Metro columnist Follow Jerry Davich Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Do you have a star on your drivers license? a BMV employee asked. As I waited for my number to be called Monday at the BMV branch in Valparaiso, I looked at my license to double check for that important star in the upper right corner. A lot of people dont realize they already have the star, but were seeing some people who dont have it yet, a BMV worker told me when my turn came. Starting May 7, you'll need a Real ID or another accepted document to board commercial flights or enter certain federal facilities. After many years of warnings and recommendations from government agencies, Americans have just a couple of weeks to acquire Real ID-compliant documentation, which Indiana began issuing in 2010. Congress passed the Real ID Act legislation in 2005 in response to the 9/11 Commission's recommendation, with an initial deadline of 2008. But that deadline kept getting pushed back due to state government resistance, funding problems and the COVID-19 pandemic. If your drivers license doesnt have a Real ID star or symbol, youll need to visit a BMV branch with original documents to prove your identity, state residency, Social Security number and other criteria. On Sunday, my drivers license expired. On Monday morning, I searched for any needed documents to bring to the BMV: my passport, social security card, birth certificate, utility bill, among others. I didnt want to take any chances. It turns out I didnt need any of those things except for my drivers license. I acquired a Real ID years ago and forgot about it until last week when I heard from Lake Circuit Court Judge Marissa McDermott, whose courtroom is seeing an influx of people sorting through legal paperwork to acquire a Real ID. I am surprised how many people still either don't know about it or maybe think it's something they can fix very easily or very quickly, right before the May 7 deadline. But that might not be the case, McDermott said. This could be problematic for people who have to unexpectedly get on a plane to go to a funeral or a wedding or something like that. Some people, typically women, have changed their last name for marriage purposes, but then get divorced or remarried and need to find proper documentation to show those legal changes. If you don't have the documents to back all that up, that could be a problem, McDermott said. Other people may have birth certificates with misspellings, incomplete information, a missing hyphen, an incorrect middle name, or simple typos that can cause problems decades later. For example, a woman who showed up in McDermotts courtroom had to track down her birth certificate in another state and it stated simply Baby Girl for her name. This caused obvious legal hassles to secure a Real ID. Its not like a name change can happen very quickly, McDermott said. There is a whole process required for that, including a publication requirement. And if you dont start this process soon enough, you could miss the May 7 deadline. Older populations of people seem to have more problems, as well as people born in foreign countries or Puerto Rico, where names can be listed differently than in our country. Some cases involve marriages that were conducted by priests in the Catholic Church decades ago that were never legally filed with the county. Or people using their confirmation name instead of their legal name. Its so common for there to be errors in old legal documents. I see it almost on a daily basis, McDermott said. Or people who dont understand why a Real ID is needed. In 2018, I wrote about this topic and heard from dozens of readers who had no idea what a Real ID meant. What the heck is that? asked Thaddeus Jones, then 74, of Gary. Ive been driving since I was 16. And I served in the military, including two tours in Vietnam. After all Ive done in my life, I gotta now prove who I am? The Indiana BMV has said its important for Hoosiers to understand that upgrading to a Real ID will not only allow them to board commercial fights and enter federal buildings, but it also provides additional protection against identity theft. As May 7 approaches, courtrooms are expecting more filings to meet proper criteria for Real-ID compliant documentation. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that roughly two-thirds of ID-holders have Real-ID compliant documentation, with some states and cities, including Chicago, rolling out "supercenters" to assist residents or hosting "Real ID Days" before the deadline. A rush on Real ID appointments at BMV offices is causing delays in other states. Travelers without one or an acceptable alternative, such as a valid passport, will not be allowed through TSA checkpoints. (For more information, visit the TSA website or BMV site, or call the BMV at (888) 692-6841.) If any documentation needs to be done, they should get it started, McDermott said. Lake Countys circuit court, similar to other counties, offers a self-help center for residents. Another resource is www.indianalegalhelp.org. The first thing people can do is make sure they have that star on their drivers license, McDermott said. The Annual North Tipperary Ogra Fianna Fail 1916 Rising Commemoration took place on Easter Sunday outside the beautifully restored Town Hall in Templemore. Public Representatives in attendance included Deputy Ryan OMeara, Cllr Kay Cahill Skehan, Cllr J.P. OMeara, Cllr Michael Anglim and former Cllr Jim Casey and Gerard Fogarty. Rachel Regan was MC for the event and began by thanking all those in attendance. Today is a day of Remembrance but also a day of celebration, of legacy and leadership, she said in her address. Its about honouring the past that shaped us and looking ahead to the future that we are building together. In 1916 a group of courageous visionaries stood on the steps of the GPO and proclaimed a Republic, not only in words but in spirit. They dreamt of an Ireland that was free, fair and sovereign. Though their dream was not achieved overnight, their bravery lead the way for generations to come. We are one of those generations, the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow, Rachel Regan said. This year we proudly mark 50 years of Ogra Fianna Fail, five decades of empowering young people to engage, to speak out and to lead, thats 50 years of activism, of standing up for Republican values and for shaping a better Ireland. And for the past 20 years the Annual Commemoration has been held here in Templemore, to reflect on our shared history and to renew our commitment to the cause. Year after year this gathering reminds us that Republicanism is not only about the past, its about the present and the future. Thank you for being here, for caring and for being part of something that matters. May this day inspire us, not just to remember 1916 but to live its ideals, not just to celebrate 50 years of Ogra but to keep building for the next 50, Rachel Regan said. She called on Tom Stamp, Chairman of Templemore Comhairle Ceantair Fianna Fail to read the Proclamation of Independence. Ellen Cass, representing North Tipperary Ogra Fianna Fail laid a wreath in memory of all those who took part in the 1916 Rising and who gave their lives for Irish Freedom. Arthur Griffin, Vice President of Fianna Fail then read 'Ireland Today', the poem written by the late local poet Marian Quinlan Curtin which was commissioned by North Tipperary Ogra Fianna Fail. Mr Griffin, in paying tribute to the late Marian Quinlain Curtin spoke of the artist who leaves a work behind, is never really gone. Rachel Regan then introduced Deputy Ryan OMeara to the gathering. She stated that Deputy Ryan OMeara represented the very best of our movement, a proud member of Ogra Fianna Fail. She said his election to the Dail is a testament to what dedication and vision can achieve. As well as one of the youngest members of the Dail, Ryan embodies the future of our party and our country and we are proud to stand beside him. Deputy Ryan OMeara began by saying that it was a privilege to commemorate the legacy of the 1916 Rising, a moment that shook the foundations of an empire and sparked the imagination of a people. He said it was an act of bravery, of conviction and of vision - but more than anything, it was a declaration of hope, hope for a free Ireland, united in its diversity and rooted in equality, justice and dignity for all. READ NEXT: Cloughjordan rallies against proposed 5G mast beside schools and homes That vision was not simply political, it was social and moral, he said. The Proclamation not only spoke of independence, but of cherishing all of the children of the nation equally and that I believe is the golden thread that ran from 1916 through to the heart of Fianna Fail since our foundation, Deputy O'Meara said. Born out the Revolutionary period, Fianna Fail was formed in 1926, by the men and women who had lived the struggle for freedom, but understood that the next chapter must be written through peace, democracy and the will of the people, he said. He spoke about the contributions to the building of the nation by a number of Fianna Fail leaders including Eamon De Valera, Constance Markievicz, Sean Lemass, Donogh OMalley and Brian Lenihan Junior and that today's generation must carry forward the unity imagined in 1916. He concluded with a call to honour the Rising, not as a moment frozen in time but a call to action. Let us prove through our words and deeds that the Republic is not just a memory, it is a living mission and let us carry it forward together, Deputy O'Meara said. The search for missing Claremorris, Mayo man, George Brennan (38), was stood down on Sunday morning following the discovery of his body at Fair Head, County Antrim, as reported by Mayo Live. It is understood that he was hiking in the area when he had a fall. George was spotted in the Spar Shop in Ballycastle on April 2 where he purchased some items and was carrying a blue-coloured back-pack at the time. When family became concerned some days later after not hearing from him, contact was made with the PSNI who issued clear CCTV footage of him in the shop in Ballycastle. He was wearing a black zip up top, dark jeans and runners at the time. READ MORE: RIP: Search for missing Dublin woman stood down as gardai issue tragic update Extensive search parties concentrated on the area between Ballycastle and Fair Head, much of which is inaccessible by car but used by hikers on a regular basis. Fair Head is the nearest point to the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland which is just twelve miles across the sea. Only on Saturday, the PSNI made another specific appeal in relation to the location of a blue-coloured backpack which Mr Brennan was seen carrying in Ballycastle. It stated: We would ask that anyone who believes they may have seen this backpack, or who has information as to its whereabouts, get in touch. Sadly, the Northern Ireland Search and Rescue, who put so much into the search for George since news broke that he was missing, most likely in that region of Antrim, discovered the body at the weekend. Family and friends back in Claremorris learned the sad news on Sunday of the passing of George. The family, who are widely known throughout the Claremorris region and much further afield, has expressed thanks and gratitude to all who joined in the extensive search over the last ten days. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly. The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend. The late pontiff will be buried on Saturday, following his death on Easter Monday aged 88. His body will be laid out for public view from Wednesday in St Peters Basilica, so mourners can pay their respects to a man dubbed the Peoples Pope. Heir to the throne William, a future head of the Church of England, will attend on behalf of the King, Kensington Palace said. The Prime Minister will also join other leaders including US President Donald Trump, who had already said on social media that he and his wife Melania plan to attend the funeral. Sir Keir Starmer said the outpouring of grief following Franciss death reflects the high esteem in which the Pope was held not just by millions and millions of Catholics, but by many others across the world, myself included. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the PM said the Pope was a quite remarkable man, and the work and commitment that he put into fairness over so many years, and globally, I think will be a real lasting legacy. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said its right, like other world leaders are, that he (Sir Keir) pays tribute to his life and attends his funeral. Downing Street would not be drawn on whether Sir Keir would have talks with counterparts while attending the funeral. Details of the Popes funeral mass, due to take place at 10am local time (9am BST) in St Peters Square and celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, were confirmed on Tuesday. The news came as the first images of the late pontiff were published. Franciss body was pictured lying in a private chapel in a wooden coffin dressed in red, with rosary beads draped across his hands. His death, following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, prompted an outpouring of tributes across the globe. The King, who met Francis earlier this month, said he was someone who had profoundly touched the lives of so many, while Sir Keir described him as having been a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell the camerlengo or senior Vatican official will carry out the administrative and financial duties of the Holy See until a new pope takes over. There is a nine-day period of mourning following the funeral, after which the secretive meeting known as the conclave to elect a new pope begins. Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols is among those travelling to Rome. There are currently five cardinals across the UK and Ireland, although only three Cardinal Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche are younger than 80 and therefore of voting age. Cardinal Nichols, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, presided over a Requiem Mass for Francis at Westminster Cathedral on Monday evening. He told worshippers gathered in the London church that Francis had been a pope filled with compassion, mercy, righteous indignation and irrepressible hope, for which we thank God. Asked about the next pope at a separate press conference on Monday, Cardinal Nichols told reporters: He has to be a man of great inner strength, and I think great inner peace. He added: I think those inner capacities of closeness to God and peace are the absolute essentials. Cardinal Radcliffe said: I think that we always open ourselves to be surprised. All recent popes have been quite different from each other. Cardinals Nichols and Radcliffe both appeared to rule themselves out of the running to become the next pontiff. Cardinal Nichols told reporters he was too old, not capable, while Cardinal Radcliffe said he believed the Holy Spirit was far too wise to even think of me (as pope) for the shortest moment. Plus a man has been charged with murder a month after a teenager's body was found in a NSW creek. Millions in Australia are mourning the death of Pope Francis. Source: AP Yahoo's live news blog for Tuesday, April 22 has now concluded. Catholics around the world are mourning after Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led tributes for the leader of the Catholic Church, saying he was "close to the people of Australia". Struggling Aussies are turning to Coles and Woolworths for financial relief, new data shows. More and more shoppers are ditching trusted brands for cheaper own brand alternatives. A 12-year-old girl has died while riding an e-scooter. Police believe she fell into the road before colliding with a passing car. Labor continues to dodge questions on whether Russia did in fact request to base military aircraft in Indonesia. Defence Minister Richard Marles refused to declare if the Albanese government has been informed of such a development after the prime minister did the same earlier on Monday. See all of the day's updates below. LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER 13 updates Why has Pope Francis' apartment been sealed with wax? A sede vacante, or vacant see, has now begun in The Vatican, which is the period between the death of one pope and the election of another. To mark the beginning of this period, Pope Francis formal apartment has been sealed with red ribbon and wax in a ritual that is a key part of the tradition after a pope dies. Officials draped a red ribbon through the door handles of the apartment in the Apostolic Palace, then poured liquid wax on the bow and impressed Francis papal seal to keep it closed. To elect a new pope, cardinals from across the globe will convene for the conclave. The voting process is conducted in secret and typically lasts between two and three weeks. However, it may take longer if the cardinals have difficulty reaching a consensus on a candidate. The conclave is expected to begin no sooner than 15 days and no later than 20 days after the pope's death. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, puts seals on the Papal apartment of the Apostolic Palace following Pope Francis' death. Source: Getty - Euronews Sydney Harbour Bridge flags at half-mast for Pope Francis The Australian and Aboriginal flags on the Sydney Harbour Bridge have been lowered to half-mast today to pay respects to Pope Francis. While rarely addressing his Catholic faith, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously spoken about its importance to him and on Tuesday hailed Pope Francis' impact. "Pope Francis, I think, will be recorded as one of the most significant of all the holy fathers," he told reporters. "The change that he led was significant indeed, and he, of course, advocated for reforms that weren't universally supported as well. "He had courage and he showed true leadership." The Australian and Aboriginal flags fly at half-mast atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Source: Getty Illegal fishers forced to give up $285k boat A pair of illegal fishermen have been forced to give up their $285,000 boat after they were convicted in a Victorian court. The men, bothers aged in their 50s, were convicted over offences including falsifying catch records of rock lobster and giant crabs, leaving traps out during prohibited periods and interfering with another operator's equipment. The case represented some of the most significant offending ever detected in Victoria and the estimated proceeds from the illegal sale of fish totalled more than $370,000, VFA Director of Enforcement and Education Ian Parks said. The men also received 300-hour corrections orders and an associated business was fined more than $80,000. Their 18-metre boat was forfeited. Source: Victorian Fisheries Authority China's threat to other countries in US trade war Well the China-US trade war is certainly escalating and Beijing is now warning other countries they could face their wrath if they make deals with the Trump administration that hurt China. "Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise cannot earn one respect," a Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson said. "China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China's interests. If this happens, China will never accept it and will resolutely take countermeasures". Australia is among a handful of countries negotiating with the US over its sweeping tariffs. China is potentially facing tariffs of up to 245 per cent as a result of a tit-for-tat exchange that has also seen raise its tariffs on US goods to 125 per cent. Aussies turn to Woolworths and Coles for cost-of-living relief While Coles and Woolworths have copped a lot of criticism in recent years amid cost-of-living struggles, more and more Aussies are turning to the supermarkets' own brands to get through financial difficulties. New research from SAP Emarsys says 60 per cent of shoppers have switched to more affordable own brands, while 55 per cent of shoppers believe the quality of those items are comparable to branded ones. Aussie consumers arent just becoming less loyal to brands - theyre ignoring them entirely. SAP Emarsys CMO Sara Richter said. Man 'riding lawnmower with a takeaway' given court date A 63-year-old man has a court date after cops say they pulled him over riding a lawnmower along a main road while clinging to a takeaway meal. Police in Taree on NSW's Mid North Coast allege the lawnmower did not have licence plates and that the man did not have a licence. NSW Police allege he hasn't had one since 1986. It comes after an Easter Weekend where three people lost their lives on the state's roads, and while Acting Police Minister Tara Moriarty said most drivers stuck to the rules, a small number were responsible for "preventable tragedies". Over the long weekend, police said 4,892 were caught speeding, while 802 people failed drug-driving tests. Ladybirds take over parts of SA Take a look now at these striking images in the video below, showing a remarkable influx of ladybirds in SA's southeast. One photo even shows the insects clinging to the back of a man's shirt. Local photographer Darren Archibald told the ABC parts of the ground are "covered" in ladybugs. Drought and cooler conditions have led to the surge in numbers. Election voting begins, leaders pause campaigning after Pope Francis' death The first votes in the May 3 federal election will be cast from Tuesday, as campaigning is overshadowed by the death of Pope Francis. Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are still expected to front the third leaders debate on Tuesday night, but the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader have cancelled planned events for Tuesday. The Opposition Leader has said todays not the day for big politicking. Mr Dutton says he will spend the day reflecting instead of engaging in overt politicking on Tuesday, out of respect for Pope Francis. He is expected to attend a church service, while Mr Albanese attended mass at Melbournes St Patricks Cathedral early on Tuesday. - NCA NewsWire What happens now after Pope Francis' death? It's been 12 years since Pope Francis became the head of the Catholic Church so you may need a reminder of how a new leader is elected. Nine days of official mourning will now take place following Pope Francis' death, a period when his funeral will take place. Two to three weeks after the funeral, a conclave will take place. Cardinals and Vatican officials chosen by the pope will gather in Vatican City to vote on who will be the next pope. "The cardinals vote by secret ballot, processing one by one up to Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgment, saying a prayer and dropping the twice-folded ballot in a large chalice," the US Conference of Catholic Bishops explains. "The result of each ballot [is] counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals designated as recorders. If no one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke." This process repeats until a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote. At this point, white smoke will rise from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, indicating to the wider world that the cardinals have elected a new pope. Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until someone receives this vote share. Pope Francis's election in 2013 was confirmed on the second day, after five ballots. White smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel in 2013 for Pope Francis. Source: Getty Man charged with murder after teen's body found in creek A man has been charged with the murder of beloved 19-year-old Audrey Griffin a month after her remains were discovered in a NSW Central Coast creek. The body of the teenager was found partially submerged in the Erina Creek near The Entrance Rd, Erina, on the Central Coast at about 3.45pm on Monday, March 24. She had been reported missing only a few hours earlier, with her friends last seeing the 19-year-old at about 2am on a night out at the Gosford Hotel. Initial inquiries led police to believe the death wasnt suspicious. Audrey Griffin's body was found last month in a creek. Source: NCA NewsWire However after further investigation, police arrested a 53-year-old man in Surry Hills at about 12.20pm on Monday. He has been charged with murder and 11 other unrelated domestic violence matters. Police will allege the man had a physical altercation with the teenager. He was refused bail and is due to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday. Ms Griffins death rocked the local community, who remembered her as a beautiful girl who was treasured by a lot of people. She touched the hearts of so many people and always had a smile, a friend penned on social media. - NCA NewsWire Labor continues to dodge key question It's the simple question Labor is refusing to answer. Did Russia make a request to position military aircraft in Indonesia? Prime Minister Anthony Albanese repeatedly dodged that question on Monday morning and now Defence Minister Richard Marles has followed his lead, saying he wouldn't "get into it". It is of course the possibility that Labor doesn't actually know the answer to that question but Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says if that's the case, it should just simply be said. Marles argued however it was not Labor's position to be declaring such information. "What we know about that is not something Im going to ventilate in the public domain, nor am I going to comment on it," he told Sky News. What matters is the assurance that Indonesia has provided to us, which they did, with great speed when we reached out and that was to assure us that there was no prospect of Russian aircraft operating from their soil. Girl, 12, dies riding e-scooter High school student Summah Richards has been remembered for having a smile that could light up a room. Summah, 12, was riding her e-scooter in the quiet town of Laidley in rural Queensland before a tragic collision took her life about 3pm on Saturday. Summah Richards has been remembered by friends and family following her tragic death. Picture: Supplied According to police, initial investigations indicated that both vehicles were travelling south on Vaux Street and around 3pm the rider of the scooter fell into the path of a grey Holden Barina on Vaux Street. Police said Summah was declared dead at the scene. The driver and passenger of the Holden Barina were not injured. Investigations are ongoing. Stacey Ardrey, the best friend of Summahs mother, has remembered Summah as a remarkable young girl with such a vibrant spirit. Read more from NCA NewsWire here. Australia mourns death of Pope Francis Pope Francis has been remembered as a leader who was determined to be with the people until the end as millions of Australian Catholics mourn the pontiff's passing. The 88-year-old's death on Monday after a recent serious battle with double pneumonia was marked by tolling church bells and preparations for scores of memorial masses for the Catholic leader. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president and Perth archbishop Tim Costelloe reflected on images taken just hours before the Pope's death, when Francis made a public appearance at St Peter's Square. "Even though he was so sick, and so weak, he was determined to be with his people," Archbishop Costelloe told ABC Radio National on Tuesday. Pope Francis greeted large crowds just a day before his death. Source: AP "And I think being with his people, being present to his people, was probably the great gift that he brought to the church and to the world." Many mourners attended early masses at local cathedrals following the Pope's passing. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is Catholic, said the major party leaders had agreed to dial back election campaigning on Tuesday as a sign of respect. He attended mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne on a rainy Tuesday morning, when he was greeted by the cathedral's dean, Monsignor Stuart Hall. The Pope's death could also prove a turning point in Australia's relationship with the Vatican after Francis overlooked local archbishops when selecting the nation's sole cardinal in December. Cardinal Mykola Bychok said he was filled with sadness for the loss of a "pope of peace" and a man of simple piety. Read more here. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The fundraising campaign for a young Leitrim baby has now raised over 28,000 to provide financial support for a local couple whose baby boy is currently receiving around-the-clock care. The campaign has now received 614 donations to help the family from Kinlough with their financial costs. Joe and Clare Lynchs baby boy, Oscar, is currently in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Crumlin Childrens Hospital, battling a rare and life-threatening condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). Clare learned of Oscars condition during her 18 week scan. She had to travel alone to Belgium for fetal surgery, without financial support for accommodation and daily expenses. She spent seven long weeks in Belgium before returning to Ireland, heading straight to the Rotunda Hospital. Oscar was born prematurely at just 34 weeks. READ NEXT: Unaccompanied learner driver found to be twice the legal alcohol limit arrested in Kildare At only a week old, Oscar underwent major surgery to repair the hernia. Shortly after, doctors discovered he also has Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), a condition that causes the airways to collapse, making breathing extremely difficult. To help him breathe safely, Oscar received a tracheostomy to establish a stable airway. Oscar has been in hospital for several months now, and it is expected he will remain there for much of the year. Joe and Clare are staying nearby at the Ronald McDonald House, but the emotional and financial toll is immense. While they remain focused on Oscars recovery, they are also juggling bills, mounting responsibilities, and caring for their eldest son, Arthur. To help ease the burden, Clares sister Megan Lawlor has set up a GoFundMe campaign to support the family during this incredibly difficult time. Ive created this GoFundMe on behalf of my incredible sister Clare, her loving husband Joe, their sweet son Arthur, and their newest little fighterbaby Oscar, Megan wrote on the fundraising page. Baby Oscar is currently in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Crumlin Childrens Hospital, facing a journey no childor familyshould ever have to go through, she added. Oscar will require further surgeries, including an upcoming cleft surgery, and remains in a highly vulnerable state, needing round-the-clock care. Anyone wishing to help can search Help Support Baby Oscar and His Brave Family on the GoFundMe website. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has offered love, support, prayers or financial help so far. Oscars fight is far from over, but with your help, this amazing family wont have to face it alone, Megan said. A special Mass for Pope Francis will take place in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, on Friday April 25 at 7.30pm. Meanwhile, the Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan has said Pope Francis had a desire to put the poor and the marginalised at the centre of the church. Speaking following the announcement of the passing of the Pope, in the early hours of Easter Monday morning. Bishop Deenihan who presides over Offaly parishes wrote:''Like many others, I watched the news of Pope Francis election on TV twelve years ago and there was much commentary on the Pope that came from the Ends of the world and what type of papacy was in store. It became immediately clear that this would be a different papacy. Even the name Francis indicated a desire to put the poor, the marginalised, fraternity and Sister Earth at the centre. Looking back now and reflecting on Pope Francis time as Pontiff, his choice of name was, in itself, a manifesto that he successfully lived up to,'' said the Bishop. Bishop Deenihan said that many of the tributes emphasised the pope's humility, compassion and courage. He noted that the pope had rejected many of the Papal vestments and even the Apostolic Palace itself. ''One of my earliest memories of him as Pope was of his return to the guesthouse in Rome where he stayed before the conclave to pay his bill. I think that he may have felt to some extent imprisoned in the Vatican -his trips to a music shop near the Pantheon to select some CDs, his trips to an Optician near the Spanish Steps to get new glasses and his various trips to prisons, hospitals and parishes give a sense of a man who wished to be among the people.'' Bishop Deenihan said that Pope Francis was before all else a pastor. ''Being a Pastor informed many of the quotes that he is best remembered for, including Who am I to judge. Above all, he was a prophet of mercy. Mercy, he said, was the air that we breathe. That sense of mercy was also communicated to the Confessors in Saint Peters recently when he told them not to ask questions, to say they understood even if they did not and to grant absolution. The confession box was, he said, not to be a torture chamber! In 2014 he said that God forgives not with a decree but with a caress. It was interesting that he publicly professed his own devotion to the sacrament of reconciliation frequently, even going to a confessor in Saint Peters after being released from hospital recently. As well as advocating mercy, he also championed the virtue of joy. Christians, he said, should not look like people coming from a funeral!'' READ NEXT:Full range of services available at proposed Midland's Hospice says HSE Consultant ''Perhaps less commented on is the simple holiness of Pope Francis. Which of us were not moved in the early days of the COVID pandemic when he appeared in an empty and wet Saint Peters Square holding the Monstrance in the shadow of the Icon of Mary from Saint Mary Majors Basilica that Romans have great devotion to and the Cross from the Church of Saint Marcello that Romans, since 1519, believe could save the city from fire and plague? The only acknowledgement of his presence in that empty and wet Square was a police car outside that turned on its siren. He was, essentially, the worlds priest interceding for his people. That will be one of my stronger and more moving memories of him,'' Bishop Deenihan added. The Bishop continued that there was something appropriate in the Pope's passing on Easter Monday. ''The Church celebrating the Resurrection and a drive through Saint Peters Square the day before to give the blessing to the church, the city and the world and him greeting the people of the world who saw him as a father, an inspiration and a man of holiness.'' ''I commend the Soul of Pope Francis to the Priests and People of the Diocese of Meath and ask that prayers be included in all Masses in the Diocese during the Novendiales, the nine day period of mourning a Pope,'' he said. Help Our Community Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You! Take The Survey The world has become obsessed with sisters Paula and Bridgette Powers, but there's more to the duo than most people realise. The Powers twins have gone viral (again) after they were interviewed about an alleged carjacking. Source: 7 News The world has become obsessed with a pair of identical twins from Australia after they were featured in an astonishing news segment that's gone viral. Seven News' 90-second interview focused on their witness account of an alleged carjacking near their Sunshine Coast home, but whats sparked international attention is that Paula and Bridgette Powers are wearing the same clothes, have the same haircut, and answer questions in unison. However, most people sharing the clip overseas are unaware that the twins are renowned across Queensland for their wildlife volunteer work, and it's their ability to work in unison that helps them achieve remarkable results in healing injured birds. The veteran carers are highly skilled and were even mentored by the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Just before Easter, they shared images on their Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue social media account showing over a dozen ducks they raised and then released into the wild. Days earlier, the pair rescued two pelicans that had become caught up in fish hooks. The other time Australia's favourite Twinnies went viral Its not the first time the Powers twins have gone viral. During a live conversation with Piers Morgan and Susannah Reid on Good Morning Britain in 2016, the hosts were delighted by their ability to laugh and speak together. Sometimes we do feel like just one person, yes, we do, they said. ADVERTISEMENT In the most recent interview, the pair recounted the moment their mum approached the driver of a car that had rolled on Steve Irwin Way. But the man, who was covered in blood, then allegedly produced a gun. "Our hearts started to pound. And I said Mum, where's Mum?" the Powers twins said. They then detail how their mother distracted the man so they could all get away. The Powers twins and their mother escaped unharmed. A man has been charged with a string of offences, including dangerous driving causing death and two counts of armed robbery. How can I help the Powers Twinnies save birds? When Yahoo News contacted the twins on Tuesday, the pair said they were taking a break. Clips of their interview have been viewed millions of times around the world, and they've even been featured in an online parody by comedian Devon Poole. ADVERTISEMENT The last time we spoke with the Powers twins, they were hard at work, caring for a magpie that was unable to look after itself. The twins believed the juvenile magpie had been raised to associate humans with food, and thats why it approached them. He just wanted help, the poor little thing, they said. Anyone wishing to donate and help the twins work can do so here. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. On April 21, a New York Times report revealed that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive details about a March airstrike on Yemen's Houthi militants in a private Signal group chat, sparking widespread controversy. The chat, named "Defense | Team Huddle," included his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, his brother, Phil Hegseth, his personal lawyer, Tim Parlatore, and about a dozen others, some of whom were Pentagon aides. This incident follows a similar leak last month, where Hegseth shared comparable details in another Signal chat that mistakenly included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. The repeated mishandling of sensitive military information has fueled calls for Hegseth's dismissal, with critics citing gross negligence, potential security risks, and a pattern of poor judgment. The latest revelations indicate that Hegseth used his personal phone to create the "Defense | Team Huddle" chat in January, before his confirmation as defense secretary. On March 15, he allegedly shared flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornet jets targeting Houthi rebels, mirroring details sent in the earlier chat with top Trump administration officials. While his brother Phil serves as a Department of Homeland Security adviser at the Pentagon and his lawyer Tim Parlatore holds a Pentagon role, neither they nor Jennifer Hegseth, a former Fox News producer with no Defense Department position, had a clear need to access such sensitive operational plans. The Pentagon's chief spokesperson, Sean Parnell, and the White House have downplayed the incident, asserting that no classified information was shared. However, they have not denied the chat's existence or the inclusion of non-essential personnel. Hegseth himself dismissed the reports as "smears" driven by "disgruntled former employees", while President Donald Trump defended him, calling concerns a "waste of time" and praising Hegseth's performance. Despite these defenses, the Pentagon Inspector General's ongoing probe into Hegseth's use of Signal for sensitive communications underscores the gravity of the situation. The public and political outcry demanding Hegseth's removal stems from several critical issues highlighted by this scandal: 1. Sharing military strike details, including specific flight schedules, in an unclassified, commercial app like Signal is a significant breach of protocol. Signal is not authorized for classified communications, and Hegseth's decision to discuss operational plans with non-essential individuals, including his wife, raises serious questions about his regard for national security. Critics argue that such actions could endanger U.S. troops and compromise mission success. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X, stating, "We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk," reflecting the sentiment that his actions were reckless. 2. This is the second instance of Hegseth mishandling sensitive information via Signal. The earlier incident, where Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to a chat discussing the same Yemen strikes, already drew scrutiny. Reports indicate that Hegseth's aides warned him against using his personal phone or Signal for work matters, yet he persisted. This repeated behavior suggests a lack of accountability and an inability to adhere to basic security protocols, undermining confidence in his leadership. 3. The inclusion of unauthorized individuals in the chat, particularly those without a "need to know," heightens the risk of leaks. Posts on X have speculated about the consequences, with one user noting that if a soldier had shared such details, they would face court-martial. The fact that Hegseth's wife attended sensitive meetings with foreign military counterparts, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, further amplifies concerns about improper access to privileged information. 4. The controversy coincides with broader turmoil at the Pentagon under Hegseth's tenure. He recently fired or forced the resignation of four senior aides, including top adviser Dan Caldwell, who was escorted from the Pentagon amid a leak investigation. Former press secretary John Ullyot, one of those dismissed, described the Pentagon as in "disarray" and "total chaos" in a Politico op-ed, accusing Hegseth of fostering dysfunction. Republican Congressman Don Bacon, while not explicitly calling for resignation, expressed concerns about Hegseth's lack of experience, stating he would not retain him if he were president. These criticisms paint a picture of a defense secretary struggling to manage the department effectively. 5. Hegseth's dismissive response to the allegations, coupled with Trump's unwavering support, has deepened public and political skepticism. Democratic lawmakers like Representative Jim Himes have voiced "worry" about national security, while posts on X highlight frustration with perceived favoritism, with one user stating, "His incompetence is going to get soldiers killed." The perception that Hegseth is being shielded despite clear lapses fuels arguments that his removal is necessary to restore credibility to the Defense Department. Hegseth's supporters, including Trump and Senate Republicans, argue that the controversy is overblown. They claim the media and "nameless leakers" are targeting him for political reasons, with a Senate Republicans' X post asserting that detractors want a "woke, not lethal" military. Some defenders, like an X user aligned with commentator Michael Malice, frame Hegseth as a decisive leader executing Trump's agenda, dismissing the Signal chat as a minor issue compared to the success of the Yemen strikes. The White House's insistence that no classified information was shared is a key defense, though it does little to address concerns about the appropriateness of the chat's participants. The revelation of Hegseth's second Signal chat has intensified scrutiny of his tenure as defense secretary, with many arguing that his actions warrant dismissal. The combination of sharing sensitive military details with unauthorized individuals, ignoring prior warnings, and overseeing a Pentagon marked by internal strife has led critics, including lawmakers and the public, to question his fitness for the role. While Trump and some Republicans stand by him, the mounting evidence of negligence and the potential risks to national security have fueled a strong case for his removal. As the Pentagon Inspector General's investigation continues, Hegseth's future remains uncertain, but the calls for accountability are unlikely to subside. "We are Here to awaken from our Illusion of Separateness" Thich Nhat Hanh [I have not posted much last week as I was traveling in protected areas in Jordan to learn and collaborate on issues of conservation. Please excuse the length of this but you can open links you like] All Palestinian are saddened by the death of Pope Francis. He spoke repeatedly against the ongoing genocide and destructionof our people and was attaked for this by te Zionist movement. He kept touch with the church in Gaza regularly even from his hospital bed. He cared for people regardless of their religion and made peace a key feature of his tenure. He built respectful and good relations between people of all faiths in a time when right wing white fascists are taking control of governments around the world (Orban, Netanyahu, Trump etc). We at Bethlehem University are also especially sad because of the fact that this university was established by the Vatican to serve the Palestinian people in 1973. On Palm Sunday Israel bombed a church run hospital with U weapons amd US taxpayer money. Western media was silent and money for the aparheid genocidal regime continues to flow and the Israeli attack on christians continued this Easter WorldPress photo of the year 2025. Lena wrote: "It's not normal to witness the extermination of a defenseless people. It's not normal to witness children and families being bombed to death. It's not normal to see a people openly steal homes and land, when none of it is for sale." She shared these links. For those interested in distribution of animals and plants in our region, this paper was just published explaining role of geography and geology: Qumsiyeh, M. B., & Amr, Z. S. (2025). Northern Great Rift Valley: Deserts and other biomes. Pp 23-34 In Global Biome Conservation and Global Warming: Impacts on Ecology and Biodiversity edited by Germano Leao Demolin-Leite (Chapter 2 in Volume 2). Elsevier Publishers. Available here. Jewish holocaust survivor on the Israeli holocaust of the Palestinians and Alon Mizrahi tells like it is. Google Secretly Funding Israel's Economy! Google Imports Ex Israeli Spies, buys Wiz, $32b boost for Israel's economy and Wiz Acquisition Puts Israeli Intelligence In Charge of Your Google Data. The Israel trail in the JFK assasination files two reasons that made JFK an enemy (he wantedAIPAC registered as a foreign lobby and his interest in preventing Israel's nuclear weapons program). Some of this is also classified. tRump[istan] freezes $2 billion in grants after Harvard rejects demands for institutional changes that suppress academic freedom to serve Zionism. Take action for Palestine petition. April 2025 issue of This Week in Palestine, themed "Resurrecting the Health Sector," accessible online. Stay Humane and keep hope alive Mazin Qumsiyeh A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine facebook pages Personal Institute French While millions of Americans marched to protest Trump policies on Saturday, millions more paused and prayed around the world on Easter Sunday, gathering with family and, perhaps, pondering the meaning of life. The weekend over, Monday brought some sad news and "Can you believe it?" news featuring familiar names. -- Pope Francis died Monday of a cerebral stroke. The 88-year-old pontiff had recently been released from a hospital and had just avoided a meeting with J.D. Vance, the putative vice president, who apparently wanted to try to convince the pope on Easter weekend that the way America was treating immigrants was, well, what Jesus would do. Francis wasn't buying it. An Argentinian, who in his 12 years as pope spoke out relentlessly in support of migrants and marginalized people, he altered the focus of the Catholic Church, not to the liking of many conservative Catholics, including bishops and cardinals. How that will affect the selection of a new pope is uncertain. There is no doubt, however, that his voice of courage, compassion and humility will not be easy to replace. And no, that's not something that can be said about all popes. Francis asked that his tomb be inscribed simply with: "Franciscus." -- Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem, taking a break from posing as an ICE agent, took her family out for Easter dinner at a restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C. While she and her family were eating dinner, a thief stole her purse, which contained Noem's driver's license, medication, apartment keys, passport, DHS access badge, makeup bag, blank checks, and about $3,000 in cash. The Secret Service, which provides security for Noem, reviewed security camera footage at the Capital Burger restaurant and saw an unknown white male wearing a medical mask steal her bag. The key words here are "National Security Director" and "Secret Service". Don't you feel more secure? Noem said the cash was to pay for dinner and Easter gifts. Really? A burger restaurant? Easter dinner? Nobody's watching her purse? You're not in South Dakota anymore, Madam Secretary. -- Pete Hegseth (yup, him again), was reported to have shared details of that surprise March 15 military strike against Houthis in Yemen on a second group chat on Signal, a group including his wife, brother and personal lawyer. The details were reportedly the same as those contained in another group chat on the same day over the same unsecure site. This group, unlike the first group, which was created by the White House security advisor and mistakenly included the editor of the Atlantic magazine, was created by Hegseth himself. In addition to his wife, it included about a dozen other people from his personal and professional inner circle in January, before his confirmation as defense secretary and was named "Defense | Team Huddle," according to a report in The New York Times. The Defense Secretary reportedly used his private phone to set up the chat. No, his wife, a former producer for Fox News who has also accompanied Hegseth in meetings with foreign officials, does not work for the Defense Department. His brother and lawyer do, but not in jobs that require them to know about surprise attacks against Houthis in Yemen. Trump, of course, immediately attacked the source of the information. Not denying it, or expressing concern about a possible security leak that could jeopardize a military operation, just railing about leaks. However, there were some reports that Trump was wearying of mistakes by his fun-loving Defense Secretary. And Trump is well-known to be only too happy to tell those who cause him embarrassment or require him to do his actual job, "You're fired." Hegseth's career may soon be where he apparently likes it -- on the rocks. rjgaydos|AT|gmail.comEmail address (Article changed on Apr 22, 2025 at 9:29 PM EDT) OpEd News One-Time Security Check This Is NOT An Error Message Your site IP address* (145.224.119.253) is listed on one or more Internet blacklists. We get visited by hundreds of these spambots daily. To prevent these from taking resources away from legitimate users, we show this page. Please use the CAPTCHA below which proves you are human, not a spam bot. It's a one-time action** for your IP. After that, you will be able to access OpEd News easily. Thank you for your patience. * Here's more info about IP addresses. ** If your IP address is fixed, you'll be able to use this website from now on. However, if your Internet Service Provider (such as Verizon or T-Mobile) assigns you a different IP address every time you use your device, AND these IP addresses are NOT on an Internet blaclist, then all is good. If, for some strange reason, your ISP assigns you an IP that is blacklisted, then you'll have to go through this process again. (Unless you keep yourself logged in. We only check for spambots on non-logged in visitors.) Phuket, Thailand - Unveiling a hidden gem on a secluded island off Phuket's east coast, The Naka Island, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket invites global explorers to immerse themselves in exceptional, indigenous experiences paired with the personalized service synonymous with our brand. Guests begin their journey at the tranquil Lobby Lounge, where a seamless check-in service prepares them for their upcoming adventure. This serene retreat, with its calming Chhavi Mittal has joined Uptodd, a fast-growing parenting solutions company, as an investor, brand ambassador, and strategic advisor. In her new role, she will also serve as an advocate for conscious parenting and will help drive awareness for Uptodd's holistic child development programs across India. Known for her thoughtful parenting choices and strong voice in the digital space, Chhavi brings her passion for child well-being and early development to the Uptodd Prettify Creative, a fast-rising full-service branding and design agency, is making waves across Delhi NCR with its innovative approach, creative prowess, and client-first mindset. The agency has quickly positioned itself as a go-to partner for businesses seeking modern, impactful brand strategies and compelling design solutions. Visit: https://www.prettifycreative.com/branding-agencies Founded with a vision to redefine brand storytelling, Prettify Creative delivers a wide spectrum of services including brand identity design, UI/UX design, website development, Sen. Ron Wyden motions to participants during a roundtable he hosted on Monday to discuss tariffs. Wyden cosponsored legislation that would repeal many new tariffs. Matthew Kish | Staff In March, one of Sinotechs customers paid $87,000 to bring products into the country. After recent tariffs hikes, the customer will pay $311,000, said Richard Hurwitz, Sinotechs director of sales and operations, at a roundtable hosted on Monday by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon. Fading streaks of burned rubber marked the streets, several empty parking lots and cul de sacs in North Portlands industrial district Saturday evening, when police set out to thwart a planned street racing event. Portland police Sgt. Tom Namba turned onto North Marine Drive in an unmarked SUV to look for fresh signs of trouble. Marine Drive, with its easy access to Interstates 5 and 205 and few nearby homes, has become a popular target for the deadly and disruptive events that can draw hundreds of people and that police have at times said they lacked the resources to stop. Namba radioed ahead to officers shortly after 6 p.m: Id like you to be enforcing speed regulations and looking for street racer cars that are assembling. About 30 Portland officers with two police airplanes one from the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office joined Namba on Saturdays mission to clamp down on two planned street racing events. They were dubbed Swing into Easter and PDX is Everyone. However, the large crowds police were anticipating over the weekend never materialized. Instead, officers focused on individuals they said were driving recklessly. Police arrested seven people, towed nine vehicles, seized four illegally possessed firearms and issued 32 citations, they said. According to Namba, the Police Bureau hoped to send a message ahead of the summer that dangerous street racing wont be tolerated in the city. He and Sgt. Mike Currier started the street takeover missions about 18 months ago as a project out of North Precinct. The mission on Saturday likely marked his 20th, he said. But far more street takeover events have spread across Portland in recent years, and police have struggled to keep up. Two weeks ago, police said they did not have adequate resources to stop a takeover under the Morrison Bridge, for example. Around 7:30 p.m., an officer in a police plane radioed that the driver of a white Audi coupe with no license plates had fled from officers at 80 to 100 mph in the Arbor Lodge neighborhood and nearly struck another driver head-on. The driver abandoned the vehicle at the intersection of North Moore Avenue and Saratoga Street, then hopped a fence into the backyard of a home and hid in a shed. At least a dozen officers responded to the neighborhood as nearby residents watched. We know youre in the backyard; this is Portland police, one officer hailed, his voice drowned out by the barks of two police canines at the scene. Come out with your hands up or force will be used against you. Police arrested the man later identified as 43-year-old Ronald Sharma on allegations of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, delivery of cocaine, reckless driving, unlawful possession of cocaine and criminal trespass. According to a probable-cause affidavit, police found a 37-gram bag of what they presumed was cocaine on him, about $6,000 and a small scale in his car. He had a warrant for his arrest in a 2023 Washington County case where he was charged with reckless driving and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. The biggest activity of the night happened after police tried to stop a driver in an older silver Audi sedan with expired tags. The driver fled, and a sergeant ordered officers to stop following, after he drove into Vancouver. But when officers spotted the driver again hours later in Portland, they tracked him with the help of a police plane across state lines to Washington and back through Portland. That started around 10 p.m., when two officers spotted the car and attempted to stop the driver on Interstate 5 by North Lombard Street. Namba turned on his lights and sirens as he and at least three other police vehicles began following the car, which was traveling in the HOV lane. As officers approached, the driver of the Audi sedan took off at speeds of 90 to 100 mph and weaved in and out of interstate lanes as traffic became more congested. The sedan driver took officers all the way to Vancouver, where Portland police deferred to local authorities. Namba turned back around and headed south on I-5, waiting on a shoulder to see if the car would return. Capt. Chris Burley said in a briefing Sunday that Vancouver officers tried unsuccessfully to set up a spike strip to stop the driver. Instead, the sedan came back south on I-5 dragging the spikes with it. The driver of the sedan then led officers through parts of Portland. He crossed the Fremont Bridge and headed west before later coming back over the Willamette River. He then went south on I-5 before heading east on Interstate 84. Talk about a wild goose chase, Namba said. The Audi which had front bumper damage, no hood and one busted headlight eventually made its way back to local roads. That was his fatal error, Namba said. Police did not chase the Audi driver but officers spiked his tires at Northeast 102nd Avenue and Halsey Street, spokesperson Terri Wallo Strauss said. The sedan slowed down as its tires lost air, Wallo Strauss said. Officers boxed in the sedan on Northeast 148th Avenue and Halsey Street. As many as 10 police cars arrived at the scene to arrest the driver on allegations of reckless endangerment, reckless driving and attempting to elude a police officer. Burley said that police believe the driver identified as 22-year-old Tyjon McCallum is potentially a street takeover organizer. Court records show he pleaded guilty to attempting to elude a police officer and two counts of reckless endangerment last month in a March 2 incident where he fled from an officer on a dirt bike. Though no big event took place Saturday, police called the evening a win. Because of the actions of our officers throughout the night, I think that we were successful in deterring a street racing event from happening, Burley said. Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221- 4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake. A man who was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse by a nonunanimous jury in Multnomah County Circuit Court in 2008 and was sentenced to more than six years in prison had his conviction vacated in 2024 and the case dismissed earlier this year after prosecutors decided not to bring him to trial again. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that nonunanimous jury verdicts are unconstitutional, and the Oregon Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that defendants who were convicted by nonunanimous verdicts are entitled to a new trial. Based on that, a judge vacated the conviction of Shane Vondel Michael Greene, and another judge subsequently dismissed the sexual-abuse case. Details of the allegations against Greene werent available in the courts electronic case filing system. But in a January 2025 court document dismissing the case, Judge Judith Matarazzo said it appears that the person who had accused Greene of a sexual crime indicated that they do not want to proceed with the case given the rigors of sexual assault trial and because the defendant has already served the entirety of his sentence. Matarazzo also wrote that it appears that the ends of justice will be best served by the dismissal of the case. Court records show that Greenes 2015 conviction for stalking a prosecutor at her home still stands. State prison records indicate Greene is currently incarcerated at the Oregon State Correctional Institution after he was found guilty of second-degree assault and attempted first-degree assault. A cyclist told police in 2020 that Greene hit him with a saw, and a woman during a separate incident said a man slipped a belt over her neck and she thought he was going to strangle her, according to a probable cause affidavit. Authorities later linked Greene to the belt incident. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to court records. The Oregonian Police are asking for the public's help in finding DeLone Kelley, 32, and Samantha Smith, 29, after they failed to turn themselves in for sentencing on April 4. Courtesy of the Portland Police Bureau A man and a woman appear to be on the run after facing criminal charges in the fentanyl overdose of their three-year-old boy, which left the toddler with a severe brain injury. DeLone Kelley, 32, and Samantha Smith, 29, pleaded guilty on March 14 to third-degree assault and first-degree criminal mistreatment and were supposed to turn themselves in for sentencing on April 4, court records show. Kelley and Smiths child overdosed on fentanyl in the familys apartment in the 12000 block of Southeast Powell Court on June 25, 2023, according to court records. The child, now five, is being cared for by a Department of Human Services guardian and requires around-the-clock medical attention, the Portland Police Bureau said. A grand jury indicted Kelley and Smith on July 23, 2024, after police investigated the toddlers overdose, court records show. Smith was convicted of third-degree theft in 2017 and Kelly of third-degree theft in 2015, court records show. Police ask anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact Detective Michael Jones at michael.jones@police.portlandoregon.gov. Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime and community news. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313. A Portland police vehicle is parked next to a home where a woman was found dead following a shooting March 17, 2025, in the 14400 block of Southeast Harrison Street. The woman, 45-year-old Brianne Pardue, was one of seven people killed in March. Zaeem Shaikh/The Oregonian Portland has not recorded a homicide in a month, a gap not seen since 2023 and a noticeable respite after the city saw seven killings this March. Officers last responded to the scene of a homicide on March 21, when police arrived at a Northeast Portland hotel to find a 26-year-old who had been stabbed to death. Just hours later, Police Chief Bob Day stood in front of reporters and lamented the toll, saying the spate of violence was unacceptable even as overall homicide numbers continue to decline from their historic highs. Last months violence began with the separate fatal shootings of two men and a woman within hours of each other on March 3 and 4. Five days later, a 33-year-old man was gunned down in an apartment complex. On March 17, a woman was killed in the Centennial neighborhood, and a 17-year-old was killed in Powellhurst-Gilbert the following day. The March 21 to April 21 gap is the longest in the city since 2023, when Portland didnt record a single homicide between Aug. 28 and Sept. 28. The next earliest gap occurred in early 2020, when Portland went 84 days without a killing, from Jan. 4 to March 30, before a pandemic-era spike drove homicide numbers well above the citys historic averages. Its not clear if the trend will continue. Homicides are unpredictable, but police spokesman Mike Benner credited the work of the Police Bureau to address gun violence and take firearms off the streets. He also said the citys violence intervention program, Ceasefire, and the Office of Violence Prevention have played a role in keeping the community safe. Shootings are also down by close to 30% compared with the same period last year, according to police data. The Police Bureau has recorded 190 shooting incidents 31 of which resulted in non-fatal injuries, compared with 266 last year. Portland has recorded 10 homicides this year, compared with 27 at this time last year. Correction: This post initially stated that the gap was the longest since 2020. It has been updated to reflect the one-month gap in 2023. Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221- 4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake. Oregon's Lyndsey Grein went 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 13 1/3 innings in a win over Oregon State and series win over No. 6 UCLA last week. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear) AP Oregons Lyndsey Grein earned her second weekly honor from the Big Ten this season. Grein, who went 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 13 1/3 innings in a win over Oregon State and series win over No. 6 UCLA, was named Big Ten co-pitcher of the week. The junior right-hander allowed nine hits and five walks while holding opponents to a .196 average. Grein threw 5 1/3 shutout innings with eight strikeouts in a 3-1 win over the Bruins on Friday and helped the Ducks secure the series with a three-hit shutout in five innings on Sunday. The national leader in wins, Grein improved to 25-1 with a 1.15 ERA, fifth nationally, and 170 strikeouts, tied for 16th. Its the third pitcher of the week honor for the Ducks this season, with Grein also selected on Feb. 24 and Elise Sokolsky recognized on April 7. With its first series win over UCLA since 2018, Oregon (41-5, 14-2 Big Ten) moved into sole possession of first place in the Big Ten with two series to play in the regular season. Oregon travels to Indiana for a three-game series beginning at 3 p.m. PT Friday with a game at Notre Dame on April 28. Reed College President Audrey Bilger is among nearly 200 college and university leaders nationwide who signed onto a statement Tuesday decrying Trump administration overreach in higher education. Lauren LaBarre The presidents of three Oregon colleges are among the leaders of nearly 200 U.S. colleges and universities who are calling on the Trump administration to stop unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education. The statement issued Tuesday by the American Association of Colleges and Universities and signed by university presidents came a day after Harvard said it was suing the Trump administration to halt a federal freeze on billions of dollars in research funding. The Trump administration argues its campaign against Harvard, Columbia and other schools is a fight against antisemitism. In their statement, university presidents said they were speaking with one voice to reject the coercive use of public research funding by the government. Those signing the statement included presidents of private and public universities, community colleges and Christian campuses. Lewis & Clark College President Robin Holmes-Sullivan, Reed College President Audrey Bilger and Willamette University President Stephen Thorsett were among those who signed the statement. American institutions of higher learning have in common the essential freedom to determine, on academic grounds, whom to admit and what is taught, how, and by whom, the statement said. Our colleges and universities share a commitment to serve as centers of open inquiry where, in their pursuit of truth, faculty, students, and staff are free to exchange ideas and opinions across a full range of viewpoints without fear of retribution, censorship, or deportation. Disturbed is coming to Portland as part of their The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour on Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. The band will tour with Daughtry for a highly-anticipated event. Tickets are still available at a variety of price points starting at around only $31. Get tickets to see Disturbed in Portland: Buy tickets now from Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Ticketmaster, or Seat Geek. Through a special arrangement, if you are purchasing tickets for the first time through Vivid Seats, you can use our special discount promo code Oregon20 at checkout to save $20 on orders of $200 or more for the event you plan on attending. Who is Disturbed? Disturbed is an American metal band from Chicago that formed under the name Brawl in 1994. They changed their name a few years later and took off in the early 2000s with hits like Down with the Sickness and Decadence. On May 7, they will be at the Moda Center for their 25th anniversary tour. Who is Daughtry? Daughtry is an American rock band. It was formed by Chris Daughtry and named after him after he went to the finals in the 5th season of American Idol. The band became popular around 2005 with hits like Its Not Over and Over You. They will join Disturbed on their 2025 tour. Members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde gather in a drum circle during a rally Monday, April 21, 2025, at Lownsdale Square in downtown Portland. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Booming drumbeats echoed off the towering Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in Portland on Monday morning, as lawyers inside began a complex trial over tribal fishing access at one of Oregons biggest waterfalls. Lawyers for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Portland General Electric debated the legality of PGEs attempt to condemn a large portion of Willamette Falls after the Grand Ronde tribe received a state permit to erect a seasonal fishing platform on a relatively small rock at the base of the falls in 2018. A lineup of Pappy Van Winkle bourbons. Brian Flemming, previously the retail services manager for the liquor agency, returned to work in March as a program analyst responsible for managing liquor stores in the Pendleton region, the agency confirmed. Commission records show Flemming was the subject of a human resources investigation, which substantiated five allegations that he diverted highly coveted bourbon, mostly Elmer T. Lee. The bourbon is made by the same distillery that produces Pappy Van Winkle. An Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission middle manager who diverted sought-after Elmer T. Lee bourbon for himself, a colleague and his bosses is back on the job after two years on leave, according to records and agency officials. Brian Flemming, previously the retail services manager for the liquor agency, returned to work in March as a program analyst responsible for managing liquor stores in the Pendleton region, the agency confirmed. He had been on leave a mix of paid administrative leave, personal leave and vacation since March 17, 2023. The agency did not provide a detailed breakdown of the leave, which added up to $257,859 in salary over the two years. Commission records show Flemming was the subject of a human resources investigation, which substantiated five allegations that he diverted highly coveted bourbon, mostly Elmer T. Lee. Executive Director Craig Prins last fall demoted Flemming to a non-management role in eastern Oregon as a result of the findings, the records show. His pay was cut from about $137,000 to about $98,064. Prins told Flemming in a letter that he had an obligation to speak out when the agencys former executives set aside bourbon for themselves or others. Here, you acquiesced to the improper behavior of others by fulfilling their requests and went a step beyond to obtain similar benefits for yourself, Prins wrote. Prins told Flemming he considered other disciplinary actions, such as a suspension, but instead opted to demote him. Flemming did not respond to an email seeking comment. According to the investigation, Flemming defended himself, telling the investigator that people considered him by-the-book Brian and that he follows rules and policies. The allegations that Flemming used his position and insider knowledge of the states liquor inventory for his own benefit mirror the findings of a previous human resources investigation into six high-ranking OLCC executives. Those top managers were reprimanded and later resigned or were fired as a result. Oregon operates a monopoly over the distribution and sale of distilled spirits, maintaining a massive warehouse where liquor is processed and sent to state-appointed liquor agents who operate stores. The arrangements spelled out in the investigation underscore the longstanding culture within OLCC that allowed well-connected people to leverage ties to the agency to get scarce brands of liquor that everyday Oregonians have little chance of finding at the stores. The bourbon Flemming often sought -- Elmer T. Lee -- is popular and released in limited quantities several times a year. The human resources investigation cast doubt on the credibility of Flemmings responses to questions about his purchases. In one instance, he denied buying a dozen bottles of Elmer T. Lee bourbon and said he didnt know who did. Yet, the investigator wrote, the facts support the substantiation that Flemming purchased 12 bottles of Elmer T Lee which were never made available to the general public. The human resources investigation began last May after the Oregon Department of Justice announced it had completed its investigation into bourbon diversion without filing criminal charges. During that criminal investigation, OLCC turned up emails that shed light on Flemmings own role in the diversion of bourbon, according to Prins letter to Flemming. Those emails spanned 2014 through 2019. Among them were exchanges in which you were a sender or recipient, Prins told Flemming. They appeared to connect you to the diversion of highly sought after bottles of spirits. On Friday, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission is set to take up a proposed settlement involving two former OLCC managers, Bill Schuette and Kai Nakashima, implicated in bourbon diversion. The agency found they had used their positions for personal gain, a claim they disputed. They each agreed to pay $500 in civil penalties. The ethics commissions final order notes that Schuette had told an OLCC investigator in 2022 that he had acquired three or more bottles of bourbon, primarily Elmer T. Lee, Pappy VanWinkle 12-Year and Pappy VanWinkle 15-Year. Nakashima told the same investigator that he had acquired bottles of Pappy Van Winkle and Elmer T. Lee, the ethics report says. Ethics investigations into the other four managers are pending. In Flemmings case, a state investigation found that in 2020, he arranged for a bottle of Weller 107 Antique bourbon diverted from general public sale for Shannon Hoffeditz, the agencys marijuana compliance director, to buy. In her own interview with the investigator in 2023, Hoffeditz said she asked Flemming for advice on a good spirit to buy. He made a suggestion and said it was available at a Portland store. She told the investigator that she told Flemming she did not want any special treatment. She said she later went to the store and, after not seeing the bottle on the shelf, went to the front to ask if they had the bottle she was looking for and the cashier took a bottle from the back with her name on it and she paid for the bottle and left. She said she later told her supervisor about the purchase after learning that there would be investigation into anyone who purchased one of the sought-after bourbons. Flemming said he did not recall Hoffeditz saying she did not want preferential treatment, but he did not believe he gave Hoffeditz preferential treatment as he would do the same thing for any member of the public who was able to speak directly to him, the report states. The investigator disagreed. The evidence in this case supports the finding that Flemming gave preferential treatment to Hoffeditz because although he claims he would give any member of the public the same treatment, the public does not have access to him in the same way one of his co-workers would and it would not be possible for him to procure a rare or highly sought-after bottle for every person in the public who wanted one, the report states. The investigation found evidence to substantiate another allegation that in 2018 he used his position to divert a bottle of Elmer T. Lee from general public sale for himself. He bought the bottle from the Milwaukie Liquor Store. Flemming admits in his interview he probably called the liquor store in his official capacity to request the bottle and regardless of if he told the liquor agent it was for himself or a member of the public, he had a better chance of getting a bottle held rather than a member of the public with no association with the OLCC, the report states. That year, he also used his position to request a special case of Elmer T Lee be sent to Oregon directly from Buffalo Trace for OLCC executives, according to the investigation. The executives are not named. Buffalo Trace Distillery is the Kentucky company behind Elmer T. Lee and the popular Pappy Van Winkle bourbons. The investigation found that Flemming used his relationship with a contact at the distillery one he had only because of his job, the investigation noted to procure a case of Elmer T. Lee which was not available to the general public for purchase by other OLCC executives. In early 2022, the investigation found, Flemming bought seven bottles of Elmer T. Lee from a Hillsboro liquor store, which would not have been possible for a member of the general public to do. It is unclear if Flemming used his position at the OLCC to convince an employee to sell him the bottles, or if he used knowledge gained from being an OLCC employee to know there would be seven bottles in the back room he could purchase, but it is clear a member of the general public would not have been able to purchase more than a bottle or two of Elmer T Lee at a time due to its limited nature, the investigator wrote. Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Reach her at 503-276-7184; ncrombie@oregonian.com The Port of Portland's Terminal 6 handles imported and exported cargo in shipping containers. Republican lawmakers in Oregon have remained mostly silent on tariffs that experts say are likely to hurt consumers and businesses. Port of Portland In the three weeks since President Donald Trump first announced retaliatory tariffs on Americas trading partners, Republican lawmakers in Oregon have remained mostly silent on the trade regulations that experts say are likely to hurt consumers and businesses. While Democrats in the Legislature have loudly condemned Trumps efforts to slash federal programs, fire federal workers and place stiff tariffs on other countries, their Republican counterparts have avoided taking a strong public stance on many of those actions. Out of 10 Republican lawmakers interviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive for this article, nearly all said they support various aspects or potential effects of Trumps trade policies. But almost none outright said whether they support the tariffs. Its pretty hard to be in strong support of tariffs right now, because theyre hurting everybody, and thats not a surprise, said Rep. Virgil Osborne of Roseburg. However, he said, As long as (Trumps) bargaining works and he gets what hes asking for, I think it could be a huge success for our country. Since reentering office this year, Trump has implemented significant tariffs on numerous countries and products, including major trading partners China, Mexico and Canada. He announced 10% minimum tariffs on all trading partners on April 2, with steeper tariffs for certain countries, particularly China, then paused some of them after stock markets plummeted in response. The Trump administration and its supporters have said tariffs will help address trade imbalances between America and other countries while incentivizing domestic manufacturing. Many economists say they are likely going to lead to higher prices for consumers and also hurt the United States trading relationships with other countries. To first impose these very high punitive tariffs and then force people to come to the negotiation table, I think that is quite unprecedented, and its also not effective, said Yan Liang, a professor at Willamette University who studies international economics. Not to mention, I think it really kind of undermines the U.S. own credibility. Oregon Republican lawmakers have publicly said little about the tariffs. Most of those interviewed said they are waiting for the effects of tariffs to materialize before weighing in. Although many business owners in trade-dependent Oregon have said tariffs will soon force them to raise prices, these lawmakers said they arent so sure. I think that we need to continue to let some of those federal policies continue to evolve, said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan of Canby. I have not weighed in personally, one way or another, about how Oregon might be impacted by tariffs. I think we need to continue to gather more information on that. Even lawmakers who largely align with Trumps agenda and support tariffs did not say they believe Oregon will benefit from them. I do generally support tariffs ... (but) I dont know enough about it to say for sure that I know what all the effects will be, said Sen. Noah Robinson of Cave Junction. The people doing this are studying it very carefully. So its hard for me to support or oppose any particular tariff at any particular point in time. Numerous other Republican lawmakers also would not directly say whether they support tariffs, but none openly criticized Trump or his trade policies. Several of them instead said they appreciate Trumps underlying motivation to boost manufacturing in the United States or hailed his ability as a negotiator. And multiple Republican lawmakers acknowledged that Oregonians might feel some short-term pain, but they said they are confident that Trump would appropriately respond if necessary. If the day comes that people are saying, Heres the negative impact, and you better reverse course, I know him well enough, in my opinion, to say that he would reverse course, said Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham of The Dalles. Many Republican lawmakers are likely avoiding criticizing Trumps policies due to fear of retribution from his administration or massive pushback from their conservative constituents, said Chris Shortell, political science professor at Portland State University. Unlike most previous presidents of both parties, the second Trump administration has uniquely received very little pushback from elected Republican officials at any level, he said. For some Republican elected officials, there is a hesitation to speak openly about their own views and preferences, Shortell said. You are hard pressed to find currently elected Republicans who are willing to press the Trump administration. Some Democratic lawmakers in Oregon have previously pushed back against presidents from their party. Early last year, three Democrats in the Oregon House and Senate signed onto a letter pressing the Biden administration to immediately call for and facilitate a ceasefire in the Gaza war. Republicans who represent deeply conservative districts are more likely to publicly express strong support for Trumps policies, Shortell said. Thats partly because many of their constituents have likely not yet felt any negative consequences of tariffs and have not wavered in their support for Trump. That could change if the tariffs remain in place and drive up prices as many experts anticipate. But I think its going to take a little time for that, Shortell said. Meanwhile, several Republicans said they have had little reason or time to worry about the tariffs. Sen. Bruce Starr of Dundee said hes too busy pushing back against Democratic-sponsored tax proposals in the Legislature to pay much attention to the tariff conversations. Rep. Kim Wallan of Medford said shes supportive of any federal policy that boosts domestic manufacturing, whether that involves tariffs or not. Rep. Ed Diehl of Stayton said hes not particularly stressed about tariffs and hasnt heard any concerns from businesses in his district about them. Ive really been taking a wait-and-see approach because I cant do anything about it, Diehl said. So its no sense stressing about it. 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. The city of Portland broke ground on its $2 billion Bull Run water filtration plant near Gresham in 2024. City of Portland Portland officials said last week that the city dropped its bid for a state land-use exemption on its $2 billion water filtration plant because it believed an assist from Oregon lawmakers wouldnt ensure an on-time finish for the controversial project. What the city did not disclose, however, was that the bills chief sponsor had already withdrawn his support after learning the Bull Run water treatment facility was in limbo. Sen. Ron Wyden met with several dozen seniors at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Northeast Portland on Monday. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Paul Knauls, 94, depends on food deliveries from the nonprofit Meals on Wheels to his home in northeast Portland every Thursday. Though hes known by many as the unofficial mayor of Portland, when I see the delivery person, it might be the only person I see all week, he said. Its just a blessing. Knauls was among several dozen seniors who met with Oregons U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden Monday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Northeast Portland to hear about potential cuts by the Trump administration to Medicare, Social Security and federal grants that support Meals on Wheels programs across the country. Wyden has joined Meals on Wheels volunteers around the state many times over the years. Back there, some powerful, powerful people are swinging a machete to proven safety nets like Meals on Wheels so that billionaires keep getting those tax breaks, Wyden told the crowd about the current administration. Thats not gonna happen, he said to cheers from the crowd. The most recent budget blueprint passed by Congress includes the potential elimination of the Social Services Block Grant program, which sends money to states for programs like Meals on Wheels. The draft budget also calls for $880 billion in cuts that cannot be reached without major defunding of programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, an analysis from the Congressional Budget Office found. John Marick, treasurer of Meals on Wheels America, said the group provides critical food aid and care to seniors who might otherwise have no other choice but a nursing home or a hospital. Investing in Meals on Wheels is way cheaper than what happens when were not there, he told the crowd. Demand is likely to rise if other federal safety net programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are cut, he added. Dave McGann, a retired postman who has volunteered for Meals on Wheels in Portland for 20 years, talked about checking in regularly on people when he dropped off meals. He described one woman who fell in her tub, and who yelled for help when she knew he was supposed to be by, because he was the only person shed see that day. He heard her yells and was able to call for medical help. Were sometimes the only hope that people have when we come to their house, he said. Its very important for us to be there. The Portland-based office of the Meals on Wheels organization relies on federal funding for about 35% of its $14 million program that provides thousands of meals to home-bound seniors in Multnomah and Washington counties in Oregon and Clark County in Washington every year, according to organization spokesperson Kelsey Allen. In 2024, the group provided more than 1 million meals to 9,000 seniors, up 8% from the previous year, she said. Wyden said federal cuts could put 400,000 to 500,000 meals on the chopping block, for the tri-county area. On my watch, its not going to happen, he told the crowd. Federal funding for Meals on Wheels is administered by the Community Living Administration, housed in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But 40% of staff from that administration were cut in April by Trump officials. Allen says they dont know yet how this will impact resources and meal deliveries in Portland and in the three counties they serve. Counties receive the federal dollars and distribute the money to Meals on Wheels and other social and public health programs, and the next distribution of funding is supposed to occur in June. The bulk of the groups funding comes from individual donations, she said, and the food preparation and delivery are supported by about 2,000 volunteers each year. Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, a Democrat representing Oregons 3rd Congressional District, originally planned to attend the event with Wyden. She was instead in El Salvador with three other Democratic colleagues demanding the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man with protected legal status who was wrongfully deported to, and imprisoned in, El Salvador by the Trump administration. -- Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy. The Oregon House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to shield residential ratepayers and small businesses from the costs of providing electricity to large data centers. House Bill 3546 empowers state regulators to consider the energy use of server farms and cryptocurrency miners when determining who pays for new power plants and power lines, shifting a proportionate share of the cost to those customers when it finds they would be the main beneficiary. Managing Director of Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe Addresses Planned Restructuring April 22, 2025 - The following is a written announcement from Fujitaka Mizushima, Managing Director of Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH, regarding the planned restructuring and rumors in the press: Ladies and Gentlemen, Since entering the German market in 1999, Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited (hereinafter MPM) has supported the German business of Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH (hereinafter MPE) through repeated investments, technical support, and other measures to ensure the continuity of the Bielefeld business. In recent years, financial results have been very poor due to intensifying international competition and rising energy prices. Therefore, MPM has provided additional investments of more than EUR 100 million to ensure business continuity. Due to inadequate and inappropriate corporate management in the past and the current labor law requirements, MPE's financial results have remained at a low level. Starting in 2024, after I joined MPE as Managing Director, we will work to improve profitability. This includes, among other things, revising our inventory strategy, including the construction of a new finished goods warehouse, and reducing costs through the review of various contracts. Due to increasing international competition, we are not yet in a position to generate profits. There are fears that demand for thermal paper, our main product, will decline. For example, the new coalition government in Berlin has announced that it will abolish the retail receipt requirement introduced in 2020. Furthermore, future market conditions are uncertain, including tariff policy in the US. However, the productivity of the key paper and coating machines introduced after MPM's investment is competitive compared to other competitors. It is possible to transform the company into a profitable venture. This requires reducing costs and improving efficiency through a fundamental review of all operations, effectively utilizing competitive assets, and focusing on profitable markets and products. Unfortunately, the Flensburg plant, which was sold in 2023, went bankrupt in January of this year. However, I believe the Bielefeld plant can be revived. My plan is to carry out the necessary restructuring in the most socially acceptable way possible, naturally taking all legal requirements into account, and I want to maintain a constructive dialogue with the works council and the unions. In agreement with the works council and the union, we will transition to a new structure as quickly as possible and transform the company into a competitive and sustainable enterprise so that we can continue to make our contribution to Bielefeld society. This way, we will remain a member of the city of Bielefeld in the future. I hope that all those involved and interested parties will understand this. Fujitaka Mizushima Managing Director Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH About Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH Mitsubishi HiTec Paper produces and distributes high-quality coated thermal papers, inkjet papers, and carbonless papers. The company's paper mill in Bielefeld, East Westphalia, Germany, utilizes state-of-the-art coating technologies with a total capacity of 145,000 tons per year for coating its specialty papers. SOURCE: Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH Toscotec to Supply Complete Tissue Line to Cesar Iglesias in Santo Domingo The new AHEAD 1.8 machine (PM2) has a sheet width of 2,800 mm and a production capacity of over 30,000 tons per year. The new AHEAD 1.8 machine (PM2) has a sheet width of 2,800 mm and a production capacity of over 30,000 tons per year. April 22, 2025 - Toscotec will supply an AHEAD 1.8 tissue line to Cesar Iglesias at its production base in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The new AHEAD 1.8 machine (PM2) has a sheet width of 2,800 mm and a production capacity of over 30,000 tons per year. The machine is equipped with TT NextPress shoe press technology to ensure optimal drying efficiency, a TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer and high-efficiency TT Hoods. The supply also includes the complete stock preparation system, Toscotec's upgraded Distributed Control System TT Brain DCS, as well as the full electrification system. The start-up of PM2 is planned for 2026. Toscotec designs and manufactures machines, systems and components for the production of tissue, paper and board. SOURCE: Toscotec The United States Supreme Court is set to hear arguments from both sides in a parents rights case related to children and LGBTQ+ materials in public schools. The materials in question are several books that feature stories with LGBTQ characters. The question of the case itself is whether or not parents should be able to opt out of what is being taught to their kids if it goes against their religious beliefs. Parents Rights Case Vincent Wagner, from the Alliance Defending Freedom, said that the situation is more about whether parents are being forced to give up their rights to put their kids in public school. The case also comes as Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland implemented stories in their curriculum that featured LGBTQ+ features. The book list includes one titled "Pride Puppy," which features a story about a dog that gets loose at a Pride Parade. Another one that is included is called "Born Ready," which is a true story of a boy named Penelope, according to Local News Live. This forced some parents to sue, arguing that the materials were contrary to their religious beliefs. Steven Collins, a University of Texas Law Professor, said that the parents are not asking to direct the curriculum of the school or tell it to change it altogether. Read more: Utah Lawmaker Seeks to Ban Pride Flags From Hanging in Schools But Not Nazi Flags He said that they are simply asking for the right to be able to pull their children out from certain lessons that go directly against their religious beliefs. Rachel Cornwell, a faith leader and parent who lives in Montgomery County, agreed with the district's stance on the matter. The case is one of three major religious-rights cases that are on the Supreme Court's docket this term. Next week, judges will consider whether or not states will be able to directly fund religious schools, The Washington Post reported. Religious Freedoms They will also have to decide whether or not Wisconsin must extend a tax exemption to the social services arm of the Catholic Church. This is a decision that could have significant implications for other large, religiously affiliated employers, such as hospitals. Many religious families are hopeful as for about the last decade, the Supreme Court's Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the court's conservative majority have consistently ruled in favor of religious freedoms and the role of faith in public life. Regardless of the Supreme Court's decision regarding the parents rights case, it will still go back to the district court for further action, as per The74Million. United States President Donald Trump's administration is now considering various ideas to boost the birth rate and push conservative family values. The White House has been making efforts in recent weeks to try and persuade Americans to get married and have more children. The situation marks a sign that the Trump administration is willing to embrace a new cultural agenda that many of its allies on the right are pushing to fight declining birth rates. Addressing a Declining Birth Rate One of the proposed ideas that were shared with aides suggests the reservation of 30% of scholarships for the Fulbright program. This is the prestigious, government-backed international fellowship that could be given to applicants who are married or have children. Another idea is to give out a $5,000 cash "baby bonus" to every American mother after they deliver a child. There is also a suggestion to call on the government to fund various programs that will educate women on their menstrual cycles, partly to help them better understand when they are ovulating and can conceive a child, according to the New York Times. All of these proposed ideas are from a movement, that is concerned with declining birth rates, that has finally started to gain allies in the government. Several policy experts and advocates have been meeting with White House aides regarding the issue. Read more: Newborn Babies in a West Texas Hospital Were Potentially Exposed to Measles However, administration officials have not yet indicated which of the ideas that have been heard they could ultimately follow through on. Advocates are confident that fertility issues will be a prominent piece of the agenda, arguing that Trump has previously called for a "baby boom." Right now, the Congressional Budget Office expects an average of 1.6 births per woman over the next three decades. This number represents a significant drop from the 2.1 births per woman that is required to maintain a stable population without immigration, Newser reported. Various Programs and Policies Another idea that was brought up was by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who issued a memo vowing to prioritize transportation funding for areas with higher birth and marriage rates. White House aides are said to be working on a report on how to improve the affordability and accessibility of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Experts believe that there are a variety of potential factors that have caused the U.S. birth rate to decline, such as a rise in dual-income households, cost of living issues, and changing social mores. The situation comes as the U.S. has a birth rate that sits between comparable nations, where it is higher than that of China, Italy, and Japan while being on par with Australia and the UK. Despite this, more and more are becoming concerned about the adverse effects of a shrinking population, as per the Independent. A Tacoma teenager was pronounced dead after being transferred to the hospital following being shot on Sunday along East 41st Street. The Tacoma Police Department is currently looking for a suspect in the case that happened at around 9:30 p.m. across the street from the Tacoma River of Grace Church. Law enforcement officials said that officers responded to the area for reports of gunfire and found a teenage boy who was shot. Tacoma Teen Fatally Shot After finding the victim, authorities quickly brought him to the hospital but he unfortunately died soon after. There have been no arrests made so far about the case and detectives and Crime Scene Technicians are still investigating the incident as a homicide. The shooting happened in an area that is only a few blocks away from a separate incident that occurred two weeks ago and also resulted in a teenager being fatally shot. The previous shooting happened on Portland Avenue, between E 43rd Street and E 44th Street, according to Yahoo News. Law enforcement authorities have so far also now made any arrest concerning that particular shooting and officials have not clarified whether or not the two cases may be connected to each other. Read more: Autistic Teen Shot by Idaho Police Pronounced Clinically Brain Dead as Family Calls for Justice Tacoma Police Department spokesperson Shelbie Boyd added that there was another incident in the area on Monday. This was where officials received calls from people in the neighborhood regarding shots fired near East 41st Street and Salishan Boulevard. Fortunately, that particular incident did not cause any injuries or fatalities and it is currently not known if it is also connected to the recent happenings. Officials said that detectives will review the details of the shooting once reports are filed, The News Tribune reported. A Series of Shootings On Monday, Blix Elementary temporarily went into lockdown around the time of one of these incidents. The lockdown was lifted shortly after law enforcement personnel notified the school that the threat was clear. There was also a shooting on Monday in Exposition Park, where two people were struck by an unknown individual. Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to reports of the shooting in the area of Western Avenue and Exposition Boulevard shortly after 4:30 p.m. Authorities reported two victims from the incident, a young man who was said to be in his 20s and another who was between the ages of 30 and 40. The two individuals were transferred to the hospital by paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department and the older man was later pronounced dead, as per KTLA5. Most of us who watched the movie Conclave not long ago did not expect that the next real life conclave would be happening so soon. I saw the movie twice, watching it once because it was so highly recommended by friends, and then watching it again with my wife after recommending it to her. I didnt expect the movie to be as engaging as it was given its overall lack of sensationalism. Certainly it offered drama that cannot be said to be typical of any given conclave. But for the most part, the only thing that was radically unexpected was the powerful ending. I wont discuss that ending for the sake of those who have not seen it. But before the real life conclave happens, youll want to watch the movie. Real Life Conclave So now that the sad news about the death of Pope Francis has had time to circulate, it is impossible not to ask what comes next. Who will be the next pope? Many media outlets are commenting on this, listing promising candidates. Given what we have seen on the national and international scene in recent years, I suspect that one thing is almost guaranteed. The next pope will be more conservative than Francis was. Not that there arent cardinals that would continue leading the church in a manner more continuous with Francis. There certainly are. The question is whether the voting cardinals will want that as a group. Whether they do or do not, leaders are not always in tune with where people are at. Disconnect with Ordinary Catholics? Of course, historically, it was expected that people would line up behind their religious leaders and follow their teachings (or at least pretend to). Today, that is far from the case. I grew up in the Catholic Church, and even as long ago as the 1970s I feel as though the assumption was that Catholics should support the stances of the church, or at least acknowledge their status as not very good Catholics. Today, Catholics in the United States at least feel free to openly disagree with official church policies and yet at the same time identify proudly as Roman Catholic. As the nature of religious identity continues to shift, even if a conservative pope follows Francis, what will that mean for the enormous number of young Catholics who will resent and openly defy leaders who try to roll back the increased respect towards LGBTQ+ people, towards women as potential leaders, and towards survivors of abuse at the hands of clergy. In the past, there were undoubtedly plenty who in practice defied the churchs teaching on birth control, abortion, same sex relationships, and many other subjects. What is different now is that the younger generation may not do so while continuing to frequent Catholic churches and give to support it. Predicting the Papacy? All this to say that I think there is room to predict what is likely in terms of the kind of figure who will be elected pope, even if no one can be confident about which such individual will be chosen. There is less room for confidence about what the election of any given pope will mean for the institution as a whole. If the next pope is more conservative, as seems likely, that in and of itself will not necessarily turn off younger and more liberal Catholics. If the new pope seems to lack anything close to Francis kindness and empathy, on the other hand, that may lead some to turn away from the church altogether. Francis was remarkable for his willingness to draw near to the poor and marginalized, his respect for those historically ostracized by the church as human beings. The odds are his successor wont be precisely like him in this regard. The question is how different he can be and still hold on to the support of those who found Francis to be a breath of fresh air, a hopeful sign of what might lie ahead for the Roman Catholic Church in the future. Gratitude for Pope Francis Looking back, I did not blog about Pope Francis all that often over the years. As the real life conclave draws near, in addition to watching the movie if you havent already, revisiting past pieces about Francis may be worthwhile. Although I spent a year immersed in a project about John the Baptist, I had forgotten that I previously shared a cartoon about Francis as a modern-day John the Baptist. The point was not that he is preparing the way for one greater than himself, but that he stands in the wilderness of our time and calls people to repent. I also hadnt blogged about the movie, despite enjoying it immensely and highly recommending it. This historical moment seemed to call for me to finally do so. Do you feel that you have a sense of the direction things are heading for the Catholic Church and the papacy? If so, what do you see on the horizon? What do you hope for? What do you fear may happen? I am grateful for the way that Francis sought to make compassion and kindness paramount. I am grateful that, even as he struggled with illness towards the end of his life, he rebuked and challenged JD Vance who claims to be Catholic and yet stands at odds with the concerns of the historic church as well as the values of paramount importance to the now sadly deceased pontiff. May whoever succeeds him lead with similar courage, compassion, and kindness. A former Phillipsburg (N.J.) High School lacrosse player was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old on the roof of a Dartmouth College fraternity house. Kyle Clampitt was sentenced April 14 for his conviction at trial on 12 counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault, according to Grafton County Attorney Marcie Hornick. She is the lead prosecutor in Grafton County, New Hampshire. He was acquitted of two counts of second-degree assault involving strangulation. The verdict was handed down Jan. 31. Kathleen Wolff oversaw peer counselors helping nursing-home residents integrate into the community and successfully acquire necessary medical equipment and assistive technology. LNP Kathleen Wolff was 26 when she was shot in the back in 1979 while her car was being stolen in midtown Harrisburg. She seemed dead on arrival at a hospital after the shooting but narrowly survived, according to later news reports. There was a plan for me, Wolff told a LancasterOnline reporter in 2013. I was meant to live. But her life looked very different after that. She was paralyzed from the waist down, her fiance left her and she relied on a wheelchair for the next 45 years. She died Jan. 11, 2024 at age 70, from a blood infection, which the coroner ruled stemmed from the remote gunshot history she suffered more than four decades prior. Her death was ruled a homicide. PennLive learned of Wolffs death earlier this year while reviewing coroner and autopsy reports at the Lancaster County Coroners Office. The previous years reports are made publicly accessible on Jan. 31 under the state Coroners Act. Wolff graduated from Manheim Township High School in 1971, then obtained bachelors degrees in chemistry and biology from York College, before transitioning to Penn State to obtain her masters in health sciences. She was hired as a respiratory therapist at the Polyclinic in Harrisburg in 1975. Wolff was shot on Kelker Street in February 1979 after she spotted her parked stolen car and used her spare key to get inside. The thief, Rose Ann Teasley, 20, then shot her in the spine, police said. Teasley served four years in prison and died at age 57 in North Carolina in 2015, according to LancasterOnline and Harrisburg police. Wolffs homicide will be added to the homicide total for 1979, when the shooting occurred, not last year, according to Harrisburg police Lt. Kyle Gautsch. For every person that dies from shootings, two survive, but often with expensive and long-term injuries like Wofff, according to the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation. The agency estimated about 100,000 people are wounded in shootings in the U.S. each year. Wolff was open with reporters about how the shooting drastically altered her lifes trajectory. She pushed for equity for those living with disabilities, according to a report on Lancaster Online published in 2013. Photo of Kathleen Wolff in 2009 courtesy of LNP. LNP Wolff moved in with her mother after the shooting and continued working as a respiratory therapist in Harrisburg until 1990, then in Reading until 2004. After that, she worked for for United Disabilities Services, an agency in Lancaster that assists adults with disabilities, according to her LinkedIn page. She was able to drive, hunt, fish and camp at her cabin in Juniata County, her obituary said. She loved to shop and was a collector of all things. After her mother died in 2016, Wolff lived alone and relied on an in-home healthcare aide for help with day-to-day tasks. On Dec. 4, 2023, her family found her home alone, according to a Lancaster County coroners report. Wolff was confused, weak and suffering from a urinary tract infection and COVID-19 when her family found her, the coroners office said. Her family told authorities she frequently dealt with confusion and weakness because of infections related to her condition. The coroners office said Wolffs right knee was swollen with a blood infection when she arrived at the hospital. Doctors discussed amputating above the knee, but her family declined the surgery. She was put on hospice care soon afterward. Wolffs funeral services were held in Lancaster on Jan. 18, 2024. PennLive could not reach her relatives. Her obituary said she will be remembered for her steadfast willpower to persevere through many medical challenges and hurdles throughout her life, with a smile and a good laugh. From left, Daniel Cormier, Joe Rogan and Donald Trump talk during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Zuffa LLC Joe Rogan has been a backer of President Donald Trump since back before the election. He had him on his show, helped boost his message, and was at his inauguration. He has, for the most part, spoke glowingly about Trump in the days since, too. But the popular podcaster recently broke rank over the presidents deportation policies. Actually, he didnt just break rank, he issued a stark warning. Rogan took the stance that deportation such as the case with Abrego Garcia without due process is an over-correction. So the over-correction is the lack of due process, he said. The over-correction is to round them all up, ship them to jail. Rogan then laid out a scenario to make his point. What if you are an enemy of, lets not say any current president, he said. Lets pretend we got a new president, totally new guy in 2028, and this is a common practice now of just rounding up gang members with no due process and shipping them to El Salvador. Youre a gang member. No Im not. Prove it. What? I got to go to court. No. No due process. That is dangerous, Rogan warned. We got to be careful that we dont become monsters while were fighting monsters. His take set off a firestorm on social media among the MAGA crowd and Democrats. .@joerogan is absolutely right. It may seem fine to blow up due process for Abrego Garcia and others now. But if that's the new normal, how you going to feel when a president is elected with whom you DON'T agree? And all the safeguards are gone? Is that the America we want? https://t.co/Bu9KaGQG9Z David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) April 20, 2025 Among those who agreed with him was Democrat and CNN political analyst David Axelrod. (Joe Rogan) is absolutely right, he wrote while sharing the clip on X. It may seem fine to blow up due process for Abrego Garcia and others now. But if thats the new normal, how you going to feel when a president is elected with who you DONT agree? And all the safeguards are gone? Is that the America we want? With more than two decades of active service in the Pennsylvania Medical Society, she also served as Vice President of the Dauphin County Medical Society. Submitted Harrisburg lost a healthcare titan to a disease she fought her entire life to treat. Dr. Gwendolyn Poles-Corker, died April 8 at the age of 71 from complications of sickle cell disease. Her funeral is set for Wednesday at Hooper Memorial Home. She spent her childhood in and out of hospitals, dealing with symptoms, and it spurred her at the age of three to declare to family members that she would one day become a doctor who could treat people like her. Because of the ravages of the disease, she wasnt expected to live past high school. But, she did. And when she did, she wasnt expected to live past college. But, she did. And when she did, she wasnt expected to live past her doctoral program. But, she did. That uncertainty around sickle-cell disease followed her entire life and motivated her through a distinguished career as a healthcare trailblazer. She has to be one of the longest-living women with sickle cell in this country, Shelly Brooks, Poles-Corkers best friend told PennLive following her death April 8. Brooks met Poles-Corker a fervent Christian at New Testament Fellowship Church in 1990, after Poles-Corker moved to Harrisburg. Im going to start a holistic faith-based Christian clinic, and youre going to help me, Poles-Corker told Brooks on their first introduction. She was nothing if not a single-minded woman driven to success. She knew what she wanted, she went after it, and she usually got it. Thats what Earl Poles, her brother, misses most about her. She wanted to fix people like herself, Poles said. She wanted to find a cure for sickle cell disease. So, she kept up-to-date on the latest literature about it and even taught students at Penn State College of Medicine and Drexel University of Medicine. She was a giver, and an educator, but never lost sight of her prize. She never found the cure. But Poles-Corker made enough ripples in her own way to improve how American medicine treats the disease. People with sickle-cell disease used to suffer from stigmatizing stereotypes. When they showed up in emergency rooms asking to be treated for chronic pain, doctors would turn up their noses and treat them like they were simply drug seekers. The reality is, sickle cell disease and the pain that comes with it is truly stifling. And Poles-Corker knew that first-hand. So she rewrote the book. While at Pinnacle Health Center, Poles-Corker introduced new policies and protocols for how doctors should interact with people. It was a step toward proper treatment that patients needed and deserved to live healthy, comfortable lives. That stigma, in recent years, has gone away, thanks to the efforts of doctors like Poles-Corker. She also spent years fighting to address implicit bias in the American healthcare system. Poles-Corker also helped shape state healthcare policy on domestic violence, childhood obesity and tobacco cessation among pregnant women in her role as medical director of Pennsylvanias office of medical assistance programs in the Department of Public Welfare. Poles-Corker graduated from Franklin & Marshall College, and earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She later completed her internal medicine residency at Bryn Mawr Hospital. In 1990, she and her husband relocated to Harrisburg. Poles-Corker served as medical director of Pinnacle Health Systems Kline Health Center and was a faculty member of its internal medicine residency program. Poles-Corkers faith guided her healing hand. Her faith fueled her dedication to service, healing and advocacy, according to her obituary. Because Poles-Corker spent so much time in the hospital, her brother Earl Poles lost a lot of time with her growing up although one memory remains firm: the time he was chasing her with a bug at their 49th Street, Philadelphia home when they were children. Poles-Corker shut the back door in front of him, and he drove his arm through the cheap glass window. Every time I think about it, I laugh, Poles said. They frequently called one-another after the evening news to recap the problems of the world. By the end of the conversation, the two had worked out how theyd unilaterally fix the world. Sickle cell, on average, cuts off 20 years from a persons lifespan in the United States, according to the American Journal of Hematology. On average, people with the disease live up to around 54 years old. At around 69 years of age, Poles-Corkers symptoms began to worsen although she was surprised she was still alive at all, Brooks said. She knew the disease like an expert. And she knew what it was going to do to her and what it was going to do to her body, Brooks said. Poles-Corker active until 71. She always told Brooks that her mother would die first, and a few months later, she would follow. Poles-Corkers mother died at the age of 101 last August. And after that, she had a very sober perspective on life. We both know how this ends, Poles-Corker told Brooks. Brooks died peacefully in her Harrisburg home after a lifetime of chronic pain and treating that chronic pain in others. She left behind a legacy of education, of treatment and of giving. But legacy wasnt too important to Poles-Corker, Poles said. When her brother went through her things recently after she died, he found her honors neatly stored in plastic bags, not displayed on her walls. She wasnt all about me Poles said. It was all about doing this for others. She got a plaque? Whatever. Just hide it away somewhere, Poles said. Ive only found five so far, but Im sure theres more in her house somewhere. Brooks, who was honored to have been given power of attorney over Poles-Corker, told PennLive that as she began making arrangements over her affairs, she realized just how extensive Poles-Corkers giving spirit was. She donated to Doctors Without Borders, Christian Health Center, the Bethesda Mission and Milton Hershey Hospital, among others. But her financial charity isnt the only thing by which Harrisburg residents will remember her. Some will remember the time they informally approached Poles-Corker for advice on the side medical and otherwise, often done through church and how Poles-Corker helped them. She was a disciple and a mentor, Brooks said. A real asset to this community. I think we will miss her. A viewing for Poles-Corker is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hooper Memorial at 3532 Walnut Street with a celebration of life set to begin at noon. By Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel (TNS) Pharmacy giant Walgreens has reached a $300 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations it filled millions of invalid opioid and other drug prescriptions during the height of the nations opioid epidemic. The lawsuit filed against Walgreens involved multiple agencies and prosecutors from across the country. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On April 21, 2025, Li Auto signed a Next-Generation Power Module Licensed Development Technology Agreement with Zhuzhou CRRC Times Semiconductor Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of CRRC, at its Shanghai R&D Center. The two parties will collaborate on the industrialization of Li Auto's proprietary XPM (eXtender Power Module) technology for use in the automaker's next-generation extended-range electric drive systems. This agreement also marks the first time Li Auto will open its XPM technology to the broader industry via licensing. Photo credit: Li Auto Developed over three years, the XPM module is a two-in-one power module specifically designed for range-extended electric vehicles. Li Auto has filed over 50 patents related to the technology, which combines five key innovations to deliver industry-leading performance. In addition to boosting the cost-effectiveness and technical capabilities of range-extended systems, XPM is also compatible with other dual-motor hybrid configurations. The module's development incorporates CRRC's advanced 7.5-generation fine-groove IGBT chip technology. Li Auto has validated its performance across various application scenarios using CRRC's multipurpose packaging testing platform. Compared to the conventional two-module solution currently prevalent in the market, the XPM integrates the functionality into a single unit, reducing total module length by approximately 38%. When compared with a standard dual-module design, the XPM enables a 50% reduction in IGBT chip area, 33% reduction in FRD chip area, and over 45% total chip area reduction. The system's parasitic inductance is lowered to just 10 nH, more than 50% less than that of traditional designs. Additional innovationssuch as an integrated water-cooled plate and built-in current sensorsfurther reduce the volume, weight, and cost of dual-motor powertrains using the XPM module. The XPM's superior performance and system-level benefits are supported by a suite of five core patented technologies, including an integrated structure and cooling system, optimized chip size and ratio for IGBT and FRD components, low-inductance high-voltage terminal design and key manufacturing techniques, integrated ceramic substrates for power generation, and compact, high-precision current sensor integration. Li Auto expects the XPM module to enter mass production by 2026. It will support a wide range of platforms from 800V high-voltage architectures to conventional 400V systems, making it suitable for both range-extended and dual-motor hybrid powertrains. The module will not be exclusive to Li Auto's next-gen range-extended systems. In a significant move, Li Auto will license the XPM technology industry-wide. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Semiconductor is the first power semiconductor supplier to secure such a license. Under the agreement, CRRC Times will lead mass production development of the XPM module based on Li Auto's technology, with applications extending beyond Li Auto's own vehicle lineup to serve other automakers as well. A drone hovers in airspace outside the safety perimeter surrounding St. Louis Lambert International Airport as an airliner approaches for a landing on March 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) AP By Aaron Kessler and Michael Biesecker, The Associated Press WASHINGTON A commercial airliner was on final approach to San Franciscos international airport in November when the crew spotted a drone outside the cockpit window. By then it was too late to take evasive action, the pilots reported, and the quadcopter passed by their windshield, not 300 feet away. A month earlier, a jetliner was flying at an altitude of 4,000 feet near Miamis international airport when its pilots reported a close encounter with a drone. In August, a drone came within 50 feet of clipping the left wing of a passenger jet as it departed Newark International Airport. The incidents were all classified as near midair collisions any one of which could have had catastrophic consequences, according to aviation safety experts. They were also not isolated encounters. An Associated Press analysis of an aviation safety databasereveals that drones last year accounted for nearly two-thirds of reported near midair collisions involving commercial passenger planes taking off and landing at the countrys top 30 busiest airports. That was the highest percentage of such near misses since 2020, when air traffic dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first reports of near misses involving drones were logged in 2014, the AP found. The number of such encounters spiked the following year. Over the last decade, drones accounted for 51% 122 of 240 of reported near misses, according to APs analysis. Passenger jets have long been subject to risks around airports whether from bird strikes or congested airspace as was made clear by the January collision between a military helicopter and commercial jet near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people. The threat has become more dire The threat from drones has become more acute in the last decade as the use of quadcopters and remote-controlled planes has exploded in popularity. The FAA estimates that Americans are operating more than a million drones for recreational and commercial purposes. If you have the money, you can go on the internet and buy a pretty sophisticated drone that can reach altitudes they really have no business being at, said William Waldock, a professor of safety science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The risk is most acute near airports because that is where the flight paths of drones and airplanes most overlap, experts said. The incidents represent only a portion of such close calls because the database NASAs Aviation Safety Reporting System relies on voluntary submissions from pilots and other aviation workers. A separate FAA program, which includes reports from the public, tallied at least 160 sightings last month of drones flying near airports. The FAA recognizes that urgency, and we all know additional changes need to be made to allow the airports to go out and detect and mitigate where necessary, said Hannah Thach, executive director of the partnership, known as Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence. FAA says it is taking steps to improve safety The FAA said it has taken steps to mitigate the risks of drones. It has prohibited nearly all drones from flying near airports without prior authorization, though such rules are difficult to enforce, and recreational users may not be aware of restrictions. The agency requires registrations for drones weighing more than 250 grams (0.55 pounds), and such drones are required to carry a radio transponder that identifies the drones owner and broadcasts its position to help avert collisions. Additional rules govern commercial drone use. The agency has also been testing systems to detect and counterdrones near airports. Among the methods being examined: Using radio signals to jam drones or force them to land. Authorities are also weighing whether to deploy high-powered microwaves or laser beams to disable the machines. Experts said the FAA and other authorities could do more. They suggested creating a system similar to speed cameras on roadways that could capture a drones transponder code and send its pilots a ticket in the mail. They also said the FAA should consider regulations that require all manufacturers to program a drones GPS unit to prevent it from flying near airports and other sensitive areas, a method called geofencing. Drone manufacturer ends mandatory geofencing DJI, a leading drone maker, used such geofencing restrictions for years. However, it eliminated the feature in January, replacing it with an alert to drone pilots when they approach restricted areas. Adam Welsh, head of global policy at DJI, said managing requests from authorized users to temporarily disable the geofencing became an increasingly time-consuming task. More than one million such requests were processed last year. We had around-the-clock service, but the number of applications coming in were becoming really hard to handle, Welsh said. They all had to be reviewed individually. A drone controller warns it is inside the perimeter of an airport's restricted airspace in St. Louis, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) AP With no other manufacturers enabling geofencing, and without government rules requiring it, DJI decided to end the practice, he said. The FAA declined to say if it is considering whether to mandate geofencing. Drone users can face consequences Experts said authorities should take more aggressive action to hold drone users accountable for violating restricted airspace to highlight the problem and deter others from breaking the rules, pointing to recent arrests that they hoped might send such a message. In December, for example, Boston police arrested two men who operated a drone that flew dangerously close to Logan International Airport. Police reported that they were able to find the drone flyers, in part, by tracking the aircraft thanks to its FAA-mandated transponder signal. A month later, a small drone collided with a Super Scooper plane that was fighting wildfires raging through Southern California. The drone punched a hole in the planes left wing, causing enough damage that officials grounded the aircraft for several days to make repairs. Authorities tracked down the 56-year-old drone operator, who pleaded guilty to a federal charge of recklessly flying his aircraft. The man, who has yet to be sentenced, admitted he launched his DJI quadcopter to observe fire damage over the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, despite the FAA having restricted drone flying in the area, according to court records. The operator lost sight of the drone after it flew about 1.5 miles from where he had launched it. And thats when it struck the Super Scooper. Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/ By Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News (TNS) The wife of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil gave birth Monday to the couples son after federal immigration authorities denied the familys request for a temporary release for Khalil to meet their first child. I welcomed our son into the world earlier today without Mahmoud by my side, his wife, Noor Abdalla, wrote in a statement to the Daily News. This was a purposeful decision by ICE to make me, Mahmoud and our son suffer. Indian army officers stands guard near Pahalgam in south Kashmir after assailants indiscriminately opened fired at tourists visiting Pahalgam, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April 22, 2025.(AP Photo/Dar Yasin) AP By AIJAZ HUSSAIN, The Associated Press SRINAGAR, India (AP) Gunmen shot dead at least 20 tourists at a resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Tuesday, in what appeared to be a major shift in the regional conflict in which tourists have largely been spared. Police described the incident as a terror attack and blamed militants fighting against Indian rule. This attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years, Omar Abdullah, the regions top elected official, wrote on social media. An Indian tourist, right, with blood-soaked trousers speaks on the phone as she arrives at a hospital in Anantnag after assailants indiscriminately fired at tourists visiting Pahalgam, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April 22, 2025.(AP Photo/Dar Yasin) AP Paramedic carries a wounded tourist on a stretcher at a hospital in Anantnag after assailants indiscriminately fired at tourists visiting Pahalgam, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April 22, 2025.(AP Photo/Dar Yasin) AP Two senior police officers said at least four gunmen, whom they described as militants, fired at dozens of tourists from close range. The officers said at least three dozen others were injured, many in serious condition. Most of the tourists killed were Indian, the officers said, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with departmental policy. Officials collected at least 20 bodies in Baisaran meadow, some five kilometers (3 miles) from the disputed regions resort town of Pahalgam. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Police and soldiers were searching for the attackers. Indian security officers patrol in armored vehicles near Pahalgam in south Kashmir after assailants indiscriminately opened fired at tourists in Pahalgam, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) AP We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences, Indias home minister, Amit Shah, wrote on social media. He arrived in Srinagar, the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir, and convened a meeting with top security officials. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on an official visit in Saudi Arabia, has been briefed. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key resistance politician and Kashmirs top religious cleric, condemned what he described as a cowardly attack on tourists, writing on social media that such violence is unacceptable and against the ethos of Kashmir which welcomes visitors with love and warmth. The gunfire coincided with the visit to India of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who called it a devastating terrorist attack. Indian tourists take pictures near a clock tower at city centre in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir,Tuesday, April. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) AP The meadow in Pahalgam is a popular destination, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dotted with pine forests. It is visited by hundreds of tourists every day as Kashmir, known for Himalayan foothills and exquisitely decorated houseboats, has become a major domestic tourist destination. It has drawn millions of visitors who enjoy a strange peace kept by ubiquitous security checkpoints, armored vehicles and patrolling soldiers. Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Royal Caribbean cruise lines is canceling all trips to its private beach resort in Haiti due to safety concerns that are affecting the island nation. Canva/Katherine Rodriguez Royal Caribbean recently announced it was halting all visits to the companys private destination in Haiti due to continuing violence in that Caribbean country. Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in a statement to Travel + Leisure. We have already communicated with guests directly. Labadee is a private beach resort owned by Royal Caribbean and located on the northern coast of Haiti. Its about a six hour drive from the countrys capital, Port-au-Prince. Royal Caribbean had temporarily suspended trips to Labadee last summer, citing at the time the safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities. It is not clear when the company might open up the resort as a destination stop again. Haiti is currently rated by the U.S. State Department at a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care. Since March 2024, Haiti has been under a State of Emergency, the advisory says. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed. In November, the Federal Aviation Administration prohibited all U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after gangs shot at two planes. By NICOLE WINFIELD and COLLEEN BARRY, The Associated Press VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis will be laid to rest Saturday after lying in state for three days in St. Peters Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to historys first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met Tuesday in the Vaticans synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, left, prays in front of the body of Pope Francis laid out in state inside his private chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP, HO) AP The cardinals set the funeral for 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Peters Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. U.S. President Donald Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend, and Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected. The Argentine pope died Monday at age 88 after a stroke put him in a coma and led his heart to fail. He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalized for five weeks with pneumonia. He made his last public appearance Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and greeting followers from his popemobile, looping around St. Peters Square. His Easter appearance from the same loggia where he was introduced to the world as the first pope from the Americas on March 13, 2013, was a fitting bookend to a 12-year papacy that sought to shake up the church and return it to its Gospel-mandated mission of caring for the poorest. Viewing the popes coffin The popes formal apartments in the Apostolic Palace and in the Santa Marta hotel were sealed Monday evening, following a centuries-old ritual. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who as camerlengo had the task of announcing the death and confirming it once the cause was determined, presided over the rituals. Francis chose not to live in the palace, but in a two-room suite in Santa Marta on the other side of Vatican City. He died there and his body was transferred to the hotel chapel in the lobby, where the private viewing was underway Tuesday for Vatican officials and members of the pontifical household. A Catholic nun of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Saint Teresa, prays as a portrait of Pope Francis, placed over the saint's tomb following his death, in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das) AP In changes made by Francis last year, his body was not placed in three wooden coffins, as it had been for previous popes. Rather, Francis was placed in a simplified wooden coffin with a zinc coffin inside. Once in St. Peters, his casket will not be put on an elevated bier as was the case with past popes but will just be be placed simply facing the pews, with the Paschal candle nearby. He was a pope who didnt change his path when it came to getting (his hands) dirty, Francis vicar for Rome, Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, said in a Mass in his honor. For him, poor people and migrants were the sacrament of Jesus. Choosing the next pope After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the novendiali. During this period, cardinals arrive in Rome and meet privately before the conclave. To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15 to 20 days after the sede vacante the vacant See is declared, although it can start sooner if the cardinals agree. Once the conclave begins, cardinals vote in secret sessions in the Sistine Chapel. After voting sessions, the ballots are burned in a special stove. Black smoke indicates that no pope has been elected, while white smoke indicates that the cardinals have chosen the next head of the Catholic Church. Pilgrims arrive in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) AP The one who has secured two-thirds of the votes wins. If he accepts, his election is announced by a cardinal from the loggia of St. Peters Basilica who tells the world: Habemus Papam Latin for We have a pope. FILE - The U.S. Department of Education building is seen in Washington, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) AP By Annie Ma, The Associated Press WASHINGTON The Education Department will begin collecting next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said Monday. Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans. The Trump administrations announcement marks an end to a period of leniency that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. No federal student loans have been referred for collection since March 2020, including those in default. Under President Joe Biden, the Education Department tried multiple times to give broad forgiveness of student loans, only to be stopped by courts. American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said. Beginning May 5, the department will begin involuntary collection through the Treasury Departments offset program, which withholds government payments including tax refunds, federal salaries and other benefits from people with past-due debts to the government. After a 30-day notice, the department also will begin garnishing wages for borrowers in default. The decision to send debt to collections drew criticism from advocates, who said borrowers had experienced whiplash and confusion with the changing student loan policies between the Biden and Trump administrations. This is cruel, unnecessary and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country, said Mike Pierce, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center. Already, many borrowers have been bracing for obligations coming due. In 2020, President Donald Trump paused federal student loan payments and interest accrual as a temporary relief measure for student borrowers. The pause in payments was extended multiple times by the Biden administration through 2023, and a final grace period for loan repayments ended in October 2024. That meant tens of millions of Americans had to start making payments again. Borrowers who dont make payments for nine months go into default, which is reported on their credit scores and can go to collections. Along with the borrowers already in default, around another 4 million are 91 to 180 days late on their loan payments. Less than 40% of all borrowers are current on their student loans, department officials said. Layoffs at the Federal Student Aid office at the Education Department have made it harder for students to get their questions answered, even if they wanted to pay their loans, said Kristin McGuire, executive director for Young Invincibles, a group that focuses on economic security for younger adults. And questions are swirling about certain income-driven repayment programs after a February court ruling blocked some of the payment plans. Borrowers in the more lenient, Biden-era SAVE Plan were placed in forbearance, in which borrowers receive relief from payments but still accrue interest. The Education Department in February took down applications for income-driven repayment programs which tie a monthly payment to a persons income level only to bring them back online a month later. Things are really difficult to understand right now. Things are changing every day, McGuire said. We cant assume that people are in default because they dont want to pay their loans. People are in default because they cant pay their loans and because they dont know how to pay their loans. For borrowers in default, one step to avoid wage garnishment is to get into loan rehabilitation, said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute for Student Loan Advisors. Borrowers must ask their loan servicer to be placed into such a program. Typically, servicers ask for proof of income and expenses to calculate a payment amount. Once a borrower has paid on time for nine months in a row, they are taken out of default, Mayotte said. A loan rehabilitation can only be done once. Biden oversaw the cancellation of student loans for more than 5 million borrowers. Despite the Supreme Courts rejection of his signature proposal for broad relief, he waived more than $183.6 billion in student loans through expanded forgiveness programs. In her statement Monday, McMahon said Biden had gone too far. FILE - Education Secretary Linda McMahon does a television interview at the White House, April 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) AP Going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment both for the sake of their own financial health and our nations economic outlook, she said. Associated Press writer Adriana Morga in New York contributed to this report. The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. The body of a man who had been missing since January was recovered from the Allegheny River in Warren County last week. Jeremiah Smith, 20, of Lakeview, South Dakota, was found on April 15, about five miles south of the Tidioute Bridge. A resident had discovered the body in the water while clearing brush along their property and called 911, according to Erie News Now. Smith had been missing since Jan. 28. He was last seen kayaking in the river. State police said that recovery efforts have been ongoing since Smith disappeared, but that winter weather and hazardous river conditions hindered their efforts. Warren County Coroner Melissa Zydonik said she identified Smith via his dental and medical records. No foul play is suspected. A Cumberland County man was charged after police say he used guns and a sword to threaten his neighbors over the weekend. Keith Fox, 46, of Enola, was charged with charged with six misdemeanors: three counts of terroristic threats, and three counts of possessing the instruments of crime, according to charging documents filed by East Pennsboro Township police. He was also charged with six summary offenses: three counts of disorderly conduct and three counts of harassment, police said. An affidavit of probable cause written by police gave this account: At 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Fox told his neighbor in the SummerDale neighborhood, (Expletive,) youre going to die when she arrived home from work. Fox was seen walking around in his backyard waving guns above his head over the top of his privacy fence while yelling Ill kill you, police said. The threats continued Sunday which is what prompted police to respond to a home before 8:50 a.m. in the 300 block of Park Avenue. Witnesses told police they heard and watched Fox point a large sword at three occupied homes while saying youre going to die, according to court documents. Fox was citing biblical passages and claiming to be God, the affidavit said. One victim told police Fox said a 45 hollow point will go through your house and will kill you. Not if, but when, court documents said. Fox racked the slides of an AR rifle and two pistols in his yard while pointing them at two occupied homes, according to police. Police tried to contact Fox for several hours via phone calls and text messages, according to the affidavit. Foxs parents also tried to contact Fox but they could not reach him. A family had to evacuate their home because of the threats, police said. Fox later surrendered to authorities, and police executed a search warrant at his home and backyard. They said they recovered two Colt .45 handguns with a large amount of ammunition, an AR-style rifle with three loaded magazines, and six loaded .45-caliber handgun magazines, court documents said. Fox was taken to Cumberland County Prison with a cash bond set at $100,000, according to online court documents. He remained in jail Tuesday unable to post bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 7. A mayor of a California city has suggested that he would like to give free fentanyl to homeless people, whom he claims are responsible for violent crime. (U.S. Attorney's Office). A mayor of a California city has drawn criticism for suggesting a mass purge of people by allowing them all the fentanyl they want. The Los Angeles Times reports that Rex Parris, mayor of Lancaster, Ca., said in a council meeting in February that he would solve the issue of an encampment of homeless people by giving them free fentanyl all the fentanyl they want. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid which is is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths by overdose. The Drug Enforcement Administration noted that out of more than 107,000 overdose deaths nationally in 2023, nearly 70 percent of those deaths attributed to opioids such as fentanyl. Parris later doubled down on his comments in an interview with Fox 11, In the interview, Parris - who has served as Lancasters mayor for 15 years, and before that worked as a lawyer - said that he didnt think anyone took his comments literally during the meeting. But he also went on to say he didnt regret the comments, and claimed that he was speaking about a criminal element that were let out of prisons, that have now become 40 to 45% of whats referred to as the homeless population. They are responsible for most of our robberies, most of our rapes, and at least half of our murders, Parris said in the interview, adding that while Lancaster has significant support for homeless people, there was nothing we can do for these people. Parris did not provide evidence to support these assertions. Quite frankly, I wish the president would give us a purge, he said. Because we do need to purge these people. Parris admitted that his suggestion for inducing mass deaths was harsh, but that it was his obligation as the mayor of the city of Lancaster to protect the hardworking families that live here. Parris political opponents have responded with outrage. Anyone willing to give homeless people all the fentanyl they want, or to suggest that President Trump should allow a purge of the homeless population, has no business in public office, said Johnathon Ervin, a Democrat who ran against Parris in last years election, according to the Times. Ten days after an arson attack badly damaged part of the building, the Pennsylvania Governors Residence was host to an Easter egg hunt and childrens fair on Tuesday, with Gov. Josh Shapiro saying it was important not to let the fire inhibit public use of the space. Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, along with first lady Lori Shapiro and second lady Blayre Holmes Davis, hosted dozens of preschoolers who scrambled for prize-filled eggs spread across the residences lawn which was cordoned off from the buildings south wing, where crews are already at work stripping the fire-damaged interior. By Gillian McGoldrick and Ximena Conde, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) Nearly a week after an arsonist set fire to the Pennsylvania governors mansion in Harrisburg while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were inside, President Donald Trump called Shapiro to share his warm regards, Shapiro said Monday. Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Photo: VCG "This is not only cruel and absurd, but also profoundly heartbreaking," said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), during a UN Security Council briefing on Haiti on Monday, in response to the US' imposition of a so-called 10 percent baseline tariff on Haiti, one of the world's least developed countries. Not long ago, while the US defied world opinion by imposing sweeping tariffs on all trade partners, including a so-called baseline tariff of 10 percent on Haiti. This display of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying is not just aimed at the so-called competitors like China. It has also harmed a fragile nation like Haiti, where the people are in dire straits. "This is not only cruel and absurd, but also profoundly heartbreaking," Geng said. According to Geng, Haiti was the first Latin American country to declare independence. However, it has then suffered many hardships due to a long period of military occupation, external interference, and economic exploitation. Throughout this process, the US has been the most significant external force shaping Haiti's security, stability, and development. Geng asserted that the US has long played the role of mastermind in Haiti's political landscape. For over a century, it has blatantly deployed troops, installed puppet governments, and manipulated Haiti's constitution, entrenching itself in Haiti's political affairs. Just a year ago, the US orchestrated the current political transition arrangements in Haiti. Yet now, following a change in its own government, the US has turned a blind eye to that very transition, leaving Haiti mired in internal conflict and turmoil. Geng continued by stating that the US has always been the main source of weapons for Haiti. Although the US agreed to the Security Council's imposition of a territorial arms embargo on Haiti, it has always been perfunctory in its implementation, allowing illegal weapons to flow into Haiti from Florida. In October 2023, it spearheaded the formation of the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti, pledging financial support. Yet over the past year, its actual contributions have been relatively limited. At one point, it even attempted to convert the mission into a UN peacekeeping operation, citing a lack of funds, an apparent act to shift the burden onto the UN and its member states, treating them as little more than an ATM machine. The US has consistently interfered in Haiti's development. While it claims to support the Haitian people, it has significantly cut foreign aid and continued deporting Haitian immigrants on the pretext of national priorities precisely when Haiti is in dire need of support, according to Geng. We hope that the US will reflect on all of the above. Haiti's future should not be sacrificed to the US pursuit of its own strategic interests, nor should "being too close to the US" become a curse for Haiti, Geng stated. The Chinese envoy added that the international community should continue supporting Haiti in strengthening its institutions and capabilities, helping it move toward independence, self-reliance, and sustainable development. China, he said, stands ready to join all parties to continue playing a constructive role. Global Times Easter Monday is an important day to many around the world, and for 22-year old Simon Wilson, this day has become a lot more special. He topped a record breaking field of 4,562 players that entered the 2025 installment of the 1,150 Main Event at the Irish Poker Open here at the Royal Dublin Society. Wilson claimed a whopping 600,000 for his first place finish from the 4,447,950 prizepool that was amassed over the four unique flights. He qualified through Day 1d, the largest flight of them all and he gets to keep the Main Event trophy on home soil. Wilson is a local lad, hailing from the town of Ashbourne, which is no more than a 30-minute drive north from the centre of Dublin. He had a hearty rail supporting him throughout the final table play, filled with friends and family members who enthusiastically sang and chanted for hours. Many of his friends had placed wagers on him to win the tournament through PaddyPower at a cracking price of 225/1, so it wasn't just Wilson leaving the building with a fair few Euros more. The crowd that assembled showed support for him from deep into Day 3 which was a "massive boost" for the Irishman. Wilson also featured in the 10,000 Super High Roller this series, finishing fifth for 42,800. He qualified for that particular event via 1,100 satellite, taking his total winnings for the trip to 642,800. Simon Wilson Winners Reaction "It feels incredible to win" said Wilson when talking to PokerNews. "This year it was a massive festival, more of an EPT sized field and with the standard of play, it was a lot tougher than some of the other tournaments. I've had wins in my career but to win besides my friends and family with my Mum and Dad watching at home I can't describe it, it is just incredible." He attributed his deep run to "keeping calm and waiting for the right spots" adding, "I had a deep run last year finishing seventeenth, and maybe then I got impatient at a couple of crucial moments." He also acknowledged "I needed to get incredibly lucky to be here." Despite winning over half a million euros, Wilson is keen to further his education away from the felt, saying: "I will be going back to college in September, I deferred my final year this year and my mother would kill me if I didn't go back and I have to graduate next May. I study Economics and Business at Trinity." In terms of poker plans, Wilson will be "getting back on the online grind" before playing in Vegas this summer. Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Simon Wilson Ireland 600,000 2 Umberto Ruggeri Italy 316,000 3 Ignotas Kirsis Lithuania 225,000 4 Georgios Skarparis Cyprus 170,000 5 Michel Karim Sweden 130,000 6 Brandon Harris United Kingdom 100,000 7 Panteleimon Pontos Greece 77,500 8 Robert Fluereci Romania 59,030 9 Joe O'Donaill Ireland 45,800 Rail Day 4 Action The day started strong, with chips flying in left right and centre. However for David Pollock, the deck was as cold as it could get. He was on the receiving end of an epic cooler which left him short only a few hands into the day having made a full house against eventual final tablist Panteleimon Pontos who turned quads. He ended up being the first to fall within the first level. Terrance Reid was the first player to find a double up on the day, courtesy of eventual final tablist Brandon Harris as Reid's ace-queen cracked the ducks of Harris. Wilson came into the day outside of the top ten in the field but he started to chip up claiming Carlo Wolters stack, sending him to the rail in 18th. The Irishman didn't stop there. He bust Charles Whitehouse in an aces versus aces scenario as he hit a four liner to a flush on the river to send the Englishman to the rail in 16th. Riku Koivurinne started the day short-stacked but had span it up to a stack of around ten million by the time the third level of play had started. However he jammed from the cutoff and Wilson once again sent another to the rail as he woke up with kings in the small blind. One player had to miss out on the final table, and for Marius Gicovanu, it was him. He was left short after eventual third place finisher Ignotas Kirsis flopped a full house in a preflop all in. The rest of Gicovanu's stack went the way of Brandon Harris before the final nine assembled to make the final table. Final Table Irish Open 2025 Main Event Final Table Joe O'Donaill was the first to fall at the final table as he ran his pocket nines into Georgios Skaparis's kings. Robert Fluereci doubled twice, the first one coming on the very first hand in the final table. He couldn't make it a hattrick and fell in eighth. Kirsis clearly came to play today and he proved a worthy adversary for Wilson and his tablemates. Wilson and Kirsis had multiple showdowns throughout the final table and seemed the most likely winners alongside Umberto Ruggeri. Kirsis was also the first player to eclipse the 60 million chip mark which he reached by winning a pot versus Skarparis. Wilson kept plugging away and found a five-bet jam versus Ruggeri shortly after Pontos fell in seventh. Ruggeri then doubled through Day 1b chipleader Michel Karim having flopped top set with Karim drawing essentially dead. Umberto Ruggeri Wilson's ascent up the counts was also aided by an incorrect hero call courtesy of Skarparis who looked up the Irishman with just king-high. He also eliminated Harris as both players flopped a ten on a ten high board but Harris had an inferior kicker to Wilson and he was eliminated. Kirsis kept battling and applied pressure whenever he could. He pushed Skarparis off two pair with king-high on a double paired board to lift him up to the top of the counts. The key pot for Wilson came against Kirsis. Wilson shipped a 100 million chip pot having rivered a straight versus Kirsis's two pair to become the overwhelming chipleader. He then eliminated Skarparis in fourth place to take play three-handed. Ruggeri and Kirsis both doubled through Wilson before Kirsis was eliminated in third place. Wilson won a flip to take play heads up. Umberto Ruggeri - Simon Wilson Heads Up The battle was short due to the overwhelming deficit Ruggeri had to overcome and ultimately he got it in good against Wilson but failed to make a pair with ace-ten, falling to the six-five of diamonds of Wilson. As the river was dealt, he leapt into the rail full of his friends and family, with the room being filled with songs, woops, hollering and celebration. Despite the tournament floor being practically empty, that was the loudest the Royal Dublin Society had been for the duration of the last eleven days. Wilson and his rail hung around a little while longer, soaking in the atmosphere and the energy of the moment before departing to the craic den to continue the party. As the poker tables and big screens came down to be packed up for another year, silence slowly started to creep back in and very little was to be heard from then on. Simon Wilson That's all folks for this year's installment of the Irish Poker Open. Could next year's series break the record again? As always, stay tuned to PokerNews for continued coverage of events taking place around the world and online. Blooming tulips in a modern flower industry park in the city of Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, create a striking contrast with the majestic Yulong Snow Mountain in the distance. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi) A modern flower industry park in the city of Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, has become a popular spring destination, with visitors enjoying views of blooming flowers against the backdrop of Yulong Snow Mountain. In recent years, Lijiang's Gucheng district has developed its flower sector by leveraging local conditions and the park's resources. The district now has 6,400 mu (427 hectares) dedicated to flower cultivation, producing more than 40 million fresh-cut stems annually and generating an agricultural output value of 291 million yuan ($39.6 million), according to local authorities. Blooming tulips in a modern flower industry park in the city of Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, create a striking contrast with the majestic Yulong Snow Mountain in the distance. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi) Photo shows blooming tulips in a modern flower industry park in the city of Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi) Photo shows blooming tulips at a modern flower industry park in the city of Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, creating a striking contrast with the majestic Yulong Snow Mountain in the distance. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi) Photo shows a scene at a modern flower industry park in the city of Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi) Aiken, SC (29801) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some passing clouds. Low 71F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some passing clouds. Low 71F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Watching the tropics. Some clouds. Low 73F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Watching the tropics. Some clouds. Low 73F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Columbia, SC (29201) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 72F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 72F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. A beloved SC sculptor worked until dementia took over. His art is being unveiled in the Upstate. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 15:45:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 977 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate for Eureka Deposit Significantly Increases Tonnage, Metal Content and GradeFindings Align With U.S. Government Effort to Strengthen Critical Mineral Supply ChainsVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSXV:AEMC)(OTCQB:AKEMF) ("AEMC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed an Updated National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report (the "Technical Report" or the "Report") on SEDAR+ for its 100% owned Eureka Property, Nikolai Nickel Project in Alaska, USA.With the Nikolai deposit hosting seven Critical Minerals, two of which are Defense Production Act Title III materials "essential for the national defense," the announcement aligns with a series of U.S. presidential executive orders to strengthen U.S. critical mineral supply chains, including EO 14241 "Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production" and EO 14153 entitled "Unleashing Alaska's Tremendous Resource Potential." Highlights of the Updated Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate include:The new Eureka deposit Mineral Resource Estimate ("2025 MRE") has increased the tonnage, metal content, and grade, relative to the 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate, dated February 12, 2024In situ Indicated resource contains 1,190 million tonnes at a grade of 0.30% NiEq (0.42% NiEq including chromium and iron), a 46% increase in tonnage.In situ Inferred resource contains 2,087 million tonnes at a grade of 0.28% NiEq (0.39% NiEq including chromium and iron), a 133% increase in tonnage.Chromium and iron have been included in the 2025 MRE. 7.88 billion pounds of chromium and 117 million tonnes of iron are added to the in situ Indicated resource (1,190 million tonnes grading 0.30% chromium and 9.87% iron). 12.29 billion pounds of chromium and 205 million tonnes of iron are added to the in situ Inferred resource (2,087 million tonnes grading 0.27% chromium and 9.80% iron).The Eureka Zone 2 ("EZ2"), within the Central Eureka deposit, contains an in situ Indicated resource of 818 million tonnes at a grade of 0.32% NiEq (0.44% NiEq with chromium and iron) and an in situ Inferred resource of 951 million tonnes at a grade of 0.31% NiEq (0.42% NiEq with chromium and iron).The Central Eureka Zone 2 ("CEZ2"), a subset of the Central Eureka EZ2 deposit, now has continuity along ~ 2.5 km of strike length. This higher-grade core contains an in situ Indicated resource of 225 million tonnes at a grade of 0.39% NiEq (0.52% NiEq including chromium and iron) and an in situ Inferred resource of 246 million tonnes at a grade of 0.36% NiEq (0.48% NiEq including chromium and iron).The Report titled "Nikolai Project Mineral Resource Estimate 2025 Update" is dated April 21st, 2025 and supports the disclosure made by the company in its March 10th, 2025 press release titled "Alaska Energy Metals Announces Major Increases in Mineral Resource Estimate, Nikolai Nickel Project, Alaska, USA." The Independent MRE and Updated Technical Report were prepared by Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 regulations. The Report can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca) and on Alaska Energy Metals website ( www.alaskaenergymetals.com) Alaska Energy Metals President & CEO Gregory Beischer commented: "The updated Mineral Resource Estimate shows a very substantial increase in tonnage and metal content. Nikolai represents the largest accumulation of nickel in the United States and contains six other critical and strategic metals. With the Trump Administration moving to strengthen U.S. Critical Mineral supply chains as a key policy priority, the deposit may prove to be very valuable to the United States as a secure, domestic source of these metals. The next steps for the Company are completion of metallurgical studies followed by economic analysis, and we expect to complete these studies in the coming months." QUALIFIED PERSONMr. Erik Langenfeld of Stantec Consulting Services Inc. is the independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has prepared, or supervised the preparation of, or has reviewed and approved, the scientific and technical data pertaining to the MRE and technical report. Mr. Langenfeld declares he has read this press release and that the scientific and technical information relating to the resource estimate are correct.Gabriel Graf, the Company's Chief Geoscientist, is the qualified person, as defined under NI 43-101 having reviewed and approved of all other scientific and technical information contained in this news release.For additional information, visit: https://alaskaenergymetals.com/ ABOUT ALASKA ENERGY METALSAlaska Energy Metals Corporation (AEMC) is an Alaska-based corporation with offices in Anchorage and Vancouver working to sustainably deliver the critical materials needed for national security and a bright energy future, while generating superior returns for shareholders.AEMC is focused on delineating and developing the large-scale, bulk tonnage, polymetallic Nikolai Project Eureka deposit containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, iron, platinum, palladium, and gold. Located in Interior Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, its flagship project, Nikolai, is well-situated to become a significant domestic source of strategic metals for North America. AEMC also holds a secondary project in western Quebec; the Angliers - Belleterre project. Today, material sourcing demands excellence in environmental performance, technological innovation, carbon mitigation and the responsible management of human and financial capital. AEMC works every day to earn and maintain the respect and confidence of the public and believes that ESG performance is measured by action and led from the top.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD"Gregory Beischer" Gregory Beischer, President & CEOFOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEOToll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-609-7149Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the estimation of mineral resources and that the Company a) will complete metallurgical and deportment studies, b) will perform economic analysis. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve 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 a PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 14:01:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 765 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CARLSBAD, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Altair International Corp. (OTC PINK:ATAO), the parent company of Premier Air Charter, Inc. ("Premier Air Charter", "Premier"), today released the following letter from Company President, Ross Gourdie, to its shareholders.Dear Fellow Shareholders,Earlier this year, we finalized our merger with Premier Air Charter. We've jumpstarted our plans, business goals, and organic growth with this strategic acquisition. With that, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce Premier Air Charter, Inc., and myself to you, our valued shareholders. Let's briefly discuss our current success as well as our expectations for 2025 and beyond.To begin, I feel honored leading our company and team of extraordinary, world-class professionals. Our team, united in our efforts, has helped guide us through a continued transformative period permanently strengthening the value of our organization. I'm proud of our combined efforts and progress.With the global air charter market currently valued at $32 billion (source: Global Market Insights), we believe Premier Air Charter is primed to make a significant impact. Going back to the first half of last year, we capitalized on an opportunity, reporting a strong increase in audited revenue growth of nearly $10 million-a 12% year-over-year increase. This was due to additional chartered hours from new aircraft acquisitions.According to TRAQPak, North American private jets, in aggregate, logged 5,238,986 flight hours in 2024, making it the industry's third-best year ever. That's 732,711 more hours than pre-Covid 2019 levels, representing a 16.3% increase. This continued demand is reflected in the rise of small and mid-cabin jet charters, a segment Premier Air Charter is actively focused on. We believe all indicators point to consistent growth through 2025 for the industry.To support this trajectory, Premier Air Charter has applied for a "10 or more" passenger FAA certificate following our acquisition of two Gulfstream IV aircraft. These large-cabin jets round out our 2025 strategy, bringing our total aircraft count to 10, and enable us to meet rising demand and expand into higher-value charter opportunities.We take great pride in our in-house maintenance team, which we believe provides Premier with a strong competitive advantage. We prioritize safety and reliability by maintaining our diverse fleet, through the meticulous work of our team. This approach ensures each aircraft meets the highest standards, providing our clients with a seamless and secure travel experience.Premier is currently seeking the permitting and certification to allow our maintenance team the ability to work on other charter airline aircraft. The goal is to create a new revenue stream for our company and provide yet another competitive advantage.Despite competing in a fragmented industry, we believe Premier Air Charter is uniquely positioned to drive growth, redefine excellence in customer service, and solidify our standing as the premier jet charter provider in the U.S. market.On behalf of the Altair team, I thank each shareholder for your continued support as we enact our vision and strategy to bring continued success now and throughout 2025.Thank you,Ross GourdieAbout AltairAltair International Corp. (OTC:ATAO) is a diversified holding company.About Premier Air CharterPremier Air Charter LLC is a San Diego, California-based aircraft charter provider that serves an international community of aviation enthusiasts. The company specializes in creating trusted partnerships within the aviation industry to deliver bespoke aviation solutions for its clients. With a focus on reliability, innovation, and sustainability, Premier Air Charter aims to continuously exceed expectations, fostering lasting relationships and becoming the preferred choice for private air travel worldwide. For more information, please visit www.premieraircharter.com Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future development activities and are thus prospective. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business and finances in general, including the ability to continue and manage its growth, competition, global economic conditions and other factors discussed in detail in the Company's periodic filings with the Security and Exchange Commission.Media Contact:Ross Gourdie, PresidentPremier Air Charter(858) 304-2665 office@ premieraircharter.com # # #SOURCE: Altair International Corp. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 14:30:56 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 984 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Amaze's First Third-Party Partner on the Teespring Marketplace Diversifies Fashion Offerings for Shoppers and Expands Digital Brand Groups' ReachNEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 /Amaze(NYSE American:AMZE) ("Amaze" or the "Company"), a global leader in creator-powered commerce, today announced a strategic partnership with Digital Brands Group, Inc. (OTC Markets:DBGI) ("Digital Brands Group"), a publicly traded company specializing in e-commerce and fashion. An industry leader in personalized styles, Digital Brands Group becomes the first third-party partner to offer its products on therecentlyrevamped Teespring Marketplace by Amaze.Through this partnership, Amaze customers will soon be able to shop AVO by DSTLD, one of Digital Brands Group's fashion labels that offers knits, wovens, and jeans for multiple occasions, directly within Teespring Marketplace. This evolution broadens the Teespring Marketplace product collection and enhances the shopping experience. Amaze, with over 12.3 million unique stores launched, now gives all of those stores the ability to feature products on the Teespring Marketplace, which attracts more than 1.2 billion unique visitors. These visitors will now have access to brands that align with their interests, including AVO by DSTLD, significantly boosting brand visibility and introducing amazing new products to a massive audience."This partnership is a major milestone in our vision to connect fans with styles that reflect their unique taste-all in one place," said Aaron Day, CEO of Amaze. "Adding Digital Brands Group's premium fashion portfolio into the Teespring Marketplace is a natural and exciting evolution of our storefront." The relaunched Teespring Marketplace redefines the online shopping experience, leveraging AI-driven curation that makes it easy to find products that match a shopper's individual style. Combined with Amaze's advanced discovery tools, built-in marketing, and global distribution network, this ecosystem enables Digital Brands Group's to maximize their audience reach and accelerate the growth of their hand-picked group of fashion brands."Partnering with Amaze allows us to meet our customers where they are within a vibrant digital ecosystem," said Hil Davis, CEO of Digital Brands Group. "As digital shopping continues to gain wallet share, we believe this collaboration positions us for long-term success. Amaze shares a collective vision to elevate the growth of brands by offering specialized services and infrastructure that are crucial to the success of direct brands-operations, marketing, technology, and customer support." The AVO by DSTLD products will soon be available atteespring.com About Amaze: Amaze Software, Inc. is an end-to-end, creator-powered commerce platform offering tools for seamless product creation, advanced e-commerce solutions, and scalable managed services. By empowering anyone to "sell anything, anywhere," Amaze enables creators to tell their stories, cultivate deeper audience connections, and generate sustainable income through shoppable, authentic experiences. Discover more atwww.amaze.co For investor information, please contactIR@ amaze.co For press inquiries, please contactPR@ amaze.co About Digital Brands Group:We offer a wide variety of apparel through numerous brands on a direct-to-consumer and wholesale basis. We have created a business model derived from our founding as a digitally native-first vertical brand. We focus on owning the customer's "closet share" by leveraging their data and purchase history to create personalized targeted content and looks for that specific customer cohort.Digital Brands Group, Inc. Company ContactHil Davis, CEOEmail:invest@ digitalbrandsgroup.coWebsite:http://ir.digitalbrandsgroup.co Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These statements relate to future events and developments or to our future operating or financial performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based estimates and assumptions. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about our strategies, initiatives, growth, revenues, expenditures, our plans and objectives for future operations, and future financial and business performance. These statements can be identified by words such as such as "may," "might," "should," "would," "could," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," and are based our current expectations and views concerning future events and developments and their potential effects on us.These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or otherwise implied by the forward-looking statement. These risks include: our ability to execute our plans and strategies; our limited operating history and history of losses; our financial position and need for additional capital; our ability to attract and retain our creator base and expand the range of products available for sale; we may experience difficulties in managing our growth and expenses; we may not keep pace with technological advances; there may be undetected errors or defects in our software or issues related to data computing, processing or storage; our reliance on third parties to provide key services for our business, including cloud hosting, marketing platforms, payment providers and network providers; failure to maintain or enhance our brand; our ability to protect our intellectual property; significant interruptions, delays or outages in services from our platform; significant data breach or disruption of the information technology systems or networks and cyberattacks; risks associated with international operations; general economic and competitive factors affecting our business generally; changes in laws and regulations, including those related to privacy, online liability, consumer protection, and financial services; our dependence on senior management and other key personnel; and our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel and senior management.Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other f PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 15:01:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 520 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The Astral is Kiwi Ears professional-grade in-ear monitor, crafted to deliver high-resolution audio and exceptional tonal balance. Designed for both studio use and critical listening, it combines advanced driver technologies with expert tuning for a sound that is both precise and musically engaging.NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Equipped with a custom 10mm bioceramic dynamic driver and six balanced armature drivers, Kiwi Ears Astral delivers uncompromising resolution, tonal accuracy, and musicality. Its refined tuning offers a powerful sub-bass presence with a smooth transition into a neutral midrange and an extended, natural treble, effectively recreating the studio monitor experience in an IEM form. Designed with both technical precision and sonic engagement in mind, Astral sets a new benchmark for Kiwi Ears' tonal philosophy and hybrid driver integration. Kiwi Ears Astral10mm Dynamic Driver Subwoofer The Astral features a proprietary 10mm bioceramic diaphragm dynamic driver, engineered to deliver impactful sub-bass with a smooth transition into rich, well-textured bass. The low frequencies are carefully tuned to complement the unique characteristics of the driver, offering a natural progression into the midrange with a gentle roll-off around 300Hz.6 Balanced Armature Drivers for Precision The Astral employs two dual midrange balanced armature drivers alongside a dual ultra-high frequency tweeter. The custom midrange drivers are precisely tuned for a neutral response, ensuring accurate tonal reproduction of vocals and instruments. An optimized pinna compensation curve at 2.8kHz aligns with the natural perception of human hearing, enabling a studio monitor-like presentation. The renowned SWFK balanced armature tweeter has been specially modified to deliver a smoother and more extended ultra-high frequency response. This enhancement ensures seamless integration with the midrange and extends treble clarity without introducing harshness, elevating the performance standard for high-frequency balanced armature designs.Tonal Signature The Astral redefines the tonal identity of Kiwi Ears' IEM lineup, introducing a meticulously balanced and highly resolving sound signature. A powerful 9dB sub-bass shelf is tuned with a smooth, rounded transition into the low-midrange, gently tapering off around 300Hz. This seamless crossover eliminates disjointedness between the bass and midrange, allowing the mids to remain flat, neutral, and cohesively integrated with the low end.The treble is shaped after the tonal profiles of some of the world' s most acclaimed stage monitors, featuring a well-placed 2.8kHz peak that gradually and uniformly rolls off into the upper treble. This extended yet controlled high-frequency response reaches up to 15kHz, enhancing perceived air, sparkle, and soundstage width, while maintaining a natural and fatigue-free listening experience.Products Specifications: Driver: 1 Customized SWFK Ultra High-Frequency Composite Driver, 2 Customized Mid-High-Frequency Composite Drivers, 1 10mm Bio-Diaphragm Dynamic DriverSensitivity: 105dB (1)Impedance: 23 (1)About Kiwi Ears Kiwi Ears is a leading audio brand dedicated to crafting innovative, high-quality audio solutions for audiophiles, music enthusiasts, and professionals. From IEMs to headphones, Kiwi Ears combines cutting-edge technology with a passion for sound to create products that inspire and delight.The Kiwi Ears Astral is now available for purchase on the official Kiwi Ears website and through authorized retailers worldwide.For more information about the Kiwi Ears Astral, please visit Kiwi Ears WebsiteLinsoul WebsiteContact InformationEvelyn ZhouMarketing Assistantmarketing@ kiwiears.com SOURCE: LINSOUL INC PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 15:01:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 696 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 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 PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 21:23:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 659 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 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 Shikowitzross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-23 00:15:56 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 497 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VICTORIA, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Boron One Holdings Inc. ("Boron One" or the "Company") (TSXV:BONE), is providing an update to its press release dated April 7, 2025 announcing the warrant exercise incentive program. The Program is intended to encourage the exercise of up to 9,691,000 unlisted common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Eligible Warrants") which were issued as part of the Company's private placements which closed on June 7, 2024, September 10, 2024 and September 25, 2024, respectively. Each Eligible Warrant is exercisable for one common share of the Company (each a "Common Share") at a price of $0.07 per Common Share. The Company intends to amend the exercise price to $0.05 (the "Warrant Repricing") for the term of the Warrant Incentive Program, following receipt of TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") acceptance. All other terms of the Eligible Warrants will remain the same, including the expiry dates of December 7, 2026 for the June 7, 2024 Warrants, March 10, 2027 for the September 10, 2024 Warrants and March 25, 2027 for the September 25, 2024 Warrants. Upon the expiration of the Warrant Incentive Program, the exercise price of any unexercised Eligible Warrants will revert to the original exercise price of $0.07 per Common Share.To the extent that holders of Eligible Warrants ("Warrant Holders") take advantage of the opportunity to exercise their Eligible Warrants early, this will fund working capital purposes. Eligible Warrants that remain unexercised following the completion of the Early Exercise Period (defined below) will continue to be exercisable for Common Shares on the original terms as they existed prior to the Program.The Early Exercise Period will commence on April 23, 2025 and terminate on May 7, 2025.The Program and Warrant Repricing are subject to approval from the Exchange and the receipt of all final regulatory approvals, including final approval of the Exchange. Insiders presently hold 900,000 Eligible Warrants. The number of Eligible Warrants to be exercised by insiders of the Company is limited to no more than 10% of the total Eligible Warrants, being 969,100 Eligible Warrants, and the Company will issue no more than 969,100 Incentive Warrants to insiders under the Program.On behalf of the Board of Directors,Tim Daniels, PresidentAbout Boron One Holdings Inc.Boron One Holdings Inc. is an international mineral exploration and development company with boron assets in Serbia. Headquartered in Victoria, B.C., Canada, Boron One's shares are traded on the Exchange under the symbol "BONE". For detailed information please see Boron One's website at www.boronone.com or the Company's filed documents at www.sedarplus.ca For further information, please contact: Boron One Holdings Inc. Blake Fallis, General Manager Phone: 1-250- 384-1999 or 1-888-289-3746info@ boronone.com www.boronone.com Boron's Public Quotations: Canada TSX Venture:BONEBerlin:EKVUS: SEC 12G3-2(B) #82-4432ERVFFOTC PINK:ERVFFNeither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Boron One Holdings Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 14:02:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 954 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 New Solution Leverages Advanced Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) to Enable Secure AI-Powered Analysis of Encrypted Datasets and Models, Setting New Standards for AI SecurityNews Summary:DataKrypto's new FHEnom for AI delivers unprecedented AI security for open-source and proprietary AI models and datasets.FHEnom for AI is a zero-knowledge AI framework that combines DataKrypto's revolutionary fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) with Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs).The solution's unique capabilities safeguard against malicious activities, misuse, and adversarial manipulation, fostering trust and dependability in AI-generated outcomes. As a result, businesses can confidently leverage AI to make accurate, safe, and equitable decisions.SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 /RSA Security Conference 2025 -DataKrypto, creators of the fastest fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) solutions on the market, launched today a new solution that protects AI models and the data of businesses using them. Based on the company's patented FHE technology, the solution - FHEnom for AI - addresses a critical security gap and delivers unprecedented AI protection.FHEnom for AI is a zero-knowledge framework that safeguards both customized open-source AI models (adapted for specific enterprise needs) and proprietary models, while ensuring the privacy and protection of sensitive data. It defends against malicious activities, misuse, and adversarial manipulation, securing intellectual property and maintaining the confidentiality of critical datasets.This capability establishes trust and reliability in AI-generated outputs, giving enterprises confidence in AI to make accurate, safe, and fair decisions. Given data privacy and model security concerns, the solution removes barriers that prevent companies from fully embracing AI."While AI promises to drive significant advancements across industries, many companies have strictly limited its use for fear of their data falling into the wrong hands," said Ravi Srivatsav, CEO of DataKrypto. "Their concerns are warranted. Until now, AI has not been secure. Sensitive data, intellectual property, and the AI models companies build and train using their data have been vulnerable. Today, DataKrypto is changing that with our new FHEnom for AI solution. By enabling fine-tuning of AI models on encrypted data, at near-plaintext speeds, we are making it safe for companies to leverage AI to innovate new solutions and solve the most complex challenges." "DataKrypto's new FHEnom for AI is groundbreaking in its ability to protect AI models and data while queries are processed on encrypted data - with the speed AI demands," said Janakiram MSV, Principal Analyst, Janakiram & Associates. "The impact of this innovation will be far-reaching as businesses across industries can leverage AI with peace of mind that their models and data will not be subject to malicious use." AI's Inherent InsecuritiesThe widespread adoption of open-source and proprietary AI models has introduced critical vulnerabilities. Companies share sensitive corporate data with these models to improve decision-making, automate workflows, and unlock operational gains - but current AI tools lack robust security capabilities to protect against malicious access, data breaches, and adversarial attacks like model poisoning. These vulnerabilities allow hackers to manipulate AI outputs, compromise decision-making, and expose organizations to regulatory penalties for violating data privacy mandates such as GDPR and HIPAA.Charting a New Path with Zero-Knowledge AIFHEnom for AI is a zero-knowledge AI framework that combines DataKrypto's revolutionary FHE with Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs). This establishes an end-to-end security architecture that safeguards AI model integrity and data confidentiality at every stage of training, inference, and deployment.FHE enables direct computation on encrypted embeddings, keeping both model weights and user data protected in ciphertext throughout processing, while TEEs provide hardware-enforced isolation for secure tokenization and output within a cryptographically verified enclave. As a result, queries and AI models are blind to each other throughout the query, analysis, and output process.By merging FHEnom's cryptographic privacy with TEE's tamper-resistant execution, FHEnom for AI enables a zero-knowledge AI infrastructure where sensitive data never exists in exposed form, even to the AI provider's systems. In the event that an AI model is stolen, it is rendered useless, as it can only operate within the TEE. Because the encryption key exists only within the TEE, only users with the encryption key can see the results generated by each query."We address AI's three core vulnerabilities - model security, data confidentiality, and integrity assurance - with FHE that's fast enough to keep pace with real-time AI workflows," said Luigi Caramico, Founder and CTO of DataKrypto. "Speed is critical for AI's massive data volume scale and extreme latency sensitivity. In an era where nanoseconds matter, FHEnom for AI ensures encrypted protection for models and data, delivering the scale and speed needed to fuel innovation." For more information about DataKrypto's new FHEnom for AI, visit https://datakrypto.com/products/ DataKrypto will exhibit at RSAC 2025, taking place from April 28 to May 1, 2025, in San Francisco, at booth #ESE-32. To schedule a meeting with a DataKrypto spokesperson, please visit https://datakrypto.com/rsac-2025/ About DataKryptoDataKrypto is pioneering the future of data security with its groundbreaking fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) technology. FHEnom, phenomenally fast FHE from DataKrypto, is the first and only solution to provide continuous encryption for all data types in near real-time, protecting information throughout its lifecycle, and in particular, data in use.Operating at unprecedented speeds, FHEnom enables organizations to harness the full potential of their data without compromising security or performance. FIPS-validated, the solution seamlessly integrates into existing architectures, supporting innovation and collaboration while ensuring compliance with stringent data protection standards.DataKrypto's mission is to enable encryption by design, empowering customers to integrate continuous encryption into the core architecture of their applications and embrace innovation without compromising privacy. For more information about DataKrypto's FHE solutions, visit www.datakrypto.com Media Contact:Liz Youngs Trier and Company for DataKryptoMobile: +1-843-412-6327Email: lizyoungs@ triercompany.com SOUR PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 11:01:58 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 419 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 "For too long, these DEA officials,Thomas Prevoznik, Matthew Strait and Aarathi Haighaveoperated with impunity while denying patients access to critical medicines ," said Duane Boise, CEO ofMMJ BioPharma Cultivation.WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / President Donald Trump takes steps to reimplement Schedule F, a controversial federal workforce policy designed toreclassify civil servantsas at-will employees. Several high-profile officials within the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) could be among those at risk of termination.Among those under scrutinyThomas Prevoznik , DEA Deputy Administrator;Matthew Strait , DEA Deputy Administrator for Policy andAarathi Haig , a DEA attorney reportedlyunder investigation for ethics violations.Trump's newly published executive order aimsto reclassify approximately 50,000 federal workers, stripping them of long-standing civil service protections and allowing leadership to swiftly remove employees who are viewed as obstructing the administration's policy agenda."If these government workers refuse to advance the policy interests of the President, or are engaging in corrupt behavior, they should no longer have a job," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "This is common sense, and will allow the federal government to finally be run like a business.'" The implications are significant forDEA officials accused of blocking lawful cannabis research efforts. Over the last seven years, Prevoznik, Strait, and Haig have been central figures in the ongoing controversy surroundingMMJ BioPharma Cultivation's delayed registration application . Despite full compliance with FDA requirements and congressional mandates under theMedical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act , the DEA has failed to act on MMJ's application - now more than 2,300 days overdue.Critics have labeled the delay a "deliberate obstruction" and pointed to the collapse of nearly all other DEA marijuana registrants as further evidence of systemic failure.With Schedule F returning to the federal workforce landscape, insiders say political appointees may finally have the authority to remove entrenched bureaucrats who have failed to implement presidential and congressional directives."When Schedule F is enforced, it could finally bring accountability to agencies like the DEA," said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation. "For too long, these officials have operated with impunity while denying patients access to critical medicines." Whether the new administration will follow through with mass terminations remains to be seen, but MMJ and other stakeholders are hopeful that Schedule F will end what they call the"deep state marijuana stonewalling"of legitimate pharmaceutical cannabis research.MMJ is represented byAttorney Megan Sheehanof Rhode Island.CONTACT:Madison Hisey mhisey@ mmjih.com203-231-8583 SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 15:01:51 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 532 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Finance Professionals Can Help Educate the General Population on All the Ways to Feel Empowered and It Starts With Understanding the Current Threats and OpportunitiesOVERLAND PARK, KANSAS / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / A.D. Bankerpromotes financial education and awareness all year long, but April, which is recognized as National Financial Capability Month, is the perfect time for finance professionals to freshen up on educational resources, facts, and tips for use with their clientele.It is up to financial professionals to relay information about financial products to their clients, such as how to manage savings, access and use credit, and safely complete transactions, as suggested in various ways onMyMoney.gov Here are some other facts and figures:Financial professionals can increase awareness of vulnerable investors to prevent financial exploitation, such as fromcryptocurrency scams , which have been on the rise year over year. This also highlights the need of educating clientele on how to identify, prevent, and report fraudulent activities and scams.Revenue from pig butchering scams, where perpetrators cultivate relationships with individuals and convince them to participate in fraudulent schemes, increased nearly 40% in 2024 from the previous year, according to blockchain analytics firmChainalysis .Banks and their staff can promote financial capability through high-quality financial literacy education or simple reminders through ongoing email programs that aim to build foundational knowledge in a metered way, without being overwhelmed. They can also offer financial services for all types of consumers, especially those who are underserved, those in life transition like those who have children leaving for college, experience divorce or death, or minority groups with possible language barriers."Here at A.D. Banker, it's always Financial Capability Month as we educate the professionals helping our communities feel secure and supported," says Kimberly Flewelling, ChFC, CLU, CASL, National Securities Expert at A.D. Banker. Education isn't a one-and-done type of mentality. Especially with financial and securities education, market conditions and regulations provide an opportunity to not just check the box with education, but to be able to learn something that is valuable to your entire clientele portfolio. The more our communities are educated, the more they're empowered and the more we can eradicate fraudulent behaviors, the more we stabilize our financial futures." About A.D. BankerFor more than 44 years, insurance and securities pre-licensing candidates have trusted A.D. Banker to provide them with the information needed to pass insurance and FINRA licensing exams. Courses are cross-referenced with the exam content outline to assure candidates receive what they need to know to produce outstanding results for Life & Health, Property & Casualty, Adjuster, and Securities exams. Content is presented through multiple, specialized modes of learning, online multimedia courses, and live webinars. As students progress through the material, the customer care team provides friendly, responsive support to make the road to licensing easier. Once licensed, producers can meet their continuing education requirements while satisfying state-specific requirements via classes, webinars or online self-study courses. Learn more atADBanker.com . A.D. Banker is part of the Career Certified family of educators. Learn more atCareerCertified.com Media Contact: Career Certified Press Press@ CareerCertified.com 720.822.5314 Contact InformationLiz MeitusSVP Corporate Marketingliz.meitus@careercertified.com 720-822-5314Buse Kayarbusek@ accessnewswire.com SOURCE: A.D. Banker PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 15:02:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 741 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Findings show critical security gap: Millions adopt email authentication but 50% lack effective protection against spoofingSAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Valimail , the leading provider of email authentication and anti-impersonation solutions, today released its2025 Disinformation and Malicious Email Report , revealing that email continues to be the most exploited attack vector for cybercriminals and disinformation campaigns, with artificial intelligence dramatically increasing the sophistication of these threats.In an era marked widespread disinformation, trust in digital communications is eroding. Malicious actors are increasingly exploiting email to impersonate brands, launch phishing campaigns, and spread false information-often using sophisticated methods made simpler by emerging technologies. This environment calls for a layered approach to email protection.Email authentication is the foundational, cost-effective defense that can significantly curb many of these malicious attempts at their source, providing future-proof protection that can scale. Additionally, DMARC uniquely protects outbound email to partners and clients thereby offering brand and compliance protection.The report reveals considerable variation in email authentication implementations across industries:Online Retail leads with 94% of surveyed domains having implemented basic email authentication measuresFinancial Services shows strong adoption (80%) but one-third of domains lack enforcement policies that actually prevent spoofingHigher Education faces significant challenges with nearly two-thirds of domains unable to prevent impersonation attacksHealthcare lags behind with just over one third having implemented the bare minimum, non-protective DMARC policy of p=noneInformation Technology shows concerning gaps with nearly a third of surveyed domains lacking the ability to prevent the use of their domain name in spoofed email messages"In 2024, we witnessed some of the most sophisticated email-based attacks in history," said Al Iverson, Industry Research and Community Engagement Lead at Valimail. "From North Korean targeting of vulnerable domains to widespread supply chain attacks on U.S. municipalities and general attacks on educational institutions, cybercriminals are exploiting weaknesses in email systems with increasing precision, eroding trust in digital communications." Several alarming trends are highlighted within the report, including:Rising threat sophistication: AI-generated emails more than ever now convincingly mimic legitimate communications, dramatically increasing the success rate of phishing and spoofing attacks.Cross-industry vulnerability: Every sector from financial services to healthcare, government, and education faces significant email-based threats, with varying levels of preparedness.Protection gap: While more than 7.2 million domains have implemented some form of email authentication, approximately half remain insufficiently protected against domain spoofing.Despite these growing threats, the report shows that Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) continues to be a highly effective approach that can authoritatively prevent the most pernicious spoofing attacks when properly implemented."What's particularly concerning is that while many organizations have taken initial steps toward securing their email domains, a significant percentage have implemented overly permissive or non-protective policies," added Valimail Co-Founder and CEO Alexander Garcia-Tobar. "This creates a false sense of security while leaving these organizations vulnerable to impersonation attacks that can damage reputation, erode customer trust, and compromise sensitive information." Industry, government, and regulatory bodies worldwide are increasingly mandating DMARC compliance for industries handling sensitive data, such as finance and healthcare. Major email providers like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft require email senders to implement DMARC, improving deliverability and reputation for compliant organizations. Failing to comply with DMARC mandates can result in penalties, reduced deliverability, and reputational damage.Valimail offers free resources for organizations to check their email security status through theValimail DMARC Checkerand provides DMARC reporting visibility through itsMonitorsolution.The full "2025 Disinformation and Malicious Email Report" can be accessed at https://www.valimail.com/resources/reports/2025-disinformation-and-malicious-email-report-why-dmarc-remains-pivotal/ About ValimailValimailis the global leader in Zero Trust email authentication and invented hosted DMARC in 2015 and DMARC-as-a-service in 2021. In use by 80,000 companies globally, the company's full line of cloud-native solutions authenticate sender identity to stop phishing, protect brands, and ensure compliance. From neighborhood shops to the world's largest brands, many organizations use these solutions to secure their emails. Valimail holds the most robust portfolio of 20 patents that unlock DMARC for businesses at scale and is the only DMARC solution to earn FedRAMP authorization. Valimail employees Chair and co-Chair many critical ecosystem bodies, such as the IETF DMARC Working Group, and the AuthIndicators Working Group developing BIMI. The premier DMARC partner for Microsoft 365 environments, Valimail also holds leadership positions on every key industry standards body, driving today's email authentication policies and tomorrow's cybersecurity advancements for everyone. For more information, please visitwww.valimail.com Media ContactEscalate PRfor Valimailvalimail@ escalatepr.com SOURCE: Valimail PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 08:00:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 995 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Formation Metals Inc. ("Formation" or the "Company") (CSE:FOMO), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company, is pleased to announce that it has commenced permitting for a fully funded 5,000 metre diamond drill program at its N2 Gold Property ("N2" or the "Property"), located 25 km south of Matagami, Quebec within the Casa Berardi mine trend which hosts numerous multiple million-ounce gold deposits1.Comprising 87 claims totaling ~4,400 ha within the Abitibi sub province of Northwestern Quebec, N2 is an advanced gold project with a global historic resource of 877,000 ounces: 18.2 Mt grading 1.48 g/t Au (~810,000 oz Au) across four zones (A, East, RJ-East, and Central) and 243 Kt grading 7.82 g/t Au (~67,000 oz Au) across the RJ zone 2. There are six primary auriferous mineralized zones in total, each open for expansion along strike and at depth. Compilation and geophysical work by Balmoral Resources Ltd. (now Wallbridge Mining) from 2010 to 2018 generated numerous targets that have not yet been investigated with diamond drilling.Formation's maiden drill program will focus on:the "A" zone, a shallow, highly continuous, low-variability historic gold deposit with numerous intermittent and consecutive auriferous intervals (84% of historical drill holes intercepted Au up to 1.7 g/t over 35 m)2, of which only ~35% of strike has been drilled (>3.1 km open); andthe "RJ" zone, host to bonanza intercepts from historical drill holes as high as 51 g/t Au over 0.8 metres2, which was expanded by Agnico Eagle Mines in 2008 in the most recent drilling at the Property.The Company has started discussions with local First Nations and government officials, targeting the launch of its maiden drilling program in June.Formation's CEO, Deepak Varshney, commented: "2025 has had an exceptional start for Formation Metals following the transformational option agreement to acquire the N2 Gold Property from Wallbridge Mining.With a confirmed gold system holding a nearly 900,000 oz historical gold resource and multiple areas with significant exploration potential of discovering new gold deposits, N2 is well-placed to expand through systematic exploration work with the drill bit." Mr. Varshney continued: "Our maiden program will focus on building on the successes of our predecessors. The drilling discoveries made by Agnico Eagle and Cypress after the initial historic resource estimate show the expansion potential at N2. With gold at $3,400, almost 5 times the price in 2008 when Agnico last drilled the project, we believe that the timing is perfect for a near-surface multi-million-ounce deposit in a safe jurisdiction like Quebec. We see the potential for over three million ounces of gold at N2, and this 5,000-metre drilling program marks the beginning of Formation's pursuit of that goal." Figure 1 - Property overview summarizing historical work completed at each of the six mineralized zones and their respective historical resource.Figure 2 - Regional claim ownership along the Casa-Berardi trend; 1: Maudore Minerals Ltd. MRE, 2012; 2. Hecla Mining Company Technical Report, 2024; 3. Maple Gold Mine NI-43-101, 2022; 4. Historic Cyprus MRE, 1994Qualified personThe technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Babak Vakili Azar, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Historical reports provided by the optionor were reviewed by the qualified person. The information provided has not been verified and is being treated as historic non-compliant intercepts.About Formation Metals Inc.Formation Metals Inc. is a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Formation's flagship asset is the N2 Gold Project, an advanced gold project with a global historic resource of 877,000 ounces and six mineralized zones, each open for expansion along strike and at depth including the "A" zone, of which only ~35% of strike has been drilled (>3.1 km open), and the "RJ" zone, host to historical bonanza intercepts as high as 51 gpt Au over 0.8 metres.FORMATION METALS INC.Deepak Varshney, CEO and DirectorFor more information, please call 778-899-1780, email info@ formationmetalsinc.com or visit www.formationmetalsinc.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Note 1:Readers are cautioned that the geology of nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of the geology of the Property.Note 2:A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.Forward-looking statements:This news release includes "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements respecting: the Company's plans for the Property and the expected timing and scope of the 2025 drilling program at the Property; the Company's view that timing is perfect for the Property; the Company's view that the Property is well-placed to expand through systematic exploration work with the drill bit; the Company's view that the Property has the potential for over three million ounces of gold and the 5,000-metre drilling program marking the beginning of the Company's pursuit of that goal. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry.The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculativ PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 18:31:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 362 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / On February 13, 2025, Levi & Korsinsky, LLP filed a class action complaint against Augustine Institute Inc. d/b/a Formedin the US District Court for the District of Colorado. The complaint alleges that legally protected data was unlawfully intercepted during visits to the Formed website at https://formed.org/ (the "Website"), particularly affecting consumers who subscribed and watched pre-recorded video content on the Website.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Augustine Institute, Inc. is a leading private Catholic graduate theology school whose mission is to create and bring content to Catholics worldwide through its programs and platforms, including the Formed Website. Subscribers to the Formed Website gain access to thousands of movies, children's programs, eBooks, audio, parish programs, and studies.Unbeknownst to subscribers of the Formed Website, tracking pixels on the Website tracked user activity and disclosed users' sensitive information to third parties, including Facebook. The Video Privacy Protection Act ("VPPA") prohibits the disclosure of consumers' video viewing habits tied and identifiable information without consumers' consent.If you subscribed to the Formed Website, https://formed.org/,and watched videos on its platform, your legally protected data may have been intercepted without your knowledge. If your data was compromised, you may have a claim and be entitled to compensation.HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?Levi & Korsinsky can help assess whether you have a claim. Follow the link below to get in touch with us:ABOUT LEVI & KORSINSKYLevi & 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 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defenseattorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. We work on a 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: 2025-04-22 01:01:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 577 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 21, 2025 /Forte Group Holdings Inc. (CSE:FGH)(OTC PINK:FGHFF)(FSE:7BC0, WKN:A40L1Z)("Forte Group" or the "Company"), a diversified lifestyle and wellness consumer packaged goods company, announces that in line with its continued efforts to strengthen its balance sheet and further to its news release dated April 8, 2025, the Company has settled debts in the total aggregate amount of $546,695 into common shares ("Common Shares") in the capital of the Company to arm's length holders at a price of $0.375 per Common Share, for a total of 1,457,852 Common Shares (the "Shares for Debt Arrangement"). All Common Shares issued in connection with the Shares for Debt Arrangement are subject to a restricted period until August 22, 2025.None of the securities issued pursuant to the Shares for Debt Arrangement have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.About Forte Group Holdings Inc. Forte Group Holdings Inc. (CSE:FGH)(OTC PINK:FGHFF)(FSE:7BC0, WKN:A40L1Z) is a diversified lifestyle and wellness consumer packaged goods company. Forte Group develops and manufactures a range of alkaline and mineral-enriched beverages and nutraceutical supplements for both its TRACE brand and private-label clients. Based in British Columbia, Canada, Forte Group owns a pristine natural alkaline spring water aquifer and operates a 40,000-square-foot, Health Canada and HACCP-certified manufacturing facility near Osoyoos, British Columbia. The Company's distribution network includes traditional retail and e-commerce channels, delivering wellness-focused products directly to consumers through its innovative offerings.On behalf of the Board of Directors: Marcello Leone, Chief Executive Officer and Director info@ fortegroup.co 604-569-1414Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the completion and timing of the Shares for Debt Arrangement, the issuance of Common Shares in settlement of debt, and the potential financial impact of these transactions on Forte Group. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions as of the date hereof and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the ability to complete the Shares for Debt Arrangement on the anticipated timeline or at all; the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals; risks associated with market fluctuations and economic conditions; and general risks relating to the Company's business, including those detailed from time to time in its public disclosure documents available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.SOURCE: Forte Group Holdings PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 15:01:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 397 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / The German-American Business Council of Boston, Inc. (GABC Boston) will host its flagship event, the "German American Economic Forum: Investing in Innovation for Life Science" on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Boston. This exclusive half-day forum will bring together leading executives from the life sciences industry to discuss key issues shaping the future of healthcare and biotech. The forum will be hosted at the Seaport offices of EMD Serono, the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the US.The event comes at a critical time when Massachusetts research institutions are grappling with unprecedented volatility in federal NIH grant funding, creating additional pressures on the local life science ecosystem and amplifying the need for alternative investment strategies and international partnerships.Participants will examine innovation strategies amid funding constraints while comparing approaches between established pharmaceutical companies and disruptive biotechs. The discussions will also contrast American and German perspectives on innovation investment and long-term planning, providing valuable insights for navigating the evolving life sciences landscape.Speakers at the forum include life sciences CEOs and executives Danny Bar-Zohar of EMD Serono; Thierry Bernard of QIAGEN; and Jean-Charles Wirth of MilliporeSigma; as well as Fiona Mack of Bayer; Karen Madden of MilliporeSigma; Oliver Schacht of BIO Deutschland; Greg Verdine of LifeMine Therapeutics, VidaVinci, and Andreessen Horowitz; and Florian Wegener of ZAGENO. The program will also include a pre-panel talk by Rene Linsner of Horvath."This forum addresses the critical intersection of innovation and investment in life sciences at a pivotal time for both German and American organizations," said Dr. Jan Hartmann, President of the German-American Business Council of Boston. "By bringing together leaders from established pharmaceutical companies and cutting-edge biotechs, we are creating a unique opportunity to exchange perspectives on how different innovation models and cultural approaches can complement each other to advance global healthcare solutions." Registration is now open at www.gabc-boston.org About the German-American Business Council of Boston, Inc.The German-American Business Council of Boston, Inc. (GABC Boston) is an independent member-based non-profit business association connecting leaders across industries to strengthen German-American business relations in New England. GABC Boston's vibrant community brings together executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, and officials dedicated to fostering transatlantic exchange that supports economic growth and innovation.Contact InformationEmily WesthovenExecutive Directoremily.westhoven@gabc-boston.org 617-870-3400SOURCE: German American Business Council of Boston Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 18:45:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 425 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Mission Bell Mfg, 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 Mission Bell.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On February 1, 2025, Mission Bell discovered a security breach that occurred on January 31, 2025. Upon detection, Mission Bell launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party accessed sensitive personal information. Mission Bell 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 personal information may have been compromised: name, Social Security number, and driver's license number. On March 20, 2025, Mission Bell began sending out notice letters to impacted individuals and filed a notice with the Attorney General of California. 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 Mission Bell, 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: 2025-04-22 18:31:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 491 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Hamilton Health Care System, Inc. d/b/a Vitruvian Health 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 Vitruvian Health.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On February 24, 2025, Hamilton Health Care System, Inc. d/b/a Vitruvian Health became aware of a security incident involving its third-party vendor, Nationwide Recovery Service (NRS), a collection agency supporting several of its affiliates including Hamilton Emergency Medical Services, Hamilton Physician Group, Hamilton Medical Center, and Anna Shaw Children's Institute. Upon notification, Vitruvian Health launched an investigation in collaboration with NRS and third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation revealed that an unauthorized third party had accessed NRS systems from July 5 to July 11, 2024, and extracted data affecting Vitruvian Health patients.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal and protected health information may have been compromised: names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, financial account information, and medical information.On April 14, 2025, Vitruvian Health identified the individuals whose sensitive information was included in the impacted data and publicly disclosed the incident with the Maine Attorney General's Office. Notice letters were also sent out to the affected individuals on April 14, 2025. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter fromVitruvian Health, 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: 2025-04-23 00:45:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 998 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MONTREAL, QC AND TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 /Fury Gold Mines Limited (TSX:FURY)(NYSE American:FURY) ("Fury") and Quebec Precious Metals Corporation (TSXV:QPM)(FSE:YXEP) ("QPM") are pleased to announce that, at the special meeting (the "Meeting") of holders ("QPM Shareholders") of common shares of QPM (the "QPM Shares") held today, QPM Shareholders overwhelmingly voted in favour of the special resolution (the "Arrangement Resolution") to approve the previously announced plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act with Fury Gold Mines Ltd. ("Fury Gold") pursuant to which Fury Gold will acquire all of the issued and outstanding QPM Shares in exchange for 0.0741 of a Fury Gold common share (each whole common share of Fury Gold, a "Fury Gold Share") for each QPM Share. Based on the 20-day volume weighted average price of the QPM Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") and the Fury Gold Shares on the TSX as of February 25, 2025, the consideration payable by Fury Gold implies a value of C$0.04 for each QPM Share. Further, each (i) option to purchase a QPM Share (an "Option"), (ii) warrant to purchase a QPM Share (a "Warrant"), and (iii) option to purchase a QPM Share granted to certain QPM intermediaries and brokers (a "Broker Option" and collectively with the Options and Warrants, the "Convertible Securities") outstanding immediately prior to completion of the Arrangement will, upon the holder's exercise of the applicable Convertible Securities, entitle such holder to receive (and such holder will accept) Fury Gold Shares in lieu of the QPM Shares to which such holder was entitled upon such exercise, and for the same aggregate consideration payable therefore.Holders of a total of 50,449,020 QPM Shares were present virtually or represented by proxy at the Meeting, which constituted a quorum of Shareholders, and represented 48.67 % of the 103,646,498 issued and outstanding QPM Shares entitled to vote as of March 17, 2025, the record date for the Meeting.The Arrangement Resolution required the approval of: (i) at least two thirds (66%) of the votes cast by the QPM Shareholders present virtually or represented by proxy at the Meeting; and (ii) a simple majority of the votes cast by QPM Shareholders present virtually or represented by proxy at the Meeting after excluding the votes cast by certain persons whose votes were required to be excluded pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61- 101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101").Of the votes cast at the Meeting, 88.72 % of the votes cast by QPM Shareholders were in favour of the Arrangement Resolution (88.77% after excluding the votes cast by those persons whose votes were required to be excluded in determining minority approval for the Arrangement pursuant to MI 61-101).QPM will seek a final order (the "Final Order") of the Superior Court of Quebec (the "Court") to approve the Arrangement on April 25, 2025. Completion of the Arrangement is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions for a transaction of this nature, including receipt of the Final Order. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions precedent, it is expected that the Arrangement will be completed on or about April 28, 2025. Following completion of the Arrangement it is expected that QPM Shares will be delisted from the TSXV and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.About Fury Gold Mines Limited Fury Gold Mines Limited is a Canadian-focused exploration company positioned in two prolific mining regions across the country and holds an approximate 12.8 million common share position in Dolly Varden Silver Corp. (approximately 16% of issued shares). Led by a management team and board of directors with proven success in financing and advancing exploration assets, Fury intends to grow its multi-million-ounce gold platform through rigorous project evaluation and exploration excellence. Fury is committed to upholding the highest industry standards for corporate governance, environmental stewardship, community engagement and sustainable mining. For more information on Fury Gold Mines, visit www.furygoldmines.com About Quebec Precious Metals Corporation QPM has a large land position in the highly prospective Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory, Quebec, near Dhilmar Ltd.'s (formerly owned by Newmont Corporation) Eleonore gold mine. QPM focuses on advancing its Sakami gold project and its newly discovered, drill-ready Ninaaskumuwin lithium showing on the Elmer East project. In addition, QPM holds a 68% interest in the Kipawa rare earths project located near Temiscaming, Quebec.For further information on Fury Gold Mines Limited, please contact: Margaux Villalpando, Investor RelationsTel: (844) 601-0841Email: info@ furygoldmines.com Website: www.furygoldmines.com For more information about QPM, please contact: Normand Champigny, Chief Executive OfficerTel.: (514) 979-4746Email: nchampigny@ qpmcorp.ca Website: www.qpmcorp.ca Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events. These particularly pertain to the outlook for completion of the proposed transaction and synergies that might arise from it.Although Fury and QPM have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information including the uncertainty of the shareholder and regulatory approval process the two companies face and many other risks described in our recent securities filings available at www.sedarplus.ca There may also be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place heavy reliance on forward-looking information. Neither Fury nor QPM undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.No regulatory authority has approved the contents of this news release.SOURCE: Quebec Precious Metals Corporation Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this press release please contact the company added in the press release. Please do not contact pr-inside. We will not be able to assist you. PR-inside disclaims the content included in this release. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 23:01:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 487 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Eldorado Gold Corporation(NYSE:EGO) resulting from allegations that Eldorado Gold may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.SO WHAT: If you purchased Eldorado Gold securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=37849 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On February 5, 2025, Eldorado Gold issued a press release in which it provided an update on the construction progress on its Skouries Project. In pertinent part, this announcement stated that "[a]s previously disclosed, labour market tightness in Greece, particularly pronounced in construction, has continued to limit the availability of key construction personnel at Skouries, resulting in a slower ramp-up of the workforce and delayed progress in certain areas of the Project." Further, Eldorado announced that "[f]irst production at Skouries is now expected in the first quarter of 2026, followed by commercial production expected in mid-2026." On this news, Eldorado Gold's stock fell 11.2% on February 6, 2025.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th 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: 2025-04-22 19:00:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 442 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LEESBURG, VIRGINIA / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Vertosoft announced today that they have been named as Vyond's newest public sector distributor for their animated video creation platform. This partnership leverages Vertosoft's expertise in public sector procurement to ensure Vyond for Government is easily accessible to Federal, State, and Local agencies through trusted contract vehicles and channel partners. The addition of Vyond to Vertosoft's portfolio expands the range of solutions available to the public sector and reinforces their commitment to delivering top-tier solutions. Vertosoft x Vyond"We are thrilled to be partnering with Vyond to bring their versatile video creation platform to the public sector. This collaboration allows us to provide government agencies with powerful tools to transform important information into engaging and impactful videos, enhancing communication and outreach efforts" said Josh Slattery, VP of Tech Sales at Vertosoft"There's no question about the power video has to attract and engage," said Jennifer Seith, Senior Vice President of Channel Strategy of Vyond. "85% of internet users prefer video content over other forms of media.* Teams know they need to use more video in their communications. Together, we'll enable agencies to craft engaging, visually dynamic video content that enhances outreach, simplifies complex messages, and drives meaningful connections with their communities all in a secure and cost effective manner." Vyond is a versatile video platform featuring an effortless drag and drop interface that makes creating videos easier than building a slide presentation; a range of visual styles and a library of video templates designed specifically for public sector needs; and brand management and collaboration features that ensure all your content is cohesive and brand compliant.About VertosoftAt Vertosoft we are a trusted, value-driven distributor of innovative technology solutions. Our experienced team and tailored services equip our channel partners and suppliers with the tools, contracts, and secure systems needed to succeed in the public sector market. Visit vertosoft.com for more information.About Vyond Vyond is the only all-in-one, AI video creation platform for business, which includes an AI instant video maker (Vyond Go), a full-featured video editor (Vyond Studio), and more. Over 65% of the Fortune 500 rely on Vyond to help transform critical information into engaging videos. Since Vyond's founding in 2007, customers like Whole Foods Market, Indeed, and Cargill have created more than 40 million videos on the platform. Vyond for Government grants federal and public sector agencies access to our flagship platform, enabling transformation of critical information into engaging videos for employees, partners, and constituents - effectively and at scale.*source: Wyzowl, 2024Contact InformationMary DawsonDigital Marketing Managerinfo@ vertosoft.com 571-707-4132Nicole BongianinoChannel Marketing Specialistnicole.bongianino@vertosoft.com 571-707-4130SOURCE: Vertosoft PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 23:17:49 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 406 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MERIDIAN, IDAHO / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / White Cloud Wealth Management, led by Certified Financial Planner Sean West, is helping retirees and charitably minded individuals make the most of their giving with a comprehensive guide on Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), and Donations in Kind. In an effort to simplify these often misunderstood strategies, West shares actionable insights to help clients reduce their tax burden while making a meaningful impact through charitable giving."One of the most common questions taxpayers have is when to use QCDs instead of donations in kind," says West. "While there are pros and cons to each method, the key is to reduce taxes-and we want to help people do just that." In the full article, West covers important topics such as:How and when to use QCDs: Retirees age 70 and older can direct IRA distributions to qualifying charities, satisfy RMDs, and reduce taxable income-making QCDs a powerful strategy for those looking to give back tax-efficiently.Benefits of Donations in Kind: Donating appreciated assets like stock or real estate can help donors avoid capital gains taxes while supporting causes they care about.Using DAFs to bunch' deductions: For those who don't meet the threshold for itemizing deductions, DAFs allow donors to contribute a lump sum in high-income years and distribute grants to multiple charities over time.Each strategy comes with its own advantages, and the best choice depends on age, tax bracket, and giving goals. For example, QCDs may be better suited for those in higher tax brackets over age 70, while DAFs funded with appreciated stock could offer more benefits to younger donors in lower tax brackets."Don't just give-give smart," adds West. "With the right plan, you can make the most of your charitable dollars and minimize your tax liability." White Cloud Wealth Management invites individuals to schedule a personalized consultation to explore their charitable giving and retirement strategies.To read the full article or book a consultation, visit White Cloud Wealth Management.Media Contact: White Cloud Wealth ManagementPhone: 208-795-5123Email: info@ whitecloudwm.com Location: Meridian, IdahoAuthor: Sean West, CFP - Wealth Management AdvisorDisclosure: This press release reflects the personal opinions and viewpoints of White Cloud Wealth Management employees. It is not intended as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. All views are subject to change at any time without notice.SOURCE: White Cloud Wealth Management PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 16:22:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 695 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Whit Batchelor, from Whittier Trust's Newport Beach Office, is set to lead the expansion, strengthening client and community bonds within the region.SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Whittier Trust is excited to announce the opening of its newest office in San Diego, reinforcing its deep commitment to serving clients in the region with a local, personalized approach. With a legacy rooted in Southern California, Whittier Trust has long advised clients and worked closely with charitable organizations based in San Diego. This expansion is a direct result of the wealth management company's continued growth in the region."Our decision to establish a full-time presence in the San Diego area reflects both the incredible growth we've seen here and the deep trust San Diego's most successful families have placed in us for decades," said David Dahl, President and CEO of Whittier Trust. "Our expansion into San Diego is also a reflection of our long-standing ties to the community," said David Dahl. "The Whittier family has a deep history in the region, and we are proud to strengthen our presence here, not just to better serve our clients, but to be closer to the charitable organizations and causes we have supported for years." Whittier Trust's commitment to San Diego extends beyond wealth management, as the firm actively supports a variety of local organizations integral to the community. This includes the Helen Woodward Animal Center, which promotes animal welfare and pet adoption services; Scripps' Mericos Eye Institute and Whittier Diabetes Institute, advancing medical research and patient care; the San Diego-Imperial Council of the Boy Scouts of America, fostering leadership and service among youth; and the University of San Diego, where Whittier Trust contributes to higher education and leadership development initiatives.Leading the new San Diego office is Whit Batchelor, newly appointed Executive Vice President, Client Advisor and San Diego Regional Manager. A longtime leader in Whittier Trust's Newport Beach office known for his dedication and accessibility to clients, Batchelor has worked extensively with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families in San Diego, crafting tailor-made, multi-generational wealth management strategies. His leadership ensures a seamless transition for existing clients while setting the stage for further growth in the region."With this new office in San Diego, I am eager to build upon the legacy of trust, integrity and boutique service that Whittier Trust has cultivated for generations," said Batchelor. "I look forward to expanding our connections within the community, enhancing our ability to serve clients locally with tailored financial strategies and contributing to the vibrant culture of San Diego." Complimenting this milestone of growth, this year also marks the 25th anniversary of Whittier Trust's Seattle Office. The firm also recently opened offices in Menlo Park and West Los Angeles and relocated its headquarters to a larger space in Pasadena to accommodate an increasing number of experienced professionals dedicated to serving a growing client base. As Whittier Trust continues to grow, its focus remains on providing the highest level of personalized service through a relationship-driven, client-first approach.The office will be located at: 12770 El Camino Real, Ste 120, San Diego, CA 92130, twenty miles north of Downtown San Diego in Del Mar.###About Whittier TrustCollectively, Whittier Trust Company and The Whittier Trust Company of Nevada, Inc. (referred to herein individually and collectively as "Whittier Trust") are state-chartered trust companies wholly owned by Whittier Holdings, Inc. ("WHI"), a closely held holding company. As the oldest multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast, Whittier Trust isn't just a financial institution, it's a trusted partner with a long, rich history of successfully navigating the financial markets to preserve, protect and enhance its clients' wealth and well-being across generations. Whittier Trust operates with the singular focus of providing holistic, top-tier client service and highly personalized investment solutions to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families designed to advance and secure their long-term financial legacies and goals. The firm has offices in Pasadena, Menlo Park, Newport Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, West Los Angeles, Reno, Seattle and Portland. To learn more, visit http://www.whittiertrust.com Contact:Brandi J. Fields Whittier TrustEmail:BFields@ whittiertrust.com SOURCE: Whittier Trust PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-22 14:01:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 461 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Marine Sergeant and Former Event Manager Brings Precision and Leadership to DFW MetroplexMILLINGTON, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 /Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Co., the proudly veteran-owned and operated craft soda brand with 20+ years of history, renowned for its nostalgic flavors and immersive event experiences, announces U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Steven Ortiz as its newest franchise partner in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex. A seasoned leader and former Fire Direction Control-man, Ortiz transitions from spearheading event operations to franchise ownership-underscoring Wild Bill's commitment to empowering veteran entrepreneurs. Steven Ortiz (Pictured Left) Wild Bills Franchisee U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Steven Ortiz (Pictured Left) Wild Bills Franchisee U.S. Marine Corps VeteranFrom Event Manager to Franchisee: Strategic Growth in Action Since joining Wild Bill's in 2018 as an Event Manager, Ortiz has played a pivotal role in expanding the brand's footprint across Texas and beyond. His operational excellence and innovative approach to large-scale events have cemented Wild Bill's reputation as a go-to partner for fairs, festivals, and community celebrations.Military Service: Precision Meets Passion As a Fire Direction Control-man in the Marine Corps (2006-2010, Reserve 2011), Ortiz honed expertise in artillery coordination and mission-critical decision-making during his deployment with the Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2008. His honorable discharge marked the end of a decorated career defined by strategic thinking and teamwork-skills he now channels into entrepreneurship. "The Marines taught me to lead with purpose and precision," said Ortiz. "Wild Bill's shares that values-driven mindset, and I'm eager to bring our craft soda experience to DFW." Veteran Franchising Program: Investing in Those Who Served Wild Bill's proudly supports veterans through its Veteran Franchising Program, offering:Reduced franchise fees for qualified veterans.Tailored financing options to lower barriers to ownership.Ongoing mentorship from the brand's leadership team."Steven embodies the grit and leadership we champion," said Michael Russo, Chief Growth Officer of Wild Bill's. "His journey from event manager to franchisee-and his unwavering dedication to community-make him an ideal ambassador for our brand." Join the Mission Veterans interested in franchise opportunities are encouraged to explore Wild Bill's Veteran Program at https://drinkwildbills.com/pages/franchise-opportunity About Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Co. Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Co. has been crafting premium, non-alcoholic craft sodas for over 20 years, serving customers at events nationwide. With a focus on creating nostalgia-evoking flavors, Wild Bill's sodas are available online, at local retailers, and at hundreds of events annually. As a veteran-owned and operated business, Wild Bill's is dedicated to supporting veterans through meaningful employment opportunities and partnerships with veteran-focused non-profits.Media Contact: Michael Russo | Chief Growth Officer (631) 335-6377 | MichaelR@ WildBillsSoda.com Social Handles: IG: @WildBillsSodaFB: /WildBillsSodaX: @WildBillsSodaContact Information Michael RussoChief Growth Officermichaelr@ wildbillssoda.com (631) 335-6377SOURCE: Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Co. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday downgraded its economic growth forecast for Nigeria in 2025 to 3.0 per cent. The downgrade follows a recent decline in global crude oil prices, the multilateral organisation said in its April 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, released on the sidelines of the ongoing Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank in Washington. The new forecast represents a 0.2 percentage point reduction from the IMFs earlier projection of 3.2 per cent. In sub-Saharan Africa, the report said, growth is expected to decline slightly from 4.0 per cent in 2024 to 3.8 per cent in 2025, before recovering modestly to 4.2 per cent in 2026. Among the larger economies, the growth forecast for Nigeria is revised downward by 0.2 percentage point for 2025 and 0.3 percentage point for 2026, owing to lower oil prices, the fund said. In South Africa, the growth forecast is revised downward by 0.5 percentage point for 2025 and 0.3 percentage point for 2026, reflecting slowing momentum from a weaker-than-expected 2024 performance, deteriorating sentiment due to heightened uncertainty, intensification of protectionist policies, and a deeper slowdown in major economies. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In his intervention Tuesday, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, chief economist and director of research department at the IMF, said the decline in oil prices weakens global activity and results in decline in prices. READ ALSO; Burkina Faso junta says it thwarted plot to topple Traore Theres been some increase in supply coming from OPEC plus countries, but broadly speaking, the decline is mostly coming from weaker demand, he said. Earlier, the IMF said that the economic reforms undertaken by Nigeria since 2023 have significantly improved the countrys capacity to withstand external economic shocks. It stated this in its 2025 Article IV Consultation report, which followed a visit by an IMF team led by Axel Schimmelpfennig, the Funds mission chief for Nigeria, who held discussions with key stakeholders in Lagos and Abuja between 2 April and 15 April. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian rapper Ice Prince has received accolades from MI Abaga for teaching him how to rap. He described him as his mentor. Ice Prince disclosed this during his appearance on Curiosity Made Me Ask, a YouTube podcast about beautiful chaos and brutal honesty put together by Bae U. He described MI as a big brother who shaped his career and equipped him with the discipline and knowledge he needed to excel in the industry. I rapped with MI for years. Thats my big brother. He taught me how to do this, and he taught me well. The rapper attributed his lyrical depth and flexibility to years of training under MIs guidance. He emphasised that the foundation MI gave him makes it impossible to deliver wack verses. I can rap on any beat, with anybody, any rapper, and I will stand out. Im not going to have a wack verse on a song, he said. He continued, Im not saying other rappers cant rap or do their thing, but it cant be said that Im wack. I was brought up by the best, shout out to MI Abaga. In December 2024, Ice Prince talked about his struggles growing up, revealing that he missed out on a University education because he couldnt raise N20,000. 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 Struggles In an interview on Listen with Osi, Ice Prince said, I was the guy who would spend at least three weeks out of every school term at home because of school fees. I didnt go to university because of N20,000, which is like one spliff now. Thats the reason I didnt go, because of N20,000. I had two weeks to pay that money for registration, and I couldnt come up with it, and thats how I lost the admission and became a studio rat from there. Ice Prince rose to fame in 2011 with the release of Oleku, a hit track from his debut album Everybody Loves Ice Prince. This was followed by other monstrous hits like Superstar, cementing his place as one of the finest rappers in the country. In 2013, Ice Prince released his second studio album, Fire of Zamani. The album contained the singles Aboki, More, Gimme Dat, and I Swear, all of which became hit songs. On 1 July 2015, Ice Prince was announced as the vice president of Chocolate City. He held the position until leaving the label in 2016. He has collaborated with several African rappers, including Navio, Khaligraph Jones, AKA, and Sarkodie. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Burkina Faso military government says it has thwarted a plot to overthrow junta leader Ibrahim Traore. This adds to the multiple claims of attempted coups against Mr Traore since he took power in 2022. The military government said it uncovered that the plotters had planned to attack the presidential palace and create hostility that would draw global attention to the country. Speaking on the state television on Monday, the juntas security minister, Mahamadou Sana, said the coup plotters were a combination of current and former soldiers based in Ivory Coast working alongside terrorist leaders. Burkina Faso is at the centre of armed violence in the Sahel. Since 2019, heightened violence has displaced over a million people and left critical civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, non-functional. Although the military government had promised to improve the security situation and sought new security partnerships with Russia, the countrys security challenges have worsened over time. 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 Burkina Faso topped the 2024 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), becoming the first country in over a decade, outside Afghanistan or Iraq, to hold the top spot. In 2023, nearly 2,000 people were killed in 258 terrorist attacks, accounting for almost a quarter of global terrorism-related deaths, according to the report. Details of the latest coup and how it was foiled were not provided; however, Mr Sana stated that two former army officers were identified as key figures in the scheme. The manoeuvre was to culminate, according to the terrorist plotters plan, on Wednesday 16 April, 2025, in an assault on the presidency of (Burkina) Faso by a group of soldiers recruited by the nations enemies. The brains outside the country are all located in Ivory Coast, he said, He said sensitive information was passed on to terrorists to increase attacks on the military and civilians and incite a revolt against the authorities. Meanwhile, according to the BBC, Ivorian authorities have not responded to Burkina Fasos allegations that it hosted the plotters. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has faulted recent remarks by popular Pastor and founder of The Covenant Nation, Poju Oyemade, about the cost of medical education in the country. The group described his claims about Nigerias medical education system as a misunderstanding of the countrys healthcare realities. In a viral sermon clip shared on X, Mr Oyemade suggested that Nigerian medical doctors are ungrateful by leaving the country for greener pastures abroad, despite spending as little as N500,000 on their training. The pastor compared this with the United States, where medical education reportedly costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, yet Nigerian-trained doctors still excel abroad. But in a statement on X responding to the video on Monday, NARD dismissed the claim as inaccurate and misleading. Contrary to your claim, no medical doctor is trained on 500,000, the association wrote, citing a 2021 peer-reviewed study published in the Pan African Medical Journal, which estimates the cost of becoming a doctor in Nigeria to range between $21,000 and $51,000 when tuition, living expenses, and other academic costs are considered. 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 Pastor questions brain drain Mr Oyemade further told his congregation that Nigerians often fail to appreciate local opportunities and prefer to complain. He narrated how he once challenged a group of Nigerians abroad who criticised the country, urging them to understand their terrain and channel their energy into building the nation rather than leaving it. In Nigeria, a person will graduate as a medical doctor and spend N500,000 throughout to become a doctor. In America, you graduate from Johns Hopkins, you graduate from Harvard as a doctor, and you spend $2,000. Are you okay? Do you know how much money you spend? he said. Mr Oyemade added that Nigerians condemn doing multiple jobs at home but go abroad to do the same, arguing that if the effort they put into working abroad is put into working in Nigeria, they would be successful. Nigerians are ungrateful. They will go through everything, including education. How much do they spend there? You see a Nigerian, if they tell him in Nigeria to do two jobs, he will curse your life out, he said. The pastor also downplayed Nigerias unemployment statistics, suggesting that many informal business owners earn large sums without paying taxes and should not be considered unemployed. However, NARD insists that such narratives ignore the major issues like chronic underfunding of the health sector, poor welfare, and a massive brain drain caused by inadequate pay and lack of infrastructure. Cost of medical education According to the group, while it costs an average of $275,000 to train a doctor in the US, the system rewards that investment with a monthly salary of about $16,000. In contrast, a Nigerian doctor earns roughly N250,000 ($170) despite investing heavily in their education. Families often spend over $10,000 just to help these doctors relocate and qualify for practice abroad. This is not about ingratitudeNigerian doctors are among the most hardworking and resilient globally, NARD said. While the health system is in a state of crisis, many citizens cannot afford medical tourism. It is easy for Pastors with access to tithes and offerings to seek care abroad, but their average Nigerian church member cannot. NARD also urged Mr Oyemade to use his influence to advocate for health sector reforms, rather than blaming the professionals. We urge you to speak truth to power and advocate for a better health system; Nigeria currently ranks 142nd out of 195 globally. It may be worth considering the Apostles modelfocusing on prayer, fasting, and the Wordrather than serving tables, it noted. Mr Oyemade has not issued a formal response to the backlash. The clash comes amid ongoing conversations about the exodus of Nigerian professionals, particularly in the medical field. Recently, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, revealed that Nigeria has lost over 16,000 doctors in the last five to seven years, a situation that has cost the country billions of naira. Nigerians react The exchange between NARD and Mr Oyemade sparked a debate on social media, with many Nigerians weighing in to clarify the realities of medical education in the country. Several X users suggest NARDs response was misrepresentative of the actual cost of medical education. One of the voices that joined the conversation was the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who faulted NARDs figures, asking: Dear NARD, which public university do students pay between $21,000 to $54,000 in Nigeria to study Medicine? This is just a sad attempt at shifting the goal post. A user, Oguntoye Opeyemi, argued that the pastors remarks were not an attack on medical professionals but rather an attempt to highlight how government investment in public education has benefited sectors like healthcare. Citing personal experience at LAUTECH, Mr Opeyemi said it was misleading to claim Nigerian medical students pay up to $21,000 for their training, noting that tuition during his time never exceeded N40,000 per session, with total annual costs staying well below N200,000. Similarly, another user, Oreoluwa, questioned the source of NARDs cost estimate, pointing out that the real issue raised by the pastor was who bears the cost of subsidised training. She stressed that while working conditions for doctors are indeed difficult, that should not be conflated with the affordability of their education. She called on NARD to continue advocacy work without dismissing the opportunities made possible through Nigerias public system. Another user, Fola Kareem, a Nigerian based in the United States, said NARD had missed the main point of the pastors message by turning it into an economic argument. Mr Kareem described the associations position as a misrepresentation that ignored the context of the pastors statement. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Big up, our revered Reverend Fathers. May this anniversary renew our anointing. May we never fall prey to the ancient enemy in a world of wild pleasures, fake promises and alluring yet mundane wealth. In fighting temptations daily, we shall win big. May we at last, appear clean before the just judge. Better still, may we join the angelic host in judging the 12 tribes of Israel (Cf. Matthew 19:28). Happy Anniversary! The Solemn Liturgy of Chrism Mass is a two in one event. It commemorates the day in which the Lord instituted the sacrifice of Holy Mass and Holy Orders. The words, Do this in memory of me (Cf. Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:18-20 and 1st Corinthians 11:23-25) testify to the ancient caravan. By this command, Jesus, ipso facto, consecrated them priests of the New and Everlasting Covenant that he established. Since Bishops enjoy the fullness of the priesthood (Diaconate, Priesthood and Bishopric) as the direct successors of the Apostles, they ordain priests as co-workers to consecrate the Christian people and offer sacrifices to God. This makes priests ministers of the Word and Sacraments. On a day like this, we recall the gracious words of Jesus: Today, these words are fulfilled in your hearing (Luke 4:21). Relaying on divine election and consecration, in our age and time, priests heroically witness to a world of sin and death. As Alter Christus (Another Christ), they go from men to God and God to men to fulfill Gods mandate. This where we must celebrate these great men in the line of Melchizedek who give their life and all to the service of God and humanity. The priest is unlike other human beings. His finger touches every aspect of our lives. From the cradle to the grave, he intercedes on our behalf. During baptism, he is there to wash us from original sin, make us children of God and members of the Church. With a warm welcome, he invites us into the people of God: A royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people set apart to sing the praises of God (1 Peter 2:9). Through his mediatory services, we are made Priests, Kings and Prophets. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later As if that is not enough, the priest administers First Holy Communion to us as food for the journey. By preparing the faithful for the eschatological banquet, the priest reenacts the Calvary event. Although distant in time and space, he takes us to Golgota or better still, the place of the skull, where blood and water flowed from his side. During the Sacrament of Confirmation, Priests prepare determined pilgrims who are soldiers of Christ. They incubate those who without fear or favour protect the Church with their lives through dogged witnessing. Although reserved for Bishops, they confer this Sacrament on the aged or those they are so designated to. Since to err is human and forgive is divine, priests stand in the breach for the people. Because sin separates the sinner from God and the Church, based on the scripture, If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven (John 20:23), the priest reconciles the penitent with God and the Church. Through the priest, our canvas of sin is repainted with grace, dignity and salvation. Priests also have their signature on the infirmed. Like their Master who cared for the sick, they carry out pastoral care, even at the risk of their lives. With Anointing of the Sick, the priest accompanies the sick towards healing of mind and body. Accordingly, when their time is up, through the sacrifices of these clerics, the ailing are prepared for a delightful flight to the great beyond. With the two Sacraments of Christian Vocation (Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders), in the first instance, priests assist couples to exchange marital vows, raise godly kids and form the Domestic Church. This, in turn, decorates the Church with children who take to the priestly and religious life. In the second instance, the Sacrament of Holy Orders comes begging. Inaugurated on a day like this, at the Mass of Holy Chrism, they renew their priestly vows to be recommitted. While Holy Thursday recalls their anniversary, it also reconnects the Christian faithful to the life, death and resurrection of Christ. When this earthly dwelling folds up, they escort us to the yonder. With a befitting funeral, they parcel us to our heavenly father who awaits our return with open arms as exemplified in the story of the Prodigal Son (Cf. Luke 15:1132). They assure that Gods love is prodigal, urging the hopeless sinner home. Bathed in the Word and Prayer, the priest wrestles with the devil on our behalf. He dares the evil one to prepare the people for the life of the blessed. By turning his back on the world, for our sake, he takes the vow of the Evangelical Counsel Obedience, Poverty and Celibacy (Chastity). Forsaking the joys of marriage and the family, priests minister in far flown nations. Join me in celebrating our priests. Be they colleagues, brothers, uncles or friends, they deserve accolades. With 21-gun salute, let us fire the cannons and artilleries in honour of these men who defy time and circumstances to work for God. Call them men of God, Prelates or Fathers, they merit adulation for depopulating hell. Big up, our revered Reverend Fathers. May this anniversary renew our anointing. May we never fall prey to the ancient enemy in a world of wild pleasures, fake promises and alluring yet mundane wealth. In fighting temptations daily, we shall win big. May we at last, appear clean before the just judge. Better still, may we join the angelic host in judging the 12 tribes of Israel (Cf. Matthew 19:28). Happy Anniversary! Justine Dyikuk, a reverend father, is a lecturer in Mass Communication at the University of Jos, editor of Caritas Newspaper and convener of the Media Team Network Initiative (MTNI), Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states will meet in Ghana on Tuesday to discuss the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. The meeting will take place over two days, Tuesday and Wednesday. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the bloc said member states will discuss the modalities of the countries withdrawal and its implications for ECOWAS agencies in the countries. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the three junta-led countries made their official exit from the bloc earlier in the year. ECOWAS, at the time, had issued guidelines on its relationship with the three countries and transitional measures, which it said would be reviewed and finalised as the year progressed. The bloc had maintained its free trade policy, visa-free movement, residency, and other rights within ECOWAS states, with the three countries; fully based on the existing protocols. 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 bloc also said it would set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries. However, ECOWAS member states will be discussing their relationship with the three countries today in Accra. The session is being held to deliberate on the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc. Key items on the agenda include the modalities of the withdrawal process and the implications for ECOWAS Institutions and Agencies operating in the three countries. The session will also address other related matters of regional importance, it said. Three weeks ago, the junta-led states, under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), imposed a 0.5 per cent import duty on goods from ECOWAS. The levy applies to all goods from ECOWAS countries entering any of the three nations, except for humanitarian aid. The policy countered ECOWASs intention of ensuring free movement of goods between its members and the AES countries despite their official exit from the bloc in January. However, the recently established pact comprising the three countries said it aims to generate revenue to fund the alliances activities. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In August 2024, Congo-Brazzaville President Denis Nguesso received a World Health Organisation (WHO) award for his commitment to promoting health in Africa and his country. His achievements included a decade of work to address the counterfeit medicine trade in Congo-Brazzaville and across the continent. But despite these efforts, the illegal trade in fake medicines and genuine medication not authorised for use in Congo-Brazzaville persists. In major cities like Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, medicine supplies are largely provided by the private sector (59 per cent), with 28 per cent of supply from the illegal trade, and the remaining 13 per cent from the public health system. This indicates a public health crisis characterised by the low availability of drugs at health facilities, few pharmacies and their inequitable geographical distribution. Medicines provided by official sources are costly even generic drugs can be seven times more expensive than their international reference prices. In contrast, bana manganga (which refers to both the sellers and the practice of selling illicit drugs bana meaning the children of and manganga meaning medicine) provide widespread access to various drugs, including antibiotics and painkillers. Street medicines are cheaper, accessible on credit and available in small quantities if needed. Ray Mankele, pharmacist and president of the Congolese Foundation for Access to Medicines, says the continued use of illicit medication is linked to limited public awareness of the potential harms. Knowledge is also lacking about the availability of alternative generic medications, which can be cheaper than street drugs. Pharmacists often fail to recommend generics because they profit more from selling brand-name medicines. Bana manganga are mostly younger people without health science backgrounds, who act as prescribers, dispensers and wholesalers. Their products are displayed on exposed makeshift stands, where unsanitary conditions can compromise their quality. These medicines escape regulation by health authorities, seriously limiting their efficacy and safety. 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 Other street vendors selling illicit medicines include veterans from the 1997 civil war trying to earn cash when other options are limited. For them, selling street medicine is a form of economic reintegration, a local journalist who requested anonymity said. Organised transnational criminal supply chains and distribution networks facilitate the bana manganga process. A local Congolese police official told the ENACT organised crime project that much of the illicit flow comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Shalina Healthcare, the DRC branch of an Indian firm known for inexpensive medications, produces drugs approved for the DRC but not for Congo-Brazzaville. These medicines enter the country through illicit supply chains, are stored improperly and sold by unqualified vendors. More expensive and unauthorised street medicines are also smuggled from India and China into Nigeria, and then trafficked into Congo-Brazzaville. The country acts as a distribution hub for illicit medicines trafficked into neighbouring countries, specifically Cameroon, Angola and Gabon. In July 2024, around 80,000 counterfeit tablets en route from Congo-Brazzaville were seized in Gabon. ENACT interviews with journalists, pharmacists and police officers reveal the well-established distribution of these medicines. The flows are facilitated by lax border controls and corrupt officials who divert approved medicines from public purchasing centres or pharmacies to sell to bana manganga. Wholesalers smuggle medicines into local towns, supply public hospitals and sell directly to retailers on the streets. This illicit trade undermines health outcomes. Global Health Progress reported that an estimated 170,000 children die annually from pneumonia due to poor quality and fake medicines in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Globally, the illegal medicine trade generates substantial profits for criminal organisations, reportedly yielding up to 20 times more than heroin trafficking. Fake medicines on Congo-Brazzavilles streets also weaken the rule of law. In 2021, a pharmacy belonging to the head of a pharmacists association was ransacked following a police crackdown on bana manganga. There were no arrests or prosecutions, leaving pharmacists feeling vulnerable. In 2016, Congo-Brazzaville signed the MEDICRIME Convention to tackle pharmaceutical crime. In 2017, Mr Nguesso urged the global community to prioritise fighting fake medicines and ensured that the country actively participated in the Lome Initiative against trafficking in substandard and falsified medical products. In June 2023, Congo-Brazzaville adopted the Central African Economic and Monetary Community regional plan to address counterfeit medicines and illicit distribution networks. At the national level, the fight against the trade is a focal point in the countrys National Health Policy. However, political intentions have not led to implementation. Scant statistics on the scale, types and effects of illicit drugs lead to scepticism about their risks, and a lack of urgency in addressing the issue. While the government has adopted the WHOs definitions regarding substandard, unregistered and falsified products, it lacks the capacity for effective quality control. This includes conducting effective post-market controls and bioequivalence studies on all medicines. Good oversight of manufacturing practices for imported medicine is non-existent, despite Congolese pharmacists advocating for expanded regulations on imported medication, particularly storage and handling conditions. Despite signing the Lome Initiative, laws against the sale and possession of drugs outside official channels remain unenforced in Congo-Brazzaville, allowing vendors to operate with minimal risk. Sporadic police raids do little to prevent bana manganga from returning afterwards to sell their products. Disagreement among stakeholders about how to define illicit medicines complicates legal frameworks and punitive measures aimed at discouraging and penalising criminal activities related to the trade. While Congo made strides by establishing a central purchasing centre for essential medicines in 2015 and adopting a pharmaceutical policy, challenges remain. More pharmacies, spread over a wider area, are needed. Access to affordable generics and stringent penalties for corruption along the illegal distribution chain are essential. Without these steps, efforts to oversee the import of quality medications, train customs officials to inspect medical products, and impose criminal penalties for illegal trading are unlikely to succeed. A dedicated process to reach consensus on operational definitions of illicit medicine is needed, along with awareness-raising campaigns that highlight the benefits of generics and the health risks associated with illegal drugs. Raoul Sumo Tayo, Senior Researcher, ENACT Central Africa Organised Crime Observatory, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) ENACT is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Security Studies in partnership with INTERPOL and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime. (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print George Turnah, an ally of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has been appointed the chairperson of the caretaker committee to run the affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, south-south Nigeria. The PDP South South Zonal Working Committee disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday. The statement signed by the PDP zonal spokesperson, Prince Isong, said the setting up of the caretaker committee for Bayelsa followed the dissolution of the State Working Committee of the party in the state on account of various acts of gross misconduct by the dissolved executive. In the statement, Mr Isong said the PDP also appointed a new caretaker committee for the party in Edo State, which is still within the South-South. The Zonal Working Committee took these decisions in the best interest of the Party after a careful review of the activities of the Party in both States in line with the Constitution of the Party as amended in 2017, particularly Articles 10(1), (f), (g), (k), and (4) as well as Articles 26(2), (a), 27(2) (a and b), 58(1), (a), (c), (i), (j), and 59(1) (f). The Zonal Working Committee hopes that this bold move will strengthen the Partys foundation and ensure effective leadership in both Bayelsa and Edo States, Mr Isong said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Turnah, the new chairperson of the PDP caretaker committee in Bayelsa, is the South-South zonal secretary of the party. A former executive assistant on public affairs to Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Mr Turnah fell out with Mr Diri and switched political loyalty to Mr Wike. He is the convener of the New Associates, Bayelsa Chapter, a platform he planned the postponed mega rally in Bayelsa for the FCT minister. Mr Turnahs appointment further confirms Mr Wikes influence within the PDP. Before now, Governor Diri said Mr Turnah was not a member of the PDP in Bayelsa. The governor was also against the Bayelsa rally for Mr Wike. As you are aware, we have threats from our sister state. The political crisis there is threatening us, and we will not allow what is happening there to come to Bayelsa State, the governor said last month about the suspended rally. He had urged security agents in the state to be on alert and warned that any attempt to import Rivers political crisis to Bayelsa would be resisted. Mr Wikes spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, had dismissed Governor Diris security alert over the planned rally as baseless. Mr Olayinka said Nigerians were free to express their support for anyone, anywhere and anytime. Wike a threat to PDP rule in South-south? What is today known as Bayelsa was a part of Rivers until the Sani Abacha military regime created it (Bayelsa) on 1 October 1996. Both states share a lot in common, culturally and politically. Mr Wike, a former governor of Rivers, has been engaged in a protracted political fight with his suspended successor, Siminalayi Fubara, over the control of the political structures in the oil-rich state, a development that has outraged many Nigerians. Governor Diri is among the top Nigerian leaders who condemned President Bola Tinubus declaration of emergency rule in Rivers as a fallout of the political fight between Messrs Wike and Fubara. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Monday, after a two-week working visit to Europe. The president was received on arrival at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 9.50 p.m. by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and other senior government officials. President Tinubu had departed Nigeria on 12 April for Paris, France, where he held a high-level meeting with Massad Boulos, the U.S. Department of States Senior Advisor for Africa. The discussion focused on deepening bilateral cooperation to enhance regional security and sustainable economic development across Africa. After his engagements in Paris, President Tinubu proceeded to London over the weekend, where he continued consultations and maintained regular communication with senior government officials in Abuja. While the president was away, there were killings in some parts of the country, particularly in Plateau and Benue States. 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 Following the development, some Nigerians, including the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election,, Peter Obi, asked him to return home. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A driver with a commercial bank in Minna, Mohammed Abolore, has been stabbed to death by suspected miscreants in the Fadikpe area of Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State. A police statement said the incident occurred at about 10:45 p.m. on Sunday. The state police command said it received a report from a local vigilante leader that some thugs were seen smoking cannabis in the Rafi axis of the Fadikpe community. In response, vigilante members mobilised to the scene to apprehend the suspects while awaiting the arrival of police. Mohammed Abolore, a resident of the community, reportedly volunteered to support the vigilante team in the arrests. However, the deceased was stabbed with a pair of scissors by a suspect identified as Nura Buhari, who fled the scene immediately. Mr Abolore was rushed to the General Hospital in Minna, where he was confirmed dead. The police said further investigations in the area led to the arrest of another suspect, Abdullahi Rabiu, who is assisting the police in the search for other accomplices. ALSO READ: EFCC arrests 28 Ponzi scheme suspects in Minna Speaking to journalists, the community head of Fadikpe, Danladi Jibrin, said the community was working with the security agencies to arrest those involved in Mr Abolores killing. 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 Meanwhile, the Niger State Commissioner of Police, Shawulu Danmamman, has commiserated with the family of the deceased and assured that justice will be pursued in his killing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ginger farmers in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are uncertain about the 2025 planting season, due to a lack of seedlings and other determining factors. The farmers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that there was a need for urgent intervention by the government and relevant stakeholders to address the situation. NAN reports that ginger farmers had in 2023, suffered losses from a fungal disease, which led to a significant drop in production and supply of the crop since then. The federal government had estimated the loss to be over N12 billion in 2024. Philip Akuso, a ginger farmer in Bwari, said the chance of the crop yielding a good harvest was 50-50. Mr Akuso said many farmers could not get quality seedlings because of the devastating disease from the previous farming season. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said that had affected harvest and significantly increased the price of ginger in the market, due to low supply. According to him, since the 2023 incident, there has been ginger scarcity in the market and the price has continued to skyrocket. As of December 2024, a bag of ginger was sold for N350,000, but earlier this year, its price ranged between N650,000 and N800,000 at some point, but it has come down to about N700,000 now, he said. Mr Akuso also said that the situation was worrisome to farmers in Bwari, who not only lack access to good seedlings but also face funds and insecurity challenges. He said while some farmers were able to get supplies from the neighbouring producing areas like Kachia and Jaba areas of Southern Kaduna, others could not afford to and were yet to recover from the previous losses. If you ask me, I will say only the rich can venture into ginger production presently, because it involves a huge capital, especially having to purchase good seedlings. Farmers in neighbouring Kaduna State were successful with the production last year and so, have stored some bags for sale and also have good seedlings for the next farming season. Very few of us in Bwari were successful with our production last year and are willing to try again, but others are afraid to try because they lost so much and have not recovered from the effect of the fungal attacks on the crop. However, we are hopeful that we will have a good yield at the end of the year, the farmer said. Mr Akuso urged the government to hasten the research on a lasting solution that would salvage the situation. Similarly, Somo Yakubu, another farmer in Bwari, said he was lucky to save two bags from the previous years harvest, with the hope to use them for the upcoming planting season. Mr Yakubu said that most farmers in Kawu-Bwari where he resided, were also lucky with their 2024 harvest, because the disease did not attack the crops early, until they were almost ready for harvesting. There was no remedy of any sort; it was just the grace of God, it is a necessary risk to take, who knows, we might get lucky again this year, he said. Mr Yakubu, however, said that the insecurity was another factor that might not allow most farmers to return to the farms for fear of being kidnapped. He appealed to relevant stakeholders to address the situation. Phoebe Albert, a consumer, who also produces hibiscus flower drink, commonly called zobo, decried the high cost of ginger in the market. Mrs Albert said she recently bought ginger worth N1,000 and was only given four small pieces. You cannot even get ginger of N500 now, the sellers might just give you one piece for that amount. It is that bad, especially now that a lot of people have come to realise the benefits of ginger in organic foods, herbs and as spices too. It is not enough for us local consumers yet, and we are still selling across borders and exporting to other countries. If it has that much economic value, then it should be the governments priority to tackle the situation through urgent action, she said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Katsina State Government and its 34 local councils have spent N36.8 billion to establish a structure to address insecurity in the state. The states deputy governor, Faruk Lawal-Jobe, who disclosed this at a press briefing on Tuesday in Katsina, said the amount was spent from the inception of the administration to date. He said that the funds were used to purchase 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 65 Toyota Hilux and 700 Daylong motorcycles. Procurement of 1,900 units of tactical combat equipment for the take-off of Katsina Community Watch Corps, which is a state-owned security outfit. Payment of monthly allowances to 1,500 members of vigilantes, 1,279 community support groups, 6,652 ward heads, 2,515 Imams, 2,515 prayer callers (Ladans) and 2,515 deputy Imams. Recruitment, kitting and training for batches one and two of Katsina Security Watch Corps personnel. 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 Training of 1,100 community volunteers from the eight frontline local government areas. Purchase of drones, trackers and communication network equipment for intelligence gathering, purchase of combat equipment, consumables, live jackets, helmets, Walkie-talkies, teargas hand grenade, among others. He said that the government has spent N985.9 million for medical treatment, financial assistance, and other interventions to banditary victims. Mr Lawal-Jobe further revealed that a total of 2,286 victims have so far benefited from that financial assistance. He added that the government had recruited 1,466 security watch corps under phase one and deployed to the eight frontline local governments. The deputy governor said the local governments are Dandume, Faskari, Kankara, Danmusa, Batsari, Jibia, Sabuwa and Safana. Under phase two, he said, 550 Security Watch Corps were deployed to 10 vulnerable Local Governments of Bakori, Musawa, Malumfashi, Danja, Funtua, Matazu, Charanchi, Batagarawa, Kurfi and Dutsin-Ma. The deputy governor revealed that 200 civilian hunters were also engaged and deployed to vulnerable areas to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies. Mr Lawal-Jobe said that as part of non-kinetic approach, he said, the government created the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs (MISHA). He said it was saddled with responsibility on security issues and became a part of the State Security Council Advisory Committee, among others.(NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian stocks slid by 0.3 per cent last week amid sell-offs in bank stocks, continuing a downtrend that has weakened the year-to-date yield of the main equity index to 1.3 per cent. The market is shifting away from the earnings season for full-year 2024, with the release of Geregu Powers earnings report for the three months to March, which marked the start of the earnings season for Q1 2025. Following the prolonged downturn in the market, a couple of stocks are now weaker in price compared to the start of the year, offering good entry points to value investors. The upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision in May has led some investors to adopt a wait-and-see attitude towards the equities market, said analysts at investment bank United Capital ahead of the week. Concurrently, retail investors are engaging in profit-booking, resulting in selloffs that impede the consistent upward movement of stock prices, they added. PREMIUM TIMES has assembled some stocks with sound fundamentals, adopting rigorous approaches to save you the risk of picking equities at random for investment. 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 pick, a product of an analytical market watch, offers a guide to entering the market and taking strategic positions in hopes that selected stocks will record reasonable price appreciation with the passage of time. This is not a buy, sell or hold recommendation but a stock investment guide. You may need to involve your financial advisor before making investment decisions. Lasaco Assurance Lasaco Assurance tops the list this week for trading significantly below its intrinsic value, raising its prospects of good price appreciation in future. The price-to-book (PB) ratio of the insurer is 1.8x, while the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is 2.3x. Its relative strength index (RSI) is 30.6. Cornerstone Insurance Cornerstone Insurance makes the cut for currently trading well below its underlying and book value. The underwriters PB ratio is 0.9x, while the PE ratio is 2.1x. Its RSI is 28.2. Berger Paints Berger Paints appears on the list for trading significantly below its intrinsic and book value. The companys PB ratio is 1.9x, while its PE ratio is 8.9x. The RSI is 0. Northern Nigeria Flour Mills (NNFM) NNFM makes this weeks list for trading below its book and underlying value. The companys PB ratio is 1.2x, while the PE ratio stands at 3.4x. Its RSI is 42.1. Zenith Bank Zenith Bank appears on the pick for currently trading below its underlying and book value. The PB ratio of the lender is 0.4x, while the PE ratio is 1.3x. Its RSI is 36.5. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu will return to the country on Monday after a two-week working visit to Europe. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, said this on his X handle. President Bola Tinubu will return home today, the spokesman said in a brief statement. The President, who departed Nigeria on April 2 for Paris, France, held a high-level meeting with Massad Boulos, the US Department of States Senior Advisor for Africa. The discussion focused on deepening bilateral cooperation to enhance regional security and sustainable economic development across Africa. ALSO READ: Tinubu returns to Abuja after working visit to Europe After his engagements in Paris, Mr Tinubu proceeded to London over the weekend, where he continued consultations and maintained regular communication with senior government officials in Abuja. (NAN) 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 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print At the just-concluded Tech Unite Africa event, Technology experts urged the government and business enthusiasts to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a driving force for growth across various sectors. The event, a premier conference and exhibition that brings together innovators, leaders, and enthusiasts from the African tech industry, was recently held at the Muson Centre in Lagos. The panellists, an AI and Machine Learning expert, Fin Dittimi (PhD), Oyewole Sarunmi of Prowess University Delaware, Alessandra Sala of Shutterstock, and Oluwatoni Olugbenga, a Senior Project Manager at Schneider Electric, all advocated in unison for the adoption of AI across the board. Speaking at the conference themed Generative AI: Pros and Cons, Mr Dittimi explained that Generative AI is a type of AI that can create new data or content, rather than just interpreting existing data. He stated that adopting AI, particularly Generative AI, will unlock new levels of innovation, efficiency, and economic development across Africa. He added that advancements in AI present opportunities to transform critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, financial inclusion, and security, ushering in a new era of possibilities and growth. People are trying to be future-proof and assume AI is a replacement rather than an enabler. You can utilise AI to improve your work, but no matter how good you are with your technical skills, you need to build your soft skills to unlock its potential truly. 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 Furthermore, he encouraged leaders across various sectors to embed AI into their decision-making processes, stressing its importance in staying competitive in todays rapidly evolving digital landscape. Paradigm shift, dual nature Highlighting the paradigm shift introduced by generative AI, the Founder and Principal Consultant of FandF Consultancy stated, With AI, you can now analyse trends, customer data, and other metrics without having to write code anymore. You can prompt systems using language and personalised models and even have conversations with AI systems to help you drive and impact your business strategy and identify growth opportunities. Mr Dittimi further noted that by leveraging AI as a tool for enhancement, governments and businesses can make their operations more secure for the future and unlock new chances for growth. Mr Sarunmi and Mr Olugbenga also highlighted that AI has both positive and negative aspects, noting that it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that they tap into the benefits. They also recommended a stronger focus on cybersecurity to facilitate the safe integration of AI. However, Ms Sala stressed the importance of data literacy in unlocking AIs full potential. She stated that AI can bridge gaps by enhancing creative workflows, optimising supply chains, or personalising customer experiences. But to unlock these benefits, we need to empower people with data literacy, where individuals and organisations understand how to interpret and leverage data, Ms Sala said. She stated that the future belongs to those who combine AIs power with human ingenuity. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the Kano State government have renewed commitment to eradicating polio, targeting no fewer than 4.1 million children for vaccination across the state. The commitment was made on Tuesday in Kano during a media dialogue on polio and routine immunisation, held ahead of the 2025 World Immunisation Week. Speaking at the event, the State Immunisation Officer, Saadatu Ibrahim, said the immunisation week is part of efforts to sustain Nigerias polio-free status and prevent resurgence of the virus. Mrs Ibrahim said the target is to reach every child with the polio vaccine. The virus has no place in our communities and must be completely eradicated, she said. She disclosed that the state had recorded three new confirmed cases of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in 2025, raising fresh concerns over gaps in immunisation coverage and surveillance. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later She said that two of the cases were detected through Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance, while the third was identified through Environmental Surveillance (ES). The cases were reported in Warawa, Bunkure and Nasarawa Local Government Areas (LGAs). According to her, the recent cases follow earlier resurgences in 2023 and 2024, when 27 cVDPV2 cases were confirmed in 11 LGAs in 2023 and 31 cases in 17 LGAs in 2024. The continued isolation of cVDPV2 from stool and sewage samples shows that many eligible children are still being missed during routine immunisation and supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs), she said. She said every missed child is a hiding place for the polio virus. Earlier, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Kano, Rahma Farah, called on the state government to declare a state of emergency on polio and routine immunisation following the resurgence of the disease. Mr Farah, represented by Michael Banda, UNICEF Senior Education Manager, said the call became imperative as Nigeria has recorded 18 cases of polio in 18 LGAs across nine states. This is unacceptable and must be urgently addressed. Polio knows no boundaries. An outbreak anywhere threatens children everywhere, he said. He added that the dialogue organised in collaboration with the Kano State government and the State Primary Health Care Management Board, sought to mobilise media support ahead of the next polio vaccination campaign. Mr Farah revealed that the vaccination scheduled for 24 to 30 April, was coinciding with the World Immunisation week. He stressed the critical role of the media in tackling disinformation, myths and rumours that hinder vaccination efforts. UNICEF recognises and values your ongoing commitment to child rights advocacy and public awareness through your platforms, he said. We call on you to disseminate accurate information and encourage parents and caregivers to bring out their children for vaccination. He noted that more than three billion people had been vaccinated against polio globally since 1988, leading to a sharp decline in cases. He, however, warned that recent outbreaks showed that the fight was not over. UNICEF also appealed to local government authorities and urged the state government to demonstrate political will by declaring a state of emergency on polio and ensuring timely release of counterpart funds. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Shimite Bello, the special adviser on trade and export to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, has been confirmed dead. Mrs Bello, PREMIUM TIMES gathered, died on Easter Sunday after she was rushed to St. Lukes Hospital, Asaba, the state capital. The Commissioner of Information in Delta State, Charles Aniagu, confirmed that the governors aide died at the hospital. Meanwhile, there have been speculations that the victim was killed by her husband, David Favour, a pastor, when she protested against the husbands alleged illicit affair. While residents claimed David beat up the victim upon her protest, others said the husband poisoned her. But Mr Aniagu, the information commissioner, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday that the circumstances of Mrs Bellos death were unclear to him. 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 You can speak to her family members. I know nothing about how she died, he said. Police speak When contacted on Tuesday, the police spokesperson in Delta State, Bright Edafe, confirmed the controversies surrounding Mrs Bellos death. Mr Edafe, a superintendent of police, said the family of the deceased filed a complaint over the circumstances of her death. READ ALSO: Four killed in Nigerian community as cultists fight over revenue source The police spokesperson said the family accused the husband of being responsible for the death of the governors aide. He said the husband reported the wifes death to the police and also expressed concern that the family of the victim was threatening him. The police then dispatched a team to rescue him from the house and thereafter placed him in protective custody, Mr Edafe said. We are currently investigating. In situations like this, only an autopsy can determine whether the death was natural or due to other causes. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board have fixed 9 May as the commencement date for the airlift of Nigerian intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. NAHCON spokesperson Fatima Usara disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja. Ms Usara said the date was agreed upon during a meeting between the Commission and the welfare board executive secretaries under the Forum of States. NAHCON chairperson Abdullahi Usman, a professor, chaired the meeting. During the meeting, Mr Usman reminded the house that the Hajj industry is in the last lap of preparation before commencement of 2025 Hajj season and also called on the states to update NAHCON on the level each state has reached in Visa production, vaccination, bags procurement and other sundry matters. The Commission also provided details of airlift for each state and allocated flights. 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 During the meeting, honourable Commissioner Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, disclosed that Air Peace has been assigned 5,128 pilgrims cumulative from Abia state, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Armed Forces, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, Rivers, and Taraba, the statement said. On Thursday, Mr Usman flagged off the vaccination of Nigerian intending pilgrims in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Read full statement NAHCON and State Pilgrims Boards Agree on May 9, 2025, for Inaugural Hajj Flight The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, held a meeting with State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Executive Secretaries under the Forum of States today 22nd of April 2025. The meeting is to assess level of preparedness of the State Pilgrims Boards. In his Opening Speech, NAHCON Chairman Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman reminded the house that the Hajj industry is in the last lap of preparation before commencement of 2025 Hajj season. He called on the states to update NAHCON on the level each state has reached in Visa production, vaccination, bags procurement and other sundry matters. During the meeting, honourable Commissioner Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi disclosed that Air Peace has been assigned 5,128 pilgrims cumulative from Abia state, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Armed Forces, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, Rivers, and Taraba FlyNas on the other hand was allocated 12,506 pilgrims from Federal Capital Territory, (FCT Abuja), Kebbi, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Sokoto and Zamfara states. FlyNas is bringing in nine aircraft for the operation. Max Air is airlifting pilgrims from Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Oyo and Plateau states. The airline promised to conclude airlift of its 15, 203 maximum by 24th of May. Two aircraft will be deployed for the operation- a B747 with 400 capacity and the second aircraft with a 560 capacity. Umza has been allocated 10,163 pilgrims from Kaduna, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Niger and Yobe states. Umza is deploying two aircraft a B747 with 477 capacity and a B777 with 310 capacity. The 2025 Hajj airlift distribution was calculated on a total of 43,000 pilgrims. The Commissioner Planning Research Statistics Information & Library Services (PRSILS), Prof Abubakar Yagawal informed the house of the level of the Commissions preparedness in terms of clinics secured in Makkah and Madinah, distribution of Yellow Cards to states and finally reminded them not to enroll pregnant women for the Hajj exercise. The meeting further deliberated and settled on 9th of May as the date of inaugural flight to be concluded by 24th of May. The inbound flight is tentatively scheduled to commence from 13th June to end by 2nd July. Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director, I&P For Chairman/CEO NAHCON 22/4/2025 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Many Nigerians view the countrys judiciary as corrupt, inaccessible, and vulnerable to political interference, according to a new report by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre). The report, titled, Voices for Justice: A Civic Lens on Nigerias Judicial System Documenting Public Experiences, Opinions, and Reform Demands, was launched on Tuesday in Lagos by HEDA. The report marks the fifth edition of the organisations Leadership Approval Rating (LAR) series. Presented by the Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, the report is based on a nationwide survey of 1,357 respondents across Nigerias 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. According to Mr Arigbabu, the findings paint a stark picture of how citizens experience and perceive the justice system. Young people are clearly engaged, with 57 per cent of respondents aged between 18 and 35, he said. Yet, 50 per cent of participants said they had never interacted with the courts. Only 12.6 per cent rated the judiciary as highly accessible, while 36.5 per cent described accessibility as very low. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The report said when court interaction did occur, it was mostly for administrative purposes such as obtaining affidavits or resolving land disputes rather than for seeking substantive justice. The report also revealed troubling trends in judicial integrity. Nearly half (49 per cent) of court users admitted to paying or sorting court officials, while 65.4 per cent described judicial corruption as high or extremely high. Only 42.3 per cent of respondents believed court decisions were based on merit, citing persistent delays and perceived bias. Trust in legal professionals was similarly low, with 64 per cent saying lawyers contribute to judicial corruption and just 29 per cent viewing judges as impartial. Additionally, 62 per cent of respondents felt judges were breaching judicial ethics by failing to remain heard and not seen. Political and high-profile cases were also flagged as areas of concern. About 63.4 per cent of respondents believed such cases expose judges to corruption, while 48.9 per cent said these cases were prioritised at the expense of ordinary matterscontributing to prolonged delays in accessing justice. Financial autonomy Although 59 per cent agreed that financial autonomy had moderately improved judicial independence, only 17 per cent expressed trust in the National Judicial Council (NJC) to discipline erring judges. While the financial autonomy of the judiciary has improved considerably, the independence has not been matched with transparency and accountability. More than 70 per cent of respondents said they did not know how to report judicial misconduct. In 2022, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami challenged the Nigerian judiciary to be transparent and accountable in the spending of the funds allocated to it in its annual budgets. Why is the N104 billion provided for the judiciary in the budget insufficient?, the justice minister asked rhetorically. We are not in a position to answer, because their (judiciarys) books are not open, the AGF said while speaking at a summit on the theme, Devising practical solutions towards improved performance, enhanced accountability and independence in the justice sector. Besides budget accountability, the Nigerian judiciary has been ranked low consistently in the Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trendsreports jointly issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). But the judiciary, through the NJC, has pushed back against the assessment suggesting pervasive corruption and bribe-taking in the arm of government. In 2017, the NJC said in response to the UNODC-NBS report that year, The question that should agitate the minds of the people is the criteria used by the UNODC and the NBS to measure the level of bribe-taking in the Judiciary to grade it as the second largest receiver of bribe. For instance, what is the percentage of judges caught receiving bribe out of a total number of 1,059 judges in both the federal and state judiciaries? What is the percentage of magistrates caught taking bribe from an estimated total number of 4,000 in the country? HEDA report also indicates that courts were also seen as complicit in rights violations. Sixty per cent of respondents accused the judiciary of enabling police abuse and imposing bail conditions that infringe on individual rights. To address these concerns, respondents called for far-reaching reforms. These include full judicial autonomy, improved pay and security for judges, stronger anti-corruption enforcement, and greater transparency through measures like livestreamed court proceedings and the use of body-worn cameras. The report also recommended legal literacy campaigns to educate the public about the judicial process and their rights. Other comments Representing HEDAs Executive Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, Mr Arigbabu described the reports findings as sobering, stressing the urgent need to restore public confidence in the judiciary. This report underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring that public institutions remain answerable to the people they serve, he said. Allegations of corruption, inefficiency, and political interference have significantly eroded public trust. This is not abstractit is the lived reality of millions who turn to the courts. He emphasised that the recommendations in the report were not optional but imperative. They include leveraging technology for transparency, reforming the NJC, and fostering professionalism within the legal system. Speaking with journalists at the reports launch, HEDAs Senior Programme Consultant, Sina Odugbemi, highlighted the role of civic actors in driving reform. We all must stand up. Corruption is everywhere, and we must expose it, he said. Even the media can do more. We need investigative journalism that goes beyond surface-level reporting. In a separate interview, Mr Arigbabu added that many issues plaguing the judiciary could be resolved without new policies or funding. The judiciary itself must take deliberate steps. Judges should reduce unnecessary adjournments, and magistrates must ensure that remand orders are reviewed on time, he said, adding, Many solutions lie in better application of existing rules. This is a mirror held up to powerwe must listen to citizens if we are serious about reforming justice in Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Zulum must tread carefully. The fight against terrorism will not be won through ego, emotion, or media dramatics. It demands strategic thinking, verified information, and respect for institutional collaboration. Now more than ever, leaders must rise above misinformation and guide with clarity and foresight. The recent media scuffle between Nigerias minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, underscores the dangers of sensational headlines and misinformation in shaping public discourse and distorting reality. Governor Zulum, in a surprising public outburst, labelled a federal minister as naive, among other unflattering terms, based on a misrepresented media report. While Minister Idris commendably chose not to respond in kind, the incident raises serious concerns about the media literacy of public officials especially in the context of sensitive national security matters. More troubling is the way this controversy injects politicised narratives into the urgent issue of the resurgence of insurgency in the North-East, potentially undermining joint efforts against Boko Haram and ISWAP through the weaponisation of disinformation. At a time when Nigeria faces fragile security challenges, it is unfortunate for Governor Zulum to act on unverified claims and attack a federal official who has repeatedly demonstrated professionalism and commitment to national unity. The circulating claim that Minister Idris dismissed the governors security concerns and urged others to ignore him has no basis in fact and only serves to inflame tensions. After reviewing official statements and credible news sources, there is no verifiable evidence to support the allegations made against the minister. The only recorded instance where Mohammed Idris publicly rebuked a state over security was in September 2023, when he cautioned Zamfara State officials against politicising federal rescue efforts. Even then, his position was framed around fostering cooperation, not dismissiveness. In fact, the Minister has consistently acknowledged progress in Bornos security landscape. As recently as October 2023, he noted that insurgent control had been eliminated from all local government areas in the state, with security improving by over 85 per cent. His recent comments on renewed terror threats were distorted by sensationalist reportage, and reacting to such distortions with public outbursts is unbecoming of the esteemed office that Governor Zulum holds. The Minister has since categorically denied making any disparaging remarks about Governor Zulum and reaffirmed the Federal Governments full support for all state governments that are combating insecurity. This should have prompted discreet consultations, not public condemnation driven by misrepresentation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This type of premature confrontation is counterproductive. Rather than targeting a federal minister who has shown poise and restraint, Governor Zulum would do well to focus on fostering collaboration and trust ingredients vital for defeating the remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP. There are lessons in history. Under President Goodluck Jonathans administration, then Governor Kashim Shettima, who is now the vice president, persistently sought federal assistance through quiet diplomacy and consistent advocacy. It wasnt sensational rhetoric that brought results, but perseverance anchored on mutual respect. Governor Zulum must tread carefully. The fight against terrorism will not be won through ego, emotion, or media dramatics. It demands strategic thinking, verified information, and respect for institutional collaboration. Now more than ever, leaders must rise above misinformation and guide with clarity and foresight. The people of Borno deserve more than political distractions; they deserve results. They need a leadership that unites, not divides; that builds bridges, not burns them. Governor Zulum should channel his passion into constructive partnership, not polarising rhetoric. That is the path to peace and victory. Dahiru M. Lawal is executive secretary of the Network of Advocates for Digital Reporting (NADIR). He writes from Abuja via [email protected]. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print the media must always uphold the ethics of the journalism profession by ensuring balanced and objective reporting on all issues, particularly those involving sensitive ethno-religious and communal conflicts. Giving disproportionate publicity to one side, while underreporting the other, misleads the public and distorts the true picture of events. The recent wave of violent attacks in Plateau State has once again exposed not only the fragile state of security in Nigeria but also the deep fissures in the way our media ecosystem processes and presents such tragedies. A media review conducted by PRNigeria between 9 and 16 April reveals an unsettling pattern of sensationalism, politicisation, and inconsistent reporting that risks aggravating an already volatile situation. According to the report, nearly half of all media content analysed carried a distinctly negative tone, with 45 per cent of the stories amplifying themes of bloodshed, state failure, and alleged government complicity. While a degree of critical reporting is essential in a democracy, the saturation of headlines with emotionally charged language such as genocide and horror does little to promote reasoned discourse. Instead, it fuels fear, heightens ethnic tensions, and erodes confidence in public institutions. Equally troubling is the inconsistency in the reported casualty figures, with numbers ranging from 17 to over 50, depending on the outlet. In a conflict-prone environment, such disparities are not trivial they can stoke reprisal attacks, incite public outrage, and sabotage conflict resolution efforts. The lack of coordinated messaging and fact-checked reporting only adds fuel to the fire. Meanwhile, political actors have not hesitated to exploit the situation. From opportunistic statements by opposition figures to suggestive commentaries attacking the Federal Government, the crisis has been weaponised in the battle for political capital. This politicisation of tragedy detracts from the urgent need for a unified, strategic, and humane response to the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. Furthermore, certain groups and individuals have resorted to a blame game, pointing fingers at specific ethnicities as being responsible for the recent surge in killings across Plateau communities, without giving the relevant authorities the chance to properly investigate and uncover the true perpetrators. Alarmingly, some civil society organisations have even called for the withdrawal of military troops from their communities, accusing them of failing to take adequate action in curbing the ongoing violence. 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 Most crucially, journalists and media houses must embrace their role as nation-builders, not just newsbreakers. In moments of national tragedy, the line between informing and inciting becomes perilously thin. It is a line we cannot afford to cross. However, not all is bleak. The review also highlights a portion of fair and balanced coverage (50 per cent), including editorial calls for justice, peace, and improved strategy. There were commendable mentions of military interventions that foiled further attacks, as well as high-level security visits aimed at reassuring citizens. These stories deserve more prominence as they reflect the resilience and potential for recovery within our systems if only they were amplified more consistently. The findings make it clear that Nigeria needs a whole-of-society approach to address both the security and communication dimensions of this crisis. Beyond operational reforms in the security sector, the National Orientation Agency and media stakeholders must take deliberate steps to counter misinformation, encourage conflict-sensitive journalism, and restore credibility in public communication. Similarly, security forces must intensify their efforts by adopting proactive measures to address this menace, rather than relying solely on reactive responses after the damage has already been done. To achieve this, robust and sustained inter-agency collaboration is essential, alongside the strengthening of intelligence-gathering mechanisms. This includes engaging and collaborating with informal sources within communities to detect and prevent potential security breaches before they escalate. Additionally, high-profile individuals and public figures must exercise caution in their public statements on such sensitive issues. It is crucial to use soft, responsible, and non-inflammatory language to avoid aggravating tensions. A single sensational remark from a stakeholder could inadvertently trigger a reprisal, particularly from grieving or aggrieved families. In a nutshell, the Plateau killings are a national tragedy but how we talk about them, how we report them, and how we react to them will determine whether we sow seeds of healing or deepen the wounds of division. Most crucially, journalists and media houses must embrace their role as nation-builders, not just newsbreakers. In moments of national tragedy, the line between informing and inciting becomes perilously thin. It is a line we cannot afford to cross. Furthermore, the media must always uphold the ethics of the journalism profession by ensuring balanced and objective reporting on all issues, particularly those involving sensitive ethno-religious and communal conflicts. Giving disproportionate publicity to one side, while underreporting the other, misleads the public and distorts the true picture of events. Moreover, if the Plateau crisis and similar conflicts are to be permanently resolved, efforts must go beyond treating the symptoms; the root causes must be addressed. Issues such as social injustice, corruption, and social insecurity must be tackled head-on by the government. A significant number of youths and vulnerable individuals remain illiterate, unemployed, and lack sustainable means of livelihood. As the saying goes, an idle mind is the devils workshop. Therefore, empowering these groups to become more productive will go a long way in mitigating the security challenges not only in Plateau State but across Nigeria. In a nutshell, the Plateau killings are a national tragedy but how we talk about them, how we report them, and how we react to them will determine whether we sow seeds of healing or deepen the wounds of division. Mukhtar Yau Madobi is a research fellow at the Centre for Crisis Communication. He writes via [email protected] Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print What Traore is selling is not a radical reimagining of governance. It is an age-old authoritarian tactic: discredit democracy, invoke national pride, and suppress dissent all while consolidating power Since assuming power through a 2022 coup, Traore has suspended political parties, cracked down on the press, and muzzled civil society organisations. He claims these actions defend national sovereignty and promote a popular, progressive revolution. Clad in fatigues and fluent in fiery rhetoric, Captain Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso has emerged as a poster child of a new wave of African populism. To his supporters, he is a revolutionary bold, youthful, and principled. To the disillusioned youth across the continent, he offers a seductive promise: progress without the inconveniences of democracy. But behind the revolutionary slogans and Sankara-inspired aesthetics lies a far less romantic reality. Traores anti-democratic posture is not a blueprint for development it is a calculated strategy to entrench military rule under the guise of a populist revolution. Let us be clear, Africa has every right to interrogate the forms and functions of democracy on the continent. For decades, many African states have endured dysfunctional governance, hollow elections, and endemic corruption even under democratically elected leaders. But that frustration must not be manipulated into legitimising authoritarianism. What Traore is selling is not a radical reimagining of governance. It is an age-old authoritarian tactic: discredit democracy, invoke national pride, and suppress dissent all while consolidating power. Since assuming power through a 2022 coup, Traore has suspended political parties, cracked down on the press, and muzzled civil society organisations. He claims these actions defend national sovereignty and promote a popular, progressive revolution. 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 But there is little popular about a regime that stifles dissent and sidelines citizen participation. Beneath the rhetoric, his governance follows a familiar authoritarian script: glorify the military, delegitimise the opposition, and centralise authority. His framing of democracy as a Western construct is both lazy and intellectually dishonest. Democracy is not a Western invention it is a universal aspiration. It is not perfect no system is but it provides tools for accountability, the protection of rights, and peaceful transitions of power. Traores assertion that no country has developed under democracy ignores glaring counterexamples: India, Indonesia, Botswana, Mauritius, and even South Africa imperfect democracies that have made tangible developmental progress. Democracy is not the enemy of progress; bad leadership is. Traore frequently cites China and Rwanda as models of authoritarian success. But cherry-picking these exceptions while ignoring the graveyard of failed autocracies is deeply misleading. For every China, there are countless Zimbabwes, Sudans, and Libyas nations brought to their knees by unchecked power. Even Chinas economic gains have come at great human cost: widespread censorship, suppression of dissent, and the erosion of personal freedoms trade-offs many Africans are neither willing nor ready to accept. In truth, Traores appeal is more symbolic than substantive. His military garb, rejection of Western aid, and Pan-Africanist slogans serve a performative function designed to project the image of a revolutionary, while masking the repressive nature of his regime. It is political theatre, expertly staged for a generation hungry for change but jaded by the failures of democracy. And let us not be fooled by his youth or populist flair. Africa has seen this movie before. From Mobutu in Zaire to Mengistu in Ethiopia, the continents post-independence history is littered with military strongmen who promised renewal but delivered repression. They all began with charismatic appeals and revolutionary fervour. They all ended with censorship, violence, and economic ruin. Traores growing popularity among young Africans many of whom have no memory of the brutality of past military regimes is understandable, but dangerous. Disillusionment with democracy should fuel reform, not nostalgia for dictatorship. Africa does not need another soldier-saviour. It needs strong institutions, functional systems, and an empowered citizenry not one infantilised by authoritarian paternalism. If Captain Traore is genuinely committed to African sovereignty and development, let him invest in institution-building. Let him empower an independent judiciary, uphold press freedom, invest in civic education, and be accountable to the people not just through speeches, but through action. Anything less is not leadership it is manipulation. The truth is, democracy does not fail because it is un-African. It fails when it is hijacked by corrupt elites, undermined by weak institutions, and eroded by poverty and exclusion. The solution is not to discard democracy but to fix it, to deepen it, to make it real. That is the only sustainable path to development, dignity, and self-determination. Umar Farouk Bala writes from Abuja. He can be reached via: [email protected]. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Eleven years on, the unresolved fate of the Chibok girls and the continued captivity of Leah Sharibu remain indelible stains on the nations conscience. They are not just tragic memories but damning indictments of a state that has repeatedly failed its most vulnerable As we mark this solemn anniversary, the call for action must rise above the noise. Monday, 14 April marked eleven agonising years since the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram terrorist group. What should have prompted a swift, coordinated national emergency response instead revealed deep-rooted inefficiencies, systemic neglect, and an alarming failure of governance failures that tragically persist. In the immediate aftermath of the 2014 abduction, both Nigerians and the international community watched in disbelief as the administration of then President Goodluck Jonathan faltered in its response. Despite offers of assistance from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and France, the Nigerian government hesitated. The president reportedly dismissed the incident as an internal crisis he would manage personally. That critical delay gave Boko Haram time to disperse the girls many of whom were forced into marriage, subjected to slavery, or worse. More than 90 of the Chibok girls remain missing today. The #BringBackOurGirls movement captured global attention and mobilised support across continents. Yet, even the weight of international advocacy could not compel Nigerian authorities to maintain consistent, effective rescue efforts. Four years later, another dark chapter unfolded in Dapchi, Yobe State. On 19 February, 2018, over 100 schoolgirls were abducted by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Within a month, all but one of them were returned. Successive governments, including the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have failed to prioritise the rescue of the remaining girls or implement systemic reforms to protect schoolchildren. The statistics are staggering: since 2014, more than 1,600 children have been abducted in mass school kidnappings across Nigeria. That one was 14-year-old Leah Sharibu, whose continued captivity seven years on is a national tragedy. Her only crime? Refusing to renounce her Christian faith. Leahs ordeal underscores not just religious persecution, but the governments failure to act decisively and with equity. Despite repeated assurances from top officials, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, Leah remains in captivity. There are no transparent updates. No credible leads. Just a haunting silence. 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 Successive governments, including the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have failed to prioritise the rescue of the remaining girls or implement systemic reforms to protect schoolchildren. The statistics are staggering: since 2014, more than 1,600 children have been abducted in mass school kidnappings across Nigeria. From Dapchi to Kankara, Jangebe to Tegina, each new incident reopens old wounds. The consequences for education are dire. Fear-driven dropouts have surged, contributing to Nigerias alarming out-of-school population now the highest globally at 20.1 million. Programmes such as the Safe Schools Initiative, once launched with optimism and global backing, have stagnated. The Chibok school itself remains in ruins a haunting symbol of broken promises and unfulfilled obligations. Nigeria needs bold leadership one that declares a state of emergency on insecurity, invests in grassroots intelligence, and ensures transparency and accountability for every naira spent in the name of security We owe it to the Chibok girls. We owe it to Leah Sharibu. We owe it to every child sitting in a classroom, daring to dream. The continued silence of key figures most notably Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was governor of Borno State during the Chibok abduction has drawn sharp criticism. Meanwhile, insecurity in Nigeria has evolved into a full-scale crisis. The country now ranks sixth on the Global Terrorism Index. Terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping flourish under weak intelligence coordination, chronically underfunded security agencies, and pervasive corruption. Despite billions of naira budgeted annually for defense, Nigerians remain unsafe. Their children, even more so. Eleven years on, the unresolved fate of the Chibok girls and the continued captivity of Leah Sharibu remain indelible stains on the nations conscience. They are not just tragic memories but damning indictments of a state that has repeatedly failed its most vulnerable. As we mark this solemn anniversary, the call for action must rise above the noise. Nigeria needs bold leadership one that declares a state of emergency on insecurity, invests in grassroots intelligence, and ensures transparency and accountability for every naira spent in the name of security. We owe it to the Chibok girls. We owe it to Leah Sharibu. We owe it to every child sitting in a classroom, daring to dream. Nigeria must do better or risk losing an entire generations faith in their nation. Firdausi Abubakar writes from Abuja and can be reached through: [email protected] Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As Tech Digest recently reported, the same technologies driving innovation and efficiency have also expanded Nigerias attack surface. From ransomware and data leaks to attacks on government portals, the threats are no longer abstract they are active and escalating. Unfortunately, Nigerias capacity to respond remains alarmingly thin. With an estimated 8,300 cybersecurity professionals serving a population of over 220 million, the ratio is grossly inadequate: one expert for every 26,500 citizens. Nigerias digital revolution is accelerating, with fintech, e-governance, and online commerce transforming the way citizens live, work, and transact. Yet, beneath this rapid progress lies a mounting threat: a cybersecurity crisis growing in scope and sophistication. Cybercriminals are exploiting systemic vulnerabilities emptying bank accounts, stealing identities, and breaching government data while the nation struggles with a shortage of trained cybersecurity professionals and institutional resilience. This is not just a technological concern; it is a national security and economic imperative. As digital infrastructure becomes foundational to public service delivery and private enterprise, its exposure to cyber threats poses serious risks to governance, stability, and growth. While universities continue to produce IT graduates, few are equipped with the specialised training required to tackle the complexities of modern cyber defence. Meanwhile, Nigeria loses billions of naira annually to cyber fraud and digital sabotage, often with minimal accountability or coordinated response. Against this backdrop, the recent partnership between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and cybersecurity firm SecDojo to establish a national cybersecurity academy is both timely and strategic. It marks a significant shift from reactive firefighting to proactive capacity-building a recognition that our digital growth must be matched with digital security. As Tech Digest recently reported, the same technologies driving innovation and efficiency have also expanded Nigerias attack surface. From ransomware and data leaks to attacks on government portals, the threats are no longer abstract they are active and escalating. Unfortunately, Nigerias capacity to respond remains alarmingly thin. With an estimated 8,300 cybersecurity professionals serving a population of over 220 million, the ratio is grossly inadequate: one expert for every 26,500 citizens. This gap has immediate and long-term consequences. Without a skilled workforce, timely detection, response, and recovery from cyberattacks become nearly impossible. Digital threats from phishing and identity theft to SIM swap fraud are increasingly coordinated and sophisticated. Financial institutions, in particular, are prime targets due to the sensitivity and volume of data they manage, while outdated government platforms remain highly susceptible to breaches. 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 What distinguishes this academy is its hands-on, practice-oriented model. Unlike traditional academic programmes, it would emphasise real-world application through simulation-based learning and exposure to live threat environments. Trainees will acquire not only technical knowledge but also critical thinking and incident response skills, making them field-ready for both public and private sector roles. This experiential learning approach is crucial in a domain where split-second decisions can avert disaster. The problem is compounded by a fragmented national cybersecurity framework. Many institutions still lack real-time monitoring capabilities or incident response plans. When attacks occur, the response is often ad hoc and constrained by limited expertise. Worse still, the country continues to experience brain drain, as top cybersecurity talents are lured abroad by better pay and career prospects, further depleting the domestic talent pool. It is within this context that the NITDA-SecDojo partnership stands out as a forward-thinking solution. The MoU signed between both entities signifies more than intent it signals a coordinated, strategic response to a pressing national challenge. At the heart of this initiative is the NITDA-SecDojo Cybersecurity Academy, a national training hub designed to bridge the skills gap and build a resilient cyber defense ecosystem. What distinguishes this academy is its hands-on, practice-oriented model. Unlike traditional academic programmes, it would emphasise real-world application through simulation-based learning and exposure to live threat environments. Trainees will acquire not only technical knowledge but also critical thinking and incident response skills, making them field-ready for both public and private sector roles. This experiential learning approach is crucial in a domain where split-second decisions can avert disaster. Beyond training, the partnership includes curriculum development and the creation of localised educational resources. By aligning cybersecurity education with Nigerias digital realities, the academy aims to foster standardised, context-relevant training across academic institutions and vocational centres. Planned collaborations on research and professional exchange programmes will further promote global best practices and innovation. Moreover, Nigerias broader cybersecurity landscape requires urgent reform. Legal frameworks must be modernised, inter-agency coordination improved, and enforcement mechanisms strengthened. Without these structural supports, even the most skilled professionals may find themselves operating in environments ill-equipped to leverage their expertise. However, for the academy to deliver on its promise, several systemic challenges must be addressed. Accessibility must be prioritised especially for youth in rural and underserved communities. Gender inclusion should also be central to the academys mission, expanding the diversity and depth of Nigerias cybersecurity workforce. Moreover, Nigerias broader cybersecurity landscape requires urgent reform. Legal frameworks must be modernised, inter-agency coordination improved, and enforcement mechanisms strengthened. Without these structural supports, even the most skilled professionals may find themselves operating in environments ill-equipped to leverage their expertise. Ultimately, cybersecurity is not just about defending digital systems but empowering people. Nigerias youthful population and expanding digital footprint present an opportunity to transform vulnerabilities into a competitive edge. The NITDA-SecDojo Cybersecurity Academy offers a powerful starting point. Whats needed now is commitment: to scale, to sustain, and to integrate this initiative into a comprehensive national cyber strategy. If Nigeria is to fully reap the dividends of its digital transformation, securing its digital space is non-negotiable. The time to act is now. Shuaib S. Agaka is a tech journalist based in Kano. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Through dramatic increases in budgetary allocations and various initiatives targeting Nigerians across the various economic strata, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is pursuing broad-based access to public services in the country. The 29th of next month will mark the second anniversary of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The last two years have witnessed a seismic shift toward market economic policy. We assessed the performance of the economic reform in the first part of this series, showing that recent macroeconomic data supports the assertion that the economy is already recovering. This is despite the fact that the administration has a long-term view on the benefits of the reform. The second part of the series focused on the transformation in the infrastructural landscape due to the projects being implemented by the government. This final part of the series assesses the delivery of public services, including education and healthcare, in the last two years. Public services are vital for the citizens and they influence the optimal performance of the economy. Public services, such as healthcare and education, are also known as social services because of their impact on the well-being of society. In the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, which try to set the pace and best practices in sustainable economic progress, spending on public services, on average, accounts for 20 per cent of GDP. For many years, public service delivery in Nigeria has been challenged by underfunding and inefficiency in the budgetary and project implementation processes. Budgetary allocations for education and healthcare fail to meet the global benchmarks and are often delayed, leading to high levels of spending inefficiency. Lack of infrastructure has also meant that people in the suburban and rural areas received far less coverage of public services. As the country relies more and more on private provision of services amid growing poverty, the more the citizens are deprived of access to services that could enable them to be healthy and able to compete for economic opportunities. There is no strategy for addressing the general low level of access to quality public services in Nigeria without dramatically increasing the level of public investment in them. It is this realisation that has driven the reform to increase government revenue through taxation and end the expensive subsidies on petrol and foreign exchange by the Tinubu administration. These policies have enabled the administration to commence the all-important increase in budgetary spending on education and health. In the 2025 Federal Governments budget, allocation for education was N3.52 trillion a 304 per cent increase compared to 2022. Allocation for health rose to N2.48 trillion, up 242 per cent. These are not just headline numbers; they signal a shift in national priorities. Education and health are no longer being treated as budgetary afterthoughts they are being financed as tools of transformation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In healthcare, the government launched the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) in 2023, backed by a historic compact signed by all stakeholders and witnessed by the President. It is built around one purpose: saving lives and delivering care without pain financial or physical. For the first time ever, Nigeria is implementing a full Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) in health, anchored on the principle of one plan, one budget, one report. This whole-of-government and whole-of-society model brings together federal and state governments, development partners, civil society, and traditional and religious institutions under a unified results framework breaking the silos that have long weakened service delivery and accountability. Already, 862 Primary Healthcare Centres have been revitalised, bringing essential services closer to where people live. An additional 2,500 centres are being upgraded. In Katsina, 23-year-old Hadiza no longer walks 17 kilometres to the next town to deliver her baby. Her community PHC now has trained birth attendants and a clean delivery bed simple, life-saving changes that used to be a dream. To accelerate reductions in maternal mortality, the government launched the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) during the 2024 Joint Annual Review (JAR). Empaneled by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), MAMII targets 172 Local Government Areas across 33 states which, although representing only 20 per cent of LGAs nationwide, account for an estimated 55 per cent of Nigerias maternal mortality burden. This disparity underscores the urgency of targeted maternal health interventions, and MAMII provides a structured mechanism for delivering integrated, life-saving services to the women and newborns most at risk. In the education sector, the administration is pursuing various reform initiatives towards building a knowledge-based economy. To remove the financial barrier to access to higher education, the government launched the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in 2024. As of February, over N42.8 billion has now been disbursed to more than 440,000 applicants, demonstrating sustained uptake and expanded access. The government has also revitalised the National Fistula Programme, providing surgical repair and post-operative care for women affected by obstetric fistula. Delivered under the NHSRII framework, this initiative restores dignity to vulnerable women and offers pathways for social and economic reintegration. As of 2025, the free fistula repair programme has reached 2,216 women across 18 fistula treatment centres, with 1,143 beneficiaries enrolled into health insurance. In parallel, over 3,734 women have received free obstetric care nationwide part of a broader maternal health effort to reduce preventable deaths and expand equitable access. Millions have been treated for neglected tropical diseases. The World Health Organisation has recognised the success of this initiative in lifting vulnerable populations out of the health crisis. Nigerias Joint Annual Review (JAR) and the emerging national health performance scorecard are helping to institutionalise accountability and transparency across the system. Insurance coverage has expanded to 19.8 million Nigerians mothers, traders, children people who, just two years ago, had no access to care. In February 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was appointed by the African Union as Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery an acknowledgment of his leadership in driving systemic health workforce reform. Building on this continental mandate, the Federal Government approved the deployment of 774 National Health Fellows in January, with training commencing the following month. Selected from every local government area in Nigeria, these fellows have been strategically positioned to strengthen primary healthcare delivery nationwide, while complementing broader efforts to improve workforce retention, expand return-to-practice pathways for Nigerian health professionals abroad, and institutionalise real-time personnel tracking through national registries. One of them, James from Langtang North, returned home after years of waiting for an opportunity to serve. Today, hes leading immunisation sessions in villages where vaccines hadnt been seen in months. In the education sector, the administration is pursuing various reform initiatives towards building a knowledge-based economy. To remove the financial barrier to access to higher education, the government launched the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in 2024. As of February, over N42.8 billion has now been disbursed to more than 440,000 applicants, demonstrating sustained uptake and expanded access. To combat poverty and improve education access, the Almajiri Integration Programme successfully integrated 1.2 million Almajiri children into the formal education system in 2024. This initiative is now being scaled under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which targets the reintegration of 10 million out-of-school children by 2027. In the FCT alone, 25,000 Almajiri children have been enrolled into the public school system. 12-year-old Musa used to spend his mornings begging in Gwagwalada. Today, he walks to school in a UBEC uniform, reciting multiplication tables. His mother says he now dreams of becoming a teacher. A comprehensive curriculum reform has been introduced to ensure that Nigerian students are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the 21st-century economy. The reform focuses on STEM education, vocational skills, and entrepreneurship. This has now evolved into a broader national drive under STEMM Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences with a fourfold increase in the number of beneficiaries across key disciplines. High-impact interventions are supporting 18 medical schools across Nigerias six geopolitical zones to revamp infrastructure and expand student intake in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry. Also, the government has launched nationwide training programmes for teachers to improve the quality of education by ensuring that teachers are equipped to deliver modern, high-quality instruction across all levels. So far, 978,800 teachers are being trained in phases, supported by the distribution of two million teaching aids and 103 million textbooks, under a national effort to close foundational learning gaps. The country still has a long way to go in expanding access and quality of public services. But the administration of President Tinubu has initiated many reforms that must be sustained. The challenges in implementing such reforms in Nigeria, including bringing public accountability to the process, should be addressed to maximise the benefits of these policies. While it is important to maintain the reform momentum, stakeholders must also deepen their commitment based on the results already being achieved. Mrs Onome, a primary school teacher in Delta State, received her first ever government-distributed textbook set last year after 15 years of teaching. Mr President has also demonstrated strong leadership in unlocking new financing models for public education. The HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All programme (HOPE-EDU) represents Nigerias first access to the Global Partnership for Education Multiplier Grant and is backed by $552.18 million in external financing comprising $500 million from the World Bank (IDA) and $52.18 million from GPE. The programme adopts a performance-driven, equity-focused approach and has positioned Nigeria as a continental leader in foundational learning reform. Through HOPE-EDU, the government aims to construct 13,000 new classrooms, rehabilitate existing infrastructure, establish non-formal learning centres, and train over 400,000 teachers under a structured pedagogy framework. With over $609.7 million budgeted for implementation in 2025 alone, total basic education investments under HOPE-EDU are projected to reach $3.72 billion by 2029. The Nigeria Education Data Initiative (NEDI), now being institutionalised across State Universal Basic Education Boards and Local Government Education Authorities, enables real-time tracking of school-level data and was profiled at the 2024 World Bank Spring Meetings as a model for systems-level reform. These efforts, through the HOPE-EDU and other NESRI strategic initiatives, are anchored in state-level School Improvement Plans and accountability frameworks and are designed to reduce Nigerias estimated 14.8 million out-of-school children and reverse the countrys learning poverty at scale. To shield the most vulnerable from the immediate shocks of reform, over four million households have already received N75,000 each through conditional cash transfers. Skills training under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is equipping over 93,000 young Nigerians with tools to launch small businesses, grow food, offer services, or work with dignity. Water systems are being rehabilitated. Toilets and boreholes are appearing where there were none. These are the real dividends of reform not just numbers, but tangible improvements in daily life. Other impactful initiatives to deliver public goods to Nigerians include the investment of N1.5 trillion in upgrading water infrastructure and providing clean water to five million Nigerians in underserved regions, a nationwide waste management programme, and training and employment of over 200,000 young Nigerians in sectors such as technology, agriculture, and construction through the National Youth Empowerment Scheme. Across both health and education, federal dashboards now support real-time tracking of programme delivery. By Q4 2024, NHSRII and HOPE-EDU milestones were already being tied to results-based financing and independently verified by development partners. The country still has a long way to go in expanding access and quality of public services. But the administration of President Tinubu has initiated many reforms that must be sustained. The challenges in implementing such reforms in Nigeria, including bringing public accountability to the process, should be addressed to maximise the benefits of these policies. While it is important to maintain the reform momentum, stakeholders must also deepen their commitment based on the results already being achieved. Chinedu Moghalu is the senior special adviser on Strategic Communication, Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As I left Ben Guerir and retraced my steps back to Casablanca to catch my flight home, I reflected on the journey. Morocco had left its mark on me. I had arrived thinking it was just another professional trip, but I was leaving with stories, lessons, friendships and the memory of a rain-soaked city that had quietly welcomed me and healed me. I know now that this was not a one-time visit. It was only the beginning. I just returned this week from my first trip to Morocco. Before this journey, I had only known Morocco through books, maps and stories. It is a country steeped in history and mystery, especially for someone like me who has always been fascinated by the cultures of the Maghreb. Morocco holds a special kind of magnetism. Whether you think of Rabat with its political calm, or Fez with its spiritual and scholarly air, or Casablanca with its cinematic reputation, or Marrakech with its desert charm, each city promises a different experience. So, when the opportunity came to visit the country for a workshop in a city called Ben Guerir, I jumped on it with excitement. My journey began in Abuja. Unlike the multiple flights I had taken in the past for other travels, this time it was a single direct flight to Casablanca, less than five hours long. The only real challenge was that it was scheduled for the early hours of the morning, and there is something about waking up before the world stirs that always leaves you feeling unprepared, no matter how early you sleep. But once I was seated on the flight and heard the engines hum to life, I leaned into the moment. I was finally headed to Morocco. We touched down in Casablanca in the morning. The sun had already stretched across the runways and the cool Moroccan air filled my lungs as I stepped into the airport. I had heard stories about immigration officers in French-speaking countries being a little stern, but the officer who attended to me wore a cheerful smile. He was curious about my destination and when I told him I was heading to Ben Guerir, his eyes lit up. Thats my city, he said proudly. There was an unmistakable warmth in his voice. He seemed genuinely excited that someone from Nigeria was visiting his hometown and I could tell it meant something to him. Leaving the airport, we headed straight to the train station connected to the terminal. The train ride to Ben Guerir took about two-and-a-half hours, with a short layover at a place called Casa Oasis. That was when I learnt that Casa is a local shorthand for Casablanca, and Casa Oasis likely suggests a peaceful retreat or neighbourhood within Casablanca. The ride itself was more than just a journey from one place to another. It was a slow unveiling of Moroccos diverse landscapes. We passed through rocky outcrops, stretches of arid plains, patches of olive farms and distant hills that carried a desert elegance. As a geologist, I could not help but notice the formations that peeked out of the earth, whispering stories of ancient shifts and timeless patience. By the time we reached Ben Guerir, the skies had started to change. A gentle rain began to fall just a few miles outside the city. It was the kind of rain that feels soft on your skin and cools the air without making everything unpleasantly wet. The other organisers of the workshop we had come for were waiting at the station. They quickly ushered us into vehicles and took us to the campus of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, popularly called UM6P. I had read about UM6P before arriving. It is ranked as the top university in North Africa and is known for its cutting-edge research and innovation. It also houses the most powerful supercomputer on the African continent, and from the moment I stepped onto the campus, I could see that it was a place designed with ambition. 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 workshop kicked off the next day. It was the inaugural edition of the SATVA 2025 workshop, focused on satellite atmospheric data validation and application in Africa. The goal was to equip early-career researchers across the continent with the tools and knowledge to use satellite data for tracking air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. Most of the participants were young scientists from different African countries, and they arrived with a mixture of nervousness and enthusiasm that reminded me of my own early steps into research. I was lodged at the Hilton hotel located right inside the university campus. What struck me was how seamlessly the hotel blended with the rest of the campus architecture. Everything was built in a uniform colour palette of earthy tones, with designs that paid homage to Moroccan heritage while embracing futuristic minimalism. After settling in, we had dinner with the other organisers of the workshop. It was a warm and casual gathering where we introduced ourselves, shared stories and laughed like old friends. There were colleagues from Finland, Germany, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ghana. That evening, we strolled through parts of the campus under the soft drizzle of rain. The buildings glowed under the lights and the air smelt clean, like wet soil and blooming plants. It felt like a place full of possibility. The workshop kicked off the next day. It was the inaugural edition of the SATVA 2025 workshop, focused on satellite atmospheric data validation and application in Africa. The goal was to equip early-career researchers across the continent with the tools and knowledge to use satellite data for tracking air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. Most of the participants were young scientists from different African countries, and they arrived with a mixture of nervousness and enthusiasm that reminded me of my own early steps into research. Unfortunately, I fell ill during the first few days of the workshop. It started with a migraine that kept intensifying and was followed by nausea, indigestion and fatigue. I pushed through it at first, thinking it would pass, but eventually, I had to visit the universitys medical centre. The care I received there was thorough and professional. After being given an intravenous drip and some medication, I was advised to rest for a day. That rest turned out to be a turning point. I slowly regained my strength and by the next day, I was back on my feet and able to participate fully. Once I was better, I jumped into the work. I led a discussion session exploring the barriers young researchers face when trying to access and apply satellite atmospheric data in Africa. The conversation was raw and revealing. We spoke about the lack of local infrastructure, the difficulty in interpreting raw satellite data and the need for long-term support and mentorship. Later in the week, I gave a presentation on policymaking in Africa and shared insights from my work on methane emissions mitigation. Over the past three years, I have been involved in efforts to craft evidence-based policy around methane emissions in the oil and gas and waste sectors across several African countries. My talk focused on how satellite data, when paired with ground-level monitoring and modern technologies like leak detection tools, can support effective climate action in Africa. Throughout the week, the hospitality was second to none. Moroccan cuisine became part of our daily rhythm. We had harira, a hearty tomato and lentil soup; tagine, which is a slow-cooked stew served in a conical dish; and couscous topped with vegetables and tender meat. Olives, I noticed, were in everything. They were in salads, on plates, and even offered as side snacks. Then there was the mint tea, always served hot and poured from a height into small glasses. It was not just a drink. It was a ritual. The other sessions of the workshop were equally inspiring. Scientists gave lectures on radiation and atmospheric physics, greenhouse gas detection through spectroscopy and how remote sensing can be used for decision-making. The goal was not just to teach skills, but to build a community. One in which African researchers lead the conversation on African environmental challenges. Throughout the week, the hospitality was second to none. Moroccan cuisine became part of our daily rhythm. We had harira, a hearty tomato and lentil soup; tagine, which is a slow-cooked stew served in a conical dish; and couscous topped with vegetables and tender meat. Olives, I noticed, were in everything. They were in salads, on plates, and even offered as side snacks. Then there was the mint tea, always served hot and poured from a height into small glasses. It was not just a drink. It was a ritual. During breaks, people gathered with tea in hand, talking about science, politics and life. It reminded me of how food and drink can quietly become part of the learning environment. When Friday came and the workshop ended, we said our goodbyes. There was laughter and the occasional tear, as everyone realised they had just been part of something significant. A week earlier, most of us had never met. Now we were colleagues and perhaps even friends. We had shared ideas, challenged each other and planted the seeds of future collaboration. As I left Ben Guerir and retraced my steps back to Casablanca to catch my flight home, I reflected on the journey. Morocco had left its mark on me. I had arrived thinking it was just another professional trip, but I was leaving with stories, lessons, friendships and the memory of a rain-soaked city that had quietly welcomed me and healed me. I know now that this was not a one-time visit. It was only the beginning. I have not seen Rabat, Fez or Marrakech yet. I have not walked through the souks or climbed the Atlas Mountains. There is still more of Morocco waiting for me. And something tells me that when I return, the country will have more to teach, and I will be more than ready to learn. Mohammed Dahiru Aminu ([email protected]) wrote from Abuja, Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Crown Flour Mill (CFM) Limited, the wheat milling and pasta business of Olam Agri in Nigeria, has unveiled a new addition to its product rangeCrown Thick Spaghettiat a vibrant launch event held in Abuja on 16 April, 2025. Designed to meet the yearnings of the Nigerian consumers for Thick Strand size spaghetti, the new Crown Thick Spaghetti was enthusiastically received by distributors in attendance, who played a crucial role in its successful launch. The event offered a platform for meaningful engagement, reflecting CFMs strong network and commitment to delivering food products that meet the evolving tastes of Nigerian consumers. Backed by Olam Agri in Nigerias investments in local wheat farming through initiatives like Seeds for the Future, CFM has become a trusted name in providing high-quality, fortified food options that are both nutritious and affordable. The launch of Crown Thick Spaghetti further strengthens its diverse pasta portfolio and its role in supporting food security in Nigeria. This is more than just a product launch, said Siddharth Suri, Vice President and Business Head at Crown Flour Mill. We are unveiling new possibilities. this launch represents our commitment to progress, to better serve our communities, and to equip our partners with tools that can help grow their business and satisfy the ever-evolving needs of our customers. Crown Thick Spaghetti continues our tradition of innovation and excellence in food manufacturing. Bola Adeniji, General Manager and Head of Marketing at Olam Agri in Nigeria, highlighted the products unique qualities: Crown Thick Spaghetti was developed with versatility in mindperfect for rich sauces or local favourites like Jollof spaghetti, stir fry, etc. It fills a gap in the market, and early feedback from consumer trials has been overwhelmingly positive. The event also featured popular Northern music star and brand ambassador Ali Jita, who praised the brands consistency and wide availability: CFM products are always of high quality, healthy, and easy to find. This new spaghetti takes things up a notchits non sticky, filling and made with the Nigerian consumer in mind. Im proud to be associated with it. 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 Umar Buba, Murtala Abdullahi, and Namadi Inumu were part of the distributors present at the launch. They commended CFM for its strong partnerships and market-focused strategies. Nitin Mehta, Managing Director & Business Head of Crown Flour Mill, emphasised the broader vision behind the product: Crown Thick Spaghetti reflects our dedication to supporting the governments New Hope Agenda for food security. We continue to invest in innovation and production to deliver accessible, nutritious food that resonates with the tastes and needs of Nigerian families. With this launch, Olam Agri reaffirms its leadership in Nigerias food landscapebringing innovation to the table, one delicious bite at a time. Olam Agri is a market leading, differentiated food, feed and fibre agri-business with a global origination footprint, processing capabilities and deep understanding of market needs built over 34 years. With a strong presence in high-growth emerging markets and products across grains & oilseeds, freight, integrated feed & protein, rice, edible oils, specialty grains & seeds, sugar, cotton, wood products, rubber and risk management solutions, Olam Agri is at the heart of global food and agri-trade flows with 39.6 million MT in volume traded in 2023. Focused on transforming food, feed and fibre for a more sustainable future, it aims at creating value for customers, enable farming communities to prosper sustainably and strive for a food-secure future. Olam Group is a leading food and agri-business supplying food, ingredients, feed and fibre to 22,000 customers worldwide. Its value chain spans over 60 countries and includes farming, processing and distribution operations, as well as a global network of farmers. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The dynamic landscape of online trading in Nigeria is rapidly evolving, driven by the integration of digital platforms that enhance market accessibility. These platforms are crucial for entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the complexities of global markets with ease. With tools like TradingView offering unparalleled charting services, Nigerian entrepreneurs can make more informed decisions. In recent years, the online trading sector in Nigeria has seen significant growth, reflecting a broader trend towards digitisation across various industries. As traditional barriers to market entry diminish, digital platforms are becoming indispensable for entrepreneurs aiming to capitalise on trading opportunities. Within this context, advanced trading tools play a vital role in offering comprehensive services that empower traders at all levels. The ability to access real-time data and sophisticated analytics is transforming how Nigerian entrepreneurs approach online trading. Platforms like TradingView provide state-of-the-art charting services that allow users to visualise and interpret complex market data with ease. The role of advanced trading tools Advanced trading tools have become essential for anyone looking to succeed in the fast-paced world of online trading. These tools provide traders with the insights needed to make strategic decisions based on real-time data analysis and market trends. Platforms like TradingView offer state-of-the-art charting services that allow users to visualise and interpret complex market data with ease. By integrating these tools into their trading strategies, entrepreneurs can stay ahead of market fluctuations and make informed decisions that drive success. Understanding the significance of these advanced tools is crucial for any entrepreneur looking to thrive in todays competitive trading environment. They not only facilitate better decision-making but also contribute to a deeper understanding of the markets. With features designed to simplify complex data, these tools enable traders to focus on developing strategies rather than getting lost in numbers. The result is a more efficient trading process that can lead to improved outcomes. The adoption of such advanced platforms is increasingly viewed as a necessity rather than an option. As entrepreneurs continue to explore global markets, having access to reliable and comprehensive trading tools becomes paramount. These platforms provide the foundation for a more informed and confident approach to online trading. 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 Enhancing market understanding The ability to analyse market trends accurately is a game-changer for any trader. Tools like TradingView play a pivotal role in enhancing market understanding by offering detailed analytics and customisable charting options. Entrepreneurs who utilise these tools can identify patterns and trends that might otherwise go unnoticed, allowing them to make proactive decisions. Staying informed about market developments is essential for devising strategies that capitalise on emerging opportunities while mitigating risks. Market analysis is not just about predicting future movements; its about understanding the underlying factors driving those movements. By using advanced tools, traders gain insights into economic indicators, geopolitical events, and other variables that impact market behaviour. This comprehensive understanding enables them to adapt their strategies swiftly in response to changing conditions. Ultimately, having a deep understanding of the markets contributes significantly to an entrepreneurs ability to navigate them successfully. The confidence gained from using sophisticated analytical tools translates into more effective decision-making and improved trading outcomes. Digital platforms are revolutionising the way entrepreneurs engage with global markets, providing unprecedented access and control over trading activities. By leveraging advanced tools, traders can explore new opportunities with greater confidence, knowing they have the support of cutting-edge technology behind them. These platforms empower entrepreneurs by democratising access to information and levelling the playing field. The benefits of digital platforms extend beyond just accessing data; they also offer features that streamline the trading process. Automated alerts, risk management tools, and customisable dashboards allow traders to tailor their experience according to their specific needs and preferences. This flexibility enables them to focus on developing strategies rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks. For Nigerian entrepreneurs looking to expand their horizons and tap into global markets, utilising digital platforms is no longer optionalits essential. By embracing these technologies, they position themselves for success in an increasingly interconnected world where information and timing are key. Features of easyMarkets easyMarkets provides a secure and reliable environment for entrepreneurs eager to venture into online trading. With features such as no slippage, tight fixed spreads, free guaranteed stop loss and negative balance protection, easyMarketsensures traders have peace of mind when navigating volatile markets. This platform complements advanced charting services by offering additional layers of security and reliability. The integration of easyMarkets features with sophisticated analytical tools creates a robust ecosystem for traders at all experience levels. Newcomers benefit from user-friendly interfaces and educational resources that help them understand market dynamics better. Experienced traders appreciate the precision and control afforded by the platforms advanced functionalities. Overall, easyMarkets stands out as a valuable ally for any entrepreneur interested in online trading. By combining top-tier security measures with innovative features, it supports traders in making confident decisions while minimising risks associated with market volatility. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Zamfara State Agency for Nomadic Education has recorded a significant increase in pupil enrollment and graduation across the state. The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Bala Tafidah, made the disclosure during a visit to the Commissioner of Education, Science, and Technology, Wadatau Madawaki, in Gusau, on Tuesday. Mr Tafidah said that several milestone was achievement by the agency, including the receipt of a N200,000 donation from the Zamfara State Zakat and Endowment Board, and the distribution of learning materials from the National Commission for Nomadic Education. He added that the agency had witnessed mass enrollment and graduation of pupils from nomadic schools across the state. We also received support pledges from several government bodies such as the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry for Budget and Economic Planning, Mass Education Board, Community Social Development Agency (CSDA), and the FADAMA III programme, he said. Mr Tafidah, however, raised concerns on the dearth of teachers in nomadic schools, saying that the agency had to resort to engaging volunteer teachers. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He therefore pleaded with the state government to either increase the monthly Cash Allocation (CA) or absorb the volunteers into the states payroll. According to him, the stipends of the volunteers consume more than half of the agencys allocation. There is, therefore, the urgent need for government to recruit qualified teachers to manage nomadic schools, since education is the foundation of any society. In his remarks, Mr Madawaki reaffirmed the governments commitment to enhancing education in the state. The commissioner said that the recruitment of new teachers would commence once the ongoing civil service verification committee concludes its assignment. He also directed the agency to submit the names of absentee teachers for appropriate disciplinary action and promised to follow up with organisations that pledged support to the agency. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Four people have been confirmed dead from Easter Sundays attack by suspected cultists on the Swali community in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several residents of the community were injured in the attack. A resident told NAN on Tuesday that the assailants wore masks. The resident said the assailants arrived at midnight in a Toyota Hilux truck armed with AK-47 rifles and shot indiscriminately at the residents. A source told NAN that two rival cult groups, the Greenlanders and Bobos, have been in a supremacy battle over control of the revenue from a market. Ayibanegiyefa Egba, a member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa House of Assembly, has condemned the attack. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Egba, who visited the community on Tuesday, said, This attack is brutal. I condole with the families of those who have lost loved ones. ALSO READ: Suspected cultists kill vigilante member in Rivers community I called on all the residents to be united and vigilant in the face of this incident. I call on the youths to shun external influences and vices that can truncate their lives. Musa Mohammed, the police spokesperson in Bayelsa, who confirmed the attack to NAN, said security has been beefed up to restore normalcy in the community. Normalcy has returned to the community and security measures have been put in place to ensure no further breakdown of law and order or destruction of lives and property, Said Mr Mohammed, a deputy superintendent of police. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Teenager Quadri Alabi, who gained national attention for standing in front of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obis convoy during the 2023 campaign, has recounted a harrowing two-month detention at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos. Speaking on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme, the teenager Alabi alleged he was wrongfully arrested and subjected to degrading treatment while in custody. Since the viral campaign picture surfaced, it seems like some people have been keeping a close watch on me, he said, adding, Someone even threatened my mum, saying that the money they have given me would be split in two, or else she wouldnt see me again. He recalled he was arrested in January after returning from work as a motor boy, unaware that a fight had broken out in his neighbourhood and that police had cordoned off the area. As I approached our house, some area boys grabbed me and handed me over to another, instructing them to take me to their station, he said. I was just at the entrance of my house when the police came and arrested me. He said he was robbed of his phone and money before being taken into custody, where he was held with adult detainees and eventually transferred to Kirikiri. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In Kirikiri, my daily task was to clean up faeces from morning until six in the evening because I couldnt afford to pay the marshall, he recounted. Alabi rose to online fame after a striking image of him went viral, showing him standing resolutely with arms outstretched sideways, directly facing Mr Obis convoy during a campaign event in Lagos for the 2023 presidential election. Police insist Alabi is 18 Despite widespread criticism, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, on Monday ruled apology for Alabis detention. He said Alabi identified himself as 18 years old when arrested. In his own statement, the boy said he was 18, Mr Moshood said on Channels TVs The Morning Brief on Tuesday. If you say youre 18, we will treat you as such. Mr Moshood also questioned the authenticity of the birth certificate provided by teenager Alabis lawyer, Inibehe Effiong. These days, with AI and technology, anything can be doctored, he said, dismissing claims that the statement was taken under duress. Charges dismissed for lack of evidence The police got a remand order from a magistrate court to detain teenager Alabi to enable them gather evidence. However, Alabi was released from Kirikiri on 17 April after an Apapa magistrate court in Lagos struck out the case for lack of evidence, based on advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Babajide Martins. This newspaper reported that the DPP found no basis for the armed robbery charge filed against him. Also, the same advice also led to the non-prosecution of a co-defendant, Muiz Animashaun. Following the courts decision, police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin, said Alabi was arrested in connection with a violent street clash in the Amukoko area on 22 January. He said the incident involved multiple injuries, property damage, and reports of robbery, adding that community members had identified suspects, including Alabi. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Hundeyin insisted that the police acted on credible information and completed investigations before charging the suspects in court. Mr Moshood insisted that the police had not received the DPPs legal advice and were not informed of Alabis release. We dont know if he was granted bail, acquitted, or discharged, Mr Moshood said. Well verify what is in the DPPs advice before taking any steps. Lawyer alleges setup by area boys Alabis lawyer, Mr Effiong, accused the police of acting on false claims by local thugs identified as Lege and Baba Waris, who allegedly orchestrated a frame-up out of envy over his viral fame and the financial gift he received from the attention he gained during Mr Obis 2023 campaign. These self-acclaimed area boys fabricated the story to get him in trouble, Mr Effiong said. They abducted him and handed him to the police. His case, originally scheduled for trial on 28 April, was dropped after a growing public outcry led by rights advocates, including Hassana Nurudeen, co-founder of Ray of Hope Prison Outreach. Mr Effiong said he confirmed Alabis detention at the Apapa Magistrates Court during a visit on 9 April, prompting legal steps that led to the teenagers eventual release. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Play any Sunday Moneymaker tourney in May for a shot at a VIP Vegas trip to play on poker's biggest stage alongside former world champ SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Sunday Moneymaker tourney approaches its one-year anniversary this summer, ACR Poker is launching a month-long pre-celebration this May with the Moneymaker May-Hem. This promo gives players a chance to join the 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion and poker legend Chris Moneymaker for a once-in-a-lifetime VIP experience during the Main Event of Vegas' hottest summer series. ACR Throughout the month of May, every player who plays a $109 buy-in Sunday Moneymaker on ACR Poker and reaches a final table in any of the weekly events will earn a spot in a Final Sit & Go Showdown on Sunday, June 1st at 4pm ET. The Final Sit & Go winner will receive a VIP package complete with a $10,000 buy-in to the Vegas Main Event, $5,000 cash for travel and other expenses, and the chance to meet Chris Moneymaker in Las Vegas. Second and third place finishers will receive $109 Sunday Moneymaker Tickets. "The Sunday Moneymaker has become something really special, and it's been incredible to watch it grow since we launched it last year," said Moneymaker. "This May promo is a huge thank you to our community and every player who's been part of this ride. I'm looking forward to welcoming the winner in Vegas, talking strategy, and hopefully celebrating a deep run in the Main Event together." The Sunday Moneymaker, which launched in July 2024 to honor ACR Pro and poker icon Chris Moneymaker, has quickly grown into one of ACR Poker's weekly signature events. Since its debut, the Sunday Moneymaker has already attracted over 78,000 entrants and awarded more than $13 million in total prize money. The tournament features a $300,000 guarantee every Sunday, with a $400,000 prize pool on the final Sunday of each month. Moneymaker noted that players can also qualify for each Sunday Moneymaker through ACR Poker's satellites in the hours before every tournament, with paths starting at freerolls ($0), Micro Hyper Sats ($1.05, $2.10), and Mega Satellites ($11, $22) offering guaranteed $109 seats. For poker players looking to follow the action, the Final Sit & Go Showdown will be live-streamed on ACR's Twitch channel on Sunday, June 1st. For more information on the Moneymaker May-Hem, visit ACRPoker.eu. About ACR Poker Formerly known as Americas Cardroom, ACR Poker joined the Winning Poker Network in 2011. The Winning Poker Network has been dealing cards since 2001 and continues to be one of the most trusted names in the industry. Rated first place for payment processing and cashout reliability repeatedly over the last few years, ACR Poker offers outstanding customer service and a friendly environment for all poker players around the world. Media Contact: Adam Neal +447845582487 SOURCE ACR RESTON, Va., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ASRC Federal is proud to announce that Mike Manzo has joined the company to lead the Defense and Intel Operating Group. With over 30 years of experience at General Dynamics, Mike is a gifted leader with a remarkable track record of operational and technical excellence in support of federal customers across the Defense, Intelligence and Civilian markets. New ASRC Federal Defense & Intel Operating Group President Mike Manzo During his time at General Dynamics, Mike held numerous leadership roles, most recently overseeing the GDIT National Security Sector business. His career reflects a history of success managing large, complex environments, driving growth in significant portfolios, and overseeing and integrating large-scale, multi-national acquisitions. Throughout his career, he has consistently taken on new challenges across multiple businesses, working with a wide range of customers. "Mike has an outstanding ability to build trust and deliver on commitments, which has earned him the respect and loyalty of his customers and colleagues," said Jennifer Felix, President & CEO of ASRC Federal. "His exceptional experience in expanding and maturing businesses, strategic leadership, and focus on building strong team cultures make him the ideal leader to support and grow our Defense and Intel Operating Group. We are pleased to welcome him to ASRC Federal and look forward to all we will accomplish together." Mike's addition to ASRC Federal marks an important milestone in the company's ongoing growth and dedication to excellence in serving customers, providing opportunities for employees and supporting its Alaska Native shareholders. About ASRC Federal ASRC Federal's family of companies deliver successful mission outcomes and elevated performance for federal civilian, defense and intelligence agencies while building an enduring enterprise focused on customers, employees and shareholders. For more information, please visit www.asrcfederal.com. SOURCE ASRC Federal Passenger traffic increased 10.6% in Puerto Rico and 6.4% in Colombia; and decreased 4.8% in Mexico MEXICO CITY, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: ASR; BMV: ASUR) (ASUR), a leading international airport group with operations in Mexico, the United States, and Colombia, today announced its results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025. 1Q25 Highlights1 Total passenger traffic increased 0.2% YoY ("YoY"). By country of operations, passenger traffic showed the following YoY variations: M exico: decreased 4.8%, reflecting decreases of 7.5% in international traffic and 0.7% in domestic traffic. Puerto Rico (Aerostar): increased 10.6%, driven by increases of 10.6% and 9.9% in international and domestic traffic, respectively. Colombia (Airplan): increased 6.4%, reflecting an increase of 15.1% and 3.9% in international and domestic traffic, respectively. Revenues increased 18.2% YoY to Ps.8,787.5 million. Excluding construction services, revenues increased 13.9% YoY. Commercial revenue per passenger increased 17.5% YoY to Ps.146.8. Consolidated EBITDA increased 11.7% YoY to Ps.5,724.8 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin (excluding IFRIC 12 effect) declined to 70.0% from 71.4% in 1Q24. Cash position of Ps. 22,681.2 million at March 31, 2025 , with Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA at negative 0.5x. , with Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA at negative 0.5x. On April 10 , 2025, ASUR published its 2024 Sustainability Report, filed its 2024 Annual Report in Form 20-F with the US S.E.C and the Circular Unica 2024 with the Mexican Stock Exchange and regulator. Table 1: Financial and Operating Highlights1 First Quarter % Chg. 2024 2025 Financial Highlights Total Revenue 7,434,907 8,787,475 18.2 Mexico 5,646,112 6,472,205 14.6 San Juan 1,033,582 1,321,701 27.9 Colombia 755,213 993,569 31.6 Commercial Revenues per PAX 124.9 146.8 17.5 Mexico 145.3 169.4 16.6 San Juan 141.8 174.0 22.7 Colombia 50.2 64.2 27.9 EBITDA 5,122,940 5,724,836 11.7 Net Income 3,186,754 3,638,219 14.2 Majority Net Income 3,082,091 3,515,784 14.1 Earnings per Share (in pesos) 10.2736 11.7193 14.1 Earnings per ADS (in US$) 5.0267 5.7341 14.1 Capex 182,584 645,357 253.5 Cash & Cash Equivalents 16,822,986 22,681,245 34.8 Net Debt (5,073,921) (9,758,042) 92.3 Net Debt/ LTM EBITDA (0.3) (0.5) 66.0 Operational Highlights Passenger Traffic Mexico 11,496,410 10,945,137 (4.8) San Juan 3,261,896 3,608,582 10.6 Colombia 3,804,232 4,046,354 6.4 For a full version of ASUR's First Quarter of 2025 Earnings Release, please visit: https://www.asur.com.mx/informacion-financiera-page-0" 1Q25 Earnings Call Day: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET; 8:00 AM Mexico City time Dial-in: +1 877 407 4018 (U.S. Toll-Free); +1 201 689 8471 (International) Access Code: 13753196. Please dial in 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. Replay: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET, ending at 11:59 PM ET on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Dial-in: +1 844 512 2921 (U.S. Toll-Free); +1 412 317 6671 (International). Access Code: 13753196 1 Unless otherwise stated, all financial figures are unaudited and prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). All figures in this report are expressed in Mexican pesos, unless otherwise noted. Tables state figures in thousands of Mexican pesos, unless otherwise noted. Passenger figures for Mexico and Colombia exclude transit and general aviation passengers, unless otherwise noted. Commercial revenues include revenues from non-permanent ground transportation and parking lots. U.S. dollar figures are calculated at an exchange rate of US$1.00 = Ps.20.4380 (source: Diario Oficial de la Federacion de Mexico) while Colombian peso figures are calculated at an exchange rate of COP 203.3400 = Ps.1.00 (source: Investing). Definitions for EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Majority Net Income can be found on page 17 of this report. Definitions Concession Services Agreements (IFRIC 12 interpretation). In Mexico and Puerto Rico, ASUR is required by IFRIC 12 to include in its income statement an income line, "Construction Revenues," reflecting the revenue from construction of, or improvements to concessioned assets made during the relevant period. The same amount is recognized under the expense line "Construction Costs" because ASUR hires third parties to provide construction services. Because equal amounts of Construction Revenues and Construction Costs have been included in ASUR's income statement as a result of the application of IFRIC 12, the amount of Construction Revenues does not have an impact on EBITDA, but it does have an impact on EBITDA Margin. In Colombia, "Construction Revenues" include the recognition of the revenue to which the concessionaire is entitled for carrying out the infrastructure works in the development of the concession, while "Construction Costs" represents the actual costs incurred in the execution of such additions or improvements to the concessioned assets. Majority Net Income reflects ASUR's equity interests in each of its subsidiaries and therefore excludes the 40% interest in Aerostar that is owned by other shareholders. Other than Aerostar, ASUR owns (directly or indirectly) 100% of its subsidiaries. EBITDA means net income before provision for taxes, deferred taxes, profit sharing, non-ordinary items, participation in the results of associates, comprehensive financing cost, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, as an indicator of our operating performance, as an alternative to cash flow or as an indicator of liquidity. Our management believes that EBITDA provides a useful measure that is widely used by investors and analysts to evaluate our performance and compare it with other companies. EBITDA is not defined under U.S. GAAP or IFRS and may be calculated differently by different companies. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by total revenues excluding construction services revenues for Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Colombia and excludes the effect of IFRIC 12 with respect to the construction of, or improvements to concessioned assets. ASUR is required by IFRIC 12 to include in its income statement an income line reflecting the revenue from construction of, or improvements to concessioned assets made during the relevant period. The same amount is recognized under the expense line "Construction Costs" because ASUR hires third parties to provide construction services. In Mexico and Puerto Rico, because equal amounts of Construction Revenues and Construction Costs have been included in ASUR's income statement as a result of the application of IFRIC 12, the amount of Construction Revenues does not have an impact on EBITDA, but it does have an impact on EBITDA Margin, as the increase in revenues that relates to Construction Revenues does not result in a corresponding increase in EBITDA. In Colombia, construction revenues do have an impact on EBITDA, as construction revenues include a reasonable margin over the actual cost of construction. Like EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA Margin should not be considered as an indicator of our operating performance, as an alternative to cash flow or as an indicator of liquidity and is not defined under U.S. GAAP or IFRS and may be calculated differently by different companies. About ASUR Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (ASUR) is a leading international airport operator with a portfolio of concessions to operate, maintain, and develop 16 airports in the Americas. These comprise nine airports in southeast Mexico, including Cancun Airport, the most important tourist destination in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and six airports in northern Colombia, including Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (Rionegro), the second busiest airport in Colombia. ASUR is also a 60% JV partner in Aerostar Airport Holdings, LLC, operator of the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport serving the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan. San Juan's Airport is the island's primary gateway for international and mainland-US destinations and was the first and currently the only major airport in the US to have successfully completed a publicprivate partnership under the FAA Pilot Program. Headquartered in Mexico, ASUR is listed both on the Mexican Bolsa, where it trades under the symbol ASUR, and on the NYSE in the U.S., where it trades under the symbol ASR. One ADS represents ten (10) series B shares. For more information, visit www.asur.com.mx Analyst Coverage In accordance with Article 4.033.01 of the Mexican Stock Exchange Internal Rules, ASUR reports that the stock is covered by the following broker-dealers: Actinver, Banorte, Barclays, BBVA, BofA Merrill Lynch, Bradesco, BTG Pactual, Citi Global Markets, GBM Grupo Bursatil, Goldman Sachs, HSBC Securities, Insight Investment Research, Itau BBA Securities, Jefferies, JP Morgan, Punto Research, Santander, Scotiabank, UBS Casa de Bolsa and Vector. Please note that any opinions, estimates or forecasts with respect to the performance of ASUR issued by these analysts reflect their own views, and therefore do not represent the opinions, estimates or forecasts of ASUR or its management. Although ASUR may refer to or distribute such statements, this does not imply that ASUR agrees with or endorses any information, conclusions or recommendations included therein. Forward Looking Statements Some of the statements contained in this press release discuss future expectations or state other forward-looking information. Those statements are subject to risks identified in this press release and in ASUR's filings with the SEC. Actual developments could differ significantly from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and was derived using numerous assumptions. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as may be required by applicable law, we do not have an obligation to update or revise them, whether as a result of new information, future or otherwise. SOURCE Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Zulu Ali, founder and principal of the Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates, LLP https://zulualilaw.com/ the largest Black-owned law firm in California's Inland Empire, has been renamed Top 10 Trial Lawyer in the state of California for 2025 by Attorney and Practice Magazine. Attorney and Practice Magazine recognize the achievements of the top 1% of trial lawyers in their respective practice areas. Attorney Zulu Ali A former police officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Attorney Ali earned a juris doctorate in law (J.D.) from Trinity International University; a master's in administration of justice (M.S.) and business (M.B.A.) from University of Phoenix; a degree with a focus on African studies from Regents College through a consortium with Tennessee State University; and is a doctoral scholar researching pan-African business and trade at California Southern University. Attorney Ali's law firm focuses on representing persons accused of crimes, immigrants, and persons seeking civil justice in state and federal courts. Ali is on the list of counsel at the African Court of Justice and Human Rights in Tanzania, Africa and the International Criminal Court at The Hague, Netherlands. He is the Director of the Linda Reese Harvey Stop and Frisk Youth Leadership Academy https://stopfriskacademy.com/ which mentors youth to deal with police encounters; Director of the Southern California Veterans Legal Clinic https://zulualilaw.com/?page_id=1539 a legal clinic offering no cost and low-cost legal services to military veterans; and a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. serving on the international governing body (Grand Council) as General Legal Counsel. Attorney Ali, a distinguished biographee of Marquis Who's Who and a recipient of the Albert Neilson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award; and received the Marquis Who's Who Top Attorney and Humanitarian Award. Attorney Ali has been recognized as one of the most influential African American Leaders in Los Angeles by the National Action Network founded by Reverend Al Sharpton. Attorney Ali is listed as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), Law and Justice Edition. MIPAD is a global civil society initiative in support of the International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by United Nation's General Assembly observing high achievers of African descent in public and private sectors from all around the world. He has also been honored as one of the Top Trial Lawyer by the National Black Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers Association; American Academy of Trial Attorneys; American Institute of Legal Counsel; American Jurist Institute; and Rue Ratings Best Lawyer in America. He is the founder and CEO of 10 Nubian Queens & 5 Kings Media https://10nubianmedia.com/ a mass media production company focusing on black family and social justice content in film, radio, theater, music, and book publishing. Additionally, Ali is the host of the radio talk show Justice Watch with Attorney Zulu Ali https://www.justicewatchradio.com/ , which broadcasts from NBC Radio studio in Redlands, California; and he is a member of the National Black Radio Hall of Fame (Chicago chapter). A devoted family man, Ali has been married to his wife (Charito) since 1986, has four adult children (Christine, Whitney, Ashley, and Lynda), four grandchildren (Amayah, Tye, Izem, Amina, and Nasira), and resides in Southern California with his family. For press inquiries, contact Rosa Nunez, Executive Producer of Justice Watch Radio at 951-782-8722. SOURCE Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates, LLP Inspired by Louisville's Whiskey Row and the ingenuity that shaped bourbon history, the brand revives pre-Prohibition aging and blending techniques to celebrate America's iconic spirit. LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Avalon Spirits launches Whiskey Row Bourbon with Triple Wood, Bottled in Bond, and Cask Strength expressions inspired by the birthplace of the bourbon industry and the culture of experimentation that fueled its growth. From 1850 through Prohibition, an area of Louisville's Main Street, called Whiskey Row, became the convergence point for America's best bourbons as they were shipped down the Ohio River for blending and exporting. Created at Kentucky Artisan Distillery (KAD) in Crestwood, Kentucky, Whiskey Row Bourbon reflects the complex flavor profiles of pre-Prohibition whiskey, a time of greater experimentation in aging techniques. Late distiller and Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee Steve Thompson conceived of Whiskey Row Bourbon as a return to pre-Prohibition blending methods. As a nod to Thompson's vision and legacy, Avalon Spirits will embrace the craftsmanship, variation, and experimental aging techniques that defined the early days of bourbon, starting with the Triple Wood, Bottled in Bond, and Cask Strength expressions. The core expression, Triple Wood, is matured for at least four years with a distinctive finishing process in Cognac and Pedro Ximenez (PX) sherry casks for enhanced complexity and bottled at KAD. Whiskey Row Bourbon's Bottled in Bond expression follows a rigorous six-marker process to ensure quality, while the Cask Strength expression is left unfinished to intensify bold flavors. Whiskey Row Bourbon challenges the perception that premium bourbon must come from Kentucky. While the brand celebrates the time-honored Kentucky traditions of bourbon-making, it acknowledges that the destination's prominence stems not only from premium grain or water but also from the historical route to market that whiskies traveled down the Ohio River, making Louisville a destination for blending. Whiskey Row Bourbon's upcoming regional releases will showcase destination-inspired maturation techniques and blending profiles from lesser-known bourbon regions. "Whiskey Row Bourbon is rooted in Louisville, Kentucky, but its origins reflect a broader range of flavors across America shaped by the agriculture, entrepreneurship, and exchange of ideas that established bourbon as the quintessential American spirit," says John Glover, Founder of Avalon Spirits. Whiskey Row Bourbon is now available in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, and Tennessee, with a rollout planned to Europe and beyond. For more information, visit www.whiskeyrowbourbon.com or follow Whiskey Row on Instagram at @whiskeyrowbourbon and Facebook . About Whiskey Row Bourbon: Whiskey Row Bourbon, the first premium spirit under Avalon Spirits' portfolio, honors the historic section of Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky, where the modern bourbon industry was born. Future regional expressions are set to celebrate American destinations that shaped the spirit's evolution, blending Kentucky tradition with regional influences. The legacy of the late Steve Thompsona legendary whiskey distiller and Bourbon Hall of Fame memberlives on through Whiskey Row Bourbon. www.whiskeyrowbourbon.com Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Avalon Spirits Inc Casey Perkins, a transgender woman who works as a license examiner at the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, will continue to be able to use the womens restroom at her workplace at least for now. Less than one month after it was signed into law, Montana legislation to limit which restrooms trans people can use had its first hearing in court Monday. Missoula County District Court Judge Shane Vannatta decided from the bench to continue the freeze on the laws implementation until at least May 16. This case challenges the latest manifestation of this states particular obsession with singling out transgender and intersex Montanans for discrimination and harassment, said Alex Rate, the ACLU of Montana's interim deputy director and co-counsel for plaintiffs, during Mondays hearing. This is just the latest folly, of course. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte ratified House Bill 121 on March 27, giving individuals the right to sue any public facility that fails to take reasonable steps to ensure people use the restrooms, sleeping areas and changing rooms that align with their sex assigned at birth. It also applies to private institutions such as domestic violence shelters that receive government dollars. What that means, practically speaking, is Perkins and other trans people could be barred from using multi-occupancy bathrooms and a number of other facilities that correspond with their gender identity. Public organizations like colleges, state agencies, schools and even the courthouse in which Mondays hearing was held could be subject to lawsuits if a person believed they encountered someone of the opposite sex assigned at birth in one of these separated spaces. The ACLU of Montana and Legal Voice filed a lawsuit hours after Gianforte signed the bill on behalf of Perkins and four other plaintiffs a trans intern for the Montana Democratic Party, an employee at publicly-funded Helena College, a trans graphic designer at the Montana State Print and Mail Department and an intersex Missoula resident and regular local library user. All claimed their constitutional rights to equal protection, privacy and the right to pursue lifes basic necessities were threatened by the law and asked for the court to block its implementation. They said the law was sweeping and imprecise. Vannatta halted HB 121s rollout on April 2 using whats called a temporary restraining order, handed down before a court hearing to protect plaintiffs from experiencing immediate harm and to keep the status quo in place. On Monday, Rate argued on behalf of the plaintiffs that a court order blocking the law until its constitutionality can be determined was necessary to prevent the violation of fundamental rights of trans people, whereas the states lawyers made the case that such a ruling would be premature. Ultimately, Vannatta decided to extend the temporary restraining order until May 16. Though the plaintiffs originally asked the Missoula judge to issue an oral ruling on the same day, Vannatta said he wanted to put it in writing to air out the legal questions. Representing the state, Thane Johnson alleged plaintiffs filed their legal challenge before they had experienced any real harm. Court documents make the case that there was no evidence anyone had made a complaint against a public organization for failing to provide sex-segregated facilities before the lawsuit was filed. There is no record to suggest that anyone has made any complaint related to the Act at any restroom or changing room that any Plaintiff uses, or that Plaintiffs are being or will imminently be impacted in any concrete way, the filing says. Rate characterized this argument as a non-starter, especially given HB 121s immediate effective date. If plaintiffs had not gone to the court as soon as the governor signed the bill into law, Rate said, they would have been forced to pick between "outing" themselves by using restrooms or changing rooms that align with their sex assigned at birth or putting public entities at risk of lawsuits. That is the definition of a Hobbesian choice, he said in court Monday. Johnson countered that it simply wasnt that complicated. Public buildings could create single-use bathrooms and add locks, for example, to come into compliance. Its not that hard, and we can do that, Johnson said, urging the judge not to rush to block the law. Lets take a step back and see what happens as a result of this. HB 121, sponsored by Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe, a Billings Republican, was a priority of the GOP-led Legislature and Gianforte in the name of womens safety. It was one of the first major bills to get greenlit by both chambers and land on the governors desk this legislative session. Similar themes were echoed by Johnson in his remarks on Monday. I acknowledge that trans people are vulnerable people, and I respect them for being people, he said. But there are other vulnerable people out there, and that includes young girls and especially juvenile girls in our juvenile detention system and in sleeping quarters and in correctional facilities. Johnson was unable to cite any instances in Montana in which a transgender man has been charged with harassment or sexual violence against a young girl in bathrooms or other private areas. He did note that he knew of cases nationally. When Vannatta issued the five-page temporary restraining order earlier this month, he wrote that the law raised serious questions about fundamental rights for trans Montanans. Decisions about how to express a persons gender identity are personal and private, as is information about a persons transgender or intersex status, anatomy, genetics, and medical history, according to the order. The Act infringes on these personal and private decisions and information. At the time of the orders issuing, a spokesperson for Gianforte told the Montana State News Bureau that the fact that the bill has barely been transmitted to the Secretary of State and far left activists are already running to the courts to refute common sense legislation tells you all you need to know. As a number of other bills that would curb transgender rights continue to make their way through the legislative process in Helena, the plaintiffs will await Vannattas ruling about whether to grant their request for a preliminary injunction. That removal of trans people from public life that erasure is the definition of animas, Rate said. AUSTIN, Texas, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MomentScience, a leader in post-transaction marketing technology, has partnered with Awin, one of the world's largest affiliate platforms, to launch a powerful plugin in Awin's app store. The one-click plugin, "BrandConnect", allows Awin Merchants to easily create Brand-to-Brand partnerships and drive incremental revenue through reciprocal post-transaction offers. New integration in Awin's app marketplace helps merchants unlock post-transaction revenue opportunities. Post this BrandConnect by MomentScience Plugin BrandConnect acts as the connective tissue between Awin Merchants, enabling seamless collaboration between complementary brands. For example, a rental car company can promote a special offer for a hotel chain on its confirmation page, while the hotel chain reciprocates with a deal for the rental car company's customers. These mutually beneficial partnerships enhance customer engagement, increase lifetime value, and create new revenue streams. "At MomentScience, we believe the future of commerce lies in smart, strategic partnerships between like-minded brands," said Jon Nolz, CEO of MomentScience. "The 'BrandConnect' plugin on Awin makes it easier than ever for merchants to unlock the power of Brand-to-Brand marketing and deliver relevant offers that surprise and delight their customerswhile also driving measurable revenue growth." The new plugin eliminates traditional technical barriers, making it simple for Awin Merchants to launch, manage, and optimize post-transaction partnerships directly within the Awin ecosystem. "We're always looking for ways to help our Merchants maximize value from their affiliate marketing efforts," said Adam Weiss, President, North America at Awin. "By integrating MomentScience's technology into our marketplace, we're providing brands with a powerful, automated solution to foster partnerships, increase revenue, and enhance the customer experience in a truly scalable way." The MomentScience plugin is now available in the Awin app store for all Awin Merchants. To learn more and start leveraging Brand-to-Brand partnerships, visit: awin.com/gb/getting-started About MomentScience MomentScience helps brands harness the power of post-moment marketing to drive customer engagement and incremental revenue. Its innovative technology enables merchants to deliver personalized, high-converting offers at the most valuable momentafter the transaction moment. About Awin Got an ecommerce challenge? Awin has the solution. Using Awin's affiliate marketing platform, brands of all sizes can unlock unlimited marketing opportunities that reach consumers everywhere. Choose which affiliate partners best match marketing objectives. Control costs by defining how these partners are paid. And customize affiliate marketing programs using Awin's tech to mirror unique goals, whatever they may be. For inquiries, please contact: Todd Bloch [email protected] 917-573-6977 SOURCE MomentScience LUGANO, Switzerland, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BE OPEN Art, an online gallery set up by BE OPEN, a humanitarian initiative founded by international businessperson and philanthropist Elena Baturina, is announcing the winners of the first stage of BE OPEN Regional Art Competition in 2025 which covered South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. In January, Malinda Jayasinghe, a visual artist from Gampaha, Sri Lanka, was voted the Artist of the Month. Malinda's work explores themes of religious, racial, and gender privilege, as well as complicity in structural oppression using drawing, painting, and sculpture and experimenting with unconventional materials like wood, concrete, and glass. A self-taught artist, he began his artistic career in 2019 after completing a Bachelor's in Economics and Finance. His practice evolved after studying Art History at Theertha International Artists Collective. In February, the title was given to Khando Wangmo from Mongar, Bhutan. Born in 1996, she was inspired by her brother's paintings from a young age. This early inspiration fueled a determination to pursue art, leading her to join VAST, a renowned NGO that actively promotes, nurtures, and supports local artists in Bhutan, in 2020. Tandin Chophel, a self-taught artist from Thimphu, Bhutan, became the regional artist of March. Tandin began drawing and painting in 2018. Working with oil, acrylic, and watercolor, he explores the relationship between human emotions and the natural world, driven by a love for capturing the fleeting beauty of nature and time. With no formal art training, Tandin has been researching master artists through books. And it is Tandin Chophel who has been voted the Artist of the Region for South Asia, and will now be awarded a 500 grant. And another money prize will go to Pema Yangdon, a mixed media artist from the same city of Thimphu in Bhutan, for becoming the founder's choice of the region! Born in 1997, Pema has a lifelong passion for art, seeing it as an essential part of her life. Yangdon enjoys the fluidity of experimenting with different mediums and styles, allowing each piece to unfold according to her inspiration and flow. Her intention is to create work that evokes a sense of wonder, perhaps offering a comforting embrace to the viewer. SOURCE BE OPEN Foundation Advertising executive will give valuable input to the company's offerings, bringing unmatched prowess in the retail media space BOULDER, Colo., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sovrn , a publisher technology platform that helps publishers and creators earn and keep more revenue, today announced that it has appointed Brian Monahan to its Board of Directors. Monahan will assist in the company's oversight, governance and strategy. Brian Monahan joins Sovrn's Board of Directors Monahan currently serves as Global Client President and Head of Retail Media Solutions for dentsu, a global, diversified marketing services network. He is responsible for overseeing multiple business units to transform brand and retailer relationships and drive growth through programming their shared customers' journey. In this position, Monahan has helped facilitate over $1 billion in retail media purchases. Prior to joining dentsu, Monahan served as Head of Retail Vertical Strategy at Pinterest, helping to scale advertising and commerce revenues in the run up to the company's IPO. He also previously led marketing and retail media monetization as Vice President of Marketing at Walmart.com. Monahan has been recognized in the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement and has been listed as one of Ad Age's Media Mavens. "Sovrn has deep and enduring publisher relationships giving them insight into consumer behavior at scale. The investments they've made into affiliate commerce and programmatic advertising position them to bring real differentiation, performance and value to the buy-side," said Monahan. "What the Sovrn team has developed is truly impressive. I'm very much looking forward to being a trusted advisor to Sovrn, especially when it comes to retail media and commerce." This addition to the board comes on the heels of Sovrn's recent launch of its Commerce Audiences offering, which allows advertisers to reach in market shoppers across its premium exchange and beyond. Monahan's expertise in this space will allow for continued expansion in commerce and further technological developments. "Brian will add an impressive depth of expertise to our team, which will be invaluable to the way we operate," said Walter Knapp, CEO, Sovrn. "Brian's appointment is timely as we've just recently launched our Commerce Audiences and continue to innovate and invest in developing Commerce Media solutions. We are very much looking forward to his collaboration and input." About Sovrn Sovrn empowers publishers and content creators with advertising, affiliate marketing, and data products to help them understand, operate, and grow their businesses. Serving thousands of customers across 80,000+ websites, mobile apps, and CTV channels, Sovrn reaches over 500 million active consumers daily. Sovrn is committed to transparency and fighting fraud, as recognized by IAB, JICWEBS, and TAG. Based in Boulder, Colorado, with offices in New York and London, Sovrn is a trusted leader in publisher technology. Visit sovrn.com to learn more. SOURCE Sovrn Holdings, Inc. New facility is expected to create over 1,000 new jobs and make nutritious, natural food more accessible NEW BERLIN, N.Y., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In the heart of New York's Mohawk Valley, where history and industry meet, a new chapter is unfolding. After announcing a $500 million expansion in Twin Falls, Idaho last month, Chobani broke ground today on a new, $1.2 billion, state-of-the-art plant in Rome, New York. This new facility is about building for the futurecreating jobs, supporting family farms, transforming communities, and delivering better food to more people. "New York is where Chobani's journey began. It was the perfect spot to start Chobani 20 years ago, and it's the perfect place to continue our story. Working with dedicated dairy farmers and the resilient community, we built something truly specialsomething bigger than the food we make. We ignited a movement toward better food made with heart, passion, and only the highest-quality ingredients," said Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO of Chobani. "With our new plant in Rome and our original home in South Edmeston, we're entering a new dimension, partnering with hard working people across the heartland of New York to build an ecosystem of natural food production and nourish families throughout the country. When you invest in people, in local communities, you're not just building a businessyou're building a future." A Thriving Ecosystem Once home to the former Griffiss Air Force Base, the 150-acre open stretch of land will transform into a thriving center of food production, enabling Chobani to keep up with soaring product demand and create runway for new innovations. The 1.4 million square-foot facility is expected to create over 1,000 full-time jobs with competitive wages, an attractive benefits package, and access to a suite of on-site health and wellness amenities. "Through this partnership with Chobani, we're revitalizing Upstate New York's manufacturing sector one spoonful at a time," Governor Hochul said. "Chobani has been a major employer in the Mohawk Valley for decades, and this massive new $1.2 billion investment will bring more than 1,000 good-paying jobs to Oneida County the largest natural food manufacturing investment in American history. When I took office I pledged to make New York the most worker-friendly and business-friendly state in the nation, and projects like this one show our strategy is working." Rooted in the belief that business can be a force for good, the Rome plant is not a standalone operationit's designed to be a catalyst for an entire ecosystem of food innovation across the Mohawk Valley and beyond. Chobani will partner with local farmers, businesses, colleges, universities, government leaders, entrepreneurs, and community organizations to drive new thinking, train the next generation of high-skilled labor, and fuel economic opportunity far beyond the walls of the new plant, helping to transform the region. A Growing Industry With capacity to produce over one billion pounds of high-quality dairy products per year, the new plant will house up to 28 production lines designed to process approximately 12 million pounds of milk per day. One of the largest buyers of raw milk in the state, Chobani purchases over a billion pounds of raw milk from New York State dairy farms each year. Once the new plant reaches full capacity, Chobani will purchase an estimated 6 billion pounds per year, creating additional economic opportunity and strengthening the state's dairy industry. About Chobani Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, Chobani is a purpose-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and has been since its founding in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S. The Company manufactures yogurt, oat milk, and creamers Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, made with natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Following the 2023 acquisition of La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftmanship and impact, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at cafes nationwide, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail. Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world putting humanity first in everything it does. The company's philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to its communities and beyond: working to eradicate child hunger, supporting immigrants, refugees and underrepresented people, honoring veterans, and protecting the planet. Chobani manufactures its products in New York, Idaho, Michigan and Australia, and its products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets. For more information, please visit www.chobani.com and www.lacolombe.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. SOURCE Chobani, LLC The prestige haircare brand will pop up IRL at COWBOY CARTER stadium locations across the country. LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After a record-breaking retail debut with Ulta Beauty earlier this month, Cecred , the brand delivering transformational haircare for all, will bring even more excitement to customers across the country at every U.S. stadium location of the COWBOY CARTER TOUR . Today, the brand announced the launch of the Cecred Roadshow, a nationwide mobile pop-up tour that will offer community-driven experiences designed to educate, delight, and inspire hair lovers across the country at every night of the U.S. COWBOY CARTER TOUR.. Cecred Roadshow Announcement Visual This marks Cecred's first multi-city pop-up tour, and is a continuation of the commitment to IRL experiences. The brand's first pop-up last fall took place in NYCthe Restoring Hair & Edge Drops Newsstandand drew thousands of fans to SoHo, where the queue wrapped around city blocks. Stopping at U.S. COWBOY CARTER TOUR stadiums, the Cecred Roadshow is poised to celebrate and inspire all hair types and textures through interactive elements that bring the brand to life and serves as a key in-person consumer touchpoint. Cecred's custom trailers combine interactive displays, product immersion, and a striking Cecred salon stage, wrapped in the brand's signature chrome aesthetic. Cecred Roadshow's highlights will include: Step Into the World of Cecred The chrome-wrapped trailer offers a sensory walk-through experience that brings the brand's vision to life. With dynamic visuals, interactive displays, and expert guidance, visitors will have the opportunity to experience Cecred like never before. The chrome-wrapped trailer offers a sensory walk-through experience that brings the brand's vision to life. With dynamic visuals, interactive displays, and expert guidance, visitors will have the opportunity to experience Cecred like never before. Stage-Worthy Snapshot Guests can commemorate the experience with the iconic Cecred Fan Cam . Create a signature Beyonce hair fan moment or pose with Cecred's larger-than-life bottles. Every corner is a celebration of Cecred. Guests can commemorate the experience with the iconic Cecred . Create a signature Beyonce hair fan moment or pose with Cecred's larger-than-life bottles. Every corner is a celebration of Cecred. Exclusive Cecred Gifts Don't miss the chance to snag exclusive, limited-edition swag and samples, available only at the Cecred Roadshow. The Cecred Roadshow Pop-Up Tour will roll out in seven cities over the coming months, formally kicking off in Inglewood at the SoFi Stadium on April 28th, with stops at all U.S. COWBOY CARTER TOUR stadium locations every night, including Chicago, NYC/New Jersey, Houston, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Las Vegas. The mobile popup will also visit select Ulta Beauty locations, in Los Angeles (May), Chicago (May), Houston (June), and Atlanta (July) while in town for the Tour. Guests can immerse themselves in the trailer and redeem exclusive free gifts with Cecred purchases made in-store. Please visit cecred.com for a full list of Cecred Roadshow tour stops, with specific store locations to come. About Cecred Cecred delivers transformational haircare for all, blending patent-pending technology with ancient wisdom to empower your haircare journey. Rooted in global rituals, Cecred celebrates all hair types and textures, and honors the deep connection to hair we share across generations. With science-backed formulas designed to strengthen hair, promote length retention, and boost shine, Cecred is a leader in healthy hair. For more information, visit www.cecred.com . Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Cecred Fastest-Growing Authentic Mexican Franchise Brings Traditional Cuisine to Prosper, Texas CHICAGO, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After 12 years of satisfying customers in Chicagoland with authentic Mexican cuisine, Cilantro Taco Grill is bringing its traditional tacos, burritos, and salsas to Prosper, Texas in April 2025. This opening marks a major milestone for the fastest-growing authentic Mexican franchise as it expands beyond its Chicagoland roots for the first time and introduces its unique family story to the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth area. Behind the Location: Multi-Unit, Multi-Brand Franchisee Hector Haget Grand opening of Cilantro Taco Grills Prosper, Texas location - their first restaurant outside the Chicagoland area. Haget immigrated to the United States from Cuba with his family when he was 4, a similar pursuit of the American dream that inspired Cilantro Taco Grill's founder, Temoc Morfin . Like Morfin, Haget's parents worked tirelessly to create better opportunities for their children, instilling in him a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. from with his family when he was 4, a similar pursuit of the American dream that inspired Cilantro Taco Grill's founder, . Like Morfin, Haget's parents worked tirelessly to create better opportunities for their children, instilling in him a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. With 17 years of experience franchising with Jersey Mike's, Haget is now bringing his expertise and passion for franchising to Cilantro Taco Grill, expanding its authentic Mexican cuisine into new markets while offering opportunities to fellow immigrants in the business world. The first Cilantro Taco Grill in Texas is located at 1470 W Frontier Pkwy, Prosper, TX 75078. is located at 1470 W Frontier Pkwy, 75078. Haget plans to develop at least five additional Cilantro Taco Grill restaurants split between the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Orange County, California . "Cilantro Taco Grill is proof that if an immigrant dreams big and works hard, anything is possible," said Haget. "Temoc and I share the same immigrant journey to the United States as so many others. In a world dominated by Mexican QSR giants like Taco Bell and Chipotle, it's refreshing to be part of a brand that serves truly authentic Mexican cuisine while empowering Latino entrepreneurs to live out their own American dream." As Cilantro Taco Grill opens its first franchise outside Chicagoland, the brand is maintaining a consistent customer experience through its central commissary system that is prioritizing authentic flavors and ingredients. This opening comes less than two years after launching its franchise opportunity with the support of the global leader in franchise development, Fransmart. Together, they aim to grow the next generation of Mexican fast casual concepts to more than 1,000 units worldwide over the next 10 years. "I never could have imagined that my taqueria in the Chicago suburbs would grow into a national franchise," said Temoc. "I started Cilantro Taco Grill with a mission to set immigrants like myself up for success in business, inspired by my family's own immigrant story. It's very exciting to now share our authentic recipes and the flavors of my culture with new communities, giving more customers across the country a taste of my home in Jalisco." In addition to the opening in Prosper, Texas, Cilantro Taco Grill plans to open six new locations in 2025, including out-of-state expansions in Texas and Florida, along with four new franchises in Illinois. These openings come less than two years after Cilantro Taco Grill launched its franchise opportunity with the support of the global leader in franchise development, Fransmart. Together, they aim to grow the next generation of Mexican fast casual concepts to more than 1,000 units worldwide over the next 10 years. Cilantro Taco Grill was founded in 2013 by Temoc Morfin, who was inspired to bring the family's treasured flavors and recipes to the masses by his father, 'Don Javi' Morfin. Cilantro Taco Grill has since thrived in the competitive Chicagoland market, expanding to 18 open locations as of April 2025. The brand is also expanding rapidly nationwide, with over 100 locations signed in Illinois, Texas, Florida, and California. Cilantro Taco Grill's mission extends beyond sharing high-quality, authentic Mexican food; they are shattering barriers by empowering immigrant and Latino communities through franchising. Ideal franchisees have prior franchise experience and share Cilantro Taco Grill's vision to uplift local communities. Franchisees receive expert training and guidance from the Cilantro Taco Grill team through their Cilantro Academy, in addition to a high-end tech stack that features a consumer app launching in summer 2024, digital menu boards, and a highly popular rewards program. Cilantro Taco Grill also features multiple revenue streams for franchisees with a popular catering program and bottles of their ultra-popular house salsa consistently flying off shelves. Franchisees who are interested in joining Cilantro's mission to create wealth in marginalized communities can visit https://fransmart.com/brand/cilantro-taco-grill/ to get started. About Cilantro Taco Grill Cilantro Taco Grill's story begins with 'Don Javi' Morfin, who immigrated from Guadalajara, Jalisco to Chicago with his wife, Alicia, and 11 children. His son, Temoc Morfin, Cilantro Taco Grill's founder, realized that sharing his ancestors' recipes, flavors, and spices through culinary arts was his true passion and this way, he would be able to contribute to creating jobs and help others to be successful. Thanks to the collaborative effort of Temoc's family, Cilantro Taco Grill was born as a fast-casual restaurant fueled by the authentic flavors of Mexico, the heart of Don Javi, and the vision of Temoc. The first Cilantro Taco Grill opened in 2013 in the Stone Park neighborhood of Chicago. Since then, the Morfin family has opened 15 total locations across the greater Chicagoland area. The brand focuses on authentic Mexican recipes that showcase the flavors they brought with them from the heart of Jalisco. The brand's exceptional unit economics and advanced tech-stack attracted the attention of Grammy Award winner Armando Christian Perez (Pitbull), who's partnered with Fransmart's CEO Dan Rowe to launch the nationwide franchising efforts for the brand. For more information, visit www.cilantrotacogrill.com. About Fransmart As the leading franchise development firm in the country, Fransmart turns emerging restaurant concepts into successful national and global brands. Founded by Dan Rowe, the man who identified and grew brands such as Five Guys Burgers & Fries and QDOBA Mexican Grill from single unit businesses to the powerhouse chains they are today. Fransmart's current and past franchise development portfolio brands have opened more than 5,000 restaurants worldwide and facilitated franchise investments that have cumulatively generated 1 billion dollars in revenue to date. For more information, visit www.fransmart.com. SOURCE Fransmart NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Compass, Inc. (NYSE: COMP), the largest residential real estate brokerage in the United States by sales volume1, today announced its first quarter 2025 financial results will be released after market close on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its results that afternoon at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT. Call details are as follows: The conference call and shareholder presentation will be accessible online via the Compass Investor Relations website, https://investors.compass.com . . You can also register in advance to access the live conference call at: Compass Inc. 1Q25 Earnings Conference Call . . An audio recording of the conference call will be available for replay shortly after its completion for 90 days following the call. To access the replay and shareholder presentation, visit the Events and Presentations section of the Compass Investor Relations website. About Compass Compass is a leading tech-enabled real estate services company that includes the largest residential real estate brokerage in the United States by sales volume. Founded in 2012 and based in New York City, Compass provides an end-to-end platform that empowers its residential real estate agents at its owned-brokerage to deliver exceptional service to seller and buyer clients. The platform includes an integrated suite of cloud-based software for customer relationship management, marketing, client service, brokerage services and other critical functionality, all custom-built for the real estate industry. Compass agents utilize the platform to grow their business, save time, and manage their businesses more efficiently. The Compass network includes Christie's International Real Estate, the world's premier global luxury real estate brand with over 100 independently owned brokerage Affiliates in 50 countries and territories. For more information on how Compass empowers real estate agents, one of the country's largest groups of small business owners, please visit www.compass.com . Compass uses its Investor Relations website, https://investors.compass.com , to disclose information that may be of interest or material to its investors and to comply with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor Compass' Investor Relations website and follow Compass' press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, webcasts, and social media. Investor Relations Contact Soham Bhonsle [email protected] 1Compass was ranked number one real estate brokerage in sales volume for 2024 by Real Trends in April 2025 for the fourth year in a row SOURCE COMPASS MONTREAL, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Congruence Therapeutics, a computationally-driven biotechnology company building a unique pipeline of correctors for diseases of protein misfolding, including MC4R-deficient genetic obesity, GBA-driven Parkinson's disease and AAT-deficient lung and liver disease, announced today its participation in upcoming investor conferences: Citi Biotech Private Access Day, April 24, 2025 this event is being held in a virtual format during which Company management will participate in one-on-one meetings with investors. Bloom Burton & Co. Healthcare Conference, May 4-6, 2025 - Dr. Clarissa Desjardins , Chief Executive Officer of Congruence, will present on Monday, May 5, 2025 , at 1:30 PM ET . Company management will also participate in one-on-one meetings with investors during the event. About Congruence Therapeutics Congruence is a computationally-driven biotechnology company building a unique pipeline of transformative small molecule correctors rationally designed to rescue aberrant protein function. Our proprietary scalable platform, Revenir, captures the biophysical features of proteins across their conformational ensembles, in order to identify novel allosteric and cryptic pockets which are virtually screened to generate novel chemical matter. Congruence has leveraged its proprietary discovery engine to launch a pipeline of wholly owned drugs directed to high-value, genetically validated, difficult-to-drug targets spanning a variety of indications including genetic obesity, GBA Parkinson's Disease, and 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency. Congruence is further deploying its discovery platform to support two recently executed multi-target research collaborations with large pharmaceutical companies focused on the discovery of small molecule correctors for the treatment of solid tumors and metabolic diseases. For more information, please visit www.congruencetx.com . Company Contact Charles Grubsztajn Chief Operating Officer [email protected] Media Contact Amy Conrad Juniper Point [email protected] 858-366-3243 SOURCE Congruence Therapeutics Michalski will lead Deerfield's efforts to advance healthcare via excellence in software and artificial intelligence NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Deerfield Management is pleased to welcome Mark Michalski, M.D., as Chief Information Officer. Dr. Michalski brings over two decades of experience in healthcare, technology, and executive leadership to Deerfield. A pioneer in the use of artificial intelligence for healthcare and a board-certified radiologist, he currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Ascertain, a New York City-based technology company specializing in AI-driven solutions for healthcare enterprises. Ascertain's AI platform supports critical workflows in revenue cycle management, pharmacy, case management, and care transitions, enabling healthcare organizations to improve efficiency and outcomes. Deerfield led Ascertain's Series A investment round and will house the company at the firm's New York City headquarters, Cure. Previously, Dr. Michalski led strategic business development for Amazon's healthcare and life sciences business units. He also served as Founding Executive Director of Mass General Brigham AI (formerly the Center for Clinical Data Science), where he spearheaded groundbreaking AI applications in clinical medicine. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Butterfly Network and Hyperfine Research, both innovative diagnostic imaging and AI companies that successfully exited. "We're at a turning point in healthcare where data, technology, and investment intersect to create profound opportunities for transformation," commented Dr. Michalski. "At Deerfield, we have the chance to not just anticipate the future but to craft itaccelerating innovation and ultimately delivering better care for patients. I'm thrilled to be part of this mission and to help lead the charge in making these possibilities a reality." "Software is changing our ability to understand data, drive organizational efficiency, and, within healthcare, improve patient care," said James Flynn, Deerfield's Managing Partner. "Under Mark's leadership, Deerfield will continue to expand its ability to launch new software-enabled products and services and support best-in-class capabilities for portfolio companies." About Deerfield Management Deerfield is an investment management firm committed to advancing healthcare through investment, information, and philanthropy. The Firm works across the healthcare ecosystem to connect people, capital, ideas, and technology in bold, collaborative, and inclusive ways. For more information, please visit www.deerfield.com. Contact Jessica Sagers, PhD, Head of Communications [email protected] SOURCE Deerfield Management Company, L.P. This ultra-limited release features the world's first Extra Anejo tequila finished in mezcal barrels Post this "Dobel Grandes Maestros" is a limited edition, numbered collection set of Extra Anejo tequilas, combining the highest quality of mastery in tequila with the expertise and delicate craft of the most influential and iconic Mexican artists. The inaugural edition of which only 15 bottles are available in the U.S. is both an homage and a legacy project: one of Francisco Toledo's final creations and a rare intersection of functional design and fine art. Dobel Grandes Maestros Collection: The Francisco Toledo Edition embodies the culmination of a visionary partnership between the artist and Juan Dobel, 11th generation tequila maker and founder of Dobel Tequila. As a bold reflection of Dobel Tequila's legacy of groundbreaking innovation, this ultra-limited release features the world's first Extra Anejo tequila finished in mezcal barrels: a category-defining first that honors Maestro Toledo's native Oaxaca. This extraordinary and innovative tequila goes through a special artisanal process and is meticulously distilled from agave that has grown for a minimum of seven years, cooked within brick ovens for 48 hours, distilled, and then aged for a minimum of three years in new oak barrels. The Extra Anejo tequila then spent up to four months in American Oak mezcal barrels that impart flavors into the richly dark liquid. The result is a rich, warm, and silky expression, with notes of mezcal smoke, dried fruits, cooked agave, toasted nuts, and vanilla. Encased in a sculptural masterpiece personally designed by the late Mexican visionary before his passing in 2019, the release further solidifies Dobel's position at the forefront of craftsmanship and innovation in the world of tequila. "Francisco 'El Maestro' Toledo and I began dreaming up this collaboration in 2016," said Juan Dobel, founder of Dobel Tequila. "Francisco and I shared a deep passion for Mexico and its culture, which we reflected through art and tequila. El Maestro and I envisioned a timeless art piece, one that would transcend conventional expectations and become an object that embodied Toledo's artistic principles and exceptional craftsmanship while showcasing Dobel's commitment to tequila excellence and innovation." A celebrated painter, sculptor, and craftsman, Toledo drew from his iconic "Lagartos" series to design the bottles and their packaging in line with his unique visual vocabulary. The result is a rare tequila housed in a custom frosted bottle adorned with intricately etched artwork, and a rotating four-cube wood prism base, with each facet showcasing Toledo's iconic lizard design. Each set includes a hand-carved Teotihuacan stone bottle top, a stone pedestal, and a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist himself, turning each bottle into a collectible artifact. With Toledo's craftsmanship and Dobel Tequila's innovative spirit combined, the collection emerges as a complete artistic statement, at once sculpture, cultural artifact, and functional vessel. It stands as a compelling testament to Toledo's lifelong demonstration that the boundaries between fine art and craft objects are ultimately artificial. In his universe, every medium becomes an opportunity to preserve and celebrate Mexican culture. In a landmark moment, one of only 15 bottles available in the U.S. from Dobel Tequila's Grandes Maestros Collection: The Francisco Toledo Edition is now being auctioned on Artnet , marking the platform's first-ever curated spirits auction. The remaining U.S. bottles from this limited global release of just 281 are available for $5,000.00 USD through select luxury retailers and on-premise partners. Collectors can visit https://www.artnet.com/spotlight/dobel/toledo-2025/ until April 29th to bid on one of only 15 Dobel Tequila Grandes Maestros Collection: The Francisco Toledo Edition sets available in the U.S. Dobel Tequila will donate part of the proceeds from the sale of the work to benefit Friends of IAGO (the Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca) and the Manuel Alvarez Bravo A.C. Photographic Center. Dobel Grandes Maestros Collection: The Francisco Toledo Edition Tasting Notes Appearance: Clear, bright amber colored with golden and copper hues, its full-bodiedness can be witnessed from the tears in the glass. Aroma: A perfectly achieved aromatic sequence in which the olfactory experience commences with a hint of mezcal smokiness interwoven with dried fruits, cooked agave, and caramel, finishing with aromas of wood, vanilla, almonds, toasted nuts, and cereals, which create aromatic complexity without oversaturating the senses. Taste: Warm, silky, smooth, and well-structured, hints of the mezcal smokiness remain without being overwhelming and in perfect balance with the wood and dried fruit flavors of a very long and lasting finish. ABOUT FRANCISCO TOLEDO Francisco "El Maestro" Toledo (1940-2019) stands as Mexico's most significant contemporary artist a visionary who created an entirely new visual language merging ancient Mexican spirituality with modernist innovation. Born in Juchitan, Oaxaca, Toledo's artistic vocabulary drew from his Zapotec heritage, his early encounters with nature, and folk stories of mythical creatures shared by family members. While his work resonates with global influences Dubuffet's visceral energy, Miro's surrealist whimsy, Klee's mystical geometry these elements are invariably filtered through Toledo's distinctive indigenous perspective. Working across an astonishing range of media (oil, watercolor, ceramics, tapestries, and traditional materials like amate paper), Toledo achieved mythic status as the greatest interpreter of Mexican cultural heritage. Beyond his artistic innovations, Toledo's profound impact on Mexico's cultural landscape includes founding institutions like the Institute of Graphic Arts of Oaxaca (IAGO) and establishing the Manuel Alvarez Bravo Photographic Centre. This lifelong commitment to cultural accessibility and preservation earned him the Right Livelihood Award in 2005. ABOUT MAESTRO DOBEL TEQUILA Maestro Dobel Tequila, masters of innovation and smoothness, is a modern expression of tequila with a refined craft and heritage that spans over 250 years. Founded by 11th generation tequila maker Juan Dobel in 2003, Dobel Tequila was born in Jalisco, Mexico and has since grown into a diverse collection of ultra-premium and award-winning smooth tequilas. As the creator of the world's first cristalino tequila in 2008, Dobel Diamante, the first smoked tequila, Humito, and the first pechuga tequila, Pavito, Dobel Tequila is known for its record of category innovation and mastery of smooth tequila craftsmanship. For more information, please visit www.maestrodobel.com or follow on Instagram and Facebook at @dobeltequila. Maestro Dobel Tequila. 40% Alc. /Vol. (80 Proof). Trademarks owned by Maestro Tequilero, S.A. de C.V. 2025 Proximo, maestrodobel.com. Please enjoy responsibly. PRESS CONTACTS Ariane Haddad | [email protected] SOURCE Maestro Dobel Tequila PLEASANT GROVE, Utah, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Earth Day, doTERRA, the world leader in essential oils and natural wellness products, proudly announces the release of its 2024 Impact Report. The report outlines a year of transformative action, underscoring doTERRA's deep commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable sourcing, and global humanitarian efforts. "Earth Day is a moment to reflect on our shared responsibility to people and planet," said Kirk Jowers, CEO of doTERRA. "Our 2024 Impact Report is a testament to the power of ethical partnerships, purpose-driven giving, and community collaboration in creating lasting change." Last year, doTERRA planted over 179,000 native trees in Hawai'i's Kealakekua Mountain Reserve, bringing the total to 611,019 trees since the project began, reinvigorating ecosystems and preserving cultural heritage. Through circular economy efforts in Pennsylvania, the company repurposed more than 1 million pounds of birch material into essential oils and mulch, achieving near-zero waste production. In Kenya, doTERRA co-funded a climate adaptation program supporting over 1,000 smallholder farmers with sustainable irrigation systems, reducing their vulnerability to climate-related challenges while improving productivity and water efficiency. Through its Co-Impact Sourcing model, doTERRA continues to uplift communities across 45 sourcing countries. In 2024, the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation donated more than $3 million, supporting initiatives in 14 countries that delivered clean water in Nepal, education in Ghana, and medical support in Eswatini. Emergency relief was a key priority, with over 97,000 hygiene kits distributed across 8 countries and 28 U.S. states in response to natural disasters and crises. To read the full impact report, please visit https://impact.doterra.com/report. About doTERRA doTERRA International is an integrative health and wellness company and the world leader in the global aromatherapy and essential oils market. doTERRA sources, tests, manufactures, and distributes CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade essential oils and essential oil products to over 10 million Wellness Advocates and customers. doTERRA is committed to maintaining high levels of quality, purity, and sustainability, partnering with local growers around the world through its industry-leading Co-Impact Sourcing model. Like and follow doTERRA on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more at www.doTERRA.com. SOURCE doTERRA International, LLC COLUMBIA, Md., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This Earth Day, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing invites homeowners to take a closer look at one of the most overlooked appliances in their homeand discover how tankless water heaters can offer instant hot water, lower energy bills, and a greener footprint. Tankless water heaters are a powerful upgrade that deliver efficiency, convenience, and environmental impact all in one. Each year, around 7.3 million traditional tank-based water heaters are disposed of in U.S. landfills. In contrast, tankless water heaters offer a sustainable alternativebuilt to last longer, made with reusable and recyclable parts, and designed to minimize waste. But the benefits go far beyond the landfill. If every water heater in North America were replaced with a high-efficiency tankless system, the continent could annually save: 290 million gallons of fuel oil 164 million gallons of propane 6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, our experienced technicians take a holistic approachprioritizing peace of mind and long-term comfort. They help homeowners find the ideal water heater based on their home's needs, budget, and values, and ensure a safe, professional installation. "An eco-friendly home doesn't have to mean a complete lifestyle change," said Joesph Wade, Vice President of Operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. "Simple, strategic changes, like fixing leaks, upgrading appliances or installing low-flow fixtures can make a big difference. And Earth Day is the perfect reminder to start." Additional changes homeowners can make for more sustainable and energy efficient homes: Fix Leaks Fast: A leaking faucet can waste over 3,000 gallons of water per year. A leaking faucet can waste over 3,000 gallons of water per year. Take more showers: Filling the bathtub usually requires about 30 gallons of water, compared to about 25 gallons for a ten-minute shower with a standard shower head. If you're using a low-flow shower head, a ten-minute shower will use closer to 20 gallons. Filling the bathtub usually requires about 30 gallons of water, compared to about 25 gallons for a ten-minute shower with a standard shower head. If you're using a low-flow shower head, a ten-minute shower will use closer to 20 gallons. Install Low-Flow Fixtures: Eco-friendly faucets, toilets and showerheads save water without sacrificing performance. Eco-friendly faucets, toilets and showerheads save water without sacrificing performance. Upgrade Appliances: Water-efficient dishwashers and washing machines reduce usage. Water-efficient dishwashers and washing machines reduce usage. Adjust Water Pressure: Lower pressure means less water wasted and longer-lasting plumbing. High water pressure accelerates the rate of wear and tear on your plumbing system, as residential pipes are only designed to handle a certain level safely. Without having a water pressure regulator valve, over time if the pressure gets too high, it can compromise the integrity of your pipes. To sweeten the deal, rebates and tax incentives may be available for some eco-friendly upgrades. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing we can help homeowners navigate available financing and price options. To learn more about how you can make your home more sustainable, visit benjaminfranklinplumbing.com or call (844) 323-2156. About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Founded in 2001, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing currently operates in more than 300 locations across North America. With an emphasis on customer satisfaction, the company's highly trained and licensed plumbers offer a full range of plumbing services that meet the highest industry standards including installation, repair and replacement. The Punctual Plumber is part of Authority Brands, the parent company to leading home service brands across the plumbing, electrical services, residential cleaning, at-home care, swimming pool repair and maintenance, tree care, restoration and pest control services sector. For more information, visit www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com and www.authoritybrands.com. About Authority Brands Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands' companies include 16 leading home service franchise brands: America's Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Painting, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Lawn Squad, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, STOP Restoration, and Woofie's. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 2,000 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology, and operational support. See www.authoritybrands.com for more information. Contact: Emily Muller Fish 919 954-893-9150 [email protected] SOURCE Benjamin Franklin Plumbing NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EconomyBookings.com, the global car rental booking platform powered by Booking Group Corporation, today officially launched its new Marketplacea breakthrough platform designed to give small and medium-sized rental companies instant access to the international travel market. What once took 6 to 12 months and significant investment now takes just 1520 minutes. With Marketplace, local car rental providers can list their fleet, set pricing and availability, and start receiving global bookings from EconomyBookings.com's 30 million annual usersall within an hour. "Marketplace is the next evolution in global mobility," said Alen Baibekov, CEO of Booking Group Corporation. "For years, we've helped major brands expand internationally. Now, we're giving smaller players the same advantagewith none of the red tape, delays, or overhead. You sign up, and within an hour, you're open to the world." Solving a Longstanding Industry Challenge For small and medium-sized rental companies, entering the international car rental space has traditionally been difficult, time-consuming, and expensivewith no guarantee of success. Marketplace is designed to eliminate those barriers. "We know from experience how hard it is to break into this market," Baibekov said. "When we started in 2004, we had just three cars and a dream. We built our business from scratch. Marketplace is our way of leveling the playing field for others who are now where we once were." With more than 600 supplier partners in 180+ countries, 1.4 million registered users, and over 1 million bookings annually, EconomyBookings.com is uniquely positioned to connect local rental businesses with a global customer base. "Travelers from Europe landing in Austin or Miami don't always want a global chain," said Baibekov. "They're looking for flexibility, local expertise, and service with personality. That's where regional brands shineand that's where Marketplace delivers." What Marketplace Offers: Broad Exposure Get instant visibility to a global audience actively searching for rental cars, across 5,600+ airport and downtown locations. Get instant visibility to a global audience actively searching for rental cars, across 5,600+ airport and downtown locations. Fast, Simple Onboarding Sign up and go live in just 1520 minutes. Compared to traditional platforms that take months, that's a 99% speed-up in market access. Sign up and go live in just 1520 minutes. Compared to traditional platforms that take months, that's a 99% speed-up in market access. Control and Flexibility Manage your prices, vehicle availability, and settings through an intuitive interface designed for ease of use. Manage your prices, vehicle availability, and settings through an intuitive interface designed for ease of use. Real-Time Feedback Receive verified reviews from real customers, building trust and helping you refine service and stand out. Receive verified reviews from real customers, building trust and helping you refine service and stand out. Reliable Earnings Get consistent, on-time payments after each rental, giving you the confidence to scale your business. A Booming Market with Local Potential The global car rental market is projected to surpass $140 billion by 2028, driven by resurgent travel and rising demand for flexible transportation solutions. In particular, demand for local providers has surged in recent years, with over 30 million downtown rental requests annually on EconomyBookings.com alone. "This isn't just a toolit's a launchpad," Baibekov emphasized. "If you're a local rental company with great service, we'll help you find the right customers faster than ever before. We're not here to compete with youwe're here to connect you." About EconomyBookings.com EconomyBookings.com is the flagship online platform of Booking Group, a global leader in online car rental booking services. With a presence in more than 180 countries and a trusted network of over 600 suppliers, the platform provides seamless, secure, and competitively priced rentals to millions of travelers worldwide. SOURCE EconomyBookings.com NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Emerest joins the global community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. Josh Klein, chief executive officer of Emerest, issued a statement on the Pope's legacy. "It is fitting and appropriate that Emerest pauses in our daily commitment to assist those in need of care to pay tribute to a religious leader who shared our values in celebrating the humanity in all of us," Mr. Klein observed. "In the passing of Pope Francis, the world has lost a man of humility, compassion, and caring. Regardless of your faith, ethnicity, or place in the world, he sought to make our world a better place. We honor his legacy and may he rest in peace," offered Klein. With over 10,000 clients, Emerest's role in providing specialized homecare support in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Missouri is marked by compassion, empathy, and dignity. Read more at: www.emerest.com. SOURCE Emerest Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are shaping the future CHICAGO, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Midwest Award. Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world's most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities. The program honors bold entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow. The Midwest program celebrates entrepreneurs from Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. An independent panel of judges selected Brian Mandelbaum among 29 finalists for their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value. Attain, co-founded by Mandelbaum, is the industry's most trusted source for live purchase data, empowering marketers with real-time insights, audience targeting, and measurement solutions. Backed by over seven million opted-in consumers, Attain also provides modern financial services through its portfolio of consumer apps allowing people to unlock savings, early wages, and rewards in exchange for permissioned data sharing. "I'm honored to be recognized by EY alongside such an inspiring group of leaders," said Brian Mandelbaum, CEO & Cofounder of Attain. "At Attain, we set out to build the most trusted and comprehensive consumer data ecosystem one that empowers consumers and drives real results for brands. This recognition is a reflection of the belief our team, partners, and customers have in our mission to bring transparency, real-time intelligence, and accountability to the advertising industry." Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future. Regional award winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 11, during a special celebration in Chicago and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. Sponsors Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA and SAP. In the Midwest, sponsors also include LaSalle Staffing, Inc. and Becker Professional Education. About Entrepreneur Of The Year Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 60 countries globally. The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy. About EY EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories. All in to shape the future with confidence. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. About Attain: Attain is North America's most comprehensive and trusted source for live purchase data. Backed by consumers, and designed for marketers, Attain delivers measurement, audience activation and analytics solutions to drive business outcomes. Consumers are empowered to leverage their greatest asset their data in exchange for modern financial services. Attain's portfolio of apps allow consumers to access savings tools, early wages and shopping rewards without costs or hidden fees. In exchange, they give permission to use their data for research, insights and targeted advertising. For more information, visit attainoutcomes.com. SOURCE Attain WASHINGTON, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) today announced its latest sale of non-performing loans as part of the company's ongoing effort to reduce the size of its retained mortgage portfolio, including the company's twenty-sixth Community Impact Pool (CIP). The two larger pools include approximately 1,119 deeply delinquent loans totaling $198.6 million in unpaid principal balance (UPB), and the CIP includes approximately 40 loans totaling $7.2 million in UPB. The CIP consists of loans geographically located in the Florida area. All pools are available for purchase by qualified bidders. This sale of non-performing loans is being marketed in collaboration with BofA Securities, Inc. and First Financial Network, Inc. Bids are due on the two larger pools by May 15, 2025, and on the CIP by May 27, 2025. Terms of Fannie Mae's non-performing loan transactions require the buyer of the non-performing loans to offer loss mitigation options designed to be sustainable for borrowers. All buyers of non-performing loans are required to honor any approved or in-process loss mitigation efforts at the time of closing, including loan modifications. In addition, non-performing loan buyers must offer delinquent borrowers a waterfall of loss mitigation options, including loan modifications, which may include principal forgiveness, prior to initiating foreclosure on any loan, not secured by property which is vacant or condemned at the time of closing. In the event a foreclosure cannot be prevented, the owner of the loan must market the property to owner-occupants and non-profits before offering it to investors, similar to Fannie Mae's FirstLook program. Interested bidders are invited to register for future announcements, training and other information here. Fannie Mae will also post information about specific pools available for purchase on that page. Follow Fannie Mae fanniemae.com Fannie Mae Newsroom https://www.fanniemae.com/news Photo of Fannie Mae https://www.fanniemae.com/resources/img/about-fm/fm-building.tif Fannie Mae Resource Center 1-800-2FANNIE SOURCE Fannie Mae Colossal kicks off this year's culinary showdown with intense flavor, major prizes, and huge names (Carla Hall, Aaron Sanchez, Andrew Zimmern) in the culinary industry PHOENIX, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Favorite Chef 2025 has officially launched, and voting is open. Hosted by Colossal, the nation's leading professional fundraiser, the culinary competition invites cooks from every corner of the kitchenprofessionals, food artists, and unapologetically ambitious home chefsto prove they've got what it takes to earn the title, the cash, and a serious culinary career boost. CEO Clare Reichenbach explains how the Favorite Chef Competition supports the James Beard Foundation But this isn't just a popularity contest with a spatula. It's a multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign, powered by Colossal and operated on behalf of DTCare, a 501(c)(3) charity. Since 2023, the campaign has raised over $9.5 million for the James Beard Foundation, which supports equity, sustainability, and excellence in the food world. And this year? Colossal brought reinforcements. Meet the 2025 Chef's Picks Three legendary names. Three personal picks. Three chances to win big. Carla Hall ( Top Chef , The Chew ) returns to host the competitionand she's bringing her signature energy and wisdom to the winner's exclusive culinary experience. ( , ) returns to host the competitionand she's bringing her signature energy and wisdom to the winner's exclusive culinary experience. Aaron Sanchez ( MasterChef , El Toque de Aaron ) joins the fun to champion culture, creativity, and serious technique. ( , ) joins the fun to champion culture, creativity, and serious technique. Andrew Zimmern (Bizarre Foods) brings global flavor and a fierce eye for culinary storytelling. Each chef will select a standout competitor to receive their own prize experience, in addition to the People's Choice grand prize winner. Learn more about the Chef's Pick opportunities on the Favorite Chef Rules page. What's at Stake? The People's Choice Favorite Chef will take home: $25,000 an appearance in Taste of Home a private cooking session with Carla Hall And yesbragging rights for life. Knives, Pans, and Cutting Board Brands Some of the most popular knives, pans, and cutting board brands that know kitchens inside and out have partnered with Colossal in 2025. These sponsors include: Shun Cutlery makers of precision-crafted Japanese knives makers of precision-crafted Japanese knives SCANPAN high-performance, sustainable Danish cookware high-performance, sustainable Danish cookware John Boos & Co. trusted for butcher blocks and cutting boards that last a lifetime Beyond the Competition Chef Karen "Kay" Jenkins, the 2023 Favorite Chef, returns as co-host alongside Carla Hall. Her journey from winner to mentor is a reminder that this competition doesn't just open doorsit kicks them wide open. "This isn't just about who can plate the prettiest meal," says Jenkins. "It's about showing the world who you are through foodand building a future doing what you love." Hungry Yet? Voting is live. Stories are being told. Aprons are officially on. Visit https://favchef.com/ for more information. ABOUT COLOSSAL Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Favorite Chef, participants have the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact. Colossal competitions serve as fundraising campaigns for DTCare, a United States 501(c)(3) public charity organization, which then grants donation funds to specified charities at the completion of the competitions. Learn more at colossal.org. Who's Next? Media Contact: Anne-Marie Pritchett [email protected] SOURCE Colossal The Australian-developed Minder system is an implantable device for continuous monitoring of brain activity in patients with epilepsy, developed to address the shortcomings in current electroencephalogram technologies The FDA has granted authorisation for Minder under its De Novo pathway creating a new classification of device, allowing for marketing and sale of the device in the US for patients with drug resistant epilepsy Epiminder intends to launch Minder in the US during H2 2025 MELBOURNE, Australia and DALLAS, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Epiminder, a pioneering medical device and information solutions company, today announced that it has been granted FDA authorisation via the De Novo classification for Minder, its proprietary implantable continuous electroencephalogram monitoring system (iCEMTM) for patients with epilepsy. Minder has also been designated as a Breakthrough Technology by the FDA, recognising its potential to provide more effective diagnosis and management for people living with epilepsy. This De Novo authorization is significant as it creates a new classification of device which underscores both the innovation and the clinical validation behind Minder. Without accurate diagnosis and monitoring, sustained and effective management of epilepsy can be challenging. Minder has been developed to address the shortcomings in current electroencephalogram (EEG) technologies, providing reliable and actionable diagnostic data for more patients and therefore better enabling their prospects for successful epilepsy treatment. Rohan Hoare PhD, CEO of Epiminder, said: " By extending the monitoring window of an EEG from days using current technologies to months or even years with Minder, we can deliver unprecedented access to a high-fidelity stream of continuous EEG data to health care professionals and their patients. The FDA's clearance of Minder is a significant milestone for Epiminder and more importantly for the 52 million people around the world who have epilepsy. As the first and only implantable continuous EEG monitor approved in US, Minder can provide health care professionals and their patients with more accurate and timely diagnoses, enhanced therapeutic drug monitoring, and can better inform decisions on non-drug treatments like surgery. Looking ahead, Epiminder plans to develop a suite of integrated software solutions that will extend the clinical impact of the Minder device, for example by providing patients with advance notice of seizures through AI-enabled forecasting." Epiminder intends to formally launch Minder in the US during H2 2025 undertaking a phased commercial roll out into leading epilepsy centres as part of a program to demonstrate the clinical utility of the system. Professor Robert Fisher MD, PhD, Director of the Stanford Epilepsy Center, past-President of the American Epilepsy Society, and Chair of the Data Safety Monitoring Board for the UMPIRE trial, said: "One of the greatest difficulties in caring for people with epilepsy is the lack of accurate information about a patient's seizures. Seizure diaries are of limited effectiveness. Minder can greatly improve seizure tracking and therefore seizure management. It will fill the significant gap in current EEG technologies, providing clinicians like me continuous and accurate data. By having a more complete picture, we can be more precise in our diagnoses, better able to rapidly adjust medication or neuromodulation regimens and identify patients for potential non-drug or surgical treatments. The result will be a reduction in the huge burden of drug resistant epilepsy." The safety and effectiveness of Minder was validated through Epiminder's UMPIRE clinical study, a multi-centre prospective, open design, case-controlled comparator trial that was undertaken in leading Australian hospitals between 2019 and 2023. The results of UMPIRE were used to support Epiminder's successful FDA application. Professor Mark Cook MD MBBS FRACP FRCP (London), Epiminder's Founder and Chief Medical Officer, said: "The results from UMPIRE exceeded our expectations and demonstrated Minder's ability to capture high-quality EEG data continuously for extended periods, including a groundbreaking five-year continuous recording in one participant. Minder delivered actionable clinical insights for nearly 90 percent of study participants, highlighting the real-life benefits that Epiminder's best-in-class iCEM can deliver relative to the current standard of care." Epilepsy is one of the most common serious chronic neurological disorders, affecting approximately 52 million people worldwide including 250,000 Australians and 3.4 million Americans. It is a neurological condition where a person experiences recurrent seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can present with a variety of clinical manifestations; some involve motor symptoms, such as intense muscle contractions, while others, such as absence or focal impaired awareness seizures, may present with subtle or no outward physical signs. The occurrence of seizures varies in frequency among patients, from less than one a year to several a day. Follow Epiminder on LinkedIn and explore www.epiminder.com for more information. About Minder Minder is a minimally invasive device for continuous monitoring of electrographic activity of the brain, providing epilepsy patients and their doctors with detailed data on brain activity over an extended period. Patients can wear the device as they go about their normal daily activities. Minder's long-term monitoring of patients outside of a controlled clinical environment provides data needed for better understanding and more effective treatment of underlying conditions, including determining the effectiveness of drug therapies and other potential interventions. About Epiminder Founded in 2017 by Professor Mark Cook together with the Bionics Institute, St Vincent's Hospital, the University of Melbourne and Cochlear Limited. Epiminder is a medical device and information solutions company focused on developing diagnostic and treatment tools for epilepsy and other seizure disorders where continuous monitoring is required. Epiminder is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and has offices in the United States. Contact: Matt Wright, [email protected] SOURCE Epiminder Report Indicates 70 Percent Of World's Holocaust Survivors Will Be Gone In The Next 10 Years. There Are Estimated To Be More Than 1,400 Holocaust Survivors Alive Today Who Are Over 100 Years Old. NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) today published Vanishing Witnesses: An Urgent Analysis of the Declining Population of Holocaust Survivors, a population projection report based on the extensive data collected since 1952 by the Claims Conference. The report findings reveal stark projections for the time we have left with these eyewitnesses to the worst atrocity in human history. Gideon Taylor, President of the Claims Conference, said, "This report provides clear urgency to our Holocaust education efforts; now is the time to hear first-hand testimonies from survivors, invite them to speak in our classrooms, places of worship and institutions. It is critical, not only for our youth but for people of all generations to hear and learn directly from Holocaust survivors. This report is a stark reminder that our time is almost up, our survivors are leaving us and this is the moment to hear their voices." The Vanishing Witnesses report provides an in-depth population projection of Jewish Holocaust survivors amassed from Claims Conference databases built up from decades of advocacy on behalf of survivors. The databases include survivors who receive direct payments or social welfare services funded by the organization as a result of ongoing negotiations with Germany. The analysis of population projections and mortality rates provides data through 2040. Notably, nearly 50 percent of all Holocaust survivors will pass away within the next 6 years, while 70 percent will pass away within 10 years and 90 percent within 15 years. Greg Schneider, Executive Vice President of the Claims Conference, said, "We have known that this population of survivors would be the last, our final opportunity to hear their first-hand testimonies, to spend time with them, our last chance to meet a survivor. These are our final years to honor them, make sure they are living in dignity, care for them and provide for their needs. The work we do negotiating with the governments of Europe on behalf of survivors is critical to their existence nothing could be more important, more urgent, as we see what little time we have left to ensure their wellbeing." Vladimir Shvetz's mother is a 110-year-old Holocaust survivor living in Israel. He said, "My mother, Nechama Grossman, is 110 years-old, one of the oldest Holocaust survivors in the world. She lived through the worst of humanity and she survived. She raised her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, to teach them that unchecked hatred cannot win. We must remember her story, remember the Holocaust, remember all the survivors; learn from it so that her past does not become our future." Leonard Zaicescu, a Holocaust survivor from Iasi, Romania, who survived the death trains, said, "I am one of the last survivors of the death train of Iasi, Podu Iloaiei. I am 98 years-old, but as long as I am still alive and have strength, I will do everything I still can so that future generations will learn about what happened the Iasi Massacre and that it may become known in the memory of future generations." Another notable finding of the population projection report is that mortality rates for survivors vary greatly across geographic locations, which means we will lose survivors faster in certain regions. For example, Israel, home to the largest number of Holocaust survivors worldwide, had 110,100 survivors as of October 2024 and is estimated to see this population decline to 62,900 by 2030, a drop of 43 percent. The United States had 34,600 in the Fall of 2024, but is projected to lose 39 percent over that same timeframe, dropping to 21,100 survivors. Countries in the former Soviet Union had 25,500 survivors in October 2024 but is expected to be at 11,800 in five years, down 54 percent by the start of 2030. Pinchas Gutter, one of the last Holocaust survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, said, "It's sobering to see exactly how few of us Holocaust survivors are left. We have an important piece of history that only we hold and only we can tell. I hope in the time we have we can impart the learning from the Holocaust so that the world will never again have to endure that level of hate. I am a witness. Those of us witnesses still alive are working to make sure our testimonies are heard and preserved through any means possible. We are counting on this generation to hear us and future generations to carry our experiences forward so that the world does not forget." Malka Schmulovitz, a 109-year-old Holocaust survivor from Lithuania living in Florida, said, "To be one of the oldest survivors alive right now at my age tells me we are running our of time. We all have a testimony that needs to be shared. We all want to be sure that this generation of young people and the ones that come after them, hear and understand what truly happened during the Holocaust; if only so that we do not see it repeated." Sonja Elazar, a Holocaust survivor from Sarajevo in Bosnia-Herzegovina, said, "I am one of the youngest witnesses of the Holocaust and I am 79 and a few months old. It was a miracle that I was born, and that I survived." More than 1,400 Holocaust survivors are estimated to be alive today who are over 100 years old. Society benefits from having these witnesses with us to share their stories and of unimaginable survival. We still have time to hear their first-hand accounts and learn from this exceptional group. Survivors are living longer, which we celebrate while concomitantly aware that their advancing ages present challenges. We need to plan for their care along with the likelihood of increasing disability, chronic conditions and other ailments that come with age and have been amplified by traumas in their youth. This requires long-term care and funding strategies. Currently, the median age of Holocaust survivors is 87. Understanding the trajectory of this population is crucial for planning and allocating resources effectively, ensuring that the unique needs of this population are met in these final decades. Data and analysis provided in the Vanishing Witnesses report are not only critical to the Claims Conference's mission but also have global importance as remembrance and education efforts increase around the world. The full population projection report and analysis can be found at www.claimscon.org/vanishing. In addition to the Vanishing Witnesses report, the Claims Conference's global demographic report, Holocaust Survivors Worldwide: A Demographic Overview has also been updated for release in April 2025. Currently, there are over 200,000 survivors living in 90 countries around the world, half of whom are in Israel. The current global population is between 78 years of age and over 100 making the median age 87, and a majority are female (61 percent). The full demographic report on Holocaust survivors can be found at www.claimscon.org/demographics2025. About the Claims Conference: The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference), a nonprofit organization with offices in New York, Israel, Germany and Austria, secures material compensation for Holocaust survivors around the world. Founded in 1951 by representatives of 23 major international Jewish organizations, the Claims Conference negotiates for and disburses funds to individual survivors and organizations and seeks the return of Jewish property stolen during the Holocaust. As a result of negotiations with the Claims Conference since 1952, the German government has paid more than $95 billion in indemnification to individuals for suffering and losses resulting from persecution by the Nazis. For 2025, the Claims Conference will distribute approximately $530 million in compensation for survivors globally and $960 million for survivors' welfare needs such as home care, medicine and food. For more information, please visit: www.claimscon.org SOURCE Claims Conference QUINCY, Mass., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FORM , the leading provider of AI-enabled field execution software, completed the first quarter of 2025 with record-breaking commercial growth, new product enhancements, and two new talented executives to help support the company's rapid expansion. These milestones underscore FORM's increasing market presence and further solidify its position as the leader in AI-enabled software across industries that rely on execution in the field by frontline teams. Revenue Growth and New Customer Partnerships In Q1 2025, FORM exceeded growth targets through new and expanded engagements with key enterprise organizations. Revenue growth was diversified between market leaders across industriesincluding a Fortune 50 supermarket chain, two global leaders in non-alcoholic beverages, a top 5 Facilities Management organization, a leading EU foodservice company, and an award-winning field marketing agency. FORM also demonstrated greater than 50 percent increases over Q1 2024 across key product-usage metrics, including AI-enabled task submissions and total data points analyzed by AI, illustrating a significant acceleration of user adoption. "This team has delivered exceptionally well so far in 2025, and we fully expect to continue on this trajectory throughout the year as we add to our roster of industry-leading organizations," said Ali Moosani, CEO of FORM. "Market conditions are shifting dynamically, meaning that consumer-facing companies must pivot in real time to maintain share and adapt to shifting market conditions. FORM is an invaluable tool for more efficient, cost-effective go-to-market strategies, and now our AI enhancements further supercharge customers' ability to execute." Innovation | Development and Expansion of AI Technology This quarter, FORM launched a major product enhancement: the industry's first Augmented Reality (AR) feature built seamlessly into its mobile-first task management and image recognition solution. The feature enables retail execution teams to instantly capture shelf intelligence data by waving their camera in front of a display and receiving visual feedback on SKU-level data and assortment compliance in real time. FORM expects augmented reality data capture to unlock even more use cases and faster workflows for Consumer Goods and Retail customers throughout 2025. Additionally, FORM's marquee product, GoSpotCheck, expanded its listing on the Salesforce AppExchange, a leading enterprise marketplace for partner apps and experts. A native Salesforce integration paired with agentic AI built with Agentforce is changing the way brands think about capturing and analyzing shelf data within Salesforce. Since FORM introduced image recognition in 2021, the technology has become an essential tool for customerscrucial for verifying execution and automating daily operations. As FORM continues to develop new AI-forward features, its customers have expanded usage of its core image recognition functions, integrating it fully into their operations. FORM expects this usage and ROI to only continue to accelerate with greater investments in R&D, additions to its executive leadership team, and broader expansion into retail. Executive Additions | Scaling Commercial and Operational Teams FORM also hired two new executives to support its vision for 2025: Jon Bohrer as Vice President of Retail Execution, and Kalliopi Vlastos as Vice President of Sales. As more enterprise retailers adopt FORM's technology to manage operations and store execution across functions, Bohrer will strategically oversee those implementations, identify best practices across stores, and deliver insights and support to ensure customer success. His prior role as CEO of CresLane Retail Solutions brings best-in-class expertise in customer satisfaction and software implementation, making him the ideal fit for the position. Vlastos has over 14 years of driving revenue performance for SaaS companies and comes to FORM from London-based Paddle. Her international experience will be an asset in enabling FORM's go-to-market capabilities and expanding its global presence beyond the 150+ countries in which its technology is used today. About FORM FORM powers the world's 2 billion mobile workers as they change companies and industries for good, with mobile technology that improves execution from the frontline. FORM's digital assistant for teams guides daily tasks and provides leaders with real-time intelligence to drive faster actions and better decisions. FORM activates and connects teams in the fieldwith leaders, missions, and each otherso they can deliver success in the enterprise. FORM solutions, including the award-winning GoSpotCheck app, have been deployed by Fortune 500 companies and customers around the world and have received numerous accolades from G2, Capterra, Forbes, and Forrester. To learn more, visit www.FORM.com or follow FORM on LinkedIn. SOURCE FORM PRESS CONFERENCE: A press conference will be held on Tuesday, April 22nd at 10:00 a.m. in front of Judge Gandhi's burned-down home located at 15281 De Pauw Street, Pacific Palisades. Judge Gandhi will be available for in-person interviews and comments. Judge Gandhi possesses a distinguished multi-faceted legal career, marked by success first as a high-stakes litigation partner at Paul Hastings LLP, then as a respected U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Central District of California, the nation's largest federal court, and currently as a Chambers- ranked mediator and arbitrator at JAMS, the premier player in alternative dispute resolution. Judge Gandhi is active in civic affairs and known for his commitment to justice. For instance, he is appointed as the settlement monitor for the Los Angeles County's historic homelessness settlement, and previously he served on the Los Angeles Police Commission's Advisory Committee on Building Trust and Equity, which delivered recommendations for reform to the LAPD after the murder of George Floyd. Judge Gandhi also brings a deep experience in the matter at hand: wildfires. For instance, Judge Gandhi served as the mediator in negotiations between Pacific Gas & Electric and 14 public entities concerning wildfire claims from the 2015 Butte Fire, the 2017 North Bay Fires, and the 2018 Camp Fire. His mediation efforts resulted in a $1 billion settlement. Later, he served as the mediator in Southern California's Edison $360 million settlement with 23 public entities impacted by the 2017 Thomas and Koenigstein fires, the 2018 Montecito debris flows and the 2018 Woolsey fire. He has settled literally a countless number of wildfire cases, ranging from the most horrific wrongful death actions to the most complex property damage claims of the largest private landowner in the United States. Quote from Judge Gandhi: "The Palisades didn't burn; the City of Los Angeles allowed the town to burn -- to turn my home into a pile of ashes and destroy my family's life. The Palisades fire was not some rare anomaly, but a manifestation of widely known risks that the City blindly ignored. From mismanaged power lines and overgrown vegetation to an empty 117-million gallon reservoir and an anemic initial attack of the fire, the people deserve to walk through the courthouse doors and ensure that responsible parties can be held accountable." About Robertson & Associates, LLP: Alex "Trey" Robertson, IV was appointed by the Court as Co-Lead Plaintiffs' Counsel in the 2017 Woolsey Fire Case, which involved claims by 10,000 victims against Southern California Edison Company. Mr. Robertson has represented thousands of victims of the 2017 Thomas Fire, 2018 Woolsey Fire, 2020 Bobcat Fire, 2020 Holiday Farm Fire (Oregon), 2020 Santiam Canyon Fire (Oregon), 2022 Fairview Fire, 2022 Coastal Fire and 2023 Lahaina Fire. Robertson has recovered nearly $1.4 Billion for his clients during his 38 year career. Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis, LLP has represented thousands of wildfire victims of the 2018 Woolsey Fire, the 2017 Thomas Fire, the 2020 Bobcat Fire, the 2023 Maui Fire, and other wildfires throughout California, Oregon, and Hawaii. Contact: Alexander "Trey" Robertson, IV, Robertson & Associates, LLP (818) 851-3850 [email protected] www.arobertsonlaw.com Roger Behle & Robert Curtis, Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis, LLP (714) 556-1700 [email protected] [email protected] www.foleybezek.com SOURCE Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis Pioneering Longevity Company Brings Precision Health to Zaha Hadid-Designed Architectural Marvel MIAMI, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fountain Life , the world's leading science-backed longevity and preventative health company, is proud to announce the upcoming opening of its sixth flagship diagnostic and wellness center, located within the globally acclaimed One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects. The new Miami location is slated to open in 2025, merging advanced health optimization with one of the most prestigious addresses in the Western Hemisphere. Fountain Life's Miami center is located within One Thousand Museum. Designed by the late Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, One Thousand Museum is a 62-story landmark known for its curving exoskeleton, panoramic Biscayne Bay views and ultra-luxury design. The interior space carefully blends refined architectural detailing, natural textures and elegant finishes, creating an atmosphere that reflects Fountain Life's commitment to delivering transformative care in surroundings that inspire well-being, confidence and calm. "Our vision has always been to embed world-class preventative care within spaces that elevate and inspire," said Dr. William Kapp, CEO and co-founder of Fountain Life. "We want our centers to feel more like a wellness retreat than a medical clinic, and there is no better home for our Miami expansion than One Thousand Museuma building that, like Fountain Life, was designed to defy expectations and stand at the forefront of innovation." One Thousand Museum's elite amenities, such as a rooftop helipad, private sky lounge and full-floor residences, have helped establish the tower as a global icon of ultra-luxury living and create an exclusive experience that mirrors the tailored service for which Fountain Life is known. "Fountain Life's arrival perfectly complements the spirit of One Thousand Museum," said the Board of Directors at One Thousand Museum. "Partnering with a brand that champions longevity, precision, and transformative health reinforces the tower's vision to offer not just luxury, but meaningful, future-forward living." In addition to Fountain Life's signature longevity-focused services, including full-body and brain MRI scans, genetic and metabolic profiling, cardiac imaging and personalized health optimization programs, Fountain Life has partnered with global health technology leader Philips to bring cutting-edge diagnostic imaging to its Miami center. "By integrating Philips' advanced Spectral CT 7500 and Ambition 1.5T MRI systems, Fountain Life is redefining early detection and longevity care with faster, more precise, and comfortable scans that can identify serious conditions before symptoms appear," said Erin Hecht, Philips North America. Fountain Life's expansion into this landmark location marks a bold new chapter in its mission to elevate healthcare into luxury livinga proactive lifestyle rooted in design, technology and longevity. The Miami center joins existing Florida locations in Naples and Orlando, and locations in New York and Texas, with additional centers planned in elite urban destinations across the country. For more information about Fountain Life and its longevity-focused healthcare solutions, visit www.fountainlife.com . About Fountain Life Fountain Life is the world's leading science-backed longevity center, harnessing the power of AI and cutting-edge diagnostics to transform how we detect, prevent, and treat disease. By uniting a team of expert longevity physicians, health coaches, and nutritionists, Fountain Life delivers deeply personalized health optimization plans, early detection of life-threatening conditions, and 24/7 concierge medical care. Members also gain exclusive access to advanced regenerative therapies designed to slow aging and extend health spanall within thoughtfully designed, elevated environments that reflect the company's commitment to proactive, precision-based healthcare. Learn more at www.fountainlife.com . SOURCE Fountain Life BURLINGAME, Calif., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstLight Home Care of Silicon Valley and Tri Valley has reported a dramatic transformation in both client acquisition and caregiver recruitment, thanks to AidQuest's human-powered live chat solution. In just 12 months of use, the home care agency saw a surge of 114 pre-screened client leads and 121 caregiver leadscontributing to an annualized revenue increase of $344,000 and over 3,800 hours of care delivered by newly hired caregivers. Faced with the common industry challenges of turning website traffic into meaningful client and caregiver engagements, FirstLight Home Care turned to AidQuest's live chat platform to create a more personalized, real-time connection with visitors. The results were immediate and measurable. "The engagement that prospects and caregivers receive from AidQuest live chat agents sets the stage for better quality conversations and conversions," said Molly Johnson, Owner of FirstLight Home Care of Silicon Valley and Tri Valley. "The overall impact has been very positivenot only financially, but also in how it supports our culture of compassion and excellence." In addition to generating leads, the AidQuest chat team collects warm data that helps FirstLight assess a prospect's viability early in the process. This enables their team to focus resources on the most promising opportunities. "The warm data gathered during the chat helps us determine early on if the prospect is a viable one, versus spending time with leads that will never convert," added Jason Landau, Co-Owner. "That efficiency is a game changer." Over the past year, AidQuest delivered an astonishing 9,849% ROI in client lead conversions for the agency. Beyond lead volume, the real-time human chat also improved the user experience on FirstLight's website and contributed to better SEO rankings. This success story showcases how real-time, human-powered communication can help home care agencies break through digital noise and build lasting, high-converting relationships online. AidQuest now serves over 700 home care agencies across the U.S. and Canada, having facilitated more than 1 million human-to-human interactions and generated over 100,000 qualified leads for its clients. About FirstLight Home Care of Silicon Valley and Tri Valley FirstLight Home Care of Silicon Valley and Tri Valley, founded by Molly Johnson and Jason Landau, delivers exceptional senior and disability care with a focus on dignity, compassion, and independence. With over 50 years of combined experience in business, hospitality, and advertising, the duo brings a unique approach to care inspired by personal family journeys. The agency is committed to helping individuals live their best day, every day, in the comfort of their homes. For more information, visit: https://www.firstlighthomecare.com/home-healthcare-silicon-valley About AidQuest AidQuest is a leading provider of human-powered live chat and communication tools purpose-built for home care agencies. Designed to enhance client acquisition and caregiver recruitment, AidQuest's solutions turn website visitors into meaningful conversations that convert. With a focus on professional engagement, data capture, and measurable ROI, AidQuest helps agencies grow smarter and faster. For more information, visit: https://aidquest.com Media Contact: Kamran Nasser Founder [email protected] www.aidquest.com 1-650-477-8125 SOURCE AidQuest BEIJING, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaotu Techedu Inc. (NYSE: GOTU) ("Gaotu" or the "Company"), a technology-driven education company and online large-class tutoring service provider in China, today filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The annual report on Form 20-F can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.gaotu.cn/. The Company will provide a hard copy of its annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be directed to Investor Relations Department, Gaotu Techedu Inc., 5F, Gientech Building, 17 East Zone, 10 Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China. About Gaotu Techedu Inc. Gaotu is a technology-driven education company and online large-class tutoring service provider in China. The Company offers learning services and educational content & digitalized learning products. Gaotu adopts an online live large-class format to deliver its courses, which the Company believes is the most effective and scalable model to disseminate scarce high-quality teaching resources to aspiring students in China. Big data analytics permeates every aspect of the Company's business and facilitates the application of the latest technology to improve teaching delivery, student learning experience, and operational efficiency. For further information, please contact: Gaotu Techedu Inc. Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected] Piacente Financial Communications Brandi Piacente Tel: +1 212 481-2050 Jenny Cai Tel: +86 10 6508-0677 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Gaotu Techedu Inc. HO CHI MINH CITY, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gene Solutions, a leading multinational biotech company specializing in advanced genetic testing, and Element Biosciences, a company democratizing access to advanced life science solutions, have entered into a strategic collaboration. The collaboration was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during Element Biosciences' visit to Gene Solutions' laboratory. Mr. Edwin Hauw Element Biosciences Senior Vice President (third from left) and Dr. Nguyen Huu Nguyen Deputy CEO (third from right) hand over signed MoU Element Biosciences Aviti platform at Gene Solutions laboratory This collaboration aims to create significant synergies by combining Element Biosciences' groundbreaking sequencing platforms with Gene Solutions' innovative technologies in genetic solutions. Element Biosciences has rapidly emerged as a leading innovator in the next generation sequencing (NGS) field, delivering novel solutions that provide exceptional performance and flexibility for researchers. Gene Solutions, with its comprehensive portfolio of genetic tests, leveraging NGS and artificial intelligence, has reached over 4,500 hospitals and clinics in eight Asian countries and is actively expanding its global footprint. Equity in Reproductive Health: Accessibility of Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) NIPT is one of the most well-known clinical applications of NGS technology worldwide. The test screens for genomic abnormalities in cell-free DNA fragments released from the placenta into the mother's blood[1] and is recommended for all pregnant women from 9-10 weeks of gestation. Over the past eight years, Gene Solutions has developed a strong portfolio of NIPT (trademarked as triSureTM) and a comprehensive ecosystem for reproductive health from pre-birth to newborn and postnatal diagnosis. The company uniquely integrates recessive diseases and dominant single-gene disorders screening in a single workflow with NIPT, leveraging its AI platform and optimized lab protocols. Currently, Gene Solutions is researching the incorporation of pregnancy complications prediction into the NIPT test. The NIPT market was valued at USD 5.20 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to USD 19.09 billion by 2030[2]. Gene Solutions seeks to leverage Element's accessible and affordable research solutions to support its aim to bring safe, accurate, and non-invasive screening tools to all pregnant women. Precision Oncology: Advancing Cancer Care with Genomic Insights and Cutting-Edge Technology Early detection is paramount in the fight against cancer. Gene Solutions has commercialized its AI-powered, clinically validated SPOT-MAS test, which has demonstrated strong efficacy in identifying cancers at early stages and those lacking established screening methods[3,4,5]. For cancer patients, the company has developed tailored solutions for selecting targeted therapies and immunotherapies, uniquely combining genomic and transcriptomic tumor profiling with personalized cancer monitoring (K-TRACK, K-4CARE) [6]. Research to support these advancements are made possible by the readiness of NGS platforms and AI algorithms. The collaboration between the two companies aims to further accelerate the research supporting integration of Gene Solution's advanced cancer care tools into clinical practice globally. Research into these advancements is made possible through AVITI24, Element Biosciences' first-of-its-kind multiomics platform. In addition to providing highly accurate NGS readouts, AVITI24 delivers simultaneous in situ transcriptomic, proteomic, and morphological profiling at single-cell resolution through its powerful Teton kits and assays. Powered by Element's proprietary avidite base chemistry (ABC) sequencing, AVITI24 with Teton provides a direct window into complex biological mechanisms and pathways paving the way for breakthrough discoveries. AVITI24 will deliver the scalable, unified multi-dimensional data that has long eluded researchers, and ultimately will accelerate the pace of scientific research. Gene Solutions will leverage this cutting-edge platform in its research pipelines, including the Clinical Multi-omics Project, 3D Patient-derived Organoids, and Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine pipeline. These initiatives represent the company's visionary approach to incorporating Multi-modal AI and Multi-omics insights to unlock next frontiers in therapeutic development. NGS Testing and Precision Medicine Accessibility Dr. Nguyen Huu Nguyen, Deputy CEO of Gene Solutions, expressed: "Our foundation is in the research and development of genetic solutions. By combining Element Biosciences' powerful platform with Gene Solutions' expertise and market reach, we are confident that we can significantly enhance the accessibility and application of genomic advances." Edwin Hauw, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Product Management at Element Biosciences, added: "Our collaboration with Gene Solutions will combine the best of both our worlds: Element's revolutionary AVITI24 multiomics and AVITI sequencing platforms, and Gene Solutions expertise in bringing transformative genetic solutions to the APAC region. Together, we will elevate the research supporting the real-world impact these genetic testing solutions have downstream on patient outcomes." The MoU sets a framework for discussions on strategic partnerships, marketing efforts, customer-centric and technical support, and research and development opportunities. This collaboration promises to leverage the expertise of both parties to enhance genomics research, clinical research applications, and market accessibility for both companies' global strategies. About Gene Solutions Gene Solutions, a multinational biotech company, offers a comprehensive genetic testing portfolio utilizing Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Artificial Intelligence algorithms. The testing services include cell-free DNA non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) cancer screening, genomic profiling, and treatment monitoring. Established in 2017, Gene Solutions operates a network of seven NGS laboratories, including two central CAP-accredited laboratories in Singapore and Vietnam. With over two million tests provided to patients, we remain committed to delivering accessible genetic testing services to more than 4,500 hospitals and clinics across Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. To learn more about Gene Solutions, please visit genesolutions.com. Media Contact: [email protected] About Element Biosciences, Inc. Element Biosciences is a life science company democratizing access to advanced biological tools, driving impactful discoveries to benefit humanity. Through innovating every fundamental element of a biological assay system, Element empowers customers with affordable, high-quality data and an improved user experience, which in turn will accelerate scientific research. To learn more about Element, please visit www.elementbiosciences.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Facebook. Media Contact: [email protected] References: [1] ACOG current guidance, accessed 04 April 2025. [2] Fortune Business Insights. [3] Nguyen, L. H. D., et al. (2025). Prospective validation study: a non-invasive circulating tumor DNA-based assay for simultaneous early detection of multiple cancers in asymptomatic adults. BMC Medicine, 23(1). [4] Carbonell, Chantelle, et al. Cancer Control 31 (2024). [5] Thien Nguyen, Chi Van, et al. "Evaluation of a multimodal ctDNA-based assay for detection of aggressive cancers lacking standard screening tests." Future Oncology (2024): 1-11. [6] Van-Anh Nguyen Hoang, et al. Real-World Utilization and Performance of Circulating Tumor DNA Monitoring to Predict Recurrence in Solid Tumors. JCO Oncology Advances 2, e2400084 (2025). SOURCE Gene Solutions Genomics Pte Ltd Record 2024-25 class of 31,104 graduates helps address several nationwide workforce shortages PHOENIX, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand Canyon University will wrap up its 75th Anniversary school year with the largest number of graduates in its history. GCU will have a 2024-25 graduating class of 31,104 students with 5,669 of those taking classes on the Phoenix campus and another 25,435 who studied online. Graduates were split almost evenly among students completing a baccalaureate degree (15,890) and those earning a graduate degree (15,214). It is also the fourth straight year GCU has produced roughly 30,000 graduates. The class includes those who completed their degrees in Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and projected graduates from Spring 2025. GCU will celebrate the graduating class during commencement ceremonies on April 23-25 for traditional students and April 29-May 2 for online students. "This year's record-breaking graduating class reflects the dedication of our exceptional students, the unwavering support of our faculty and staff, and our commitment to offering innovative educational opportunities across multiple delivery platforms," said GCU President Brian Mueller. "Whether through in-person classes, online learning, hybrid models or accelerated pathways, our flexible approach allows us to connect with students no matter their life circumstances. Increasingly, more and more families are seeking these opportunities, especially when taught from a Christian worldview perspective." Among the record 2024-25 graduation class, a significant number will be entering professions in which there are nationwide workforce shortages. That includes 8,684 graduates in the teacher education field, with 3,619 of those being first-time teachers; 5,277 in nursing; and 5,274 in social work/counseling/behavioral health. "Our focus remains on partnering directly with employers to help them address their workforce shortages, especially in critical sectors like education, healthcare, technology, engineering, social work, counseling and the military," Mueller said. "While many universities have scaled back programs amid declining enrollments since the pandemic, GCU has introduced 148 new academic programs, emphases and certificates across our 10 colleges, all aligned with current labor market demands." Among other highlights from the 2024-25 school year: Enrollment at GCU was nearly 25,000 on the Phoenix campus, with another 98,000+ students studying online. campus, with another 98,000+ students studying online. GCU's Center for Workforce Development (CWFD) expanded its offerings and announced a new Intensive Manufacturing Specialist Pathway in partnership with TSMC and West-MEC. The pathway will equip students with the essential skills and hands-on experience needed to excel in the semiconductor industry. Additionally, CWFD and Rosendin Electric expanded the Pre-Apprenticeship for Electricians Pathway into Austin, Texas , which was identified as an area with a growing construction industry and a need for construction electricians. , which was identified as an area with a growing construction industry and a need for construction electricians. GCU added three more Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program sites in Meridian, Idaho ; St. Louis, Missouri and Albuquerque, New Mexico bringing the total number of sites to nine alongside its other locations in Chandler , Phoenix , Tucson and Sun City, Arizona ; Henderson, Nevada ; and Sandy, Utah . The university is on track to open one more site next month as it continues to add programs in order to address the country's nursing shortage. Students in the hybrid program can earn their degrees in as little as 16 months. ; and bringing the total number of sites to nine alongside its other locations in , , and ; ; and . The university is on track to open one more site next month as it continues to add programs in order to address the country's nursing shortage. Students in the hybrid program can earn their degrees in as little as 16 months. The university received a five-year, $2 million grant from the T.W. Lewis Foundation to establish the T.W. Lewis Center for Student Success at the Colangelo College of Business. The grant is funding a full-time director, specialized curriculum, a speaker series featuring successful Christian leaders and expanded career connection programs for students, including online students and alumni. grant from the T.W. Lewis Foundation to establish the T.W. Lewis Center for Student Success at the Colangelo College of Business. The grant is funding a full-time director, specialized curriculum, a speaker series featuring successful Christian leaders and expanded career connection programs for students, including online students and alumni. GCU opened a new police substation on 27th Avenue to help ongoing efforts of reducing crime in the area. Over the past decade, the university has invested $170 million along 27th Avenue on redevelopment efforts, including the GCU Hotel, Canyon Ventures business incubator space, a GCU CityServe warehouse that has provided over $15 million worth of free household goods to 74,000 families in need, a Learning Lounge site offering free tutoring and full-tuition scholarships to K-12 students, the Grand Canyon Seminary, Canon 49 Restaurant, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program site and other office space. along 27th Avenue on redevelopment efforts, including the GCU Hotel, Canyon Ventures business incubator space, a GCU CityServe warehouse that has provided over worth of free household goods to 74,000 families in need, a Learning Lounge site offering free tutoring and full-tuition scholarships to K-12 students, the Grand Canyon Seminary, Canon 49 Restaurant, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program site and other office space. The university celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a Week of Service in the fall that featured over 1,000 opportunities to serve across 40 different ministries. GCU also hosted the first ever Amethyst Gala, which raised approximately $1.5 million to benefit the university's ambitious Five-Point Plan to transform the west Phoenix community it calls home. About Grand Canyon University: Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona's premier private Christian university. GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers 349 academic programs, emphases and certificates for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals. The University's curriculum emphasizes interaction with classmates, both in-person and online, and individual attention from instructors while fusing academic rigor with Christian values to help students find their purpose and become skilled, caring professionals. For more information, visit gcu.edu. SOURCE Grand Canyon University NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, a prominent New York personal injury law firm, has successfully secured compensation for their client's severe injuries in a case of a dog attack. The New York law firm successfully recovered significant compensation for the dog bite victim. In the case, which was filed in Nassau County Supreme Court under index # 621269/2024, a 12-year-old boy was attending a birthday party in Suffolk County when he was mauled by a neighbor's dog. The child received lacerations that required sutures to his face and arm, resulting in permanent scarring, numbness, loss of strength, and diminished sensation. The dog bite attack also left the boy with emotional scars, resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and a fear of dogs, requiring psychotherapy. The owner of the property was responsible for the injuries caused by his tenant's dog. The firm proved that the landlord had actual knowledge of the presence of the dog and the dog's vicious propensity to bite humans. The property owner was held liable even though the attack occurred off their premises due to their failure to act with reasonable care by taking common-sense precautions to prevent a bite or attack. "The rm's success in this case highlights our commitment to compassionate and effective legal representation for victims of dog bite attacks, said partner Robert Greenstein. Managing partner Bart Pittari states, "There are an estimated 4.5 million dog bites that occur each year in the United States. Far too many people are suffering from injuries and trauma caused by a dog bite." . If injured by a dog bite, victims have up to three years to file a lawsuit in New York to recover damages. If you or a loved one was the victim of a dog bite attack, the New York Dog Bite Lawyers at Greenstein & Pittari, LLP are here to help. By understanding the physical, emotional, and nancial burdens faced by victims of dog bite cases, Greenstein & Pittari, LLP works diligently to alleviate these challenges. The New York Dog Bite Attorneys at Greenstein & Pittari, LLP are skilled at handling dog bite cases. They have decades of experience helping dog bite victims recover the compensation they deserve. Greenstein & Pittari, LLP has seven convenient locations throughout New York. They maintain offices in Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County. Your convenience is their top priority! Don't be a Victim Twice Call 1-800-Victim2 Greenstein & Pittari, LLP firm's motto is "Don't Be A Victim Twice". If you are a victim of a dog bite, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to speak with the experienced New York Dog Bite Lawyers at Greenstein & Pittari, LLP. The call is free. The consultation is free. You don't pay us unless we are successful. That's our "Our Fee Guarantee - No Fee Unless Successful. Related Links www.nyclawfirm.com For more information contact: Rob Greenstein 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) SOURCE Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP The Complex Care Alliance unites ten High Needs ACO participants and supporting associations to advocate for high needs accountable care to continue beyond 2026 NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HarmonyCares, a leading value-based provider of in-home primary care services for people with complex healthcare needs, today announced it has joined the Complex Care Alliance, a new group of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and supporting associations that will advocate for the extension of the High Needs ACO model beyond its current expiration date in 2026. The High Needs Track of ACO REACH was designed to provide high-quality, proactive, team-based care to a highly specialized population of patients with complex needs. On average, beneficiaries cared for under the model have 12 chronic conditions, and nearly 70 percent are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. The High Needs Track has produced significant savings for the Medicare program and reduced unnecessary utilization of inpatient hospital services, emergency room services, and skilled nursing facilities. HarmonyCares is the country's second-best-performing ACO REACH participant, having delivered $9.1 million in annual medical cost savings on roughly 700 aligned Medicare beneficiaries with complex illnesses in 2023, a net savings rate of 23%. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that 14 High Needs ACOs together saved about $143 million in 2023, a 13.3% net savings rate. "We've seen firsthand how the High Needs Track of ACO REACH presents an opportunity to better coordinate care for patients with complex, polychronic needs," said Matt Chance, CEO, HarmonyCares. "We will actively work with the Complex Care Alliance to advocate for CMS to continue, strengthen, and expand the program so we may care for our sickest and most vulnerable patients most effectively." The Complex Care Alliance's ten members are all participants in the High Needs Track of ACO REACH: Advanced Illness Partners, Bloom Healthcare, CareConnnect MD, Curana Health, Ennoble Care, Essen Health Care, HarmonyCares, Intrinsia Health, Provider Partners Connect Care, and Theoria Medical. Accountable for Health (A4H), the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations (NAACOS), America's Physician Groups (APG), the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC), and the American Academy for Home Care Medicine (AAHCM) are Partner organizations that contributed to its development and actively support its work. "CMS and the Innovation Center must take swift action to extend access to high-needs focused accountable care beyond 2026," said Mara McDermott, executive director, Accountable for Health. "Our members, including HarmonyCares, have proven that accountable care models deliver better care at reduced costs for this highly specialized population. We are proud to support them in launching the Complex Care Alliance to ensure vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries have access to high-quality, coordinated care." For more information about the Complex Care Alliance, please visit: https://accountableforhealth.org/cca/. For more information about HarmonyCares' comprehensive in-home care model, please visit: https://harmonycares.com/. About HarmonyCares HarmonyCares is a leading national value-based provider of in-home primary care services for people with complex healthcare needs. Headquartered out of Troy, Michigan, HarmonyCares operates home-based primary care practices in 14 states. HarmonyCares employs more than 200+ primary care providers to deliver patient-centered care under an integrated, team-based, physician-driven model. Visit https://harmonycares.com/ to learn more. SOURCE HarmonyCares WASHINGTON, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Earth Day 2025, the HBCU Green Fund's Sustainable Africa Future Network convened a powerful virtual gathering of youth leaders from 16 African countries and across the African Diaspora. United under the banner "Road to Belem: One Struggle, One Future (#Road2Belem)," the youth launched a bold Call to Action and announced the launch of a workplan to develop a collective African Youth Climate Justice Statement to present at COP 30 in Belem this November. HBCU Green Funds Sustainable Africa Future Network in Dubai during COP28. "As we head toward COP 30 in Belem, African and African Diaspora youth are building a common platform that demands climate equity, economic transformation, and environmental sovereignty," said Illai Kenney, Managing Director of the HBCU Green Fund. To carry this effort forward, the HBCU Green Fund's Sustainable Africa Future Network and its partners have committed to hosting a series of virtual roundtables, strategy meetings, and creative campaigns between Earth Day and COP 30 to refine the platform and amplify youth voices on the global stage. Grounded in urgency, equity, and solidarity, this collaborative effort will reflect the priorities, lived experiences, and leadership of African and African Diaspora youth. The final statement, to be presented at COP 30, will serve as a rallying call for justice, inclusion, and meaningful action in global climate negotiations. "We are issuing an urgent call to organizations, activists, and key actors around the world to sign on and support this vital declaration," said Vanessa Ngunjiri, Udgoon Sustainable Development Initiative in Kenya. "To join the movement, email [email protected]." The urgency of this year's initiative is heightened by the outcomes of COP 29, where international negotiators made significant progress in formalizing Loss and Damage financing mechanismsa hard-won victory for climate-vulnerable nations. Youth leaders are now pushing to ensure these commitments translate into direct resources for grassroots and youth-led solutions across Africa and the Diaspora. "A 2024 UNEP report found that 88% of global loss and damage from climate change impacts Africa, yet only 2% of global climate finance reaches the continent," said Denise Ayebare, founder of Better Life International in Uganda. "We contribute the least to global greenhouse gas emissions but suffer the most severe consequences of climate change," said Lucky Abeng, founder of the EcoSteward Humanitarian Foundation in Nigeria. "This injustice is a driving force behind our demands for loss and damage funding, debt cancellation, and direct investment in African-led solutions." Core Demands in the African Youth Climate Justice Statement: Climate Finance Justice: Immediate fulfillment and expansion of Loss and Damage commitments, cancellation of climate-related debt, and direct funding to grassroots youth initiatives. Immediate fulfillment and expansion of Loss and Damage commitments, cancellation of climate-related debt, and direct funding to grassroots youth initiatives. Centering Africa in Climate Negotiations: Ending neocolonial carbon offset schemes, ensuring equitable representation, and protecting Indigenous lands and forests through local governance and stewardship. Ending neocolonial carbon offset schemes, ensuring equitable representation, and protecting Indigenous lands and forests through local governance and stewardship. Just Transition and Green Jobs: Investment in youth-led renewable energy, agroecology, and sustainable industries, with clear pathways for training and employment. Investment in youth-led renewable energy, agroecology, and sustainable industries, with clear pathways for training and employment. Climate Education and Cultural Sovereignty: Mandating African-rooted climate curricula and supporting youth-led storytelling, arts, and cultural healing. Mandating African-rooted climate curricula and supporting youth-led storytelling, arts, and cultural healing. Pan-African Solidarity and Diaspora Collaboration: Strengthening transnational ties between African and African American youth to confront environmental racism and economic exploitation, with shared advocacy at COP and beyond. "This initiative represents more than a statementit's a movement. We're building the infrastructure for sustained youth leadership in climate justice across the African continent and Diaspora," said Saustine Lusanzu, Earthcare Foundation in Tanzania. This Earth Day convening continues the HBCU Green Fund's long-standing commitment to youth climate leadership. For more than a decade, the organization has sponsored and prepared youth delegates from countries across Africa to participate in annual UN climate conferences. Its annual pre-COP programming equips the next generation of environmental justice advocates with the tools to influence international policy and push for systemic change. The HBCU Green Fund invites all youth-focused organizations, climate activists, and institutions to support this growing movement for climate justice and sign on to the statement. Those interested in collaborating or learning more may contact [email protected] or @hbcugreenfund #Road2Belem on social media. ABOUT THE HBCU GREEN FUND Based in Georgia, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Senegal, the HBCU Green Fund was founded by climate leader Felicia Davis and has been at the forefront of climate action, sustainability, and environmental justice for more than a decade. What began as a mission to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) has expanded into a global effort to empower Black communities in building a greener, more resilient future. The HBCU Green Fund's Sustainable Africa Future Network, headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, and led by Cheikhou Thiome, is a transnational collective of individuals and organizations working to support environmentally sustainable projects across Africa and the African Diaspora. Network Leaders: Burkina Faso Lanssina To Burundi Auguste-Aubin Kezingabo Cabo Verde Hidilberto Dias Periera Cameroon Paul Lodry Dongmo Ghana Hussein Kassim Guinea-Bissau Algassimo Ba Kenya Sharon Gakii Kenya Elvis Wambura Kenya Johnson Ong'any Kenya Vanessa Ngunjiri Liberia Abubakar Kromah Nigeria Lucky Abeng Nigeria Princess Ewa Rwanda Prosper Habayo Senegal Cheikhou Thiome Sierra Leone Bashiru Koroma Tanzania Saustine Lusanzu The Gambia Alfusainey Gano Togo Elvis Agbayizato Uganda Destin Sempijja Uganda Kwerit Sarah Chebijira Uganda Mathias Nyanzi Uganda Denise Ayebare Zambia Precious Kalombwana Zimbabwe Tafadwa Malaika Kurotwi CONTACT: Edrea Davis Email/Text: [email protected]/818.613.9521 SOURCE HBCU Green Fund Copayment or Insurance Premium Assistance Available to Medicare Beneficiaries GERMANTOWN, Md., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The HealthWell Foundation, an independent non-profit charitable organization that provides financial assistance for underinsured Americans has opened a new fund to assist individuals living with Parkinson's disease (PD). Through the fund, HealthWell will provide up to $4,000 in medication copayment or Medicare Part B premium assistance to Medicare patients for prescription drugs and biologics for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Eligible patients must have household incomes up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level. Parkinson's disease is a neurogenerative disease that causes progressive loss of motor control (tremor, trouble moving or walking) or non-motor symptoms (anxiety, depression, dementia). Symptoms develop slowly and the progression of symptoms can be different from person to person due to the diversity of the disease. PD is the 14th leading cause of death in the United States and the second-most common disease after Alzheimer's. An estimated one million Americans are living with PD and nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. There is no cure for Parkinson's disease. "Treatment and management of Parkinson's disease is expensive, oftentimes much more than a person on Medicare can afford. Yet, the inability to stay on a treatment regimen because of cost is not a viable option for someone living with PD," commented John L. Lehr, President and CEO of the Parkinson's Foundation. "Missing even a single dose of medication can be temporarily debilitating and can drastically impact a person's quality of life. We commend the HealthWell Foundation for understanding the financial challenges PD patients encounter in managing their condition and the importance of adhering to a proper treatment regimen." Michael S. Heimall, President & CEO, HealthWell Foundation, commented on the fund, "Previously, we were able to offer financial assistance to Medicare patients living with PD through our Movement Disorders Fund. We are excited to launch this dedicated fund to ensure that those living with PD have access to life-changing treatments and medications that enable them to maintain a better quality of life. Medications for the treatment and management of the disease are costly and beyond reach for many, especially for those on Medicare. We applaud our donors for recognizing the challenges people living with PD face and are proud to be able to provide the financial resources they need to adhere to treatment without the worry and anxiety of how to pay for it." To determine eligibility and apply for assistance, visit HealthWell's Parkinson's Disease Medicare Access Fund page. Note that all new fund openings and fund re-openings occur at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (8:00 a.m. Pacific) Monday through Friday. To learn more about HealthWell programs and our robust disease fund portfolio, visit our website at HealthWellFoundation.org. About Parkinson's Foundation The Parkinson's Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson's disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience, and passion of our global Parkinson's community. Since 1957, the Parkinson's Foundation has invested more than $474 million in Parkinson's research and clinical care. Connect with us on Parkinson.org, Facebook, X, Instagram or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636). About the HealthWell Foundation A nationally recognized, independent non-profit organization founded in 2003 and a resource to the White House Cancer Moonshot Initiative, the HealthWell Foundation has served as a safety net across over 90 disease areas for more than 1.1 million underinsured patients. Since its inception, HealthWell has provided over $4.8 billion in financial support through more than 1.8 million grants to access life-changing medical treatments patients otherwise would not be able to afford. HealthWell provides financial assistance to adults and children facing medical hardship resulting from gaps in their insurance that cause out-of-pocket medical expenses to escalate rapidly; HealthWell assists with the treatment-related cost-sharing obligations of these patients. HealthWell ranked 24th on the 2024 Forbes list of America's Top 100 Charities and was recognized for its 100 percent fundraising efficiency. For more information, visit HealthWellFoundation.org. CONTACT: Ginny Dunn 240-632-5309 [email protected] SOURCE HealthWell Foundation Supports rollout of enterprise-grade deployment of sovereign AI compute Embodies a fusion of exceptional computational power, energy efficiency, and data sovereignty while balancing stringent data security requirements. COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure, today announced a groundbreaking collaboration with NVIDIA and renowned AI pioneer iGenius to deploy Colosseum, one of the world's largest NVIDIA DGX AI supercomputers with NVIDIA Grace Blackwell Superchips. Set to deploy in 2025 in Italy, Colosseum will redefine the digital landscape through a first-of-its-kind sovereign AI data center for regulated workloads. iGenius Colosseum infrastructure by Vertiv and accelerated computing by NVIDIA. Image Vertiv. Designed to address the demands of highly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and public administration, Colosseum will embody a fusion of transformative computational power, energy efficiency, and data sovereignty, while balancing stringent data security requirements. Colosseum, a NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD, is the latest advancement in a long-standing collaboration between Vertiv and NVIDIA. It is strategically positioned in southern Italy to address regional government requirements, marking a significant milestone in Europe's AI landscape. "Harnessing the power of NVIDIA's cutting-edge accelerated computing and Vertiv's innovative infrastructure expertise, Colosseum stands as a testament to the transformative potential of sovereign AI," said Uljan Sharka, CEO of iGenius. "We're demonstrating how modular systems and software-specific infrastructure enable a new era of mission-critical AI." Modular by Design. Engineered for Efficiency. Colosseum combines Vertiv's infrastructure management expertise, NVIDIA accelerated computing, and the NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint for AI factory design and operations. The deployment will leverage Vertiv's 360AI reference architecture infrastructure platform for data center power and cooling that is designed for the NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 , which was co-developed with NVIDIA and released in late 2024. This modular and scalable system positions iGenius to deploy one of the fastest hyperscale AI supercomputers, and one of the largest to support sovereign AI. Vertiv has also extended its reference design library on its AI Hub with the co-developed data center power and cooling design for NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 . By staying one GPU generation ahead, Vertiv enables customers to plan infrastructure before silicon lands, with deployment-ready designs that anticipate increased rack power densities and repeatable templates for AI factories at scale. "The unit of compute is no longer the chip it's the system, the AI Factory," said Karsten Winther, president of Vertiv, EMEA. "Through our collaboration with NVIDIA and visionary AI player iGenius, we are proving the efficiency and system-level maturity of delivering the data center as a unit of compute, unlocking rapid adoption of AI-native power and cooling infrastructure as a catalyst for AI at scale." Simulate with NVIDIA Omniverse. Deliver with Speed. "AI is reshaping the data center landscape, demanding new levels of scale, efficiency and adaptability for global AI factories," said Charlie Boyle, vice president of DGX platforms at NVIDIA. "With physically-based digital twins enabled by NVIDIA Omniverse technologies and Vertiv's modular design for the iGenius DGX SuperPOD data center, Colosseum sets a new standard for building supercomputers for the era of AI." Colosseum was co-designed as a physically accurate digital twin developed with NVIDIA Omniverse technologies, enabling real-time collaboration between Vertiv, iGenius and NVIDIA, to accelerate system-level decisions and compress the design-to-deploy cycle. The Omniverse Blueprint enables real-time simulations, allowing engineers to test and refine designs instantly, rather than waiting for lengthy simulation processes, reducing simulation times from months to hours. Vertiv manufacturing and factory integration processes reduce deployment time by up to 50% compared to traditional data center builds. This collaborative 3D design process validated the entire infrastructure stack, enabling predictive modeling of thermal load, electrical flow, and site layout for 132kW liquid-cooled racks to modular power systems before a single module was built. Designed with Intelligence. Unified by Software. Vertiv's AI-ready prefabricated modular data center solution is designed, manufactured, delivered, installed and commissioned by Vertiv. It includes power, cooling, management, monitoring, service and maintenance offerings, with power and cooling capacity supporting up to 132kW/rack initially, with an ability to scale up as required for future designs. The building shell integrates prefabricated white space inside while deploying full modular grey space outside. This approach offers exceptional scalability and energy efficiency, transforming the way data centers are built and deployed. Colosseum will leverage NVIDIA Mission Control for data center operations and orchestration and Vertiv Unify to simplify and synchronize building management for AI factories. Vertiv Unify provides: Real-time orchestration across power, cooling, and compute Digital twin synchronization for closed-loop optimization AI-ready capabilities that support autonomous decision-making Through its integration of NVIDIA Omniverse technologies, Vertiv Unify enables real-time updates between physical systems and digital models allowing predictive maintenance, what-if simulations, and scenario testing before operational risk occurs. The Blueprint for AI Factories Globally Colosseum is more than a data center. It's the template for scalable, repeatable, sovereign AI factories. By combining cloud-scale density, local data control, and modular deployment, it signals the next phase of AI: where inference must be secure, fast, compliant, and distributed. This is not a one-off project it's a reference point. iGenius is building a blueprint with Colosseum designed to be repeated globally, with Vertiv and NVIDIA aligned on future platform support, including DGX GB300 systems and beyond. The future of sovereign AI is no longer theoretical it's being built now. For more information, visit iGenius.ai, nvidia.com, or Vertiv.com. Forward-looking statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27 of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These statements are only a prediction. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements set forth herein. Readers are referred to Vertiv's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for a discussion of these and other important risk factors concerning Vertiv and its operations. Vertiv is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Vertiv. Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to enable its customers' vital applications to run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today's data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extends from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, USA, Vertiv does business in more than 130 countries. For more information, and for the latest news and content from Vertiv, visit vertiv.com. About iGenius iGenius is a deep-tech company specialized in Artificial Intelligence solutions for companies operating in highly regulated industries, including financial services, government, or heavy industry. Today, iGenius is one of the leading unicorns in the European AI landscape, active in both Europe and the United States to support companies in adopting secure, private, and efficient AI at scale. iGenius' main product, Unicorn, offers tailored solutions for companies looking to integrate AI in a safe and effective way, mainly through two proprietary Large Language Models (LLMs). Italia 10B, is a multi-language model optimized for regulated industries and elevated computational efficiency, while Colosseum 355B is fit for mission-critical use cases. In addition to Unicorn, iGenius' product offer includes Crystal, an AI agent for Decision Intelligence that analyzes business data in natural language and accurately supports strategic insight-driven decision-making. Vertiv media contact: [email protected] SOURCE Vertiv Holdings Co. VANCOUVER, BC, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Integra Resources Corp. ("Integra" or the "Company") (TSXV: ITR) (NYSE American: ITRG) is pleased to provide an interim operational update for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (the "first quarter 2025" or "Q1 2025"). The Company plans to release its first quarter 2025 financial results after market close on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, followed by a conference call hosted by senior management on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time / 8:00 AM Pacific Time. (All amounts in U.S. dollars as at March 31, 2025, unless otherwise stated) First Quarter 2025 Florida Canyon Mine Operational Update The Florida Canyon Mine produced 19,323 ounces of gold and sold 19,540 ounces of gold during the first quarter 2025. Gold production exceeded expectations, partly due to the recovery and processing of approximately 2,000 ounces of previously unrecovered gold confined within an electrowinning tank as part of a one-time efficiency improvement project. Strong gold production was further supported by the continued ramp-up of solution flow rates through the heap leach pads and new carbon-in-column circuit commissioned in late 2024. Unit abbreviations: kt = 1,000 metric tonnes, g/t = grams per tonne, Au = gold, oz = troy ounce Florida Canyon Mine Operating Highlights Q1 2025 Ore mined kt 3,021 Waste mined kt 1,799 Total mined kt 4,820 Strip ratio waste:ore 0.60 Crushed ore to pad kt 1,764 Run-of-mine ("ROM") ore to pad kt 1,199 Total placed kt 2,963 Crushed grade g/t Au 0.26 ROM grade g/t Au 0.19 Processed grade g/t Au 0.23 Gold recovery rate % 60.4 % Gold produced oz 19,323 Gold sold oz 19,540 First Quarter 2025 Financial Position Unit abbreviations: $m = millions of U.S. dollars Financial Position as of March 31, 2025 Cash and cash equivalents $m 61.1 Working capital1 $m 68.3 1. Non-IFRS measure. Refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this news release. Full financial results for the first quarter 2025 will be reported and filed on Integra's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. First Quarter 2025 Conference Call Integra will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time / 8:00 AM Pacific Time, to discuss first quarter 2025 results. Details for the conference call and webcast are included below. Dial-In Numbers / Webcast: Conference ID: 2435675 Toll Free: (888) 672-2415 Toll: +1 (646) 307-1963 Webcast: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/434938829 About Integra Resources Integra is a growing precious metals producer in the Great Basin of the Western United States. Integra is focused on demonstrating profitability and operational excellence at its principal operating asset, the Florida Canyon Mine, located in Nevada. In addition, Integra is committed to advancing its flagship development-stage heap leach projects: the past producing DeLamar Project located in southwestern Idaho and the Nevada North Project located in western Nevada. Integra creates sustainable value for shareholders, stakeholders, and local communities through successful mining operations, efficient project development, disciplined capital allocation, and strategic M&A, while upholding the highest industry standards for environmental, social, and governance practices. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS George Salamis President, CEO and Director Company website: www.integraresources.com Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Raphael Dutaut (Ph.D., P.Geo, OGQ Membership 1301), Integra's Vice President, Geology and Mining. Mr. Dutaut is a "qualified person" as defined in National Instrument 43- 101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Non-IFRS 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. In this section, all currency figures in tables are in thousands, except per-share and per-ounce amounts. Working Capital Working capital for the period calculated by subtracting current assets from current liabilities. (in $m) Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 Year Ended December 31, 2024 Current assets $ 117.0 $ 114.5 Less: Current liabilities 48.7 50.1 Working capital (deficit) $ 68.3 $ 64.4 Forward Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release contains "forwardlooking statements" and "forwardlooking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and in applicable United States securities law (referred to herein as forwardlooking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forwardlooking statements which includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: the future financial or operating performance of the Company and the Wildcat and Mountain View deposits (the "Nevada North Project"), the Florida Mountain and DeLamar deposits (the "DeLamar Project") and the Florida Canyon mine (the "Florida Canyon Mine" and together with the Nevada North Project and the DeLamar Project, the "Projects"). Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "would", "anticipate", 'believe", "expect", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "budget", "scheduled", "plans", "planned", "forecasts", "goals" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of factors and assumptions made by management and considered reasonable at the time such statement was made. Assumptions and factors include: expected synergies from acquisition of Florida Canyon; the Company's ability to complete its planned exploration and development programs; the absence of adverse conditions at the Projects; satisfying ongoing covenants under the Company's loan facilities; no unforeseen operational delays; no material delays in obtaining necessary permits; results of independent engineer technical reviews; the possibility of cost overruns and unanticipated costs and expenses; the price of gold remaining at levels that continue to render the Projects economic, as applicable; the Company's ability to continue raising necessary capital to finance operations; and the ability to realize on the mineral resource and reserve estimates. Forwardlooking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and competitive uncertainties; the actual results of current and future exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; meeting various expected cost estimates; benefits of certain technology usage; changes in project parameters and/or economic assessments as plans continue to be refined; future prices of metals; possible variations of mineral grade or recovery rates; the risk that actual costs may exceed estimated costs; geological, mining and exploration technical problems; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; risks related to local communities; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); title to properties; and other factors beyond the Company's control and as well as those factors included herein and elsewhere in the Company's public disclosure. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are advised to study and consider risk factors disclosed in Integra's Annual Information Form dated March 26, 2025 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which is available on the SEDAR+ issuer profile for the Company at www.sedarplus.ca and available as Exhibit 99.1 to Integra's Form 40-F, which is available on the EDGAR profile for the Company at www.sec.gov. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of assumptions or factors, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Investors are urged to read the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulatory agencies, which can be viewed online under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Cautionary Note for U.S. Investors Concerning Mineral Resources and Reserves NI 43-101 is a rule of the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Technical disclosure contained in this news release has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Classification System. These standards differ from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and resource information contained in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by domestic United States companies subject to the SEC's reporting and disclosure requirements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Integra Resources Corp. MassMutual also to Provide Seed Capital Investment to Support Scale of Both Firms' Private Wealth Offerings ATLANTA, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ) and MassMutual announced today an agreement for Invesco to repurchase $1 billion of its $4 billion of outstanding Invesco, Ltd Series A Preferred Stock otherwise noncallable until May 2040 at the price and on terms described in the agreement. The all-cash repurchase, which will be funded through debt financing, is expected to close in May 2025. Further, the repurchase agreement between Invesco Ltd. and MassMutual provides for the possibility of future repurchases of the remaining $3 billion of outstanding Preferred Stock in a way that would be beneficial for both parties. The announced repurchase is expected to be earnings accretive to Invesco beginning in the second half of 2025, enabling further deleveraging and improving balance sheet flexibility while retaining the ability to both invest in growth initiatives and return capital to shareholders. Invesco also announced today an increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.205 to $0.210 per common share. MassMutual remains a significant Invesco shareholder with approximately 18.2% ownership of common shares outstanding and is a longstanding strategic partner to Invesco with previous seed and co-investment capital commitments exceeding $3 billion in total and approximately $9 billion of Invesco managed assets sold through MassMutual's broker-dealer, variable annuity and sub-advisory platforms. MassMutual logo Barings logo Additionally, Invesco and Barings, MassMutual's $442 billion global asset management subsidiary, announced today a new strategic product and distribution partnership agreement for U.S. Wealth channels, bringing together their unique private markets capabilities. MassMutual intends to support this initiative with $650 million initially to accelerate the growth and scale of the partnership's innovative U.S. wealth management product offerings. The immediate focus of this partnership will be on differentiated and industry-leading private credit solutions for our clients, building on Invesco's deep client relationships in the U.S. wealth channel. Investment capabilities will leverage both firms' global private credit and public fixed income expertise, extensive product structuring and sophisticated asset allocation capabilities, as well as Barings' and Invesco's expertise creating unique products for complex institutional portfolios. Over the longer term, the partnership will leverage both firms' deep product innovation expertise to meet clients' income needs across the multi-strategy credit spectrum and across a wide range of investment vehicles in the U.S. Wealth market. "We are excited about this evolution in our strategic relationship with MassMutual. Given our long history together, we are pleased to form this partnership with Barings. We believe our complementary capabilities will create a formidable combination helping us deliver unique income solutions for the U.S. Wealth segment, and we look forward to continuing to find unique combinations and partners that allow us to address needs of our clients across all segments and market cycles. This partnership is special because it also allows us to further strengthen our balance sheet, delivers new solutions to clients, enhances flexibility and ultimately gives us the opportunity to meaningfully improve our overall leverage profile while also being earnings accretive. Importantly, this transaction does not preclude continued investments in our business to support growth nor our ability to maintain a regular program of share repurchases and modest increases in the common stock dividend, both of which we expect to continue to execute," stated Andrew Schlossberg, President and CEO of Invesco Ltd. "MassMutual's partnership with Invesco and their collaboration with Barings only further strengthens the value MassMutual delivers to our policyowners through our portfolio of strategic businesses and investments, one of our key competitive differentiators," said MassMutual Chairman, President and CEO Roger Crandall. "This mutually beneficial relationship also enhances our global asset management capabilities by expanding Barings' product and distribution opportunities. Importantly, this transaction gives us additional financial flexibility to strategically reinvest in our business and accelerate progress on our long-term strategy." "With the majority of our platform spanning alternative assets, scaling those capabilities in the U.S. wealth market continues to be a long-term growth objective for Barings. We are excited to partner with Invesco to expand wealth investors' access to private markets by leveraging our long history of delivering solutions to institutional investors," said Mike Freno, Chairman and CEO of Barings. Additional details can be found in Invesco's first quarter 2025 earnings presentation on Invesco's website at invesco.com/corporate. About Invesco Invesco is a global independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. Our distinctive investment teams deliver a comprehensive range of active, passive and alternative investment capabilities. With offices in more than 20 countries, Invesco managed $1.84 trillion in assets on behalf of clients worldwide as of March 31, 2025. For more information, visit www.invesco.com/corporate. About MassMutual (Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company) MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. Founded in 1851, the company has been continually guided by one consistent purpose: we help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. With a focus on delivering long-term value, MassMutual offers a wide range of protection, accumulation, wealth management, and retirement products and services. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com. About Barings Barings is a $442+ billion* global asset management firm that partners with institutional, insurance, and intermediary clients, and supports leading businesses with flexible financing solutions. The firm, a subsidiary of MassMutual, seeks to deliver excess returns by leveraging its global scale and capabilities across public and private markets in fixed income, real assets and capital solutions. Learn more at www.Barings.com. *Assets under management as of March 31, 2025 Investor Relations Contacts: Greg Ketron 404-724-4299 Jennifer Church 404-439-3428 Media Relations Contact: Andrea Raphael 212-323-4202 MassMutual Contact: [email protected] Barings Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Invesco Ltd. NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. ("Elf" or the "Company") (NYSE: ELF) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, and docketed under 25-cv-02316, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Elf securities between November 1, 2023 and November 19, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials. If you are an investor who purchased or otherwise acquired Elf securities during the Class Period, you have until May 5, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] Elf, together with its subsidiaries, provides cosmetic and skin care products under the e.l.f. Cosmetics, e.l.f. Skin, Well People, Naturium, and Keys Soulcare brand names. The Company employs an "omni-channel distribution strategy" and sells its products with retailers in the United States, as well as internationally. Elf also sells its products online through its own direct e-commerce channels, as well as through other e-commerce websites. According to the Company's "value proposition," "[e]ach of [its] brands has accessible pricing relative to its competitive set and furthers [the Company's] mission of making the best of beauty accessible to every eye, lip, face and skin concern. As an example, e.l.f. Cosmetics' average product price point is approximately $6, as compared to other leading mass cosmetics brands which have average product price points over $9 and prestige cosmetics brands which have average product price points over $20, according to Nielsen." The Company purports to have developed a "scalable, asset-light supply chain centered on the combination of speed to market, high-quality and low costs." Substantially all of the Company's products are sourced and manufactured in China through "close collaboration with a network of third-party manufacturers." Elf has also touted that it has "ample manufacturing capacity as well as redundant capabilities in the event that one or more suppliers cannot meet [its] needs" and that its "broad supply base gives [it] the ability to fulfill [its] product requirements and remain cost competitive." As a retail company, effective inventory management is critical to Elf's financial performance. Specifically, the Company derives revenue from "sales of [its] beauty products, net of provisions for sales discounts and allowances, product returns, markdowns and price adjustments." Accordingly, Elf's profitability depends, in large part, on ensuring that it maintains a volume of inventory that will allow the Company to effectively sell its products at a level that will meet customer demand. Conversely, Elf maintaining a level of inventory that is excessive relative to customer demand will result in the Company holding products that cannot be effectively sold and must therefore be written down or sold at a loss, thereby negatively impacting its profitability. As its investors would eventually learn, Elf's inventory management was woefully ineffective. In fiscal Q2 2024, the Company began identifying growth concerns when inventory levels rose as a consequence of flagging sales. However, Elf concealed this issue from investors. Instead, the Company described itself at all relevant times as one of a "rarified group of high-growth companies" with "strong relationships with [its] retail customers such as Target, Walmart, Ulta Beauty and other leading retailers that have enabled [it] to expand distribution both domestically and internationally" and consistently maintained that "the combination of its value proposition, innovation engine, ability to attract and engage consumers, and its world-class team's ability to execute with speed, has positioned the Company well to navigate the competitive beauty market." The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) contrary to its representations to investors, the Company was experiencing rising inventory levels as a consequence of flagging sales; (ii) Elf falsely attributed the rising inventory levels to, among other things, changes in its sourcing practices; (iii) to maintain investor confidence, Elf reported inflated revenue, profits, and inventory over several quarters; (iv) accordingly. the Company's business and/or financial prospects were overstated; (v) all of the foregoing, once revealed, would likely have a material negative impact on the Company; and (vi) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On November 20, 2024, Muddy Waters Research ("Muddy Waters") published a report entitled "e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. A Revenue and Inventory Mystery", alleging that Elf had "materially overstated revenue over the past three quarters," and that in "Q2 FY24, ELF management realized its growth narrative was in trouble as its inventory built. It appears that ELF then began reporting inflated revenue and profits. Its reported inventory also appears materially inflated as a result - i.e., to account for cash that has not really come in." Further, Muddy Waters accused the Company of concealing its inventory challenges from investors by falsely attributing its rising inventory levels to supposed changes in its sourcing practices rather than the true causeinsufficient sales. On this news, Elf's stock price fell $2.71 per share, or 2.23%, to close at $119.00 per share on November 20, 2024. Elf's share price continued to fall. After the Class Period ended, on February 6, 2025, Elf released its fiscal Q3 2024 results and provided its fiscal 2025 outlook. Specifically, Elf revealed that it expected full-year fiscal 2025 net sales growth to be 27%-28%, down from the previous guidance of 28-30%, and also revised its adjusted EBITDA guidance to $289-293 million, down from $304-308 million, resulting in part from the updated sales outlook and a $7 million foreign currency loss. Further, the Company stated that it anticipated net sales growth was lowered to -1% to +2%, with management explaining that this reflected prudence amid softer consumption trends, challenging category conditions, and slower-than-expected new product performance. On March 5, 2025i.e., the last trading session before the filing of this ComplaintElf's stock price closed at $64.67 per share, representing a total decline of $57.04 per share, or nearly 47%, since the truth about the Company's inventory management and revenue first came to light. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Endeavour Silver Corp. ("Endeavour" or the "Company") (NYSE: EXK). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Endeavour and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On April 1, 2025, Endeavour issued a press release announcing its "deci[sion] to upsize its previously announced bought deal of common shares." Pursuant to the deal, a syndicate of underwriters "have agreed to purchase, on a bought-deal basis, 11,600,000 Shares, at a price of US$3.88 per Share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately US$45 million[.]" Following news of the upsizing, Endeavour's stock price fell $0.49 per share, or 11.48% to close at $3.78 per share on April 1, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of RLX Technology Inc. ("RLX" or the "Company") (NYSE: RLX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether RLX and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On March 17, 2025, Citi downgraded RLX stock to Neutral from Buy, citing overseas headwinds from regulatory changes and an unfavorable product mix shift, and predicting that organic growth of RLX's overseas business will decelerate in 2025. On this news, RLX's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $0.30 per ADR, or 13.27%, to close at $1.96 per ADR on March 17, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. ("SEI" or the "Company") (NYSE: SEI). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether SEI and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until May 27, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired SEI securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On July 9, 2024, Solaris announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Mobile Energy Rentals LLC ("MER"). Then, on March 17, 2025, Morpheus Research published an investigative report alleging, among other things, that MER had been "a ~$2.5 million revenue equipment leasing business based out of a condo with zero employees, no turbines, and no track record in the mobile turbine rental industry." The report revealed that one of MER's co-owners, John Tuma, was in fact, a "convicted felon" for "environmental crimes and lying to the court 'on multiple occasions under oath'" and was involved in a "$800 million gas turbine scandal . . . that included allegations of bid rigging [and] corruption." Despite being "nothing more than a small, local switchgear rental business at the end of 2023" MER was "seemingly transformed throughout the first half of 2024 just months before it was acquired by Solaris" immediately after Tuma joined the Company. The report further described how, in that period, MER had acquired substantially all of its turbines, primarily financed through the $71 million in debt that Solaris would later pay in the Acquisition. Moreover, contrary to Solaris's claims "that MER had a 'contracted and diversified earnings stream[,]'" in fact, "96% of its Power Solutions revenue was derived from a single customer[.]" On this news, SEI's stock price fell $4.15 per share, or 16.86%, to close at $20.46 per share on March 17, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP HOUSTON, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Walker LLP is pleased to welcome Erica Daehn-McHard as special counsel in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Industry Team in the firm's Houston office. "We are pleased to welcome Erica to our energy litigation team. Her experience will be valuable to our clients navigating the complex legal challenges that arise in this industry," said Bill Hines, managing partner of Jones Walker. Jones Walker welcomes Erica Daehn-McHard as special counsel in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Industry Team in the firms Houston office. Erica defends energy sector clients in the personal injury litigation context, including the development of case strategies, assessment of industrial regulation compliance, mitigation of risks, and representation throughout the litigation process. She handles claims involving motor vehicle collisions, workplace accidents, and similar liability issues, and oversees the recovery of judgments owed to clients through various judgment enforcement actions. "It is an honor to join Jones Walker, a firm with a strong energy litigation practice," Erica said. "I am excited to continue to build on my years of experience in personal injury litigation and contribute to such a talented and respected team of energy attorneys." Erica has developed and executed both plaintiff and defense litigation strategies for a diverse portfolio of clients. She has handled matters ranging from commercial litigation, personal injury litigation (including traumatic brain injuries, automobile collisions, trucking litigation, and bad faith litigation), construction litigation, and medical malpractice defense to more general insurance-related disputes, as well as commercial transactions and general contract issues. Erica is licensed to practice in Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, and Texas. About Jones Walker Jones Walker LLP (joneswalker.com) is among the largest 145 law firms in the United States. With offices in Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, and Texas, we serve local, regional, national, and international business interests. The firm is committed to providing a comprehensive range of legal services to major multinational public and private corporations, Fortune 500 companies, money center banks, worldwide insurers, and emerging companies doing business in the United States and abroad. Contact : Savannah Kirk 225.248.3435 [email protected] SOURCE Jones Walker LLP The partnership merges the capabilities of both companies while providing California-based FleetLogix with the resources needed to grow and better serve its clients and customers. HARTFORD, Conn., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LAZ Parking, the largest, fastest-growing privately-owned parking operator in the United States, is pleased to announce it has acquired a majority interest in FleetLogix, a provider of fleet management and staffing services serving the transportation, logistics, and fleet services industries. Based in San Diego, California, FleetLogix is recognized as a best-in-class managed labor and technology solutions provider in the transportation and mobility industry. The partnership with LAZ will allow the company to accelerate its growth and better support its customer base throughout the U.S. and Canada. "We are thrilled to be partnering with FleetLogix and to be merging the world-class capabilities of our two companies," said Alan Lazowski, Chairman and CEO of LAZ Parking. The partnership is a great fit for LAZ because FleetLogix provides services complementary to LAZ's core business of providing customers with best-in-class talent and technology. The two companies will be able to share operational best practices and technology for an enhanced customer experience. FleetLogix customers will benefit from access to LAZ resources and HR capabilities, which will enhance the speed with which FleetLogix and FleetAnalytix, its web-based data analysis platform, can deploy personnel. "This deal provides FleetLogix with the resources it needs to grow," said Jeff Karp, President and Founder of LAZ Parking. "Bringing FleetLogix into the LAZ family makes perfect sense culturally and makes the most of each company's strengths." FleetLogix primarily serves rental car agencies, providing managed labor services that include transportation and cleaning of rental cars at over 37 airports nationwide. Other services provided by the company include onsite management, HR, payroll, and recruiting functions; shuttle bus driving; maintenance support; valet/check-in services and porters; lost and found management, and more. The company operates in 50 locations at 37 airports in over 20 states, with 2,400 employees. Its FleetAnalytix technology is in use at over 75 airports in the U.S. and Canada, tracking over 1.4 million vehicle movements per month. "We could not be more excited about the opportunity this partnership represents for FleetLogix." said Adam Kimball, CEO of FleetLogix. "We can't think of a better partner with which to chart our future than LAZ." "A tremendous strategic step for our investment and the entire LAZ team," said Jason Zibarras, founder and managing partner at Argo Infrastructure Partners, which, through its managed funds, is an investor in LAZ Parking. About LAZ Parking LAZ Parking is the largest, fastest-growing privately owned parking operator in the United States and a pioneer in digital parking technology. Founded in Hartford, CT, LAZ has been providing best-in-class parking management and transportation services since 1981 and operates over 1.7 million parking spaces in over 4,000 locations in 42 states and 530 cities in the U.S. and Canada. LAZ is an industry leader in business intelligence, remote monitoring, eCommerce solutions, and Proximity On-Demand Services or "LAZ PODS". We leverage our international network of parking facilities to offer cutting-edge, tech-enabled solutions that include EV charging, micro warehousing, last-mile logistics, working across the hospitality, commercial, healthcare, airports, transportation, universities, government, retail, events, residential, and shuttle service industries. LAZ is a people-first, conscious capitalist company, committed to elevating humanity through business. Additional information can be found at www.lazparking.com. About Argo Infrastructure Partners Argo Infrastructure Partners LP, founded by Jason Zibarras, is an independent fund manager with a long-term approach to infrastructure investing. Argo invests in high-quality infrastructure businesses and assets that provide essential services to their communities over their long operational lives, including investments in utilities, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and other long-duration infrastructure assets. Argo's investment philosophy couples sound investment return with responsible and sustainable investing. As of January 2025, Argo manages over $6 billion in assets on behalf of its investor partners. For more information, visit www.argoip.com. SOURCE LAZ Parking Company's Outstanding Efforts in Delivery and Collaborative Cost Reduction Recognized by the World's Largest Car Manufacturer SEOUL, South Korea, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG), a mobility sector technology leader, has been awarded the 2024 Excellent Value Improvement Award by Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) for the first time. The award was presented at TMNA's Annual Supplier Business Meeting in the U.S. This award recognizes LG's contributions to component quality and technological innovation in Toyota's largest market, North America. LG Honored with Toyotas Excellent Value Improvement Award for the First Time To determine the award winners, TMNA evaluates supplier performance based on key criteria such as technology and development, supplier diversity, value improvement, Value Analysis achievement, quality, launch and value chain promotion. LG was highly commended for its outstanding delivery and proactive support of cost innovation initiatives. The company's commitment to on-time, high-quality supply chain management has ensured seamless operations for Toyota, while its collaborative approach to cost optimization prioritizes continuous improvement over simple price reductions. LG also excelled in Manufacturing Improvement, demonstrating resilience and operational excellence in the challenging post-pandemic landscape. LG has been a trusted partner of Toyota since supplying Navi-box components for its vehicles in 2011. This partnership expanded in 2019 to include advanced telematics solutions for TMNA. The LG Vehicle Solution Company leverages its expertise in 5G telematics technology to deliver advanced connectivity solutions tailored for the automotive industry. The company provides versatile telematics control units (TCUs) available in both standalone and integrated-antenna configurations. These TCUs feature cutting-edge capabilities, including 5G connectivity, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, and robust cybersecurity measures. Such innovations enable automakers to offer seamless connectivity, efficiently supporting the growing demands of connected and autonomous driving. Through close collaboration with global automakers, LG continues to drive innovation and reinforce its leadership position in automotive telematics. "LG's commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement has been outstanding," said Ryan Grimm, Group Vice President of TMNA R&D Purchasing Supplier Development. "We appreciate LG's proactive approach to meeting our evolving needs and look forward to building on this strong foundation as we move forward together." "This highly esteemed award validates our efforts in advancing automotive technology and underscores our commitment to collaboration and building customer trust," said Brad Oh, president of LG Vehicle Solution USA. "Our advanced telematics solutions prioritize vehicle connectivity and safety, helping Toyota realize its vision for the future of mobility through cutting-edge technologies and continued partnership." About LG Electronics Vehicle Solution Company The LG Vehicle Solution Company (VS) is bringing LG's unique human-centered innovations to the automotive industry. As a trusted and innovative partner, the company provides intelligent solutions including head units, displays, connectivity, ADAS vision systems, and software solutions for software-defined vehicles. Committed to "Driving Better Future Mobility," the company has diversified its portfolio to further strengthen its capabilities. This includes the acquisition of automotive lighting systems provider ZKW Group and vehicle cybersecurity company Cybellum, as well as the establishment of the LG Magna e-Powertrain joint venture. For more information, visit www.LG.com/global/mobility. To stay updated with the latest news, subscribe to the LG mobility newsletter, LG Loop at www.LG.com/global/mobility/newsletter and follow the LG VS Company LinkedIn channel at www.linkedin.com/company/lgvehiclesolution. SOURCE LG Electronics ONTARIO, Calif., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a stunning disregard for public opposition and local economic realities, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) voted unanimously last Wednesday to approve an 18% rate hike, spread over two years, despite clear opposition from multiple member agencies, concerns from the public, calls for more transparency, and requests for more time to study the matter. In a joint statement, local agency leaders for Chino, Montclair, Monte Vista Water District, and Ontario called IEUA's vote "deeply disappointing and procedurally flawed," pointing to the agency's refusal to grant additional time for review, or to meaningfully collaborate with the cities and agencies most impacted. "This wasn't collaborationit was a box-checking exercise," said Chino Mayor Eunice Ulloa. "IEUA mischaracterized the process as thorough, while withholding key documents and dismissing any agency or person who raised concerns. Even the rate study that underpins this decision was withheld until the legal deadline, leaving no time for cities or residents to evaluate its assumptions or implications. Public governance requires more than legal complianceit demands transparency, accountability, and respect." Despite multiple comment letters in opposition to the rate hike, and a clear absence of support from IEUA's own Policy Committee and Technical Advisory Committee, the IEUA Board voted unanimously to adopt the increase. Member agencies had requested additional time to review the proposed rates, but IEUA justified the denial by citing the internal timelines of one or two agenciesdespite having approved past rate increases as late as July. At the center of the controversy is IEUA's Chino Basin Program (CBP), a massive recycled water treatment project that promises to transfer up to 100% of its yield to the State of California while local communities like Chino, Montclair, and Ontario continue to struggle with water reliability and affordability. "IEUA has chosen to ignore the voices of the very people it was created to serve," said Ontario City Councilmember Debra Porada. "This rate hike is not about local water reliability; it is about funding a billion-dollar project that sends our water to the State while our communities get stuck with the bill." IEUA Board members also made several disparaging public comments during the meeting, with one member saying, "It's not a whole heck of a lot of money, and people are going to be able to eat." The Board member went on to disdain those without technical backgrounds as unqualified to question the agency's decisions. "This kind of dismissive attitude toward public input is unacceptable," said Monte Vista Water District Board President Sandra S. Rose. "These decisions affect real families, and agencies should be equal partners in regional infrastructure planning." Adding to concerns is IEUA's shifting rationale for how it is using public fundsparticularly property taxes. Historically, IEUA has dedicated a portion of property tax revenues to specific purposes, like wastewater treatment. Now, without notice or clarity, those funds are being reframed as general reserves available for any use, effectively bypassing cost-of-service nexus requirements that protect ratepayers from unjustified charges. "This behavior is exactly why IEUA is facing growing legal scrutiny," said Montclair Mayor Javier "John" Dutrey. "You cannot run a public agency this waywith closed-door decisions, misleading public statements, and a blatant disregard for accountability." The four agencies continue to advocate for investments in local recycled water infrastructure that would deliver drought-resilient, cost-effective water for the communities they serve. To date, IEUA has not released sufficient information on the future capital investments, debt obligations, or rate impacts associated with the CBP. A joint letter from these cities was submitted on March 28 requesting clarity on how ratepayer and taxpayer dollars would be used. IEUA has not responded. Residents are encouraged to stay informed, speak up, and continue to hold regional agencies accountable. For more information, visit: www.ontarioca.gov/government/municipal-utilities-company SOURCE City of Ontario CHICAGO, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryerson Holding Corporation (NYSE: RYI) ("Ryerson"), a leading value-added processor and distributor of industrial metals, announced today the election of Lt. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford, U.S. Army (Ret.), to the Ryerson Board of Directors ("Board"). Steve Larson, Chair of the Board and the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Bruce Crawford to the Ryerson Board. At Ryerson, we are committed to regularly evaluating our Board's composition to ensure we have the right mix of backgrounds, skills, and experiences. We are confident Bruce will provide valuable perspectives as Ryerson advances on its next stage operational and financial performance targets." Eddie Lehner, President, CEO and Director of Ryerson, noted, "It is my pleasure to welcome Bruce to the Board. Bruce brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience in the areas of information technology, cybersecurity, and operations that, combined with his strategic expertise, will be invaluable as we continue optimizing our investments toward further improving Ryerson's next-stage operating model and customer experience." Prior to joining Ryerson, General Crawford retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of Lieutenant General after serving for 34 years, culminating as the U.S. Army's Chief Information Officer and principal enterprise IT and cybersecurity policy advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Staff. Before that, General Crawford served in various operational, strategic, and tactical positions in the U.S., Europe, the Pacific, and Southwest Asia. Following his transition from the Army, General Crawford served as the Chief of Innovation, Chair of the Digital Advisory Group, Director of the Global Digital Center of Excellence, and Senior Vice President for Strategic Development, Growth and Sales in the $5 billion government-focused Critical Mission Solutions division at Jacobs Solutions Inc., a provider of engineering, technical, professional, and construction services. General Crawford earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from South Carolina State University. He also holds a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, and an Honorary Doctor of Public Service from South Carolina State University. General Crawford serves on the Board of Directors of Foundation Risk Partners, Comtech Telecommunications Corp, the George C. Marshall International Center, and the Executive Committee of AFCEA International. He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of Avalara, Inc. About Ryerson Ryerson is a leading value-added processor and distributor of industrial metals, with operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China. Founded in 1842, Ryerson has around 4,300 employees in over 110 locations. Visit Ryerson at www.ryerson.com. Safe Harbor Provision Certain statements made in this release and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding our future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates, objectives, or projections relating to the future. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "objectives," "goals," "preliminary," "range," "believes," "expects," "may," "estimates," "will," "should," "plans," or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. The Company cautions that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and may involve significant risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may vary materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Among the factors that significantly impact our business are: the cyclicality of our business; the highly competitive, volatile, and fragmented metals industry in which we operate; the impact of geopolitical events; fluctuating metal prices; our indebtedness and the covenants in instruments governing such indebtedness; the integration of acquired operations; regulatory and other operational risks associated with our operations located inside and outside of the United States; the influence of a single investor group over our policies and procedures; work stoppages; obligations under certain employee retirement benefit plans; currency fluctuations; and consolidation in the metals industry. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various factors, including those set forth above and those set forth under "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, we caution against placing undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, new information or otherwise. Manager Investor Relations: Pratham Dear 312.292.5033 [email protected] SOURCE Ryerson Holding Corporation McKINNEY, Texas, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- McKinney Buick GMC has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Buick GMC Dealer of the Year Award, recognizing the dealership's outstanding sales performance and exceptional customer experience. This distinguished honor highlights McKinney Buick GMC's commitment to excellence in all aspects of dealership operations, from sales to service. "At McKinney Buick GMC, we believe exceptional service isn't just about meeting expectationsit's about creating memorable experiences that keep our customers coming back for life," said David Kelley, Dealer Principal at McKinney Buick GMC. "This Dealer of the Year Award reflects our team's unwavering commitment to putting customers first in everything we do, from the showroom floor to the service bay." The Dealer of the Year Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by Buick GMC, acknowledging dealerships that consistently demonstrate superior performance in sales, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. "What truly sets our dealership apart is our people," Kelley added. "Every member of our team approaches each interaction with genuine care and dedication, whether someone is purchasing their dream vehicle or simply coming in for routine maintenance. We're honored to receive this recognition, but the real reward is seeing satisfied customers drive away knowing they've been treated like family." McKinney Buick GMC has been serving the McKinney area and surrounding communities for decades, providing quality vehicles and exceptional service to thousands of satisfied customers. About McKinney Buick GMC McKinney Buick GMC is a premier Buick and GMC dealership located in McKinney, Texas. Offering a wide selection of new and pre-owned vehicles, McKinney Buick GMC is committed to providing customers with an outstanding purchasing and ownership experience. Contact: David Kelley Phone: (972)-670-9461 SOURCE McKinney Buick GMC Exclusive partnership ensures infrastructure readiness for world's first consumer MEG centres, supporting MYndspan's Crowdcube campaign and international rollout LONDON, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - MYndspan, the first company to offer clinical-grade MEG brain scanning to consumers, today announced an exclusive partnership with IMEDCO, the global leader in magnetically shielded room (MSR) infrastructure. IMEDCO will be the sole supplier of MSRs for all future MYndspan scanning sites. This collaboration ensures MYndspan can scale its flagship MEG brain health centres with world-class shielding systems, supporting expansion across the UK and internationally. The partnership also underpins MYndspan's active Crowdcube raise and ensures the company is infrastructure-ready for rapid growth. Secure Your Spot in the Future of Brain Health Early investors will receive priority access to MYndspan's brain health scanning service, launching at our flagship London site later this year. With limited scan capacity and growing media attentionfrom The Guardian, Stylist Magazine, and ITV Newsdemand is expected to exceed availability. Invest now on Crowdcube to reserve your place and be among the first to experience the world's most advanced brain scan. Invest in MYndspan on Crowdcube. Laying the Foundation for Scalable Precision MYndspan provides real-time brain scans that deliver actionable insights, including Functional Brain Age and Brain Stability Index, through a 10-minute MEG scan and a 45-minute in-person appointment. MEG is the most precise method for measuring brain function but requires high-performance magnetic shielding to operate safely and accurately. "IMEDCO's magnetically shielded rooms are the best performing in the world," said Caitlin Baltzer, Co-Founder and CEO of MYndspan. "Partnering with them gives us the turnkey infrastructure we need to scale MEG scanning from our flagship site in London to clinics and wellness centres around the world. They're not just a supplier; they're enabling our mission." IMEDCO will serve as the exclusive MSR provider for MYndspan, outfitting all future sites with their market-leading shielding systems. With over 10.000 RF cages installed globally and a world-record in shielding performance, IMEDCO's engineering expertise and international presence make them a vital partner in expanding access to MEG worldwide "We are proud to support MYndspan on their journey to bring MEG out of the research lab and into widespread clinical use, said Jakob Selzer, CEO of IMEDCO. "We firmly believe that this groundbreaking brain scan technology will soon open up new diagnostic possibilities for people around the world." Bringing Advanced Neurotechnology to the Public Backed by partners including MEGIN, BIOS Health, EMOTIV, and now IMEDCO, MYndspan's service offers clinical-grade MEG scans in a consumer setting for the first time. These scans evaluate real-time brain activity and help detect early signs of cognitive decline, injury, or disrupted connectivity, often before symptoms appear or structural changes are visible on MRI. MEG has long been confined to research and hospital settings due to its complexity and cost. MYndspan and IMEDCO are removing that barrier, combining cutting-edge science with scalable infrastructure. Be Part of What's Next in Brain Health Neurological conditions are now the world's leading cause of poor health. With up to 45% of dementia cases considered preventable through early intervention, consumer-accessible brain scanning is becoming an essential component of preventive healthcare. This partnership ensures MYndspan can deliver precise, repeatable, and comfortable brain scans at scale, supported by shielded environments that meet the highest international standards. The science is proven. The infrastructure is ready. The opportunity is now. Don't miss your opportunity to lead the movement. 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. Its goal is to become a necessary preventive health measure to support better brain health for all, including the early detection of neurodegenerative conditions and functional abnormalities from invisible traumatic brain injuries and disorders such as depression and PTSD. www.myndspan.com About IMEDCO IMEDCO is the world's leading expert in RF and magnetic shielding solutions for MRI systems, with decades of experience delivering ultra-precise environments for sensitive medical and scientific applications. Headquartered in Switzerland and founded in 1987, IMEDCO has completed more than 10.000 installations across the globe and is trusted by hospitals, research institutions, and OEMs alike. In addition to its production facility in Switzerland, IMEDCO operates subsidiaries in North America and China, ensuring optimal alignment with the diverse requirements of international markets. As a pioneer in magnetically shielded room (MSR) technology, IMEDCO designs and delivers customized shielding solutions for high-precision applications such as MEG, MRI, quantum computing, and other advanced modalities. These environments are tailored for use across diverse disciplines, including medicine, physics, materials science, and neuroscience, ensuring reliable protection from both electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. IMEDCO's MSR clients include some of the world's most renowned research institutions and leading universities. With a track record of engineering excellence, a strong international presence, and a focus on continuous innovation, IMEDCO has established itself as the trusted partner for advanced shielding solutions worldwide. www.imedco.com SOURCE MYndspan Crossroads urges Canadians to ask local candidates: How will you support the future of Christian charities pillars of compassion and care across our nation? BURLINGTON, ON, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - As political leaders speak publicly about the importance of faith, and Canadians reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis, Crossroads Christian Communications is spotlighting its National Prayer Map, a growing expression of Canadian unity and spiritual resilience. This is more than a mapits a movement. The Crossroads National Prayer Map tracks prayer coverage across Canada as believers unite in faith from coast to coast. Be part of the vision at crossroads.ca/strongandfree (CNW Group/Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.) Part of Crossroads' Strong & Free campaign at crossroads.ca/strongandfree, the Prayer Map invites Canadians to mark their location online and commit to praying for their communities and country. Over 2,000 people have joined so far a visible reminder that in uncertain times, Canadians and friends south of the border are turning to something enduring: prayer, unity, and the hope found in faith. "Faith has shaped Canada's identity in both beautiful and challenging ways. Today, we must ensure it calls us toward a better future, one marked by unity, compassion, and hope," said Kevin Shepherd, CEO of Crossroads. "In moments like these, right after Easter and the passing of Pope Francis, we're reminded that faith can unite us across differences, generations, and borders. It also calls us into deeper reconciliation with God, with one another, and with our past." The renewed focus on national prayer comes at a time of concern for the future of religious charities in Canada. Of the 86,000 registered charities nationwide, 40% are classified under the advancement of religion including churches, ministries, and faith-based organizations that serve millions of Canadians daily through spiritual care, food banks, shelters, youth programs, and crisis support. Recent tax policy recommendations from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance have raised questions about whether the advancement of religion will continue to qualify as a charitable purpose under Canadian law. Crossroads is urging voters to engage respectfully with their local candidates and ask: How will you support the future of Christian charities in Canada? These organizations are more than houses of worship they are a lifeline in a time of national crisis, providing vital care, compassion, and community support to millions of Canadians. Without them, our nation's social and spiritual fabric is at risk. Since 1962, Crossroads has served Canadians through care and media outreach, including its 24/7 Prayer Line, which has answered over 14 million calls. Its flagship program, 100 Huntley Street, remains Canada's longest-running daily talk show, sharing stories of hope and transformation. SOURCE Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. An even more seamless travel experience is ahead as Hawaiian Airlines relocates its lobbies next to Alaska Airlines at several key airports SEATTLE, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are integrating airport spaces across several key airports as part of a network-wide initiative aimed at streamlining operations and delivering a more seamless and efficient travel experience for guests. "We are committed to enhancing guest convenience to set the stage for future collaborative efforts that will benefit all our guests," said Celley Buchanan, vice president of operations and customer service at Alaska Airlines. "These moves represent a significant step in that direction." Alaska Airlines x Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian's co-location efforts involve moving its gates, ticket counters and other airport resources next to Alaska's -- with some locations featuring fully shared spaces between the two airlines. Hawaiian Airlines Joins Alaska at LAX and JFK Today, Hawaiian Airlines check-in operations have moved to Terminal 6 at Los Angeles International Airport, co-locating with Alaska Airlines to offer guests quicker and easier access between gates, counters and baggage claim. Hawaiian also launched operations today at Terminal 8 at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport as part of a months-long transition from Terminal 4. This strategic move enhances connectivity with Alaska's oneworld alliance partners, including American Airlines and British Airways. By October, both Alaska and Hawaiian will be fully consolidated at Terminal 8 as Alaska transitions from its current location at Terminal 7. "The new long-term lease at Terminal 8 and our resulting move strengthen our commitment to enhancing the guest experience, improving employee spaces and driving better economic outcomes for our JFK operation," said Shane Jones, senior vice president of fleet, revenue products and real estate at Alaska Airlines. "Terminal 8 is home to American Airlines our long-standing oneworld partner and this move demonstrates our shared commitment to delivering seamless connectivity for our guests. After two years of thoughtful evaluation, we're excited to be closer to American and other global partners to better serve guests." In addition, thanks to the partnership with American Airlines, First Class guests on both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines enjoy access to the Admirals Club at JFK's Terminal 8 providing a comfortable and premium travel experience. Hawaiian Airlines guests booked in the First Class cabin also have access to American's Greenwich Flagship Lounge. "We are thrilled to welcome our West Coast International Alliance and oneworld partner, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines to Terminal 8," said Amanda Zhang, American's vice president of corporate real estate. "We continue to invest in JFK to enhance the travel experience for our customers and those of our partners like Alaska and Hawaiian, especially as we make progress on the redesign and expansion of the T8 concessions program, bringing new shops and restaurant options for customers to enjoy." Progress so far and what's next The co-location initiative began last year with Hawaiian relocating next to Alaska in the newly renovated Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport, followed by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. In addition to Los Angeles, JFK, Phoenix and San Francisco, Alaska and Hawaiian plan to co-locate in Sacramento, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, with completion expected later this year. The growing network of co-located spaces not only simplifies the guest experience at the airport for guests but also reflects Alaska and Hawaiian's commitment to providing connectivity, convenience and comfort for all travelers. About Alaska Air Group Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, with McGee Air Services a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. With hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, we deliver remarkable care as we fly our guests to more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Alaska is a member of the oneworld Alliance with Hawaiian scheduled to join in 2026. With oneworld and our additional global partners, guests can earn and redeem miles for travel to over 1,000 worldwide destinations. Guests can book travel at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com. Learn more about what's happening at Alaska and Hawaiian. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as "ALK." SOURCE Alaska Air Group Located at 5075 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 105-B in Peachtree Corners, GA, Norcross Complete Dentistry is renowned for its modern, comfortable facilities and patient-centered approach. PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Norcross Complete Dentistry, a trusted provider of exceptional dental care in Peachtree Corners, is thrilled to announce the introduction of complimentary comprehensive 3D intraoral scans for all new patients. This cutting-edge technology enhances diagnostic precision and allows highly personalized treatment plans, reflecting the clinic's commitment to delivering efficient, empathetic, and expert dental care. The clinic offers a comprehensive range of services, including general dentistry, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and emergency dental care. Their specialized treatments include gum disease therapy, dental implants, clear aligners, and teeth whitening, ensuring that patients of all ages receive the care they need. Norcross Complete Dentistry Norcross Complete Dentistry is equipped with advanced dental technology, including digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and laser dentistry, ensuring precise and efficient treatments. The clinic also offers sedation dentistry options to enhance patient comfort during procedures, accommodating those with dental anxiety or complex treatment needs. Their team is dedicated to understanding each patient's unique needs and providing personalized care in a welcoming, stress-free environment. Patients choose Norcross Complete Dentistry for their expertise, advanced technology, and commitment to delivering care beyond expectations. Recognized as a top-rated dental practice in Peachtree Corners, the clinic has earned numerous five-star reviews for its outstanding service and results. New patients are encouraged to take advantage of this complimentary 3D intraoral scanning offer and experience the Norcross Complete Dentistry difference. The clinic accepts most major PPO insurance plans and offers flexible payment options, ensuring exceptional dental care is accessible to all. "The addition of complimentary 3D intraoral scans for new patients allows us to provide even more precise and efficient care, helping our patients achieve their healthiest and most confident smiles," says Dr. Michael Moon More about Norcross Complete Dentistry: Dr. Michael Moon, DMD, is a certified dentist that graduated from the Dental College of Georgia. He specializes in diagnosing and treating patients with tooth decay, toothaches, and dental emergencies. Dr. Asha Vellanki received her Bachelors her D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) from Loma Linda School of Dentistry in California. Dr. Vellanki is board certified and a member of the American Dental Association and the Georgia Dental Association. Dr. Vellanki is a leader in the dental community, having served as the former President of the Georgia Indian Dental Association (GIDA). Dr. Ravi Patel is originally from Georgia. He received his doctorate from Nova Southeastern University's College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Patel takes time every year to attend continuing education courses all around the country. Norcross Complete Dentistry is located at 5075 Peachtree Parkway Suite 105-B in Peachtree Corners, GA. For more information such as special offerings, services or to schedule an appointment, please visit norcrosscompletedentistry.com or call 678-288-4888. Media Contact Dipesh Patel, Norcross Complete Dentistry, 678-288-4928 https://norcrosscompletedentistry.com SOURCE Norcross Complete Dentistry TOKYO, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MISUMI Group Inc. (the "Company") hereby announces that its Board of Directors' meeting held on April 17, 2025 has resolved that the Company, through its US subsidiary, MISUMI Investment USA Corporation ("MIUC"), acquires Fictiv Inc. ("Fictiv"), a provider of on-demand custom mechanical components procurement services for the US manufacturing industry, for a total consideration of US$ 350 million (approximately JPY 50.1 billion at an exchange rate of JPY 143.23) (the "Acquisition"), and that it has entered into a merger agreement with Fictiv with respect to the Acquisition. 1. Transaction Rationale The aim of this acquisition is to enhance our digital services while expanding our customer domain. Post this Fictiv, founded in 2013, offers on-demand procurement services for custom mechanical components parts for the US manufacturing industry. Fictiv has operations in four global regions in the US, China, India and Mexico, and approximately 400 employees, with a partner network of approximately 250 manufacturing partners worldwide. Fictiv has grown in recent years as a provider of on-demand procurement services for custom mechanical components. Fictiv's business has a high degree of affinity with our meviy business, with advanced technological capabilities, a customer service structure and a strong customer base. MISUMI Group aims to eliminate inefficiencies in the Industrial Automation (IA) industry, enhance our Customer's "Time value," and thereby promote the "Growth Chain-reaction Aspired Management" where the Company, the IA industry, and society grow and develop in tandem. We leverage our unique Business MODEL which combines manufacturing and distribution businesses, strengthening the robust business foundation in IT, production, and logistics that we have built up, and enhances our global network. By meeting our customers' needs for Reliable and Quick Delivery, we contribute to the IA industry's development, especially in the manufacturing sector worldwide. In this context, we have focused on a Digital MODEL Shift for our business and have sequentially released new products and services. The first of these, meviy, is an on-demand procurement service that allows for instantaneous quotations and delivery in as little as one day by simply uploading design data (3D-CAD data) for machine parts. We have reduced the time required to procure custom parts by 90%, have attracted 170,000 users in Japan and overseas over the past five years, and have held the top domestic market share for four consecutive years.* (Source: Techno Systems Research Co., Ltd. "Announcement of the Market Size and Market Trends of Online Mechanical Parts Procurement Services" https://www.t-s-r.co.jp/notice/6085/). The aim of this Acquisition is to "nhan'e our digital services, including meviy, while concurrently expanding our customer domain. By acquiring Fictiv, we will rapidly increase the value we provide from the traditional realm of production equipment to the upstream area of product development within the value chain, establishing a significant starting point for sustainable growth. While the Company and Fictiv share similarities in business content and values, we excel in different areas in terms of product categories and regions of operations. By welcoming Fictiv into the MISUMI Group, we believe we can leverage the strengths of both companies to create synergistic effects. Going forward, we will continue to expand our services globally to eliminate inefficiencies in the IA industry and enhance the "Customer's Time Value." Overview of Fictiv Inc. (As of December 2024 (1) Name Fictiv Inc. (2) Office Address 1611 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA (3) Name and title of representatives CEO David Evans CXO Nathan Evans (4) Nature of the Business Provision of on-demand procurement services for custom machine parts (5) Capital Stock US$ 189,365 K (6) Establishment Date August 19, 2013 About MISUMI MISUMI supplies mechanical components for automation that are in demand in the manufacturing scenes, as well as tools, consumables, and other products to more than 318,000 companies worldwide (as of March 2024). We wear two hats: a manufacturer with manufacturing capabilities and a distributor of branded products from other companies. With this unique business model, supported by a solid business foundation, MISUMI achieves "globally Reliable, Quick Delivery" for greater customer convenience. SOURCE MISUMI USA Teamsters, Community Allies Denounce Company, Demand Strong Contract SEATTLE, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien rallied this morning with locked out workers at Mauser Packaging Solutions, Inc., calling on the company to end its shameless union busting and return to the bargaining table in good faith. On April 14, Mauser shut the doors on a group of 20 members of Teamsters Local 117 who repurpose steel barrels at the company's Industrial Container Services facility. The company unexpectedly initiated the lockout during contract negotiations. Teamsters have been picketing at the facility since then, calling on the company to end the lockout and bargain in good faith. "When a multinational bully like Mauser tries to break our union and crush working people, the Teamsters don't stand by we fight back with everything we've got," O'Brien said. "Mauser should have known better than to go up against the world's strongest union. This company is no match against our rank-and-file. They should be ashamed." O'Brien was joined by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, labor leaders, and community allies who urged Mauser to reach a contract with Local 117 members that respects workers and addresses their concerns. "These workers do difficult jobs every day to help keep our Seattle economy moving forward and support our communities," Harrell said. "It's time to reach a contract resolution rooted in the respect that these workers deserve, delivering a safe workplace with dignity and fair wages." Mosqueda, who earlier this month demanded Mauser management bargain fairly with the Teamsters, denounced the lockout and called out the company for its abuses. "Mauser is union busting, plain and simple. I urge the company to respect their workers, end the lockout immediately, and return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair contract in good faith," Mosqueda said. Leading up to negotiations, the company drastically cut workers' hours, with management making false claims that business has slowed. "My co-workers and I do dangerous work inside this facility," said Josue Calvario, a five-year veteran at Mauser. "We're constantly inhaling toxic fumes and dust from the barrels. All we are asking for is livable wages and sustainable hours to help pay our bills and keep a roof over our heads." "We're not backing down until Mauser does right by its workers," said Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 117. "That means ending this lockout immediately. It means bargaining a contract with sustainable hours and fair, family-supporting wages. It means creating a healthy environment that keeps workers and our community safe and it means respecting workers and their union." Teamsters Local 117 represents over 17,000 men and women at 200 employers across Washington State. For more information, visit teamsters117.org. Contact: Paul Zilly, (206) 794-6673 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 117 Florida is a natural market for specialty underwriting and innovation with: Over 1 million registered recreational boats More than 825,000 registered RVs One of the highest motorcycle ownership rates in the United States A specialized insurance workforce exceeding 300,000 professionals "Florida's incredible combination of outdoor recreation and insurance infrastructure makes it a high-impact market for us," said Rich Sanders, President of Roamly and Head of the Florida Office. "Our expansion into Florida as we enter peak travel season with AI-powered insurance solutions tailored to recreational lifestyles offers proximity to customers and collaboration with other industry-leading partners." Strengthening the National Ecosystem through Partnerships As part of its Florida launch, Roamly is announcing new partnerships with key national carriers including Ahoy! Insurance, American Modern, Progressive, Safeco, National General, an Allstate company, Mercury, Hagerty, and Dairyland to offer consumers and businesses a digital-first quote-to-bind experience. These alliances allow Roamly to offer a broader range of recreational policies to an expanded customer base, leveraging each partner's underwriting expertise while maintaining a unified, digital-first customer experience. "Florida's vibrant boating community presents a tremendous opportunity for innovative insurance solutions," said Amit Nisenbaum, CEO of Ahoy! Insurance. "Our partnership with Roamly combines Ahoy's nationwide, boater-centric, tech-driven coverage with a digital platform designed to seamlessly cater to the diverse array of vessels owned by today's modern consumer" Investing in Local Talent and Innovation Roamly's SoFlo office will serve as a hiring hub for claims specialists, customer success teams, and insurance product experts. The company has already recruited 8 local employees and plans to continue tapping Florida's deep talent pool to support its continued development of responsive, digitally native insurance products for recreational customers. Leading in Digital-First Specialty Coverage Roamly continues to differentiate itself in the specialty market by offering simplified, flexible policies for RVs, boats, and motorcycles - all managed through a frictionless digital interface. The platform's focus on transparency, personalization, and speed is designed to meet the expectations of next-generation policyholders. To learn more about Roamly's offerings, visit: About Roamly: Roamly is a global leader in digital insurance technology and solutions, redefining how consumers and businesses protect what matters most. Roamly Enterprise offers a technologically advanced platform that provides insurance companies with AI-enabled software modules to develop insurance products, increase speed to market, and mitigate risk. From pricing and underwriting to policy and claims management the product agnostic platform also provides consumers with a digital-first quote to bind experience. Operating in the U.S., Canada, and Europe with global insurance partners, Roamly is where the insurance industry and technology intersect to enhance the consumer experience. Learn more at www.roamly.com . Media Contact: Lydia Davey [email protected] SOURCE Roamly "There is a Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou, Zhejiang. The descendants of the American soldiers who were rescued that year often come here to pay tribute to the righteous and courageous Chinese people. I believe the friendship forged by blood and flame will be passed down from generation to generation." On November 15, 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech at the joint welcome banquet held by American friendly organizations in San Francisco. On April 17, friendship advocates from both China and the US visited the Doolittle Raid Rescue Site and jointly planted the "Friendship Forest," sowing the seeds of peace and hope. Clips from the documentaries "Saving Pilot Doolittle" and "Midway" were screened at the event on April 18. Looking back, the Chinese and American peoples fought together with global anti-fascist forces, demonstrating unyielding spirit and unwavering resolve to secure a great victory. Their contributions to human peace and justice remain indelible. At the event, eight Chinese and American representatives ceremonially sealed their visions for the future into the "time capsule". When witnesses to the Doolittle Raid rescue, descendants of the rescuers, and foreign guests unveiled the Yudong folk scroll depicting the historic mission, thunderous applause filled the hall. Zhou Liwen, former head of the News Department at Guangming Daily, China's premier intellectual-focused newspaper, also presented his documentary writing "Heroes of the Land--The 1942 Quzhou Promise." The Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation designated Quzhou Senior High School as a "Flying Tigers Friendship School", marking the institution's official inclusion in the "Flying Tigers Friendship School and Youth Leaders Program". Following the presentation of a replication of Liberation Daily featuring the Doolittle Raid to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Quzhou Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid and WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall established a sister museum partnership. Additionally, the Quzhou Doolittle Raid Historical Research Association and the USS Hornet Museum exchanged their collections, further strengthening ties between the two nations. During the dialogue session themed on "Let History Illuminate the Future," Chinese and American participants engaged in in-depth discussions centered on "Honoring History and Fostering Friendship." On the same day, the Chinese and American delegates walked through Quzhou's ancient streets and experienced the cultural charm of the Southern Sanctuary of Confucianism. "Quzhou embodies the inclusiveness and vitality of the Chinese culture." Jeff Greene, Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation observed. The event was co-hosted by the Quzhou Museum and Quzhou Doolittle Raid Historical Research Association, under the guidance of China Public Diplomacy Association. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669131/City_of_Quzhou_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669132/City_of_Quzhou_2.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669133/City_of_Quzhou_Logo.jpg SOURCE City of Quzhou Three scholarships totaling $8,000 to support students pursuing business-related degree MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shelving.com, a leading family-owned provider of innovative storage solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential spaces, is excited to announce the opening of its highly anticipated 2025 Shelving.com Business Scholarship. This year marks the eleventh annual scholarship contest, which continues to empower the next generation of business leaders in Michigan. Shelving.com is proud to offer three exceptional scholarships: a $4,000 first-place award, a $2,500 second-place award, and a $1,500 third-place award, all to support students pursuing degrees in business-related fields. The 2025 Shelving.com Business Scholarship is now open. "At Shelving.com, we are deeply invested in the success of our local community, and we are honored to help Michigan students achieve their academic and professional goals," said Shelving.com President Michael Schodowski. "My father founded our company with the goal to help others and we have kept his legacy alive through initiatives like this. Over the past decade, we've been continually impressed by the passion, resilience, and determination demonstrated by students who use their education to drive meaningful change in their communities." The Shelving.com Business Scholarship is open to Michigan residents who are currently enrolled in an accredited college or university, as well as high school seniors planning to attend college in the Fall 2025 semester. Applicants must be pursuing a major in business or a related field and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8. To apply, applicants must submit a copy of their transcript, resume, and an essay that details their passion for business and their long-term goals. For those not currently attending a college or university, proof of college enrollment is mandatory. Michigan residents who are attending an accredited college or university outside of the state are eligible to apply. The scholarship application period will close on July 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. The winners will be announced on July 21, 2025. Past recipients have pursued diverse degrees in business, finance, human resources, strategic management, and beyond, using their scholarship funds to further their education and make an impact in their respective fields. Students interested in applying for the 2025 Shelving.com Business Scholarship can visit the official scholarship page to access application details and submit their materials: https://www.shelving.com/Shelving-com-Business-Scholarship-Application-s/2053.htm. CONTACT: Amy Swanson 248.872.1220 [email protected] SOURCE Shelving.com Hundreds of Local 773 Members Ratify Contract After Successful Seven-Week Strike SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, Pa., April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After nearly two months on the picket line, more than 450 members of Teamsters Local 773 who work at the Nestle Purina PetCare plant in South Whitehall Township have ratified a strong four-year contract. The agreement includes substantial wage increases, an expedited grievance procedure, and improvements on a multitude of other workplace issues. "This much-needed boost in pay only happened because we stuck together to take on this greedy multinational corporation," said Dennis Hower, President of Teamsters Local 773. "The Teamsters will strike any company that tries to short-change us." "Workers need stability for themselves and their families during these uneasy times and Teamsters will fight to get it," said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. "If workers don't have justice, large corporations will not have peace." Local 773 members are responsible for producing a significant portion of the U.S.'s pet food supply Nestle Purina is the largest pet food company in the country, making nearly $21 billion in revenue last year. "I'm proud of my brothers and sisters who held strong in solidarity during this strike," said Dwayne Switzer, a Nestle Purina worker and Local 773 member. "We put Nestle on notice that we won't accept a lackluster contract not now and not in the future." Teamsters Local 773 represents workers in a wide range of industries throughout the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. For more information, go to teamster773.org. Contact: Matt McQuaid, (771) 241-0015 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 773 New online programs in Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice Administration launching Fall 2025 LAREDO, Texas, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is enhancing its commitment to accessible, high-quality education with the launch of three new online Master of Science in Criminal Justice programs in Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice Administration beginning in Fall 2025. These programs are designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles in criminal justice fields that are critical to national security, public safety and cyber defense. The TAMIU Criminal Justice faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for scholarship and commitment to understanding and responding to relevant criminal justice issues. Now, with a 100 percent online format, working professionals and career changers can benefit from the same distinguished education without compromising their personal and professional obligations. "These new concentrations represent an exciting evolution of our Criminal Justice portfolio," said Dr. Marcus Ynalvez, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at TAMIU. "By introducing specialized tracks in Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice Administration for the first time, we're expanding access to relevant, high-demand fields and meeting the needs of today's learners. This launch reflects our commitment to innovation and our mission to prepare graduates to lead and serve in a rapidly changing world." The new online programs include: Master of Science in Criminal Justice Homeland Security : Graduates will be prepared for leadership roles in disaster response, counterterrorism and emergency management with a specialized curriculum designed to address modern security challenges. : Graduates will be prepared for leadership roles in disaster response, counterterrorism and emergency management with a specialized curriculum designed to address modern security challenges. Master of Science in Criminal Justice Cybersecurity : Students will gain expertise in digital forensics, cybercrime prevention and risk management in a program tailored to the increasing need for cybersecurity professionals. : Students will gain expertise in digital forensics, cybercrime prevention and risk management in a program tailored to the increasing need for cybersecurity professionals. Master of Science in Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Administration: In this program, students will develop critical leadership and policy-making skills to drive reform and improvement within law enforcement agencies, correctional institutions and other areas of the justice system. TAMIU's online Criminal Justice programs feature seven-week courses, allowing students to complete their degrees in as little as 12 months. Designed for working professionals, the online, asynchronous coursework gives students the flexibility to study from anywhere at any time. To bring these programs directly to students, TAMIU partnered with Risepoint, a leader in education technology that specializes in helping universities expand their online learning opportunities. "We are excited to collaborate with Texas A&M International University in expanding access to their impactful Criminal Justice programs," said Fernando Bleichmar, CEO of Risepoint. "These new online offerings provide students with the flexibility to advance their careers while meeting the growing demand for skilled professionals in homeland security, cybersecurity and criminal justice administration. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these graduates will have in their fields." The first cycle of classes begins in Fall 2025, with an application deadline of August 11, 2025. To learn more about the programs and how to apply, visit https://online.tamiu.edu. About Texas A&M International University A Member of The Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is a primarily Hispanic-serving, State-assisted university founded in 1970. Its 300-acre campus is located in northeast Laredo on former ranchland. The campus is home to a diverse enrollment of nearly 9,000 students from 31 countries and 28 US states. TAMIU offers transformative undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in the arts and sciences, business, education and nursing. As its name affirms, the University maintains a special focus on developing an international academic agenda for the State of Texas. The University's 30,000+ graduates lead lives of change and impact around the world. Learn more about its online programs at https://online.tamiu.edu. About Risepoint Risepoint is an education technology company that provides world-class support and trusted expertise to more than 100 universities and colleges. We primarily work with regional universities, helping them develop and grow their high-ROI, workforce-focused online degree programs in critical areas such as nursing, teaching, business, and public service. Risepoint is dedicated to increasing access to affordable education so that more students, especially working adults, can improve their careers and meet employer and community needs. Learn more at www.risepoint.com. SOURCE Risepoint 10 candidates earn complimentary access to UWorld's high-quality CPA, CMA, and CFA exam prep resources DALLAS, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UWorld , a global leader in comprehensive academic and professional education, has awarded nearly $30,000 in product scholarships to 10 recipients of its spring Accounting & Finance Scholarship. The company also opened fall scholarship applications to aspiring CPA, CMA, and CFA candidates. Three undergraduates, four graduate students, and three working professionals will be granted complimentary access to UWorld's CPA Elite-Unlimited Course ($3,899 value), CMA Elite-Unlimited Course ($1,499 value), or a CFA Elite Course for Level 1, 2, or 3 ($1,399 value). This year, UWorld expanded this scholarship program to include CMA review courses, building on the success of existing CPA and CFA initiatives that have provided hundreds of scholarships over the past decade. UWorld Accounting and UWorld Finance scholarship winners chosen from nearly 400 applicants are: Emmanuel Agpasa , a graduate student at Andres Bonifacio College in the Philippines , studying for the CPA Exam , a graduate student at Andres Bonifacio College in , studying for the CPA Exam Haley Jang , a graduate student at New York University , studying for the CPA Exam , a graduate student at , studying for the CPA Exam Ethan Friedman , a graduate student at Seton Hall University , studying for the CPA Exam , a graduate student at , studying for the CPA Exam Yenesis Sotomayor, a graduate student at Florida State University , studying for the CPA Exam , studying for the CPA Exam Ranjani Kumar , a working professional at ICON plc in India , studying for the CMA exam , a working professional at ICON plc in , studying for the CMA exam Michael Opoku , a working professional at Deloitte in Georgia , studying for the CFA exam , a working professional at Deloitte in , studying for the CFA exam Chad Acord , a working professional at Jones & Roth in Oregon , studying for the CPA Exam , a working professional at Jones & Roth in , studying for the CPA Exam Michael Cooper , an undergraduate at California State University, Fullerton , studying for the CPA Exam , an undergraduate at , studying for the CPA Exam Audrey Gutierrez , an undergraduate at Colorado State University , studying for the CFA exam , an undergraduate at , studying for the CFA exam Tonya Berg , an undergraduate at North Dakota State University , studying for the CMA exam "The accounting and finance industries are experiencing a significant shortage of professionals, so we are proud to help these 10 deserving individuals achieve their dreams," said Chandra Pemmasani, M.D., founder and CEO of UWorld. "By removing financial barriers to our high-quality exam prep, we empower more students and professionals to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the accounting and finance industries." Applications for 10 fall 2025 UWorld Accounting & Finance scholarships are now open and must be received by Oct. 31, 2025, to be eligible. Winners will be announced in the first week of November, and scholarships will be awarded by Nov. 30, 2025. UWorld also encourages CPA, CMA, and CFA candidates to join its community of ambassadors to develop leadership skills, build their resume, help others achieve their certification goals, and receive complimentary access to the company's test prep courses. The program is free and open to applicants who are active on social media and involved in campus or professional organizations. Scholarship opportunities are part of UWorld Cares , the company's philanthropic initiative that drives success in education and gives back to the community. Since 2020, UWorld has provided $12.8 million in product scholarships. About UWorld UWorld is a global leader in comprehensive academic and professional education. Since its inception in 2003, the company has helped millions of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students prepare for high-stakes accounting, finance, graduate school, high school, legal, medical, nursing, and pharmacy exams, including the CPA, CMA, CFA, MCAT, SAT, ACT, AP, MBE, LLM, MPRE, JD-Next, UBE, USMLE, UKMLA, COMLEX, ABIM, ABFM, PANCE, PANRE, NCLEX, FNP, NAPLEX, MPJE, and CPJE. UWorld's high-quality courses, test questions and unrivaled answer explanations in digital and print formats make difficult subjects easy to understand. The company is committed to offering educators the most up-to-date resources that seamlessly integrate into existing curricula, actively engage students, provide real-time performance feedback, and exceed requirements for exam governing bodies. To learn more, visit UWorld.com . Media Contact Elizabeth Gleason [email protected] 469-978-3657 SOURCE UWorld Labor Board Says Retail Giant Must Negotiate with Teamsters SAN FRANCISCO, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a major win for Amazon Teamsters, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region 20 issued a complaint against the company over its illegal refusal to bargain. The federal agency is seeking a bargaining order to force the company to the negotiating table after workers at the DCK6 warehouse in San Francisco joined the union and demanded recognition in October 2024. "This groundbreaking decision paves the way for more Amazon workers to organize with the Teamsters across the country," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "We know two things are certain Amazon will continue to break the law and abuse working people, and working people and powerful organizations like the Teamsters will hold them accountable to secure the rights we deserve. Amazon isn't going to keep getting away with this." The more than 100 San Francisco workers joined thousands of other Amazon Teamsters on the picket line in a historic holiday season strike last December over the company's refusal to bargain, bringing national attention to working conditions at Amazon and putting pressure on the government to act. The unfair labor practice strike capped off a wave of organizing by drivers and warehouse workers at Amazon. NLRB Region 20's decision will set the stage for bargaining orders at many other locations where Amazon has dodged its legal obligation to negotiate with the union. Amazon Teamsters unionized and demanded recognition last year at DBK4 in New York City; DGT8 and DTG5 in Atlanta; KSBD, DFX4, DAX5, and DAX8 in Southern California; DCK6 in San Francisco; and DIL7 in Skokie, Ill. The union is confident that the NLRB will draw the same conclusion in those cases as it did in San Francisco, and Amazon will be hit with additional orders to bargain. Amazon Teamsters are demanding better pay and safer working conditions. These workers, who are often handling thousands of packages a day, are essential to Amazon's business. "There is power in numbers," said Josh Black, an Amazon Teamster at DCK6. "That's why I joined the Teamsters. One warehouse worker might not be able to get Amazon to listen, but when there's a growing number of us, Amazon will have to come to the table." "This is just the beginning," said Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division. "Amazon workers continue to show who really has the power. Their historic strike last year continues to push the government into agreeing that Amazon has to negotiate with the Teamsters. It's clear workers continue to win when they fight." "More than 10,000 Amazon workers have joined the Teamsters and we are just getting started," said Peter Finn, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7 and Western Region International Vice President. "Workers at DCK6 are in this fight and Amazon workers will keep fighting until this greedy corporation comes to the bargaining table." Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: Kara Deniz, (202) 497-6610 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters This agreement enhances both companies' commitment to advancing sustainability initiatives in the music industry across North America MINNEAPOLIS, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Winmark Corporation announced today that its Music Go Round retail chain has entered into a partnership as the Official Resale Partner of Breedlove Guitars, a pioneer in responsible guitar making recognized for its commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and environmental responsibility. As part of this collaboration, Music Go Round will further integrate Breedlove guitars into its resale network, allowing customers to buy and sell these exceptional instruments and equipment through Music Go Round's franchised locations. The partnership offers a sustainable solution for musicians who seek to resell or purchase quality used Breedlove guitars, contributing to a circular economy that supports both music lovers and the planet. "Partnering with Breedlove, a company that embodies our dedication to sustainability and excellence, is truly exciting," stated Renae Gaudette, Chief Operating Officer of Winmark. "This collaboration enhances our commitment to sustainability, extending the life of premium eco-friendly products, and provides customers with access to exceptional, sustainable guitars. As Breedlove's official resale partner, we are committed to enhancing the accessibility and sustainability of their high-quality instruments." As the Premier Sustainability Partner of Winmark and Music Go Round, Breedlove will be the presenting sponsor of one acoustic guitar "Sponsored Buy Drive" per year and will jointly promote co-branded sustainability-focused content that will be distributed on all social channels as well as promoted by Music Go Round via local stores, its website, and national PR efforts. "Breedlove is committed to crafting world-class guitars using environmentally responsible practices, and we are proud to collaborate with Winmark and Music Go Round to further promote sustainability in the music industry," said Tom Bedell, Owner of Breedlove Guitars. "By working together, we can offer musicians not only high-quality used instruments but also a way to participate in a more sustainable, circular economy." With Winmark's proven expertise in the resale sector, the collaboration will enable Breedlove guitars to be accessible to a wider audience while reinforcing both companies' shared values of reducing environmental impact and providing value to musicians across North America. Together, Music Go Round and Breedlove will offer an unparalleled resale experience for musicians and customers committed to supporting the environment. About Winmark: Winmark - the Resale Company, is a nationally recognized franchising business focused on sustainability and small business formation. We champion and guide entrepreneurs interested in operating one of our award winning resale franchises: Plato's Closet, Once Upon A Child, Play It Again Sports, Style Encore and Music Go Round. At March 29, 2025, there were 1,363 franchises in operation and over 2,800 available territories. An additional 79 franchises have been awarded but are not open. For more information, please visit winmarkcorporation.com . About Breedlove Guitars Breedlove Guitars is a leader in innovative, sustainable acoustic guitar design. Handcrafted in Bend, Oregon, Breedlove instruments are known for their Sound Optimized engineering, ethically sourced tonewoods, and striking aesthetics. With a deep commitment to playability, environmental responsibility, and forward-thinking craftsmanship, Breedlove builds guitars that inspire musicians at every level. Learn more at breedlovemusic.com. Winmark Corporation Press Contact: Sarah Broadwater 763-520-8623 [email protected] Breedlove Press Contact: RA Beattie Director of Marketing 970-948-0838 [email protected] SOURCE Winmark Corporation A film is no longer a film. A film is a series of possibilities. BOSTON, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent filmmaker and AI cinema pioneer Hooroo Jackson unveils A Very Long Carriage Ride, a revolutionary new feature that marks the first simultaneous dual-format release in cinema history. Presented in both 2D Disney-style animation and stop motion claymation, the project redefines not only how films are made, but how they are seen. Created entirely by Jackson on a budget of $2,000, the film claims two additional milestones: the first AI-generated claymation feature film, and the first AI-generated Disney-style animated feature film. The First Dual Release in Cinema History One Film, Two Ways Jackson describes it simply: One Film, Two Ways. The Dickensian period piece follows Autumn Watt, an aspiring 18th-century socialite, who journeys across class lines to expose the corrupt magnate Meijor Donaldson at his own wedding. Along the way, she is joined by disgraced tycoon Hopkins Brandy and a ragtag ensemble of musketeers, fortune tellers, and traveling misfits. Structured around three weddings, the film blends romance, rebellion, and myth, evoking a lost classic from another universe. Foregoing any studio logo, the film opens with three highlighted tenets from Jackson's book on AI film theory, The New Machine Cinema: The Living Breathing Film: a story rendered in multiple forms One Man, One Film: a solo-authored film without collaboration Machine Pleasures: the rise of machine actors and non-human performance A Very Long Carriage Ride includes over 60 speaking partsand not a single human actor. "Looking at regular movies now with hundreds of credits, they seem downright surreal." Asked which version is superior, Jackson replies: "That's the joy. The script is identical but the medium transforms everything. Watching them side-by-side is constantly profound." This is Jackson's third historical milestone in cinema: Window Seat (July 2023): the first fully AI-generated feature film DreadClub: Vampire's Verdict (July 2024): the first fully AI-animated feature film, and the first AI animealso the first AI feature film to land a major streaming license A Very Long Carriage Ride (April 2025): the first dual-format release in cinema history, and the first AI feature film in both stop motion animation and Disney-style classic animation. A Very Long Carriage Ride premieres on April 22nd on YouTube for 24 hours in both versions, with a third version displaying both versions side-by-side. Wide distribution follows in May 2025. Trailers: 2D: https://youtu.be/B4mvhgLUXCI Claymation: https://youtu.be/XAHU5qKf9Ko Side-by-Side: https://youtu.be/DpbZyVG-3mA One Film, Two Ways: https://hooroojackson.com/presenting AI Film Theory: The New Machine Cinema Website: https://hooroojackson.com Contact: Fantasia Yu 607-647-8164 [email protected] SOURCE Hooroo Jackson MILWAUKEE, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wynk, an award-winning driving force in the world of low-dose, hemp-derived cannabis beverages, is excited to announce its continued US expansion with the launch of its THC-infused seltzers in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Alabama and Arkansas. Following its successful launches in Georgia, Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, Florida and Connecticut, Wynk's national footprint is further broadening its reach. "The cannabis beverage market is on the rise, and we're excited to keep meeting the growing demand for our easy-to-enjoy, low-dose THC seltzers," said Phil McFarland, General Manager of Wynk. Wynk Seltzer Consumer demand for hemp-derived THC beverages keeps growing, and Wynk is responding by adding distribution of its hemp-derived THC seltzers in Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, and Wisconsin. This expansion marks a significant growth milestone for the brand as it introduces its popular balanced and social seltzers to a national, fast growing fan base. Wynk has partnered with several leading regional distributors to make this expansion possible, including Sarene in Kentucky, C&M Sales in Arkansas, United - Johnson Brothers of Alabama, and Beechwood Sales & Service Sales in Wisconsin. "We're pumped to introduce Wynk to these new markets, each with a unique and growing demand for alternative adult beverages," McFarland added. "Our expansion into Kentucky, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Alabama is a testament to the increasing interest in cannabis-infused beverages, and we're excited to be able to offer our balanced, social experience to consumers in these states." Amid the brand's upcoming entry into Wisconsin, Wynk is eager to be the first THC beverage in Sheehan Family of Brands sales' portfolio. In Kentucky, Wynk is available at major retailers including Total Wine and Liquor Barn, as well as other independent stores. Arkansas consumers can find Wynk at select locations, in cities like Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Harrison, and more. Meanwhile, Wynk's presence in Alabama is expanding, with availability in Piggly Wiggly and other local retailers. For a full list of retail locations, consumers can visit Wynk's store finder at https://drinkwynk.com/find-in-stores . As the excitement for cannabis beverages continues to grow, Wynk's THC-infused seltzers are quickly gaining ground. Not only is Wynk becoming a go-to choice for consumers seeking a social alternative to traditional alcohol, but the company provides a light, balanced buzz with a variety of social doses for different tolerance levels, all without calories, sugar, or alcohol in refreshing flavors like Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist, Juicy Mango, and Tangerine. For more information on Wynk's products and where to find them, visit www.drinkwynk.com. About Wynk Founded in 2021, Wynk is a leader in the cannabis-infused beverage industry, offering balanced, light, and social THC seltzers. With a Wynk of THC, Wynk delivers a smooth, uplifting buzzlike alcohol but without the drawbacks. Each can is light and refreshing, with 0 calories and 0 sugar, making it an easy choice for any social occasion. Wynk's lineup includes 2.5mg and 5mg THC + CBD seltzers in flavors like Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist, Juicy Mango, and Tangerine. Responding to growing demand, Wynk has introduced a 10mg THC lemonade seltzer line, available in Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, and Raspberry Lemonade. Wynk is available for purchase online in 37 states and in retail locations across 18 states. For more information, visit www.drinkwynk.com . CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE Wynk 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 Bishop Michael W. Fisher on Tuesday characterized a $150 million deal to pay child sex abuse claimants as a huge step forward in the Buffalo Dioceses efforts to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and apologized for harm that Catholic clergy inflicted upon children. This is a time for us to try and help heal in any way that we can. We can never know the pain that these survivors and victims have been through, but we can, at least, try to help them in any way we can, Fisher said outside the Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse after an hourlong bankruptcy hearing in which lawyers spelled out some details of the agreement that would settle hundreds of Child Victims Act lawsuits. But for Gary Astridge, who is among the roughly 900 claimants who accused priests and other diocese employees of abusing them when they were children, the bishops words ring hollow. It seems like the Catholic Church, they dance around between Vatican law and federal law and state law and however it suits them in situations like this around the world, said Astridge, who lives in the City of Tonawanda. This works for them. It doesnt necessarily work for survivors. Kevin Brun said he was outraged by the settlement amount, which he called horribly low, and planned to vote against the reorganization plan went it is presented to claimants. Personally, I take this as a slap in the face and an insult to survivors. Were letting the diocese off the hook, Brun said. The bishop, Astridge and Brun made their remarks the day after court papers revealed that the diocese and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, which represents the abuse claimants, had reached an agreement in principle, and a law firm informed hundreds of its clients that the diocese had agreed to pay $150 million toward a settlement. Fisher said he was pleased with the recent progress, but cautioned that the diocese still has a lengthy road ahead to exit Chapter 11. Theres still a lot of work to be done, he said. The dioceses lawyers, aided by co-mediators, were slated to return to the negotiating table Tuesday afternoon, this time with insurance companies included. The $150 million includes money from the diocese, its parishes and other Catholic affiliates in the Buffalo Diocese, but no deal has been reached, yet, on what insurers would contribute to a potential global settlement of all claims. In the past, diocese attorneys have suggested that insurers could add hundreds of millions of dollars more to a global resolution fund. Lead diocese attorney Stephen Donato told Chief Judge Carl L. Bucki of U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York that the diocese would pay out $125 million upon the effective date of confirmation of a plan of reorganization, which is still likely several months away. The remaining $25 million would be paid out to claimants within a year of the effective date. At a previous hearing, Bucki had set a deadline of Sept. 1 for the diocese to submit a disclosure statement and plan of reorganization. The plan would include terms of the deal between the diocese and the creditors committee, and any other agreements worked out with insurers. Claimants will then have a chance to vote for or against the reorganization plan. In exchange for the $150 million, abuse claimants must agree to give up their rights to sue the diocese, its parishes and other Catholic affiliates. A claims reviewer likely would be appointed to assess all claims and determine monetary awards based on a points system, according to Donato. Bucki pressed Donato on how the diocese would be able to pay for the settlement, especially given that its most recent balance sheets showed a loss of nearly $1 million. Donato said that contributions from affiliates and sales of diocesan properties would help cover the settlement cost. But Donato declined to be more specific in open court, saying that these are confidential, sensitive financial issues. He did acknowledge that coming up with the $150 million all at once was too tight the reason for setting aside a later payment of $25 million. Fisher also declined to discuss the specifics of how the $150 million will be raised. Thats the details we have to work out, he said. But the bishop said it is a high priority, and the diocese and its parishes wont be able to move forward without properly paying restitution for past abuses. We need to be a family together to do that, he said. Attorney Steve Boyd, who represents about 380 clients with cases against the Buffalo Diocese, said he doesnt believe the diocese would make an offer it couldnt fulfill. Compared with other large dioceses, the Buffalo Diocese is not very wealthy, Boyd said. I think theyve made a very significant cash contribution here, he said. Its not enough. ... But I think its extremely significant. The money wont fix the pain and problems caused by the sexual abuse of children, but it can aid survivors in bringing a sense of closure to what happened to them, attorney Daniel Chiacchia said. Its not total closure, but it does help, he said. Mogadishu, April 22 : The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN migration agency, has officially inaugurated the Migration Response Center (MRC) in Burao in Somaliland, a self-declared region of Somalia. The IOM said the inauguration marks a significant milestone in expanding the provision of essential protection services and support to migrants on the move in the region, Xinhua news agency reported. Prestage Murima, IOM Somalia deputy chief of mission, said the establishment of the Burao MRC is a testament to the ongoing commitment of the IOM and its partners to addressing the needs of vulnerable migrants. "By strengthening protection mechanisms and providing lifesaving services, we aim to ensure that no migrant is left behind," Murima said in a statement issued in Burao. The newly established MRC, which joins a growing network of centers in strategic migration corridors, will serve as a critical hub for protection services and voluntary return support for migrants in transit, as well as those stranded along migration routes. According to the IOM, services provided at the center will include emergency shelter, medical assistance to vulnerable migrants, assisted voluntary return, mental health and psychosocial support, awareness raising, information sharing, and distribution of non-food items. IOM Somalia's Migrant Protection and Assistance Program, which oversees the MRC network across Somaliland and the broader region, continues to work with government partners and donors to expand access to protection and assistance services for migrants. Tehran, April 22 : Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran is open to reaching an agreement with the US in ongoing indirect talks, provided that the country's national interests are preserved. "In the negotiations with the United States, we are ready for an agreement within a defined framework and while ensuring our national interests," Pezeshkian said on Monday during a meeting in Tehran. "However, if they (US representatives) refrain from negotiating with us on equal terms, we will continue on our own path," the Iranian president warned. He added that, as previously stated by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran remains "neither optimistic nor pessimistic" about the negotiations, Xinhua news agency reported. Pezeshkian also reiterated that Tehran does not seek conflict but would resist any attempt at coercion. "We do not want confrontation with anyone, but we will not tolerate pressure or bullying," he said. His comments followed the second round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, held in Rome on Saturday with mediation from Oman. The first round took place in Muscat on April 12, and a third session is scheduled to be held in the Omani capital again this coming Saturday. At a weekly news conference in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the removal of US sanctions remained Iran's principal demand in the negotiations. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump described the recent talks as "very good." Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump said, "We had very good meetings actually on Iran," adding, "The next step is we need a little time." The discussions came in the wake of a letter sent by Trump to Iran's leadership in early March, proposing talks on Tehran's nuclear programme. Trump later warned of military action should Iran reject his offer for talks. Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States -- in 2015. Under the deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. The United States, led by Trump during his first term, unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually reduce compliance with its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the agreement have not achieved substantial progress. Washington, April 22 : The White House has started a process to look for a new Pentagon chief, a US broadcaster said following media reports that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive military information in a group chat that included his wife and brother. Citing an unnamed US official, NPR reported that the process started, after The New York Times (NYT) said Sunday that Hegseth shared information about US strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen on March 15 in a Signal messaging chat. According to the report by The New York Times, Hegseth shared highly confidential details, including F/A-18 Hornet flight schedules, with a private group named "Defense | Team Huddle," which he created in January using his personal phone. The group included his wife, Jennifer Hegseth (a former Fox News producer), his brother, his personal lawyer, and roughly a dozen others from his inner circle. The Times' report follows an earlier disclosure by The Atlantic, which revealed the existence of another Signal chat, initially intended for senior national security officials. Hegseth had already faced controversy over his reported sharing of details on strikes in Yemen in a separate Signal chat that accidentally included a journalist, Yonhap news agency reported. Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump called the NYT report "fake news." "Pete's doing a great job. Everybody's happy," Trump told reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll event. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also dismissed the NPR report as "fake news." "This NPR story is total FAKE NEWS based on one anonymous source who clearly has no idea what they are talking about," Leavitt wrote on X. "As the President said this morning, he stands strongly behind SecDef." New Delhi, April 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to begin a landmark two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom, Mohammed bin Salman. This marks Prime Minister Modi's third visit to the Gulf nation, following his earlier trips to Riyadh in 2016 and 2019. The visit underscores the deepening strategic ties between India and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the areas of energy cooperation, trade, investment, and regional security. It follows the State Visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman to New Delhi in September 2023 to attend the G20 Summit and co-chair the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. In an exclusive interview with Arab News ahead of his departure, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of Saudi Arabia as a stabilising force in a region often marred by conflict. "We consider Saudi Arabia a force of positivity and stability in the region. As maritime neighbours, India and Saudi Arabia share a natural interest in safeguarding peace and stability in the region," the Prime Minister said. "India and Saudi Arabia share close and friendly ties with a long history of socio-cultural and trade contacts. As strategic partners, the two countries share strong bilateral relations across various areas including political, defence, security, trade, investment, energy, technology, health, education, culture and people-to-people ties," read a statement issued last week, by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). "India's relations with the Kingdom have evolved into a stronger and enduring partnership in the past decade, expanding into many strategic domains, with growing investment commitments, broadening of defence cooperation and intensive high-level exchanges across sectors," it added. The MEA stated that the visit of Prime Minister Modi reflects the importance India attaches to its bilateral relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and it will provide an opportunity to further deepen and strengthen the multi-faceted partnership, as well as to exchange views on various regional and international issues of mutual interest. With 'Neighbourhood First' continuing to be the guiding vision for the Modi government's foreign policy, the Prime Minister has mentioned before how India's relations with Saudi Arabia are one of the most important bilateral relationships in the extended neighbourhood. Seoul, April 22 : South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said Tuesday that his upcoming trade talks with the Donald Trump administration will help pave the way for renewed discussions on strengthening the South Korea-US alliance. Choi, who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, made the remark as he headed to the United States for talks over various issues, including the US' new tariff schemes that include 25 per cent country-specific import duties for South Korea, Yonhap news agency reported. "I will return after opening the door for discussions on resolidifying the alliance between South Korea and the United States," Choi told reporters at Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul, before departing for Washington. Choi is scheduled to attend a series of key economic meetings in the US capital, including the meeting on US tariffs that will mark the first high-level trade talks between the two allies since Trump took office in January. He will be accompanied by Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun for what the government has described as "2+2 trade consultations." The high-level talks, set for Thursday (US time), will also include US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer. Earlier in the day, the ministry said the agenda for the 2+2 trade consultations is still being coordinated with the US side and has not been finalised. South Korea is among the first countries to hold trade negotiations with Washington following the Trump administration's implementation of reciprocal tariffs on all its major trading partners. Seoul, whose economy relies heavily on exports, was hit with a 25 per cent tariff, temporarily lowered to 10 per cent for a 90-day period. Chandigarh, April 22 : The captured Punjab-origin Harpreet Singh was part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang in America, who "we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the US", Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel has said. Chandigarh, April 22 (IANS) The captured Punjab-origin Harpreet Singh was part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang in America, who "we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the US", Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel has said. "@FBISacramento conducted the investigation coordinating with our partners locally as well as in India," he wrote on X on Tuesday (IST). "Excellent work from all, and justice will be done. The FBI will continue finding those who perpetrate violence -- no matter where they are," Patel added. Punjab Police have said that their efforts led to the arrest of Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, a key operative of the Pakistan's ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and close associate of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Rinda, at Sacramento in the US. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav had termed it a major success. Soon after the arrest was made public on April 18, he had said: "Today marks a major milestone in the sustained crackdown on ISI-backed terror networks, with the announcement of detention of Happy Passia by the US authorities. This is the outcome of excellent international cooperation and exchange of information between the United States and India." In a statement, Yadav said the Punjab Police have consistently shared intelligence inputs with the Central agencies. DGP Yadav said Happy Passia, a native of Passia village in Amritsar, began his criminal career with gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and his US-based associates Darman Kahlon and Amrit Bal. Later, Happy Passia became a key associate of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Rinda, operating under the direct guidance of the ISI. He said Passia was the primary handler of ISI-backed terror modules in Punjab and played a central role in orchestrating targeted killings, grenade attacks on police establishments, and extortion across the state between 2023 and 2025. "Our investigation has found direct involvement of Happy Passia in majority of terror acts, which took place in the state after September 2024," said the DGP, while adding Passia was masterminding the terror activities sitting in the US, using a network of vulnerable youth struggling with addiction, recruiting them to carry out these acts in exchange for money and narcotics. Punjab Police have meticulously tracked all the terror modules raised by Happy Passia and successfully dismantled them, said DGP Yadav, adding an extensive dossier on Passia's activities was shared with Central agencies and subsequently with the US authorities, leading to his arrest. "Punjab Police has already taken up the matter with Central agencies to initiate the process for Passia's extradition to India as per the law," he added. Seoul, April 22 : South Korean artillery units have staged live-fire drills near the inter-Korean border this week, striking targets inside a US firing range for the first time in seven years, the Army said Tuesday. The drills took place Monday around the Imjin River in Paju, about 30 kilometres northwest of Seoul, mobilising 12 K9A1 self-propelled howitzers and six K55A1s that fired around 60 shells at targets in Story Live Fire Complex, Yonhap news agency reported. It marked the first time that South Korean troops have staged such drills at the firing range since Seoul fully suspended a 2018 inter-Korean tension reduction pact last June over the North's mass launches of balloons carrying trash across the border. Under the deal, the two Koreas had been banned from holding artillery drills and large-scale military exercises hear the border. Last month, South Korea and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding for South Korean troops to resume the use of the training range. The Army earlier resumed artillery drills at two other firing ranges near the border after Seoul's suspension of the 2018 deal. "With the resumption of (artillery drills) against targets at Story, they have all been normalized," an Army official said. The Army said the resumption of live-fire artillery drills at the training range is expected to enhance its firepower operations and long-range firing capabilities to "immediately" respond to North Korean artillery strikes. New Delhi, April 22 : Tech giant Google on Tuesday said it is the grateful to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for instituting processes which enable constructive engagements between companies and the market. The company reacted after it paid up a penalty of Rs 20.24 crore to settle its case with the regulator over the alleged unfair business practices and abuse of dominance by the US tech giant in India's Android TV segment. "Google is committed to abiding by applicable local laws in every country where we operate and are grateful to the CCI for the opportunity to engage and present our case," the tech giant said in a statement. "We also thank the CCI for instituting processes which enable constructive engagements between companies and the market, allowing for continued investment and growth," it added. This is the first case to be settled under the amended Competition Act, wherein settlement and commitment provisions were introduced in 2023, according to a CCI statement on Monday. After receiving a complaint, CCI had ordered a detailed probe in 2021. Later, Google proposed to settle the case and CCI considered the settlement proposal and observed that under the "New India Agreement", Google will provide a standalone licence for the Play Store and Play Services for Android smart TVs in India, thereby, removing the requirement to bundle these services or impose default placement conditions, the CCI statement said. "Additionally, by waiving the need for valid Android Compatibility Commitments for devices shipped into India that do not include Google apps, OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) can now sell and develop incompatible Android devices without violating the Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA)," CCI further stated. The regulator said it has accepted the settlement proposal. The case involved alleged abuse of dominance in smart TV software, highlighting the need for exercising regulatory control over global tech firms to ensure fair competition in the market. The settlement brings to a close an investigation that started after two individuals filed complaints accusing Google of forcing television manufacturers to accept restrictive terms in exchange for access to the Android TV operating system. IANS na/ Jeddah, April 22 : As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a landmark two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, India's Ambassador to the Kingdom, Suhel Ajaz Khan, praised the PM's leadership as the "main driving force" behind the rapid evolution of the ties between the two countries, calling the relationship one of the most robust in the region. Jeddah, April 22 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a landmark two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, India's Ambassador to the Kingdom, Suhel Ajaz Khan, praised the PM's leadership as the "main driving force" behind the rapid evolution of the ties between the two countries, calling the relationship one of the most robust in the region. Speaking to IANS ahead of the visit, Ambassador Khan emphasised that this would be Prime Minister Modi's first visit to Jeddah, unlike previous visits in 2016 and 2019, which were to Riyadh. "Honourable Prime Minister is coming to Jeddah for this visit. On the previous two occasions when he visited Saudi Arabia, he came to Riyadh. This would be his first visit to Jeddah," the Ambassador said. "Jeddah has very special significance in terms of connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia. For centuries, Jeddah port has been the preferred port for trade between our countries, not just for Saudi Arabia, but for the region beyond. Traders used to come to Jeddah port and then move goods overland to other parts of the Middle East. It has a huge historical relevance," he added. The visit will feature high-level talks between PM Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman under the framework of the Strategic Partnership Council (SPC), a bilateral mechanism set up in 2019 to deepen cooperation across sectors. "The SPC is a very unique and strong framework under which we have several subcommittees and working groups. These cover a wide array of topics in our bilateral relations, from the economy to defence, from cultural exchange to space cooperation. All of these will be reviewed during the talks," Khan said. On the expected outcomes, Ambassador Khan confirmed that several MoUs are likely to be signed across a range of sectors, reflecting the expanding scope of engagement between the two nations. "When both the leaders meet, they discuss all components of our bilateral relationship. Economic partnership is one of the fulcrums of our ties. Our defence partnership has been growing in the last few years, and this will be part of the discussions," he said. "We're looking to step up engagement in cultural cooperation, health, the space sector, investments, and trade. Several MoUs from various fields are going to be signed," he further said. Reflecting on the overall direction of the India-Saudi relationship, Ambassador Khan credited the strong political will on both sides as key to the progress made in recent years. "The vision of leadership in both countries is the main driving force of our relationship. If you look at the last 10 years, there has been huge progress in bilateral ties, political, economic, defence, and cultural," he said. "This is PM Modi's third visit to Saudi Arabia. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has visited India twice in 2019 and again in 2023. There's been a lot of high-level engagement, which reflects the strength of the relationship," he added. Ambassador Khan also praised the alignment between India's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, expressing optimism about future collaboration. "Our community contributes not only to the Saudi economy but also sends significant remittances back home. They are well connected with India and play an important role in the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission," he said. "There are a lot of similarities and synergies between Saudi Vision 2030 and our vision of Viksit Bharat. We can benefit from each other's resources and expertise." A key highlight of PM Modi's visit will be his scheduled interaction with Indian workers at a local factory in Jeddah, which the Ambassador described as a deeply meaningful gesture. "The Honourable Prime Minister will be visiting one of the factories here to meet Indian workers. He always makes it a point to interact with the Indian community wherever he goes," Khan noted. "This is a hugely significant gesture. The workers are all very, very excited to receive the Prime Minister, meet him, listen to him, and interact with him," he added. Speaking on the powerful role of the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, which he described as one of the strongest foundations of bilateral friendship, he said, "One of the strongest components of our relationship is the Indian community. We have a very strong presence here, 2.7 million Indian workers and diaspora. In fact, in the last two years alone, 300,000 people have been added to the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia." "They enjoy immense respect and goodwill here. They have contributed to the development of Saudi Arabia over the decades and act as a living bridge between India and the Kingdom," he added. THE LATEST Buffalo News Publisher Tom Wiley is leaving to become CEO of the National Trust for Local News. An Orchard Park defense contractor is seeking tax breaks for an expansion project. Sumitomo Rubber USA agreed to repay about $500,000 in tax incentives after closing its Town of Tonawanda factory. The Walden Galleria is facing a massive payment next month as a key loan is set to mature. A Fredonia juice processor has completed a $2.5 million upgrade project. The March jobs report gave an early glimpse at how the Trump tariffs and growing uncertainty are affecting the Buffalo Niagara economy. It isn't encouraging. Delaware North reached a deal for a three-year extension to handle concessions at KeyBank Center. South Buffalo's St. John Evangelist Church to undergo a conversion to apartments. Plans to turn the Amherst Bowling Center into apartments are changing. What KeyBank CEO Kevin Gorman thinks about the economy, tariffs and growing uncertainty. A Sanborn manufacturer of custom coasters is shutting down, eliminating 26 jobs. Dunkirk is looking for a developer with a plan for one of the last prime waterfront parcels in the city. What about my view? Some waterfront residents object to trees being planted at new Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park. Is it another opportunity lost for downtown Buffalo if a planned pro soccer stadium is built in the Valley neighborhood? M&T Bank Chairman and CEO Rene Jones said the economy continues to show healthy signs, amid uncertainty over tariffs. This summer will be a critical for the Buffalo Bills' post-construction goals for the new Highmark Stadium. New Delhi, April 22 : India's journey to become a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 is not merely an aspiration but a shared national mission powered by a vision for inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-led growth, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said. During her address at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University in the US, the Finance Minister said that India has risen from the world's tenth-largest economy to the fifth-largest, a clear sign of "our growing strength and global relevance". "Despite the pandemic shock and a banking crisis, our progress over the past decade, anchored in strong macroeconomic fundamentals and steady reforms, gives us confidence and direction for the road ahead," she told the gathering during her keynote address, titled 'Laying the foundations for a developed India #ViksitBharat by 2047'. FM Sitharaman said that some of the works done in India stand out, and one such example is that of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its success. "More than a billion digital identities have been created using DPI. Using these digital identities, bank accounts of people were created, and during the Covid-19 pandemic, money was transferred by the government with a click of a button. DPI also came in useful in administering vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic," the Finance Minister mentioned during her speech. "In my interactions with the G20, the World Bank or the IMF, this singular population-scale achievement of India is repeatedly lauded," she added. According to the Union Minister, over the next two decades, sustaining India's growth momentum calls for a fresh approach grounded in bold reforms, stronger domestic capacities, renewed institutional partnerships and adaptive strategies suited for the evolving global landscape. "The last two Union Budgets have laid the groundwork for this transformation, with a clear multi-sectoral policy agenda," she informed. As we lay the foundation for a developed India, we must stay committed to long-term goals, without losing sight of present realities, she stressed. The global order is changing. That poses challenges but also opportunities. We must be prepared to tackle the former while seizing the latter. "A Viksit Bharat will be shaped not only by the government but by the collective effort of every citizen. This vision calls upon us to think boldly, act inclusively, and stay resilient and flexible," said the Finance Minister. A vibrant and thriving network of small and medium enterprises is essential for domestic manufacturing to grow. "The government has undertaken numerous initiatives to support MSMEs, from easing access to credit, redefining size thresholds, facilitating prompt payments from large buyers and simplifying compliance burdens," according to the Minister. The Open Network for Digital Commerce, launched in April 2022, has successfully onboarded more than 7,64,000 vendors across 616 cities. "Our next focus is reducing regulatory frictions, digitising approvals, and integrating MSMEs into global value chains. Special support to women-led and rural enterprises will help enhance economic opportunities and ensure more inclusive growth," FM Sitharaman noted. Over the past decade, a significant thrust on infrastructure development has also created a strong foundation for manufacturing-led growth by bolstering investor confidence, she added. This has been enabled by a more than four-fold increase in the Union government's capital expenditure (Capex) between 2017-18 and the 2025-26 Budget. "Over the last decade, we have undertaken structural reforms, rationalising over 20,000 compliances, decriminalising business laws and digitising public services to reduce friction. Our experience with implementing the Business Reform Action Plan by different state governments has demonstrated that deregulation is a powerful catalyst for industrial growth," the Finance Minister further stated. A report by Indiaspora and BCG shows that Indian first-generation immigrants founded 72 unicorns between 2018 and 2023. These unicorns were worth at least USD 195 billion in valuation and employed nearly 55,000 people. More than 65 per cent of Global Capability Centres (GCC) in India have their headquarters in the US. These GCCs provide high-value-added, bespoke services in areas such as R&D, management consulting and auditing. "While the US is a mature startup hub which has developed over 50-60 years, India's startup journey is a nascent one. Over the course of the last decade, the government's focus was on reducing the cost of entrepreneurial risk-taking by removing regulatory and infrastructural barriers," she emphasised. Islamabad, April 22 : The lawyers' association in Pakistan has called for an indefinite boycott of the courts as it continues to stage a sit-in protest against the canal project of the federal government on the Indus River. The office bearers of the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) and Karachi Bar Association (KBA), leading the sit-in protest on the National Highway in Babarloi town of Khairpur district last week, announced this decision on Monday, local media reported. Addressing the media, KBA's President Advocate Amir Nawaz Warraich said that a meeting of the representatives of all bar associations in Sindh has decided to widen the sphere of their sit-in protest by boycotting the courts. They further threatened to block railway tracks if the federal government failed to shelve the canal project within 72 hours, the leading Pakistani daily, The Express Tribune, reported. "We have also jointly decided that if the federal government does not notify cancellation of the canals project within 72 hours, we will demand that the Pakistan Peoples Party leave the government," Warraich said. "An impression is being given that only the lawyers have been protesting in Sindh. To negate it, the doctors will observe a day-long strike across Sindh after one or two days," he added. Meanwhile, in an interview with a local news channel, SHCBA Hyderabad's President Advocate Ayaz Hussain Tunio said that after the 72-hour deadline, the blockade of the railway tracks will start from Rohri, Sukkur district. He stated that the meeting discussed that the interprovincial traffic, which is finding some routes in the province, needs to be closed. Raising concerns, he added that their camp at Babarloi has not been provided adequate security, warning that in the event of any untoward incident, Pakistan's police DIG of Sukkur district and SSP of Khairpur will be held responsible. Meanwhile, in response to the Sindh Bar Council's call for protest against canals, several lawyers did not appear in the Larkana circuit bench of the Sindh High Court and lower courts. They said that their colleagues' sit-in at Babarloi bypass would continue till the government shelved the project. The protest against the construction of the six canals on the Indus River was also witnessed in the medical institutes of Pakistan. The students of Chandka Medical College (CMC), under the flag of the all-parties students' action committee, held a demonstration on the college premises against the canals, demanding that the government withdraw the plan, the leading Pakistani newspaper, Dawn reported. Addressing journalists, they said that the canal project was aimed at destroying Sindh's fertile land, striking at its economic resources, disrupting the ecosystem, and affecting the Indus Delta and the civilisation. Furthermore, the members of the Pakistan Paramedical Staff Association also staged a demonstration against the canals at the CMC Children's Hospital. The protesters said that it was a conspiracy and that their organisation would not allow it to succeed. They further added it would be unwise to go ahead with such a project that would irrigate the desert land in Cholistan at the cost of rendering thousands of acres of fertile land in Sindh barren. Mumbai, April 22 : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will be on a two-day visit to Mumbai from Wednesday, where he will participate in two major national events, including the CMAI Fab Show and the India Steel 2025. During these events, he will present Chhattisgarhas new industrial policy, its investment potential and infrastructure vision before leading industrialists and policymakers from across the country. According to the Chhattisgarh Chief Ministeras office, CM Sai will take part in the Fab Show on April 23, organised by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI). This annual event brings together leaders from garment manufacturing, exports, and branding. The chief minister will highlight the incentives and opportunities available for the textile sector under Chhattisgarhas new industrial policy. Several major companies are also expected to sign MoUs for investment in the state during this event. On April 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 'India Steel 2025' event via video conferencing. CM Sai will also address the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. On this platform, he will present the highlights of Chhattisgarhas new industrial policy, infrastructure readiness for the steel sector and the stateas long-term development vision. On the same day, a Chhattisgarh Roundtable Meeting will also be held, where the CM will engage in direct dialogue with potential investors. The discussion will focus on specially developed industrial clusters for the steel sector, logistics infrastructure, single-window clearances, and labour-friendly policies. CM Sai will also visit the Chhattisgarh State Pavilion set up at the Bombay Exhibition Centre. This pavilion will showcase the stateas robust industrial infrastructure, business-friendly environment, and emerging investment opportunities -- aiming to attract national and international investors. This is CM Saias second visit to the financial capital of the country since January this year. During that visit, Chhattisgarh had attracted investment worth Rs 6,000 crore in a range of sectors, including plastic, textile, cement, IT and food processing. He had told the investors that since the launch of the new industrial policy last year, the state had attracted investments of Rs one lakh crore. He had told the investors that the process of no-objection certificates had been streamlined, and clearances were now processed through a single window system. Hyderabad, April 22 : The Enforcement Directorate has summoned top Tollywood actor Mahesh Babu in a money laundering case linked to realty firms Surana Group and Sai Surya Developers. The central agency has asked the actor to appear for an inquiry on April 27. Mahesh Babu is the brand ambassador for the two firms and reportedly received over Rs 11 crore for appearing in their advertisements. While Surana Group reportedly paid Rs 5.5 crore to the actor, he received Rs 5.9 crore from Sai Surya Developers for promotional activities. The ED is likely to investigate the remuneration paid to Mahesh Babu by the two firms. The ED notice to Mahesh Babu came less than a week after it conducted searches at the premises of the realty firms in Hyderabad. The agency said that unaccounted cash transactions worth Rs 100 crore were unearthed and Rs 74.5 lakh cash seized during searches in connection with an ongoing investigation against Sai Surya Developers and others. The central agency conducted searches at four premises in Hyderabad and Secunderabad on April 17 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The ED stated that it initiated investigation based on several FIRs registered by Telengana Police against Narendra Surana, Director of Bhagyanagar Properties Ltd., K. Sathish Chandra Gupta, Proprietor of Sai Surya Developers and others under various sections of IPC for defrauding and cheating gullible investors of their hard earned money in the name of advance for sale of plots involving huge amounts. The ED investigation revealed that the accused orchestrated fraudulent schemes involving unauthorised land layouts, selling the same plots to different customers, accepting payments without proper agreements, and false assurances of plot registrations. "Their actions caused financial losses to numerous investors. By cheating the general public with predetermined and dishonest intention, they generated proceeds of crime which were diverted and laundered for wrongful gain to themselves and related entities," the agency said. The ED searches resulted in the seizure of incriminating documents evidencing details of amounts collected by fraudulent means from various investors and unaccounted cash transactions worth around Rs 100 crore. Unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 74.50 lakh was seized from the premises of Narendra Surana and Surana Group of companies, said the ED, adding that further investigation is in progress. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Jaipur: Vice President of the United States JD Vance, along with Second Lady Usha Vance and his children, being welcomed by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari upon their arrival in Jaipur on Tuesday , April 22, 2025.. Image Source: IANS Jaipur, April 22 : US Vice President James David Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha Vance and their three children, is currently on a visit to Jaipur. After arriving in New Delhi on Monday, where he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visited the Akshardham Temple, JD Vance and his family travelled to Jaipur, reaching the city late at night. He is staying at the historic Rambagh Palace with his family, and on Tuesday morning, he reached the historic Amer Fort. Vance toured the Amer Fort with his family. For security reasons, the Fort has been evacuated in advance, and tourists' entry has been closed. The US Vice President travelled to the Fort in an open jeep from Hathi Stand, viewing the outer architecture, Mavtha Sarovar, and Kesar Kyari Bagh along the way. The tour continued to Jaleb Chowk, where two elephants, 'Pushpa' and 'Chanda', ceremonially welcomed the Vance family. The two elephants have been adorned with traditional Rajasthani jewellery and attire as part of the grand welcome for the US Vice President JD Vance and family. Pushpa offered her blessings to Vance, while Chanda honoured him by placing a garland of flowers around his neck. According to Mahout Ballu Khan, both elephants have been dressed in ornaments that are over 350 years old, including traditional pieces such as 'kantha (necklace)' and 'payal (anklets)'. Rajasthani folk artists performed in honour of the Vice President's arrival. Following the welcome ceremony, a guide escorted Vance and his family on a tour of the Fort. Afterwards, the Vice President is scheduled to visit the Panna Meena Kund and the Anokhi Museum. After concluding the Amer tour, the Vance family will return to Rambagh Palace for a brief rest, following which JD Vance will head to the Rajasthan International Center (RIC) at 2.45 p.m., where he will address the US Business Summit. The summit will focus on trade and bilateral cooperation between India and the United States. Later in the day, Vance will meet Governor Haribhau Bagde, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, and Industry Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore at Rambagh Palace. Key topics of discussion include ongoing Indo-US collaborative programmes and economic partnerships. Before lunch, Vance will be briefed on Jaipuras iconic landmarks, including Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal, and the city's signature pink architecture. A traditional Rajasthani lunch will be served to the Vice President and his family. Security has been significantly increased, especially around Amer Fort, with US security agencies, local police, and intelligence teams on high alert to ensure the safety of the US Vice President and his family. As per officials, on April 23, he will leave for Agra from Jaipur Airport at 9 a.m. and will stay in the Taj Mahal complex for three hours, and return to Jaipur after 2 p.m. Here, he is scheduled to visit the City Palace where he will be accorded a warm welcome by Deputy CM Diya Kumari. The US President will fly back to the US in the morning of April 24, said the officials. Mumbai, April 22 : Veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan marked a heartwarming milestone as he celebrated 54 years of togetherness with his wife, Pinkie Roshan. The couple, admired for their enduring bond and unwavering support for each other through the highs and lows of life, continues to inspire fans with their timeless love story. On April 22, Rakesh and Pinkie Roshan celebrated 54 years of marriage, marking over five decades of love, partnership, and shared memories. To commemorate this special milestone, the filmmaker took to his Instagram handle to share a heartfelt message, expressing gratitude for their enduring bond and the cherished memories they've created together. Sharing their photo, Rakesh wrote, "Together is a beautiful place to be. Happy 54th anniversary," followed by a red heart emoji. In the picture, they can be seen sitting together and striking a pose for the camera. Notably, In the comments section, friends from the industry showered the couple with heartfelt wishes. Actor Ronit Bose Roy commented, "Happy Anniversary." For the unversed, Rakesh and Pinkie, who tied the knot in an arranged marriage in 1971, were later blessed with two children: Hrithik Roshan and Sunaina Roshan. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Sunaina, in 1972. Two years later, in 1974, they became parents to their son, Hrithik. Today, Hrithik is one of the most successful actors in Bollywood. He has two sons, Hrehaan and Hridhaan Roshan, from his previous marriage to Sussanne Khan. Currently, the 'War' actor is in a relationship with Saba Azad. In an old interview, Rakesh Roshan had opened up about how his wife, Pinkie, stood by him during a financial crisis. The veteran filmmaker shared that his wife, Pinkie came from a wealthy family and had grown up in a bungalow, while he had taken her to a modest two-room apartment where he lived with his parents and brother. Despite the challenges they faced, she understood his frustrations, endured the difficult times with great patience, and was never demanding. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text San Francisco, April 22 : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met global CEOs, pension fund managers and other institutional investors here, and discussed the opportunity for collaboration in the domain of energy and sustainability, the Rs 1 lakh crore ($12 billion) corpus private sector-driven research, development, and innovation scheme, and GIFT-IFSC, among others. San Francisco, April 22 (IANS) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met global CEOs, pension fund managers and other institutional investors here, and discussed the opportunity for collaboration in the domain of energy and sustainability, the Rs 1 lakh crore ($12 billion) corpus private sectora"driven research, development, and innovation scheme, and GIFT-IFSC, among others. In the presence of Finance Secretary Ajay Seth and Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Ambassador of India to the US, the Finance Minister listened to their views on the reforms pursued by the Indian government, and gave feedback and observation on the existing policy framework. They spoke about their keen interest and commitment for a deeper and broad-based investment collaboration between the US and India and shared feedback on how to further facilitate and enhance the investment experience. The Union Minister thanked the participants for their valuable feedback and suggestions. In her one-on-one meetings with top CEOs, FM Sitharaman discussed opportunities in the fields of AI, Cloud and digital infrastructure. Jonathan Siddharth, CEO of Turing, expressed his desire to see India at the forefront of AI revolution and spoke about working in the domain of AI with India and through Indian contributors to create a sovereign model that can serve as a template for the world. The Finance Minister highlighted policy framework that has been put in place by India for AI, and encouraged Siddharth to explore opportunities for collaboration and fruitful engagement. Debanjan Saha, Chief Executive Officer at DataRobot, referred to Indiaas potential to become an AI superpower and expressed interest in participating in the AI Centre of Excellence, for which the Union Budget 2025-26 recently allocated Rs 500 crore. The minister underlined the steps that the government has taken over years to boost digital infrastructure, including budgeting Rs. 10,300 crore for IndiaAI Mission, creating AI language technologies through BharatGen and Sarvam-1, and the establishment of the Srijan Centre for Generative AI at IIT Jodhpur. She informed Saha about the potential opportunity through the proposed Rs. 1 lakh crore corpus for private sector-driven research, development, and innovation. In her meeting with Anjney Midha, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, and VMware CEO Raghu Raghuram, the minister discussed the remarkable transformation in technology space driven by the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting them to explore collaboration across sectors within the domain of AI. She also met Thomas Kurian, Chief Executive Officer of Google Cloud and his team. They discussed the transformative evolution of India's digital infrastructure under the Digital India initiative in recent years, positioning the country as a global leader in digital adoption. Kurian acknowledged and appreciated Indiaas AI Mission, and the trajectory India is taking under the leadership of PM Modi and called for connecting India to the world via land and sea cables. He said that Google Cloud aims to operate entirely on carbon-free energy at its data centres and offices worldwide by 2030 and spoke about upcoming investment strategy that the group is working on for India. Chennai, April 22 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday announced a week-long celebration to commemorate the birth anniversary of 20th-century Tamil poet Bharathidasan, hailing him as "a revolutionary poet" of the Dravidian movement. Chennai, April 22 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday announced a week-long celebration to commemorate the birth anniversary of 20th-century Tamil poet Bharathidasan, hailing him as "a revolutionary poet" of the Dravidian movement. "Bharathidasan's contributions to Dravidian culture and his timeless songs are invaluable. He paved the way for the movement's ideals and took immense pride in the Tamil language. His songs were the foundation of the Self-Respect Movement led by Periyar," Stalin said in the Assembly. He recalled that Bharathidasan's works were nationalised in 1990 by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. "Even today, Bharathidasan lives on through his writings. His words have touched the hearts of every Tamil. He conveyed powerful ideas in simple language and introduced many young poets to Tamil literature. We proudly call them the 'Bharathidasan lineage'," he said. Announcing the celebration, Stalin said a Tamil Week would be observed from April 29 to May 5, featuring various events across the state to promote the Tamil language and honour Bharathidasan's legacy. He said literary events and poetry sessions would be held in all districts of Tamil Nadu, with participation from renowned poets. A Bharathidasan Young Creator Award will be instituted and given to an emerging writer excelling in the Tamil language. A symposium on celebrated Tamil literary figures is also on the cards. To encourage students, speech, essay, and poetry competitions will be organized in schools and colleges. Traditional Tamil music, dance, and art forms will be showcased throughout the week, he said. Stalin said the celebration would be observed as Tamil Resurgence Week, serving as an opportunity to present the richness of the Tamil language to the world. "Let us spread Bharathidasan's thoughts across Tamil Nadu and carry forward his legacy through these events. This government will continue to protect and promote the Tamil language and culture. Long live Tamil, long live the Tamil race," he declared. Born in Puducherry on April 29, 1891, Bharathidasan was deeply influenced by the Tamil poet and freedom fighter Subramania Bharathi. He actively participated in the independence movement and opposed both the British Raj and the French colonial government. Mumbai, April 22 : Indian auteur Anurag Kashyap has issued an apology following an uproar over his remarks on the Brahmin community. On Tuesday, the 'Gangs of Wasseypur' filmmaker took to his Instagram, and penned the apology, and assured that he will be very careful with his expression and words going forward. He wrote in Hindi, "I forgot my limits while answering someone in anger. And bad-mouthing the entire Brahmin community, the same community of which all the people have been in my life, are still there and contribute a lot, they all have been hurt. My family is hurt. Many intellectuals, whom I respect, are hurt by my anger and the way I speak. By saying such a thing myself, I diverted my own thoughts from the issue". He further mentioned, "I sincerely apologise to the Brahmin community to whom I did not want to say this, but in a fit of rage wrote a nasty comment while replying to someone. I apologise to all my fellow colleagues, to my family and to the society for the way I spoke. I'll work on it. I'll work on my anger to ensure this doesn't happen again. And if I have to talk about the issue, I will use the right words. I hope you do forgive me". The backlash erupted after Anurag made a comment while responding to criticism of 'Phule', which is a biopic based on social reformers Jyotirao Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule. The remark, interpreted by some as casteist, sparked outrage online and triggered calls for legal action. Following the controversy, Kashyap's daughter, Aaliyah, along with his family and colleagues, received rape and death threats from online trolls. The director also faced legal action as an FIR was filed against him in Jaipur for the use of abusive language towards the community. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Seoul, April 22 : South Korea's People Power Party (PPP) was set to shortlist four contenders on Tuesday for the June presidential election, as part of the first round of its primary process based on public polling. The results will be determined using surveys conducted by five polling agencies from Monday to Tuesday, covering a combined total of 4,000 respondents. The party's election commission will announce the top four contenders around 7 p.m. In the second round, two candidates will be selected through a process that equally combines party member votes and public opinion polling. The party will confirm its candidate on May 3. According to a Realmetre poll released early this week, Rep. Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the Democratic Party (DP), kept a strong lead with 50.2 per cent support. Trailing Lee was former Labour Minister Kim Moon-soo, who joined the PPP, with 12.2 per cent. Former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon received 8.5 per cent and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo garnered 7.5 per cent, followed by PPP Rep. Na Kyung-won at 2 per cent, according to the poll. The election will be held on June 3 after former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted on April 4 over his failed martial law bid. While the conservative contenders have intensified political attacks against the former DP leader Lee, the PPP seemed to be perplexed by Lee's strong lead in opinion polls. Last week, a plan to create a new political party in support of Yoon was put on hold. Rep. Lee Yang-soo of the PPP told SBS radio that such a plan would have a negative impact on the party in the face of the presidential election, Yonhap news agency reported. Meanwhile, candidates will be required to register by May 11 and the official campaign period will kick off on May 12. The law also requires a public servant running for President to resign at least 30 days before an election, making May 4 the deadline. The new President will assume office immediately after the election without a transition team. When former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office on March 10, 2017, the early election was also held exactly 60 days later, on May 9. Meanwhile, Yoon, who dramatically rose from a top prosecutor to the presidency in about three years, became the nation's second President to be formally removed from office, with his surprise martial law bid rattling the nation for months and deepening political polarisation. With the ruling, Yoon, 64, follows in the footsteps of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who was ousted in 2017 when the Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment over a corruption scandal. Kottayam, April 22 : A leading businessman and his wife were found brutally murdered in their house in Kerala's Kottayam on Tuesday, said officials here, adding that one suspect has been taken into custody. The suspect is a migrant labourer, identified as Amit from Assam. He was previously employed by the couple. The couple, Vijayakumar and his wife Meera, owned a plush state-of-the-art convention centre besides other business ventures. The housemaid, who arrived as usual on Tuesday morning, found things amiss inside the house and also found the back door open. After not getting a response from the owners, she immediately alerted the neighbours, who informed the police. Upon arrival, the police found the couple dead. Their bodies were found in two different rooms, and the police said that the killer used an axe to kill them. Both bodies were found disrobed and in a pool of blood. The axe was also recovered from the house. High-level Kottayam district police officials have reached the house, and the probe has started. Local legislator Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said the inquest is going on. "It was a brutal murder using weapons. One migrant labourer is presently identified as the villain. Probe will be revealed if there were one or more people involved. The hard disk of the CCTV in the house has been found missing. We are waiting for the probe, and the people of the locality have pledged their full support to the police," said Radhakrishnan. Incidentally, Vijayakumar had terminated the service of Amit in November. Vijayakumar had filed a complaint after a few things went missing from his house. Amit was arrested and was in jail for the burglary incident. The police, however, are tight-lipped about the details of the probe and have commenced their investigations. "There was a case also previously against the migrant labourer. The missing hard disk makes it very clear, and also the pet dog was silent, so it can be assumed this crime was done by someone familiar with the house," added Radhakrishnan, a former Home Minister. Incidentally, seven years back, Vijayakumar's son Gautam's dead body was found mutilated by the side of the railway track in the district. Vijayakumar then approached the Kerala High Court and sought a CBI probe, and it was just last month that the Court ordered a CBI probe. The Thiruvananthapuram CBI unit had just commenced its probe. The police, after their preliminary probe, have more or less ruled out that the murder was not committed as part of a burglary, as the gold ornaments of the two deceased have not gone missing, nor has the home been ransacked. Hence, the police have started to see if there is any link between the death of his son and the brutal murder of the parents. State Minister for Ports and Cooperation V.N. Vasavan, who hails from Kottayam, said the way the murder was committed was very cruel. "One person was arrested based on a complaint by Vijayakumar in the past after a mobile phone was stolen," said Vasavan. Kathmandu, April 22 : Nepal's Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai resigned following the differences she has with Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel over protesting teachers' demands on perks and benefits. Her decision came amid growing political differences with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister as thousands of government school teachers continued with their protest in Kathmandu, demanding passage of the School Education Bill, according to local media reports. Meanwhile, Laxmi Kishor Subedi, chairman of the Confederation of Nepalese Teachers (CNT), took to social media and said that their agitation will continue on Tuesday. "Our agitation will continue," said Subedi. According to media reports earlier on Monday, Bhattarai held a meeting with Prime Minister Oli. She submitted her resignation to the Prime Minister during the meeting, as confirmed by the education ministry. "She is unhappy with both Prime Minister Oli and Finance Minister Paudel, but efforts are on to convince her to rethink her resignation. The Prime Minister will talk to her," the leading Nepali newspaper, The Kathmandu Post, reported, quoting a minister as saying. The report quoted two sources close to the Education Minister, stating that PM Oli and Bhattarai had big differences over addressing the demands of the agitating teachers since teachers hit the streets. "Finance Minister Paudel also did not cooperate in fulfilling some of the teachers' demands. Bhattarai mentioned 'health issues' as the reason for her resignation to the Prime Minister. Yes, she had been unwell sometime back, but now she has fully recovered," said the source. "If the government addresses teachers' demands related to salary and other perks and benefits, thousands of civil servants who are ready to hit the streets will ask for similar benefits. So both the Prime Minister and Finance Minister did not agree to address all the demands of the teachers, which made her resign," said an official familiar with the talks between Oli, Paudel, and Bhattarai. The differences became prominent when the outgoing education minister Bhattarai, was absent during Prime Minister Oli's meeting with office-bearers of the CNT on Friday to explore solutions to the ongoing teachers' agitation centered in Kathmandu. The teacher's demonstrations and sit-ins in the Maitighar-Naya Baneshwor area of Kathmandu since April 2 have severely disrupted the national enrollment drive and delayed key academic tasks, such as evaluating answer sheets from the recently held Secondary Education Examination (SEE). The teachers defied the government's instruction to begin student enrollment for the new academic year in Nepal, which started on April 15. Canberra, April 22 : Early voting began in Australia's general election on Tuesday, with about half of the country's 18 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots before election day on May 3. Hundreds of early voting centres across Australia opened their doors from 8:30 a.m. local time as the election campaign entered its final stretch. The proportion of Australians choosing to vote early, either in person or by post, has steadily increased at recent federal elections from under 20 per cent in 2004 to almost 50 per cent in 2022. Voting in elections is mandatory for over 18 million citizens aged 18 and over who are enrolled to do so with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). According to the AEC, eligible voter enrollment for the May 3 election is a record-high 98.2 per cent, Xinhua news agency reported. Although millions of votes will be cast early, AEC staff cannot start counting any ballots until polls close at 6 p.m. local time on May 3. Jill Sheppard, a senior lecturer in politics and international relations at the Australian National University, said that the rise in early voting could be attributed to the convenience of pre-polling as well as growing disengagement among voters with political parties and campaigns. Earlier on April 21, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the country's upcoming general election was still "up for grabs" despite polls showing his Labour Party was on track to win a second term in government. The campaign restart came one day before early voting opened across the country on Tuesday a" offering millions of Australians the opportunity to avoid long queues to cast their mandatory votes a" and after several new opinion polls showed that Labour had increased its lead over the Coalition among voters. The latest edition of Newspoll, published by News Corp Australia on Sunday, reported a 52a"48 lead for Labour over the Coalition on a two-party preferred basis. A separate poll published by the Australian branch of UK firm YouGov on Friday put Labour ahead 53a"47, marking the government's strongest two-party result in the firm's poll in 18 months, Xinhua news agency reported. Labour had won the 2022 general election 52.13a"47.87 over the Coalition on a two-party basis. When asked on Monday if Labour was in pole position to win the election, Albanese pointed to lessons the party had learned from 2019, when polls had widely forecast a Labour victory only for the Coalition to win a third term in power in a result hailed by then-PM Scott Morrison on election night as a "miracle." "Thereas no complacency from my camp," Albanese told reporters in the state of New South Wales. "This election is certainly up for grabs." Dutton, who on Monday announced that a Coalition government would spend 750 million Australian dollars ($482 million) on a crime crackdown, including a national register of sex offenders, also pointed to the 2019 election when asked about the polls. "Not too many people were predicting a Coalition victory in 2019. A lot of people were busy with work, busy in their lives. Many Australians didnat know there was an election coming up," he said in Melbourne. "We can well and truly win the election from here." When Australians visited polling places across the country to vote, they did so on a preferential basis a" assigning their first preference to the candidate in their local electorate whom they most wanted to represent them in the lower house of the federal parliament. If no candidate in an electorate received a majority of first preference votes, candidates with the fewest votes were eliminated and their votes distributed based on the preferences marked by individual voters. Australia was divided geographically into 150 electorates, each with approximately the same number of voters. Labour entered the election holding 77 seats in the lower house compared to 53 for the Coalition. Some electorates had as many as 13 candidates running in the election. The Newspoll published on Sunday found that 34 per cent of respondents intended to vote for their Labour candidate as their first preference a" the highest since January 2024 a" and 35 per cent for the Coalition, while the YouGov poll had both major parties tied at 33 per cent. Labour traditionally received fewer first preference votes than the Coalition but performed better on preferences. Labour received 32.5 per cent of first preference votes in 2022, compared to 35.7 per cent for the Coalition, but benefited from over 85 per cent of votes for the Greens, Australiaas third-largest party, flowing its way. Tokyo, April 22 : George Glass, the US Ambassador to Japan, on Tuesday expressed optimism about the ongoing tariff negotiations between Washington and Tokyo as he met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The remarks came ahead of the second round of talks, which is expected to be held later in the month, local media reported. Addressing reporters after his meeting with PM Ishiba, Glass said that the two countries are in a "golden age" both "economically and friendship-wise." He further added that the "best and brightest" of the United States and Japan have been discussing how to improve their economies and enhance cooperation, adding he is "very optimistic" about the results, according to Kyodo News. According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PM Ishiba and Ambassador Glass exchanged views on current Japan-US relations, including the US tariff measures. The ministry mentioned that the Prime Minister expressed his intention to promote cooperation in a wide variety of fields in a mutually beneficial manner, and Ambassador Glass concurred to this point. PM Ishiba stated that the Japan-US alliance is the "cornerstone" of Japan's diplomacy and security and expressed his intention to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and further strengthen the alliance, the ministry said in a statement. Sharing his view, Ambassador Glass stated that the Japan-US alliance is the most important and he would like to cooperate for further strengthening the alliance, it added. "Both sides exchanged views on regional situations, such as China and North Korea. Prime Minister Ishiba asked for continued understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and gained full support from Ambassador-Designate Glass," the statement further read. Furthermore, on Monday, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi welcomed Ambassador Glass and expressed his intention to engage in candid discussions to boost the Japan-US alliance, said the Japanese Foreign Ministry in a statement. "In addition, both sides exchanged views on Japan-US security and defence cooperation to strengthen the alliance deterrence and response capabilities, Foreign Minister Iwaya conveyed Japan's position on mitigation of the impact on local communities," it added. New Delhi, April 22 : Electronics exports from India has moved up from fifth position to third within one fiscal, owing to the transformative production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday. In a post on X social media platform, the minister said that electronics exports clocked an all-time high of Rs 3.27 lakh crore in FY25, with mobile exports standing at Rs 2 lakh crore. "Electronics exports moves up from fifth position to third within one fiscal. Three years in a row, electronics is India's fastest growing export amongst India's top 10," Vaishnaw informed. He further stated that lakhs of new jobs have been created in the electronics ecosystem, especially for women, along with "skilling, increasing DVA and Indian MSMEs joining global supply chains". The electronics manufacturing industry has seen a five times growth in the last 10 years, surpassing Rs 11 lakh crore while the entire ecosystem has created 25 lakh jobs. In the last decade, electronics exports have risen six times to surpass Rs 3.25 lakh crore. In a historic achievement, smartphones emerged as India's largest export category in the first 10 months of FY25 -- marking a major success story under the government's PLI scheme. In FY14, smartphones were ranked as India's 167th export category -- a sharp contrast to their number 1 position today. The Union Minister also hailed hardware brands now lining up for India, as China stands to lose amid the ongoing trade tariff war with the US. The PLI 2.0 scheme for IT Hardware saw more than Rs 10,000 crore production and 3,900 jobs in just 18 months of its launch, the government said in January this year. In a groundbreaking development for India's electronics manufacturing sector, the production of laptops has started in the country. Moreover, the electronics manufacturing sector has received a major boost with the government notifying the much-awaited 'Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme' (ECMS). The scheme marks a turning point for strengthening India's component manufacturing ecosystem and increasing domestic value addition. With a financial outlay of Rs 22,919 crore over six years, ECMS aims to generate production worth Rs 4.56 lakh crore, attract investments of Rs 59,350 crore and create nearly 91,600 direct jobs. Gurugram, April 22 : The body of an unidentified woman with a mutilated face was found in the bushes near an under-construction site in Sector-84 in Gurugram on Tuesday, police said. Panic gripped the area after the body was spotted. According to the police, they received information that a woman's body was lying in the bushes. After this, the police team reached the spot, took the body into its possession and sent it for autopsy. It is suspected that the woman was murdered and her body was thrown here. The possibility of criminals deliberately disfiguring the woman's face to hide her identity cannot be ruled out, police said. None of her belongings were recovered near the body. Forensic experts have collected samples and evidence from the spot, they said. Spokesperson of the Gurugram Police said the case is being investigated from every angle and the killer will be arrested soon. The investigation has been intensified. Information has been shared with the different police stations to identify the victim so that the culprit can be booked as soon as the body is identified, police said. "The investigation team will scan nearby CCTV footage of the spot to identify the criminal. The matter is under investigation," the spokesperson said. On April 6, a man was arrested for allegedly stabbing to death a woman over a relationship dispute with another man. The deceased was identified as Neelam. Acting on the complaint of Neelam's husband, the police launched a probe during which it came out that she was killed by one of her two lovers. The incident occurred when Vinod confronted Neelam about her relationship with Sudhir. As Neelam asked Vinod to leave, in a fit of rage, he stabbed her to death. The police arrested Neelam's paramour, Vinod, for stabbing her to death. New Delhi, April 22 : Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev on Tuesday agreed before the Delhi High Court to pull down videos from social media in which he had reportedly linked pharmaceutical and food company Hamdard's popular drink Rooh Afza with 'Sharbat Jihad'. A Bench of Justice Amit Bansal was hearing a plea filed by Hamdard seeking removal of the Yoga guru's controversial videos from social media platforms. Earlier this month, Ramdev, while promoting Patanjali's 'Gulab Sharbat', claimed that Rooh Afza's parent company Hamdard was using its gain for building mosques and madrasas. Later, Ramdev defended his speech, saying that he did not mention any brand or community. During the course of hearing, the single-judge Bench of Justice Amit Bansal, earlier in the day, slammed Baba Ramdev for using communal slurs against Rooh Afza. "It shocks the conscience of the Court. This is indefensible," said Justice Bansal. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Hamdard, said that such videos should not be allowed "even for a moment", adding that Ramdev had earlier attacked herbal health company Himalaya because it is also owned by a Muslim. Rohatgi referred to the contempt proceedings initiated by the Supreme Court against Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved's Managing Director Acharya Balakrishna over continued publication of misleading advertisements and targeting allopathy. In August last year, the duo were discharged of the contempt of court notice in view of the apology tendered personally before the apex court and the public apology published by Patanjali in leading newspapers. After Justice Bansal of the Delhi HC warned of a strong order, Ramadev's counsel agreed to pull down the controversial video and advertisements. The Delhi High Court asked Ramdev to file an undertaking on affidavit that he will not issue such statements, advertisements and social media posts in future. The matter will be heard next on May 1. New Delhi, April 22 : In a remarkable display of patriotism and innovation, a young entrepreneur from Motihari, Bihar has established the state's first-ever Modi Memento Museum, showcasing 56 exclusive souvenirs once received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative has become the talk of the town, and even beyond for its inspiring origin and unique tribute to the Prime Minister's campaign for a clean Ganga under the Namami Gange Programme. Back in 2019, Prime Minister Modi launched an initiative to support the Namami Gange Mission by auctioning various mementos and gifts he had received during public functions and official events. The proceeds from the auction were pledged to fund the cleaning and rejuvenation of the sacred Ganga River. Inspired by the cause, Yamuna Sikariya, a young industrialist from Motihari, actively participated in the auction and went on to purchase 56 mementos, each a symbol of recognition and appreciation given to Prime Minister Modi for his service and achievements. What followed was even more unique, he created a full-fledged Modi Memento Museum with the items on display and the facility being open to the public. "The work done by our Prime Minister deserves to be remembered and celebrated. This museum is living proof of that. It is the only place in Bihar where people can see all 56 mementos received by PM Modi in one place," said Yamuna Sikariya. The museum has since become a point of inspiration for visitors from across Bihar and neighbouring states, who come to see the items and leave with renewed motivation. Rashi Kumari, a visitor, shared her thoughts, saying, "It is motivational to see all these mementos as they inspire us to do good work for our nation. The things people travel far to see, we now have right here in Motihari. It's exciting." Keshav Kumar, another visitor, echoed the sentiment, "We feel so proud. It is a matter of pride for Champaran also. Seeing these mementos fills me with immense pride. PM Modi is taking the nation towards progress, and it is truly praiseworthy." New York, April 22 : Middle-aged Americans demonstrated some of the highest levels of loneliness in a new study released on Tuesday, which assessed tens of thousands of 50 to 90-year-olds across 29 countries. The peer-reviewed research, published in Aging and Mental Health, shows loneliness generally increases with age -- with only the US and the Netherlands representing places where middle-aged people feel more lonely than older generations. "There is a general perception that people get lonelier as they age, but the opposite is actually true in the US where middle-aged people are lonelier than older generations," said lead author Robin Richardson, a social and psychiatric epidemiologist and assistant professor at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. Advocacy and interventions to address the loneliness epidemic have historically focused on older adults and adolescents. Middle-aged adults represent a critical population that is being overlooked, he mentioned. Loneliness is a significant public health concern, responsible for a wide range of physiological, cognitive, mental and behavioural health outcomes that decrease quality of life and increase the risk of disease. Using data from 64,324 older adults in countries across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, Richardson collaborated with experts from Columbia University; McGill University in Canada; and Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile. The team found that while loneliness generally increased with age, the size of the increase was greater in some countries than others. Adults in Bulgaria and Latvia reported the most substantial increase in loneliness as people age. They found that adults in Cyprus and Greece had the highest prevalence of loneliness among adults aged 5090 years. The US had a substantially higher prevalence of loneliness among middle-aged adults, a pattern shared with only one other country, the Netherlands. Being unmarried, not working, depression and poor health were major reasons why loneliness varied with age, but the importance of these contributors and the combination of factors were different in each country. For example, in the US, not working was the top reason for a higher amount of loneliness among middle-aged adults, while in other countries it resulted in more loneliness among older adults. The authors suggest this could be due to the unique social circumstances middle-aged adults face, such as highly constrained leisure time to socialise due to competing work, childcare, and aging parents' caregiving demands. Given that loneliness varies across location and life circumstances, health policies and social programs to reduce loneliness should first confirm which age groups are at highest risk of loneliness in a particular setting, the authors noted. Seoul, April 22 : Acting South Korean President Han Duck-soo visited the memorial altar for the late Pope Francis on Tuesday to pay tribute to the global Christian leader, honouring his dedication to the poor and marginalised. "The Pope left a profound spiritual teaching and legacy of faith to the Catholic Church and believers around the world," Han said after offering incense at the memorial altar set up at Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul. "We extend our deep gratitude and condolences. Pope Francis always lived humbly and simply, and practiced love for the poor and socially marginalised," he added. In a condolence message sent to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State on Monday, Han said the South Korean government and its people share the sorrow with Catholics and other Christians around the world. The pontiff died on Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, Yonhap news agency reported. The death of Pope Francis, who had long yearned for peace on the divided Korean Peninsula, triggered deep mourning among South Koreans. The pontiff was regarded by the country's Christians and non-believers alike as a spiritual leader who showed deep compassion and a special affection for the country. He chose South Korea as his first destination in Asia after becoming Pope in 2013 and appointed two of the four Korean cardinals to date. Under his leadership, Seoul was selected to hold the 2027 World Youth Day, making the country the second Asian country to hold the global event after the Philippines in 1995. He also maintained close communication with South Korean Presidents, consistently showing a strong interest in peace on the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean relations. During his five-day visit to South Korea in 2014, he met with those who were suffering or marginalised, including victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery -- euphemistically referred to as "comfort women" -- as well as people with disabilities. He comforted them and brought hope to Korean society, with his humble and modest demeanour, leaving a lasting impression on many. "I wanted to meet him again and thank him in person," Kim Young-oh, the bereaved father of a Sewol ferry disaster victim, told Yonhap News Agency on Monday regarding the pontiff's death. He met the Pope in August 2014 on the 34th day of his hunger strike to seek the truth behind the deadly sinking that left 304 people dead in April that year. "When I thought no one would hold our hands, the Pope was the person who gave us the most strength," he recalled, adding that the encounter helped trigger wider attention from media around the world. The death brought Lee Young-su, an activist and one of the 'Comfort Women', to tears. "He must have gone to a good place," she said. The pontiff invited seven 'Comfort Women' to the front row of his Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral, the final event of his visit to South Korea. "Meeting him brought me great peace of mind, but I am sad I couldn't meet him again after that," she said, adding: "He was someone who only did good things. I will pray for him." Ven. Jinwoo, leader of South Korea's largest Buddhist sect, the Jogye Order, joined in mourning the death of Pope Francis, offering his "deepest condolences" to Catholics and Christians around the world. "The Pope was someone who transcended religious boundaries and shared in the suffering of humanity with humility and compassion," he said. As early as September last year, Pope Francis expressed concern over the ongoing division of the Korean Peninsula during a meeting with South Korean Bishops at the Vatican. At that time, he turned his attention to the upcoming World Youth Day, an international Catholic youth gathering set to take place in Seoul in 2027. He urged the Korean Bishops to actively engage with young people and to listen closely to their voices, noting that there is much to learn from them. The Pope also voiced concern over the treatment of rural communities and the elderly in South Korea while calling on individuals to take practical steps in their daily lives to protect the environment. Whenever the country faced major tragedies -- such as the crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon in 2022 that killed 159 people and the plane crash in Muan in December that claimed 179 lives -- the Pope never failed to offer words of comfort and prayers. As recently as last month, the Pope expressed concerns over the wildfires that devastated the country's southeastern regions and sent his condolences to those mourning the loss of loved ones. Pope Francis expressed his willingness to visit North Korea on multiple occasions, saying he would go if invited by the North. Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in, a Catholic, met him twice, in 2018 and 2021, during which they discussed the possibility of a papal visit to Pyongyang. Saharsa : , April 22 (IANS) Life after the Army took a transformative turn for Vikas Kumar Mishra, a retired soldier from Saharsa, who is now scripting a remarkable success story in fish farming. With an annual income exceeding Rs 5 lakh, Mishra has become an inspiration for countless youths in Bihar seeking self-reliance through agriculture. A resident of Ward 24 under Saharsa Municipal Corporation, Mishra served the Indian Army with distinction for 17 years, enlisting in 2001 and retiring in 2018. Post-retirement, he decided to return to his rootsa"his ancestral landa"and began cultivating not just crops, but hope. Motivated by memories of his late father, a teacher who also farmed after retirement, Mishra turned their family land into a thriving centre of agricultural innovation. He utilised the Jal Sanchay Yojana under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Abhiyan to construct a pond and further benefited from Rs 3.5 lakh in government aid through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to launch his fish farming venture. On just one bigha of land, Mishra now produces over 25 quintals of fish annually. His pond teems with species like Alankari, Kabai, Katla, Rehu, and Singhia"sourced from West Bengala"and nurtured using eco-friendly bioplank technology. To enhance his expertise, Mishra underwent six months of specialised training in Kishanganj and Mumbai. Around his pond, he has also planted fruit treesa"mango, guava, and litchia"that provide an additional stream of income. "With the right training and proper use of government schemes, our youth can become job creators, not job seekers," Mishra told IANS. His journey from soldier to sustainable farmer exemplifies the spirit of resilience and innovation. Today, Vikas Mishra stands as a beacon of possibilitya"not only for Saharsa but for aspiring entrepreneurs across Bihar. Several schemes aim to support farming in India. Key schemes include the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) for direct income support, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for crop insurance, and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for irrigation. Other important schemes are the National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO), the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). New Delhi, April 22 : The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has announced internship opportunities for 500 students from its partner institutions in the field of standardisation for 2025-26, according to a Ministry of Consumer Affairs statement issued on Tuesday. The internships will be offered to students enrolled in 4-year degree courses, 5-year integrated degree courses, postgraduate degrees, and diploma programmes. The 8-week internship will include pre-standardisation work in two key industries, QCO (Quality Control Order) compliance surveys in collaboration with BIS offices, and site visits to large-scale units, MSMEs and laboratories, the statement said. Students will undertake detailed studies on manufacturing and testing processes, raw materials, in-process controls, and other aspects of product quality and conformity assessment. The annual convention of BIS Standardisation Chairs and Nodal Faculty of MoU Partner Institutions, held recently, has also incorporated standardisation modules into the curriculum of 15 institutes, while more than 130 research and development projects have been commissioned. Over 50 institutions have established BIS Corners and Academic Dashboards, and a total of 198 Standards Clubs have been formed across 52 institutes. BIS Director General Pramod Kumar Tiwari said that this partnership is a shared national mission to embed a culture of quality and standardisation across academia. Deputy Director General, Standardisation, Rajeev Sharma encouraged institutions to foster action-oriented collaborations and contribute actively to the countryas quality ecosystem. The convention hosted technical sessions on curriculum integration, standards formulation, student engagement through Standards Clubs, and other promotional activities. In an open house discussion, partner institutions shared best practices and innovative models for academic collaboration. The event concluded with a collective resolve to strengthen the culture of standardisation across Indian academia, empowering students and faculty to meaningfully engage with national and global quality systems, the statement added. Representatives from 58 partner institutes participated in the convention. Five institutionsa" IIT Roorkee, SSEC Chennai, NIT Jalandhar, SVCE Chennai, and PSNACET Dindigula"were felicitated for their exceptional performance in BIS-related activities as per the MoU. New Delhi, April 22 : India's Consul General of India in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, on Tuesday met Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ) Managing Director Karan Adani and discussed growth prospects for the logistics and connectivity sectors, along with touching upon the economic situation in the region. Mathur, who served as Minister (Political) at Indiaas Mission to the United Nations in New York, assumed charge as the Consulate General of India in Shanghai in January this year. In a post on the social media platform X, the Consul General said that Indian companies are going global. "Met today with Shri Karan Adani, MD of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, and had a discussion on the economic situation in the region, and growth prospects for the logistics and connectivity sectors," he posted. Mathur served on the India team representing the country in the UN Security Council from January 2021 to December 2022. His previous assignments included postings in the Indian embassies in Washington, DC, and Beijing. Meanwhile, the Board of Directors of Adani Ports last week approved the acquisition of Abbot Point Port Holdings Pte Ltd (APPH), Singapore, from Carmichael Rail and Port Singapore Holdings Pte Ltd, Singapore (CRPSHPL), which is a related party. APPH holds the entities which own and operate the North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT) a" a dedicated export terminal with a current nameplate capacity of 50 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The transaction will further enhance the APSEZas global transport and logistics footprint and fast-track its journey to handle 1 billion tonnes per annum by 2030. Earlier this month, Karan Adani said the opening of the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) in Sri Lanka will create thousands of jobs locally. Adani Ports has commenced operations at the terminal located at the Port of Colombo. The CWIT project represents a significant investment of $800 million and features a 1,400-metre quay length and 20-metre depth, enabling the terminal to handle approximately 3.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually. Jeddah, April 22 : A wave of excitement and pride has swept through the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia as Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on his two-day official visit to Jeddah, beginning Tuesday. The visit, at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is expected to mark a new chapter in the strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, with at least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) scheduled to be signed. The Indian community in Jeddah, one of the largest expatriate populations in Saudi Arabia, is celebrating the occasion with cultural events, performances, and heartfelt enthusiasm. From young children to senior professionals, everyone is expressing joy and pride over the Prime Minister's visit. Speaking to IANS, Mridula, who has been residing in Jeddah for the last 15 years, expressed her excitement: "We are super excited! The Indian diaspora has organised a grand gathering to welcome PM Modi. My daughter is participating in the cultural performances. If I get a chance to speak to him, I would tell him how much we admire his leadership. He is like a lion bold, decisive, and inspiring." Another Indian woman shared, "It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime moment. There's something magical about his presence an aura that energises everyone around. We've always been proud to be Indians, but his leadership makes that pride even more powerful." Ranjit, an Indian from Andhra Pradesh, highlighted the strengthening ties between the two nations. "Indians form the second-largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia. Cultural and trade ties are deepening, and we feel proud to witness this progress. We traveled over a thousand kms to be here today." Young Shashwat, said, "I came here to meet PM Modi. He inspires us to dream big. I love his positivity and leadership." Farheen shared: "It's a very proud moment. I'm overwhelmed with excitement. Seeing the Indian flag everywhere brought tears to my eyes. This visit is going to change things. Saudi Arabia already sees India in a very positive light, and our dream of Viksit Bharat@2047 feels even more achievable now. PM Modi is not just a national leader; he's a global icon." Another community member remarked, "This visit will open doors for greater business collaboration. We hope for new trade agreements that will benefit both nations." Nidhi Shah added, "It's a delightful day. We are honoured to have PM Modi as our Prime Minister. His entire team has won our hearts. With this leadership, Viksit Bharat@2047 doesn't just feel like a vision it feels like a promise." Another resident noted, "Meeting PM Modi is a proud moment. Under his leadership, the value of the Indian passport has increased. India's global standing has improved, and we feel it even here in Saudi Arabia." Santosh Sethi expressed joy over the visit, saying, "This is the third time PM Modi is visiting Jeddah. I feel so proud and happy. It's a moment of pride not only for us in Jeddah but for all Indians abroad." The fervor is high, with artistes preparing special cultural performances to welcome the Prime Minister. IANS spoke to some performers ready to showcase India's rich heritage. Pushpa, who leads a classical dance team, said, "We're a 12-member group performing classical dance today. We are honoured to be part of this historic event." Arya, another performer, shared, "It's both exciting and nerve-wracking. This is a huge opportunity, and we've been practicing hard." Anga revealed, "We're doing a fusion dance blending Indian classical with contemporary styles. PM Modi's leadership is inspiring, and we hope to express that through our performance." As anticipation builds, the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia is united in their excitement. From cultural pride to diplomatic optimism, PM Modi's visit is not just a political event, it's a celebration of shared identity, hope, and a stronger Indo-Saudi partnership. Mumbai, April 22 : As "Laal Rang" marks its 9th anniversary on April 22, Randeep Hooda looks back on the film that dared to be different. Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) As "Laal Rang" marks its 9th anniversary on April 22, Randeep Hooda looks back on the film that dared to be different. In his recent Instagram post, the 'Jaat' actor reflected on how what once began as a bold and unconventional narrative has now earned the status of a cult classic in Indian cinema. Celebrating the journey of the gripping crime drama, Hooda shared his reflections on how the film continues to resonate with audiences even years after its release. The actor shared a scene featuring him from the film and captioned it, "9 years of Laal Rang and the love still runs deep. What started as a bold story became a cult classic, thanks to you. Here's to the blood, brotherhood, and the bond that's only grown stronger over time. Grateful for every ounce of love this film continues to receive..@afzalistan @vipinpatwaofficial #Laalrang." "Laal Rang," directed by Syed Ahmad Afzal and produced by Nitika Thakur and Krian Media, also featured Akshay Oberoi and Piaa Bajpai. The crime drama, set against the backdrop of Haryana, explores the dark underbelly of illegal blood bank operations. It follows the journey of two friends whose lives spiral as they become entangled in the illicit trade. The film was released on April 22, 2016. Coming back to Randeep Hooda, the actor recently made headlines after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by his mother, Asha Hooda, and his sister, Dr. Anjali Hooda. The actor took to social media to express his gratitude and shared the highlights of the meeting. In his post, the 'Highway' actor reflected on a meaningful interaction with the Prime Minister, praising his foresight and thoughtful perspective on India's future. The actor shared that their discussion touched on several significant subjects, such as the growing global influence of Indian cinema and the rising appreciation for genuine, rooted storytelling in the industry. Sharing his photos with PM Modi, Randeep penned a heartfelt note that read, "It was a great honour and a privilege to meet the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri @narendramodi ji. His insight, wisdom, and thoughts on the future of our great country are always so inspiring. His pat on the back is a great encouragement to keep doing good work in our respective fields and contributing to the growth of our nation." He added, "We spoke about the global rise of Indian cinema, the power of authentic storytelling, and the government's visionary new OTT platformWAVESset to amplify Indian voices on the world stage. It was also a proud family moment to be joined by my mother, Asha Hooda, and sister, Dr. Anjali Hooda, who also exchanged thoughts with the PM on his initiatives of anti obesity drive and holistic wellness," the actor added. The family was deeply moved by the Prime Minister's receptiveness and encouragement for the arts and regional welfare." Bengaluru, April 22 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the IAF officer, who was involved in a road rage case in the capital city, was provoking the pride and sentiments of Kannada-speaking people. The road rage incident on Monday involved the Indian Air Force Wing Commander and a biker, who is a call centre employee. CM Siddaramaiah issued a press statement on Tuesday, saying, "The Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose, who assaulted Kannadiga Vikas Kumar over a minor vehicle touch incident in Bengaluru's CV Raman Nagar, has now taken to social media to make baseless accusations against Karnataka and Kannadigas, provoking the pride and sentiments of the Kannada-speaking people." The CM further stated that Kannadigas take pride in their mother tongue, but they are not arrogant. It is not in the nature of Kannadigas to physically attack or insult others over language issues without any reason. The land of Karnataka has a rich culture of treating everyone who settles here with respect, regardless of which part of the country they come from, and embraces them as fellow Kannadigas. History stands testimony to this inclusive spirit. "It is truly regrettable that some national media outlets, forgetting their responsibilities and professional ethics, have taken one person's unverified claims and tarnished the reputation of the entire state of Karnataka. This has deeply hurt the sentiments of every Kannadiga, the CM stated. "Kannadigas must not take the law into their own hands in response to provocation or agitation. The Government of Karnataka, elected by Kannadigas, is in place to ensure justice. Regarding yesterday's (April 21) incident, I have directed the Police Commissioner to take appropriate legal action against the culprits, regardless of their position or designation. The state government is treating this matter with utmost seriousness and is committed to ensuring justice for the person who has been wronged," he emphasised. Earlier, Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose released a video on Monday, in which he claimed that an atrocious incident had taken place when he had a flight to catch in the morning as he was heading to Kolkata. "My father needed to be admitted to the hospital for surgery. My wife Madhumita was driving me around 6.30 am on Monday to drop me at the bus stop," he said. "Suddenly, from the right side, a bike came and stopped in front of our car. I will share the dash cam video too. He parked his bike, stood in front of our car wearing a helmet, holding his keys, and started saying things in Kannada about 'you DRDO people'. When he saw my wife driving, he came to my side and started arguing," the officer stated. "What shocked me was that local people -- Kannada-speaking elders -- were watching. Some told the bike rider he was wrong and should leave. But many of them, locals, supported him. They held my hand. That guy even bit me," the Wing Commander alleged. "It's atrocious. I am stronger and more powerful; I could have done anything to him. He came prepared -- with keys in hand, wearing a helmet -- clearly wanting to escalate the situation. God knows what would have happened if my wife had been alone. I'm very worried now because my wife and child are still alone in Bengaluru," the Wing Commander claimed. "This happened in the heart of the city, in the DRDO area. I believe the authorities will take action. I have the vehicle number. I lost many things. But the main concern is my wife and child, who are alone in Bengaluru," he maintained. New Delhi, April 22 : The Congress on Tuesday lashed out at BJP over the renewed political offensive in the National Herald case, questioning the timing of the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) charge sheet filed after 11 years and calling the allegations "baseless and politically motivated." The ED filed a prosecution complaint on April 9 against former Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and several others. The charge sheet alleges money laundering linked to proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 5,000 crore, paving the way for the framing of criminal charges and a possible trial. The special MP/MLA court in Delhi has set April 25 as the next date for hearing, to decide on whether to take cognisance of the charge sheet, a move that marks a critical moment in the long-running case against the Gandhis and their close associates. Congress National Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate called the ED's charge sheet "fake" and accused the Modi government of weaponising investigating agencies for political vendetta. Speaking to IANS, she said, "The entire case of National Herald has been based on fake and baseless arguments. The reality is that the charge sheet of the ED imposes such a charge of money laundering in that case where there was not a single penny transaction, not a single transfer, not a transfer of ownership." Elaborating on the background of the case, Shrinate explained, "AJL is the company which used to publish National Herald, which during Independence emerged as the voice of the nation. This company later incurred a loan and the Congress party gave a loan of Rs 90 crore through 100 bank transactions and cheques. As the government itself does in NCLT, the debt was transferred to equity, converted and a new company Young Indian was formed." "Young Indian is a not-for-profit company. Its four shareholders are Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Oscar Fernandes and Motilal Vora. Since Young Indian is a not-for-profit company, it cannot give a single penny to its shareholders as a dividend or profit," she further said. Shrinate accused the BJP government of peddling lies. "What is the charge of the government? We did not hide the loan; we revealed it to everyone. We are not like the BJP, which is running businesses through electoral bonds. So it seems to me that the BJP does not have any facts and any proof, and despite not having that, it is filing such a fake charge sheet," she said. Questioning the delay in action, Shrinate said, "The BJP has been in power for 11 years; you filed the charge sheet now? If you had so much proof, you would have filed the charge sheet earlier. The reality is that you do not have even single data by which you could prove any wrongdoing, and everybody knows this." Meanwhile, the Congress also took strong objection to BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj's gesture of carrying a tote bag with the slogan 'National Herald Ki Loot' written on it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on 'One Nation, One Election'. The move, which grabbed headlines, was seen as a calculated political message against the Congress party. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Rashid Alvi responded strongly, criticising the BJP MP for indulging in what he termed "bag politics." "She is the daughter of Sushma Swaraj. Maybe the BJP gave her a ticket because she is Sushma Swaraj's daughter. Instead of doing this bag politics, she should become a good parliamentarian like her mother. She cannot become a parliamentarian by carrying a bag on her shoulder and doing bag politics," he told IANS. "She is still young. My advice to her is to learn to speak like her highly respected mother, learn to work hard like her mother, and try to become a good parliamentarian like her mother, instead of getting entangled in these small issues like other BJP leaders. If you get entangled like this, you will not be able to move forward," Alvi added. Chennai, April 22 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has deputed Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare Minister, S.M. Nasar, and MLA Inigo S. Irudayaraj to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City, slated to be held on Saturday. The two leaders will represent the Tamil Nadu government at the final farewell ceremony of the late pontiff. This decision follows the state Assembly passing a condolence resolution on Tuesday, paying homage to Pope Francis. In his condolence message, CM Stalin expressed profound grief over the Pope's demise and hailed his enduring legacy as a transformative figure in global religious and humanitarian circles. "Pope Francis was a beacon of compassion and progressive values. His leadership redefined the Catholic Church, embracing inclusivity, humility, and social justice," the Chief Minister said. Stalin further noted that Pope Francis championed the cause of the poor and the marginalised, advocated for global peace and interfaith dialogue, and brought moral courage to the highest office of the Catholic Church. "His commitment to human dignity, environmental stewardship, and bridging religious divides earned him admiration far beyond the Catholic world," he said. The Chief Minister also acknowledged the global outpouring of condolences that followed the Pope's passing, underscoring the widespread reverence for his spiritual and humanitarian contributions. Pope Francis's funeral will be held at 8 a.m. (GMT) on Saturday at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, a site of deep personal significance for the pontiff. The basilica, one of the four major papal basilicas, has been a central Marian shrine for over sixteen centuries. Pope Francis often prayed here, especially after returning from his numerous apostolic visits abroad. This will be the first papal burial at the Basilica since the 17th century, when Pope Clement IX was interred there. The basilica is also the final resting place of seven other popes, saints, including Matthew and Jerome, and Renaissance master Gian Lorenzo Bernini and his family. Dhaka, April 22 : More than 32 students from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) in Bangladesh entered the second day of a hunger strike on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Masud, according to local media reports. The protest had its roots in February when violent clashes at KUET left more than 100 students injured. The student outfits backing different political ideologies and affiliations had clashed over the issue of banning student politics on the university campus. Leaders of Jatiyotabadi Chatro Dal (JCD), the student wing of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), addressed the media and accused the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) and Bangladesh Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, of initiating the attack at the KUET campus. Later, the students accused the VC of failing to ensure their safety during the violent clash on the campus. Instead of protecting them, the students claimed, the administration allowed legal action to be taken against 22 students and then suspended 37 students -- most of whom, they argue, were victims of the attack. In February end, KUET authorities announced the suspension of all academic activities along with the closure of all residential halls at the university until further notice. "We have one point, one demand -- the resignation of the VC. This hunger strike will only end when that demand is fulfilled," said a protesting student. "We even submitted a memorandum to the Chief Advisor's residence in Dhaka. Two months have passed, and we've been ignored. This government came to power over the blood of students. Yet it refuses to acknowledge students' voices," the leading Bangladeshi newspaper, The Dhaka Tribune, reported, quoting another protesting student. On Monday afternoon, the students of KUET initiated the hunger strike to press home the single demand for VC's resignation. The move followed the expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum issued by the students for the VC's resignation, which ended on Monday. The protest intensified on April 13 as students demanded the immediate reopening of the halls and the resumption of academic activities. However, the following day, during an emergency Syndicate meeting, KUET authorities announced that 37 students involved in the clash would be suspended. They decided that halls would reopen on May 2 and classes would resume on May 4. However, students rejected this decision, calling it unreasonably delayed, and protesting students broke into six male residential halls after the announcement, Bangladeshi media outlet bdnews24 reported. "Since the VC has failed to ensure students' safety, denied responsibility, cut off essential services like water and internet, encouraged legal action against protesters, and suspended students unfairly -- we now declare the removal of the VC as our only demand," a student representative stated during a press briefing last week. Gadag, April 22 : Karnataka BJP chief and MLA B. Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying it is unfortunate that he does not possess the basic courtesy to uphold the dignity of India on foreign soil. Speaking to the media in Gadag, Vijayendra said that Rahul Gandhi made insulting remarks about India during his recent speech in the United States. "That noble soul, Rahul Gandhi, seems to have no understanding of how to speak about his own country when overseas," he mocked. He also objected to Rahul Gandhi criticising a constitutional body like the Election Commission of India. Questioning the Congress leader's "double standards", Vijayendra said: "If Rahul Gandhi had faced a setback in Maharashtra, he could've spoken about it in Parliament. If the Election Commission had sided with the BJP and betrayed Congress in Maharashtra, why didn't he raise the same issue when Congress won in Telangana?" he asked. "In Himachal Pradesh, the Congress is in power. BJP could have come to power there too. When they win in Telangana, they speak one way. But after a loss in Maharashtra, doubts arise, and then he talks about it in America. This is the height of foolishness," he criticised. Vijayendra called Rahul Gandhi's action "an irresponsible move by a Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha". Talking about the BJP's Janakrosh Yatra, which has completed two phases, he said: "It is receiving a great response across districts. A large number of people are participating. The people are rising in protest against the anti-people Congress government." He alleged that the Congress government, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has been continuously hiking prices, making Karnataka one of the most expensive states to reside. "Corruption has crossed all limits. Due to the BJP's protest over the scam in the Valmiki Corporation, a minister was forced to resign," he reminded. Referring to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, he noted that while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has claimed innocence and accused others of defamation, his family has returned 14 sites worth an estimated Rs 62 crore without any conditions. "This proves Siddaramaiah is not a clean politician, but a corrupt one," Vijayendra claimed, further stating that development is non-existent under the Congress government. The Town of Tonawanda is asking the state for as much as $26 million to cover the cost of a water project meant to support companies in its River Road industrial corridor. The money would pay for a new system to carry raw water to businesses along the Niagara River in the town that rely on this resource for their operations. Town officials say its important for the state to support those companies, which include 3M and Evonik, because theyre a major part of Tonawandas and the regions economy. Tonawanda and state lawmakers say theyre optimistic at least some money for the raw water project will be included in the state budget that is now being negotiated in Albany. Its all about jobs. Job retention is just as important as job creation, as we found out with Sumitomo. So we need to preserve these jobs. Thats the industrial corridor, industrial hub of all Western New York, Supervisor Joseph Emminger told The Buffalo News on Tuesday morning. Emminger was set to hold a news conference later in the day to highlight the funding request. Businesses along River Road in the town have for a century relied on untreated water pulled in from the Niagara River as a coolant in the manufacturing process. This raw water is much less expensive than treated water thats safe for consumption. The now-shuttered Sumitomo Rubber USA plant, 3M and Evonik, formerly known as PeroxyChem, all got this untreated water from connections that pass through the former Huntley generating station along the river. Sumitomo and Evonik have direct access through Huntley, while 3Ms raw water comes through Sumitomo. GM and DuPont, which also have manufacturing facilities nearby, have their own intake tunnels and dont rely on access through Huntley. Huntley owner NRG Energy closed the coal-burning power plant in 2016 but the company continues to sell raw water to neighboring industries. Town officials have suspected for years this ongoing source of revenue is a reason why NRG has not moved quickly to sell the former Huntley plant, a claim NRG officials have denied. The town since 2016 has discussed finding a new way to provide raw water to industrial customers that doesnt rely on Huntley and NRG. Tonawanda officials have studied various proposals over the past nine years, including an expansion of the pumping and transmission system at Tonawandas water treatment plant, but never acted on any of them. Tonawanda considers drastic measures to keep cheap water supply from drying up Tonawanda may use eminent domain to take over the former Huntley Power Plant to ensure a cheap water supply, but its not a long-term In August, the Town Board approved the hiring of a consultant, GHD, to study a plan that would see raw water flow through Huntley to Evonik and Sumitomo and then, through Sumitomo, to 3M. It would require the parties to upgrade the existing Evonik pumping stations, which date to the 1940s, and construct a connection between the pumping stations at Evonik and Sumitomo. Evonik and Sumitomo agreed to cover the studys cost. However, three months later, in November, Sumitomo announced it was closing its Tonawanda plant, costing 1,550 workers their jobs and raising questions about the viability of the raw water project without Sumitomos participation. Sumitomo was big part of Tonawanda water project. Tire plant closing upends town's plans Sumitomo and Evonik had agreed to pay for a study into the cost and design of a new supply system. But last week's news that the tire-maker would shut down its factory throws the future of the town's raw-water project up in the air. The study determined it would cost $26 million to upgrade and expand the raw water system. The project also requires the town to take control of the Huntley intake system through eminent domain, a legal process the town is pursuing. The town still is considering whether to include the Sumitomo site, now that the tire plant has closed, Emminger said, and plans have evolved in recent months. If youre gonna take out Sumitomo, it becomes a lot more problematic. And these are the things that GHD is working at, he said. Michael Kessler, the towns director of water resources, said the town for now plans to provide water access to all three industrial properties, but this could change before the design is final. There could be somebody that doesnt like the agreement or doesnt want to have water going through their property for another entity, Kessler said. So all three are independent of each other. Emminger said the town wants to reach final agreements with the industrial customers this month and to find out how much the state is willing to put toward the project as part of this years budget. Thats vital, he said, because officials want to see construction begin in 2025. Work could take two to three years, Kessler said. Emminger pointed to the $31 million the state agreed to pay to help boost sewer capacity near the Boulevard Mall, in an effort to jump-start redevelopment of that site, as an example of New York providing critical aid to boost the regional economy. The town has asked for $20 million to $26 million for the raw water project and is working with State Sen. Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, and Assembly Member Bill Conrad, D-Town of Tonawanda, to gain support in Albany for the request. I mean, thats what were asking for, Emminger said. If the state isnt willing to cover the full cost, the industrial customers including the future owner of the Sumitomo property, depending on the final form of the project would need to make up the difference, Emminger said. And, he said, its possible the town would need to pay something toward the work. Once the eminent domain process is completed, Tonawanda would own the former Huntley intake system and the industrial customers would pay the town for the raw water they use, the supervisor said. Chennai, April 22 : Actor Karthi on Tuesday released the teaser of director Prabhu Srinivas's upcoming film 'Accused', featuring actors Udhaya, Ajmal and Yogi Babu in the lead. Chennai, April 22 (IANS) Actor Karthi on Tuesday released the teaser of director Prabhu Srinivasas upcoming film aAccuseda, featuring actors Udhaya, Ajmal and Yogi Babu in the lead. Taking to his X timeline, actor Karthi wrote, "Wishing a very happy birthday to @ACTOR_UDHAYAA and happy to present the teaser of #Accused. Best wishes team!" The teaser released on Tuesday shows that Ajmal plays a police constable while Udhaya plays a convict in the film. The teaser begins with Ajmal and signing the register at the Puzhal central prison and taking custody of Udhaya, a convict. It is evident that he has been assigned the task of escorting the prisoner some where. However, transporting the prisoner is not as easy as it seems.... The film, apart from featuring actor Yogi Babu in a pivotal role, also has well known director Prabhu Solomon playing an important role in the film. The shooting of the film, which started in January this year, has been completed. Sources say that the film is all set to hit screens soon. Made under the banners of Jaeshan Studios, Sri Dayakaran Cine Productions, and MIY Studios, 'Accused' is a film produced on a grand budget by A.L. Udhaya, aDayaa N. Panneerselvam, and M. Thangavel. Directed by Prabhu Srinivas, a renowned director in the Kannada film industry known for his successful films, the film marks the silver jubilee year of Udhaya. For the first time, Udhaya is acting with Ajmal and Yogi Babu in 'Accused'. The movie features popular Kannada actress Jahnvika as the female lead. aAccuseda, a gangster drama, explores the idea that not everyone accused of a crime is guilty. It delves into how even good people can be affected by the errors in the system and turn gangsters. This film marks the first collaboration of Udhaya with Ajmal and Yogi Babu. The cinematography of the film has been handled by Maruthanayagam I. Music for the film is by Naren Balakumar and editing is by renowned editor K L Praveen. The action sequences have been choreographed by the famous stunt director Stunt Silva. --IANS Mkr/ Srinagar, April 22 : Five people, including three tourists, were injured in a terrorist attack in J&K's Pahalgam hill station on Tuesday, official sources said. Srinagar, April 22 (IANS) Five people, including three tourists, were injured in a terrorist attack in J&Kas Pahalgam hill station on Tuesday, official sources said. The terrorists fired at a group of tourists and locals in Baisran area of Pahalgam hill station in Anantnag district, the sources said. As per the sources, five persons, including three tourists and two locals, were injured in this attack and have been taken to the hospital. Security forces have reached the spot. Further details are awaited. This is the first terrorist attack on tourists in the Kashmir Valley in 2025, even as a booming tourist season is presently going on in the Valley. All hotels in Srinagar city, and the tourist resorts of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are fully occupied. An unprecedented number of tourists are expected in J&K this year and official projections forecast a number of around two crores tourists would visit the UT this year. Tuesdayas attack comes at a time when registration for this yearas Amarnath Yatra is going on across the country. This year, the Yatra will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 9, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals, respectively. During his visit to J&K last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting, where he gave orders for the complete eradication of terrorism with special focus on the Jammu division. He also gave directions to ensure zero tolerance to infiltration. The Union Home Secretary, the IB Director, the Army chief, the GoCs of all corps in J&K, the chiefs of paramilitary forces, the J&K DGP and intelligence officers attended the meeting. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has been emphasising that the entire ecosystem of terrorism, including the terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs), and sympathisers, has to be tackled to completely rid J&K of the scourge of terrorism. Patna, April 22 : The skies above Bihar's Patna lit up with thrilling aerial displays as the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team delivered a breathtaking air show on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a two-day celebration in honour of 1857 freedom fighter Veer Kunwar Singh. As part of the Shaurya Diwas celebrations, the Surya Kiran team performed a series of dazzling manoeuvres, dives, and stunts that captivated thousands of spectators. Among them were students from more than forty schools, who gathered to witness the extraordinary tribute. The event kicked off with a paragliding dive from an IAF helicopter, during which a parachutist unfurled the Indian Tricolour mid-air a moment that drew resounding applause from the audience. Adding an emotional touch, a paraglider also soared across the skyline bearing the image of Veer Kunwar Singh, a leader of the 1857 uprising against British rule in Bihar's Bhojpur district. Tuesday's performance was a rehearsal for the main show, scheduled for Wednesday, April 23. The main event will feature full-scale aerial manoeuvres and is expected to be inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Nine Hawk fighter jets took to the skies, executing tight formations, vertical loops, heart-shaped trails, and the iconic "bomb burst" formation where jets scatter outward from a single point, creating a spectacular visual display. These awe-inspiring stunts demonstrated the discipline, skill, and precision of the Indian Air Force. Speaking to IANS, BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, "Today is a historic day for Bihar. Tomorrow marks the 167th Shaurya Diwas of Babu Veer Kunwar Singh, a legendary hero of the 1857 revolution. Today's air show rehearsal by the IAF is a salute to this gallant figure. It's inspiring to see how Veer Kunwar Singh is stepping out of the pages of history and into the hearts of the people." Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu, a pilot with the Surya Kiran team, described the event as a matter of pride. "On the occasion of Shaurya Diwas, we are showcasing the might and discipline of the Indian Air Force. Ours is the only Indian aerobatic team formed of nine aircraft, and we are demonstrating how the Air Force is prepared to meet any challenge," she told IANS. She further added, "Today's show was just a trailer. Tomorrow, we will perform advanced stunts at high speeds, including reverse flying and complex patterns. This event also serves to inspire the youth to join the armed forces and contribute to the nation's strength." Bhopal, April 22 : To address the increasing cases of tiger-human conflict, the Madhya Pradesh government has approved a plan of Rs 145 crore to install chain-link fencing in the buffer zones of nine tiger reserves of the state. The decision, announced on Tuesday by Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, aims to regulate human movement in order to minimise encounters with tigers. He highlighted that the initiative responds to the rising tiger population, which has grown from 526 in 2018 to 785 in recent years. The funds will be invested over three financial years: 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28. The urgency of the project is reinforced by four recently reported tiger-human conflicts between March and April 2025. The most recent incident occurred on Monday when a tiger attacked a tribal man near his field close to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Additionally, a tigress, currently in captivity at the same reserve, killed a 14-year-old boy as he was collecting Mahua flowers in the forest early in the morning. His body was later discovered near a nullah. The following day, the same tigress attacked a woman named Rita, who had entered the Pipariya buffer zone to gather Mahua flowers. Mahua flowers provide tribal communities with an additional source of income, particularly in March and April when they bloom. Compensation for victims of wildlife conflicts includes Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for families of deceased individuals, Rs 2 lakh for those injured, and medical treatment up to Rs 25,000 for minor injuries. If property is damaged, such as in cases involving elephant attacks, the state government determines appropriate compensation as per the rules. Government records indicate 17 tiger attacks on humans in 2020, up from 10 in 2019, with Kanha Tiger Reserve reporting the highest number of such incidents. According to official data, 27 human deaths have been reported due to tiger attacks between 2019 and 2023. The number has gone up to 46 by 2024. Madhya Pradesh's tiger population has fluctuated over the years, with 306 tigers recorded in 2006, 257 in 2010, 308 in 2014, 526 in 2018, and 726 in the 2022 census across the nine tiger reserves. The Forest Rights Act of 2005, passed on December 18, 2006, protects the rights of forest dwellers to land and natural resources. Current mitigation measures include compensation, patrolling, power fencing, deterrents, and repellents. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve initially covered 105 square kilometres but has since expanded to 425 square kilometres. Its buffer zone spans 820 square km and includes the Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary, adding another 264 square km, bringing the total protected area to 1,526 square km. In the Umaria district, where the tiger reserve is located, the human population was approximately seven lakh in 2011, with a 24.96 per cent growth rate. Around 50 per cent belong to Scheduled Tribes, and 17.14 per cent reside in urban areas. Similarly, Kanha Tiger Reserve has a core area of 917 square km, with a buffer zone extending across 1,134 square km. If the Phen Wildlife Sanctuary is included, the total protected area increases by another 110 square km. As tiger numbers continue to grow, this fencing project is expected to be a crucial step toward mitigating human-wildlife conflict while ensuring the safety of both local communities and the endangered species. Jeddah, April 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome at the Jeddah airport on Tuesday afternoon as he began a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his third to the Kingdom after his previous visits in 2016 and 2019, at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. As a special gesture for the State Visit of PM Modi, his aircraft was escorted by the Royal Saudi Air Force as it entered the Saudi airspace. aThe April 22-23 visit follows the State Visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman to New Delhi in September 2023 to attend the G20 Summit and co-chair the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. In his departure statement issued earlier in the day, PM Modi emphasised that India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years. "Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership including in the domains of defence, trade, investment, energy and people to people ties. We have shared interest and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability," he stated. This will be Prime Minister Modi's first visit to the historic city of Jeddah where the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) will also take place. The SPC was established during Prime Minister Modi's last State visit to Saudi Arabia in October 2019 to steer the bilateral relationship forward. In the evening, India time, Prime Minister Modi will interact with members of the Indian community, highlighting once again the importance he attaches to the welfare of Indians abroad. "I am also eager to connect with the vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia that continues to serve as the living bridge between our nations and making immense contribution to strengthening the cultural and human ties," PM Modi stated in his departure statement. The Indian community in Saudi Arabia is 2.7 million strong and acts as a living bridge between the two countries. Indian diaspora contribution to the economic development of Saudi Arabia is widely recognised. Number of Indians in Saudi Arabia is increasing steadily. Over the last year, an estimated one lakh Indians came to Saudi Arabia for employment. India-Saudi Arabia partnership has received a major boost over the last decade, especially after PM Modi's landmark visit to Riyadh in April 2016 that led to an enhanced and comprehensive cooperation in the political, economic, security and defence realms. During the visit, King Salman conferred the Kingdom's highest civilian honour, the 'King Abdulaziz Sash', on PM Modi. The SPC established in 2019 has two pillars - the Political-Security-Socio-Cultural (PSSC) and Economic and Investment. While the External Affairs Minister and the Saudi Foreign Minister co-chair the PSSC, the economic pillar is co-chaired by India's Commerce and Industry Minister and the Energy Minister on the Saudi side. There are also eight Joint Working Groups (JWGs) and sub-committees under the two pillars which conduct regular official level meetings. The first Summit of the SPC was held in New Delhi in September 2023 and was co-chaired by PM Modi and visiting Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Beginning 2024, there have been 11 ministerial-level visits between both nations. The Saudi Foreign Minister and Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources visited India in November 2024 and February 2025, respectively. Riyadh is also the seat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and India and the GCC Secretariat have maintained good relations and regular dialogues at official level. In September 2024, EAM S. Jaishankar visited Riyadh to co-chair the first India-GCC Ministerial Meeting. On the economic front, Saudi Arabia remains India's fifth largest trade partner while India is Saudi Arabiaas second largest trade partner. During the Financial Year 2023-24, India's imports from Saudi Arabia reached US $31.42 billion and exports to Saudi Arabia were worth US$ 11.56 billion. Saudi Arabia also remained India's third largest Crude and Petroleum products sourcing destination for Financial Year (FY) 2023-24. India imported 33.35 MMT of crude oil in FY 2023-24 from Saudi Arabia, accounting for 14.3 per cent of India's total crude oil imports. In FY 2023-24, Saudi Arabia was the third largest LPG sourcing destination for India, accounting for 18.2 per cent of the total LPG imports of India for 2023-24. Saudi Arabia is also one of India's major suppliers of fertilizers, particularly it is the second largest source of DAP for India. The annual Haj pilgrimage and Umrah is another important component of India-Saudi bilateral relations. India's Haj quota stands at 175,025 pilgrims. New Delhi, April 22 : Hitting out at late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for imposing Emergency, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday advocated the supremacy of citizens and Parliament in a democracy, saying voters' elected representatives are the "ultimate masters" and sentinels of the Constitution's content. He added that there was no visualisation in the Constitution of any authority above Parliament. New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) Hitting out at late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for imposing Emergency, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday advocated the supremacy of citizens and Parliament in a democracy, saying voters' elected representatives are the "ultimate masters" and sentinels of the Constitution's content. He added that there was no visualisation in the Constitution of any authority above Parliament. As he presided as the chief guest over 'Kartavyam', an event marking the celebration of 75 years of the Indian Constitution, organised at Delhi University, Dhankhar said, "Elected representatives are the ultimate masters as to what the Constitution's content will be. There is no visualisation in the Constitution of any authority above Parliament. The Parliament is supreme. And that being the situation, let me tell you, it is as supreme as every citizen in the country." Amid a raging debate over judicial overreach in the Tamil Nadu Bills case in which the Supreme Court set a three-month deadline for the President to decide on granting assent to Bills, Dhankhar reminded people of the citizen's power to vote and steer a democracy. "Through elections a Prime Minister who imposed Emergency was held accountable in 1977 and, therefore, let there be no doubt about it that the Constitution is for the people and the repository of safeguarding it is with elected representatives," he said. The VP, who faced flak in some quarters for recently using strong words against the judiciary for brining the President's functions under review, reminded all constitutional functionaries about their limits. In a veiled manner, he said all organs of a democracy have an obligation towards respecting the citizens, their elected representatives and Parliament. He also questioned some constitutional experts who described the President as a titular head or a ceremonial Constitutional functionary in their effort to justify the three-month deadline set for deciding on Bills. "Nothing can be far distanced from our wrong understanding of the role of everyone in this country - constitutional functionary or a citizen," he said. "A democracy is built by citizens. Every one of them has a role. The soul of democracy resides and pulsates in every citizen. Democracy will blossom, its values will get heightened when a citizen is alert and contributes," he said. The remarks of Dhankhar, ex-officio Chancellor of the University of Delhi, come a day after the top court, while refraining from issuing a direction to the Union government in a recent case noted, "We are accused of intruding into Parliament's domain". Earlier this month, the top court, using its inherent powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, resolved a standoff between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor R.N. Ravi over the delay in granting assent to Bills passed by the Assembly. In the process, the apex court, apparently, brought Presidential actions under judicial review by favouring a three-month deadline for granting assent to Bills. The controversy took a new twist after Dhankhar used strong words against the judiciary, comparing Article 142 to a 'nuclear missile' available to the judiciary against democratic forces. The debate intensified with former Union Minister and renowned lawyer Kapil Sibal calling Dhankhar's criticism an attack on the judiciary and a potential act of shaking public faith in courts. However, renowned lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani put his weight behind the Vice President for fulfilling his obligation of upholding the Constitution. Bengaluru, April 22 : The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday granted relief to Anuradha, the second wife of the late underworld don Muthappa Rai, in connection with the shootout case involving his son, Ricky Rai. The bench, headed by Justice Hemanth Chandangoudar, directed the police not to initiate any coercive action against Anuradha. The order was issued while hearing a petition filed by Anuradha seeking the quashing of the FIR registered against her in the case. Anuradha has been named as an accused in the incident in which Ricky Rai was shot at by unidentified assailants outside his farmhouse in Bidadi, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, during the intervening night of April 18 and 19. The FIR was registered by the Bidadi Police against four individuals, including Anuradha, based on a complaint filed by Ricky's driver, Basavaraj. Senior counsel Venkatesh Arambatti, representing Anuradha, argued that her name was unnecessarily dragged into the case. He submitted that all disputes between Anuradha and Ricky Rai had been resolved six months ago. He also told the court that Anuradha had travelled to Europe with her daughter on April 14, and that she had no connection to the attempted murder. Taking these submissions into consideration, the High Court granted interim relief to Anuradha. Meanwhile, the Bidadi police, who are investigating the case, have been questioning Munappa Vittal, the gunman of Ricky Rai. During questioning, Munappa reportedly developed chest pain and was admitted to a hospital. Munappa had also worked as a gunman to Muthappa Rai. Police sources revealed that they are verifying Ricky Rai's claims and are sceptical about the sequence of events in the shootout case. Investigations have revealed that an empty cartridge and a dummy mobile phone were found to be placed at the scene of the crime. Rakesh Malli, the first accused in the case, appeared before the Investigating Officer at the Bidadi police station on Tuesday, accompanied by his lawyer. He underwent questioning and gave his statement, sources said. Ramanagara Superintendent of Police Srinivas Gowda, speaking to the media, said that all individuals suspected of involvement in the incident are being questioned. He also confirmed that Anuradha, the second wife of Muthappa Rai, will be served a notice and summoned for questioning. "Anyone named by the complainant will be questioned," he added. According to police reports, on April 19, the bullets were fired while Ricky was travelling in his car. Driver Basavaraj was driving, and Ricky reportedly managed to bend down just as the bullets were fired, narrowly avoiding fatal injuries. He had sustained injuries to his nose and hand. Ricky was seriously injured in the attack. He was initially taken to a private hospital in Bidadi and later shifted to Bengaluru for further treatment. Preliminary investigations had suggested that two attempts were made on Ricky's life. The first round of firing occurred at 11 p.m. last Friday. Upon hearing the gunshot, Basavaraj got out of the vehicle to check. Later, when the two were heading toward Bengaluru at around 12:50 a.m., the second attack took place. Police had recovered two bullets from different locations near the farmhouse. An FIR was filed against Rakesh Malli, Anuradha, Nitesh Shetty, and Vaidyanathan under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 109, 3(5), and under the Arms Act. It was claimed that the attack reportedly occurred just as Ricky exited his farmhouse. Police suspect underworld's involvement and are also investigating the possibility that the attack was linked to a real estate dispute. Another angle being probed is whether individuals harbouring resentment toward the late Muthappa Rai orchestrated the shooting. Police are recording statements from family members and staff as part of the investigation. Initial findings reveal that after Muthappa Rai's death, disputes arose within the family between the children of his first and second wives. The matter even reached the High Court. Before his death, Muthappa Rai drafted a will dividing his property among his two children, his brother's son, his second wife, and some of his workers. Relatives informed police that multiple individuals hold grudges against Muthappa Rai's family, and property disputes also persist. Ricky resides at the Bidadi farmhouse and also owns a bungalow in the upscale Sadashivanagar locality in Bengaluru. Investigators are looking into the timing and purpose of Ricky's return to Bengaluru, probing whether he came to settle any of the ongoing disputes. Interestingly, the attackers targeted the driver's seat, possibly assuming that Ricky was driving the vehicle himself, as he often does. Chandigarh, April 22 : With the aim of empowering Panchayati Raj institutions to become more robust, accountable, and transparent, the Haryana government will organise a state-level programme on April 24 in Panchkula with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to preside over. The objective of the event is not only to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system but also to inform elected representatives, especially the women, about their rights, responsibilities, and government schemes, enabling them to be more impactful. Sharing details about the programme, a spokesperson said thousands of Panchayati Raj representatives from across the state will participate in it. The large presence of women representatives will mark a significant step towards women empowerment. The spokesperson added that during the programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from Bihar's Madhubani that will also be broadcast via video conferencing, providing state's representatives the opportunity to draw inspiration from his guidance. The spokesperson said there are currently around 80,000 elected representatives in Panchayati Raj institutions across Haryana, with nearly 50 per cent of them being women, an indication of their strong participation in democracy and a symbol of women empowerment. In line with the vision of the 'triple-engine government', development work in the state is progressing at triple the speed, along with meaningful steps to promote transparency, participation, and accountability. The spokesperson said this programme will showcase the concept of transparency by demonstrating real-time information on Panchayat functioning, fund utilisation, and development activities. It is also being organised to provide representatives with information about government schemes and policies, to encourage effective grassroots implementation, and to gather their feedback. The government aims to make the Panchayati Raj system even more robust, transparent, and accountable so that rural development accelerates and the role of public representatives becomes increasingly effective, the spokesperson added. Mumbai, April 22 : Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday strongly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for refusing to implement the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in her state, saying that a state cannot block a law passed by Parliament under the federal structure. He told reporters, "We are working in a federation structure. If the CM of a state declares that she will not follow the Act passed by Parliament, it will only instigate protests. The West Bengal CM is fully responsible for all the violence. She can oppose, but can't say that she will not implement the Act." The Union Minister said rules would be framed to ensure that Waqf properties are used for the welfare of poor Muslims. The minister slammed the Congress and other opposition parties for running a "misinformation" campaign against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, saying that the government will "expose" them in the days to come. "We will soon expose those who looted poor Muslims and misled them about the provisions of the law. Such elements and some politicians interested in vote bank appeasement have been spreading lies that Muslims will lose their burial grounds or mosques, and that their land will be seized. Speaking such lies is a sin," he said. He said the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, ensures justice, transparency and social responsibility, particularly benefiting poor Muslim families and women. He told reporters that the legislation empowers marginalised sections of the Muslim community without interfering with religious practices. "We will bring transparency in the transactions as the management will have to give all the documentation. Look at what they have done in Murshidabad in West Bengal. They are insulting Babasaheb Ambedkar. This kind of behaviour is damaging the nation," said Minister Rijiju. He alleged that those who use Muslims as a vote bank are misleading them. He further claimed that lakhs of people from the Muslim community are thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Waqf (Amendment) Act. To a question on non-Muslims in the Waqf Board, the minister asked, "How did Azam Khan (Samajwadi Party) leader become in charge of Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh earlier? We never questioned that." He further alleged that the Opposition had spread misinformation that Muslims' citizenship would be revoked under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). "Has anything like that happened, even though the CAA has been in force for more than a year?" he asked. To a question on the National Herald case, the minister said Congress workers should realise that their funds were looted by their leaders. Earlier, he addressed a public gathering as part of the Waqf Reform Public Awareness campaign. Mumbai, April 22 : BJP MP and Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Jagdambika Pal, on Tuesday, criticised the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi for not participating in the debate and instead claiming the Bill was "unconstitutional". "If Rahul Gandhi is terming the bill unconstitutional then as a JPC Chairman I am saying that when there was 12-hour debate held in Parliament why he has not participated in it. Being an LoP what is his responsibility towards the nation and electoral college? If the government is accountable to this Bill and the Treasury bench is also accountable to this Bill the Opposition is also equally responsible. Being an LoP, if he has not participated then he has no moral right to claim it unconstitutional," Pal said at the press conference after participating in the public gathering. "If someone in JPC or any other party claim that the Bill is unconstitutional, I am ready to have a dialogue with them," he said. He added that the Waqf Amendment Bill introduced a clause which completely omits Section 40 from the Waqf Act of 1995 which allowed the board to collect information regarding any property which it has reason to believe to be Waqf property. He claimed that the Congress-led UPA government in 2013 had included the Section 40 ahead of the notification on general elections. He added that the omission of Section 40 has been undertaken to rationalise the powers of the Board. The idea was to ensure that Waqf properties are declared only after following due process, he said. The JPC Chairman said that the Union government could have pushed the Bill for the passage in the Parliament based on the majority but it was not done as the Bill was passed after a debate. He added that there have been no protests across the country except Murshidabad in West Bengal. "Why there was a violence? Had police been alert it could have been averted. Till four days, there were incidents of arson and violence. A large number of Hindus were forced to migrate from Murshidabad to Malad by crossing the river. If there is mob lynching then it was a state-sponsored violence," Pal claimed. He alleged that efforts are on by certain elements to mislead the Muslims as done in the case of Citizenship Amendment Act or scrapping of Article 370. Pal said that Waqf Amendment Act has become the law of the nation and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had no right to refuse its implementation which is unconstitutional. "Such statements are being made by Mamata Banerjee with an eye on Assembly elections slated for next year," he remarked. He asserted that that the Waqf Amendment Act aims to bring transparency, digitise records, and improve the management of Waqf properties for the benefit of marginalised Muslims, particularly Pasmanda Muslims, women, and orphans. He argued that it has corrected past mismanagement and ensured that Waqf properties serve their intended charitable purpose. ALBANY At 18, New Yorkers can vote, drive without a learners permit and enlist in the military without parental consent. And under a proposal that Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing in state budget negotiations, they could become state correction officers. On Saturday, Hochul said she envisions 18-year-old recruits working in supervised activities without access to a gun to get them in the pipeline for careers in the states Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, where the minimum age for officers is 21. The agency is down 4,000 officers, half of whom the governor fired after they engaged in the recent unsanctioned 22-day strike, which was against state law. Bringing people in younger, letting them know the opportunities to work in government service, I think its just a smart idea, Hochul told reporters outside the Executive Mansion following her annual Easter Egg Roll event. I will tell you this, it is hard to find people who want to go into law enforcement at any level, Hochul said. Our small towns are struggling finding police officers. NYPD is struggling to find police officers. Everybody is having trouble, so I said, Lets get people excited about it. This could be their first job, but its a good career. Collins Correctional Facility sparked statewide strikes. Is it now a target for closure? The proposal to close five state prisons as part of the upcoming state budget has local and state lawmakers deeply concerned that the Collins Correctional Facility could wind up on the list. While Saturday was the first time Hochul publicly spoke about her proposal, her support for the age-lowering emerged in budget negotiations with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, according to the speaker. I understand where the governor is coming from in that we are down 4,000 correction officers, and we ultimately need to staff (facilities), Heastie said last week. And so, this is just one of the places where (Hochul) has said that shed like to get the staffing levels back up. Heastie added: Were still kind of working through that. The state prison population has dropped from 72,649 in 1999 to 32,469. At an April 10 news conference in Albany, a top Hochul aide said correctional facilities in the western and northern parts of the state had significantly lower numbers of correction officers, compared with their counterparts in the east. Hochuls budget would allow the state to recruit correction officers from other states. It also would close up to five prisons. State correction officers make $58,159 in the training academy and first year. The annual pay increases to $61,365 after one year, and $75,903 after seven years. Correction officers are eligible for full pensions after 25 years. NY prison commissioner says inmates will be released early to address staffing shortage Some nonviolent inmates will be released early from prisons around the state to help ease the pressure of staffing shortages, according to the prisons commissioner. In a video to his workforce earlier this month, DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello said his agency launched a recruitment campaign in February using social media and strategic ads to target upstate college campuses and military bases. He said the number of people taking the test to become a correction officer is up 82% from the last fiscal year. Three correctional officer graduations in 2025 have produced 177 new officers. Another 100 are in the academy, he said. I think its safe to say that none of us thought wed spend 2025 in the middle of this type of crisis. I know it hasnt been our best days as an agency, Martuscello said. We will recruit the next generation of correction officers, and we will rebuild this department. The state is recruiting new officers in the wake of the brutality-linked deaths of Robert Brooks, 43, in Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 10, and Messiah Nantwi, 22, in Mid-State Correctional Facility, on March 1. An Oneida County grand jury handed up indictments charging at least 20 correction officers with crimes that include murder, manslaughter and other charges. Correction officers said surging inmate violence and understaffing were the primary reasons behind their strike. It began at Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County on Feb. 17. It followed an earlier uprising at Collins in which staffers vacated three dorms. Inmate assaults on staff increased from 1,053 in 2020 to 2,069 last year, while inmate-on-inmate assaults in the same timeframe increased from 1,206 to 2,980, DOCCS statistics show. James Miller, a spokesperson for the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents correction officers, said NYSCOPBA supports Hochuls proposal as long as DOCCS recruits qualified employees who undergo thorough background and psychological screenings. DOCCS says strike is over, announces termination of 2,000 employees who walked out The head of New York's state prison system on Monday evening declared the end of a three-week unsanctioned correction officer strike along with the termination of more than 2,000 employees who walked off the job. Obviously, theres always going to be a question about hiring an 18-year-old, as opposed to someone who is in their 20s, Miller said. You could have an 18-year-old who is well beyond their years, and a 25-year-old who is immature. But I think its more on a case-by-case basis that you just want to ensure that that individual at that age can handle the environment. Veronica Horowitz, an assistant professor of sociology and criminology at the University at Buffalo, said it is a difficult time to hire correction officers across the country. She said 18 to 21 are formative ages when people are more impulsive. The human brain, she noted, develops through age 24. Its a very stressful job, and its very hard on the officers, she said. Starting young and then working in a corrections for a long time, thats going to be a difficult career. During the strike, Hochul activated thousands of New York National Guard members to help secure the prisons, some 3,400 of whom are still working in the facilities. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, said the state is spending hundreds of millions to pay for the National Guards presence in prisons, which she said is a financial problem. No question, we need to come with some solutions. Im just not hard set on what an 18-year-old would necessarily do in a prison, Peoples-Stokes said. She expressed concern about the safety of 18-year-olds working as correction officers. She said she would want to know what their direct relationship would be with inmates. Right now, I would not be supportive of it, Peoples-Stokes said, but I could be, depending on what they would have them do. Assembly Member Angelo Morinello, R-Niagara Falls, called the age-lowering proposal a knee-jerk reaction to the staffing crisis. I think back to when I was 18 years old, said Morinello, who ultimately became a Niagara Falls City Court judge. And even though I feel I might have been mature for my age, I still believe that at that age their cognitive ability has not developed sufficiently to allow them to deal with the high stress issues that occur inside our correctional facilities. Sen. April Baskin, D-Buffalo, remained undecided. We do allow 18-year-olds to engage in a lot of adult activity. That is generally the age where youre considered an adult by society, she said. However, we also know that the circumstances in our local jails have not been something that detainees, inmates nor the corrections officers have been pleased with. So, given that age range and the fact that at the age of 18 we are still basically becoming and developing as adults, thats quite a risk. Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, said before deciding on the proposal, he would seek the opinion of seasoned correction officers to see if they believed hiring 18-year-olds was a good idea. Borrello noted New Yorkers can join the National Guard at 18, and be guarding prisoners already. On Saturday, a reporter asked Hochul if she would have allowed her son to be a correction officer at 18. Hochul said yes, if that was what her son wanted to do. She noted that she and her husband, former U.S. Attorney William Hochul, have both worked in public service. I would not have found that unexpected, Hochul said, noting that generations of families have worked in corrections in areas of her former congressional district in Western New York, where prisons are a major employer. Mumbai, April 22 : Muslim community members claimed on Tuesday that some people have started to engage in politics to gain votes over the Waqf reforms. "The poor Muslims who are relying on stalls and doing odd jobs will benefit from the Waqf land. This situation is not about the government; rather, people are engaging in politics for the sake of gaining votes. The disadvantaged Muslim community understands that the reforms will be significant and helpful to them," a Muslim community member told IANS, who attended the 'Waqf Reform Public Awareness Campaign' in Mumbai, which was organised by Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju Speaking to IANS, another attendee said that this "historic" reform will benefit the poor Muslims. "The Union Minister informed us about the reforms in the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Now, common Muslims will benefit from the reforms. The Waqf Board and its properties will now be used for the needy members of the community," the attendee told IANS. Slamming the people opposing the reforms, he said, "Many people lack proper housing and educational opportunities. These individuals are making unfounded claims for their political gain, fearing they may lose their remaining support." Meanwhile, the Union Minister in his address at the event termed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as a "revolutionary" step aimed at benefiting poor Muslims and curbing the "misuse" and "illegal occupation" of Waqf properties across India. "The Waqf (Amendment) Act is part of the Modi government's efforts to work for the poor," the minister said. The outreach event saw enthusiastic participation from the public, many of whom lauded the Modi government's reforms and called the amendment a "historic" step. Additionally, speaking to reporters after engaging with citizens under the 'Waqf Reform Public Awareness Campaign' in Mumbai, Rijiju emphasised the vast scale of Waqf properties in India and highlighted the urgent need for reforms to ensure their rightful use. "The two main objectives of amending the Waqf Act were to benefit the poor and stop the misuse and looting of these properties," he said. He asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is committed to empowering marginalised communities, adding, "The people of India have given PM Modi a third term because we work for the poor, and this amendment is part of that effort." Taking a strong stand against opposition to the reforms, Rijiju criticised certain organisations and political parties for "misleading" the Muslim community. "Some leaders are lying to people. They claim the government wants to snatch religious land or mosques. This is false. This country runs on the Constitution. Congress and Communist parties have distracted the Muslims of the country for years," he said. "We are not here to take anything away from anyone. We are here to ensure that those in need receive their rightful share," the minister added. Calling it a transformative move, Rijiju said that the Act would help all sections within the Muslim community, including Bohras, Shias, Sunnis, Pashmandas, and others who have historically been deprived of access to Waqf assets. Hyderabad, April 22 : The Telangana government said on Tuesday that the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards will be presented on June 14. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka told the curtain raiser ceremony here that the state government will promote both Telugu and Urdu films. With the curtain raiser ceremony, the jury evaluation process has formally commenced for the awards instituted by the state government in the name of revolutionary poet and balladeer Gaddar, who passed away in 2023. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy last year announced that Nandi awards for excellence in Telugu cinema will be revived and renamed after Gaddar. The awards have been revived after a gap of 14 years. The state government said that the awards are its commitment to recognise and promote cinematic excellence and celebrate Telangana's vibrant cultural identity, and support the creative community. State Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Telangana Film Development Corporation (TGFDC) Chairman Dil Raju, veteran actress Jayasudha, who heads the jury, were present at the curtain raiser ceremony. The official entries and nominations comprising 76 film submissions and 1,172 individual applications were ceremoniously handed over to the jury chairperson to Jayasudha. This symbolic handover marks the beginning of the jury's intensive review and selection process to identify and honour the most outstanding cinematic contributions from Telangana across a wide array of categories, including feature films, documentaries, technical excellence, and special performances. Gaddar Telangana Film Awards (GTFA) aims to honour and celebrate the cinematic brilliance of Telugu filmmakers and artists over the past decade. The event marks the first official state-level film awards since the formation of Telangana, putting an end to the long pause since the last Nandi Awards were presented in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh in 2011. In August last year, the state government had formed a committee under the leadership of acclaimed filmmaker B. Narsing Rao to frame the guidelines for the awards. Last month, the government asked the Telangana Film Development Corporation to host the grand event. Applications were invited for films certified by the Censor Board in 2024, across 11 dynamic categories, including Feature Films (Telugu and Urdu), National Integration Films, Children's Films, Environmental, Heritage and Historical Films, Debut Directors, Comprehensive Entertainers, Animation, VFX, Documentaries, Short Films Best Performances and Technical Excellence. A total of 76 film submissions and 1,172 individual nominations were received. The government through an order dated April 11, constituted a 15-member jury, chaired by Jayasudha to ensure a fair and distinguished selection process. The ceremony will also feature the conferring of special lifetime achievement awards to legends of Indian cinema. The ceremony will also see the presentation of awards like NTR National Film Award, Paidi Jairaj Film Award, B.N. Reddy Film Award, Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani Film Award, Kantha Rao Film Award and Raghupathi Venkaiah Film Award. The awards will felicitate one outstanding Telugu film per year certified from 2014 to 2023, paying homage to a decade of cinematic milestones. Srinagar, April 22 : A tourist was killed and 12 other persons, including tourists & locals, were injured in a terror attack in Pahalgam hill station in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday, officials said. The tourist was killed, and nine other tourists and three locals were injured, when terrorists attacked a group of tourists in the Baisran area of Pahalgam hill station. As per reports, 2 to 3 terrorists wearing army fatigues came and fired at horse-riding tourists in the Baisran area around 2.30 p.m. Baisran is a small meadow 3 to 4 km from the Pahalgam market, and tourists take horses to reach the place as there is no motorable road to it. "One tourist was killed in this attack, and 12 others, including tourists and locals, were injured. The injured have been shifted to Pahalgam hospital, from where three injured with critical injuries were shifted to Srinagar for specialised treatment," an official said, adding that the area has been cordoned off by the security forces to trace the assailants. "Iam shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. Iave spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo & she has moved to the hospital to oversee arrangements for the injured. Iall be flying back to Srinagar immediately. #Pahalgam", Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X. "I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed five and injured several as being reported for now. Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced. Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning. A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses. Ensuring visitor safety is paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent future attacks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families", PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said on X. This is the first terrorist attack on tourists in the Kashmir Valley in 2025, even as a booming tourist season is presently going on in the Valley. All hotels in Srinagar city, and the tourist resorts of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are fully occupied. An unprecedented number of tourists are expected in J&K this year and official projections forecast a number of around two crores tourists would visit the UT this year. Tuesdayas attack comes at a time when registration for this yearas Amarnath Yatra is going on across the country. This year, the Yatra will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 9, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals, respectively. During his visit to J&K last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting, where he gave orders for the complete eradication of terrorism with special focus on the Jammu division. He also gave directions to ensure zero tolerance to infiltration. The Union Home Secretary, the IB Director, the Army chief, the GoCs of all corps in J&K, the chiefs of paramilitary forces, the J&K DGP and intelligence officers attended the meeting. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has been emphasising that the entire ecosystem of terrorism, including the terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs), and sympathisers, has to be tackled to completely rid J&K of the scourge of terrorism. Chandigarh, April 22 : The BJP blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab on Tuesday for "looting" traders in the state to cover expenses of its leaders in Delhi. "The AAP government is now using the Taxation Department as a tool for extortion," state BJP General Secretary Anil Sareen told the media here. "There is a saying in Punjabi: 'Eat your own, bring ours too'. That's exactly the state of affairs under the AAP government," he said. Sareen said the AAP government issued a new directive on April 18, instructing Deputy Commissioners in the Taxation Department to ensure that each Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO) conducts four inspections every month and resolves them within a one-month timeframe. "This would result in around 1,200 inspections across the state each month. If an average penalty of Rs 8 lakh is imposed per inspection, the monthly collection would total Rs 96 crore and annually a staggering Rs 1,152 crore," he said. He said this would undoubtedly lead to arbitrary actions by officials and promote a culture of inspector raj and open corruption. Accompanying Punjab BJP General Secretary Rakesh Rathore, state media head Vineet Joshi, joint cashier Sukhwinder Singh Goldy and former vice-chairman of the National Minority Commission, Manjit Singh Rai, Sareen further stated that the government has unofficially instructed officers that every inspection must yield fines of Rs 8 to Rs 10 lakh. "This isn't merely harassment of traders, it's direct robbery of their hard-earned money," he alleged. He also referred to the economic losses suffered due to the closure of the Shambhu border and criticised the state government for "failing" to understand the challenges of a border state, choosing instead to intimidate the business community. Sareen warned that if the government does not roll back this directive and stop "extorting" traders, the BJP will launch a statewide agitation in protest. New Delhi, April 22 : Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) President OP Rajbhar on Tuesday reiterated his strong support for the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, urging its swift implementation to streamline the country's electoral process. Speaking to IANS, OP Rajbhar said: "Since independence, elections were originally held simultaneously across the country. Over time, due to changing circumstances, that pattern was disrupted. Today, there is an urgent need for 'One Nation, One Election,' and we fully support this initiative. We want it to be implemented as soon as possible." His remarks come on the same day as Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Chairman PP Chaudhary announced that the committee's nationwide consultations on the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal will begin from May 17, starting in Maharashtra. The visits will be followed by consultations in Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, and Punjab. Rajbhar further reacted to the deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, particularly in the context of alleged violence against Hindus. "It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister to maintain law and order in their state. She herself is a woman - if she is unable to control the situation, she should ask the Centre for help. If Banerjee fails to do so, then there is certainly a case for imposing President's Rule. When law and order break down to this extent, Constitutional measures become necessary," he stated. The minister further responded to recent allegations by Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav, who claimed that Uttar Pradesh under BJP rule had become the leading state in crimes against Dalits. Dismissing the charges, Rajbhar said: "Akhilesh Yadav is spreading lies. During their tenure, the state was known for goonda raj. From police to lekhpal to gram sevak recruitment, every department was filled with bias. He talks about justice, yet his vote bank of 18 per cent Muslims received nothing." On Monday, Yadav had issued a statement alleging that BJP-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and Maharashtra account for the highest number of crimes against Dalits, especially women. "The BJP government is not just attacking reservation and personal freedoms, it is shielding power-protected strongmen who are now taking lives," the SP chief said. Referring to a recent incident, Yadav added, "The murder of a Dalit youth in Prayagraj for refusing to harvest wheat is horrifying and shows how deep-rooted caste oppression continues to be." He further alleged that the BJP is a party driven by authoritarian values and feudal thinking, where humiliation and violence against Dalits, backward classes, minorities, women, and tribals are embedded in its system. Jaipur, April 22 : US Vice President J D Vance on Tuesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, remarking that the Indian leader's popularity is something most politicians would envy. "I told Prime Minister Modi last night - he has approval ratings that would make me jealous," Vance said during his visit to Jaipur. Praising PM Modi's negotiating skills, Vance described him as a "very tough negotiator" who fights fiercely for India's commercial interests. "I've seen firsthand how strongly he defends Indian industry. The US and India will move forward together through mutual cooperation across many sectors," he stated. Reaffirming the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, Vance emphasised the importance of the US-India partnership. "The 21st century will be shaped by the strength of this relationship. President Trump wants to rebalance global trade so that the US, along with allies like India, can build a better future," he said. Reflecting on the shift in Washington's stance towards New Delhi, Vance noted that the current US administration avoids a condescending tone. "Too often in the past, Washington approached Prime Minister Modi with preachiness and even condescension," he said. "Previous administrations viewed India as merely a source of cheap labour while criticising a government that is arguably the most popular in the democratic world". On trade relations, Vance called for fairness and mutual benefit. "President Trump and I respect Prime Minister Modi for being a tough negotiator. We don't blame him for defending Indian industries. Rather, we question why past American leaders didn't do the same for our workers," he said. Expressing optimism about ongoing bilateral trade talks, he noted, "We're making good progress on the terms of reference for a trade agreement". Addressing defence cooperation, Vance highlighted the growing strategic partnership between the two countries. "In defence, our nations enjoy a close relationship. We can co-develop advanced military platforms," he said, while also welcoming India's recent amendments to its nuclear liability laws a" an important step toward deeper nuclear collaboration. Vance also took a lighthearted moment to mention his wife, Usha, saying, "She's a bigger celebrity than I am in India". During his address, Vance contrasted India with other nations he has visited. "In many countries, there's a monotony a" a desire to imitate the rest of the world. But not in India. Here, there's a vibrancy, a sense of infinite possibility. Life is getting richer. New homes and buildings are rising, and there's a deep pride in being Indian," he observed. The Vice President noted that this is his first visit to India, the birthplace of his wife's parents. "I've been captivated by the beauty of India's ancient architecture and the richness of its history and traditions. But just as impressive is India's forward-looking vision. This combination of heritage and ambition gives India its unique energy," he said. Earlier in the day, Vance visited Jaipur's Amer Fort along with his wife Usha, sons Vivek and Ivan, and daughter Mirabel. The family arrived at the historic fort by jeep and were greeted by two elephants a" Chanda and Pushpa a" at Jaleb Chowk. Traditional folk performances, including Kachhi Ghodi, Ghoomar, and Kalbelia dances, added to the festive welcome. Later, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari met the Vance family. The US Vice President Vance is on a four-day visit to India. After arriving in New Delhi on Monday, he visited the Akshardham temple and held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the evening, before heading to Jaipur. New Delhi, April 22 : The SIAM-KVS Road Safety Online Education Programme is a mega initiative in India's journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047, Executive Director of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Prashant K. Banerjee, said on Tuesday. Speaking to IANS, Banerjee said road safety remains a major challenge in India's development and called for a generational change to address the issue. As part of this special initiative, a road safety learning module titled 'Surakshit Safar' was launched at Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2 in Delhi Cantonment. "Our aim is to raise awareness about road safety among children at an early age. That's why we've created modules covering the basics of road safety, pedestrian rules, the importance of helmets and seat belts. These primary gadgets can bring about a major transformation in safety behaviour," Banerjee told IANS. He further informed that the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan has already included these models in its monthly curriculum. Explaining the modules, he told IANS that, "It's a 40-minute course, designed in an interactive and engaging manner. For primary school children, we've used characters like a tortoise and a kangaroo to explain safety." For example, the tortoise's hard shell is used to explain helmets, and the kangaroo's pouch symbolises seat belts, forming a story based on a mother-child bond, he added. "For middle and secondary school students, we are developing more advanced modules with 3D animation and relatable characters from daily life," he told IANS. Banerjee also said that a quiz follows the 30-minute session, where students must choose between correct and incorrect answers. Children who perform well will receive certificates, while others will be encouraged to improve and try again. The initiative is currently available in English and Hindi, but plans are in place to expand it to other languages in the future. As of now, the programme is being implemented as a pilot project in Kendriya Vidyalayas. If successful, it will be extended to Navodaya schools and state-run schools across the country. Gurugram, April 22 : A crime branch team of the Gurugram police has arrested a female Nigerian drug peddler from near Paras Buildtech Sector-54, Gurugram, on Tuesday, police said. The accused was identified as Praise Osibe (28) of Nigeria, currently a resident of Lohia Apartment, Mehrauli, Delhi. The police team recovered 13.8 grams of illegal MDMA from the possession of the accused. A case was registered against her in the Sector-53 police station, Gurugram, under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act. During the initial questioning of the accused woman, it was found that she had come to India in 2011. The accused woman was given illegal drugs by another Nigerian man from Delhi for supply. The accused woman also works as a cook in homes in Delhi. "The police team is conducting a thorough inquiry about the accused woman's passport, visa, and other co-accused. Further action will be taken in the case as per rules according to whatever facts will emerge in the police questioning. The case is under investigation," a Gurugram police spokesperson said. Apart from this, the police earlier in April had carried out 'Operation Akraman' to arrest the people involved in illegal activities, including drug and liquor smuggling. During the operation, 71 FIRs were registered, and police nabbed 118 persons, including 48 proclaimed offenders in Gurugram. During the initiative, a total of 214 teams consisting of 975 police officers were engaged in the drive; the arrested were involved in various types of criminal activities. The recovery made by the police in the drive includes illegal liquor (1013.5 bottles of country liquor, 150.25 bottles of English liquor, and 98 bottles of beer), 478 grams of ganja, nine grams of MDMA, a CNG autorickshaw, a car, 10 iPhones, a laptop, and cash worth Rs 25,000 from the accused. Kolkata, April 22 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday afternoon questioned why teaching and non-teaching staff in the state-run schools, who lost jobs following a Supreme Court order, were now insisting on the publication of the lists segregating the "genuine" and "tainted" candidates. She raised this question while speaking at an administrative review meeting at Midnapore in the West Midnapore district. While she raised this question, candidates were protesting outside the WBSSC office at Salt Lake in Kolkata. "Why are you sitting amid this extreme heat? What purpose will the segregated lists of 'genuine' and 'tainted' candidates serve for you?" the Chief Minister questioned. She also said: "It is for the state government and the court to consider who is 'genuine' and who is not." "What do you all have to do with the list? Why are you getting trapped in provocation? There is no requirement for the lists," the Chief Minister said. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that some people in the state always "conspired" to ensure the termination of jobs by moving to court. "They do not have any work, other than moving to the court and filing public interest litigations. We are providing jobs, and they are trying to terminate those jobs. There should always be a human face in politics," the Chief Minister said. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court upheld the order of the Calcutta High Court's division bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi last year, cancelling WBSSC's entire panel for 2016 of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching jobs. The Apex Court also accepted the Calcutta High Court's observation that the entire panel had to be cancelled because of the state government and WBSSC's failure to segregate the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones, who got jobs paying money. Thereafter, at a meeting of a delegation of "genuine" candidates with state Education Minister Bratya Basu, the state government assured the publication of the "segregated" list. Imphal, April 22 : Gujarat's Gandhinagar-based Rashtriya Raksha University has taken steps to expand its academic outreach and boost enrolment among young aspirants from Manipur, officials said on Tuesday. A team of officials led by Rashtriya Raksha University's in-charge Director Avinash Kharel on Tuesday met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal and discussed the varsity's outreach and academic activities. "During the meeting, the Director of the Rashtriya Raksha University briefed the Governor on the university's efforts to expand academic outreach and boost enrolment among young aspirants from Manipur," a Raj Bhavan official said. He said that the university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in three main areas of study. These include Police Science and Management, Disaster Management and National Security, and Security and Strategic Studies. According to the official, the varsity, an institute of national importance under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), also provides specialised courses in Cyber Security, Forensic Science, and Language Studies. The varsity's team highlighted the institution's mission and its growing role in nation-building through education in security and policing. The Governor appreciated their efforts and urged continued focus on inclusive student engagement from Manipur, the official stated. Meanwhile, the Governor felicitated National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets who participated in this year's Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. In a meeting held at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday, Bhalla presented laptops to T. Bobby Singh, Associate NCC Officer, Y Umesh, Senior Under Officer, and Oinam Reena Devi, Senior Under Officer, as a token of appreciation for their exemplary dedication, discipline, and service. Praising their achievements, the Governor expressed confidence in their potential as future leaders and responsible citizens. The cadets conveyed their sincere gratitude for the recognition. The Governor commended their commitment and reaffirmed his dedication to youth empowerment, disciplined, responsible, and civic-minded citizens, acknowledging the vital role of young citizens in the state's progress and security. --IANS sc/dan New Delhi, April 22 : Hindenburg Research, which formally announced it was shutting down its operations in January this year after making a scathing yet failed attack on the Adani Group, faced a bold comeback by one of India's largest conglomerates, which involved a clandestine investigation to uncover the inner workings of the research firm and expose those backing it. In January 2023, the forensic financial firm published a scathing report describing the Adani Group as "the largest con in corporate history". The attack wiped out more than $150 billion in the Groupas market value, leading it to scrap its biggest public offering. The Hindenburg report came out just days before Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani was in Israel to finalise a $1.2-billion deal to acquire the Haifa seaport. The winning bid came from a joint venture between Gadot Masofim for Chemicals Ltd and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, with the Indian firm holding the majority stake. The bids, evaluations, and clearances for the privatisation of Haifa Port had taken 18 long months -- and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was present at the signing on January 31, 2023. As Hindenburgas scathing report about the Group came out, a top Israeli leader questioned Gautam Adani about the allegations, to which the Indian billionaire firmly responded that they were "absolute lies". According to people close to the matter, the Group staged a strong comeback against Hindenburg by launching "Operation Zeppelin", believed to have involved assistance from an Israeli intelligence agency. The effort involved a mix of public relations, legal manoeuvres, and strategic tactics to counter the fallout and restore investor confidence. "Operation Zeppelin" was named after the German dirigible airships used for reconnaissance and bombing during the First World War. People within the Israeli establishment viewed the Hindenburg report as a deliberate attempt to undermine the Haifa port deal, according to sources. The deal was viewed as strategically vital for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. While the Adani Group refocused attention on the group's core businesses after the Hinderburg report, "Operation Zeppelin" continued to work clandestinely. According to sources, former intelligence insiders were able to connect the dots as they stumbled upon a complex web of activist lawyers, journalists, hedge funds, and political figures -- some allegedly connected to Chinese interests, others to Washington power brokers. Gautam Adani was briefed about the covert operation during his private visit to Switzerland in January 2024, according to people aware of the matter. In Ahmedabad, a team of attorneys and intelligence consultants worked alongside the ones during surveillance in the US. A high-tech control room was set up with cyber experts and analysts and legal teams worked across international capitals. In 2024, leaked documents purportedly showed links between US agencies and media platforms that were pushing anti-Adani narratives. Last November, the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged key Adani key executives with being part of an alleged bribery scheme to secure renewable power supply contracts in India. The Adani Group rubbished all allegations. Simultaneously, the Adani Group prepared to launch legal proceedings against Hindenburg Research and its founder, Nathan Anderson, and a legal notice was sent. A meeting between the Adani Group's legal team and Hindenburg officials was also proposed, but it wasn't clear if the meeting took place. On January 15, Hindenburg Research announced it was winding up. The decision to abruptly close down operations took many by surprise, particularly due to its timing -- just three days before Donald Trumpas inauguration as the next US President. Substantial evidence later began to emerge against the controversial short-seller Hindenburg Research and its founder, Anderson, in a court battle in Canada's Ontario, exposing Hindenburg's secret ties, and potential securities fraud and faulty disclosures made by the firm and the founder, according to media reports. Bhopal, April 22 : Aiming at Rs 12,000 crore investment and 5,000 job creation, the Madhya Pradesh government is planning to set up a Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior. A mega investors' summit for telecom industry is also going to be organised in Indore on April 27. The conclave is aimed at attracting investment in the sector in Madhya Pradesh. "The state Cabinet on Tuesday discussed building a Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior. A proposal has been sent to the Indian government in this regard. This TMZ will be built on a large chunk of land. Once cleared, the telecom hub or TMZ will attract more than Rs 12,000 crore investment in the sector and is likely to create 5,000 jobs. To attract investment in telecom sector, an IT conclave is going to be held in Indore on April 27," Rajendra Shukla, Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, said. "Madhya Pradesh is set to host the Tech Growth Conclave-2025 on April 27 in Indore, a landmark event organised by the state's Department of Science and Technology. The conclave aims to convert investment pledges made at the Global Investors Summit 2025 into concrete projects, reinforcing the state's position as a hub for technology and innovation," the Deputy Chief Minister added. Every entrepreneur is coming for the development of the telecom sector in Madhya Pradesh, he said. He also added that there are immense possibilities for the development of the telecom sector in areas like Gwalior and Jabalpur in the state. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will preside over the event, unveiling a comprehensive roadmap for technological development in Madhya Pradesh. The conclave will focus on accelerating IT investment policies, tracking progress, and fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia to solidify the state's presence in the capital and global tech ecosystem. Key announcements will include four new policy guidelines, the ground breaking ceremony for IIT Indore, the launch of an AI-based Centre of Excellence, and new MoUs for cutting-edge technology labs such as Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality. These initiatives will enhance research, skill development, and industry partnerships. The event will also see the foundation laying of some private investment major projects. More than 300 industry leaders, policymakers, and investors are likely to participate, discussing advancements in IT, Information Technology Enabled Services, semiconductors, drone technology, and data centres. The conclave will also mark the inauguration of Jabalpur IT Park Block B, valued at Rs 25 crore and expected to create more than 500 jobs. The MoUs for new Centres of Excellence in AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and drone technology will be signed with institutions like Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal; Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal; and Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Gwalior. A dedicated investment portal will be launched for project tracking, alongside four new policy guidelines to enhance the investment climate. New Delhi, April 22 : Australia on Tuesday dismissed as "incorrect" assertions that Indian university student applications from specific Indian states are being banned, or restricted. "The assertion that Indian university student applications from specific Indian states are being banned, or restricted, is incorrect. There are over 125,000 Indian students currently studying in Australia a" the second largest cohort of students from any country - and the Australian Government continues to process Indian student visa applications in line with our global standards," a spokesperson for the Australian High Commission in New Delhi said on Tuesday. "India and Australia continue to have a very strong relationship in the field of education.aAustralia deeply values Indian students, and the Australian government welcomes their contribution to our classrooms and Australian society," he added Certain reports had recently cited that several Australian universities had put a curb on student visa applications from six Indian states as part of a wider crackdown. The Australia-India education partnership is an important pillar of bilateral relationship, supporting the bridge between both communities, building future-ready workforces and driving economic growth. Education is Australia's largest service export to India, valued at $4.4 billion in 2022. As of calendar year 2023, there were 126,487 Indian student enrolments with Australian providers, which makes up approximately 16 per cent of Australia's international student enrolments. Australia has expressed its commitment to strengthening the bilateral education relationship with India by increasing institutional cooperation, exploring innovative delivery models and facilitating greater research cooperation. Australia and India's Education Ministers signed the first ever Mechanism for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications between Australia and India, in New Delhi in March 2023. The mechanism supports the recognition of qualifications in Australia and India to facilitate access to higher education in both countries. At the same time, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced during his visit to India in March 2023 that Deakin University would be the first university in the world approved to open an international teaching campus in India. The University of Wollongong has subsequently also received approval to establish a campus in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). Hyderabad, April 22 : Girls outperformed boys in the Telangana Intermediate public examinations, the results of which were announced on Tuesday. The Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) declared the results of the Intermediate first year and second year (11th and 12th classes). A total of 9.97 lakh students appeared in the examination held in March-April. The overall pass percentage for the first year was 66.89. The pass percentage among girls was 73.83 while it was only 57.83 per cent among boys. A total of 4,88,430 students wrote the first-year exams. The overall pass percentage for the second year stood at 71.37. In the second year, too, girls outshone the boys. The pass percentage among girls was 74.21 while only 57.31 per cent passed the exam. A total of 5,08,582 students had appeared in the second-year exams. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka announced the results in the presence of Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Education Secretary Yogita Rana, BIE Secretary Krishna Aditya and other officials. The Deputy CM congratulated the students who have passed the exams and their parents. He expressed his best wishes for the students for higher studies. Bhatti Vikramarka said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who is on a visit to Japan, has asked him to convey his congratulations and best wishes to the students. The Deputy CM said the state government was focusing on the education sector. He congratulated BIE officials for conducting the exams and completing the valuation of answer sheets in a foolproof manner. Among districts, Medchal Malkajgiri district stood first with 77.21 pass percentage in the first year. Mahabubabad district had the lowest pass percentage of 48.43. In the second year, Mulugu district topped the list with 80.12 per cent. Kamareddy district finished at the bottom with pass percentage of 54.93 per cent. BIE Secretary Aditya said students may apply for re-verification and recounting within a week by paying a fee of Rs 600 and Rs 100, respectively. Advanced supplementary exams will be held from May 22. Dhaka, April 22 : In yet another shocking incident, a mob of radicals demolished the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Dhaka's Mirpur area on Tuesday. The monument was a symbol of the genocide committed by the Pakistan Army during the Liberation War of Bangladesh. The destruction of the memorial took place just a few days ahead of Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's visit to Dhaka. "Before Pakistani Foreign Minister arrives in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus and his pro-Paki Islamist-jihadist cronies began demolishing 'Martyred Intellectuals Memorial' in Dhaka's Mirpur area. On December 14, 1971, hours before independence of Bangladesh, Pak occupation forces picked up and murdered intellectuals and threw their bodies in a pond at this place," Dhaka-based counter-terrorism expert, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury posted on X. As the video of the demolition went viral, several Bangladeshis took to social media, severely condemning the disturbing act which displays the current lawlessness prevailing in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Experts perceived this act of the interim government as an insult to the martyrs and a part of their appeasement policy towards Pakistan. "The Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur a" where the Bengali nation bows in silent reverence a" is now being demolished. After the infamous Chapter of House No. 32, this stands as the second great stain in our history, etched upon the forehead of the nation. We are a humiliated people a" a nation that forgets the debt of its martyrs' blood and destroys their memory. This failure is not the government's alone, but a moral collapse of an entire people," wrote B M Jahid Hasan, a former Vice President of Rajshahi University Camps unit Chattraleague. The memorial in Mirpur area of Dhaka honours the luminaries who sacrificed their lives for the countryas independence during the war with Pakistan. It was on the night of December 14, 1971 - just two days before the shameful surrender of the Pakistani forces - that hundreds of leading intellectuals of the region were killed systematically by the Pakistani army and their local collaborators. Teachers, journalists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, artists-litterateurs, cultural workers and high-ranking government and private officials were dragged out of their homes and killed and their bodies left in the silent, eerie darkness. Reports further stated that the next morning, many lifeless bodies were seen lying scattered in the ditches and drains of Mirpur and Rayer bazar brickyards in Dhaka. Some were killed in bullet firing and tortured inhumanly. Victims were found with hands tied behind their backs, and some had their intestines removed with bayonets. Since then, Martyred Intellectuals Day is observed in a mournful remembrance on December 14, every year. Recently, in a similar act, the mural of the Liberation War Memorial Mancha in Lalmonirhat district in Bangladesh was demolished at the instruction of the Yunus-led interim government. The mural showcased the background of the 1950s language movement, the historic March 7 speech, the War of Independence, the formation of the Mujibnagar government, the dawn of the new sun in the independent land, the 1971 genocide by Pakistan, the heroic freedom fighters exulting in victory, the seven great heroes, the surrender of the Pakistani army, the jubilant crowd holding the national flag, and many other historic moments. Last month, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) rechristened different roads, buildings, and structures previously named after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his family members, and leaders of the Awami League. Bangabandhu Avenue has now been renamed as Shaheed Abrar Fahad Avenue, according to an order issued by the DSCC. About 1500 sculptures, murals, and memorials have been vandalised, set on fire, and uprooted all over the country since the Yunus government came to power in August 2024 after the fall of Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. New Delhi, April 22 : The Union government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that its recent judgement setting timelines for both the President and Governors to act on Bills would not cover the dispute between Kerala's Governor and Assembly. New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) The Union government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that its recent judgement setting timelines for both the President and Governors to act on Bills would not cover the dispute between Keralaas Governor and Assembly. The top court was dealing with a plea filed by the Kerala government against "inaction" on the part of the Governor in giving assent to the bills passed by the Assembly. Appearing on behalf of the Kerala government, senior advocate K.K. Venugopal submitted before a bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi that its case would be squarely covered by the recent SC judgment in Tamil Naduas Governor case. On the other hand, Attorney General for India R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the two topmost law officers of the Centre, said that Kerala's case is factually different and would not be covered by the latest judgment on interpretation of Article 200. "The Tamil Nadu judgment does not cover certain issues of this case on the facts. We would like to show those differences. I will put in a note," said Attorney General Venkataramani. After hearing the submissions, the Justice Narasimha-led Bench said that it would examine whether the judgment in Tamil Naduas Governor case was applicable to Kerala's case as well or if there were any differences, and posted the matter for hearing on May 6. In the case of Kerala, seven bills were referred to President Droupadi Murmu by then Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, post their re-adoption in a special Assembly session. The plea said that by keeping bills presented to him pending for such long periods, the Governor is directly violating the provision of the Constitution, namely, that the bill should be dealt with "as soon as possible". The writ petition said that the words "as soon as possible" occurring in Article 200 of the Constitution necessarily mean that not only should pending bills be disposed of within a reasonable time, but that these Bills have to be dealt with urgently and expeditiously without any avoidable delay. Earlier this month, the top court, using its inherent powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, resolved a standoff between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor R.N. Ravi over the delay in granting assent to Bills passed by the Assembly. It ruled that Governor Ravi's refusal to approve 10 bills in Tamil Nadu was both "illegal and arbitrary" and set a three-month deadline for Presidential and gubernatorial approval of bills passed by the legislature for a second time. "The President is required to take a decision on the Bills reserved for his consideration by the Governor within a period of three months from the date on which such reference is received," said a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan. If there is no decision within this time frame, states are entitled to file writ petitions seeking a writ of mandamus against the President, the Justice Pardiwala-led Bench clarified. The apex court used the powers for the purpose of declaring the 10 withheld Bills as deemed to have been assented to on the date when they were presented to the Governor after being reconsidered by the state legislature. The top court held that once a Bill is returned, re-passed by the legislature, and presented again to the Governor, it is not open for the Governor to reserve it for the Presidentas consideration. Additionally, the President is now under an obligation to provide reasons for their decision, which must be communicated to the state government. Further, it suggested that the President should consult the Supreme Court on Bills involving Constitutional issues. The judgment, apparently, brought Presidential actions under judicial review by favouring a three-month deadline for granting assent to Bills. The issue took a new twist after Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar used strong words against the judiciary, comparing Article 142 to a anuclear missilea available to the judiciary against democratic forces. Visakhapatnam, April 22 : In a shocking incident, a female student in an Andhra Pradesh college hit a woman lecturer with her footwear for confiscating her mobile phone. The incident occurred on Monday at a private engineering college in the Bheemunipatnam mandal of Visakhapatnam district. The video of the incident went viral on social media, triggering outrage among netizens. The incident occurred when the lecturer seized the phone of the student for using it on campus in violation of the college rules. Furious over the teacher's action, the student had a heated argument with her. The girl told the teacher that the phone is worth Rs 12,000. She was also heard asking the teacher in a threatening tone if she would return her phone or not. When the teacher refused to return the phone, the student started hurling abuses and removed her footwear. "Will you give my phone back or should I hit you with my slipper?" the student asked. As the teacher stood her ground and refused to give her device, the student advanced towards her and started hitting her with the sandal. The teacher resisted the attack, leading to a brawl between them. Some students and staff members intervened to separate the two. The college authorities have taken serious note of the incident. Action is likely against the student for attacking the teacher. The video of the incident was widely circulated on social media, evoking strong condemnation from many netizens. They found fault with the student's behaviour. They felt that the student should not have assaulted the teacher. However, some of the social media users were of the view that mistakes were on both sides. One of the netizens opined that the handling of the situation was not right. He called for skill development to handle such situations and also underlined the need for value-based education. Seoul, April 22 : The South Korean People Power Party (PPP) on Tuesday shortlisted four contenders in the first round of its presidential primary, ahead of the June 3 election. The four candidates are former Labour Minister Kim Moon-soo, former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, and lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, according to the party's election commission. The results were determined based on surveys conducted by five polling agencies from Monday to Tuesday, covering a combined total of 4,000 respondents. The PPP originally had eight presidential primary candidates, which also included PPP lawmaker Na Kyung-won, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo and former Democratic Party (DP) Rep. Yang Hyang-ja. In the second round, two candidates will be selected through a process that equally combines party member votes and public opinion polling. The party will confirm its candidate on May 3. The presidential election will be held on June 3 after former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted on April 4 over his shocking martial law bid, Yonhap news agency reported. According to a Realmetre poll released early this week, Rep. Lee Jae-myung, former DP leader, kept a strong lead with 50.2 per cent support. Trailing Lee was Kim with 12.2 per cent. Han received 8.5 per cent and Hong garnered 7.5 per cent. While the conservative contenders have intensified political attacks against the former DP leader Lee, the PPP seemed to be perplexed by Lee's strong lead in opinion polls. Last week, a plan to create a new political party in support of Yoon was put on hold. Rep. Lee Yang-soo of the PPP told SBS radio that such a plan would have a negative impact on the party in the face of the presidential election. Meanwhile, candidates will be required to register by May 11 and the official campaign period will kick off on May 12. The law also requires a public servant running for President to resign at least 30 days before an election, making May 4 the deadline. The new President will assume office immediately after the election without a transition team. Lahore, April 22 : A Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur - a senior leader of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party - in alleged violence against police during a protest held by the party in October last year. Additionally, arrest warrants were issued for three other PTI leaders a" Hammad Azhar, Saeed Sindhu, and Shehbaz Ahmed. The court issued the warrants at the request of Lahore police, which alleged that the leaders ignored repeated police summons and failed to cooperate with the investigation, The Express Tribune reported. On October 5, 2024, the PTI staged a large protest in Islamabad against the federal government, accusing it of political victimisation, interference in provincial matters, and denying the party its democratic rights. The demonstration led by senior party figures, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Gandapur, demanded the release of party founder Imran Khan, among other things. Hundreds of PTI supporters and members were arrested amid the chaos in Islamabad, with reports of fierce conflict and clashes in different parts. During the protest, Gandapur was arrested in Islamabad on charges of misusing government resources. Reports suggested that the arrest happened when he was scheduled to stage a protest at D-Chowk in Islamabad. The arrest was made after a court in Islamabad issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Gandapur in connection with illegal arms and liquor cases. However, the situation became tense when Pakistan's Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi denied that Gandapur was in federal custody. He claimed that the leader had gone into hiding on his own. Gandapur had reappeared the next day and addressed the KP Assembly in Peshawar. He slammed the federal government for targetting PTI leaders, violating provincial autonomy, and attempting to erase the party's political mandate. He defended the protest, and condemned the crackdown, and vowed to resist what he called "federal interference". Mumbai, April 22 : In a strongly worded response to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that before seeking clarifications from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he needs a deep understanding of the National Education Policy (NEP). He further asked Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to study what exactly NEP is by attaching the necessary link. "Before seeking clarifications from Hon PM Narendra Modi ji, you need a deep understanding of the National Education Policy. First you need to study what exactly NEP is! Here is link for your ref - https://education.gov.in/national-education-policy," Fadnavis wrote on X. He further added that the NEP never insisted or made compulsory language choice but only asks to study any two Indian languages other than English, out of three. "As far as Maharashtra is concerned, we are open to Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Sanskrit or any language of the student's choice which they wish to study as the third language. The main question is why you are not open to multi-lingualism and have a problem if someone wants to study in Hindi," Fadnavis said. Fadnavis was responding to Stalin's post on X uploaded on Monday in which he said: "Facing a massive backlash for imposing Hindi as the third language, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis now claims that only Marathi is compulsory in the state. This is a clear manifestation of his trepidation over the widespread public condemnation against the imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states." He further said that PM Modi and the Union Education Minister must clarify. "Does the Union government officially endorse his position that no language other than Marathi is compulsory in Maharashtra as the third language under the National Education Policy? If so, will the Union government issue a clear directive to all states affirming that the NEP does not require the compulsory teaching of a third language? Will the Union government release the Rs. 2,152 crore it unjustly withheld for Tamil Nadu on the premise that the state must subscribe to the teaching of a mandatory third language?" Fadnavis' response came hours after the Maharashtra Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse, amid raging controversy, said for now Hindi will not be made a compulsory third language in classes 1 to 5 in English and Marathi schools, but it will be optional. Srinagar, April 22 : A tourist was killed and at least 12 other persons, including tourists & locals, were injured in a terror attack in Pahalgam hill station in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday, leading to the security forces launching a massive operation to hunt down the perpetrators. The tourist was killed, and other tourists and locals were injured, when terrorists attacked a group of tourists in the Baisran area of Pahalgam hill station. As per reports, 2 to 3 terrorists wearing army fatigues came and fired at horse-riding tourists in the Baisran area around 2.30 p.m. Baisran is a small meadow 3 to 4 km from the Pahalgam market, and tourists take horses to reach the place as there is no motorable road to it. "One tourist was killed in this attack, and several others, including tourists and locals, were injured. The injured have been shifted to Pahalgam hospital, from where those with critical injuries were shifted to Srinagar for specialised treatment," an official said, adding that the area has been cordoned off by the security forces to trace the assailants. In a chilling account, a tourist from Karnataka who lost her husband in the terrorist attack told Kannada media that both she and her 18-year-old son confronted the terrorist and pleaded to be killed alongside Manjunath. However, the terrorist reportedly told them he wouldnat harm them and instead instructed them to inform Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the attack. Sources said the casualty figure is feared to rise as several people were injured. J&K LG Manoj Sinha said on X: "Anti-terror ops launched to neutralise terrorists. Entire nation is angry & blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families". Home Minister Amit Shah was on his way to Srinagar and will chair a high-level security meeting at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar. Northern Army commander, Lt Gen M.V. Suchendra Kumar, has left Delhi for Srinagar to review the situation with the field commanders. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is also rushing to Srinagar to supervise relief to the injured victims of the terror attack. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has reached Pahalgam ahead of the Union Home Minister's visit to the terror attack site. A helpline has been set up in the control room in Anantnag for tourists and their families to know the welfare of their family members. Prime Minister Modi, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, had a telephonic conversation with the Union Home Minister in the wake of the terror attack and asked him to take all suitable measures. The Home Minister, who was also asked to visit the terror attack site, had called an emergency meeting to discuss the terror attack. "Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences. Briefed PM Shri @narendramodi Ji about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies", the Home Minister had said in a post on X. Lt Governor Sinha expressed shock at the incident, but assured that those responsible for the attack will be brought to justice. "I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. Spoke to the DGP & Security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations", the LG said on X. "Iam shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. Iave spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo & she has moved to the hospital to oversee arrangements for the injured. Iall be flying back to Srinagar immediately. #Pahalgam", Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X. PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti strongly condemned "the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam". "Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced. Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning. A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses. Ensuring visitor safety is paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent future attacks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families," she posted on X. This is the biggest terror attack on tourists since separatist violence started here in the 1990s. The terror attack comes when a booming tourist season is presently going on in the Valley. All hotels in Srinagar city, and the tourist resorts of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are fully occupied. An unprecedented number of tourists are expected in J&K this year and official projections forecast a number of around two crores tourists would visit the UT this year. Tuesdayas attack comes at a time when registration for this yearas Amarnath Yatra is going on across the country. This year, the Yatra will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 9, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals, respectively. During his visit to J&K last month, the Union Home Minister chaired a high-level security review meeting, where he gave orders for the complete eradication of terrorism with special focus on the Jammu division. He also gave directions to ensure zero tolerance to infiltration. Srinagar, April 22 : A tourist was killed and at least 12 other persons, including tourists & locals, were injured in a terror attack in Pahalgam hill station in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday, leading to the security forces launching a massive operation to hunt down the perpetrators. The tourist was killed, and other tourists and locals were injured, when terrorists attacked a group of tourists in the Baisran area of Pahalgam hill station. As per reports, 2 to 3 terrorists wearing army fatigues came and fired at horse-riding tourists in the Baisran area around 2.30 p.m. Baisran is a small meadow 3 to 4 km from the Pahalgam market, and tourists take horses to reach the place as there is no motorable road to it. "One tourist was killed in this attack, and several others, including tourists and locals, were injured. The injured have been shifted to Pahalgam hospital, from where those with critical injuries were shifted to Srinagar for specialised treatment," an official said, adding that the area has been cordoned off by the security forces to trace the assailants. In a chilling account, a tourist from Karnataka who lost her husband in the terrorist attack told Kannada media that both she and her 18-year-old son confronted the terrorist and pleaded to be killed alongside Manjunath. However, the terrorist reportedly told them he wouldn't harm them and instead instructed them to inform Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the attack. Sources said the casualty figure is feared to rise as several people were injured. The Prime Minister, who is currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, expressed deep anguish over the incident and assured that swift and decisive action would follow. "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," he posted on X. In a stern warning to the perpetrators, he added, "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice... they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will only grow stronger." J&K LG Manoj Sinha said on X: "Anti-terror ops launched to neutralise terrorists. Entire nation is angry & blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families". Home Minister Amit Shah was on his way to Srinagar and will chair a high-level security meeting at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar. Northern Army commander, Lt Gen M.V. Suchendra Kumar, has left Delhi for Srinagar to review the situation with the field commanders. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is also rushing to Srinagar to supervise relief to the injured victims of the terror attack. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has reached Pahalgam ahead of the Union Home Minister's visit to the terror attack site. A helpline has been set up in the control room in Anantnag for tourists and their families to know the welfare of their family members. Prime Minister Modi had a telephonic conversation with the Union Home Minister in the wake of the terror attack and asked him to take all suitable measures. The Home Minister, who was also asked to visit the terror attack site, had called an emergency meeting to discuss the terror attack. "Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences. Briefed PM Shri @narendramodi Ji about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies", the Home Minister had said in a post on X. Lt Governor Sinha expressed shock at the incident, but assured that those responsible for the attack will be brought to justice. "I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. Spoke to the DGP & Security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations", the LG said on X. "I'm shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. I've spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo & she has moved to the hospital to oversee arrangements for the injured. I'll be flying back to Srinagar immediately. #Pahalgam", Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X. PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti strongly condemned "the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam". "Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced. Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning. A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses. Ensuring visitor safety is paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent future attacks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families," she posted on X. This is the biggest terror attack on tourists since separatist violence started here in the 1990s. The terror attack comes when a booming tourist season is presently going on in the Valley. All hotels in Srinagar city, and the tourist resorts of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are fully occupied. An unprecedented number of tourists are expected in J&K this year and official projections forecast a number of around two crores tourists would visit the UT this year. Tuesday's attack comes at a time when registration for this year's Amarnath Yatra is going on across the country. This year, the Yatra will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 9, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals, respectively. During his visit to J&K last month, the Union Home Minister chaired a high-level security review meeting, where he gave orders for the complete eradication of terrorism with special focus on the Jammu division. He also gave directions to ensure zero tolerance to infiltration. Mumbai, April 22 : Amid the raging controversy, the Maharashtra government, on Tuesday, took a u-turn on making Hindi a compulsory third language in classes 1 to 5 in English and Marathi schools from the academic year 2025-26. After strong opposition and outrage from various stakeholders, the State Minister of School Education Dadaji Bhuse said that Hindi would not be made compulsory for now but it will be optional in classes 1 to 5. He also added that the decision on making Hindi language compulsory will be taken in due course of time after a due consultation process. "For now, we will keep Hindi as an optional subject. We will take a decision regarding other subjects in due course of time. Those students who are interested in Hindi language will be taught Hindi along with Marathi and English. The government decision in this regard will be issued as soon as possible," said Bhuse. The Maharashtra government was thereby forced to respond to criticism from opposition parties and regional leaders, who argued that making Hindi compulsory in classes 1 to 5 in English and Marathi schools threatened Marathi identity. Minister Bhuse also said, "The state government in its notification issued on April 16 had said that Hindi language would be mandatory in classes 1 to 5 in English and Marathi schools. The notification had clearly said that the Marathi language subject will remain the same. Marathi language will be given priority. English will be the second subject. Then the third subject will be Hindi language. The Central government has not made Hindi subject mandatory. The steering committee has accepted the third language Hindi subject. The government's decision used the word that Hindi language will be mandatory which was questioned by many. If it is decided to teach another language other than Hindi, then the teachers will also have to be changed. A policy will have to be decided for this." The State Educational Reforms and Training Council recently prepared the State School Curriculum Plan-2024. According to this plan, it was made mandatory for students from class 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools to learn Hindi as a third language along with Marathi and English. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said, "Hindi has not been made mandatory instead of Marathi. Marathi is mandatory. But the new education policy has given the opportunity to learn three languages. Learning three languages is mandatory. There is a rule that out of these three languages, two must be Indian. Therefore, we have made Marathi mandatory among the two Indian languages. What is the other language? So if you take any Indian language, you will have to take Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati or any other. You cannot take anything outside these." Earlier, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT has announced that it would not allow the state government to make Hindi compulsory while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) founded by Raj Thackeray claimed that if the state government does not withdraw its decision then a protest is inevitable. The Congress alleged that making Hindi compulsory is a ploy to destroy the Marathi language, identity and culture. The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party warned that undermining Marathi under the garb of New Education Policy would not be tolerated. The state government's language consultation committee has urged Chief Minister Fadnavis to revoke the decision of making Hindi a mandatory third language for students of classes 1 to 5. The language consultation committee's chief Laxmikant Deshmukh claimed the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) did not consider their thoughts and suggestions before announcing Hindi as a third language subject. Jaipur, April 22 : US Vice President J.D. Vance said on Tuesday reflected on the economic challenges faced by manufacturing communities in the US in the last few years. "Our manufacturing communities have been facing economic challenges for the last few years, and fair trade partnerships are equally important. In India, the US has a friend," said US Vice President J.D. Vance while addressing an event in Jaipur. Vance said that he was sharing the story on the request of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then recounted the story of his upbringing in a once-thriving manufacturing town, which slowly and steadily witnessed the diluting of the middle class due to job losses and factories shutting down. "I come from a long-standing manufacturing town called Middletown. It's not a massive city like Jaipur, but a decent town where people have made things for generations," he said. He added that people came down from surrounding hills, from places like West Virginia, in search of manufacturing jobs, prosperity, and the American dream. Vance also described his family's experience growing up in a working-class household. "My parents and grandparents raised me in Middletown with values - to work hard, study hard, love God and my country, and to be a good. My grandfather's job provided a decent wage and a pension. By the time I came up, money was tight, but it was fine to make a good living for all of us," he said. The VP added that generation saw the making of a great middle class, adding that by creating an economy around production, the leaders made many Middletowns. "Governments in those times supported the labour force, and we struck good deals with national partners to sell goods made in the US," he said. However, Vance also talked about the decline that followed. "Later, other leaders abandoned the principles that built our prosperity. They forgot the importance of building a productive industrial base. As a result, we saw consequences, factories left, jobs evaporated, and the economy of towns like mine suffered," he said. "Middletown story is my story - millions of Americans lived this same experience. This story is my story, but it is hardly unusual in America. There were tens of millions of Americans who had woken up to what was happening in their nation, but I think they have woken up way before it's too late. We want to strike good deals with our friends, we want proud recognition of our heritage rather than self-loathing and fear," he said. Vance emphasised that Americans are now aware of what went wrong and are committed to course-correction. "Our President has been consistent on these issues for decades. America now has a government which has learnt from the mistakes of the past. Our President Trump cares deeply to ensure Americans have an opportunity for good jobs. Today, I have come here with a simple message: we seek trade partners on the basis of fairness in their shared national interest," he said. "We want trade deals that are fair and rooted in shared national interests. We want our heritage to be a source of pride, not self-loathing. Our President, Donald Trump, has been consistent on these issues for decades. He deeply cares about ensuring that Americans have access to good jobs and opportunities," he said. He stressed the importance of building partnerships with nations that value workers and share common goals. "Today, I bring a simple message: the U.S. seeks trade partners on the basis of fairness and mutual interest. We want relationships with countries that respect labour and are committed to building things alongside us," he said. Concluding his remarks, Vance said: "We want partners who recognise the historic nature of the moment we are in - to reshape global trade into a system that is open, balanced, stable, and fair. Our partners don't need to be exactly like America, nor must governments do exactly the same way, but just have a common goal. I believe in India, we do, up economy and national security. That's why I'm so excited to be here today. In India, America has a friend, and we need to strengthen great bonds," he said. Hyderabad, April 22 : India is home to over 480 mid-market global capability centres (GCCs), employing more than 210,000 professionals and over 680 mid-market GCC Units, a report said on Tuesday. This segment has been instrumental in shaping India's GCC narrative with accounting for 27 per cent of all GCCs and 22 per cent of total GCC units in the country. GCCs continue to be a key growth sector for the tech industry in India, contributing nearly one-third of the industry's total exports. "The next wave of global capability will not come from size, but from speed, specialisation, and strategic influence. With world-class talent and a vibrant digital ecosystem, mid-market GCCs are no longer just delivery engines but are emerging as cultural innovation labs and centres of excellence, driving R&D, product innovation, and enterprise digitisation for global impact," said Rajesh Nambiar, President, Nasscom. Within this thriving ecosystem, mid-market GCCs are emerging as high-impact innovation hubs, driving agility, product excellence, and enterprise transformation at scale, according to the report by Nasscom and Zinnov. Over 45 new mid-market GCCs have set up operations in India in the past two years alone, accounting for nearly 35 per cent of total GCCs, and 30 per cent of total GCC units during this period. Despite operating at around 40 per cent the scale of their larger counterparts (Non-Mid-market GCCs), mid-market GCCs are consistently delivering transformative outcomes across product innovation, enterprise agility, digital maturity and deepening niche skill capabilities. Their strategic focus and lean operating models have resulted in a 1.3 times higher presence in transformation hubs, with a maturity curve advancing 1.2 times faster than non-mid-market GCCs. India is today home to 47 per cent of global product management talent for mid-market GCCs and over 25 per cent of their DeepTech workforce, cementing its position as a global hotspot for next-gen capabilities in AI/ML, cybersecurity, cloud, and data science. In terms of market distribution, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, NCR, and Chennai remain leading destinations for mid-market GCCs, attracting 74 per cent of all new GCC units established, said the report. IANS na/ New Delhi, April 22 : Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday called for greater synergy between innovation and industry for a sustainable startup ecosystem. In a spirited call for greater synergy between innovation and industry for a sustainable startup ecosystem, Dr Singh said the time has come for Indian science to break silos and integrate with stakeholders including industry, investors, and the public. Speaking at the 'Startup Conclave' in Hyderabad, Dr Singh highlighted that India's moment in science and innovation has arrived. Addressing a gathering of scientists, entrepreneurs, students, and policymakers, the minister lauded the rare joint initiative by the three Hyderabad-based CSIR labs, noting that "such an integrated scene of science and governance under one roof" reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of collaborative and inclusive innovation. The Minister made a strong pitch for dismantling the outdated image of government labs as "ghost-haunted places where frogs are dissected," narrating how villagers once misunderstood the work of CSIR labs due to lack of public outreach. "Science should not be confined behind gates. If your domain is agriculture, invite the farmers in. Let them see what you're doing," he asserted. Dr Singh underlined the need for early and deep industry involvement in research and innovation, pointing to the success of CSIR's Aroma Mission, where over 3,000 youth, many of them non-graduates, became successful agri-entrepreneurs with minimum annual earnings of Rs 60 lakh. Referring to India's rapidly growing biotechnology sector, the minister recalled that in 2014, there were only 50 biotech startups. Today, the number exceeds 10,000. "It's not just numbers. We've moved from $10 billion to nearly $170 billion in biotech valuation. This is not just growth, it's a revolution," he said, citing the government's dedicated policies like Bio-E3 and the National Quantum Mission. The minister also announced plans to open up the nuclear sector, noting that a new realism has replaced the secrecy that once shrouded scientific endeavours. "When Google can peek into our lives, what's the point of denying access to potential collaborators in the name of confidentiality?" he asked. IANS na/ Patna, April 22 : The district of Jamui has made Bihar beam with pride as three of its bright minds -- Sanskriti Trivedi, Paras Kumar, and Isha Rani -- have cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, securing top ranks at the national level. Sanskriti Trivedi, with an All India Rank (AIR) of 17, has become a symbol of excellence and determination. Hailing from a family that valued education, Sanskriti credited her success to her parents, teachers, and mentors, stating, "With hard work, discipline, and faith, any dream can be achieved." Her father, Anand Prakash Trivedi, and uncle, Dr Mithilesh Trivedi, shared emotional recollections of her unwavering dedication since childhood. Meanwhile, Paras Kumar, Program Officer (Establishment) in the Jamui Education Department, proved that dreams can be pursued even with a full-time job. Securing AIR 269, Paras balanced his duties with UPSC preparations, studying late into the night and taking minimal leave. "Time management and consistency are key. I dedicate this success to my colleagues, teachers, and the support system around me," said Paras. His achievement has inspired fellow educators and civil service aspirants across the region, with the education community celebrating his success. Adding to the district's pride, Isha Rani, daughter of senior advocate Prasiddha Narayan Singh, secured AIR 384. From the rural heart of Labhet village, Isha rose through sheer grit, studying at DAV Jamui, completing her schooling from DPS Bokaro, and earning her law degree from Chanakya National Law University, Patna, before heading to Delhi for UPSC preparation. "My journey reflects that with dedication, even rural students can reach the highest platforms," said Isha. The final result of UPSC 2025 was announced on Tuesday, where Shakti Dubey of Prayagraj topped the ranks. A total of 1009 candidates have been selected, including 335 from the general category, 109 from EWS, 318 from OBC, 160 from SC, and 87 from ST. This triple success story from Jamui proves that with perseverance, discipline, and the right mindset, even students from rural and small-town backgrounds can conquer India's toughest exam and become beacons of hope for countless others. Mumbai, April 22 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly condemned the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He said that his government is in touch with the Jammu and Kashmir administration to get updates about tourists from the state injured in the attack. Two tourists from Maharashtra have lost their lives in the attack. In his post on X, he said: "My heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives in this incident. We share the grief of their families and loved ones. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of those injured in this incident. We are in touch with senior officials of the Jammu and Kashmir administration. We also called up Vijay Kumar Bidri, the divisional commissioner of Kashmir, under whose jurisdiction Pahalgam falls, and inquired about it. According to the information received so far, two tourists from Maharashtra have died, including Dilip Disle and Atul Mone. According to the information given by the local administration, two people from Maharashtra have been injured in this terrorist attack. One of them is Manik Patel from Panvel, and another is S. Bhalchandra Rao. Fortunately, the condition of both of them is stable." Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also condemned the attack. In his post on X, he said: "May God rest the souls of the civilians who lost their lives in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. All the injured citizens are receiving proper treatment. Strict action will be taken against the terrorists responsible for this entire incident. Public condemnation of this cowardly attack!" Shiv Sena UBT leader and the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state council Ambadas Danve said that the attack on tourists is outrageous. "Terrorists took their lives, asking for religion. These terrorists must be crushed. But those who help them should also be rounded up and sent to jail. Tourists may have increased in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, but if they are not provided security, all these steps taken are in vain," he said. NCP SP working president and MP Supriya Sule said, "Strongly condemn the unfortunate terrorist attack on tourists in #Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured." She further added, "Requesting @OmarAbdullah for providing immediate medical aid and support to the following people hailing from Pune who have suffered injuries in the Pahalgham firing incident today: Asawari Jagdale, Pragati Jagdale, Santosh Jagdale (gunshot wound), Kaustubh Ganbote (gunshot wound), & Sangeeta Gabote from Pune. The family has requested for clarity on their condition please. Thank you for your efficient & quick administration!" New Delhi, April 22 : Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera strongly condemned the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and called on the government to take immediate action. In a video message shared on the social media platform X, Khera expressed his deep sorrow over the attack, stating that the entire nation was shocked by the heinous assault. "The entire nation is stunned by this horrific attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress condemns this cowardly act of terrorism and extends its condolences to the families of the deceased," Khera said. He further added that the Congress party stands with the victims' families during this difficult time and wishes for a swift recovery for the injured. Khera stressed the need for a collective national effort to tackle terrorism and called on the government to convene an all-party meeting to develop a unified strategy. "We urge the government to call an all-party meeting to devise a concrete strategy to combat terrorism. It is time to take a collective resolve to address this menace," he said. Describing the attack as one of the most cowardly in history, Khera highlighted the severity of the assault on tourists in the region. "This is a very cowardly attack on tourists in Kashmir. There hasnat been such a large-scale attack on tourists in many years. Reports suggest that 27 to 28 tourists have been killed, and several others are injured. This is unprecedented in the history of Jammu and Kashmir," Khera remarked. He reiterated his plea to the government, urging them to involve the opposition in national discussions to create a robust response to terrorism. "India does not fear anyone. We are ready and capable of battling terrorism together. Take the opposition along with you, and let's form a national strategy to handle such cowardly attacks," Khera said. Bhubaneswar, April 22 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday condemned the dastardly terrorist attack on innocent tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Majhi also expressed heartfelt condolences to the people who died in the terrorist attack in Kashmir on Tuesday. "Strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in #Pahalgam, South Kashmir. Violence has no place in our society. Heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Odisha stands in solidarity with the victims and their families during this difficult time," posted CM Majhi on his X handle. As per initial reports, one tourist from the Balasore district of Odisha has also reportedly lost his life in the terrorist attack. "Initial reports confirm the death of one tourist from Odisha in the tragic incident. The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Resident Commissioner in New Delhi to ensure that the mortal remains of the deceased Odia tourist are transported to his native place with dignity and full safety," informed the CM's Office. The Governor of Odisha Hari Babu Kambhampati, also condemned the barbaric terrorist attack and offered his condolences to the bereaved family members of the deceased persons. "Hon'ble Governor, Shri @drharibabuk has expressed his deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones during the #Pahalgam attack and condemned the act of terrorism in our peace-loving nation," wrote the Governor's Office on official 'X' handle. The Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly and former CM Naveen Patnaik has also condemned the cowardly attack on tourists in Kashmir. "Strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Kashmir's #Pahalgam. Terrorism should not have any place in a civilised world, and this dastardly act is unacceptable. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their dear ones and prayers for the early recovery of those who are injured," Patnaik wrote. Notably, several tourists were reportedly killed and many others, including tourists & locals, were injured in a terror attack in Pahalgam hill station in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday, leading to the security forces launching a massive operation to hunt down the perpetrators. As per reports, two to three terrorists wearing army fatigues came and fired at horse-riding tourists in the Baisran area around 2.30 p.m. Baisran is a small meadow 3 to 4 km from the Pahalgam market, and tourists take horses to reach the place as there is no motorable road to it. News / National by Staff reporter The board of directors at the white Afrikaans-only settlement of Kleinfontein have acknowledged that the area cannot continue to operate as an island.On Monday, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party visited the east Pretoria settlement on a fact-finding mission following renewed concerns that the settlement is a law unto itself.Chairperson of the Kleinfontein board of directors, Rian Genis, said while they did not agree on everything, they appreciated the engagement with the MK Party.Genis said he hoped the official opposition party could assist it in getting the settlement formalised as a township by the Tshwane Municipality."As a community of Kleinfontein, we dont believe we are on an island. We understand we are part of a larger community and of a country, and we appreciate when there is outreach to us and proper engagement." Srinagar, April 22 : An Indian navy officer was among the tourists killed by terrorists in J&K's Pahalgam hill station. A defence official said, "One Indian Navy Officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (aged 26 years), who was posted in Kochi, has been killed in the Pahalgam attack while he was on leave. He is a native of Haryana and got married on 16 April." While officials here said that the death toll in Tuesday's terror attack will be released after the list is compiled with names and addresses of the victims, sources confirmed to IANS that 26 tourists have been killed, including two foreigners and 20 injured, including tourists and locals. Most of the injured, who are stable, are being treated at the Pahalgam hospital, while those with critical injuries have been shifted for specialised treatment to Srinagar. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Valley and Jammu have called for a protest shutdown against the terror attack tomorrow. Local traders, tour and travel operators and others have supported the shutdown call. Candlelight protests were carried out by locals in Srinagar, Pahalgam, Baramulla and other places. The protesters demanded punishment for the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam carnage. Tuesday's is the biggest terror attack in J&K after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. The home minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security meeting at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar. The meeting was attended by LG Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary, Director IB, senior army and paramilitary officers, J&K DGP and intelligence officers. Amit Shah is visiting the terror attack site tomorrow. Meanwhile, a massive anti-terrorist operation is presently going on in the Pahalgam area to hunt down the terrorists responsible for today's cowardly attack. The Resistance Front (TRF,) an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit, has claimed responsibility for the terror attack on unarmed, innocent tourists. New Delhi, April 22 : Expressing their condolences over the terrorist attack in which at least 16 tourists, including two foreigners, were killed and 20 other tourists and locals injured in the Pahalgam hill station in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday, US, Russia, the UAE and Iran have condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism. Taking to his own social medium platform, Truth Social, US President Donald Trump wrote: "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!" Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. "Kindly accept the sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam whose victims were civilians -- citizens of various countries. This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face a deserved punishment. I would like to reiterate our commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the near and dear ones of the deceased as well as wishes for a speedy recovery of all injured," Putin wrote. Russian Ambassador To India, Denis Alipov, wrote on X: "Deepest condolences to the people and the Indian government over the heinous terror attack against tourists in Pahalgam. Russia resolutely stands with India." The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on late Tuesday night strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries of innocent people. In a statement, the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of India, and to the families of the victims of this heinous attack, as well as its wishes of a speedy recovery for all the injured. The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi strongly condemns the terrorist attack in the city of #Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death and injury of a large number of innocent people. Taking to X, the Embassy wrote: "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India, especially to the families of the victims of this attack, and wish a speedy recovery and good health to the injured. @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia." Kochi, April 22 : Beleaguered actor Shine Tom Chacko, who is presently out on bail after being arrested for using drugs, on Tuesday got a final warning from the FEFKA office-bearers after he said he would mend his ways. Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) is the apex body of 19 various film-based organisations, which include directors to light boys. Speaking to the media, FEFKA general secretary B. Unnikrishnan said they had a detailed talk with Chacko, who was accompanied by his parents. "At our meeting, Chacko was told in very clear terms that he has to get rid of his habit, which has taken a heavy toll not just on him, but on the industry. We have told him that he has to undergo professional assistance to kick the habit. He asked for one last chance to mend his ways," said Unnikrishnan. "He is definitely an actor with a lot of mettle, and we have told him that there will be no more chances given to him as the industry here is in doldrums due to various reasons, and this sort of behaviour is in no way acceptable. So one last chance has been given," he added. Unnikrishnan said that before the FEFKA team spoke to Chacko, they spoke with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) officials and also to Mohanlal. Incidentally, it was on April 19 (Saturday) that Chacko, who had been evading the police for the past three days, appeared at the North Ernakulam police station, and after nearly three hours of questioning, police recorded his arrest under Sections 27 and 29 of the NDPS Act. Since the charges were bailable offences at the station level, he was released on bail after paying a fine. A formal case has also been registered. During interrogation, Chacko reportedly admitted to using drugs after being confronted with digital evidence, including phone records and footage of his alleged participation in rave parties around Kochi. Following his admission, police recorded his arrest and took him for a routine medical examination. An anti-doping test was also done, and the results are awaited. This is not the first time that Chacko has faced drug-related allegations. In February, he was acquitted along with four women models in a 2015 cocaine use case after the prosecution failed to prove the charges. The latest controversy began last week when Chacko reportedly fled during a police raid linked to a drug use case. The issue surfaced after actress Vincy Aloshious accused him of misbehaving with her during the shoot of the film Soothravakyam last year. New Delhi, April 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and return to the country in the wake of the terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, sources said on Tuesday. Sources said that the Prime Minister also skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia and has decided to cut short his visit. They said that PM Modi will leave for India tonight, while he was originally scheduled to return on Wednesday night. The Prime Minister has also called for an urgent meeting of the government's topmost decision-making body - the Cabinet Committee on Security, over the Pahalgam crisis in Kashmir. Earlier, PM Modi strongly condemned the terror attack in picturesque Pahalgam hill station, vowing that those responsible for the "heinous act" will be brought to justice. "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," PM Modi posted on X. In a stern warning to the perpetrators, he added, "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice... they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will only grow stronger." Shortly after the incident, PM Modi held a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, directing him to ensure all necessary measures are taken. Following this, Shah announced he would travel to Srinagar to personally assess the situation and chair a high-level security review meeting. "Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences," the Home Minister posted on X. Notably, several tourists were reportedly killed and many others, including tourists & locals, were injured in a terror attack in Pahalgam hill station in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday, leading to the security forces launching a massive operation to hunt down the perpetrators. As per reports, two to three terrorists wearing army fatigues came and fired at horse-riding tourists in the Baisran area around 2.30 p.m. Baisran is a small meadow 3 to 4 km from the Pahalgam market, and tourists take horses to reach the place as there is no motorable road to it. Washington, April 22 : US President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended "full support and deepest sympathies" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India in the wake of the killing of at least 28 people in a terrorist attack in Kashmir carried out by a group linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba. "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir," President Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The US stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all." White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters that President Trump has been briefed on the incident by the national security adviser Mike Waltz. "What we know already is dozens were killed and even more were injured in a brutal terrorist attack in a popular tourist location in South Kashmir," Leavitt said, adding, "President Trump will be speaking with Prime Minister Modi as soon as he possibly can to express his heartfelt condolences for those lives lost. And our prayers are with those injured in our nation's support for our ally India. These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission." The US has been an unwavering supporter of India's battle against global terrorism and recently extradited Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian of Pakistani descent, accused of playing a key role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, also carried out by Lashkar-e-Toiba. He announced the extradition decision during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the White House in February, for their first meeting since President Trump's second term. Rana was brought to India last Thursday. President Trump's administration had pushed Pakistan in his first term to prosecute Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Toiba, who had remained free and unpunished for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack despite international concern and pressure. Patna, April 22 : Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh has launched a sharp attack on RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, alleging that he is attempting to turn Bihar into West Bengal, referencing what he claims is a deteriorating law and order situation under West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Speaking at a seminar and felicitation event on the occasion of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti held at Kali Mandir in Telghi village, under Kharik block of Bhagalpur's Navgachiya subdivision, Giriraj Singh said: "Mamata Banerjee has turned West Bengal into Bangladesh, and Lalu Prasad Yadav wants to do the same with Bihar. But we will not let his plans succeed." The minister's remarks came against the backdrop of recent political tension and his ongoing criticism of the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, especially in relation to alleged violence and lawlessness. Giriraj Singh further said, "The country is watching the situation in West Bengal. The people will give a befitting reply to Mamata Banerjee." The BJP leaders are targeting Mamata Banerjee since she had refused to implement the Waqf (Amendment) Bill passed by both Houses of the Parliament, and approved by the President. However, the Trinamool leaders are accusing the BJP of instigating the violence in West Bengal. Trinamool MP Shatrughan Sinha on Monday said that the incident in Murshidabad was a well-planned conspiracy. He blamed elements within the ruling party (BJP) for stoking communal tensions. "It is very sad, very painful. Or rather, I would say, it has been deliberately made painful. This is a conspiracy, a well-planned plot, especially by some of our friends from the ruling party. They are trying to divide Hindu and Muslim familiesit's not just sad, it's shameful," Sinha said. Meanwhile, when Giriraj Singh was asked about the Godda MP Nishikant Dubey's recent controversial remarks on the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of India, he avoided comments. Agartala, April 22 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, for the first time, breaking his silence over the construction of embankments by the Bangladesh government along the state's international borders, on Tuesday said that the matters have been communicated to the Centre. Agartala, April 22 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, for the first time, breaking his silence over the construction of embankments by the Bangladesh government along the stateas international borders, on Tuesday said that the matters have been communicated to the Centre. The Bangladesh government has been constructing embankments on their sides opposite to Tripuraas Unakoti and South Tripura districts, triggering tensions as these embankments may endanger the district towns of Kailashahar and Belonia, respectively and adjoining border villages during monsoon floods. The Chief Minister, while speaking to the media on the sidelines of the programme of inauguration of the school building at Amtali in Agartala, said that the government is seriously looking into the matters. He said that in the case of the Unakoti district, the state government has already taken necessary steps. Regarding the embankment issues in South Tripura district, he stated that detailed information has been gathered and forwarded to the Centre for appropriate action. The Chief Minister informed that the state is also constructing embankments in vulnerable areas and expressed hope that residents would not face further hardships due to the developments across the border. Meanwhile, Tripura Public Works Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, who visited both Unakoti and South Tripura districts and along with senior officials and conducted on-the-spot studies in both the bordering districts, said that the state government has already taken up to construct new embankments and repairing the old embankments in different parts of the state at a cost of Rs 150 crore. Before the start of the monsoon, works in most places would be completed, he said, adding that the PWD, Water Resource Development departments and disaster management authorities are ready to deal with any eventualities during the four-month-long (June to September) monsoon period. Gitte said that to protect the South Tripura district headquarters, Belonia and Unakoti district headquarters, Kailashahar, adjoining villages and habitations, embankments are being constructed, and other measures have been taken up, and the ongoing works would be further intensified. During the last year's (in August) catastrophic flood and landslides, many river embankments along the India-Bangladesh border and other infrastructure were damaged and the government has identified 43 such locations in different districts, including South Tripura district, the senior IAS officer said, adding that works to repair these infrastructures either started or to be started soon. CPI-M MLA Dipankar Sen and Congress MLA and former minister Birajit Sinha urged the state government to take the embankment issues with the Union government for taking appropriate action. Seeking the Central government's intervention, the Sinha has organised a series of agitations in Kailashahar, the district headquarters of Unakoti district. --IANS sc/dan Patna, April 22 : The Waqf Amendment Bill has triggered widespread discontent among sections of the Muslim community in Bihar, with visible anger erupting in Bhabhua, the district headquarters of Kaimur, the native district of State Minority Welfare Minister Md. Zama Khan. On Tuesday, during a protest march organised by members of the Muslim community against the recently enacted Waqf Bill, Minister Zama Khan found himself caught in the wave of resentment. As the Minister's convoy approached Bhabhua city, it encountered the protest rally. In an attempt to avoid confrontation, his vehicle reportedly took the wrong route, but protesters quickly identified and surrounded the convoy. Chants of "Zama Khan Murdabad" echoed through the streets as protesters accused the Minister of failing to safeguard minority interests. Security personnel had to intervene swiftly, clearing the path and escorting the Minister away from the scene amid intense sloganeering. Mohammad Hanif Khan, District President of AIMIM, voiced the protesters' concerns. "The Waqf Bill has just been implemented and we are strongly opposing it. Zama Khan, as Minority Welfare Minister, has not stood with the community. If he can't represent us, what's the use of his Ministry?" Khan said. The incident reflects growing unease among minority groups over the Waqf Bill, with critics alleging that the legislation curtails the autonomy of Waqf properties and weakens community control. As tensions rise, all eyes are now on the state government's next steps -- and whether Minister Zama Khan will address the escalating dissent from within his own community. Since the Waqf Amendment Bill passed in both Houses of the Parliament, at least 20 Muslim leaders of JD-U have publicly resigned from the party, citing betrayal of minority interests. These include two-time MLA Master Muzahid Alam; M. Raju Nair, Former State Secretary; Shahnawaz Malik, Minority Cell State Secretary; Nadeem Akhtar, Bettiah District Vice President; Md. Tabrez Siddiqui Ali, State General Secretary Minority Cell; Md. Dilshan Rain, Member from Bhojpur; Mohammad Qasim Ansari, Former Assembly candidate Dhaka, Motihari; Mohammad Feroz Khan, Nawada District Secretary; and others. Jaipur, April 22 : The US Vice President JD Vance outlined three key pillars of India-US collaboration-protecting nations, building great things, and innovating cutting-edge technologies-during his address in Jaipur on Monday. Jaipur, April 22 (IANS) The US Vice President JD Vance outlined three key pillars of India-US collaborationprotecting nations, building great things, and innovating cutting-edge technologiesduring his address in Jaipur on Monday. "I want to talk about a few areas of collaboration today, how India and the US can work together," he said. "First, perhaps most importantly, to protect our nations. Second, to build great things. And finally, to innovate the cutting-edge technologies both our countries will need in the years to come," he said. Speaking on defence ties, Vance emphasised the strength of the existing partnership. The US Vice President further said, "On defence, our countries already enjoy a close relationship, one of the closest relationships in the world. America does more military exercises with India than we do with any other nation." He added, "The US-India COMPACT that President Trump and Prime Minister Modi announced in February will lay the foundation for even closer collaboration. From javelins to striker combat vehicles, our nations will co-produce many of the munitions and equipment that we'll need to deter foreign aggressors, not because we seek war but because we seek peace and we believe the best path to peace is through mutual strength." Vance further said, "The launching of the Joint Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance will enable America and India to develop the most state-of-the-art maritime systems needed for victory. It's fitting that India is hosting the Quad Leaders Summit this fall. Our interests in a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific are in full alignment. Both of us know that the region must remain safe from any hostile powers that seek to dominate it. Growing relations between our countries over the last decade are part of what led America to designate India a major defence partner, the first of that class. This designation means that India now shares with the UAE a defence and technology infrastructure and partnership with the US on par with America's closest allies and friends. But we actually feel that India has much more to gain from its continued defence partnership with the US." "We, of course, want to collaborate more. We want to work together more. And we want your nation to buy more of our military equipment, which we believe is the best in class. American fifth-generation F-35s, for example, would give the Indian Air Force the ability to defend your airspace and protect your people like never before," V-P Vance stated. Highlighting the significance of energy cooperation, Vance said that like the US, India wants to build, which would require increased energy production and consumption. "It's more energy production and more energy consumption, and it's one of the many reasons why I think our nations have so much to gain by strengthening our energy ties." He criticised past US administrations for limiting investments in energy. "Past administrations in the US, I think, motivated by a fear of the future, have tied our hands and restricted American investments in oil and natural gas production. This administration recognises that cheap, dependable energy is an essential part of making things and is an essential part of economic independence for both of our nations. Of course, America is blessed with vast natural resources and an unusual capacity to generate energy, so much that we want to be able to sell it to our friends like India. We believe your nation will benefit from American energy exports and from expanding those exports. You'll be able to build more, make more, and grow more, but at much lower energy costs," the US Vice President further said. He continued, "We also want to help India explore its own considerable natural resources, including its offshore natural gas reserves and critical mineral supplies. We have the capacity and we have the desire to help." Vance also proposed ways to reduce trade barriers. "Moreover, we think energy co-production will help beat unfair competitors in other foreign markets. But India, we believe, can go a long way to enhance energy ties between our nations, and one suggestion I have is maybe consider dropping some of the non-tariff barriers for American access to the Indian market. Now, I've talked about this, of course, with Prime Minister Modi, and look, President Trump and I know that he is a tough negotiator. He drives a hard bargain. It's one of the reasons why we respect him. And we don't blame Prime Minister Modi for fighting for India's industry, but we do blame American leaders of the past for failing to do the same for our workers. We believe that we can fix that to the mutual benefit of both the US and India," V-P Vance stated. On the intersection of energy and technology, the US V-P said, "We believe that American energy can help realise India's nuclear power production goals and this is very important as well as its AI ambitions. Because as the US knows well, and I know that India knows well, there is no AI future without energy security and energy dominance." Turning to the broader scope of technological collaboration, he added, "I believe that the technological collaboration between our countries is going to extend well beyond defence and energy. In the years to come, we're going to see data centres, pharmaceuticals, undersea cables, and countless other critical goods being developed and built because of the American and Indian economic partnership. I'll say it again. I think that our nations have so much to gain by investing in one another, America investing in India, and of course, India investing in the US." Concluding with a focus on trade and mutual economic growth, Vance said, "I know that Americans, our people, are excited about that prospect, and that President Trump and I are looking forward to stronger ties. Americans want further access to Indian markets. This is a great place to do business, and we want to give our people more access to this country. And Indians, we believe, will thrive from greater commerce in the US. This is very much a win-win partnership. It certainly will be far into the future." Raipur, April 23 : A businessman from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Dinesh Mirania, lost his life in the heinous terrorist attack at Pahalgam on Tuesday. He succumbed to bullet injuries while undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Raipur Collector Gaurav Singh confirmed the heartbreaking news. Dinesh Mirania was on a leisure trip to Jammu and Kashmir with his wife and two children for a summer holiday. His Raipur residence now stands empty, as the family was in Jammu and Kashmir. Relatives are gathering outside his home, and the district administration has deployed police at his residence to manage the situation. It is not clear from the local administration if his family is safe. Several persons, predominantly tourists, were killed in the terrorist attack at Baisaran, a serene meadow in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, on Tuesday. The remote location, accessible only on foot or on ponies, had drawn a group of visitors earlier that day, turning their peaceful outing into a heartbreaking catastrophe. Expressing his deep condolences, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai wrote on X, "It is with deep sorrow that we share the tragic news of Raipur businessman Dinesh Mirania's passing in the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. Authorities have been directed to extend every possible support to the grieving family. Such acts of terrorism are beyond condemnation and deserve the strongest denunciation." State Home Minister Vijay Sharma shared on social media that Dinesh Mirania was gravely injured in the attack. Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai promptly directed officials to extend all possible support to the Mirania family. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also expressed his sorrow on X, condemning the attack as cowardly and lamenting "the loss of over 30 lives, as reported by the media." Baghel further mentioned that a member of the Mirania family was among those injured. He extended wishes for the swift recovery of the wounded and prayed for the departed souls. He emphasised the nation's unity against such acts of terror, expressing confidence that the country's soldiers would deliver a fitting response. By Pete Schroeder WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Global financial stability risks have increased significantly since the fall, driven largely by heightened economic uncertainty around trade policy and other geopolitical factors, the International Monetary Fund cautioned Tuesday. In its semiannual Global Financial Stability Report, the IMF cautioned tightening financial conditions, coupled with heightened uncertainty, is driving up financial risks worldwide. "The overall level of policy uncertainty has increased...the forecast of economic activity going forward is slightly lower," said Tobias Adrian, director of the IMF's monetary and capital markets department. The warning of higher financial risks comes as the IMF cut growth forecasts for most countries, citing the impact of U.S. tariffs. Specifically, the IMF flagged three vulnerabilities that could weigh on financial stability going forward. One, valuations still remain high in some equity and corporate debt markets despite recent selloffs, leaving room for further declines. Second, some highly leveraged financial institutions, such as hedge funds, could come under strain in volatile markets and exacerbate any selloffs. And lastly, more turmoil could weigh on sovereign debt markets, particularly for countries with high debt levels. The IMF's latest update to its gauge of financial risks comes after the election of President Donald Trump, and his efforts to impose sweeping tariffs with trading partners across the globe. The report comes as the IMF and World Bank kick off their semiannual meeting in Washington. Specifically, the IMF warned that tariff turmoil could weigh heavily on banks, as a trade shock could force banks to park more funds against potential losses, reduce noninterest income if there is a slowdown in capital markets, or disrupt trade finance, a driver of $18 billion in bank revenue worldwide. "Trade finance depends on stable cash flows, supply chains, and regulatory frameworks, all of which might be disrupted by abrupt tariff changes," the report stated. In response to these risks, the IMF reiterated its call for regulators globally to ensure banks have sufficient capital and liquidity, including by implementing the global "Basel III" accord on higher capital standards. Specifically, the IMF called for "full, timely and consistent implementation" of those new capital standards, which comes as U.S. regulators have abandoned prior attempts to impose those rules and instead are likely to try and craft a new standard with minimal new capital burden on banks. Have you ever looked at a picture of a place and wondered whether it actually exists on our planet? Some areas, with their breathtaking beauty, really make us think they are out of our dreams. Mainly, these places are formed by erosion, volcanic eruptions, weathering, and several other natural phenomena. From pink lakes to vibrant geysers, our planet is full of wonders that leave us in awe. Showing out the diversity and artistry of our natural world, here are some of the most surreal and breathtaking locations, which will surely make you think about whether they truly exist on Earth. 1. Antelope Canyon, USA Image Source: Envato.com Antelope Canyon, USA No one can ever carve a place like nature does. With colorful walls in bright shades, the Antelope Canyon in the USA is one such testament to nature's artistry. The unique rock formations were formed by the erosion of water and wind over thousands of years. Revered as a sacred site by the Navajo people, the Antelope Canyon is a photographers paradise. Travelers can reach here through the Page Municipal Airport, from where the Antelope Canyon is just a short drive away. 2. Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming, USA Image Source: Envato.com Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming, USA The largest hot spring in the US and the third largest in the world, the Grand Prismatic Spring is a breathtaking natural wonder in the Midway Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. With the bright colors due to different thermophilic bacteria around the spring, it appears as a kaleidoscope, each hue representing a thriving ecosystem. One of the most popular sites in the Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Prismatic Spring, is also known for its scientific contributions. 3. Huacachina, Peru Image Source: Envato.com Huacachina, Peru The Huacachina, a beautiful desert oasis admist the towering sand dunes in Southwest Peru, is truly one of the most surreal places on earth. Known as the Oasis of America, the oasis is said to have formed from the tears of a young maiden, who mourned the death of her beloved. With sand boarding, dune buggy rides, paddle boats, and sunset views, Huacachina is one of the most beautiful tourist places in Peru. 4. Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA Image Source: Envato.com Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA Known for its stunning geological formations, the Bryce Canyon is famous for its hoodoos, thin and tall spires of rock. Formed by continuous erosion from frost-wedging and the dissolving power of rainwater, it still gets reshaped every hundred years. With a diverse ecosystem supporting a variety of plant and animal life, the Bryce Canyon is a must-visit geological wonder of the world, which is easily accessible from the Cedar City Airport. 5. Svartifoss Waterfalls, Iceland Image Source: Envato.com Svartifoss Waterfalls, Iceland Iceland is a place of beauty, and the Svartifoss waterfalls are no exception. Known as the Black Waterfall, in reference to the dark basalt columns that surround it, the waterfall is located in the Skaftafell Nature Reserve within Vatnajokull National Park in Iceland. The waterfall has also inspired many Icelandic architectures, most notably the Hallgrimskirkja church. 6. Larung Gar, Tibet, China Image Source: Envato.com Larung Gar, Tibet, China With red-roofed residences, dotting the landscape, creating a visual beauty, Larung Gar, a unique spiritual community, is built in this scenic atmosphere. Located in the remote Tibetan region of Kham, the Larung Gar is the largest Buddhist monastic center in the world. Home to thousands of monks, nuns, and laypeople, one can experience the daily lives of the monks and nuns, including their modest accommodations and disciplined routines, and engage in prayer sessions and meditations here. 7. Fly Geyser, Nevada, US Image Source: Envato.com Fly Geyser, Nevada, US The Fly Geyser in Nevada, a man-made geothermal geyser, actually came out of an accident. Located on private land in Washoe County, the geyser was first created when a well drilled in search of irrigation water was poorly sealed. The vivid red and green colors of the geyser come from the thermophilic algae that thrive in the extremely hot, mineral-rich environment. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport, the closest major airport to the site, provides easy access for travelers. 8. Lake Hillier, Australia Image Source: Envato.com Lake Hillier, Australia A lake of vibrant pink, as if dreamed straight from a fairytale. Lake Hillier, a salt lake on Middle Island, attracts people from all over the world with its stunning hue. The color of the water, due to the presence of algae and microbes, does not change when the water is taken in containers. Surrounded by a rim of sand and woodland, the lake creates a stunning contrast with the blue waters of the ocean. Along with showcasing the diversity and artistry of our natural world, these places are also geological, ecological, and cultural marvels. From the Svartifoss Waterfalls in Iceland to the Antelope Canyon in the USA, all these places are proof of the power and beauty our nature withstands. So, next time you travel, consider exploring these beautiful places, where reality meets fantasy. An open letter signed by Authors Against Book Bans, the HarperCollins union, and nearly 400 authors, librarians, booksellers, agents, and other publishing professionals is calling on HarperCollins to speak up on behalf of the beleaguered Institute of Museum and Library Services and all libraries. The demand follows an April 3 missive to Congress signed by the other four Big Five publishersPenguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers, Simon & Schusterand Sourcebooks which called on legislators to "reject" the Trump administration's March 14 executive order calling for the for the elimination of the IMLS to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law. "As a leader in the publishing industry, it is imperative that you reconsider your lack of support and vocally oppose Executive Order 14238," the open letter reads. "Not signing this letter is an insult to your employees, your authors, librarians who champion the books you publish, and your many readers who depend on libraries for access." Signees also demand to "know why" HarperCollins did not sign the April 3 letter along with the rest of the Big Five houses and "what HarperCollins will do to defend IMLS and all libraries moving forward." The publishers' letter to Congress, which was sent in advance of the American Library Associations annual National Library Week, expressed "grave concern" over the state of the nations libraries following a week of unprecedented turmoil at the IMLS, the agency responsible for distributing federal funding to libraries. Allowing the IMLS to be defunded, and thus to disappear, would leave millions of Americans without access to the books, tools, and other resources required to participate in the modern world, the letter read. Shuttering IMLS would be an act of monumental neglect, violating the very foundation of America and what it stands for as a country. It would undermine the tenets of our democracy and our citizens right to read, think, and learn freely. The open letter to HarperCollins cites a 2023 PW interview with Brian Murray, in which the HarperCollins CEO, when asked about the rise of book banning, said We need to ensure that our books are widely available and in as many library systems as possible so that readers can access all our books in some format in every zip code or postcode," adding: "Each publisher should strongly support their authors whose books are banned by speaking up and promoting those books in general markets and bookstores. "We call on Murray to stand by his own professed principles," the open letter reads, "ensuring that books reach readers across the United States through our library systems." HC has backed other industrywide efforts to support issues important to publishing, including signing on as one of the plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of two provisions of the Florida's H.B. 1069, a law, critics say, that is fueling a surge in unconstitutional book bans in school libraries. The publisher, owned by News Corp, tends to not participate in petition-driven activities. HC did not respond to a request for comment. By Vince Bielski, RealClearInvestigations April 22, 2025 GEO Prep Mid-City Academy, located in one of the poorest sections of Louisiana, did something almost unheard of in public education it went from dying to thriving in just a few years. Kevin Teasley, GEO Academies: We dont chase fads." The Baton Rouge K-8 school, which is almost entirely filled with disadvantaged black students drawn from a lottery, repeatedly received a failing grade until new leadership took over in 2017. It steadily improved and landed in the top third statewide in reading proficiency last year, not by following newfangled pedagogical trends but by focusing intensely on the basics of learning: a proven curriculum, teachers trained to master it, and testing to hold everyone accountable for progress. We are just completely devoted to academic achievement, said Kevin Teasley, the head of GEO Academies. We dont chase fads like a lot of schools. My inbox is full of them. Our success comes from our repetitive and long-term commitment to getting results. Mid-City is emblematic of the surprising public school revival in a handful of mostly southern states, with Louisiana and Mississippi leading the way. Over more than a decade, these two states have skyrocketed from the very bottom to near the top in the rankings of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the gold standard of proficiency tests. As public education sinks deeper into a crisis of low performance and high absenteeism, the southern states are demonstrating how schools can significantly lift student achievement. From dying to thriving: GEO Prep Mid-City Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Louisiana and Mississippis rise is all the more improbable because they are the two poorest states in the nation, a condition that researchers trace to the particularly deep penetration of slavery in their economies and their subsequent anti-union laws that have suppressed wages. Not surprisingly, both states are in the bottom quartile in public education spending, suggesting that better schools arent just a matter of funding. Both also have relatively weak teachers unions that typically oppose the kinds of reforms that are driving up proficiency scores in the two states. The question is whether this reform movement, dubbed the Southern Surge, can break out of its niche and expand into more liberal states in the Northeast and West to make a bigger national splash. There are reasons for doubt. States like New York and Washington, with powerful teachers unions, have moved in the opposite direction, tamping down rigor, such as testing for graduation and accelerated programs, to achieve equity for disadvantaged students. They see accountability through testing as part of the problem. Southern states have seized on a political environment that allows them to do the things that matter, said Rick Hess, director of education policy at the American Enterprise Institute. These states have weaker teachers unions and Republican dominated political cultures. To drive improvement, it's easier if you have the politics of Mississippi than the politics of Massachusetts. Pushing Literacy Reform Following the South, most states have passed laws promoting whats popularly called the science of reading, or phonics-based curricula, thats been repeatedly shown to improve literacy. The intent is to boost reading proficiency in the crucial early elementary grades, which largely determines whether students succeed in later years. But enacting new laws has been the easy part of reading reform, and they appear to be little more than window dressing in many states because of the heated politics around classroom practices. Lizzette Reynolds, education commissioner: "Literacy reform doesnt work without strong accountability." Local school districts have considerable control over what goes on inside classrooms and are skeptical of state interference, while unions guard teacher autonomy as a top priority. In Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, it took many years to persuade districts to replace a mishmash of ineffective reading curricula with content backed by research that was vetted by the states. Just as important, teachers had to undergo intensive training to understand the many components of the science of reading since university programs havent kept pace with changing classroom practices and dont adequately cover it. Even more controversial, states had to toughen their lackluster accountability systems, the main driver of progress in the South. By grading schools on the number of students who are proficient and rapidly advancing toward that mark rather than on lenient measures like attendance, southern states, including Tennessee, are identifying the low performers and fixing them. Carey Wright, superintendent: She led Mississippi's turnaraound. Now she's going for an encore in Maryland. Literacy reform doesnt work without strong accountability, said Lizzette Reynolds, the education commissioner in Tennessee, which strengthened its accountability system in 2023. Without understanding the data and knowing how school districts are doing with their students, we wouldn't see the improvements that we have made. The southern states were able to work around political resistance to the literacy overhaul, but it will be a bigger obstacle as the movement inches into Democratic territory. In Michigan, for instance, Democrats ended the states accountability program in 2023 that identified poor-performing schools with A-F grades, opting for a more forgiving approach. The following year, the states early reading proficiency score continued declining to near the bottom of the national rankings. Still, some blue states, including Colorado, are adopting parts of the playbook, with Maryland the most noteworthy example. Carey Wright, who led Mississippis dramatic turnaround, now aims for a repeat performance as the superintendent in Maryland. Wright told RealClearInvestigations that she expects to see more blue and red states join the reform movement that she helped inspire. Cade Brumley, superintendent: The key is "less influence from Washington." States are mirroring a lot of the things that we did in Mississippi because its been successful, Wright said. We used approaches based on research showing they work and thats why I feel strongly about what we did. The Trump administrations dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education cuts both ways when it comes to reading reform. Southern officials are concerned about the gutting of federal research since it has played an important role in discovering effective educational approaches, including the science of reading. In Mississippi, Wright says, the department supported research into how classroom practices were changing as part of its reforms, confirming that the state was on the right track. If, on the other hand, the federal government gives states more authority over spending Title 1 funding for disadvantaged students by converting it to block grants, that could help advance the reforms. We have proven our ability to drive results forward and I think we can accelerate those outcomes with less influence from Washington, D.C., Cade Brumley, the state superintendent in Louisiana, told RCI. We could better address the exact needs in our state without any federal strings attached. Origins of Accountability Roots of a revival (in some places): President Bush signs the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act in 2002. The 2024 NAEP scores released in January confirmed once again that public education is broken. In the key benchmark of fourth-grade reading, the average score has been steadily dropping for more than a decade, and last year matched the all-time low of 1992, with only 31% of students reaching proficiency and the gap between the top and bottom performers expanding. Charles Barone: "School improvement efforts are now tepid at best." The differences in state performance also matter, suggesting that the southern playbook is part of the explanation. Massachusetts, which has long held the title as the top-performing state, suffered a 10-percentage-point drop in fourth-grade reading proficiency to 40% of students from 2011 to 2024. New Jersey, the former No. 2 state, also fell sharply. Both states have a weak set of literacy interventions and less robust accountability compared with Louisiana and Mississippi, according to an analysis by ExcelinEd, an advocacy group. With 38 states declining in early literacy in that time span, the dramatic rise of the two southern states is extraordinary. They were dead last in the 2011 rankings. In Mississippi, proficiency jumped by 10 percentage points to 32% by 2024, the most growth of any state. Its now 10th in the nation, far ahead of states like New York that spend more per student. Whats more, Mississippi climbs to first place in reading proficiency when adjusted for differences in state poverty levels in an Urban Institute ranking. Louisianas growth was a close second to Mississippi and lands in second place, according to the adjusted list. The southern revival has its roots in the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act signed by President George W. Bush in 2002. Initially backed by governors, the act required states to get serious about holding schools accountable for lifting proficiency, with consequences such as closure for repeatedly failing to improve. Fourth-grade literacy scores shot up significantly during the next decade, particularly for black and Latino students. But over time, states objected to the ambition and rigidity of the act and were allowed by the Obama administration to redesign accountability systems to meet their particular needs. Rather than emphasizing proficiency, states in 2011 began using easier measures to evaluate schools. Fewer schools were identified as needing improvement, and states had more leeway in how to fix them, while consequences for failure were eliminated. It hasnt worked in most states. The weakening of accountability, which was later wrapped into Obamas Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), coincided with the drop in NAEP scores from 2011 through 2024 a falloff that likely has several causes, including the proliferation of smartphones and social media. A Government Accounting Office investigation last year found that most states werent even complying with ESSAs relaxed accountability rules. The school improvement efforts are now tepid at best, said Charles Barone, who has played a central role in shaping federal education reforms including No Child Left Behind. States are not doing much to help students attain proficiency. Louisiana Finds Its Stride Louisiana and Mississippi, on the other hand, remained committed to sweeping changes. They wanted to shed their reputation for running the worst schools in the country and hired dynamic reformers John White in Louisiana and Carey Wright in Mississippi who broke the mold of bureaucratic-minded superintendents typical in education departments. John White: Endured eight sometimes bruising years in Louisiana, but reforms eventually won out. Our educational system cant change at scale without the leader, the state, asserting a view on how it should change, and using its many tools including accountability to make it happen, White, now CEO of curriculum developer Great Minds, told RCI. The history of many states not having a view at all, and not doing their job, is the problem. Whites early focus on research-backed curricula was, in the words of author and expert Robert Pondiscio, the last, best, and almost entirely un-pulled education-reform lever. White, a savvy coalition builder and former teacher, turned to veteran instructors to identify the best curricula and successfully incentivized districts to deploy them. Whites progress came despite constant attacks from Louisianas biggest teachers unions and a politically ambitious governor who turned against him over the superintendents embrace of higher Common Core standards that informed the teaching materials. White left his post after eight sometimes bruising years. In 2020, Superintendent Brumley took over and has backed several reforms that built on Whites accomplishments. The next year, Louisiana required that all K-3 teachers undergo about 50 hours of training since new curricula wouldnt help much if they didnt have the confidence to use them. By 2022, Louisianas fourth-grade literacy scores began their ascent. Like White, Brumley hasnt steered clear of controversy. Starting in the current school year, third graders who score well below proficiency in reading wont be promoted to fourth grade and will receive intensive tutoring. The end of social promotion stirred much debate among state lawmakers because it disproportionately affects black students. But the retention policy that Tennessee and Alabama also adopted has a track record, significantly improving the reading performance of students in Mississippi. Brumley is only getting started. A stronger accountability system that raises the academic bar begins this fall in Louisiana, joining Mississippi and Tennessee in assigning clear and more credible A-F grades to schools to improve their performance. Brumley says that the old system obscured results and was too soft, with almost 90% of schools getting an A or B for academic growth, even though students werent advancing very much toward proficiency. The new K-8 system, which associations of teachers and superintendents opposed because of its reliance on testing, makes it more challenging for schools to get a high mark. Half of the grade will be based on student academic growth, but they will have to advance more rapidly for a school to be awarded points. The other half is derived from the number of students who reach proficiency. Schools no longer get points for students who approach it. In Louisiana and across the country, establishment groups are trying to restrict reform, so it's important that leaders continue to push against the status quo, Brumley said. Sometimes that comes with taking shots and daggers, but it's worth it if it prompts the academic growth of students. Blue States Motivated to Reform The obstacles reformers have faced in the South may seem like childs play in blue states, where teachers unions have considerable clout in shaping legislation. The California Teachers Association, so far, has prevented lawmakers from passing a law to mandate the science of reading. But a continuing decline in NAEP rankings, potentially hurting states ability to keep residents from leaving and grow businesses that need skilled workers, may be a catalyst for change. There are a lot of traditionally higher performing states that have seen declines in performance as others catch up, so they are going to see the need to do something different, said Christy Hovanetz, a senior policy fellow at ExcelinEd who advises states on improving accountability. This is exactly what started the reforms across the South. Christy Hovanetz: Declining rankings elsewhere in the country may be a catalyst for change. Democrat-led Maryland is a case in point. It was a high flyer, the 3rd best state in early literacy in 2011, before plunging to 42nd by 2022. It was time for a change in the person of Carey Wright, who had recently left Mississippi on a high note. The superintendent has even more ambitious plans for Maryland. Drawing from the playbook Wright helped author, Maryland approved several early literacy reforms that are now being rolled out in classrooms and raised academic standards across all subjects. Last year, the states fourth-grade literacy score rose for the first time in seven years, spurring the board to declare its goal for Maryland to rank in the top 10 by 2027. Wright is now pushing into the next frontier of reform lifting math achievement after a precipitous fall since 2019. In January, the Maryland state board approved an overhaul of math education with more accelerated instruction for advanced students, customized interventions for low performers, and a required number of minutes devoted to the subject. Wright has a talent for making partners out of potential opponents. Although Maryland has a strong teachers union, Wright says they have a good relationship partly because it was given a seat at the table to design a more rigorous accountability system to start in 2026. They have a lot of questions, no doubt, Wright said. In Maryland you have to bring along your stakeholders because the politics are very different here than in Mississippi. Several other blue states are also pushing literacy reform. Its taken Colorado more than a decade to get phonics-based curricula into classrooms, and now the state is making progress on a better accountability system. Its national ranking has risen 12 notches to 6th place last year. In Virginia, the plunge from 9th place to 32nd in the rankings turned Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin into a crusader for reform. In the old system, Youngkin told the media, 89% of schools received full accreditation, even though 66% of K-8 grade students failed or nearly failed math and reading assessments. Virginias new system, while not as strong in stressing proficiency as Louisianas, is set to begin this fall. Democrats support it but are pushing for more funding to help schools improve that are graded Off Track or worse. Virginias new system is far better, said Hovanetz of ExcelinEd, who talked with state leaders about the reform. They were one of the states with the lowest expectations of proficiency. While reformers see more progress ahead in blue states like Rhode Island and Connecticut, there is also backpedaling. Florida, once a leader in the movement, seems to have lost its mojo. Its big drop in early literacy last year stirred much soul searching. Florida Commissioner Manny Diaz accused NAEP of using a flawed methodology, saying the sample of test takers didnt include high-performing students in school choice programs who were getting a private education. Some reformers see a different problem, arguing that Florida has been distracted by fighting high-profile battles over woke textbooks and the gender of bathrooms to the detriment of a keen focus on proficiency. I cant speak for Florida, said Wright of Maryland. But in this work, you can never lift your foot off the pedal. This is relentless. Day in, day out, you have to look at data and never assume that things are going to get better. Caila Quinn / Instagram By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/21/2025 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Caila Quinn has reacted to claims her husband Nick Burrello cheated on her and had a months-long emotional affair with a trans woman.Caila and Nick got married in 2021 and share two children: Teddi, now 2 , and Christian, 7 months While Caila, a social-media influencer, portrays the image of having a perfect family, her husband may be living a double life.A 22-year-old self-described "trans girl" recently posted "receipts" on Reddit of her alleged secret text messages with Nick that went on for months, including a brief "verification video" of Nick -- who apparently used the alias Mike M. -- standing in a dark green room that resembles one in Caila's house.The woman's alleged screenshots appear to show Nick inviting her to meet up with him during a business trip and expressing guilt over going behind his wife's back.TikTok user @wellnessgurl posted a video recapping these shocking Reddit allegations that Nick "has been cheating on" Caila "for months" -- and with a couple of different people."In the text threads, Nick also admits this is not the first time he's cheated on Caila," @wellnessgurl said.Caila reacted to the cheating claims by commenting on the TikTok video."WTF is this..." Caila wrote on Wednesday, April 16 alongside a laughing emoji."This isn't true. And my husband doesn't go on business trips. This is a joke. No one believe these rumors. This is FALSE."The video's creator, however, completely stood by what she had seen, read and reported."So sorry girl," @wellnessgurl replied to Caila's comment. "You should look into the [Reddit] post -- it has pictures, texts and videos."Caila also wrote to a fan how she didn't want these accusations to gain traction because they could hurt her children.Caila proceeded to put on a brave face and post sweet photos of her children celebrating Easter via social media, but Nick wasn't in any of the footage.The trans girl had titled her lengthy Reddit post "My Online Affair with Nick" in which she claimed they had met on Grindr. The woman said Nick pursued her and would often text her at night when his wife thought he was working or at the office."It seemed clear to me that he was enjoying the thrill of the affair. The connection grew over the months and the chats because more emotionally charged," the woman wrote.She added, "We were planning to meet during one of his work trips to NYC, where I live. I had every reason to believe that if it weren't for the distance, we would've taken things further."The woman claimed Nick was "highly secretive about his identity" and never used his real name in fear he may get caught; however, she discovered his real name by using facial recognition."This man has compartmentalized his life to a disturbing degree, even saying some pretty backhanded things about his wife and how she can't satisfy him... Eventually, I took it upon myself to do the right thing and tell Caila the truth," the woman wrote."I reached out to her directly via Insta DM, detailing everything and making it clear I have proof of everything... I was met with a quick block... She definitely doesn't want her followers to know the truth."In terms of why the woman decided to come clean, she claimed Nick had given her "false hope for months" that they could be together and have "something real."The woman took accountability for participating in an affair with a married man, but she elaborated, "I couldn't sit back and watch him play Mr. Perfect Husband while fooling around in the most demented way."The woman proceeded to post alleged evidence of her interactions with Nick stemming from February 18 to April 7, when Caila allegedly blocked her on Instagram.In one of the screenshots, Nick allegedly sent a picture of the Thai green curry dinner his wife had made him, and eagle-eyed fans noticed the bowl and the island are from Caila's kitchen.The woman apparently wrote to Nick of his wife, "Sometimes turning a blind eye to a husband's indiscretions can help maintain the stability of a marriage."And Nick allegedly responded, "Maybe she does and I don't know it?... Though honestly I really haven't cheated frequently."By allegedly saying he didn't cheat "frequently," Nick naturally implied that he had cheated on Caila in the past.The texts were also loaded with Nick allegedly calling the woman "baby" and saying things such as, "As long as we meet and I get to kiss you."Nick also allegedly wrote, "I adore our connection... I really really like you, like too much," but then he'd explain how he didn't want to give too much information away because it could get him into "major trouble" with his wife.The "receipts" conclude with Nick allegedly telling the woman he couldn't continue their affair because he didn't want to lose his wife or be a bad person.Caila and Nick were set up by a mutual friend and went public with their relationship in October 2017 after Nick met her parents, which was well over a year after Caila had appeared on Ben Higgins ' season of .On 's 20th season, Ben had eliminated Caila right after his round of overnight Fantasy Suite dates in favor of eventual runner-up JoJo Fletcher and winner Lauren Bushnell , from whom he split in May 2017.Caila, who was 24-years-old at the time Ben broke up with her, was blindsided, crushed and sent home before a Rose Ceremony in Jamaica."I thought I'd be getting engaged in a week-and-a-half. I was ready to get married. I was ready to be his wife," Caila said in tears following her ouster."I was ready. I was ready for our future. It's all I thought about. My purpose in life is to love other people and I don't know why I haven't found it yet. I thought this was it. I thought this was it. I was ready. I didn't see this coming. I love him, too. Like, I still love him."That same year, Caila appeared on Season 3 of Bachelor in Paradise and left the show still dating Jared Haibon Caila even met Jared's family in Rhode Island, but she revealed during an August 2016 episode of After Paradise that "mystical forces" contributed to their split.Jared's tight friendship with Ashley Iaconetti , who appeared jealous and possessive of her longtime crush, seemed to be the reason behind his split with Caila about six weeks after filming wrapped.Jared and Ashley reconciled in May 2018 after remaining friends for years and tied the knot in August 2019. They now have two children together.Although Caila didn't find love on franchise, she told Us Weekly in 2021 that her experience on reality TV placed her on a path that eventually led to her meeting Nick."I feel really lucky because I feel like I wasn't meant to go on the show to find love there," explained Caila, who had moved from Ohio to New York after her stint."I was meant to go on the show to find Nick. If I wasn't on the show, I wouldn't ever have met him because I would never have been a blogger and that's who introduced us and set us up on our first date. So, I think everything happens for a reason and I thank God every day."Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group IF .45 ACP AND 9MM HELPED WIN TWO WORLD WARS, HOW MANY COULD 10MM WIN? The debate between 9mm and 10mm has become one of the more popular questions in firearms these days, especially among newer shooters who arent clear on the differences, or at least on how much those differences matter. Lets take a close look at these two rounds and see what each one really excels at and how to choose between the two for different needs and applications. PROS & CONS OF 9MM PRO: Price and availability Reduced recoil Massive market support even during ammo shortages CON: Less effective for hunting and for animals PROS & CONS OF 10MM PRO: Major penetration increase over 9mm More power Magnum cartridge still avaible in semi-auto New pistols and PCCs releasing almost yearly CON: Higher cost, less availability Too much power is a concern BALLISTICS Ballistically, these rounds are very different, despite having a similar diameter. 10mm has a case capacity of 24.1 grains and 9mm has a capacity of just 13.3, and that translates into 50-100% more energy at the muzzle for common 10mm loadings. This, in turn, leads to less vertical drop at longer ranges, which makes the 10mm a very flat-shooting round. It also gives the 10mm an advantage in penetration. 9mm, 357 sig, .40 caliber On the velocity front, 9mm makes up some ground and stays relatively close to 10mm all the way out to 50 yards, where 10mm starts to noticeably improve in terms of maintaining velocity. That said, this is getting outside of handgun ranges, so it only really matters for pistol-caliber carbines. Overall, 10mm is superior in a lot of ways, but it has some downsides that make it less than practical for a lot of applications, which well get into later. STOPPING POWER When we say stopping power were saying it as a catch-all term to describe the effect of a cartridge on a living target, be it a wild animal or human. This is a combination of kinetic energy, velocity, bullet design, and penetration. In terms of carrying the weapon for self-defense or hunting, this is a huge part of the equation and something that should definitely be considered. 10mm revolver! You might think that 10mm would be the hands-down winner here, but the results are actually a bit muddy. It really depends on the ammo you choose, but 10mm will offer you a higher upper limit in terms of energy and velocity. At the upper end, 10mm factory ammo can be found in 200gr bullets moving at 1110+ FPS for over 500 ft.lb of energy at the muzzle, but also 32+ of penetration. A more normal loading for defensive 10mm is 180gr moving at around 1,000 FPS with 400 ft.lb of energy and 16 of penetration. Normal defensive 9mm commonly sits at around 124gr going 1050 FPS with 18 of penetration and 300 ft.lb of energy. But you can also get factory ammo 9mm with a +P+ loading that slings 124gr at 1200FPS for 400 ft.lb energy and 21 of penetration. Where the 10mm does clearly shine is in penetration against larger targets. No, I dont mean a particularly chubby burglar, I mean like a wild animal. Think bears, boars, and xenomorphs. With a heavier bullet, greater velocity, and a flatter overall trajectory, 10mm makes much more sense for hunting or a sidearm in bear country, especially loaded with hardcast or solid copper ammo. RECOIL As youd probably expect, recoil on the 10mm is considerably more stout than 9mm. Your average 9mm will have about 4.5 ft-lbs of recoil energy in a standard loading, while a 10mm will have almost triple that at 12.85 ft-lbs of energy. In a handgun, this difference is significant and is one of the main reasons the 10mm never took off. It was adopted by the FBI, but it was discovered that around 90% of FBI agents shot considerably better with 9mm and werent reliably able to deal with 10mms recoil. G40 and G20,, two 10mm leadslingers The intense recoil made follow-up shots too inconsistent, especially at longer ranges, and eventually, the FBI scrapped the 10mm sidearm and moved on to the 9mm. 9mm is much easier to shoot rapidly, which is a key factor for self-defense, as well as competition. 10mm is larger and penetrates more, yes, but two (or more) 9mm rounds stacked on top of each other will have a far greater effect on the target than a single 10mm. AVAILABLE FIREARMS 10mm, especially since the FBI gave up on it, became a bit of a niche round. But in the past several years, there has been a revival, and support for the cartridge has grown tremendously. Not only are new models of handguns hitting the market almost yearly, but new PCCs are as well. It wasn't long ago that the Hi-Point carbine was basically the only 10mm Auto option, but now it has been joined by the M&P FPC and, most recently, Kel-Tek Sub-2000 in 10mm as well. 9mm is probably the most popular cartridge in the world outside of .22 LR. If a company makes handguns, then they make 9mm handguns. Most handgun makers have several models available and several variants on those models. 10mm Hi-Point carbine Seriously, it would take more space than this articles length to list all of the 9mm handguns available just in the United States. And thats not including the pistol caliber carbines, of which there are also a staggering amount. In comparison, 10mm Auto doesn't have close to the range of selection and choice that 9mm does. But that isn't to say that the options for 10mm are non-existent. If youre looking for variety and choice, the 9mm is the way to go. COST 10mm Auto is probably always going to be more expensive than 9mm, but the cost of 10mm has come way down in the last few years. Even for range ammo, it used to be 200% or 300% of what 9mm was. Now, it's about 70% more. Per 1,000 rounds, that's about $150 more for 10mm than 9mm but it's at least in the more reasonable range than it was before. Defensive ammo shares a similar price difference, but a higher price overall for both 10mm and 9mm. Great defensive 9mm ammo can be had for about 50-75 cents per round, but 10mm ammo will run you at least $1.25. Theres not much else to say on this one. If cost is a factor or youre shooting high volumes, 9mm is the winner, hands down. APPLICATIONS Carry When it comes to carry, 9mm is king and likely will be for decades to come, or until we switch to lasers and railguns. Its the most popular handgun round on the planet, is used by most Western military and federal law enforcement forces, and has a proven track record going back over 120 years. Wilson EDC9, shown here with a Trijicon carry optic. Steve Woods photo, courtesy Wilson Combat. 10mm is certainly viable as a carry gun, but the size of 10mm firearms coupled with the increased recoil makes it less than ideal, as does the reduced capacity. Modern tactical doctrine prefers multiple rounds on target over one large round, and a 9mm definitely excels there. However, for four-legged threats, the extra penetration of 10mm can be a major benefit. And since 10mm pistols normally have significantly more capacity than revolvers loaded in larger calibers like .44 Mag, 10mm offers a benefit there also. A Glock 20 with 15+1 or FN 510 with 22+1 of hot-loaded 10mm Auto is a lot of protection. Home Defense In terms of home defense, things get a little bit murkier, but were still going to side with the 9mm here. The greater capacity and ease of shooting make the 9mm better against a human attacker, and theres less risk of a round going through a wall and striking a bystander. The PWS PCC 9mm Carbine Where you might be better off with a 10mm out in more rural areas, particularly if you have livestock and might have to deal with predators. Dealing with large animals is something that 10mm definitely does better than 9mm, and it has better performance at long ranges as well. Plus, the fact that your nearest neighbor is likely to be at least a quarter mile away makes the risk of overpenetration being an issue much lower. One more point for 9mm is suppression. Subsonic 9mm loads are pretty common, most 147gr 9mm ammo is naturally subsonic in short barrels. A suppressed PCC with subsonic 9mm ammo can make for a very quiet but still extremely effective home defense weapon. If protecting your hearing and the hearing of your loved ones is on your list of priorities, this is the way. Suppressed Springfield Kuna PCC. 30-rounds of 9mm is a lot of ways to stop a threat. Subsonic 10mm exists, but it's pretty hard to find since it's not very common. If you want larger than 9mm but still want to put a speed limit on the ammo, you might find .45 ACP more attractive. 10mm Vs 45 ACP: Which Power House Round Is Right For You 9mm vs. .45 ACP: Lets Talk About It Hunting For hunting, 10mm is definitely the way to go. It shoots further, flatter, and penetrates deeper when it gets where it's going. Recoil and capacity arent really a factor when youre hunting, so the two biggest downsides of 10mm are mitigated here. As a sidearm in bear country, 10mm is also the definite winner due to the much deeper penetration, especially with heavier hardcast bullets. If youre planning to shoot an animal, 10mm is just better. Sport/Target Shooting If youre competing or just plinking at the range, unless you want a beefy gun for some subjective, emotional reason (like the fact that heavy recoil is fun sometimes in a non-serious context) then 9mm is definitely the king here. Recoil is lower, capacity is higher, and ammunition is much cheaper, so theres really no reason to choose 10mm over 9mm unless youre shooting in a sport that takes power factor into account, and then youre typically always better off with .40 S&W or .45 ACP anyway. 9mm is by far the most common at events like USPSA Still, 10mm is fun to shoot steel with at longer ranges and can be a nice training tool as well. If you can handle 10mm recoil well, you can definitely handle 9mm recoil with ease, so think of it like a weight vest for runners but for your recoil control skills with a handgun. Overall though, 9mm is going to be the more effective and economical option for 99% of people. LOOSE ROUNDS Even in less-than-ideal applications, you wont go super wrong with either cartridge. These are proven rounds that are as good as their shooter. While 9mm might be the overall king of do-all pistol calibers, 10mm still has a strong place in the world and a devoted fan base. READY FOR MORE? Around 5:45 a.m. on Jan. 24, 2025, residents of the Building 1516 residential hall at the University of Georgia were abruptly awakened by the shrill sound of the fire alarm. Once evacuated, they learned through an email statement from UGA housing staff that there was a pipe burst in the building, causing flooding through multiple floors. 'When Prime Minister Modi met President Trump, they agreed to initiate a bilateral trade dialogue.' 'It makes sense to give these negotiations a chance.' IMAGE: US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, April 11, 2025. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters "I have long argued that our tariffs are too high and we should lower them for our own good. There are many others who share this view. Even the NITI Aayog's first three-year reform programme, published in 2016, said we should reduce our tariffs," Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former deputy chairman of the Planning Commission and currently distinguished fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, a New Delhi-based think-tank, tells Indivjal Dhasmana/Business Standard. Will tariffs imposed by the US take the world back to the pre-globalisation era? President Donald Trump's proposals will bring US tariffs back to where they were after the Smoot-Hawley Act of 1930, which triggered the trade wars of the 1930s, intensified the recession, and brought on World War II. Global financial markets have already been shocked, but the full effects will be known only after retaliation from other major players. The rise in tariffs will raise prices in major economies and trigger an economic slowdown, possibly even prompting a recessionary phase. The tariff action will affect more than just trade -- it will also affect investment because of the unilateralism of the action. Also, the departure from MFN (most favoured nation) rules adds huge uncertainty. The future of global value chains as a vehicle for achieving competitive efficiency is now in doubt. The International Monetary Fund is specifically tasked with surveillance of the global economy and the MD of the IMF has described the US' action as 'a significant risk to the global outlook at a time of sluggish growth'. But their comprehensive assessment will be unveiled at the IMF/ World Bank meetings in late April. All G20 finance ministers will be there, and it will be interesting to see what happens. What can other countries do in response to the US action? Large individual countries will want to take retaliatory action, as China has done and the EU is considering. Retaliation will increase the damage, but it has the advantage that the US will learn that unilateral behaviour involves costs, which will hurt American export interests. I hope major players also realise the importance of protecting multilateral rules of trade among themselves, even if the US opts out. This means all countries other than the US should avoid arbitrary protectionist action among themselves and continue to observe multilateral rules, while hoping that the US will re-join the global consensus sooner rather than later. But many other countries have concerns about China on national security grounds, similar to those of the US... National security is accepted as a legitimate reason for departing from normal trade rules and the WTO (World Trade Organisation) allows for this. The previous US administration had sought to address this concern by introducing protectionist walls in select high-tech areas -- what they called a high fence around a small yard. Countries with similar concerns vis-a-vis China could follow this approach. The problem with the recent US action is that it goes well beyond national security. It is prompted by the belief that the US has been unfairly treated by others, but this argument does not stand up to scrutiny. The EU, for example, is being penalised for running a large bilateral surplus on goods trade, ignoring the fact that they have an almost equally large deficit in services trade. In any case, imposing tariffs to correct bilateral trade balances just does not make sense. I hope that the enormous economic expertise available in the US will surface in some way and be heard. What should India do? Should we follow the US and also turn protectionist? Should we retaliate? I don't think retaliatory action by India makes sense. The US is our largest trading partner, but we are not a significant trading partner for the US. Retaliatory tariffs by us will not hurt the US or deter it significantly. We must also keep in mind that when Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi met President Trump in Washington recently, they agreed to initiate a bilateral trade dialogue. President Trump also said he had told Modi that he felt India's tariffs were too high, but he hoped we would reduce our tariffs. It makes sense to give these negotiations a chance. I have long argued that our tariffs are too high and we should lower them for our own good. There are many others who share this view. Even the NITI Aayog's first three-year reform programme, published in 2016, said we should reduce our tariffs. Perhaps we can reap some 'early harvest' from the ongoing trade dialogue and lower some other tariffs, as part of a deal whereby the US delays the tariff increase for India. If global trade is being fragmented into distinct trade blocs, we should work to be in as many of them as possible. We are currently negotiating FTAs with the UK and the EU. We should move as quickly as possible to conclude these discussions. For this, we may need to be more flexible on some of the 'behind the border' areas than we have been. I think we should also consider entering the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which is led by Japan and includes 11 countries. We opted out from joining the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) at the last minute because our industry was reluctant to grant duty-free access to China. China is not a member of the CPTPP and is unlikely to be admitted. We should apply for admission immediately. It will take time but it will send a good signal. Given the uncertainty about the US' trade policy, other members would value getting India in the group. Many say India now has a distinct advantage over Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam for textile exports to the US. What is your take? It is true that the tariffs imposed on us by the US are lower than on these countries, and that gives us a relative advantage. However, we cannot expect any early gains on this count because the overall effect of US tariffs and possible retaliatory tariffs will have a negative effect on total import demand in the US. So, even if we are in a better position compared to others, we may not see much absolute gain. Meanwhile, we should address the many other constraints that affect our exports in these areas. That's a very big agenda for policy reform, which should have high priority, especially if we are to enter into more FTAs. What should be India's approach when negotiating a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) with the US? This is important not just for the US but also the FTAs with the UK and EU where some assurances on BITs will be needed. Our record on dispute resolution is very bad and our insistence that investors should first exhaust all domestic legal avenues before invoking international arbitration will not stand scrutiny. Some imaginative rethinking of our position on this issue is urgently needed. Does the exchange rate play an important role in trade policy when tariffs are lowered? Domestic producers don't like any reduction of tariffs, but any disadvantage from lowering protective duties can be offset by a corresponding depreciation in the exchange rate. More importantly, the exchange rate depreciation also directly helps exporters. If duty reduction is staggered over time, the depreciation required will be gentle. Unfortunately, the exchange rate policy is viewed as a sensitive issue across the world and no government likes to make its exchange rate policy explicit. Central bankers are especially skilled at making vague statements. Alan Greenspan once famously said while testifying before the US Congress: 'If you think you have understood what I said, you haven't listened carefully enough!' We should leave it to the central bank to weave its magic non-transparently, while keeping in mind the importance of keeping the exchange rate competitive. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com A Belgian court has declined the bail plea of Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case. Photograph: ANI Photo The three-judge bench, which conducted the hearing in Dutch, ruled against granting bail after reviewing the arguments. Choksi was arrested in Belgium last week following a request from Indian authorities. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said during the weekly media briefing that India is working with the Belgian side for Choksi's extradition. "As you are aware, based on our extradition request, he was arrested in Belgium. "We are closely working with the Belgian side for his extradition to India so that he can face trial in the country," Jaiswal had said answering a query. Earlier today, Choksi's Indian lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, was seen in Antwerp ahead of the bail hearing and also visited Choksi in jail. After his arrest, Aggarwal stated that the legal team plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing "Choksi's ill health and ongoing cancer treatment" as the primary grounds for seeking his release. "My client, Mehul Choksi, is currently in custody. "We will initiate the process of filing an appeal and request his release from prison, citing his medical condition and the fact that he is not a flight risk," Aggarwal told ANI. During a press conference held in Delhi, Aggarwal outlined the defence strategy to contest Choksi's extradition on two key grounds: the political nature of the case and concerns over the treatment of Choksi's health condition in India. He argued that extradition could severely impact Choksi's human rights, "particularly due to the lack of adequate medical care and the risk of harassment by political entities". Aggarwal claimed that Choksi has been cooperative with Indian investigative agencies and has expressed willingness to participate in investigations via video conferencing due to his health issues. The legal team also pointed out procedural prerequisites for extradition, including the issuance of non-bailable warrants since 2018. Aggarwal noted that previous attempts to extradite Choksi from Dominica had failed, and Choksi had been receiving medical treatment in Antigua before traveling to Belgium for cancer care. With a major network rollout on the cards, the government is not keen to change the pattern of tower monetisation for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), officials at the state-owned telecom-service provider said. Photograph: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters The monetisation target in the telecom sector had to be revised owing to a change in BSNLs approach to mobile-phone tower monetisation, which had shifted from a sale-based model to a lease-based one. This had been pointed out in an inter-ministerial meeting of secretaries, part of the core group on asset monetisation (CGAM), chaired by the Cabinet secretary in August, Business Standard had earlier reported. The CGAM had since then pulled up BSNL for its slow pace of asset monetisation, and for missing its monetisation targets, multiple times, people in the know said. But officials said the telco would continue to monetise non-essential assets that would not be required in the foreseeable future. There is no proposal to change the contours of our monetisation. "An outright sale of core assets such as towers is being reconsidered, given the 4G rollout and plans to quickly upgrade to 5G, a BSNL official said. As of January, both BSNL and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) together monetised assets worth 12,984 crore since 2019, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) told Parliament last month. These included sales of non-core assets such as land and buildings worth 4,522.43 crore and 8,462.43 from sales of core assets like tower and fibre. As against this, the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management in 2022 had approved the monetisation of BSNL assets worth 18,200 crore and six MTNL properties valued at 5,158 crore. Meanwhile, BSNL plans to roll out its 4G network nationwide by June by deploying 100,000 sites and converting them to 5G within a month. More than 83,000 of these sites have been installed while 75,000 of these were live till early March. It has begun testing 5G infrastructure and sites have begun operating in Jaipur, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Kolkata, Patna, Hyderabad, and Chennai, and a few other state capitals, BSNL officials had said last month. Slow and unsteady A dedicated website set up to handle the asset monetisation of BSNL lists 5,354 separate vacant land and building assets in the country for sale and renting, apart from 536 upcoming properties for sale. While BSNL did not provide any data on how many land parcels and buildings have been sold so far, officials say the numbers are not high enough. In a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories, and secretaries to all Union ministries, telecom secretary Neeraj Mittal had informed them that departments in need of land could directly seek to buy it from BSNL. Officials at the telco said land parcels spread over hundreds of districts were particularly difficult to sell, especially outside major cities. This is due to the plethora of permissions needed at local level. Despite the Department of Telecommunications issuing a policy in 2021 for monetising land and buildings in BSNL through outright sale or transfer, the telco has struggled to monetise these, trying out multiple approaches. The governments continuous push to monetise BSNLs assets is because of its efforts to reduce its net losses, which stood at 5,371 crore in FY24, down from 8,161 crore in FY23, and pare its debt. More recently, the companys consolidated net loss reduced to 836.07 crore in Q3 FY25, down from a net loss of 839.03 crore in Q3FY24. Hindenburg Research, the forensic financial firm that challenged the Adani Group, took its name from the infamous airship that burst into flames upon arriving in New Jersey in 1937. And the counter to its damning report against the conglomerate was dubbed 'Operation Zeppelin,' named after the German dirigible airships used for reconnaissance and bombing during the First World War. Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters In January 2023, Hindenburg published a scathing report describing the Adani Group, one of India's largest conglomerates, led by one of its richest men, as "the largest con in corporate history". The fallout was swift: stock prices plummeted, wiping out over $150 billion in market value at the lowest point, and the group's biggest public offering was abruptly scrapped. For a moment, it seemed like Gautam Adani's empire was on the brink. But that impression didn't last long. The group staged a swift comeback, deploying a mix of public relations, legal maneuvers, and strategic tactics to counter the fallout and restore investor confidence. The comeback was bolstered by a covert operation, believed to have involved assistance from an Israeli intelligence agency, according to people briefed on the issue. The Hindenburg report, which accused the Adani Group of stock manipulation and accounting fraud, dropped just a week before Gautam Adani was in Israel to finalise a $1.2-billion deal to acquire the Haifa seaport. The privatisation of Haifa Port was Israel's largest and most ambitious infrastructure and financial undertaking of the 2020s. Initially, 18 international bidders expressed interest, but only five were cleared to submit final proposals. The winning bid -- after passing Israel's stringent security vetting -- came from a joint venture between Gadot Masofim for Chemicals Ltd and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, with the Indian firm holding the majority stake. The bids, evaluations, and clearances had taken 18 long months -- and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was present at the signing on January 31, 2023. As the Hindenburg report dominated global headlines, a private conversation unfolded in a modest room at the Haifa port. According to sources, a top Israeli leader questioned Adani about the allegations, to which the Indian billionaire firmly responded that they were "absolute lies". Eshel Armoni -- the outgoing chairman of the port and a former high-ranking Mossad official -- was believed to have been present during the exchange. Some within the Israeli establishment viewed the Hindenburg report as a deliberate attempt to undermine the Haifa port deal, which Tel Aviv considered strategically vital for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor -- a counterweight to growing Chinese influence in the region. Back home, Adani worked overtime to claw back the narrative by trimming debt through prepayments and repayments of borrowing, cutting back on the founder's pledged shares, bringing in both promoter and marquee investor equity, and refocusing attention on the group's core businesses. Parallely, emerged Operation Zeppelin -- a clandestine investigation launched to uncover the inner workings of Hindenburg Research and expose those backing it, sources said. The New York offices of Hindenburg Research and its founder, Nathan 'Nate' Anderson, a certified Chartered Financial Analyst, were watched, they said. Former intelligence insiders soon started connecting the dots as they stumbled upon a complex web of activist lawyers, journalists, hedge funds, and political figures -- some allegedly connected to Chinese interests, others to Washington power brokers. Sources said the spies even infiltrated a premise in the suburban neighbourhood of Oakbrook Terrace, a small town in Illinois outside Chicago, which led to uncovering of encrypted communications between privately held alternative asset management firms and activists based in India, the US, Europe, Canada, and Australia. Sources said Adani was briefed about the covert operation during his private visit to Switzerland in January 2024. Adani did not react with noise -- he responded with strategy. A team of attorneys and intelligence consultants to work alongside the ones during surveillance in the US, was assembled. Influential figures in the administration were briefed on the issue. In Ahmedabad, he set up a high-tech control room with cyber experts and analysts. His legal teams worked across international capitals. By October 2024, the Zeppelin Dossier on the collaborative network against Adani had swelled to 353 pages. Later that year, leaked documents purportedly showed links between US agencies and media platforms that were pushing anti-Adani narratives, they said. In late November that year, the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Gautam Adani and key executives with being part of an alleged bribery scheme to secure renewable power supply contracts in India. The Adani group denied all allegations. Simultaneously, the Adani Group prepared to launch legal proceedings in the Southern District of New York, against Hindenburg Research and Nathan Anderson. A seven-page draft legal brief, prepared by a white shoe law firm, was sent to Anderson's office. Sources said a meeting between the Adani's legal intermediaries and Hindenburg officials was proposed but it wasn't clear if the meeting at the Textile Building at 295 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan took place. On January 15, 2025, a week shy of the second anniversary of its report on Adani group, Hindenburg Research formally announced shutting down of operations. The entire gamut of Operation Zeppelin -- modern-day counteroffensive that combined business, diplomacy, and cyber strategy -- may never be known but it certainly will be considered the boldest comeback strategy in the corporate world. 'CORSIA has set impossible targets. It tries to limit countries to the emission levels of the number of aircraft that they had in 2020. That has to be opposed.' IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters Indian airlines on Wednesday voiced concerns over the new global emission standards CORSIA, set to take effect in 2027, calling the targets "unrealistic" and warning that the norms could impose a "significant" financial burden on them. CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) is a global initiative of the United Nations-run International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to limit carbon emissions from international aviation. From 2027, it enters a mandatory phase for most major aviation countries, requiring airlines to offset emissions that exceed 2020 levels by purchasing eligible carbon credits. "CORSIA has set impossible targets. It tries to limit countries to the emission levels of the number of aircraft that they had in 2020. That has to be opposed," SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh said during a panel discussion at Makemytrip Foundation's India Travel and Tourism Sustainability Conclave 2025. "The 2027 CORSIA targets are unrealistic and unfair for countries like India. We will continue to work with ICAO and see that these norms are not unfair to developing countries and not biased towards developed countries," he said. Kapil Kaul, chief executive officer and director of aviation consultancy firm CAPA India, said none of the Indian carriers are ready to meet the targets set under CORSIA. "Given these circumstances, the target could be deferred," Kaul said. Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh said: "CORSIA will pose a significant burden on airlines. If the SAF production gets further delayed, the burdens of carbon offset -- due to CORSIA -- will rise further." Under CORSIA, airlines must also monitor and report their carbon dioxide emissions annually, and reduce their offsetting burden by using sustainable aviation fuel that meet ICAO standards. Air India Express MD, though, believed that there was a silver lining in CORSIA implementation. "We as an industry are well organised. We have global frameworks. India is a member of ICAO. IATA represents airlines. There is a road map. It might look impossible, it might seem difficult, but there is a road map," he explained. "There are positives. We, as stakeholders, have to use our collective might to get the SAF production up and get a better buy-in. Once the production is up, the costs will go down," Aloke Singh noted. SpiceJet CMD stated the issue of boosting SAF production boils down to political will in the country because the money needed is small for oil companies but huge for airlines. "The money required to jointly establish a SAF refinery in Panipat was 150 crore. The IOC chairman had said he was not getting any return for this money so why should I invest 150 crore. So it is all about political will. These are not large sums of money," Ajay Singh explained. "The day the government decides that it has to be done, it will be done. However, it is not feasible today to ask consumers and airlines to pay significantly larger sums of money to do this. To ensure lower emissions, airlines can get new engines and they can electrify their ground equipment. You cannot expect airlines to bear the additional 15 to 20 per cent cost to make SAF production feasible. For petroleum companies, the sums involved are marginal and if there is a political will, it can be done," he added. He mentioned that the SAF refineries should be closer to the airports. "We had this discussion with the Prime Minister's Office as well. You can allot spaces that are close to the airport so that the transport cost comes down," Singh added. The $24 billion JSW Group on Monday kicked off a 1,600 megawatt (Mw) power plant at Salboni in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal a project that had been waiting in the wings for more than a decade and a half. Photograph: ANI Photo The foundation stone for the upcoming ~16,000 crore ultra supercritical thermal power plant was laid by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the presence of JSW group chairman Sajjan Jindal, JSW Foundation chairperson Sangita Jindal, and JSW Cement and JSW Paints managing director Parth Jindal. The power plant will be the largest greenfield plant from the JSW Energy stable and the biggest thermal power project by the private sector in West Bengal. Chief Minister Banerjee described the foundation stone-laying as a big moment while Jindal said the power plant was his dream project. Bengal needs more and more power. They (JSW) have plans for two more units, Banerjee said. The project is expected to create direct and indirect jobs. Jindal said that the land at Salboni belongs to the farmers of the area. You will benefit from the work that happens here, the next generation will also benefit, he said addressing the gathering. The power plant has been a long time coming. The 1,600 Mw plant was part of an integrated steel and power complex conceived during the Left Front regime led by Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. The steel plant was to have a capacity of 10 million tonnes (mt). Bhattacharjee had laid the foundation stone for the project in 2008. Jindal recalled during a media interaction later: Back in 2008 when the land was acquired by Buddhababu for us, it was in the middle of the Singur problem. And then, Nandigram also happened. But everything went off well here. The steel plant, however, did not take off due to want of raw material linkages, primarily the coal block deallocation. But in 2018, JSW Cement set up a cement plant, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Banerjee. After a wait of 15 years, the foundation stone for the power plant has been laid, Jindal said. Model industrial park Alongside the power plant, Chief Minister Banerjee also laid the foundation stone for JSW Industrial Park, which will be spread over 2,000 acres with plug-and-play infrastructure. Jindal said that the target was to bring high-quality industries to the park. After the US-China spat, many Korean and Japanese industries that are in China and export to the US, but cannot, are looking for a home for themselves. "We are going to attract them, that is my main target. On potential industries, he said, could be electronics. But the possibilities were huge, he pointed out. There are so many things happening in China from refrigerators, washing machines to transformers, he added. The JSW Group has about 4,400 acres in Salboni. Of this, the requirement for the power plant is to the tune of 1,000 acres. The cement plant uses about 600 acres. With the power plant and upcoming industrial park, Jindal would still have about 800 acres of unutilised land at Salboni. 'Many of them are mutilated beyond recognition. Every day an encounter takes place.' 'Bastar has been burnt to ash.'. IMAGE: Bodies of Naxalites killed in an encounter with security forces in Dantewada. All photographs: ANI Photo Since Independence, India has faced various insurgencies and secessionist movements, notably in the north east, Jammu and Kashmir and in the Punjab. These insurgencies have taken a bloody toll on the lives of several thousand militants and civilians but none of them have seen women in the forefront of the armed struggle as has been the case with the ongoing Maoist struggle stretching across large swathes of central India. This two decade-long insurgency is spread over some of the most thickly forested regions of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, West Singhbhum in Jharkhand, and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and has seen the death of over 1,000 women cadres as also the death of over 4,500 men cadres during this period. The last six months have witnessed one of the bloodiest phases of this insurgency. Operation Kagaar, launched by the security forces in 2024, has resulted in the death of over 400 people, with over 125 having died in the last three months alone. As many as 193 Naxalites died in Bastar alone, of which 68 were women -- over 35 per cent of the casualties. The last two operations by security forces left 18 Maoists dead, 11 of them women. These women are placed in outer patrolling duty and external quadrants of the Maoists but they, according to police officials, have also been found to be fighting from the front. One of the main reasons for this large participation of female fighters is that there is no gender discrimination among tribal communities, and this practice continues within the Maoist organisation as well. But though a large number of women are present in the lower and middle orders, it must be emphasised that women do not hold top positions in the central committee of the CPI-Maoist. Most of these women fighters have been found to be between the ages of 18 and 30 years. IMAGE: Jawans return from an encounter site in the forest area at the Bijapur-Dantewada border. Chhattisgarh has witnessed the maximum casualties amongst Maoist women cadres. This is also the state where the CPI-Maoist is believed to be the most active, having waged a war on security forces for nearly four decades. But some of these women Maoists who security forces claim have died in encounters have been found to have died under suspicious circumstances. Take 54-year-old Gumudavelli Renuka, who was shot dead in police firing on March 31. She had spent over three decades in the Naxal movement and carried a prize money of Rs 45 lakh. She was an accomplished writer and a trained lawyer who had fought the cases for several hundred tribals before she decided to go underground. Her brother, a journalist, travelled to Dantewada to collect her body and was surprised to find her sister wearing pieces of jewellery and a bindi on her person, something she had never done when she was underground. This, he claimed, made him suspicious and was an indicator that she had been living in a village with other villagers. Her hands had been mutilated, suggesting either torture or an intentional tactic to erase any forensic evidence after killing her. His only comment was that if she had been living among the villagers, they should have simply arrested her. IMAGE: The site where 31 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with the police in the Maad area on the Narayanpur-Dantewada border. On April 2, 2025, two women Maoists were shot dead by the anti-Maoist Hawks Force in the Kanha National Park, MP. Both of them carried a reward of Rs 14 lakh each. Director General of Police Kailash Makwana pointed out that the cops found two self-loading rifles in their possession and a wireless set. With such outdated weaponry, many activists believe these women could have been easily arrested. The bloodiest encounter took place in the first week of February which left 31 Maoists dead in the forests of Bijapur. Inspector General of Police Bastar Sundarraj Pattilingam pointed out that the police had recovered 31 dead bodies while two security personnel were killed in the battle. Villagers in Bastar question why the due process in law is not being followed. Activist Soni Sori, who continues to fight for the rights of the people of Bastar despite having had acid thrown on her face and suffering a jail tenure, said, "The government must conduct a post-mortem and inform the gram panchayat and family members about the death. No post-mortem is conducted. They do not print the information in newspapers." "After a person is killed, or prior to his death, a reward money is announced and this is the main reason why there has been such a spurt in killings. They have destroyed Bastar, it has become a wasteland. In every operation, many innocent Adivasis are killed. Who will take responsibility for these killings?" Sori asked. She also questioned the practice of giving huge sums of reward money to security forces. Already the government has allegedly given out around Rs 50 crore and in some cases, local Adivasis believe, the compensation is as high as Rs 1 crore for the killing of a senior Maoist leader. IMAGE: Bodies of Naxals killed during an encounter being brought to the district headquarters in Bijapur by security forces. Local villagers question why more than 160 security camps have come up in Bastar alone, having been built on common lands and in some cases private lands of villagers, and causing severe distress to the Adivasi inhabitants. There is approximately one security personnel per 9 civilians and while there has been a spurt of road-building, no welfare schemes have been provided for the public. In addition, a new airport is being built at Ulnar in Bastar, a new railway line is under construction linking Dalli Rajhar and Jagdalpur and a large influx of outsiders buying land, making short shrift of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. Villagers are scared at this increasing militarisation with camps having been built for an additional 2,500 personnel and new weaponry like Under Barrel Grenade Launchers, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and drones being used for aerial surveillance. Bela Bhatia, author of India's Forgotten Country: A View from the Margins and an activist lawyer who has been living in Bastar for the last four decades, does not want to comment on this increased violence. "As a defence lawyer, I take up cases of tribals but I do not get into an emotional relationship with them," Bhatia said. "Ours is a strictly professional relationship and that is the way I want to maintain it." Two hundred civil society organisations issued a statement highlighting that the government claims that Maoists will be finished by March 2026, and there are only 400 armed cadres left now. The bulk of the weaponry recovered (a mere 263 weapons) is country-made pistols, crude 12-bore guns or muzzle loaders. Government estimates also indicate that the number of 'severely affected' districts has come down to four. Under these circumstances, the Maoists are hardly such a security threat as to warrant the kind of offensive that we are seeing in terms of militarisation. The government's decision to use ex-Salwa Judum recruits is another reason for the stepping up of killings; nor have civilians been compensated for their losses since Salwa Judum, and no prosecutions have taken place despite Supreme Court directions. Not that the people living in this insurgent zone do not clamour for peace. Activists point out how a community-led initiative called Moolvasi Bachao Manch had approached the government last year in an attempt to initiate talks to end the violence. Their young leaders were arrested under UAPA and are still in jail. The Moolvasi Bachao Manch has also been banned. Home Minister Amit Shah had claimed that insurgency would end by 2024. On his most recent visit to Bastar, he claimed insurgency in this region would end by 2026. IMAGE: Arms and ammunition recovered during an encounter brought to the district headquarters by security forces, in Bijapur. Some 31 Naxalites and two jawans were killed in the encounter. Another activist Himanshu Kumar, a Gandhian, who ran an ashram in Dantewada for 22 years, has shut down the ashram and claims to be extremely disillusioned at the present turn of events. "For the elderly and the very young, this is like living in a war zone. They are scared and get no respite from these killings and counter killings." The statement by civil society organisations has asked Maoists to end the use of IEDs as also their practice of death sentences meted out at 'jan adalats'. Inspector General of Police Sundarraj Pattilingam perceives this as being a law and order problem and believes that eliminating Naxals is the only way this menace will be halted. The Martyrs Memorial in Jagdalpur honours 1,399 security personnel who have died due to Naxal violence. Already, under the PM Awas Yojana scheme for families affected by violence, 15,000 homes, over 9,000 of them in Bastar, have been constructed but it has to be seen who will be given permission to live in them. Sori Soni sums up the mood of the people living in this highly militarised zone. "I am tired of seeing dead bodies. Many of them are mutilated beyond recognition. Every day an encounter takes place. We are not allowed to step out of our homes to get water or collect firewood. Every day, drones are flying over our heads. Bastar has been burnt to ash." "We know why this is being done. They want to get rid of us so that our lands can be handed over to corporates for mining purposes. I do not condone violence but we tribals have no one to protect us. Obviously, the people here are frightened. Look at the number of mines that have already started operating here. A large number of iron ore and coal mines have been operating here but many, many more having been operationalised. "Villagers here state that they have no issue with the government taking on the Maoists but they should do this without killing innocent Adivasis and destroying our forests and rivers. "They claim that they are eliminating Maoists," Sori added, "but this is annihilation of Adivasis, not of Maoists." Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian, Anant Salvi/Rediff Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff Andhra Pradesh home minister Vangalapudi Anitha on Tuesday said former intelligence chief PSR Anjaneyulu has been arrested in connection with a case involving the alleged harassment of Mumbai-based actor-model Kadambari Narendra Kumar Jethwani. IMAGE: Former intelligence chief of Andhra Pradesh PSR Anjaneyulu. Photograph: Courtesy Andhra ACB website Anjaneyulu is one of the three IPS officers who are under suspension for allegedly "hastily arresting" and "harassing" Jethwani without proper investigation in a case filed against her during the erstwhile YSRCP regime. Vishal Gunni and Kanthi Rana Tata are the other two IPS officers. According to the home minister, seven people are accused in Jethwani's case. YSRCP leader Kukkala Vidyasagar has already been arrested in connection with this case. "Today, former intelligence chief Anjaneyulu has also been arrested in this matter (Jethwani case). We are going ahead transparently. Without evidence, department (police) officials will not proceed for any action. After gathering all the evidence, we are taking some action," the minister told a news channel. Asserting that there is no need for the Telugu Desam Party-led National Democratic Alliance government to trouble anybody, Anitha said that whoever has committed mistakes would have to be punished. Referring to Anjaneyulu, she noted that some officials are facing consequences of the actions they did during the previous YSRCP government. She alleged that some officials had worked to win the favour and appreciation of former CM, ministers and political leaders. Recalling the imprisonment of senior IAS officer Yerra Srilakshmi, who was arrested for alleged graft during the united Andhra Pradesh era, Anitha questioned why officials working under the YSRCP government face charges, but not under TDP government. "Even we were in Opposition several times. We (TDP leaders) were booked, but no official was subjected to any hardship because of us. We can vouch for it. But why officials, who worked under your (YSRCP) government are being required to stand before the law for committing mistakes? You have to introspect it," she said. Anitha claimed that some officials are facing "difficulties" now because they allegedly obeyed the erstwhile YSRCP government to commit "mistakes." Further, she observed that Jethwani reposed faith in the southern state's police department and the NDA alliance government to lodge a complaint, which eventually led to a probe "uncovering the role of some IPS officers in her harassment, leading to their suspension". Meanwhile, visuals of Anjaneyulu, who was brought from Hyderabad to Vijayawada, went viral. Early on Tuesday, Andhra Pradesh CID police arrested Anjaneyulu from Hyderabad. Before the home minister confirmed the case leading to Anjaneyulu's arrest, top police officials and sources remained tight-lipped about the development. A section of media houses, besides the ruling TDP, claimed that Anjaneyulu had been "arrested." "IPS officer PSR Anjaneyulu has been arrested for harassing a woman (Jethwani) under the directions of (former CM and YSRCP chief) Jagan Reddy, mobilising the entire government machinery," said TDP in a post on 'X'. Working as the intelligence chief during the erstwhile YSRCP government, Anjaneyulu toed YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's line, TDP alleged and claimed that harassing a woman (Jethwani) is a "known fact". According to TDP, the previous government used all its might to subdue a woman (Jethwani) and compel her to "submit" but asserted that the TDP-led government is doing "justice" to her now. Anjaneyulu, former Vijayawada police commissioner Tata and Gunni, then deputy commissioner of police, Vijayawada, were suspended last year after an inquiry revealed their role in the alleged harassment of the model. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said anti-terror operations have been launched in response to the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, and assured that the perpetrators would pay a heavy price for their actions. IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard at a hospital where terror attack victims are brought after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, April 22, 2025. Photograph: Umar Ganie In a post on social media platform X, Sinha said, "Anti-terror ops launched to neutralise terrorists. The entire nation is angry & the blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families." To support tourists affected by the attack or in need of information, Jammu and Kashmir police set up a dedicated help desk at the Police Control Room. In a post on X, the police said, "24/7 Emergency Help Desk for Tourists - Police Control Room Anantnag. A dedicated help desk has been established. Contact Details: 9596777669, 01932225870, Whatsapp 9419051940." Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah has left for Srinagar to hold a high-level security review meeting. Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, also condemned the attack. "Deeply disturbing news from Pahalgam of a cowardly attack on tourists that has resulted in the tragic loss of life. Such violence is unacceptable and against the ethos of Kashmir, which welcomes visitors with love and warmth. Condemn it strongly. Thoughts and prayers with the families of victims and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured," he posted on X. The firing incident, which took place earlier on Tuesday, targeted a group of tourists in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district. Some of the tourists have been confirmed injured and taken to local hospitals. The Jammu and Kashmir government has not issued an official statement on casualties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier directed Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take all necessary measures. Shah confirmed that he had briefed the Prime Minister and would visit Srinagar to hold a high-level security review meeting. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the attack "highly reprehensible," while Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge urged the government to act decisively. "Instead of making hollow claims about normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, the government must now take responsibility," Gandhi posted on X. Candlelight marches were held at several places in Kashmir against the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. IMAGE: People take part in a candlelight protest against Pahalgam terror attack, in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, April 22, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Candlelight vigils as a mark of protest against the attack were held in Pahalgam, Srinagar, Sopore, Ganderbal, Handwara, Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipora, officials said. A large number of people came out on roads to protest the attack and denounce it. The protestors said the marches were to express solidarity with the victims of the attack and send a message of unity. Meanwhile, in a statement, the Army's Chinar Corps said the people of Kashmir held candlelight marches in response to the senseless violence. "In a cowardly and heart-wrenching act of violence terrorists opened fire on innocent tourists and locals. In the immediate aftermath, Joint Forces are overseeing the situation. Medical teams were swiftly mobilized and casualty evacuation commenced," the Chinar Corps said in a post on X. "In response to this senseless violence and the anguish caused to local sentiments, candle march was organised in Sopore, Ganderbal, Handwara, Bandipora and other parts of Kashmir by local populace," it added. The Army said a joint search operation has been launched by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag. "The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice," it said. Beijing's latest weapon, 15 times more powerful than TNT, signals a new frontier in high-impact, non-nuclear military technology. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. In a groundbreaking advancement that blurs the line between conventional and nuclear-grade firepower, Chinese scientists have successfully tested a non-nuclear hydrogen bomb -- an experimental device said to pack a blast force nearly 15 times greater than that of TNT. Details of the development, first published in the Journal of Experiments and Technology, a Chinese military-affiliated research journal, have triggered ripples across the global defence and intelligence community. Unlike traditional hydrogen bombs, which rely on nuclear fusion triggered by fission, this version uses no nuclear materials. Instead, it employs a form of thermobaric technology -- commonly referred to as a 'fuel-air explosive' -- but with significantly amplified effects. According to the report, the weapon produces a massive shockwave followed by intense heat, capable of incinerating high-value targets and infrastructure while sidestepping the political, legal, and environmental baggage associated with nuclear arms. The weapon uses fusion fuel to generate extreme temperatures, but without triggering a nuclear chain reaction. This makes it technically 'non-nuclear,' though still devastating in scope. While China has not officially confirmed the test, multiple State-affiliated media outlets and military researchers have touted the technology as a game-changer in modern warfare. Observers have noted the timing of the revelation -- coming as the US-China tariff war heats up again and amid growing geopolitical tensions -- as a possible signal to Washington and its allies. One video released on Chinese media reportedly shows the detonation creating a vast fireball and shockwave, consistent with advanced thermobaric weaponry. Thermobaric bombs work by dispersing a cloud of explosive particles in the air and then igniting it, creating a prolonged blast wave and intense heat. These weapons are known for their devastating effect on enclosed spaces like bunkers and tunnels. This is a technological leap, said a Chinese defence researcher quoted anonymously in State-linked publications. It offers the strategic deterrence of a nuclear bomb without crossing the nuclear threshold. International reaction has ranged from alarm to cautious analysis. While not violating international treaties such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the use of such weapons raises serious ethical and security questions. The sheer power of the bomb, its potential for mass casualties, and the strategic ambiguity it introduces -- neither fully conventional nor nuclear -- could reshape military doctrines and arms control norms. US defence analysts have reportedly begun assessing the implications for battlefield planning and deterrence strategy, especially in the context of China's growing technological assertiveness. Some military observers see the test as part of China's broader effort to diversify its deterrence tools and project strength without triggering the diplomatic fallout that accompanies nuclear tests. Others worry it may prompt a new round of arms development globally, as rivals explore similar high-yield, low-regulation alternatives. With the geopolitical chessboard already tense -- from the Indo-Pacific standoff to the war in Ukraine and renewed focus on Taiwan -- China's test of a non-nuclear hydrogen bomb has introduced yet another unpredictable variable in the strategic equation. Amidst frosty ties with the ruling DMK dispensation and against the backdrop of the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the Tamil Nadu government, Governor R N Ravi has convened a meeting of vice chancellors of state universities, choosing to invite Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar for the inaugural session in the alluring hilly Nilgiris district for the week-end. IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi. Photograph: Raj Bhavan/X The meeting scheduled for April 25 and 26 has already triggered a negative response from the political parties in Chennai, particularly the Left, which has appealed to the V-Cs to boycott the meeting. A source told PTI that the vice president is scheduled to address the V-Cs during the inauguration and after attending various other programmes, he would visit Coimbatore on April 27 before leaving for the national capital. According to a communique from the Raj Bhavan, the annual conference of the vice chancellors of state, central and private universities/institutions of Tamil Nadu, was being organised at the Raj Bhavan, Udhagamandalam, for the fourth consecutive year. "The Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankar has consented to be the chief guest and inaugurate the conference on April 25. R N Ravi, governor-chancellor of state universities of Tamil Nadu will preside over the conference," the release stated. The conference aimed to have detailed deliberation and interactive sessions on a gamut of issues covering implementation of national credit framework, academic collaborations among universities, use of Artificial Intelligence to maximise learning outcomes, financial management in educational institutions, research excellence, promoting entrepreneurship, capacity building for learners, etc. There would be a special address by Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, on "Frontiers in Science and Technology." Dhankar had expressed his resentment against the apex court ruling and said Article 142 has become a nuclear missile against democratic forces available to judiciary 24x7. "We cannot have a situation where you direct the President of India and on what basis? The only right you have under the Constitution is to interpret the Constitution under Article 145 (3). There it has to be five judges when Article 145 (3) was there, the number of judges in the Supreme Court was eight, 5 out of 8, now 5 out of 30 odd more," he said recently. The V-Cs meeting is being held after the Supreme Court's verdict that the 10 bills re-adopted by the state assembly, including those on appointing V-Cs and another elevating the chief minister as chancellor of universities, were deemed as having received the assent. A week ago, Chief Minister M K Stalin had addressed the V-Cs and registrars of state-run universities. Condemning the governor for convening the meeting, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, an ally of the DMK, said as per the Supreme Court verdict, the CM assumed powers to nominate the vice chancellors of state universities and that Ravi had hardly any role to play in this regard now. Another ally, TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai, said his party would initiate contempt proceedings against Ravi and also stage black flag demonstration during the vice president and governor's visit to Nilgiris on April 25. Flaying the governor over convening the meeting, CPI-M state secretary P Shanmugam said Ravi was intentionally provoking confrontation by inviting the V-Cs to a meeting as he no longer had the authority to conduct it. "This is not only contempt of the Supreme Court verdict but also a gross violation of constitutional norms," he said in a post on the social media platform 'X' and demanded the state government to direct the Vice Chancellors not to attend the meeting. He noted that the state legislature had already adopted a bill to remove the governor as chancellor of universities and this was upheld by the apex court. Harvard University sued the United States President Donald Trump administration on Monday (local time) over constant threats of freezing funding of more than USD 2.2 billion, The New York Times reported. IMAGE: The Trump administration has threatened to freeze more than $2.2 billion in grants and contracts if the Harvard University refused to submit to demands Photograph: @WhiteHouse?X University President Alan M Garber accused Trump's administration of trying to wield "unprecedented and improper control," adding that the government's action would have "severe and long-lasting" consequences. This development comes after the Trump administration demanded access to all university reports on antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias on campus generated since October 2023, claiming the university has allowed antisemitic language to remain unchecked on their campuses. As reported by The New York Times, Garber, in his statement, said that "as a Jew and as an American, I know very well that there are valid concerns about rising antisemitism." He added that the government need to legally engage with the university instead of seeking to control "whom we hire and what we teach." The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, accuses the government of unleashing a broad attack as "leverage to gain control of academic decision-making at Harvard." It also references other major universities that have faced abrupt funding cuts, the New York Times reported. The Trump administration has threatened to freeze more than $2.2 billion in grants and contracts if the university refused to submit to demands, including it eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs, ban masks at campus protests, enact merit-based hiring and admissions reforms, and reduce the power of faculty and administrators the White House has said are "more committed to activism than scholarship." Another $1 billion in federal health research contracts to Harvard could also be withheld, The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend Earlier, Donald Trump criticised Harvard University, denouncing its hiring practices as "woke" and "Radical Left." He went on to call the institution a "joke" and added that the university should not be considered on any list of the "World's Great Universities or Colleges." Inputs from religious texts, scriptures of local dialects and inspirational word-of-mouth stories will also be included. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff The government is planning to use text, images, and other content from religious books and scriptures -- cutting across languages like Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu, and some others -- as inputs for the AIKosh database, according to sources aware of the development. Inputs from religious texts, scriptures of local dialects and inspirational word-of-mouth stories will also be included, a senior government official told Business Standard. "These books have several thousands of years' wisdom and experience narrated and compiled. So, they can be an excellent source of not just accurate information, but also important context for all kinds of AI models, LLMs (large language models) which will be built by companies under the India AI Mission, the official said. On March 6, Meity launched AIKosh -- a domestic dataset containing non-personal data which can be used in the development of AI models, applications, LLMs, small language models, large reasoning models, among other things. Apart from inviting companies and startups to voluntarily share and contribute their non-personal data for training and finetuning of the AI models, the ministry has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lok Sabha secretariat. This is to leverage the extensive corpus of Parliament questions and answers, reports tabled by various governments over the years, ministry-wise agenda files and committee meetings for the purpose. As on April 9, AIKosh offered around 350 datasets through its platform, while nearly 150 AI models, which include both LLMs and SLMs, have been developed and registered on the platform. The datasets available with various ministries could also be tapped. "Most of these datasets are present on the Open Governance Data Platform, but we are exploring the possibility of securing other non-personal and completely anonymised data that can be added (to the AIKosh platform)," another official said. The India datasets platform -- one of the seven pillars of the 10,372 crore (Rs 103.72 billion) India AI mission -- aims to enable access to non-personal data for building AI applications, LLMs, SLMs, and AI tools, among other things. In the Budget for 2025-2026, the government had allocated 200 crore (Rs 2 billion) for the scheme. The datasets present on the AIKosh platform will not, however, be available for monetisation, either by the government or private sector, one of the officials said, adding that Meity had clarified this in Parliament as well. On March 21, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada had informed the Rajya Sabha that the sole purpose of the AIKosh and India datasets platform was to enable access to non-personal public and private sector data for building AI applications and 'not monetisation'. 'The AIKosh Platform implements stringent data protection standards to ensure security and confidentiality of user information. It adheres to relevant regulations under Indian law, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Data Protection Bill,' Prasada had said in a written Rajya Sabha reply. Stating that the compliance governs how personal and usage information is handled, thereby ensuring legal accountability, the minister had stressed that the platform did not engage in monetisation of data in any capacity and that there would be no purchasers or subscribers. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff Prime Minister Narendra Modi abruptly ended his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and decided to return to New Delhi on Tuesday night following a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, government sources said. IMAGE: Makkah Region Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz receives India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 22, 2025. Photograph: Saudi Press Agency/Handout/Reuters Modi, who held bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, skipped an official dinner hosted on Tuesday to address the crisis, they added. He was originally scheduled to return to India on Wednesday night. Modi, who arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday afternoon, delayed a scheduled meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince by at least two hours on Tuesday evening to assess the situation in Kashmir. Terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Pahalgam town in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist group, prompted an urgent internal meeting at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Jeddah, attended by Modi, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and other senior officials. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Doval visited the Royal Palace earlier to brief the Saudi leadership on the sudden change in plans, sources said. Modi's planned itinerary, which included a visit to a date factory in Jeddah on Wednesday to meet Indian workers, was cancelled. Modi was set to depart Jeddah after spending less than 12 hours in the Saudi port city. Sources said he is expected to chair a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security in Delhi on Wednesday to address the escalating situation in Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Jeddah for a two-day visit on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed on his arrival in Jeddah for a two-day visit, April 22, 2025. Photograph: ANI on X This visit by Modi is the first visit by an Indian prime minister in 40 years to Jeddah. Modi and the Crown Prince will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, established during the prime minister's 2019 visit to strengthen bilateral ties. As a special gesture, the Prime Minister's aircraft was escorted by F-15s of the Royal Saudi Air Force in Saudi airspace. The gesture is being seen as deepening of defence cooperation between the two countries. Modi described the crown prince as "my brother". India and Saudi Arabia are set to sign at least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday during Modi's visit to Jeddah. Highly placed sources told PTI that Modi will also discuss issues relating to Hajj, including the quota for Indian pilgrims, during his meeting with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, in the evening. Among the deliverables, the two sides are expected to sign agreements in the fields of space, energy, health, science and scientific research, culture and advanced technology. On Wednesday, the prime minister, who received Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour in 2016, will also visit a factory employing Indian workers. Modi will also be interacting with the "vibrant" Indian community in Saudi Arabia that continues to serve as the living bridge between the two nations and makes an immense contribution to strengthening the cultural and human ties. Saudi Arabia is home to 2.7 million Indians who live and work in Saudi Arabia. In an interview with Arab News ahead of his arrival in Jeddah, Modi described Saudi Arabia as "one of India's most valued partners, a maritime neighbour, a trusted friend and a strategic ally". "We consider Saudi Arabia a force of positivity and stability in the region. As maritime neighbours, India and Saudi Arabia share a natural interest in safeguarding peace and stability in the region," he said. United States Vice President J D Vance, along with his family members, visited the Amber Fort in Jaipur on Tuesday. IMAGE: United States Vice President J D Vance, along with his family and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma with his deputy Diya Kumari at the Amber Fort in Jaipur. Photographs: ANI on X Vance, his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri and their three children -- Ewan, Vivek, Mirabel -- left the luxurious Rambagh Palace Hotel in the morning and reached the UNESCO World Heritage site at around 9.30 am, where they received a red carpet welcome. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari welcomed them at the fort. As they entered the main courtyard -- Jaleb Chowk -- two decorated female elephants, Chanda and Mala, greeted them by raising their trunks, an official said. The Vances witnessed a cultural performance featuring folk dances, including Kacchi Ghodi, Ghoomar and Kalbeliya, offering a glimpse into the vibrant culture of Rajasthan, he said. While Vice President Vance walked the red carpet holding his sons, Ewan and Vivek, by the hand, his wife carried their daughter Mirabel. The family appeared captivated by the impressive courtyard and architecture, officials said. The Amber Fort Palace was closed to the public from 12 noon on Monday to make preparations for the Vance family's visit. Traffic was rerouted to ensure that the stretch of road from Rambagh Palace Hotel to the fort remained clear for the VIP movement. The Amber Fort is situated in the Aravalli mountain range, nearly 11 km from the centre of Jaipur. It is an extensive palace complex built with pale yellow, pink sandstone and white marble. The fort is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyards. Amber was the capital of the Kachhwaha Rajputs before they shifted their capital to Jaipur. Man Singh I started the construction of the new palace complex at the end of the 16th century. After Raja Man Singh I, Mirza Raja Jai Singh I and Sawai Jai Singh II made some modifications, including to the interiors of the fort. The fort was constructed in four stages, and the palace inside was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas and their families. It consists of a 'Diwan-e-Aam' (hall of public audience), 'Diwan-e-Khaas' (hall of private audience), a 'Sheesh Mahal' (mirror palace) and a 'Sukh Niwas'. In the Sheesh Mahal, numerous minuscule mirrors are placed on the walls in a unique arrangement. Even a single ray of light entering the palace gets reflected in a way that illuminates the entire hallway. The Sukh Niwas is known for its distinctive cooling feature created by winds blowing over cascading water. Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar on Tuesday evening to review the security situation in Kashmir following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people were killed, officials said. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah being briefed by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, LG Manoj Sinha and other high-level officials on Pahalgam terrorist attack, in Srinagar, April 22, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Hours after the attack on tourists, Shah rushed to Srinagar and drove straight to the Raj Bhavan from the airport. Director general of Jammu and Kashmir police Nalin Prabhat briefed the home minister upon his arrival. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union home secretary Govind Mohan and director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka were present at the time of the briefing. After that, Shah chaired a high-level meeting of security officials, including those from the Army, Central Reserve Police Force and the police. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar in the wake of the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam," a spokesperson said. Terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Kashmir's Pahalgam town on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike. The dead included two foreigners and two locals, a high-ranking official said without getting into details. The toll is still being ascertained, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said while describing the terror attack as "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years". Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam, is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains and a favourite with visitors from across the country and the world. Armed terrorists came into the grassland, dubbed "mini Switzerland", and started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or picnicking, officials and eyewitnesses said. As news of the attack spread, The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility. The officials said it was possible that members of the terror group crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran through Kokernag in south Kashmir. The deadly terror attack targeting tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday drew strong condemnation and outrage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the perpetrators will not be spared and their evil agenda will never succeed. IMAGE: An ambulance with terror attack victims rushing to hospital in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, April 22, 2025. Photograph: Reuters The opposition, at the same time, demanded accountability claiming the government's claims of normalcy in Kashmir have fallen flat, with the Congress seeking an immediate all-party meeting and stressing that the attack "must not go unanswered effectively". President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Speaker Om Birla were among the leaders who said the attack on innocent citizens is utterly unpardonable and condoled the loss of lives. Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Modi, who is in Saudi Arabia, and rushed to Srinagar to take stock of the situation after one of the biggest terror attacks in recent times. Terrorists struck in the picturesque Baisaran in Pahalgam which is the favourite hotspot of tourists from across the country, gunning down 26 people and injuring several others. Describing it as a dastardly and inhuman act that must be condemned unequivocally, Murmu said, "Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their dear ones and my prayers for the quick recovery of the injured." In a post on X, the prime minister said, "They (terrorists) will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger." Modi also conveyed his condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the attack. "I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," he said. Before leaving for Srinagar, Shah said he held a meeting with the officials concerned via video conferencing. "Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences," Shah said in his post on X. Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, who was in the national capital, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka and a few senior officials accompanied the home minister. "Anti-terror ops launched to neutralise terrorists. Entire nation is angry and the blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families," Manoj Sinha said on X. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the perpetrators of the terror attack will face the "harshest consequences". "Deeply pained by the brutal terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the victims of this cowardly act, perpetrators of which will face the harshest consequences," Shekhawat said. The Congress said the terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam is a blot on humanity and the government should ensure accountability instead of making hollow claims about normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. "I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The entire nation is united in fighting the scourge of cross-border terrorism," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X. "These dastardly targeted attacks are a blot on humanity. News reports indicate that precious lives have been lost. On behalf of the Congress party, my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured. "India's National Security is paramount and we urge the GOI to take corrective measures to ensure the same," he said. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the news of the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam is extremely condemnable and heartbreaking. Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, he said the whole country is united against terrorism. "Instead of making hollow claims on the situation being normal in Jammu and Kashmir, the government should now take accountability and take concrete steps so that such barbaric incidents do not happen in the future and innocent Indians do not lose their lives like this," he said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the "act of violence is utterly reprehensible". She also said perpetrators must "not go unpunished". BJP chief J P Nadda said the brutal targeting of innocent civilians in this cowardly attack is highly reprehensible. "Modi Government follows a Zero-Tolerance Policy against terrorism. Those involved in this heinous act will not be spared. The Union Home Minister is visiting the affected area, and the Hon. Prime Minister is personally monitoring the situation. We are committed to supporting all the affected families and will provide all necessary assistance," he said. Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary M A Baby termed the terror attack on tourists near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir as "extremely unfortunate". He was, however, critical of the BJP, asking how such an attack would take place if everything was well in Kashmir Valley. "The Indian National Congress condemns in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and cowardly terror attack on tourists in Kashmir today.... "This is a time for exhibiting a cohesive collective will. The Union Govt should immediately call an all-party meeting and take all political parties into confidence. This attack cannot and must not go unanswered effectively," Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said on X. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said two teams -- one of senior officers and another of police personnel have been dispatched to J-K The people from the state were among the victims. "We are closely monitoring the developments. All necessary support will be extended. Please be assured, the Government of Karnataka stands firmly with those affected," he said. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the horrific images of the terrorist attack are heartbreaking. The central government needs to ensure an environment of security in Jammu and Kashmir with the highest level of priority, only then can the lives of local residents and tourists remain safe, he said. BSP chief Mayawati said the government should take this incident with utmost seriousness and take strict action. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann condemned the terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday. Saini said strict action would be taken against those who carried out this "cowardly and heinous act, they will not be spared". The attack took place around 3 pm when terrorists came down from the mountain in Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam and started firing at tourists, who frequent the place which is often dubbed as 'mini Switzerland' because of its lush green meadows. The terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Kashmir's Pahalgam town on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. The 26 dead included two foreigners and two locals, a high-ranking official said without getting into details. The terror attack came at a time when US Vice President J D Vance was on a four-day visit to India along with his family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah following a terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and asked him to take all suitable steps to deal with the situation. Modi, official sources said, has asked Shah to visit the Union Territory. IMAGE: Security personnel rush to the spot following a terrorist attack on tourists, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, April 22, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Terrorists struck the prime tourist location of Pahalgham in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday, killing multiple people and injuring at least 20. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said the death toll is being ascertained. "This attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years," he said in a post on X. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday condemned the terror attack in the tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Several people were feared killed and at least 20 were injured in the terror attack at Baisaran, a meadow accessible only by foot or ponies in Pahalgam. "I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished," the LG said in a post on X. He said he has spoken to the director general of police and other security officials, and that teams of the Army and police have been rushed to the area to launch search operations. "Directed the district administration and the health officials to provide immediate medical attention to those admitted at Pahalgam. An injured tourist has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured," he added. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack, saying it is an abomination. "I'm shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased," he said in a post on X. Abdullah said he has spoken to his ministerial colleague, Sakina Itoo, who has reached the hospital to oversee the arrangements for the injured. "I'll be flying back to Srinagar immediately," the chief minister, who was in Jammu, added. He also said the attack is "much larger than anything we have seen" directed at civilians in recent years. "The death toll is still being ascertained so I don't want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years," he said. People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said such attacks must be denounced. "I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed five and injured several as being reported for now. Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced," she said in a post on X. The former chief minister said historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning, and called for a thorough investigation. "A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses. Ensuring visitor safety is paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent future attacks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families," she added. The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) strongly condemned the attack, describing it as the most unfortunate and shameful act. "The rank and file of the JKPCC, led by president Tariq Hameed Karra, strongly denounced the militant attack on tourists. It is very shocking and anguishing to learn about the mindless and dastardly militant attack on innocent tourists," it said in a statement. Such incidents are highly deplorable and have no place in a civilised society, it added. The incident has put a big question mark on the tall claims of the Bharatiya Jnata Party-led Centre with regard to the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said, adding that the perpetrators of the heinous crime must be identified and given exemplary punishment. People's Conference chief Sajad Lone said the perpetrators of the attack are the worst enemies of Kashmiris. "Condemn strongly the dastardly and cowardly attack in Pahalgam. For decades we have been identified with being great hosts. We have a history of hospitality. And some cowardly terrorists want to destroy it all," he said in a post on X. Lone said the tourism industry here has suffered a lot and those involved in the sector have begun to restart their lives after a long time. "They had begun to dream. And here are the ugly villains to shatter it all. Make no mistake. These terror attacks are aimed at yet again disempowering us economically. Those who do this are the worst enemies of Kashmiris. "They defile our history of hospitality, smearing our glorious past. And they are a curse on our present. They are enemies of our children of our young generation. We have to unitedly send a message that there is no tolerance for terror. Let us live our lives in peace and economic dignity. Please get out of our lives. These tourists are our revered guests," Lone said. On Monday, Pope Francis passed away at 88 after a stroke triggered a coma and heart failure, following a five-week hospitalisation for pneumonia. The first images of his body were shared on Tuesday, revealing him in a wooden casket, clad in red vestments and his bishop's miter, as the Vatican secretary of state prayed over him in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, his residence and place of death. In his will, Francis designated the St Mary Major basilica, outside Vatican City, as his burial site, where his beloved Virgin Mary icon resides. He made it a ritual to pray at this basilica before and after international journeys, standing before a Byzantine-style painting of Mary in a blue robe, cradling the infant Jesus, who holds a jeweled golden book. After a 38-day stay at Gemelli hospital, he visited the basilica on March 23 to place flowers before the icon and returned on April 12 for his final prayer to the Madonna. The cardinals assembled on Tuesday in the Vatican's synod hall to outline preparations for the conclave to select Francis's successor, while condolences flooded in for the first Latin American pope. They scheduled his funeral for Saturday at 10 am in St. Peter's Square, to be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. Starting Wednesday, the faithful can pay their respects when Francis's casket is transferred to St Peter's Basilica. Francis's final public moment came on Sunday, when he delivered an Easter blessing and circled St Peter's Square in his popemobile, offering his last wave to followers. IMAGE: Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, stands near the body of Pope Francis, placed in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death in Santa Marta residence at the Vatican, April 21, 2025. Photographs: Vatican Media/Handout/Reuters IMAGE: Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell blesses the body of Pope Francis. IMAGE: The body of Pope Francis in an open casket, here and below. IMAGE: A rosary is seen as the body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the death of Pope Francis, calling it a profound loss for the global community. He praised the Pope's lifelong dedication to compassion, service, and spiritual courage, noting his role as a symbol of hope for the suffering. Modi recalled his two meetings with Pope Francis, first in 2021 at the Vatican and then in 2024 at the G7 Summit in Italy, highlighting their discussions on peace, climate action, and global solidarity. These meetings marked a deepening of India-Vatican ties and reflected mutual respect and shared values. Pope Francis passed away at age 88 on Easter Monday at his Vatican residence. IMAGE: PM Modi met Pope Francis during his visit to Italy, here and below. All photographs: ANI Photo Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff The family was cowering in fear inside a tent when terrorists came. They asked Santosh Jagdale, 54, to come out and recite an Islamic verse. When he couldn't, they shot him thrice: once in the head, then behind the ear and then his back. IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard following a terrorist attack on tourists, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, April 22, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo The 26-year-old daughter of the Pune businessman recounted to PTI the terror the family went through in the horrific attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. After her father fell to the ground, the gunmen turned on her uncle who was lying next to her and shot him several times in the back. "We were a group of five people, including my parents. We were in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam and were at a spot called Mini Switzerland when the firing began," Asavari Jagdale told PTI in a telephonic interview five hours after the shooting. According to officials, a total of 26 people were killed and several injured, most of them tourists, in the deadliest terrorist attack in Kashmir in recent years. Asavari does not know if her father and uncle are alive or among the dead. She, her mother and another female relative were spared, and locals and security forces evacuated them to Pahalgam Club where they remain clueless about the fate of the two men. Asavari, 26, a human resource professional in Pune, said the family was on a vacation at the idyllic spot when they heard firing from "people who wore clothes similar to those of local police" descending from the nearby hill. "We immediately rushed to a nearby tent for protection. So did six to seven others (tourists). We all lay down on the ground as protection against the firing which we then assumed was between the terrorists and security personnel," Asavari said. She said the group of terrorists first came to a nearby tent and opened fire. "Then they came to our tent and asked my father to come out," she said. "They said Chaudhari tu bahar aa ja'" Asavari said. Then the terrorists blamed them for supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after which they made some statements to deny that Kashmiri militants kill innocent people, women and children, she said. "They then asked my father to recite an Islamic verse (probably the Kalma). When he failed to do so, they pumped three bullets into him, one on the head, one behind the ear and another in the back," she said. "My uncle was next to me. The terrorists fired four to five bullets into him." "They shot several other males who were at the spot. There was nobody to help. No police or army, who reached 20 minutes later. Even the locals there were reciting the Islamic verse," she said. "The people who took us to the spot on ponies helped us -- three women, including myself and my mother -- make the return journey. Later we underwent medical examination to check for injuries and were then shifted to Pahalgam Club." "The firing happened around 3.30 pm. It has been 5 hours and there has been no update on my father's and uncle's medical condition," Asavari said. A timeline of major terror attacks on civilians in Kashmir since 2000. IMAGE: Security forces at the site of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, April 22, 2025. Photograph: Umar Ganie March 21, 2000 Terrorists targeted the minority Sikh community in Chattisinghpora village in Anantnag district on the night of March 21, killing 36 people. August 2000 Thirty-two people, including two dozen Amarnath pilgrims, were killed in a terror attack at the Nunwan base camp. July 2001 Amarnath yatris were again targeted, this time at the Sheshnag base camp in Anantnag, killing 13. October 1, 2001 Jammu & Kashmir State Legislature Complex in Srinagar was struck by a suicide (fidayeen) terrorist attack, killing 36 people. 2002 Terror struck at Chandanwari base camp, and 11 Amarnath yatris were killed. November 23, 2002 Nineteen people, including nine security force personnel, three women and two children, lost their lives in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast at Lower Munda in South Kashmir on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. March 23, 2003 Terrorists massacred at least 24 Kashmiri Pandits, including 11 women and two children, at Nandimarg village in Pulwama district. June 13, 2005 Thirteen civilians, including two school children, and three CRPF officers were killed, and over 100 people sustained injuries when an explosives-laden car blew up at a crowded marketplace in front of a government school in Pulwama. June 12, 2006 Nine Nepali and Bihari labourers were killed in Kulgam. July 10, 2017 Attack on Amarnath Yatra bus in Kulgam, 8 killed. Besides these attacks, security personnel, too, have continually faced violence. A notable example was the 2019 Pulwama attack, where 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives. Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said his party chief Uddhav Thackeray is "very positive" about rapprochement with estranged cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray. IMAGE: Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Uddhav Thackeray with party leader Sanjay Raut during a press conference at Matoshree, Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut claimed after the reunion buzz even people and parties associated with the Ambedkarite movement are in touch with him and have shown interest to be a part of the new political alignment that is taking shape. The Rajya Sabha MP recalled chief Constitution framer B R Ambedkar had also taken lead in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement and made efforts for unity of 'Marathi manoos' (Marathi-speaking people). The movement launched in the 1950s advocated for a separate state of Maharashtra consisting of Marathi-speaking population. "There is no need for anyone to be in the discussion between the two (Uddhav and Raj). I know the feelings they have towards each other and also the family. Relations don't get severed because of politics. Uddhav is very positive (on rapprochement with Raj). His stand is very positive for the betterment of Maharashtra and Marathi manoos," Raut insisted. Cousins and political rivals Uddhav and Raj Thackeray have sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with statements indicating they could ignore "trivial issues" and join hands in the larger interest of native Marathi speakers, nearly two decades after a bitter split. While the MNS chief has maintained uniting in the interest of Marathi manoos was not difficult, former CM Uddhav Thackeray said he was ready to put aside trivial fights, provided that those working against Maharashtra's interests were not entertained. Raj Thackeray walked out of the united Shiv Sena in 2005 and floated his own party the next year. In the past, the MNS president has opposed and also supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a former ally of Uddhav Thackeray, on different occasions. US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday called on India to drop non-tariff barriers, give greater access to its markets and buy more American energy products and military hardware as he outlined a roadmap of deeper ties between the two nations for a prosperous and peaceful 21st century. IMAGE: US Vice President JD Vance addresses an event in Jaipur, April 22, 2025. Photograph: ANI/X In an address at an event in Jaipur, Vance repeatedly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing him as a "special person" and emphasised on the need for India and the US to work unitedly to deal with global challenges. "I really believe that the future of the 21st century is going to be determined by the strength of the United States-India partnership," he said. "I believe that if India and the US worked together successfully, we are going to see a 21st century that is prosperous and peaceful. But I also believe that if we fail to work together successfully, the 21st century could be a very dark time for all of humanity," Vance said. The US vice president, accompanied by Indian-origin Second Lady Usha Chilukuri, and their three children -- sons Ewan, Vivek and daughter Mirabel -- landed in Delhi on Monday amid growing global concerns over the US's tariff war. Vance and Modi held wide-ranging talks following the two leaders welcomed "significant progress" in negotiations for a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement. In his remarks, Vance also urged India to provide greater market access to American products and buy more defence platforms and energy from his country. "We also want to help India explore its own considerable natural resources, including its offshore natural gas reserves and critical mineral supplies," he said. "We have the capacity and we have the desire to help. Moreover, we think energy co-production will help beat unfair competitors in other foreign markets." "But India, we believe, can go a long way to enhance energy ties between our nations. And one suggestion I have is maybe consider dropping some of the non-tariff barriers for American access to the Indian market," he added. Vance said he and President Donald Trump are looking forward to stronger ties with India. "Americans want further access to Indian markets. This is a great place to do business and we want to give our people more access to this country and Indians," he said. "We believe, will thrive from greater commerce in the United States. This is very much a win-win partnership, certainly will be far into the future," he said. Vance cautioned that if India and the US "fail to keep pace", then there will be consequences for the entire world and it will be "quite dire". "And this again is where India and the United States have so much to offer one another." "There's a lot to be gained by working together. And This is why President Trump and I both welcomed India's leadership in a number of diplomatic organisations. "Of course in the Quad, we believe a stronger India means greater economic prosperity but also greater stability across the Indo-Pacific, which is of course a shared goal for all of us in this room and it's a shared goal for both of our countries," he said. The visiting leader also welcomed the Modi government's budget announcement to amend India's civil nuclear liability laws. The liability laws prevented US producers from exporting small modular reactors and building larger US-designed reactors in India. "There's much that we can create, much that we can do together. We believe that American energy can help realise India's nuclear power production goals," he said. "And this is very important as well as its AI ambitions, because it's the United States knows well and I know that India knows well, there is no AI future without energy security and energy dominance," he said. The US vice president also pitched for deeper India-US defence collaboration and suggested that New Delhi procure more military hardware from his country, "We actually feel that India has much more to gain from its continued defence partnership with the United States. And let me sketch that out a little bit." "We, of course, want to collaborate more, we want to work together more and we want your nation to buy more of our military equipment, which of course we believe is the best in class," he said. "American fifth generation F-35s (jets) for example would give the Indian Air Force the ability to defend your airspace and protect your people like never before," he said. Recalling the Modi-Trump meeting in Washington, DC, in February, Vance said it laid a the foundation for closer bilateral defence collaboration. "From Javelins to Stryker combat vehicles, our nations will co-produce many of the munitions and equipment that we will need to deter foreign aggressors, not because we seek war, but because we seek peace and we believe the best path to peace is through mutual strength. "It's fitting that India this year is hosting the Quad leaders summit this fall. Our interests in a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific are in full alignment. Both of us know that the region must remain safe from any hostile powers that seek to dominate," he said. Vance and his family arrived in Jaipur on Monday night. They are scheduled to travel to Agra on Wednesday. 'The TMC can't go on forever taking advantage of the people's fright of the BJP.' IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses a press conference after the budget presentation in the state assembly, February 12, 2025. All Photographs: ANI Photo With the West Bengal state assembly elections a year away, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress is battling one crisis after another. The brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at the RG Kar hospital, the teachers' recruitment scam that has affected the lives of 25,000 teachers and thrown government schools into disarray, followed by the riots and violence unleashed in the Murshidabad and Malda districts in the wake of the Waqf (Amendment) Act. "It is an ineffective government. It is so ineffective now that even if you tell them to fire they will not know what to do," former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar, probably the most courageous voice in the state, tells Rediff Senior Contributor Payal Singh Mohanka IMAGE: A victim of the Murshidabad violence that broke out on April 11, 2025 after a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, seen in distress in Murshidabad, April 19, 2025. "In my 50 years in public life, I have not seen such a thoroughly corrupt government. This is why an old man of 73 has to come out on the streets. It is an ineffective government. It is so ineffective now that even if you tell them to fire they will not know what to do. The police is there only to please their political masters. This was there under the Left regime but it's much worse now. Of course, serving only the ruling party is an all India phenomenon for the police. I have no problem if one protests against the Waqf Act. But you don't go around killing people, as they did in Murshidabad. It was a sudden outburst that led to this unfortunate incident. Obviously someone incited them. There could be local rage, but the police was completely inept and incompetent. By the time the government realised what was happening the court got into action and asked the BSF to take charge. But the BSF or central forces cannot be a substitute for the local police, because law and order is a state subject. This flexing of muscles by the BSF is very dangerous as it plays into the hands of the BJP. Both sides have made ridiculous allegations and statements. The BJP's Arjun Singh said 'Mai Bihar se log la kar saaf kar doonga.' There were other statements made about Bangladeshis inciting violence. Mamata Banerjee also claimed that Bangladeshis were being allowed in by the BSF. There have been hundreds of arrests. Show me a non-local Bihari or Bangladeshi there. These statements are disconnected from reality. Leaders sitting in Kolkata were making irresponsible statements. IMAGE: Victims of the April 11 Murshidabad violence protest at Samserganj in Betbona on April 19, 2025, demanding a permanent BSF camp. In this incident, the TMC was a sitting duck. They should have had intelligence and an instant response system. Why were they shuffling their feet when it burst out? Some claim it could be the TMC's diversion from their troubles in Kolkata. I don't think it could be so because that would truly be playing with fire. I am not convinced that this was a diversionary tactic. It's now time for all groups who are disappointed with this regime to come together. Not only teachers, doctors and students, but also lawyers and other professionals. People have to come up with an alternative to both the TMC and the BJP. Mamata Banerjee has crossed the limit and Bengal just does not accept the BJP because it considers it communal and casteist. I recently attended the junior doctors' convention which was packed with thousands of doctors. I heard their grievances. They said many of the promises made by the CM to them have not been kept. These range from security, installation of cameras, restrooms, digital information on which hospitals have beds available to save patients the hassle of running from hospital to hospital. Not fulfilling these minimal promises is incompetence. IMAGE: Mamata Banerjee during a meeting with Muslim religious leaders to discuss the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 at the Netaji indoor stadium in Kolkata, April 16, 2025. As the anger mounts some ask if the state will slip out of her hands. If a single knock in a small district can throw you off gear for two days, what if this happened simultaneously in 5 districts? This is a Pied Piper state. Whichever way the lady goes, the rest of the crowd, the TMC and the government, all follow her. This has to be countered and we need to move in for a mass consolidation. In Bengal the victory of the BJP is impossible unless a miracle happens. The only way the BJP could get in is with the Atal Bihari-Buddhadev Babu (the BJP's late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-the CPI-M's late chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattcharya) model, where you have an educated person and a thorough gentleman, a bhadralok, leading the state. The Bengalis suffer from an obsession with this model and Mamata does not fit their bill. Some BJP leaders had approached me when I resigned as TMC MP. I could never join a communal party. The TMC cannot go on forever taking advantage of the people's fright of the BJP -- to get the votes of people who don't like her but vote for her to keep the BJP out. She wins on their vote and then her goons keep threatening people and some of her elected representatives make obscene amounts of money. There is now a growing section that feels let us shock her. Come what may let us shock her. This is a very dangerous thing as the BJP could gain. People who are determined not to vote for the TMC or the BJP feel the Third Front of the Left and Congress will benefit and once the TMC's numbers and arrogance comes down, we may get a cleaner and more efficient Bengal." 'Blood in the water' writer asks readers to take another look at Nathan Carman case The University of Canterbury is initiating a network and connectivity upgrade to support its academic, research and operational objectives while the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking a panel of IT support suppliers. The university is seeking a vendor to provide a wired and/or wireless connectivity and a modular network solution to strengthen its digital environment. The objective is to establish a resilient, scalable, and secure network that supports the universitys academic, research and administrative functions across all campus and remote locations, the university said in a request for proposals. The key outcomes include enhanced user experience, intelligent operations, robust cyber security and a future-ready infrastructure that aligns with UCs strategic goals. The chosen vendor will be expected to demonstrate significant understanding of the tertiary education environment and be able to deliver solutions tailored to those needs. MPI, meanwhile, is seeking IT services panelists to be engaged as-needed where it has limited internal capability or capacity to support the delivery of IT projects. Bidders should have a strong and highly respected reputation for delivering quality IT business analysis and have highly skilled and experienced business analysts based in Wellington. They must have a good track record of delivering such services to IT project success and be an approved supplier on the all-of-government Marketplace. Prospective suppliers must also have personnel with experience providing IT business analysis consultancy services to government. Sasha Hushcha suffered severe burns early in life and endured bullying throughout her childhood. Other difficulties followed later on: in 2022, she left her native Belarus for Lithuania because she feared political persecution. Today, she's mining those experiences for laughs as a stand-up comedian who jokes about disability, dating, and democracy. At a comedy club in Vilnius, Lithuania, Evil Sasha gets belly laughs with a joke comparing US politics and the repression in her home country, Belarus. They're checking phones at the [US] border, and people are getting arrested for protesting And I'm like, Ha ha ha, first time? Evil Sasha -- real name Sasha Hushcha -- bases her humor firmly in the adversity that has shaped her life. As a child, she suffered extensive burns to her hands and face in a house fire. Then, she was injured during a police crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Belarus in 2020, and subsequently fled the country. I mostly use black humor, she told RFE/RLs Current Time. When I start my performance, I go up to the microphone on stage and say, Hello, my name is Evil Sasha, I'm from Belarus, I'm the former Belarusian champion in rock-paper-scissors. The joke is a reference to her physical appearance: the audience can see that her fingers have not been reconstructed after the damage they sustained. She has been through 39 operations and is not afraid to make jokes about her looks. I'm not dating men because I have this condition, she tells the audience. After a pause, the punchline: It's called having standards. I really like this duality, where I try to make jokes that are funny, so that people enjoy them and have fun, but there's also this spice of discomfort, she says. Hushcha says she was teased and bullied as a child. She says people would approach her and demand to know what had happened to her. At one stage, at a reception at the Belarusian Health Ministry, somebody suggested sending her to an orphanage. But eventually she received extensive medical care thanks to a benefactor from the Belarusian community in the United States. She completely sponsored us for several years. She sent us money for air tickets, accommodation, food, Hushcha says. In 2020, she became involved in the political turmoil engulfing Belarus. Mass protests swept the country after the countrys ruler, Aleksandr Lukashenko, declared victory in presidential elections that were widely seen as falsified. He responded with a brutal crackdown by security forces, involving mass arrests, beatings, and several deaths. In 2022, Hushcha became one of the many who fled the country, and now lives in neighboring Lithuania. Comedy, she says, has kept her going. Massive Russian aerial strikes hit residential buildings in several Ukrainian cities, leaving at least one dead and more than two dozen injured, including several children, in attacks President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called "deliberate terror." Two guided aerial bomb strikes hit the city of Zaporizhzhya on April 22, killing one woman and injuring 38 others -- four of whom were children and a pregnant woman, regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said. Drone attacks were also seen in the city of Kharkiv, though casualty figures were unknown. The daytime strikes came after a drone attack overnight sparked massive fires in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, where a a housing block in a densely inhabited area was hit. The attack left one woman dead and at least three other residents injured. The attack came amid ongoing diplomatic activity to secure a cease-fire in the Ukraine war, following Russias unprovoked full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. "All of this is absolutely deliberate Russian terror that can be stopped by a single order, an order in Russia and for the Russian Army," Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram. "Our proposal for a cease-fire regarding civilian buildings also remains in force. Russia needs to be seriously prepared to talk about this. There are no obstacles on the Ukrainian side and there will be none." Across the country, the Ukrainian Air Force reported dozens of drone attacks overnight. Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhaniv wrote on social media on April 22 that many apartments had been damaged and that the residents are in shock. Emergency services posted photos and videos of fire crew battling blazes at what they said was civilian infrastructure. The renewed attacks came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted that his forces were attacking civilian targets in Ukraine. Speaking on April 21 about an attack on the northern city of Sumy last week, in which 35 people were killed, he said the target was a civilian building - but that soldiers were present there, making it a legitimate target. After the attack, the head of the local Ukrainian military administration was fired following accusations that he had organized a military award ceremony in the city. Sumy was again targeted by Russian drone strikes overnight on April 22 which damaged some buildings. Authorities in Kyiv also reported damaged houses and cars following overnight Russian attacks. But the head of the regional military administration, Mykola Kalashnyk, said no critical infrastructure was hit. Six private houses, four cars, three outbuildings, and three garages were damaged as a result of an enemy attack. There was also a fire at a construction site, he wrote on Telegram. Later, air raid sirens sounded again amid renewed sightings of Russian drones. Meanwhile, the governor of Russia's Vladimir region, Aleksandr Avdeyev, said on April 22 that an explosion occurred in the region's Kirzhach district. Avdeyev did not provide details but said emergency services were on site. Telegram channels reported the blast happened in the village of Barsovo, near military unit 11785, also known as the 51st arsenal of Russias Defense Ministry, which stores ammunition. Residents reported several explosions. A "powerful attack" was reported, prompting evacuations in Barsovo and nearby villages within a 5 km radius. Roads to Kirzhach from Moscow were blocked. Local authorities announced a state of emergency in the area. Russia also launched large-scale missile strikes on Easter Monday on April 21, following the expiry of a self-declared 30-hour Easter truce. Kyiv claimed Russian forces violated the truce 3,000 times. On April 22, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot dismissed the truce as a marketing operation by Putin aimed primarily at US President Donald Trump, who has expressed frustration at continuing Russian attacks as he pushes diplomatic efforts to achieve a cease-fire. "The Easter truce, which he announced somewhat unexpectedly, was a marketing operation, an operation of charm, aimed at preventing President Trump's impatience and anger," Barrot was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying on FranceInfo television. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said he spoke to Barrot the previous evening to coordinate positions ahead of a meeting in London on April 23. The London meeting was set to bring together Britain, France, Germany, Ukraine, and the United States, following a gathering in Paris on April 18 -- the first joint talks in this format since Trump took office. Barrot told FranceInfo that the European countries used that meeting to tell Washington what their red lines were for a deal. Trump has said hes hopeful an agreement can be wrapped up this week, which feels ambitious to many observers. But in another sign that diplomacy is picking up steam, Putin said on April 21 that he was ready for direct talks with Zelenskyy -- something that he had until recently refused. This was met with skepticism by Ukrainian political analyst Ihor Reiterovich, who told RFE/RL's Current Time that it was "standard manipulation -- an attempt to portray Russia in a peace-making light, which frankly looks extremely cynical." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is waiting for a clear response from Russia about whether it would accept a cease-fire on striking civilian targets. Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address on April 21 that Ukraine stood by its proposal for an end to attacks on civilian targets and was ready for any form of discussion to achieve it. "Ukraine stands by its offer...not to strike civilian infrastructure. And we expect a clear answer from Moscow," Zelenskyy said. "We are ready for any conversation on how to ensure this." Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier on April 21 proposed bilateral talks with Ukraine for the first time since the early days of the war. Zelenskyy did not respond directly to Putin's proposal but said Ukraine "was ready for any conversation" about a cease-fire that would stop strikes on civilians. "There is an obvious, simplest, and most reliable way: stop missile and long-range drone attacks," Zelenskyy said. "That alone would automatically ensure the safety of all civilian infrastructure." Ukraine and Russia are facing pressure from the United States to make progress on negotiations to end the war. Ukraine will take part in talks with the US and European countries on April 23 in London, Zelenskyy said. The talks will have a primary task: "to push for an unconditional ceasefire. This must be the starting point," he said. Both sides said fighting had resumed after an Easter cease-fire, which Putin announced unilaterally on April 19. Ukrainian authorities reported dozens of Russian missile and drone attacks on April 21, while a Ukrainian drone strike was reported in Russias Belgorod region. Strikes were reported in Kyiv and other Ukrainian towns and cities. A man was reportedly injured by shelling in Kherson. Russian forces attacked Ukraine's northeastern region, killing one person in a border village, according to regional prosecutors. The report on Telegram said a Russian drone struck and killed a man on a scooter in the village of Ivashki. Russian forces also launched a late night drone attack on residential areas of Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa, triggering fires and damaging many apartments, local officials said early on April 22. A day earlier US President Donald Trump voiced hope that an agreement would be reached between the two countries this week. Trump told reporters at the White House on April 21 that he plans to comment on the war in Ukraine and mediation efforts in the next three days. He made the comment in response to a question about whether the United States had proposed that Ukraine recognize Crimea as part of Russia. Russia occupied the peninsula in 2014 and then annexed it in violation of international law. "So I will be giving you a full detail over the next three days," Trump said. "But we had very good meetings on Ukraine, Russia," he added without providing details. In his comments earlier on April 21, Putin said Russia was open to any peace initiatives and expected the same from Kyiv. "We have always talked about this, that we have a positive attitude toward any peace initiatives. We hope that representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way," Putin said on state TV. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said when Putin said that it was possible to discuss the issue of not striking civilian targets, he meant bilateral negotiations. There have been no direct talks between the two sides since the early weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. "President Putin and the Russian side remain open to seeking a peaceful settlement. We are continuing to work with the American side and, of course, we hope that this work will yield results," Peskov told reporters. Peskov declined to comment on the prospects of a deal this week. But he welcomed a comment by US envoy Keith Kellogg saying Ukraine would not be able to join NATO. With reporting by Reuters and dpa At age 16, Vladyslav Rudenko was captured by Russian forces and held in childrens camps in Russia-occupied Crimea and Kherson for nine months. Unlike some 20,000 other Ukrainian youths, Rudenko was rescued by the NGO Save Ukraine and returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory after nine months in captivity. It's the fate of those thousands, many of whom remain in Russian-occupied areas -- in what Moscow calls rehabilitation centers -- that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials say they are now focused on. "This crime must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible held accountable," Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said over the weekend as part of the launch of the ChildrenAreNonNegotiable campaign. "A just and lasting peace requires the return of all these Ukrainian children home." US President Donald Trump has made ending Europe's longest conflict since World War II a top foreign policy priority since taking office three months ago. While the talks have lurched between several contentious issues, Ukrainian officials have kept the repatriation of all of those taken from Ukraine a major negotiating point. Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow of orchestrating what some groups have called a "systematic deportation" of children out of Ukraine and into Russia-controlled parts of the country, or even further to destinations in Russia and its ally, Belarus. Evidence gathered last year by RFE/RL's Belarus Service and Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, indicated camps were being used to teach young Ukrainians to identify with concepts that both Moscow and Minsk promote. That came after a November 2023 study by the Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab that deemed Ukrainian schoolchildren's escorted trips to Belarus were coordinated by Belarus and Russia as part of the two countries' so-called Union State. The study said the process involves "re-education," which it defined as "the promotion of cultural, historical, societal, and patriotic messages or ideas that serve the political interests" of both regimes. Military training, including by Interior Ministry troops, occurred with "at least six groups of children," according to the report. Rudenko told RFE/RL's Ukrainian service earlier this month that during the time he was held by Russian authorities his daily routine had an obvious orientation. We woke up to the Russian anthem, raised the flag, did exercises. After breakfast, they told us what had happened in Russia overnight. Literally. Then we went to watch Russian movies," he said, recalling his regiment while held in camps. According to the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab more than 8,400 children from Ukraine have been systematically relocated to at least 57 facilities: 13 facilities in Belarus and 43 facilities in Russia and Russia-occupied territory. According to Ukraines official government portal childrenofwar.gov.ua , a much higher number -- around 20,000 -- have been taken away and only 1,300 children have been successfully returned. We remind the world that without the return of the children abducted by Russia, the war cannot truly be considered over, a statement published by Zelenskyy's office during Easter said. Washington has supported Kyiv on the issue of repatriating children, saying last month it remains committed to supporting the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. However, Ukrainian officials are worried recent budget cutting moves by the Trump administration could significantly hinder investigations into where the children have been moved and efforts to enable their return. Meanwhile, Karolina Hird, deputy team leader and an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, an American nonprofit research group, warned that Ukrainian teenagers forced to accept Russian citizenship may face conscription into the Russian army and could be forced to fight against their own people, a violation of international law. Negotiations and an end to the fighting without consideration for the deported children will empower Russia to continue to commit these crimes with absolute impunity, Hird wrote. A County Roscommon secondary school has been chosen to pilot a new subject for senior cycle, commencing this September. Abbey Community College (ACC) in Boyle, which has 590 students and 60 staff, is offering Drama, Film & Theatre Studies to its students beginning their senior cycle in September. Already 15 students have expressed interest in the course. Speaking to the Roscommon Herald vice-principal Mr Frank Colohan explained that there has been a history in the school of students being involved in musicals and drama. He added that from that point of view it was decided to apply for the pilot project. According to the Department of Education Leaving Certificate Drama, Film and Theatre Studies extends the range of practical, arts-based subjects on the senior cycle curriculum, encouraging and promoting a well-rounded education. As part of the course the Boyle students will explore and experience the world of drama, film and theatre how it can impact their creative and critical choices, helping them become more aware of their own place in society. The idea is to broaden the students perspective on drama, film and theatre. Already the Boyle school has introduced Physical Education for Leaving Cert, which has been extremely successful. The school was also a pilot for that subject back in 2018. Another extremely successful subject for ACC has been Politics and Society which, Mr Colohan pointed out, has gained popularity this year with students entering senior cycle in September. According to the deputy principal ACC will soon be implementing another new subject for junior cycle students in the coming year. From September First Years entering ACC will be able to study Spanish. We brought in an extra language this year because we have the expertise in the school and because there is an interest in it, he said. Plans for the development of a West and North West Surgical Hub are progressing, a HSE West Regional Health Forum was told. Sligo County Councillor Edel McSharry asked for an update on the feasibility study being carried out to assess the suitability of setting up the hub at Sligo University Hospital. In response, Integrated Health Area Manager, John Fitzmaurice said that a business case supporting the implementation of a hub had been submitted to HSE in February 2024. Under the current Programme for Government, it is noted the requirement to explore the provision of an additional Surgical Hub for the Northwest, his written response said. HSE West Northwest is currently updating the business case, which is expected to be submitted nationally by early April to assist with this decision making process. He added that within the business case, a greenfield site has been identified as a potential development location for the hub if this was approved in due course. Cllr McSharry asked what kinds of surgeries could be carried out at such a proposed hub, adding that it was needed urgently. Regional Executive Officer, West and North West, HSE, Tony Canavan said that as the business case was over 12 months old, it would have to be updated. This would not take a significant amount of work. He said that the hub would be similar to the ones being developed around the country, including in Galway. The hubs would cater for patients who would not require an overnight stay. It is hoped the hubs would provide high volumes of relatively low complexity procedures, Mr Canavan said, adding that they would provide a regional service. As Robert Pether marks his 50th birthday today, Tuesday, in an Iraqi prison his wife Desree is hoping to soon meet with Tanaiste Simon Harris in a bid to secure his freedom. Roberts family who live in Elphin have been campaigning for years to have him released as their fears are growing about his physical and mental health. The construction engineer was jailed over four years ago in a 20 million contract row between his Dubai-based employer and the Central Bank of Iraq. His family expected him home at Christmas but instead were devastated to learn at the time he was facing more charges and could now be jailed for another 15 years. Robert, who is from Australia but made his home is Elphin, applied for Irish citizenship before he was sentenced. Desree recently wrote to the Iraqi Ambassador in Dublin outlining that Robert had been in hospital three times in a week saying he can barely walk and was in pain. She said, his body is shutting down, and pleaded for his release. Local Sinn Fein TD, Deputy Claire Kerrane has also called for his release while former Senator Eugene Murphy said the situation needs to be brought to an end with the release of Robert. Read more about Robert's story here Opposition to the councils public realm works in Ballaghaderreen continues to harden despite meetings between Roscommon County Council and public representatives a week ago. Members of the council executive held two separate informal meetings last Wednesday, a morning one with the six Boyle Municipal District councillors followed by another in the afternoon with local Oireachtas members. Despite this engagement, its understood that no progress has been made on ending the standoff between the local business community and the council. Retailers and residents are continuing to demand major revisions to the public realm plans before they withdraw their ongoing protest. We were back out there again this morning on our protest and the bottom line is our campaign still stands and were going nowhere, said local businessman, Brian Mulligan. Retailers are fiercely opposed to the proposal to permanently close one of the roads on The Square outside the bank and other businesses. There are also major fears that the plans in their current format will decimate local trade by removing a significant number of parking spaces, especially on The Square. There are further concerns about the new layouts involving footpath widening and road narrowing, which local people claim are already making the town very difficult for vehicles to navigate. The main contractor and his workforce have not been on site since the controversy arose, and work has ground to a halt since the protests began on March 10th. Local Independent councillor Micheal Frain said the bottom line was that a solution had to be found. He believed the council needed to engage with local Oireachtas representatives to look at another Part 8 plan involving an agreed revision on the proposals for The Square. Its down to the road in front of the bank, thats what it is down to, he said. Cllr Frain recommended that the proposed works for The Square be postponed in order for agreement to be reached on a new Part 8 involving a consultation process with local traders. Roscommon County Council previously said it is proposing to fully offset the loss of parking spaces in the town centre. This included providing a minimum of eight additional parking spaces in and near The Square and improving access, lighting, security and signage for the nearby 72 space Plots carpark. These works can be completed within the confines of the existing planning permission for the project, the council said. The council is also proposing to develop a new 50-space car park located within 60 metres of the town square, to be delivered in parallel with the public realm scheme. By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA A teenager who died in a collision involving a car and a scrambler in Dublin has been named locally as Jason Monks. Family and friends have paid tribute to the young father of one on social media. The crash took place on Citywest Avenue at about 8pm on Easter Sunday. Mr Monks, who was driving the scrambler motorbike, was taken to Tallaght Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No other injuries were reported. A post-mortem examination is expected to take place in due course. A technical examination of the scene has been carried out by garda forensic collision investigators and the road has been reopened. Gardai are appealing for witnesses and people with footage related to the incident to come forward. Funeral Services for Linda will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Living Faith Church in Watford City, North Dakota with Pastor Nate Nash officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Living Faith Church for a time of fellowship and sharing. Linda will be laid to rest at Bethel Lutheran Congregational Cemetery in Zahl, North Dakota. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home in Watford City, North Dakota and one hour prior to services at the Living Faith Church. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Watford City, North Dakota is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com. Linda Dragseth entered the gates of Heaven on April 19, 2025 at the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City, ND, surrounded by her family, after a five-year battle with Alzheimer's dementia. Linda Carol Wrolson was born on April 5, 1949 to Archie and Marjorie Wrolson in Williston, ND. She was raised in Williston, graduating from Williston High School in 1967. She attended UND-Williston for one year and after college worked as a secretary for Buckingham Freight Lines. While working for Buckingham Freight Lines, a young man from Alamo noticed her every morning on his way to work at the Simonson intersection. Linda drove a brand-new gold Ford Maverick and he knew he had to meet the girl behind the wheel. Through a friend, he found out her name, and bravely called to ask for a date. The conversation turned to the gold Ford Maverick and the girl on the phone said, "I think you are looking for my sister!" Harold Dragseth and Linda Wrolson were united in marriage at First Lutheran Church in Williston on May 5, 1970. They made their home in the Williston area. To this union, two boys were born, Kyle in 1971, and Doug - just sixteen months later. Linda loved her family, but her passion was always her horses. Linda was a lifelong member of the MonDak Quarter Horse Association. She proudly participated in the Saddle Stars Mounted Drill Team, rode her horse, Polly, in commemoration of the Pony Express mail run and took part in the Culbertson Trail Rides. She spent most of her spare time caring for her many horses and animals, encouraging young people, especially her granddaughters, to love horses as much as she did. Linda had many talents and was employed in sales at different businesses around the MonDak region. Through these jobs she made some of her closest friends. She worked at Robinson Jewelry, the Walmart Jewelry department, Cabin Creek Gallery, Country Floral, Home of Economy and Budget Home Furnishings. She was a gifted decorator and her home was always immaculate and ready for company. Linda and Harold moved to Bismarck for short time, then to Watford City in 2020 residing at the Horizon Assisted Living. In 2023, they moved to Minot, ND, where Linda lived at the Maple View Memory Care. In March 2025, she was admitted to the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City, where she remained until her passing. Linda's family would like to thank the nursing and activities staff at the GSH for going above and beyond to make her last days pleasant and comfortable. Their kindness will not be forgotten. She is preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Marjorie Wrolson; brothers-in-law, Darrell Hokanson, Mervin Dragseth, Richard Dragseth, sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Irene and Delbert Kalberer; father-in-law & mother-in-law, Melvin and Hilda Dragseth. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Harold of Watford City; sister, Judy Hokanson; brother, Mark (Laurie) Wrolson, all of Williston, ND; son, Kyle (Julie) Dragseth, and their children, Grace (Lee) Delp, Anna (Jesse) Garcia, of Watford City, ND; son, Doug (Jennifer) Dragseth and their children, Dillon Dragseth, of Towner, ND; Kathryn Dragseth (Matthew Nelson) and Emma Dragseth (fiance Dale Boe) both of Bismarck, ND; great-grandchildren, Leah Garcia and soon-to-be born, Jack Garcia; numerous nieces and nephew and many close friends. In Lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorials to be donated to any of the following charities: Good Shepherd Nursing Home, Horizon Assisted Living, or the Alzheimer's Association. The MSU Richland County Extension Office, in partnership with the Great Northern Development Corporation and the Montana Food & Agriculture Development Center (FADC) are hosting a Homegrown to Market Training in conjunction with the Richland County Farmers Market Organizational meeting on Tuesday, May 6. The training will begin at 3 p.m. at the Richland County Extension Office with Richland County Sanitarian Stephanie Ler, discussing, Starting a Home-Based Food Business, followed by Shaylee Wahl, FADC, discussing, Grant Programs, & FADC Services & Opportunities, and concluding with local vendors Donna Trzinski, Lauren Sullivan, and Eric Tooker on the Farmers Market Vendor Panel. At the conclusion of the training, the Richland County Farmers Market Vendor Organizational Meeting will begin at 5:15 p.m. If you are a past vendor or are interested in becoming a vendor, you are encouraged to attend this open meeting. Market vendors can sell a variety of products, ranging from handmade items to produce, baked goods, and more. The organizational details, applications, and safety regulations of food sales at the Richland County Farmers Market will be discussed at this meeting. Please call 406-433-1206 if you have any questions. Looking to enhance your professional and customer service skills? Well, you wont want to miss the 406 Workforce: A Workforce & Hospitality Training Program, scheduled to be in Sidney, Wednesday, May 21. Attendance is free and this program has been customized specifically for the Montana workforce. Lisa Jones will be instructing the class, which will be held from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. MT at the Richland County MSU Extension Office, 1499 N. Central Ave. Jones has worked in tourism, recreation, and conservation communications for more than 30 years, and owned her own public relations business for 20 of those, specializing in marketing, crisis communications, strategic planning, and sustainable tourism. She has also taught workforce training at Flathead Valley Community College for over 20 years. This training session will equip attendants with powerful workplace strategies from several perspectives such as, you and your customer, you and your business, you and yourself, and you and conflict, implementing powerful thinking approaches. When participants leave, they will understand their circle of control and influence, will be better able to choose how to present themselves professionally, describe their own value, listen and question to understand customers needs, understand the value of different generations working together, positively represent and support their employers, and be able to navigate conflict with confidence. This training is one of many in eastern Montana, but must have attendants registered in order to happen. It is open to the public and appropriate for anyone looking to enhance their workforce skills. Those interested can reserve their spot online by scanning the QR code. It will be presented in Malta, May, 14 in the Lodge Room at the Great Northern Hotel, 2 S. 1st St. E .; Glasgow, May 15 in the Convention Center at Cottonwood Inn & Suites, 54250 US-2; Wolf Point, May 16, at the GNDC Conference Room, 233 Cascade St .; Scobey, May 19, at the Nemont Friendship Room, 61 MT-13; Plentywood, May 20, in the Jubilee Room at the Sheridan County Courthouse, 100 W. Laurel Ave .; Sidney, May 21, at the Richland County MSU Extension Office, 1499 N. Central Ave .; and Glendive, May 22, in the Ullman Center at Dawson Community College, 300 College Dr. This professional development opportunity is being made possible by the LOR Foundation. For questions or more information, contact Sara Engle, Montana Department of Labor & Industry, at [email protected] or call 406-594-4699. Bike parts, other donations needed. Brake Time Corner employees and Partnership For Promise have partnered up to host a benefit for the Fairview Food Bank and a bike rodeo on Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Sharbono Park, Fairview. The event features a free will offering BBQ and a bike rodeo where kids can get their bikes ready for summer fun. Old bikes are needed for parts to repair bicycles. As youre spring cleaning, please consider donating that old, or no longer used, bike to this worthy cause. Also needed are monetary donations to purchase bike helmets, and volunteers to help fix bikes. Bikes may be dropped off at Brake Time Corner, or on the flat-bed trailer at the water station. Donations to help pay for the BBQ, plus volunteers the day of the event would be most welcome. Please contact store manager Selena Huggins at 406-478-1494 or Lisa at 406-670-0279 for more information on the event and how you can help. Huggins said the employees have long supported the Fairview Food Bank by making donations each month but decided they wanted to do more. Since most of their donations have been food, they wanted a way to raise more cash so the food bank could purchase what they need at any given time. Theres a big need and not a lot of resources, she said. Theres more in Sidney but not everyone can get there. The Fairview Food Bank is located at Zion Lutheran Church. Hours are 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 406-742-5523 for more information. Started in 1998, Richland County Partnership for Promise is a youth-based coalition part of Communities in Action which operates on five promises to children and youth: caring adults, safe places, healthy start, marketable skills, and opportunities to serve. It also partners with other programs that focus on drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention, bullying, availability and quality of preschools, and family engagement programs such as Parenting Montana. For more information on the Bike Rodeo and how you can help, contact Ray Trumpower at 406-489-2624. On one of the recent spring days in Richland County, the REDC staff ventured to Fairview, MT, to drop by and see a few of our members. While we were in town, we also touched base with an entrepreneur whose business is doing well. Our first stop was to Fairview Honey to tour the facility there. We were led through all the processes by Manager Matt Shannon, and Mike Lunstad. At this time of year, the employees are down to less than a dozen, however; they are busy cleaning, repairing and building new hive boxes for this coming season. The bees are currently stationed in California, pollenating the almond groves there. They will be trucked back up to Richland County later this month, or early next. Thanks, Matt for the tour! Our next stop was to Merchant's Bank to chat with Wade George, president. Wade stated that business was going well. Things are progressing nicely in Fairview. We spoke of our mutual clients in the Revolving Loan Fund, and the opportunity to collaborate on future projects through the fund. Next, we stopped at Neu's SuperValu to check out all of the new things being offered in the store. This little place is truly the heartbeat of the community, as Tim Neu listens to his customers and gets in as many items as possible. The updated deli, bakery, and seasonal items don't disappoint, so stop by and check them out! We wrapped up our morning by dropping by ZOAT (Zach Of All Trades) to visit with Zach Umback. Zach showed us his set up, and the case holding the many examples of the incredible work that he does there in the shop. The vinyl graphic printers are huge, and the signs are incredible. Thanks for the impromptu tour, Zach! Amelia and I enjoyed the conversations with our members, and following up with an energetic entrepreneur. Many thanks to these folks for spending time with us. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Pella Lutheran Church, Sidney, MT, with Pastor Barb Haugerud officiating. Irene will be laid to rest at the Sidney Cemetery. A luncheon will follow services for a time of fellowship and sharing. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Fulkerson Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Sidney, MT. A Family Receiving Friends Service will be Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Fulkerson Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Sidney, MT. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Sidney, MT, is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com. Irene Carrol Bradley Johnson was born on March 26, 1936, at home in a log cabin in Crane, MT, to Asa and Dorothy (Hartl) Bradley. She joined her big brother, Gordon, who was almost 3. Eleven years later, sister, Donna, joined the family. Irene once wrote, "My father, Asa Bradley, built the house and it was a warm cozy home for the family for more than 20 years. Our running water was provided only by the one willing to run to get it! We had an ice box and an icehouse. It may seem sparse to today's young people, but we were quite comfortable. My folks installed an electric wind charger when I was about 6." She was known as Tottie to friends and family in Crane. Irene attended grade school in Crane. Growing up, she was active in 4-H and excelled at garment making. A favorite memory was her trip to the national "Make It Yourself with Wool" contest. As a senior she was one of 13 girls in the state of Montana and the first from Sidney to receive the "State Homemaker Degree" from the Future Homemakers of America. She met Russell L. Johnson on an eighth grade 4-H field trip, after which they continued to see each other at school and 4-H. She graduated from Sidney High School in 1954. They connected again at college, and they were married on Sept. 16, 1956, at the Congregational Church, Crane, MT, the last couple married at that church. Together they attended MSU in Bozeman where she studied home economics. After graduation in June of 1958, Russell and Irene taught school in Joplin, MT - vocational agriculture and home economics, respectively, for one year. Their first child, Craig, was born in nearby Chester, MT. They returned to Sidney where Russell farmed, raised pigs, ranched, and sold feed in the Brorson area with his family Earl and Mildred Johnson, and Roger and Marthea Johnson. Their son, Calvin, was born on their fourth wedding anniversary and was followed by son, Bruce, daughter, Carol, and eventually, Colleen. She spent her life as a homemaker, selflessly caring for her family. She enjoyed following kids in Brorson Farmhands as a 4-H leader. She was an active member of homemakers' club and church groups with Pella Lutheran Church, Faith Circle and taught Sunday School. She continued to sew and crochet throughout her life. She judged home economics at numerous county fairs every summer. She was involved with Women in Farm Economics (WIFE). They lived on the family farm west of Sidney until 2006 when they purchased and renovated a house in town. She lived in that house across from the water tower until 2018 when she moved into Extended Care. While living at Extended Care, she enjoyed Bible study, all the social activities, church singing, greeting everyone she encountered and roaming down the halls to ride the exercise bike but the highlight of her days was always visits from her kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren. She loved seeing pictures and sharing stories. Irene passed away suddenly on April 14, 2025, at Sidney Extended Care, Sidney, MT, due to apparent heart failure. She is survived by her husband Russell; her children Craig (Kari) Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Carol Johnson (Billings, MT), and Colleen Johnson (Brian) Miller (Portland, TX); grandchildren Cole (Kirstyn) Johnson, Ben (Karli) Johnson (Choteau, MT), Bret Rosager (Billings, MT), Elisabeth, Elena, and Ekaterina Miller (Portland, TX); and great-grandchildren: Fletcher, Ronin, Addi, Harlow (Sidney), Brooks, Alidy, and Boyce (Choteau). She is also survived by her sister Donna Clayton (Ricky Smith) (Sandy, UT), sister-in-law Margaret Bradley, sister-in-law Marthea Johnson and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Asa and Dorothy Bradley, parents-in-law Earl and Mildred Johnson, son Bruce Johnson, infant brother Delbert, brother Gordon Bradley, sisters-in-law Helen Dunn and Ramona Johnson, and brother-in-law Roger Johnson. She will be dearly missed by all of us who are left behind and remembered for her cheerful, loving, kind and helpful spirit. Her smile was infectious. She was a ray of sunshine, often taking the time to send clippings and cards when someone made the news. The family would like to extend many thanks to the staff of Extended Care for their tender and steadfast care over the seven years she lived there. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Foundation for Community Care, 4-H Foundation, or Pella Lutheran Church in memory of Irene. New Phishing Scam Targets Gmail Users with Fake Google Emails, Exposes Vulnerabilities This kind of email warns that your Gmail account is being reviewed due to some recent activity and asks you to verify your account. New Phishing Scam Targets Gmail Users with Fake Google Emails, Exposes Vulnerabilities, latest news: A new and alarming phishing scam is making the rounds, targeting Gmail users through emails that appear to come from a legitimate Google address. According to a report by India Today, the fraudulent emails are sent from the seemingly trustworthy no-reply@google.com, urging users to verify your account activity to prevent your Gmail from being deactivated. The first known case of this sophisticated scam was reported by an X user, Nick Johnson. In his post, Johnson shared, Recently, I was targeted by an extremely sophisticated phishing attack, and I want to highlight it here. It exploits vulnerabilities in Google's infrastructure, he said. The fraudulent email mimics the company's branding, featuring the correct logo and using language that appears official, the report said, and it is designed to steal your data. "The first thing to note is that this is a valid, signed email - it really was sent from no-reply@google.com. It passes the DKIM signature check, and Gmail displays it without any warnings - it even puts it in the same conversation as other legitimate security alerts, Johnson wrote in his post. Advertisement This kind of email warns that your Gmail account is being reviewed due to some recent activity and asks you to verify your account by clicking on a "review activity" button. Clicking on it prompts an urgent message saying, Failure to act will result in account suspension within 24 hours. Johnson confirmed to India Today, as reported, that Google has acknowledged the issue and plans to fix the bug. He stated, Google has reconsidered and will be fixing the OAuth bug. Once scammers gain access to your credentials, they can access your emails, steal personal data, and even use your account to send more fraudulent emails to your contacts, the report warned. From there, presumably, they harvest your login credentials and use them to compromise your account. I havent gone further to check. So, how did they do it - especially with the valid email? This is due to two vulnerabilities in Google's infrastructure that they have declined to fix, Johnson explained. These scammers can ask users to enter their recovery email, phone number, and even two-factor authentication codes, gaining full control of your account and potentially locking you out completely, the report said. Advertisement ( For more news apart from, 'New Phishing Scam Targets Gmail Users with Fake Google Emails, Exposes Vulnerabilities, Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Pahalgam Terror Attack Leaves 27 Dead; Lashkar Offshoot Claims Responsibility "We will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice," said PM Modi Pahalgam Terror Attack Latest News, Jammu Kashmir Death Toll: At least 27 people, including foreign tourists, were killed and many more injured on Tuesday when gunmen opened fire on a group of visitors in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility, according to senior intelligence officials. Witnesses said two to three attackers in military fatigues stormed the Baisaran Meadows at around 1:00 p.m., firing indiscriminately at horseback riders, among them women and the elderly. They came in swiftly, directed sustained fire at the tourists, and fled into the forest, one survivor told security forces. Advertisement Security personnel launched a large-scale anti-terror operation immediately, cordoning off the area and searching nearby woods for the assailants. Video footage from the scene showed victims lying wounded and bloodied, while relatives desperately searched for missing family members. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack as an abomination, noting that the final casualty figures are still being confirmed. This is by far the largest strike on civilians we have seen in recent years, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently in Saudi Arabia, spoke by telephone with Home Minister Amit Shah to review the situation. Amit Shah has cut short his schedule and is en route to Srinagar tonight to oversee relief and security arrangements. Advertisement In a public statement, PM Modi said, I strongly condemn this terror attack in Pahalgam. My condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and my prayers are with the injured for a swift recovery. We will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice. (For more news apart from Pahalgam Terror Attack Latest News, Jammu Kashmir Death Toll, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) "Go tell this to Modi", Attackers Chilling Words To Survivor | Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pallavi has appealed to both state and central authorities to expedite arrangements for her husbands repatriation. Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Today Latest News: A family vacation turned into tragedy on Tuesday afternoon when gunmen opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 35-year-old Manjunath of Shivamogga, Karnataka. His wife, Pallavi, and their young son survived the attack. Pallavi, visibly shaken, described the moment the assailants struck, as per the report by IndiaToday. It was around 1:30 p.m., she recalled. We were enjoying the meadow when suddenly there were gunshots. My husband fell right in front of me, he died on the spot. She added, It still feels like a nightmare. Advertisement Local residents rushed to her aid, pulling her to safety amid the chaos. Three civilians came to help me immediately, Pallavi said. According to Pallavi, the attackers appeared to single out Hindus. There were three or four of them, she said. I pleaded, Kill me too, youve already killed my husband. One of them replied, I wont kill you. Go tell this to Modi. Pallavi has appealed to both state and central authorities to expedite arrangements for her husbands repatriation. His body needs to be airlifted back to Shivamogga, she said. We want him home as soon as possible. In one of the couples final videos before the attack, they are seen smiling aboard a shikara boat, reminiscing about their previous night on a houseboat. Advertisement Reactions and Support Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the violence and offer support. Kannadigas are among the victims of this shocking incident. Ive convened an emergency meeting with senior officials and spoken to our Resident Commissioner in Delhi, he wrote. We are monitoring the situation closely and will extend all necessary assistance. The Government of Karnataka stands firmly with those affected. As investigations continue and security forces hunt for the perpetrators, Manjunaths family and hometown await his return, seeking solace and closure after an act of senseless violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Begins Two-Day Official Visit to Saudi Arabia Key agreements are expected in the fields of space, energy, health, science, culture, and advanced technology. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Begins Two-Day Official Visit to Saudi Arabia, latest news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia and will arrive in Jeddah, the commercial capital of the country, today. The Prime Minister is scheduled to attend various meetings and programmes and interact with the Indian community residing there. There are about 2.7 million Indians currently living in Saudi Arabia. Advertisement On Tuesday morning, the Prime Minister shared an update about his visit on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, saying: "Leaving for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where I will be attending various meetings and programmes. India values our historic relations with Saudi Arabia. Bilateral ties have gained significant momentum in the last decade." This visit comes at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and marks Prime Minister Modi's first visit to the countrys commercial capital. It is his third visit to Saudi Arabia overall. Advertisement The Crown Prince had last visited India during the G20 Summit in September 2023. During this visit, both leaders will co-chair the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. "Look forward to participating in the 2nd Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. I will also be interacting with the Indian community there," the Prime Minister wrote on his X handle. A large number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed between the two countries. Discussions will focus on strengthening economic ties, enhancing defence cooperation, and addressing regional political challenges, according to a report in The Times of India citing Indian Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan. Advertisement On Tuesday, about six MoUs are likely to be signed. Key agreements are expected in the fields of space, energy, health, science, culture, and advanced technology, the report said, citing PTI. "India and Saudi Arabia will keep moving forward togetherfor peace, progress, and prosperity, not just for our people, but for the entire world," the Prime Minister told Arab News in an interview before his departure, according to PTI. He also stated that the proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) holds significant potential to enhance economic ties between India and Saudi Arabia. Advertisement ( For more news apart from, 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi Begins Two-Day Official Visit to Saudi Arabia, Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Romania reacts to the Popes Death Romania mourns the death of Pope Francis. Photo: vaticannews Stefan Stoica, 22.04.2025, 14:00 Pope Francis passed away on Monday, the second day of Easter, after 12 years of pontificate, and the emotion caused by his disappearance crossed the borders of the Catholic world and even the Christian world. In Romania, a majority Orthodox country that Pope Francis visited in May 2019, two decades after the historic visit of one of his great predecessors, Pope John Paul II, the news of his passing has caused sadness. In these moments of mourning and pain, I extend my sincere condolences to the Catholic faithful in Romania and around the world, as well as to all those for whom Pope Francis was a spiritual beacon and a source of hope. He was a symbol of humility, compassion and tireless commitment to peace and justice, the interim president Ilie Bolojan wrote on Facebook. He noted that Pope Francis was also a close friend of the Romanian people, whom he valued for the depth of its faith and spirit. Pope Francis remains for people all over the world, regardless of their denomination, the tireless defender of peace, of fellow human beings in suffering and of spiritual communion, the PM Marcel Ciolacu said. The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, conveyed a message to the College of Cardinals at the Vatican that reads as follows: I received with deep sadness the news of the death of Pope Francis, a venerable personality of contemporary Christianity, whose Pontificate leaves a profound mark on the recent history of the Roman Catholic Church. We share the pain caused by this loss and extend our condolences to the entire Roman Catholic Church. Six years ago, Pope Francis came to Romania on a state, pastoral and ecumenical visit, carried out under the title Lets walk together!. He met with the president and the incumbent prime minister, had a private meeting with Patriarch Daniel, gave a speech at the National Cathedral and said the prayer Our Father in Latin. Also in Bucharest, Francis held a service at the Saint Joseph Catholic Cathedral and greeted tens of thousands of people eager to see him. On the second day of his visit to Romania, Pope Francis celebrated a Pontifical Mass at the Marian sanctuary of Sumuleu Ciuc, in an area of eastern Transylvania inhabited mostly by ethnic Hungarians and home to the largest annual Catholic pilgrimage in Central and Eastern Europe. He then visited Iasi, a northeastern city home to a large community of Romanian Catholics, where he blessed children, the elderly and the sick and prayed for the young people and families. In Blaj, in the heart of Transylvania and of the Romanian spirituality, he led the beatification ceremony of the seven martyr Greek Catholic bishops, persecuted and tortured by the communist regime. He also met with representatives of the Roma community to whom he apologized on behalf of the Church for discrimination and segregation in history. Upon his departure, Pope Francis wrote: May the Virgin Mary extend her maternal protection over all the citizens of Romania who, throughout history, have always placed their trust in her intercession. I entrust all of you to the Virgin Mary and I pray that she may guide you on the path of faith. (LS) Passengers aboard a Delta Air Lines flight were forced to evacuate Monday after an engine caught fire while the aircraft was still on the tarmac at Orlando International Airport. The incident occurred just before Delta Flight 1213, an Airbus A330 bound for Atlanta, was set to depart with 282 passengers, 10 flight attendants, and two pilots. Footage shared on social media shows smoke and flames erupting from the aircraft's right engine as passengers evacuated using inflatable emergency slides. Emergency crews from the airport responded promptly, and the fire was quickly extinguished. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Delta said flames were observed in the tailpipe of one of the engines, prompting the flight crew to initiate a full evacuation in accordance with safety protocols. Passengers were returned to the terminal and offered food and beverages while awaiting a replacement flight. "We appreciate our customers' cooperation and sincerely apologize for the disruption," Delta said in a statement. "Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and crew." The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, and Delta's maintenance teams will examine the aircraft. The airline emphasized that safety remains its highest priority and pledged to assist passengers in reaching their final destinations as soon as possible. The incident adds to a growing list of aviation safety scares in North America this year, raising concerns and reinforcing the importance of stringent safety measures. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Walgreens Boots Alliance and its units have agreed to pay up to $350 million as it settles with the Justice Department and other federal agencies the allegations of illegally filling unlawful opioid prescriptions and submitting false claims to the Federal Government. In a statement, the DoJ, together with the Drug Enforcement Administration or DEA and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General or HHS-OIG announced that Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreen Co., and various subsidiaries will pay $300 million to resolve allegations of failing to meet its obligations when dispensing dangerous opioids and other drugs for years. Walgreens will owe the U.S. an additional $50 million if the company is sold, merged, or transferred prior to fiscal year 2032. Walgreens, which is in deal to be taken private by Sycamore Partners, was accused of illegally filling millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances from around August 2012 through March 1, 2023 in violation of the Controlled Substances Act or CSA. The company then allegedly sought payment for many of those invalid prescriptions by Medicare and other federal care programs in violation of the False Claims Act or FCA. The government's complaint was filed on January 16 and amended on April 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaint alleges that Walgreens pharmacists filled these prescriptions despite clear red flags indicating a high likelihood that the prescriptions were invalid as they lacked a legitimate medical purpose or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice. Walgreens was also accused to have pressured its pharmacists to fill prescriptions quickly and without taking the time needed to confirm that each prescription was lawful. Meanwhile, Walgreens spokesperson Fraser Engerman reportedly said, "We strongly disagree with the government's legal theory and admit no liability. This resolution allows us to close all opioid related litigation with federal, state, and local governments and provides us with favorable terms from a cashflow perspective while we focus on our turnaround strategy." Following the settlement, the United States has moved to dismiss its complaint. Walgreens will also move to dismiss a related declaratory judgment action filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. In addition, Walgreens has entered into agreements with DEA and HHS-OIG to address its future obligations in dispensing controlled substances. A memorandum of agreement entered with DEA requires the company to implement and maintain certain compliance measures for the next seven years. Walgreens has also entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS-OIG, to establish and maintain a compliance program. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, "Pharmacies have a legal responsibility to prescribe controlled substances in a safe and professional manner, not dispense dangerous drugs just for profit. This Department of Justice is committed to ending the opioid crisis and holding bad actors accountable for their failure to protect patients from addiction." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News European stocks traded lower on Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reignited concerns about Fed independence and political interference. Trump's message about non-tariff barriers also added to concerns over the trade war. The pan-European STOXX 600 dropped 0.45 percent to 504.12 as traders returned to their desks after a long holiday weekend for Good Friday and Easter. The German DAX slipped 0.3 percent and France's CAC 40 shed half a percent while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was up 0.2 percent. Roche Holding AG fell about 1 percent after the Swiss pharmaceutical giant unveiled plans to invest USD 50 billion in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics in the United States over the next five years. Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk slumped 8 percent after U.S. rival Eli Lilly released promising trial results for its experimental obesity pill, orforglipron, in a trial of diabetes patients. Germany's ProSiebenSat.1 rallied 2.7 percent after extending Bert Habets' contract as Group CEO for another three years. J Sainsbury shares jumped 2.6 percent in London. The merchandise retail company has confirmed the launch of a share buyback program worth up to 200 million pounds. Sales and marketing services provider DCC tumbled nearly 3 percent following the announcement of its healthcare division's sale to HealthCo Investment Limited for 1,050 million. Biotage AB shares soared 56 percent after KKR made a cash offer for the Swedish biotechnology firm, valuing it at around 11.6 billion Swedish crowns ($1.22 billion). For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Italian banking group UniCredit SpA (UCG,UNCFF.PK) on Tuesday said it is not in a position to take any conclusive decision regarding its takeover offer for Banco BPM S.p.A after Italian government imposed certain conditions. The Italian Government on Friday issued a decree pertaining to the Golden Power process, clearing UniCredit's plans to launch a 14 billion euro euros all share offer for Banco BPM, subject to certain conditions. The company now noted that the Government's decree expressly contemplates the possibility for the firm to immediately report to the authority if it is not possible to implement - in whole or in part - the prescriptions. UniCredit has promptly responded to the authorities with its views on the decree and awaits feedback. Until then, the firm will not take any conclusive decision on the way forward. Regarding the conditions, UniCredit said its ability to make sound decisions could be jeopardised by those conditions, and that it is awaiting answers to its concerns before any further moves. The prescriptions translates into constraints to the way in which the combined entity will run its future credit activities and liquidity, to the right to dispose shareholdings and appropriately manage Anima's assets under management, and on UniCredit's activities in Russia. UniCredit said it clearly intends to maintain or grow the combined entity's exposure to SMEs and further support them with its product factories. The company will also continue to manage its clients' assets under management strictly in their best interests. UniCredit is also committed to continuing to compress its presence in Russia, already down c90% in the last three years, in alignment with the ECB decision. "Indeed, the prescriptions imposed to UniCredit, could harm its full freedom and ability to take sound and prudent decision in the future, and even lead to unintended results, e.g. the imposition of fines on UniCredit due to alleged failure to comply with any of the prescriptions," the company said. In Milan, UniCredit shares were trading at 48.51 euros, up 0.21%. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News German stocks are down in negative territory on Tuesday, with investors, back to trading after a long Easter break, making cautious moves amid lingering concerns about trade tensions due to the U.S. government's trade policy. The standoff between the U.S. President and the Federal Reserve Chair also appears to be weighing on investor sentiment. The benchmark DAX, which had dropped to 21,067.50 earlier in the session, losing nearly 140 points, was down 26.52 points or 0.13% at 21,179.34 a little while ago. Rheinmetall is declining nearly 4%. SAP is down by about 3% ahead of earnings updates. Siemens Energy is down 2.5%, while Infineon Technologies, Beiersdorf and Daimler Truck Holding are down 1 to 1.5%. MTU Aero Engines, Fresenius Medical Care and Siemens are modestly lower. Commerzbank is gaining 2.7%. Bayer, Volkswagen, Porsche Automobil Holding, Allianz, Vonovia, Deutsche Bank, Munich RE and Hannover Rueck are gaining 1.4 to 2.3%. Zalando, E.ON., Deutsche Boerse, Adidas, Continental, Fresenius, BASF and Mercedes-Benz are also notably higher. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Pope Francis will be laid to rest in Rome's Basilica of St Mary Major at 10 a.m. local time (4 AM ET) on Saturday, the Vatican announced. The Vatican has also released images of the Pope in an open coffin, which will be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday to lie in state while the public pay their respects. His funeral will be held at the Basilica of St Mary Major, one of four major papal basilicas in Rome. Dozens of world leaders will attend the ceremony including US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Cardinals will gather for the papal conclave in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel in Rome in the next few days to elect Francis' successor. The 138-member College of Cardinals is eligible to vote. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic chamber, will oversee the Vatican until a new pontiff is elected. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Amid the ongoing tariff issues, Swiss drug major Roche Holding AG announced its plan to invest $50 billion in the United States in the next five years, aiming to expand its Pharmaceutical and Diagnostics Divisions. With all new and expanded manufacturing capacity, Roche aims to export more medicines from the US than it imports. In a statement, the company said its diagnostics division already has an export surplus from the US to other countries. Roche's latest investment includes new state-of-the art research and development or R&D sites, as well as new and expanded manufacturing facilities in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and California. An additional site location that will be announced soon. The investment is expected to create more than 12,000 new jobs, including 1,000 jobs at new and expanded facilities. The company projects more than 11,000 jobs in support of new US manufacturing capabilities, including nearly 6,500 construction jobs. Roche already has a significant US presence with 13 manufacturing sites and 15 R&D centres across the Pharmaceutical and Diagnostics Divisions, with more than 25,000 employees. With the latest investment, Roche would expand and upgrade US manufacturing and distribution capabilities for its innovative medicines and diagnostics portfolio in Kentucky, Indiana, New Jersey, Oregon and California. Further, the company plans a state-of-the-art gene therapy manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania; and a new manufacturing centre for next generation weight loss medicines, for which the location is yet to to be announced. In addition, the company will invest in a new manufacturing facility for continuous glucose monitoring in Indiana; and a new R&D centre in Massachusetts, conducting cutting-edge artificial intelligence or AI research. It will also serve as a hub for new cardiovascular, renal and metabolism research and development efforts. The firm's existing pharmaceuticals and diagnostics R&D centres in Arizona, Indiana and California will also meet with significant expansion and upgrade. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The U.S. Government has offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Honduran drug lord Yulan Andony Archaga Carias. Also known as Alexander Mendoza and Porky, the 43 year-old fugitive is the highest-ranking member of the international criminal gang MS-13, which has been designated by the U.S. as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Wanted for racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and firearms offenses, Carias was placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List, the DEA's Most Wanted Fugitives List, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations' Most Wanted Fugitives List. The State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is offering the reward under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program. DEA Acting Administrator Derek Maltz said, "Archaga Carias isn't just a fugitive he's a foreign terrorist waging war on innocent Americans through murder, trafficking, and terror. Let me be clear: under this Administration, we will dismantle MS-13 piece by pieceand anyone protecting him will fall with him. A $5 million is on the table. Turn him in. End this threat." Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, is a transnational criminal and terrorist organization that engages in acts of violence, including murders, kidnapping, and assaults, extortion, and large-scale drug importation and distribution throughout Central America and the United States. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Canadian market is up firmly in positive territory a little past noon on Tuesday, lifted by strong gains in energy, financials, healthcare and stocks. Several stocks from consumer discretionary, utilities and real estate sectors are also up with impressive gains. Despite lingering concerns about the trade war, and the stand-off between U.S. President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, investors are picking up stocks, looking ahead to earnings updates and some crucial economic data due this week. The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 365.63 points or 1.52% at 24,347.49 a little while ago. Healthcare stock Bausch Health Companies is up nearly 9%. Tilray Inc. is gaining about 3.3%. In the energy sector, Imperial Oil is up nearly 4%. Advantage Oil & Gas, Canadian Natural Resources, Vermilion Energy, Cenovus Energy, Suncor Energy and International Petroleum Corp are gaining 2 to 3.1%. Among technology stocks, Bitfarms is soaring more than 12%. Lightspeed Commerce, Celestica, Sangoma Technologies Corp., BlackBerry, Sylogist, Shopify and Docebo Inc are up 2 to 3.1%. Financials stocks Brookfield Asset Management, Brookfield Corporation, Onex Corp., Manulife Financial, Fairfax Financial Holdings, Sprott Inc., Power Corporation of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce are gaining 1.5 to 3%. Aritzia, Magna International, Gildan Activewear, Canadian Tire Corporation, Linamar Corp and Pet Valu Holdings are the major gainers in the consumer discretionary sector. In economic news, data from Statistics Canada said industrial producer prices in Canada rose by 0.5% over a month in March, following an upwardly revised 0.6% increase in February. This marked the sixth consecutive monthly increase. On a yearly basis, producer prices advanced by 4.7%. Meanwhile, the Raw Materials Price Index, which measures the prices of inputs purchased by Canadian manufacturers, declined by 1.0% over a month but increased by 3.9% on a yearly basis. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News While cannabis enthusiasts marked 420 Day with celebrations, a new study in JAMA Neurology has cast a shadow over the festivities, revealing a potential link between regular cannabis use and a heightened risk of dementia. The study analyzed records of more than six million Canadians between 2008 and 2021. Participants were aged 45 to 105 and did not have dementia at the start of the study. Researchers found that individuals who had visited an emergency room or were hospitalized for cannabis-related issues faced a notable increase in dementia diagnoses over time. Within five years of such a visit, 5 percent were diagnosed with dementia, which later surged to 19 percent within ten years. "Someone who has an emergency room visit or hospitalization due to cannabis has a 23 percent increased risk of dementia within five years compared to someone who was at the hospital for another reason. They have a 72 percent greater risk compared to the general population," study co-author Dr. Daniel Myran, an assistant professor in the department of family medicine at the University of Ottawa in Canada, told CNN. One of the study's co-authors also pointed to broader trends in marijuana use. Citing a May 2024 report, they noted that daily or near-daily cannabis use had overtaken alcohol consumption by 2022. "Regular cannabis use might directly increase the risk of dementia through changes in brain structure," co-author Dr. Colleen Webber explained. "It's also possible that regular cannabis use increases the risk of other established risk factors for dementia, including high blood pressure, head trauma and other injuries, and a higher risk for depression and social isolation." The data revealed a striking rise in cannabis-related emergency visits among older adults. Between 2008 and 2021, the rate of ER visits due to marijuana increased fivefold among those aged 45-64 and nearly 27-fold for people aged 65 and older. These findings add to the growing body of evidence prompting further scrutiny of cannabis use, especially as its social acceptance and legal access continue to expand. However, Myran noted that, "This is not a study that anyone should look at and say, 'Jury's in, and cannabis use causes dementia.'" He told CNN, "This is a study that brings up a concerning association that fits within a growing body of research." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Chobani, a U.S. dairy brand, revealed plans on Tuesday to build a state-of-the-art $1.2 billion manufacturing plant in Rome, New York. The new facility, spanning one million square feet, will be the largest dairy plant in the U.S., capable of producing one billion pounds of dairy products annually. This expansion is designed to meet surging demand and will also create over 1,000 jobs, nearly doubling Chobani's workforce in New York. Since its founding in 2005 in a former Kraft factory, Chobani has grown into one of America's fastest growing food companies. Last year, the company reported net sales of $2.96 billion, marking a 17% increase, and a 26% rise in adjusted pretax earnings to $509 million. Chobani currently holds approximately 20% of the U.S. yogurt market and has expanded its product range to include creamers, oat milk, and coffee beverages, notably through its $900 million acquisition of La Colombe in 2023. The new Rome plant, supported by $23 million in state funds and $6 million from Oneida County, reflects New York's aggressive push to retain Chobani amidst competition from other states offering attractive incentives. In addition to the New York expansion, Chobani recently committed $500 million to enhance a factory in Idaho. Despite challenges such as global supply chain disruptions and trade uncertainties, CEO Hamdi Ulukaya reiterated Chobani's dedication to socially responsible practices, including strong employee benefits and refugee employment programs. While Chobani had filed for an IPO in 2021, Ulukaya stated that a public offering remains under consideration but is secondary to the company's current expansion efforts. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to announce a sweeping plan to phase out eight synthetic, petroleum-based food dyes across the U.S. within two years a move positioned as a key pillar in the administration's "Make America Healthy Again" campaign. In a press conference scheduled for Tuesday, Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary will outline the initiative targeting widely used artificial colorants such as Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 1. These dyes are found in everything from breakfast cereals and snacks to beverages, candies, and even medications. This latest move follows the FDA's earlier decision to ban Red Dye 3 by 2027 due to cancer concerns observed in animal studies. The new directive represents a more aggressive effort to eliminate all remaining petroleum-based dyes, many of which have been associated with behavioral issues in children and other risks. While definitive human studies remain limited, experts argue the potential harm justifies their removal. Kennedy's proposal also includes plans to approve more natural dye alternatives already standard in countries like the U.K., New Zealand, and Canada where companies use plant-based ingredients like carrot and beet juice for coloring. Public health advocates and nutrition experts have welcomed the measure, calling it long overdue. "Artificial dyes serve no nutritional purpose and make ultra processed foods more appealing, especially to children," said Dr. Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. States such as West Virginia and California have already enacted legislation restricting synthetic dyes in school meals, with dozens more considering similar action. Kennedy's plan signals that the federal government is ready to lead the charge. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Ola Electric has been under the limelight for a very long time and not for good reasons. The company has been caught up in an ocean of customer complaints. But what seems to have troubled the brand more is legal actions faced due to malpractices by Ola dealerships. In Maharashtra, the crackdown on Ola dealerships has deepened. As per a recent report, Maharashtra Government has instructed RTO Department to shut down all the Ola Electric dealerships that have been operating without a valid trade certificate. As per this report, around 75 Ola Electric showrooms in India operating without trade certificates have been shut down and 192 scooters have been seized. Lets take a closer look. 83% Of Inspected Stores Lacked Trade Certificate The Bengaluru-based electric mobility solutions provider, Ola Electric, has found itself in the middle of turmoil with Maharashtra Government. The states joint transport commissioner has issued a show cause notice to Maharashtra RTOs in an email dated 16th April 2025, widening its crackdown on Ola Electric. As per a recent report, RTOs have inspected around 146 Ola Electric stores in Maharashtra. 121 of these inspected dealerships or experience centres failed to produce a trade certificate. Which is 82.87% of the inspected dealerships. 75 of these have been shut down so far and 192 electric scooters have been seized in the process. Instructions were to shut down any Ola dealership operating under an RTO in Maharashtra state without a valid trade certificate. A showroom or a vehicle distributor needs to have a trade certificate from necessary authorities so that the vehicles sold through their dealership can be registered in the state. 75 Ola Electric Showrooms Shut Down This could be the reason why there was a discrepancy in sales in February 2025 where Ola claimed around 25k units sold, while only 8,647 of them were registered. This was followed by a slew of inspections in the month of March 2025 by the RTO Department in key Maharashtra cities like Pune and Mumbai. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik mentioned that many of Olas experience centres were found to be operating without a trade certificate. Some of them were even found sharing a trade certificate among themselves. Maharashtra Transport Department served a notice to Ola Electric and the company replied that it was in the process of applying for trade certificates across all the stores in Maharashtra. Source Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), a leader in smart mobility solutions, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IndianOil), Indias largest energy PSU, to evaluate the mass viability of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in India. This partnership marks a crucial step in HMILs commitment towards sustainable mobility and the development of Indias Green Hydrogen ecosystem. Hyundai & IndianOil Collaborate for a Greener Future As part of this MoU, HMIL has handed over one unit of the Hyundai NEXO Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) to IndianOil. The NEXO, Hyundais flagship FCEV, will be put through rigorous real-world testing across Indian driving conditions over a span of two years, covering approximately 40,000 kilometers. The trials will focus on assessing the longevity, reliability, and operational efficiency of hydrogen-powered vehicles in India. A comprehensive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis will also be carried out, simulating real-world usage scenarios to evaluate running and maintenance costs. NEXO Trials in India Hyundai NEXO is a cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) that blends zero-emission performance with advanced technology. It is powered by a 95 kW hydrogen fuel cell system paired with a 40 kW battery, delivering a combined output of 135 kW (approx. 183 PS) and 395 Nm of torque. This allows the NEXO to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.2 seconds. With a full tank of hydrogen, it offers an impressive driving range of up to 666 km (WLTP cycle), and can be refueled in under 5 minutes. Built on a dedicated FCEV platform, the NEXO also features a host of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), an aerodynamic design, and a spacious, tech-rich cabin, making it one of the most refined and eco-friendly SUVs in its class. Commenting on the MoU signing, Mr. Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, HMIL, said, As Indias foremost smart mobility solutions provider, it is our firm resolve to innovate with future ready technology. By signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Indian Oil Corporation, a pioneer in Indias energy sector, we aim to combine world-class Hydrogen fuel cell technology with Indian expertise. Together, we seek to unlock the potential of Green Hydrogen as a transformative energy source making it accessible, affordable, and sustainable. We are confident this collaboration will serve as a critical step in demonstrating the potential of hydrogen as an alternate sustainable fuel source in the times to come. Commenting on the collaboration, Dr. Alok Sharma, Director (R&D) and Board Member IndianOil, said, As Indias largest public-sector energy entity, we at IndianOil are proud to be catalysts in the Government of Indias vision to attain energy security and reduce fossil fuel imports. We believe Hydrogen fuel is a vital component of Indias clean energy roadmap, and fuel cell technology holds immense potential in significantly aiding net carbon neutrality. This collaboration with Hyundai Motor India will enable us to conduct in-depth studies in fuel cell technology and advance efforts towards realizing a greener mobility ecosystem. Driving Indias Hydrogen Future Hyundais NEXO is already a globally acclaimed hydrogen-powered SUV, and this Indian trial will further assess its adaptability to local conditions. The collaboration is part of Hyundais broader vision to offer a full spectrum of propulsion technologies, including ICE, CNG, Hybrid, Electric, and now Hydrogen. Additionally, Hyundai is also working with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) to establish a cutting-edge Hydrogen Innovation Centre, which will provide infrastructure for startups and OEMs to test hydrogen components, thereby promoting innovation in this emerging sector. With this strategic move, HMIL and IndianOil are not only working to validate hydrogen as a viable fuel but are also laying the groundwork for a cleaner, self-reliant, and future-ready mobility ecosystem in India. Next-gen hybrid powertrains from Hyundai will have power output in the range of low-100 PS to mid-300 PS With its focus on continuous innovation and technology upgrades, Hyundai has created a wide range of delightful products for its customers. As part of that broader strategy, Hyundai has now unveiled its next-gen hybrid powertrain system. It will enable the company to introduce a new range of industry-leading products in the hybrid vehicle segment. Lets check out how the technology works and evaluate the benefits for customers. Hyundais next-gen hybrid powertrain Key details Among the primary components are two electric motors P1 and P2. Primary tasks of the P1 motor include generating energy for the battery, starting the engine and supplying additional power to assist propulsion. In comparison, the P2 motor functions as the driving motor. It is primarily used for propulsion and regenerative braking. With the integrated dual-motor setup, there is significant improvement in terms of performance, power output and fuel efficiency. Users can expect a refined driving experience, made possible with seamless gear transitions and reduced noise and vibrations. The new hybrid powertrain supports several of the advanced features already available with Hyundai cars. Examples include vehicle-to-load (V2L), Stay Mode and smart regenerative braking. Engineers have ensured that the new dual-motor setup can be paired with most of the existing ICE engines being used by Hyundai. This does away with the need to develop new ICE engines from scratch. New products launched with this new hybrid powertrain can generate output in the range of low-100 PS to mid-300 PS. This ensures wide applicability, ranging from subcompact cars to large vehicles. Deployment with a new 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine Hyundais next-gen hybrid powertrain will be using a newly developed 2.5-litre turbo petrol hybrid engine. It has better capabilities across design and control technology, as compared to the existing 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine. With the P1 motor handling the engine start and generation functions, the power losses are minimized. Fuel efficiency also gets a boost via a more efficient combustion cycle and improved cylinder flow within the engine. In a traditional ICE engine, there are primarily four stages intake, compression, combustion and exhaust. Hyundais new hybrid system is different, as it utilizes an over-expansion cycle. Intake valve closure is delayed during compression, which lowers the effective compression ratio of the mixed gas within the cylinder. The hybrid setup also ensures a high expansion ratio during the combustion phase. These steps not only enhance engine efficiency, but also reduce fuel consumption. Energy efficiency is also enhanced with improvements to the piston design. Performance, benefits Hyundai is utilizing the 2.5-litre turbo petrol hybrid system with the all-new Palisade. Output is 334 PS and 460 Nm, which is around 19% more power than the 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine. Torque output sees a 9% increase. Similarly, fuel efficiency with the hybrid setup is 14.1 km/l, an increase of approximately 45%. Hyundai has also developed a new-gen 1.6-litre turbo petrol hybrid powertrain. It has 4% higher fuel efficiency in case of a mid-range SUV. Other benefits include improved acceleration and torque boost from 367 Nm to 380 Nm. In addition to the next-gen hybrid powertrain, Hyundai will be introducing several new technologies with its upcoming cars. It includes an e-AWD system that has a rear-axle-mounted P4 driving motor. Theres also the e-VMC 2.0, focused on improving ride comfort and driving stability. It works by varying torque control on the front and rear driving motors. The e-VMC 2.0 has multiple sub-systems such as e-Handling 2.0 (roll prevention), e-EHA (Electrification-Evasive Handling Assist) 2.0 (frontal collision avoidance) and e-Ride 2.0 (vertical movement reduction to enhance ride comfort). Virginias Department of Rail and Public Transportation has just released its draft six-year improvement program for fiscal year 2026, totaling roughly $7 billion. The funds cover both operational costs and larger sums for capital improvement projects statewide. The city of Alexandria, for example, will get money to help cover the $200,000 operational cost for its Go Alex program, which is the citys outreach initiative to get residents to ride transit, carpool and commute by bicycle. Hampton Roads transportation department will receive funds toward replacing two large buses, a project that will total $1.6 million and thats just one of its more than 30-plus capital improvement projects. Localities depend on the state money to update the equipment used to serve the public in various regions of Virginia. We of course got money to buy new buses. We have a fleet of over 300 buses, said Ray Amoruso, chief planning and development officer for Hampton Roads Transit. The average life of a bus is either 10 or 12 years, and at some point, they have to be replaced. So, every year we ask for bus money. How the six-year funding program works The Six-year Improvement Program, or SYIP, is an annual funding program that both Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Department of Transportation administer to help fund rail including freight and public transit programs across the state. The different amounts of funding found in the six-year projects is derived by formulas established by Virginia law. Individual projects, which localities apply for, are funded by the six-year program and are evaluated and given scores by Department of Rail and Public Transportation, then approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The state updates their six-year improvement plan every year. So, its like a moving window. Each year we progress, said Amoruso. Sometimes we ask for the same money if they didnt award it to us [the first time]. Next year, well do this all over again. Heres a breakdown of how the funds will be allocated in the upcoming fiscal year: Public transportation: $332 million. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: $442 million. Virginia Railway Express: $17 million. Rail: $20 million. Transforming Rail in Virginia: $232 million. Amoruso said the district gets federal operating assistance based on the size of its metropolitan area and the number of people who live in that area. The Hampton Roads Transit district covers six cities: Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach. A lot of folks who arent familiar with HRT or dont use HRT think that the money they drop in the fare box pays for their ride, he said. One capital project that Amoruso is excited about getting funded is an off-street transfer facility off Chesapeake Boulevard known as the Evelyn T. Butts Transfer Station, named after a local Civil Rights activist. Since 1999, riders have had to wait on the street to transfer buses. Its not a pleasant environment. Nine routes come together, and people run up and down the block along the length of the block to make connections to other routes, said Amoruso. Its the third-busiest transfer center we have in terms of moving human beings back in and out every day. Federal funding could be in jeopardy Though next years state transportation fiscal funding is taking shape, the uncertainty of future federal support weighs heavy on Amoruso, he said. President Donald Trumps administration and Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency have committed to cutting more than a trillion dollars in government spending they deem wasteful, targeting scores of federal programs with special emphasis on eliminating ones supporting diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives. A January executive order by Trump sparked panic with its directives to federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, to pause millions in federal funds disbursements, including money allotted for capital improvement projects through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and for electric vehicle and clean energy infrastructure development. Its not just us, every transit property in the country is nervous because the administration is targeting certain discretionary programs that are connected to DEI initiatives, climate change initiatives, Amoruso said. We in the past have been successful in getting grant awards for low-emission, no-emission buses, meaning electric buses. Amoruso said Hampton Roads Transit had a goal to convert its 300 diesel buses to a 100% emission-free, all-electric bus system by 2045. This administration doesnt look like they have an appetite to support those kinds of investments, he said. Thats just one example, but there are other programs that are at risk related to DEI and all the transit properties in the country are nervous about that and [are] watching very carefully these discretionary grants. One grant program Amoruso is watching in particular is a capital investment initiative administered through Congress to help build out bus rapid transit, such as Richmonds Pulse line or other light rail systems. Thats under the microscope of the federal government right now, said Amoruso, which is making a lot of people nervous for high-capacity transit projects. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said to cut federal funding to Democrat-led states and cities, such as New York and California, if they dont release information on transit crime and safety funding, according to Politico. Public input needed The public is invited to comment on all of the projects that have been recommended for funding in the draft six-year plan. The Commonwealth Transportation Board will host nine meetings across the state from the week of April 22 through May 15. Online comments, email or regular mail are also being accepted. The first meetings take place this week, starting in Richmond, followed by a meeting Wednesday in Lynchburg and one on Thursday in Hampton Roads. On June 17, staff from the Department of Rail and Public Transportation will present the draft, including any changes, to the Commonwealth Transportation Board for approval. On July 1, all the approved funding will become available. This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury. If OBrian Martin is elected to the Orange County School Board this November which is likely, considering hes the only name on the ballot he wont just be joining county officialdom; he will be joining the ranks of John Tyler and Henry Tazewell as one of the youngest elected officials in Virginia history. The 21-year-old Virginia Tech student running for the 4th District seat on the board grew up in Orange County Public Schools, graduating from Orange County High School in 2021. He said he believes his passion for the sort of local public education he received will make up for his relative youth and lack of experience on a board often wrought with political division and power plays. As long as I can remember, I grew up in the same community, in the same loving school system, he told The Daily Progress. Orange County is part of the fabric of who I am now. Everything has had a fundamental impact on who I am today. Martin will be filling the seat vacated by Chelsea Quintern this past March. Quintern, who cited her sons poor health in a statement to the board, was a controversial conservative figure who faced more than one call for her resignation during her brief, three-year tenure. She pushed the school division to remove material she deemed sexually explicit from its curriculum, introduced policies that would effectively out children questioning their gender identity to their parents and called on the division to leave the Virginia School Boards Association, labeling it a biased, left-leaning organization. She succeeded in only one of those, the last, but her campaigns made her enemies, and a petition to remove her from the School Board garnered more than 1,000 signatures and Orange County High Schools 2023 valedictorian, Solo Mthethwa, explicitly called for her resignation in his graduation speech. Martin said the decision to disaffiliate from the school board association only deepened divides in an already divided community and country. I am running to represent the residents of Orange County, he said. For far too long, our kids have been seeing politics negatively impact them. Our campaign isnt about politics. On May 20 last year, the Orange County School Board voted 3-2 to not recertify its membership with the Virginia School Boards Association. It was Quintern who offered the motion that led to the vote. Based in Charlottesville, the Virginia School Boards Association is composed of school boards from across the commonwealth focused on supporting school divisions by providing legal, policy and collective bargaining expertise, advocating for members on a state and federal level, and assisting with searches for superintendents. Founded in 1906, the agency also offers seminars that allow school board members to complete the training required by their posts. Ultimately, our kids and teachers are paying the price for the decision to leave the VSBA, Martin said. Disaffiliating from the VSBA was a political move that negatively impacted students and teachers. It would benefit the community to have a discussion about whether pulling out of the VSBA was the right move. VSBA provides many opportunities for school districts and school board members. Arguing her case on May 20, Quintern contradicted herself more than once, saying she has not used VSBA resources once and that while attending a training session offered through the association they did not like my opinion and I was not welcome to share it on certain hot-topic items. Not only did Quintern say that she had faced pushback for her comments at a school board association meeting, she also alleged that the nonpartisan organization had taken the issue to the press. I dont want to spend money on an organization that publishes op-ed hit pieces on single board members, which that did in fact happen to myself, said Quintern. I feel like that money could be better spent elsewhere in our school system. The op-ed she referenced could not be found on the school board associations website. I would not have made the decision to leave based on my personal feelings towards VSBA, Martin said. I believe a key characteristic of a leader is to be a representative of our district. I wouldnt have made that decision alone but listened to what constituents would have wanted. It should not be made by an individual. Martin faces an uphill battle when it comes to improving test scores for Orange County students. Orange County students posted a 23-point drop in their annual Standards of Learning pass rates, from 85% in 2018 before the pandemic to 62% in 2024, according to the Virginia Department of Education. Orange County was not alone in reporting learning loss during the pandemic, but neighboring school divisions fared better; Greene County reported a 10-point drop, Madison 18 points and Culpeper 14. Martin said he has a vested interest in seeing students graduate. What will they do next? Ive been in that predicament; I know the questions and the possibilities. The backbone of the county is the students. How are we ensuring our students are prepared for the next step? In order for Orange County students to compete they need teachers to be committed, Martin said, and he believes Orange County teachers need their school board to back them up. Orange County teachers had an average salary of $56,675 a year as of 2023, the latest numbers available from the state Department of Education. That is 8% less than the statewide average and 16% less than the nationwide average. When Orange County schools become the best place to work, itll become the best place to learn, Martin said. Its up to us as an employer to make sure every single employee has every tool needed to compete. We need to be competitive in the classroom, but we need to advance the lives of our teachers. We need to empower teachers. My top-tier priority is to make sure our teachers want to work here. We need to treat them as the super stars that they are. Martins fight for improving the workplace for teachers is perhaps unsurprising. My mom was a former Spanish teacher at Orange County High School, he said. My mom is the start of helping me look at the value of education. She had such dedication for her students. I saw how my mom proudly poured into her students, above and beyond what should be expected. My mom was in the classroom every day and then working on lessons after school and late into the night. Martin, who plans to graduate from Virginia Tech this fall with a degree in entrepreneurship, innovation and technology management, is no stranger to blazing his own trail. After graduating high school, he was the first Black man to be named president of DECA Inc., a career and technical student organization with more than 297,000 members in all 50 U.S. states and eight other countries. Martin also serves as the vice president of strategic affairs at Virginia Tech. He has worked directly with university leadership and President Tim Sands to develop the Virginia Tech Advantage, an initiative to make higher education more accessible for students. Bringing this experience back home, Martin said he intends to invest in career and technical education opportunities if elected to the School Board this fall. As the youngest member of the Orange County Alumni and Friends Foundation Board, he already assists students entering technical fields. As an advocate and adviser, Ive sought to uplift and bring innovation to our schools, Martin said. While Martin has been blazing trails as a young Black man, his home county has reported a concerning uptick in racism. Waidmanns Division, a White nationalist group, was witnessed recruiting in Orange County High School and at a public park this past December and January. In February, Orange County Sheriff Jason Smith parted ways with a deputy, Christopher Williams, who took to social media to encourage U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to round up people opposed to President Donald Trumps immigration policies. Martin said it has not always been this way in Orange County, and it doesnt have to be this way now. Theres a difference between what I saw as a student and what happened recently in Orange County. It breaks my heart for whats happened, he said. When we encounter these events, our best assets are our people. It includes our employees and students. We need to take a look at problem-solving and take a partnership approach with teachers. Teachers have solutions but arent being asked. Students have perspective, but theyre not being listened to. We need discussions with teachers and students. We cannot ignore the thoughts and feelings of our constituents, even if they cant vote yet. I am always going to be seeking perspective of our students, and when Im making a decision, I am definitely listening. Its unclear if Martin might take Quinterns seat before this Novembers general election. Quinterns term expired at the end of the year, and the School Board has yet to decide whether it will wait until Election Day or appoint an interim member. Martin has applied to fill the seat immediately, should the board decide to name an interim. Martin could be the youngest elected official in Virginia if he wins at the polls later this year. Ryan McElveen was 25 when he was elected to the Fairfax County School Board in 2012, and Abrar Omeish was 24 when she was elected to the same body in 2019. I know Im young, Martin said, but Im not inexperienced in advancing the lives of young people. New research led by University of Hawaii astronomers suggests our Universe may rotate just extremely slowly. To paraphrase the Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, who famously said Panta Rhei everything moves, we thought that perhaps Panta Kykloutai everything turns, said Dr. Istvan Szapudi, an astronomer with the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii. 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 doesnt explain the so-called Hubble tension a long-standing disagreement between two ways of measuring how fast the Universe is expanding. 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. Dr. Szapudi and his colleagues developed a mathematical model of the Universe. First, the model 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, Dr. Szapudi said. Even better, it is compatible with other models that assume rotation. Therefore, perhaps, everything really does turn. Or, Panta Kykloutai! The teams model suggests the Universe could rotate once every 500 billion years too slow to detect easily, but enough to affect how space expands over time. The idea doesnt break any known laws of physics, the astronomers said. And it might explain why measurements of the Universes growth dont quite agree. The next step is turning the theory into a full computer model and finding ways to spot signs of this slow cosmic spin. The findings appear in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. _____ Balazs Endre Szigeti et al. 2025. Can rotation solve the Hubble Puzzle? MNRAS 538 (4): 3038-3041; doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf446 Observations of large valley networks on todays Mars suggest formation by flowing water. However, most climate models cannot sustain temperatures above freezing. To understand this contradiction, a team of planetary researchers modeled the two leading theories for valley formation from precipitation (a warm wet climate) or temporarily melted ice from the edge of an ice cap (an icy cold climate). They found that the main difference between these scenarios was the location of the origin of the valleys that formed. In a warm wet setting, valleys start at many different elevations. In the icy cold scenario, valleys start only near the elevation where ice melted. The authors then examined a region of Mars with many large valley networks, focusing on the location and elevation of valley heads. Their findings showed that the distribution of valley heads matches predictions for a climate that includes precipitation rather than just runoff from melting ice caps. This suggests that precipitation played a significant role in forming these valleys, indicating that ancient Mars likely had a climate warm enough to support rain. You could pull up Google Earth images of places like Utah, zoom out, and youd see the similarities to Mars, said Dr. Amanda Steckel, a researcher at the California Institute of Technology. Most scientists today agree that at least some water existed on the surface of Mars during the Noachian epoch, roughly 4.1 to 3.7 billion years ago. But where that water came from has long been a mystery Some researchers say that ancient Mars wasnt ever warm and wet, but always cold and dry. At the time, the Solar Systems young Sun was only about 75% as bright as it is today. Sprawling ice caps may have covered the highlands around the Martian equator, occasionally melting for short periods of time. In new research, Dr. Steckel and her colleagues set out to investigate the warm-and-wet versus cold-and-dry theories of Mars past climate. The researchers drew on computer simulations to explore how water may have shaped the surface of Mars billions of years ago. They found that precipitation from snow or rain likely formed the patterns of valleys and headwaters that still exist on Mars today. Its very hard to make any kind of conclusive statement, Dr. Steckel said. But we see these valleys beginning at a large range of elevations. Its hard to explain that with just ice. Satellite images of Mars today still reveal the fingerprints of water on the planet. Around the equator, for example, vast networks of channels spread from Martian highlands, branching like trees and emptying into lakes and even, possibly, an ocean. NASAs Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in 2021, is currently exploring Jezero crater, the site of one such ancient lake. During the Noachian, a powerful river emptied into this region, depositing a delta on top of the crater floor. Youd need meters deep of flowing water to deposit those kinds of boulders, said Dr. Brian Hynek, a researcher with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder. To study that ancient past, the scientists created, essentially, a digital version of a portion of Mars. They used the software to model the evolution of the landscape on synthetic terrain that resembles Mars close to its equator. In some cases, they added water to that terrain from falling precipitation. In other cases, they included melting ice caps. Then, in the simulation, they let the water flow for tens to hundreds of thousands of years. The authors examined the patterns that formed as a result and, specifically, where the headwaters feeding Mars branching valleys emerged. The scenarios produced very different planets: In the case of melting ice caps, those valley heads formed largely at high elevations, roughly around the edge of where the ancient ice sat. In the precipitation examples, Martian headwaters were much more widespread, forming at elevations ranging from below the planets average surface to more than 3,350 m (11,000 feet) high. Water from these ice caps starts to form valleys only around a narrow band of elevations, Dr. Steckel said. Whereas if you have distributed precipitation, you can have valley heads forming everywhere. The team then compared those predictions to actual data from Mars taken by NASAs Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey spacecrafts. The simulations that included precipitation lined up more closely with the real Red Planet. The researchers are quick to point out that the results arent the final word on Mars ancient climate in particular, how the planet managed to stay warm enough to support snow or rain still isnt clear. But our study provides scientists with new insights into the history of another planet: our own, Dr. Hynek said. Once the erosion from flowing water stopped, Mars almost got frozen in time and probably still looks a lot like Earth did 3.5 billion years ago. The study was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. _____ Amanda V. Steckel et al. 2025. Landscape Evolution Models of Incision on Mars: Implications for the Ancient Climate. JGR Planets 130 (4): e2024JE008637; doi: 10.1029/2024JE008637 An asteroid called Donaldjohanson was captured by NASAs Lucy spacecraft during a flyby on April 20, 2025. At closest approach, the spacecraft came within a distance of 960 km (600 miles). Donaldjohanson is a carbonaceous asteroid located in the inner regions of the main asteroid belt. It was first discovered on March 2, 1981 by the American astronomer Schelte Bus at the Siding Spring Observatory. Donaldjohanson was previously observed to have large brightness variations over a 10-day period, so some of Lucy team members expectations were confirmed when the first images showed what appeared to be an elongated contact binary an object formed when two smaller bodies collide. However, the researchers were surprised by the odd shape of the narrow neck connecting the two lobes, which looks like two nested ice cream cones. Asteroid Donaldjohanson has strikingly complicated geology, said Lucy principal investigator Dr. Hal Levison, a researcher at Southwest Research Institute. As we study the complex structures in detail, they will reveal important information about the building blocks and collisional processes that formed the planets in our Solar System. From a preliminary analysis of the first available images collected by the spacecrafts LLORRI imager, Donaldjohanson appears to be larger than originally estimated about 8 km (5 miles) long and 3.5 km (2 miles) wide at the widest point. In this first set of high-resolution images returned from the spacecraft, the full asteroid is not visible as the asteroid is larger than the imagers field of view, the scientists explained. It will take up to a week for the team to downlink the remainder of the encounter data from the spacecraft; this dataset will give a more complete picture of the asteroids overall shape. These early images of Donaldjohanson are again showing the tremendous capabilities of the Lucy spacecraft as an engine of discovery, said Lucy program scientist Dr. Tom Statler, a researcher at NASA Headquarters. The potential to really open a new window into the history of our Solar System when Lucy gets to the Trojan asteroids is immense. Like Lucys first asteroid flyby target, Dinkinesh, Donaldjohanson is not a primary science target of the mission. As planned, the Dinkinesh flyby was a systems test for the mission, while this encounter was a full dress rehearsal, in which the team conducted a series of dense observations to maximize data collection. Data collected by Lucys other scientific instruments, the LRalph color imager and infrared spectrometer and the LTES thermal infrared spectrometer, will be retrieved and analyzed over the next few weeks. The Lucy spacecraft will spend most of the remainder of 2025 travelling through the main asteroid belt. Lucy will encounter the missions first main target, the Jupiter Trojan asteroid Eurybates, in August 2027. In the largest study of its kind, researchers at the Florida Museum of Natural History have used data from a 120-year-old program managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to quantify the effects of introduced species. The researchers included more than 5 million measurements from individual trees across much of eastern North America and showed the rate at which introduced species are spreading has increased over the last two decades. Additionally, native tree diversity is on the decline in areas where exotic species originally introduced by humans have encroached. This might seem like a no-brainer. If you increase the number of non-native species, it makes sense that the number of natives would go down. But no one's actually demonstrated that this happens at a large scale before. "There's this assumption that introduced species are not a good thing, but we don't always know what that means," said study co-author Doug Soltis, a distinguished professor at the Florida Museum. "People have tried to get at their impact using fine-scale studies. What this paper does is take a more macro-level approach." There are numerous studies that catalogue the negative effects plants can have when they're introduced to a novel ecosystem. Without the pressures of pathogens and herbivores in the region where they evolved, they can quickly outcompete native species, change the pH of the soil, alter the growth and behavior of animals, disrupt the flow of nutrients from tree to tree through underground fungal networks, and make it easier for some species to move into an area while pushing others out by altering the environment. What we don't know is how all of these changes affect native plant diversity as a whole. To find out, the study authors left no stone unturned. Like a physician subjecting a patient to a barrage of clinical tests, they looked at changes in biological diversity over time in response to the arrival and establishment of non-native species. Using data collected as far back as 1995, the authors found two conspicuous patterns. First, introduced species are picking up speed rather than losing steam. Second, in areas with introduced species, the number of native species is decreasing over time. The diversity of introduced species in many areas is also increasing. This could be because certain areas are more amenable to the growth of non-natives; they could be close to metropolitan or suburban areas, for example, where exotic trees are grown as ornamentals. Or it could mean the arrival of one introduced species somehow makes way for others. "We don't actually know the mechanism behind the increase," said lead author Yunpeng Liu, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Florida's Invasion Science Institute. The answer to that riddle will have to await further research. Despite a solid understanding of how introduced trees affect natives, the authors say they aren't any closer to finding a solution for the problem. The study of introduced species is primarily focused on mitigation and prevention rather than the full-scale restoration of ecosystems. Once Pandora's box has been opened, it's practically impossible to corral the furies. "We can't eradicate species once they've become widespread," Liu said. But studies like these are valuable nonetheless for the simple reason that a problem can't be solved unless it's first identified. Large-scale and long-term datasets like the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program of the USDA provides directions for the unknown road ahead. People doing the hard work of removing introduced species and planting natives -- as co-authors Pam and Doug Soltis are doing with a tract of forest at the University of Florida that has been granted a temporary stay from development -- need to know where to look and focus their efforts. "What we can offer is a risk map," Yunpeng said. "We can tell people which region or ecosystem they should pay more attention to in the future." Case study: Tallow tree, "a most useful plant." Tallow trees (Triadica sebifera) have spade-shaped leaves with much of the same visual appeal as a gaudy flower. In spring, the new leaves grow out crimson and give way to kelly green as they mature. Near the end of the growing season, the leaves are flushed with anthocyanins that turn them ruby red with bronze veins and a halo of dappled sunset yellows. They have actual flowers, too, which hang down in long racemes that look like elephant trunks attached to the tip of each branch. When the fruit is ready for dispersal, an outer woody layer splits and falls away, revealing three seeds coated in a thick, waxy layer of tallow that can be harvested to make candles and soap. The seeds also contain a type of oil that hardens when exposed to air. Unlike water, oils don't evaporate but instead go through a process called polymerization, a chemical transformation that results in a solid. Tallow tree oils polymerize quickly, making them useful for oil-based paints and varnishes. The tree, which can grow up to 50 feet tall, also has an elegant profile, with a wide, flowing canopy that looks like it was draped in a sheet of leaves rather than growing them itself. Tallow trees are native to Asia, where they've been cultivated for hundreds of years. With all of its pleasing and useful attributes, it's little wonder the species was imported to North America. In fact, the first tallow tree seeds were shipped over by none other than Benjamin Franklin. In a letter dated 1772, he wrote: "I send also a few seeds of the Chinese tallow tree, which will I believe grow and thrive with you. 'Tis a most useful plant." Franklin shipped the seeds to a man in Georgia. By 1784, they were spotted growing near Charleston, South Carolina. Young tallow trees can grow as much as 13 feet a year, allowing them to outcompete slower-growing native flora for light and space. They can also grow in a variety of environments, including flood plains and dry uplands, deep shade and full sun, giving them the potential to spread widely. Tallow trees are now considered one of the most invasive plant species in the United States, with a primarily coastal distribution from North Carolina through Texas, as well as naturalized populations in California. But their current pervasiveness isn't all Franklin's fault. In the early 1900s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture incentivized growing tallow trees in the Southeast with the goal of creating a soap industry in the region. Even when the incentive was gone, local nurseries continued to grow and sell tallow trees as ornamentals. As many as 300,000 were grown in Houston during the 1980s. The species was also introduced to California as a shade tree. Many birds eat tallow tree fruit and disperse the seeds, making it easy for the plant to escape cultivation and infiltrate natural areas, where it can radically and rapidly alter ecosystems. A stark example of this comes from Southeast Texas, to which tallow trees were first introduced in the early 19th century. Initially, they spread primarily through riparian landscapes, following the course of rivers and streams. Then, beginning in the 1970s, they moved onto higher ground. Before Houston, Galveston and the surrounding areas were developed or converted to farmland, they were covered with vast prairies. The area received sufficient rainfall to support forests, but the soil is composed primarily of thick, cloying clay that makes it difficult for plants to absorb water and nutrients. Grasses like little bluestem were among the only plants that grew there, and wildfires were common. Thus, any trees that could withstand the infertile soil were periodically cleared away by conflagrations. But this didn't stop tallow trees. After building up a robust seed bank in the nearby riparian zones, they quickly and efficiently went about converting prairies into woodlands made primarily of tallow trees. They're also good at taking over dormant pastures, and their spread was likely facilitated by abandoned farm and ranch lands, which lay fallow as agriculture declined in the region and properties were earmarked for development. Once invasive species become established, they also make subtle changes to the environment that scientists are only now beginning to understand. Tallow leaves are relatively thin compared with some native trees in temperate North American forests. If they happen to fall in a body of water, such as a pond or a lake, bacteria rapidly begin breaking down the leaves, digesting their sugars and tannins, and using up dissolved oxygen in the water during the process. This has been shown to reduce the hatching success and tadpole survival of southern leopard frogs in laboratory settings. Gray tree frogs also seem to avoid making mating calls in tallow trees, preferring the natives instead, which would become problematic in places where tallows are the main type of woody vegetation. Replacing an entire ecosystem, whether through development or the introduction of non-native species, also displaces organisms that cannot withstand the transition. This is the case for Attwater's prairie-chicken, which is listed as federally endangered and lives exclusively in the disappearing coastal plains of Texas. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Samuel Scheiner, Aaron Hogan of the USDA Forest Service, Matthew Thomas and Jeremy Lichstein of the University of Florida and Robert Guralnick of the Florida Museum were also co-authors of the study. Funding for the study was provided in part by the National Science Foundation, the USDA Forest Service and the University of Florida. Tracing its roots to fundamental research conducted at Princeton, a new startup is upending decades-old approaches for the way the world extracts lithium and other materials, including nitrate and potash, that power today's clean energy technologies and support modern agriculture. The company, Princeton Critical Minerals (formerly PureLi), which emerged from the University's ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship, has developed a technology for boosting minerals production from evaporation ponds. These ponds currently generate around 40% of the world's lithium and most of its naturally occurring nitrate. The technology is a black disc with a special, anti-fouling coating that floats on the ponds' surface like a lily pad. It effectively doubles the amount of incoming sunlight converted to thermal energy, accelerating the evaporation process and mineral production. As Z. Jason Ren, a professor of civil and environmental engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, describes it, PCM's technology is like adding a second sun to conventional, open evaporation ponds. "When sunlight hits a traditional evaporation pond, the solar energy is dissipated across the entire pond -- the process is less than 50% efficient," said Ren, who is also a co-founder and chief scientist at PCM. "Our technology is over 96% efficient at converting that incoming sunlight into thermal energy to speed up evaporation in a real-world environment." In field pilot tests at evaporation ponds in northern Chile, the team, which partnered with chemical company Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM), found that their technology boosted evaporation rates when compared to open ponds by anywhere between 40 and 122%, depending on the composition of the brine in the pond. Because the technology raises the production efficiency of existing ponds, the PCM team said it could alleviate the need to construct additional evaporation ponds -- which can sprawl to many square miles in size -- to meet the world's growing demand for lithium and other critical minerals. Similarly, any new project could be more compact, with a smaller spatial footprint and reduced environmental impact. "In many ways, the processes for mineral extraction are the same today as they were three decades ago," said Sean Zheng, PCM's chief executive officer and a former Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. "Our technology could really revolutionize the conventional approach to critical minerals extraction." A journey through Princeton's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem In an article published February 10 in Nature Water (and featured on the cover of the journal's February edition), Ren and Zheng recounted PCM's journey from research idea to real-world impact. The company traces its origins to when Zheng joined Ren's group as a Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. There, Zheng aided investigations into technologies for accelerating evaporation in brine and other salty waters. "It really started as fundamental research -- we published a scientific paper on the technology and evaporation processes involved," Zheng said. "But we also felt that this technology was something that could make an impact. We wanted to find a way to bring it beyond the lab." Central to making that transition, the team said, was the abundance of resources at Princeton available to researchers engaged in innovation and entrepreneurship, including programs in the Office of Innovation and the Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education. Zheng and Ren participated in the National Science Foundation's I-Corps program and Princeton's IP Accelerator Program, which helps researchers gain insights into market needs and refine their innovations for practical use. Princeton University is the lead institution of the I-Corps Northeast Regional Hub. "I-Corps and the IP Accelerator provided us with a new perspective on the questions we still needed to address about our work," Ren said. "When we talked to potential customers as part of the I-Corps program, for example, we found that many aspects of the technology that seemed interesting to us as researchers were less important to industry." Zheng also pointed to his participation in the inaugural cohort of the START Innovators program as an opportunity to transition from academic research into entrepreneurship. The program, part academic fellowship and part startup accelerator, allowed researchers to continue developing their technology while creating a business plan and building early-stage ventures. "Helping to cultivate an ecosystem in which our faculty and researchers can effectively translate their technologies to the commercial sector is a core function of the Office of Innovation," said Craig Arnold, Vice Dean for Innovation and University Innovation Officer. "Professor Ren has shown a very successful example of the ways in which one can leverage a combination of different programs and opportunities within the Princeton Innovation ecosystem to accelerate this translation." The team also participated in the Design for Impact program hosted by the Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education, which helps researchers translate scholarly research into real-world impact. The program provides not only financial support but also allows researchers to work hand-in-hand with experts who can help prepare their ideas for commercialization. "What we're able to do with researchers like Professor Ren and his team is to help redirect how they think about their ideas," said Nena Golubovic, the director of the Design for Impact program in sciences and engineering. "Our goal is to radically shift participants' perspectives, so they leave our program with a completely different perspective than when they entered. We ask them complex questions that may fall outside a researcher's traditional scope but are essential for translating academic innovations into successful outcomes." Following their engagement with Princeton's entrepreneurship ecosystem, the company was formally created in 2023. PCM participated in a cohort of the HAX program, a pre-seed startup development accelerator headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, and formed a partnership with Chilean company SQM to pilot their technology. "We've been moving very fast," Zheng said. "In less than two years, we've moved from testing out small prototypes in kiddie swimming pools to building commercialization-ready products that we've deployed at actual mineral production facilities in South America. "Princeton provided the foundation, ecosystem, and resources that have taught us the skills and knowledge we need to succeed as a small business," he added. New partnerships, new research directions After successful fundraising and several pilot demonstrations in northern Chile, PCM is now in the early stages of commercialization. And while the projects with SQM have proven the technology's technical and economic feasibility, Ren said they have also opened new research questions for his lab group at Princeton. For example, the team observed that lily pad-enhanced ponds maintained higher surface temperatures, with limited heat transfer to the bottom, compared to the more even heat distribution in open ponds. Because temperature impacts mineral solubility, Ren said the field demonstrations sparked new research questions into brine chemistry to further optimize the evaporation process. "These are questions only emerged once we saw the results of the field tests," Ren said. "If we had kept our work in the lab, these new directions might never have come up." In addition to providing Ren with new directions for his scholarly research, he said his efforts with PCM have helped him expand what he sees as the impact of his work, beyond traditional metrics such as a high number of publications in top-tier journals. "My hope is that PCM's story can inspire my colleagues at Princeton to think about how their research might also extend beyond the lab and into the real world," Ren said. "I want to share our journey so others might come to realize, "Hey, this is something I can also do." Visit ancient Mars -- a surprisingly temperate planet where snow or rain falls from the sky, and rivers rush down valleys to feed hundreds of lakes. A new study from geologists at the University of Colorado Boulder paints this picture of a Red Planet that was relatively warm and wet, much different than the frigid wasteland we know today. The team's findings suggest that heavy precipitation likely fed many networks of valleys and channels that shaped the Martian surface billions of years ago -- adding new evidence to a long-running debate in planetary science. The researchers, led by Amanda Steckel, who earned her doctorate in geological sciences at CU Boulder in 2024, published their findings April 21 in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. "You could pull up Google Earth images of places like Utah, zoom out, and you'd see the similarities to Mars," said Steckel, now at the California Institute of Technology. Most scientists today agree that at least some water existed on the surface of Mars during the Noachian epoch, roughly 4.1 to 3.7 billion years ago. But where that water came from has long been a mystery. Some researchers say that ancient Mars wasn't ever warm and wet, but always cold and dry. At the time, the solar system's young sun was only about 75% as bright as it is today. Sprawling ice caps may have covered the highlands around the Martian equator, occasionally melting for short periods of time. In the new research, Steckel and her colleagues set out to investigate the warm-and-wet versus cold-and-dry theories of Mars' past climate. The team drew on computer simulations to explore how water may have shaped the surface of Mars billions of years ago. They found that precipitation from snow or rain likely formed the patterns of valleys and headwaters that still exist on Mars today. "It's very hard to make any kind of conclusive statement," Steckel said. "But we see these valleys beginning at a large range of elevations. It's hard to explain that with just ice." A tale of two red planets Satellite images of Mars today still reveal the fingerprints of water on the planet. Around the equator, for example, vast networks of channels spread from Martian highlands, branching like trees and emptying into lakes and even, possibly, an ocean. NASA's Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in 2021, is currently exploring Jezero Crater, the site of one such ancient lake. During the Noachian, a powerful river emptied into this region, depositing a delta on top of the crater floor. "You'd need meters deep of flowing water to deposit those kinds of boulders," said Brian Hynek, senior author of the study and a scientist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at CU Boulder. To study that ancient past, he and Steckel, who now serves on the Perseverance science team, created, essentially, a digital version of a portion of Mars. The team drew on a computer simulation, or model, originally developed for Earth studies by study co-author Gregory Tucker, a professor at the Department of Geological Sciences at CU Boulder. Matthew Rossi, a research scientist at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at CU Boulder, also served as a co-author. The researchers used the software to model the evolution of the landscape on synthetic terrain that resembles Mars close to its equator. In some cases, the group added water to that terrain from falling precipitation. In other cases, the researchers included melting ice caps. Then, in the simulation, they let the water flow for tens to hundreds of thousands of years. The researchers examined the patterns that formed as a result and, specifically, where the headwaters feeding Mars' branching valleys emerged. The scenarios produced very different planets: In the case of melting ice caps, those valley heads formed largely at high elevations, roughly around the edge of where the ancient ice sat. In the precipitation examples, Martian headwaters were much more widespread, forming at elevations ranging from below the planet's average surface to more than 11,000 feet high. "Water from these ice caps starts to form valleys only around a narrow band of elevations," Steckel said. "Whereas if you have distributed precipitation, you can have valley heads forming everywhere." The team then compared those predictions to actual data from Mars taken by NASA's Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey spacecrafts. The simulations that included precipitation lined up more closely with the real Red Planet. The researchers are quick to point out that the results aren't the final word on Mars' ancient climate -- in particular, how the planet managed to stay warm enough to support snow or rain still isn't clear. But Hynek said the study provides scientists with new insights into the history of another planet: our own. "Once the erosion from flowing water stopped, Mars almost got frozen in time and probably still looks a lot like Earth did 3.5 billion years ago," he said. An analytics-driven "decision framework" that accounts for the socioeconomic and demographic factors of patients can promote more equitable health care delivery and potentially improve chronic disease care outcomes, according to new research co-written by a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign business scholar who studies technology adoption in health care. A data-informed approach to scheduling patient encounters with clinicians can reduce risks associated with diabetes management by up to 19.4%, especially for underserved populations, says Ujjal Kumar Mukherjee, a professor of business administration at Illinois. "Managing chronic medical conditions such as diabetes is a major challenge for health care organizations because it requires both committing resources over a long timeline and high levels of patient engagement in the care process," he said. "The diversity of the patient population also plays a role in terms of health risks across patient populations, which can influence care outcomes. But if you apply a strategic approach and essentially customize the care to the patient's demographics, you can drive improvements in health outcomes." Mukherjee's co-authors are Dilip Chhajed of Purdue University and Han Ye of Lehigh University. The study aimed to improve diabetes care by developing a predictive and prescriptive framework for allocating health care encounters more effectively, especially for socioeconomically and demographically diverse populations. "Many high-risk patients receive fewer health care encounters than needed, which means it's important to tailor chronic care treatment to improve outcomes," Mukherjee said. A mismatch leads to inequitable and inefficient resource use, especially for managing chronic health conditions. "It's well known that there is pervasive health inequity in the U.S. that's coupled with a limited capacity to deliver chronic care -- chronic being a progressive kind of a disease such as diabetes, COPD, cancer or heart disease," he said. "These are all progressive diseases that, if left untreated, advance to costlier stages of care -- which, of course, makes it more expensive and time-consuming for patients and practitioners." But if you treat it early enough and often enough, "then you can manage it and bend the cost curve down," Mukherjee said. "Chronic diseases don't get cured. Rather, it's a question of managing both the disease progression and the overall risk of it." The researchers analyzed data from more than 10,000 diabetes patients collected from a multifacility clinic in the U.S., with population-level socioeconomic and demographic data culled from the U.S. census. Mukherjee and his co-authors employed machine learning to determine if future diabetes risk for individual patients could be predicted using past clinical measures and population-level socioeconomic variables such as income and education. The researchers found striking disparities in care access: Patients from low-income, less-educated or predominantly minority communities were significantly less likely to have regular health care encounters -- despite having higher average glucose levels. The finding underscores the need for risk-sensitive decision frameworks to support and augment clinical decision-making processes, Mukherjee said. "Many of the chronic care diabetes patients were from underserved, under-resourced communities, and they don't have regular contact with medical professionals," he said. "They don't go through preventative or primary care processes. Which means they'll often end up in the emergency department with some kind of adverse health event, whether it's a heart attack, kidney failure, retinal problems or a liver dysfunction, all from untreated diabetes." And when patients end up in an emergency room, both the patient and the health care system end up spending a lot more time and money than they would if the disease had been managed from the outset. "If you have regular contact with clinicians, you can avoid unnecessary emergency hospitalizations," Mukherjee said. "In that way, patients from disadvantaged backgrounds benefit the most from an optimized health care allocation strategy." The implications of the research point to how health care providers can use analytics to ensure that limited clinical resources such as appointment slots are equitably and efficiently distributed, Mukherjee said. "The approach supports fairer access to chronic care and has the potential to reduce health disparities on a population level," he said. Ticks are more likely to carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease in areas where pheasants are released, new research shows. Pheasants are not native to the UK, but about 47 million are released here each year for recreational shooting. Researchers studied ticks in 25 woodland areas in South West England where pheasants are released -- and 25 nearby control sites where no pheasants are released. They found that Borrelia spp. -- the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease -- was almost 2.5 times more common in ticks in the pheasant-release areas. The research was carried out by the University of Exeter and the UK Health Security Agency. "Borrelia bacteria can live in a wide range of hosts, including pheasants, wild birds and mammals -- and humans," said Emile Michels, from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation on Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall. "Pheasants are known to be 'competent' hosts of Borrelia -- meaning they have a relatively high likelihood of contracting and retransmitting the bacteria. "More research is needed, but our findings suggest there may be an increased risk of potential exposure to Borrelia-infected ticks for people -- such as gamekeepers -- who work in woodlands where pheasants are released in numbers." Researchers tested ticks at different life stages (nymphs and adults) and found that, overall, the proportion containing Borrelia was 7.8% in pheasant-release woodlands, and 3.2% where pheasants were not released. Dr Barbara Tschirren, also from the University of Exeter, said: "Our findings are evidence of 'spillback' -- where non-native species increase the prevalence of native pathogens. "This can be an important route for the emergence of zoonoses (diseases that animals can give to humans)." Dr Jolyon Medlock, head of the Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology team at UKHSA, said:"While we have observed an increase in the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease in ticks, we do not have data on the resulting impact on human health, including evidence of Lyme infection. "Following these findings, we continue to work with academic partners to better understand what drives Borrelia transmission, including the roles of climate and environmental change." The control sites in the study were one to two kilometres from the pheasant-release sites, so more research would be required to see if Borrelia in ticks declines further at greater distances. Emile Michels' PhD is funded by the NERC GW4+ DTP scheme. The paper, published in the journal Ecology Letters, is entitled: "The release of non-native gamebirds is associated with amplified zoonotic disease risk." Wil Morris The Sanilac County CMH rights office operates independently, which gives them the autonomy to conduct unbiased investigations. A October 2024 MI Mental Health series story explored the importance of patient rights for individuals receiving mental health care in Michigan, raising critical awareness of the protections guaranteed by the states Mental Health Code and how local agencies help patients navigate their rights. As a follow-up, MI Mental Health spoke with Wil Morris, chief executive officer of Sanilac County Community Mental Health (CMH), to go deeper into what that work looks like on the ground.Like other community mental health agencies, Sanilac County CMH trains staff to uphold patient rights and works to create a culture of dignity and respect that is key to making those rights a reality.Q: How does Sanilac County CMH ensure that patient rights are protected and upheld throughout the care process?Morris: There are several ways we approach this. First, when someone begins services, we provide a rights handbook and go over it with them at a level that meets their needs. We revisit it each year during their annual reassessment and throughout treatment when necessary. All staff whether directly employed or contracted receive rights training within 30 days of hire, mostly face-to-face, and a yearly refresher is mandatory.We also hold quarterly meetings with residential providers to review individual rights and discuss trends or issues. Our rights officer reports monthly to our board and participates in our quality improvement committee. If she notices patterns like recurring late medication doses we adjust training or send nurses to homes to address those specific concerns. Its really about creating a culture of dignity and respect.Q: What kind of training or support do staff receive to help them understand and advocate for patient rights?Morris: The initial training runs about four hours and covers categories like abuse, neglect, and dignity. Our rights officers conduct the sessions and remain available to staff for questions or concerns. For instance, a new employee recently called to clarify a situation before it became an issue that open communication is key.I also lead a section during new employee orientation that covers mandatory reporting responsibilities, not just for abuse and neglect but also for rights violations. Staff are encouraged to speak up if they witness anything concerning, even if it involves a coworker.Q: Can you share an example of a time when a staff member went above and beyond to support a patients rights or well-being?Morris: That happens pretty regularly. For example, if someone mentions they didnt receive their medication, staff will often file the rights complaint form on the patients behalf even if the patient is uncomfortable doing it themselves. In one case, a client told staff theyd been treated rudely, and the staff helped them file a complaint about that interaction.Another time, a residential employee asked if two staff without CPR training could work the same shift. That would be a violation, so we stepped in to help resolve the staffing issue before it became a rights concern. Our rights department also closes 98% of investigations within 30 days well ahead of the states 90-day timeline because timely resolution matters to everyone involved.Q: How do you ensure that patients and their families are aware of their rights when they begin care?Morris: At intake, one of the very first things we cover right after consent for treatment is patient rights. We provide a detailed handbook outlining rights like freedom from abuse and the right to be treated with dignity and respect. This information is displayed throughout our agency and soon will be accessible via QR code to make it even more user-friendly. We recognize that people often come in focused on immediate needs, but we want them to carry that awareness of their rights throughout their care journey.Q: What changes or improvements have recently been made to strengthen how patient rights are addressed?Morris: I believe in staying connected. I still walk the halls and chat with individuals receiving services, not just as an administrator but as a therapist by background. Sometimes people will come to me directly with concerns, like issues with a transportation provider, and I help connect them with our rights department.Importantly, our rights office operates independently even though they technically report to me which gives them the autonomy to conduct unbiased investigations. I also encourage my officers to stay engaged with staff and clients, modeling the respectful behavior we expect across the agency.The MI Mental Health series highlights the opportunities that Michigan's children, teens, and adults of all ages have to find the mental health help they need, when and where they need it. It is made possible with funding from the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan Summit Pointe , and Washtenaw County Community Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage Financial markets' focus in the middle of the week will be on geopolitics, with top level officials from the US, Ukraine and Europe set to meet in London. The aim will be to try and agree on a common ceasefire proposal to then present to the Kremlin. In parallel, the US and Iran will hold 'expert level' talks, in an attempt to defuse the threat to regional stability on account of Tehran's nuclear programme. Against that backdrop, at 0800 GMT S&P Global will release the result of its Purchasing Managers' Indices for April in the euro area covering manufacturing and services. Comparable surveys for the UK and US will follow at 0830 GMT and 1345 GMT, respectively. Earlier, at 0600 GMT, ONS will publish UK public sector net borrowing data for the month of March. Bank of England chief economist Huw Pill will deliver a speech at 1030 GMT. He will be followed by BoE Governor Andrew Bailey at 1715 GMT. Wednesday 23 April INTERIMS AB Dynamics, Ten Lifestyle Group INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Balance of Trade (EU) (10:00) Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30) GFK Consumer Confidence (GER) (07:00) MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00) New Homes Sales (US) (15:00) PMI Composite (EU) (09:00) PMI Composite (GER) (08:30) PMI Composite (US) (14:45) PMI Manufacturing (GER) (08:30) PMI Manufacturing (EU) (09:00) PMI Manufacturing (US) (14:45) PMI Services (EU) (09:00) PMI Services (GER) (08:30) PMI Services (US) (14:45) FINALS Finseta, Gresham House Energy Storage Fund, Northcoders Group EGMS Secure Property Development & Investment (DI) AGMS AFC Energy, Bellevue Healthcare Trust (Red), Bunzl, Entain, NATWEST GROUP, Nichols, Smithson Investment Trust TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS Quilter UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS PMI Composite (09:30) PMI Manufacturing (09:30) PMI Services (09:30) Public Sector Net Borrowing (07:00) FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd Com Shs (DI) Q1 PensionBee Group The head of America's Treasury believes that the trade war with China will de-escalate. Scott Bessent made the behind-closed-door remarks to attendees at an investor conference hosted by JP Morgan. According to the Wall Street Journal, Bessent noted that while negotiations had not yet begun, a deal was still with Beijing was still possible. Bloomberg had earlier reported Bessent's remarks. Drugmaker AstraZeneca said on Tuesday that it had received "positive high-level results" from a Phase III trial on its Enhertu candidate, developed in conjunction with Daiichi Sankyo . AstraZeneca said that when used in conjunction with pertuzumab, Enhertu had demonstrated a "highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement" in progression-free survival versus taxane, trastuzumab and pertuzumab as a first-line therapy for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. The FTSE 100-listed group stated the improvement in progression-free survival was seen across all pre-specified patient subgroups with Enhertu in combination with pertuzumab. However, it noted that its key secondary endpoint of overall survival "was not mature at the time of this planned interim analysis" but said interim data pointed to "an early trend" favouring the Enhertu combination compared with THP. AstraZeneca's Susan Galbraith said: "This is the first trial in more than a decade to demonstrate superior efficacy across a broad HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patient population compared to the current 1st-line standard of care. This is a significant milestone for patients and sets the foundation for Enhertu in combination with pertuzumab as an important treatment option in the first-line HER2-positive setting." As of 0855 BST, AstraZeneca shares were down 0.18% at 10,106.00p. Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made an open invite to global CEOs, pension fund managers, and institutional investors to be active participants in India's fast-changing growth story in a series of high-level interactions in the United States. The conversations covered key areas like energy, sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, and innovation led by the private sector. With Finance Secretary Ajay Seth and India's Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra in tow, the Finance Minister met with key industry leaders and stakeholders, presenting India's reformist economic terrain and soliciting comments on prevailing policy regimes. Sitharaman emphasized the Government of India's intentions to encourage research and innovation through a proposed Rs 1 lakh crore ($12 billion) corpus towards augmenting private sector-led R&D and innovation. She invited foreign investors to look at opportunities under this effort, which is intended to serve as a catalyst for India's aspirations in front-line technologies. In a series of private meetings with the leading tech executives and venture capitalists, the Finance Minister highlighted India's preparedness to emerge as a world class innovation hub. She specifically highlighted the advancement in AI, cloud computing, and digital connectivity. Jonathan Siddharth, Turing CEO, indicated his desire to make India a central force in the international AI revolution. He spoke of his vision for building a sovereign AI model created in partnership with Indian talent, one that would create a global benchmark. Sitharaman responded by pointing to India's policy initiatives to facilitate responsible AI innovation and extending an invitation to Turing to partner through India's developing digital ecosystem. Finance Minister briefed him on parallel initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission (budgeted at Rs 10,300 crore), and the creation of AI language technologies like BharatGen and Sarvam-1. She also cited the Srijan Centre for Generative AI at IIT Jodhpur as an example of concentrated innovation. Debanjan Saha, DataRobot's CEO, seconded the view, referring to India as a future AI superpower. He showed interest in contributing to the AI Centre of Excellence, which has been allotted Rs 500 crore in the Union Budget 2025-26. Thebriefed him on parallel initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission (budgeted at Rs 10,300 crore), and the creation of AI language technologies like BharatGen and Sarvam-1. She also cited the Srijan Centre for Generative AI at IIT Jodhpur as an example of concentrated innovation. While engaging with Andreessen Horowitz General Partner Anjney Midha and VMware CEO Raghu Raghuram, Sitharaman explained how India's technology revolution has been spearheaded by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She urged them to invest in India's rapidly growing innovation areas. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian commended the Digital India program, pointing to India's rise as a digital leader on the global stage. Kurian reaffirmed Google Cloud's dedication to sustainability, citing ambitions to run completely on carbon-free energy by 2030. Kurian also indicated Google's enthusiasm for boosting India's connectivity with the world through increased land and sea cable networks. FM Sitharaman ended the session by thanking for their inputs the participants and also reiterating the government's intention to construct a collaborative as well as investor-friendly ecosystem. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that India is in active dialogue with the new US administration and hopes to finalize the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement 'positively' by autumn (September-October) this year. "The long and short of dealing with the US is not only for this bilateral tariff-related issue, but we also have the country as our biggest trade partner with whom we must have an agreement", Sitharaman added in an interaction with the Indian diaspora in San Francisco. In August this year, US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to initiate negotiations for a bilateral trade deal (BTA) as part of an overall new aim 'Mission 500' of increasing bilateral trade to over double at $500 billion by 2030. "The eagerness with which we are pursuing the US administration, even as I speak, I believe the Vice President of the United States of America (J.D. Vance) is in India, he will be meeting the Prime Minister, hopefully tonight or tomorrow. Amidst all this, the Assistant USTR had come to India to review the progress or to meet the negotiating team that is handling the tariff-related negotiation and the bilateral trade agreement that we wish to sign. In fact, the progress of the agreement or the trade agreement that we are pursuing, at least a first tranche is something which we hope to close positively by the fall this year", she said in an interaction at the India Community Centre, in San Francisco on Sunday evening (Monday morning IST). Sitharaman is also going to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and will address the officials in the office of United States Trade Representative. The Finance Minister further stated that India is being noticed worldwide for its potential and economic power, appealing to the Indian diaspora in the US to join hands with India so that India as well as the US can develop and prosper. India is now the fastest-growing economy fueled by the 'visionary leadership' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stability offered by a stable government, she added. "When we say India is the fastest-growing economy and when the IMF and World Bank acknowledge that India can be the engine powering world trade, what they are acknowledging is the vast potential which lies in India", she said. Emphasizing the way forward to make the Indian economy strong, FM Sitharaman added: "When our country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, our fiscal deficit increased. But in 2021, we issued a clear indication as to how we wanted to control our fiscal deficit. We issued year-on-year targets and made a promise that we would take the fiscal deficit below 4.5 per cent by the year 2026. And this is what we have been keeping up every single year". India's international cultural presence. On a five-day tour of the United States, she, while on the visit, is expected to give a keynote address at Stanford University and meet with CEOs in San Francisco to discuss investments and technological upgradation. The visit will also comprise attending diaspora events to augment In Washington DC, Sitharaman will participate in the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, and the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meetings. She will also have bilateral meetings on the margins with counterparts from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and other nations, and senior officials of international financial institutions. Following her US visit, Sitharaman will visit Peru from April 26 to 30. Pictured is a 2019 rendering of the Arthur Kill Terminal site. (Courtesy of Arthur Kill Terminal/Atlantic Offshore Terminals) Courtesy of Arthur Kill Terminal/Atlantic Offshore Terminals STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis is petitioning two high-level military officials to approve a permit for the construction of Arthur Kill Terminal on Staten Islands South Shore. Arthur Kill Terminal, which has been in the planning stages for over five years, is meant to function as a specialized port at the foot of the Outerbridge Crossing where offshore wind turbines and towers could be assembled and staged before being brought out to sea. In an April 4 letter to Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, the United States Army Corps of Engineers Chief of Engineers, and Commanding General William Graham, Jr., Malliotakis wrote: Arthur Kill Terminal is a vital economic development project for my district I encourage you to expedite the final review and authorization of this permit. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis is pictured in the Advances Bloomfield office on Oct. 10, 2024. (Advance/SILivecom | Jason Paderon) Jason Paderon The permit from the Department of the Army is one of the last steps before the terminal can move forward in its next phase of development, according to the letter. The push for the permit comes a few months after President Donald Trump put a pin in any new offshore wind projects from being approved via an executive order effectively halting the creation of 750 union jobs that would be created during the terminals construction. Were not going to do the wind thing. Big, ugly windmills. They ruin your neighborhood, said Trump at his inauguration on Jan. 20. Even if the terminal is constructed, the reality is that if the permitting process for new offshore wind projects remains paused, the terminal could still suffer. After all, the terminal is meant to be leased out to different companies after it is completed so that the companies can assemble and stage their own turbines before being shipped to their destinations. If no projects are being approved, the need for something like Arthur Kill Terminal diminishes despite the economic benefits it could bring to Staten Island. Educational opportunities Pictured is a rendering of the Arthur Kill Terminal AKT Cole House Visitor Center. (Courtesy of Arthur Kill Terminal/Atlantic Offshore Terminals) Courtesy of Arthur Kill Terminal/Atlantic Offshore Terminals In October 2024, Arthur Kill Terminal announced its plan to unite with the College of Staten Island to provide educational opportunities for students looking to enter the offshore wind industry. In an interview with the colleges vice president, Robert Wallace, and the director of offshore wind initiatives, workforce development and professional programs at the college, James Bennett, the pair agreed that the college will continue to support students looking to enter this field. Arthur Kill [Terminal] is a proposed project for Staten Island that has great potential and a lot of big pluses, said Bennett, who spent a large portion of his career in renewable energy. We are in the process of assessing the market and determining at what point it would be best to move forward with that particular project. It is caught up in all the goings on with regard to the slowdown, or the... halted permitting if you will, he explained. Wallace said he is hopeful that the project moves forward so the college can provide its students with hands-on experience in offshore wind, but that the programs offered by the school can also translate to other industries should the project stall. The way weve planned it out in terms of some of our programs that we want to develop would translate across industries, so its not dependent on [Arthur Kill Terminal], but it certainly would help if that moved forward, Wallace said. Arthur Kill Terminal plan Pictured is a rendering of the Arthur Kill Terminal warehouse. (Courtesy of Arthur Kill Terminal/Atlantic Offshore Terminals) Courtesy of Arthur Kill Terminal/Atlantic Offshore Terminals According to a written statement, Arthur Kill Terminal LLC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York (NYCBTC) to enter into a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the construction of Arthur Kill Terminal. Six hundred of the jobs are slated to be in the construction sector, while another 150 jobs will open in the operations sector. A majority of Staten Island elected officials have been vocal in their support of the terminals establishment, with former South Shore Councilmember Joseph Borelli, who resigned earlier this year, previously leading the charge. Nevertheless, Atlantic Offshore Terminals, the company behind the terminal, received a letter of support in 2024 from: State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, a Democrat representing the North Shore and South Brooklyn; Assemblymember Charles Fall, a Democrat representing the North Shore; Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo, a Republican representing the Mid-Island; Assemblymember Mike Reilly, a Republican representing the South Shore; and Assemblymember Michael Tannousis, a Republican representing the East Shore and Brooklyn. Sen. Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, also voiced his approval, helping the terminal receive $48 million in federal funding in 2022. And if local and state support isnt enough, even former President Joe Biden shouted out the terminal in a February 2023 visit to New York City. Service provider MTN has officially concluded its operations in Afghanistan, transferring its stake to the Beirut-based M1 Group. The company will now operate under the brand name ATOMA. At a formal handover ceremony, Najibullah Haqqani, the Talibans Minister of Telecommunications and Technology, announced that MTNs shares had been acquired by M1 Group for an undisclosed multi-million-dollar sum. In November 2022 we reported that MTN Group had named Lebanons M1 New Ventures as the buyer of its Afghan unit. At the time news outlets suggested that M1 was set to acquire MTN Afghanistan for US$35 million. MTN, which began operations in Afghanistan in 2007, held a 40% share of the market and was the countrys largest mobile operator. MTNs strategic decision aligns with its long-term goal to concentrate on African markets. MTN first announced plans to exit the Middle East in August 2020. Indeed this exit follows announcements of planned withdrawals by MTN from Syria in August 2021 and Yemen soon after. MTNs only remaining presence in the region is a 49% stake in Irancell, its joint venture in Iran. At the ceremony Haqqani called on ATOMA to deliver high-quality services, honour its licence obligations, and prioritise consumer rights. Hashim Ramazan, the newly appointed CEO of ATOMA, pledged to modernise the companys network infrastructure, improve 4G services, and provide reliable, high-quality voice and internet connectivity across the country. Despite the rebranding, ATOMA has assured customers that services will continue uninterrupted, with a focus on improving user experience and expanding coverage in rural areas. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The Gerard Carter Community Center will be hosting the NYC Urban Community Workshop Kickoff event Tuesday night a great way to celebrate Earth Day. The Urban Forest Plan, a project in the development stages across the five boroughs, is focused on expanding New York Citys tree canopy across public and private property from 23% to 30% coverage, a written statement explained. As such, the event will offer chances to Staten Islanders to connect and learn with the forces behind this anticipated project. After years of hard work by community members to bring us to this point, New York City is developing its first Urban Forest Plan. The Urban Forest includes all the trees on public and private land, so we are working to find new ways that communities can be involved. Thats why hearing directly from community members now, before the plan has been created, is so important, said Ted Enoch, senior program director, Partnerships for Parks and Catalyst at the City Parks Foundation. Afterall, expanding this canopy will improve public health, equity, and the climate benefits of the urban forest, which includes all the trees on public and private land across the city, the statement said. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be working with so many amazing Staten Islanders over the past decade to help parks and open spaces thrive and meet the needs of community members. The passion and brilliance of communities in these projects has been inspiring. I cannot wait to see what Staten Islanders bring to this new opportunity as we work together to make New York Citys first, ever Urban Forest Plan, Enoch added. The event is a concerted effort between a variety of organizations and offices, including City Parks Foundation, the Mayors Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, Natural Areas Conservancy, NYC Parks, Partnership for Parks, Staten Island Environmental Justice Coalition, Staten Island Urban Center, and The Nature Conservancy. Weve convened an amazing group of New York City environmental policy makers and community engagement leaders together to listen to and learn from Staten Islanders, so that the plan will come to reflect their hopes, dreams, concerns, and new ideas for the ways we will protect and care for our trees, Enoch said. The event will be held at the center on Tuesday, April 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The program includes refreshments and networking opportunities, welcoming remarks, the Urban Forest Plan Input Sessions with satellite group chats, and a plenary session, the statement listed. A fire burned a unit at the Extra Space Storage facility at 435 Tompkins Ave. in Rosebank on March 24, 2025. The photo was taken on April 22, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Authorities allege that a 49-year-old man intentionally set a fire inside a storage facility in Rosebank. The defendant was video chatting with an individual known to him during the conflagration, according to a law-enforcement source. Domingo Muriel of Meadow Lane in Bay Terrace was arrested on April 9 for the fire that started just after 6:10 p.m. on March 24 in unit 3046 at Extra Space Storage at 435 Tompkins Ave., according to the criminal complaint. The FDNYs Bureau of Fire Investigation led the probe. Muriel used a lighter that he had on his person to set a piece of clothing on fire, then he threw the burning cloth onto a couch in the unit, the complaint alleges. The fire charred the ceiling and door of the unit, authorities said. Muriel was creating a grave risk of death or substantial risk of serious physical injury to individuals who were in the facility at the time, the complaint alleges. The investigation by the Fire Marshals included a conversation with a witness, a review of photographs and video surveillance, a physical examination of the scene, and statements allegedly made by the defendant, according to the complaint. Muriel has been charged with arson, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has been released with non-monetary conditions. He is due back in Criminal Court in St. George on June 18, according to public records. Attorney Kyle Peters defended the innocence of his client, Muriel. Mr. Muriel vigorously denies the allegation that he engaged in any intentional conduct, Peters said. He has cooperated fully with law enforcement at every stage of the investigation, including voluntarily turning himself in at detectives request, and he looks forward to contesting these charges in court. The incident in question involved a small fire that allegedly began when a shirt ignited, resulting in limited damage to the interior of a single storage unit. No other units were affected, and no one was injured. The current charges simply do not reflect the actual circumstances. Source: Video-chatting from unit He was video chatting with an individual known to him when that person saw the defendant inside the storage unit where the fire was burning in the background, according to a law-enforcement source. The defendant then left the storage facility and the blaze activated the sprinkler system, the source said. The defendant went to the St. George Ferry Terminal and approached NYPD officers. The law-enforcement source quoted the defendant as saying to police, I am mentally not feeling right. I need an ambulance. The defendant then was transported to an area hospital, according to the source. FDNY details fire at storage facility The fire was reported at 6:16 p.m. in the third floor of the four-story, 150-by-200-foot building, according to a spokesperson for the FDNY/EMS. About 60 firefighters in 12 units brought the blaze under control in about a half hour, at 6:46 p.m., according to the spokesman. No injuries were reported, according to the FDNY. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A Staten Island man was convicted by a federal jury on all counts of a superseding indictment stemming from a string of gunpoint robberies and attempted robberies on the Island, Brooklyn and in New Jersey, prosecutors announced Monday, following a six-day trial in Brooklyn Federal Court. Authorities say Tony Clanton, 51, also known as Tone, orchestrated the series of violent robberies between January 2023 and July 2023. Following an indictment, Clanton removed his ankle monitor and fled two weeks before a previously scheduled trial date and was on the run for five weeks. While a fugitive, Clanton fled from two police officers who pulled him over, presented fake identification documents and searched on the Internet for how to fake his own death, police said. Clanton and accomplice Lawrence Dotson were eventually arrested following a dramatic raid in Huguenot on July 25, 2023. Here, the FBI is among authorities participating in a search of a home on Yucca Drive near Mimosa Lane on the morning of Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Today, a Staten Island man was convicted by a federal jury on all counts of a superseding indictment stemming from a string of gunpoint robberies and attempted robberies on the Island, Brooklyn and in New Jersey. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) Both have criminal histories that include long periods of incarceration. Over a six-month period, Clanton directed a cruel and violent spree in New York City and New Jersey that left terrorized robbery victims in his wake, including two children who watched as their parents were shot at or menaced with guns, said John J. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Thanks to exceptional investigative work by the FBI and the NYPD, the defendant was identified, apprehended, and rightly convicted today by jurors who were presented with a mountain of evidence that demonstrated his crime wave and overwhelmingly proved his guilt, he said. Home invasion Clanton orchestrated an attempted robbery in New Brighton in which his accomplice, Lawrence Dotson, wearing a white HAZMAT suit, gloves and standing in the vestibule of an apartment building with a can of paint, accosted a man who was entering with his 10-year-old son. Dotson pointed a silver revolver at the victim and said, Dont make this a homicide, before he struck him in the head with the gun and fired a shot. Clanton, who was also armed with a gun, grabbed the mans keys and unsuccessfully tried to open the mans apartment door, before he and Dotson fled in a U-Haul van, prosecutors said. Police say this photo shows two suspects fleeing from a home invasion in New Brighton. A Staten Island man was convicted today by a federal jury on all counts of a superseding indictment stemming from a string of gunpoint robberies and attempted robberies on the Island, Brooklyn and in New Jersey, (Courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation) Smoke shop robbery Clanton carried out the robbery of an employee at the Annadale Smoke Shop as the victim was closing the store for the night, police said. As Dotson brandished firearms and robbed the smoke shop, Clanton monitored a police scanner radio and communicated with his accomplices by phone to warn them that the police were on the way, prosecutors said. The two restrained the employee with zip ties and pressed a gun to the back of his head, police said, and the pair took approximately $4,000 in cash, packages of cigarettes and a quantity of marijuana. The FBI alleges that Tony Clanton and Lawrence Dotson of Staten Island committed at least five violent robberies and attempts on Staten Island, Edison, N.J. and Brooklyn. The photos shows a worker allegedly forced at gunpoint to lie on the sidewalk during a robbery of the Annadale Smoke Shop. (Courtesy of Federal Bureau of Investigation) Attempted robbery of a car buyer Clanton orchestrated a robbery in which he pretended he was selling his Mercedes-Benz to a prospective buyer, prosecutors said. While Clanton waited in the area, an unidentified accomplice attempted to rob the victim as the victims teenage son watched from the doorway, it was said in court. The victim managed to flee into his home and slammed the door shut before the accomplice could barge inside, court documents allege. That accomplice then fled the scene with Clanton as the getaway driver, according to court documents. This photo allegedly shows a gunman fleeing during an attempted home invasion in Rossville. A Staten Island man was convicted by a federal jury on all counts of a superseding indictment stemming from a string of gunpoint robberies and attempted robberies on the Island, Brooklyn and in New Jersey. (Courtesy of Federal Bureau of Investigation) Attempted robbery of jewelry store Clanton and Dotson attempted to rob the husband-and-wife owners of an Edison, New Jersey, jewelry store outside their home, court documents allege. Clanton identified the couple as potential targets and conducted surveillance on them for over a week before the attempted robbery, it was proven in court. To appear as law enforcement agents, Clanton purchased FBI branded jackets, badges and hats from Amazon, which he and Dotson wore during the attempted robbery, prosecutors said. As the couple pulled into their driveway, Clanton and Dotson ordered them out of the car at gunpoint, according to the prosecution. Realizing Clanton and Dotson were not FBI agents, the couple sped away and escaped unharmed, prosecutors said. Robbery of Brooklyn ice cream store owner Clanton and an accomplice waited outside a TD Bank in Brooklyn for the victim to leave with a bag of cash, prosecutors said. They followed the victim to his home, where the accomplice took a bag containing over $6,000 at gunpoint, according to court documents. Tony Clanton terrorized communities throughout New York City holding victims at gunpoint in front of their children, firing recklessly, even impersonating a federal agent, said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. This conviction ends a violent spree that had no place in our city. And we will continue working with our partners to make sure criminals like this are held accountable. Clanton was charged with Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery and the use of firearms during crimes of violence. The Hobbs Act focuses on the use of force, violence, or fear (including threats) to obtain property. To be charged under the Hobbs Act, the robbery or extortion must affect interstate or foreign commerce. When sentenced, Clanton faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and up to life in prison. Rob Peppaceno, known to TikTok and Instagram scrollers as Rob Pepp, has amassed thousands of followers through his videos that often find him somewhere near a Staten Island Dunkin' location. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In an alternate timeline, Woodrow resident Rob Peppaceno would be working at a Dunkin, or perhaps even owning one. The reality is that the longtime Islander works as a paralegal by day and social media content creator (dont dare call him an influencer) by the rest of the day. Peppaceno is known to TikTok and Instagram scrollers as Rob Pepp, a boisterous personality with a distinctive voice who doesnt attempt to conceal a thick Staten Island accent while he invites you into his kitchen to plate a batch of freshly-fried chicken cutlets or lets you ride shotgun during one of his many Dunkin runs throughout the borough. It all started with the introduction of the franchises Dunkalatte a sweet, creamy concoction that mixes coffee milk with espresso and has the consistency of melted coffee ice cream or a coffee-flavored milkshake. The limited time menu item proved popular enough to sell out, and Pepp found himself spending so much time traversing the Island in search of the elusive drink while accompanied by his mini dachshund Ozzy (who has his own TikTok and Instagram accounts as a pup influencer) that he started recording and uploading his excursions. One early clip garnered 500,000 views in less than 24 hours. I would go to six different Dunkins until I found one that had it, Pepp explained. It got me the attention of the brand and they started following me and sending me things. The Dunkalatte is really what solidified me doing Dunkin content. Rob Peppaceno, known to TikTok and Instagram scrollers as Rob Pepp, has amassed thousands of followers through his videos that often find him somewhere near a Staten Island Dunkin' location. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod) In fact, Pepps on-camera experimentation with the franchises flavor combinations, including some he threw away after a single sip, led to the creation of the viral Rainbow Cookie Dunkalatte. The custom-ordered drink offers the essence of the classic Italian pastry. To whip up your own, youll want to request two shots of sweetened mocha swirl, two pumps of unsweetened raspberry flavor and one pump of unsweetened toasted almond flavor added to your beverage. Media outlets and other content creators caught a whiff of the viral secret menu hack, and most recently, "Access Hollywood" not only played the clip of Pepp ordering it, but Saved by the Bell alum Mario Lopez and co-host Kit Hoover tried it for themselves and complained that it was too sweet for their tastes. Celebrity critiques aside, deliveries of Dunkin-themed merch were just the beginning, as only one year into popping up on peoples feeds, Pepp has amassed nearly 45,000 TikTok followers and almost 54,000 Instagram fans which has earned him the attention of other brands that are willing to pay for him to promote their products. Behind the social media creator curtain, things become more technical, but Pepp explained that his posts are in fact not currently monetized because making money on some platforms comes at the cost of having fewer viewers see your content. This means that unless youre a celebrity or have already established a significantly large following, you end up spending a lot of time producing material for what only amounts to a modest payout. Im not really money motivated when it comes to social media and I dont want to compromise my authentic view, he said. Id rather stay real than do something I dont believe in. Over the last several months, Pepp says he has been contacted by Five Below, HomeGoods, Poppi Soda and Starbucks, among others. Hes also been approached by agencies who work with companies in need of someone who can enthusiastically push their products. And it doesnt matter whether youre having viewers tag along on a tour of a store or showing off the haul of items you put in your cart while shopping there. Its known as a brand partnership, and corporations are eager to cut checks for the exposure. Rob Peppaceno, known to TikTok and Instagram scrollers as Rob Pepp, has amassed thousands of followers through his videos that often find him somewhere near a Staten Island Dunkin' location. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod) In the meantime, as he continues building his own brand, Pepps popularity has become that of a local celebrity whos approached regularly throughout the borough, whether hes at the Staten Island Mall picking up a new Labubu a series of plush monster toys from Hong Kong he compulsively collects and has incorporated into many of his clips or at ShopRite grabbing a pack of chicken cutlets. Residents will immediately recognize his distinctive voice and chat him up regardless of if they remember his name or know him only as the Dunkalatte guy. Others have reached out from around the country, like the woman who shared that it was his content that helped get her through the six weeks she was bedbound while recovering from spinal surgery. Its nice to know that if youve had a bad day that I can make you laugh just by being myself, Pepp said. Its that authenticity that Pepp prides himself on and hopes he can maintain to catapult him toward wherever it is hes ultimately going to land. At the end of the day, I have no idea what Im looking for or want out of this experience, he said. I would love to go on TV and make this my full-time job and never have to say Im a paralegal again; but I know that its a long shot, he admitted. So, I never want to say what I want because then I feel like Im jinxing it in a way Im just letting it come day by day. In this photo from 2024, cars pass Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze on Seaview Avenue while street markings show a new road designs which removed some parking spaces in favor of pedestrian visibility. (Advance/SILive.com|Mike Matteo) The New York City Council met to discuss new approaches to traffic and transportation, including one proposal that would trade parking spots for better road safety. On Monday, the councils Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure hosted a public hearing with city officials debating a bill that would remove parking spots near crosswalks as a way to improve pedestrian visibility. A hardline cardinal from Wisconsin who is a fan of President Donald Trump and who battled Pope Francis could be the first pope from the United States. The Daily Mail reported that Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, 76, is being touted as one of the leaders in the race to replace Francis. Pope Francis died on Easter Monday. A successor as pontiff will be chosen during a future conclave of Catholic cardinals in Rome. Should Burke be elected, he would be the first American pope ever. Burke is the de factor leader of church conservatives and battled Pope Francis more progressive efforts with regard to LGBTQ+ people and abortion. Francis stripped Burke of his role as head of the Catholic courts, which chooses ecclesiastical judges, and took away the Wisconsin-born cardinals free apartment in Rome. Burke has publicly supported Trump, calling the presidents 2016 election a win for anti-abortion causes. Burke urged American to cast their votes for Trump in 2019, saying that the president had a great disposition toward the Catholic Churchs moral laws and would follow the principles and dictates of our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Burke served as Archbishop of St. Louis from 2004 to 2008, when Pope Benedict XVI made him prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in Rome, the churchs highest court. Burke was made a cardinal two years later by Benedict, who was known for his hardline views. Francis in December 2013 did not renew Burkes membership of the Congregation of Bishops, a panel which helps the pope select new bishops. One gets the impression, or its interpreted this way in the media, that he thinks were talking too much about abortion, too much about the integrity of marriage as between one man and one woman, Burke said at the time. But we can never talk enough about that. Burke also spoke out in when the Vatican Synod on the Family conference in 2014 proposed relaxing the papal approach towards homosexuality. Many have expressed their concerns to me. At this very critical moment, there is a strong sense that the church is like a ship without a rudder, the cardinal said. It is thought that American cardinals have little chance of being elected pope as the cardinals from the rest of the world would not want to choose a leader from a superpower nation. USA Today earlier this year wrote about the large number of Catholics in Trumps Cabinet, including Vice President JD Vance, who met with Francis shortly before the pontiffs death. What appeared to a telephone pole was cracked and broken near Richmond and Yukon avenues in New Springville on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Traffic was brought to a halt in New Springville on Monday after a utility pole fell across the roadway. (Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com) FDNY responded to the scene. MTA and Con Edison officials were on the scene near Richmond Avenue and Yukon Avenue, an Advance/SILive.com reporter confirmed. The reporter also observed NYPD officers blocking off the road. (Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence) At this time, its unclear what caused the pole to crack and fall. At least two cars sustained minor damage, with wires spotted hanging off one of the vehicles. Miguel Apreza, 38, of Arden Heights, was on the way to pick up his son from school when he was startled by a loud bang against the rear exterior of his car. I was just driving and then, I felt an impact and saw these wires on the side the car, said Apreza. I tried to come out the other side. Then I saw this thing fall. It was really scary because the second pole hit my car right around the windshield. Aprea added, I dont exactly know what happened because it happened so fast. In this photo from February, a cyclist passes signs along 2nd Avenue, between 61st and 62nd Street in Midtown Manhattan, that warn of the congestion pricing toll. (Advance/SILive.com|Steve Zaffarano) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. After New York defied a federal deadline , the U.S. Department of Transportation has threatened to pull federal funding for the citys highway projects should congestion pricing continue. In a letter sent from U.S Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday, set a new deadline to end congestion pricingMay 21. Baby Lillian Morris, her mother, Tatiana Chambers-Morris, and her father, John-David Morris, are cheered by staffers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton, upon Lillian's release on March 19, 2025. (Courtesy of Richmond University Medical Center) (Courtesy of Richmond University Medical Center) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Medical staff of the Wayne Zenna Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Richmond University Medical Center cheered the healthy release of little Lillian Morris during a recent clap-out event and celebration in the West Brighton hospital. Tiny Lillian weighed just under 2 pounds when she was born at 26 weeks gestation in December, but tipped the scales at 6.1 pounds on her release date, March 19, said her mother, Tatiana Chambers-Morris, 28. Doctors, nurses and other NICU staffers cheered, clapped and let their tears flow as little Lillian was brought through the unit in her stroller, all bundled up and ready to head home. Look at you, all chunky and stuff, her mother said with a chuckle, recalling the words she shared with her baby, once shed grown to a healthy weight. She and her husband, John-David Morris, 29, said they are grateful and relieved to bring Lillian back to their West Brighton home, where her three older siblings anxiously awaited. Twin brother needs more care Lillians twin brother, Liam, started his journey at RUMC, but has continued to receive specialized care since February in Columbia University Medical Center, Manhattan. The young trio at home didnt quite understand why Mom returned from the hospital without her twin babies, Chambers-Morris said. But when she returned with Lillian, they couldnt contain themselves, she recalled. They were so excited, she said of Nathaniel, 8; Johana-Nicole, 6; and Leah-Rose, who turned 3 in February. The dog was excited, the kids were excited, she said. When they see you come home, and they dont see you come home with the baby, they get worried. They get anxious. Liam required surgery to have his small bowel removed. The infant has necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious intestinal disease that causes inflammation and tissue death in the intestinal lining. He will need months of care before he is released, his mother said. She went through a lot Lillian, however, tackled a few hurdles but responded like a champion to the care she received at RUMC, said Dr. Santosh M. Parab, chief of the hospitals NICU. She went through a lot, Parab said, noting that the baby had serious feeding issues: And before going home, she had hernia surgery and she had a tough time after that. The stress of having two new babies in two different hospitals was particularly difficult, said Chambers-Morris. I felt like I was doing my best for them, but I still felt like I wasnt doing enough, she said, explaining that their short walk to RUMC made it easier to visit their daughter. It was a real tug and pull." A journey to midtown Manhattan to see little Liam continues to be difficult, she said, especially with the rest of her growing brood at home, but family has stepped in. Parab said little Lillian was placed on a ventilator soon after her birth and was eventually weaned to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, but needed blood transfusions and surgery along the way. She had a few setbacks, but she was resilient, the doctor said. Praying over him In Manhattan, Liam continues to grow stronger, his mother said, with the help of the medical team and prayers. Some of Liams grandparents and great-grandparents have been there and prayed over him, and it really did him some good, she said, noting they are hopeful that Liam will qualify for an intestinal transplant by the time hes 5. Were talking to God, and were praying for Liam. Chambers-Morris said it was initially difficult to leave the hospital without her babies soon after their birth, but she knew they were getting the care they needed. I was at peace with the idea, she said, telling herself at the time: The babies will be taken care of here for the next three months, and then theyll come home when theyre able to." But, it really didnt go as planned, she said, referring to her sons long journey ahead. She said Parab is a rock star, and the entire care team at RUMC is amazing. I loved their energy, and the energy they put toward their work and the care that they gave those babies, she said. If I ever were to go through this again, I would want them again." Now, the family feels more complete with Lillian home, she said, but there are still nerves in play. This is like starting all over again, she said. My youngest is 3. Leaving them in the NICU, it felt like a part of our family was missing. We still feel that way with Liam being in the hospital, but it feels more complete." RUMC serves one of the highest risk populations in the United States, with a disproportionate share of low birth weight babies born in comparison to the national average, according to the hospital, and its neonatal mortality rate of 1 per 1,000 live births during the past five years is significantly lower than the national average of 4. Parab said the NICU treats about 500 babies a year at RUMC, and when each is released it is time to cheer. Those born especially small warrant a clap-out event, he said, as families and staffers are moved to celebrate. It was a good team, he said. We worked as a team to get her better." Students at New World Preparatory Charter School, Port Richmond, learned how to activate their NYC Scholarship to prepare for higher education. (Courtesy of NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program) IN CLASS: This feature is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities that engage school communities. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A program run by a New York-based nonprofit allows families across New York City with kindergarten, first-, second- and third-graders to activate a scholarship account to help prepare their children for their future in higher education and a Staten Island school is helping its families get started with the opportunity. Bharti Airtel has reached a deal to acquire 400MHz of spectrum in the 26GHz band from Adani Data Networks, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, as part of its strategy to enhance 5G services across key regions in India. In a statement, the Indian telecom operator confirmed it had signed definitive agreements with Adani for the right to use the spectrum in multiple states. Airtel will use the acquired spectrum in Gujarat and Mumbai (100MHz each), Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (50MHz each). The completion of the transaction is subject to standard conditions, including those outlined in Indias spectrum trading guidelines, as well as necessary regulatory approvals. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Amid rumors that their storied marriage is on the rocks, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama made a major statement by dining out together in Washington, D.C., over the weekend. The New York Post reported that the former First Couple were spotted at tony Osteria Mozza. That was the Beltway hotspot where Barack Obama was spotted dining alone earlier this year as gossip heated up that he and Michelle were on their way to divorcing. The weekend dinner could be the first time that Barack and Michelle Obama have been spotted together in public in five months. The Obamas heard cheers and applause from their fellow diners as the power couple was spotted on a stairway in the middle of the restaurant. A clip of their visit was posted on the Washington Problems Instagram account late on Monday. It was reported that the 44th president waved to a few fellow diners as he and Michelle made their way out of the hip Italian hotspot. Barack Obama had dined solo at the restaurant in January, just a few days before President Donald Trumps inauguration ceremony. The former president had also been sighted solo at former President Jimmy Carters funeral in Washington, D.C., earlier in January. Gossip about the Obamas has circulated since it was incorrectly rumored that Barack Obama had been romantically involved with Friends star Jennifer Aniston. Obama made some stunning remarks 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 on a recent podcast 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. Frank Morano, a candidate running for the South Shore City Council district, hosted a press conference supporting law enforcement and public safety. He shows a sign that was graffitied on April 19, 2025. Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A candidate for South Shore City Council was the target of vandalism after one of his lawn signs was found with the phrase Nazi scum scrawled on it. In a Saturday press conference, Frank Morano, a radio talk show host running to replace recently resigned former Republican Councilmember Joe Borelli, referred to the act he categorized as hate speech as being beyond the pale. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per week Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! The US Justice Department says the best way to address Googles monopoly in internet search is to break up the $US1.81 trillion ($2.8 trillion) company, kicking off a three-week hearing that could reshape the technology giant and alter the power players in Silicon Valley. Judge Amit P. Mehta of the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in August that Google had broken antitrust laws to maintain its dominance in online search. He is now hearing arguments from the government and the company over how to best fix Googles monopoly and is expected to order those measures, referred to as remedies, by the end of the summer. The US government says Google should be forced to sell its popular Chrome web browser. Credit: AP In an opening statement in the hearing on Monday, the government said Mehta should force Google to sell its popular Chrome web browser, which drives users to its search engine. Government lawyers also said the company should take steps to give competitors a leg up if the court wants to restore competition to the moribund market for online search. Your honour, we are not here for a Pyrrhic victory, David Dahlquist, a Justice Department lawyer, said in his opening statement. This is the time for the court to tell Google and all other monopolists who are out there listening, and they are listening, that there are consequences when you break the antitrust laws. President Donald Trumps formal statement was very brief. Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him! At the Easter Egg Roll on the lawns on the White House, Trump said, I felt very bad for the Catholics. We love you all. Were with you all. They were with me during the election, as you know. On Tuesday morning, Trump called Francis a very good man who loved, loved the world, and he especially loved people that were having a hard time, and thats good with me. Trump could say that because his intersection with Pope Francis was marked by an upheaval that changed American politics. US President Donald Trump and Pope Francis at the Vatican on May 24, 2017, during Trumps first presidential term. Credit: AP Just two days before he died, Francis attacked Trump directly for his harsh policies on immigration. The act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness, the Pope wrote. What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly. Young June had adored her uncle Sid. Even today she talks about him. Sid kept a photo of the six-year-old June in his pocket throughout the war. Other than a telegram to say that Sid was missing in action, his family didnt know how, when or where he had died. Silver said officials covered up the truth of what happened at Sandakan and on the death marches, despite the myth that most of those sent to Sandakan had been shot to death or beheaded. Official records kept by Japanese and Australian soldiers revealed most soldiers had died from starvation or illness, she said. It was only in 1988 that Smiths family discovered how the two friends died. Corporal Edward Victor Emmett, 2/10 Field Ambulance. Corporal Emmett was shot and killed on June 18, 1945, by Japanese soldiers 11 days after escaping from the Sandakan to Ranau Death March with five other Australian prisoners of war including Sid Webber. Credit: Australian War Memorial Another man who had escaped with them, Owen Campbell, saw Smiths mother and immediately saw the resemblance. He knew he had the right person because uncle Sid had my mothers six-year-old photo, Fowler-Smith said. Campbell, who died in 2003, was one of six surviving soldiers of Sandakan and the death marches. The story goes: Sid met up with Ted very quickly, and then they ended up in Sandakan in the camp together. And then they escaped together. And then they would be shot together, Fowler-Smith said. On the 11th day of hiding in the jungle, Sid and Ted spotted a boat being paddled by two Malays. Campbell had been an eyewitness to it all. He told them that the two men were shot by a Japanese soldier who had hidden under an awning in the boat. They fell into the river and disappeared, Silver said. An Australian army officer from the 16th Air Defence Regiment holds a gum leaf in his hand, which is then burnt as a symbolic act, at the service of remembrance at the POW camp site at Ranau. Pictured is Lynette Silver. Credit: Law Kian Yan Fowler-Smith was among a small group of descendants who actually know for sure what happened to family members. There are so many families, so many hundreds and hundreds of people that I guess dont know. Silver said the soldiers had lived in fairly good conditions with generous rations of about 700 grams of rice at the beginning of their captivity at Sandakan from 1942. By the time they started the death marches, rations had fallen to 70 grams. When allied planes and ships attacked Sandakan in May 1945, the Japanese, fearing invasion, ordered all POWs who could still walk, including Sid and Ted, on the second of three notorious death marches. Family favourite: June Fowler-Smiths uncle, Sidney Webber, got a Commendation for Gallantry. 22nd August 2018 Photo: Janie Barrett Credit: Janie Barrett She said they walked on jungle tracks in the most terrible, terrible terrain. Through swamps, over mountains that had not even been explored, nowhere near villages. And thats why the march was so difficult, and the food stocks so low, Silver said. Those who couldnt keep up, whether they were soldiers or prisoners, were disposed of. Silver said good mates like Sid and Ted were common, often mentioned in letters sent home before Singapore fell. Sid Webbers service medals. Credit: Dean Sewell If you didnt have a mate you would not survive because the mate would look after you when you had malaria and go and get your food ration. Theyd bathe your forehead, do your jobs, cover for you. And then the shoe would be on the other foot, Silver said. Pretty much everybody had a mate, and it was that that kept them going for a very long time. Thanks to Silvers research and efforts, the Anzac Day service at Sandakan now receives some funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Councillors fear a coastal NSW town favoured by holidaymakers could become the next Gold Coast as draft housing plans to lure developers propose accommodation blocks of up to 100 metres tall. Eurobodalla Shire Council which covers the towns of Batemans Bay, Narooma and Moruya on the Far South Coast is grappling with the desires of locals and tourists to preserve coastal views and a relaxed character, while providing much-needed housing for low-income families. An artists impression of how Batemans Bay would look by 2100 under a draft master plan. Credit: Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Mathew Hatcher wants to turn Batemans Bay into a bustling town centre with a mixture of housing types to allow residents to live within walking distance of amenities. But some councillors have criticised the plans as overambitious and say they will turn the laid-back coastal village into a developers delight thats more Gold Coast than Noosa. A man who gunned down his ex-girlfriend as she taught a yoga class at Sydneys Star City Casino has expressed fixation with the victim more than a decade on and risks re-offending if he does not comply with schizophrenia treatment, a court has heard. Former kickboxing champion Todd Devaney had been split from his former partner Holly Graham for several years when he embarked on a rampage inside a gym at the casino in May 2008, shooting the then-28-year-old twice. Todd Devaney has had another extended supervision order imposed. Credit: Facebook A judge credited Grahams survival to sheer luck and quick medical attention when the then-39-year-old Devaney was jailed for a minimum of 11 years and seven months. The court heard Devaney suffered from untreated paranoid schizophrenia and believed aliens told him to shoot Graham. The man began shouting at police before running towards an officer, who was seen putting his leg up and reaching for his baton as two other officers ran to his aid. The isolated incident sparked a heated response from a small group of the protesters, who began throwing bottles at the three police. Senior leaders in the African community stepped in and calmed the situation within minutes as extra police flooded the area. A Victoria Police spokeswoman estimated about 250 people attended the protest, and said the vast majority were respectful and peaceful. The protest in Footscray. Credit: Jason South However, police were then confronted with a small volatile crowd of around 30 people, with bottles being thrown at police, the spokeswoman said. Police have used defence tactics to maintain separation and prevent an escalation. Shortly after, the area was cleared and people dispersed. Nobody was injured during the incident, and no arrests were made, the spokeswoman said. Hundreds of people had rallied peacefully for hours in an emotional protest in the heart of Footscray on Tuesday afternoon. Credit: Jason South Police would review footage of the event to see whether any offences were committed, she said. Ahmeds death has stirred outrage and grief among members of the local community, who questioned why police did not try to calm the situation and deploy non-lethal force before drawing their guns. African community leader Dr Berhan Ahmed told the crowd Footscray needed more outreach services instead of guns being fired at people in the grips of a mental health crisis. We dont need to blame victims, we need to support victims, he said. Shame on [police] using guns instead of care. His words were met with cries of shame from the crowd. If our weakest person is to be shot, then we are as a society are failing, he said. The crowd chanted compassion not bullets as they marched in the Footscray CBD. Credit: Jason South Fartun Farah, a community leader from the East African Womens Association, called for a full and transparent investigation into Ahmeds death and said the incident had left her shocked and heartbroken. The people we expect to come, to help, to keep us safe are the ones who shot somebody from our own community, Farah said. Our community is mourning. This young man needed mental health support, not to be killed. It could be anyones son or daughter. Footscray has long been grappling with a surge in crime, overt drug use, and anti-social behaviour, but long-term residents and business owners say the situation has deteriorated significantly in the past 18 months. Ahmed had previously lived interstate and has family living in Australia who are heartbroken by his death, this masthead has been told. He has been remembered as kind and well-known among Footscray locals. Police have said two officers were called to Albert Street about 9pm last Thursday following reports Ahmed was brandishing a knife near shops on the corner of Paisley Street. The pair told Ahmed to drop the weapon but fired their guns after he lunged at them with the knife, Victoria Police said. Abdifatah Ahmed died in the shooting after police said he lunged at them with a knife. Credit: Jason South It confirmed on Tuesday that the officers had not had Tasers at the time, and rejected claims Ahmeds death was racially motivated. We understand the community is concerned about this incident this is something no police officer wants to be involved in when they come to work, the statement said. Unfortunately, police were confronted with an extremely volatile and high-risk situation and made a tactical decision to use their firearms in a small matter of moments. This was an incident that could [have] impacted the safety of a large number of people who were in the area on the night. The investigation by the homicide squad with oversight from Professional Standards Command is ongoing, and this will also ultimately be a matter independently reviewed for the Coroner. The state government announced in 2021 that it would arm all frontline police with as part of a $214 million, four-year program to boost the polices tactical options and capabilities. Loading The police statement said about 60 per cent of frontline police have Tasers, with the rollout on track to be completed by September next year. The rollout is moving as fast as it possibly can, while ensuring every member who receives a Taser undergoes comprehensive physical and theoretical training and police stations are fitted out to safely store the devices, police said. The two officers involved in Ahmeds death are on leave in line with standard protocol. Its not often people have the opportunity to downsize and stay in the same street, let alone move just next door. One Clayfield family has done just that. Having lived in a sprawling Queenslander in Clayfield for 20 years, they decided to build a smaller home on their tennis court. They were in a very fortunate situation in Clayfield, where properties often have room for a tennis court, said architect Paul Hotston, director of Phorm Architecture and Design. The result Floating Gable House has now won Australian Institute of Architects Peoples Choice Award for Greater Brisbane. They are still living next door to the house theyve been living in for 20 years so they havent really moved; theyve got the same neighbours, the same community connections. They were living next door while we built it. The family has since sold the Queenslander and love feeling more connected to the garden and natural light in their new build. Curious neighbours will be able to take a peek inside the Floating Gable House during Brisbane Open House later this year. In case you missed it, the entirety of last weeks $30 million Powerball jackpot was scooped up by a single ticket purchased in Perth. After patiently waiting the long weekend, the LotteryWest headquarters confirmed the winners this afternoon as three friends from the eastern suburbs who regularly buy lotto tickets together. WA has a new millionaire after Saturdays lotto draw. The winning six game ticket was purchased for $8.05 from The Village News in High Wycombe. When one of the trio returned to the store the next day to check, they had no idea they had won. I had a few tickets to check but when I got to this one the retailer quietly took me to one side, they said. There was a huge queue with everybody getting organised for Easter, and I wondered what on earth he was doing. I didnt even know there was a win in Perth, when he told me I had won $30 million I was completely baffled. He told me to go straight home, take a few deep breaths and enjoy the moment. The three friends attended various family events across the weekend, not letting on theyd won a life-changing prize, while coming to terms with the great news. I could barely think straight while chatting with family on Easter Sunday, one winner said. It feels like an out-of-body experience. Wed like to work towards a three-day workweek and early retirement, but we want to stay active, and we like our work. A 41-year-old Tewantin man has been charged after a fatal crash and alleged carjacking on the Bruce Highway on the Sunshine Coast on Monday afternoon. Police said the woman killed in the six-vehicle crash at Palmview was a 22-year-old Upper Mount Gravatt woman. She was travelling as a passenger in a Nissan Micra struck by a red Porsche Macan on the highway back to Brisbane in heavy Easter Monday traffic. The crash closed southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway for hours. Credit: Nine Police said the driver of the Porsche Macan, Tewantin man Bradley Donald Towle, was the registered owner of the vehicle. No, no, no. People are living here. This is a house. This is a private residence, the woman says before shutting the door. The weatherboard house promoted by Willow Support Services as a disability support service location. Credit: Charlotte Grieve The man behind the counter at the shop in front, serving steaming goat and fish curries, says his family has been living in the house for a long time, without being specific. The Facebook post was published in September 2023. A Liberal source, who is not able to be named publicly, said it was not reflective of the businesss current operations but declined to answer detailed questions on the record. Safi was promoted by the Liberal Party internally as an extraordinary candidate for Bruce when his preselection was announced. Zahids story of coming to Australia is nothing short of inspiring. He embodies resilience, determination and a deep commitment to his community, a memo obtained by this masthead says. Details of his business record in Australia have been minimal. Ive seen screenshots where questions about his line of work have been hidden from his campaigns page. Documents filed with the corporate regulator show two of Safis businesses NDIS provider Casey Care Services and training business Inspire Training Australia have been deregistered as recently as March for unpaid fees. Safi lists a third company, Skillset Training Institute in which he owns no shares and holds no corporate role on his LinkedIn profile as a place where he formerly worked as a manager. That company had its registration cancelled without the consent of the organisation in 2018. Loading One website for a business he is linked to is stacked with fake reviews, another uses stock images and broken links. One example is Infinite Community Supports, an NDIS business. Corporate records show Safi was formerly the companys sole shareholder, but he transferred ownership in 2021 to his wife, who now owns and directs the company. When you click on the SMS button listed on the websites contact us page, it connects to Safis current mobile number. The Liberal source said Safi had no role in this company. The website hosts reviews purporting to be our client stories to see the difference we make and hear authentic success stories. One five-star review, by a man called John Iswanto from St Kilda, states: The ICS team broke down my plan in a way that was easy to understand and helped me find the best providers to suit my unique needs. But a reverse image search shows the photo directly matches a LinkedIn account of a man named Javid Aliyev, a project co-ordinator in Azerbaijan and multiple other identities. The same face also appears on hundreds of webpages around the world under different names. I contacted Aliyev about his photo appearing next to a review for Australian disability services, and he responded: Good day to you. Please tell me more clearly, is anyone using my photo? But when I sent links and screenshots, I didnt hear back. Another four-star review on the same website by someone called Numen Khan from Richmond, Melbourne states: They helped me set and achieve meaningful goals. A reverse image search shows the same photo used in LinkedIn profiles for multiple identities including Alexandre Portier, a talent recruiter from Amsterdam, and John Rogart, a marketing manager from Wisconsin. I reached out to both, but never heard back. The Numen Khan photo is similarly used in hundreds of websites around the world under different names. Many of the pictures that appear under our gallery on one of Safis former NDIS businesses, Casey Care Services, trace back to stock image libraries and pop up in vast corners of the internet. Several links are broken. I asked for an interview with Safi to clear up some of my questions, but he declined. I drove to other addresses listed as the registered address for businesses, around the suburbs of Narre Warren, Endeavour Hills and Eumemmerring, but found empty homes or shopfronts for seemingly unrelated companies. One home had a Zahid Safi corflute on a front lawn that was strewn with rubbish, bikes and clothing. Land title records show this property is owned by Safis wife. The final stop on my tour of Safis businesses was the address listed on NDIS provider Willow Support Services website in Casey Business Park, where an NDIS logo looms over a cluster of corporate offices, 43 kilometres south-east of Melbournes CBD. I catch the lift to level two, and see a brand for the company on a board that has the names of at least a dozen other businesses that operate from the same office. The nameplate at the office for Willow Support Services. Credit: Charlotte Grieve When I ask to speak with someone from Willow Support Services, the receptionist tells me no one is in, and I cant see the office, which is a single suite, because its behind a locked corridor. When I ask for Zahid Safi, the receptionist says, I havent seen him, tapping on the phone. No answer on the suite phone. The companys website says it employs 50-plus professionals with 10-plus years experience providing personalised NDIS support services. The Liberal source explains this includes past and present contractors. NDIS companies do often rely on a network of contractors working in the field or remotely. Loading My detailed questions included whether the Liberal Party was satisfied that Safis businesses were legitimate, why stock images, fake reviews, and outdated addresses had been used, and whether this raised any concerns for the party. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The din of war was growing louder and the North Vietnamese Army was getting closer when the last Royal Australian Air Force plane out of Saigon experienced a delay. The hitch had nothing to do with the ordnance exploding at the perimeter of Tan Son Nhut Air Base, nor a fault with the C-130E Hercules that had landed hours earlier to serve as the backstop for two evacuation flights that had whisked Australian embassy staff, journalists and others to safety in Bangkok. It was personnel: all on board understood the significance of leaving on Anzac Day, 1975, and two in particular were jostling to claim a place in history. Each of them wanted to be the last person with boots on the ground, the planes captain, John Jack Fanderlinden, said. The loadmaster, Sergeant Halary Ashman Sam Sims, and one of four Airfield Defence Guards left behind from the embassy both tried to claim bragging rights from opposite ends of the plane. For Sims, it was his job to be last on board. In the cockpit, Flying Officer Fanderlinden could not see the stand-off but worked out what was happening when Sims told him he was going to jump out and make sure the undercarriage is OK. Sam hopped out [the back door] so they could see that he was the last Aussie on the ground. He apparently walked around, stomped on the ground and made it perfectly obvious to everybody, then leapt back on board, shut the door and we were off. RAAF Captain John Fanderlinden. Credit: Kate Geraghty Advertisement After nearly 13 years of Australian involvement in the decades-long Vietnam War, in which more than 60,000 Defence personnel had served, 523 were killed and about 2400 wounded, Fanderlinden lifted A97-178 into the air in the afternoon of April 25, 1975. Australias combat role had ended three years earlier, and the RAAF planes were assigned to United Nations evacuations, but Fanderlindens crew and passengers were the last Australian Defence Force members to leave. Saigon fell five days later. The end of the war on April 30, known as a day of liberation and reunification in Vietnam but considered a day of shame for the vanquished, spawned a refugee crisis and led to a wave of migration that forever altered Australian society. There are more than 300,000 people of Vietnamese heritage in Australia, and Vietnamese is the fourth most spoken language. There are an estimated 35,000 surviving Australian veterans of the war. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said the relationship between the two countries has never been stronger and described Vietnam as an active player in regional and global affairs, and a key partner for Australia. On Anzac Day, a dawn service will be held on the grounds of the Australian embassy in Hanoi, while another will be held in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) on the grounds of the British consulate, hosted by the New Zealand consulate. Fifty years ago, Australia had two parallel diplomatic missions. The embassy in the southern capital, which occupied the seventh floor of the Caravelle Hotel, was evacuated on April 25. Fanderlinden remembers the day differently than other accounts. In his research, he found a blatantly wrong description of the four Airfield Defence Guards being left behind to fend for themselves. Rather, he had already landed and shut down while the second of the evacuation flights was buttoning up for departure. Advertisement My orders were, I was to be the backstop for those two aeroplanes. If either of them broke down, their load was going to come on to my aeroplane, including the ambassador and whoever else on whichever aeroplane broke down, and [I would] destroy the Herc that couldnt get airborne, Fanderlinden said. The second order was to pick up these four Airfield Defence Guards because they were part of the embassy mob and they were at the airfield when the ambassador and everyone was leaving on the second Herc. There are reports of the four men having no clue when a rescue might come as they were waiting for a Hercules that was off the Vietnamese coast. My recollection is totally different, Fanderlinden said. Now thats me. I didnt do any circling over the coast. The most dangerous place to be is actually in the air. I wanted to be on the ground and minimal time in the air. He and his crew were on the ground for a couple of hours, waiting not only for the four guards but also nuns and nurses; between 30 and 40 people were on the last flight. He spent part of the time near base ops, where he got updated intelligence from the CIA and had to refile his flight plan, and watched South Vietnamese fighters and bombers depart for short, sharp attack runs as fighting neared. We could see the war going on around us. We could see fighter aeroplanes from the South getting bombed up and everything, flying to the perimeter bombing and strafing, 10 minutes, very quick missions. It was noisy because all of this ordnance was going off, he said. Advertisement Interestingly enough, with all this destruction going on around us, I was watching normal activity taking place like construction work and repairing stuff. He wandered over and made friends with some workmen, who offered to share their lunch. It looked a bit dodgy, Fanderlinden recalled, but it tasted fine. They were looking forward to the end of the war when stability would return to the country. I thought they could have been Viet Cong even. No backstop for me, so if my aeroplane broke down, bad luck. I needed someone on my side. With the call sign Black Jack, Fanderlinden flew 28 sorties in the last month of the war and encountered some excitement. Advertisement He helped in the chaos of the evacuation from Phan Rang on Vietnams south central coast, with an average of 250 passengers in the back, to the Can Tho airfield in the Mekong Delta, the only place he felt uncomfortable as he did not know who the enemy was. An air view of the C5-A crash site in Saigon on April 4, 1975. Credit: AP Radiophoto He was airborne in the Hercules when the US C-5A Galaxy crashed outside Tan Son Nhut Air Base on April 4, killing 138 people including the last two Australians to die in the war: nun Margaret Moses and nurse Lee Makk. Fanderlinden circled above the site while the fighters returned to base and survivors were rescued. While it was later revealed maintenance failures caused the crash, at the time rumours of surface-to-air missiles abounded. The air base was kept dark at night and Fanderlinden had his lights off while taxiing. By intuition, he slammed on the brakes: his loadmaster jumped out to discover they had come close to crashing into helicopters parked at the base and exploding. Loading Fanderlinden spent his life looking forward. He rose through the RAAFs ranks, had a second high-flying career at BAE Systems and had a family. The anniversary gave him a reason to reflect. After an Anzac Day visit to Gallipoli, he will speak about his Vietnam experiences at Fighter World in Williamtown on April 30. Advertisement In a testament released just hours after his death, Francis requested that he be buried in the ground, without particular decoration in a place marked only with the Latin inscription Franciscus. He declined burial at St Peters Basilica, where many former popes lie entombed, instead choosing a Marian shrine close to his heart, outside the walls of the Vatican. I wish that my last earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, he wrote, referring to the Basilica of St Mary Major, a place of pilgrimage and prayer for him throughout his papacy. His final resting place will be a niche in the side nave between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, near the icon of Salus Populi Romani a revered image of the Virgin Mary that Francis often visited in times of personal and global crisis. Crowds gather at St Peters Basilica in Vatican City following the announcement of Pope Francis death. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone Francis first made his burial preference public in 2023 during an interview with a Mexican television program, saying he wanted to be laid to rest at St Mary Major because of my great devotion. The tomb will be simple, without particular ornamentation, and will carry no papal crest or elaborate epitaph, in line with the Popes wishes. The Vatican said the costs of the burial will be covered by an anonymous benefactor. Arrangements were entrusted to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, an official of the basilica. The popes coffin is lying at the Domus Santa Marta guesthouse, where he resided during his papacy after declining the lavish Apostolic Palace, and is expected to be moved to St Peters Basilica by Wednesday morning, when mourners will be able to pay their respects. In Melbourne, Albanese attended St Patricks Cathedral in Melbourne on Tuesday morning to remember the Pope and paused his campaign events for the day. He delivered an emotional address on Monday evening following news of the pontiffs death, commending him for upholding the values of peace, equality and inclusion. He said he had asked for government flags to be flown at halfmast and that the Pope was one of the most consequential leaders of our lifetime who had left an extraordinary legacy. The change that he led was significant indeed, and he, of course, advocated for reforms that werent universally supported as well, he said. He had courage, and he showed true leadership, the first Jesuit to be the pope He was someone who I, personally, admired as well. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton attended a packed afternoon Mass at St Marys Cathedral in Sydney led by Archbishop Anthony Fisher. Beforehand, Dutton said it was a time not just to mourn the Pope but to celebrate his life as one of sacrifice, mercy and forbearance. Loading Fisher told those gathered at the Mass that Francis was a man who [held] out the hand of Gods mercy to all humanity. Pope Francis was so marked by Easter he made his last appearance and offered his last blessings on Easter Day itself, Fisher said. Who will forget Pope Francis tender gestures right up to his last days, reaching out to those who are poor, refugees or prisoners, to the elderly, disabled, unborn and newborn? In Melbourne, Archbishop Peter Comensoli reflected on the Popes trip to welcome refugees at Lampedusa, an Italian port in the Mediterranean that has become the epicentre for asylum seekers trying to reach Europe from North Africa. In a very real sense, each pope brings something of themselves to the ministry, and Pope Francis brought with him to that ministry a ministry of gestures, more than words, Comensoli said. The Vatican released the Popes official death certificate on Monday, which confirmed the stroke and cardiac arrest, and also listed several chronic conditions from which he suffered, including arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and multiple bronchiectasis a lung condition that had caused recurring respiratory infections. Vatican health services head Professor Andrea Arcangeli noted that Francis had suffered repeated episodes of acute respiratory failure. One of the most serious occurred during his February hospitalisation for pneumonia in both lungs. Francis signed his will on June 29, 2022 the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, a public holiday in Rome. Sensing that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching with lively hope in eternal life, he wrote, adding that he had offered the suffering that has been present in the last part of my life to the Lord for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples. Loading He ended the document with a familiar closing line from many of his public addresses, asking God to give the deserved reward to those who loved me and will continue to pray for me. Despite declining health, Francis made a surprise appearance on Easter Sunday just one day before his death to bless thousands gathered in St Peters Square. He had also held a final private audience with US Vice President J.D. Vance, the last foreign dignitary to meet the Pope. with Daniel Lo Surdo and Lachlan Abbott Pope Francis raised a hand in farewell to his nurse before slipping into a coma and dying of a stroke, the Vatican revealed, in the first detailed account of the 88-year-old pontiffs final moments. The late Pope, who led the Catholic Church for more than a decade, became unwell about 5.30am on Monday, Vatican time, inside his residence at Casa Santa Marta. Moments before losing consciousness, he turned to his personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, and said: Thank you for bringing me back to the square, a reference to his final public appearance on Easter Sunday. According to those who were with him in his final moments, he did not suffer. It all happened quickly, a statement published on the Vaticans website on Tuesday confirmed. The Pope was pronounced dead at 7.35am. He understands but does not speak Italian potentially a major drawback for a job that also carries the title Bishop of Rome and requires familiarity with the citys power games and intrigues. Cardinal Peter Erdo, 72 (Hungarian) Cardinal Peter Erdo celebrates Christmas Day Mass in Budapest in 2016. Credit: AP If Erdo is elected, he would inevitably be seen as a compromise candidate someone from the conservative camp who has nonetheless built bridges with Francis progressive world. Erdo was already considered a papal contender in the last conclave in 2013 thanks to his extensive church contacts in Europe and Africa and the fact he was seen as a pioneer of the New Evangelisation drive to rekindle the Catholic faith in secularised advanced nations a top priority for many cardinals. He ranks as a conservative in theology and in speeches throughout Europe he stresses the Christian roots of the continent. However, he is also seen to be pragmatic and never clashed openly with Francis, unlike other tradition-minded clerics. That said, he raised eyebrows in the Vatican during the 2015 migrant crisis when he went against Francis call for churches to take in refugees, saying this would amount to human trafficking seemingly aligning himself with Hungarys nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. An expert in church law, Erdo has been on a fast track his entire career, becoming a bishop in his 40s and a cardinal in 2003 when he was just 51, making him the youngest member of the College of Cardinals until 2010. He has excellent Italian and speaks German, French, Spanish and Russian, which could help thaw relations between the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches after the deep chill of the war in Ukraine. Erdo is not a charismatic speaker, but while this was once undoubtedly viewed as a serious drawback, it could potentially be seen as an advantage this time around if cardinals want a calm papacy following the fireworks of Francis rule. Synod of Bishops Secretary General Cardinal Mario Grech, 68 (Maltese) Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech celebrating Holy Mass at St Peters Basilica in October 2023. Credit: Getty Images Grech comes from Gozo, a tiny island that is part of Malta, the smallest country in the European Union. But from small beginnings he has gone on to big things, appointed by Francis to be secretary general of the Synod of Bishops a heavyweight position within the Vatican. Initially viewed as a conservative, Grech has become a torchbearer of Francis reforms within the church for years, moving sharply with the times. In 2008, several gay Maltese citizens declared they were leaving the church in protest at what they saw as the anti-LGBTQ stance of the then-pontiff, Pope Benedict. Loading Grech offered them little sympathy at the time but, speaking in the Vatican in 2014, he called for the church to be more accepting of its LGBTQ members and creative in finding new ways to address contemporary family situations. The following day, Francis tapped him on the shoulder at breakfast and complimented him on the speech, marking him out for future promotion. In 2018, Grech spoke about how he relished the challenges faced by the church, warning that it would not remain relevant to modern society if it did not move beyond nostalgia. His views have won him some high-profile enemies. Conservative Cardinal Gerhard Muller turned on him in 2022, belittling his academic profile and accusing him of going against Catholic doctrine. Grechs allies insist he has friends in both the conservative and moderate camps and is known by many cardinals an advantage in a conclave where so many cardinals are relative unknowns to each other. Coming from a tiny country, his election as pope wouldnt create any diplomatic or geopolitical headaches. He has stressed that he always seeks consensus over confrontation, but he has sometimes courted controversy. In 2016, he led a pilgrimage to pray for rain after meeting farmers worried about drought. A local newspaper said it was a throwback to prehistoric attempts at inducing rain but a few days after the event, it did indeed start to rain. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70 (Italian) Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin presides at Mass at St Peters Basilica this month, marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. Credit: Getty Images Parolin is seen as a compromise candidate between progressives and conservatives. He has been a church diplomat for most of his life and served as Francis secretary of state since 2013. The position is similar to that of a prime minister, and secretaries of state are often called the deputy pope because they rank second to the pontiff in the Vatican hierarchy. Parolin previously served as deputy foreign minister under Pope Benedict, who in 2009 appointed him the Vaticans ambassador in Venezuela, where he defended the church against moves to weaken it by then-president Hugo Chavez. He was the main architect of the Vaticans rapprochement with China and Vietnam. Conservatives have attacked him for an agreement on the appointment of bishops in communist China. He has defended the agreement saying that, while it was not perfect, it avoided a schism and provided some form of communication with the government in Beijing. Parolin was never a frontline or noisy activist in the churchs so-called culture wars, which centred on issues such as abortion and gay rights, although he did once condemn the legalisation of same-sex marriage in many countries as a defeat for humanity. He has defended the Vaticans power and said local churches cannot make decisions that would end up affecting all Catholics. Softly spoken and genteel, Parolin would return the papacy to the Italians after three successive non-Italian popes John Paul II of Poland, Benedict of Germany and Francis of Argentina. He entered the Vaticans diplomatic service just three years after his priestly ordination in 1980 so his pastoral experience is limited, but a factor in his favour is that he speaks a number of languages. Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, 67 (Filipino) Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle in 2017. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini Tagle is often called the Asian Francis because of his similar commitment to social justice and, if elected, he would be the first pontiff from Asia. On paper, Tagle who generally prefers to be called by his nickname Chito seems to have all the boxes ticked to qualify him to be a pope. He has had decades of pastoral experience since his ordination to the priesthood in 1982. He then gained administrative experience, first as bishop of Imus and then as archbishop of Manila. Benedict made him a cardinal in 2012. In a move seen by some as a strategy by Francis to give Tagle some Vatican experience, the Pope in 2019 transferred him from Manila and appointed him head of the churchs missionary arm the Dicastery for Evangelisation. He comes from what some called Asias Catholic lung because the Philippines has the regions largest Catholic population. His mother was an ethnic Chinese Filipino. He speaks fluent Italian and English. Between 2015 and 2022, he was the top leader of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of more than 160 Catholic relief, social service and development organisations around the world. In 2022, Francis fired its entire leadership following accusations of bullying and humiliation of employees, and appointed a commissioner to run it. Tagle, who was also removed from his role, had been nominally president but was not involved in the day-to-day operations. It remains to be seen how the saga will affect Tagles chances at the papacy. Vatican official Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, 76 (Ghanaian) Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson in 2021. Credit: Joshua Sammer/Getty Images From humble beginnings in a small African town, Cardinal Peter Turkson has gone on to great things in the church, making him a contender to become the first pope from sub-Saharan Africa. He combines a long pastoral background of tending to congregations in Ghana with hands-on experience of leading several Vatican offices, as well as strong communication skills. That he comes from one of the most dynamic regions for the church, which is struggling against the forces of secularism in its European heartlands, should also bolster his standing. The fourth son in a family of 10 children, Turkson was born in Wassaw Nsuta, in what was then called the Gold Coast in the British Empire. His father worked in a nearby mine and doubled as a carpenter while his mother sold vegetables in the market. He studied at seminaries in Ghana and New York, was ordained in 1975, and then taught in his former Ghanaian seminary and did advanced biblical studies in Rome. John Paul II appointed him archbishop of Cape Coast in 1992 and 11 years later made him the first cardinal in the history of the West African state. Promotions continued under John Pauls successor, Benedict, who brought him to the Vatican in 2009 and made him the head of the body that promotes social justice, human rights and world peace. In that role, he was one of the Popes closest advisers on issues such as climate change and drew attention by attending conferences such as the Davos economic forum. In 2023, he told the BBC he prayed against the possibility that he would be elected pope but some of his detractors said that, given his media appearances, it appeared he was campaigning for the job. Bologna Archbishop Matteo Maria Zuppi, 69 (Italian) Archbishop Matteo Maria Zuppi at the Vatican in 2019. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini When Zuppi got a promotion in 2015 and became archbishop of Bologna, national media referred to him as the Italian Bergoglio, due to his affinity with Francis, the Argentinian Pope who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Zuppi would be the first Italian pope since 1978. Much like Francis when he lived in Buenos Aires, Zuppi is known as a street priest who focuses on migrants and the poor and cares little for pomp and protocol. He goes by the name of Father Matteo, and in Bologna he sometimes uses a bicycle rather than an official car. In a city that loves its meat products, he once made waves when pork-free tortellini was served, as an option, for the feast day of Bolognas patron saint. Zuppi called the Muslim-friendly move a normal gesture of respect and courtesy. Loading If he were made pope, conservatives would most likely view him with suspicion. Victims of church sexual abuse might also object to him, since the Italian Catholic Church which he has led since 2022 has been slow to investigate and confront the issue. The Italian cardinal is closely associated with the Community of SantEgidio, a global peace and justice Catholic group based in the historic Rome district of Trastevere, where he spent most of his life as a priest. SantEgidio, sometimes called the United Nations of Trastevere, brokered a 1992 peace agreement that ended a 17-year-old civil war in Mozambique, with the help of Zuppi as one of the mediators. He has engaged in more diplomacy recently as papal envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, concentrating on efforts to repatriate children who Ukraine says have been deported to Russia or Russian-held territories. Motorworld Group is proud to announce that EV Motors has been named the exclusive authorized dealer for GAC Motor in The Bahamas. At a spectacular brand launch event held at Baha Mar on Saturday, April 12, a dynamic array of nine brand-new 2026 GAC vehicles was unveiled to an excited crowd. The lineup included seven internal combustion engine (ICE) models and two fully electric vehicles from GAC's electric vehicle brand, Aion. Tariq Amjad, Managing Director of Motorworld, congratulated EV Motors on a "phenomenal launch" and emphasized that the partnership was a perfect fit. "We share a passion for innovation, excellence, and customer satisfaction. GAC is one of the highest quality Chinese automotive manufacturers, and with their multi-award-winning vehicles, we're excited to bring this premium brand to The Bahamas." EV Motors is committed to ensuring that Bahamian consumers experience world-class vehicles and enjoy unparalleled after-sales service and support. Prior to the launch, EV Motors team members received thorough training from GAC experts from St. Maarten, focusing on both sales and after-sales service. GACs global parts distribution network, including a center in Panama, ensures that customers will always have access to quality parts and maintenance support. Were not just launching cars, were launching a movement, said Sebastian Bastian, Chairman of EV Motors.Our partnership with GAC marks a turning point for the Bahamian auto market. Were bringing back affordability, raising the bar on quality, and rewriting what Bahamians can expect from a new car. GAC Motor, headquartered in Guangzhou, China, has earned a reputation for producing reliable, high-performance vehicles that combine craftsmanship with innovation. The brand's commitment to intelligent mobility solutions aligns with the growing demand for both traditional and electric vehicles. Additionally, GAC's longstanding joint ventures with automotive giants Toyota and Honda have helped the company further solidify its position as a global leader in vehicle manufacturing. "This is just the beginning," said Amjad. "We believe that GAC will become a household name in The Bahamas, offering drivers unbeatable value, cutting-edge technology, and one of the best warranties in the region." GACs launch in The Bahamas marks a significant milestone in Motorworlds ongoing expansion across the region. As the official regional distributor for GAC throughout the Caribbean, Motorworld is proud to serve 25 territories, bringing cutting-edge automotive innovation to new markets and driving the future of mobility across the Caribbean. X rival Bluesky adds blue checks for trusted accounts San Francisco, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 X rival Bluesky on Monday said it was adding blue checks to accounts that have been verified to confirm users are who they claim to be. In a blog post, the company said it would "proactively verify authentic and notable accounts and display a blue check next to their names." "Trust is everything," the team said in the post. The move mirrors a feature once deployed at Twitter in an effort to thwart imposters and help users know when account holders were authentic. Billionaire Elon Musk did away with verifying who was behind accounts after he bought Twitter, now called X, in 2022. Instead, Musk offered blue check marks to those paying for subscriptions for an X Premium tier on the social network. "Social media has connected us in powerful ways, but it hasn't always given us the tools to know who we're interacting with or why we should trust them," the Bluesky team said in its post. Bluesky was created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey as a side project in 2019. Dorsey pulled five engineers aside to build a decentralized alternative to Twitter. He said at the time that centralized attempts to police abuse and misinformation on a platform like Twitter were unlikely to work, and that he wanted to give users more control of personal data and content moderation. Bluesky did not see the light of day until 2023, the year after Twitter was bought by Musk -- a key ally of US President Donald Trump who has pushed misinformation on his platform since his takeover. Bluesky said in a post early this year that it had grown to more than 30 million users. The burgeoning social media network already lets individuals and organizations verify who they are by letting them use their website addresses as their user names, and more than 270,000 accounts use that option, according to the platform. Bluesky is starting out such "trusted verifiers" with blue checks and plans to eventually launch a request form for accounts seeking the mark of authenticity, the team said. Bluesky's chief operating officer Rose Wang said in a recent interview with AFP that she was optimistic about the social network's trajectory. "We really see this as our coming-out year," she said. "People want to know what's happening in the world and need a safe, moderated space to discuss it, have fun, and make friends. Right now, they're not finding that anywhere else." Boeing announces $10.55 bn sale of some digital aviation assets to Thoma Bravo New York, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 Boeing plans to sell portions of its digital aviation solutions business to software-focused investment firm Thoma Bravo for $10.55 billion, the aerospace giant announced Tuesday. Boeing said it will retain "core digital capabilities" to enable fleet maintenance and repair services for customers. The transaction includes Jeppesen, an 81-year-old aviation navigation company that Boeing acquired in 2000. Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg has described targeted divestitures as a way to improve the company's financial position after a series of losses. "This transaction is an important component of our strategy to focus on core businesses, supplement the balance sheet and prioritize the investment grade credit rating," Ortberg said. About 3,900 Boeing employees work in digital aviation solutions, the company said in a news release. Boeing is working with Thoma Bravo "to help ensure as seamless of a transition as possible for employees" while continuing to serve customers, Boeing said. With some $179 billion in assets under management, Thoma Bravo describes itself as one of the "largest software-focused investors in the world." Shares of Boeing rose 1.2 percent early Tuesday. Small and mid-sized businesses dont always have the luxury of large sales teams or sprawling budgets, but that doesnt mean they cant punch above their weight. With the right tools, even lean teams can streamline their sales process, stay on top of leads, and nurture customer relationships at scale. Thats where SaaS CRMs come in. These cloud-based platforms are designed to simplify sales workflows, automate follow-ups, and give teams data-driven insights, all without the need for complex setups or IT support. In this weeks Lets Talk, our experts discuss how SMEs can use SaaS CRMs to boost sales, stay agile, and scale customer engagement without needing a big team behind the scenes. More Lets Talk episodes Contribute to Dynamic Business Ronan Harnett, Head of Multi Product APJ for monday.com Ronan Harnett, Head of Multi Product APJ for monday.com For SMEs, growing sales without a big team can be a challenge. Thats where CRMs come in. A flexible, scalable CRM can centralise customer data, automate repetitive tasks, and enable real-time collaboration empowering teams of any size to work smarter. However, SME leaders need to find the right CRM and seek an innovative and fully customisable platform that streamlines every part of the sales cycle in one place, from lead capture to deal management and post-sale support. Our recent study uncovers significant tech challenges facing sales leaders, revealing that 61% are at least somewhat satisfied with their CRM, yet 81% are considering switching their CRMs within the next year, and nearly half of C-level executives are unhappy with their current CRM. This shows us that while sales teams consider CRMs to be essential, theyre also seeking CRMs that perform better. A well-chosen CRM acts like an extra set of hands, allowing small teams to boost productivity, accelerate growth, and stay competitive in fast-moving markets. By automating manual work like lead distribution and follow-ups, teams gain back valuable hours to focus on closing deals and building relationships. With AI and the latest technology, sales teams can work faster and optimise sales forecasting, personalised outreach, and real-time analytics to further sharpen their sales strategy and seamlessly scale. Alexandra Egan, Founder and CEO at The Domino Effect Consulting & Facilitating In 2025, Australian SMEs face a pressing decision: how to scale without overstretching resources. The solution? SaaS CRMs. These tools arent just for big businesses; theyre essential for small teams aiming to drive sales and stay competitive. The Australian CRM market is projected to hit US$1.67 billion by 2025, growing at a 10.5% CAGR. Yet, only 68% of small-budget businesses are using CRMs, compared to 86% of larger companies (expertmarketresearch.com). Heres how a SaaS CRM can help a small team boost sales: Automate Routine Tasks: Free up your team to focus on high-impact activities. Data-Driven Decisions: Use real-time analytics to guide sales strategies based on actual customer behaviour. Personalised Customer Experience: Track interactions and offer insights to create tailored experiences, boosting loyalty. Not adopting a CRM has consequences. 73.9% of SMEs report slowed revenue, and 78% have increased fees just to survive (cfotech.com.au). The question isnt whether you can afford to invest in a CRM; its whether you can afford not to. RESET your thinking Embrace the tools that help you grow without needing to expand your workforce. Dan Bognar, Vice President & Managing Director, JAPAC, HubSpot Dan Bognar, Vice President & Managing Director, JAPAC, HubSpot SMEs dont all need large, specialised sales and marketing teams to drive meaningful revenue growth instead, they can scale their activities through a unified customer platform like HubSpot. Modern customer platforms level the playing field by giving small businesses access to powerful automation, AI-driven insights, productivity tools, and customer engagement features previously used only by larger enterprise companies. With AI-powered features like lead scoring and prioritisation, tailored email sequences, pipeline automation, and tools to remix marketing content, SMEs can manage their entire customer journey with unprecedented speed and focus. This means that SMEs can focus on what matters most building relationships and closing deals while their customer platform handles the heavy lifting behind the scenes. From setting smart reminders to capturing every customer interaction, a unified customer platform creates a foundation of efficiency and consistency that scales with the business over time. The real opportunity lies in being empowered to act fast, stay focused, and deliver a targeted, highly engaging customer connection without needing large teams to do it. Elise Balsillie, Head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand What if your sales team wasnt bigger, but better equipped? Small business owners often think they need more people to grow. In reality, it is about making better use of time and tools. SaaS CRMs allow SMEs to scale their sales efforts without adding headcount. That is a game-changer. Imagine being able to see which leads are hot, which customers have not been followed up and what messages are converting. With a well-set-up CRM, you are following a clear path and not chasing your tail. Automating reminders, scheduling follow-ups and segmenting customer groups means no opportunity slips through the cracks. It also frees up your team (or just you) to focus on the conversations that count. The real power lies in visibility. Knowing where your customers are in their journey and how they have interacted with your business, gives you the confidence to tailor every message with authenticity and personalisation. The best part? You dont need to be a tech expert or hire one. These systems are built for everyday business owners who often wear multiple hats. A reliable CRM streamlines your workload, brings clarity to your priorities, as well as empowers you to sell smarter. Maria Kathopoulis, Chief Marketing Officer & Managing Director at UNTMD Marketing Maria Kathopoulis, Chief Marketing Officer & Managing Director at UNTMD Marketing Small teams often think they need more staff to scale, but the smartest SMEs know its about systems and productivity, not size. Instead of hiring more, they use automation to do the heavy lifting: AI scores inbound leads by intent, routes them to the right team members, and triggers personalised nurture journeys based on client profile. The result? Faster conversions, higher close rates, and a CRM that functions more like a strategic growth partner. For SMEs, this is the edge. A good CRM doesnt just store data, it tells you who to call, when to follow up, and what to say. It tracks every deal, automates the repetitive stuff, and gives your team more time to close without needing more hands on deck. The takeaway? Data clarity so you can clearly scale. A CRM with AI embedded is the modern SMEs secret weapon. Laetitia Boden, Co-Founder of MyWebAdvantage This is hands down my favourite moment: when a small business owner realises they dont need a big team to grow their business. They can save hours, stay on top of every lead, and show up consistently, without burning the midnight oil. For me, the real game-changer is automation. They act as playbooks but better. Smart automations quietly handle repetitive tasks like follow-up emails, while also prompting teams to add the personal touches that matter -> making a quick call, sending a thoughtful message. Automations make it easy to show up the way you want to every time, no matter who is assigned to the lead. Tried & tested processes are repeated without fail. A close second is the visual sales pipeline. It gives clarity at a glance: Whos interested, Who needs a nudge, and Whats coming up next. You get a fast overview of your teams progress, making it easy to delegate without giving up control. No digging through inboxes & spreadsheets. When business owners realise whats possible relief & excitement wash over their faces. Thats the magic of a CRM done right, and the sky becomes the limit for businesses & their goals. Maongkala Jamir, Content Writer at Jobma Maongkala Jamir, Content Writer at Jobma For SMEs, SaaS CRM tool is often called the second brain of the company as its essentially the sales command center. It tracks every interaction, helps qualify leads, and shows which deals are moving forward (and which arent). This visibility helps small teams operate like bigger ones. SMEs can manage the sales pipeline in a spreadsheet and thatll work for a while. But as you scale, it wont be the most feasible. With CRM, you can manage more sales deals than you could ever do manually, as you can streamline follow-ups, scheduling, and even upselling, which is essential where retention drives revenue. You can sort customers by value, track deal velocity, and pinpoint where delays happen. Even if the tool helps you bump your close rate just by 5-10%, it means thousands in extra revenue. When there is a shorter sales cycle, it means more deals closed faster. Discover Lets Talk Business Topics Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Trump backs Pentagon chief despite new Signal chat scandal Washington, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2025 President Donald Trump stood behind his controversial Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth Monday despite a new scandal over his reported use of messaging app Signal to discuss US strikes on Yemen with his wife and others. "He's doing a great job," Trump said, dismissing the reports as "just fake news." US media reported that Hegseth used Signal to talk about the air strikes against Yemen's Huthi rebels with people not usually involved in such discussions, just weeks after it emerged that he also shared details about the strikes in another Signal chat to which a journalist had been inadvertently added. The scandals and reports of turmoil inside the Pentagon are a blow to the newly minted defense secretary, a former Fox News co-host nominated by Trump despite having no high-level military experience and no background in running large organizations. However, Hegseth was defiant, blaming the media. "This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations," Hegseth said at the White House, adding: "Not going to work with me." Multiple Democratic lawmakers have said it is time for Hegseth to go. "He's a walking national security disaster and needs to resign or be fired," said Representative Jim McGovern. Senators Mark Warner, Andy Kim and Elissa Slotkin all called for Hegseth to quit, with the latter saying: "If he cared about the institution he's leading, he should man up, acknowledge he's a distraction to the military's mission, and resign." Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin also weighed in, calling the Pentagon chief a "disgrace" and saying it is "well past time for Hegseth to resign -- or for Donald Trump to fire him." - 'Total chaos' - After NPR radio reported that the White House had begun looking for a new defense chief, Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt posted on X that this was "total FAKE NEWS based on one anonymous source who clearly has no idea what they are talking about." Last month, The Atlantic magazine revealed that its editor-in-chief was mistakenly included in a Signal chat in which officials including Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz discussed the March 15 Yemen strikes. The revelation sparked an uproar, with Trump's administration forced on the defensive over the leak. A Pentagon inspector general's probe into Hegseth's use of Signal is ongoing. The New York Times and CNN then reported Sunday that Hegseth had shared information on the same strikes in a second Signal group chat. The details shared included the flight schedules for warplanes targeting the Huthis, the Times reported. The chat included his wife Jennifer, who is a journalist and former Fox News producer, as well as his brother Phil and lawyer Tim Parlatore, both of whom serve in roles at the Pentagon, the newspaper and the channel said, citing anonymous sources. The reported release of military information in the chat follows upheaval at the top of the Pentagon, with three senior officials removed last week amid an investigation into alleged leaks. Former senior advisors Darin Selnick, Dan Caldwell and Colin Carroll hit back on Sunday, saying Pentagon officials had "slandered our character with baseless attacks." "We still have not been told what exactly we were investigated for, if there is still an active investigation, or if there was even a real investigation of 'leaks' to begin with," they said in a joint statement posted on social media. Hegseth's former Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot also took aim at him in a scathing opinion piece on Sunday that described "a month of total chaos at the Pentagon." "President Donald Trump has a strong record of holding his top officials to account. Given that, it's hard to see Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remaining in his role for much longer," wrote Ullyot. Gaza rescuers say seven killed in Israeli air strikes Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 Gaza's civil defence agency said Tuesday that seven people were killed in fresh Israeli air strikes across the Hamas-run territory. "The occupation launched violent air strikes on Gaza City and the towns of Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun, and Khan Yunis, killing seven civilians," civil defence spokesman Mahmoud Bassal told AFP. Four people were killed in the Al-Rimal area near Gaza City, two in Al-Sabra west of Gaza City and one in Khan Yunis. "The occupation also destroyed more than 10 homes east of Gaza City and in Rafah," he added. The Israeli military, which did not immediately comment, has intensified its aerial bombardments and expanded its ground operations in the Gaza Strip since it resumed its offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory on March 18. Gaza's civil defence agency on Monday accused the Israeli military of carrying out "summary executions" in the killing of 15 rescue workers last month, rejecting the findings of an internal probe by the army. At least 1,691 people have been killed in Gaza since the military resumed its offensive, bringing the total death toll since the war erupted to at least 51,065, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Hamas's attack on Israel that ignited the war resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Gaza rescuers say 25 killed in Israeli air strikes Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 Gaza's civil defence agency said that a spate of Israeli air strikes since dawn on Tuesday killed at least 25 people across the Hamas-run territory. Israel resumed an intense air and ground offensive on Gaza on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire that had largely halted the fighting in the besieged Palestinian territory. "The total number of Palestinians killed in Israeli air strikes since dawn today has risen to 25," Mohammad Mughayyir, a senior official with the civil defence agency told AFP. Nine people were killed and several others wounded when an air strike hit a house in the centre of the southern city of Khan Yunis, he said. Six more remained trapped under the rubble, he said. Another nine were killed in separate strikes on Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, Mughayyir said, including five when a tent housing displaced people was hit. Five others were killed in a strike on a home belonging to the Bakr family in the Al-Shati refugee camp of Gaza City, he said, while two died in a similar attack in the southern city of Rafah. More than 10 houses were also destroyed in the strikes, civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal earlier told AFP, adding that an air strike also destroyed bulldozers and equipment belonging to the Jabalia municipality. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the latest strikes. Since the ceasefire with Hamas collapsed, the military has carried out an intense assault on Gaza. Gaza's civil defence agency on Monday accused the Israeli military of carrying out "summary executions" in the killing of 15 rescue workers last month, rejecting the findings of an internal probe by the army. At least 1,864 people have been killed in Gaza since the military resumed its offensive, bringing the total death toll since the war erupted to at least 51,240, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that ignited the war resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Economic modelling from the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) has found reducing the small business company tax rate would boost the economy by up to $11.4 billion dollars and provide up to 3,370 permanent jobs. The independent modelling based on a small business tax rate cut from 25% to 20%, found the move was fiscally prudent and good economic policy, stimulating cashflow and business growth to provide a net benefit to the Australian community. COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat said the modelling clearly illustrated the proposal would lead to economic growth, innovation, higher productivity and more opportunities for Australian small businesses. The modelling confirms what we have heard from countless small businesses across the country: a tax cut would boost small business cashflow, re-ignite investment and increase output, wages, jobs and economic growth. In aggregate, national income would rise appreciably, indicating that the policy provides a net benefit to the Australian community, Mr. Achterstraat said. Under this modelling, GDP would be boosted by up to $10 for every $1 in foregone tax revenue thats a compelling return. The flow-on effects of higher incomes and job creation assist in significant tax clawback and minimal impact on the budget. It is not just a win for small business, its a win for all Australians. Mr. Achterstraat said the 2025 election campaign has so far been devoid of any significant economic reform. With two weeks of campaigning left, this policy is free to be adopted by the major parties as a clear path forward for small businesses across Australia. The numbers are in we cant afford not to cut the small business tax rate to 20%. It is fiscally prudent, targeted and will produce a growth dividend in uncertain economic times, he said. Moreover, this is good economic policy because it addresses a significant burden on small business especially after the GFC and Covid periods: it improves access to cashflow and credit on reasonable terms. The economic impacts of the tax cut were modelled using three policy scenarios: an immediate 5% reduction to 20% in 2025-26 a phase-in approach where the rate reaches 20% in 2027-28 a phase-in approach where the rate reaches 20% in 2029-30. Across all scenarios, the modelling shows the tax rate reduction would boost small business cashflow, increase post-tax retained earnings, loosen credit constraints, reignite investment and spur productivity, wages, jobs and economic growth. In aggregate, national income would rise, with the boost to GDP significant relative to the low cost of replacing the foregone revenue. Under the first scenario, in which the tax rate cut is immediately implemented, Australias GDP would be boosted by about $11.4 billion over five years, with about 3,370 permanent jobs created. Over the period, foregone tax revenue would total $800 million, meaning GDP would ultimately be improved by $10.6 billion. This equates to a net GDP gain of about $10 for every $1 in lost tax revenue. For states and territories this would equate to $3.4 billion in NSW; $2.5 billion in Victoria; $2.3 billion in Queensland; $620 million in South Australia; $2 billion in Western Australia; $177 million in Tasmania; $151 million in the Northern Territory; and $232 million in the ACT. Small businesses comprise 97.7% of all Australian businesses, employ more than 5.1 million people in our communities and contribute $500 billion a year to the economy. In regional and remote Australia, areas more reliant on small businesses, they are the heartbeat of the community, Mr. Achterstraat said. This tax cut is the one policy that can provide instant respite to Australian small businesses and let them focus on what they do best running their businesses and serving our communities. Economic modelling was prepared by Tulipwood Advisory Pty Ltd (Tulipwood Economics), Qaive and Bellchambers Barrett for the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA). Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. China says expects 'in-depth' talks during Iran FM visit Beijing, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 Beijing on Tuesday said it expected "in-depth" talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during his visit to China this week, adding the two countries would work on "deepening political mutual trust". "Both sides will have in-depth exchanges on China-Iran bilateral relations and international and regional hotspot issues of mutual concern," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said. The visit to China by Tehran's top diplomat comes ahead of a third round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. Araghchi previously visited China, which was a signatory to a since-abandoned 2015 agreement that reigned in Tehran's nuclear programme, in December. China is Iran's largest commercial partner and the main buyer of its oil, with Tehran still under crushing US sanctions. Around 92 percent of Iranian oil heads towards China, according to Iranian media, and is often sold at a considerable discount. In 2021, Tehran and Beijing signed a comprehensive 25-year strategic agreement covering energy, security, infrastructure and communications among other areas. China on Tuesday hailed its "traditional friendship" with Iran. "The two countries have maintained mutual respect, trust, and support, promoting the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations and contributing to regional and global peace and stability," Guo said. The 2015 accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was also signed by four other permanent UN Security Council members -- Britain, France, Russia, and the United States -- along with Germany and the European Union. US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018, during his first term, which prompted Iran to breach its terms a year later. Since returning to office in January, Trump has called for nuclear talks with Tehran while at the same time threatening military action. Western nations have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, something Tehran denies. The Iranian foreign ministry said earlier this week that Araghchi's visit would start on Tuesday, though China said it would be on Wednesday. Hamas team heads to Cairo for Gaza talks as Israel strikes kill 26 Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 A Hamas delegation departed for Cairo to discuss "new ideas" aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza, an official from the group said, as Israeli air strikes killed 26 people across the territory Tuesday. The renewed effort follows Hamas's rejection last week of Israel's latest proposal to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza. Talks have so far failed to produce any breakthrough since Israel resumed its air and ground assault on Gaza from March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire. "The delegation will meet with Egyptian officials to discuss new ideas aimed at reaching a ceasefire," the Hamas official said, adding the team included the group's chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya. The latest round of discussions come a day after newly appointed US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, urged Hamas to accept a deal that would secure the release of hostages in exchange for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. "When that happens, and hostages are released which is an urgent matter for all of us, then we hope that the humanitarian aid will flow and flow freely knowing it will be done without Hamas being able to confiscate and abuse their own people", Huckabee said in a video statement. Israel blocked all aid to Gaza on March 2, days before launching its renewed offensive. Israel has accused the Palestinian militant group of diverting aid, which Hamas denies. "Gaza has become a land of desperation," Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, said on X on Tuesday. "Hunger is spreading and deepening, deliberate and manmade.... Humanitarian aid is being used as a bargaining chip and a weapon of war." Qatar, with the United States and Egypt, brokered a truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas which began on January 19 and enabled a surge in aid, alongside the exchange of hostages and prisoners. But that truce collapsed after disagreements emerged over the terms of the next stage. - Israeli strikes continue - Hamas had insisted that negotiations be held for a second phase of the truce, leading to a permanent end to the war, as outlined in the January framework. Israel, by contrast, sought an extension of the first phase. Following the impasse, Israel blocked aid to Gaza and resumed its military campaign. Most recently, Israel proposed a 45-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of 10 living hostages -- an offer Hamas rejected last week. Gaza's civil defence agency said that a spate of Israeli air strikes since dawn on Tuesday killed at least 26 people across the Hamas-run territory. Among the fatalities were nine people when a house was struck in central Khan Yunis, Mohammad Mughayyir, a senior official from the agency told AFP, adding that six others remain trapped under the rubble. More than 10 houses were also destroyed in the strikes, civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal earlier told AFP, adding that an air strike also destroyed bulldozers and equipment belonging to the Jabalia municipality in northern Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the latest strikes. At least 1,890 people have been killed in Gaza since the military resumed its offensive, bringing the total death toll since the war erupted to at least 51,266, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also abducted 251 people, 58 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Nordics, Lithuania plan joint purchase of combat vehicles Stockholm, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 Sweden, Finland, Norway and Lithuania plan to beef up military capabilities around the Baltic Sea with a joint order for several hundred CV90 combat vehicles, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Tuesday. Kristersson made the announcement at a joint press conference in Stockholm with his Lithuanian counterpart Gintautas Paluckas, following talks between the two. "Our focus right now is on a potential coordinated acquisition of the CV90 infantry fighting vehicles with Sweden, Lithuania, Finland and Norway together," Kristersson said. "With a possible coordinated procurement, we will strengthen our shared military capabilities in the Baltic Sea region," he said. The CV90 combat vehicle is made by BAE Systems Hagglunds in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden. Kristersson gave no exact price for a future order. "We are at least discussing several hundreds of vehicles, and they are quite costly," he said. "On the other hand, we are expanding our military defence budgets," he added. At the end of March, Sweden announced it would increase defence spending by about 300 billion kronor ($30 billion) over the next decade. It said it aimed to boost its defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2030, up from the current 2.4 percent. The Nordic country dropped two centuries of military non-alignment and applied for membership in NATO in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, becoming its 32nd member in March 2024. US President Donald Trump has demanded that all NATO countries contribute at least five percent of GDP to their defence budgets. Spain to hike defence spending to 2% of GDP in 2025: PM Madrid, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 Spain will invest more than 10 billion euros to increase its defence spending -- proportionally NATO's lowest -- to two percent of annual economic output this year, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday. The announcement accelerates a previous timeline that set 2029 as the target year to reach the benchmark agreed by NATO allies but deemed too low by US President Donald Trump. Russia's three-year-old invasion of Ukraine and Trump's questioning of decades-long US security guarantees have seen Europe scramble to design new defence strategies with bigger budgets in the quest for greater autonomy. "It is essential that we meet the investment targets our partners demand," Sanchez told a news conference as he announced plans to spend 10.47 billion euros ($12 billion). The aim is to "consolidate Spain as a central and trustworthy member of the European Union and the Atlantic alliance in a world dominated by uncertainty", the Socialist premier added. Spain dedicated 1.28 percent of its annual economic output to defence last year, a lower proportion than any other member, according to NATO figures. Sanchez's minority government relies on small far-left groups and separatist parties traditionally hostile to NATO and alignment with US foreign policy, complicating his efforts to hike defence spending. Spanish media reported that the Socialists' far-left junior coalition partner Sumar fiercely opposed the move during Tuesday's cabinet meeting. Attempting to assuage such concerns, Sanchez said the new cash would come "without raising taxes, without touching a cent of investment in the welfare state and without incurring a larger public deficit". Less than one-fifth of the new investment will go towards "the purchase of armaments in the most traditional sense of the term", while almost one third will be ploughed into "acquiring new telecommunications and cybersecurity capabilities each year", he added. A further 17 percent of the plan will "strengthen the dual capacities" of the army to help manage emergencies and natural disasters, he announced. It was unclear whether NATO would accept counting that money as part of annual defence spending. Sanchez confirmed the spending plan would not be submitted to a vote in parliament, infuriating the main conservative opposition Popular Party, which called it "not serious or democratic". Hamas team heads to Cairo for Gaza talks as Israel strikes kill 26 Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 A Hamas delegation left for Cairo to discuss "new ideas" aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza, an official from the group said, as rescuers reported 26 dead in Israeli air strikes on Tuesday. The renewed diplomatic effort follows Hamas's rejection last week of Israel's latest proposal to secure the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Talks have so far failed to produce any breakthrough since Israel resumed its air and ground assault from March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire. The Hamas delegation, led by the group's chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya, "will meet with Egyptian officials to discuss new ideas aimed at reaching a ceasefire", said the official. The discussions come a day after new US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged Hamas to accept a deal that would secure the release of hostages in exchange for humanitarian aid entering Gaza. "When that happens, and hostages are released which is an urgent matter for all of us, then we hope that the humanitarian aid will flow and flow freely knowing it will be done without Hamas being able to confiscate and abuse their own people", Huckabee said in a video statement. Israel has accused Hamas of diverting aid, which Palestinian militant group denies. Israel blocked all aid to Gaza on March 2, days before its renewed offensive began. "Gaza has become a land of desperation," Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, said on X on Tuesday. "Hunger is spreading and deepening, deliberate and manmade.... Humanitarian aid is being used as a bargaining chip and a weapon of war." Qatar, with the United States and Egypt, brokered a truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas which began on January 19 and enabled a surge in aid, alongside exchanges of hostages and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. But the truce collapsed after disagreements over the terms of the next stage. - Israeli strikes continue - Hamas had insisted that negotiations be held on a second phase of the truce, leading to a permanent end to the war, as outlined in the January framework announced by former US president Joe Biden. Israel, however, sought to extend the first phase. Following the impasse, Israel blocked aid and resumed its military campaign. On Tuesday, Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes killed at least 26 people across the Hamas-run territory. Nine people died when a house was struck in Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, civil defence official Mohammad Mughayyir told AFP, adding that others were trapped. "We found people torn apart," said Ahmad Shourab who witnessed the strike. "They were all women and children. What do they want from us?" Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said air strikes also destroyed bulldozers and other equipment belonging to the Jabalia municipality in northern Gaza. "We relied on them for rescue operations to clear debris and recover the bodies of martyrs from beneath the rubble", as well as to "save lives, pull people from the rubble", Bassal said. The Israeli military said it struck some "40 engineering vehicles used for terror purposes, including during the October 7 massacre", referring to Hamas's 2023 attack that sparked the war. "Hamas has used these vehicles for planting explosives, digging underground routes, breaching fences and clearing rubble to locate weapons and military equipment hidden by the terrorist organisation beneath the rubble". At least 1,890 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel resumed its offensive, bringing the total death toll since the war erupted to at least 51,266, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also abducted 251 people, 58 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. bur-jd/ami Iran says technical nuclear meeting with US postponed to Saturday Tehran, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 A technical, expert-level nuclear meeting between Iran and the United States will be held on Saturday, coinciding with the third round of indirect talks mediated by Oman, Tehran announced Tuesday. "The technical consultative meeting between the two countries, which was to be held as part of the indirect talks between the two sides on Wednesday, has been postponed to Saturday," said Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. He said the decision to reschedule the meeting was made "following Oman's proposal and the agreement of the Iranian and American delegations". The reason for the delay was not immediately clear. Tehran and Washington have held two rounds of indirect talks in Muscat and Rome since April 12, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff leading the negotiations. Oman said the third round, also set for Saturday, would again be held in Muscat. The talks earlier this month in the Omani capital were the first discussions at such a high level between the foes since US President Donald Trump abandoned a landmark nuclear accord in 2018. Following the latest round in Rome, Araghchi said the meeting was "good" and that the negotiations were "moving forward". On Monday, Trump said Washington had "very good meetings" on Iran. Western countries including the United States have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons -- an allegation Tehran has consistently denied, insisting that its programme is for peaceful civilian purposes. Iran says technical nuclear meeting with US postponed to Saturday Tehran, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 A technical, expert-level nuclear meeting between Iran and the United States will be held on Saturday, coinciding with the third round of indirect talks mediated by Oman, Tehran announced Tuesday. "The technical consultative meeting between the two countries, which was to be held as part of the indirect talks between the two sides on Wednesday, has been postponed to Saturday," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said. He said the decision to reschedule the meeting was made "following Oman's proposal and the agreement of the Iranian and American delegations". The reason for the delay was not immediately clear. Tehran and Washington have held two rounds of indirect talks in Muscat and Rome since April 12, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff leading the negotiations. Oman said the third round, also set for Saturday, would again be held in Muscat. The talks earlier this month in the Omani capital were the first discussions at such a high level between the foes since US President Donald Trump abandoned a landmark nuclear accord in 2018. Following Saturday's latest round in Rome, Araghchi said the meeting was "good" and that the negotiations were "moving forward". On Monday, Trump said Washington had "very good meetings" on Iran. Western countries including the United States have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons -- an allegation Tehran has consistently denied, insisting that its programme is for peaceful civilian purposes. Later on Tuesday, Baqaei said Araghchi was heading to China for talks. Iran has in recent weeks engaged with its allies China and Russia over its nuclear programme. Before leaving for Beijing, Araghchi spoke with UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi and briefed him on the latest developments in talks with the United States, a foreign ministry statement said. Uganda army chief in talks with DR Congo militia Kampala, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 Uganda's army chief met Tuesday near Kampala with leaders of a militia from northeastern DR Congo following deadly clashes last month, the military said. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a son of President Yoweri Museveni, "held a high-level meeting this morning in Entebbe with the leaders of the Lendu militia CODECO ... a group that has repeatedly clashed with the Ugandan People's Defence Forces," said an army statement. The militia is one of a patchwork of armed groups scrambling for dominance in the mineral-rich region. Kainerugbaba "encouraged the CODECO leaders to ally with the UPDF to work together for peace and stability in Eastern Congo," the statement said, hailing the meeting as "an important step in ongoing regional peace efforts." Uganda has maintained a low profile in the conflict shaking eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the M23 armed group captured key cities in January and February. UN experts have said M23 is backed by Rwanda, though the Kigali government denies this. Uganda has long had a military presence in the area and according to analysts is playing a complex game on its neighbour's territory. Since late 2021, Ugandan troops have backed DR Congo's army against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group of Ugandan origin linked to the Islamic State jihadist group. Uganda's forces in March launched an offensive against CODECO near Mahagi, a town about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from major oil reserves on its territory, and claimed to have killed hundreds of its fighters. An army source who declined to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the talks, told AFP that Tuesday's development was "not surprising". "This is a bait for the Allied Democratic Forces rebels that they can receive similar treatment if they stop fighting Uganda." The source said Uganda also "wants to prove it's presence in eastern DRC is not for war but peace and that General Muhoozi Kainerugaba can deliver that card." Kate Cornick CEO LaunchVic said: The report highlights the incredible growth of Victorias startup ecosystem since 2016. If we continue this trajectory for the next five years, we will be on par with some of the worlds leading startup hubs. A new report shows Victoria is on track to be one of the worlds leading startup hubs, thanks to support from the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson today released Victorias Startup Growth Report, which reveals more than 3,500 startups now call Victoria home. Since 2016 Victorias startup sector has grown from $5 billion in value to $132 billion a 26-fold increase, outpacing key global hubs including Singapore, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Stockholm, Amsterdam and Berlin and creating more than 63,000 new jobs in the past two decades. Investment in the sector is also thriving with $841 million invested in startups over the past year, 7.5 times higher than in 2014 and outpacing the global average of 3.4 times over the same period. Around 180 startups were hatched in universities, making up five per cent of the states startups and contributing $2.9 billion in value. Breakthrough Victorias $100 million University Innovation Platform is taking the world-class ideas and research coming out of Victorian universities and helping them grow into businesses that support and create jobs. Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson said: Were backing startups because they create jobs and drive economic growth. Our startup sector is maturing and growing rapidly and we are on track to compete with the best in the world. Kate Cornick CEO LaunchVic said: The report highlights the incredible growth of Victorias startup ecosystem since 2016. If we continue this trajectory for the next five years, we will be on par with some of the worlds leading startup hubs. The Labor Governments Economic Growth Statement highlights Victorias plan to turbocharge international investment in the state and drive highly skilled local jobs. To read the full report, visit launchvic.org. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. I need to pull him up on a comment he made when he talks about the humiliation of collecting waste from the streets. The humiliation of decent working-class people going out to provide a public service to millions of people across England is not a humiliation, its a public service, its one that is critical to our nations interests. Where to live Golden Visas: the four European countries where you can still get citizenship by buying property Four European countries still offering golden visas to property buyers April 21, 2025 | 03:00 pm PT Takahashi Hisashi, a renowned landscape and urban architect with nearly 40 years of experience in Japan and over a decade in Vietnam, has told me signs of urban decay are becoming evident in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Urban decay is the gradual decline of a city due to economic downturn, aging or shrinking populations, deteriorating infrastructure, pollution, and social problems. Vietnam's two largest cities already exhibit 60-70% of the characteristics associated with urban decay worldwide, including overloaded and aging infrastructure, environmental pollution, localized economic decline, rising social issues, and population shifts. Without sustainable development strategies, HCMC and Hanoi could face full-scale urban decay within the next 10-20 years mirroring cities like Detroit, Liverpool, Mexico City, and Jakarta. At a meeting in HCMC on Feb. 28, 2025, the city's officials warned of a sharp rise in business closures and bankruptcies. This year new business registrations have fallen by over 37% year-on-year and investment by nearly 48%. Business closures have increased by over 12%. This trend has continued for years, with small businesses struggling to survive and large firms relocating to nearby provinces like Long An, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. These are early warning signs of urban decay, similar to what Detroit and Liverpool experienced. An old apartment block in HCMC in need of renovation. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Severely congested roads, deteriorating street conditions, inefficient drainage systems, and a lack of public spaces and greenery are major obstacles to sustainable development in HCMC and Hanoi. These issues raise fears that HCMC and Hanoi could face problems like Jakarta, where poor urban planning and drainage systems have caused severe flooding and congestion. These problems are so severe that the Indonesian government is relocating the capital elsewhere. Air pollution is another issue. Hanoi frequently ranks among the world's most polluted cities for PM2.5 levels and HCMC also suffers from hazardous air quality. The green in both cities is far below national standards and international recommendations at 0.55 square meters per person in HCMC and 2.06 sq.m in Hanoi. The minimum standard set by Vietnam is 12 sq.m while the UN recommends 10 sq.m. Modern cities often provide 20-25 square meters per person. Mexico City once suffered from severe urban decay due to pollution caused by overcrowding, excessive vehicle use and a lack of green space. Vietnam faces similar risks since environmental decline could speed up urban decay if left unaddressed. The gap between modern developments and older residential areas is widening. While upscale areas like Phu My Hung and Thu Thiem in HCMC and Tay Ho Tay and My Dinh in Hanoi receive heavy investment, older apartment blocks and rundown collective housing nearby remain neglected and without clear renovation plans. Rapid population growth is putting pressure on urban infrastructure as hundreds of thousands move to HCMC and Hanoi each year for work, overwhelming their transport, healthcare and education systems. Meanwhile, low birth rates and an expanding low-wage labor market disrupt demographic stability, much like in San Francisco, where many workers have been leaving the city. This shift is a warning sign for Vietnam's major cities. To prevent urban decay, HCMC and Hanoi need clear, long-term solutions focused on improving transport, drainage and green spaces, reducing pollution by limiting private vehicles and expanding public transit, stabilizing the real estate market, and increasing social housing to improve living conditions. Stronger urban planning rules are needed to prevent unchecked growth that strains infrastructure. Detroit, Liverpool, Mexico City, San Francisco, and Jakarta are prime examples of how urban decay can drag a city down in more developed countries than Vietnam. Without timely intervention, Hanoi and HCMC risk facing similar problems, affecting millions of their residents. With the right policies and strong commitment to reform, both cities can still become livable, modern and sustainable urban centers. *Dinh Hong Ky is the vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association and vice chairman of the Vietnam Association for Building Materials. Few pubs offer a better bar menu than the Audley in Mayfair. There below the mad ceiling is a chalked up board that never tires, which always brings promise. It was early to the re-emergence of half-pints of prawns and bowls of sausages with chips, a necessity in boozers but strangely lacking this side of the Irish sea. Take note too of the London rarebit, the crab on toast and the lamb scrumpets (leftover lamb shredded, breadcrumbed and deep-fried), both of which should be sustenance enough to keep drinking. The scotch egg is among the best around: fatty, salty pork, a soft-boiled egg with a jammy yolk but not a stupidly runny one for Instagram, and golden breadcrumbs. The minister later told the Commons: Its not the end of the work, and its not the end of the negotiations, but thanks to the actions we have taken, it is also not the end of British Steel. But Lord Dannatt told Times Radio: Frankly, what has been done over the last couple of months, since Donald Trump came to power, has damaged the chance of peace, has damaged the possibility of an independent future for Ukraine. While Putin has said he declared an Easter truce, he broke it; while Putin says he wants peace, he has rejected a full ceasefire; and while Putin says he wants to put an end to the fighting, he continues to play for time in the negotiations, Mr Healey said. She said there would be more guidance for schools on gender-questioning children and the heart of everything we do has to be about making sure that childrens wellbeing is supported, but also that school leaders in particular have the clarity and guidance that they want. And by necessity, theyve become absolute experts in the use of drones, and want to share their knowledge and skills with us in terms of training in the use of drones, but also in the development of them and the production of this new weapon system. Samsung is also set to release an XR mixed reality headset in partnership with Google this year, which may well feature at the proposed Summer event. Or the Q4 Unpacked event at which we may get to meet the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. The King, who met Francis earlier this month, said he was someone who had profoundly touched the lives of so many, while Sir Keir described him as having been a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten. Shabana Mahmood announced on Tuesday that she has approved a trial of the electric stun guns behind bars as part of a wider review of prison safety. The move follows calls from prison officers for Tasers to be available to guards on the frontline at UKs toughest jails. "Delta flight crews followed procedures to evacuate the passenger cabin when flames in the tailpipe of one of the aircraft's two engines were observed," Delta said in a statement. It then moved very quickly. On the Tuesday she visited the doctor, we had a scan on the Wednesday and one week later we were already in the hospital starting the first round of chemo, she told the Radio Times. He also shared his plans to secure asylum for Flores, stating, Now, the quest of getting married in prison and getting him asylum or we be leaving America when we both get out. Either way, I wish I would have met him long ago. The delivery aims to reinforce secure digital infrastructure and operational effectiveness along the front line. The aid package, coordinated by Ukraines Ministry of Defence, includes: 3,288 access points 500 routers 460 solar-powered charging stations 872 mobile phones These tools are intended to ensure stable, high-quality communications between frontline units and command structures an increasingly decisive factor on the modern battlefield. "I thank the nations of the IT Coalition for their consistent support. This equipment will strengthen the resilience of our militarys communications infrastructure, which is vital for coordination and control on the contact line," said Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence for Digital Development. This marks the third delivery by the IT Coalition in 2025. The first, in January, brought equipment valued at 3.3 million from Estonia, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. A second tranche followed in February, valued at 7.5 million. The IT Coalition operates within the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format) and focuses on providing Ukraine with capabilities in information technology, communications, and cybersecurity. The coalition currently includes Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, and Japan. Estonia and Luxembourg serve as its leading contributors. 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. The Bandung Conference opened a new era of South-South economic cooperation. Its resolution on economic cooperation called for economic collaboration among Asian and African nations and a fairer global economic system. Guided by the Bandung Spirit, China has consistently stood with developing countries in providing development aid, promoting regional integration and deepening South-South cooperation. BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- In April 1955, delegates from 29 Asian and African nations gathered in Bandung, Indonesia, for the historic Asian-African Conference, also known as the Bandung Conference. The meeting marked the awakening of the part of the world later known as the Global South. Seventy years on, the Global South, following the Bandung Spirit of "solidarity, friendship and cooperation," has forged an independent path of collective progress -- from throwing off colonial rule to pursuing shared development and reshaping the international order. This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows the venue for the 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) FROM COLONIAL PLUNDERING TO SOVEREIGN AWAKENING In November 2021, France's Quai Branly Museum prepared 26 artifacts for repatriation to the West African country of Benin, a poignant moment captured in Dahomey, the Golden Bear-winning documentary at the 74th Berlin Film Festival. These artifacts were plundered in the 1890s from Behanzin Palace in Dahomey, Benin's predecessor, by the French who later colonized the kingdom. From the 15th century onward, Western powers expanded their colonial rule across Asia, Africa and Latin America. By the early 20th century, the imperialist colonial system dominated nearly all Asian and African territories, stripping the Global South of sovereignty while plundering resources, fragmenting cultures and dismantling societies. The 1955 Asian-African Conference, excluding Western colonial powers, united newly independent Asian and African nations in their anti-imperialist struggle. The conference established such principles as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. The spirit inspired independence movements worldwide. In 1960, 17 African nations threw off colonial rule, marking the "Year of Africa." The United Nations also passed the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. China has consistently supported the Global South. In the 1970s, China mobilized 50,000 workers to construct the 1,860 km Tanzania-Zambia Railway. China was among the first to recognize and support Algeria's provisional government. Prince Norodom Sihanouk's fight for Cambodian independence also received strong backing from China. This solidarity drove Global South nations to help China regain its lawful seat in the United Nations in 1971. As former Algerian diplomat Noureddine Djoudi recalled, that was a victory for justice. An aerial drone photo taken on April 17, 2024 shows an electrical multiple unit (EMU) train running along the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) FROM GLOBAL PERIPHERY TO GROWTH ENGINE In the 1980s, the Independent Commission on International Development Issues, chaired by former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, released the report, North-South: A Programme for Survival. Using per capita gross domestic product (GDP) as a key metric, the report divided the world roughly into two halves on a map: the rich North above the line and the poor South below it. The "Brandt Line" exposed the Global South's economic marginalization and worldwide development disparities. For generations, developing nations were confined to providing cheap labor and raw materials while Western powers controlled resource distribution and rule-making. The Bandung Conference opened a new era of South-South economic cooperation. Its resolution on economic cooperation called for economic collaboration among Asian and African nations and a fairer global economic system. In 1962, representatives from developing countries met in Cairo and demanded trade justice. In 1964, the Group of 77 was formed before the convening of the first UN Conference on Trade and Development. The Group of 77, a coalition of developing countries, held its first ministerial meeting in 1967 when it established key concepts like "the least developed countries" and formalized South-South cooperation principles. This momentum persists today, with regional groups like the African Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States fostering solidarity, while BRICS expansion and the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area signal stronger Global South integration. A champion of the Bandung Spirit, China has always upheld the Global South's development rights. Initiatives like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the BRICS-founded New Development Bank have unlocked new financing for emerging economies. The Belt and Road Initiative has expanded connectivity, generating opportunities across partner nations. Today, the Global South makes up over 40 percent of global GDP and drives 80 percent of world economic growth. They have transformed from the world economy's former periphery into its most dynamic growth engine. Photo taken on Jan. 13, 2021 shows the headquarters building of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xin) FROM WESTERN DOMINANCE TO GLOBAL GOVERNANCE The Bandung Spirit brought the Global South together and openly questioned the dominance of the West in global affairs. After decades of efforts by the Global South, real changes are taking place. The expanded BRICS mechanism has emerged as a pivotal platform for Southern solidarity. The Third South Summit of the G77+China called for a more inclusive and equitable economic and financial system. Furthering the trend, the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation saw China and 53 African countries unite in advancing global fairness and justice. Together, they signaled a shift toward global governance with the participation of the Global South. Guided by the Bandung Spirit, China has consistently stood with developing countries in providing development aid, promoting regional integration and deepening South-South cooperation. As a natural member of the Global South, China has provided development assistance to over 160 countries and partnered with more than 150 nations under the Belt and Road Initiative. It has also established the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, co-founded the Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science and proposed the 10 partnership actions for China and Africa. China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, along with the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, aligns with the Global South's pursuit of peace, development and justice. Rooted in the Bandung Spirit, these ideas value win-win cooperation over hegemonism and reflect the collective aspirations of developing nations. This synergy was powerfully articulated by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence last June, where he observed, "Of all the forces in the world, the Global South stands out with a strong momentum." They should become, Xi said, "more open and more inclusive, and join hands together to take the lead in building a community with a shared future for mankind." Editor: ZAD Last year, the Maramures Mountain Rescue Service - Salvamont rescued 477 people in 360 response actions, making Maramures a safe county for tourists, director of the Maramures County Mountain Rescue Public Service Dan Benga told a meeting with journalists and tour operators. Of the total, 71 rescue operations took place in the mountains, with 153 Ukrainian citizens brought to safety. "Tourism means safety and fast response. The Maramures County Mountain Rescue Public Service is a structure which, I'd say, is among Romania's top mountain rescue structures due to the fact that we have 100% response rate. Unfortunately, tourism also means issues in the mountains and in difficult to access areas and that is what we, at the Maramures Mountain Rescue Service, are for as a professional mountain rescue structure of the County Council. (...) We were relatively recently established, in 2018, and since then we performed over 1,800 rescue actions, saving over 2,022 people which, from my point of view, is a significant number. Last year we had 360 response actions in Maramures, making it almost one per day, in which 477 people were saved. Also, we had 71 actions in the Maramures Mountains, where we saved 153 Ukrainians. What is happening in the neighboring country is tragic," said Dan Benga. In March 2025, a delegation of the Maramures County Mountain Rescue Public Service attended the "Rescue in Difficult Environment" International Forum in Genoa, Italy, where it gave the presentation "Three Years of War - Extreme Condition Rescues of Ukrainians in Romania's Maramures Mountains", which highlighted the difficult mountain rescue interventions for Ukrainian refugees. "There are 60 of us in total, aspirants included. (...) This is a war that prompted many Ukrainians to flee, to cross the border, and in the past three years we, at Salvamont Maramures, have experienced some unprecedented and until then unimaginable situations. We've come against extremely difficult and highly dramatic situations, where we frantically worked against the clock in places we never thought we'd ever get to save someone," Benga mentioned. He stated that alone last year over 20,000 Ukrainians crossed the border into Romania through the Maramures Mountains. "The number may seem small, but each of our interventions means 20-24-28-30 hours upwards. These are extremely difficult, extremely harsh areas, where winter temperatures plunge to minus 26 degrees. We have an extraordinary team, we are a professional mountain rescue structure of the Maramures County Council, which provides us with funding and equipment without which we would not have been able to get to the respective spots," he concluded. AGERPRES Tobacco maker British American Tobacco (BAT) Romania announced a new donation of equipment to the Romanian Border Police, consisting of 150 License Plate Recognition cameras and an image storage unit intended to strengthen the response capacity of this structure in the surveillance of state borders, especially in the context of Romania's joining the Schengen Area. "In Romania, April 21 marks the National Day against Illegal Goods Trafficking, an important moment to raise awareness of the severe impact of smuggling on economic development and communities. The legitimate industry has an essential role in supporting the authorities' efforts to combat this phenomenon, by providing expertise and investments in technology, capable of stopping illicit trafficking," the cigarette manufacturer said in a statement. "Providing law enforcement authorities with the necessary equipment in the fight against illicit trade is essential, as it increases their capacity to detect, investigate and prevent illegal activities such as smuggling, counterfeiting and tax evasion. Advanced technology such as scanners, surveillance and data analysis systems arm the authorities with the necessary means to combat criminal networks whose illegal scheming diversity often has just imagination as the limit. We remain a reliable partner in supporting the efforts of the Romanian Border Police, whose remarkable results in combating illicit trafficking contribute to economic stability, public safety and the consolidation of a safer business environment," Ileana Dumitru, Legal and External Affairs Director for the Southeastern Europe Area, BAT, said in the release. In his turn, Romanian Border Police Inspector General, Chief Police Quaestor Cornel Laurian Stoica, emphasized that in the first three months of this year, border police officers impounded for confiscation approximately 10 million smuggled cigarettes worth over RON 7.5 million, as well as significant amounts of tobacco. According to official data, illicit cigarette trafficking causes the Romanian state approximately RON 2 billion in losses every year, which represents the equivalent of 500 km of modernized national road. Romania shares 2,000 km of border with non-EU countries, where the price of tobacco can be up to three times lower. At the same time, each container of illegal cigarettes means 1 million euros in profit for the smuggling networks. Interpol data shows that illicit cigarette trafficking is a catalyst for drug, weapons and human trafficking, and even terrorist activities. According to a Novel Research survey, in 2024 Romania's black market hit a four-year high of 9% of the total market. For comparison, in 2023 the annual average of smuggling was 8.2%, up by more than one percentage point compared to the previous year. Also, in the first part of 2025, the black market topped the threshold of 10% of total consumption, compared to 9.1% in November 2024. By the origin of the products on the illicit market, duty free outlets hold the highest share (35.2%), followed by Bulgaria - with 32%. AGERPRES The draft law amending and supplementing Law no. 19/2003 on the organization and functioning of the National News Agency AGERPRES received on Tuesday a favorable opinion from the Labor and Social Protection Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. The legislative proposal initiated by a group of National Liberal Party (PNL) senators provides that AGERPRES has the right to establish, administer and finance a museum. The main objective is the preservation, archiving, research and promotion of the national journalistic heritage. The museum will have the role of "documenting and exhibiting the evolution of the Romanian press, from the first written publications to the digital age, including newspapers, magazines, technical equipment, archival documents, audio-video recordings, as well as other materials of historical and cultural interest". The Chairman of the Working Committee, Adrian Solomon, highlighted that the bill has the support of all parliamentary groups. The museum could function as an autonomous structure within AGERPRES, with its own staff and distinct budget, or as a public institution of national interest, subordinated to AGERPRES, with its own legal personality. "To fulfill its duties, the museum may: a) collaborate with cultural institutions, libraries, archives, universities and media organizations in order to collect, digitize and exhibit archive journalistic materials; b) carry out educational programs and thematic exhibitions to promote the history of the press among the general public; c) organize events, conferences and symposia on the impact of the media on society and democracy; d) access public and private funds, national and international grants for the development and modernization of the museum infrastructure", the draft law also stipulates. According to the explanatory memorandum, "AGERPRES is the main news agency of the Romanian state, with the role of informing the public, documenting social and political realities and preserving the journalistic memory of Romania". The relationship between Bucharest and Berlin is "of utmost importance" in the current international context, MP Ovidiu Gant, representative of the Germans' Democratic Forum of Romania, declared on Tuesday on the occasion of the celebration of Romania - Germany Friendship Day. "April 21, 1992 is the day when the Treaty on Friendly Cooperation and Partnership in Europe between Romania and the Federal Republic of Germany was signed in Bucharest. I thank the Romanian Parliament for the quasi-unanimous adoption of the law marking this day, and my colleague MP Silviu Vexler for collaborating on the implementation and initiation of the project. The Treaty paved the way for an exemplary relationship of partnership and friendship between the two countries, both bilaterally and within the European Union and NATO. Against the current international background of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and of the resetting of transatlantic relations, the relationship with the Federal Republic of Germany is of utmost importance for Romania. Within NATO we are very good allies, as proven by our collaboration in recent years, as well as by Germany's concrete intentions to invest in the Romanian defense industry," Gant told the Chamber of Deputies' plenary session. He also mentioned that Germany is Romania's main trading partner, with total exchanges amounting to over 42 billion euros in 2024. "By the origin of the invested capital, Germany is by far the main investor in the Romanian economy - with over 19 billion euros. In one year alone, 2023 - 2024, the growth was over 2 billion euros. These investments have generated hundreds of thousands of jobs, so that our fellow citizens can work here, at home, in very good conditions. Hundreds of thousands of Romanians live and work in Germany, constituting together with Romania's German minority a solid bridge between the two countries. Ever since its establishment, the Germans' Democratic Forum of Romania has pursued as an absolute priority the expansion and deepening of bilateral relations between Romania and Germany. Based on the aforementioned treaty, both countries have committed to support the German minority in Romania, which has already happened in areas such as mother tongue education, social settlements, cultural life, heritage restoration and the preservation of the traditions of Germans in Romania. For all this, we are deeply grateful to Romania and Germany and we will continue to work towards intensifying our good bilateral relations, as well as those within NATO and the European Union," said Ovidiu Gant. Germany's ambassador in Bucharest Peer Gebauer was present in the plenary hall box. AGERPRES ST. LOUIS A Louisiana bounty hunter who was previously sentenced to 10 years in prison for kidnapping a woman from a St. Peters home was re-sentenced Tuesday to the time he had already served behind bars. Wayne D. Lozier, 46, of New Orleans, was hired in 2019 by a bail bondsman to retrieve a woman who missed a court date on two misdemeanor charges in Louisiana. He drove up to St. Charles County, pushed his way into a home there and woke her up from sleep. He handcuffed her, shackled her feet, put her in an SUV, and they headed south into Mississippi. "You have no rights," he said at one point, according to video played at his trial. "I own you." But federal prosecutors argued Lozier wasn't properly licensed as a bounty hunter in Missouri, so his actions constituted kidnapping. Lozier's lawyers argued he was simply doing the job he was hired for. A jury convicted Lozier in late 2023 of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He appealed. And last year, a court overturned his conviction, finding the jury wasn't properly instructed on how to consider the charges. But instead of facing a new trial, Lozier pleaded guilty in March in exchange for a sentence of the roughly three years he'd already served behind bars. As a felon, Lozier is no longer eligible to be a bounty hunter. Editor's note: This story has been updated with information that both Burnetts have been found safe OVERLAND A missing baby and her mother were found safe Tuesday, hours after police issued an endangered missing person alert for both. Miranda Burnett and her 1-year-old daughter were reported missing by family after the woman did not drop off the baby with a family member on Monday afternoon, Overland police said. The 31-year-old woman's texts had authorities concerned she may harm herself, police said. They were also worried about the safety of the child, Harlow Rae Burnett, who they believed was with her. A little after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Overland police Capt. James Morgan confirmed the two had been found safe in Maryland Heights. Burnett had been in contact with some family members earlier in the day, he said. ST. LOUIS Attorneys general from about 30 states, including Missouri, say the popular DNA testing company 23andMe shouldnt be allowed to decide on its own how to handle the genetic data of its 15 million customers as the company goes through bankruptcy. The states are asking the court to appoint an independent consumer privacy ombudsman and a security examiner, to help inform the court on privacy issues, review privacy laws and the companys policies and make recommendations on the sale of 23andMes data, which includes the DNA of millions of people. And in a federal court hearing Tuesday in St. Louis, the lead attorney for 23andMe said the company concurs, in principle. Were in agreement that an independent individual is important, said Christopher Hopkins, of the firm Paul Weiss. Last month, San Francisco-based 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Eastern Missouri federal court district. Its looking to sell its assets, which the human genetics and biotechnology company reported at over $277 million. The company said it has about $214 million in debt. The company on Tuesday secured the courts approval to continue operating as it goes through bankruptcy. Customers of 23andMe, who used the company to analyze their DNA, have expressed worry about what will happen to their sensitive personal data. Good intention will not protect this data, reads a document jointly filed April 15 by multiple states. The states are concerned not only about the protection of each and every consumer, but also every person who shares DNA with each consumer along with their respective future generations The states say they dont trust 23andMes security, especially after hackers breached the data of nearly 7 million of the companys customers in 2023. This event led to multiple government investigations and lawsuits. And last week, the U.S. Attorneys Office filed a motion in the bankruptcy case raising national security concerns. And the bankruptcy is now under congressional investigation. Baileys office argues in court filings that the genetic data is protected by Missouris Genetic Information Privacy Law and 23andMes assurances to protect consumers personally identifiable information ring hollow. Due to [23andMes] contradictory representations to consumers, the appointment of a consumer privacy ombudsman is mandatory, necessary and appropriate to assist in determining not only who owns the genetic information, but also whether the sale of such information would violate applicable non-bankruptcy law, the filings state. 23andMe has said that prospective buyers would be required to comply with 23andMes consumer privacy practices. Abigail B. Willie, a visiting assistant professor at St. Louis University School of Law, said appointing an independent third party to safeguard consumer rights is significant. Boiled down, this likely is about control who has the oversight authority regarding critical information that has value to the estate, she said. Who is in charge may determine all sorts of dynamics about how things play out. A hearing on the appointment of a customer data representative is scheduled for April 29. The Cabinet of Ministers has registered bill No. 13202 in the Verkhovna Rada, introducing amendments to several Ukrainian laws concerning the organizational principles for providing support to the agricultural sector, government representative to parliament Taras Melnychuk reported via Telegram. According to him, the purpose of the bill is to ensure the adaptation of Ukraines agricultural sector to EU standards within the broader context of European integration. The document outlines the adaptation of the legal provisions of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 2, 2021. This regulation sets out rules for support for strategic plans prepared by EU member states under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), integrating them into national legislation. The draft law proposes the establishment of a Payment Agency, including defining its legal status and functions, the procedure for appointing its head, oversight of the agency's activities, and introducing financial control and audit mechanisms to ensure transparency and effective use of funds. The government also proposes introducing a Farmer Sustainability Data Network (FSDN), including a legal framework for its creation and operation, a system for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data on the development of agricultural enterprises, and using this data to inform state agricultural policy and support programs. Additionally, the bill provides for the implementation of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) in Ukraine to enable the management and oversight of payments under state agricultural policy and to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of financial resources through IACS. The bill outlines mechanisms for planning and monitoring agricultural policy, including procedures for the development and implementation of strategic plans for the agricultural sector, the creation of a system to monitor policy effectiveness, the establishment of performance evaluation indicators, and ensuring the public availability of these results. JEFFERSON CITY Gov. Mike Kehoe signaled Tuesday he might tap into the states robust budget surplus if President Donald Trumps administration moves forward on a threat to cut funding for Head Start programs for young children. As part of a preliminary budget memo, the Trump administration asked Congress to eliminate the 60-year-old child care program for low-income families as part of a massive downsizing of the federal government. In Missouri, Head Start is a $208 million program serving children from birth to age 5 in families with incomes at or below the poverty line. Last year, more than 12,000 children were enrolled in the program. The program employs more than 6,100 Missouri workers. The specter of federal cuts comes as Kehoe has made expanding child care availability a priority, arguing that it would allow more parents to go into the workforce. In one of his first acts as governor, for example, Kehoe issued an executive order calling on state school officials to improve the state regulatory environment for child care facilities and homes. Im a fan of Head Start, the Republican chief executive told reporters at the Capitol Tuesday. Kehoe said he is monitoring the potential federal spending reductions under the Trump administration and talking with Missouris delegation in Congress. It comes as state lawmakers are in the final stages of crafting a spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Ive talked to both senators in the last week about whats happening, Kehoe said. Its a conversation were having multiple times a day. But, Kehoe said, if there is a pullback of federal funding, the state could tap into its reserves to keep Head Start programs in Missouri afloat. You want to always be ready for something, but you hope you dont have to use the tools that you have to use, Kehoe said. One of the reasons I think its important that we leave money on the bottom line in our budget is in case some of these things shift to us. The state built up a massive budget surplus of more than $6 billion because of federal pandemic aid issued during the Biden administration. The House budget plan left nearly $2 billion of that unspent, giving Kehoe a possible pool of money to offset federal reductions. Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association, said the cuts would be catastrophic for families. It would end early learning, meals, vision, hearing and developmental screenings, and dental care for nearly 800,000 of our nations most at-risk children. Over a million parents wouldnt be able to go to work. Communities nationwide would lose a vital foundation of their child and family support systems, Vinci said in a statement urging Head Start participants to lobby against any funding reductions. State school officials said Tuesday they also are monitoring the situation. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is awaiting further information and guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to understand how any potential changes to the Head Start program may impact Missouri, spokeswoman Mallory McGowan said in an email. The departments Office of Childhood oversees Head Start programs aimed at aiding preschool-age children. ST. LOUIS City and sewer district officials on Monday continued grappling with two yawning sinkholes that opened in city streets last week. Residents urged officials to hurry up, worried about getting kids to school as well as other errands. The sewer district said it was hustling, a contractor already hired. Mayors office staff said they were on it, too, working hard to coordinate fixes. Still, some city officials had to chuckle. Its like the universe has seized the moment to focus on the basics, said Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, of Tower Grove East. And the earth crumbling is now the basics. New Mayor Cara Spencer hadnt even been in office for a week when the two sinkholes cracked open this weekend. But she campaigned on promises to plow snow, pick up trash, fix streets and get the city back to basics. Some residents who live near the holes began to call for the mayor to get them fixed. Others, some of whom flocked to the pits to see for themselves, noted the irony. Cara, grab a shovel, one person commented on social media. Get to work Cara, another wrote. Just slap a steel plate over it and call it even, said another. Bess McCoy, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, said Monday that the holes were likely the results of collapses in some of the citys century-old brick sewers. And she said solutions were coming. A contractor had been hired to address the hole taking up an entire lane on Cass Avenue, northwest of downtown. She couldnt guarantee a date when things would be fixed, but she said equipment arrived Monday and more activity would follow. Its our highest priority, she said. Meanwhile, she said, the crack in the earth near 14th Street and Park Avenue, between Lafayette Square and Soulard, appeared small enough to be handled by the agency itself. Were hoping to have that done in the next two to three weeks, she said. A spokesman for the mayors office said Room 200 had been hard at work, too, convening city departments and MSD for a meeting Monday morning. The spokesman, Rasmus Jorgensen, said work started over the weekend when city crews rushed to secure the sinkholes and block off streets. MSD investigated the cause and will be taking on the repairs, he said. Sinkholes are not uncommon in St. Louis. The city sits atop a number of caves, some of which were used to store beer. Porous bedrock makes the area susceptible to natural sinkholes. And there have been worse consequences: In 2017, a man parked his car outside his gym downtown, and a sinkhole swallowed it while he worked out. Late last year, a sinkhole opened in the Hyde Park neighborhood after a city water main ruptured. A few weeks later, a Jeep drove in. But two at once? And so soon after Spencers election? The timing is ironic, said Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, whose ward includes the hole on Cass. He didnt blame Spencer. The city has a lot of aging infrastructure, he said, and aldermen need to do their part in fixing it, perhaps with some of the Rams settlement money. But he said the sinkhole still needs to get fixed and soon. Cass is a main road, he said. A lot of buses run down there. School buses, too. At an apartment complex near the Cass sinkhole, Shelitha Womack was waiting to be impressed by the new mayor. They havent done nothing, she said. She said the sinkhole is just the latest problem on her drive to take her grandchildren to school. We got bad potholes, and they could be sinkholes next, she said. The whole neighborhood is going down. ST. LOUIS City Hall this week abandoned a lawsuit aimed at stopping the state takeover of the St. Louis police department amid a rift between two top officials. But another could be coming. Mayor Cara Spencer said the existing suit, filed last week on the final full day of Mayor Tishaura O. Jones term, had missed the mark. She said her team was weighing options for what to do next. Aldermanic President Megan Green said Spencer had it wrong, and said she planned to refile the lawsuit as soon as possible. She even reached out to the city legal department asking them to continue representing her. The back-and-forth marked the latest tension over how the city should handle one of the biggest changes to the police department since City Hall took it over in 2013, 150 years after the first state takeover. Both Spencer and Green have said they support local control, where the mayor and aldermen make policy for the department rather than a board largely picked by the governor. But they have differed on how exactly to fight the new takeover law approved in Jefferson City last month. Spencer was irritated when Jones and Green filed a lawsuit without involving her in the planning. And Spencer and Green have yet to meet on what to do next. Greens suit said the state law infringed upon city officials First Amendment rights and imposed an unconstitutional requirement to increase spending on the police department. It asked a federal judge to declare the whole law invalid. Then last Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp said the city and Green needed to show they had a right to sue to continue the case, and gave the city until Monday to amend the suit. Schelp noted that states cannot generally be sued directly in federal court. But there is an exception when state officials are enforcing an unconstitutional law. Chuck Hatfield, the prominent Democratic lawyer representing Green in the case, said it might have passed muster with an amendment naming the governor and attorney general as defendants. But neither Green nor the city law department filed anything by Schelps deadline Monday, setting the stage for dismissal. It wasnt exactly clear what would happen next. On Tuesday, Spencer put out a statement deriding the Jones-Green lawsuit as deficient, but didn't commit to filing another one. We are evaluating our options and weighing the merits of refiling a sound suit in state court, she said. Green, meanwhile, defended the existing suit, and said another would follow. Our lawsuit against Missouris unlawful state takeover was rejected on a technicality, she said. We plan to refile as soon as possible and I hope Mayor Spencer joins me as a plaintiff so we can fight for St. Louis together. A short while later, she sent a letter to the city law department formally requesting their help on a new filing. And a spokesperson said that if the request was ignored, Green would hire her own lawyer and file the suit herself. JEFFERSON CITY After years pressing to cut unfilled positions in state government, Missouris new secretary of state is fighting back against attempts to reduce jobs in his agency. Republican Denny Hoskins issued a 37-page report Monday that aims to convince lawmakers to restore personnel cuts approved by Senate budget writers last week. Vacancies exist in the office not because the positions are unnecessary, but because some employees resigned when former Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft left office, spokesperson Rachel Dunn said. For example, the securities division is looking for a new director of enforcement after the person previously in the role left during the transition. Hoskins report outlined critical risks to business development and cybersecurity if the cuts were to be made. With reduced staffing, turnaround times for business filings including registrations, renewals, and amendments will increase significantly, impeding entrepreneurs and existing businesses from legally operating, the report stated. Missouri elections remain vulnerable to cyberattacks, if cybersecurity staffing is reduced, Hoskinss report said. The job reductions came at the request of Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lees Summit, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. During budget negotiations, Cierpiot successfully passed an amendment to cut 25 vacant positions and $684,000 from the Secretary of States spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed changes still need to be approved by the Senate, House and governor to go into effect. Cierpiot is giving Hoskins a taste of his own medicine: When Hoskins was on the Senate Appropriations Committee he frequently grilled state agency officials about jobs that hadnt been filled for lengthy periods of time. Hoskins, a former member of the Freedom Caucus, also consistently drew Cierpiots ire because of frequent legislative disruptions. The proposed job reductions are the result of a political feud, said Dunn, the secretary of states spokesperson. It is unfortunate that one senators personal and political feelings could potentially reduce the quality of service that we are able to provide to the Missourians who sent Secretary Hoskins here to work on their behalf, Dunn said. She said department openings appear vacant for longer than are, because the states payroll office doesnt regularly update its books. The secretary of states office should be adding staff, not cutting, she said. In fact, she said, the business services division needs to add five to 10 employees to complete a backlog of over 6,000 (business) applications awaiting processing. The Senate is set to take up the overall budget next week, with a goal of sending the $52 billion package to Gov. Mike Kehoe by May 9. WENTZVILLE Ameren Missouri wants to build a 66-acre training complex here that officials say will draw thousands of utility workers each year. The Wentzville Board of Aldermen will hold a public hearing on Amerens proposal Wednesday as part of its regular meeting; the six-member board is expected to approve the project. According to city documents, the training facility will be located on 66 acres of largely vacant land near the intersection of Josephville and Mexico roads on the citys northside, near the General Motors plant. It will replace a similar training complex in Maryland Heights, which the company has outgrown, said Jon Shockley, Amerens director of energy delivery training. He said the company is evaluating future uses for the existing facility. Plans for the new training campus include an 80,952-square-foot building with space for Ameren workers to train year-round in classrooms and labs where apprentice overhead linemen, underground linemen and substation technicians will train component by component how to do their jobs safely. The new campus will also feature an indoor pole yard, which Shockley described as a climbing space where new employees will be evaluated. The campus will also include outdoor training areas for using heavy machinery, installing fiber optic wiring, learning to fly drones to survey storm damage, and a mock town where Ameren employees will practice installing electric equipment and solar and battery storage devices. In a memo to city leaders, Ameren officials said they anticipate between 150 to 200 people training at the complex each weekday. The facility will be open Monday through Friday. We think all employees will benefit from this facility, Shockley said. He said Ameren envisions bringing employees from throughout Missouri to the new facility, including workers from Kirksville, Cape Girardeau, and the eastern suburbs of Kansas City. If approved, Ameren officials estimate that construction on the complex will begin in April 2026 and will be completed by the end of 2027; Ameren has not released cost estimates or how the complex would be paid for. NEW YORK The Anti-Defamation League says the number of antisemitic incidents in the United States reached a record high last year and notes that 58% of the 9,354 incidents related to Israel, notably chants, speeches and signs at rallies protesting Israeli policies. In a report released Tuesday, the ADL, which has produced annual tallies for 46 years, said its the first time Israel-related incidents 5,422 of them in 2024 comprised more than half the total. A key reason is the widespread opposition to Israels military response in Gaza after the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The ADLs findings add grist to an intense, divisive debate among American Jews and others over the extent to which vehement criticism of Israeli policies and of Zionism should be considered antisemitic. Political backdrop The debate has broadened as President Donald Trumps administration makes punitive moves against universities it considers too lax in combating antisemitism and seeks to deport some pro-Palestinian campus activists. The upshot, for numerous Jewish leaders, is a balancing act: Decrying flagrant acts of antisemitism as well as what they consider to be the administrations exploitation of the issue to target individuals and institutions it dislikes. The fears of antisemitism are legitimate and real and we dont want to see those real fears exploited to undermine democracy, said Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. I feel that a majority of American Jews can believe that two things are true at the same time. The ADL said in its new report it is careful to not conflate general criticism of Israel or anti-Israel activism with antisemitism. But there are gray areas. For example, the ADL contends that vilification of Zionism the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel is a form of antisemitism, yet some Jews are among the critics of Zionism and of the ADL itself. Incidents at anti-Israel rallies that counted as antisemitism in the new ADL tally include justification or glorification of antisemitic violence, promotion of classic antisemitic tropes ... and signage equating Judaism or Zionism with Nazism. Also counted were celebrations of the Hamas attack on Israel and unapologetic support for terrorism. In 2024, hatred toward Israel was a driving force behind antisemitism across the U.S., said Oren Segal, who leads the ADLs efforts to combat extremism and terrorism. Keeping Jewish students safe The report depicted university campuses as common venues for antisemitic incidents, saying many Jewish students face hostility, exclusion and sometimes physical danger because of their identity or their beliefs. The experience of those students was evoked by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism an umbrella group for more than 800 Reform congregations in North America as he discussed the complexities arising from current antisemitism-related developments. We have an obligation to our students on campus, Jacobs said. Can they go to Seder? Can they feel safe wearing a yarmulke? At the same time, this current administration has weaponized the fight against antisemitism by weakening core democratic institutions, Jacobs added. He referred to the detention and threatened deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old graduate student who served as a negotiator and spokesperson for pro-Palestinian activists at Columbia University. Khalil has been detained since March 8 despite facing no criminal charges. There has to be a legal case not just you dont like what he says, Jacobs said. What has kept Jewish people safe is the rule of law, due process. If it is undermined for Palestinians, it will be undermined for all of us. Criticism of ADL The ADL dismayed some progressive Jewish leaders by welcoming Columbias acquiescence in March to Trump administration demands and by initially commending the campaign targeting pro-Palestinian activists such as Khalil. Recent critics of the ADL include Michael Roth, the first Jewish president of Wesleyan University; political commentator Peter Beinart; and Columbia professor James Schamus, who has been urging his fellow Jews on the faculty to oppose the universitys compliance with administration demands. Washington Post columnist Matt Bai wrote a scathing column about the ADL on April 1. You cant call yourself a civil rights organization in the United States right now let alone a civil rights organization for a minority that has been brutally evicted all over the world and not loudly oppose the cruel and unlawful removal of foreigners whose views happen to be out of fashion, Bai wrote. Two days later, the ADLs CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, wrote an opinion piece for eJewishPhilanthropy seeking to distance the ADL from aspects of the Trump administrations crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists. As an organization that has fought for a minority community for more than 100 years, ADL is incredibly sensitive to the importance of allowing all views to be expressed even those that we or the majority of Americans disagree with, Greenblatt wrote. We should be holding people accountable for actual crimes, not Orwellian thoughtcrimes. We can protect the civil liberties of Jewish students even as we preserve the civil liberties of those who protest, harass or attack them because they are innocent until proven guilty, he added. If we sacrifice our constitutional freedoms in the pursuit of security, we undermine the very foundation of the diverse, pluralistic society we seek to defend. Beyond the Israel-related incidents, these were among the other findings in the new ADL report: The total number of antisemitic incidents in 2024 was up by 344% from five years ago. 196 incidents, targeting more than 250 people, were categorized as assault; none of these assaults were fatal. 2,606 incidents were categorized as vandalism. Swastikas were present in 37% of these cases. There were 647 bomb threats, most of them targeting synagogues. Antisemitic incidents occurred in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. More than 10% of the incidents occurred in New York City. There were 962 antisemitic propaganda incidents linked to white supremacist groups. Three groups Patriot Front, Goyim Defense League, and the White Lives Matter network were responsible for 94% of this activity. The ADL says its annual report tallies criminal and noncriminal acts of harassment, vandalism and assault against individuals and groups as reported to the ADL by victims, law enforcement, the media and partner organizations, and then evaluated by ADL experts. Regarding the editorial " Migrant's case is a test of due process. Missouri's senators are failing it. " (April 20): This abrogation of the Constitution is intentional. President Donald Trump could turn the pressure on, either carrot or stick, to assure Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia's return. But having this migrant snatched up by immigration officials and left to rot in a hellhole of a Salvadoran prison is exactly the opposition-numbing publicity that Trump and his minions relish. The goal is to get everyone, including natural born U.S. citizens, wondering if they could be the next to be subject to arbitrary, unilateral, due-process free, irreversible deportation to a hellhole of their own. Base gate at Mountain Home Air Force Base near Boise, Idaho. The lands acquired for the new radar systems would be controlled from the base. (U.S. Air Force photo) Three locations in Oregon, and one each in Idaho and Nevada have been selected as potential sites for a part of a $400 million modernized radar system to detect air and space attacks in North America, the Air Force disclosed. A listing in the April 18 edition of the Federal Register said the Air Force would prepare environmental impact statements for possible construction of new Homeland Defense Over-The-Horizon Radar transmission and receiver sets. Ontario, Burns and Christmas Valley in Oregon, McDermitt in Nevada and Mountain Home in Idaho were listed in the Federal Register as cities and towns near potential sites. Once constructed, the [radar systems] would provide persistent, long-range early detection capabilities of airborne threats approaching North America, the Air Force said. The service website for the project said new systems are needed because current line-of-site radar systems are distorted by the curvature of the Earth. The proposed action is needed because U.S. adversaries continue to develop and deploy highly advanced weapons systems capable of disrupting or defeating our military and civilian targets in North America, the Air Force said. Without [these radar systems], airborne threats could approach North America without early detection, resulting in reduced decision time for military and national leaders to deter, deescalate or defeat threats, placing North American homeland security at risk. Service officials at the Pentagon could not be reached Tuesday for comment. The sites will be controlled out of Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The announcement is an indication that the Pentagon is moving ahead with initial steps on the system, which was originally planned as a joint project between the U.S. and Canada. The two countries cooperate on the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which monitors for air, space and maritime incursions on territory and waters of the two nations. The U.S.-Canadian cooperation has come into question since President Donald Trump assumed office in January. Trump has made statements that Canada should be Americas 51st state, which was criticized as unrealistic and belligerent by the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. On March 19, Carney flew to the Arctic territory of Nunavut to announce Canada would spend $6.5 billion to buy the Jindalee Over-the-Horizon Radar from Australia. It will enable Canada to detect and respond to both air and maritime threats over our Arctic both faster and from further away, Carney said at a news conference. It will most fundamentally keep all Canadians safe. The United States had also been in talks with the Australians to buy the system. The Air Force would receive 4,987 acres from the Bureau of Land Management, if the proposal is approved. Another 2,622 acres would be acquired from the Oregon Military Department, which includes the Oregon National Guard. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs taxi at Osan Air Base, South Korea, in October 2021. (Kevyn Allen/U.S. Air Force) Two Chinese citizens arrested Monday on suspicion of filming aircraft at a U.S. military base in South Korea were cleared of wrongdoing and released hours later, according to the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Station. The two unnamed individuals were taken into custody on suspicion of illegal filming near Osan Air Base, home of the 7th Air Force and 51st Fighter Wing about 30 miles south of Seoul, a provincial police officer said by phone Tuesday. The Korean National Police and National Intelligence Service found nothing suspicious and released the pair, the police officer said. The police officer declined to provide further details about the case. South Korean government officials customarily speak to the media on the condition of anonymity. A 51st Fighter Wing spokesman said the command was in contact with the Korean National Police, which is taking the lead in the investigation. The security of our installation is a priority for the 51st Fighter Wing, command spokesman Andy Ahn said in an email Tuesday. We are working closely with our [South Korean] and [Korean National Police] partners to investigate the matter and ensure the security of Osan Air Base. The two were detained the same day U.S. and South Korean air forces kicked off Freedom Flag, a 12-day exercise throughout the country with a variety of aircraft, including F-35B Lightning IIs, F-16 Fighting Falcons and KC-135 Stratotankers. Photography of Osan, particularly its flight line, is not permitted without prior coordination and approval from base authorities, Ahn added. Under South Korean law, filming military installations can carry a fine of roughly $20,400 or a three-year prison sentence. Street views of Osan are limited due to vegetation and a brick wall encircling the installation. However, parts of the base are visible from nearby multistory buildings across the street from the installation. The South Korean air force and Air Operations Command share the base with the U.S. Air Force. South Korea police arrested a pair of Chinese teenagers under similar circumstances one month ago. The two were detained March 21 at South Koreas Suwon Air Base on suspicion of illegally filming aircraft, according to the provincial police. The teenagers, who told police they were aircraft hobbyists, had digital cameras and images of military aircraft, police said earlier this month. They were released after questioning but prohibited from leaving South Korea pending an investigation. Provincial police did not respond Tuesday to requests for an update on the teenagers case, or whether they were connected to the individuals investigated at Osan. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) by its decision dated April 21 granted consent to the indirect acquisition by the owner of TAS Group, Sergiy Tigipko, of 100% of Idea Bank (Lviv), the seller - the Polish Getin Holding SA said in a stock exchange announcement on Tuesday. "Thus, another condition for the transfer of ownership of Idea Bank Ukraine shares, specified in the agreement, was fulfilled," Getin Holding noted. Earlier, on March 14 and March 27, the seller reported that due to the need to verify the submitted documents and information, the NBU extended the deadline for making a decision on approving the Idea Bank sale and purchase agreement for another 30 business days. In February 2022, Getin noted that it had failed to sell Idea Bank for the second time. The agreement on the terms of the sale of its 100% shares to Rinat Akhmetov's First Ukrainian International Bank (FUIB, Kyiv) concluded on November 10, 2021 was terminated due to failure to fulfill all the conditions for the transfer of ownership by February 25. After terminating the agreement with FUIB, Getin refused to sell its Ukrainian subsidiary bank in the context of the war in Ukraine. On March 27, 2023, the NBU recognized the business reputation of both the Polish holding company itself and its main owner, Leszek Czarnecki, as not impeccable. In this regard, the Ukrainian regulator temporarily deprived Getin of the right to vote for 100% of Idea Bank's shares and set a one-year deadline for the holding company and Czarnecki to eliminate the violation, and a year later refused to return the holding company's voting rights. At the end of April 2024, the regulator gave Getin six months to sell its 100% stake in Idea Bank's authorized capital. A similar requirement was made to Czarnecki, from whom the National Bank demanded that Getin sell 44.98% of Idea Bank within six months, offering as an alternative to sell his stake in Getin or his LC Corp BV, which owns 34.17% in Getin. After that, in October 2024, the Getin board and Tigipko's TAS Group signed a sale and purchase agreement for Idea Bank. The base amount of the deal was $34 million. In the same month, Getin received a decision from the NBU to extend the six-month period for the sale of Idea Bank until the end of January 2025. The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine granted Tigipko permission for the transaction on December 12, 2024, and the National Bank of Ukraine at the end of January 2025 reported receiving a package of documents from Tigipko regarding the approval of the purchase of Idea Bank. Idea Bank operates in the retail business segment and focuses on servicing individuals. The bank's main products are cash loans, credit cards, deposits, current accounts and debit cards. As of March 1, 2025, Idea Bank's total assets amounted to UAH 12.68 billion, or 0.34% of the total assets of the banking system. By this indicator, it was 27th among 60 Ukrainian banks. TAS Group is one of the largest financial and industrial groups in Ukraine, represented in the banking sector, insurance, railcar building, metallurgy, packaging materials production, logistics, agriculture, food industry and real estate. The group owns Universal Bank and TAScombank with assets of UAH 157.12 billion (4.18%) and UAH 45.39 billion (1.21%) as of the beginning of March this year, respectively, occupying 8th and 15th positions in the market by this indicator. U.S. 6th Fleet commander Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson, second from left; Charge dAffaires Jeremy Berndt, middle; and Ambassador Richard Norland, far right, greet key Libyan military and civilian officials before a reception aboard the USS Mount Whitney during a port visit in Tripoli, Libya, April 20, 2025. That visit and another to Benghazi marked the Navys first Libyan port calls in more than five decades. (Mario Coto/U.S. Navy) NAPLES, Italy The Navys first port calls to Libya in more than five decades this week likely are intended to send a clear message to Russia and China about U.S. resolve across the Mediterranean region, analysts say. Visits to Tripoli and Benghazi on Sunday and Monday, respectively, were the first for the Navy in 56 years and included the amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney and Vice Adm. Jeffrey Anderson, commander of U.S. 6th Fleet, the Navy said in a statement Monday. The presence of the 6th Fleet flagship and the services second-highest-ranking officer in Europe and Africa is a notable message to competitors that the United States remains interested and involved in North Africa, said Bradley Martin, a retired Navy surface warfare officer and director of the Rand Corp. National Security Supply Chain Institute. Its a signal to the world that we are there, we are not walking away from it, Martin said. And that we have an ability to form relationships even in places like Libya where previously (relations have) been very troubled. With an extensive coastline along the Mediterranean Sea considered the gateway to Europe, Africa and the Middle East Libya is important in strategic American competition with China and Russia, Martin and other analysts point out. With Russian access to a key seaport in Syria greatly reduced, the Kremlin is eyeing Libya among contender sites for basing its maritime operations in the Mediterranean and North Africa, Martin said. China increasingly is sending military ships into the region, and both private and state-owned Chinese shipping companies are buying stakes in, developing and operating Mediterranean ports, including two near the Suez Canal, according to a 2023 Middle East Institute report. Control of Libya is being contested by two opposing factions, an internationally recognized government in Tripoli and the Libyan National Army, which dominates much of the eastern part of the country and is backed by Russia. This weeks Navy visits included meetings with officials to discuss enhancing U.S.-Libya military cooperation and U.S. support for Libyan efforts to reunify the countrys military forces, according to the Navy statement. U.S. and Libyan military and civilian officials pose for a photo aboard USS Mount Whitney during a port visit in Benghazi, April 21, 2025. It was the first port call to Libya by a U.S. Navy ship in more than five decades. (Mario Coto/U.S. Navy) Engagement with Libya is prudent as the U.S. works to stabilize the area and make it safe for trade and power projection, said Sebastian Bruns, a German maritime security expert and senior researcher for the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University. One of the great assets of the U.S. always has been the ability to build alliances, Bruns said. He added that those efforts often must take place despite differing philosophies when it comes to freedom of speech and the press and other core elements of democracy. The U.S.-Libya relationship has been turbulent in the wake of war, terrorism and sanctions following the rule of longtime strongman Moammar Gadhafi, who met a violent death in 2011. That year, Mount Whitney played a role in Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya, the international response to a brutal crackdown on Arab Spring protests by Gadhafi. A year later, Islamic terrorists attacked two U.S. facilities in Benghazi, killing four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya. Today, the U.S. diplomatic mission to Libya operates in Tunis, Tunisia, according to the State Department. The Navy interactions in Tripoli and Benghazi this week are evidence of continued U.S. investment in a peaceful and unified Libya, Anderson said in the release. Mount Whitney also made a port call in Tunisia on Thursday. The head of U.S. Army Pacific, Gen. Ronald Clark, congratulates soldiers from B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment of the Guam National Guard in Barrigada, Guam, April 12, 2025. The unit won the prestigious Alexander Hamilton Award for its support of Task Force Talon, operational excellence and community service. (Samantha Jetzer/U.S. Navy) A Guam Army National Guard company made history on April 12 by becoming the first infantry unit to earn the Alexander Hamilton Award, an honor typically reserved for artillery units. B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment known as Team Binadu received the honor for its support of Task Force Talon, operational excellence and community service, the National Guard said in an April 14 news release. The task force is responsible for ballistic missile defense on Guam. The award marks a milestone in drone warfare. In January, the company became the first U.S. unit in the Pacific to successfully disable a drone using a fixed-site counter-drone system. We were the first unit to successfully take down a drone in the Pacific region, which sparked a huge interest from many senior leaders and other organizations to come to Guam and see what this capability was, B Company commander Capt. Thomas Borgonia told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday. Using the FS-LIDS the Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System the company shot down a drone flying in restricted airspace over a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, site on Guam. The operation, which occurred in January 2024, was the first use of the FS-LIDS on U.S. soil, according to the Guard. The system, developed by SRC Inc. of Syracuse, N.Y., integrates radar, cameras and counter-drone technologies to protect critical sites from unmanned aerial threats. The head of U.S. Army Pacific, Gen. Ronald Clark, presents the Alexander Hamilton Award to Capt. Thomas Borgonia, commander of Team Binadu, in Barrigada, Guam, April 12, 2025. (Samantha Jetzer/U.S. Navy) The Hamilton Award recognizes exceptional mission performance, training and unit readiness. It is traditionally awarded to air defense artillery and field artillery units. Alexander Hamilton, for whom the award is named, commanded a New York artillery company at the outset of the American Revolution. This instance proved that air defense is everyones responsibility, not just for air defenders, Capt. Frank Spatt, spokesman for the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, said by email Thursday. The brigade oversees missile defense operations for Japan and Guam. Beyond its operational success, B Company also earned praise for leadership and community engagement. Following Typhoon Mawar in May 2023, soldiers from the unit cleared debris, pressure washed, repainted and landscaped 12 school campuses, six of which have since passed health inspections and reopened, according to the award nomination. The company also led two supply drives for Guam Animals in Need, took part in four beach cleanups, and helped restore the Battle of Yigo Memorial. I just want to take the time to thank my team, Borgonia said. Without my soldiers being the go-getters and people that they are, we wouldnt have this award. South Korean soldiers keep watch during a Freedom Shield drill in Dongducheon, South Korea, on March 13, 2025. (Jameson Harris/U.S. Army) The Trump administration will face credibility issues if it attempts, following the imposition of a 10% tariff on South Korea, to renegotiate the cost of stationing U.S. troops there, according to policy experts. President Donald Trump proposed a streamlined, one-stop shopping deal on defense and trade after a 30-minute call on April 8 with acting South Korean President Han Duck-soo, according to a Truth Social post from Trump that day. But any attempt to renegotiate the defense spending agreement reached in November is premature until South Korea elects a permanent replacement for former President Yoon Suk Yeol in June, said Hwang Jihwan, a University of Seoul professor of international relations, by phone Friday. Yoon, impeached in December over his failed attempt to impose martial law, was formally removed from office on April 4 by the South Korean Constitutional Court. The five-year Special Measures Agreement negotiated under former President Joe Biden set South Koreas support for U.S. troops and bases at $1.2 billion annually starting in 2026, a $200 million increase over the current agreement. Further complicating their relationship, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on South Korea, later reduced to 10%, as part of Trumps fluctuating global tariffs unveiled on April 2. Realistically, it is hard for the decision makers to sign a package deal, Hwang said. We are currently struggling just talking about tariffs and that is what they are focused on. The people who are negotiating the tariffs do not have the authorization over defense spending. President Donald Trump speaks with service members at Osan Air Base, South Korea, in June 2019. (Stars and Stripes) South Korean exports to the U.S. thus far in April have fallen 5.2%, a decline of roughly $2 billion, over the same period last year, according to a Korea Customs Service news release Monday. Trump may want to renegotiate the Special Measures Agreement, separately or as part of a trade package, as soon as possible, Lee Byong-Chul, a Far Eastern studies researcher at Kyungnam University in South Korea, said by phone Thursday. If [the amount] gets close to what Trump mentioned, it will be a worst-case scenario, he said. If we lower it much less than he expected, just a tiny increase from [Bidens agreement], it would be a successful deal. During his first term, Trump demanded a 400% increase in the agreement, from less than $1 billion to $5 billion annually. He left office in 2021 with the negotiations unresolved and repeatedly misrepresented the provisional one-year agreement during his term and the five-year deal reached later under Biden. Through the Special Measures Agreement, South Korea offsets the cost to station 28,500 U.S. troops throughout the country as a hedge against a conflict with North Korea. The money pays for construction projects on U.S. bases and the salaries of Korean employees working for U.S. Forces Korea. Attaching a price tag to the 75-year U.S.-South Korea alliance or imposing a significant hike in Seouls contribution could cause a rift in their relations, both Lee and Hwang said. Of course, we need to maintain a secure alliance, Hwang said. But in this case, credibility issues might be created. If the two countries agree on a reasonable amount, there would be a minimal effect on the alliance, Lee said. But if it becomes too biased it would have a huge negative impact, Lee said. If both sides only emphasize their own benefits, it would be a burden for our governments. The USS Arizona burns after being struck by Japanese bombs during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. (U.S. Navy/National Archives) A Virginia real estate agent is close to finishing a self-appointed mission aimed at collecting enough DNA to meet the threshold for exhuming dozens of unknown Pearl Harbor victims who were serving aboard the USS Arizona. Kevin Kline hopes that will lead to identification of the service members remains, a task once deemed unfeasible. In 2023, he started Operation 85, an advocacy group that has helped the Defense Department track down the majority of the 592 families thus far that have either given DNA or are in the process of submitting a DNA kit, Kline said Tuesday. The group represents nearly 1,200 family members of the Arizonas crew, he said. Kevin Kline, executive director of the USS Arizona family group Operation 85 and grandnephew of Arizona sailor Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Kline, poses with Kline's Purple Heart in his Virginia office on March 28, 2025. (Operation 85) The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency requires a general threshold of family samples from 60% of the potentially associated service members before it will disinter the remains for identification, according to Defense Department regulations. In the case of the Arizona, Kline takes that to mean samples from 643 distinct families, or 60% of the current missing and unaccounted for. The Navy, however, is putting the required number at 681, spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Stuart Phillips, said in an emailed response to questions. It is unclear how that figure was determined, but Kline said Operation 85 will reach the higher number regardless. The U.S. government had just 25 families on file shortly before Operation 85 began their efforts, according to a Navy report to Congress in March 2022. Weve done this in under two years, Kline said. Operation 85 should be able to meet the DOD 60% threshold goal by this summer, but we do not have any plans of stopping the search for family once we hit a specific number. He is the grandnephew of Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Kline, a gunners mate who remains missing from the Japanese attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Kline, a gunners mate aboard the USS Arizona, was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. (Kevin Kline) Kline described himself as a random guy who was told no by the DPAA, that it couldnt be done, adding that he got so mad that he decided to do it himself. The Pearl Harbor attack claimed the lives of 1,177 sailors and Marines on the Arizona. Today, 1,072 remain missing, the DPAA website states. Answering family member questions in 2021, a year before Kline began his effort, DPAA director Kelly McKeague called the project unfeasible and said preliminary discussions had taken place about potentially entombing the unknowns back in the ship. Disinterring the unknown sailors and Marines from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific would mean DPAA had to get family reference samples, McKeague said in the question-and-answer session uploaded to YouTube by Operation 85. Its not a proposition that makes pragmatic sense, he said. Over 900 members of the crews 1,512 men remain interred in the ships submerged hull, which is today part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial complex. The USS Arizona navigates off New York City during its maiden voyage in November 1916. (U.S. Navy) There are 86 sets of likely comingled remains associated with the Arizona buried as unknowns in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, otherwise known as the Punchbowl, and an additional 55 that have no known ship affiliation, McKeague wrote in a letter to Kline on Feb. 19. It is unclear whether the 55 would be disinterred as part of the Arizona effort. A Navy report to Congress in March 2022 estimated it would cost approximately $2.7 million and take 10 years to track down enough families for DNA to reach the Defense Department threshold for disinterment, the report states. Kline and his group have tracked down 567 families in about two years, at a cost of around $70,000, put up by Kline. By comparison, the report drafted by the Navy cost $83,000 to produce. Phillips defended the Navys cost estimate, saying a similar project involving the USS Oklahoma had been extremely challenging. The Oklahoma also came under attack in the Pearl Harbor incursion and capsized, killing 429 of those aboard. As of April 3, the Navy and Marine Corps had officially processed the DNA of 509 families, according to reports from the two services casualty offices that collect the samples. Priority for family reference sample collection is given to what DPAA designates as official projects, Phillips said, adding that the Arizona is not currently an official project. A woman pays respects at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 5, 2022. The memorial honors 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed in the Japanese attack on Dec. 7, 1941. (Ernesto Bonilla/U.S. Navy) Beginning of the crusade After a family trip to the Arizona memorial in 2022, Kline attended a DPAA family update meeting and was told the agency would not identify the unknowns from the ship anytime soon. Kline decided to put his business on hold and undertake the effort. He enlisted Melinde Lutz Byrne, one of the countrys top forensic genetic genealogists, in June 2023 and efforts really took off. Different types of DNA carry different genetic information that is passed to certain relatives. Until January, the government was not accepting what are known as autosomal single nucleotide polymorphism DNA samples, such as those of paternal nieces and grandchildren, Kline said. This sort of DNA is beneficial for distant-donor relationships and highly degraded skeletal remains, which includes nearly 100% of DPAAs cases, said Dawne Nickerson, a spokeswoman for the medical examiners office at Dover Air Force Base, Del., which does the testing. As a result of the policy, the government was limiting the field of potential donors. James Silverstein, a California attorney and maternal grandnephew of Petty Officer 2nd Class Harry Smith, is angry he was turned away from giving a sample prior to DPAAs announcement. I have a deep concern over how this process has played out, Silverstein said. This is such a basic request. This is something that the government should be happy to do, and yet its been anything but that, and these (service members) deserve better and the families deserve better. James Silverstein, grandnephew of USS Arizona sailor Petty Officer 2nd Class Harry Smith, poses with Smith's Purple Heart and the associated documents on March 27, 2025. (James Silverstein) The change on autosomal single nucleotide polymorphism DNA inched Operation 85 closer to the line by 45 families in a little over a week, Kline said. Kline and Byrne believe the governments accounting needs to be overhauled and certain tasks farmed out to the private sector. He wants to use the infrastructure theyve built to help other groups find closure. I dont want to put this away, Kline said. I think other people can use what weve built. A former Fort Bliss sergeant was sentenced to eight years in state prison for breaking into a womans El Paso home and attempting to sexually assault her, according to local prosecutors. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes) A former Fort Bliss sergeant was sentenced to eight years in state prison for breaking into a womans El Paso home and attempting to sexually assault her, according to local prosecutors. Christopher Aaron Rey, 30, was scheduled for a jury trial this week but instead took a plea deal in December, according to the El Paso District Attorneys Office. He pleaded guilty to burglary of a habitation with intent to commit another felony. Once released from prison, Rey will have to register as a sex offender. He is serving his sentence at Rogelio Sanchez State Prison in El Paso and is eligible for parole in 2027, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice online records. Former Fort Bliss Sgt. Christopher Aaron Rey, 30, was arrested April 12, 2023, in El Paso, Texas, after a woman identified him as the man who forced his way into her apartment and attempted to sexually assault her. He was sentenced in December 2024 to eight years in state prison and will be required to register as a sex offender. (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) Rey was arrested in April 2023 after a woman, who was 19 years old at the time, told police she was leaving her apartment to walk her dog when Rey forced his way inside. The woman began to scream, and Rey told her to shut up and covered her mouth, according to an arrest affidavit from the El Paso Police Department. He moved his hands to her throat and then pushed her onto a couch in the living room. She told police that he removed some of her clothing and began to touch her while she screamed and kicked. He then stopped and ran out of the apartment. The woman told police that she had seen Rey the week prior at a laundromat, according to the affidavit. Police reviewed video surveillance footage from the laundromat and a nearby car dealership and found video of Rey and his vehicle, a blue Hyundai Tucson. Four days after the attempted assault, the woman called police because she could see Rey in his military uniform through a doorbell video camera standing outside her apartment checking the doorknob. Police arrived at the womans apartment and found Rey driving his vehicle slowly along the street, according to the affidavit. At the time of the attack, Rey was an infantryman stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso. He was discharged November 2024, according to his official service record. Rey served in the Army from July 2012 until November 2015. He then re-enlisted in November 2017. He deployed once to Djibouti. Ukraine stands by its offer at the very least, not to strike civilian infrastructure, expects clear answer from Moscow Zelenskyy Ukraine stands by its offer at the very least, not to strike civilian infrastructure, expects clear answer from Moscow Zelenskyy KYIV. April 22 (Interfax-Ukraine) Ukraine is maintaining its proposal not to strike at least civilian infrastructure, expecting a clear response from Moscow, as Russian attacks continue along the entire front line on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. By just the middle of the day by 1:00 p.m. there have already been nearly three thousand instances of shelling, assaults, and other strikes. There were Russian missile launches, Shaheds, nearly ninety aerial bombs, the use of heavy weaponry, and drones. Russian attacks continue across the entire frontline, the president said in an evening address on Monday. He also reported that a new report from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, is expected in the evening. In addition, Zelenskyy noted that Russia has rejected not only the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire, but also yesterdays proposal the proposal to continue doing everything possible to maintain the ceasefire after Easter. All of this once again shows what Moscow truly wants. Nevertheless, Ukraine stands by its offer at the very least, not to strike civilian infrastructure. And we expect a clear answer from Moscow. We are ready for any conversation on how to ensure this, the President stressed. Robert Christopher Adams (34) denied harassing the woman despite posts on Facebook labelling her a b*tch and a prick A cowardly abusive ex who published hate-filled rants about his former lover on social media, calling her a rat and comparing her to Amber Heard has been convicted of a string of offences. Robert Christopher Adams (34) denied harassing the woman despite posts on Facebook labelling her a b*tch and a prick. He was convicted of breaching a non-molestation order and misuse of public communications following a contest at Newtownards Magistrates Court earlier this month. According to the indictment Adams, of Ashbury Road in Bangor, made the abusive posts on dates in August and November last year. The victim told the court her ex-partner had put up harassing and intimidating posts on Facebook and referred to me as Amber Heard. Amber Heard is a Hollywood actress who was involved in a high-profile defamation case at Londons High Court involving her megastar ex-husband Johnny Depp. Robert Adams Newtownards Magistrates heard how Adams referred to his ex on social media as a b*tch, a rat and a prick, as reported by Court News NI. He claimed he had been suffering mental torment at the time and told the court he made social media posts but did not accept they are harassing. Adams also said he had suffered an emotional blow-up and had taken to social media to vent his frustrations in response to his ex-partner spreading false narratives. Deputy District Judge Sean OHare said the defendants evidence to the court was wholly unconvincing and convicted him of the charges. The judge said there was clearly a non-molestation order in place on August 22 when one of the offences was committed. He also pointed out this order had been extended and Adams was also subject to bail conditions at the time not to have any contact with his ex-partner. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in November 2011. Photo: Joel Ryan The judge added: You chose to ignore that by indirectly contacting her by publishing these hate-filled rants, even putting up a secretly recorded conversation. It does not show you in a good light. Your language, your behaviour, your demeanour during that recorded conversation is atrocious. It is bullying, it is entitled. This is all cowardly, behind a computer and keyboard. A defence barrister said there was no indication Adams had physically approached his ex-partner and the case was adjourned to May for a pre-sentence report. Following the hearing Adams found himself in the dock at Newtownards Magistrates Court again last week for breaching his court bail in relation to the charges. He was also accused of breaching bail in a related case where he is alleged to have contravened a non-molestation order at Bull and Bear steakhouse in Bloomfield Shopping Centre, Bangor, on February 6 this year. He is also accused of breaching a protection from harassment order on dates between October last year and February this. After being given a warning to adhere to his bail conditions by District Judge Mark Hamill, Adams was readmitted to bail for the breaches, with the case adjourned to next month. Cleoviany Pedrosa (25) passed 96 pellets of drug at hospital after her arrest, court told The accused was taken to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin Prosecutors have been given more time to prepare their case against a woman accused of importing 76,000 of cocaine by ingesting it before flying to Ireland. Mother-of-five Cleoviany Pedrosa (25), who passed nearly 100 pellets of the drug at a hospital after her arrest, told gardai she had come to celebrate St Patricks Day as a tourist, a court heard. Ms Pedrosa, with an unknown address in Brazil, is charged with importation and possession of cocaine with intent to sell or supply. Ms Pedrosa remained in prison, not having taken up bail She was arrested last month and Judge Treasa Kelly set bail at 4,000. When her case came back before Dublin District Court, the judge was told DPP directions had not been given yet. Ms Pedrosa remained in prison, not having taken up bail. The judge remanded her in custody with consent to bail to appear in court again by video link later this month. Previously, the court heard she arrived in Dublin on March 16 on a flight from Sao Paulo, via Paris. She was stopped and a number of suspected cocaine pellets were located in her bag and coat. She was taken to Beaumont Hospital where she passed 96 pellets of cocaine, a garda said. It was alleged she had agreed to transport the drug to Ireland for a sum of money. Mark Pierce (43), who also stole charity boxes in sneak thefts at two Dublin churches and a supermarket, was using the money to fund his chronic drug addiction. A church burglar who carried copper wire and glue for fishing money out of collections has been jailed for four months. Mark Pierce (43), who also stole charity boxes in sneak thefts at two Dublin churches and a supermarket, was using the money to fund his chronic drug addiction. Judge Treasa Kelly noted he had 130 previous convictions, many of them for similar offences. Pierce, a father of two with an address at a city centre hostel, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and possession of an implement for use in the course of a theft. He also admitted possession of cocaine. They are sneak-type offences, he was trying to obtain money to buy drugs A garda sergeant told Dublin District Court, Pierce went to Mary Immaculate Church, Lower Rathmines Road, on February 11 and stole 65 in cash from the poor box. When arrested, he was found in possession of copper wire that was used to fish money out of collection boxes. He also had 20 of cocaine in his possession. Earlier that day, he went to Tesco, South Circular Road on February 11 and stole a charity box containing 50 from the counter. On April 4, he entered St Jamess Church, Jamess Street and took the poor box. Pierces prior convictions included 33 for theft, as well as possession of stolen property and several burglaries. He had a very long-standing drug addiction which had led him in and out of homelessness over the years. They are sneak-type offences, he was trying to obtain money to buy drugs, his solicitor Tony Collier said. They are all minor enough offences, stealing small amounts of money to feed a drug habit. Pierce was pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity, and did not contest any of the charges, Mr Collier said. The accused, who was already in custody when he appeared in court, had an opportunity to stabilise his situation and his drug addiction and had support from his family. The solicitor asked the judge to be as lenient as she could. Judge Kelly said Pierce had taken responsibility for the offences and needed help for his underlying drug problem. However, she said he had a long history of offending and the charges before the court were by and large taking from charity boxes and churches. The judge sentenced Pierce for the burglary at St Jamess Church, backdating the prison term to when he went into custody. She took the other charges into consideration and granted free legal aid. Seamus Donoghue (49) was at a low point in his life, was looking for help and did not intend to use the knife against anyone, his defence said. A man who went to a Dublin hospital carrying a ferocious two-bladed knife in a terrifying incident has been spared jail. Seamus Donoghue (49) was at a low point in his life, was looking for help and did not intend to use the knife against anyone, his defence said. Judge Treasa Kelly gave him a six-month suspended sentence when he appeared in Dublin District Court. Donoghue, with an address at Santry Lodge, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon at St Jamess Hospital, Dublin 8, on December 17 last year. Dublin District Court heard gardai were called to the hospital at 5.15pm after staff refused Donoghue entry to a ward as he had a large knife in his possession. He said he did not intend to use it. Donoghue had previous convictions for offences including assault. He had struggled with serious mental health difficulties and had gone to the hospital during a low point in his life to look for help, his solicitor Eoghan OSullivan said. Thankfully since then hes received quite a lot of help, Mr OSullivan told the judge. He also had a heart condition and issues with his back and neck. Judge Kelly said the knife seemed quite ferocious and had two blades on it. To go to a hospital with that on your person would be quite a terrifying matter for the medical practitioners at the hospital, and the patients if they had seen it, she said. Its totally unacceptable to bring a ferocious implement to hospital. The judge suspended the sentence for a year. A plea and sentencing hearing for 54-year-old Eileen Singh and her daughter Shannon Wilson (29) was previously adjourned to allow them time to gather restitution The defendants, from Marchioness Street in Belfast, admitted theft from B&M Bargains at Bow Street Mall in the city on December 3 last year A mum and daughter who stole 1,300 of Christmas shopping have made no repayments, a court has been told. A plea and sentencing hearing for 54-year-old Eileen Singh and her daughter Shannon Wilson (29) was previously adjourned to allow them time to gather restitution. Appearing at Lisburn Magistrates Court on Thursday, defence counsel Peter Coiley said he was empty-handed. District Judge Rosie Watters replied: Oh dear. They havent exactly covered themselves in glory. No money not even a pound and they have behaved so badly. The defendants, from Marchioness Street in Belfast, admitted theft from B&M Bargains at Bow Street Mall in the city on December 3 last year. Singh admitted stealing 300 of toys, and her daughter admitted taking 1,000 of perfume, toys, Lego and other household items. Mr Coiley accepted the thefts were committed in the run-up to Christmas. He said Singh had no money to make repayments because she had moved home and had to decorate. He claimed the high cost of living meant Wilson was not in a position to make restitution. The judge said the pair went out to do Christmas shopping for the kids without taking any money with them, and they thought they would get away with it. She told Singh: You have a terrible record for shoplifting, and it looks to me as if thats just what you do. I have no alternative but to impose an immediate custodial sentence of eight months. Singh was also handed a 25 offender levy and ordered to pay 200 restitution. Turning to Wilson, who was protesting at her mother being taken to the cells, Judge Watters said it was amazing she had a clear record considering what your mother is. In addition to a 240-hour community service order, the judge told her she would have to pay back 600. She also warned Wilson that if she failed to complete the order or committed further offences, you will be brought back here and dealt with differently. Singh was freed on bail pending an appeal of the sentence. She was banned from entering any branch of B&M Bargains in the meantime. Judge Quinn said he was deeply concerned to learn of the threat of shooting that had been made to the girl who was in danger of being exploited and possibly used for drug dealing The State has no secure special care space for a teenage girl threatened with being shot if she doesnt co-operate with a drug gang that has set out to exploit her, a High Court Judge was told today Tuesday. Mr Justice Oisin Quinn said he was concerned that while there were 26 special care beds in the country only 15 were currently staffed and none was available for the 16-year-old girl whose life had been threatened. Barrister Paul Gunning told Judge Quinn that while the girl required civil detention for her own health and safety in a secure special care unit, the Child Family Agency would be powerless to abide by any court detention order because of the lack of staffed beds. There are only 15 staffed beds in two special care units in Dublin and one in Limerick yet there is no bed available for this child, Mr Gunning said. Judge Quinn heard that the teenager, who cannot be identified by court order, was currently in the care of a non-secure private residential agency where the manager had no authority to restrain her from leaving, should she wish, with adult drug dealers seeking to exploit her and who called to collect her in cars. Mr Gunning, who appeared for the Child Family Agency, said gardai were unable to investigate, detain and prosecute the male adult exploiters involved as they required voluntary statements from her and she was living in constant fear of being killed. Judge Quinn said he was deeply concerned to learn of the threat of shooting that had been made to the girl who was in danger of being exploited and possibly used for drug dealing. The judge heard there was a risk of the girl absconding from where she currently resides and there had been previous attempts by her to abscond. On one occasion where she was being driven in a car on a motorway another car with five males in it had driven up alongside the vehicle shouting threats at her. Even if the special care detention order is made the Child Family Agency will not be able to comply with it, Judge Quinn said. He said he intended to make an order empowering gardai, in the event of her absconding and being in the company of inappropriate people, to search for, detain and return her to the place where she is currently residing. The court could only hope that a staffed bed in one of the three secure units would quickly be made available for her. Mairead McKenna SC, for the childs guardian ad litem, and barrister Maeve Cox, for the girls mother, told the court their clients would welcome an additional order whereby the gardai could return her in the event of absconding. Until a bed can be found for her she remains at risk and anything that will support her safety is absolutely welcome and helpful, Ms McKenna said. Mr Gunning said a detention order would remain in place for three months and, thereafter, could be renewed on a three monthly basis for a maximum of nine months. There would be four-weekly reviews by the court. Judge Quinn made the order to detain the teenager in a secure care unit with an additional direction empowering gardai to search for the girl and return her to her current residence in the event of her absconding. He returned the proceedings to May 1. I still feel like, what the hell? How was he let get away? What was going on? Emer OLoughlins remains were found in the caravan belonging to John Griffin who has disappeared As soon as she glimpses the first daffodil of the year, Emer OLoughlin springs into her mind. Twenty years on from the murder of her 23-year-old friend, the traumatic memories of the violence of her death in a burned-out mobile home have softened for Aoife Kyne into recollections of the feisty, dog-mad Clare girl she met in art class. I just think of her in a happier way than initially after she died, when it was just like disbelief, anger, and sadness. Its just important to remember Emer, how she was and how she lived, and I do. Every time I see daffodils, I think of her, and I smile. Speaking on the Crime World podcast series, Evil Eye, Aoife explains that much of Emers art portfolio was filled with drawings of the yellow flowers. The two met in 2004 at a year-long PLC-style college course in Galway preparing students for art college, when Aoife was a 19-year-old student fresh out of secondary school. Emer OLoughlins remains were found in the caravan belonging to John Griffin who has disappeared Emer, a few years older than most of the class, stood out. For someone so small, she was very outspoken not afraid to voice an opinion and treated everyone the same. She was just a very likeable person. She was feisty, hardworking, good fun, not afraid to speak her mind, almost like no filter. She was really funny without meaning to be. She was full of life, she said, remembering how they bonded over their love of dogs and shared rural background. Shed come into the classroom, and shed always have something to say. Aoife has fond memories of those arty classmates at the start of their adult lives. It was a great year, and we had great fun. In contrast to many of her peers, Emer eschewed Galway citys lively student social life and commuted to class in a car from the mobile home she shared with her boyfriend, Shane, on land belonging to his family. She recalled her friend, who had spent time travelling the world, seemed mad about her boyfriend. She spoke about him a lot, they seemed to have a nice life together. In April 2005, close to the end of their school year, the fun-loving art class was left reeling when students were told remains of their classmate were thought to have been discovered in a burnt-out caravan belonging to her neighbour, John Griffin, in Ballybornagh, Co Clare. On the day she was murdered, Emer had been preparing to travel to college but is reported to have called to Griffins mobile home, on a nearby patch of land, to charge her phone as her electricity wasnt working. John Griffin On that Friday, the class had the day off as Pope John Paul II had died, but Aoife was expecting Emer to come into the college to do some extra work on their portfolios. When she didnt turn up, Aoife remembers texting her to tell her she had left paint she had borrowed from Emer for her in the college, but received no reply. Now she wonders if her vibrant, nature-loving friend was still alive when the text pinged into her phone. The following Monday, she remembers being hit by a subdued silence when she walked into their normally buzzing classroom. As she went to start a conversation with a classmate, he asked: Did you not hear about Emer? He told her Emer was missing and there had been the discovery of a body at the scene of a fire. I just remember sitting down and [thinking] it cant be Emer, there has to an explanation..this cant really be happening. It was just really shocking. The remains were so badly damaged that forensic experts were initially unable to establish whether they were male or female. The injuries to her body were only discovered on a second postmortem, five years later, when her body was exhumed. The family has only recently been told Emer was decapitated before she died, a fact they want made public as they continue to seek justice. In the days after the murder, an agitated Griffin was tracked down to Dun Aonghasa fort on Inis Mor where he pelted stones at gardai. After a stand-off, he was overpowered and subsequently placed in psychiatric care but checked himself out days later. On April 18, 10 days after the murder, he is believed to have staged his suicide, leaving his clothes folded at the edge of a cliff on the island. After her death, Aoife initially presumed her friends death must have been an accident. I cant remember when I began to realise that it was so sinister. Then it came out on the news. Later, Aoife heard rumours that Emer was afraid of Griffin, but never remembered his name cropping up in their conversations. I never heard about him until the news. Its still as puzzling to me now as it was back then. When reports emerged of Griffins arrest and later his supposed disappearance, she felt anger. Theres a sense that even in death, Emer was just being violated or disrespected, or that he was being protected, and she wasnt. Before the classmates broke up in 2005, Emers daffodil artwork was displayed as part of their end-of-year exhibition. For the grieving students, it was their way of reclaiming her from the darkness surrounding her death. She [died] so needlessly and just so horribly, said Aoife, It was so negative when she was such a bubbly, positive, full of life [person]. More than so many other people, she would want to be here. She really lived life and to think that her life is just extinguished... Two decades later, the shock endures. The disbelief back then at what had happened after Emer died is still there. I still feel like, what the hell? How was he let get away? What was going on? Its just awful that there just doesnt seem to be any answers, and so many mistakes. You just feel like she was let down even in death, and continues to be. n Evil Eye can be found wherever you get your podcasts. The occupiers lost 289 servicemen and 42 units of equipment in Pokrovsk direction alone, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported in operational information on Monday. "Today, according to preliminary data, 289 occupiers have been neutralized in this area, 135 of whom have been irrevocably killed," the message says. In addition, the Ukrainian military destroyed seven combat armored vehicles, one artillery system, 11 vehicles, five UAVs, a UAV control center, a portable electronic warfare station, eight motor vehicles, and damaged a tank, five vehicles, and two motorcycles. In total, in the Pokrovsk direction since the beginning of the day, the enemy has attacked 49 times in the areas of the populated areas of Sukha Balka, Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Sukhyi Yar, Kotlyne, Uspenivka, Novo-Oleksandrivka, Nadiyivka, Troyitske, Tarasivka, Luch, Lysivka, Udachne, Preobrazhenka, Kotliarivka, Andriyivka and in the direction of Oleksandropil, Novo-Pavlivka and Berezivka. Our defenders have repelled 43 assaults, another six clashes are still ongoing. Enemy aircraft also launched guided bomb attacks on Oleksandropil, Pokrovsk, Novo-Pavlivka and Muravka. A male suspect stole a sum of money from the victim during the late night robbery An investigation has been launched following a terrifying incident that saw a man robbed at knifepoint in Waterford over the bank holiday weekend. The robbery occurred in the early hours of Monday morning, April 21, at approximately 3am in Waterford City. The victim handed over the contents of his wallet after a male suspect held a knife to his throat while demanding money. Gardai have confirmed that a sum of cash was taken from the victim, but no injuries were reported as a result of the robbery. No arrests have been made at this time, however, Gardai say their investigations are still ongoing. Gardai are appealing for any witnesses of the incident to come forward. Anyone with any information can contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305 300. Among them is a 75-year-old businessman Thomas Ayres who lives in Wales and was molested by the monster medic in 1964. Six new victims of paedophile doctor Michael Shine have come forward since the start of the year. Among them is a 75-year-old businessman Thomas Ayres who lives in Wales and was molested by the monster medic in 1964. Another is one of the youngest victims and he was sexually abused by Shine 40 years after Thomas Ayres in 1994 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Details of their horrific ordeals were given to Taoiseach Micheal Martin during the week as the group representing the 366 victims and their families, Dignity4Patients, demanded a full scale investigation into his activities Mr Martin was asked how did the paedophile doctor get away with abusing both of them four decades apart. Thomas said he waited until his wife died before coming forward, going public and he was in a place where he could actually do something. Several other victims - Cianan Murray, Larry Torris, Ian Russell, Peter OConnor, Ian Armstrong and Gerard Murray - gave a deeply emotional account of what happened to them to Mr Martin. They were children as young as four when Shine abused them either at the Lourdes Hospital or his private rooms in Drogheda . They said a Commission of Investigation would go a long way towards giving them peace. They all wanted to know how the doctor was allowed to get away with his abuse for so long and who and why did people in authority cover up for him. They also asked how come there was 40 years between Thomas Ayres and the youngest victim Larry Torris being abused in 1994. The Taoiseach indicated a decision on a Commission will be made by the Government soon. He later said: No question that they where failed, no question that Shine was a prolific abuser, and the common denominator was that everybody knew. It was incomprehensible that people didnt shout stop. Shine is 93-years-old and only served three years in jail for the indcent and sexual assault of seven boys between 1971 and 1992.The vast majority of his victims received no justice. The CEO of Dignity4Patients Adrienne Reilly said: Since January we have had six new victims come forward, they all want answers. It is so important that people know what Michael Shine did. The reality is Michael Shine does not need to be alive for a Commission of Investigation. Jimmy Saville was dead and he was part of the largest sexual abuse inquiry in the UK which we can learn from. Michael Shine is Irelands Jimmy Saville and nobody knows his name except local people and some people interested. But Irish society needs to know so we can let the victims and survivors move on. The four-year-old boy, a teenager and a young man in his 20s were all killed on Irelands roads over the Easter bank holiday weekend A young boy who died after he was struck by a car in a housing estate had celebrated his fourth birthday over Easter weekend. The child has been named locally as Abdur Rehman. The four-year-old boy, a teenager and a young man in his 20s were all killed on Irelands roads over the Easter bank holiday weekend. The fatal accident involving Abdur Rehman happened in an estate in Farranshock Estate, Mullingar, Co Westmeath shortly after 6.30pm on Monday He was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to Mullingar Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. On Tuesday morning, garda forensic collision investigators towed away the car suspected to have been involved in the road accident. That move is part of an extensive garda investigation which is now underway in a bid to establish both the cause and circumstances surrounding yesterday evenings tragedy. A garda cordon has since been lifted with gardai remaining anxious to speak to any road users or pedestrians who may been in the area at the time of the incident. They are particularly keen to get any camera footage, including dash-cam recordings from cars that may have been travelling in and out of the estate. Locals have spoken of their devastation at the loss of the four-year-old boy who died just yards from his front door. Friends of the little boys family, Faheem Khan and Navid Iqbal fought back tears as they revealed how the youngster had only celebrated his fourth birthday over the Easter bank holiday weekend. He had his birthday party on Saturday and there are just no words, said a tearful Mr Iqbal. It is hard for the family and we have just got to support them, added an equally despondent Mr Khan. The community has been so supportive, its a loss for everyone and its just heartbreaking. Its really hard to put words together. It is understood the little boys parents had only recently celebrated the birth of their second child. Both originally hail from Pakistan, but have resided in Ireland for a number of years. In the wake of yesterdays tragedy, locals have been struggling to sum up the emotional enormity surrounding yesterdays tragedy. One local woman who wished to remain anonymous told of how ran to the little boys aid seconds after her own son rushed through the door in a state of panic. My little fella came in and said there was a little boy after being hit and I just ran over and tried to help him, she said. Another neighbour, Baiba Burina, who lives just across the road from the scene of the incident struggled for composure as she spoke to the Irish Independent of her own shock at the events of less than 24 hours earlier. Its horrible and I keep thinking he was only four and my son is 10, she said. I was crying all the time yesterday over what happened. A fellow resident and mother of two who lives just a couple of doors down, said her own daughter had been left deeply impacted at witnessing the arrival of emergency services in the estate yesterday evening. I am a mum too and my daughter who is six saw this and started crying. She kept asking me how is the boy, its just so, so sad. Westmeath County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Mick Dollard said neighbours and those living locally had been left traumatised by the events of yesterday evening. I can tell you from emails I have received already this morning people are traumatised by it quite frankly, he said. When something like this happens, people immediately think about their children and their grandchildren. Those sentiments were endorsed by Fine Gael Cllr Andrew Duncan who said locals living on the estate were still attempting to come to terms with the news. Its just a very unfortunate and tragic situation for everybody involved, he told the Irish Independent. In a separate incident, a motorcyclist, aged in his 20s, died in Co Limerick after a collision between a motorcycle and a car. The incident took place in Ardagh village at the intersection of the R521 and R523. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was removed to University Hospital Limerick where a postmortem will take place. The male driver of the car was brought to University Hospital Kerry for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The intersection where the incident occurred remained closed overnight ahead of a technical examination to be carried out by gardai on Tuesday morning. While in Dublin, the mother of an 18-year-old who was killed in a motorbike crash in Dublin on Sunday evening says her heart is shattered into a million bits. Jason Monks died when the scrambler motorbike he was riding collided with a car on Citywest Avenue in west Dublin. It happened at around 8pm, not far from his home. Family members have been paying tribute to the young father-of-one, and a GoFundMe page has been set up for his family. Jason Monks His grieving mother Donna wrote on Facebook: Oh Lord, please let this be a big bad dream. That big strong boy was my baby. There was nothing in this world he wouldnt do for his mammy. My heart is shattered into a million bits. I cant cope. Why my handsome young man? Why? My beautiful baby boy. How is my life ever going to be the same ever again? Eighteen years of loving you, the best 18 years of my life. I will love you always, my beautiful boy. Mr Monkss partner Shannon shared a photograph of him holding their baby daughter and wrote: Wish this was all a bad dream. Shannons grandfather Mark posted pictures of Mr Monks and said: Our granddaughter Shannon lost her partner and our great granddaughter lost her Dad, Jason Monks, last night. We are heartbroken for them and Jasons family. A lovely young man with the biggest heart, and a smile and laugh that would cheer you up in the worst of days. A person who would do anything to help anyone who needed it. We are heartbroken but also smiling when we see the things people have up in Facebook and videos which will help in the coming time. We are all going to miss you. RIP our friend, our family. Keep an eye on us all from up there. A friend wrote that Mr Monks was one of a kind and would do anything for anyone, from fixing bikes and lawnmowers, cutting grass or any jobs that needed to be done. He would help anyone. Another friend, Maria, has opened a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward. At approximately 8pm gardai and emergency services responded to a collision involving a car and a scrambler motorbike on Citywest Avenue, Dublin 24, the force said in a statement. The driver of the scrambler, an adult male aged in his late teens, was taken to Tallaght Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course, gardai said. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators examined the scene and the road has since been reopened. Any road users who may have camera footage [including dash-cam] and were travelling in the area between 7.45pm and 8.15pm are asked to make this footage available, gardai said. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tallaght garda station on (01) 6666000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station. Former prisoner Brendan Curran received jail sentences totalling 27 years in one stint alone he was sent down for 15 years when he was convicted of attempting to murder a British soldier A former leading IRA man says he has discovered a new way of dealing with the horrors of the past by writing conflict poetry. Former prisoner Brendan Curran received jail sentences totalling 27 years in one stint alone he was sent down for 15 years when he was convicted of attempting to murder a British soldier. But on his release, he opted for politics instead of violence and became the first Sinn Fein Mayor of Newry and Mourne Council in 1998. He later quit the party following a dispute over its stance on an infamous sex abuse case involving local Catholic clergy. These days, Brendan now nearly 70 and a grandfather runs his own security business, offering close-protection services to a variety of top showbiz personalities including Katie Price and Simon Cowell. Brendan with his book of poems which also includes his first writings in Irish when in jail And when he settles down in the evening after a busy day, he writes poetry as a way of coming to terms with his troubled past. I waken myself up in the middle of the night with a word or a line, which has been going round in my head. And I have to write it down immediately for fear Ill forget it, Curran told the Sunday World this week. Curran was just 18 in 1973 when was jailed for 15 years for the attempted murder of a soldier in Newry. His shots struck paratrooper Brian Pierce along the arm and severed his finger. The IRA sniper was also suspected of being the trigger-man in a shooting weeks earlier in which Major Anthony Wright miraculously survived being blasted twice in the head. Brendan chats to reporter Hugh Jordan After getting out of prison in 1980, Curran joined Sinn Fein and was elected a councillor in 1985. When writing his verse, the Newry man isnt afraid to challenge the violence of the past head-on: I even have a name for it conflict poetry its never really been documented before, he said. Even the great Seamus Heaney largely avoided the conflict in his poetry. But I find it helps me understand what actually happened here and I think it might help others as well. For instance, in one of my poems, A Sniper On Lyndsay Hill, I deal with how a young British soldier lost his life in Newry. And the poem is seen through the eyes of the IRA man who took it. And its clear that he is writing about events of which he had a first-hand experience: I expelled the air and held my breath, my eyes as wide as stars, time stood still, I felt the chill, like a night of snow. I squeezed the trigger slowly like many times before, but this time it was different, it was against our deadly foe. Irish soldier and snipper Brendan Curran, passing out day at Collins Barracks in Dublin which now houses the National Museum of Ireland One of a family of nine brothers and sisters, Brendan left school in Newry just as the Troubles began in earnest. And with no formal qualifications to his name, he set out to make his way in life. He joined the Irish army and served as an infantryman for three years. He later joined the IRA putting his Irish army training to deadly use. I went to a school in Newry, which at the time had a bad reputation. There was only thing I took away with me when I left and that was a prize for poetry! A teacher entered me in a poetry competition and I won it. Although I didnt realise it at the time, I obviously had some sort of ability and I enjoyed doing it, he said. He was later to take up writing once more while a republican prisoner. Although Brendans poetry covers many aspects of life, it is his conflict poetry which sets his work apart. He describes his home town during a time which only older residents will remember. Newry, which is just a few miles from the border, became a British army fortress, with military installations dotted all over the town. Brendan with plaque made for him by a fellow prisoner from the UDA, when in Long Kesh in 1977 During this interview, the former IRA man spoke about how he built relationships with a number of loyalist prisoners during his time in Long Kesh. Curran had showed an an act of kindness to one of them and the loyalist was determined to acknowledge it. He wanted to give me something in return. And the only thing he possessed was a hand-painted loyalist plaque hed made. He insisted I take it, as it was all he had. I still have it hanging in my lock-up garage. It sits beside the last sign at the permanent British army checkpoint on the Dublin Road, outside Newry, which someone also gave me. These are just mementos of the past, said Curran. Brendan also acknowledges the great Irish tradition of marching bands in his verse and believes both Catholic and Protestant communities in the North have much more in common in this regard than they perhaps realise. He fondly remembers as child his mother taking him to see the Orange bands on the 12th of July. It was something I enjoyed very much, he said. And in his poem The Marching Band Tradition, he reveals a longing for the day both sides will meet in the middle: Someday, the parades will coincide, where they can both march in unison, side by side, with their love... the music tradition. It is Brendans wish that his collection of conflict poems be published to bring his work to a wider audience. Obviously, I would love other people to see my work. I deal directly with the Troubles. It is there for all to read and discuss, he said. He added: Maybe some day, someone will come up with a plan which will see these poems published. In the meantime, Ill just keep writing away. The former Stormont politician swapped banter with this reporter in a chat outside his south Belfast home last week. Deceased DUP leader the Reverend Ian Paisley would have enjoyed the current row over the Irish language. That is the view of Paisleys former right-hand man Clifford Smyth, who penned a best-selling book about the firebrand Free Presbyterian preacher. He was commenting on the ongoing political fall-out over plans to install Irish language signage at Belfasts new city centre transport hub. The former Stormont politician swapped banter with this reporter in a chat outside his south Belfast home last week. Now 81 and retired, Smyth who was forced out the DUP nearly 50 years ago discussed a range of topics, including the Irish language, his teenage years in Scotland and his friendship with the Big Man. Ian Paisley would have loved the row over the Irish language. He would have been right in the middle of it, Mr Smyth said. CONTROVERSIAL: Ian Paisley My wife Anne also gets very vexed about this. But it appears Mr and Mrs Smyth may have agreed to differ over their views on the Irish language. Because Clifford was once a member of the now defunct Irelands Heritage Orange Lodge, which had Irish in its banner. But on the subject of Ian Paisley, Mr Smyth also added a note of caution: The problem with Ian Paisley was he didnt like rivals. He wanted everyone to agree with him. Thats what I found anyway. A former history teacher, Smyths biography of the DUP founder, Ian Paisley: Voice of Protestant Ulster, offers an insight to the man who dominated unionist politics for over 50 years. Ian Paisley became very uncomfortable if someone offered an alternative view. He just didnt like rivals, as I found out to my cost, he said. Earlier this month Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins sparked a row when she announced that the 350m Grand Central Station Irelands biggest transport hub would become bilingual. STRONG VIEWS: Anne Smyth Many unionists criticised a waste of public money over the 150,000 cost of introducing bilingual signs and ticket machines. However, Irish language groups welcomed the move and said similar signs in Newry on the Dublin-Belfast train route which leaves Belfasts Grand Central created no controversy at all. Clifford Smyth has long left politics behind but still has strong opinions and shares them with his Glasgow-born wife Anne, a TUV activist who stood for the party in the last local government elections in 2023. She received 564 first preference votes and was eliminated in the fourth count. Mrs Smyth, who helped found the DUP, told us in 2023 that she didnt believe research that showed that many Protestants in Northern Ireland could speak Irish in the early part of the last century. She told us: It has been claimed Protestant soldiers in the trenches of World War One spoke Irish to each other, but I just dont believe that. I feel many people have been bought off by the government money, she adds. She has also spoken out against East Belfast GAA club after it cancelled a training session in a local primary school. She claimed the decision was justifiable in view of the sectarian nature of the supposed sporting organisation that is the GAA. Anne and Clifford once performed a travelling stage show at charity events linked to the Orange Order. Anne played the accordion while her husband, dressed as exotic dancer Carmen Miranda complete with a fruit bowl hat on his head danced around the room. In 1996, Clifford caused a stir when, during the launch of a book on the Kincora Boys Home scandal, he revealed he was once addicted to wearing his wifes clothes. And Smyth went on to reveal he disclosed his secret passion to William McGrath, a house master in the Kincora Boys Home, who was later jailed over sexually abusing underprivileged boys. Smyth and McGrath were both members of the Irelands Heritage Orange Lodge. Speaking at the launch, Clifford said: At that time I had a fetish for wearing my wifes clothes. I no longer have it. But I made the mistake of mentioning this to William McGrath and this led to McGrath giving me months of bogus therapy in his home. And Smyth later reiterated his claims when he gave evidence to a Judicial Inquiry into sexual abuse in state-funded institutions in Northern Ireland. And speaking to the Sunday World this week, Clifford was also critical of some of the individuals responsible for the promotion of Ulster Scots language and culture in Northern Ireland. But Smyth stopped short of saying anything controversial on the matter. He smiled before adding: On that note, well say goodbye. Every piece is important in finding Jo and bringing her home JoJo Dullard's family have said every piece of information is important in finding the missing Kilkenny woman and bringing her home. In a fresh appeal issued over Easter they thanked the public for their ongoing support while posting a poignant message to JoJo. Jo, I know you're surrounded by Mary, Tom, Mam, Dad and one of your best friends Esther this Easter, a post on the JoJo Missing Facebook page reads. I still have a vivid memory of you and mam baking buns in the kitchen while bare necessities from the Jungle Book plays in the background. I hope you're giggling with everyone up in heaven just like you were then. The message appeals to the public: Wherever you are today, I hope you pause and think of Jo, who still has not finished her journey home to us. To be able to lay her to rest beside mam is all we want. Please come forward with any information you have, no matter how small or insignificant you may think it is. Every piece is important in finding Jo and bringing her home. Easter is a time of hope and we will never give up hope that you will finally make it home. Jo Jo went missing on November 5, 1995, aged 21, after spending an evening socialising on Harry Street in Dublin. Jo Jo missed her last bus to Kilkenny and instead boarded a 10pm bus to Naas, Co Kildare, intending to hitchhike the rest of the way. As she made her way along the journey, she received a lift from the Dublin area to Kilcullen in Kildare and then from Kilcullen to Moone. She was last seen at 11.37pm on November 9, 1995 at a phone box in Moone, where she made a phone call to her friend Mary Cullinan. She ended the call as she told her friend that a car had pulled up and she was going to take the lift. She was not seen or heard from again. On Friday, November 10, 1995, her sister, Kathleen, reported her missing and a missing persons investigation commenced. Her family have tirelessly campaigned for information ever since. Gardai upgraded their investigation into her disappearance to a murder investigation in October 2020. A man was arrested in connection with her disappearance in November 2024, but was released without charge. Last December, the family spoke of their agony at spending another Christmas not knowing where she is just weeks after gardai concluded a month-long dig for evidence in the case. In a statement issued on the familys social media page, they said: It has been an extremely emotional and difficult last few weeks. We are heartbroken. We had hoped we would have Jojo home for Christmas, unfortunately that did not happen. For people who have information, please spare a thought for Jojo this Christmas. While you are enjoying time with your family, ours is still not complete. Jojo is still alone out there, waiting to be found and brought home to her family. It is never too late to come forward. The investigation is still ongoing. We would like to thank An Garda Siochana for their continued hard work and dedication to bring Jojo home. Our family would like to thank everyone for your prayers and continued support throughout the years We look to 2025 with hope. Gardai wound down a massive dig near the Wicklow/Kildare border earlier in December at which time they declined to comment on the outcome of the searches for operational reasons. Pictures captured by the Sunday World revealed the unprecedented scale of the dig. While we were present at the site, a number of witnesses could be seen inspecting the progress of the works. The witnesses visit to the site came just days after Superintendent Paul Burke had made an appeal for information, saying gardai were convinced there are witnesses who could still come forward and help solve the murder even though 29 years had now elapsed. We want to bring Jojo home to her family, he said. There are persons out there who know what happened to Jojo Dullard. Now is the time for those persons to come forward and speak. Anyone with information is asked to contact Naas Garda station on 045 884 300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, the Help Bring them Home confidential line on 1800 911 999 or the Missing Persons Helpline 1800 442 552. In a strongly-worded missive, a solicitor acting for the Archbishop and the Armagh Diocese asked McConnell to confirm he will refrain from attending at church premises Luke McConnell claims he is unable to visit his fathers grave since receiving a letter from the legal representatives of the Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin in 2018 barring him from all church premises Luke McConnell claims he is unable to visit his fathers grave since receiving a letter from the legal representatives of the Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin in 2018 barring him from all church premises Luke McConnell cliams he is forbidden by the Archbishop of Armagh from visiting his fathers grave in St Johns Parish Monaghan road Middletown. Luke McConnell claims he is unable to visit his fathers grave since receiving a letter from the legal representatives of the Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin in 2018 barring him from all church premises Luke McConnell claims he is unable to visit his fathers grave since receiving a letter from the legal representatives of the Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin in 2018 barring him from all church premises The man pictured here claims the Catholic Church has banned him from visiting his fathers grave. Luke James McConnell says lawyers representing the Primate of Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, wrote warning him to stay away from Church property and personnel. In a strongly-worded missive, a solicitor acting for the Archbishop and the Armagh Diocese asked McConnell to confirm he will refrain from attending at church premises. And as a result his fathers final resting place at St Johns Catholic Church in Middletown, Co. Armagh, is now out of bounds to him and hes forced to peer at it over a cemetery wall. The 48-year-old father of one, who lives with his partner and 21 year-old invalid son outside Lurgan, returns to his home village to pay his respects at his fathers grave, but he says the letter prevents him from entering St Johns cemetery. Luke told the Sunday World: I liked spending time at my fathers grave. It brought me inner peace. Luke McConnell cliams he is forbidden by the Archbishop of Armagh from visiting his fathers grave in St Johns Parish Monaghan road Middletown. But Im no longer allowed to stand inside the cemetery. I have to look at my fathers grave from behind this wall. Its like something from the Middle Ages. Its a long-standing tradition in Ireland that everyone has the right to visit the graves of their loved ones. But that right is being denied me. I have it in writing that the Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, instructed his lawyers to tell me Im not allowed on church property or to approach any of the Catholic clergy or church staff in the Diocese of Armagh, he said. A self-taught pianist who works as a professional musician, Mr McConnell claims his long-running differences with the Church began nearly four decades ago after his father passed away in 1988. He admits that in the past he had a number of run-ins with members of the priesthood, but Mr McConnell maintains the spats were all verbal and there was nothing physical about them. Luke McConnell claims he is unable to visit his fathers grave since receiving a letter from the legal representatives of the Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin in 2018 barring him from all church premises At one stage it appeared I was being blamed for an assault on a man, but it wasnt true. The PSNI even called to my home to question me, but no further action was taken and the case was dropped, he said. He says that after this, the battlefield broadened out onto the pages of Facebook, where insults were traded between him and members of the public on a daily basis. I suppose you could say I made the matter public by putting it on Facebook. And as you know people say things on Facebook theyd never say to your face. One man even told me I already had one foot in the grave and I took it as a threat to my life. I managed to collate over 500 Facebook posts where I believe I was threatened. The police became involved again, but after the matter was investigated, I was the one who ended up being prosecuted under the Communications Act 2000. The police raided my home and they took away equipment belonging to me and I never got it back for two years. He added: When the case came to court, I was found guilty and I received a two-month suspended sentence. Mr McConnell is currently in possession of a letter from a top legal firm based in Belfast. In it, a lawyer representing Archbishop Eamon Martin accused Mr McConnell of making a number of unsubstantiated and damaging accusations against an individual. The letter states that in a previous from Archbishop Martins office, Mr McConnell was advised, that if he is in possession of evidence of criminal activity of any kind, then he should to refer the matter to the PSNI immediately. And the letter further states that Luke McConnell will not approach any premises connected to the church nor any lay member of staff or priest working in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Armagh. In an effort to ascertain the Churchs current position on Mr McConnell and his claims of inappropriate behaviour, the Sunday World contacted the solicitor who wrote to him on behalf of the Archbishop. He explained he no longer represents the Armagh Diocese, but he kindly agreed to pass on our inquiry and contact numbers to the lawyer who does. At the time of going to print, he hadnt taken up our offer of commenting on the case. Its understood the man sustained a number of serious injuries including a broken leg after his motorcycle collided with a car close to a junction beside the local cemetery A motorcyclist in his 20s has undergone emergency surgery following a two vehicle crash on the outskirts of Longford town yesterday. A motorcyclist is in intensive care after undergoing emergency surgery in hospital following a two vehicle crash in Longford yesterday evening. He was rushed to Tullamores Midland Regional Hospital before being transferred to Dublins Mater Hospital in the wake of the incident which took place at Mullaghavorneen, close to Ballymacormack Cemetery at around 6pm. Emergency services attended to the scene a short time later and despite initial efforts to airlift the man to hospital, a decision was ultimately taken to transport him via ambulance. Its understood the man sustained a number of serious injuries including a broken leg after his motorcycle collided with a car close to a junction beside the local cemetery. He has since undergone emergency surgery and is currently in the Mater Hospitals intensive care unit. Sources had described the mans condition as being 50-50 last night, however the Irish Independent understands medics are hopeful those permutations will improve over the coming days. The Irish Independent understands the mans condition is being termed as critical but stable as gardai now press ahead with an investigation to determine the precise nature surrounding yesterday evenings incident. Its also understood the man, who is in his 20s, hails from the south Longford area. The road itself, the L1127, was closed for a number of hours last night and again today to allow for a technical examination to be carried out. Gardai and emergency services responded to a collision involving a car and a motorcycle on a local road in Mullaghavorneen, Longford, shortly after 6pm on Monday, 21st April, 2025, said a garda spokesperson. The motorcyclist, a man in his 20s, was (taken) from the scene with serious injuries to Tullamore Hospital. The L1127 at Mullaghavorneen is currently closed to allow for an examination by Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place. Orla Campbell AKA Orla Aerial is one of the leading organisers of protests at Belfast City Hall aimed at drumming up support to stop what she calls mass illegal, unvetted immigration which she claims is tearing our communities apart. This is the pole-dancing mum whos leading a crusade to stop mass immigration into Ireland. Orla Campbell AKA Orla Aerial is one of the leading organisers of protests at Belfast City Hall aimed at drumming up support to stop what she calls mass illegal, unvetted immigration which she claims is tearing our communities apart. Banned from TikTok because of her unsubstantiated posts, this week she posted false claims on X that Somalians had stabbed local white kids at a beach in County Down and left the post up despite her being told this was not true. But when shes not frantically posting about the threat mass immigration poses to our children, she runs a polecdancing school in Ballynahinch which holds classes for adults and children. Aerial Junkies says its an aerial fitness studio focusing on gaining strength & muscle, body confidence & a strong female community. The 33-year-old, whos a strong advocate for womens rights, spoke at a recent protest taking to a park bench in Belfasts Donegall Place to address the tiny crowd and shes helping to promote a similar protest next Sunday at the same venue. With her dyed red hair, Orla is unmissable and at the last protest she spoke to our reporter. Orla Campbell aka Orla Aerial addresses the small crowd at Donegall Place On social media she is extremely outspoken and also reposts conspiracy theories as well as retweeting posts from known far right campaigners like Tommy Robinson and Britain First. She reveals shes been kicked off TikTok because of complaints about her posts many are so unsubstantiated its not even clear if the person targeted in the post is a migrant or just someone who isnt white. This week shes flooded her new account on X, formerly Twitter, with false claims about an incident at Ballyholme beach in Bangor last Friday. Just like in the summer when fake claims about the Southport killer who murdered three young girls at a dance class sparked mass rioting across the UK, there were false claims that a brawl on a beach in Ballyholme had been started by asylum seekers. There were fake claims that violent Somalian migrants were hell-bent on attacking white kids and had even stabbed one child and the police were even forced to come out and warn people about false speculation when some social media posts claimed a boy had been killed. Orla shares a joke with our reporter Hugh Jordan (left) at the protest rally That didnt stop anti-immigration campaigners like Orla Campbell from jumping on the claims and putting them out as proof that migrants are trouble. On April 12th on X under her account OrlaAerial, she posted the following: Ballyholme Beach Stabbing by Somalian group of children yesterday. Are we safe? Multiculturalism is working? Videos circulating online they are easy to find. Im disgusted in our governments. The County Down campaigner recently posted her outrage that a Newry school had sent home homework which taught about the Quran and urged parents Remove your children from these lessons and say NO! Yet learning about different religions is part of the current Religious Studies curriculum in school and kids are also taught about Christianity and Judaism, among others, to show kids the differences and similarities. We wanted to offer Orla an opportunity to put her reasons for being so against immigration but she didnt respond to our requests for an interview. Shes promoting next weeks anti-immigration rally in Belfast by posting a poster entitled Time to Rise. The poster reads: Our men, women and children cannot be exposed to anymore harm. We stand in unity as one. We oppose mass illegal unvetted immigration and the dangers it is bringing to our communities, A peaceful gathering bring your banners! dangers The poster also advertises a similar protest which is taking place in Derry on Saturday at 1pm. During the last protest at Belfast City Hall, the anti-immigration protesters were massively outnumbered by a counter-protest organised by unions. During that event Orla told the crowd she was not against immigration which she describes as a good thing and a way of life but was opposed to the mass, illegal and unvetted immigration she said was taking place in Ireland. We want to show our opposition to the mass, illegal unvetted immigration... this is not about anything else but keeping women and children safe because in our communities there are lots of things happening that shouldnt be happening and its putting peoples safety in danger. The way our borders are at the minute, they are open, they are letting everybody in, its proving time and time again its tearing our communities apart. She goes on later to deny that she is racist and says: Im a normal woman, a normal mummy who is being contacted daily with things that are happening to women and children and theres nothing being done about it. Its time we stand up and say enough is enough. She claims all the male migrants come to Northern Ireland so they can take advantage of the benefit system. Marchs anti-immigration protest at City Hall According to Companies House, Orlas own business is subject to a compulsory strike-off after failing to file any accounts since she started the pole dancing gym back in 2021. According to the most recently published Home Office figures, a total of 2,248 asylum seekers were in receipt of support in Northern Ireland as of March 31 2024. The vast majority of those live in Belfast while there were just 43 asylum seekers in receipt of support living in Orla Campbells local authority area of Newry, Mourne and Down. As for the trouble at Ballyholme beach, police say they are continuing to investigate what happened and said at least two people had attended hospital for treatment to injuries but said there had been no reports of anyone being stabbed. She will join the cast of Richard OBriens legendary The Rocky Horror Show as The Narrator, from August 11-16. Dancing with the Stars presenter Jennifer Zamparelli will feature in a rock n roll musical at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin this summer. She will join the cast of Richard OBriens legendary The Rocky Horror Show as The Narrator, from August 11-16. Ms Zamparelli, who featured in comedy shows such as The Fear and Bridget and Eamon, will star alongside Australian star Jason Donovan as he reprises his role of Frank N Furter, following a sold-out Australian Tour in 2024. The two will be reunited on stage having previously starred together there in the 2013 production of Pricilla Queen of the Desert. Ms Zamparelli said she was thrilled to be joining the cast, adding that The Rocky Horror Show has always been a favourite of mine. "Its sexy, outrageously funny and its going to be so much fun working with such a brilliant cast including my old pal the legend that is Jason Donovan. Its certainly been a while, but I cant wait to get started, she said. Ms Zamparelli, who worked on The Republic of Telly, both as a writer and actor, has a diverse career spanning theatre, television, and radio. The 45-year-old Dubliner appeared on the British TV series The Apprentice during season four, making it to week seven after presenting herself as a then 27-year-old marketing consultant. In 2008, she reached the final of the RTE gameshow Failte Towers. As a live broadcaster, she has presented Dancing with the Stars for the last six years. She left RTE 2FM in May 2024, following a decade with the station. Having been seen by over 35 million theatregoers, The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kidsBrad and his fiancee Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank-n-Furter. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show features timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Dammit Janet, and Time Warp. Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster. The Iditarod race in Alaska got off to a messy start, Sporting News reported. On the first day, musher Jesse Holmes went mano-a-mano with a moose that became aggressive toward his dogs on the trail.Holmes punched the moose in the nose and went on his way. Soon after, Dallas Seavey and his dogs came upon a moose -- it's not clear whether it was the same one -- that was "threatening and belligerent." When the moose got entangled with his dogs, Seavey dispensed with the heroics and shot it. As per the Iditarod's rules, Seavey then stopped for about 10 minutes to field-dress the moose, but he was later assessed a two-hour penalty at the next checkpoint because "the animal was not sufficiently gutted by the musher." A third musher, Wally Robinson, ran across the moose carcass in the dark, on a trail curving through woods. Race Marshal Warren Palfrey confirmed that "we are making sure that every attempt is made to utilize and salvage the moose meat." So there's that. [Sporting News, 3/7/2024] Defense forces shoot down 38 out of 54 enemy drones during the night, another 16 lost from location - Air Force On the night of Tuesday, April 22, Ukrainian defenders shot down 38 Shahed-type attack drones, as well as drones of other types, launched by Russian occupiers, the Telegram channel of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports. "As of 09:00, the downing of 38 Shahed-type attack UAVs (drones of other types) in the east, north, south and center of the country has been confirmed. Sixteen enemy drone imitators have been lost (without negative consequences)," the message says. In total, the invaders attacked Ukraine at night with 54 UAVs, both strike and imitators. The enemy's air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. As a result of the enemy attack, Odesa and Kyiv regions suffered. As reported, the night before last, the occupiers attacked Ukraine at night with two X-31P anti-radar missiles from the airspace over the Black Sea, as well as 96 UAVs, both attack and simulators. The downing of 42 attack UAVs was confirmed, 47 simulator drones were lost without negative consequences. It comes after they band displayed a message reading F**k Israel, Free Palestine following their Coachella performance. Kneecap have hit back at a Fox News segment about their F**k Israel message at Coachella. Over the last two weekends, the Belfast trio performed to hundreds at the California music festival, and this Friday they displayed a message reading Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F**k Israel, Free Palestine, on stage following their set. Fox News programme Outnumbered aired a segment about the demonstration in which right-wing activist Riley Gaines branded them rogue activist judges. Kneecap, which is a band I've never even heard of, Gaines said at the beginning of the clip. If they want to be for the Palestinian people, then they shouldn't be anti-Israel. They should be anti-Hamas. And to see on stage a large billboard that says F Israel, unreal. No, this didn't happen in, Nazi Germany in the 1930s. This was in 2025 in America. Beyond, beyond staggering, she continued. When asked How do we turn these young people around? Gaines said I think we have to remove these activists from these authority positions. I think that's the best word for it. We've seen these rogue activist judges, of course, that's been pretty heavily reported on. "A band I've never even heard of" The only part of this shite that made any sense. pic.twitter.com/HcWx11X6c5 KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 21, 2025 People are beginning to open their eyes, but these activists have infiltrated into academia, these large, prestigious, at one point, maybe, considered prestigious academic institutions, she continued. We have to remove them and reinstill the values of education. I mean it's really as simple as that. Resharing a clip of the programme on social media the group, which is comprised of DJ Provai, Moglai Bap and Mo Chara said: A band Ive never even heard of - the only part of this sh*te that made any sense. The message was meant to appear the week prior too, but taking to social media they said it was not displayed after the online stream of their performance was reportedly cut as they led the crowd to chant Maggie's in a Box to the tune of Sunshine Band's 1983 hit 'Give It Up'. Two hikers spent Friday night in the Kaimai Range after a flooded river blocked their exit. Our thoughts are with the mans family at this very sad time. His death has been referred to the coroner. Police said in a statement the mans death was under investigation. The public was asked to avoid rivers or streams as they could be dangerous following ex-Cyclone Tam due to rapid currents and high water levels. The body of a man who went missing on April 19 in water near Wairere Falls , northeast of Matamata, was found by search and rescue staff on Sunday. Two rescues and a death in the Kaimai Range during the long weekend have prompted a warning from police to prepare for the worst before heading outdoors. Sergeant Anna Plowman said the first call for help came about 3.30pm, when police were notified that two people had not returned from a hike. The pair were found about 7pm near a flooded river. Police kept in contact with the pair overnight before Search and Rescue, and Swift Water Rescue teams helped get them to safety the next day. Police were then called to an area near Rataroa Stream where a hiker got stuck during a four-hour hike on Monday. The person was found two hours later. Although we are pleased to have provided a swift response in both these incidents and helped the three people return home safe, these incidents are a reminder to the public to prepare for any situation, that may arise, Plowman said. New Zealands environment and weather can be unpredictable, and with the recent wet weather, our rivers and streams are flooded, fast flowing, and high. It will take a few days for the rivers to return to normal levels once the rain has completely stopped. Your safety is your responsibility in the outdoors. By preparing for the worst-case scenario, you can enjoy your trip knowing you will be okay if anything goes wrong. Plowman said even the most experienced people could find themselves needing help, and any day trip had the potential to turn into an overnight situation. If you are going outdoors, no matter if it is hiking, hunting, or climbing, please follow the five simple steps of the Land Safety Code: Choose the right trip for you. Learn about the route and make sure you have the skills for it. It is important to choose a trip that suits everyone in your group. When you are looking at options, make sure to think about everyones fitness levels and experience in the outdoors. Understand the weather. New Zealands weather can change fast. Check the forecast and change your plans if needed. Weather can make or break a trip. It is one of the most important things to consider when going into the outdoors. Pack warm clothes and extra food. Prepare for bad weather and an unexpected night out. Any trip, even if it is short and easy, needs preparation. Packing the right things can make trips safer and more enjoyable. Share your plans and take ways to get help. Telling a trusted person about your trip details and taking a personal locator beacon can save your life. We all want our trips to go as planned, but sometimes they dont. If you get hurt or lost on your trip, how would you get help? Take care of yourself and each other. Eat, drink, and rest, stick with your group and make decisions together. The best way to enjoy your experience in the outdoors and make it home safely is to look out for one another. Distress beacons can be hired for as little as $10 from many Department of Conservation visitor centres, and outdoor tramping and hunting stores. If you have purchased a beacon, make sure to register it at www.beacons.org.nz. For more information on outdoor safety, helpful free resources and videos, head to Know Before You Go - AdventureSmart - NZ Search & Rescue Council | AdventureSmart. When Mum and Dad moved here in 1966, Mum was six months pregnant with me. It has always been their dream to come back home and not only farm but also return the land to its original form. Every day since 2008, he and his wife Antonia have woken up to ocean views of Mount Maunganui and the Coromandel Peninsula at Mountfort Puriri Farm near Matata. Having carved out a career in finance until he was 42, Bay of Plenty sheep and beef farmer Brent Mountfort still had farming the land he grew up on in the back of his mind. When I was growing up, there were two things I wanted to be a farmer, and I liked conservation. I was always spending time in nature. I liked going out and on bush walks, both Antonia and I have always loved that. As second-generation farmers at the farm, their focus has been conservation, and at the forefront of their minds is passing the land on in better condition than when they began. Together with Brents parents, Chris and Antoinette Mountfort, the foursome planted 40,000 native trees and fenced off 80ha of the 267ha farm, including 6ha of deer-fenced land for natives to thrive and a further 32ha planted out in pine. Mountfort said all this wasnt achieved overnight, and there was a lot more to come. Hes quick to remind any farmer reading that in doing so, it hasnt touched any of the productive farmland, which farms 130 Angus cattle, 650 ewes and 250 hoggets. Nationally, sheep numbers have reduced significantly from 50 million to 27 million in 30 years and on four million hectares less land. Reflecting on 55 years of International Earth Day this April 22, Mountfort said there wasnt enough recognition for what many Kiwi farmers were doing off their own backs and bank accounts for the environment. They dont get enough credit because so many people dont even know what is going on on these farms. You also get people who build a perception, and they dont want to get out and check because it may challenge their perceptions. Statistics back him up. In New Zealand, 24% of our native vegetation is on sheep and beef farmland. Not only that, but the country also has one of the smallest environmental footprints of any red meat production internationally. Kiwi sheep and beef farmers have reduced their absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 35% since 1990, and there is significant investment going into further reducing emissions. It has always been Brent Mountfort's dream to come back home and return the land to its original form. Photo / Federated Farmers The New Zealand sheep and beef sector has a goal of net carbon neutrality by 2050 and is already a long way towards achieving this while it continues to invest in further emissions reduction initiatives. Mountfort said that for the majority of farmers, this effort was done out of pride for the land and had nothing to do with any rulebooks thrown at them. In fact, he argued that it would take the fun out of it. The bit I worry about is the more they regulate it, the more they will take the joy out of it. At the end of the day, that is the legacy we want to leave for our future generation, and thats important. We dont want to leave this place bare. Farmers talk about it all the time, about leaving the land in a better spot in the way they found it. We can enhance this area and make it better than it was before. We are not stripping the profitable parts of the farm, we are leaving the farming operation a way out of it; you are being more productive on the productive land. Mountfort had been researching what vegetation, natives, and bush were historically on the Puriri farmland and putting it back little by little. This has meant turning the wetlands back into wetlands, conserving the soil to stop erosion, fencing out the pests, and planting rata, rimu, pukatea and kohekohe. He said the regional council, the QEII Trust and local help had been key to getting the land on its way back to its original condition. For the majority of farmers, it is just out of kind, it is putting your own time in. But people see what we are doing and want to be involved. Its a community doing it, schools up here, it is a win-win. If schools want to come up and have a look at the conservation, they are totally welcome. He is happier for it, too. There is a lot of talk about mental health, but getting out in the bush is perfect for it. If it is a bummer of a day, you can drop down into the bush there, and within five minutes, you feel a bit more centred. One way the Mountforts actively support their wider community is by allowing groups to visit the farm for projects and demonstrations of good farming practices. The family demonstrate that a thriving farm can also be a cornerstone of environmental conservation. That is, fencing it off because you are told to isnt enough when it comes to conserving the land. They will fence it off, but when it comes to biodiversity, it wont change at all if it is just fenced off, he said. You have got to manage it just like the rest of the farm. We are in a situation where kids walking through the bush would think it is nice and lush and they wouldnt realise that at times 80% of the plants that would have been there are no longer there. But at just 58, hes going to do his best to get it all back for future generations. I am only a young buck for a sheep and beef farmer, really. On reflection, former Bay of Plenty MP and National Party leader Todd Muller said that Pope Francis stood apart in his faith as a humble character. He had a message about caring and loving those most unfortunate, Muller said. The Vatican announced on Easter Monday (local time) that Francis had died at 88. The head of the Catholic Church died of a stroke at his Santa Marta residence in the Vatican almost a month after leaving the hospital following a five-week stay battling double pneumonia. In what became his final public appearance, the Argentine pontiff greeted crowds in St Peters Square on Easter Sunday. Francis challenged you, Muller said. To think of less fortunate people, then to orientate your politics and your activity towards it. Muller said the pope was a prayerful and reflective person. Former National Party leader Todd Muller says Pope Francis challenged people to think of those less fortunate than themselves and to orientate their politics and activity towards helping them. Photo / Alex Cairns I think we need people like that in our society to help orient it at times. Aquinas College principal Matt Dalton said Francis was a champion for social justice and marginalised groups in society. We give thanks for his witness, Dalton said. The Catholic school community prayed and reflected on Francis death and would provide guidance for students when they return to school. Aquinas College principal Matt Dalton. Photo / George Novak St Marys Catholic School Tauranga said in a post to social media that their school community would join the faithful around the world in mourning his loss and giving thanks for his humility, compassion, and service. We invite all our students, staff, and families to keep Pope Francis in your prayers. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to Francis and said it was a time of great sorrow for all those who have admired Pope Francis compassion and humility. Winston Peters, who is Acting Prime Minister while Luxon is in Britain, said on behalf of the Government and the New Zealand people, We extend our deepest condolences to the Holy See and the global Roman Catholic community on the passing of Francis. We join in mourning his loss and honour his enduring legacy of humility and compassion. A joint statement from Father Prakash Somu and Father Mohan Kumar of Rotoruas Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish said a special Requiem Mass would be held at Saint Marys Church on Wednesday at 12.05pm to honour the life, ministry, and legacy of Pope Francis. All are welcome to come and pray, give thanks, and reflect on the hope and humility he brought to the church and the world. The statement said many parishioners had the privilege of seeing Francis during World Youth Days and pilgrimages to Rome. Most notably, the bishops of New Zealand have met with him personally, and they often spoke of his warmth, simplicity, and his genuine care for all people. He was a pope who truly lived the Gospel a shepherd who smelled of the sheep, as he liked to say and we will remember him with deep affection. They said their prayer was that the new pope would continue the spirit of mercy and inclusivity Francis embodied championing the poor, caring for creation, and being a bridge-builder in a divided world. We hope the new Holy Father will listen deeply to the cries of the Earth and of humanity, guiding the church with wisdom, compassion, and courage in todays complex world. John Paul College principal Justin Harper said: We were saddened to hear the news last night, especially after seeing that Pope Francis was able to attend the Easter Mass at the Vatican. The college would start the next term with a memorial service to celebrate Francis life and contribution, and flags were at half-mast as a sign of respect, he said. Pope Francis will be remembered as a first for the church. He was the first South American pope and also the first Jesuit pope. His legacy includes positive changes to the church, which include a recent synod. - Additional reporting by Megan Wilson J. M. Aguilera Seville Tuesday, 22 April 2025 | Updated 24/04/2025 06:54h. Compartir "I had prepared for the storm; I could never have imagined that a pod of killer whales would have attacked me in the Strait of Gibraltar," said Alessandro Tosetti, an Italian architect and sailing enthusiast, who reported an interaction with orcas off the Spanish coast of Cadiz last weekend. In recent years (since 2020), this phenomenon has been increasing, although the reasons behind these more frequent encounters remain hypothetical at the moment. Experts are considering different theories: from the possibility of engaging in a game to a training for catching tuna, which have proliferated in the area after a long time of scarcity due to poaching. It was even suggested that the matriarch of the group, named Gladis, might have had an unpleasant experience with a boat, which has prompted the collective attacks on sea vessels. Spain's Ministry of Ecological Transition (Miteco) has been studying the motives, monitoring the radius of action of this group and the dates (between April and September) when these 'interactions' took place, as they want to avoid using the aggressive term 'attack'. So far, there have been no human injuries as a result of these episodes, but there has been considerable material damage, as in most cases they break the rudder and leave the sailboat adrift, with the risk of shipwreck. "They were large animals of more than five metres in length. I've been told it is a family group, which, for about half an hour, damaged the sailing boat Aspra, especially its rudder," said Alessandro, recalling the "snap" with which it all started. "I followed the procedure I read about: turn off the autopilot and sonar, closed the sails... Nothing worked," he said. Risk of being shipwrecked The boat was "adrift in the middle of the Strait, with other ships in transit. I asked for help from the Tarifa MRCC vessel, thinking that I would be swept away". However, he managed to free the rudder and steered the yacht for twelve nautical miles, "until it reached the port of Tarifa, escorted by the tug that had arrived. Then, it started flooding". "It was there that I discovered the rudder blade had been smashed to bits," he said, showing photos of the damage. Zoom The authorities have insisted on extreme caution in this area, which stretches from Conil to Tarifa. There have been times when they have even banned sailing due to the risk of drifting in this transit zone or of the boat sinking. Killer whales usually interact single-hulled sailing boats of less than 15 metres in length, with a spade rudder. A killer whale entangled in a buoy and fishing gear rescued Miteco recently organised and coordinated a rescue operation for a specimen of orca (orcinus orca) that had a buoy, a barrel, ropes, and remnants of longline fishing gear entangled in its right pectoral fin, putting it in a "clear state of risk", as it prevents its free movement and feeding. Zoom On Friday 18 April, Miteco learned of the sighting of a group of at least 11 killer whales hunting tuna fish some five nautical miles north of Cabo Espartel, moving between the territorial waters of Spain and Morocco. The entangled specimen belonged to that group. Due to the unfavourable sea conditions over the weekend, an operation was launched early on Monday morning to search the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar and locate the specimen. The task proved to be successful. Miteco is now working to disentangle the mammal. Vulnerable The orca population in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Gulf of Cadiz is listed as vulnerable in the Spanish catalogue of endangered species (CEEA). Any action taken for the purpose of killing, capturing, persecuting or disturbing any species included in the CEEA is banned. A conservation plan outlines protection measures specifically in the case of orcas in the Strait and the Gulf of Cadiz. Furthermore, there is a royal decree, which establishes measures for the protection of cetaceans, including the ban on approaching with a boat within 60 metres of them; feeding the animals; throwing food, drinks, rubbish or any other type of object or solid or liquid substance that is harmful to cetaceans; producing loud or strident noises and sounds in an attempt to attract or drive them away, including the emission of sounds underwater. Antonio R. Vega Seville Tuesday, 22 April 2025, 19:38 Compartir The Junta de Andalucia has never had as many civil servants on its payroll as it does now. For the first time it has surpassed the psychological barrier of 300,000, according to the Junta's latest report on staffing statistics, which includes a snapshot of the number of employees hired up to 1 July 2024. The regional justice ministry that is also in charge of the civil service publishes a bulletin every six months with a breakdown of HR data in the region's public sector. The latest official figure, published at year end, shows that there are 302,166 people working directly for Andalucia's regional government in some capacity or other. This represents a remarkable leap in numbers since records began. Six months earlier, on 1 January 2024, there were 293,633 registered employees. To put this milestone in context, it is worth looking at the data provided by the labour force survey (EPA) for the second quarter of 2024. The number of staff employed by the Junta is close to 9% of the working population for the whole region. The exact figure is 8.7% of the working population of 3,478,900. By 'working population' the EPA means those working in Andalucia for private or public organisations, as well as the self-employed, at the end of June 2024. Zoom This record-breaking high in staffing numbers can be explained by several changes to recruitment. There was a swathe of internal competitions to create more permanent positions for interim staff on temporary contracts. The first round of these trials was held in 2017 and this has reduced the Junta's temporary employment rate to below 8% in line with the recommendations set by the European Union to avoid abuses in this type of contract. Likewise, the recruitment of healthcare professionals both during and after the pandemic, along with the increase in the number of teachers for primary and secondary education, have been a major factor in boosting the public sector workforce in Andalucia. Since Juanma Moreno (Partido Popular, PP) arrived at the San Telmo Palace in Seville (the seat of the regional presidency), the Junta and its various governing bodies and agencies have directly employed 60,391 more people. This means 25% more employees than the 241,775 staff under the last PSOE government, presided over by Susana Diaz. During the fallout from the earlier economic crisis over the last ten years or so, the workforce in every public governing body had shrunk. Faced with the scenario of having to make severe budget cuts, between 2012 and 2014 Spain's central government, by means of its control over the general state budget, banned the replacement of any roles following redundancies and froze public service recruitment calls. These recruitment caps meant that, in July 2016, the number of staff employed by the Junta stood at only 237,270, a far cry from current figures. As a result, the civil servants and other staff had to take on heavier workloads . This situation also included these employees seeing their salaries frozen and losing extra pay and other rights such as social action grants, rights that have not yet been fully recouped. 68.7% of the employees working for the Junta are women, according to the latest statistical report So, the Junta's statistical bulletin as of 1 July 2024 also provides a fairly detailed profile of those employed in the public sector by type of staff and profession. Of the 302,166 public employees under the Junta, the largest group is that of civil servants. They number 148,565, representing almost half (49.17%) of all employees. The majority (118,513) are non-university teachers, while a further 21,116 are employed in regional and local government departments and administrative agencies. Civil service status also applies to those working for the judiciary (7,984 staff or 2.64%) and, lastly, 952 people working in health institutions. The next largest group consists of statutory staff (transferred from the state health service to Andalucia's regional health service - SAS) and these number 122,666. Next are another 30,494 employees, of whom 8,507 are assigned to health institutions, 12,652 to education and 9,335 to the various regional ministries and agencies. There are 224 staff classified as "other health personnel". There are also 217 temporary staff , mainly advisors who occupy a post with the Junta on a freelancing basis. Health (SAS) directly employs 132,349 professionals, mainly doctors and nurses, who account for 43.8% of the workforce of the regional government. They outnumber the non-university teaching staff by just over 1,000 (131,165 teachers, 43.4% of the Junta's total workforce). Both groups account for 87% of the human resources that keep regional services going. Of the 302,166 public employees working for the Junta, more than two thirds are women (68.7%) - that translates to 207,454 female workers and 94,712 males. Seville is home to the main headquarters of the regional ministries and therefore holds onto 24% of all employees working for the regional government in some capacity. With Seville being home to the main headquarters of all regional ministries and related bodies, this is also reflected in how many posts are located there. Seville is home to 24% of the total number of employees working for the regional government in some capacity: 72,420 in absolute figures. Seville is followed by Malaga province with 51,864 employees (17.1% of public employees in the region) and Cadiz province with 41,368 (13.7%). The cuts made following the past crisis have left their scars. The Junta's workforce is ageing. The regional government has launched a plan to find replacements for 40% of the civil servants who are going to retire in its regional departments by 2030. In the coming years "there is going to be a massive influx of people into public service because we are going to have a massive outflow of civil servants", said Jose Antonio Nieto back in February as regional minister for the civil service. "The administration in Andalucia cannot lose staff so, as they retire, we have to bring in others and try to bring in the best," he said. New blood Seven out of ten workers working for the Junta are over 50 years old. The governing party in the region has set a strategy for the years up to 2030 to rejuvenate its workforce. The goal is to attract the so-called 'millenials' (those born between 1980 and 1995) and 'centennials' (born between 1996 and 2012) to work in the region's public sector. At the same time, it plans to retrain its civil servants training so they can adapt their way of working to the new demands of society. The action plan is included in the Junta's 2023-2030 strategic HR plan, which was approved by the governing council after round-table discussions and negotiations with the trade unions relevant to the professions and trades in public service. The changes in the reorganisation of staff employed by the Junta also affect the processes of selection, training, organisation, skills qualification and professional development of those working in public service in order to respond effectively and efficiently, not only to the needs of governing in the 21st century, but also to create flexible structures that are adaptable to future challenges. Changes to competitive entry and promotion In the new staff selection systems, the qualifications and professional skills of each applicant for a specific post will carry more weight than at present. In this way, the Junta de Andalucia hopes to attract versatile and polyvalent (multi-skilled) staff. These professionals tend to opt for employment in private companies as salaries are higher than in public bodies. The new selection processes will incorporate new "emerging" profiles such as the newly created specialities in the legal framework and computer engineering that provide senior roles. This plan is adding to the guidelines set out in Andalucia's most recent law for the civil service, which was approved by regional parliament on 31 May 2023. In line with the aforementioned regulation, the regional government will introduce a salary supplement for professional performance to increase the remuneration of those public employees who work best on the basis of a series of objective criteria, yet to be specified, which will check the performance, conduct or achievement of results of each employee. The model for competitive entry and promotion is also being revised. In order to gain access to a post as a senior civil servant, a six-month internship will be required. This training course or probationary period will have an eliminatory character to it because there will be more trainee civil servants than places to be awarded in the Junta de Andalucia . At least 20% of the applicants who have passed previous exercises used in the call for applications will not pass muster this time around. The Junta plans to start testing the new system of competitive examinations from this year onwards in a few specific positions, with the idea of applying it progressively to other applicable job roles. In light of Pope Francis's death at the age of 88 on 21 April, the bishop of the diocese of Malaga, Jesus Catala, praised the pontificate of the late Pope for enriching "the whole Church". The bishop of Malaga expressed his gratitude to Francis for "his dedication to the Church and his closeness to the poorest and most excluded". "We thank God for having given us Pope Francis. He left his mark and we thank him for his style, his dedication, his generosity to the Church, his welcoming of everyone, his closeness to the poorest and most excluded and to the discarded, as he said," Catala said in a message sent to the media. The bishop said that each pontiff gives "his mark and his enrichment" to the Church and that from "his perspective, his talents, his faculties and his sensibilities, he makes a contribution". "It is not good for us to compare some popes to others, as each one has his own peculiarities and his own way of exercising the Petrine ministry. Now we pray for him so that the Lord may welcome him into his kingdom of immortality and peace," he said. Catala also asked that, after Pope Francis's twelve years of pontificate, "the Holy Spirit enlighten" the cardinals who form part of the conclave to elect the new Pope. The bells of Malaga Cathedral rang out at the Angelus in mourning for the death of Pope Francis. SUR Ringing of bells, mass and book of condolences in the Cathedral The bells of the churches of the diocese rang at the Angelus hour (6pm) as a sign of mourning. Catala asked all priests to celebrate a mass in their parishes for the eternal rest of the soul of Francis. He also added that Malaga's Cathedral will hold a Eucharist, but a date and time have not been announced yet. A book of condolences has been made available in the Cathedral for those who wish to leave their messages following the death of Pope Francis. It will remain open until 1.30pm today. Zoom Book of condolences in the Cathedral. Salvador Salas Among the dedications that have already been left is that of the community of the auxiliary parish priests of Christ the Priest, who serve as Malaga's main church. They have expressed their "sorrow for the departure to heaven of the Holy Father and hope that God, in his infinite mercy, will keep him rejoicing in his presence". Messages in English, Portuguese and Polish demonstrate the great affection that people from different countries have for Pope Francis. "Rest in peace, one of the best popes who ever lived," reads one message. Others have thanked Francis "for having been a fantastic and wonderful person. We will always remember you". Juan Soto Malaga Tuesday, 22 April 2025, 13:00 Compartir American multinational chain Five Guys is set to open a new burger bar this summer on Avenida Ramon y Cajal, next to La Alameda park in Marbella. The favourite chain of former US President Barack Obama will occupy a 363-square-metre premises with an 85-square-metre terrace on the corner of Avenida Miguel Cano, on the site previously occupied by La Canasta, which operated for 10 years. The new restaurant will have capacity for more than 100 diners and its opening will create more than 40 new permanent jobs. Vacancies have not been advertised yet but will be announced closer to the opening date through the company's own channels. The company has just put up posters announcing the forthcoming opening while it processes the different permits. For the time being, the work has not started and the exact date of the opening is not known, although the company's objective is to open in time for summer. Five Guys currently has three burger bars in the province: one at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet and two in Marbella. The general manager of Five Guys Spain and Portugal, Daniel Agromayor, said that he is back in Marbella because it has welcomed them so well. "For us it was a dream," he said, referring to their first opening a year ago. "That is why we have not hesitated to bet on this town again by investing in a new space where you can enjoy tasty burgers and fries now in the centre of the wonderful and sunny Marbella," he added. Replaces La Canasta The new burger bar will replace La Canasta, a Malaga-based group that has just closed its first outlet in the town having opened in July 2015. This will be the third Five Guys outlet to open in Marbella and the fourth in Malaga province. The chain made its debut in Malaga in August 2021 with the opening of its first restaurant in the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet shopping centre and subsequently opened in the La Canada shopping centre and in Puerto Banus, both in Marbella. After the opening of this new restaurant, Five Guys wants to continue growing in the province. In fact, is currently working on the opening of its first restaurant in Malaga city centre. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) provided assistance to victims of yet another Russian drone attack on Odesa at night. The Ukrainian Red Cross emergency response team in the Odesa region, in collaboration with other rescue services, responded to the scene of the nighttime attack on the city. The volunteers carried out door-to-door visits to the affected homes, where they found two victims and evacuated them to the hospital. Another five people received psychological first aid, URCS said on Facebook Tuesday. Currently, the Odesa regional branch of the Ukrainian Red Cross is distributing humanitarian aid to those whose homes were damaged. As reported, the Russian army carried out a massive attack on Odesa with attack drones on Monday evening. As a result of the attack, three people were injured, fires started in the city, and civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, an educational institution, and vehicles were damaged. Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder and CEO of Chobani, the Greek yogurt maker, announced plans to build a $1.2 billion production facility in Rome, N.Y. during a news conference at Griffiss Business and Technology Park on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com) N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com Update: See when Chobani plans to start construction on new yogurt plant Rome, N.Y. Greek yogurt giant Chobani plans to build a $1.2 billion production facility that would bring more than 1,000 jobs to Romes Griffiss Business and Technology Park, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday. The project in the former Air Force base 50 miles east of Syracuse represents the nations largest investment ever in a natural food production facility and promises to cement New York as the No. 1 yogurt producer in the country, Hochul said in a prepared statement. Chobani has been a major employer in the Mohawk Valley for decades, and this massive new $1.2 billion investment will bring more than 1,000 good-paying jobs to Oneida County -- the largest natural food manufacturing investment in American history, Hochul said. State officials said Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya chose the site in Rome after a nationwide search. New York is where Chobanis journey began, Ulukaya, a Turkish immigrant, said in a statement. It was the perfect spot to start Chobani 20 years ago, and its the perfect place to continue our story. READ MORE: Why Chobani is doubling down in Upstate: The milk, the sales and the people By creating more than 1,000 jobs, the project would nearly double Chobanis total New York workforce. The company employs 1,100 people in South Edmeston and Norwich in Chenango County. Chobani also employs 1,100 people at a yogurt plant in Twin Falls, Idaho. In March, it announced plans to build a $500 million expansion in Twin Falls that is expected to create a minimum of 160 new jobs. Once complete, the 1.4 million-square-foot plant in Rome will have up to 28 production lines with a capacity to process over 12 million pounds of milk a day and produce more than 1 billion pounds of yogurt and other dairy products a year. Chobani, the Greek yogurt maker, announced plans to open a new $1.2 billion plant in Rome, N.Y. Hamdi Ulukaya, in glasses, is standing to the left of Gov. Kathy Hochul. Ulukaya's son, Miran, 5, is also part of the groundbreaking ceremony. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com) N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com Chobani is already one of the largest buyers of milk from New York dairy farmers, purchasing over a billion pounds of raw milk from the states dairy farms each year. Once the new plant reaches full capacity, the company would purchase an estimated 6 billion pounds of milk a year, creating additional economic opportunity for the states dairy industry. That would mean this single factory could use about a third of the states current milk production. The massive plant is planned for the Triangle parcel at the business park, which was awarded more than $23 million last year from the states FAST NY program to complete infrastructure and transportation improvements. In addition, New York is pledging to provide up to $73 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits to Chobani. Companies in the program earn tax credits over a period of up to 10 years if they meet and maintain job and investment thresholds. Chobani has pledged to collaborate with Empire State Development, the states economic development office, to develop a program to train and provide job opportunities at Chobani to underserved populations. State officials said the company selected Rome based on several factors, including: The areas skilled workforce, including a high concentration of military veterans, as well as graduates from nearby colleges. Easy access to the major population centers of the East Coast. Availability of affordable housing in the area. Dairy is the largest single segment of the states $8 billion agricultural industry, with nearly 3,000 dairy farms that produce 16.1 billion pounds of milk annually. New York is the fifth largest producer of milk in the nation and the largest producer of yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese and cottage cheese. Ulukaya founded Chobani in 2005 in a former Kraft Foods dairy plant in South Edmeston. Within two years, he was making the best-selling Greek yogurt in the United States. The companys name means shepherd in Greek. Greek yogurt is strained of excess whey, giving it a thicker texture than regular yogurt. Ulukaya early on began hiring immigrants and refugees to help fill the growing number of jobs at his plant in rural South Edmeston, busing some in from nearby Utica and hiring translators for those who did not speak English. Chobani raised its minimum starting wage for full-time manufacturing and corporate hourly workers to $20 an hour in 2023. The company bought La Colombe, a maker of ready-to-drink coffee products, in December 2023 for $900 million. Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | X | Facebook | 315-470-3148 Chobani, the Greek yogurt maker, announced plans to open a new $1.2 billion plant in Rome, N.Y. CEO Hamdi Ulukaya says construction will begin this year. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com) N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com Rome, N.Y. -- Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya is wasting no time moving his plans to build a new, $1.2 billion yogurt plant in Rome along. Ulukaya, who founded the Greek yogurt brand 20 years ago in the Chenango County community of South Edmeston, said Tuesday construction will begin on the 1.4-million-square-foot dairy processing plant this year. Auburn, N.Y. When artist Stephen Carpenter of North Bay developed a scratch on the cornea of his right eye, his world changed. A bacterial infection led him to a corneal specialist and two eye surgeries. The inability to perceive depth hampered his artwork. I tried watercolor and found, without the second eye, there was no way to be sure of where objects were in space relative to each other, said Carpenter. Half an hour later I quit in exhaustion with a headache. So he turned to digital artwork, where the screen is flat and everything is at the same depth, Carpenter said. That idea became the catalyst I needed to move forward as an artist. His digital piece Eye Sparkle Retinal Apparitions is one of 67 artworks by 66 artists included in Made in NY 2025, an annual juried exhibition at Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn that features artwork from artists across New York State. The show, selected by jurors David MacDonald and Sayward Schoonmaker, opened April 4 and runs through May 17, 2025. Eye Sparkle comes from Carpenters fascination with retinal afterimages after losing his sight. If one looks at a bright color for a while and looks away, the complementary color appears to float in the eye, he said. He created different patterns to try to duplicate what he saw, while still trying to achieve some depth by his use of color. The hardest challenge is creating a bright dark, he added. Many artists in Made in NY 2025 cite their experiences and personal stories in their work. Nancy Campbell of Saugerties enjoys painting scenes in the upper Hudson Valley, where she has lived most of her life. She prefers ordinary scenes from daily life, like her gouache painting Tall Grasses and Shadows. Rachel Ivy Clarke of Syracuse, NY; Systolic/Diastolic Schweinfurth Art Center Textile artist Rachel Ivy Clarke of Syracuse incorporated her life experience into her piece Systolic/Diastolic, using bargello needlepoint to communicate her blood pressure reading and platelet count at every Red Cross blood and platelet donation since she began donating in March 2020. Brooklyn artist Melina Ahmads goal in their work is to find beauty in imperfect or unique bodies, which grew out of their diagnosis with a chronic illness when they were 15 years old that left them bed bound and unable to paint for over a year. The process of learning to live and create again has shaped my work in ways that will never change, they said. Art has become a way to honor my story and the stories of others who are learning to accept their bodies whether they are disabled, queer, or face any other identity society arbitrarily labels as deviant, ugly, or shameful. Their watercolor painting in Made in NY 2025, Q Train, captures a moment they experienced during COVID riding the Q subway train when New York City was collectively grappling with trauma. Melina Ahmad of Brooklyn, NY; Q Train Schweinfurth Art Center As a high school student newly diagnosed with a chronic illness, I saw in them the shared experience of learning to survive, they said. Looking at it now, I see a snapshot of that time when everyone was simply trying to live. Artist Emily Tironi of Saratoga Springs was born with a rare muscle disease that causes severe fatigue and muscle weakness. She uses a power wheelchair for any long distance. Growing up, I struggled to understand the way people treated me and the uncomfortableness I felt in public, she said, which led her to major in disability studies in college. I embraced my disability identity and the disability community, she said. I wanted to be a better advocate for myself and my community and make the world a better place for people with disabilities like many other people had done before me. Her mixed media altered book Some Kids Are Blind is her attempt to both celebrate people with disabilities and challenge viewers perceptions of blind people. A book like this was and still is necessary, but can we also go beyond it? she asked. I feel we are often unconsciously regarded as less than human, while disability is the most human experience, Tironi said. Twenty-five percent of adults in the U.S. have some type of disability, and it is the only minority group you can join at any time and mostly likely will if you grow old enough. Rachel Harris-Huffman of Syracuse, NY; Soft Pinch Schweinfurth Art Center Here are artists from your area: ONEIDA COUNTY Stephen Carpenter of North Bay, NY; Eye Sparkle - Retinal Apparitions Greg Cost of New Hartford, NY; CA Landscape #2 Steven Specht of New Hartford, NY; ALLMI ONONDAGA COUNTY Maria Aridgides of Manlius, NY; Memories of Santorini Meredith Cantor-Feller of Camillus, NY; Out of Business Hermon Card of Syracuse, NY; Woman in the Museum of Glass Sydney Chabot of Syracuse, NY; Rain Rachel Ivy Clarke of Syracuse, NY; Systolic/Diastolic Julia Graziano of Manlius, NY; A Little to the Left Alex Hamer of Syracuse, NY; Dragon Lady of the Halloween Ball Virginia Harrington of Baldwinsville, NY; Gh one Rachel Harris-Huffman of Syracuse, NY; Soft Pinch Mads Leach of Syracuse, NY; Self Portrait as a Woman Roberta Ripberger of Skaneateles, NY; Dont worry no one is looking at you OSWEGO COUNTY Bailey Maier of Oswego, NY; Kultarr-Belvedere Archer TOMPKINS COUNTY Rachel Dickinson of Freeville, NY; Nice Porch Lindsey Glover of Trumansburg, NY; Tires Jackie Riccio of Ithaca, NY; Working Hands Roberta Ripberger of Skaneateles, NY; Don't worry no one is looking at you Schweinfurth Art Center If you go: WHAT: Made in NY 2025 exhibition WHERE: Schweinfurth Art Center, 205 Genesee St., Auburn WHEN: April 4 through May 17, 2025 HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays; closed April 20 for Easter ALSO ON DISPLAY: How Did We Get Here, an exhibit by emerging artist Werner Sun in both the Schweinfurth and Cayuga Museum of History & Art ADMISSION: $10 per person; Schweinfurth members, children 12 and under, and participating artists are free Former U.S. Attorney Carla Freedman is heading to the NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct. Syracuse, N.Y. Former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York Carla Freedman is heading to Albany for a new position with the state Commission on Judicial Conduct. Freedman will be the deputy administrator for litigation, according to a commission news release Tuesday. The commission is an independent state agency that investigates allegations of judicial misconduct across the state. To the Editor: Lets hear it for Harvard. The university is the tip of the censorship iceberg, the canary in the coal mine! If free speech limitations can be imposed and the federal government can dictate what universities teach, how students should behave and what professors can say in their classrooms, the academic freedom of every college and university is at risk. The administration also sent similar letters to over 50 other universities. This censorship campaign extends beyond the universities. They also sent a notice to all elementary and high school (K-12) systems in the country, requiring them to affirm that they are not teaching DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) or, like the colleges, they lose federal funding. The administration is trying to censor/control what the humanities and social sciences teach, that woke stuff. What I find more amazing is including the defunding of the medical schools, university hospitals, and scientific research units as collateral damage. I dont think they thought through that very unpopular inclusion. They have been taking the John Wayne cowboy approach, shoot first and ask questions later; a chain saw approach to the deconstruction of the administrative state, as the goal declared by Steve Bannon, to destroy, not to reform. Thus, this campaign is about far more than Harvard. Going after Harvard was the intentional choice to attack and win and use to intimidate lesser targets. I dont, however, think they thought through the blowback from the attack on science and health or would have exempted them from the woke parts of the universities. Bruce R. Hare, Ph.D. Syracuse The writer is emeritus professor of Sociology and African American Studies at Syracuse University and adjunct Professor of Social Science Onondaga Community College. Ukrainian police, in coordination with international counterparts, have dismantled a criminal organization that defrauded Latvian citizens of over UAH 6 million through fake cryptocurrency investment platforms, the National Police's Cyber Police Department reported on Tuesday. Operating since 2022, the suspects created fraudulent broker platforms that mimicked legitimate trading websites. They recruited victims through an extensive network of call centers across Ukraine. "The group aggressively marketed their fake investment services on social media and employed social engineering techniques to lure victims with promises of high returns. They persuaded targets to install remote access software, giving the scammers control over their devices and access to sensitive financial information," the police said. To launder their illicit gains, the criminals registered as sole proprietors and declared their income as payment for IT services. Investigators tracked the movement of virtual assets from victim wallets to final recipients and collected digital evidence of the group's illegal activities. With support from TacTeam special units of the Patrol Police Department, law enforcement conducted over 30 raids across several Ukrainian regions, targeting criminal hubs, suspects' residences, vehicles, and other related locations. Authorities seized computer equipment, servers, crypto wallets, mobile phones, handwritten records, bank cards, flash drives, and luxury cars bought with stolen funds. The seized assets have been frozen by court order. The group's organizer and three accomplices have been formally charged under Part 4 of Article 190 of Ukraine's Criminal Code (fraud), in the version in effect prior to August 11, 2023. Courts have imposed pre-trial detention and 24-hour house arrest as preventive measures based on motions from investigators. Rep. Elise Stefanik (left), R-Saratoga, is exploring a run for New York governor against incumbent Kathy Hochul, D-Buffalo. (Associated Press photos) The Associated Press By Chris Churchill | The Times-Union, Albany Albany, N.Y. Elise Stefanik may have waved a sad goodbye to the swanky, $16 million penthouse granted to the United Nations ambassador. But as far as taxpayer-funded residences go, the 40-room Executive Mansion here in Albany isnt a bad consolation prize. Thats not to suggest that Stefanik is weighing future jobs based on the housing. The Republican congresswoman from Saratoga is considering a 2026 run for governor because she thinks she can win. That may seem crazy. New York, as you know, is deep blue, and Stefanik is MAGA red. Any Republican considering a run for governor here knows the odds are long and the pitfalls are numerous. And Stefanik, 40, would be giving up a safe congressional seat and GOP leadership positions. Its fair to wonder if the risk would be worth taking. But Stefanik is the best-known Republican in the state, which means its natural she would eye a run for governor. And she can make a good case for her chances. Shed be facing a deeply unpopular Democrat, assuming Gov. Kathy Hochul is the nominee. In a new Marist poll in which voters express deep dissatisfaction with just about everything, nearly 60% of New Yorkers dont want the governor to run for reelection, and just 9% think the Democrat is doing an excellent job. Hochuls overall approval rate, meanwhile, sits at just 39%. Ugh. You could dismiss one bad poll, but the Marist survey is no outlier. Nearly every state poll suggests Hochul has failed to connect with voters and is vulnerable in the general election. Her surprisingly narrow 2022 victory over Lee Zeldin proves even a Trump-aligned Republican can make her sweat. Hochuls biggest asset is her ability to raise money, but thats also a Stefanik strength. The Republican would enter the race with $10 million in her campaign account, and her team believes that, boosted by the states public matching system, shed have a $30 million war chest within a month. It is also believed that the well-known Stefanik could drive Upstate turnout better than Zeldin did, and that, like Donald Trump, she could tap into a base of working-class voters who dont regularly show up for other Republican candidates. But, of course, Stefanik has weaknesses, including one she shares with Hochul: She lacks Downstate roots. Zeldin, a Long Islander, benefited from 10- and 17-point margins in Nassau and Suffolk counties, respectively, and its easy to doubt whether Stefanik, who grew up near Albany, could repeat that success. Zeldin also managed to get 30% of the New York City vote, doubling the percentage received by Upstate Republican Marc Molinaro four years earlier. Molinaros showing could be a warning for Stefanik or any other Upstate candidate. But her allies argue that Stefaniks high-profile stance against antisemitism on college campuses has boosted her popularity with Jewish voters from across the political spectrum, and that she could benefit from a broader working-class rightward swing that led to Trumps relatively strong showing in the Bronx and elsewhere. Question: How does New York Citys presumptive new mayor, a guy named Andrew Cuomo, factor into all this? The mind swirls at the possibilities. But Trump should be Stefaniks biggest concern. If his presidency is a train wreck, a distinct possibility, Hochul will have a delicious foil to run against. And the governor has already said shell be running against an extreme MAGA Republican, no matter the GOP opponent. Democrats will presumably walk over glass to defeat any candidate associated with Trump, and the vitriol in my inbox after a recent Stefanik-themed column is evidence that she continues to rile up progressives like few other politicians. Her supporters say thats a sign of her effectiveness; her critics say its a result of her bombastic embrace of Trump. The problem for Hochul, though, is that shes roughly as unpopular as Trump with New Yorkers overall, according to polls, which is hardly a hopeful sign for her candidacy. New Yorkers might not like the direction of the country under Trump. But they dont like the direction of the state under Hochul. That suggests they might might! elect a shock-to-the-system candidate like Stefanik, who would run a campaign emphasizing New Yorks deterioration and increasing unaffordability under Democratic rule. Citing the population outflow, among other problems, Stefanik says New York is in crisis and needs to be rescued. Its hard to argue with that, and many New Yorkers wouldnt. Indeed, the Marist poll even found that 32% of New Yorkers say they hope to move to another state within the next five years, with the cost of living and a declining quality of life cited as leading causes of dissatisfaction. Given that unhappy backdrop, Stefanik could win, if she tries. Whether she will, well, well soon find out. 2025 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) . Visit www.timesunion.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Boston Harvard University announced Monday that it has filed suit to halt a federal freeze on more than $2.2 billion in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administrations demands to limit activism on campus. In a letter to Harvard earlier this month, the Trump 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. Harvard President Alan Garber said the university would not bend to the demands. Hours later, the government froze billions of dollars in federal funding. The Government has not and cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain Americas position as a global leader in innovation, said the lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court. Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvards research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress, it added. In its lawsuit, Harvard said the funding freeze violated its First Amendment rights and the statutory provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The freeze, according to the lawsuit, was also arbitrary and capricious and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. The lawsuit follows one filed earlier this month by the American Association of University Professors demanding that a federal judge declare unlawful and put aside a pending review and investigation of Harvards funding. The Trump administration did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment. Education Department spokesperson Madi Biedermann declined to comment on the lawsuit. In its letter dated April 11, the administration told Harvard to impose tougher discipline on protesters and to screen international students for those who are hostile to the American values. It also called for broad leadership reforms at the university, changes to admissions policies and the removal of college recognition for some student clubs. The government also demanded Harvard audit its faculty and student body to ensure wide viewpoints in every department and, if necessary, diversify by admitting additional students and hiring new faculty. Last Monday, Harvard said it would not comply, citing the First Amendment. The following day, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, questioning whether the university should lose its tax-exempt status if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting Sickness? The university frames the governments demands as a threat not only to the Ivy League school but to the autonomy that the Supreme Court has long granted American universities. For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism. A part of that is targeting research funding which has fueled scientific breakthroughs but has become an easy source of leverage for the Trump administration. Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world, Garber wrote Monday to the Harvard community. We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honor their legal obligations and best fulfill their essential role in society without improper government intrusion, he wrote. That is how we achieve academic excellence, safeguard open inquiry and freedom of speech, and conduct pioneering research. Anurima Bhargava, one of the alumni who has encouraged Harvard to take a tougher stand against the administration, praised the filing of the lawsuit. The Trump administration continues its reckless and unlawful attack for power and control over Harvard, slashing billions in funding for scientific research and innovation that improves and saves lives, she said. Today, Harvard once again refused to accede to the administrations dangerous and escalating demands. The American Council on Education, a nonprofit with more than 1,600 member colleges and universities, applauded Harvard. It has been clear for weeks that the administrations actions violated due process and the rule of law. We applaud Harvard for taking this step and look forward to a clear and unambiguous statement by the court rebuking efforts to undermine scholarship and science, said Ted Mitchell, the council president. The White House is looking to replace Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to a new report. Hegseth arrives on the South Lawn of the White House before President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll, Monday, April 21, 2025, in Washington. (Alex Brandon | AP Photo) Alex Brandon | AP Photo The White House has started the process of seeking a replacement for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to new reporting from NPR. Hegseth is facing controversy over again sharing details of military operations in a group chat, NPR said. Hegseth shared classified information in a chat with his wife, brother and lawyer. Hegseth was using Signal, an encrypted messaging app, when he made the revelations, NPR said. He was sharing minute-by-minute classified information about airstrikes on targets in Yemen. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that theres an effort to replace Hegseth, posting on X that President Donald Trump stands strongly behind him. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump backed Hegseth and said concerns over the Signal chats are a waste of time, according to NPR. Hegseth shared similar details of military operations with top administration officials in a separate Signal chat from the one with his family members. That chat was revealed because a journalist was accidentally included in the group. Hegseth faced criticism for the inclusion of a reporter in the group, but also for using a publicly available app to discuss military matters instead of secure government communication channels. Hegseth denied wrongdoing at a White House Easter event earlier Monday, NPR said. This is what the media does, they take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people, ruin their reputation. Its not going to work with me, he said, according to NPR. Hegseth is a former Fox News host. Hes a military veteran, but took the top job at the Pentagon with almost no government experience, according to The New York Times. His early work has produced a run of chaos that is unmatched in the recent history of the Defense Department, the Times said. The discord includes screaming matches, growing distrust of military and civilian personnel who staff the Pentagon and bureaucratic backups that have slowed progress on some of Trumps priorities. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 A man with a chainsaw was arrested at a rally protesting President Donald Trump in Upstate New York. WNYT reports Thomas Howard, of South Glens Falls, N.Y., was accused of revving a chainsaw at an anti-Trump protest Saturday in Glens Falls. Protestors said Howard was mocking and threatening them. Video showed Howard wearing a Trump shirt as he was taken to a patrol car in handcuffs. He was charged with menacing in the second degree and disorderly conduct, according to police. WNYT reports Howard faces up to a year in jail if convicted. The incident occurred during Day of Action, a nationwide series of anti-Trump protests across the United States over economic challenges and civil rights concerns. More than 200 people gathered at a similar Stand or Suffer event in Baldwinsville Saturday. Protestors chanted Trump must go, while some counter-protestors voiced their support for the president. Another 3,000 protestors participated in a separate Hands Off! rally earlier this month in Syracuse, criticizing Trump and Elon Musk. Musk held a chainsaw at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February as he vowed DOGE, Trumps Department of Government Efficiency, would make widespread federal job cuts to save money. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. New Zealand will continue to train Ukrainian troops, provide military support to Ukraine until late 2026 New Zealand will continue to train Ukrainian soldiers and provide military support to Ukraine until December 2026, the country's government's official portal reports, citing a statement by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. New Zealand is unwavering in its support for Ukraine against Russias illegal and unprovoked invasion. That is why we are extending our deployment of up to 100 New Zealand Defence Force personnel (NZDF) to train Ukrainian soldiers in the UK and throughout Europe, and provide intelligence, liaison and logistics support through to December 2026, he was quoted as saying Tuesday. New Zealand recognises that the situation in Ukraine remains dynamic, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. He said the country welcomes efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace and is following the talks on a possible ceasefire very closely. New Zealand is also actively involved in the UK-led discussions on options for peace support if the conflict concludes, he added. Ambassador of Ukraine to New Zealand, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, thanked the country's government for its support. "I am very grateful to the Christopher Luxon government for expanding New Zealand's military assistance in support of Ukraine's self-defense," he wrote on social media. Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,036 Thanked: 50,440 Times View My Garage Re: Understanding Economics Quote: DigitalOne Originally Posted by . How is de-dollarization going to affect a normal, average American i.e. any American who is not interested in perpetrating American expansionism/hegemony, endless wars, or "saving democracies" elsewhere? . . . So, what am I missing here? How does a weak dollar affect them adversely domestically? I have asked this before. How is de-dollarization going to affect a normal, average American i.e. any American who is not interested in perpetrating American expansionism/hegemony, endless wars, or "saving democracies" elsewhere?So, what am I missing here? How does a weak dollar affect them adversely domestically? T-Bonds are how US government takes loans. Countries and businesses around the world buy T-Bonds because that was the most stable currency, which has steadily appreciated. USA used to ensure this through their global hegemony. Like any loan, T-Bonds have yearly payment to the lender at the coupon rate. If USA defaults on this payment or threatens the stability of dollar, the lenders will start dumping the T-Bonds fast at lower prices in the secondary markets, which will increase the yield. Yield going up is the sure sign of a bond losing its stability and trust. It may sound counter-intuitive at first. If the yield goes to double digits, we are looking at a fire sale. That means no one will trust that bond and is unlikely buy any from the actual issuer. If the US treasury is selling a bond at $10K and the secondary market is selling at $7K, why will anyone buy it from US treasury? The coupon rate aka annual payment remains the same. That means the US treasury has to offer much higher coupon rate to sell their bonds, in order to beat the higher yielding older T-bonds in the secondary market. Say $10K bond with coupon rate 5% is selling at secondary market at $8K. That makes yield (10K x 0.05)/8K = 6.25%. And treasury has to continue paying $500 annually to the bondholders, while being unable to sell anymore bonds. This will force the treasury to sell the new bonds at coupon rate at least 6.25% in order to beat the secondary market. Also means they have to pay $625 annually to these new bondholders, to match the yield. If borrowing becomes expensive, US will have lot less money for fiscal spending, that affect spending on roads, military, dams, etc. They will lack funds even to maintain existing infra. They will also have to increase the repo rates, which will makes borrowing expensive of every citizen, for buying cars, homes, education, etc. As I mentioned few pages ago , dollar is the most valuable US goods. Not only they buy it for third party transactions, but they often return it in exchange for US treasury bonds T-Bonds are how US government takes loans. Countries and businesses around the world buy T-Bonds because that was the most stable currency, which has steadily appreciated. USA used to ensure this through their global hegemony.Like any loan, T-Bonds have yearly payment to the lender at the coupon rate. If USA defaults on this payment or threatens the stability of dollar, the lenders will start dumping the T-Bonds fast at lower prices in the secondary markets, which will increase the yield. Yield going up is the sure sign of a bond losing its stability and trust. It may sound counter-intuitive at first. If the yield goes to double digits, we are looking at a fire sale. That means no one will trust that bond and is unlikely buy any from the actual issuer. If the US treasury is selling a bond at $10K and the secondary market is selling at $7K, why will anyone buy it from US treasury? The coupon rate aka annual payment remains the same. That means the US treasury has to offer much higher coupon rate to sell their bonds, in order to beat the higher yielding older T-bonds in the secondary market.Say $10K bond with coupon rate 5% is selling at secondary market at $8K. That makes yield (10K x 0.05)/8K = 6.25%. And treasury has to continue paying $500 annually to the bondholders, while being unable to sell anymore bonds. This will force the treasury to sell the new bonds at coupon rate at least 6.25% in order to beat the secondary market. Also means they have to pay $625 annually to these new bondholders, to match the yield.If borrowing becomes expensive, US will have lot less money for fiscal spending, that affect spending on roads, military, dams, etc. They will lack funds even to maintain existing infra.They will also have to increase the repo rates, which will makes borrowing expensive of every citizen, for buying cars, homes, education, etc. dwanderlustdrv BHPian Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Pune Posts: 31 Thanked: 353 Times The Midnight Escape: Dox Riders Wild Night Through Tamhini & Andharban So, I thoughtwhy not flip the script? Ditch the sun, ride under the stars. A night ride was long overdue, and after a recent one with the KTM Adv Owners Pune group through Tamhini Ghat to Lonavala, I was hungry for more. Id already done the recce; now it was time to go bigger, bolder, and deeper into the dark. This time, the plan? A full-night ride with my office rider gangDox Ridersthrough the Tamhini-Andharban-Aamby Valley circuit to Lonavala. Now, this wasnt your usual KTM Adventure only group. We had a cocktail of machines and rider skill levelsRE Classic 350, Meteor 350, Yamaha R15, Triumph Scrambler 400X, KTM 390 Adventure and of course, my trusty KTM Duke 200. Yes, I own a 390 Adventure too, but since it still hasnt got the aux lights installed, the Duke 200 with Maddog Alphas was elected the leader for the night. No better way to cut through darkness than with proper photon cannons. Friday Night Madness Begins Work had already drained my soul on Friday, and just when I thought Id get a breatherwhoa! More errands. Got home by 8 PM, had a quick snack as dinner, and barely had time to gear up before leaving for our 9:30 PM meet-up. Thankfully, a couple of riders wanted a 30-min delay. That precious half-hour? Used it to check tyre pressure and lube the chainbecause adventure begins with a well-loved bike. We finally rolled out... straight into a traffic apocalypse on Sus Road. So much for escaping into the night! Enter: BluArmor C30. Three of us were on comms, coordinating like a SWAT team in helmets. I led, one took the tail, and we managed to keep the group tightly packed despite the chaos. Tamhini at Midnight A Whole New Beast Ive danced through Tamhini Ghat countless times, but at night? Its a different animal. Dark, mysterious, silent... and slightly spooky. With voices in your helmet constantly chatting, sharing road updates, and cracking the occasional joke, it felt like a midnight podcast made just for us. Even when the tail rider was a kilometre behind, it felt like he was right there beside me. Youve got to try this to believe it. Then Google Maps decided to get creative. Instead of sticking to the highway, it guided us into a sleepy village route. Did we complain? Nope. We were after all out for an adventure! The Ride Gets Real An hour in, we hit our first pit stop at Hotel River Place near Mulshi. The vibes were high, snacks were flowing, and time slipped past faster than a quick shifter on full throttle. Almost midnight when we resumed, and just for kicks, I turned off the aux lights to ride in pitch black. It was chillingly eerie. As we hit the Andharban turn-off, I halted the crew for a quick regroup. Gave them a quick set of instructions to slow down overall and stay together in a groupbecause ahead lay a narrow jungle road, hugged by forests and wrapped in silence. True to its name, AndharbanThe Dark Forest. And then, confusion. Some riders thought it was a break, started pulling off gloves and helmets. I moved ahead slowly expecting a follow-up, but... nothing. No lights, no voices. Just blackness. Slight panic set inthis wasnt the place to be alone, not with leopards likely lurking. Finally, comms reconnected and turns out, the gang was just suiting back up. Phew! Into the Heart of Darkness This was no joyride anymoreit was an expedition. The terrain changed, roads broke apart, and the R15 and Meteor struggled over the rough patches. We crawled at 15 kmph but kept spirits high with stories of ghost sightings and omens. Someone even spotted a rabbit darting across the roadinstant chills! And then, Google Maps betrayed us again. Sent us down the wrong path. You know youre lost, when Google Maps constantly starts showing a U-turn and in-fact, there isnt really any turn! No signal. Fog rolling in like something out of a horror movie. Visibility? Zero. My gut said wed strayed. Switched to offline maps, and thankfullythere it was. The correct route. A quick 500-meter backtrack, and we were back in business, and I got to keep my pride! Fog, Twisties & That Sweet Lonavala Descent Once back on track, confidence returned. The fog grew thicker as we climbed towards Lonavala. The jungle road, lit only by our aux LEDs, felt like a scene straight out of a movie. At times, we couldnt see more than 2 feet aheadbut we pressed on. Wed conquered: Pitch-black highways Jungle trails Broken tarmac Dense fog Eerie silence Bone-chilling air It was pure, unfiltered, rider heaven. This wasnt just a rideit was a sensory overload. 3 AM Maggi & Tea The Perfect Ending We skipped the fog-covered Tiger Point and descended to the Lonavala dam bridge instead. Perfect move! We found a couple of food trucks dishing out piping hot Maggi and chai. It was 3 AM, we were buzzing with excitement, and conversations flowed faster than ever. From there, it was a full throttle race across the open road all the way back home. As the group split off, tired but exhilarated, we all this was a ride for the books. And yes, were already scheming for the next one. Summer rides are brutal. You can beat the sun out the door at dawn, but the return? Thats when the sun gets its revenge. By 10 am, its already in full attack mode, turning your riding gear into a mobile oven. Sure, you're protected from UV raysbut no one said anything about getting grilled alive in your own sweat sauna. By the time you're home, youve basically done a full spin cycle inside your riding suit. Glamorous? Not exactly.So, I thoughtwhy not flip the script? Ditch the sun, ride under the stars. A night ride was long overdue, and after a recent one with thegroup through Tamhini Ghat to Lonavala, I was hungry for more. Id already done the recce; now it was time to go bigger, bolder, and deeper into the dark. This time, the plan? A full-night ride with my office rider gangthrough the Tamhini-Andharban-Aamby Valley circuit to Lonavala.Now, this wasnt your usual KTM Adventure only group. We had a cocktail of machines and rider skill levelsRE Classic 350, Meteor 350, Yamaha R15, Triumph Scrambler 400X, KTM 390 Adventure and of course, my trusty KTM Duke 200. Yes, I own a 390 Adventure too, but since it still hasnt got the aux lights installed, the Duke 200 with Maddog Alphas was elected the leader for the night. No better way to cut through darkness than with proper photon cannons.Work had already drained my soul on Friday, and just when I thought Id get a breatherwhoa! More errands. Got home by 8 PM, had a quick snack as dinner, and barely had time to gear up before leaving for our 9:30 PM meet-up. Thankfully, a couple of riders wanted a 30-min delay. That precious half-hour? Used it to check tyre pressure and lube the chainbecause adventure begins with a well-loved bike.We finally rolled out... straight into a traffic apocalypse on Sus Road. So much for escaping into the night! Enter:. Three of us were on comms, coordinating like a SWAT team in helmets. I led, one took the tail, and we managed to keep the group tightly packed despite the chaos.Ive danced through Tamhini Ghat countless times, but at night? Its a different animal. Dark, mysterious, silent... and slightly spooky. With voices in your helmet constantly chatting, sharing road updates, and cracking the occasional joke, it felt like a midnight podcast made just for us. Even when the tail rider was a kilometre behind, it felt like he was right there beside me. Youve got to try this to believe it.Then Google Maps decided to get creative. Instead of sticking to the highway, it guided us into a sleepy village route. Did we complain? Nope. We were after all out for an adventure!An hour in, we hit our first pit stop at Hotel River Place near Mulshi. The vibes were high, snacks were flowing, and time slipped past faster than a quick shifter on full throttle. Almost midnight when we resumed, and just for kicks, I turned off the aux lights to ride in pitch black. It wasAs we hit the Andharban turn-off, I halted the crew for a quick regroup. Gave them a quick set of instructions to slow down overall and stay together in a groupbecause ahead lay a narrow jungle road, hugged by forests and wrapped in silence. True to its name, AndharbanAnd then, confusion. Some riders thought it was a break, started pulling off gloves and helmets. I moved ahead slowly expecting a follow-up, but... nothing. No lights, no voices. Just blackness. Slight panic set inthis wasnt the place to be alone, not with leopards likely lurking. Finally, comms reconnected and turns out, the gang was just suiting back up. Phew!This was no joyride anymoreit was an expedition. The terrain changed, roads broke apart, and the R15 and Meteor struggled over the rough patches. We crawled at 15 kmph but kept spirits high with stories of ghost sightings and omens. Someone even spotted a rabbit darting across the roadinstant chills!And then, Google Maps betrayed us. Sent us down the wrong path. You know youre lost, when Google Maps constantly starts showing a U-turn and in-fact, there isnt really any turn! No signal. Fog rolling in like something out of a horror movie. Visibility? Zero. My gut said wed strayed. Switched to offline maps, and thankfullythere it was. The correct route. A quick 500-meter backtrack, and we were back in business, and I got to keep my pride!Once back on track, confidence returned. The fog grew thicker as we climbed towards Lonavala. The jungle road, lit only by our aux LEDs, felt like a scene straight out of a movie. At times, we couldnt see more than 2 feet aheadbut we pressed on.Wed conquered: Pitch-black highways Jungle trails Broken tarmac Dense fog Eerie silence Bone-chilling airIt was pure, unfiltered,. This wasnt just a rideit was a sensory overload.We skipped the fog-covered Tiger Point and descended to the Lonavala dam bridge instead. Perfect move! We found a couple of food trucks dishing out piping hot Maggi and chai. It was 3 AM, we were buzzing with excitement, and conversations flowed faster than ever.From there, it was a full throttle race across the open road all the way back home. As the group split off, tired but exhilarated, we all this was a ride for the books. And yes, were already scheming for the next one. Last edited by Rehaan : 27th April 2025 at 18:06 . Reason: Please do read our rules, as self-promotion (blog, nstagram, etc) is not permitted :) What just happened? Industry watchers have been closely monitoring signs of rising prices in consumer technology. Thanks to research by YouTuber Cameron Dougherty, we now have clear evidence of price increases in popular PC accessories. Dougherty has done the legwork by analyzing a broad range of Logitech products, reporting price hikes of up to 25 percent on some of the company's most sought-after keyboards and mice, among other items. In his video, Dougherty raises questions about the impact of ongoing tariffs and the future affordability of tech gear in the United States. Flagship products such as the Logitech MX Master 3S mouse and the K400 Plus Wireless Touch Keyboard were among those affected. The latter increased in price from $27.99 to $34.99 a modest $7 jump that nonetheless represents a significant 25 percent rise. Dougherty's findings also note that while some products have become more expensive, others have remained stable or even dropped in price. For instance, the G Pro X Superlight mouse dropped from $159.99 to $149.99. To verify these claims, Tom's Hardware conducted its own investigation and corroborated several of Dougherty's observations. For example, the MX Keys S keyboard is now listed at $130 on Logitech's official website, reflecting an 18 percent increase. The MX Master 3S mouse has climbed 20 percent, from $100 to $120. The K400 Plus Wireless Touch keyboard's price hike, though smaller in absolute terms, stands out for its percentage jump. Notably, these increases have not been accompanied by any public announcement from Logitech. Some items have appeared on sale at major retailers like Amazon, but the discounted prices are still higher than historical norms, suggesting a new baseline has been established. The reasons behind these changes are complex but appear to be closely tied to the turbulent tariff environment. The Trump administration's tariffs on imported goods, especially those from China, have sent ripples through the tech industry. Many manufacturers, including Logitech, rely heavily on Chinese production, leaving them particularly vulnerable to these policy shifts. Earlier this month, Logitech withdrew its financial forecast for the upcoming fiscal year, explicitly citing ongoing uncertainty around tariffs as a driving factor. While some tariffs have been temporarily paused, those on Chinese imports remain steep, forcing companies to navigate a landscape of unpredictable costs and supply chain disruptions. Logitech is not alone in adjusting its pricing. Other brands, such as accessory maker Anker which is based in China, have also raised prices on products like chargers, with reported increases of around 18 percent. Industry experts caution that these adjustments may not be the last, as manufacturers continue to adapt to evolving trade policies and the potential for further escalation in the U.S.-China trade dispute. Forward-looking: CATL has announced a series of breakthroughs that could reshape the EV industry, promising batteries that are cheaper, lighter, faster to recharge, and more resilient in extreme temperatures, all while extending driving range. The company, which supplies a third of the world's EV batteries to major automakers including GM and Tesla's Shanghai plant, unveiled these just ahead of the Shanghai Auto Show. At a press event reminiscent of a high-profile car launch, China's leading battery maker CATL detailed innovations that could bring electric cars closer to price and performance parity with their gasoline-powered counterparts within the next few years. Batteries account for at least a third of an EV's cost, making CATL's progress particularly significant for automakers worldwide. One of the most notable developments is CATL's new approach to auxiliary batteries. Traditionally, EVs have relied on a single large battery pack, but CATL's design introduces a secondary battery that shares space in the vehicle's underbody. This auxiliary battery is the first commercially available EV battery to eliminate graphite from one of its poles, which could eventually reduce costs and increase energy density by 60 percent per cubic inch. According to Gao Huan, CATL's chief technology officer for EVs in China, this innovation could either extend a car's range or allow for smaller battery packs, freeing up more passenger space. The auxiliary battery also serves as a backup, an increasingly important feature as more vehicles adopt self-driving technologies that demand uninterrupted power supplies. CATL's co-president for research and development, Ouyang Chuying, indicated that these graphite-free batteries could appear in production vehicles within two to three years, though he declined to name specific automakers. However, the company acknowledged that removing graphite comes with trade-offs, namely that such batteries recharge more slowly and have a shorter lifespan. CATL has also made strides in charging speed for its main batteries. The latest iteration of its flagship Shenxing battery cell can add 520 kilometers (about 320 miles) of range with just five minutes of charging, surpassing even the recent advancements announced by rival BYD and placing CATL ahead of Western competitors like Tesla and Mercedes-Benz. The second-generation Shenxing battery offers an 800-kilometer range on a single charge, achieving a peak charging speed of 2.5 kilometers per second. CATL's Gao emphasized that the new batteries do not compromise on energy density and are slated to be installed in more than 67 electric vehicle models this year. In addition to lithium-based innovations, CATL is pushing forward with sodium-ion battery technology. The company's new Naxtra brand of sodium-ion batteries, set to enter mass production in December, promises over 90 percent charge retention even at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. This makes them especially attractive for vehicles operating in the frigid climates of northern China, where traditional lead-acid batteries often fail. The first customer for these batteries will be freight trucks from First Auto Works, based in Changchun, a region known for its harsh winters. Sodium-ion batteries are considered a safer and more affordable alternative to lithium-based cells, largely because sodium is abundant and inexpensive. The new Naxtra battery boasts an energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogram, nearly matching the widely used lithium iron phosphate batteries. CATL's founder, Robin Zeng, has suggested that sodium-ion batteries could eventually replace up to half of the market for lithium iron phosphate batteries, which the company currently dominates. Beyond technical specifications, CATL has demonstrated the safety of its sodium-ion batteries through rigorous stress tests, including puncturing and cutting the cells without causing fires or explosions a notable shift from the company's stance just five years ago. These batteries are also being positioned as a solution for internal combustion vehicles, offering compatibility with existing electrical systems, though some models may require modifications to accommodate the new battery size. CATL's rapid pace of innovation comes even as the company faces increased competition and market pressures. Last month, the company reported a 15 percent growth in net profit for 2024, its slowest rate in six years, amid a prolonged price war in China's EV market. Still, with over 18 million cars equipped with its batteries operating in more than 66 countries, CATL's influence on the future of electric mobility remains formidable. In brief: Microsoft is cracking down on those employees it considers to be low performers. The Redmond company has laid out new policies and tools in an internal email to managers, which include a ban on internal transfers for poor performers and a two-year rehiring block on those let go. In an internal email seen by Business Insider, Microsoft's new chief people officer Amy Coleman wrote about new and enhanced tools that would help accelerate high performance and swiftly address low performance. The email adds that the tools will help "foster a culture of accountability and growth." Employees who are not meeting expectations will be put on Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), which are described as a new globally consistent approach to set clear expectations and a timeline for improvement. Those who don't meet expectations also have the option to leave voluntarily under a new exit plan called the Global Voluntary Separation Agreement (GVSA), which comes with a separation offer. At the start of the year, Microsoft confirmed it was implementing performance-based layoffs, though it said those let go would be replaced with new hires. The company rates employees on a scale of 0 to 200 and bases their stock awards and bonuses on this rating. Anyone in the 60 to 80 range 100 is average is rated as a lower performer. Those employees who have poor ratings that fall between 0 and 60 will no longer be allowed to apply for different roles within the company. Anyone who leaves during or after a PIP will not be allowed to reapply for jobs at Microsoft until two years after their termination date. The email also states that managers will have access to scenario-based, AI-supported tools designed to help prepare them for "constructive or challenging conversations" by practicing in an interactive environment. Presumably, that means an AI simulating what it's like to tell someone they are in danger of losing their job. Meta has also been making layoffs that are supposedly based on employees' performance, though there are several reports claiming many of those fired received average or even good reviews during their time at the company. It's led to claims that, much like the return-to-office mandate, companies are simply cutting their workforces without making official and more costly layoffs. Masthead credit: Wonderlane The US Department of Justice is now moving on to the remedy phase in the ongoing Google antitrust saga, and it is now looking for ways to change the company's practices. One of the solutions that has come up is to have Google divest Chrome by selling it to another company. Despite this, there is still a slight hope for Google as it will try to defend itself in order to keep Chrome as part of the company. Google Antitrust: DOJ Wants Chrome Gone, Sold According to a report by Ars Technica, the DOJ vs. Google antitrust trial is now moving forward with its remedy phase after the recent loss of the tech giant where it was found guilty of violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. One of the suggested remedies by the DOJ is to have Google divest Chrome and sell it to another company, meaning Google will no longer having control of its operations. This is only one of the many suggestions by the DOJ in toppling the "Google monopoly," as it is also seeking to take away Android, the mobile device operating system that Google created, from the company. Moreover, there are also other foundational changes that the Justice Department seeks against Google to close this antitrust chapter. The goal of this particular search and advertisement antitrust case is to change Google's status as a monopoly as the company was found to hold exclusivity contracts with Apple and Mozilla to make Google their default search engine. The Justice Department will reportedly attempt to break up Google from Chrome to "level the playing field." DOJ vs. Google: Search Antitrust Case It is no secret that Google has faced different antitrust cases, and the company recently lost its fight against Epic Games, which claimed that Google is monopolizing the Play Store on its payment methods and more. However, this also overlapped with the antitrust case that the DOJ had against Google regarding its search engine monopoly, as well as search advertising. The DOJ vs. Google case's penultimate moment happened swiftly towards the end of 2024, and this led to finding Google guilty of violating the Sherman Antitrust Act that has since branded them a monopoly. One of the top suggestions by prosecutors is to have Google sell off Chrome and detach completely from the web browser operations, but there no final decisions on it yet as of press time. Previously, the Justice Department's lawyer, Aaron Teitelbaum, said that Google is "three times a monopolist" in the closing arguments of the case in its liability phase, with the Mountain View-based internet giant failing to properly defend itself during the trial. As the case moves forward, Google is now being met with limited choices to fend off the pending outcome of this antitrust lawsuit. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/ Some 165 combat clashes were recorded on the front of the Russian-Ukrainian war over the past 24 hours, on April 21, the first day after Easter, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Telegram in operational information regarding the Russian invasion as of 8:00 on Tuesday. On Friday, April 18, 162 armed clashes were recorded, on Saturday 127, on Sunday Easter - 96. The most difficult situation remains in Pokrovsk direction in Donetsk region, where there were 61 armed clashes on Monday (54 on Friday, 39 on Saturday and Sunday). In addition, on Monday the occupiers carried out 5,832 attacks on Ukrainian troop positions and populated areas, including 122 from multiple launch rocket systems. On Friday, 6,237 attacks were recorded, on Saturday - 5,912, on Sunday - 1,882. For their part, the missile forces and artillery of the Defense Forces have struck ten areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, two command posts and six artillery systems of the enemy over the past 24 hours. On Friday, the Defense Forces hit eight areas where the occupiers and their equipment were concentrated, on Saturday - 15, on Sunday - only one. UN, Brazil to hold virtual summit Wednesday ahead of COP30 United Nations, United States, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2025 Brazil's president will co-host a virtual summit Wednesday with UN chief Antonio Guterres to discuss strengthening climate action ahead of the COP30 meetings in the Amazon, a UN spokesman said. "The Secretary General and President Lula of Brazil will convene a small but representative group of heads of states and government for a virtual, closed door meeting to discuss strengthening global efforts to tackle the climate crisis and to accelerate the just energy transition," Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. He said the aim of the meeting was to strengthen climate action dialogue ahead of COP30 in the Amazonian city of Belem later this year that will mark a decade since the signing of the Paris Agreement. The closed-door format would promote a free and frank exchange, Dujarric said, without elaborating on which leaders would be taking part. The world's nations agreed during the landmark Paris climate accord of 2015 to try to hold end-of-century warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Many signatories that were expected to submit new climate action strategies by February this year have yet to do so. The upcoming COP30 summit follows the second US withdrawal from the landmark pact and other global efforts to address climate. There are concerns meanwhile that climate change is being crowded out of the global agenda by national security and economic pressures. Climate campaigners praise a cool pope Paris, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 Through magisterial Vatican pronouncements about the dangers posed by the warming planet, Pope Francis gave the Roman Catholic church a voice that influenced climate change talks, experts said. Amidst an outpouring of praise for the late pontiff, the United Nations climate change chief singled out Francis's commitment and skills in putting the spotlight on the risks to the planet and its poorest inhabitants. Pope Francis was "an unflinching global champion of climate action", said UN climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell, organiser of the fraught international talks on limiting temperature rises. "He had a deep working knowledge of complex climate issues, and his leadership brought together those most powerful forces of faith and science to deliver unimpeachable truths, highlighting the costs of the climate crisis for billions of people," Stiell added. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who will host the next UN talks in November, said Francis had spoken about climate change with "simplicity", "courage" and "empathy". Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu said Francis had been the world's "most trenchant voice" on climate change. - 'Inspired by Amazonian wisdom' - Francis's predecessor, Benedict XVI, was already known as the "Green Pope" because of his ecological advocacy. But Francis went further, issuing the first Vatican encyclical, one of its most important policy documents, devoted to the protection of humanity's "common home". Complaining that there had not been an adequate response, Francis issued an apostolic exhortation -- a lower level but still serious pronouncement in 2023 -- addressed "To All People of Good Will on the Climate Crisis". According to Charles Mercier, an expert on Catholicism, Francis brought a different approach to Benedict with his "Laudato Si" (Praised If) encyclical. The Argentine pontiff "was also inspired by Amazonian wisdom, he included non-Western elements in the corpus, relating to nature, something that some have criticized him for," he added. - 'A moral compass' - "In the climate debate, he has always been with the poor, with indigenous people," said Oscar Soria, an Argentine activist who has taken part in climate talks. "He was also an Amazonian pope, a pope for the forests, for the oceans," added Soria. Even before becoming pope, Francis raised climate themes at a 2007 conference of Latin American bishops, Soria said. A few months after Francis's "Laudato Si" document, the Paris climate accord on seeking to limit the global temperature rise to two degrees Celsius was adopted at the COP21 talks. Soria said the pope had an influence. Francis was "a pope that supported different environmental causes when these causes needed a powerful voice," said Soria. "He has been a moral compass in the negotiations always since 2015 onwards, he's always been practising quiet diplomacy," said the activist. "In moments where we were almost about to lose consensus in the climate agreement, he made all the different calls necessary to protect the Paris Agreement." - Critical of climate sceptics - Laurence Tubiana, one of the architects of the Paris accord, said that "Laudato Si" had "inspired" a new generation of Christian climate activists. The encyclical clearly stated that human action had brought the world to the "point of rupture". The encyclical set off a global debate that religious texts have rarely achieved in recent times. His moral message slammed consumerism, individualism and the reckless pursuit of economic growth that ignored the planet's plight. His apostolic exhortation to the faithful, "Laudate Deum", came out just before the COP28 talks in Dubai. He called on Catholics to divert investment away from fossil fuel and for the Vatican to pursue carbon neutrality. Francis attacked climate sceptics -- "certain dismissive and scarcely reasonable opinions that I encounter, even within the Catholic Church". Poor health prevented Francis from going to Dubai, but on a trip to Indonesia in September 2024 he again raised the "environmental crisis". "He created not just a movement but a spirituality and a sensitivity towards the earth, towards the most vulnerable." As a result of the attack by Russian occupation forces on Zaporizhia, two children were injured, reported head of Zaporizhia Regional State Administration Ivan Fedorov. "At 11:40, two smart bombs attacked the city of Zaporizhia directly. One smart bomb hit an infrastructure facility, the second hit a densely populated area and a residential building. There are 13 known casualties, including two children, and so far there is information about one dead person. Of the 13 casualties, two are in serious condition," Fedorov said in a video message on Telegram. According to him, doctors are providing the victims with the necessary assistance, and an emergency rescue operation is being carried out at the site of the hit. Earlier, he reported the death of one person, the injury of two children and one more person. Media hails 'groundbreaking' Pope Francis Paris, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 Pope Francis's death was front-page news around the world on Tuesday, with many outlets highlighting the Argentine pontiff's down-to-earth manner and notable policy changes. Here is a selection of what Europe's press wrote. - Britain - The Guardian called Francis a "groundbreaking head of Catholic Church" who urged his fellow clergy leaders to show "humility". "It would be a mistake... to view Francis's papacy as a liberal one, but in significant areas it exerted a major progressive influence beyond the church, especially in relation to the climate emergency and the treatment of people migrating between countries." For The Times, Francis was "a born fighter resented by old guard but loved by the masses," with international trips that "reinforced the image of his papacy as a breath of fresh air". The Daily Telegraph tabloid called him "courageous, sincere, egalitarian," adding that his "humour and insight had sublime effect." - Spain - El Pais lamented "The end of a social and reformist papacy" while El Mundo, another national daily, hailed "The pope who shook up the Church and wanted to give voice to the excluded". - Germany - "Jorge Mario Bergoglio was an unusual pontiff, one who liked people. And people liked him," news magazine Der Speigel wrote, using Francis's birth name. "But was that enough to save his hard-hit church? In Germany and other Western societies, countless believers were hoping for real reforms from their pope," it added, such as allowing women to be ordained priests. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung agreed, saying that "compared to his predecessors, Francis almost seemed like a revolutionary. From the perspective of many Catholics in this country, however, he has changed too little." - Poland - In Poland, Rzeczpospolita lamented the pope's death as "one more factor that increases the instability in our world," citing in particular the war in Ukraine and Donald Trump's re-election as US president. The Gazeta Wyborcza noted that, with his varied statements on Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, "he alienated himself from both Ukrainians and Russians, and the Vatican has no influence at all on how this conflict will end". - Portugal - Publico titled its front page with "Francis, the favourite pope of the people and of atheists," saying his 2013 election generated "a tsunami of unprecedented enthusiasm... in both the Catholic and non-Catholic worlds". For the Jornal de Noticias, the pope was "the seed of revolution" for the Church and the "mentor of a spiritual transformation". Philippine typhoon victims remember day Pope Francis brought hope Tacloban, Philippines, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 Fourteen months after the deadliest storm in Philippine history, Pope Francis stood on a rain-swept stage to deliver a message of hope to the battered town of Tacloban. It was desperately needed, mayor Alfred Romualdez told AFP on Tuesday, a day after the pontiff died in Rome. Already in his late 70s, the pope had insisted on making the January 2015 trip to the central Philippines despite an approaching storm. "He didn't have to do that. He didn't have to come here in bad weather. He could have waited for three or four more days," said Romualdez. Just over a year earlier, Super Typhoon Haiyan had left more than 7,000 people dead or missing after it slammed into Leyte province and the surrounding areas. The storm and the massive waves it generated flattened entire coastal communities that were already among the poorest in the Catholic-majority country, leaving mass graves, collapsed homes and dazed survivors in its wake. "(People) were asking a lot of questions, and they were important questions. It affected their faith... they were shattered," said Romualdez. "We lost 500 children, so people were starting to question... These children were innocent. Why did they have to die?" - 'Was I a sinner?' - "The pope gave us hope," Jenita Aguilar said of his 2015 visit. Her seven-year-old son Junko was among the hundreds of lost children. The 53-year-old still remembers the moment Haiyan's surging winds and floodwaters ripped her son from his uncle's arms as the family clung to the unfinished rooftop of a store. They would spend two days walking through Tacloban's villages searching piles of bodies -- human and livestock -- in hopes of finding him. Sometimes she still imagines him alive, rescued and living safely in someone else's home, his memories of his parents wiped away by trauma. "I was asking God why it had to happen. Was I a sinner?" she told AFP through tears. "I was asking if I wasn't a good mother." With grief driving a wedge in her marriage, Aguilar said she went outside to catch a glimpse of the passing Popemobile on the day Pope Francis spoke in Tacloban. To her surprise, the pontiff reached down and clasped her hand, delivering a blessing. "It was a sign the Lord still loved me," she said, tightly clutching a rosary the pontiff personally handed her that day. "God used (the pope) as a bridge for me and my husband to return to Him." - A heart at ease - Aguilar's neighbour Gina Henoso, 50, was among the sea of 200,000 that turned out in heavy rain that day to watch Pope Francis conduct his mass at the Tacloban airport. Dressed in a thin yellow rain poncho, identical to the one worn by the pope onstage, she walked two hours from her home to reach the venue. It was nothing compared with the hours she had spent wandering in search of food each day after Haiyan, she said. "When I saw him, I was reminded that I was really alive," Henoso said, her voice cracking. At the storm's peak, she and her seven children had been forced to squeeze into a neighbour's cramped toilet as they waited for authorities to evacuate them. "I still have nightmares about what happened... I'm still anxious whenever it rains," Henoso told AFP on Tuesday. She described walking "with dead bodies all around just to look for milk for my children". But the pain lifted for her that rainy January day, she said. "The rain was hard, but when you see him in his Popemobile, there's something about it that makes your heart at ease." - 'With his flock' - "How do you mourn ... (when) you don't have a roof over your head, you have a lot of dead, and you still have to prepare for your next meal?" Father Chris Militante asked Tuesday. The priest, who serves as media director for the Archdiocese of Palo, told AFP he had every reason to fear his parishioners would begin to doubt their faith after Haiyan's devastation. But when the pope arrived in Tacloban, he didn't pretend to have easy answers. "Maybe you have a lot of questions. Maybe I don't know the answers. But I am here," he remembers Pope Francis saying during the mass. And it was his presence that mattered, said Militante. "In spite of the devastation... God was with us through the (pope's) presence," he said of that day. "We didn't worry." A decade on, the priest said he hopes people will remember Pope Francis as he chooses to -- as a shepherd "being with his flock". "(Pope Francis said) that you have to smell like the sheep, and he did. He walked the talk." With all eyes now turning to Rome, where a conclave will determine Pope Francis's successor, Aguilar, the grieving mother, insists she knows exactly what kind of man is right for the job. "Someone who will treat Filipinos the way Pope Francis treated us," she said. "Someone who would go back to Tacloban again." Landmark Nepal survey estimates nearly 400 elusive snow leopards Kathmandu, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2025 Nepal's first nationwide survey of the threatened snow leopard estimated nearly 400 of the elusive big cats in the Himalayan nation, wildlife officials said Tuesday. Habitat loss, climate change and poaching have greatly impacted snow leopard populations across Asia, listed as a "vulnerable" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). But the survey offers a rare shot of hope, confirming numbers lie at the upper end of the previous estimates. With thick grey fur dotted with dark spots, and large paws that act as natural snow shoes, the species are difficult to spot and quick to hide, making field research challenging. "This is a historic step in Nepal's snow leopard conservation journey," Haribhadra Acharya, senior ecologist at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, told AFP. "This is the first time we are getting authentic data with the great effort of researchers," he said. An estimated total of 397 snow leopards were counted, determined through motion-sensor camera and genetic analysis in seven key areas. It offers the most comprehensive national estimate of snow leopards -- also known as the "ghosts of mountains" -- previously estimated by the IUCN to be in the range of 301-400. Snow leopards are the least studied of the big cats globally due to their low population density and remote mountain habitats they inhabit. "Nepal has only two percent of the size of the snow leopard habitats globally, (yet) we host 10 percent of the total estimated population", Ghana S Gurung, country representative of WWF Nepal, told AFP. "More importantly, we are the second smallest country in terms of snow leopard habitat size after Bhutan, (but) we hold the fourth largest population," he added. - 'Increased human activity' - The Snow Leopard Trust, a US-based conservation group, says the exact total number is not known but that "there may be as few as 3,920 and probably no more than 6,390" across 12 countries in Asia. Although conservationists have welcomed the new population estimate, many remain concerned about the threats posed by climate change and infrastructure development. "New road construction, installation of transmission lines, and increased human activity in search of herbs are disrupting snow leopards' habitats in the Himalayas," said Acharya, one of the lead researchers. Experts say the increasing avalanches in the mountains -- where climate change is exacerbating extremes of weather patterns -- are another threat. Nepal has been praised worldwide for its efforts to protect wildlife which have helped several species, including tigers and rhinos, to return from the brink of local extinction. The country's conservation efforts have helped to triple its tiger population to 355 since 2010 and to increase one-horned rhinoceros from around 100 in the 1960s to 752 in 2021. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Tina Knowles, the mother of pop star Beyonce, has opened up about her daughters decision to embark on a solo career after the split of Destinys Child. In a new memoir published on Tuesday (22 April), Tina delved into her own childhood, relationships and experiences raising not one, but two famous artists: Beyonce and her younger sister, Solange Knowles. Tina, 71, began her career aged 19 as a makeup artist, dance choreographer, and hair stylist, later rising to prominence due to her involvement in Beyonces career with Destinys Child, many of whose most iconic outfits she designed and made herself. Writing in the memoir, titled Matriarch, Tina addressed the common assumption that Beyonces original plan was to become a solo star, and that pop trio Destinys Child formed in 1990 in their hometown of Houston, Texas was simply the vehicle through which she would achieve this. People oftentimes say that the goal was always for Beyonce to be solo, she wrote. But if that were the case, she would have done that out of the gate. She loved being part of a group. Managed by Tinas then-husband, and Beyonces father, Mathew Knowles, the final lineup of Destinys Child comprised Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, who achieved international fame with hits such as Bills, Bills, Bills, Say My Name and Jumpin, Jumpin. open image in gallery Destiny's Child performing in 2005 ( Getty Images ) They went on hiatus in 2002 in order to allow each member to pursue solo projects, then officially split in 2006 after completing their world tour in support of their fourth and final album, Destiny Fulfilled. Michelle was the first with Heart to Yours, which became the best-selling gospel album of 2002, Tina wrote. Then Kelly took over the summer with her single with Nelly, Dilemma, our princess creating a classic and No 1 single in the United States and in places all over Europe, forever launching her as an international star in her own right. It was one of the reasons her album Simply Deep debuted as the No 1 album in the United Kingdom. Tina said that Beyonce pushed her own debut, Dangerously in Love, back so Kelly could take full advantage of the momentum of her own success. When it came to Dangerously in Love, she claimed that music executives at Beyonces label, Sony, told her that there was not one single on the album, and that they needed to push back the release date. The label suggested bringing in a few tastemakers to hear their thoughts on the new music, with Tina recalling that only a couple people said something mildly positive. She added: But even as they did, they looked around ducking for fear that they would be ostracised. Tina revealed that Beyonce wanted to get her future husband, rapper Jay-Z, on the song Crazy in Love because the executives wouldnt talk to Jay like they were allegedly talking to her daughter. Jay-Z apparently told Beyonce that every song on the album was a smash, speaking as a fellow artist who had the drive the suits could never understand. open image in gallery Beyonce and Jay-Z performing together in 2006 ( Getty Images ) It was my first time witnessing Jay work, Tina wrote. He didnt write anything down, just listened to Crazy in Love two, three times in a row, and went to the mic and started rapping. Beyonce and I were dancing, screaming, throwing fists in the air. It was a solution not a compromise of her artistry, but a doubling down. While the label executives apparently conceded that Crazy in Love could be a hit, they were still doubtful about the rest of the album. Still, Beyonce refused to push the album back: I am the artist and I know that this is a hit record, Knowles recalled her daughter saying. Dangerously in Love received positive reviews from critics upon its release and debuted at the top of the US Billboard 200. It won five Grammy Awards in 2004 and produced several hit singles including Crazy in Love, Baby Boy, Me, Myself and I, and Naughty Girl. Years later, Beyonce apparently joked about the labels opinion on the album not having one hit song: I guess they were kinda right I had five. Matriarch is out now. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice George Clooney has revealed why he chose to use footage of Elon Musks notorious salute in his new Broadway production of Good Night, and Good Luck. The 63-year-old actor and director has adapted the 2005 historical drama film he directed and co-wrote for the stage, and is making his Broadway debut in the lead role of journalist Edward R. Murrow. Near the end of the stage version, video footage is shown of former Fox host Megyn Kelly and of Musks controversial salute at an inauguration event for President Donald Trump. Speaking to fellow actor Patti LuPone in a new interview for Variety, Clooney noted that Kelly had criticized him for not being a journalist, to which LuPone responded: Neither is she. Clooney continued: Ive at least been to Darfur and Sudan and the Congo and been shot at to try to get stories out. Im not quite sure what shes done to be a journalist. Having said that, we only show her words in this play. We dont tell people what to think. Its not out of context. We dont manipulate it. We literally just go, These are your words. Now, people can look at Elon Musk doing his move and go, Thats a Roman salute. And maybe it is. We put it on a big screen, and we let you make your own decisions. Having said that, I will argue that when you retweet a statement that says that Hitler wasnt responsible for the Holocaust which he did then maybe it is a Nazi salute. Maybe. George Clooney and Elon Musk ( Getty ) Asked by LuPone whether he ever wonders about Musks relationship to Trump and whether its a threat to the government, Clooney responded: Well, the president of the United States sent some nice tweets. Its funny because hes just a New York beast. Weve all known him for 30 years, and he was just a guy chasing women. But whatever. Its fine. Were going to get through it. The new interview comes as Clooney recently told CNN that it was his civic duty to call on Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. In July 2024, Clooney wrote a much-discussed op-ed for The New York Times encouraging Biden to step aside so that the Democrats could appoint a new nominee. Barack Obama reportedly received an advanced version of the article following Bidens disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump. During a conversation about Good Night and Good Luck for which the actor dyed his hair, drawing bemused reactions from fans CNN host Jake Tapper suggested that Clooneys essay was brave. The Oceans Eleven actor pushed back on that remark, saying: I dont know if it was brave. It was a civic duty. Clooney, who describes himself as a Kentucky Democrat, added that he saw people on my side of the street not telling the truth, I thought that was time to. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz has hit a new low mentally and emotionally as a NASCAR driver after enduring a string of disappointments. The 39-year-old actor, who is set to return in a reboot of the 2000s sitcom, took up racing in 2006 before an injury led to a 14-year break. However, he recently returned to the motorsport and has been competing in the Craftsman Truck Series since 2024. Although he achieved a career-best finish of 10th during a race in February, he has now spoken openly about his struggles in the sport following a poor result. On X/Twitter the actor wrote: If I'm being 100 per cent honest... Mentally/emotionally I may be at a new low. Just wanted to say it out loud. The post is reportedly about Munizs race at North Carolina's Rockingham Speedway on 18 April, Munizs car suffered a major mechanical failure that severely hampered his performance. Speaking to NASCAR reporter Pete Stratta after the race, Muniz said that his vehicles power steering line burst which ripped a hole in his hand. Muniz started the second stage of the race with no power steering which he said was the hardest thing hed ever done but eventually had to take a pit stop which cost him 17 or 18 laps. Once the steering line was repaired, Muniz was able to rejoin the race but was only able to finish in 23rd place. Im still learning. Im getting more comfortable. Im getting more comfortable even letting the leaders by, he added. I really love my team. They are working really, really hard and Im just oddly cursed. Ive had bad luck for almost two years straight. Maybe that means the second half of our season is going to be awesome. Frankie Muniz at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2025 ( Getty Images ) Aside from his burgeoning racing career, Muniz is continuing to act. Last December, it was confirmed that he will be part of a reboot of the beloved family sitcom Malcom in the Middle. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. The sitcom created by Linwood Boomer will appear on Disney+ with original stars Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek also set to reprise their roles. Malcolm (Muniz) and his daughter are drawn into the familys chaos when Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party, the description for the show reads. The reboot of Malcolm in the Middle will run for four episodes on Disney+. No release date has yet been announced. Malcolm in the Middle is a landmark sitcom that captured the essence of family life with humor, heart and relatability, Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, told Variety. Its hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of a lovably chaotic family resonated with audiences of all ages, and were so excited to welcome the original cast back to bring that magic to life again. The original Malcolm in the Middle aired on Fox from 2000 to 2006 for seven seasons. The Independent have contacted Munizs representatives for comment. Yermak on Russias strikes on Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and Sumy: This terror for sake of terror must be stopped The Russian Federation's strikes on Ukrainian cities are deliberate strikes against civilians, and such terror must be stopped, notes head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak. "Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Sumy and other cities where Russia is striking civilians. The strikes are deliberate, the enemy is carrying them out even during the day. This is terror for the sake of terror, which must be stopped," Yermak wrote on Telegram on Tuesday. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The sister of James Lee Williams, known as drag queen The Vivienne, has said their family only discovered the stars ketamine addiction after watching RuPauls Drag Race UK. Williams, who won the first series of the BBC competition in 2019, was found dead at their Cheshire home on 5 January. The 32-year-olds manager announced the cause of death as a cardiac arrest caused by ketamine use. A formal inquest is scheduled for June. Speaking to Newsnight, Chanel Williams said Williams had kept their ketamine addiction a secret from their family to protect them. However, Williams spoke openly about their ketamine use on Drag Race. The 35-year-old added that her brother had a long period of sobriety before relapsing, which the family only discovered after Williams death. A big thing for me now is, had I asked the questions or just looked for the signs, would the outcome be different? she said. Hed spoken openly on Drag Race about the battles hed had with addiction, and hed come through the other side of that. open image in gallery The sister of The Vivienne has revealed the star kept their addiction from their family to protect them ( PA ) Chanel continued: He was at the height of everything he was doing and I think because hed said it in such an open platform, its really difficult to come back and say youre struggling again. Since Williams death, the family have been working with the substance abuse charity Adferiad to tackle the stigma around the drug in order to help those experiencing addiction. Its hard for me because I think if that stigma wasnt there, would my brother have sought the help he needed? Chanel said. To think that if wed known, or if hed have felt able to talk and really reach out for the help that was needed, the outcome couldve been different. Thats why weve shared Jamess story, she added. open image in gallery The Vivienne died of cardiac arrest after taking ketamine in January ( PA ) Williams family are also campaigning for the government to re-classify ketamine from a Class B drug to a Class A to deter use. The number of young people being admitted to rehab due to ketamine abuse is rising, with both specialist clinics and the NHS reporting a significant increase in recent years. The drug is a general anaesthetic that reduces sensations in the body which can make users feel dream-like and detached, chilled, relaxed and happy, but also confused and nauseated, according to the UK national anti-drug advisory service, Frank. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance. Theres a portion of younger people that maybe look at that classification and think its less harmful than other drugs, Chanel said. But its not just about reclassification... it needs to include education, police, health, to really raise awareness. We need a strategy around drug usage and drug deaths in the UK. open image in gallery Jayde Adams (left) and Steps star Ian 'H' Watkins (second left) arrive for the funeral of The Vivienne at St Margaret's Church, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire ( Danny Lawson/PA Wire ) She added: The Vivienne left a legacy as a trailblazing icon and this, I feel, is James's legacy: to help other people. If I can help one family to not feel what we are feeling, then it's all worth it. During their appearance on RuPauls Drag Race UK, Williams had openly discussed a four-year period of drug addiction. It was party, drugs, but I couldnt leave the drugs at the party it was constant for me, they said. Their addiction was a habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard, they said. I had to be kicked out of my house and told that I would be dead by the time I was 30. It was the loneliest part of my life, I was killing myself and my family dont even know. I was pissing my life up the wall and I couldve been dead now if I didnt do anything about it. If you have been affected by this article, you can contact the following organisations for support: actiononaddiction.org.uk, mind.org.uk, nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth, mentalhealth.org.uk. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The gap between new product becomes viral sensation and demand for viral sensation product becomes problematic seems to be getting shorter and shorter. The latest culprit Dubai chocolate appeared to make the switch within weeks. One minute I was reading a profile piece about how this sizzlingly on-trend confectionary, comprised of a pistachio cream filling, crispy kataifi (shredded phyllo dough) and tahini swaddled in milk chocolate, had become a global success story. The next, I was wincing at the oh-so-predictable follow-up: Dubai chocolate TikTok trend triggers international pistachio shortage. It almost feels farcical at this point. In reality, the trajectory from social media frenzy to real-world consequences was rooted further back in time. The original Dubai chocolate, made by FIX Dessert Chocolatier and named Cant Get Knafeh Of It in a nod to the Middle Eastern dessert that inspired it, launched in 2021. The first post praising this high-end, 15-a-bar concoction appeared at the tail-end of 2023. Then, like a snowball gathering ever-increasing velocity and volume as it hurtles downhill, the sweet treats popularity swiftly spiralled out of control. More and more TikTok videos jumped on the bandwagon, sales rocketed, and copycat versions sprang up from the likes of Lindt, the sale of which had to be limited to two bars per person at Waitrose after multiple sell-outs. Overnight, it went from being something most people had never heard of to the subject of round-ups listing the best Dubai chocolate-inspired products on the market in time for Easter 2025. Even Morrisons brought out a pistachio cream Easter egg this year in honour of the trend. Now, were faced with the inevitable dark side of all this hysteria. One chocolate bars success has resulted in a global pistachio shortage and a corresponding price hike for kernels. Grown mainly in the US and Iran, the nuts were already in shorter supply thanks to last years poor harvest in America; Dubai chocolates stratospheric rise to fame has only exacerbated the issue. The pistachio world is basically tapped out at the moment, Giles Hacking, from nut trader CG Hacking, told the Financial Times, adding that prices have shot up from $7.95 to $10.30 a pound in just a year. There wasnt much in supply, so when Dubai chocolate comes along, and [chocolatiers] are buying up all the kernels they get their hands on that leaves the rest of the world short, he said. Its not the only example that epitomises the notion of this is why we cant have nice things. Another bougie consumable popularised by social media is currently caught amid its own bout of supply-demand turbulence: matcha. Now, were faced with the inevitable dark side of all this hysteria; one chocolate bars success has resulted in a global pistachio shortage There wasnt much call for this powdered green tea outside of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony until a few years ago. Now, spurred on by Instagram and TikTok posts championing matcha-infused everything from lattes to shakes to ice cream in its distinctive shade of verdant green, production has nearly tripled to meet demand, going from 1,471 tons in 2010 to 4,176 tons in 2023. Still, its not enough. Matchas newfound fashionable status partly triggered by glossy wellness influencers who seem to curate their food and drink consumption on aesthetics as much as health benefits has resulted in a green tea shortage. Prices have surged, scarcity has frustrated customers, and the small Japanese town of Uji that specialises in matchas production, ill-equipped for this sudden Western clamouring, has been put under massive strain. More than half of all matcha is exported, much of that to the Middle East. According to a recent report in The Times, unless things change it seems inevitable that the gap will be filled by cheaper, low-quality Chinese products instead, putting the OG Japanese matcha steeped in 800 years of history under threat. Sticking with the green theme, online trends were having a direct impact IRL even a decade ago. In 2015, avocados became the go-to brunch item to snap and pop on your Instagram feed; the same year, they were crowned the most-pinned food item on Pinterest. Cue the ensuing global avocado shortage, which left Aussies paying $7 per fruit and prompted a crime wave of mass thefts in New Zealand. open image in gallery Lindt has produced its own version of Dubai chocolate ( Getty/iStock/The Independent ) In the face of such evidence, its hard to argue that our bougie taste in snacks isnt destroying the planet. But lets focus on the common denominator in all of this: as is the case for many of contemporary societys worst afflictions, social media seems to be at the permanent centre of the Venn diagram. Its no one individuals fault not the producer of the hot new thing, nor the person who posts about it, nor the consumer who sees a clip and fancies trying it as a treat. Thats how capitalism works: demand dictates supply, supply dictates price. But supply chains simply arent set up for the modern phenomenon of TikTok videos, nor for the overnight stardom that comes courtesy of an algorithmic quirk exposing millions of viewers to a certain product. It's time to take heed of the real lesson behind all this. However good the latest food and drink craze looks on your feed, its masking the ugly truth beneath: virality and sustainability simply arent compatible. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Alexa Chung, the model, presenter, and former fashion designer, is opening up her wardrobe to the public on Vinted. Starting May 4, 2025, a curated collection of Chungs personal clothing and accessories will be available for purchase exclusively on the second-hand marketplace. Fashion fans can expect a diverse range of pieces, from contemporary designer labels to vintage treasures. The collection includes items from Prada, JW Anderson, Saint Laurent, and Gucci, among others, encompassing tops, bags, sunglasses, and shoes. Adding a touch of historical flair, Chung is also parting with several vintage finds, including a 1930s coral silk dress previously seen on her at Paris Fashion Week. All the sales proceeds from Chungs wardrobe on Vinted will be donated to Endometriosis UK, as chosen by Chung. "I think theres something so romantic about connecting to another era through what we wear," Chung explains. open image in gallery The collection features tops, bags, sunglasses and shoes from the likes of Prada, JW Anderson, Saint Laurent, Gucci and more. She further elaborates on her appreciation for pre-loved fashion: "The idea that you can repurpose and bring a new attitude to something that was made for another time and another context, I find the concept of trends coming back around and evolving each time weirdly comforting amidst the current chaos." This sale offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of fashion history, imbued with Chung's signature style. Highlights of the collection include a diamante-embroidered Miu Miu bralette and a Barbie pink Gucci shoulder bag. The Dries Van Noten silver trainers are very hard to say goodbye to, as are the Saint Laurent patent black flats, which go with so many different things, says Chung. open image in gallery One of Alexa Chungs items set to be sold on Vinted Im also selling a pink Gucci bag, which I already slightly regret, she laughs, But I am doing the clear-out with Vinted because my style is evolving. Chung is known for her eclectic yet tasteful British style. Sourcing a lot of her staple pieces from vintage shopping, it seems apposite for Chung to be selling her wardrobe on Vinted. open image in gallery This sale offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of fashion history, imbued with Chung's signature style. I love the magic and rush of unearthing something unexpected that might knock your comfortable style out of its regular lane slightly, she says. Vintage fashion has the ability to breathe new life into your wardrobe because it brings with it an inherent playfulness. A lover of all things kitsch and individual, Chung started her own label, Alexachung in 2017, which featured ballet pumps, bold knits and wax jackets. open image in gallery Chung admitted she will slightly regret selling her Gucci handbag However, the label closed in 2022, as Chung stated, the last couple of years have been challenging for small independent businesses and ours is no exception. But Chungs iconic style has endured, being a cited as trend setter and the pioneer of the ballet pump, which came back into fashion in 2022. In the spirit of her ever evolving wardrobe: These items carry so many memories and we had great times together but now it is time to kiss them goodbye, says Chung. open image in gallery Notable items include a Miu Miu embroidered bralette and a vintage 1930s coral silk dress that Chung wore at Paris Fashion Week. The idea that they can live on in someone elses wardrobe and be new again to them is very appealing. Her items will be available to purchase from the 4th May 2025 at 6pm for Vinted members in the UK. A second drop of further unique items from brands like Dior and Loewe will follow in June 2025. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Fresh Meat star Kimberley Nixon has said she experienced a flood of dark thoughts following the birth of her first child. The 39-year-old actor, who is known for her role as Josie Jones in the Channel 4 comedy set in a fictional university, welcomed a son with her husband Cai Howells in 2020. Nixon said she spent a long period fighting with her brain after she experienced intrusive thoughts that something awful would happen accidentally, on purpose or against her will. The actor was eventually diagnosed with OCD. Research suggests women can be more likely to develop in the perinatal period as the sudden increase in responsibility can lead to obsessional stress. Speaking on the Hidden 20% podcast, Nixon said: My mind got flooded with the darkest thoughts you could think. It was kind of A Clockwork Orange in my mind, seeing the darkest things you could do. The actor, who also appeared in Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging, said: And then you bring in a baby and what if any of [the dark thoughts] happened to him? When asked what type of dark thoughts she meant, Nixon revealed many of her worries led to the conclusion that her baby could be harmed. For example, she grew concerned that if she wrapped her son in a blanket, he would overheat and die. The actor grew similarly concerned about him sleeping, being fed, and other daily activities. Nixon admitted she was worried she was a secret serial killer because of the intrusive thoughts. Am I a malicious, awful person who wants to hurt children? she thought. In the years after the birth of her son, the Fresh Meat star opened up about her mental health struggles on social media, expressing anger that shed begged for help but received none. open image in gallery Kimberley Nixon as Josie Jones on Fresh Meat ( Channel 4 ) It wasn't baby blues; i was a severe post-natal mental health condition, Nixon wrote alongside a picture of her crying. A survey in the Nursing Times suggests that up to 11 per cent of mothers may suffer from post-natal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Nixon reflected: Two years later, I'm a different person. I've learned so much. I've come to understand so much but Im still so angry that when I needed help, begged for help, it wasnt there. I was made to feel more isolated and other than I already did, she added. That sent me in a downward spiral because it reinforced my thinking that I was beyond help. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice George and Amal Clooney have claimed that they have never argued despite being married for more than 10 years. The Oceans Eleven actor married his barrister wife in September 2014 just a few months after their first date, with the happy couple hosting their nuptials in Venice, Italy. They welcomed their twin daughters, Alexander and Ella, in 2017. During a new interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, George said he and Amal have never fought with one another a claim he previously made in 2022. The Michael Clayton star told King: I remember we were here with you once before and I remember we said we'd never had an argument. We still haven't. We're trying to find something to fight about! I feel so extraordinarily lucky to have met his incredible woman. I feel as if I hit the jackpot. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think I'm the luckiest man in the world. So it's great. This echoes what the couple said in 2022, with Amal saying: It's maddening to some of our friends. I have a cousin, actually, every time we see him he's like, his first question is, So have you had an argument yet? before he says hello. George and Amal Clooney in 2017 ( Invision/AP ) King, who also conducted the interview three years ago, asked: Seriously? You've never had an argument? In response, George joked: Would you like us to right now? Would that make you feel better? The actor is currently starring as American broadcaster Edward R Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck, based on the 2005 film of the same name. Before his marriage to the human rights lawyer in 2014, Clooney previously held the title of Hollywoods most eligible bachelor. While the Ticket to Paradise star, 61, shares a significant age gap with Amal, 44, he explained how waiting until he was 53 to tie the knot helped make him the perfect partner for his wife. We agree on most things, Clooney recently told E! News. When youre 61, which apparently I am, as you get older, youre kind of looking at things a little differently. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A surprising rise in Christianity among Gen Z has sparked a lively and nuanced debate among Independent readers, with opinions ranging from celebration to caution and scepticism. Many welcomed the shift, seeing it as a positive sign that young people are seeking stability, purpose, and community in an increasingly uncertain and divided world. For some, Christianity offers timeless values like forgiveness, compassion, and belonging things they feel are missing in modern life. Others were more cautious, raising concerns about the influence of politicised or evangelical forms of Christianity, particularly those in the US, which are often linked with intolerance or right-wing agendas. Some feared that these expressions of faith could promote division and control, rather than encouraging personal reflection and kindness. Many readers also questioned whether some young people are drawn not to belief itself, but to the structure and certainty that religion offers, especially in contrast to the confusion and instability around them. While views differed, most agreed that Gen Zs renewed interest in Christianity says something important about society and that, for better or worse, faith still plays a powerful role in how people navigate the modern world. Heres what you had to say: Christianitys message is as true now as it ever was People see first-hand the changes around them and are looking for answers that are not forthcoming from our morally bankrupt leaders. The thousands-of-years-old message of salvation and forgiveness Christianity offers is as true now as it ever was. Within each human, there is a calling for the spiritual, a God-placed hole. And if that is not filled with a loving Christianity, it will be filled with something much worse for society. As a Christian, I celebrate the miracle of God becoming incarnate and suffering our sins on the cross so that we might be forgiven and have communion with God. Many hundreds of thousands are coming to this realisation. To blame topics like the "manosphere" and "red pill" is frankly simplistic and misses the point that in a constantly changing society, Christianity offers assurances that cannot be replicated with "secular" trappings. So to all Christians reading, I wish you a happy Easter. Have joy in your salvation, be blessed knowing Christ is risen and has conquered death. Hallelujah. JamesHarking Community My elder sister, brought up C of E, is now a Methodist. From what she tells me, they have lots of activities, and many centred around feeding their faces. They appear to be a community, and she has lots of friends. Well, whatever rocks your boat and boosts your self-esteem has got to be good. Each to their own, I say. 49niner Belonging I think this may be a good thing, provided it is fully inclusive and gives everybody the chance to be welcomed. There is a lot of loneliness out there. We are not talking about the abomination that some of the hate-fuelled MAGA churches have become, and whose disciples hang around outside British clinics. If young people get a sense of belonging to what should be good, then why not? DeactivatedWhy Who could blame anyone for looking for a better meaning to life? Explaining belief to others? Showing evidence of facts behind beliefs? Tell me, why do people (I refer mainly to the poorer masses) vote in the belief that those in power care about them, given centuries of evidence that that belief is untrue? It's no wonder people turn to religion in the face of the facts that, for the majority of people in this world, they cannot rely on other humans, especially those who have power over them, to care about them. In the face of seeing so much corruption, which has been exposed more to the younger digital generation than any generation before, who blames them for losing their faith in people, and for looking for a philosophy that teaches to be kind and that at least God loves you, even if the world seems against you? And with all due respect, this world of human beings we live in is cruel (please show me the evidence that it is not!). Who could blame anyone for looking for a better meaning to life than making money, no matter its cost to any other living being or the planet, which is what the world is really like? Look at the death, destruction, abuse, of humans, animals, nature, all around us, and tell me, how can you believe in this without losing your mind? Honestly, at 50 years old, I'm so happy I've got less time to live in this world than I've lived, because I am sick of seeing the cruelty. It literally makes me feel physically sick to see what humans do. But if you're young, with your whole life ahead of you, I can see you'd need some belief to steer you away from the terrible truths around you. Pen2030 A new generation of thinkers A recent piece of research commissioned by the Christian student movement Fusion, meanwhile, found that even non-religious students were open to exploring Christian ideas. Survey data from 2,030 undergraduates, of which 39 percent identified as Christian and 36 per cent identified as no religion, revealed that half of all respondents said they were interested in reading the Bible in their spare time. Some 37 percent of students with no religion stated that they already owned a copy of the Bible; 13 percent of the same group claimed they prayed weekly. Splendid news! Todays students are turning away from the tired old atheism still propounded by some of the older generation. References to Life of Brian or Dawkins now come across as the faded slogans of a bygone era. The new generation is sharper, more intellectually curious, more philosophically literate and more willing to take religion seriously. Musil Churches are places of tolerance Right-wing American churches are NOT influencing English ones; our churches are places of tolerance and inclusiveness. Test me on this; go to your local and see for yourself. If Im wrong, then talk to the church leader. Scripture is very clear on this, and those who are prejudiced are not true Christians. If an evangelical new church is teaching against this, then its not a true church. Christians are NOT insincere predators; for every individual who has been mistreated (and the Bible says that the worst punishment is reserved for those perpetrators), there are many, many more whose lives are enhanced by being part of a fellowship. Every church, in every denomination, has a duty to help the wider community, from small-scale projects to large ones (e.g., food banks and homeless outreach), and international practical aid. Christianity is NOT for the uneducated or easily led; actually, it requires the disciplines of study and reflection. The reward is a PERSONAL relationship with God, which gives a higher understanding of the world (and yes, of course, this includes science). Andypandy New minds and approaches If Christianity helps a troubled generation find stability and peace, then good for them and I wish them well. This world has not been kind to them, and they have not been kind to themselves. Personally, I associate formal religion with spite, hypocrisy, dreadful scandals - often involving the young and helpless, blinkered thinking, and amoral greed. But perhaps it has moved on, with new minds and new approaches. Pandemonium Alt-right influence There's an indisputable link between the alt-right and Christianity, particularly that of an evangelical variety. From the Crusaders through the Iraq war to Donald Trump, if you have "God on your side," all manner of savagery can be excused, and all manner of oppression justified. We don't need a deity to be moral. We don't need a deity to be able to discern the difference between right and wrong, and we don't need a deity to be spiritual and to celebrate the wonder of evolution. This development looks like another step on the slippery slope to intolerance to me. PinkoRadical Faith and comfort I'm generalising, but perhaps those who see only a difficult future choose comfort in blind faith. The ever-increasing concentration of wealth among oligarchs with little social conscience leaves many feeling excluded and hopeless. A church offers acceptance and a sense of community, which has possibly gone from our society, for now. JohnnyBanana A way of life Christianity is not a religion despite the ongoing attempts by some churches to make it so. It is a way of life which offers supernatural blessings of all kinds to those who will repent and ask the Father for baptism of the Holy Spirit. Requirements are few: Be baptised in water, love the Father and people, and do the simple remembrance act with bread and wine, that's it. The number one evidence that you got it right, Jesus said, is "Truly, truly, he that believes in me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do because I go to the Father." You will hardly ever hear this preached because most so-called pastors and leaders have failed to get there. Eccles Gen Z and dogma Gen Z love any dogma. They just like being told what to think instead of figuring it out for themselves. That's why authoritarian governments, Andrew Tate, and organised religion are gaining strength. I'd rather have people at an inclusive church than a riot against refugees, but the trend is the same. It's a return to being tribal about beliefs, using visible identity markers and being indifferent to nuance and debate. Pick your dogma and see it through. A trend away from the careful reflection that can open the door to cynicism or rational thought. Leithersayswhat Traditional Christianity I'm an agnostic, but I suppose it's ok for people to give church a try, so long as it is the more traditional, low-key type of Christianity. What worries me is the influence of these right-wing, mainly evangelical Christian groups. Many of the members are dripping in self-righteousness, arrogance, and hypocrisy. You only need to look at the USA to see the negative effect such groups have. Many of them want outright bans on abortion, gay marriage, and rights for gay people. Whatever happened to the Christian idea of live and let live, eh? They do their best to interfere with the school curriculum, with their demands to censor many aspects of personal and social education. They demand the removal of certain books from school libraries that offend them and expect creationism to be taught as an equal argument to scientific fact! tommy2tops We need a new religion Church? Nah, far better to go back to Sumeria and Inanna, Goddess of Love, War, and Fertility! Springtime and rebirth? What we really need is a new religion one that honours and learns from nature again. And natures child, science. One that could put paid to the existing and divisive cultural nightmares that flourish mainly for geopolitical reasons. One that brings all of humanity together, if they can't do without the metaphysical at all. Or as artists call it, abstraction. covergo Broadly good I think this is broadly a good thing. There will always be a place for religion in this world, and churches in the community will always be important, regardless of one's faith or otherwise. Poulter Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity. Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the days top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click log in or register in the top right corner to sign in or sign up. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Taco Bell is bringing back a fan favorite dish, Crispy Chicken Nuggets. The fast-food chain issued a press release on Thursday to reveal that the Crispy Chicken Nuggets are making a comeback on April 24 for eight weeks only. When they launched in December, the nuggets sold out in less than a week. However, Taco Bell is pushing to make crispy chicken in general a regular menu item by 2026. The return of the chicken nuggets is part of Taco Bells journey to become a go-to destination for crispy chicken, according to the press release. Were a taco place doing chicken our own way and like all our best moments, its a little unexpected because we've never been about following the rules, Taco Bells Chief Marketing Officer, Taylor Montgomery, said in a statement. The demand for our nuggets was off the charts, which is why were looking at making crispy chicken permanent to give our fans what they are telling us they want. We know were not the usual name in crispy chicken, but our nuggets speak for themselves theyre bold, different, and unmistakably Taco Bell, he concluded. The nuggets are made from all-white meat chicken and marinated in a zesty jalapeno buttermilk flavor before theyre breaded with a blend of breadcrumbs and crispy tortilla chips. open image in gallery Taco Bells Crispy Chicken Nuggets return on April 24 ( Getty Images ) Customers can purchase five nuggets with a dipping sauce for $3.99, or they can get 10 nuggets with two dipping sauces for $6.99. There are three sauces to choose from: Hidden Valley Fire Ranch Sauce, Taco Bells tangy Bell Sauce, and bold Jalapeno Honey Mustard. When Taco Bells Crispy Chicken Nuggets launched in December, they sold out in less than a week. At the time, roughly 5 million Americans nationwide had bought the dish, with the nuggets included in almost one in six orders, according to the press release. During Live Mas LIVE in March, Taco Bell revealed that the Crispy Chicken Nuggets would be making a return this year. The brand shared that theyre partnering with Mikes Hot Honey to make a Mikes Hot Honey Diablo sauce to go with the chicken nuggets. open image in gallery The Cripsy Chicken Nuggets will be sold in five or 10 pieces ( Taco Bell ) The company also revealed plans to launch Crispy Chicken Strips, which will debut as part of new burrito and taco menu options. Last month, Taco Bell CEO Sean Tresvant told CNN about the restaurant's vision to establish itself as a leader in chicken offerings through its Cantina Chicken Menu, which already includes shredded and crispy chicken in tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Tresvant added that the menus expansion is a key step in Taco Bell's strategy to achieve its goal of becoming a $5 billion brand by 2030. Were not the first to do chicken, but we want to do chicken very uniquely, he said. Chicken is a protein thats trending and we need to make sure we are consumer relevant. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A mother and father in West Virginia were arrested after they allegedly killed their 4-month-old baby by rubbing an excessive amount of alcohol on the child's gums. According to the Braxton County Sheriff's Department, Angel Talbert and James Smith are facing charges for murder, child neglect resulting in death, and conspiracy. WSAZ reports that deputies learned of the child's death in November 2024. Deputies met with the parents to probe the death. Smith reportedly told investigators that the child's mother, Talbert, woke him up early on the morning of the incident and asked him to check on the baby. He said that when he went to check on the child, the baby wasn't breathing and was lying face down. Smith said he called for Talbert to call 911 while he began CPR. According to a police complaint, the parents and the unresponsive child traveled to Braxton County Memorial Hospital. The baby was loaded into an ambulance at the hospital and EMS workers began treating the child. The 4-month-old died at the hospital. Talbert and Smith told deputies that their child had not been sick and did not have any ongoing health conditions. Deputies wrote in the complaint that the couple's home was in poor condition and that they witnessed cockroaches skittering about during their visit. Investigators also found there was no running water in the kitchen or bathroom. On April 10, 2025, the medical examiner's office reported that ethanol was found in the child's blood, with a reading 3.21. The medical examiner's office said that level of alcohol contamination would be deadly for the child. Four days later, police returned to speak to the parents. Talbert and Smith reportedly said they had no idea how alcohol would have wound up in the child's system. Deputies spoke with the parents a few days after the April 14 meeting, during which time Talbert allegedly told investigators that Smith would rub alcohol on the baby's gums and around her mouth. Smith allegedly used the method to help calm the child when it became fussy or irritable. When deputies spoke to Smith about using alcohol to pacify the child, he allegedly told them that both he and Talbert used the method and had done so nearly every day for a month up until the child's death. While rubbing alcohol on babies gums to pacify them is an oft-repeated bit of folk wisdom, modern healthcare providers warn that engaging in the practice can poison and potentially kill a child. Parents should never apply alcohol to the gums as it can be poisonous to young bodies which are not developed enough to safely handle alcohol, according to the Miami Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry. The couple are being held in jail without bond. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Florida woman allegedly impersonated an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent to kidnap her ex-boyfriends wife. Latrance Battle, 52, is accused of entering a hotel where the victim works on April 11, claiming she was there to detain the woman who is in the process of obtaining US residency. The woman followed Battle, thinking she was a law enforcement official, according to authorities. The Bay County Sheriffs Office said Battle wore a black shirt with ICE printed on the front, presented the woman with a sheriffs office business card and carried a hand-held radio. Battle allegedly told the woman she had to go with her and they both got in the defendants vehicle. As they traveled to an unknown destination, Battle took the unidentified victims phone as she attempted to contact her lawyer and husband. The victim first sensed something was wrong when they arrived at an apartment complex instead of the sheriffs office. Battle has been charged with kidnapping, impersonating a law enforcement officer and other charges ( Bay County Sheriff's Office ) Battle allegedly told the woman. that she needed to suffer the consequences of her husbands actions, the Miami Herald reported. While the alleged kidnapper went inside the apartment, the victim fled and called law enforcement with a neighbors assistance. Battle then attempted to flee the state to Alabama, but officials later located her in Fountain, Florida. She was charged with kidnapping in the commission of a felony, robbery by sudden snatching, impersonating law enforcement in the commission of a felony and felony violation of probation. Footage of the arrest released by the sheriffs office shows an officer approaching Battles vehicle and demanding she open the door. When she fails to comply, an officer opens the drivers side door and tells Battle to step out of the vehicle with her hands behind her back. The officer then handcuffs her and the footage ends. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice On January 29, 2022, John OKeefe was found unresponsive in the snow, "I hit him. I hit him," Karen Read proclaimed as paramedics desperately tried to save his live, prosecutors say. The state spent most of Tuesday detailing its allegations that Read murdered her cop boyfriend in a fit of rage. It's an argument they tried before, they are now trying again. Read, however, maintains its a vast conspiracy and she is being framed. The accused-murderer-turned-true-crime star was back in court for the start of her retrial on second-degree murder, motor vehicular manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a collision causing death charges. Reads first trial resulted in a mistrial - and now her second trial is expected to last six to eight weeks. Opening statements began Tuesday morning, with both the prosecution and the defense vowing to use facts, science and data to prove their cases. The prosecution painted Read as an angry girlfriend who rammed into her boyfriend after a long night of heavy drinking. The defense claimed Read had nothing to do with his death and she was framed by others, including law enforcement, who led a corrupt investigation. open image in gallery Opening statements in Karen Reads murder retrial kicked off Tuesday, when the jury heard two very different versions of the harrowing events of January 2022 ( AP ) Special prosecutor Hank Brennan walked through the events of January 29, 2022, from the perspective of a paramedic arriving at the scene to find an unresponsive man in a snow bank. He could hear a woman screaming and the blizzard conditions swirling around him, Brennan said. The paramedic was providing care to the man when he asked the woman who approached Read whether she knew him. I hit him. I hit him. I hit him, she told the paramedic, the prosecutor told the jury. In total, she told three first responders that she hit OKeefe, Brennan argued. OKeefe got out of the car, he stood by the side of the road after an argument with the defendantan argument fueled by heavy intoxicationthe defendant and her SUV drove away, the prosecutor told the jury. After driving 30 feet, Read put her car in neutral, she then put the Lexus in reverse and hit the accelerator - about 75 percent to full blast - and went backward at least 75 feet before hitting him, Brennan said during his opening remarks. She clipped John OKeefe and then she simply drove away, despite him looking mortally wounded, he told the jury. The prosecutor painted the picture of a happy couple, who met during the Covid-19 pandemic, that started to fall apart by early 2022. To most of the world, it was a pretty good relationship until the beginning of 2022 when things started to unravel. There was tension and arguments. Days before he died, OKeefe asked her to leave, but she wouldnt, he said. On the night of January 28, 2022, she was angry and arguing with John OKeefe before they left for the bar but she brought the fight back in the form of her SUV, he said. She later left rage-filled messages to OKeefe as he was lying in the road, Brennan accused. The prosecutor also mentioned that the taillight of Reads Lexus has a big piece missing and noted that OKeefes DNA was found on the back of her car. open image in gallery Special prosecutor Hank Brennan gives his opening argument, painting Read as an angry girlfriend who killed her boyfriend in a fit of rage after a night of drinking. Read has pleaded not guilty. ( AP ) The late police officer was a family man he didnt have any biological children of his own but he helped raise his sisters children, the special prosecutor said. They led a good life, Brennan said. Enter Karen Read. Throughout his opening remarks, Brennan vowed that the cases facts, science and data will drive the case. Alan Jackson, a defense attorney for Read, argued that these very same elements suggest OKeefe never got in a collision that night. There was no collision with John OKeefe, he told the jury. The experts will tell you that. The prosecutions case is untethered and unconnected to the facts and to the evidence and their assertion is contrary to science, he argued. Jackson read a text exchange involving Michael Proctor, the lead investigator on the case, discussing Brian Albert, a fellow officer who owned the property where OKeefes body was found. Proctor was a longtime family friend of the Alberts. Is the homeowner gonna catch any s***? someone texted Proctor. Nope. Hes a Boston cop too, Proctor replied. That quote defines the lack of integrity around this case, Jackson argued. The investigation was riddled with errors from the beginning. It was corrupted by bias, incompetence and deceit and a "deliberate effort to avoid and cover up the very truth that you are seeking, he told the jury. Despite the sirens and chaos occurring feet from his home, Albert a sworn peace officer and first responder, himself never came outside, Jackson said. Proctor never conducted an investigation in the house on January 29, never properly canvassed the neighborhood or secured the crime scene, the defense attorney added. Proctor wasnt named by the prosecution in their opening statements. I suspect that was by design, Jackson said. Hes an architect of the prosecution but hes also their Achilles heel. The defense provided a different context for Reads angry voicemails. OKeefe went inside Alberts house and Read remained in the car, growing frustrated, Jackson said. Thats when she left him angry voicemails because she thought he was only going to be inside for a few minutes. open image in gallery Defense attorney Alan Jackson claims his client was framed and calls the police investigation into the matter corrupt ( AP ) The medical evidence will establish that he was killed somewhere else somewhere warmer and that his body had to be moved out in the cold, he argued. Jackson further said OKeefe didnt suffer a single injury on his body consistent with having been hit by a car. Jackson contended that he could have been beaten up inside the home, scratched by Alberts dog and then his body was moved outside. The defense also mentioned the taillight and disconnected it from OKeefes death. Read struck another car with the taillight that night, Jackson said. The defense will show a video five hours after she dropped off OKeefe at Alberts home capturing the moment her taillight was damaged. The incident reportedly occurred in OKeefes driveway. She also never said I hit him," Jackson said. Those three words I hit him were the focus of much of the first witness testimony. Timothy Nuttall, a paramedic and firefighter who was called to the scene in the wee hours of January 29, 2022, was the first to take the stand. Nuttall also testified in her first trial. There, he recalled Read saying she hit him twice in a row; now he claims she said it three times. Does your memory get better with time? Jackson asked, seemingly trying to cast doubt on his memory. Kerry Roberts, a close friend of OKeefes, also took the stand. Read called her at 5 a.m. on January 29. Kerry, Kerry, Kerry. Johns dead, Read yelled to her on the phone before abruptly hanging up. The pair along with OKeefes friend Jennifer McCabe drove around in blizzard conditions looking for him. Read, frantic, was hopping between the back seat and sitting in between Roberts and McCabe as they drove, Roberts testified. As they approached Fairview Road, Read shouted: There he is! She then started running toward a mound of snow, she testified. Once she got to it, you could tell it was a mound of snow that was the length of a body, Roberts told the jury. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/ivanna.klympushtsintsadze If the information about the conditions proposed for a ceasefire is true, then this means that the United States is not set on seeking to achieve a just and lasting peace, said head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the European Union Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze (the European Solidarity faction). "I would like to believe that the information about the conditions for a ceasefire in essence, which is being disseminated in the media, is not a complete and true presentation of the US proposals. But, if what is written in the media is true, then this is both sad and dangerous. This means that the United States, in general, is not set on seeking to achieve a just and lasting peace, but it is about the desire to report on some kind of temporary truce at the expense of concessions to the aggressor and present it as a great achievement of the United States," Klympush-Tsintsadze told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday. According to the MP, Ukraine is now at a critical point, "and we, together with other partners, must do everything possible and impossible to bring the US position to its senses." She emphasized that it is precisely Russia's strategic defeat that meets the interests of Ukraine, Europe, and the United States. "Russia will never be satisfied with one or another piece of Ukraine. They [the Russians] do not see themselves without us, do not feel like an empire without Ukraine. Recognition of any part of Ukraine as Russian territory will be a tragic result of this war for international law, for Ukraine and Europe, but also for the positions of the United States itself, which will thus deny both its previous decisions and its previous doctrines. Appeasing the aggressor at the expense of the victim does not contribute to stable, lasting solutions and peace, but only fuels its appetites," the committee chair noted. Klympush-Tsintsadze believes that Ukraine, which defends freedom, the possibility of sovereign choice of its alliances, the basic principles of international law and, in fact, European security, should receive opportunities to guarantee its security. "NATO membership is the cheapest and most effective way to protect our security in the future, while contributing to the strength of the Alliance. I do not see any possibility of restricting us from joining, especially since there is no other effective option for security guarantees," Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasized. As previously reported, foreign media reported on the proposed US version of the peace plan, which includes recognition of the Russian annexation of Crimea and the exclusion of the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO. The United States will hold talks in London on Wednesday with Ukrainian and European officials. The meeting is expected to be a continuation of meetings in Paris on April 17, where the USA shared proposals for a ceasefire and a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The organization representing the family of Karmelo Anthony a 17-year-old accused of stabbing and killing teenager Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Texas said on Monday that he has had to be moved from his home due to threats he's been receiving. The family and its representatives are "gravely concerned" for Anthony's wellbeing and have moved him to an undisclosed location to "ensure his immediate safety, according to a press statement. Anthony was released into house arrest last week after his bond was reduced. According to Next Generation Action Network, a civil and human rights organization in north Texas working with Anthony's family during his trial, there has been an "alarming increase in death threats, continued harassment, and physical intimidation targeted at the family's home." open image in gallery Austin Metcalf was stabbed to death at a track meet ( GoFundMe ) The group told Fox 4 that some of the harassment included people showing up at the family's home, people loitering and taking photos of the house, faking fast food deliveries, and sending disturbing mail. "We are sharing images and documentation of the threats the family has faced this past weekend to make the public aware of the dangerous atmosphere that has been created an atmosphere fueled by organized hate, systemic racism, and intentional misinformation," NGAN spokesperson Dominique Alexander said in a press statement. Anthony allegedly stabbed Metcalf after the two became embroiled in an argument over a seat at a track meet at a Frisco high school. Metcalf died from his wounds, and Anthony was charged with murder. The situation reached such a dangerous level that the Anthony family was forced to evacuate Karmelo Anthony from his home over the weekend to an undisclosed location to ensure his immediate safety, approved by courts, NGAN said in a press statement. The case has been showing up regularly in conservative media since news of Metcalf's death broke. open image in gallery Karmelo Anthony, 17, was reportedly moved to an undisclosed location for his safety after his family began experiencing threats and harassment at their home in Texas ( Frisco Police Department ) Right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson tweeted Death sentence. Send a message, with a picture of Anthony. The Daily Wire's Matt Walsh used the incident to condemn young Black men as "wildly, outrageously" violent, writing: Young black males are violent to a wildly, outrageously disproportionate degree. Thats just a fact. We all know it. And its time that we speak honestly about it, or nothing will ever change. A small group gathered at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Saturday to protest against Anthony. According to fliers being distributed for the event, one of its organizers was Jake Lang of Florida, who had previously been charged in connection to the Capitol riot before being pardoned by Donald Trump, although he never stood trial. The group spread fliers on social media with slogans like; "Protect White Americans," "Justice for Austin Metcalf," "Demand Karmelo Anthony be put back in prison until trial," "peaceful protest" and "stop black violence on white Americans." Jeff Metcalf, the father of the slain teen, called Lang and his group "race baiters" who "wanna spew their narrative for their own agenda," according to the New York Post. During the demonstration, the elder Metcalf called in to the demonstration and called Lang a "white piece of trash and denounced his movement. "I said, You, sir, are part of the f***ing problem. You are not a part of the solution. I dont want anything to do with you,' Metcalf told the Post. Youre creating more Austin Metcalfs with your weakness, sir, Lang responded, according to KERA News. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A teenager has been arrested in connection with the death of a man who was killed in a hit-and-run after he tried to stop shoplifters from fleeing with a $10 box of surgical masks. The 16-year-old boy has been identified as the driver involved in the killing of 60-year-old Kourosh Steve Yaghoubi in South El Monte, Los Angeles, on April 9. The teenager, who has not been named because of his age, was also with a group that police are still working to identify. Yaghoubi was helping out his brother, Jim Yaghoubi, at the family-owned Giant Discount Store around 12:18 p.m. when a shoplifter walked out with the box of masks without paying, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said. It is not clear if the 16-year-old was in the store at the time. The brothers followed the shoplifter into the parking lot, where a fight happened, according to police. open image in gallery A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the killing of a man who tried to stop thieves from taking a $10 box of surgical masks. Kourosh Steve Yaghoubi was run over in the stores parking lot. ( Google ) Jim Yaghoubi said that two men got out of a vehicle and started attacking his brother. Doors open, two other guys exit the car, and one of them punches my brother in the head, he holds his head and he goes down, he told ABC7. The teen was allegedly behind the wheel and struck Yaghoubi several times as other members of their group fled the scene, police said. Authorities said the victim was intentionally hit with the car. I dont know what to do anymore, John Yaghoubi told KTLA after the incident. I lost my older brother four years ago, and my mom is 94 years old. Shes still in mourning for the first one. I dont know how Im going to tell her. When police arrived at the scene, they found the victim unconscious and suffering from blunt force trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene. I don't know why this happened. Honestly. I was there at the last minute of his life. I saw his face. I saw his eyes, Jim Yaghoubi added. The case is being presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office for formal charges, police said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Attorneys for convicted killer Scott Peterson say they have uncovered substantial new evidence that they say proves he did not murder his wife and unborn son more than two decades ago. The Los Angeles Innocence Project, a nonprofit legal group representing Peterson, filed a nearly 400-page petition to the California Court of Appeals on Friday evening, alleging the case against their client is entirely circumstantial. In the petition, the group argues that the investigation was mismanaged, evidence was destroyed, and they also speculate that the murder is connected to a burglary that occurred across the street from the couples home. Peterson was convicted in 2004 of killing Laci Peterson, 27, who was eight months pregnant with their unborn son, Conner, in Modesto, California, in a trial that transfixed national media. Prosecutors say Peterson dumped his wifes body in the Berkeley Marina on December 24, 2002, then reported her missing. The bodies of her and her unborn child washed up on a shore four months later. The 52-year-old, who has always maintained his innocence, was initially condemned before his 2005 death sentence was overturned in 2020. He was resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2021. open image in gallery Defense attorneys for Scott Peterson, pictured in 2005, have called the prosecutions case entirely circumstantial ( AP2005 ) According to the newly filed petition for a writ of habeas corpus, critical evidence was withheld from jurors during Petersons high-profile murder trial. The petition argues that police and prosecutors mismanaged the investigation and even destroyed evidence. Petersons attorneys request that the court vacate their clients sentence. Much of the new material presented centers on a burglary that happened across the street from where the Petersons lived at the time Laci went missing on Christmas Eve almost 23 years ago. It includes a witness who allegedly overheard a conversation among the burglars about Laci seeing and confronting them, according to the filing. This evidence exonerates Scott Peterson because it shows Laci was alive when he left home on December 24, since the burglary took place, it adds. Petersons attorneys had previously argued that the victim was killed after she witnessed two men breaking into their neighbor's house while she was walking their dog, not by Peterson, who they say was alone on a fishing trip. open image in gallery Laci Peterson (left) went missing along with her unborn child on Christmas Eve, 2002 ( Netflix ) LAIP attorneys also connected the burglars to a burned-out van near the couples home, adding that information about a scorched mattress found inside the vehicle that contained bloodstains had been omitted and not heard by the jury. The death date initially established for Petersons unborn child, Conner, was incorrect, the petition alleges. It claims that he was probably alive for several days longer. The petition also challenges the prosecutions timeline and their claim that Peterson dumped his wife and sons bodies when he went fishing. Their remains could not have drifted from the point Peterson went fishing to where they were recovered, it states. The evidence instead points to the bodies being placed in the water at the Albany Bulb, a location accessible by car or foot, not by boat from Petersons fishing spot. Other evidence included new science and medical research, according to the filing. Every aspect of the prosecutions theory as to how the crimes in this case were committed has now been shown to be false, the petition concludes. In a statement on Monday, LAIPs Chair of the Board of Trustees, John Sonego, said: Any injustice must be made right. The evidence in this case has been and will continue to be our guide. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Residents of Galveston and Jamaica Beach in Texas received an unexpected Easter surprise on Sunday when they learned that packages of cocaine had been washing up on nearby beaches. On Sunday, law enforcement issued a warning to residents that bundles of suspected narcotics had been found on the West End beach. Police believe that the drugs were likely dumped overboard by the crew of a smuggling ship, which had been raided by drug enforcement officers. According to investigators, the crew tossed packages overboard in an attempt to avoid capture. Several of the packages were caught by ocean currents, which deposited them on the nearby beaches. Police urged the public to contact police immediately if they find anything unusual during their beach visits. Packages of cocaine recovered by US Customs and Border Patrol agents after Hurricane Debby in 2024. Similar bundles of cocaine washed up on a Beach near Galveston and Jamaica Beach in Texas on Easter Sunday, 2025 ( US Border Patrol ) Its not the first time packages of cocaine have washed up on the shores of coastal communities. Last year, more than 100 pounds of narcotics were discovered along Floridas shores in the wake of Hurricane Debby, according to ABC7. On August 4, 2024, 25 packages of cocaine were found on a beach in Islamorada. The value of those packages was estimated at approximately $1 million, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Miami. A week later, more than half a million dollars worth of cocaine was found floating near Everglades City in the Gulf. US Customs and Border Protection said the packages had been in the water for so long that barnacles had begun attaching themselves to the bundles. Both stashes were found by good samaritans, who reported their findings to local police. As in the case of the Texas cocaine discovery, smugglers running drugs often use boats to transport their contraband, but smugglers have also been known to use submarines as well. If the vessels sink or a crew suspects they're about to be raided they may dump their cargo, which then may wash up on shore. Brian Townsend, a retired supervisory special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, told CNN that sometimes smugglers intentionally dump their cargo for later retrieval. Some smugglers intentionally drop bales of drugs wrapped in plastic or watertight containers into the sea at predetermined locations for later retrieval by other smugglers, he said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice State legislators in Connecticut are demanding an explanation after a local father said he had been arrested and charged with killing a bear in self-defense. Todd Topicz, 39, of Bethlehem in Litchfield County, told local broadcaster WFSB earlier this month that he believed he had to act when a black bear entered his garage, raided his trash, came within feet of his two children, and was then chased up a tree by his dog. Topicz said he fired five warning shots at the bear and chased it off into the woods, only to realize afterwards that he had accidentally hit and killed it. Killing bears is illegal in Connecticut unless a person "reasonably believes" that it is entering an occupied building, attacking or threatening a human being, or attacking a properly controlled pet. Nevertheless, the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) charged Topicz with the illegal taking of a bear, meaning he must now undergo a rehabilitation program to dismiss the count. We were all threatened. It entered our home. And I have no idea why DEEP ended up charging me for this, the U.S. Army veteran told WFSB. In a letter to DEEP last week, Republican state Senators Eric Berthel, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding said Topicz had been "understandably confused" by his arrest, and they requested to know why DEEP was refusing to comment on the case. "A public statement from DEEP regarding this public safety matter would help resolve confusion and enable us to better communicate with our constituents," they wrote. A spokesperson for DEEP told The Independent that it could not comment on Topicz's case because a court has ordered that its record be sealed. According to CT Insider, the state's bear population has boomed in recent years, causing controversy over whether the state should allow a bear hunt to cull the animals numbers. Topicz, who moved to Connecticut from Florida about a year ago, said the incident occurred last August when he was taking an evening nap after coming home from work and suddenly heard his wife yelling. Grabbing his pistol, he found that a black bear had wandered into the family's garage while his 3-year-old daughter and 10-year-old stepson were playing there While Topicz's wife grabbed the kids, the bear went after a garbage bag, before apparently going outside where it was chased up a tree by his Belgian Shepherd dog. Topicz then tried to scare the bear off with warning shots, eventually causing it to climb down and run off into the forest. A neighbor heard the noise and called the police, who arrested Topicz on charges of negligent discharge of a firearm and breach of the peace. The next day he found the bear dead in a ditch nearby, ultimately leading the state's Environmental Conservation Police part of DEEP to charge him with its death. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/volodymyr.v.prokopiv/photos_by Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration Volodymyr Prokopiv was placed under 24-hour house arrest for two months with the wearing of an electronic monitoring device, Suspilne reported on Tuesday. "A preventive measure was chosen for Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration Volodymyr Prokopiv - 24-hour house arrest for two months. He will also be put on an electronic monitoring device," Suspilne reported on Telegram, citing sources in the prosecutor's office. As reported, on April 17, the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) served a charge sheet on Kyiv Deputy Mayor Klitschko Volodymyr Prokopiv, sources in law enforcement agencies told Interfax-Ukraine. The official is suspected of organizing a scheme to smuggle conscripts across the state border. As is known, in October 2024, he was already involved in a corruption scandal: many commercial and residential real estate of dubious origin were found in his family. Photo: Getty Images French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot believes that the so-called Easter "truce" of the Russian Federation was a "marketing operation." In an interview with France info, Barrot said that Putin's temporary "truce" is a "marketing operation with a bomb in his hand." According to the minister, it was aimed at "preventing the impatience and anger of President Trump". "When Moscow talks about peace, its strikes continue. More than a month has passed since Ukraine agreed to an unconditional ceasefire. Vladimir Putin must also agree to it," Barrot wrote on the X social network after the interview. The offshore wind industry has generated broad, bipartisan support in Louisiana, including from companies that have traditionally worked in the oil-and-gas industry. The state has spent years seeking to position itself as a hub in the wind energy supply chain, leveraging its long experience in offshore oil and gas. Two years ago, Australian YouTube stars Danny and Michael Philippou triumphantly moved to filmmaking with their horror hit Talk to Me. Now, another Australian YouTuber, Michael Shanks, is following in their bloodied footsteps with his own horror film. Shanks wrote and directed Together, which, after world rights sold in one of the richest deals in the history of the Sundance Film Festival, will open in cinemas internationally in July and August. Michael Shanks debut film Together will open this years Sydney Film Festival. Credit: Jason South Before that, Sydney Film Festival has announced that it will screen on opening night next month. Shanks, 34, shot Together in Melbourne, where he lives, as his feature film debut after notching up more than 65 million views for his shorts and a web series on YouTube. NEW YORK (AP) Oscar voters will no longer be able to skip watching some of the nominated films. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences on Monday announced that members will be required to watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round of Oscar voting. Until now, Oscar voters had only been encouraged to watch the nominees, and vote in categories in which they felt qualified. Queen Latifah performs at the 2025 Oscars. The rules around voting are changing. Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP In recent years, the films academy members watch have been increasingly seen as a significant factor in what wins. At the same time, the publication of anonymous Oscar ballots has often featured members confessing that they didnt get around to watching some notable films or not finishing lengthier nominees. On Monday, the academy also posted new regulations on issues including AI, refugee filmmakers and the newly launched category, casting. Colleen Harkin, director of the Institute of Public Affairs schools program and research fellow, recently alarmed the good people of LinkedIn by posting four bulging binders full of Australias maths curriculum, next to Singapores slimline curriculum. Harkin explained that Australias prep to year 10 maths curriculum is 3500 pages long bursting with ideology: climate change, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders History and Culture, Sustainability, social justice etc ( yes this is in maths). Colleen Harkin says the left pile is Australias maths curriculum and the right pile is Singapores. According to Harkin, Singapores maths curriculum is about 80 pages long with no ideological pollution. Astounding. Shocking. Also untrue, according to the body that writes the curriculum. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority says the foundation-to-year-10 maths curriculum is only 273 pages long, including optional resources. At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will visit China on April 23. China News Service: Yesterday, China and Indonesia held the First Ministerial Meeting of China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue. Could you share more details with us? Guo Jiakun: On April 21, the First Ministerial Meeting of China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue was successfully held in Beijing. As a milestone, this meeting is aimed at delivering the common understandings between President Xi Jinping and President Prabowo Subianto. The China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue mechanism is the first foreign and defense ministerial dialogue mechanism established by China in the world, which opens a new chapter of the strategic mutual trust and political and security cooperation between the two neighbors, two major emerging economies and two large developing countries. The meeting had fruitful outcomes, which boosts the high-level exchanges between China and Indonesia, further aligns development strategies, adds new substances to security cooperation, contributes to a peaceful and stable South China Sea and an open world economy, and promotes multilateral strategic coordination. Both sides agree to hold the second meeting in Indonesia. The meeting has injected fresh impetus into the development of China-Indonesia relationship and the solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries. This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Indonesia diplomatic relations, it is mostly timely and relevant for us to hold the First Ministerial Meeting of China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue. The meeting fully demonstrates the high-level strategic mutual trust between the two countries and adds new dimension to the China-Indonesia community with a shared future that carries regional and global influence. This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. The two countries agreed to jointly carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit, strengthen communications and coordination at the UN, BRICS, G20 and other platforms, and work together to make greater contributions to regional and global peace and stability. As Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century and faces severe impacts from unilateralism and hegemonism. Humanity is again standing at a crossroads. Under new circumstances, China is ready to work with Indonesia to stay committed as pacesetters in the mutual trust and mutual assistance between major countries and neighbors, locomotives in the modernization of developing countries, and drivers of openness, inclusiveness, cooperation and win-win, and jointly compose a resounding symphony of the Global South of seeking strength through unity. Spanish Daily ABC: Yesterday Pope Francis passed. I wonder if you could comment on his legacy and what he meant for Vatican-China ties and the Catholic community in China. Guo Jiakun: China expresses condolences over the passing of Pope Francis. In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained constructive engagement and conducted useful exchanges. China stands ready to work with the Vatican for continued improvement of China-Vatican ties. Shenzhen TV: It is learned that Myanmars ethnic armed group MNDAA withdrew from the urban areas of Lashio of the Shan State early this morning and handed control back to Tatmadaw. Sources say that the handover was brokered by China and China has sent a ceasefire monitoring group to Lashio recently. Is this true? Does this mean that Chinas pledge of not interfering in Myanmars domestic affairs is no longer followed through? Guo Jiakun: China and Myanmar are traditional friendly neighbors. To keep northern Myanmar peaceful and stable is in the interest of the two countries and peoples. China respects Myanmars sovereignty and territorial integrity, and actively facilitates Myanmars effort to advance the peace process in northern Myanmar in light of the will and aspirations of relevant parties in Myanmar. To deliver on the common understandings reached at the peace talks in Kunming between the Myanmar government and ethnic armed organization Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), at their joint invitation, China has recently sent a ceasefire monitoring group to Lashio to oversee the ceasefire between Tatmadaw and the MNDAA and witnessed the smooth handover of the urban areas of Lashio. Both parties commended and thanked China for its constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in northern Myanmar. China will continue pushing forward the Kunming peace talks process and doing its part in ending the conflict and promoting peace talks to ensure peace and stability along the China-Myanmar border together with the parties in Myanmar. Spanish Daily ABC: A follow-up question on my previous one, also regarding Pope Francis passing. Pope Francis publicly expressed several times his desire to visit China and meet with Chinese leader. I would like to ask, would the Vatican breaking diplomatic ties with Taiwan be a precondition on such a visit ever happening? Guo Jiakun: In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained constructive engagement, conducted useful exchanges, and had extensive communication on international issues. Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory, and the government of the Peoples Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. More and more countries have come to recognize and abide by the one-China principle. We hope relevant countries will see where the arc of history bends and come back to the right path of upholding the one-China principle. Bloomberg: Just a follow-up question on the Pope. Does the Chinese government plan to send a representative to the funeral? Guo Jiakun: I have no information to share at the moment. Dragon TV: It is reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan recently issued a security alert on its official website, claiming that the public security situation in China is less than sound, and required Japanese schools to fully assess security situation before organizing study tours to China. Whats Chinas comment? Guo Jiakun: I am not sure what exactly is Japans basis for issuing this so-called security alert. By issuing this so-called alert, Japan seeks to spread fears about so-called security risks in China, which apparently has political motives behind it. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this, and has lodged serious protests with the Japanese side. China is an open, safe and inclusive country. We welcome people all over the world, including from Japan, to travel, study, do business and live in China. China will continue to work to protect the safety of Chinese and foreigners alike. We urge Japan to immediately stop doing the wrong thing and create a sound atmosphere for the travel of people between the two countries. Bloomberg: Recently the Chinese government issued a safety warning for Chinese citizens in Japan, pointing to various instances of crime and other things which were particularly targeting Chinese nationals. So my question is, how is the safety warning by the Japanese hyping up and damaging relations, but a safety warning by the Chinese government is a fair and normal practice? Guo Jiakun: I have made clear Chinas position on the Japanese Foreign Ministrys so-called security alert. Regarding Chinas consular notice that you mentioned, there have been a lot of media reports on security risks surfacing in Japan. This is a fact that many have seen. The Chinese government has the responsibility and obligation to issue relevant consular notice for Chinese nationals in Japan. This is for protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals overseas. Reuters: Has China been invited to Pope Francis funeral and if it does receive an invite, does it plan to go? Secondly, just to follow up on your announcement about the Iranian Foreign Ministers visit. I want to ask if you could share more information about his agenda in China, who he will meet and what will be discussed. Guo Jiakun: On your first question, as I said just now, there is no information to share at the moment. On your second question, China and Iran enjoy a long-standing friendship. Over the past 54 years since China and Iran established diplomatic ties, our two countries have rendered each other respect, trust and support, boosted the sound and steady growth of bilateral ties, and promoted regional and global peace and stability. During the visit, the two sides will have in-depth exchange of views on China-Iran relations and on international and regional hotspot issues of mutual interest. We believe that the upcoming visit is vital for the two sides to implement the important common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries, deepen political mutual trust, advance cooperation in various fields and jointly defend multilateralism. Bloomberg: Last weekend, the White House put out a new website which purports to tell the origins of the COVID epidemic and says that the epidemic began in a lab leak in China. Does China have a comment on this statement from the U.S. government? Guo Jiakun: Rehashing the lab leak theory on relevant website and smearing China with unsubstantiated accusations is just another ploy the U.S. uses for political manipulation under the pretext of COVID origins-tracing. China firmly opposes it. The origins-tracing of the virus is a serious scientific issue. China has actively supported and participated in global science-based origins-tracing in the spirit of science, openness and transparency. The U.S. needs to stop politicizing and weaponizing origins-tracing at once, and stop scapegoating others. The U.S. should stop playing deaf to the questions concerning its role in the pandemic. The U.S. still owes the international community a serious response to those legitimate concerns, and a responsible explanation to the people of the world. EFE: Can you comment on the status of the 2018 agreement between China and the Holy See regarding bishops appointments and whether China is open to deepening cooperation in light of recent events? Guo Jiakun: In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained constructive engagement, and conducted useful exchanges. The provisional agreement regarding the appointment of bishops between China and the Vatican is smoothly implemented. China stands ready to work with the Vatican for continued improvement of China-Vatican ties. Reuters: Could you share more details about which specific U.S. Congress members, government officials and NGO heads were sanctioned by China over Hong Kong-related issues as shared in yesterdays announcement? Secondly, who has China sent to attend the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington this week? Guo Jiakun: On your first question, as I said yesterday, in response to the U.S.s illegal unilateral sanctions on officials of the agency representing the central government in Hong Kong and the government of the Hong Kong SAR, China, in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, decided to sanction the U.S. congress members, officials and heads of NGOs who have acted egregiously on Hong Kong-related issues. Let me emphasize that what China took are reciprocal countermeasures. Let me refer your second question to competent authorities. Bloomberg: Just now in your answer on the COVID question, you said that the U.S. owes the world as the U.S. has a responsibility to the world to explain its own responsibility on the origins of the pandemic. Can you please explain a bit more what you mean by that? And what proof there is that the U.S. is responsible for the pandemic? Guo Jiakun: China has made its position clear more than once on COVID origins-tracing. I want to stress that since the pandemic began, we have seen a lot of media reports about clues being found in multiple locations and countries around the world about the possible origins of the virus. The U.S. is one of those places, and once suffered from the Vaping Lung Disease and the issue of the Fort Detrick Biological Laboratory. We believe that the international community deserves a clear explanation from the U.S. Reuters: I just want to follow up on my previous question. Usually when the Foreign Ministry announces sanctions on individuals or organizations, it names them. And so I wanted to ask, why is it that the Foreign Ministry this time has not named the U.S. Congress members, government officials and NGO heads it said yesterday were sanctioned over Hong Kong-related issues? Guo Jiakun: I have just answered this question. Let me again emphasize that what China took are reciprocal countermeasures. Reuters: Just to follow up on the Iranian Foreign Ministers visit. I just want to clear up a question about the timing, because Iran has said that the Foreign Minister will be visiting today, but it seems from your announcement that he will actually arrive in Beijing tomorrow. Could you help us clarify that? Guo Jiakun: As I just said, at the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will visit China on April 23. Bloomberg: From today, a delegation of Japanese MPs from the Komeito party will be visiting China and theyll meet with Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. Theres also a delegation from a cross-party group that is coming next week to meet with various party officials in China. What is your expectation for these meetings and what do you hope to achieve? Guo Jiakun: China welcomes the visit of the delegation of Japanese Komeito led by its leader Tetsuo Saito. On the specifics of the visit, Id refer you to competent authorities. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's proposal to extend the ceasefire after Easter on civilian objects remains valid, noting that the Russian Federation continues targeted terror against Ukrainian cities. "Ukraine proposed to extend the ceasefire after Easter and make it complete. Our proposal for a ceasefire on civilian objects also remains valid. Russia's serious readiness to talk about this is needed. There are no obstacles on the Ukrainian side and there will be no," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Tuesday. According to him, rescue operations are currently underway in Kharkiv after a strike by Russian drones, and the head of state also recalled Russian strikes on Zaporizhia, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and other southern regions. "All this is absolutely conscious Russian terror, which is stopped by one order, but an order in Russia and for the Russian army. Easter proved this, when there were no air alerts in Ukraine," Zelenskyy noted. He acted in the iconic Australia soap Neighbours, and now his own neighbours are trying to shame him, a court has been told. Damien Patrick Richardson faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court on Tuesday after he was charged with performing a Nazi salute last year. Melbourne actor Damien Richardson speaks with police at anti-lockdown protest in 2021. Credit: Chris Hopkins Police allege the 55-year-old actor performed the gesture at a restaurant in McKinnon, in Melbournes south-east, on September 14, 2024. Details of the charge were not aired in court as Richardson appeared in person, on summons, and dates for coming hearings were set. Fear of the dentist Peter Dutton is turning a blind eye to our real community health problems. Dutton (and Anthony Albanese) should know that in general, people do not fear going to the shops due to violence. We fear something far worse we hate going for a dental check up, having a basic tooth filling, or extraction. The cost of private dental treatment is the real terror today. Its impacting the health of millions of Australians. The Greens are the only party with the courage to stand up for voters and to commit to including dental treatment under Medicare. John Glazebrook, Terang Odd choice Peter Dutton is making some bizarre choices. This wouldve been a good time to talk about policies, with less than two weeks till election day. But instead he chose to make headlines by talking about bringing back Mike Pezzullo, a former senior public servant, whose career imploded in spectacular fashion after multiple breaches of the code of conduct. Not many would remember Pezzullo, and even fewer would agree with Duttons plans. Tim Durbridge, Brunswick Bigger problems Both Labor and the LNP are being foolishly obtuse to the equal dangers Russia and the US pose to our sovereignty and security. Its time to face reality on all the emergencies (climate change and poverty included) facing the country they aspire to govern. Christopher Monie, Brown Hill, Ballarat Impartial on housing? The report in The Age (See how many properties your MP owns and their other financial interests, 21/4) regarding our federal parliamentary representatives property holdings, and that 226 own 459 properties, wouldnt come as a surprise to many Australians. What is surprising and perhaps alarming is the number of properties owned by Labor Party MPs, particularly within the cabinet. How can these MPs be trusted to make informed, impartial decisions on such things as negative hearing, capital gains tax and levels of immigration? Arguably these policies are favourable to people who already own property. Something has to change. Tony Davidson, Glen Waverley Elephant in the room This election campaign is tedious with its tit-for-tat offers from both major parties. I cannot believe thinking people are taking much notice of daily grabs in the press and media. Meanwhile, the elephant in the room is not mentioned. Climate change should be centre stage and our best hope is more independent representatives in parliament. Cost of living, health spending and housing will be irrelevant on an unliveable planet. Libby Gillingham, Outtrim Hip pocket values Many correspondents have recently bemoaned the selfishness currently polluting our national political scene and called for greater emphasis on the national interest (Letters, 22/4). Its easy to say voters act selfishly especially in a cost-of-living election but often theyre just trying to survive. When rent, groceries, and power bills climb, people understandably vote for what helps them now. But that doesnt mean national interest gets left behind. Many so-called selfish policies serve both goals. Labors fee-free TAFE helps people into jobs but also addresses skill shortages. The LNPs tax cuts boost household budgets but also stimulate economic activity. Renewable energy policy lowers bills and cuts emissions. Infrastructure upgrades reduce congestion and also build national productivity. The real problem isnt voters caring about their own lives its that politics too often fails to connect the dots. When leaders explain how big-picture reforms help at the kitchen table, the choice between personal and national interest disappears. We shouldnt bemoan voters for voting based on what they feel. We should expect leaders to show how todays pain links to tomorrows stability. Tony Vivian, Ringwood Election wastage As I set out for the ritual of handing out how to vote cards at a pre-poll booth I am reminded of the amount of waste elections create. The proliferation of corflutes, the reams of mailbox material and the how-to-vote cards. There must be a better way. A first step would be limit the number of corflutes. The second would be to require the parties and candidates to supply a how-to-vote guide to be displayed in each booth and banning canvassers outside the polling place from bombarding voters. Real time disclosure of all donations and a spending limit per electorate would also certainly help. Ken Rivett, Ferntree Gully Stamp duty a distortion Stamp duty distorts Victorias housing market by adding massive upfront costs, discouraging downsizing and trapping people in homes that no longer suit their needs (The hidden housing cost that just got even more expensive, 22/4). Only 4.6 per cent of homes change hands each year among the lowest rates in Australia. A broad-based land tax would be fairer and more efficient. At just 0.2-0.3 per cent of land value annually, it could fully replace stamp duty. Importantly, land tax applies only to the land, not the house and many new estates sit on relatively small blocks, making the yearly cost quite modest. Its time to stop punishing buyers and start supporting a more flexible, responsive housing market. David Milner, Port Melbourne Medical misogyny Your correspondent (Massive medical gains, Letters, 22/4) fails to appreciate that it is possible to acknowledge both the gains in medical advances for women and the problems that are still being suffered by women. Dismissing womens experiences as the usual ideological script against the patriarchy is another example of the gaslighting that The Ages investigation has been uncovering. Our community can be grateful for gains in treatments, as well as address the discrepancies between how men and women are diagnosed and treated in the medical system. Understanding and validating the difficulties women are experiencing is an important step and builds on advances already made. Sally Polmear, Barkers Creek Insensitive comments Almost 60 years ago I gave birth to a 4.5 kilogram baby. A locum doctor on his rounds with the starched matron approached my bed. He looked at the baby and me and saw a medical textbook. Shes got pendulous breasts large babies? A common result. He didnt see me as a woman who had just given birth. I let him have it with both barrels. He cowered and the matron shrank but Ive never forgotten the insensitivity and naked hurt. Margaret Skeen, Pt Lonsdale We tried our best The insinuations behind this overheated discussion must be hurtful to the innocent. As a retired GP, it seems the medical profession, and males in particular, are being hung out to dry. A medical student of the 70s, I saw the introduction of ultrasound scanning and laparoscopy, which resulted in the better diagnosis and management of a number of conditions that afflicted women, such as endometriosis. Its not that doctors were dumb before that, they just couldnt see. I spent time at the two leading hospitals for womens health in Victoria and saw dedicated doctors, mostly male at the time, who were focused on improving the health of women, particularly in reproduction and gynaecology, and some powerful female doctors too. It was inevitable that there would be disappointments, and even unhappy patients, such is the way of working in clinical medicine rather than pure science or mathematics. But the focus was always on trying to improve, pushing barriers and providing better health care. I did 41 years in rural general practice including womens health and delivering babies. If I disappointed anyone I am sorry, but I kept trying and learning, and truly never meant any harm, but often had too many balls in the air to juggle. Dr Clyde Ronan, Yarrawonga Implement the rules Re: Tired of taggers (Letters 22/4), while were at it, any chance the umps could be instructed to implement the rules? The number of pushes in the back and holding frees ignored makes you wonder why players bother taking front position. The AFL has spent way too long instituting unnecessary rules instead of simply insisting the original ones be implemented. My frustration here combined with the anxiety induced by the woeful camera angle choices make it difficult to watch. Brendan Coyle, East Ballina, NSW AND ANOTHER THING Credit: Matt Golding Shopping and crime Peter Dutton is correct about Melburnians being fearful when going shopping. But the fear is of meeting a politician on the hustings. All will be well after May 3 when they are put away in Canberra, and wont be seen again for three years. Steve Dixon, North Melbourne Loading I take my 11-year-old son regularly to the local shops not once do I think about our safety because I know we dont live in a violent society. Dutton believes he can scare Victorians with sweeping statements about crime and community safety. Im not buying it. Bruce McMillan, Grovedale Of course Victorians are scared of going to the shops. Have you seen the prices? Ron Mather, Melbourne Im not afraid to go to the shops, but petrified to go to the petrol station; I might run into Peter Dutton. Alan Whittaker, East Kew The only person afraid of going to the shops in Melbourne is Peter Dutton. He may be quizzed on his policies. Francis Bainbridge, Fitzroy North Vale Pope Francis Having recently read his book Hope: The Autobiography, with Pope Francis death on Easter Monday, I have lost not only my spiritual leader but my friend. Betty Rudin, Wandin North Two things prolonged Pope Francis life while battling grave, debilitating illness. His grit, and science. Nothing else. John Rawson, Mernda Will there be a failure to appoint a female pope in the next century? Is the Pope Catholic? Steve Barrett, Glenbrook Furthermore Claims of selfishness degrading our elections is a touch out of date. Decades ago it was routinely called the hip pocket nerve and every candidate paid heed. Mark Freeman, Macleod Kerry Packer once said, You only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime. Xi Jinping is probably saying You only get one Donald Trump. Stuart McArthur, Carlton North Srinagar, India: Gunmen shot dead at least 26 tourists at a resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said, in what appeared to be a major shift in the regional conflict in which tourists have largely been spared. The attack took place on Tuesday in a meadow in the Pahalgam area of the scenic, Himalayan federal territory and the dead included 25 Indians and one Nepalese national, police said. Paramedics carry a wounded tourist on a stretcher. Credit: AP It was the worst attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai shootings, and shattered the relative calm in Kashmir, where tourism has boomed as an anti-India insurgency has waned in recent years. Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. The meadow where the attack happened is accessible only by foot or on horseback, the New York Times reported. It is a popular destination, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dotted with pine forests, and is often referred to as a mini Switzerland. Hundreds of people visit it every day. The Parliamentary Committee on Law Enforcement Activities recommends that the Verkhovna Rada adopt as a basis bill (No. 12170) on establishing liability for the illegal movement, recruitment and use of a child for military purposes by a representative of a foreign state, the press service of the Verkhovna Rada apparatus said. The bill proposes to amend the Criminal Code, which provides for a penalty of imprisonment for a term of eight to 12 years for illegal movement, deportation, unjustified delay in the repatriation of a child, recruitment and use of a child for military purposes by a representative of a foreign state. 8 Naxals including 1 with bounty of Rs 1 cr killed in Jharkhand encounter RANCHI/NEW DELHI : EIGHT Naxals, including a top rung central committee member of the extremists carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head, were killed in an encounter with CoBRA commandos of the CRPF and police in Bokaro district of Jharkhand on Monday, officials said. The exchange of fire started around 5.30 am in Lugu Hills of Lalpania area of the district, they said. The troops of 209 Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) along with State police conducted the operation in which eight Naxals were killed and an AK series rifle, three INSAS rifles, a self-loading rifle (SLR), eight country-made guns and a pistol were seized, officials said. Those killed include central committee member of the extremist outfit Prayag Manjhi alias Vivek, special area committee member Arvind Yadav alias Avinash, zonal committee member Sahebram Manjhi alias Rahul Manjhi, Mahesh Manjhi alias Mota, Talu, Ranju Manjhi, Gangaram and Mahesh. Vivek carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore, Arvind Yadav had a reward of Rs 25 lakh and Sahebram Majhi Rs 10 lakh. They were booked by the police in various cases of violence, the officials said. The central committee is the top decision-making body of the Maoist organisation, they said. No injuries have been reported among the security personnel, they said. Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta said, With this encounter, Maoist squads in North Chotanagpur region have been wiped out. He added, Maoists have nearly been wiped out from across the state. They only remain in Chaibasa region. We are going to relocate all our forces, including the CRPF, Jharkhand Jaguar and Jharkhand Armed Police, in the Saranda area. Our target is to eliminate all the Maoist squads in the region in the next 15 to 20 days, or certainly before the rainy season. We appeal to the Maoists of Chaibasa to surrender before police. We have a good surrender policy, the DGP said. Centrally located MP is most preferred destination for Digital University on AI Dr Hari Krishna Maram An exclusive interview with the founder of the worlds first Digital University on AI (as it is being claimed), Dr Hari Krishna Maram, who is awaiting State Governments response. Meanwhile, Malaysia offered us a red carpet and from July, this year first batch of students will be enrolled, said Dr Hari Krishna Maram, while talking to The Hitavada. Underlining their aim to provide Artificial Intelligence Skills to All, Dr Maram spoke about dynamic job market, how AI has changed education world and prepare our youth as per the industry demand with The Hitavada. By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla Q. Why do you think digital university is necessary to get knowledge on AI, as most of the netizens have internet access and they can learn on their own since they are techno-friendly. A. AI has revolutionaries every sector of life and courses and certification on artificial intelligence is at burgeoning stage in the world and in country as well. If someone look for a particular question on internet, he/she will get hundreds of answers including unnecessary and irrelevant. While certification or degree will add value to their learning. It will be in systematic additionally quality teaching, assessment and course curriculum will impart comprehensive as well as pragmatic approach to the learner. Q. How do you enter in the field of higher education. As your company is already established and enjoying good exposure at international forum. A. With more than 60% of its population below the age of 35 years, India has the worlds largest youth population which is extremely crucial for progress and success of a nation. Our youth is digital savvy, innovative thinking and have entrepreneurial spirit. With the parent organisation Vision Digital India- the first in India to introduce the AI Trainer, an advanced technology machine developed by Intel Global. This revolutionary tool is set to be a game changer in AI education. We have trained over 1 lakh students and provided outstanding placement opportunities over the past decade. We are excited to launch this AI Trainer, a first in India, alongside cutting-edge, job-oriented AI courses in association with the Global AI Society, under our clear mission: Providing AI Skills to All. Q. Just throw some light on your upcoming projects in India? A. We are planning to launch in Karnataka. It will be part of the ambitious KWIN City project, a premier education hub set to generate an investment of approximately Rs 40,000 crore. The project aims to transform Karnatakas business landscape and foster a new era of education and innovation. The Digital University will provide students with top-notch, affordable education through partnerships with tech giants like Google, IBM, and Amazon. The curriculum is designed to be hands-on, ensuring students are job-ready upon graduation. We have already launched successful courses in collaboration with various state governments, aiming to empower youth with digital and analytical skills highly sought by the corporate sector. Q. What is prominent feature of your university project? A. This university offers Advanced STEM programs in 50 languages on AI. Q. What is your plan to come to Madhya Pradesh? A. More than two months passed, Bengaluru-based entrepreneur, Digital Brand Ambassador expressed interest to work in Madhya Pradesh during the Global Investors Summit 2025 but till now he has not received any response from State Government. He has got very positive response from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha governments. Just after putting proposal to concern officer, next day, we were called to meet Chief Minister of respective State. In the month of March, we approached Malaysia. In a very short span of time, things were finalised and we are planning to launch our university there. Probably, in the month of August first batch of students will be enrolled. Fire at Bhandewadi Yard still on; NMC clueless about how to curb such incidents in future By Kaushik Bhattacharya : The civic body has no long or short term plans to control fire Experts suggest scientific measures to reduce fire incidents in the dumping yard Utilisation of hill of residual ash will be a daunting task for NMC Bhandewadi Dumping Yard that witnessed massive fire a couple of days ago was a stark reminder that Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) needs to be prepared for such incidents during summers. The fire emits greenhouse gases even as people living around the site were advised by the civic body to stay indoors until the fire was put out. These are very short-term measures; preventing these fires altogether requires long-term measures, including thorough and sustained interventions from NMC. On Monday, the Fire and Emergency Services Department of NMC was still struggling to douse the fire and the civic body was clueless about the cause of the fire, which engulfed 10 acre area of the dumping yard. The firefighting efforts are still underway as 6-7 fire tenders are working day and night to extinguish the fire on the upper side of garbage hill, Dr Gajendra Mahalle, Deputy Commissioner, Solid Waste Management Department of NMC told The Hitavada. Despite this huge fire incident, the civic body seems to be clueless about the reason and it has no further plan to curb such incidents in Bhandewadi in future. The civic body has no long-term measures to curb such fires in Bhandewadi. When asked about the long-term measures to curb fire incidents in dumping yards, a scientist of CSIR-NEERI mentioned that proper segregation of garbage was the most important factor. In India, only 30-40% of waste generated is processed at its best. So unprocessed waste remains in open landfills for long periods. Such waste may have flammable material like low-quality plastics, chemicals, etc. The low-quality plastics, which have relatively higher calorific value of about 2,500-3,000 kcal/kg as compared to coal, which has around 8,000 kcal/kg, can catch fire easily during the summer season, said the scientist. Through proper segregation, the administration can keep such flammable material away from normal garbage. Along with this, the civic body should also install sprinkler system and fire detection system in the yard for early control of fire, said the scientist. The most vulnerable part of the landfill - the portion with lots of plastics and other flammable waste, should be capped with soil. It will help to reduce the chances of fire incidents, said the expert. After the fire incident, heaps of ash is left behind whose removal is also a big challenge for the civic body. Meanwhile, NMC has no plan to remove the ash from the dumping yard and they may use it in bio-mining process. Whereas, the scientist said, The ash may contain residue of poisonous metal, which is harmful to utilise in any landfills. There is a need to scientifically utilise and remove the ash to avoid any other hazardous incident. It will take one or two more days to control the fire completely in Bhandewadi dumping yard. The civic body is putting in efforts to stop the fire, but there is a need to plan long-term measures at administration level. Mahadev betting app case: ED seizes securities, bonds, worth Rs 573 cr NEW DELHI : THE Enforcement Directorate Monday said it has seized securities, bonds and demat accounts worth Rs 573 crore after it conducted a fresh round of searches in the Mahadev online betting app-linked money laundering case last week. The federal probe agency, in a statement, said it has found that the proceeds of crime generated by the betting platform and its linked syndicates were moved out of the country and later invested in the Indian stock markets in the name of foreign portfolio investments (FPIs). The searches were conducted on April 16 at premises in Delhi, Mumbai, Indore, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Chennai and Odishas Sambalpur. The search action has resulted in the seizure of cash worth Rs 3.29 crore, freezing of securities, bonds and demat accounts worth more than Rs 573 crore besides seizure of various incriminating documents and electronic records, it said. The Mahadev betting app case made headlines after the agency claimed a few years ago that many high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh were allegedly involved in the illegal operation and subsequent monetary transactions linked to this app. The two main promoters of the app, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, hail from the State. Searches have been undertaken in this case by the ED in the past too. The probe agency said funds were introduced in certain companies to prompt artificial price fluctuations of certain small and medium enterprises (SME) sector securities to cheat common investors. Some of these investments have been identified and frozen during the searches. Investigation is underway to uncover the complete modus operandi of this stock price manipulations. The seizures made during the searches have also revealed the role of promoters of such listed entities, who have deployed these tainted funds in their company under the guise of preferential issue of shares, sale of promoters/promoter-controlled shares and issue of share warrants, the ED said. Some of these listed companies were also found to be used for layering investment in share markets, according to the federal probe agency. The promoters of such companies collaborated and colluded with the accused to manipulate to share prices of such firms with the help of tainted money to raise their companys valuation using a string of agents and middlemen, it said. , adding some of these agents and stock brokers were also covered during the searches. The ED has so far arrested 13 people in the case and has filed five chargesheets naming 74 accused. It has also attached, frozen or seized properties worth Rs 3,002 crore. The agency had said the Mahadev Online Betting gaming and betting app is an umbrella syndicate arranging online platforms for enabling illegal betting websites to enrol new users, create user IDs and launder money through a layered web of benami bank accounts. The projected proceeds of crime in this case are about Rs 6,000 crore, according to the ED. Maharaj Bandh Talab: A dying heritage in the heart of Raipur By Manoj Dewangan : Raipur, Once a shimmering lifeline and symbol of Raipurs heritage, the Maharaj Bandh Talab is now a neglected and dying water body. Overrun by water hyacinth, choked with sewage, and littered with plastic waste, the pond stands as a stark reminder of urban apathy and civic failure. Located in the heart of the capital and built around 1770 during the rule of Maharaj Rao Dani, this historic lake is the second-largest in Raipur after Telibandha. For generations, it served as a vital source of water for irrigation, household use, religious activities, and fisheries. Today, its reduced to a foul-smelling swamp. Shivnandan Yadu, a senior citizen and priest at the nearby Shiv-Parvati Temple, recalls its past glory. There was a time we could see the bottom of the lake. We used its water for drinking and cooking. Farmers depended on it. Now, it stinks and carries the citys waste, he said. Despite spending lakhs every year on de-weeding and cleaning drives, the Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) has failed to bring lasting change. The lakes condition continues to worsen. Local farmer Shailendra Dhimar said, Every year RMC removes the hyacinth, but it grows back. An STP was sanctioned years ago, but the work has stalled. The efforts are for show, not real revival. Social worker Ajay Tiwari blamed poor planning and lack of commitment. Every nearby drain dumps waste into the lake. Until we stop sewage and garbage from flowing in, these clean-up drives are a waste of taxpayer money, he said. Even local corporator Jaishree Nayak admitted that the lake is now unfit for religious use. We have to arrange water tankers during festivals. The pond has never been cleaned properly. A project of this scale needs technical expertise, funds, and political will, she said. The proposed solution a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) under the Raipur Smart City Limited (RSCL) has remained stuck for years. Project engineer Atul Chopra cited an accident involving the contractor for the delay. Work will resume within a week. We aim to complete it this financial year, he said. However, residents and environmentalists argue that without a functional STP, the pollution will continue. Surface-level cleaning alone wont save the lake. Confusion over responsibilities has also added to the delay. Hitendra Yadav, Zone-6 Commissioner, admitted he was unaware of the STPs status. Its under RSCL. Ive just joined and will review the matter urgently, he said. Locals say the neglect of Maharaj Bandh Talab reflects a deeper crisis in governance. This pond is not just water its part of our history. If the government cant restore it, it shows how little value is placed on our heritage, said the local residents who are peeved over the current state of the pond and administrative apathy. The revival of this lake is more than an environmental issueits a test of civic responsibility and political resolve. Pope Francis departs forever..... VATICAN CITY : Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was inspired to take the name Francis to emphasize the spirit of poverty embodied by Saint Francis of Assisi. He was the first Pope from The Socity of Jesus (Jesuit Order). First Latin American Pope. First Pope in 600 years to don the mantle after resignation of predecessor. n First Pope from outside Europe in almost a thousand Years. POPE Francis, historys first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humility and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives over climate change and critiques of capitalism, died Monday. He was 88. Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church, Farrell said. Francis entered Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia and, at 38 days, became the longest hospitalization of his papacy. Part of his right lung was removed in the late 1950s after a bout of pneumonia, and he suffered from chronic lung disease. He emerged on Easter Sunday his last public appearance, a day before his death to bless thousands of people in St. Peters Square, drawing wild cheers and applause. The death now sets off a weekslong process of allowing the faithful to pay their final respects, first for Vatican officials in the Santa Marta chapel and then in St. Peters for the general public, followed by a funeral and a conclave to elect a new pope. From his election on March 13, 2013, the Argentine-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio signaled a different papacy, embracing refugees and the downtrodden, especially following the troubled tenure of Pope Benedict XVI, who surprisingly resigned. But conservatives grew increasingly upset with Francis progressive bent, outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics and crackdown on traditionalists. He badly botched a notorious case of clergy sexual abuse in 2018. The crowd-loving, globe-trotting pope also navigated the church through the coronavirus pandemic from a locked-down Vatican City, declaring it has shown us that we cannot live without one another, or worse still, pitted against one another. Francis was elected on a mandate to reform the Vatican bureaucracy and its finances, but he went further, shaking up the church itself without changing its core doctrine. Who am I to judge? a welcoming message to the LGBTQ+ community and those who felt shunned by the church. Francis changed church positions on the death penalty, declaring it inadmissible in all circumstances, and modified its stand on nuclear weapons by saying their possession was immoral. In other firsts, he approved an agreement with China on bishop nominations that had vexed the Vatican for decades, and charted new relations with the Muslim world by visiting the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq. But his real revolutionary change came in emphasizing the church should be a refuge for those on societys fringes: migrants, the poor, prisoners and outcasts. Francis lived in the Vatican hotel rather than the Apostolic Palace, wore his old orthotic shoes rather than the traditional red loafers, and used compact cars. If being the first Latin American and Jesuit pope wasnt enough, he was the first to name himself after St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th century friar known for personal simplicity, his message of peace, and care for societys outcasts and nature. His first trip as pope was to the Italian island of Lampedusa, epicenter of Europes migration crisis, and he consistently visited countries where Christians were persecuted. But over a year passed before Francis met survivors of priestly sexual abuse. Victims groups questioned whether he understood the scope of the problem. His papacys greatest crisis came in 2018, when he discredited Chilean victims of abuse and stood by a bishop linked to their abuser, a notorious pedophile. Francis later invited the victims to the Vatican for a personal mea culpa and summoned the leadership of the Chilean church to have them resign. Another crisis erupted over ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the retired archbishop of Washington and a counselor to three popes. Francis had sidelined McCarrick after an accusation he had molested a teenage altar boy in the 1970s. The Vaticans onetime U.S. Ambassador, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, still accused Francis of rehabilitating McCarrick early in his papacy. Francis eventually defrocked McCarrick after an investigation determined he sexually abused adults as well as minors. Public representative review implementation of Govts priority schemes Staff Reporter : Member of Parliament, Ashish Dubey chaired the meeting of the District Co-ordination and Monitoring Committee 'Disha' at Collectorate on Monday. MLA Cantt Ashok Rohani, MLA Bargi, Neeraj Singh Thakur, MLA Sihora, Santosh Barkade, MLA, Dr Abhilash Pandey, President, District Panchayat, Asha Mukesh Gotiya, Janpad President, Collector, Deepak Saxena, JMC Commissioner, Preeti Yadav, CEO, District Panchayat, Abhishek Gehlot, ASP Suryakant Sharma and other concerned officers were present. Implementation of governments priority schemes especially, Health, Education, Drinking Water, Canal, Electricity, Urban Development, Traffic Management, Road and Sewer Line etc. were reviewed. Earlier, the attendees discussed about compliance of the instructions given in the previous meeting. MP, Dubey discussed various issues and asked the officers should maintain mutual coordination and coordination with public while implementing developmental activities and to resolve problems. He directed to improve the citys traffic system, road and drainage system, resolve problems related to drinking water, hand pumps and farmers issues. He said that officers should maintain proper correspondence with public representatives regarding problems and inform them while visiting fields and work for the public and society. Organize Gram Sabhas regularly and resolve local problems at the local level. MLA Rohani asked to take stern action for taking money from Ayushmanan card holders in private hospitals. Continuously digging roads in the pretext of sewer line in urban areas without information, is a waste of money, hence advance planning should be done. He asked to intensify the process of supplying Narmada water to Ranjhi area, improve the citys traffic system, remove encroachment from Vehicle turn to Darshan Tiraha and from Gorabazar to Bilhari. The complaints related to smart meters should be resolved immediately, effective action should be taken to prevent adulteration in food items. MLA Singh said that often ambulances take the patient to private hospitals, monitoring should be done in this direction as well. He also asked to resolve development and rural issues at the local-level during gram sabhas regularly. MLA Barkade said that immediate action should be taken to improve the dilapidated school buildings. Also, necessary steps should be taken to ensure sufficient water for farmers and cattle. He also gave necessary instructions to the concerned officials regarding stubble management. MLA Dr. Pandey said that traffic signals should be installed at Ukhri Chowk and prepare an action plan to send buses to the bus stand from the outside route. He said that the JMC should ensure pure drinking water to common public, because most of the complaints come regarding the availability of pure drinking water. All the concerned officers gave presentations about their respective departmental plans and progress one by one. Collector, Saxena directed to take up the issues raised in the meeting on priority basis and work on them. Tanishq unveils Kundan Stories Collection for Akshaya Tritiya Business Reporter : As The auspicious festival of Akshaya Tritiya approaches, Tanishq, Indias largest jewellery retail brand from the House of Tata, unveils its latest Kundan Stories Collection, celebrating artisanal gold craftsmanship through exquisite design and unparalleled artistry. With Akshaya Tritiya and the summer wedding season on the horizon, this collection underscores Tanishqs commitment to offering intricately hand-crafted masterpieces that seamlessly blend heritage with contemporary elegance. With designs that capture the beauty and celebration of special occasions in the life of the Indian woman, Tanishq aims to be an integral part of her journey. Drawing inspiration from Indias diverse cultural heritage and the Tanishq woman, each ornament in the Kundan Stories Collection is hand-crafted over 200 hours, reinforcing Tanishqs legacy of unparalleled craftsmanship and trust. The collection features regal Kundan designs enriched with takkarka kaam, talaf, ghungroo bunching, wire work, pearl bunching, and progressive die-stamping techniques, ensuring a perfect balance between tradition and modern refinement. Akshaya Tritiya is deeply rooted in cultural traditions, signifies auspicious beginnings and aligns with the evolving demand for jewellery that merges heritage with artistry and long-term value. Pelki Tshering, Chief Marketing Officer, Tanishq, said, At Tanishq, every piece is a story, shaped by the hands of our karigars and inspired by the spirit of the Tanishq woman. For a season of new beginnings, our new collection Kundan Stories blends heritage with modern elegance, celebrates the timeless beauty of traditional craft, and reimagines the jewellery for her world today. Nagpur showrooms are located at 7 Kings Way, Opposite SBI, Station Road (Ph: 6659201-218), Shraddhanand Peth Square, South Ambazari Road (Ph: 6669300-33), or Jai Hind Co-op. Housing Society Ltd., Somalwada, Manish Nagar (M: 9822220897, 9822278608). Woman, lover kill Dubai-returned hubby, stuff mutilated body in suitcase in UP GORAKHPUR : IN A stark reminder of the gruesome murder of a former merchant Navy officer in Meerut, a woman and her lover killed her husband who returned from Dubai 10 days ago, cut the body in two and stuffed it in a suitcase before dumping it in a field far away from home. Police identified the man from the airline tag that was still attached to the suitcase. Uttar Pradesh has recently witnessed two diabolical spousal murders in Meerut -- one in which the merchant Navy officers body was stuffed in a drum and the other where the husband was strangled and an attempt was made to pass it off as a case of snakebite -- that made the nation shiver in fear. On Sunday morning, a farmer in Patkhauli village discovered a trolley bag abandoned in his field. Inside were the severed upper and lower halves of a mans body, the police said. The police managed to identify the victim, Naushad Ahmed (38), through an airline tag which was still attached to the suitcase, they said. When officers visited Naushads home, his wife Razia initially claimed he had gone out the night before. However, bloodstains and another suitcase inside the house raised suspicion. Upon questioning, Razia confessed to killing her husband with the help of her nephew, Ruman, the police said. Ahmed had returned to his native Bhatauli village just 10 days ago. Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Verma said the murder took place around 2 am. Razia, Ruman, and his friend Himanshu executed the plan. They chopped the body in two, stuffed it in a suitcase and transported it in a vehicle to dump it in a field about 55 km from his home, he said. Within six hours, our team traced the barcode on the airline tag and identified the victim. Razia has been arrested, and the murder weapons -- an axe, a chopper, and a pestle -- have been recovered, the officer said. Ruman and Himanshu are absconding, he said. Number of victims from Russian attack on Zaporizhia increases to 26 people authorities Photo: https://t.me/dsns_telegram/41517 As a result of the bombing of Zaporizhia by the Russian occupation forces, one person was killed, 26 people were injured, including four children, the head of the Zaporizhia regional military administration Ivan Fedorov reported. "The number of victims from the Russian attack on Zaporizhia has increased to 26. Among the wounded are four children - all of them hospitalized. One woman died," he wrote on Telegram. According to the head of the regional military administration, an emergency rescue operation is underway at the site of the hit. Earlier, he reported the death of one person and the injury of another 23 people. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) team is helping rescue services after the Russian bombing of Zaporizhia. "The Ukrainian Red Cross Society Rapid Response Team in Zaporizhia region is providing assistance to those affected by the attack on Zaporizhia together with other rescue services," the URCS reported on Facebook on Tuesday. Volunteers are providing first aid and psychological assistance. Together with rescuers, they are evacuating the wounded from homes and transporting the injured to medical facilities in the city. Emergency rescue operations are continuing. As reported, one person was killed and 26 others were injured as a result of the bombing of Zaporizhia by the Russian occupation forces on Tuesday, including four children. Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2025 The European Solidarity party commented on the court's decision on house arrest for the deputy head of Kyiv City State Administration, leader of the European Solidarity faction in Kyiv City Council, Volodymyr Prokopiv calling the process a "cleansing of the political field." "Trubitsyn, Odarchenko, Dmytruk and other corrupt officials have an open border and Prokopiv from European solidarity is under house arrest. The court decision to place Head of the European solidarity faction in Kyiv City Council Volodymyr Prokopiv under house arrest for failing to return one! driver who was transporting fuel for the city at the beginning of the full-scale invasion and fled abroad is nothing more than an attempt to intimidate the opposition as part of the purge of the country's political field," the party believes. The political force said the results of the court session, following which Prokopiv was placed under house arrest, are a vivid demonstration of the complete lack of justice in the country, and the charges themselves were called absurd. "The essence of the accusations is catastrophically absurd. Imagine: in total, 15,711 people, submitted by all authorities to the State Border Guard Service Administration, left the system. Of these, 1,130 did not return to the territory of Ukraine. In particular, 579 of them were submitted by the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, 366 by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, 89 by the The State Service of Ukraine on Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, 61 by the Ministry of Education and Science, 19 by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, and 16 by the Ministry of Economy. And only one driver, who had no contact with Prokopiv at all, and therefore had no motive, became a reason for suspicion for the leader of the EU faction in Kyiv City Council," the party said. "One can only imagine the hook in which all officials of various levels who had the right to introduce people into the Shliakh system are today, after this precedent. The main emotion that the authorities are instilling is fear. Fear of mobilization to intimidate journalists, fear of criminal prosecution for the opposition or anyone undesirable. This has long been not about the European path, but about the Belarusian path, which should lead the current leadership to lifelong power," the party believes. As reported, on April 17, the National Police and the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) handed over a suspicion to the deputy mayor of Kyiv Volodymyr Prokopiv, sources in law enforcement agencies told Interfax-Ukraine. The official is suspected of organizing a scheme to smuggle conscripts across the state border. As is known, in October 2024, he was already involved in a corruption scandal: many commercial and residential real estate objects of dubious origin were found in his family. On April 22, Prokopiv was placed under 24-hour house arrest for two months. He will also be placed on an electronic monitoring device. An 18-year-old orphan boy was rescued from the temporarily occupied territory, the head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak reported on Tuesday. "As part of the initiative of the President of Ukraine Bring Kids Back UA, an 18-year-old orphan boy was rescued from the temporarily occupied territory. After the start of the full-scale invasion, his city was occupied, and the boy lived every day under the threat of mobilization to the Russian army," he wrote on Telegram. Yermak said that the boy tried to leave on his own several times, but each time he failed, in the end, he managed to reach the territory controlled by Ukraine. The Head of the Presidents Office expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian Network for Children's Rights and other partners who organized a safe route and escort. "I am grateful to the partners for their assistance in organizing the rescue mission," Yermak emphasized. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/ During the day on April 22 from 08:00, the Russian occupiers attacked the territory of Ukraine with 77 attack UAVs and other types of imitator drones, the press service of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports. "As of 18:00, the shooting down of 38 Shahed attack UAVs [other types of drones] in the east, north, south and center of the country was confirmed. Some 31 enemy imitator drones were lost in location [without negative consequences]," the message on the Telegram channel states. In addition, during the current day, the invaders launched over 130 guided bombs across the territory of Ukraine, one of which hit a high-rise building in the city of Zaporizhia. As a result of the enemy attack, Kharkiv, Cherkasy and Zaporizhia regions suffered. The enemy air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare equipment and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Yes Significant efforts are being made No Much more needs to be done Some progress But there are still critical gaps Vote View Results Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/13559 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as meetings with the leaders of Poland and the Czech Republic. "Ukraine will greatly strengthen its diplomatic work in the coming days, not only on the European continent. There will be a meeting with President Ramaphosa, who chairs the G20. There will be a meeting with the President of Poland in the format of the Three Seas Summit in Poland. There will be a meeting with the President of the Czech Republic," Zelenskyy said during a briefing on Tuesday. The president also announced a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. In addition, he said he would officially take part in the farewell to Pope Francis. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/news/all President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed the Security Service to provide information to the Chinese side regarding Chinese citizens working at a drone factory in the Russian Federation. "Separately, I asked the Security Service of Ukraine to provide more extensive information to the Chinese side regarding Chinese citizens working in Russia at a drone factory. We believe that it may be so, according to our information, that Russia stole, agreed with these citizens after an agreement with the Chinese leadership, stole these technologies, because the information describes Chinese technologies relevant to working on these drones," Zelenskyy said during a briefing on Tuesday. Zelenskyy on Russia's demands for NATO: Aggressor country cannot talk about security guarantees for Ukraine Russia cannot demand that Ukraine refuse to join NATO, since Russia is an aggressor country that violates Ukraine's security guarantees, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "Let us imagine that all NATO countries will support us. For example, no one can declare a veto, as a non-NATO country on Ukraine's membership in NATO. Russia is outside NATO. Russia is, in addition to being an aggressor country, it cannot talk about security guarantees for Ukraine, it violates them," Zelenskyy said during a briefing on Tuesday. The president also expressed confidence that a dialogue is underway between the United States and Russia regarding Ukraine in NATO. The president said that in the event of Ukraine's refusal from NATO, there must be security guarantees. "If we abandon NATO, what is Russia abandoning? I mean, they said earlier that they went to Ukraine to protect the security of their state because NATO is approaching. I mean, if NATO is not approaching, what will Russia offer?" the president said. How long will PR continue ? A look at the factors | Not that Manipur is disillusioned or satisfied with the present Presidents Rule, but any talk on how long the present arrangement will continue invariably evokes keen interests amongst the people. And so it is that the report that a popular Government is not likely soon did elicit interests from many readers of The Sangai Express and not without reason. Political calculations, the reading of who is with who, where one stands in the perception of New Delhi, who appears to be the most acceptable face amongst the current MLAs and how long Central rule is likely to continue are all topics which unfailingly evoke keen interests amongst the people. It is in line with this trend that a visit to Delhi by any of the more prominent political leaders or MLAs are stuff that are fit to make it to the pages of the daily newspapers published from Imphal. These topics are invariably tied to the question of how long Presidents Rule will continue and to come anywhere near a satisfactory answer to this, one has to take the ground reality into consideration. Manipur is far from normalcy, best exemplified by the fact that no Meitei can take the Imphal to Senapati or Imphal to Dimapur route by road. Meitei folks were stopped from going to Thangjing Ching to offer prayers just some days back. No Kuki-Chin people have returned to the place they once called home at Imphal or any of the other valley districts. Many continue to languish in the different relief centres set up across the length and breadth of Manipur. The present dispensation has not been able to address any of the points enumerated above, but will the coming back of a popular Government resolve this ? Can a popular Government return without the participation of the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs ? These are questions one has to keep in mind and if not for anything else, these factors can be the reason why the present arrangement seems set to continue for some more time, that is at least until August. This is not the first time that Manipur has come under PR and this is in fact the 11th time that Central rule has been imposed in Manipur since 1967. And the total number of years that Manipur has come under Central rule stands at 6.54 and looking at the present reality, it seems set to add more days to the period under PR. This takes Manipur to the 4th spot amongst States on the number of days that it has come under PR and there have been times when the Assembly was dissolved necessitating a fresh election. The ground reality and how Delhi perceives the reality. These two taken together will decide how long Manipur will continue under PR. And it also stands that the decision that Delhi takes will depend to a large extent on its perception of the saffron partys prospects when Manipur goes to polls in 2027. The showing of the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 will obviously hang heavy in the air when BJP looks at the coming 2027 Assembly elections, and while this is still a good two years away, the BJP is a party which believes in working out everything possible before the time comes. Will continuance of Presidents Rule work to the advantage of the saffron party, is a question which would not have been swept aside by the think tank of the BJP. Or will continuation of PR work to the advantage of its main rival, the Congress, is another question which would not have escaped the minds of the people who matter in the BJP. How about the compulsion of geo-politics and the stated objective of the saffron party to end insurgency in the region within a stated time frame ? This is where one needs to look at the compulsion of geo-politics, a type of politics which cannot be understood without taking into consideration the happenings at Myanmar and south east Asia, the growing influence of China, the political reality at Bangladesh etc. In one way or the other, it is more than clear that the points mentioned here have all had a say in the ongoing clash in Manipur and all these points will need to be taken into consideration while looking at the question of how long PR will continue. Every year on 15 April the global community celebrates World Art Day, a moment to pause and reflect on the transformative and healing powers of art as a mirror to society and a torch for progress. This UNESCO-led initiative was launched in 2019 to mark the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci. Inspired by Hyundais vision of Progress for Humanity, the initiative has championed artists as changemakers voices that amplify endangered traditions, question norms, and re-imagine inclusion. Advertisement The fourth season Rs 60 lakh was awarded to 50 grantees, including 40 individual artists. West Bengals five grantees merged craft with activism. Ghana Shyam Latuas paper art (Territory in Transition) depicted agrarian distress, while Indrani Acharya transformed polluted ponds into art spaces (Revitalizing Urban Ponds). The Daricha Foundation revived Gambhira masks, Rabiul Khan stitched homemakers autobiographies into quilts (Kanthar Ghar), and Tamal Das turned scrap metal into sculptures, training ragpicker youth in sustainable artistry. Advertisement From April 18 to 19, Ambassador Wang Qing was invited to attend the 119th anniversary celebration of Bo School. He gathered with H.E. President Julius Maada Bio and his wife H.E. Fatima Bio, as well as the Chief Justice, Chief Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education and other alumni, teachers and students of Bo School and people from all walks of life to celebrate the event. As a special guest speaker at the event, Ambassador Wang Qing comprehensively introduced the historical logic, achievements and world significance of Chinese modernization. He said that China is comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese modernization. China is willing to work with Sierra Leone to implement the ten major partnership actions proposed by H.E. President Xi Jinping to promote modernization between China and Africa, promote the continuous progress of China-Sierra Leone friendly cooperation, and jointly write a new chapter in building a community with a shared future for mankind. Ambassador Wang Qing also cut the ribbon and unveiled the newly completed student dormitory building "Beijing Building" of Bo School with President Bio. "Beijing Building" is the fifth student dormitory building of Bo School and the only building named after a Chinese city in Sierra Leone schools. Zaporizhia NPP will not work without Ukraine, Ukrainian technical staff is needed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "The Zaporizhia plant, I think I said that it is not working on its own today. And without Ukraine it will not work. And the United States, with all due respect, will not be enough. We need our technical staff," Zelenskyy said during a briefing on Tuesday. In addition, the question arises about the safety of people living in Enehodar. However, the president said that Ukraine is ready to cooperate with the United States on the restoration of the Zaporizhia NPP if Russia withdraws from there. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has agreed to the removal of two temples after hundreds of students from a government-sponsored high school gathered in front of the local police station today, demanding the removal of encroachments from school land. Nepalipara Hindi High School has received approval for the construction of eight new classrooms, funded by various central government schemes and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from public sector undertakings. However, construction work has been stalled due to around 100 encroachers occupying 1.5 acres of school land, refusing to vacate. In addition, two temples have been built on the land by the encroachers in an apparent attempt to prevent eviction. The matter was brought to the attention of the district magistrates office four months ago, but no progress has been made since. Advertisement Were unable to proceed with the expansion, and the allocated funds may be withdrawn, leaving us in a dire situation, said Dr Kalimul Haque, the schools headmaster. The school has 4,200 students and is facing an acute shortage of space. Advertisement In response to the ongoing crisis, students marched to the Coke Oven police station today, calling for police intervention. The police, however, were unable to act, as slum dwellers continued to invoke the temple issue during discussions with Dr Haque. Jiten Nunia, a former student of the school and now a local BJP leader, had initially intervened, but his stance was overruled by Durgapur (West) MLA and BJP state leader, Lakshman Ghorui. He stated, For the sake of the school and education, the temples may be vacated if necessary. However, the government must first ensure proper rehabilitation of the slum dwellers before proceeding with the work. Governor C V Ananda Bose was admitted to the Eastern Command Hospital in the city on Monday showing symptoms of chest pain and discomfort, according to sources at Raj Bhawan. He was taken to the hospital in the Alipore area around 10 a.m. Advertisement Doctors attended to Mr Bose soon after he was rushed to the hospital. He underwent several pathological and radiological investigations like ECG, echocardiogram etc. Advertisement According to sources, Raj Bhawan contacted Prof (Dr) Saroj Mondal, senior cardiologist at SSKM Hospital soon after Mr Bose fell ill with sudden cardiac pain. Prof Mondal rushed to Raj Bhawan and gave him emergency medical treatment to stabilise his condition. Prof Mondal then took the Governor to the Command Hospital. Sources requesting anonymity said that the Governor may undergo bypass surgery. Doctors at the Eastern Command Hospital were in touch with cardiologists and cardiothoracic experts of a premier private hospital along the EM Bypass and discussed the next course of treatment. Some cardiothoracic experts of the private healthcare unit visited Mr Bose to take stock of his health condition, sources said. He may be shifted to the private hospital on Tuesday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid a visit to Bose at the hospital before leaving for Salboni in East Midnapore today to participate in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the 1,600 MW power plant of JSW. I visited the Governor at the Command Hospital since he fell sick suddenly. I have directed my chief secretary to take necessary steps in this regard, Miss Banerjee told reporters before boarding her helicopter at Dumurjola helipad in Howrah. An official at the Raj Bhawan said Bose had complained of chest congestion after returning from riot-hit Murshidabad district on Saturday. The Governor also visited a temporary relief camp at the Murshidabad-adjacent Malda district, where the people displaced by the communal violence at Murshidabad are currently being housed. The Governor had claimed he would send a detailed report on his findings to the Union government and also take up the matter with the chief minister. Kolkata Police hosted a session on mental well being for its personnel at Police Training School (PTS) last week. Attended by approximately 250 police personnel, including joint commissioners, IPS officers, and 10 battalion heads, the two-day session was part of happiness guaranteed programme. Advertisement MAAsterG, a motivational life guide, spoke about stress management and how to perform ones duties in an impartial way without being too attached to the job. Advertisement A senior Kolkata Police officer said: We have pressure in the service and we have to navigate family problems. Our job is little different from other services as the society also has certain demands from us. They want quick results from us and all these have their own repercussions. We need to get out of our mental stress. Talking about the happiness session, the senior officer added: This session is more a need for the new recruits. The transformation in their lives from public to police brings its own set of problems. They have self-doubts. To overcome this, we believe this talk will be helpful for them. MAAsterG says he has embarked on Mission 800 crore, through which he plans to make every individual happy. Someone, who has given happiness talks in many government institutions, including Delhi Police and universities, MAAsterG said: The police force works 247. Due to their duty hours and demands from the job, their family life takes a hit. There are a lot of things they cannot be part of, which brings frustration in them. They also suffer from trauma because they are also humans. When the disturbances in their life becomes too much to handle, they get confused and dont know how to react. Earlier they lived in joint families, so they had a support system. They have too much stress to handle. When the society is resting, they are at work. They serve the society. They need peace of mind. They have to understand that they are playing a role and dont need to take it to heart. If they get attached to things, it brings negativity, creates disturbances. They are disturbed, it carries to the family. A senior police official, Kolkata Police, commented: Police officers often risk their lives to safeguard society, which can take a toll on their mental well-being. This initiative aims to not only boost the morale of the police force but also foster mental and spiritual growth among officers, helping them manage stress and anxiety more effectively. By doing so, the Kolkata Police hope to promote a healthier work environment and enhance the overall well-being of its personnel. MAAsterGs speech can be seen as a valuable tool for Kolkata Police officers to eliminate stress and negativity, promoting a more balanced life. The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain petitions seeking independent probe into the violence in West Bengals Murshidabad district during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 and asked the two advocates to withdraw their pleas and file better petitions. Telling the petitioner advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha, that one has to be careful and responsible with the averments made in a petition filed in the Supreme Court, Justice Surya Kant heading a bench also comprising Justice N Kotiswar Singh said, We respect every citizen who wants to come to us, they are welcome. But with a sense of responsibility. Be careful about what averments are made. Advertisement When the Bench asked the petitioner advocate about the source of information regarding migration of people to other states, Jha said it was reported by the media. Advertisement Then the Bench asked: So you have filed the petition based on media reports. Where is the verification done by you? As Justice Kant schooled the lawyer on the way the petition was drafted, advocate Jha said he will amend his plea and file a fresh petition. That is why we said, you were in a hurry Yes, justice to voiceless people must be done, but do in a proper manner. Not like this, the Bench said as it allowed the lawyer to withdraw the plea and file a better petition. The top court also allowed advocate Vishal Tiwari to withdraw his plea and file a fresh petition after he said that he wanted to bring on record certain provocative statements made after the filing of the petition, including the remarks of a member of parliament against the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of India. Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha in his petition urged the top court to seek an explanation from West Bengal government and Union home ministry as to the failure of the law-and-order machinery and direct compensation and rehabilitation for victims. He had further sought direction to ensure protection of life and liberty of those currently being affected and prevent further escalation. The petition stated that large-scale violence broke out in the state of West Bengal following the passing of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill by the parliament and the manner in which the protest turned violent and particularly targeted the Hindu community raises serious constitutional concerns regarding the right to life and religious freedom. The petitioner said that it is not the first time that West Bengal is witnessing such targeted communal and political violence and cited incidents of violence in the state. He said that three years ago, a similar situation occurred in the aftermath of the 2021 Legislative Assembly election results. Advocate Vishal Tiwari sought direction for constitution of a five-member judicial enquiry commission headed by retired Supreme Court judge to enquire into the violence in Murshidabad and to submit its report. He further sought direction to call for a status report from the West Bengal government on the violence and the government must curb the hate and provocative speeches made in respect to any community and to comply with the directions issued by the apex court. The violence in Murshidabad district against the Waqf (Amendment) Act has left at least three people dead. The government will take necessary action in Gensol Engineering matter after examining market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) order against the company, the Corporate Affairs Ministry said on Monday. Notably, last week, Sebi barred the companys promoters Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi from the securities market for various violations. Advertisement As reported by the PTI, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is examining the Sebi order in light of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. Advertisement In its recent order, Sebi found discrepancies as well as misleading disclosures to investors by Gensol Engineering, a company promoted by brothers Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi. One of the disclosures came from an investigation conducted by the NSE, which revealed a lack of manufacturing activity at Gensols EV plant (Gensol Electric Vehicle Private Ltd) at Chakan in Pune. During a site visit to the facility on April 9, an NSE official found only 2-3 labourers present. Sebi has said it found no manufacturing activity at Gensol Engineerings electric vehicle (EV) plant in Pune with only 2-3 labourers present when an NSE official visited the site. India has nominated M Revathi, Joint Wireless Advisor at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), as its candidate for Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This marks Indias most significant bid in decades to influence global radio spectrum governance. A specialised UN agency based in Geneva, the ITU ensures that the worlds communication systems work safely, securely, and fairly together. Advertisement The Radiocommunication Bureau of the ITU regulates the global radio frequencies and satellite orbitscrucial for 5G, 6G, space broadband, disaster response, managing these finite resources. As Director, Ms. Revathi would play a central role in shaping next-gen radiocommunication standards and ensuring equitable spectrum access. Advertisement An official release said her candidacy reflects Indias vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and its push for inclusive digital growth, particularly benefiting developing nations. If elected, she would become the first woman and the first representative from ITU Regions E (Asia/Australasia) and D (Africa) to lead the Bureaurepresenting more than half the worlds population. With nearly 30 years of experience in spectrum and satellite orbit management, Ms. Revathi is widely recognised for pioneering regulatory innovations. She currently serves on the ITUs Radio Regulations Board, advocating global equity in spectrum use. Indias leadership in global telecom was also underscored by its successful hosting of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) in Oct 2024 in New Delhi, attended by the highest ever 3,700 delegates from 150+ countries. The adoption of eight landmark Resolutions at WTSA 2024 highlights Indias growing role in shaping the digital future. The ITU is the United Nations specialised agency for digital technologies (ICTs). The Organisation is made up of a membership of 194 Member States and more than 1000 companies, universities and international and regional organizations. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and with regional offices on every continent, ITU is the oldest agency in the UN family connecting the world since the dawn of the telegraph in 1865. Delhi Congress on Tuesday held a key organizational meeting with newly-appointed Parliament and district presidents for the revamp of district and block committees under partys Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan. During the meeting, Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav highlighted the need to strengthen the party at booth level and outlined a roadmap for the same. He said as part of the Samvidhan Bachao campaign, the Delhi unit would hold protests outside the BJP office on April 25. Advertisement The Congress leader added that the Lok Sabha observers would meet party workers in each assembly constituency and assess the political strength of the party and submit a report to the party. Advertisement Commenting on the Mayoral elections, Yadav said the Congress would expose the complicity between the BJP and AAP as the latter has facilitated for an easy win for the saffron outfit by refraining from contesting the election. Yadav concluded with an appeal to all the MCD councilors to vote for the Congress candidates for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for a corruption free and action driven Corporation. The National Students Union (NSUI) will launch a nationwide White T-shirt Samvidhan Walk from April 25 to protest against attacks on democratic institutions, it said on Tuesday. NSUI National President Varun Choudhary announced the move, calling upon students and youth across the country to wear white T-shirts as a symbol of resistance. Advertisement Moreover, the student outfit will also organize peaceful rallies in different cities and universities, wearing white, and raise voices for justice, democracy, and truth. Advertisement This is not just a walkit is a fight for the soul of India. A walk against injustice, caste-based oppression, communalism, and the systematic destruction of our institutions, said Choudhary. He added, If you stand with the Constitution and believe in justicewear white and walk with us. The student leader claimed that under the BJP government, institutions are crumbling, students are being criminalized, and those who speak for SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, women and the poor are being targeted. Commenting on the Agnipath scheme, Choudhary said, This government has betrayed lakhs of youth by destroying permanent military recruitment and replacing it with insecure, short-term contracts. Rahul Gandhi opposed this injusticebecause he walks with the youth. Thats why the BJP is scared of him. Condemning the EDs action against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, he alleged, The attack on the National Herald, founded by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, is an attack on the freedom of the press and on the democratic legacy of the Gandhi family. BJP is afraid of Rahul Gandhi because he refuses to stay silent. On the Earth Day on Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said switching off electricity on the occasion is not just a 5-minute effort to conserve energy, but a symbol of collective commitment towards future energy preservation. Lauding the people of Delhi, she said they have proven the fact that when it comes to the environment, all of them can stand together. Advertisement The chief minister further said that the people of Delhi are alert, proactive, and responsible citizens when it comes to important issues like environmental conservation. Advertisement She said nations across the globe are working towards environmental protection, while India too holds a leading role in this effort. Gupta highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modis guidance and leadership, the country is advancing on the path to conserve and protect the environment. As citizens of Delhi, it is our duty to care for our planet. Earth Day reminds us that this planet, which we have inherited from our ancestors, must be preserved for the generations to come, she added. She said one must use electricity according to needs as unnecessary use of the same not only damages the environment but also places financial burden. Today, through 5 minutes of electricity conservation, we reduced carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 0.727 CO/MWh, Gupta said. She assured that the Delhi government is committed to fulfilling every increasing demand for electricity in the national capital. According to the CM, the symbolic campaign was a message against unnecessary power consumption as also an awareness initiative to ensure a clean and safe environment for the coming generations. On the occasion, she announced that seven million trees would be planted across the city this year, which is going to be a major step towards increasing green cover, and will contribute towards improving the climate. Citizens of Delhi united in responding to the CMs appeal, demonstrating their commitment to environmental conservation by voluntarily switching off electricity in their homes, offices, and establishments from 8:00 pm to 8:05 pm. In alignment with this years Earth Day theme Our Power, Our Planet, Rekha Gupta led government launched the symbolic campaign, aimed towards bringing awareness about energy conservation and environmental responsibility. For a few years, Aamir Khan has time and again expressed his interest in creating an ambitious franchise of the epic Mahabharata. However, finally, the actor-producer is ready to take the plunge. Aamir Khan is moving ahead with his most ambitious project to date. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Aamir Khan revealed that he is ready to bring his passion project to the screen. Speaking of his vision of the Mahabharata, Aamir Khan revealed that the project will take years to go on the floors. It is one of my biggest ambitions. It will take a while because the writing process will take a few years. He noted that the grand scale of the project may require multiple directors. Advertisement Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aamir Khan (@amirkhanactor_) Mr Perfectionist further revealed that hes considering a Lord of the Rings style approach. This will comprise shooting simultaneously across different units to bring the epic to screens in a shorter timeline. Its too early to say, but we might need multiple directors. If we have to plan it in a certain timeline because if you do one after another, it will take very long. Like they did in Lord of the Rings. So, something like that in that case, you will need more than one director. Meanwhile, he remains tight-lipped about starring in the project or other cast details. Back in 2022, during the promotions of Laal Singh Chaddha, Aamir shared his apprehensions about the project. When you are making a film on Mahabharata, you are not just making a film. You are performing a yagya. It is not just a film, it is much more. And that is why I am not ready for it yet. I am scared of bringing it out. Mahabharata will never let you down, but you may let down Mahabharata. In related news, the actor is currently busy with Sitaare Zameen Par, the thematic sequel to Taare Zameen Par. Also Read: Aamir Khan reveals his Sitaare Zameen Par character details Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ Ukraine wants a swift and fair peace, but if the conversation is about sovereign territories, then the format moves into prolonging the war, which is what Russia wants, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the information that the U.S. peace plan provides for the transfer of occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia. "If we do not want to just get into a long dispute with the Russians, in order to put pressure on us on different terms without stopping the fire. If we do not want to play this Minsk 3, 4, 5 and a copy of the Normandy format, but with a different number of victims, if we don't want that, then we must look at this war as a pie and divide this big problem into pieces if we really want to settle something. Since as soon as we start talking about Crimea, about our sovereign territories, etc., we enter the format that Russia wants, which is prolonging the war," Zelenskyy said during a briefing on Tuesday. The president stressed the need for pressure on Russia around the world, and also called prolonging the war "Putin's game." "This is Putin's game. It's definitely not President Trump's game. It's definitely not Europe's game, but Ukraine doesn't play with this, for us war is more, it's much more serious," the president said. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has publicly apologised after his recent social media comment targeting the Brahmin community triggered widespread criticism and even led to an FIR against him. Known for his outspoken nature, Kashyap took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a more measured and remorseful statement following the controversy. Advertisement This is the second time in two days that the Gangs of Wasseypur director has expressed regret over the incident. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap10) Writing in Hindi, Kashyap admitted that he let anger get the better of him. In the heat of the moment, while responding to a persons derogatory remark, I lost my composure and made a sweeping statement that ended up hurting the entire Brahmin community, he said. This is the same community to which many people I deeply care for belongpeople whove been part of my life and continue to be. The filmmaker acknowledged that his words had hurt not only strangers but also close friends, family, and respected peers. My outburst has hurt so many people that I admire, he wrote. I realise now that I derailed my own argument by choosing the wrong words. Kashyap clarified that his intention was never to target a community but to respond to a provocative social media comment. However, he conceded that his choice of words was inappropriate and uncalled for. I truly apologisenot just to the Brahmin community but also to my supporters and loved ones who were disappointed by my behaviour, he said. Going forward, Ill work on my anger. If I have something to say, Ill choose my words carefully. The controversy stems from Kashyaps defence of Phule, an upcoming historical film directed by Ananth Mahadevan that tells the story of reformers Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule. The film, set to release on April 25, has attracted criticism from some quarters over its depiction of caste-related issues. Amid the row, Kashyap engaged in a heated exchange on social media, during which he made a comment that many found offensive. Saif Ali Khan gets a house in Doha, Qatar three months after a terrifying knife attack inside his own Mumbai apartment. The actor, who sustained injuries after the attack by an intruder in January at his Bandra residence, is now gearing up for his next big-screen release, The Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins , an action-packed thriller helmed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal. Advertisement But he isnt just diving into movie promotions. At a recent press event hosted by the Alfardan Group, the actor casually dropped some exciting news: Saif Ali Khan now the proud owner of a plush property at The St Regis Marsa Arabia Island at The Pearl in Doha, Qatar. Advertisement Talking about what drew him to the luxury island property, Saif said, When I think of a second home, I think about convenience and comfort. Dohas close enough, easy to get to, and above all, its safewhich really matters to me right now. And you can understand why safetys on his mind. The January 16 attack left fans and the film industry shaken. Saif was stabbed by an intruder who somehow made it into his 12th-floor apartment in Bandraone of Mumbais poshest localities. He recovered, but it was a traumatic experience by any measure. Now, with the worst behind him, Saifs finding peace in new places. I was working on a shoot and stayed at the property in Doha. There was just something about the combination of privacy and luxury that really clicked with me, he shared. But this isnt just a bachelor-style hideout. Saif made it clear that the idea is to turn this into a space for family getawaysespecially with sons Taimur and Jehangir, and wife Kareena Kapoor Khan. Its the kind of place you can imagine your kids running around, feeling safe, and enjoying some quiet time away from the noise, he said. Kim Soo Hyun is in the middle of a controversy involving the late actress, Kim Sae Ron. The actress family accused Soo Hyun of dating Sae Ron when she was just a minor. Moreover, the family claims that Kim Soo Hyuns agency, GOLD MEDALIST pressured the actress over her debt in connection with her DUI case. With every passing day, the controversy deepens with new revelations surfacing from both sides. Following this, GOLD MEDALIST announced legal action against malicious rumours. Now, the actors domestic and international fan clubs and unions are filing a complaint against the ill rumours and misinformation. On April 22, reports revealed that the Kim Soo Hyun Fan Union, including Daum Cafe Eucharis and DC Insides Kim Soo Hyun Gallery, has announced legal action. Their complaint is against those spreading false and malicious rumours being levelled at the actor online. Allkpop also reported the statement issued by the fan union. The union said, There has been an ongoing spread of malicious rumours and defamation targeting Kim Soo Hyun by individuals unrelated to him through online communities and social media. We are currently pursuing a criminal complaint. Advertisement Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kim Soo Hyun (@soohyun_k216) The Union also revealed that it is a joint action by both domestic and international fan communities. Moreover, they revealed conducting extensive research and collecting evidence. These include the malicious comments, manipulated images, and fabricated posts that have been circulating online lately. This is a voluntary movement to protect the actors rights and preserve a healthy fan culture. We will not tolerate personal attacks or defamatory comments disguised as freedom of expression. No leniency will be shown. Meanwhile, the legal representative attorney Yang Tae-Young also issued the statement. Tae-Young revealed that the fan union plans to file the complaint with Seoul Seongbuk Police Station this week. The complaint is over defamation under Koreas Information and Communications Network Act. This comes after GOLD MEDALIST stated that it would push for legal action. This will be against individuals and platforms spreading defamatory content, s*xually harassing the actor, and circulating baseless rumours. Also Read: Amid the Kim Sae Ron controversy, Kim Soo Hyuns team searches for her fake aunt Documentaries on Pope Francis: The world is grieving the loss of Pope Francis, a spiritual figure who reimagined the papacy in humility, compassion, and unwavering advocacy for the marginalized. Tributes are flooding in internationally, and viewers are reminiscing about his extraordinary life on screen. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, rose from poverty to become the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope. His papacy, marked by liberal views on social justice, the environment, and interfaith relations, has not only inspired the faithful but also inspired filmmakers, who have re-created his life on screen in varied and compelling forms. Advertisement | The National Flag is at half-mast at Rashtrapati Bhavan to mourn the demise of Pope Francis. #PopeFrancis #PopeFrancisDeath #RashtrapatiBhavan #TheStatesman pic.twitter.com/pxZth9TsGm Advertisement The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) April 22, 2025 Heres a look at some of the most memorable performances and documentaries of Pope Francis. Call Me Francesco (2015) This biopic about Francesco is the directorial of Daniele Luchetti. It sweeps audiences through the ups and downs of Bergoglios youthful emotional turmoil in Argentina to his eventual rise as pope. Rodrigo de la Sernas performance of the young Francis is raw and intimate, capturing his inner turmoil amid Argentinas Dirty War and his growing empathy for the poor. Call Me Francesco provides a glimpse of the man behind the mitre, a leader who was deeply rooted in his people and their struggles. Francis: Pray for Me (2015) Released simultaneously, this Argentine film is another take on Francis pilgrimage to the Vatican. Dario Grandinetti portrays the future pope with understated elegance. He walks through his years as a priest, his conflicts with the military dictatorship, and his philosophical evolution. This film stands out for its cultural specificity and emotional depth, offering the viewer a locals perspective on the man who would become an international figure. Pope Francis: A Man of His Word (2018) This is easily the most internationally acclaimed documentary about Francis. Wim Wenders Pope Francis: A Man of His Word is more concerned with message than biography. Based on direct-to-camera interviews with the pope himself, the film engages us in a private discussion with the pontiff himself on poverty, climate change, peace, and the role of the Church in todays world. Wenders direction dispenses grandeur, revealing a man of faith and simplicity, whose words are even more forceful now. Francesco (2020) Evgeny Afineevsky directs Francesco. It is a bold, contemporary interpretation of the popes role in some of the worlds most dire humanitarian crises. The film premiered at the Rome Film Festival, generated controversy for its candid moments. It included Francis words on same-sex civil unions. It indicates his universal appeal, his empathy for migrants and refugees, and his vision of creating a more universal Church. Afineevskys film paints a portrait of a leader who is not afraid to defy tradition in the name of compassion. The Letter: A Message for our Earth (2022) In this compelling environmental documentary released on YouTube Originals, Pope Francis once again lends his voice to the planet. Directed by Nicolas Brown and produced in collaboration with the Laudato Si Movement, The Letter is inspired by his groundbreaking 2015 encyclical Laudato Si. The film connects Francis urgent call for ecological conversion. It has stories from activists around the globe. And, it shows how his environmental message continues to ripple far beyond the Vatican walls. The Two Popes (2019) Although dramatized, this biographical drama stars Jonathan Pryce as Pope Francis and Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict XVI. It is a rich exploration of faith, doubt, and the transmission of papal power. Fernando Meirelles directs The Two Popes by juxtaposing the ideological contrasts of the two men. He also celebrates the humanity behind the institution. Pryces turn is warm and deeply human and offers viewers a richly textured presentation of Francis character and philosophy. Religious or secular, these documentaries are an informative and sometimes riveting experience with one of the most radical figures of our own times. At least 28 tourists are feared killed and many others injured in a targeted terrorist attack in Pahalgam area of South Kashmirs Anantnag district on Tuesday, reports said. Unofficial reports have put the number of fatalities at 28, but officials have not yet confirmed the number of deaths or injuries. Unofficial figures remain conflicting. Medical authorities have released a list of 16 confirmed dead so far. Reports indicate that two foreign nationals were among the tourists killed in the attack. The attack occurred during the India visit of US Vice-President JD Vance. The J&K Police has so far only reposted the X posts of the President, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and the Lt Governor. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, There has been a horrific attack on tourists at Pahalgam. Im shocked beyond belief. Home Minister Amit Shah reached Srinagar this evening to review the security situation. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who was in New Delhi, also accompanied him. The Home Minister chaired security meetings at the Srinagar airport and later at the Raj Bhavan. Northern Army Commander Lt General MV Suchendra Kumar has also arrived in Srinagar. The attack took place at Baisaran, a meadow accessible only by foot or ponies, where groups of tourists had gone earlier in the day. Reports stated that the victims included tourists from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bengal, and other states. Among those killed were Indian Navy officer Lt Cdr Vinay Narwal, who had been married on April 16, an officer of the Intelligence Bureau, and Prashant Sathpathy, an Accounts Officer with the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology, Balasore. According to an eyewitness, unidentified gunmen opened fire on the tourists at close range. Reports suggest the assailants fired after ascertaining the tourists religion. Disturbing videos show trousers of some tourists being pulled down to identify their religion. The exact number of casualties and injuries is yet to be confirmed officially. Unofficial reports suggest six to seven civilians were injured, four of whom were tourists. All the injured have been rushed to a hospital in Pahalgam. The terrorist outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the attack. Disturbing videos of women crying and seeking help for their injured relatives have surfaced on social media. The first distress call reportedly came from a female tourist in Baisaran forests, who informed police that trekkers were being targeted by gunmen. A viral video shows a woman crying, My husband was shot in the head, adding that he was targeted because he was not a Muslim. The woman pleaded for urgent evacuation to the hospital. Locals reported hearing gunshots in the Baisaran valley, after which security forces rushed to the area. The Army and police immediately cordoned off the location. The presence of terrorists in the area is a major concern for authorities as Baisaran is near the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3. Thousands of pilgrims from across the country have already registered for the pilgrimage. Condemning the attack, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha said, I have directed the district administration and health officials to provide immediate medical attention to the injured admitted at Pahalgam. An injured tourist has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. I have spoken to the DGP and security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, touring the flash-flood-ravaged Ramban district, wrote on X: Im shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators are animals, inhuman, and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. Ive spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo, who has moved to the hospital to oversee arrangements for the injured. Ill be flying back to Srinagar immediately. The death toll is still being ascertained, so I dont want to speculate. Official figures will be conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say, this attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti wrote on X: Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning. Jammu and Kashmir Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra said, It is condemnable, especially the attack on tourists. On one hand, the BJP claims that the atmosphere is absolutely fine, that terrorists have been eliminated. I believe, instead of making it an ego issue, the BJP should acknowledge the shortcomings. Eight people died and at least six were injured after their SUV fell into a dry river bed from a bridge in the Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday morning. According to the police, the mishap occurred near Simri village under the Nohata police station area at around 11 am. The deceased belonged to the Jabalpur district. Advertisement According to Damoh SP Shruti Kirti Somwanshi, police were told that the driver lost control of the SUV, and it fell from the bridge into the dry bed of the Sunar River. Advertisement The travellers were returning to Jabalpur from Ghat Pipariya village of Damoh district in two SUVs, and one of the vehicles fell from the bridge. The injured were sent to the district hospital for treatment. Uttar Pradeshs Social Welfare Minister and former IPS officer Asim Arun, on Tuesday, launched a sharp critique of Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav, calling him a symbol of divisive politics. Asim Arun alleged that during his tenure as chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav went to great lengths to humiliate Dalits, and it was this very mindset that led to his political downfall. The public has completely rejected such politics, pushing him to the margins, Arun remarked. Advertisement Arun called Akhilesh Yadavs recent statements part of a calculated political strategy. Most SP leaders have been instructed to create social division to spoil it. But today, the people of Uttar Pradesh are alert and aware, he said. Advertisement Quoting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he added, Batoge To Katoge, Ek Rahoge, To Safe Rahoge. This government believes in inclusive governance. The minister also questioned SPs sudden concern for Dalits, claiming it only emerged after the party lost power. He accused Akhilesh Yadav of disrespecting Dalit icons during his tenure by renaming districts and institutions that honored them. Names like Bhim Nagar, Mahamaya Nagar, Jyotiba Phule, Sant Ravidas, and even Lord Buddhas mother Mahamaya were removed. Is this respect? Nothis is an insult to social consciousness, he said. Drawing from his experience as a former IPS officer, Aseem Arun made a significant allegation: During the SP regime, officers from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were denied postings at police stations and tehsils, in violation of rules. He emphasized that postings are now made on merit under the Yogi government. Those who are incompetent face action, while hardworking officers receive training and resources. Highlighting the achievements under the current administration, Aseem Arun said Uttar Pradesh has witnessed record progress in scholarship distribution. Under CM Yogi Adityanaths leadership, scholarships worth over Rs 4,000 crore have been distributed this year, benefiting 56 lakh students. In contrast, the SP government covered only 34 lakh students, and even then, scholarship scams were rampant, he said. Aseem Arun also alleged that in 2017, sensing electoral defeat, the SP chief halted student scholarships. After taking office, CM Yogi ensured continuity by releasing funds for two financial years in one go. On the Kanpur Metro inauguration, he dismissed SPs claims of initiating every project. Akhilesh Yadav is under the illusion that every development initiative started with him. The truth is that the Yogi government has mobilized resources transparently whether through GST collection or mining. People now pay taxes honestly, enabling projects like the metro to move forward. The minister expressed confidence in the BJPs future electoral prospects. The people gave us a historic mandate in 2017 and again in 2022. Were confident of similar support in upcoming elections. Today, the rule of law prevails in Uttar Pradesh, drinking water is reaching every household, government schools are improving, and the remaining gaps are being systematically addressed. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Monday, reviewed the implementation of the new criminal laws in Chhattisgarh with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Advertisement The two leaders also discussed the eradication of Naxalism, the overall development of the Bastar region, and measures to further strengthen the security and justice systems in the state. Advertisement Many senior officials of the Union Home Ministry and the state government, including Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma, were present in the meeting. The Indian Judicial Code, Indian Civil Defense Code, and Indian Evidence Act were discussed during the meeting, along with a review of the implementation and current status of various new provisions related to the police, prisons, judiciary, prosecution, and forensic systems. Providing an update during the meeting, the chief minister said both administrative and technical preparations have been completed for the effective implementation of the new criminal laws in Chhattisgarh. A total of 27 types of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines have been formulated and put into practice across the state. Additionally, around 37,385 police personnel have been trained under the new framework. Infrastructure across courts, police stations, and jails has been upgraded with e-evidence handling capabilities and video conferencing systems. So far, 53,981 FIRs have been registered under the new laws, with charge sheets (challans) filed in approximately 50% of the cases. In the meeting, special strategies were discussed for a permanent solution to the Naxal problem. The chief minister informed that in the operations conducted in the state in recent months, many wanted Naxalites have been killed, arrested or surrendered. Efforts like Niyad Nelanar Yojana, Bastar Olympics, Women Security Center, and development of homestay and tourism infrastructure in tribal areas have had a significant impact in connecting the youth to the mainstream. He affirmed that the state government was committed to make Chhattisgarh Naxal-free by the year 2026 and work is being done rapidly towards developing Bastar as a major tourist centre of India. The chief minister reaffirmed Chhattisgarhs commitment to fully adhering to the Central Governments guidelines, assuring that the state would take a leading role in the effective implementation of this nationwide legal reform initiative. Commending the efforts made by the Chhattisgarh government so far, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the need for 100 percent implementation of the new criminal laws in the state at the earliest. He highlighted the importance of coordination and efficiency in this process, stating that the objective of the new legal framework is to make the judicial system simpler, faster, and more people-oriented. Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh Amitabh Jain, Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam, Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Pingua, Inspector General of Police Sushil Dwivedi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary Rahul Bhagat, Principal Secretary Law Rajneesh Shrivastava, Secretary Home Neha Champawat and other officers also attended the meeting. After concocting a story of victimhood, to escape action for beating up a delivery boy black and blue, an IAF officer on Wednesday ran into big trouble with his arrest looming on non-bailable charges of attempt to murder. After CCTV footage emerged that entirely smashed the concocted story that had the potential to create and promote enmity between communities on the language issue, the entire nature of the investigation changed with the police filing an attempt to murder case against the IAF officer, Shiladitya Bose, for the brutal attack on a poor delivery agent in Bengaluru. The case against him has been filed under BNS Sections 109, 115(2), 3034, 324, and 352. Advertisement After the incident was played up by the national television channels that reported the language issue, painting Kannadigas and Karnataka in a poor light, information relating to the case went viral, with scores of people veering around to support the victim IAF officer who played up his defence services linkage and lied that he could have retaliated but did not, portraying himself as a disciplined soldier. But all for just a little while as minutes after the delivery boy, Vikas Kumar, was arrested, he gave his vision to the police that seemed to have tied up with the ground reality captured by the CCTV cameras installed there. Advertisement The cameras captured the reality as the IAF officer was seen brutally attacking the delivery person, raining blows and pinning him to the ground, and kicking him. For some time, he even had the hapless delivery guy in his vice-like grip, choking him. Had the bystanders not come in and separated the duo, the delivery person could have had even more serious injuries, and it may have been fatal as well, eyewitnesses said. Now, on Wednesday, the police have filed an FIR against the IAF officer, and efforts will be made to bring him back to face the allegations and join the investigations. State Home Minister G Parameshwara took to social media to declare that the accused was absconding in West Bengal and that the police were investigating. The allegations against the IAF officer are that he first brutally attacked the biker boy (delivery person), who just retaliated in self-defence. Then the IAF officer lied that he was attacked for not speaking in Kannada, which was a big lie that couldve led to language and or racial tension. He had recorded a video statement that later proved to be false and shared it on social media to discredit Bengaluru and Kannadigas. Instead of cancelling his trip and going to the police station, he fled to Kolkata. Many people on social media said that an officer of the military is expected to be more law-abiding than the rest, and what he did amounted to fleeing from the crime scene. He used military privileges to escape prosecution, which itself is a crime. Netizens are shocked over the behaviour of the IAF officer and his wife, who is also an officer. After the emergence of the CCTV footage that laid bare the lies of the IAF officer, it remains to be seen how the IAF authorities respond to his case. Meanwhile, the police will pursue the attempted murder charges. A case against the IAF officer was filed based on a complaint given by the bike rider, Vikas Kumar. Byappanahalli police station registered the FIR against the air force official. The bike rider, Vikas Kumar, has already been booked for assault. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj on Tuesday carried a tote bag emblazoned with National Herald Ki Loot to target the Gandhi family, days after the Enforcement Directorate filed charge sheets against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with the National Herald case. Bansuri had arrived at the Parliament Annexe building to attend a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on One Nation One Election. Advertisement This is the first time that corruption has taken place in the fourth pillar of democracy, the media. The charge sheet filed by the ED highlights the old working style and ideology of the Congress party. In the guise of service, they make public institutions a tool to increase their personal property. This is a very serious matterThe Congress party and its top leadership are accountable for this, Swaraj told a news agency. Advertisement Reacting to Swarajs decision to sport the bag, Congress leader Sukhdeo Bhagat said, Bansuri Swaraj is a reputed leader. She should first tell where the loot happened. The Bharatiya Janata Party is scared of the word Congress, the way Britishers used to be scared. They are diverting people from the main issues. This is the deliberate attempt to defame the Congress leaders, Bhagat said. The move is also seen by many as a direct swipe at Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is known to carry such bags to highlight several issues. Ms Vadra triggered a row in December last year when she carried a bag to the Parliament with Palestine written on it in solidarity with the Palestinian people facing Israels wrath following the October 7 Hamas attack. The BJP had condemned the move, accusing her of communal posturing. The saffron party also questioned her silence on the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. However, Priyanka silenced her critics and carried another bag inscribed with stand with Bangladeshi Hindus and Christians the next day. Azerbaijan-China cooperation emerges as a driver of economic growth across Eurasia. The strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China has long moved beyond formal diplomacy, now extending across nearly every key sector - from political dialogue and transport logistics to cultural exchange and international security. Built on mutual trust at the highest level, steady economic progress, and shared respect for sovereignty, this partnership has become one of the most dynamic pillars of Azerbaijans foreign policy. Over the past decades, Azerbaijan has steadily developed strong ties with China - ties that have grown stronger over time and now stand at the level of a full-fledged strategic partnership. But what makes this relationship stand out is not just its depth, but its momentum. In the 21st century, its rare to see such a resilient, multi-layered dialogue that blends political resolve, economic pragmatism, and genuine mutual respect. Yet this is exactly what defines the relationship between Baku and Beijing. A major driver of this progress has been the close personal relations between the two countries leaders. In recent years, President Ilham Aliyev and President Xi Jinping have met on several occasions - each meeting not only celebrated past achievements but also laid the groundwork for future cooperation. At the July 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, the two sides signed a document that formally marked a new phase in their relationship - one of strategic partnership. More than symbolic, this move reflects years of trust-building, coordinated work, and shared strategic interests. Looking back, the foundations of this relationship were laid as early as 1994 during Heydar Aliyevs official visit to China. Since then, successive Azerbaijani leaders have continued to deepen cooperation. President Ilham Aliyevs visits in 2005, 2015, and 2019 each expanded the agenda further, showing Azerbaijans long-term commitment to working closely with China. An upcoming visit by President Aliyev to Beijing is expected to carry that momentum forward. The visit will not only reaffirm the strong ties between the two countries but also provide a platform for new initiatives - in trade, tourism, education, and security. Azerbaijan has made clear its interest in strengthening cooperation across all sectors, and signs point to China being equally open to deepening the partnership. The economic side of this relationship is already delivering impressive results. Bilateral trade grew by more than 20% in just one year. China has become Azerbaijans largest source of imports and its fourth-largest trading partner. These arent just statistics - they reflect real-world economic alignment, seen in logistics projects, business ventures, and joint investments. From the start, Azerbaijan has supported Chinas Belt and Road Initiative - not with words, but with action. This includes developing the Middle Corridor transport route, investing in infrastructure, and coordinating trade routes. Geography gives Azerbaijan a natural advantage, but what really matters is the political will to turn location into opportunity. Thats why the two countries are now working closely to strengthen Eurasias transport connectivity. The political dimension is equally significant. Azerbaijan consistently backs Chinas position on Taiwan and the One China principle. In return, China strongly supports Azerbaijans territorial integrity - especially important in the post-conflict environment of the South Caucasus. This mutual support has transformed the relationship into more than cooperation - its a genuine political alliance, even without a formal framework. Tourism and cultural ties are also gaining momentum. Chinese citizens can now visit Azerbaijan visa-free. Azerbaijan has opened a permanent tourism office in China, and 2026 is set to be declared the Year of Azerbaijani Tourism in China - all signs of growing people-to-people engagement. Because true diplomacy isnt just built in meeting rooms - it happens between cultures, among people. Education and culture form another strong link. Thanks to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the two countries are expanding their cooperation in areas like education, healthcare, and the arts - from exhibitions to joint academic initiatives. Finally, on the international stage, Azerbaijan is keen to deepen its engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and has announced plans to upgrade its status within the SCO. Chinas support in this effort is deeply valued. Both countries believe that global security and stability arent abstract concepts - theyre real-world challenges that developing countries must help shape and take responsibility for. In short, the relationship between Azerbaijan and China isnt a passing trend, a one-off project, or a diplomatic formality. Its a well-planned, long-term partnership built on mutual respect, shared interests, and a common vision for the future. And with every new step forward, these ties only grow stronger - setting an example of how two countries with different histories and geographies can work together to build a shared tomorrow. Emin Aliyev Editor-in-Chief, Trend News Agency In a stunning role reversal in the Bengaluru road rage case, a delivery boy, Vivek Kumar, has been released and the role of the IAF officer, who is now absconding and is believed to be in West Bengal, is being investigated. The police have issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against the officer in an attempt to murder case. Once arrested, he will be prosecuted for fake evidence in videos he posted on social media. Advertisement The 0delivery boy-biker Vikas Kumar, after his release on bail on Tuesday, told the media that he retaliated in self-defence. Bangalore Commissioner of Police B Dayananda too noted the fact that the IAF officer had lied in the video and posted it on social media. Now, with an attempt to murder case filed against him, he is sure to be arrested once he responds and presents himself before the police to join the investigations. Advertisement State Home Minister G Parameshwara informed that the accused was absconding and is believed to be in West Bengal. What began as a minor road rage case on Monday morning turned out to be a major language issue drawing in the top politicians to defend Brand Bengaluru and rubbish the attempts of an IAF officer to defame Kannada and Karnataka to play victim card and escape from a near certain punishment for a crime verbal and physical intimidation of a commoner. Following up on the reaction of Karnataka, Parameshwaran and Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah came out with a strong statement against the IAF officer and the entire ecosystem that went about tarnishing the image of Bengaluru and Karnataka and Kannadigas. He made a particular mention of National media channels that, he said, neglected their responsibility and professional ethics, and amplified a baseless accusation by one individual, thereby casting aspersions on the entire state. The chief minister directed the police chief to carry out a detailed and fair investigation into the whole affair and take the case to its logical conclusion. This has caused pain and anguish to every Kannadiga, he said, appealing to them not to succumb to provocation or emotion. Let us uphold the law and maintain peace. Karnataka is governed by a government elected by the people of this land, and it stands firmly for justice and dignity, Siddaramaiah said. In connection with a recent incident in CV Raman Nagar, Bengaluru, Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose assaulted a Kannadiga, Vikas Kumar, following a minor vehicle-related matter. Subsequently, he made unwarranted and derogatory remarks against Karnataka and Kannadigas on social media, displaying conduct that is deeply disrespectful and inflammatory, the chief minister said. Kannadigas are proud of their mother tongue but are not parochial or intolerant. It is not in our culture to attack or abuse others over linguistic matters. Karnataka has a long and proud tradition of embracing people from across the country, treating them with respect, and accepting them as one of our own. The inclusive spirit of this land is well documented in history, he said, adding, this would not mean allowing anyone to ride a roughshod over citizens. With regard to the incident, I have instructed the commissioner of police to take an appropriate legal action against the individuals involved, irrespective of their position or rank. The state government is treating this matter with utmost seriousness and is committed to ensuring justice for the victim, the chief minister said, spreading a sense of joy among the Karnataka people, and visibly so on the social media handle twitter with many thanking the chief minister for giving the assurance of justice to the delivery boy. The incident has brought together scores of Kannada activists who are now slowly speaking about the usefulness of allowing so many immigrants into the city and state. In an incident of road rage, an unidentified biker allegedly assaulted an Indian Air Force officer and his wife, also an IAF officer, while they were on their way to the Bengaluru airport early Monday morning. Wing Commander Aditya Bose and his wife Squadron leader Madhumita, suddenly found a bike overtaking their vehicle and stopping in front, and the biker started hurling abuses and attacked the duo physically. Advertisement Since the incident was captured on the dash camera, that helped the police nab the assailant. Advertisement He has been arrested now, police said, and further investigations were on. In the attack, the IAF officer suffered injury made by a sharp weapon (keys in a keychain with which he was assaulted), and there was blood on his face and neck. The Air Force couple, working with DRDO, had the sticker of the organisation on their car, which infuriated the assaulter, who is said to have been shouting that the defence organisation was making its people ride roughshod over common people. The IAF officer made a video after the attack in which he said, A bike came from behind and stopped our car the guy started abusing me in Kannada. When they saw the DRDO sticker on my car and said You DRDO people, and they abused my wife and I couldnt bear it. The moment I got out of my car, the biker hit me with a key on my forehead, and there was blood. I stood there, shouting, This is how you defend people whom we defend you, treating someone like this from the army, air force and navy. Surprisingly, more people came and started abusing us. The man picked a stone and tried to hit my car, and it hit my head this is my condition, the officer said. Thankfully, my wife was there to take me out and we went to the police station to file a complaint, but there was no response from there, he added. This is what Karnataka has become, seeing the truth, the realityI couldnt believe it. God help us. God gives me the power not to retaliate. Tomorrow, if law and order dont help us, I will retaliate, the officer said while recording the video in a car. On Monday, the assailant was traced through the registration number plate of the two-wheeler caught on the dash cam. He is being questioned and it is being probed if other people were also involved, police said. The Kerala High Court was put on high alert on Tuesday after receiving a bomb threat. An email was received at the Kerala High Court on Tuesday morning about RDX placed in the Court premises. Following the receipt of the bomb threat message, security personnel carried out inspections in and around the court campus by deploying the bomb disposal unit and the dog squad. Advertisement The threat mail turned out to be a hoax as nothing suspicious was found on the court premises to substantiate it. Advertisement The police have initiated an investigation to get to the source of the email. More police personnel have been deployed at the high court and tightened security in and around the Court building in Kochi The high court is presently in the middle of its month-long summer break. The bomb threat came when four vacation benches of the court (one division bench and three single judge benches) were scheduled for sitting on Tuesday In the last couple of months, such fake bomb threats have been received at district collectorates and offices of the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Palakkad. All these threats by email were declared as hoax by the police after carrying out searches by deploying bomb disposal units and dog squads. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will undertake a high-profile visit to Mumbai on April 2324 to engage with leaders from the textile and steel industries and unveil the states forward-looking industrial roadmap. Over the two-day programme at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, the Chief Minister will participate in two marquee national forums, the CMAI Fab Show and India Steel 2025. Through these platforms, he will position Chhattisgarh as an emerging powerhouse in Indias industrial growth story. Advertisement At the core of the Chief Ministers agenda is the national level unveiling of Chhattisgarhs new industrial policy, which offers a strategic blend of sector-specific incentives, infrastructure development, and streamlined governance. The initiative aligns closely with the Centres Make in India vision and is expected to draw fresh investments into the states key economic sectors. Advertisement On April 23, CM Sai will address the CMAI Fab Show, Indias premier apparel and textile trade fair organised by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India. The event will bring together prominent apparel exporters, manufacturers, and brands. CM Sai is expected to announce tailored policy incentives for textile units, including land allotment on priority, power subsidies, integrated logistics support, and export facilitation. State government sources confirmed that MoUs with select companies are likely to be signed during the session, boosting investor confidence in Chhattisgarhs textile ecosystem. The spotlight will turn to the steel sector on April 24 with the inauguration of India Steel 2025, a flagship event for one of Indias core industries. Chief Minister Sai will participate as a key speaker alongside Union ministers and industrial leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the gathering virtually, setting the tone for a national push towards infrastructure-led growth. CM Sais keynote address will position Chhattisgarh as a future-ready hub for steel manufacturing. He will present a detailed strategy outlining the development of steel clusters, multimodal logistics corridors, and a streamlined regulatory framework. A special Chhattisgarh Round Table will also be convened, where CM Sai will interact with leading investors to discuss opportunities, incentives, and labour-friendly reforms. The Chhattisgarh State Pavilion at the venue will serve as a dedicated space for potential investors to explore the states diverse industrial offerings. From data on policy support to sectoral profiles, the immersive display is expected to attract interest from domestic and global participants alike. CM Sai will also engage with national media at 1 PM on both days to share the states industrial vision, expected investment outcomes, and broader plans for economic expansion. The interaction is aimed at strengthening Chhattisgarhs visibility on the national investment map. Chief Minister Sais Mumbai visit comes at a pivotal moment as Chhattisgarh aggressively markets itself as a destination of choice for industrial growth. With focused outreach in textiles and steel sectors critical to Indias economic backbone, the state is betting big on partnerships that align with the Centres vision and deliver long-term development outcomes. Days after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi stoked a controversy over his remarks on voter turnout figures in Maharashtra Assembly polls, sources in the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday rejected his claims and called it completely absurd. Notably, Gandhi, who is currently visiting the United States, during a talk at Brown University in Boston, accused the poll panel of compromising its impartiality. Advertisement Referring to the Leader of Oppositions remarks, sources categorically said all elections are held as per law, adding the scale and accuracy with which elections are held in India are widely acclaimed across the world. Advertisement Sources said the entire nation is aware that each election process including the preparation of electoral rolls, polling and counting etc are all held by Government staff and that too in the presence of authorised representatives formally appointed by political parties/ candidates from polling station upto constituency level. Any misinformation being spread, by anyone, is not only a sign of disrespect towards law, but also brings disrepute to the thousands of representatives appointed by their own political party and demotivates lakhs of election staff who work untiringly and transparently during elections, they said. Sources asserted after any unfavourable verdict by the voters, trying to defame the Election Commission by saying that it is compromised, is completely absurd. Citing Maharashtra Assembly elections, sources said, During Assembly elections in Maharashtra 6,40,87,588 electors, who reached the polling station from 7 am to 6 pm, voted. About 58 lakh votes were polled per hour on an average. Going by these average trends, nearly 116 Lakh voters could have voted in the last two hours. Therefore, casting 65 lakhs votes by electors in two hours is much below the average hourly voting trends. Further, in every polling booth, the voting progressed in front of the polling agents formally appointed by candidates/political parties. INCs nominated candidates or their authorized agents have not raised any substantiated allegations with regards to any kind of abnormal voting at the time of scrutiny before the Returning Officer (RO) and the Election Observers on the next day, sources said. Sources added electoral rolls in India including Maharashtra are prepared as per the Representation of People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. As per law, either just before the elections and/or once every year, Special Summary Revision of the Electoral Rolls is conducted and a final copy of the Electoral Rolls is handed over to all the National/State political parties, including Congress. The opposition Congress on Tuesday strongly condemned the cowardly terrorist attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, demanding that the central government convene an all-party meeting. In a social media post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said: The Indian National Congress condemns in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and cowardly terror attack on tourists in Kashmir today. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the recovery of those injured. Advertisement He further emphasized the need for collective action, stating: This is a time for exhibiting a cohesive collective will. The Union Government should immediately call an all-party meeting and take all political parties into confidence. This attack cannot and must not go unanswered effectively, he added. Advertisement According to reports, at least 28 tourists are feared killed and many others injured in the targeted terrorist attack in the Pahalgam area of South Kashmirs Anantnag district. Unofficial reports have placed the number of fatalities at 28, though officials have not yet confirmed the exact numbers of deaths and injuries. Reports also indicate that two foreign nationals were among those killed. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he was shocked beyond belief and described the attack as much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years. The incident occurred during the India visit of US Vice President JD Vance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not in India at the time, having departed for a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia just hours before the attack. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Srinagar on Tuesday evening, where he is believed to have chaired a high-level security meeting with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other top security officials. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva on Monday asserted that the city will soon see a BJP Mayor, and a triple-engine government, thus resuming streamlined municipal services across the city. He termed Aam Aadmi Partys announcement of not contesting the Municipal Corporation elections, as an admission of definite defeat, adding that the decision is not a political sacrifice. Advertisement The BJP leader said that AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi holding a press conference and accusing the BJP of poaching councillors to gain power in the MCD is not only laughable, but also an attempt to shift the blame for their political and administrative failures onto the BJP. Advertisement Sachdeva has said that most of the councilors elected with a majority on AAP tickets in 2022 had come with high hopes and a strong sense of responsibility toward the public, but as per his claims, AAP leadership did not allow the Municipal Corporation to be fully constituted for two and a half years, which brought all developmental, maintenance, and administrative functions of the civic body to a standstill. According to the Delhi BJP chiefs claims, those AAP councilors who realized their duty and responsibility towards the public, left the party due to disappointment over the leaderships continuous obstruction in the functioning of the MCD. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that whenever AAP leaders talk about Operation Lotus, they believe they are politically attacking the BJP, however, in doing so, they end up defaming their own legislators and councilors, he added. He added that Atishi and Bharadwaj should remember that their councilors had resigned from the party while being in power. According to Kapoor, during 201722, when AAP was in the opposition, there was no significant defection, and this clearly indicates that the councilors did not leave the party for power, but to initiate developmental work. Meanwhile, AAP on Monday declared that it will not participate in the upcoming April 25 mayoral election of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), citing an alleged denial of fair electoral opportunity. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a major crackdown once again in Jharkhand. On Tuesday morning, ED teams carried out raids at the Forest Department office in Bokaro and multiple locations in Ranchi, including Hari Om Tower in Lalpur, Kanke, and Hatia. In Ranchi, the raids targeted the offices of a construction company and residences linked to individuals associated with it. ED officials are examining documents and conducting interrogations. Advertisement Sources indicate that raids were conducted at a total of 15 locations across Jharkhand and Bihar. The operation is linked to a forest land scam that recently came to light in Bokaro. Advertisement The raids were carried out at the offices of a construction company and the residences of individuals associated with it. In 2022, an illegal land occupation and scam involving about 100 acres of forest land in the Tetulia Mouza area of Bokaro district came to light. It is alleged that the land mafia, in collusion with administrative officials, handed over this land to a private company. Investigations revealed that in 2013, the Forest Department plot in the Chas police station area was recorded as fallow land. A case was then filed, leading to the commencement of the investigation. Given the seriousness of the forest land scam, CID has also initiated an inquiry under the direction of Jharkhands DGP, Anurag Gupta. Underscoring the importance of psychological warfare in todays world, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asked the Indian Armed Forces personnel to be mentally strong as the nation can be protected not only with weapons but also through a strong personality with enlightened consciousness and awareness. Speaking at an event organised at the Brahma Kumaris Headquarters in Mount Abu, Rajasthan on Monday, the defence minister dwelt at length on the mental stability and combat skills. To deal with the challenges emanating from todays constantly-evolving nature of warfare, our soldiers must excel in the skills of combat while being equally proficient in mental stability and spiritual empowerment, he said. Advertisement Stating that wars now-a-days are fought different fronts, like cyber, space, information and psychological fronts, the defence minister said there is a need for the soldiers to be mentally strong. Advertisement Pointing out that physical strength is fundamental for a soldier; the minister said mental strength is equally vital as it helps him remain composed while protecting the nation against all the odds. These challenges are overcome through an energy born out of a strong inner-self. Prolonged stress, uncertainty and working in difficult conditions could affect the mental health, which calls for strengthening the inner self, he said. The theme of the campaign Self-Empowerment Through Inner Awakening is extremely interesting and relevant in todays times. Self transformation through meditation, yoga, positive thinking and self-dialogue will provide mental, emotional and spiritual strength to our brave soldiers, he said. Calling the alert and strong security personnel a lighthouse for the nation, which can face any storm with determination, Singh said self-transformation is the seed, transformation of the nation is its fruit. In an atmosphere of global uncertainty, India can spread the message that protection of inner-self and borders is possible together, he added. Later, a MoU was signed between the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence and Headquarters SSW, Rajyoga Education and Research Foundation of Brahma Kumaris, a statement from the Ministry of Defence stated. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. As part of her visit to Vietnam, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, met with Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, at the National Fine Arts Museum. The Museum, one of Vietnams most prominent cultural institutions, showcases the countrys artistic heritage through a rich collection that attracts both local and international visitors. In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the museum features a space for temporary exhibits and a Creative Space for Children. During the meeting, Leyla Aliyeva and Ngo Phuong Ly exchanged views on expanding bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Vietnam. Leyla Aliyeva highlighted that the close cooperation between the two countries began with National Leader Heydar Aliyevs first foreign visit to Vietnam as a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. She noted that today, the Foundation named after the National Leader continues to strengthen ties with Vietnam across various fields, fostering relations based on partnership, mutual respect, and friendship. The meeting emphasized the importance of further enhancing interstate cooperation in various sectors, including cultural, educational, and social initiatives. Both sides expressed confidence that the upcoming visit of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, To Lam, to Azerbaijan on May 78 would mark another milestone in advancing bilateral ties. They also underscored the value of continuing cultural collaborations, such as the 2023 Hanoi premiere of the Vietnam Suite by renowned Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev, the organization of a joint concert with the Vietnam National Academy of Music, the celebration of cultural days in both countries, and reciprocal visits by cultural figures, intellectuals, and young activists. Leyla Aliyeva reaffirmed that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation would continue supporting projects in Vietnam across various sectors. The meeting also focused on the two countries tourism potential and environmental protection initiatives. Both parties stressed the significant role of these joint projects in further developing bilateral relations and fostering people-to-people connections. Former Andhra Pradesh intelligence chief and senior IPS officer P Sitharama Anjaneyulu was arrested by the state CID from Hyderabad on Tuesday in connection with the alleged harassment of Mumbai-based actor Kadambari Jethwani. Although charges of forgery and extortion were levied against the actor by the police during the YSRCP regime, she had alleged that the police tried to pressure her into withdrawing a sexual assault case she had filed against an industrialist close to YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Advertisement Anjaneyulu, who was close to former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, was already suspended for his involvement in the case, along with two of his colleagues, Kranti Rana Tata, the former Vijayawada police commissioner, and Vishal Gunni, former deputy commissioner. They were accused of wrongful arrest of the actor and harassment faced by her family without any investigation or evidence. All three were suspended by incumbent Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in September last year after the DGP submitted his report. Advertisement Jethwani and her family were arrested in Mumbai before being brought to Vijayawada. She spent 40 days in prison after a film producer and YSRCP leader KVR Vidyasagar filed a complaint of cheating, forgery, and extortion against her. The actor had alleged that the case against her was fabricated and politically motivated. She filed a complaint of criminal conspiracy after the coalition government came to power and named the police officers involved. Subsequently, the CID took up the case. Anjaneyulu, who wielded immense clout in the YSRCP regime, was one of the key officers who framed the charges against her and planned the arrest. Jethwanis arrest was one of the key cases of alleged misuse of power during the YSRCP regime that came to light only after the change of government. TDP MLA D Narendra Kumar said, PSR Anjaneyalu acted as YSR Anjaneyalu with arrogance of authority. His arrest proves no one is above the law. Weve seen how he misused power to harass not only TDP leaders but also common people and women who differed with him by weaponizing his role as ACB DG and intelligence chief in false cases. Meanwhile, the YSRCP accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of vindictive politics. Party spokesperson Ambati Rambabu accused him of targeting a respected IPS officer for his role in Naidus arrest in the skill development scam. He added that the arrests were being made to divert peoples attention from the failures of the administration. Pallavi, the tourist who lost her husband Manjunath in the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, shared her harrowing experience on Tuesday. She revealed that both she and her 18-year-old son confronted the terrorist and pleaded to be killed alongside Manjunath. Advertisement However, the terrorist reportedly told them that he would not harm them and instead instructed them to inform Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the attack. Advertisement Speaking to a reputed Kannada media over the phone, Pallavi said, We are in Pahalgam, and my husband died right in front of me. I couldnt cry or react I couldnt even comprehend what had just happened. I had come here with my husband Manjunath and our son Abhijeya from Karnatakas Shivamogga. I was accompanied by my car driver, who is a good person. He told me that Hindus were being targeted. Three others, who kept saying Bismillah, helped us get to safety. I want my husbands body to be airlifted. All three of us should return together, she added. I noticed that there were three to four attackers. After my husband was killed, I faced one of the terrorists and said, Mere pati ko mara hai na, mujhe bhi maaro (Youve killed my husband, kill me too). My son also confronted him and said, Kutte, mere papa ko maara, humein bhi maar daalo (You dog, you killed my father, kill us too), she recounted. The terrorist replied, Nahin marenge. Tum Modi ko jaake bolo (I wont kill you. Go and tell Modi), Pallavi said. Describing the scene further, she said, The terrorists were right in front of us. They were not in army uniforms. Almost all the men were targeted. There were many newlywed couples, and in most cases, only the husbands were attacked while women and others were spared. Hindus were targeted. There were around 500 tourists present. We had gone there on horseback. My son had not eaten anything since morning, so my husband went to get him some bread. At first, we heard gunfire and thought the army had fired a shot. Then people started running. I saw my husband had already collapsed and was lying in a pool of blood. He had been shot in the head. I sat beside his body, unable to react, she added. I want to return to my hometown, Shivamogga, but not alone. I will return only with my husbands body. All three of us must come back together. I request the authorities to make the necessary arrangements, Pallavi said. The trio had gone on a Kashmir trip on April 19, and they were supposed to return on April 24. Manjunaths family is shell-shocked in Shivamogga. Manjunaths mother has not been informed about the death of her son. She had been told that Manjunath is injured and he will return safely soon. Manjunath was a realtor, and his wife Pallavi is a bank manager. In a major boost to Haryanas industrial growth, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Tuesday approved a special incentive package of Rs 37.68 crore for Vayu Products Pvt Ltd for setting up the states first medical liquid oxygen plant in district Jhajjar and a captive solar power plant in district Ambala. The approval was granted during the 17th meeting of the Haryana Enterprise Promotion Board (HEPB), which was chaired by Chief Minister Saini here. Advertisement The special incentive package for the project was approved by the HEPB based on the recommendation of the Executive Empowered Committee (EEC), headed by the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister. Advertisement During the review of the project, the Chief Minister highlighted that the establishment of the project in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector would not only attract significant investment to the state but also generate numerous job opportunities for local youth, thus strengthening the states economy. Of the total investment of Rs 125.49 crore, Rs 72.24 crore will be allocated for the Medical Oxygen Plant, while Rs 48.25 crore will be invested in the Captive Solar Power Plant. This project will mark Haryanas first Medical Liquid Oxygen Plant, which is expected to create approximately 100 jobs within the state, as per an official statement. The Board also approved a proposal to extend the investment timeline beyond three years for ATL Battery Technology (India) Pvt Ltd, which is setting up a mega project for manufacturing Lithium-ion cells or batteries at IMT Sohna, district Nuh, Haryana, with a total investment of Rs 7,083 crore in two phases. Rs 3,595 crore will be invested in the first phase, and Rs 3,488 crore will be invested in the second phase, creating local employment opportunities for more than 6,700 people. Furthermore, the Board approved the transfer and release of a Special Package of Incentives worth Rs 25.58 crore, originally sanctioned for Panasonic India Pvt Ltd, to Panasonic Life Solutions India Pvt Ltd following the merger of the two companies. This package supports a mega project at Technopark Village-Bid Dadri, district Jhajjar, where an investment of Rs114 crore will be made to manufacture refrigerators. It will provide employment to over 150 people. Taking serious note of the damage caused to crops and livestock due to sudden fires in fields over the past few days in the state, the Haryana government has decided to provide compensation to the affected farmers. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini held a meeting with senior officials at the Civil Secretariat here on Monday and issued necessary instructions in this regard. Advertisement Saini stated that the state government is consistently making decisions in the best interests of farmers. Our government stands with farmers in every situation, he emphasized. Advertisement He said that the recent fire incidents in the state have caused damage to crops, livestock, and property, resulting in hardship for farmers. In response, the government has decided to provide compensation to those affected by these incidents. The Chief Minister has also directed all Deputy Commissioners to gather reports on fire-related incidents. Affected farmers are advised to submit their applications to the respective Deputy Commissioners, ensuring that the compensation process is carried out promptly. The Chief Minister further stated that farmers who have suffered losses will also receive assistance in the form of seeds and fertilizers for sowing the upcoming crops, ensuring that they do not face any additional financial burden. AIMIM chief Assaduddin Owaisi, on Tuesday, took a jibe at PM Modi over his Saudi Arabia visit, saying the prime minister should ask the Crown Prince if Medina is built on Waqf land. The comment was made by the Hyderabad MP during an address at the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Waqf Bachao Sammelan at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. Advertisement PM Modi is visiting Saudi Arabia, where he will meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, warmly exchanging greetings like Ya-Habibi. Upon returning to India, he will urge the people to identify Muslims by their clothing, he said addressing the gathering. Advertisement The AIMIM chief also claimed that Waqf exists in all Muslim countries, be it a kingdom or democracy, and that the BJPs assertion that Waqf provisions did not exist in the Muslim nation was a lie. Someone from the BJP said in the Parliament that this particular Muslim country does not have Waqf I want to tell PM Narendra Modi that during his visit to Saudi Arabia, he should ask the crown prince if Medina is built on Waqf land. Waqf exists in every Muslim country, be it a democracy or a kingdom, he said. The convention was attended by Muslim clerics as well as leaders of various parties with many wearing black bands on their shoulders as a mark of protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. There were sharp reactions to the new Waqf law in the conference with many speakers calling it an attack on the rights of the Muslim community. They called for a united opposition against the legislation. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday climbed down from his earlier position about teaching Hindi language compulsorily in all schools of the state by dismissing concerns about imposition of Hindi language, claiming that only Marathi will be taught compulsorily in schools. He clarified that class 1 students would now have the option to choose other languages instead of Hindi. Advertisement However, a Maharashtra government resolution issued by the Maharashtra state government on April 17 had made Hindi a compulsory third language for classes 1 to 5 from the 2026-27 academic year, adding that the new syllabus complying with the National Education Policy would be implemented from the current academic year. Advertisement It is wrong to say that attempts are being made to impose Hindi. Marathi will be compulsory in Maharashtra. There will be no other compulsion. Hindi language is not compulsory, Fadnavis told reporters in Pune on Sunday, hours after the language advisory committee of the states Marathi Language Department appealed to him to revoke the governments decision mandating Hindi as a compulsory third language for students from class 1 to 5. Fadnavis also said that I am surprised that we oppose Indian languages like Hindi and sing the praises of English. We carry English on our shoulders. We should also think about why we feel English is close and Indian languages are far away. The climb down by Fadnavis came shortly after practically every opposition party in Maharashtra criticised the move to teach Hindi in all schools of Maharashtra right from class one. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena announced that it will not allow the Fadnavis government to teach Hindi compulsorily in schools from class one, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by Raj Thackeray, began agitating against the move and even put up banners against the move, after threatening an agitation. The Congress alleged that making Hindi compulsory is a ploy to destroy the Marathi language, identity and culture. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP warned that sidelining Marathi under the garb of the New Education Policy would not be tolerated, while the Maharashtra state unit of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) threatened to launch an agitation. The issue practically made both estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray who leads the Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray who leads the MNS to bury their personal as well as political differences and jointly oppose Hindi imposition over Maharashtra. Meanwhile, Maharashtra states language consultation committee chairman Lakshmikant Deshmukh wrote a letter to the government that the decision to make Hindi compulsory from class one, along with Marathi and English, would burden primary school students. Copies of the letter have been sent to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, as well as the Minister for Marathi language Uday Samant, Deshmukh said. No language has been made compulsory in the National Education Policy. On the contrary, the NEP states that education should be imparted through the mother tongue. Therefore, making Hindi mandatory as a third language is not right, the letter stated. Deshmukhs letter said that the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) failed to consult the Maharashtra state language advisory committee before finalising the language policy. The committee which comprises linguists, language scholars, and academicians, stated that the compulsory introduction of Hindi at this level is educationally unsound, the letter mentioned. Teaching Hindi as a third language from Class 1 is unnecessary and contradicts all established principles of educational and child psychology. Hence, as a language advisory committee, we have formally requested the chief minister to reconsider this decision and withdraw the mandate to avoid overburdening students, Deshmukh said. Earlier, the Marathi Abhyas Kendra, Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary Principals Association, Amhi Shikshak Social Organisation, Maharashtra State Education Institutions Mahamandal, Maharashtra Progressive Teachers Association, as well as Maharashtra State Art Teachers Association had written to the Maharashtra school education minister requesting him to withdraw the decision. Senior educationist and member of the state-level steering committee formed for quality and effective implementation, Ramesh Panse, has also supported this letter. In their letter, these organisations stated that Hindi should be made compulsory in Maharashtra only after North Indian states start teaching Marathi or a Dravidian (South Indian) language. We feel that North Indians need to learn Marathi more than Maharashtrians need to learn Hindi, the letter stated. The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti has also strongly opposed this decision, saying Hindi is not the national language and its compulsion is linguistic imperialism. The compulsion about teaching a third language in schools is an injustice to students, it said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Indias historic ties with Saudi Arabia have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years, and together have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership. PM Modi said this in his departure statement while embarking on a landmark two-day State visit from Tuesday to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Advertisement Before embarking, he posted on his X handle, Leaving for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where I will be attending various meetings and programmes. India values our historic relations with Saudi Arabia. Bilateral ties have gained significant momentum in the last decade. I look forward to participating in the 2nd Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. I will also be interacting with the Indian community there. Advertisement He said that India deeply values its historic relations with Saudi Arabia, which have now gained momentum, resulting in substantive partnership in various fields, including defence and trade. India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years. Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership including in the domains of defence, trade, investment, energy and people-to-people ties, said PM Modi in a statement released by the government. He said that the two countries have shared interests and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability. This is PM Modis third visit to the country in the last decade, but the first one to Jeddah. He will be participating in the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. This will be my third visit to Saudi Arabia over the past decade and a first one to the historic city of Jeddah. I look forward to participating in the 2nd Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council and build upon the highly successful State visit of my brother His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India in 2023, said PM Modi. Apart from the bilateral talks, PM Modi will also be meeting the Indian diaspora. I am also eager to connect with the vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia that continues to serve as the living bridge between our nations and (is) making immense contribution to strengthening the cultural and human ties, the statement mentioned. PM Modis earlier visits to the Kingdom were in 2016 and 2019. The visit follows the State Visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to New Delhi in September 2023 to attend the G20 Summit and co-chair the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, said that India and Saudi Arabia share close and friendly ties with a long history of socio-cultural and trade contacts. The visit of the Prime Minister reflects the importance India attaches to its bilateral relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It will provide an opportunity to further deepen and strengthen our multi-faceted partnership, as well as to exchange views on various regional and international issues of mutual interest, said MEA. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said India and the United States can strengthen their long-standing economic collaboration to enable partnership and investments in several key sectors, including semiconductors, nuclear power generation, pharmaceuticals, and quantum computing. She further said Indias quest for sustained growth over the next two decades hinges on a new paradigm, driven by bold reforms, enhanced domestic capabilities, and strategic institutional collaborations suited for the evolving global landscape. Advertisement Speaking at Stanford University in California, US, Sitharaman said, At first glance, these developments appear formidable, and yet they are full of possibilities. New opportunities for deeper participation present themselves. Advertisement She said that global trade and investment landscapes are being reimagined to bring about a better balance between externally led growth and domestic growth. The minister also highlighted the work done by the Modi government in the last 10 years. She said the government has undertaken structural reforms, rationalising over 20,000 compliances, decriminalising business laws, and digitising public services to reduce friction. A significant thrust on infrastructure development has also created a strong foundation for manufacturing-led growth by bolstering investor confidence over the last 10 years, she mentioned. India has set a goal to become a developed nation by 2047. As we lay the foundation for a developed India, we must stay committed to long-term goals, without losing sight of present realities. The global order is changing. That poses challenges but also opportunities. We must be prepared to tackle the former while seizing the latter, she said. Minister Sitharaman is on an official visit to the United States and Peru from April 20 to 30, 2025, during which she will attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary FundWorld Bank, take part in G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meetings, besides holding bilateral meetings with many countries and organisations. US Vice President JD Vance has praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asserted that the future of the 21st century will be shaped by Indo-US ties. Delivering his speech on trade and technology at the Rajasthan International Centre here on Tuesday afternoon, Vance said, The governments of both countries, under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have worked hard to finalize a trade agreement. Advertisement We have finalized the terms, he said. Dispelling concerns amid the prevailing trend of tariff wars, the visiting Vice President added, The rebalancing of terms is going to benefit the people of both countries. Advertisement Vice President Vance emphasized that America comes to India as a partner, not to preach. He said that US President Donald Trump wants both countries to grow together. I believe that our nations have much to offer one another, and thats why we come to you as a partner, he said. Clarifying the US position on the ongoing tariff war row, Vance stated, Critics have attacked my president, President Trump, for starting a trade war in an effort to bring back the jobs of the past, but nothing could be further from the truth. He seeks to rebalance global trade so that America, with friends like India, can build a future worth having for all our people together. Vance added, Theres a vitality to India a sense of infinite possibility, of new homes to be built, new skylines to be raised, and lives to be enriched. Theres a pride in being Indian and an excitement about the future. He reiterated that the two countries have much to offer each other. The US seeks greater access to the Indian market, he added, but assured that it will be a win-win partnership for both sides. Praising Prime Minister Modis leadership, Vance described Modi as a serious leader deeply committed to Indias future prosperity and security. I told Prime Minister Narendra Modi last night that he has approval ratings that would make me jealous, the visiting Vice President remarked. In a swift response to the devastation caused by the cloudburst in Ramban district, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday undertook a visit to the affected areas to personally assess the ground situation. Accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner Ramban and senior civil and police officials, the Chief Minister travelled by road from Srinagar to reach Marog, one of the worst-hit villages. Advertisement Demonstrating the deep concern and commitment of his government, he trekked several kilometres on foot through rugged terrain to reach Kela Morh, where the cloudburst had triggered flash floods, leaving a trail of destruction. Advertisement The natural calamity has claimed the lives of three persons, while causing extensive damage to residential structures, vehicles, and critical road infrastructure. Ramban district, often referred to as the lifeline between the Kashmir Valley and Jammu, remained cut off for the second consecutive day due to debris and damage along the National Highway, J&Ks primary transport artery. Interacting with local residents and officials from the district administration, the Chief Minister was briefed on the scale of the damage and the progress of ongoing rescue and relief operations. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that the government stands shoulder to shoulder with the victims of this tragedy. The scale of destruction is deeply distressing. Our administration is on the ground, working tirelessly to ensure the safety, relief, and rehabilitation of every affected family, Omar Abdullah said. We will leave no stone unturned in standing by our people during this difficult time, he added. He further directed the concerned departments to expedite restoration work on the highway to resume vehicular movement at the earliest. The district administration informed the Chief Minister that clearance operations are in full swing, with teams from the Public Works Department (PWD), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), disaster response units, police, volunteers, and the local population working round the clock to remove mudslides and boulders and restore normalcy in the affected area. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Armenia has falsified all the facts about the region, Chairman of the Western Azerbaijan Community Aziz Alakbarli said at a conference on the topic "Ancient texts and classical sources expose Armenian falsifications and fabrications, or Ethno-Hay tricks and intrigues about Azerbaijani territories", Trend reports. He noted that Armenia pulled the wool over the world's eyes with its tall tales. "It's working on this systematically. Such events are important for exposing Armenian lies and falsifications. It is necessary to push these falsifications out of the minds of those who believe in them and present them with the true facts," he added. To note, the Western Azerbaijan Community is the legal successor of the organization established as the Azerbaijan Refugee Society on December 28, 1989. The Western Azerbaijan Community is engaged in safeguarding the rights of Azerbaijanis who were forcibly displaced from Armenia. The community has endorsed the "Concept of Return," which aims to facilitate the peaceful, safe, and dignified repatriation of Azerbaijanis displaced from present-day Armenia. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Tuesday accused the Modi government of squeezing the rightful share of the states in cess on petrol and diesel. Asserting that despite international crude oil prices falling to a 47-month low, the Modi government, raised central excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 2 each, Mr Kharge, in a post on social media handle X, said that this year, Modi government shall earn Rs 1.47 lakh crore from total cess on petrol diesel, and a whopping Rs 28,000 crore from this Rs 2 central excise duty alone. Advertisement But states, including BJP-ruled ones, would not get a single paisa from this cess, even though the states have been constantly demanding a higher share of the divisible pool from the union government, he lamented. Advertisement Recalling that from the year 2014 till December 2024, the Modi Govt has collected Rs 38.89 lakh crore by taxing Petrol, Diesel and Petroleum products, the Congress president said that instead of following the model of Team India propagated by PM Modi, the union government has passed on the burden of Rs 1 Lakh crore revenue forgone in giving tax rebate to personal income tax upto Rs 12 lakh slab announced in the Budget 2025-26. Shockingly, Rs 5.7 lakh crore collected through various Cesses and surcharges since 2019-20, will remain unspent by the Modi government (till March 2026)..This could have easily passed on to the States, but the Modi Govt is busy squeezing the rightful share of the states, Kharge added. BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday said that both CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF have failed to deliver development and progress to the state. He asserted that only the BJP can make Vikasit Kerala a reality. Addressing party workers at a convention in Malappuram, Chandrasekhar said the Pinarayi Vijayan government has brought Kerala to a situation where there is no way to move forward without taking loans. Advertisement He said Kerala is experiencing a situation where ordinary people, including ASHA workers, farmers, and government employees, are unable to celebrate festivals or milestones, while the government continues to indulge in celebrations. Advertisement The government, which does not have the money to pay salaries to KSRTC workers and pensioners, is celebrating the ninth anniversary in a wasteful manner, he said. The BJP Kerala chief stated that the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been implementing various schemes for the well-being and development of every citizen in the country. He claimed that only the BJP is capable of bringing progress and development to Kerala. Stating that India has become a corruption-free country under Prime Minister Modis leadership, Chandrasekhar said the Congress has already demonstrated that the progress and development of common people are not its priority. Corruption and unemployment thrived during the Congress-led governments, he added. He further alleged that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a major ally in the UDF, recently admitted through a petition in the Supreme Court that they represent a particular community. Manipur police have arrested three active members of the proscribed militant outfit Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK-Pro) from Ngakhapat Adventure Kharok in Imphal East district. The arrested individuals have been identified as Nongthombam Maingou Singh (33), Nongthombam Mohen Singh (45), and Keisham Sana Leima (40), who also goes by the aliases Tamphasana and Lingjel. Advertisement Police sources confirmed that the trio was involved in the recent abduction of two civilians near Naorem Birahari College in Khundrakpam. Advertisement The kidnappings were allegedly carried out as part of a ransom extortion racket. Fortunately, swift police action led to the safe rescue of the abducted individuals. A search operation during the arrest led to the seizure of one .32 calibre pistol with a magazine loaded with five live rounds, six mobile handsets, a black waist belt, and two two-wheeler vehicles reportedly used in the operation. This development follows closely on the heels of another arrest on April 20, when security forces nabbed 22-year-old PREPAK (Pro) cadre Khundrakpam Katho Singh from Sawombung Thongkhong Awang Leikai, also in Imphal East. Authorities believe the recent arrests are part of a broader effort to dismantle an extortion and kidnapping network allegedly run by PREPAK (Pro), which remains active despite being declared a banned organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). PREPAK (Pro) is a splinter faction of the original Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, an armed separatist group seeking an independent and sovereign state for the Meitei community. Operating primarily in the Imphal valley, the group has been responsible for a range of militant activities, including extortion, bomb attacks, and targeted assassinations of security personnel and political figures. Security officials say the recent crackdown is part of intensified counter-insurgency operations amid the continuing ethnic unrest in Manipur. The state, which has witnessed a fragile law and order situation due to the ongoing Kuki-Meitei conflict, remains on high alert as militant outfits are believed to be taking advantage of the volatile environment. Mayawati called it unfortunate that disrespect of Babasahebs idols and the attacks on his procession were reported on the Ambedkar Jayanti in many places in the country. She said the Dalit society wont forgive the people involved in it. In a statement on social media on Tuesday, the BSP supremo said on the birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, incidents of disrespect of his statue in many states of the country were reported. Even casualties were reported in the attacks by feudal elements in the processions which reflects the double standard of the governments. Advertisement She said in the attack on an Ambedkar procession in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, killing of Dalits and injuries to many is extremely unfortunate. The MP governments silence over the incidents shows their real face. Advertisement The BSP chief appealed to the Central and state governments to immediately stop the injustice-atrocities on Dalits and their saints and gurus and take strict action against the culprits, otherwise people of these classes would never forgive them. It is clear from such caste violence that the programs that the Central and state governments organize on the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar are a mere trick to get the votes of Dalits. The Dalit society must be careful with such characters and parties, she said. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. The Union Minister for coal and mines, G Kishan Reddy, also joined the half-hour-long meeting at Shahs residence, where the Amaravati project and the states development were discussed. The TDP has also decided to set aside the Rajya Sabha seat earlier vacated by YSRCP leader V Vijayasai Reddy for the BJP. The Chief Ministers visit to the national capital came just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit and roadshow in Amaravati on 2 May, where he would kickstart the capital city project once again and inaugurate projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore. The state government is gearing up for the Prime Ministers programme and has finalised contracts for undertaking the works in Amaravati. Naidu on Tuesday also met several Union ministers, including Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Advertisement The election for the Rajya Sabha seat vacated by V Vijayasai Reddy of the YSRCP is slated for 9 May. Reddy had resigned in January, announcing his retirement from politics. However, the coalition candidate is expected to win without any contest. The TDP and JSP have decided to give up the seat to their coalition partner, the BJP. The BJP is likely to nominate either former minister Smriti Irani or their Tamil Nadu leader Annamalai from this seat. The beleaguered YSRCP, with only 11 members in the Assembly and battling various scams and corruption charges, is unlikely to nominate a candidate for the seat. Advertisement A newlywed officer of the Indian Navy was among the tourists gunned down in a targeted terrorist attack in Pahalgam area of south Kashmirs Anantnag district on Tuesday. Hailing from Karnal in Haryana, the officer, identified as Lt Cdr Vinay Narwal, was on his honeymoon following his marriage a few days ago, sources revealed. Advertisement He was reportedly posted in Kochi. Advertisement Although the official number has not yet been released, 28 tourists are feared dead, with several others reported injured. Among the fatalities are two foreign nationals. The terrorist outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the attack. In a post on X, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, Im shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators are animals, inhuman, and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. Ive spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo, and she has moved to the hospital to oversee arrangements for the injured. Ill be flying back to Srinagar immediately. He added, The death toll is still being ascertained, so I dont want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say, this attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years. Following the attack, Home Minister Amit Shah reached Srinagar in the evening to review the security situation. In a significant development, Haryanas Health Department has launched a new initiative called SARTHAK (Systematic Assessment and Resilient Transformation in Health Accountability and Knowledge). SARTHAK is a structured assessment and monitoring framework, designed to ensure accountability, improve quality and enhance service delivery across healthcare facilities in the state, said Dr Virender Yadav, Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Haryana, on Tuesday. Advertisement Under this initiative, dedicated teams from the NHM Haryana Headquarters and the Directorate of Health Services (DGHS) will visit each district, evaluating healthcare facilities ranging from District Hospitals (DHs) to Sub-Centres (SCs). They will also assess the performance of frontline health workers, such as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs). Advertisement The teams will further ensure community participation concerning healthcare facilities and various programmes under Health and NHM. The initiative is founded on evidence-based evaluation, structured data collection, and real-time feedback mechanisms to bridge service delivery gaps, optimise resource utilisation, and ensure the effective implementation of health programmes across Haryana. Dr Yadav added that following the district visits, teams will prepare detailed reports and submit them to the Deputy Commissioner and Civil Surgeon of the respective districts. These reports will assist district administrations in identifying gaps, optimising resource utilisation, and strengthening the implementation of healthcare programmes. Hours after Bengaluru police issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Indian Air Force officer Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose in an attempt to murder case, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a statement claiming it to be an unfortunate incident. In a statement, the IAF spokesperson said, An unfortunate incident involving an IAF officer took place in Bengaluru yesterday. The lAF is assisting the local authorities in investigating and following up the case to its lawful resolution. Advertisement In what is being dubbed a complete reversal of allegations and counter-allegations, Bose had posted a video claiming to have been attacked by a biker named Vikas Kumar. Advertisement In the video, which went viral on social media igniting the debate of Kannadigas vs non-Kannadigas, the blood-soaked Air Force officer said that he and his wife, an Air Force officer, were attacked by Kumar. A bike came from behind and stopped our car the guy started abusing me in Kannada. When he saw the DRDO sticker on my car, he said, You DRDO people, and began abusing my wife and me. I couldnt bear it. The moment I got out of my car, the biker hit me with a key on my forehead, and there was blood oozing out, Bose was heard saying, as his wife, Squadron Leader Madhumita Bose, sat next to him in the car. The couple was on their way to the airport, where Bose was scheduled to catch a flight. Hours later, multiple videos of Bose thrashing and kicking Kumar before being attacked surfaced on social media, questioning his narrative. In a statement, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Devaraj D called it a case of road rage. An altercation took place, and both sides attacked each other His wife was driving, and he was seated beside her. An altercation broke out between the couple and a bike rider, he said. The biker filed a counter-case against the officer who was booked under BNS Sections 109, 115(2), 3034, 324, and 352. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is cutting short his two-day trip to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the deadly terrorist attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, according to multiple reports. Modi, who departed for Saudi Arabia just hours before the attack, will leave for India tonight and is expected to land early Wednesday morning, the reports citing sources said. Advertisement At least 28 people, including two foreign nationals, are feared dead in the targeted attack on tourists in picturesque Pahalgam. Several others are wounded, some of them critically. Advertisement The terrorists opened fire on tourists at a meadow near Pahalgam. Eyewitnesses claimed that the terrorists asked the tourists their religion before shooting them. PM Modi also discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who offered India any help in this regard, said Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan. Addressing a press conference in Jeddah, Khan said: The recent terror attack in Kashmir was discussed, and his royal Highness, the Crown Prince, condemned the terror attack and offered any help to India in this regard. India and Saudi Arabia have cooperation in issues related to terrorism, and we continue to work together. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi strongly condemned the terrorist attack and vowed that those behind the heinous act would be brought to justice. I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover as soon as possible. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected, PM Modi said in a post on X. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justicethey will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable, and it will only grow stronger, he added. Amid the ongoing judiciary versus executive order, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said the Parliament is supreme and the elected representatives are its ultimate masters. Speaking at an event in Delhi University, he asserted that there is no visualisation in the Constitution of any authority above parliament. Advertisement Parliament is supreme and that being the situation, let me tell you, it is as supreme as every individual in the country. Part of We the people is an atom in democracy and that atom has atomic power. That atomic power is reflected during elections and that is why we are a democratic nation, Dhankhar said. Advertisement Referring to the Constitution, he said, The Constitution is encapsulated, its essence, its worth, its nectar, in the Preamble of the Constitution. And what does it say? we, the people of India, the supreme power is with them. No one is above the people of India. And we, the people of India, under the Constitution, have chosen to reflect their aspirations, their desires, and their will through their public representatives. The VP said they hold the representatives accountableseverely accountable, on occasions, through elections. In an apparent reference to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Dhankhar said, A Prime Minister who imposed Emergency was held accountable in 1977. And therefore, let there be no doubt about it: the Constitution is for the people, and its repository of safeguarding is that of the elected representatives. They are the ultimate masters as to what the Constitutions content will be. Reflecting on the duty of citizens in democracy, the VP said, Democracy is not only for the government to govern. It is participatory democracy, just not laws, but also culture and ethos. Citizenship demands action, not merely status.Democracy is shaped not by governments, democracy is shaped by individuals. Because individuals bear the responsibility to uphold our symbols, preserve our heritage, defend sovereignty, foster brotherhood He said the government has a role that does not become a handicap. Underlining the significance of quality of discourse in any healthy democracy, Dhnakhar said, If you want to know the health of democracy, like the health of an individual, if you want to analyse how healthy is our democracy, then you will have to find out discourse quality, the kind of discourse we have. Is our discourse moderated? Is our discourse manipulated? Is our discourse controlled by moneybags, by muscle power, by foreign interests, by people working against the interests of this nation? You will have to discern, he said. Citing freedom of expression, he said democracy thrives through expression and dialogue. Abhivyakti aur samvaad are the core mantras of democracy. These are the basic mantras. If your right of expression is throttled or regulated, as was done during the Emergency, democracy nosedives. But if you have the right of expression, and that expression reflects arrogance and egowhere you believe your expression is ultimate, where you refuse to entertain any different point of view, refuse to even look at the other sidethat too is not a true expression as per our civilization, Dhankhar said. He also emphasized the role of youth in nation-building, The quality of discourse defines our democracy and in this, I have no doubt, our youth must elevate beyond partisanship to thoughtful deliberation. We are destined to be a global power. We will be a developed nation. You cannot be tied down to partisan interests; you have to believe only in national interests, the VP added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Armenian society is at a dead end in its development, Baku-born blogger Albert Isakov, who lived in Armenia for 12 years, said during a roundtable discussion on the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Trend reports. If we talk about Armenian society, it is at a dead end in its development. If it can be called development at all. It is rather degradation, a path to nowhere, he said. Isakov noted that during the Second Karabakh war, Armenian society was actually misled into believing that victory was on their side. I have seen examples of Armenian propaganda - both what was said during the war and immediately after it. I saw the information space in which the Armenian society was after the war. It was deliberately deceived, misled, claiming that they were winning. It was propaganda. I speak Armenian, and I can say that I saw a lot of lies from inside, and at some point I realized: I just can't keep silent anymore, he said. He emphasized that since childhood, he had witnessed international relations and, sincerity of communication between representatives of different nations. I saw Azerbaijanis, Armenians, saw how they communicated, and befriended. I saw all the charm and genuineness of these relations - the atmosphere that reigned in Baku in those years. It was my childhood, to which I often mentally return, Isakov added. Speaking about the creation of the blog, Isakov noted that at first it did not have a wide audience. According to him, he just came out and told his story - what happened to him and expressed his opinion. The first videos were watched by only 30-40 people, but he quickly noticed a response from viewers, especially compatriots - Azerbaijanis from Armenia, from Karabakh, refugees, and IDPs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, welcomed US Vice-President J D Vance and his family, amid indications that the two countries are exploring the possibility of concluding a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) at an early date. The two leaders were assisted by their top aides during the meeting held at the PMs 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence here. Mr Vances delegation includes representatives from the Pentagon and the State Department. Advertisement The two leaders are expected to delve into matters related to trade, economic collaboration, and defence partnerships. Advertisement The talks between the two leaders will be followed by a dinner being hosted by the PM in honour of the American leader. Earlier, Mr Vance arrived in the national capital on his first official visit to India, accompanied by his wife, Usha, and their three children. He received a Guard of Honour on arrival at Palam Airport. Union Railways and Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw received the American leader at the airport. The high-level visit is expected to focus on enhancing strategic, economic, and defence ties between the two nations. Hoardings welcoming Vice-President Vance had been set up around Palam Airport in anticipation of his arrival. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, We have a comprehensive strategic global partnership (with the US). All relevant issues will be discussed. We are very positive that the visit will give a further boost to our bilateral ties. He also acknowledged the ongoing dialogues around a potential trade agreement with the US. The Vance family will be in Jaipur on Tuesday and Agra on April 23. Preparations are underway at the Taj Mahal for the visiting dignitaries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed on his two-day visit to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The visit will provide an important opportunity to discuss key regional and global issues. PM Modi is visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Advertisement In his departing statement, PM Modi said, Today, I embark on a two-day State visit to the Kingdom of Saudi at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Advertisement He said India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia which have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years. Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership in the domains of defence, trade, investment, energy, and people-to-people ties. We have shared interest and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability. Mr Modi said this is his third visit to Saudi Arabia over the past decade and his first one to the historic city of Jeddah. I look forward to participating in the 2nd Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council and building upon the highly successful State visit of my brother, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India in 2023, he stated. Mr Modi said he was eager to connect with the vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia that continues to serve as the living bridge between our nations and makes an immense contribution to strengthening the cultural and human ties. PM Modi is expected to visit a factory in the West Asian country where Indian workers are employed and interact with them. During a special press briefing on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the visit will provide an important opportunity to discuss key regional and global issues. These include the situation in West Asia, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and threats to maritime security due to Houthi attacks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed his deep pain over the death of Pope Francis, saying he will be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage. Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community, the PM said in a post on X. Advertisement He said Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope, the PM wrote. Advertisement Mr Modi also recalled his meetings with the Pope and noted that he was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-around development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in Gods embrace, the PM said. The BJP on Monday labeled Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a traitor for questioning the impartiality of the Election Commission of India during an event in the United States. Citing voter turnout figures in the previous Maharashtra Assembly polls, the Gandhi scion on Sunday asserted that there was something very wrong with the system. Advertisement Gandhi, who is currently visiting the United States, made the observation during a talk at Brown University in Boston. Advertisement More people voted in the Maharashtra Assembly elections than there are adults in Maharashtra. The Election Commission gave us a voting figure for 5.30pm, and between 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm, 65 lakh voters voted. This is physically impossible to happen, the Congress leader asserted. Accusing the poll panel of compromising its impartiality, the Congress leader alleged that the Election Commission had refused to provide video evidence of the voting and even changed laws to prevent it. it takes (approximately) 3 minutes, and if you do the Math, it would mean that there were lines of voters till 2 AM, but this did not happenWhen we asked them for the videography, they not only refused but they also changed the law., Gandhi alleged. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday came out strongly against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments on the Election Commission of India made during an event at Boston. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Gandhi of insulting the country on foreign soil. Mr. Gandhi, who is currently visiting the United States, made the observation during a talk at the Brown University in Boston that the poll panel was compromised. Citing voter turnout figures in the previous Maharashtra Assembly polls, the Gandhi scion on Sunday asserted that there was something very wrong with the system. Accusing Mr. Gandhi of undermining Indias democratic institutions from foreign soil, Mr. Patra said this is an old habit of the Congress leader to insult the country on foreign soil. He has insulted India in the US. This is not a new thing. He has been doing this for a long time, the BJP spokesperson said at a press briefing. Accusing the Congress of creating an atmosphere of unrest by protesting against the Enforcement Directorates charge sheet in the National Herald case, Mr. Patra alleged that chor machaye shor (thief raises a hue and cry). You are a traitor, not just because you insult Indian institutions and Indian democracy on foreign soil but also because you and your mother have embezzled crores of rupees of the country in the National Herald case. You and your mother will not be able to get away with this, Patra said. The Enforcement Directorate had on Tuesday filed its charge sheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection to the National Herald case. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) founder-president Raj Thackeray ordered MNS leaders on Monday to desist from commenting about possible alliance with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and clarified that he would personally talk about all issues as soon as he is back in Mumbai, after his holiday abroad. Thackeray, who is presently holidaying abroad, issued the order to MNS leaders after some second-tier leaders of the party criticised moves to join hands with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Advertisement Earlier, MNS leader Amey Khopkar had commented that an alliance with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is unwanted. Another close aide of Raj Thackeray, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande had questioned if Uddhav Thackeray 0apologised for the 17,000 cases registered against MNS workers when he was the chief minister of Maharashtra. Yet another MNS leader Yashwant Killedar had raised doubts about an alliance with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Advertisement However, after Uddhav Thackeray took a positive stand about a potential alliance with the Raj Thackeray-led MNS, leaders of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena have welcomed it and did not respond to any criticism made by MNS leaders. An editorial in Saamana, which is the daily Marathi newspaper and mouthpiece of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, expressed positive views about a probable alliance with the Raj Thackeray-led MNS. Replying to MNS leader Sandeep Deshpandes question, Uddhav-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said Deshpande is merely an MNS official and only Raj Thackerays words will prevail. Raj Thackeray made a statement and Uddhav Thackeray welcomed it. What anyone else says is not relevant. Everything is for the good of Maharashtra. Those who are anti-Maharashtra should not be listened to. We have not put any pre-conditions, he said. Raut further said that both Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray talked about the welfare of Maharashtra. The BJP does not fit into this formula. Neither do the people who support it. This is not a pre-condition, but the sentiment of the people, he added. I have worked with Balasaheb Thackeray, (Balasahebs brother and Raj Thackerays father) Shrikant Thackeray, Raj Thackeray as well as Uddhav Thackeray. Balasaheb Thackeray founded Shiv Sena for the benefit of Maharashtra. There are no conditions or terms for coming together for the benefit of Maharashtra, Sanjay Raut told media persons in Mumbai. Those who come in the way of Maharashtras interest, should not be allowed in their (MNS) houses. Such people should not be in their (MNS) company. Do we put up photos of Morarji Desai or Narendra Modi in our houses? No. Thats because both these people are enemies of Maharashtra. Even the last person in the village in Maharashtra feels that Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray should come together. We have welcomed Raj Thackerays role and Uddhav Thackeray has also responded positively to this. I will not answer what anyone from MNS said. Only if Raj Thackeray himself speaks something, we will understand, Raut said. When asked about Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shindes irritated reaction about Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray coming together, he said, Shinde may be angry. Even Devendra Fadnavis must also be angry inside. We know how the BJP feels about it. What is the need for the Shinde group to talk about Raj and Uddhav, when Amit Shah is their real party chief? They (Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena) should listen to Amit Shah. The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to list next week a plea seeking initiation of contempt action against Bharatiya Janata Partys Lok Sabha member Nishikant Dubey for his controversial remarks against the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna. The advocate Narendra Mishra who has approached the top court seeking initiation of contempt action against Nishikant Dubey mentioned the plea before a bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih saying letters were given to Attorney General R. Venkataramani and the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta seeking their nod for the initiation of contempt proceedings against BJP MP but no action being taken. Advertisement Advocate Mishra said that Nishikant Dubey has said that the Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna is responsible for the civil wars in India, and after his speech went viral, social media users used derogatory tag phrases for the Supreme Court. Advertisement The petitioner advocate urged the top court to give direction to remove social media posts and videos that are derogatory and contemptuous towards the judiciary. These statements are false, reckless, and malicious, and they amount to criminal contempt, Mishra has said in his letter petition. Mishra said Dubey is an elected Member of Parliament and has shown gross disregard for constitutional remedies and chose to incite public distrust by misrepresenting the judicial process. His remark that the Supreme Court is inciting religious wars for agreeing to hear petitions including those challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 amounts to a direct interference in the administration of justice, and falsely portrays constitutional scrutiny as political interference, his petition stated. Saying that such acts, especially from a sitting lawmaker, cannot be brushed aside as mere political commentary, the petitioner advocate asked the top court to suo moto initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Dubey. He further stated, They are a deliberate attempt to intimidate the judiciary, incite public disorder, and delegitimize the institution entrusted with protecting the Constitution. Dubey had made the statement following the top court by its April 8, 2025, judgment fixed timeline for the President and Governors to give assent to Bills passed by the State legislatures and its intervention in the Waqf (Amendment) Act matter. Some lawyers have also written letters to the Attorney General R Venkataramani, demanding initiation of contempt proceedings against Dubey for his remarks. Dubey has reportedly said that Supreme Court is taking the country towards anarchy and that the Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanijv Khanna is responsible for the civil wars taking place in the country. Letters were written by advocates Anas Tanwir, Shiv Kumar Tripathi and others seeking contempt of court proceedings against Dubey saying that his grossly scandalous remarks are aimed at lowering the dignity of the top court. Advocate Subhash Theekkadan has sought initiating criminal contempt proceedings against the Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, in light of public statements made by him which he said amount to a direct attack on the authority and dignity of the Supreme Court. As per the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, a private individual can file a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court only after obtaining the consent of the Attorney General or the Solicitor General. The BJP MP had claimed the Supreme Court was taking the country towards anarchy. On April 19, the BJP MP had said that the Parliament and Assemblies should be shut if the top court is dictating laws and that Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna is responsible for civil wars in the country. Last week, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar questioned the judiciary for setting a timeline for the President to decide whether or not to assent to state Bills referred to the President by a Governor. Dhankhar further blamed the Supreme Court for acting as a super Parliament and said it cannot fire a nuclear missile at democratic forces. Security for the visiting US Vice President, JD Vance, has been significantly stepped up as a precautionary measure following the terror strike in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on Tuesday evening. Additional deployment of ERT commandos has been made in and around the wing of the Rambagh Palace Hotel, where the US Vice President has been staying since Monday. The hotel premises resembled a cantonment, a police officer said. Advertisement The police have sounded a high-security alert across the state following inputs from security agencies, he added. Advertisement Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph is personally monitoring the security arrangements, the police said. Six members of a marriage party were killed while three others seriously injured when the jeep they were travelling in fell into a deep culvert on Monday morning in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. The Tempo Trax Toofan jeep was returning from Patna and heading for Chandan Nagar in the Indore district after the wedding ceremony with nine members of the wedding party on board, including the groom, Deepak Chopra, and his bride, Sangeeta. Advertisement According to the police, the accident occurred at around 7 am near the Bamhori dhaba on National Highway 12. Advertisement Investigations conducted by the police revealed that the driver of the jeep dozed off behind the wheel due to fatigue and skipped a small bridge on the route and caused the vehicle to plunge into the embankment of the road, approximately 10 feet deep. The deceased include Narendra Chopra, grooms brother; Sarita Kholwal and her two-year-old daughter, Tasvi; Chanda Devi from Udaipur, Rajasthan; Mohanlal Kureel; and the driver, Sunil Sharma. The injured include the groom, Deepak Chopra; the bride, Sangeeta Chopra; and Ravi Kholwal, husband of Sarita Kholwal. Koraput district in southern Odisha has bagged the prestigious Prime Ministers Awards for Excellence in Public Administration for 2024 in the Holistic Development of Districts category, an official said on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the award to Koraput District Collector V Keerthi Vasan during a ceremony held at New Delhi on Monday on the occasion of Public Service Day, informed the official. Advertisement Koraputs selection followed a rigorous multi-tier evaluation conducted by central authorities, he added. Advertisement Congratulations to @dmkoraput and their team on being selected for the Prime Ministers Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2024. Their exemplary work in holistic district development is truly commendable. May they continue to achieve bigger milestones and inspire others, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi lauded the district administration in a post on X. The award belongs to every individual in Koraput who has worked with dedication, integrity, and a shared vision for progress. It reflects the collective spirit and trust the people have placed in the district administration, Koraput District Collector V Keerthi Vasan said. This prestigious national recognition celebrates Koraputs exceptional and efficient governance and the districts successful implementation of 11 major central government schemes, such as Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Sakhyam Anganwadi, Poshan Yojana, and other schemes over the last 18 months. These initiatives have brought significant improvements to the lives of the districts tribal communities, ushering in a new era of inclusive and sustainable development, the official said. The assessment focused on the districts innovative approach, measurable impact, and commitment to inclusive, citizen-centric administration over time. Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, while lashing out at the BJP-led Central government, said on Tuesday that the way probe agencies are misused has never happened in the history of the country. He accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of terrorising and targeting Opposition parties. Advertisement Addressing media persons here on Tuesday, he defended the Gandhi family in the National Herald case, saying all the properties of National Herald are under the control of Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and efforts were being made to clear its liabilities through Young India (YI), a non-profit organization. Advertisement He alleged that Opposition leaders are being targeted by pressurising various probe agencies like the ED, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department. By bringing up the nine-year-old National Herald case to target the Gandhi family, the BJP is working on its agenda to annihilate the Congress party. as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been talking of Congress Mukt Bharat (Congress-free India), he alleged. He said the Gandhi family had immensely contributed to the freedom struggle of India. Accusing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of treating Opposition parties as enemies, he said the Gandhi family had played an important role right from Motilal Nehru. However, now the family members are being targeted, he lamented. Congress ruled the country for many years after Independence and strengthened democracy, he added. Alleging irregularities in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, he expressed concern over the BJPs alleged attempt at suppressing the voice of the Opposition. The introduction of electoral bonds, he claimed, has dented the transparency of the poll process, he claimed. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The Azerbaijani Parliament has ratified the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia on cooperation in the field of defense and defense industry, Trend reports. According to the information, this issue was discussed at the plenary session of the Azerbaijani Parliament on April 22. The bill on approval of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia on cooperation in the field of defense and defense industry was put to a vote and adopted in the first reading. The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia on cooperation in the field of defense and defense industry was signed on February 12, 2025, in Baku. The agreement serves the purpose of creating a legal framework for cooperation between the parties in the field of defense and the defense industry. Under the agreement, the parties implement the provisions of the agreement in accordance with the national legislation and international obligations of their state and agree that this cooperation will not be directed against a third party. The agreement consists of 20 articles. The agreement provides for mutual cooperation between the parties in the fields of defense and military security, peacekeeping operations, mutual visits and exchange of experience, military training and education, defense industry and technology, etc. The Odisha government has confirmed the death of an Odia tourist in a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, condemning the barbaric attack on the innocent tourists, expressed deep grief over the deceased tourists. Advertisement Strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in #Pahalgam, South Kashmir. Violence has no place in our society. Heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Odisha stands in solidarity with the victims and their families during this difficult time, Majhi posted on X. Advertisement It has been reported that an Odia tourist has died in this incident. The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Resident Magistrate in Delhi to take steps to ensure that the body of the deceased Odia tourist reaches his home safely, Chief Ministers Office said in a statement. Several tourists were injured after terrorists opened fire at them in the Pahalgam area of south Kashmirs Anantnag district on Tuesday. The exact number of injured is yet to be confirmed by the authorities. Unofficial reports said that six to seven civilians were injured. Among the injured, three are tourists. All the injured have been rushed to the hospital at Pahalgam. Advertisement Reports said that terrorists attacked a group of tourists in the area. People in the area said that gunshots were heard in the Baisaran valley in Pahalgam, following which security forces rushed to the spot, police said. Advertisement The area is approachable only on foot or horses, according to officials. The area was immediately cordoned off by the Army and security forces who rushed to the spot following the incident. Further details are awaited. Uttar Pradesh government went for a massive overhaul of the administration with the shifting of 33 IAS officers in the state, including appointing new District Magistrates (DMs) in 11 districts. According to officials here on Tuesday, Shishir, who has been holding the post of Information Director for a long time, has been given the new responsibility of Special Secretary, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Export Promotion Department, and Chief Executive Officer, Khadi and Village Industries Board. Advertisement Vishal Singh, District Magistrate Bhadohi, will be the new State Information Director with additional charge of Special Secretary, Culture. Advertisement Senior IAS officer Kaushal Raj Sharma, who was the divisional commissioner of Varanasi, has been appointed as the Secretary to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Anupam Shukla will be the new District Magistrate of Ambedkar Nagar district while Municipal Commissioner Lucknow Indrajeet Singh has been made Special Secretary Energy and Additional Energy Department and Director UPNEDA (Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Department Agency) and Managing Director Uttar Pradesh Renewable Energy and EV Infrastructure Limited. The Additional charge of Principal Secretary Transport and Chairman Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation has been withdrawn from Mr L Venkateswaralu. Now he will have the charge of the Social Welfare and Sainik Welfare Department and Chairman Uttar Pradesh Administration and Management Academy and Deendayal Upadhyay State Village Development Institute and Director Scheduled Caste Research and Training Institute, and Director Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Institute. Amit Gupta has been given additional charge of Principal Secretary, Stamp and Registration, along with Principal Secretary Transport and Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation President. DM, Hapur, Prerna Sharma has been appointed Director SUDA, Navneet Singh Chahal DM Azamgarh has been made Special Secretary, Chief Ministers Office while Anupam Shukla has been made DM Ambedkar Nagar. Chief Development Officer Prayagraj and Divisional Food Controller Prayagraj Gaurav Kumar have been made Municipal Commissioner Lucknow. Aryaka Akhauri DM Ghazipur has been transferred as Special Secretary, Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department; Vishal Bhardwaj, DM, Kushinagar shifted as Special Secretary. Dr Ujjwal Kumar, Special Secretary, MSME and Export Promotion Department, and Chief Executive Officer, Khadi and Village Industries Board, was shifted as Managing Director, Uttar Pradesh Medical Supply Corporation, and Pulkit Khare, Special Secretary, Planning, has been made Mission Director, Skill Development Mission. Anubhav Singh, Chief Development Officer, Shravasti, has been made Vice Chairman, Moradabad Development Authority and Divisional Food Controller, Moradabad. Shahid Ahmed, Joint Magistrate Basti, has been made Chief Development Officer, Shravasti, and Jagdish, Managing Director, Uttar Pradesh Medical Supply Corporation, to the Secretary, Home. According to orders issued late Monday night, Secretary, Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission Abhay, and Member (Judicial) Revenue Council Dr. Vedapati Mishra will swap their posts. A grand red-carpet welcome, exuding auspiciousness of divinity and warmth of official protocol, was accorded to US Vice President JD Vance and his family on their arrival at the Amer Palace here on Tuesday morning. Two traditionally groomed elephants Chanda and Pushpa dressed in royal attire, adorned with traditional silver howdahs and jewelry, welcomed the US second family at the Surajpole gate at the historic palace. Advertisement Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister and princess of the erstwhile Jaipur state Diya Kumari received the visiting vice premier at the Jaleb Chowk, presenting them a bouquet and exchanging pleasantries. Advertisement Chanda and Pushpa offered a ceremonial salute with impressively folded trunks to the Vance family. In spirituality and mythology in India, Tuskers symbolise auspiciousness and divinity, and their blissful touches are considered divine blessings from the heavens. Vice-President Vance, along with his wife Usha and children Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel, reached the Palace under elaborate and tight security. The entire route from the Ram Bagh Palace to the Amer Fort was blocked for traffic. After reception at the entrance and the Jaleb Chowk, the US second family opted to go to the monumental palace complex to enjoy quality time sightseeing informally, just like ordinary tourists. Nobody accompanied them as part of protocol, even Chief Minister Sharma and Dy CM Diya Kumari returned from the Jaleb Chowk itself. Showing patience and keenness, they devoted one hour and 35 minutes in the Palace visiting Diwan-e-Aam, 27-Kachehari, Ganesh Pol, Sheesh Mahal, Man Singh Mahal Baradari, Sukh Niwas, and the VVIP lounge. Expert guides were deployed at key points to provide the VVIPs with insightful information about the contemporary era. Cultural performances by troupes of folk artists were also being organised at the Jaleb Chowk and in the Sheesh Mahal. After concluding their more than 90-minute session in the Palace complex, the cheerful and contented-looking Vance couple emerged from the Jaleb Chowk and returned to the Rambagh Palace hotel to have lunch there. Later in the afternoon, the Vice President will hold formal meetings with Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and also address a business conference under the aegis of the Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry (FORTI) On Wednesday, the US Vice-President will travel to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and other monuments, returning to Jaipur the same day. The foreign dignitaries are scheduled to depart from Jaipur on Thursday morning. The security at the fort and other monuments is being jointly supervised by US security agencies and local authorities throughout the visit. Vice-President Vances convoy, essential equipment, and security personnel were transported earlier by 7 flights of US Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft. A 20-vehicle convoy, in addition to his official motorcade, supported the VVIPs movements. United States Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to deliver a key speech on India-US bilateral relations at the Rajasthan International Centre on Tuesday. He, along with his family and US delegation, arrived in Jaipur late Monday night as part of his four-day visit to India. Advertisement During his time in Pink City, Vance will also visit the historic Amber Fort, which has been closed to the public due to heightened security measures. Advertisement The visit holds symbolic significance, evoking memories of former US President Bill Clintons trip to Jaipur 25 years ago. Jaipur has been decked up to welcome the high-profile dignitary, with elaborate decorations adorning several parts of the city. The stretch from New Gate to Tripolia Gate has been draped in white cloth, extending up to Badi Chaupar, where the national flags of India and the United States are prominently displayed. Similar festive preparations have been carried out along Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, creating a grand visual welcome for the visiting delegation. Accompanied by his Indian-origin wife, Usha Vance, and their three children Ivan, Vivek, and Mirabel Vice President Vance headed straight to the iconic Rambagh Palace upon landing, where he will be staying during his Jaipur visit. Before arriving in Jaipur, Vance held a high-level meeting in New Delhi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latters official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The Prime Minister hosted a private dinner for the Vice President and his family, underscoring the warmth of the India-US relationship. Taking to social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi posted, Pleased to welcome US Vice President J.D. Vance and his family in New Delhi. We reviewed the fast-paced progress following my visit to the US and meeting with President Trump. We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, including in trade, technology, defence, energy and people-to-people exchanges. India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership will be a defining partnership of the 21st Century for a better future of our people and the world, he added. Vice President Vance expressed his appreciation in return, writing on X, It was an honour to see Prime Minister Modi this evening. Hes a great leader, and he was incredibly kind to my family. I look forward to working under President Trumps leadership to strengthen our friendship and cooperation with the people of India! he added. During their discussion, both leaders welcomed the significant momentum achieved in the ongoing negotiations for a US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). They formally announced the finalisation of the Terms of Reference for the negotiations, setting a clear roadmap for future dialogue aimed at deepening economic ties. The BTA is expected to serve as a modern trade framework designed to boost job creation and promote economic well-being in both countries. It seeks to enhance bilateral trade and supply-chain integration in a manner that is balanced and mutually beneficial. With visions of Amrit Kaal for India and Golden Age for America, both sides view the agreement as a tool to unlock new avenues of growth for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs across both nations. Vice President Vances visit follows closely after the successful meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Modi in Washington earlier this year. That engagement saw the two leaders reaffirm their shared commitment to the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. They also jointly launched the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century, a strategic initiative grounded in mutual trust, shared values, and active citizen participation. This visit provides both countries with an opportunity to take stock of the progress made on bilateral commitments and to review the implementation of the outcomes from the Joint Statement issued on February 13. In addition to bilateral issues, both sides exchanged views on regional and global matters of mutual interest. As security is ramped up for the Vice Presidents movements in Jaipur, local authorities have deployed round-the-clock police personnel and a tightly monitored convoy plan to ensure safety throughout the stay. Vice President JD Vances visit is seen as a critical step in advancing the evolving partnership between the two democratic giants, setting the stage for deeper cooperation in the years to come. Global leaders including US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, have strongly condemned the targeted terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday, in which at least 28 people are feared dead. Reports suggest that two foreign nationals were among the deceased, although their nationalities are yet to be confirmed. Advertisement Condemning the attack, said to be one of the largest directed at civilians in recent years, US President Donald Trump said that the United States stands firmly with India against terrorism. Advertisement Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all! Trump wrote on X. Shortly after his post, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the US National Security Advisor had briefed President Trump, who will speak with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as soon as possible. The President has been briefed by the National Security Advisor and is being kept up to speed as more facts emerge. What we know already is that dozens were killed and even more were injured in a brutal terrorist attack at a popular tourist location in South Kashmir. President Trump will be speaking with Prime Minister Modi as soon as possible to express his heartfelt condolences for those lost. Our prayers are with those injured, and our nations support remains steadfast for our ally India. These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission, said Leavitt. Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed deep condolences in letters addressed to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kindly accept my sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, whose victims were civilians citizens of various countries. This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face deserved punishment. I would like to reiterate our commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, his letter read. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on X: Deeply saddened by the terrorist attack that occurred today in India, which caused numerous victims. Italy expresses its closeness to the affected families, the injured, the Government, and all the Indian people. The Embassy of Iran in New Delhi also condemned the targeted killings of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi strongly condemns the terrorist attack in the city of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death and injury of a large number of innocent people. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India, especially to the families of the victims of this attack, and wish a speedy recovery and good health to the injured. The United Arab Emirates also issued a statement condemning the attack. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: The UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law. The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the Government and people of India, and to the families of the victims of this heinous attack, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured. Higher education is often viewed as the gateway to career success, yet in todays rapidly evolving job market, a degree alone no longer guarantees employability. The challenge lies in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry expectations. With automation, AI-driven tools, and shifting job roles reshaping industries, higher education must pivot toward skill-based, outcome-driven learning to ensure graduates are truly career-ready. According to the India Skills Report 2024, only 54 per cent of Indian graduates are employable, which means nearly half of degree holders struggle to find relevant jobs. This gap exists primarily due to outdated curricula, lack of hands-on experience, and insufficient industry exposure. Therefore, higher education institutions should prioritise competency over mere certification. Advertisement Colleges and universities must focus on several key areas listed below to better prepare students: Advertisement Reimagining curriculum for future careers: Universities should design curriculum in accordance with the demands of industries. There should be a focus on technology-driven learning integrating AI, data science, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and emerging technologies across business, healthcare, engineering, and creative disciplines to enhance practical knowledge and industry relevance. An interdisciplinary approach should be adopted blending business, technology, and communication skills for holistic learning. Further, applied learning should be utilised including case studies, simulations, and project-based assessments to replace rote memorisation. Hands-on industry exposure: Internships, live projects, and apprenticeships must become an integral part of education. Universities must partner with corporations to offer real-world business problems as part of coursework. Students should do internships as it increases the placement rate. Institutions must actively nurture student entrepreneurs as India boasts over 100,000 startups, as per the Startup India Initiative. Soft skills: Emphasis should be given on developing soft skills as a Harvard Business Review report states that 85 per cent of job success depends on soft skills, yet they are often overlooked in formal education. In higher institutions, there should be leadership and decision-making labs where structured simulations are done to build problem-solving skills. Public speaking and business communication workshops should be regularly organised to equip students with corporate-ready communication skills. Making education accessible and affordable: There should be structured financial literacy programs, scholarships, and industry-backed funding models. Further, provision for scholarships to women and underrepresented groups should be present. Institutions can implement innovative funding solutions such as Income-Share Agreements where students pay a fixed percentage of their salary after securing a job or Corporate-Sponsored Education where companies fund students education in exchange for a work commitment. Further, there can be Micro-Credential Payment Plans where there should be provision for pay per module or certification instead of full-course tuition. Government support: The Indian government has launched several initiatives to improve the employability of graduates. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasises skill-based education, interdisciplinary studies, and vocational training. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) provides funding for universities to upgrade infrastructure and introduce job-oriented programs. The government also promotes student-industry collaboration through platforms like the AICTE Internship Portal and the Skill India Mission, ensuring that graduates acquire hands-on experience before entering the workforce. Embracing the digital skill wave: As technology continues to reshape industries, digital skills have become essential for career growth. Higher education institutions must incorporate training in digital tools, programming, and emerging technologies into their curricula. Offering specialised courses and certifications in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity can enhance students career prospects and ensure they remain competitive in the job market. Salary growth: The India Salary Trends Report 2024 indicates that fresh graduates in engineering, IT, and management fields earn an average starting salary of Rs 6-10 lakh per annum, while those in arts and humanities earn significantly less, around Rs 3-4 lakh per annum. This disparity highlights the importance of choosing the right course and gaining additional certifications to improve employability. Several platforms allow students to acquire industry-recognised skills at low costs, increasing their job market value. Mental health and career counselling services: Many students experience stress and uncertainty about their future careers, affecting their overall performance. Universities should offer dedicated career counselling centres, mental health resources, and job placement assistance to ensure students graduate with confidence and clarity. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one in five college students experiences anxiety related to career uncertainty, underscoring the importance of psychological and career support systems in higher education. For India to compete globally, higher education institutions must evolve to meet industry demands. By emphasising job-oriented skills, fostering partnerships with businesses, integrating financial literacy, and leveraging technology, universities can ensure that students transition seamlessly from learning to earning. A well-structured education system that aligns with industry needs will not only boost employment rates but also contribute to economic growth. Graduates will not just secure jobs but thrive in their chosen careers, achieving both financial stability and professional success. The writer is an expert in the education industry The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has locked the National Identity Cards (NID) of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her nine family members. The National Identity Registration Wing under the EC took action against the 10 individuals following an internal directive, local media reported on Monday. The relevant officials of the EC said generally, NIDs are locked if any person registers as a voter with false information or due to any investigation against the NID holder. Advertisement The decision to lock the NID cards of 10 members was taken based on a verbal instruction from ASM Humayn Kabir, Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing, reported Bangladeshi media outlet UNB quoting Election Commission sources. Advertisement Reports suggest that it is still not clear whether there was a direct order from the Election Commission Secretariat. If the NID is locked, the card can no longer be used. In addition, if a voter provides false information or an investigation is underway regarding the NID, it is locked until it is completed. Most of the time, the NID is locked at the request of VVIPs, so that no one can misuse it. It is unlocked again at their request, BDnews 24 quoted NID Wings System Manager Mohammad Ashraf Hossain as saying. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice against former PM Hasina and 11 others in connection with a case alleging conspiracy to overthrow the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. These applications are filed in connection with allegations that emerge during investigations or through ongoing case proceedings, Assistant Inspector General (Media) Enamul Haque Sagor told leading Bangladeshi daily, The Dhaka Tribune. The Red Notice, once issued, would enable law enforcement agencies globally to locate and provisionally detain the accused individuals pending extradition or other legal actions. Daughter of Bangladeshs founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year following a massive student-led movement that resulted in the collapse of her 16-year rule under the Awami League. While addressing the Awami League supporters virtually 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. Congress leader Rahul Gandhis attacks on Indias election system came under harsh criticism on Monday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Gandhis repeated attempts to malign Indias democracy and spread false statements on foreign land deserve strong condemnation. Advertisement His actions reflect the frustration of repeatedly losing elections, he said in a post X while reacting to Gandhis remarks in Boston against the Election Commission. Advertisement Gandhi, whose party was soundly rejected by voters in last years Maharashtra election, winning just 16 seats, said, It is very clear to us that the Election Commission is compromised, and it is very clear that there is something wrong with the system. The BJP posted on X, Every foreign trip of Rahul Gandhi follows the same script: land, defame India, question democracy, return. His tours have become nothing more than anti-India events. Repeating his partys alibi for its defeat, Gandhi claimed, More people voted in the Maharashtra Assembly elections than there are adults in Maharashtra. He asserted that the high voter turnout was impossible and that the Election Commission refused to share videos or information with his party. Union Minister Prahlad Joshi said on X, Such repeated attacks clearly reflect his deep-rooted anti-India mindset. No responsible leader maligns their own country on global platforms. Rahul Gandhis obsession with criticising India overseas is disgraceful. He owes an apology to the nation. Gandhis criticism of the Indian election system is selective. The Election Commission has demonstrated its credibility with the victory of the Congress Party in Karnataka, where Gandhis party formed the government. Gandhi did not criticise the election machinery in Karnataka or in Haryana, even though the Congress lost that state, but less drastically than in Maharashtra. He arrived in Boston on Saturday and met with supporters and the Overseas Indian Congress on Sunday. He is scheduled to speak at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, at an event billed as Conversation with Rahul Gandhi at the Saxena Centre for Contemporary South Asia. Russia welcomes the United States statements that Ukraines potential NATO membership is off the table, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. We have heard statements made at various levels in Washington that Ukraines NATO membership is ruled out. This is something that brings us satisfaction and aligns with our stance, Russian state-run news agency TASS quoted Peskov as saying. Advertisement US President Donald Trump stated earlier in the month that, despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys desire for Ukraine to join NATO, it would never happen. Trump also suggested that the Ukrainian conflict could have been triggered by Kyivs ambitions to join the alliance. Advertisement Meanwhile, Trump said that he hopes that a deal on settling the Ukrainian crisis will be made in the coming week. Hopefully Russia and Ukraine will make a deal this week. Both will then start to do big business with the United States of America, he wrote on his Truth Social network. On the other hand Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a cessation of hostilities on the eve of Easter, at a Saturday meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov. The 30-hour truce lasted between 6:00 p.m. Moscow time on April 19 and midnight on April 21. Russian troops strictly complied with the ceasefire during the Easter truce and stayed at their lines and positions, Russias Defence Ministry reported on Monday. In compliance with the order by the supreme commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces, all the battlegroups strictly observed the ceasefire and stayed at their lines and positions in the special military operation area during the specified time, the ministry said in a statement. However despite the declared Easter truce, Ukrainian armed formations kept delivering artillery fire and strikes by unmanned aerial vehicles on the positions of Russian troops and civilian facilities in the border areas of the Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk Regions and the Republic of Crimea, the ministry stated. A total of 4,900 ceasefire breaches by the Ukrainian army were registered during the truce, it said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), Abbas Abbasov, has sent a condolence letter to Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, following the passing of Pope Francis, Trend reports. Your Excellency, It is with deep sorrow and reverence that the Baku Initiative Group extends its heartfelt condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis stood as a global voice of conscience, justice, and compassion. He courageously raised his voice against all forms of colonialism and neocolonialism, becoming a steadfast advocate for the freedom and dignity of all peoples. His unwavering support for the oppressed, his denunciation of historical and systemic injustices, and his tireless efforts to promote human rights and global equity have inspired millions around the world - including those of us committed to the decolonization struggle. The Baku Initiative Group reaffirms its commitment to the values he courageously defended the imperative of historical justice and the eradication of all forms of colonial domination. His Holiness reminded the international community that colonial legacies must be addressed not only as historical matters but as present realities that continue to affect lives and futures. His vision of a just world, anchored in solidarity, equity, and peace, will continue to guide those who work to strengthen the respect for international law and principles. In these difficult hours of mourning, we extend our deepest sympathy to the Catholic community, to the Holy See, and to all people around the world who have found guidance and hope in Pope Francis's words and deeds. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who continue to fight for a more just and humane world. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest respect and solidarity," reads the letter. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoSPW) Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off cruise Operations from the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) in Mumbai on Monday. He also inaugurated a fire memorial at Victoria Docks as well as renovated two heritage buildings Fort House Ballard Estate and Evelyn House at Colaba, Mumbai. The MICT, developed as per the Cruise Bharat Mission, was developed as per the latest global standards and is expected to take a pioneering role in developing cruise tourism in India. Spread over a built up area of more than 4,15,000 square feet, the MICT is developed at Ballard Pier. Advertisement MICT is Indias largest world-class cruise terminal. Equipped with 72 Check in and Immigration counters spreading over an area of 2,07,000 Square Feet on the first two floors (G+1) while the other two floors (2 + 3) are developed as Commercial Floors. The newly-inaugurated MICT is designed to handle 1 million passengers every year with an approximate 10,000 passengers per day. It can also handle 5 ships simultaneously, with 11 meters draft and upto 300 meters length. Advertisement Speaking on the commencement of Cruise Service from MICT, Sonowal said, The maritime history of Mumbai is rich and an integral part of our civilisation. As a coastal hub, it has served the nation handsomely with its bustling coastal business. It is only logical that we work towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Bharat becoming a global cruise hub through its state-of-the-art infrastructure. Today, Mumbai, with its longstanding reputation as a major maritime hub in the world, commenced Cruise Operations from the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, providing passengers modern amenities for a better and safer experience. This adds to our existing such top class international terminals at Visakhapatnam and Chennai. In order to celebrate the heroic contribution of Mumbai Port Fire Services personnel, the newly renovated fire memorial at Victoria Docks celebrates their distinctive service to the nation. MICT will provide enhanced passenger experience and position Mumbai as one of the major hubs for cruise tourism. The total investment in the MICT project has been Rs 556 crores. Elaborating on the vision of Cruise Bharat Mission, Sonowal said, PM Narendra Modis call for port-led prosperity has redefined our maritime ambitions. We also give momentum to the Cruise Bharat Missionour resolve to make Bharat one of the top cruise destinations in the world. The mission embraces three pillarsocean and harbour cruises, river and inland cruises, as well as island and lighthouse cruises. With a comprehensive strategy that combines digital ease, circuit integration, environmental sustainability, and global partnerships, This is Indias cruise awakeningbold, inclusive, and future-ready. Under the visionary leadership of honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Indias maritime sector has witnessed an astonishing transformation. it is the story of an India that believes in its potential and invests in its people. Sonowal also attended an MoU signing ceremony for development of Infrastructure projects with investment worth of more than Rs 5700 crores at Vadhavan Port, on Monday. The agreements were signed for development of a terminal for handling container, bulk, and liquid cargo with investment of Rs 4,200 crore, development of a dedicated terminal for handling bulk and liquid cargo with an investment of Rs 1,000 crores and development of a liquid cargo jetty and a tank farm with a capacity of 3,00,000 CBM for handling liquefied chemicals and related products with an investment of Rs 500 crores. Sonowal said, Our dynamic leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, has given us a vision of transforming Vadhavan Port to become one of the top 10 global ports. As Vadhavan Port project is likely to power up Indias current capacity by more than three times, this is all weather, a green field deep draft major port is going to act as a game changer for not only Indias maritime sector, but also enable regional trade. As India is poised to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047, this port is likely to act as a major growth multiplier. In this regard, the MoUs signed today adds towards creation of infrastructure and capacity of the Vadhavan port and helps us take another step towards realising the vision of our PM. Israel on Tuesday severely condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, saying that it stands united with India in the fight against terror. Deeply saddened by the heinous terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. Israel stands united with India in the fight against terror, Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar posted on X. Advertisement Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar also took to social media, expressing solidarity with India after the dastardly attack on innocent civilians. Advertisement Sad and appalled following the terrorist attack in J&K which took the lives of innocent civilians. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and our support is for the security forces in their struggle against terror, said Azar. As per reports, terrorists fired indiscriminately at tourists who were enjoying horse-riding in Baisran a small meadow about 4 kms away from the Pahalgam market at around 2.30 pm on Tuesday. One tourist was killed in this attack, and several others, including tourists and locals, were injured. The injured have been shifted to Pahalgam hospital, from where those with critical injuries have been shifted to Srinagar for specialised treatment, an official said, adding that the area has been cordoned off by the security forces to trace the assailants. Sources said the casualty figure could rise as several people were critically injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a State Visit to Saudi Arabia, expressed deep anguish over the incident and assured that swift and decisive action would follow. I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected, he posted on X. In a stern warning to the perpetrators, he added, Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will only grow stronger. Leaders from across the world paid their tributes to Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, who passed away on Monday morning. The announcement of Francis demise was made by Cardinal Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. Advertisement At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father, Cardinal Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, said in a statement. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church. Advertisement Reacting to the development, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament said his contagious smile captured millions of peoples hearts She also called him The Peoples Pope. Europe mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His contagious smile captured millions of peoples hearts across the globe. The Peoples Pope will be remembered for his love for life, hope for peace, compassion for equality & social justice. May he rest in peace, she said. French President Emmanuel Macron called him a man of humility. From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. May it unite people with each other and with nature. May this hope continually revive beyond him. My wife and I send our thoughts to all Catholics and to the grieving world, he wrote on X. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter said Pope Francis was a tireless advocate for peace. He was a great spiritual leader, a tireless advocate for peace, and his human warmth was a comfort not only to Catholics. Pope Francis has left us. His legacy will remain, she said. John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland, said, It is with deep sadness I heard the news this morning of the death of Pope Francis. He was a voice for peace, tolerance and reconciliation in our society. He brought comfort, assurance and hope to many. May he Rest in Peace. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized, the statement read. Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, Francis had recently survived a very serious double pneumonia. Francis became the 266th Pope of Rome on March 13, 2013. He was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church in over 1,200 years. There is a very good chance of Russia and Ukraine reaching a deal this week, US President Donald Trump said expressing optimism even as Russian President Vladimir Putins Easter Truce expired, with both Russia and Ukraine accusing each other of violating it. The US President reiterated the hope of a deal this week at an Easter Event at the White House on Monday, echoing his post on Truth Social on Sunday: Hopefully Russia and Ukraine will make a deal this week. Both will then start to do big business with the United States of America, which is thriving, and make a fortune. Advertisement These posts came after President Putin announced he had ordered his troops to stop all military activity along the frontline for 30 hours from 6 p.m. on Saturday until midnight on Sunday. Advertisement On Sunday evening, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of failing to uphold its own promise of ceasefire. Either Putin does not have full control over his Army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war, and are only interested in favourable PR coverage, he wrote on X. We are ready to move toward peace and a full, unconditional, and honest ceasefire that could last for at least 30 days but there has been no response from Russia on that so far, Zelensky added. Ukraine reported blasts in the eastern city of Mykolaiv. While expressing optimism of a deal, the US President and his aides, notably Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have said the US is prepared to stop mediating a peace between the two countries and move one if an agreement is not doable. Quickly, we want to get it done, Trump told reporters last week. Now if for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, were just going to say, youre foolish, youre fools, youre horrible people, and were going to just take a pass. But hopefully we wont have to do that. Russia has so far refused a full ceasefire proposed by the US and backed by Ukraine. Moscow has insisted that Kyiv must end its military mobilisation and stop receiving weapons from the Westterms Ukraine flatly rejects. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Yalchin Rafiyev, visited the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria on April 21, 2025, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) told Trend. According to the ministry, the visit included the second round of political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, held in Algiers. The consultations were led by Yalchin Rafiyev from Azerbaijan and Lounes Magramane, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Algeria. During the discussions, the current state and future prospects of bilateral political, economic, trade, and parliamentary relations were thoroughly addressed. It was noted that there are significant opportunities for cooperation in the oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors between the two countries. The possibilities for expanding multilateral cooperation, particularly within international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), were also discussed. It was highlighted that Azerbaijans hosting of the OIC summit in 2026 is a significant event, and the country's prestige and rich experience in hosting international events will contribute to the successful organization of the summit. The Algerian side was briefed on the post-conflict situation, peace process, restoration work in the liberated territories, landmine clearance efforts, and the return of citizens to their homeland. The consultations also included exchanges of views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. During the visit, Deputy Minister Yalchin Rafiyev was received by Ahmed Attaf, Algeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs. The meeting emphasized satisfaction with the development of political relations between the two countries and the necessity of expanding cooperation in economic, trade, and investment areas. As part of the visit, Deputy Minister Yalchin Rafiyev also visited Algeria's National Museum of Moudjahid, where he was informed about the Algerian people's resistance movement against colonialism. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel While Google settled for Rs 20 crore the case against it at the Competition Commission of India, the issue goes much beyond business practices and has implications for users. The case was over allegations that the tech giant was forcing restrictive agreements on TV manufacturers who wanted to build Android smart TVs. The case harks back to when TV manufacturers like Xiaomi India and TCL India filed the case alleging forced bundling of Googles PlayStore on any TV they make which wanted to use the Android operating system, even while limiting these companies to offer forked android systems, basically meaning limiting them from offering any apps through any means other than the Google PlayStore. The CCI probe found that it imposed unfair terms by requiring the pre-installation of its full app bundle Google TV Services, preventing OEMs from developing or using Android forks, and hindering innovation. Google, of course, said after settling the issue that it will abide with the local laws. However, while this case is specifically about smart television sets, the battle against app ecosystem on mobile devices, a virtual duopoly between Googles PlayStore and Apples AppStore, has been going on not just in India but around the world for the last few years. And the regulatory pushback has only gotten stronger, with the most notable one being the epic battle, pun intended, between Epic Games, the makers of Fortnite, against both Apple and Google, which said these app stores were monopolies and that app developers should be given the freedom to have other payment options, too. While the case may not have fully gone in favour of Epic Games, at least it has now ensured that users are now informed of other options for payment other than through PlayStore or AppStore as the case may be. In India, too, the matter came to head five years ago, when a PayTM app related to the IPL 2020 season was taken off Google PlayStore which alleged that it promoted gambling. PayTM mobilised the Indian app and tech scene to rally behind a Swadeshi cry, with the govt taking note of the issue and industry bodies calling for consultations. PayTM then launched its own Mini App Store, where you get app-like features without having to download or install any app. Last month PhonePe, the UPI market leader, also launched its own app store called Indus, with at least one major phone manufacturer, Xiaomi, already announcing it will come preloaded on its mobile phones. For big tech, its been a bad week, with regulatory push back gaining momentum in many countries. In the US, a court recently said Google Ads was a monopoly, while the Federal Trade Commission alleges that Meta, parent of Facebook, bought up Instagram and WhatsApp to kill competition in social networking. There are also legal action against anyone from Apple to Amazon by US regulatory authorities, as well as other countries and the European Union. It may also explain Googles haste in settling the CCI case which relates to TV manufacturing only, though the Competition Commission has made it clear that Android TV makers a vast majority of smart TVs in India are android do not need to compulsorily bundle Google apps and PlayStore. All this, from the CCI case in India to the regulatory pushback in other countries, would have real world implications in the way you and me use our phones, laptops and TVs. The Indian Air Force, on Tuesday, said it is assisting the local authorities in investigating a case involving one of its officers, Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose, who has been booked in connection with an incident of road rage in Bengaluru. In an official statement, the IAF said, "An unfortunate incident, involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, took place in Bengaluru yesterday. The lAF is assisting the local authorities in investigating and following up the case to its lawful resolution" Police said an FIR has been registered against the IAF officer on charges of attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, and voluntarily causing hurt based on a counter-complaint by a call centre employee, who was previously arrested following the complaint filed by the officer. Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose alleged in a video he shared online that he was attacked and verbally abused by a group of people who chased him on a bike in Bengaluru early Monday morning. The incident occurred while the officer was on his way to the airport with his wife, who is also an IAF officer. Terming it a case of road rage, police arrested Vikas Kumar, who works as a team head at a software company's call centre. Both parties have attacked each other, and some videos purportedly show the IAF officer roughing up Vikas Kumar, creating a scene for the onlookers. The officer was seen in the video engaging in an argument with Kumar and beating him up, even as his wife tried to stop him. Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning a money laundering case. According to reports, the actor has been asked to appear before the agency for questioning on April 28. The case was lodged against two Hyderabad-based real estate firms, Sai Surya Developers and Surana Group. Babu played the role of brand ambassador for a project called Green Meadows under Sai Surya Developers and is being questioned over his alleged endorsement. He reportedly received Rs 5.9 crore as payment Rs 3.4 crore via cheque and Rs 2.5 in cash. ALSO READ | Hindi films can't afford me, I can't waste my time: Mahesh Babu The investigation is currently carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, pertaining to the alleged non-delivery of real estate projects. Both firms are accused of repeatedly selling the same plot of land to unsuspecting buyers after receiving advanced payments. According to PTI, the owner of Sai Surya Developers, Kancharla Satish Chandra Gupta, is facing a probe after a case was filed by a 32-year-old software engineer. He and several others had invested Rs 3 crore in Green Meadows, a 14-acres land in Shadnagar, Ranga Reddy in April 2021. ALSO READ | ED's money laundering probe against Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayans daughter: The Exalogic-CMRL story so far On April 16, the ED carried out a probe at several locations linked with the case, including premises in Secunderabad, Jubilee Hills, and Bowenpally. While at the time no accusations were made against Babu, his public image in gaining the general publics trust to fall for the fraudulent investment is being scrutinised, as well as the remuneration he received for the same. As of now, the actor is not suspected to have taken part in the scheming behind the money laundering. According to the Times of India, financial transactions amounting to Rs 100 crore by the firms have raised suspicions of illegal activity. Jyotirao Phule, the 19th-century social reformer, holds a complex and often contradictory position in India's socio-political landscape. While leaders across the spectrum offer public praise, a distinct unease surfaces when his radical ideas about caste equality are engaged with directly. This tension has been thrown into sharp relief by the recent controversy surrounding the film Phule, which endeavours to portray the impactful struggle of Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule against Brahminical dominance and for the empowerment of marginalised communities. Their pioneering efforts in education for girls and the advocacy for widow remarriage form the core of their transformative legacy. The trailer for Phule, unveiled on March 24th, presented a promising narrative that appeared ready to confront the deeply entrenched issue of caste. In a Bollywood film industry often criticized for its reluctance to directly address this critical social reality, sometimes even propagating divisive narratives, "Phule" stood out as a potentially significant work. Initially slated for release on April 11th, coinciding with Jyotirao Phule's birth anniversary, the film's journey to the screen has been fraught with obstacles, encountering resistance within an industry that frequently overlooks the pervasive influence of the caste system, often prioritizing discussions of class dynamics instead. Certain organizations, notably the All-India Brahmin Samaj and the Parashuram Aarthik Vikas Mahamandal, swiftly registered their objections to the film, asserting that it presents Brahmins in a negative light. Subsequently, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) intervened, demanding alterations and recommending changes that threaten to diminish the film's central message. A closer examination of some of the proposed modifications reveals a troubling pattern. A potent scene depicting a man with a broom tied to his waist, a historically accurate symbol of the dehumanisation endured by Shudras under Peshwa rule who were compelled to sweep away their own footprints, has reportedly been suggested for replacement with a scene illustrating boys throwing cow dung at Savitribai. While the latter undoubtedly portrays the hostility she faced, it arguably loses the specific historical context and the systemic nature of the earlier symbol of subjugation. Similarly, dialogue referencing the forced wearing of brooms by Shudras has been requested to be altered to the more ambiguous question, "Is this the way we will maintain our distance?" This revision dilutes the pointed historical reference and its intended impact. Furthermore, the CBFC has reportedly sought to excise a reference to 3000 years of oppression under the caste system, suggesting its replacement with a vague statement about a system that persisted for many years. This change diminishes the long historical trajectory of the issue and subtly deflects accountability for pre-British era injustices. Even terms integral to the identity and resistance of marginalised communities, such as "Mang" and "Mahar," have been deemed too explicit, with the CBFC recommending softer alternatives. In the subtitles, the term "caste" itself is proposed to be substituted with "varna," a term often associated with a less severe interpretation of the caste system as a division of labor rather than a hierarchical system based on birth. These alterations risk fundamentally undermining the film's capacity to accurately depict the historical realities confronted by the Phules and the communities for whom they advocated. Jyotirao Phule's radicalism was rooted in his direct identification of the oppressor: a caste system sustained by discriminatory religious powers and practices. His response transcended mere critique; he actively challenged this system by establishing educational institutions for girls and marginalised groups, fearlessly persevering despite facing threats. Phule is a film that should encourage critical reflection on this oppressive system and its enduring consequences. The demands for censorship, however, raise crucial questions about the boundaries of artistic expression and the persistent influence of the caste system in contemporary India. The controversy surrounding "Phule" underscores the ongoing tension between artistic interpretation and the sensitivities of a society still grappling with its historical injustices. BJP MP Anurag Thakur has strongly advocated for the implementation of One Nation, One Election, claiming it would save time, money, and improve governance. He was speaking to the reporters in Srinagar at an event on One Nation, One Election. Thakur said simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections would significantly reduce administrative burden. Holding elections once every five years will save thousands of crores of rupees, reduce the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, and allow government employees to focus on their core responsibilities, he said. Frequent elections divert officials and paramilitary forces from their primary duties. He stressed that staggered elections slow down development, and added that from 1952 to 1967, India followed the One Nation, One Election model, and it was only after the Congress started toppling governments that elections became fragmented. He said it is time to bring it back, and added that the Election Commission, Law Commission, and now a high-level committee have all supported the proposal. Taking a dig at the opposition, Thakur said the people will ask Congress and other parties, why are you afraid of simultaneous elections?. Why oppose a move that saves time, money, and improves governance? Its not just about politics, its about the nations progress, he said. He said BJP has consistently supported the idea, as reflected in its manifestos. Just as we fulfilled our promises on Article 370, the Ram Mandir, the triple talaq law, and the CAA, we are committed to this as well. We dont just talkwe deliver, the BJP MP said. Thakur also accused the Congress of allowing Waqf propertiesestimated to be worth over Rs 2 lakh croreto remain under the control of a few hundred individuals, depriving ordinary Muslims of potential welfare benefits. These properties, if properly managed, could generate at least Rs 12,000 crore annually, which could be used for the education, healthcare, and upliftment of poor and marginalised Muslims, including divorced women and Pasmanda communities, he said. He alleged that the Congress, in the name of vote bank politics, blocked reforms that could have brought transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf assets. Instead of helping Muslims, Congress ended up harming them. About the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, he said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised the restoration of statehood and it will happen at an appropriate time. A road rage incident involving Indian Air Force's wing commander and a biker in Bengaluru on Monday morning has spiralled into a language row and the Byappanahalli police, who arrested the biker after noticing the video posted by Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose on social media, have filed two separate FIRs in the case. On Monday, an altercation broke out between Bose, a resident of DRDO township and the biker Vikas Kumar, a private company employee, when Bose's wife Madhumita was driving him to the airport. In a video posted by Bose, the officer claimed that the biker had waylaid their car and hit him with a key and later with a stone. And he had retaliated by throwing his bike. There is a claim in the media that the IAF officer was brutally beaten bybthe Swiggy delivery boy. Here in th CCTV footage, you can clearly see that the IAF fighter pilot Wg Cdr Shiladitya Bose brutally beating and punching the delivery boy. The eye witnesses claim that it was a pic.twitter.com/qG45XGqysP Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 21, 2025 The Bengaluru police arrested the biker following a complaint by Madhumita who stated the biker had assaulted her husband and also allegedly a Kannada-speaking mob had thrashed them. A few hours later, the police, who were interrogating Vikas, a resident of Tavarekere also found CCTV footages and videos of the scuffle which exposed the claims of the couple as false. The footages revealed that the officer had punched the biker in rage and kicked him after he fell to the ground and had thrown his bike key too. Contrary to Madhumita's claims, the locals were trying to separate the two men indulging in the scuffle. After the CCTV footages went viral, the netizens slammed the officer for trying to set a "false narrative" and gain public sympathy, when he clearly was the "aggressor". Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed that Vikas, who has been arrested, had also filed a counter-complaint and said, "The wing commander hails from West Bengal. He has gone missing after the incident. The police are investigating the case," said the home minister. Pro-Kannada activists staged protest outside the Byappanahalli police station on Monday night demanding justice for Vikas. Praveen Shetty, president of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, said, "Kannadigas have always respected the men in uniform. But his behaviour is unbecoming of an officer, who also tried to tarnish the image of Bengaluru and the Kannadigas. He is a blot on the armed forces. This is another instance of outsiders' atrocities on the Kannadigas. The officer has assaulted the boy and threw his phone. This is rowdy behaviour. If not for the CCTV footages, Vikas would have been branded as a rowdy. We demand the home minister to initiate strict action against the wing commander and urge the Chief Minister to form a task force to curb atrocities of outsiders on the Kannadigas in the city." Union Home Minister Amit Shah left for Srinagar on Tuesday evening to review the security situation after several tourists were killed in a major terror attack at Pahalgam in Anantnag district. Shah, who held an emergency high-level meeting in Delhi soon after the attack, said those involved in this dastardly act of terror would not be spared. Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences, he wrote on X. The home minister further said he had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident and held a meeting with the officials concerned via video conferencing. Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, who was in the national capital, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka and a few senior officials accompanied the home minister to Srinagar. Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 22, 2025 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the incident and termed it as an act of cowardice. "Deeply anguished by the news of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Jammu & Kashmir). This dastardly attack on innocent civilians is an act of cowardice and highly reprehensible. My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families," Singh said. Deeply anguished by the news of terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Jammu & Kashmir). This dastardly attack on innocent civilians is an act of cowardice and highly reprehensible. My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 22, 2025 According to reports, at least five tourists lost their lives while 20 others were injured as terrorists sprayed bullets at them from a close range. According to initial reports, the terrorists emerged from the dense pine forest surrounding the Baisaran which was once dubbed as a 'mini Switzerland' because of its long lush green meadows. The killing of 25 tourists at Baisaran meadow in the scenic town of Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon has deeply shocked Kashmir and the rest of India. It is the deadliest militant attack in the region since February 14, 2019, when a suicide bomber targeted a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, killing 50 personnel. That attack led to an Indian Air Force strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed hideout in Balakot, Pakistan, and an aerial clash between Indian and Pakistani jets over Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir. With Home Minister Amit Shah rushing to Srinagar for an emergency security meeting, the targeting of tourists has raised tensions in the region. Shah has vowed a strong response against the perpetrators of the attack. Baisaran is known as the crown jewel of Pahalgam, often compared to Switzerland. The high-altitude meadow, located about 4 kilometres from Pahalgam, is a popular spot where tourists usually ride ponies. While visitors were enjoying the views of mountains and pine forests, a group of militantsbelieved to be three to fouropened fire after reportedly asking tourists about their identities. Disturbing images of the victims and grieving families spread quickly on social media. The attackers escaped into the nearby forest. #WATCH | Terrorists attack tourists in Pahalgam | Srinagar, J&K | PDP leader Iltija Mufti says, "I am short of words for what has happened. My head hangs in shame today; such acts have no place in society. Terrorist attack in a tourist hub like Baisaran, where security forces are pic.twitter.com/SQphgWgvIX ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 Many militants, including foreign nationals, have moved their bases to the hills of Kashmir. This strategy has also been seen in Jammus Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Doda, and Udhampur. Over the past four years, more than 50 security personnel have been killed in hill-based attacks. Militants often vanish into the forests. The Pir Panjal range, separating Rajouri and Poonch from south Kashmir, is now a key route for militant movement between Pahalgam and other districts. This is not the first time tourists have been targeted in Pahalgam. On July 4, 1995, six foreign tourists and their two guides were kidnapped by Harkat-ul-Ansar, operating under the name Al-Faran. When demands to release jailed militants were not met, Norwegian Hans Christian Ostr was beheaded on August 13. American John Childs escaped, but the others were never found. The government declared them dead in 2003. In 2002, militants attacked the Amarnath Yatra twice. On July 30, two pilgrims died in a grenade attack in Srinagar. On August 6, nine people were shot dead at the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam. These attacks were allegedly carried out by Lashkar-e-Taibas front group, al-Mansuriyan. Another major tragedy occurred on March 20, 2000, when 35 Sikh villagers were killed in Chittisinghpura during US President Bill Clintons visit to India. Survivors said the attackers wore Army uniforms and shot the men after gathering them. The latest attack has worsened the security situation in Kashmir. It is likely to damage tourism, which supports thousands of local jobs. It may also increase pressure on ordinary people due to tighter security and could delay any progress towards restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Over 25 people are feared dead and several others were injured after terrorists opened fire indiscriminately at a group of tourists in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district on Tuesday. Those killed included two foreign nationals and two locals. The attack, the worst in the region after the 2019 Pulwama attack, took place around 3 pm at Baisaran in Pahalgam where a group of tourists had gone for sight-seeing. According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen sprayed bullets at the tourists from a close range. The injured have been shifted to a local hospital. Purported videos from the spot showed the chilling sight of lifeless bodies and women crying. Army, CRPF and local police have rushed to the spot. The area has been sealed and a search operation is currently underway to track down the terrorists. #WATCH | Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah returns to Srinagar from Ramban, following terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam today pic.twitter.com/kWaDhgp2jZ ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 Union Home Minister Amit Shah held an emergency meeting in Delhi and later left for Srinagar where he will chair a high-level security meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, talked to Shah over the phone and instructed the home minister to visit Pahalgam. "The death toll is still being ascertained so I don't want to get into those details," Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted on X. The attack comes as US Vice President J.D. Vance is visiting India and just as the tourist and trekking season is picking up momentum. Pahalgam is often dubbed a 'mini Switzerland' because of its long lush green meadows. The latest incident comes when Kashmir is witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals after reeling under militancy for years. Political leaders condemn attack Political leaders, cutting across party lines, condemned the attack and demanded the government to bring the perpetrators to justice. Chief Minister Omar Abdulla expressed shock over the incident and said the attack on the visitors was an abomination. "I'm shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased," he said. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said such acts of violence are unacceptable and must be denounced. Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning. A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses. Ensuring visitor safety is paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent future attacks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families," she wrote on X. J&K Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone said terrorists are the biggest enemy of the Kashmiris and their war is against the hospitality of the people in the region. They want tourists to leave Kashmir and that Kashmiris have no source of livelihood. They are enemies of our kids and the coming generations. They are terrorists. Targeting unarmed tourists is the biggest sin. They will neither be forgiven here, nor in the eyes of god, he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is a good friend of the Chinese people, Chinese Ambassador Lu Mei said in an article published in an official media outlet, Trend reports. Speaking about the state visit of President Ilham Aliyev to China, she expressed confidence that this visit will contribute to further deepening of the Chinese-Azerbaijani strategic partnership for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries. As soon as I took up the post of the PRC Ambassador to Azerbaijan, I had the opportunity to witness such a significant and historic moment as a high-level visit, which is a great honor for me. I am confident that this visit will be completely successful. The Chinese side is ready to make joint efforts with the Azerbaijani side to implement the agreements of the heads of the two states and promote the further development of Chinese-Azerbaijani relations at a high level for the benefit of our countries and peoples, the article reads. Mei noted that China and Azerbaijan are strategic partners. "In recent years, with the personal care and assistance of the heads of state of our countries, Chinese-Azerbaijani relations have maintained active development dynamics. Political mutual trust continues to strengthen, and cooperation within the framework of the joint construction of the "One Belt - One Road" and in the international arena has achieved great results," the article said. The ambassador also emphasized the enormous contribution of the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev to the development of bilateral relations "Heydar Aliyev was the founder of the modernization of Azerbaijan and the Chinese-Azerbaijani friendship. Considering the development of relations with China as a priority direction of foreign policy, he laid a good foundation for the long-term, healthy, and stable development of bilateral relations and made a personal contribution to this important matter," the article says. Mei also pointed out that President Ilham Aliyev attaches great importance to the development of relations with China and is a good friend of the Chinese people. "Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev have met many times. As a result, they have established a trusting working relationship and deep personal friendship. Looking to the future, the China-Azerbaijan strategic partnership has broad prospects and great hopes. As the new Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan, I will conscientiously fulfill my duty with tireless determination and spare no effort to ensure the development of friendly relations, pragmatic cooperation, and strengthening of mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. We look forward to strengthening contacts with representatives of all circles of society on the Azerbaijani side, deepening mutual understanding, and will strive to promote a new development of the China-Azerbaijan strategic partnership, the article concludes. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Manjunath Rao, a real estate businessman from Shivamogga in Karnataka is one of the tourists who died in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday. Rao had reached Kashmir along with his wife Pallavi and son Abhijeya on a vacation four days ago and had called his family back home on Tuesday morning to inform them they were safe after the cloud burst in the valley the previous day. However, hours later, he lost his life as terrorists opened fire indiscriminately at them in what could be the worst attack in the region in several years. Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Manjunath Rao, a respected industrialist from Shivamogga, and other innocent lives in the cowardly terror attack at Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. My heartfelt condolences to their families, and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. As pic.twitter.com/CiZD4um33L Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) April 22, 2025 Pallavi, a manager with the Mamcos in Birur, called her office seeking help and also informed her relatives about her husband's death. The relatives told reporters that the family had gone to Kashmir (through an agency) to celebrate the success of their son, who scored 98 per cent in the PU exams. Pallavi who contacted the Kannada TV channels seeking their help to bring her husband's body home, narrated her ordeal in the valley and her encounter with the terrorists. "It is my bad luck we came here for a holiday. There were at least 500 tourists on this hill known as 'mini Switzerland' in Pahalgam and we went uphill on horseback. Once we reached the hilltop, we heard a gunshot sound and dismissed it as some military activity. As my son was hungry my husband went to the nearby eatery. When I turned to look for my husband, I noticed people running. I took my son along and reached my husband, who was lying in a pool of blood. They had hit a single shot into his head. The terrorist was standing before me. I told him 'mere pati ko mare ho na, mujhe bhi maaro' ( since you have killed my husband, go ahead and kill me too). My son also told him 'kutte, mere paapa ko mara hai, him dono ko bhi maar do ( Dog! You killed my father. Now kill the both of us). He told us, 'tumko nahi maarenge, Modi ko boldo' (I will not kill you. Go and report to Modi) and he left," recalled Pallavi, adding that three locals escorted them to safety and kept chanting 'Bismilah' while climbing down the hill by foot. Pallavi clarified that there were no Army personnel in sight and the terrorists had targeted only the men and let the women and children go. "Please help me bring back my husband's body home at the earliest," pleaded Pallavi. Like in life, there are a few accidents in politics and geopolitics. Like US Vice President J.D. Vances ongoing visit to India. With wife Usha and their three children in tow, the Vances have done quite a lot of India alreadyvisiting temples, shopping for knick-knacks at Janpath and with plans to see the Taj Mahal soon. Their Monday visit to Prime Minister Narendra Modis official residence in New Delhi with the kids relaxing on the opulent sofas happily painted out a picture of two closely-knit families meeting over a lazy dinnerall meant to resonate a chord that everything is friendly about India and the United States. Our kids just like him. And I think that, because kids are such good, strong characters, I just like Prime Minister Modi, too. And I think it's a great foundation for the future of a relationship, Vance said of PM Modi and their visit to his residence. Even the guide and others at the markets and touristy places who interacted with the Vances made the right polite noises. But in Washington DC, tough negotiations are on with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her US counterparts working hard to hammer out a trade treaty that will sail out the bilateral ties from tariff-bombed choppy waters to still ones. Trump has not been quite sparing in his words on India, often labelling India as Tariff abuser. But a trade treaty will help India avert the 26% sweeping tariff imposition by the US although that has now been set on pause for 90 days. The pact will also provide a framework for the ambitious target to more than double India-US trade to $500 billion by 2030. And for good measure, Vance said in Jaipur: The future of the 21st century will be determined by the strength of India and the US. Because at this time in history, the US needs India like no other country. There are several reasons. India has garnered substantial economic and military clout and is being increasingly looked upon as a leader of the Global South. Located strategically, India offers a vantage position from where plans to counter the Chinese can well be set. India also offers a huge market. Additionally, the businessman in Trump has also impacted traditionally very close ties with Japan and South Korea, historically the USs closest allies. Proximate ties with India would wipe off a certain amount of goodwill lost in the Far East. And offering India a range of products from US energy to fifth-generation F35 fighter jets, Vance said on Tuesday in Jaipur: We want to make a bright new world I believe that our nations have much to offer to one another, and thats why we come to you as partners. The Vice Presidents disavowal of the older American policy with India was nowhere more sharp than when he said India needed no more preaching: Now were not here to preach that you do things any one particular way. Too often in the past, Washington approached Prime Minister Modi with an attitude of preaching. Prior administrations saw India as a source of low-cost labour. Now that can be certainly construed as a wish to break with the past. The trillion-dollar question is how far India would go to invest for a more robust relationship with the Americans. And at what cost? The jobless teachers and education workers spent Monday night outside the office of the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) in Kolkata after no list separating tainted from untainted candidates was released. The demonstrators have gheraoed the office, forcing SSC officials, including Chairman Siddhartha Majumdar, to remain in the office. Late in the night, the chairman issued a press statement saying that the Commission will comply with the directives of the Supreme Court. The department has also informed that the salaries of those who were employed as teachers will be distributed according to the current system, he said. However, hundreds of affected teachers and non-teaching staff, whose jobs were terminated after the Supreme Court scrapped the entire 2016 SSC panel, were left dissatisfied. Accusing the SSC of deception and broken promises, they reiterated their demand for a detailed list separating qualified and tainted candidates, along with the publication of mirror images of all OMR sheets from the 2016 selection process. Education Minister Bratya Basu, who had earlier assured that the list would be made public by April 21 following due legal procedures, addressed the media as well. This protest holds no meaning. Many of those protesting outside the SSC office might be ineligible. Without any guidelines from the Supreme Court regarding them, we cannot act, he said. The minister also added that the state would be filing a review petition at the Supreme Court soon and appealed the protesters to have faith in the process. He added, It is the honourable Supreme Court that will provide us with directions. Protesters representatives, who met with SSC officials for several hours on Monday, later said the commission was seeking legal advice and exploring an alternative method of releasing the list, one that they did not accept. Earlier reports suggested that SSC might publish the list only for candidates up to the third round of counselling, sparking anger and clashes between protesters and police outside the commission office. However, the representatives clarified that counselling was not discussed during the meeting. As the standoff continues, the protest has entered a tense stalemate, with demonstrators declaring that no one goes in, no one comes out until their demands are met. Some have also begun hunger strike on Tuesday. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition seeking initiation of contempt of court action against Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey next week. Several lawyers have already approached the attorney general's office seeking contempt proceedings against Dubey for his remarks against the judiciary. The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih for urgent listing. The petitioner told the bench that Dubey said the chief justice of India was "responsible for religious wars" in the country. Highlighting it was a serious matter, the petitioner also sought directions to remove the video from social media platforms. #WATCH | Delhi: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey says "Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna is responsible for all the civil wars happening in this country" https://t.co/EqRdbjJqIE pic.twitter.com/LqEfuLWlSr ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2025 The petitioner also noted though lawyers have written to Attorney General R. Venkataramani's office seeking consent to initiate contempt proceedings against Dubey, no action had been taken till date. The bench said the matter will be heard next week. Interestingly, the matter is being heard by a bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai, who, while hearing a matter seeking president's rule in West Bengal said, "As it is, we are alleged of encroaching upon the parliamentary and executive functions", an allegation levelled by Dubey. BJP MP Dubey kicked up a row on Saturday criticised the apex court's observations while hearing pleas over amended Waqf law and said "If one has to go to the Supreme Court for everything, then Parliament and State Assembly should be shut." He also accused the top court of inciting religious wars in the country. Dubey also criticised the top court's verdict specifying timeline for governors and president to grant assent to bills. The Bharatiya Janata Party distanced itself from the comments and said they were personal remarks. BJP president J.P. Nadda said the party neither agrees nor does it support such statements. Ahead of the third round of talks between Iran and Washington, China on Monday announced that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will head to Beijing at the invitation of the latter. Chinese ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun confirmed Araghchi's visit, stating that the two sides will discuss "bilateral relations and international and regional hot-spot issues of common concern." However, it is almost certain that Araghchi's visit, coming after his Moscow trip, is to discuss with China the progress of the US-Iran talks, especially since China previously facilitated discussions regarding Iran's nuclear situation over a month ago. "It is natural that we will consult and brief China over the latest developments in Iran-US indirect talks," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday. Baghaei described Chinas role in the process of the negotiations as constructive. Though Iran's relationship with China is mostly economic in nature - China is a major buyer of Iranian oil - Tehran has mostly shown a strong inclination to cooperate with Russia than China. Ever since China helped broker a reconciliation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023, there has been a call urging China to mediate international disputes, including those between Iran and Israel. However, it is almost certain that the US is unlikely to let Beijing interfere in its efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. But, the thaw in relations between Iran and the US will be beneficial for Beijing. Fan Hongda, a professor, at the Middle East Studies Institute, Shanghai International Studies University, said any easing of any international sanctions imposed on Iran will only benefit China. "A more diplomatically diversified Iran is unlikely to abandon China, and this would create more opportunities for cooperation between the two countries," Fan said in an opinion piece that appeared in a Chinese daily. Besides, good relations between the US and Israel are important for peace in the Middle East. A peaceful Middle East is important for China to exercise its political and economic strength. Iran has also lavished praise on China, stating that Araghchis trip to China highlights Beijings prominent role in global diplomacy more than ever. China has advocated for multilateralism and denounced unilateral approaches, Iranian experts claim. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has embarked on a two-day trip to Saudi Arabia, called the Kingdom "a trusted friend and strategic ally" while hailing the "limitless potential" of Indias growing ties with Saudi Arabia. The Prime Minister, in an exclusive interview with Arab News, praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, describing how the latter left an indelible impression every time they met. "Every time I have met him, His Royal Highness has left a deep impression on me. His insights, his forward-thinking vision, and his passion for fulfilling the aspirations of his people are truly remarkable," Modi said, calling bin Salman a strong advocate of bilateral ties between the countries. This is the seventh visit of an Indian premier to the Kingdom. Jawaharlal Nehru visited in 1955, followed by Indira Gandhi more than a quarter-century later in 1982. Before Modi, Manmohan Singh visited Saudi in 2010 after a gap of 28 years. However, marking a shift in foreign policy, Modi has visited the kingdom thrice, in 2016 and 2019. PM Modi emplanes for Saudi Arabia. Modi has transformed the trajectory of Indias relations with Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries This is his 3rd visit to Saudi - all PMs before him together visited Saudi 3 times in 7 decades This is his 15th visit to a country in Gulf region pic.twitter.com/4ir2f6RF0V Aman Sharma (@AmanKayamHai_) April 22, 2025 These visits also marked the changes in Indias foreign policy strategy, with regard to the kingdom. Despite strong people-to-people links between the countries, India has kept a distance from the kingdom, due to its ideological stance and closeness with Pakistan. That changed with the Modi-led BJP coming to power. Modi said that the Kingdom underwent great social and economic transformations under him. "The reforms he has undertaken have not just inspired the region, but also caught the attention of the entire world. One can see the transformational changes in the country under Vision 2030 in a very short period," he said. On the personal rapport they shared, Modi said he valued his relationship with the Crown Prince and hailed Jeddah's connection with India. "The personal rapport has naturally translated into how both countries give priority to our partnership. He is a strong advocate of our bilateral ties. He has been a great supporter of the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia and our people living in Saudi Arabia deeply admire him," he said. The Prime Minister spoke about Jeddah's past connection with India and how Indian pilgrims thronged the streets there for centuries. "This famed city has been one of the principal arteries for our trade and people-to-people exchanges. As a gateway to Makkah, for ages, our pilgrims have walked the by-lanes of Jeddah on their holy journey for Hajj and Umrah," he told Arab News. Modi said the Indian diaspora in Saudi too was grateful to the ruling royals for their patronage. "We can never forget how they took care of the Indians as one of their own during the difficult times of the COVID pandemic," the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister also narrated how the Crown Prince praised the Indian community and their contributions towards the economic growth of the Kingdom. "He has even said that they are part of the Saudi family. These words of praise always fill my heart with pride and joy," said Modi. Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, has left behind a legacy of compassion, courage and a relentless pursuit of peace, especially in the context of the war in Gaza. The people of Gaza will remember him for his daily calls to the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in Gaza, and his bold calls for a ceasefire, which often irked the Israeli leadership. And, he firmly believed that the only solution to the enduring Arab-Israeli crisis was the two-state solution, allowing both Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side in peace. With his daily conversations with the Gazan Christians, especially in the last year and a half, the Pope left an indelible mark on Gazas tiny Christian community and the broader discourse surrounding the conflict. He was vocal in his criticism of Israels military campaign, and he always offered unwavering support for humanitarian aid and the two-state solution, reiterating his belief in justice and equality for both Palestinians and Israelis. But it did not mean Francis was oblivious to what Hamas was doing. From the day the war started in October 2023, he condemned the Hamas massacre that sparked the conflict but he quickly turned his attention to the plight of Gazas civilians. Pope Francis used his last public address to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Even as he was hospitalised, he maintained his commitment to check in on a daily basis with priests and parishioners at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/zJFmt8IZmg Taj Ali (@Taj_Ali1) April 21, 2025 His nightly ritual of calling the Holy Family Church, under the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, became a symbol of his solidarity with the besieged community. The Rev. Gabriele Romanelli, the parish priest, noted that Francis calls, sometimes made even from his hospital bed, provided spiritual strength to the 500 people sheltering in the church, including Muslims, children and disabled individuals. "They were happy because they managed to eat some meat," Francis once recounted to CBS 60 Minutes, highlighting the dire shortages of food, water and medical supplies. His compassion resonated deeply with Gazas 1,000 Christians, a dwindling minority in the overwhelmingly Muslim territory. Pope Francis began holding nightly calls with Gazas Catholic parish in October 2023. As the months went on, and the bombs continued to drop, he increasingly advocated for Palestinians in Gaza: This is cruelty. This is not war. pic.twitter.com/HCR5WPDxH0 AJ+ (@ajplus) April 21, 2025 The daily calls, notwithstanding his health concerns, cemented his reputation as a beloved father figure. The Popes last call came on Saturday on Easter Eve, just two days before his death. And even at his final public appearance, on Easter Sunday, the Pope urged for a truce, asking Hamas to release Israeli hostages and condemning the rising trend of antisemitism across the world. He expressed particular concern for Gazas Christian community, stating in his message, I think of the people of Gaza and its Christian community in particular, where the terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction. Over the past couple of years, the popes criticism of Israels military tactics grew increasingly pointed. He called for an investigation into whether Israels actions constituted genocidea charge Israel vehemently denied. In December, he decried the cruelty of machine-gunning children and bombing schools and hospitals. A month later, he labelled the humanitarian crisis very serious and shameful. Some of his symbolic gestures, like unveiling a nativity scene in the Vaticans St Peters Square featuring infant Jesus wrapped in a Palestinian keffiyeh, designed by Bethlehem artists Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, further highlighted his solidarity with Palestinians. And it drew fierce criticism from Israel. Many of his Israeli critics pointedly observed that Jesus was, in fact, a practising Jew. Despite his outspokenness, however, Francis always displayed remarkable interfaith sensitivity. After suggesting the need to study whether Israels Gaza campaign amounted to genocide, he clarified that he was not saying that Israel indeed committed genocide. "I was shown materials from the war, and I said that if this is true, then it needs to be investigated." In Israel, Francis legacy was more complex. His tough stance against antisemitism and meetings with hostage families earned appreciation, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog praising his deep faith and boundless compassion. However, his criticism of Israels tactics strained relations, particularly after the Vaticans 2013 recognition of the State of Palestine within its pre-1967 borders, a move that disappointed the Israeli leadership. Francis always wanted a two-state solution, which was rooted in his belief that Palestinians deserved equality and sovereignty alongside a secure Israel. His last visit to Israel came in 2014, where he prayed at the Western Wall and expressed hope for peace. His earlier experience in Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when he was confined to a Jerusalem hotel, likely shaped his empathy for those caught in conflict. Interestingly, Francis was mourned as a champion of Palestinian rights across the wider Arab and Muslim world. Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, praised his role in highlighting the dehumanization of the war, while Hamas official Basem Naim lauded his unwavering stance against the conflict. Despite his appeals, the war continued unabated, with Israeli airstrikes killing at least 14 people on the day of his death, according to medical officials. Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, will be the first pontiff to be buried in just a single coffin. The Vatican is expected to announce the date and the funeral will likely be held within a week. The pontiff will be laid to rest in a coffin made of wood and lined in zinc, in contrast to the coffins of the past popes who were put in three nested coffins, one of cypress, one of zinc and one of elm. However, Pope France changed the rules by decreeing that he would be buried in a single coffin, according to The New York Times. There are other changes as well. Pope Francis will be left in a plain, open casket during this viewing period, the second station of part of the funeral rites. The earlier practice was to place the body on top of a tall raised platform called a 'catafalque'. This practice ended in 2022 after the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis amended the practice to stress the pontiff's role as a pastor, not a head of state. Full video of the Vatican announcement of Pope Francis' death this morning. Full details on @LifeSite https://t.co/jvRTzr2L1M pic.twitter.com/LGOAhTpC3V Michael Haynes (@MLJHaynes) April 21, 2025 Other funeral details The date of Pope Francis's funeral will likely be announced in a week. As per the tradition, the pontiff's funeral will be held in four to six days, likely in St. Peters Square. The funeral will be led by the dean of the College of Cardinals and the position is currently being held by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, a 91-year-old Italian priest. The guest list too will be confirmed in the coming days and all of the 252 Catholic cardinals will be invited to attend. While dignitaries from all over the world will attend the ceremony, including US President Donald Trump, it is unclear whether there will be invitees from India. The Pope will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore), a fifth-century church in Rome. He had earlier called it "his "great devotion" and expressed the desire to be buried there. The Pope had been an ardent devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom the church is devoted, that he would visit it after every foreign trip. No pope has been buried in Santa Maria Maggiore since the 17th century. The last pope to be laid to rest there was Pope Clement IX in 1669. (By his daughter, originally published in Hamodia) On the words in Avos (4:13), Vkesser shem tov oleh al gabeihen, Rabbeinu Yonah writes that the purpose of coming to this world is to acquire a shem tov, and when someone leaves this world with a shem tov, yismechu alav krovav vohavav, his relatives and friends will rejoice with him. My father, Reb Shimon Betzalel Edelstein, ztl, has a glorious reputation as a gaon batorah, mushlam in middos, and baal chessed mufla. His shem tov is recognized by all who knew him, whether from yeshiva, shul, neighborhood, or the business world. It is difficult to try and find a frame of reference for my father. He was much greater than the sum of his parts. His accomplishments were so extraordinary that he almost cannot be described; he had to be experienced. My father was a brilliant lawyer and executive vice president of a major corporation for many years, and though he enjoyed his work, we never heard much about it from him. His gadlus baTorah was legendary, and nothing was more important to him than his Sunday morning shiur in Aruch Hashulchan at Khal Kol Torah (Rabbi Geldwerth). When he first started, I used to type up his notes so he could send mareh mekomos (sources) to the people who attended the shiur. I was young back then and it used to take me all Sunday to type in Hebrew. I wanted to stop. My father told me it would get easier, and it did, and I learned a new skill. It was his way of showing me that I can accomplish if I just put in the effort. He scheduled his life around the shiur, prioritizing it over other so-called important events. He had a room in my brothers yeshiva so he could give his shiur virtually and still be on time for Sunday morning avos ubanim programs. When my uncle made a bris in Lakewood, he arrived early so he could give his shiur from the car and still run in to participate in the simcha. He delivered the shiur virtually from his hospital bed up until a few weeks ago. It was that level of mesiras nefesh that orchestrated our getting up from shivah at 9:15 on Sunday morning, in time for my fathers neshamah to deliver the Sunday morning Aruch Hashulchan shiur in yeshiva shel maalah. My father lived every shiur that he gave. When the inyan was shemitah, he printed jumbo maps of Eretz Yisrael to discuss the halachos with his family on Shabbos. When the inyan was mezuzah, he took the family on neighborhood walks pointing out differences and halachic ramifications of different doorposts. And of course he ended with hilchos refuah bShabbos, so he can live and implement his shiur until his last day. There were no gaps between his limud and his maaseh. Likewise, there were no gaps between his inspiration and his actions. If my father thought he should learn something, he just learned it, even if it was a topic that few learned or an esoteric sefer. If he thought someone needed chizzuk, he picked up the phone and gave it. If a mossad or organization needed help, he took a personal achrayus to rebuild it with expert legal advice, financial backing, and encouragement. He was unexplainable in the amount he accomplished in the time he was given. My father was an ish emes to the fullest extent. He insisted on paying sales tax for every purchase and service, and always told us that a person does not get rich or successful by taking shortcuts. He waited for months and paid top dollar for permits before starting construction. Storeowners, vendors, and business associates who were at first confused by this attitude came around to be utterly awed at his commitment to integrity. Everyone who passed through his life came to the shiva and remarked how much he inspired them, from the pediatrician to the builder to the plumber to the fish store owner. My father always had time for us, his family, and made us feel like the most important people in the world. He took us on amazing trips and taught us to appreciate the niflaos haBorei and make a kiddush Hashem wherever we go. He always had time to practice piano with us and choose books for us to read that would take our level up a notch. He hardly ever allowed us to read abridged versions. He involved himself in our talents, playing musical duets with us on the piano and advising my sisters on how to incorporate sophisticated detail to their paintings. He took tremendous pride in all of our accomplishments. Of course, my brothers learning was his top priority, and he constantly learned with them. From the time my brothers were young, my father encouraged them to prepare their own divrei torah for Shabbos from a sefer and not repeat what they heard in yeshiva or shul. He also made sure to learn things with them that were outside of the Yeshiva curriculum, so they would be excited about numerous topics. For every seudah, he prepared brilliant divrei Torah, which took the place of parashah questions. On Yomim Tovim my father would regale us with fascinating, masterfully delivered gedolim stories related to that chag. It was extremely important to my father that we be familiar with the histories, families, and communities of the Gedolim of previous generations. This past Erev Succos, my fathers Rosh Yeshiva, Harav Shlomo Feivel Schustal, shlita, told my father that his children are chashuve bachurim and yungeleit, and he should say a shiur by every seudah. Although my father was in terrible pain at the time, he delivered an intricate, brilliant pilpul at every seudah, He transformed our Succah to a beis medrash. My fathers brilliance didnt deter him from doing anything possible to benefit his community[a]. Recently, when he heard a shul was lacking a baal tokeiah, he taught himself to blow shofar, practicing for many hours to make sure all the tekios would be mehudar. He also taught Nach to the children of Khal Kol Torah through his stor at Avos uBanim. Last year, I was upset about something, and my father told me that everything in life is just a tekufah, and for better or for worse, everything eventually gets resolved. When it does, which it will, a person should look back at that tekufah and be proud of the way he acted during that time. It was that lesson that motivated us to remain strong in the face of my fathers illness and difficult prognosis. My father was the kindest man who treated everybody with tremendous respect and uniquely thoughtful consideration. He believed thanking nurses with chocolates or token gifts could come across as demeaning, and instead showed appreciation through genuine interest in their families and lives. When he left the hospital, he wrote cards, by hand, to express his gratitude to the nurses. My father was once seen by a doctor, and a few minutes after she left, my father asked my sister to call the doctor back to the room. Thinking he was in pain, the doctor hurried back and as soon as my father saw her, he said, Im so sorry, I didnt ask how you are today He made such an impression that when he was transferred to different wards of the hospital, his old nurses would always come to visit him. My father was a true eved Hashem, who internalized kol mah david Rachmana ltav avid. He treated his illness as an opportunity to teach his children to be mekadesh shem Shamayim under any circumstances, and for himself to be makedesh shem Shamayim bgaluy. When my father was on a daily chemo pill, he would recite lkayeim mitzvas vchay bahem ushmartem meod lnafshoseichem out loud before taking each dose. Last spring, my father was on a brutal regiment which required him to undergo harsh treatments twice a day for a few weeks. My father told me he feels he is mechuyav to do it this way because it seems to get the best results. So, as not to waste a minute, he timed the sessions with Shir Hamaalos, so he can thank Hashem for all the brachos in his life during the treatments. My father fought like a lion, but also accepted the gezeirah with love. He told me a few weeks ago that his matzav is not a tragedy, he felt it was a zechus to live for almost 52 years, as long as Shmuel Hanavi. He was proud of what he accomplished and so grateful to Hakadosh Baruch Hu for all the brachos in his life. This winter, my father underwent a difficult surgery that he knew had little chance of helping him. But like everything else, he saw this surgery as an opportunity to serve Hakadosh Baruch Hu bchol nafshicha , and sang hallel out loud as he was wheeled into surgery. My father knew that his hadrachah meant everything to us, and he wanted to prepare us for the next stage. He urged us to have the conversations he knew we needed to have with him and with our family. Months ago, he learned Hilchos Aveilus with my youngest brother, and instructed us on how to conduct ourselves with dignity and class during the shivah. He left this world with a sterling reputation, and so, like the Rabbeinu Yonah says, yismechu alav krovav vohavav. By the shivah, Rabbi Yosef Bronner, a maggid shiur at Khal Kol Torah, told me that he had a unique relationship with my father, because he only spoke to him in learning. The first time he asked him a question, my father responded brilliantly, leading Rabbi Bronner to assume that he had just chosen an area that my father punkt knew. As this continued across different areas of Torah, my fathers gadlus became increasingly evident to him, so much so that he invented a game where he would think up obscure questions in little known areas to ask my father, and my father always had an answer. When Rabbi Bronner heard about the petirah, he related that it was said at the levayah of a brilliant young talmid chacham, Harav Joffen, ztl, that when this talmid chacham came up to yeshiva shel maalah, his grandfathers and Roshei Yeshiva greeted him by saying kumt arein a heimesher, one of us is coming. Rabbi Bronner said that when my fathers pure neshamah went up to Shamayim, we can assume he received the same greeting from the Gedolim of previous generations, and from his dear Roshei Yeshiva, Harav Reuven Fain, ztl, Harav Simcha Scheps, ztl, and Harav Avraham Pam, ztl. When we discussed this concept further with our Rav, Rabbi Geldwerth, he said that my father was so makpid to always know the personal lives and backgrounds of the mechabrei seforim that he learned, and to learn less well-known seforim to keep the memories and torah of their mechabrim alive. Whenever he quoted a sefer, he made sure to share the background of where the mechaber lived, his kehillah, his family, and his contemporaries. During the past few weeks, the Sefer Olam haTorah, describing the lives of Gedolim, and the Chidas sefer, Shem Hagedolim, were at his bedside in the hospital. And so, many Gedolim of previous generations, many who wrote seforim that are seldom learned are coming to thank him for learning their Torah, and for being heimesh with them. My family was zocheh to have had my father for almost 52 years, and we feel incredibly proud and blessed to carry on his legacy and emulate his ways. Yehi zichro baruch. By Akbar Novruz Despite hopes for a temporary pause in hostilities, Russias brief Easter ceasefire has failed to produce any meaningful progress toward peace in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported nearly 3,000 violations of the ceasefire, while the Kremlin has ignored Kyivs calls to extend it beyond April 20. Air raid sirens were heard in Kyiv just hours after the truce ended, and explosions were reported in Mykolaiv, underscoring the fragility of the situation. Yet amid the rising tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump struck a hopeful tone, posting on Truth Social: I hope that this week, Ukraine and Russia will reach an agreement. Then both countries can start doing great business with the prosperous United States, and they will make great fortunes! Trumps message came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire, which began on April 19 at 6 p.m. and was supposed to last until midnight on April 20. But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed there were no orders to extend the truce. Ukrainian officials, for their part, claim the ceasefire was not implemented at all. To explore the viability of Trumps suggested peace breakthrough, Azernews reached out to international experts for their assessments. US political scientist and foreign policy expert Peter Marko Tase criticized recent diplomatic efforts, pointing to a lack of clarity and sincerity among Ukraines European allies: The Paris negotiations of April 17 miserably failed to make any progress on the War in Ukraine. Ukrainian and European warmongers have endeavored to embark on a nasty propaganda campaign against Moscow without clarifying their objectives in the negotiations roundtable. Ukraine is fortunate to have on its side US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the outstanding Ambassador Steven Charles Witkoff. Those who underestimate and tarnish the image of Ambassador Steven Witkoff are absolutely, gravely mistaken. Ambassador Witkoff is among the top three architects of President Trump's Foreign Policy and is extremely intelligent in dealing with Russian leadership and defending the interests of the Western World. Ambassador Witkoff, under the wisdom, guidance of President Donald J. Trump, in the last three months has accomplished much more than the eight years of Obama - Biden Administration and four years of the Biden-Harris Administration. He also hinted at forthcoming breakthroughs through upcoming diplomacy: "We must understand that the hard-working Trump-Vance Administration is laser-focused on solving the world's most pressing geopolitical matters, from the Iran Nuclear Program to the War in the Middle East and the War in Ukraine. Corrupt International Media Agencies, affiliated with WOKE and Cancel Culture, have historically never been so rude and disrespectful to a U. S. Administration, in a similar fashion with the ongoing humiliation that CNN and MSDNC (MSNBC) are abhorrently inflicting on the TRUMP Administration. We have to confess that there is chilling evidence the Obama-Biden administration jeopardized U. S. national security and demoralized the morale of FBI agents who were working to keep Americans safe. Democrats historic refusal to get tough on Iran emboldened its regime and allowed Tehran to continue funding global acts of terrorism, like what we saw on October 7, 2023. We should all be breathing a sigh of relief, President Trump is back in the White House to restore American strength on the world stage and hold Iran accountable for its evil acts, as well as fight corruption among the political elite of Ukraine." Tase criticized the role of international media and the previous U.S. administrations, claiming they contributed to instability: "We should all be confident that during his official visit abroad (the first of his second Term in the White House), President Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. During these historic events in the Persian Gulf, U. S. President Trump will make groundbreaking accomplishments, on the war in Ukraine and contain the Nuclear Weapons Program of Iran. In the next two weeks, Shuttle Diplomacy conducted by General Joseph Keith Kellogg and Ambassador Witkoff will make further progress towards peace in Europe and the Middle East. Let's not forget the disastrous architecture in U. S. Foreign Policy execution and U. S. National Security Strategy inherited by Obama and Joe Biden. These decade's long geostrategic blunders cannot be solved with a stroke of a pen. The International Community, especially the European Union, just like over 80 million U. S. Citizens who voted for President Trump, must have faith in the Trump White House and support Secretary Marco Rubio in his difficult role as Washington's diplomatic leader. The rivalry between the Three Seas Initiative - Trimarium - and the Franco-German axis is producing unnecessary friction among the EU member states; such a pattern generates additional complexities in the path towards a durable peace in Ukraine. Moscow-based political analyst Andrew Korybko offered a more measured view. He noted that the Easter ceasefire initiative, although unilateral, came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the U.S. might move on from mediating: The Easter truce was a unilateral initiative by Putin that shortly followed Secretary of State Rubio telling reporters that the US might 'move on from mediating if no tangible progress is soon achieved. The timing was coincidental but nevertheless beneficial for Russia since Putin was able to show that hes not opposed to a ceasefire in principle like some have claimed. His refusal to implement a full ceasefire last month after Ukraine suggested such was due to his reasonable concerns about the nuances involved, namely, Ukraine exploiting it to rest and rearm. No matter that each side accused the other of violating the Easter truce, Putin might have been able to allay some of Trumps reported concerns about his sincerity in reaching a ceasefire." He added that Trump has previously shown impatience toward both Kyiv and Moscow: "His comments could account for Trumps hopes that a breakthrough could finally be reached as early as this week, the sentiment of which contrasts with Rubios remarks and Trumps reaffirmation thereof right after. Trump also previously published posts suggesting growing impatience with Russia, but to be fair, he also published such about Ukraine before and verbalized related feelings too. Circling back to the Easter truce, it might have given Trump some fresh optimism for peace despite each sides accusations against the other, and this could explain his latest post about a breakthrough. At the same time, he might also have simply gotten his hopes up since theres a possibility that one, the other, or both still arent willing to agree to the compromises required as part of the US peace plan. The details remain unconfirmed but Trump and his team have said on several occasions that both sides will have to compromise. The process also remains opaque so speculation naturally abounds." While Korybko acknowledged that hopes for a peace deal remain, he cautioned that both sides may not yet be ready to make the necessary compromises. Still, he suggested a turning point could be near: "In any case, the US does indeed appear ready to soon unveil the final version of its plan that its been working on since late January, after which itll likely give the parties a timeframe to decide what to do. If no tangible progress is achieved, then the US might very well move on, which could take the form of cutting off aid to Ukraine in parallel with suspending strategic resource talks with Russia. These consequences could be aimed at pressuring them to reconsider the deal on offer, the terms of which might change depending on the course of hostilities by the time that they might return to talks. Image source: Financial Times BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. A Baku court has sentenced Ivan Svetlichny, a man accused of espionage against Azerbaijan, to more than 16 years in prison, Trend reports. The verdict was announced today in the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, with Judge Aygun Gurbanova presiding over the proceedings. Svetlichny, who was charged under Article 274 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code for treason, was found guilty of espionage activities detrimental to the countrys national security. The gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack at a Walmart in El Paso one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history pleaded guilty Monday to capital murder in a state district court. Judge Sam Medrano told 26-year-old Patrick Crusius he failed in his attack on a community that would have welcomed him with open arms. You came to inflict terror, to take innocent lives, and to shatter a community that had done nothing but stand for kindness, unity and love. You slaughtered fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, Medrano said. Now as you begin the rest of your life locked away, remember this: your mission failed, he continued. You did not divide this city, you strengthened it. You did not silence its voice, you made it louder. You did not instill fear, you inspired unity. El Paso rose, stronger and braver. Crusius has acknowledged he targeted Hispanics on Aug. 3, 2019, when he opened fire in a Walmart in the Texas border city that was crowded with weekend shoppers from the U.S. and Mexico. Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty and for no other reason, Medrano asked him. Yes, your honor, Crusius calmly responded. Crusius, who appeared in court wearing a striped jumpsuit, shackles and a protective vest, will be automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole. The change of plea came after local prosecutors took the death penalty off the table. El Paso County District Attorney James Montoya said that decision was driven by a majority of victims relatives who want the case to be over. Joe Spencer, one of Crusius attorneys, said Crusius has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which can be marked by hallucinations, delusions and mood swings, and has suffered from debilitating mental illness for most of his life. He said Crusius became consumed by extreme ideologies found online. He brought violence and terror to a place of peace, Spencer said. He shattered lives and forever changed the landscape of El Paso. We offer our deepest condolences. Crusius has never offered an explicit apology for his actions. He has already been sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms at the federal level after pleading guilty to hate crimes and weapons charges. Patrick will leave prison only in a coffin on Gods time, Spencer said Monday. About 100 people from victims families were seated in the courtroom gallery. They will be given the time to give victim impact statements starting Monday afternoon. Dozens made emotional statements during a similar hearing in federal court in 2023 that lasted for three days. The white community-college dropout was 21 years old when police say he drove more than 700 miles (1,100 kilometers) to El Paso from his home near Dallas. He posted a racist rant online that warned of a Hispanic invasion, then opened fire with an AK-style rifle inside and outside the store. Crusius was arrested shortly after. The people who were killed at Walmart ranged in age from a 15-year-old high school athlete to elderly grandparents. They included immigrants, a retired city bus driver, a teacher, tradesmen including a former iron worker, and several Mexican nationals who had crossed the U.S. border on routine shopping trips. (AP) Google is confronting an existential threat as the U.S. government tries to break up the company as punishment for turning its revolutionary search engine into an illegal monopoly. The drama began to unfold Monday in a Washington courtroom as three weeks of hearings kicked off to determine how the company should be penalized for operating a monopoly in search. In its opening arguments, federal antitrust enforcers also urged the court to impose forward-looking remedies to prevent Google from using artificial intelligence to further its dominance. This is a moment in time, were at an inflection point, will we abandon the search market and surrender them to control of the monopolists or will we let competition prevail and give choice to future generations, said Justice Department attorney David Dahlquist. The proceedings, known in legal parlance as a remedy hearing, are set to feature a parade of witnesses that includes Google CEO Sundar Pichai. The U.S. Department of Justice is asking a federal judge to order a radical shake-up that would ban Google from striking the multibillion dollar deals with Apple and other tech companies that shield its search engine from competition, share its repository of valuable user data with rivals and force a sale of its popular Chrome browser. Googles attorney, John Schmidtlein, said in his opening statement that the court should take a much lighter touch. He said the governments heavy-handed proposed remedies wouldnt boost competition but instead unfairly reward lesser rivals with inferior technology. Google won its place in the market fair and square, Schmidtlein said. The moment of reckoning comes four-and-a-half-years after the Justice Department filed a landmark lawsuit alleging Googles search engine had been abusing its power as the internets main gateway to stifle competition and innovation for more than a decade. After the case finally went to trial in 2023, a federal judge last year ruled Google had been making anti-competitive deals to lock in its search engine as the go-to place for digital information on the iPhone, personal computers and other widely used devices, including those running on its own Android software. That landmark ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sets up a high-stakes drama that will determine the penalties for Googles misconduct in a search market that it has defined since Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded the company in a Silicon Valley garage in 1998. Since that austere start, Google has expanded far beyond search to become a powerhouse in email, digital mapping, online video, web browsing, smartphone software and data centers. Seizing upon its victory in the search case, the Justice Department is now setting out to prove that radical steps must be taken to rein in Google and its corporate parent, Alphabet Inc. Googles illegal conduct has created an economic goliath, one that wreaks havoc over the marketplace to ensure that no matter what occurs Google always wins, the Justice Department argued in documents outlining its proposed penalties. The American people thus are forced to accept the unbridled demands and shifting, ideological preferences of an economic leviathan in return for a search engine the public may enjoy. Although the proposed penalties were originally made under President Joe Bidens term, they are still being embraced by the Justice Department under President Donald Trump, whose first administration filed the case against Google. Since the change in administrations, the Justice Department has also attempted to cast Googles immense power as a threat to freedom, too. In his opening statement, Dahlquist noted that top officials from the Justice Department were in the room to watch proceedings. He said their presence indicated that the case had the full support of federal antitrust regulators, both past and present. The fact that this case was filed in 2020, tried in 2023, under two different administrations, and joined by 49 states demonstrates the non-partisan nature of this case and our proposed remedies, Dahlquist said. Dahlquist also said that Mehta would be hearing a lot about AI perhaps more than you want, your honor, and said top executives from AI companies, like ChatGPT, would be called to testify. He said the courts remedies should include provisions to make sure that Googles AI product, Gemini, isnt used to strengthen its existing search monopoly. We believe that Google can and will attempt to circumvent the courts remedies if it is not included, Dahlquist said. Gen AI is Googles next evolution to keep their vicious cycle spinning. Schmidtlein, Googles attorney, said rival AI companies had seen enormous growth in recent years and were doing just fine. Google is also sounding alarms about the proposed requirements to share online search data with rivals and the proposed sale of Chrome posing privacy and security risks. The breadth and depth of the proposed remedies risks doing significant damage to a complex ecosystem. Some of the proposed remedies would imperil browser developers and jeopardize the digital security of millions of consumers, Google lawyers said in a filing leading up to hearings. The showdown over Googles fate marks the climax of the biggest antitrust case in the U.S. since the Justice Department sued Microsoft in the late 1990s for leveraging its Windows software for personal computers to crush potential rivals. The Microsoft battle culminated in a federal judge declaring the company an illegal monopoly and ordering a partial breakup a remedy that was eventually overturned by an appeals court. Google intends to file an appeal of Mehtas ruling from last year that branded its search engine as an illegal monopoly but cant do so until the remedy hearings are completed. After closing arguments are presented in late May, Mehta intends to make his decision on the remedies before Labor Day. The search case marked the first in a succession of antitrust cases that have been brought against a litany of tech giants that include Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms, which is currently fighting allegations of running an illegal monopoly in social media in another Washington D.C. trial. Other antitrust cases have been brought against both Apple and Amazon, too. The Justice Department also targeted Googles digital advertising network in a separate antitrust case that resulted last week in another federal judges decision that found the company was abusing its power in that market, too. That ruling means Google will be heading into another remedy hearing that could once again raise the specter of a breakup later this year or early next year. (AP) Transnational organized crime groups in East and Southeast Asia are spreading their lucrative scam operations across the globe in response to increased crackdowns by authorities, according to a U.N. report issued on Monday. For several years, scam compounds have proliferated in Southeast Asia, especially in border areas of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, as well as in the Philippines, shifting operations from site to site to stay a step ahead of the police. More recently, scam centers that have bilked victims out of billions of dollars through false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes are now being reported operating as far afield as Africa and Latin America. Asian crime syndicates have been expanding operations deeper into remote areas with lax law enforcement that are vulnerable to the influx, according to the report issued by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime or UNODC. The report is titled Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centers, Underground Banking and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia. This reflects both a natural expansion as the industry grows and seeks new ways and places to do business, but also a hedging against future risks should disruption continue and intensify in Southeast Asia, Benedikt Hofmann, UNODCs acting regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement. UNODC estimates that hundreds of industrial-scale scam centers generate just under $40 billion in annual profits. The trend to hedge beyond the region has been consistent with continued reports of crackdowns targeting Asian-led scam centers that have been found operating in Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and select Pacific islands, as well as related money laundering, people trafficking and recruitment services discovered in Europe, North America and South America. In Africa, Nigeria has become a hot spot, with police raids in late 2024 and early 2025 leading to many arrests, including people from East and Southeast Asia suspected of cryptocurrency and romance scams. Zambia and Angola have also busted Asian-linked cyberfraud operations. In Latin America, the report says that its notable that Brazil has emerged as one country that has faced a growing set of challenges related to cyber-enabled fraud, online gambling, and related money laundering, with some linkages to criminal groups operating in Southeast Asia. It also notes that in late 2023 in Peru, more than 40 Malaysians were rescued after being trafficked by a Taiwan-based gang known as the Red Dragon syndicate that forced them to commit cyber-enabled fraud. The report also points to crackdowns on Asian-led scam centers in the Middle East and some Pacific islands. Alarmingly, even as Asian-led groups have been expanding the geographical scope of their operations, the involvement of criminal groups from other parts of the world is also growing, the report says. New online markets, money laundering networks, stolen data products, malware, artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies are laying the ground for the rise of crime as a service, the report says. These technological innovations facilitate conducting their businesses online and adapt to crackdowns. The convergence between the acceleration and professionalization of these operations on the one hand and their geographical expansion into new parts of the region and beyond on the other translates into a new intensity in the industry one that governments need to be prepared to respond to, Hofmann says. (AP) Hackers linked to Russias government launched a cyberattack last spring against municipal water plants in rural Texas. At one plant in Muleshoe, population 5,000, water began to overflow. Officials had to unplug the system and run the plant manually. The hackers werent trying to taint the water supply. They didnt ask for a ransom. Authorities determined the intrusion was designed to test the vulnerabilities of Americas public infrastructure. It was also a warning: In the 21st century, it takes more than oceans and an army to keep the United States safe. A year later, countries around the world are preparing for greater digital conflict as increasing global tensions and a looming trade war have raised the stakes and the chances that a cyberattack could cause significant economic damage, disrupt vital public systems, reveal sensitive business or government secrets, or even escalate into military confrontation. The confluence of events has national security and cyber experts warning of heightened cyberthreats and a growing digital arms race as countries look to defend themselves. At the same time, President Donald Trump has upended Americas digital defenses by firing the four-star general who led the National Security Agency, shrinking cybersecurity agencies and slashing election cybersecurity initiatives. Businesses now are increasingly concerned about cyberattacks, and governments have moved to a war footing, according to a report this month by NCC Group, a British cybersecurity firm. The geopolitical dust is still settling, said Verona Johnstone-Hulse, a London-based expert on government cybersecurity polices and the reports co-author. What the new normal looks like is still not yet set. Many in the U.S. are already calling for a more muscular approach to protecting the digital frontier. Hybrid war is here to stay, said Tom Kellermann, senior vice president of cyberstrategy at Contrast Security. We need to stop playing defense its time to make them play defense. Digital life means more targets for hackers Vulnerabilities have grown as people and businesses use connected devices to count steps, manage finances and operate facilities such as water plants and ports. Each network and connection is a potential target for foreign governments or the hacking groups that sometimes do their bidding. Espionage is one motive, demonstrated in a recent incursion linked to hackers in China. The campaign known as Salt Typhoon sought to crack the phones of officials, including Trump, before the 2024 election. These operations seek entry to sensitive corporate or government systems to steal secrets or monitor personal communications. Such information can be hugely valuable by providing advantages in trade negotiations or military planning. These hackers try to remain hidden for as long as possible. More obvious intrusions can serve as a warning or deterrent, such as the cyberattacks targeting the Texas water plants. Iran also has shown a willingness to use cyberattacks to make political points. The cyberattacks that frighten experts the most burrow deeply into telephone or computer networks, inserting backdoors or malware for later use. National security experts say this was the motivation behind a recent attack from China called Volt Typhoon that compromised telephone networks in the U.S. in an effort to gain access to an unknown number of critical systems. China could potentially use these connections to disable key infrastructure power plants, communication networks, pipelines, hospitals, financial systems as part of a larger conflict or before an invasion of Taiwan, national security experts said. They can position their implants to be activated at a date and time in the future, said Sonu Shankar, a former researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory who is now chief strategy officer at Phosphorus Cybersecurity. National security officials will not discuss details, but experts interviewed by The Associated Press said the U.S. no doubt has developed similar offensive capabilities. China has rejected U.S. allegations of hacking, accusing America of trying to smear Beijing while conducting its own cyberattacks. Global tensions tick up Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Trade disputes. Shifting alliances. The risk of cyberattacks goes up in times of global tension, and experts say that risk is now at a high. U.S. adversaries China, Russia, Iran and North Korea also have shown signs of cybercooperation as they forge tighter economic, military and political relationships. Speaking to Congress, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard noted that Iran has supplied drones in exchange for Russian intelligence and cybercapabilities. Russia has been the catalyst for much of this expanded cooperation, driven heavily by the support it has needed for its war effort against Ukraine, Gabbard told lawmakers. Amid global fears of a trade war after the tariffs that Trump has imposed, supply chains could be targeted in retaliation. While larger companies may have a robust cyberteam, small suppliers that lack those resources can give intruders easy access. And any tit-for-tat cycles of cyberconflict, in which one country hacks into a sensitive system as retaliation for an earlier attack, come with great risk for all involved, Shankar said. It would put them on the path to military conflict. The Trump effect At a time when national security and cybersecurity experts say the U.S. should be bolstering its defenses, Trump has called for reductions in staffing and other changes to the agencies that protect American interests in cyberspace. For example, Trump recently fired Gen. Timothy Haugh, who oversaw the NSA and the Pentagons Cyber Command. The U.S. faces unprecedented cyber threats, said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. He has asked the White House to explain Haughs departure. How does firing him make Americans any safer? Warner said. Also under Trump, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency placed on leave staffers who worked on election security and cut millions of dollars in funding for cybersecurity programs for local and state elections. His administration eliminated the State Departments Global Engagement Center, which tracked and exposed foreign disinformation online. The CIA, NSA and other intelligence agencies also have seen reductions in staffing. The administration faced more questions over how seriously it takes cybersecurity after senior officials used the popular messaging app Signal to discuss sensitive information about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. Gabbard later called the episode a mistake. The officials in charge of Americas cybersecurity insist Trumps changes will make the U.S. safer, while getting rid of wasteful spending and confusing regulations. The Pentagon, for instance, has invested in efforts to harness artificial intelligence to improve cyberdefenses, according to a report provided to Congress by Lt. Gen. William J. Hartman, acting commander of the NSA and Cyber Command. The changes at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency come as its leaders consider how best to execute their mission in alignment with the administrations priorities, a CISA statement said. As Americas Cyber Defense Agency, we remain steadfast in our mission to safeguard the nations critical infrastructure against all cyber and physical threats, the statement read. We will continue to collaborate with our partners across government, industry, and with international allies to strengthen global cybersecurity efforts and protect the American people from foreign adversaries, cybercriminals, and other emerging threats. Representatives for Gabbards office and the NSA didnt respond to questions about how Trumps changes will affect cybersecurity. Signs of progress? Despite shifting alliances, a growing consensus about cyberthreats could prompt greater global cooperation. More than 20 nations recently signed on to an international framework on the use of commercial spyware. The U.S. has signaled it will join the nonbinding agreement. Theres also broad bipartisan agreement in the U.S. about the need to help private industry bolster defenses. Federal estimates say the cybersecurity industry needs to hire an additional 500,000 professionals to meet the challenge, said Dean Gefen, former chief of cybertraining for Israels Defense Intelligence Technological Unit. Hes now the CEO of NukuDo, a cybersecurity training company. Companies need effective guidance from the government a playbook, Gefen said. What to do, what not to do. (AP) House Republicans are renewing calls for criminal charges against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, accusing him of making criminally false statements to Congress regarding the underreporting of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), cites overwhelming evidence that Cuomo misled Congress during a June 2023 interview about his role in drafting and editing a July 2020 report that allegedly undercounted nursing home deaths by 46%. This wasnt a slip-up it was a calculated cover-up, Comer said, accusing Cuomo of shielding himself from responsibility for his March 25, 2020, directive that forced COVID-positive patients back into senior care facilities without mandatory testing. Cuomo denied involvement in the reports preparation during sworn testimony, but internal emails and handwritten edits appear to contradict his claims. Staffers have identified Cuomos handwriting in margins of the draft, including changes to death figures and language minimizing culpability. The renewed criminal referral comes after the Justice Department declined to prosecute Cuomo last year. Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi dismissed the move as a politically motivated stunt and transparent election interference Cuomo is currently the frontrunner to be the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor. House Republicans maintain that Cuomos statements warrant up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of lying to Congress. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Swiss pharmaceuticals powerhouse Roche announced Monday it plans to invest $50 billion in the United States over the next five years, creating 12,000 jobs. The Basel-based company, whose array of products includes cancer medicines and multiple sclerosis treatment Ocrevus, said the investment would go toward high-tech research and development sites and new manufacturing facilities in places including California, Indiana, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The announcement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has urged foreign businesses to invest more in the United States, and announced sweeping tariffs earlier this month on imports as part of hopes to reduce a large U.S. trade deficit when it comes to sales of goods. Before the Trump administration backed off its most stringent tariff plans, products imported from Switzerland had been set to face tariffs of 31% more than the 20% tariffs on goods from the European Union. Switzerland is not a member of the 27-country bloc but is virtually surrounded by four EU countries. Trumps sweeping Liberation Day tariffs on April 2 set off turmoil in world stock markets. A week later, Trump spoke by phone with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter in a conversation that her office said focused on tariffs. She emphasized the important role of Swiss companies and investments in the United States. Hours later, the U.S. president announced the U-turn that paused the steep new tariffs on about 60 countries for 90 days, fanning speculation which was not confirmed in some Swiss media that her chat with Trump might have played a role in the change of course. Roche, in its statement, said that once the new, expanded manufacturing comes on line, the company will export more medicines from the U.S. than it imports though it made no mention of tariffs. Todays announced investments underscore our longstanding commitment to research, development and manufacturing in the U.S., said Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker in a statement. The company like cross-town competitor Novartis has deep ties to the U.S. market and said it currently employs 25,000 people and operates 15 R&D centers and 13 manufacturing sites in the United States. The planned investment will add 1,000 jobs at Roche in the U.S. and more than 11,000 in support of new U.S. manufacturing capabilities, it said, which will increase its footprint in the United States to 24 sites in eight states. Roche tallied more than 60 billion Swiss francs (about $74 billion) in worldwide sales last year, and nearly 25 billion francs of sales in its key pharmaceuticals division alone came in the United States. Roches share price has fallen by about 18% over the past month, with most of the drop coming after the U.S. tariff announcement on April 2. (AP) In an appearance on Fox & Friends Tuesday morning, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pushed back against mounting criticism over the turmoil engulfing the Pentagon under his leadership, blaming the fallout on political enemies and deep state forces intent on undermining the Trump administrations agenda. The embattled Defense Secretary, a former co-host of the morning program, took to the airwaves just days after a damaging stretch of headlines that included the abrupt dismissal of several of his top aides, a scathing Politico column written by one of the ousted staffers calling his tenure total chaos, and a New York Times report alleging Hegseth improperly shared classified information over the encrypted messaging app Signal with his wife, brother, and attorney. Throughout the interview with host Brian Kilmeade, a defiant Hegseth denied any wrongdoing and painted himself as a political target for entrenched bureaucrats hostile to the Trump agenda. We take classification very seriously, Hegseth said. Nothing I shared was classified. It was informal and unclassified material. These attacks are from people trying to sabotage the mission were onto bring warfighting back to the Pentagon and end the woke nonsense thats crippled our military. Dismissing the accusations as part of a broader attempt to derail Trump-era reforms, Hegseth portrayed himself as a victim of Washingtons elite establishment. Theyve come after me from day onejust like they came after President Trump, he said, lauding Trumps resilience and describing his own efforts as part of a broader ideological battle. Kilmeade asked Hegseth whether he believed deep state actors were trying to oust him. Hegseth responded: Absolutely. But Im not going anywhere. I know why Im hereto root out the insidious ideologies infecting the Pentagon and restore Americas warfighting edge. He went on to defend his recent personnel purge, calling those fired leakers and accusing them of undermining Pentagon operations. Once a leaker, always a leaker, Hegseth said. Were conducting internal investigations, and well keep doing whatever it takes to protect our mission and our troops. Notably, the aides he removed werent career bureaucrats or Obama-era holdoversthey were members of his own inner circle, brought in at the start of his tenure. The contradiction raises questions about Hegseths judgment and leadership style. If these individuals were part of the so-called deep state, critics argue, it was Hegseth himself who put them there. The Secretary also used the opportunity to outline his agenda: ending what he called trans lunacy in the military, restoring standards and accountability, and taking 100 percent operational control of our border. Im not here to sip cocktails in Georgetown or do the Sunday shows, he declared. Im here to make sure our enemies are on notice and our allies know we stand with them. Thats what the American people expectand thats exactly what were doing. Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A proposed executive order reportedly under consideration by President Donald Trump could prohibit American nonprofit organizations from distributing funds to causes outside the United States a move that may have serious consequences for the many tzedakos in Eretz Yisroel that rely heavily on donations from across the Atlantic. According to the NY Post, who first reported about the proposed action, the order would target 501(c)(3) organizations the designation under U.S. tax law that grants nonprofits tax-exempt status and bar them from issuing charitable grants abroad. While the order has not yet been finalized, discussions are said to be ongoing at the highest levels of the Trump administration. Should the executive order move forward, the impact could be far-reaching. Currently, thousands of American nonprofits, including many religious organizations, serve as conduits for charitable giving to institutions and individuals in Eretz Yisroel including yeshivos, kollelim, orphanages, hospitals, and families in need. The new restriction would effectively sever this vital lifeline, unless alternate channels are found. Under present law, American nonprofits can support foreign charitable work so long as the funds serve a clearly defined charitable purpose. These provisions have long enabled U.S. donors to support Torah institutions in Eretz Yisroel while maintaining eligibility for tax deductions. Eliminating that framework would present a giant problem for both the givers and the receivers. While the administration is framing the initiative as part of a broader effort to prioritize American interests, sources close to the White House suggested the move also aims to cut off funds from prominent liberal-leaning organizations with global reach such as the Gates Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and the Open Society Foundations all of which have poured billions into progressive causes worldwide. Still, the ramifications would not be limited to large foundations. Religious nonprofits of all stripes including many that are deeply embedded in Orthodox Jewish communal life would be equally affected. In 2023, for instance, aid group World Vision International gave tens of millions to relief efforts around the world, and Jewish organizations supporting Yidden in Eretz Yisroel regularly distribute vast sums to mosdos haTorah, families in crisis, and struggling communities and individuals. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Gunmen shot dead at least 26 tourists at a resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Tuesday, in what appeared to be a major shift in the regional conflict in which tourists have largely been spared. Police described the incident as a terror attack and blamed militants fighting against Indian rule. This attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years, Omar Abdullah, the regions top elected official, wrote on social media. Two senior police officers said at least four gunmen, whom they described as militants, fired at dozens of tourists from close range. The officers said at least three dozen others were injured, many in serious condition. Most of the tourists killed were Indian, the officers said, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with departmental policy. Officials collected at least 24 bodies in Baisaran meadow, some five kilometers (3 miles) from the disputed regions resort town of Pahalgam. Two others died while being taken for medical treatment. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Police and soldiers were searching for the attackers. We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences, Indias home minister, Amit Shah, wrote on social media. He arrived in Srinagar, the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir, and convened a meeting with top security officials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was cutting short his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and returning to New Delhi early Wednesday, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key resistance politician and Kashmirs top religious cleric, condemned what he described as a cowardly attack on tourists, writing on social media that such violence is unacceptable and against the ethos of Kashmir which welcomes visitors with love and warmth. The gunfire coincided with the visit to India of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who called it a devastating terrorist attack. He added on social media: Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack. U.S. President Donald Trump on social media noted deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against terrorism. Other global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, condemned the attack. Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Kashmir has seen a spate of targeted killings of Hindus, including immigrant workers from Indian states, after New Delhi ended the regions semi-autonomy in 2019 and drastically curbed dissent, civil liberties and media freedoms. Tensions have been simmering as India has intensified its counterinsurgency operations. But despite tourists flocking to Kashmir in huge numbers for its Himalayan foothills and exquisitely decorated houseboats, they have not been targeted. The region has drawn millions of visitors who enjoy a strange peace kept by ubiquitous security checkpoints, armored vehicles and patrolling soldiers. New Delhi has vigorously pushed tourism and claimed it as a sign of normalcy returning. The meadow in Pahalgam is a popular destination, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dotted with pine forests. It is visited by hundreds of tourists every day. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, while condemning the attack, said the Modi government should take accountability instead of making hollow claims on the situation being normal in the region. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhis rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict. In March 2000, at least 35 civilians were shot and killed in a southern village while then-U.S. President Bill Clinton was visiting India. It was the regions deadliest attack in recent years. Violence has ebbed in recent times in the Kashmir Valley, the heart of anti-India rebellion. Fighting between government forces and rebels has largely shifted to remote areas of Jammu region including Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua, where Indian troops have faced deadly attacks. (AP) A majority of Israelis continue to support a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in exchange for the release of all remaining hostages, according to a new poll published by the Kan public broadcaster. In the survey of 602 respondents, 56% said they would back a deal that includes both the return of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza. Only 22% opposed such a deal, while another 22% said they were unsure. The findings highlight an ongoing rift between the Israeli public and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who reiterated over the weekend that he would not support such an agreement if it meant leaving Hamas in power. Hamas has publicly expressed support for a permanent ceasefire-and-hostage deal, but Netanyahu and members of his war cabinet argue that ending the war before dismantling Hamass military and governing capabilities would endanger Israels long-term security. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, accused under articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious crimes, continued on April 22, Trend reports. At the open court session held at the Baku Military Court, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev and composed of Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), the defendant was provided with a translator in his native language, Russian, as well as with a lawyer of his choice for his defense. The court proceedings continued with the interrogation of the victims. The court also revealed forensic medical examination reports on the victims. The next hearing of the court has been scheduled for April 29. Ruben Vardanyan faces charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan). Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar submitted a classified affidavit to the High Court of Justice containing explosive allegations involving Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and senior officials in the Prime Ministers Office, according to a report by Kan News. The classified filing, submitted alongside a publicly available affidavit, reportedly includes sensitive information related to multiple scandals. These include details of the Qatargate investigation, the leaking of classified documents by a Netanyahu aide to Germanys Bild newspaper, and Netanyahus alleged attempts to use the Shin Bet against anti-government protestors. Bar also reportedly disclosed that Netanyahu asked him to assist in delaying his testimony in his ongoing criminal trial. Additionally, the affidavit covers internal discussions between security and political leaders on how to handle the war with Hamas. The revelation come as part of High Court petitions challenging the governments decision to dismiss Bar, a move made at Netanyahus recommendation. In his public affidavit, Bar accused Netanyahu of firing him due to his refusal to act as a political tool, his support of criminal probes into Netanyahus associates, and his opposition to what Bar described as illegitimate directives during the 2023 protests against judicial reform. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Israir Airlines has received preliminary approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to begin operating flights to the United States, marking a major milestone in the airlines push to expand its international footprint. The DOTs authorization, granted Monday, is a temporary permit that could become permanent once Israir meets all safety and operational requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The airline expects to secure full approval by June 2025, according to a timeline shared with its board of directors. Israir plans to launch nonstop Tel AvivNew York service using Airbus A330 aircraft, with flights operated by its own flight and maintenance crews. Israir says it plans to launch the Tel Aviv-New York route by Pesach 2026 El Al, Israels national carrier, has enjoyed near-monopoly status during the ongoing war with Hamas, particularly as foreign airlines suspended service. El Al has positioned itself as the Spirit of Israel to maintain customer loyalty, but Israirs entry into the U.S. market is poised to offer consumers a competitive alternative. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Coast District police from the Hadera station arrived at the beach early Tuesday morning and renewed the search for the victim who was attacked by sharks on Monday. The victim is a resident of Petach Tikvah in his 40s, married and a father of four, who stopped to fish on his way home from work in northern Israel on Monday. His identity was confirmed after his possessions were found on the beach and his truck was located nearby. Israels Fire and Rescue Services reported on Tuesday afternoon that rescue divers have located remains in the search area and they have been transferred to the Abu Kabir Institute for identification. Your browser does not support the video tag. Along with the police officers, who are deployed along the beach, additional forces participated in the search the IDF, volunteers, municipal patrol inspectors, ZAKA, MDA, firefighters, the Nature and Parks Authority, and others. The police continue to issue warnings to refrain from entering the water in this area, or from other beaches that were closed following the attack, from Hadera to Poleg beach in Netanya. Dr. Adi Barash, a marine biologist with the Sharks in Israel nonprofit and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University, told Ynet that the Hadera incident was largely due to human behavior: The water conditions depth, current, visibility were unsuitable for swimming and a large number of people clustered around the sharks, which is dangerous and prohibited. She mentioned multiple instances in which swimmers pulled sharks tails or entered the water holding children to play with them. Videos of swimmers, including children, standing in close proximity to sharks in the days before the attack have been circulating on Israeli social media since the tragic incident. This is peak feeding season for the sharks, due to increased fish deaths from warming waters and recent holiday rains, Barash said. Authorities must take steps to prevent harmful interactions and ensure the safety of these protected animals. Eliran Ovadia, a veteran diving instructor, dived on Sunday in the same area on the Hadera coast where the man was attacked. He told Ynet that the sharks come there because there is warm water, currents, food. There are all the conditions for a habitat for an animal of this kind. He added, Ive been taking organized dives there for 13 years as part of my diving school. We take out a lot of people in the winter, dive with them, and there has never been an incident like this. According to him, the sharks in the Hadera area are well known to divers and can be safely approached, as long as basic safety rules are observed. For 13 years, we have been diving there with groups and the sharks pass freely by us, at a distance of 10 centimeters, half a meter. They ignore us, sometimes a little curious, but never opened their mouths or tried to attack, he said. He stressed the importance of maintaining distance from sharks, warning to refrain from feeding them: A shark does not know how to distinguish between the hand that gave him food and the food itself. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Qatari and Egyptian mediators have proposed a new ceasefire framework to Hamas that includes a long-term truce, the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the BBC reported Monday, citing a senior Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations. The reported plan envisions a five- to seven-year truce and the creation of a new governing authority in Gaza, which could replace Hamas. According to the BBC, Hamas has signaled a willingness to hand over control to another Palestinian body, provided it gains approval at both the national and regional levels. There has been no confirmation or comment on the proposal from the Israeli government. A senior Hamas delegation is expected in Cairo in the coming days to deliberate on the initiative. This comes shortly after Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal that included a six-week ceasefire and the return of hostages in exchange for disarmament. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said that the war will not end until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are released. As of Tuesday, the Prime Ministers Office has issued no public response to the renewed mediation efforts. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) U.S. military airstrikes in Yemen have killed at least 500 Houthi fighters, including several senior commanders, over the past few weeks, according to Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani and U.S. officials cited in a report by Saudi daily Al Arabiya. Al-Eryani confirmed that the American strikes targeted key Houthi military infrastructure, including command centers, weapons depots, training camps, and communication hubs. Among those killed, he said, were high-ranking figures involved in maritime attacks and Iranian arms smuggling operations. This is not just Yemens war, al-Eryani told Al Arabiya. It is a battle for the international order, for freedom of navigation, and to protect the region from the expansion of the Iranian regime and its terrorist militias. The strikes come in response to Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes and Israel. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) recently confirmed it had destroyed a Houthi fuel facility in western Yemen in a bid to cut off logistical and financial support. According to Yemeni officials, the air campaign has crippled Houthi air defense systems and significantly degraded their capacity to launch drone and missile strikes, particularly in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Houthis have not publicly acknowledged the reported losses, while Yemeni officials accuse the group of suppressing casualty figures to maintain internal cohesion. Al-Eryani praised the Trump administrations precise and justified response, calling continued American pressure essential to containing Iranian influence in the region. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) As the property market begins its traditional Easter rush, Britain's biggest building society Nationwide has made cuts to mortgage rates, with the deals including a new best-buy for home movers. Nationwide has reduced its rates by up to 0.25 percentage points, including a deal for home movers with 40 per cent deposit which is now offered at 3.89 per cent. The mortgage, available on either a two or five-year fixed rate, is the cheapest rate on the market currently, though it comes with a large fee at 1,499. On this mortgage, someone buying a 250,000 home on a 25-year term would repay 783 per month. A lower-fee option is available at 3.94 per cent plus a 999 arrangement charge. After the 3.89 per cent rate, the next-cheapest rate for the same circumstances is 3.91 per cent with Yorkshire Building Society, which has a 999 fee. Rate battle: Many major lenders have reduced their mortgage rates in recent weeks Last week, multiple lenders slashed their mortgage rates including Yorkshire BS, Virgin Money, HSBC and Santander. This is in response to forecasts that the Bank of England will reduce its base rate more times than previously expected this year, though experts have warned that mortgage rates do not have much further to fall. For the first time in several years, there are also rates on two-year mortgages which are cheaper than their five-year equivalents. Today, the average five-year fixed rate is 5.12 per cent and the average two-year fixed rate is 5.23 per cent. Nationwide has also reduced its two-year fixed rate for those with a 15 per cent deposit to 4.4 per cent. This deal comes with a 999 fee and is not a best buy, with similar deals available with rates as low as 4.32 per cent, or 4.17 per cent if they are willing to accept a 1,495 fee. The rates are open to both existing and new customers moving home, and will be available from 23 April. For first-time buyers, Nationwide's rates now start at 4.09 per cent. Those with a 40 per cent deposit can get a 4.09 per cent rate on a two-year fix, with a 1,499 fee, or a 4.14 per cent rate with a 999 fee. For first-time buyers with a 10 per cent deposit, Nationwide is offering a two-year fixed rate of 4.72 per cent with a 999 fee. The cheapest 10 per cent deposit deal on the market is 4.43 per cent with Yorkshire Building Society on a two-year fix, though this comes with a 1,495 fee. The same lender offers a 4.58 per cent rate with a 245 fee. Henry Jordan, of Nationwide, said: 'We know that rate is an important factor for borrowers looking to buy their first home or move onto their next. 'These latest cuts should put Nationwide firmly on the radar for first-time buyers and home movers as we continue to be one of the most competitively priced lenders in the market.' Riz Malik, director at Essex-based financial adviser R3 Wealth, added: 'Nationwide waited until after the Easter break to take the axe to their rates with new borrowers and home movers alike benefiting from the lowest fixed deals. 'Given current market movements, the next seven days may see even more cuts as the expectation for future rate cuts increases. If you have an application or an offer and the deal has not completed yet, speak to your broker.' BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. In recent years, relations between Azerbaijan and China have significantly developed both politically and economically. Both countries hold key geopolitical and economic interests in the Eurasian region, which has created a strong foundation for further cooperation, Azerbaijani political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend. "Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and China were established in 1992. Over the years, cooperation, built on mutual respect and non-interference in internal matters, has evolved into a strategic partnership. China has consistently supported Azerbaijans territorial integrity and respects its position on the Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan has also reciprocated China's stance by supporting the 'One China' policy, including on issues such as Taiwan and Tibet. Their collaboration extends beyond bilateral relations, with both nations working together in organizations like the United Nations and others. As President Ilham Aliyev recently emphasized in an exclusive interview with Chinas Xinhua News Agency, 'We attach particular importance to the development of cooperation between our countries in all areas of mutual interest and view the deepening of bilateral relations as one of the important directions of Azerbaijan's foreign policy," he said. According to Garayev, economic ties between the two nations have expanded considerably in recent years. "China has become one of Azerbaijan's key trade partners, with trade turnover increasing by 20.7 percent in 2024, reaching $3.7 billion. As President Ilham Aliyev highlighted, 'Indeed, China has become the fourth largest trading partner for Azerbaijan and its share in the country's foreign trade has reached 7.9 percent. It is also the leader in imports, with its share amounting to 17.69 percent. Despite the progressive trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, there is still a huge untapped potential.' The mutual trade composition is diverse and robust. Chinese companies are playing an active role in Azerbaijans transportation and infrastructure projects. Notably, the Baku International Sea Trade Port, industrial parks, and other logistics facilities have emerged as prime investment opportunities for Chinese investors. The head of state also highlighted in his interview that, as of today, 375 companies with Chinese capital have been registered in Azerbaijan, with 298 of them actively operating in the country. 'Currently, negotiations are underway between Azerbaijan and China on the prospects for joint cooperation in the non-oil sector, in particular, in attracting direct investment in hi-tech and innovation, alternative and renewable energy.' This demonstrates that there are still numerous areas where the two countries can deepen their cooperation," he remarked. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas will arrive in Azerbaijan on April 25, Trend reports. During the visit, she is expected to hold several high-level talks and meet with the Young European Ambassadors. On December 1, 2024, former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas officially took office as the European Unions High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, succeeding Josep Borrell. TARTAR, Azerbaijan, April 22. The great return to Azerbaijani liberated territories continues following the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's instructions, Trend reports. Families who had previously temporarily resided across the nations diverse locales, predominantly in hostels, sanatoriums, and administrative edifices, are reestablishing their presence in Hasanriz village within the Aghdara district. At this stage, 20 families (68 people) of former IDPs are moving to the village. The returning residents expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support. The families also thanked the courageous Azerbaijani Army and the heroic soldiers and officers who liberated their homeland from occupation. In honoring the martyrs who sacrificed their lives, the returnees sent their deepest respects and wished strength and patience to their families. To date, around 40,000 people are residing in the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions, alongside those who were resettled, working on various ongoing projects and fulfilling official duties in local branches of state institutions. These individuals are contributing to the restoration of health, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy sectors. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Over two decades, Azerbaijan's participation in international EXPO exhibitions has evolved into a proud tradition, reflecting the country's transformation - from showcasing its rich cultural heritage to demonstrating sustainable development, innovation, and openness to the world. Azerbaijan's history at EXPO is not merely about exhibitions and pavilions; it is a story of the evolution of national identity, a commitment to open dialogue, and a sustainable future. It represents the development of a mature model of cultural diplomacy and national image, providing ideological and aesthetic direction on the global stage. From Hannover to Osaka, Azerbaijan confidently demonstrates its ability to integrate traditions, technologies, and strategic thinking into a unified cultural message to the world, creating a powerful tool for international reputation. What is the core purpose, underlying message, and strategic importance of participating in such large-scale international events? The World Expo is an international exhibition symbolizing industrialization and an open platform for showcasing technical and technological achievements, the contemporary ecological sphere, and cultural diplomacy. Held in various major cities worldwide since 1831, Expos are presented over six months, attracting a multi-million audience. Azerbaijan consistently demonstrates an active cultural, ecological, and diplomatic stance at World Expos, transforming national pavilions into not only showcases of the country but also powerful instruments of "soft power." Comparing participation across different Expos reveals how the country's presentation strategy has transformed and the pivotal role played by the Heydar Aliyev Center in this process. In 2000, Azerbaijan was first represented at the EXPO in Hannover, Germany, which featured 180 countries and attracted 18 million visitors. The exhibition's theme, "Humanity, Nature, and Technology," set the tone for Azerbaijan's pavilion titled "Traditions and Culture." The country emphasized its rich cultural heritage, traditional crafts, and music, thereby asserting its unique history and identity. In 2005, Azerbaijan continued the theme of nature by participating in the EXPO in Aichi, Japan, under the motto "Wisdom of Nature." The exhibition involved 118 countries and attracted 22 million visitors. Azerbaijan's pavilion, "Harmony of Nature and Culture," highlighted the country's biodiversity and the necessity of its preservation, foreshadowing a deeper ecological approach in subsequent participations. In 2010, the EXPO in Shanghai, China, carried the theme "Better City, Better Life." Over 190 countries participated, with more than 73 million visitors. Azerbaijan focused on modern urban planning and environmentally sustainable projects. The "Sustainable Urban Development" exhibition showcased achievements in urbanism, architecture, and technological progress, emphasizing the transition from traditions to innovations. A breakthrough occurred in 2015 at the EXPO in Milan, Italy, under the theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life." Azerbaijan's pavilion, "Azerbaijan: A Treasure Chest of Biodiversity," covering an area of approximately 2,000 square meters, became a true gem of the exhibition, in both literal and figurative senses. This four-story space with three biospheres served as a visual metaphor for the harmony of nature and culture. Each floor revealed different aspects of national identityfrom sounds and landscapes to the tastes of traditional cuisine. Notably, the IDEA Biodiversity Park highlighted the country's ecological initiatives. Among the 145 participating countries, only 54, including Azerbaijan, presented their own national pavilions. The Italian government named Azerbaijan's pavilion the "Milan Pearl," which also received an award for eco-friendly design and was recognized as the most beautiful in its category. Over six months, the Milan Expo 2015 was visited by more than 23 million people, with Azerbaijan's pavilion attracting over 3.25 million visitors. This success is largely attributed to the values promoted by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, whose aesthetics and philosophy of sustainable development were clearly reflected in the pavilion's concept. In 2020 (postponed to 2021-2022 due to the coronavirus), the EXPO in Dubai, UAE, was organized under the theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future," gathering 193 countries and over 23 million visitors. Azerbaijan once again impressed and emerged as a leader! The pavilion, titled "Seeds of the Future," became one of the most visited, with 2.5 million guests! The theme demonstrated a bold shift from visual exposition to ideological messaging: a sustainable future is possible through the development of human capital and cultural dialogue. Special attention was given to the restoration of liberated territories and the unveiling of national identity through the lens of modernity. The pavilion was recognized as the "Best Medium Pavilion" and the "Best Thematic Pavilion" by the global publication Exhibitor. Presentations, concerts, exhibitions, and business meetings transformed the pavilion into not only a cultural but also a business center. The Heydar Aliyev Center once again played a significant role in the global project, ensuring visual continuity and imparting philosophical depth to the initiative. This year, Azerbaijan continued the theme of nature by participating in the EXPO in Osaka, Japan, held under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," with 165 countries participating and an expected 28 million visitors. The pavilion is presented under the concept "Seven Bridges of Sustainability." This idea is inspired by the poem "Seven Beauties" by Nizami Ganjavi and connects cultural heritage, sustainability principles, and innovative solutions. The bridges symbolize open dialogue, diversity, trust, creativity, technology, sustainability, and inclusivity. The exhibition opened recently on April 17, but Azerbaijan's pavilion immediately attracted significant interest from visitors. Moreover, according to Architecture & Design magazine, Azerbaijan's pavilion entered the TOP-10 most beautiful pavilions of the exhibition. The pavilion's concept is inspired by the poem "Seven Beauties" of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi. Azerbaijan's participation in EXPO 2025 in Osaka marks a new chapter in the nations cultural diplomacy. In this endeavor, the Heydar Aliyev Center serves as the chief curator of the pavilions concept and execution, while also acting as the strategic coordinator of all associated cultural programs. This engagement goes beyond the continuation of Azerbaijans successful tradition of bridging culture and progressit is a powerful contribution to shaping the international perception of the country as a land of ideas, heritage, and forward-looking vision. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Separate investigations are underway following a number of serious road crashes around the country this Bank Holiday Monday. In one incident a motorcyclist died after his bike was in collision with a car in Ardagh village, County Limerick at around 6pm. Gardai say the motorcyclist, a male aged in his 20s, was pronounced deceased at the scene while the male driver of the car was transferred to University Hospital Kerry for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. The man was the second person to die on Irish roads over the Easter weekend. On Sunday evening, a young man died when the scrambler he was driving was in collision with a car at Citywest in Dublin. Separately, two women and two children were seriously injured in a road crash in County Sligo this Monday afternoon. "Shortly before 2.30pm, gardai and emergency services responded to a collision on the N59 at Ballysadare. The occupants of one vehicle - two adult females, aged in their 40s and 20s, along with a 9-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl - were transported by ambulance to Sligo University Hospital with serious injuries. The sole occupant of the second vehicle, a woman in her 50s, was taken to the hospital for assessment," said a garda spokesperson. READ NEXT: Motorist facing prosecution for driving at three times the speed limit on Easter Sunday In another incident, gardai are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision in Ballyhale, County Kilkenny on Easter Sunday. They say, emergency services were alerted at around 12.40pm following a collision between a car and a motorcycle on the R448 at Knockwilliam. The motorcyclist, a male aged in his 30s, was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin where he remains in a serious condition. No other injuries were reported. Gardai are appealing to anybody who witnessed or who has any dash-cam footage relating to any of the road collisions to contact them. Forensic examinations have been conducted at the scene of each incident and investigations are ongoing. The search for a 46-year-old woman who was last seen in Dublin on Holy Thursday has been stood down following the discovery of a body, gardai have confirmed. Gardai had issued an urgent public appeal on Easter Sunday for help in tracing the whereabouts of 46-year-old Siobhan Hegarty, who was last see in the Swords area of the capital. However, in an update this Monday evening, gardai confirmed the appeal has now been stood down. "Following the discovery of a womans body earlier today (Monday) in north county Dublin, the missing person appeal in respect of 46-year-old Siobhan Hegarty, reported missing from Swords, County Dublin, since Thursday, April 17, 2025 has been stood down," read a brief statement issued by the Garda Press Office. READ NEXT: Man killed, four seriously injured in separate bank holiday crashes across the country No further information has been disclosed publicly but gardai have thanked members of the public and the media and public for their assistance with the appeal in recent days. May she rest in peace. We have a lot of catching up to do but right now we wanted to share a bevy of crime/police links & info in order to help better inform our readers and to offer a glimpse of warmer weather danger, court deets and, as always, community outreach. Check TKC news gathering . . . Man hanging onto Mercedes-Benz after an argument Monday fell off, got run over as driver fled An argument in a Costco parking lot led to a hit-and-run incident that left one man critically injured Monday in Midtown Kansas City, Missouri. Man charged with attempted robbery after taking too long according to partner Charges have been filed against a man who attempted to rob a woman in Kansas City but was told he was taking too long by his partner. Man pleads guilty to 2024 killing of boyfriend in southern Johnson County Joseph Andrew Wacaster pleaded guilty in Johnson County court to premeditated first-degree murder in the killing of Cade Blackburn Man charged after shooting that injured woman at Olathe park The suspect is accused of shooting a woman at Olathe's Two Trails Park on April 17. Kansas City man charged in deadly hit-and-run crash A 55-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man is facing multiple felony charges in connection to a deadly hit-and-run crash last week. 19-year-old behind bars after gun pulled during Kansas City crash A 19-year-old in Kansas City is behind bars after he allegedly pulled a gun during a road rage incident and took hundreds of dollars from the victim. Former Fusion Spa employee pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges, woman speaks out The man, and former employee, accused of sexually assaulting two customers at Fusion Spa in Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded not guilty on Monday to two counts of sodomy. Man accused of child sex trafficking faces new charges in Kansas City A man accused of half a dozen counts of child sex trafficking now faces new charges in Kansas City after two girls who worked for him reported he raped them. In-depth: Reviewing the process for feedback on police officers in Kansas Giving feedback on police officers, whether good or bad, can be important in how they interact with our communities. College Internships Available for Fall 2025 KCPD's college internship program is now accepting applications for the fall. The internships expose interns to law enforcement and professional staff careers. Pictured above are two interns from 2024 who recently graduated from the police academy and one who will graduate from the academy this summer. Two other interns from this group are now employed with KCPD in professional staff positions. Developing . . . BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. International observer of Chinese Central Television (CCTV), political analyst Malik Ayub Sumbal, visited Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the State Committee on Work with Diaspora. Meanwhile, the Pakistani journalist visited the tomb of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and laid flowers. Visiting the Alley of martyrs and Second Alley of Honorable Burial, he honored the memory of martyrs. The journalist visited Shusha, Khankendi, and Aghdam as part of the visit. Malik Ayub Sumbal visited Mehmandarov's mansion in Shusha, Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque, monuments that were shot, Khan gizi spring, Vagif's mausoleum, and Jidir Duzu. He was briefed on the construction works being carried out in the city. Malik Ayub Sumbal visited Garabagh University in Khankendi and reviewed the activities of the higher educational institution. Afterwards, he visited the Asgaran fortress, built in the 18th century by the order of Karabakh ruler Panahali Khan and considered a bright example of Azerbaijani architecture. The journalist was informed about the history of the fortress. Sumbal visited the grave of Khurshidbanu Natavan in Aghdam's Imaret Complex, Juma Mosque. He also witnessed restoration and rehabilitation works carried out in Sarijali village. As part of his visit to Azerbaijan, the journalist visited the State Committee for Work with Diaspora and met with young volunteers and employees. Sharing his impressions about his trip to Karabakh, he praised the reconstruction and construction works being carried out in the region. At the meeting, Sumbal answered the questions of the youth. The sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest. The journalist noted that the activities of volunteers make a great contribution to the development of society and support sustainable development. Malik Ayub Sumbal is the author of the book From Tovuz to Karabakh: A Comprehensive Analysis of War in South-Caucasus. His article on the contribution of national leader Heydar Aliyev to the development of modern Azerbaijan was published on the website of Il Nodo di Gordio, a renowned Italian think tank. Given that the Pope was the most liberal than we've seen in modern Church history . . . This tribute kinda makes sense . . . The church can't distance itself from the people, said Father Taylor Tracy, of Christ the King Independent Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri. We are the people, and the people are the church. KC independent Catholic church mourns Pope Francis, celebrates his inclusivity One of the most nuanced points of Francis' ruling was his approval of blessings for same-sex marriages. I remember watching as a gay Catholic and seeing him appear with those big glasses on the balcony when he was announced as the next Pope, Tracy said. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . 'Build off his life': KC independent Catholic church mourns Pope Francis, celebrates his inclusivity One of the most nuanced points of Pope Francis' ruling was his approval of blessings for same-sex marriages. And, just for balance, here's a more traditional view from an official leader of the local church: 'I am quite shocked': Bishop Johnston reacts to Pope Francis' death Kansas City-St. Joseph Bishop James Johnston says Pope Francis' passing comes with grief and great surprise. Developing . . . Some Spanish people are protesting against companies that buy properties and turn them into tourist accommodation. A travel expert says the solution is to stay in accommodation that would otherwise stand empty for the summer season - university rooms. (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - April 21st, 2025 - Spain is, by far, the favourite summer holiday destination for Brits. Last year, over 18 million of us headed there to soak up its sun, food and culture. However, in recent years, some Spanish people have protested against over-tourism, largely because it is causing a housing crisis in popular areas. Developers, known in Spain as vulture funds, are blamed for soaring house prices and a scarcity of available housing because they are snapping up properties to turn them into holiday lets. From village houses to city centre apartments, homes are being turned into summer holiday rentals. Already this year there have been demonstrations against soaring house prices, with protestors demanding a ban on new rental accommodation. According to a leading tourism expert, there is a simple solution to the problem for Brits who want to holiday in Spain on a budget and not add to the housing crisis. Lily Smith, from UniversityRooms.com, says: While many of us want to enjoy Spain this summer, few would want to feel that our holiday was depriving local people of vital housing or pushing the price of rental homes beyond their budgets. Happily, there is a simple solution at hand and it doesnt involve splashing the cash on expensive hotels. Spain has many excellent universities, often situated in the areas most popular with British tourists. Of course, many student rooms stand empty during the long university vacation periods. What better solution to the holiday accommodation problem than to stay in an inexpensive, well-situated university room this summer? Visitors get to save money and know they are not aggravating Spains housing crisis. For example in Malaga, Spains sixth-largest city, the student residences are assigned to the University of Malaga and many of them welcome visitors to the city during the university vacations. Malaga is a hothouse of culture, famous as Pablo Picassos birthplace. It also boasts 16 beaches. The Residencia Universitaria Alberto Jimenez Fraud comprises 90 apartments of one, two or three rooms, either single or twin. Each apartment has an ensuite bathroom, living room and a small kitchen costing just 41.28 a night, even in August. All across Spain, there are many more university campuses where accommodation is available during the summer. They really do represent an inexpensive way to stay in Spain while not adding to its escalating housing crisis. You can find out more about staying at a Spanish university campus at https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/countries/ES ### J-CAT Inc., operator of Wabunka, has launched a new collaboration service with domestic luxury hotels to offer curated cultural experiences as part of stay-inclusive travel packages for affluent international visitors. By integrating accommodations, transportation, and exclusive experiencessuch as artisan workshops and private tea ceremoniesWabunka supports hotels in meeting growing demand while reducing operational burdens. The initiative is already being implemented at top-tier properties and is also available to group and corporate clients. Travel professionals can now partner with Wabunka to design seamless, high-value itineraries that highlight Japans cultural depth. (TRAVPR.COM) JAPAN - April 22nd, 2025 - J-CAT Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Ryu Iikura; hereinafter "J-CAT"), which operates "Wabunka," a special experience reservation service for affluent international visitors primarily from Western countries, Australia, and New Zealand, is officially launching an experience collaboration service centered around domestic luxury hotels. The inbound tourism market continues to accelerate, with the annual number of international visitors reaching a record high of 36.87 million in 2024(*1), and consumption increasing by 53.4% year-on-year to 8.1395 trillion yen(*2). Amid this growth, the needs of affluent travelers in particular are evolving, with a strengthening trend toward seeking "special experiences" beyond merely staying at luxury accommodations. However, hotels face challenges in arranging quality cultural experiences independently, leading to increased operational burdens. To address these challenges, J-CAT is strengthening its partnership between "Wabunka" and hotels to create unique stay value that integrates accommodation and experiences. By seamlessly connecting hotel stays, transportation, and special cultural experiences, we aim to establish a new standard for travel in Japan. Through this initiative, we strive to contribute to enhancing hotel brand value while creating the future of Japan's tourism industry. (*1) Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) "Number of International Visitors to Japan" https://www.jnto.go.jp/statistics/data/_files/20250115_1615-1.pdf (*2) Japan Tourism Agency "Summary of Inbound Consumption Trend Survey" https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/news02_00024.html New Challenges Faced by Hotels and Wabunka's Solutions With the increase in international visitors, luxury hotels in major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are experiencing a significant rise in overseas guests. As a result, there is a growing need to respond to diverse guest requests beyond traditional hotel services, including arranging experiences in surrounding areas, organizing tourism tours, and accommodating special dining inquiries. However, for hotels, arranging these value-added services creates operational burdens, with staffing shortages becoming a critical issue. Particularly in urban areas experiencing overtourism, securing high-quality and satisfying tourism tours and cultural experiences has become increasingly difficult. Meanwhile, individual needs are diversifying and becoming more specialized, with requests such as "wanting to deeply experience Japanese culture" and "wanting to learn directly from artisans," creating limitations in hotels' ability to respond effectively. J-CAT will address these challenges by leveraging expertise cultivated through "Wabunka," which primarily serves affluent international visitors, to support experience arrangements in collaboration with hotels and promote the planning and development of new cultural experiences. Through this initiative, we aim to enhance the added value of hotels while providing quality experiences to hotel guests. About "Wabunka" https://wabunka-lux.jp/ "Wabunka" is a service that offers extraordinary experiences to affluent international visitors primarily from Western countries, Australia, and New Zealand. We carefully select authentic Japanese cultural experiences in exceptional spaces such as historic temples, shrines, and long-established workshops, designing unique journeys by seamlessly combining accommodations and transportation. The service has already received high evaluation from affluent inbound tourists (Japan Tourism Agency standard: destination consumption of 1 million yen or more per person*3). *3: https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/news03_000235.html Tradition Storytelling to Convey the Essence of Japan The experiences offered by Wabunka are not merely tourism but convey the essence of Japanese traditions and values through stories focusing on "people" and "objects." This enables international visitors to gain deeper cultural understanding while increasing interest in local culture and traditional industries, contributing to their development. Wabunka Story Provision of High Value-Added Original Experiences Selected by a Professional Team Wabunka offers high value-added original programs carefully selected and planned by a specialized team. Going beyond just experience reservations, we coordinate entire trips including transportation and accommodation, supporting international visitors in making their stay deeper and more special. This raises the consumption per tourist while establishing a new style of stay in collaboration with hotels, contributing to enhancing the value of Japan's tourism industry as a whole. Wabunka's Services for Hotels Arrangement of Wabunka Experiences Wabunka provides support to hotels in smoothly proposing and arranging optimal Japanese cultural experiences that meet the diverse needs of affluent international visitors. From approximately 260 experiences offered by Wabunka (continuously expanding with new plans), we select optimal plans for guests and provide comprehensive support through to reservation. This reduces the operational burden on hotels while seamlessly connecting accommodation, experiences, and transportation to realize a higher-level stay. Examples of Experiences Offered (Partial List) - Legendary knife crafting at Wada Shouten with personalization: https://m.wabunka-lux.jp/4lzpr9H - Nakamura Tokichi, Uji Authentic Tea Ceremony Experience with Hands-on Green Tea Milling: https://m.wabunka-lux.jp/4jyzo5h - Tour a Sake Brewery with over 300 Years of History and Enjoy a Paired Tasting in Verdant Okutama, Tokyo: https://m.wabunka-lux.jp/3YAMFlL Implementation Status: Already being implemented at 5-star hotels, Michelin Key-certified hotels, and hotels with high proportions of international guests Special Events Within Hotels (For Groups and Corporate Clients) Wabunka plans and operates cultural experience events within hotels, offering special programs for groups and corporate clients. We provide comprehensive support from dispatching instructors to arranging events. While responding to the wide-ranging needs of group and corporate customers, we can offer cultural experiences utilizing spaces such as banquet halls. For corporate clients, we can also provide Japanese cultural experiences aimed at team building, brand and product development, and other objectives. https://wabunka-enterprise.com/ Examples of Implemented Experiences THE AOYAMA GRAND HOTEL Representative's Feedback Special Event for Hotel Guests at the Hotel Lounge The experiences provided by Wabunka have received extremely high evaluations, and the Japanese confectionery making experience in particular was enjoyed by many guests. We are very pleased to have been able to provide special moments for our customers. Although it was our first attempt, we were impressed by the high-quality experience and sophisticated presentation. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with your company and expect to continue providing special experiences for our customers. Other Implementation Examples ONSEN RYOKAN Yuen Shinjuku: Authentic tea ceremony experience starting from the accommodation HAMACHO HOTEL TOKYO: Flower arrangement experience enjoyed in a special room Hotel Wabunka Original Accommodation Plan Development (For Individual Tourists) Wabunka's professional team develops original accommodation plans in collaboration with hotels for Free Independent Travelers (FIT). By providing original experiences that leverage the unique appeal of hotels, we contribute to improving guest satisfaction and creating continuous new revenue opportunities beyond accommodation. Accommodation Plans Developed in Collaboration Between Wabunka and Hotels Accommodation Tea Ceremony Plan: ART MON ZEN KYOTO: https://m.wabunka-lux.jp/3EtFFjT Accommodation Japanese Sake Plan: Makinoto Kanazawa / Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute: https://m.wabunka-lux.jp/3Eq9OR8 To Travel Professionals and Advisors Are your clients seeking truly exceptional cultural experiences in Japan? Wabunka offers original, high-quality experiences curated for affluent international travelers, with options ranging from private tea ceremonies in historic temples to artisan-led workshops in exclusive settings. Our team can support your itineraries by coordinating experiences, accommodations, and transportationhelping you deliver memorable, seamless journeys while reducing the burden of sourcing reliable partners. We invite you to explore collaboration with Wabunka. J-CAT Inc. Location: 5th Floor, Nihonbashi 1-chome Mitsui Building (COREDO Nihonbashi), 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo / THE E.A.S.T. Nihonbashi 1-chome Representative: CEO Ryu Iikura Business: "Otonami," "Wabunka" URL: https://j-cat.co.jp/ ### In the bustling environment of the United Arab Emirates, pet owners often seek convenient solutions to ensure their furry companions receive the best care. Mobile pet grooming services have emerged as a popular choice, offering professional grooming at your doorstep. This guide provides a detailed overview of top mobile pet grooming services across each emirate in the UAE, ensuring your pet stays pampered and well-groomed without the hassle of travel. Exploring Mobile Pet Grooming Services in the UAE Mobile pet grooming services bring the salon experience to your home, reducing stress for pets and offering flexibility for owners. These services are equipped to handle various grooming needs, from basic baths to specialized treatments, catering to different pet types and breeds. Dubai Dubai offers a variety of mobile pet grooming services designed for modern pet owners. From "Pets in the City" to "Boop" and "Soaptopia," residents can access eco-friendly, professional grooming right at their doorstep. These services cater to dogs and cats, ensuring a convenient, stress-free experience for pets and their humans. Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabis mobile grooming scene features top-notch services like "The Groomer," "Justlife," and "Mr. Pets." These providers focus on using organic, cruelty-free products while offering grooming for a range of pets including cats, dogs, and even birds. Pet owners can book quick, reliable care directly to their homes across the city. Sharjah Sharjah residents can enjoy mobile pet grooming from providers like "Fluffies" and "Doog." These services bring professional equipment and groomers to your location, ensuring your pet is pampered without travel. From nail clipping to full-body trims, they offer everything needed for pet hygiene in a relaxed, familiar setting. Ajman In Ajman, services like "Fluffies" and "Ask Nyra" provide mobile grooming for dogs, cats, and small pets. These vans are equipped with everything needed to clean, groom, and care for pets right outside your door. Its the perfect solution for busy pet owners who prioritize comfort and hygiene. Ras Al Khaimah Groomology is a top choice in Ras Al Khaimah for mobile pet grooming. Their professional team offers quality services for dogs and cats, ensuring a calm environment in the comfort of your driveway. With easy booking and trained staff, pet grooming becomes hassle-free and efficient for local residents. Fujairah Fujairahs pet owners can rely on "Happy Paws" for mobile grooming that delivers salon-quality care to your home. Whether your pet needs a bath or a full makeover, Happy Paws ensures a loving and professional touch. This service is ideal for keeping pets fresh without the stress of commuting. Umm Al Quwain Groomology extends its mobile pet grooming expertise to Umm Al Quwain. Known for their reliable, door-to-door grooming services, they cater to dogs and cats of all sizes. Their friendly team ensures pets are well-groomed and happy, making them a convenient choice for pet parents in the area. Mobile pet grooming in the UAE offers a perfect blend of convenience, professionalism, and care. Whether you're in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or any of the other emirates, these services ensure your pets are pampered without the stress of travel. With expert groomers and top-tier hygiene standards, your furry friends receive the royal treatment right at your doorstep. Its the smart choice for modern pet owners who value comfort, time, and quality care. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Huawei's new AI chip to challenge Nvidia H20 In yet another move to take on U.S. manufacturers, China's Huawei Technologies has unveiled plan to roll-out its new Ascend 920 Artificial Intelligence (AI) chip which will directly compete with Nvidia H20 Wednesday April 23, 2025 0:06 AM , Technology Desk [Grok 3 image for representation] In yet another move to take on U.S. manufacturers, China's Huawei Technologies has unveiled plan to roll-out its new Ascend 920 Artificial Intelligence (AI) chip which will directly compete with Nvidia H20. Huawei Technologies has been battling U.S. sanctions since 2019 following which it vowed to roll-out products after products aimed at reducing reliance on U.S. tech manufacturers. In the latest development, Huawei unveiled plan to roll-out Ascend 920, which was at the advanced 6-nanometre node level. The new AI chip is expected to begin mass production in the second half of this year. Ascend 920 Vs Nvidia H20 The analysts say Ascend 920 could become an alternative to Nvidias H20 AI chips that were recently banned from sale to China, according to a report by Taiwanese media Digitimes. Market insiders suggests the chip will be built using SMICs N+3 process and paired with HBM3 memory. The Commercial Times however says, SMICs N+3 process - despite claiming similar transistor density to TSMCs 6nm, still lacks the backup of EUV tools and relies on DUV multi-patterning, which likely drags down yield and efficiency, making it hard to match U.S. AI chips on cost. Because of this, Chinas chip industry may switch to AI algorithms to help ease the hardware gap, the Commercial Times reported. A previous report from Wccftech indicates that Huaweis Ascend 910C could achieves 60% of NVIDIA H100s performance, delivering strong inference results. Meanwhile, a representative from Huawei denied rumors that the company had unveiled the Ascend 920 chips at its annual cloud ecosystem conference in early April, and did not comment on the mass production plan, according to South China Morning Post. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Aramco and BYD have signed a Joint Development Agreement to explore potential collaboration in new energy vehicle (NEV) technologies, Trend reports. The agreement was concluded between Saudi Aramco Technologies Company (SATC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Aramco, and BYD, a leading global manufacturer of NEVs and power batteries. The collaboration aims to support the development of innovative solutions focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. It will bring together the research and development capabilities of both companies in an effort to advance technology within the NEV sector. Ali A. Al-Meshari, Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight & Coordination at Aramco, said the agreement reflects Aramcos commitment to advancing lower-carbon transport solutions. Aramco is exploring a number of ways to potentially optimize transport efficiency, from innovative lower-carbon fuels to advanced powertrain concepts, he noted. Luo Hongbin, Senior Vice President of BYD, highlighted the importance of joint efforts in driving innovation. We expect that SATC and our R&D capabilities in new energy vehicles will support the development of solutions that combine high performance with a lower carbon footprint, he said. Both companies stated that the initiative supports broader global efforts to address climate and energy challenges. PHILADELPHIA, PA Temple University's North Philadelphia campus became the scene of chaos on April 19, 2025, when a large crowd of unsupervised juveniles gathered, resulting in the assault of three Temple students. The incidents, which occurred during the School District of Philadelphia's spring break, have raised alarm among students, parents, and university officials, who are now grappling with the fallout and calling for stronger safety measures. According to Temple University's Department of Public Safety, the crowd assembled around 7 p.m. near Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue, a busy area adjacent to campus. Initially orderly, the gathering turned disorderly as the night progressed, leading to multiple assaults. One student was attacked near Temple Towers, a residence hall, another near 12th and Montgomery streets, and a third reported being pushed to the ground. A particularly violent incident involved a Temple senior who was knocked off his bike and hospitalized, as reported by a fellow student to Yahoo News. Swift Response and Arrests Temple University's Department of Public Safety, in coordination with the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), deployed additional officers to manage the situation. Several arrests were made throughout the evening, though the minors responsible for the assaults have not yet been identified, according to university officials. The PPD is urging anyone with information to contact them at 215-686-3093 or submit anonymous tips at 215-686-TIPS (8477). In a letter to the Temple community, Vice President for Public Safety Jennifer Griffin and Vice President for Student Affairs Jodi Bailey Accavallo condemned the incidents, emphasizing the university's commitment to student safety. They noted that Temple had increased patrols in anticipation of juvenile gatherings, a recurring issue during school breaks. "While we had no advance warning of tonight's gathering, TUDPS has been in regular contact with PPD regarding planned and unannounced juvenile gatherings," the letter stated. Community Outrage and Safety Concerns The assaults have sparked outrage among Temple's student body and their families. A concerned parent emailed FOX 29, describing the incident as "the latest mayhem" and highlighting fears about student safety in the area. Posts on X echoed these sentiments, calling for stricter curfews and action from the Philadelphia District Attorney's office to address juvenile crime. Some posts praised individuals in the crowd who intervened to help the victims, underscoring a mix of frustration and community resilience. The incidents come amid broader safety challenges for Temple University. In recent weeks, the campus has faced other disturbances, including the revocation of several students' visas, a shooting during an Eid al-Fitr celebration that wounded a 15-year-old, and the discovery of human remains at a campus construction site. These events have heightened anxieties, with students like Jordan Hall expressing shock at the escalating issues. Strengthening Campus Safety University officials are urging students to utilize safety resources, such as the walking escort program and Flight, a shuttle service for late-night transportation. Temple's emergency line, 215-204-1234, remains active for immediate assistance. The university is also reviewing its protocols for handling large gatherings, particularly those involving minors on public property near campus, which officials say negatively impact the Temple community. The assaults have reignited discussions about juvenile crime in Philadelphia, with some X users advocating for stricter enforcement to prevent future incidents. Temple's ongoing collaboration with the PPD aims to address these challenges, but the university faces pressure to reassure students and parents that campus is a safe environment for learning and living. A Call for Accountability As investigations continue, Temple University is focused on supporting the affected students and preventing similar incidents. The assaults underscore the complexities of managing public safety in an urban campus setting, particularly during periods like spring break when juvenile gatherings are more frequent. For now, the Temple community is left seeking answers and stronger protections, as the university works to restore confidence in its ability to keep students safe. Washington, D.C. Starting May 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education will resume collections on defaulted federal student loans, ending a five-year pause initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This move, announced on April 21, will affect approximately 5.3 million borrowers who are currently in default, with another 4 million at risk of falling into delinquency. For college students, recent graduates, and long-time borrowers, the stakes are high as the federal government prepares to enforce wage garnishment, tax refund offsets, and other collection measures. The decision, led by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, comes as part of the Trump administration's push to restore "accountability" to the federal student loan system. "American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies," McMahon stated, criticizing the Biden administration's handling of loan forgiveness initiatives. The Department of Education emphasized that resuming collections is critical to protect taxpayers and stabilize the nation's $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio. For the 42.7 million Americans holding federal student loans, the news is a wake-up call. Less than 40% of borrowers are current on their payments, and nearly a quarter of the loan portfolio could be in default by summer if delinquency trends continue. Default, defined as missing payments for 270 days or more, can lead to severe consequences, including damaged credit scores, loss of eligibility for additional federal aid, and, in some states, revoked driver's licenses. Beginning next week, the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will email borrowers in default, urging them to make payments, enroll in income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, or explore loan rehabilitation options. These programs could help borrowers avoid involuntary collections through the Treasury Offset Program, which withholds federal payments like tax refunds, Social Security benefits, and federal salaries. Wage garnishment notices are expected to follow later this summer after a mandatory 30-day warning period. The timing of the announcement has sparked concern among advocates, who point to recent layoffs at the FSA as a barrier to borrower support. Kristin McGuire of Young Invincibles added that staffing shortages have made it harder for borrowers to get answers, leaving many confused about their options. Compounding the issue, a February 2025 court ruling has blocked parts of the Biden-era SAVE repayment plan, creating uncertainty around IDR programs. With President Trump's plan to potentially shutter the Department of Education and transfer loan management to the Small Business Administration, borrowers face an uncertain future. Higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz stressed the need for borrower education, particularly for those who graduated during the pandemic and may lack experience with loan repayment. "Borrowers who graduated during the pandemic may have no experience with loan repayment, so it is important to educate them about the process, including their rights and responsibilities," Kantrowitz said to CNBC. Options like loan rehabilitation, which requires nine consecutive on-time payments, or IDR plans that adjust payments based on income, could provide relief for those struggling to repay. As the May 5 deadline approaches, borrowers are encouraged to visit the FSA's website (studentaid.gov) to explore repayment options or contact the Default Resolution Group. With millions facing the prospect of garnished wages and seized benefits, acting now could mean the difference between financial stability and long-term debt traps. Cambridge, MA Harvard University, the nation's oldest and wealthiest academic institution, has launched a bold legal challenge against the Trump administration, suing over a $2 billion freeze on federal funding. Announced on April 21, 2025, the lawsuit accuses the administration of targeting the university with "unprecedented" sanctions, following claims that Harvard failed to adequately address antisemitism on campus. Harvard President Alan M. Garber, in a letter to the university community, called the funding freeze a direct threat to critical research, particularly in disease prevention and treatment. "The $2bn funding freeze would hamper critical disease research," Garber stated, emphasizing the potential harm to students, faculty, and global health initiatives. The freeze affects grants from agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, which support thousands of research projects and graduate student stipends. The Trump administration, however, defended the freeze as a necessary step to curb what it calls a "gravy train of federal assistance" to elite institutions. In a White House statement, officials argued, "The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families, is coming to an end". The administration's accusations of unchecked antisemitism stem from a broader campaign to scrutinize universities, with Harvard facing investigations by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. For Harvard's 20,000 students, the funding freeze could disrupt scholarships, research opportunities, and campus resources. Graduate students, who rely heavily on federal grants, expressed alarm. "This isn't just about politicsit's about our ability to do groundbreaking work," said Sarah Kim, a doctoral candidate in molecular biology. Undergraduate organizations, including Jewish and Palestinian student groups, have called for dialogue to address campus tensions, but the lawsuit risks further polarizing the community. The legal battle marks a sharp escalation in the feud between Harvard and the Trump administration, which has also targeted other Ivy League schools like Columbia and Penn. Education policy experts warn that the dispute could set a precedent for federal oversight of universities. The funding freeze follows a January 2025 executive order by President Trump, directing the Department of Education to withhold funds from institutions deemed non-compliant with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Harvard's lawsuit argues that the freeze violates due process and unfairly singles out the university without evidence of systemic failure. As the case heads to federal court, students and faculty are bracing for uncertainty. The university has pledged to maintain research and financial aid programs through its $50 billion endowment, but long-term impacts remain unclear. For now, Harvard's legal team is preparing for a protracted battle, while students are left navigating a campus caught in a high-stakes political showdown. The university has urged its community to stay informed and engaged, directing them to updates on its official website. Monmouth, OR Western Oregon University (WOU) has made history as Oregon's first public four-year university to earn the federal Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation, a milestone announced on April 21, 2025. This recognition, granted after WOU's undergraduate Hispanic enrollment reached 25% for two consecutive years, positions the university to access millions in federal grants to enhance support for Latino and low-income students. "This designation not only reflects our commitment to supporting Latino students but also enhances our ability to provide resources and opportunities that will benefit all our students," said WOU President Jesse Peters in a statement with OPB. The achievement follows years of community engagement with the Willamette Valley's Latino populations, with WOU's Latino and Hispanic student population growing by 30% since 2010. The HSI status unlocks eligibility for federal funding to bolster programs like academic advising, tutoring, and wrap-around services tailored to Latino and low-income students. "Being a Hispanic-serving institution is so much more about who we are as a community than it is about funding opportunities," said WOU's Ana Vargas, emphasizing the university's dedication to student support regardless of funding. A March 2025 report from the American Council on Education noted that funded four-year HSIs award more bachelor's degrees to Latino students than non-minority-serving institutions, highlighting the potential impact of such resources. For WOU, a small regional university with about 3,750 students, the designation comes at a critical time. The university has faced a nearly 40% enrollment decline over the past decade and ongoing budget challenges. The HSI status could provide a financial lifeline, enabling WOU to expand services like the Freedom Center, a space for students of color that opened in 2021, and initiatives like a recent $650,000 state grant to support Latinx students in the nearby Central School District. However, the timing of the designation raises concerns. The Trump administration has signaled plans to cut funding for programs perceived as race-based, potentially threatening HSI grants. Recent policy shifts, such as the March 2025 decision to bar undocumented students from federal TRIO programs, underscore the administration's focus on restricting aid. Despite these challenges, WOU remains committed to its diverse student body, with over 30% of students identifying as people of color. As WOU navigates potential federal funding cuts, its HSI status signals a commitment to transforming higher education for a growing Latino population. Students and faculty are encouraged to engage with campus resources, including the Multicultural Student Services and Programs office, to maximize the benefits of this historic designation. By Akbar Novruz Discussions on potential oil exports from Azerbaijan to the Tabriz refinery in Iran may take place during the expected visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Baku, Azernews reports via Iranian media. According to Mehr news agency, the modernization of the Tabriz refinery to process Iranian crude oil would require an investment of approximately $1.7 billion. However, adapting the facility to refine Azerbaijani oil would significantly reduce costs to around $500 million. The report also highlights that transporting oil from southern to northern Iran remains a costly endeavor for the country, which may further incentivize cooperation with Azerbaijan as a more economically viable alternative. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 22. The first-ever stone paper production facility in Turkmenistan has been launched in the Akhal region, Trend reports. The innovative product is being manufactured by the Derya Yoly company under the brand Ekoston in the Ak Bugday district. The new plant has an annual production capacity of 5,500 tons of eco-friendly paper. The product has already garnered attention at an exhibition held in celebration of the 17th anniversary of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. Stone paper is produced from calcite and polymers, without the addition of plasticizers or other toxic substances. Unlike traditional paper made from wood, its production does not require tree felling, water usage, or the emission of pollutants. The material boasts unique properties, including waterproofness, tear resistance, insect protection, and the ability to come into direct contact with food products. Stone paper is used to manufacture notebooks, albums, envelopes, greeting cards, printed materials, disposable tableware, and packaging bags. Agamyrat Babaev, the head of the Derya Yoly production department, noted that the enterprise makes a significant contribution to the import substitution program, which is being implemented in line with the economic strategy of President Serdar Berdymukhammedov. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam. Strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake at 225 km depth 22 Apr 13:32 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 3 minutes. 22 Apr 13:35: Now using data updates from GFZ ... [show all] ... 22 Apr 13:35: Magnitude recalculated from 5.6 to 5.7. Epicenter location corrected by 0.6 km (0.3 mi) towards NE. 22 Apr 13:37: Epicenter location corrected by 2.2 km (1.4 mi) towards W. 22 Apr 13:47: Now using data updates from USGS 23 Apr 14:15: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 202.14 to 225.40 km (from 126 to 140 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 2.5 km (1.6 mi) towards SW. Update Tue, 22 Apr 2025, 13:36 Moderate yet deep magnitude 5.7 earthquake 136 km east of Madang, Papua New Guinea A second report was later issued by the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake, which listed it as a magnitude 5.7 earthquake as well. A third agency, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), reported the same quake at magnitude 5.8. Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should not have caused any significant damage, but was probably felt by many people as light vibration in the area of the epicenter. Weak shaking might have been felt in Madang (pop. 27,400) located 136 km from the epicenter. VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) reported a magnitude 5.7 quake in Papua New Guinea near Madang, only 7 minutes ago. The earthquake hit late at night on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025, at 11:29 pm local time at an intermediate to considerable depth of 211. km. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.A second report was later issued by the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake, which listed it as a magnitude 5.7 earthquake as well. A third agency, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), reported the same quake at magnitude 5.8.Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should not have caused any significant damage, but was probably felt by many people as light vibration in the area of the epicenter.Weak shaking might have been felt in Madang (pop. 27,400) located 136 km from the epicenter.VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app . This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake. Update Tue, 22 Apr 2025, 13:35 Seismic-like event, possible earthquake, reported few minutes ago near Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea Unconfirmed quake or seismic-like event reported: 2 km southeast of Lae, Morobe, Papua New Guinea, 3 minutes ago We are receiving unverified early reports of ground shaking possibly caused by seismic activity in or near Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea on 22 Apr 2025 (GMT) at approximately 13:31 GMT. There are no details yet on the magnitude or depth of this possible quake. If confirmed, we can expect more accurate data to emerge in the next few minutes. The location, magnitude and time mentioned are indicative, based on our best-fit seismic model. They are temporary until our AllQuakes monitoring service receives more exact scientific data from a national or international seismological agency. Check back here shortly and stay safe. Download the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Android | iOS and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Earthquake details Date & time Apr 22, 2025 13:29:11 UTC - Local time at epicenter Tuesday, Apr 22, 2025, at 11:29 pm (Pacific/Port Moresby GMT +10) Status confirmed (manually revised) Magnitude 5.7 Depth 225 km Epicenter latitude / longitude 5.4973S / 146.9876E Papua New Guinea Seismic antipode 5.4973N / 33.012W Quality 372 seismic stations Shaking intensity III Weak shaking near epicenter Felt 22 reports Primary data source USGS (United States Geological Survey) Nearest volcano Long Island (21 km / 13 mi) Weather at epicenter at time of quake Light Rain 25.5C (78 F), humidity: 85%, wind: 2 m/s (4 kts) from NW Estimated seismic energy released 2.2 x 1013 joules (6.22 gigawatt hours, equivalent to 5351 tons of TNT or 0.3 atomic bombs!) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 5.7 | about seismic energy [ show map ] [ smaller ] [ bigger ] Quake possibly felt by 2 million people According to preliminary estimates from the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake might have been felt by over 2 million people across Papua New Guinea . For most people (nearly 100%), the quake might only have felt as barely noticeable or weak shaking if at all (intensities I-III). MMI Level Shaking (2,007,800 in total) (2,007,800 in total) Possible damage I Not felt None II Very weak (31.1%) 624,500 None III Weak (68.9%) 1,383,300 Probably none IV Light None or minor only V Moderate Minor VI Strong Minor to Moderate VII Very strong Moderate VIII Severe Significant IX Violent Heavy X Extreme Catastrophic Estimated number of people exposed to shaking from the earthquake by intensity (data coverage corresponding to attached map) Map of expected ground shaking intensity according to the MMI scale (shakemap, source: USGS) Map with population density (from white to black) in the area around the quake's epicenter (source: USGS) Alert level for this earthquake: Level GREEN Based on seismic and statistical models, USGS estimates that the risk of fatalities and damage from this earthquake is low. The main factors that contribute to this evaluation are: The maximum expected ground shaking from this quake was unlikely to reach dangerous levels over populated areas; it should not have surpassed intensity III ( Weak ) on the MMI scale significantly. ) on the MMI scale significantly. A large number of people was exposed to shaking from the quake, but only to weak intensities. The quake occurred relatively deep under the surface (225 km or 140 mi depth). This significantly weakened the shaking on the ground of this quake if compared to a magnitude 5.7 event at shallower depth. According to preliminary estimates from the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake might have been felt by over 2 million people across. For most people (nearly 100%), the quake might only have felt as barely noticeable or weak shaking if at all (intensities I-III).Based on seismic and statistical models, USGS estimates that. The main factors that contribute to this evaluation are: Comment Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and unreinforced brick masonry construction. A magnitude 6.9 earthquake 103 km southwest of this event struck this region on October 13, 1993 (UTC), with estimated population exposures of 286,000 at intensity VII and 30,000 at intensity VIII, resulting in a reported 60 fatalities. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses. Source: USGS Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Expected fatalities The risk of fatalities from this quake is considered low and classified as Level The risk of fatalities from this quake is considered low and classified as Level GREEN , the lowest on a color scale from Green (low) to Red (very high). USGS estimates that there is a 65.3% chance that there are no direct fatalities as effect of shaking and a 30.2% chance that between 1 and 10 fatalities occurred. The likelihood that there are more than 100 fatalities is less than 1%. Expected economic damage The economic impact of this earthquake is expected to be minimal or small (Level , the lowest on a color scale from Green (low) to Red (very high). USGS estimates that there is a 65.3% chance that there areas effect of shaking and a 30.2% chance that between 1 and 10 fatalities occurred. The likelihood that there are more than 100 fatalities is less than 1%.The economic impact of this earthquake is expected to be minimal or small (Level GREEN ). Only light damage if any should have occurred. USGS calculates an 65.3% chance of total economic loss in the range of 0-1 million US Dollars and a 30.2% risk of losses between 1 and 10 million US Dollars. Total economic loss from this quake is not likely to surpass 10 million US Dollars (less than 1% chance). ). Only light damage if any should have occurred. USGS calculates an 65.3% chance of total economic loss in the range of 0-1 million US Dollars and a 30.2% risk of losses between 1 and 10 million US Dollars. Total economic loss from this quake is not likely to surpass 10 million US Dollars (less than 1% chance). Ground shaking from this quake Map of estimated ground shaking (source:USGS) Ground accelleration map for this quake Map of estimated ground accelleration (source:USGS) Most recent quakes Top 20 past 24 hrs Quakes in Papua New Guinea Compare Quake Data Data for the same earthquake as reported by different agencies The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision. Mag Depth Time GMT 2025-04-22 Epicenter Agency 5.7 225 km 140 mi 3.9 km 13:29:11.759 135 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea Epicenter uncertainty: 7.2 km USGS (United States Geological Survey) 5.7 212 km 132 mi 13:29:10.2 0.23s EASTERN NEW GUINEA REG., P.N.G. 2 km (1.2 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 3.6 km EMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre) 5.7 208 km 129 mi 13:29:10 Papua New Guinea Region 7.5 km (4.7 mi) epicenter difference with USGS RaspberryShake (RaspberryShake) 5.2 206 km 128 mi 13:29:10 Papua New Guinea Region 6.7 km (4.2 mi) epicenter difference with USGS BMKG (Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency of Indonesia) 5.4 0.32 198 km 123 mi 6.7 km 13:29:09.936 0.64s Event of magnitude 5.4, near of Lae 3.7 km (2.3 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 3.7 km RENASS (Reseau National de Surveillance Sismique (ReNaSS)) 5.8 0.2 193 km 120 mi 13:29:09.559 Papua New Guinea [Sea] 11 km (6.9 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 14 km INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia) 5.67 207 km 129 mi 3.4 km 13:29:10.54 0.32s Papua New Guinea Region 7.4 km (4.6 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 3.8 km GFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences) 5.7 225 km 140 mi 13:29:11 eastern new guinea reg., p.n.g. 0 km (0 mi) epicenter difference with USGS IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology) 5.7 202 km 126 mi 2 km 13:29:09.933 0.19s Papua New Guinea Region 7.2 km (4.4 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 2.9 km GeoAu (Geoscience Australia ) Aftershocks for this quake No aftershocks have been recorded so far. When aftershocks are detected, we will update this section. What are aftershocks? Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known as aftershocks that occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock. [More info] Aftershocks are typically at least one order of magnitude smaller than the main shock. Their size and frequency decreases with time. What about this quake? Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likely ruptured beneath a surface area of approximately 50 km2 (19 square miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 12 km (8 mi). [More info] Aftershocks for this quake can be expected to occur during the days and few weeks following the quake at or near the same fault, at distances of up to approx. two times the length of the rupture zone, or in this case 25 km (15 mi). The often broadly linear arrangement of aftershock epicenters encompasses the rupture zone of the main shock ( Aftershocks for this quake can be expected to occur during the days and few weeks following the quake at or near the same fault, at distances of up to approx. two times the length of the rupture zone, or in this case 25 km (15 mi). The often broadly linear arrangement of aftershock epicenters encompasses the rupture zone of the main shock ( see map below ). Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known asthat occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock.Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likelyas a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 12 km (8 mi). Recorded aftershocks, latest first (0 quake) Date and Time GMT Mag Depth Distance Region Details Apr 22, 2025 11:29 pm (Port Moresby) 9 weeks ago - felt 5.7 225 km 0 km - This quake Bismarck Sea, 24 km SW of Long Island, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea Main Shock (this quake) More Map of aftershocks No aftershocks have been recorded so far. When aftershocks are detected, we will update this section. While Sun Tzu was storming Wall Street [1], on a very special Thursday for the stock market, the United States and Russia were negotiating constructively in Istanbul [2], and the next day, Steve Witkoff (SW), Trumps special envoy for the Middle East and Russia, held a successful four and a half hour meeting with President Putin and Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlins top economic advisor [3]. I have already reported that Russia is playing a mediating role between the United States and Iran [4]. As I mentioned [5], SW traveled from St. Petersburg to Muscat, capital of the super-strategic Sultanate of Oman (the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf): population: 4.64 million; area: 309,501 square kilometers; GDP in purchasing power: $222.6 billion. The astonishing diplomacy of most of the Arab petromonarchiesSaudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Omanplays a crucial role as a bridge between the three world superpowers. The mediator, Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, declared that the talks "took place in a friendly atmosphere, conducive to building trust" [6]. The White House declared that "discussions with Iran were very positive and constructive." The two sides agreed to hold a second round next Saturday. "Our message to Iran: President Trump prefers a diplomatic solution." [7] Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, for his part, declared that the first round of indirect negotiations (sic) had been "constructive and promising." [8] The Financial Times reports that the two negotiators met briefly (!) at the end of the talks [9]. The negotiations are taking place under a triple sword of Damocles: 1) the threat of Netanyahu bombing Irans nuclear power plants, which would trigger a regional Armageddon. At best, the minimum acceptable to the Israeli Prime Minister would be a Libyan-style solution, namely an invitation to suicide and regime change in the Persian country; 2) Trumps categorical refusal to allow Iran to build nuclear bombs, which the liar Netanyahu is inventing and which, according to him, the Iranian nation possesses; and 3) the stifling sanctions imposed by the United States, which have caused economic devastation in Iran and the sharp devaluation of its currency, the rial. According to Iran Observer, "Iran has proposed to the United States a denuclearized Middle East, including the complete denuclearization of Israel [10] [11]." Interestingly, this is the proposal your servant made several decades ago, for a "Tlatelolco Treaty for the Middle East," which has been in the pipeline since I was a founding member and board member of the Federation of Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), a body that received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985 [12]. My proposal was inspired by the Treaty of Tlatelolco, which earned the Nobel Peace Prize (1982) to one of Mexicos excellent foreign ministers, Alfonso Garcia Robles, with whom I had discussed this subject at length during a conference we attended in Copenhagen. [13] According to Russia Today, "Iran has asked the United States to support the denuclearization of the Middle East," which implies officially declaring Israels clandestine nuclear arsenal. Moreover, Iran is currently seeking the release of $6 billion from its Qatari accounts from oil sales negotiated with the Biden collective. It is worth recalling here the opinion of the renowned Israeli strategist Zvi Barel, who asserts that "Trump today faces a dilemma: choosing between Netanyahu and Israel, two opposing and hostile entities." [14]. Israels omnipotent multimedia propagandists are fanning, in a synchronized and convenient manner, the nuclear fire of discord, first against Iran, while allowing themselves to claim that the nuclear bombing jointly ordered by Netanyahu and Trump will take place in October. But will Russia, China, and India allow it? After explaining Donald Trumps efforts against "American imperialism" and the federal bureaucracy [1], I would like to turn to his economic actions and particularly to his approach to customs duties. Initially, Donald Trump was not a politician, but a business leader, and it was as an entrepreneur that he entered politics in the 1980s. He published a full-page advertisement in three major US newspapers to denounce the trade imbalance between his country and China. He thus opposed American globalization, which made the United States the center of the Empire and China "the workshop of the world." He only entered politics later, first alongside the Clintons, then by supporting the Tea Party, and finally by taking over the Republican Party. To understand Donald Trump, we must always keep his background in mind: he is neither a Democrat nor a Republican, but a "Jacksonian" [2]. And his hobbyhorse is to bring the production of consumer goods back to his country. It is much easier for us to understand his adversaries in the United States because they almost all operate not from their experiences, but from their single ideology: "American imperialism." And we must keep in mind that, generally speaking, academics confuse economic ideologies, which they discuss, with the functioning of the real economy, which they ignore. When, as federal president, Donald Trump reformed the economy, he announced that he wanted to Make America Great Again (MAGA), that is, to make America a great power again. He specified that he did not intend to wage wars, but, like President Andrew Jackson, to replace them with international trade. We must therefore understand MAGA not as making America a great military power, but as a great economic power, that is, to make America great again. Andrew Jackson was neither a free trader nor a protectionist. He saw tariffs not as a means of protecting American production from its international competitors, but as the only way to finance the federal government. This is precisely Donald Trumps position today: he intends to eliminate all federal taxes and finance his administration solely through tariffs. However, he allows each state to levy the taxes it deems essential. With this framework established, Donald Trump is organizing the transition from the old system to the new according to his method, which he described in his book, The Art of the Deal: destabilizing his interlocutors. He began by announcing widespread and prohibitive tariffs, then agreed to reduce them to 10% for three months, except for China. Everyone then rushed to his feet, both to thank our good "master of the world" for these taxes and to beg him not to raise them too high. The absolute example of this submissive approach was provided by Giorgia Melonis Italy. The Prime Minister presented herself as a groupie of the ogre who imposed everything on her [3]. On the contrary, the opposite example was provided by China, which initially reacted by imposing reciprocal customs duties, then changed its mind. It then chose to respond "Chinese style," that is, in an area where it was not expected: it interrupted its collaboration with the two global semiconductor giants, ASML and TSMC, significantly slowed the export of "rare earths" used in high-tech equipment, both civil and military, and banned the import of Boeings. In the absence of stockpiles, in a few weeks, the United States will no longer have semiconductors or spare parts for its missile engines, radar systems, guidance sensors, anti-corrosion coatings, target designation lasers, seeker heads, tactical drones, fighter jet engines, and electronic warfare systems. Without delay, President Donald Trump exempted high-tech consumer products from taxes: personal computers, cell phones, etc., but not the raw materials and components essential to the military-industrial complex. Thats where we are. In a few weeks, the military-industrial complex, not just the United States, but Western (including Italian) countries, will have to declare a lockout of its factories. From Donald Trumps perspective, the United States is no longer a successful economy because it no longer produces consumer goods, but mainly weapons and "financial products." It become, in practice, a war economy. He therefore intends to tighten the belt of the military-industrial complex and develop local production, particularly that of "rare earths" and fossil fuels essential to modern industry. Contrary to popular belief, rare earths are not rare in themselves. They exist everywhere; it is the filtering capacity of these minerals that is rare. Today, 90% of them are in China. President Trump has therefore found, in the current standoff, an argument for exploiting US "rare earths," a resource that environmentalists of all stripes oppose [4]. Indeed, it is difficult to extract them without depleting water reserves and polluting neighboring regions. Just as the libertarianism of DOGEs Elon Musk masks Donald Trumps desire to restore to the states functions performed by the federal government, outside the Constitution, so the positions of his Trade Advisor, Peter Navarro, mask his own economic views. Navarro, a former Harvard economics professor, is a controversial figure known for warningin a very graphic wayabout the imbalance in relations with China. He told NBCs "Meet the Press" [5] on April 13 that the Trump team is not surprised by the reactions, including those from China, to the tariff increase. But this does not mean that President Trump is anti-China. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who fails to understand her political opponents and dismisses them as unscrupulous, money-hungry billionaires, accused President Trump and his entourage of imposing tariffs solely to enrich themselves through insider trading. She therefore urged the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to open an investigation into the personal fortunes of Trump and Musk. She told CNNs "State of the Union" [6] on April 13 that the Trump administrations recent exemption for cell phones, personal computers, and other electronic devices was a "special deal" with Apple CEO Tim Cook, who donated $1 million to him at his inauguration. "As if the chaos werent enough, hes adding a very visible layer of corruption!" [7]. With all due respect to former Harvard economics professor Ms. Warren, whats happening is neither corruption nor a desire to enrich oneself at the expense of the poorest, but a war. Not a war between the United States and China, but between two forms of capitalism on a global scale: that of producers versus that of assemblers [8]. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 22. A Turkmen delegation held separate meetings in Seoul, South Korea with the leadership of Kookmin Bank and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (K-Exim) to explore prospects for expanding cooperation in the banking, medical, and industrial sectors, Trend reports, citing the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Korea. During talks with the Chairman of Kookmin Bank, the Turkmen side was represented by Rahimberdy Jepbarov, Chairman of the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs, Deryageldi Orazov, Chairman of the State Committee for the Construction of the City of Arkadag and Dowrangeldi Sapbaev, Head of the State Concern Turkmenhimiya. The Turkmen delegation emphasized its interest in strengthening ties between the financial institutions of the two countries and proposed the possibility of signing a framework cooperation agreement. Representatives of Kookmin Bank expressed readiness to explore potential areas of partnership. Special attention was given to the involvement of South Korean companies in the implementation of a medical cluster project currently under development in the city of Arkadag. On the same day, the delegation visited the headquarters of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, where they met with Bank President Yoon Hee-sung and senior officials. Discussions focused on key areas of bilateral cooperation, including projects in the gas sector, chemical industry, and healthcare. The Turkmen side expressed its readiness to continue constructive engagement with the financial institutions of the Republic of Korea. In the interim, South Korea's outbound shipments to Turkmenistan for the month of January 2025 aggregated to a total of $7.99 million. In December 2024, the export metrics registered at $12.68 million, reflecting a contraction of approximately 37 percent as we transitioned into January 2025. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Rome boosts public transport to deal with crowds. The faithful will be able to pay their final respects to Pope Francis whose body will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica from Wednesday until Friday, the Vatican said. The coffin containing the body of the late pontiff will be transferred from the Casa Santa Marta chapel to St Peters on Wednesday morning, in a procession led by the Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell. The "rite of translation" will begin with prayers at 09.00, with the procession passing through the central door of St Peter's. The ritual will conclude with the Liturgy of the Word at the Altar of the Confession, after which public visits will begin: on Wednesday from 11.00 until midnight; Thursday from 07.00 to midnight; and Friday from 07.00 to 19.00. The funeral of Pope Francis will take place in St Peter's Square on Saturday at 10.00, with the liturgy to be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. After the funeral Mass, which will be concelebrated by patriarchs, cardinals, archbishops, bishops and priests from across the world, the late pope's body will be taken inside St Peters and then to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for entombment. The Vatican's Jubilee of Adolescents will go ahead this weekend however the canonisation of Carlo Acutis has been suspended. Italy has declared five days of national mourning for Pope Francis, as Rome boosts its public transport services to cope with the extra crowds. Photo Wanted in Rome, St Peter's, 21 April 2025. In his will, Pope Francis asked for simple tomb. The Vatican on Tuesday morning released photographs of Pope Francis laid out in state in the Casa Marta chapel following his death on Monday at the age of 88. The move comes as the College of Cardinals gathers to select a date for the funeral of the late pontiff who decreed in his will that he be buried in a simple underground tomb in the papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, or St Mary Major, in the Esquilino area of Rome. The funeral, whose date may be announced later on Tuesday, is set to take place this weekend. In the meantime, the body of Pope Francis is expected to be laid in state in St Peter's Basilica as early as Wednesday. In his final testament, Francis specified that he wanted to be buried "in the ground, without particular decoration" but with the inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus. The will expressed the pope's wish to be buried in Rome, not at St Peter's in the Vatican, and revealed that Francis had arranged for an unnamed benefactor to cover the costs of his burial. In addition the Vatican released a death certificate showing that the pope died following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. Photo Vatican Media Francis chose the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore as his final resting place and will become the first pope in more than a century not to be buried in St Peter's. Pope Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, is to be buried in Rome's Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore following his funeral at St Peter's on Saturday. The late pontiff had a special devotion to the church and over the course of his 12-year pontificate he made more than 100 visits to the fifth-century papal basilica. Francis would visit the basilica before and after trips abroad to pray before the Marian icon of 'Maria Salus Populi Romani' which, according to tradition, was made by St Luke the Evangelist, patron saint of painters. In choosing his beloved Santa Maria Maggiore as his final resting place, Francis will become the first pope in more than a century not to be buried in St Peter's. Francis' will specified that he wished to be buried in a simple tomb "without particular decoration" but bearing the inscription of his papal name in Latin - Franciscus - and that he had arranged for an unnamed benefactor to cover the costs of his burial. In an interview with Mexican broadcaster N+ in 2023, Pope Francis said his tomb was "already prepared" in the Rome basilica. The last time Francis visited Santa Maria Maggiore was on Palm Sunday, eight days before he died. He also visited on the way home from his 38-day hospital stay in March, when he asked the car to stop briefly outside as he said a prayer, with getting out. There are already seven popes buried in Santa Maria Maggiore between the 12th and 17th centuries, the last of which was Clement IX in 1669. Located in the Esquilino area of Rome, the magnificent church is one of the four major papal basilicas as well as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest Marian church in Rome and the first Marian sanctuary in the Western world. Interior of Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore According to legend, a fourth-century Roman couple wished to donate their possessions to the Church, and prayed for divine guidance. On the night of 4/5 August in the year 352 the Virgin Mary appeared to the couple in a vision, telling them that a miracle would reveal a site where they should build a new church. That same night so the story goes a miraculous fall of snow landed on a hill in Rome's Esquiline district. Pope Liberius is said to have travelled to the snow-covered site, tracing an outline of the planned church whose construction was financed by the wealthy couple. Although there is no historical basis for the story, the event is still celebrated each year on 5 August when the church recreates the miracle by dropping white rose petals from the ceiling. The basilica houses a relic of the Holy Crib, the manger in which Baby Jesus was laid to rest, as well as the remains of Saint Matthew and Saint Jerome. Santa Maria Maggiore is also home to the oldest sculptural nativity in the world, created in 1291 by Arnolfo di Cambio, and the tomb of Baroque genius Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Photo Vatican Media Eva Osborne A male motorcyclist in his 20s has died following a road traffic collision in Co Limerick. Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the collision, which occurred in Ardagh, Co Limerick, on Monday. Shortly after 6:00pm, gardai and emergency services responded to a collision involving a car and a motorcycle at the intersection of R521 and R523 in Ardagh village. The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. His body has since been removed to University Hospital Limerick where post-mortem examination will take place in due course. The male driver of the car was transferred to University Hospital Kerry for treatment of non-life-threatening injury. The intersection will remain closed overnight for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators tomorrow morning. A number of diversions are currently in place on the R521 and R523 roads around Ardagh village with local access only. Motorists, especially those with Heavy Goods Vehicles, are advised to take an alternative route where possible. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Dozens of Waterford locals came out for a demonstration on The Mall to advocate for housing for all people. The demonstration was held outside City Hall and was organised by the Waterford Coalition Against Fascism. Across the road outside the Menapia Building saw another protest taking place that was attended by figures like anti-immigration activist Philip Dwyer. Attendees at that protest were seen performing what appeared to be Nazi salutes along The Mall. Attendees at the far-right event perform Nazi salutes. Housing crisis Coalition member Collette Rockett commented on the housing crisis facing young people in the Deise: "I'm in college and there's people bussing in from different counties because they can't find accommodation. I know young people who would have gone off to college but can't afford it." She noted: "There's very valid issues out there but I think the important thing is to examine the issue and where it comes from, rather than blaming another group." Labour Councillor Seamus Ryan said: "I think its important that we all come together and send a strong message to those that might think otherwise [that] Waterford is a city where everyone is welcome, no matter where you come from, there is a welcome in Waterford for you." Cllr Ryan continued: "Housing in an important issue but it's an issue that faces everybody. It's not the fault of any one group of people that we have a housing situation. I think the only way we can solve that is by working together, everybody together, and try to solve this housing crisis." The demonstration comes six months after a similar event was held in Ballybricken. At that time, far-right activists held a protest on The Green, but were met with a counter-protest organised by the Coalition. Attendees at the far-right demonstration were observed and photographed making what appeared to be Nazi salutes as they walked down The Mall. Far-right activist Philip Dwyer attended the demonstration. Dwyer has been affiliated with the far-right National Party, a political party that regularly espouses white supremacist attitudes. Housing For All Waterford locals came out on a drizzling Saturday afternoon to rally in solidarity with of all people who are at risk of homelessness and to reject racist narratives about the housing crisis and immigration. Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) Waterford, Unite the Union, SIPTU, Pride of the Deise and the Waterford Council of Trade Unions were in attendance. CATU member Killian Mangan commented to the Waterford News and Star: "The government caused the housing crisis due to lack of universal public housing and a focus on housing for profit instead of housing as a right. "The increased fear and insecurity is left behind in communities because the government are planning to scrap rent pressure zones, which are the only rental protections we have, is causing massive fear which the far-right are taking advantage of." He added: "Evictions of families in direct provision, which is essentially homeless accommodation by the government, and the cost of it, is helping to legitimize the far-right and their hatred. It's helping them to grow." LGBT Community Amy O'Riordan, of Pride of the Deise and the Waterford Coalition Against Fascism, spoke to Waterford News and Star about the discrimination that people in the LGBT community face in accessing housing. Members of different communities in Waterford came together on The Mall. She said: "Fascism targets not only ethnic minorities but it also historically, has targeted LGBT community, particularly the trans community so that's why we're here today. "There's a portion of LGBT youth who are affected by the housing crisis and would make up a portion of the hidden homeless figures because if they're not getting acceptance from their family, a lot of the time they can be kicked out and become homeless service users." Amy referenced a 2020 report by Focus Ireland that detailed the rise in homelessness among the community, especially among the LGBT youth. The report stated that 'comparatively high numbers of LGBTQI+ Irish people have experienced homelessness compared to the EU average'. "Grave concerns" Waterford TD David Cullinane briefly attended the demonstration on The Mall. The appearance came days after the Sinn Fein TD made a comment on social media about the UK Supreme Court's recent decision on the legal definition of women. Deputy Cullinane referred to the decision as 'common sense' but quickly deleted the post and apologised for any offence caused. Pride of the Deise wrote an open letter in response to Deputy Cullinane's comments, referring to them as 'anti-science' and 'legitimizing discrimination' against trans and intersex people. On Saturday, Amy said that the Pride of the Deise were "happy to meet" with Deputy Cullinane over the next few weeks to talk about the issue as a community. She said: "We're looking forward to that meeting and to clear up a couple of things and to hopefully get assurances from him and from Sinn Fein as the party, that they will be standing with the community and for the community as well." Deputy Cullinan was reached for comment. Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan had paid tribute to Pope Francis, who died yesterday morning aged 88. Bishop Cullinan reflected on his numerous meetings with Pope Francis and the profound influence they had on both his own life and the wider world. He said: I am very sad to hear of the death of Pope Francis. I had seen video footage of him as he sat in his wheelchair on that well-known balcony in Saint Peters Basilica on Easter Sunday imparting his blessing to the city and to the world for the last time. He was different from his predecessor but then all popes are different and in my adult life I have been very blessed to have met three giants: Pope Saint John Paul, Pope Benedict and Pope Francis. I met Pope Francis three times. For me there was something very lovable about him and very warm. He had a great smile. I admired his courage. His gestures to the marginalised were extraordinary. I think Pope Francis has helped the world to remember the poor and to keep in mind those whom society can reject. For me he truly was a living example of the saintly man whose name he took." Bishop Cullinan also commended Pope Francis for the strength and dedication he demonstrated since assuming the papacy in 2013: Pope Francis, seemed to me had no problem with saying and doing unpopular things. He was not courting popularity. He was made of strong stuff. As he gave the blessing on Easter Sunday I blessed myself too glad to receive a blessing from this holy man, totally dedicated to God and His Church. Having just celebrated the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead I confidently pray that our dear Pope Francis will receive a kindly welcome from the Saviour and that he will rest in peace in the Fathers house. Bishop Cullinane also paid tribute to the Pope when speaking on WLRfm, which can be heard here. The National Lottery has today (22nd April) revealed that the seaside town of Tramore, Co. Waterford is the location to have sold the winning Lotto Jackpot ticket in Saturday nights (19th April) draw just a day after another Tramore man, Dillon Dunphy scooped 202,000 on the Today FM Cash Machine. The Lotto player purchased their all-important Quick Pick ticket, thats now worth an astounding 4,038,682, on Wednesday, 9th April. The winning numbers for Saturday nights Lotto draw were: 6, 18, 25, 26, 36, 43 and the Bonus was 44. The Tramore winner becomes the 6th Lotto Jackpot winner of 2025, joining the ranks of five other big winners from across the country, including Louth, Dublin, Kerry, Limerick, and Kilkenny earlier this year. This latest triumph also crowns the Lotto player the 11th National Lottery millionaire of 2025. The National Lottery will confirm the store where the winning ticket was purchased tomorrow, Wednesday, 23rd April. The National Lottery is urging all players in the Tramore, Co. Waterford to check their tickets carefully and if youre holding the winning ticket, be sure to contact the National Lottery prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie to arrange the collection of your prize. Darragh ODwyer, National Lottery Spokesperson said: What a win for Tramore! One of our Lotto players has scooped an incredible 4,038,682 and tomorrow, well be in town to officially reveal which store sold the ticket. Its a big moment for the seaside town, and were looking forward to celebrating the win on the ground. If players think they are onto a winning ticket, be sure to sign the back of the ticket and keep it safe theres a millionaire among you! Sarah Snook, the Adelaide girl made good, burst into the big leagues with her depiction of Roy family middle child Shiv on HBO hit Succession. Now, her star turn in a solo production of Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray, adapted for the stage by former Sydney Theatre Company artistic director Kip Williams, has wowed audiences in the worlds theatre capitals. Sarah Snook is appearing on Broadway. Credit: Charlie Gray After a huge run on Londons West End, Snooks show hit Broadway this year, and a few big names have already popped up at New Yorks Music Box Theatre. Last week, terrifying fashion matriarch and Conde Nast boss Anna Wintour was seen at the New York show, as was underwear mogul Calvin Klein, both in row F. Wintour snuck out during curtain calls, presumably to avoid being mobbed by the next generation of aspiring Andy Sachs. Each year the ATO issues a ruling detailing what it considers a reasonable travel allowance. If you are paid a travel allowance by your employer and dont claim more than the reasonable amount, you are not required to keep written evidence or travel records. Nevertheless, an ATO auditor will require you to prove you spent the money and the burden of proof inflicted by ATO auditors on employee taxpayers is so high, you are probably better to keep receipts for all expenses for the whole year. A new decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal has eased the burden on those claiming travel allowances on their tax returns. Credit: Michael Howard In a recent Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) case, Daniel Shaw, an employee long-distance truck driver, said he had spent more than the ATOs reasonable amount of $105.75 a day, but on advice of his accountant, only claimed that much so that he would not be required to keep written evidence. The ATO auditor in this case decided it was not satisfied with the records Shaw had, so denied him any deduction at all for food or drink while he was travelling. The Greens will back Climate 200 candidates and rebel senator Fatima Paymans party over Labor in must-win contests this election, dumping the preference-swap pact between the two parties in the bitter fallout over the battle for the marginal Melbourne seat of Macnamara. The call to direct preferences on Greens how-to-vote cards to independents, including pro-Gaza candidates in Sydney and Melbourne, is partly designed to punish Labor for its contentious decision to have an open ticket and not direct preferences to any party in Macnamara, first reported by this masthead. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Macnamara MP Josh Burns (centre) with Dr Daniel Nour on Monday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Several Labor sources and one Greens source, unauthorised to speak to the media about confidential dealings, said that some of the anti-Labor calls were driven by Greens anger that missing out on Labor preferences could rob the Greens of a chance to take the seat. Labors choice to run an open ticket in Macnamara, which has a large Jewish population, was aimed at assuring Jewish voters that Labor was not co-operating with the pro-Palestine Greens. Both leaders have made the four-hour flight to Western Australia today, reflecting yet again the importance of this state in the election calculus. At the beginning of this term it was assumed there would be a natural correction back to the Liberal Party after a huge anti-Morrison swing in 2022. But Labor has been confident for months that it will keep all four seats it picked up last time, without which Anthony Albanese would not have won a majority of seats. It even has a faint chance of picking up the new seat of Bullwinkel. The Coalitions most important WA member, Andrew Hastie, has been in the news over his lack of involvement in Peter Duttons campaign. Albanese and Dutton on the campaign trail in Perth. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen, James Brickwood The former soldier was with the opposition leader for a defence announcement in the seat of Swan today, but in Hasties own seat of Canning it is hard to find a Liberal logo as he runs a personally branded operation. Albanese has visited the state dozens of times (and is very fond of saying so). On the other hand, Dutton is less well known in Perth than any other major city, according to Liberal Party research. Duttons wife, Kirilly, spent a lot of time in WA growing up a point Dutton played up last year to gain some traction. Labors surprisingly persistent popularity here can be attributed to a few factors. A local campaign to oppose Labors decision to end the live sheep trade never generated the energy the Liberals would have desired. WA Premier Roger Cook has exceeded expectations and proved to be a wily campaigner, as shown by his thumping election win in March. And Albanese has been extremely cautious about doing anything to provoke the power players in WA, including big miners and Seven West Media owner Kerry Stokes. Labor shelving its environmental protection laws in the face of a WA backlash was proof of Albaneses willingness to upset his progressive constituency to keep West Australians on side. Deep-pocketed Chinese property buyers are more likely to search for homes in Australia compared to the rest of the world than they were a year ago. Australia was the second-highest destination for buyer inquiries on the Chinese-language listings website Juwai IQI among homes priced at $US5 million plus ($A7.78 million) in 2024. Thats a rise from the fourth highest during 2023. The Australian property market is now more appealing to wealthy Chinese buyers. Credit: Peter Rae Over the same period the US fell from the top-ranked destination to the seventh, while Thailand took over the top spot during 2024. Juwai IQI co-founder and group chief executive Kashif Ansari said Australia had risen in the rankings as wealthy Chinese buyers favoured stability and sought-after schools, as well as advantageous currency movements. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 22. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held an informal meeting with the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Trend reports. In the course of the meeting, special attention was paid to expanding cooperation in the gas sector, specifically Kazakhstan's participation in the development project of the Galkynysh field in partnership with foreign companies. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the significant potential of the construction project for the TurgundiHeratKandaharSpin-Buldak railway, noting that its successful implementation will ensure diversification of transport routes and expansion of export markets. According to him, the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway corridor and the Turkmenbashi-Garabogaz-Kazakhstan road under construction also play a key role in the development of transit potential in the North-South direction. Furthermore, the participants of the meeting discussed cooperation in the fields of education and digitalization. The Kazakh side expressed its readiness to provide comprehensive assistance to Turkmenistan in the digitalization of public services and the professional development of IT specialists. The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, is in Kazakhstan in an informal capacity. During his visit, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited several sites, including the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum in Turkestan, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 22. Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan discussed the goal of boosting trade turnover to $1 billion in the coming years, Trend reports, citing the Kazakh presidential press office. This was announced during an informal meeting between Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During the meeting, the leaders emphasized the importance of identifying new growth opportunities and discussed the prospects for further strengthening multifaceted strategic partnerships across the full spectrum of bilateral relations. "It is encouraging to witness the successful progress of our cooperation. We have strategically important projects in the gas sector, as well as in transportation and logistics. We are closely monitoring these initiatives, as their outcomes will be vital for the continued growth and sustainable development of our economic ties," said the Kazakh president. Meanwhile, Berdimuhamedov highlighted the significant potential for further cooperation in the political, trade, economic, and cultural spheres. He also expressed gratitude for Kazakhstan's support of Turkmenistans initiative at the United Nations to declare the International Year of Peace and Trust. To note, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan share a common approach to the promotion of regional development and the integration processes in Central Asia in the regional context. Kazakhstan's multifaceted foreign policy and Turkmenistan's neutral posture act as a stabilizing force and protective shield for the other countries in the region, thereby promoting a politically stable external environment. They have been consistently enhancing their economic and trade partnerships. The bilateral commerce volume has increased by fourfold in a mere five years. In 2023, it achieved a new peak of $563 million, which is a 28 percent increase from the previous year. The commercial turnover for the first half of 2024 was $237.2 million. After degree change, WSU student finds stride in communication department April 22, 2025 OGDEN, Utah Born and raised in northern Utah, Cashlin Glover took concurrent enrollment courses in high school from different universities, but only one stood out. Weber State University left a lasting impression on Glover because of the unique variety of professors. Once she graduated from Utah Military Academy, she made the decision to continue her education at WSU. At first, Glover wanted to be a history teacher, until she took a few communication courses and discovered a new appreciation for the content and her professors. She switched her major, selecting organizational communication as her emphasis, with a minor in business administration. Glover said communication is a versatile tool that helps her in all types of situations: Theres so much you can do with a communications degree. I love that I get to learn about how humans communicate and how to change it for the better, Glover said. Four years ago, she found a job at JR Automation, a company that designs and builds automated manufacturing systems. She started out in shipping and receiving as a logistics coordinator. When a full-time project coordinator position for the company opened up, Glover jumped at the chance. Now, she supports project managers by handling administrative tasks, monitoring assignments, and organizing meeting schedules. Glover enjoys connecting the things shes learning in class to her job: Every day Im implementing something new, whether it came from a comment a classmate gave to topics Im reading about in the textbook, she said. She also appreciates the academic and personal support she receives from professors. Last year, Glover faced back-to-back health challenges that caused her to miss classes. Knowing she was going to be in a lot of pain during a stressful time, she reached out to her professors, asking if she could complete her finals early. Her professors said yes, but some went beyond that. One gave her a three-week extension, so there was time to recover and focus on assignments. It was just incredible. My professors expressed genuine concern over my well-being by checking up on me and asking how I was doing, Glover said. They helped me as much as they could and bent over backwards to make it happen. Glover is working on getting better each day by taking things slow and focusing on her health. Recently, she closed on a house that she loves. She plans to graduate next year and hopes to continue working at her current job, gaining all the experience she can to be an asset in the field. Its very cool for me to have real life experiences while in school because it opens up a world of opportunities for the future she said. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit By Cate McCurry, PA Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has praised Pope Francis for reaching out to the LGBT+ community, saying it made him feel more comfortable going to church services. The 88-year-old pontiff died on Easter Monday after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said. His funeral will take place on Saturday. Mr Varadkar, who was taoiseach from 2017 to 2020 and again from 2022 to 2024, met Francis during the Popes visit to Ireland in 2018. Pope Francis shakes hands with taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Dublin Airport as he departs after his two-day visit (Maxwell Photography/PA) The former Fine Gael introduced his partner, Matt, to the Pope during their meeting. In 2023, Francis stated that laws criminalising homosexuality were unjust and that being homosexual isnt a crime. The pontiff visited Ireland for two days in August 2018, which included a visit to Knock, a meeting with victims of clerical abuse, and a visit to a homeless centre run by the Capuchin Fathers. I think the way he reached out to groups like ours, like LGBT people, did matter and certainly made me feel more comfortable going to church services, Mr Varadkar told RTE. One thing he did, which I think was significant, was he spoke out against criminalisation of gay and lesbian people. In Ireland, its easy to forget that while there are 30 countries where gay people can get married, there are 70 where its still a crime. For the Pope to speak out against that in places like Africa, is actually a real significance and bear in mind, at the moment, in politics around the world there are people who claim that God is on their side while they try to reduce the rights of LGBT people, while they try to treat migrants badly, while they try to deny climate action. Having a pope, the head of the largest Christian church, saying that refugees should be sheltered, saying that our planet was sick and that we needed to act to save it, saying that LGBT people should not be criminalised, that that did matter. I do hope that successor is of a similar mind. Mr Varadkar said during Franciss visit to Ireland, relations between the Catholic Church and the state werent very good, referring to the scandals in mother and baby institutions as well as the clerical sex abuse that took place across industrial schools. We also had been misaligned from the church in a lot of ways, on a lot of issues, he added. We had the abortion referendum, for example, earlier that year. So relations on lots of levels werent brilliant. Pope Francis arrives to attend the closing mass of his visit at Phoenix Park in Dublin But I think I saw it, and I think Pope Francis saw it as well, as an opportunity maybe for a bit of a reset, to kind of shake hands again, if you like, and agreed to have a more equal relationship. One that was more mutually respectful, one where the Church wasnt in charge of that relationship anymore in the way it was for most of our history. But also one where we were saying back that the Church has a place in our society. Francis led an open-air Sunday mass in Dublins Phoenix Park, where pilgrims attendance was a fraction of the million people who greeted Pope John Paul II at the same spot in 1979. During the Phoenix Park service, the Pope asked for forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland and for pardon for all the abuses committed in various types of institutions. Mr Varadkar said that while it was a significant gesture, he believes more could have been done. Thousands attended the mass in Phoenix Park in Dublin (PA) One thing I found very informal, bear in mind hes head of church hes also a monarch, head of government, head of state of the Vatican City and obviously his huge responsibilities, but was very colloquial in his language, very informal, Mr Varadkar added. He made the whole thing seem very relaxed, which I thought was great because I was a little bit nervous at first, and then we got to talk about different topics. Now the topics would have been flagged in advance. I was keen to talk to him about some things on behalf of the survivors of abuse and talk about the institutions that we were investigating and the compensation packages and so on. He definitely listened, definitely heard, and was sort of keen that we follow it up between the two sides at official level. One thing he did, though, which I think was very significant, was that he asked for forgiveness. I was there at the mass in Phoenix Park where he did that, and I think that was a significant gesture. Could more have been done? Can more still be done? I think so, but I dont remember a pope previously, I might be wrong, but I dont remember a pope previously confessing to the sin of what had happened and seek forgiveness. I dont think that was nothing. A community energy workshop will take place in Killala this week amid a surge in local energy project developments in the area in recent years. A decision on whether or not planning permission will be granted for the development of a data centre at the former Asahi site about 3km outside the town is due to be made by next Monday. It had been reported in local and national media that planning permission had been granted for the data centre but Mayo County Council clarified that a decision is outstanding. Mayo County Council can confirm that no decision on the application for planning permission for this development has been made. The final date for a decision in relation to this application is April 28, 2025, said a spokesperson for the local authority. A planning decision is also due to be made this week on the development of an 80MW battery energy storage system at this site, with another decision due to be made on a hydrogen plant and energy centre at the Asahi site by the end of May. Planning was also granted for a 50MW Biomass plant at this location last year and other energy projects in the area include an oil-fired power station and a wind farm. Jason McGuire, a member of the Killala Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) group which is organising the Community Energy Workshop this Thursday, told the Western People that the scale of energy developments presents Killala with challenges and opportunities. The opportunity is there in terms of creating an energy masterplan for the future of Killala but the challenge we have is to do with awareness, he said. The energy masterplan will allow us to try and make opportunities for the community and for individuals. One of things were trying to do is improve local knowledge of projects like the biomass plant and the data centre and get the word out to ensure community voices are part of the conversation. Then we can see how we can tie these things together. In an ideal world, local people would feed into these systems. Mr McGuire said he would like to see the potential for district heating tapped into in Killala should plans for a data centre manifest. In district heating systems, waste heat can be captured and sent through insulated pipes to heat nearby homes and businesses. It is something that is done in Denmark and part of the problem is creating the heat but the heat would be there [in the data centre]. District heating has been identified as a national priority. Yet current plans for the data centres and biomass plants don't include local heat supply, even though the potential exists to heat all homes in Killala and parts of Ballina and reduce dependency on fossil fuels, he said. The community energy workshop takes place this Thursday, April 24, from 6 to 8pm in Killala Community Centre. Sarah Slater The search for a man in his 50s who fell overboard from a yacht off the Waterford coast on Saturday night has been called off. The rescue began when an alert was raised by another man, believed to be related to the missing person, who was still onboard the UK-registered vessel at 10.40pm. Both men are understood to be from Wales. The operation was launched after the Coast Guard received an emergency call from the man still onboard the yacht. The UK Coast Guard was also contacted after the man said he believed the vessel was off the coast of Swansea in Wales. They were travelling from Brighton to Swansea via Falmouth. The yacht was located 16 nautical miles off the south of Dunmore East in the Irish Sea. The man onboard the yacht was taken safely to shore by search and rescue teams. Waterford-based Coast Guard helicopter 117 carried out searches for the missing man on Saturday night, assisted by a fixed-wing aircraft from the UK and the RNLI lifeboats from Dunmore East in Waterford and Ballycotton, Co Cork. Coast Guard helicopter 116 based out of Dublin joined the search operation on Sunday. A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said the search concluded at 3pm on Monday following a comprehensive operation coordinated by the Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre in Dublin. 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. With Monday's death of Pope Francis, we're looking back on our coverage of his visit to Philadelphia in 2015. One of our stories was about Berks County's Jannet Michael, who, in 2012, began to carve beautiful images into the side of all types of fruit. Three years later, the pope's visit moved her to pay homage to the pontiff in her own way. She carved his liking into the side of a watermelon. "So, I liked to have something to do, like a tribute for him, because I like carving," Jannet told 69 News in 2015. "So, I'm going to try a portrait for him. And that's what I did, and it came out. It looks nice." Jannet wasn't able to travel to Philadelphia to see the pope in person, but that didn't stop the devout Catholic from Sinking Spring from putting her inspiration to divine use. The carving took her five hours to complete. She said the eyes and the smile were the most challenging. "I just couldn't get over the detail," said Annemarie, a good friend who was able to travel to Philly to see the pope in person. She said his likeness on the watermelon is uncanny. "And he's smiling with his eyes as well," Annemarie said. "He smiles with his eyes. It's hard to put into words, but it does bring back everything I saw yesterday." Reading, PA (19601) Today Mostly sunny and pleasant with refreshingly low humidity! Great weather to celebrate the 4th of July!. Tonight Mostly clear skies and very comfortable overnight. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) and the Chinese Shenzhen Hasee Computer Co. computer technology company, have held a meeting within the framework of the China-Azerbaijan Industrial and Investment Cooperation Promotion Conference, a source in AZPROMO told Trend. In the course of the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the possibilities of localizing the production of laptops in Azerbaijan, and an agreement was reached to provide information on the market integration strategy and continue negotiations. AZPROMO and Shenzhen Hasee Computer Co. signed a Memorandum of Understanding on April 17 at a conference on promoting China-Azerbaijan industrial and investment cooperation to define the legal framework of cooperation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel By Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has met with his Kyrgyz counterpart Mirbek Mambataliyev in Bishkek to discuss prospects for cooperation, Azernews reports. The meeting took place at Kyrgyzstan National History Museum. Minister Karimli's visit to Kyrgyzstan was aligned with the Azerbaijan Culture Days, celebrated in Bishkek. During their discussions, Minister Mambataliyev expressed his satisfaction with the flourishing cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan. He also extended his gratitude towards Azerbaijan for supporting the successful execution of the Days of Kyrgyz Culture in Baku last April. In response, Minister Karimli conveyed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to the Azerbaijani delegation during their visit for the cultural festivities. Both ministers emphasized the continuous strengthening of cultural relationships between their two nations, driven by the sincere friendships among their leaders and the increasing number of mutual official visits in recent years. Minister Karimli highlighted a notable event that underscored the camaraderie between the two countries: the joint ceremony attended by President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan for the foundation laying of a secondary school in the recently liberated Agdam region. This school, currently under construction, is described as a meaningful gift from Kyrgyzstan to the Azerbaijani people. The conversation also outlined the ongoing cultural cooperation, which is progressing both within the framework of Turkic cooperation organizationssuch as TURKSOY, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, and the International Turkic Academyas well as through direct bilateral engagements. Karimli pointed to the upcoming Days of Culture for Kyrgyzstan in Azerbaijan in 2024 and the recent performance of "Dede Gorgud" by the Kyrgyz National Academic Drama Theater in Baku as significant cultural milestones. The ministers discussed the favorable conditions for enhancing cooperation across various cultural sectors, with Azerbaijan expressing a keen interest in collaboration in areas such as theater, cinema, and librarianship. Minister Mambataliyev assured that Kyrgyzstan would persistently pursue the development of cultural cooperation in all aspects. The meeting then shifted to a fruitful exchange of views on other matters of mutual interest. A pivotal outcome of the discussions was the signing of the Plan of Practical Activities for 2025-2026, aimed at fortifying the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan in the culture sector. The comprehensive plan includes provisions for expanding collaboration within international and regional organizations, and advancing connections in theater, cinematography, and beyond. Following the signing ceremony, both ministers exchanged gifts as tokens of goodwill. Minister Adil Karimli also took the opportunity to tour the Kyrgyzstan National Historical Museum, where he received detailed insights into the museum's rich history, its exhibition halls, and its collection. Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 22. Laziz Kudratov, the Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, met with a Saudi Arabian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Energy Fuad Mosa and Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Vice President of the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan. In the course of the meeting, the sides shared expertise on advancing industrial production, enhancing value chains, expanding industrial cooperation, increasing the share of localized products in investment projects, and modernizing key industrial sectors. The parties reached an agreement to develop a "local content" system in Uzbekistan, drawing on Saudi Arabias successful approach in this field. Joint working groups with relevant ministries and government agencies have been established to facilitate this initiative. These groups will thoroughly analyze the current situation and develop strategies to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote sustainable industrial development. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 22. The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation (Rosselkhoznadzor) has published a decision to lift the temporary restrictions on the import of regulated (quarantine) products into Russia from Kazakhstan, Trend reports. "Effective April 22, 2025, the temporary restrictions on the import into the Russian Federation from the Republic of Kazakhstan of regulated products specified in the decisions of Rosselkhoznadzor dated October 14, 2024, and October 18, 2024, are hereby lifted," the document states. This decision comes into force on April 22, 2025. Previously, on October 2024, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation imposed restrictions on the import of regulated products from Kazakhstan, including wheat, lentils, flax seeds, and other agricultural goods. Tech can drive blood donations South Africa must shift from finding new blood donors to building relationships with existing ones. Technology can help. The shortage of blood for medical use is a global challenge. South Africa is not exempt. Blood collection organisations such as the South African National Blood Service struggle to meet the demand for blood products, because of insufficient blood donations and the scarcity of loyal blood donors. Blood collection organisations rely on the goodwill of a few individuals who voluntarily donate blood. To maintain a sustainable supply of blood, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that at least 1% of a countrys population donate blood. In South Africa the donation rate is below this. There are two blood collection organisations in South Africa the Western Cape Blood Service operates exclusively in the Western Cape province while the South African National Blood Service, operates in the other eight provinces of the country. To increase the numbers, the countrys blood donation organisations have focused on the recruitment of new donors and awareness initiatives, using research findings that look at what motivates, and what deters, people from donating blood. But little focus has been put on the behaviour of those who already donate. I have conducted research in a bid to fill this gap. In a recent paper I examined factors influencing consumers intention to donate blood. In addition, in my recently completed PhD, I looked at the retention of existing blood donors and what drives their donation behaviour. The research suggests that blood collection organisations need to shift focus from acquiring new blood donors to building relationships with existing blood donors. Existing donors are an important cohort because they are reliable, and have higher donation eligibility and lower recruitment costs. The aim should be to drive loyalty. I considered the use of technology to encourage people to donate blood regularly. I concluded from my findings that blood collection organisations should customise appeals to various types of donors. They need to appeal to people in a personalised way if they want to drive loyalty. The drivers To understand what drives donor loyalty, it was important to understand why people donate blood. As part of my research, 658 blood donors completed the survey and I conducted interviews with 18 blood donors. The interviews revealed various reasons for donating blood. These included: Awareness of the importance of donating blood As one participant in my research put it: Ive been in and out of hospital for my kids and for my wife when she was pregnant. If I dont donate, where are they going to get that blood from? Contribution to society saving or changing someones life This was articulated by one person: Im past the point of only going for a reward, but I actually want to go, because I want to save someones life and do good in the community. Moral responsibility As one participant put it: When I dont donate blood, I feel bad because, as a universal donor, I could potentially be saving lives as my blood is not limited, as opposed to other groups. Health-related benefits, like free health checks and the requirement to live a healthy lifestyle Incentives The gifts make me feel appreciated. It makes me want to donate more and more. Beyond just donating blood, some donors also expressed that they shared their blood donation experiences with their friends, family, co-workers and on their social media platforms to encourage others to donate. The use of technology Findings from my PhD show that donors would like personalised communication from the blood collection organisations. This should include: sharing information about blood donation achievements specific to them (the donor) checking up on the donors who are not donating as they used to or may have stopped donating following up on deferred donors to encourage them to return for a checkup and subsequent donation. Deferred donors are those who were unable to donate during a donation drive because they didnt meet the donation requirements (for example they had low iron levels). reminding donors of their upcoming donations. Others shared that they would like more interactive communication beyond being told that they have saved three lives after donating blood. This could include sharing specific information about the impact of the donors donation your donation helped a cancer patient recover and stories to make their contribution more tangible. What needs to be done Research has shown that digital technologies have been used successfully to foster customer engagement, enhance customer experiences and satisfaction, facilitate communication and information-sharing, and offer opportunities to shape and influence behaviour. To achieve this, donor organisations have large amounts of donor data and other data (big data) which they can use to gain insights that can be used in the following ways. Firstly, they should analyse donor data to identify patterns and segment donors based on factors such as how long an individual has been donating, donation frequency, blood type, location, and preferred communication channels. This information can be used to tailor communication and engagement strategies to specific donor groups. Donors follow different donor paths over time and cannot be viewed as a single segment. Secondly, organisations should monitor donation trends over time. This will help to understand seasonal fluctuations, identify peak donation periods, and anticipate potential donor needs. These insights can be used to plan targeted recruitment campaigns and allocate resources. Thirdly, organisations should consider personalised communication. This could include: Targeted nudging: timely and relevant communication, like reminders for upcoming donation appointments, personalised thank-you messages, information about the donation they have made or invitations to special donor events. Multi-channel engagement: reaching donors through their preferred communication channels, such as email, SMS, or social media. Loyalty programmes: rewarding frequent donors with exclusive merchandise, discounts or special recognition, based on individual donor preferences and donation history. Gamification: using game-like elements to make communication and the donation process more engaging and fun, using challenges, leaderboards and badges to motivate donors and foster a sense of community. Predictive analytics: using data history and past events to establish donor patterns and predicts future outcomes. This data can be used to identify donors who might lapse and reach out to them with personalised communication. Relebohiseng Matubatuba, Lecturer in Marketing, University of the Witwatersrand. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping sent on Saturday a congratulatory message to Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema on his election as president of the Gabonese Republic. In his message, Xi noted that China and Gabon enjoy a traditional friendship, saying that in recent years, political mutual trust between the two countries has continued to deepen, and cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results. The two countries have firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, he added. Xi also said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Gabon relations and stands ready to work with President-elect Nguema to take implementing the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as an opportunity to promote a steady and sustained growth of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, so as to better benefit their people. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Azerbaijans Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov and Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat have held a meeting, a source in the Azerbaijani Ministry of Agriculture told Trend. According to the source, the meeting discussed the establishment of a processing industry for products manufactured in the Azerbaijani liberated territories, the export of products produced there and in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and cooperation on agricultural exhibitions held in Azerbaijan and Turkiye. During the course of the visit, the agricultural ministers engaged in a discourse regarding the current synergies in the agrarian sector and the potential for its augmentation. The stakeholders engaged in a comprehensive analysis of collaborative frameworks pertaining to fisheries with Turkiye, the transference of cutting-edge technologies within this domain, the reciprocal exchange of best practices aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on the agrarian sector, and the enhancement of trade volumes concerning agricultural and food commodities. Mammadov also participated in the "Agricultural Diplomacy Seminar" organized within the framework of the 4th Agricultural and Forestry Council held in Ankara. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Pope Francis stands on the main balcony of St. Peter's basilica for the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing to the city and the world as part of Easter celebrations, at St Peter's square in the Vatican on April 20, 2025. Last Thursday, April 17, around 50 students and workers demonstrated in front of Berlins Humboldt University against the impending deportation of four pro-Palestine activists. The rally was organised by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) and the Alice Salomon University Student Council (AStA). In the days leading up to the rally, Student Councils at Freie Universitat Berlin and Humboldt-Universitat had also joined the call. We document the entire rally here: Although the rally was completely peaceful and posed no danger whatsoever, the Berlin Senate (state executive) and the Humboldt University management responded by organising a massive police presence. A dozen police cars were stationed near the rally. The main entrance to the university was closed with a chain and police and university security guarded the entrance. Police units also patrolled other entrances and the university building, checking the student IDs of people walking past, among other things. None of the four activistsShane OBrien, Roberta Murray, Kasia Wlaszczyk and Cooper Longbottomwere ever convicted of a criminal offence. The deportation orders against them are based on unproven accusations and, above all, on the fact that they have expressed opposition to the genocide in Gaza. They have until April 21 to leave Germany. Otherwise, they face compulsory deportation. In the case of Shane OBrien, the Berlin Administrative Court stopped the immediate execution of the deportation last week until a decision has been made on an appeal against the decision in the main proceedings. However, this does not reduce the danger of deportations: the Berlin state Interior Ministry has already expressed its full determination to enforce the deportations anyway. At the rally, Tamino Wilck, IYSSE spokesperson at Humboldt University, explained that the attack on Berlin4 was an attack on the democratic rights of all. Katja Rippert, spokesperson for IYSSE Germany, emphasised that these rights could not be defended by exerting pressure on a government that used violence against opponents of the war. Instead, students should orientate themselves towards the working class and fight for a socialist perspective. Thomas Scripps, assistant national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in the UK and member of the IYSSE, emphasised the international dimensions of the attack on democratic rights and called for a united struggle. After the rally, numerous participants gathered at the information table for further discussions. We call on all WSWS readers to get in touch with us to discuss the issues further and build a movement against deportation, war and capitalism. Ahmad Othman at the Palestine Congress in Vienna [Photo by Stefanie J. Steindl/PalastinaKongress] While ministries, authorities and police are stepping up their repression across Germany against opponents of the genocide in Gaza, two genocide opponents in the Ruhr region have successfully taken legal action against their persecution. On Thursday last week, the Dortmund Labour Court declared Ahmad Othmans dismissal unlawful. The activist had been sacked by his employer, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), because he had been involved in the Palestine Solidarity Duisburg (PSDU), which was banned by the North Rhine-Westphalian Interior Ministry under Herbert Reul (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) on May 16 last year. Just one day later, the Duisburg Regional Court dropped the case against Jamal A., who had been accused of condoning criminal offences, in reference to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Ahmad Othman was one of four whose homes were searched by the police and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (as the secret service is called) on the day the PSDU was banned. He has already described the political significance of his trial in an interview with the WSWS: I know that its not just about me. If I lose, we all lose. He therefore wanted to use all legal means to get his job back. His dismissal by the state of NRW was based solely on the ban on the PSDU by the same state of NRW. The State Office for Quality Assurance and Information Technology in Teacher Training (LAQUILA), for which he worked, accused him of speaking out against the genocide in Gaza and the oppression of the Palestinians by the Israeli government. When the PSDU was banned, the WSWS had already explained that the ban criminalised any criticism of the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the German governments pro-war policy. It was a blueprint for a police state and harked back to the repressive methods of the German Empire and the Nazi dictatorship. After the current trial, Ahmad confirmed that the LAQUILA management had not criticised his professional work in any way. The only grounds for his dismissal were his expressions of solidarity with Palestine, his alleged unconstitutional views (due to his membership of the PSDU) and his legal action against the ban. Ahmad had already been suspended in June 2024 and was dismissed with effect from December 31, 2024. He had filed an action for unfair dismissal against this. The trial has now revealed that the LAQUILA management obviously believed it could get away with anything after the PSDU was banned. While accusing its employee of behaving unconstitutionally, it had itself disregarded fundamental legal rules. For example, labour judge Wolkenhauer found that the Staff Council had not been properly informed of the dismissal. The authority was unable to provide minutes of a staff meeting with Ahmad, but the letter of dismissal referred to this. It was therefore unclear whether and what information was available to the Staff Council. Ms. Melzow, head of the Central Services staff unit responsible for personnel issues, who is also a member of the Staff Council, said that she had informed the Staff Council verbally. The council had no objections to the dismissal. When asked by the judge, she could not even say how many members the staff council had. The judge did not share Ahmads fear that his dismissal was tantamount to a professional ban, and said he believed Ahmad could very well work in the private sector. The notice of dismissal implied that he might use his position as an IT worker to misuse a company network for personal purposesa blatant warning to future employers. Ultimately, the labour judge ruled that the dismissal was unlawful due to the lack of evidence that the Staff Council had been correctly informed. At the same time, he made it clear that he also considered an internal transfer of Ahmad to be possible. In response to LAQUILAs reply that the office was very small, the judge replied that the state of NRW was the employer and as such was very large. However, the states representatives and lawyers categorically refused to continue his employment. Ahmad has not received a salary since January as a result of the dismissal. He received a three-month suspension from the employment agency because LAQUILA had informed it that the dismissal was for behavioural reasons. This was not true; the dismissal was for personal reasons. This is another way in which the state authority is trying to subject Ahmad to repression. There are many indications that LAQUILA will lodge an appeal and possibly follow up with a new dismissal. For the time being, Ahmad remains on leave until further notice and the state must continue to pay his salary. The proceedings are likely to continue for some time. The success at the Dortmund Labour Court is therefore only a partial success. The fight against genocide and war and the defence of democratic rights requires the mobilisation of the working class on the basis of a socialist programme. Nevertheless, the legal success is significant. The state of NRW has failed to summarily throw Ahmad out on the street because of his political convictions. Jamal at the pro-Palestinian demonstration in Duisburg on October 9, 2023 One day later, Palestinian Jamal A. was also successful in his appeal before the Duisburg Regional Court. He was charged with supporting and condoning criminal offences (by Hamas) and was also convicted by the lower court. Jamal A. was in Duisburg on October 9, 2023, two days after the Hamas attack, at a demonstration in support of the Palestinian liberation struggle. There were almost more media representatives than participants at this demonstration, which was organised on short notice. All public service media, private broadcasters and above all the right-wing Springer press pounced on the supporters of Palestine and raged wildly against them. In many other cities, too, there was not a single demonstration in those first few weeks where a camera crew from RTL, Spiegel Online, Welt and other media outlets did not appear and ask the opponents of the oppression of the Palestinians why they were supporting or even celebrating Hamas terrorism, only to denounce them afterwards. Here began the now widespread nationwide denunciation of opponents of genocide as antisemites in order to lay the groundwork for prosecuting any opposition to war, genocide and their consequencessuch as redundancies and social cuts. Welt reporter Petra Wagener also harassed Jamal on October 9, 2023. She did not ask him why he was taking part in the demonstration but brazenly accused him of celebrating the deaths of Israeli women and children. Jamal rejected this but was repeatedly pressured by Wagener until he said, If you want to free yourself, everything is legitimate. Welt interpreted this statement as support for the kidnappings and murders by Hamas and the Duisburg public prosecutors office subsequently brought charges against Jamal. While Jamal was found guilty in the Duisburg District Court, and sentenced to 40 days imprisonment, the presiding judge of the regional court, Behmermann, dropped the case after a relatively short hearing in exchange for a fine. Jamal and his lawyer referred in court to other interviews in which he had spoken out against violence and in favour of peace between Jews and Palestinians, including an interview with Heute Journal and the WSWS. Judge Behmermann explicitly referred to the reporting of the Springer press. It was not surprising how reporter Wagener had proceeded, the judge said. The Springer press was known for its pro-Israeli reporting. She wanted [you to say] the sentence that you then said, the judge said, addressing Jamal. She was probably even pleased about her journalistic success. He also recognised Jamals personal background, having fled to Germany from Palestine as a teenager. I know your life story as it is described in the files. You are also visibly agitated in the interview. You must be seething like a volcano. He discontinued the proceedings on this basis in return for a payment of 1,000 to the charity Kindernothilfe. I can live with that, said Jamal, who would have liked to have paid the money to children in Gaza. BEIJING, China, April 22. As part of the state visit of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to the Peoples Republic of China on April 22, a number of documents were signed between Azerbaijans Ministry of Energy and the Chinese companies, Trend reports. The documents signed included: the Investment Agreement on the 100 MW Gobustan Solar Power Plant Project between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and "Universal Solar Azerbaijan" LLC; an Implementation Agreement between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and China Energy Overseas Investment Co. Ltd. on the assessment, development, and implementation of an offshore wind energy project in Azerbaijan; an Implementation Agreement between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan, China Datang Overseas Investment Co. Ltd., and SOCAR Green LLC on the assessment, development, and implementation of a 100 MW floating solar power plant project with a 30 MW battery energy storage system in Lake Boyukshor; an Implementation Agreement between the Ministry of Energy, PowerChina Resources Limited, and SOCAR Green LLC on the assessment, development, and implementation of a 160 MW solar power plant project (to be exchanged); a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the Electric Power Planning and Engineering Institute of the Peoples Republic of China on the development of renewable energy and planning of the electric power system; a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan, SOCAR Green LLC, China Datang Overseas Investment Co. Ltd., and PowerChina Resources Limited on the development of a 2 GW offshore wind energy project in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. A Communication Workers Union (CWU) Letter to Branches (LTB) titled USO Update on Pilot Sites is the latest self-serving justification by CWU top officials for trialling Royal Mails plans to overhaul the mail service, implement mass job cuts, and hike up workloads. Signed by CWU Deputy General Secretary (postal) Martin Walsh and Assistant Secretaries Davie Robertson and Tony Bouch, the letter purports to bring Branches and members up to date on the first pilot sites nationally and wider USO reform. The six-page letter (dated April 15) amplifies the CWUs pro-company messaging on the dismantling of the Universal Service Obligation (USO). It defends Ofcoms deregulation of the postal service, repeating the mantra of billionaire Daniel Kretinsky and his EP Group that the USO is financially unsustainable. CWU Letter to Branches: "USO Update on Pilot Sites", (screenshot) April 15, 2025 [Photo: cwu.org] Walsh and his sidekicks explain, Royal Mail and the CWU agreed four overarching principles on which the success of the pilots will be based. These principles include making sure the workforce meets commercial targets and Ofcom targets and making sure the Optimised Delivery Model (ODM) achieves a 90% quality of service target for first class letters. The CWUs other criteria for judging the trials a success, include ensuring workload is fair, manageable and achievable, reducing fatigue, improving attendance patterns with more Saturdays off, and improving morale and confidence in the workplace. But these are a smokescreen behind which the CWU has agreed to enforce Kretinskys dictates. The ODM will cut the number of routes, and increase call rates by up to a third, with longer time spent on delivery stretching over 5 hours. Extra Saturdays off are to facilitate longer weekday hours and a rotation between core and combined routes to remove delivery workers from any fixed duty. The LTB is a continuation of the CWUs damage limitation exercise in the face of mounting criticism from postal workers over the USO Reform Pilot Terms of Reference signed by Walsh in December. The CWU also signed an Enablers Letter with Royal Mail: Working together to create the right platform to introduce USO Reform. Walshs USO pilot update was promised by him on March 22, as part of a public attack against the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) and Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC). WSWS articles exposing the USO pilots and calling on postal workers to organise resistance, were widely read. A WSWS article on March 18, exposed the CWUs clampdown on opposition to the pilots at Cumbernauld in Scotland, where a workplace meeting in January heard delivery workers concerns about the pilots being unworkable. But a motion to oppose the pilots to defend postal workers jobs and conditions, was blocked by the workplace rep, one week before Cumbernauld was co-opted into the trial. Walsh was unable to refute a single word reported by WSWS, but he announced a visit to Cumbernauld delivery office as proof of engagement with members. He promised, Following my attendance in Cumbernauld we will release a further communication including interviews with members within the unit. The Truth will prevail. While his latest LTB is ostensibly an update on progress, it is clear the CWUs pro-company reforms are encountering a rocky reception, with just 6 of the 37 pilot sites underway. Its presentation of progress at Newton Mearns, Cumbernauld, Girvan, Ballymena, Ayr, and Antrim is an airbrushed account, side-by-side vague admissions that some all-mail core routes are not clearing and of the need to find solutions to fatigue. Tellingly, the CWUs update includes no testimonials from rank-and-file workers at any of the pilot sites. The LTB confirms the central contention of WSWS: that the CWU hierarchy is enforcing the USOs dismantling, in partnership with Kretinsky, Ofcom and the Starmer government. They are operating as an industrial police force for management. This involves not only ending six-day delivery of second-class letters, but reductions in quality-of-service targets for both, with First Class next day delivery targets reduced from 93 percent to 90 percent. The CWUs LTB offers open endorsement for Ofcoms attack on the USO, once again crying poor on behalf of EP Group: in its current form the USO imposes substantial unnecessary costs on Royal Mail because it requires provision of a service which is greater than generally required by postal users. This is a massive slap in the face of postal workers and the general public. Walsh & Co are fooling nobody with their throwaway line in the LTB: We have not agreed as yet to full USO reform. Especially as their faux disclaimer is followed up with threats that unless the ODM is accepted, the alternative is a reduction of the USO to 3 to 4 days. There is no end to the CWUs collusion. The goal posts are simply moved further back, with postal workers carrying the burden of longer hours, backbreaking workloads, and a brutal regime of performance management. The LTB states, Where there are potential job reductions these will be resolved through a combination of not filling vacancies ahead of deployment and voluntary redundancies. This is an open admission that the CWU-Royal Mail ODM means further mass job destruction, deepening a regime of workplace revisions that has forced thousands to quit. Walsh stated callously last November that only 1,000 job losses would result from USO reform as 6,000 would be through natural wastage. This is in addition to slashing the workforce by 10,000 in 2023/4. The USO pilots are mired in crisis, with the start date at most of the 37 trial offices pushed back to May. There is no support for the dismantling of the USO among postal workers or the public, and there is outright disgust over yet another vital service being handed over exclusively to billionaire oligarchs and asset-strippers. This sentiment must be transformed into active opposition through the development of a rank-and-file network uniting postal workers across delivery offices, mail centres and Parcel Force. Such committees must champion workers interests, not corporate profit, breaking the grip of the CWU bureaucracy. We encourage postal workers to attend this Sundays online meeting of the PWRFC on April 27 at 7 p.m. The meeting will expose the attacks on the USO at pilot and non-pilot offices and discuss a fighting strategy to oppose Kretinskys war plans against the mail service. It will hear from postal workers internationally engaged in the fight against the same play book employed by the corporate oligarchy. Register now and make plans to attend. The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature. Latin America Teachers stage protest in Sao Paulo, Brazil over privatization On Tuesday, April 15, educators marched and rallied in the city of Sao Paulo against the privatization and the transformation of full-time teachers into contingent employees. More than 2,000 teachers marched in Sao Paulo and rallied at the City Hall building. Sao Paulo public school system education workers are facing harsh attacks on wages, jobs and working conditions from both Sao Paulo and from the Lula administrations 2023 budget-cutting Fiscal Scaffold (Arcabouco Fiscal). Among these attacks, the mobilization was a rejection of hunger wages and the Lei 18,221 law, which significantly reduces wages, working conditions and benefits for readapted teachers (laid-off teachers forced into temporary status). The demonstrators denounced these measures as setting the stage for the privatization of public schools in Sao Paulo. Both parties are far apart in terms of wage demands; educators have rejected a 6 percent wage increase over two years (in wages and food stamps); they are demanding a 44 percent wage increase. The rally was tightly controlled by bureaucrats of the teachers trade union (Sinpeem), which restricted the use of the open mike to pre-selected teachers. Sao Paulo educators are set to strike on April 25. However, the municipality is mandating that 70 percent of schools stay open, under penalty of large fines against the union. Argentina police again repress pensioners protesting Milei administration cuts On Wednesday, April 16, police repressed the weekly protest rally at the National Legislature in defense of their rights and incomes under attack by the Milei administration. The police, under orders of Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich, used tear gas and batons against the pensioners, corralling them and forcing them off the street. Members of the Buenos Aires Press Union (SipreBA) reported that several protesters were arrested, others were wounded. The protest of retirees in front of the Legislature takes place every Wednesday, even though repression is the only answer they get to their demands. This afternoon people were arrested and wounded, and, once again, members of the press were tear-gassed. We will continue supporting, covering, and condemning, declared a press union spokesperson. The retirees are demanding increases in their pensions, and that the cost of medications be covered 100 percent. Argentina customs employees strike for 48 hours Workers employed by the National Customs Agency went on a 48-hour sit-down strike across the nation on April 15 and 16. The sit-down affected ports and other entry points in Argentina. Workers allowed the free passage of merchandise and travelers without exercising any type of government-mandated controls. The strike issue was wages. Real wages for customs workers have fallen 50 percent. Monterrey, Mexico workers protesting transit fares attacked by police On April 18, scores of workers in the industrial city of Monterrey, Mexicos second largest by population, were set on by police while holding a protest over transit fare increases. Following a rally at city hall, the demonstrators had planned to picnic at a nearby park. Instead, they were attacked by Civil Force gendarmes as they approached city hall. One demonstrator, 38-year-old Luis N., was brutally assaulted and arrested. As of this Sunday, the police had not released information about the arrested protesters location. The demonstrators, organized by the Transit Users Collective (CVDLU) were protesting the imposition of a 13 percent increase in one-way transit fares (from 15 to 17 pesos), to take effect gradually in monthly increases over the course of this year. According to one of the demonstrators quoted by ABC news: It is unacceptable that we are asked to pay more for ever-worsening [transit] services. The buses are way below minimal quality standards. The frequency of services is minimal and when a bus does arrive, it does not stop where it should, it is crowded with people, and dirty. The CVDLU is a Social Democratic NGO, dedicated to monitoring and exposing the deteriorating conditions of Monterrey transit systems. Linked to their transit fare protests, the Collective is also campaigning for the removal of the governor of the state, Samuel Garcia. This was the latest of several protests in Monterrey that have taken place since the fare increase went into effect on January 14 of this year. United States Indiana casino workers strike over wages and retirement benefits Casino workers at Caesars Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino in Elizabeth, Indiana, launched a strike April 14 demanding improved wages and retirement benefits. Members of Teamsters Local 89 and Operating Engineers Local 399 voted to strike by a 98 percent margin at the end of March, one month after the old agreement expired and in the wake of months of fruitless negotiations. All were asking for is the ability to support our families and retire with dignity. This property makes more than enough money to do right by us, declared Heather Emily, a cage cashier. The casino is owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and raked in over $240 million in revenue during 2024, breaking previous records. Negotiations resume in five-week old Cummins strike in Wisconsin Negotiations between Cummins Corporation and the union representing 90 striking manufacturing workers at the companys Oshkosh, Wisconsin plant are to resume April 22. Members of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 291 walked out on strike March 18 after company management pressed workers to accept mandatory Saturday overtime as well as create a temporary workforce. Previous contract language barred the use of temporary workers. Local 291 President Ryan Compton told NBC 26 that the proposal would erode our membership Were just very much against the whole system My opinion is they have been told by corporate this is what we want, this is what we need, and you need to get it. Workers already are mandated to work 18 Saturdays a year. Management is seeking to increase this. The Oshkosh plant manufactures heavy duty axles for construction and military vehicles. Cummins is a global company with 70,000 employees and facilities in 197 countries and territories. Its revenues in 2024 were $34 billion. Canada British Columbia health care workers rally at Victoria legislature Hundreds of healthcare workers including nurses, home and long term care workers and striking lab technicians, all members of the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU), rallied at the BC provincial legislature last week to demand that the NDP government return lab medical services to the public sector and to support the ongoing strike by more than 1,100 lab technicians at LifeLabs, the largest patient testing service in the province. British Columbia medical technicians picket LifeLabs [Photo: British Columbia General Employees Union] LifeLabs performs for-profit medical lab testing which accounts for over two-thirds of all such testing in British Columbia and provides the diagnostic results for more than 7 million patients per year. The striking medical technicians work in 129 testing laboratories across British Columbia and are now entering the eleventh week of a rotating strike to press their demands for wage equity with hospital-based lab technicians and for better health and safety protections and scheduling processes. Technicians at LifeLabs in the province are paid between 4 and 16 per cent less than hospital workers who perform the same job. Due to provincially mandated essential services regulations, workers are required to rotate their strike activity. In language that echoes that of the Nazis against those unworthy of life, the long-serving Republican mayor of Lancaster, California, R. Rex Parris, recently suggested that the citys homeless population should be given free fentanyl as much as they like and expressed his desire for a federal purge to eliminate them. Lancaster California Mayor R. Rex Parris [AP Photo/Reed Saxon] Parris is not just a deranged individual. He has been elected repeatedly as mayor of Lancaster, an industrial city of 167,000 located in northern Los Angeles County, and a production hub for the US military, home to facilities run by Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Honeywell. During a City Council meeting in February, Parris declared that one solution to homelessness would be to give them free fentanyl all the fentanyl they want. As grotesque as this suggestion wasproposing to accelerate the death of the most vulnerable by allowing them to overdose on the drugParris had not yet touched bottom. In an interview with Fox LA last week, Parris doubled down, issuing a bloodcurdling demand: Quite frankly, I wish the president would give us a purge. Because we do need to purge these people. The language could not be more explicit. Borrowing from the dystopian fantasy of a violent, lawless extermination spree popularized in the film series The Purge, Parris has called for state-sanctioned mass murder. Attempting to dress up his sociopathic sentiments as concern for public safety, Parris made sure to demonize the homeless population as a criminal menace. They are responsible for most of our robberies, most of our rapes, and at least half of our murders, he claimed, offering no evidence for this vile smear. Adding religious incense to cover the stink, Parris concluded his interview by invoking the Bible, paraphrasing a passage in the New Testament, 2 Thessalonians 3:10, which states: For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. Accordingly, death by starvation to supplement death by overdose. A licensed attorney who has held office since 2008, Parris is a seasoned operator in the ways of the American political establishment. Authoritarian posturing is his element. This is the same man who in 2020 argued that anyone who knowingly spread COVID-19 should be charged with murder, a position that substituted law-and-order rhetoric for public health measures, which were being abandoned by the Trump administration. The mayor has repeatedly fused religion and governance, advocating policies that trample the separation of church and state. His city has led the way in high-tech surveillance of its residents, deploying drone patrols under the pretext of public safety, long before the mainstreaming of such dystopian tools. And yet, as repellent as Parriss character is, this is not merely a story of one mans reactionary pathology. His remarks are a symptom of a diseased political order: a capitalist system in advanced decay, incapable of addressing the social crises it has produced and only able to respond with escalating repression and violence. Under both Democratic and Republican administrations, American cities have become laboratories for social cleansing. Far from opposing Parriss barbaric logic, the Democratic Party has paved the way for it, California Democrats in particular. Last month, the city of Fremont, site of the first Tesla vehicle plant, voted to ban outdoor sleeping altogether, based on last years Supreme Court decision. The ordinance was repealed after a public outcry. In neighboring San Jose, the largest city in northern California, the city council has given preliminary approval to a measure proposed by Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan that would authorize police to arrest homeless people if they refused to go to shelters three times. Homelessness cant be a choice, he told the New York Times. Government has a responsibility to build shelter, and our homeless neighbors have a responsibility to use it. Last week the San Jose City Council voted unanimously to clear the citys largest homeless encampment, including cars and RVs parked in Columbus Park, despite protests that there was nowhere else for the homeless to go, since there arent enough shelter beds to accommodate them. In Los Angeles, the Democratic political machine, led by Mayor Karen Bass and bolstered by California Governor Gavin Newsom, has waged a relentless campaign against the homeless. Newsom, in particular, has overseen the brutal destruction of encampments across the state. Under the false flag of public health and clean streets, the homeless are displaced, criminalized, and left to die on the margins. Even as the rhetoric from Democratic politicians is cloaked in the language of compassion, the reality is one of profit-driven cruelty. Los Angeles has shifted its approach to homelessness from a public welfare model to a private business model. The defunding of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and the rise of the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA) represents not a solution to homelessness, but the transformation of human misery into a lucrative revenue stream for private contractors and developers. Homelessness is now a business, and human lives are the commodity. The fascistic bile spewed by Parris finds resonance in the broader political atmosphere shaped by the Trump administration. Trumps open incitements to violence, his attacks on democratic rights and immigrants, and his celebration of lawless police brutality emboldened the far-right across the country. But the Democrats complicity is no less damning. They have given bipartisan cover for the steady march of authoritarianism while trying to launder their policies in the rhetoric of equity and reform. Parriss purge fantasy is a warning. The attacks on the homeless are only the beginning. The ruling class is preparing to extend this violence to all sectors of the population that capitalism finds inconvenient or unprofitable: the disabled, the elderly, the unemployed, the working poor, and ultimately, the working class as a whole. The decades of hard-won social programs and protectionsthe fruits of bitter class struggleare under assault, with homelessness being used to reintroduce openly eugenicist ideas into official politics. This is the logic of capitalism in crisis. A system that cannot guarantee housing, healthcare, or dignified work for millions, even in the wealthiest country in the world, has no solutions beyond violence. Its defenders, whether wearing a business suit or a mayoral sash, whether they speak from the halls of Congress or the local council chamber, will escalate their brutality as the social contradictions deepen. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., right, stands with Dr. Ben Edwards, left, outside the Reinlander Mennonite Church in Seminole, Texas, on Sunday, April 6, 2025, after a second measles death. [AP Photo/Annie Rice] Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised Dr. Ben Edwards as an extraordinary healer just one week after Edwards was seen on a video treating patients while himself infected with measles. The video was produced by Childrens Health Defense, a notorious anti-vaccination organization for which Kennedy was chairman until he stepped down after being nominated. In the video, Edwards is seen treating patients and interacting with their families while he himself clearly has a visible rash. When asked if he were suffering from measles, Edwards confirmed, saying that his symptoms began one day prior to the recording of the video: Yesterday was pretty achy. Little mild fever. Spots came in the afternoon. Today, I woke up feeling good. The clinic where the video was shot is one Edwards set up in Seminole, Texas, which is at the center of the Texas outbreak that has now infected 597 individuals, killing two. Another 62 have been hospitalized. Kennedy tweeted his praise for Edwards after visiting the community in response to the second death of a child from measles there: I also visited with these two extraordinary healers, Dr. Richard Bartlett and Dr. Ben Edwards who have treated and healed some 300 measles-stricken Mennonite children using aerosolized budesonide and clarithromycin. These treatments are unproven and not recommended for either measles treatment or prevention. The Texas State Department of Health Services refused to recommend them despite Edwards request. Edwards has also been using other unproven remedies, including Vitamin A and cod liver oil, at his clinic. Measles is standardly considered contagious up to four days prior to, and four days after, the appearance of a rash. Thus Edwards, having had a rash for only one day, would clearly have been contagious and thus placed his patients, their families, the clinic staff and his colleagues at risk. It is not clear if he had other interactions at the clinic or in the community while he was contagious with measles. Edwards attempted to deflect criticism by saying that all the patients he saw that day already had measles and thus they were not at increased risk. However, this blithe and disingenuous statement ignores the patients families and all the other individuals in the community with whom he came into contact. Additionally, there is no shortage of other doctors to see and treat these patients, thus Edwards presence at the clinic that day was not essential. Dr. Edwards choice to continue treating patients while symptomatic with measlesdocumented in video footagerepresents one of the most fundamental breaches of infection control possible, Dr. Jess Steier a public health scientist who runs the Science Literacy Lab noted on a Substack she co-authored last week. The fact that this practice reportedly continued while treating vulnerable populations, including infants and children, raises the most serious ethical and public health concerns. The danger to those people exposed to Edwards is considerable. Measles is well known as one of the most contagious viruses known to humankind. Approximately one in five unvaccinated individuals who contract measles requires hospitalization. One in 20 children with measles subsequently get a pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death from measles. One to three in 1,000 with measles die from the disease. It is therefore a grotesque ethical violation on Edwards part to expose the people on the video, and with whom he otherwise interacted while ill, to measles. His callous indifference is made all the worse by the low vaccination rates in his community, a situation he himself has helped to create. Edwards is a notorious anti-vaccine charlatan and he does not offer vaccinations at his makeshift clinic in Seminole. That Kennedy would praise this charlatan is no surprise. The Childrens Health Defense support of both men provides a direct link and shared anti-vaccination ideology between them. Although it is not known whether Kennedy was aware of the video at the time he made the tweet, it likely would have made little difference. Furthermore, Kennedys anti-vaccination agenda and enthusiasm for unproven treatments is well known and made clear by his tweet, which he made in the wake of the second tragic and preventable death of a child from measles in Texas. I think [it] is unfortunately perfectly on-brand for how he thinks that medicine should be practiced, Dr. Craig Spencer, a medical doctor and professor at the Brown University School of Public Health told Spectrum News of Kennedy. And that is what makes me remarkably uncomfortable and extremely concerned and scared for the next three-and-a-half years. The attacks on public health overseen by the Democrats and Republicans have enabled and fostered the rise of Kennedy and his anti-science, anti-public health policies. The goal is nothing less than the gutting of public health protections in the pursuit of ever greater profits, no matter the consequences for the quality of life for the vast majority of the population. The working class can only oppose this agenda and place lives over profits through its own independent socialist political program which places the needs of the population over corporate interests. Over the coming days, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) will hold a series of public meetings in which its candidates will outline the socialist and internationalist perspective they are advancing, against the threat of world war, genocide, dictatorship and social immiseration. The meetings will be held in Brisbane on April 23, and in Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle on April 27. They will also be streamed live via Zoom. See the end of this article for full meeting details. We urge workers and young people looking for an alternative to the lies and misinformation of Labor, the Liberal-Nationals, the Greens and the media to attend, tell your friends and colleagues and take part in these crucial discussions. The SEP is alone in telling the truth. The election will resolve nothing for the working class. Whichever party scrapes into office will impose an agenda of massive cuts to social spending and wages to pay for a huge growth of military spending for war. The paltry promises of the major parties on housing and cost-of-living are simply window-dressing, to hide this agenda. Their pledges which would do virtually nothing to improve social hardships even if they were enacted, will be promptly dropped after May 3. The SEPs campaign is not simply or primarily about votes. Unlike every other party, we are seeking to build a new mass party of the working class, aimed at abolishing capitalism and establishing a society based on social need, not private profit. That is why we are campaigning in key working-class areas, where our meetings will be held. These include the seat of Calwell, in Melbourne, ground zero of the social crisis caused by the destruction of the Australian car industry by the corporations, Labor governments and the unions. In Brisbane, we are contesting Oxley, a working-class seat with high levels of unemployment and poverty. We are standing in Newcastle, a key regional hub, battered by the decimation of steel jobs. And in Sydney, we are particularly campaigning in the working-class south-west areas, where there is acute housing stress, as well as mass opposition to Labors complicity in the Gaza genocide. Our campaigners are finding not only social hardship, but immense social anger. There is a growing recognition among workers that Labor, the Liberals and the Greens are parties of the banks and big business. There is intense hostility to social inequality and to war, and there is a mood that a fightback by the working class is required. That is part of a global radicalisation of the working class, including the development of mass social struggle against the fascistic Trump administration in the US, which is seeking to establish a dictatorship of the corporate oligarchy in the heart of world capitalism. Our campaign is directed to the working-class struggles that will inevitably emerge after the election. Those struggles will increasingly be of a mass scale, but they require a political leadership and perspective, based on the lessons of history, a scientific understanding of world economy and of the revolutionary role of the working class. In other words, they will need a party, which we are fighting to build. Attend our meetings to take your place in building that leadership. Brisbane: WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23 WHERE: Old Inala Hall, Rosemary St & Abelia St, Inala QLD 4077 Or click here to attend online. Melbourne: WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27 WHERE: Hume Global Learning Centre, 1093 Pascoe Vale Rd, Broadmeadows VIC 3047 Register here or use this link to attend online. Newcastle: WHEN: 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 27 WHERE: Joy Cummings Centre, 63 Scott Street, Newcastle East, NSW Register here or use this link to attend online. Sydney: WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27 WHERE: Belmore Senior Citizens Centre, 38 Redman Parade, Belmore, NSW Register here or use this link to attend online. Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Level 1/457-459 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia. A vehicle drives along the U.S. side of the US-Mexico border wall in Nogales, Arizona June 25, 2024. [AP Photo/Jae C. Hong] In the second-known case this month alone, it has been revealed the US immigration Gestapo falsely arrested and imprisoned a US citizen on bogus charges that he had entered the country illegally. After spending 10 days imprisoned at the Florence Correctional Center in Arizona, a judge ordered 19-year-old Jose Hermosillo, a US citizen, released last Thursday and the charges against him dismissed. Hermosillo was released the same day as 20-year-old Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, a US citizen born in the state of Georgia, who was detained on false charges that he had entered the state of Florida illegally. Arizona Public Media (AZPM) first reported on April 18 that Hermosillo was arrested by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents while walking near their headquarters building in Tuscon, Arizona, after he got lost. According to the outlet, which cited interviews from family members, Hermosillo, his girlfriend and their 9-month old daughter are from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and were in Tucson to visit with family members. Grace Leyva, the aunt of Hermosillos girlfriend, told AZPM that the family tried desperately to locate Hermosillo after he was arrested. After making several phone calls to local police departments the family discovered that he had been moved to the Florence Correctional Center, a Core Civic-run private prison used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a long-term holding facility and transfer hub within the deportation gulag network. Leyva told AZPM that after the family located him another member of the family drove to the detention facility some 70 miles north of Tucson but was not allowed to see him or have him released into their custody. In a court hearing on Wednesday, Hermosillos family provided his birth certificate and Social Security card, proving his US citizenship. Levya claimed that Hermosillo told agents before he was arrested he was a US citizen. He did say he was US citizen but they didnt believe him, she told AZPM, adding, I think they would have kept him. I think they would have if they would not [have] got that information yesterday in the court and gave that to ICE and the Border Patrol. He probably would have been deported already to Mexico. After a judge dismissed the charges against Hermosillo, the family said he was released late in the evening. Prior to the false imprisonment of Lopez-Gomez and Hermosillo, the Washington Post reported that at least seven US citizens have been detained or deported since Trumps second inauguration. There is no question that hundreds, if not thousands, of US citizens have been detained or even deported since ICE was created in 2003. A 2011 study estimated that since 2003, between 1 and 1.5 percent of those imprisoned by ICEover 20,000 peoplewere US citizens. The study noted at that time the US policy of deporting Mexican-American citizens and legal Mexican residents from the US has very clear parallels to the Nazi administrative expulsion and exclusion polices from 1933-1937. It also recalls the Mexican Repatriation during the Great Depression when Mexican citizens and Mexican Americans were expelled across the southern border. Up to 60 percent of the more than 300,000 men, women and children deported from the US to Mexico were American citizens. The arrest and imprisonment of Hermosillo is the latest injustice that has provoked widespread outrage among broad layers of the population. In mass protests across the United States on Saturday, tens of thousands of people, immigrant and US-born alike, denounced the Trump administrations trampling of democratic rights, including the evisceration of due process guaranteed to everyone, regardless of citizenship status under the US Constitution. Terrified that this growing anger will metastasize into a mass movement that will bring down the Trump government, on Monday the Homeland Security Department tried to claim that Hermosillo lied to Border Patrol agents and told them he was in the country illegally. In a statement on X, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin claimed that Hermosillo approached Border patrol in Tucson and stated he had entered the U.S. illegally through Nogales. McLaughlins statement contradicts the official criminal complaint submitted on April 9 by Border Patrol agent Eric R. Wood. In that report, Wood wrote that agents found Hermosillo at or near Nogales, Arizona, not Tucson. Nogales is located over 70 miles south of Tucson. Hermosillo and his family members say he has never been to Nogales. Indonesian father to US citizen facing deportation after visa silently revoked As part of the Trump administrations fascistic mass deportation operation, immigration authorities have been pioneering a new sinister tactic in which they do not alert visa holders that their visas have been revoked. Instead of informing immigrants about their changed status, immigration police are showing up at workplaces, homes and courts unannounced and kidnapping people. In a recent case from Marshall, Minnesota (pop. 14,000) first reported by the Star Tribune, 33-year old Aditya Wahuy Harsono was arrested in the basement of the hospital he works at after his student visa was revoked four days prior. Speaking to the Tribune, Harsono said he had no idea his visa had been revoked and even told agents at the time of his arrest that his paperwork was in order. Speaking to the Tribune, David Wilson, a Minneapolis-based attorney, noted the Trump administration was using a tactic called silent revocation. He said, Theyre doing it because they dont want ICE to lose the advantage of surprise. He added, Were in uncharted territory with such an aggressive approach with students and visa holders who are lawfully admitted to the US. Harsono told the paper he was not aware that his F-1 student visa had been revoked prior to the arrest. In revoking his visa, DHS cited a 2022 incident in which Harsono was convicted of misdemeanor property damage for spray-painting graffiti. Harsono told the paper he thought his arrest was linked to his political speech, specifically his participation in a April 2021 demonstration commemorating the police murder of George Floyd. At the time Harsono was charged with unlawful assembly but it was later dropped. Speaking to the Tribune, Harsono said he first came to the US in 2015 and returned to Indonesia in 2021 following the unlawful assembly arrest. Despite the arrest, Harsono was approved for a student visa to finish his MBA and returned to Minnesota in 2022 when he met his future wife. Together they have an 8-month old daughter. As of April 21, Inside Higher Ed has identified over 1,680 international students at over 250 colleges and universities who have had their student visas revoked. Over 1,000 students including Mahmoud Khalil, Momodou Taal and Rumeysa Ozturk have had their visas revoked over allegations of antisemitism, that is for speaking and writing in opposition to the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. In the midst of the Australian federal election campaign, Western Sydney University (WSU) management last week unveiled cuts and restructuring that are likely to destroy up to 400 jobs, or 15 percent of the institutions entire workforce. NTEU members meeting at Western Sydney University on June 7, 2022 Vice-chancellor George Williams held a staff webinar at which he spoke of university-wide redundancies, both so-called voluntary and non-voluntary. In addition, courses would be reset, teaching and research would be consolidated, campuses would be closed and hiring restrictions would continue. When a staff member asked if this meant whole programs would be eliminated, Williams answered ominously: I dont know. He spoke of product review. University administrations across the country have launched similar attacks in recent months, now targeting close to 3,000 jobs of academics and professional staff alike. This offensive, now reaching WSU, where I work, flows directly from the Albanese Labor governments slashing of international student enrolments, its continued under-funding of the public universities and Labors pro-business Universities Accord, which ties funding to meeting national priorities, including employer demands and war preparations. The WSU announcement, at a major university with a large working-class student enrolment, is another warning of what is to come once the election is over, regardless of which parties patch together the next government. There will be wider and deeper cuts to public education and further restructuring to satisfy the requirements of the corporate elite and the AUKUS military buildup for a US-led war against China. The WSU announcement follows the brutal precedent set by last years gutting of the workforce at WSU College, the universitys preparatory college, and the imposition of unbearable conditions on educators and students, cramming entire subjects into four-week blocks. This confirms the warnings issued by the Socialist Equality Party-supported rank-and-file committees at WSU and Sydneys Macquarie University that the WSU College restructuring is a test case for the kinds of conditions to be inflicted on the tertiary education sector as a whole unless there is a unified fight by staff and students against this historic assault. At the staff webinar, Williams spoke of the impact of the cuts to international students, low domestic enrolments, competition from Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges with fee-free courses and now cheaper degrees, and the need to reposition the university to establish a point of pro-business differentiation labelled as the Western Edge. Williams expressed concern that if the Liberal-National Coalition won the election, there would be further caps on international students. But Labor is vying to outdo the Coalition on this front, as one every other. Last December, the Labor government was so intent on cutting the numbers of international students that it resorted to issuing an arbitrary ministerial directive, despite warnings that it could be illegal. Having failed to get its proposed student enrolment caps through parliament, the government issued immigration Ministerial Direction 111, which ordered the slowing of the processing of visas for overseas students once their intended university or other tertiary education provider hit 80 percent of the governments previously announced cap. Direction 111 seeks to ensure that Labor achieves its goal of reducing enrolments by 53,000 (or 16 percent) on 2023 levels, eliminating thousands of jobs in the process in universities and private colleges. This attack on international students forms part of Labors plans to halve overseas migration to 235,000 annually for the next three years. The Coalition has vowed to cut annual net migration even further, to 160,000. Albaneses government is seeking to outdo the openly right-wing Coalition in making international students, and immigrants more broadly, scapegoats for the worsening housing and cost-of-living crisis affecting millions of working-class households. This is a reactionary nationalist drive to divide the working class, just as the Trump regime is doing with its mass deportations. In Australia, as in the US, the social crisis is not caused by foreigners. It is rooted in the capitalist profit system itself, dominated by banks, billionaires, retail chains and property developers. As a result of Labors measures, university managements everywhere are unveiling job cuts. These now include 400 at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), up to 650 at the Australian National University (ANU), 200 at the University of Canberra, at least 150 at the University of Wollongong and many more at other universities, such as Federation, James Cook, Southern Queensland, Griffith, La Trobe, Tasmania and Swinburne. The leaderships of the main campus trade unions, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), have opposed any unified industrial action against this job destruction, just as they did during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when they openly advocated accepting thousands of job losses. Instead, together with the school education union bureaucrats, they are urging a vote for Labor in the May 3 federal election. They are falsely depicting Labor as the party of choice for education despite the Albanese governments record of cutting public education funding in real terms, as well its agenda of suppressing anti-genocide and other campus and school dissent. In line with this effort to prop up Labor, the NTEU branch leaders at WSU sought to whitewash Labors role and block industrial action at a branch meeting the day after Williams presentation. NTEU branch president David Burchell even claimed that the universitys financial squeeze was not realjust an invented improvised crisis as an excuse to cut jobs. He sought to disarm and divert angry staff members by downplaying the prospect of job losses. According to Burchell, it was just a ploy for the upcoming enterprise bargaining talks between the managements and the unions. Burchell insisted that job cuts could be averted by negotiating a strong enterprise agreement, even though such union agreements provide for retrenchments. He was backed by NTEU senior industrial officer Joshua Garva, who once again declared that no industrial action could be taken outside of union-controlled enterprise bargaining processes, as dictated by Labors Fair Work Act. Garva also defended the prerogative of management to ask for expressions of interest in voluntary redundancies. This must be a warning. The NTEU has a long record of helping managements push people out the door via nominally voluntary redundancies, as it has done at WSU College. Throughout the meeting there was no mention of Labors role, nor the wider political and ideological assault on universities, spearheaded by the Trump administrations moves to cut off funding to US universities that do not comply with its fascistic agenda. The Trump White House is threatening to do the same to jointly US-funded researchers in Australia and internationallysending out invasive questionnaires with which the Albanese government has urged researchers to comply! Opposition exists throughout WSU, WSU College and all the universities to the job destruction, course closures, pro-corporate restructuring and suppression of dissent. But the union apparatuses have opposed any unified fight by university staff and students, as they have for decades. That is why the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) is calling for, and helping form, rank-and-file committees (RFCs) at universities. This is essential so that staff, along with students, can form their own organisations to develop and fight for demands based on the educational and financial needs of students and staff. These RFCs can unite with educators and students globally via the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWS-RFC) for a common struggle against the capitalist system and its plunge into trade war, war and dictatorship. Students everywhere must have the fundamental social right to a decent, all-round critical education, and educators and researchers must be free to conduct genuinely socially useful and scientifically important teaching and research. To achieve that, what is needed is the development of a mass working-class party that raises the demand for the expropriation of the ultra-wealthy oligarchs to fund basic social needs, as part of the socialist reorganisation of society. I urge all educators and students to read our election statement and get involved in the SEPs election campaign to take forward this fight. Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Level 1/457-459 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia. It is with profound sorrow that the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka announces the death of Comrade Nanda Wickremesinghe, known as Comrade Wicks among members and supporters of the SEP and the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI). Wicks was a founding member of the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL) in June 1968, the forerunner of the SEP, along with the late comrades Keerthi Balasuriya and Wije Dias, and K. Ratnayake, the current WSWS national editor in Sri Lanka. Nanda Wickremesinghe (Wicks) Wicks played a prominent role in the leadership of the RCL and SEP until his deteriorating health prevented his involvement in the partys day-to-day political work. Wicks, who celebrated his 85th birthday last October, took part in regular political and theoretical discussions with leading party members until his last days. The remains of Comrade Wicks will be at the Jayarathne Respect Funeral Parlour, 483 Baudhdhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 8, on Wednesday, April 23 and Thursday, April 24 for his comrades, friends and relatives to pay their respects. The funeral march will start at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday from the parlour with the funeral meeting to be held at 3 p.m. in the hall near the new Crematorium of the Borella Cemetery. The cremation will be at 4.30 p.m. We urge those who knew Comrade Wicks to attend the funeral to pay your last respects and honour his life. Please send your condolences to the SEP, which will publish a detailed obituary on the WSWS in the coming days. Teachers and parents filled the "overflow room" at the school board meeting on Tuesday, January 28. The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) is set to carry out a devastating round of layoffs, eliminating nearly 280 teachers and counselors by June 30, 2025. These cuts, pushed through in January and rubber-stamped in March, are part of a broader, calculated attack by the Trump administration on public education under the cover of a $187 million budget shortfall. Contrary to depictions that this is an unfortunate consequence of administrative mismanagement, the layoffs are a direct result of decades of bipartisan austerity and political betrayal. The district claims declining enrollment and the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds are to blame. But the real story goes deeper. During the pandemic, federal ESSER (Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief) funds were never used to rebuild or expand public education. They were a temporary patch over deep budget holes caused by years of defunding and privatization. The politicians and administrators who leaned on these funds knew they would vanish by 2024 and did nothing to prepare except sharpen their knives for the inevitable cuts. Now, as those funds dry up, the true face of this system is on display. There is always enough money to bail out Wall Street and finance imperialist wars, but when it comes to educating working class children, the answer is always cutbacks. Santa Ana, the poorest and most heavily minority district in Orange County, will be hit hardest. This is not an accident. Nearly 60 percent of Californias K-12 students come from low-income households, and 20 percent are English language learners. In Santa Ana, those numbers are even more extreme. Instead of offering more resources, the district is cutting the few supports that remain. Under the procedure followed in California, thousands of layoff notices are issued to teachers in the spring of each year, to take effect when schools reopen in the fall, in order to satisfy legal requirements for advance warning. Then a lesser number of teachers are actually laid off. Noelle Carney Campbell, the Teacher of the Year at Manuel Esqueda Middle School, is one of the many educators who received a layoff notice. She summarized the situation with painful clarity: We dont need to be cutting services, we need to be increasing services. Noelle Carney Campbell, Teacher of the Year at Manuel Esqueda Middle School in the Santa Ana school district On April 14, during a tense layoff hearing, Noelle shared the emotional experience of waiting to hear whether her job would survive the axe. When her number was skippedmeaning she was sparedrelief quickly gave way to outrage and solidarity. Even though Im safe, now Im going to use my collective energy to fight for the rest of them because they should not be experiencing this. Her words point the way forward. The solution is not to wait for politicians or union officials to negotiate: It is high time to organize and fight. This is a call to action for teachers, school staff, students and the broader working class: Form rank-and-file committees in every school, district and workplace to fight back against these layoffs and the assault on public education. Santa Ana is only the tip of the iceberg. Thousands of teachers across California, from Crescent City near the Oregon border down to San Diego, are facing pink slips, program cuts and overcrowded classrooms. Far from being a local problem, this is a coordinated, nationwide attack on public education, designed to funnel public resources into the hands of private interests and strip working class youth of their right to a decent future. The roots of this crisis are systemic and bipartisan. From Proposition 13s assault on property tax-funded schools in 1978 to Proposition 98s restrictive spending floors, from Jerry Browns Local Control Funding Formula to Gavin Newsoms austerity budgets, both Democrats and Republicans have treated education as a target for cuts while handing out billions in tax breaks and bailouts to corporations. And at the federal level, the situation is even worse. Under Trump, the war on public education has escalated to new heights. His administration slashed grants, pushed for charter school privatization and even signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education itself, an unprecedented attack on the very concept of universal, high-quality education. In response, Californias Democratic leadership has offered little more than cosmetic gestures. Newsoms education agenda claims to support expanded pre-K and mental health services, but his budget slashes nearly $800 million from the UC and CSU systems and leaves K-12 schools facing enrollment and funding crises. All of this is the inevitable product of a system that values corporate profits over human needs. The unions, rather than organizing a serious fight, have acted as enforcers for the very system attacking their members. The California Teachers Association (CTA) has acknowledged the layoffs but refuses to mobilize any meaningful opposition. Their so-called Fight for Schools rallypolitely asking Congress to reverse cutsis a performance designed to release anger, not channel it into action. United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) has followed the same playbook. Faced with the threat of federal agents targeting immigrant students or mass layoffs destroying jobs, the UTLAs response has been limited to PR statements and appeals to the process. In contrast, many individual teachers have taken it upon themselves to actively defend immigrant students and their families, offering support against deportations and creating informal networks of protection and solidarity, often at personal risk. This grassroots defense highlights the gap between the real social conscience of rank-and-file educators and the toothless posturing of union leadership. The reality is clear: The official trade union organizations have no intention of fighting. Their primary role is to manage the discontent of their members and keep the working class chained to a political establishment that is actively dismantling public education. That is why the formation of rank-and-file committees is the most urgent task facing educators, students, parents and all sections of the working class. These committees must be democratic and independentcontrolled by the educators and workers themselves, not union bureaucrats or political operatives. They must reach out to: Teachers and staff in other districts facing similar attacks. Immigrant workers and youth daily being targeted for illegal deportations. Parents, students and school workers who are being directly affected. Public-sector and private-sector workers confronting layoffs, pay cuts and austerity. Workers nationwide and internationally who are facing the same capitalist offensive. Above all, these committees must link the defense of jobs to a broader political struggle for fully funded, high-quality public education as a social right, not a commodity sold to the highest bidder. This means preparing for coordinated industrial action, including strikes, to demand the immediate rescindment of all layoff notices and full restoration and expansion of education funding at every level. This is only the first step. Securing equal access to free education, from pre-kindergarten through university, requires the allocation of adequate resources. Ending privatization schemes, charter school expansion and the dismantling of public education demands nothing less than a direct struggle against the system that profits from their destruction. The wave of layoffs in Santa Ana is only the beginning. If these cuts go unchallenged, more districts will follow. The future of public education in Californiaand across the United Statesis on the line. The unions have abandoned the fight. It is time for rank-and-file educators and workers to take the struggle into their own hands. The formation of these committees is not just a defensive measure. It is the first step in uniting working people across industries, regions, and borders to build a new political movement, one that fights for human need, not profit. The assault on public education is a symptom of a system in deep crisis. Capitalism is not interested in producing educated, thoughtful citizens. It demands a cheap, compliant labor force. But working people have the power to change this, if they act collectively and independently. The painful experience of Santa Ana must be the spark for wider resistance. The only answer to these attacks is unity, solidarity and collective action. Form rank-and-file committees! Reach out to your colleagues, neighbors and fellow workers! Prepare for action! Organize for a future where education is not a privilege, but a right for all! If you are interested in building an educators rank-and-file committee, fill out the form at the bottom of this article. Your information will remain confidential. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. ICGB, operator of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), remains committed to integrating sustainability into the core of its operations through long-term environmental practices, Trend reports via the ICGB. As part of its Environmental and Social Management System, ICGB continues to implement responsible environmental stewardship across the IGB pipeline route, including long-term monitoring and management of forests, grasslands, riparian zones, local flora, fauna, and natural habitats, said the company. ICGB said one key initiative underway is a reforestation plan in Greece, where more than 30,000 saplings will be planted to support biodiversity and restore habitats impacted during construction, said the company. In the evolving energy landscape, companies like ICGB play a key role in shaping a responsible and greener future. Because energy security and environmental protection should never be at odds - they must advance together, said the company. The Greece-Bulgaria interconnector connects Bulgaria to the Southern Gas Corridor and is part of the Vertical Gas Corridor. The pipeline strengthens energy connectivity and security in the region, providing access to natural gas from new, diversified sources. Currently operating at 3 bcm/y, the pipeline has the potential to expand its technical capacity up to 5 bcm/y. The interconnector currently secures about 70 percent of Bulgarias internal natural gas consumption and is a reliable route for diversified deliveries to key markets such as Moldova and Ukraine. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 22. The president of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zhaparov, proposed to consider the possibility of opening a new Islamic commercial bank in the country with the participation of Bahrain, Trend reports via the presidential administration. According to information, the initiative was announced at a meeting with Hassan Khalifa Al-Jalahma, chairman of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Bahrain. Zhaparov stated that there is a growing demand for Islamic banking services in the country. The implementation of the project, in his opinion, will make it possible to cover the business sector of Central Asia with a population of more than 80 million people, and in the long term, may lead to the creation of the largest bank in the region operating according to the principles of Islam. The head of state noted that the banking system of Kyrgyzstan is at the stage of development, and the legislative basis for working according to Islamic financial standards has already been created. The parties also discussed issues of attracting investments and the implementation of joint projects. Zhaparov stressed that Bahrain today is an example of effective economic and financial policy, as well as a recognized banking center of the Middle East. In turn, the head of the Central Bank of Bahrain confirmed the readiness to deepen cooperation with the National Bank and other financial institutions of Kyrgyzstan. He noted that the Central Bank of Bahrain has created all conditions for the professional development of specialists and expressed readiness to accept Kyrgyz employees for training. He also noted that the Central Bank of Bahrain intends to carefully study the proposal to create an Islamic financial institution, to agree on a program of cooperation with the National Bank, and to start implementing joint projects. Sadyr Zhaparov arrived in Bahrain on April 21 on his first official visit to this country. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 22. The preparation works for updating the feasibility study (FS) and developing the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Kambarata hydropower plant-1 (HPP-1) in Kyrgyzstan are progressing on schedule and are expected to be completed by May this year, said Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, Trend reports. He made the statement during a meeting with Anna Bjerde, Managing Director for Operations at the World Bank, held in Washington, D.C., on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG). Kasymaliev emphasized that the Kyrgyz government is currently financing the preparatory phase of the project from its own resources. The signing of the historic State Border Agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan marked a crucial step toward building mutual trust, good neighborly relations, and regional stability, while also improving the investment climate in Central Asia. A similar agreement was earlier signed with Uzbekistan. The successful resolution of long-standing border issues creates a solid foundation for the implementation of the strategically important Kambarata HPP-1 project, Kasymaliev said. The cabinet chairman also expressed strong hope for active support from the WB, particularly during the banks board of directors meeting in the second half of 2025, where potential financing for the project will be considered. In response, Bjerde reaffirmed the World Bank's readiness to support the regional initiative. You can count on us for the Kambarata HPP-1 project, she stated. At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides participated in a signing ceremony for an agreement to implement a rapid emergency response mechanism in Kyrgyzstan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Australian drama series The Narrow Road to the Deep North, out now on Amazon Prime Video, takes viewers back to the horrors of the Thai-Burma Railway the Death Railway. Constructed under appalling conditions, it claimed the lives of 12,500 Allied POWs and more than 80,000 Asian workers. They carried out punishing labour while suffering from disease, malnutrition, and physical brutality from Japanese engineers and guards, and conscripted Korean guards. The series based on the Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name by Richard Flanagan tells the story of an Australian doctor, Dorrigo Evans (played by Jacob Elordi and Ciaran Hinds in his younger and older years), his experiences as a POW on the Death Railway, and the continued impact on his life decades later. The construction of the railway was most famously depicted in The Bridge on the River Kwai, the 1957 classic starring Sir Alec Guinness. A blockbuster success, it won seven Academy Awards, including a Best Actor statue for Guinness. Despite a rocky relationship with director David Lean, Guinness admitted it was the best thing Ive ever done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But its more Hollywood fantasy than historical fact. The British War Office was unhappy with the film particularly for its depiction of British soldiers collaborating with Japanese captors and its been viewed as controversial among FEPOWs (Far East Prisoners of War) and their families. Guinnesss character was based on POW officer Lieutenant Colonel Sir Philip Toosey, who initially enjoyed the film as a piece of storytelling. It was only when the prisoners started saying, Sir, it was a terrible slur on your leadership, that he twigged the public had taken Hollywood for its word, recalled Julie Summers, author, historian, and granddaughter of Toosey. The construction of the Death Railway was just one aspect of the Burma Campaign, in which the Allies fought the Japanese over the recovery of Burma. It was sometimes dubbed the forgotten war by the men who were there, and one of the Allies biggest fighting forces, the Fourteenth Army, is known as the Forgotten Army. On March 3, former British soldier Albert Bert Warne thought to be the last survivor of the Thai-Burma Railway died at the age of 105. Even now, as we approach the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War with VJ Day on August 15 the Burma Campaign is overlooked next to the war in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan wanted Burma modern-day Myanmar so it could cut off the Burma Road, a supply route into China. Burma also put Japan in a position to invade India. In February 1942, 35,000 Japanese troops forced 85,000 British, Australian, and Indian soldiers into a humiliating surrender at Singapore the biggest capitulation in British military history. POWs were kept at the Changi prison camp and work camps around Singapore. The Narrow Road to the Deep North depicts just a small number of the 13,000 Australian men who worked on the railway 2,700 of whom died. Around 60,000 POWs in total were shipped to work on railway construction along with labourers from Burma, Java and Malaya, collectively dubbed Romusha. Some of the Romusha volunteered to work on the railway for a pound of rice per day, and many were conscripted by the puppet Burmese government. The best estimate is that a total of 240,000 men worked on the railway, which ran for 415km between Thailand and Burma, and had 688 bridges. It was intended as a military supply line for troops and equipment, and for an invasion of India. The Burma Road under construction in August 1940 - Captain Abercrombie In The Bridge on the River Kwai, Guinness plays Lt Col Nicholson, who is ordered to build a bridge after arriving at a POW camp. As per the Geneva Convention, Nicholson refuses to allow his officers to do any labour which begins a standoff with the Japanese commander, Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa). Saito throws Nicholson into an iron box the oven to force him into submission. But Saito underestimates how far the British will go to prove a point, even if it means merrily rotting in a metal box for a week. Saito relents and Nicholson makes building the bridge a matter of patriotic pride, demonstrating the superiority of British engineering and efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicholsons camp is based on the real-life Tamarkan camp in Thailand, where there were actually two bridges a wooden bridge and a steel bridge built across the Mae Klong (the railway ran along the Khwae Noi, meaning little river, which is where the River Kwai name comes from). In the film, gung-ho commandos blow up the bridge, which didnt happen in real life, nor in the original novel by Pierre Boulle. Philip Toosey, the inspiration behind Guinnesss Lt Col Nicholson, was among the British troops taken prisoner in Singapore. He was sent to Tamarkan, on the east side of the Mae Klong, where he was in charge of 2,500 men British, Australian and Dutch who worked alongside Asian labour. Emaciated workers heaved around the materials while Japanese engineers did the technical construction. Those engineers were equally as offended by The Bridge of the River Kwai: they didnt need British expertise and theyd been planning the railway as far back as 1937. Sessue Hayakawa and Alec Guiness in The Bridge on the River Kwai - United Archives Another soldier captured at Singapore was Corp Bill Norways, a commercial artist from Hackney who was drafted into the Cambridgeshire Regiment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norwayss son, Toby Norways, a screenwriter and lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire, explains how his father was shipped to Thailand. He was part of H Force, a group of 27 men put on steel cattle trucks, says Norways. They hardly had room to lie down or sleep. Theyd be fed intermittently. People died en route. They spent five days on the truck. The majority of them were suffering from dysentery or malaria. They had nowhere to go to the toilet. They were just defecating and pissing. Once the men arrived, they had to walk to whichever camp they were instructed to work at. They were weak and enfeebled but had to march up to 20 miles a day, largely at night, with limited rations and footwear, says Norways. Bill Norways worked at the notorious Hellfire Pass, where men had to blast through rock faces to create a railway cutting. The conditions were horrendous. Men were forced to work brutal hours in monsoon season, ravaged with illness and with insufficient food. They ate a thin gruel made from a small helping of rice and vegetables. The food originally intended for a workforce of 50,000 had to stretch to 200,000-plus. Whole camps of Malayan workers were wiped out by cholera. For historian Robert Lyman, author of A War of Empires: Japan, India, Burma & Britain, this is a key omission from all Burma railway stories: the sheer numbers of Asian labourers, many of them Tamil Indians from Malaya, who died. No one talks about them at all, he says. An estimated 56 percent of Malayans 42,000 men perished, as well as 40,000 Burmese. A scene from The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Ingvar Kenne The men were so vitamin deficient that a small nick from bamboo could lead them to having limbs removed. One doctor took 120 legs over a nine-month period using just a basic hand saw usually used for wood. Some camps had anaesthetic, others didnt. In one uncomfortably realistic scene in The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Dorrigo saws a chunk of gangrenous leg off a fellow POW. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill Norways himself was stabbed in the buttock with a bamboo spear, a wound that was treated with maggots, and after the railway was completed in October 1943 he spent six months in a hospital camp suffering from cardiac beriberi, bronchitis, malaria, dysentery, and an abscess. Like many FEPOWs, Norways never talked about his experiences. They were told not to when they got home, says his son. They were issued a document from the British Army telling them not to speak to friends and relatives because it might upset people. There was, he suggests, a sense of shame too. The older Dorrigo says something similar in The Narrow Road to the Deep North. More humiliating than anything, says Dorrigo about being a POW. Letting yourself be incarcerated when others are fighting is hard for a soldiers spirit to accept. William Holden, Jack Hawkins and Geoffrey Horne in The Bridge on the River Kwai - United Archives While the emotional heft of The Narrow Road to the Deep North lingers on Dorrigos memories of a decades-old love affair, its depiction of the railway is painfully bleak relentless torture and skeletal, diseased men stumbling to their deaths. Its a sense of harrowing realism thats far beyond The Bridge on the River Kwai. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bridge on the River Kwai had its difficulties, though. Shot in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in punishing heat and humidity, it was a difficult production that required an actual bridge to be built (and blown up) in the jungle. Director David Lean fell out with almost everyone and there were serious accidents near drownings and a car crash that killed second-unit director John Kerrison. Guinness was reportedly concerned with the film being anti-British. But, on the contrary, its Britishness is something to revel in. Colonel, do you suppose we could have a cup of tea? says Nicholson at one point, getting his priorities straight before starting work on the Death Railway. According to Julie Summers, who spoke to me in 2020, the difference between Guinnesss character and Philip Toosey was that Alec Guinness was all about the bridge and [her] grandfather was all about the men. The death rate among the Brits was 22 per cent, but just a handful of men at Tooseys camp died. Jacob Elordi as Dorrigo Evans in The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Ingvar Kenne In the film, Nicholson forbids anyone from attempting to escape. The real soldiers signed a document under duress and therefore illegally agreeing that they wouldnt escape. Some did escape from the camp but were recaptured. They were taken out into the jungles and forced to dig their own graves before being killed. The soldiers were shot, the officers bayoneted. My grandfather said it was terrible, said Summers. The look of loss in their eyes as they were driven away. They knew they were going to be killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toosey himself faced brutal treatment from the Japanese guards, largely for complaining about beatings his men suffered. Almost inevitably, hed get hit over his head, Summers said. He wasnt tortured but bashed about. He was once made to stand outside the guard hut in the boiling sun for 24 hours. There were times when he thought, I cant go to that guard hut again no, the men need me to! And though Toosey wasnt locked in the oven, a similar thing happened to translator Capt William Drower, who upset his captors. His arm was broken and he was imprisoned in an underground hovel for 76 days. While in there, a rat ate into his foot. When Toosey saw Alec Guinness confronting Saito in the film, Toosey said: You could never have confronted the Japanese and caused them to lose face. That would have been fatal. I would not have survived. There was a real Saito at Tamarkan, though the name connection is likely coincidental. Toosey thought the real Saito was fair, and spoke up in his defence after the war. In 1984, Saito came to Britain and visited Tooseys grave. On a similar note, Bill Norways struck up a friendship with a Japanese guard, Kameo Yamanaka, and they exchanged letters for 30 years. In 2015, Toby Norways travelled to Ibaraki, Japan to meet Yamanakas family. He found that a poem his father had written to the guard had been inscribed on a slab of granite next to Yamanakas grave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In The Narrow Road to the Deep North, theres an inkling of a friendship between Dorrigo and camp commander, Major Nakamura (Sho Kasamatsu), before the pressure to deliver the railway sees Nakamura order the protracted torture of one POW. In truth, friendships like the one between Norways and Yamanaka, notes Toby, were extremely unusual. When The Bridge on the River Kwai was released, POWs wanted the filmmakers to include a statement explaining that the film was based on a book, and not the true story. But they never did, Summers said. And why would they? Its Hollywood. They were out to make the greatest war movie of all time and some would say they succeeded. In reality, the wooden bridge was completed by February 1943 and the steel bridge in May 1943. The wooden bridge was hit by bombs nine times and rebuilt nine times. The steel bridge was hit by the US Air Force in 1945 and rebuilt. It still stands today, and that part of the Mae Klong has been renamed the Khwae Yai. Hellfire: US troops in combat against the Japanese in Myitkyina, Burma, July 1944 - Alfred Wagg/FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Burma Campaign was hugely important in ending the Second World War, argues the historian Lyman. Following the initial defeat to the Japanese, the Allies regrouped. Lt-Gen William Slims forgotten Fourteenth Army which was 87 per cent Indian won crucial victories at Imphal and Kohima in 1944, though its heroism was not widely reported back home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That constituted the first major defeat of Japanese field armies in the Second World War, he argues. It was the destruction of this marshal bubble, this samurai idea that defined what Japan was and what it could achieve through use of force. Japan needed to be persuaded there was nothing further they could achieve by use of force. But he continues: British soldiers in the Far East considered themselves to be at the end of a very long, dirty stick. People in the UK didnt appreciate what was going on. The fight for recognition continues. FEPOW families still take offence when the war against Japan is overlooked. Complaints have been made, for instance, when the BBC has erroneously called VE Day the end of the Second World War. The BBC made one such error during a two-minute silence to mark the 75th anniversary of the Second World War. Forgotten heroes: Allied POWs in The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Ingvar Kenne This incenses people involved because VJ Day wasnt until August 15 and actually many people were still in prison camps waiting to be repatriated, says Norways. My dad didnt come home until October 1945. While everyone was waving flags in Trafalgar Square, people were still dying in Singapore. The memory of what the men experienced is fundamental to The Narrow Road to the Deep North, though, of course, its just an approximation of what happened. Neither the brutality of the new series nor the Hollywood version in The Bridge on the River Kwai can possibly give the full picture. As Dorrigo tells a reporter, its impossible to comprehend. Because you werent there. The Narrow Road to the Deep North is on Amazon Prime Video now; the series will come to the BBC later this year For more information on the Children of FEPOWs, visit: COFEPOW.org.uk Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Gordon Ramsay's Connecticut restaurant is getting a new executive chef. Starting on May 1, Hell's Kitchen at Foxwoods Resort Casino will be taken over by Kyle Timpson, Season 23 winner of "Hell's Kitchen." In a press release, Foxwoods said appointing Timpson demonstrates the resort's commitment to hiring top culinary talent as a premier dining destination. "It's been a pleasure to get to know Kyle throughout his time filming 'Hell's Kitchen'at Foxwoods," said Jason Guyot, President & CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino. "As he steps into this role, we are confident he will bring both exceptional culinary skills and a fresh creative vision to one of our most celebrated dining destinations. We're proud to officially welcome him as a member of the Foxwoods family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about the restaurant's new chef. Who is the new chef at Hell's Kitchen Foxwoods? Chef Kyle Timpson, the new executive chef of Gordon Ramsay's restaurant Hell's Kitchen at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. Originally from Dennis Township, New Jersey, Chef Kyle Timpson is known in the culinary world for his creative, high-energy approach to top-notch food. After graduating from the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College, Timpson built up his culinary career in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, gathering over a decade of experience at top-rated restaurants. During "Hell's Kitchen," Timpson stood out for his consistent performance and leadership, with Gordon Ramsay saying the chef "earned this opportunity through sheer grit, passion, and undeniable talent." After 16 weeks of tough competition, Timpson emerged victorious, becoming the first openly gay male chef to win the show in the very kitchen that he is about to lead. During Foxwoods' 33rd anniversary celebration in February, Timpson connected with the tribal heritage of Foxwoods, giving him a sense of purpose in his new role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am humbled to start as executive chef at Hell's Kitchen at Foxwoods. To be stepping into this role at the venue I gave everything I had to win is absolutely surreal," said Chef Kyle Timpson in a press release. "Foxwoods already feels like home, and I'm excited to not only deliver the high-intensity, high-flavor experience guests expect from Hell's Kitchen, but also to do it in a way that celebrates the local community." Gordon Ramsay in New England: Gordon Ramsay visited Massachusetts this weekend. Here's what restaurants he visited How to eat at Hell's Kitchen Foxwoods Pan-seared scallops at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant Hell's Kitchen at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. A top destination for luxury dining, Hell's Kitchen at Foxwoods is known for its open-kitchen concept and signature dishes like pan-seared scallops, lobster risotto and beef wellington. Reservations for Hell's Kitchen at Foxwoods can be made online up to 60 days in advance, and the casino warns that the restaurant fills up quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours are 4:30-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with additional lunch hours from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday-Sunday. Hell's Kitchen is inside the Grand Pequot Tower at Foxwoods Resort Casino, located at 350 Trolley Line Blvd. in Mashantucket. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Who won 'Hell's Kitchen' season 23? Winner to become chef at Foxwoods With some colleges already resuming classes and others only now starting their spring break recess, large numbers of students are traveling for what is traditionally a holiday fueled by sun and alcohol. Cities like Miami Beach and Daytona Beach are some of the most common spring break destinations domestically while countries like Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica are popular for international travel. Don't miss the move: SIGN UP for TheStreet's FREE Daily news In advance of the spring break travel boon, the U.S. State Department and local embassies have been issuing a series of warnings about both the safety of specific destinations and behaviors that can lead to trouble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After several Americans got arrested over carrying bullet rounds in their suitcases in 2024, the government reminded travelers that visitors who either accidentally or knowingly bring ammunition to Turks and Caicos can face "arrest, jail time, and heavy fines." Related: This is why airlines are betting big on U.S.-Mexico travel The latest country to get an updated travel advisory is the South American nation of Colombia. While U.S. travel to cities such as Cartagena and Medellin has skyrocketed in the post-covid period, the U.S. government still keeps the country at a level three "reconsider travel rating." "Reconsider travel to Colombia due tocrime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping," the travel advisory updated on April 17 now reads. It further goes on to warn that "violent crime, like murder, assault, and robbery, is common in many areas in Colombia." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specific parts of Colombia, including the Colombia-Venezuela border and the northern Arauca and Norte de Santander regions, have been updated with the highest "do not travel" rating due to higher rates of drug trafficking and other violence. Representatives of the U.S. government are explicitly prohibited from traveling to these areas even when going to Colombia in a personal capacity. Bogota is an increasingly popular vacation destination for American tourists.Shutterstock Going to Colombia? Know these warnings Countries like Canada and the United Kingdom keep Colombia as a whole outside certain regions at the lower level two rating of exercising more caution. The country has, in the last year, embarked on a major push to shed a reputation as the hotspot of drug cartels. This has largely been working while Colombia's tourism board had initially set a target of six million visitors, 6.2 million international tourists came to Colombia in 2024. Destinations such as Cartagena and Medellin are especially popular while the capital Bogota has also been growing in interest as a holiday destinatino. More on travel: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those traveling, the U.S. government recommends staying on top of local news coverage of demonstrations and police action that can break out suddenly while also avoiding traveling alone during late hours of the night. Other advice is to remain aware of one's surroundings and keep flashy jewelry or other signs of wealth out of sight standard tips issued to any destination with the level three rating. Countries with the same advisory include other popular holiday destinations such as Jamaica, Egypt and Trinidad and Tobago. "Keep a low profile," the tips read further. "Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry. Stay aware of your surroundings." A number of cruise lines including Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean call on Cartagena, Colombia. Related: Veteran fund manager issues dire S&P 500 warning for 2025 Funeral Potatoes, a magical modern Midwestern comfort food restaurant, has found an idyllic home at Moonflower, an exemplary neighborhood cocktail bar in Portage Park, nestled among the bungalows on the Northwest Side of Chicago. Thoughtful monthly and weekly food specials, and even a whimsical mystery grilled cheese sandwich, heighten the experience. Especially at Nightshade, a fantastical experimental speakeasy-style basement lounge. The fates of the unusual restaurant and bar pairing seem intertwined in time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funeral Potatoes unofficially launched with delivery only during the pandemic lockdown in March 2020. I reviewed the virtual restaurant in April 2022. Moonflower opened after a pandemic delay in December 2021. Nightshade followed that summer in June. The current alignment featuring all three businesses began last July. Oh, but you might be wondering about the deathly name. Funeral potatoes are a cheesy potato casserole that you make for funerals, weddings and potlucks, said chef and owner Alexis Rice. Its just like a comfy, cozy carb that is often present at times of family gatherings, whether good or bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rice began the business with friend and fellow chef Eve Studnicka as an homage to the food they grew up with in tiny Midwestern towns where they learned the power of carbs, particularly in dark times. Meanwhile, Moonflower had several chefs who came and went until only their prep cook and dishwasher was left with a menu of four food items he could make alone. Hes my primary team member, said Rice about that cook, Freddy Ramirez. Studnicka helped get Funeral Potatoes at Moonflower off the ground, but decided to transition away from being an owner, after starting a second job she loved at the beloved Sugar Moon Bakery, where she bakes biscuits for her former business partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A beautiful New Moon burger has become the best-selling food item, so different from what was possible during the days of delivery meals. I almost didnt put a burger on the menu, said Rice. Because I was not super confident cooking one. It begins with a toasted potato bun, then two beefy patties, luminous smoked Gouda cheese and crispy onions. The pickles are from Vargo Brother Ferments, which we love, said Rice about the local maker. The house-made chile sauce is not spicy, almost a homemade ketchup, like a 1950s housewives chile sauce, what you put meatballs in, Rice said. And the patties seem vintage homestyle too, not quite thick, and not quite smashed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I call them thin, said Rice. They cook all the way through with a little bit of a crispy edge. The burger and a few sandwiches come with your side of choice, but I say theres one you should choose: the dill pickle pasta salad. People love our pasta salad, which weve been doing since the beginning of delivery, Rice said. Its basically a ranch pasta salad with Vargo pickles, cheddar cheese and cheese curds. Creamy and crunchy and al dente, its a bold pop art statement in pasta salad. The funeral potatoes dish changes among the monthly specials. An elote funeral potatoes will be available throughout April. The cheesy hot potato casserole takes 20 minutes to bake to order, studded with sweet corn and melted Monterey Jack, topped with a golden Tajin spiced panko and finished with a Valentina hot sauce crema. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youll probably burn your tongue too, impatient to spoon through the crisp crust into the soft filling. The potato needed a touch more salt in the casserole I had recently, since the tubers notoriously suck in so much seasoning. But I would order the namesake dish every time. So how did Funeral Potatoes meet Moonflower? Through Rices sister, who happened to be sitting next to Marvin Boeving at another bar. Boeving co-owns Moonflower and Nightshade with Christina Chae and Zach Rivera. She was very adamant about her sister and her sisters business, Boeving said. He was amazed by the business model of food delivery on that level, and what stood out was their GoFundMe fundraising campaign for a brick-and-mortar. He and his business partners were looking for the next direction for their small kitchen. I just sent an email and told Alexis that her younger sister made us look them up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They shared views on the industry and hospitality, he said, and it just all aligned. The big Caesar salad also aligns with the stars when loaded with warm crispy cubes of Spam under feathery shaved Parmesan. A Sloppy Joanne, another April monthly special, transforms crumbly ground beef with a complex house-made brown sugar barbecue sauce and ruffled jalapeno ranch potato chips tucked within. The not-too-hot honey crispy chicken sandwich stacks fat chicken tenders, encrusted and tossed in subtly spicy smoked chile honey sauce, dressed with a sesame scallion coleslaw. At brunch on Saturday only, the stunning blueberry lavender poppy seed pancakes of the month come with a fragrant lavender lemon whipped cream cloud hovering above. A breathtaking pimento breakfast sandwich is really three sandwiches in one, with thick-cut bacon, lacy fried egg and house-made pimento cheese, plus snappy smoked kielbasa as well as a mortgage payments worth of precisely sliced avocado all for $10. If eggs keep going like they are, it wont be $10 for long, Rice said laughing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Big Ol Biscuit & Gravy smothers a velvety smoked sausage and black pepper gravy over a hearty all-butter biscuit, baked by Studnicka at Sugar Moon. Weekly specials recently featured the chocolate chip zucchini bread, a signature fan favorite by Rice, that now presents the warmly spiced little loaf on a pretty floral plate. A tender strawberry shortcake, with a floral vanilla orange blossom whipped cream, included a compote made with fruit from Moonflower. The bar makes a strawberry oleo saccharum, or sugar oil mixture, for their No Brainer cocktail. The leftover softened strawberries are fine and flavorful for the compote cooked down with more sugar, lemon juice and a pinch of white pepper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really enjoy the flexibility of being able to throw a thing on for just a couple days, and sell out of it when we sell out of it, and then maybe it never comes back again, Rice said. It really feeds my wandering mind not having to cook the same menu every single day. The lovely No Brainer is one of the best-selling drinks at Moonflower. Its our version of a strawberry banana Daiquiri, said Boeving. The strawberry oleo goes in there, then Giffard Banane du Bresil, a banana liqueur, and a blend of aged El Dorado rums. When people dont really know what they like, he added, the No Brainer is simply a no-brainer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Son of a Gun, a signature cocktail downstairs at Nightshade, is more cerebral. Its a chips and salsa martini, said Boeving, and the idea came to Rivera in a dream. A tortilla chip-infused Vesper basically. They mix Letherbee gin, made in Chicago, with Sobieski vodka and Carpano vermouth. And its not too salty or too tortilla-y, he added, because of their carefully timed infusion. Delicious and delicate with hints of roasted corn and poblano heat, it is unexpectedly delightful. A beautiful bingsu, inspired by Moonflower and Nightshade co-owner Chaes Korean childhood favorite shaved ice, with green tea and sweetened condensed milk was unfortunately just too icy and tart as the nonalcoholic version on the menu, missing the sweetness from red bean soju. A weekly food special mint chocolate macadamia mousse cup held terrific chocolate peppermint chip cookie texture, but the whipped chocolate cream had set too firm. The deviled egg of the month needed a bit more smoky cajun remoulade with the yolks, and lots more fried wonton threads. A crispy maple cashew Brussels sprouts main dish, which Rice and Boeving both declared as their favorite, with sweet and spicy serrano maple glaze, could have used an extra cut on some of the bigger sprouts that were not quite as crisp as expected. The crispy Brussels hash at brunch, however, delivered on its promise with crackling leaves among fluffy potatoes, plus a judiciously truffled aioli and a pair of precious fried eggs. An ominous nitro cold brew Malort shot was shockingly agreeable with a balanced bittersweetness. Its just Malort and cold brew from Perkolator coffee, also in Portage Park, with dark sugar, said Boeving. He credits Rivera with trying to make the notoriously bitter liqueur taste better. And then theres the mystery grilled cheese, the staff favorite, with whatever the soup is on special, Rice said. My sandwich looked slim, but hid an intensely satisfying filling of smoked Gouda, Vargo pickles and some of that vintage chile sauce. Amazing for five bucks. They take requests of things you dont want in the mystery grilled cheese, but only staff can request what they want in it. And deservedly so, with their excellent service on my three visits for brunch and dinner upstairs in the classic Chicago bar room with exposed brick walls and hardwood floors, and drinks downstairs in the moodier lounge. Outdoor sidewalk seating will be available when weather permits. As a lifelong Northwest Sider, Ive seen that stretch of Milwaukee Avenue rise and fall, through good times and bad. And now we have a refuge with thoughtful and whimsical food and drink that comforts us when needed. Funeral Potatoes at Moonflower and Nightshade 4359 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-647-1942 moonflowerbar.com Open: 21 and older. Funeral Potatoes, dinner from 4 p.m., Tuesday and Sunday until 8:45 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday until 9:45 p.m.; brunch Saturday only from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; closed Monday. Moonflower, from 4 p.m., Tuesday and Sunday until 11 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday until midnight; closed Monday. Nightshade, Friday and Saturday only from 8 p.m. until midnight. Prices: $16 (New Moon burger, including dill pickle pasta salad side), $9 (elote funeral potatoes), $13 (big Caesar salad, with crispy Spam add $3), $6.50 (the chocolate chip zucchini bread), $10 (pimento breakfast sandwich), $15 (blueberry lavender poppy seed pancake of the month), $6 (nitro cold brew Malort shot), $10.80 (No Brainer cocktail), $13.40 (Son of a Gun cocktail) Noise: OK (65 to 75 dB) Accessibility: Funeral Potatoes at Moonflower, wheelchair accessible with staff assistance over front step, low top table and restrooms on ground level; Nightshade, not wheelchair accessible Tribune rating: Excellent, 3 of 4 stars Ratings key: Four stars, outstanding; three stars, excellent; two stars, very good; one star, good; no stars, unsatisfactory. Meals are paid for by the Tribune. lchu@chicagotribune.com Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here. When cruise lines make itinerary changes, it often spells bad news for their passengers. Sometimes, a berth for the cruise ship becomes unavailable at the port or safety concerns cause a cruise line to cancel the port call. Related: Royal Caribbean cancels stops at controversial Caribbean cruise port For example, security concerns related to civil unrest in Haiti recently led Royal Caribbean to once again cancel cruise stops at its private destination, Labadee, located on the countrys northern coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labadee is a secure, private Royal Caribbean-owned destination far from where violence has been taking place in Haiti, but the cruise line decided to temporarily pause visits to the port out of an abundance of caution. On impacted sailings, Royal Caribbean replaced Labadee with an alternate cruise port. Port cancellations cant always be replaced, though. Weather-related cancellations often result in passengers spending an additional day at sea instead of exploring a port. In rare cases, cruise lines will make itinerary changes that bring good news for passengers like replacing a day at sea with a bonus port stop. This kind of good news was just delivered to passengers booked on an upcoming cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Royal Caribbean has paused cruise stops in Labadee, Haiti, but is adding more calls to a new Caribbean destination. Image source: Daniel Kline/ComeCruiseWith.com Royal Caribbean adds extra port to upcoming Caribbean cruise To maximize every moment of your journey with us, well now visit Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, on Day 6, instead of our previously planned Sea Day, Royal Caribbean wrote in an email to passengers booked on the May 17 Southern Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise on Oasis of the Seas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cabo Rojo is a new cruise port located in secluded Pedernales, the southernmost province of the Dominican Republic. The destination welcomed its first cruise ships last year, introducing passengers on Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Royal Caribbean to the remote destination prized for its unspoiled beaches, turquoise waters, and some of the Caribbean Seas best-preserved coral reefs. Related: New cruise port coming soon to popular Caribbean destination The port addition is a delightful surprise to some cruisers booked on the sailing. This was an unexpected surprise that I'm a little excited for, tiedye_dreamer wrote about the itinerary change in the Royal Caribbean community on Reddit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The extra port does come with one drawback, though slightly less time for cruisers to enjoy Aruba, the sought-after cruise destination that the ship will visit on the day before Cabo Rojo, as well as Royal Caribbeans private island in the Bahamas, the final port on the itinerary. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Cabo Rojo port addition means shorter days in Aruba, CocoCay Because of this change, weve made some small adjustments to the times in which well visit Oranjestad, Aruba, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbeans email noted. While well lose a little time in both ports, youll still have time to enjoy everything these beautiful destinations have to offer! To some cruisers, a long day in Aruba added a lot of appeal to the itinerary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honestly, I think its a win and you can just treat it like a normal sea day, but my only downside is that I wouldve liked and was looking forward to the amount of time we were going to spend in Aruba, Reddit user Turtlespeed22 explained. Now, I noticed that is much shorter than the very late leaving time. Related: Royal Caribbean has a new menu item set to become a cult favorite For other passengers, the opportunity to experience the Dominican Republic and its new cruise port is a major cruise upgrade. Royal Caribbean made its first visit to Cabo Rojo in October, and has since added the port to more cruise itineraries, surprising other passengers with the same bonus port news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, it happened on my cruise back in October. Royal is new to Cabo Rojo. My cruise back in October was the first RC ship to make that port stop, AlvinsCuriousCasper noted. I got off and explored in port. Shops, a restaurant, lazy river, a few other activities. It was fun. (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. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) Five of the six hospitalized patients who were wounded during the mass shooting at Florida State University last week have been released from the hospital. One victim remains in good condition. Tallahassee Memorial Hospital announced the update Tuesday morning, sharing that all but one of the injured were discharged. By Monday, three had already been discharged. I dont want to go back: FSU classes resume following deadly mass shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are incredibly proud of the response from our teams on April 17 and are honored to be the hospital chosen to provide such a level of care, the hospital said. Our commitment to our community remains steadfast, and our hearts are with the students, faculty, and staff at Florida State University and the many families affected by this tragedy. On April 17, the 20-year-old suspected shooter, Phoenix Ikner, opened fire near the Student Union, known as a popular spot on campus. Ikner, who is the stepson of a Leon County deputy, was taken into custody and transported to the hospital. He was said to have gotten access to her personal handgun, which was found on campus. Two food service employees, identified as Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old father of two and Robert Morales, an FSU alum, were killed during the active shooting. Six others were taken to TMH with injuries. Vigils were held throughout the weekend across FSU, honoring the victims. Enough is enough: Students call for change in aftermath of FSU tragedy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records revealed that Ikner had several physical and mental health issues that required medication, including ADHD and a growth hormone disorder. An FBI official told NBC News he originally went by another name, Christian Gunnar Eriksen, and changed his name in 2020 to take his fathers name. In 2015, Ikner was at the center of a custody battle when his mother, Anne-Mari Eriksen, fled to Norway with Ikner against his fathers wishes. On Monday, the university resumed classes, but allowed for optional attendance this week as students grapple with the terrifying events of April 17. Spring commencement is still scheduled for next weekend, with the first round of students graduating the morning of May 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Laman Ismayilova Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva met with Ngo Phuong Ly, the spouse of the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, during her visit to Vietnam. The meeting took place at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, known as one of the main cultural centers demonstrating the artistic heritage of Vietnam. The museum's galleries have a unique collection that attract visitors from local and foreign countries. In addition to permanent exhibitions, there are also temporary exhibitions and a creative space for children. Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, exchanged views on the expansion of existing relations between the two countries. It was underlined that close cooperation between Azerbaijan and Vietnam began when National Leader Heydar Aliyev made his first foreign visit to Vietnam as a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and First Deputy Chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers. Today, the Foundation named after the National Leader contributes to the deepening of relations with Vietnam in various fields in order to continue the relations between the two countries at the level of close partnership, mutual respect and friendship. The meeting emphasized the importance of further deepening the relations established at the state level in various directions, including within the framework of projects in the cultural, educational and social spheres, and expressed confidence that the planned visit of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam to Azerbaijan on May 7-8 this year will be the next step in strengthening the cooperation between the two countries. The importance of continuing cultural projects in the future, such as the premiere of the "Vietnamese Suite" written by the great Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev in 1954 in Hanoi in 2023, the organization of a joint concert program of Azerbaijani musicians with the Vietnam National Academy of Music, the organization of cultural days of both countries, as well as mutual visits of cultural figures, intellectuals and youth activists, was emphasized. It was stated that the projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Vietnam will continue in various fields, and the focus was on the tourism potential of the two countries and projects aimed at protecting the environment. It was noted that the implemented projects play a special role in the relations between the two countries and peoples. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 22. The construction of the Kambarata Hydropower Plant-1 (HPP-1) in Kyrgyzstan is among the World Bank's priority projects, said Antonella Bassani, the Vice President of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia, Trend reports via the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan. Bassani made the statement during a meeting with Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, held in Washington, D.C., on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group. She praised the long-standing partnership with Kyrgyzstan and described the Kambarata HPP-1 initiative as a transformative and outstanding project for the entire region. Bassani also expressed admiration for Kyrgyzstans economic progress, noting the countrys rapid reform implementation and steady advancement of the hydropower project. In turn, Kasymaliev emphasized the strategic importance of Kambarata HPP-1 for the energy security of Kyrgyzstan and the wider region. He noted that the plant is expected to become one of the largest hydropower facilities in Central Asia, enabling Kyrgyzstan to export electricity to neighboring countries and significantly reduce carbon emissions. This project will make a substantial contribution to the countrys commitments under the Paris Agreement and will support the implementation of the global green agenda, Kasymaliev said. Last year, the World Bank approved an additional $13.6 million in funding for the ongoing technical assistance related to the Kambarata-1 project. This is in addition to the $5 million previously allocated to support the plants development. The funding is being used to update the technical studies conducted in 2014, in order to reaffirm the projects feasibility and economic viability. Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev had previously stated that Kambarata-1, located on the Naryn River in the Toktogul district, is expected to take 6.5 years to complete. With an installed capacity of 1,860 MW, the plant is projected to generate 5.6 billion kWh of electricity annually. The total cost of the project is estimated at $3.5 billion, with construction scheduled to begin by the end of this year, subject to financing. MEMPHIS, Tenn. One man is dead and another man is injured after shots were reported fired early Tuesday morning in a Whitehaven neighborhood, Memphis Police confirm. Officers were called to a home in the 4800 block of Fairley Road regarding the shooting around 4 a.m. Two men were found suffering from gunshot wounds in the driveway. It all started when police say a man wearing a ski mask and dark clothing walked up to the two men while they were talking and started shooting at them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the suspect then left the scene on foot, going northbound toward Shelby Drive. One man was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other was taken to the hospital in critical condition. 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. From my understanding that the two gentlemen that was in the driveway talking at this time in the morning, and the guy just walked up to them, didnt say if they knew him or not, said Col. Carlos Davis, Memphis Police Department. But once investigators actually get to talking with the one victim when hes able to talk, Im sure to find out more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, as Memphis Police work to collect more evidence, they are asking anyone in the area to check their cameras for footage. Anyone with video footage can upload their videos here. Memphis police are investigating whether the suspect and victims knew each other. Our people need help out here. The drugs, the violence, the guns. It all got to stop, said a Whitehaven resident. 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. A man is facing criminal charges after a triple shooting and a stabbing at home in Boston late Monday night left four people seriously hurt, authorities said. Calvin Stokes, 46, of Mattapan, is expected to be arraigned Tuesday in Dorchester District Court on charges of armed career criminal, four counts of assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a knife, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, according to the Boston Police Department. Officers responding to a report of a shooting and stabbing at 33 Regis Road in Mattapan just before 10:15 p.m. found three people who had been shot and one who had been stabbed, according to the Boston Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the victims were taken to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Their names havent been released. Investigators noted that it appears the incident stemmed from a domestic violence situation. There were no additional details immediately available. An investigation is ongoing. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW TOPEKA (KSNT) Students in the Sunflower State got a financial boost to help support their big dreams. Twenty-one Kansas middle and high schools received a portion of a $100,000 dollar grant through a project called Be the Spark on Monday, April 21. Blue Cross & Blue Shield works with the Kansas Association for Youth to help students create projects that will help their peers. The projects can focus on physical activity, mental health or nutritional eating options. A sponsor from Washburn Rural High School told 27 News her students grant money will go towards flexible seating in the schools library and English classes across the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They wanted to reach the most students, said Haley Schmitz, Washburn Rural High School sponsor. And knowing that every student takes an english class and has access to the library, we thought that would be a place where students can all benefit from the grant that we received. Car dealership gives $7K to local nonprofit They really learn those life skills about applying for a grant and then they get to implement that and create maybe a small change or a big change, said Kaitlin Bryan, Be the Spark project coordinator. But overall they are just dreaming big and creating changes within their school and community. The next steps for these groups will be to put this grant money to use and make their projects come to life in their school. Below is a list of the 2025 Be the Spark recipients: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andover Central High School. Argonia Junior Senior High School. Arkansas City Middle School. Atchison High School. Atchison Middle School. Holcomb High School. Holton Middle School. Independence High School. Junction City Middle School. Lansing High School. Meade High School. Salina South Middle School. Santa Fe Trail High School. Santa Fe Trail Junior High School. Satanta High School. Summit Trail Middle School. Sylvan-Lucas Unified Junior Senior High School. Thunder Ridge High School. Wabaunsee High School. Washburn Rural High School. West Franklin Middle School. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) One man spent part of the holiday weekend in jail after reports state he led police on an extensive chase in the early hours of the morning on Easter Sunday. Read next: ESPN television personality, former NFL player accused of rape in $50M lawsuit An officer with the Austintown Police Department was patrolling on Mahoning Avenue around 1:20 a.m. Sunday when he observed an Audi and a sport-style motorcycle driving at a high rate of speed. Reports state the officer suspected the vehicles to be racing, describing them as weaving around others in the roadway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the intersection of Mahoning Avenue and Raccoon Road, the vehicles parted ways when the motorcycle turned onto Raccoon Road and the car stopped for a red light. The officer then activated the cruisers emergency lights to pull over the car, which reports state sped away. A pursuit ensued, reaching speeds of over 100 mph, according to the report. It covered parts of Mahoning Avenue before turning onto the northbound ramp of state Route 11, which turns into I-80. The reporting officer said the evading car reached a maximum of around 125 mph, running stop signs and red lights. After an extensive pursuit, the car was eventually trapped after turning onto Van Ness Avenue, which has no outlet. The pursuing officer in reports stated that the car attempted to turn around but was unable after he positioned the patrol car to block it in. The officer then exited the patrol car and drew his firearm, pointing it at the Audis two occupants, now illuminated by the guns mounted light, and ordered them to show their hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a female passenger complied and raised her hands, reports state the driver, identified as Devin Lopac, then backed the Audi up and navigated it around the rear of the police cruiser, beginning the chase anew. This chase, which went into and out of Hubbard, briefly included the Hubbard Police Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol, which deployed a spike strip under the Mosier Road Bridge that crosses I-80, forcing the Audi to come to a stop. Reports state that both occupants of the Audi then got out of the vehicle, with Lopac dropping to his knees and placing his hands behind his head. Reports also state that a Hubbard Police cruiser was hit by the vehicle Lopac was driving and that OSHP is investigating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When police interviewed the passenger, she said Lopac told her that he didnt want to add points to his license from a DUI. Through the interview, police determined the passenger was not at fault and released her from their custody. Police then searched the car and found a loaded handgun in the pocket of the drivers door and a small bottle of Fireball liqueur on the front passenger seat, according to reports. When interviewing Lopac, reports state he smelled of alcohol and had glossy eyes, leading officers to determine that he was intoxicated. However, reports state he refused to submit to a chemical test to determine his level of intoxication. Court records show Lopac is facing felony charges of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle, and a first-degree misdemeanor charge of OVI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopac appeared in court Monday afternoon, where bond was set at $15,000. He is set to return to court May 7. The report does not give any further details regarding the motorcycle believed to have been involved in the initial suspected street race. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A 13-year-old girl has died after falling approximately 25 feet through the attic floor at an after-school program, police said. The Pueblo Police Department in Colorado said it received a call on Friday evening at approximately 7 p.m. from somebody at the Rocky Mountain SER after-school head start program, according to Colorado Springs ABC affiliate KRDO. MORE: Toddler found wandering streets alone with soiled diaper leads police back to shocking scene at home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they arrived, officers said they found a 13-year-old -- later identified as Joeylin Kenley McDonald by her family -- dead at the scene, according to KRDO. While it is currently unclear what led up to her fall, the Pueblo Police Department said it is investigating the incident and it has not determined whether this is a criminal matter. She was with a group of other children when it happened, according to KRDO. PHOTO: A 13-year-old girl fell about 25 feet through a floor and died at the Rocky Mountain SER after-school head start program in Pueblo, Colo., on Friday, April 18, 2025. (KRDO) MORE: 152 dogs rescued from 'extremely poor' conditions in Utah "Joeylin was the brightest soul in the world," said McDonald's aunt, Caitlyn Valdez, in a statement obtained by KRDO. "She is smart, headstrong, beautiful, sassy, sweet, caring and one hell of a hard worker. ... Mourning the loss of such a beautiful soul will be a daily task for the rest of our lives. Joeylin is one of a kind and will never be forgotten." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The after-school program also released a statement following McDonald's death, saying her death is a "tragic loss within our community." MORE: Bride late to her own wedding stopped going 105 mph as she was 'racing to the altar' "Joeylin was a bright and beloved light in our community, and her sudden passing is a devastating blow to all who knew and loved her," Rocky Mountain SER said in a statement. "While the exact circumstances of this tragedy remain under investigation, we ask the Pueblo community and beyond to join us in lifting in loving support and deep prayer for Joeylin, her family, friends, and all who are grieving during this unimaginable time." McDonald is survived by her five siblings, two parents and extended family. The investigation is currently ongoing. 13-year-old girl dead after 25-foot fall through attic floor at her after-school program originally appeared on abcnews.go.com DENVER (KDVR) A 14-year-old was killed in a shooting at a Greeley townhome. The Greeley Police Department said officers responded to the Sunlight Townhomes in the 500 block of 16th Street at 7 p.m. on Monday on reports of a shooting. Police were told a 14-year-old had been shot and was unresponsive. After police arrived at the townhome, the teen was pronounced dead. Another juvenile was arrested and booked on related charges, Greeley police said. Other people were interviewed as part of the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 18-year-old charged with attempted murder in Aurora shooting captured in music video The name of the suspect and the witnesses are being withheld due to their age. Police assured the community that this was an isolated incident and that there is no threat. The investigation is ongoing. Police did not say what factors may have led to the shooting. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Jonathan Bohl at 970-652-8235. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Fifteen officers were exposed to a dangerous substance in the mail room of a federal prison in Illinois. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The federal officers were rushed to the hospital and required emergency Narcan administration after being exposed to the dangerous unknown substance in the mailroom at Thomson Federal Prison, according to a media release. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Federal Bureau of Prisons can no longer remain silent while drug traffickers exploit our mail systems and endanger our staff, said Jon Zumkehr, President of AFGE Local 4070. These arent just statistics these are real people with families who deserve to return home safely after their shifts. It marks the eighth substance exposure incident at this facility this year. Most of the officers exposed have been released and are being treated from home, according to Zumkehr. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] OZAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) Over 160 grams of methamphetamine laced with fentanyl were seized during a recent traffic stop in southern Wisconsin, authorities said. According to a release from the Ozaukee County Sheriffs Office, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 33 near I-43 at 12:52 a.m. on April 14 for a moving violation. Wisconsin Departmet of Corrections opens mobile job lab at Oshkosh Correctional Institution Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver and two passengers inside the stopped vehicle reportedly claimed to be on their way back from Milwaukee after a brief visit. During initial contact and conversation with those inside the vehicle, officials say the deputy developed a reasonable suspicion of illegal drug activity. A search of the vehicle found multiple individual bags of methamphetamine. A search of the driver found additional baggies of meth inside the drivers pants. In total, 5 baggies containing 168.2 grams of meth laced with fentanyl were seized during the traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle was arrested on the following charges: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Possession with Intent to Deliver Fentanyl >50g Possession with Intent to Deliver Meth/Amphetamine >50g Appleton fire causes $7,500 damage; cause is under investigation The driver was also arrested on a probation hold and is currently in custody at the Ozaukee County Jail on a cash bond of $50,000. No other information is 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. An 18-year-old man has been arrested for a Downtown Pittsburgh shooting. A Pittsburgh Public Safety official says Fugitive Apprehension Unit detectives arrested Jeremiah Schroeder, 18, on Monday for an April 13 shooting that hurt a 19-year-old. A criminal complaint states police identifed Schroeder as a suspect through surveillance videos before and after the crime, as well as data from his PRT bus card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schroeder faces two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of recklessly endangering another person and firearms violations. Hes being held at the Allegheny County Jail. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW DENVER (KDVR) An 18-year-old repeat offender is facing charges of first-degree attempted murder in a shooting at an Aurora gas station that was caught on camera. On Tuesday, the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office said Mark Jackson was charged with the following: Twelve counts of first-degree attempted murder First-degree assault Thirteen counts of crime of violence Possession of a dangerous weapon Possession of a weapon by a previous offender Criminal mischief Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 4 at around 10 p.m., Aurora police were called to a gas station in the 3200 block of North Peoria Street for a shooting. The victims said they were filming a music video when several rounds were fired from a white SUV driving south on Peoria Street. The victims released the music video to the police, where the rapid-fire shots can be heard. Man convicted in 2022 killing of good Samaritan in La Alma-Lincoln Park A male teenager was injured and taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. Aurora police said he survived. Jackson and a 16-year-old passenger were later arrested after a brief foot pursuit with Aurora police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believe that Jackson did not know the victims and targeted them randomly. Suspect had extensive violent history According to the Aurora Police Department, Jackson has an extensive violent criminal history, including a prior weapons conviction and an active attempted murder case. Jackson was convicted of possession of a weapon by a previous juvenile offender in a 2023 case. He is serving a two-year parole sentence from the Colorado Division of Youth Services. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox In October 2024, Aurora police arrested Jackson in connection with a carjacking that occurred hours before his 18th birthday. He is the active defendant charged with attempted first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder, among other charges, in the Arapahoe District Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the gas station shooting, Jackson was out on bond after paying the $80,000 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 FOX31 Denver. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 22. A World Bank mission is scheduled to visit Kyrgyzstan in June 2025 to explore new areas of cooperation, said Beatrice Maser, Executive Director of the World Bank representing the Swiss constituency, Trend reports citing the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan. She made the statement during a meeting with Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C. Kyrgyzstan has unique potential, and as someone born in Switzerland, I see many similarities between our countries. I am confident that the World Bank can play a key role in supporting Kyrgyzstans sustainable development, Maser said. In the course of the meeting, the sides discussed cooperation opportunities in a number of sectors, including energy, industrial development, agriculture, tourism, regional trade and logistics, and the transition to green energy. Special focus was given to the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant project, which Kasymaliev described as a cornerstone of Kyrgyzstans and the regions energy security. Kambarata HPP-1 is a vital project for the energy security not only of Kyrgyzstan but of the entire Central Asian region. Its implementation will help attract major foreign investment and strengthen regional economic stability, he stated, highlighting the recent signing of a historic border demarcation agreement with Tajikistan as a major step toward regional peace and cooperation. Kasymaliev also noted Kyrgyzstan's strong economic performance, with GDP growth reaching 13 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This growth confirms the effectiveness of our economic policies and lays a solid foundation for achieving the goals set in our National Development Program through 2030, he said. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A 19-year-old Midlander is facing two first-degree felony charges after allegedly threatening his girlfriend and her friend with a handgun during a domestic disturbance last week. According to an arrest affidavit, the incident occurred around 6:22 p.m. on Friday, April 18, at an apartment complex. Officers with the Midland Police Department responded to reports of a disturbance involving two individuals in a physical altercation. Upon arrival, officers made contact with two women outside the apartment. One of them, identified as the suspects girlfriend, told police that her boyfriend, Tyler EAngelo Devon Triplett, had attempted to force his way into the apartment by pushing the door open. She said Triplett became upset after she asked him to leave and take his belongings. During the argument, she said he pointed a handgun at both her and her friend before briefly leaving the apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly 25 minutes later, Triplett allegedly returned and tried to enter the apartment again using a key. The woman said she attempted to hold the door shut, but Triplett forced it open, striking her in the face in the process. She told officers she wasnt sure if the hit was intentional. She also reported that Triplett began throwing items and creating a mess inside the apartment during the incident. The second woman at the scene corroborated the account, telling officers that Triplett had pointed a handgun at both of them. She noted that the gun had a flashlight attachment, which made it difficult to see the weapon clearly during the argument. During a protective sweep of the apartment, officers located a handgun matching the description provided. The firearm, which lacked a visible serial number, was found on a couch in Tripletts room and had a flashlight attachment. One of the women later confirmed it was the same weapon used in the alleged threat. Triplett was arrested at the scene and charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon/Family Violence, a first-degree felony. He was booked into the Midland County Jail, where he remains in custody as of Monday, with a combined bond of $150,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also executed two outstanding municipal warrants for Failure to Appear at the time of Tripletts arrest. This case remains under investigation. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), Text BEGIN to 88788, or visit thehotline.org for confidential resources and support. You can also visit this website for more information on local programs that provide shelters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. Forensic DNA testing has allowed detectives to close a decades-old cold case homicide in Nevada, police said. Vicki Radig, 20, was reported missing by her family in March 1981, the Henderson Police Department said Monday in a news release. Radig had reportedly gone out with her boyfriend at the time, Walter Bradley DeMint, and had not been seen since, the department said. DeMint said the pair had argued and that Radig had run off, police said. Two days later, Radig's body was found in a desert area along Boulder Highway. Police ruled her death a homicide and determined she had died from blunt and sharp force trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeMint was "considered a person of interest" throughout the investigation, the Henderson Police Department said. His account of events was inconsistent, but investigators did not have enough evidence to press charges, the department said. DeMint passed away in 2007. The police department did not say if other suspects were ever identified. Vicki Radig. / Credit: Henderson Police Department In 2021, DNA found on swabs taken from Radig during the initial investigation was submitted for forensic testing. The tests found that DeMint had contributed DNA, police said. In 2022 and 2023, other evidence samples were submitted for forensic testing. The second round of testing found more of DeMint and Radig's DNA. Police submitted the new DNA information to the Clark County District Attorney's Office, which concurred with the Henderson Police Department that "Walter Bradley DeMint is the only viable suspect identified in this case." If DeMint were still alive, he could have been charged with murder based on the forensic evidence, the Henderson Police Department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Radig's surviving family members have been notified of the developments in the case and continue "to be supported" by the department. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Henderson Police Department's Cold Case Homicide Unit at 702-267-4911 or Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555. Vatican announces Pope Francis' funeral details as his burial requests are revealed From the archives: 1970 Earth Day special report with Walter Cronkite Remembering Pope Francis, the Catholic Church leader who broke with tradition CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) The West Virginia Department of Tourism has announced the installation of three new Almost Heaven swings, two of which can be found in north central West Virginia. According to a press release from the department, Tygart Lake State Park in Taylor County and Valley Falls State Park in Marion County have both seen the addition of new Almost Heaven swings, which make for popular photo spots across the Mountain State. Almost Heaven Swing at Valley Falls State Park (Photo: West Virginia Department of Tourism) Almost Heaven Swing at Tygart Lake State Park (Photo: West Virginia Department of Tourism) West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby is hopeful the new swings will encourage people to enjoy and share the outdoors of West Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is so exciting to see folks traveling from near and far to visit our Almost Heaven swings, Ruby said in the release. These make the perfect photo-op for folks to enjoy during their spring travels and beyond. Now is the perfect time to plan your spring trip to the Mountain State! Armadillos could expand into West Virginia If you visit one of these swings, you are encouraged to share any pictures you take to social media using #AlmostHeaven. Another swing was added to Sportsmans Park in Wirt County. There are now 36 Almost Heaven swings in West Virginia. You can see a full list of locations and find one near you on the West Virginia tourism website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. WARREN COUNTY, Ky. (WKRN) Two Kentucky men were charged Tuesday after a traffic stop led to the discovery of a large amount of drugs and two firearms, including one stolen from Nashville. The Warren County Sheriffs Office said just after 7 a.m. Tuesday, deputies performed a traffic stop on two men who were driving along Interstate 64, five miles south of Bowling Green. Deputies worked with Warren County Drug Task Force detectives and K9 officers to search the vehicle. Driver strikes Mt. Juliet Police Department patrol vehicle because he was reading a prescription Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the search, investigators reportedly found 8.6 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 22 pills, 6.6 grams of marijuana and $640 in cash. Two handguns were also recovered, including one that was reported stolen from Nashville. (Courtesy: Warren County Sheriffs Office) Joshua Steven Webster, 37, was charged with felony trafficking in controlled substances, felony handgun possession as a convicted felon, misdemeanor marijuana possession, misdemeanor receiving stolen property and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Todd Allen Dooley, 41, was charged with felony trafficking in controlled substances, felony handgun possession as a convicted felon, misdemeanor marijuana possession, misdemeanor receiving stolen property, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor excessive windshield/window tint, misdemeanor failure to maintain required vehicle insurance and misdemeanor operating on a suspended license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Warren County Jail records, both men are being held without bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. JASPER COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) Two inmates have been charged after allegedly setting a fire that injured eight people inside the Jasper County Detention Center. Carlton Alexander German, 38, and Jamari Tylik Williams, 22, were charged with arson and criminal conspiracy on Friday, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reported. The charges followed an investigation into a September 2024 fire inside the Jasper County Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German was reportedly captured on surveillance video moving a mattress into the area of where the fire originated before going behind blankets hung up from the ceiling. According to the arrest warrant, Williams and German then disabled the camera in the cell. Williams then used a black BIC lighter to ignite blankets, paper and core material from mattresses, the warrant said. Six inmates and two correctional officers were injured, according to the arrest warrant. German and Williams remain in the Jasper County Detention Center and the case will be prosecuted by the 14th Circuit Solicitors Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. Two seniors from Concord-Carlisle High School were killed in a crash in the Florida Panhandle, with two others seriously hurt, Florida Highway Patrol said Tuesday. Seniors Jimmy McIntosh and Hannah Wasserman died in the crash, according to a statement from Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter obtained by the Boston Globe. Two other seniors remain in critical condition. MassLive has reached out to Hunter for more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At around 9:28 p.m. on Monday, an 18-year-old man and three 18-year-old women were in an SUV driving west on Route 98 in Walton County, near Panama City Beach, Florida, when they were struck by a tractor-trailer trying to make a U-turn in a paved median, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report obtained by MassLive. The SUV crossed the median and the highways eastbound side before stopping along the woodline, police said. The driver and one female passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two women were hospitalized at Bay Medical Center. Two men were in the truck, the police report read, but neither was hurt in the crash. We offer our deep condolences to the families and friends of Hannah and Jimmy during this unimaginable time, Hunter said in her statement. Their loss will be deeply felt by our school community as well as by so many families in Carlisle and Concord. We are also keeping the other two students in our thoughts and wish them strength and a swift recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grief counseling is available for high school students and staff on Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., and on Monday after students return from spring break, the Globe wrote. More News At least two dozen are dead after gunmen opened fire on a group of domestic tourists in Kashmir, India, on Tuesday. Reports indicate that more are wounded. Army and police officials were promptly deployed to the scene. No single group has been identified as responsible for the shooting yet, though Reuters reported that a low-profile militant group called Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility in a social media post. The group said in the post that violence will be directed toward outsiders who are settling in Kashmir. Kashmir has long been the scene of frequent unrest between India and Pakistan, which both control portions of the land there. Indian police officers stand guard near Pahalgam in south Kashmir after assailants indiscriminately opened fired at tourists visiting Pahalgam, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. | Dar Yasin Last year, militants killed nine and injured 33 in an attack on Hindu pilgrims; in 2019, a suicide bombing in the Indian half of Kashmir killed 46 soldiers and led to Indian military retaliation on Pakistan, according to the BBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesdays attack took place in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir. Kashmir sees over 3 million tourists a year, both from within and without India. Background on the attack The attack has not yet been attributed officially to any group, but BBC reports that some witnesses have accused the gunmen of targeting non-Muslims. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the attack on Tuesday, saying, I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. An Indian tourist woman talk to her cell phone as Jammu and Kashmir Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel patrol at a Dal Lake in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir,Tuesday, April. 22, 2025. | Mukhtar Khan He continued, Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice ... they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger. I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2025 President Donald Trump released a statement on Tuesday shortly after the killing, declaring his support for the Indian government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies, Trump posted on Truth Social. JD Vance visits India The attack came just as Vice President JD Vance is in India with his wife, Usha Vance, and their children. The Vance itinerary includes visiting ancient tourist sites in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and touring the Taj Mahal, as well as diplomatic talks with Modi about the economic future of the two countries. Vance has recently called on India to buy more American energy and equipment as well as to give Americans greater access to its markets, per Fox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, the Trump administration declared a 26% levy on Indian imports before quickly stalling the tariff implementation in order to allow for negotiations between the two nations. On Monday, Modi hosted Vance and his family in his residence in New Delhi, incurring praise from Vance for a warm welcome. Talks appeared to go well. We are not here to preach to do things in one particular way, Vance said in a speech from Jaipur on Tuesday. President Trump wants America to grow. He wants India to grow, and he wants to build a future with our partners all the way. More than two dozen Venezuelan immigrants linked to the notorious Tren de Aragua street gang have been arrested on federal murder, racketeering, drug and sex trafficking charges, officials said Tuesday. The takedown by the FBI and the NYPD marks the first time members of the Venezuelan gang are facing charges under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, otherwise known as the RICO Act. President Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, joined Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch to detail the arrests at a press conference in lower Manhattan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges against the 27 defendants are part of a broader push by the president to prosecute and deport alleged members of foreign criminal gangs operating in the country. My mission is to get rid of every one of these dangerous gangs from our city. Im unapologetic about it, Adams said announcing the indictment. That mission was preelection. Its the same postelection, and every law enforcement agency on the city, state and federal level is part of that partnership. Homan called Tren de Aragua a national security threat. We remove public safety threats, especially national security threats, off the street in New York that are in this country illegally, Homan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tren de Aragua, the largest criminal organization in Venezuela with more than 5,000 members, has been named by the Trump administration as a foreign terrorist organization. Its members have been linked to human trafficking, extortion, drug crimes and murder in North and South America. Members have surfaced in the U.S. over the past few years, including in Manhattan and Queens. Several have lived in Midtown hotels that the city uses to house immigrants. President Trump was elected in part for his anti-immigration stance. Those arrested in the takedown include six Tren de Aragua members as well as 19 members of a splinter group known as Anti-Tren. The two groups often fought with each other, federal officials said. Of the 27 indicted, 21 were already in either federal, state or Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) custody. Five defendants were rounded up Monday night in New York and other jurisdictions, federal authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gang members are accused of sex-trafficking young women, who they called multadas, from Venezuela to Peru and the U.S., smuggling ketamine and other illegal narcotics and committing armed robberies. The gang members were so interconnected that Tren de Aragua even created lodging and interstate transportation for members fleeing prosecution, the feds say. They kept the women they sex-trafficked in check by killing and assaulting them, as well as threatening their families back in Venezuela, officials said. Anti-Tren is almost entirely made up of former TdA members and operates in Queens, the Bronx and New Jersey, federal officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The splinter group threatened, assaulted and killed TdA members and also sex-trafficked women to the U.S., the indictment states. For the first time ever, TdA is being named and charged as the criminal enterprise that it is, Tisch said. This isnt just street crime its organized racketeering, and this gang has shown zero regard for the safety of New Yorkers. The investigation received support from Joint Task Force Vulcan, a multistate federal investigation unit created in 2019 to fight MS-13 in Long Island and other parts of the tristate area. The unit is composed of members of U.S. Attorneys offices in New York, New Jersey and other nearby states. With Rocco Parascandola BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Three people have been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in southeast Bakersfield that occurred in February. Devin Jones, 18, was arraigned Monday on charges of first-degree murder and gang participation. Two teens Kaleb Washington,15, and Adrian Herron, 14 are facing charges in juvenile court, prosecutors said. Jones is due back in court next week. Hes being held without bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three are accused in the death of Carl Powell Jr., who was shot in the 2100 block of Lotus Lane on the afternoon of Feb. 22. Powell, 44, was taken to Kern Medical, where he was pronounced dead. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. COURTESY PHOTOS (L-R ) Michel Joe Gedeon, Tara Malia Gregory and Alexander Alika Malabey. COURTESY PHOTOS (L-R ) Michel Joe Gedeon, Tara Malia Gregory and Alexander Alika Malabey. Hawaiis Democratic governor has a choice of three Republican nominees from which to appoint a successor to the late Rep. Gene Ward in the state House of Representatives. A panel of Hawaii Republican Party members in Wards former district covering parts of East Honolulu recently decided to nominate Alexander Alika Malabey, Michel Joe Gedeon and Tara Malia Gregory for the House District 18 seat after considering applicants in a process that included a community forum and interviews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The party said in a statement that the process to fill a seat in Hawaiis Legislature vacated by a Republican had not occurred in over 60 years. Ward had been one of nine Republicans in the 51-member House. After health issues that had kept him sidelined from the state Capitol since this years legislative session began in January, Ward on March 21 announced his resignation effective March 31. He died April 4 at the age of 82, after serving in the House for 27 years. Tamara McKay, GOP state chair, said the three nominees, all entrepreneurs, possess the qualities and commitment necessary to uphold Republican Party principles and effectively represent House District 18 covering Hawaii Kai, Portlock and Kalama Valley. Although no one can truly replace Gene Wards unwavering dedication and service, we are proud to offer three exceptional candidates, she said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Gedeon is a lifelong Hawaii Kai resident who is a partner and co-founder of advertising firm JPG Media. Gedeon also previously produced a weekly conservative talk radio show hosted by former Lt. Gov. James Duke Aiona and was a communications officer at Saint Louis School. Malabey is a fifth-generation Hawaii Kai resident who operates Visionary Real Estate Inspections. He also is a former foster parent and has held staff positions at the Legislature that included office manager for Green when Green was in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gregory grew up in Palolo Valley and runs Malia Marketing Agency. She is a former producer and director of music videos and short films, and currently is pursuing a masters degree in theology and is the GOPs East Honolulu regional vice chair. Green under state law has until May 30, or 60 days after the vacancy occurred, to make a decision on whom to appoint to fill the House District 18 seat. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 22. Tajikistans Finance Minister Faiziddin Kahhorzoda met with the leadership of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in Washington to discuss expanding cooperation in education financing, Trend reports via the Tajik ministry. The parties engaged in a comprehensive dialogue regarding a spectrum of strategic imperatives, encompassing equitable, inclusive, and high-caliber educational financing, the augmentation of early childhood education frameworks, pedagogical professional development, enhancement of educational infrastructure, and the integration of advanced digital learning ecosystems. Tajikistan has been engaging in collaborative synergies with the Global Partnership for Education since the year 2005. Throughout this timeframe, a total of 12 initiatives, aggregating over $86.8 million in funding, have been executed with the objective of optimizing educational ecosystems, elevating literacy metrics, and fortifying the robustness of the educational framework. Kakhkhorzoda expressed gratitude to GPE for its invaluable support and reaffirmed the ministrys commitment to enhancing collaborative synergies in critical domains of the education sector. GPE constitutes a consortium of global stakeholders collaboratively engaging in initiatives aimed at enhancing educational outcomes on a worldwide scale. Situated within the World Bank framework, it represents the singular global entity exclusively dedicated to the financial facilitation of educational initiatives in emerging economies. Three federal prosecutors who worked on the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams resigned Tuesday -- while they were on administrative leave -- instead of agreeing to "preconditions" on them returning to the office, sending a sharp letter to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and accusing him of pressuring them to falsely "express regret and admit some wrongdoing" in the case. "The Department placed each of us on administrative leave ostensibly to review our, and the Southern District of New York U.S. Attorneys Offices, handling of the Adams case," the trio of prosecutors assigned to Adams' case, Celia V. Cohen, Andrew Rohrbach and Derek Wikstrom, wrote to Blanche. "It is now clear that one of the preconditions you have placed on our returning to the Office is that we must express regret and admit some wrongdoing by the Office in connection with the refusal to move to dismiss the case. We will not confess wrongdoing when there was none." MORE: Timeline of how Eric Adams' bribery case led to resignations of federal prosecutors Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three lawyers were part of a group in the Justice Department who refused to sign off on the dismissal of the bribery case against Adams in February. They were placed on administrative leave last month as an investigation played out. "We have served under Presidents of both parties, advancing their priorities while pursuing justice without fear or favor," the three prosecutors wrote. "The role of a career prosecutor is not to set policy. But a prosecutor must abide by the oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States and the rules of professional ethics set by the bar and the courts." They later added, "Now, the Department has decided that obedience supersedes all else, requiring us to abdicate our legal and ethical obligations in favor of directions from Washington. That is wrong." PHOTO: New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a press conference following a helicopter crash in the Hudson River at Pier 40, in New York City, on April 12, 2025. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) The fallout from acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove's request that the Southern District of New York dismiss charges without prejudice began in mid-February. Danielle Sassoon, then-acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, resigned from her position Feb. 13 after suggesting DOJ leadership, including Bove, were explicitly aware of a quid pro quo suggested by Adams' attorneys, saying Adams' vocal support of President Donald Trump's immigration policies would be boosted by dismissing the indictment against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Rather than be rewarded, Adams's advocacy should be called out for what it is: an improper offer of immigration enforcement assistance in exchange for a dismissal of his case," Sassoon wrote at the time. "Although Mr. Bove disclaimed any intention to exchange leniency in this case for Adams's assistance in enforcing federal law, that is the nature of the bargain laid bare in Mr. Bove's memo." Five other DOJ officials would join Sassoon in resigning from the office in protest, while at least six top Department of Justice officials refused to sign onto the case's dismissal, sources told ABC News last month. MORE: Top federal prosecutor steps aside as shake-up continues in New York's Southern District Adams was indicted last year in the Southern District of New York on five counts in an alleged long-standing conspiracy connected to improper benefits, illegal campaign contributions and an attempted cover-up. He had pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dismissal paperwork was later signed by an attorney in the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section, leaving the decision to dismiss the case to a federal judge in New York. On April 2, Judge Dale Ho officially dismissed the case, however, he did so with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be revived. The DOJ had asked for the charges to be dismissed without prejudice and said they could be brought against Adams again following the November mayoral election. But three weeks later, the fallout continued with Tuesday's letter. The three prosecutors ended their letter to Blanche: "Serving in the Southern District of New York has been an honor. There is no greater privilege than to work for an institution whose mandate is to do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons. We will not abandon this principle to keep our jobs. We resign." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment. 3 federal prosecutors assigned to Eric Adams case resign, say they won't admit to 'wrongdoing' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) Louisville Metro police applauded three young men for their role in a drivers rescue from the Ohio River on Monday evening. High schoolers Abraham Cruz, his brother Jacob, and his friend Kenay Valdes were going to fish on the Greenwood Boat Ramp in Louisville on Monday evening. But little did they know their excursion would turn into a rescue mission. According to the Louisville Metro Police Department, officers were called to the Greenwood Boat Ramp around 6:20 p.m. on April 21 after receiving reports of a vehicle in the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First responders were on the scene within minutes, but in the meantime, three young fishermen stepped in. We got there, and as soon as we got there, we seen the man go into the water, so I took off, and I started running, and as soon as I started running, they both started running behind me, Cruz told WDRB, the FOX affiliate in Louisville. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Everyone was running down, so we went straight to the boat docks, and then the car started floating away, and all the people were running down, and we got there and were like, Whats happening? Lets just go see,' Valdes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police told FOX 56 that three young men had been fishing on the Ohio River that day and didnt hesitate when they came across the submerged vehicle. Two of them jumped into the river, swam to the vehicle, helped the driver escape, and secured it to a nearby tree with a rope to prevent it from floating away. It was pretty quick, as soon as we got there, we got in the water, and we found a rope, we dont even know who gave it to us, Cruz said. Once they got the rope, Jacob started pulling the car out of the water while his brother tried to help the man escape. Whenever I opened the door, he went like this to me, I grabbed him and picked him up, and just swam with him, Cruz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to LMPD, it appeared as if the vehicle experienced a mechanical issue, causing the driver to lose control at the ramp and run into the water. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The driver was reportedly taken to Audubon Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The quick actions from these young men help turn a potential tragic situation into positive outcome, police said. The boys are all Pleasure Ridge Park High School students. Principal Jason Stinson said he was extremely proud when he heard the news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They went out and put themselves in harms way to rescue somebody they dont know; if that doesnt tell you excellence right there, then I dont know what does, Stinson said. As for the attention the teens have gotten since the rescue, they say they didnt expect it. We didnt think it was going to be like a big deal. I actually thought it was just going to be like just fish and thats it, nobody was even going to think about it, but apparently its not like that, Cruz explained. Last we heard, the driver was being treated at the hospital and is expected to be okay. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 3 men arrested on drug, firearms charges in New Haven NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Three men were arrested in New Haven on Monday on narcotics and firearm-related charges. New Haven Police said that at approximately 3:08 p.m., officers arrested 28-year-old Christian Ayala-Rivera, 26-year-old Jorge Asencio-Ortiz, and 34-year-old William Borrero at 238 Davenport Avenue. Police said a search of the address allegedly discovered 14 grams of cocaine and heroin, a Glock 17 9mm pistol with a laser attachment and high-capacity magazine, ammunition, and cash. Police said that address police said was previously targeted by officers in January, resulting in two arrests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borrero, of New Haven, was charged with possession of a pistol without a permit, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and interfering with police. He is being held on a $250,000 bond. William Borrero Ascencio-Ortiz, of New Haven, was charged with possession of a pistol without a permit, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. He is being held on a $250,000 bond. Jorge Ascencio-Ortiz Ayala-Rivera was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, possession of a pistol without a permit, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and interfering with police. He was also found to have four outstanding arrest warrants and is being held on bonds totaling $425,000. 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 WTNH.com. A federal grand jury has indicted three Boston men in connection with trafficking methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine in the region, the U.S. Attorney said Monday. Heriberto Perez, 50, whose immigration status is unknown; Jean Carlos Frias Polcano, 27, a Dominican national; and Rafael Vargas-Cabrera, 36, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement. Perez and Frias Polcano were also indicted on one count each of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, in July 2024, law enforcement authorities received information about the drug trafficking activities of Perez. Investigators seized more than 2.6 kilograms of pure methamphetamine, as well as hundreds of grams of cocaine and over 60 grams of fentanyl, Foley said. If convicted of the charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Perez, Frias Polcano and Vargas-Cabrera each face a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. If convicted of the charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Perez, Frias Polcano and Vargas-Cabrera each face a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted of the charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, Perez and Frias Polcano each face a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Perez and Frias Polcano are also subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Three people were shot and one person was stabbed in a Boston neighborhood on Monday night. The incident happened at around 10:14 p.m. in Mattapan on Regis Road, according to the Boston Police Department. Initially, just one victim was reported at the scene, but officers arrived to find three people who were shot, and one person who was stabbed. All of the victims had non-life-threatening injuries, the department said, and all were brought to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man named Calvin Stokes, 46, of Mattapan, was arrested in connection with the incident. Stokes faces charges of being an armed career criminal, four counts of assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a knife, unlawful possession of a gun and firing a gun within 500 feet of a building. Stokes is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on Tuesday morning. More Boston stories Four people were arrested while authorities were conducting several narcotics search warrants in Greenville Tuesday morning, according to Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker and Greenville Chief of Police Ryan Benge. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Authorities searched three different addresses throughout the city. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raul Dean, 34, of Greenville, was arrested on 517 Pine Street for pre-trial release violations for a pending aggravated arson charge. According to authorities, Dean could face additional charges as a result of this search. Darke County Sheriffs deputies arrested Chet Musselman, 26, of Greenville, at 504 Washington Avenue. Bulk amounts of methamphetamines and a sawed-off shotgun were found inside, according to authorities. Musselman was booked into Darke County Jail on preliminary charges of trafficking in drugs and unlawful possession of a dangerous ordnance. Aaron Rutschilling, 29, of Greenville, was arrested during a search of 526 E. Main Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approximately 71 grams of methamphetamine, a 45 caliber handgun and more than $1,000 in cash believed to be connected to drug activity, according to authorities. Rutschilling was booked into jail on preliminary charges of trafficking in drugs and having weapons under disability. Hannah Hodge, 24, was also arrested at the E Main Street address for a preliminary charge of trafficking in drugs, authorities said. At the time of writing, Dean, Musselman and Rutschilling remain booked in the Darke County Jail. Hodge was not listed in the jail records. In a different incident, police and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority arrested Johntay Lane, 28, of Dayton at 709 Euclid Avenue for a parole violation stemming from possession of drug charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lane is booked into the Montgomery County Jail. The Darke County Sheriffs Office and the Greenville Police are working to decrease illegal drug activity in the county. Anyone with information related to illegal drug activity in Darke County is asked to call the sheriffs office at 937-548-2020, the Greenville Police Department at 937-548-1103, or Darke County Crime Stoppers at 937-547-1661. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Four Democratic U.S. House members, in El Salvador to push for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, said they met with officials in the U.S. Embassy and got no indication that it is working to return the mistakenly deported man to Maryland. We just had a meeting earlier today with the embassy, Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, said during a livestreamed press conference on Monday. We left that meeting with absolutely zero indication that this administration is going to facilitate or wants to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia back to the United States so he can go through due process. Due process applies to all people in our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other lawmakers on the trip are Reps. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, Maxine Dexter of Oregon, and Robert Garcia of California. They were joined by Chris Newman, an attorney for Abrego Garcias wife and mother. The visit was part of an effort by Democrats to secure the release of Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Prince Georges County sheet metal apprentice and El Salvadoran national who was deported to El Salvador and imprisoned due to what a Trump administration attorney called an administrative error. The lawmakers, who also met with human rights groups, say they also want to check on Abrego Garcias condition. Abrego Garcias case has become a platform for a national debate over the scope of President Donald Trumps authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has publicly called Abrego Garcia an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker and illegal alien. The administration and congressional Republicans criticized Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who met with Abrego last week, saying the Maryland Democrat should focus more on the victims of immigrant crime than on Abrego Garcia. Van Hollen said Abrego Garcia seemed in good condition, but that his assessment was superficial because their visit in El Salvador was so short. Congressional Democrats say Abrego Garcia, who had been in the United States legally since 2019, was denied due process and that Trump is defying federal court orders to bring him home and telling lies about Abrego Garcia that cast him as a gang member or terrorist. Were deeply grateful to the members of Congress and advocates for justice now on the ground in El Salvador, building on the leadership of Senator Van Hollen, said a statement released Monday by CASA, the immigrants advocacy group, on behalf of Abrego Garcias family. We are particularly concerned about Kilmars health and hope to receive news about that from the visit. Their presence sends a powerful message: the fight to bring Kilmar home isnt over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican, refused to allow committee members Frost and Garcia to travel to El Salvador using committee funds. You can spend your own money, Comer said. But I will not approve a single dime of taxpayer funds for use on the excursion you have requested, Comer said in a letter posted by Frost on social media. Pretty shameful, Maxwell posted on X of Comers denial. Good thing I dont need Comers permission to get on a plane. Comer called Abrego Garcia a foreign MS-13 gang member. In a letter to the Trump administration two weeks ago seeking Abrego Garcias release, Van Hollen and fellow Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks wrote that gang members had been trying to recruit Abrego Garcia and his brother, forcing his family to move multiple times, ultimately compelling both him and his brother to flee to the United States out of fear. _____ The Hall County Sheriffs Office says a threat called into Chestatee High School on Monday was actually a case of swatting. A call was made to the high school around 2 p.m., saying that explosives had been placed around the CHS campus. The caller also threatened to harm students and staff as they exited the building. The district told Channel 2 Action News that school grounds were thoroughly searched and nothing was found. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the sheriffs office said that the phone number used was not a local number. Similar tactics have been used in other swatting incidents, not just in Georgia, but also across the country, the sheriffs office said. The district is also offering a $5000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for this heinous crime, Hall County Superintendent Will Schofield said. The district said extra deputies will be on campus on Tuesday. DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awarded a $500,000 grant to a trail project in Dickinson County. Officials said on Friday that the funds came from the Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Program. The money will go towards the Clay County Connection Project, which includes building a 3.5-mile addition to the Spine Trail. 2 finalists named for chief administrator role at Northwest AEA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the project is done, the 32-mile trail corridor will connect three counties in two states and 8 municipalities. The estimated cost of the project is just more than $2.5 million. IEDA said the connection project is set to be a part of the Iowa Great Lakes Connection, a trail system for people to access multiple lakes and recreational opportunities in Northwest Iowa. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). The dining scene in Kuala Lumpur has long reflected Malaysias rich cultural tapestry, with traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisines as staples. And now, the city is embracing culinary innovation, too. From elevated street food to avant-garde fine dining, chefs are pushing boundaries with fusion dishes and unique ingredients. Here are the best places to experience the Malaysian capitals ever-evolving food landscape. 1. Belinjau Origami Frog, Dewakan This dish epitomises chef Darren Teohs commitment to celebrating local, indigenous and traditional ingredients through creative, experimental cooking. Part of the restaurants tasting menu, it centres around crackers made from native Malaysian belinjau nuts, crafted to resemble an origami frog. The crackers have a creamy yet mildly crunchy texture and earthy flavour, while a topping of oil from the perah nut, also native to Malaysia, adds depth and richness. A final flourish of caviar represents the female frogs eggs during mating season. 2. A5 Miyazaki Masak Hitam, Beta KL Michelin-starred modern Malaysian restaurant Beta KL puts a contemporary fine-dining spin on humble, rustic dishes, using European and Japanese techniques. The restaurant is best known for its A5 Miyazaki wagyu beef, served in a dark, rich Sarawakian masak hitam sauce made from caramelised shallots, garlic, soy sauce and spices including coriander and cumin. The top-grade beef belies the traditional reputation of masak hitam dishes for being tough and overdone. 3. Seafood Porridge, Hai Kah Lang Casual dining spot Hai Kah Lang has two locations in Kuala Lumpur one of which has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The focus is on using fresh, high-quality ingredients to make the smart seafood dishes its become known for. Chefs work directly with fishermen in nearby Kuala Selangor to source prawns, clams and squid for the rice-based seafood porridge, or congee. Cooked over a charcoal fire, the result is a hearty, soothing broth with the flavour of coriander and a subtle smokiness, where the naturally sweet seafood flavours come to the fore. 4. Ebi Katsu Ube Sando, Reka Bar eka Bars innovative cocktails earned it a spot on Asias 50 Best Bars list for 2024, while the sleek, low-lit interiors ushered it into the top three of 50 Bests Bareksten Best Bar Design Award. But the ebi katsu ube sando is another reason to visit, with succulent prawn katsu encased between slices of soft vibrant purple ube milk loaf. Its also packed with caramelised cabbage, okonomiyaki sauce and creamy mayonnaise, with a sprinkle of furikake seasoning and pistachio dust for extra texture. The result is a satisfying, umami-packed sandwich. This bar and restaurant, on the 57th floor of the Petronas Towers, is known for its views of Kuala Lumpurs skyline, but the contemporary Italian menu is equally memorable. The caviar tiramisu is an opulent twist on the classic dessert, made using molecular gastronomy techniques. Velvety mascarpone is layered with espresso-soaked ladyfinger biscuits and crowned with a generous layer of coffee caviar, made using a spherification method, with the coffee held in by a thin gel membrane that bursts in the mouth. The dessert is finished with flashes of gold leaf. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 22. The Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP) project in Tajikistan is an important regional project, said Charles Cormier, the World Banks Infrastructure Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Trend reports via the Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan. Cormier made the statement during a meeting with Tajikistans Minister of Finance, Faiziddin Kahhorzoda, held in Washington, D.C., on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG). During the talks, the parties discussed ongoing efforts to advance the Rogun HPP project, mobilize additional financing, implement existing financial agreements, and improve coordination among development partners. Cormier emphasized that the Rogun plant will not only help close Tajikistans domestic electricity gap, especially during the winter months, but also allow for the export of clean, renewable energy to neighboring countries, contributing to broader regional energy security. Kahhorzoda expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its continuous support and highlighted the importance of close cooperation to ensure the effective implementation of financial arrangements related to the project. The Rogun HPP, located on the Vakhsh river, is planned to include six generating units of 600 MW each. Two units are currently operational, with a third expected to be commissioned in 2025. Once fully completed, the facility is projected to produce more than 17 billion kWh of electricity annually. The plant is projected to generate electrical power for approximately 10 million consumers and facilitate the exportation of up to 70 percent of its production to the markets of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Six men were charged by prosecutors in northern Idaho for removing a woman from a Kootenai County Republican Central Committee town hall in February. Teresa Borrenpohl, a former Democratic nominee for state office, was hauled out of the meeting by individuals in plain clothes who refused to identify themselves at her request. Five of them were hired by the private security firm Lear Asset Management, which had its license revoked by the city after the town hall, according to The Associated Press. Paul Trouette, Russell Dunne, Christofer Berg and Jesse Jones were charged with misdemeanor battery, false imprisonment, and violations of security agent duties and uniform requirements, while Alex Trouette IV is charged with security agent duties and uniform violations, the Coeur dAlene City Prosecutors office told The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Keller, who was not hired by the security firm, is being charged with misdemeanor battery, the prosecutors office said. Town halls are intended to foster conversation and discourse across the aisle, which is why I am deeply alarmed that private security dragged me out of the public meeting for simply exercising my fundamental right of free speech, Borrenpohl told AP. The incident comes as GOP leadership in Washington, D.C., has largely encouraged members of Congress to shy away from town halls amid vocal backlash from constituents, who many Republicans insist are Democratic activists. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) was the latest leader to face shouting and pointed questions at a town hall Monday about the Department of Government Efficiencys efforts to slash spending and overhaul the federal workforce under President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Bill Owens, the executive producer for CBS News flagship 60 Minutes program, announced he will resign from the top job on Tuesday, saying he no longer has control over the show. In a memo obtained by CNN, Owens said to 60 Minutes staff that the last few months have made it clear that he would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it or make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes. So, having defended this show and what we stand for from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward, Owens wrote, adding that the show is too important to the country, it has to continue, just not with me as the Executive Producer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Owens praised Wendy McMahon, stressing that the CBS News chief executive has always had our back, and agrees that 60 Minutes needs to be run by a 60 Minute (sic) producer. Owens decision to step down, which was first reported by The New York Times, comes as media outlets credibility has hit a low and as outlets find themselves under attack including frequent jabs from the White House. In November, President Donald Trump slapped CBS News and its parent company, Paramount Global, with a $10 billion lawsuit that claims a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris was grossly mis-edited by CBS at the Harris campaigns direction. Since then, Trump has repeatedly called for the network to lose its license and urged the Federal Communications Commission to punish the broadcaster. Ultimately, 60 Minutes handed over the full transcript and video of the contested interview to the FCC, and Trump and Paramount this month agreed on a mediator in the lawsuit. Owens resignation provides Trump with another major victory against the broadcaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesdays announcement also comes as Shari Redstone the media heiress who holds a controlling share of National Amusements, Paramount Globals parent company continues to seek a merger between Paramount and David Ellisons Skydance Media. During a February meeting, Redstone told Paramounts board of directors that she wanted to resolve the 60 Minutes lawsuit. After Owens announced his resignation, McMahon applauded Owens illustrious career in an email to staffers obtained by CNN. As Executive Producer, Bill has led 60 Minutes with unwavering integrity, curiosity, and a deep commitment to the truth, McMahon wrote. He has championed the kind of journalism that informs, enlightens, and often changes the national conversation. Per McMahon, Owens will remain with 60 Minutes during the weeks ahead, and executives are already holding conversations with correspondents and senior leaders. No replacement was immediately identified for Owens, who has been with CBS News for 37 years, 24 of which were at 60 Minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owens could not be reached for comment. CBS did not offer additional comment beyond the company memo. Shortly after reports of Owens resignation emerged, two 60 Minutes producers spoke anonymously with CNNs Jake Tapper. One such source called Trumps lawsuit baseless and stressed Owens refusal to apologize or bend while noting the top producer fought for the broadcast and for independent journalism and that cost him his job. A second source was blunter. Its like a guy who has been battling for months against an attack, this person said. He sacrificed himself hoping it might make our corporate overlords wake up and realize they risk destroying what makes 60 Minutes great. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Longtime 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens is resigning. In an email to staff, Owens cited an inability to make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes. Over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, Owens wrote. To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. So, having defended this show and what we stand for from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision from Owens sent shock waves throughout CBS News, a source tells The Hollywood Reporter. In a memo of her own, CBS News, stations and media ventures CEO Wendy McMahon wrote that she is committed to 60 Minutes and to ensuring that the mission and the work remain our priority. We have already begun conversations with correspondents and senior leaders, and those will continue in the days and weeks ahead. On a personal note, working with Bill has been one of the great privileges of my career, she added. Standing behind what he stood for was an easy decision for me, and I never took for granted that he did the same for me. The source says that they believed other resignations at the show could follow, depending on what caused Owens to resign. Paramount has been in settlement talks with President Trump over a lawsuit filed over an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of last years election. Owens is only the third executive producer in the history of the venerable CBS newsmagazine, having taken over the program in 2019. Last year he also added oversight of CBS Evening News, which CBS chose to reboot in the style of 60 Minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 60 Minutes as a brand, its importance to viewers across platforms is immeasurable, and the strength of its distinctive, obviously memorable approach every Sunday night is without comparison, McMahon told THR of the reboot at the time. 60 Minutes has been the flagship of CBS News almost since it aired its first episode in 1968. The program is the most watched news program in the U.S., and its interviews and investigations often set the news cycle. It has also historically operated with a degree of independence from the rest of CBS, with its own stable of producers and correspondents, and an office and studio located outside of the CBS Broadcast Center on the west side of Manhattan. The extent to which that independence is being impeded could determine what happens next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is Owens email in full: The fact is that 60 Minutes has been my life. My son was 6 months old, my wife was pregnant with my daughter and my mother was in a coma when I spent 5 weeks on the battlefield in Iraq with Scott. My 60 Minutes priorities have always been clear. Maybe not smart, but clear. Over the past months, it has also become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it. To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. So, having defended this show and what we stand for from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward. The show is too important to the country, it has to continue, just not with me as the Executive Producer. Please remember, people didnt think we would survive without Mike or Ed or Don or Jeff. We did. You will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 60 Minutes will continue to cover the new administration, as we will report on future administrations. We will report from War zones, investigate injustices and educate our audience. In short, 60 Minutes will do what it has done for 57 years. Wendy McMahon has always had our back, and she agrees that 60 Minutes needs to be run by a 60 Minute(s) producer. Tanya has been an amazing partner, as have Claudia and Debbie, Matt Richman and Matt Polevoy. I am grateful to all of them. Look, I have worked at CBS News for 37 years, more than half of that at 60 Minutes, I have been shot at and threatened with jail for protecting a source. I have overseen more than 600 stories as Executive Producer of 60. I know who I am and what I have done to cover the most important stories of our time under difficult conditions. I am also proud to have hired the next generation of correspondents and to call Lesley, Bill, Anderson, Sharyn, Jon, Cecilia and Scott friends. Scott one of my closest. Thank you all, remain focused on the moment, our audience deserves it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is McMahons memo: Hi everyone, After 37 years, Bill Owens is ending his illustrious career at CBS News, 24 of those years at Americas most important news program, 60 Minutes. His note to the team is below. As Executive Producer, Bill has led 60 Minutes with unwavering integrity, curiosity, and a deep commitment to the truth. He has championed the kind of journalism that informs, enlightens, and often changes the national conversation. His dedication to finding and nurturing talent will be felt across CBS News for years. Bill will be with us in the weeks ahead so there will be time and opportunity to thank Bill for his immeasurable contributions to CBS News, 60 Minutes and the profession of journalism as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tom and I are committed to 60 Minutes and to ensuring that the mission and the work remain our priority. We have already begun conversations with correspondents and senior leaders, and those will continue in the days and weeks ahead. On a personal note, working with Bill has been one of the great privileges of my career. Standing behind what he stood for was an easy decision for me, and I never took for granted that he did the same for me. Wendy Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The top producer at CBS 60 Minutes announced Tuesday he would step down from the newsmagazine because he had lost his journalistic independence. Over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, Bill Owens said in a memo to staff members, which was obtained by NBC News. To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. So, having defended this show and what we stand for from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward, Owens added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owens departure comes during a tumultuous chapter for 60 Minutes. President Donald Trump has sued CBS for $10 billion over an October interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris that the president claims was deceptively edited. The network has denied that claim. Trump amended the lawsuit earlier this year, upping his damages claim to $20 billion. Former President Donald Trumps repeated claims against 60 Minutes are false, CBS News said in a statement in October. The interview was not doctored and the show did not hide any part of Vice President Kamala Harriss answer to the question at issue. In a separate statement, 60 Minutes said it gave an excerpt from its interview with Harris to the Sunday morning program Face the Nation, which used a longer section of the former Democratic presidential candidates answer to a question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response. When we edit any interview, whether a politician, an athlete, or movie star, we strive to be clear, accurate and on point, the statement said. The portion of her answer on 60 Minutes was more succinct, which allows time for other subjects in a wide ranging 21-minute-long segment. Bill Owens, Executive Producer of 60 Minutes, CBS News, in Toronto on June 22, 2022. Trump has repeatedly lambasted the venerable newsmagazine over its reporting on him and his administration. In a post on Truth Social on April 13, for example, Trump wrote: Almost every week, 60 Minutes ... mentions the name TRUMP in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this Weekends BROADCAST tops them all. He appeared to take issue with segments about the war in Ukraine and his interest in acquiring Greenland. Trump added that he believed CBS should lose its broadcast license and pay a big price. He said he hoped Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr would impose the maximum fines and punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owens exit, first reported by The New York Times, also comes at a pivotal moment for CBS parent company, Paramount. Shari Redstone, Paramounts controlling shareholder, reportedly needs the Trump administration to approve her media conglomerates sale to Skydance Media, a production and finance company run by David Ellison, the son of tech mogul Larry Ellison. The New York Times reported in late January that Paramount was in settlement talks with Trump. The Times later reported that Owens told staff members he would not apologize for the Harris interview as part of any prospective settlement. NBC News has not independently verified either report. In his memo to staff, Owens said 60 Minutes would continue to cover the new administration, as we will report on future administrations. We will report from war zones, investigate injustices and educate our audience. In short, 60 Minutes will do what it has done for 57 years. Thank you all, remain focused on the moment, our audience deserves it, Owens said in closing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News, notified company employees by email that Owens would be leaving and touted his work at the company. Tom and I are committed to 60 Minutes and to ensuring that the mission and the work remain our priority, McMahon said, referring to CBS News president and executive editor Tom Cibrowski. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is awarding several state agencies with money to combat mosquito spread illnesses. In a press release, the Ohio EPA announced that $650,625 would be awarded to 33 state agencies. Of that total, three Miami Valley agencies are included. These grants are essential to help health departments around Ohio fight mosquito-borne diseases, said Ohio EPA Director-Designate, John Logue. The funding provides education, outreach, and necessary equipment to better protect all Ohioans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio invasive plant list grows longer Specifically, the grants will help alleviate the spread of viruses like West Nile, La Crosse Encephalitis and Eastern Equine Encephalitis by funding surveillance, larval control and the reduction of breeding spots like those found in illegal scrap tire piles. Greene County Public Health will receive $25,000, the Darke County General Health District will receive $24,613 and the Butler County General Health District will receive $22,102. In total, $71,715 was awarded to Miami Valley agencies for this effort. A complete list of state agencies receiving a grant for mosquito control is below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025-MCG-Award-ListDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK (PIX11) A majority of New York voters support a cellphone ban in public schools, according to new polling from Siena College Research Institute. Some 61% of all voters support the ban on cellphone use in K-12 schools, which is part of Gov. Kathy Hochuls 2026 budget. The budget was due on April 1, but has not yet been passed. More Local News Siena Colleges polling released Tuesday reveals broad, bipartisan support. Some 61% of Democrats and Independents support the ban, as well as 62% of Republican voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the policy, students would turn in their phones at the start of the school day and pick them up after their last class, meaning even lunch and study hall periods are phone-free. Schools will be required to provide a way for parents to contact their kids. Hochul proposed the ban in January when she unveiled her 2026 executive budget. If passed, the ban would start next school year, Hochul said in January. The project will cost the state $13.5 million to help schools store phones from bell-to-bell. The policy has support from the United Federation of Teachers and New York State United Teachers, leaders of which say restricting cellphone use will help with mental health and focus. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research consistently shows that reducing screen time during the school day, bell-to-bell, leads to better academic performance, stronger in-person connections, and a significant decrease in bullying and social pressures, said Long Island Coalition Against Bullying Founder Joseph Salamone. Many states have already implemented cellphone bans, including Connecticut, California, Florida, Alabama and more. 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. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. HONOLULU (KHON2) The Merrie Monarch Festival began yesterday, April 20, in Hilo. For those lucky enough to attend festival, its more than a hula competition. Its a powerful lesson in standing firm in who you are, where you come from and what you carry forward. The preparation is intense, said Kumu Brad Lum. Its daily. A whole week of practice for just seven minutes on stage. But even more than the dancing, Merrie Monarch teaches a deeper kind of strength one thats about being rooted, respectful and real. And getting there? Thats a lesson, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Joylynn and Kumu Lum, even getting tickets to Merrie Monarch is a process that takes planning, patience and a little luck. Applications have to be in by Dec. 1, said Joylynn. We sat together, filled out our applications, got our money orders, and mailed them at the post office to give us the best chance of sitting together. But it didnt go exactly as planned. Kumu accidentally sent the receipt for the money order instead of the actual money order, Joylynn said. We were very stressed. Kumu Lum called the office. They were super oloolu. They understood and let us resend the money. But everything is by mail. Nothing is digital. They keep it traditional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats the point. Merrie Monarch values whats real, not whats fast. Everything is done by hand just like the hula. The power of showing up Merrie Monarch started in 1964 as a way to boost Hilos local economy. It was named for King David Kalakaua, known as the Merrie Monarch, who loved hula and helped bring it back during a time when it was discouraged. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You But by 1971, the festival had become something deeper. With the help of Aunty Dottie Thompson and cultural leaders like George Naope, the festival became a true celebration of Hawaiian culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, Merrie Monarch is a week-long event filled with dance, art, chanting, storytelling and celebration. Its one of the most respected hula festivals in the world. You dont even need a ticket to experience it, Joylynn said. At Imiloa, theres lei-making, weaving, learning how to do hula. Theres stuff at the Palace Theater, too. There are craft shows all over Hilo. You just have to show up. Presence over power The idea of dominance usually means control or force. But for Kumu Lum and Joylynn, real strength is presence. I dont like talking about competition, Kumu Lum said. Its a colonized way of thinking. Why should we have competition? King Kalakauas hula wasnt about that; it was about love and giving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joylynn agreed. When I competed, I was so stressed. Everyone said, Dont think of it as competition. Think of it as perpetuation. That helped me. I was showing my aloha. I was honoring what my kumu gave me. For both of them, competition doesnt come from being better than others. It comes from knowing who you are and acting with integrity. Hula students should have one word: humility, said Kumu Lum. Thats the most important value. The village behind the dancer Preparing for Merrie Monarch isnt something one person can do alone. It takes many people in the background to get you to Hilo, said Kumu Lum. It costs thousands of dollars. There are lei, costumes, food, housing. I tell everyone: if a halau is fundraising, support them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joylynn added, Even if were not a competition-based halau, we go to Merrie Monarch every year to learn and observe. Its filled with our hula. Support means more than money. It means time, effort and commitment. Sometimes, students make mistakes, said Kumu Lum. Ive seen many cry. You practice every day, almost seven days a week, and then you only have one chance. A lesson for everyone Standing strong isnt just for dancers. Its for everyone: men, women, young, old. During my days, I was hot oil, said Kumu Lum. I thought I knew everything. But thats not part of hula. Thats not the way. If youre humble and filled with joy, thats what matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To lead is to serve. To assert presence is to uplift others. Thats what hula teaches, according to Kumu Lum. This is for our culture, he said. If Merrie Monarch is to thrive, we have to support it. We have to support our halau. These are the keepers of our culture. You can click here to learn more about the Merrie Monarch Festival Merrie Monarch is a living legacy Every year, Merrie Monarch opens on Easter Sunday. The ceremonies begin with chant and protocol. Deities are honored. Traditions are kept. If you havent seen the opening, go see it, said Kumu Lum. Its amazing. In 2025, the festival celebrates its 61st year. And while it began as a way to bring visitors to the Big Island, today its purpose is clear: to keep Native Hawaiian culture alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 The choreography takes months, said Kumu Lum. The kumu chooses whos in the front line, second line, third, fourth. Its a whole process. But what it really is what it really teaches is how to stand for something. And maybe thats the biggest lesson of all. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. The assault on second home owners is being pushed through by dishonest councils with thousands of empty properties on their books, Telegraph analysis has revealed. Councils in England were given the power to charge a 100pc council tax premium from April 1 under laws passed by the previous Conservative government to ease housing pressures. But government figures show there are 34,000 council-owned homes lying empty around England, plus a further 55,000 run by social housing associations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Labour-led Gateshead, the number of second homes (469) is significantly dwarfed by the number of idle social housing properties (821). The council, which has a bulging waiting list of more than 12,000, introduced the second home surcharge in a bid to further discourage the holding of empty properties. However, it owns 636 vacant homes, and a further unoccupied 185 are managed by housing associations. It means the level of vacant social housing in the North East borough exceeds the number of second homes by 42pc. John OConnell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: These statistics expose the dishonesty of councils at the heart of their assault on second home owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Far from being an attempt to free up housing for locals, the second home premium is simply a way for local authorities to make a quick buck while causing great distress and financial difficulty to those being forced to pay. Councils need to focus on filling their own properties, not hammering those who have worked hard and achieved the dream of owning an extra property. Telegraph analysis shows second home owners in Gateshead now face an average council tax bill of 4,019, compared to 1,919 last year. Nationwide, two thirds of councils have introduced the 100pc council tax premium, which has left owners blindsided over rocketing bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, council-owned empty properties are at their highest level since 2009, while social housing waiting lists reached a 10-year high of 1.3 million last year. Tens of thousands of vacant homes are also in such levels of disrepair that they are unable to be let out. In total, 87 English local authorities have more than 100 empty council homes on their books. Southwark, with 1,238, leads the way, followed by Ealing (1,230) and Birmingham (1,057). All three have introduced the second homes premium. Lee Anderson, Reform UK MP, said: Councils are quick to slap hard-working Brits with huge tax hikes on second homes, yet they sit on thousands of empty properties themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They claim these taxes will solve the housing crisis, but refuse to take real responsibility and instead push the burden on to the taxpayer. Its time councils did the job we pay them more and more each year to do. Adam Hug, of the Local Government Association, said councils are facing significant financial pressure and struggling to afford the cost of materials for refurbishing existing stock. He added: All councils who have stock can expect to see a proportion of their homes becoming vacant. There are many reasons for this, such as a previous tenant vacating the property, a tenant transferring to another property or even the death of a tenant, and councils will seek to minimise delays to bringing vacant properties that are suitable for occupation back into use where possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But councils do not want tenants living in substandard accommodation and will earmark some social housing as unsuitable in its current state, or even for demolition. Charnwood Borough Council, in Leicestershire, is another local authority with a greater ratio of empty social housing compared with second homes, according to government figures. There were 593 vacant council and housing association-owned homes in 2024, compared with 523 second homes. A spokesman for the council, which has agreed to enforce the second homes premium from next year, said: We have already reduced the number of empty council homes in the borough after taking steps including reducing the time it takes to let a property out when it becomes vacant and by investing in homes to make sure they are available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are now just over 430 empty council homes and we are confident that number will continue to go down. We are also buying properties to make available to tenants. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said it expects councils to make use of their available social housing and ensure it is being lived in. A spokesman said: We are determined to fix the housing crisis we have inherited, and we know that having excessive concentrations of second and empty homes in an area can have a significant impact on the local area and damage local services. Gateshead Council declined to comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. CLEVELAND (WJW) The FOX 8 I-Team obtained the call for help after an attack on a postal worker at a west side Cleveland post office. A 911 call revealed what happened in the lobby. A postal supervisor said he was confronted by people sleeping there. It took place a couple of weeks ago at West 140th and Puritas. Some councilmembers want sheriffs downtown safety patrol disbanded A postal manager said he walked into the lobby and saw a man sleeping there. He said the man then threw something and charged at him. Then, another man came at him as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the 911 call, you hear the postal manager report, We have homeless people in the post office lobby, the postal manager said on the 911 call. Weve called six times about these people out here sleeping So, I go out there this morning. These guys are out there sleeping. One guy swings on me. We get into a fight. Man arrested after bicyclist seriously injured in Solon hit-and-run The caller also told a dispatcher, Im a supervisor at the post office. There were no serious injuries. A police report shows officers identified a main suspect, but no charges have been filed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Pope Francis leaves at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peters Square at the Vatican on May 15, 2019. (Andrew Medichini/AP) Pope Francis will be officially laid to rest today as tens of thousands of global leaders, church officials and supporters look on. The funeral ceremony, which will take place in St. Peters Square in Vatican City, comes after the St. Peters Basilica three-day public viewing. He will be taken to Rome after the funeral ceremony for his burial. Francis died on Monday at the age of 88 from a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, just hours after his last public appearance on Easter Sunday. He had served as the head of the Catholic Church and the Vatican City State since 2013. Francis, who was the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from the Americas, is widely viewed as one of the more informal and progressive popes in history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Papal funeral rites take place in three parts: The first is in the popes private chapel after medics have confirmed his death. The popes apartment has also been sealed off with a red ribbon and wax as part of a Catholic ritual called sede vacante (Latin for the seat being vacant). A private ceremony took place on Monday in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, where Francis lived during his papacy. Franciss body remained inside the residence for private visits from Vatican staff, heads of state and religious leaders before being transferred to St. Peters Basilica on Wednesday morning. Pope Francis's body is laid out inside his private chapel at the Vatican on Monday. Cardinals and archbishops surround him and pay their respects. (Vatican Media/AP) The second part is when the public is allowed to see the pope in his casket. Tens of thousands of mourners were able to visit him in St. Peters Basilica. The final part is the burial, which will take place today. Throughout the three parts, cardinals at the Vatican follow a series of rituals outlined by the constitution known as Universi Dominici Gregis (Of the Lords Whole Flock). After Franciss burial, the cardinals will prepare for the conclave, a series of secret meetings and votes that will determine who the next pope will be. Pope Franciss body is carried in a coffin into St. Peters Basilica at the Vatican on Wednesday. (Salvatore Laporta/Getty Images) Crowds walk past Franciss open coffin in St. Peters Basilica on Wednesday. (Michael Kappeler/Getty Images) What time is Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday? Franciss funeral will be held at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) in St. Peters Square. Cardinal Giovanni Battista, the dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the funeral services. After the funeral, Franciss body will be taken to Romes Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican shared an 87-page booklet on Friday that contains the service's appearance in English, Italian and Latin. It features the hymns, prayers and readings from the Bible that will be presented at the funeral. The Italian government expects more than 200,000 people to attend. A member of the faithful holds up a phone case with a picture of Pope Francis during Rosary prayers in his honor at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major on Tuesday. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Francis planned his funeral in a will written in June 2022, which the Vatican released on Monday. In it, Francis said he wanted to be buried at the Basilica in Rome, not in St. Peter's Basilica, which is where most popes are buried. The Basilica of St. Mary Major is home to Franciss favorite icon of the Virgin Mary, where he often prayed. Francis also asked to be buried in a simple wooden casket, "unlike predecessors who were buried in three interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead and oak." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis said he wants his tomb to be simple, without particular decoration and with only the inscription: Franciscus, which is Latin for Francis. How to watch the funeral The Vatican will livestream the funeral on its YouTube channel. Major news networks like the BBC, ABC and NBC News have announced they will also be broadcasting the service. NewsNation will also be streaming through YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV and its app and website. Who is going to the funeral? Based on past papal funerals, Saturdays service is expected to draw a large crowd. Around 50,000 people showed up to Pope Benedicts funeral in 2023, and nearly 300,000 attended Pope John Paul IIs funeral in 2005. As of reporting, the following world leaders have shared they will attend the funeral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump Former President Joe Biden Prince William, on behalf of Englands King Charles British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky French President Emmanuel Macron Irish President Michael Higgins Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar and Prime Minister Robert Golob Spains King Felipe VI Germanys outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz Argentine President Javier Milei Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen European Council President Antonio Costa Belgiums Prime Minister Bart De Wever and King Philippe Who will be the next pope? Cardinals walk in St. Peter's Square as they arrive for the first meeting of cardinals at the Vatican on Tuesday. (Andrew Medichini/AP) After Franciss burial, there will be nine days of official mourning, known as novemdiales, before the conclave begins. The conclave meetings require cardinals to vote on candidates who could become the next pope. The cardinals have not set an official date for when the conclave will start. Within 15 to 20 days after Francis's funeral, cardinals are expected to come to Rome to join in daily meetings known as general congregations to discuss what they are looking for in the next appointed pope. Cardinals of all ages are welcome to join general discussions, but only those who are younger than 80 years old can vote in the conclave meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 120 cardinals will vote twice a day in these conclave meetings except for the first conclave, in which they only vote once and they are not allowed to communicate with the outside world. A two-thirds majority is needed for a candidate to be elected pope, and it must happen within 13 days of conclave voting. The crowd celebrates in St Peter's Square after white smoke emerges from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in March 2013, announcing that the Catholic Church cardinals had elected a new pope. This was the night Francis became the pope. (Tiziana Fabi/Getty Images) After the conclave elects a pope, the candidate will be asked whether he accepts the position and what name he wants. If he rejects the position, the voting process starts all over again. The world will know when a new pope has been elected when white smoke emerges from the Sistine Chapel chimney. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 22. International consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal has expressed readiness to share global experience and propose solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of public financial management in Tajikistan, Trend reports via the Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan. The announcement came during a meeting between Tajikistans Minister of Finance, Faiziddin Kahhorzoda, and representatives of Alvarez & Marsal, held on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG). During the talks, the sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in digitizing public financial management, improving the effectiveness of the budgeting process, and implementing modern solutions in tax and customs administration. Alvarez & Marsals leadership emphasized the companys willingness to support Tajikistans reform efforts by leveraging its international expertise and offering tailored strategies for more efficient fiscal governance. Alvarez & Marsal is a global consulting firm specializing in performance improvement, financial restructuring, healthcare, energy, and public sector solutions. SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) The trial of Aaron Thomas has been canceled for the second consecutive day as the judge presiding over the case tends to a family emergency. The last time the jury convened to hear testimony was Thursday. Court was closed for Good Friday and hasnt resumed since. R.I. Courts spokesperson Alexandra Kriss said jurors have been placed on active juror status until further notice. R.I. Superior Court Judge Melanie Wilk Thunberg is presiding. The trial of Rhode Island v. Aaron Thomas is currently paused as the judge tends to a family medical emergency, Kriss said in a statement. When the Superior Court was notified of the medical emergency, the Jury Commissioners office alerted the jurors that the case would be temporarily paused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pause comes at a pivotal time in the trial. Thomas has pleaded not guilty to second-degree child molestation and second-degree sexual assault. Hes accused of getting former students completely undressed and alone in his office for so-called naked fat tests over multiple decades. An estimated 600 people went through the program, which started in the 1990s. The prosecution called 18 witnesses to the stand during the first two weeks of the trial, including 10 former students. A defense attorney was cross-examining the 18th witness an expert in the field of body composition when things stopped for the long weekend. Completely inappropriate: Expert witness says students should never be naked for fat tests The expert was expected to return to the stand Monday before the postponement. The prosecution was slated to call one more subsequent witness, a doctor at The Aubin Center at Hasbro Childrens Hospital, before resting its case and turning it over to the defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas attorneys said they plan to call five to seven witnesses, including multiple former students who will testify that the program helped them improve as athletes. Thomas is then expected to take the stand himself to close out the trial before it is handed over to the jury to decide. It was unclear as of Tuesday morning when court would resume. Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. Tim White (twhite@wpri.com) is Target 12 managing editor and chief investigative reporter and host of Newsmakers for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Special Coverage & Notices Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Abilene ISD says district has work to do, as another C rating expected from TEA ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Abilene ISD is letting parents know the district has work to do as they are expecting to receive another C rating from the Texas Education Agency. District officials sent a letter to parents Tuesday morning ahead of the TEA ratings, which will be released Thursday. The letter confirms that Abilene ISD will receive a rating of 72 for the 2023 school year and will likely receive a 70 for the 2024 school year. Their rating for 2022 is also expected to be downgraded to 69 due to new grading criteria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the letter, Abilene ISD officials highlight what the district has been doing to combat the lower ratings, including getting the majority of students into higher-performing campuses, restructuring or reclassifying lower-performing campuses, and finding ways to get teachers more pay. Read the full letter from Abilene ISD below: Hello Abilene ISD families, We believe in being accountable to you for providing a high-quality, holistic education for your children. Our daily goal is to empower students and teachers in classrooms with innovative approaches to teaching and learning beyond preparing for standardized tests. Were also committed to transparency with our school community. We need every Abilene resident to feel confident standing with us, and that starts with being open and honest about our schools. Thats why we want to share as much information as we can with you regarding our district and school accountability ratings from the Texas Education Agency and our in-progress plans and bold actions to make AISD the best place to learn and work in the Big Country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, the TEA plans to publish 2023 A-F accountability system ratings for all public schools and districts in Texas, along with ratings for 2022 that have been recalculated using the new rules established in 2023. These ratings were previously withheld from public release due to legal action taken by 121 Texas school districts after the TEA abruptly changed how accountability scores were calculated. The new accountability rules made the STAAR test significantly more difficult for our students to pass and also adjusted scoring criteria to the extent that far fewer Texas public schools would receive favorable ratings. For example, the updated system dramatically reduces the positive impact of crucial non-STAAR student achievements on our final A-F ratings, including graduation rate and college, career, and military readiness. Our school district has work to do: For 2024, we project that AISD will receive an overall accountability rating of 70, which the TEA equates to a letter grade of C. For 2023, the TEA confirmed that AISD will receive an official rating of 72. For 2022, AISD received an official rating of 75. According to the TEA, if our 2022 district rating was recalculated by their new rules, it would change to a 69. These ratings represent a baseline for the future of Abilene ISD. We are under new leadership with a new vision, and we are committed to getting this right. We owe it to you, Abilene our students, parents, families, teachers, staff, and community to provide a high-quality education and the best learning experiences possible in outstanding schools. Thats what we will do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, positive change that will revolutionize how teaching and learning happen across AISD schools is already here. This year, AISD expanded access to advanced academic and dual credit opportunities via partnerships with local universities, including launching a program that makes it possible for AISD students to earn a college Associates Degree while still in high school. We recently announced that we received $1.78 million in grant funding from the TEA specifically supporting high-quality teaching and the expansion of advanced learning models. Mann Middle School has already been reimagined as Mann STEAM Academy, and Bowie, Purcell, and Ward elementaries will all begin major innovation programs in 2025-26. A pilot program in 2025-26 will introduce parental choice in selected AISD elementary schools through our Circles initiative, which we plan to expand district-wide in 2026-27. We are also proud to share that a record 92 AISD teachers have successfully entered the TEAs Teacher Incentive Allotment program, which recognizes and financially rewards the very best instructors in the state for their success in driving student growth and achievement. We want you to know that we have high expectations for our schools, our students, and ourselves. This letter mentions just a few examples of initiatives already in progress to help our district meet the Boards guiding goal of having 75% or more of our students in A- or B-rated schools within the next five school years. Every AISD student should have the opportunity to become a critical thinker equipped to approach problems with creativity, initiative, and a strong work ethic. That means AISD schools must be places where students can grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially so that they can be successful now and in the future. That is our commitment to you. Thank you for your continued support of Abilene ISD. Sincerely, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. John Kuhn AISD Superintendent Angie Wiley AISD Board President BigCountryHomepage.com will publish more on TEA ratings for schools across the area once they are released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Attorneys for a mistakenly deported man say the government is rebuffing federal Judge Paula Xiniss order to share information on the case as she pushes ahead with a review of whether it violated a court order to take steps to secure the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Xinis last week ordered four Trump administration officials to sit for depositions with Abrego Garcias attorneys as well as respond to written questions from their team in the wake of a Supreme Court decision ordering Trump attorneys to facilitate the Maryland mans return. But Abrego Garcias attorneys said the government has resisted supplying needed information in discovery requests also mandated by Xinis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the eve of the first Court-ordered deposition concerning the Governments failure to comply with this Courts orders, the Government responded to Plaintiffs discovery requests by producing nothing of substance, they wrote in the filing, asking Xinis to set a hearing to review the matter. The filing is the latest sign the Trump administration is digging in after initially telling Xinis it had no way to secure Abrego Garcias return once he was turned over to be imprisoned in El Salvador. The Supreme Court largely upheld Xiniss iniital ruling, saying that while she had to show due regard to the executive branchs foreign affairs role, the Trump administration must facilitate Abrego Garcias return. The Government refuses to respond to interrogatories it claims are based on the false premise that the United States can or has been ordered to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador, his attorneys wrote, arguing the government was flouting the high courts order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Government refuses to provide any documents concerning the legal basis for Abrego Garcias confinement. And the Government maintains that any information regarding the agreement between the United States and El Salvador to detain individuals in El Salvador is irrelevant, despite this Courts finding that Plaintiffs are entitled to explore the lawful basisif anyfor Abrego Garcias continued detention. The Trump administration also refused to provide information before April 4, when Xinis ordered it to facilitate and effectuate the return of Abrego Garcia. Elsewhere in the filing, Abrego Garcias attorneys said the Trump administration cited a number of privileges to bar releasing information but did not file the paperwork to formally assert them. Xinis, a former President Obama appointee, has so far held off on deciding whether the government should be held in contempt but could still make a ruling down the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the latest in a string of incidents in which the government has been accused of defying court directives. In another case concerning the Trump administrations flights removing more than 100 Venezuelans to a Salvadoran prison under the Alien Enemies Act, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg found probable cause that the government gave willful disregard to his order to turn around or halt the flights. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Two families are suing the Northwest School of Innovative Learning, Tacoma Public Schools and the University Place School District, alleging that the three entities played a role in abusing their children. The Northwest School of Innovative Learning, or NW SOIL, was a school for students with disabilities in Tacoma that shuttered in January 2024 after an investigation from the Seattle Times and ProPublica outlined a lack of staff and licensed therapists at the school, their excessive use of restraint, isolation and widespread abuse of students. The families lawsuit, which was filed on April 4 in Pierce County Superior Court, seeks attorneys fees and monetary damages in an amount to be proven at trial. Christopher West, chief executive officer for Fairfax Behavioral Health, NW SOILs parent company, declined to comment on the lawsuit. In a statement to The News Tribune, University Place School District superintendent Jeff Chamberlin called the allegations concerning but said the district could not comment further due to the sensitive and confidential nature of this matter, and to respect student and family privacy. A spokesperson for Tacoma Public Schools did not return a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint lists as the plaintiffs a Tacoma resident identified as A.M. and her son M.M., and a University Place resident identified as T.H-S and her son K.H-S listed as such in order to protect the privacy of the two former NW SOIL students who are minors. The families alleged that NW SOIL routinely placed M.M. and K.H-S in isolation rooms with dried urine, feces and blood on the walls, and restrained them physically. M.M. was allegedly choked by a security staff member, and a 17-year-old student allegedly sexually harassed K.H-S., according to the court filings. M.M. frequently came home with bruises or scratches from staff members, the complaint reads. He was also traumatized from seeing his peers violently restrained on a daily basis. The plaintiffs also alleged that Tacoma Public Schools did not tell A.M. that NW SOIL had a reputation for being a hostile and abusive place despite knowing of their reputation, and did not notify A.M. when it received reports of the use of restraint and isolation against her son from NW SOIL. NW SOIL rarely documented these incidents, and did not adequately supervise students, they alleged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement M.M. did not tell his mother that he was regularly restrained and isolated daily at NW SOIL because he believed it was normal, and he was led by school staff to believe he deserved it, the complaint reads. A.M. had no idea the extent of her sons abuse at school during that time. NW SOIL was a nonpublic agency, a private school that accepted millions of taxpayer dollars from the state and school districts to teach students with the most needs, ProPublica and the Seattle Times reported. The complaint letter states that students M.M. and K.H-S., who were six and seven years old when they were first enrolled at NW SOIL, were among that cohort, sent to the private school free of charge on behalf of Tacoma Public Schools and the University place School District. The families allege that NW SOIL was supposed to provide a productive learning environment for their sons, did not teach them at all and traumatized them instead. Both parents were left with guilt and anxiety because they werent able to protect their kids, the complaint states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state launched an investigation into private schools in Washington like NW SOIL in January of 2023 following ProPublica and the Seattle Times reporting first published in November 2022. By August 2023, the state barred NW SOIL from accepting new students and the school finally closed its doors in January 2024. The trial is set to take place on Oct. 1, 2026, according to the documents. By Padraic Halpin DUBLIN (Reuters) - When Pope Francis sat with his head in his hands and listened to accounts of clerical sexual abuse for an hour longer than scheduled during a trip to Dublin in 2018, many of those present were deeply moved. But not all were convinced that Francis, who died on Monday, was doing enough with his papacy to heal the damage done by decades of stark failures by the Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't think anyone can do enough," said Rev. Paddy McCafferty, who was sexually abused as a young adult in the 1980s by a fellow member of the clergy and was one of eight victims to recount their stories that day. "I think he did his best," he said. Francis took over a Church whose authority was shattered in many parts of the world by abuse scandals and he made addressing the issue a priority as further historical revelations from Chile to New Zealand pockmarked his 12-year papacy. But, while he showed a deeper understanding of the toll decades of clerical sexual abuse took on victims, measures to make the Catholic Church more accountable did not live up to the expectations he set, survivors and advocacy groups said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The damage is so extensive and massive that it's going to take a long, long time for the Church to go any way towards repairing the hurt and the harm to the Church's mission," McCafferty said. Francis created the Vatican's first anti-abuse commission, became the first pope to expel a cardinal from the priesthood for sexual abuse and installed a global system for Catholics to report suspicions of abuse or cover-ups by bishops. Campaigners said more action was needed, however, on things such as naming offending priests and Church officials who protected them. "He gave survivors a lot of hope when he came into office, promising transparency and change," said Marie Collins, another of the eight who spoke at the 2018 Dublin meeting and was abused by a priest at the age of 13 in 1960s Ireland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We did get some but I don't think it has gone any way far enough. Things are not as bad as they were, that is for sure but they also are not as good as they could be." 'TREMENDOUS DISAPPOINTMENT' Collins was one of the original members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors that was founded in 2014. She quit in frustration in 2017, saying it was hobbled by internal resistance, while another founding member, Rev. Hans Zollner, resigned unexpectedly in 2023, citing concerns over the way it was operating. For some, the commission stands as a stark illustration of what some campaigners say were the shortcomings of Francis' reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It issued an annual report for the first time last year, with recommendations including advocating for more effective punishment of offending clergy, but also highlighting how it struggled to engage some local Catholic communities in the course of its work. Some changes won wider approval, including two major pieces of legislation enacted in 2019 following an unprecedented four-day meeting on child sex abuse. The first instituted new reporting procedures and broadened the definition of sexual crimes to include vulnerable adults. The second removed strict confidentiality rules, known as "pontifical secrecy", which Church officials admitted had hindered sharing of information with police in some countries. Still, criticism remained over the Church's continued insularity on the issue and lack of external oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of the Bishop Accountability abuse tracking group, said Francis' inability to deliver on his promises was "a tremendous disappointment" that would forever tarnish the legacy of an otherwise remarkable man. "He wanted to quell the outrage, and he did make some modest improvements, but kids around the world are still in danger of sexual assault by Catholic clergy because of what Pope Francis failed to do," said Boston native Doyle, who began her work after a succession of devastating stories in 2002 revealed the city's archdiocese had covered up sexual misconduct for decades. Juan Carlos Cruz was abused as a teenager in his native Chile by a notorious paedophile priest. He was invited to join the commission in 2018 and remains a member. He also became a close friend of Pope Francis, who after initially dismissing claims of a cover-up of abuse in the Chilean church as "slander", apologised to Cruz in a tearful, three-hour meeting before dismissing all of Chile's bishops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cruz said while he understood other victims' decisions to leave the commission, he wanted to fight from inside the tent. He highlighted the commission's work in creating safe spaces for abuse victims, and broaching the thorny topic of "economic, spiritual and psychological reparations". "I remain very hopeful," he said. "Whatever the new pope decides to do is fine, but as a human being I'm going to honour the memory of Francis and keep fighting." 'LIFE CHANGING' For abuse survivors, Francis' legacy on the issue is a mixed one of powerful words and at times underwhelming deeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To many, the words did matter. A third member at the Dublin meeting - which was held during the first papal visit in almost four decades to a country rocked by a series of abuse scandals - described the experience as "life-changing". Clodagh Malone, one of tens of thousands of babies born in Church-run homes for unmarried mothers and their offspring that a 2021 inquiry found had an "appalling" mortality rate, said it allowed her to share for the first time that she had also been abused by a priest when she was younger. After the Dublin engagement, Francis met similar groups of survivors during trips to Canada, Belgium and Portugal. Some victims expressed frustration on those visits at a lack of concrete actions. Bishop Accountability chief Doyle said what was required from Francis' successor was action to permanently remove abusers from ministry, decisively punish enablers and follow through on long-promised transparency by releasing names of offending clergy and complicit bishops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'd like to see the next pope institute real policies with real teeth," Collins said. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; additional reporting by Aislinn Laing in Madrid; Editing by Alex Richardson) COLUMBIA, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A PhD student at the University of South Carolina is fighting deportation after his F1 student visa was revoked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Matthew Ariwoola, originally from Nigeria, had his status reportedly terminated without explanation on April 8, 2025, despite having no criminal convictions. The only possible explanation appears to be a past, wrongful arrest in Georgia, which resulted in all charges being dropped. MORE: ACLU sues Trump administration for targeting international students Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sudden termination of his student status means Ariwoola cannot graduate this year, has lost his stipend, and faces financial hardship, including the threat of homelessness. Represented by the ACLU of South Carolina, Ariwoola filed a lawsuit, claiming his Fifth Amendment right to due process was violated and arguing DHS failed to provide him a chance to challenge the decision. On April 18, a federal judge issued a temporary 14-day restraining order, halting any deportation efforts and allowing Ariwoola to continue his studies and teaching at USC while his case is reviewed. The ACLU argues that Ariwoolas case reflects a broader issue of unjust deportations targeting international students. The court has scheduled a hearing for May 2, 2025, to decide on the next steps. Until then, Ariwoolas status is temporarily restored. Matthew Ariwoola v. Department of Homeland SecurityDownload Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. How much of a $450 pot would you give to a charity that cuts carbon emissions by investing in renewable energy, and how much would you keep for yourself? That was the question posed in a recent academic experiment. The answers mattered: real money was handed out as a result to some randomly chosen participants. The average person gave away about half the money and kept the rest. But what if you had been told beforehand that the vast majority of other people think climate action is really important? Might you have given more to the charity? That is what a second experiment tested. Before dividing the cash, these participants were told that 79 percent of people thought citizens should try to fight the climate crisis. This mattered, because in earlier questions people had significantly underestimated the proportion at just 61 percent. Being informed about the true level of support boosted the donations by $16 per person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The experiment was in the U.S., but the illusion that climate action is not popular is global. So imagine dispelling that myth: Such a change, say experts, could be a game-changer, pushing the world over a social tipping point into unstoppable climate progress. Such a communication campaign, low-cost and scalable, could be among the most powerful tools available to fight climate change, they say. Decades of psychological research indicates that correcting such misunderstandings can change peoples views across a swath of issues, from participating in protests to voting for Donald Trump. Were sitting on an enormous potential climate movement, said Anthony Leiserowitz, a professor at Yale University. Its latent. It hasnt been activated or catalyzed. But when you break through these perception gaps, you help people understand that theyre not alone and there is in fact a global movement. Silent majority The research started with a simple goal, says Teodora Boneva, professor at the University of Bonn, Germany, who with colleagues undertook the experiments: We wanted to make a difference to the world. So we asked ourselves, as social scientists and economists, what kind of research can we do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their biggest result was a huge, globe-spanning survey that revealed the remarkable fact that people across the world are united in wanting action to fight the climate crisis but remain a silent majority, because they wrongly think only a minority share their views. Before, just like everyone else, we would have underestimated the support, she says. So when we saw the numbers coming in, we thought, wow! she says. We had no idea we would find such consistent patterns in so many countries. The team found 89 percent of people across the world wanted their national governments to do more to fight global warming. Over two-thirds then said they were willing to give 1 percent of their income to fight climate change. Crucially, however, they thought only a minority of other people 43 percent would be willing to do the same. The survey involved 130,000 people in 125 countries, which account for 96 percent of the worlds carbon emissions, and was published in the journal Nature Climate Change. People in China, the worlds biggest polluter, were among the most concerned, with 97 percent saying its government should do more to fight climate change and four out of five willing to give 1 percent of their income. The worlds second biggest polluter, the U.S., was near the bottom, but still had three-quarters of its citizens saying its government should do more and almost half willing to contribute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even in the petrostates of Saudi Arabia and UAE, the vast majority about 80 percent were willing to give 1 percent of their income to climate action. How many of these wanted more government action is unknown these countries did not allow the question to be asked. Those feeling the heat most directly had the strongest pro-climate views. Those in rich countries were significantly less willing to contribute 1 percent. And the countries where people most strongly wanted to fight the climate crisis had implemented significantly more climate policies, the researchers found. The more strongly people believed their fellow citizens would contribute their money to climate action, the more likely they were to give themselves, as Bonevas later experiments with the $450 pots showed. These positive interactions suggest that a change in one factor can unlock potent, self-reinforcing feedback cycles, triggering social-tipping dynamics, the team concluded. Our results suggest a concerted effort to correct these misperceptions could be powerful intervention, yielding large, positive effects. Deep desire A single survey, like Bonevas, is fascinating but perhaps you are thinking it could be a freak result. It is not. Many major studies have shown that the public desire for climate action is deep and global, and that the misperceptions that fuel a spiral of silence on climate are found wherever researchers look. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A large United Nations poll in 2024 dubbed the Peoples Climate Vote questioned 75,000 people in countries representing 90 percent of the global population. It found 80 percent wanted their countries to strengthen their climate change commitments. Another recent survey of 40,000 people in 20 of the worlds most polluting countries found that 86 percent of people thought the same. How the question is phrased can change, but peoples hunger for climate action does not. A survey of 140,000 people in 187 countries by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) asked how high a priority climate change should be for the government of their country: 89 percent of people said very high, high, or medium, with 67 percent saying very high or high. The perception gaps are real too. A U.S. study from 2022 found people thought only about 40 percent of their fellow citizens supported major climate policies; the real proportion was about 75 percent. An earlier study found the same in China. Other commonly held beliefs have been revealed as false, including the idea that people in rich nations are unwilling to give money to poorer nations to help fight the climate crisis. A study testing support for the redistribution of money from a global emissions trading scheme from the rich to the poor found the scheme was backed by 76 percent of Europeans and 54 percent of those in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a silent majority in favor of [action on] climate change, said Dr. Adrien Fabre, at the International Center for Research on Environment and Development in France, who led the study. Making people aware of this would help a lot and bring hope. I think a lot of people are self censoring and not fighting or voting [for climate action] because they think that their ideas are not in the zeitgeist. There is also majority support for global redistribution policies, even among people in high income countries who understand that they would have to pay for it, said Fabre. This is because people attach value to the human rights and well-being of fellow human beings and to a stable climate. But is this huge support for climate action in surveys actually sincere, or is it just people saying what they think the researchers want to hear? Fabre, Boneva, and other academics routinely test the reliability of information from surveys using numerous tools. These include comparing peoples answers to their real-world behaviour, for example finding correlations between peoples stated willingness to pay money for climate action and their actual donations to climate charities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other tests link their answers to real world consequences, such as telling them their answers would be sent to the government, or by hiding the climate questions among others so the respondents cannot guess the right answer. In any case, Fabre said: Polls are rarely wrong by more than 5 percent. That can make a big difference in tight elections, but not when talking about large majorities such as the 89 percent wanting more climate action from their governments. Political illusions Do you think politicians suffer under the same illusions about the popularity of climate action as the public? You might think their political antennae are finely tuned to public opinion, but they are not sometimes wildly underestimating public views. And that matters, said Dr Niall McLoughlin, at Climate Barometer, which analyses climate opinions in the U.K. The group found in 2024 that 72 percent of the U.K. public supported onshore wind being built in their areas, but only 19 percent of Members of Parliament thought a majority of their constituents did so. That was a barrier to the approval and roll-out of developments, the analysts concluded. Similar results have been found in the U.S. Congress on carbon regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Climate action is backed even by those who vote for political parties that are explicitly opposed to it, according to the U.K.s More in Common think tank. The right-wing populist Reform U.K. Party recently labelled climate concern hysteria, but 62 percent of the people who voted for the party in 2024 said it was important that the government cares about tackling climate change. The apparent contradiction results from very few (4 percent) Reform voters saying the party got their vote because of its environmental policies. Instead, 72 percent said it was because of its hardline anti-immigration policies. Boneva said: Informing the policy debate on climate issues can be very helpful. If we make politicians more aware of what the people in their country want, they might actually act on the peoples preferences. Social creatures Most people are social creatures, highly influenced by what others do and say. That is why correcting mistaken beliefs about the views of your fellow citizens can make an impact on what you think and do. There is a lot of research showing this can shift peoples views on a range of social justice issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, people are drawn towards social norms, the perceived standard of acceptable behaviour. There is a really strong motive among people to try to adhere to what they think is socially desirable, said Boneva. This has been shown in many, many different contexts. People are also conditional cooperators: they are more likely to contribute to the public good if they think others are doing the same. This motive has also been studied very extensively, Boneva said. If everyone else in a shared home is cleaning the dishes, you will do it too. If everyone else is just leaving their stuff, you wont bother either. Studies have shown that telling people how popular environmental action is with others can increase their own actions, for example in saving energy and green living. Correcting misperceptions among U.S. citizens about the climate views of people in China increased support for a climate treaty. However, studies specifically on green issues are relatively rare to-date and have shown mixed results, said Dr. Sandra Geiger, at Princeton University. Her soon-to-be published work in 11 countries did show a small increase in peoples willingness to talk about climate change when they were told a majority agreed with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That could be important, she said: Correcting these misperceptions can disrupt this spiral of silence. If you then believe that a majority agrees with you, youre more likely to talk about the issue and this, in turn, corrects misperceptions in other people. But correcting the misperception did not lead to people putting more priority on government climate action, or living greener lives themselves, Geiger said. Another recent study in 63 countries found correcting misperceptions had no impact on peoples climate views, as did another on the acceptance of carbon taxes. The impact of dispelling mistaken views might depend on how it is corrected, for example using stories rather than data or correcting repeatedly not just once. We havent really found out yet, said Geiger. Other barriers might also remain, such as entrenched ideologies. But she highlighted one approach clearly shown to work correcting peoples misperception about the proportion of climate scientists that agree that global heating is human-caused and a serious problem, which is extremely high. Despite the varying results to date, Geiger still backs campaigns to correct misperceptions: People deserve to know and campaigns are cheap and scalable. Breaking the silence Why do these collective illusions about the level of support for climate action exist at all? What is the root cause? The answer remains uncertain but is likely to be a complex mix of human psychology people tend to think worse of others than themselves, for example and fossil-fuelled disinformation. One reason is just fundamentally human, because we cant easily read the hearts and minds of our fellow human beings, said Leiserowitz. Its made doubly hard because climate change is an issue that is abstract and often cloaked in scientific information. A third critical reason is the existence of a very large, sophisticated, well-funded, and long-standing misinformation campaign being driven by the fossil fuel industry and its allies, sowing doubt and division, to maintain their profits, he said. This campaign has acted as an enormous megaphone for the small but vocal minority that dismiss climate change about 10 percent in the U.S. he said: As a result, they tend to dominate the public square. Climate change has joined sex, religion, and politics as taboo topics at the Thanksgiving Day table. So communicating social norms is one of the most powerful interventions you can make. What about todays rapidly changing geopolitics, with rising nationalism, Trump entrenching climate denial in the U.S., and the threat of trade wars and recessions? This makes the data on peoples real climate views more important than ever, said Cassie Flynn, global director of climate change at the U.N. Development Programme, which ran the Peoples Climate Vote. People are actually very multilateral, she said. The result that always sticks with me is this: 86 percent of people thought that countries should put aside their differences on other issues and work together. People understand our fates are tied together when it comes to the climate crisis and they want world leaders to act on it. And everyone can help break the spiral of silence, according to Cynthia Frantz, professor at Oberlin College: [Change] simply requires that people be exposed, over and over, from sources they trust or identify with, to the fact that they are not alone in their concern and their willingness to take action. Frantz said: The empowering truth is that every public statement counts, and the more diverse the voices, the more effective the message will be. This story is part of The 89 Percent Project, an initiative of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now. This article was originally published in The Guardian. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. From peddling snake oil on social media, to backing foreign coups. Some actors who were desperate to make a quick buck are now learning of the horrifying consequences of selling their likenesses to companies that use them in AI videos, Agence France-Presse reports. South Korean actor Simon Lee, for example, found that his image was being used to promote "questionable health cures" on TikTok and Instagram. And the terms of his contract meant there was nothing he could do to get the videos removed. "If it was a nice advertisement, it would've been fine to me," Lee told AFP. "But obviously it is such a scam." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, British actor and model Connor Yeates signed a three-year deal with a company called Synthesia for $5,240 because, at the time, he was sleeping on a friend's couch and "needed the money." Later, Yeates found out that his face was used in a video to promote Ibrahim Traore, the president of Burkina Faso who took power in a coup d'etat in 2022 a usage that was a blatant violation of Synthesia's terms of service. "Three years ago, a few videos slipped our content moderation partly because there was a gap in our enforcement for factually accurate but polarizing type content or videos with exaggerated claims or propaganda, for example," Alexandru Voica, head of corporate affairs at Synthesia, told AFP. These stories encapsulate AI technology's potential to perpetuate misinformation, and in particular the invasiveness of AI-enabled deepfakes. With very little effort, anyone willing to pay money to use these services which are sometimes free can create a convincing enough video of someone saying something, so long as there's enough footage of that person out there. Public figures like Taylor Swift and Scarlett Johansson understand this better than anyone, having had to condemn creeps that deepfaked them to promote political messages. Recently, the voice actor for Aloy in the "Horizon" video games said she was unnerved by an AI imitation of her performance as the character. Background actors, too, have voiced concerns about how they had their bodies fully digitized for indefinite use by studios. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They're also emblematic of AI's inroads into the acting industry. Actors have fought tooth and nail for protections against generative AI, but they're fairly limited and don't apply to the Wild West of non-union jobs. That opens the door for AI firms to capitalize on actors desperate for work, trapping them into dubious contracts. The temptation is strengthened by the fact that it's usually pretty easy work, requiring just several hours' worth of shooting in front of a green screen, getting fed lines by a teleprompter. "The clients I've worked with didn't fully understand what they were agreeing to at the time," Alyssa Malchiodi, a lawyer who specializes in business law, told AFP. "One major red flag is the use of broad, perpetual and irrevocable language that gives the company full ownership or unrestricted rights to use a creator's voice, image and likeness across any medium." Synthesia, the platform that let an actor's visage be used in a propaganda piece during the leadup to a coup, recently announced that it'd be starting a talent experience program that will allow actors to be involved in decision-making processes, Ars Technica notes. Protections are nice, but they can only change so much if not widely adopted. Otherwise, firms and clients might simply choose not to hire actors that aren't willing to fully sign their autonomy over. More on AI: AI Startup Deletes Entire Website After Researcher Finds Something Disgusting There RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) More calls are circling for Republican Judge Jefferson Griffin to concede the race for a Supreme Court seat nearly six months after the November election. RightCount Action is broadcasting an ad across North Carolina saying its time for Griffin to accept his loss. Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory is piggybacking off the ad, echoing the sentiments. I voted for the judge, the Republican candidate, and I wanted him to win as his philosophy is more aligned with mine, former Governor McCrory said. However, he lost a very close election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, the challenge is making its way through the court system. Most recently, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that around seven thousand votes could potentially be thrown out, many of them including overseas military members. They were given rules to follow when they voted overseas, they followed those rules, those rules were approved by both Republicans and Democrats and therefore the results should be valid, former Governor McCrory said. Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs, who Griffin lost the election to, appealed that decision to a federal appeals court that is considering the case now. Democrats say Judge Griffin has dragged it on long enough. North Carolinians are pissed, theyre angry that its taking 6 months for an election to be certified in North Carolina, as they should be, Anderson Clayton, Chair of the North Carolina Democratic party, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Carolina GOP representatives werent available for an interview but in a statement said in part, If Democrats were honest, theyd simply admit they dont actually care about honest elections and are only interested in partisan outcomes. But both Republicans and Democrats calling for Griffin to concede say the most important outcome is election integrity. In the long run, the system has to win, and confidence in democracy has to win, and thats my goal, former Governor McCrory said. Justice Riggs will tell you, any voter thats disenfranchised from this fight is one vote too many, Clayton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats say theyre still reaching out to voters who have been impacted and theyll spend the next few weeks mobilizing to make sure voters are prepared to prove their eligibility if needed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. NEW YORK New York City Mayor Eric Adams and President Trumps border czar Tom Homan ratcheted up their case Tuesday for cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials when they announced the indictment of 27 alleged Tren de Aragua members and associates on racketeering, narcotics, sex trafficking and robbery charges. Their announcements came after Adams moved to open a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Rikers Island. We have taken them down and we will continue to fight violent transnational crimes with the full force of the law, Adams said during a press briefing at a federal office building in Manhattan. It's good to have partners in the federal agencies who are joining us in this priority on how important it is to keep our city safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge blocked ICE from setting up on Rikers after the City Council sued Mayor Adams, alleging that the mayor adopted Trumps hard-line immigration policies as a quid pro quo in return for moving to drop criminal bribery charges against him. If the judge continues blocking the ICE office, Homan warned that not opening it could put other immigrants in jeopardy of arrests. When ICE officers have to go into the community to arrest the bad guy, a public safety threat, a national security threat, that means more officers in your neighborhood, that means more collateral arrests, said Homan. Give us access to the person that you locked in the jail cell. Homan wouldnt say if the alleged gang members would face deportation or stand trial, leaving it up to the prosecutors in the case, and he added that the federal government did not make any mistakes in its handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia' case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcias case has become a national flashpoint due to the Trump administration possibly violating court orders demanding the federal government facilitate his return to the United States. I stand by the fact that this guy, this El Salvador national criminal and gang member terrorist is home, said Homan. Federal authorities have previously accused migrants of belonging to Tren de Aragua and deported them to a megaprison in El Salvador. According to The New York Times, most of the men have no criminal histories, including a teenager from the Bronx and Abrego Garcia. The mayor has insisted his current policies have not changed since the Trump administration came into power despite Homan saying in a Fox and Friends interview that he would be up his butt if he didnt enforce the agreement. If he doesnt come through,Homan said, I'll be back in New York City and we won't be sitting on the couch. I'll be in his office, up his butt saying, Where the hell is the agreement we came to? NEW YORK Mayor Eric Adams said Tuesday that Andrew Cuomo really shouldnt be running against him in this years race for City Hall, arguing the ex-governor should go find your own house. I was here already, why are you in my race, you know what Im saying? Adams said of Cuomo. Its like almost when you have a house somewhere, someone whos trying to move in, its like: Go find your own house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After President Trumps Justice Department secured a controversial dismissal of his federal corruption indictment this month, Adams dropped out of Junes Democratic mayoral primary and announced hed seek reelection as an independent candidate in Novembers general election instead. Adams took his latest swipe at Cuomo after being asked Tuesday if hes concerned that running as an independent could empower a left-wing third party candidate in Novembers election by splitting the more moderate vote. Cuomo is currently the favorite to win the Democratic mayoral nomination, and there has been concern in some circles that Adams could hamper the ex-govs November prospects, given that they share a similar, moderate-leaning voter base. But in his Tuesday comments at City Hall, Adams insisted its Cuomo whos stealing votes from him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes taking votes from me, I was the moderate first, Adams said before assailing Cuomo for as governor enacting some progressive changes to state bail laws. Adams also referenced a recent news report about how Cuomo established New York City residency required to run for mayor by moving in with his daughter in Manhattan. Im not living in my daughters house, I have my own house in New York, said Adams, who himself faced concern about the status of his New York City residency during the 2021 mayoral race. In response, Cuomo campaign spokesman Jason Elan slammed Adams for implying hes entitled to reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody owns anyones vote the people of New York make the decision and they want proven, tested leadership that is competent and can get things done which is why poll after poll shows they overwhelmingly support Governor Cuomo, Elan said, also noting that the ex-gov picked up another prominent labor endorsement Tuesday from the Laborers International Union, which represents some 40,000 construction workers in New York. Adams is facing a difficult path to reelection. Besides the fact that New York City rarely elects mayors who arent on the Democratic ballot line, Adams faces record-low approval ratings amid continued fallout from the dismissal of his indictment, which many believe has made him beholden to Trumps agenda. Adams, who denies a quid pro quo with Trump, took aim at other 2025 mayoral candidates besides Cuomo on Tuesday. He also accused City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams of trying to block everything I do for political reasons as she runs in the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unfortunate when individuals use their personal ambition to get in the way of what we need to do for the city, the mayor said. Ive never done that. Im never going to do that. Mandela Jones, a rep for the speaker, scoffed at the criticism, saying she didnt plan to run against the mayor until he embarrassed and undermined New York City by trying to hand City Hall over to President Trump. Unlike our current mayor, Speaker Adams isnt auditioning for a job on the Trump reality show, Jones said. Shes fighting for our city and New Yorkers, just like she always has. _____ Antisemitic incidents have again reached a new all-time high, with the Anti-Defamation Leagues (ADL) annual report noting that protesting surrounding Israel was for the first time a major driver. Protests against the Israeli governments offensive in Gaza have sparked an outcry since the fallout of the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. In evaluating those protests, the ADL said it tabulated only antisemitic tropes and rhetoric targeting Jews, while signs and chants that did not contain antisemitic elements were not included. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This horrifying level of antisemitism should never be accepted and yet, as our data shows, it has become a persistent and grim reality for American Jewish communities, said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the group, in a statement. Jewish Americans continue to be harassed, assaulted and targeted for who they are on a daily basis and everywhere they go. But lets be clear: we will remain proud of our Jewish culture, religion and identities, and we will not be intimidated by bigots. Its the first time in the more than 40 years the group has been tracking antisemitic hate that Israel was the basis for the majority of the incidents tracked. The group said justification or glorification of antisemitic violence, promotion of classic antisemitic tropes, and celebration of the attacks or terrorism were all tracked as antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ADL is careful to not conflate general criticism of Israel or anti-Israel activism with antisemitism. Legitimate political protest, support for Palestinian rights or expressions of opposition to Israeli policies is not included in the Audit, the organization stated. But the group also said that signage equating Judaism or Zionism with Nazism was also tracked as antisemitic. Theres debate, however, over whether criticism of Zionism, the promotion of a Jewish state, constitutes antisemitism. But Greenblatt has argued its absurd to think criticism of anti-Zionism isnt connected to Judaism, noting half the worlds Jews live in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anti-Zionism doesnt mean having a problem with a set of actions by the Israeli government. Anti-Zionism doesnt mean protesting the policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu. Anti-Zionism doesnt mean you support Palestinian human rights. Anti-Zionism doesnt mean that youre not upset about the conflict in Gaza, he said in a speech last year. Anti-Zionism, plain and simple, means that Jews alone among the peoples of the world do not deserve freedom and self-determination in their homeland. The group also found a sharp rise in antisemitism on college campuses, saying the 84 percent jump meant incidents on campuses rose more steeply than any other location type. Assaults also rose sharply by 21 percent while vandalism jumped 20 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results come as the Trump administration has taken a number of actions in the name of fighting antisemitism that have been criticized by various Jewish advocacy groups that argue the White House has eroded civil liberties in the process. At least 1,024 students at 160 colleges and universities have had their student visas revoked or their legal status terminated by the Trump administration, a review by The Associated Press found. The Trump administration has also stripped more than $2 billion in grant funding from Harvard University after accusing the school of failing to address antisemitism. And the Department of Homeland Security said it would begin to screen the social media of applicants seeking to gain a green card or a student visa to see if theyve shared any antisemitic content. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A coalition of Jewish groups criticized the actions, saying they create a false choice between confronting antisemitism and upholding democracy. In recent weeks, escalating federal actions have used the guise of fighting antisemitism to justify stripping students of due process rights when they face arrest and/or deportation, as well as to threaten billions in academic research and education funding. Students have been arrested at home and on the street with no transparency as to why they are being held or deported, and in certain cases with the implication that they are being punished for their constitutionally-protected speech, the groups wrote in a join statement spearheaded by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, a nonpartisan civil rights group. Universities have an obligation to protect Jewish students, and the federal government has an important role to play in that effort; however, sweeping draconian funding cuts will weaken the free academic inquiry that strengthens democracy and society, rather than productively counter antisemitism on campus. These actions do not make Jews or any community safer. Rather, they only make us less safe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. There were more than 9,300 antisemitic incidents across the U.S. in 2024, according to data released by the Anti-Defamation League, the highest level ever recorded by the civil rights organization. Incidents took place across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data marked a 5 percent increase in incidents over 2023 and a whopping 893 percent increase in antisemitism over the past 10 years, according to the group. Assaults rose by 21 percent compared to 2023, while vandalism was up 20 percent, amid continued tension across the country amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Anti-Defamation League cited examples including swastika graffiti on campuses, protesters with flags and headbands supporting U.S.-designated terror groups, antisemitic fliers from right-wing groups like Patriot Front, and individuals throwing red liquid near a New Jersey synagogue hosting a real estate event featuring information on how to buy property in the occupied West Bank. The wave of antisemitism coincided with a similar spike in anti-Muslim hate crimes, which rose 18 percent across 28 cities in 2024, according to preliminary data from the Crime and Justice Research Alliance. Official FBI hate crime data for 2024 has not been released. Donald Trump has vowed to crack down on campus antisemitism, an effort critics say has involved silencing legitimate criticism of Israel (REUTERS) Nearly 60 percent of the incidents the Anti-Defamation League tracked in 2024 featured some relation to Israel or Zionism, the first time such incidents made up a majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, kicked off the wider war in Gaza, antisemitic incidents have taken place across the country, though defining the barriers between legitimate political protest against Israel and hateful antisemitism against Jews has roiled Congress and college campuses alike. For its part, the Anti-Defamation League does not consider criticism of Israel or general anti-Israel activism to be antisemitic, though the group considers picketing of Jewish religious or cultural institutions for their perceived or real support for Israel to be hateful, and relies in part on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of antisemitism, which labels certain criticisms of Israel inherently antisemitic. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt argued anti-Zionism is antisemitism, in a 2022 speech. Members of Congress are pushing for the Department of Education to adopt the alliance definition, though civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union warn it could chill legitimate political speech on campus. The Trump administration has labeled virtually all of the thousands of campus protesters who demonstrated on behalf of Palestine over the last two years to be antisemitic, even though many were Jewish themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has invoked an obscure legal authority to arrest international student campus leaders of the movement, arguing in part that they harm U.S. foreign policy interests in combating antisemitism. The administration has also sought to strip universities like Harvard and Columbia of cumulatively billions of dollars in federal funding, arguing they havent done enough to stop campus antisemitism. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Its Gun Violence Advocacy Day, and community members and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are lobbying at the Capitol to end gun violence. Republicans hold control of the State House, and gun control advocates hope for more opportunities to pass bipartisan legislation and secure more funding for crime intervention programs. Every Michigander deserves to feel safe when they are at work, school or just walking down the street, said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a news release sent to 6 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a former prosecutor, Im committed to public safety and proud of the $1.6 billion weve invested to keep people safe across six balanced, bipartisan state budgets. These recommendations by the task force will build on our record investments and efforts to enact commonsense gun violence prevention laws like background checks, safe storage, extreme risk protection orders and stronger penalties for convicted domestic abusers. Together, we will ensure Michiganders can feel safe from gun violence no matter where they live. GVPTF-Report-1-DRAFT-1Download Too many Michigan families have lost loved ones to the tragedy of gun violence, said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. Thats why Governor Whitmer and I have worked hard to keep Michiganders safe and save lives, investing more than $1.6 billion in public safety across bipartisan budgets and signing commonsense reforms that prevent gun violence. Last year, we established the Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to carry this work forward, and these initial recommendations will make a difference for Michiganders. We will keep working with the Task Force to refine and implement the recommendations and Stand Tall so every Michigander can thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, lawmakers want to focus on a new state violence prevention toolkit that would include policies that will hold the gun industry accountable for their part in the gun violence surge and give more power to gun violence victims. Lawmakers also want to crack down on untraceable firearms known as ghost guns and continue to fund community groups. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. DENVER (KDVR) An arrest affidavit is shedding new light on what led to a crash that killed a man and his dog on April 3 in Aurora. The crash was reported near the intersection of South Flanders Court and East Caspian Circle at about 7:30 p.m. Family members identified the victim in the case as Rafael Alberto Buitrago, 65, who died of his injuries at a hospital. The dog, Nova, was killed instantly. District judge dismisses Boulders lawsuit against Jeffco airport; officials seek discussion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect in the case was identified as Michael Graham-Hyde, 73, who turned himself in to police at about 3 a.m. on April 4. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, which is a class 3 felony, and careless driving resulting in death, which is a traffic offense. He was given a $10,000 cash bond, which he posted on April 18. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by FOX31, Graham-Hyde told police during the early morning hours of April 4 that on April 3, he had flown into Denver International Airport from Thailand with a connecting flight in Munich, and once home, had left the residence to run errands. Michael believes he fell asleep while driving and was in a dream state when the collision with the pedestrian occurred, the arrest affidavit stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graham-Hyde told police that at the time of the crash, he had been awake for 38 hours and was roused when he heard a noise and felt a big bump. He got out of his car to see what he hit, and according to the arrest affidavit, thats when he panicked. The family of Buitrago spoke with FOX31s Vicente Arenas hours after their loved ones death. They told Arenas they are devastated for the loss of Buitragos death and were preparing to make funeral arrangements. At the same time, they wondered why the driver was not facing more serious charges. This is the first death that we have experienced in our family and it feels like a nightmare to say the first death in our family is cold-blooded murder, Buitragos niece Nathalie Munoz told Arenas on April 4. Bentley Denver sued after fake transport company allegedly stole $218K Ferrari Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the arrest affidavit, Graham-Hyde saw his vehicle on NextDoor, a social application that is neighborhood-based, which stated the victim had not survived, prompting him to turn himself in to police. He told police that when he left the scene, he saw another car was coming and knew that the victim was going to receive help and returned directly to his home. FOX31 went to the scene on April 4 and observed tire marks, police evidence paint and a damaged school bus sign. It is very disheartening to know that this man killed him. Knew that he committed a crime and left, Buitragos niece, Valerie Munoz, told Arenas on April 4. Its not fair, I feel like someone like that should not be allowed out on the streets. Because the pain that my aunt is going through and the pain that our whole family is going through is something that I would never wish on anyone. The family said Buitrago and his wife were planning to retire soon and travel with their dog. He was described as an accountant and a selfless uncle. The family created a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. TYLER, Texas (KETK) An East Texas woman was arrested on Monday after reportedly providing Jell-O shots with vodka to 5th graders at a Tyler elementary school Christmas party. According to a Smith County arrest affidavit, one child threw up and another was unable to stand up after consuming six shots. On Dec. 20, 2024, at around 11:15 a.m., a Tyler ISD police officer received a phone call from the Jones Elementary and Boshears Center assistant principal that said she believed a parent had brought Jell-O shots to a class Christmas party. The officer asked the suspect, Teresa Isabel Bernal, to come to the principals office. The officer said he saw on the conference table in the principals office a cafeteria boat containing four Jell-O shots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AFFIDAVIT: Tyler ISD staff arrested after forcing special needs student to walk for hours with hands bound by tape While the officer was interviewing Bernal, she said the Jell-O shots came from a local business she found on Facebook. The business is run out of a house, so she went by the house and purchased the Jell-O shots and brought them to the school for the Christmas party, the affidavit said. When asked if the Jell-O shots contained alcohol, Bernal said, They do taste different. Bernal explained to the officer that the Jell-O shots were meant for the students, and she did not know the shots contained alcohol. Bernal said she discovered the Jell-O shots contained alcohol after the children consumed some of the shots, the affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document said Dec. 20, 2024, was the last day of school before Christmas break, so the officer only briefly talked with 15 students who had consumed the Jell-O shots. Nearly all of them reported having stomachaches and headaches, the affidavit said. Mugshot of Teresa Isabel Bernal, courtesy of the Smith County Jail On Jan. 20, the officer contacted the teacher regarding the incident. The teacher said Bernal brought the Jell-O shots to her classroom earlier in the day, the document said. She said when it was time for the class to go to the cafeteria, each student would carry the treats they brought for the party to the cafeteria. The teacher described the Jell-O shot boxes as being nice and looked like a bakery would provide for customers. When the kids got to the cafeteria, all the treats were placed on tables so the kids could come by and get what they wanted, the document said. After about 20 minutes, two teachers came by and tried the Jell-O shots and thought they contained alcohol. As the teacher was going to the table to get a Jell-O shot, Bernal came up to her and asked if the Jell-O shots contained alcohol, the affidavit said. The teacher took the kids back to her class and later sent the kids who had consumed a Jell-O shot to the nurse and only had four kids left in her classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Appalling: 3 former Tyler ISD staff members arrested for injuring disabled student, district says On Jan. 6, staff returned to work, allowing the officer to conduct interviews with the teachers and administrators. During the interviews, I was told, while some of the teachers found it odd that Bernal would bring Jell-O shots to an elementary school party, they were trusting Bernal to not bring anything harmful to the school party, the document said. Bernal was an involved parent and was present at many functions at the school. On Jan. 13, the officer interviewed the owners of the local business where the Jell-O shots were purchased. I told them I thought Bernal knew she was purchasing Jell-O shots that included alcohol, the affidavit said. The owner agreed with me and said Bernal ordered one order of Jell-O shots the day before the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When ordering something from this local business on Facebook, they tap the photo of the item they want to purchase. In looking at the photo of the Jell-O shots Bernal ordered, it clearly states the Jell-O shots contained Smirnoff, the affidavit said. In my opinion, there is no way Bernal could have missed the fact that the Jell-O shots she purchased from the local business and brought to the Christmas party contained drinking alcohol, the officer said. Smith-County-AffidavitDownload The officer received screenshots of the text thread between the owner and Bernal. Bernal asks the owner if the shots contain alcohol. The owner texted back that the shots do have alcohol and asked why. Bernal simply said kids,' the document said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same day, the officer interviewed two children who had Jell-O shots at the Christmas party. One student allegedly had six Jell-O shots and got dizzy. The student explained that he fell and felt like he could not get back on his feet. The student said he was scared while he was on the floor in his teachers room. Former Tyler ISD substitute teacher arrested after video shows physical altercation with special needs student The officer also met with another student who said he had two red Jell-O shots, went to the bathroom and vomited before speaking to the officer on Dec. 20, 2024. He also said he had to vomit again after we talked that day, the affidavit said. The officer talked to the students mother on Jan. 21, and she said her child was acting oddly after she picked him up. She said he passed out on the floor at home, the affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit said that the remaining Jell-O shots were delivered to NMS Labs for testing and were found to contain alcohol. Bernal was arrested and booked at the Smith County Jail on Monday for recklessly causing bodily injury to a child and posted her $75,000 bond the same day. According to Tyler ISD, Bernal has not been allowed back on campus since the incident and now faces legal consequences. Tyler ISD is aware of the recent arrest of a parent in connection to an elementary holiday party last December. At the time, a parent volunteer brought homemade Jell-O to the celebration, which was later found to contain alcohol. Unfortunately, some students consumed the Jell-O before the situation was discovered. Staff acted immediately to address the situation, informing parents and working with law enforcement. We take this matter very seriously and remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students. Tyler ISD Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. By Loucoumane Coulibaly, Emmanuel Bruce and Benoit Nyemba ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Africans are hoping one of their own could become the first Black pope in modern history and build on Francis's legacy of championing the developing world, though the chances of that happening appear slim. A continent where religion permeates most aspects of private and public life, Africa is where the Roman Catholic Church is growing fastest, according to Vatican figures published last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement African Catholics attending services honouring Francis after his death on Monday said a Black pope was long overdue. "To have a Black pope would revive the Christian faith in Africa and change people's views of Africa, by showing that an African can hold this office," said Charles Yapi, a Catholic priest in Ivory Coast's commercial capital Abidjan. Scholars researching the early Church have cited evidence that some first millennium popes were born in North Africa or were of African descent, though details are scant. One or more may have been Black. Some African contenders' names have been circulating, but Vatican insiders are sceptical that any of them have a realistic chance of becoming pope, partly because none have been subjected to the same level of public scrutiny as most Western cardinals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is a potential concern for an institution that has been shaken by devastating scandals in recent decades. In any case, forecasting who will become pope is notoriously tricky. Among African clerics tipped as potential popes are Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, 76, Democratic Republic of Congo's Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, the archbishop of Kinshasa, and Ivory Coast's Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo, 63. Africa boasted about 20% of the world's Catholics in 2023 and added 9 million worshippers the previous year. Choosing Turkson as pope would be a fitting recognition of that growth and also inspire African prelates, said Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie in Accra, who has known Turkson since the 1970s and was ordained by him as a bishop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Although it's something I cannot bet on, as the cardinals who will make the selection will be led by the Holy Spirit, it will be good to have him as the next pope as this will motivate all bishops on the continent," Kwofie told Reuters. However, some clerics said that a pope's values mattered more than his home country or race. "We pray that the Holy Spirit will give the Church a good pastor, one who will guide the Church towards the true God," said Congolese priest Josue-Misael Mobatila Kwilu after attending a service for Francis in Kinshasa. "Having a pope from Africa or another continent is not up to us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CONSERVATIVE VIEWS The elevation of an African cardinal to the papal throne would be widely interpreted as a continuation of Francis's track record of standing up for the poor and oppressed, migrants and civilians fleeing war. Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi recalled Francis's words during a 2023 visit to Congo: "Take your hands off the Democratic Republic of Congo. Take your hands off Africa! Stop suffocating Africa: it is not a mine to be exploited nor a land to be plundered." These words were "forever engraved in the collective memory of the Congolese people", Tshisekedi said on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, an African pope would not necessarily embrace Francis's more socially progressive positions, such as approving the blessing of same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis, which has irked Africa's overwhelmingly conservative faithful. An African pope would be clear that same-sex relationships are "not part of our culture" and "would not allow himself to be influenced to accept it", said Yapi, the Ivorian priest. The issue could cut both ways as many of the cardinals who will elect the next pope in a conclave may be wary of picking someone whose views deviate sharply from those of Francis. Turkson, who has been discussed as a possible pope for over a decade, rose from humble beginnings as the fourth of 10 children in a mining town. He combines a long pastoral background in Ghana with hands-on experience leading several Vatican offices, including the Church body that promotes social justice, human rights and world peace. He also shares Francis's interest in issues like climate change and inequality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2013 interview with CNN, Turkson linked clerical abuse to homosexuality, saying the Church in Africa was unlikely to be hit by the scandals seen elsewhere - a view that drew widespread criticism. More recently he has softened his tone, telling the BBC in 2023 that it was "time to begin education" on homosexuality and suggesting it was "not completely alien to Ghanaian society". Congo's Ambongo, a prominent voice for peace in a nation ravaged by wars and insurgencies, was made a cardinal by Francis in 2019. The pope appointed him in 2020 to the Council of Cardinals, a cabinet of papal advisers Francis convened on a regular basis. However, Ambongo opposed Francis's 2023 approval of blessings for gay couples, saying doing so would expose the Church to scandals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivory Coast's Dogbo, the archbishop of Abidjan, was made a cardinal in December 2024 and his visibility has increased as a result. "Having cardinals from every part of the world truly translates the universality of the Church," he told Reuters at the time. (Reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly in Ivory Coast, Emmanuel Bruce in Ghana, Benoit Nyemba in Democratic Republic of Congo and Joshua McElwee in the Vatican; Writing by Robbie Corey-Boulet; Editing by Estelle Shirbon, Silvia Aloisi and Gareth Jones) BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Iran is currently generating income through the production of heavy water and related products in the nuclear energy sector, said Mohammad Eslami, Iran's Vice President and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI), Trend reports. Speaking today at an event commemorating the anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Eslami noted that Iran produces heavy water with approximately three hundred different components, which are used in sectors such as medicine, industry, and microelectronics. He explained that the price of one kilogram of Irans heavy water is approximately one thousand dollars. Additionally, Iran exports methanol produced using heavy water to other countries, with the price of one ton of this methanol reaching $1.2 million. In comparison, methanol produced in the petrochemical sector costs between $300-$400 per ton. The official also emphasized that Iran is active in the production of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. Iran claims to have made significant achievements in the nuclear field and plans to accelerate development in other sectors using nuclear technology, which has an effective impact across all areas. Furthermore, Iran officially maintains that its strategy is not to acquire nuclear weapons, and the country does not support the production of weapons of mass destruction. --------- Follow the author on X: @BaghishovElnur BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Robert Edsel doesnt see himself as an author. More accurately, the New York Times-bestselling writer whose 2009 book, Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, was turned into a movie featuring George Clooney and Matt Damon, sees himself as a messenger. The same way Monuments Men was about to telling the overlooked story of American soldiers seeking to take part art stolen by the Nazis across Europe, Edsel is now trying to tell another story often overlooked in recollections of World War II. Remember Us: American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and A Forever Promise Forged in World War II, which will be published by Harper Collins on April 29, tells the story of soldiers stationed in the Netherlands and the way the Dutch people continue to celebrate their service in protecting them during the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you dont understand the horror and challenges for these people who fought this battle, you cant fully appreciate the remarkable moment of grace the book offers, Edsel said. In Remember Us, Edsel tells the story of soldiers who fought to protect the town of Margraten. As the death toll began to rise, many of these Americans were buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. One of the soldiers who was responsible for these burials was Sgt. Jeff Wiggins, who grew up in a sharecropping family in Dothan, Alabama at the height of Jim Crow. Following an attack by the Ku Klux Klan at his home, Wiggins sought to leave the racially charged state, lying to the Army so that he join. Saying he was 19 years old, Wiggins was only 16. Part of the book not only deals with Wiggins work burying his fellow soldiers, but also the culture shock of the Dutch people on getting to know a Black man for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Jeff, like other Black soldiers, enjoyed being in Europe because they had never seen a Black human being, he said. Theres one moment where children would run up to him and rub his skin because they didnt know if it would come out. However, Edsel said Wiggins time in the Netherlands weighed heavily on him, seeing so much death in the weeks he was there. They were going to dig graves until they were told to stop, he said. It was a horrible job and Jeff had many nightmares for years afterward. After the war, Wiggins would go back to Dothan, where he would receive his high school diploma. He later taught at Southeast Alabama High School in Dothan and was recalled to duty in 1950. He died in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Edsel said Remember Us is a story about love and how decades after the war ended, those in Margraten still pay their respects to the Americans buried at American Cemetery. Its a timeless story of remembrance and love, he said. It underscores the point that everyone, know matter who you are, want to be remembered by somebody. With Memorial Day coming up May 26, Edsel is encouraging people to remember those who fought for America by seeking to connect with one another. Its important to remember who we are as a country, that sense of connectedness that people are doing all they can to preserve the history of the country, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Alaska Airlines announced on Tuesday more nonstop flights out of San Diego International Airport and other actions that will make the airline the one with the most nonstop flights at the airport. Alaska Airlines is adding new nonstop routes from San Diego to three destinations across the country this year Phoenix, Denver, and Chicago and will be adding more flights to the most popular destinations from San Diego Las Vegas, San Jose, Sacramento and Salt Lake City. Year-round service between San Diego and Phoenix begins on Aug. 20, while flights between San Diego and Chicago OHare and Denver will start on Oct. 4. Each route will fly three times per day in a 737 aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, starting on Oct. 26, Alaska Airlines is adding six daily nonstop flights between San Diego and Las Vegas, Sacramento and San Jose, Calif., and three daily flights to Salt Lake City. San Diego airport warning of potential delays as REAL ID deadline approaches Tickets for the new routes can be purchased at alaskaair.com. The airline said flights that are part of the expanded schedule will be available for purchase starting this weekend. With the new routes on the combined Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines network, Alaska Airlines will serve 44 nonstop destinations from San Diego the most nonstop flights of any airline at the San Diego Airport along with more than 90 peak-day departures. That includes flights to the East Coast, the Northwest, throughout California, Mexico, Florida and to all four major islands in Hawaii. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These US airports have the best food and drink experiences, poll finds Also, Alaska Airlines is the only airline at the airport offering nonstop flights between San Diego and Washington Reagan National, which started in March 2025. We are very pleased that Alaska Airlines is continuing to grow its service from San Diego. The timing is perfect for adding new routes and increasing frequency to existing flights. We look forward to welcoming both leisure and business visitors to our year-round sunny climate while providing more flights from SAN to destinations across the country, said Kimberly Becker, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority President and CEO. Which airports had the most delays and cancellations in 2024? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airline also announced that, for a limited time, California and Hawaii residents who join the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan loyalty program will receive $50 off their next flight when they enroll here. Those who live in other states can take advantage of this offer for $25 off their next flight. New members will need to book their travel within 28 days of enrollment and take their flight within 90 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, speaks Friday, April 26, 2024, on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Legislation passed Wednesday by the Alaska House of Representatives would require the states school districts to adopt policies that restrict the use of cellphones by students during school hours. House Bill 57, which will advance to the Senate after a 34-6 vote, does not require districts to ban students cellphones altogether but does require them to regulate students use of phones during regular school hours, including during lunch and the time between classes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An earlier version of the bill would have required the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development to draft a model policy as an example for districts to follow, but that requirement was eliminated in a floor amendment. The amendment also eliminated a requirement that school districts report their academic performance before and after the new cellphone policy. Cellphones would be allowed for translation purposes, in emergencies, for medical reasons, and as needed for instruction. Restrictions on cellphones in the classroom are growing in popularity across the country, and eight states including Florida, California, Virginia and Indiana have banned them altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every state except Nevada and Wyoming has proposed or is considering a statewide ban or restriction, according to a tally kept by the Associated Press. Some members of Congress are considering national legislation. The bans come amid a broadening base of research that shows smartphone and social media use can contribute to negative mental health and poor academic achievement among students in grade school and high school. Several lawmakers, including Gov. Mike Dunleavy, proposed legislation this year that would restrict cellphone use in schools. HB 57, from Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, became the leading bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 11, Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, proposed an amendment that rewrote the bills language to reflect a section of an education bill approved by the Senate Education Committee. Ruffridge said he thinks Alaskans believe in local control of education. The language of Amendment No. 2 gives that ability to govern yourselves and be as strict or as permissive as possible at the district level, he said. Fields spoke against the amendment, saying it turned HB 57 from a cellphone ban into a cellphone discouragement policy. The amendment passed on a 19-18 vote. Five days later, when the bill came up for a final vote, Fields voted for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendment adopted to this bill substantially weakens it, Fields said. Im still going to vote for the bill and send it to the next body because I think theres an opportunity to resurrect better language. Other legislators also stood up in support, offering anecdotal stories about the way cellphones have affected their children and children they know. Parents and our state are at war against these screens, said Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, speaking in favor of the bill. A handful of legislators spoke against the bill, including Ruffridge, whose amendment significantly rewrote it. Ruffridge said he supports giving local school districts the authority to make decisions like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not up to us to do, he said. Rep. David Nelson, R-Anchorage, said that there are plenty of reasons to be concerned about kids mental health, but that is a wider issue than just cellphones. If were going to be trusting young people and saying, Hey, you are the future, why are we banning communication devices in public schools? he said. HB 57 is subject to a reconsideration vote on the House floor before it advances to the Senate, but legislators said they dont expect the tally to change much, if at all. The bill has been tentatively scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Workers process pollock. (Photo provided by Thompson & Co. PR on behalf of the Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance) Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and other coastal senators have proposed new legislation to exempt seafood processing companies from a cap on the number of international workers they can hire through the temporary H-2B visa program. The Alaska seafood industry regularly recruits and hires workers from around the world each year, including Mexico, the Philippines and Ukraine. Companies must demonstrate they are unable to fill processing jobs with American workers, and then through the temporary H-2B visa program, they hire thousands of guest workers to meet the needs of Alaskas labor-intensive, high-volume commercial fishing seasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seafood processing companies must apply each year for a number of H-2B visas in order to hire workers, competing with various nonagricultural sectors, including construction, landscaping and hospitality industries. Currently, Congress has set the cap at 66,000 visas per year, split evenly between the time periods of October through March and April through September. Under the proposed legislation, the Save Our Seafood Act, seafood companies would be exempt from caps on these visas, to allow hiring of international workers as needed. Alaskas seafood industry is a delicate chain and when processors dont have the workforce to meet demand, the whole industry can fall apart, Murkowski, R-Alaska, said in a written statement announcing the legislation. Coastal communities, family-owned fishing boats, and Alaskans who work in the industry need to know that they have fully-functioning operations where they can deliver their catch, she said. Through this legislation, Im working to ensure that the industry has a dependable workforce that can process and deliver the highest-quality seafood in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski introduced similar legislation in 2023, but it failed to advance in Congress. Several U.S. senators from Virginia, Maryland and Louisiana signed on as co-sponsors of the legislation to support their fishing industries, including crab and shrimp fleets. No other industry in Alaska relies as heavily on out-of-state workers as seafood processing, which increased to over 80% nonresident workers in 2023, according to an analysis by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The number of Alaska seafood processor jobs has also declined over the last decade, and totaled 8,495 in 2023, the most recently available number. Alaskas seafood industry has also taken a hit in recent years, with a perfect storm of declining fish prices, global market competition, and rising costs to bring products to market. But despite Alaskas seafood market woes, the labor needs of the processing industry remain the same, said Brian Gannon, vice president of government relations at LaborMex, a Texas-based company that connects employers with international workers through the H2 visa program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You still need a lot of people to touch individual fish to feed the machines, he said. Seafood processing workers handle fish unloaded from commercial fishing vessels, from sorting, cleaning and cutting, to freezing, canning and packaging. Though processing plants have become more efficient, Gannon noted Alaska seafood processing has always relied on out-of-state labor. Its consistent with the last 100 years, that hasnt changed, he said. Because in the remote coastal communities there is no workforce that is available, that is ready and not already engaged in the fishing or tendering effort. Theres just a severe lack of human capital in those regions. In 2023, Alaska employers applied for 825 guest workers via the H-2B visa program, according to the Alaska Department of Labor, and 554 were for seafood processor roles. Visas are valid for up to three years, and there were an estimated 1,500 international workers each year, Gannon has said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gannon estimates the workforce needed for Alaska is more like 4,000 jobs for the peak summer fishing seasons. The industry needs to fight for a place within the 66,000 annual visas, he said. And the seafood industry needs to compete with landscapers, hotel operations, amusement parks, horse racing stables, grass cutters, lawn mowers, to provide workers or to have access to workers to cut fish. Gannon said the proposed legislation to exempt the seafood industry from the visa cap would benefit businesses. Those employers would not have to worry about, Are we going to have access to visas this year or not? he said. It would be obviously very helpful for the Alaska seafood industry, and the U.S. seafood industry. Each year, seafood companies host job fairs abroad, and contract companies such as Gannons to assist with recruiting and hiring. Workers go through a hiring process, background check and visa interview, then if they are approved, seafood companies arrange their travel and airfare to work in Alaskas over 70 onshore plants and 15 at-sea catcher-processor vessels. Gannon argued the cap does not reflect the current need for guest workers in nonagricultural industries nationwide. Theres only so many visas allowed by the federal government for workers to come in, and thats an arbitrary number that was set 20 or 25 years ago. Its only in the last six years that that cap has been hit, where the employers are requesting more visas than than are available, and now its up to a factor of three or four times, he said. I believe most likely that that number should be 200,000 or 300,000 visas to reflect the needs of industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administrations escalating crackdown on immigrants and ramped up deportations could present a dilemma for U.S. industries that rely on immigrant labor. Ganon said while there is worry and concern, there is a precedent for the Trump administration prioritizing food industries. When COVID hit, the administration quickly allowed for workers from Mexico and other countries that were in jobs and having nexus to food security, and U.S. food production, and they came in, he said. So we believe that the literal actions surrounding visas and critical food jobs, or food producing jobs, will remain an actual priority of this administration, regardless of words that come out of Washington, D.C. Gannon noted that interest is still high among international workers, as wages are $16.50 per hour for processing jobs this year, with airfare, housing and meals included and promised overtime. If the bill is passed in Congress, it would be enacted for next years fishing season, in 2026. In the meantime, Gannon says industry advocates hope to garner support for the guest worker program, and the seafood industry. Theres so many challenges, and but for a few administrative strokes by the federal government, they could do their part to really help employers in Alaska, and this would be a big thing to safeguard the industry, he said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A local real estate company has raised thousands of dollars to provide beds for kids in need. Helping Properties Albuquerque donated over $32,000 to Beds4Kidz on Monday. Its a local non-profit dedicated to providing the necessary comfort to many New Mexicans. Albuquerque student clothing drive being held in early May We have a program where its pretty easy to get some free beds. the sad part is that theres a waiting list, and this big check is going to help us a lot. We operated off the kindness of strangers. No government support or funding, said Steve Stucker, Beds4Kidz founder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The non-profit has donated over 21,000 beds since its inception. Helping Properties Albuquerque also recently completed its own fundraiser called Flip4Kidz, where they bought, renovated, and donated a 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The export of enriched uranium from Iran is not on the agenda, said Mohammad Eslami, Iran's Vice President and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI), Trend reports. Speaking today at an event commemorating the anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Eslami clarified that despite various speculations, there are no plans to export enriched uranium from the country. Regarding the use of plasma technology in the military, Eslami emphasized that Iran has not ventured into military applications of nuclear technology. However, he noted the wide-ranging uses of plasma technology and the importance of focusing on its potential. Iran uses plasma technology in treating diabetes, aiding cancer treatments, irradiating agricultural products, waste processing, and more, he added. Addressing concerns about foreign threats to Iran's nuclear centers and the possibility of incidents similar to the Chernobyl disaster, Eslami stated that such attacks would violate international laws and collective commitments between nations. He assured that such an incident would not occur at Iran's nuclear facilities. He further mentioned that after the Fukushima and Chernobyl incidents, technical requirements have been imposed on all nuclear power plants worldwide. These standards have been incorporated into the design, construction, and equipment of Irans Atomic Power Station. Recently, there have been discussions concerning ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States. It was suggested that the possibility of transferring Iran's enriched uranium to a third country might be considered. The second round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States concerning Iran's nuclear program has commenced in Rome, Italy, on April 19, led by Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and the US Special Envoy to Middle East Affairs, Steve Witkoff. The third round of talks is scheduled for April 26. 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. --- Follow the author on X: @BaghishovElnur MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) On the heels of two boat crashes in under a week, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is urging extreme caution for boaters. As the weather warms up, the wake on Alabama waters will only grow. Having this bulletproof vest on, right? In law enforcement, we say, Its cheap insurance, said Lt. Jeremy Burkett with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Its cheap insurance for me to protect my life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burkett wants you to protect your life, too, especially out on the water. Last weeks boating crash at Smith Lake claimed the lives of three. Thats why Burkett is pushing boater safety. You may have not done it in six months, or you may not have done it in seven months, and now some of the stuff is at the back of your mind, Burkett said. So we need to bring it around to the front of everybodys mind. The other crash involved two vessels at Logan Martin Lake in St. Clair County on Saturday. No injuries were reported. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey authorizes flags to be flown at half-staff after Pope Francis dies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burkett said the most important thing is to make sure your boat is ready to go. That means having enough gas and a plan if something goes wrong on the water. If youre inexperienced, Burkett said to make sure you have an experienced boater with you, especially if its during low light times. Thats a bad situation if you have a mechanical failure or something like that in the middle of the interstate, Burkett said. But its completely different if youre in the middle of a body of water, right? What are you going to have to help you? Burkett said the greatest help of all is a life vest. He said you never know when youll end up in the water. Theres a tremendous chance that you could go down, and you could drown, or something bad could happen to you or somebody thats with you, Burkett said. So those are the things that we want people to just be aware of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burkett said the ALEA works year-round to ensure the safety of everyone on and off the waters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) An Alexandria man accused of being involved in several armed road rage incidents in Maryland is now facing felony charges, the Maryland State Police (MSP) announced Tuesday. Perry Ellis Barmore, 34, was charged in connection with a firearm brandishing and shootingunrelated incidents that happened in February of this year and August 2024. On Feb. 25, MSP troopers responded to the Outer Loop of I-495, near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The victim told police that Barmore, driving a gray Jeep, pointed a gun at them during a road rage incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other driver was not hurt. Department of Education to resume collections on defaulted student loans Troopers were able to identify Barmore as the suspect and found a loaded handgun after a search of his home. He was charged with felony use of a firearm and second-degree assault before being released to home detention on March 14. Further investigation linked him to another alleged road rage incident on Aug. 24, 2024. In the area of Rt. 202, a victim told police that a driver of a gray Jeep shot at him after a road rage incident. That victim was also not hurt. He was further charged with attempted murder, felony assault and other firearm-related charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is awaiting extradition to Maryland. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. 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? An Allston man faces charges in connection with a death that Boston police detectives have ruled was a homicide. Omar Riaz, 26, is expected to be arraigned in Brighton District Court, police said in a statement on Tuesday. He faces charges of murder, armed carjacking and resisting arrest. At around 7:48 p.m. on Monday, police were notified of an unknown incident, possible domestic violence incident at 82 Glenville Ave., police said. Officers found one person dead at that address and requested other units to help in finding the suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have not released information about the person or how they died. Riaz was found and arrested near 50 Quint Ave. following an attempted carjacking incident, police said. While the incident remains under investigation, the homicide unit asks that anyone with information about this incident call them at 617-343-4470. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). More local crime stories Amazon is obligated to collectively bargain with warehouse workers at its San Francisco distribution facility, the federal labor board says. A complaint issued Monday by a regional director of the National Labor Relations Board accused Amazon of illegally refusing to negotiate with employees after a majority signed union authorization cards in the fall. The complaint relies on a precedent set by the NLRB during the Biden administration. A 2023 decision found that if a union gains a majority of support in the workplace, an employer has the choice to voluntarily recognize the union, or it must challenge the action and file a petition with the labor board to hold a formal election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amazon did not file any such petition, according to the complaint. The complaint sets the stage for bargaining orders "at many other locations where Amazon has dodged its legal obligation to negotiate with the union," the Teamsters said in a statement Monday. Workers at Southern California warehouses DAX5 in City of Industry and DAX8 in Palmdale, as well as warehouses in New York City, Atlanta and Skokie, Ill., have sought union recognition from the company. "Its clear workers continue to win when they fight," Randy Korgan, director of the Teamsters Amazon division, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Delivery drivers at third-party company in Palmdale are Amazon employees, NLRB finds Amazon disputed the claims. This complaint is predicated on a baseless legal theory which undermines employee rights, disregards decades of NLRB practice, and ignores Supreme Court precedent. It is completely without merit and we look forward to establishing that through the legal process," Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards said in an email. The complaint is an early step by the NLRB in litigating its case, which will be reviewed by an administrative law judge at a hearing scheduled for Aug. 5. The judges decision on whether Amazon should be ordered to bargain with workers could then be appealed to the labor board in Washington and then in federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Amazon demands a lot from its drivers. Now they're pushing back The case probably faces an uphill battle with the labor board now under the control of the Trump administration. In January, Trump fired NLRB board member Gwynne Wilcox, leaving the board with only two members one a Republican and the other a Democrat. After firing general counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, the Trump administration appointed William Cowen in February as acting general counsel. Cowen has already rescinded a series of more worker-friendly guidelines and interpretations that had been issued by his predecessor. Another similar case regarding Amazon's obligation to bargain with warehouse workers is tied up in the courts. Workers at Amazon's Staten Island, N.Y., warehouse voted to unionize in 2022, but the company has not bargained with workers. The NLRB issued a complaint in 2023, but proceedings were put on hold after Amazon filed a lawsuit arguing the NLRB's structure is unconstitutional, spearheading an effort with SpaceX, whose chief executive is White House advisor Elon Musk, to reshape or dismantle the labor agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Teamsters have criticized Trumps nominee for the NLRB's permanent general counsel, Crystal Carey, a partner at the law firm Morgan Lewis. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Ameren Illinois employees are rolling up their sleeves to give back to local organizations during National Volunteer Month. Ameren employees volunteered at Dream Center Peoria for three hours. They cleaned windows and painted the community room at the shelter. Ruthie Bertram with Ameren Illinois said it feels good to pour into an organization that does so much for people in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were more than happy to do it. It shows that we care about the places that we live in, and we want to help make our community stronger and thrive. And the dream center does so much, I mean, if were in here, just painting, its the least we can do, right? And were happy to do it, and Ameren is happy to do it to help them, said Bertram. Ameren is focusing on giving back to non-profits that focus on food insecurity. April is National Volunteer Month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Last week, Guinness debuted its first campaign with Uncommon Creative Studio, "A Lovely Day"-a sweeping, 5,057-mile journey across the U.S. spotlighting real people, diverse communities, and the passions that unite them. More than a brand film, it's a journalistic ode to the richness of American life, delivered through a lens of optimism and humanity. It also arrives at what can only be described as an "interesting" cultural moment. Global perceptions of the U.S. have shifted. Significantly. Recent data shows that the average net favorability of the U.S. has declined by roughly 20 points worldwide, with marked dips in key consumer markets like Europe and Canada. Driven by geopolitics, cultural polarization, and economic unease, America is under a sharper lens than perhaps ever before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So why are global brands still so invested in showing up here-and showing off? Let's start with the obvious: scale. The U.S. continues to represent an unmatched commercial opportunity. Despite economic fluctuations, it remains one of the most resilient consumer markets in the world. That resilience isn't just appealing to established giants, it's also proving magnetic for direct-to-consumer challengers. Take ME+EM, the U.K.-based womenswear brand. Known for its clean silhouettes and data-informed design strategy, they've doubled down on U.S. expansion. After a successful digital push, they've moved into brick-and-mortar, with stores in New York City, the Hamptons, and now Texas. The commitment signals not just short-term ambition, but long-term belief in the American shopper's continued global influence. That influence extends far beyond GDP. The U.S. is often the launchpad for brands aiming to embed themselves in the cultural zeitgeist. Just last year, Guinness was at the center of a TikTok phenomenon with the "Split the G" challenge-an unplanned but potent moment of viral cultural relevance. Similarly, Puma's new "Go Wild" campaign, its largest global initiative, debuted in the U.S. this March. For a German heritage brand, gaining traction stateside is more than symbolic; it's essential toward engaging Gen Z audiences at the intersection of sport, identity, and authenticity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With 17% of all TikTok users based in the U.S., and roughly 34% of ad revenue generated here, success in America can mean amplification everywhere. The U.S. is also uniquely valuable as a cultural testbed. With its intricate diversity-ethnic, geographic, and ideological-it serves as a global microcosm. It's where brands can pressure-test both universal insights and hyperspecific strategies. Guinness' film leans into this idea, exploring the connective tissue of American life. Toyota's latest campaign for the 2025 4Runner does something similar, pairing broad themes of adventure ("Your Window to the Wild") with a more targeted sub-campaign, "4Runner Landia," created with agency Conill to reach Hispanic audiences. The campaign even includes a contest to win land-an offer rooted in cultural nuance and aspiration. In that way, America isn't just a place to sell products. It's a place to refine ideas, build resonance, and test what it means to connect with people on a human level. As campaigns increasingly pivot toward emotional storytelling and values-led positioning, brands are turning to the U.S. as a litmus test for what works-and what endures-across communities, cultures, and digital channels. There's also a reason Guinness ends its film with the line, "People need people." It's a universal sentiment, but its resonance in the U.S.-with its division, complexity, and promise-feels especially timely. The film's soundtrack choice, Paolo Nutini's "Iron Sky," underscores that. It's a track woven with themes of resistance, justice, and unity-featuring audio from Charlie Chaplin's 1940 speech in The Great Dictator. It's a reminder that some ideas don't belong to one country or another. They belong to all of us. And right now, for global brands, the U.S. remains one of the most powerful places to express them. FINE, N.Y. (WWTI) The American Red Cross is assisting two people after an early Sunday morning fire in St. Lawrence County. Volunteers from the Central and Northern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to two people after a fire early Sunday morning on Coffin Mills Road in Fine. Two pets were lost in the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Red Cross provided financial assistance which can be used for necessities such as shelter, food, and clothing to two adults. Volunteers also offered health services, comfort kits containing personal care items, and blankets. In the coming days, Red Cross staff and volunteers will remain available to help those affected by the fire as they navigate the road to recovery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DES MOINES, Iowa A 17-year-old from Ames has been arrested in connection with a carjacking that happened in Des Moines Sunday afternoon, and police say the vehicle that was stolen has now been located. Sgt. Paul Parizek, spokesperson for the Des Moines Police Department, said the incident began when an individual trying to sell their 2017 Dodge Charger met with an interested buyer. During the test drive, Sgt. Parizek said the suspect pulled a gun on the owner and took off in the car. Des Moines shooting leaves one seriously injured Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers responded to the report of the theft at 8th Street and Euclid Avenue just before 2:00 p.m. Investigators quickly linked an accomplice vehicle to the case, which had been spotted in West Des Moines shortly after 1:00 p.m., switching license plates. Sgt. Parizek said additional investigation caused DMPD to seek help from the Ames Police Department, which found the suspected accomplice vehicle at an Ames residence. Detectives with DMPD went to Ames and located the 17-year-old carjacking suspect. He was taken into custody. The suspects name has not been released. The suspect is charged with: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robbery 1st Degree (Class B felony) Conspiracy To Commit A Forcible Felony (Class C felony) Assault While Committing A Felony (Class D felony) Trafficking In Stolen Weapons (Class D felony) Persons Ineligible To Possess Dangerous Weapons (Serious Misdemeanor) Sgt. Parizek said a 9mm handgun was recovered by detectives, which had been reported stolen from Illinois earlier this year. Police initially asked for help to locate the Dodge Charger because it wasnt at the residence where the teen was arrested. Later Monday morning, Sgt. Parizek said the car was located in an apartment complex parking lot in Ames, hidden under a tarp. Stolen 2017 Dodge Charger Stolen 2017 Dodge Charger Police continue to investigate and follow leads on accomplices to the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any information about the case, police ask you to call 911. Iowa news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. (iStock/Getty Images Plus) Members of a Senate spending panel on Tuesday agreed that there should be more oversight over the state program that pays health care costs for the poor, elderly, and disabled and passed SB 1060. The bill, which heads to the full Senate next, establishes a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight to ensure transparency in the states Medicaid program, mostly administered through contracts with managed care plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would require the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), which houses the Medicaid program and is charged with oversight, to by July 1 enter into a contract with the the state auditor general to maintain a data-sharing agreement. The auditor general is directed to assist the committee in its work. With time ticking on the 2025 regular session, its not clear whether the bill will make it through the process, though. Thats because the House counterpart, HB 935, has yet to be heard in a committee. Double checking AHCA Sen. Jason Brodeur said he filed the bill because AHCA increased Medicaid reimbursement rates by $100 million over the amount that the Legislature appropriated in state fiscal year 23-24 to pay the plans. The agency, he said, held authority to increase the rates because Florida law authorizes agencies to make adjustments within 5%. So, this bill simply says were creating a joint committee with our own actuary. So that should we get those kinds of bills presented to us, we have our own folks we can ask to say, Is this right? It may be. Probably is. But if were going to be spending that kind of money on a program this big, Id like to have somebody who works for us tell us thats the right number. The bill comes amid a whirlwind of controversy surrounding AHCA, its role in a Medicaid settlement with health care giant Centene that directed $10 million to Hope Florida Foundation, and the foundations contributions to political committees fighting a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The growing controversy, first reported by The Tampa Bay Times and the Miami Herald, has dominated the 2025 session and played a role in the Senates decision this week to not confirm two of Gov. Ron DeSantiss choices to run large state agencies: Shevaun Harris as secretary of AHCA and Taylor Hatch as secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Touching on the Hope Florida controversy, Sen. Jason Pizzo asked Brodeur whether the new joint committee would have authority over pre-suit settlements. I do not know, Brodeur replied. Pizzo followed, Would you be amenable to taking a look as to whether or not the oversight board would be able to monitor pre-suit settlements of Medicaid overpayments? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brodeur said he would. It sounds reasonable to me, because the entire point of this is oversight to begin with. So whatever oversight that looks like, it should be comprehensive, Brodeur said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE More than 60 community water systems that provide drinking water to more than 520,000 people in Maine currently add fluoride, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control. (Photo by Getty Images) As top federal health officials are encouraging states to stop adding fluoride to public water, a Maine lawmaker introduced a bill Tuesday that would prohibit the practice in the state, drawing strong pushback from the dental community. Introducing her bill during a public hearing with the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee, Rep. Jennifer Poirier (R-Skowhegan) said in written remarks that fluoridating drinking water is an outdated practice that undermines informed consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fluoridating drinking water amounts to mass medication without the ability to monitor individual dosage or gain consent, Poirier wrote in testimony read on her behalf by Rep. Kathy Javner (R-Chester). Poiriers bill, LD 1570, would repeal the law governing the process for a public water system to add fluoride, prohibit systems from adding fluoride and institute a civil penalty for intentionally violating the prohibition. Communities have been adding fluoride to drinking water for decades to help prevent cavities by strengthening the surface of teeth and making them more resistant to decay. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website calls it a practical, cost-effective, and equitable way for communities to improve their residents oral health. More than 60 community water systems that provide drinking water to more than 520,000 people in Maine currently add fluoride, according to information on the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current state law allows public water systems to decide whether to fluoridate drinking water with voter approval from the affected municipalities. Voters in Southwest Harbor, for example, decided to stop adding fluoride to their water in 2013 after more than 50 years of doing so, as reported by the Ellsworth American. With a shortage of dental providers in the state, multiple pediatric dentists and nonprofit dental organizations opposed the proposed ban, arguing it is the only source of oral healthcare many children in the state receive. Eliminating fluoride would cause more cavities, pain and other ramifications that come with tooth decay that they argued would be harder to treat with already long waitlists for patients to access dental care. Dr. Ashley Blanchfield with Augusta Pediatric Dentistry said she lived and worked in Juneau, Alaska, for several years after it stopped adding fluoride to its drinking water in 2007. She told the committee that she fears Maine could see the same negative effects she saw in childrens dental health in Alaska in the post-fluoridation years. Poiriers bill comes after Utah passed a law in March becoming the first state in the nation to prohibit adding fluoride to drinking water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called on states to follow Utahs lead by banning fluoride in drinking water and told the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention he wanted it to stop recommending it be added to public water. This comes after Kennedy criticized fluoride throughout his 2024 presidential campaign, saying it has been associated with negative health impacts. While ingesting too much fluoride can be harmful, those risks are associated with levels much higher than the CDC recommendation for drinking water. Fluoride is naturally occurring in most water, but it is usually at levels too low to prevent cavities, which is why health officials have put forth suggestions for adding more. The CDC said it recommends fluoride levels equal to about three drops in a 55-gallon barrel; however, it is up to individual communities whether they adjust their levels to that recommendation. The CDC also named fluoridation of community drinking water one of 10 great public health interventions of the 20th century because of the decline in cavities since it started in 1945. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Andy Barr launched his campaign for Kentuckys open Senate seat on Tuesday, looking to replace longtime Trump skeptic Mitch McConnell in the upper chamber. He joins Kentuckys former attorney general, Daniel Cameron, in what could become a thorny GOP primary for a likely ruby red seat. Barr hopes his connections to President Donald Trump will help drive his campaign. The woke left wants to neuter America, literally. They hate our values, they hate our history. And goodness knows, they hate President Trump, Barr said in a video announcement Tuesday. But here in Kentucky, thats why we love him. Im Andy Barr, and Im running for Senate to help our president save this great country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement POLITICO reported on his plans to enter the race last week. In 2024, Barr recaptured his central Kentucky House seat by a comfortable 26 points. He raised $1.8 million in the first three months of the year, dwarfing Camerons numbers. And just after jumping into the Senate race Tuesday, he scored an endorsement from Trump ally Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.). Cameron has long been seen as an heir apparent to McConnell, but his political career was derailed after he lost a 2023 gubernatorial contest to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. Trump had endorsed Camerons governors campaign. McConnell announced he would not seek reelection in February. The longtime Senate Republican leader, replaced by Sen. John Thune in January, has clashed repeatedly with Trump, especially in the presidents second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes panned the White House peace talks with Russia and earlier joined Democrats to vote against Trump nominees Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. But Barr promises to be a close ally of the president in the upper chamber. Working with President Trump, Ill fight to create jobs for hard-working Kentuckians instead of warm and fuzzies for hard-core liberals, Barr said. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said she plans to visit El Salvador at the invitation of President Nayib Bukele next month, the latest in a string of congressional trips to the country since it became the epicenter of controversy around President Donald Trumps mass deportation policy. The White House and allied Republicans have cozied up to the Salvadoran president, who has become a key ally in Trumps deportation messaging campaign. House Republicans made a trip to the country last week, posting pictures of prisoners incarcerated in CECOT, where Kilmar Abrego Garcia a Salvadoran native who was illegally deported back to the country by the Trump administration was initially held. Lunas trip to El Salvador, which is scheduled for May 8, comes as the country has become the site of a proxy battle between the major American political parties, with Democrats and Republicans both launching multiple and separate trips. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) visited the country last week and met with Abrego Garcia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am honored to accept a personal invitation to meet with President Bukele, Luna wrote in a post to X. Unlike Senator Van Hollen, who drank margaritas with a cartel member, Ill be focused on strengthening the partnership between our nations, advancing shared commitments to safety, freedom, and national pride as well as discussing our commitments to continuing to fight for human rights. Van Hollen has said aides to the Salvadoran president placed cherry-rimmed glasses at his table in an attempt to secure a photo op. Tensions over the administrations mass deportations have erupted over Abrego Garcias case, as Democrats warn that the Trump administrations apparent efforts to brush off the Supreme Courts order to facilitate Abrego Garcias return is a brewing constitutional crisis that threatens the rule of law. While Democrats lauded Van Hollens move as a sign of fearless leadership, Republicans seized on the meeting, brandishing photos of Van Hollen sitting with Abrego Garcia as evidence of his partys support for the MS-13 gang. The administration has repeatedly accused Abrego Garcia of being affiliated with the gang, despite a federal judge saying that government lawyers failed to offer sufficient evidence that Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luna, who chairs the bipartisan Congressional El Salvador Caucus, has been critical of Democrats efforts to secure Abrego Garcias release, writing in response to Van Hollens visit last week: Do you represent Maryland or MS-13? Lately its hard to tell. But attempts by the administration to attack Democrats support for Abrego Garcia have not succeeded in slowing the partys efforts to secure his release. More Democratic lawmakers followed Van Hollens lead this week, with Reps. Robert Garcia of California, Maxwell Frost of Florida, Yassamin Ansari of Arizona and Maxine Dexter of Oregon traveling to El Salvador to demand compliance with the court order to return the Maryland resident. Bukele, who denied the four Democrats requests to meet with Abrego Garcia this week, mocked the group on X, reupping several posts taking aim at the Democrats for trying to see the wrongfully deported man. After posting photos of Van Hollens meeting with Abrego Garcia last week, Bukele took a similarly taunting tone, writing on X: I love chess. Asked about Lunas planned trip during a press briefing on Tuesday, Frost said it does show that it's become a partisan issue, adding that unlike Lunas personal invitation to the country, the Democratic members didn't receive any kind of invitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luna's co-chair of the El Salvador Caucus, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), also plans to attend the "bipartisan trip," a spokesperson for Gonzalez's office said on Tuesday. Gonzalez, who attended Bukele's most recent inauguration last year, has been less keen to engage in a battle with the Salvadoran president than his fellow Democrats. In a statement last week, the Texan said Bukele should "play the long game," and that "it would be a real disgrace to see him squander what he has achieved," adding that he hoped to visit the Salvadoran president soon. A central Illinois school district canceled classes Tuesday after a student received an anonymous bomb threat, school officials said. Jay Bennett, superintendent of the Tri-Point School District in Livingston and Ford counties, posted on the district's Facebook page early Tuesday morning informing families and the public of the situation. "Administration has been made aware of an anonymous threatening message directed at Tri-Point that was received in the very early hours of this morning," Bennett wrote. "Due to the timing of the threat and with student and staff safety as our top priority, we have made the decision to cancel classes for today ... at all 3 campuses." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bennett went on to say that district officials would be working with law enforcement throughout the day to determine the threat's credibility. No such evidence was found. This is the second bomb threat the school district has received this year. More: Central Illinois school is back open after alleged bomb threat is deemed not credible Tri-Point High School is located at 100 E. Van Alstyne St. in Cullom, Illinois. School officials said the anonymous threat was sent to a Tri-Point High School student via text message. "During that text conversation, the unknown texter made a statement that they were going to 'bomb the school,' Bennett said. "Administration has worked closely throughout today with our school resource officer, the Livingston County Sheriff's office and the Ford County Sheriff's office. Officials have found no evidence that this was a credible threat." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tri-Points three schools are located in Cullom (high school), Kempton (elementary and district office) and Piper City (upper elementary and junior high). The schools are expected to reopen Wednesday. Erich Murphy is a reporter at the Pontiac Daily Leader. This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Tri-Point schools closed after anonymous threat Florida Representative Byron Donalds faced hundreds of his constituents on Monday during a contentious town hall filled with boos, jeers, cheers and shouting the latest Republican to field aggressive questioning in the public forum. Donalds, a close ally of President Donald Trump, defended the administrations policies and positions as he fielded confrontational questions about Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency, the IsraelHamas conflict, diversity, equity and inclusion, and more. However, he struggled to get through answers as audience members interrupted him several times to boo or shout at him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are you going to allow me to answer the question? Donalds asked the audience after he was interrupted while trying to explain the benefit of DOGE. Donalds, a staunch Trump ally, faced aggressive questioning about the administrations positions on DOGE, Elon Musk, the IsraelHamas conflict and more (AP) The Republican representative got particularly heated while defending Trumps decision to end DEI policies in the federal government, arguing that the policies do not help minority children. "I like how everybody is shouting at me, the Black guy onstage with the microphone in his hands saying, Have you read this book, read this book, read this book, read this book? Donalds said. "Dont marginalize my life and what Ive done. Dont do that." At one point, Donalds got into a yelling match with a pro-Palestinian constituent who continued to shout over him as he tried to address her concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the town hall had ended, nearly half of the crowd had walked out, according to Gulf Coast News, while many others had been escorted out by deputies. Byron Donalds is a close ally o (Getty Images) Donalds is the latest Republican to face stern questioning from constituents who are unhappy with various aspects of the Trump administration, namely the potential cuts that Musk and DOGE may make to Medicare or Social Security. The recent string of chaotic Republican town halls led some lawmakers move to a telephone format or avoid holding one altogether, at the advice of National Republican Congressional Committee chair Richard Hudson. But Donalds, who is also running for Florida governor, appeared prepared to face aggressive questioning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's important, especially at this time period, where there's a lot of confusion and a lot of misconceptions, Donalds said, according to Gulf Coast News. Obviously, there are citizens who are not happy, but there are many more citizens who are. And so I think it's important to go out there and bring this information to people, whether they want to hear it or not. Only those who pre-registered and provided a valid ID for Donaldss town hall were permitted to attend. Antisemitic incidents in the United States rose for the fourth consecutive year in 2024, hitting their highest level since the Anti-Defamation League started tracking them in 1979, according to the organizations annual audit released Tuesday. The audit identified 9,354 cases of assault, harassment, and vandalism in 2024, marking a 5% increase from 2023, when the ADL recorded 8,873 incidents, and a 344% surge over the past five years. The record-breaking number is based on incidents reported by victims, the media, law enforcement, and partner groups, according to the ADL. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The majority of the incidents in 2024 6,552 were classified as harassment, defined by the organization as cases where someone targets one or more Jewish people or people perceived to be Jewish with language that includes antisemitic slurs, stereotypes, or tropes. Vandalism was the second highest, with 2,606 incidents, marking a 20% increase from 2023. During a news briefing on Tuesday, ADL leaders displayed images of some reported incidents. These included swastikas and the phrase Holocaust is a Hollywood Lie painted on garages and buildings. They also highlighted a bomb threat at a synagogue in Youngstown, Ohio; Jewish diners at a Brooklyn, New York, restaurant being harassed by individuals saying Hitler was on to something; and a Jewish student at the University of Pittsburgh being assaulted in the Oakland neighborhood by a group who noticed he was wearing a Star of David necklace. If your idea of protesting Israeli government policies is to assault or harass or intimidate Jews, that doesnt make you a political activist, that makes you a bigot, Oren Segal, ADLs senior vice president for counter-extremism and intelligence, said during the briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our mission is not just to catalog antisemitism, it is to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure fair treatment to all. For the first time, a majority of antisemitic incidents 58% were related to Israel or Zionism, with many occurring at anti-Israel rallies. The ADL does not conflate general criticism of Israel or anti-Israel activism with antisemitism, the report says. Legitimate political protest, support for Palestinian rights or expressions of opposition to Israeli policies are not included in the audit. Hatred toward Israel was a driving force behind antisemitism across the U.S., Segal said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These incidents serve as a clear reminder that silence is not an option, Segal said. The audit details where antisemitic incidents most commonly occur, noting that this provides critical insight into how different environments contribute to or fail to protect against antisemitic activity. Antisemitic incidents on college campuses increased by 84% between 2023 and 2024, accounting for 18% of all incidents, the report says. Many of these incidents occurred during protests on college campuses between mid-April and mid-May 2024 in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Trump administration has revoked student visas and cut federal funding to colleges and universities accused of tolerating antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt told CNNs Dana Bash the rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses is a catastrophe that has not received nearly enough attention from the very institutions where its happening. Greenblatt told Bash he supports the federal government holding institutions accountable for antisemitic incidents, but cautioned the Trump administration to be clear about what student protestors are being charged with. I think if the administration does that, they will have all people of good faith on their side, he said. Incidents in public areas and commercial spaces, including Jewish-owned businesses, also increased. However, non-Jewish K-12 schools experienced a decrease in antisemitism cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three states with the highest number of incidents were New York, California, and New Jersey, according to the audit. Good people must stand up, push back, and confront antisemitism wherever it appears. And that starts with understanding what fuels it and learning to recognize it in all its forms, Segal said. The report noted the continued increase shows antisemitism has become a persistent reality for American Jewish communities rather than a temporary spike in the months immediately after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This horrifying level of antisemitism should never be accepted and yet, as our data shows, it has become a persistent and grim reality for American Jewish communities, Greenblatt said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jewish Americans continue to be harassed, assaulted and targeted for who they are on a daily basis and everywhere they go. But lets be clear: we will remain proud of our Jewish culture, religion and identities, and we will not be intimidated by bigots, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The number of antisemitic incidents reported in Massachusetts was essentially unchanged in 2024, though officials with the Anti-Defamation League said the total is part of a troubling long-term trend of heightened harassment, vandalism and assault. Massachusetts recorded 438 antisemitic incidents in 2024, one fewer than in 2023, representing the fifth-highest number of incidents of any state in the country, the ADL said Tuesday in its annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents. The group said the number of antisemitic incidents here has spiked 188% since 2022. Across ADLs New England region (which includes Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont), there were 638 antisemitic incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism in 2024. The number of incidents in New England has increased each of the last five years and is up 485% since 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationally, the ADL counted 9,354 antisemitic incidents -- the highest number recorded since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents 46 years ago. Thats a 5% increase from 2023, a 344% increase over the last five years and a 893% increase over the last 10 years. The persistent increase in antisemitic incidents over the past five years is a stark reminder that antisemitism continues to impact our communities, Samantha Joseph, ADL New Englands regional director, said. Particularly concerning is the continued proliferation of extremist incidents and the rise of attacks against Orthodox Jews. The alarming manifestations of antisemitism in 2024 instill fear and are reminders that much work remains to be done. Of the 438 antisemitic incidents reported in Massachusetts last year, the ADL said 275 or 63% of them were related to Israel or Zionism, a trend that reflects the impact of geopolitics on domestic antisemitism. There were also 132 instances of verbal or written harassment and threats, 157 instances of vandalism, 37 appearances of antisemitic white supremacist propaganda, 87 times in which a swastika was discovered, 17 bomb threats, and five assaults. A total of 108 Massachusetts cities and towns saw at least one antisemitic incident last year, but the audit identified the states primary hotspots as Boston (96 incidents), Cambridge (52) and Newton (25). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year saw the number of antisemitic incidents on college and university campuses climb more steeply than in any other location, the ADL said, and Massachusetts had the third-most campus incidents of any state with 107 of them. Examples cited in ADLs audit included the discovery on the Smith College campus in Northampton of an Israeli flag with a swastika spray-painted to replace the Star of David and an incident at Berklee College of Music in Boston in which a student told a Jewish classmate that Jews belong in the oven and that he cannot stop following Israels war against Palestinian children. College campuses have become an epicenter of American antisemitism, as the sites of close to a fifth of all 2024 incidents. Antisemitic incidents on college campuses reached their highest point for the year in the spring of 2024, from mid-April through mid-May, which coincided with activity related to the anti-Israel encampment movement on dozens of campuses nationwide. Incidents at or near encampments often contained antisemitic messages, and participants recited antisemitic slogans, the ADL said. The organization said that its audit methodology is careful to not conflate general criticism of Israel or anti-Israel activism with antisemitism and does not count as antisemitic incidents any legitimate political protest, support for Palestinian rights or expressions of opposition to Israeli policies. ADL said its approach to Israel-related expressions comports with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of a national wave of protests and subsequent student arrests sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, a number of encampments cropped up last year on campuses around Massachusetts, including at Harvard University, UMass Amherst, Northeastern University and Emerson College. The Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism has taken aim at Harvard as well as Boston generally. Task force representatives were reportedly in Boston earlier this month to meet with city officials as the group investigates four cities -- Boston, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles -- and the responses to incidents of antisemitism at schools and on college campuses in their cities over the last two years. The DOJ said in March that the task force was aware of allegations that the schools in their respective cities may have failed to protect Jewish students from unlawful discrimination, in potential violation of federal law. A city spokesman said in March that Boston has one of the most vibrant Jewish communities in America ... and we stand firmly against antisemitism. This month, the task force announced it would halt $2.2 billion in multi-year grants headed to Harvard. The task force called the harassment of Jewish students intolerable and declared, It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the fall, Westfield Sen. John Velis and Concord Rep. Simon Cataldo have been leading the states new Commission on Combating Antisemitism, which they have said aims to stamp out Massachusetts recent ignominious reputation as a hub of antisemitic activity. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Antisemitism spiked across Indiana and the nation last year, spurring local Jewish community leaders and organizations to issue a call to action for Hoosiers of all faiths to stand against anti-Jewish hate and bigotry. The 2024 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, released by the Anti-Defamation League, found 142 documented acts of harassment and vandalism in Indiana last year a 140% increase year over year and more than four times what was reported three years ago. Of those incidences, 116 involved harassment while vandalism accounted for the remaining 26. "The numbers are sobering," David Goldenberg, regional director of the ADL's Midwest office, said during a press conference held at the Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Center in Indianapolis. David Goldenberg, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League Midwest, speaks about the rise in antisemitic incidents in Indiana in 2024 during a press conference at the Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Center on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Alexandria Burris Nationwide, more than 9,350 reports of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assaults were documented in the media or by law enforcement last year. The Anti-Defamation League tracks, investigates and evaluates the incidents, publishing them in a yearly report that reflects both criminal and non-criminal acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization, which works to combat bigotry and discrimination, said antisemitic incidents in the United States were up 5% last year from 2023 and 344% over the past five years. Goldenberg attributed the rising numbers to the ADL doing a better job tracking and investigating bigotry, discrimination and harassment aimed at Jewish people, and more people reporting more episodes. Under reporting, however, remains a problem. The majority of all incidents tracked by ADL 5,452 or 58% are related to Israel. The organization said nearly 2,600 of the Israel-related incidents took place at rallies in the form of antisemitic speeches, chants, signs and slogans. Related In Politics: Gov. Mike Braun orders review of antisemitism policies at Indiana universities Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goldenberg said the organization has also seen a spike in the leafletting of neighborhoods with propaganda fliers expressing anti-Jewish and anti-immigrant sentiments. The fliers have been from individuals connected to white supremacist groups, Goldenberg said. Law enforcement agencies can be challenged by limitations in what they can do to address the leafletting because of First Amendment and property rights issues. "The larger story, though, is the Jewish communities being targeted with hate in ways that we have not experienced in generations," he said. "You will be hard pressed to find anyone in the Jewish community who is not experiencing antisemitism first hand or knows someone who has. It's no more than one degree of separation." Ruthie Rosenberg, a 17-year-old North Central High School senior, said she was singled out for her Jewish heritage on social media after a teacher attempted to explain the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel. People took sides, expressing preferences for one side over the other, Rosenberg said, adding that Jewish students were negatively affected. Her name and picture were posted online, with a warning to beware of her because she's Jewish. North Central High School senior Ruthie Rosenberg, 17, speaks about how antisemitism at school and on social media has affected her life during a press conference at the Max & Mae Jewish Community Center on Tuesday, April 22. Alexandria Burris "It becomes frightening when there's a situation in a classroom because we have to be our own advocates," Rosenberg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goldenberg said the greater society has a responsibility to address antisemitism, adding that comprehensive governmental policies are needed to curb bigotry and harassment. He said Gov. Mike Braun's executive order holding colleges accountable for antisemitism and ordering a review of their policies is a good example of the role government can play to create safe spaces for Jewish students. He also noted Purdue and Indiana University were making strides to create safe campuses. "Each of us has a role to play in how we respond to today's antisemitism crisis," he said. David Sklar, executive director of the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council, said his organization is working closely with the ADL and with partners in other faith communities to support those impacted by antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We fully expect them to be partners in confronting antisemitism just like we would be partners in confronting any discrimination they may face," Sklar said. Indiana ranked 12th in the United States for the total number of recorded incidents, including bomb threats, swatting and protests, recorded at Jewish institutions last year. The ADL said the state's Jewish population is one-tenth the size of the Jewish population in Illinois, yet Indiana Jewish institutions were targeted nearly the same amount of times in both states. The Indianapolis metro area experiences the highest concentration of antisemitic incidents, accounting for a third of all incidents in the state, Goldenberg said. Bloomington and West Lafayette also showed a significant number of documented reports, reflecting national trends of antisemitism on college campus. Incidences of antisemitism also increased sharply in neighboring Midwest states all of which saw a sharp rise over a three-year period. There were 336 incidences in Illinois, 252 in Michigan, 233 in Ohio and 58 in Kentucky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact IndyStar investigative reporter Alexandria Burris at aburris@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Antisemitic incidents spiked in Indiana in 2024, ADL reports BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has exchanged views on the nuclear talks between Iran and the US in a phone conversation with Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Trend reports via the Iranian Foreign Ministry. According to the ministry, bilateral relations and regional processes were also discussed during the conversation. Meanwhile, the Qatari minister expressed satisfaction with the continued indirect talks between Iran and the US, adding that Doha is ready to provide any assistance in this process. The second round of negotiations between Iran and the US was held on April 19 under the chairmanship of Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and the US Special Envoy to Middle East Affairs, Steve Witkoff. The second round of talks between Iran and the US was conducted indirectly with the mediation of the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi. The third round of these indirect talks is scheduled for April 26. On April 12, the first indirect talks between Iran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program took place in Muscat, the capital of Oman. The discussions were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi and US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs Steve Whitkoff. Sources indicate that the talks were conducted in a constructive and respectful atmosphere. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel VATICAN CITY (AP) People have gathered in St. Peters Square at the Vatican to mourn Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope who charmed believers with his humble style. Francis died Monday after making a final, poignant public appearance on Easter Sunday. He blessed the crowd of faithful from the loggia of St. Peters Basilica in an appearance about a month after his lengthy hospitalization for pneumonia. Tributes to Francis were shared from around the world, and cardinals were meeting Tuesday at the Vatican to plan his funeral and the conclave to elect his successor. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. AUSTIN (KXAN) On Tuesday, the Austin Police Department identified the man whose body was recovered from Lake Austin at Emma Long Metropolitan Park late Sunday. That man was identified as Angel Savarin. He was pronounced dead just before 10:30 p.m. Sunday, according to police. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Body recovered after search for swimmer at Austin park Austin-Travis County EMS on Sunday said the search for an adult swimmer is in recovery mode at Emma Long Metropolitan Park. (KXAN News/Aidan Boyd) Austin-Travis County EMS on Sunday said the search for an adult swimmer is in recovery mode at Emma Long Metropolitan Park. (KXAN News/Aidan Boyd) Austin-Travis County EMS on Sunday said the search for an adult swimmer is in recovery mode at Emma Long Metropolitan Park. (KXAN News/Aidan Boyd) Austin police searched Lake Austin at Emma Long Park Sunday after a swimmer went underwater and did not resurface (KXAN News/Aidan Boyd) APD said a witness called just before 7 p.m. to report a swimmer had gone underwater and never resurfaced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers responded to 1600 City Park Road and talked to the witness. Within an hour, a dive team was called to locate the missing swimmer, police said. No other details were provided, and APD said it has an open and ongoing investigation into Savarins death. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Austin Police Department is seeking public help to find a 62-year-old man who was last seen Friday in east Austin. According to APD, Ernest Amaro was last seen around 5 p.m. in the 6100 block of Perlita Drive. Police said detectives were worried for Amaros well-being due to health concerns, a news release from the agency said Monday. Amaro is described as a Hispanic man, with black and gray hair, a gray mustache and beard, brown eyes, 5 feet 4 inches and weighs 155 pounds, according to police. He was last seen wearing an orange University of Texas shirt, black shorts, a gray hat, carrying a dark gray backpack, dark sneakers with white soles and a black knee brace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If anyone knows the whereabouts of Amaro, they are asked to call 911 or the APD Missing Persons Unit at 512-974-5250. Ernest Amaro, 62 (Photos: Austin Police Department) No other details were available from police 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 KXAN Austin. TRI-CITIES, Tenn. (WJHL) A Tri-Cities business was named the Small Business Administrations (SBA) Best in State Woman-Owned Small Business. Appalachian Maid Services (AMS) is a cleaning service company that offers residential and commercial services around the Northeast Tennessee area. Owner Jenna Tamayo first opened AMS in May 2017 with a mission to help local non-profits. Since then, her business and services have grown and been awarded. Tamayo will receive her reward on May 8 during the SBAs Small Business Week in Nashville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was floored, she said. I could not believe it. I applied just to go through the application process, just to learn the process of what I should be looking for, to try to better the business. And I forgot about it. And then when they emailed over that we had won, I just, like, my jaw was dropped. We were really ecstatic, really excited for what this meant for the community, what it meant for our company. AMS is looking for new clients and hiring new team members. For more information about the business, visit its website, Appalachianmaid.net. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. A federal appeals court panel looked for middle ground Tuesday on President Trumps executive order effectively barring transgender people from serving openly in the military, expressing skepticism of the ban but unease over a nationwide block on its implementation. Trumps order, penned in January, declared that transgender service members cant meet the rigorous standards necessary to serve, an extension of the culture war rhetoric the president made a hallmark of his campaign. The Defense Departments subsequent policy ordered the military to remove service members with gender dysphoria and to pause integration of new transgender recruits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The policy came under scrutiny by a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit as it weighs whether to halt a district judges order barring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other military officials from implementing or otherwise effectuating the policy while the Trump administration appeals. Judge Cornelia Pillard, an appointee of former President Obama, dominated the arguments with pointed questions about the scope of the presidents order and ensuing policy. She took specific aim at the administrations contention that the policy is not an all-out ban. Your argument that this is not a ban on transgender service is that you can serve as a transgender person as long as you dont serve as a transgender person, is that right? Pillard asked. I certainly wouldnt put it that way, Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyer Jason Manion replied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Department of Defense memo dated Feb. 26 said individuals with a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria are not fit for military service. It added that the Pentagon recognizes only two sexes, male and female, in compliance with another Trump executive order, and requires service members to only serve in accordance with their sex. Several active service members and individuals seeking to enlist in the military sued the Trump administration after the order was signed, asserting it violates their constitutional rights. Manion argued Tuesday it was clearly erroneous for the lower court to treat the policy as broader than it is in practice, claiming it focuses on a medical condition and related medical treatments as opposed to a persons expressed gender identity. But Pillard pushed back that transgender people who live in a sex other than their birth sex are explicitly banned by the policy, even if that person has never been diagnosed with gender dysphoria distress that stems from a mismatch between a persons gender identity and sex at birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its clearly banning all transgender persons, the judge said. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, the lower court judge, noted in a hearing before she ruled that symptoms of gender dysphoria could mean anything, from cross-dressing to mental health conditions like depression. In her order blocking the ban, she called the policy soaked in animus. Manion argued that, even if the appeals judges must defer to Reyess view that animus motivated the Trump administrations decision, it wouldnt resolve the legal question of whether the courts can shortcut the deference usually given to the military in its decisionmaking. Are you conceding that there was animus? Judge Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee, interjected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ lawyer said he wasnt, calling Reyess finding clear error. Pillard also challenged the extent of deference owed to the military, questioning whether it would be rational to defer if the military had instead said people with red hair must be kicked out of the military instead of transgender service members. The panels two conservatives, Rao and Judge Gregory Katsas, seemed willing to narrow the injunction without letting the ban move forward in full force. Rao wondered whether the military should be required to decide on a case-by-case basis whether transgender service members can serve, instead of the sweeping catch-all in place now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katsas, another Trump appointee, asked what happens when a service member already serving discovers a condition that would have disqualified them from joining the military, probing whether a different process is used than the one being put to transgender troops. However, Rao also pressed a lawyer for the bans challengers over whether Reyess universal injunction, which blocked the Trump administration from effectuating the ban nationwide, goes too far. Isnt the government likely to succeed on challenging this remedy, the universal injunction at issue here? she asked. Katsas also seemed inclined to wait and see how the issue plays out in other courts. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on Friday declined to halt a similar court order while the government appeals in another lawsuit challenging the ban, likely setting up a battle at the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can you tell us anything about the governments plans and pace for seeking Supreme Court review? Katsas asked. Manion said the government plans to seek intervention from the high court imminently. That may well be quite relevant to the courts analysis as well, Katsas said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) An appellate court last Thursday issued an opinion siding with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, stating that San Marcos marijuana decriminalization ordinance violates state law. In 2022, over 80% of San Marcos voters approved a proposition that ended low-level marijuana enforcement in the city. In 2024, Paxton sued San Marcos and other cities, including Austin and Killeen, over marijuana decriminalization ordinances passed around the same time or shortly after San Marcos. The Texas Local Government Code prohibits the governing body of a municipality municipal police department, municipal attorney, county attorney, district attorney, or criminal district attorney from adopt[ing] a policy under which the entity will not fully enforce laws relating to drugs, the opinion filed in the Fifteenth Court of Appeals read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Marcos, however, has passed a local ordinance prohibiting its police officers from issuing citations and making arrests for certain low-level marijuana offenses, it continued. A Hays County district court judge dismissed the lawsuit in July 2024, but it is now likely to go to trial. In a statement to KXAN, the city of San Marcos confirmed it cannot enforce the marijuana ordinance pending a trial on the merits. The San Marcos City Council is expected to meet in an upcoming executive session to receive legal advice and provide direction for moving forward, the statement continued. San Marcos attorney David Sergi said he believes there will be an increase in citations in the wake of this opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe youll see a ramp-up in [raids] and that you will see a ramp-up in enforcement efforts, said Sergi, an expert in Texas marijuana and hemp laws. Sergi said he is concerned the opinion could undermine the voice of the voter. People are actually speaking. Theyre going to the ballot box. Theyre doing the things you do in a democracy. And [this opinion] is basically going to invalidate that. Its going to invalidate the voice of the people, Sergi continued. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Apr. 21Application period to go through May 13 The City of Austin will begin accepting applications Wednesday to fill the Third Ward seat left vacant by Joyce Poshusta who sat in on her final meeting Monday night before stepping down. Those wishing to be appointed to the seat must be 21 years of age or older, a resident of the City of Austin and be a registered voter in the Third Ward. Meetings are twice a month and include work sessions on the first and third Mondays. The person will also be expected to serve on a variety of other committees and boards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those interested will need to fill out an affidavit of candidacy (there is no fee to file), which can be picked up at the City Clerk's office located at City Hall, 500 Fourth Avenue NE. People can also get a form by visiting the Minnesota Secretary of State website at https://www.sos.mn.gov/media/1027/affidavit-of-candidacy.pdf. Applicants will also have to provide a resume as well as a letter of interest that outlines any relevant experience and vision for the community. Applications will be accepted through May 13 by 5 p.m. Council members will then review applications from May 14-25 and a special meeting will be held on May 26 where candidates will be interviewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A candidate will then be appointed during the June 2 City Council meeting. Anybody with questions should contact City Administrator Craig Clark at 1-507-437-9941. The candidate will fill out the remainder of Poshusta's term, who stepped down to take another job opportunity that required her to move out of Ward Three. Poshusta announced she would be stepping down last month. The culinary scene is heating up as we head toward warmer weather. Here's where to eat. Uchi West Hollywood Welcomes Mexico City Chef Francisco Xavier Guzman Uchi Mexico City native and renowned chef Francisco Xavier Guzman is bringing his talents to Uchi West Hollywood from April 21 through 26. Uchis Chef de Cuisine and Guzman will join forces to create an innovative menu combining Japanese and Mexican flavors. Later this year, Chef Guzman is set to open a culinary masterpiece called Luisa alongside Master Sommelier Andrey Ivanov. Guzman will be bringing some of the anticipated flavors from Luisa to Uchi for customers to get a taste of whats to come. Uchi will showcase Guzmans skills through a carefully crafted menu selection from April 21 to 26. The flavors dont stop there, as the Luisa x Uchi Omakase menu will be available for a short time, April 25 to 26. Some items to look forward to include spring aguachile, grilled octopus en su tinta, tamal, bluefin tuna al pastor maki and barbequed brisket. Pizza Girl Opens on the Sunset Strip Pizza Girl The L.A. classic, Pizza Girl, now has a new brick-and-mortar location on the Sunset Strip. Located at Hotel Ziggy, Pizza Girl offers classic pies, decadent salads and unique flavors to the Sunset Strip for the first time ever. Founder Caroline DAmore is committed to Pizza Girl offering fresh and high quality ingredients. Customers can stop in for a slice, get a whole pie or buy some of Pizza Girls signature sauces to bring home. The new location is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. La Dolce Vita x Cadillac Cadillac x La Dolce Vita Cadillac is teaming up with La Dolce Vita in Beverly Hills this month to offer the unique opportunity to dine in a luxurious vehicle. Customers are able to taste the vibrant Italian flavors from La Dolce Vita and experience the pristine and all electric Cadillac ESCALADE IQ. The menu for this dinner on wheels will offer spaghetti and meatballs and branzino piccata. The Cadillac ESCALADE IQ serves as an intimate dining area with stowable tray tables, heated and cooled seats, massaging features and AKG Studio Reference 40-Speaker Audio System. This complimentary dinner will be offered on April 24 through 26 and is on a first come first serve basis. Reservations for April 24 will become available April 21 at 10 a.m. HERE, reservations for April 25 will become available April 22 at 10 a.m. HERE, and reservations for April 26 will become available April 23 at 10 a.m HERE. SweetBoy's New Spring Cookie Tin Sweetboy Advertisement Advertisement SweetBoy from Ben Sidell, the pastry chef behind Saltie Girl, is releasing a new Spring Holiday Cookie Tin Collection with an assortment of 12 cookies with six new tasty flavors. This collection features flavors inspired by spring holidays all around the world, such as Pistachio Rose, Coconut Macaroon, Cashew Cardamom Kataifi, Mango Sticky Rice, Hot Chocolate Pecan and Pastel Chocolate Chip. Mexico City's Pujol Pops Up at Damian Pujol Enrique Olvera is bringing his acclaimed Mexico City restaurant to L.A. for a short residency. Pujol will be featured at Damian from April 22 through May 3 in order to celebrate the restaurant's 25th anniversary. A percentage of the restaurants earnings will be donated to the L.A. nonprofit No Us Without You. Reservations for the six-course tasting menu pop-up are available on Damians Resy. Fannys Korean Sunday Suppers Series Fanny's Fannys, the restaurant at the Academy Museum, is offering a new Korean Sunday Supper Series. The weekly event is inspired by Director's Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho and opened last month alongside an exhibit honoring Hos films. The menu is a product of Fannys executive chef, Jun Bum Oh and honors his Korean heritage and will feature dishes such as ssam junsik, bibimbap and galbi jjim. goop Kitchen partners with Tracy Anderson to Launch Green Goddess Crunch Salad goop Kitchen x Tracy Anderson Delivery service goop Kitchen just announced a brand-new menu item partnering with Tracy Anderson for a limited time. Tracys Green Goddess Crunch Salad combines 20 different nutrient-dense vegetables and herbs with goop Kitchens signature Greek Goddess dressing. Tracy Andersons salad gives customers a chance to see what she eats to energize her best for her workouts. The salad is a limited-edition item for goops spring menu, so make sure to try the fresh flavors while its available. Great White Debuts in Brentwood Great White Advertisement Advertisement Flavors from the down under are now on Darlington Avenue next to A.O.C.: Great White, the all-day cafe, features a culmination of food and beverage, artistic design and architecture. Outposts of Great White can now be found in Venice Beach, Larchmont Village and West Hollywood, as well as now Brentwood. The menu, curated by chef and food and beverage director Juan Ferreiro, focuses on featuring local flavors and seasonal dishes that are simple and allow the natural flavors to be showcased. Enjoy fresh items like salads and sandwiches, as well as crowd favorites like wood-fired pizzas and burritos. Great Whites new location, like all of the popular outposts, combines a European aesthetic and Australian style cuisine. Mothers Brings Mexico City Flavors to Ventura Mothers Esteemed Mexico City-style taqueria, Mothers, is bringing its vibrant flavors to Ventura. With other locations in Napa Valley and the broader Bay Area, Mothers Ventura will offer a full dining experience with a cantina. Restaurateurs Ben and Ali Koenig are the brains behind Mothers. The new location blends their passion alongside Charles Whittaker and Gospel Studio and an interior design firm in Roma Norte, Mexico City. The brands goal is to honor the women of Mexican culture that are responsible for taquerias and the pride that goes into their food. Mothers menu combines classic Mexican flavors with new and unique ones. Head Chef, Gabe Garcia, has been in the industry for many years and is excited to bring innovation to Ventura. Mothers Ventura will be open from Tuesday - Sunday from 11AM - 9PM, plus late night Bar with Tacos y Mas from Thursday from 9PM - 11PM and Friday to Saturday from 9PM - 12PM. Weekend brunch will start Mothers Day weekend. Levain Bakery Opens in Venice Photo courtesy of Levain Bakery Earlier this month, Levain Bakery, the New York-based bakery known for its cookies, opened in Venice. To celebrate its opening, Levain is offering a black & white chip cookie with extra-dark cocoa and semi-sweet chocolate chips, available for a limited time exclusively at its Venice location. The new spot was designed by Brooklyn-based Sarah Carpenter & Studio, with windows offering a view of the bakery's kitchen. In addition to its other pastry offerings, Levain offers weekend-only sticky buns. The new location is open every day from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Pizza City Fest Returns Courtesy Pizza City Fest On April 26 and 27, Pizza City Fest will bring together some of the region's best pizza makers at the Event Deck at L.A. LIVE. The 20 pizza vendors featured include Angel City Pizza from Venice, Hot Tongue from Silver Lake and Dtown Pizzeria from West Hollywood. Deserts include gelato from Uli's Gelato and Lei'd Cookies from Culver City. The event will also have discussions and demonstrations from noted L.A. pizza makers. General admission is $125, and VIP admission is $200. Bacari Debuts Newest Location in Culver City Bacari Advertisement Advertisement A Los Angeles Mediterranean mainstay is bringing their signature small plates to Culver City. With locations already in Beverly Hills and beyond, Bacari Culver City marks the eighth restaurant from the Kronfli Brothers, a family-owned group of chef-driven LA restaurants. Guests can expect longtime favorites like the noa's cauliflower and the Bacari Fries alongside exclusive new dishes unique to the Culver City spot. The redesigned spot showcases stained glass skylights, reclaimed wood and a cozy front patio, as well as a vintage European bar. The beverage program features craft cocktails, house-made sangrias and the ever-popular Bacarita a tequila-based cocktail with watermelon, basil, and a tajin rim. Bacari Culver City will also host live music Thursday through Saturday nights. It will be open Monday to Sunday, with weekend brunch and a 90-minute open bar special. SEBASTIAN COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) April sees the anniversaries of two major tornadoes that devastated two cities in Sebastian County. April 19 and April 21 are the anniversaries of two separate tornadoes that changed the course of history for the cities of Greenwood and Fort Smith. Greenwood F4 tornado April 19, 1968 April 19, 1968, was the 57th anniversary of the F4 tornado that touched down in Greenwood and caused immense damage to the city and the nearby area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, the tornado was on the ground for four minutes. Still, it caused more than 12 deaths, 250 injuries, and more than $1 million in storm damage. Around 3:15 p.m., heavy rain began to fall in the area. Shortly after, a tornado was sighted as it touched down south of the city. The tornado produced wind speeds between 166 and 200 miles per hour. Before it dissipated, it destroyed the local courthouse, hit city hall and demolished businesses and homes. The tornado made a two-mile-long journey through the city and was 300 yards wide. It damaged 400 to 500 homes. It damaged 60 businesses and most historic buildings. The Missionary Baptist Church and the citys school were destroyed. Government analysis showed that 25% of the city was gone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city was mostly rebuilt by 1969. Many of the buildings were rebuilt with stone and in more modern styles than preexisting buildings. Greenwood memorialized the day. A clock and bell tower that stand in the center of town honor Greenwoods history as well as the loss of life from the tornado. In 2014, Mayor Sharla Derry declared April 19 Tornado Memorial Day to remember the tragedy of the 1968 tornado. Fort Smith F3 tornado April 21, 1996 April 21, 1996, is the 29th anniversary of an F3 tornado that hit Fort Smith, causing extensive property damage, two deaths and more than 40 injuries. Photograph by Win Henderson taken on April 23, 1996, in Fort Smith Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons According to the National Weather Service, the tornado touched down on the west side of downtown Fort Smith at 11:12 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NWS says that after causing extensive damage to many historic buildings in the downtown area, the tornado moved northeast through an industrial area and then into a residential area on the north side of the city. The tornado crossed the Arkansas River and moved into a residential area on the west side of Van Buren and continued moving northeast through a more sparsely populated area. The two deaths occurred in the residential area on the north side of Fort Smith. Two children died in frame houses heavily damaged by the tornado. Numerous injuries occurred in the residential areas of Fort Smith and Van Buren, where the tornado substantially damaged around 1,800 homes. The tornado was estimated to be around 1.5 miles wide with a path length of around seven miles. It was estimated to have wind speeds of around 200 mph. Roofs and walls were torn off well-constructed houses, train cars were overturned, and vehicles were lifted off the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NWS says the low loss of life in the storm may be attributed to preparedness activities conducted by the Fort Smith and Tulsa NWS offices and their partners in the local government and private sector contributions to the publics knowledge of life-saving actions. These anniversaries come around the same time as an EF1 tornado that hit Fayetteville on April 20. Photos of the damage from that tornado can be seen 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 KNWA FOX24. Austrian ruins previously known as the Desolate Castle were actually once a Roman bridgehead fort. The site served as a strategic trade crossing for the Danube River as part of the historic Amber Road. This is the first Roman bridgehead fort ever discovered in Austria. Archaeologists solved the mystery of the ruins of the Desolate Castle, determining that the mysterious site on the Danube River shore was once part of a crucial Roman trade route. Located two miles from the Roman legionary fortress of Carnuntum along the Danube River and long known in Austria as Odes Schloss (which translates to the Desolate Castle), the castelluma Latin word for fortlet or towerwas the subject of recent archaeological work. The well-preserved, nearly nine-foot-tall tower walls had long been thought to be some sort of Roman structure, and the team of experts that confirmed the suspicion have opened a new window in the history of Roman military and trade habits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The site is Austrias only known Roman bridgehead fort. Around 1850, the still-visible walls at the site were dubbed the Desolate Castle, but experts were never sure what the area representedthat is, of course, until now. Experts, according to a translated statement from the Austrian Archaeological Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, believe castle construction occurred in two phases. The first was around 170-180 A.D., when Emperor Marcus Aurelius reinforced the Roman border against the Germanic tribes during the Marcomannic Wars. The sites locationon the shore of the Danube River and along the trade route known as the Amber Road, which led from the Baltics via Carnuntum to the Roman Empireoffered a critical trade crossing at the river, which was a natural border of the empire. The second phase of construction, which occurred around 260 A.D., saw a renovation under Emperor Gallienus. Since that time, troop levels manning the fort dropped. During the excavation, archaeologists unearthed stamped bricks from the Roman legion groups XIV and XV, along with small bronze pieces, ceramics, and coins. They prove the great strategic importance of Carnuntum within the Roman military system and provide new insights into the military security of the north-south connection, Eduard Pollhammer, archaeologist and scientific director of Carnuntum, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roman military strategy commonly called for the construction of forts on the opposite side of a border river. From these bases, troops observed both the passage across the river and the surrounding area. The Amber Road would have crossed the Danube at this spot, and having a military presence on the river gave Romans defensive control of comings and goings. Experts believe no physical bridge ever stood at the siterather, a prominent ferry crossing was the transportation of choice all the way into the 18th century. The Danube River was an important location for Roman border security and control of trade routes. Now, this newly understood castle has been designated part of the Danube Limes, which has been a UNESO World Heritage Site since 2021. This impressive find proves the importance of Bernsteinstrae [the Amber Road]and the Lower Austria regionas an important traffic artery, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Lower Austrias governor, said in a statement, and as a center in the midst of various dominions, function that Lower Austria still holds today. You Might Also Like Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva met with Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vo Thi Anh Xuan during her visit to Vietnam. At the meeting, Leyla Aliyeva conveyed the greetings of First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, expressing confidence that ongoing discussions would further enhance bilateral relations. The sides emphasized the growing cooperation and intensified political dialogue following recent reciprocal visits by the presidents of Azerbaijan and Vietnam. Beyond interstate relations, the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties and non-governmental partnerships was also highlighted. Leyla Aliyeva informed her Vietnamese counterpart about recent meetings held at the Hanoi College of Trade and Tourism and a secondary school for visually impaired children. She noted that joint projects in education, social welfare, and environmental protection will continue to develop. The two also exchanged views on boosting tourism potential, initiating exchange programs across different sectors, and organizing cultural events to promote mutual understanding and appreciation of the countries' heritages. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Iran wants the sanctions imposed on the country to be effectively and noticeably lifted in the indirect nuclear talks with the US, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said at a press conference in Tehran today, Trend reports. According to her, Iran is following two important issues in the nuclear talks with the US: the lifting of sanctions and the improvement of the population's well-being. Mohajerani added that since the start of indirect talks between Iran and the US on the nuclear issue, it has had a positive impact on the country's currency market and raised expectations. Iran will further improve economic stability by increasing international cooperation. Speaking about the opinions put forward about the possibility of transferring Iran's enriched uranium reserves to a third country, including Russia, the Iranian official noted that a number of issues in the nuclear talks are Iran's red lines, and these issues are not being discussed. As for Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the country is of great importance to Iran, and both of them have close cooperation in the nuclear field, she reminded. The second round of negotiations between Iran and the US was held on April 19 under the chairmanship of Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and the US Special Envoy to Middle East Affairs, Steve Witkoff. The second round of talks between Iran and the US was conducted indirectly with the mediation of the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi. The third round of these indirect talks is scheduled for April 26. On April 12, the first indirect talks between Iran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program took place in Muscat, the capital of Oman. The discussions were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi and US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs Steve Whitkoff. Sources indicate that the talks were conducted in a constructive and respectful atmosphere. 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. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Andres Brito appeared solemn Monday after paying his respects to Pope Francis at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, where the entrance was draped in black fabric as a sign of mourning for the late pontiff. He was a pope of the people for the poor, for the sick especially for the poor, said Brito, a parishioner of the cathedral and Cristo Rey Catholic Church in Santa Fe. Brito was among countless Roman Catholics in New Mexico and across the globe who mourned the death of Francis, who died on Easter Monday at age 88. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 042125_MS_Pope Francis_002.JPG Fr. John Cannon, center, holds a portion of the black cloth being hung over the entrance of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, with Carmen Florez-Mansi, left, Carlos Martinez, top right center, Tom Mansi, second from right, and Gabriel Gabaldon, far right, assisting Monday. He showed us ... how beautiful death can be, Brito said, noting Francis, Latin Americas first pontiff, made a surprise appearance at St. Peters Square on Easter Sunday. He died right after the resurrection, Brito said. He was a man of truth and beauty. I think thats the beauty of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the City of Holy Faith, a city with deep Catholic roots, the cathedral bells tolled 88 times at noon, and Archbishop John C. Wester of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe prepared to celebrate an evening memorial Mass for Francis, the first pope to name himself after St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fes patron saint. We werent sure which Francis he meant at first because Francis Xavier was a Jesuit, Wester said in an interview before the Mass. But he made it quite clear, no, this is St. Francis of Assisi, so we were thrilled by that. It was wonderful because of the connection. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Catholic who grew up in Santa Fe, issued a statement Monday noting, Pope Francis embodied values that resonate deeply with New Mexicans. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis called for a humble, more merciful and inclusive church that would reach out to the peripheries of society. His ministry touched countless lives, including many in New Mexico where his message of inclusion resonated across our diverse communities, the governor said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 042125_MS_Pope Francis_003.JPG Gabriel Gabaldon, director of liturgy, rings the bell 88 times at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in honor of the passing of Pope Francis on Monday. One final day of work About 250 people attended the memorial Mass, including Olivia Newfield and her husband, Stephen, parishioners at Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community. Pope Francis was a humble but strong leader, very progressive, compassionate, and he saw both sides of so many issues, Olivia Newfield said. But I think he led with his compassion and his understanding and his great love for the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Newfields said Francis motivated Catholics to return to the church and made converts of others. His sense of unity and calling people back for community and spiritual guidance brought them back, she said. As he hurried into the cathedral for the evening service, Bino Zuniga, also of Santa Fe, said he believed Francis served as a good shepherd. He was for the poor people, for all people, actually, Zuniga said. He supported all races, all colors. He did a lot of good for the church. Even those not deeply connected to the cathedral or Santa Fe, including those who are not Catholic, grieved the popes passing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visitor Sara Kate Harris of North Carolina said she was raised Presbyterian and isnt super religious but always admired Francis. 042125_MS_Pope Francis_005.JPG Ludivina Villalobos of Chihuahua, Mexico, prays at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe during a prayer service in honor of the passing of Pope Francis on Monday. I thought he was a really good guy, she said, adding she was comforted by words the pope once told a little boy who was worried his father wouldnt make it to heaven because he didnt believe in God. The pope told the boy that he didnt have to worry because his dad was a good man, and God never abandons children, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris said the popes words to the little boy resonated with her personally. That gave me some comfort when it was hard for me to believe [in God] and have faith, so I think about that often, she said. I think he was just a good guy and loved everyone, and, I dont know, I think its meaningful that he passed away the day after Easter. Wester called the popes passing Easter Monday very significant. The Catholic Church celebrates eight days of Easter, so its the Octave of Easter [starting on Easter Sunday], he said. Easter is such a tremendous feast. Its such an important part of who we are as Catholics, as Christians, that you cannot celebrate it in just one day. ... So, this is clearly significant that the pope died when were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have to pick a day to die, the pope did a good job, Wester said. He worked on Easter Sunday, you know, visiting the people, the archbishop added. I understand he went out and gave the people a blessing that were gathering for the Easter celebration, so he put in one final day of work and then he went to the Lord the next day. Wester said Francis death wasnt a shock because he had been ill but still was a surprise. He was on the mend, and hes got such stamina and strong will that we figured hes got another few years in him, Wester said. But God had other plans. 042125_MS_Pope Francis_004.JPG Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott Beisel of Nashville prays at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe during a prayer service in honor of the passing of Pope Francis on Monday. A very humble man The archbishop had met Francis a handful of times, including in February 2020 alongside other bishops from the region. We had about a three-hour conversation with the pope, and he was just very congenial, very warm, Wester said. We talked about all kinds of things having to do with the church and the world and the geopolitical situation and, just, you name it. He described Francis as disarming. I think [he was] aware that people arent used to being with the pope ... so he wanted you to feel at home and relaxed, Wester said, adding while Francis used a lot of humor, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and was a prayerful man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He always [saw] things through that prism of the gospel of the church tradition, how is the Lord Jesus calling us as a church to echo Christs presence in the world today? Wester said. He was always very conscious of that. I just felt like I was in the presence of a very holy man, a very humble man, a very good man. Wester recalled flying to Rome when he became archbishop of Santa Fe. I met with him then, and he asked me, as was his typical way, Please pray for me, Wester said. He always asked that we pray for him. He was very insistent on that. I said, Yes, Holy Father, I definitely will. Wester said he last saw Francis about five months ago when he went back to Rome for the canonization of Sister Blandina Segale, who worked in New Mexico. He was in pain, he said. You could tell that it was not easy for him with the sciatica, and I felt for him. I was sad to see him in pain like that, but he still was very warm and had good humor. 042125_MS_Pope Francis Mass_001.JPG A woman enters the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe for a Mass memorializing the dead and Pope Francis lead by Archbishop John C. Wester on Monday. All priests of the archdioceses were invited to celebrate the memorial mass of the dead for Pope Francis with Wester. Spirit can be messy Wester agreed Francis had a progressive bent but noted he didnt change doctrine. He certainly, I think, invited the church to consider topics that might otherwise be forbidden territory, Wester said. He allowed the spirit to work in the church. He once said that the Holy Spirit doesnt always have to be neat and tidy. Sometimes the spirit can be messy. Sometimes we have debates and arguments, and sometimes we are kind of going at each other as we try to work these things out in the church. And he said thats OK. Wester, who has called for concrete action toward nuclear disarmament, said he was influenced by the pope, who declared the very possession of nuclear weapons, not just their use, to be immoral. That was the spark that really got me going on this important theme for our world to disarm, he said. It was a challenge, really, he said about the popes declaration. I think it was throwing down the moral gauntlet and saying to the wold, What are you going to do about this? This is an immoral situation were in. What are you going to do about it? Wester said people loved Francis. Even Catholics and non-Catholics alike loved him, he said. I think he really changed the ... tone of the church in terms of really being especially caring of the poor, the immigrant, the marginalized, those on the periphery. He referred to the church as a field hospital where people come to the church for healing and for mercy and for support and for love. Those characteristics were indicative of his ministry when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires, and he spent of lot of time reaching out to the poor, so he really brought all of that to the papacy. Wester said it was interesting how many non-Catholics felt an affinity for Francis. I think because he spoke to their hearts, he said. He was a man who spoke to our humanity. Apr. 21LIMA With the Roman Catholic Church able to boast a membership of more than one billion worldwide, the news Monday of Pope Francis' death had a global impact, including in western Ohio. Serving in this position since 2013, the 88-year-old was the 266th pontiff going back to St. Peter. While the church is no stranger to papal transitions, there is still a shock that comes with this news, according to Rev. Jeffery Walker, of St. John the Evangelist Church in Delphos. "In one sense, the news was a bit shocking today," he said. "Of course, we've known for some time that the pope's health has been in decline, and he is not a young man. However, having seen him yesterday giving the 'Urbi et Orbi' ('to the city and to the world') blessing, the special Easter blessing, and seeing that he met with the vice president over the weekend, I don't think anyone was quite expecting the news this morning that he passed away." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rev. Kent Kaufman, of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Lima, was visiting his mother when he heard of the pope's death. Amidst the surprise of that news, Kaufman said he could appreciate the significance of the timing of this event, being the day after the church celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. "It seems so minimal, what he did, to say, 'Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter. And now I'll let someone else now give my message,'" he said. "He needed every ounce of breath to be able to say that much. And then at the very end, they put the stole on him, and then he does the blessing. Later he was taken to (St. Peter's) Square, and you could see what he was seeing, all the people. And then this morning, to wake up and get ready for breakfast to hear that he had died, how could you orchestrate that any better?" Monday's news also brought swift responses from the bishops overseeing the Roman Catholic dioceses in this region. The Most Rev. Robert Casey, Archbishop of Cincinnati, the archdiocese that includes Auglaize and Mercer counties, pointed to a recent proclamation from Pope Francis marking 2025 as a jubilee year of hope. "May we, then, be filled with hope hope that Pope Francis will receive the reward of a life poured out in selfless service and love for God's people and all creation; hope that Christ, who comforts us in our mourning, will send the Holy Spirit to be our Helper; and hope that this same Spirit will inspire and unite us as the Church to stand firm in faith, proclaiming the power of the Resurrection and the joy of the Gospel," he said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Most Rev. Daniel Thomas, bishop of the Diocese of Toledo, which includes Allen, Putnam and Van Wert counties, echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the sadness of the pope's death while expressing hope for his eternal reward. "We trust in the promise and saving power flowing from the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we beg the Lord to receive him into the company of Blessed Mary, Saint George and Saint Francis of Assisi his patrons and all the Saints," he said in a statement. Praise for Pope Francis also came in from outside the Roman Catholic Church, with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine sharing his thoughts on his legacy. "His genuine love of and devotion to all people the poor, the unborn, those without a home, those emigrating to build a better life for themselves and their families, those of all faiths and those with no faith was evidenced to the world from the day he was selected to serve as Pope until his last public appearance on Easter Sunday," DeWine said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeWine also ordered all U.S. and Ohio flags to be lowered to half-staff at all public buildings until sunset on the day of Francis' interment. "Today I join in mourning the passing of Pope Francis," U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green, said in a statement. "The first pope from the American continent, he brought a unique perspective to the universal church as a Jesuit and a shepherd from Argentina. I pray for his eternal rest. May his memory be a blessing." Kaufman said he hoped history will see Francis as one who remembered those who the rest of the world forgot. "For Pope Francis, it was about taking (the message of Christ) to the ends of the earth and to everyone, especially the most marginalized and the ones who maybe have been forgotten or turned aside," he said. "He made every effort to reach out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walker said he hoped Francis would be remembered as the "pope of mercy." "The first Sunday after his election, he said what I think might be the most important thing he's ever said as pope, when he reminded all the people who were listening that God never tires of forgiving us," he said. "Sometimes we grow tired of asking God for forgiveness, but he encouraged us to be faithful and persistent and courageous in pursuing our merciful God." Featured Local Savings An intraparty dispute between Arizona Democrats is threatening to upend the state party ahead of several key elections next year. The infighting played out over the weekend when recently elected state Democratic Party Chair Robert E. Branscomb II alleged in a letter to state committee members that several personnel decisions he made within the state party had angered Arizona Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, with one threatening to stop helping the party fundraise. That prompted Kelly, Gallego and several statewide Democrats to respond, saying in their own letter that Branscomb offered many false claims and called his statement a bad-faith response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public feuding comes as the state Democratic Party is bracing for several competitive elections in 2026 as it defends its governor, attorney general and secretary of state. I think by and large, Democrats across the state that arent living and breathing the day-to-day drama of local party politics its not going to impact them too much. Theyre going to pay attention when we get closer to elections, said one Democratic strategist who requested anonymity to speak candidly. But in terms of the nucleus, yeah, its absolutely catastrophic, the strategist continued. And hes essentially made himself a lame-duck chair, given that you know the statewide electeds who really carry the power and the respect of the Democratic electorate out here basically say they cant trust him. So hes going to be an ineffective chair going forward, unless he can find some miraculous way to fix this. Tensions within the party simmered earlier this month when Lisa Sanor resigned as secretary of the Arizona Democratic Party. In her letter to the state party and others, she complained of significant challenges facing the party, including the absence of strategic planning, a budget and timely replacement of vital staff members who departed en masse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also alleged there had been a lack of transparency around hiring specific individuals, in addition to a concerning lack of understanding from leadership regarding some of our critical systems and internal operations. But that friction became even more apparent over the weekend with Branscombs letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Hill. In it, he told members that the past 90 days had been marked by both unexpected challenges and significant groundwork for the future. Branscomb alleged he was met with an empty workspace at the state party office shortly after he was elected and accused the outgoing executive director, Morgan Dick, of obstruction. He also alleged that outgoing leadership withheld banking information, stonewalled my efforts, and discouraged current staff from staying on, even offering to help them find other jobs. His email also alleged Kelly had called him and strongly discouraged me from making staffing changes without consulting him after Branscomb had let go of Dick as executive director of the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He emphasized his role in raising funds for the party and implied that I should be grateful, even beholden, to him for the partys financial resources, Branscomb added. Finally, Branscomb alleged that after he had chosen a new executive director for the party, Michael Ruff, both senators immediately criticized him over the move. Several hours later, a statement signed by Kelly, Gallego, Gov. Katie Hobbs (D), Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) and Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D) condemned Branscombs letter, saying it included many false claims and is the kind of bad-faith response weve come to expect from the new leadership over the last several weeks. As Arizona statewide elected leaders who have all won historic campaigns, we know what it takes to work together, build a broad coalition, and win in Arizona. Any efforts not devoted to winning are simply a waste of resources, the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Hill, continued. While the Chair has lost our trust, were not going to let that deter us from our mission of winning in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dick separately issued her own statement slamming the state party chairs message as an inaccurate and counterproductive attack. Branscomb declined to comment to The Hill when reached by phone Monday afternoon. While members of the party say infighting and occasional bickering is nothing new, they were surprised to see it hit a fever pitch with Branscombs letter. For the state party chair whose primary job is to get Democrats elected to office in the state for him to come out blasting statewide Democratic elected officials publicly is unprecedented, a former state committee member said. That person argued that if the infighting resolves itself soon, it wont pose a problem for the party heading into next November. But the source warned that if it continued to play out, it can have a huge impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bitter public feud is playing out in one of the most pivotal states in the country, one which routinely helps decide who holds the majority in the Senate and who helms the White House. Arizona Democrats saw mixed success in November: While they were able to enshrine abortion protections into the state constitution and elect Gallego to the Senate, former Vice President Kamala Harris lost the state in the presidential race and Republicans expanded control in the state Legislature. Hobbs, Mayes and Fontes are all up for reelection next year and all hold seats that are pickup opportunities for the GOP. Hobbs and Mayes won their elections in 2022 by less than a percentage point apiece. Adding to an already tumultuous start to the 2026 cycle, Democrats are also grappling with a backslide in voter registration. Data from Fontess office released this month shows Democrats are trailing GOP in registered voters by 324,000 and trailing unaffiliated voters by 231,000. Data published exactly a year ago showed Democrats trailing Republicans in registered voters by 242,000 and trailing unaffiliated voters by 177,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not that weve fallen to third. We as Democrats, weve fallen to a distant third, and the partys job is to figure out why, Democratic strategist Stacy Pearson said. Youve got two jobs: raise money and register voters. And how did we go to statistically even to a half million voters down? Its unforgivable, she said. Some Democrats are also taking the possibility that they may need to fundraise around the state party more seriously. Theres some precedent for that already in the Grand Canyon State, as former Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) worked around the state GOP in 2010 and helped channel some resources through the Yuma County GOP instead. Mario E. Diaz, a strategist who has worked with members of both parties, said his hope is that Arizona Democrats have a strong Democratic Party, with an individual whos going to work together with elected officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if that doesnt happen, then there always has to be a backup plan to fulfill the mission, 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A lawsuit filed in federal court calls the changes made to the Arkansas voter referendum process during the 95th General Assembly Unconstitutional. The suit by the Arkansas League of Women Voters was filed against Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester. According to the suit, the six bills signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders violate the Arkansas and federal constitution by restricting citizens rights. Attorney general rejects latest ballot proposal to change Arkansas initiative process Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The six acts came after Jester gave the referendum process a D grade for security. They require signature canvassers to check ID, read the ballot title out loud, warn signatories about fraud, live in Arkansas, file an affidavit and not collect additional signatures after they have filed collected signatures. The lawsuit states that, according to the Heritage Foundation, there have been just five criminal convictions related to election fraud in Arkansas over the last 20 years. The Constitutional violations are of Arkansas Article 5, Section 1, where Arkansans are allowed the same power to propose legislative measures, laws and amendments as the General Assembly, with a specific call to allow petitions. House Republicans pass bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Constitutions First and 14th Amendments are the federal codes being violated, the suit states. It continues that by limiting free speech, the acts violate a core right. President of the League of Women Voters of Arkansas Bonnie Miller said the lawsuit was to correct a fundamental wrong. Lets be clear: these laws spell the death of direct democracy in Arkansas, she said. For decades, Arkansans of all political persuasions have utilized the ballot initiative process to pass popular reforms in our state. Now, the legislature wants to kill the process. Attorney General Tim Griffins office stated about the suit: We are reviewing the lawsuit and stand ready to defend the State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An additional statement came from the Secretary of States office: From day one, I have promised to protect Arkansass electoral processes, Jester said. The petition system has been filled with fraud and bad actors for too long. These laws are basic, commonsense protections, and we look forward to fighting for them. League of Women Voters submits Arkansas ballot question to roll back initiative changes The Arkansas League of Women Voters has also submitted a referendum for voters to roll back the referendum process changes on the 2026 ballot. The organization made a second submission in March after Griffins office rejected its initial submission. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. (NewsNation) The U.S. Army is changing its physical fitness test, according to a news release from the military branch. The test will be rebranded as the Army Fitness Test, replacing the Army Combat Fitness Test, the Army announced Monday, aiming to enhance soldier fitness, improve warfighting readiness, and increase the lethality of the force. What will be new for soldiers? The AFT will be made up of five physical challenges, including a three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up army extension, sprint-drag carry, plank and a two-mile run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The test will include gender-neutral scoring for soldiers in 21 combat-focused military roles. Those serving in combat specialties must achieve a minimum of 60 points per event and an overall minimum score of 350. Pete Hegseths job safe for now: Sources Notably absent from the new test of physical readiness is one notorious event, reports Military.com and The New York Times. The AFT will reportedly no longer include the standing power throw. The event requires soldiers to hurl a 10-pound medicine ball backward over their heads and is often referred to as the yeet. The event was unpopular with service members, reported Military.com, writing that it was seen as an outlier that emphasizes technique over strength or endurance. When will the changes take effect? The AFT will be implemented in phases starting June 1. The new scoring standards for soldiers in 21 combat military occupational specialties will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and on June 1, 2026, for the Reserve and National Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Army said implementation guidance and associated execution orders will be released next month. SpaceX doesnt want to make Golden Dome missile shield: Musk The change reflects the Armys continued focus on building a physically ready force capable of meeting operational demands in austere environments, the Army said in a statement. RAND Corporation analysis and Army data from nearly 1 million test records helped inform the new standard, according to the Army. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The production of vital radioisotopes in Iran is unfeasible without the operation of the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR), said Mohammad Eslami, Iran's Vice President and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI), Trend reports. Speaking today at an event commemorating the anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Eslami explained that nearly 1 million people in the country currently benefit from these radioisotopes. Without this potential, it would have been impossible to acquire the necessary medications under heavy sanctions. Eslami further noted that if Iran had not pursued nuclear energy, the country could have faced serious challenges. For instance, the TRR, designed by the US, requires highly enriched uranium. However, Western countries later refused to supply Iran with this nuclear fuel. Thanks to the efforts of local experts, Iran produced the necessary fuel domestically, allowing the Tehran Research Reactor to resume its operations. Iran declares that its nuclear program does not deviate from the NPT agreement and continues within the framework of that agreement. Iran notes that the level of enriched uranium has increased and decreased within this framework. In some cases, Iran has used uranium enriched up to 20, 60 or more percent for the Tehran Research Reactor. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A group of Arsenal supporters have launched a campaign against the clubs sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda, calling for the deal to be scrapped ahead of next season. As part of the campaign, Gunners For Peace have unveiled a Visit Tottenham satirical billboard outside the Emirates Stadium. The group has said that Arsenal supporters would rather Visit Tottenham than to continue to endorse the Rwandan regime. The Rwanda Development Board, a government department, has been an Arsenal partner since 2018 and also has similar sponsorship agreements with Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain. Paul Kagame, the Rwandan president, is an Arsenal fan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arsenals deal with Visit Rwanda has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months due to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In February, the UK Government suspended aid to Rwanda over its support for the M23 rebel group in the area. Arsenals sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda is understood to cover the remainder of this campaign and next season, at least. Gunners For Peace have cited a recent poll of almost 300 Arsenal supporters which found that 56 per cent of fans were in favour of the club ending its deal with Visit Rwanda. Of the polled supporters, 25 per cent opposed ending the deal and 19 per cent said they did not know. As part of their protest, the group will be handing out armbands so fans can cover up the Visit Rwanda branding on their shirts during Arsenals match against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside the Visit Tottenham billboard, Gunners For Peace have also produced a satirical tourist video for Tottenham, the home of fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Visit Tottenham is a joke with a serious punchline, said James Turner of the Gunners For Peace supporter group. Its hard to think of a worse sponsor than Visit Rwanda, and together with many other Arsenal fans we are calling on the club to drop them. On their website, the Gunners For Peace group added: Arsenal is a great club. We have standards. Which is why Visit Rwanda needs to end. This is the same regime thats funding a brutal militia committing atrocities against thousands of innocent victims in Eastern Congo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont want our club to sell its soul to the highest bidder. And we certainly dont want to wear it on our sleeves. We think anything literally anything would be better than Visit Rwanda. 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. When Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, headlines understandably focused on his role as a global spiritual leader. As the proprietor in trust of the Vatican's library and art collections, his cultural legacy especially in the arts was also significant. He was the first pontiff to visit the Venice Biennale, the worlds most prestigious contemporary art exhibition. He also opened a gallery for contemporary art inside the Vatican Library, made high-profile statements on cultural restitution, and repeatedly invoked the power of creativity to forge human connection. Francis saw artists, in his own words, as architects of a better future: I beg you, dear artists, to imagine cities that do not yet exist on the maps: cities where no human being is considered a stranger. Pope Francis is greeted by Gondoliers upon his arrival in Venice in April 2024, when he also visited the Vatican pavilion at the Venice Biennale. - Alessandra Tarantino/AP His views on art were deeply shaped by the saint whose name he adopted. Like St Francis of Assisi who appears frequently in Renaissance painting, preaching to birds or receiving the stigmata Pope Francis was drawn to nature, poverty, and pastoral simplicity. His 2015 encyclical on climate change, Laudato Si, took its name from St Franciss Canticle of the Creatures, and cited Giottos frescoes in Assisi as inspiration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for all his spiritual leanings, Francis didnt keep art in the realm of the abstract. In 2023, he returned three fragments of the Parthenon sculptures to Greece, saying bluntly: The Seventh Commandment comes to mind: If you steal something you have to give it back. He continued, In the case where you can return things, where its necessary to make a gesture, better to do it. [...] So you dont get used to putting your hands in someone elses pockets. The restitution was framed as a donation to the Orthodox Church of Greece and timed with his efforts to deepen ecumenical relations. During a 2021 visit to the Parthenon, Francis said: History makes its weight felt, and here, today, I feel the need to ask anew for the forgiveness of God and of our brothers and sisters for the mistakes committed by many Catholics. Pope Francis meets Archbishop of Athens and leader of Greece's Orthodox Church, Ieronymos II at the Orthodox archbishopric in Athens, Greece, on Dec. 4, 2021. - George Vitsaras/AP Furthermore, Francis extolled the power of art and artists themselves in societal transformation. In Venice in 2024, he arrived at a womens prison on Giudecca island, where the Holy See Pavilion had been set up as part of the Biennale. Some works on display were created with inmates. In his remarks, Francis cited Corita Kent, Frida Kahlo and Louise Bourgeois as artists who had something important to teach us, and praised the transformative power of creativity: The world needs artists. This is demonstrated by the multitude of people of all ages who frequent art venues and events. That year's Biennale, themed Foreigners Everywhere, had a particular focus on marginalised voices. The popes visit, said the Biennale organisers, was an extraordinary gesture of closeness and reflected the building of a culture of encounter. An installation by artist Sonia Gomes inside the Santa Maria Maddalena Convertita church at the women's prison on Giudecca island - Luca Bruno/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved Beyond the Biennale, he personally authorised major art restoration projects and continued the acquisition of contemporary worksa tradition that dates back to Pope Paul VI. The Vaticans collections now include works by Chagall, Picasso, Dali and Matisse, alongside biblical interpretations by more recent artists like Studio Azzurro and Richard Long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, the National Gallery in London staged the first UK exhibition dedicated to St Francis. The pope sent a message, describing the saint as the beloved minstrel of God. That show blended historic works by Botticelli and El Greco with modern interpretations by artists like Antony Gormley. The gallerys director Gabriele Finaldi noted that St Francis appeals for Christians and non-Christians alike, for utopians and revolutionaries, for animal lovers and for those who work for causes of human solidarity. A section of the Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art in the Vatican Museums - The Vatican Still, Francis cultural tenure was not without criticism. In 2024, nearly 50 Vatican Museum workers filed a class-action complaint against the administration, alleging poor working conditions and unsafe practices. The petition described employees as being treated like commodities and called for better transparency and basic labour protections. The case remains ongoing, but it undercut the Vaticans image as a moral steward of world heritage. Whether viewed as sincere or strategic, his approach brought the Vatican into fresh dialogue with the contemporary world, from the Giudecca prison to the halls of London's National Gallery. MOORE, Okla. (KFOR) Fortunately, for a Moore gas station owner, a local asphalt company stepped up to help her out just a week after OK Stop owner Lisa Hoang said someone tried to extort her for thousands of dollars. Fuller Paving crews were hard at work paving a new parking lot near SW 4th Street and Santa Fe Avenue in an act of kindness that is a 180 degree turn from the events just one week prior. ORIGINAL STORY: Company retaliates after asphalt deal goes wrong Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its so awesome and you can see its quite different from last week, Hoang said Monday. According to Hoang, on Tuesday, April 15 a company called Done Right Paving stopped by and told her they had extra asphalt they could put down for a cheap price. She claims before she had agreed to anything, their crew started working anyway and finished in just 30 minutes. He told me, now its $12,000 for the installation cost, Hoang said on April 18. When she told him she wouldnt be paying them, things went south. Hoang said they pushed asphalt against her stores front door and trapped them inside. We were so scared, she said on April 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, experts in the asphalt industry said this isnt an uncommon scam. Executive Director for the Oklahoma Asphalt Paving Association, who represents 95 percent of asphalt companies in Oklahoma, Larry Patrick said people start by paying cash for a dump truck load of asphalt from a plant first. Then they just go out roaming around trying to find an individual or somebody, Patrick said. But Monday, the crew that showed up was only looking to help. Ive been in this business 30 years. Ive seen this a lot of times. So its just blessed that were able to help somebody like this, owner of Fuller Paving Joel Campbell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campbell told Hoang if she could pay for materials, the labor was free. This time, they agreed. Monday morning, Campbells crew laid roughly 140 tons to fix the mess left behind. Hoang said she was ecstatic about the help, but chalked it all up to a lesson learned. RELATED STORY: Moore gas station owner says they never agreed to asphalt work before chaos broke out We learned a lesson and we hope the other business all the other individuals can learn like always, dont let the people push you so much, she said. Nobody ever has an extra load of asphalt left. Nobody has this or that. And if it sounds too good to be true, it is, Campbell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company that did the original act, Done Right Paving, is supposedly based out of Kalispell, Montana. Weve tried emailing them and calling them to no prevail. Moore police said on Monday that it may end up being a civil case, but there is a police report thats been filed if Hoang needs it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." The asteroid 99942 Apophis is headed for a close flyby with Earth on April 13, 2029, and space agencies are coordinating efforts to study the object during this the once-in-a-lifetime experience. NASAs extended asteroid mission, now called OSIRIS-APEX, will reach the asteroid after its flyby. ESAs complementary RAMSES mission will study the asteroid with a different suite of instruments before and during Apophis approach. Earlier this month, JAXA also detailed efforts for its DESTINY+ mission to possibly swing by Apophis on its way to 3200 Phaethon (another asteroid). Science is a collaborative process, and for evidence of this fact, look no further than 99942, the doomsday-asteroid-turned-scientific-opportunity, Apophis. Named for the Egyptian serpent god, Apophis will make a rendezvous with Earth on April 13, 2029. It will pass even closer to Earth than some geosynchronous satellites, and space agencies around the world are gearing up to visit the object as it passes by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NASAs mission, in a way, is already in progress. The agencys OSIRIS-REx missionhaving successfully visited the asteroid Bennu in 2020 and returning a sample three years laterhas now evolved into OSIRIS-APEX (Apophis Explorer) as it gears up for a visit with Apophis in June of 2029. Simultaneously, the European Space Agencys Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (RAMSESnice acronym work there) will complement NASAs mission. Set for launch in April of 2028, RAMSES will contain a suite of distinct scientific toolsincluding a low-frequency radar, gravimeter, and landerand will actually arrive at Apophis before and during its buzz by Earth. OSIRIS-APEX, on the other hand, will be one hour behind Apophis on April 13th. It will officially reach its target in June, and will study the asteroid for 18 months. ESA and NASA arent the only ones interested in this flyby event. As New Scientist reports, the Japanese space agency JAXA is planning its Demonstration of Space Technology for Interplanetary Voyage with Phaethon Flyby Dust Science (DESTINY+...this acronym is more tortured) also has plans for Apophis. As its name suggests, DESTINY+s primary mission is the 3200 Phaethon, but on the spacecrafts journey toward this asteroid, itll make a flyby of Apophis in 2029 as well. This trio of space missions arrives as space agencies have gotten serious about investigating planetary defense strategiesjust in case one of the thousands of near-Earth objects comes within a threatening range. NASAs Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) was a major success on this front, altering the path of Dimorphos, which is a minor planet-moon of the asteroid Didymos. This work was further complimented by OSIRIS-REx, which gave scientists an unprecedented glimpse of an asteroids composition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interestingly, the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) is also developing methods for planetary salvation. Although not visiting Apophis directly, China plans to swing by another asteroid2015 XF261, which stretches some 30 meters wideand will perform a kinetic impactor approach similar to the DART mission. According to Space News, Li Mingtaon (director of the space science system engineering at the CNSA) said that 2029 will be the year of asteroid awareness and planetary defense. Science is getting serious about protecting Earth from one of its largest celestial dangers, and itll take worldwide cooperation to protect the planet we love. You Might Also Like ATHENS, Pa. (WETM) An Athens man, currently currently serving time in a Pennsylvania State Correctional Facility, was sentenced in April to several decades behind bars for his involvement in creating child sex abuse material back in 2022, according to information from the United States Department of Justice. Benjamin Wheeler, 29, currently housed inside a Pennsylvania State Correctional Facility in Bellefonte, PA, was sentenced to 292 months (24 years) in prison followed by 10 years probation for the federal offense of one count of production of child sex abuse material, according to the release. Athens man charged with child pornography, sexual assault of a minor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wheelers sentencing on Tuesday, April 15, comes after an arrest from the summer of 2022 where Wheeler coerced two minor victims to engage in sexual conduct so he could make child sex abuse material, US Attorney John C. Gurganus said. During the sentencing, Assistant US Attorney Alisan Martin read a statement from one of the victims mothers expressing the impact this crime has had on the victim and the victims family. Wheeler is currently serving a state sentence of 16-35 years for the offense of deviate sexual intercourse from an incident in August 2021. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Atlanta City Council redefined what it considers a party house and released a list of neighborhoods where theyd be banned. The move came Monday, with city councilmembers amending a more than 40-year-old ordinance to further restrict homes that are used for less than peaceful living. In the ordinance, the city council said that residential neighborhoods are designed for residential dwelling and the peaceful enjoyment of the residents, but that there has been a recent accelerated intrusion of commercial uses for large-scale commercial events at so-called party houses. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The city council added a definition for a party house in 2020 and created a set of districts where they were allowed, and a longer list of where they were not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the definition is again being amended to more strictly define a party house and more clearly set where they are allowed, or banned. TRENDING STORIES: According to the city council ordinance, a party house is: A single-family, two-family, or multi-family dwelling unit and its premises that is used for a commercial event which includes a ceremony, reception, large scale gather or party that charges a fee for the use of the property or an entry fee, donation or operation cost from its attendees to gain entry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new definition also clarifies that the definition does not apply to homes that are used for events by 501(c)(3) nonprofits or businesses, civic, professional or political organizations or campaigns. The ordinance also sets a policy that party houses are permitted in certain districts, so long as they are issued a special administrative permit or special use permit, and as long as the property in question is not within 150 feet of the property line of one of the zones where party houses are banned. The following areas have bans on party houses: Zoning District Description R-1 R-1 Single-Family Residential District R-2 R-2 Single Family Residential District R-3 R-3 Single Family Residential District R-3A R-3A Single Family Residential District R-4 R-4 Single Family Residential District R-4A R-4A Single Family Residential District R-4B R-4B Single Family Residential District R-5 Two-Family Residential District R-G R-G Residential General District O-I Office-Institutional District Regulations I-1 Light Industrial District I-2 Heavy Industrial District PD-H Planned Development Housing District PD-MU Planned Development Mixed Use PD-OC Planned Development Office- Commercial PD-BP Planned Development Business Park MR Multi-Family Residential SPI-1 Subareas 4 Downtown SPI-3 Subareas 1, 2, 3 English Avenue SPI-4 Ashview Heights and Atlanta Univ. Ctr. SPI-5 Inman Park SPI-6 Poncey-Highland SPI-7 Candler Park SPI-11 Subareas 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Vine City and Ashby Station SPI-15 Lindbergh Transit Station Area SPI-17 Piedmont Avenue SPI-18 Subareas 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Mechanicsville Neighborhood SPI-19 Subareas 5, 6, 7 Vine City SPI-20 Subareas 5, 6 Greenbriar SPI-21 Subareas 5, 6, 7 Historic West End/Adair Park [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Claims filed against the City of Atlanta on behalf of a teenager killed by a former Atlanta police officer have been settled after several years of litigation. The city approved a nearly $1.5 million settlement for the family of DEttrick Griffin. They sued after former Officer Oliver Simmonds shot and killed Griffin while he tried to steal the officers undercover, unmarked Atlanta Police Department vehicle at a gas station. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As Channel 2 Action News has reported in the past, Simmonds was filling up the gas tank of the vehicle in January 2019 when Griffin tried to take the car. Simmonds opened fire, shooting and killing him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, the former Atlanta Police Department officer was indicted by a grand jury on charges of murder for Griffins death. RELATED STORIES: Simmonds was found not guilty in 2024. With Simmonds not convicted, the three-year legal battle ended, but Griffins family sued the city on his behalf. Now that a settlement has been reached, Griffins family has agreed to settle all claims against the City of Atlanta and will receive $1.475 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The settlement will be paid in two checks, each $737,500, one upon approval of the settlement and one after July 1 in full consideration of the dismissal of all claims against the city. According to documents from the Atlanta City Council, the city attorney determined settling would leave Atlanta less exposed financially than it would be had the case continued. The City Attorney considers it to be in the best interest of the City to settle all claims against the City, according to the document provided to Channel 2 Action News. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A letter signed by college presidents pushing back against government overreach and political interference by the Trump administration has been signed by nearly 200 college presidents and higher education leaders nationwide. When the letter was released early Tuesday, it was signed by about 100 higher-education leaders, but nearly 100 more leaders added their signatures in less than 24 hours. Massachusetts college presidents make up 16 of the signatures. Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University and Suffolk University are among the presidents from Massachusetts institutions that added their names to the letter, which MassLive obtained a copy of late Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presidents are calling for one voice in higher education against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education, according to the letter. In an environment where presidents have feared speaking up against the Trump administration despite sweeping demands to reshape higher education, the letter is the first time current presidents have come together in large numbers to express their concerns publicly. Clark Universitys president, David Fithian, told MassLive Tuesday morning that now is a time for courage and for standing up for what we think is right. While Clark isnt as large as other institutions, nor does it have the level of resources as institutions like Harvard, he said it is crucial to stand up because an attack on one is an attack on all of us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing that is happening right now in higher education through executive orders is helping our students, our faculty or our country, Fithian said. Its instilling fear and anger evidently by design and thats never the right environment to do our best work ... or to move our country forward. A key concern of Fithians is that 13 Clark students have had their visas revoked without explanation an action that is occurring across the country. A key component of the way the institution educates students is through a diversity of perspectives, experiences and backgrounds, Fithian said. Drawing students from around the world is fundamental to fulfilling our mission. International students comprise about 45% of Clarks student body, including undergraduates and graduates, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement " Were already hearing from students who are uncertain about coming to the United States to start their education, an educational program at Clark. And for students already here, theyre obviously deeply concerned about their ability to stay, their ability to travel home and return and their ability to continue to study the subjects that they came to study and the right we all enjoy to speak freely about world matters," Fithian said. He said he and other presidents who signed the letter embrace free expression and academic freedom principles. What is problematic in this moment is the federal government dictating to colleges and universities how we should think, how we should teach, what we should research and how we should act as if theres only one way or right way to do that, The Massachusetts college and university presidents who signed the letter, entitled A Call for Constructive Engagement, include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael A. Elliott, Amherst College Alan M. Garber, Harvard University Sally Kornbluth, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sunil Kumar, Tufts University Harry Dumay, Elms College David Fithian, Clark University Melissa Gilliam, Boston University Paula A. Johnson, Wellesley College Maud S. Mandel, Williams College Vincent Rougeau, College of the Holy Cross Philip J. Sisson, Middlesex Community College James Vander Hooven, Mount Wachusett Community College Sarah Willie-LeBreton, Smith College Lane A. Glenn, Northern Essex Community College Marisa Kelly, Suffolk University Michaele Whelan, Wheaton College Holy Cross president Vincent Rougeau said in a statement to MassLive that there has been clear government overreach into what colleges teach, how they teach and who they teach. The strength of our colleges and universities is key to American prosperity, and that strength is built on a longstanding tradition of academic freedom. I was proud to join with the leaders of a wide variety of institutions to say that, while we are open to constructive conversations about reform, we will oppose any efforts to undermine academic freedom and our institutions independence, Rougeau said. The letter, released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, comes after Harvard, a private university, refused to comply with a list of demands from the federal government and, as a result, the Trump administration froze billions of dollars in federal funding and is threatening to withdraw Harvards tax-exempt status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demands include allowing the federal government to audit student, professor and staff viewpoints, sharing all hiring data with the government, which would be subjected to an audit and giving leadership power to those most devoted to enacting the demanded changes, and stripping it away from those who arent. On Monday, Harvard sued the federal government, arguing its constitutional rights have been violated. Theres an increase in momentum and I think Harvard standing up to the Trump administration has catalyzed these efforts, said Lynn Pasquerella, the former president of Mount Holyoke College who now serves as president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. The Trump administration has also frozen federal funding at most other Ivy League schools and Northwestern University, signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, canceled research grants and began investigations into many universities and colleges across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until now, faculty senates had led the way in publicly speaking out against the Trump administration. Several of the Big Ten schools decided to band together in mutual defense. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is doing something similar. Fithian said he is open to exploring a wide range of collaborations with other institutions, including alliances similar to those occurring at Big Ten schools. The letter is open to additional signatures. The group of presidents convened Monday evening to determine the most effective way to maintain the momentum from the letter and what the next paths forward are, Pasquerella said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement " The fundamental purpose of American higher education is for the public good. Were not here to serve individual students or ourselves, but society as a whole and to engage them in answering the question, What can we do for you? So the collective voice comes from, then, looking at the many ways in which we can carry this work forward and change the narrative positively," Pasquerella said. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Attorneys for the man who opened fire at a Charleston church in 2015, killing nine members of the congregation, have filed a motion to vacate his sentence. The motion to vacate Dylann Roofs sentence was filed in US District Court South Carolina on April 17. Documents detail 18 claims, two of which have been redacted, as to why attorneys argue Roofs death sentence should be vacated. Charleston attorney Jill E.M. HaLevi and Indianapolis attorney Angela S. Elleman filed the motion on behalf of Roof. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys are asking for a new penalty phase trial using the 18 claims as justification. The penalty phase is where sentencing is decided. Roof was sentenced to death in 2017 for killing nine Black church members during a bible study. The decision made him the first person ordered to be executed for a federal hate crime. The claims listed below are directly from the filing: CLAIM 3: The trial court violated Dylanns Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights when it failed to strike prospective jurors for cause under Morgan v. Illinois, forcing Dylann to exhaust all his peremptory strikes. CLAIMS 4-9: Ineffective assistance that resulted in the jury hearing no mitigating evidence. CLAIM 10: Trial counsel was ineffective because lead counsel David Bruck, over the teams opposition, cross-examined Felicia Sanders to disastrous result, and he failed to timely object. CLAIM 11: Trial counsel ineffectively disregarded the advice of their jury consultant and tried his case in a venue that was saturated with community bias, in violation of Dylanns right to a fair trial. CLAIM 12: Dylann was denied Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel by counsels failure to zealously argue that the federal charges should be dismissed for reasons including lack of federal jurisdiction and unconstitutional vagueness. CLAIM 13: Counsel was ineffective on direct appeal. CLAIM 14: 18 U.S.C. 924(c)s definitions of crime of violence are unconstitutionally vague and, as such, 924(c) and (j) cannot serve as the basis for any of Dylanns convictions or death sentences; alternatively, based on intervening Supreme Court cases, Dylann is entitled to relief. CLAIM 15: Under current law, the statutes under which Dylann was convicted and sentences are unconstitutional, undermining the federal governments jurisdiction. CLAIM 16: The Eighth Amendment prohibits imposing the death penalty on a twenty-one-year-old person with an undeveloped brain. CLAIM 17: Uncertainty and lack of necessary safeguards surrounding the method of execution creates an unacceptable risk of severe and unnecessary suffering in violation of the Eighth Amendment; consequently, should the government at some point set an execution date, it should take basic steps to ensure that the execution is humane. CLAIM 18: Judge Gergel presiding over Dylanns case because he really wants to violated Dylanns Due Process right to an impartial procedure for assigning a judge, and trial counsels failure to object violated Dylanns Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documents claim that Roofs trial counsel was ineffective saying the team misled him, at times even outright lying to him. Lawyers said a new trial should be granted since Roofs Fifth and Sixth amendment rights were allegedly violated. As for the claims that Judge Richard Gergel was bias, Gergel replied in a court order denying Roofs request. The Court has fully addressed the motion to recuse in its original order and finds no basis for reconsideration or additional proceedings based on Defendants original motion or the motion to reconsider. No new material facts have emerged to support the claims asserted in the original motion, no changes in the law have occurred, the original decision was not clearly erroneous, and the order would not produce manifest injustice. Consequently, the motion to reconsider and to conduct additional proceedings before an out of state judge is denied. Richard M. Gergel The Supreme Court rejected Roofs previous appeal to overturn his sentence and conviction in 2022. On June 17, 2015, Roof entered Emanuel AME Church, a predominantly Black church, where he attended a bible study for about 45 minutes before opening fire during prayer, trial testimony revealed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nine people killed in the massacre include Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, who was the churchs pastor and a South Carolina state senator, Cynthia Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Daniel Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, and Myra Thompson. 5 years later: Remembering the victims and survivors of the Emanuel AME Church shooting Five other individuals survived, including Felecia Sanders, the mother of Tywanza Sanders, her 5-year-old granddaughter, and Polly Sheppard. Jennifer Pinckney, the wife of the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, and their daughter, 6-year-old Malana, were in another room across the hall at the time of the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read the full filing below. filedDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Millions of dollars in federal fair housing grant funding hang in the balance until the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decides where claims about federal funding freezes should be heard. The plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit allege the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, unlawfully terminated $30 million in Congressionally allocated funding to dozens of fair housing organizations nationwide. A legal expert at Duke University says the executive branch does not have the authority to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns agreed to delay proceedings in a lawsuit filed in March by four fair housing organizations including the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center in Holyoke. The suit names both DOGE and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The stay comes as the 1st Circuit moves to decide whether claims over the federal funding freeze should be heard in the U.S. Court of Appeals. The four organizations assert they were rocked by the loss of funding, which affected 66 organizations nationwide, after the grants were found to contain diversity, equity and inclusion language. The grants were from the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, which helped the organizations weed out housing discrimination in their communities, the plaintiffs said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stearns reinstated the funds by a temporary restraining order to the organizations on March 25 in a five-minute court hearing in Boston. The temporary restraining order was to be in place until May 16. But last week, Stearns ordered that the grant funding should be dissolved after a Supreme Court decision in a separate case that the 1st Circuit heard. That decision laid the ground work for how Stearns said he would hear this case. Now, the plaintiffs are requesting a pause in the proceedings until a 1st Circuit decision is made. The government has agreed to this request for relief, according to court documents. The 1st Circuit is made up of district courts in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico and Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are disappointed that the District Court dissolved the TRO and have filed a notice of appeal, said Attorney Lila Miller, a partner at Relman Colfax, the Washington, D.C. law firm representing the plaintiffs, in an emailed statement. The grants, she said, are an essential tool for protecting equal access to housing opportunity. Julian Canzoneri, the attorney representing HUD and DOGE, did not return a phone call seeking comment. The 1st Circuit recently heard a case involving the several states, including California and Massachusetts, about grant funding the U.S. Department of Education terminated. The department requested a motion to stay, which the 1st Circuit reviewed. It found that termination letters the DOE sent to the states lacked specific reasons for the grant cancellations, a violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plaintiffs appeal presents a serious legal question, the resolution of which will determine the scope and forum for plaintiffs claims, said the plaintiffs motion for a stay, which the government agreed to. The plaintiffs are still pursuing their case against DOGE, alleging that the agency acted beyond its legal power, the court documents said. Question about DOGE authority Jeff Powell, a professor at Duke Universitys law school who focuses on Constitutional law, said because DOGE is not a governmental agency created by Congress, it has no authority to order HUD to slash millions of dollars in grant funding. The president can choose his advisors, and there is no legal reason why presidents cant do that, he said in a phone interview, but DOGE or Mr. Musk have no authority to tell anyone what to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Powell explained that the standard view of Congressionally allocated funding is that if the delegation requires a federal department to spend or grant a certain amount of money, the president cant impound the funds, he said. When asked if he thinks DOGE or the Trump administration will heed court rulings in cases going forward, it has been our tradition, since James Madison was president in the 19th century, for a president to enforce what the courts say, Powell said. Following the law is a part of our system, he said. more news from Western Massachusetts BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Azerbaijan is of great importance, said Spokesperson for the Iranian government Fatemeh Mohajerani, Trend reports. Speaking at a press conference in Tehran today, Mohajerani mentioned that the president's jaunt to Azerbaijan is all about strengthening the ties that bind the two nations. She emphasized that the visit, scheduled for this week, presents an opportunity to explore and strengthen relations, including diplomatic and economic ties. The Vice President of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Hossein Pirmoazen, confirmed that the Iranian president's visit will begin on April 27. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Students at Auburn High School got a chance to celebrate Earth Day by planting a greenhouse at Waynes Feed Store. Students from several academies, including Production and Health Services, joined forces to help the students with the project. Auburn teacher Clifford Chappell said that, as well as being helpful to the environment, the greenhouse gave students a chance to practice real-world skills outside of the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes in the classroom, you dont necessarily have the resources to do these really big problem-solving activities using some really big practical math, Chappell said. It builds character, it builds the ability to initiative and self-drive. Right? You gotta be able to get up every day and go to work. On a gloomy day like today, we were a little concerned that we werent going to get students to show up, but everybody showed up wanting to work, and wanting to be a part of this activity. Chappell added that Auburn students have completed several projects around the community, but the greenhouse was the largest one yet. He invited other businesses to reach out if they have projects they may want students to help with. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) An Augusta woman reported to Richmond county Sheriffs Deputies that a man she met on Facebook raped her. According to incident reports, the alleged crime happened April 18th at the womans home off Deans Bridge Road. She said the suspect, identified as Terrance McClain, was sitting on the foot of her bed while she was sitting near the headboard. When McClain attempted to touch her she allegedly told him she was not having sex with him. He reportedly became aggressive, grabbed the woman by the throat, and pulled her clothes off. She said she told him to stop as he assaulted her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terrance McClain is charged with Rape and remains in the Richmond County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Tech and manufacturing companies are bracing for looming semiconductor tariffs after President Donald Trump launched an investigation last week into the effects on national security of importing semiconductor technology. The investigation came just a day after Trump hinted at imposing tariffs on chips and pharmaceuticals amid a broader trade war. "The number one word is uncertainty," Austin Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Jeremy Martin told the American-Statesman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Texas and in the Austin area, companies are currently in a waiting game, looking for how to cope with imposing tariffs, likely retaliatory ones from other countries and a broader trade war that is putting artificial intelligence and chips in the national spotlight once again. A Mechatronics automation system at the NXP Advanced Manufacturing Lab at ACC Highland Campus on Thursday August 29, 2024. What to know about the impending semiconductor tariffs Semiconductors are chips that enable technologies like those found in smartphones and computers to function. Over the past several years, lawmakers have pushed for greater investment in the manufacturing and workforce training in the U.S. related to semiconductors. Such efforts, like the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act signed into law by former President Joe Biden in 2022 and the Texas CHIPS Act signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, aim to encourage manufacturing of the essential technology on American soil. Trump has initiated tariffs across industries over the past several weeks, taking aim at China, Canada, Mexico and even uninhabited islands home to only penguins and seals. A broader trade war is rattling companies and consumers around the world, but initially, semiconductors were left exempt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is until last week when the Trump administration took action that will likely result in new tariffs on semiconductors, as well as pharmaceutical products, in a greater effort to onshore manufacturing as a matter of national and economic security. According to federal notices, the administration initiated national security investigations into imports of chips and pharmaceuticals, likely setting the stage for tariffs on both. The tariffs would be issued under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to impose tariffs to protect U.S. national security. Prior to the CHIPS and Science Act, the U.S. lacked any leading-edge semiconductor fabs capable of producing the chips crucial for artificial intelligence or at the scale comparable to other countries. The U.S. relied, and still does, on foreign companies for these advanced chips. Nearly three years after Biden signed the act, semiconductor manufacturing is still largely outside of the U.S., with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's facility in Arizona, which will eventually produce 30% of the company's most advanced chips when its plants are operational, being one of the only U.S.-based facilities capable of producing these chips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not just going to happen overnight," Scott Almassy, who is a partner at global accounting firm PwC, told the American-Statesman. "It takes a while for supply chains to evolve. It took (about) 40 years for the industry to get to where it is today in terms of the whole interconnected, complex global environment. Semiconductor companies in waiting game With the Section 232 investigation pending, companies are looking for short-, medium- and long-term solutions to address the looming tariffs, but most of them are in a waiting game, according to Almassy, who leads PwC's semiconductor practice and works directly with industry leaders. The results of the investigation, Almassy said, will drive a lot of behaviors. These possible solutions range from moving supply chains and source from countries with lower tariffs, changing costs of products, looking for manufacturing partners or vendors already in the U.S. or looking into investing in facilities in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almassy said the largest hinderances, beyond time, are education and costs. "That's just how the economy has been constructed over time. ... So, one is cost, that's the longer-term reason why there's less of (semiconductor manufacturing) in the U.S. Because the U.S. is focused a lot more on research and development. There's a push for that. The second thing, though, is do we have the skill set and the knowledge and the employee base in the U.S. to manufacture these semiconductors. Cost plus labor or education, those are the things that you can't fix those overnight, right?" U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, said tariffs on semiconductors, and the likely retaliatory ones from other countries, will drastically increase costs and risk businesses and jobs. According to Doggett, some Austin-area companies are already expecting layoffs and consumers will carry the majority of the costs related to the tariffs. The tariffs are already expected to cost chip equipment makers more than $1 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After proclaiming that 'tariff' is the most beautiful word in the dictionary, Trumps erratic actions have created a climate of chaos and uncertainty that discourages business investment. ... The Trump approach penalizes Austin area manufacturers, who design cutting-edge chips that are manufactured abroad," Doggett told the American-Statesman. "Trumps tariff tax on raw wafers, chemicals and other critical supplies needed to make chips here will have the opposite effect by making it significantly more expensive to produce semiconductors and the many critical technologies they enable, like artificial intelligence. And retaliation from other countries may also limit access to essential materials. Trump is endangering the economic and national security interests we have in U.S. companies maintaining cost-competitive access to these materials." According to Almassy, semiconductor tariffs will raise the price of virtually everything. More: Trump's tariffs could raise the price of your next iPhone. Here's by how much Almassy's belief, he said, is that the Trump administration is taking special considering for the semiconductor and health care industries with the Section 232 investigation due to how essential they are for everyday life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Semiconductors power everything from phones and computers to refridgerators, cars, televisions, lightbulbs, medical devices and more, and Almassy thinks that is why Trump is especially concerned with tariffs on the essential technology. Almassy expressed concern about how the tariffs would be implemented. He noted that many devices and everyday appliances contain multiple semiconductors. If tariffs are applied to each semiconductor in an import, he worries that costs could escalate rapidly. "Semiconductors, they power everything. ... It could very much impact the cost of things that maybe were not quite that significant, but it escalates very quickly," Almassy said. Some manufacturers and lawmakers, however, believe tariffs are needed to spur U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin said some of the chamber's members are optimistic about increased foreign direct investment and the possibility for more manufacturing dollars to pour into Texas. Kevin Fincher, CEO of Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, said the tariffs are a matter of national security and therefore are essential to decouple from China. "Manufacturers who have supply chain in China are going to feel it the most," Fincher told the American-Statesman. "So, when you look at global tariff policy, and again, what I'll go back to is the U.S.'s intent is to decouple from China, and it is working the tariff policy to get other countries, like the (European Union), to also decouple from China. ... China is an adversary. People need to understand that China is an adversary, and you cannot have your industrial-based manufacturing in an adversarial country. That is the national security issue that is being addressed right now." Still, Fincher said, global supply chains and workforces cannot be moved or generated overnight. There are going to be growing pains, he said, and consumers and companies alike will feel the costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, echoed those sentiments to the American-Statesman in a statement, saying while onshoring manufacturing is necessary, manufacturing capacity cannot increase overnight. "It wont happen overnight," McCaul said. "In the meantime, I urge the administration to maintain U.S. access to the semiconductor chips we need from other nations as we work to re-shore these crucial national security assets and put America first. More: What is a reciprocal tariff? What Texas lawmakers had to say about Trump's new tariff plan While the Austin-area has certainly grown to be a leader in the semiconductor industry in the U.S., large-scale manufacturing in the Lone Star State is still nascent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Samsung Electronics' manufacturing facility in Taylor, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, is not expected to come online until, at the earliest, 2026. Texas Instruments is still in the early stages for its $30 billion 300-millimeter semiconductor wafer fabrication plants in Sherman. Other semiconductor companies have headquarters or offices in Texas, like Tokyo Electron Ltd., or TELL, a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing that opened its new U.S. headquarters in Austin last week. At the TEL ribbon-cutting last week, Zentaro Naganuma, the Consul-General of Japan in Houston, told the audience that America and Japan need greater cooperation to support semiconductor manufacturing. He emphasized that semiconductors are essential to the global economy and supply chain, and that partnerships are even more important in times of tariffs Mark Dougherty, Tokyo Electron America & TEL Manufacturing and Engineering America president, told reporters at the ribbon-cutting that more and more people are becoming aware of semiconductors and their necessary presence in everyday lives. Outside of Japan, U.S. is home to TEL's only other manufacturing footprint and largest research and development footprint. Dougherty described the new headquarters opening was "great timing" in terms of the greater global economy. "The populace at large is becoming more and more aware of 'what are semiconductors? Why do they matter? How do we make them?' And certainly, at the state and federal level, of course, this is much more in the daily dialog," Dougherty said. "We have not just what I would call a narrative, but really a core set of, here is how we are building our business that, in large measure, is intended to be able to support the regrowth or return or expansion of the semiconductor industry here in the United States." At the end of the day, Almassy said the semiconductor industry is left with a level of uncertainty over what happens next. "The lack of certainty about where things are headed, it's causing some consternation with regard to decision making. I wouldn't say any companies are just sitting on their hands, hoping things go away. Obviously, everybody's scenario planning and trying to figure out what they can do. Maybe the 232 investigation will add some clarity to it? But then again, you've also got 70+ countries that have to negotiate trade deals. What's that interplay look like?" This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Semiconductor industry waits to see impacts of potential tariffs AUSTIN (KXAN) As part of Aprils meeting of Austins LGBTQ Quality Of Life Advisory Commission, the group asked members of the LGBTQ community to tell the commission about its interactions with Austin police officers. We welcome both positive and negative comments, the commissions chair, John Scott Neal, said in a media advisory. You can learn more about the commission here. The official agenda item regarding this discussion states Discussion with Austin Police Department on the state of its and its officers relations with the LGBTQIA+ community, including existing, pending and potential efforts to improve understanding, relations, and accountability. Public comment opens with discussion about March APD arrest In March, video went viral of police arresting an individual community members and some city council members said was a member of the trans community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brianna Arredondo, a bystander, who took the below video of the arrest, spoke at the start of Mondays meeting There was outrage online over the footage. KXAN spoke with APD about the arrest before publishing a story containing the video. The department said officers observed a physical disturbance in a crowd of people. Officers identified an intoxicated individual in a black dress that was attempting to engage in physical confrontations with other pedestrians in the area. KXANs Grace Reader previously reported that APD said officers blew their whistles, and the crowd began to disperse. Then, APD said the subject in the black dress, which matches the description of the person in the fast-spreading video on social media, moved to the side of a building and started swinging a closed fist twice at the face of another individual.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arredondo, as well as another speaker, addressed frustration both the incident itself and APDs subsequent response during Mondays meeting. Will you allow police to continue to do this to our communities? Arredondo said during public comment. APD staff is also in attendance. Check back for updates. Commissioners take turns asking questions While the meeting room was packed, no members of the public signed up to speak on the agenda item related to police relations. The agenda item instead included each of the commissioners asking APD various questions on the topics. The topics included: Use of force How APD communicates updates on Internal Affairs investigations Why APD doesnt have an LGBTQ unit Questions about the aforementioned downtown arrest Whether APD tracks crimes against members of the LGBTQ community Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department was also asked if it would be willing to participate in a more robust town-hall-style meeting to take additional input from the community, to which APD Chief of Staff Robin Henderson responded absolutely. KXAN will update you if and when such an event is scheduled. Austin police hosting international LGBTQ+ conference in August From Aug. 5-9, APD is hosting the 2025 World LGBTQI+ Conference for Criminal Justice Professionals alongside Austins branch of the Lesbian and Gay Peace Officers Association. The five-day event includes speeches, panels, breakout sessions and networking opportunities. You can learn more about the conference here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed as "propaganda" an op-ed by Russias ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, amid concerns of Moscow increasing its military presence in the region. In the op-ed published in The Jakarta Post on April 19, Tolchenov claimed that Australia lacks the geopolitical weight to counter Russian military manoeuvres in the Indo-Pacific. Tolchenov's remarks appeared to reference unconfirmed reports of a potential Russian military base on Indonesias Biak Island, an area located strategically close to northern Australia around 1,360 kilometers away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles asserting there is "no prospect" of Russian aircraft being based in Indonesia, both Marles and Albanese have avoided confirming or denying whether Russia ever made such a request. Indonesian officials have also not publicly denied that a request may have been submitted. "It is hard to imagine that any ordinary Australians should be concerned about what is happening 1,300 kilometers from their territory, about matters that concern relations between other sovereign states and have nothing to do with Australia," Tolchenov said. "Perhaps it would be better for them to pay attention to the United States Typhon medium-range missile system in the Philippines, which will definitely reach the territory of the continent?" he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tolchenov said that Australia is trying to play the "Russian card" and show who is more "Russophobic," against the backdrop of upcoming Australian elections. "I would like to remind them of the words of U.S. President Donald Trump, which he pronounced in the White House on Feb. 28, 2025, to the Ukrainian citizen 'Z' 'You have no cards.'" When again asked about reports of Russia's alleged request for a base in Indonesia at a press conference on April 21, Albanese criticized the opposition for amplifying Russian disinformation and said there is no credible prospect of such a base, thus there was no need for official briefings on the matter. "Im anti-Russia," he said, adding: "Im not sure that everyone is on that page, but I think that Russia has very different values under an authoritarian leader." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have no wish to help promote Russias propaganda messages, and I would suggest that that is not in Australias national interest either," he added. Australia has been one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters in its fight against Russia's full-scale invasion. Australia is considering joining the European-led coalition of the willing to support a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine, a statement issued by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Stamer's office read on March 8. Starmer announced on March 2 that a number of European nations, including the U.K. and France, are developing a 'coalition of the willing' that will include "planes in the air and boots on the ground" in an effort to secure a successful ceasefire in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Trump hopes to end war this week. Heres what you need to know Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Australia's major political parties paused campaigning on Tuesday following the death of Pope Francis, with leaders paying tribute to the late pontiff as early voting opens in the May 3 federal election. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended a morning mass at Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral, while opposition leader Peter Dutton said he would spend the day "reflecting" and added today was not the day for "big politicking," broadcaster ABC reported. According to news agency AAP, both leaders cancelled scheduled campaign events but will proceed with the third leaders' debate on Tuesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albanese, a Catholic, called Pope Francis "one of the most significant of all the holy fathers," praising his humility and focus on social justice. Flags on Commonwealth buildings would be lowered to half-mast in tribute on Tuesday, the government said. By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he expects to receive pressure from social media giants to ease Australia's impending ban on children using their platforms, with opposition Liberal leader Peter Dutton keen to agree with him in an election debate on Tuesday. President Donald Trump's U.S. administration has already raised the issue on behalf of the firms, mostly U.S.-based, in relation to trade tariff negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the televised event ahead of a national election on May 3, Albanese and Dutton both pledged strong support for laws that force social media companies to negotiate to pay for local news hosted on their platforms, and that will restrict access to X, Facebook, Instagram and others by children aged under 16 from December. Albanese said his government "won't budge" on the issue. "The social media ban that Australia is implementing with bipartisan support is world-leading," Albanese said during the debate on the Nine Network. "There's no question in my mind that in the lead-up to December, when it comes into force, you will see major pressure being placed by some of the social media giants." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dutton said his Liberal and National coalition was "on a unity ticket" with Albanese's Labor Party on the issue. He said multinational technology companies "just see our kids as a commodity, as a profit line online". "We have worked really hard to hold those companies to account," he said, "to provide a safer place online and to make sure the big media companies treat our kids with respect according to the law, and it is not this lawless zoo." Nine's panel declared Dutton the winner of the third leaders' debate. Opinion polls indicate Dutton is falling behind Albanese in a tight contest where cost-of-living pressures and housing are the major issues for voters. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Kevin Liffey) By Alasdair Pal and Lucy Craymer SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cancelled some of his election campaigning events on Tuesday to mark the death of Pope Francis, while people across the Pacific region mourned his passing. Albanese, educated in Catholic schools, attended a mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne. "The holy father was one of the most consequential leaders of this century and of our lifetime. He was, indeed, the people's Pope," Albanese, in a black suit and tie, told a news conference, adding he had paused election campaigning on Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prime minister said government flags would fly at half mast as a sign of respect for Pope Francis. "He was tireless in advocating for the powerless, campaigning against poverty, for the rights of working people and for protecting our natural environment," Albanese said. Early voting opens on Tuesday for the Australian elections scheduled for May 3. Opposition leader Peter Dutton said he believed that campaigning could happen but it would be a respectful day. The leaders debate scheduled for Tuesday evening is expected to go ahead. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, said in a statement that the popes death did not come as a surprise given his age and declining health, but the news was received with great sadness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Christianity widespread across the Pacific and large Catholic populations in a number of Pacific islands, including Tonga and Papua New Guinea, the pontiff's death is expected to be felt widely. Masses are planned in Australia, New Zealand and across the Pacific to pray for Pope Francis ahead of his funeral. Solomon Islands Archbishop Christopher Cardone said a big mass would be held on Friday at the Holy Cross Cathedral to mark his death with politicians and diplomats expected to attend. "(Pope Francis') ecumenical spirit and commitment to social and ecological justice and in particular, leadership grounded in compassion for the vulnerable ... were an inspiration, the Pacific Conference of Churches, which includes Catholic and Protestant churches, added in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four cardinals from Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Papua New Guinea are expected to head to Rome to participate in the conclave to select the next pope. (Reporting by Lucy Craymer and Alasdair Pal; Editing by Sonali Paul) Authorities are investigating after a 22-year-old man died in custody at the Marion County Jail. Foul play is not suspected, according to a news release from the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Carlos Gerardo Gonzalez-Hernandez was found unresponsive at the Adult Detention Center at around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday. On-site medical staff rendered aid until paramedics arrived. First aid continued until Gonzalez-Hernandez was declared dead at 3:12 a.m. The cause of death was not immediately available. No physical trauma or serious medical illness was found during an autopsy, and toxicology results remain pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez-Hernandez's death is being investigated by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the MCSO Internal Affairs Unit, the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency and the Marion County Coroner's Office. Gonzalez-Hernandez was booked into jail on March 26, according to court records. He faced charges including burglary, criminal trespass and battery after police said he broke into a business earlier that month. The judge in the case had ordered a competency hearing weeks before Gonzalez-Hernandez's death. Israel Nunez Cruz, who was Gonzalez-Hernandez's attorney at the time of his death, said his family wants to have a second autopsy performed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Left to die: Indianas county jails are home to a hidden epidemic thats growing worse Four men died at the Marion County Jail in 2024. Bailey Lyle, 27, and Richard Goode, 29, both died of accidental drug intoxication. Magic Dumes, 33, died of choking and Carlos Lagunes-Franchescy, 41, died of natural causes. This story was updated to add new information. Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Man dies in Marion County jail, law enforcement investigating John Paul II was a Pope who was a great fan of cinema, who even worked in a theater company in Nazi-occupied Poland and wrote three plays (later adapted into films). Francis was a Pope who loved film and television, and who understood how to spread his message through the screen. Whether in fiction or factual documentary, Jorge Mario Bergoglio starred in the following productions: Francis: Pray for me (2015) Dario Grandinetti, as the Pope in 'Francis: Father Jorge.' Director Beda Docampo Feijoo (born in Spain, but Argentinian, as his family emigrated when he was just a few months old) cast Dario Grandinetti as the Pope shortly after the start of his papacy (he was elected on March 13, 2013). In reality, through the eyes of a Spanish journalist, played by Silvia Abascal, who is writing a report on Francis, the audience is taken through Bergoglios entire life (and thus he is played by three actors of different ages). Francis: Father Jorge offers a somewhat stiff portrait. Available on DVD, but not on streaming platforms. Call Me Francis (2015) Another work that attempts to get closer to the Pope before he was appointed Bishop of Rome. An Italian production, although with a mostly Argentinian cast, it was directed by a capable Daniele Luchetti (My Brother is an Only Child). The film version, at just over 90 minutes long, was screened in a Vatican theater in 2015. The other version, the four-hour miniseries (Chiamatemi Francesco), covers 52 years of Francis life, from 1961 to his election in 2013, and was released in 2016. As a young man, he is played by Rodrigo de la Serna (who takes up most of the film); as an adult, by Sergio Hernandez. The film is available on Tivify, and in Latin America on Netflix. Pope Francis: A Man of His Word (2018) Wim Wenders premiered his film at the Cannes Film Festival, where the German director joked that the protagonist wouldnt attend the event because its Sunday and hes working. The documentary is essentially a hagiography in which the viewer accompanies the Pope on his travels, with images interspersed with interviews Wenders conducted with the Pontiff to elicit his opinions. For the most controversial topics, the filmmaker uses a conversation with Bergoglio on the papal plane during one of his trips. Francis is a good protagonist: he knows how to speak to the camera, is convincing and elegant in his speeches, quotes Dostoevsky, jokes with his audiences, and cries out against the mistreatment of nature and the prevailing economy, which pushes many human beings to the margins of society. Available on Apple TV and Prime Video. The Two Popes (2019) 02:09 Theatrical trailer for 'The Two Popes' Jonathan Pryce, as Pope Francis in 'The Two Popes' In the history of the Catholic Church, there had never been cohabitation between a retired Pope and a sitting one, a fascinating process that Fernando Meirelles recounted in The Two Popes with Jonathan Pryce as Francis and Anthony Hopkins as Benedict XVI. The script is the work of Anthony McCarten, an expert in biographical film stories, and he succeeds when he launches into fictionalizing the conversations. The two actors and the script were nominated for an Oscar. Pryce was chosen for his undeniable resemblance; and the film was titled The Pope until Hopkins was cast and his agent imposed the change. Available on Netflix. Francesco (2020) Russian documentary filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky (who has made two excellent films on the wars in Ukraine and Syria) explored the figure of Francis through his messages on controversial topics, using all kinds of archival materials. For those convinced of the cause. Available on Apple TV. Stories of a Generation with Pope Francis (2021) A four-part series filmed with people over 70 in front of the camera. It features a diverse cast of unknown faces, from a Nigerian artist, a South African photographer, and a Vietnamese shoemaker, to Martin Scorsese, Jane Goodall, and, of course, Pope Francis, who hovers over the entire film. Their reflections cover love, lifes struggles, work, and dreams both fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled. Available on Netflix. The Letter: A Message for our Earth (2022) Produced by YouTube Originals, and therefore accessible in its entirety on the platform, this documentary by Nick Brown (an expert in nature films) describes Francis encounters with various people directly affected by the climate crisis. The encyclical Laudato Si is set in the background. Available on YouTube. In Viaggio, Traveling with Pope Francis (2022) Star Italian documentary filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi accompanied the Pope on several of his trips to complete a portrait of a Pontiff who visited 53 countries in his first nine years in office. The film was nominated for a David di Donatello, the Academy of Italian Cinemas annual awards. Available on Apple TV. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A Baker woman convicted of wire fraud after defrauding a small business in Baton Rouge was sentenced to 30 months in prison. According to the Department of Justice, Erin Jones, 49, defrauded a Baton Rouge truck and diesel engine repair services business where she worked part-time from May 2019 to April 2024. Officials said Jones access to the companys mail allowed her to get checks mailed by customers. After gaining control of each check, Jones would endorse the back of the check and deposit it into one of her own personal bank accounts, either by using an ATM or making a remote online deposit, the DOJ said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of $334,000 from 431 checks made to the company was embezzled in the years-long scheme. The DOJ said Jones hid the scheme in several ways, including using her access to the accounting program to delete underlying invoices. Small businesses are the backbones of a local economy. Employees are entrusted with duties and responsibilities that contribute to those companies either thriving or failing. Therefore, prosecuting fraud at these establishments are important, and we join our federal and local law enforcement partners in prioritizing them accordingly, Acting U.S. Attorney April Leon said. Jones was sentenced to three years of supervised release after her prison term. The court ordered her to pay $334,092.03 in restitution and entered a money judgment against Jones for an additional $334,092.03. Family accused of killing man, dumping his body on bridge plead not guilty Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A Bakersfield man pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing various drugs including fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, psilocybin and marijuana for distribution, according to the United States Department of Justice. On Aug. 10, 2023, officers executed a federal search warrant at a home in Bakersfield that served as a stash house, according to the U.S. Department of Justice in a release. The home was being used as a shop to sell psychedelic drugs psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four people arrested in Taft on suspicion of drug sales: KCSO Officers found Ramon Maldonado Jr., 33, of Bakersfield, in bed in one of the bedrooms. They seized several totes, bags and jars of psilocybin mushrooms, psilocybin and marijuana wax and edibles, marijuana, heroin and fentanyl in two rooms and the kitchen of the residence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The search also led to the discovery of a Ruger .22-caliber rifle with an inserted magazine, five semi-automatic pistol magazines and a brick of fentanyl with a Louis Vuitton imprint, the release said. In total, officers seized 5.5 pounds of fentanyl, 25.9 pounds of psilocybin, 23.4 pounds of marijuana, 20 ounces of heroin and 1.15 ounces of methamphetamine, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage The Kern County Probation Office Gang Unit and Bakersfield Police Department assisted the investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces. Sentencing is set for Aug. 4. Maldonado faces a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison, along with a $10 million fine, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. Baltimore City Public Schools and the Baltimore City States Attorneys Office both experienced cybersecurity incidents this year. A February data breach on the school system might have compromised documents of employees, students, volunteers and contractors, the district announced Tuesday. The hack was an attempted ransomware attack, said Andre Riley, executive director of communications for the school district, in response to questions before a BCPS school board meeting Tuesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district maintained access and control of its systems during the breach and did not pay a ransom to any hackers, Riley said. These folks spend all day trying to figure out how to beat you. And in this case, they found a small sliver of our security. They were able to get inside the house, Riley said. The school system sent notification letters and will provide credit-monitoring services to those affected. Its investigation found certain documents may have been compromised by criminal actors, which contained information belonging to some current and former employees, volunteers, and contractors, as well as files related to less than 1.5% of our student population, the district wrote on its website. The district said its implemented cybersecurity upgrades in response to the Feb. 13 breach. Cybersecurity experts and a law firm with expertise in helping various entities with data breaches are advising the school system not on just what happened, Riley said, but how we can be stronger the next time somebody takes a swing at us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the guidance of law enforcement and outside cybersecurity experts, we have worked diligently to determine how this incident happened, and we are taking appropriate measures to prevent a similar situation in the future, it said. City Schools deeply values the trust our students, families, and staff place in us to protect the privacy and security of their information. We regret any inconvenience or concern this incident may have caused. Background check information for contractors and volunteers, I-9 verification details and some background check information from staff, as well as some information from the files of students re-engaging with the school system, were involved in the hack, Riley said. Just over a month after the breach of City Schools, the citys states attorneys office was notified of unusual activity occurring on our network on March 19, the offices chief of communications, James Bentley, said in an email Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the investigation still active, the office is coordinating with law enforcement and enhancing its cybersecurity, Bentley said. Bentley did not respond to specific questions about the incident, including whether sensitive information was compromised. There was no known connection between the two incidents, Riley said Tuesday evening. In 2020, Baltimore Countys school system was shut down by a cyberattack that hit all its network systems. The Inspector General for Education found Baltimore County Public Schools partially responsible. Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks. In the hours following Pope Francis death Monday, leaders from Illinois including former President Barack Obama and Gov. JB Pritzker offered their condolences and urged the world to embrace the 88-year-old pontiffs legacy of humility and compassion. Heres what they had to say: Pope Francis was the rare leader who made us want to be better people. In his humility and his gestures at once simple and profound embracing the sick, ministering to the homeless, washing the feet of young prisoners he shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound by moral obligations to God and one another. Today, Michelle and I mourn with everyone around the world Catholic and non-Catholic alike who drew strength and inspiration from the Popes example. May we continue to heed his call to never remain on the sidelines of this march of living hope. Former President Barack Obama Pope Francis showed the world how to lead with empathy and humility. Extending a hand to help anyone in need, the Peoples Pope inspired millions who drew strength and compassion from him to embrace peace. May his memory be a blessing. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker His legacy will live in the hearts of millions of people throughout the world who took comfort in his message at a time in which tyranny looms and clerics are using religion and other etiological frames to divide the world. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Pope Francis was a pillar of the Catholic Church, a beacon of hope, compassion and light in times of fear, hatred and darkness. Throughout his life, he taught us that in order to be great, we have to be good. He urged each of us to care for the poor, feed the hungry, be humble stewards of the Earth and treat others how we would want to be treated ourselves even if they pray or live differently than us. His teachings remain as important as ever. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois We have lost the messenger, but we must hold fast to the message of Pope Francis to love and respect one another. In a world of hate and fear, Pope Francis message of peace and understanding is needed now more than ever. We should honor the Pope with a Francis Day of world peace: Stop the bombing in Ukraine and Gaza; feed the dying in Sudan and around the globe; and show kindness to one another. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois In our Illinois communities as throughout the world, people of all backgrounds and all beliefs mourn the passing of Pope Francis. That is a testament to the scope of a ministry focused on love and inclusion, and grounded in humility and humanity. While his service is now concluded, Pope Francis enduring gift to us all is the model of servant leadership he lived, which now more than ever we must all strive to carry forward. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside Pope Francis reinvigorated my faith in the Roman Catholic Church, and my belief that our Catholicism is about tending to the least among us. As a Jesuit, he affirmed that we are to be men and women for others. Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park It is with great sadness that I have learned of his Holiness Pope Francis passing, but I also want to express my gratitude for his homily of compassion, humility and service. The faith and leadership he displayed as a disciple of Christ was a remarkable example for all of us. I am thinking of and praying for all my fellow Catholics who are mourning his passing today. Illinois Senate GOP leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove The world has lost a great messenger for peace and compassion. Pope Francis spent his life in service to those less fortunate and used his influence as Pope to advance the causes of environmentalism, peace and equality. He led with humility and the biblical call to welcome all, including refugees and immigrants. At all times, Pope Francis reminded the world that the root of the Catholic faith is in aiding the poor, voiceless and disadvantaged. It was one of the great honors of my career to attend Pope Francis address to Congress in 2015. My thoughts are with the millions of Catholics who mourn his passing, and I stand with those around the world who grieve the loss of this moral giant. In these difficult times, the best way to honor Pope Francis memory is to follow his example by extending mercy and kindness to all those around us. U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago Pope Francis progressive legacy expands past the Church, being an advocate for peace for every person and community across the world. His perspective on interfaith dialogue and social justice paved the way for positive reforms in the Catholic community. He consistently drew attention to the plight of the poor and warned against a culture of indifference towards marginalized populations. He condemned the criminalization and deportation of immigrants and approved several measures that made the Catholic church more accepting of LGBTQ+ people. He condemned the bombing of civilians in Gaza. In 2015, he called for the world to take action against global warming and environmental degradation in his second encyclical Laudato Si. Through his sympathy and social consciousness, he emphasized the importance of humanitarianism and revitalized the hope of many. He was particularly loved in the Latino Catholic community as the first Pope of Latin American origin. My social values have and will always be tied to my upbringing as a Catholic, and I will remember Pope Francis as a leader deeply committed to faith and justice. U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, D-Chicago I am saddened to learn about the passing of Pope Francis. Throughout his time in ministry and his historic tenure as Pope, he was committed to living a life of faith, compassion and service to others. It was an honor to attend his joint address before Congress in 2015, the first Pope to do so. I join the world in honoring his legacy, and ensuring that his memory lives on with Christians all over the world. U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria Pope Francis led with humility, compassion and courage transcending borders and faiths in his call to serve the least among us. May Catholics and all who mourn his passing take comfort in knowing his legacy of peace and justice will endure. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg Pope Francis was a kind and compassionate leader for millions of his supporters around the world and he will be deeply missed. May his lifelong legacy of helping those in need serve as an example to many others. U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline _____ Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a proposed budget on Monday that would eliminate a nearly $1-billion financial gap by cutting more than 2,700 city positions about 1,650 of them through layoffs. The $14-billion spending plan, which covers the 2025-26 fiscal year, would provide funding for scores of new hires at the Fire Department, three months after the Palisades fire destroyed thousands of homes and killed 12 people. However, many other agencies would face deep spending reductions, with layoffs hitting 5% of the workforce as the city copes with rising personnel costs, soaring legal payouts and a slowdown in the local economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Three months after Palisades fire, mayor proposes adding more than 200 LAFD jobs At the Los Angeles Police Department, more than 400 workers would be targeted for layoffs, all of them civilians, according to figures prepared by city budget officials. The number of police officers would continue on its gradual downward trajectory, with new hires failing to keep pace with attrition. By July 1, 2026, the LAPD would have 8,639 officers the lowest level since 1995, according to city budget officials. Five years ago, the department had about 10,000 officers. Last week, the department reported that it had 8,735. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bass, during her State of the City address on Monday, described the layoff strategy as "a decision of absolute last resort." In recent weeks, she and other city officials have been lobbying Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature to provide a relief package that would stave off most or even all of those job cuts. The mayor is scheduled to make another trip to Sacramento on Wednesday. "I believe there are some solutions, like from the state, that will help us so that we dont have to do layoffs ultimately," Bass said last week at an event hosted by Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles. Nearly 1,100 of the positions targeted for elimination by Bass are already vacant, city budget officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor's spending plan heads to the City Council's budget committee for several weeks of deliberations. If the council does not change course and state financial aid fails to materialize, the city would lay off an estimated 62 workers in the Animal Services Department, which has struggled to provide humane care for the animals in its shelters. More than 260 workers in the Transportation Department have been targeted for layoffs, according to city budget officials. An additional 159 layoffs are planned at the Bureau of Sanitation, which handles trash pickup and the removal of bulky items such as mattresses and couches from the curb. At the Bureau of Street Services, which oversees street repairs, the mayor's budget recommends 130 layoffs, according to a summary prepared by city budget analysts. Read more: In State of the City speech to a battered Los Angeles, Bass strikes hopeful tone On Monday, one union leader vowed to stop those cuts from happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to fight every single layoff. Even one layoff is too many," said David Green, president of Service Employees International Union Local 721, which represents more than 10,000 city workers. Green said his union is putting together a coalition of labor leaders to head to Sacramento to voice their support for Bass' request for state financial assistance. Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who represents part of the Eastside, also voiced alarm at the planned reductions. "It already takes us 10 years to fix the sidewalk, five years to put in a full handicapped curb, a year to fix a streetlight. We can't afford to slow down city services any longer," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, appearing Monday evening at a community meeting on the budget, expressed concern about the proposal to lay off hundreds of civilian workers at the LAPD, calling it "problematic." If those desk jobs disappear, police officers will have to pick up the extra work, she said. Yaroslavsky said she suspects the LAPD layoff proposal is part of a larger strategy to force the city's unions to make financial concessions. "My guess is that's part of it," she said. "Because I don't think anybody thinks eliminating those civilian positions is smart from a public safety standpoint." City labor negotiators have already begun speaking to union leaders about postponing this year's raises, which are expected to cost about $250 million. No deals have been announced so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City Council has taken other steps to address the budget gap in recent weeks, voting to approve a major hike in the trash fees collected from single-family homes and apartments with up to four units. That increase is expected to generate as much as $90 million in the upcoming budget year. Read more: Huge trash fee hike looms for L.A. residents The mayor's spending plan does protect some core services. Hours at libraries and recreation centers will be maintained, according to the mayor's budget team. Szabo, the top municipal budget analyst, said the spending plan would provide the Fire Department with money to hire an additional 227 employees, roughly half of them firefighters. As part of that expansion, the department would create a new program for addressing homelessness, one that includes street medicine teams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bass' budget calls for the city to combine several smaller agencies into a single entity. Under her proposal, the Department of Aging, the Youth Development Department and the Economic and Workforce Development Department would be merged into the Community and Investment Department. The city would also shut down citizen commissions that focus on health, innovation and climate change. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Anguish pulses through the veins, the stomach tightens like a prune, the head seems to throb, and the world moves a couple of revolutions faster than recommended. The symptoms are familiar, but the underlying mechanisms less so. Hangovers are a relatively unknown phenomenon in science. Researching them isnt a top priority in terms of funding or healthcare interest. But hangovers can tell us a lot about our minds, our guts, and the epidemiology of alcoholism. Some studies have aimed to investigate what happens in our brains when we feel them exploding. And why the punishment seems so arbitrary: some people suffer hangovers that last for several days, while a lucky few (more than 20%) seem to be immune to the curse of the morning after. When metabolizing alcohol, the body breaks it down into acetaldehyde, a chemical compound 20 times more toxic. A hangover may be the consequence of this process. Scientists arent entirely sure why this happens. There are many hypotheses, says Magdalena Sastre, professor of molecular neuroscience at Imperial College London. And studies like the one she supervised in 2020 are trying to prove them. In it, researchers analyzed how a hangover affected a handful of mice. They measured their neural circuits, the proteins and neurotransmitters they secreted, and also monitored their behavior. We saw that it wasnt just neuronal changes that occurred during alcohol intoxication. When blood alcohol levels dropped to zero, when the hangover began, changes occurred that could sometimes be even higher. That surprised us, she explains. These changes involved brain inflammation, neurotransmitter alterations, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria are the organisms that produce energy in the cell, so if they dont function properly, the entire system collapses. There are other factors that contribute to this discomfort, adds Sastre, such as dehydration, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. All of this translates into general malaise, affecting the stomach, the head, or even the emotions, generating a feeling of anguish or anxiety that has come to be known as hangxiety, or emotional hangover. Its not a myth, confirms Sastre. We also performed anxiety tests on animals and confirmed an increase. But why does this phenomenon occur? First, alcohol mimics a calming brain chemical called GABA, which is one of the reasons drinking can put us in a relaxed state. But when the binge wears off, the body struggles to normalize its chemistry, reducing the calming activity of GABA and increasing that of an excitatory chemical called glutamate, which has the opposite effect and makes us feel restless and excited. Furthermore, alcoholic drinks are very sugary, and after metabolizing it, blood sugar drops. In response, the body releases stress hormones. Theres one last addition, more psychological than biological. If you have a bad hangover, its because you got really drunk the night before. And who knows what you did? The memory lapses, the guilt after the inhibition, retracing the steps of the so-called walk of shame, isnt always a good idea. All of these processes create a hormonal cocktail thats difficult to digest, which can lead to an anxiety attack. A hangover is such a broad condition that its difficult to describe. A study from Oxford University identified drowsiness and impaired cognitive function as its two main symptoms, but researchers identified as many as 47 overall. These manifest individually and are highly variable. Or they dont even manifest at all. Because yes, there are people who dont suffer from a hangover. In 2008, researchers stumbled upon this phenomenon by accident. We wanted to test a U.S. federal regulation that governs alcohol consumption in safety-sensitive professions trucking, commercial aviation, merchant marine, nuclear power plant workers, that sort of thing, Jonathan Howland, professor emeritus at Boston University School of Medicine and one of the papers authors, explains in a text exchange. The idea was to see if these people could perform their jobs after a night of heavy drinking. They expected some variability, but they didnt expect to find people who were entirely unscathed by a hangover. Over the course of six trials involving approximately 600 people, we found that about 23% of participants reported not having a hangover, he explains. This wasnt just their word; they didnt display outward symptoms either. It was a subjective measure, but Howland reviewed the scientific literature and found similar percentages in experimental studies and surveys. This led to the publication of the hangover resilience hypothesis, he explains. We even conducted an exploratory genetic study to assess whether there might be a genetic basis for this strange resilience. Their results have been inconclusive, so Howland appeals to the scientific community: This is potentially important and deserves further study because it could contribute to our understanding of alcohol use disorder, he notes. As for those unfortunate enough to suffer two-day hangovers, even after moderate consumption, researchers have a few theories. The leading hypothesis is that some people may be genetically predisposed to more severe hangovers; they have an abnormally intense reaction to metabolizing alcohol, which can lead to more intense and persistent headaches. Their immune system may struggle to defend itself against the effects of alcohol, which can exacerbate and prolong the overall feeling of malaise. Other biological factors may also contribute, such as a greater sensitivity to brewers yeast or sulfites in wine. Reactions are highly individual and difficult to identify. The only thing that seems clear is that hangovers worsen with age. As we age, the liver processes alcohol less well and has a harder time metabolizing it, which could explain why hangovers are more intense over time. Alcohol is worse for those who suffer from stomach problems, and these are more common as we age. However, the limited scientific literature does not confirm this idea. A 2015 study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health observed how young adults had, on average, more severe hangovers than their elders with the same amount of alcohol consumed. The explanation they found is that increased experience with alcohol is associated with greater acute tolerance to it. Gender, which was also analyzed in this study, did not appear to be a determining factor. Another study, from 2021, reached the same conclusion, speaking of milder hangovers as the years go by. The explanation it gave for them being even more painful: Hangover severity decreases with age, it concluded. But pain sensitivity, which is lower with aging, could be a mediator. So, hangovers are less common, but we complain a lot more. These are population studies; they dont explain the neurological mechanisms of hangovers, but rather analyze them based on the self-reports of those who suffer from them, so their results should be taken with a pinch of salt. In any case, all experts agree, more research is needed to understand the complicated mechanisms of hangovers, to explain their high variability and whether this may have any relationship with alcohol abuse disorders. Suffering from a hangover can be tough; understanding it will be liberating. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A Baton Rouge man was arrested on attempted murder and weapons charges after police say he fired shots at his neighbor during a dispute, then continued to fire from inside his home during a standoff with officers. Jacques Daniels, 54, was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on Saturday, April 19. He faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities. According to an arrest affidavit, officers with the Baton Rouge Police Department responded shortly after 2 a.m. to the 800 block of N. 47th Street. A man told police he and Daniels had argued over Daniels allegedly throwing trash into his yard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The neighbor said Daniels then fired a gun at him. A second shot was reportedly fired when the mans son came outside. Police said Daniels refused to come out of his home when ordered and continued firing shots from inside the house. No injuries were reported in the affidavit. Daniels was eventually taken into custody after the standoff ended. The investigation is ongoing. Judge orders suspect in Baton Rouge teens death held until grand jury decision Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating a homicide after a woman was found dead Monday morning inside an apartment. Shaquinnta Scott, 34, was located around 10 a.m. April 21 in the 700 block of Monet Drive near Florida Boulevard. Scotts death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy. If anyone has information that could help investigators, call the Violent Crimes Unit at 225-389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge orders suspect in Baton Rouge teens death held until grand jury decision Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Voters across Bay County will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots in the 2025 Municipal Elections. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Panama City, Lynn Haven, and Mexico Beach. Here are the designated polling locations by area: Panama City Ward 1: Panama City Hall 501 Harrison Avenue Ward 2: A.D. Harris Learning Village 819 E. 11th Street Ward 3: Mathison Retirement Community 3637 W. Highway 390 Ward 4: Frank Nelson Clubhouse 4201 W. 22nd Street Lynn Haven Lynn Haven Senior Center 905 Pennsylvania Avenue Mexico Beach First Baptist Church of Mexico Beach 823 N. 15th Street Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents are reminded to bring a valid form of photo identification to vote and to check their voter registration information ahead of time. For additional information or assistance, contact the Bay County Supervisor of Elections office or visit their official 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 mypanhandle.com. EXCLUSIVE: The BBCs workplace culture review, which was sparked by the revelations about ex-newsreader Huw Edwards, will publish in just a few days time. Deadline has seen an all-staff email from BBC Chair Samir Shah inviting the corporations circa-21,000 employees to a town hall on Monday, at which point the findings of the review will be revealed. Following this 11 a.m. GMT (3 a.m. PT) meeting, we are told the report will be sent out to press and published, with insiders stressing that staff will be talked through the findings first. The town hall will take place in the BBCs Radio Theatre at New Broadcasting House HQ in London. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an important moment for our BBC, and I hope as many of you as possible, from across the entire BBC Group, can join us either online or in person, Shah wrote in his all-staffer. He thanked all those who have contributed for helping to ensure that this is a valuable and meaningful piece of work for the BBC. The nations oldest public broadcaster has not exactly been shy of publishing reviews over the past decade or so but this workplace culture deep dive, which was compiled by management consultancy Change Associates, is one of its highest profile. The review was commissioned after ex-news anchor Edwards pled guilty to making indecent images of children a few months after exiting the corporation. A separate, more targeted review has already unearthed failings at the BBC with regards Edwards. Led by Change Associates Grahame Russell, the review has examined areas including whether there are further practical steps the BBC can take to ensure everyone at the BBC understands and commits to our Values and Code of Conduct, how the BBC can ensure the consequences of inappropriate behaviour and abuse of power are understood by everyone and whether there is more we can do to ensure people feel confident to speak up and for managers and leaders to act decisively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BBC Director General Tim Davie has previously said he wants Change Associates to make practical recommendations about how managers can create a culture where there is zero tolerance for wrongdoing. Insiders have previously told us they would dish dirt to the review, which has been forged as a string of top BBC talent have been outed for bad behavior including Jermaine Jenas, Gregg Wallace and, most recently, Breakfast boss Richard Frediani. A BBC review into Russell Brand, who is now facing criminal charges, has also published during this period. Change Associates review comes more than a decade after the BBCs 2013 Respect at Work Review led by barrister Dinah Rose in the wake of the Jimmy Savile allegations. This review resulted in a deluge of complaints about BBC power players from nearly 1,000 staff including allegations of a manager sexting graduates and a female journalist being offered a promotion on the condition of a sexual liaison at her bosss country cottage. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BROOME COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) If you have expired or unused prescription drugs wasting away in your cabinet, you may want to consider giving them back this weekend across Broome County. The Broome County Sheriffs Office, in conjunction with the Broome County Health Department, will be hosting the Drug Enforcement Administrations prescription drug take back initiative at multiple locations on Saturday, April 26. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents are encouraged to turn in expired and unused medications for disposal, preferably in the original container with the label intact. Those participating can cross their names off the label if they wish. All prescription medications, ointments, and sprays will be accepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can drop off your prescriptions at the following locations: Broome County Sheriffs Office 155 Lt. VanWinkle Dr., Binghamton Johnson City Elks Lodge 4212 Watson Blvd., Johnson City UHS Vestal 4417 Vestal Pkwy East, Vestal West Endicott Fire Department 113 N. Page Ave., Endicott West Windsor Fire Department 9 Karla Dr., Windsor Whitney Point Fire Department 2665 Main St., Whitney Point, NY Sharps (needles, syringes, and lancets) will not be accepted as part of the DEA Take Back Day. For a list of places to dispose of sharps safely, click the link 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 WIVT - News 34. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Beavercreek community is doing its part in the Creekside Reserve Clean Up Challenge this Earth Day. From 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, volunteers will clean up debris and trash that found its way into the water due to this seasons flooding and heavy rain. This cleanup is critical for the local wildlife and the water quality. Greene County Parks & Trails and Greene County Sanitary Engineering have partnered to host the event. It aims to protect the local environment and promote community stewardship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top picks to be more sustainable this Earth Day Volunteers are encouraged to dress for the occasion and wear long sleeves, pants and closed-toe shoes. Waders and gloves are highly recommended. Onion bags will be provided at the event for trash collection. There will be fun incentive awards, including Most Trash Collected, Oddest Item Found, Best Dressed for Earth Day and more. Creekside Reserve is located at 761 Factory Road, Beavercreek. To learn more about Greene County Parks & Trails, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. (NewsNation) If youve been thinking about buying a new couch, sneakers or even chocolate, the time might be now. The Trump administrations sweeping tariffs will likely result in higher costs for many imported products and a lot of uncertainty. What I wouldnt do is make any big, life-changing purchases or changes in spending based on the current situation, because you just dont know whats going to change next week, said Rita McGrath, professor at the Columbia School of Business. Will gas prices go up this summer? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just imported goods anticipating price hikes, as domestic brands often follow suit to keep pace. Here are some products you might want to stock up on ahead of summer: Sofas and furniture Electronics Home appliances Apparel and shoes Imported foods Sofas and furniture Need a cheap bedside table or bookshelf? Businesses like Ikea a Swedish company will see costs jump due to tariffs. Sofas, furniture, home kind of things. Those have been outsourced for decades now, McGrath said. And the ability to make those things at a price Americans would find acceptable in this country is nearly impossible. Coffee, chocolate and sugar The United States imports most of its coffee from Brazil and Colombia, which face tariffs from Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Hawaii does grow coffee, Americans drink more than 200 times the amount that can be grown on the islands. 67% of CEOs surveyed disapprove of Trumps tariffs Similarly, Hawaii is the sole American source of chocolate, with the U.S. importing 80% of its cocoa beans from Latin American countries. Vanilla, predominantly imported from Madagascar and Indonesia, will also see hefty price hikes. Sugar imports primarily come from Latin America and the Philippines. Clothes and shoes Popular clothing and shoe brands like Nike, Adidas, Gap, H&M and online retailer Amazon rely on factories around the world for production. Fashion in particular is based in Vietnam, Bangladesh and China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson from the U.S. Fashion Industry Association told NewsNation the stakes couldnt be higher for the fashion industry. Key fashion-producing regions face particularly harsh measures The fashion industry is bracing for the fallout, the spokesperson said. Electronics, appliances As confusion continues over whether certain electronic products, such as iPhones, will stay exempt from Trumps tariffs, overall prices are expected to rise eventually. Spending is already pulling back in the wake of the tariff news. A new study from the Kearney Consumer Institute said tariff concerns are prompting many shoppers to hold off on major purchases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tariffs will drive up prices of everyday goods from coffee to toys While the White House has delayed some tariffs for 90 days, the fast-approaching reinstatement deadline could see summer prices climb as current inventories run out. For those who frequent fast-fashion marketplaces like Shein or Temu, prices are expected to rise later this week. NewsNations Steph Whiteside, Brian Entin and The Associated Presscontributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) Belvideres 2nd Ward Alderman, Natalie Mulhall, has been arrested on charges of drug possession. According to Boone County court records, Mulhall was arrested on Sunday, April 20th, and faces felony charges for possession of narcotics and misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence of alcohol. She has since been released pre-trial. Class 2 felony charges carry a standard prison sentence of 3 to 7 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mulhall, who previously served on the board of the Northwest Illinois Alliance of Realtors, was booked into the Boone County Jail early Sunday. In 2021, Mulhall won a coin toss to become the 2nd Ward Alderman, after she tied former Alderman Daniel Arevalo with 104 votes. EDITORS NOTE: A prior version of this story incorrectly stated Mulhall currently served on the board of the Northwest Illinois Alliance of Realtors. She resigned on March 20th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Police officers sign up for the badge to put their lives on the line whenever necessary, but being a living organ donor is an extra badge of honor. Benton Police Sergeant Brett Davidson is used to being the person people look to for help in an emergency, but when he learned he had end-stage kidney failure, he was the one helpless. Kind of a surprise to me because everything was great for me and then it wasnt, Davidson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loss of her daughter gave an Arkansas mother the chance to give the gift of life to another Natural State woman He needed backup, and Captain Ronnie Davidson was the first responder. Growing up, I worked off of his example. I think I get that willingness to help and serve others from him, and he just did what came naturally, Bretty Davidson stated. Ronnie and Brett are not just brothers in blue. They are father and son. I see so much of myself in him, and now I really am in there, Ronnie Davidson said with a laugh. Ronnie could share his spare kidney with his son because their blood type and antibodies matched. UAMS abdominal transplant surgeon Dr. Raj Patel stated that direct donations from living donors have lower risk and better, longer-lasting outcomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they are going through a non-direct donation, we have to line up multiple donors at different hospitals all across the country. That takes time, Patel explained. Arkansas organ recipient and donors father become found family each Christmas Not everyone has enough time. Each day, 17 people die waiting for an organ transplant, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. Most people actually dont have a living donor because a lot of the risk factors for kidney failure are genetic, Patel said. I wound up honestly being the lucky one, Ronnie Davidson added. I feel just like I did before. I may even be a little more active, a little more cognizant of my health. If anything, Im better for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In any emergency or 911 situation, Brett Davidson said you would be lucky if his dad was the one to answer the call. Theres no scenario where hes not willing to help the person next to him. It means a lot to him to help. I think thats the whole reason we do the job, Brett Davidson stated. April is Donate Life Month, and across America, over a hundred thousand men, women, and children are on the national organ transplant waiting list. 4-year-old in Sherwood dies in car accident; saves 8 children with organs While people can sign up to become organ donors on a drivers license or online, becoming a living organ donor requires extra authorization. More information can be found on UAMSHealth.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. In 2018, EL PAIS launched an investigation into pedophilia in the Spanish Church and has an updated database of all known cases. If you are aware of any cases that have not been reported, please write to us at: abusos@elpais.es. If the case is in Latin America, the address is: abusosamerica@elpais.es. Clerical pedophilia was Pope Francis most difficult battle during his 12-year pontificate, and although he personally committed himself to it, often making radical decisions, the rest of the hierarchy the bishops and the Vatican bureaucracy did not always support him. He issued regulations, always delivered harsh speeches, and exuded humanity in his encounters with victims, but the thorough cleansing and acceptance of the truth, the effective implementation of his reforms, did not depend solely on him. Francis moved in fits and starts, but there is still much to do; he was unable to handle everything alone. A common criticism from victims associations around the world is that this has been an era of fine words and many measures, but little progress. In the uneven balance of this battle, the case of Spain is significant: the Pope always looked the other way. Despite the investigation by EL PAIS, which has already revealed hundreds of cases, Francis decided to delegate management of the problem to the Spanish Church and not confront it. The result has been years of denial, inaction, and opacity, with little or no progress. When Jorge Mario Bergoglio took the Chair of St. Peter in March 2013, he continued the line of his predecessor, Benedict XVI; no obvious about-face was noticed. He assumed the Church had already reacted. Indeed, one of his first decisions was to reject the U.N.s request that year to remove from their posts and hand over to the police all those found guilty of sexual abuse of minors. Francis resisted. The responsibility lies with the judicial system, the Holy See responded. The Argentine pope had many open fronts, and among all the reforms he implemented, he decided in March 2014 to create an ad hoc body, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. However, over the years, it has contributed little and has gone through moments of crisis itself, with open criticism from some members regarding its ineffectiveness and denunciations of internal difficulties. The commission took almost 10 years to produce its first report, presented in October 2024, without impact figures or critical assessments of already known problems. It took five years for anything to change, due to a first personal experience with the scandal that altered the Popes position: the abuse cases in Chile. During his January 2018 trip to Chile and Peru, along with a heated welcome in Santiago, he also encountered protests from a group of victims attacking the bishop of the city of Osorno, accused of covering up pedophiles. The victims of the sexual assaults by priest Fernando Karadima received a terse response from the Pope: There is not a single piece of evidence against him. But that episode stirred him inside, especially after meeting with some of the victims, an experience that deeply moved him. He also realized that the information he was receiving from the bishops was unreliable. He then ordered his own investigation into the case by two of his most trusted men, the Bishop of Malta, Charles Scicluna, and the Spanish priest Jordi Bertomeu. The outcome of their report was devastating, forcing the Pope to acknowledge in a letter to the Chilean community that he had made serious errors of judgment. He summoned all of Chiles bishops to the Vatican and forced them to resign en masse in June 2018. After the Chilean Churchs hecatomb, the scandal seemed to spill over, with new cases in other countries, from Germany to Australia, sometimes accusing prominent figures, such as Cardinal and Archbishop Emeritus of Washington Theodor McCarrick, who was eventually expelled. The French Episcopal Conference also announced the launch of a major independent investigation, which concluded in 2021 with a report citing more than 330,000 cases. Similarly, the scandal began to emerge in Spain, thanks to a report by EL PAIS. In October 2018, this newspaper launched an investigation that, in its first article, counted only 34 convictions for ecclesiastical pedophilia in the previous 30 years. Today, this newspapers database, the only one in Spain that tracks the phenomenon, lists 1,550 accused and 2,870 victims. These figures were obtained with little cooperation from the Spanish Church, which denied the problem and replied that there were few cases. Faced with an avalanche of cases worldwide, in 2018 Francis thanked the press for their work, called the Church hierarchy, which looked the other way, wolves and convened bishops from around the world to a summit at the Vatican dedicated exclusively to pedophilia. In February 2019, the Pontiff approved a major reform of canon law, a motu proprio called Vos estis lux mundi, which required investigations of pedophile clerics upon knowledge of any clue, even delivered anonymously, or reports in the press. Until then, for the Church, victims who appeared in the media did not exist, only if they went to a bishop or the superior of a religious order. Francis also opened avenues for reparation for those affected and included cover-ups as a serious crime. In 2019, the Vatican published a vademecum with rules for handling cases, required each diocese to open victim assistance offices, and lifted the papal secrecy surrounding these crimes. In Spain, however, the Church resisted investigating past cases and revealing what it knew. Even at the beginning of 2021, the Episcopal Conference (CEE) was still maintaining that there were zero or very few cases in Spain. By then, this newspaper had already counted 243 accused and at least 550 victims. Francis did not comment on what was happening in Spain until the Vatican finally issued a brief statement in support of the Spanish victims, when in December 2021 EL PAIS handed the Pope a report with 251 previously unpublished cases. The impact of this work led the Spanish parliament to commission an independent investigation by the Ombudsman, and the Episcopal Conference was finally forced to undertake its own investigation: although it always said it would never do so, it commissioned an audit from a law firm. This newspaper submitted four more reports in the following years, with a total of 783 accounts in more than 1,600 pages. The Vatican has never responded to this, delegating everything to a Spanish Church that, today, has nearly 70 bishops and religious superiors accused of covering up or silencing cases. The Pope did not even react in 2023 to the survey in the Ombudsmans report, which estimated the percentage of abuse victims in the Spanish Church at 1.13% of the entire population, equivalent to about 440,000 people, according to media estimates. It was a strange silence, considering his criticism of the handling of the scandal following similar studies and reports in countries such as the United States, France, Portugal, and Italy. What is known about the scandal is, in reality, the tip of the iceberg, according to experts, and the Church has continued to move with its usual reluctance and opacity. In each diocese, the bishops continue to do as they please, and when complaints reach Rome, they get bogged down in bureaucracy. Francis achieved occasional changes, through sporadic impulses, and often nothing happened if victims or journalists managed to interview him and tell him their story. An example is the Gaztelueta case, an Opus Dei school in Biscay in the Basque Country, which was canonically closed despite the Supreme Courts condemnation of the accused teacher. However, after speaking with the victim, Francis ordered it reopened, resulting in the expulsion of the pedophile. The same thing happened with the case of the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana, a powerful ultraconservative organization in Peru. The first complaints were filed in 2001, then more reached the Archbishopric of Lima in 2011. In 2015, the scandal erupted via a book written by two journalists, Paola Ugaz and Pedro Salinas, but still no action was taken until the two reporters went to Rome to see Francis in person in 2022, to tell him personally what was happening. Then the Pope again commissioned Scicluna and Bertomeu to conduct their own investigation. In less than three years, the Sodalicio was dissolved, this very month. But if the journalists hadnt gone to see the Pope, perhaps nothing would have happened. Thousands of victims around the world havent been that lucky, and are still waiting for an answer. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) Law enforcement officers with the Craven County Sheriffs Office arrested a New Bern man on Saturday, April 19, in connection with drug crimes. The New Bern Police Department assisted the sheriffs office with a search warrant at Tatum Drive Saturday. The warrant came after information was obtained through an investigation into suspected narcotics activity. The search yielded 62 grams of methamphetamine, 122 grams of marijuana, fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. Patrick Kyle Joyce, 42 years old, was arrested and charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver a schedule II and VI controlled substances, possession of marijuana, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for the use or sale of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joyce was taken to the Craven County Detention Center where he is being held without bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. As funeral arrangements are being made for Pope Francis in Rome, Georgians are remembering his impact on their lives. Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and the Rev. Dr. Bernice King told Channel 2s Karyn Greer that they will always remember their private audience with Pope Francis, where the pontiff asked them to pray for him. I traveled to Rome, Italy. Some folks had made arrangements for me to have a private audience with the pope, King said. I saw him again in St. Peters Square. I was a special guest of the Vatican. And when I went to greet him, I said, Ive been praying for you. He said, I remember. And I was so touched that he remembered me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope Francis had an impact on people of all religions, not just Catholics. Warnock remembers his private meeting a year ago with the man he admired. RELATED STORIES: Warnock is the head of the historic church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached -- Ebenezer Baptist Church. We had a lovely meeting together; Ill never forget it. We ended it by praying together. He had a sense of humor, too. He said, Pray I want you to pray first, and he said, I want you to pray for me and not against me, Warnock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King said she hopes the legacy of Pope Francis to care for the poor and disenfranchised will continue. Theres going to be such a void. And hopefully, the person who fills those shoes as the next pope will be able to continue in that spirit of love senate, compassionate, really amongst the people. Because thats what we need now more than ever, King said. Neither are planning to attend the papal funeral, but they are hoping Pope Francis courageous voice wont be silenced and that his message of inclusion continues with whoever is chosen as the next leader of the catholic church., By David Lawder and Nupur Anand WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that he believes there will be a de-escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions, but negotiations with Beijing have not yet started and would be a "slog," according to a person who heard his closed-door presentation to investors at a JP Morgan conference. Bessent described the current bilateral trade situation as a two-way embargo, and neither side sees the status quo as sustainable, the person said. Bessent added that the Trump administration's goal was not to decouple the world's two largest economies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Bessent said that he was hoping for a "big, beautiful rebalancing" of China's economy towards more consumption and the U.S. economy towards more manufacturing, but it was unclear whether Beijing was ready to do that, the source said. Bessent spoke to a private investment conference in Washington held by JP Morgan Chase on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings. Bloomberg first reported some of his remarks from sources in the room. Bessent said that the current situation, with 145% U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods and 125% Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods, was unsustainable, saying that a de-escalation would happen over the "very near future" that would provide "a sigh of relief" for markets, the person said. Bessent's remarks added to positive corporate earnings momentum on Wall Street, which recovered from Monday's sell-off sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Major U.S. stock indexes were up more than 2% in afternoon trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bessent also signaled that the Trump administration would be willing to offer Argentinas government some financial support if a global shock derailed the South American country's economic recovery, the person said, provided that Javier Milei's government stayed the course on reforms and difficulties were not Argentina's fault. Bessent last week traveled to Buenos Aires to underscore the Trump administration's support for Argentina's reforms and new, $20 billion loan program from the IMF. (Reporting by David Lawder and Andrea Shalal, Editing by Franklin Paul and Andrea Ricci) A man from Bettendorf is in the Scott County Jail on a $15,000 cash-only bond after police say he was found with cocaine, ammunition and thousands of dollars in cash. A criminal complaint says on January 13, police executed search warrants at two residences associated with the defendant, identified as Blake Coleman, 30, as part of a narcotics investigation. Detectives found .380 ammunition, packaging material, digital scales with cocaine residue and Inositol (a common cutting agent for cocaine) in one of the homes. Coleman was allegedly found to have $1,060 in U.S. currency as well as an Apple iPhone. Blake Coleman (Scott County Jail) Detectives found a Ruger LCP .380 handgun at the other residence and over $25,000 in U.S. currency in a vehicle outside. They reviewed Colemans iPhone and found messages showing cocaine trafficking to other people. Coleman has a previous felony conviction for first-degree theft in Iowa from December 2020, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A warrant for Coleman was issued on April 17. Another criminal complaint says Davenport Police officers responded to the 5900 block of Elmore Avenue on April 21 at about 8:10 a.m. to attempt to find Coleman. Coleman was at the location and knowingly refused to answer the door after officers knocked on the door several times. Officers urged him to exit the building for over 20 minutes, but he allegedly refused to comply. Officers eventually breached the front door and Coleman said he didnt answer the door because he wanted to smoke his cigarette. Coleman was taken into custody and charged with interference with official acts, controlled substance violation and receipt/transportation/possession of a firearm by a felon. He is being held in the Scott County Jail on a $15,000 cash-only bond and has a preliminary hearing on May 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Beverly A. Pence, passed away on Friday, April 18, 2025, at the age of 87. Born on February 12, 1938, in Youngstown, Beverly was the daughter of the late John and Myrtle Jones Mohan. Find obituaries from your high school A graduate of Austintown Fitch High School in 1955, Beverly went on to receive her associates degree as an x-ray technician. Her journey led her to work at the Credit Bureau in Youngstown before she dedicated years to the Austintown Police Department in a clerical role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beverly was a passionate bowler, an active participant in the Wedgewood League and a lover of crafts, often found at local craft shows. Her love for travel and shopping adorned her life with countless cherished memories and adventures. Beverly is survived by her devoted children, Jackie Pence of Youngstown, Mark (Joney) of Toledo, Mike (Sheila) of Berlin Center, Robert of Youngstown, Eddy of Austintown and David Pence of Austintown; daughter-in-law, Tina Pence of Austintown; 15 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, all of whom will carry her spirit forward. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Grimm Pence and her son, John Pence. Family and friends may pay their respects from 10:00 10:45 a.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4490 Norquest Blvd., Austintown, OH 44515. Professional arrangements are being handled by Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Beverly Pence, please visit our flower store. A television tribute will air Wednesday, April 23 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. COLEMAN, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Penatuhkah Comanche Trails Partnership is collaborating with a vast network of organizations and individual landowners to help discover and catalog significant Native American sites throughout Texas. An arrowhead, a tree bent in just the right way, or even a specialized hole in the ground can all be signs of a historic Native American presence. The Penatuhkah Comanche Trails Partnership has a twofold mission. First, they aim to locate and protect traditional cultural properties with the help of landowners and various organizations. Second, they seek to collaborate with these entities to use their findings for education and fundraising purposes. Montie Guthrie, the Executive Director of the Penatuhkah Comanche Trails Partnership, provides details about a discovery that could be found on your own property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this area, there are a lot of what are called bedrock mortars. Theyre big pieces of rock that are the size of a pickup with holes in them as much as two feet deep, where the Comanches process their travel meat, Guthrie explained. Where the buffalo roam: A look back on a Texas mascot, and how to see one today Members of the Penatuhkah Comanche Trails Partnership, along with the Coleman community, gathered at the Coleman Museum to discuss awareness of this program in the area, hoping to identify potential sight locations for the organization. Sara LeMoine Knox, President of the Coleman Heritage Arts and Preservation Society, discussed the exciting prospect of helping to preserve undiscovered Native American history. While right now were not for sure of any particular sites within our community, we hope that maybe we can find those, preserve them, work with landowners, and also work with the Comanche culture so that they can preserve their history, and we can also be educated on their history as well, Knox shared. Click here to learn more about the Penatuhkah Comanche Trails Partnership and how you can report a potential archaeological find. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. A member of a notorious biker gang sought in connection with a murder in Berlin in 2014 has been detained by police in Turkey 11 years later as part of an extortion racket, the Turkish news agency Anadolu reported on Tuesday. Ten suspects were detained in connection with fraud cases in Turkey in coordination with German authorities, according to the Anadolu report. Some of them are said to have links to the Hells Angels motorcycle gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The men are accused of defrauding German citizens in 46 cases by posing as police officers, prosecutors and judges. They are said to have extorted 2.8 million ($3.2 million). Seven of those detained in connection with the case were arrested on Tuesday, while three were released under house arrest. A 26-year-old man was killed in the shooting in a betting shop in Berlin's Reinickendorf district in January 2014. The case has kept the courts busy for years. The head of the biker gang who ordered the fatal shots was sentenced to life imprisonment for incitement to murder. A key witness was also convicted of murder and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Apr. 22A proposal to better gauge Maine's progress in addressing its housing crisis won legislative committee approval Tuesday without Republican support or a mandate that all municipalities participate. As submitted, LD 1184 would have required all cities and towns to report annual home construction data including building, demolition and occupancy permits to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. The data would be overseen and organized into an online portal by the department's Housing Opportunity Program, which promotes residential development that's affordable to low- and moderate-income Mainers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal was to more accurately track Maine's progress in building 84,000 new homes within seven years as recommended in a 2023 state report. The Legislature's housing committee voted 6-4 along party lines to advance the bill with several amendments, including one that would limit the participation mandate to municipalities with 4,000 residents or more. Maine has nearly 500 municipalities and fewer than 90 have a population of 4,000 or more. The committee also added language that would require the department to provide financial assistance to cover 90% of the additional costs municipalities would incur by taking on new duties to comply with the legislation. With that funding, the bill won't need two-third approval from both houses of the Legislature as required by the state constitution for unfunded mandates. The amendments were offered by Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, the bill's primary sponsor, to address concerns of some committee members and others who testified that many municipalities don't have the staff or technology to participate in the housing count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, four Republicans on the committee rejected the amended legislation, which heads to the House in the coming weeks. "I don't see a world in which I can support this as a mandate," said Rep. Amanda Collamore, R-Pittsfield. Housing advocates pointed out that the 88 municipalities with 4,000 or more residents are responsible for most of the housing production in Maine. In gathering more accurate housing data, Maine would become the second state in the nation to tackle its housing crisis in a more accountable way. Connecticut began closely tracking home construction and demolition data in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, Maine estimates home production at the state and county levels based on building permit data submitted voluntarily to the U.S. Census Bureau, said Hilary Gove, a Housing Opportunity Program coordinator. Because it's voluntary, many Maine municipalities don't collect or report building permit data to the bureau, resulting in data gaps, Gove said. Supporters of LD 1184 say standardized data collection and reporting is necessary to accurately assess whether Maine succeeds in building 84,000 additional homes and to address broader barriers to housing production. "We can't track progress toward that (goal) without this data," said Laura Mitchell, executive director of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition. Current home production estimates have been shown to be about 15% higher or lower than actual counts and don't account for housing units that have been lost to demolition or change of use, Mitchell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maine Association of Planners supported the bill but said it wouldn't work as an unfunded mandate to municipalities. Instead, the association suggested directing the Housing Opportunity Program to gather a wide variety of data related to home production from municipalities and other sources and compile it into an annual housing report. "As written, this bill will not produce the desired outcome because most towns and cities simply cannot produce the annual reports proposed," said Eli Rubin, an association leader who is a community planner in South Portland. The Maine Municipal Association opposed LD 1184, saying that many municipalities lack the staff and technology to gather the desired information and the state lacks an adequate database for it, said Rebecca Graham, the MMA's senior legislative advocate. And while the legislation said the cost to municipalities would be "insignificant," Graham said "the technology needs alone for this new activity to occur would be significant." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This would be a significant expansion of (code enforcement officer) duties in the vast majority of municipalities," Graham said. "Officials ask respectfully that you build the statewide plane before you ask local government to fly it, and if you choose to advance this new obligation, that you commit to paying for it as enthusiastically to match the burden it will create statewide." Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less Lyndale Elementary Schools studets board the bus after school on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minn. (Ellen Schmidt/Minnesota Reformer) The number of intensely segregated school sites in the Twin Cities has grown almost five-fold, from 21 to over 100, since the turn of the century, according to University of Minnesota researcher Will Stancil. If enacted, HF2899 would fund incentives for districts to integrate schools within their boundaries, as well as participate in programs to bus students across district lines to reduce segregation between school districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would also create a system of four magnet schools open to students in the metro. Additional state funding would go toward transportation costs for the three integration programs. A hodgepodge of other proposals are included, like more money for summer school; new data reporting requirements for districts participating in the integration programs and an on-campus summer credit recovery pilot with the University of Minnesota for high school students behind on credits to graduate. A work group led by Minnesota Education Equity Partnership joined with bill author Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL-New Hope, to craft the bill over the past year. The group included two attorneys Daniel Shulman and Myron Orfield who have spent over three decades advocating for desegregation, including a single, metro-wide school district to promote racial and economic integration of Twin Cities public schools. The bill is intended as a vehicle for community engagement as well as a placeholder for a potential settlement of the Cruz-Guzman lawsuit, first filed by Shulman in 2015 on behalf of a group of parents against the Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts and the state of Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parents allege that the de facto economic and racial segregation of Minneapolis and St. Paul schools violates the Minnesota Constitution, which guarantees a uniform and adequate education. Whether the court finds in favor of the plaintiffs, or if a settlement is reached, any changes to state law including additional funding for schools would need legislative action to be implemented. The bills proposals echo previous attempts to integrate Twin Cities public schools. In 2001, the Choice is Yours program, in which the state paid to bus low-income Minneapolis students to suburban school districts, came out of a settlement from a similar lawsuit, also filed by Shulman. That program also created inter-district magnet schools through the West Metro Education Program and the East Metro Education Program. Minneapolis Public Schools changed its school assignment policies, school attendance boundaries and magnet programs in 2021 partially in response to the Cruz-Guzman lawsuit in an attempt to draw the districts wealthy students into magnet programs in schools that had previously served primarily low-income students of color. The changes have largely failed to create integrated magnet schools, and last year the district removed almost all of its additional financial support to help the magnet schools succeed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other respects, the proposals in Fraziers bill differ from earlier attempts at desegregation. The focus is now on balancing the economic status of students within schools, rather than relying on race. The state would also provide additional revenue for districts that participate in the various integration programs, not just transportation aid. Unlike Choice is Yours, which only bussed low-income Minneapolis students out of the district, the bill would also pay to bus high-income students to schools serving primarily low-income students. Charter schools would also be eligible to participate in the integration programs. The bill has been referred to the House Education Policy Committee but it has not yet had a committee hearing. House Bill 1491 would allow members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education, pictured Feb. 27, to place an item on a meeting agenda by submitting a written request. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY A House bill inspired by frustrations with state Superintendent Ryan Walters leadership of the Oklahoma State Board of Education now is at risk of failing as it approaches a crucial deadline without yet passing through its assigned Senate committee. The Senate Education Committee met Tuesday for the final time before a Thursday deadline to advance House bills to the full Senate. The committee did so without considering House Bill 1491, which would allow members of school boards, including the state Board of Education, to place topics on their meeting agendas by submitting a written request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committees leader, Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, was critical of the bill, saying it would treat the state Board of Education differently from all other statewide boards and commissions. Pugh, as chairperson, decides which bills the committee will consider for a vote. I want to treat that state board like we would any other government agency, Pugh said after Tuesdays meeting. And so, we have to ensure a fairly applied law, and Im not sure that thats what that bill achieved. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, speaks at a Public Schools Day rally on Feb. 25 in front of the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) House lawmakers drafted the bill after some of the governors recent appointees to the state Board of Education said they were frustrated that only Walters controlled what agenda items the board could discuss during its meetings. The state superintendent, who is elected, leads the board and the Oklahoma State Department of Education, both of which oversee the states public schools system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Kevin Stitt and top Republican leaders in the House and Senate endorsed the measure, and it passed a vote by the full House with overwhelming bipartisan support. At the time the bill was filed, Stitt said one member shouldnt have unilateral control over the whole board. The Governors Office did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, declined to comment on the stalled bill. HB 1491 from Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, would have allowed two members on the state board or any local school board with five or more positions to place an item on an upcoming meeting agenda with a written request. It would have taken only one member to request an agenda item on school boards with four or fewer members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current state law doesnt outline any method for state Board of Education officials to have input on their meeting agendas. School boards that have an at-large board chair position, found in districts with at least 30,000 students, can add agenda items with a request from a majority of board members. Oklahoma State Board of Education member Chris Vandenhende, pictured Feb. 27, requested the board schedule a future meeting to consider suspending all activity related to immigration. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) State Board of Education member Chris Vandenhende proposed during a February meeting that the panel schedule a future vote to suspend all activity related to immigration. His request referred to a rule the board had approved the month before that would require schools to collect and report students immigration status. But, Walters has the final say on what topics the board will discuss. An agenda for its March meeting didnt include Vandenhendes request or any reference to immigration. The board ultimately canceled its March meeting because the agenda was posted online 19 minutes after a legally required deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pugh said he is supportive of board members expressing dissent but questioned whether lawmakers had considered the possibility of unintended consequences and disruption from HB 1491. You could just be creating gridlock and chaos on that board, and thats not healthy for the state either because they have a really important role to play, Pugh said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Hezbollah militants stand before the coffins of two fighters killed in an Israeli attack in Beirut. WAEL HAMZEH (EFE) Lebanon is experiencing a new and uncertain time in which its largest political and military player is on the ropes. The Hezbollah party-militia reached a ceasefire agreement with the Israeli government last November, but it has not freed it from Israeli troops, with almost daily attacks in what Israel describes as efforts to prevent the groups rearmament in southern Lebanon. The clampdown on Hezbollah, severely weakened after months of open warfare with Israel, is completed by U.S. leaders and rival factions of the Shia group in Lebanon, who are rubbing their hands with glee at the commitments announced by the countrys new president. Joseph Aoun, whose election, favored by Washington and Riyadh, was seen as part of the construction of a post-Hezbollah political order, has reaffirmed his intention to move toward a state monopoly on weapons. This project is already reflected in the work of the government, which last Thursday held the first session in the countrys history dedicated to the disarmament of the militia. President Aouns latest public appearance caused a stir in the country, where the changes are accompanied by fears of a civil conflict. The decision has been made, he warned: We have made it clear that weapons [in Lebanon] must be exclusively in the hands of the state. Asked by the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper whether 2025 would be the year of Hezbollahs disarmament, the president agreed: I am working on it. Now, he concluded, all that remains is to figure out how to implement it, something that will be achieved through bilateral discussions between Hezbollah and the presidency. The fundamentalist militia is the only Lebanese actor to retain its weapons after the end of the civil war in 1990. Hezbollahs unique nature has been a recurring source of friction with certain sectors of society, who view its arsenal as a tool of domestic intimidation. But successive governments have recognized the organizations armed wing as part of the countrys defensive strategy against Israel. That changed in February 2025 with the formation of the first government in decades free from Hezbollahs influence. The circumstances, the president himself admits, are favorable. The party is isolated and dejected. And in the absence of polls, there is a perceived greater social willingness toward the groups disarmament following last years Israeli offensive, which proved relentless in those communities where Hezbollah has the most followers. The essence of the truce signed between Israel and Hezbollah remains U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, in force since 2006. The resolution prohibits the presence of Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters south of the Litani River about 20 miles from the border and requires the Lebanese army to take control of the territory alongside the U.N. peacekeepers. Both the resolution and the latest truce include a previous resolution, 1559, ordering the disarmament of all Lebanese militias. Israel Defense Forces attacks frequently target roads and towns in southern Lebanon. The official Israeli version always refers to military targets, but the persistence of its attacks is perceived on the ground as an act of pressure to enforce compliance with all the precepts of the ceasefire. Since the signing of the truce in November, Israeli fire has killed at least 71 civilians in Lebanon, according to data from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Paul Morcos, Lebanese Minister of Information, has raised the death toll to 190. Morcos records more than 2,700 incidents that he classifies as Israeli violations of the ceasefire, and he agrees, along with the president and army leaders, with Hezbollahs cooperation south of the Litani River. Morgan Ortagus, Donald Trumps deputy special envoy for the Middle East, has visited Beirut twice since February to remind Lebanese leaders of the importance of marginalizing Hezbollah. From the Presidential Palace, Ortagus even thanked Washingtons ally Israel for defeating Hezbollah, a statement that rankled in Lebanon after the offensive killed some 4,000 people and damaged nearly 100,000 homes, according to the World Bank. Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem appears on a screen as people gather to watch the public funeral ceremony of Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, who were killed in Israeli airstrikes last year, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon February 23, 2025. Ali Allouch (REUTERS) We will not allow anyone to disarm the resistance Naim Qassem, Hezbollahs secretary general, came forward from an unknown location on Friday to counter the presidents statements. In a televised address, Hassan Nasrallahs successor stated that the party will not allow anyone to disarm it, and even warned that the group will confront those who attack the resistance in the same way that Hezbollah has confronted Israel. The Lebanese cleric reiterated Hezbollahs interpretation of the truce with Israel, arguing that it only requires the disarmament of the militia south of the Litani River. Qassem called those who perceive the group as weakened naive and left the door open to dialogue with the president about the countrys defensive strategy, but only when the pressure of the Israeli occupation is removed. President Aoun and the government are in a difficult position, says David Wood, a researcher at the International Crisis Group. They know there are actors both inside and outside Lebanon pushing for disarmament as soon as possible. However, Aouns emphasis on dialogue [with Hezbollah] demonstrates that he is committed to a gradual or consensual process, rather than one that risks Lebanons deterioration. In the past, other disarmament processes that relied on force have proven catastrophic. In 1990, at the end of the civil war, the Lebanese army and the Christian militia of the Lebanese Forces engaged in fighting that stretched from east Beirut to the Phoenician city of Byblos, destroying Christian communities. The president was a member of the military at the time, recalls Michael Young, an analyst for The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His own experience makes him cautious. Aoun doesnt want a military solution [to disarm Hezbollah] and wont start a civil war just because the Americans and Israelis pressure him. The process seems irreversible. The Israelis could coerce Lebanon by resuming the conflict or occupying more territory, Young summarizes. Furthermore, no one is saying it, but there are political parties in Lebanon that wouldnt mind if the Israelis finished the job on their own. Hezbollah and its sponsor, Iran, the analyst speculates, could demand a greater share of power from the Shia community in exchange for handing over the militias weapons. But this would require tweaking the Constitution and the difficult Lebanese balance, making it unlikely. Ibrahim Mousawi, a Hezbollah parliamentary deputy, denies to EL PAIS the existence of negotiations or conditions that would make disarmament possible for now. Mousawi claims that Hezbollah supports the state monopoly on weapons and adds that weapons are not an end in themselves, but points out that the government has never given the army the green light to defend Lebanon from Israel. He mentions as an example Imam Musa Sadr, one of the founders of political Shiism in Lebanon. Before the start of the civil war in 1975, Mousawi recalls, Sadr asked the authorities at the time to train the residents of southern Lebanon to protect themselves against Israeli attacks, something Beirut rejected. The U.S. would never allow the Lebanese army to defend itself, Mousawi argues, lamenting that the country has never had properly equipped troops. Why dont they give us defensive rockets to protect our airspace? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition AUSTIN (Nexstar) Texas House lawmakers gave preliminary approval to legislation that legalizes the possession of test strips for fentanyl and xylazine. House Bill 1644 passed 145-0. The bill requires one more vote before it can move to the Senate for consideration. Test strips allow people to determine if the drugs they are using contain fentanyl or xylazine. Texas Health and Human Services reports that a large number of fentanyl-related deaths are a result of people taking counterfeit prescription drugs. Most of the people in our state who have been and are still dying from fentanyl overdose are dying because they didnt know they were coming into contact with fentanyl, Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, said as he laid out HB 1644 before the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current Texas law considers fentanyl test strips to be drug paraphernalia, putting them into the same category as bongs, pipes and rolling papers. The charge for possession constitutes a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500. Similar legislation passed the Texas House in 2023, but failed to gain support in the Senate. Some opponents of the legislation have raised concerns that testing strips can encourage people to continue using drugs. Oliverson said the bill is about saving lives. This does not mean that we want people to be able to use drugs to their hearts content safely. I want every person in Texas whos struggling with addiction to get the help that they need, but I cant fix that if theyre dead, Oliverson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a mine detector for a person trying to walk across a minefield, who is going to walk across the minefield anyway, Oliverson added, before the House unanimously passed the bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Bill Owens is exiting his role as executive producer of 60 Minutes. In his surprise announcement-first reported by The New York Times-the CBS News veteran cited a loss of journalistic independence as the reason for his depature. Over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes,' right for the audience, Owens wrote in a memo to staff obtained by the Times. I am stepping aside so the show can move forward. In a separate memo to staff also obtained by the Times, CBS News and Stations president Wendy McMahon, acknowledged Owens departure, writing: Standing behind what he stood for was an easy decision for me, and I never took for granted that he did the same for me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McMahon also wrote that she remained committed to the mission and the work of the 60 Minutes team. TVNewser has reached out to CBS News for comment, but none was received at press time. Owens is exiting the newsmagazine months after it attracted the ire of President Donald Trump, who filed a lawsuit over an October interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris in the waning weeks of the 2024 presidential campaign. Trumps $20 billion suit accuses 60 Minutes of deceitful editing practices, a charge that CBS News labeled as completely without merit. In the ensuing months, though, reports emerged that Shari Redstone-who owns the networks parent company, Paramount Global-was seeking to settle the suit amidst the companys impending merger with Skydance Media. In February, CBS News released an unedited transcript and raw video footage of the 60 Minutes interview with Harris to both the Federal Communications Commission and the general public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been reports in the media about a settlement and/or apology, Owens reportedly told staff at the time. The company knows I will not apologize for anything we have done. Earlier this month, Paramount and Trump reportedly selected a mediator to explore terms of a settlement. Those discussions remain ongoing, even as the president has renewed his objections to 60 Minutes for their recent coverage his administration. Even as he exits 60 Minutes, Owens was careful to stress that he wanted to see the newsmagazine continue its rigorous reporting about the changes occurring in and outside of Washington, D.C. The show is too important to the country, he wrote. It has to continue, just not with me as the executive producer. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Oregon Senate unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday in an effort to repeal the states controversial Wildfire Hazard Map. The Wildfire Hazard Map was created in 2021 under the bipartisan Senate Bill 762, which directed the Oregon Department of Forestry to map out fire-prone areas in the state. Under SB 762, homeowners living in areas that are at a high wildfire risk face stricter building codes and must reduce vegetation on their properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A provision in 2023 disallows insurers to cancel or decline to renew homeowners insurance policies or increase premiums. Despite this, the backlash against the Wildfire Hazard Map has persisted. Tribes battle PGEs plan to seize Willamette Falls land Now, with SB 83, lawmakers are aiming to eliminate the map, and the property maintenance rules, with the Democratic Majority Office noting the maps did not represent various individual property conditions and would have had consequences for land and building regulations. We need Senate Bill 83 to heal the huge divide among Oregonians, triggered by a wildfire map that made no logical sense to thousands of affected people, said Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee Chair Jeff Golden (D Ashland). That divide was squarely in the way of building the broad-based collaboration we need to meet the wildfire crisis, which is far beyond what government on its own can solve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While repealing the map, the bill also directs state agencies to create fire regulations that property owners can choose to follow, or municipal governments can adopt regulations to enforce at the local level. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics By voting to repeal the map, the committee also nullified requirements for sellers to disclose a propertys classification on the map and that property owners in hazard zones follow certain construction rules for accessory dwelling units and replacement buildings. Under SB 83, two members will be added to Oregons Wildfire Programs Advisory Council, including one member from the firefighting field, and a second from the insurance industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Environmental Quality to issue reports on community smoke monitoring and response and directs the Public Utility Commission to report on efforts to reduce wildfire risk from utility infrastructure. Today, we celebrate a hard-fought victory for rural Oregon, said Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles). Senate Bill 83 repeals the most flawed and overreaching aspects of Senate Bill 762 from 2021, including the State Wildfire Hazard Map, while preserving the programs that genuinely protect property owners and reduce wildfire risks. Washington limits armed forces from entering the state without governors OK Im delighted to see Senate Bill 83 pass the Senate, added Sen. Noah Robinson (R-Cave Junction). Many of my constituents and thousands of Oregonians have made it clear: they want the ability to protect their homes without being burdened by unfair regulations. Todays vote is a crucial step toward undoing the damage caused by this flawed policy and returning control to landowners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has been years in the making. With todays overwhelming bipartisan support for Senate Bill 83, we are one step closer to undoing the harm caused by Senate Bill 762s wildfire map, said Sen. David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford). I want to thank the thousands of residents who raised their voices to make this possible, as well as my colleagues for their support. I look forward to seeing Senate Bill 83 move swiftly through the House and be signed by Governor Kotek, bringing much-needed relief to our communities. SB 83 passed the Senate unanimously and heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, speaks with news reporters at the state Capitol after a meeting of the House Administrative Rules Committee, which he leads, on May 14. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Rather than punting the responsibility to the governor, a bill moving through the legislative process would require the Legislature to proactively approve changes to state agencies rules. Oklahomas current administrative rules process requires all submitted rules to be reviewed by the Legislature, but if lawmakers take no action, they are sent to the governor. If the governor also declines to act, the rules automatically go into effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 995, authored by Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, would require the Legislature to approve all rules through a joint resolution. Any that are not explicitly approved would be considered disapproved. Proactive approval used to be required for the Legislature, Kendrix said, but the process was changed over a decade ago. Usually a dry topic, administrative rules have the force of law and are designed to build upon the statutes legislators create. Myself, as an elected legislator, if I run legislation and I cant get it taken up on the floor, what happens to it? It dies, he said. But thats not what happens with the rules. So we have granted a little more authority to unelected bureaucrats, agency directors. I dont want to be mean, but weve allowed that more authority to them than to the elected legislator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure is an attempt to add more light and transparency to the process and to involve more people in conversations, he said. Last year, lawmakers faced criticism for refusing to vote on a controversial set of 20 rules proposed by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. One of the more controversial rules tied a schools state test scores to its accreditation. Lawmakers sent the rules to Gov. Kevin Stitt, who approved them all. Kendrix, who chairs the House Administrative Rules Committee, said the full Legislature hasnt taken action on administrative rules since he was elected in 2020. He said this year there are over 5,000 pages of rule packets riddled with mistakes. Im trying to bring transparency to it, which in turn creates accountability, Kendrix said. It creates more structure and attention to the rules. I mean, we have rules coming in that have incomplete sentences, that have words that are misspelled, and being a (certified public accountant), Im a detailed guy. And so if we have things like that that are happening, what else is happening? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB995 is a piece of the puzzle to bring more transparency since there has been increased interest from Republicans and Democrats on the issue in recent years, he said. The legislation has had strong bipartisan support, he said. The bill unanimously cleared the state Senate and a House committee. It awaits a hearing before the full House. Kendrix and Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, the Senate author, held an interim study in October to explore the idea for the measure. As a House committee made changes to the bill, the Senate will reconsider the amended version if it passes off the House floor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE At a time when critical funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has slowed to a crawl, some states with Republican governors have been luckier than others in prying money loose. The Trump administration directed FEMA to prioritize payments to GOP-led Missouri and Virginia in recent weeks, while some other states requests werent being filled, according to multiple sources and internal communications obtained by CNN. The situation has raised concerns at FEMA that the White House is playing politics with critical emergency management funds. President Donald Trump and his allies have criticized FEMA for months as partisan, ineffective and unnecessary. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said she will eliminate FEMA altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, denied any special treatment for red states, saying the Secretary reviews every grant based on need not discrimination based on state. Brian Hughes, a spokesman for Trumps National Security Council, told CNN: The only criteria for critical relief is ensuring we deploy all available resources to those impacted in the most efficient way to help all Americans. The premise of this inquiry and complaints of unnamed sources are categorically false. The first directives to distribute funding came in March, when FEMA was sitting on a backlog of more than $100 billion of previously awarded grants and disaster assistance, as agency personnel awaited guidance from the Trump administration on how to distribute the money without violating the presidents executive orders that funding not end up benefiting illegal immigrants. Beyond its $20 billion-plus Disaster Relief Fund, FEMA also distributes billions of dollars in grants for disaster preparedness, mitigation, resilience and homeland security, which are intended to bolster emergency management before a disaster strikes. The Trump administration has vowed to cut some of those programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA staff first received orders to prioritize payments for Missouri, after state officials warned the Department of Homeland Security that they would have to lay off state emergency management personnel if the funds didnt arrive quickly, according to internal emails obtained by CNN. An aerial view shows floodwater surrounding homes on April 7, in East Prairie, Missouri. Thunderstorms, heavy rains, high winds and tornadoes have plagued the region causing widespread damage before moving east. - Scott Olson/Getty Images Homeland security officials forwarded Missouris request to FEMA, and within 24 hours, the agencys acting administrator instructed staff to start paying the state. At the time, extremely little money was getting out of FEMA, multiple sources tell CNN. Today, is there a way we can focus on payments to Missouri specifically and clear these out? acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton, a Trump appointee, told agency personnel in an email, which CNN obtained. In the memo, Hamilton wrote that Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and Sen. Eric Schmitt had been notified the payments would commence and were extremely glad to hear it. Both Kehoe and Schmitt are Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the weeks that followed, Missouri began receiving various previously paused grants, even as other states were forced to wait for a range of FEMA funds including, in some cases, disaster assistance multiple sources tell CNN. The episode alarmed some FEMA officials who had never experienced such a wide-reaching funding pause at the agency, as other states and locales pushed for their own funding to be cleared. Multiple officials, speaking to CNN anonymously out of fear of retribution, said the money for Missouri was not assistance for any recent disaster and seemed no more urgent than the paused payments to other states. One of the officials noted that the governor of Missouri pushed for the Trump administration to release the funds. But is the same thing going to happen if Gavin Newsom calls the White House and says, Hey, we really need X, Y, Z? the official told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN reached out to Kehoe and Schmitt about the situation. Last week, another directive went out to FEMA staff: prioritize payments for Virginia. The request came from the White House, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. It is unclear which specific funds were prioritized. A DHS spokesperson would not clarify why Missouri and Virginia were singled out for priority but reiterated that grants are greenlit based solely on need. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins Communications Director Rob Damschen told CNN the governor works closely with federal officials to ensure that Virginia communities receive critical disaster recovery support. Governor Youngkin sincerely appreciates the level of engagement by President Trump and his entire administration who are focused on delivering for Virginians. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Donald Trump at at the Mar-a-Lago Club on January 9 in Palm Beach, Florida. - Scott Olson/Getty Images/File Yet some inside FEMA argue the unfreezing of federal funding goes beyond leveraging working relationships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is politicization of grant funds and disaster assistance like weve never seen before, a second FEMA official told CNN. FEMA payments have started flowing more freely in recent weeks, but the agency is still working through its backlog, which has proved consequential for some of the recipients. As FEMA greenlit some payments, North Carolina was waiting on more than $150 million in disaster assistance for its recovery from Hurricane Helene, according to the states office of emergency management. North Carolina Emergency Management spokesman Justin Graney told CNN more than half of that backlog has now been cleared, but the ongoing delays have been detrimental to their recovery efforts as the state waits to be reimbursed by the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many communities are not situated to handle such an expense like Helene brought to their community. These are small western North Carolina communities, Graney said. Debris from Hurricane Helene litters the side of the road as smoke hangs in the air near the Black Cove wildfire on March 24, in Polk County near Saluda, North Carolina. - Sean Rayford/Getty Images As FEMAs previously awarded funds trickle out of the agency, the White House has also recently denied additional disaster relief to two states with Democratic leadership. This month, the Trump administration notified North Carolina that it would no longer fully reimburse the state for funding used to support the recovery from Hurricane Helene. Such a decision is common months after a destructive natural disaster. Yet during the 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly lambasted FEMAs response in North Carolina, saying the agency had failed to provide adequate resources to hurricane survivors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, says the state will appeal the decision to the White House. The administration also denied Washington states request for $34 million in additional disaster assistance to help in its recovery from last years bomb cyclone, which killed two people and destroyed homes and infrastructure, saying the funding is not warranted. There are very clear criteria to qualify for these emergency relief funds. Washingtons application met all of them, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, wrote in a statement after Trumps denial. This is another troubling example of the federal government withholding funding. Ferguson, like Stein, has vowed to appeal the decision. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) A bipartisan Congressional bill could mean more support for police departments here at home. The Invest to Protect Act of 2025 (H.R. 2177) would create a dedicated fund for small and medium-sized police departments with fewer than 175 officers. They can use the money to recruit, train and retain police officers. Funds can also be used to invest in officers mental health. It is an investment by the federal government to protect our law enforcement, said Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.). The job of police officers and law enforcement officers is going to change and we have to make sure that were ahead of the curve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sorensen, who helped introduce the bill in early April, said its something everyone can get behind. I really dont think thats a partisan issue. I dont think thats a left or a right issue. If anything, I think this is one of those issues that can help bring us back together because the politics of hate and division, it is on full display these days, and this is one of those cases and one of those bills in Congress that can help us get through that, he said. The bill indicates the cap would be $50 million per fiscal year from 2017 to 2031. Right now, the bill is in the House Judiciary Committee. The Senate version of the bill, S.B. 768, was introduced in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A Birmingham woman was arrested after allegedly attempting to murder another woman last week. According to the Birmingham Police Department, officers responded around 5:35 p.m. Thursday to a shooting call at a residence in the 10 block of Third Avenue West. Police found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Birmingham Police Department offering $10K signing bonuses to those who join the force Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community members provided police information to help them identify a suspect in relation to the shooting. After presenting case information, the Jefferson County Magistrates Office issued an attempted murder warrant for Teaira Marchbank, 36, of Birmingham. Marchbank was arrested in Inglenook on Monday. She was transported to the Jefferson County Jail and held under $60,000 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 CBS 42. Francis, whose papacy began in 2013 and ended on Monday with his death, witnessed from the highest seat in the Church the rise of nationalist and xenophobic far-right movements across the West. In the face of this defining phenomenon of our time, his stance was clear and unequivocal: firmly against it. His opposition extended not only to discrimination against immigrants, but also to the excesses of neoliberalism prompting many conservatives to label him a Pope aligned with the left. While he remained a critic of abortion and opposed equal recognition for heterosexual and same-sex couples who, according to Church doctrine, cannot form a natural family the Argentine pontiff also resisted pressure to turn the Holy See into a spearhead in the so-called culture wars against the LGBTQ+ lobby and gender ideology. This position earned him open hostility from prominent figures on the far right, and even drew criticism from leaders of the so-called moderate right. The Pope faced more than just criticism in his native Argentina he was subjected to outright insults. Argentine President Javier Milei, during his early days as an ultra-liberal polemicist entering political life, frequently made Francis the target of his attacks. On his X account (then Twitter), Milei lashed out in 2017, telling the Pope to fuck off and calling him a disgusting leftist for defending the concept of social justice, which he vehemently rejects. It would be good if you started distributing the Vaticans wealth to the poor. You piece of shit, he wrote, addressing the pontiff directly. A year later, he escalated his rhetoric, branding Francis a leftist son of a bitch and calling him the representative of evil within the Church. In Italy, Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right Lega party, has been Francis most prominent political adversary. In 2019, during Salvinis tenure as Interior Minister and peak political influence, tensions boiled over. That year, a Polish cardinal close to Francis clandestinely entered the utility room of an occupied building where 400 people were living without electricity and restored the power. The act infuriated Salvini, who saw the cardinal become a hero of the left. Well send the Vatican the 300,000 bill that the building owed, Salvini said. Soon after, he found himself on the receiving end of one of the Popes pointed remarks: A politician must not sow hatred and fear. Later that same year, when Francis posed for a photo wearing a badge that read Lets open the ports, in support of migrants, Salvini fired back: He takes care of souls; I take care of the five million poor Italians. I open the ports only to those with permission. Caesar and God Far-right leaders have often cited the biblical phrase Render unto Caesar what is Caesars and unto God what is Gods to push back against Pope Francis when his messages challenged their politics. In France, National Rally leader Marine Le Pen cited the phrased in what was her most high-profile clash with the pontiff. She did so in 2021 after Le Nouvel Observateur reported the Pope was concerned about the rise of the far right. I am convinced that many believers would be delighted if the Pope would focus on what happens in the churches and not at the ballot box, added Le Pen, who often cloaks her Islamophobic rhetoric in appeals to Frances Christian heritage a cause the pontiff has never supported. Her far-right rival Eric Zemmour went further: But what does the Pope want? Does he want Christian Europe, the cradle of Christianity, to become an Islamic land? I would like him to explain this? he asked in 2023. In Spain, Francis has been in the crosshairs of Vox. In 2020, in the midst of the debate over the minimum wage, the Pope voiced his support for a universal income. Vox leader Santiago Abascal responded by stripping him of papal authority: The opinion of citizen Bergoglio, he said, seemed respectable, like that of any other citizen. But I dont share it, Abascal added, stating that he doesnt comment on whether Communion should be given or not, and, in the same vein, the Bishop of Rome should not meddle in political matters. Render unto God what is Gods, and unto Caesar what is Caesars, he concluded. Voxs former spokesperson, Ivan Espinosa de los Monteros, responded in 2019 to one of the Popes messages against the rejection of foreigners by saying: I think its great that the Pope welcomes as many illegal immigrants without papers as he wants to the Vatican. But, he added, the Pope should not tell other sovereign states what to do. Two years later, in 2021, he criticized a head of state of the Vatican, of Argentine nationality, for apologizing for the sins committed during the conquest of the Americas. This request for forgiveness sparked irritation beyond Vox. Madrid premier Isabel Diaz Ayuso, from the conservative Peoples Party (PP), found it surprising that a Spanish-speaking Catholic would speak that way about a legacy that brought Spanish and Catholicism to the American continent. Former Spanish prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, also weighed in on the controversy: Im not going to join the ranks of those asking for forgiveness. From immigration to the Amazon The Popes last public remarks were made on Sunday, when he spoke out against the contempt for immigrants. Given he made this comment after meeting U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, many interpreted it almost unanimously as a rebuke of the Trump administration one of many. Immigration was, after all, the issue that most frequently caused clashes between the Bishop of Rome and far-right leaders. But it wasnt the only one. The range of issues was wide. In 2020, he drew the ire of then-Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro after posting on social media: I dream of an Amazon region that fights for the rights of the poor, the original peoples and the least of our brothers and sisters, where their voices can be heard and their dignity advanced. The Amazon is ours, responded Bolsonaro, denying that the forest belongs, as the Pope maintains, to all of humanity. One detail illustrates just how much of an obstacle Francis was to the far right. Steve Bannon, former strategist and ideologue of Trumpism, had already identified him as an enemy to confront during Trumps first term. In 2017, The New York Times reported that Bannon, while serving as a Trump advisor, was forging alliances with some of the Popes internal critics in the Vatican, including American Cardinal Raymond Burke, in an effort to undermine the leader of the Church. Two years later, Bannon complained to NBC News about a Pope who he said is constantly putting all faults in the world on this populist nationalist movement. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition As Catholics throughout the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, Catholics in Erie have been doing the same. Bishop Lawrence Persico described Pope Francis as a very pastoral pope who liked to be out among the people, and he pushed the Church in a new direction of inclusivity. The Latest: Pope Francis dies at age 88 after a stroke Pope Francis was known for embracing the simple life, choosing to live in a small apartment, cook his own meals, carry his own luggage, and pay his own bills, even after being elected pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his 12 years as the pope, he made strides for the Catholic Church in terms of pushing for acceptance. He was a more progressive leader, approving the formal blessing of same-sex marriages, speaking out against sexual abuse, abortion, evolution and climate change. He always took advantage of the opportunity to meet people where they were. Thats what he basically taught all of us: that dialogue is important, its necessary for us to have an exchange and understanding. I think hell be remembered for that, said The Most Rev. Lawrence Persico, bishop of the Diocese of Erie. Community gathers to dedicate street to late Erie leader Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A famous quote of Pope Francis was, Were all sinners, who am I to judge? It meant that the Church and its members should be open to having dialogue with all people. We may not agree with them, but it doesnt hurt to have dialogue, Bishop Persico said. Bishop Persico said the popes death, while saddening, doesnt come as a shock as he had recently been hospitalized for more than a month, and even after he was released, Persico said he didnt look well. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News So what comes next? Bishop Persico said that the cardinals will come together to vote on a new pope, but none of that will happen until Pope Francis is laid to rest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 15 to 20 days, the conclave will meet to vote. Where a two-thirds majority secretive vote is needed to name Pope Francis replacement. Theres a saying, those who go in as a pope come out as a cardinal. You cant always go by that with all of these so-called candidates. But, I think through the grace of the Holy Spirit, we will get a pope that is needed for our time, Bishop Persico went on to explain. Fatal Millcreek fire remains under investigation The diocese will be announcing several services for the pope, and prayers, people are being asked to pray. You can find much more information on the Pope, including his life and legacy, online here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Black Hills Energy is proposing a $17.2 million hike for gas customers in Kansas. The company says it would support safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to customers. If approved, the average residential bill would increase by 17.6%. For a customer with average usage, that equates to an increase of approximately $11 per month. It would take effect in the second half of 2025. Black Hills provides natural gas service to approximately 120,000 Kansas customers. Kansas measles outbreak: Governor to provide update today in Garden City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the process, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) will hold a public hearing next week to give Black Hills gas customers an opportunity to learn more about the companys request, ask questions, and make comments. The hearing will be held in Wichita on Tuesday, April 29, at Lowe Auditorium at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th St., beginning at 6 p.m. Those unable to attend in person will have a virtual option available through Zoom. Zoom participants must register in advance on the KCCs website by noon on April 28. The hearing will also be broadcast on the KCCs YouTube channel for viewing only. The Commission is also accepting written comments until 5 p.m. on June 20, 2025. Comments may be submitted on the KCCs website, by mail to the Commissions Office at 1500 SW Arrowhead Rd, Topeka, KS 66604-4027 or by calling the KCCs Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 785-271-3140 or 800-662-0027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, founder and director of the Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice at Tufts University, speaks at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. Black maternal health advocates and researchers worry about federal funding cuts. (Courtesy of Birthlooms) Before everything went black, Tamika Jackson felt like she was drowning. While in labor giving birth to her baby boy, her body felt heavy and her breaths shallow. I cant breathe, she croaked to the anesthesiologist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you couldnt breathe, you wouldnt be able to speak, she recalled the doctor telling her, dismissing her as having a panic attack. Minutes later, the 37-year-olds lungs gave out. Her heart stopped beating. Clinicians were able to resuscitate Jackson. Her baby boy was born via C-section, and the Michigan mom lived to tell her story of giving birth to Cree, whos turning 3 next month. Jackson is now a maternal health organizer at Mothering Justice, a Michigan-based nonprofit. She spoke with Stateline while on a bus to the Michigan Capitol, where she participated in a Black Maternal Health Week panel and pushed for a legislative package nicknamed the Michigan Momnibus which aims to increase obstetric patient protections and improve care for moms of color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Michigan Senate passed the package Thursday, and it now heads to the House. Black moms like Jackson are three times more likely to die than white mothers and suffer higher rates of pregnancy-related complications. But in its bid to eliminate federal diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives, the Trump administration has terminated community health grants and closed federal offices that support state efforts to tackle racial health disparities. Experts say the moves will hinder efforts to improve Black maternal health. DEI is not about politics. Its about survival, Jackson said. This is about community-based solutions and theyre undoing that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson added that without federal dollars, Were going to be left trying to do a whole lot with a whole lot of nothing. The Trump administration has cut grants for maternal health studies and research on health disparities in various populations, including patients of color and LGBTQ people. It has laid off most staff at the federal Division of Reproductive Health, and removed maternal health data from federal agency websites. It also is considering cutting next years budget for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from about $121 billion to about $80.4 billion, according to The New York Times. The administration plans to create a new Administration for a Healthy America, which would focus on maternal and child health, among other issues. HHS and its National Institutes of Health did not return requests for comment in time for publication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DEI is not about politics. Its about survival. Tamika Jackson, Michigan mom and maternal health organizer at Mothering Justice Researchers and advocates like Jackson say that amid the Trump administrations erasures, their work will continue. Among those losing grants are nonprofits, health care systems and universities, including the Morehouse School of Medicine, a historically Black medical school in Atlanta, which received a $2.96 million grant for a center to improve the health of Black pregnant and postpartum women. Georgia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation. We are reviewing the situation to assess how it may affect our research, a Morehouse spokesperson wrote in an email. More broadly, it is important that we all recognize the critical role medical research plays in developing potential life-saving innovation that will mitigate disease and improve the health and well-being of many people. Tamika Jackson holds her baby boy Cree after regaining consciousness following a traumatic birth. (Courtesy of Tamika Jackson) The Morehouse center was selected among an initial 10 research centers funded under the NIHs Maternal health and Pregnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone, or IMPROVE, Initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbia University and community groups throughout New York also received the grants. One goal was to connect postpartum moms with doulas to detect conditions such as postpartum preeclampsia, according to principal investigator Dr. Uma Reddy, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia. Reddy said the grant was developed with communities who voiced their needs. We can actually prevent these deaths and these serious complications, Reddy said. This is a way to focus on a high-risk population and provide them with the resources that they dont have available. Tufts University maternal health scholar Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha said shes had several meetings in Washington, D.C., get canceled, and while shes thankful to have almost completed one federal grant project, theres uncertainty about other grants shes applied for, including a Black postpartum support research initiative. The professor runs the Maternal Outcomes for Translational Health Equity Research (MOTHER) Lab and Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice at the Tufts University School of Medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It not only stalls progress, but it actually actively endangers the most vulnerable among us, she said. These policy decisions can cause and will cause lasting harm to people who are already underserved by our health care system. Amutah-Onukagha said she is urging researchers and advocates to have cautious optimism. Most people are in the space of gloom and doom. I do get that, and Im vastly in and out of that, she said. But because of the work that I do in maternal health, we have to remain optimistic. That lens cannot die. If it does, then the communities that we serve are going to be even more disadvantaged. Amutah-Onukagha, who recently testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Health, said her team will continue to work with organizations around the state, such as Birth Equity & Justice Massachusetts and Resilient Sisterhood Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were stronger in numbers, she said. Diana Greene Foster, research director in reproductive health at the University of California, San Francisco, conducted the seminal Turnaway Study documenting the harms women suffer from abortion denials. She was in the middle of another study, funded by a federal grant, tracking post-Roe abortions and the efficacy of health exceptions in abortion ban laws. Her team was interviewing emergency room doctors about whether they could provide abortions amid major pregnancy complications such as eclampsia, a serious consequence of preeclampsia, which is a dangerous form of high blood pressure that disproportionately affects Black mothers. The administration pulled her grant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foster, who is fundraising to continue her study, said she feels the administrations actions send a message of turning their back on science, on compassion, on caring about women. Tina Sherman, a doula and national director of maternal justice at MomsRising, a nonpartisan women and mothers advocacy group, said she worries about data the administration has removed, including the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. The surveillance system is a comprehensive tool states use to track maternal health and formulate policies to improve it. An attempt to erase the data, said Sherman, doesnt erase the harm that has been done and creates additional harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without data, states cant target where resources are needed and which communities are disproportionately harmed and how, said Sherman, who co-chairs the North Carolina Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Were going to be going backwards, she said. The Trump administration also canceled several grants focused on intimate partner violence, a leading cause of pregnancy-associated death which disproportionately affects people of color. One such grant was supporting a University of North Carolina project studying intimate partner violence against pregnant women shortly before they give birth. The issues remain. The urgency is pressing as it ever was. The reality is this: Black mothers and birthing people continue to carry the weight of a crisis that we did not create, Amutah-Onukagha said. We did not create it, but we are leading the fight to solve it and dismantle it, and we know that the systemic barriers existed before this administration. They will continue to show up but we will also continue to produce cutting-edge research here at the center. Stateline reporter Nada Hassanein can be reached at nhassanein@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. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Plummeting import bookings out of China are leading more ocean carriers to cancel sailings on the trans-Pacific trade lane as U.S. businesses scramble to avoid 145-percent tariffs slapped on the countrys goods. As much as 28 percent of weekly cargo capacity on the Asia-to-U.S. West Coast route is expecting to be blanked, with 10 services set to be canceled on the week of April 28-May 3, according to data from Sea-Intelligence. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would mark the highest percentage of the year thus far, with the May 12-18 week also expecting 10 blank sailings, which would equate to 25 percent of overall capacity on the trade lane. But that week could still see more as container shipping lines rethink deploying their vessels on the voyage. The 25-percent cancellation rate further suggests that overall inbound cargo volumes in the U.S. are set to fall off a cliff. The National Retail Federations Global Port Tracker expects imports into U.S. ports to tumble 20.8 percent year over year in May, before tanking another 26.6 percent in June. Across all worldwide trade routes, blank sailings are becoming more of the norm, signaling an alarming trend for global trade. Container shipping companies have blanked at least 80 sailings this month, compared to 51 in March 2020, when volumes crashed amid early Covid-19 lockdowns, Sea-Intelligence said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli ocean carrier ZIM is ending one of its services on the route, according to a report from container shipping analysis firm Linerlytica. ZIM has withdrawn the ZIM Central China Xpress (ZX2) service, which traveled eastbound from Ningbo to Los Angeles, and westbound from L.A. to Shanghai. The last departure from the Port of Ningbo took place April 10, according to the report, and is expected to make its last call at the Port of Los Angeles on Thursday. Sourcing Journal reached out to ZIM, which has not yet confirmed the withdrawal. The last arrival publicly confirmed by the ocean carrier occurred on March 22. The premium service used five ships between 4,500 and 5,300 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), and took 13 days on average to cross the Pacific Ocean. ZIM will transfer three of the ships from the ZX2 service to its ZIM Ecommerce Xpress (ZEX) service between Vietnam and the U.S. West Coast, according to Alphaliner data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ZIM unveiled ZX2 in July 2024 in response to heightened demand during last summer, when freight rates had peaked due to worldwide port congestion spurred on by the Red Sea crisis, which forced container shipping companies to open up more capacity worldwide. But as the supply chain often goes, the pendulum of demand has swung the other way in in response to the steep drop in Chinese exports to the U.S. Clearly, such an increase illustrates a dramatic change in the market, partly from the perspective of the magnitude of the blank sailings, which are more akin to what we tend to see seasonally, following Chinese New Year in January/February and Chinas Golden Week in October, said Alan Murphy, CEO of Sea-Intelligence, in its weekly report. And partly from the perspective that many of these blank sailings have been announced with very limited advance warning to the shippers. The drastic reduction in trans-Pacific sailings is expected to flutter over to the East Coast in a big way. Importers using ports on the East and Gulf Coasts are expected to see a bigger capacity cut from May 5-11, in which nine services have already been scrapped. That amounts to a whopping 42 percent of cargo capacity blanked on the route, according to Sea-Intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drewrys numbers havent appeared to be as bearish on the Sea-Intelligence figures, but the maritime supply chain advisory shares the same sentiment on the future of sailings across the Pacific in the wake of the high import duties. Across four major trade lanestrans-Pacific, trans-Atlantic and Asia-to-North Europe and Mediterranean72 sailings have been cancelled between weeks 17 (April 21-27) and 21 (May 19-25), out of a total of 713 scheduled sailings, according to Drewry. This represents a 10 percent cancellation rate across the lanes, which werent broken out individually. A rise in cancelled sailings is expected in coming weeks, predominantly in the trans-Pacific eastbound, booking cancellations continue to climb, with some vessels potentially departing China with significant empty space through May, said Drewry in a weekly analysis posted Friday. Ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S.-China tariffs has left cargo owners scrambling to offset rising costs, leading many to cancel shipments or halt cargo at the point of origin. Most East-West cancellations will hit the trans-Pacific eastbound (56 percent), followed by 31 percent on the Asia-to-North Europe and Mediterranean routes and 14 percent on the trans-Atlantic westbound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Drewry expects the frequency of sailings to improve over that time frame, with its forecast indicating approximatively 90 percent of weekly departures will happen as scheduled. Among the major players, Gemini is expected to reach a perfect sailing schedule adherence, said Drewry. However, this is likely to change if carriers introduce more blank sailings to reduce overcapacity in an attempt to boost rates and adapt to lowering demand, particularly from China to USA. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) People around the world are remembering Pope Francis as a kind and inclusive leader who advocated for people from all walks of life. One Shreveport woman who traveled with a priest from Virginia to Vatican City in 2014 wanted the priest, Father Mike, to be blessed. However, they didnt have a ticket for an audience with the Pope. Pope Francis meets with parishioner (Source: Dr. Bernadette Boyd) Pope Francis visits with couple courtesy Dr. Boyd (Source: Dr. Bernadette Boyd) Dr Bernadette Boyd with Pope Francis (Source: Dr. Bernadette Boyd) Dr. Bernadette Cordaro Boyd said, Then the man looked at me and looked at Father Mike, he said, let me go see and he goes come up with me, so we got to go up on the steps up to the top where you get to meet the pope and he turned to me and said and you get to meet the pope too, so i was very thrilled because I didnt ask God for me, I asked for Father Mike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boyds son, Charlton, and his wife, Ella, had their marriage blessed by Pope Francis in 2023, which was special for the family, but she says he loved and accepted anyone. Boyd went on to say, He was a man, a priest of the people, he was in some ways like Jesus because he met with anyone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that Bloomington will be among the grant recipients receiving help to revitalize their downtowns. Pritzker announced that 25 recipients will be receiving $30 million in funding from the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets and the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery programs. The city of Bloomington has been awarded close to $2 million for the initial elements of the Downtown for Everyone Streetscape Program. This program will help revitalize downtown through roadway and infrastructure programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Governor, one of my top priorities is to reverse decades of neglect and broken promises and bring jobs, opportunity, and hope back to communities across Illinois, while breathing new life into our downtown corridors and beyond, Pritzker said. This program will directly support 25 communities across the state by funding critical community development projects, housing and infrastructure all while revitalizing commercial corridors. The McLean County Regional Planning Commission will also receive $250,000 to fund its Housing Coordinator position over the two-year grant performance period. A full list of grant recipients is available here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Bond was set Tuesday at $250,000 for a Boardman man who was secretly indicted last week by a Mahoning County grand jury on sex charges. Read next: 100+ mph police chase started as suspected street race: Report Kyle Wilkinson, 29, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in common pleas court before Judge Anthony DApolito to a count of rape, a first-degree felony; two third-degree felony counts of gross sexual imposition; and two first-degree misdemeanor counts of public indecency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A trial date of June 23 was picked before Judge DApolito. The rape charges carries a potential maximum sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors say he assaulted two young victims, both under the age of 13 at the time. The secret indictment in the case was issued Thursday, and members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Fugitive Task Force took Wilkinson into custody. Gerry Ricciutti contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. GREENVILLE, Pa. (WKBN) A new bookstore is coming to the Shenango Valley. Read next: Local towns offering $5K for people to move there Greenville graduate Chelsea Erb is opening her own store called Boundless Books. Its located on Main Street in Greenville at the old Frys TV and Appliance Store. Erb, a Navy veteran and counselor, said the pandemic brought her back to the area. She started to rent the space earlier in the year with the goal of opening on Independent Bookstore Day, which is Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They can come here instead of supporting Amazon or some other places that already have a lot of money, and they have a lot of support, Erb said. They can support somebody whos independent and local, and its all going to go back out into the community. Boundless Books has both new and used books for all ages. People can bring in used books to donate or trade for store credit. A soft opening will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Erb said she hopes to have a grand opening in the summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. With the death of Pope Francis, people in Rome are already beginning to think about his successor. These are frenetic and uncertain days in the Vatican a time of mixed grief and the urgency of thinking about the future, all set against an extraordinarily complex global backdrop and within a deeply divided Church. The first congregation of cardinals the assembly that convenes after the death of the Pontiff will take place this Tuesday with those already in Rome. This marks the beginning of both formal and informal discussions among them as they search for a new Pope. Early lists of potential papal candidates are already circulating, both within Vatican circles and in the Italian and international media. These lists are part of the maneuvers underway to promote certain names. These are usually confusing days, where rumors abound, but what stands out so far is that the Italian press has remained notably silent on the subject something that was commonplace during the final years of John Paul II. This silence reflects the deep uncertainty about the direction the Church may now take in what will be a conclave more numerous and international than ever before: 135 cardinals from 71 countries, compared to 115 electors in 2005 and 2013 from 52 and 48 countries, respectively. In other words, the Sistine Chapel will be filled with unfamiliar faces, both outside the doors and within, and some of them do not even speak Italian. Strong internal division makes the situation even more challenging. As has always been the case, a reformist faction of the Church, more aligned with Pope Francis, seeks to continue his path, while a more conservative faction, which has fiercely opposed his decisions in recent years, aims for a retreat. Given the intensity of this clash in recent years, there is now a real concern within the Holy See about something that did not exist in previous conclaves at least not on this scale: disinformation campaigns and fake news designed to influence the election of the Pope, with hoaxes spreading on social media, aiming to discredit candidates who are undesirable to certain sectors. This will be something to watch in the coming days. The task of shifting votes and organizing the conclave typically falls to the so-called great electors cardinals who do not expect to be elected themselves but who gather support and are respected figures who can steer the trends. On the conservative side, there are figures such as Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and the former Prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith, Gerhard Ludwig Muller. On the more progressive side, there are influential cardinals close to Pope Francis, such as Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, the general rapporteur of the Synod. However, at 66, Hollerich is considered too young, as it would likely result in a pontificate that could last for many years. Another prominent figure is the Canadian Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, who is a Jesuit. However, it seems unlikely that the Church will choose another pope from this order. New York Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan after Mass for the death of Pope Francis at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan on Monday. Adam Gray (REUTERS) The key factor to remember is that 90 votes two-thirds of the 135 cardinals entering the conclave are required to elect the new pope. A faction with some support isnt enough; it must be a truly consensual decision. Many who disagree must be convinced of a shared vision, where strength and personal magnetism also play a role. However, unlike previous conclaves, there are no clear frontrunners, and this one is expected to be more laborious and prolonged. In 2005, with four votes, and in 2013, with five, the process lasted only 24 hours. This time, it could resemble the conclave of October 1978, which took eight votes and resulted in the election of an unknown, John Paul II. It is likely that surprises will emerge once again. Pope Francis has certainly structured this conclave to encourage such outcomes. He has appointed 79% of the cardinals, often selecting lesser-known figures profiles that reflect the Church he has sought to shape: one that is closer to the people and the margins of society. At present, it is possible to draw up a list of at least 15 potential papal candidates. To begin with, despite this being a conclave that is no longer Eurocentric, the belief that the pope must come from Italy still persists, as it has for centuries, though much of the Church finds it impossible to return to that tradition. Italy boasts the largest group of cardinals, 17 in total, and this carries weight. Three Italian cardinals are currently being mentioned as possible contenders. One of them is Pietro Parolin, 70, the current Secretary of State. This position is typically associated with papal candidates due to the experience it offers in governance and as a symbol of continuity if that is the goal, rather than a change. However, despite his experience, Parolin has little pastoral experience and has alienated some sectors due to the balancing act he has had to navigate in recent years. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, during his meeting with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance on April 19 at the Vatican. Vatican Media/Lapresse The second Italian in the running is Matteo Zuppi, 69, Archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian bishops conference. He is aligned with Pope Francis and is a member of the SantEgidio community, known for its work in international conflict mediation and its strong social vocation. Another contender is the Patriarch of the Holy Land, the Franciscan Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Well-known in the media for his role in the Middle East, Pizzaballa is highly regarded, but he faces a disadvantage due to his age 59 at a time when a transitional solution might be preferred. Another name that has frequently emerged in recent years he was a papal candidate in 2013 is 67-year-old Filipino Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, whose mother is Chinese. He would be the first Asian pope, a possible option if Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas, is to be followed by a pope from outside the Western hemisphere. However, his popularity has waned due to his controversial management of the charity organization Caritas International. In Asia, two other names often come up. The first is Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon in Myanmar. Bo is distinguished for his defense of human rights in a country under military rule and has presided over the Federation of Asian Episcopal Conferences for the past six years. Pope Francis greets Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, during an audience with a group of migrants at the Vatican in 2017. Andrew Medichini (AP/LaPresse) The second potential candidate is Malcolm Ranjith from Sri Lanka, Archbishop of Colombo, who previously served as secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship. At 77, Ranjith brings a wealth of experience, making him a candidate for a short papacy potentially serving as a temporary counterbalance to Pope Francis. He is considered part of the more traditionalist camp, which could hinder consensus. The same applies to another frequently mentioned name, Robert Sarah of Guinea, who has openly clashed with Pope Francis in recent years, positioning himself further on the conservative side. The most frequently discussed African candidate is Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A Franciscan, Ambongo is well-regarded by conservatives and has led the opposition to the blessing of same-sex unions. After Pope Francis became the first pontiff from the Americas, there have not been many standout names in the continent. However, one candidate who straddles both halves of the continent is Robert Francis Prevost, 69, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. He is American but has spent nearly his entire life in Peru. His candidacy would send a strong signal in facing the complex challenges of the Donald Trump era, particularly as the U.S. Church is at odds with him. The ultraconservative movement in the United States is eager to politically co-opt the Christian message, framing it as a crusade between good and evil. Robert Francis Prevost, after being named a cardinal in 2023. Riccardo De Luca (AP/LaPresse) Following the election of Pope Francis, the first non-European pope since Gregory III (who was born in Syria in the 8th century), leaving Europe now appears to be a clear direction. However, there are still candidates from the Old Continent. The most unusual among them is Anders Arborelius, 75, Bishop of Stockholm. A Carmelite who was raised Lutheran and later converted to Catholicism, he combines social openness with pastoral rigor. Another potential candidate is Peter Erdo, 72, Archbishop of Budapest. Born under Communism, he is a cultured man and a leading figure in the conservative camp in recent years. Also in the running is Jean-Marc Aveline, 66, Archbishop of Marseille. A seasoned bishop with a strong presence among the socially underprivileged, a group emphasized by Pope Francis, Aveline is an expert in interreligious dialogue. However, his age suggests that he could serve a lengthy papacy. On the conservative side, one respected figure is Willem Jacobus Eijk, 71, Archbishop of Utrecht, who remains faithful to the line of Benedict XVI. Another candidate is Jose Tolentino de Mendonca, a 66-year-old Portuguese cardinal. Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, a poet and theologian, he has been steadily rising within the Curia and is known for his intellectual approach, his attention to the poor, and his connection to Africa having spent his childhood in Angola. Finally, Mario Grech, 68, from Malta, has served as Pope Franciss right-hand man in the synodal process as Secretary General. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Among President Donald Trumps many norm-defying efforts in his new term, two policy decisions stick out as particularly extraordinary: detaining and moving to deport legal residents because of anti-Israel speech and cutting billions of dollars of federal funding to some of the countrys top research universities. Both, the administration says, are attempts to crack down on the scourge of antisemitism that erupted in the wake of Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza. But what if Trumps moves backfire and further fuel antisemitism in the United States? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats what worries Alex Pascal, who helped craft the Biden administrations massive National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism . By directly linking billions of dollars of federal research funding to ostensibly combating antisemitism, I think it plays very much into long-standing tropes about Jews wielding financial leverage to pursue their so-called interests, he said in an interview with POLITICO Magazine. Before working as a senior policy aide in Joe Bidens White House, Pascal served on the National Security Council staff under former President Barack Obama; hes now a senior fellow at the Allen Lab at Harvard. The university recently took a stand against Trumps demands that it change an array of policies and is now locked in a fierce battle with the administration. Pascal said the problem of antisemitism in America is very real on campus and off but argued Trumps approach was not the solution in the long run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to be very vigilant about the erosion of the rule of law and our civil liberties, Pascal said, because that is the best defense against antisemitism, not the protection of the strongmen. This interview took place over two phone calls and has been edited for length and clarity. As one of the architects of the Biden administrations antisemitism strategy, what are your reactions to the Trump administrations moves to threaten funding for universities and to try to deport pro-Palestinian activists? Will they work? I think, fundamentally, that those two extraordinary policies are counterproductive and quite dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They're dangerous because they are eroding the fundamental freedoms and pillars of American democracy in terms of attacking free institutions and free people and are eroding our civil liberties. They're also making life more dangerous for Jewish people on college campuses. In a recent piece in the Forward, you wrote that Trumps moves could actually backfire and fuel tropes about Jews pulling the strings of government. Say more about that. By directly linking billions of dollars of federal research funding to ostensibly combating antisemitism, I think it plays very much into long-standing tropes about Jews wielding financial leverage to pursue their so-called interests. I think that parallel is quite obvious. That's where I'm worried about the administration taking those actions in order to ostensibly protect Jewish people and fight antisemitism. It's the connection with financial leverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tell me about the Biden administrations National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism and how it differs from Trumps approach. The Biden strategy differed in several fundamental ways. First and foremost, the animating feature of President Biden's strategy was the recognition that a strong democracy that safeguards our fundamental rights and the equal protection of the law and values America's diversity is the very best defense we have against antisemitism and other forms of hate. Secondly, the Biden approach was collaborative, not divisive. It was built on finding common ground and unity among targeted groups and building inclusion for Jews on campus and more broadly in society. It was not the divisive approach of this current administration, using threats and intimidation. The Biden approach also consulted extremely broadly across American society, across the breadth and diversity of the American Jewish community and beyond, to inform its strategy. This was a rigorous approach. Over six months, we consulted with over 1,000 stakeholders from across all walks of life to understand what the nature of the problem was, how people were experiencing it on the ground, and to solicit their ideas for how to tackle it. And that resulted in hundreds of actions the Biden administration took, and hundreds of actions that it called on others across society to take. The Trump administration seems extremely focused on college campuses, and that's a real problem, but antisemitism is much bigger than a problem on college campuses. It's a societal problem, and it requires a whole society solution, which is what the Biden administration pursued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antisemitism is undoubtedly on the rise in the U.S., but one of the things that makes this topic so complicated is that antisemitism can be difficult to define. For example, many pro-Palestinian protesters some of whom are Jewish say they are anti-Zionist but not antisemitic, a distinction the Trump administration does not appear to recognize. How should policymakers grapple with that? This is a difficult question. There are a number of definitions of antisemitism that are used to consider action to remediate it. The vast majority of the time, antisemitism is self-evident. Everybody knows it when they see it, and action should be taken to counter it in those instances. There are some times when anti-Zionism can bleed into antisemitism. What I think is important is that the label of antisemitism not be used to shut down legitimate criticism of Israeli government policy, and that we expend the vast majority of our efforts combating the antisemitism that is blatantly obvious and is so pernicious across American society. On the other hand, I do want to acknowledge that there are people who cloak their antisemitism in very harsh anti-Zionism. I want to acknowledge that both ends of the spectrum exist. Its important that policymakers and everyone not get wrapped around the axle of the exact definition of antisemitism, so that it distracts us from fighting the very obvious antisemitism that is out there in the world. It can become a very circular, distracting conversation. Trump has a very close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and has floated some controversial ideas for what to do with Gaza and the Palestinians living there, including posting to Instagram an AI-generated video of Trump Gaza. What do you make of this messaging? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What concerns me about it is that Donald Trump is encouraging and enabling the most extreme version of what Israeli policy toward Gaza and toward the Palestinians could be. And I worry that that is going to backfire and continue to backfire on Jews in America, as well as, obviously, on the Palestinians. The United States has long been Israel's best friend in the world, because it's been in a position to counsel caution and consideration and deliberation around Israeli policy. But Trump, on the other hand, is sort of egging Israel on. He and his administration are giving it blank check support, and what that's doing is encouraging Israel to pursue the most extreme and aggressive policies that it could. Whatever one thinks about how Israel responded to October 7, and American Jews are divided on that, I think its not debatable that when conflict erupts in the Middle East, when there is a greater humanitarian crisis among the Palestinians, that attacks against Jews outside of Israel increase. And when Israel feels a completely free hand, and frankly, the encouragement of its greatest benefactor, to pursue extreme policies, that is going to boomerang in a very bad way on American Jews here in the United States. Im wondering if you see the Trump administrations strategy as about something more than antisemitism. What other agendas could be at play here? I think the Trump administrations so-called campaign against antisemitism is pretty transparently not at all about antisemitism. I think what it's about is going after institutions of higher education, trying to weaken and kneecap colleges and universities, as well as going after immigrants and foreign students. It concerns me deeply that the administration is using Jews and using the guise of antisemitism to erode our civil rights, to erode and attack institutions of higher education and free thought. And that worries me deeply, for the sake of American democracy and for the sake of the safety of Jewish people in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you see this as an attempt by Trump to use Israel as a wedge issue to divide American Jews? I think American Jews are divided already and have a diversity of opinions about the state of Israel and Israeli policy. I don't know that this is a particular intention of the Trump administration to use Israel as a wedge. I think it was already using Israel as well as a wedge, going back to the campaign and even before. But what particularly worries me is that the administration's policies on antisemitism on campus are endangering Jewish people in America and are eroding the pillars of American democracy and civil society. That concerns me more than anything about using Israel as a wedge issue for American Jewish voters. The Anti-Defamation League has been largely supportive of the Trump administrations effort to deport Mahmoud Khalil. What do you think of that? Are leaders of the American Jewish community missing the moment? I think it's really important that American Jewish leaders across the spectrum speak out with moral courage and stand in defense of American democracy and freedoms and civil liberties and diversity. And I think democracy is the best defense that American Jews and people of all of all stripes have against persecution and intimidation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My hope is that American Jewish leaders stand in defense of American democracy, and civil rights, and the rule of law, and the equal protection of the law. I am encouraged when they do so, and I think it's really important at this time that leaders speak out with moral courage. Anything else you wanted to add? Obviously there's a spectrum of opinion in the American Jewish community about the administration, and I respect that. The thought that I would want to leave folks with is that, while [the Trump effort] feels good and I can certainly understand people who feel vulnerable and insecure, particularly after October 7, because of the rise of antisemitism, I very much sympathize with that it's important to recognize that what feels like protection and safety today, because of some of the actions the administration has taken, can disappear in a heartbeat. Today's protection can be tomorrow's persecution. We need to be very vigilant about the erosion of the rule of law and our civil liberties, because that is the best defense against antisemitism, not the protection of the strongmen. I really do feel sympathy with a lot of Jewish people who feel threatened and unsafe. I have friends who send their kids to college who feel excluded, who feel intimidated sometimes and unsafe. That is a real feeling, and antisemitism is a real threat to a lot of people, not just to Jews, but to Americans of all stripes. We need to acknowledge that problem. We need to understand that people feel threatened and insecure and we need to find the wherewithal to defend our democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last thing I'd say is that I am proud of Harvard for standing up and for refusing to be bullied. That is a morally courageous and patriotic decision, and it also carries great risk, and it requires real sacrifice. I'm proud that Harvard stood up, and is hopefully inspiring others in civil society to stand up for the morally courageous and patriotic thing to do. There is now bipartisan consensus that the decline of the U.S. maritime industrial base is a national security risk. The current U.S. flagged commercial fleet falls well short of the robust sealift capacity that would be needed in wartime. The proposed solution: rapid reindustrialization of the American economy. Efforts such as the SHIPS for America Act, the new White House shipbuilding office and the April maritime executive order all aim to boost investment in American commercial and naval ship construction. The challenge is that the words rapid and reindustrialization are an awkward fit. The U.S. is unlikely to move from effectively last place into a pole position dominating the commercial maritime sector in the span of one, two or three presidential administrations. And if the justification for such initiatives is the proximate threat China poses to Taiwan, then time is a scarce commodity. As policymakers on both sides of the aisle consider the feasibility of a wholesale resuscitation of U.S. shipbuilding, there is a nearer-term lever worth pulling: engaging more with U.S. allies in ways that link strategic maritime partners to Americas innovation economy. Navy League urges rapid expansion of battle fleet for future wars Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The April maritime executive order included a mandated 90-day assessment of how allies and trade policy relate to the issue of domestic shipbuilding. Yet to the extent policymakers talk about allies in this context, it is generally to argue for purchasing foreign-built warships or conducting maintenance on U.S. Navy vessels in overseas yards. These are legitimate ideas, and the Navy has been pursuing overseas maintenance thanks to increased congressional support. However, neither idea addresses the core political project of revitalizing national shipbuilding. For that, we must consider the relative strengths of the U.S. and allied economies, which leads to four possible lines of effort in support of nearer-term wins for the U.S. industry. Link U.S. technologies to the maritime economy Given the dearth of U.S. commercial shipbuilding expertise, Americas innovation economy is almost entirely disconnected from the global shipping industry. American tech titans and startups alike have for decades grown in an ecosystem starved of interest or expertise in maritime applications. There are substantial gains to be made from linking those two disconnected sectors, such as fostering partnerships between major shipbuilders in allied countries and innovative U.S. companies working on everything from robotic welding to flexible manufacturing facilities, navigational autonomy and portable nuclear microreactors. These linkages do not guarantee full-scale reindustrialization. They do, however, play to U.S. competitive advantages in software and venture capital- or private equity-backed business, which could be encouraged to consider maritime uses for their technologies if given the right inducements and connections to overseas shipbuilding firms. Scale U.S. defense technology startups with overseas production Another avenue for cooperation in the maritime sector would link U.S. defense technology startups with allied manufacturers abroad in support of boosting U.S. materiel production. To reach near-term targets for fielding hundreds or thousands of autonomous vehicles across all domains, there is a credible argument that U.S. startups must harness the preexisting capital expenditures of legacy manufacturers in countries like Japan and South Korea. Much like an iPhone says on the back, Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China, it is possible to envision a Saronic Corsair unmanned surface vessel with the stamp, Designed in Texas, Assembled in Yokohama. Leveraging shipbuilders for drone manufacturing is already happening on a smaller, domestic scale. California-based Saildrone partners with Alabama-based Austal USA to manufacture its 65-foot Surveyor USV. There is more room to export this model abroad while American startups invest in the long-running project of capitalizing their own domestic manufacturing capacity, helping the Navy address near-term national security concerns while enabling startups to scale fast. Import more foreign management expertise U.S. shipyards are much less efficient relative to overseas competitors. A U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, a U.S. San Antonio-class amphibious assault ship and Royal Caribbeans Icon of the Seas cruise liner are each roughly an order of magnitude larger than one another, yet they all cost about the same amount: $2 billion. There are good reasons why a warship would cost more on a per-tonnage basis than a commercial vessel, but the underlying assertion still holds: U.S. shipyards are not operating at the cutting edge. U.S. yards are already looking closely at Japanese and Korean management models and attempting to graft relevant lessons. And South Koreas Hanwha has made a direct move into the U.S. through its acquisition of the Philly Shipyard. The U.S. naval shipbuilder HII recently signed a teaming agreement with Hyundai Heavy Industries, another Korean firm. Importing overseas techniques is not a surefire route to success, as we have seen with TSMC chip manufacturing in Arizona. Nevertheless, as South Korean, Australian and Italian shipbuilders enter or expand in the U.S. market, a goal for policymakers should be to promote not only increased capital and capacity, but also a tighter embrace of the practices and expertise that these companies bring to American yards. Capitalize on capital Financial services are a domain where greater interaction between U.S. banking and insurance centers on the one hand and allied ship owners and operators on the other could be critical in a crisis or conflict. As recent events in the Red Sea have demonstrated, the U.S. government wields little direct influence on maritime insurance rates, which remained inflated despite U.S. patrols to protect commercial shipping from Houthi attacks. Likewise, there are few clear mechanisms to indemnify or financially incentivize private carriers to continue supplying cargo in hazardous locations when it is in the national interest to do so. In the event of a crisis or conflict in the Pacific, the U.S. would want to promote the flow of essential supplies to allies and partners like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. Joint ventures between financial hubs in New York, London, Seoul, Tokyo and others might help bolster financial service offerings in support of mutually desirable national security considerations for the commercial maritime sector. Financialization across borders will likewise also play an important role in continuing to bring allied shipbuilding firms into the U.S. maritime market, which has so far been limited to the narrow construction of naval vessels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. cannot seize a significant market share in conventional commercial ship construction overnight. As policymakers assess the universe of possibilities to achieve meaningful domestic capability and workforce rebalancing in service of whatever a viable maritime industrial base looks like, allies wait in the wings to provide more and more creative partnerships than have previously been considered. To best harness allied expertise and scale, the U.S. must enter with a clear-eyed assessment of our own strengths, weaknesses and business cases for mutual gain. Part of the answer to that equation is the following: What we lack in an industrial maritime footprint, we make up for in innovation, capital markets and financial services. Therein lie the onramps to a truly American foray into the maritime ecosystem, one built on competitive advantages and the power of friends. Joshua Tallis, Ph.D., is a principal research scientist at the Center for Naval Analyses, a research and analysis organization. He is the author of The War for Muddy Waters: Pirates, Terrorists, Traffickers, and Maritime Insecurity. Archbishop Richard Henning announced three masses to pray for Pope Francis. As the universal Church prepares for Pope Franciss funeral in Rome, here in the Archdiocese of Boston, there will be three opportunities for clergy, religious, and the lay faithful to pray for our Holy Fathers eternal rest, a release from the Boston Archdiocese stated, Monday night. The schedule of the three masses is as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement -Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 PM at St. Theresas Parish, 2078 Centre St, in West Roxbury -Thursday, April 24, 7:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Parish, 144 E Merrimack St, in Lowell -Friday, April 25, 7:00 PM at St. James Church, 560 Page St, in Stoughton The Boston Archdiocese strongly encourages people attend one of the three masses. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A nonprofit organization in Boston has rejected a federal grant to avoid President Donald Trumps tirade against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The non-profit 826 Boston, which offers free tutoring and writing programs to more than 3,000 students, turned down a $250,000 federal grant earlier this year, The Boston Globe reports. The grant was offered by Americorps, an independent agency that helps provide stipend volunteer work to nonprofits. The decision was made after 826 Bostons application was flagged for containing the words diversity, equity and inclusion, a phrase which Trump mandated his first day in office be removed from any organization hoping to get federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 826 Bostons board of directors voted unanimously to forgo the funding, the Globe reports. 826 Boston, an educational nonprofit, turned down $250,000 in federal funds administered by the volunteering agency Americorps (AP) I was really proud of our board because in that circumstance, and in withdrawing the grant, it wasnt a question of whether we should do it, it was how we should do it, 826 Boston President Janet Tiampo told the Globe. But now, the nonprofit is facing a massive hole in its budget and can only afford to hire five tutors for the upcoming year. Im not going to tell you its not scary. It is super scary, Tiampo told the Globe adding that $250,000 for our organization is a lot money. Americorps itself could be in trouble, too. Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency placed the agencys leadership on leave last week, and put most staff members on administrative leave with pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps also told volunteers Tuesday that they would exit the program early due to programmatic circumstances beyond your control. The agency employs more than 200,00 volunteers across the country. Corey Yarbrough, 826 Bostons executive director, told the Globe that his organization couldnt walk on eggshells and put its funding at risk if, for example, a student wanted to write an essay on historical oppression. We couldnt live in that uncertainty, Yarbrough told the Globe. We wanted to take a bold stand, but we also wanted to be proactive and restructure on our own terms. As 826 Boston rejects Trumps mandate against DEI programs, other institutions are falling in line particularly dozens of colleges across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps administration has frozen $2.2 billion in funding for Harvard University, which has taken a stand against control by the president. Federal officials have made several demands of the private school, including ordering leaders to immediately end all DEI programs. The school has sued in response, saying the order threatens its free speech rights. The University of Michigan, once a flagship of DEI efforts, closed its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion last month. The public school cited recent federal executive orders. Case Western Reserve University, a private school in Cleveland, similarly shuttered its DEI office in late March. University President Eric Kaler also cited Trumps executive orders in his announcement. A man is facing a murder charge after police were called to a disturbance at a home in Bostons Allston neighborhood Monday night and found a dead woman. Officers responded to a residence on Glenville Avenue after receiving a 911 call, possibly for domestic violence, shortly before 8 p.m., Boston police Deputy Superintendent Paul McLaughlin said during a news conference. When officers arrived on the scene, they located the body of a woman in an apartment, according to McLaughlin. Also in the apartment was an individual who fled through a window as police arrived, McLaughlin added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers found and arrested 26-year-old Omar Riaz of Allston after he allegedly attempted a carjacking on Quint Avenue. Riaz is was arraigned in Brighton District Court on charges of murder, armed carjacking and resisting arrest, according to Boston police. He was held without bail pending a competency evaluation on Wednesday. The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW DENVER (KDVR) The city of Boulder announced Monday that it had entered into a settlement agreement with Xcel Energy and other parties that the city said would bring faster, more equitable wildfire safety upgrades to the community. The settlement must be approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, but the agreement was filed as part of Xcels Wildfire Mitigation Plan that guides the companys priorities. The agreement will ensure Xcel prioritizes Boulder and other wildfire-prone communities for wildfire safety investments during the next three years. Xcel Energy proposes rate hikes, power shutoffs in $1.9B Wildfire Mitigation Plan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a significant step toward making our community safer and more resilient in the face of growing wildfire threats, said Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde, Boulder city manager, in a release. I am proud of the work our city team did to ensure the voices of our community, and our neighboring communities, were heard and to help shape a plan that better protects the people and places most at risk. According to Boulders city website, the plan from Xcel was submitted to the PUC last summer. Boulder intervened in the PUC proceedings to help shape the plan and advocate for local priorities. Earlier this year, the city and the utility provider joined other stakeholders to present unified recommendations to the PUC, and on April 18, the comprehensive, unanimous settlement was agreed upon. Boulder, alongside state agencies and other organizations, helped negotiate the agreement to ensure high fire risk communities are better protected from the threat of utility-ignited wildfire, such as the Marshall Fire. The company is facing hundreds of complaints, according to information the company gave investors, after the Boulder County Sheriffs Office pointed to the electric and natural gas supplier as a possible second-ignition cause of the Marshall Fire on Dec. 30, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, in April 2024, Xcel Energy shut off power for tens of thousands of Denver metro customers due to high winds in the area. The action was the first of its kind to be taken in Colorado and frustrated many residents, including those who had medical needs that required power. Xcel Energy: Proposed natural gas, energy prices may add more than $2.50 to Colorado residential bills The safety and wildfire resiliency of our community is a shared responsibility, said Chief Brian Oliver, the city of Boulder Fire-Rescues wildland division chief, in a release. Being able to partner with regional organizations like Xcel on wildfire resiliency is just as important as the role the city plays and the role each member of our community plays in creating defensible space and hardening homes. These efforts also go a long way in assisting response efforts. Xcel is assuring that its plan will accelerate wildfire safety upgrades in and around Boulder, with anticipated actions to be taken including replacing aging poles and installing stronger, more fire-resistant equipment. The utility provider also said that it will work with the city to improve how planned outages are communicated, especially for vulnerable community members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xcel also agreed to provide better data and clearer communication to help Boulder plan and respond to wildfire risks. The PUC is expected to review and release a decision on the settlement later this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) The Boulder County Sheriffs Office said that a theft report at the Superior Target turned into a hospital trip for one of its deputies. The agency reported that at about 1:44 p.m., deputies went to the Target on Marshall Drive in Superior for a theft report. They located the suspect vehicle a gold GMC Yukon with no license plates in a nearby parking lot. Man faces up to 1,200 years in prison for firing dozens of rounds into Greeley bar Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies reported that inside the vehicle were two white adult female suspects and one white adult male suspect. A black and white collie mix dog was also in the vehicle, according to the agency. While a deputy was contacting the suspects in the vehicle and gathering information, the driver of the Yukon allegedly fled the parking lot, heading eastbound and reportedly driving over the contacting deputys foot. The Boulder County Sheriffs Office shared these photos of suspects and a suspect vehicle that were pursued following a theft investigation in Superior. (Courtesy the Boulder County Sheriffs Office) The Boulder County Sheriffs Office shared these photos of suspects and a suspect vehicle that were pursued following a theft investigation in Superior. (Courtesy the Boulder County Sheriffs Office) The Boulder County Sheriffs Office shared these photos of suspects and a suspect vehicle that were pursued following a theft investigation in Superior. (Courtesy the Boulder County Sheriffs Office) The Boulder County Sheriffs Office shared these photos of suspects and a suspect vehicle that were pursued following a theft investigation in Superior. (Courtesy the Boulder County Sheriffs Office) Law enforcement initiated a pursuit, but terminated it near McCaslin Boulevard and U.S. Highway 36. The vehicle was last seen heading west on U.S. 36. The suspects are described as: The driver was described as a white female with blonde hair in a bun, approximately 115 to 120 pounds, and wearing a green shirt The front passenger was described as a white female with dark hair, facial tattoos and also wearing a green shirt The rear passenger was described as a white male who was approximately 60 years old with gray hair and a gray goatee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The injured deputy was later examined at a hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. No other injuries were reported. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The suspects remain at large, and the sheriffs office said it anticipates charges of vehicular eluding, theft and reckless driving. Anyone with information about this case or the suspects is asked to not approach them, but instead contact the Boulder County Sheriffs Office non-emergency line at 303-441-4444. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Saving money while also helping the environment are some of the benefits one Boulder Valley school has seen after it added electric school buses to its fleet. Peak to Peak Charter School said its seen the impact these buses have had on its bottom line. For Earth Day, the school gave FOX31 a tour of the electric buses. They added electric buses to the fleet in 2022. The school said it makes kids healthier, saves the school money and is better for the environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Highland Electric Fleet buses eliminate tailpipe emissions and reduce exposure to pollutants. Each electric bus reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.2 metric tons annually, compared to diesel buses, contributing to a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, according to the school. More snow? Denvers late April snowstorm may have been the last Also, Peak to Peak said electric buses have 97% fewer moving parts than diesel buses, leading to lower maintenance costs and operational savings over time. The buses even use Vehicle-to-Grid technology. This means the buses can return stored energy to the grid during peak demand, enhancing grid resilience and supporting renewable energy integration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peak to Peak has four of these electric buses three are the standard 71-passenger buses, and one is a 24-passenger bus. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) A Brandon man pled guilty to attempted escape and simple assault on a law enforcement officer. Madison and Rankin Counties District Attorney Bubba Bramlett said Franky Lee Lovern, Sr., 54, of Brandon, was sentenced to two concurrent terms of five years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). Hinds County to honor fallen deputy at awards ceremony Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Bramlett, the sentences will be served consecutively to the 30 year sentence Lovern began serving after a Rankin County jury found him guilty of sexual battery of a child and gratification of lust in October 2024. The new convictions were the result of Loverns assault of a Rankin County deputy and attempted escaped as he was being taken into custody after the guilty verdicts were returned. After he was handcuffed, authorities said Lovern tried to grab the deputys gun, and a struggled ensued. Franky Lovern (Courtesy: Rankin Co. District Attorneys Office) Deputies were able to subdue Lovern to prevent his escape. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Four weeks after the Tasty Kraut German cuisine food trailer exploded, the business has been brought back to life to serve San Angelo residents once again. Heres how the owners rebounded from a wurst-case scenario. The Tasty Kraut food trailer exploded during the night of March 23 while being stored at the Affordable Self Storage site on United States Highway 67. Although it was reported by the Dove Creek Fire Department that no one was injured by the blast, photos shared online by The Tasty Kraut showed that the trailer sustained extreme damage. Theres nothing left, the business said in a Facebook post published the morning after the explosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tasty Kraut which Holger Buchwalder, husband of business owner Pia Buchwalder, told Concho Valley Homepage was his familys future here in the United States was only a few months old at the time of the explosion, having been opened by the Buchwalders in January 2025. The explosion occurred just after The Tasty Krauts first week in San Angelo, with the business operating in Mertzon before that time. RELATED: Concho Valley food trailer exploded in storage A photo of the wreckage of the Tasty Kraut food trailer taken after it reportedly exploded in a San Angelo storage unit during the night of March 23, 2025. The loss didnt deter the Buchwalder family, however. Holger Buchwalder said that it is his wifes dream to provide West Texans a taste of Germany, a dream that has been decades in the making. Shes a chef for over 30 years, so her dream is to bring German food to West Texas, Holger Buchwalder said. So its not only the business side of it its also fulfilling part of a dream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holger Buchwalder shared that the people of San Angelo helped them along the way, with thousands of dollars in donations from a GoFundMe fundraiser assisting in the purchase of a new food trailer and support from the community aiding in the businesss recovery. The Buchwalders also received support from overseas, as friends and family in Germany spurred them along. Weeks after the explosion, it was announced that The Tasty Kraut was going to resume operations in a new food trailer on April 22, bringing back its usual menu of German foods as well as a new item: Bratkartoffeln, also known as German fries. Holger Buchwalder said that, with The Tasty Kraut now back in operation, the business will begin to spend more time in San Angelo. He said the explosion was a bump in the road for their food trailer. It was just one stone in our way, we just get over it and do it again, Holger Buchwalder said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Buchwalders havent forgotten the people who got them to this point, though. Holger Buchwalder stated that his family is making plans to give back to the San Angelo community. He also thanked the towns residents for the outpouring of care they received in the weeks following the explosion. I cant thank enough for all of the help and all of the support, Holger Buchwalder said. I dont have any words to thank the people. Thats why I want to come up with something to show appreciation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Alabama-born physicist Kathryn Thornton, 72, embodies a historic shift in space exploration. Born into a working-class family, her first job was washing dishes in the restaurant run by her parents, who wanted their children to be the first in their family to go to college. Thornton not only achieved that, but also became one of the first female astronauts, embodying the new face of space exploration at NASA, which until then was dominated by white men with military training. Thornton traveled to space four times between 1989 and 1995, and is the woman who has spent the second-longest time outside a spacecraft, performing spacewalks. In 1993, she was the only woman to participate in one of the most complicated spacewalks in history to repair the Hubble Space Telescope, an observatory that had cost around $2 billion and was returning blurry images due to a flaw in its optics. The mission was successful and restored the instrument for science, which has since helped make some of the greatest discoveries in the history of astronomy. Many years later, Thorntons eldest daughter, who was 11 years old when her mother helped repair Hubble, earned a PhD in astrophysics using images taken by the very same telescope. This week, Thornton will visit Spain to give a talk at the Starmus Festival, which kicks off Friday on the Canary Island of La Palma. In this interview with EL PAIS, the astronaut reflects on how much space exploration has changed, especially in the current era, which she views with some dismay. She expresses astonishment at Elon Musks power and his influence over NASA, as well as concern about Donald Trumps attacks on science in the U.S. Question. How would you explain to someone what it would feel like to go into space for a spacewalk? Answer. You train in the water tank and other simulators, but you find out when you first go out that all simulators lie to you in one way or another. And so you get pretty smart in the first 20 minutes about how to move around and maintain control of your body. Because when theres no gravity, and you stop moving your hands, for example, the rest of your body still has momentum unless you apply an opposite torque to keep your rear end behind your front end. Id say its like moving a refrigerator on ice, while wearing skates. Its hard to get moving, but much harder to stop. Astronaut Kathryn Thornton during the spacewalk to repair the Hubble telescope in 1993. NASA Q. What is your most vivid memory from your trips to space? A. One of them was definitely letting go of the solar array from the Hubble we repaired. I just took my hands off of it, didnt push it anywhere, and it floated away. I could see it flapping like a giant bird flying through space, right above Saudi Arabia, which is a beautiful part of Earth seen from space. It was mesmerizing. Q. Do you have any bad memories from traveling to space? A. On my second mission, I had a rather frustrating experience. We had to capture a satellite and strap a new booster motor on it. But it turned out to be much more difficult than expected. The predictions about how it would behave when interacted with were pretty far off. It weighed about 4,000 kilograms, and half of that mass was liquid propellant. And the satellite was rotating, which gave it gyroscopic stability, but since it wasnt a solid mass, it didnt behave exactly like we thought. The method we had intended to capture it with didnt work. So we did the first and only three-person spacewalk. I was inside, guiding everything and making sure they got into the airlock. They went out and grabbed it with their hands. Q. You were one of the first female astronauts, and you were at NASA for 12 years, what was that experience like? A. I wouldnt say it was terribly challenging. The fit of some things, particularly the spacesuit, was probably the biggest challenge because it wasnt custom-made. Its made up of various parts. So they give you a shorter upper arm than some of the guys would wear, a shorter lower arm, but they dont change the diameter. When you try to bend your elbow, you start interfering this piece with this piece, which restricts your movement enormously. When youre training in the water, youre flopping around inside that suit. If I were to get positioned on my back in the tank, I would fall into the back of the suit and I couldnt reach the gloves because my arms couldnt reach. There were a lot of things like that. Its not really a gender thing; its more a build thing, which of course is correlated with gender. In the end, you can either complain and make someone else do it, or work really hard to make it work. And thats what I did. Kathryn Thornton, with the rest of the crew of the first flight of the shuttle 'Endeavour' in 1992. NASA Q. What do you think about current space exploration? A. There have been many changes. My NASA was completely different to that of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. At the NASA I came into in the shuttle program, we were flying a lot of people, and we were flying a lot. I myself had four flights in six years, which is unheard of now. With the retirement of the shuttle and the arrival of the space station, everything changed. I dont think well ever see that rate or that number of flights again. Crewed missions to recover satellites or repair Hubble are no longer possible. I dont know that thats a bad thing if we go off and do something even more spectacular. I would love to see people walk on Mars, but I dont think its going to happen. Q. Do you support going to Mars instead of the Moon? A. Yes, Im on the Mars side. If we need to go to the Moon sooner to make the journey safer, then I support that too. But I worry that if we establish a permanent base on the Moon, that we will have sunk an anchor in there and have a hard time moving past that. Q. Why? A. After the end of the Apollo program in the 1970s, our next goal was to have a permanent presence in space: a space station. That was the focus for over 25 years, until we finally achieved it in 2000. Since then, theres always been somebody in space. But we havent done much else: just orbited the Earth over and over again. We wont be able to move forward until we end that. We have to decommission the space station, and NASA will hand over the baton to commercial space stations. Only then can NASA move on to the Moon and, hopefully, develop something beyond. Q. Did you ever imagine that the richest man in the world would be a space entrepreneur sitting to the right of the president of the United States? A. Im completely flummoxed by that whole concept. Every day were surprised by something new, and we have no idea whats going to happen next. Unfortunately, I have no factual information. I can only blather my thoughts, which arent necessarily based in fact, but rather on what I read or hear. Q. Are you concerned about a wave of layoffs and cancellation of projects like the new Nancy Roman Space Telescope? A. Yes, some of the science missions are probably in danger. Its heartbreaking. Not just for NASA, but for the other space agencies. Q. Could the mission to land the first woman and person of color on the moon also be in jeopardy? A. Yes, of course. All the progress weve made over the past 70 years is in peril. Q. What do you think of China as a new space power? A. China is already our biggest competitor. Before that, it was the Soviet Union, and that competition is what got us to the Moon. I dont see competition as a bad thing. In the past, even with ballistic missiles pointed at each other, we collaborated with the Soviets in space. Weve worked with the Russians for 25 years on the space station. I think we could do that with China, if we chose to. But right now, were in a competition. Q. What current space technology do you find most promising? A. Theres a lot of potential in high-specific-impulse, low-thrust engines, like plasma engines. When I was teaching orbital mechanics, I asked my students to design a trajectory to Mars, and they unwittingly proposed an idea very similar to the Gateway [the lunar outpost]: take multiple components out of Earths gravity, assemble them in space, and, at least for cargo, use low-thrust, continuously operating thrusters like a slow boat like the ones that go to Antarctica. You can send cargo to the Gateway, and from there, slowly to Mars. For people, we would use a different system, but for materials, its a possibility. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Gov. Mike Braun signs a pair of executive orders dealing with unemployment insurance in his Statehouse office on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Gov. Mike Braun signed ten bills technically enrolled acts into law on Tuesday, including a contentious parental rights proposal and one adding requirements for developers of long-haul water pipelines. Bills become enrolled acts after passing through both chambers. All ten bills were due for governor action by Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Senate Enrolled Act 4, developers of long-haul water pipelines defined as structures over 30 miles in length transporting more than 10 million gallons a day must get the sign-off from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and seek certificates of public convenience and necessity. It also includes strict permitting requirements for transferring water from one water basin to another. Brauns signature comes on the heels of his Monday executive order to develop a statewide water inventory and management plan. Another measure, Senate Enrolled Act 143, would require courts to give deference to parental rights in disputes with government regulators. Opponents called the proposal too broad in committee while some supporters said it didnt go far enough. Of the ten bills signed Tuesday, only two are effective immediately. House Bill 1633 would direct the Indiana Secretary of State to study the scheduling of local elections and whether the state should require all counties to use vote centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another, Senate Enrolled Act 119, prohibits submitting applications for a certificate of public advantage after May 13, 2025, part of an ongoing effort to reduce hospital mergers. Just one measure signed Tuesday would be retroactive: Senate Enrolled Act 462, which would define practitioners as it relates to behavior analysts. All other proposals would be effective on July 1, 2025, when the states next fiscal year starts. Other bills signed Tuesday include: Senate Enrolled Act 491 allows for the annexation of noncontiguous property in Madison County into the city of Alexandria for an industrial park. House Enrolled Act 1126 changes the membership of the Maumee River Basin Commission and dictates pertinent actions surrounding flood plains. House Enrolled Act 1376 amends the definition of emergency medication in regards to opioid overdose reversal medications. House Enrolled Act 1478 removes a sunset provision for pro bono legal services fees. House Enrolled Act 1595 requires the secretary of the Family and Social Services Administration to reapply for a Medicaid state plan amendment to establish a new long-term care partnership program. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SAO PAULO (AP) Brazil's Supreme Court orders more key Bolsonaro allies to stand trial over an alleged coup plot. A 103-year-old, single-lane bridge that leads to Mount Rainier National Park and the Carbon River Ranger Station is permanently closed due to safety concerns, the Washington State Department of Transportation said in a news release on Tuesday. This closure stops public access from state Route 165 to popular areas such as Mowich Lake, Spray Park, the Carbon Glacier Trail and Tolmie Peak. Visiting those areas will now require hiking many miles on likely overnight trips from another entrance to the park. The 494-foot-long state Route 165 Carbon River Fairfax Bridge which is located near milepost 11.5, three miles south of Carbonado has been closed since April 14. WSDOT announced last week that they were closing the bridge indefinitely after crews inspected it and saw the steel supports deteriorating. Now, its closed for good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow-up inspections prompted the agency to permanently close the 103-year-old bridge, the release said. Photos show the bridge support column is bent in two directions and starting to buckle. While there is a 9-mile emergency detour for first responders and local property owners, that detour is not open to the public, the release said. There is no way for the public to access that area of Mount Rainier National Park or the Carbon River Range Station from state Route 165. Closing the bridge was our last option, Steve Roark, an Olympic Region administrator for WSDOT, said in the release. We fully understand the magnitude of this decision for everyone who relies on this bridge. The Carbon River Fairfax Bridge connects state Route 165 to Mount Rainier National Park. The bridge is closing permanently due to safety concerns from the steel deteriorating. The rust is visible underneath the bridge in this photo. Washington State Department of Transportation There is no funding right now to replace the bridge, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WSDOT officials said they are considering three options. One of the options is to keep the bridge closed and not replace it, one is to build a replacement bridge in the same area, and the third option involves re-routing SR 165 on a new alignment to east or west of Carbon River Canyon, the release said. WSDOT is actively working with the Governors office, partnering agencies and the state Legislature on all possible next steps, the release said. There will be an in-person and online open house after Memorial Day. WSDOT said they will announce those dates in a news release when they have been confirmed. The open house events will give the public opportunities to provide feedback and input on options being explored, the release said. This is a side-by-side comparison of the same gusset plate on the bridge, pictured in 2024 and 2025. The steel is rusting and getting progressively worse, prompting safety concerns that led WSDOT to shut the bridge down permanently. Washington State Department of Transportation History of the bridge The Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge opened in 1921. WSDOT previously said in a news release that an average state-owned vehicle bridge lasts 51 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July 2024, WSDOT reduced the bridges load rating to 16,000 pounds. In 2013, commercial vehicles could no longer go across the bridge. WSDOT placed three restrictions on the bridge between 2009 and 2024, the Tuesday release said. Years of deferred preservation work due to limited preservation funding resulted in the updated weight restrictions and now the indefinite closure, WSDOT said in a previous news release. BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) Local Catholic churches are reacting to the death of Pope Francis who held the position for over a decade. The 266th Pope died Monday from a cerebral stroke. Pope Francis dies at 88 In February, Francis was hospitalized for 38 days with double pneumonia. He later made a few public appearances, his last on Easter Sunday. Father Tom Lawrence with St. Annes Catholic Church in Bristol, Virginia said he was shocked to hear the news of the popes death Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this death caught most of us by surprise, especially since we were very focused on Easter and werent expecting international news in the church this morning, Lawrence explained. Francis had served as pope since 2013 and was the first Latin American to hold the position. He followed Pope Benedict XVI after Benedicts resignation. Pope Francis led the Catholic Church through COVID-19 and would comment on world politics. It caused a lot of good discussion, but some confusion and concern as well, Lawrence said. I think overall, once you come to understand what hes trying to describe, what he shared in full, it made sense to most people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope Franciss death comes during the Easter octave, a time where the Catholic Church continues to celebrate the Easter Holiday. Lawrence said they are waiting to hear how to proceed with the mourning time for the pope. Were in the octave of Easter this eight-day period, including Easter Sunday, that makes things a little more difficult just because all of the celebrations in the church for that period, the Octave of Easter, supersede most funeral rites. Theres a bit of guessing and checking to see how well all proceed in terms of our morning and individual churches as well as how the universal church responds to this. Lawrence said once the period for mourning ends, church leaders in the Vatican will meet to decide who the new Pope will be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Diocese of Knoxville released a statement Monday about the Popes death. As we join with Catholics around the world in mourning, we remember his humbleness and his legacy of care for creation, mercy for our poor and marginalized brothers and sisters, and a profound joy in the lives of each of us in living and sharing the Gospel as followers of Jesus, Bishop Mark Beckman, Diocese of Knoxville Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Under pressure from London, British Maj. Gen. Thomas Gage put quill to paper 250 years ago last Saturday in issuing the disastrous order for a raid on Concord in the Province of Massachusetts Bay that would ignite a revolution, lose Britain a colony, and bring forth a loosely united new nation called America. "Sir, you will march with the corps of grenadiers and light infantry put under your command with the utmost expedition and secrecy to Concord, and where you will seize and destroy all the artillery and ammunition, provisions, tents and all other military stores you can find," Gage wrote to Lt. Col. Francis Smith, commander of the 10th Regiment of Foot, who would lead the "Concord Expedition." Gage would later add to the initial draft of the order an admonition to "take care that the soldiers do not plunder the inhabitants or hurt private property." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: New Army Fitness Test: No More Ball Yeet, Higher Standards for Combat Arms The anniversary of the outbreak of the Revolutionary War precedes a slew of planned celebrations when the United States marks its 250th year of independence in 2026. Then as now, those living in what would become the 13 states of the new nation were bitterly divided. But at the outset of the war, colonialists were split between those loyal to the crown and those who were ready to fight for independence. Gage thought the loyalists had given him excellent intelligence on where the colonial militias had stored arms and what types of arms, down to the names of the owners of houses who were hiding ball and powder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the colonials also had great intel that sent Paul Revere, well-mounted on a fast horse, and two other riders to spread the alarm that Smith's force of about 700 had crossed the Charles River in long boats and was on the march toward Concord. Gage's plan to snuff out a budding revolution with a quick raid to seize and destroy arms on April 19, 1775, was about to fall apart. The Gage order is part of the Thomas Gage Papers collection of more than 23,000 items, including letters, documents, journals, financial records, and military orders now housed at the University of Michigan's William L. Clements Library. To mark the 250th anniversary of the first battles of what would become a revolution, the library has put on an exhibit focusing on the Gage papers called "Bloody Work: Lexington and Concord 1775." In a phone interview, Cheney Schopieray, curator of manuscripts at the Clements Library, said the collection shows that the British Parliament "was very unhappy with Gage" in his role as commander in chief of British forces in North America and governor of Massachusetts Bay, "but he managed to keep the kettle from boiling over until 1775." In Massachusetts last Saturday, thousands turned out to view ceremonies and demonstrations by re-enactors to mark the 250th anniversary at Concord and Lexington, and also at Minute Men National Historical Park, run by the National Park Service. The Park Service also gave a running account of the battles that led to the British retreat back to Boston in a rout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At about 5 a.m., the British column encountered Capt. John Parker and his company of 77 Minutemen who had been ordered to "stand your ground and don't fire unless fired upon." Then "someone, somewhere fired a shot," which would become "the shot heard round the world," the Park Service said. The British infantry rushed onto the green and fired upon Parker's retreating troops. Eight militiamen were killed on the Lexington town common and 10 were wounded. The fight had been joined. There would be no turning back. By noon, the British had wrapped up their mostly unsuccessful search for arms and began the 18-mile march back to Boston, as colonial militiamen swarmed to the area to confront and harass the retreating British until they were met by a relief party just outside Boston. In total, the casualties for the British were 73 killed, 174 wounded, and 26 missing; the colonials suffered 49 killed, 41 wounded, and 5 missing, the Park Service said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gage later gave an account of the battles to the Earl of Dartmouth, William Legge, who was secretary of state for the Colonies, to describe the unorthodox tactics of the colonials, and possibly save his job. Gage wrote that, "on the return of the troops, they were attacked from all quarters where any cover was to be found, from whence it was practicable to annoy them, and they were so fatigued with their march that it was with difficulty they could keep out their flanking parties to remove the enemy to a distance, so that they were at length a good deal pressed." He also noted that Boston itself was being threatened. "The whole country was assembled in arms with surprising expedition, and several thousand are now assembled about this town threatening an attack, and getting up artillery. And we are very busy in making preparations to oppose them," he wrote. The letter didn't work. Gage was recalled to London and replaced by Gen. William Howe. Related: Secret Recordings Show President Roosevelt Debating Military Desegregation with Civil Rights Leaders British drivers have been fined 25 million for accidentally bringing migrants back to the UK, figures show. Travellers have been penalised for unknowingly transporting stowaways in trailers, bike rack covers and in the back of motorhomes. Since last January, the Home Office has issued almost 6,000 fines under its Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme, according to data. The scheme is designed to tackle the number of illegal migrants getting into the country, but has been criticised for punishing unsuspecting Britons who report stowaways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drivers can be fined up to 10,000 for each clandestine carried, even if they have no knowledge of their presence. They can also be fined 6,000 if their vehicles are not adequately secured which applies whether entering or departing the UK and is enforceable even if no migrant gets on board. Figures obtained by The Daily Mail, via a freedom of information request, show that, since Jan 1 last year, 5,906 penalties totalling 25,662,299 have been imposed by the Home Office. Those punished included Adrian and Joanne Fenton, from Heybridge, Essex, who were fined 1,500 after they found a migrant hiding under a bike rack cover attached to the back of their motorhome. The couple, who had returned to the UK from France via the Eurotunnel LeShuttle, discovered the stowaway after their six-hour journey in October. Last month, Border Force, part of the Home Office, cancelled the fine after taking their objection to liability into consideration. A migrant hid inside a bike rack installed on a vehicle belonging to Adrian and Joanne Fenton - Facebook Peter Hughes was fined 6,000 after a would-be illegal immigrant was found hiding in his trailer in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The retired ambulance technician, from Droylsden, Lancashire, said he and his wife Anne knew nothing of the Sudanese stowaway before French border force officers found him at Calais. He paid the fine after it was reduced to 150 following an appeal . Figures show that, of the 6,000 penalties issued since the beginning of last year, just 2,295 have been paid. Lisa and George Russell had their 3,000 fine overturned after unknowingly driving two Sudanese migrants through Calais in their camper van. In a letter from Border Force, the couple were told they had demonstrated that they had complied with regulations to the extent required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Secretary of State has chosen to exercise general discretion and exceptionally, on this occasion, your penalty has been reduced to 0, the letter added. A Home Office spokesman said: We are fully committed to stopping people from illegally entering the country and cracking down on people smugglers, which is why the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme is there to ensure drivers take every reasonable step to deter irregular migration. We understand that recipients of penalties may disagree with the circumstances of the fine. The option to appeal and trigger a review is made clear in supporting documents. 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. Field trips to Alicia Keys Broadway show and the Jewish Museum, followed by writing assignments. A 1,500-word essay on any education topic. A 10th-grade seminar where students learn about different career paths in the education sector. At Brooklyn International High School in downtown Brooklyn, public school students from 32 different countries are exploring careers in education, as New York City embarks on a hiring blitz to meet a growing demand for teachers whether to meet the needs of shifting student demographics or a new requirement to lower class sizes. Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos suggested she had been thinking about the issue since she led the school systems efforts to take in migrant students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was relentless in saying that, as we welcomed thousands of migrant children into our school system, that we needed to be innovative with our approach to building the bilingual teacher pipeline, she said during a school visit Tuesday with CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez. And theres no better place to do that than in our international schools. Brooklyn International is one of 24 public schools offering an education career program through FutureReadyNYC, a signature initiative of the Adams administration, education officials said. Students earn college credits and job credentials, and participate in paid internships. In total, there are 135 schools in FutureReady citywide focused on health care, technology and other career paths with plans for an expansion this fall. The career track in education is particularly timely. Independent budget analysts predict New York City will need to hire 17,000 new teachers to comply with the state law to lower class sizes. By fall 2028, classrooms will be capped between 20 and 25 students, depending on grade level. So many of them want to become teachers, the chancellors first deputy, Dan Weisberg, said of high school students. Its a job they see and, for many of them, they love. The FutureReady education pathway is definitely a major piece of the puzzle of how we open up our talent pipeline, for sure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont know yet how many more will have ed[ucation] pathways for the next cohort, but it was a significant number that applied to have education pathways. About 100 Brooklyn International students are on the education career track, according to Megan Minturn, the schools FutureReady coordinator. Another 50 students are expected to join the program this fall when the school launches its second career track in human and social services focused on jobs such as being a social worker or counselor. Citywide, about 15,000 students are participating in FutureReady. Luis Ruiz, 27, is a graduate of Brooklyn International who participated in College Now, another partnership between the citys public schools and the City University of New York. Just a couple of weeks away from earning his masters degree in teaching English as a second language, he is back at his alma mater mentoring students like him who immigrated from South America to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruiz, who is originally from Guatemala, said many of his students are from Ecuador and Venezuela: I feel like I can connect with them because I was once in their shoes. More than 62% of Brooklyn International students speak Spanish as a home language, according to school data. Amy, a Brooklyn International student who is from Senegal, said she had been stressed over career decisions after high school, but her 10th-grade seminar helped her choose what she may want to do in the future. For now, her plan is to become a social worker. Because I love helping, she said. I came here three years ago, and I feel connected when I help immigrants. Ancient Assyrian Words in Turkish One of the Assyrian tablets found in Kultepe Kanesh-Karum, which traces the history of Kayseri, Turkey back 6,000 years, April 21, 2025. ( IHA) Kultepe Kanesh-Karum, one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkey and known as "the birthplace of Anatolian history," has entered its 77th year of continuous excavation. As the dig unfolds in the heart of central Turkey, new insights continue to emerge, including linguistic revelations that connect the ancient world to our everyday speech. Located along the Kayseri-Sivas highway, Kultepe is home to one of Turkey's longest-running archaeological missions. Headed by Professor Fikri Kulakoglu and supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism along with Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality, the excavations are bringing to light remarkable details about early Anatolian civilization. Thousands of cuneiform tablets unearthed Since the beginning of the dig, more than 23,000 cuneiform tablets, envelopes, and official records have been uncovered at the site. Written in Old Assyrian using the cuneiform script, these tablets date back nearly 4,000 years and provide an extraordinary glimpse into the economic and social life of the time. But beyond economic contracts and trade records, the tablets have also yielded a remarkable surprise: words that resemble or even directly match terms still used in modern Turkish--albeit via complex linguistic paths. Ancient Assyrian words echo in today's Turkish Professor Kulakoglu explains that many of the words, although Assyrian in origin -- a Semitic language considered an ancestor of modern Arabic--eventually found their way into Turkish through Arabic and Persian influence, especially during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. "Words like kira (rent), semsiye (umbrella), emlak (real estate), akran (peer), esir (captive), and mahallinde (on-site) appear in these ancient texts. Others, like aksam (evening), kadir (value or power), keser (adze), muzakere (negotiation), reis (chief), and vekil (deputy or representative), are used almost daily in contemporary Turkish," said Kulakoglu. He emphasized that while these words are not directly inherited from Old Assyrian, they reflect a shared linguistic heritage that evolved through centuries of cultural interaction. The discovery underscores the deep historical roots of the Turkish language and how ancient civilizations continue to influence modern societies. "Language is one of the strongest links we have with the past," added Professor Kulakoglu. "To see that connection written in clay thousands of years ago is extraordinary." By Alimat Aliyeva The Republic of Korea's fourth reconnaissance satellite has been successfully launched into its target orbit, Azernews reports. The launch took place at 09:48 Korea Standard Time (04:48 Baku time) from the U.S. Space Force base at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellite was deployed into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket from the American aerospace company SpaceX. In total, South Korea plans to launch one more reconnaissance satellite by the end of 2025. Once all five spacecraft are operational, they will provide Seoul with continuous monitoring of North Korea, with surveillance intervals as short as two hours. The first reconnaissance satellite was launched in December 2023, marking a significant step toward enhancing South Korea's own space capabilities and reducing its reliance on the United States for intelligence gathering. On November 21, 2023, North Korea launched its own reconnaissance satellite, the Malligyong-1, following two unsuccessful attempts earlier. This development has intensified regional security concerns, as both Koreas aim to bolster their satellite capabilities for military and strategic purposes. In addition to its military applications, South Koreas growing space program is also seen as a stepping stone for the countrys broader technological ambitions. As Seoul strengthens its space infrastructure, it will not only improve its defense capabilities but also contribute to advancements in satellite communications, Earth observation, and space science. Camp Manzanar is located in a bucolic Californian landscape. From there, one can appreciate the imposing summit of the famous Mt. Whitney, one of the highest peaks in the United States. The area is attractive to those who enjoy mountain climbing, but the region is best known for having left behind an important historic lesson, after housing one of the internment camps that the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration created during World War II. A warning is written on a plaque visible to the sites visitors: May the injustices and humiliation suffered here as a result of hysteria, racism and economic exploitation never emerge again. The name of Manzanar has come up in recent weeks in Donald Trumps America. It was the first of 10 internment camps that the United States set up after Japans attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. Roosevelt, who was president at the time, released a series of decrees directed toward people living in the United States who had heritage from or other links to the Axis countries. Washington feared that these residents had sworn loyalty to Germany, Italy or Japan and that it would help them during combat on U.S. territory. Roosevelt created the series of camps (except for two) through an executive order: 9066, which was signed into effect in February 1942. The order is today a shameful stain on the countrys history, and paved the way to the detention authorities at the time called them evacuations and incarceration in Manzanar of 110,000 Japanese individuals. Some were immigrants, but its been calculated that two-thirds of those detained were born in the country and had U.S. citizenship. The camps also served to imprison 11,500 Germans and around 3,000 Italians. The legal basis employed at the time was the Alien Enemies Act, a law passed in 1798 that had only been used on a few occasions, all during times of war. The first was in 1812, during a conflict with the United Kingdom. It was revived in the 20th century, initially during World War I and then after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. U.S. authorities began making arrests just 11 days after the attack on the naval base in Hawaii. A Camp Manzanar detainee in 1943, photographed by Ansel Adams. Universal History Archive (Getty Images) Its the same law that Trump has dusted off as a tool in his fight against what he considers to be another invasion, that of undocumented immigrants. The Trump administration has set new precedent in the use of conflict-related powers and further expanded the executive branchs latitude to monitor, detain, and deport noncitizens, the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington D.C. think tank, declared in a statement. The Republican president has invoked the law in order to facilitate the detention for deportation of citizens of Venezuela and El Salvador, as demonstrated by the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The 29-year-old was arrested in March, accused of belonging to a gang, and sent to his native El Salvador, specifically to President Nayib Bukeles maximum-security prison. This, despite the fact that he had already established well-founded fear, meaning that hed proven to migrant authorities that his life would be in danger if he returned to his country. Abrego Garcias deportation has caused a clash between different arms of the government. The Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the citizens return, with which the executive branch has refused to comply, arguing that he is now out of its jurisdiction. On Wednesday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said that if he returned to the country, Abrego Garcia would be deported again. James Boasber, the district judge who determined that Abrego Garcias deportation was illegal, said on Wednesday that he would initiate contempt proceedings against the executive branch. Stephen Miller, Trumps influential public policy adviser and the mastermind behind the use of the Alien Enemies Act as a weapon to control immigration, has lashed out at the judge, arguing that the law is virtually unassailable. The Alien Enemies Act, which was passed into law by the founding generation of this country men like John Adams was written explicitly to give the President the authority to repel an alien invasion of the United States. That is not something that a district court judge has any authority whatsoever to interfere with, enjoin, restrict, or restrain in any way. You can read the law yourself; theres not one clause in that law that makes it subject to judicial review, Miller asserted at the end of March, when the showdown began between the courts and the White House. A group of Japanese Americans wait to leave Manzanar and be relocated, in a 1943 image by Ansel Adams. Universal History Archive (Getty Images) Amid this dispute, the shadow of the internment camps, which operated through 1947 and where day-to-day life was captured by photographers such as Ansel Adams, looms large. Densho, a nonprofit organization that preserves the history of Japanese Americans who were interned, was one of the first to call attention to the parallels. If this history teaches us anything, it should be the devastating consequences of allowing fear and xenophobia to shape our national policies, and the importance of resisting the resurgence of laws like the Alien Enemies Act, wrote the association in October, when Trump first promised to wield the law during one of his rallies. Densho also offered a reminder that during the Second World War, the law led to the creation of a hundred special courts, which decided if detainees would go to an internment camp or receive conditional freedom. Herbert Nicholson, a missionary who worked at the time as a translator, called this process a farce that did not allow those accused legal representation nor to dispute the alleged evidence, which was mostly hearsay testimony. Judging by court records, it is precisely this kind of evidence that today has Abrego Garcia locked in a prison thousands of miles from his family. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Apr. 21A little piece of Brunswick entered space last week onboard the all-female Blue Origin rocket flight. Partnering with nonprofit Teachers in Space, Karin Paquin's middle school students at St. John's Catholic School designed an experiment that flew on the New Shepherd rocket during the historic launch on April 14. The CubeSat, a type of small satellite, flew with other experiments including many designed by students in the payload of the rocket. It had also been on an unmanned flight leading up to the one captained by Lauren Sanchez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students proposed hypotheses and schematics and selected sensors for the CubeSat. Their experiment measured temperature, UV radiation and other environmental conditions in the cabin as the rocket launched into suborbital space. Fiona Sharp, now a freshman at Brunswick High School, helped design the Blue Origin CubeSat last year when she was in eighth grade at St. John's. She programmed sensors that went into the Blue Origin experiment, including one that measured radiation. "There's really no words to describe it; it was just surreal," Sharp said. "It's crazy to see something that you touched with your own hands and put so much time into fly." St. John's students watched the launch live at school last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was really really cool having something that kids we knew built, and it was on a flight with all of these influential women," said seventh grader Aria Golletti, who didn't work on the Blue Origin experiment but is working on St. John's next space project now. The hands-on experience shows students that "everyone can do science," Paquin said. It was possible through a grant Blue Origin provided to Teachers in Space, she added. "Companies like (Blue Origin) make experiences for my students possible, because this is not something that a teacher or a small school could afford, so that's pretty exciting companies that put education first, knowing eventually, we're going to have to fill positions," Paquin said. "And so how do you get kids started?" Sharp said her experience in Paquin's class helped solidify her love for science, and taught her the importance of trial and error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Just because you don't get the results you want back the fist time, you should keep experimenting and maybe try something else," Sharp said. Paquin's science classes over the years have had several experiments onboard space flights. She said that the Maine Space Grant Consortium, Teachers in Space and Space for Teachers have been invaluable resources in helping bring space education to Brunswick and beyond. Work from students at St. John's will also be on board a Zero-G flight in May, on which Paquin will be a passenger. "The coding was tough," said seventh grader Jesse Davis, who worked on the upcoming experiment. "I was not totally sure what I was doing, but with lots of help, I got through." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zero-G planes, or reduced gravity aircrafts, simulate the feeling of weightlessness and are used for astronaut training, research flights and tourism. Paquin went on one such research flight two years ago. "All of a sudden, you just feel weightless," Paquin said about her experience. Some former students have taken their research even further by competing in the University of Southern Maine CubeSat Design Competition. St. John's students Wesley Agnor and Gabriel Grondin placed first in the competition's middle school category last year. Paquin will also lead workshops this summer on space education at the CS Summer of Fun conference in Bangor. Copy the Story Link Donald Trump has started a tariff war based on awful economics, apparently without any thought to the consequences for US businesses, consumers or markets, and no clear end game. But the US does have some legitimate grievances about the trade policies adopted by other countries and not just by China. For the last 40 years, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has published an annual report detailing the barriers that undermine fair competition. These are classified into no fewer than 14 categories, covering both tariff and non-tariff policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you might expect, the European Unions rap sheet is longer than most. Indeed, the EU takes up 34 pages of the latest report, second only to the 48 pages devoted to China. Tariffs are typically the most visible barrier. In 2024, the simple average of the EUs tariffs was 5.1pc, not that far above the 3.4pc then applied by the US. But this average conceals a wide range, with significantly higher rates for many goods exported by the US. Moreover, tariffs are just the tip of the iceberg. The USTR report also details a long list of non-tariff barriers, including the EUs overly restrictive and complex regulations covering everything from AI to zootechnics. The impacts of these non-tariff barriers are much harder to quantify, but they impose a substantial compliance burden on foreign firms. We do not have to look far for evidence of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The underperformance of UK exports since Brexit has been wildly exaggerated by those who want us to rejoin the EU. Nonetheless, the new challenges faced by many British firms are testament to the trade barriers that the EU has long maintained against other countries. In contrast, the UK merits just five pages in the US report, but we could still do a lot better. Again, tariffs are the easiest place to start. The UKs average tariff rate was 3.8pc in 2024, so much closer to the US than the EU. But this average also hides a wide range, such as 10pc on passenger cars and much higher rates on many foodstuffs including meat, seafoods and dairy products. The US is right to complain that these rates apply to US goods, but not to those imported from countries such as Ireland or Italy, thanks to the tariff-free deal agreed between the UK and EU after Brexit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In almost all cases, the Government has simply rolled over the global tariff rates applied by the EU, perhaps fearful of any divergence which might make it harder to realign in future. The same point also applies to many of the non-tariff barriers, making global Britain only a little less protectionist than the EU. Admittedly, genuinely free trade is not easy to sell. Measures that would lower barriers to trade are often framed negatively as concessions, even if they would benefit domestic consumers as least as much as foreign producers. This even applies to calls to drop the UKs Digital Services Tax (DST), which the US regards as a discriminatory tax on US tech platforms. But just as importantly, the DST is a fundamentally bad tax on economic activity because it applies to revenues, not profits. It is also inevitably passed on to UK consumers, and was only ever intended as a stop gap anyway. The lack of imagination here was illustrated by the risible fanfare given to the recent announcement that the UK is temporarily suspending tariffs on just 89 products, only for two years, saving UK businesses and consumers a mere 17m a year. For context, customs duties raise about 5bn annually (another reason the Treasury is reluctant to give them up). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The detail underlines the ridiculousness of these tariffs. The first item on the list of duty suspensions was blue weber agave syrup. I had to look this up, but apparently it is a sweetener often used as a vegan alternative to honey. Why not drop this tariff permanently? Many of the other suspensions are completely baffling. Another only applies to sheets of aluminium alloy of a thickness exceeding 3mm, but not exceeding 6mm, for use in the manufacture of balcony parts. Remember, someone in Whitehall is working on this on your behalf. The UK does at least have zero tariffs on many agricultural commodities that we do not produce, such as cocoa and coffee beans. But a 6pc tariff is still applied if the coffee beans are roasted, rising to 8pc if they are decaffeinated. The Government is, in effect, protecting coffee-processing businesses in the UK, regardless of the additional costs to consumers. Canada deserves a dishonourable mention, too. The maximum US tariff on imports from China is now an eye-catching 245pc. However, free trade-loving Canada imposes an even higher tariff of 245.5pc on imports of European cheeses that exceed the relevant quotas, whether from the UK or the EU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps strategy still makes no sense. There is no world in which you would expect each country to have balanced trade with each and every other country. And even in a best case, the US is likely to exit a trade war with higher and more complex tariffs than before. In short, supporters of free trade should continue to criticise the US. But we should take a long hard look at what the EU and UK are up to as well. 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. Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, who announced April 9, 2025, that the Senate's spending plan would include no earmarks for the coming fiscal year, talks with Senate Judiciary Chairman Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach, in Senate chambers on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (File photo by Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA The states poor and rural districts stand to lose the most from a budget with no earmarks, some legislators said, while others celebrated a pause on spending long criticized for its lack of transparency. When the Senate Finance Committee advanced its spending plan for the coming fiscal year, Chairman Harvey Peeler made a stunning announcement: The budget will not include any earmarks in other words, no spending requested by legislators to fund projects in their districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision comes two years after total earmarks what legislators have consistently called community investments soared to $713 million. While last years tally was smaller, at $435 million, critics said the process still allowed unvetted spending of taxpayer dollars. Peeler, the Senates chief budget writer since 2022, made clear the tally this year will be zero. No more pet projects equals more money in your pockets, the Gaffney Republican said in a statement April 9. Two hours later, a joint statement went out from Peeler and House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister agreeing to focus this year on tax reform. (Typically, the House adds earmarks after the Senate passes its budget plan.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exactly what that means remains to be seen. The House Ways and Means Committee meets Tuesday to hear from Frank Rainwater, director of the states fiscal affairs office, on options for changing the income tax structure. The meeting comes three weeks after his offices analysis showed a House GOP proposal would result in most tax filers paying more in state income taxes initially, resulting in Republicans putting the skids on their own bill. The meeting agenda clearly states, in bold and underlined, the committee will take no vote Tuesday. Meanwhile, the full Senate will open floor debate Tuesday on its spending package. It includes a revenue reduction of $290.5 million to complete the Legislatures 2022 tax-cutting law, which phased in a reduction in income tax rates, a year ahead of schedule. The budget passed by the House in March planned to do at least that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Normally, the Senate has more money to spend, since the states fiscal experts make mid-year revenue adjustments after the House passes its initial plan, providing senators what former Gov. Nikki Haley liked to call the money tree. Those above-expectation tax collections often went toward earmarks. But the Board of Economic Advisors declined to recognize any surplus at its meeting earlier this month. Known for being conservative in its estimates, the board cited an uncertain economy due to tariffs and federal spending cuts, as well as questions from the delayed income tax filing season. (In South Carolina, tax filings are due May 1, rather than April 15 this year.) That meant no money tree this year for one-time expenses. Legislators response to no earmarks Peelers announcement surprised even legislators, including many who had already submitted the paperwork laying out their earmark requests. Poor, rural communities in particular will have to forgo improvements and new equipment they cant afford without help, legislators representing those areas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That includes projects already underway that local governments need funding to complete, said House Assistant Minority Leader Roger Kirby. It is not conservative to waste money on restarting projects, and thats what were going to have to do, the Lake City Democrat said. In Williamsburg County, one of the poorest in the state, Kirby had asked for money to expand the water system, with the hopes of attracting bigger businesses to the area. Williamsburg County doesnt have the tax revenue to afford finishing the project. But without the expansion, the county wont be able to attract more economic development, Kirby said. That project and similar ones are not going to happen on their own, Kirby said. Theyre just not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rural water system improvements were also among requests made by freshman Sen. Russell Ott. Ott asked for new water meters in Swansea, as well as improvements to water and sewer systems in Calhoun County and the stormwater system in Cayce. Those systems are in dire need of upgrades that the cities and counties cant afford, he said. Folks from my district need help, real help, said the St. Matthews Democrat, who was the Houses assistant minority leader before Kirby. Without extra money, cities in Marlboro County will continue driving firetrucks from the 1980s, said Sen. JD Chaplin, a Darlington Republican. The sheriffs department in Lee County will remain unable to fix its broken air conditioning unit. And law enforcement officers across the five counties Chaplin represents will continue using unreliable radios, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chaplin, a freshman legislator, said he was disappointed to learn he wouldnt get to fund those projects. When he was running for office, he promised to better fund law enforcement and infrastructure in his area, which those earmarks could have done, he said. Its going to continue another year with patches and Band-Aids and not actually fixing the problems we have in South Carolina, Chaplin said. Thats not to say Chaplin opposes a tax cut, which was another of his campaign platforms, he added. Chaplin and Ott, who also said hed support a tax cut, questioned why legislators couldnt figure out a way to do both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relying on state money that may or may not come through on a given year has always been a bad idea, said Sen. Greg Hembree. Each year, the Little River Republican suggests to representatives of the local governments and nonprofits that come to him for funding to think of whatever they get as a gift: nice to have but not necessary to keep running, he said. Depending on earmarks is a risky place to live, he said. Last year, at Hembrees request, North Myrtle Beach received $1.5 million to dredge sediment and debris from Cherry Grove Beach, and Sea Haven Youth Crisis Center got $65,000 to screen youth for medical and dental issues, according to budget documents. While Hembree would have liked to continue funding those causes this year, they wont end without it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobodys closing their doors because the money isnt coming in, Hembree said. Although earmarks are one-time spending, legislators have long used repeated requests to fund expensive projects in their districts or give annual allocations to nonprofits, amounting in some cases to millions of dollars over the course of several years. Spending on earmarks ballooned after the COVID-19 pandemic, when the states budget was flush with federal assistance used for one-time projects such as interstate widening, broadband, and water and sewer upgrades. Money also poured into state coffers from a spike in sales tax collections as South Carolinians spent their own federal relief payments. Collections then stayed above expectations due to inflation. The budget passed in 2022 contained about $390 million in earmarks, after the Legislature upheld Gov. Henry McMasters vetoes that struck $33 million worth, before hitting that record-high $713 million in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After such high amounts, taking a year off could help legislators take a step back and consider how theyre spending that money, Hembree said. Itll be kind of healthy, Hembree said. Past and future budgets If future budgets go without earmarks, Hembree said he feared a return to secretive spending with little-to-no oversight. For years, earmark spending was rolled together in vaguely worded line items in agencies budgets that gave no clue as to where the money was going. That practice ended in 2021, when legislators began listing earmarks and who sponsored them. In 2023, for the first time, legislators began giving the governors office paperwork explaining their requests before sending him their final spending plan. The explanations are why McMaster vetoed very little last year, even while continuing to call for changes. Eliminating earmarks wont eliminate requests for money, Hembree said, and the pressure will be on for legislators to fulfill them somehow. I fear (the process) could revert back to what it was, Hembree said. Legislators might consider creating a grant program, as McMaster has advocated for years. Under his proposal, local governments and nonprofits could apply for a chunk of money for agencies to dole out. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey celebrated even a brief end to a process he has criticized for years over a lack of transparency. Hallelujah, said the Edgefield Republican, who was part of a bipartisan duo that successfully pushed for the secrecy to end. Even after the changes in recent years, Massey has questioned the process and called for reviews on the back end, to be sure nonprofits were spending the money the way they said they would. Ultimately, I think we have to make a decision, Massey said. Should we collect more money than we need and then dole it out in this process that really has little vetting? Or should we just not take any more money from taxpayers than we need? SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Business coalition fights proposed cut to four-year higher education system Mike Skelton, president and CEO of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire organized a coalition of business leaders urging Senate budget writers to reject the House-approved state budget that cuts state aid to the University System of New Hampshire by about 30%. A coalition of business groups is urging Senate budget writers to restore $50 million cut by the House from state aid to the University System of New Hampshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire organized a Tuesday news conference meant to build momentum for the case that University System Chancellor Catherine Provencher and her team will make before the Senate Finance Committee on Friday. The funding of University System of New Hampshire is an investment in the future of our states economy. USNH is a key partner that attracts talent to New Hampshire and prepares them to join our workforce and help our economy grow, said BIA President and CEO Mike Skelton. While we understood this state budget cycle would be challenging, the proposed House cuts to the University System go too far and would harm our states economic competitiveness. The University Systems four-year schools are the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University and Keene State College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several speakers said the Senate should adopt the revenue estimates that Gov. Kelly Ayotte used when she presented her budget proposal two months ago. The House used a much lower revenue forecast $700 million less from state taxes and fees for the two-year budget cycle that would run through June 2027. The revenue projections and USNH funding levels proposed in Governor Ayottes budget are a realistic and pragmatic path forward that will allow USNH to continue as the business communitys partner in attracting and developing our workforce of the future, Skelton said. USNH Chancellor Provencher said the House budget represents a 30% cut $57.6 million less than current levels of state aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite real headwinds in higher education caused by the declining number of high school graduates and intense competition in New England, for the first time since 2013, the number of in-state New Hampshire students attending USNH institutions increased, in part because of the states investment to keep tuition down, Provencher said. Tuition has remained unchanged for the past six years. USNH trustees have already announced that there will be an increase in tuition next year. House Republican budget writers maintain the state aid cut represents about a 2% reduction for a system that has annual revenue of more than $1 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also point out that lawmakers made a similarly sized cut in 2011 to cope with a major real estate recession. Provencher said the system annually attracts nearly 13,000 potential future leaders and members of the workforce to come and study in New Hampshire. We as a state should not be gutting the investment in USNH when we have the opportunity to grow and attract businesses in the life sciences, advanced manufacturing and other innovative spaces, Provencher said. The New Hampshire College and University Council is scheduled to release a study on the economic impact of higher education later Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mica Stark, the councils president and CEO, said the University System contributes $7.6 billion to the states economy and supports 52,000 jobs. UNIQUE resource The coalition opposed the decision of House budget writers to claim as state aid $15 million in the UNIQUE college scholarship program managed for the state by Fidelity. Business coalition lobbies against cutting USNH aid Chancellor Catherine Provencher This year the program provided more than 7,700 scholarships. Since UNIQUEs inception in 1997 it has provided $213 million in financial aid to students. Edwin Gutierrez-Nunez, a sophomore at Franklin Pierce University, a private college in Rindge, said hes the first in his family to attend college as the son of immigrants from Mexico who work as housekeepers in Nashua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNIQUE is a major reason why I attend college. My family cant afford tuition without these scholarship funds. Taking direct scholarship aid funds to balance a state budget is wrong, and it sends a terrible message to young people about the priorities of this state and its leaders, Gutierrez-Nunez said. Bill Greiner, chairman of the board at Primary Bank, said these reductions would be shortsighted. The proposed cuts, especially to higher education, are wholly unnecessary and will only blunt the hard work our businesses and our citizens are doing every single day to build and maintain a strong statewide economy. Corinne Benfield, executive director of Stay Work Play NH, said a well-supported state college and university system is critical to convincing young people to remain in New Hampshire and pursue a career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we arent funding our educational system we risk falling behind; the message is that we dont care to compete, Benfield said. She said USNH created Stay Work Play in 2009 when more than 50% of Granite State college graduates were leaving the state. Since then, the percentage of graduates remaining here is hovering around 60%, Benfield said. Its progress, but this doesnt solve our problem, which is that the workforce gap has grown significantly, she added. Others who took part in Tuesdays event were executives with the chambers of commerce in Manchester, Nashua and Portsmouth, and officials with New Hampshire Life Sciences, Granite Edvance, Primary Bank and the New Hampshire Tech Alliance. klandrigan@unionleader.com DAVIDSON COUNTY A Trinity man has been charged with defrauding multiple customers of his Davidson County business. Jesse Allen Black, 52, the president and majority owner of Triad Carports and Metal Structures Inc. at 1961 E. U.S. Highway 64 in Lexington, is accused of taking cash deposits for buildings and structures that were never completed, according to a Davidson County Sheriffs Office report. On April 15, deputies executed a search warrant at Triad Carports, and Black was arrested and charged with 25 counts of felony obtaining property by false pretenses. Black has a hearing scheduled for May 14 in Davidson County District Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early 2025, detectives began a fraud investigation that found over $300,000 was paid since late 2022 by multiple people for work that had not been completed, a sheriffs office report said. Investigators ask that anyone who has information related to this investigation contact Lt. C. Goforth with the Davidson County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation Division at (336) 242-2123. FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) The South Coast Rail is officially back in action after 34 years. The commuter rail is not only convenient for those looking for a quick trip up to Boston, but also for the businesses surrounding the train stations that will likely see more foot traffic. Weve been waiting for this, the train project, for the last gazillion years, said Jehan Khan of Stop and Save Discount Tobacco. As long as I can remember, weve been saying that the train is coming, and finally its here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Medley of St. James Irish Pub is looking forward to the boost in business from commuters going to and from the train station. Though the Purchase Street pub isnt on a direct route to or from the train station, he expects some riders will want to stop for a bite to eat throughout their ventures. All aboard: South Coast Rail now in service New faces down here, if we can get the kind of clientele that we like to have down here, Medley said. Good people just looking for good value. In this day and age, everybodys looking for that value for their dollar, he continued. If we can get more of those people down here, the more the merrier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khan is also looking forward to the boost in business, but told 12 News ongoing construction has negatively affected the Davol Street shops regular flow of customers. Its like a domino effect, because nobody can come this way to get to the train station, Khan said. Thats whats holding us back, but once theyre done with it and its full-fledged, it will definitely be a big help. Khan is hopeful that business will pick up once the roadwork is completed in the next year-and-a-half. The MBTA has extended its fare-free weekends for South Coast Rail through the end of May. MBTA reports issues with South Coast Rail service Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. DENVER (KDVR) After years of struggling through crime concerns, pandemic aftershocks and prolonged construction, one local business on Denvers 16th Street Mall says the area is finally turning a corner thanks in part to the citys renewed focus on safety and revitalization. Brooklyns Finest Pizza, located along the once-bustling corridor, opened in 2019. But owner Carlo Conti said the past few years havent been easy. Denver business advocates take fight against retail crime to nations Capitol Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a lot of homelessness, a lot of drug use on the mall that I had never seen before out in the open, Conti said. There wasnt a lot of enforcement. It was like a ghost town. Conti said his staff endured aggressive incidents inside the store, including theft, physical altercations and vandalism. He said business dropped so sharply, he ended up selling a property just to stay afloat. From 2023 to 2024, we took a $250,000 revenue hit from the construction on the mall and thats just after we got out of COVID, he said. Now, he says things are beginning to improve. The city of Denver has deployed additional officers to the area, along with private security teams and a mounted patrol unit. Officials say the visible presence is helping to deter crime, increase engagement and reassure both residents and tourists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you want a successful city, you have to have a safe city, said Jon Ewing with the mayors office. Whether its more officers on foot or the mounted patrol, we want people to know an officer is always just a stones throw away. Denver to increase downtown police presence in effort to invigorate area The enhanced patrols are part of a broader initiative to bring energy and business back to the 16th Street Mall a focal point for both tourism and transit downtown. This is an amazing time to invest in our city, Ewing said. When people visit Denver, this is where they come. Conti said hes already seeing the impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can feel it coming back, he said. The police presence is heavy, and theyre enforcing it. A lot of the nonsense and riff-raff that was going on its no longer seen. More importantly, he said, its showing up in his bottom line. Denver puts $1.5M more into 16th Street Mall for summer events, activities I think the city is heading in the right direction. As a business owner, Im looking forward to a very bright future on the mall. City officials say a grand reopening event is planned around Memorial Day, when most of the 16th Street Mall is expected to reopen to pedestrians and buses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Republican Representative Byron Donalds was met with boos and jeers at his town hall on Monday, after refusing to answer a basic question about Elon Musk and DOGE. As a member of the Oversight Committee, what oversight are you imposing on Elon Musk and DOGE? a constituent asked. The question was followed by over 10 seconds of cheering and applause. Donalds proceeded to explain how DOGE works rather than answer the question directly, insisting that Musks anti-woke, government-slashing operation was in the same vein as what former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama did with special employees in their own administrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of oversight from Congress, thats much more of an Appropriations [Committee] aspect, Donalds said. What DOGE is doing right now, is theyre going through every agency and theyre examining any contracts or any lack of efficiency in spending federal dollars. This is something that The crowd began to groan and boo, but Donalds continued. Like I said, what they are doing is under the direction of the president of the United States. If youre gonna talk about what oversight is doing, we actually have to let the DOGE uh, uh, Committee, the DOGE Department, actually finish its work, Donalds explained. What they are examining right now is inefficiency in the federal system. This is something that President Obama wanted to do when President Obama was elected This nonanswer was met with even more frustration from the town hall crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can boo if you want to, but those are the facts, Donalds replied. Donalds essentially admitted that hed be doing absolutely nothing to monitor DOGE as an Oversight Committee member. Trump already gave DOGE permission to fire thousands of people and start cuts to Social Security, so everything must be fine. DALE, Texas (KXAN) The Caldwell County Sheriffs Office is investigating a deadly shooting that happened in Dale on Easter. Deputies responded to a crash in the 6000 block of Taylorsville Road on Sunday, where a vehicle with three men inside had lost control and rolled over. Two of the occupants were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the sheriffs office. The third person died after first responders attempted life-saving measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said the crash investigation revealed that the person who died had a gunshot wound. Deputies then went to a nearby house, where they said the shooting happened, to continue investigating. The person who died has not yet been identified by authorities, and the investigation is ongoing. The Caldwell County Sheriffs Office asks that anyone with information about the incident contact Detective Marie Reinarz at 512-359-4514 or marie.reinarz@co.caldwell.tx.us. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. TOKYO - The Japanese government is considering expanding tariff-free imports of U.S.-grown rice as part of negotiations over higher levies imposed by Washington, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday. One proposal involves increasing the amount imported from the United States to around 410,000 tons from the current 350,000. Japan currently imports approximately 770,000 tons globally every year tariff-free, the sources said. Japan has traditionally protected its domestic rice industry in trade negotiations, but the government has determined that some concessions are necessary to secure exemption from U.S. tariffs, the sources added. The proposal also comes amid growing calls in Japan for more affordable imported rice, as prices continue to surge due in part to a supply shortage, despite recent government stockpile releases intended to ease market strain. Since the additional 60,000 tons of U.S. rice would fall within Japan's minimum access commitment, the impact on domestic farmers may be limited. A larger volume of imports, however, could depress rice prices and hurt producers' incomes. Economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief negotiator and a close aide to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is expected to hold a second round of talks with the United States over its tariffs later this month. Japan currently imposes a tariff of 341 yen ($2.40) per kilogram on any imported rice beyond the annual tariff-free quota. In March, rice prices rose 92.1 percent from a year earlier in the nation, the fastest pace since comparable data began in 1971. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said late last year that Japan's rice production for 2024 is estimated to reach 6.83 million tons. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Tokyo to open the Japanese market further by easing nontariff barriers such as auto safety regulations, subsidies and the systems for importing and distributing rice. Trump complained that Tokyo imposes a 700 percent tariff on rice, a claim Japanese agriculture minister Taku Eto described as "incomprehensible." Related coverage: Dollar falls briefly below 140 yen line as Trump attacks Fed chief Japan's core consumer prices up 3.2% in March on high rice prices 84% expect Trump's tariffs to affect their livelihoods: Kyodo poll Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another edition of Rent Free. This week's newsletter takes a look at two important pieces of California legislation and the crucial committee hearings that they face today. Getting the YIMBY Revolution Working Over the past half-decade or so, the California Legislature has passed dozens of bills that peel back state and local restrictions on home construction. Despite this flurry of new legislation, actual home construction in the Golden State has continued to stagnate. As a report from YIMBY Law detailed back in February, developers have been slow to make use of laws that are designed to make their jobs easier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conclusion of that report, and a consensus among the state's housing supply advocates, is that reforms have been hopelessly compromised by legislative mandates and politically convenient carve-outs to powerful interest groups. Builders are allowed to bypass local zoning rules to build homes on commercial corridors and church land, provided they include affordable housing, pay union wages, build to exacting environmental standards, and more. Local governments, often none too keen on new housing, have proven remarkably creative at designing roadblocks to stop housing projects that benefit from state-level streamlining. "Everybody wants a piece," said YIMBY Law's Sonja Trauss to CalMatters back in February. "The pieces taken out during the process wind up derailing the initial concept." This year, the Legislature is considering a number of bills to limit some of these mandates and overcome local obstructionism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the 13 housing bills scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Housing Committee today are Senate Bill 677 and Senate Bill 79. The former would add many additional protections to lot splits and duplex projects that were legalized on paper in 2021 via that year's Senate Bill 9. The latter would allow more apartments near transit stops. Proponents of the bills say they'll go a long way toward getting the state's YIMBY revolution working. But late-breaking opposition from many of the same groups that demanded compromising carve-outs in the first place, and a supply-skeptical Housing Committee chair, could derail these efforts. Fixing Missing Middle Perhaps the most underperforming California YIMBY bill is S.B. 9. Passed in 2021 and implemented in 2022, the bill allowed property owners to construct duplexes on single-family-zoned lots and divide single-family lots into two properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analyses of early versions of the law suggested that it could result in hundreds of thousands of new units in the state's most expensive neighborhoods. Instead, as white papers and media investigations have detailed, the law's unit yield numbers are in the hundreds. Advocates say the legislation's effectiveness was limited by regulations on the size of new lots created by S.B. 9 and a provision that required property owners to live on-site if they wanted to do a lot split. Local governments also piled fees, affordability requirements, and impractical design mandates to prevent S.B. 9 projects. "It's an all-you-can-eat buffet of local subversions with the law," Nolan Gray, legislative director of California YIMBY (and occasional Reason contributor), told Reason back in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement S.B. 677, written by state Sen. Scott Wiener (DSan Francisco), attempts to fix these loopholes by ending owner-occupancy and lot-size requirements. It also limits local government fees and design requirements. Housing Near Transit Another longtime priority of California's YIMBY reformers has been allowing larger apartment buildings near transit stops. In 2018 and 2019, Wiener had introduced ambitious bills to do just that. Both failed in the Legislature, but those bills served as a conversation starter that's informed much of the subsequent debates around policy in the state. This year, Wiener is trying again with S.B. 79. The bill would establish state zoning standards that allow for up to seven-story apartment buildings within half a mile of train stations and major bus stations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would also allow public transit agencies to develop housing on land that they control. Because current state law does not require housing built near transit stops to include parking spaces, housing allowed under S.B. 79 would effectively be exempt from minimum parking requirements. An Uncertain Future In the run-up to today's hearing, a wide range of interest groups issued letters opposing S.B. 677 and S.B. 79. Some of this opposition is unsurprising. The California League of Cities, which typically opposes any state preemption of local zoning powers, has come out against S.B. 677. In a letter to Wiener, the League says that the bill does too much to limit local governments' "flexibility" in regulating duplexes and lot splits. By limiting impact fees, the bill prevents local governments from recouping the costs of new development, the League says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More novel is the opposition of affordable housing developers to S.B. 79. In a letter sent last week to Wiener, a coalition of nonprofit builders registered their "strong concerns" with the bill. By not mandating that new developments near transit include affordable units, the bill "will lead to the production of market-rate housing near transit at the expense of affordable housing, rather than to the development of both in tandem," they wrote. Stacking the deck even more against S.B. 79 and S.B. 677 is the apparent hostility of Senate Housing Chair Aisha Wahab (DHayward). Wahab, as the San Francisco Chronicle reported earlier this month, has derided past state streamlining bills as "giveaways to developers." The state senator has frequently criticized efforts to exempt new housing projects from minimum parking requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pro-housing lawmakers could try to "roll" Wahab by convincing other Democrats on the housing committee to vote in favor of housing bills over her objections. But as Politico notes, this is considered a confrontational move in the Legislature. If S.B. 79 and S.B. 677 do die in the Housing Committee, there's a chance that they could still be revived in another committee or brought directly to the floor by the Senate president pro tempore. Those would also be extreme measures. Quick Links The Trump administration is reportedly considering cuts to the federal government's Section 8 housing voucher program. Also, the administration's rollback of fair housing regulations continues apace. A California housing bill that would exempt urban infill housing from the state's environmental review law passed out of a crucial Assembly committee yesterday. Tariffs continue to weigh heavily on U.S. homebuilders. Rising insurance costs and special assessments are making Florida's condo owners desperate to sell, reports The Wall Street Journal. The post California Housing Bills Face Crucial Hearing Today appeared first on Reason.com. (FOX40.COM) California legislators, law enforcement, and advocates gathered on Monday in support of CA Assembly Bill 379. Those who spoke said theyve made progress in targeting sex traffickers themselves, but not enough action has yet been taken to punish those who purchase sex from minors being trafficked. Officials who spoke believe this bill can help change that. San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan said shes seen rows of cars lined up to solicit sex from minors as if buyers were in line at a fast-food drive-through, placing an order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a terrible reality that while President Lincoln thought that he had ended slavery, that today in America we have human trafficking, modern-day slavery, as the second largest criminal industry in our nation, the DA said. Under current California law, its a misdemeanor to solicit or offer sexual services. This bill would make it a felony to purchase sexual services from anyone under the age of 18. Current California law only makes it a felony to purchase sex for a child 15 and under. Local law enforcement expressed frustration with the status quo. We could be arresting someone in the same parking lot, and another buyer pulls up to buy somebody else because theyre so oblivious to it, they dont care, Sacramento County Sheriff and former Assembly Member Jim Cooper told reporters. Why are we protecting them? Theyre abusing young girls, it makes zero sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would offer a diversion program and establish a survivor fund to support victims. Sacramento Democratic Assembly Member Maggy Krell authored the bipartisan bill. It helps support those girls, helps them rebuild their lives while penalizing the sleazy men who are buying them in terms of setting up this fund that would come directly from those buyers, it would be a $1,000 fine, Krell said. Marjorie Saylor was a victim of sex and labor trafficking for 17 years, beginning at age 15. She now works as an advocate for victims and says this bill could be a game-changer. Targeting buyers, she said, is a crucial step in the right direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the first incident where I nearly lost my life, before he beat me, he said youre just a prostitute, nobodys gonna care, I can do whatever I want to you, Saylor told FOX40. And he was right. California also has the fifth-highest number of missing and murdered Indigenous people in the country. Regina Cuellar is the chairwoman of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and spoke alongside California legislators in support of the bill. Native Americans account for 40% of trafficking victims despite comprising only three percent of the U.S. population, these statistics are unacceptable, Cuellar said. Assembly Bill 379 marks an important step in confronting those who prey on Indigenous children and all at-risk youth. Those in attendance agreed that the time for change is now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill needs to be remembered as California declaring for the first time that our children are not for sale, San Diego DA Stephan continued. I am amazed that this is even up for debate, arent you? The Public Safety Committee will vote on the Assembly Bill next week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. CHICAGO (WGN) A California man faces a felony drug charge in connection with a deadly crash that claimed the life of a Chicago man in far south suburban Crete. According to Illinois State Police, 58-year-old William D Fanning of Rancho Cucamonga faces two counts of aggravated driving under the influence of drugs involving death concerning a two-vehicle crash on Wednesday, April 16. ISP says a truck tractor semi-trailer traveled eastbound on Burrville Road as a Chevrolet Malibu traveled southbound on the Calumet Expressway ( Illinois Route 394). According to State troopers, the semi failed to yield while turning left, causing the front end of the Chevrolet to strike the semis trailer and become lodged under it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First responders rushed the 40-year-old driver of the Chevrolet, identified as Joshua D. Kutz, to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. According to ISP, troopers arrested Fanning, who reportedly ingested methamphetamine before the fatal crash. Will County prosecutors formally charged Fanning, and he remains in jail pending his initial court appearance. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines ISP did not release a booking photo of the suspect. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Kentuckys next Senate race is more than a year away, but attention is growing as more candidates are expected to join the race. One candidate has released a new poll showing himself in the lead. I really think there are two primaries. There is the standard GOP primary thats held in May of 2026. But there is the Donald J. Trump primary thats going on right now, FOX 56 News Political Analyst Jonathan Miller told FOX 56 News. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters shows Daniel Cameron with a strong showing, broken down across every media market in the state. The poll gives a slight bump to the lead Cameron showed in coefficient polling in February, although its important to note that the poll had a larger sample size. Both polls were commissioned by Camerons campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Often the polls that we see from campaigns tend to make their candidate look stronger than other polls will. Thats not because the people who take campaign polls are making up data or cant be trusted. But there are different ways to administer a poll that can either cause results to look a little bit more one way or a little bit more the other, and usually the pollsters that work for a campaign are not in the business of making their candidates look weak, University of Kentucky political science Professor Stephen Voss told FOX 56 News. Its no surprise that Camerons looking strong right now. His opponents havent done anything by way of real advertising. Cameron ran a statewide race, so Cameron is going to have good name recognition, Voss said. MORE POLITICAL NEWS: Both Voss and Miller said Camerons standing offers few surprises at this point in the race but added that this poll could be more about getting someone elses attention, particularly in Washington, DC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether thats getting political endorsements or getting money, raising money, its going to help his fundraising. But again, its that audience of one when it comes to Trump. Trump does not like to support losers, Miller said. This Cameron poll might not be about Andy Barr. It might be about Morris, the candidate that some have discussed as possibly getting the Trump endorsement. Trump endorsed Daniel Cameron before, Daniel Cameron won a primary before. To have Cameron looking so much stronger in the poll than Morris would encourage people in the Trump camp to stick with him, Voss said. Neither Congressman Andy Barr nor Lexington businessman Nate Morris has officially entered the race, although Barr has organized a campaign announcement event for Tuesday night. Barrs campaign declined to comment on the poll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voss said the number he thinks is just as significant is the undecideds, and this early on, he said the support in each column is not baked in. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Over a third of the voters in the polls say that theyre undecided. But then, some of the voters who do have a preference likely are up for grabs. We sometimes see people moving around. I really dont think this race can crystallize until Andy Barr is able to roll out his campaign and voters get a chance to consider him as a possible alternative to Cameron, Voss said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) The CEO of Camping World sat down with a local radio station in Eastern North Carolina to discuss the controversy between the City of Greenville and Camping Worlds flag. Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World, chatted on Tuesday with Henry Hintons Talk of the Town program, which aired on 103.7 WTIB and 96.3 WRHT. Lemonis discussed the controversy, saying that even if the city chooses to sue him and he loses the lawsuit, he will not take down the flag even if that means jail time. He also allegedly insinuated that the council is not familiar with state law and that the ordinance violates it. Lemonis stated that, They [the council] should probably do a little research on the statutes in the state of North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Greenville City Council has already voted on the legal matter, saying yes (4-2) to hiring legal experts and pursuing a law suit against Lemonis and Camping World. Lemonis added in his interview that he has already closed one of the two Camping World locations in Greenville. We think the ordinance is wrong, said Lemonis. I think its also wrong council members have been working very actively to disparage my business and on Friday I had to consolidate modification of 2 dealerships in town. The main one that youre referring to and another one of Greenville-and we had to close that our business which has been unfortunately impacted uniquely in Greenville, N.C.. Henry Hinton, the radio interviewer, mentioned to Lemonis a potential agreement that could be had between him and the council. The agreement would be that Lemonis and Camping World donate $50,000 to the Maynard Childrens Hospital in exchange for Lemonis fines being waved and ordinances changed to allow the flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The merits of the Childrens Hospital stand on their own and anytime an organization like that thats trying to do good things and actually doing good things theyre deserving of a contribution so Id be happy to make a donation but I dont do that take my word on that -but I would I would prefer not to have it be a quid pro quo. said Lemonis. To hear the whole interview, 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 WNCT. The Canton Police Department is asking for the publics help in finding a missing man with dementia. Byron Jones, 85, was last seen leaving his home at 118 Rock Creek Lane around 6 p.m. Monday. He left in a dark blue Toyota Camry with Georgia tag TBX7562. Jones suffers from several medical conditions, including dementia, which is managed with medication. He does not have a cell phone. Police said he car was spotted on a Flock camera at 7:40 p.m. near downtown Jasper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has been entered into the Georgia Crime Information Center and a Matties Call has been issued for him. Anyone who has seen his car or has information about his location is urged to call Canton police at 678-493-4080. Police said time is critical due to his medical conditions. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Nearly four years ago, Cash Johnson was involved in what can be called every parents nightmare. He was hit by a semitruck and suffered severe injuries. Johnson, now age 20 and a 2023 graduate of Canutillo High School, basically had to relearn to walk, eat, basically how to live, his mother Ana said. Canutillo High graduate Cash Johnson, second from right, with, from left, Canutillo teachers Dina Thompson, Erin McNellis, his mother Ana Johnson and Canutillo ISD transition specialist Brenda Matamoros. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM It was like he had to be reborn, Ana Johnson said. But through a special needs program at Canutillo High School, Johnson is now on track for a full-time job and a rewarding future career as a pharmacy technician. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a beacon of hope, Cash Johnson said, in his soft-spoken, understated way. Dina Thompson, a biotechnical science teacher at Canutillo High School, taught Johnson before and after he was hurt. It is a beautiful story of resilience, of faith and hard work, she said. During the past year, Johnson has returned to Canutillo High, which he can do as a special needs student, and has participated in the national and international job training program Project Search. Johnson has become the first Project Search student in the nation to earn a training license to become a pharmacy technician, his teachers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will take a state test in May to become certified as a pharmacy tech. Project Search at Canutillo High is affiliated with The Hospitals of Providence Transmountain Campus and Johnson went through a years worth of training and education there. After he passes his state certification test in May, he is hoping to go back to the hospital and work there full time. Johnson said he likes dealing with numbers and organization, and those things make pharmacy work perfect for him. Erin McNellis, the Project Search teacher at Canutillo High, said that Johnson has grown in amazing ways as a person over the past few years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is responsible. He is much more mature, McNellis said. He is ready to go out and get things done and go out and conquer the world. The Project Search Program follows the same calendar as the school year, McNellis said. During the program, students go through three 10-week sessions in different parts of the hospital. For Johnson, his program was tailored to meet his interest in the pharmacy. Johnson said he has been fascinated by pharmacies since he was a young boy and now his dream of working at one is within sight. He also credits Dr. Roberto Guevara, pharmacy director at the hospital, calling him an amazing teacher and mentor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cashs mother, Ana Johnson, said the Project Search program has been a godsend for her son and her family. Every single parent, we all worry when we have children, Ana Johnson said. We worry about their future. Just imagine having a kid with disabilities. Your worry is twice. She said that the Project Search team at Canutillo High has been there for her son, but also for her when she needed encouragement or a hug, too. I am so grateful for Canutillo Independent School District for its special needs program, Ana Johnson said. There will be more Cashes. More kids getting jobs through Project Search and why not, going to college too going to college which is the plan for my son. Hopefully, he will do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than anything, it has been these beautiful ladies (here at Canutillo High), Ana Johnson said. They have been there from day one. If it wasnt for them, he wouldnt be here (having this success). Brenda Matamoros is the transition specialist at Canutillo ISD. She said that Johnson was part of the inaugural Project Search class at Canutillo High and will serve as a role model for future students in the program. I believe he is a shining star for the rest of the students, for what Project Search is capable of, with hard work and determination, Matamoros 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. A car crashed into the front of the Porsche dealership in Pittsburghs North Oakland neighborhood Tuesday morning. The crash happened around 9:30 a.m. in the 4600 block of Baum Boulevard. Our crew at the scene could see damage to the front glass door and part of the building. Two vehicles had to be towed. Police said two people were taken to a hospital in stable condition. No one inside the building was injured Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TOKYO - A Japanese court on Tuesday ordered a low-cost airline pay damages and grant its cabin crew breaks during flights in a lawsuit brought against the company claiming the lack of mandated rest while on duty violated the country's labor laws. The Tokyo District Court ordered Jetstar Japan Co. to pay 110,000 yen ($780) to each of the 35 plaintiffs, noting that there is a "high level of psychological and physical stress" during flights. The case centered on whether a rule that allows exceptions to mandatory breaks -- such as for long-haul services or when work includes time that effectively serves as a break -- applied in this instance. "The crew's health and dignity need to be protected for safe flights," the plaintiffs said in a statement after the ruling. Jetstar Japan expressed regret at the decision and filed an appeal later in the day. During the trial, the airline had claimed the flight attendants' work conditions did not require specified break periods, saying that they could take so-called crew rests in designated areas after providing in-flight services. But Presiding Judge Yasumori Takase said crew rests did not count as breaks as they would still be required to attend to passengers and medical emergencies, ensure flight safety and clean the cabin and therefore the circumstances could not be recognized as "low in stress." Related coverage: Japan to mandate protective steps for firms against abusive customers Job-hunting students continue to face sexual harassment in Japan (WJET/WFXP) A chaotic scene unfolded at the Saint Vincent Hospital campus on Tuesday after a car crashed through a window of the Hardner Building. Calls went out for that single-car crash around 1:07 Tuesday afternoon, with the car crashing completely into a first-story window of the building next to the emergency department. According to a statement from Saint Vincent, a valet driver was behind the wheel at the time of the crash, with firefighters saying they had to be extracted from the vehicle. The driver received treatment at the emergency department and is described as being in stable condition. No staff members were in the affected office at the time of the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hardner Building has since been evacuated out of caution and patients are being contacted to reschedule appointments. Building inspectors were called to the scene to inspect the damage. In the meantime, helicopter traffic to the hospital is being diverted to the Erie International Airport and patients will be brought in and taken out via ambulance. The emergency department is also still open. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. A number of cardinals are due to meet in Rome on Tuesday to discuss arrangements for the funeral of Pope Francis, after he passed away on Easter Monday aged 88. The cardinals are to decide on the exact time of the burial of the late head of the Catholic Church, which usually takes place four to six days after death. Although it has been customary for a deceased pope to be buried in St Peter's Basilica, Francis is expected to be laid to rest outside the Vatican in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of his favourite places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heads of state and government from all over the world are expected to attend the funeral. Francis' body is currently still in the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse, his residence in the Vatican. The body is then likely to be transferred to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday where the faithful will have the opportunity to pay their last respects, according to the Vatican. Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, died on Easter Monday at 7:35 (0535 GMT) following a stroke, according to the Vatican. As spiritual leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit, and the first to be named after St Francis of Assisi, a medieval monk who lived in poverty. Leaders from around the world paid tribute to Francis following his death, praising him for his humility and compassion. By Joshua McElwee and Crispian Balmer VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis' funeral will be held on Saturday in St. Peter's Square, Roman Catholic cardinals decided on Tuesday, setting the stage for a solemn ceremony that will draw leaders from around the world. Francis, 88, died on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, ending an often turbulent reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pontiff spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year suffering from double pneumonia and had appeared to be slowly recovering, but the Vatican on Tuesday recounted his last moments, saying death came quickly and he had not suffered. He started to feel unwell at around 5:30 a.m. (0330 GMT) on Monday and was promptly attended to by his team. More than an hour later he made a gesture of farewell to his ever-present nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, and slipped into a coma, the Vatican's official media channel said. His time of death was given as 7:35 a.m. The Vatican released photographs of Francis dressed in his vestments and holding a rosary, lying in an open coffin placed in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swiss Guards stood on either side of the casket as dignitaries, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella, paid homage to the first Latin American pope. His body will be taken into the adjacent St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. (0700 GMT), in a procession that will be led by cardinals. He will lie in state there until Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. His funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. the following day in St. Peter's Square, in front of the 16th century basilica. It will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals. U.S. President Donald Trump, who clashed repeatedly with the pope about immigration, said he and his wife would attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among other heads of state set to attend were the presidents of France, Brazil, Germany, Poland, Ukraine the European Commission and Argentina, Francis' home nation. Britain's prime minister and the king and queen of Belgium will also fly in. ANCIENT RITUALS In a break from tradition, Francis confirmed in his final testament released on Monday that he wished to be buried in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major and not St. Peter's, where many of his predecessors were laid to rest. Francis' death has set in motion ancient rituals, as the 1.4-billion-member Church started the transition from one pope to another, including the breaking of the pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and lead seal, used in his lifetime to seal documents, so they cannot be used by anyone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Catholics worldwide mourned Francis, all cardinals in Rome were summoned to a meeting on Tuesday to decide on the sequencing of events in the coming days and review the day-to-day running of the Church in the period before a new pope is elected. A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after the death of a pontiff, meaning it should not start before May 6. The exact date will be decided by cardinals after Francis' funeral. Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the secretive ballot, which can stretch over days before white smoke pouring from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel tells the world that a new pope has been picked. There is no clear frontrunner to succeed Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PROGRESSIVE Pope Francis inherited a Church in disarray and worked hard to overhaul the Vatican's central administration, root out corruption and confront the scourge of child abuse within the ranks of the priesthood - with mixed results. "Things are not as bad as they were, that is for sure but they also are not as good as they could be," said Marie Collins, who was abused by a priest at the age of 13 in 1960s Ireland. Collins was a member of a papal commission for the protection of minors that was founded in 2014, but quit in 2017, saying it was hobbled by internal resistance. During his papacy, Francis often clashed with conservatives, nostalgic for a traditional past, who saw the pope as overly liberal and too accommodating to minority groups, such as the LGBTQ community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis appointed nearly 80% of the cardinal electors who will choose the next pope, increasing, but not guaranteeing, the possibility that his successor will continue his progressive policies. One of the hallmarks of Francis' reign was his decision to appoint cardinals to far-flung regions - places where Roman Catholics make up a tiny minority or where the Church is growing faster than in the mostly stagnant West. While Europe still has the largest share of cardinal electors, with about 39%, it is down from 52% in 2013, when Francis became pope. The second largest group of electors is from Asia and Oceania, with about 20%. (Additional reporting by Alvise Armellini, Giulia Segreti and Angelo Amante; Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Alex Richardson) PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI/AP) A popular saying in Vatican circles is that if you enter a conclave as pope, you leave as a cardinal. It implies the sacred and secretive process is no popularity contest or campaign, but rather the divinely inspired election of Christs Vicar on Earth by the princes of the church. Still, there are always front-runners, known as papabile, who have at least some of the qualities considered necessary to be pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88 Any baptized Catholic male is eligible, though only cardinals have been selected since 1378. The winner must receive at least two-thirds of the vote from those cardinals under age 80 and thus eligible to participate. Pope Francis, who died Monday, appointed the vast majority of electors, often tapping men who share his pastoral priorities, which suggests continuity rather than rupture. Providence College theology professor James Keating told 12 News that dozens of cardinals from across the globe will discuss the desired qualities of the next pope prior to the conclave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keating expects those discussions to include whether to select someone who will steer the church in the same direction as Pope Francis did. Those discussions are more important than ever, according to Keating, since the vast majority of the cardinals dont know one another. Pope Francis really wanted to universalize the church and shift its center from the West to more global, Keating explained. So, you have dioceses that never had a cardinal before those folks will be showing up in Rome. FILE Boston Cardinal Sean Patrick OMalley, head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, speaks at a press conference at The Vatican, Friday, April 29, 2022, after meeting with Pope Francis. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File) Its probably the first conclave in church history where a good number of the cardinals have not met each other before, he added. 12 News has learned that Cardinal Sean OMalley, Bostons former archbishop, is on his way to the Vatican to attend Pope Francis funeral and aid in the process to determine his successor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It does not appear that OMalley, who retired from the Archdiocese of Boston last summer, is being considered as a possible candidate. Though hes aged out of this conclave, Keating said OMalleys perspective is valued because of the close relationship he had with the former pope. He also voted in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. He was a close confidant and collaborator of Pope Francis, Keating said of OMalley. Hes well-beloved and respected. [OMalley] will play, I would gather, a relatively significant role in those pre-conclave discussions, he continued. SEE ALSO: How Pope Francis changed a Providence College students life Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no way to predict who the cardinals will choose to be the next pope, according to Keating. Thats because we dont know the most important thing, which is what do the different cardinals, who are going to be in that room, think about the different leading candidates? Keating said. Its unclear how long the voting process will take. Historically, some conclaves have taken as long as three years. Its not going to happen in a day, Keating said. Anyone trying to handicap the outcome should remember that Jorge Mario Bergoglio was considered too old to be elected pope in 2013 at age 76, and that Karol Wojtyla wasnt on any front-runner lists going into the 1978 conclave that elected him Pope John Paul II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at some of the possible candidates: Cardinal Peter Erdo FILE Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo is interviewed by The Associated Press, in Budapest, on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos, file) Erdo, 72, the archbishop of Budapest and primate of Hungary, was twice elected head of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences, in 2005 and 2011, suggesting he enjoys the esteem of European cardinals who make up the biggest voting bloc of electors. In that capacity, Erdo got to know many African cardinals because the council hosts regular sessions with African bishops conferences. Erdo had even more exposure when he helped organize Francis 2014 and 2015 Vatican meetings on the family and delivered key speeches, as well as during papal visits to Budapest in 2021 and 2023. Cardinal Reinhard Marx FILE German Cardinal Reinhard Marx attends a press conference by Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi at the Vaticans press center, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File) Marx, 71, the archbishop of Munich and Freising, was chosen by Francis as a key adviser in 2013. He later was named to head the council overseeing Vatican finances during reforms and belt-tightening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former president of the German bishops conference was a strong proponent of the controversial synodal path process of dialogue in the German church that began in 2020 as a response to the clergy sexual abuse scandal there. As a result, he is viewed with skepticism by conservatives who considered the process a threat to church unity, given it involved debating issues such as celibacy, homosexuality and womens ordination. Marx made headlines in 2021 when he dramatically offered to resign as archbishop to atone for the German churchs dreadful abuse record, but Francis quickly rejected the resignation and told him to stay. Cardinal Marc Ouellet FILE Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet attends a Mass inside St. Peters Basilica, at the Vatican, on March 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File) Ouellet, 80, of Canada, led the Vaticans influential bishops office for over a decade, overseeing the key clearinghouse for potential candidates to head dioceses around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis kept Ouellet in the job until 2023, even though he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, and thus helped select the more doctrinaire bishops preferred by the German pontiff. Considered more of a conservative than Francis, Ouellet still selected pastorally minded bishops to reflect Francis belief that bishops should smell like the sheep of their flock. Ouellet defended priestly celibacy for the Latin Rite church and upheld the ban on womens ordination but called for women to have a greater role in church governance. He has good contacts with the Latin American church, having headed the Vaticans Pontifical Commission for Latin America for over a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2019, his office has taken charge of investigating bishops accused of covering up for predator priests, a job that would have made him no friends among those sanctioned but also could have given him lots of otherwise confidential and possibly compromising information about fellow cardinals. Cardinal Pietro Parolin FILE Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin smiles as he is welcomed by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a meeting at the Bellevue palace in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, file) Parolin, 70, of Italy, has been Francis secretary of state since 2014 and is considered one of the main contenders to be pope, given his prominence in the Catholic hierarchy. The veteran diplomat oversaw the Holy Sees controversial deal with China over bishop nominations and was involved but not charged in the Vaticans botched investment in a London real estate venture that led to a 2021 trial of another cardinal and nine others. A former ambassador to Venezuela, Parolin knows the Latin American church well. He would be seen as someone who would continue in Francis tradition but as a more sober and timid diplomatic insider, returning an Italian to the papacy after three successive outsiders: St. John Paul II (Poland); Benedict (Germany) and Francis (Argentina). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while Parolin has managed the Vatican bureaucracy, he has no real pastoral experience. His ties to the London scandal, in which his office lost tens of millions of dollars to bad deals and shady businessmen, could count against him. Cardinal Robert Prevost FILE New Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, poses for a photo at the end of the consistory where Pope Francis elevated 21 new cardinals in St. Peters Square at the Vatican, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca, file) The idea of an American pope has long been taboo, given the geopolitical power already wielded by the United States. But the Chicago-born Prevost, 69, could be a first. He has extensive experience in Peru, first as a missionary and then an archbishop, and he is currently prefect of the Vaticans powerful dicastery for bishops, in charge of vetting nominations for bishops around the world. Francis clearly had an eye on him for years and sent him to run the diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014. He held that position until 2023, when Francis brought him to Rome for his current role. Prevost is also president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, a job that keeps him in regular contact with the Catholic hierarchy in the part of the world that still counts the most Catholics. In addition to his nationality, Prevosts comparative youth could count against him if his brother cardinals dont want to commit to a pope who might reign for another two decades. Cardinal Robert Sarah FILE Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, arrives for the presentation of Cardinal Raymond Leo Burkes book Divine Love Made Flesh, in Rome, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File) Sarah, 79, of Guinea, the retired head of the Vaticans liturgy office, was long considered the best hope for an African pope. Beloved by conservatives, Sarah would signal a return to the doctrinaire and liturgically minded papacies of John Paul II and Benedict. Sarah, who had previously headed the Vaticans charity office Cor Unum, clashed on several occasions with Francis, none more seriously than when he and Benedict co-authored a book advocating the necessity of continued celibacy for Latin Rite priests. The book came out as Francis was weighing whether to allow married priests in the Amazon to address a priest shortage there. The implication was that Sarah had manipulated Benedict into lending his name and moral authority to a book that had all the appearances of being a counterweight to Francis own teaching. Francis dismissed Benedicts secretary and several months later retired Sarah after he turned 75. Even Sarahs supporters lamented the episode hurt his papal chances. Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn FILE Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn attends a press conference to present the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), at the Vatican, Friday, April 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File) Schoenborn, 80, the archbishop of Vienna, Austria, was a student of Benedicts, and thus on paper seems to have the doctrinaire academic chops to appeal to conservatives. However, he became associated with one of Francis most controversial moves by defending his outreach to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics as an organic development of doctrine, not the rupture that some conservatives contended. Schoenborns parents divorced when he was a teen, so the issue is personal. He also took heat from the Vatican when he criticized its past refusal to sanction high-ranking sexual abusers, including his predecessor as archbishop of Vienna. He has expressed support for civil unions and women as deacons, and was instrumental in editing the 1992 update of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the handbook of the churchs teaching that Benedict had spearheaded when he headed the Vaticans doctrine office. Cardinal Luis Tagle FILE President of Caritas Internationalis Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle makes a point during a press conference announcing the launch of a campaign on the plight of migrants to counteract mounting anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S., Europe and beyond, at the Vatican press center, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File) Tagle, 67, of the Philippines, would appear to be Francis pick for the first Asian pope. Francis brought the popular archbishop of Manila to Rome to head the Vaticans missionary evangelization office, which serves the needs of the Catholic Church in much of Asia and Africa. His role took on greater weight when Francis reformed the Vatican bureaucracy and raised the importance of his evangelization office. Tagle often cites his Chinese lineage his maternal grandmother was part of a Chinese family that moved to the Philippines and he is known for becoming emotional when discussing his childhood. Though he has pastoral, Vatican and management experience he headed the Vaticans Caritas Internationalis federation of charity groups before coming to Rome permanently Tagle would be on the young side to be elected pope for life, with cardinals perhaps preferring an older candidate whose papacy would be more limited. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi FILE Cardinal Matteo Zuppi poses for photographers at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File) Zuppi, 69, the archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian bishops conference, elected in 2022, is closely affiliated with the SantEgidio Community, a Rome-based Catholic charity that was influential under Francis, particularly in interfaith dialogue. He was part of SantEgidios team that helped negotiate the end of Mozambiques civil war in the 1990s and was named Francis peace envoy for Russias war in Ukraine. Francis made him a cardinal in 2019 and later made clear he wanted him in charge of Italys bishops, a sign of his admiration for the prelate who, like Francis, is known as a street priest. In another sign of his progressive leanings and closeness to Francis, Zuppi wrote the introduction to the Italian edition of Building a Bridge, by the Rev. James Martin, an American Jesuit, about the churchs need to improve its outreach to the LGBTQ+ community. Zuppi would be a candidate in Francis tradition of ministering to those on the margins, although his relative youth would count against him for cardinals seeking a short papacy. His family had strong institutional ties: Zuppis father worked for the Vatican newspaper LOsservatore Romano, and his mother was the niece of Cardinal Carlo Confalonieri, dean of the College of Cardinals in the 1960s and 1970s. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) The new Elizabethton/Carter County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director, the new EMA Deputy Director and the new Veteran Services Officer were all introduced at Mondays Carter County Commission meeting. PREVIOUS: New Carter Co. EMA director appointed Cathy Umrichen, Elizabethton/Carter Countys New EMA Director, has been serving in emergency response since she was 16 years old in the New Jersey/New York City area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I actually was an EMT, became an emergency medical technician, but I also started volunteering for the Office of Emergency Management, Umrichen said. So I kind of rose up through the ranks in serving the public. Ive always been a public servant. I was chief of operations, became deputy coordinator and then finally coordinator with emergency management. She even helped respond during the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City. At the time I was working private, but I immediately told my boss I would see him in two weeks. And the company said, absolutely, you do what you need to do. And thats when I responded to the Port Authority building thats at the George Washington Bridge. Even when working for a private entity, Umrichen always kept volunteering for emergency response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I immediately fell into my emergency management role, providing whatever support, whatever they needed, Umrichen said. I set up a field hospital because we were told we were going to get the survivors bussed up from ground zero because they wanted to get as many people out of New York City as possible, and we didnt have any that came through. So immediately turned that into a housing for first responders, because once that happened, the outpour of fire, EMS people that wanted to help was immense. They wouldve had no place to put them. So we housed them on the field. We fed them, we sheltered them and we staged them in strike groups to go over when we opened up the bridge. Umrichen was most recently a 911 dispatcher for Hawkins County and helped answer emergency calls for Carter County during Hurricane Helene. It was just an experience, and I really miss my emergency management, Umrichen said. When I saw this opportunity for me to step in and help, thats what I want to do. I want to help the residents of Carter County recover from this. Its going to be a long road ahead, but were going to make progress, and its going to be better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A goal of hers is to make sure Carter County residents are prepared for disasters. They can use our office as a resource to help them, guide them and what they should obtain and stockpile, Umrichen said. Its always, never, oh, I have to prepare for the next emergency. Oh, it cant happen. Again, its just a matter of when. So lets not forget what happened. Lets move on and lets just grow to be stronger. Lucas Gragg, Elizabethton/Carter Countys New Deputy EMA Director, is already a Carter County resident and is glad to serve his community. Im excited for the opportunity, the opportunity to be able to give back to where I live, to be able to be a part of the recovery efforts of the horrific events that happened with the flooding, Gragg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gragg has served in multiple first responder roles, most recently being a rescue lieutenant for the Washington County Johnson City EMS. I feel that where I come from, the rescue side, and the EMS side, being in the field and working, actually being in the field doing a lot of this stuff, will help me be on this side of the table, Gragg said. As far as the emergency management is concerned and the command structure and those type of things. Both Gragg and Umrichen are committed to helping Carter County recover from Helene. Were going to be completely involved with the Helene [recovery efforts] and getting the paperwork and getting the funds back and making sure that everybody is back and restored to better or preexisting conditions, Umrichen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umrichen told News Channel 11 as recovery efforts continue, the EMA Office hopes to have programs to help train the public on emergency preparedness. Im just really excited to just bring my knowledge to Carter County and to really help the residents because thats what Ive done my whole life, is to make it a point to help people, Umrichen said. So if anybody needs anything, Im only a phone call away, our office is only a phone call away. The Elizabethton/Carter County EMA Office phone number is 423-542-1888. Umrichen is also currently pursuing her bachelors degree in homeland security. Also at the commission meeting, law enforcement, firefighters and EMS were recognized for their hard work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) As Catholics around the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, the college of cardinals is preparing for his funeral and the process of selecting his successor. According to the Vatican, the body of Pope Francis could be moved to Saint Peters Basilica as soon as Wednesday to allow worshippers to pay their respects. As the world grieves the death of Pope Francis, now begins the Papal Interregnum, the time between the popes death and the election of his successor. The popes body will lie in state at St. Peters Basilica for mourning, and his funeralspoken in Latinwill take place within six days of his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catholics in Springfield reflect on Pope Francis legacy By request, Pope Francis will be buried outside of the Vatican at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and as the holy seat remains vacant, U.S. Cardinal Kevin Farrell will temporarily become the acting head of the Vatican. Then, attention turns to the conclave. The election, held in secret at the Sistine Chapel, takes place 15 to 20 days after the death of the pope. 22News spoke with a political science and history professor from American International College (AIC) on what that process may look like. In 2013, there were five ballots to get to that requisite two-thirds votes to elect Pope Francis, said Professor Robert Ravens-Seger. So there should be several ballots at least, depending on how many people are in the running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 135 cardinals can vote, but they must be younger than 80 years old. Only 10 out of the 17 cardinals from the United States will be eligible to vote for the next leader of the Catholic church. There are four rounds of secret ballots every day until one name receives that two-thirds majority. Black smoke means no pope yet, and white smoke means a new pope has been chosen. Now the world waits for this historic decision to be made. There are several contenders right now, including two Italian cardinals, as well as a Filipino cardinal who is considered a close follower of Pope Francis. 22News will continue to follow this story and provide updates. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Catholic Diocese of Austin does not have a bishop, and that search is now prolonged after the death of Pope Francis. Effective on March 25, former Bishop Joe Vasquez is now the archbishop of Galveston-Houston. Since the pope appoints new bishops to a diocese, that leaves the Diocese of Austin without one until further notice. Catholics at mass services in Austin on Monday expressed feeling the weight of the loss of the global leader, and whats happening locally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catholic bishops end refugee aid partnerships with US government, citing funding cuts Its a lot of uncertainty right now, were living through hard times, and we need a good leader, Carla Sanchez said. Earlier this month, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also announced it would be ending decades-long partnerships with the federal government, serving refugees and migrant children, due to the Trump administrations funding cuts. The Catholic Charities of Central Texas is impacted by those cuts as well. How is the next pope selected? We trust God, Allison Cavazos, interim director for the Catholic Charities, said. Our programs continue to move forward, regardless of what is kind of happening out in the larger world. However, we also look to these leaders to help set direction priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their mission, in large part, is guided by Pope Francis example. It is deeply rooted in faith, as it and the Catholic Diocese of Austin trust whats to come here locally and beyond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Catholic civil rights group, the Catholic League, has written to a letter to the House Ethics Committee saying that Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene should be censured after making a controversial post on X believed to be tied to the death of Pope Francis. In the post, Greene wrote, Today, there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God. It was posted shortly after the Popes death was announced. Today there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) April 21, 2025 It is obvious that Greenes remark about God defeating evil was aimed at the Holy Father, the Catholic League President William Donohue wrote in a letter to the committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene has been a longtime critic of the Catholic church after leaving the religion years ago, People Magazine reported. Greene was born a Catholic but left to become an evangelical Protestant. In a lengthy post on X in April 2022, Greene said she left Catholicism when she became a mother. I realized that I could not trust the Church leadership to protect my children from pedophiles, and that they harbored monsters even in their own ranks, Greene wrote at the time. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also criticized Catholic leadership in the United States for providing aid to undocumented immigrants. The bishops are also busy destroying our nation using taxpayer money to advocate for the illegal invasion across our borders, she wrote. They dare to dress up Democrat vandalism and lawlessness as somehow religious, which perhaps explains their distaste for me. In his letter, Donohue said if Greene wants to make reasoned criticisms of Pope Francis, she has every right to do so. But no sitting member of Congress has the right to denigrate the leader of a world religion. To allow her to continue to smear Catholicism reflects badly on the Congress. Therefore, I am asking that Republicans and Democrats come together to censure Marjorie Taylor Greene for her bigoted remarks, Donohue said. Apr. 21Monday was a day of bittersweet mourning, reflection and anticipation for Catholics in the Inland Northwest after news arrived of Pope Francis' death at 88 years old. Francis' tenure was one of firsts: the first Latin American pope, the first to adopt the name Francis and the first Jesuit selected to fill the role in the church's almost 2,000-year history. The Rev. Peter Byrne, who serves as pastor of the Sacred Heart Mission in De Smet, Idaho, said Francis embodied much of what Jesuit parishioners stand for. He advocated for the world's sick, poor and hungry, and never lost sight of his overarching missionary mission in his rise to the Vatican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He had that ability to reach out to, as he would say, the margins of society," Byrne said. "I did a lot of parish work, and I love the image he used that the church should be a field hospital, to be a place people come to get healed. Not to build walls, but open those doors." Pope Francis likely is the first to be as visible and accessible to the public as he was. While he shied away from changing doctrine, Francis was candid in public statements about his thoughts on longstanding interchurch debates, as well as humanitarian crises and hot-button issues around the world. Byrne said the understanding Francis would bring a different approach to the role became clear on the first day he greeted the public from the Vatican. Byrne was in Seattle with fellow faith leaders at the St. James Cathedral, and Jesuit and diocesan priests alike present for the meeting felt "a great sense of joy" when Francis called out the public to pray for him, flipping the longstanding relationship with the pope on its head. "Everybody said, 'Oh, this is new, this is different," Byrne said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In doing so, Francis made clear his view he was just another member of the human race, with weaknesses and need for divine assistance just like anyone else. "Perhaps the greatest legacy which Pope Francis left the Church was his emphasis on mercy," diocese of Spokane Bishop Thomas Daly said in a written statement. "The Holy Father created hundreds of Missionaries of Mercy throughout the world and intended these priests to be living signs of God's love and welcome to all those seeking forgiveness." "The fact that he designated three priests to be Missionaries of Mercy in the Diocese of Spokane demonstrated his fatherly care for our local Church," Daly added. The pontiff spent much of his 12-year papacy advocating for the world's downtrodden and bringing the church into the modern age, and in doing so, found himself at odds with a faction of Catholics who preferred the more conservative, traditional approach of Francis' predecessors. His critics often point to his teaching about the dangers of climate change, nonjudgmental comments on same-sex marriage and divorce, or support for migrant communities as overstepping into politics or casting doubt on established doctrine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin McMann, a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in downtown Spokane, said he hopes the next papacy brings about a return to tradition. While he's saddened by the pope's passing, he said there's a fair amount of joy in that "one of our brothers is going on to receive his reward in heaven." "I look forward to the advent of a new pope, and maybe for a little return to the gospel, less politics," McMann said. In a written statement marking Francis' passing, Congressman Michael Baumgartner avoided mention of the pope's controversies, and called him "a voice of compassion and moral clarity in a world too often divided." He said his family joined Catholics in the Inland Northwest and across the world in prayer and in mourning. "I think he was a remarkable individual that obviously had a heartfelt, pastoral love for the poor and those from the margins of society," Baumgartner said in a later interview. "I had never met him, but having spent a year with the Jesuits in Mozambique, oftentimes when I reflected on Pope Francis, I thought about those Jesuits that I had worked with and how he represented his community and their works and teachings." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Francis' sentiments over the years have stirred some controversy, they've also resonated with followers and nonbelievers alike. Rob McCann, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities Spokane, said his organization "felt blessed by a Pope who championed people in need," before noting the nonprofit named their Spokane Valley housing project the Pope Francis Haven in his honor. "He was a Pope who was the living embodiment of our Mission Statement here at Catholic Charities Eastern Washington: Feed the Hungry. Heal the Hurting. Welcome the Stranger," McCann said in a written statement. ".... He was an amazing champion for life and for the poor, the vulnerable, the forgotten and the discarded from what he called, 'the throw away culture.'" Sister Rosalie Locati of the Washington-based Sisters of Providence said she has a "profound sense of gratitude" for Francis' leadership, particularly how he impacted the Catholic Church and the world beyond. She's supportive of his efforts to elevate women in the church, even if it was not to the heights of priesthood that some desired, and his broader efforts to widen the tent of Catholicism. Locati challenged believers disappointed with Francis' social justice positions, or changes to traditions like Latin mass, to investigate within themselves just why they take issue. Change can be uncomfortable, and on top of that, she said there is a tendency for American Catholics in particular to conflate their beliefs with their political views, when faith should be the overarching unifier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No matter where we are on that continuum from the ultra-liberal to the ultra-conservative, the more important thing is, is that we are faith in action and that we are loving as we do what we do," Locati said. "The organization or the rituals and all of those have meaning and a place, but they're not the focus." One section of scripture states, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Locati said Francis' comments to followers to be the ones who are knocking, as well as answering the door, were greatly impactful to her own life and work. "What he said is that we knock on the door from the inside to be let out, and that part of the world and the church's responsibility in society is to let love out, to impact the lives, and the realities, of what's happening in people in the world," Locati said. "Not just in the Catholic Church, but in what humanity needs." Francis' popularity among non-Catholics is a testament to the humility he showed in the role, his frank acknowledgment of the church's shortcomings past and present, and focus on leading from "the front, the middle and the back," as Locati put it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People recognize goodness when they experience goodness," Locati said. "He was not out to convert people. What he was out to do was to recognize and to show through his life how all persons are lovable, can be loved and need to be loved." Byrne said he admired the courage Francis showed in facing the communities hurt by the Catholic Church. Francis embraced transparency and accountability after his predecessors had failed to address the clerical sex abuse scandals that rocked the institution, believed LGTBQ and divorced members of the church should not be excluded and met with the First Nations communities of Canada to apologize for the abuse endured at boarding schools. Byrne, who serves as a pastor for the Coeur d'Alene tribe, said the Canada visit highlighted the kind of leader Francis was. "He walked into a very, very challenging thing, humbly and with a great sense of asking for forgiveness," Byrne said. "That was not an easy thing to do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Locati, the lasting lesson from Francis' tenure is the importance of recognizing and respecting every individual's dignity, and being present as they shared their experiences, "whether it was a dignitary visiting or the humblest person, whether he was washing the feet of a person in prison, or any of those things." "He wasn't judgmental; he knew the reality of people's lives and their struggles," Locati said. "He always talked about himself as being a sinner like everyone else in the world, having foibles, having limitations, and all of those realities. .... That's what holiness is. That's what it means to be people that are broken, people that truly need a kind of transformative love that makes a difference." Thayne McCulloh, president of Gonzaga University, thanked Francis on behalf of the Jesuit institution for modeling the values of "humility, mercy, solidarity with the poor and vulnerable," as well as for "his relentless advocacy for peace and justice, and an end to violence in our world." "His legacy will be forever shaped by his advocacy for those most in need, his global efforts to underscore humanity's obligation to care for the planet, and his appeals to human cooperation," McCulloh said. "Pope Francis constantly reminded us that the Gospel calls us to be servants to one another, seeking justice for the oppressed and living lives of simplicity and grace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The College of Cardinals, comprised of bishops and Vatican officials around the world, will meet in the coming weeks to select a new leader from their ranks. Cardinal Blase Cupich, who served as bishop of Spokane from 2010 to 2014, will be one of the voting members. Cupich told WBBM CBS Channel 2 in Chicago on Monday that Francis "was against ideologies." He liked people and was at ease among them, Cupich said. "He wanted to make sure that, as he said, 'Reality is greater than ideas.' What's the reality of people's lives?" Cupich said. "That's what he wanted to be in touch with." Cupich said he plans to approach the conclave with humility, and noted the church is looking for a successor to Francis, not a replacement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm going to be quiet and listen to see what is asked of us and do my best to participate," he said. Locati said she hopes the Holy Spirit guides the conclave, rather than being mired in or influenced by "any fears or angers or anything." She wants the next papacy to continue listening to what the people of the world need, and for it to serve as a unifying force. "I'd like to see a new pope that has the same heart movement as Francis, that has the same sense of love for all persons, all of creation, who has a sense that leads us, to the world and Catholic community, because we're a large faith community, to believe that all doesn't have to be well, and that to strive in faith, we need to be a community of believers together." S-R staffers Orion Donovan Smith and Jonathan Brunt contributed to this article. OSAKA - Two Japanese cardinals said Tuesday they plan to attend the conclave to elect the next pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis. Isao Kikuchi, 66, archbishop of Tokyo, and Manyo Maeda, 76, archbishop of Osaka-Takamatsu, told Kyodo News separately a day after the pope's death of their plans to participate in the conclave, expected to be held in early May. A conclave must be held 15 to 20 days after a pope dies. Kikuchi said he will join the conclave after attending the funeral of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88, while Maeda said he will only participate in the conclave. According to the Holy See, around 140 cardinals have the right to elect a pope. Traditionally, a pontiff is elected from cardinals under the age of 80. In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed his condolences, saying, "We are deeply saddened by his death." Pope Francis was a strong voice, supported by around 1.4 billion Catholics, in protecting the environment and promoting peace, Hayashi said at a press conference, adding that flags were being flown at half-staff at government offices. "The demise of Pope Francis is not only a great loss for the people of (the) Vatican and Catholics, but also for the international community," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is a Christian, said in a statement. Related coverage: Pope Francis, known for promoting peace, helping refugees, dies at 88 Vatican sends letter to Japanese man acquitted of 1966 murders Archbishop of Tokyo Isao Kikuchi becomes a cardinal in Catholic Church SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Catholics around the world are mourning the death of Pope Francis. The Vatican says the 88-year-old died Monday morning. On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis blessed the crowd at St. Peters Basilica and greeted worshipers while riding on the Popemobile. But today, on Easter Monday, people are reacting to the death of Pope Francis. Julie McCahren of Sioux Falls calls the timing of his passing powerful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres something kind of extra about it. I feel grief and joy at the same time, McCahren said. McCahren says Pope Francis helped her get back in touch with her Catholic faith. 2013 I was kind of willy-nilly with my Catholicism. I dont really know if I was even going to mass. There was something about him that I was fond of, and I started working at that time for a Catholic organization and all of that in 2013-2015 I started coming back to church, McCahren said. Noems purse with DHS badge, $3K cash stolen Pope Francis had experienced some health issues in recent years. Earlier this year, he spent five weeks in the hospital with bronchitis that turned into pneumonia in both lungs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now hes in a better place, hes like in heaven with Jesus. Especially, he passed away during Easter time. I feel like a reunion with Jesus. Hes not suffering anymore, said Tin Cheong, who was traveling through South Dakota Monday. Catholics reflected on his death during Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on Monday. Just praying for him, the repose of his soul, that he has eternal rest and is with god eternally in heaven, said John Tibbetts of Sioux Falls. Bishop Donald DeGrood of the Diocese of Sioux Falls released a statement Monday. You can read it below: Today, we mourn the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, yet our hearts are lifted by the radiant hope of Christs resurrection, through which Gods boundless love triumphs over death. For the past 12 years of his pontificate, Pope Francis has been a model of humility, love of the poor and a Church who cares about those on the peripheries. His life, rooted in the heart of Jesus, calls us to deeper conversion, that we, too, may give witness to the love of the crucified and risen Lord. Please join me in praying for the repose of his soul and the consolation of the faithful during this time. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Catholics all over the world and here in western Massachusetts are grieving the loss of Pope Francis. Vatican officials say the 88-year-old died early this morning. We are now learning the cause of his death after months of health issues. The news of Pope Francis passing, less than 24 hours after he publicly celebrated Mass for Easter Sunday, came as a shock for many, despite his recent battle with pneumonia. Local officials release statements on the passing of Pope Francis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But local Catholics say they rely on faith to carry them through this period of grief. A mourning Catholic community offers up prayers for the fallen leader of their flock. Its sad news, because we lost a good priest, besides a pope, said George Zurita of Springfield. Pope Francis was elected pope in 2013. Throughout his papacy, he advocated for people in marginalized groups and was referred to by many as a champion for the poor. Parishioners of the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in Springfield reflected on the legacy he now leaves behind. He was a pope who was very different, Zurita said. He touched things others didnt want to touch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to everyone, and not judging anyone throughout the entire world, said Rosie Caracciolo of Springfield. Many parishioners agree that the timing of the popes passing was pretty significant, since Catholics are still actively celebrating the Octave of Easter. Its definitely a blessing to be passing on this day, said Yeimilly Rojas of Springfield. I think that was absolutely a planned effort on Gods behalf, Caracciolo said. What a perfect day to go to heaven. Through their grief, Catholics lean on their faith to remain hopeful about the future of the church. I think we all just have to pray for renewal and that the successor has everyones prayers also, Caracciolo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope Francis successor will be chosen during a conclave, which is a gathering of the college of cardinals. Before that, several rites and rituals take place for the popes funeral and burial. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. By Dawn Chmielewski and David Shepardson (Reuters) -Bill Owens, the long-time executive producer of CBS News' "60 Minutes," is stepping down over concerns about editorial independence, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Tuesday. Owens' departure follows a months-long legal battle with U.S. President Donald Trump, who sued CBS in October over a "60 Minutes" interview with his Democratic rival for the White House, former Vice President Kamala Harris. Earlier this month, the case entered mediation. "Over the past months, it has also become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it. To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience," Owens wrote in a note to the "60 Minutes" staff. After defending the show "from every angle, over time with everything I could," he has elected to step aside. Last week, Trump again attacked "60 Minutes," saying it aired two inaccurate stories about him and he has pressed the Federal Communications Commission to take action. The FCC is already reviewing whether the Harris interview violated "news distortion" rules. Though the agency is prohibited from censorship or infringing the First Amendment rights of media, broadcasters cannot intentionally distort the news. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said in February the commission was in the early stages of its review of the bid by CBS's parent company, Paramount Global, which is seeking agency approval for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. The federal agency has authority over the transaction because it needs to approve the transfer of the broadcast television licenses held by CBS. The deal was extended for 90 days, as the companies await regulatory approval. Carr said in November the "60 Minutes" complaint was likely to arise during the FCC review of the transaction. CBS News President and CEO Wendy McMahon lauded Owens' "unwavering integrity, curiosity, and a deep commitment to the truth" in an email to the staff. She said the news executive, who spent 37 years at CBS News, including 24 years at its premiere news program, would remain with "60 Minutes" in the weeks ahead. "Working with Bill has been one of the great privileges of my career," McMahon wrote. "Standing behind what he stood for was an easy decision for me, and I never took for granted that he did the same for me." Katherine Jacobsen, U.S. program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said it was alarming to see a media executive resign because he did not feel he had editorial independence. Cooke County Emergency Medical Services is applying for new life-saving equipment. The equipment will aid trauma victims by allowing them to receive blood transfusions before being admitted to the hospital. This Prehospital Transfusion Program is being done through the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council. They supply all the equipment, which includes an autonomous, portable refrigeration unit . and a body fluid warmer for warming blood up, said Wes Reed, the director of Cooke County Emergency Medical Services. We supply the consumables, basically the blood tubing, the cartridge and blood products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reed spoke to the county commissioners on Monday to receive approval to apply for the equipment. In our retrospective study, we identified 14 times in 2024 when we could have used this to help out the patient, he said. The total equipment would cost about $17,000, which would be covered by a grant. The countys cost per use would be $557.94 per use, which would be recovered in billing. If the equipment doesnt get used, the cost is under $60 a month to maintain fresh plasma, which Reed assured was within the medical supply budget. Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, says that the administration of US President Donald Trump has found itself trapped by its own pro-Russian statements and is now "testing" the Ukrainian authorities with signals about possible territorial concessions from Kyiv in exchange for peace. Source: Chubarov in a comment to the Radio Liberty project Crimea.Realities Quote: "Trump and his entourage ended up in a trap entirely of their own fault. Just recall the stream of friendly messages towards Putin and Russia that they voiced long before any negotiations began. So Moscow realised it the full imperial essence of Russia came out into the open. Now, it seems to me and here I move on to assumptions the Trump administration is testing the Ukrainian leadership and political class by spreading various messages on the topic of territorial concessions by Ukraine, supposedly necessary to end the Russo-Ukrainian war and achieve lasting peace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Chubarov stressed that Ukraine must maintain a categorical rejection of any, even hypothetical, proposals of territorial concessions in exchange for peace. Quote: "Because it is clear that in such a case there would be neither peace nor a future for the Ukrainian state. Meanwhile, since such provocations will continue, the Ukrainian authorities and politicians should respond firmly in every case when real political figures are behind them." Details: Chubarov reiterated that the Mejlis rejects any form of recognition of Russian control over Crimea both de facto and de jure. Quote: "Our position, which is fully based on international law and entirely in line with Ukraines national legislation, is as follows: Crimea is the homeland of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people and an integral part of Ukraine. Accordingly, no one and under no circumstances may decide the fate of Crimea except the Ukrainian state and the Crimean Tatar people." Background: On 17 April, negotiations took place in Paris involving Ukraine, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Germany on ending the Russo-Ukrainian war. The next round of talks is scheduled for this week in London. US President Donald Trump expressed hope that Ukraine and Russia would reach an agreement soon, after which both countries would "start to do big business with the United States of America". The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukraine is under pressure to respond this week to a range of proposals from the Trump administration on how to end the war in Ukraine. These include the potential US recognition of Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014 and excluding Kyiv from joining NATO. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion makes two "zero" gestures to illustrate the amount of money he says he was paid for legal work for Rev. Jerry McAfee during a Senate Rules Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct meeting for an advisory opinion regarding a possible conflict of interest concerning legal work Senate President Bobby Joe Champion did for Rev. Jerry McAfee Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis, denied to the ethics committee Tuesday that he did anything wrong when he spearheaded $3 million in state grants to a nonprofit run by a legal client, north Minneapolis Rev. Jerry McAfee. Champion reiterated that his legal work for McAfee was pro-bono and concluded just prior to the start of the 2023 legislative session. Champion never disclosed his relationship with McAfee, which the Reformer first reported earlier this month. Because the work was pro-bono, he said didnt need to tell his fellow senators about it when he authored a bill granting $3 million in public funds to McAfees violence prevention group 21 Days of Peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the Reformers first report on April 4, Champion asked the Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct to issue an advisory opinion on whether his actions represented a conflict of interest that should have been disclosed to the Senate. The committee held its first hearing in the matter on Tuesday and is scheduled to continue deliberating Thursday. Champion previously served as the chair of the ethics committee, but he stepped down following the Reformer report. Senate Republicans have also filed an ethics complaint against Champion. In a committee room Tuesday full of Black community leaders and Champion supporters including McAfee the Senate president said he represented McAfee pro-bono because he has deep connections to the north Minneapolis community. Champion and his family go to McAfees church, and Champion said wanted to give back to the community that raised him. I did nothing wrong then, and I did nothing wrong now, Champion said. Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion greets Rev. Jerry McAfee before a Senate Rules Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct meeting for an advisory opinion regarding a possible conflict of interest concerning legal work Senate President Bobby Joe Champion did for Rev. Jerry McAfee Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) McAfee, when first contacted by the Reformer, refused to say whether hed paid Champion for the legal work, but he has since told other media and the Senate ethics committee that it was indeed pro-bono representation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beginning in 2022, Champion represented McAfee and his nonprofit Salem Inc. in four cases involving nonpayment of mortgages on multiple Minneapolis properties. Champion detailed for the committee how the case ended in December 2022, but the order to dismiss the case wasnt issued by opposing counsel until February 2023. His involvement with the case was over by that time, Champion testified. Last month, Champion introduced a bill to provide an additional $1 million to 21 Days of Peace, but it didnt make it into the Senate jobs bill. It could be included in a bill as the session continues, however. Under Minnesota law, legislative conflicts of interest are narrowly defined and only exist when the official does something to benefit themselves financially. Minnesotas part-time Legislature creates many opportunities for conflicts of interest, as most lawmakers have another job. Outside ethics experts have said that Minnesotas conflict of interest laws are among the weakest in the nation. A 2015 Center for Public Integrity report found that Minnesota ranked 44th in the nation on legislative accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Champion, a practicing defense attorney, was also represented Tuesday by attorney David Zoll, who recently represented Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, in an election contest case late last year. The Senate president testified that hes open to changing Minnesotas ethics laws to ensure accountability for lawmakers in various professions. Right now when you think in terms of lawyers you can track lawyers, but we dont track accountants and insurance brokers or real estate agents, Champion said. After the committee hearing, Champion told the Reformer in an interview that previous reporting about his connection with McAfee falsely jumps to the conclusion that he has a conflict of interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you look at the language of the law, it clearly says the official has to have a financial interest. When theres a deviation from doing that and then immediately going to titles (headlines) like I steered $3 million to a client, or here are these other conflicts youre reaching a conclusion that theres a conflict without even looking at the law, Champion said. Asked if hes concerned about the appearance of a conflict of interest, regardless of whether he violated Senate rules, Champion said hes being unfairly singled out for common legislative behavior. My conduct is no different from anyone elses conduct but it feels like youre making my situation bigger, wider, more corrupt, more fraud, than taking a very narrow but appropriate and balanced approach. If they want to change the conflict rules, change them. When I started covering Nashville International Airport last year, I knew it was growing rapidly. But even I was surprised when BNA announced two brand new European flights within just eight days of one another this summer after six years of stagnation. The last major transatlantic news from the airport was in 2018 when British Airways brought a London flight back to Nashville. Nashville's inaugural nonstops to Reykjavik, Iceland, and Dublin, Ireland which launched on April 10 and 12 further cement the city's status as a Southern travel hub and broaden the range of easy connections to other European cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Powerful institutions across the city and state are pouring millions of dollars into recruiting these new international flights to Nashville, intentionally setting Music City up as a top global tourist destination. For Icelandair and Aer Lingus's two new launches, the airlines received around $10 million in incentives from the airport and tourism agencies statewide. The Tennessean dispatched me on Icelandairs inaugural Nashville-to-Reykjavik flight on April 10 to capture Music Citys soaring global appeal. The route highlights Nashville's bold push to become a top global destination. For my beat, this is the biggest story of the year thus far. How Nashville-to-Iceland coverage came together Icelandair's North American communications director reached out to news outlets, including The Tennessean, seeking coverage of the inaugural flight from Nashville. The airline proposed a five-day trip to visit Reykjavik's top tourist destinations and better understand the appeal for Tennesseans beyond the flight's connection to dozens of other European cities. After thoughtful discussion amongst myself and my editors, we decided that The Tennessean needed to have a presence on the inaugural flight. It was the only way I could authentically tell the story of Nashville's growing reputation as an international travel destination, meet the Tennesseans fueling it and understand how others (in this case, Icelanders) feel about tourists like us rushing into their country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tennessean compensated Icelandair for my seat on the flight and lodging while in Iceland. Other journalists on the trip included a group from News Channel 5, a reporter for WKRN News 2 and other ABC affiliates and a freelance food writer who contributes to The New York Times and Saveur magazine. My personal experience on the island: Cold, beautiful and exhilarating Tennessean business journalist Hadley Hitson in front of The Sun Voyager, an popular piece of public art in Reykjavik, Iceland. I have some exposure to international travel, but had never been anywhere like Iceland. What made Reykjavik unique was its tight-knit community of about 140,000 people dwarfed by throngs of global visitors, and the blend of Nordic and European-influenced charm with English fluency. Just outside the capital, the ever-looming possibility of volcanic eruptions and otherworldly landscapes was surreal. As a native Southerner, though, I am not built for the cold. Even layering long-sleeve shirts under sweaters under a Patagonia puffer under an overcoat with gloves and a hat wasn't enough to fully keep me warm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there is infrastructure to keep tourists safe, the natural surroundings can feel overwhelming. I definitely got an adrenaline rush hiking up icy rocks to get behind the enormous Seljalandsfoss waterfall and being nearly knocked to the frozen ground by whipping winds at Gulafoss, the most-photographed waterfall in Iceland. I spent a lot of time approaching strangers on the street, in cafes or at tourist attractions to ask about the role of tourism in their daily lives and the new Tennessee connection. And almost all the people I spoke with were kind to me, even if they didn't want to talk on the record. There's a similarity between Iceland's friendly culture and Tennessee's Southern hospitality. Icelanders seem to genuinely want visitors to enjoy their time there, and they have an interest in learning about their guests. The country's unofficial motto, etta reddast, is infused throughout its culture, and maybe it is a reason Iceland consistently lands on lists of the happiest countries. It roughly translates to: "It will all work out okay." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Running late for a flight? etta reddast. Nervous to travel to a new place alone? etta reddast. Worried about the future of your city or country? etta reddast. It's a phrase that embodies Icelanders' laid-back, optimistic attitude toward the world around them. Hopefully, that's a lesson these thousands of new Tennessee tourists in Iceland can bring back with them. I'm certainly going to. Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville flights: Tennessean reporter details journey to Reykjavik For most people today, the word Chechnya immediately brings to mind Ramzan Kadyrov, the authoritarian leader who governs the region as a loyal vassal of Vladimir Putin. It evokes images of a turbulent, fear-stricken state at the mercy of the Kremlins whims. Yet, Chechnyas story is far more intricate. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Chechnya like many former Soviet republics sought independence from Moscow. This pursuit led to two brutal wars in 1994-1996 and 1999-2000 that devastated its population and left lasting scars. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leaders like President Volodymyr Zelensky have drawn parallels between Russias tactics in Chechnya and Ukraine. Many see the war in Ukraine as part of a broader pattern of Russian aggression that has affected multiple nations and shattered countless lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is why some pro-democracy Chechens including those who have been fighting on the side of Ukraine against Russia recognize that the outcome of the war in Ukraine could shape the prospects for Russia's decolonization and the future of their own national liberation. The Kyiv Independent spoke with Chechen political scientist Marat Iliyasov about the lead-up to the Chechen wars, their consequences for Chechnyas cultural identity, and what lessons the world can take from this dark period as Ukraines future remains far from certain amid Russias ongoing aggression. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. The Kyiv Independent: How did the Chechen wars start? Marat Iliyasov: The first Russo-Chechen war, which began in 1994, was the first armed conflict that Russia was directly conducting in the post-Soviet space. It was likely a harbinger of the resurgence of Russian imperialism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia was largely seen as a democratizing state. However, this war showed that wasnt the case. Despite this evidence, many refused to believe in Russian imperialism. People wanted to hold on to the idea that Russia had shed its imperialist mindset, inherited from the Soviet Union. The attack on Chechnya was likely meant to serve as an example to others seeking full decolonization, wanting to break free from imperial control. Of course, Chechnya wanted to seek this peacefully. And even when war started looming, Chechen leadership at that time tried to prevent it. They made several attempts at negotiations, they tried to keep in touch with the Russian administration. However, the pro-war faction within the Kremlin was stronger at that moment, and they chose to begin rebuilding the empire. This rebuilding started with Chechnya, which helped to formulate a frame that Russia used later in other wars. Putin used a very similar rhetoric before attacking Ukraine. Same as in Chechnya or Georgia, his goal was to protect Russians. Chechen independence fighters shoot at Russian soldiers Jan. 5, 1995 in Grozny, capital of the breakaway southern republic of Chechnya. (Photo by Oleg Nikishin/AFP via Getty Images) After the Second Russo-Chechen War, Russia was inspired by its success and continued with the attacks. Next came Georgia and then Ukraine. Indeed, if it worked for Chechnya, why should it not work for others? But what encouraged Putin even more was international silence. Chechens were left alone in their fight. Georgians were also sacrificed. Ukraine is receiving international help, but it is a question of how long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is important to realize is that the imperial mindset that had been ingrained in Russians during the Soviet times is still present. It was present even earlier, when Russia was mistakenly viewed by the West as a democratizing country, but everyone wanted to believe that it had passed. Russias attacks on Chechnya serve as a powerful example for others. As we later learned, no former Soviet republic aside from the Baltic states has been treated as an entity deserving of its independence. Nearly all the countries that are recognized as independent today, including Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and others, have faced the same denial of sovereignty that Chechnya did. Chechnya, in many ways, was the harbinger of what was to come. The Kyiv Independent: Dhokhar Dudayev was president of Chechnya when the country declared its independence in 1996, Russia assassinated him. What was he like as a leader? Theres this clip of him that went viral on Ukrainian social media, where he was saying decades ago that a war between Russia and Ukraine was inevitable. But I think most people dont realize how important he was for Chechnyas independence movement. Marat Iliyasov: When Chechens were deported to Central Asia in 1944, the entire ethnic group was labeled as enemies of the people. Because of this stigma, they were later often denied promotions to high positions or any significant advancement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therefore, when Dzhokhar Dudayev was promoted to the rank of a general, it was a big deal for all the Chechens. He was the first Chechen to become a general (in the USSR). He achieved this rank within the Soviet Union, which was a remarkable accomplishment. While some other Chechens also rose to high positions, they remained loyal to the Soviet state. Dudayev, however, likely always harbored a nationalist mindset, seeing the Soviet Union as nothing more than an empire something he understood all too well. When the opportunity arose and nationalism began resurging across the Soviet Union, Dudayev chose to serve his people. He was a strong and respected leader, admired for his achievements, character, strategic mindset, foresight, and analytical abilities. He understood the imperial mindset of Russia and its leaders very well. When he took over the leadership of the Chechen National Front and the independence movement, he made it clear what would happen next. He knew how the Soviet leadership thought and (how the Russian leadership) still thinks today. Nothing has changed since then. Dudayev saw the areas where Russia could exploit people's vulnerabilities, and he pointed them out. He highlighted places like Crimea, Ukraine, and others, saying that these places will be exploited by Russia and this happened. It was not prophetic, and he was not a fortune teller, either. But he clearly saw Russias strategic goals and realized its capacity. He saw that Russia's leadership did not change much. The same people who, just a year earlier, were part of the Communist Party and the Soviet elite the so-called last empire were still in power. They had simply changed their clothes and hats, presenting themselves as those willing to democratize Russia. But in reality, they werent seeking democracy. As Gorbachev famously called his policy, "restructuring," they were pushing for changes that would help them rebuild their empire and regain power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dudayev was a symbol of Chechen independence and the fight for that freedom. Unlike many other leaders around the world, he didnt run away or hide, when the war started. He had the opportunity to do so, but he didnt shy away from war and this is something that makes every Chechen proud of him. Similarly, Zelensky, who was also offered a chance to leave the country, stayed and fought. This deserves great respect. Both Dudayev and Zelensky chose to fight for their people, and that makes Chechens and Ukrainians proud. Chechen President Dzhokhar Dudayev is overshadowed by a bodyguard with a machine gun during a press conference in Grozny on Dec. 15, 1994. (Photo by Michael Evstafiev/AFP via Getty Images) The Kyiv Independent: Historically, under the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, anything that wasn't Russian was often marginalized by the authorities and, during darker periods, even outright banned. In the context of the Russian Federation today and its control over Chechnya, how much is Chechen culture allowed to thrive, or is it still subordinated to Russian culture? Marat Iliyasov: The situation in Chechnya is somewhat complicated. On the one hand, there's a rigid framework imposed by the state the Russian Empire's influence that can't be openly challenged. Yet, to some extent, Chechen culture operates outside this framework. In some ways, Chechen culture has room to thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One reason is that very few Russians remain in Chechnya, making it a largely homogeneous society today. To be clear, I'm not advocating for homogeneity in general, but this creates an environment where Chechens can freely use their language and express their cultural identity. This stands in stark contrast to the Soviet era when speaking Chechen was prohibited. So in that sense, yes, Chechen culture does have room to grow. However, there's another layer to consider: the restrictions imposed by local authorities that come alongside the overarching Russian influence. It is important to understand that Russia and Russian interlocutors in Chechnya demand Chechen loyalty, but Chechen identity is largely built on resisting Russian imperialism. For over 200 years, generation after generation of Chechens have lost lives in the struggle for independence from the Russian Empire. Almost every Chechen family, including the Kadyrovs, has suffered losses due to clashes with Russia. Everyone experienced losses during the deportations and the conquest of the Caucasus. This shared history shapes Chechen identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every Chechen lost someone during the last two wars as well, and this collective trauma weighs heavily on the population. Meanwhile, Russia enforces a strict expectation of loyalty. But when Chechen identity is rooted in resistance to Russian rule, this creates an inherent conflict. So, whats happening in Chechnya now? To maintain power and secure their positions, Kadyrov and the local administration are actively reshaping this identity. The legacy of resistance built over hundreds of years is being redefined through Kadyrovs rhetoric and oppressive measures. Those who dont comply face punishment. Russian then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (C) meets with Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov (L) in Grozny on Oct. 16, 2008, while visiting a newly built mosque. The mosque, said to be the largest in Europe, is named in honor of late Chechen President Ahmad Kadyrov, who was killed in a 2004 blast. (Alexey Nikolsky/AFP via Getty Images) Theyre putting significant effort into reshaping Chechen identity. A whole new generation is being raised with a different understanding of their roots. However, theyre not entirely succeeding. Many Chechens live outside the republic and offer an alternative perspective to those growing up inside. Those with a critical mind can easily spot the lies, and recognize what aligns with true Chechen identity and what doesnt. Religious authorities also promote this new narrative. Religion holds significant importance in Chechen culture, making this approach especially influential in reshaping identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, the Mufti of Chechnya and the entire apparatus of the Muftiate mullahs, imams, and other religious authorities promote a narrative along the lines of, Look, you can practice Islam now. Isnt this what you wanted? Kadyrov and Russia have provided this for you. Additionally, theyre using propaganda to undermine the idea of Chechen independence, highlighting how difficult it was during the times of leaders like Dzhokhar Dudayev and Aslan Maskhadov. Yes, it was a challenging period, and ordinary people certainly suffered poverty was widespread, and the situation was tough. But in the post-Soviet era, it wasnt much better anywhere. Will these efforts succeed? It is questionable. Ultimately, it depends on the political situation. If Russia continues to dominate, if it wins the war in Ukraine, and if it maintains its empire, its possible that two or three more generations of Chechens could become loyal to Russia. After all, no one expected the collapse of the Soviet Union, and many didnt think about disobeying it after four generations raised under Soviet rule. But despite all of that, the seed of resistance, the understanding of true identity, remained. It was there in the Baltic States, in the South Caucasus, in Central Asia, in Ukraine, and in Chechnya. People knew who they were. And while the Soviet Union didnt succeed, Russia is a much weaker state than the USSR ever was. New members of the Dzhokhar Dudayev Chechen volunteer battalion hold the flag of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria during a training session in the Kyiv region on August 27, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Genya Savilov / AFP via Getty Images) The Kyiv Independent: We know that there are Chechens currently fighting on the side of Ukraine against Russia, which is a very interesting example of how some Chechens are taking steps toward the decolonization of Russia. To what extent can resistance exist within Chechnya itself, beyond these passive efforts to preserve language and culture? Marat Iliyasov: I believe a large portion of the population is unhappy and would support any form of resistance. However, Kadyrov is strong. He has built a powerful police force capable of suppressing any dissent. Everyone knows that those who oppose the Kadyrov regime will face severe punishment. As a result, those who want to resist often isolate themselves from their families, because Kadyrov's system punishes the families of those who defy him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those who cannot live under the regime, who refuse to accept it, or who cannot bring themselves to comply, the psychological toll is immense. It's incredibly difficult to endure the humiliation imposed by the regime. As a result, these individuals often try to separate themselves from their families, presenting themselves as lone rebels. This situation mirrors what happened during the final years of the Russian Empire, when people didnt want to involve anyone who wasnt brave enough or willing to sacrifice their relatives or even their own lives. They chose to fight alone, as individual rebels against the Tsarist Empire. Today, the situation is very similar, and the potential for resistance is significant. However, it can't truly take shape due to the suppressive mechanisms in place. Dissent exists, but an actual fight is nearly impossible. One of the major factors at play is the knowledge that if Chechnya were to rebel against Kadyrov, even if such a rebellion were successful, Russia would intervene with more troops to support Kadyrov. This would effectively spark a third war in just three decades, which feels all too close. People havent forgotten the suffering and loss theyve endured. No one is willing to face that again at least for now. However, once a new generation grows up without the same fear of Russia, there may be room for new leaders to emerge. Perhaps there will even be rebellion within Kadyrov's inner circle. It's hard to say what will happen, but one thing is certain: there is definitely an underground movement, and the waters are boiling. Chechen independence fighters carry away a woman badly wounded by Russian shrapnel in Minutka Square on Jan. 14, 1995, in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. (Michael Evstafiev/AFP via Getty Images) The Kyiv Independent: President Zelensky, among others, has drawn comparisons between the Chechen wars and Russia's actions in Ukraine today. To what extent do you agree with this comparison, and what lessons should we learn from the similarities? Marat Iliyasov: Definitely. I dont see a significant difference in tactics. Both situations involve attempts to first eliminate the leadership of so-called separatists. In Chechnya, for example, there were people presented as opposition to Dudayev, but they were essentially backed by Russia. Similarly, in Ukraine, (made-up) regions like Novorossiya were promoted as an alternative to (Kyiv), but this also failed to materialize. Then, there was the attempt at a lightning war a Blitzkrieg strategy which didnt succeed in either case. Both in Chechnya and in Ukraine, theres a similar sense of desperation. Its the desire to retaliate after failing to achieve success in a "decent" or "just" war. When you engage in a battle thats not a secret, when you openly face off with each other, it mirrors the kind of duels that might have happened in the Middle Ages, where each side claims to be the strongest. However, there was no fair fight. And when they lost, what followed was a desperate violence of psychologically unstable and inferior people, who cannot fight fairly. This violence manifested itself in the massacres in Bucha, Samashki, Aldi, and Mariupol. I think this is driven by desperation, and in a way, its quite cowardly. When people cant succeed in a direct confrontation, they resort to these tactics. This pattern repeats itself in both situations. Russian troops have used civilians as human shields to protect themselves, fearing open combat with Chechens. A good example of this is the 1995 hostage crisis in Budyonnovsk, orchestrated by Shamil Basayev. It was that very crisis that ultimately brought people to the negotiation table. Chechens werent killing their hostages. Russians did it. But everyone remembers this attack as a terrorist attack. Yet, few remember how Russian forces used to take hostages from hospitals in Chechnya during the war. Thats rarely talked about, and no one is held accountable for it. The final parallel is the war of attrition happening now in Ukraine, just as it did in Chechnya. Fortunately, Ukraine is a larger, recognized state with Western support, so theres hope. So, as Dudayev predicted, maybe this will eventually bring an end to Russias imperial mindset, and perhaps even lead to a more democratic Russia. Thats my hope, at least, though its hard to fully believe in it. But still, it's something to hope for. Note from the author: Hey there, it's Kate Tsurkan, thanks for reading my latest interview. I remember seeing news about the wars in Chechnya when I was growing up in the U.S., but I was just a kid, too young to realize the gravity of what was truly happening. Talking with Professor Iliyasov and reading more about what happened, it's so clear how Russia's tactics to achieve their colonial ambitions never changed breaking ceasefires that they themselves proposed, deliberty targeting civilians. It's a tragedy what happened to the Chechen people, and we can't let that happen to Ukraine to. Don't let Russia's long history of crimes be forgotten. It you appreciate reading about this sort of thing, please consider supporting The Kyiv Independent. Read also: Decolonizing Russia what it means and why it matters Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Cherokee County has expanded its community emergency response team, adding 14 new members, all of whom are volunteers. Channel 2s Michele Newell was at the emergency operations center to learn more about how the new volunteers are helping the team cover more ground. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When severe weather hits, Cherokee County has a number of crews who respond to emergencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those who respond are a team of volunteers. TRENDING STORIES: The ability to conduct the training and interest in the program really took a hit with COVID, Erika Neldner, Cherokee County Communications Director, said. With more than a dozen new members, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is able to help more people across the county. CERT participants who have gone through the proper training will be called upon mainly during severe weather events. like our recent tornado activity, Hurricane Helene, Neldner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the classroom to hands-on training, each member gains new skills to use in critical situations. We utilized the fire training center that Cherokee Fire runs, Neldner told Channel 2 Action News. The training looks and feels like real-life emergencies, like a building fire. On one level it was all smokey and they had to go in and find anybody in there and bring them out, Neldner said. The skills can also be used for emergencies the team members may experience at home, or in their neighborhoods. If their neighbor has something that happens or their child or a sibling, they have the knowledge and capabilities to provide some assistance until first responders can arrive, Neldner explained. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] TOKYO - New U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass said Tuesday he is "very optimistic" about ongoing tariff talks between Washington and Tokyo, ahead of the second round of the negotiations expected later in the month. After meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at his office, Glass, a businessman from Oregon with a background in investment banking and real estate, told reporters that the two countries are in a "golden age" both "economically and friendship-wise." Glass, who served as ambassador to Portugal during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term between 2017 and 2021, said the "best and brightest" of the United States and Japan have been discussing how to improve their economies and enhance cooperation, adding he is "very optimistic" about the results. Glass arrived in Japan last week after being confirmed as ambassador by the U.S. Senate earlier this month. During their roughly 35-minute meeting, Ishiba said he wants to strengthen the alliance between Japan and the United States while discussing what the countries can do for the world. "I want to see good results," he added. Trump, who is pursuing a protectionist "America First" agenda, has imposed higher import tariffs on cars, and steel and aluminum, along with a 24 percent "reciprocal" levy on Japanese goods, part of which is currently on hold. The higher U.S. tariffs have complicated what Japan and the United States describe as an "ironclad" relationship, with the countries enhancing the interoperability of the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military to tackle security threats posed by China and North Korea. Glass said, "I have a lot of confidence that we'll be able to build a safer and more secure and more peaceful Indo-Pacific moving forwards." Ishiba and Glass agreed that Tokyo and Washington will work to bolster the deterrence and response capabilities of the alliance, while also "reducing the burden" on local communities hosting U.S. bases, according to the Japanese government. The southern island prefecture of Okinawa, the site of a fierce World War II ground battle between Japan and the United States, hosts the bulk of U.S. military installations, with local opposition strong amid noise, safety concerns, and crimes by military personnel. Related coverage: Discussion of security issues in tariff talks not appropriate: Japan PM Japan PM wants to see "specific progress" in next U.S. tariff talks New U.S. envoy arrives in Japan, vows cooperation to counter China CHESTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Residents of a Chester neighborhood have been battling flooding issues for decades. That community is Jeter Heights near the county fairgrounds. In January, Tierra Wilson moved her family out of their home after years of unexplained nosebleeds and illness. You can see mold and water damage all throughout her home. Its just nasty, you couldnt keep socks, nothing, Wilson said. The evaporation rises into the house so you almost have, you can almost feel the dampness in the carpet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ground was soft in her backyard when Queen City News visited days after when there was no rain in the area. Ive never seen soil that never gets dry, Wilson said. Even today its still not dry. And shes not alone. Wilsons neighbor, Yvonne Hughes has been leading the fight to bring attention to this flooding issue. Its gotten worse over the years, and you almost have to be like Noah, get in a boat to get out after the rain, Hughes said. The neighbors tell us after an hour of steady rain in Jeter Heights, their yards turn into raging rivers. We keep trying to tell people we got this problem, Hughes said. We have outlets, but they get clogged form the debris thats mixed in with the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chester Mayor Carlos Williams met with the neighbors on April 16. Ive been hearing it for years, Williams said. Its not just this area, its around Chester. Its the culverts. He said the city received a $250,000 grant to do a stormwater study for the city and this is one of the first areas they will check. All these people that have been in government, been on council, been your mayors just being leaders in this community overlooked this community, Williams said. Williams said South Carolina DOT maintains the drains and will be key to help. He said last week the city had plans to host vendors to look at the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can show South Carolina DOT this is what the City of Chester is doing for its residents, we need you to step up and do the same, Williams said. Neighbors like Wilson still wait for relief. Ever since I moved my whole body feels better not being in this house, Wilson said. I really would love to be able to come back home, but I dont see that really happening. We reached out to South Carolina DOT for comment. An official on the phone said they have received our request and are looking to gather more information for us. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. CHICAGO (WGN) Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday warned that Chicago was at a crossroads before signing an executive order establishing a group tasked with finding ways to improve the citys financial picture. The budget working group will try to solicit new ideas and provide recommendations aimed at streamlining operations, enhancing service delivery and finding potential revenue strategies. We have started our budget process earlier than ever before because the challenges that we face are greater than what weve experienced before. The truth is our city is truly at a crossroads right now, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest city budget was narrowly adopted late last year. The city is facing a more than $1 billion budget shortfall that could be exacerbated by the loss of $3 billion in federal funds. President Trump has vowed to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities, a threat Johnson deemed last week as terrorism. During negotiations last year, Johnson refused to consider a budget package that included furloughs or layoffs to city employees. The next budget battle may force his hand. We will have to deal with the realities of the billions of dollars that are being threatened by the federal government. Thats a different scenario than we were under before, Johnson said Monday. I am confident that the collective groups of the city of Chicago will stand firm in our values to ensure that we are investing in people, but we also have to make serious considerations based upon the Trump takeover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order says the group is to release a preliminary report by the end of August. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. CHICAGO (WGN) On the first anniversary of the death of Chicago police officer Luis Huesca, a memorial roll call took place to honor his life and service to the Chicago community. Photo provided by Chicago police shows fallen CPD officer Luis Huesca of the 5th District/Priority Response Team. Dozens of family members, police officers, and others who knew Huesca attended the memorial roll call Monday afternoon at the Gold Star Families Memorial. We often times, as the police, we think about our losses because Luis Huesca was our family member as well, Chicago Police Department Supt. Larry Snelling said. But what we really need to think about are the family members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huesca was shot and killed the morning of April 21, 2024, while driving home from work in Gage Park. Police said he had his uniform on when they arrived, but his gun, badge and personal car had been stolen. Huesca was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he later died. The city lost a great hero: Slain CPD officer Enrique Martinez laid to rest CPD later arrested and charged 22-year-old Xavier Tate with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting that took Huescas life. Before his death, Huesca had served with CPD for six years and was 30 years old. His family described him as kind, smart, and as someone who was just starting his life. Huescas fellow officers shared similar sentiments at the memorial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He lived his life to the fullest, one officer said. He loved to travel, take on new hobbies, enjoy great food, and spend quality time with his family. Family in attendance took a moment to thank CPD for their support over the last year since Huescas death, offering prayers as officers continue their service. I used to have these conversations with Luis and I, said Lily OBrien, Huescas sister. As I look around at all the officers and everyone that offers us support, all I can think of is that I hope youre safe when youre out in the streets. And I hope your family doesnt have to stand here one day, and that you take care of each other. The second event of the day that memorialized Huesca took place at St. Gall Catholic Church in Gage Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the conclusion of the event, Fr. Matt Foley shared a second mass will be held in Huescas honor later this week. Luis mother wanted to remember him on his birthday. Today is the anniversary of his death, Foley said. Unfortunately, two days from now, we will have another memorial mass on his birthday because he lives forever in our hearts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JOHNSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) A deputy with the Johnson County Sheriffs Office (JCSO) and a suspect were shot on Tuesday afternoon after a pursuit, according to the sheriff. Johnson County Sheriff Clifton Worley said a deputy in his office was in the area on Highway 421 when authorities from Watauga County, North Carolina notified them of an armed robbery at a convenience store in Vilas. Proposed Poga retreat faces setback at planning committee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Major Kelly Redmon of the Watauga County Sheriffs Office, the armed robbery occurred at 12:53 p.m. A clerk told responding officers that a man in a black Mitsubishi had robbed the store. We had officers saturate the area, and we had let Johnson County and Carter County know, as we usually do when something like this happens, Redmon told News Channel 11. Worley said the deputy encountered the suspect vehicle near the state line, and a pursuit followed that exceeded speeds of 100 miles per hour. According to Worley, authorities up ahead on the highway were able to block the roadway. The suspect then reportedly got out of the vehicle, allowed it to continue forward and started firing at officers near a rock quarry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At which time our officers returned fire, Worley said. We had one officer struck, and the suspect was struck. One was airlifted to the hospital. The other was transported by ground. As far as I know, our officer, hes OK, and hell be fine. Worley said that as of Tuesday afternoon, he was not sure what condition the suspect was in. Worley confirmed the suspect was alive at the time of his arrival at the hospital. He clarified in an interview that the suspect was the person flown to the hospital. The deputy was reportedly getting out of his vehicle when a bullet went through the car door and hit him in the leg. Like I said, hes a great officer, Worley said. Hell be back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redmon said he spent time Tuesday afternoon with the deputy and his family while he was at Watauga Medical Center in Boone, N.C., and that the deputy has been released from the hospital. Last word I had on the suspect was that he was in surgery, so hopefully he will recover as well, Worley said. The suspect was shot in the leg and stomach, according to Worley. As of Tuesday afternoon, Worley said the sheriffs office was not releasing the suspects identity. He did confirm the suspect is a North Carolina native and was the only person in the vehicle involved in the pursuit. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) confirmed it was investigating the officer-involved shooting and would provide further updates when they were available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Worley said information on charges against the suspect will come from North Carolina and the TBI. The investigation is ongoing here, and there will be charges filed against this person for the armed robbery of the Quality Plus, Redmon 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Dave Hovde - KSBY Dave Hovde will leave San Luis Obispo NBC affiliate KSBY in early June. Hes worked at the station for 22 years. Thank you!!!! I hope everyone knows how much I have appreciated the journey weve been on together, he wrote on social media. I am still on KSBY until early June and I hope we can enjoy the ride. Ill be doing more thank you posts in the days and weeks to come, and when I can share what is next I will. I cant wait to see you all out and about in the community! He told the local paper, The Tribune, that the next place he works will allow him to make life and schedule changes that have been a long time coming. Hovde joined the station in 2003 after working in Fargo, North Dakota as a chief meteorologist. Hes also worked as chief meteorologist at KERO in Bakersfield. AGENCY The Chief Wapello Memorial Park Association is marking its 50th anniversary with a weekend of celebrations. The organization will hold two events to celebrate, starting with Night at the Museum Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Iowa Heartland District Connection in Ottumwa. Displays commemorating Chief Wapello Memorial Park will be on display, and guest speaker Robert Swanson of the Ottumwa Historic Preservation Commission will be on hand and in costume for a special presentation. There will be a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Agency Community Church, featuring a presentation from Rick Tebbs, director of the Wapello County Conservation Board, along with more displays and a dinner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Marsha Hunter, association president, the Chief Wapello Memorial Park Association began in 1974 as an effort to restore the dilapidated cemetery, before becoming an official organization in April 1975. It was just a group of people that got together to try to save this historic cemetery that was overran with weeds, the markers the monuments they were broken and it was in bad repair, Hunter said. And so a group of people here at Agency, they got together and said, Weve got to do something, and they started it. Hunter added that the cemetery is not only an important part of Wapello Countys history, but of Iowas. Chief Wapello and Gen. Joseph M. Street began negotiations for the land in what is now Agency, but Street died in 1840 before the treaty was finalized. However, the two enjoyed a strong friendship, and Wapello requested to be buried next to his friend. Its important. Its how Iowa got started, Hunter said. We signed a treaty with the Indians, so we could have this part of Iowa in 1843. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gen. Joseph M. Street and Chief Wapello are buried in this cemetery, she added. Gen. Street was a general in the United States Army, and so its a military cemetery. Plus, Chief Wapello is the only Indian that is buried in a cemetery in the State of Iowa. And hes buried there next to his friend. Admission to Fridays event is free. Admission to the banquet is $15. In one childrens book, a family dog gets lost at a Pride parade. In another on intersectional feminism, a young girl talks about using a wheelchair, while her friend wears a hijab in ballet class. A child who uses multiple pronouns, like she/her and they/them, talks about their gender expression in a different story. These books, among others written and illustrated for children, are at the center of an upcoming Supreme Court case. They are being challenged by Maryland parents who say their elementary-age children are being compelled by the Montgomery County Board of Education to learn about gender and sexuality against their religious beliefs. These parents arent challenging school curriculum or asking for books to be banned. But since they can no longer opt their kids out of reading these books, they are asking the Supreme Court to intervene. Oral arguments for the case, Mahmoud v. Taylor, take place on Tuesday. If the Supreme Court sides with the plaintiffs, experts say that it could have far-reaching effects in education fostering a culture of pervasive censorship and eroding church-state separation in classrooms since schools cannot accommodate persistent requests to opt students out of instruction. Parents of faith would be given unilateral power to restrict reading materials, classroom discussions and school activities, purely on religious grounds. By doing so, these parents would infringe on the rights of individuals who dont share their beliefs and stigmatize students from LGBTQ+ families or other groups their religions target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court is considering this case as states in recent years have increasingly attempted to inject religion into education. States including Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas have introduced policies to require schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms, buy Bibles for all students or include religious stories in the curriculum. These efforts coincide with the White House taking aim at schools and other institutions for promoting gender ideology the point of tension in Mahmoud v. Taylor. How could this case impact the future of public education? And what are different religious groups saying? The 19th explains the nuances of this case here. What is this case about? A group of Maryland parents are suing on the grounds that their First Amendment right to freely exercise religion is being violated. They also contend that their parental rights are being trampled an idea foundational to statehouse bills introduced across the country to stop schools from teaching divisive concepts. Floridas Parental Rights in Education Act, nicknamed the Dont Say Gay law, is perhaps the most well-known example. That law banned the instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten to third grade and later, the law was expanded through 12th grade. The parents named in the lawsuit come from different faiths Islam, Roman Catholicism and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church but they all share one concern: that these picture books will confuse their children about what gender and sexuality mean in their respective religions. The parents worry that reading these stories will keep their children from embracing their biological sex or cause them to conflate gender identity with sex assigned at birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that the parents did not ask for the books to be banned but for their children to be opted out of instruction still constitutes censorship, according to Tasslyn Magnusson, senior advisor for the Freedom to Read program at PEN America, a nonprofit that fights to protect free expression. The Freedom to Read team documents censorship in K-12 schools through reduction or removal of access to materials. What these parents are doing is basically asking teachers to manage the fact that they dont want their children to encounter these books ever, and so that is a ban, because those books will not be able to be in that classroom, or were going to be pulling kids in and out of classrooms, whether its in this district or other districts that will see this case and respond with fear. Were going to see no more LGBTQ voices in these schools because they wont be able to manage that. Multiple religious groups oppose the parents lawsuit. In a friend of the court brief, Montgomery County faith leaders and parents write that these petitioners seek to wield the First Amendment to curtail students exposure to ideas in the classroom. In another, groups including the Alliance of Baptists, a Jewish Partnership for Justice and Muslims for Progressive Values argue that the Montgomery County public school curriculum does not coerce parents or their children to act contrary to their religious views, directly or indirectly. Allowing students to opt out of certain books would harm religious freedom, those faith groups say. They argue that it would undermine public schools ability to foster tolerance, stigmatize children who are not opted out, divide students along religious lines and force schools to tailor their curricula to the religious views of some parents. How did we get here? For the 2022-2023 school year, the Montgomery County Board of Education introduced LGBTQ-inclusive storybooks for elementary school students in its language-arts curriculum. These books were not used in any lessons related to gender and sexuality, the board says, and students were not asked to change their views on LGBTQ+ identities by reading them. Throughout most of that year, parents were able to opt their children out of reading these books, which were available for individual reading and classroom read-alouds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the lawsuit rests on a decision made in March 2023. In response to growing outcry from parents, the board mandated that in the new school year, no opt-outs from instruction using the storybooks would be granted for any reason. Excusing more and more students when the books were read in class led to absenteeism concerns and was becoming unfeasible on a practical level. Whats more, the board worried about stigmatizing students who saw themselves in the LGBTQ-inclusive books. In response, parents sued. A district court denied them a preliminary injunction, saying that they failed to demonstrate a clear burden to their religious freedom. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed that decision. Now, the Supreme Court has agreed to step in. These Maryland parents are represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a conservative legal group known for winning the 2014 case that allowed Hobby Lobby to deny full contraceptive coverage to its female employees. As part of this legal fight, Becket has invoked a phrase often repeated by the Trump White House as it attempts to curtail rights for transgender Americans: gender ideology. Cramming down controversial gender ideology on 3-year-olds without their parents permission is an affront to our nations traditions, parental rights and basic human decency, Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, said in January. The Court must make clear: parents, not the state, should be the ones deciding how and when to introduce their children to sensitive issues about gender and sexuality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same outcry has been a foundational part of state efforts to challenge schools over curricula or books that deal with LGBTQ+ topics, as well as Republican-led attempts to restrict the teaching of critical race theory and Black history. PEN America has documented almost 16,000 instances of book bans since 2021. The censorship followed an executive order Trump issued in September 2020 to combat offensive and anti-American race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating and the teaching of divisive concepts related to racism and sexism in the federal workforce. The order saw states across the country introduce legislation using similar language to censor books and lessons about race or sex in schools. According to Eileen Hershenov, PEN Americas chief legal officer and deputy CEO, 30 percent of recent bans have targeted books with LGBTQ+ themes or characters. While bans have come through parent outcry or decisions made at varying levels of government, increasingly we see one area by which books are being challenged, and that is free exercise of religion. Basically its the same books, and it all comes down to disfavored ideas and viewpoints, but its a potentially potent argument to say, Wait a minute, theres a constitutional right at issue. The First Amendments free exercise clause grants the right to religious freedom, but Hershenov said the public cant argue that something constitutes a First Amendment burden simply because they disagree with it on religious grounds. Kelly Parry-Johnson, senior staff attorney for the nonprofit Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE), said that, on a societal level, this case represents the belief that religion and LGBTQIA+ inclusion are at odds with one another. But from her organizations perspective, this isnt true. A4TE filed an amicus brief for this case on behalf of LGBTQ+ Muslims, who say that their faith does not have a monolithic stance on gender and sexuality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Too often, trans and queer Muslims and other members of religious minorities are really left out of these discussions of religious liberty, she said. For our clients, acceptance of gender and sexual diversity and a commitment to justice for every single person, including LGBTQI+ people, are core religious beliefs and practices. Whats at stake? Attorneys and experts worry that a Supreme Court ruling siding with the Maryland parents in this case could lead to a snowball effect that would weaken the countrys ability to operate its public education system. If the opt-out is mandated, its going to effectively mean that the books will be taken out of the curriculum for all students, and this would grant religious objectors a hecklers veto over the language arts curriculum and open the door to other such vetoes, said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a nonpartisan advocacy organization. Like next, will it be vetoing teaching about evolution instead of creationism? Magnusson said that allowing these parents to opt their children out of instruction will have a chilling effect that amounts to a gag order because classrooms cant function efficiently amid ongoing opt-out requests. To avoid getting into trouble, teachers will preemptively remove materials they suspect might lead to objections. She cites Iowa, which passed a law in 2023 prohibiting the inclusion of books with so-called sexual content in K-12 school libraries, as a case in point. After the policy, which a court recently struck down, took effect, Some districts pulled all the books, including art books that might have naked bodies in them, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other districts pulled nothing, leading to an uneven application of the law. The real story will be the loss for readers who could enjoy these picture books, Magnusson said of Mahmoud v. Taylors potential outcome. I think its worth saying these books are not really about sexual identity, she continued. Theyre not coming out stories. Theyre stories about common experiences that kids have, learning how to talk to people, if its the What Are Your Words? book. Learning that two dads can get married, but everybody loves a wedding, and learning also about crushes. Love, Violet is such a beautiful little book. The fact that its a little girl who has a crush on another girl is one aspect of the story, but its about a universal feeling of being young and having a crush on a classmate. A win for the plaintiffs in this case, Laser said, would also conflict with the First Amendments free exercise clause, a point Americans United emphasized in its friend of the court brief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Religious freedom does not apply to government actions that are secular and merely offend religious beliefs, Laser said, citing 1986s Bowen v. Roy. That is part of living in a pluralistic democracy. Public schools play a vital role in fostering acceptance and preparing students for a life in a diverse society. So allowing opt outs would undermine that acceptance and stigmatize students who remain in class. It basically takes what some, and not all, religious parents believe in and imposes that on all other families from different belief systems and backgrounds, and thats not OK. In fact, Laser said, that is a religious shaping of public education that violates church-state separation. What happens after oral arguments? After oral arguments conclude on Tuesday, the justices will meet to decide the case and write the opinion of the court typically accompanied by a dissenting opinion. The Supreme Court is expected to issue that ruling in June. Given how the court, which has had a 6-3 conservative majority since 2020, has decided other cases involving religion, Laser is not hopeful that the school district will emerge the victor in Mahmoud v. Taylor. The [Justice John] Roberts court has ruled on the side of the religious plaintiffs over 85 percent of the time, so the odds are with the religious plaintiffs here, even though Id like to point out that we have worked with a diverse coalition of Christian, Jewish and non-Abrahamic faiths who oppose the opt out, Laser said. So I dont want to concede that the plaintiffs in this case are on the side of religion. But that said, because they are before the court representing a request for a religious right of refusal, we can look to the Roberts court record of ruling repeatedly, and in most cases, in support of the religious plaintiff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the lead plaintiff in this case is a practicing Muslim, Laser said that a win for the parents in this case will largely benefit Christians, specifically White Christian nationalists. This creates a scenario that advances a political agenda that entrenches the traditional power structures into our public schools, she said. Its part of a larger effort by religious extremists to indoctrinate a new generation of Americans in their philosophy, and their philosophy is un-American because it supports the idea that America was intended for White Christians, and advances the conservative agenda of keeping power with White Christian straight, cisgender men in our society. The post How childrens picture books got to the Supreme Court appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. Elon Musk's budget cuts to international humanitarian aid have proven devastating for some of the poorest people on the planet. As the New York Times reports, cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) the group that Musk bragged about feeding "into the woodchipper" back in February have forced hundreds of soup kitchens in Sudan to close, sharpening an already disastrous humanitarian crisis. As a tragic result, children are dying in the African nation's war-torn capital, Khartoum, due to malnutrition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Trump officials have claimed that "life-saving" aid would be exempt from the brutal cuts, groups on the ground say much has yet to resume after its chaotic termination earlier this year. That's not surprising; the number of USAID officials was cut from roughly 10,000 to a mere 15, leaving the department in total chaos. Musk, who has overseen sweeping cuts across a growing number of government agencies, has called USAID a "criminal organization" and accused it of being "evil" by invoking harebrained conspiracy theories. The billionaire's loathing of the organization could be the result of a major conflict of interest. As The Lever reported in February, USAID's former inspector general was investigating Musk's SpaceX and its delivery of thousands of Starlink terminals to the Ukrainian government around the time the agency was being gutted by DOGE. After it all, the US government's attempts to turn the international humanitarian aid tap back on have been chaotic. In Sudan, a nation already facing the world's worst humanitarian crisis in decades, restarted payments have yet to reach emergency response teams on the ground, leaving starving residents empty-handed for weeks. According to the United Nations, other wealthy nations have yet to fill in the massive multi-billion-dollar gap the US has left behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USAID acting deputy administrator Jeremy Lewin previously identified as a member of Elon Musk's DOGE asked staffers in an internal email obtained by Reuters earlier this month to reinstate at least six recently canceled US foreign aid programs for emergency food assistance. "There were a few programs that were cut in other countries that were not meant to be cut, that have been rolled back and put into place," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters. The consequences could spiral to become even worse. In a statement issued earlier this month, the World Food Program warned that if funding cuts for emergency food assistance in 14 countries were to be implemented, it could result in a "death sentence for millions of people facing extreme hunger and starvation." More on USAID: Paranoid Elon Musk Says That USAID Has Been Constructing a False Reality Around Us TOKYO - A cross-party group of around 70 Japanese lawmakers on Tuesday attended the spring festival at the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, regarded as a symbol of the country's past militarism by its Asian neighbors. Group member Ichiro Aisawa, a lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said at a press conference, "We should never forget the history of how the spirits of many fallen heroes laid the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous Japan after the war." Yasukuni, however, has long been a source of diplomatic friction with China and South Korea, as the shrine honors Japan's wartime leaders convicted as war criminals by a post-World War II international tribunal, along with about 2.4 million war dead. On Tuesday, former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, who was narrowly defeated by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in last year's LDP presidential race, also visited the shrine. She has been labeled a "right-wing" nationalist by Chinese state-run media. The group's visit came a day after Ishiba sent a ritual offering to the shrine to mark the festival. He is not expected to make an in-person appearance during the three-day event through Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the matter. The cross-party group usually visits the shrine for the spring and autumn festivals as well as the anniversary of the end of World War II on Aug. 15, despite backlash from China and South Korea, where resentment of Japanese wartime militarism runs deep. For last year's fall festival, the group did not organize a visit to Yasukuni as the event coincided with campaigning for the Oct. 27 general election, in which the ruling bloc led by Ishiba's LDP lost its majority in the House of Representatives. Japan had invaded and occupied a wide area of China by the end of the war and ruled the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. Related coverage: Japan PM Ishiba sends offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine, no visit eyed Japan PM to forgo visit to war-linked Yasukuni shrine for spring rite False report on Yasukuni visit "regrettable": Japan government spokesman BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Britain and the European Union on Tuesday to safeguard multilateral trading systems, as Beijing seeks to rally support from trading partners to counter U.S. tariff measures. China and the United States have remained locked in a deepening trade war, with tit-for-tat tariff hikes that have significantly disrupted bilateral commerce. "The United States has weaponised tariffs to launch indiscriminate attacks on countries, openly violating WTO rules and undermining the legitimate rights and interests of others," China's foreign ministry cited Wang as saying in a phone call with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China and Britain had a responsibility to uphold international order in the face of "rampant unilateral bullying", Wang told Lammy. China was ready to work with Britain to "eliminate all distractions", Wang said, adding that the onus was on both countries to safeguard multilateral trading systems. In a separate call with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Wang called on the EU to defend multilateral trade and said China was willing to further strengthen high-level exchanges with the bloc. Washington has raised tariffs to 145% on Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to retaliate by slapping duties of 125% on items imported from the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wang's phone calls came after Beijing on Monday warned countries against striking a broader economic deal with the U.S. at its expense, and threatened countermeasures if they did so. Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month appealed directly to the EU, telling Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing that China and the bloc should join forces to defend globalisation. Beijing and Brussels have quietly intensified coordination, establishing several economic working groups after EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic's visit late March, including on EV supply chain investment and agri-food market access issues. The two sides also revived minimum pricing negotiations on Chinese-made electric vehicles, a solution that Beijing has long advocated to the bloc's tariffs imposed last year. (Reporting by Ethan Wang, Xiuhao Chen and Liz Lee, Editing by William Maclean, Kevin Liffey and Alex Richardson) BEIJING (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry on Tuesday expressed condolences over the death of Pope Francis, but said it had no information to share on who might attend the funeral. China and the Vatican have in recent years maintained constructive contact and carried out beneficial exchanges, ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular news briefing in Beijing. China is willing to work with the Vatican to continue to improve bilateral relations, Guo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two countries in October last year extended for four years a landmark 2018 agreement on the appointment of Catholic bishops in China. The renewal suggested improving ties between Beijing and the Vatican despite tension over Taiwan, the democratically-governed island China claims as its own and with which the Vatican has formal diplomatic relations. On Tuesday, Guo said the agreement for appointing bishops has been "implemented smoothly". Conservative Catholics have criticised the deal, which has never been publicly released, as handing too much control to China's ruling communist party. The Vatican says the accord resolved a decades-long split between an underground church loyal to the Vatican and the state-supervised Catholic Patriotic Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guo said he had no information to provide when asked about whether China would send any representatives to attend Francis' funeral, which is scheduled for Saturday. The Vatican estimates about 5 million of China's 1.4 billion people are Catholic. Taiwan has yet to announce who it is sending to the funeral, though Taiwanese presidents have attended some major Vatican events in recent years, including Francis' inaugural mass in 2013. Speaking in Taipei earlier on Tuesday, Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei said the ministry will "continue to push for senior government" participation at the funeral given the "profound" friendship between Taiwan and the Vatican. (Reporting by Eduardo Baptista in Beijing and Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Writing by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Kate Mayberry) By Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) -Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese joined industry events in China such as conferences and trade fairs supported by the Chinese government in 2024, a study showed on Tuesday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward the island alongside military pressure. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own despite Taipei's objections, has long taken a carrot and stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing's point of view. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwan security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing's influence campaigns to sway Taiwan public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of such programmes have not previously been systematically reported. About 39,374 Taiwanese last year joined more than 400 business events supported or organised by government units across China, according to the study by Taiwan Information Environment Research Center (IORG), a Taiwan-based non-government organisation. IORG's research analysed more than 7,300 articles posted by a news portal run by China's top Taiwan policy maker, the Taiwan Affairs Office. These articles offered event details, including the scale, location and agenda and were examined by AI-assisted tools and verified by IORG researchers. The number of Taiwanese attending state-supported business events in China represented a 3% increase from 2023, IORG said, adding the agriculture, tourism and biotechnology and medical industries were among the top sectors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These are common industries in which the Chinese Communist Party exerts political pressure on Taiwan through economic means," the IORG report said. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The ruling Communist Party's fourth-ranked leader, Wang Huning, told an internal meeting on Taiwan in February that Beijing was working to expand people-to-people exchanges in a bid to "deepen cross-strait integration and development," state news agency Xinhua reported at the time. The 2024 events surveyed by IORG included a June job fair in southeast China's Fujian province targeting more than 1,500 Taiwanese university graduates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Reward and punishment always go hand-in-hand in the Chinese influence campaigns on Taiwan," IORG co-director Yu Chihhao told Reuters. "Military drills and intimidation are punishment; cross-strait business cooperations are reward." China staged two days of war games near Taiwan this month. (Reporting By Yimou Lee. Editing by Gerry Doyle) BEIJING (Reuters) - China has recently sent a team to Myanmar to monitor a ceasefire it brokered between the country's ruling military and a rebel group, China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday, signalling its deepening involvement in an expanding civil war. Myanmar has been in turmoil since 2021 when its powerful military deposed an elected civilian government, sparking a nationwide protest movement that has morphed into an armed rebellion against the junta. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, mainly made up of ethnic Chinese, last year seized control of a major military headquarters in Lashio near the border with China, as part of rebel offensives in the country that have wrested territory out of the junta's hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, following talks between the junta and the MNDAA in China's Kunming, Beijing said the warring sides had signed a formal agreement for a ceasefire. In recent days, some junta officials have returned to Lashio, with military vehicles also seen in the northern city on Tuesday, Myanmar media reported. Reuters could not independently verify the information. "The two parties appreciate and thank China for its constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability in northern Myanmar," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular press conference. "Going forward, China will continue to push forward the Kunming peace talks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MNDAA is part of the so-called Three Brotherhood Alliance, a collection of rebel armies that launched an offensive against the military in late October 2023, gaining control of wide areas on the border with China and pushing the junta on the back foot. The MNDAA-junta agreement is separate from a broader ceasefire that the 10-member Southeast Asian regional bloc ASEAN has been pushing for to allow delivery of more humanitarian aid into Myanmar, which was ravaged by a devastating earthquake last month that has killed over 3,700 people. (Reporting by Eduardo Baptista; Writing by Ethan Wang and Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Martin Petty) TOKYO (Reuters) -Chinese Premier Li Qiang has sent a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba calling for a coordinated response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff measures, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported on Tuesday. The letter, sent via the Chinese embassy in Japan, stressed the need to "fight protectionism together", Kyodo said, citing multiple Japanese government officials. The foreign ministries of both countries did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beijing warned countries on Monday against striking a broader economic deal with the United States at its expense, ratcheting up its rhetoric in a spiralling trade war between the world's two biggest economies. Japan, one of Washington's closest allies, was among dozens of countries targeted by Trump's sweeping tariffs earlier this month and has begun negotiations with the United States to try and resolve the issue. Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have been strained in recent years by a range of issues from territorial disputes to trade tensions. (Reporting by Satoshi Sugiyama and John Geddie in Tokyo; additional reporting by Ethan Wang in Beijing; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Gareth Jones) April 22 (UPI) -- China on Tuesday executed a man for the 2024 murder of a Japanese boy, the Japanese embassy in China said. The embassy told the BBC Tuesday it had received a statement from the embassy that Zhong Changchun, who was arrested in September of 2024 for the crime, has been put to death. Zhong stabbed the victim, a 10-year-old boy who was on his way to a Japanese school in the Chinese city of Shenzhen earlier that same month, on Sept. 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case had resulted in diplomatic tensions, as Sept. 18 is the anniversary of the Mukden Incident of 1931, in which an explosion destroyed a portion of a Japanese-owned railway track near the Chinese city of Mukden, which started a chain of events that led to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. There was an online furor after the boy was murdered due the political sensitivity of the date of the crime, which included allegations of the attack being xenophobic in nature. "The government of Japan considers the murder of a completely innocent child to be an unforgivable crime, and we take this execution with the utmost solemnity," the Japanese embassy said in its statement to the BBC. The embassy said it had been informed of the execution by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs but was not told when the execution occurred or how it was carried out. Japanese officials had previously reported that the verdict in Zhong's case made no mention of Japan, or if he had said he had purposely targeted the boy because he was from China. IRONDALE, Ala. (Trussville Tribune) Irondale will celebrate the grand opening of its newest restaurant this week: Tasty China. The new Chinese restaurant, located in the Cahaba Crossing Shopping Center next to Publix, will officially open on Tuesday, April 22, and is inviting locals to come taste their signature dishes. From coastal southeastern Chinawhere plum blossoms paint the landscape and culinary traditions thriveto the heart of Alabama, our family has been bringing our passion for delicious food to Birmingham diners for nearly two decades, the restaurants website read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Alabama in the rearview mirror, Tyler Booker eyes the next chapter of his football career with the upcoming NFL draft On Wednesday, Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. and the Irondale Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the restaurants opening with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at noon. Tasty China will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit tastychinabhm.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 CBS 42. ROME, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) After a nationwide search for a site, Greek yogurt-producer Chobani has chosen the City of Rome for its new 1.4 million square-foot manufacturing facility with 1,000 jobs, Governor Kathy Hochul confirms to NewsChannel 9. The $1.2 billion facility to be built at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park represents the largest investment in natural food manufacturing in American history, said the governor. Courtesy of Chobani. Theyre being recruited by other states, said the governor. They make them very attractive offers to try and take them out of our state. I have to fight back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York State has already awarded $23 million in funds to prepare the site to be shovel-ready ahead of construction in Rome. Oneida County contributed $6 million to the site preparations. This is a generational win for Oneida County and the entire Mohawk Valley, said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente. Even before becoming a household name, Chobani was making the first iterations of its now-famous Greek yogurt in Upstate New York. The company employs nearly 1,000 people at its headquarters in the rural hamlet of South Edmeston in Chenango County, about 30 miles directly south of Utica. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. Looking snazzy in her traditional Hanfu attire, American travel vlogger Jong May Urbonya is ready to sample some of the sweetest selections from the city of Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. Click to join this foodie on her fun journey! Apr. 21Lillian Montoya, the president and CEO of Christus St. Vincent Health System, earned an additional title on Monday: senior vice president for the New Mexico region of the Irving, Texas-based Christus Health. A news release announcing the newly created role did not provide details about the position's responsibilities but said the move reflects Christus' commitment to delivering "exceptional, locally led care across the state." "Lillian Montoya is a purpose-driven leader who has delivered outstanding results and inspired transformation in every role she's held," said Ernie Sadau, Christus Health president and CEO, in a statement. "Her expanded role positions us to unify and further the care we provide throughout New Mexico." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christus Health has locations across the states; its largest facility in New Mexico, Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, is in Santa Fe. The health system in 2023 acquired Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, and last month said it purchased land in Los Alamos where it plans to build a multi-specialty facility. Montoya, born in New Mexico, has been with Christus for 11 years. She has been in leadership roles since 2013 and became president and CEO in 2018. The news release touted Montoya's leadership, saying that under her tutelage, Christus St. Vincent received a four-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "I am deeply honored to step into this regional leadership role," Montoya said in the statement. "I look forward to continuing our work in caring for the many alongside our incredible caregivers and partners ensuring that our communities receive the very best care, grounded in compassion and excellence." They look like space aliens, they make a loud buzzing sound and the last time you might have seen one Barack Obama was President of the United States. Cicadas, one of the more unusual insect species in North America, are expected to emerge this spring after nearly 17 years underground, according to researchers. Brood XIV, the latest group of buzzing perennial cicadas, is the latest to appear in New England in over a decade. The last time this brood appeared was in 2008. The sizable insects have stocky bodies and short antennae. Cicadas have large red eyes and transparent wings that feature noticeable veins, according to University of Connecticut. The species is notable for having both annual cicadas, which emerge and mate every year, and periodical cicadas which emerge after 13 or 17 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The insects come out of the ground when soil temperatures reach 64 degrees, which typically happens during the second half of May. While annual cicadas emerge worldwide each year, periodical cicadas can only be found in the eastern part of the United States, according to the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station. Theres multiple broods of cicadas we track, but Connecticut is not expected to see cicadas emerge this year, said Katherine Dugas, entomologist at the insect information office at AES. Cicadas are likely to make an appearance in Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, and in nine southern counties in Indiana, according to Cicada Safari, a website that gathers data on the insects. But while states in the Northeast will see cicadas, Connecticut is not mentioned on the list. Its funny that Massachusetts and Rhode Island will see them, but not here in Connecticut, Dugas said. That could just be that populations are not present here historically or more likely they have gone extinct because they were extirpated. Because cicadas go underground for over a decade, that requires their host tree to be around for that long too. So any kind of development of older forests that may have these populations, if those trees are removed, that also removes the cicada population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connecticuts periodical cicada brood is Brood II, which wont emerge until 2030, according to Dugas. Brood II emerges every 17 years and last emerged in 2013. She said that the best place to see cicadas in 2030 will be in the middle of the state. Some tracts of land around power lines in Hamden are known to be where the brood is underground, she said. The insects emerge from the ground to mate and the females lay eggs in tree branches, she said. Around 6 to 10 weeks later, the eggs hatch and the babies drop to the ground. The juveniles then go beneath the ground and feed on grass roots and start the process all over again. The adults only live a couple weeks once they emerge, according to Dugas. The cicadas are able to correctly time their emergence based on linking with the roots of a mature tree and monitoring its growth cycles. This kind of relationship with their host tree leads to remarkable accuracy for emerging every 13 or 17 years, Dugas said. While the insects often emerge in swarms and can look menacing, they are harmless as they cant bite or sting, according to Dugas. Instead, their mouth parts are made for primarily sucking on plant sap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cicadas are known to produce a loud, buzzing sound that they makes from a unique structure on their abdomen called a tymbal. Each brood typically contains multiple species, and different periodical cicada species have different calling songs they use in the mating process. Because individual cicadas can synchronize their sounds, they are known to produce choruses of 90 or more decibels, when hundreds are synchronized all together. Often times people dont see cicadas, they actually hear them first, Dugas said. Youll commonly hear people say they can hear them in their yards when they emerge. They can be very loud and sometimes people will report them as a nuisance because of the noise. But they are ultimately harmless and will not really permanently damage a tree either, usually just some minor twig damage occurs. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com. Citrus Heights police shot and wounded a man Monday morning after officers said he threatened people with a knife in a shopping center parking lot. Officers responded around 10:30 a.m. to reports of a man with a knife near Lichen Drive and Antelope Road, said Lt. Nicole Garing, a Citrus Heights Police Department spokesperson. Officers found the man at 10:42 a.m., still armed, and at least one officer opened fire, Garing said. The man was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said. No officers or bystanders were hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In line with department policy, the officers who fired on the man were expected to be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of the incident by the department. This incident is also being investigated by the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office, a standard procedure for officer-involved shootings in the county. Police were also expected to release video from body-worn and patrol car cameras, as mandated by Senate Bill 1421, which requires disclosure of police records pertaining to incident of great bodily injury within 30 days of an incident. Mondays officer-involved shooting was the first by city law enforcement since October 2024, according to previous Bee reporting. Justin Jerome Phillips, now 42, survived the shooting and was arrested on suspicion of robbery, corporal injury of a spouse and threatening with a weapon. Phillips remains held in Sacramento County sheriffs custody in lieu of $1 million bail. Phillips returns Thursday to Sacramento Superior Court in connection with the October incident. AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin is celebrating Earth Day by highlighting the state of the citys environment in a new report released on Tuesday. Its all part of the citys efforts to meet the needs of a bustling community, without compromising Austins natural spaces and environmental protections, according to a press release by the Watershed Protection Department. The 2024 State of Our Environment report shows that, despite the boom in population Austin has seen in recent years, the citys greenhouse gas emissions have significantly declined since its peak in 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City celebrates opening of east Austin park with a ribbon cutting In 2024, Austin added over 500 acres of parkland, and the Water Quality Protection Lands Program reinstated 1,673 acres of native grassland savanna, per the release. Air Quality The citys detailed report shows an improvement in Austins air quality saw in 2024, compared to 2023 with the city showing a decrease in the number of days when higher ozone levels and high particulate matter levels were present. The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines particulate matter as a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air, such as dust, smoke, dirt or soot. Although 2024 brought a decline in the number of days with high particulate matter levels, several of those days had more severe levels of particulate matter in the air compared to 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city noted in its findings that its report is not considered official until the data has been certified by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Climate Change The 2024 State of Our Environment report shows greenhouse gas emissions are on the decline in Austin, but the city says theres still a lot of work to do to reduce the strain on Austins natural resources. The report shows that in order for the citys environment to thrive, it must drastically reduce those emissions. In 2024, Austin secured a total of $242 million in federal funding to implement changes and expand climate action across both the city, and the wider Central Texas region. The Citys Urban Forest According to 2024 data by the Urban Forest Inventory and analysis (Urban FIA), Austins urban forest features about 12.2 million trees with a trunk diameter of 5 inches or more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report shows larger trees take up a major portion of Austins urban tree canopy with sizeable trees providing shade to much of the area, and improving the citys air quality. The Urban FIA has identified 67 tree species in the Austin area with native species dominating the list. Top 5 Most Abundant Tree Species Ashe Juniper: 30.2% Cedar Elm: 18.1% Texas Persimmon: 6.9% Live Oak: 6.8% Sugar Berry: 4.6% Public Open Space The State of Our Environment report says in 2024, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) acquired more than 500 acres of parkland. The acquisition expanded the Austin areas existing greenbelts, while also purchasing and saving new land for future parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the new public areas were transferred to PARD through a partnership with the Watershed Protection Department (WPD). According to the city, WPD helped identify sites that previously were only used for water quality and floodplain management, but could be used for things like trails and recreational areas. WPD said the properties maintain watershed protection functions, but now serve the wider community as available outdoor space. Its no secret to people who already live in Austin that Central Texas is a beautiful place to call home, in no small part because of our natural resources, Liz Johnston, the Interim Environmental Officer for the Watershed Protection Department said. Families continue to move here, and the city remains dedicated to development that preserves our natural landscapes. Through policies that support affordable housing and environmental protections, Austin is not only meeting the needs of its expanding population but also ensuring that future generations will benefit from clean air, water, and open spaces. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A portion of King Street may soon be owned by the City of Charleston, after the city discussed a deal with the South Carolina Department of Transportation. The section the city hopes to own would include the area from Line Street to John Street. Once owners, official say they will help by improving safety and maintenance in the area. Most roads across the state are owned and maintained by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. For purposes of safety and upkeep, the City of Charleston has taken back ownership of certain streets, mostly near the peninsula, and now on King Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This allows us to program the street differently even down to the barricades that people see on the weekends. The reason there are those big orange barricades on the weekends is because thats what required by SCDOT. If we want to do something different, we can do it differently if its under our control. We can widen the sidewalks, we can add bike paths, said Logan Mcvey, the Chief Policy Officer for the City of Charleston. Tuesday afternoon, members in the Traffic and Transportation Committee voted to take back a portion of King Street, with no added cost to taxpayers, The request has been approved by SCDOT, and officials say if the move is approved by full council, residents will see major improvements. Going out and painting and striping roads, crosswalks so theyre more visible, making pedestrian and bike access safer, all of the things that at a local level we can do more quickly rather than waiting on the department of transportation, said Mike Seekings, the Head of Transportation and Traffic Committee. Officials say city ownership of the roads also helps cut through red tape: meaning improvements will be made more quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While were the 13th smallest state in the country by area, were the 4th largest department of transportation, so a request coming from Charleston can really be put in line, whereas we can jump on it really quickly, said Seekings. The City of Charleston already owns the portion of King from John Street to Calhoun, and the city may consider taking ownership of other roads after this. I think the city is largely interested in trying to control as much of its own destiny as possible because Mayor Cogswell pushes for us to move quickly and wants results on behalf of the residents. Bureaucratic hurdles are something the mayor is trying to get over and around as quickly as possible and get them off the track, said Mcvey. The city will vote for final approval of ownership at their full council meeting in two weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. STAR-ADVERTISER / 2022 Dr. James Ireland, director of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, was reinstated last week after months of vocal opposition. STAR-ADVERTISER / 2022 Dr. James Ireland, director of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, was reinstated last week after months of vocal opposition. Dr. James Ireland, whose renomination as head of the city Emergency Serv ices Department faced vocal opposition in recent months, was formally reinstated last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Honolulu City Council voted 8-0 on April 16, with Andria Tupola absent, to adopt a resolution confirming Irelands second four-year term as leader of a department that includes the citys paramedics. Val Okimoto, chair of the Councils Public Safety Committee and a skeptic of Irelands ongoing directorship of Emergency Medical Serv ices, voted to approve his nomination with reservations. In February at a Public Safety Committee meeting, opponents to Irelands nominationlargely former EMS workersleveled complaints and allegations about low morale, chronic understaffing, employee favoritism and frequent resignations that allegedly affected the timely response of ambulances to emergencies across Oahu. But earlier this month the same committee heard a chorus of support for Ireland, including from Gov. Josh Green, who came to the defense of his fellow physician, following Mayor Rick Blangiardis push for Irelands confirmation as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Councils meeting Wednesday, Irelandwho spoke ahead of those testifying for and against his return to EMStold the panel his continued leadership would improve and advance the paramedic service well into the citys future. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. He indicated that work includes purchasing more ambulances to reduce lengthy response times to 911 calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We received 13 new ambulances on a boat (April 15 ), Ireland said. We have five more coming within the next three months, and then within the next year we have 12 more coming, and that includes some that are in next years budget. So, one year from now, we will have 30 ambulances in our fleet that are under 1 year old, he said. And thats unprecedented in our history, and I would challenge anybody to find any EMS agency across the country with comparable volume and ambulances to have a fleet all under one year. Previously, Ireland said he also wants to see the number of ambulance trips reduced to one trip every three hours, versus the current one trip every hour he said are currently being made, especially in urban Honolulu. Others at the meeting supported Irelands efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having worked with him on and off for the last 25 years, our department has had the most growth under his direction, EMS District Chief Sonya Austin said. The work is really hard, and hes shown that hes up for the challenge. But Eddie Fuji oka, a retired EMS district chief, testified in opposition to Irelands appointment. Hed also stated previously that most testifying in support of Ireland are coming from people who are administrators in the medical field, and very little personnel from within EMS. In 2024, allegations arose among the ranks of city paramedics regarding unit closureswhen an ambulance is not available to respond to 911 calls for service. To seek relief, paramedics backed recently adopted Council Resolution 24-272, which Okimoto introduced in November, urging the city administration to study whether EMS should be merged into the Honolulu Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the mayors State of the City address March 18, Blangiardi vowed he would form a task force to study EMS possible integration into HFD. Before Wednesdays Council vote, Okimoto said her focus was on the well-being of city paramedics and the public at large. Their work saves lives daily and is vital to the health and safety of our communities, she added. However, she said, As we consider Dr. Irelands reappointment, I must express serious concerns. My vote with reservations reflects not opposition to the departments mission, but a need to address persistent issues that have gone unresolved for too long, she said. Testimony from EMS professionals has consistently described a workplace culture marked by low morale, favoritism and even retaliation, indicating a serious breakdown in the trust between front line staff and department leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shed also note numerous unit closures resulted in the overreliance on our private and federal partners as well as the Fire Department. Equally troubling are recurring billing failures, she said. In 2022 a vendor transition resulted in a nearly two-year delay in ambulance billing, costing the city millions (of dollars ) in lost revenue. She claimed that these are not isolated problems ; they point to structural challenges that require more than piecemeal fixes. That is why I believe the city must seriously consider merging the Honolulu Emergency Services Department with the Honolulu Fire Department, she added. Other municipalities have successively integrated EMS and fire services to reduce duplication, improve coordination and streamline operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said a unified public safety model would address many of the operational and fiscal inefficiencies that have plagued Emergency Services for decades. This vote with reservations is not about any single individual ; it is a call for structural reform, Okimoto asserted. Our first responders, and the public they serve, deserve a system that works better, meets smarter and delivers results. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Olivia Clark has only been on the Portland City Council for four months. But she described Mondays presentation on the budget woes facing the Portland Bureau of Transportation the most depressing presentation shes seen to date. If anybody thinks that were going to be able to address the potholes that are all over town, were in deep trouble, said Clark. Portland City Councilor Olivia Clark, April 21, 2025 (KOIN) The City of Portland is facing a $93 million budget deficit. To fill the gap, City Administrator Michael Jordan is proposing to slash roughly $38 million from PBOT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Literally every Portlander will be hurt by this, said Millicent Williams the Director of PBOT of the cuts that would affect road work, lights and jobs. Port of Portland votes to revoke DEI policies to comply with Trump executive order Deputy Director of Finance and Administration Jeramy Patton said the reductions are going to seem quite dire, and they are because were cutting almost half of a lot of those programs or full programs in some cases, as we move forward. Pothole work is just one of several projects at risk of going away due to the budget constraints. Others include repairs to streets and traffic lights in areas that are not in a high traffic corridor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They would go to four-way stops, said Williams. So imagine turning the clock back 30, 40, 50 years on moving around the city safely and efficiently. Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Millicent Williams, April 21, 2025 (KOIN) It would also mean getting rid of street sweeping and leaf days entirely. Thats a huge challenge. That affects everything. And it affects, not just as a condition, but, you know, things get into the waterway, and youll see flooding in the streets. Its really quite the impact, Williams said. Cutting those programs means an estimated 150 people will lose their jobs. If we end up laying staff off, that could impact other bureaus as well because of opportunities for people to bump into other positions, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These recommendations will go to the mayor, the city administrator and the city council for review. Mayor Keith Willson will release his budget proposal on May 5. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, January 2025 (KOIN) Portlanders have actively shared their priorities for our citys budget by attending listening sessions, calling, and writing to my office about the programs that matter most to them and their families. My budget proposal will carefully reflect this input to ensure were funding services that align with community needs, Mayor Willson said in a statement. Clark said the council will wait and see what Wilson proposes. And then we, as a council, will have an opportunity to provide feedback and potentially amendments to that budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The City of El Paso will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Fire Station No. 16 renovations this week in Northeast El Paso. The event will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 24, at the fire station located at 3828 Hercules Ave., the City said. The City said this fire station, supporting fire protection and emergency response, received the following improvements: Renovations to the interior and exterior of the facility Upgrades to HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems Condition site improvements to the parking lot Installation of ADA compliant parking space, sidewalks and ramps New windows, ceiling, doors, floor tile and a new coat of paint for the facility New decontamination room and personal protective equipment storage Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marks the 13th project completed under the voter-approved 2019 Public Safety Bond, which has contributed more than $61 million in community investment to date, the City said. The City said the bond provides critical funding to renovate and build new emergency response facilities, enabling the Fire and Police departments to deliver exceptional service and enhance public safety across El Paso. The Fire Station No. 16 Renovation Project, with an approximate budget of $1.89 million, reflects the City of El Pasos continued commitment to strengthening public safety operations and maintaining its reputation as one of the safest cities in the nation, read the news release by the City. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. The city of Belmont may be turning one of its old buildings into a community arts center. ALSO READ: Remake of historic Uptown building gets OK Officials said they are looking to start an art class inside the J. Paul Ford Center, which used to house the recreation department. According to the Gaston Gazette, the Belmont City Council is hiring a firm to figure out how much it would cost to make the building suitable. This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. (FOX40.COM) The City of Sacramento announced the Office of Emergency Management donated 150 childrens life jackets to the Sacramento Community Emergency Response Team as part of its continuous efforts to increase water safety for the community. Video Above: Tips for water safety in the summer The Sacramento and American Rivers often have hidden drop-offs and hazards, resulting in the initiative to aim for kids to have fun in the waterways while also being protected, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our core mission is to educate and equip Sacramento residents to face potential hazards, and these life jackets are a small yet powerful step toward that goal, said Emily Alexander, SacOEMs Emergency Management Coordinator. The driving purpose for this initiative is empowering families to enjoy the local waterways with peace of mind. Officials said life jackets are given at spots like Tiscornia, Paradise, and Discovery Park beaches. Placer County law enforcement launches Blue Envelope Program Meanwhile, multiple organizations, including SacOEM, Sacramento Fire Department, Sacramento Police Department and CERT, will be teaming up for the citys annual Drowning Prevention training event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. KABUL, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Police discovered 30 kg of gunpowder in eastern Afghanistan's Kapisa province on Monday, a news release of the provincial police office said Tuesday. The explosive object was discovered in an abandoned house in the Tagab district, the news release said, adding that no one has been arrested so far. The security personnel have been trying to identify those responsible for keeping the explosive object in the area illegally, it said. The security organs of the Afghan interim government, which collect arms and military equipment as part of efforts to ensure lasting peace in the country, have been calling upon Afghans to avoid carrying arms illegally. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) As news of Pope Franciss passing ripples around the world, West Virginians mourn his death and reflect on his legacy. On Monday, 12 News spoke to leadership at Immaculate Conception Church in Clarksburg, who said Pope Francis brought a global perspective to the papacy as well as an emphasis on lifting up the marginalized, and that he will be missed. Sister Maria Rukwishuro is the Director of Religious Education at Immaculate Conception Church. She said learning about Pope Franciss passing this morning made her reflect on the man. She said, I realized that he is a man who came into this leadership with everyone in mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Father Casey B. Mahones is a Pastor at Immaculate Conception Church and said that he remembers when Pope Francis selected to take up the name of Francis. He explained that Saint Francis of Assisi was a reformer, known for his humility and his dedication to the poor and those living on the fringes of society. Pope Francis seemed to try to live up to that name and was known for his progressive bent through things like his outreach to the LGBTQ community, speaking out for illegal immigrants and greater inclusion of women in leadership of the Church. When asked about whether Pope Francis was a progressive, Father Mahones said that people who are political in the first place are going to interpret the Popes in a political way. WV Supreme Court Justice Walker announces retirement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Father Mahones added he was impressed by Pope Franciss global perspective, saying that he has a pastoral approach so that he knows peoples situations, and that the situation of people in Zimbabwe or Papua New Guinea is not the same situation as people living in Rome or in West Virginia. [] He gives a lot more leeway for pastors, I think, to do with situations in the church. Rukwishuro, who is originally from Zimbabwe, spoke about the concern Pope Francis showed in a global context. She remembered the Popes visit to South Sudan, saying that we felt it as Africans, too. As the Catholic Churchs presence grows worldwide, Father Mahones said that there is speculation on whether the next pope will be from Africa or Asia. Rukwishuro said that regardless, our Catholic Church has a future. Popes come, they die, they retire, but the church goes on. So were praying for whoever is coming to take up the church and lead it forward. The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston hosted and live-streamed a memorial mass for Pope Francis, which started at 6 p.m. Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. LINEVILLE Kathleen Saucier and Dave Flounders are spreading the word about a special event. The couple, a married team who founded and who direct their nonprofit, Samsons Strength Sustainable Veterans Project Inc., are planning an open house Friday and Saturday, April 2526. A free chili lunch will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, welcomes the public to tour transitional housing under construction for veterans healing from trauma, PTSD or other issues related to military service. The tour will also include visits to the equine barn and aquaponics facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When guests arrive, they will begin their tour at the five veterans houses located at 56253 Alabama 49, four miles south of Lineville. We are pretty excited about the open house, said Saucier. A lot of people have been hearing our story. We have shared our mission with many organizations over the last few months, including Auburn University, Jacksonville State University, the Central Alabama Veterans Collaborative and the House Standing Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. The couple has invited members of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, local legislators, Clay County commissioners and members of several Anniston-area civic and veterans organizations. During the tour, Saucier hopes to highlight the benefits of horse-and-human bonding through Equine Empowered Therapy. Flounders will be on-site to lead tours of the homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flounders and Saucier said they still need help before veterans can begin living on the property. We are still doing everything we can to get volunteers to complete this phase, Flounders said. The couple is hopeful the public will see the progress that has been made over the six years since they purchased the land. Visitors will also see the aquaponics project, which includes specialized tanks for fish that provide nutrients to support plant growth. A grant from the Coosa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council made the project possible. The greenhouse will grow various green and red vegetables once the system is fully operational. Potatoes and onions have already been planted in the greenhouse soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple encourages the public to visit https://sssvp.org to learn more about SSSVPs mission and upcoming events during May, which is Mental Health Month. As part of the months activities, the equine project will participate in Horses for Mental Health: As Seen Through Horses. The program includes the premiere of the film Rescued Hearts. Locations for the May 10 screening will be announced. The couples work is personal. Flounders, who served in both the Navy and Army from 1983 to 2014 and was deployed in four military operations, suffers from PTSD. He found peace through an equine therapy program after retirement. For Saucier, the mission honors her father, Edward James Halbach, a World War II Navy veteran who passed away as the couple began envisioning a transitional village for veterans. An inheritance from Halbach allowed them to purchase 16 acres for the six homes and a communal kitchen. I believe my father is looking down on us with great pride in how Dave and I have incorporated these values into our mission at SSSVP, Saucier said. For more information or to schedule a visit, contact Dave at 860-861-6747 or email dave@sssvp.org. AUSTIN (KXAN) The four regional climate centers that lost federal funding late last week are in the process of going live again, Texas state climatologist told KXANs Nick Bannin on Monday. Funding for the Southern Regional Climate Center (SRCC) at Texas A&M, along with three other centers nationwide, stopped operations on Thursday, April 17, after funding lapsed. Funding lapse cuts Southern Regional Climate Center at Texas A&M Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The climate centers website was also unavailable. A message on the homepage of the centers website read: Base funding for the Southern Regional Climate Center and three other RCCs from the Dept. of Commerce through NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) lapsed on April 17, 2025. Unfortunately, all data and services offered under the base contract, including this website, will be unavailable unless and until funding is resumed. Southern Regional Climate Center home page on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The SRCC is one of six regional climate centers around the United States. The SRCC monitors weather and climate data for six states: Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma. The four RCCs that had shut down have just received notices to proceed from NOAA and are in the process of going live again, SRCC head John Nielsen-Gammon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By late Monday afternoon, the SRCC website had been restored. Southern Regional Climate Center website on Monday afternoon What is a regional climate center? The six regional climate centers across the country are managed by NOAAs National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The purpose of an RCC, according to the NCEI, is to provide efficient, user-driven services that cover three important categories: Provision and development of sector-specific and value-added data products and services Establishment of robust, efficient digital infrastructure for providing climate information Seamless integration and storage of non-NOAA climate data with traditional NOAA data sources How do broadcast meteorologists use regional climate centers? While individual National Weather Service forecast offices keep track of weather data within their county warning area (CWA), they dont help distribute weather data outside of it for a statewide or regional basis. Thats where regional climate centers are involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well often look back at precipitation and temperature departure-from-normal maps provided by our local RCC for context in how our local weather differs or aligns with a statewide view. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Clinics around the country that provide contraception and other reproductive health services to low-income patients are running out of funds as they await word from the Trump administration on tens of millions of dollars in grants frozen last month. Dozens of medical providers from California to Maine, including nine Planned Parenthood affiliates, have struggled to stay afloat since more than $65 million dollars for the Title X family planning program was withheld on April 1 a funding freeze the Trump administration said was aimed at enforcing executive orders on diversity and immigration. Federal officials gave the groups 10 days to submit detailed records showing they dont discriminate in hiring or in patient care, but those who did so by the deadline said they have not received a response. Its been radio silence, said Sarah Stoesz, the interim CEO of Utahs Planned Parenthood chapter. For some inexplicable reason, they are taking a meat axe to the healthcare system in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah is one of seven states to lose all Title X funding, along with California, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri and Montana. The National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, which represents most Title X grantees, estimated that 846,000 patients will lose access to services if the funding isnt restored. The Trump administration did not respond to questions about the status of the funds. Some impacted health providers are considering legal action. Others are pleading with their state legislatures and private donors to backfill the missing federal dollars. And some, having exhausted their emergency funds, are shutting their doors. Two of the eight Planned Parenthood health centers in rural Utah will close at the end of this month after the Trump administration froze $2.8 million in Title X funds the state affiliate was slated to receive. The clinics one on the northern border near Idaho and the other by the southern border with Arizona collectively saw roughly 4,500 patients in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Utahs Planned Parenthood chapter will attempt to continue seeing some of those patients by telehealth, some will need to drive more than 100 miles to reach the nearest physical family planning clinic if they need in-person services. The group is also cutting staff and increasing its sliding scale fees for low-income patients at its remaining Utah clinics as a result of the funding freeze. The impact is going to be particularly brutal in red states that dont have a local government that is ready to step up and help support family planning services, said Shireen Ghorbani, the groups interim president. And our county health departments and regional health departments do not always have the capacity, and, in fact, often refer patients to Planned Parenthood for STI testing. So we anticipate that people will defer care or just not receive the care that they need. The Trump administration is also withholding nearly $2 million from Maine Family Planning the Title X grantee that supports 60 clinics across the state over what the organizations CEO George Hill called DEIA-related concerns. Thats about 20 percent of its annual budget, a loss Hill said will have consequences, particularly in a rural state where people cant easily find another source of care. If the funds dry out and we're unable to replace them, clinics will close. Access will be denied. And a lot of people are simply not going to get contraception if they have to get in the car and drive two hours away, he said. It's gonna be painful, and I resent it deeply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the tens of millions of dollars in grants withheld in their entirety over alleged violations of Trumps executive orders and federal law, the administration also gave partial grants to some Title X providers that they report are inadequate to maintain services. Every Body Texas, the nonprofit supporting more than 150 Title X clinics across the state, received $7 million earlier this month less than half of the $15.4 million they got from the program last year. CEO Kristie Bardell called it a major blow, and warned that without additional funding, they will have to cut services for their more than 180,000 patients. Texas has the largest population of uninsured people in the U.S., and Bardell said the demand for free and subsidized family planning services is higher than shes ever seen. When reproductive health care disappears, cancer goes undetected, rates of unintended pregnancy and STIs rise, and the health gap grows wider, she warned. Were risking decades of public health progress and peoples lives. Even if the funds are released in the coming weeks, the reprieve may only be temporary. A draft budget document obtained by POLITICO revealed that the Trump administration is considering getting rid of Title X as well as other family planning programs like the HHS Teen Pregnancy Prevention. George Clooney is predicting Democrats will regain control of the House in next years midterm elections, saying a win will serve as a check and balance on power. I think well get the House back in a year and a half, Clooney, the star of Broadways Good Night, and Good Luck and one of Hollywoods most prominent Democratic supporters and fundraisers, said in an interview with Variety published Tuesday. The GOP currently has a razor-thin majority in the House, with 220 Republicans, 213 Democrats and two vacancies in districts previously held by Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre a Democrat, we have to find some people to represent us better, who have a sense of humor and who have a sense of purpose, the 63-year-old Academy Award winner said. In a conversation with legendary theater performer Patti LuPone, Clooney compared the current state of American politics to the civil unrest that the country faced more than 50 years ago. Youve been around long enough to remember 1968. Every city in the United States was on fire, Clooney told LuPone. Wed lost Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King. We were losing the greatest speakers wed ever had. The Vietnam War was raging, the Tet offensive, everything that was going on at that time in our country. The president basically resigned because Walter Cronkite said that Vietnam is unwinnable, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been in much worse places. The only thing thats different is the source of information and how much and how many different sources, Clooney, who plays famed journalist Edward R. Murrow in the Broadway production, said of the media landscape. But its not nearly as violent, even though it feels violent. Its not nearly as hopeless as it was at that moment in time. And weve done this before, he said. From President Jackson to McCarthy to this, the authoritarian, the demagogue, it goes away when they go away. And he will go away, Clooney said of President Trump. The entertainer described Trump before entering politics as a New York beast who was known as just a guy chasing women while working as a Manhattan real estate developer. Last month, Trump dubbed Clooney who last year famously penned a New York Times op-ed urging then-President Biden to exit the White House race a second rate movie star and a failed political pundit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans, Clooney said, dont have anybody thats as charismatic as [Trump.] Hes charismatic. Theres no taking that away from him. Hes a television star. But eventually well find our better angels. We have every other 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 The Hill. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Several victims of the Aug. 3, 2019 massacre expressed their rage and grief towards El Paso Walmart shooter Patrick Crusius for the last time, confronting him face to face as victim impact statements continued on Tuesday, April 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crusius pleaded guilty to state charges on Monday, April 21, and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The shooter pleaded guilty to one count of capital murder of multiple people and 22 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Your mission failed: Crusius sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole Victim impact statements began at 1 p.m. Monday and continued into Tuesday at the El Paso County Courthouse. Several individuals confronted the shooter on Tuesday, expressing their full-on rage and grief they have endured for nearly six years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francisco Rodriguez, father of the youngest victim from the massacre, Javier Rodriguez, confronted the shooter, telling the shooter to look at him while he was giving his impact statement. My son was 15 years old at the time. He was pretty much a bystander. He just went down there with his uncle to the bank. Look at me. Look at my son. You had the balls to come down here and do what you wanted to do right? Look at him. Im only asking you two minutes. Two minutes of your time. You had over 10 hours to think about what you were going to do. Now you cant give me two minutes? Thanks to you, now I go to the cemetery with my family on my sons birthday. Hilda Reckard, the daughter-in-law of victim Margie Reckerd, who died in the shooting, approached the microphone with full rage. It is disgusting that you could not even say, or get your lawyer to say to these people that you are sorry for what the hell you did. They did more for you than you did for them you (expletive). They saved your (expletive) life and you cant say youre sorry? Why is it so hard to take a damn gun away from somebody that is sick?, Reckard said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dean Reckard, son of Margie Reckerd, also confronted the shooter. I noticed your family isnt here. Theyll probably have to hide for the rest of their lives because of the evil you brought upon their name. Im not buying into this mental illness issue that your lawyers want us to believe. To me, youre just a copycat killer who wanted some attention. My hope is you wake up each morning wishing you were dead, Reckard said. What he did was cowardly. You know, I never thought Id see the day that Id see a clown in handcuffs, Raul Melendez, family member of David Johnson, who died in the shooting, said. One of the victims compared the shooter to Adolf Hitler, the dictator of Nazi Germany who was responsible for millions of Jewish people who died during the Holocaust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You remind me of a man who had mental illness as well, and was a racist as well. His name was Adolf Hitler. His objective was Jewish people. Your objective was Mexican people, Misty Jamrowski, mother of Jordan Anchodo, who died in the shooting, said. Another victim was given permission by Judge Sam Medrano to hug the shooter as a sign of forgiveness. Maam, would it truly bring you peace and comfort and healing to hug him? Medrano asked. Yes, Yolanda Tinajero, niece of Arturo Benavides, who died in the shooting, said. You go right on ahead, Medrano said. As Tinajero hugged the shooter, the sound of crying could be heard in the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court was then dismissed and was back in session at 1:30 p.m. where victim impact statements continued. Several individuals continued to give statements full of rage and fury, including Martha Santiesteban, daughter of Luis Juarez Sr., the oldest victim of the shooting. He was 90-years-old. You killed my 90-year-old father you son of a (expletive). (expletive) you Patrick Crusius and (expletive) Donald J. Trump because I know that hes your mentor, Santiesteban said. After a short 10-minute recess, another victim approached Medrano and asked for permission to hug the shooter. Your honor, I would like to ask you for permission on behalf of myself and my children to give Patrick a hug, Adriana Zandri, wife of Ivan Manzano, who died in the shooting, asked in Spanish. Maam, would that help you and your family seek comfort, peace, and healing?, Medrano asked. Yes sir, Zandri responded in Spanish. Victim impact statements finished on Tuesday, and Medrano addressed the courtroom, stating that the proceedings in this case have concluded. Medrano asked for the shooter to be escorted out of the courtroom and for arrangements to be made for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to take custody of him. Previously, the shooter pleaded guilty in 2023 to federal charges and was sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms without possibility of parole. The shooter killed 23 people on Aug. 3, 2019 and injured more than 20 others in a racially motivated attack at the Cielo Vista Walmart. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Research reveals that several brands, including Coca-Cola, are linked to plastic production processes that rely on fracking. What's happening? Euronews reported that Stand.earth found over 25 well-known consumer brands linked to fracking operations in the Permian Basin of Texas, one of the world's biggest "carbon bombs" because of its massive contribution to planet-warming pollution. Fracking involves breaking apart shale rock below the earth's surface to extract natural gas and oil, which is achieved by using a high-pressure mix of water, sand, and chemicals blasted at the rock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A byproduct is ethane, which is used to fuel the plastic industry. The Stand.earth investigation uncovered that much of the ethane from Texas is shipped overseas for plastic production. Stand.earth observed that some of the brands linked to Permian Basin fracking include Coca-Cola, Unilever, Nestle, and Procter & Gamble. P&G is the parent company of countless household brands, such as Gillette, Olay, and Always. Why is fracking concerning? The fracking process creates environmental damage and can significantly impact local communities. For example, it can lead to tremors or small earthquakes, and local water supplies can be contaminated with gas. There are even videos of residents near the Permian Basin lighting their tap water on fire, showcasing the extent of contamination. "From toxic extraction in the Permian Basin to poisonous production along the Houston Ship Channel, the cost is irreversible damage to our children's health low birth weights and reproductive and developmental harm spanning generations," Yvette Arellano, founder and executive director of Houston grassroots environmental justice organization Fenceline Watch, told Euronews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fracking is a way to access an abundant energy resource, but extraction can be dangerous and destroy vital habitats. Meanwhile, relying on natural gas further slows the transition to non-polluting energy sources such as solar and wind. The use of ethane for plastic brings further issues. Plastic is one of the most polluting materials on the planet. It doesn't degrade naturally, but it breaks down into smaller and smaller particles, becoming microplastics that can enter the bodies of animals and humans and have been linked to a variety of health issues. The U.N. Environment Program noted that 19 to 23 million tonnes of plastic enter aquatic ecosystems every year, contaminating water supplies, destroying vital animal habitats, and posing a threat to marine life. A study published in the Science Advances journal, summarized by Axios, noted that Coca-Cola is responsible for more than half of plastic pollution across the globe. What is Coca-Cola doing about plastic pollution? Coca-Cola is involved in eco-friendly initiatives such as World Without Waste, which pledges to make all packaging recyclable but critics argue it's not enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company has said it will increase its global recycled plastic use to 30-35% by 2035, but its link to fracking operations suggests it is still looking to create new plastics. Delphine Levi Alvares, global petrochemicals campaign manager at the Center for International Environmental Law, told Euronews that brands often forget "their primary business is not packaging, it's really bringing products to people." Using dirty-fuel-based plastics is a choice, not a necessity. Recycled plastics and bio-based plastics are safer alternatives. Even refillable or no-package designs could work. Until companies commit to reducing plastic use, fracking will remain profitable. It's important to recognize greenwashing when corporations tout environmentally friendly practices but don't follow through and support companies that are transparent about packaging material and working to prioritize sustainable choices for people and the planet. 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. With the death of Pope Francis on Monday, the process to choose a new pope will begin after a period of mourning and Francis funeral Mass at the Vatican. The group that will select a new pope is the College of Cardinals. What is a cardinal of the Catholic Church? A cardinal is appointed by the pope. They are all considered advisers to the pope and must be bishops. Many of them are archbishops of large urban archdioceses around the world. Some of them are members of the Roman Curia who lead and administer major departments (called dicasteries) of the Catholic Church. A select few cardinals may be prominent clerics the pope wishes to honor. The majority of cardinals vote in papal conclaves to elect the new pope, but there are also numerous non-voting cardinals. Once a cardinal reaches 80 years of age, he may no longer vote in a papal conclave. At last count there were 252 cardinals, of whom 135 were eligible to vote in a papal conclave (though there is no definitive public list of cardinal electors). What is the origin of the College of Cardinals? The College of Cardinals traces its origins to the early centuries of the Catholic Church in Rome, evolving into its current form under Pope Nicholas II in 1059. Initially serving as key advisers to the pope, the cardinals role expanded significantly as the papacy sought to consolidate its authority and regulate administration of the Catholic Church. Cardinals became the primary electors of the pope, ensuring continuity and ecclesiastical autonomy from secular rulers who often sought to influence and control the great authority of the church for their own ends. The red color of cardinals vestments symbolizes their willingness to defend the faith even to the point of shedding their blood as martyrs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The collective influence of the cardinals shapes Catholic doctrine, global church policy, and diplomacywhich often positions them as intermediaries between the Vatican, national governments, and other large national and international institutions. In modern times, popes have sought to internationalize the College of Cardinals, appointing more cardinals from regions in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. There are currently 17 cardinals from the United States. While their spiritual authority is considerable, their authority and influence within the church fluctuates depending on the reigning pontiff and the particular responsibilities of each cardinal. Ultimately, the role of a cardinal embodies both the sacred and administrative dimensions of church governance. The role reflects a delicate balance between faith, tradition, contemporary issues, politics, finance, and the practical issues of administering a global church of 1.4 billion Catholics. What is a papal conclave? The papal conclave is the solemn and secretive process of electing a pope. It unfolds within the Sistine Chapel in Rome under strict protocols designed to ensure confidentiality and spiritual discernment. Following the death or resignation of a pope, the College of Cardinals convenes in Rome, spending days in pre-conclave meetings known as general congregations, in which they discuss the state of the church and potential candidates. Once inside the Sistine Chapel to vote, the doors are locked, and security sweeps try to ensure there is no external communication with the outside world. Cardinals cast their votes in multiple rounds per day, writing their chosen name on a ballotwhich is then counted, verified, recorded, and burned. To be elected, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majoritya safeguard against factionalism, hasty decisions, and to ensure the new pope has a super-majority of the support of the cardinals. One of the most well-known elements of a papal conclave is the smoke that emerges from the chapel chimney after a vote. The smoke color signals the outcome: black for an inconclusive vote, white for the successful election of a pope. The new pope is nearly always someone from the College of Cardinals itself, but that is not a requirement. Canonically, he must be a baptized male Catholic who has the capacity to accept his election as pope. Once elected, the new pope is asked if he accepts the position. When he accepts, he is then asked by what name he wishes to be calledputting behind him his old name and identity. The newly elected and named pontiff then steps out onto the central balcony of St. Peters Basilica to deliver his first blessing, Urbi et Orbito the city and the world. When was the last papal conclave? The 2013 conclave following Pope Benedict XVIs historic resignation was one of the shortest in modern history, lasting only two days and five ballots. It convened 115 cardinals from across the globe, reflecting the increasingly international character of the churchs leadership. Consensus quickly coalesced around Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentine cardinal known for his personal humility and pastoral approach. His election was marked by a desire for reform, particularly in response to scandals involving financial mismanagement and clerical sexual abuse. Upon accepting the role, Bergoglio took the name Francis, signaling his commitment to simplicity in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. His election was groundbreaking: He was the first Jesuit ever elected pope, and the first non-European pontiff of the Catholic Church in more than 1,200 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who think a papal conclave is primarily about politics (or is predictable) should remember that a College of Cardinals made up entirely of men elevated there over the span of 35 years by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI (considered by most to both be traditionalists) was the same College of Cardinals that elected Pope Francis, a pope beloved by progressive Catholics and non-Catholics alike. What will the next papal conclave be like? The next papal conclave will be shaped by the pressing challenges facing the church and by some of the ideological divisions within the College of Cardinals. Key issues may include the ongoing pressures of modern views of human sexuality, the future of deeply troubled Vatican financial reforms, the oppression of Christians in various countries of the world, the decline of the Catholic Church in Europe and the Americas, and the tremendous growth of the Catholic Church in Africa and Asia. The cardinals will face decisions between continuity and change, determining whether to elect a pope who will advance Francis agenda, one who will implement a more traditional interpretation of church doctrine and practice, or one who might take the Catholic Church in a new, unforeseen direction. Front-runners (also called papabile) may include: Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vaticans powerful secretary of state; Cardinal Robert Sarah, considered a traditionalist from Africa; Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, a strong supporter of Pope Francis; and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy. The age of papal candidates is often of great interest. Pope John Paul II was 58 years old when elected and served for 26 years. Pope Benedict XVI was already 78 and unexpectedly retired as pope just eight years later. But past prognostications and predictions going into papal elections have rarely reflected the issues in the conclave that actually produced the new pope (266 popes in all). There is a saying in the Vatican about papabile: He who enters the conclave as pope, leaves it as a cardinal. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. HANGZHOU, April 22 (Xinhua) -- During World War II, China and the United States joined hands to fight Fascism. Among the stories from this time, the Chinese people's heroic rescue of U.S. airmen after the Doolittle Raid on Japan has united people from the two countries. Chinese and American people last week gathered in Quzhou City in east China's Zhejiang Province to mark the 83rd anniversary of the Doolittle Raid and celebrate the friendship between China and the United States. On April 18, 1942, a group of 16 U.S. bombers, led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, took off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and air-raided Japanese cities, including Tokyo, in retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor. Ahead of the raid, bombers took off at a location farther from Japan than in the initial mission plan, as they had encountered Japanese patrol crafts. After the raid, 15 bombers headed for an airport in Quzhou as previously planned, and the other one steered toward and landed in the Soviet Union. The airport in China was considered a friendly territory for the Americans, and was geographically close to mainland Japan. However, due to the increased flight range, the 15 planes had run out of fuel before reaching their destinations. With conditions exacerbated by bad weather and poor communication, they crashed or were ditched in various parts of east China, mostly in Zhejiang. Of the 75 airmen aboard the planes, 64 were rescued by the Chinese people, most of whom were villagers who had received no official notice. Many villages involved in the rescue still tell their stories of finding the "strange-looking foreigners" who couldn't speak Chinese, and of their efforts to shelter, care for and protect them. In a village in Zhejiang's Ningbo, for example, locals identified the airmen as Americans and cooked eggs and shrimps for the pilots before using a boat to help them leave the village. These U.S. soldiers made contact with local authorities and were transferred to safe zones. Facing Japanese soldiers searching for the Americans on the coast, the locals refused to tell the whereabouts of the airmen. Their rescue, however, came at a tremendous cost. Many villagers were suspected of sheltering the Americans, and some were even tortured or slaughtered by the Japanese. After the Doolittle Raid, Japan launched a campaign in May 1942 to destroy air bases, airports and other infrastructure in the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangxi, lest they were used by Chinese or U.S. air forces. The airport in Quzhou was subjected to intense bombing. Japan also waged biological warfare by spreading cholera, plague and other diseases. The three-month campaign resulted in massive civilian deaths. Over the decades, the rescue of the American airmen has stood as a testament to the friendship between people from the two countries forged in the war against Fascism. In 1992, five of the Chinese rescuers were invited to the United States to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. Doolittle and then-U.S. President George H. W. Bush sent their warm greetings. The children of the American pilots have also visited the Doolittle Raid Memorial Hall in Quzhou to pay tribute to the Chinese people for their heroic efforts. 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. During this year's commemoration of the rescue, the USS Hornet Museum -- a museum converted from the retired U.S. aircraft carrier -- gifted an original film reel of a 1942 Doolittle Raiders training exercise to the Quzhou Society for the History of the Doolittle Raid. The society also donated the wreckage of a B-25 bomber from the raid to the U.S. museum. Enditem (Intern Zhang Jiaxuan also contributed to the story.) COLLINSVILLE, Ill. An Illinois bill that would ban that would ban schools from using Native American names, mascots and logos has passed the Illinois House and is now under review in the Senate. The Collinsville School District, one St. Louis-area school district with a Native American-themed mascot, is pushing back against the proposal, urging community members to contact their state senators in an effort to preserve the schools name and identity. The legislation at the center, Illinois House Bill 1237, would require schools to stop using Native American names, logos, or mascots when enacted, although it would allow schools to use existing materials and uniforms until 2030 under certain conditions, such as setting a timeline for selecting a new mascot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, Collinsville High School has used a Kahok mascot name. The name represents a fictional Native American tribe, and many school leaders view it as a symbol of local identity and heritage. Louisiana bounty hunter sentenced for kidnapping Missouri woman Dr. Mark Skertich, superintendent for the Collinsville School District, issued a public statement on April 10 outlining the districts stance. The statement reads, in part: Our Collinsville High School Kahok mascot is a treasured part of our local community. Our district is home to the Cahokia Mounds World Heritage and State Historic Site, which is located where a large, influential Native American city once stood. Artifacts indicate it was the center of Mississippian culture in its day. In 2020, our district received a formal written endorsement from the Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas and Missouri to continue using our Kahok mascot. Their support is based on their belief that the people of the Western Cherokee could be descended from the Cahokia mound builders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the statement, the district believes the mascot promotes cultural awareness, encourages dialogue about Native American history and honor Indigenous heritage. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Collinsville CUSD 10 leaders are actively opposing this legislation in the Senate. We are encouraging everyone in our community to contact members of the Illinois State Senate to oppose House Bill 1237, the school district added. The legislation also states that id a federally recognized tribe wishes to terminate consent for a mascot, the school must select a new name or mascot within a year and discontinue the old one within three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 1237 has had one reading in the Senate and has since been referred to an assignments committee, according to the bills online tracker. The Illinois General Assembly runs through May 31, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) Colombias government Tuesday published the contents of a proposed referendum on reform of the nations labor laws, that seeks to give employees greater access to health benefits and overtime pay. If approved, however, it could make it harder to create jobs in Latin Americas fourth largest economy. The Ministry of the Interior published 12 questions that it plans to include in a national referendum, known in Colombia as a popular consultation. A date hasnt been set for the referendum, which still requires approval from Colombias Senate. The questions ask voters if they agree or disagree with reforms to Colombias labor laws, including requiring food delivery platforms to provide health insurance for freelancers and requiring companies to pay their employees double their daily rate when they work on Sundays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another question asks voters if "daytime work should go from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. implying that employees working outside those hours should be paid extra. The government has previously proposed that companies pay employees a 35% bonus for any time worked outside regular daytime hours. Business groups in Colombia oppose the reforms, arguing they will make it harder for small and medium enterprises to provide proper labor contracts to their workers, while encouraging them to hire people informally, paying them in cash. Trade groups have also argued that the government's reforms do little to create new jobs. The governments reforms do not recognize the reality of 16 million informal laborers and unemployed people in Colombia, Jaime Alberto Cabal, the president of Colombias National Association of Merchants said in a video published on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The referendum will also ask voters if a special fund should be created to provide pensions to rural workers, and if companies should be obliged to hire at least two people with disabilities for every 100 workers. In a speech on Monday, President Gustavo Petro said he will lead a march to Colombias Congress on May 1 to pressure legislators into giving the referendum a green light. Its time for the people to make their own decisions Petro said Monday in a nationally televised speech, where he argued that Colombias Congress has been trying to deny the people the right to decide their future. The governments push for a referendum comes as Colombias president fails to get the nations Senate to pass legislation on labor laws and health care, which are central to his economic agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petro is now trying to get around this impasse by getting some of his reforms passed by way of a referendum, a move that no Colombian government has tried before. Political analysts say it will be tough for the president to get enough voters to support his proposals, even if they sound attractive for workers seeking more rights. Under Colombian law, at least one third of the nations eligible voters must participate in popular consultations for their results to carry any legal weight. That means the proposed referendum would need approximately 13 million votes for its results to be implemented. Petro won the 2022 presidential election with 11 million votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There might be institutional actors, such as labor unions, who are very interested in this referendum said Yan Basset a political analyst at Bogotas Rosario University. But their capacity to mobilize voters is limited. Basset said the referendum gives Petro a reason to mobilize his partys bases, ahead of next years presidential election, giving the president's party somewhat of an electoral advantage. But if the referendum does not pass, it could also hurt the president, Basset said, because the idea that he is representing the interests of the people would lose credibility. Colombias president Gustavo Petro has claimed that U.S. officials have revoked his visa, a claim the State Department would not immediately confirm. Petro was speaking during a televised meeting of his cabinet called to address an outbreak of yellow fever, according to The City Paper Bogota. The president spent several days in January engulfed in a conflict with the Trump administration about accepting Colombian nationals deported from the United States, before backing down. I cant go [to the US] anymore because I believe they took away my visa, Petro said, chuckling. Then, apparently aiming a shot at Donald Trump, he added: I didnt really need a visa, but anyway, Ive already seen Donald Duck several times, so Ill go see other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it was not immediately clear whether the Colombian president was zinging his U.S. counterpart or the Walt Disney character, Trump has been mocked as Donald Duck before, notably by his sometime ally Chris Christie. In 2023 the former New Jersey governor dubbed Trump Donald Duck for refusing to take part in debates with his challengers for the Republican presidential nomination. Colombian President Gustavo Petro appeared to zing Donald Trump at a televised Cabinet meeting on Monday (AP) Petro is not thought to have met Trump, although he visited the White House in 2023 to meet then-President Joe Biden. A State Department spokesperson declined to comment to The Independent on Tuesday, citing the confidentiality of visa records. An official with the US Embassy in Bogota told a local news service that no formal notification of visa revocation had been issued. But the agency threatened escalation with Petros government in January, when the US halted new visa applications for Colombian nationals. Applicants were handed letters informing them that their appointments at the embassy were canceled due to the Colombian governments refusal to accept repatriation flights of Colombian nationals, according to the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the dispute, the Colombian president balked over the usage of US military AC-130s for the transportation of Colombians, who he argued were being treated like criminals without being convicted of violating the law. I do not authorize the entry of North American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory, Petro said on X. The U.S. must establish a protocol of dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them. A migrant is not a criminal and should be treated with the dignity a human being deserves, he said. We will receive our nationals in civilian airplanes, without treating them as criminals. Colombia must be respected. Trump responded with a slew of retaliatory measures, including hiked tariffs and a promise to pursue Visa Sanctions on all Party Members, Family Members, and Supporters of the Colombian Government as well as a Travel Ban and immediate Visa Revocations [for] Colombian Government Officials, and all Allies and Supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petro later relented and began allowing deportation flights back into the country. He remains a vocal critic, however, of Trumps deportation policy, including the removal of Venezuelan migrants labeled Tren de Aragua members to El Salvadors notorious CECOT megaprison. No democratic-minded person in Latin America can accept that all of the Venezuelan people in exile are criminalized because of the crimes of the so-called Tren de Aragua, wrote Petro on Twitter this week. A Pew Research Group analysis found that there were nearly 200,000 Colombian nationals living in the United States without legal status as of 2022. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has accelerated a mass deportation program which was once promised to be focused on removing convicted criminals amid a GOP-led effort to stoke fear about crimes, including murders, committed by migrants living in the US illegally. Trump continues to insist that his administration is removing dangerous criminals, and his Homeland Security and White House officials have resorted to amplifying smears and outright falsehoods against migrants caught up in high-profile cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the two contested deportation flights carrying around 200 Colombian nationals back to their home country earlier this year did not appear to include anyone convicted of a violent offense. The flights instead carried at least 20 children and several pregnant women. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, at a news briefing that month, declared that the lack of focus on violent criminals was irrelevant all migrants who did not enter the country through ports of entry are criminals, in the administrations view. I know the last administration didn't see it that way, so its a big culture shift in our nation to view someone who breaks our immigration laws as a criminal, but thats exactly what they are, she said. An aerial view of air pollution in the Denver area. (Courtesy of EcoFlight) Last month, Lee Zeldin, the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced a plan to revoke the 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding, the key scientific determination that allows the EPA to regulate climate pollution under the Clean Air Act. One of the basic functions of good government is to provide reliable information that can then inform policy that is in the public interest. At a time when the federal government is subverting basic truths about climate impacts, it is imperative that local- and state-level policymakers highlight dangers to people and the planet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado House Bill 25-1277, Increasing Transparency Impact of Fuel Products, seeks to achieve this goal by requiring fossil fuel retailers to place a warning label on gas pumps and in other locations where fossil fuels are sold. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX If passed, HB-1277 would require retailers to affix a warning sticker with the following text: WARNING: Use of this product releases air pollutants and greenhouse gases, known by the state of Colorado to be linked to significant health impacts and global heating, respectively, pursuant to section 25-5-1603, C.R.S. Tampering with this label is a violation of section 18-4-510, C.R.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In light of a multi-front assault on science in general and on climate data in particular, policies that inform the public about basic health and safety measures think tobacco and alcohol warnings are an important intervention. Furthermore, the legislation will not cost taxpayers money and represents a relatively small burden on retailers, who will have a 45-day opportunity to correct missing or illegible labels before any enforcement actions are begun. The stakes could not be higher. A 2018 special report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that in order to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the level required to avoid the worst outcomes, we would need to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. Even limiting warming to 2 degrees Celsius requires 25% emissions reductions by 2030 and 100% by 2075. Every additional fraction of a degree of heating exponentially increases risk to a stable climate and to the social and biological systems upon which we all rely. Here in Colorado, oil and gas production along with transportation are the top two sources of ozone pollution. Ozone is particularly dangerous for children and is linked to a range of health problems including asthma, metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease. Sadly, instead of playing a leading role in coordination efforts across sectors and borders that might give us a fighting chance to avoid climate catastrophe, the current federal administration is leading a fossil fuel cult devoted to short-term profit at the expense of a livable future. This involves denying basic truths about how fossil fuels harm our health and planet. The warnings required by HB-1277 can serve as a state-level counterbalance to this disinformation campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My parents grew up at a time when clouds of smog hung over our cities and our rivers were flammable. I grew up at a time when public places were filled with cigarette smoke and there was a dangerous hole in the ozone layer. These hard-fought public health success stories demonstrate that science-based interventions that improve our health and wellness are possible. No amount of governmental obfuscation can undo the inconvenient truth that climate impacts are here and now. At a time when climate progress and public health are at risk, states and municipalities must step into the breach to keep the public informed. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (COLORADO SPRINGS) Multiple vigils took place at churches across Colorado to honor the life of Pope Francis following his death on Monday, April 21. Bells rang across Colorado on Easter Monday as crowds of people gathered to honor the life of the pope, and many became emotional. Today our holy father Pope Francis died in Rome this morning, said the Archbishop of Colorado during mass. Thousands of people across Colorado spent Monday mourning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes a man thats touched not only Catholics but non-Catholics as well, he was by far mine and my familys favorite pope of all time, said one woman, crying over the loss. Churches across the state created a place for mourning, and many people prayed, lit candles, and left flowers to honor the popes 88 years of life. He had a profound effect on our family, said Carrie Johnson from Palmer Lake. Photo by: Jack Temple Johnson said while she never met the pope, she has a special connection to him. Johnson described the day as somber, but she said she is thankful for what Pope Francis has done for her family. I know that Austin [her son] should not be here today. Thats been affirmed to us by multiple doctors across the country, and I think that Pope Francis played a part in that and provided us with hope and the faith that we are rooted and grounded on, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her son suffered from a traumatic stoke when he was little, and she believes he survived after Pope Francis prayed for him and her family. Photo By: Jack Young I can remember messaging our priest and saying, could you please pray for us, and he said, Ill do one better. Im here with Pope Francis and he is praying for your son right now, and I just remember thinking out of all of the people in the world that he would stop for us in that moment, she said. Johnson said the pope spent his entire life praying for others, and now it is time for the world to pray for him. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. EVANS, Ga. (WJBF) This weekend, the Columbia County Spring Fair saw its fair share of fights involving children. There has been social media chatter about people saying they saw a gun or heard gunshots. I talked with the Columbia County Sheriffs Department about what happened. Although the Fair has a rule that a parent must accompany children 17 and under after 7 PM, there were still many incidents on Friday night, including fights between a 14- and 16-year-old, and Saturday night, the Fair had to close early at 9:30 due to unsupervised kids cutting lines and not following rules. Based on the fact of disruptions and the unruliness. The Merchants Association decided to close down the Fair, said Andy Shedd, Special Operations Division, Columbia County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People at the Fair say they saw a gun or heard gunshots, but investigators say they have no proof that weapons were shown or fired at the Fair. There is no indication and no proof whatsoever that that occurred. It was a social media myth that ran rampant, but our officers that were there were obviously eyewitnesses to the entire incident and to the unruliness, and they said there were no shots that were fired, said Shedd. One attendee was there with her family. She says that as they were leaving, they saw an officer rushing to where an incident must have occurred. They could tell from the moment they got to the fair that it was different and more hectic than in previous years. UPDATE: Changes coming this weekend to Columbia Co. Spring Fair Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next thing you know, youve got a big crowd of people screaming and running past us, said Sheena Inglett at Saturday nights fair. My husband grabbed me and the baby, and we went beside a vendor, and she had us hide behind one of her curtains because nobody knew what was going on. Inglett says she hopes attendees get refunds because some had just gotten to the Fair before they were forced to leave. Shedd says they are looking into videos. If we can prove that someone was an instigator, then they will definitely be charged, said Shedd. The sheriffs office plans to provide more officers this weekend to ensure the safety of people who want to attend the Fair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our plans for this this upcoming weekend is to bolster our efforts in security and have even more officers on hand so that nothing like this happens again, said Shedd. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. In our Inside Look stories, The State's journalists take you inside places around South Carolina that you maybe haven't seen before. Read more. Story idea? statenews@thestate.com. Last month, the Columbia Museum of Art marked its 75th anniversary. It met the milestone with its galleries closed. Theyve been closed since January, and theyll remain closed until May. The nonprofit has existed for 75 years, but weve been in this building for 25, Executive Director Della Watkins said of the museums home, which was built on the steel-frame bones of a Belks department store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 25 years that weve been there, you know, just like in your home, theres always things you want to change and improve. Thats why the museum has pulled down the art from its walls, and torn up those walls and the ceilings above. The museums ongoing, extensive renovations of all its main display galleries, six on the ground floor and 20 more upstairs, key on the need to upgrade the lighting for its art, which has reached the end of its operating life after 25 years in use. Della Watkins, executive director of the Columbia Museum of Art shows the new gallery lighting system at the museum on Friday, February 28, 2025. The ERCO brand lighting produces less heat, which helps protect the art, and has easy to use software to control the lights. But the museum is doing more than simply hanging new lights. Its reworking and refreshing its galleries so theyre a better space to see art, and its expanding its capabilities to hang pieces that are heavy or otherwise challenging to display. And when the permanent collection galleries upstairs are ready for work to be reinstalled, there will be a thorough reshuffling of which pieces are displayed and how theyre organized some pieces will be put back in storage, while others will be put on display for the first time. Visitors will begin to see the results of the museums $2.9 million upgrades May 24, when the rotating galleries downstairs reopen with an exhibition of works by innovative American printmaker Sam Gilliam. The return of the permanent collection is still a ways off, with the opening of the upstairs galleries not anticipated until January of next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not going to move it down the road, Watkins said of that tentative date. I hope Im moving up the road. The State was invited along for a hard-hat tour of the in-progress renovations in late February to learn about how they will change the experience for museum visitors. ERCO brand lighting modules that are being installed in the Columbia Museum of Art on Friday, February 28, 2025. The previous lighting system is at the end of its projected lifespan, and these new lights offer new technology that helps protect art and show the artwork. Replacing 25-year-old lights It hasnt been too long since the museum last underwent a renovation, but it has been a while since most of its galleries were overhauled. The $5 million improvements the museum completed in 2018 did impact the way it displays art, as the push to expand into 11,000 square feet of unused space added both more areas for events and new galleries to increase the number of works displayed from the museums permanent collection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This latest round of improvements is aimed squarely at the museums ability to effectively display its art. Installing new lights is the primary emphasis. Controlling lighting the amount and physical temperature each piece can take, the color temperature that best suits it is vital. Every work of art has an ideal foot count, the amount of light that can stay on that piece of art, Watkins said, explaining that the museum had previously been managing this by attaching lenses and baffles to diffuse and reduce the amount of light. But the heat put off by those bulbs limited the museums capacity to display more sensitive works. Workers install new drywall in the Columbia Museum of Art in downtown Columbia, South Carolina on Friday, February 28, 2025. After interviewing five lighting companies and testing their products in the gallery, the museum settled on new LED lights that can be easily adjusted via Bluetooth based on the requirements of each installation. You stand on the ground with your phone, and you can adjust it ... while somebody is on the lower level with the light meter, Watkins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And being able to so precisely control the light can help with the preservation of the art, Michael Neumeister, the museums senior curator, said. These newer LEDs, of course, are much better, and you could really dial in the color temperature, purposefully, in a way that you couldnt before, he said. The sentiment among conservators is that LED generates much less heat. You get much less UV band in there. So itll definitely help. A model of a new exhibit coming to the Columbia Museum of Art after its renovation on Friday, February 28, 2025. Improving the viewing experience The museum is upgrading the galleries in other ways, both planned and unexpected. Among the unanticipated improvement was properly pinning the HVAC ducts above the downstairs galleries instead of having them on the ceiling tiles, which is what crews discovered when they began work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We still dont know to this day how that passed all the right requirements, but it did 25 years ago, Watkins laughed during the tour. One upgrade in the ceilings was more intentional. In seven spots, three in the downstairs galleries and four in the upstairs galleries, the museum has reinforced its ability to hang art from the ceiling. In these seven locations three downstairs and four upstairs it will soon be able to hang objects that weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Before this, we couldnt accept art that we had to hang at that level, Watkins said. There were some cases where we did corner installations, and we kind of braced in the corner, but this is structurally sound for whatever needs to happen. It could be a big sculpture. It could be something out of wax, anything that has weight. A section of drywall recently removed from the Columbia Museum of Art on Friday, February 28, 2025. After repainting the gallery walls after each exhibit, new drywall is needed. Another upgrade that will impact the viewing experience for museum guests is more subtle. Watkins pointed out how the walls in the downstairs may have looked like there was a wave to them, like they werent quite level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats because they werent. Over the years, the gallery walls accrued 75 layers of paint as they were prepared again and again for new gallery displays. 25 years, three exhibitions a year, and we paint every time, Watkins said. The layers upon layers of paint gradually made the walls uneven. Now, with new walls going in, the museum will have fresh hanging surfaces on which to install exhibitions. They had to break it off into, like, sheets, Watkins said of the old paint. They were snapping it off. It was the weirdest sound, just snapping off all 75 layers of paint. Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate who was arrested by federal immigration authorities for his role leading pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus, was denied permission to attend the birth of his child. His wife Noor Abdalla gave birth to a boy on April 21. Khalil was stripped of his green card and arrested in front of his then-pregnant wife in their New York City apartment building on March 8. He was sent to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Louisiana, roughly 1,300 miles away from New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court filings show his attorneys repeatedly requested permission from ICE for his temporary release to be present for his childs birth. Khalil was open to any combination of conditions, including wearing an ankle monitor. A request on Sunday was denied roughly 30 minutes later. This was a purposeful decision by ICE to make me, Mahmoud, and our son suffer, Abdalla said in a statement. My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud, she said. ICE and the Trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mahmoud's support for Palestinian freedom. I will continue to fight every day for Mahmoud to come home to us. I know when Mahmoud is freed, he will show our son how to be brave, thoughtful, and compassionate, just like his dad. Noor Abdalla, the wife of green-card holding Columbia University grad Mahmoud Khalil, says ICE made a purposeful decision to make her family suffer by denying Khalils leave from ICE detention to witness the birth of their child (REUTERS) On April 11, Louisiana immigration judge Jamee Comans determined Khalil can be deported from the United States based on Secretary of State Marco Rubios claim that Khalils Palestinian advocacy presents a threat to U.S. foreign policy. Judge Comans called the governments argument facially reasonable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalils arrest has sparked international outrage and fears that Donald Trumps administration is trying to crush political dissent, starting with campus demonstrations against Israels devastating campaign in Gaza and U.S. support. Rubio has revoked hundreds of student visas over campus activism, leading to several high-profile arrests of international scholars who are now awaiting deportation hearings in remote jails across the southern United States. The administration has accused Khalil of antisemitic activities and supporting Hamas, which he has flatly rejected. Officials concede he has not committed any crime, but claim he can be removed over what Rubio has characterized as potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. A two-page memorandum submitted to the immigration court as evidence for his removal admitted his protest activities were lawful but argued that letting him stay in the country would undermine U.S. policy to combat antisemitism around the world and in the United States, in addition to efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil and his legal team argue his arrest and detention and attempted removal from the country, which is currently blocked by court order are retaliatory violations of his First Amendment right to freedom of speech and his Fifth Amendment right to due process of law, among other claims. A separate but parallel case challenging the constitutionality of his arrest is also playing out in a federal courtroom in New Jersey, where his attorneys successfully moved jurisdiction to handle a legal challenge to his arrest. Demonstrations have demanded Khalils release from ICE detention as the Trump administration targets international students involved in pro-Palestine activism for removal from the country (REUTERS) Khalil, who is Palestinian, grew up in a refugee camp in Syria. He entered the United States on a student visa in 2022 to pursue a masters degree in public administration, which he completed last year. His anticipated graduation date is May 2025. He became a lawful permanent resident in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Louisiana judge gave Khalils lawyers until April 23 to argue against his removal to Syria or Algeria, where he has citizenship. I would like to quote what you said last time that there's nothing that's more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness, Khalil said at the end of his immigration court hearing in Jena, Louisiana on April 11. Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process, he added. This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court, 1,000 miles away from my family. I just hope that the urgency that you deemed fit for me are afforded to the hundreds of others who have been here without hearing for months. A group of Democratic members of Congress are expected to visit Khalil and other international student activists detained in Louisianas ICE facilities on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following an order from a federal judge last week, Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk who was arrested and threatened with removal from the country after writing an op-ed criticizing Israel is expected to be moved from Louisiana to Vermont as she challenges the constitutionality of her arrest. I met with Mohsen Mahdawi today. Listen to his message. pic.twitter.com/MU280oAQ9T Senator Peter Welch (@SenPeterWelch) April 21, 2025 On Monday, Vermont Senator Peter Welch met with Mohsen Mahdawi, another Palestinian student activist from Columbia University who was arrested by federal agents during what he believed was a citizenship interview. In a filmed interview with the senator inside a detention center in Vermont, Mahdawi said Rubios invocation of a rarely used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act to target people who are perceived as threats to foreign policy is conflating being anti-war as antisemitic. How could that be possible when my partners, most of my partners at Columbias campus, and beyond, are Jews and Israelis? My work has been centered on peacemaking, he said. My hope and my dream is to see an end to the war, an end to the killing, and to see a peaceful resolution between Palestinians and Israelis. How could this be a threat to anybody except the war machine that is feeding this? MANILA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Seven male employees of a neighborhood bakery were killed in a stabbing incident in Antipolo City in Rizal province, east of Manila, on Tuesday, police said. Police said the incident happened early Tuesday morning when a lone suspect, a bakery worker, entered the bread store and stabbed to death his co-workers who were asleep inside. Police arrested the male suspect, who surrendered shortly after the attack. In a police video posted on social media, the suspect admitted to having used two knives to kill his seven co-workers, whom he accused of plotting to kill him, an allegation that police are verifying. Police are continuing their investigation to get to the bottom of the attack, including a thorough background check of the suspect's mental health. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Catholics around the world are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who the Vatican said died early Monday of a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart damage. Pope Francis was 88 years old and died just hours after giving an Easter speech on a Vatican balcony. Intel developments explained for Ohio: Diving into new CEOs changes Bishop Earl Fernandes of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus will preside over a requiem mass to honor the pope at 7 p.m. Monday, and said Catholics worldwide are remembering and reflecting on the life of Pope Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Argentine-born pontiff was the first non-European leader of the Catholic Church, who replaced Pope Benedict back in 2013. Benedict resigned from a somewhat troubled time as Pope, and Francis was elected by the conclave of Cardinals who were looking for a religious leader who could restore stability and inspire the faithful. NBC4s Colleen Marshall asked Bishop Fernandes to reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis. He brought a sense of energy to the church, a sense of openness to the church, Fernandes said. Obviously, hes the first Latin American pope, and so he brought that perspective of living and working and ministering amongst the poor to the global church. He didnt want the church that was self-referential, but that went outside its comfort zone. So, I really see in Pope Francis this kind of missionary push. The Spectrum: Columbus bishop on immigration Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Catholic church will observe the traditional nine-day period of mourning for the pope, who will be buried four to six days after death. The conclave of cardinals will then convene to choose the next pope, a process that is expected to last several days. Only cardinals younger than the age of 80 are allowed to vote for the man who will be the 267th bishop of the Catholic church. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A method to address the housing crisis in Columbus is one step closer to becoming a reality. Columbus City Council approved a final round of funding Monday to get three housing registries online. Two of the registries that will be coming online in the next two months are the vacant and foreclosure registries. These will help the city proactively hold landlords accountable and keep an eye on nuisance properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fast food chain Culvers plans new location in central Ohio The registries were approved last year, and on Monday, council approved funding for the technology that will bring them online. These registries are an important part of really identifying what is going on in the current housing situation in Columbus, really to identify those vacant properties that exist in Columbus that, you know, a little bit crazy to think that we have vacant property at a time in which we have this much demand for housing, Columbus City Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans said. The vacant property registry will track empty properties, with the goal of getting them ready for families to move in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to be proactive on every issue as it relates to housing here in Columbus, and having this legislation come before us tonight allows us to be proactive on this specific issue, Dorans said. York Steak House in Columbus hailed as having the nations best steaks The foreclosure registry will track financial distress and, in mass eviction situations like Colonial Village, make sure the city knows before it gets to that point. If we see one of these multifamily, sometimes large complexes that are going through that foreclosure process that well really be able to identify, Hey, we may be seeing some troubling issues here, allow us to potentially work with those owners or to really ready those support systems, Dorans said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The registries will use utility usage data, USPS mail delivery and code violations to identify problem properties before they become a larger issue. Were not just focused singularly on blight, Dorans said. Were not just focused on housing instability. Were focused on all these things at the same time. Ohio State faculty to vote on joining Big Ten coalition against Trumps actions There will also be a wholesaler registry that will track people who try and buy homes to resell and make sure they are not taking advantage of anyone. The goal is to have the registries up and running in the next two months so enforcement can start. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Is Kilmar Abrego Garcia a good person? I dont know. In 2021 his wife petitioned for, and received, an order of protection against him after she alleged domestic violence; she said last week that their marriage grew stronger after they worked through that low point and that Abrego Garcia has always been a loving partner and father. The government has claimed that he is a member of a truly heinous criminal gang, MS-13. If that were true, given that he was in the United States illegally, Id have no problem with deporting him, though perhaps not to a prison that our own State Department has condemned . Well get back to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration, by its own admission, mistakenly deported Abrego Garcia in defiance of a court order to a Salvadoran prison. A judge had previously granted Abrego Garcias request not to be deported to his native El Salvador, because he feared for his safety. No one said he couldnt be deported somewhere else. On the other hand, is Abrego Garcia a terrorist or vicious criminal, as the administration claims? I dont know that either. Is he even a member of MS-13? When the president sought to back up that claim, he posted a doctored image of Abrego Garcias hand tattoos to which the characters MS13 had been digitally added. The Trump administration has offered no evidence, in court or out, that Abrego Garcia is guilty of any violent crimes (save for the allegations that he abused his wife, and he never faced charges over those claims). He was originally apprehended for loitering. Andrew McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor and prominent conservative legal analyst, wrote for National Review that the proceedings in the lower courts have shown that, to date, the governments evidence tying Abrego Garcia to MS-13 is gossamer thin. As for the charge of being a terrorist, this is misleading. Trump has arrogated to himself war powers to thwart what he incessantly calls an invasion. His administration has invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as a way to bypass what it considers onerous legal and constitutional niceties in pursuit of deporting illegal immigrants it deems terrorists. So the administration can now apply that label without much, if any, factual rigor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, another gang the administration has designated as a foreign terrorist organization, are terrible. But the argument that they meet anything but a politically convenient definition of terrorist organizations is weak . Much of the political argument over Abrego Garcia is what legal scholars might call stupid. The Trump administration and its supporters are going full tilt to paint Abrego Garcia as a vile and dangerous terrorist. Many Democrats, outraged by Trumps methods, prefer benign descriptions like Kilmar Abrego Garcia is an innocent man and the father of three, as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) put it. This framing Abrego Garcia innocent and good vs. Abrego Garcia guilty and bad is what is so stupid. None of the relevant legal and constitutional issues have anything to do with whether this individual is good (or a father). By insisting that he is an innocent man, Democrats are implying that if he were not innocent, what the Trump administration has done to him would be unobjectionable. The relevant questions are whether the administration has the power to bypass due process a right conferred to even illegal immigrants and whether it has to try to remedy the mistake it made in sending Abrego Garcia to a foreign prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration has contracted with the authoritarian Salvadoran government to take terrorists off our hands, but Trump officials also claim that they are powerless to retrieve anybody mistakenly sent there. Judges, including the nine on the Supreme Court, think this is problematic, because it is problematic. The idea that the government can simply assert that people on American soil, possibly including American citizens or legal residents, are criminals or terrorists runs completely counter to our legal system. The government has broad authority to deport illegal immigrants. It also has the authority to put convicted criminals in any prison it deems appropriate. It doesnt have any authority to put people in prison without first proving in court that they are charging the right person and then convicting them of a crime. If you were snatched up by ICE by mistake, you would want a chance to prove they got the wrong person. That right goes by habeas corpus, which has been a keystone of Anglo-American law and the heart of due process for centuries. The administration doesnt seem to know this or care . The Constitution is designed to limit abusive government power. That is the only relevant issue here. Consider the case of Ernesto Arturo Miranda. He was a truly awful person. But so what? His case gave us the Miranda rights that are read to suspects upon arrest. The only way to make sure innocent people get such protections is to make sure everyone gets them. @JonahDispatch If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. (WBRE/WYOU) As people around the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, many are wondering what happens next. After his funeral, a new leader of the global catholic church must be chosen, a process that can take several days, even weeks. Pope Francis lived a simple, humble life, and in his death, it will remain the same. Traditionally, papal funerals have been elaborate, but Pope Francis didnt want that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He requested his body not be put on a raised platform in the middle of Saint Peters Basilica for public viewing. Instead, mourners will be able to view his body inside a simple, wooden casket as early as Wednesday, according to a Vatican spokesperson. Latino community mourns passing of Pope Francis Pope Francis also requested to be laid to rest in Romes Basilica of Saint Mary Major, making him the first pope in more than a century not to be buried in the Vatican. The mourning period is 15 to 20 days before cardinals from around the world will gather to elect the new leader in a conclave. The college of cardinals will debate the direction and priorities of the church before voting several times in a secret election process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A two-thirds majority is needed for a new pontiff, and that can take several days. Then the ballot papers are burned, and smoke will emerge from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke signals failure, white smoke means a new pope has been chosen. The new pope will then be introduced on the balcony overlooking Saint Peters Square by his chosen papal name. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ELKHART A committee made up of local residents, elected officials and members of the St. Joseph River Association Inc. will focus on protecting the future of the Johnson Street dam. The Johnson Street Dam has long served as a stabilizing force for the St. Joseph River, supporting everything from property values and outdoor recreation to environmental stewardship and community events, the committee said Monday in announcing its formation. The committee formed to ensure residents are informed and prepared as decisions unfold, with the regulatory process now underway. This isnt just about energy or infrastructure its about protecting our way of life, said Elkhart County Commissioner Suzie Weirick. The Johnson Street Dam helps preserve the natural beauty and recreational opportunities along the St. Joseph River. Losing it would affect not only our environment and economy, but the day-to-day experiences that make living in Elkhart County special. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) announced in July it was exploring the best long-term options for the aging hydroelectric dams at Elkhart and Mottville and held two meetings for the public to learn more about the process. The utility company said options might include relicensing the facilities and continuing full operations in the decades ahead, or removing them and restoring a free-flowing river. The Elkhart County Gives A Dam Committee is a community-led effort focused on protecting the Elkhart dam, organizers said. Dallas Bergl, president and CEO of INOVA Credit Union and a committee member, said Weirick reached out in December about forming an ad hoc committee. After months of behind-the-scenes coordination, research and outreach, the committee is stepping forward with the launch of a website to educate, engage, and empower the community around the future of the dam. I think economically it would have a draconian effect on the economy of the city, Bergl said, if the dam was decommissioned. A lot of people that live up and down the river would likely relocate somewhere else where they can be on a resource where they can ski, boat and all the things that they do. And that would obviously have downstream effects on everything from charitable giving to who is living in and around the community and local businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The newly launched website provides information about the licensing timeline, outlines the dams environmental and community benefits, and includes a sign-up form for updates. The committee is closely following the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission permitting process, organizers said. It is remaining in communication with American Electric Power (AEP), the parent of I&M, and working alongside local and state officials to explore all options that preserve the dams legacy and continued impact. This is not just Elkhart, Weirick said. This is all of the northern part of Elkhart County specifically and then others who use and come to the river. Its a pretty big deal. For more information about the committee, residents can visit www.ElkhartCountyGivesA Dam.com. Residents are also encouraged to share their personal connections to the river on social media using the hashtag #ElkhartCountyGivesA Dam. This year, Savannahs White Bluff Presbyterian church is celebrating it 280th anniversary. Starting this Sunday, April 27, they will host a series of workshops culminating on May 17th with worship and a walking timeline of their history across the ages. Rev. Dr. John Ruehl is the churchs Transitional Pastor. Mark ODell a historian and the chair of the planning committee. They sat down with WSAVs Kim Gusby in todays Community Corner to talk about the churchs history and its enduring mission. Click the arrow in the video box above to watch the interview. 280th Events Sunday, April 27th-Former Interim Pastor Claire Williams preaching Sunday, May 4th-Former Pastors Eric Beene and Carol Cash & Family Picnic Saturday, May 10th-Community Forum Reconciliation and Peacebuilding (Hosted by Columbia Theological Seminary & Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary) Sunday, May 11th-Rev. Dr. Paul Roberts, Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo (Hosted by Columbia Theological Seminary & Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary) Saturday, May 17th-Community Celebration of 280 years Sunday, May 18th-Pastor Bob Brearley & Boy Scout Reunion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The search for a new superintendent of Hartford Public Schools continues. On Monday, the community gathered at Weaver High School to discuss what they are looking for in the next candidate. Its important that students see teachers that look like them because you cant be what you cant see, said Francoise Deristel-Leger, the vice chair of the Hartford Board of Education. It is important that the new superintendent has cultural competency and is able to really fight for what the children need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meeting, the community said they want the next superintendent to understand the challenges in the school system and value the city of Hartford. Parents expressed the need for more funding to provide students and staff with the resources they need to thrive in the school environment. We need money and that is something we dont have much of so that is a huge challenge where the superintendent needs to be an effective funder, said Rachel Taylor, a parent. The Hartford Federation of Teachers President Carol Gale told News 8 they are looking for a candidate with classroom experience, someone from the local community and a teacher with administrator experience who wants to be superintendent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes as the current superintendent, Dr. Leslie Torres- Rodriguez is stepping down from her position at the end of the academic year. She has been superintendent since 2017. Throughout her time, the district was able to boost graduation rates and expand community programs for students. The district partnered with JG Consulting to lead the search for the next Superintendent. The application period will run from April 25 to May 23. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The mental competency hearing for Jeffrey Nicholas, 33, charged in the fatal shooting of two Concho County deputies and the assault of a public servant in Eden in May 2021, concluded on April 22 after he was found to be incompetent to stand trial. Jury selection began April 21 for a hearing to assess whether Nicholas was mentally fit to stand trial after conflicting evaluations from both sides prompted the need for a jury rather than a judge, who typically makes the determination. After reviewing evidence, the State determined that Nicholas was incompetent to stand trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicholas is to be committed to the Vernon State Hospital in Texas for treatment. According to information provided by the Texas Rangers, two Concho County deputies, identified as Samuel Leonard and Sgt. Stephen Jones, arrived at a residence on the 100 block of Bryan Street in Eden at 8:20 p.m. on May 10, 2021, in response to a dog complaint. It was reported that Nicholas was contacted during the investigation into the complaint. An altercation allegedly ensued that led to gunfire. Leonard and Jones were killed and one City of Eden employee was injured as a result. An affidavit filed in relation to the case stated that witnesses claimed Nicholas refused to cooperate and threatened to shoot deputies before the incident. In an interview conducted following the incident, Nicholas reportedly confessed to shooting and killing the deputies and injuring the City employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Court docs allege Nicholas made confessions and apologies for killing deputies The incident garnered statewide attention, with law enforcement agencies across Texas and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressing condolences for the deputies. The Tom Green County Sheriffs Office inmate roster stated that, as of the time of publication, Nicholas is charged with capital murder of a peace officer and aggravated assault against a public servant. Nicholas remains in the Tom Green County Jail on a $6 million bond, with a trial tentatively scheduled for May 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Gov. Gianforte, Grover Norquist speaking about income tax cuts during a press conference at the State Capitol on Jan. 30, 2025. (Courtesy photo) Tax breaks could soon be coming to Montanans, but not in the form of property tax relief at least not yet. Instead, the Montana Legislature on Tuesday passed a bill cutting income taxes and increasing the earned income tax credit, sending the measure to the governors desk. House Bill 337, sponsored by Speaker of the House Rep. Brandon Ler, R-Savage, ended up as a compromise between the governors preferred plan for the largest tax cut in state history and a middle-class tax cut preferred by a more conservative wing of the GOP and some Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under current Montana income tax laws, there are two tax brackets for regular income a 4.7% bracket and a 5.9% bracket which splits at $21,100 for single filers and $42,200 for joint filers. The new system would increase the threshold for the lower tax rate during the next two tax years so that single filers would pay the 4.7% rate on their first $47,500 in 2026, and $65,000 in 2027. For joint filers, they would pay 4.7% on their first $95,000 of income in 2026 and on the first $130,000 in 2027. Above those thresholds, taxpayers would pay a top tax rate of 5.65% in 2026 and 5.4% in 2027. The increased income threshold would also apply to long-term capital gains income, which is taxed at 3.1% and 4% rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montanans work hard for their money, and HB 337, ensures they keep more of itnow and in the future. HB 337 delivers real, meaningful income tax relief for working families across our state, Ler said in a press release following the Senate vote. The bill also increases the Earned Income Tax Credit from 10% of the federal EITC to 20%. The Senate passed the bill without any amendments from the upper chamber on Friday to expedite its path to the governors desk. All Senate Republicans supported the bill, while all but two Democrats opposed it on the final vote due to the cost of lowering the top tax rate. Sen. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish, said he wants to see taxes as low as possible. However, while he was campaigning for office, he said he didnt hear anyone asking for income tax cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With property tax relief still left to be hammered out by the Legislature which Fern said he was expecting to be a costly endeavor spending more money on income tax cuts is not the direction he wants the chambers to take. According to the bills fiscal note, the income tax breaks will decrease the states general fund collections by $20 million during the 2026 fiscal year; $190 million during 2027 and increasing to $277 million by 2029. $277 million is a little bit too much, Fern said. Im going to oppose this bill because I think that its well meaning, but its just too expensive. The compromise bill costs roughly $40 million per year less than the governors preferred plan starting in 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Greg Gianforte has long touted his plan to bring about the largest income tax cut in state history by cutting the top income rate which most Montanans are subject to by a full percentage point over the biennium, and pairing that with an increase of the EITC to 15% to target lower-income residents. However, his plan met resistance in the Legislature. A plan backed by Senate President Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, and more conservative Republicans in the Senate, would have kept the top rate in place, but greatly expand the threshold where the top rate would kick in by more than twice what Lers bill did. Another bill, introduced by Democrats, would have created an income-based tax credit targeting exclusively the lower and middle-income taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both bills were tabled in the House Taxation Committee earlier this month. Sen. Greg Hertz, chairman of the Senate Taxation Committee, previously criticized the governors plan because it started at the top. But he called HB 337, as a compromise, a good bill for everyone. The final income tax package seems to appease all factions in the government by reducing the top rate and increasing the EITC as the governor wanted, while targeting middle-class Montanans, as was the target of Democrats and conservative Republicans. But the governor, who has spoken extensively about the desire to deliver a larger tax cut for Montanans, still has the final say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I still believe our income tax cut is the most conservative proposal before the Legislature, reducing the tax that most Montanans pay, benefiting Montanans at every single income level, Gianforte said at a press conference last Thursday, before HB 337 had passed the Senate. While I know theres a lot of different ideas out there, we must keep this principle at the top of our minds. The money belongs to the people of Montana and not the government. The governors office did not respond to questions about whether Gianforte supports the compromise bill or will sign it. By Akbar Novruz The Eurasian Regional Center of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF-ERC) has presented the "International Youth Platform for the Protection of Mine Victims' Rights" during a side event at the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum. Speaking at the event titled "The Perspective of Non-Aligned Movement Youth: Regional and Global Cooperation in Mine Action," Ramin Habibzada, Deputy Director-General of ICYF-ERC, underscored the importance of enhancing both regional and global collaboration in mine action. He also highlighted the crucial role youth play in advancing humanitarian demining efforts. Habibzada introduced the international youth platform launched by ICYF-ERC in 2023, which aims to amplify the voices of mine victimsespecially young survivorsby supporting youth-led advocacy, rehabilitation initiatives, and international cooperation on mine action. The session featured an interactive Q&A segment and was attended by youth representatives from various countries, UN officials, members of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization (NAMYO), the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), and other stakeholders. The event served as a meaningful step toward empowering youth engagement in mine action and fostering broader global solidarity in the protection of mine victims rights. Workers package salted fish at a factory in Port Said, Egypt, on April 19, 2025. As dawn breaks on Orthodox Easter Monday, Egyptians of all faiths gather in parks, on balconies, and along riverbanks, clutching plates of fesikh -- a pungent, fermented fish dish that has anchored the country's millennia-old festival, Sham El-Nessim, since the days of the pharaohs. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) CAIRO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- As dawn breaks on Orthodox Easter Monday, Egyptians of all faiths gather in parks, on balconies, and along riverbanks, clutching plates of fesikh -- a pungent, fermented fish dish that has anchored the country's millennia-old festival, Sham El-Nessim, since the days of the pharaohs. Though lesser-known beyond Egypt's borders, this 5,000-year-old celebration, whose name translates to "the smell of the breeze," marks the arrival of spring with traditions that transcend religion, class, and time. Sham El-Nessim traces its origins to Shemu, an ancient Egyptian harvest festival celebrating the life-giving Nile flood and the rebirth of the land. Hieroglyphs from 2,700 BCE depict offerings of fish, lettuces, and onions to deities -- a ritual later absorbed into Coptic Christian and Islamic traditions as Egypt's cultural fabric evolved. At the heart of the celebration lies fesikh, a gray mullet salted and aged for months -- a culinary tradition as divisive as it is beloved. For Ahmed Ayesh, a taxi driver in Cairo, the dish's potent aroma is a nostalgic trigger. "Without fesikh, Sham El-Nessim wouldn't be Sham El-Nessim," he said, laughing as he nibbled on the fish with hard-boiled eggs and green onions. "My grandparents ate this. Their grandparents, too. It's our heritage on a plate." The preparation of fesikh is an art -- and a gamble. Improperly cured fish can cause illness. Every year, Egypt's Ministry of Health issues public health warnings about the dangers of improperly prepared fesikh. Officials warn that it can harbor toxins, including those that cause botulism and severe food poisoning. But the warnings rarely deter the faithful. Families insist on homemade batches or trust decades-old vendors like Mohammed Abdullah. "Each fish is cleaned, dried, and packed in salt for 45 days," Abdullah explained. "It's not just food; it's something crafted with care." "I learned how to make fesikh from my father," he said. "It is a skill that's been passed down in my family for generations." While fesikh remains at the center of Sham El-Nessim tables, a quieter revolution is underway. Increasingly, younger Egyptians are turning to renga, a smoked herring introduced in the early 20th century as a gentler, more palatable cousin to fesikh. Factories in Port Said now mass-produce it, catering to health-conscious Egyptians and export markets. "Renga is less salty, but it still carries the spirit of the day," said Al-Sayed Hussien, a herring producer. He also noted that the herring industry has grown significantly in Egypt, with many factories exporting herrings to other countries. "The popularity of herring has also led to new business opportunities for Egyptian entrepreneurs. We have seen a surge in demand for herring products. It has created jobs and stimulated the economy, which is great for our country," the businessman said. Sham El-Nessim, whether with fesikh or renga, offers a precious moment of unity in Egypt, where people of all faiths and from all walks of life can sit together and celebrate the springtime and fresh air. In the end, the breeze of spring carries more than just scent but also memory, identity, and a celebration of life that, in Egypt, has always endured. A worker arranges salted fish at a factory in Port Said, Egypt, on April 19, 2025. As dawn breaks on Orthodox Easter Monday, Egyptians of all faiths gather in parks, on balconies, and along riverbanks, clutching plates of fesikh -- a pungent, fermented fish dish that has anchored the country's millennia-old festival, Sham El-Nessim, since the days of the pharaohs. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Workers handle fish to be salted at a factory in Port Said, Egypt, on April 19, 2025. As dawn breaks on Orthodox Easter Monday, Egyptians of all faiths gather in parks, on balconies, and along riverbanks, clutching plates of fesikh -- a pungent, fermented fish dish that has anchored the country's millennia-old festival, Sham El-Nessim, since the days of the pharaohs. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) A worker handles fish to be salted at a factory in Port Said, Egypt, on April 19, 2025. As dawn breaks on Orthodox Easter Monday, Egyptians of all faiths gather in parks, on balconies, and along riverbanks, clutching plates of fesikh -- a pungent, fermented fish dish that has anchored the country's millennia-old festival, Sham El-Nessim, since the days of the pharaohs. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Workers arrange salted fish at a factory in Port Said, Egypt, on April 19, 2025. As dawn breaks on Orthodox Easter Monday, Egyptians of all faiths gather in parks, on balconies, and along riverbanks, clutching plates of fesikh -- a pungent, fermented fish dish that has anchored the country's millennia-old festival, Sham El-Nessim, since the days of the pharaohs. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) A worker arranges salted fish at a factory in Port Said, Egypt, on April 19, 2025. As dawn breaks on Orthodox Easter Monday, Egyptians of all faiths gather in parks, on balconies, and along riverbanks, clutching plates of fesikh -- a pungent, fermented fish dish that has anchored the country's millennia-old festival, Sham El-Nessim, since the days of the pharaohs. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) A worker handles fish to be salted at a factory in Port Said, Egypt, on April 19, 2025. As dawn breaks on Orthodox Easter Monday, Egyptians of all faiths gather in parks, on balconies, and along riverbanks, clutching plates of fesikh -- a pungent, fermented fish dish that has anchored the country's millennia-old festival, Sham El-Nessim, since the days of the pharaohs. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) A worker arranges salted fish at a factory in Port Said, Egypt, on April 19, 2025. As dawn breaks on Orthodox Easter Monday, Egyptians of all faiths gather in parks, on balconies, and along riverbanks, clutching plates of fesikh -- a pungent, fermented fish dish that has anchored the country's millennia-old festival, Sham El-Nessim, since the days of the pharaohs. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) A worker shows salted fish at a factory in Port Said, Egypt, on April 19, 2025. As dawn breaks on Orthodox Easter Monday, Egyptians of all faiths gather in parks, on balconies, and along riverbanks, clutching plates of fesikh -- a pungent, fermented fish dish that has anchored the country's millennia-old festival, Sham El-Nessim, since the days of the pharaohs. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) WASHINGTON As more states establish restrictions on cellphone usage in classrooms, some lawmakers are considering nationwide efforts to follow suit. Utah is at the forefront of the growing issue, and both national and local Beehive State lawmakers support the focus on protecting students during learning hours. Under legislation making its way through the U.S. Senate, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing for increased research on the effects of mobile devices in elementary and secondary schools. The bill would require the surgeon general to complete such a study within two years detailing the impact of cellphone use on academic achievement, student engagement, mental health, social relationships and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im glad to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to provide us with more information on cellphone use, so schools and parents can make the best decisions to set kids up for success, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., the Democratic co-sponsor of the bill, said in a statement. Im also glad that our work on this issue has already generated interest at the state and local level around the nation. The bill would also authorize $5 million annually to establish a pilot program over the next five years awarding grants to participating schools that purchase secure containers and install lockers in order to create a school environment free of mobile devices. The program would be spearheaded by the secretary of Education in consultation with the secretary of Health and Human Services. The bill carves out some exceptions for students with disabilities, devices needed to monitor or treat health conditions, or translation devices for students learning English as a second language. The program would also require schools to establish a communication system for teachers, administrators and staff to communicate with local emergency responders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the five years, the findings of the pilot program would be presented to Congress and a report must be made publicly available. The bill has potential to gain increased support from other lawmakers. Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, for example, has been vocal in recent years about cracking down on the effects of online devices and social media on children. As a father and grandfather, Ive witnessed firsthand how deeply the pressures and challenges of the digital age impact our childrens mental health and well-being, Curtis told the Deseret News in a statement. Limiting cellphone use in the classroom is a step in the right direction helping young students stay focused, feel less anxious, and better connect with their learning. Im encouraged to see momentum around this idea, and I support efforts that put kids first and create healthier, more focused learning environments. Congress mirrors states implementing their own bans The program proposal comes as a growing number of states consider or establish cellphone bans in schools, citing concerns about mental health and educational distractions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Utah Legislature passed a bill earlier this year banning mobile devices in school, which is set to take effect before the start of next school year. The new law carves out some exceptions to allow students to use their phones outside of class, such as during lunch or other designated breaks. It doesnt go as far as other states such as Arkansas, which implemented a bell to bell ban, meaning cellphones are not permitted at any point during the school day. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox praised the bill passed by Utah legislators, but said he wished the law went further specifically citing the bell to bell legislation. All of the research is 100% clear that bell to bell does protect our kids so much more than going to recess and getting on your phones, going to lunch and immediately being back on your phones, Cox said when he signed the bill earlier this month. So I hope were not done here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Utahns support limiting cellphone use during instructional time, according to a Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll conducted last year. As many as 69% of Utahns said they supported the policy, while only 26% were opposed. Another 6% said they dont know. That sentiment is even shared by some high school students themselves. When approached by the Deseret News earlier this year, several high school students said theyd be fine with limited usage inside classrooms. The U.S. Senate proposal was introduced earlier this year, although its not yet clear when, or if, itll be brought to the floor for a vote. Similar legislation was introduced in 2023 but never made it out of committee. Vice President JD Vance, who was the junior senator from Ohio at the time, had signed on to that version as a co-sponsor. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Congressman Cleo Fields (D-La.) is demanding answers from federal officials after eight international students at Southern University had their visas revoked without clear explanation. In a letter sent Tuesday, Fields called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons to provide transparency over the visa terminations and consider reinstating the students legal status pending a full investigation. The sudden termination of these students legal status without clear justification not only threatens their academic careers but also undermines our nations reputation as a welcoming place for global scholarship, Fields said in a statement. Such decisions demand immediate review and full transparency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fields urged immigration officials to confirm whether any alleged violations occurred and to ensure that immigration actions reflect due process and American values. Southern University, a historically Black university, has not publicly commented on the revocations. Fields emphasized the universitys tradition of fostering cultural exchange and international collaboration. The situation in Louisiana comes amid a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. Nationwide, more than 1,000 international students at over 160 colleges have had their legal status terminated in recent weeks, according to an Associated Press review. Students say theyve received little to no explanation, prompting panic and lawsuits across multiple states. Federal officials have cited criminal records or protests of U.S. foreign policyparticularly demonstrations against Israels war in Gazaas possible justifications for the revocations. But legal advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union, say many students affected have no criminal history and were not given due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fields letter follows a growing chorus of criticism from college leaders and immigration attorneys who argue the mass terminations are legally questionable and disproportionately harm students following all established rules. Louisiana First News has contacted Southern University for comment. The Associated Press and The Hill, Louisiana First News news partner, contributed to this report. What is a migrant? What is ICE? 10 terms to help you understand the debate over immigration Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace talks to Harley Hicks, a transgender student at the University of South Carolina, at an event held by the school's Turning Point USA chapter on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo by Shaun Chornobroff/South Carolina Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA Following a contentious exchange with a college campus audience, U.S. Rep Nancy Mace doubled down on offensive language toward a transgender student and then posted a video of the interaction on social media. After approaching the stage, University of South Carolina student Harley Hicks, who uses she/they pronouns, asked Mace to apologize for using the word tranny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is that derogatory to you? Mace asked after a speaking event hosted by USCs chapter of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that advocates for conservative viewpoints on high school and college campuses across the country. Well, yeah. Of course it fing is, Hicks responded. Mace, whos considering a run for governor in 2026, then repeated the word three times, as seen in the video she posted on X. After the interaction, Hicks grabbed a potted plant, which Mace said her security team thought Hicks was going to throw at her. Mace repeated the claim on a Fox News appearance after the event. Talking to a pair of reporters, the 20-year-old student denied that claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im like a shark, more afraid of her than she is of me, said Hicks, who added that being at the event as a trans person was one of the bravest actions shed ever taken. If I were attacking her, youd have seen a very different video, Hicks said. About 60 people attended the roughly 35-minute event at USCs student life center. It quickly devolved into a question-and-answer session as people in the audience interrupted Maces speech by shouting questions about immigration, abortion, student loans, and her repeated use of the phrase lunatic left to describe Democrats. Mondays interaction comes after multiple controversies between Mace and trans people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, the 1st District congresswoman was criticized for using the same offensive language she used with Hicks during a House Oversight Committee hearing on spending by the United States Agency for International Development, known as USAID, which the Trump administration has halted. Mace accused USAID of funding some of the dumbest, I mean stupidest, just dumbest initiatives imaginable, all supported by the left, citing a list of diversity and transgender advocacy initiatives funded around the world. Following the election of Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress in November, Mace led the charge to ban transgender women from using womens restrooms in the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings. House Speaker Mike Johnson then issued a rule that all single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms are reserved for individuals of that biological sex. Mace then introduced legislation to expand the rule to all federal buildings, as well as a separate bill applying the rule to restrooms nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 47-year-old congresswoman didnt mention McBride by name but alluded to her at Mondays event. I was the first woman last year in Congress when we had somebody who was elected, who was a biological male dressed as a woman, who decided this isnt going to happen in the United States, Mace said. Its not going to happen in South Carolina. Its not going to happen anywhere, if I decide to put a stop to it, she added. Over the weekend, an interaction between the congresswoman and Ely Murray-Quick at an Ulta Beauty store went viral after both the constituent and Mace posted video from their perspective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murray-Quick questioned Mace about not holding any in-person town halls, something she has been consistently criticized for in recent weeks. By the end of the video, both Mace and Murray-Quick had traded curse words. The congresswoman has pointed to threats against her and staffers as the reason there has yet to be an in-person town hall in 2025. On April 8, she held a telephone town hall without advance notice or promotion. Mace was the first to curse in the video she posted on X. When asked by a pair of female reporters ahead of Mondays event why she started cursing and if that behavior was appropriate for a member of Congress, Mace criticized them. To shame a woman for standing up for herself is completely ridiculous. Thats what youre doing. Youre shaming a woman for standing up for herself, she said. Either of you, how do you think that makes other women feel? U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace spoke at the Greenville County GOP convention at the Greenville Convention Center on Monday April 14, 2025. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Minutes later, Mace took the stage and told the crowd that she had to call out the insanity with reporters who were offended that an adult female used a curse word. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im like, have you seen my interviews? she said. It only took four minutes before Maces speech was interrupted by people in the audience. When asked about mass deportations of immigrants without proper authorization, Mace said, We did it under Obama, we did it under Biden, we did it under Bush and beyond. If it was good enough for all of those presidents then, its good enough for Trump today. When asked if it was necessary for immigrants to receive due process with judicial proceedings, Mace said they didnt have due process on the way in, they shouldnt get it on the way out. Her take received a mix of cheers and yells from an outraged crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the event was held by a conservative group, the most vocal members of the audience disagreed with Mace. One even asked if her faith in God is genuine. Yes, I went to church yesterday, Mace said. Mace has publicly said shes mulling a run for governor. Others publicly considering a bid include Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pam Evette and U.S. Rep Ralph Norman, as well as state Senators Josh Kimbrell and Sean Bennett. Holly Sox, a 58-year-old Gilbert resident, was among the attendees Monday. Though a lifelong Republican, she said she started voting for Democrats last year due to the rhetoric of Mace and the Make America Great Again movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This MAGA crowd has corrupted and co-opted what I grew up believing, said Sox, who was wearing a shirt with the face of U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, who Mace has sparred with. The final question of the event came from a self-identified Democrat, who asked how Democrats can trust that Mace will have a real conversation with people shes labeled part of the lunatic left. When the congresswoman said shell have a conversation with anyone, the person followed by asking if that extends to the trans community. It applies to everybody, she said. But Im not going to allow some guy in a skirt to be in my bathroom or in my locker room undressed. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. This Plays Very Different Now Way back in early February, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was laying the groundwork for the Trump administration to ship migrants and American citizens and legal residents to Salvadoran jails. Rubios trip was widely reported at the time, and he publicly hailed the agreement that he reached with Salvadoran strongman Nayib Bukele as the most unprecedented, extraordinary, extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But somehow between the chaotic early days of the Trump administration when Rubio was on his five-nation Central American tour and the presidential proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act in mid-March, the agreement that Rubio struck with Bukele has become isolated from the main court action over deportation flights, mistaken removals, and Trumps constitutional clash with the judicial branch. As TPMs Josh Kovensky has reported, the preparation for the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act began soon after Inauguration Day and continued under the radar right up until the flights from Texas to El Salvador on March 15. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has chastised the administration for engaging in an end-run around judicial review and has found probable cause that still-unknown officials engaged in criminal contempt of court for not abiding by his order blocking the Alien Enemies Act deportations. But the plan to use El Salvador prisons as a dumping ground for deported migrants wasnt secret or under the radar initially at all. Here is a portion of Rubios Feb 3. press conference in El Salvador: Two weeks ago, President Trumps favorable response to the suggestion from Bukele that he could house convicted U.S. citizens and legal residents in his notorious prisons set off a firestorm. But two months earlier, Rubio had touted that offer publicly as part of announcing his agreement with Bukele. And, hes also offered to do the same for dangerous criminals currently in custody and serving their sentences in the United States even though theyre U.S. citizens or legal residents, Rubio said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The precise terms of the agreement between the Trump administration and El Salvador remains publicly unknown. The AP obtained a memo that seemed to memorialize at least some aspects of the agreement, and the judge in Abrego Garcias case noted that memo in one of her opinions. Abrego Garcias lawyers have asked the Trump administration for that memo in discovery along with copies of any agreement, arrangement, or understanding between the governments of the United States and El Salvador to confine in El Salvador individuals of any nationality who were removed or deported from the United States. The Trump DOJ in a filing today objected in part to that discovery request, citing among other things the state secrets privilege. It is not clear what, if any, documents the Trump administration has provided in response to that request. In general, the descriptions Ive seen in court of the extensive planning to invoke the AEA dont stretch as far back as Rubios personal trip to the region the first week of February. Its a key marker in the ongoing saga which has now reached the Supreme Court. I dont know how the high court considers the AEA and Abrego Garcia cases without reckoning with the fact that Americas top diplomat struck a deal with El Salvador that included an offer to accept rendered U.S. citizens and legal residents into Salvadoran detention facilities. Such a deal would be in clear violation of U.S. law, but it was part and parcel of the arrangement that set us down the road to the current constitutional clash. Convicted Felon Declares Due Process Impossible A Rush To File In All 94 Federal Judicial Districts Among the many unfortunate consequences of the Supreme Courts decision to take the Alien Enemies Act case away from U.S. District Judge James Boasberg of D.C. was that it ended the nationwide injunction against AEA deportations and has forced the ACLU to contend with filing cases in all 94 federal judicial districts to make sure all detainees under the act are covered. Quote Of The Day I would call it a grinding machine. We are in this machine, and it doesnt care if you have a visa, a green card, or any particular story. It just keeps going.Russian-born Harvard scientist Kseniia Petrova, who remains detained at ICEs Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana, after being arrested at Bostons Logan airport in mid-February while trying to re-enter the country Targeting The Investigators: Ed Martin Edition Acting D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin has targeted a former DOJ prosecutor who worked on Special Counsel Robert Muellers team with one of his notorious letters of inquiry after request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The existence of the April 14 letter to Aaron Zelinsky who prosecuted Roger Stone, among others, before leaving the Justice Department in January first emerged in right-wing media, so it hasnt gotten as much attention as some of Martins other missives. But, as Mother Jones has reported, its a particularly unhinged letter even for Martin that lifts a paragraph in its entirety from a 2020 article in John Solomons right-wing Just The News. Its difficult to overstate how far outside the bounds of normal DOJ practice Martins missives have been. This one is especially egregious because it targets a former DOJ prosecutor and contains an additional twist: It ccd the managing partner and chair of the law firm where Zelinsky now works. Ed Martin is going to let your employer know hes coming after you. Harvard Sues To Block Trumps Attacks Unlike Columbia University, Harvard has come out swinging against the Trump administrations freeze of its federal funding and related attacks on its independence. The nearly 400-year-old university filed a wide-ranging six-count lawsuit Monday against the Trump administration in federal court in Massachusetts, alleging multiple violations of the First Amendment and other constitutional and statutory provisions. The university isnt seeking money damages but rather declaratory judgment and injunctive relief to block the Trump administrations funding freeze and other intrusions on the university. Trumps Next Civil Society Target: NGOs Non-governmental organizations have already been decimated by moves like the dismantling of USAID, but President Trumps threat to revoke the tax-exempt status of NGOs based on viewpoints he deems unacceptable represents the crossing of a new threshold. A new round of executive orders pegged to todays Earth Day are reportedly in the works that would target environmental nonprofits. America, You Are Running Out Of Time The Atlantics Adrienne LaFrance talks to people who have experienced the descent into authoritarianism: The chorus of people who have lived through democratic ruin will all tell you the same thing: Do not make the mistake of assuming you still have time. Put another way: You think you can wait and see, and keep democracy intact? Wanna bet? Those who have seen democracy wrecked in their home country are sometimes derided as overly pessimisticand its understandable that theyd have a sense of inevitability about the dangers of autocracy. But that gloomy worldview does not make their warnings any less credible: Unless Trumps power is checked, and soon, things will get much worse very quickly. When people lose their freedoms, it can take a generation or more to claw them backand thats if youre lucky. What You Can Do Its the question Ive gotten more than any other since Jan. 20: What can I do? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protect Democracy has produced a guide of 29 concrete action items for your consideration. Didnt See This Coming Six men have been charged criminally in the February incident in which a woman was dragged from a Republican town hall in Idaho. Going Great For Hegseth A sampling of the mornings headlines after the revelation that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spilled the tea on the Yemen attack in a second group chat on Signal: WSJ: Trump Stands by Hegseth After Phone Call About Newly Revealed Signal Chat Politico: Hegseth could implode on his own even as Trump sticks by him WaPo: Pete Hegseth, isolated and defiant, has Trumps backing for now NYT: Under Hegseth, Chaos Prevails at the Pentagon A Circular Maze From Which There Is No Escape After federal courts upheld President Trumps firing of the U.S. special counsel, he installed an acting official in the watchdog role who has now rejected the complaints of some 2,000 probationary workers claiming they were improperly fired, breaking the enforcement mechanism created by Congress. The upshot is that if the President fires the person charged with holding him accountable for improper terminations, then theres no recourse for improperly fired federal workers in this realm. Obamacare Under Threat Again Strange bedfellows : The Trump administration defended the Affordable Care Act before the Supreme Court yesterday, as TPMs Kate Riga reports, and a majority of the justices seemed inclined to preserve Obamacares coverage mandates. A million here, a million there: The invaluable Jonathan Cohn on the GOPs effort to eliminate Obamacares Medicaid expansion: And its not like [Mike] Johnson or his supporters are proposing an alternative way of covering all these people. Some would find their way to other forms of coverage, but the rest would end up uninsured. And while its tough to predict these sorts of things accurately, the number of newly uninsured would likely reach well into the millions and could easily exceed 10 million. Seek It Till You Find Morning Memo is a little groggy this morning after seeing Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at The Anthem in DC last night. A great show with a heavy dose of their newest album: Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Wichita City Council took another step on hiring the next city manager. Earlier this month, Wichita City Manager Robert Layton announced that he plans to retire at the end of the year. During Tuesdays meeting, the council approved a request for proposal to hire a consultant to guide the recruitment and selection process for the city manager. With approval today, wed like to get this started next Monday to get it out there and get the process started, said Pam Pennington, City of Wichita assistant director of human resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennington said she has been collecting information on firms that specialize in hiring city managers. Learjet 36A to attempt world-record Polar Mission starting in Wichita Ive been collecting firms already that specialize in municipalities or city manager roles, so right now Im at 30 firms that across the U.S. I reached out to, all of them asked who should be getting the RFP invitation, and theyve already responded so theyre very excited to see this come through. The hope is to have a consultant group chosen for the city manager search by the end of June. The expected cost for a search firm will be around $70,000 or about 30% of the city managers current salary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city hired a consultant to find a new police chief in 2022. To watch the discussion from Tuesdays meeting, click here. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, honored Francis of Assisi with the name he selected for himself when he was elected as pope in 2013. The popes namesake, Saint Francis, remains widely venerated by Catholics nearly 800 years after his death, not only for his commitment to the natural world but because of his deep devotion to Jesus Christ as well as his ministry to poor people, including the establishment of the Franciscan order. Read more: Pope Francis, beloved for his compassion and willingness to shake up scandal-ridden church, dies at 88 By the time Pope Francis assumed the papacy, one of St. Francis central devotions, the environment, was already heavily politicized because of climate change. The pope often spoke directly to both the issue and the context, addressing failures of world leadership and calling for policy reform, including in preparation of remarks for the United Nations annual climate conference held in Dubai in 2023. That year, I began analyzing Francis' commentary on the environment, and the year after, as the presidential election neared, I started examining the language used on this subject by Donald Trump and other Republican leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis writings touch on many facets of climate change, including the intersection between science and religion, the need for cultural change in the way humans interact with creation and the role of greed endemic to the ecological crisis, as he termed it. In "Laudato Si (Praise Be): On the Care of Our Common Home," his landmark climate encyclical, he asked, Is it realistic to hope that those who are obsessed with maximizing profits will stop to reflect on the environmental damage which they will leave behind for future generations? Where profits alone count, there can be no thinking about the rhythms of nature, its phases of decay and regeneration, or the complexity of ecosystems which may be gravely upset by human intervention. Read more: Full Coverage: Pope Francis dies President Trump and his allies do not communicate about nature, pollution and climate change in such terms. When they address the role of fossil-fuel or corporate interests and the environment, it tends to be summarized as drill, baby, drill. The Trump administration is actively encouraging human intervention in nature and dismissing climate science. And yet, the president and other Republicans also emphasize the importance of ensuring that Americans have access to clean air and clean water. This is, in fact, what Francis wanted, too, for all people. In his message for the Catholic Church's World Youth Day 10 years ago, he put it this way: We need to show a healthy concern for creation, for the purity of our air, water, and food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is this not what Americans desire as well? Read more: 'He embraced all people': Californians mourn a pope who shared their values, brought excitement to church According to a recent Gallup poll, the ideologies of the American left and right are the most polarized they have been in the last 30 years. But nature, clean air and clean water are all issues everyone can rally around. On Earth Day, may the passing of Pope Francis allow us a moment to reflect upon this, and upon his words, including those written for the climate conference in Dubai: I too, who bear the name Francis, with the heartfelt urgency of a prayer, want to leave you with this message: Let us leave behind our divisions and unite our forces! And with Gods help, let us emerge from the dark night of wars and environmental devastation in order to turn our common future into the dawn of a new and radiant day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allison Agsten is the director of the Center for Climate Journalism and Communication, at USCs Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON (AP) The infighting and backstabbing that plagued President Donald Trumps first term have returned as a threat to his second, with deepening fissures over trade, national security and questions of personal loyalty. The latest turmoil threatens to engulf the Pentagon, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pushed out top advisers and faces fresh controversy over sharing sensitive information about airstrikes in Yemen outside of classified channels. A former Pentagon spokesperson who was ousted last week wrote in Politico that Trump should fire Hegseth for presiding over a full-blown meltdown." Hegseth lashed out on Tuesday on Fox News Channel, where he was a weekend host before joining Trump's administration, by faulting the people who used to work for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those folks who were leaking, who have been pushed out of the building, are now attempting to leak and sabotage the presidents agenda," he said. The interpersonal drama is not at least yet a dominant plot line of Trump's return to the White House. But its reemergence after a period of relative discipline in his ranks reflects a turbulent management style that has been suppressed or papered over, not reformed. Trump's national security team was recently rattled by an Oval Office visit from Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist who has been questioning his staff's trustworthiness. The Republican president fired some of the officials, emboldening Loomer to continue scrutinizing people across the administration. In an interview with independent journalist Tara Palmeri released on Monday, Loomer mocked the idea that the White House is one big happy family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The advisers dont get along with each other, she said. The heads of agencies dont get along with each other. Tariff trouble causes friction for the Trump team Much of the tension is connected to Trump's determination to use tariffs to rebalance the global economy, with officials often contradicting each other and occasionally turning to insults. Trump adviser Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur whose companies could suffer from higher costs brought on by import taxes, sharply criticized Peter Navarro, Trump's top counselor on trade, as dumber than a sack of bricks." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the idea of growing dissension within the administration, saying there are far more examples of the president's team working together enthusiastically and collaboratively to advance the administration's goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The numbers and results of this administration speak for themselves, she said. The president and his team are getting work done. Trump has always had a high tolerance for chaos, shunning traditional policy deliberations to entertain divergent opinions and viewing unpredictability as a negotiating tool. Hes spent years fostering a competitive atmosphere among his staff members, who are often chosen for their devotion and penchant for aggression. But now the increasing strife underscores the risks for more turmoil in the months ahead, as Trump presses forward with a dramatic overhaul of the federal bureaucracy, international trade, foreign policy and more. John Bolton, who served as national security adviser in Trumps first term before writing a tell-all book critical of the presidents inner circle, said the drama reflects the lack of a consistent ideology and the inexperience of many administration officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only thing they have in common is the belief that they should show personal fealty to Trump, Bolton said. That got them the job. That may in fact keep them in the job. But it shows how fundamentally unserious they are. The situation is a test for Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff, who helped run Trump's presidential campaign last year. She earned a reputation for imposing an unusual level of order on Trump's chaotic orbit though she carefully avoided trying to control Trump or his impulses and he praised her as the ice maiden. During Trump's first term, he had four chiefs of staff one of them serving in an acting capacity for more than a year. The second, former U.S. Marine Gen. John Kelly, became a sharp critic of the president after he left the job, describing him as a fascist during the 2024 election. White House closes ranks around Hegseth Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With his new administration, Trump has surrounded himself with loyalists, and he's been reluctant to throw anyone overboard in response to negative coverage from the mainstream media, which he considers to be an enemy. Allies say the hesitance to make personnel changes in this term is meant to deny giving a win to critics, even if it means leaving troubled officials in place. On Monday, the president brushed off reports that Hegseth participated in a second group chat to talk about pending airstrikes in Yemen last month. The first chat, which used the encrypted messaging application Signal, involved top administration officials as well as the editor of The Atlantic, who was accidentally included in the discussion. The second, first reported by The New York Times on Sunday, included Hegseth's wife, who does not have a government job, and his brother and his personal lawyer, both of whom work at the Pentagon. Same old stuff, Trump said when reporters questioned him about it during the White House Easter egg roll. He said Hegseth is doing a great job and "its just fake news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt, in an appearance on Fox News Channel, defended Hegseth with a swipe at the people who work for him. This is what happens when the entire Pentagon is working against you and against the monumental change that you are trying to implement," she said. Leavitt's comment was shared by an official Defense Department social media account. Trump loyalists not just Democrats are pointing fingers However, some of those speaking out were among Hegseths top advisers. John Ullyot, who served as a Pentagon spokesperson until he was asked to resign, wrote in Politico that its hard to see Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remaining in his role for much longer. He added that the president deserves better and many in the secretarys own inner circle will applaud quietly if Hegseth is fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disorder extends through the Pentagon's senior ranks. Three officials Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll and Darin Selnick were recently pushed out, and they issued a statement saying people have slandered our character with baseless attacks on our way out the door. Hegseth did not deny the reports about his use of Signal. But he added: What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out." Trumps tariff plans have also been a source of stress inside the administration, often leading to mixed messages and policy confusion. Navarro insisted there weren't going to be any negotiations, contradicting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's insistence that import taxes were about strengthening the White House's negotiating position. The president partially retreated from his plans, but not before Navarro and Musk began openly feuding. Navarro said Musk was protecting his own interests by opposing tariffs, and he described Musk's electric automaker Tesla as a car assembler thats dependent on importing parts from overseas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, who advises Trump on ways to downsize the federal bureaucracy, responded by saying that Navarro was truly a moron. Leavitt downplayed the dispute by saying boys will be boys. We will let their public sparring continue, she told reporters. And you guys should all be very grateful that we have the most transparent administration in history. Trump often appears more interested in fealty than veracity. During part of last year's campaign, he traveled with Loomer, who has a history of making racist attacks on Trump's opponents and once claimed the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were an inside job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Trump won, Loomer became frustrated that she wasn't allowed to help vet administration personnel. She eventually secured an Oval Office meeting with the president, bringing research on national security officials whom she believed were disloyal. After Trump fired some of them, Loomer has continued her work. Last week, she accused Bessent of inviting a Trump hater to work with him on financial literacy efforts. I am going to personally tell President Trump and personally show him these receipts, Loomer wrote on social media, adding shame on Bessent. Musk shared her post and chimed in with his support troubling," he wrote. The convicted murderer mistakenly released from jail will soon be headed back to Georgia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Kathan Guzman was in court Tuesday in Florida, where he did not oppose extradition. Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen told Channel 2s Tom Jones that Guzman would not be returning to the county jail that accidentally let him go March 27. Guzman will be transferred directly to state prison instead. Allen also said three workers at the jail, including a supervisor, had been fired in connection with the inmates release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guzman was convicted in October of killing his ex-girlfriend, 19-year-old Delila Grayson, and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The victims mother, Christina Grayson, said she is relieved Guzman is coming back to Georgia to start his life sentence. She lives in Florida and said she didnt feel comfortable with her killer being so close to her. Allen said his workers released Guzman from the jail due to a paperwork error. He said the mistake was due in part to an outdated computer system. U.S. Marshals recaptured him near Orlando on April 11. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- For Yu Bo, a 41-year-old filmmaker from Beijing, death once felt like a distant concept -- something dramatic, even cinematic. He had spent years documenting life-or-death moments in ICUs, always from behind the camera. But everything shifted when he experienced three severe episodes of acute pancreatitis in a single year. "It was all self-inflicted -- alcohol, social events," Yu said. "But it made me realize that death is the one destination we all share. I wanted to understand it, to choose how I face it." Last month, Yu signed a living will through an online platform, joining a growing number of Chinese people who are formally documenting their end-of-life wishes. He chose to forgo cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and tube feeding should his condition be deemed irreversible. As China develops, life expectancy has steadily risen -- reaching around 79 years in 2024, among the highest in the developing world. Many older adults are now living longer, healthier lives, but the rise in chronic illness and end-of-life challenges is prompting deeper reflection on how to age -- and die -- with dignity. In this shifting landscape, end-of-life planning is slowly entering the public conversation. While once seen as taboo, living wills and advance directives are gaining ground, offering individuals greater control and families a clearer sense of their loved ones' final wishes. Yu is part of a demographic driving this change: educated, urban, tech-savvy adults aged 30 to 59. This age group accounts for two-thirds of the more than 60,000 people who have signed living wills with the Beijing Living Will Promotion Association -- formerly known as the Choice and Dignity platform -- since 2010. "At our age, the most obvious sign is that you get fewer wedding invitations and more funeral notices," he said. "I've seen too many people suffer needlessly in their final days, like my grandfather, who was bedridden for eight years. That wasn't life. That was prolonged pain." Nearly 70 percent of the Chinese who have signed living wills with the association hold a university degree, and most live in developed cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, where exposure and access to new ideas shape their attitudes. Growth was initially rapid, peaking at about 15,000 annually six years ago, but this has since slowed. According to Wang Bo, secretary-general of the association, this isn't due to waning interest, but rather the emergence of more channels to write wills, such as hospitals, civic groups and notary offices. "Public awareness has grown," Wang said. "When we first started, no one responded to the information we shared on WeChat. But now, even high school students have joined our volunteer team." Still, progress clashes with tradition. In China, cultural norms surrounding death remain strong -- discussing it is often avoided, as it's seen as inauspicious. Forgoing life-prolonging treatment, no matter how futile, can be seen as unfilial. Families often insist on aggressive interventions for emotional closure or fear of being judged. Qin Yuan, a doctor at the palliative care center of Beijing Haidian Hospital, often sees this tension. "People believe that as long as their elderly relatives are alive, their family is whole," she explained. "They also worry about being judged for 'giving up' too early." To navigate this, her team holds family meetings to align patient wishes with family expectations. "It's a daily negotiation," she said. And policy is beginning to reflect shifting attitudes. In 2023, Shenzhen became the first Chinese city to legally recognize living wills, allowing residents to reject invasive treatments at the end of their lives. The move sparked unexpected interest, with notary offices reporting rising numbers of people seeking to formalize their wishes. "Young people and childless couples are increasingly seeking notarization," said Liu Suimei, a Shenzhen notary. "They care deeply about preserving dignity in their final moments." As China's population ages -- with more than 310 million people aged 60 and above -- the government has been expanding palliative care services as part of a broader strategy to meet the diverse needs of its elderly citizens. Hospice units in China grew from 510 in 2020 to 4,259 in 2022, with pilot facilities reaching 185 cities and counties. Yet access remains uneven, especially in less-developed western regions. By 2025, the government aims to establish at least one palliative care ward in every pilot area, ensuring coverage across both urban and rural communities. Other momentum is building. In 2024, a national political advisor proposed the expansion of education and policy support. Advocates want advance directives linked to health IDs, ensuring that people's wishes follow them to the hospital. This shift mirrors a global trend. While the United States is moving from static living wills to ongoing advance care planning (ACP), China is adapting similar models. Wang envisions ACP, which will be a key promotion focus for her association in the future, as a tool to translate personal preferences into actionable medical plans. She said the association plans to use big data to inform policy and expand outreach via video-sharing and streaming platforms like Douyin and Bilibili. Still, cultural resistance lingers. "Some people just wave us off, as if talking about death will make it come sooner," said Xiang Qiaozhen, a palliative care nurse in Zhejiang and a volunteer advocate. "But waiting until the very end often means missing the chance to have the conversation at all." She has not signed a living will herself, but her daughter knows her wishes. "One day, she told me, 'If it ever comes to that, I'll make sure you go into palliative care,'" Xiang said. "That kind of quiet understanding is what we hope to build." Yu Bo, too, faced pushback. After sharing his decision to sign a living will on his WeChat account, friends flooded him with calls, assuming he was terminally ill. "They couldn't believe I'd made such a choice just to be prepared," he said. "Our discomfort with death is almost in our cultural DNA," Yu reflected. "We fear it, avoid it, and rarely claim ownership of it. But choosing how we leave this world should be our own right." Despite this, he remains hopeful. "I believe more people will choose the same path," he said. "I want to tell their stories through film. Maybe then, we'll learn to talk about death -- not to dwell on it, but to live more wisely because of it." A 30-year-old man was taken into custody Monday after he appeared headed for the roof of Trump Tower in Manhattan, cops said. The man was inside the 5th Ave. building around 4:30 p.m., running around on the 5th floor and acting up trying to get to the roof, sources told the Daily News. It was nothing political, he was emotionally disturbed, an NYPD anti-terrorism officer told The News. He was clearly off his meds. Charges in the case were pending Monday night. MEXICO CITY (AP) Costa Rica announced Tuesday it will allow some of the approximately 200 migrants deported from the United States and held in detention in the Central American country to stay and move about freely for three months. The move comes just days after human rights lawyers sued Costa Rica, alleging the government violated the rights of 81 migrant children by detaining them in a rural camp without any legal recourse, access to education or psychological services. There was no immediate word how many migrants who are mostly from Afghanistan, Russia, China, Pakistan, India and other countries would be given the permits but the children are expected to be among those allowed to stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government said the permits would be given for humanitarian reasons and would last for three months while the migrants seek asylum in Costa Rica or look for ways to leave the country. The migrants were deported to Panama and Costa Rica this year as the Trump administration sought to ramp up deportations. What was once said to be a temporary stay in Central America stretched on for months, fueling criticisms by rights groups as many of the deportees expressed fear over returning to their own countries. Critics warned the U.S. was exporting its deportation process and that Panama and Costa Rica were becoming a black hole for deportees. Migrants, whose passports were previously confiscated and who were detained in a former factory turned migrant camp along the Panama-Costa Rica border, were told they could have their passports returned upon signing a document accepting the government's conditions, said Silvia Serna Roman, one of the attorneys that filed the lawsuit at the United Nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a step in the right direction, the lawyer said. The Associated Press has repeatedly been denied access to the camp since the deportees arrived. In the past, when reporters in 2023 visited the camp where migrants once sought shelter during their migration north to the U.S. families were sleeping on cardboard or in tents on the ground with little food. Costa Rica's move follows similar steps taken by Panama, which last month released deportees from detention amid lawsuits and criticism. However, Panamanian authorities bussed the migrants from detention facilities and dropped most of them off on the streets of Panama City to fend for themselves. Some were told they wouldn't be able to seek asylum in the country, effectively leaving them in limbo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serna Roman said the group of lawyers with Global Strategic Litigation Council, who filed the lawsuit still have concerns. She said the migrants, despite the permits to move around, are prohibited from seeking work in Costa Rica, which would complicate their efforts to find a path forward. "If you have children and youre not allowed to work, how can you survive, she said. ___ Follow APs global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration WASHINGTON Last week, Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) introduced a bill that would establish the Monday after Easter as a federal holiday. According to Schmitt, the Easter Monday Act of 2025 would celebrate Easter Monday and make it a federal holiday. Countries such as Australia, Italy and Canada currently celebrate the Monday after Easter. Schmitt says the Easter Monday holiday could extend travel impact by 10-15%. It would also bridge a federal holiday gap between Presidents Day in mid-February to Memorial Day in late May. Recently, I proudly introduced a bill to establish Easter Monday as a federal holiday in the United States. Despite only two-thirds of Americans identifying as Christian, more than 80% of Americans celebrate Easter each year. The current lack of a federal Easter Holiday significantly limits Americans ability to celebrate with friends, family, and church communities. I am honored to be leading this charge to not only bring increased economic opportunity for our communities, but to establish a much-needed holiday for millions of Americans to celebrate the defining moment of the faith that shaped our civilization. Senator Eric Schmitt, R-MO Click here to read the entire bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Pope Francis marked multiple firsts for the papacy, becoming the first Latin American pope and the first from the Southern Hemisphere when elected in 2013. He was also the first head of the Roman Catholic Church born outside of Europe in over a millennium. Following his death on Monday at the age of 88, the selection process to elect the 267th pontiff will soon begin. PHOTO: Pope Francis waves to faithfuls during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, Nov. 20, 2024. (Fabio Frustaci/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) Tune into ABC at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday for the ABC News special, "Francis: The People's Pope." Also available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ on Wednesday. Ahead of the secretive gathering of eligible cardinals for the vote, questions swirl over whether the next pope will similarly come from outside Europe, such as Asia or Africa, and potentially be another history-making leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I do think it's fair to say that election of an archbishop from Asia or Africa is certainly a real probability now. That is not unthinkable at all," Bruce Morrill, the Edward A. Malloy chair in Roman Catholic studies and distinguished professor of theology at Vanderbilt University, told ABC News. "That's very different from when, let's say, someone like John Paul II was elected. It was a big deal back in 1978 because he wasn't Italian." "To move a couple papacies later to a man from Argentina -- clearly, it's reflecting more than ever a global church," he added. The election of someone from the Global South would be a "move in that direction of how to be a global church," Jaisy A. Joseph, an assistant professor of theology and religious studies at Villanova University, told ABC News. "That move from a Eurocentric church to a truly global church -- I think that's what Francis really inaugurated," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Who are the top contenders to be the next pope? Experts weigh in Pope Francis' successor could be someone who continues his progressive legacy and mirrors his pastoral approach, or someone who counters it with a more conservative approach, experts say. "Is he going to be someone who really strongly continues the primary emphases of the Francis papacy, or do they want to go with someone that they would see as bringing a balance or a certain pendulum swing, to use that language, in counter or contrast of priorities from the Francis papacy?" Morrill said. Such a swing occurred when Pope Francis was elected, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, Morrill noted. PHOTO: Cardinal Luis Tagle smiles as he listens reporters questions during a press conference on the Synod at the Vatican, Oct. 23, 2018. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) For Morrill and Joseph, one man who is a natural successor to Pope Francis is a man known as the "Asian Francis" -- Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, 67, of the Philippines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Really being with people, listening to people, encountering people where they are and not being afraid of difference -- I think those are traits that Tagle really exemplifies," Joseph said. "That could possibly be a point of continuity if he were to be elected pope." Morrill said Tagle is a "strongly viable candidate" and someone who would continue the priorities of Pope Francis, who appointed Tagle to an office in the Vatican that focuses on evangelization. "If the electors are going to turn to someone and discern the way to go is to continue, strongly, the priorities of the late Pope Francis, Tagle fits the bill," Morrill said. "He's likewise someone who smiles readily and has this warm pastoral way," he added. "That's what makes him the figure that we would think of as providing the most continuity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If elected, Tagle would be the first Asian pope. MORE: Pope Francis live updates Should the voting cardinals move in a more conservative direction, a potential pope could be found in Sub-Saharan Africa, Morrill said. Such a move would make for the first Black pope in modern history. "There would be archbishops, cardinal archbishops in Sub-Saharan Africa that are much more focused on preservation or guarding of the strict traditional practices and teachings of the church," Morrill said. One name that comes to mind for Morrill is Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, 65, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PHOTO: Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu speaks during a mass in commemoration of the late Pope Francis at the Notre Dame du Congo Cathedral in Kinshasa, April 21, 2025. (Hardy Bope/AFP via Getty Images) Other conservative candidates from Africa that could gain recognition include Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, and Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, 79, according to Miles Pattenden, historian of the Catholic Church at Oxford University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to participate in the secret conclave inside the Sistine Chapel to choose the next pontiff, a gathering that typically commences between 15 to 20 days after the pope's death. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a pontiff. MORE: Electing a new pope: What happens next and what is a papal conclave? Francis appointed roughly 80% of the cardinals who are eligible to vote for his successor, which could impact the selection of the next pope, Morrill said. "He was advancing and choosing more and more people from Asia and Africa, and so that does all feed these distinct probabilities or possibilities," Morrill said. "But there really is no way to make any solid prediction." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pew Research Center found that under Francis, voting-age cardinals from the Asia-Pacific region increased 10%, and those from Sub-Saharan Africa went up 8%, while those from Europe decreased 51%. PHOTO: Cardinals attend a mass at the St Peter's basilica before the start of the conclave, March 12, 2013 at the Vatican. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images, FILES) In all, there are 53 cardinal electors from Europe, 23 from Asia, 18 from Africa, 17 from South America, 16 from North America, four from Central America and four from Oceania, according to the Vatican. For Phyllis Zagano, the senior research associate-in-residence in Hofstra University's Department of Religion, it's unclear at the moment how that shift in makeup will impact the election of the next pope. "The College of Cardinals has expanded significantly under Pope Francis, who has included cardinals from the farthest reaches of the world," Zagano told ABC News. "Whether that will make any difference in the election of his successor remains to be seen." Could the next pope be from Africa or Asia? Experts weigh in originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A conclave of 138 cardinals will be responsible for the churchs future as they meet behind closed doors and cast secretive ballots for candidates with ranging political opinions. This process is repeated until a two-thirds majority is reached. Bishop Lawrence Persico speaks on passing of Pope Francis Several lists compiled have named 10 to 20 legitimate candidates for the next pontiff, and Bishop of Erie Lawrence Persico gave his thoughts on who they might select. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would not be surprised if its someone from Africa or Asia because there is where the faith is strong. In fact, in both Africa and Asia, theyre sending priests to the United States. They have plenty of them, said Persico. Persico said that he hopes that we will get a pope who is needed for our 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. OTTUMWA With budget season now over, the Wapello County Board of Supervisors will return to more regular business. The board is expected to renew a 28E agreement Tuesday with Appanoose County for shared use of engineer Brad Skinner, who will be paid 60% of a $172,411 salary by Wapello County starting July 1. The counties first entered into a 28E for the position last year after the resignation of Jeff Skalberg, and the county's subsequent inability to hire an engineer on its own. It's a difficult position to fill, leading to more counties entering into such an agreement across the state as graduating engineers tend to veer toward the private sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both counties will also be responsible for Skinner's benefits, including FICA, IPERS and workers' compensation. Part of Skinner's role also is to find a successor for Wapello County. Also during the meeting, the county will approve the five-year secondary roads program, which includes building a new road (172nd Avenue) as Canadian Pacific Kansas City railroad closed the crossing at 87th Street. There also are various bridge and culvert replacement projects on the docket in fiscal year 2026. The county also is expected to conclude the second reading of an EMS ordinance that will eventually create an advisory committee to assess the needs of the service in Wapello County. Also, there will be continued discussion about the county possibly taking over the utility costs on the Wabash pedestrian bridge, which the county owns. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. in the third-floor courtroom/board room of the courthouse. People across the world are reflecting on how Pope Francis changed their lives, including those who have previously been divorced. In the Catholic Church, if youre divorced, the first marriage must be annulled, which can be a lengthy and difficult process. Pope Francis relaxed those rules. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2s Candace McCowan spoke to a Catholic couple who say they waited nearly 25 years to be married in the church because the husband was divorced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You didnt always feel included or validated, Ken Merlau said. My first marriage was in a Catholic church. So under Catholic Church rules existing those days, my marriage was still valid unless I made a special procedure to invalidate the marriage. For that reason, Ken and Jo Merlau were civilly married for 24 years before being married in the Catholic Church. What Francis did, he made us feel welcome, Jo Merlau said. Father Daniel Ketter with the Archdiocese of Atlanta explained that Pope Francis didnt change the Churchs doctrine, just its approach to it. Theres a formal process we have in the Catholic church for examining a prior marriage to see if a declaration of nullity can be granted. That process can be onerous, long and taxing, he said. Without changing any of the underlying doctrine about how we understand marriage, he tried to streamline and simplify the process so that it would be more accessible for people. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope Francis also opened the door for those who were divorced or remarried to receive communion. Emory University Candler School of Theology Professor of Catholic Studies Dr. Susan Reynolds said Pope Francis was all about increasing access. He had this beautiful quote in which he said he wants a church for everyone, Reynolds said. The Merlau family says that if it were not for Pope Francis, their wedding day might still be a dream. We were both Catholics and we were participating in the Catholic Church, raised our son Catholic, but yet our marriage, in a certain way, wasnt really legitimate because it wasnt recognized in the Catholic Church, said Ken Merlau. Dr. Reynolds said a new pope will have a different approach and a different set of priorities. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A Covington police officer, who officials say specializes in drunk driving arrests, is facing his fifth federal lawsuit, this time over allegations that he used excessive force while arresting a Cincinnati man during a traffic stop. Damien Conner, 38, is suing the city of Covington and Officer Doug Ullrich on claims including excessive use of force, battery, assault, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Conner is seeking a jury trial in federal court in Covington, as well as damages and attorneys fees. Body camera footage of Damien Conner's September 2024 arrest by Covington police. Conner is suing the city and one of its police officers alleging they used excessive force while taking him into custody. Officer arrested Cincinnati man for defying police commands, car that 'stinks like weed' According to the lawsuit, Conner was headed to work on Interstate 75 on the evening of Sept. 23 when Ullrich pulled him over for using a phone while driving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After running the mans information, which the lawsuit says Conner gave willingly, Ullrich returned to the stopped car and asked Conner whether he carried a gun. More: UC student with no criminal convictions sues Trump administration over revoked visa When Conner declined to answer the officers questions, Ullrich ordered him to remove his seatbelt and exit the vehicle, body camera footage of the incident shows. I dont want to have to rip you out of the car and take you to jail, Ullrich said. Conner tried to keep his door shut after officers attempted to open it, and Ullrich placed Conner in handcuffs while the man was still seated. Ullrich and another officer then tried to pull Conner through the drivers side window while Conner was seatbelted in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conner pleaded with the officers to open the car door, saying that he was being hurt by the officers' attempts to pull him through the window. Why are you doing this to me? Conner asked. The officers then opened Conners door and cut his seatbelt to remove him from the vehicle. While escorting Conner to a police cruiser, Ullrich said that Conner was being arrested for refusing to exit his car and because the mans vehicle stinks like weed. Conner denied smoking marijuana, saying his job at the railroad wouldnt allow it. The lawsuit states, there was no finding of fact that (Conner) possessed marijuana. The officers did find a handgun inside a small green bag in the car, but Conner was not slapped with any firearm-related charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the body camera video, Ullrich told another officer he became concerned once Conner refused to answer questions about carrying a gun. Conner was charged in Kenton County District Court with resisting arrest, obstructing an emergency responder and using a phone while driving. He was also charged with keeping an antibiotic pill outside its proper container. Court records show the charges were dismissed after Conner completed a judicial diversion program. What began as a routine traffic stop for allegedly using a mobile device while driving quickly escalated into an ordeal of unnecessary violence and misconduct, Jamir Davis, Conners attorney, said in a statement. Damien Conner, a Black man and a law-abiding citizen, was pulled over on his way to work. He complied with every request providing his license, registration, and insurance yet was met with hostility and unwarranted aggression. Covington: Officer's actions during traffic stop were 'lawful' In a statement, the city of Covington said Conner was lawfully ordered multiple times to exit his vehicle after refusing to answer questions about whether he was carrying a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City is committed to defending its officers who engage in lawful actions, the statement reads. In this case, the legal precedent established by the United States Supreme Court nearly 50 years ago is clear: Law enforcement officers have the right to order individuals to exit their vehicles in the interest of officer safety. Court records show Conners case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, however, it remains unclear when the first hearing will take place. 'DUI cop' has prior lawsuits During the closing arguments of an unrelated trial in early April, Kenton County Commonwealths Attorney Rob Sanders described Ullrich as the departments DUI cop, or the go-to officer for intoxicated driving incidents. Ullrich has been sued in federal court five times since June 2021, though the officer has not been found liable for any alleged conduct to date, court records show. The lawsuits each stemmed from Ullrichs involvement in traffic stops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis, the attorney representing Conner, also represented another of the people who sued Ullrich. That lawsuit was dismissed by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, who awarded attorneys fees to the city because several of the lawsuits claims were frivolous. Bunning even ordered that Davis be partially on the hook for attorneys fees after finding Davis' failure to concede a claim, despite conclusive proof refuting specific allegations, was vexatious conduct and needlessly increased the costs of litigation. The judge also sanctioned Davis for pursuing a baseless and frivolous claim that officers violated his clients constitutional rights in asking for his identification during a traffic stop and for refusing to offer evidence for a racial discrimination allegation against Covington police. "I've never been sanctioned before," Davis said, adding that he plans to appeal the court's ruling against him. He also said officials aligned with the department are using the sanctions to try to discredit him and his clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the judge presiding over the earlier civil case did not understand the arguments he presented and described the situation as "very, very unfortunate." Court records show Davis' client is seeking an appeal of Bunning's judgment dismissing the claims. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Covington defends 'DUI cop' facing 5th lawsuit over traffic stop JAKARTA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesia Carbon Exchange (IDXCarbon) has reported a sharp rise in service users, reaching 111 entities as of April 17, 2025, up from 16 participants at its launch on Sept. 26, 2023. "We aim to reach 150 IDXCarbon users, both domestic and international, by the end of 2025," said Jeffrey Hendrik, director of development at the Indonesia Stock Exchange, on Tuesday. He said that international outreach efforts are ongoing, particularly targeting South Korea, seen as a high-potential market for carbon trading, and Japan, which has already signed a cooperation agreement with Indonesia. Jeffrey said that IDXCarbon has outperformed carbon exchanges in Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam, drawing interest from foreign projects looking to trade carbon credits in Indonesia. Since its inception, IDXCarbon has recorded a trading volume of 1,598,703 tCOe and a transaction value of 77.91 billion rupiah (approximately 4.6 million U.S. dollars) as of April 17. ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (KSNW) A Cowley College student has been selected as the top student in Arkansas City for 2025, earning recognition in a long-standing program that celebrates academic achievement and community involvement among local youth. Jessi Ritchhart was named the 2025 City of Arkansas City Outstanding Student during a banquet held Monday night in the Wright Room at Cowley College. As this years overall winner, Ritchhart will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the city. Amazon to open delivery center in southwest Kansas Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Outstanding Student Award program, established in 1984, recognizes students from Cowley College, Arkansas City High School, and Arkansas City Middle School. Finalists are nominated by educators and selected by a committee appointed by the mayor and city commissioners, according to a news release about the program. Genesis Mendez, a student at Arkansas City High School, was named first runner-up and will receive a $500 scholarship. Haven Gutierrez, from Arkansas City Middle School, was named second runner-up and will receive a $250 scholarship. Finalists from each school participated in informal interviews as part of the selection process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. This past Saturday, many Americans once again took to the streets to oppose a range of actions and policies of U.S. President Donald Trumps administration, including denial of due process rights to U.S. residents deported to Salvadoran mega-prisons, crackdowns on academic freedom, crippling tariffs and arrests of student activists, to name a few. The protests, organized by the 50501 movement, varied across the country. In Boston, where Paul Reveres ride to warn fellow colonists that British troops were coming to arrest revolutionaries took place 250 years ago, bells tolled in the evening and a slogan was lit on Old North Church, where lanterns once signaled British troop movements: Let the warning ride forth once more: Tyranny is at our door. At the White House, protesters chanted Shame! Shame!; citizens came out nationwide for smaller protests in communities in parks, streets and town halls. What do political scientists know about the effects of such protests? If Americans continue to take to the streets to demonstrate that they oppose Trumps policies, it could be politically significant not only in pressuring the administration but in signaling to audiences abroad, where his policies have cratered global public opinion of the U.S., that Trump does not represent many Americans in his approach to trade, international law, or world order. Popular pressure can also hold authoritarianism at bay: According to research studies, it takes 3.5 percent of a population persistently mobilized to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But no one really knows how large these protests have been. The April 19 protests were reportedly somewhat smaller than those that occurred on April 5 (perhaps unsurprising on a holiday weekend), but somewhere between thousands and three million Americans turned out. Because they are so decentralized, its hard to get accurate size estimates. Large rallies being held around the nation by progressive Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez drew crowds of about 35,000 in Los Angeles and Denver last week, and tens of thousands even in red states and red districts. But the April 19 No Kings and April 5 Hands Off protests have been splintered: 50501 stands for fifty protests, fifty states, one day. In reality, there are many more than fifty, with citizens turning out on street corners, overpasses and parks around the nation, often uncounted. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Decentralized protest makes it easier for more people to participate, and ensures the movement is visible even in areas of the country more sympathetic to Trump policies. However it also divides the movement and reduces the number of protesters who gather in larger cities where their numbers can be estimated using standard crowd-counting techniques. Protest counts are also often politicized and there is no authoritative mechanism for measuring participation. Still, pro-democracy movements take strength from estimated numbers: Political science research on social mobilization shows that when more people believe that many other people will be coming out to the streets, they are more likely to also show up. For this reason, regime actors have a particular stake in discounting protest numbers, and movement actors have a particular stake in inflating them: 50501 estimated over three million citizens attended the April 19 marches, but no independent media outlets were able to confirm these numbers. In the absence of verifiable numbers, media reports often simply repeat the estimates of these political actors. Beyond visibility and accurate counts, social scientists also know that resistance must be sustained in order to be effective. Social scientists are filling this gap at Harvard Universitys Crowd Counting Consortium by tracking protest events rather than individuals. Their dataset aggregates news reports of major protests, providing high and low estimates of protest size, and independent political science research shows their mean estimates correlate well with protest size as measured through cell phone data. But the Crowd Counting Consortium is also helpful in identifying the breadth of very decentralized protests, systematically expanding counts beyond capitals and also tallying events as small as a few people in a rural town square. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond visibility and accurate counts, social scientists also know that resistance must be sustained in order to be effective. Protests alone are not sufficient: The same data that generated the 3.5 percent rule also showed that protests are most effective when combined with nationwide strikes, boycotts and other measures to gum up the systems ability to implement draconian policies. The groundwork for going beyond protests is already being laid across the political spectrum. A letter signed by Republican Senator Liz Cheney was widely circulated this week calling for Democrats to invest in resistance architecture and trainings, protect and support MAGA defectors and whistleblowers, and prepare the public for general strikes. ACLU Executive Director Andrew Romero has spoken of the need to shut down the country if Trump will not follow court orders. Conservative columnist David Brooks called for a civic uprising this week, a call echoed by liberal firebrand Robert Reich who urged Americans to prepare for a general strike. But protest movements are also most effective and effectively sustained when younger people are involved not only as participants but leaders. That is because protests are not just costly signals that policy should changewhich may or may not happen immediately, depending on whether those in power respond with concessions or repressionbut also about changing the protesters themselves, forging civic identities and social connections that affect them and their generation for a lifetime. As such, anti-Trump organizers would do well to focus on getting more youth mobilized, as anecdotal evidence suggests they are under-represented in the protest movements thus far. In the current political moment, despite swinging toward Trump in the election, youth support for Trump has taken an especially steep dive, according to new polls. Though some polling shows Gen Z voters are divided on the value of protest, they have the potential to help forge wider coalitions against Trump policies. A Carnegie Endowment poll shows even pro-Trump Gen Z voters are more likely to prefer strong action on climate change than other Republicans, and young voters in general are more likely to prefer a strong U.S. role in the world. Last weeks Yale Youth Survey shows young people also widely oppose deportations, student arrests and crackdowns on academic freedom. The fact that the current protests are as large, widespread and sustained as they are despite tepid participation from youth voters thus far could be a portent of what may be to come if Trump continues to lose support from this important bloc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most effective movements historically have also been those that have most effectively remained non-violent. And yet, social protest can easily turn violent: It often incites violent repression from the state as well as violent counter-movements, which can then result in either repression and a silencing of the protest movement or reciprocal violence from those resisting authoritarianism. Research from Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan shows that non-violent movements are twice as successful as violent ones at resisting and overturning authoritarian leaders. Anti-Trump organizers say they are working hard to ensure protest remains peaceful, and actively preparing to respond if violence is manufactured as a pretext for a wider crackdown on civil liberties. Finally, in this regard, satire as well as street protest has historically been a key tool to delegitimize dictatorships while keeping movements courageously nonviolent. Humor and satire are often a staple of protest signs in marches, but it is often laughtivism in between protests that drive nonviolent movements. For example, as documented in the film Bringing Down a Dictator,the student-led Serbian movement Otpor was instrumental in Slobodan Milosevics downfall and subsequent extradition to the war crimes tribunal in the Hague, Netherlands. Otpor used a variety of satirical tactics to do so and its former leaders later exported their strategies to other non-violent protest movements such as the Arab Spring. As Daniel Hunter points out, ridicule is an important tool in Americans arsenal as well. Already the Trump administration is facing considerable opposition not just by angry chanters but by groups simply making fun of its policies. For example, in the wake of Trumps tariffs on the penguin-inhabited Heard and McDonald Islands, the internet memes about penguins took off. For example, the Penguins Against Trump social media campaign, whose AI-generated YouTube video Democratic Penguin Republic has been viewed 1.5 million times since it launched earlier this month. Historically, authoritarians who come to power through elections and undermine democratic institutions often take years to topple. But the protests against the Trump administrations more anti-democratic politics, coming so early in his administration, are a positive signs that Americans may be better able to stem a potential slide into authoritarianism than some other countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of protestors who have turned out so far is unclear, and not yet overwhelming. But the early scramble to organize strikes, boycotts and regular turnout in the streetsand the widespread use of satire to delegitimize Trumps excessesdemonstrate that organizers are learning and implementing the lessons of history. Whether these protests will be sustained and anti-Trump coalitions expanded to include youth and disaffected Republicans and whether the protesters will remain non-violent even if faced with repression or violent counter-movementswill make all the difference to their success in the next weeks and months. Charli Carpenter is a professor of political science and legal studies at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, specializing in human security and international law. She tweets at @charlicarpenter. The post To Create Change, the Anti-Trump Protests Have to Last appeared first on World Politics Review. Apr. 22Jamie L. Barrans, 40, of Creston, was taken into custody 11:04 a.m. April 21, at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Union County warrant charging him with four counts of theft, fifth degree. According to Creston Police reports, Barrans is seen on Walmart video footage failing to scan various items at self checkout including $5.97 in unpaid items Dec. 19, $70.69 Jan. 5, $192.32 Jan. 27 and $88.65 Feb. 8. Barrans was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after posting $1,200 cash or surety bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Armain M. Pazmino, 28, of Greenfield, was taken into custody 4:05 p.m. April 21, in the 600 block of Wyoming Avenue on the charge of driving while suspended. According to a Creston Police report, Pazmino was observed driving a 2000 Ford F150 at Sumner Avenue and Taylor Street. Pazmino has a suspended license. Pazmino was cited and released on a summons to appear. Mika M. Luddington, 43, of Creston, was taken into custody 6:21 p.m. April 21, in the 400 block of North Cherry Street on the charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 5:56 p.m., a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee was pulled over for movement of unsafe or improperly equipped vehicles. Contact was made with the driver, identified as Luddington. During the stop, Luddington gave consent to search the Jeep. Located in the Jeep, officers discovered a methamphetamine pipe containing residue. An alprazolam pill and four propoxyphene pills were also found in the Jeep, both are Schedule IV narcotics. Luddington was taken into custody and taken to the law center where she was again searched by a female officer. A second methamphetamine pipe containing residue and a baggie of methamphetamine were located in Luddington's bra. Luddington has prior possession convictions in Union County Aug. 27, 2008, and Oct. 16, 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luddington was transported to the Union County Jail where she was released from after posting $15,300 cash or surety bond. Holly R. Donehoo, 39, of Creston, was taken into custody 10:18 p.m. April 21, in the 200 block of West Montgomery Street on the charge of driving while suspended. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Donehoo was observed driving a 2013 Toyota Tundra on Montgomery Street. Donehoo has a suspended license. Donehoo was cited and released on a summons to appear. Chase E. Cassini, 18, of Hampton, Illinois, was taken into custody 11:14 p.m. April 21, at the Adams-Union county line on the charges of eluding speed over 25 mph over limit and theft, first degree possess or control property of $10,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 11:01 p.m., officers initiated a traffic stop on a 2000 Ford F250 at Highway 34 and Wyoming Avenue. The Ford pulled to the outside lane but never came to a complete stop. It then proceeded at a high rate of speed to South Pine Street, turned west onto Page Street and south onto South Division Street before turning onto Highway 34. From the highway, the Ford turned onto Laurel Street, left the roadway and drove through the grass into the Supertel parking lot where it again went through the grass before reentering the roadway on Highway 34. The Ford continued westbound out of city limits at speeds up to 103 mph. The Ford was discovered to be stolen from Scott County. Cassini was transported to the Union County Jail and held on $10,000 cash or surety bond. Cassini was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on a bond of $10,000. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Firefighters were called to a residential home in west Dayton Monday evening. According to Dayton Police & Fire, a house fire was reported on Crown Avenue just off of West Third Street. Several units were called to respond. Local school increasing security measures after unsafe incidents Upon arrival, firefighters reported heavy fire from the rear of the one-story structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews on scene told 2 NEWS the house was vacant at the time of the fire. There were no reported injuries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. State police have filed more charges against a man allegedly found with fentanyl after he fled a crash in Griswold last June that killed an elderly woman. Franklin Post, 36, was arrested on the additional charges on Monday after being served with an arrest warrant at Norwich Superior Court, according to Connecticut State Police. The charges follow a lengthy investigation into a crash on June 9, 2024, that killed 96-year-old Charlotte Degrado of Branford, state police said. Hours after the crash, Post was arrested when he was found hiding in a wooded area and charged with operating under the influence, evading responsibility resulting in death, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and multiple other charges. He was charged Monday with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, tampering with physical evidence, failure to obey stop sign, illegal auto tint, operation of a motor vehicle without a tint inspection, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of narcotics, failure to wear seat belt, misuse of registration plate, operation under suspension, traveling unreasonably fast and reckless driving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two-car crash was reported at 4:44 p.m. at the intersection of Taylor Hill Road and Oakville Road where emergency crews responded and found that one of the vehicles involved had been abandoned. Inside a 2019 GMC Acadia, troopers located Degrado in the second row passenger seat. She was conscious and alert and complained of significant back pain. Degrado was being tended to by a 59-year-old Old Saybrook woman, who was a passenger in the vehicle who suffered minor injuries. Both occupants were taken to William Backus Hospital, where Degrado was pronounced dead at 5:49 p.m., according to the warrant affidavit. An autopsy found that she died of blunt force trauma to her torso, state police wrote. The driver of the Acadia, a 69-year-old Old Saybrook man, did not report any injuries. The driver told authorities he was headed west on Oakville Road when he stopped at a stop sign at the four-way intersection before proceeding. He told police he then caught a glimpse of a vehicle approaching from his right side. The vehicle struck the Acadia, which the driver said caused the SUV to go onto two wheels, according to the warrant affidavit. He said it felt like the vehicle was going to flip over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Acadia then spun around as its airbags went off. When the vehicle stopped it was facing the wrong way in the intersection, the driver said. Degrado, he told police, was in the backseat and was facing the wrong way after the crash, according to the warrant affidavit. He said everyone in the vehicle was wearing their seatbelt. State police found that the 2006 Audi A6 that struck the Acadia sustained heavy front end damage, the warrant affidavit said. Multiple witnesses told authorities a group of men fled the vehicle after the collision. One of the witnesses took a video with their cell phone, which led to troopers identifying the man believed to be driving as Post, who police were familiar with after previous interactions, according to the warrant affidavit. The state polices Collision, Analysis and Reconstruction Squad investigated the crash and found that the Audi was being driven south on Taylor Hill Road when Post approached the intersection and allegedly blew through a stop sign going a minimum speed of 40 to 44 mph, according to the warrant affidavit. The area has a 25 mph speed limit. The analysis of the crash also found that the Acadia driver slowed down for the stop sign and was going between 13 to 14 mph through the intersection at the time of the collision, the warrant affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As state police searched the area looking for the occupants of the Audi, they found a 26-year-old Norwich man who matched the description of one of the individuals, according to the warrant affidavit. He was suffering from a laceration to his hand. The man was a known associate of Post and was asked by a trooper if the two had been together, the warrant affidavit said. Though state police believe he was a passenger in the Audi, he refused to provide any information and was taken to William Backus Hospital, according to the warrant affidavit. As state police continued searching the area for Post and the other occupant of the Audi, they contacted officers with the Department of Adult Probation and began tracking Posts GPS ankle monitor, knowing he was on probation at the time, the warrant affidavit said. Police were initially able to ping the devices location but later learned Post had allegedly removed part of the device, leaving it inoperable, according to state police. Shortly after 7 p.m., state police received numerous 911 calls reporting that an individual matching the description of the Audi driver was walking through a wooded area in the vicinity of Jerome Parkway and Norman Road in Griswold. Just before 7:50 p.m., Post was found in a wooded area behind the Indian Ridge Apartments in Jewett City and taken into custody, state police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a holding cell at the Troop E state police barracks, Post could be seen with his head slumped over and allegedly sleeping in what a drug recognition expert described as someone who appeared to be on the nod, a term commonly used to describe someone under the influence of narcotics, the warrant affidavit said. When Post was searched at Troop E, a number of pink pills wrapped in clear plastic allegedly fell on the floor as he was told to remove his shoes, the warrant affidavit said. They later tested positive for fentanyl. He also allegedly had more than $4,000 on him. Post was later taken to a hospital where a drug expert claimed that he had constricted pupils and droopy eyelids, the warrant affidavit said. He allegedly refused to consent to a blood draw or a urine test, saying the test would be dirty, state police wrote. Post said he would not test positive for heroin or fentanyl but that the tests would show he had methadone and marijuana in his system after allegedly admitting he had smoked around 9 a.m. that day, the warrant affidavit said. Post was initially held on $1.5 million bond when he was arrested. During the investigation, police reviewed phone calls he made from jail and found that he allegedly admitted to someone he had been smoking weed all day and had fallen asleep, the warrant affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When troopers searched the Audi, they allegedly found a bottle with 26 clonazepam pills, 1,166 baggies containing suspected fentanyl and multiple cell phones, the warrant affidavit said. According to previous Courant reporting, Post has at least a dozen prior criminal convictions and had 10 criminal cases pending against him at the time of the crash. He had posted at least $275,000 in bonds after being arrested six times between January 2024 and the crash in June of that year, Courant reporting said. His convictions include charges of breach of the peace, resisting arrest, engaging police in pursuits, narcotics possession, larceny, burglary and motor vehicle offenses. Post was held on a $300,000 bond following his arrest Monday and was arraigned later in the day in Norwich Superior Court. His case was continued to June 2, court records show. According to the state Department of Correction, Post is being held on bonds totaling more than $1.8 million. Olivia Nuzzis ex Ryan Lizza returned from journalism purgatory on Monday with a new Substack publication, using his first post to bash his former employer Politico and tease big ambitions. In his first post for Telos News, Lizza said he left Politico after he thought the outlet was not meeting the unprecedented moment of democratic peril we are facing. He promised Telos would cover the crisis in Washington with a clear-eyed understanding of what is actually happening. Lizza said the outlet would publish a lengthy investigative article this week on the administrations pursuit to silence its press critics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lizza, formerly Politicos chief Washington correspondent and an anchor of its flagship Playbook newsletter, took a leave of absence last year after Nuzzi accused him of physical and sexual abuse in an explosive court case. The saga ended in November after Nuzzi dropped her court case. It came weeks after Nuzzis secret, monthslong relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became public. Kennedy is now the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The relationship was first reported was Status Oliver Darcy, who Lizza thanked in his introductory post as one of a generous group of independent writers who I consulted and pestered over the last few months. Lizza joins a growing list of media personalities launching independent blogs, such as former MSNBC host Chris Matthews new Hardball revival on Substack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lizza returned to Politico in January, promising in an X post to return to his long-form magazine roots with in-depth features, profiles, and interviews. He would no longer write Playbook, ceding the title to Politicos British writer Jack Blanchard. But Lizza never published anything after his return, and he has since deleted his X post. A source familiar with the matter said Politico expected Lizzas return to be short-lived, as an internal change like departing Playbook would likely cause someone to reevaluate their career. It did leave him, I think, searching for real purpose in what he does next, the source said. But they disputed the idea Lizzas exit had anything to do with the Nuzzi saga. He didnt leave under any kind of drama, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lizza did not respond to an immediate request for comment. Ryan Lizza / Paul Morigi/Getty In his lengthy introductory post, Lizza took Politico to task for how it responded to DOGEs false claims that the government was subsidizing the outlet by paying for its premium, policy-focused subscription service. He called Politicos decision to send White House bureau chief Dasha Burns to conduct an on-stage interview at CPAC a regrettable mistake intended to smooth things over with the Trump administration. I saw up close how easy it was for a media conglomerate to grovel before the Trump administration when the wrong people are in charge, Lizza wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politico did not respond to an immediate request for comment. The exit is the latest in a series of high-profile departures for the D.C.-based politics outlet after some of its staffers clashed with the editorial leadership of editor-in-chief John Harris and senior executive editor Alex Burns. This year alone, it has lost top reporters Meredith McGraw, Olivia Beavers, and Gavin Bade to The Wall Street Journal and congressional reporters Ursula Perano and Daniella Diaz to Politico founder Robert Allbrittons NOTUS. Former Playbook co-anchor and White House Correspondents Association president Eugene Daniels also left for an MSNBC anchor job last month. QUITO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- At least five people died and six others were injured in an armed attack Sunday night in west Ecuador's coastal city of Manta, local police said Monday. The attack occurred around 11 p.m. Sunday local time when men armed with rifles and handguns fired at a home where a family gathering was taking place in Manta, in the western province of Manabi. Jose Erazo, head of Manta police, told the local press that the deceased were four men and an eight-year-old girl. "One of the dead was a Colombian national who had a criminal record in the neighboring country," Erazo said. Erazo said videos from security cameras showed that at least six attackers aboard two vehicles and a motorcycle entered the housing complex, and suggested that the attack could be due to a dispute between two criminal organizations. Manabi is one of the most violent provinces in Ecuador, according to police, who attribute the violence to the presence of criminal gangs vying for control of territories for illicit activities. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office is warning about a piece of mail sent to elderly residents that it says is deceptive. The Consumer Protection Division warns that the unsolicited postcard is trying to sell home warranty services. The postcard features the words County Deed Records in all-caps and bold font. The mailer has no association with the county or the Register of Deeds office, which the Consumer Protection Division labels a deceptive practice designed to scare people into believing there may be something wrong and to make them act without further investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The postcard is for a home warranty company that is not named on the card. It includes the words REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION, implying that whoever received it used to have coverage with the company, which is likely not the case. Courtesy Sedgwick County District Attorney Consumer Protection Division Consultant to aid Wichita in city manager search It urges them to call a number on the card, where someone will try to convince them to purchase a home warranty that could potentially cost thousands of dollars a year, which can be difficult to cancel and may not provide the promised services. The Consumer Protection Division urges all residents to question any unsolicited mail they receive, especially if it does not include the name of the company. They also ask that people look out for their friends and neighbors, especially older residents or those experiencing cognitive decline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District Attorney Marc Bennett says this type of mailer is often targeted at them to prey on their anxieties, vulnerabilities, and their ability to recall events. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Denmarks 18-year-old Princess Isabella has caused a stir online after posing for a strikingly modern photograph in which she is holding her mobile phone. The daughter of Queen Mary and King Frederik X is seen smiling for the camera in a tiara and holding her mobile phone, in a break with royal protocol. The photograph, taken in celebration of her 18th birthday, was posted on the Danish royal familys official website and social media channels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The informal photograph was captured by Queen Mary, the princesss mother, in the Knights Hall of Frederik VIIIs Palace in Amalienborg. It was posted on social media to accompany a series of other photographs, official portraits, by Steen Evald, who has been a photographer for the family for over two decades. The portrait promptly went viral, with social media users hailing the images modern touch. Hello! magazine hailed Princess Isabella as the ultimate modern princess upon the release of her portrait holding her smartphone - @detdanskekongehus/Instagram According to the Danish Royal House, the tiara which Princess Isabella posed in for the first time was a gift from her grandmother, the former Queen Margrethe II. Made of gold, the elegant headpiece contains 11 rosettes of varying sizes. The tiara was made in the late 19th century and belonged to Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden. After her untimely death in 1920, her daughter, Princess Ingrid, received the tiara as a confirmation gift and brought it to Denmark upon her marriage to the later Frederik IX, the household said in a statement. Princess Isabella poses in her golden tiara for the first time - @detdanskekongehus/Instagram But it was the inclusion of a mobile phone in a trendy burgundy case which grabbed the attention of the Princesss social media followers and glossy magazines. Hello! magazine hailed the photograph as a sign that Princess Isabella was the ultimate modern princess. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relatively informal photograph accompanied a series of official portraits of the Princess, including one of her standing next to a vase on a table inside the Amalienborg palace. In a caption, the Princess told her followers: Thank you so much to everyone who helped me celebrate my 18th birthday. It has been really nice that so many people have spent their time, thought and effort to make my day so special. This means a lot to me. The Princesss photo was captured in the Knights Hall of Frederik VIIIs Palace in Amalienborg - @detdanskekongehus/Instagram Denmarks royal family is immensely popular but takes a slightly more understated and modern approach to royal life than its British counterparts. Queen Margrethe II abdicated the throne last year, after a surprise New Years announcement which cited health issues as the grounds for stepping down after 52 years on the throne. Frederik X, her successor, became the King of Denmark last January. 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. David Hogg, a March For Our Lives activist and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, announced a plan to primary lackluster Democrats in the House of Representatives that drew backlash from party elites. While Democrats have traditionally respected seniority and incumbency in internal party conflicts, Hogg, a party official, announced a $20 million effort to primary sitting members of the House. Leaders We Deserve, a political organization and action committee that Hogg serves as president of, is set to fund the effort, which is aimed at electing younger Democrats. While the announcement that the group would back primary challengers received significant attention, Hogg told Salon that they would also be supporting younger candidates in competitive seats. The Democratic National Committee chair, Ken Martin, has not endorsed the idea. In a conversation with Salon, Hogg said that he hoped the threat of a primary challenge would encourage Democrats to put up a more vigorous opposition to Trump and the Republicans or convince some representatives to retire ahead of the 2026 elections. Hogg lauded Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who recently made a trip to El Salvador to meet with a wrongly renditioned immigrant, pointing to Van Hollen as the sort of representative he was hoping to support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This interview has been edited for length and clarity. I'm interested in talking about the support you've announced for primaries against Democratic candidates, and I'd like to start with just a simple question of whether or not you have any names on your list. Right now we're looking at all the districts around the country where a lot of our members have failed to meet the moment, and part of what we hope with this is that it won't be necessary. We hope that a lot of these members, if there's a member who hears about this program and is made anxious by it: A, they should ask why, and why that is because, if you're effective, you don't have anything to worry about this; and B, if you aren't able to meet this moment, and that's why you're anxious, you should think about not seeking re-election and supporting the next generation, passing down your knowledge and mentoring them. So that's why there isn't that announcement. We don't want to have to do this right now, but we need to let people know that this is a real possibility and we are not afraid to do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's one thing that I would like to say, too, which is not getting out there nearly enough: We're not just focused on challenging incumbent Democrats that we feel like are failing to meet the moment in the U.S. House we are also focused on supporting younger Democrats who are running in competitive races that could help us gain a majority, because we obviously want to take on big Republicans head-on as well. If there is somebody who aligns with our values, who is in a frontline district, that is not challenging an incumbent, we're going to support that person because we really want to make sure young people come into the majority, obviously, as they're running. You mentioned candidates supporting your values or our values. I'd be interested in hearing about whether or not there's an ideological component to this, or if there's like a litmus test in terms of an issue or issues you're thinking of here, or if it's more so about deference to the administration. More than anything, what I would say is that it is about our candidates. There are a few things that they have to be. Obviously, they have to be good on guns, and they also need to not take corporate money. Part of the reason we support them so heavily is that we want to show the next generation, to people of all ages, that there are Democrats out there who don't take corporate money that are there to represent you and your interests, and that is their sole job, right? They're not here to represent any special interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because you know that our young people are losing faith in democracy, and in terms of what the type of candidate that we're really looking for, I would say is somebody like [Chris] Van Hollen, who is obviously is in the Senate, and we're not going to be working there, but the fact that he literally went to El Salvador and didn't just sit around saying, Well, we're In the minority, we can't do anything. It's fighting back against the Trump administration, doing everything that he can to see that we are putting up a fight. And it's also people like, obviously, Congressman Maxwell Frost, who was the first organizing director at March for Our Lives. It's people like that around the country that are looking for, and we understand that in different districts, there's going to be, you know, there can be different values, but ultimately, those are some of the lines that we're looking at. I want to follow up you've mentioned corporate money. I'm wondering if the scope here is limited to just corporate money. One of the things I'm thinking about is that in the primaries in the Democratic Party last year, we saw significant spending against Democrats like Jamal Bowman or Cori Bush. I'm wondering if you're taking into account special interest donations in general. I would say one thing overall that everybody wants, that our candidates are also going to be pushing for, is major campaign finance reform, because the people who should have a say in the elections are their voters, and repeatedly, the American people they feel like democracy is not working for them, that it's only representing special interests that are not representative of the people within their districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And we want to make sure that our candidates are representative of their districts, representative of their values and what what they need help with, and the best way to address that, especially with groups like the NRA, who have been known to spend so heavily in districts, for example, is to reform that campaign finance system so that ... the biggest factor in a race is how well a candidate represents the constituents. Are there any issues you think that special interests seem to have captured candidates on, in particular here? For me, the first thing that comes to mind is the NRA in particular, where we see 70% of the American people, 70-80% of them are very supportive, across the board, of stronger gun laws and things like removing firearms from people that are going to be a risk themselves and others. It has widespread support, but we don't see much congressional action on that because of the intervention of the NRA. The other thing that we're trying to do here: We believe that the reason why we've lost both shares with basically every demographic except the elderly and well educated, is because a lot of people feel like the American dream is increasingly evaporating before their eyes, and the message that they're hearing is, Well, we need to defend democracy over and over again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We live in a democratic society that is the same one that empowers special interests, that has resulted in people this generation going through school shootings, that has resulted in this generation facing the brunt of climate change, the student debt crisis, the housing crisis and so much more, where the basic, foundational building blocks of the American dream are so much harder for young people to achieve now than they a generation prior. I think the answer to address what we're doing to defend democracy is to show how we, as the Democratic Party, are using democracy to fight back against the special interests that are part of the reason why housing prices have gotten so high, part of the reason why education has gotten astronomically more expensive, like healthcare has gotten astronomically more expensive, and giving them that faith in democracy by using it to actively improve their lives, and showing them with younger candidates who know how to communicate on social media because they grew up with it and how they are doing that on a day-to-day basis. I'd like to discuss some of the reactions to this announcement. I'm thinking specifically of James Carvilles reaction. I'd like to get your reaction to both his comments about your plan to support primary challengers, as well as his broader political prescription to just let Trump defeat himself. James Carville purports to be this expert all the time, but we aren't talking about the fact that he's not won an election since before I was born. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just think the idea that the best answer when we have 27% approval from our base is to roll over and die is an awful idea. I think that right now, we are at a real moment in our party, that there is a crisis and that people are going to start to lash out against and rebel against it. We need to make sure that we're having productive disagreements, if you will, and constructive criticism that isn't just, "Oh my God, everything sucks." You know, things aren't going good, but what are we going to do to make it better? Those conversations should be had and settled within our safe Democratic seats. Does this plan risk us losing the house? No, because the people that are going to win in these very safe blue seats are almost certainly going to be Democrats. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Two questions. The first one is on logistics. I'm wondering if you're thinking about coordinating with any other groups in terms of some of these primary challenges. I have spoken to some of the primary challengers this cycle and I'm wondering if you've communicated with any primary candidates as of yet, and also whether or not you've communicated with any groups within the Democratic Party about coordinating primary challenges. The organizations that we're looking to work with will come out more as we're willing to escalate this, to apply more pressure, because, again, we do not want to have to do this. We want a situation where enough people decide it is my time to just not run for office, regardless of their age, if they simply are not being effective, so that there's enough room for our young people to step up in our party and run. I know you've mentioned guns and gun control as an issue. Aside from that, what are you hoping Democrats will run on in 2026 and beyond? I hope that we run on policies that affect everybody of every single race, every single trend that everybody is pissed off about. And what I mean by that are basically three buckets. One, how are we lowering costs? I'm not just talking like, oh, you know, a plasma screen is too expensive. I'm talking about the costs of the foundational building blocks of the American dream. So for example, we have seen overall the price of consumer goods since the 70s come down pretty dramatically, like TVs, electronics, just consumer goods in general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, we've seen the things that we can't import, like college education, like housing, like eldercare, childcare, healthcare, insurance, all of those things skyrocket in price and it is crushing the American people. We have to show how our party is going to fight back against that so that the only determinant of whether or not you're able to own a home in the future was how hard you were willing to work, and how good your ideas are, not whether or not there's a corporation that is price fixing or buying up 10s tens of thousands of single family homes to try to squeeze you out of the market, or simply that there is not enough housing available. What are we doing to make sure that Americans do not have to make impossible decisions in particular? What I mean by that my own life is that after the DNC in this [past] summer, the actual convention, I had to come back home to take care of my father, who was on his deathbed, unfortunately, because of being the final stage of Parkinson's Disease. My family was able to financially survive this illness because of the Social Security system that Democrats fought to create, thankfully. However, the cost of at-home care in the final weeks of his life was going to be $19,000 a month for 12 hours of care a day, and that is despite him being a veteran and a medically retired FBI agent. The only reason why my family didn't go bankrupt is because my father did not live long enough for that to happen. That is an impossible decision that millions of Americans are having to make right now, that Republicans are not offering a solution to that we can and we should. So that's the first bucket: How are we addressing those costs, the foundational building blocks of the American dream, and what are we doing to tangibly lower those costs? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second one is public safety, crime and and gun violence in particular. What are we doing to make our cities and our communities as safe as possible, and ensure that parents have the freedom to know that their kids are going to come home from school with the backpack and not in a body bag? There are far too many parents around this country who have to fear for that every day, not only in school, but also outside of it, where kids are killed all the time and rarely make it on the news. Then the last bucket is major campaign finance reform and fighting back against corruption in particular. You know, how do we make sure that we're limiting the power of special interests in our elections? And how do we make sure that we're taking on corporate landlords that are price fixing right now, kind of like Jeff Jackson did as attorney general just recently in North Carolina, where there was a group of apartment companies that were price fixing through an algorithm and a legal loophole in order to to squeeze people out of as much money as possible for something that everybody needs, which is a roof to live under. I think those are the policies that we really should be campaigning on and talking about, and, in addition to that, how we are actually going to fix the broken immigration system we have. That doesn't look like sending people without due process, or even with due process, to a foreign country where they don't have counsel, and the government just says, We don't know where they are. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Davidson Countys home values have risen significantly. A new appraisal shows a major spike but that does not mean everyones taxes are increasing. If you just keep making it more expensive and harder to live here, then [people] are just going to leave, Antioch homeowner, Jason Weakley, said. Davidson County Property Assessor releases Heat map of average appraised value percentage increase Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weakly, a Nashville native, told News 2 that the city has grown to include more residents, new homes and developments. The growth has been explosive and a little unwieldy, Weakley said. The newest property reassessment reveals a 45% median increase in value over the last four years. You didnt buy your property for it to depreciate, you bought your property to appreciate, Davidson County Property Assessor, Vivian Wilhoite, said. Wilhoite said the appraisal reviewed more than 281,000 commercial and residential properties. We are seeing where people are moving further out and getting more land getting more bang for their buck, Wilhoite explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the rise in property value has Weakley and some other residents worried that it could mean an increase in property taxes. People are still trying to get over the cost of COVID; I mean, people are still reeling from that and it takes families a long time to recover their budget, Weakley expressed. If youre wondering whether your property taxes will go up, it will depend on two things. The first factor has to do with how much your property value increased. If your home value increased by more than 45%, your taxes could go up. If your homes value went up by less than 45%, your taxes could drop. The second factor is whether Mayor Freddie OConnell passes a priority tax increase this spring which he has said he plans to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the tax rate from the state of Tennessee is announced as far as the certified tax rate once that is announced to say revenue neutral, then the mayor and Metro Council can increase it, Wilhoite said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Property owners can appeal their new valuations. There is the misconception that we are trying to stick it to you no, Wilhoite said. We want you to appeal your values so that you will be trusting the part that we provided you with. Weakley plans to appeal his home valuation. The deadline to request an informal review is May 9. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. It doesnt take long for Sir Paul Stephenson, once the most powerful police officer in the country, to despair. We are 55 minutes into proceedings inside court seven at Westminster Magistrates Court, when its clear sentencing for the second case of the day cant go ahead. The probation officer tasked with writing a pre-sentencing report went on holiday and nobody bothered to tell anyone, prompting the presiding magistrate to apologise to the convicted criminal for his wasted 150 round trip from Birmingham. He is the one who has pleaded guilty and she is the one apologising, says Stephenson, formerly commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. The exchange is, he says, a humiliation and a reversal of what should happen in a court when a judge confronts a convicted criminal. The day doesnt get any better. Out of 14 cases listed for sentencing, just four defendants get their comeuppance. The rest comprise no shows either of the criminals or of the necessary bits of paper and information needed to mete out justice. At a low ebb, Stephenson, 72, the one-time deputy chief constable of Lancashire and former Met Commissioner, describes the proceedings as a celebration of chaos and wonders if public money is being well spent. Official figures show a criminal court system in crisis. The backlog in the Crown courts has hit a record high of almost 75,000 cases (almost double the number five years ago) while in the lower, magistrates courts, the backlog is close to a third of a million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official figures encouraged The Telegraph to go back to court to see the system at work. Stephenson and The Telegraph had performed the exercise at Westminster Magistrates once before, back in 2012, when his verdict then was that he had seen nothing to show that the courts are anything other than slow, bureaucratic and hugely frustrating. More than a decade on after further funding cuts and the long tail of Covid lockdowns, theres no happy ending. Isnt it embarrassing that so many years after we first did this, the system has actually got worse, he says. 10am: Waiting for the Probation Service The doors to court seven open on time, and the presiding magistrate, Sneha Kooros troops in, flanked by Christopher Denny and Kanaya Aro, the two other magistrates who will sit in judgment. The court clerk tells them the Probation Service officer hasnt yet arrived. The magistrates ask her, Do you want us to come back at quarter past? and then troop straight back out. Stephenson shakes his head. Why wouldnt probation be here on time? he wonders out loud. The day has not got off to a good start. 10.20am: Theres no list caller After a false start, we are back on. But due to staff shortages, theres no list caller, the court official whose job is to manage the schedule and make sure defendants and others are there on time. There are 14 defendants on todays list for sentencing, and magistrates, clerk, prosecutor and probation officials start going through the list to see who has turned up and what sentencing reports are ready. People dont turn up. Sometimes they do and sometimes they dont, one court official tells me with a shrug. Stephenson is exasperated. Already. This has been a thorough disaster [of a start], he says. It is all very friendly and relaxed but it doesnt strike me as an efficient justice system. 10.30am: The Romanian thief Serenada Caldararu is either 19 or 22, has five aliases and has been in the UK for either a few months or some years. An interpreter is on hand to explain to the defendant whats going on. Guilty of theft, her sentencing cant go ahead because no pre-sentence report has been prepared. Caldararu, from Romania and living in east London, had not received any calls from probation after she lost her phone some weeks ago and the probation appointment letter went to an old address. And anyway, she cant read, the court hears. The magistrates want more information before pressing ahead with sentencing. The case is adjourned for three weeks to May 14 for another attempt at sentencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephenson says: This is a celebration of chaos, isnt it? The magistrate, however, is doing her best. 10.55am: The 150 wasted train trip Arfan Ali - David Rose Arfan Ali, a father-of-four and factory worker, has spent 150 on a peak train ticket from Birmingham to attend his sentencing for two counts of racial or religiously aggravated harassment over an incident at Euston station in August last year and then at Holborn police station following his arrest. But the probation officer who was supposed to write his pre-sentencing report is on holiday and didnt produce it in time, and didnt inform the court, the defendant, or his lawyers. Mr Ali has come from Birmingham and has spent 150 to get here, and he is upset and I am upset on his behalf that probation has not produced a report, says his lawyer, Theresa Hendrickx. Kooros tells him: I can only apologise on behalf of the court I know its incredibly frustrating, and you have spent time and money to come here today. The case is adjourned until May 14 for another go at sentencing. Stephenson says: The inefficiency is shocking the humiliation of the magistrate who is spending her time apologising to people who she is supposed to be sentencing. He is the one who has pleaded guilty, and she is the one apologising. It is a reversal of what should be happening. 11.05am: The Army vet and the missing probation report David Gilligan - David Rose/David Rose, David Gilligan, 60, from east London, has turned up to court, but theres no probation report into his drinking and his sentencing wont go ahead as planned. Gilligan has pleaded guilty to the assault of two paramedics in August last year. Eight months on, there will be no progress today. His lawyer, Stuart Harris, who has represented Gilligan for a long time, tells the court: Mr Gilligan has made it clear he has not had any contact with probation. He has changed his phone, but that was only last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kooros adjourns the case for four weeks, until May 15, acknowledging there has been a bit of toing and froing between parties here. Stephenson says: Its a bit depressing that the most efficient part of this court is the ability of the clerk to reschedule the hearings. She is wholly practised at it. It is mostly tied up in probations inability to provide a service to the court. I am surprised by the magistrates patience. You dont get the sense from the magistrates that they are at all surprised or unusually frustrated. 11.10am: The Zimbabwean refugee and the terrorised woman on a train Spencer Manzeku - David Rose Spencer Manzeku, 46, from Croydon, terrorised a young woman on a late-night train from Northampton back to London Euston in January this year, shouting at her and then following her onto another carriage after she tried to get away. He screamed at her: You are a bully, and pointed in the faces of the woman and her friends. The incident went on for an hour. This was sustained. Her friends were scared and so was she, prosecutor Gillian Huston tells the court. Manzeku was drunk and at the time on a community order, which remains unfinished. His lawyer Kate Nichols says her client suffered from PTSD diagnosed three years ago from his time in Zimbabwe and was full of remorse. The magistrates declined to sentence Manzeku without more information from the Probation Service on his mental health and his drinking, and adjourned the case until May 15. It is now 90 minutes into what was intended to be a day of sentencing, and no one has been sentenced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a very distressing experience for the victim, says Stephenson. This is a court system predicated on delays. It doesnt make sense. At the moment, this is more of an exercise in futility. 11.35am: The lorry driver spitting at a London Underground worker Ishmael Simms - David Rose Ishmael Simms, 30, and a lorry driver from south-east London, had admitted assault after trying to get on a train without paying at North Greenwich train station in broad daylight in August last year. He called the guard pussy and screamed abuse so close he was spitting in his face, which constitutes an offence of assault. He has no lawyer, but from the dock protests that the prosecutions claims have been fabricated. Its too late for that and the magistrates retire to consider a sentence. An actual sentence. Simms is ordered to pay 749, including 200 compensation and a 350 fine. It is now 12.15pm, two and a quarter hours in. It is very unfortunate, Kooros tells Simms. Stephenson says: The fine is the right sentence. But it is not unfortunate. It is offensive. 12.30pm: The no-shows and the missing probation officer The next one up for sentencing is Omar Kudamorad, who has been found guilty of four crimes, including possession of a bladed weapon, using violence to enter a building and possession of cocaine over an incident in west London in February. It is unclear what contact he has had with the Probation Service, and the officer cant be found. Can somebody please get Probation for us? pleads the presiding magistrate before eventually issuing a warrant for Kudamorads arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Burns, who has stolen a metal ramp from a Waitrose in west London, is another no-show. Mr Burns, unfortunately, never attends court. He never cooperates and he never turns up, his lawyer tells the magistrates. Another warrant is issued for his arrest. Nor does Daleth Webster, a homeless man convicted of burglary at an office in central London in June last year, make an appearance. Another warrant is issued. Its now lunch and at the end of a morning session in the sentencing court, just one criminal has been fully dealt with from a morning list of eight people. That includes three no-shows. Stephenson says: It is chaotic. These are chaotic people, but I find this so frustrating. This is an attempt to problem solve, but they are not following any problem-solving mechanism you would recognise. 2.15pm: The fantasy listing Ricky Mahoney - David Rose Ricky Mahoney, 39, from east London, was arrested in October last year when driving under the influence of cannabis and subsequently pleaded guilty to driving offences and obstruction of a police officer. But when he last appeared in court, he couldnt recall his phone number and probation officers had no pre-sentence reports ready for him. The case is adjourned until May 15. It seems that there was never any chance of Mahoney being sentenced today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a fantasy listing, says Stephenson. 2.25pm: The flasher on the morning commute Daniel Olds - David Rose Daniel Olds, a 50-year-old chef from south London with a drinking problem, exposed himself to a young woman on her way to work on an early morning train from Purley in Surrey to Kings Cross. The incident, which took place in May last year, left the victim feeling nervous, unsafe, disgusted and extremely violated. The magistrates ban Olds from sitting immediately next to or opposite lone women on trains and place him on the sex offenders register for five years. Stephenson says: The most efficient and effective work on that case came from the defendants lawyer. She was on top of her brief. She knew the options. She had all the facts about her client and helped the court. 3.30pm: The young woman who attacked emergency workers Yasmin Christie, a 22-year-old from east London, is in the dock for sentencing for three charges of assault by beating of emergency workers. But probation reports, which were asked for on March 17 are not ready. The magistrate tells Christie that is unfortunate and tells her to come back on May 15 to try again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its more than unfortunate, says Stephenson. The magistrate should be angry. You would be asking for an explanation. Its not unfortunate, its worse than that. This is public money. 3.50pm: The ex-Israeli soldier going berserk with a crowbar Amir Elkayam - David Rose Clad in a balaclava, Amir Elkayam, 48, who served in the Israel Defence Forces before moving to the UK in 1999, drove his quad bike on a pavement in March this year and then on the same day destroyed security cameras that overlooked his flat, using a crowbar. His lawyer tells the court her client had become completely paranoid about cameras that overlooked his flat. A handyman earning 50,000 a year, Elkayam is banned from driving for six months, ordered to pay 500 compensation for damage caused to the cameras, and ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid community service. Stephenson says: At least they dealt with it. Its the right outcome. 4.30pm: The defendant in intensive care after having his throat slashed Theres no sign of Kyle Farr, and his lawyer has no clue as to his whereabouts. He has been convicted of a racially aggravated common assault that took place in May last year and six further offences, including assault in March this year. But then the clerk finds a note of a telephone call from Farrs family informing the court that he was stabbed 16 times and had his throat slashed and is in intensive care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kooros accepts this is not ideal and sets a new sentencing date for the end of May, provided Farrs family can provide written proof of his injuries. Stephenson hopes that the court confirms this is true and, if not, that there is a commensurate addition to any sentence he receives. 5pm: One of our lawyers is missing Court work grinds to a halt. Theres one case left, but the defendants lawyer is on her feet in another court and wanted after that for a client in a third court before she can get to court seven. During the lull, Kooros asks Stephenson, who has been sitting at the back of the court, what he makes of what he has seen so far. Its unusual for such an exchange to take place. Stephenson suggests the magistrates are not being served as well as they might be. We try our best in the interest of justice and especially for the defendants, Kooros tells him from the bench, adding: With all fairness to the court staff, we work together and we do what we can. Stephenson tells her: I completely understand. I was fairly familiar with the court system many years ago. The whole system should be set up with resources to allow the bench to dispense justice. I cannot say I always saw that happening. Kooros, whose work is unpaid, told him it was a question of money and budget. One probation worker later tells me confidentially that there are a lot of moving parts in the court system except that many of them dont move. 5.50pm: The mobile phone thief escaping jail Steward Mahenge - David Rose With the lawyer found, court seven gets to the final case of the day. Steward Mahenge, 20, who works in the music industry, hired an e-bike and then used it to snatch a mobile phone from a businessman outside a hotel near Bond Street late at night in February. The court heard the theft was premeditated and planned. A probation officer, who interviewed Mahenge earlier in the day, tells the court he was trying to understand why Mahenge, who had no previous convictions and is a gifted musician, carried out the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The magistrates sentence Mahenge to 100 hours of unpaid community work and up to 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement known as RAR designed to reduce the risk of reoffending. It is 6.10pm. The days work is complete. Stephenson concludes: Isnt it embarrassing that so many years after we first did this, the system has actually got worse? We had 14 cases listed for sentencing and yet just four have gone ahead, and the rest will have to come back. The question is: is that a good use of public money? Im not so sure. Additional reporting: Isabella Machin Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The first Electric Vehicle charger was installed at the Trotwood Branch of the Dayton Metro Library on Tuesday morning. The charger was installed as part of the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) project. This project will install 24 Level Two EV chargers in parks, libraries and rec centers across the Miami Valley. Used EV prices plunge, with Tesla leading the way Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trotwood Branch of the Dayton Metro Library celebrated the installation on Tuesday, April 22, alongside its Earth Day event. These chargers are being paid for by Federal Carbon Reduction funds. The charger is on the Blink Charging network. To find Blink Chargers, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Good morning, Chicago. Saying Chicagos already-precarious financial state is at a crossroads with President Donald Trump threatening to cut billions in funding to the city, Mayor Brandon Johnson yesterday took steps to try to get buy-in from residents and community leaders to make tough upcoming budget decisions. Johnson signed an executive order directing his Office of Budget and Management to host public meetings and make a comprehensive review of all city spending. The order also launched a new working group of business and labor leaders, community groups, aldermen and mayoral staffers tasked with making far-reaching budget recommendations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayors announcement comes after a bruising budget process last fall during which aldermen soundly rejected Johnsons push for a property tax increase as the mayor swore off and avoided layoffs and service cuts. Read the full story from the Tribunes Jake Sheridan. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including the state representative who spent thousands on legal fees amid a federal investigation, Walgreens settlement with the Department of Justice and a review of the complicated story on stage at Drury Lane. Todays eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History Date of Pope Francis funeral announced Pope Francis will be laid to rest Saturday after lying in state for three days in St. Peters Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to historys first Latin American pontiff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cardinals met today in the Vaticans synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peters Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. U.S. President Donald Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend, and Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected. Related: Barack Obama, JB Pritzker among Illinois leaders remembering Pope Francis In the hours following Pope Francis death yesterday, leaders from Illinois including former President Barack Obama and Gov. JB Pritzker offered their condolences and urged the world to embrace the 88-year-old pontiffs legacy of humility and compassion. Heres what they had to say. Education Department to refer student loans in default to debt collection The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said yesterday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans. State Rep. Thaddeus Jones spent thousands on legal fees amid federal investigation sources say is ongoing State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, whos also mayor of Calumet City, paid tens of thousands of dollars in the first quarter of this year to a law firm that specializes in criminal defense, records show, amid a multiyear federal investigation into tax issues involving his campaign funds that sources said is ongoing. The U.S. attorneys office more than three years ago issued a grand jury subpoena to the Illinois State Board of Elections pursuant to an official criminal investigation for records on three campaign funds controlled by Jones. No charges have been filed against Jones, but two people with knowledge of the issue said recently the investigation was still active. Walgreens to pay $300M to settle with Department of Justice over opioid allegations Walgreens Boots Alliance has agreed to pay $300 million to settle allegations that it filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances and illegally billed federal programs such as Medicare for those medications, the U.S. Department of Justice announced yesterday. Aurora Mayor-elect John Laesch announces transition team Aurora Mayor-elect John Laesch, a current city alderman at-large, announced yesterday the team of people who will help guide his transition into the mayors office. Related: Chicago White Sox fall 4-2 to Boston Red Sox as infielder Chase Meidroth heads to the injured list Chase Meidroths setback is the latest for the White Sox. Chicago Cubs pitcher Colin Rea is bringing a steadiness to the starting role as he fills a gap in the rotation Given the offensive craziness of the Chicago Cubs 13-11 win Friday, it was easy to forget that starting pitcher Colin Rea had a strong outing. White House Easter egg roll welcomes thousands Happy Easter to everyone, President Donald Trump said, flanked on the White House balcony by his wife, first lady Melania Trump, and an Easter bunny mascot. It was a beautiful day yesterday, and its a beautiful day today. We dont have to worry about sunburn but it looks like its not going to be raining. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Egg Board, which has participated in the Easter egg roll for nearly 50 years and has been a lead sponsor for the past decade, donated 30,000 eggs that were hand-dyed by board staff and volunteers, said Emily Metz, board president and CEO. Kanye West reveals past incestuous relationship with male cousin Kanye West detailed a years-long, incestuous relationship with an unnamed cousin in his latest social media post. In a post on X, Ye claims his new song Cousins is about how he and a now-incarcerated cousin sexually experimented with each other when they were children. Review: The Da Vinci Code at Drury Lane puts the complicated screenplay of the story on stage If you are a fan of the novel or the film and want to be reminded of your experience, youll likely enjoy at least some of this show, staged with an experienced cast. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Police in D.C. arrested a teenager accused of a shooting that happened in Northwest D.C. in March. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said that on March 29, 2025, officers responded to the 1200 block of 7th St. NW around 10:15 p.m. Officers found a teenager who had been shot. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Drunk driver charged in mans death, Alexandria police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MPD said that on Monday, officers arrested a 15-year-old boy of Northeast, D.C., and charged him with assault with intent to kill (gun). Anyone with any information is asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. NEW YORK, Apr. 21 (Xinhua) -- Trump administration's tariffs on imported cars and parts overshadow consumers and dealers at 2025 New York International Auto Show though some consumers' rush to purchase tariff-free automobiles drove up sales in March. POOR SALES EXPECTED AFTER NEAR-TERM BUMP The United States saw strong automobile sales in March as consumers rushed to buy before tariffs would kick in but the outlook looks gloomy afterwards. "The tariffs situation clearly has a major impact as far as affordability for customers," Mark Schienberg, chairman of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association said. "This is a real global industry, so there's not one source where parts and products come from. They come globally from all over. So, when you talk about the tariffs on it, whether you're a U.S. domestic car manufacturer, or you're an importer, you're gonna have an impact potentially on the costs of building a car. " Once the tariff kicks in, "we see a major drop off. Unfortunately, I think that we see a real cooling of the projected sales for this year," said Laura Perrotta, president of New Jersey Coalition of Automobile Retailers. "I'm afraid that we could see a real cut in overall sales for the year," Perrotta told Xinhua on the sidelines of a recent panel discussion during the 2025 New York International Auto Show from April 16 to April 27. Perrotta said it was pretty bad that sticker prices of each vehicle would increase by 2,000 U.S. dollars to 10,000 U.S. dollars due to tariffs. S&P Global Mobility downgraded its U.S. sales estimate for cars and light trucks in 2025 by a staggering 700,000 in addition to big cuts of forecasts for 2026 and 2027, according to a report on April 14. North American production is forecast to fall 1.28 million units to the range of 13.9 million to 14.2 million in 2025, according to S&P Global Mobility. "The impact of Trump's auto tariffs, in combination with the 10 percent universal tariff, has led to one of the largest single-month changes we've ever made to the forecast," wrote Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst with S&P Global Mobility. Though sales in March and April would be strong, vehicles are gonna be more expensive by June depending on the brands and the product, the supply chain "tax", according to Perrotta. "Unfortunately, the consumer is gonna end up having to eat some of the costs because I don't think the manufacturers can absorb all of it," said Perrotta. "I get material from California. I'm pretty sure they probably get it from China," Julio Palacios, a local auto parts dealer, told Xinhua. Palacios said the price might have to increase in the future as the tariff war intensifies. "I hope not, but I do believe so," he said. "We do see the impact of the tariff... A lot of people came in and bought. We haven't raised the price yet, but everything could become more expensive due to tariffs," said a Chevrolet product specialist who only gave his first name as Chris. "We have many suppliers and partners from China, so this is certainly not what we would like to see," Chris said at the auto show. Overall sales of luxury brand Porsche are still relatively stable by now, according to Dillon Newell, a product specialist from Porsche. Newell added, "But we don't rule out the possibility of price increases in the future because of parts price increases." CONSUMERS PAY THE PRICE U.S. consumers are expected to pay higher sticker prices of cars due to recently announced tariffs and they also could shun the new car market by buying pre-owned cars or taking a wait-and-see approach. "The whole tariff situation has been unnecessary and ridiculous. It's poorly thought out," said Manuel Cintron, a resident from Philadelphia, who bought a Lexus IS 500 sedan made in Japan before the Trump administration announced major tariffs on April 2. However, Cintron didn't get his favorite color of the car because he can't afford to wait for another three to four months. If it's a two or three percent tariff, he would stomach it, said Cintron. But 25 percent is very "significant", he said. Affordability is a big issue in the U.S. automobile market, according to Russell Brodin, transportation engineer from Connecticut, who visited the New York auto show on Saturday. "You could get some of the base models. Toyotas and Nissans were relatively affordable around 30, 000 USD or so. But if you want to get anything kind of decent, you're looking at 40,000 USD to 50,000 USD. I'm still paying off student debt and I have a long (time) from affording a house," Brodin told Xinhua. Brodin said he was not looking to buy a new car any time soon though has toured the annual auto show in the last five years. "I see prices probably either coming down or no one's gonna be able to afford these new cars. Everyone's gonna go back to buying old cars," said Brodin, who bought an old car on Facebook marketplace for around 5,000 to 6,000 U.S. dollars a few years ago. Brodin said tariffs would affect some of vehicle prices and the new car market was going to be tough for the next couple of years amid tariffs, consumers' indebtedness and tepid economy. "I would give it like three or four years before sales actually come back to full because of that. For my generation, we're drowning in debt. We can't buy a house. There's no way that we can go and buy a car for 50,000 U.S. dollars," said Brodin who is at the age of 28. "It's gonna be like another five to six years before I can afford a 50,000-U.S.-dallar car. And by then, they are probably worth 60,000 to 70, 000 (U.S. dollars)," Brodin added. The U.S. economy is kind of going down and tariffs won't help, added Brandon Wilson, a resident from Connecticut, who visited the auto show for the first time. Vehicles are "outrageously priced" and the impacts of tariffs have not been reflected yet, said Wilson, who just bought a car not long ago. "It's a little scary because the prices of cars are going to go up dramatically. I don't know by what percentage, depending on where the car was manufactured," said a visitor to the auto show from New York who gave his first name as Preston. "I'm not quite sure how much of the tariffs will affect every maker and model and manufacturer. We pretty much have to wait and see," said Preston, who intends to buy a Kia car. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The Trump administrations self-imposed deadline to remove the U.S. from negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war is quickly approaching. Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave both sides a matter of days to decide if peace is possible. Were hopefully moving in the right direction, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday. Leavitt said President Trump is still weighing whether to abandon peace talks with Russia and Ukraine as she confirmed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will return to Russia this week to meet again with President Putin. U.S. officials also plan to meet in London Wednesday with their Ukrainian, British and French counterparts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He [President Trump] has grown frustrated with both sides of this war, Leavitt said. They want diplomacy to work, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said of President Trump and Rubio. Democrats warn Russia is in no rush because this is giving its troops battlefield advantage and momentum to capture more Ukrainian land. The administrations been suckered into believing Vladimir Putin, said U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Warner stressed President Putin has no interest in a truce. If America walks away, I think Putin will feel they have an even freer hand to try to take back more territory from Ukraine and ultimately dictate terms, Warner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration would not say whether the threat to end negotiations in a matter of days would also mean an end to overall support for Ukraine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Tuesday is the last day you can register to vote in Goddards massive school bond election. Click here to register. USD 265 wants voters to pass a $196 million bond to meet the needs of its growing student body. The district wants to build two elementary schools and turn Oak Street Elementary into an early learning center. The district also needs to fund security, roofs, HVAC, asphalt paving, and new lighting. Kansas measles outbreak: Governor to provide update today in Garden City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election Day is May 13. You can read more about the districts bond on its website. USD 265 District Map For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) A tranquilizer that was originally developed for large animals like elephants has become a dangerous opioid on the Western Slope. The synthetic drug is carfentanil, and it has become a growing threat to public health and safety, according to the Grand Junction Police Department. GJPD is now partnering with Facing Fentanyl to bring awareness to the increase of carfentanil in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Facing Fentanyl is a subsidiary of Voices for Awareness Foundation, headquartered in Grand Junction. The organization is an advocate for prevention, education and policy change. Executive Director and Founder Andrea Thomas has experienced loss from the opioid crisis. Her daughter died in 2018 from fentanyl. Thomas now works to make sure others dont suffer the same pain she suffered. This drug does not discriminate, said Thomas. This crisis is happening in our neighborhoods, our schools and our homes. Its everywhere. Western Colorado Drug Task Force has seen an increase in carfentanil. Its considered a substance 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A tiny amount of carfentanil smaller than a grain of salt can be deadly, according to GJPD. Not surprisingly, carfentanil is not approved for human consumption. The opioid is mixed into other drugs or disguised in counterfeit pills that look like prescription medications, like oxycodone, the police department said. The Colorado Bureau of Investigations has identified the presence of carfentanil in illicit pills that previously only contained fentanyl. In March, Western Colorado Drug Task Force detectives responded to four overdose deaths that are believed to be linked to carfentanil and fentanyl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The emergence of this powerful drug in Western Colorado, coupled with the rising trend, is cause for concern. Law enforcement officers, paramedics, and laboratory personnel now face increased risk, as carfentanil can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, depending on its form. It has been found in various forms, including pills, powder, spray, patches and paper, GJPD said in the release. The police department asks the community to identify the signs of overdose, know the risks of fentanyl and have conversations with loved ones about the dangers of illicit drugs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Death should not be seen as the end of life but as the beginning of eternity, Pope Francis said in words he wrote only days before his final hospitalisation in the preface to a book due to be published this week. The 88-year old pontiff died on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, ending an often turbulent reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised. The pontiff spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year for double pneumonia. But he returned to his Vatican home almost a month ago and had appeared to be recovering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something. It is a new beginning... because eternal life, which those who love already begin to experience on earth, is the beginning of something that will never end," Francis wrote in the book on old age by Italian cardinal Angelo Scola. "For this reason, that (death) is a 'new' beginning, because we will live something we have never fully lived before: eternity," he added. Francis, the first Latin American head of the Roman Catholic Church, had repeatedly said during his pontificate that death was not a topic that should be avoided. In a message to young people gathering in Mexico City in 2019, he said "the question of death is the question of life", emphasising that facing the topic helped people to truly appreciate the value of life. (Reporting by Giulia Segreti; Editing by Gareth Jones) YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) On Thursday, April 3, 2025, surrounded by the love and light of her family Deborah Lynne Green-Mose, Debbie, 67, (or Deb or ah as she says it), made her earthly transition back to our Heavenly Father and her ancestors who were awaiting her arrival. Debbie was born on June 28, 1957, in Youngstown, Ohio, a daughter of the late Claud O. Green, Sr. and Doretha Matthews-Green. Find obituaries from your high school Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Debbie was a 1975 graduate of North High School and she had also attended Youngstown State University. She was formerly employed by the U.S. Postal Service. She later served The Lord though her work as one of the most kind, caring and compassionate nurses assistant God could give. She truly loved caring for people. She spent some of her years caring for patients in nursing homes and her last 15 years at St. Elizabeths Hospital until God saw fit to retire her early in 2017. Debbie was a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan, so much that her favorite colors are black n yellow, black n yellow. Debbie enjoyed bingo and had fun at the casino. She loved gospel concerts, going to plays and of course shes been to plenty of Steelers vs Browns games. Deborah loved her family and she loved being with her family. She loved to serve us through food. Deborah was an excellent cook, perfect in the kitchen. She was so proud of ever dish she made. And we all know Debbie aint burn no chicken. Full of personality she loves a good laugh or a funny prank. Deborah was so full of love and she loved The Lord. Even when she couldnt say anything else she could say I just love you and THANK YOU GOD. Debbie leaves to cherish her beautiful memories, a son, Paul (Cushena) Weston; two daughters, Doretha Weston and Johneice Green; a stepson, Morgan Francis and a stepdaughter, Miko Francis, both of Houston, Texas; four brothers, John (Sonya), Dwayne, Alex and Andre Green; three sisters, Patricia Dawson, Cynthia Green-Berger and Carolyn Green; a stepsister, Catasha Garrett; two grandsons, KaRon and Paul; ten granddaughters, Jameese, Jaylen, Madison, Jalayah, Keysharrah, Miami, Elizabeth, Javon, Morgan and Ronnie and two great-granddaughters, JaMari and Ashlee. Debbie also leaves her aunt and uncles and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who she all loved dearly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proceeding Deborah in her transition are her parents; her stepmother, Marias E. Green; her first husband, Ronald C. Mose; her sisters, Cheryl Ann Green and JoAnn Sutton; her brothers, James, Jesse, Claud, Jr., Ellis and Anthony Green; maternal and paternal grandparents and the love of her life, Leonard Hightower, Sr. Humbly submitted by Deborahs family. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 23, 1:00 p.m. at Antioch Baptist Church, 110 Funston Street, Youngstown, OH 44510. Arrangements handled by L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deborah Lynn Green-Mose, please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Wednesday, April 23 at the following approximate times: 5:17 a.m. on WKBN, 8:39 a.m. on FOX, 5:21 p.m. on WYTV and 6:35 p.m. on MyYTV. 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. The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said Monday. Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans. The Trump administration s announcement marks an end to a period of leniency that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. No federal student loans have been referred for collection since March 2020, including those in default. Under President Joe Biden, the Education Department tried multiple times to forgive millions of peoples student loans, only to be stopped by courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said. Beginning May 5, the department will begin involuntary collection through the Treasury Departments offset program, which withholds payments from the government including tax refunds, federal salaries and other benefits from people with past-due debts to the government. After a 30-day notice, the department will also begin garnishing wages for borrowers in default. The decision to send debt to collections drew criticism from advocates. This is cruel, unnecessary and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country, said Mike Pierce, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, many borrowers have been bracing for obligations coming due. In 2020, President Donald Trump paused federal student loan payments and interest accrual as a temporary relief measure for student borrowers. The pause in payments was extended multiple times by the Biden administration through 2023, and a final grace period for loan repayments ended in October 2024. That meant tens of millions of Americans had to start making payments again. Borrowers who dont make payments for nine months go into default, which is reported on their credit scores and can go to collections. In addition to the borrowers already in default, around another 4 million are between 91 to 180 days late on their loan payments. Less than 40% of all borrowers are current on their student loans, department officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For borrowers in default, one step to avoid wage garnishment is to get into loan rehabilitation, said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute for Student Loan Advisors. Borrowers need to ask their loan servicer to be placed into a loan rehabilitation program. Typically, servicers ask for proof of income and expenses to calculate a payment amount. Once a borrower has paid on time for nine months in a row, they are taken out of default, Mayotte said. A loan rehabilitation can only be done once. Biden oversaw the cancellation of student loans for more than 5 million borrowers. Despite the Supreme Courts rejection of his signature proposal for broad relief, he waived more than $183.6 billion in student loans through expanded forgiveness programs. In her statement Monday, McMahon said Biden had gone too far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment both for the sake of their own financial health and our nations economic outlook, she said. More national news DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) The Decatur City Council discussed whether or not they want to keep the states 1% grocery tax, even with Governor J.B. Pritzker signing a bill into law, sunsetting the sales tax on grocery items to be consumed off-premises. After much discussion back and forth Monday evening, the council eventually voted 6-1 to keep the states 1% grocery tax. During the meeting, several council members stressed that this is not a new tax its simply a change in who collects the tax. Previously, Illinois would collect the tax money and write the city a check. Now, Decatur will collect the tax money directly. Decatur Police ask for help in search for missing man Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City officials in favor of the grocery tax said they feel that keeping it could benefit the community and people who call Decatur home. Right now, its estimated that the city receives approximately $2.7 million per year from the 1% grocery tax. By eliminating the grocery tax, council members said other programs could see cuts. But others feel they are being taxed enough already. Philip Craig, the Neimanns store director in Decatur, is worried there could be negative long-term effects on his customers if it is kept. Illinois Secretary of State Office supporting schools with $1.3M library grant No customers, doors will be shut, Craig said. On this side of the community, everyone walks here. No one has a vehicle. If you do the tax, people wont shop here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in the meeting, a vote to table the discussion until September failed 5-2. The council members who voted to table the discussion argued that the community was not given enough notice about the vote, and that Decaturs taxes are already high enough. They also argued that since a decision is due in October, discussing the grocery tax again in September will give the City Council enough time to come to a conclusion. Decatur native announced as citys next Chief of Police City Manager Tim Gleason said the approximately $2.7 million will be used for community and neighborhood revitalization. Several other cities in Central Illinois are debating whether the tax should stay or go. Mahomets Village Board is voting on it on Tuesday night. In Vermilion County, Tilton and Danville leaders passed their own grocery tax initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. (Photo by Antonio Cotrim - Pool/Getty Images) After weeks at deaths door and just hours before his demise, Pope Francis on Easter Sunday met with Vice President J.D. Vance of Ohio. Vance hadnt been scheduled for an official visit with the pontiff, and the meeting called attention to an issue that has divided Catholics and prominent Republicans in Ohio since last summer immigration. Francis, 88, died of a stroke early Monday. Last month, he was discharged from the hospital after a severe health crisis that included pneumonia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had clashed for years with President Donald Trump over Trumps treatment of immigrants. In 2016, just after saying mass on the Mexican side of its border with the United States, Francis said that anyone who advocates building walls is not Christian. The Vatican later denied that the remark was directed at Trump, but the president has steadfastly advocated for a wall as he repeats false claims about migrants. While Trump has pushed for a wall, Francis fought just as hard on behalf of migrants from the time he became pope in 2013. During that time, anti-immigrant rhetoric around the world has grown, while the number of forcibly displaced people has more than doubled, to 120 million, USA Today reported Monday. In a 2015 speech to Congress, the pope implored lawmakers to help those crossing the southern border fleeing persecution and seeking opportunity. Is this not what we want for our own children? Francis asked. We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation. To respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal. We need to avoid a common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome. Let us remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He reiterated those sentiments in Sundays Easter message. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God! it said. Those words stand in stark contrast to the words and actions of Trump and his administration. He has referred to immigrants as not human and animals who are poisoning the blood of the United States. Trump and his allies have referred to undocumented crossings as an invasion even after the rhetoric helped spur a racist mass murder in El Paso in 2019. Trump now is deporting or trying to deport hundreds of thousands who came legally using the CBP One app, as well as unknown numbers of foreign university students. Hes also dusted off a law not used since World War II to accuse undocumented migrants of gang affiliations and deport them to a notorious Salvadorean prison. The president has ignored court orders related to the latter deportations, and appears headed for a showdown with the U.S. Supreme Court in the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is also trying to end temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants, including many Haitians in Springfield. As the Caribbean nation has descended into chaos, those in the United States are terrified of being forced to return. But during a debate last summer, Trump repeated the racist lie that Haitians in Springfield were stealing their neighbors pets. In Springfield, they are eating the dogs, he said. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. Theyre eating they are eating the pets of the people that live there. In the ensuing furor, dozens of bomb threats were made against public buildings, including elementary schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a U.S. Senator representing Ohio, those threats jeopardized Vances constituents. But he repeated the lies even after his staff knew they were untrue. The episode divided some Ohio Republicans who also happened to be Catholic. Vance became one in 2019. Gov. Mike DeWine is a lifelong Catholic who has stayed all executions since taking office and signed a harsh anti-abortion bill into law. During last years firestorm in Springfield, the governor criticized Trump and Vance in the New York Times. I am saddened by how they and others continue to repeat claims that lack evidence and disparage the legal migrants living in Springfield, DeWine wrote. This rhetoric hurts the city and its people, and it hurts those who have spent their lives there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than two months later, Trump and Vance won the election. Then in January, the president of Haitis transitional presidential council met with Pope Francis at the Vatican and then said Trumps planned deportations and aid cuts would be calamitous for his country. In February, Francis wrote a letter to U.S. bishops saying that Trump would create a major crisis with the mass deportations he planned. The pope also slammed the interpretation of Catholic theology Vance used to justify them. Vance had invoked the doctrine ordo amoris to claim that one should think of family, then community, then country ahead of the rest of the world. The pope said that was wrong. He noted that Jesus himself was forced to seek refuge in a foreign land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jesus Christ did not live apart from the difficult experience of being expelled from his own land because of an imminent risk to his life, and from the experience of having to take refuge in a society and a culture foreign to his own, Francis said in his letter. He added that people should consider all as being part of their families and communities. The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the Good Samaritan that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception, the pope said. He then sank into a 38-day hospitalization. Then he rallied, defied doctors orders and spent a busy Easter Sunday, the most important day on the Christian calendar. And he made room for a brief meeting with Vance as one of his last acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coming a day after the popes lieutenants said they talked to Vance about difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners, the meeting seemed intended to send a message. Pope Francis gave JD Vance a serious lesson just hours before he died, was the title of a column Hafiz Rashid wrote in The New Republic. Vance honored the pontiff after his passing in a post on X. But he made no mention of migrants. I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him, he said. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But Ill always remember him for the homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul. For his part, DeWine acknowledged the popes relentless advocacy for migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was an inspiration to us and to millions around the world, DeWine said in a written statement. His genuine love of and devotion to all people the poor, the unborn, those without a home, those emigrating to build a better life for themselves and their families, those of all faiths, and those with no faith was evidenced to the world from the day he was selected to serve as Pope until his last public appearance on Easter Sunday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (WFRV) A Wisconsin man pled guilty on Monday to one count of possessing chemical weapon precursors, which he intended to use to defeat the government if it came for his guns. Richard G. Frohling, the Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that James Morgan pled guilty, as he held chemicals which could create chlorine gas with no intent for peaceful use. Wisconsin teen pleads guilty in series of burglaries at Amish businesses Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents say that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) initiated a search warrant at his storage unit on December 21, 2023, which revealed the presence of the precursor chemicals. Morgan previously studied chemistry while at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, describing himself as a weapon designer without a need for conventional weaponry. Morgan showed the chemicals on video, saying they were for making high amounts of chlorine at a quick rate. In addition, he had messages in 2022 that said it was scary, and that the chemicals produce a lot of chlorine gas which effective if your enemy is not ready for it. He also sent links for purchasing them, discussing how much was needed to quickly produce a lot of gas. In 2023, he had promoted plans to defeat the government if it came for his guns, doing so by producing a large amount of chlorine he said could be used against roughly 20 government agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin DOR agent solves property fraud case worth over $800k, restores inheritance to rightful owner FBI laboratory officials determined these chemicals could produce high amounts of chlorine that could cause quick and dangerous health effects, including death. Morgan faces up to life in prison with potential fines up to $250,000. Multiple agencies investigated the case, including the FBI, Janesville and Whitewater Police Departments. Morgan was also convicted in the Western District of Wisconsin for possessing destructive devices. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. TAIYUAN, April 22 (Xinhua) -- From jagged craters to golden wheat fields, China's scarred mining landscapes are undergoing an ecological revolution. In Xinanyu Village, north China's Shanxi Province, a once-barren refractory clay quarry is now fertile farmland -- a testament to the nation's multipronged strategy to heal nearly 300,000 hectares of abandoned mines since 2016. "Five years ago, this site resembled a bombed battlefield, bedrock exposed, soil erosion rampant," recalled Ma Baosheng from Yangquan City's natural resources bureau, standing amid restored cropland. His city, part of Shanxi's coal belt, has transformed multiple derelict mines through targeted engineering and ecological zoning. Official figures show that Shanxi has invested a total of 2.076 billion yuan (about 288 million U.S. dollars) to rehabilitate 2,400 sites totaling 6,900 hectares, stabilizing slopes, rebuilding topsoil, and curbing geological hazards on those lands. The rehabilitation process exemplifies China's science-driven restoration model. Tailored approaches such as engineering interventions for severe degradation zones and nature-based recovery for less damaged areas were adopted. China's ecological overhaul extends beyond physical restoration. A policy revolution began in 2019 when the Ministry of Natural Resources introduced mechanisms to explore market-based approaches to promote mine ecological restoration, which was amplified by 2021's private capital incentives by the State Council. A total of 49 pilot projects under this model now demonstrate how former environmental liabilities can become carbon sinks or solar farms. Geological engineer Hu Haifeng from Taiyuan University of Technology explained the technical nuances: "For high-risk sites, we deploy slope terracing and vegetative reinforcement. In areas like some abandoned mines, adaptive reuse such as agritourism hubs can generate new economic value." "These sites were ecological debts," said Ma, gesturing towards newly planted saplings. "Now they're appreciating assets, feeding communities and sequestering carbon." Advocating for migrants was one of Pope Francis' top priorities. His papacy saw a refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, skyrocketing numbers of migrants in the Americas, and declining public empathy that led to increasingly restrictive policies around the world. Francis repeatedly took up the plight of migrants from bringing asylum-seekers to the Vatican with him from overcrowded island camps to denouncing border initiatives of U.S. President Donald Trump. On the day before his death, Francis briefly met with Vice President JD Vance, with whom he had tangled long-distance over deportation plans. Some memorable moments when Francis spoke out to defend migrants: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement July 8, 2013, Lampedusa, Italy For his first pastoral visit outside Rome following his election, Francis traveled to the Italian island of Lampedusa a speck in the Mediterranean whose proximity to North Africa put it on the front line of many smuggling routes and deadly shipwrecks. Meeting migrants who had been in Libya, he decried their suffering and denounced the globalization of indifference that met those who risked their lives trying to reach Europe. A decade later, in a September 2023 visit to the multicultural French port of Marseille, Francis again blasted the fanaticism of indifference toward migrants as European policymakers doubled down on borders amid the rise of the anti-immigration far-right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement April 16, 2016, Lesbos, Greece Francis traveled to the Greek island of Lesbos at the height of a refugee crisis in which hundreds of thousands of people arrived after fleeing civil war in Syria and other conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia. He brought three Muslim families to Italy on the papal plane. Rescuing those 12 Syrians from an overwhelmed island camp was a drop of water in the sea. But after this drop, the sea will never be the same, Francis said. During his hospitalization in early 2025, one of those families that settled in Rome said Francis didn't just change their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wanted to begin a global dialogue to let world leaders know that even an undocumented migrant is not something to fear, said Hasan Zaheda. His wife, Nour Essa, added: He fought to broadcast migrant voices, to explain that migrants in the end are just human beings who have suffered in wars. The news of Francis' death shocked the family and they mourned with the whole of humanity, Zaheda said. In December 2021, Francis again had a dozen asylum-seekers brought to Italy, this time following his visit to Cyprus. Feb. 17, 2016, at the US-Mexico border Celebrating a Mass near the U.S. border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, that was beamed live to neighboring El Paso, Texas, Francis prayed for open hearts when faced with the human tragedy that is forced migration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Answering a reporters question while flying back to Rome, Francis said a person who advocates building walls is not Christian. Trump, at the time a presidential candidate, was campaigning to do just that, and responded that it was disgraceful to question a persons faith. He criticized the pope for not understanding the danger of the open border that we have with Mexico. Oct. 24, 2021, Vatican City As pressures surged in Italy and elsewhere in Europe to crack down on illegal migration, Francis made an impassioned plea to end the practice of returning those people rescued at sea to Libya and other unsafe countries where they suffer inhumane violence. He called detention facilities in Libya true concentration camps. From there, thousands of migrants are taken by traffickers on often unseaworthy vessels. The Mediterranean Sea has become the worlds largest migrant grave with more than 30,000 deaths since 2014, when the International Organization for Migrations Missing Migrants Project began counting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Feb. 12, 2025, Vatican City After Trump returned to the White House in part by riding a wave of public anger at illegal immigration, Francis assailed U.S. plans for mass deportations, calling them a disgrace. With Trump making a flurry of policy changes cracking down on immigration practices, Francis wrote to U.S. bishops and warned that deportations will end badly. The act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. border czar Tom Homan immediately pushed back, noting the Vatican is a city-state surrounded by walls and that Francis should leave border enforcement to his office. When Vance visited over Easter weekend, he first met with the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Afterward, the Holy See reaffirmed cordial relations and common interests, but noted an exchange of opinions over current international conflicts, migrants and prisoners. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. After news broke of Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg being inadvertently added to a high security Signal group chat near the end of March, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is coming under scrutiny again because of how hes using the app. Citing anonymous sources, The New York Times reported on Sunday that Hegseth sent the same information to a separate group chat called Defense | Team Huddle. But this time, the group members contained his wife and a dozen other people from his personal and professional life. The group chat was allegedly a forum for discussing routine administrative or scheduling information, and people in the group said Hegseth typically did not use the chat to discuss sensitive military operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Times reportedly reached out to a U.S. official over the accusations, and they maintained there was no national security breach. The truth is that there is an informal group chat that started before confirmation of his closest advisers, the official said, per The New York Times. Nothing classified was ever discussed on that chat. Hegseth calls the accusation a hoax At the White House Easter egg roll on Monday, a reporter asked Hegseth if he had anything hed like to say about the Signal chat controversy. Standing with his children, Hegseth replied, What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out from the same media that peddled the Russia hoax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what the media does, he said. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations. Not going to work with me. Because were changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of warfighters, and anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news dont matter. Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon: I wouldnt tolerate it if I was in charge Asked by a White House pool reporter Monday to respond to accusations that Hegseth created an unauthorized group chat and shared classified information with family members, President Donald Trump said, Here we go again. Just a waste of time. He is doing a great job, Trump said. The reporter asked, Why do you still have confidence? and the president responded, Because hes doing a great job. Ask the Houthis how hes doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the chairman of the HASC Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies and Innovation, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., had a different take. If its true that he had another (Signal) chat with his family, about the missions against the Houthis, its totally unacceptable, Bacon said on Monday. He continued, Im not in the White House, and Im not going to tell the White House how to manage this but I find it unacceptable, and I wouldnt tolerate it if I was in charge." Bacon added that he believes theres a meltdown going on at the Pentagon, per reporting by Politico reporter Rachel Bade. Theres a lot a lot of smoke come out of the Pentagon, and I got to believe theres some fire there somewhere, he said. Pochta Rossii (Russian Post), Russia's national postal operator, has switched to manual letter sorting and mail deliveries are being delayed for a month or more, even within the same region. Source: Russian newspaper Parlamentskaya Gazeta; independent Amsterdam-based news outlet The Moscow Times Details: The situation has arisen because some foreign-made equipment has stopped working as a result of Western sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So far, not all the logistics equipment in sorting centres has been replaced with Russian equipment," Alan Kozonov, Deputy CEO of Russian Post, told the Federation Council (the upper chamber of the Russian parliament) at a meeting on 21 April. "The existing machinery is regularly blocked remotely by foreign companies or breaks down, and finding spare parts is becoming increasingly challenging." Kozonov added that the largest sorting centre, located in the city of Podolsk near Moscow, is currently operating manually, The Moscow Times reported. The newspaper notes that to resume full operations, Russian Post needs to replace the out-of-order Western equipment with Russian-made machinery, but there is an insufficient supply of domestic equivalents. Parlamentskaya Gazeta noted that delays in letter delivery have affected senior Russian officials, parliamentarians, and even its own editorial staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Chinese nationals have begun actively smuggling body armour, tactical backpacks, military uniforms and other equipment from Russia in order to study them and produce cheaper replicas. To do so, they exploit various loopholes, particularly within postal service operations. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Willie Phillips, a Democratic member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), has stepped down apparently at the behest of the White House. Phillips told Politico the Trump administration had asked him to step down. I heard from the White House, and they expressed their interest that I step aside, he told the news outlet. Its something thats not a surprise to me. In fact, I had already planned to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Christie, the Republican who chairs the commission, announced in a statement that Phillips was leaving the FERC, which operates somewhat independently from the administration. Willie has been a good friend for whom I have tremendous respect and affection. He is a dedicated and selfless public servant, Christie said in a statement. He and I worked together on many contentious issues to find common ground and get things done to serve the public interest. We will miss him here at FERC. I wish him and his family the very best for future success and I am confident he will continue to be successful in whatever career path he chooses, he added. The FERC is an agency that regulates cross-state energy pipelines and power lines as well as gas export terminals. The commission has up to five members, and no more than three of them can belong to the same party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commissions members are nominated by the president and confirmed for five-year terms. Phillipss term was expected to last until mid-2026. Prior to his departure, the commission had three Democrats and two Republicans. Now that Phillips is gone, the commission is split 2-2, and President Trump can nominate a Republican to fill the vacancy. A White House spokesperson confirmed Phillipss departure, but the White House did not comment on whether it asked him to leave. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Apr. 21OLYMPIA Faced with a looming deadline, the Washington Senate passed a trio of bills over the weekend that would raise the capital gains tax on financial assets above $1 million a year, close certain tax exemptions and expand the sales and tobacco taxes. The legislation is part of a slate of tax increases Democrats unveiled last week as the state works to close an estimated $15 billion budget deficit. As legislators released the new revenue plan last week, Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, vice chair for finance of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, said the proposals find "a balance to meet our short-term need of addressing the budget shortfall and protecting the critical services on which our communities rely, as well as our long-term goal of reforming our outdated, unfair tax code." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bills passed the Senate this weekend along nearly party lines, with Republicans universally opposing the measures. Each bill the Senate passed this weekend received a hearing in the House Finance Committee on Monday morning and could be voted out of committee Tuesday. The largest piece of new revenue is a bill Democrats say would "modernize" the state's sales tax and bring in a projected $2.9 billion over the next two years and $4.7 billion over four years. The sales tax would be expanded to cover software development and other information technology services. The state's tobacco tax would expand to cover nicotine pouches, such as Zyn. Sen. Marko Liias, D-Mukilteo, said Saturday that the state's sales tax has not been adjusted to keep up with a shift from a goods-based economy to a services-based economy. "The folks that can only afford to buy goods still pay, but the folks who can afford to pay for services increasingly are not," Liias said. "We are modernizing that with this bill." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A proposal to raise the capital gains tax on assets over $1 million and bring in approximately $282 million over the next two years and $561 million over four years also has found support among Senate Democrats. Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Federal Way, said the bill would "move us in the right direction towards tax fairness." "The impact of the modifications of the capital gains and estate taxes will impact only a small portion of the wealthy people in our state," Wilson said. The Senate also adopted a bill to repeal tax exemptions where the "public policy objective was not met" or the exemption is "legally obsolete." Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, said the legislation is "what responsible government efficiency looks like." "A thoughtful and better result," Salomon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the exemptions targeted to be removed is one on the international business and occupation tax credit and the dentistry prepayment insurance premiums tax exemption. Tax exemptions listed to end in the bill were previously identified by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. Following Saturday's votes, Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, the Senate Republican budget leader, said the three bills "are just part of the Democrats' effort to impose the largest tax increase in state history on the people of Washington." Senate Republicans attempted to bring their budget proposal to a vote on Saturday , saying the state can adopt a balanced budget and fund major programs without new taxes. The effort failed. "I realize our budget may not fully satisfy some of the special interests that are looking to the majority to deliver, but our plan respects the taxpayers and with eight days left in this session, it also offers the surest way to finish our work on time," Gildon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, the Republican's assistant budget leader, said the revenue proposals supported by Democrats will "take more money from the people who can least afford to lose it." With less than a week before the Legislature is set to adjourn, the House also is considering tax increases. The House Finance committee heard four other tax proposals on Saturday, which include increasing the state's business and occupation tax, and could bring the proposals to a full vote Monday evening. Still, it's unclear which of the proposals the Legislature will consider this week will ultimately make it over the finish line or how much they could raise. While Gov. Bob Ferguson has indicated he would not support an all-cuts budget, he has not said which tax he prefers, or how much new revenue he would support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferguson previously proposed approximately $4 billion in spending cuts on top of roughly $3 billion in cuts identified by former Gov. Jay Inslee. Citing concern over how the federal administration could impact the state, Ferguson released a statement on Thursday following the unveiling of the Democrats' revenue proposals that said in part that "raising $12 billion in taxes is unsustainable, too risky and fails to adequately prepare Washington state for the crisis that looms ahead." Ferguson added that the Legislature had made "progress on key issues" in the updated revenue proposals. "We will continue to work together to produce a budget that supports a strong economy, and the people of Washington," Ferguson said Thursday. The Legislature faces a Sunday deadline to adopt a budget to avoid a special session. WASHINGTON Key Democrats sent scathing letters to five prominent law firms demanding details on the lucrative deals they cut with President Donald Trump to avoid being attacked by him, accusing them of being complicit in his efforts to break laws. We write today regarding President Trumps April 11, 2025, announcement that Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Cadwalader) reached an agreement with President Trump in order to avoid executive orders targeted at your firm, reads a letter to one of these firms, from Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Your capitulation puts you in the distasteful company of several other large law firms who have decided to permit President Trump to suppress their speech and dictate who they can and cannot take as clients in blatant violation of the rights guaranteed to all Americans by the First, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments of the United States Constitution, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your agreement makes you complicit in efforts to undermine the rule of law and to turn private attorneys into President Trumps personal law firm, ready to do whatever he decides, they continue. The American people and Congress deserve transparency with respect to the Presidents ongoing assault on constitutional rights and the rule of law. Cadwalader is one of nine top law firms that have collectively agreed to provide Trump with nearly $1 billion in free legal services, in exchange for the president not abusing his power to punish them by stripping them of federal contracts or security clearances for employees. Trump announced his deals with five of these firms earlier this month. Raskin and Blumenthal said Tuesday that they wrote to five of these firms last Friday, demanding details relating to who facilitated the deals they cut with Trump and what terms they agreed to. They give the firms until April 28 to provide responses to the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Raskin and Blumenthal are the top Democrats on these committees, respectively. The law firms who received this letter are Cadwalader, A&O Shearman, Latham & Watkins LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To date, they have not publicly commented on their deals with the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a copy of the letter to Cadwalader: None of the five firms that received Democrats letter has actually been targeted by Trumps executive actions. They are preemptively caving to his demands out of fear that he could come after them and hurt their bottom lines in the same way hes been seeking retribution against other law firms that he views as his political enemies. In February, Trump announced he was suspending security clearances for certain lawyers at Covington & Burling LLP, in addition to terminating the firms federal contracts. He tied his actions to the fact that this firm previously provided free legal counsel to former special counsel Jack Smith, who brought criminal charges against Trump in his first term. Trump has since suspended security clearances, terminated federal contracts, banned from entering federal buildings or banned hiring employees from Perkins Coie LLP, which he attacked over its diversity, equity and inclusion policies; from the Paul Weiss law firm, which brought legal actions against Jan. 6 defendants; from Jenner & Block, which he attacked for hiring former FBI general counsel Andrew Weissmann after he played a role in the 2016 Trump-Russia investigation; and from WilmerHale, as punishment for its connections to former special counsel Robert Mueller, who oversaw the 2016 Trump-Russia investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their letters, Blumenthal and Raskin, a former constitutional law professor, essentially tell the law firms they know better to not do what theyre doing. Trumps actions clearly violate the First Amendment by trying to penalize lawyers for the causes and clients they represent, they said, and even former President John Adams, who was also an attorney, defended British soldiers accused of participating in the Boston Massacre. Like so many attorneys since then, Adams did not shrink from taking on unpopular clients and defending them against the governments prosecution because he firmly believed that everyone had the right to a lawyer and a fair trial, so he willingly agreed to represent the soldiers even if it meant risking his reputation, they said. As far as we can tell from public reports, these executive orders have turned into an illegal shakedown of the legal profession. CAIRO, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The unilateral protectionist policies adopted by the United States, particularly those related to tariffs, are harming the global economy, impacting international supply chains and unsettling financial markets, an Egyptian economist has said. The tariffs imposed by Trump administration -- whether on its allies or so-called adversaries -- are likely to drive up operating and production costs for businesses worldwide, as well as disrupt the established global supply chains, Karim Adel, head of the Cairo-based Al Adl Center for Economic and Strategic Studies, told Xinhua in a recent interview. For example, Egypt, whose economy relies on industries that require the import of raw, semifinished, or manufactured materials, is likely to be seriously affected due to rising costs, he noted. However, he pointed out that Egypt still has the opportunity to mitigate the severity of the U.S. measures by strengthening partnerships with countries like China. Noting that Egypt and China have strong and fruitful bilateral ties and enjoy a positive momentum of cooperation across numerous sectors, Adel said the current global economic situation could be an opportunity to boost bilateral cooperation even further. He expects China to be seeking such enhanced cooperation in the coming period, especially considering its significant investments and business operations within the Suez Canal Economic Zone and various other Egyptian cities. Through frameworks like the Belt and Road Initiative and BRICS, China's substantial economic capabilities can help bolster the resilience of numerous other countries in defusing trade and financial crises stemming from the unilateral measures of the United States, Adel said. He suggested that economies around the world, particularly those in the Global South, proactively strengthen their cooperation efforts to mitigate the potential adverse impact of Trump's actions. Democrats efforts to land on a winning message against President Donald Trump have led the party to consider how fully to embrace a new, politically complex cause: pressuring the administration to follow a Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The party has uniformly spoken in support of Abrego Garcias right to due process after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador last month. But some have expressed concern in recent days over how it has conveyed the nuances of their argument that a violation of one persons due process rights regardless of their personal backstory or legal status threatens everyone in the US. And as Democrats look to take back power in Washington, starting with next years midterm elections, how that message is received by voters matters. Democrats whove urged a different approach say they worry that the party isnt doing enough to broaden the due process argument beyond Abrego Garcias case. Others have argued its a distraction from more politically salient messages on the economy that shifts the conversation to immigration, where Trump holds an advantage with voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an aggressive push to keep the issue alive and raise pressure on the administration, Democratic lawmakers including Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen and a quartet of House progressives recently traveled to El Salvador to visit Abrego Garcia, who has been held in Salvadoran prisons since his deportation last month, and pushed for his release. They join others who have rejected the counter argument from members of their own party, who say the due process argument comes with political risks. Kilmar Abrego Garcia is shown in an undated photo provided by CASA, an immigrant advocacy organization, in April 2025. - CASA/AP We as Democrats should fight for due process not because it polls well, not because its been focus grouped, but because fighting for due process is the right thing to do, Rep. Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat, said in an interview. Under legislation Torres introduced last month, the US government would be required to punish foreign countries if they dont return migrants who a court has ruled were improperly deported. On Monday, Democratic Reps. Maxwell Frost of Florida, Robert Garcia of California, Yassamin Ansari of Arizona and Maxine Dexter of Oregon arrived in El Salvador to, as they put it, bring attention to President Trumps illegal defiance of the binding and unanimous Supreme Court decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a press conference there, Frost said he was in El Salvador because hed received hundreds and hundreds of calls and emails from his constituents. I represent a lot of immigrants. I represent a lot of people who see themselves represented in this situation, Frost said later in an interview with Fox News on Monday. Theyre saying, Congressman, do what you can now because its him today, and it can be one of us tomorrow. Clear agendas Republicans have been quick to frame Democrats defense of Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Salvadoran national and Maryland resident who entered the country illegally over a decade ago, as a sign the Democrats are more committed to protecting migrants than American citizens. In a bid to shift public opinion around Abrego Garcia, the administration has pointed to a 2021 protective order his wife filed accusing him of domestic violence that was later dropped, a 2022 traffic stop that an officer described as a suspected human trafficking incident, as well as allegations from a law enforcement informant that he is a member of the gang MS-13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcias wife and lawyer maintain he does not have ties to MS-13. The Maryland man has no criminal record in the United States, according to court documents. Last month, Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvadors notorious CECOT prison, despite a 2019 order preventing him from being sent to the country due to a risk of persecution. The administration called his deportation an administrative error and has openly defied the Supreme Courts order to facilitate his return. During a recent White House press briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was joined by Patty Morin, the mother of Rachel Morin, a Maryland woman who was raped and murdered by a fugitive from El Salvador in a 2023 case unrelated to Abrego Garcia. They have also sought to use social media, zeroing in on images of Van Hollen meeting with Abrego Garcia at the senators hotel, where the lawmaker said wait staff placed salt-rimmed glasses on the table to make it appear the pair were drinking margaritas. After the four progressive lawmakers announced theyd arrived in El Salvador, House Republicans campaign arm labeled the Maryland man Democrats new poster child. The NRCC also offered to pay for Democrats round-trip airfare to El Salvador if they livestream their trips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Democrats have proven they care more about illegal immigrant gang bangers than American families, National Republican Campaign Committee spokesperson Mike Marinella said in a statement. Their agenda is clear: Elevate criminals. Abandon Americans. Matt Bennett, the co-founder of Third Way, a center-left think tank, said the Abrego Garcia case was a tough and complicated cause for Democrats to take up, but [Trump] thumbing his nose at the court is a pretty safe place for Democrats to land politically. I know that the Republicans the Trump administration and the NRCC and others believe that this is a winner for them, and Im not sure theyre right, Bennett said. I think that Americans are uneasy with a president that is acting in ways that are so clearly unlawful. On the other end of the Democratic spectrum, Adam Green, the co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, said Trump had personalized one of the partys key 2024 issues: defending democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the downside of talking about democracy in 2024 is that it wasnt a kitchen table issue, Trump has created an issue that literally whisks parents away from a kitchen table to a gulag in a foreign country with no due process, Green said. Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, speaks during a news conference at CASA's Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, Maryland on April 4, 2025. - Jose Luis Magana/AP A debate over distractions But one Democratic strategist who works with candidates in districts Trump won expressed concern that the nuances of the constitutional rights argument would get lost. The strategist, who asked for anonymity to speak candidly, said Democrats should stand up for due process when asked about it, but that the volume of attention focused on the current case makes it seem as if its the partys top issue. The impulse among lots of Democrats is to always crank the volume up to 11 and take advantage of whatever the easiest, most obvious photo opportunity is, the strategist said. In this case, you get a situation where youre giving the White House and the Republicans a lot of images and visuals that they think are compelling for them. Democratic strategist Mo Elleithee, meanwhile, argued that Democrats should be careful not to turn Abrego Garcia into a martyr, or keep the focus of their due process argument squarely on him. Instead, he said, the party needs to focus its argument on a White House that has run amok in a way that threatens all Americans, including US citizens who have been unfairly detained by immigration officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrats who are going down there ought to be saying If a judge says hes a bad guy, then lets deport him, Elleithee said. And if hes a good guy, then we will escort him back to his family whos waiting for him. Some Democrats have argued that the administration is using the Maryland mans case to distract from the impact his tariff agenda has had on the global economy. Theyre doing it because they want to distract people from the fact that our economy is in a tailspin thanks to them, their tariffs, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a California Democrat and potential 2028 presidential candidate, agreed with members of his party calling on the administration to follow the Supreme Courts orders. But he also called the push to return the Maryland man a distraction and a tough case for Democrats, because some voters might view the party as defending MS-13 or someone whos out of sight, out of mind in El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They dont want this debate on the tariffs, they dont want to be accountable to the markets today, Newsom said during a press conference on tariffs last week. They want to have this conversation. Dont get distracted by distractions. Asked about Newsoms remarks, Van Hollen reiterated that the case isnt about one person, but the threat the case poses to everyone elses constitutional rights. I think a lot of voters, both Republican and Democrat, are tired of elected officials and politicians who just put their finger to the wind, Van Hollen separately told CNNs Dana Bash on Sunday. Anyone whos not prepared to stand up and fight for the Constitution doesnt deserve to lead. Democrats push on the Abrego Garcia case could also mark a subtle shift in how the party has approached the issue of immigration. Last year, President Joe Biden backed a bipartisan immigration deal that would have funded immigration courts and border security, as well as created more avenues for legal immigration, that ultimately failed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the first weeks of the second Trump presidency, several dozen Democrats in the House and Senate helped pass the Laken Riley Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain migrants charged with burglary, shoplifting, assaulting a law enforcement officer or a violent crime. Critics of the law argue that its mandatory detention provisions erode due process rights for some migrants. At least one Democratic lawmaker, Connecticut Rep. Jahana Hayes, has said she regrets backing the bill. Matt Barreto, a Democratic strategist and pollster who worked on Vice President Kamala Harris campaign, said Democrats response to the Abrego Garcia case shows that the party is finding its footing on how to address immigration and Trump, with Van Hollen leading the way. Still, he said, Democrats could do more to defend immigrants. I think on immigration, in particular, Democrats can push back harder to demonstrate that these are not criminals, Barreto said. These are people with families, these are taxpayers, and Trump is lying about the criminality aspect of this as an excuse to just abduct people who are here in the United States. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com DALLAS (NewsNation) Four House Democrats have traveled to El Salvador to advocate for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man at the center of a heated legal battle after he was mistakenly deported by the Trump administration in March. Reps. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz.; Maxine Dexter, D-Ore.; Maxwell Frost, D-Fla.; and Robert Garcia, D-Calif., arrived Sunday to investigate Abrego Garcias condition. Despite being denied a visit with Abrego Garcia, the lawmakers have continued to pressure authorities for his release and have called for the freedom of other detainees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do Kilmar Abrego Garcias tattoos link him to MS-13 gang? They said Abrego Garcias case sets a troubling precedent. The constitution applies to all of us, and we all are entitled to due process, not to be kidnapped by ICE agents in the middle of the night and sent to another country and sent to a prison, Frost said in a video posted to social media. We have to draw the line here. We have to make a big deal about this. The White House has admitted Abrego Garcias deportation was due to an administrative mistake. However, U.S. officials remain committed to keeping the 29-year-old in El Salvador, despite a Supreme Court ruling ordering the Trump administration to facilitate his return. White House criticizes trip to El Salvador The White House is criticizing the lawmakers trip, calling it an apology tour for a deported illegal immigrant gang member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Mike Johnson took to social media, claiming the visit was an effort to bring a violent illegal alien and member of MS-13 back into the United States. He continued: Could the contrast be more clear? House Republicans remain committed to protecting American families and keeping dangerous gang members OUT of the country. Is Kilmar Abrego Garcia a gang member like Trump has portrayed? Federal officials maintain Abrego Garcia is an active member of the MS-13 gang, which has been classified as a foreign terrorist organization by President Donald Trump. Mondays visit followed a trip by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who met with Abrego Garcia and Salvadoran officials last week in an effort to secure his return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawmakers who traveled to El Salvador said theres absolutely zero indication of that happening. Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia? Abrego Garcia, 29, a Salvadoran native, entered the United States illegally and was granted protected legal status in 2019. He lived in Maryland with his U.S.-born wife and children before his deportation in March. The protected status was granted after an immigration judge agreed that his life was in danger if he was sent back to El Salvador. Abrego Garcia testified that he feared returning to El Salvador because the Barrio 18 gang was targeting him and threatening him with death because of his familys business. Kilmar Abrego Garcias wife comments on protective order Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on March 12 and questioned about his MS-13 affiliation. He was deported on March 15 on one of three flights to El Salvador that included alleged Venezuelan gang members. The Justice Department argued on April 7 that although Abrego Garcia was deported through an administrative error, his removal from the United States was not an error. NewsNations Jeff Arnold and Jackie Koppell and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Democrats have a plan for fighting President Donald Trump over the most high-profile deportation case in recent history: Dont make it about immigration. As the party lines up to defend Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, Democrats are emphasizing due process and the rule of law side-stepping the thornier intricacies of immigration policy that have served as a drag on their party for years. Its part of a calibrated approach that Democrats are betting will keep the debate focused on the Trump administrations refusal to bring Abrego Garcia back to the United States, after a federal judge ordered them to facilitate his return and the Supreme Court upheld the decision. In interviews with nearly a dozen Democratic lawmakers and strategists, they said the real-life implications of Trumps deportation of the native Salvadoran offer an opening to turn what could be an esoteric argument about democratic rights into a vivid cautionary tale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have an individual, a Maryland resident, a union member whose union leadership has been calling for his relief, married to a U.S. citizen here with legal status, who was kidnapped, arrested, wrongly deported to El Salvador, said Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), part of a group of lawmakers who traveled to the country Monday to advocate for Abrego Garcia. That is a terrifying prospect if it is allowed to be continued and let it go, because it opens the door for this to happen again. It emboldens the Trump administration to continue to disappear people. I think the most important part of this story is the lack of due process, she said in an interview. Even Abrego Garcias wife has echoed the emphasis on due process, saying in a statement, Im fighting for Kilmar and for all the other Kilmars who have been unjustly deported without due process. But Democrats must walk a fine line in defending Abrego Garcia, several strategists warned, as the Trump White House has worked to portray Abrego Garcia as a violent member of the MS-13 gang and an apparent woman beater. Theyve taunted the lawmakers who have taken up Abrego Garcias cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcias family has denied that he is a gang member, and a U.S. District Court judge ordering his return said in her ruling there is no evidence to make that claim. We have to be careful to not get sucked into an argument where Republicans can say we care more about undocumented immigrants than American citizens so thats why [Democrats] keep talking about due process, said Chuck Rocha, a Democratic strategist. We need to focus on how there needs to be a process to make sure that innocent people and citizens dont get caught up in this, and thats how we need to be talking about this. Abrego Garcias case has quickly become a symbol of Trumps aggressive deportation agenda. The president has sent hundreds of immigrants to El Salvadors notorious mega-prison and has argued that the high-profile deportees including Abrego Garcia are hardened criminals, as his aides aggressively build a case alleging the Salvadoran man has a criminal past. But Abrego Garcia has never been charged with any crimes, and federal judges have slammed the Trump administrations conduct in the case, while describing the claims about him as extraordinarily flimsy. And even if he were the dangerous criminal the White House has portrayed, his deportation to El Salvador still would have been illegal due to a 2019 court order saying he could stay in Maryland to avoid gang persecution back in his home country a message Democrats are trying to drive home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due process is the language of a constitutional democracy, and so we have to speak that language so people can understand other peoples situations, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said in an interview. And I do believe that if we dont stand up for the due process rights of non-citizens, they will quickly trample the due process rights of citizens. For years, Trump has deployed immigration and border safety as a cudgel against Democrats. President Joe Bidens first three years in the White House were plagued by high border crossings, with his aides fearful of discussing the politically challenging issue. The Biden campaign and Democrats didnt coalesce around a stronger immigration message until June, just months before the election a move many strategists say came too late. As of late March, about half of voters said they supported Trumps efforts to ramp up deportations and further restrict immigration, according to an Associated Press-NORC poll. But when the surveys dig deeper providing respondents with detail about Trumps policies and whom the president is targeting these numbers shift, according to polling Democrats are reviewing, particularly when voters are asked about the Trump administration pushing legal boundaries. A large majority of voters said they believe immigrants should have basic legal rights, according to a preview of a new memo from the progressive Research Collaborative and ASO Communications, first shared with POLITICO, compiling recent polling on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The polling found most voters believe the government should be allowed to deport undocumented immigrants only if it has provided evidence and a hearing, and 60 percent believe the governmentmust provide the public with evidence justifying an immigrants deportation to a country they are not from before their removal. Voters also believe the administration should obey court orders when deporting immigrants. For I cant count how long, Democrats were counseled to not talk about abortion, said Anat Shenker-Osorio, a political messaging researcher and campaign consultant. To offer SAT-style syllogism: Dobbs is to abortion as these abductions are to immigration. Its why some Democrats are already taking up the case, including Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who traveled to El Salvador last week and met with Abrego Garcia there. Several House members, including Ansari, who represent districts with sizable Latino populations, traveled to El Salvador on Sunday. Democrats are hyper-cautious about this, and they often want a lot of data before they finally start talking about it, said Colin Rogero, a Democratic consultant who cut the Spanish-language ads for the Biden and Kamala Harris presidential campaigns. But youre seeing members right now who are getting out in front of this, who are being aggressive, and I think youll see other Democrats get on board as they see its working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But theyre also betting that the invocation of due process and the sometimes-wonky legal fight will resonate with the broader American public. They argue it will allow them to place the debate around the case on their own terms after Republicans made immigration and the border a central part of their argument to voters in 2024, exploiting divides in the party on border enforcement. Its a bigger conversation about rule of law and what kind of country we are, said Evan Roth Smith, a lead pollster for Democratic-aligned Blueprint. And it takes the Republicans out of their more comfortable immigration territory, which is, are we a country with a border or not? Which is a case they successfully made to voters. Federal health officials are warning that cases of the mosquito-borne dengue fever are on the rise this year ahead of the summer travel season. Transmission of the viral infection remains high in the U.S. and its territories, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said In an alert. Residents in California and Florida need to be the most concerned as their states typically have the most cases in a given year. Spring and summer travel coincide with the peak season for dengue in many countries, increasing the risk of both travel-associated and locally acquired cases in the United States, the agency warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The potentially deadly illness is caused by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Although many people who are bitten recover in just a week, severe cases can lead to internal bleeding and death for approximately one in 20 people. Pregnant women, adults over the age of 65, people with certain medical conditions, infants, and people with previous infections are most at risk for severe illness. The most common dengue symptom is fever, including a rash and vomiting that typically begin within two weeks of a bite. Other symptoms include bleeding from the nose or guns, belly pain, and feeling tired or restless. Cases of mosquito-borne dengue fever on the rise in the U.S. ahead of the summer travel season. Infection can lead to severe consequences, including death. (Getty/iStock) Outbreaks of dengue have been declared in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the last year. A public health emergency was announced in Puerto Rico last March and remains in effect. In the continental U.S., Florida reported most of the locally acquired cases in 2024. California reported 18, and there was just one in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The highest numbers of numbers of travel-associated cases in 2024 were reported in Florida, California and New York. The CDC said epidemics in the Americas region are expected to lead to both more travel-associated cases and the possibility of local transmission in the continental U.S. A record number of dengue cases were identified among U.S. travelers (3,483 cases), which is an 84 percent increase compared to the previous year. This trend is expected to continue with increased dengue activity in endemic areas in 2025, the CDC said. Globally, dengue cases have increased substantially in the last five years, with the most pronounced increases occurring in the Americas. There were 13 million cases and 8,200 deaths in 2024. As of March 6, more than 760,000 global dengue cases had been reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Climate change is tied to rising cases, with warmer temperatures and more humid climates more hospitable to mosquitoes that can carry the virus. Fast-warming urban areas are disproportionately impacted. The same is true for other mosquito-borne illness. Although climate change plays a major role in public health going forward, ProPublicareported that the National Institutes of Health will shut down all future funding opportunities for climate and health research. When that might happen remains undertermined. There is no specific medical treatment for dengue fever. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure to mosquitos (Getty/iStock) Vectors might adapt to new environments and climate. The interaction between dengue virus, the host and the environment is dynamic, the World Health Organization notes. Consequently, disease risks may change and shift with climate change in tropical and subtropical areas, in combination with increased urbanization and movement of populations. "Many of the places in the study region are going to more than double their projected dengue incidence" if human-caused climate change continues to aggressively heat up the planet, Erin Mordecai, an infectious disease expert at Stanford University, told NPR last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there is no specific treatment for dengue fever, the best way for Americans stay safe remains avoiding exposure. Take steps to prevent mosquito bites during travel, particularly if traveling to an area with frequent or continuous dengue transmission, the CDC advised. In addition, take steps to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks after travel to avoid possibly spreading the virus to others if you are in an area where mosquitoes are active. These activities will also lower the risk for other vector-borne diseases. PARIS Denmark will invest about 4 billion Danish kroner (US$615 million) through 2033 in the countrys Navy and Home Guard fleets, aiming to improve surveillance and defense of the countrys home waters, the government said. The plans include the acquisition of four multifunctional environmental-protection and minelaying vessels, a ship with drones and sonar systems to monitor underwater activity, as well as 21 new vessels for the Naval Home Guard, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poelsen said at a press conference in Copenhagen on Tuesday. The plan was backed by the three-party coalition government and six of the eight other parties in parliament. The parties also agreed on long-term investments in additional capabilities, including air-defense frigates, as well as a decision later this year to buy more Arctic vessels, with details still to be determined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tasks of the four environmental and minelaying vessels will include surveillance as well as clean-up of chemical and oil spills. Denmark will additionally boost the Navys ability to monitor both above and under water with a program to develop autonomous units such as underwater drones, according to Lund Poelsen. The government had sketched the outlines of its long-term fleet plan in March, with Lund Poelsen saying the Danish frigate fleet still had a decade in it, with the new naval plan preparing the future acquisition of the next generation of vessels. While the Navys current frigates still have good years left, new investments have to be made, and due diligence calls for agreement on a new fleet plan before the decision to buy new frigates, Lund Poelsen said. He said those decisions will be made when NATOs capability goals are finalized in June. Lund Poelsen said its no secret that the next round of naval investment will involve a very large number of billions, without providing details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Danish government in February agreed to allocate an additional 50 billion kroner to defense over the coming two years, boosting defense spending to more than 3% of GDP in 2025 and 2026. There is a political ambition for the future frigates and the Arctic vessels to be built in Denmark, though there is no decision on that yet, according to the defense minister. Lund Poelsen said he believes Denmark can do more to cooperate with other NATO countries with regards to participating in their frigate capacity-expansion programs. Denmark currently operates three frigates in the Iver Huitfeldt class, the first of which entered service in 2012. The 139-meter vessels, designed for air defense, displace 6,645 tons and are equipped with a 32-cell Mk 41 vertical missile launcher. The Danish Navy also operates two Absalon-class anti-submarine warfare frigates with a multi-purpose deck, which entered service in 2005. The Danish Navy has been using a modular payload system called Standard Flex since the 1990s, allowing vessels to swap out containerized weapons or systems for different missions or roles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lead vessel in the Iver Huitfeldt class infamously experienced a malfunction of critical weapon and sensor systems on deployment in the Red Sea in 2024, resulting in Lund Poelsen firing Denmarks chief of defense for reportedly failing to disclose the issues aboard the frigate. The Niels Juel, a sister ship of the Iver Huitfeldt, suffered a separate incident while docked in April last year, with the crew unable to deactivate the booster of a Harpoon missile during testing. DENVER (KDVR) The requiem bells tolled at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver for an entire hour as the church marked the passing of Pope Francis. Crowds of people came to mourn his passing together. Archdiocese of Denver to host memorial masses for late Pope Francis Im praying for the pope, the one who has prayed for us all the time, said Nicholas Choi. Some people were quite emotional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes a man thats touched not only Catholics, but non-Catholics as well. He was by far mine and my familys favorite pope of all time, said Katy Worthington. The church created a place of mourning at the side altar where people knelt, prayed, lit candles and placed flowers. After prayers and a rosary for the pope, the archbishop celebrated a special Easter Monday Mass. After the service, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila said hed met Pope Francis a few times and that part of his legacy will be his outreach. Pope Francis dies at 88 Especially to the people on the peripheries, the archbishop said. Also, as the first Latin American pontiff, the archbishop said Pope Francis expanded the College of Cardinals, by appointing so many cardinals from so many different countries rather than primarily Europe. So, theres now cardinals from countries that never had cardinals before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. PINE GROVE In recognition of Earth Day, state Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley on Tuesday visited the site of a restored stream the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration project and announced the next round of a grant program instrumental in supporting the project. Shirley, accompanied by local leaders, made her announcement in front of the site of the flood mitigation project in northern Pine Grove, an area that officials noted is particularly vulnerable to flooding. Officials said the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration project an expansive state, local and county partnership spurred by the impact of Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 has done its part to alleviate flooding issues in the area upon its completion in 2020. The goal was to allow floodwaters to flow into an expanded floodplain and wetlands, reducing the flood height that impacted the community, according to the DEP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project was partially funded by the DEPs Growing Greener Grant program, which Shirley says is the largest single investment of state funds in Pennsylvania history to address critical environmental concerns. * Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley announces the next round of Growing Greener Grants while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * The Swatara Creek Floodplains extend behind Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley during an annoucnement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Show Caption 1 of 2 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley announces the next round of Growing Greener Grants while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Expand Shirley touted the benefits of the Growing Greener program on projects like the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration, which addressed the impacts of flooding felt throughout the northern Swatara Creek watershed and surrounding community. She said the site received a Growing Greener grant in 2017; that same year, she said, the Department of Community and Economic Development awarded about $3 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really a time for us to celebrate the power of local action, partnership and a long-term commitment to our environment, Shirley said. Earth Day reminds us that environmental protection is not just a global or national challenge, but its really a local responsibility and thats exactly what we see here in Pine Grove. After the initial wave of funding, Shirley said, county and community partners came together to build what would become 20.9 acres of restored floodplain, 8 acres of wetlands and more than 8,000 linear feet of stabilized streambanks. These restoration efforts will reduce the severity and the frequency of flooding, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitats, Shirley said. Shirley said the next round of Growing Greener grants will be available through June 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, Growing Greener grants have provided almost $420 million in funding to more than 2,800 environmental projects across Pennsylvania, Shirley said. The Swatara Creek project received a total of nearly $1.8 million in Growing Greener funds, according to the DEP. Growing Greener funding supports projects that restore watersheds to prevent flooding, like this one here in Pine Grove, Shirley said. They improve water quality, and they reduce nonpoint source pollution across the commonwealth, just like the incredible work completed here along the Swatara Creek. Wayne Lehman, county natural resource specialist with the Schuylkill Conservation District, said the project was a long, complicated process involving many agencies at the state, county and local levels. Wayne G. Lehman, county natural resource specialist with the Schuylkill Conservation District, talks about the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lehman stressed the importance of carrying out the project in the wake of Tropical Storm Lee, which dumped more than 15 inches in the 120-square-mile Upper Swatara Creek watershed. The storm severely flooded 180 residences and numerous businesses, including the towns largest employer Guilford Performance Textiles by Lear which had 36 inches of water inside its facility. Two Guilford representatives, Sierra Deibert and Kelly Stine, noted the project has successfully protected the business from flooding on multiple occasions since December 2020. Our business, as well as others in the community, are thankful that this plain was able to get done in a good amount of time, Deibert said, as the flooding in Pine Grove borough could have been so much worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Sierra Deibert, left, and Kelly Stine, right, speak during an announcement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Pine Grove Council member Elaine Holley speaks about its nice not to have her home flood during heavy rains at an annoucnement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Show Caption 1 of 2 Sierra Deibert, left, and Kelly Stine, right, speak during an announcement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expand Elaine Holley, vice president of the Pine Grove borough council and a resident of northern Pine Grove, said she can sleep a lot better at night knowing the project has been successful. She said her home had been flooded in the past and caused her to be temporarily displaced from her home. I see that its doing what its supposed to do, she said. Also making remarks at the event were state Rep. JoAnne Stehr, R-107; Christine Verdier, chief of staff for state Sen. David G. Argall; and Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Starting next month, the Department of Education will resume collections on borrowers who are in default on their student loans. Resuming collections protects taxpayers from shouldering the cost of federal student loans that borrowers willingly undertook to finance their postsecondary education, the department wrote in a news release. Collections will resume on May 5. Those in default could have their wages, social security checks, federal salaries, tax refunds and more garnished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department has not collected on defaulted loans since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. This is a terrible sign of the chaos to come for working people that have student debt, said Mike Pierce, executive director and co-founder of the Student Borrower Protection Center. Nobody has been subject to forced debt collection since the pandemic. And along the way, borrowers have been fed stories about how their debt was going to be cancelled and then it wasnt, and their debt was going to be affordable and then it wasnt. Pierce is worried the change will send more people into poverty. Thats going to have implications for the housing market, its going to have impacts on the broader economy, he said. President Trump was elected to lower costs for working families, and instead hes bringing down the hammer on people who are struggling with unaffordable student debt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Education Department, more than five million borrowers have not made a payment in over 360 days. Another four million borrowers are in late-stage delinquency. American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies, said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. Going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment. Supreme Court takes up dispute over Montgomery County students access to LGBTQ books I think a lot of people are going to have a hard time, unfortunately, said Amar Ali, who is currently a student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ali recently went back to school, but he has loans from previously taking classes at Northern Virginia Community College. Its a bill, just like any other bill you have to consider and worry about, he said. He said while he understands the need to collect, he disagrees with the timing. Its a loan. Eventually, its supposed to be repaid, but I dont think its the right time, especially with prices going up, groceries, rent, he explained. If youre going to make people pay back the loans, at least increase the minimum wage. Do something. Others agree. There are people trying to make rent, people trying to feed themselves and garnishing the wages is just seriously way too much. I dont agree with it, said Rizz Bacari. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bacari, who is a barber, doesnt have student loans himself. But he worries about the ripple effect this will have on the economy. Haircuts, although theyre nice, they arent a huge necessity over food and shelter, he said. What it means to business owners like me is youll see a decline in clientele, youll see a decline in business in general. I didnt get any student loans, but guess what, it affects me. The Department of Education will begin sending information about the changes to borrowers in the next two weeks. Those at risk are encouraged to contact the Default Resolution Group. For more information, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced plans to raise property taxes as part of his budget proposal. But, part of his strategy for closing the citys budget shortfall is also to raise fees and fines for everything from parking tickets to permits. In the video above, Boston Globe columnist Dan McGowan joined Patrick Little on 12 News This Morning to go in-depth about his proposal. MORE: Globe RI & 12 News Stories Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- China will extend key unemployment insurance policies through 2025 to help companies retain jobs and support workers in enhancing their skills, authorities announced Tuesday. The announcement was made through a circular, jointly issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Taxation Administration, outlining measures to help enterprises maintain stable employment. Until the end of 2025, companies that do not lay off employees or minimize layoffs will continue to receive refunds of a certain percentage of unemployment insurance premiums paid in the previous year, according to the policy. To help workers improve their skills, the extended policy relaxes eligibility requirements and expands coverage for skills-upgrading subsidies. These measures also ensure continued provision of basic living allowances -- including unemployment benefits, basic medical insurance coverage, and support for older unemployed individuals. China has set a target of maintaining the surveyed urban unemployment rate at around 5.5 percent in 2025, while aiming to create over 12 million new urban jobs this year. The average surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025. Deputies shot and killed a woman who was armed with several large knives in Deerfield Beach Monday night, the Broward Sheriffs Office said Around 7 p.m., deputies went to the area of South Federal Highway and Southeast 10th Street after receiving reports of a suspicious person armed with multiple large knives, said BSO spokeswoman Miranda Grossman. At some point, shots were fired, Grossman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office did not release details of what prompted the deputies to fire their weapons and did not say how many deputies were involved. BSO Fire Rescue paramedics pronounced the woman dead at the scene, said Grossman. As with all police-involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating this case. Grossman said the sheriffs offices Internal Affairs Unit will also conduct an internal administrative investigation. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. DES MOINES, Iowa One person was seriously injured in a shooting Monday evening. At around 6:10 p.m. DMPD officers responded to a report of a shooting at a residence in the 1600 block of East University Avenue. When officers arrived at the scene they found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. DMPD said the victim was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. Dowling Chaplain shares his memories of Pope Francis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A preliminary investigation suggests that the shooting was targeted and that theres no ongoing danger to the neighborhood, police said. When the shooting occurred a track meet involving middle school students was taking place at Williams Stadium. Police said the meet has been canceled out of an abundance of caution. No additional information has been released. Metro News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Aerial view of Everglades National Park. (Photo via National Park Service) Gov. Ron DeSantis added a new front to his dispute with the House during a Tuesday press conference: Funding for Everglades restoration. The governor bashed House leadership on Earth Day because the Houses proposed budget includes $279 million toward Everglades restoration, but DeSantis said his plan included $800 million for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of the reason theyre doing it is because the leadership in the House of Representatives has taken a position that if Im for something, that its their view to just oppose us, just in a knee-jerk fashion, DeSantis said during the press conference at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples. But DeSantis thanked Senate President Ben Albritton, saying the upper chambers budget basically agreed with his $800 million proposal. However, the Senate only includes $625 million for Everglades restoration. The dispute with the House has dominated press conferences the governor has held recently, as he has attacked the House on rising condominium fees, funding for the Florida Highway Patrol, and the probe into Hope Florida. Were getting into this regularity, where [DeSantis] has a temper tantrum, House Speaker Daniel Perez told reporters last Wednesday. He gets in front of a camera, and he starts to do one of two things: Either willingly choosing to lie about what he is telling the people in front of a camera, or he is choosing to not read the bills or look at our budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexis Lambert, secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and Roger Young, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission executive director, joined the governor in talking about maintaining momentum in Everglades restoration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE TALLAHASSEE A former state lawmaker stood next to Gov. Ron DeSantis at his press conference last week, lambasting legislators for attacking the governor, the first lady and the controversial Hope Florida charity and claiming he had dirt on his fellow Republicans. But a week later, Dr. Joel Rudman had left the country and withdrew his nomination to a college board in Pensacola an appointment made by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Dr. Rudman was first an aggressive nominee who couldnt wait to come before the committee, then he decided to decline to come before the committee, Republican Sen. Don Gaetz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rudman, a Panhandle physician known as Dr. Rock for playing guitar in a bar band, claimed he had information about GOP members including alleged illicit drug use who were going after DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis. Their intentions were very clear from the outset, what youre looking at this was a planned ambush, Rudman said in Pensacola last week at a DeSantis press conference held to defend Hope Florida, a state-run alternative to traditional welfare embraced by his wife, Casey. Hope Florida is embroiled in controversy and under investigation by the House, where Republican lawmakers are demanding answers on how $10 million from a state Medicaid settlement ended up with the Hope Florida Foundation. DeSantis, standing in front of a podium with a Hope Florida sign, blasted House leaders for attacking the charity. Rudman and several other DeSantis loyalists took the stage to join in that criticism and voice their support for the governor and first lady. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Gaetz told the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee, which he chairs, that Rudman had said he had a list that he was keeping close to his vest about GOP legislators criminally violating drug laws. Depending on how this committee behaved, he would have to reveal those names. It turns out Dr. Rudman is not the one who has been revealed, Gaetz said. Rudman was a no-show, however, and withdrew his nomination to the Pensacola State College Board of Trustees. Gaetz added that he had planned to give Rudman the opportunity to reveal all of his names and provide the evidence. We have individuals from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement here to take all the evidence and names, but Dr. Rudman has not favored us with his appearance and resigned from the board. So we have no action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rudman said he was in Barcelona celebrating his wifes birthday when he typed up his resignation letter Monday night. Pensacola State College is too important to me to have it get caught up in all this theatre surrounding the behavior of the Florida House, Rudman said in a text message to the Sentinel. It was becoming exceedingly difficult for me to bite my tongue while former House colleagues were taking potshots and lobbing offensive accusations at our Governor. Last week, the Senate Higher Education Appropriations Committee unanimously rejected Rudmans nomination because of the threats he made on X about naming names, knowing where the bodies are and that all state legislators should be drug-tested. Republican Sen. Tom Leek of St. Augustine said those comments were meant to intimidate the senators voting on Rudmans nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rudman resigned from the Legislature in November, after he was reelected to a second term, to run for a congressional seat vacated by Matt Gaetz when President Donald Trump nominated him to be U.S. Attorney General. Matt Gaetz, who is the son of Don Gaetz and a former state House member, withdrew his nomination after a flurry of allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use, both of which he denied. After Rudman resigned, all the bills he filed for the current legislative session were killed. He ultimately lost the Republican primary to Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, who went on to win the congressional seat. Rudman characterized the investigation into Hope Florida by fellow Republican Rep. Alex Andrade of Pensacola as a politically motivated witch hunt orchestrated by House leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At last weeks press conference, Rudman described an orientation for lawmakers at the state Capitol in November where House leadership used our time to tell us were not going to listen to Ron DeSantis. They literally said we are not going to be Ron DeSantis dog, only they didnt use the word dog, they used a vulgar term instead He said he could not go along with that agenda because he was the second most conservative in the Legislature. He also criticized Andrade, whose name elicited boos from the audience, as someone who is actually taking shots at our governor. Someone from the audience shouted that Andrade should be recalled. When I had a blogger harass me on the campaign trail and get in my wifes personal space, I sued for a restraining order Rudman said. Andrade defended the blogger. A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. Americans celebrate Earth Day in a variety of forms, from planting trees to gathering in forums to find solutions to changes in the environment. Its a perfect chance for schoolchildren to get outside and, well, touch the Earth. For adults, it can be a reminder to stop and smell the flowers. On April 22, 1970, Americans werent sure what to do to celebrate the first Earth Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In big cities, the focus seemed to center on trash. People are the real polluters, New York City Mayor John V. Lindsay brazenly said. Its a matter of habit for they have been littering for years, the mayor added, before jumping on an exhaustless electric bus to head to another Earth Day event, according to The Associated Press report in the April 23, 1970, edition of the Deseret News. JohnSotomayor/The New YorkTimes/Redux, John Sotomayor Other events in as many as 2,000 communities around the nation included teach-ins on pollution, cleanup days and fairly harsh rhetoric. In West Virginia, five tons of garbage were picked up along a five-mile stretch of U.S. 50 and dumped on the Harrison County Courthouse steps in Clarsksburg, the AP reported. Utahns joined the first Earth Day activities as well. There were student-led events at the University of Utah, Westminster College, Brighton High School and Parleys Pre-School. Young Utahns lead out on Earth Day In 1990, the Deseret News connected with many of those who appeared on the front page of the Deseret News in 1970. Among them was Clark Ivory, a Utah developer who is heavily involved in business-community partnerships related to affordable housing issues in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivory was one of a group of preschoolers sending a letter to then-President Richard Nixon. Students at Parleys Pre-School, 2474 E. 3640 South, told the president, It isnt enough to keep the earth clean on the outside. We understand that we must be clean ourselves with good habits and good ideals for people and nature. In 1990, Kirk Astroth, one of the student leaders at Brighton High during the original Earth Day activities, looked back: Twenty years ago I was a student of 18. I dont think I really understood the magnitude of the issues. Everything seems pretty simple when youre a teenager. Now he realizes how interconnected many aspects of the environment are. But at the same time I really havent changed my perspective that much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The youngsters of those first Earth Day activities now occupy positions of influence across the world. Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about Earth Day: The origins of Earth Day Earth Day, 1970-1990: Many disagree on definitions of environmental concerns On Earth Day 2024, learn how the Church of Jesus Christ cares for the earth Happy Earth Day! Movies and documentaries about the Earth to watch in celebration Opinion: Giving to the Great Salt Lake on Earth Day Detroit candidates vying for a spot on the August primary ballot have until 4 p.m. to file nominating petitions, but at least one is running into a hiccup, which her campaign claims is a clerical error on Wayne County's end. District 6 Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero, who is seeking reelection, filed at least 600 petition signatures April 17, signed an affidavit of identity and was not notified of any outstanding campaign fees, according to her campaign consultant Charlie Widmaier. But Wayne County is claiming she missed a filing deadline, hit her with a late fee and disqualified her from appearing on the ballot. Detroit City Council member Gabriela Santiago-Romero speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for The Brooke on Bagley 78-unit apartment building ribbon cutting ceremony near the Michigan Central Station in Detroit's Hubbard Richard neighborhood on Monday, June 10, 2024. It is extremely upsetting that the (Wayne County) Clerk is falsely accusing me of submitting a report late, Santiago-Romero said in a statement. Our campaign has documentation that our report was timely filed on October 25 (2024) in the form of both the filing itself and an email receipt from the Clerks Office. I have always prided myself on strict adherence to the law, as well as to be a transparent elected official. As such, I am planning on releasing all documentation that shows the error lies with the Clerks Office; not with my campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign's position is that the fee should not have existed, and if it does not get resolved, Santiago-Romero's campaign expects to file a complaint in court by the end of the week. She and her staff say they are confident she will be able to run again, but if efforts are unsuccessful, Santiago-Romero will run on a write-in campaign. Santiago-Romero's campaign submitted a quarterly campaign finance report on Oct. 25, 2024, mistakenly filed as a "pre-general" election statement rather than a "quarterly" statement, which she was asked to re-file on Nov. 11, 2024, records show. The campaign is unsure whether the Oct. 25, 2024, filing appeared on the county's website, and if it did, it "disappeared." But an emailed record shows the county received her October filing. Santiago-Romero re-filed the same campaign finance report after noticing it did not appear on the county's campaign finance website and received an emailed confirmation receipt from the county on Nov. 8, 2024, an emailed record shows. The Wayne County Clerk's Office notified the campaign the data was saved but the report was deleted, then claimed the campaign filed it on Nov. 8, but Santiago-Romero's campaign claims it filed it beforehand. The clerk's office then hit the council member with a $250 late filing fee in a Nov. 11, 2024, letter and emailed it the next day. The Nov. 12 email said she will be fined for lateness but did not address the earlier report selection mistake. The Nov. 11 email from the county, however, addresses the report selection error, notes the campaign statement was deleted and asks her to re-file. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santiago-Romero, on Nov. 29, 2024, amended the October 2024 quarterly report filing and received a confirmation email. However, the late fee remained in effect because it was after the deadline, said Dorian Tyus, spokesman for the Wayne County Clerk's Office. More: Michiganders registering to vote would have to prove citizenship under proposal Santiago-Romero and her campaign claim they did not receive further communications from the county until April 21, indicating she would be disqualified. The campaign committee still has a $250 outstanding late filing fee balance, Tyus said. "Despite this outstanding fee balance, on or about April 17, 2025, Ms. Santiago-Romero signed an 'Affidavit of Identity' with the City of Detroit, attesting that no late fees were owed," Tyus said in an email. "Due to this discrepancy and current Michigan law, the City of Detroit Department of Elections determined that Ms. Santiago-Romero was disqualified. It is the responsibility of each candidate or candidate committee to ensure that all required campaign documents are filed timely and any outstanding campaign finance fees are fully paid in accordance with Michigan law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 21, she and a campaign staffer attempted to pay the fee at the county clerk's office and resubmit, but they say they were told it was too late. They said they tried explaining the situation but the clerk's office had "very little record" of any communication, specifically the Oct. 25, 2024, filing, according to the campaign. They were told the county would contact their website vendors to clarify the issue. Wayne County's Campaign Finance website search has been down since April 21. "It was brought to our attention yesterday that the public view was not working. When our office found out, we contacted GoCivix and they are working on fixing the issue," Tyus said. U.S. Senate: Haley Stevens jumps into race, giving Democrats a presumptive early favorite Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santiago-Romero is expected to take up the race for City Council's District 6 seat against state Rep. Tyrone Carter and Anita Martin, both of whom formed candidate committees. Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero shows campaign filing record SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Pope Francis passing has impacted members of the catholic church worldwide, including here in NEPA. The papacy of Pope Francis touched the hearts of many in the catholic church. Following his passing on Monday morning, the Diocese of Scranton is reflecting on the legacy he left behind. He offered so very very much to our church, for which I will always be grateful and I know our people will be, Reverend Joseph C. Bambera from the Diocese of Scranton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reverend Bambera addressed the media Monday morning to not only offer his prayers for the resting of Pope Francis soul, but to express gratitude for the impact he had around the world. Bambera says the number of non-catholic leaders who have reached out to him has been consoling, and that these messages are a testament to Pope Francis legacy. That whole ecumenical and interfaith element of our church was a very, very vital component of his life and ministry, Reverend Bambera added. The loss also gave Bambera a chance to reflect on his own interactions with the late pope. In one of those meetings, he says he and the other bishops of Pennsylvania sat with Francis, speaking with him for hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University of Scranton reacts after Popes death An extremely down-to-earth and gentle man, but a man with great, great resolve in terms of communicating the mission he was given and his vision of the gospel of Jesus, Reverend Bambera continued. Bambera says Francis ministry taught him the importance of embracing those on the margins of society and the significance of leadership in the church. It taught me to reflect upon the fact that leadership in the church is not rooted in some sense of righteousness, but its rooted in a deep faith in god and a trust to communicate the message of the gospel which ultimately, as Pope Francis reminded us time and again is a message of mercy, Reverend Bambera explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reverend Bambera says there will be a period of mourning until Pope Francis funeral takes place. A mass will be held on Tuesday at 12:10 p.m. inside Saint Peters Cathedral in Scranton to celebrate the late pope. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Pope Francis died of a stroke and heart failure on Monday, according to the Vatican. His death has left many people around Siouxland in mourning. For 12 years, Pope Francis sat in the Vatican. With his death, officials with the Diocese of Sioux City are honoring his life. Bishop Nickless of Sioux City Diocese shares statement on passing of Pope Francis Around midnight in the U.S, it was announced that Pope Francis had passed only a day after his Easter mass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was sad on one side because we love Pope Francis, but also relieved because he has been suffering, said David Esquiliano, judicial vicar with the Diocese of Sioux City. We saw his address to people after the Easter mass and it was obvious that he was in pain, that he was suffering. Esquiliano says he was in Rome the day Pope Francis was elected, a day hell never forget. I was a student at the time, and I lived just a couple of blocks from the Vatican, he said. So when the smoke came out and I saw it through my window, I ran to the Vatican because I knew he was going to be announced at that point. Esquiliano even got to assist in a couple of the Popes services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had the blessing of serving as a deacon for two of his masses, he said. His very first public mass and then a mass a week later. Following his death, Catholics will mourn Pope Francis for nine days. In Sioux City, the Cathedral of the Epiphany has set up a picture of the late pontiff alongside other traditional displays. LifeServe Blood Center hosting multiple donation drives week of April 21 As you walk through the center doors of the church, theres papal bunting as well, so to remind us that we are mourning, even in the celebration of Easter, we are mourning, Esquiliano said. Earlier today, we rang the funeral toll of bells to get peoples attention that our Lord had called Pope Francis back to his eternal reward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Pope has passed, Esquiliano says hes left a great legacy. He has written about love and he has shown us how to do it, so I hope well keep learning from what he has taught us, he said. Esquiliano says he looks forward to seeing who will be named the next Pope. That process is set to begin in about 15 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. The big story: With less than two weeks remaining in Floridas 2025 legislative session, the fate of several education-related initiatives remains in the air. One that appeared to be moving smoothly through the chambers aims to remove some of the secrecy and political manipulation of university presidential searches. While Gov. Ron DeSantis has threatened a veto because of provisions removing the governors office from the mix, the House and Senate have been united in the spirit of the bills. As the process has advanced, though, their proposals have begun to diverge. The Senate added two amendments Monday. While the bills differ, lawmakers say they believe they can bring the idea in for a landing before sine die. Read more from Florida Politics, Politico Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another bill hit an unexpected roadblock Monday. The measure to allow students on work-study, internships and apprenticeships to be paid less than minimum wage stalled in the Senate Rules Committee, Florida Politics reports. A House proposal to require more cursive writing instruction, meanwhile, appears dead as the Senate version has not been considered in any of its three committee assignments, MediaLab reports. Session is scheduled to end on May 2. Today in Tallahassee ... The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee will consider the nominations of several college and university trustee appointees when it meets at 8:30 a.m. The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee has six education-related bills up for consideration when it meets at 11 a.m. Hot topics Preferred names and pronouns: A former Pinellas County teacher who is transgender sued the school district, contending it discriminated against him by refusing to call him Mr. after Florida changed its laws regarding sex, gender and pronouns. Several teachers at a Brevard County high school were investigated over the use of a students preferred name without parental permission. Only one was disciplined, Florida Today reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New schools: The Volusia County school district is looking for land to replace one of its elementary schools. So far, the sites it has picked dont work, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. Mentors: More than 200 children in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are waiting for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Pensacola News-Journal reports. Enrichment: The Brevard County school district decided to open its summer enrichment programs to children who do not attend district schools, Florida Today reports. Campus security: The St. Lucie Sheriffs Office is increasing its presence at county schools for the foreseeable future, WPTV reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cameras: Broward County is close to placing speed detection cameras outside two schools with high levels of drivers speeding while students are present, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Budgets: The Orange County school district expects to lose more than $28 million in state funding as its enrollment is projected to decline by about 3,000 students next year, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Background checks: A review of New Colleges background check for its recently arrested communications director indicates the school did not include a check of the Sarasota County clerk of courts records, Suncoast Searchlight and WUSF reports. Back to class: The mood on the Florida State University campus was somber as classes resumed in the aftermath of last weeks mass shooting, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the police blotter ... A Hendry County middle school substitute teacher was arrested on accusations of inciting students to fight, WINK reports. Dont miss a story. Heres a link to yesterdays roundup. Before you go ... This teacher has a great lesson on why specificity matters. JAKARTA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's National Food Agency (Bapanas) said Tuesday that the country might consider exporting rice once domestic needs are fulfilled. Bapanas Head Arief Prasetyo Adi said that Indonesia could export rice as long as domestic food reserves are sufficient and production is abundant. "If our food reserves are ready and production is abundant, for example, if we reach 32 million tons, why not?" Arief told reporters in Jakarta. To be considered sufficient, Arief said the government must maintain at least 1 million tons of rice in reserve stock. "It is up to the president because any decision to export or import should come from the president," he added. Recently, Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture reported a domestic rice production surplus amid food crises affecting several countries. According to Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono, rice surplus is expected to reach around 2.8 to 3 million tons as of April this year. The discussion about rice exports arose in response to the Malaysian government's plan to import rice from Indonesia. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Clark County District Attorney said a man killed last year in a road rage incident contributed to his death, as the victims family criticizes a plea deal prosecutors reached with the shooter. Keyun Watts, 25, pleaded guilty last week to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 22-year-old Elvin Sejdinovic. Las Vegas man takes plea deal in deadly road rage case In this case, its not black and white. There was a very real valid claim of self-defense, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told 8 News Now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the district attorney, dash cam video captured on the night Watts shot Sejdinovic was a piece of evidence used to determine that Sejdinovic was in the wrong. A witness who came forward to support the shooters actions was also taken into account. However, the victims family told 8 News Now justice was denied. I personally feel that our family was very betrayed by them, by our officials that we looked for to serve justice for our loved one, Jenna Husic, Sejdinovics cousin, said. Husic sat in the courtroom several times for hearings and faced the man who killed her cousin. Our family feels very betrayed by them because of how they handled this case and the situation, Husic said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watts was facing a murder charge up until last week when he reached a deal with prosecutors for voluntary manslaughter. He faces between one to 10 years in the Nevada Department of Corrections, according to court documents. A district court judge will determine how long he spends in prison. You shoot somebody eight times. You went after him, and you got what, a reward? They rewarded this guy, Alen Sejdinovic, Elvins father, said. This upstanding citizen, they reward him. This is not justice. According to court documents, Watts shot Sejdinovic twice in the chest on October 5, 2024, near Decatur Boulevard and Patrick Lane. Crime scene photos from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department showed Sejdinovics car riddled with bullets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sorry that this man lost his life, but his behavior contributed to the end result, Wolfson said. Its tragic when a parent loses a child and my heart goes out to the parents in this case. After the shooting, police said Watts changed the color of the vehicle he drove that night and took off to California. He was arrested about a month later. Family of Las Vegas man killed in apparent road rage shooting posts billboards seeking justice Watts admitted to police that he shot Sejdinovic because he felt threatened. Wolfson said Sejdinovic was throwing items out of his car at Watts. 8 News Now asked Wolfson about videos on social media Watts posted where he recorded himself threatening others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know a case that doesnt have some weaknesses in it. No case is perfect, and at the end of the day, we take everything into consideration. We consulted with the family. Ive got one of my best prosecutors assigned to this case, Wolfson said. The family of Elvin Sejdinovic has digital billboards running in downtown Las Vegas and in the southwest part of the valley asking for justice after he was killed in an apparent road rage shooting (KLAS) Elvin Sejdinovics family said they wont stop until they get justice. Theyve launched a Change.org petition calling for a harsher sentence. Watts is scheduled to be sentenced on May 27. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The recovery efforts to pull a car from the bottom of the Cascade Locks continue, but divers are asking for the publics help. KOIN 6 News first broke the discovery of what appears to be the Martin Family car buried under years of sediment in the Columbia River. The story came after diver Archer Mayo spent six years searching for the car that disappeared with a family of five inside in December 1958. Washington limits armed forces from entering the state without governors OK Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, the Hood River County Sheriffs Department tried to pull the car from the water, though only the chassis could be removed. But for Mayo, the recovery effort is far from over. I would love to see this fully resolved. Ive been working with the Hood River County sheriff and the different port authorities. Were coming up with a plan to really bring this hopefully to a conclusion, he said. Pieces of a station wagon believed to be tied to the Martin Family disappearance in 1958 being pulled from the Columbia River on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Credit: KOIN) A barge arrives to pull what investigators believe to be the Martin family car out of the Columbia River, Mar. 6, 2025. (KOIN) A giant crane pulled up an engine from what is likely the Martin Family car missing since 1958 in Cascade Locks, March 7, 2025 (KOIN) Investigators continue the search for what is believed to be the Martin family car on Mar. 7, 2025. (KOIN) A partial license plate, likely from the missing Martin Family car from 1958, was found in Cascade Locks, March 7, 2025 (Archer Mayo) The emblem from a Ford, likely from the missing Martin Family car from 1958, was found in Cascade Locks, March 7, 2025 (Archer Mayo) Coverage of the search for the Martin Family in the Columbia River near Cascade Locks from the Oregon Journal. (Oregon Journal) Coverage of the search for the Martin Family features pictures of Barbara, Virginia and Susan Martin in the Oregon Journal. (Oregon Journal) A gas station receipt from a Chevron station in Cascade Locks shows Ken Martin purchased five gallons of gas on the afternoon the family vanished. (KOIN Archives) An undated photo of the 1954 Ford Country Station Wagon the Martins drove into the Columbia River Gorge on Dec. 7, 1958. (KOIN Archives) Mayo is planning to bring in other divers and specialized equipment to free the car from the sediment. To do it, he has started a GoFundMe campaign to cover the costs. You can learn more about the plans, and make a donation, here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Apr. 21DIXON After a fundraiser was started last year to pay off unpaid student lunch fees at Dixon Public Schools, administrators have found it would be too costly to enroll in a federally assisted program that provides free meals to all students. Destiny McElhinney, a mom of a third grade DPS student, started fundraising in December 2024 after learning the district had an outstanding balance of $9,625 in lunch fees. After an article about the effort was published by Shaw Local, community members began asking why DPS doesn't offer its students free meals like Rock Falls and Sterling schools. [ Donations paying off Dixon school's student lunch debt spark larger conversation about school fees ] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rock Falls Elementary School District 13 and Sterling Public Schools have been enrolled in the United States Department of Agriculture's National School Lunch Program Community Eligibility Provision for several years. The program allows a district that meets a threshold in its count of low-income students to provide free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students. At the Dixon School Board's April 16 meeting, Business Manager Marc Campbell told the board they evaluated the cost and would not recommend switching to the program. CEP reimburses a district for the cost of meals based on its number of qualifying students, referred to as the identified student percentage. The ISP measures the amount of students who are deemed eligible for free meals based on a number of factors, including their eligibility for other federally funded programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, for example. The school's identified student percentage must be 62.5% or greater in order to receive the free reimbursement rate for all reimbursable meals. Schools with ISPs from 25% to 62.5% are eligible for CEP, but at a lower reimbursement rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Districtwide, DPS' identified student percentage is about 45%. This means the district would be reimbursed at 72% of the cost of all meals and be responsible for covering the remaining 28%, which comes to about $130,000 a year, according to the cost analysis provided by the Illinois State Board of Education. "Some of our concerns lie, first of all, is that it is an unfunded expense that we would be taking on. It's not very close to break even," Campbell said. "In addition to that, with the uncertainty in the USDA, uncertainty with federal funding and the National School Lunch Program, it is really difficult for us to recommend at this time to enter into a four-year agreement when it's so unpredictable right now." Campbell said $130,000 is "not a number I would want to go and search for within our budget." "We will do the evaluation every year and continue to monitor it," he said. "At some point in time, we may find that it is more of a break even and it's more appropriate for us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the district's current lunch program, a hot lunch is $3 for students in kindergarten to fifth grade and $3.05 for students in grades six to 12. Breakfast is $1.30 for all students, Superintendent Margo Empen said. "If you are a student, you are never denied breakfast. You are never denied lunch...It doesn't matter how much you owe us, you still get one," Campbell said. Free or reduced lunch and breakfast are provided to DPS families who meet specific income requirements and enroll in the National School Lunch Program, Empen said. If a family fills out that form and qualifies for the program, Campbell said, the district would wipe out any outstanding balances that might be on their lunch account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our secretaries do an amazing job of reaching out and connecting with families to let them know what opportunities are out there. If it's a temporary struggle, if it's a permanent struggle, they work very closely with families to try to figure out what is the best option for them," Empen said. Board member Jon Wadsworth pointed out that it does cost the district to pay those employees for putting in the work to coordinate the NSLP applications, but Campbell said, "it's not $130,000." From an accounting perspective, those individuals are already being paid and $130,000 is just the cost of the meals so "I'm not taking that into consideration, nor do I think we would really want to," Campbell said. "For me, there's a lot of value in simplicity, and ... it's easier to just have free lunch and do it and forget about it, but $130,000 is not junk change," Wadsworth said. Wadsworth and board president Linda Wegner agreed that if it does make sense in the future they would consider implementing it. For now, "we go with the status quo," Campbell said. LAUREL, Md. (DC News Now) As the United States and China continue to battle it out with reciprocal tariffs in a trade war, some small businesses around the DMV say they are feeling the pain. A hobbyist shop in Laurel, Md., says most of its products come from China. Now, prices at Hobby Works are bound to go up as owner Mike Brey says he tries to navigate the U.S. tariffs on China. Something like this: a Budweiser train set that sells for $399 now, Brey said. This same set could be anywhere from $700 to $800. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DMV Doers: Former DC Circulator manager making a difference in the lives of others With the tariffs on China, he says small businesses are feeling the squeeze. We have no choice [but] to raise the prices, he said. Tariffs are paid by Americans, by American businesses. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on China to 145% in turn, China raised tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%. We cannot be dependent on countries like China if we want this country to be strong and wealthy, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on April 11. Brey said he has already lost some customers because of it and that he will have to pass the costs on to his customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Im] worried because pay aint going up but everything else is, so might just have to budget a little differently, said customer John Mioduszewski. Hobby Works has been in business for more than 42 years, but Brey worries about whether his small business will be able to survive. Consumers wont bear this level of price increase, and its not like theres time for all that manufacturing to come back to this country that we can somehow wait this out, said Brey. Well just go away. Trump has said 75 countries want to negotiate tariff deals, except for China. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The man charged with running over and killing another man at an East El Paso County truck stop had gotten into a fight at a house party earlier that night and chased down those who were involved in that first fight to get revenge. Thats according to court documents obtained by KTSM. Man charged with murder for allegedly running over other man at truck stop A second fight resulted in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 20, at the Petro truck stop at 1295 Horizon Blvd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That second fight culminated in the victim, Leonel Monarrez, 18, being struck and killed by a vehicle early Sunday morning. Abraham Alvarado, 20, is facing a charge of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Alvarado allegedly struck and killed Monarrez with his SUV and then hit another person, who was injured, court documents show. At about 2:10 a.m. on Sunday, Socorro Police officers were dispatched to the truck stop about a fight in progress. Upon arrival, officers were met by witnesses who reported that a male subject had been run over in the parking lot by a gray SUV. The victim, later identified as Monarrez, was taken to the hospital by other people at the scene and later died at the hospital, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sheriffs Office and its Major Crimes Unit were asked to take the lead in the investigation by Socorro Police. Sheriffs Office investigating a death in East El Paso County Detectives from the Sheriffs Office talked to a witness who said that they were at a graduation house party earlier that night with a male subject and his brother, who was identified simply as AB. A fight broke out during the party involving the two brothers, the witness said. AB was hit in the head with a glass bottle during the fight and was bleeding profusely, the witness told detectives. They all ended up getting into an SUV with AB driving. The witness said AB followed a group of males he had fought with who were in a Dodge Challenger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The witness said AB chased the Challenger, drove at very high rates of speed and ran through red lights to continue the pursuit, the witness said. The witness said AB wanted to follow the other car to get his get back (revenge). The witness said they ended up at the Petro truck stop where they began recording what happened on a cell phone. The witness provided recordings to police, depicting multiple individuals in a fight in the parking lot. The footage showed the victim arriving in a black KIA. AB is also seen in a physical altercation with an unknown passenger from the Challenger he had been chasing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moments later, AB is seen running toward the drivers side of his SUV and beginning to flee. The witness said they ran toward the entrance of the truck stop where the victim was on the ground and appeared to be unconscious, court documents said. Detectives met with another witness, who said he was an occupant of the Dodge Challenger and saw the victim being struck by the SUV. He said that while he was trying to give aid to the victim, the SUV turned around and struck him, too, according to court documents. This person suffered injuries to his torso and ankle and had road rash, which was consistent with being struck by a vehicle, the court documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the course of the investigation, AB was identified to be Abraham Alvarado, court documents said. Socorro Police were able to find a gray SUV matching the description of the vehicle in the incident. They found it at a home in El Paso County, which was the listed residence of the suspect, according to court documents. A search warrant was obtained. Officers found that the SUV had front-end damage and visible blood on the hood and inside the vehicle, court documents said. The suspect was detained at the home along with his brother. The suspect said that after the fight at the Petro, he got into the SUV and admitted to striking the victim but denied striking a second person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brother said he was not initially in the SUV and saw the suspect strike the victim with the vehicle, according to court documents. The brother said he then got into the vehicle, and he saw a second individual holding a large rock, and that the suspect struck this individual as well before fleeing the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Sarah N. Lynch and Jody Godoy WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice has backed away from a plan to break up its Washington-based tax division and send prosecutors to offices throughout the country, according to an internal email seen by Reuters. A new plan would house tax attorneys within the DOJ's civil and criminal divisions, otherwise keeping intact the unit which specializes in enforcing the tax code. The initial plan to send tax attorneys to U.S. attorneys' offices was part of a broader proposed shakeup at the DOJ first reported by Reuters in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ continues to evaluate how best to allocate its resources and no final decisions have been made, a DOJ official told Reuters on Monday. The earlier plan had drawn criticism from dozens of former tax officials, including Rod Rosenstein, the second in command at the DOJ during the first Trump administration. "If the goal is to increase efficiency and our return on investment, eliminating the Tax Division would be an epic failure," the officials wrote, saying that decentralizing the division would risk inconsistent application of tax law. As part of President Donald Trump's bid to drastically shrink the U.S. government, the DOJ has been eyeing plans to streamline various functions. A proposal to merge the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives met with criticism from advocacy groups. (Reporting by Sarah Lynch and Brad Heath in Washington; Writing by Jody Godoy; Editing by Leslie Adler) The corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams may have been dropped and the case dismissed, but the fallout still continues. Three federal prosecutors announced their resignations Tuesday, saying that they would quit their jobs rather than admit wrongdoing in continuing to pursue the case against Adams, The New York Times reports. In an email, prosecutors Celia V. Cohen, Andrew Rohrbach, and Derek Wikstrom, who all worked on the Adams case, said that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche made their admitting to wrongdoing a condition of their reinstatement from administrative leave, after corruption charges against Adams were dropped in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will not confess wrongdoing when there was none, the trio wrote in the email, adding, Now, the Department has decided that obedience supersedes all else, requiring us to abdicate our legal and ethical obligations in favor of directions from Washington. Adams spent much of 2024 openly lobbying President Trump to intervene in the federal charges against him for bribery, fraud, and soliciting political donations from Turkish officials in exchange for favors. His efforts paid off two months ago, although comments from Trumps border czar Tom Homan made it seem like the DOJ was dropping charges in exchange for Adams cracking down on immigrants in New York City. Seven prosecutors resigned last month rather than carry out the order from Washington to drop the charges. Now, even though the case was dismissed with prejudice, preventing the Trump administration from using it as leverage over Adams in the future, it appears that the administration tried to get a show of fealty from Manhattan federal prosecutors. While three of them refused, Trumps DOJ has won the chance to install loyalist attorneys to protect the president and his friends. The Trump administration is not only refusing to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, but it spelled United States wrong while explaining why. In a response issued Monday evening, the Department of Justice failed to answer questions from Abrego Garcias lawyers submitted in a court-approved interrogatory. Defendants object to Interrogatory No. 1 as based on the false premise that the United States can, or has been ordered to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody, the DOJs response reads. It then quotes the Supreme Court as having said, Defendant should take all available steps to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia to the United State. Misquoting the Supreme Court and a typo? Its a great start from the Justice Department as it tries to defend deporting an innocent man it claims is part of a gang because of his knuckle tattoos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Trump administration unlawfully deported 29-year-old Abrego Garcia to El Salvador due to an admitted administrative error, the Supreme Court ordered the government to facilitate his return, as did U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis. But the administration has since taken no steps to do so, and it maintains without evidence that Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13. Because of Trumps inaction, Xinis allowed Abrego Garcias lawyers to submit an interrogatory in search of answers, of which they got none. Along with spelling the countrys name incorrectly, the DOJ refused to answer any questions from the father-of-threes attorneys in its response. It instead maintained that any rulings ordering the facilitation of Abrego Garcias return are a false premisea pathetic excuse for inaction given thats exactly what they were ordered to do. Will Rogers once said, This country is bigger than Wall Street. If they dont believe it, show em the map. That wisdom is alive in the Oklahoma Legislature, where lawmakers are standing up to Big Pharma the $6 trillion pharmaceutical industry by rejecting its attempts to protect profits at the expense of rural Oklahomans access to health care. The same industry that spends billions convincing you to buy their latest drugs is working behind the scenes to block hospitals and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) from fully participating in the federal 340B drug program. Established by Congress over 30 years ago, 340B requires drug manufacturers to sell medications at reduced prices to qualifying hospitals and FQHCs, ensuring vulnerable communities have access to affordable care. Critical access hospitals (CAHs), which serve our most rural areas, automatically qualify yet the pharmaceutical industry is attempting to curtail their participation. This program costs taxpayers nothing. Its strictly regulated and subject to rigorous federal oversight. But that hasnt stopped Big Pharma from bankrolling misleading campaigns to manipulate public opinion and intimidate state lawmakers against supporting HB 2048. Authored by Rep. Preston Stinson and Sen. Brent Howard, the bill would ensure hospitals and FQHCs can fully participate in the program, safeguarding health care access across Oklahoma. Earlier this session, out-of-state pharma executives flew into our state to pressure lawmakers against supporting the bill. Their tactics backfired. The Oklahoma House of Representatives soundly passed the bill, rejecting Big Pharmas deception, and Oklahomans should, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same industry responsible for 300,000 opioid deaths is using its financial influence to deploy so-called patient advocacy groups to defend its obstruction to this vital program. These organizations, funded by Big Pharma, protect industry profits, not patients. Pharmaceutical stock on shelves at a pharmacy in Guthire Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. The CEO of the Oklahoma Hospital Association says out-of-state lobbyists are trying to undermine a drug program in Oklahoma. More: My daughter has Type 1 diabetes. New bill will hurt vulnerable patients like her. | Opinion Consider diabetes. Three companies control 90% of the insulin market, yet they charge Oklahomans nearly 10 times what patients in other countries pay. According to the OECD, the U.S. manufacturer price for insulin averages $98.70, compared to just $8.81 in other countries. For those with Type 2 diabetes, semaglutide medications offer hope. But once again, Big Pharma exploits American consumers. According to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, the list price for Ozempic is $936 per month in the U.S. five times the price in Japan and 10 times that in Europe or Australia. Oklahoma ranks fourth nationally in diabetes mortality, yet residents pay more for life-saving medication. Under Big Pharmas rules, Americans pay retail while the rest of the world pays wholesale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, a federal appeals court upheld Louisianas 340B protections. Oklahomas proposed law mirrors Louisianas, yet Big Pharma continues fighting nationwide to block access to this vital program including here in Oklahoma. Dont be fooled by dark money ads and pharma-funded advocacy groups that vilify our rural hospitals and FQHCs. Its time to put Oklahoma patients first and stand up to a trillion-dollar industry that only shows up when their profits are at stake. Rich Rasmussen, Oklahoma Hospital Association president & CEO. Rich Rasmussen is president and CEO of Oklahoma Hospital Association. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big Pharma trying to undermine Oklahoma's drug program | Opinion by Guo Yifan NANNING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Not long ago, while scrolling through Xiaohongshu, a popular Chinese lifestyle app also known as rednote, I came across a post asking, "Which city in China has the best food?" Among thousands of replies, one simple comment stood out, garnering more than 2,400 likes: "Nanning, a place where you don't have to rush to see landmarks. Just eat. Slowly." I couldn't agree more. I gave it a thumbs-up and added my own reply: "If you come to Nanning, don't just try the local rice noodles. The Southeast Asian food here is unbelievably authentic!" As the capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a key gateway to ASEAN, Nanning isn't just influenced by Southeast Asia; it's infused with it. Thanks to growing connectivity, shared climate, and close cultural ties, Southeast Asian flavors have become an inseparable part of daily life here. At an international event, Nanning mayor Hou Gang once said, "With direct flights connecting us to all 10 ASEAN countries, you can have Laoyou rice noodles in Nanning for breakfast, sip coffee in Hanoi by noon, and enjoy durian in Kuala Lumpur by afternoon." It might sound like a slogan, but in Nanning, it feels more like a way of life. You'll find Thai papaya salad, Indonesian coconut rolls, and Vietnamese pho served alongside local rice noodles at street stalls and tucked-away eateries. And if you're a durian fan, you are in luck. China remains the world's largest importer and biggest consumer of durians. According to customs data, the country imported a record 1.56 million tonnes of fresh durians last year, valued at 6.99 billion U.S. dollars. Most of the fresh durians in the Chinese market come from Thailand and Vietnam, though imports from Malaysia and the Philippines are growing. Durian lovers like me can now enjoy fresh fruit year-round. The city's humid subtropical climate closely mirrors that of Southeast Asian countries. Even the Zhuang language, spoken by one of the region's ethnic groups, carries traces of Thai. But what truly brings these flavors to life are the people who cook, savor and share them. A colleague who has lived in Nanning for over 20 years told me the turning point was in 2004, when the city hosted the first China-ASEAN Expo. "That's when the wave of Southeast Asian restaurants began," he said. "Since then, they've only multiplied." Today, Nanning is affectionately known as the "city of rice noodles." While locals remain loyal to famous Laoyou and Luosi noodle dishes, Vietnamese chicken pho has become just as beloved. There are two pho shops near my office, small and unpretentious. But their homemade flavors and wallet-friendly prices draw regulars from nearby offices every day. It's also my go-to meal when I want something light and delicious after work. One Spring Festival, I was invited to dinner by Hoang Thi Hue, a Vietnamese translator who has lived in Nanning for many years. She introduced me to her Chinese husband and their two children. Her apartment was bright with fresh flowers, a Vietnamese holiday tradition, and the table was filled with Vietnamese fried spring rolls she had made herself. "Life in Nanning is just as cozy and fulfilling as in Hanoi," she told me. "I can find almost every ingredient I need for Vietnamese dishes. And if I don't feel like cooking, it's easy to find Vietnamese-run restaurants that taste just like home." Over the past seven years, I've met many people who have brought the tastes of Southeast Asia to Nanning. Some are Chinese food lovers who turned their passion into a profession. Others are Southeast Asian friends who moved here with their families or international students who stayed after graduation to start their own businesses. One of them is Wei Chaoxia, a descendant of Indonesian Chinese. I first discovered her snack shop through social media, where users praised her for healthy ingredients and nostalgic flavors. When I visited, I was greeted by shelves of Indonesian treats like nine-layer cakes, sticky rice dumplings, sago pudding, coconut rolls, and her signature turtle-shaped cakes, which are a symbol of health and longevity, warm from the oven. "I learned to bake from my mother," Wei told me. She named the shop after her mother's surname. What started as a neighborhood bakery has grown steadily, earning a loyal following that now includes many Indonesian students longing for a taste of home. Another unforgettable individual is Tonny Tong, a Malaysian sommelier who opened a restaurant in downtown Nanning. There, he serves not only Malaysian specialties, but also curates a wine list featuring bottles from across Southeast Asia. Tong told me that the Chinese market is vast and dynamic, and that growing economic ties between China and Malaysia have made doing business much easier and more promising. More and more of his friends back home are starting to explore opportunities in China. Indeed, the numbers tell a story, too. In the first quarter of this year, ASEAN remained China's largest trading partner, with total trade reaching 1.71 trillion yuan (about 237 billion U.S. dollars), up 7.1 percent from a year earlier and accounting for 16.6 percent of China's overall trade value. Tourism between China and Southeast Asia is also flourishing. For example, in the first 10 months of 2024, approximately 1.08 million Malaysian tourists traveled to China. Through every steaming bowl, sizzling wok, and sweet dessert, Nanning's connection with Southeast Asia is served not just in taste, but in friendship. So if you ever find yourself in southern China, come to Nanning with an open heart and an empty stomach. Start with the rice noodles, sure. But keep going! Tucked into the city's alleys and night markets is an entire region waiting to be discovered, one bite at a time. Enditem (Edited by Cheng Lu) President Donald Trump said Monday he will attend the funeral for Pope Francis in Vatican City, the papal enclave in Rome. Some questioned whether the president would make the trip given his public rift with Francis on issues like immigration, which garnered headlines as recently as this weekend. Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome, Trump wrote on Truth Social. We look forward to being there! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Complete funeral arrangements have not been finalized for Francis, who died Monday morning at 88. Late pontiffs are typically buried four to six days after their death, and a ceremony takes place outside in St. Peters Square to accommodate an influx of mourners. Francis requested to be buried in Rome at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, breaking with a longtime tradition of being buried at the Vatican. US President Donald Trump praised Pope Francis as a good man who loved the world and ordered state and federal flags around the country to fly at half-staff https://t.co/W5HjdTwvRO pic.twitter.com/M1ExclHpW3 Reuters (@Reuters) April 21, 2025 Trump, 78, spoke glowingly of Francis on Mondayan about-face from the rhetoric he has used previously. Hes a very good man who loved the world, Trump said Monday. He especially loved people that were having a hard time, and thats good with me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Francis public feud dates back to 2013, when Trump, then two years away from entering the political scene, scoffed at Francis frugality. I dont like seeing the Pope standing at the checkout counter (front desk) of a hotel in order to pay his bill, Trump tweeted. Its not Pope-like! @ilpostio That's why I'll never be Pope! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 19, 2013 Francis hit back at Trump years later as a Republican presidential candidate campaigning on building a border wall and carrying out mass deportations. Francis said such policy beliefs made Trump not Christian. Id just say that this man is not Christian, if he said it in this way, Francis told reporters in February 2016. A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges is not Christian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, of course, wasted no time firing back. If and when the Vatican is attacked by ISIS, which, as everyone knows, is ISISs ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the Pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been President because this would not have happened, his campaign said in a statement. For a religious leader to question a persons faith is disgraceful. The two men met for the first time in 2017four months into Trumps first White House stintat the Vatican. A photo went viral showing Trump beaming while Francis scowled, but their statements after the meeting were positive. Francis said he even gifted Trump a signed-and-bound copy of his remarks from World Peace Day. Pope Francis poses with Donald Trump and family in 2017. A cropped version of the photo went viral at the time because of the contrast between the mens dress and facial expressions. / POOL / REUTERS Honor of a lifetime to meet His Holiness Pope Francis, Trump said after their meeting. I leave the Vatican more determined than ever to pursue PEACE in our world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things turned sour again in recent months. Francis described Trumps mass deportation plans as a major crisis in February. The act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness, he wrote in a letter. President Donald Trump added another endorsement in next years Republican primary for Arizona governor, saying Monday that he was backing U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs in addition to his previously announced endorsement of housing developer Karrin Taylor Robson. Trumps endorsement of Robson late last year angered some of his biggest allies in the state, who are suspicious of her longstanding ties to the Republican business establishment and preferred a candidate with deep roots in Trumps Make America Great Again movement. A former chair of the U.S. Houses hard-right Freedom Caucus and former state Senate president, Biggs has long been a close ally to Trump and supported his false claims about the 2020 presidential election being stolen. Biggs represents a deep red district including cities like Queen Creek and Gilbert, and has ties to the partys grassroots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biggs has had no problem with defying party leadership such as when he and seven other House Republicans helped oust Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker in 2023. When Andy Biggs decided to run for Governor, quite unexpectedly, I had a problem Two fantastic candidates, two terrific people, two wonderful champions, and it is therefore my Great Honor TO GIVE MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT TO BOTH, Trump said Monday in a post on Truth Social. Biggs has joined the race for governor in Arizona and got an endorsement from Trump after he already endorsed another candidate. Bloomberg via Getty Images In a failed 2022 race for governor, Robson was closely aligned with old guard Arizona conservatives. She campaigned with Republicans who had fallen from Trumps good graces, including former Gov. Doug Ducey and former Vice President Mike Pence, while Trump campaigned for former television news anchor Kari Lake. Lake won the GOP primary and lost to current Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. This time around, Robson has been looking to eliminate daylight between herself and the president, eagerly embracing him and his policies while touting herself as the Trump-endorsed candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reaction to the dual endorsement, Robson expressed her gratitude to Trump for his support. I cannot wait to be in the Governors Office as a partner to his conservative, America First agenda, she said in a statement. Onward! Robson already received an endorsement from Trump before he also endorsed Biggs for governor. Christian Petersen via Getty Images Sean Noble, general consultant with Biggs campaign, said the campaign is thrilled for the endorsement but also expected it to be for both candidates given Trumps earlier support of Robson. Given that Robson had leaned so heavily on the endorsement as her very premise for being in the race, it does call into question whether she should stay in the race, he said. Trump is no stranger to dual endorsements. Since 2017, hes supported multiple candidates vying for the same post in six races, including Robson and Biggs, according to analysis by The Associated Press. In the 2022 U.S. Senate race in Missouri, he endorsed Eric, the first name of two GOP candidates vying for the nomination. A triple endorsement came in 2024 in the Missouri governors race when Trump backed Jay Ashcroft, Mike Kehoe and Bill Eigel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic Governors Association called the dual endorsement a huge blow to Robson. The winner of the GOP primary will face likely face Hobbs, who has no serious challenger for the Democratic nomination. Related... The University of Alabama Student Center on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL Monday Jan. 13, 2024. President Donald Trump said Monday night he will speak at the university's commencement in May. (Will McLelland/Alabama Reflector) President Donald Trump said Monday night that he would speak at the University of Alabamas spring commencement early next month, but university officials said Tuesday he is speaking at a separate event. The president posted the announcement on Truth Social, his preferred social media platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have agreed to do the Commencement Address at two really GREAT places, the University of Alabama and, WEST POINT. Stay tuned for times and dates!!! the post said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The university has eight graduation ceremonies from May 2-4. The University of Alabama said in a statement Tuesday that Trump would deliver a commencement address at a ticketed, distinct event on May 1 that will be open to all Spring 2025 graduates. We look forward to celebrating our graduates throughout commencement weekend as we confer degrees to thousands of hardworking students who will go on to make a positive impact in the workforce and in communities across Alabama, our nation and the world, Alex House, a spokesman for the university, wrote in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, an Alabama graduate, said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she was looking forward to the address. What a tremendous honor for my alma mater. Looking forward to a historic occasion for graduates and their families, the post said. The announcement comes as the Trump administration has challenged the legal status of foreign students on college campuses around the nation. The Associated Press said that at least 1,024 students at 160 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated since late March. Officials with Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) detained Alireza Douroudi, an Alabama doctoral student from Iran, in March. Doroudi was denied bond last week, but the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not named any charges. Auburn said in a statement last week that 15 foreign students or personnel on its campus had their visas cancelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump won 65% of Alabamas vote in last Novembers presidential election. His margin in Tuscaloosa County, the home of the University of Alabama, was about 60%. Updated at 2:04 p.m. with University of Alabama statement saying Trump would speak at an event on May 1. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE DENVER (KDVR) A sheriffs deputy on patrol stopped an in-progress burglary at a car dealership in Douglas County, according to a post on X from the Douglas County Sheriffs Department. On Sunday night, a deputy patrolling noticed activity at a car dealership in the 1000 block of Plum Valley Lane in Highlands Ranch around 9:30 p.m. The deputy saw a suspicious U-Haul truck in the parking lot of the dealership. The suspects who had been loading the truck fled on foot before the deputy could make contact with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The truck was full of tires and wheels worth an estimated $10,000 that had been taken from a locked storage cage behind the dealership. Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars Game 3: TV channel, time, what to know Not long after the thieves had been interrupted, deputies received a call about two men trying to break into vehicles at a nearby hotel on Plaza Drive. Deputies set a perimeter and used the assistance of drones and a K-9 unit to locate the suspects One of the suspects was contacted in the lobby of the hotel, while the other led deputies on a foot chase, but was eventually stopped and arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im proud of our deputies for staying sharp, trusting their instincts, and taking quick action. This is the kind of relentless dedication our community can count on. No matter how big or small the crime, we will go after criminals and chase them down. If you break the law in Douglas County, we will find you, and we will hold you accountable. Were not backing down, said Darren Weekly, the Sheriff of Douglas County. Deputies said a U-Haul key was located in the pocket of one of the suspects, and he was confirmed to have the rental under his name. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BEREA, Ky. (FOX 56) Dozens of parents and staff showed up at Mondays school board meeting in Berea after hearing the district is in a financial hole, wanting to know how bad it is, and they got the answer. They also wanted to hear from Dr. Elmer Thomas, the interim superintendent, but learned he will not be in that position for long. Dr. Ryan Neaves was named the new superintendent after a 4-1 vote by the board. Board Member McCay told FOX 56 that he voted against the hire because of a relocation concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neaves currently serves as a principal with Williamstown Independent Schools. So before I take any steps towards making any decisions, any steps towards really getting into the building, I have to learn who you are as a community, I have to learn who you are as a school, and thats going to be a lot of listening, Neaves said. So part of that process right now is going to be getting to know our board a little bit deeper. Im going to be very present as the end of the year gets underway, and as we take some of those steps towards restoring what Berea can be and what its going to be in the future, Neaves added. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will begin on July 1, taking over for Thomas, who said that since beginning recently, he has worked to get the budget trending upwards. This is all good news, but let me tell you, it is still a very, very tight budget, Thomas said. Finance Officer Nathan Sweet said the district is still spending more than it is making. The main reason is that 90% of the budget is salary-based. Every time a payroll hits, you know, it is taking us over about $150,000, and we run two a month, Sweet said. In March, general fund expenses outweighed revenue by $298,561.65 When speaking about staff allocations for next year, Ashley Hammond, a parent, said she is concerned that the librarian at the school will spend about 30% of their time there. She said that it is especially bad for the elementary school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news She [the librarian] has put out books for him about technology, more non-fiction books, and hes actually coming home and getting excited about books, and I attribute that to our librarian, said Hammond. We are going to focus again on our core content to try to get that back to speed, to where it should be, then immediately after that core content if we can pull, that would be a clear focus of the board, I think, Thomas said. The district has been in constant communication with the state. Thomas said his hope is for the budget to be back to what it once was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. A New Hampshire man is facing drunken driving charges after allegedly driving the wrong way on Interstate 93, state police said Tuesday. Guillermo Rafael Sanchez Jr., 27, of Manchester, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, second offense; transporting alcoholic beverages, open container; felony reckless conduct and reckless driving. Sanchez was held on preventative detention and will be arraigned at a later date in Plymouth District Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 8:16 p.m. Monday, state police received a report of a vehicle driving northbound in the southbound lanes, in the area of Exit 30 on I-93 in Woodstock. Responding troopers located the driver, later identified as Sanchez, in the area of Exit 31, pulled off on the median shoulder facing the wrong direction, state police said. Officers from the Woodstock, Lincoln and Franconia police departments assisted troopers with the case. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Trooper Conor Doyle at 603-846-3333 or Conor.F.Doyle@dos.nh.gov. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW WASHINGTON, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Over 100 U.S. universities and colleges, including Harvard, Princeton, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Pennsylvania, Brown, and Cornell issued a joint letter Tuesday condemning President Donald Trump administration's "political interference" in the nation's education system. "We speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education," the letter read. "We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight. However, we must oppose undue government intrusion," the letter said. "We must reject the coercive use of public research funding." The join letter came one day after Harvard University said that it has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration's funding freeze, calling the action "unlawful and beyond the government's authority." In a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the university said that this case involves "the government's efforts to use the withholding of federal funding as leverage to gain control of academic decision making at Harvard." On April 11, Trump administration officials sent a letter to Harvard, demanding that the university make "meaningful governance reform and restructuring," noting that "an investment is not an entitlement." On April 14, Harvard University rejected the Trump administration's demands to make sweeping changes to its governance, hiring and admissions practices. Just a few hours later, the Trump administration announced a freeze on 2.2 billion dollars in multi-year grants and 60 million in multi-year contract value to the university. On April 16, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanded that Harvard University share information about the foreign student visa holders' illegal and violent activities by April 30, or risk losing its authorization to enroll international students. The administration has also announced that it is considering a revocation of Harvard's tax-exempt status. Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has issued warnings to several top U.S. universities, stating that they could face funding cuts if they do not adjust their policies. The administration's main demands include eliminating what it describes as antisemitism on campus and dismantling diversity initiatives that favor certain minority groups. Against the backdrop of the Israel-Palestine conflict, many universities across the United States saw a wave of pro-Palestinian protests last year, drawing increased government attention to alleged anti-Semitic sentiments on campuses. DuTrac Community Credit Union wants to help QCA families who need diapers. The credit unions second annual Diaper Drive focuses on diaper insecurity among families in need. The drive runs through May 31 and this years goal is to collect 7,500 diapers across all DuTrac branch locations for families through distribution partnerships with United Way Dubuque Area Tri-States and Hiney Helpers of the Quad Cities. The Diaper Drive began last year and over 3,700 diapers were collected. (Photo by WREG) We are excited to partner again with DuTrac for their annual Diaper Drive, said Danielle Leibfried, president/CEO of United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States. These resources are incredibly valuable to our local communities. This will help many young families with already tight budgets meet their basic needs. Thank you to DuTrac for recognizing and stepping up to fill a gap within our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that many hardworking families in our communities struggle to afford basic necessities, and no parent should have to choose between buying diapers and other essentials, said Andy Hawkinson, DuTrac president and CEO. Through the generosity of our members and the power of community partnerships, we can help ease this burden and make a real difference in the lives of local families. Residents can donate diapers of any size or make a monetary donation at any DuTrac branch. All donations stay local; contributions made at each DuTrac branch will be distributed to partner organizations serving that community. Click here for more information or contact Sherrie Keating at 563-585-8415 or skeating@dutrac.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Apr. 22SOAP LAKE Last week, Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry President Shawna Kluge assisted with transporting an injured bald eagle to Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The rescue took Kluge three days, over 600 miles and resulted in her spending around $500 in funds she didn't have to get the bird to the veterinary hospital. "The money used to save the bird was supposed to be for moving my cat buildings to the new rescue, but when faced with an animal, especially one as majestic as an eagle, that is in danger, I am going to prioritize that," Kluge said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the eagle arrived at WSU on Wednesday, he was placed into a facility and given pain medication and his testing began. The hospital realized after testing that he had an injury on the elbow of the wing. "Unfortunately, injuries at the joints for most wild animals are not able to be repaired," Marcie Logsdon, WSU veterinarian in the exotics and wildlife department, said. "An elbow on a bird's wings is just so important for flight. Flight is their livelihood. If they can't fly, they starve to death." Logsdon said there is no technology advanced enough for them to be able to fix an elbow injury for the bird to be released. "Even if we were to consider placing this friend in an educational facility or zoo or something along those lines," Logsdon said. "Injuries at the joints tend to predispose these guys to chronic pain, even if we fix it as best we can. Pain-wise, they tend to have to deal with that for the rest of their life. As a young bald eagle, they would be kept for 50 or 60 years in captivity. So, 50 or 60 years of hurting would not be very kind. That's why, unfortunately, that friend was not a candidate for an educational placement or a permanent home." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The eagle was humanely euthanized Friday morning. "I feel good about it. I feel good about the whole rescue," Kluge said. "I'm still deeply affected by the fact that he's no longer here. I mean, it just isn't probably because it was just a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I really wanted it to be different. But I do know for a fact that the bird is highly regulated. It's not like you can just choose to put it down without overwhelming evidence. I mean, I know all of that, but it's just hard." Logsdon said she was very grateful for the work Kluge put in to rescue and bring the bird to WSU. "This is absolutely wonderful that people are willing to help provide transportation for these injured birds, because that's one of the things that we're really missing right now and in Washington state, is we don't have very many options," Logsdon said. "We don't have very many options in the center of the state for Wildlife Rehab and so and so, you know, we can only treat the animals that are here, and so I can't treat any of them if people aren't able to and willing to bring them to us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Logsdon said this is the sixth eagle they have helped this year, so far. She said one has been able to be released back into the wild and another one is still in her care. Logsdon said she also appreciated how Kluge gave her a call prior to bringing the bird in. "That really helps us not only direct folks to the best place to take that animal, like what resources might be closest to them, but also helps us just check in and make sure that it is an animal, in fact in need of rescue or help," Logsdon said. "In the springtime, there are a lot of healthy babies out there who are acting really silly and sometimes far away from mom. People checking in first helps us make sure that healthy baby bunnies, healthy baby fawns get to stay out in the wild with their mom, and the birds like that eagle, who really do need help, are making it into places where they can get some help, even if that help just is a nice, smooth and painless way out." Kluge said that although the rescue didn't end the way she had hoped, she is still grateful to have been a part of the attempt. "I am definitely proud that I was involved. I mean, even though it didn't necessarily go the way I wanted it to go, I am very proud," Kluge said. "He didn't die alone. He had had meals. He had pain relief. He'd been down for a while. We knew that. Pioneer (Veterinary Clinic) said it wasn't a fresh injury, that he'd been down for a bit but (that) doesn't make it any easier. I'm learning that the more I rescue, the harder it gets when you have to say goodbye." EARLY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Over the past few years, Early has seen growth in the community, with new businesses and more residents. On Monday, they added to their resources with the fire department receiving its first ladder truck. Residents gave a hand, helping with the wash-off and push-in ceremony, wiping down the sides of the truck and pushing it into its new home, the bay. The 103-foot ladder truck was purchased used from Illinois and can hold 500 gallons of water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire Chief Chad Hill says the purchase of the truck comes in response to the growth that the city has seen with new commercial businesses. We do run a lot of calls here in Early, more than people realize, Hill said. Thats definitely going to help, just for the commercial buildings coming in, and new buildings as well as Brownwood. Now, we have two ladder trucks in the county, including theirs, so thats huge. City of Early welcomes newly sworn-in county officials The Town Center project began five years ago, with the vision of creating a family-friendly area for both residents and visitors to enjoy. City administrator Tony Aaron said the vision is finally coming into fruition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its popular to live in rural areas. Youve got a lot of people that are moving from the bigger cities or other states, but they still want great amenities and great shops and restaurants, and so thats where the growth is happening, Aaron said. The vision has been to try to create a family-friendly, fun space for people to come to. Alongside the city, the fire department has seen its own growth, initially starting as a volunteer department. Second-generation firefighter Shaun Shults said the day meant a lot to him. It just shows how much Early has grown over the years. To add a big truck like this to our department is a very good asset, not just for us as a department, but as a community, Shults said. I want this department to carry on. I dont want to see it end anytime soon. If my kid decides he wants to be a fireman, Id like him to come here to work. Brownwood designated as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Shults, his mother and sister, the day was more than just welcoming a new piece of equipment; it was a testament to the work of the firefighters and women who came before, including the late Guy Bob Shults. His daughter, Jennifer Connelly Behringer, said it means a lot to her to see a piece of her dads legacy continue. My dad would be very proud. He always wanted the best equipment, worked on the equipment he loved, and he loved the station and all it has in it, Connelly Behringer said. The town center project is expected to be completed by fall 2025, with commercial businesses still joining the city. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Early voting has started at the Erie County Courthouse ahead of the Pennsylvania primary election. Monday was the first day people could head to the elections office in the Erie County Courthouse and cast their ballots ahead of the election on May 20. Erie Co. Council puts in request for court tech support People must be qualified registered voters to vote early. You must also be a registered Democrat or Republican to take part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You just come into the office, youll fill out a mail-in ballot application, and then also we do recommend you bring your photo ID. Its not required, but it will expedite the process. If you have your ID with you, it will take maybe 5 minutes. If you dont have your ID, it may take up to 20 minutes, said Tonia Fernandez, director of elections for Erie County. Other important dates to keep in mind include May 5, which is the last day to register to vote in the primary, and May 13, which is the last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. Preliminary data shows that tens of thousands of patients who were not lawfully in the United States were treated by Texas hospitals in recent months and the cost for their care is in the millions of dollars, according to a state employee testifying before lawmakers late Monday. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas hospitals last summer to begin asking all patients to disclose whether they were lawfully in the United States. Patients were told their answers would not jeopardize their access to health care but they were not legally required to answer. Hospitals were expected to turn in their first months of data by March 1 but it has not been released publicly yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But during a House Public Health Committee hearing on a bill from state Rep. Mike Olcott, R-Fort Worth, that would formalize Abbotts order into a regular annual report each year, a Texas Health and Human Services Commission executive answered lawmakers questions about what the agency has learned so far from the 558 Texas hospitals that have responded to Abbotts order. The number of visits was in the thousands, the tens of thousands, and the costs were in the millions, said Victoria Grady, director of provider finance at HHSC. We should be finalizing the data by the end of the week. Several media outlets, including The Texas Tribune, have asked for the data following the hospitals first March 1 deadline set by Abbotts office. Grady and Olcott detailed why theres been such a delay in getting that first snapshot out into the public view. They actually got some data on like pieces of paper, Olcott told committee members. Grady confirmed that the agency has had to, on occasion, manually input data on paper that was mailed into the agency from some hospitals into a spreadsheet. She also said she expects the data to be released by the agency later this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbotts order told hospitals to begin collecting information in November 2024. But its not clear if the data collected by the 558 hospitals was just for that month or all months since then. Olcott said his bill, like one already passed in 2023 in Florida, is necessary because it would streamline the survey process and keep Texans informed about how their tax dollars were spent. Since 2005, weve had 181 small rural hospitals close primarily due to uncompensated care, Olcott said. The goal of this is simply to know what percentage of that uncompensated care are due to people here illegally. According to the Texas Hospital Association, hospitals in this state spend $3.1 billion a year on uninsured care that is not reimbursed. But a large portion of that is for American citizens who are uninsured in Texas. The state has one of the highest rates of uninsured residents in the nation, with more than 4 million without health insurance coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lynn Cowles, health and food justice programs manager at Every Texan, which advocates for better health care in Texas, testified on that fact. I think one of the big issues with this bill if it is intended to understand the problems of rural hospitals closing across the state is that the pool of uncompensated care is so large because of the amount of citizens who are uninsured in Texas, Cowles said. Disclosure: Every Texan and Texas Hospital Association have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 1315 in downtown Austin. Get tickets before May 1 and save big! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. Earth Day environmental activists defaced Lower Manhattans iconic Charging Bull statue Tuesday, then rushed to clean it up before cops arrived, officials said. Videos on social media and photographs from the scene show a handful of Extinction Rebellion activists spray-painting Greed=Death onto the flank of the life-size Arturo Di Modica sculpture on Broadway near Morris St. in the Financial District. They also sprayed green paint on the bulls head and hung stockings filled with debris from the statues rear, making it appear that the bull was defecating on a cutout of Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activists waved Extinction Rebellion flags and held up signs reading No profits on a dead planet before they began cleaning up their political statement as police arrived. Photos show at least one cop removing an activist who was sitting on the bulls neck as protesters began wiping off the green paint. When more cops arrived, the Bull had been completely cleaned off. No arrests were immediately made, an NYPD spokesman said Tuesday. The 7,100-pound bull, meant to symbolize Wall Streets strength, was installed in 1989 and has for decades been targeted by activists against putting profits over people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September 2019, Dallas resident Tevon Varlack went wild on the statue, bashing the bronze beast so hard he damaged one of its horns, cops said. Fk Donald Trump, Varlack, 42, screeched over and over during the beatdown, witnesses told police. A bit farther north, in the Meatpacking District, spray paint-wielding Extinction Rebellion activists also hit the Tesla showroom. F DOGE, they scrawled on the places front doors, among other graffiti that they festooned the places plate-glass windows with. As they did at the Charging Bull sculpture, the demonstrators tried to wipe away their freshly sprayed graffiti before the cops arrived. However, two of the protesters were arrested, with charges pending, a police spokeswoman said. Although Tesla manufactures sustainable-energy electric cars that would normally appeal to environmentalists, the Washington St. retail outlet has been the focus of ongoing weekend protests over Elon Musks federal government-cutting rampage as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. NEW YORK Earth Day environmental activists defaced Lower Manhattans iconic Charging Bull statue Tuesday, then rushed to clean it up before cops arrived, officials said. Videos on social media and photographs from the scene show a handful of Extinction Rebellion activists spray-painting Greed=Death onto the flank of the life-size Arturo Di Modica sculpture on Broadway near Morris Street in the Financial District. They also sprayed green paint on the bulls head and hung stockings filled with debris from the statues rear, making it appear that the bull was defecating on a cutout of Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activists waved Extinction Rebellion flags and held up signs reading No profits on a dead planet before they began cleaning up their political statement as police arrived. Photos show at least one cop removing an activist who was sitting on the bulls neck as protesters began wiping off the green paint. When more cops arrived, the Bull had been completely cleaned off. No arrests were immediately made, an NYPD spokesman said Tuesday. The 7,100-pound bull, meant to symbolize Wall Streets strength, was installed in 1989 and has for decades been targeted by activists against putting profits over people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September 2019, Dallas resident Tevon Varlack went wild on the statue, bashing the bronze beast so hard he damaged one of its horns, cops said. F--- Donald Trump, Varlack, 42, screeched over and over during the beatdown, witnesses told police. _____ Tuesday marks the 55th anniversary of the United States Earth Day movement. As the world continues to get hotter and hotter, each passing day is but another that could be used to combat the terrifying and existential threat of human-caused climate change. Climate change is expected to make raging wildfires more frequent, flash floods more severe, hurricanes stronger, droughts more persistent,and disproportionately affect Americans based on their socioeconomic status and location. The migration away from coasts has already begun, with 3.2 million people believed to have moved in an effort to escape flooding rainfall over the past two decades. Even before the potentially devastating environmental policy implemented by the Trump administration, scientists had warned that the planets biggest lines of defense against the climate crisis our natural carbon sinks that support Earths life-sustaining carbon cycle could be starting to fail. Carbon sinks are reservoirs that absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release. Earths oceans and forests are the biggest carbon sinks, and levels are the highest ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The greenhouse gas is the main culprit for Earths warming thanks to emissions from the fossil fuel industry. Because humans emit more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than natural sinks can remove, the total amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere continuously ticks upward. Tuesday marks the 55th anniversary of the Earth Day movement in the U.S. Even before the damaging actions of the Trump administration, the environment was already on the edge (Getty) Due to the high levels of carbon, forests are reportedly barely taking any in themselves. Ocean carbon storage is weakening. Were seeing cracks in the resilience of the Earths systems. Were seeing massive cracks on land but the oceans are also showing signs of instability, Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said last September. Nature has so far balanced our abuse. This is coming to an end, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. is one of the biggest culprits for individual greenhouse gas emissions, and it is second only to China. While former President Joe Biden set ambitious climate goals to curb emissions basically the only recourse to reverse course, according to climate scientists the Trump administration has ignored and fired climate scientists and experts across fields. New Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has deemed climate change a religion, ignoring the science and state of the planet in favor of President Donald Trumps energy mandates. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is doing the same, moving to open land for more drilling and mining despite proven harms and the environmental costs. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says she plans to expand domestic timber production, opening national forests to logging. Deforestation releases large amounts of carbon and can also affect the ability to soak up greenhouse gases. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says his agency is committed to ensuring America has clean air and water. Actions taken by the EPA and other Trump administration leaders show otherwise (Getty) After driving a dagger into regulations to prevent pollution, including a landmark climate finding, Zeldin wished Americans a Happy Earth Day. From the mountains to the plains, the rivers and the oceans, across our nations vast landscape, we all have a stake in our environment, he wrote, adding that the administration remains committed to clean air, land and water for all Americans. We can and we will accomplish this goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Zeldin's statement, the White House congratulated itself for policies that are contrary to what they called the "Green New Scam," alleging that the president "follows science" without mentioning climate change. By expanding logging, the administration claimed it was "improving wildlife habitats," and applauded its move to open federal lands for energy development and produce "the cleanest energy in the world." The White House also alleged that pausing wind projects actual clean energy, unlike coal would protect wildlife, with "detrimental" environmental effects "often [outweighing] their benefits." But, the realities of the planets climate peril cannot and will not be ignored. There are no boundaries to climate change. No country will be left alone. Over the past year, weve experienced the hottest year on record, the hottest ocean temperatures on record, and a seemingly endless string of heat waves, droughts, floods, wildfires and storms, Dr. Rick Spinrad, the former administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said in a statement last summer. We must recognize that these are clear signals of the damage carbon dioxide pollution is doing to the climate system, and take rapid action to reduce fossil fuel use as quickly as we can. BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Against the current backdrop of rampant unilateral bullying, China and Britain bear the responsibility to uphold the international order established after World War II, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Tuesday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a phone conversation with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Wang said the two sides also share a responsibility to uphold the UN-centered international system and protect the multilateral trading system. Noting that the momentum of improvement and easing in China-Britain relations has not come easily and requires utmost cherishing, Wang said China is willing to work with Britain to overcome various disruptions and distractions and steer the bilateral relationship steadily forward. Wang pointed out that the United States' use of tariffs as a weapon to launch indiscriminate attacks on other countries is a practice that has no public support and is unsustainable. By standing up against the United States' use of tariffs as a weapon, China aims not only to defend its own legitimate rights and interests but also to uphold international rules and the multilateral trading system. A Wisconsin solar farm. | Photo courtesy Clean Wisconsin Fifty-five years ago, 20 million Americans came together on the first Earth Day to say no to pollution: no more oil spills off the Santa Barbara coast, no more toxic rivers catching fire like the Cuyahoga, no more pesticides like DDT that harm our health. Fed up with unchecked pollution, environmental leaders of the 1970s organized, educated, and advocated, ultimately ushering in landmark federal regulations, such as the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, that fought contaminants in our air, water and land. The environmental movement has excelled at standing up and saying no, with huge results. We can credit the rejection of pollution with helping to restore ecosystems and save countless lives. Today, while some things remain the same and were still justified in fighting polluters to protect environmental and human health some factors have changed, warranting new approaches. Climate change is no longer some far-off problem. Its here, and its wreaking havoc. Last year was the warmest year on record; in fact, the hottest 10 years on record were all of the last 10 years. Floods, extreme storms, and disappearing winters are hurting Wisconsins communities and economy. And we need to do something about it. On this Earth Day, as we watch our federal government turn its back on the science of climate change, we have an opportunity to keep moving forward in Wisconsin by saying yes to wind and solar projects lining up for approval in our state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the president may be pushing expensive, beautiful coal and opening up protected lands for oil and gas drilling, we know that homegrown wind and solar are not only the cheapest ways to produce energy in Wisconsin, but they also bring enormous economic benefits to communities that host these projects. Farmers who sign leases to host solar panels or wind turbines receive high, stable income for 30 or more years. Communities hosting projects receive annual utility aid payments to the tune of $5,000 per megawatt. Local leaders can then direct this boost to municipal budgets where the community needs it most, like repairing roads and lowering taxes. But lets face it, in Wisconsin, large wind and solar projects remain controversial. Our state is rock bottom in the Midwest when it comes to the amount of wind energy we produce. Solar produces 100 times more energy per acre than ethanol, yet we devote more than a million acres of land to ethanol production and just a fraction of that to solar farms. The reality is that to protect the places we love and that sustain us, we need to build new, better infrastructure, because what we have now is harming us. We desperately need an alternative. We need more Wisconsinites to speak up in support of these solutions. The environmental movement cut its teeth by saying no to the problem of pollution. The time has come to build on this legacy and say yes to solutions: yes to clean energy, yes to thriving Wisconsin communities, and yes to a brighter future. Second grader Owen Strollo felt most connected to nature the day he found a stick bug. The Corbett Prep elementary student said he was camping with a friend when the duo found the lanky, twiggy insect. They put it in a tank for a few minutes, watched in awe as it crawled around, then released it back into the wilderness. Id like to see more people helping animals, Strollo said. Watching bugs and birds and lizards gives him hope, and if he could make one law, it would be to require humans to release the animals they catch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Earth Day, the Tampa Bay Times sat down with students ranging from elementary school to high school to discuss the state of Tampa Bays environmental issues, including what gives them hope, what theyd like to see changed and their favorite outdoor places theyd like to see protected. Strollo joined students Thursday from the Indi-ED school in St. Petersburg and Seminole, Strawberry Crest and King high schools for the hourlong conversation. The Times also spoke with representatives from four environmental organizations for a temperature check on how local conservation initiatives are progressing. The event brought together local conservation decision-makers and the regions children they are hoping will inherit a better, cleaner and more sustainable Tampa Bay. A key takeaway? The more time children like Strollo spend outside in nature, the more theyll want to protect it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre the ones that are going to grow up to be voting adults in the future, said Peter Clark, president and founder of the nonprofit Tampa Bay Watch. We want them to love Tampa Bay like we did but how can they love it if they dont get out on the boats or if they arent physically able to get out in the woods and appreciate the environment?" Joining Clark on the expert panel were Pat DePlasco, executive director of Keep Pinellas Beautiful; Debbi Stone, senior vice president of engagement and learning at the Florida Aquarium; and Bonnie Eaton, the Tampa Bay basecamp coordinator for Jane Goodalls Roots & Shoots USA. The four organizations underscored that the key ingredient to successful conservation initiatives whether its building oyster reefs, cleaning up trash or planting native species is collaboration. For example: Roots & Shoots joined with Keep Pinellas Beautiful on Saturday for a shoreline restoration event, where volunteers planted native sea oats on Treasure Island Beach to help curb erosion and build habitat for Florida wildlife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were often all talking to each other, Eaton said. Because were all in it to win it. Caymus Maxson, a freshman at Seminole High School, finds she can relax the most when shes at the beach. Especially as a young kid in the mornings, because its just the waves and you, she said. You can think about your thoughts. If there was one place shed like to see protected in the future, its the shoreline of her hometown on Madeira Beach. Thats why, at age 10, Maxson founded Trash Turtles, an environmental nonprofit that encourages removing litter from Floridas coastlines. The nonprofits tagline is #LeaveWith3, urging beachgoers to leave with three pieces of trash after every visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maxson said it was the youth on the panel next to her that gave her hope for Floridas future fending off climate change and curbing environmental issues like habitat loss or pollution. Also on the panel were Sama Fattah, a senior at King High School, Victor Loerincs, a junior at Strawberry Crest High School, Eva Spytek, a seventh grader at Indi-ED and Adina Fisher, a third grader at Corbett Prep in Tampa. Fattah said she finds hope in innovation. Its exciting to think that some of the tools we need to help save our planet, like methods for capturing carbon emissions before they enter the atmosphere, will be invented by humans, she said. These technologies are amazing, and we should use them to our fullest, Fattah said. Our generation is very aware of what we have to face, because ultimately, we are going to inherit the consequences of climate change. For more information on Earth Month events and ways to get involved, visit rootsandshoots.org. East Molines revitalization just got a major financial boost. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) says the City of East Moline has been awarded a $2 million grant to support the reconstruction and streetscaping of 15th Avenue. The funding will help create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly Main Street as part of the Citys Greater Downtown Revitalization Project. East Moline Greater Downtown Revitalization Project (City of East Moline) This project will reconstruct 15th Avenue between 6th and 13th Streets, including new streetscaping, widened sidewalks and accessibility improvements, making the corridor more inviting for residents, visitors and businesses. A new festival street between 7th and 9th Streets can accommodate outdoor events, food trucks and gatherings in a pedestrian-friendly layout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grant was made available through DCEOs Rebuilding Downtowns and Main Streets capital grant program. It supplements existing federal funding for improvements to 15th Avenue, 7th Street, 12th Avenue, and at The Bend that will work together to create downtown thats better connected. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and then-Representative Cheri Bustos announced the original $23.7 million federal grant in 2022. The revitalization of 15th Avenue and all of downtown is a transformational project for East Moline, said Mayor Reggie Freeman. This grant allows us to leverage the RAISE grant we received to make an even greater impact to support local businesses, attract new investment, and enhance quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Thank you to Governor Pritzker, Senator Halpin, and Representative Johnson for their support of this critical project. The project will include green infrastructure to reduce surface runoff, improve pedestrian lighting for safety and install wayfinding signage to connect downtown attractions. A new gateway feature at 7th Street and 15th Avenue will welcome visitors to the heart of downtown. These improvements were originally identified in the Citys downtown comprehensive plan and refined through public meetings in 2024. Construction on the first phase of the Greater Downtown Revitalization began last week at The Bend; construction on the 15th Avenue improvements will begin this summer and is expected to be completed in 2026. Click here for more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. By Ananda Teresia DILI (Reuters) -More than 1,500 people packed into a cathedral in East Timor on Tuesday and an overspill of hundreds swarmed outside as one of the world's most devoutly Roman Catholic nations mourned the passing of Pope Francis. Francis, who died on Monday, received a rock-star reception in the half-island nation last September, when nearly half of the country's population turned out for what was the first visit by a pontiff in three decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former Portuguese colony of 1.3 million people, of whom 97% are Catholic, have begun seven days of mourning, with flags at half-mast to demonstrate what its government said was a deep sense of gratitude to a "great leader of the Catholic Church". At the cathedral in the capital Dili, solemn prayers were held at a Mass for Francis, while church staff scrambled to find enough communion wafers for all the mourners. "Pope Francis deserves our grief because he gave us joy when he visited us last year," said Paulus Maia, the priest who led the Mass. Among those at the Mass was Mari Alkatiri, a former prime minister and now opposition leader, and also a Muslim, who praised the values held by Francis, listing them as "human fraternity, solidarity, issues of environment". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TEARS Helde Marcal Belo, a civil servant, in tears after the Mass, said he had been moved by Francis' decision to visit East Timor last year as part of a gruelling 12-day tour of Asia and Oceania, the longest of his papacy, despite his advanced age and poor health. "He taught us about the importance of loving one another," said Belo, 53. The Catholic faith has a fervent following in East Timor, which together with the Philippines is one of only two predominantly Christian countries in Asia. East Timor's first ever cardinal, Virgilio do Carmo da Silva was heading on Tuesday to Rome to take part in the conclave of cardinals that will pick the new pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Church remains deeply popular in East Timor, despite being plagued by scandals. In 2022, the Vatican confirmed it had sanctioned Timorese Bishop and Nobel laureate Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo following allegations he sexually abused boys in East Timor in the 1990s. A year earlier, a defrocked American priest was jailed for sexually abusing girls under his care in East Timor. At a seaside square in Tacitolo, outside Dili, the site of a gathering by Francis that was also visited by Pope John Paul II in 1989, hundreds of people lit candles and held prayers at a site considered by some to be holy land. "I was moved because he came here and now he has left us, not even a year after his visit," said Ledy Andrade, 43. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I pray that he will go to heaven. I will be coming hereuntil the pope's funeral (on Saturday)." (Additional reporting by Francisco Ismenio do Rosario Pereira and Nelson da Cruz in Dili; Writing by Gibran Peshimam; Editing by Martin Petty and Gareth Jones) GALENA, Kan. (KSNW) Easter Sunday storms that struck southeast Kansas and northwest Missouri produced confirmed tornadoes. Our sister station, KSNF/KODE in Joplin, reports that the National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Cherokee County and moved northwest into Missouri. The tornado touched down in a field north of U.S. Route 66, just east of the Spring River and the city of Riverton. The tornado, which grew to 750 feet in width, tracked northeast, causing roof damage to homes in a neighborhood on the north side of Galena. The tornado took on a more north-northeast path, and it moved into Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tornado, which witnesses described as rain-wrapped, continued to cause damage to infrastructure, trees, and homes, traveling a total of just over 23 miles before dissipating. About five miles northwest of where the first tornado ended, a second tornado, rated an EF-0, touched down. That tornado, which was 900 feet wide, caused damage in the Barton County, Missouri town of Lamar, before lifting northeast of Milford, Missouri, traveling a distance of just over19 miles. Straight-line winds also caused damage throughout the area, according to KSNF/KODE. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency wants more power and more data. DOGE has attempted to defy a court order to access Social Security data. It has forced or tried to force access to IRS data systems, Medicare data, SEC data, National Labor Relations Board data, and Education Department student data, among other things. DOGE is working with the Peter Thiel-founded company Palantir to enable the IRS data to interface with other systems, only one of several projects to centralize the troves of information the government collects on essentially every individual, business or nonprofit entity. When people think of the hallmarks of open and democratic systems of government, they probably think of things like independent courts, equal protection under the law, competitive elections and so on, which are all certainly critical parts of a democratic system. Way down the list is something as abstract as data segregation and protection, which is a shame because that is a crucial aspect of keeping an accountable government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you provide your tax returns, your health info, your education data and all else that you are compelled to give, youre doing so at some level trusting that the data is going to be stored and used in the way that the government said it would, and that it wont be up for grabs for whatever any given federal official wants to do with it, at any time. To allow all of these streams to commingle without controls or dedicated uses is akin to the government dossiers that are so feared in authoritarian regimes, except that modern tech and data collection make it possible for the government to keep one on practically every person in the country. In this case, separate silos are better. There is no need for law enforcement to have ready access to tax or health records absent a court order. The feds are arresting permanent residents for disfavored speech. They have cancelled reportedly thousands of international student visas in a process that appears largely automatic. They have gone after law firms and universities that have supported causes or engaged in work that the administration finds politically dangerous. President Donald Trump is now talking about sending U.S. citizens to a Salvadoran gulag, claiming implausibly that these will only be criminals, after the administration already failed to provide any due process for hundreds of Venezuelans sent there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this context, DOGEs enthusiasm for data collection and centralization under the direction of openly ideologically-driven officials like Musk has too many downsides. Imagine a future where some political functionary can hone in on a public critic of the administration and instantly search all of their health information, their assets, their labor history, their known connections and so on, no warrant or public acknowledgement necessary. These dangers have long been predictable, which is why there are myriad laws prohibiting this type of mass data sharing within the government, laws which it now seems to be gleefully violating. It will be very difficult to put the genie back in the bottle once these databases are all connected. Nows the time to stop it. ___ Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon said she has spoken with the presidents of both Harvard and Columbia University about abiding by the law as the administration looks to change the schools policies. I talked to the president of Columbia, Ive also talked to the president of Harvard, and to how we could make sure that the universities were abiding by the law, McMahon said Tuesday on CNBC. And I made it very clear. I said, these are not First Amendment infractions. This is civil rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has been engaged in a debate with both universities over changing certain policies, including hiring and admission processes and diversity, equity and inclusion practices, among others. Harvard became the first university to openly reject the administrations demands, prompting President Trump to freeze more than $2 billion in funding for the school and call for the university to have its tax-exempt status revoked. McMahons remarks come just after Harvard sued the Trump administration for cutting its funds. The suit marks an expected yet significant escalation in the battle. The lawsuit accuses the administration of violating the First Amendment and is seeking to stop future harm from the federal government. The university has asked the judge to rule the administrations demands are unconstitutional and reinstate the funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Education secretary said she believes the issue isnt about the First Amendment, but rather the civil rights of students on campus who experienced antisemitism in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests last year. This is making sure that students on all campuses can come and learn and be safe, and that is exactly what the presidents direction to me is and that is why we have had these funds either withheld or frozen during a time of negotiation, McMahon said. Columbia also filed legal action and lost $400 million in federal grants as a result. The university decided to concede to the administrations demands but has not yet seen their funding restored. McMahon said she was very pleased with Columbias progress on campus and negotiations with the administration, which she said were not quite finalized yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researchers have sounded the alarm that the funding cuts will impact lives and science down the line. The administration has argued that the wealthy universities dont need the funding. McMahon said the research has been incredibly beneficial, but the government is sending a message that they are looking to hold the universities accountable to protect civil rights on campus. McMahon argued that the letter of demands sent out was to set the stage for negotiations. Harvard has argued that it was a final offer, and the administration had hoped the university would come back to the table to discuss. It was a letter that was intended to have both parties sit down again and continue their negotiations. Thats what I sincerely hope will happen, McMahon said. She noted that the Trump administration will counter Harvards lawsuit, and the administration believes it is on very solid grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason that these funds have been frozen is because of a civil rights issue and not a freedom of speech issue, McMahon said. So, I feel very confident and solid in that approach by the government. The Hill has reached out to Harvard and Columbia for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso County is commemorating National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 20-26, by hosting two events to recognize and honor volunteers. The events are as follows, according to the County: Annual Volunteer and Intern Award Ceremony Wednesday, April 23. The County will host a private award ceremony to express its appreciation and gratitude to all its volunteers and interns. County Commissioners Court National Volunteer Week Resolution At 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 28. Join the County in standing together with its volunteers and interns to formally recognize their contributions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, and every week, we extend our deepest gratitude to the volunteers and interns whose efforts build a stronger, more resilient community. Together, we shape a better future for El Paso County, read a news release by the County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. LOS ANGELES, April 21 (Xinhua) -- NASA and SpaceX launched a new commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station (ISS)on Monday. A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft lifted off at 4:15 a.m. Eastern Time from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in the southeastern U.S. state of Florida. It is scheduled to autonomously dock with the ISS on Tuesday at about 8:20 a.m. Eastern Time. This mission will deliver a wide range of scientific research and technology demonstrations to the orbiting laboratory. Aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft are experiments focused on vision-based navigation, spacecraft air quality, materials for drug and product manufacturing, and advancing plant growth with less reliance on photosynthesis, according to NASA. The launch marks NASA's 32nd commercial resupply mission carried out in partnership with SpaceX. Though the Democratic Massachusetts Senator was exasperated enough to wonder whats it gonna take for Donald Trump to fire this guy, Elizabeth Warren saw a silver lining in the latest scandal involving Trumps Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. Were starting to see the cracks of fear in Trump, she told Katie Couric on Monday. Hegseth, of course, is mired in yet another scandal involving his disregard for national security. On Monday he was exposed has having discussed highly classified information with his wife, brothers and other members of his inner circle, none of whom have clearance, on, yes, Signal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the story came out, there were leaks from within the Trump administration that they were actively seeking a replacement for the former Fox News host, though the White House soon denied those reports. Nevertheless, Hegseth is in trouble. Warrens commentary on the matter came while she was on Courics podcast. After her exasperated question, she continued, it is so clear that he is not ready for prime time. Look, we all knew this at the time he was originally nominated, that he was nominated principally because he was very, very, very, very loyal to Donald Trump, and he looked good on television and gave a kind of rah-rah talk around defense. But the truth was, he didnt have the experience. He didnt have the background. He made it clear that he didnt think that a lot of us were serving in the military, particularly women, belong there, and had a contribution to make. And so it was, it was never a good idea to put this guy in. And then he comes in and literally puts our entire national defense at risk, not once, but twice that we know of, and no one is sure, Warren continued, adding, this is something for which anyone who actually worked in the Department of Defense for Pete Hegseth would have been summarily fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in the conversation, Warren identified the aforementioned silver lining, telling Couric, the Trump administration is not big on accountability, and I think thats no surprise. You know, we have a convicted felon sitting in the White House, and someone whose first act once he was sworn in was to issue pardons to 1500 people who had taken part in an insurrection, inciting an insurrection, a riot that had destroyed property at the US Capitol and resulted in the deaths of police officers. So accountability is clearly not high on Donald Trumps list. Nonetheless, he is at least a little sensitive to people across the country saying, Enough, were not going to do this no more. And I think thats whats happening right now. Democrats, Republicans, independents, saying this guy has to go. Has to go. Well, weve heard a little bit, right? Youre getting a little bit of pushback. I think of this at the moment as cracks in the red wall that Republicans in the House, in the Senate, have bowed down to Donald Trump from the day he got elected, Warren explained. Anything he wanted was always good. Everybody he nominated was always terrific. Didnt want to hear anything bad, nothing, nothing, nothing. But with trade, with the question about whether or not you were going to defy court orders, and now with Hegseth, youre starting to see the cracks of the fear, she argued. Watch the full discussion below: The post Elizabeth Warren Says Were Starting to See the Cracks of Fear in Trump After Latest Pete Hegseth Scandal | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Justice Department have given DOGE access to a system that contains sensitive data on millions of legal and undocumented immigrants, including their addresses and detailed case histories, according to The Washington Post. The Executive Office for Immigration Reviews Courts and Appeals System, or ECAS, keeps records of everyone whos been in the U.S. immigration system. Now six DOGE employees have permission to stick their hands in it. DOGE has meddled in multiple different federal databases in an effort to carry out Trumps immigration crackdown. ICE is using a Medicare database to locate undocumented immigrants. The Social Security Administration is trying to force immigrants to self-deport by falsely labeling 6,000 as dead. The Department of Housing and Urban Development is trying to prevent immigrants in mixed-status households from receiving government benefits, and the IRS is sharing migrant tax information with the Department of Homeland Security. It really hearkens to what were seeing with Social Security, with the IRS, with data that was shared with an expectation of privacy, National Immigration Law Center senior staff attorney Lynn Damiano Pearson told the Post. She went on to note that DOGEs access to ECAS would have very concerning impacts for immigrants, even ones who have specifically tried to comply with government policies and do everything right, so to speak. Elon Musk says he's stepping back from the White House DOGE office in May. Musk says it will allow him to focus more on Tesla. Tesla has struggled amid the backlash to Musk's service in President Donald Trump's administration. Elon Musk has announced he will step back from the White House DOGE office after spending three months trying to radically reshape the federal government and its workforce. "Starting next month, I will be allocating far more of my time to Tesla," he said, "now that the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency" is done, Musk said in Tuesday's earnings call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he'll continue to spend a day or two a week on government matters, "as long as it is useful," and the president wants him to do so. Musk's announcement comes on the heels of Tesla's disappointing quarterly earnings report Tuesday. Under Musk's unofficial leadership, DOGE has targeted a wide swath of federal agencies, including dismantling the US Agency for International Development, attempting to gain access to sensitive data and payment systems at the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department, and trying to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Musk has also helped Trump gut the federal workforce through buyout offers to government employees, mass firings of probationary workers, and downsizing of agencies like the National Institutes of Health. Despite its large-scale targeting of federal agencies and workers, DOGE has not come close to its savings goals. Musk first promised that his sweeping DOGE cuts would save taxpayers $2 trillion, but later downgraded that to $1 trillion, and further again to $150 billion, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE's claimed savings have been riddled with mistakes and corrections, including removing $4 billion from its "Wall of Receipts" in March, dropping its real estate savings by $150 million later that month, and lowering its savings claims by over $9 billion over two days in February. Musk's involvement with DOGE was never meant to be permanent as a "special government employee," he is not allowed to serve more than 130 days in a 365-day period. Under Trump's original executive order, the DOGE office can run through July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the nation's independence. It's unclear what will happen with the initiative now given that many of DOGE's top leaders are long-time Musk allies. Correction: April 22, 2025 A previous version of this story misstated Musk's announcement regarding his DOGE role. He will be stepping back from DOGE, not leaving entirely. Read the original article on Business Insider PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The embattled principal of St. Helens High School, Katy Wagner, who is facing multiple felony charges, resigned from her position on Friday, the St. Helens School District confirmed to KOIN 6 News. The schools interim principal, Charlotte Ellis, is currently on contract through the end of the school year. However, Ellis confirmed to KOIN 6 that she will be leaving St. Helens at the end of the school after accepting a position with the Ridgefield School District in Washington. Wagner was put on administrative leave on Nov. 15 of last year after news broke that a current teacher, Eric Stearns, and a former teacher, Mark Collins, were arrested for alleged sexual abuse. On Nov. 21, officials announced that Wagner was under investigation for allegedly failing to report safety concerns amidst sex abuse allegations against teachers at the school, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 27, Wagner was arrested after being charged with official misconduct and criminal mistreatment. Stearns and Collins were named in the criminal mistreatment charges that Wagner faces, alleging that she unlawfully and knowingly withheld necessary and adequate physical care from the students of St. Helens High School, from Nov. 2018 to Nov. 2024. Wagner pleaded not guilty to the charges. She was released on bail, agreeing to the judges terms of not seeking employment in an education setting or a position that requires mandatory reporting obligations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The Belarus Telegraph Agency has reported that the country is open to taking up to 150,000 Pakistani immigrant workers, equivalent to 1.5 per cent of the Belarussian population. They would work in agriculture and cotton manufacture, where Belarus needs more workers to make up for their low fertility rate. Although Belarus, which has been ruled by President Lukashenko since 1994, is seen as an authoritarian ally of Russia, it has proven unable to resist the lure of supposed easy economic growth through immigration. Weve witnessed a demographic slowdown across the world, driven by causes as varied as urbanisation and increasing choices for women outside of the home. Even countries which are popularly thought of as teeming with young people, like Brazil, now have below-replacement fertility rates. The dependency ratio between those of working age and those of non-working age is narrowing. For countries with any kind of welfare state, this fact is enough to ring major alarm bells. How can it ask its young citizens to support a larger and larger proportion of the population who are out of work? Such a dire future makes the panicked drive towards mass migration somewhat understandable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That includes countries like Japan, which some on the Right have praised for maintaining its homogeneity. They point to its incredibly low levels of crime, high levels of trust, and thriving culture as evidence that mass immigration isnt necessary. Between 2000 and 2023, the number of foreign nationals has more than doubled as the country aged, although levels are still relatively low and most immigrant workers come from elsewhere in East Asia. In the last few years the UK, Canada, and Australia have all heavily increased immigration. Those coming were supposedly skilled workers and students, exactly the kind of immigrants who are said to drive economic growth. Yet in all three countries growth has been anemic, while the scale of immigration has led to major problems. In Canada this has included not only a housing crisis but a spate of deadly crashes involving poor driving by Indian truck drivers and even a diplomatic spat after Indian intelligence were accused of involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader. At the root of this is what some have called the Economists Fallacy, the idea that people are simple economic units which can be substituted for one another without affecting the rest of society. Therefore if your population is ageing and your birth rate is low, then all you need to do is add immigrant workers to return to a manageable dependency ratio between workers and non-workers. This assumes, as the economist George Borjas pointed out in his book We Wanted Workers, that millions of immigrants from undeveloped countries can be imported without bringing the dysfunctional elements of their own economies and cultures with them. The evidence is clearly against that, as we can see by looking at the impact of Pakistani biraderi clan politics on our political system, the rape of thousands of largely white girl by predominantly Asian gangs, or the high levels of economic inactivity in many of our most diverse and immigrant-dominated areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems unlikely, if Belarus does go ahead with importing 150,000 Pakistani workers, that it will deliver the growth they want. Nor will it solve the issue of an ageing society: immigrants age too. Instead, countries in the developed world need to move away from their old social model, with the assumption that people of pension age should stop working entirely. As better healthcare has extended lifespans, it has also made it easier for the elderly to keep working. At the same time, many of those of working age are in higher education for several years or out of or in limited work, with an explosion since the Covid pandemic in the numbers claiming disability benefits like PIP. A 2019 Office of National Statistics paper argued that an increase in the number in work would have more impact on the issue of dependency than an increase in immigration. While immigrants can bring negative aspects of their home culture with them, reducing our economic productivity, it is also true that poor domestic policy can do the same. Britain suffers under various self-inflicted economic wounds. The near-closure of British Steel was less the fault of its Chinese owners than of support for net zero by British politicians. Countries seeking to offset the effects of ageing societies should therefore focus more on free market reforms than on mass immigration. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) If you havent received your REAL ID yet, you only have two weeks before the Transportation Security Administration starts requiring it for domestic flights in the United States. Enforcement of the new ID requirements will go into effect on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The Utah Department of Public Safety estimates that 95% of Utahns are already in compliance with the new REAL ID requirements, so there is a good chance you are ready for the enforcement. What is REAL ID? After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, setting a nationwide minimum security requirement for state drivers licenses and ID cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once enforced, they will be among the listed forms of acceptable IDs to access certain federal facilities, enter nuclear power plants, and board federally regulated commercial aircraft. Enforcement of the REAL IDs was supposed to go into effect in 2020, but it ran into delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A second deadline was set for 2023, but that was again pushed back to the current enforcement date of May 7. How to know if you have a REAL ID REAL ID-compliant cards can be identified by a star marking in the upper right corner of the card. While the star marking can come in a variety of different appearances, in the State of Utah, it appears as a white star in a gold or yellow circle. A Rhode Island example of a REAL ID-compliant ID card, which shows the same star marking that can be found on Utah ID cards. (Courtesy: Department of Homeland Security) If your ID card does not have the star marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant and wont be accepted by TSA and other security agencies. What to do if you do not have a REAL ID? Most Utahns should already have a REAL ID and shouldnt have to worry about their card being non-compliant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, if you are among the estimated 5% who do not have a REAL ID-compliant card, the Department of Homeland Security suggests visiting the Utah Drivers License Division to find out what documents are required to update your ID. The Department of Homeland Security says at a minimum, these documents should include your full legal name, date of birth, social security number, lawful status, and two proofs of address. However, states may have additional requirements. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Since November, advocates and experts have sounded the alarm over what the Trump administrations executive orders and directives could mean for Americas young children and their families. Severe budget cuts could impact programs including Head Start and Early Head Start. Threats of mass deportations have left many early educators seeking legal advice for how to best support the children and families they serve. The administration has announced plans to shut down the U.S. Department of Education, and along with it, a great many initiatives that support healthy development. Amid the mayhem, organizations and advocates across the country are mobilizing to support and protect young children. The Childrens Defense Fund (CDF), for example, is focused on creating conditions for young children to flourish. The nonprofit, which was formed in 1973, grew out of the Civil Right Movement, and its mission is to build community so young people grow up with dignity, hope and joy. In the Q&A below, Sheri Brady, CDFs vice president of strategy and program, discusses the current policy environment for children and shares why engaging local leaders in collaborative partnerships is critical to the long-term well-being of children and youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Youve been in the child advocacy world a long time. Whats different about the present moment? Theres a lot of noise right now, a lot of chaos, a lot of confusion, because orders are coming fast and furious. This makes it all more important to keep our eyes on the prize. We are here to build conditions for children to thrive. Were working with our partner organizations to understand what is happening and what the impact is will be on nonprofits and thinking about what it will be on the communities we serve. Is CDF taking part in lawsuits against the Trump administration? Were not a legal advocacy organization. We are partnering where we can and signing on to amicus briefs, but we cant work on every issue. We are focused on the changes that are going to have the most impact on the communities we serve. What are you most concerned about? I would point to changes that would move education from a public good to a private right and attacks on the economic stability and security of families and children through cuts to Medicaid, SNAP (The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Head Start, WIC (the nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children), and a lack of a fully refundable, expanded child tax credit. Beyond these policy issues, we need to address the legacy of poverty and systemic racism that have led to the conditions for poor families in this country. We have to really think about how to fix systems. How can foundations and philanthropists respond to this environment? Philanthropy is not just about charity. In addition to writing a check, [foundations and philanthropists] can use their power and their influence to open doors and speak to the government. Were hoping that funders stay the course to invest in the programs that help children and families to thrive. Why is it important to engage with local leaders? They are the ones who know what families are going through and what kind of programs are working for them. Those who are closest to the problems are closest to the solutions. How can local organizations make a difference when so many of todays issues are at the national level? Partnerships matter right now. CDF is one of seven partners involved with the Early Learning Nation Collective and we serve in the backbone role, thinking about how to have the sum be greater than the parts. The collectives [goal is] creating a nation where local leaders, parents, caregivers and community leaders really have a say in whats happening. We help local leaders unlock the power that they have to create and to have agency over the things that matter to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the beauty of the collective. Youve got these people around the table and looking at the big picture, but everyone has their part to play. How is that tying to that? How are we getting together to think about those things? How has your personal story shaped your work and your commitment to children? I was very lucky. I grew up in a multigenerational household. My mom was a single mom, but my dad was very active in my life. Both sets of grandparents were around, so my mom had support for her career. As a hospital nurse, she worked the third shift. She would be home when we got home from school, but then she would have to leave at night, and we would stay with our grandparents. I [also] have nieces and nephews, several niblings, both of blood and choice. I really believe what I want for the children in my life is what I want for everybodys children. Marian Wright Edelman, founder of CDF, has quite a legacy. When did you first hear of CDF and of Edelman? Almost everybody who works at CDF has a Marian Wright Edelman story. In 1989 I was a sophomore at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. She spoke at the graduation, and I was a commencement volunteer. She was wonderful, so passionate, so powerful. She really spoke to me and changed the course of my life. How is Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson continuing her legacy through his role as president and CEO of CDF? He is someone who is really dedicated to moving this forward. He is a father, and just like I said about what I want for my niblings what he wants for his children is what he wants for all children, which is to be successful, be happy, be joyful. Disclosure: The Bezos Family Foundation provides financial support to the Early Learning Nation Collective. Prior to 2025, the foundation also oversaw Early Learning Nation, which is now part of The 74s network of websites. These organizations are not affiliated. GAZA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- A senior official from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Tuesday accused Israel of using humanitarian assistance as a "weapon of war" against the Gaza Strip. In a press statement, UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said that the enclave has been under a complete Israeli siege for 50 days, warning that hunger is spreading and worsening, describing the situation as "deliberate and man-made." He said Gaza has become "a land of desperation," where 2 million people are subjected to "collective punishment," while the wounded, the sick, and the elderly are deprived of essential medicine and healthcare. The UN official said humanitarian agencies, including the UNRWA, have around 3,000 trucks loaded with life-saving aid waiting to enter Gaza, underscoring the urgent need to lift the blockade, facilitate immediate aid entry, release hostages, and resume the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Gaza-based health authorities said on Tuesday that Israel has been preventing the entry of polio vaccines for 40 consecutive days. In a statement, the authorities said that the ban obstructs the implementation of the fourth phase of a polio prevention campaign, placing 602,000 children at risk of permanent paralysis and chronic disabilities. They also warned that children in Gaza are facing unprecedented health threats due to the lack of sufficient nutrition and clean drinking water. Israel halted the entry of goods and supplies into the Strip on March 2, following the expiration of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, claiming the move was due to Hamas' refusal to extend the truce. ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA/NEXSTAR) A Delta flight was evacuated at a Florida airport on Monday after an engine caught fire, officials with the Federal Aviation Administration said. The incident took place just after 11 a.m. local time at the Orlando International Airport, according to the FAA. The plane, an Airbus A330, was leaving the gate while preparing to depart for Atlanta when the fire broke out, the agency said. More US and World News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flames were first observed coming from a tailpipe, Delta said. There were no initial reports of injuries, according to the airline. Video of the fire was shared to social media shortly after the incident by X user Dylan Wallace. In the footage, flames and billowing smoke could be seen emanating from the aircraft. (Dylan Wallace via Storyful) Theres obviously people on that plane, a voice can be heard saying in one of the videos. Theres never anybody not on a plane. Wallace shared two other videos which appeared to show passengers deplaning via inflatable slides. The FAA is launching an investigation, the agency confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delta, in a statement shared with Nexstar, apologized for Mondays incident. We appreciate our customers cooperation and apologize for the experience, the statement reads. Nothing is more important than safety and Delta teams will work to get our customers to their final destinations as soon as possible. A representative for the airline said all 282 passengers on the flight were returned to the terminal, where the airline is making arrangements to fly them to their destinations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. (FOX 5/KUSI) The United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin visited San Diego County on Earth Day in a visit that included a tour of the Tijuana River Valley. The Tijuana River and surrounding areas have dealt with decades of cross-border pollution that has at times closed public beaches and caused the river to be listed among the countrys most endangered. Zeldins visit includes a tour of the river area and a treatment plant, and a roundtable discussion with local, state and federal stakeholders, including Mexican officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a news conference along the riverbank, Zeldin addressed the strong smell from the sewage pollution, saying the health effects reminded him of what federal officials said during the cleanup of Ground Zero in New York City more than two decades ago. I cant imagine living with it. It reminded me of post 9/11, EPA said air was safe to breathe, that smell is a reminder of what happened post 9/11. Zeldin said local leaders are creating a list of what needs to get done and will see what Mexico will take care of. The Tijuana River runs through both countries and its water has long been treated by plants on both sides of the border in a joint project by both countries. Zeldin also addressed Mexicos role in the crisis, saying that Whats been communicated by the new Mexican president is an intense desire to fully resolve the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mexicos Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources Alicia Barcena traveled to San Diego on Monday to meet with local officials in Baja California and tour an existing water treatment plant, and will stay through Tuesday to meet with Administrator Zeldin. Zeldin said that he knows Mexican officials are listening, but that the Americans who live downstream and have been dealing with the environmental crisis, Dont give a s how it gets done as long as this crisis is over. When asked if California should declare a state of emergency, Zeldin said, I can only speak for the federal government, all we want to do is work with other levels of governmentif California is requesting, we will consider. Theres no request in front of us, people feel that this request should have already been done. A FOX 5/KUSI news team is at the visit. This article will be updated with information they gather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. By Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Environmental Protection Agency sent termination notices on Tuesday to staff who work on environmental justice programs at its headquarters and across regional offices, saying their work no longer aligns with the mission of the agency. The reduction-in-force letters were sent to nearly 200 employees of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights who were placed on administrative leave in February. They were then reinstated pending legal challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RIF notices now served take effect on July 31. "This action is necessary to align our workforce with the agencys current and future needs and to ensure the efficient and effective operation of our programs," said the letter, seen by Reuters, that was sent to employees on Monday. The environmental justice office had a mission of integrating equity and civil rights into environmental policymaking, and protecting low-income and minorities most at risk from air and water pollution. "Decimating our agency and Environmental Justice workforce goes against our oath to protect human health and to keep our planet healthy and habitable for future generations," said Joyce Howell, Executive Vice President of AFGE Council 238 that represents over 8,400 EPA workers nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to reporters on Monday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who was appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump, acknowledged "there are communities that have been left behind that need help," but said environmental justice programs at the agency were not effective. "The problem is that in the name of environmental justice, a dollar will get secured and not get spent on remediating that environmental issue," he told reporters at EPA headquarters. "Instead, that dollar will get spent on a group to tell us that we should be spending a dollar to remediate environmental issues." Zeldin said he and EPA staff are working on broader plans for the agency's reorganization and a target of cutting its budget by 65%. (Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; editing by Barbara Lewis) SAN DIEGO (AP) The head of the Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that Mexico must stop the flow of billions of gallons of sewage and toxic chemicals from Tijuana that has polluted the Pacific Ocean off neighboring Southern California, closing beaches and sickening Navy SEALs who train in the water. Lee Zeldin made the demand during an Earth Day trip to the California-Mexico border, where he toured a plant in San Diego County that treats the sewage as a secondary facility and flew along the frontier to see the Tijuana River. He also was scheduled to meet with SEALs. Zeldin said that in the next day or so, his agency will present Mexico a to-do list of projects to resolve the decades-long environmental crisis, but he stopped short of specifying how the Trump administration would hold Mexico accountable if it does not act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem is top of mind for President Donald Trump, Zeldin said, while adding that they have not talked about possibly imposing tariffs if nothing is done. Were going to know whether or not Mexico is going to do its part to resolve it, and then well go from there, as far as strategy and tactics, Zeldin said. Alicia Barcena, Mexico's Environment and Natural Resources secretary, said her country also wants to resolve the problem. She met with Zeldin the previous evening and said they made progress in finding solutions. We are here because we want to solve this, Barcena said in a statement in Spanish. Not only so there is no untreated wastewater on Mexican beaches, but in the United States as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 120-mile (195 km)-long Tijuana River runs near the coast in Mexico and crosses into Southern California, where it flows through Navy-owned land and out to the Pacific. As Tijuanas wastewater treatment plants have aged and its population and industry have boomed, an increasing amount of toxins have made their way into the river and into San Diego County since 2018, more than 100 billion gallons of raw sewage laden with industrial chemicals and trash. The pollution has sickened not only swimmers, surfers and lifeguards but also schoolchildren, Border Patrol agents and others who do not even go in the water. Scientists say the sewage is vaporized when it foams up and enters the air people breathe. The Navy is reviewing whether to relocate its training site for SEAL candidates after the Naval Special Warfare Center reported 1,168 cases of acute gastrointestinal illnesses of its recruits from 2019 to 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California beaches near the border have been closed more often than not over the past four years. Since 2020 more than $653 million in funds have been allocated to address the issue, but the crisis has continued largely because of delays by the Mexican government, Zeldin said. He added that he and Trump are hopeful that will change under the relatively new administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office last October. Zeldin said that after meeting with Mexico officials in San Diego for 90 minutes, he was left with the impression that Sheinbaum and her environmental secretary want to have a strong collaborative relationship. Whats being communicated by the new Mexican president is an intense desire to fully resolve this situation, Zeldin said. But he made clear that he wants Mexico to step up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no way that we are going to stand before the people of California and ask them to have more patience and just bear with all of us as we go through the next 10 or 20 or 30 years of being stuck in 12 feet of raw sewage and not getting anywhere, he said. So we are all out of patience. Flanked by lawmakers from both parties, Zeldin noted that cleanup efforts have rare bipartisan support. Zeldin visited the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was built with funds from both countries to treat 25 million gallons per day as a secondary plant on the U.S. side. Mexico is working on several wastewater treatment projects to reduce the flow and make major upgrades to its existing plants. Barcena said the now-repaired San Antonio de los Buenos plant, which went back to operating at full capacity this month, should make a difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Zeldin said Mexico must complete a number of other projects, including installing floodgates to collect trash in Tijuana. Another one being considered would divert 10 million gallons of sewage away from the shore. ___ Associated Press writer Maria Verza in Mexico City contributed. ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) Erwins Wastewater Treatment Plant and Laboratory will get some much-needed help after Tennessee lawmakers earmarked $20 million for the facility in the recently passed state budget. Millions in Helene relief included in passed $59.8B state budget Silt, sand and debris are still visible at the wastewater treatment plant almost seven months after it was flooded during Hurricane Helene. Some parts of the water treatment plant were under as much as eight feet of water during the flooding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Important equipment and basins used to clean wastewater before it is released into the Nolichucky River were underwater when Helene struck the area. It took weeks to bring the plant back online. I really commend our team for the excellent work they did, said Lee Brown, President and CEO of Erwin Utilities, which operates the wastewater plant. So we had a partial wastewater treatment restored in three weeks, and our full wastewater treatment was restored in six weeks, which was phenomenal considering where we started and the job that was ahead of us to completely clean out every base and every pipe thats involved in our wastewater treatment. However, Brown admitted that the repairs made were just temporary. He said repairs are needed almost weekly in the current state. A permanent solution, whether that entails getting all new equipment at the current location or building a new plant at a new location, would cost millions. Brown said FEMA would only reimburse Erwin Utilities up to 75% of the total cost. Even though the state still picks up some of that cost, that would leave millions that could end up costing customers in the long run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we end up ultimately building a new wastewater plant, estimates are anywhere from $60 to $80 million, and that $15 to $20 million match from local funds would put just an unreal burden on those 3,800 wastewater customers to have to pay back over time. It would really limit our ability to make future improvements to our wastewater system, Brown told News Channel 11. Brown commended State Senator Steve Southerland (R-9th District) and State Representative Renea Jones (R-4th District), who helped secure an additional $20 million from the state that is earmarked for the wastewater plant. Jones said it didnt take too much convincing of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, as fellow lawmakers were on board. Everyone here, the sense that Ive got is, they realized the destruction. A lot of people have been there and seen that, Jones said. Weve had legislatures come help with the rebuild, they see that were such a rural, distressed area, it seems to have been compacted. This was something that every citizen in our county could use, and they were very generous with the money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown said Erwin Utilities will decide soon whether to rebuild or remodel the plant. And so our next step is to secure a preliminary engineering report that evaluates all the options to restore and or completely replace our wastewater treatment facility, Brown said. And from that, well have cost estimate and the decision will be made as to what direction well go. And then we will take one of those options and turn it into a project and bid it for construction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. At a time when record crowds are seeing visitors to some U.S. national parks asked to pre-book access, Isle Royale National Park, an archipelago of around 400 islands on western Lake Superior, is the very definition of off the beaten track. Its main island is about 50 miles long and nine miles wide19 times the size of Manhattanand sees less than one percent of the average number of visitors to Yosemite National Park when it opens to the public on around April 15 every year. As the least-visited national park in the continental U.S., Isle Royale National Park is only reachable by ferry, private boat or seaplane from mainland Michigan and Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a place where the only vehicles are canoes and kayaks, and moose, wolves, beavers and smaller animals are the sole year-round residents. For many, its attractioncentered on its 36 campgrounds and 165 miles of back country trailslies in the fact that its one of the few national parks with no instant Instagram gratification; cell phone coverage is patchy at best. (Related: Avoid crowds at the 10 least-visited U.S. national parks) A secret island wilderness Crossing Lake Superior, the worlds largest freshwater lake by surface area, by ferry or seaplane is one of the highlights of the Isle Royale experience. Lake Superior is one of the best things about working on Isle Royale, says lead ranger at Isle Royale National Park, Liz Valencia, who has worked on the island for more than 30 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seeing the lake in all its moods; it affects the island so much. The flight from Isle Royale National Park from Torch Lake Seaplane Base is about 45 minutes. Photograph By Jacob Boomsma, Shutterstock Depending on the departure point, ferries run daily and take about 90 minutes to three hours to cross, serving the two main settlements located on either end of the island: Windigo in Washington Harbor on the southwestern side, and Rock Harbor on the northeastern end. The islands trails range from a mile-long nature hike, to guided hikes with rangers that, when available, are provided free-of-charge, to the 40-mile, cross-island epic Greenstone Ridge Trail. Day tripping options While it is geographically remote and parts of the main island have challenging hiking routes (its highest point at Mount Desor is 1,394 feet above sea level), it is broadly accessible to visitors in ways that high altitude or heavily forested national parks in many parts of the United States are not. And for those looking to dip their toes in the wilderness experience, the day return ferry service is an excellent option. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that people might get it into their heads that they strap a big old backpack on and hike around for five daysyou dont have to do that at all, says Valencia. For visitors with mobility restrictions, Rock Harbor on the eastern end of the island has paved trails and a large, flat dock area, as well as a Visitor Center and restaurant. Isle Royale National Park's trails vary in length and difficulty level; ranger-led hikes are also available. Photograph By Jacob Boomsma, Shutterstock Life on natures terms, and timetable While day-trippers can get a lot in during just a few hours on the island, ferry operators suggest travelers be prepared for an unexpected overnight stay on the island if inclement weather blows in. Theres a satellite phone available for a fee located at a store and visitor center at both ends of the island, when they are open. While there are some sheltered areas around the main island such as Tobin Harbor, paddlers shouldnt make Isle Royale their first Lake Superior experience. Inland lakes are dotted around the island, some with campgrounds close to their shorelines, though again, paddling is best for those with previous portaging and packing experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once you get to the island the message for most people is relax and enjoy your visit, says Valencia. Dont be in a rush to see everything and get everywhere. Isle Royale is not really the kind of place where theres one thing you need to see. (Related: These are the 10 most popular national parks) The Washington Harbor Camper Cabins (no indoor plumbing; outdoor restroom facilities are nearby) and the Rock Harbor Lodge are the sources of indoor accommodation on Isle Royale, but they book up quickly. Open from early June to mid-September and situated on the eastern side of the island, the early 1900s-era Rock Harbor Lodge has rooms and secluded cabins close to the Greenstone Grill restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From here, visitors can explore Lake Superior via a fleet of boats available for rent. Fishing trips in which guests can have their catch cooked back at the restaurant are also available. One of its defining features is that it sits on the largest freshwater lake in the world, so its definitely a water park, says Kim Alexander, who until this year served as the general manager of Rock Harbor Lodge since the early 1990s. We can use our water taxi service to drop people off for some longer hikes10, 15-mile day hikes if people want to do that. Due to the remote location of the park, it sees very few visitors, especially when compared to other national parks. Photograph By Tony Cenicola/The New York Times/Redux Getting involved As it celebrates its 85th anniversary as a national park this year, volunteering has become an enduring practice on Isle Royale, including through the islands Moose-Wolf project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Isle Royale Institute brings around a dozen elementary, middle and high school teachers from around the country to the Park every year. Last year we spent 11 days on the island talking to visitors, taking photos and creating information to be shared with the public, says Karen Bacula, the Institutes director. We hiked, canoed and camped; people learned a lot about whats going on with nature on the island. For Valencia, theres no single best time to visit. Being there for the entire season you get to see the island at different times, she says, though she does have a favorite. I love the spring, seeing the orchids and delicate little plants come out. I love seeing it come alive. Visitors may see a variety of wildlife here, including moose, wolves, foxes, ducks, snakes, and more. Photograph By Benjamin Olson, Minden Pictures How to do it Ferry services sail to Isle Royale National Park. The most popular service departs from Houghton, on Michigans Upper Peninsula, which is a six-hour drive from downtown Minneapolis. Houghtons airport sees two flights a day land from Chicago OHare International Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferries also depart from Copper Harbor, Michigan, and Grand Portage, Minnesota (NB: Minnesota is on Central Time while Isle Royale National Park is on Eastern Time), for Rock Harbor and Windigothe islands two main marinas. Park entry fees are $7 per visitor per day, with children ages 15 and younger exempt. Pay online ahead of time to avoid any holdups upon arrival. The National Park Service website has an excellent day-trip guide for the Rock Harbor area. Its guide for first-time visitors is here. Pets are not allowed on the island and those traveling with service dogs are asked to follow National Park Service procedures that are available on its website. Indoor accommodation books up quickly. If by April visitors havent already secured accommodation for the upcoming season, its likely time to break out the tents. Stephen Starr is an Irish journalist and author who lived in Syria and Turkey for a decade before moving to Ohio. His work can be found here and he is on Instagram here. PHNOM SRUOCH, Cambodia, April 22 (Xinhua) -- In Cambodia's central province of Kampong Speu, a thriving mango factory is transforming the agricultural landscape and improving the livelihoods of local farmers. At the Zhongbao (Cambodia) Food Science & Technology Co., Ltd., hundreds of tons of fresh mangoes are processed into dried fruit for export to markets in China. Ouyang Jianbin, general manager of the mango factory, recalled his first trip to Cambodia in 2020. Representing his company in China's Fujian Province, Ouyang needed to select a site for building a dried mango processing factory overseas. Upon his arrival in Phnom Sruoch, Kampong Speu province, Ouyang recognized the potential of the town, which has high-quality mangoes and is close to Sihanoukville, a shipping hub. However, local farmers had difficulty selling their harvests, with much of the fruit left to rot on the trees during peak season. The picturesque orchards, laden with golden mangoes, did little to alleviate the economic hardships endured by farmers. Many families lived in cramped conditions, with six to seven members sharing a 40-square-meter home. In January 2021, the Zhongbao Cambodia factory commenced operations, and Cambodian dried mangoes quickly gained popularity among Chinese consumers. The factory now spans 45,000 square meters, employs 2,600 local workers, and purchases about 90,000 tons of fresh mango annually, producing more than 12,000 tons of dried mango each year. With the help of Chinese technicians, local farmers have improved their pest control measures, nearly doubling their production. Benefiting from the standards, experience, and production lines introduced by Chinese enterprises, Cambodia has established local dried mango factories over the past two years, and their mango brands have become increasingly popular. In 2024, Cambodia's fresh mango exports surpassed 140 million U.S. dollars, marking a 24 percent increase from the previous year, with China being one of the key destinations. Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Undersecretary of State and spokesman Penn Sovicheat said that Chinese enterprises investing in Cambodia have brought advanced technologies that enhance the added value of local agricultural products. Thanks to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement, more Cambodian agricultural products are being exported to China, the official added. Zhongbao has become a well-known factory in Phnom Sruoch. Ouyang noted that many local fruit growers not only package their fresh mangoes for sale at the factory but also bring their families to work there. As the number of workers at the factory continues to grow, Ouyang looks for ways to provide convenience for their daily lives. The company has rented nearby land to build retail spaces along the street and offered low-cost leases for restaurants and grocery stores to meet the daily needs of employees. Over the years, a bustling town has emerged around the factory. The company also supports local education, providing scholarships to a nearby elementary school and subsidies for employees with children in school. Tith Sreymean has worked at Zhongbao for two years. When asked if she has tasted the dried mango she helps to make, she smiled. "Yes, I did. It's very sweet," she replied. "I like it. It has made my life full of hope." An ethics complaint against Clarksville Republican Rep. Aron Maberry was dismissed by the Tennessee Ethics Commission on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo: John Partipilo) The Tennessee Ethics Commission on Tuesday unanimously threw out a complaint against a Montgomery County Republican representative and admonished those who filed it after determining that the commission lacked authority to consider the case. The complaint, filed April 3 by a group of current and former educators in Montgomery County, said Clarksville Republican Rep. Aron Maberrys actions as a state representative violated his oath as a sitting Clarksville Montgomery County School Board member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint cites Maberrys vote in favor of House Bill 793 which would allow school districts and charter schools to refuse to enroll students without permanent legal documentation as a breach of his duty to provide equal education opportunities and to refrain from using his position for partisan gain. The measure itself is on hold over concerns that its contradiction of the U.S. Supreme Courts 1982 Plyler v. Doe ruling guaranteeing all children access to public education could result in Tennessee schools losing federal funding. Protestors packed a Tennessee House Education Committee meeting to oppose a bill that would deny immigrant children lacking legal status the right to a public school education. (Photo: John Partipilo) In an expedited hearing Tuesday morning, Commission Chair Tammy White said she was extremely disturbed that the press obtained copies of the complaint before it was filed with the commission. She also warned the complainants that filing unsubstantiated complaints could result in civil penalties against them. This body was not created to be used as a political pawn for headlines, White said. There should be serious repercussions for those who act in such a manner as this. And while I do applaud everyones political involvement and passion, matters like today should and can be resolved at the local ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesdays special-called hearing, which would typically be confidential, was open to the public at Maberrys request. The committees next regularly scheduled meeting is in August, which the commission deemed too far in the future to allow a complaint of this nature to go undecided. Bill Young, the commissions executive director, characterized the complaints as policy disagreements and said staff determined that the commission did not have jurisdiction to decide qualifications for office or compliance with the ethics codes of local bodies. The constitutionality of policy is litigated in court, he said. The Tennessee constitution does not prohibit individuals from serving as both a state representative and a school board member. Commission threatens action against complainants Commission Secretary Duane Gilbert said the complaint was a colossal waste of time, the states resources and employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission considered calling for a show-cause hearing to determine whether the complainants should be penalized for filing the complaint, but ultimately decided against it. White and Commission member Stacey Floyd-Thomas said they did not want this complaint to set a precedent for others. Any further action in this manner would necessitate a show-cause hearing where the complainants would be asked to show why their actions should not be considered reckless disregard, Floyd-Thomas said. Joy Rice, a member of the group that filed the complaint, said she was shocked at the commissions response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt realize I would have to bring an attorney with me to an ethics complaint, she said. I think its a bullying tactic to make sure that nobody else complains. Rice said the complaint was not based on Maberry serving in two seats, but rather that what hes doing in one seat affects the other one. He took an oath for the Code of Ethics in the school board capacity to represent all children, and then he went to the state and immediately attempted to pass legislation that went in direct violation of that, Rice said. Karen Reynolds, who also signed the complaint, said she was encouraged by a school board member to file the ethics complaint with the state because the school board lacks a formal ethics complaint policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a lot of bullying up there, considering that basically they said they didnt have jurisdiction, Reynolds said. We knew we would hit that wall, but I guess we didnt expect basically they tried to silence us by saying, get a lawyer or shut up. Karen Reynolds. (Photo: karenreynoldsvote.com) Maberry, who was also present at the hearing, said he was grateful for the commissions decision on what he says is a partisan attack against him led by someone who he believes is trying to stay politically relevant in the community. Reynolds, a Democrat, ran for the District 22 Tennessee Senate seat in 2024 but lost to Republican Bill Powers. Education and protecting CMCSS was the core reason that I ran for state senate, so Im still going to stand up and do what I think is right for our schools and our children and our community, Reynolds said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reynolds and Rice said their group will consider other paths available to them to pursue the complaint. Maberry said every decision hes made on the school board is to better our public schools, and his constituents at the state level voted him into office knowing that he intended to keep his school board seat. He does not plan to resign from the school board. I believe the message was sent clearly to Tennessee that if youre going to come after somebody thats duly elected and make up complaints against them, that you yourself need to make sure that its an actual complaint, because you could be breaking state law, he said. The European Union will never recognize the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula as legally Russian, the bloc's top diplomat Kaja Kallas told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on April 22. Kallas' comments come in response to reports that the recognition of Crimea as Russian territory is being considered as part of a U.S.-backed proposal to end the war in Ukraine. "Crimea is Ukraine," Kallas told the AFP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It means a lot for the ones who are occupied that others don't recognize this as Russian." Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, occupying the peninsula with troops and staging sham referendums to justify the seizure of territory. The move was widely condemned as a violation of international law. Kallas said it would be a mistake to reward Moscow's land grab by including recognition of Crimea as part of a ceasefire deal. "Then Russia clearly gets what they want," she said. Kallas said Washington should instead look to mount pressure on Moscow, rather than ceding to Kremlin demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They have tools in their hands to use, actually, to pressure Russia. They haven't used those tools," she said. "If they are now walking away without using the tools that they have actually in their hands, then my big question mark is, why? Why aren't they using the tools to really end this war?" While Europe has largely been shut out of the U.S.-brokered peace negotiations with Ukraine and Russia, talks in Paris on April 17 brought Europe back to the table. U.S. delegates reportedly unveiled their ceasefire proposal during the Paris talks and are expecting a response from Ukraine during follow-up talks in London on April 23. Representatives from Ukraine, the U.K., France, and the U.S. will convene in London to continue discussions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelensky has already ruled out recognizing Crimea as Russian. "There is nothing to talk about. This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine," Zelensky said on April 22. Read also: Chechen scholar: Russias cowardly violence in Ukraine is driven by desperation Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The latest available data on the state of Europes water network, recently published by Eurostat, has revealed worrying trends regarding the future resilience of the continents water supplies. The problem of water scarcity, traditionally confined to southern Europe, now affects 34 percent of the EU population and almost 40 percent of the blocs land area. With critical industries set to triple consumption by 2030, water scarcity is fast becoming one of the most urgent challenges facing the EU and its member states. There are a number of key factors contributing to Europes current water plight, the most obvious and pressing of which is climate change. Europe is already the worlds fastest-warming continent and recorded its hottest-ever summer in 2022. As the effects of climate change gather pacethe totemic 1.5 degree global warming limit agreed at the 2015 Paris Climate summit was breached over a full 12-month period for the first time in 2023drought-affected areas have expanded northwards, with no less than 15 member states, including Germany, Romania, Bulgaria and France, now affected by seasonal water scarcity. A second, more mundane challenge for Europes potable water supply is the longstanding failure to invest in aging pipe networks, which cause the continent to lose an astonishing 25 percent of its total freshwater supply to leaks in the system. Leakage rates vary wildly among member states, from 61 percent in Bulgaria to 5 percent in the Netherlands, and cost European businesses an estimated 80 billion euros per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The challenges of climate change and crumbling water infrastructure come at a time of rocketing global water consumption. A recent study conducted by National Geographic concluded that humans now consume eight times more [water] than we did a century ago, a figure that is only set to rise in the face of insatiable demand, most notably from the tech sector. As of 2024, Europe was home to around 1,200 data centers, a year on year increase of about 20 percent, and we can expect a monumental wave of next-generation AI demand across Europe in the course of the next 12 months, according Stephen Beard, a data center specialist at real estate consultants Knight Frank. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. That will require a massive expansion of notoriously water-hungry data centers which Arman Shehabi, a research scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, estimates consume on average around 300,000 gallons of water a day, or about as much as 1,000 U.S. households. In water scarce regions of the EU, the establishment of data centers is facing increasing opposition from local residents and farmers who fear that the needs of deep-pocketed big tech will be prioritized at their expense. Transformation of the energy and agriculture sectors, which account for well over half of total water extraction across the EU, remains the key to rapid progress. One such place is Talavera de la Reina, a small Spanish city situated in the central autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha where tech giant Meta recently reached agreement with the regional government to build a 1 billion-euro data center with a projected consumption of around 665 million liters of water a year. As Aurora Gomez, a spokesperson for Your Cloud Dries Up My River, a local group formed to oppose the center, succinctly puts it, people are not aware of the amount of water that goes into watching a kitten meme. One reason for such lack of awareness is the tech companies abysmal failure to monitor their own usage. A 2022 survey conducted by consulting firm the Uptime Institute revealed that only 39 percent of data centers properly tracked their water use, a 12 percentage point drop from 2021. This lack of transparency only increases the suspicions of activists like Gomez that tech giants have little concern for the effects of their activities on local communities. Such intrastate tensions are only set to rise as the Spanish government, in an apparent bid to become the European data center capital, has greenlit several other huge proposals by Amazon and Microsoft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water scarcity is also a growing source of interstate tensions, largely due to the fact that about 70 percent of European water catchment areas are shared by member states. Portuguese authorities, for example, have long accused Spain of excessively siphoning off water from the shared Tagus river by damming the waterway no less than 51 times before it reaches Portugal. During the brutal droughts of 2017, which threatened the Taguss very existence, the Spanish government was reprimanded for flagrant breaches of EU directives on interstate water sharing. After years of dispute, Spain and Portugal finally reached an agreement on the issue in September of last year. However, as environmental lawyer Maria Soledad Gallego points out, Spains management of the Tagus has always been driven by economics, not environmental considerations and the likely return to power of Spains climate-skeptic conservatives after the next general election could well see a renewal of conflict over the Iberian peninsulas largest river. In response to increasing water sustainability challenges, the EU is currently finalizing the details of its new water resilience strategy. Designed to ensure that scarcity is addressed, it plans to build on conservation initiatives such as iMERMAID and AquaSPICE, and improve on the blocs meager 2.4 percent wastewater reuse rate. While such initiatives may improve supply around the margins, transformation of the energy and agriculture sectors, which account for well over half of total water extraction across the bloc, remains the key to rapid progress. According to Water Europe, complete decarbonization of Europes energy supplies would see water extraction fall by a whopping 38 percent by 2050, clearly demonstrating how water security aligns with broader sustainability goals. However, with hard- and far-right regimes in some of the EUs biggest renewable-energy-producing member states threatening to stall further expansion, and the blocs net zero 2050 targets already falling short, water sustainability benefits from the energy transition remain in doubt. Agriculture has made considerable strides in water efficiency over the years with a 28 percent decrease in usage since 1990, according to a 2021 European Court of Auditors report. Unfortunately, progress has slowed considerably since the 2010s as increased production offsets efficiency gains, and European water bodies remain under significant pressure from agricultural water abstraction. Technological advances such as reverse osmosis may marginally reduce usage, but the elephant in the room is the EUs stubbornly livestock-centric agricultural model. According to FoodUnfolded, an EU-funded information platform on the food system, meat production requires up to 15 times more water than fruit or vegetables, yet around 82 percent of the European Unions agriculture subsidies still goes to support animal-based food. As well as having perverse effects on the food transition by prioritizing emissions-heavy animal produce, the subsidy model is a major drain on the blocs potable water supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a recent global water report by the non-profit CDP, the potential financial impact of water risks to businesses is over five times higher than addressing them, making massive investment in Europes water network the proverbial no brainer. But with member states increasingly tempted to slash unglamorous infrastructure expenditure to pay for higher defense spending, the coming years will likely see the EUs water scarcity zones expand rapidly and inexorably across the bloc. John Boyce is an Irish freelance journalist with a background in international relations and Hispanic affairs. He writes for a variety of publications on Anglo-Irish, Spanish and European politics. The post For Europe, Water Scarcity Is Becoming a Real Problem appeared first on World Politics Review. The process of screening (checking the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with EU law) within the framework of accession negotiations with Ukraine is proceeding at an unprecedented speed for the European Union. Source: European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier at a briefing on 22 April in Brussels, answering a question from a European Pravda journalist Details: Mercier stressed that the EU enlargement process is a priority for the European Commission, and Ukraine is making steady progress towards the EU, in particular, demonstrating the highest screening rate in the history of enlargement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Indeed, what I can say is that enlargement remains a top priority for this Commission. And we opened negotiations with Ukraine in June 2024. And Ukraine is making steady progress towards EU accession. So we are now in this process of going through all the bilateral screenings of the different European clusters", he said. "When it comes to Ukraine, we have followed this accelerated path, meaning that the screening process is going at a speed that we have never seen before, because experts from the Commission as well are working closely with the Ukrainian counterparts to make sure that this screening process can go as fast as possible", Mercier added. The spokesman specified that "we'll continue [the screening process ed.] until the autumn". Mercier confirmed that Ukraine is ready to open the first negotiating cluster, Fundamentals, but that this requires the consent of all 27 EU member states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ukraine has fulfilled all the conditions to open the first cluster on the fundamentals, but this requires, obviously, as you said, the agreement from all the member states", he said. The opening of the first cluster of the negotiations was blocked by Hungary, which put forward additional conditions regarding the rights of Hungarians in Transcarpathia. Mercier added that "this discussion is happening in the Council". "What the Commission is doing is really to help and support Ukraine as much as possible in all the possible ways, meaning technical, political and financial support. We continue to do so, and we'll continue to also engage with all the member states", he stressed. Background: Earlier, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine had reached the fastest pace of the accession process among all of the countries that have ever sought to become an EU member. In February 2025, Hungary blocked the opening of the first negotiation cluster with Ukraine and promised to block the opening of subsequent clusters until it held "consultations" with the Hungarian population on this issue. The "consultations", which are accompanied by manipulations and lies on the part of the Hungarian government, are due to end in late June. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! PARIS (Reuters) - European powers told the United States last week which aspects of a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia would be non-negotiable for them, ahead of a new round of discussions on Wednesday, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said. Ukraine, the U.S., France, Britain and Germany held their first joint talks since President Donald Trump came to power on Thursday in Paris, sharing their views on ways to end the more than three-year-old war. Senior officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will meet again in London on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The only objective that concerns us is to defend French interests and European security. It's the reason that as the US decide to place itself in a mediator position that we make them hear what our "red lines" are," Barrot told franceinfo radio on Tuesday, referring to issues that the European leaders would not budge on. He did not elaborate. Asked whether he thought that Trump's assertion that a peace deal could be announced this week was credible, Barrot said it depended on Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I think that the (Easter) truce which he (Putin) decreed somewhat surprisingly was a marketing operation, a seduction operation aimed at avoiding that President Trump gets impatient," Barrot said. Despite repeated violations of the truce, he said there had at least been a drop in intensity regarding drones and long-range missiles, which could perhaps open the door for a further truce. (Reporting by John Irish, editing by GV De Clercq and Bernadette Baum) Although Pope Francis simplified the papal funeral rites in a move of typical modesty, Saturdays ceremony will still be full of pomp and pageantry, as the worlds Catholics bid him farewell and cardinals in the Vatican ready themselves for the millennia-old process of picking a new pontiff. Heres what we know about the funeral of Pope Francis, who died of a heart attack and stroke on Easter Monday. Where is Pope Francis body now? Francis body is lying in state in St. Peters Basilica, where cardinals and members of the public will be able to pay their respects for three days. Thousands of mourners are packed into the piazza outside, waiting in line to visit the popes coffin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The body was transferred to the basilica from the chapel of Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where Francis lived during his papacy. Francis coffin has been laid at the Altar of the Confessio, a sacred space near the basilicas main altar, above the tomb of St. Peter, the first pope. In keeping with Francis push to simplify the papal rites, his body is lying in an open wooden coffin, having done away with the tradition of having three coffins of cypress, lead and oak. When is the funeral? Francis funeral will begin at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) Saturday six days after his death. The last papal funeral for Pope Benedict XVI in 2023 was also held six days after his death. At 8 p.m. Friday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo tasked with making arrangements for the popes funeral, will preside over the rite of the sealing of the coffin. Where will it be held? The Vatican announced that Francis funeral will be held mostly outside in St. Peters Square. Rome has enjoyed glorious sunshine for much of the week, and more blue skies are forecast Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous papal funerals have also been held outside, with thousands of the faithful filling the open space in front of the basilica. Francis funeral liturgy will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals the group that will in the coming weeks be tasked with appointing a new pope. Although the bulk of the service will be held outside, Francis coffin will be brought back into the basilica after the eucharist, final commendation and valediction. How did Francis simplify the ceremony? The Vatican said the funeral will follow the rites laid out in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis. This liturgical book, detailing the procedures for papal funerals, was published in 2000 but revised by Francis last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of those revisions have already been on display. Unlike after previous papal deaths, Francis body was placed immediately inside his coffin, which has been left open to allow people to pay their respects. Diego Ravelli, master of apostolic ceremonies, said Francis had sought to simplify and adapt the rituals, so that the papal funeral is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ, and not of a powerful person in this world. Elise Allen, CNNs Vatican analyst, said Francis, the first Argentine pontiff, was the pope of simplicity. He lived that way in Buenos Airies, and he tried to bring that into the papacy and the way that he lived as pope because thats something he wanted for the church itself to be more simple, to be more in contact with reality, with the lives of people around, Allen said. Who will attend? A string of political and religious leaders, royals and celebrities have confirmed they will be at the Vatican for Saturdays service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of 130 delegations including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs will attend, according to an update Thursday from the Vaticans Telegram channel. Among them is Javier Milei, president of Francis native Argentina who had previously clashed with the pontiff over economic policy. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, president of neighboring Brazil who had a close relationship with Francis, is also going. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are among the major European leaders traveling to the Vatican. Pope Francis shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky at the Vatican in May 2023. - Vatican Media/Reuters US President Donald Trump will also attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of thousands of others are expected to show up. About 50,000 people came to Benedicts funeral in 2023, while around 300,000 attended John Pauls in 2005. Who wont? Russian President Vladimir Putin has no plans to attend, the Kremlin said Tuesday. Because the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, police in Italy one of the 125 ICC member states would be obliged to detain him. What will security be like? Heavy security will be in place, with authorities in Rome deploying over 2,000 police officers including sharpshooters and specialist forces, the citys police department has told CNN. A further 400 traffic officers will be on shift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air space over the capital will be closed from midnight on Friday, while undercover anti-terrorism police and anti-drone officers wearing yellow vests will be operating. Officers will be patrolling the citys underground metro, and sharpshooters will be stationed on rooftops. In addition, the Vaticans own security forces will be deployed, working independently from but in coordination with Romes police department. A command center has been established in Vatican City. Where will Francis be buried? In his will, Francis gave simple instructions for his burial: The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis also said that throughout his life, he had always entrusted himself to the Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of the Resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, he wrote. This basilica lies outside of the Vatican walls, on the other side of Romes River Tiber. After the funeral in the Vatican, Francis body will be transported there to be interred. When does conclave start? The process of choosing a new pope, known as conclave, is a combination of ancient tradition, religious ritual and politics. The voting takes place behind closed doors. Only cardinals under the age of 80 slightly over half the total number have a say in the decision. Once the 135 members of the College of Cardinals are assembled in Rome, they meet in the Sistine Chapel to begin the decision-making process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conclaves take as long as it takes for one of the cardinals to receive two-thirds of the vote. Over the centuries, it has taken hours, days, weeks and even years for a new pope to be chosen. Pope Francis was appointed in a little over a day. Of the 135 cardinals eligible to appoint the next pontiff, Pope Francis installed 108. That means four out of five votes in conclave will be cast by cardinals elevated by Francis. This has led some analysts to suspect they could appoint a successor who will follow Francis pastoral priorities. CNNs Olivia Kemp, Christopher Lamb, Barbie Latza Nadeau and Sophie Tanno contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (FOX40.COM) A petition filed by the Los Angeles Innocence Project on Friday claims that new evidence undermines the states case against Scott Peterson in the 2002 death of his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn child, according to officials. Video Above: Scott Petersons lawyers asking for new DNA testing (May 2024) LAIP, now Petersons lead counsel on the case, filed a petition for the writ of habeas corpus with the California Court of Appeals for the First District, aiming to overturn Petersons conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group claims it has evidence that prosecution suppressed and destroyed critical evidence before the trial, denying Peterson statutory and constitutional rights to due process and a fair trial. This Writ of Habeas Corpus presents new evidence that was not available at the time of trial, supports Petitioners claim of innocence, and shows he was wrongfully convicted, the petition states. This new evidence undermines the prosecutions entire circumstantial case against Petitioner, and shows that the jury relied on false evidence, including false scientific evidence, to convict him. The new evidence comes after Petersons death sentence was overturned in 2020 and he was resentenced to life without the possibility of parole in 2021. The group said that despite 11 search warrants, wiretaps, GPS tracking devices, pole cameras outside the home, steady surveillance, and forensic examination of hundreds of items collected during the execution of search warrants, the case against there was no evidence of his guilt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case against (Peterson) was entirely circumstantial, the petition states. No direct, physical or forensic evidence was found supporting any part of the prosecutions theory, or otherwise implicating Petitioner. A 126-page declaration by Scott Peterson is included in the petition, where he recalls the death of his wife and child, refuting the version of events presented by police and prosecutors to obtain a conviction, LAIP said. Some major evidence includes the home across the street from the Petersons being burglarized the same day Laci Peterson was reported missing, and not two days later on December 26, as the police claimed and as the jury was told, according to officials. Other claims include that Laci was overheard confronting burglars, proving she was alive when Scott Peterson left the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are additional claims of a lack of investigation between the burglary, the disappearance of Laci, and a nearby intentional fire as being possibly related. The full list of evidence can be found on LAIPs 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 FOX40 News. Doug Sosnik, a senior adviser to former President Bill Clinton, explained how the first 100 days of Donald Trumps second term could be a prelude to a historically unpopular presidency. Mr. Trump has fallen into the trap common for newly elected presidents of not understanding the difference between the spectacle of campaigning and the work of successful governing, Sosnik wrote in an op-ed published Monday in The New York Times. Sosnik described round two of Trumps first 100 days which end next week as the most consequential of any president in modern history following his dismantling of the federal government, undoing of post-World War II alliances and his approach to trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a consequential start does not in any way equate to long-term success, Sosnik wrote. Mr. Trumps approval ratings are already falling, and if past presidencies are any guide, the worst is yet to come. Trump, as was the case in his first term, is the only president in modern history to have a net negative approval rating at this point in his presidency, Sosnik noted. He added that the figure could only worsen as Americans begin to feel the pain of his policies. By early September, Trumps post-honeymoon period approval rating will be a more accurate picture of his popularity, according to Sosnik. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He argued that the president is overreading the mandate from voters who backed him in November, a move that makes him even more politically vulnerable considering the GOP-led Congress has let him proceed with extremeappointments and policy rollouts. The failure to properly plan and execute policy has defined his second term, epitomized by the shambolic rollout of his immigration and tariff initiatives and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, Sosnik stressed. The uncertainty created by Mr. Trumps chaotic style of governing has also made it impossible for companies to make investment decisions. He continued, These factors are likely to weigh heavily on Mr. Trump in the coming months, given his low ceiling of support, as well as the size and intensity of his opposition. Read more of Sosniks op-ed in The New York Times. Related... DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A former Kettering City Schools choir director and teacher pleaded guilty to multiple child porn charges on Friday. According to the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office, Matthew Ryan Koehler pleaded guilty to one count of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, and five counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, on Friday, April 18. All six of Koehlers charges are fourth-degree felonies, meaning the maximum sentence could be 18 months for each count. He will be designated as a Tier II sex offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Koehler will be sentenced on Friday, May 16. Save a life: Donate blood at local drives this April In November 2023, a former student, who is now an adult, accused Koehler of inappropriate touching while they were in middle school. Koehler was indicted after child pornography was found on his phone in June 2024. In August 2024, Koehler initially pleaded guilty to his child pornography charges. He withdrew his pleas in October. His new trial date was set for Monday, April 21, 2025. It was then rescheduled to Friday, April 18. He had taught in the district since 2012, directing the choir program and leading multiple choir/theater extracurriculars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. A Palestinian fisherman is pictured at the Gaza port in Gaza City, on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Every morning, long before the sun rises over the horizon, Salim Abu Rayala, a Palestinian fisherman from Al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City, unties his weathered wooden boat and pushes it into the waters of the Mediterranean. Abu Rayala understands all too well the sea's dual nature -- its potential to provide a good catch and its capacity to take his life. However, the father of eight has had no other choice. "I must struggle for my family," he said. At 55, the man has spent over three decades fishing for sardines, mullets, and sea bream along Gaza's coastline. But since the onset of the Israeli war against the Gaza Strip in October 2023, the sea has morphed into a place of peril, despair, and dwindling prospects. "I still go out every day, even if I catch nothing," Abu Rayala said. "Some days, I sail just far enough to wet my nets before returning empty-handed. I risk my life for nothing, but what choice do I have?" With Israel's strict restrictions on access to Gaza's fishing waters, local fishermen face constant threats of gunfire, harassment, and arrest if they stray beyond the established boundary. "Sometimes, they (Israeli troops) shoot in the air. Other times, they target the boat engine," Abu Rayala recounted. "I've seen friends wounded and boats destroyed. But we persist - we have families to feed." As the Israeli offensive continues, the fishing industry is on the verge of total collapse, facing challenges such as fuel shortages and a lack of spare parts. "I used to bring fish home for dinner. Now, I sell whatever I catch just to buy rice, oil, and vegetables. It is no longer about nourishing my family -- it's about survival," Abu Rayala said. Each kilogram of fish is sold at 30 U.S. dollars. "The price is much higher compared to the pre-war level, but I still cannot make a living," he lamented. Across Gaza's coastal neighborhoods, similar scenes unfold daily. Thousands of fishermen have been displaced or have lost their jobs. Many have resorted to alternative means of livelihood, even trading their fishing gear for wheelbarrows or collecting firewood from bombed-out buildings. Ahed Baker, another fisherman in Al-Shati refugee camp, is patching a net. His small boat has remained out of the water for five weeks. "Fuel is too expensive, and I don't even have bait," he told Xinhua. "The sea once was our lifeline. Now it is blocked, broken, and fraught with danger," he said. "There is nothing else left for us. The land is dry. The sky rains bombs. And even though the sea is empty, it remains the only place I truly know how to navigate." Palestinian fishermen are pictured at the Gaza port in Gaza City, on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinian fishermen are pictured at the Gaza port in Gaza City, on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinian fishermen are pictured at the Gaza port in Gaza City, on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Retired U.S. Navy Adm. James Stavridis slammed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday for his reported use of Signal to share highly sensitive military plans with Trump officials as well as family members and his attorney. There is absolutely no reason on the planet Earth he should be doing that and he knows it, the former NATO supreme allied commander said of Hegseths use of the third-party messaging app in an interview with CNNs Boris Sanchez. Hes a former major in the U.S. Army. He was trained throughout his time as a junior officer to protect and guard the nations secrets. Hes got to know that he has failed to do that, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth who shared details of upcoming attacks in Yemen in a Signal chat with senior Trump officials (and a journalist) is reportedly close to being replaced in his post after The New York Times reported Sunday that he shared nearly identical details in a separate chat with his wife, brother and lawyer. Stavridis argued that Signalgate 2.0, compared with the first chat involving high-ranking officials that was leaked inadvertently to a member of the press, now involves unclassified individuals who lack the need to know any of this. So its gone from outrageous to truly egregious and its conduct that, frankly, is indefensible, Stavridis said. The former Fox News host when asked about the reports of the second Signal chat on Monday chided the media as he blamed disgruntled former employees for leaks at the Pentagon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His comments arrive following a chaotic week at the Pentagon that saw Hegseth firing three of his advisers, who in a joint statement claimed they didnt know why theyd been fired. You cant just fire people and expect loyalty from them on the far side of the bridge, Stavridis stressed. So, no, Im not surprised about the blowback from firing people that you have hired. We ought to remember, these are folks that Secretary Hegseth hired, put on his team, he chose them, hes worked with them in the past. I think its quite damning. Stavridis pointed to an opinion piece recently penned by John Ullyot, a top Pentagon spokesman who resigned last week who claimed that those who were fired werent responsible for the leaks at the Defense Department. On @CNN with @Boris_Sanchez discussing SignalGate 2.0 "You can't just fire people and expect loyalty from them..." pic.twitter.com/yyL4oZ7pli Admiral James Stavridis, USN, Ret. (@stavridisj) April 21, 2025 Related... A former New York teacher convicted of having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old student more than a decade ago has been arrested in New Hampshire for not reporting his sex offender status. Charles Oross, 57, now living in Monroe, was arrested on a warrant on Monday in Twin Mountain, state police said Tuesday morning. Oross is charged with violating NH RSA 651:b-4 Duty to Report, a Class B felony, state police said. He was released on personal recognizance bail and will be arraigned in Littleton District Court at a later date. State police said Oross had relocated to New Hampshire from New York and had failed to register as a Tier III offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the New Hampshire State Police Sex Offender Registry obtained an arrest warrant for Oross on Friday after a lengthy investigation, state police said. Oross was convicted on Sept. 6, 2012 of criminal sex act-2: Oral/Anal Sex-Actor 18 Yrs Or More/Victim Under 15, according to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Sex Offender Registry database. The victim was a 13-year-old girl. Among the offenses listed: Oross had sexual intercourse with the girl more than once, deviate sexual intercourse with her more than once, and sexual contact with the victim more than once, according to the New York registry. Under Relationship to victim, Oross is listed as a Non-Stranger - Person in position of Authority. Oross was arrested on Dec. 15, 2011, according to a statement released that day by The Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation found that Oross, then 44 and a teacher assigned to IS 238 in Queens, had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old female student when she attended the school, Special Commissioner Richard J. Condon said in the statement at the time. Oross also engaged in inappropriate e-mail and Facebook communications with the girl, Condon said at the time. Investigators from the Special Commissioners office arrested Oross, who was charged with rape, criminal sexual act, and endangering the welfare of a child. Condon at the time recommended that Orosss employment be terminated and that Oross be made ineligible for future positions with the New York City school system. In New Hampshire, the State Police Sex Offender Registry is comprised of a sworn and civilian staff responsible for overseeing offenders within the state as well as offenders moving into New Hampshire from other jurisdictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unit is often called upon to assist local and federal agencies. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Richard Perreault at 603-223-8977 or Richard.J.Perreault@dos.nh.gov. Twin Mountain is an unincorporated community within the town of Carroll in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, just west of Bretton Woods. Monroe is a small town in Grafton County, near the New Hampshire-Vermont line. The towns population was 864 at the 2020 census. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW (The Hill) Nadine Menendez on Monday was convicted of joining forces with her husband, former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), to accept lavish bribes in exchange for his political clout. A jury found the disgraced former senators wife guilty of all 15 counts she faced, including bribery, obstruction of justice and conspiring to turn her husband into an agent of Egypt. Bob Menendez faced many of the same charges. He was convicted last year the first public official ever convicted of acting as a foreign agent while in office and sentenced to 11 years in prison. He resigned from the Senate soon after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal prosecutors accused Nadine and Bob Menendez of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in the form of cash, gold bars and lavish gifts from three New Jersey businessmen who sought help with legal troubles and business affairs. Republicans lean in on Abrego Garcia case At trial, they described her as critical to the scheme, acting as a go-between the senator, the businessmen and Egyptian government officials. Two of the businessmen, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, were convicted at trial alongside Bob Menendez, and the third businessman pleaded guilty before the trial began. Bob Menendez protected Hanas halal meat certification monopoly and intervened in separate criminal cases involving the other two men. As the powerful chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he also signed off on several multimillion-dollar weapons sales to Egypt, which he repeatedly asked his wife to relay to the businessmen, who then passed on the intel to Egyptian officials, between 2018 and 2022. He stepped away from that post after being indicted, in line with Senate Democratic Conference rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadine Menendez was initially set to stand trial alongside her husband and the three men but her case was severed from the others after she informed the court about her breast cancer. During Bob Menendezs trial, his attorneys at times sought to pin the blame on the senators wife, contending she hid her dealings with the businessmen from him. Nadine Menendezs attorneys argued during her trial that the senators dealings with the businessmen were nothing more than a politicians work for his constituents. Both she and her husband maintain they did not accept bribes. These things were talking about here are unproven, said Barry Coburn, Nadine Menendezs lawyer, according to the Associated Press. Her sentencing is set for June 12, six days after her husband is scheduled to report to prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Bob Menendez takes a selfie with his wife, Nadine, and businessman Wael Hana. The three are co-defendants in an 18-count federal corruption indictment. (Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York) The wife of former Sen. Bob Menendez was convicted Monday of taking bribes and obstructing justice as part of the wide-ranging, international bribery scheme that landed her husband an 11-year prison sentence. A Manhattan jury found that Nadine Arslanian Menendez, 58, accepted bribes like gold bars, cash, and a Mercedes-Benz in exchange for power and political influence, then tried to hide her actions from federal investigators. Bob Menendez was convicted after a separate trial last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan, Nadine Menendezs attorney Barry Coburn said they respect the judge and the jury, but said its a very rough day for us. Coburn said its quite possible they request a delay in sentencing, and declined to comment on whether shes seeking a pardon. I have no doubt in my mind that the jury did what they thought was right, and I dont think theres any point to my standing here and debating any of that, so I decline to do that, he said. But the case is not over. There will be other days. The jury deliberated for about seven hours over two days before finding Menendez guilty of all 15 counts, including bribery, obstruction of justice, extortion, and conspiracy to commit those crimes. Some of those charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years. She is scheduled to be sentenced June 12. Thats six days after Bob Menendez is expected to report to prison for his 11-year sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bob Menendez was sentenced in January after he was found guilty of taking bribes from three New Jersey businessmen in exchange for political favors for foreign governments and meddling in two criminal investigations. Nadine Menendez, wearing a pink mask and a black shawl, did not speak to a crowd of reporters outside the courthouse Monday. Her attorney did not comment on why Bob Menendez didnt attend his wifes trial. The two started dating in 2018 and married in 2020. Two years later, their Englewood Cliffs home was raided by FBI agents who uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gold bars. Nadine Menendez was first indicted in September 2023 alongside her husband and three businessmen accused of bribing them, Fred Daibes, Wael Hana, and Jose Uribe. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, requiring treatment that delayed her trial for months. Hana and Daibes were convicted alongside the former senator in July, and are also set to go to prison. Uribe pleaded guilty to bribing the Menendezes so Bob Menendez would kill a criminal prosecution targeting Uribe. Uribe, who testified in both trials, has not been sentenced yet. MOSCOW (Reuters) -Major Russian banks have set up a netting payments system dubbed "The China Track" for transactions with China, aiming to reduce their visibility to Western regulators and mitigate the risk of secondary sanctions, banking sources told Reuters. Russia's trade with China hit a record $245 billion last year despite payment problems and commissions running as high as 12%, as Chinese banks had grown too cautious to do business with Russia and jeopardise their ties with the United States. The issue had become so important that Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping discussed it during Putin's visit to China in May 2024, which was aimed at cementing the two countries' 'no limits' partnership. Xi is set to take part in Russia's Victory Day parade on May 9, but his visit is now taking place amid China's trade war with the United States, making the booming trade with Russia and other non-Western nations more important. "I do not rule out that the Chinese partners will no longer be afraid of secondary sanctions," said Alexander Shokhin, the head of the powerful RSPP business lobby group, who takes part in trade negotiations with China. The new system has been set up by major sanctioned banks and involves a web of intermediaries registered in countries that Russia considers friendly. The system has been in place for some time and has not yet suffered any major setbacks. Each bank runs several verified payments agents, some of whom handle payments for exports, and some for imports. All payments are then netted centrally at the bank with all the counterparties involved receiving their money. The banks settle trade in both directions, said market sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. SECURE FROM BEING BLOCKED The banks provide guarantees for payments' settlement as well as financial instruments insuring against a possible default of a payment agent or a counterparty. The system does not use the SWIFT messaging system or accounts in Western banks. "We had to structure financial flows through friendly jurisdictions to secure these payments from being blocked," one market source said, stressing that netting has become the cheapest way for settling trade with China. The sources declined to name the banks, saying they do not want to draw additional attention to their operations because of sanctions but stressed that all the banks involved rank among Russia's top 20. China propped up Russia economically in 2022 when the country was faced with unprecedented Western sanctions over its military action in Ukraine, providing consumer goods which replaced those offered by Western companies. SAN ANSELMO, Calif. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is accusing the Democratic Party of not yet performing a thorough autopsy on what went wrong in its devastating loss of the White House and Senate majority in November. In an exclusive sit-down interview with The Hill on Monday, Newsom said that if the party wants to find its way back from the wilderness, it has to be willing to look inward at what led to the losses and the failure to win back the House majority. We have not done a forensic of what just went wrong, period, full stop, Newsom said. I dont think it, I know it. I mean, to the extent that Im marginally part of this party, I represent the state larger than 21 state populations combined, and I can assure you theres not been a party discussion that Im aware of that has included the state of California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in the interview, Newsom said he wasnt sure what the Democratic Party truly represents, who is leading it or where it wants to go. I dont know what the party is, he said. Im still struggling with that. Newsom, who is widely seen as a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2028, also used the interview to argue that his state is actually a microcosm of the rest of the country, and not just the land of Hollywood and Silicon Valley it is sometimes stereotyped as being. Governing the state, he said, has helped him get a better understanding of different Americas and different voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Ill remind you, for those that think California is just a coastal state, we have 150 percent more ag, hunting, forestry jobs than the next state, 150 percent larger. So, you know, you talk about America, were just America, only more so, said the governor, who is term-limited and cannot run for reelection in 2026. So, you know, talk about flyover states. My state of mind is deeply entrenched in this rural mindset as I go back over and over and over again in the Central Valley. Its not helped me electorally, but it certainly helped me sort of create a sort of consciousness around that. Newsom said there must be a period of reflection and accountability for the Democratic Party. If you dont learn the lessons of the past, you will repeat them, said the governor, expressing some frustration with the lack of introspection by his party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that were not even stress-testing what the hell just happened and were having an honest forensic conversation he said. Newsom, who began hosting his This is Gavin Newsom podcast earlier this year, has come under scrutiny from some party operatives and voters for hosting conservative activist Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, a longtime President Trump loyalist, as guests. He argued such criticism is shortsighted and will get in the way of the Democratic Party picking itself back up. The reaction when I had Charlie Kirk and Bannon on was exactly to me Exhibit A of what I feel is wrong right now with my party: an unwillingness to even engage in platform, to listen, the California governor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats, he said, wanted it to be a debate, take the guy down as opposed to, these two voices had a disproportionate impact on the voice youre hearing every single day, in the megaphone in 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. So maybe we should pay attention and at least express a desire to absorb and learn from what theyre doing and how successful theyve been, Newsom added. The governor said part of the reason he wanted to launch his podcast is to listen to a wide swath of voices across the political spectrum. And so Im testing that, Newsom said. At the same time, Im being tested by it, because the reaction has been a little more bumpy than I even anticipated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the interview, Newsom was also asked about his thoughts on the electric rallies Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) have been holding across the country. Its great. It meets the moment. It meets the zeitgeist, the energy, the governor said. Its what people want. At the same time, Newsom cautioned that while the energy is always at the progressive wing of the party, he doesnt think that energy alone can translate into a victory for Democrats during the 2028 presidential race. He appeared to express some pessimism that Bay Area progressivism can win an Electoral College victory in 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Democratic Party, thats where the energy is. And I intimately understand that nature-nurture coming from the Bay Area and sort of progressive politics, he said. But I dont know that an electoral victory from a prism of 2028 lies there. Im not convinced of that but I admire their willingness to step in the void, to distill a sense of well-being, a spirit, sort of restore a little bit of pride in the Democratic experiment, party. So I do admire that. And you can see a reflectiveness, the crowds are extraordinary, and theres passion, and people are anxious and scared in a profound way, he said. In the interview, Newsom was also asked about the biggest mistake former Vice President Kamala Harris made during the 2024 race. But he said he would have a difficult time answering that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because I think Id be unfair in answering that, said Newsom, noting Harris had a very short runway to set up her presidential campaign after former President Biden dropped out of the race in July. Were all geniuses, not just experts in hindsight. And I thought they ran a remarkably effective 107-day campaign, and all her strengths were there, he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An Amazon Web Services data center in Ashburn, Virginia, on July 28, 2024. Credit - Nathan HowardBloomberg/Getty Images Tech companies are investing hundreds of billions of dollars to build new U.S. datacenters where if all goes to planradically powerful new AI models will be brought into existence. But all of these datacenters are vulnerable to Chinese espionage, according to a report published Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At risk, the authors argue, is not just tech companies money, but also U.S. national security amid the intensifying geopolitical race with China to develop advanced AI. The unredacted report was circulated inside the Trump White House in recent weeks, according to its authors. TIME viewed a redacted version ahead of its public release. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Todays top AI datacenters are vulnerable to both asymmetrical sabotagewhere relatively cheap attacks could disable them for monthsand exfiltration attacks, in which closely guarded AI models could be stolen or surveilled, the reports authors warn. Even the most advanced datacenters currently under constructionincluding OpenAIs Stargate projectare likely vulnerable to the same attacks, the authors tell TIME. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You could end up with dozens of datacenter sites that are essentially stranded assets that cant be retrofitted for the level of security thats required, says Edouard Harris, one of the authors of the report. Thats just a brutal gut-punch. The report was authored by brothers Edouard and Jeremie Harris of Gladstone AI, a firm that consults for the U.S. government on AIs security implications. In their year-long research period, they visited a datacenter operated by a top U.S. technology company alongside a team of former U.S. special forces who specialize in cyberespionage. In speaking with national security officials and datacenter operators, the authors say, they learned of one instance where a top U.S. tech companys AI datacenter was attacked and intellectual property was stolen. They also learned of another instance where a similar datacenter was targeted in an attack against a specific unnamed component which, if it had been successful, would have knocked the entire facility offline for months. The report addresses calls from some in Silicon Valley and Washington to begin a Manhattan Project for AI, aimed at developing what insiders call superintelligence: an AI technology so powerful that it could be used to gain a decisive strategic advantage over China. All the top AI companies are attempting to develop superintelligenceand in recent years both the U.S. and China have woken up to its potential geopolitical significance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although hawkish in tone, the report does not advocate for or against such a project. Instead, it says that if one were to begin today, existing datacenter vulnerabilities could doom it from the start. There's no guarantee we'll reach superintelligence soon, the report says. But if we do, and we want to prevent the [Chinese Communist Party] from stealing or crippling it, we need to start building the secure facilities for it yesterday. China Controls Key Datacenter Parts Many critical components for modern datacenters are mostly or exclusively built in China, the report points out. And due to the booming datacenter industry, many of these parts are on multi-year back orders. What that means is that an attack on the right critical component can knock a datacenter offline for monthsor longer. Some of these attacks, the report claims, can be incredibly asymmetric. One such potential attackthe details of which are redacted in the reportcould be carried out for as little as $20,000, and if successful could knock a $2 billion datacenter offline from between six months to a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China, the report points out, is likely to delay shipment of components necessary to fix datacenters brought offline by these attacks, especially if it considers the U.S. to be on the brink of developing superintelligence. We should expect that the lead times on China-sourced generators, transformers, and other critical data center components will start to lengthen mysteriously beyond what they already are today, the report says. This will be a sign that China is quietly diverting components to its own facilities, since after all, they control the industrial base that is making most of them. AI Labs Struggle With Basic Security, Insiders Warn The report says that neither existing datacenters nor AI labs themselves are secure enough to prevent AI model weightsessentially their underlying neural networksfrom being stolen by nation-state level attackers. The authors cite a conversation with a former OpenAI researcher who described two vulnerabilities that would allow attacks like that to happenone of which had been reported on the companys internal Slack channels, but was left unaddressed for months. The specific details of the attacks are not included in the version of the report viewed by TIME. An OpenAI spokesperson said in a statement: Its not entirely clear what these claims refer to, but they appear outdated and dont reflect the current state of our security practices. We have a rigorous security program overseen by our Boards Safety and Security Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report's authors acknowledge that things are slowly getting better. According to several researchers we spoke to, security at frontier AI labs has improved somewhat in the past year, but it remains completely inadequate to withstand nation state attacks, the report says. According to former insiders, poor controls at many frontier AI labs originally stem from a cultural bias towards speed over security. Independent experts agree many problems remain. "There have been publicly disclosed incidents of cyber gangs hacking their way to the [intellectual property] assets of Nvidia not that long ago," Greg Allen, the director of the Wadhwani AI Center at the Washington think-tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies, tells TIME in a message. "The intelligence services of China are far more capable and sophisticated than those gangs. Theres a bad offense / defense mismatch when it comes to Chinese attackers and U.S. AI firm defenders." Superintelligent AI May Break Free A third crucial vulnerability identified in the report is the susceptibility of datacentersand AI developersto powerful AI models themselves. In recent months, studies by leading AI researchers have shown top AI models beginning to exhibit both the drive, and the technical skill, to escape the confines placed on them by their developers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one example cited in the report, during testing, an OpenAI model was given the task of retrieving a string of text from a piece of software. But due to a bug in the test, the software didnt start. The model, unprompted, scanned the network in an attempt to understand whyand discovered a vulnerability on the machine it was running on. It used that vulnerability, also unprompted, to break out of its test environment and recover the string of text that it had initially been instructed to find. As AI developers have built more capable AI models on the path to superintelligence, those models have become harder to correct and control, the report says. This happens because highly capable and context-aware AI systems can invent dangerously creative strategies to achieve their internal goals that their developers never anticipated or intended them to pursue. The report recommends that any effort to develop superintelligence must develop methods for AI containment, and allow leaders with a responsibility for developing such precautions to block the development of more powerful AI systems if they judge the risk to be too high. Of course, the authors note, if weve actually trained a real superintelligence that has goals different from our own, it probably wont be containable in the long run. Write to Billy Perrigo at billy.perrigo@time.com. In November, Wisconsin Innocence Project co-founder Keith Findley (left) spoke about wrongful convictions at an annual banquet in Menasha, Wisconsin organized by the advocacy organization ESTHER. Findley stands next to Jarrett Adams, whom Findley helped free after Adams was sentenced to 28 years in prison. Photo by Andrew Kennard The exoneration of David and Robert Bintz in a 1987 murder case has increased attention on what happens in Wisconsin after defendants convictions are overturned and they are released from prison. The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation. The Wisconsin Claims Board considers compensation claims by innocent people who were convicted of a crime. The board can award up to $25,000, not including attorneys fees, and not more than $5,000 for every year of wrongful imprisonment. It can recommend that the state Legislature award additional compensation. Re-entering society Exonerated people often experience more difficulty accessing services to help them reenter society than people who were released on probation or parole, according to Rachel Burg, co-director of the Wisconsin Innocence Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State programs work with people on probation or parole before release, Burg said, and include pre-release job training, assistance with applications to public benefits and general release planning. After release, a person may have court or supervision-mandated programs, such as school or work requirements. By no means am I saying being on probation or parole is easy or conducive to successfully reentering society, but in theory there is access to resources that are not available to the wrongfully convicted, Burg said in an email to the Examiner. Exonerated people dont have probation officers making sure they have their identification cards and get set up for Medicaid, she said, or parole agents helping with job applications. A guilty person gets more support from the state than an innocent person who was exonerated, Keith Findley, co-founder of the Wisconsin Innocence Project and an emeritus law professor at UW-Madison, said in an interview in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve spent often decades in prison, had their livelihoods taken away from them, their relationships, their homes, their professions, their good names, Findley said. And then when we discover we got it wrong and made a mistake, we just open the door and say, OK, have a good life, with nothing more from the state. Findley said Wisconsin could create a state forensic science commission, as well as conviction integrity units (CIUs) in prosecutors offices. In neighboring Michigan, the CIU in the state attorney generals office investigates claims of innocence that are accompanied by new evidence. Paths to compensation Exonerees in the U.S. may receive compensation through a civil lawsuit, a private bill passed by a state legislature or a state law, if the state has a compensation statute. Wisconsins compensation cap for wrongfully convicted people is one of the lowest caps in the country. The rare exception to the cap is if the Wisconsin Legislature approves a higher amount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wisconsin Claims Board decides whether to grant compensation to an exonerated person and can recommend that the Legislature award an amount higher than the $25,000 cap. The members of the Wisconsin Claims Board come from the Wisconsin Senate, the Wisconsin Assembly, the governors office, the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Wisconsin Department of Administration. Currently, the legislative representatives are Rep. Alex Dallman (R-Green Lake) and Sen. Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto). How much does Wisconsin pay wrongly convicted people? Wisconsin pays an average of about $4,200 per year of wrongful incarceration to those who filed and received compensation, according to an analysis of data collected by the National Registry of Exonerations, Wisconsin Watch reported. A bipartisan bill that would have increased the $25,000 cap to $1 million passed the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2016, the Capital Times reported. It didnt become law. The bill would have also granted assistance for transitioning back into society and up to 10 years in the states health insurance program for public employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were 39 states, along with the District of Columbia, with compensation statutes for wrongful imprisonment as of March. Some states compensation statutes allow exonerees to receive services, like assistance with tuition, job search and housing, Rachel Burg of the Wisconsin Innocence Project said. As of July 2023, 62 Wisconsin exonerees were wrongly convicted in state courts since 1989 and potentially eligible for compensation, according to a research paper that used information from the National Registry of Exonerations. Jeffrey Gutman of George Washington University Law School published Compensation under the Microscope: Wisconsin in 2022, and it was updated in 2023. As of July 2023, 25 of the 62 had filed claims. 17 of 25 applicants were granted compensation, and 8 were denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutman wrote that Wisconsins filing rate was significantly below a national average of 58% and said that Wisconsins low compensation is a logical explanation. In Findleys view, Wisconsins compensation plan for exonerees puts a very high burden on innocent people to prove their innocence. Wisconsins compensation statute does not give compensation to people because they show their conviction was overturned, the claims board said when it denied compensation to Lavontae Stinson in a 2024 decision. Stinsons conviction was overturned due to ineffective assistance of his legal counsel, the claims board said. For this to happen, Stinson had to show there was a reasonable probability that more effective counsel would have led to a different result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the boards decision, the Milwaukee County District Attorney decided not to retry Stinson because the state could not meet its burden of proof. According to the DA, additional information from Stinsons post-conviction counsel cast some doubt on whether Stinson was involved at all in the crimes for which he was sent to prison. To receive compensation, Stinson had to meet a different standard proving his innocence with clear and convincing evidence and the board ruled his arguments and evidence did not meet the standard. Rare compensation from the Legislature In 2014, then-Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill granting Robert Lee Stinson an additional $90,000. In the end, Stinson was awarded the $115,000 he had requested from the Wisconsin State Claims Board $5,000 for each year of his imprisonment. Gutmans Compensation Under the Microscope reported 17 cases of exonerees receiving state compensation, going back to 1989. Stinsons case appeared to be the only example of the Wisconsin Legislature ordering additional compensation for a wrongfully convicted person following a claims board recommendation, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stinson spent over two decades incarcerated for a conviction based on flawed evidence, FOX6 Milwaukee reported. He settled litigation with the city of Milwaukee for $7.5 million. Jarrett Adams, an attorney working with David and Robert Bintz, didnt yet know if the brothers could make a claim for a federal lawsuit, he told the Examiner in late February. Wisconsins compensation statute might be the brothers only opportunity for compensation, he said. In the case of Daryl Holloway, the claims board recommended an additional $975,000 in March 2022, Gutman wrote, and the Legislature hadnt acted on the recommendation as of June 2023. After a 3-2 vote, in a Jan. 30 decision, the board awarded Gabriel Lugo $25,000 in compensation, not including attorneys fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lugo had been sentenced to 30 years in prison for a 2008 shooting and released in 2023 after his conviction was vacated. The board recommended that the Legislature award Lugo an additional $750,000. This is Part Two in a series on wrongful convictions. Read Part One here. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ANDERSON A planned fire territory that would serve the southern part of Madison County is in a holding pattern. Local units of government in Pendleton, Lapel, Ingalls and Markleville voted earlier this year to consolidate the fire departments into the South Madison Fire Territory. But property tax relief legislation recently adopted by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Mike Braun will strain finances, officials have said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The local units of government had agreed to a tax levy of 80 cents for every $100 of assessed value. The legislation caps that amount at 40 cents per $100 of assessed value. Chris Nodine, chief of the South Madison Fire Territory, said local officials are trying to determine specific details involved in the legislation with financial consultants from Reedy Financial. Our territory is stable, he said of the current fire territory. We were trying to assist the other agencies. We found a solution that local government officials agreed with, Nodine said. He said there are lawmakers who voted for the legislation without understanding all that was contained in the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nodine said the Madison County Council may need to adopt a local option income tax to fund the fire territory. Im optimistic we will probably be able to do something, he said. Nodine said he wishes lawmakers would have understood the provisions of the entire legislation before voting for passage. Its an uphill battle, said Tom Marvel, chief of the Lapel Fire Department. Right now were kind of in a holding pattern. Marvel said officials are working with local lawmakers to develop a plan for the fire territory. Its frustrating, he said. Were exploring options when it comes to the available local option income tax funds in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were waiting on concrete answers from the state, Marvel said. This is affecting smaller communities that may not be able to implement a local income tax. He said applications for employment with the expanded fire territory are on hold. We dont know what our options are, Marvel said. Were working to find out what will be the next step. It appears the state has drawn a line in the sand, he said. Marissa Skaggs, president of the Pendleton Town Council, said the 40 cents being allowed by the state is insufficient to operate and staff an expanded fire territory. Were meeting with our financial consultants to determine the next steps, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skaggs said the necessary documents to create an expanded fire territory have been submitted to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance for approval. Its a concerning situation, she said. Were looking for ways to keep the fire territory tangible. If implemented, Stony Creek Township, Lapel, Adams Township and Markleville will continue to own the existing fire station and equipment; South Madison would provide the staffing and pay the operating costs. Each governmental unit will have appointments to a nine-member board that will oversee the South Madison Fire Protection Territory operations. YANGON, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar police have seized over 600,000 stimulant tablets and other illegal drugs in eastern Shan state, the state-owned daily Myanma Alinn reported on Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, a joint anti-narcotic task force arrested four suspects in Tachileik town on April 19, the report said. During the operation, authorities seized 602,000 stimulant tablets and three vehicles while the suspects were attempting to carry out a drug deal, it said. Later on the same day, the police searched another suspect's house and confiscated 2.45 kg of brown opium, 6 kg of Ice (methamphetamine), 28,000 stimulant pills, 28.5 kg of opium, and 100 kg of ketamine, it added. The total value of the drugs is estimated at more than 1.18 billion kyats (0.56 million U.S. dollars). The suspects have been charged under Myanmar's drug laws, and further investigations are ongoing, the report said. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) If you see emergency personnel in the Great Miami River this week, its likely nothing to worry about. On April 22 and 23, fire crews will be in the Great Miami River, just south of the Ninth Street dam in Middletown. While officials are in the water, they will be conducting swift water training. As a part of training, a vehicle is being placed in the river, which will be removed on either April 23 or 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are encouraged to be cognizant of the training. Caution tape and traffic cones will be in use while crews participate in the training. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Experiments to dim sunlight to fight global warming will be given the green light by the Government within weeks. Outdoor field trials which could include injecting aerosols into the atmosphere, or brightening clouds to reflect sunshine, are being considered by scientists as a way to prevent runaway climate change. Aria, the Governments advanced research and invention funding agency, has set aside 50 million for projects, which will be announced in the coming weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prof Mark Symes, the programme director for Aria (Advanced Research and Invention Agency), said there would be small controlled outdoor experiments on particular approaches. We will be announcing who we have given funding to in a few weeks and when we do so we will be making clear when any outdoor experiments might be taking place, he said. One of the missing pieces in this debate was physical data from the real world. Models can only tell us so much. Everything we do is going to be safe by design. Were absolutely committed to responsible research, including responsible outdoor research. We have strong requirements around the length of time experiments can run for and their reversibility and we wont be funding the release of any toxic substances to the environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geoengineering projects which seek to artificially alter the climate have proven controversial, with critics arguing they could bring damaging knock-on effects, as well as being an unhelpful distraction from lowering emissions. However, scientists are increasingly concerned that carbon dioxide levels are not falling fast enough and that further action may be needed to prevent catastrophic warming. One major area of research is Sunlight Reflection Methods (SRM), which includes Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) whereby tiny particles are released into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight. Another potential solution is Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) in which ships would spray sea-salt particles into the sky to enhance the reflectivity of low-lying clouds. Shipping fumes In recent decades, experts noticed that the clouds above shipping routes were far brighter than usual, as pollution caused them to become more reflective, bringing an overall dimming effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This cooling from shipping fumes was so marked, that when international regulations were enacted to curb sulphur dioxide emissions in 2020, it caused a spike in global warming, scientists believe. Prof Jim Haywood, of Atmospheric Science, at the University of Exeter, said: If you inject small particles into clouds you can brighten them hence reflecting more sunlight back out to space. How do we know this could work? Well there are a couple of very strong pieces of evidence. Ship emissions from the smoke stack into the marine environment lead to bright lines in clouds over the ocean. Then there was a volcanic eruption in Iceland in 2014 which spilled out a lot of sulphur dioxide. What this does is it brightens clouds and cools the planet. What we need to do is some form of field experiments. Seeding cirrus clouds Other ideas for geoengineering include seeding cirrus clouds to allow more heat to escape into space. Currently, the wispy high-altitude clouds act as a blanket, trapping in heat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr Sebastian Eastham, a senior lecturer in Sustainable Aviation at Imperial College London, said: Every time you fly, sulphur, which is naturally present in jet fuel, is emitted into the lower most stratosphere causing a small cooling effect. Similarly, aircraft contrails cause accidental cirrus cloud modification but in this case accidentally causing, rather than preventing or thinning, cirrus clouds. This points to the fact that its theoretically possible (to cool the planet) with current day technology but there are many practical questions that would need to be answered before they could be done at scale. Experts are hopeful that if experiments prove a success, they could be scaled up and implemented within 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As well as outdoor experiments, Aria will also be funding new modelling studies, indoor tests, climate monitoring and gauging public attitudes to geoengineering. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A shortfin mako shark was spotted for the first time in the urban waters of Rio de Janeiro's Ipanema Beach in late March. The Pinnacle Gazette reported that footage was captured by Andrew Macau, a diving instructor who was on the water with a group heading to the Cagarras Islands. "I've been scuba diving for over 10 years, working and doing many dives every week, and we haven't had this sighting before," Macau told Reuters, in translation. Macau also told The Pinnacle Gazette that guided mako shark dives can cost up to 6,000 Brazilian reais, which is about $1,030. This was a rare and valuable experience, bringing joy to researchers and everyday citizens alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources conflict regarding the classification of shortfin mako sharks as an endangered species. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries determined in November 2022 that the species should not be listed under the Endangered Species Act. Shortfin mako sharks are, however, on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's endangered list, according to Nova Southeastern University Newsroom. This is because of the international demand for shortfin mako shark meat and fins. While U.S. legislation bars fisheries from capturing the shortfin mako shark, scientists remain concerned about its status. Researchers at the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center and the Guy Harvey Institute at NSU looked into the sharks' genetics for a solution. They eventually sequenced entire genomes for mitochondrial DNA in Northern and Southern Atlantic shortfin mako sharks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Despite decades of fishing pressure, shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic Ocean still show (relatively) high level of genetic diversity," professor Mahmood Shivji told NSU Newsroom. "Genetic diversity in a population is what allows species to adapt to environmental change, or to survive catastrophes." As long as shortfin mako sharks continue to move around frequently, which should be possible considering their nomadic tendencies, it is highly likely that their genetic diversity will help them survive despite overfishing. Reducing overfishing will also ensure that we can fish from the ocean for as long as possible. How often do you worry about toxic chemicals getting into your home? Always Often Sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The Trump administrations ongoing tariff battle with China has observers worried that a new Cold War-style power conflict could break out. What were seeing now is the biggest trade war in history, Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank, told The Wall Street Journal. The risk of the trade war expanding to other domains is quite high. The U.S. and China have long had a complicated relationship encompassing being major trading partners, as well as geopolitical and economic rivals but a new paradigm began with the Trump administrations Liberation Day agenda of worldwide tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Republican president has since paused many of the reciprocal tariffs he initially committed to, China still faces a 145 percent tariff rate, a measure that inspired Beijing to hit the U.S. with a 125 percent levy. Trump has been publicly upbeat about the prospects of reaching a trade agreement of some kind with China, though the administration hasnt publicly outlined the progress on making such an arrangement. Oh were going to make a deal," Trump said last week. "I think we are going to make a very good deal with China." The president may be optimistic, but most other signs point to a hardening position on both sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China has vowed to fight to the end against the tariffs, while the Trump administration has imposed export controls on U.S.-made high-tech computer chips going to China. Beijing said this week it would "take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner" against nations that reach trade agreements with the U.S. that would hurt Chinese interests. "The United States has abused tariffs on all trading partners under the banner of so-called 'equivalence', while also forcing all parties to start so-called 'reciprocal tariffs' negotiations with them, said China's Commerce Ministry. Meanwhile, Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly have not received any direct messages or offers from their Chinese counterparts to make a deal, according to the Journal. Outside of the trade issues, tensions have been ratcheting up between the U.S. and China for some time now, including alleged tit-for-tat cyber attacks between the two nations in recent months, and China conducting large-scale military drills around the U.S.-aligned island of Taiwan. An example of the Ukrainian BMP-55 heavy infantry fighting vehicle, a radically reworked T-55 tank converted to transport soldiers across the battlefield, has appeared somewhere in Ukraine. While its unclear when or where the imagery was taken, this seems to be the first time a BMP-55 has been sighted in an apparently operational context. With suggestions that only one example of these vehicles was ever completed, this makes its appearance all the more remarkable. A front view of the BMP-55, somewhere in Ukraine. via X The photos in question began to circulate on social media today and may have been first posted to Telegram by the Military Informant channel. The vehicle, partially covered in snow, looks to have been abandoned, although it shows no obvious signs of damage. Its unclear whether the vehicle is still in Ukrainian hands or if it was captured by Russian forces. via X Spray-painted onto the rear of the hull, in blue, is M113, presumably a joke based on the U.S.-made armored personnel carrier, also in Ukrainian service, although a case of mistaken identity cant be ruled out. Whatever the story behind the vehicles current status, its surprising to see it, bearing in mind that it never progressed beyond prototype tests, as far as we know. There remains a possibility, albeit remote, that Ukraine may have launched production of the BMP-55, perhaps using T-54/55 series tanks captured in the country from the opposing Russian forces. Reported footage of Russian T-54 tanks heading to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/zlqwVqU2uJ Clash Report (@clashreport) March 22, 2023 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally, the BMP-55 was developed by the Kharkiv Armored Repair Plant, a major maintenance facility in the northeast Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Work on the project appears to have begun around 2000, with the aim of making use of surplus T-55 tanks, which were no longer considered viable for frontline service. The T-55s turret was removed, and a new armored troop-carrying hull was mounted on the tank chassis. Unlike in the T-55, the new vehicle had the engine and transmission at the front of the hull, provided as a single unit that could be rapidly replaced. A similar program was created to convert the T-64 main battle tank into a heavy infantry fighting vehicle, known as the BMP-64. There was another Ukrainian project, also based on the T-64, known as the Azovets, a specialized vehicle designed for infantry fire support in urban fighting. The prototype of this vehicle or what was left of it was captured by Russian forces in Ukraine last year, having been left buried for some time. Official data from the manufacturer gives a weight of approximately 28.5 tons for the BMP-55, without armament. Meanwhile, there are accounts of a weight of around 44-46 tons, although this may well relate to the larger BMP-64. A prototype BMP-64. Note that this vehicle is fitted with a turret armed with a 30mm autocannon as well as tube-launched anti-armor missiles. via X The BMP-55 reportedly had the capacity to carry up to 10 troops, although a standard eight-man infantry squad is specified by the manufacturer. The troops disembarked via a new rear-mounted ramp, which also made it easier to load casualties. The vehicle was operated by a crew of three. The open rear ramp of the BMP-55. via X The armored personnel carrier seen in the recent imagery appears to have a launcher for a pair of anti-tank guided missiles in a remote station fitted on top of its hull, on the left-hand side of the vehicle, although there is no sign of the missiles themselves being loaded. As originally completed, there was also a remote weapon station on the right-hand side, fitted with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, although this has since been removed from the vehicle. The BMP-55 prototype with weapons stations fitted. via X Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BMP-55 hulls armored protection was apparently able to withstand 25-30mm autocannon fire from the frontal arc, while the rear armor was said to be able to defend against 14.5mm armor-piercing rounds. Meanwhile, armor applied on the underside of the vehicle was designed to protect against TM-57 anti-tank mine blasts and the effects of similar weapons. Further protection could be added in the form of explosive reactive armor (ERA) on the front and sides of the vehicle, as well as thermal cover on the top of the hull. An official product card for the BMP-55. via X The BMP-55 was apparently developed primarily for export, providing any of the many nations operating the T-55 with a low-cost means to field a modern heavy infantry fighting vehicle fleet. The first prototype was reportedly completed by 2009. In any event, neither the BMP-55 nor the BMP-64 received any export orders. Nor were they adopted for service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. After all, during Ukraines years of peace in the 2000s, there was little impetus to convert tanks to become infantry fighting vehicles, although these would be of considerable value now, provided they were available in useful quantities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It should be noted that the idea of converting surplus tanks into heavy infantry fighting vehicles has found traction elsewhere, notably in Israel. The Israel Defense Forces have a long history of using heavy infantry fighting vehicles based on tank chassis. The Achzarit was an Israeli heavy IFV that was also based on a T-55 chassis, and it was followed by the Nagmachon and the Namer, which is in use today. An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Namer (Hebrew for Tiger) heavy IFV. The Namer is built on the chassis of the Merkava main battle tank. Photo by IDF via Getty Images Handout These Israeli vehicles are considered especially useful for fighting in urban, counterinsurgency scenarios. Other roles well suited to these kinds of vehicles include combat engineering and, with appropriate armament fitted, fire support for infantry operations. Broadly similar in terms of reusing tank chassis is the Russian BMPT, which takes a T-72 and reworks it for urban counterinsurgency warfare, inspired by lessons from Moscows two Chechen campaigns in the mid-1990s and early 2000s. The BMPT has been used in combat in Ukraine, although it appears to still be a very scarce vehicle in Russian service, with just one frontline unit so far having been equipped with them. Geolocated this train carrying BMPT Terminators to 52.597429, 38.439473 outside of Yelets, Russia (~300km from Ukraine). The train is heading west. BMPT Terminators were only introduced into service a few years ago and haven't been seen near Ukraine yet. https://t.co/H7azarZ0h1 pic.twitter.com/IPSwrqgZCc IntelWalrus (@IntelWalrus) February 20, 2022 Luhansk Oblast, Ukrainian forces from the 140th Marine Reconnaissance Battalion destroy a Russian BMPT Terminator with drone spotted indirect fire. pic.twitter.com/aj7iMtaGPv OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 9, 2023 As for the BMP-55, this may well be the first and only time we get to see it on or close to the battlefield. As noted earlier, accounts suggest that only one prototype was produced, with no evidence of follow-on vehicle conversions, unless these have been taking place since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in which case, it has not been reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains somewhat of a mystery what this example was doing, and to what degree it was exposed to combat. But, bearing in mind the rich tradition of armored vehicle development in Russia and Ukraine, its unlikely to be the last unusual fighting vehicle to make an appearance in the war. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Claim: In March 2025, a poll showed 81% of people approved of tech magnate Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Rating: Rating: Mixture What's True: Elon Musk posted a poll on X in March 2025 in which 81.1% of the more than 1.5 million respondents answered "yes" or "super yes" to the question "Do you support @DOGE reducing government waste & fraud." However What's False: online polls are notoriously unreliable. Musk posted the poll the day after the publication of an Axios-Generation Lab youth poll. Conducted among people ages 18 to 34, it revealed that 68% of those who leaned Republican approved of DOGE, while only 9% of Democrats and 29% of independents thought the initiative was doing a good job. Overall, 71% said they strongly or somewhat disapproved of its work. Meanwhile, 81% of Republicans "strongly or somewhat approved" of U.S. President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2025, a rumor began to spread that a poll had shown 81% of people approved of tech magnate Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which U.S. President Donald Trump created on his first day in office. DOGE's stated mission has been to cut spending in government. The rumor appeared on several social media websites in mid-April 2025, such as X (archived): (X / @CRRJA5) "WOW!" the image in the post read. "Despite what the media says Elon Musks Poll showed 81% of people support the DOGE team!" As of this writing, the X post had more than 526,000 views, 13,000 likes and 2,800 shares. Musk himself reposted it (archived), contributing to its popularity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This wasn't the first time the claim of DOGE's popularity had circulated. On March 8, 2025, an X user posted an AI-generated image of Musk with poll results (archived). The same image also appeared on Facebook. BREAKING: 81% of people supported DOGE in a recent poll by Elon Musk. pic.twitter.com/HfEG4uSS8h DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) March 8, 2025 Musk had indeed posted a poll on X on March 7, 2025, with the question "Do you support @DOGE reducing government waste & fraud." Of the more than 1.5 million respondents, 81.1% said "yes" or "super yes" (archived): Do you support @DOGE reducing government waste & fraud? Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 7, 2025 However, online polls are notoriously unreliable, with sample selection as the main culprit. In this case, fans of Musk who follow him closely on X are the most likely to respond to one of his polls, all but guaranteeing that the result will be positive for him. This is known as self-selection bias. In traditional polling, pollsters often select respondents in a more sophisticated way, weighing their samples by demographic categories (such as age, gender, race). Because the poll's results matched the claim but were not reliable, we've rated this claim a mixture of truth and falsehood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk posted his poll the day after the publication of an Axios-Generation Lab poll that painted a different picture. Conducted among people 18 to 34 years old, it revealed that 68% of those who leaned Republican approved of DOGE, while only 9% of Democrats and 29% of independents thought the initiative was doing a good job. Overall, 71% said they strongly or somewhat disapproved of DOGE's work. Meanwhile, 81% of those who identified as Republicans "strongly or somewhat approved" of Trump. Sources: Cohn, Nate. 'The Problem With a Crowd of New Online Polls'. The New York Times, 27 Sept. 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/27/upshot/online-polls-election.html. https://archive.is/3JvO5. 'How Do Political Polls Work?' Caltech Science Exchange, http://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/voting-elections/political-polls-science. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Olsen, Randall. 'Self-Selection Bias'. Sage, https://methods.sagepub.com/ency/edvol/encyclopedia-of-survey-research-methods/chpt/selfselection-bias. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Pandey, Erica. 'Exclusive Poll: Young Americans down on DOGE'. Axios, 6 Mar. 2025, https://www.axios.com/2025/03/06/poll-gen-z-millennials-doge-trump-approval. Claim: A Fox News broadcast labeled Kyiv (the capital of Ukraine) a Russian city on Easter 2025 Rating: Rating: Mostly True What's True: The mistake appeared on LiveNOW from Fox, a news service delivered by Fox Television Stations. What's False: However, while LiveNOW from Fox and Fox News are both part of the Fox Corporation, they are not interchangeable nor run by the same business within the corporation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 21, 2025, claims (archived) circulated that Fox News called the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv a Russian city during an Easter broadcast. Meanwhile, Fox News claims that Kyiv is Russia and broadcasts Patriarch Kirill. pic.twitter.com/vNjrp18DFN Saint Javelin (@saintjavelin) April 20, 2025 One X user posted a screenshot showing the alleged mislabeling, captioned: "Meanwhile, Fox News claims that Kyiv is Russia and broadcasts 'Patriarch Kirill'." The screenshot showed three livestreams of Easter services with one labeled "Kyiv, Russia." Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine. The claim also circulated on X (archived), Facebook (archived), Threads (archived), Bluesky (archived) and Reddit (archived). Screenshots showed that the mistake occurred during a broadcast showing midnight masses in Moscow, Kyiv and the Vatican ahead of Easter Sunday on April 21, 2025. The logo for LiveNow, a Fox station, appeared on the screenshots. On April 20, LiveNOW from Fox posted (archived) on its X account, "LiveNOW made an unintentional mistake Saturday evening during extensive live coverage of Easter services from around the world. The error occurred during the transition between global live events and was corrected and acknowledged on-air. We regret and apologize for the mistake." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, while LiveNOW and Fox News are both owned by the Fox Corporation through Fox TV Stations and Fox News Media, respectively, they are not the same channel. Therefore, while the mislabeling on LiveNOW from Fox did happen, we rate this claim mostly true. Russia and Ukraine have been at war since February 2022, when a Russian invasion escalated a territorial conflict between the nations that began in 2014. We reached out to LiveNOW from Fox for any additional comment on the mistake and await a reply. The claim spread extensively in Ukrainian news outlets and included screenshots from LiveNOW's broadcast, with the mistake appearing at various different times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the evening of April 20, 2025, the news had reached Ukrainian officials. Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote (archived) on X, "If this was a mistake rather than a deliberate political statement, there should be an apology and an investigation into who made the mistake." LiveNOW from Fox said in its statement earlier that same day, "We regret and apologize for the mistake." Russia's President Vladimir Putin announced an Easter truce in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine starting in the afternoon on April 19, 2025. However, hours into the truce, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed (archived) on X that Russia had attacked the Kursk and Belgorod regions of Ukraine. Sources: Arhirova, Hanna. "Ukraine Wary of Putin's Easter Truce and Says It Will Reciprocate Only a Genuine Ceasefire." AP News, 19 Apr. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kursk-drones-3c940cf913f22eb21803841b4d026db8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Businesses Archive." Foxcorporation, https://www.foxcorporation.com/businesses/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. "Fox News Broadcast Easter from Moscow and Made Kyiv 'Russian.'" RBC-Ukraine, https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/fox-news-broadcast-easter-from-moscow-and-1745135501.html. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. "Fox News Labels Kyiv a Russian City, Ukraine Calls for 'Apology and Investigation.'" The Kyiv Independent, 20 Apr. 2025, https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-foreign-ministry-calls-out-fox-news-for-labeling-kyiv-a-russian-city/. Gera, Vanessa. "Russia-Ukraine: What to Know as Russia Attacks Ukraine." AP News, 25 Feb. 2022, https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-joe-biden-business-europe-moscow-e88497e7e8d4ad178057b599cc9ec8f6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "LiveNOW Labels Kyiv as 'Russia' During Easter Service Broadcast." UNITED24 Media, 20 Apr. 2025, https://united24media.com/latest-news/fox-news-labels-kyiv-as-russia-during-easter-service-broadcast-7731. @livenowfox. "We Have Issued the Following Statement Regarding a Mistake That Occurred Saturday on LiveNOW from FOX: ." X, 20 Apr. 2025, https://x.com/livenowfox/status/1914029254943379930. Post, Kyiv. "FOX Under Fire for Misidentifying Kyiv as Part of Russia in Easter Coverage." Kyiv Post, 20 Apr. 2025, https://www.kyivpost.com/post/51136. @SpoxUkraineMFA. "If This Was a Mistake Rather than a Deliberate Political Statement, There Should Be an Apology and an Investigation into Who Made the Mistake. ." X, 20 Apr. 2025, https://x.com/SpoxUkraineMFA/status/1913874411913888136. @ZelenskyyUa. "A Report by the Commander-in-Chief. ." X, 19 Apr. 2025, https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1913698274260750714. Claim: The New York Police Department publicly confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 287 pounds. Rating: Rating: False Context: The New York Police Department has not publicly confirmed Trump's height and weight. Per Trump's publicly released White House physical exam results, he is 6 feet, 2.5 inches tall and weighs 224 pounds. On April 13, 2025, the White House released U.S. President Donald Trump's latest medical exam results, noting that he was 6 feet, 2.5 inches tall and weighed 224 pounds numbers that led some people to ask whether those were his true height and weight measurements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A claim subsequently spread online that the New York Police Department had publicly confirmed Trump's real height as 5 feet, 10 inches and his weight as 287 pounds. Alongside Trump's August 2023 mug shot from Fulton County, Georgia, the claim stated: NYPD has just confirmed that Trump's height is 5'10" and his weight is 287 lbs. They know this because he was arrested, booked, weighed, photographed and fingerprinted for his 34 felonies. This is very different from his scripted 6'3" 220 pounds. In short, there was no evidence of the NYPD publicly confirming Trump's height and weight in any news releases or on social media. Trump was booked and fingerprinted by the NYPD in a Manhattan court on April 4, 2023, but his booking documents were not publicly available. As such, we have rated this claim as false. Snopes contacted the NYPD to learn whether it had ever shared such information, as well as the Manhattan district attorney's office to obtain Trump's booking documents from his April 2023 arraignment. We will update this post if more details become available. The NYPD's news release webpage, X account and Instagram account had no publicly available information about Trump's height and weight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 4, 2023, Trump appeared at a Manhattan criminal courthouse for his booking and arraignment. Trump was facing charges related to hush-money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. An unnamed source reportedly told news organization Mediaite that Trump informed police officers that he was 240 pounds and 6 feet, 2 inches tall. As of this writing, Snopes has not seen his New York City booking documents to verify that statement. The above height and weight were different from the information recorded in the Georgia county jail system, where Trump was booked months later in August 2023. Trump appeared in Fulton County, Georgia, where he had been indicted on racketeering, conspiracy and other charges as part of an investigation into potential 2020 election interference. The mug shot from the above claim was also taken when Trump was booked in Fulton County. Fulton County Sheriff's Office records noted Trump's height as 6 feet, 3 inches and his weight as 215 pounds. (Screenshot via Fulton County Sheriff's Office) Jumping forward to April 2025, when the White House released Trump's medical record, which can be read in full here, Trump's height was listed as around half an inch shorter than his recorded height in Fulton County and almost 10 pounds heavier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online news media outlet Politico reported in 2016 that Trump's driver's license listed him as 6 feet, 2 inches. The White House record is the most recent publicly available information on the president's height and weight as of this writing. There is no available statement or evidence from the NYPD stating that Trump is 5 feet, 10 inches or 287 pounds as the above posts claim. Anonymous sources from his New York City booking in April 2023 indicate Trump was taller and weighed less than the claim stated, while the Fulton County Sheriff's Office records from August 2023 also show similar discrepancies in Trump's height and weight. Ultimately, it was not possible to independently confirm the president's height and weight at this time. However, there is no evidence that he is 5 feet, 10 inches or 287 pounds. Sources: Bromwich, Jonah E., et al. "From President to Defendant: Trump Pleads Not Guilty to 34 Felonies." The New York Times, 4 Apr. 2023. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/04/nyregion/trump-arraignment-felony-charges.html. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Falconer, Rebecca. "READ: Trump's Fulton County Jail Record in Georgia Election Case." Axios, 24 Aug. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/08/25/read-trump-jail-record-georgia-election-case. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. https://portal-gafulton.tdr.tylerhosting.cloud/PublicAccess/PAJailManager/default.aspx. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Jayshi, Damakant. "Does Photo Show Trump Arriving in New York for His Arraignment?" Snopes, 4 Apr. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-arraignment-arrival-photo/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Kasprak, Alex. "This Is Donald Trump's Fulton County Mugshot." Snopes, 25 Aug. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-fulton-county-mugshot/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McLaughlin, Aidan. "Exclusive: What Trump Told Cops About His Weight, Height and Occupation." Mediaite, 6 Apr. 2023, https://www.mediaite.com/trump/exclusive-what-trump-told-new-york-cops-about-his-weight-height-and-occupation/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. "Memorandum from the White House Physician." The White House, 13 Apr. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/04/memorandum-from-the-white-house-physician/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. "Read the Full Georgia Indictment against Trump and 18 Allies." PBS News, 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-the-full-georgia-indictment-against-trump-and-18-allies. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Samuelsohn, Darren. "Trump's Driver's License Casts Doubt on Height Claims." Politico, 23 Dec. 2016, https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/trump-drivers-license-height-232948?_amp=true. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025. Claim: An authentic photograph from the White House Easter event in April 2025 shows U.S. President Donald Trump displaying to a group of children a collectible card with a photograph of the assassination attempt targeting him in July 2024. Rating: Rating: True On April 21, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the White House Easter Egg Roll, an annual tradition where families gather to roll colored eggs down the White House lawn. A purported photograph from the event spread on Reddit and X, supposedly showing Trump displaying a collectible card to a group of children with what appeared to be a photograph from the assassination attempt targeting him in July 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the photo circulated, The Daily Mirror, a British tabloid, published the headline, "Trump blasted for showing assassination trading card to kids at White House event." Trump shows children a card depicting the Butler assassination attempt today at the Easter Egg Roll. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/hVPDWpWQe1 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 22, 2025 The above photograph is real. It was not created using artificial intelligence software or manipulated using digital editing tools. As such, we rate this claim true. We found the photograph in Getty Images' database of photojournalism. The image was shot by Chip Somodevilla, with the caption: U.S. President Donald Trump holds a collectors card depicting the assassination attempt during the Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. The White House is expecting thousands of children and adults to participate in the annual tradition of rolling colored eggs down the White House lawn, a tradition started by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) The photograph on the card was taken by Jabin Botsford for The Washington Post, moments after a gunman opened fire at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. That photograph can be found on Getty Images here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The card also included text stating the date of the attempted assassination and captions reading, "Trump assassination attempt" and "Fight to save America 'Stand Strong'": (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) At the Butler rally, one person was killed and two others were wounded when the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire from a nearby roof as Trump spoke. Secret Service agents fatally shot Crooks and rushed Trump off stage after a bullet struck his ear. The Trump administration does not appear to be selling this specific collectible card through official channels, though cards with the same photograph and captions are available on the e-commerce platform eBay as of this writing. Similar trading cards are available for sale on sites unaffiliated with Trump. The Trump Organization is selling a book of photographs with an image from the assassination attempt on its cover. Sources: "In Photos: Signal Scramble at the 2025 White House Egg Roll." Axios, 21 Apr. 2025, https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/trump-melania-white-house-egg-roll-photos. Accessed 22 April 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kasprak, Alex. "Rumor That Shards of Glass, Not Bullet, Injured Trump in Assassination Attempt Is False." Snopes, 15 July 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/bullet-glass-trump-wound/. Accessed 22 April 2025. "Trump Is Safe After Assassination Attempt; Suspected Gunman Is Dead." The New York Times, 13 July 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/13/us/biden-trump-election. Accessed 22 April 2025. "U.S. President Donald Trump Holds a Collectors Card Depicting The..." Getty Images, 21 Apr. 2025, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/president-donald-trump-holds-a-collectors-card-depicting-news-photo/2211296260. Accessed 22 April 2025. A Palestinian checks the damage of vehicles and bulldozers after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 22, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed in a wave of Israeli attacks targeting several areas across the Gaza Strip overnight, the territory's Civil Defense said on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 Palestinians were killed in a wave of Israeli attacks targeting several areas across the Gaza Strip overnight, the territory's Civil Defense said on Tuesday. Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal described it as "a particularly difficult night" for Gaza residents, citing a combination of air raids, artillery shelling, and gunfire from military helicopters. Nine people were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential building in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. Two others were killed in a drone strike on Salah al-Din street, northeast of Rafah, located in the far south of the enclave. In northern Gaza, nine were killed in two separate airstrikes on the Jabalia refugee camp. An additional five, including children, died when the Bakr family home was hit in the Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Eyewitnesses reported continued Israeli bombardment across residential areas in Rafah, Khan Younis, and eastern Gaza. Strikes also targeted civil defense equipment, including machinery used in body recovery operations. The Jabalia municipality said that approximately 10 pieces of equipment, vehicles, and water tankers provided by international donors were destroyed during the attacks. It condemned the targeting of the vehicles, saying the destruction aimed to hinder humanitarian efforts and constituted a violation of international laws and conventions. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the incidents. According to Gaza-based health authorities on Tuesday, a total of 1,890 Palestinians have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, bringing the total number of fatalities since the conflict began in October 2023 to 51,266, with 116,991 others wounded. People check the damage of vehicles and bulldozers after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 22, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed in a wave of Israeli attacks targeting several areas across the Gaza Strip overnight, the territory's Civil Defense said on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People check the damage of vehicles and bulldozers after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 22, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed in a wave of Israeli attacks targeting several areas across the Gaza Strip overnight, the territory's Civil Defense said on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Claim: On April 21, 2025 the day Pope Francis died U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted, "Today there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God." Rating: Rating: Correct Attribution Context: Greene did not specifically mention the pope's death in the post. In the early morning of April 21, 2025, Pope Francis died at age 88. That same day, users across multiple social media platforms, including Instagram (archived), Facebook (archived), Reddit (archived) and X (archived), claimed U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene had posted: "Today there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many commenters said Greene's post was disrespectful, others insisted it was not in reference to the pope's death. Marjorie Taylor Greene seemingly celebrating the death of Pope Francis is a new low even for her. This woman is vile. pic.twitter.com/pL3JPQce8n Art Candee (@ArtCandee) April 21, 2025 The post is authentic and has received more than 12 million views as of this writing. Several hours after Francis died, Greene posted that statement on X (archived): (X user @mtgreenee) However, she did not specifically mention the pope's death in her post. Greene's office provided more context via email, writing: "Klaus Schwab stepped down as the head of WEF. Lots of things are happening in the world." Klaus Schwab is the founder and former chair of the World Economic Forum (WEF). He stepped down from the role with immediate effect on April 21. The following day, numerous reputable news media outlets reported that the WEF had launched an investigation into Schwab following a whistleblower letter alleging financial misconduct by the former chairman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Republicans, including U.S. President Donald Trump (archived) and Vice President JD Vance (archived) who had met with Francis a day earlier expressed their condolences following the pope's death. Greene has been a longtime critic of the Catholic Church. In 2022, she wrote publicly (archived): "I was born into the church, raised in it and I was married in the Church. With great sorrow, and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, I stopped attending Catholic Mass when I became a mother, because I realized that I could not trust the Church leadership to protect my children from ped*ph*les, and that they harbored monsters even in their own ranks." In sum, Greene's post in which she wrote, "Today there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God" is authentic, and she posted it not long after Pope Francis died. However, she did not specifically mention the pope's death in the post. Sources: Giordano, E. (2025). WEF confirms probe into founder Klaus Schwab. [online] POLITICO. Available at: https://www.politico.eu/article/world-economic-forum-investigation-klaus-schwab/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene, Marjorie Taylor. X.Com, https://x.com/mtgreenee. Greene, Rep. Marjorie Taylor. X.Com, https://x.com/RepMTG. World Economic Forum. World Economic Forum Announces Governance Transition. [online] Available at: https://www.weforum.org/press/2025/04/world-economic-forum-announces-governance-transition/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025. 'World Economic Forum Launches Probe into Founder Klaus Schwab over Whistleblower Allegations'. Reuters, 22 Apr. 2025. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/world-economic-forum-launches-probe-into-founder-klaus-schwab-over-whistleblower-2025-04-22/. Updates: April 23, 2025: This story was updated to include a response from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's office. Pope Francis' death is bringing renewed attention to his historic virtual town hall in 2015, during which he connected with followers via satellite, demonstrating how modern technology can bridge distances and bring the Catholic Church closer to its people. Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died Monday at the age of 88. The Vatican announced that the pope died from a stroke followed by heart failure, as mourners worldwide gathered to honor his legacy of compassion and inclusivity. Francis' death followed a series of worsening health problems, including a respiratory crisis that left him in critical condition back in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his decade-long papacy, Francis broke new ground in many ways, including a 2015 virtual town hall with Americans that showcased his dedication to connecting directly with the faithful. ABC News and "World News Tonight" revisited the pope's historic town hall, where he participated in a virtual audience with Americans from across the country, moderated by ABC News anchor David Muir. PHOTO: ABC News' David Muir with Pope Francis, Sept. 4, 2015. (ABC News) Pope Francis live updates: Cause of death released The groundbreaking event, held Aug. 31, 2015, marked the first time a pope had ever engaged in such direct dialogue with Americans through virtual technology. The conversation revealed Francis' characteristic warmth and accessibility, moving many participants to tears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pope spoke for nearly an hour via satellite to groups including Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago; Sacred Heart Church in McAllen, Texas; and homeless individuals and outreach workers in Los Angeles. Throughout the conversation, the pontiff responded directly to participants' questions and provided encouraging words of wisdom. MORE: What we know about Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican's interim manager until a new pope is elected "It really touched my heart. It really made me feel that he is really connecting with us," Ricardo Ortiz, 19, told ABC News at the time, after speaking to Francis from the church in McAllen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valerie Herrera was 17 when she shared her story with Pope Francis about struggling with a rare skin disorder and turning to music to cope with bullying. In a touching moment during the virtual town hall, the pope asked her to sing for him. As cheers filled the room at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago, Herrera sang a song of her choice, moving many in the audience. The pope thanked her with his characteristic warm smile. Now 26 and working as a nurse outside Chicago, Herrera reflects on that transformative moment. "When I think about Pope Francis, I remember his warming and welcoming smile when he asked me to sing for him," Herrera told ABC News. "That's the face I will always remember." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herrera detailed how the moment with the pontiff inspired her in her carrer and personal life, saying it "taught me to just to be more of a woman of faith that is here to serve others, that is here to provide care as a nurse." "I have the responsibility to care for those that are under my care. I have the responsibility to provide and give everything that I have in order to ensure that people are healing, people are getting better, and to provide the love and compassion that family members and patients really need in their time of weakness when they're sick," Herrera said. Members of the audience who did not get a chance to ask the pope a question were still equally touched by the event, including Adam Nichol, a formerly homeless man who lives and works at the Midnight Mission. "This experience touched me, and it will be something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life," Nichol told ABC News at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The virtual town hall remains a testament to Francis' pioneering efforts to modernize the Church's outreach while maintaining its focus on compassion, social justice, and connecting with those on society's margins. Faithful recall Pope Francis' historic US virtual town hall with David Muir in 2015 originally appeared on abcnews.go.com SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Nearly two years after the tragic death of a Scott County deputy, state and local officials have found a permanent way to honor his life and legacy. All who drive through a portion of Scott County will now be reminded of his sacrifice and the impact he had on the community. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May 22, 2023, is a day that continues to weigh heavily on the hearts of people who knew Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley. The day we lost Caleb was one of the hardest in my time in law enforcement because it wasnt simply just a deputy who died, said Rep. Tony Hampton. It was a good man, a loyal friend, and a piece of our family. Conley was killed while conducting a traffic stop in Georgetown. His killer, Steven Sheangshang, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in January this year. Hampton, who was serving as the Scott County Sheriff at the time, said Conley was one of the finest men to ever wear the badge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He walked into situations most would run from. And he did it with quite courage and a servants heart, Hampton said. To honor the fallen deputy, Gov. Andy Beshear signed a bill into law that will memorialize Conley and his ultimate sacrifice. Monday afternoon, his family unveiled a new sign, naming Highway 62 between the Woodford and Bourbon County lines Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley Memorial Highway. Someone is never gone while were still speaking his or her name, Beshear said. So, these signs are a forever honora lasting tribute to his sacrifice and a service. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conleys mother, Jolene, said her son received recognition and several awards for his service not only as a deputy but also while serving in the Army Reserves. However, she noted that he was incredibly humble and lived to serve. He didnt expect praise from others, and he did it because it was in his blood, but also because it was his character, she said. Hampton said the highway sign will serve as a reminder that heroes live among us and that some, like Conley, gave everything they had for the safety of others. Jolene said she and the entire family are grateful for the love and support they continue to receive. Its been a long, almost two years next month, and it just means a lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. DENVER (KDVR) Supporters and state leaders flocked to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Boulder on Monday to support the agency after what ended up being false reports of DOGE personnel at the facility. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, who represents the district that includes Boulder, both went to the U.S. Department of Commerce campus in Boulder. The campus is home to labs for NOAA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the politicians went to offer support to the lab scientists who work there and their research. Answers demanded on DOGE lease cancellations of Colorados federal agencies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has been working to defund federal institutions at the direction of President Donald Trump to shrink the federal government. Of course, we know that DOGE has worked to dismantle government agency after government agency, Neguse said in a video taken in Boulder and shared on X. Weve seen that at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Education, the list goes on and on. So, we were rightfully concerned. And the community is rightfully concerned about what may be happening at NOAA and at NIST. Neguse said he visited with personnel on the campus and found that DOGE personnel were not in fact at the facility on Monday and did not enter the campus. That being said, we know that NOAA, NIST, and our federal labs remain targets of DOGE and this administration in their efforts to deconstruct the laboratories and the agencies that are serving the American public, he added. Were going to do everything that we can to prevent the disastrous cuts that the Trump administration has proposed. And well continue to do our part to defend these laboratories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE is terminating $9.4M in leases across Colorado: See the full list Weiser, in a video from the protest shared on Instagram, reiterated Colorado officials commitment to the labs. He said NOAAs work is vital to climate change action. Im here with a great group making a point clear: Hands off NOAA, Weiser said. NOAA is a crown jewel here in Boulder, here in Colorado, here in the United States of America. We need to make sure the people working here can do work thats critical to deal with the challenges of our changing climate, to make sure that we in Colorado, in America, have the benefit of science. This is not the first protest in support of NOAAs research since Trump took office. A huge crowd turned up last month to protest layoffs of the administrations employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. JERUSALEM, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said on Tuesday it carried out an airstrike in Lebanon, killing a militant affiliated with Jamaa Islamiya, a group allied with Hamas and Hezbollah. In a statement, the military identified the target as Hussein Izzat Mohammad Atwi, who it said was involved in "planning and advancing terrorist activity from Lebanon into Israeli territory," and was working to attack Israeli forces along the northern border. According to the Israeli military, Atwi also took part in launching rockets, coordinating militant infrastructure, attempting cross-border infiltrations, and planning attacks against Israelis abroad. Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said in a separate statement that the Israeli strike targeted a vehicle in the town of Baawerta, in the Aley district, and resulted in one fatality, according to the state-run National News Agency. Israel has carried out dozens of strikes in Lebanon since a ceasefire with Hezbollah was agreed in November 2024, ending a 14-month cross-border fighting. The fighting was triggered by Israel's onslaught on Gaza following Hamas' surprise attack against Israel in October 2023. Speaking to the gunman who killed her brother and 22 other people, Yolanda Tinajero did not raise her voice or condemn him for his racist attack at a Walmart in 2019. Instead she told him Tuesday that she forgave him, and wished she could give him a hug. The judge, in a surprising turn in an El Paso courtroom, allowed her to do just that. Their brief embrace while Patrick Crusius was still shackled was among many emotionally charged moments during two days of impact statements given by victims family members and survivors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some described their pain and devastation while others assured him the community had met his hatred with love and unity. Later, another person also hugged the man who pleaded guilty in one of the deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. Crusius, a white community college dropout, had posted online a screed about a Hispanic invasion of Texas before opening fire with an AK-style rifle at the store near the U.S.-Mexico border on Aug. 3, 2019. Crusius didn't address the families and survivors at his plea hearing Monday. He will serve multiple life sentences after pleading guilty to capital murder and 22 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. We would have opened our doors to you to share a meal, breakfast lunch or dinner, Mexican-style, so then your ugly thoughts of us that have been instilled in you would have turned around, Tinajero told him. Hug you very tight Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tinajero said her brother, 60-year-old Arturo Benavides, was a kind, sweet-hearted person, whose wife of over 30 years is broken hearted over her loss. Now she lives alone in their home full of memories that she can't forget, she said. I feel in my heart, to hug you very tight so you could feel my forgiveness, especially my loss, but I know its not allowed, Tinajero said. I want you to see and feel all of us who have been impacted by your actions. Later, the judge asked her: "Maam, would it truly bring you peace and comfort if you could hug him? Yes," she replied. Her daughter, Melissa Tinajero, told reporters: I dont know how she was able to do it. I could not do that. But she showed him something he could not show his victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A survivor, not a victim Stephanie Melendez told Crusius that she did not want to address him but rather read a letter to her father, 63-year-old David Johnson, who was killed when he shielded his wife and 9-year-old granddaughter from the gunfire. Melendez thanked her father for making her study, giving her a curfew and telling her when she was 16 that she needed to get a job. You made me into the strong woman I am today, she said. Her daughter, Kaitlyn Melendez, now 14, told Crusius: I am a survivor, not a victim. Im going to walk out these doors and move forward with my life and not let you haunt me anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A disgrace to humanity Dean Reckard, whose 63-year-old mother Margie Reckard was among those killed, expressed anger and forgiveness as he addressed Crusius. Youre a disgrace to humanity and to your family, Reckard said, adding that he hopes Crusius wakes up each morning wishing he were dead. But Reckard also said he forgave the gunman who will spend the rest of his life behind bars. In order to be forgiving, you have to forgive others," he said. "Thats the only reason I forgive you. May God have mercy on your soul. Thousands of people attended Margie Reckard's funeral after her partner of 22 years, Antonio Basco, invited the public to the service, saying he felt alone after her death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Left me sad, bitter Liliana Munoz of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, said in court Monday that she was shopping for snacks when Crusius opened fire, forever changing her life physically, economically and emotionally. In her statement, she said she used to be a happy, dancing person, but now is afraid every morning when she awakes. Since she was shot, she has had to use a cane to walk and wears a leg brace to keep her left foot from dragging. It left me sad, bitter, said the 41-year-old mother. She also granted Crusius forgiveness. You brought us together Javier Rodriguez was 15 and starting his sophomore year in high school when he was shot and killed at a bank in Walmart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday his father Francisco Rodriguez shouted at Crusius: Look at me, Im talking to you. He told Crusius that he and his family have to go to the cemetery to commemorate his son's birthday. I wish I could just get five minutes with you me and you and get all of this, get it over with, he said. But Rodriguez also referred to comments made about Crusius' impact on El Paso during his sentencing. Like the judge said yesterday, you came down to El Paso with the intention of tearing us apart, but all you did, you brought us together, he said. ___ This story has been updated to correct that Javier Rodriguezs family members go to the cemetery to commemorate his birthday, not his death. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. April showers may bring May flowers, but for Arkansas farmers, theyre also bringing costly delays and serious concerns about the planting season. Following a long dry spell in March, heavy rains swept through the state in early April, dropping as much as 15 to 16 inches of rain in some areas. The back-and-forth between drought and flooding is disrupting prime planting and growing time for key crops such as soybeans, corn, and rice. How tariffs set by President Donald Trump are expected to impact Arkansas agriculture Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jay Coker of Coker Farms says this years weather extremes have made tilling and planting incredibly difficult. It seems like this year so far weve gone from a long dry spell in March, then we roll into the first weekend of April and some places around the state experienced maybe 1516 inches of rain, Coker said. Just as the fields began to dry, another round of storms hit this past weekend, bringing more flooding to already saturated farmland. While Coker acknowledges his situation isnt the worst in the state, its representative of a broader issue farmers are facing. Flooded fields make it hard to predict whether crops will survive, and some fields may not recover at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You see a wide range of results from the floodwaters depending on various factorswhether theres still a crop that can be grown or theres nothing there, he said. Crops like corn and soybeans are especially vulnerable and can begin to rot after just a few days underwater. In contrast, rice is sometimes more resilient, though outcomes can still be unpredictable. Theres a seedling still, no rot, no disease, Coker said of one rice crop. Beyond crop health, the financial burden of responding to extreme weather is another major challenge. Farmers often spend tens of thousands of dollars on short notice to prepare for rising water, such as building levees and drainage solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depending on what they had to do, they could have easily spent $50,000 to $100,000 in just a few days, Coker said. Conservation funding for flooded lands helps small Arkansas farm Despite the setbacks, Coker remains optimistic. With much of the growing season still ahead, he hopes conditions will improve in time to get back on track. Theres hope. Its still early in the growing season, Coker said. If the water can get off in the next 14 to 21 days, were still within a window to maintain our normal planting practices. Its too early to say whether consumers will see the impact of this springs weather on prices for corn, rice, and soybeans come harvest season. For now, farmers are watching the skies and hoping for better days ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. DEDHAM, Mass. (AP/Boston 25) The second murder trial of Karen Read, whose case has sparked a national debate on police accountability and won her legions of devoted fans, began with opening statements Tuesday, more than three years after the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend. Watch the opening statements in Reads second criminal trial: Read is accused of striking her boyfriend, John OKeefe, with her SUV in 2022 and leaving him to die alone in the snow outside of a house party in Canton, a suburb about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Boston. She has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene. Karen Read listens during opening arguments at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Stuart Cahill /The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) During the first trial last year, prosecutors said Read intentionally backed into OKeefe after she dropped him off at a house party and returned hours later to find him dead. The defense said that she was a victim of a vast police conspiracy and that OKeefe was fatally beaten by another law enforcement officer at the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile. The biggest difference in the current trial is the lead prosecutor, Hank Brennan. Brought in as a special prosecutor after the mistrial, the former defense attorney has represented a number of prominent clients, including notorious Boston gangster James Whitey Bulger. Brennan began his opening statement Tuesday by describing the firefighter who raced to the scene in near-blizzard conditions and found Read and two other women surrounding OKeefes body on the ground. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan gives his opening argument at Karen Read's second murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Stuart Cahill /The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) He stepped out into bedlam, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The firefighter then asked Read what had happened, he said. Youll hear her words, I hit him. I hit him. I hit him, Brennan said. She admitted what she had done that night. Brennan told jurors that facts and data will lead them to the truth, and that Reads own statements will confirm it. But Defense Attorney Alan Jackson began his opening statement by saying the prosecutions case was based on a brazen and flawed assertion that is untethered to the facts and the evidence. John OKeefe did not die from being hit by a vehicle, he said. The facts will show that. The evidence will show that. The data will show that. The science will show that and the experts will tell you that. Attorney Alan Jackson gives his opening statement at Karen Read's second murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Stuart Cahill /The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) Many of the factors that made the first trial must-see television will feature in the second. Most of the the same witnesses are back as are Reads aggressive defense team and dozens of her supporters camped out near the courthouse many carrying Free Karen Read signs and wearing pink. Read, who has been featured in several documentaries about her case, has become a minor celebrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few dozen of Reads supporters, many holding American flags, stood in front of the courthouse Tuesday morning before moving a block away to comply with a court-ordered buffer zone. Those who were reuniting hugged each other, while others took time to bring newcomers up to speed on the case. Im here for justice, said Ashlyn Wade, a Read supporter from Canton. The murderer going to jail and Karen being exonerated, that would be justice. Supporters of Karen Read gather on the steps at Norfolk Superior Court prior to Read's trial, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The prosecution, however, stands to benefit from a pretrial ruling from Judge Beverly Cannone that defense attorneys cant mention potential third-party culprits in their opening statements. They can develop a case against two law enforcement officers but cannot implicate Alberts nephew, Colin Albert, as they did in the first trial. I view it as a blow to the defense strategy but not a knockout punch, Daniel Medwed, a law professor at Northeastern University, said of the ruling. All the defense needs to do is create reasonable doubt about Karen (Reads) guilt, and that doesnt require pointing to an alternative perpetrator as a matter of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal experts expect prosecutors to focus on Reads behavior as they did during the first trial her volatile relationship with OKeefe and their night of heavy drinking. They also predict the prosecution will lay out a stronger and more coherent case that Read clipped OKeefe with the back of her SUV and sent him tumbling to the ground using data from her car, video and stronger expert testimony. The Commonwealth will focus on the theme drilled into us since middle school Drinking, Driving, Deadly Consequences, Michael Coyne, the dean of Massachusetts School of Law at Andover, said in an email. The defense is expected to offer evidence that what they see as a sloppy police investigation was biased and that law enforcement officers set Read up to protect the real killers. They could be helped by an audit of the Canton Police Department released last month that found several mistakes with the investigation but no evidence of a cover-up. One of the key witnesses will be former State Trooper Michael Proctor. He led the investigation but has since been fired after a disciplinary board found that he sent sexist and crude texts about Read to his family and colleagues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Proctor and his dismissal from the force may very well serve as the elephant in the courtroom throughout the proceedings, Medwed said. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) says the Fayetteville Revenue Office will be open on Saturday, April 26, to ensure access to REAL ID. In a news conference today held in Little Rock, Secretary of the DFA, John Hudson, said theyre opening on weekends in anticipation for the large crowds coming to beat the deadline. With the demand that we see coming in the next couple of weeks, Ive asked Commissioner Collins to also provide some additional capacity by opening five of our revenue offices this coming Saturday in select cities around the state. Fayetteville, Little Rock, Jonesboro, Texarkana, and Monticello will be open all day this Saturday, 8:00 to 430, Hudson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement REAL IDs are required for Arkansans to board a flight starting on May 7, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). They are also required to enter certain federal buildings or a nuclear power plant. Ahead of the May 7 deadline, the Fayetteville Revenue Office at 3086 West Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard will be open Saturday to accommodate residents who may be traveling soon or need a REAL ID. The Arkansas DFA says it issued 52,000 REAL IDs in March, bringing the total to 800,000. Can you fly without a REAL ID after the May deadline? Those planning to get their REAL IDs on April 26 can make an appointment on the DFAs website, however, it is not required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appointments on Saturday are only for REAL IDs. The DFA says all other revenue office-related services must be done Monday through Friday. DFA has streamlined the process of obtaining a REAL ID, which can be completed in a matter of a few minutes, DFA Secretary Jim Hudson said in a news release on Tuesday. Our offices are prepared for the large number of Arkansans that will be visiting offices between now and May 7. From eliminating waiting through the new appointment system to serving citizens on Saturday, DFA is committed to providing a great experience. Despite the efforts to make the process more efficient, not all Arkansans are convinced its all that simple. William Hall said hes gone through this process before, and hes not pleased to have to go through it again. I think its a little bit ridiculous to add a stipulation of a real I.D., to a state I.D. that I already have. That is a real I.D., Hall said. It took two and a half hours to get my picture taken for my I.D. that was still valid. So, it wasnt even like I had to go through all of those hoops. I just had to, you know, get my picture taken and wait in line for a really long time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DFA encourages Arkansans to visit the states REAL ID website before heading to the revenue office. For more information on REAL IDs, visit the Department of Homeland Securitys 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 KNWA FOX24. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) The FDA is planning to eliminate six commonly used synthetic, petroleum-based food dyes from the American food supply by the end of 2026. The announcement was made during a press conference by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, who was also joined by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey and other food advocates and state legislators. Just last month, Gov. Morissey signed House Bill 2354, a similar ban on nine different synthetic food dyes and preservatives, but that ban wont go into effect until the beginning of 2028. Tackling artificial dye has also been a cornerstone of Kennedys Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What foods go away under West Virginias ban of certain food dye? During the press conference, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary outlined three planned steps the FDA will be taking to provide clarity for national food producers: Establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petroleum-based food dyes to natural alternatives Initiating a process to revoke authorization of synthetic food colorings, including those not in production, like Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, in the coming weeks. Taking steps to eliminate the remaining six synthetic dyes on the market from the U.S. food supply, specifically: Red 40 Yellow 5 Yellow 6 Blue 1 Blue 2 Green 3 Shortly after, Makery pitched ingredients like watermelon juice, beet juice or carrot juice as natural alternatives to artificial red or orange dyes. Makary also announced plans to authorize four more natural food dyes and is accelerating the review and approval of other natural ingredient colors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also invited food producers to remove Red 3, a dye already banned by the FDA, from food products before the established 2027 deadline. The FDAs plan to eliminate synthetic food dye is very similar to West Virginias, although it omits butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Propylparaben, two preservatives that were included in House Bill 2354. BHA is a commonly used preservative in meat products, particularly pepperoni, which is a key ingredient in West Virginias unofficial state food, the pepperoni roll. Your favorite pepperoni roll could be illegal under new food dye ban Officials said that the elimination of these dyes at a federal level will ease the strain on American food producers, who risk having to deal with a patchwork of statewide food dye bans, which could each have their own restrictions or requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. A panel of appeals judges expressed skepticism with elements of the Trump administration's transgender service member ban, peppering a Department of Justice lawyer with questions Tuesday morning about the basis for the ban and justification for blocking anyone with gender dysphoria from service without making individualized determinations. DOJ attorney Jason Manion attempted to justify the policy by arguing that transgender troops lessen the readiness of the U.S. military and that the policy falls under a "core area of presidential power." "The military has determined that this policy will increase the readiness and effectiveness of the military and, in fact, that not being able to enact it would be harmful to the military," he argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Cornelia Pillard, an Obama appointee, pushed back on the assertion by highlighting that the Pentagon did not provide concrete evidence or research to show that transgender members of the military are less lethal or less ready for combat. "If the military said people with red hair are just too fragile and vulnerable, we are going to kick them all out of the military and we are going to not allow any of them ever to join -- we have no evidence of that, but we think they're a threat to military preparedness, to unit cohesion, and too costly, and so we're just going to kick them out, is that rational enough under military deference?" she asked. PHOTO: The Department of Defense logo is seen on the wall in the Press Briefing room at the Pentagon, Oct. 29, 2024, in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP) MORE: 'Unfair exclusionary policy': 2nd judge blocks Trump's transgender military ban in scathing ruling Manion attempted to argue that gender dysphoria is "marked by severe clinical distress or impaired functioning," but Pillard noted that the military already screens soldiers for depression and suicidal ideation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao, both Trump appointees who also served in his first administration, also raised concerns that the policy treats soldiers the same based on their sex, rather than allow individualized determinations. "Should the military be required to take an individualized determination?" Rao asked. "Is the decision not to make individualized determinations some indication that this is treating people the same based on the transgender status?" Shannon Minter, an attorney for the group of 32 transgender service members and recruits who challenged the policy, urged the court to stop the ban from taking effect, arguing the Trump administration has failed to prove why thousands of transgender soldiers deserve to be declared unfit for service. "The government have a high burden here, and it has not been able to meet any part of it," Minter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Pentagon 'cherry picked' studies to support transgender service member ban, judge says The group sued the Trump administration over the policy in January, and at least three different federal judges have since blocked the ban from taking effect. "The Court's opinion is long, but its premise is simple. In the self-evident truth that 'all people are created equal, all means all. Nothing more. And certainly nothing less," Judge Ana Reyes wrote in a ruling last month blocking the policy. The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to overrule Reyes' decision, arguing that gender dysphoria "limits deployability and imposes additional costs on the military" and is "not compatible with military readiness and lethality." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Transgender service members sue to block Trump order Lawyers with the DOJ have argued that the courts should defer to military leadership about the best way to run the armed services. "Plaintiffs offer no sound basis for concluding that the line the military has once again drawn falls outside constitutional bounds," DOJ lawyers wrote. But lawyers representing the transgender service members have pushed back on the Pentagon's claim, arguing the Trump administration has provided no evidence of the harm stemming from the policy. They argued that allowing the policy to take effect would "trigger an explosive and harmful trip wire, causing reputational, professional, and constitutional harm that can never be fully undone." Pentagon ban on transgender service members draws skepticism from appeals court originally appeared on abcnews.go.com (NewsNation) Some 60,000 people could soon be scrambling to pay rent if Congress doesnt add funding to a federal program supporting those fleeing homelessness and domestic violence. The Emergency Housing Voucher program launched in 2021 as part of then-President Joe Bidens pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act to help people escape homelessness, domestic violence and human trafficking but its running out of money faster than expected. The program was allocated $5 billion, a sum originally expected to last until the end of the decade, but funding is now projected to run out by the end of next year, according to a letter from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development obtained by The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 60,000 Americans to lose their rental assistance and risk eviction unless Congress acts If the funding runs out, tens of thousands of EHV recipients may have to find other ways to cover their rent, otherwise, they could be evicted. One analyst told the AP it would be among the largest one-time losses of rental assistance in the U.S. A March letter from HUD advised groups dispersing the funding to manage your EHV program with the expectation that no additional funding from HUD will be forthcoming. The rapid increase in the cost of rent is the main reason funding ran out faster than anticipated. According to the latest program data, California has the most EHV beneficiaries (15,421), followed by New York (9,458) and Texas (3,486). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congresswoman Maxine Waters, a California Democrat, is pushing for an $8 billion infusion to shore up the program. Republicans consider increasing taxes on the rich in break from party orthodoxy The success of EHVs in helping to end homelessness for tens of thousands of households cannot be overstated and, in addition to building more affordable housing, are an effective tool to combat homelessness, Waters wrote in a recent letter to Rep. French Hill, R-AR, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. The organizations lobbying Republican and Democratic lawmakers to re-up the funding told the AP they arent optimistic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first term, President Donald Trump repeatedly called for massive spending cuts to HUD programs, and Republicans are currently trying to cut federal spending to afford tax cuts. On Monday, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) warned that Trumps 2026 budget proposal is expected to include massive spending cuts to HUDs affordable housing programs and urged Congress to increase funding instead. The EHV program has been extremely successful, helping almost 60,000 people and families and in particular families with children find and maintain stable housing, NLIHC said in a memo to members. In a recent interview, HUD Secretary Scott Turner blasted government housing subsidies and said they were never meant to be a hammock but rather, a trampoline to project people on a different trajectory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. WASHINGTON (AP) A federal judge agreed Tuesday to block the Trump administration from dismantling Voice of America, the 83-year-old international news service created by Congress. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the administration illegally required Voice of America to cease operations for the first time since its World War II-era inception. Attorneys for Voice of America employees and contractors asked the judge to restore its ability to broadcast at the same level before President Donald Trump moved to slash its funding. Lamberth mostly agreed, ordering the administration to restore Voice of America and two of the independent broadcast networks operated by the U.S. Agency for Global Media Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks until the lawsuits are settled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge denied the request for two other independent networks, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Open Technology Fund. In a March 26 court filing, plaintiffs attorneys said nearly all 1,300 of Voice of Americas employees were placed on administrative leave, while 500 contractors were told that their contracts would be terminated at the end of last month. The U.S. Agency for Global Media, which runs Voice of America, has operated other broadcast outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Afghanistan. Congress has appropriated nearly $860 million for the Agency for Global Media for the current fiscal year. Voice of America went dark soon after Trump issued an executive order on March 14 that pared funding to the Agency for Global Media and six other unrelated federal entities. It also moved to terminate VOA contracts with news agencies, including The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voice of America has operated since World War II, beaming news into authoritarian countries that dont have a free press. It began as a counterpoint to Nazi propaganda and played a prominent role in the U.S. governments Cold War efforts to curb the spread of communism. Trump and his Republican allies have accused Voice of America of having a leftist bias and failing to project pro-American values to its audience. Plaintiffs' attorneys say it reports and broadcasts the news truthfully, impartially, and objectively. That simple mission is a powerful one for those living across the globe without access to a free press and without the ability to otherwise discern what is truly happening, they wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government attorneys argued that the plaintiffs failed to show how they have been irreparably harmed. Rather, Plaintiffs take aim at what is best described as a temporary pause on its activities while Global Media determines how to bring Voice of America into compliance with the Presidents directive, they wrote. The Agency for Global Media's leadership includes special adviser Kari Lake, a former TV news anchor and political candidate. In his written ruling, Lamberth noted that the U.S. Agency for Global Media never finalized its grant agreement with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty for the current fiscal year, and the Open Technology Fund withdrew its legal request for a temporary restraining order earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks do have current grant agreements in place, and like Voice of America, are funded by Congressional appropriations. Lamberth said the funding cuts reflect a hasty, indiscriminate approach" particularly since they were made the same day that President Trump signed the congressional appropriation that funded Voice of America and the networks through September of this year. Not only is there an absence of reasoned analysis from the defendants; there is an absence of any analysis whatsoever," Lamberth said. The labor union that represents workers at the U.S. Agency for Global Media called the ruling a powerful affirmation of the role that independent journalism plays in advancing democracy and countering disinformation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These networks are essential tools of American soft power trusted sources of truth in places where it is often scarce, said Tom Yazdgerdi, president of the American Foreign Service Association, in a press release Tuesday. By upholding editorial independence, the court has protected the credibility of USAGM journalists and the global mission they serve. ___ KATHMANDU, April 22 (Xinhua) -- A child and 14 others were killed in 1,321 fire incidents in Nepal between March 14 and April 13, police said on Tuesday. Altogether 96 people were injured, with 354 houses and 256 sheds gutted, and 306 animals killed in the fires, Nepal Police said in a report. "Properties worth 520.69 million Nepali rupees (3.86 million U.S. dollars) were destroyed in the fires," the report noted. Of the fires, 434 broke out in Madhesh Province, followed by Lumbini Province at 227. April 22 (UPI) -- A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore Voice of America and affiliated news services after ruling Tuesday that last month's cuts were unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the U.S. Agency for Global Media to restore the staffs of VOA, Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Network, and to resume all congressional funding to the news outlets. A preliminary injunction was not granted to Radio Free Europe on Tuesday after it filed a separate lawsuit. "In short, the defendants had no method or approach towards shutting down USAGM that this court can discern," said Lamberth, an appointee of former President Reagan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They took immediate and drastic action to slash USAGM, without considering its statutorily or constitutionally required functions as required by the plain language of the executive order, and without regard to the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, journalists and media consumers around the world," Lamberth added. Before taking office in January, President Donald Trump chose Kari Lake -- a former television news anchor and former gubernatorial and senatorial candidate in Arizona -- to lead the federally funded VOA. Lake said she found "waste, fraud and abuse run rampant" in the agency before Trump signed an executive order to eliminate USAGM, which oversees the international state media network. Last month, VOA reporters, unions and the international free press advocacy nonprofit Reporters Without Borders sued the Trump administration over the order and its cuts. While Trump called the federally funded news network "unnecessary," lawyers accused the administration of silencing America's interests abroad, including reports on Hamas, transgender rights or any negative coverage of Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They can use a scalpel or a sledgehammer; either way it's viewpoint discrimination," lawyer Andrew Celli claimed in reference to the Department of Government Efficiency's cuts under Elon Musk. "The defendants have silenced VOA, canceled funds to affiliate networks and shut down all transmitters at foreign service stations abroad," Judge Lamberth wrote. "In sum, the irreparable harm that the plaintiffs allege impacts the very existence of USAGM, the health and safety of its journalists and employees, and the interests of the millions of reporters and listeners who depend on USAGM's programming." EUGENE, Ore. (AP) A federal judge in Oregon on Monday ordered the U.S. government to restore the visa status of two international students and temporarily blocked their deportation from the country. U.S. District Judge Michael McShane's 14-day temporary restraining order came in response to lawsuits filed by a student at Oregon State University and another at the University of Oregon following the termination of their visas earlier this month. At a hearing in federal court in Eugene on Monday, McShane questioned federal lawyers on which regulations they were following when terminating the students' legal status, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has to be some regulations for when its appropriate and not appropriate. What regulation is ICE following here? McShane asked, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Conti, representing the federal Department of Homeland Security, said it hadnt had enough time to gather all the information and argued that the students didn't face irreparable harm, as a final agency decision had not been issued that they could challenge administratively, the Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and an immigration law firm filed both lawsuits against the Trump administration, arguing the students' visas were terminated without any notice or meaningful explanation" to the students or their universities. The suits were filed on behalf of Aaron Ortega Gonzalez, a 32-year-old citizen of Mexico pursuing a doctoral degree in rangeland ecology at Oregon State University, and a 29-year-old British graduate student only identified as Jane Doe who is pursuing two masters degrees at the University of Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At schools around the country, more than 1,000 students have seen their visas revoked or their legal status terminated, typically with little notice. Students have filed lawsuits in several states, arguing they were denied due process. Federal judges have granted temporary restraining orders in Georgia, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Montana and Washington state, shielding students for now from efforts to remove them from the U.S. Canvassers collect petitions for proposed Arkansas ballot measures on July 3, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) The League of Women Voters of Arkansas filed a federal lawsuit Monday alleging that eight new laws governing direct democracy are unconstitutional. Direct democracy is the process by which Arkansans can propose new laws or constitutional amendments and put them to a statewide vote. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Arkansas is one of 24 states to allow this process, which involves collecting a minimum amount of signatures on petitions for proposed ballot language. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican supermajority in the Arkansas Legislature passed a slew of bills during the 2025 legislative session, which ended last week, placing new restrictions on the solicitation, collection and submission of signatures for citizen-led ballot initiatives. Democratic lawmakers and members of the public said the restrictions will have a chilling effect on the peoples right to have a say in their own laws and Constitution. The legal complaint lists the eight laws the plaintiffs consider violations of the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment right to freedom of speech and the Fourteenth Amendment right to due process under the law: Act 153 clarifies that the certification of ballot titles for initiatives, referendums and constitutional amendments as well as the signatures collected for those measures would only be valid for the next general election. Act 154 expands the attorney generals existing authority to reject a proposal if it conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or federal statutes and prevents the sponsor of a measure from submitting more than one conflicting petition simultaneously. Act 218 requires signature gatherers, known as canvassers, to inform potential signers that petition fraud is a criminal offense. Act 240 requires canvassers to request a photo ID from potential signers. Act 241 requires canvassers to file a true affidavit with the secretary of state, the executive branch office that oversees elections, certifying they complied with the Arkansas Constitution and state laws related to canvassing, perjury, forgery and fraudulent practices in the procurement of petition signatures. Signatures submitted without the affidavit would not be counted. Act 273 disqualifies signatures collected by canvassers if the secretary of state finds by a preponderance of evidence that they violated state law collecting the signatures. Act 274 requires potential signers to read a petitions ballot title or have it read to them; failure to ensure this would result in a misdemeanor charge against the canvasser. Act 453 requires canvassers who are paid to collect signatures to be permanent residents of Arkansas. A sponsor of a ballot measure would be fined $2,500 per paid canvasser hired who does not meet this requirement. Secretary of State Cole Jester presents a report on election security in a press conference on Monday, February 17, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) The plaintiffs also ask the court to block defendant Secretary of State Cole Jester from enforcing four of the challenged laws Acts 218, 240, 241 and 274 due to the Arkansas Constitutions provision that ensures the right to direct democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint also asks the court to declare portions of existing ballot initiative law adopted since 2013 unconstitutional under the state and federal constitutions. Supporters of the new laws said during the legislative session that they will protect the integrity of the ballot initiative process and discourage sloppy, misleading or illegal behavior by canvassers. Instead, the laws weaponize bureaucracy to suppress citizen participation and violate the fundamental rights guaranteed by both the Arkansas and U.S. Constitutions, said David Couch, the plaintiffs lead attorney and a sponsor of multiple past direct democracy efforts, in Mondays news release from the League of Women Voters announcing the lawsuit. The laws also will permanently dismantle the ballot initiative process in Arkansas if they are not struck down in court, Couch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six of the eight laws went into effect immediately upon Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signature due to their emergency clauses. Acts 153 and 453 will go into effect in August, 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die in May. Sen. Kim Hammer (left), R-Benton, and Rep. Kendon Underwood (right), R-Cave Springs, present an amended bill to the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Senate Bill 207, now Act 218, will require canvassers for proposed ballot measures to disclose to signers that petition fraud is a criminal offense. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) Significant barriers Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, was the Senate sponsor of all eight laws being challenged. He announced in January that he will run next year for secretary of state; Jester cannot run for the position because he was appointed, not elected. Named as plaintiffs in addition to the League of Women Voters of Arkansas are its President Bonnie Miller, its Benton County chapter President Danielle Quesnell, and Save AR Democracy, a ballot question committee seeking to collect signatures for a proposed constitutional amendment for next years ballot. Lets be clear: these laws spell the death of direct democracy in Arkansas, Miller said in the news release. For decades, Arkansans of all political persuasions have utilized the ballot initiative process to pass popular reforms in our state. Now, the legislature wants to kill the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The League of Women Voters of Arkansas is a frequent participant in direct democracy efforts and cannot qualify a measure for the ballot without the use of paid canvassers, according to the complaint. The statutes sought to be declared unconstitutional have and will substantially restrict the ability of LWVAR and its members to participate in the initiative and referendum process, the complaint states. Acts 218, 240 and 274 in particular impose significant barriers on sponsors ability to recruit canvassers who may not want to risk potential criminal penalties resulting from an inadvertent failure to comply with the acts arduous and technical rules and canvassers ability to gather signatures, according to the plaintiffs. complaint from LWV Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Couch has twice submitted ballot language on behalf of LWVAR and Save AR Democracy to amend the state Constitutions initiative and referendum processes. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin rejected the effort for a second time last week, calling the ballot language misleading. Griffins office will represent Jester and is reviewing the lawsuit and stand[ing] ready to defend the state, spokesperson Jeff LeMaster said. U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas has been assigned to the case. Past legislative action and ballot measures State lawmakers have previously sought voter approval for changes to the direct democracy process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, roughly 56% of Arkansas voters rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that the Legislature referred to the ballot in 2019. It would have required canvassers to gather signatures from at least 45 counties, and it would have moved up several petition deadlines, among other things. Then in 2022, roughly 59% of Arkansans voted down an amendment put forth by the Legislature in 2021 to require a 60% majority to pass most statewide ballot initiatives. The League of Women Voters of Arkansas publicly opposed the 2022 ballot measure. Rep. David Ray, R-Maumelle, introduced that measure and was the House sponsor of this years Act 153 and Act 154. In 2023, the Legislature passed and Sanders signed a law increasing the number of counties where ballot initiative supporters must gather signatures from 15 to 50. Couch and the League of Women Voters challenged this law in Pulaski County Circuit Court, where the case is still pending. Rep. Kendon Underwood, R-Cave Springs, was the House sponsor of this law and of five of the eight new laws being challenged. The higher threshold for secretary of state approval did not stop reproductive rights advocates from collecting more than 102,000 signatures in 53 counties in an attempt to put a proposed limited right to abortion on the November 2024 ballot. Citizen-led constitutional amendments require 90,704 signatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed abortion amendment did not end up on the ballot after then-Secretary of State John Thurstons office disqualified more than 14,000 signatures on a technicality and the state Supreme Court upheld this decision. Supporters of the amendment accused Thurston of abusing his power, while supporters of this years fleet of bills from Hammer publicly alleged fraud and misconduct by canvassers for the abortion amendment. After Thurston was elected state treasurer in November, Sanders appointed Jester to succeed him, and Jester took office Jan. 2. In February, he expressed support for Hammers bills and claimed a top-to-bottom security review of Arkansas election procedures found thousands of fraudulent signatures on petitions for ballot measures. Hammer sponsored an additional bill that would have created an enforcement agency within the Secretary of States office to investigate the validity of submitted ballot initiative documents. The bill died in a Senate committee after being voted down twice. On Wednesday, the final day of the session, the House voted down a bill that would have placed a 500-word limit on ballot titles and given the Legislature the authority to overturn voter-approved constitutional amendments. Hammer supported the bill but was not one of its sponsors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hammer was among the 20 sponsors, including Ray and Underwood, of a new law not included in the League of Women Voters lawsuit. Act 602 requires ballot titles to be at an eighth-grade reading level or lower. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE An arch made of whalebones, along with the frame of a traditional umiat, are displayed on the beach at Utqiagvik, the northernmost U.S. community. The landmarks seen on Aug. 2, 2022, are at the edge of the Arctic Ocean. A telecommunications upgrade planned by the local tribal government may have its federal funding pulled, but the Denali Commission is trying to defend it and other projects. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) The federal leader of the Denali Commission said Friday she is trying to save long-planned Alaska infrastructure projects now threatened by the Trump administration and the life of the independent federal commission itself. Julie Kitka, who served for three decades as president of the Alaska Federation of Natives before taking on the new role in October as federal co-chair of the Denali Commission, discussed those challenges on Friday in Nome at a conference organized by that citys government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have to tell you that dealing with the new federal administration, I had a mindset of, This is an administration unlike anything weve seen in our lifetime, so thats proved out, she said. Too, Urgency is the new normal, and thats proved out, Kitka said at the City of Nome Investment Summit. The Denali Commission was founded in 1998 and modeled after the Appalachian Regional Commission, which was established in1965. The Denali Commission coordinates rural Alaska infrastructure and economic development planning among multiple agencies, and it disburses grants for various projects, such as water and sewer systems, telecommunications and health care facilities. It gets funding from the federal government, through congressional appropriations and other sources, and it is empowered to receive funding from nongovernmental sources as well. But now it is jeopardized by the Trump administrations campaign to dramatically shrink the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kitka said she met on Thursday with representatives of the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, the ad-hoc team led by billionaire Elon Musk that has directed mass firings and deep budget cuts across federal agencies and programs. Now Kitka said she has three DOGE people assigned to shadow her and the Denali Commission, putting her and her colleagues in the position of defending its existence. If the Trump administration tries to eliminate the Denali Commission now, it would not be the first time. There were similar attempts in the first Trump administration, but Congress preserved the commission then. Kitka said one way that she and others are trying to prove the commissions value is through what she called a strategic pivot to emphasize dual use of funded infrastructure projects. Thus, an expanded airport runway or an improved harbor, communication system or health care facility can benefit not only the local and regional community but also the nations military forces, which are paying more attention to the Arctic and its role in national defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An example of a project that the commission is trying to save with that dual-use pivot is a project to establish climate-resilient telecommunications on the North Slope. The project, led by the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope, a Tribal government, in partnership with the telecommunications company Quintillion, was working its way through a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant program. Though the North Slope project and many others were already in the design and planning phase, the Trump administration in earlier this month terminated the grant program, called Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC. Julie Kitka, then president of the Alaska Federation of Natives, speaks at Gov. Dunleavys June 28, 2022, budget press conference. Kitka is now the federal co-chair of the Denali Commission, an independent federal agency that coordinates infrastructure improvements and economic projects in rural Alaska. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) The BRIC program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program. It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. Under Secretary Noems leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need, an unnamed FEMA spokesperson said in an April 4 statement. The BRIC program was established during the first Trump administration, and a 2019 report said it saved $6 in costs for every $1 spent. The program awarded grants on a competitive basis, had protocols to ensure that awarded projects were geared at saving peoples lives and required a 25% local or state match. It was expanded during the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the BRIC-funded work in Alaska now in jeopardy is a project in Skagway to excavate a rock slope at the citys port to lessen the risks of landslides and a localized tsunami there. The city was awarded a $19.9 million BRIC grant in February, but the Trump administrations cancellation of BRIC projects is retroactive to 2020. Past BRIC grants in Alaska also include $1.465 million awarded in 2022 to the Native Village of Kwigillingok, a Tribal government in a Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta village coping with accelerating erosion, increased flooding and permafrost thaw. It was one of several grants made to tribal governments or Native villages around the nation. Kitka, in her Nome remarks, said the Denali Commission hopes to convince FEMA that the Utqiagvik telecommunications project and its BRIC funding are worth saving. It can be a test case to show how an infrastructure investment can benefit not just the local community but also the military. There are 16 other pending Alaska projects that are threatened by the decision to axe the BRIC program, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kitka said another argument to be made to preserve the Denali Commissions is that its role as a coordinating agency, with funding flexibility, is itself a model of efficiency. Because other federal departments and agencies are able to transfer money to it outside of annual deadlines, the commission can do some multiyear planning, avoiding seasonal problems and delays, she said. People have told me that this is the only entity, federal entity, like this in the state of Alaska, that there isnt any other one like that, she said. The downside is we dont know if its going to survive this new administration. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, also spoke at the Nome conference and addressed concerns about halted or canceled federal funding. As we are looking to push for new funding, weve got to make sure that the funds that we already secured are disbursed, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Kitka, Murkowski said it is important to emphasize Alaskas role in national security and to make the case that federal investment has national benefits. That is particularly the case in Nome and the Bering Strait region, which lies at the Pacific gateway to the Arctic Ocean, is involved in Arctic diplomacy and borders Russia, as well as offers the potential for producing important critical minerals, she said. Were looking at Greenland because of national security and mineral and economic security. Whats Nome? Chopped liver? Murkowski said. Justifications for the Trump administrations focus on Greenland can apply to Alaskas Bering Strait region, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So lets make sure that, when we talk about the advantages of having that security on that side of North America, we dont overlook this side of North America. And, by the way, this side, it is already part of the United States of America, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NEW YORK Three of the Manhattan federal prosecutors who worked on the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams resigned Tuesday, accusing the Justice Department of trying to force them to admit wrongdoing in connection with their resistance to dropping the charges. The Department has decided that obedience supersedes all else, requiring us to abdicate our legal and ethical obligations in favor of directions of Washington, the prosecutors wrote in a letter to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. That is wrong. The prosecutors, Celia Cohen, Andrew Rohrbach and Derek Wikstrom, had been placed on administrative leave in February after they, along with the then-acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, balked at accepting the Justice Departments orders to drop the five-count corruption case against the Democratic mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sassoon, along with at least five others in New York and Washington, resigned in protest. They said the Justice Department was abandoning the case in exchange for the mayors support for President Donald Trumps policy objectives, particularly on immigration enforcement. U.S. District Judge Dale Ho eventually dismissed the charges and excoriated Justice Department officials rationales for abandoning the case. The department said it would review the handling of the case by prosecutors, and in their letter, Cohen, Rohrbach and Wikstrom said officials had improperly pressured them to admit to errors in their conduct. It is now clear that one of the preconditions you have placed on our returning to the Office is that we must express regret and admit some wrongdoing by the Office in connection with the refusal to move to dismiss the case, they wrote. We will not confess wrongdoing when there was none. A spokesperson for the Justice Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter by prosecutors comes as the Manhattan U.S. Attorneys office has been in a state of turmoil over the fallout of the Adams case. Earlier Tuesday, interim U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, Trumps nominee for the job, took over as the departments temporary leader. He was appointed to the interim position last week after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would block the nomination, citing concerns about the Justice Departments conduct. Clayton, who has never before worked as a prosecutor, has spent most of his career at Sullivan & Cromwell, the law firm Trump hired earlier this year to represent him in his appeal of his criminal conviction in Manhattan. Clayton is set to hire another Sullivan & Cromwell partner, Amanda Houle, to serve as the offices criminal chief, according to a person familiar with the matter who was granted anonymity to discuss personnel moves. The move marks a return to the office for Houle, who served as a co-chief of the national security and international narcotics unit. Houle didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the office declined to comment. April 21 (UPI) -- The federal government plans to resume collections on defaulted student loans for the first time in more than five years, starting next month. The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that its Office of Federal Student Aid will require borrowers, currently in default, to resume repaying their student loans, beginning May 5th. The department has not collected on defaulted loans since March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Trump administration, 42.7 million borrowers owe more than $1.6 trillion in student debt, and more than 5 million borrowers have not made a monthly payment in more than 360 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Only 38% of borrowers are in repayment and current on their student loans," according to the department. "Most of the remaining borrowers are either delinquent on their payments, in an interest-free forbearance or in an interest-free deferment." "American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies," said Education Secretary Linda McMahon. Student debt relief activists rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2023 in Washington, D.C. For the first time in more than five years, the federal government plans to resume collections on defaulted student loans. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI "The Biden administration misled borrowers: the executive branch does not have the constitutional authority to wipe debt away, nor do the loan balances simply disappear," McMahon added. "Hundreds of billions have already been transferred to taxpayers." "Going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to law, which means helping borrowers return repayment -- both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation's economic outlook." For the first time in more than five years, the federal government plans to resume collections on defaulted student loans. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Earlier this year, the Trump administration ended online applications for the Income Driven Repayment plan, which allows borrowers to repay their student loans based on how much money they make. Those online applications reopened last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 2023, Congress ordered student and parent borrowers to begin repaying their student loans after the Biden administration failed to lift the collections pause and failed to process applications for income-driven repayment, according to the Education Department, which called the "illegal loan forgiveness schemes" a way to "win points with borrowers and mask rising delinquency and default rates." Student debt relief activists rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court in February 2023 in Washington, D.C. For the first time in more than five years, the federal government plans to resume collections on defaulted student loans. File Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI Before repayment begins in two weeks, borrowers in default will receive email communications from FSA about resuming monthly payments, along with information for loan rehabilitation for those who need extra assistance. Later this summer, FSA will send notices regarding administrative wage garnishment. "FSA will conduct a robust communications campaign to engage all borrowers on the importance of repayment," according to the department. Information also will be posted on the website StudentAid.gov, starting next week. The Student Borrower Protection Center criticized the administration's plan on Monday and called it a "government collections machine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For five million people in default, federal law gives borrowers a way out of default and the right to make loan payments they can afford," SBPC Executive Director Mike Pierce said in a statement. "Since February, Donald Trump and Linda McMahon have blocked these borrowers' path out of default and are now feeding them into the jaw of the government debt collection machine," Pierce added. "This is cruel, unnecessary, and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country." FSA said it plans to work with states, universities, colleges and financial aid administrators to "restore commonsense and fairness with the message: student and parent borrowers -- not taxpayers -- must repay their student loans." "There will not be any mass loan forgiveness," the Department of Education warned Monday. "Together, these actions will move the federal student loan portfolio back into repayment, which benefits borrowers and taxpayers alike." PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A federal investigation into former Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan has been closed with no criminal charges filed. The investigation, first reported by The Oregonian, follows ethics concerns surrounding her work with La Mota, a local cannabis company, while in office, officials confirmed to KOIN 6 News on Monday. A spokesperson with the Oregon Department of Justice told KOIN 6 News it is their understanding that the federal investigation is closed, noting the state agency was not involved in the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional details about the federal investigation were not immediately available. Lake Oswego introduces new regulations on public lake access In 2023, federal investigators requested records related to Fagan and La Mota owners Aaron Mitchell and Rosa Cazares, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission told KOIN 6. The U.S. Department of Justice sent subpoenas to Oregons Department of Administrative Services, Department of Revenue, Government Ethics Commission, OLCC and the Secretary of States Office. The federal investigation came after Fagan resigned from her position following ethical concerns sparked by her paid consulting contract for Veride Holding LLC an affiliate of La Mota while her office was auditing the OLCC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former secretary voluntarily recused herself from the audit, which looked into the OLCCs regulation of the states cannabis industry and concluded that Oregons laws are hindering cannabis businesses. Heres how the Instagram blue pickup driver was nabbed Following the controversy, Fagan held a press conference and said she terminated my contract with the marijuana company. I owe the people of Oregon an apology, she said. I exercised poor judgment by contracting with a company that is owned by my significant political donors and is regulated by an agency that was under audit by my Audits Division. I am sorry for harming the trust that Ive worked so hard to build with you over the last few years Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Oregon declined to comment on the federal investigation. KOIN 6 News has reached out to an attorney representing Fagan. This story will be updated if we receive a response. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A Janesville man threatened to use chlorine gas against government agents if they attempted to take his guns, federal prosecutors say in court papers. James Morgan, 32, pleaded guilty on April 21 in federal court in Milwaukee to one count of possession of chemical weapon precursors or chemicals that combine to create chlorine and chlorine gas. Sentencing will be Aug. 1 before Judge Brett H. Ludwig. Morgan faces up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release after he finishes his time behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: 12-year-old accused of fatally shooting mother fights to be tried in juvenile court Morgan previously entered a guilty plea in 2024 to possession of six homemade pipe bombs. On Dec. 21, 2023, the FBI executed a search warrant at Morgan's storage unit and found the chemicals, Richard G. Frohling, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, said in a statement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says exposure to precursor chemicals can irritate a person's breathing, blur vision and, in severe cases, result in respiratory failure. More: Isaiah Taylor's racial profiling case against 2 Milwaukee officers could get new jury Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pipe bombs in the previous case, which was prosecuted in Madison by the Western District of the U.S. Attorney's Office, also were discovered during that search, in a locked safe in a travel trailer. Morgan, formerly known as Karactus Blome, had studied chemistry at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater and had described himself as a weapon designer who did not need a conventional weapon, Frohling said in a statement. Morgan posted a video that displayed the chemicals, and also sent links for purchasing them. More: Her daughter was 'fighter' since birth. Years later, Milwaukee man convicted in crash that killed her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morgan discussed in a series of messages in 2023 a plan to defeat the government, if it came for his guns, by producing a large amount of chlorine that he claimed could be used against roughly 20 government agents, according to court documents. The FBI, the Janesville Police Department, and the Whitewater Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Scully is prosecuting the case in the Eastern District of Wisconsin while Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Duchemin prosecuted the case in the Western District of Wisconsin. Trial attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section, assisted on both prosecutions. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Feds: Janesville man stored chemicals needed for chlorine gas ISLAMABAD, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Six militants have been killed in two separate intelligence-based operations conducted by the Pakistani security forces in the country's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Five militants were killed in North Waziristan's tribal district during an operation launched on reports of their presence, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani army, said in a statement on Monday. In a separate operation in the neighboring South Waziristan district, security forces neutralized a high-profile militant commander, the ISPR said. The militant was allegedly involved in multiple attacks on security personnel and civilians, and had been on the wanted list of the law enforcement agencies, the statement said. Following the engagements, a sanitization operation is underway to clear the areas of any remaining threats, the military added. President Donald Trumps new administration has reignited conversations about the safety of judges, as threats and instances of violence against them increase annually. In the first three months of his second term, the president and his associates have singled out multiple federal judges by name, questioning both their credentials and calling for them to be impeached. Women judges, including those who have experienced violent attacks first hand, are working to sound the alarm on solutions to better protect judges at all levels of government. In order to do our jobs, we have to feel safe, Julie Kocurek, a Travis County district judge in Texas who survived a 2015 attack, told The 19th. We have to be able to hold the rule of law and not feel fearful. It goes to the core of our legal system and our democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kocurek declined to comment on the Trump administration specifically and wanted to keep the conversation nonpartisan. She added that she feels the climate of hate against judges has worsened over the last decade, which she attributes in part to social media emboldening people. Ten years ago, Kocurek was shot and seriously injured in her home driveway while with her son. Her attacker was a defendant who had been charged with tax fraud. I had been a judge for 16 years and never imagined that something like this would happen, Kocurek said. I was in the hospital for 40 days. I almost died from an infection, and had 26 surgeries while I was in the hospital. My immediate family did not want me to go back to work at all. But, you know, I soon realized that this was not about me personally. It was about my work, and I had to go back to work to show that violence will not prevail over the law and judges cannot be intimidated. Since that time, Kocurek successfully advocated for a court security bill in Texas, testified before Congress and detailed her experiences in an interview with 48 Hours. Kocurek isnt the only one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last several weeks, Esther Salas, a U.S. district court judge in New Jersey, has appeared on national news programs warning that public officials, including judges, are dealing with unprecedented attacks in the form of intimidation. In 2020, Salas 20-year-old son Daniel was fatally shot at their family home. The suspect was a lawyer who described himself as an anti-feminist, and had appeared before Salas in court concerning his lawsuit challenging the militarys male-only draft. He was later found dead. This month, about a dozen pizzas delivered to other judges homes named Salas murdered son Daniel as the sender of the order. Ive often talked about the violence against the judiciary being a barn fire thats been burning for some time, but it feels like people in positions of power, leadership, people with large social platforms, are throwing fuel on this fire and lumber on this fire and accelerant, Salas said in an interview last week with ABC News Linsey Davis. Salas office did not respond to interview requests from The 19th. Violence against judges is not exclusive to women in the profession, and multiple men have been killed in connection with their positions in public office. Figures from the U.S. Marshals Service indicate that serious threats against federal judges more than doubled between the end of fiscal year 2021 and the end of fiscal year 2023. The agencys 2024 annual report states that while the number and intensity of threats has increased, the number of investigations conducted into threats has decreased. The report did not explain why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to a request from The 19th asking for a breakdown of gender differences in the number of threats, the agencys office of public affairs stated it did not have any additional data to provide. Despite the data gaps, Kocurek said that the information she has received over the years suggests that women judges are more vulnerable to violent attacks. Especially in the criminal courts, because we handle family violence cases, where its predominantly men assaulting their wives or their intimate partners, Kocurek said. They are only starting to collect that data, but the data is showing that, yes, it is happening more against women judges than men. Beyond the judiciary, data capturing instances of political violence against women in public office more broadly is also limited. It is a new area of research about four to five years old, said Nadia E. Brown, professor of government and chair of the womens and gender studies program at Georgetown University. Brown said that in her research she finds that women in public office tend to view threats against them as one-offs rather than as a systemic pattern. Women also may not view more subtle threats against them under the umbrella of political violence, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My co-author, Paru Shah, and I have done around like 32 interviews with women of color mayors, and theyve all said things like, Well, I dont consider this political violence, but then theyve gone on to list some egregious, horrible things. Then, as they are talking to us about it, theyre like, Oh, yeah, maybe that was political violence, You hear them processing this in real time, Brown said. Kocurek, Salas and others are identifying ways to address these issues. On April 15, Salas participated in a virtual Zoom panel called Speak Up For Justice. She encouraged the thousands of legal professionals watching to join what she described as a civics education movement she said is being led by U.S. District Court Judges Landya B. McCafferty in New Hampshire, Beth Bloom in the Southern District of Florida and Robin L. Rosenberg, also in the Southern District of Florida. Separately, the federal judiciary has created a task force that will consider how to address risks facing federal judges, according to reporting from The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Kocureks attack in 2015, the Texas legislature passed a bipartisan court security bill signed by the governor in 2017. Kocurek said that her attack highlighted gaps in how security threats are reported, in data collection and in access to security personnel for judges. Data collected as a result of the law showed that from 2018 to 2023 there were 522 general threats on judicial officers in Texas, 29 assaults and 68 bomb threats, Kocurek said. The law also prompted the state to create a court security division led by a U.S. Marshal who helps judges with security assessments and best practices. In Michigan, a judicial security act is currently making its way through the legislature to ensure that state judges have the same protections currently provided to federal judges, including limits on the personal information publicly posted about them. Last year in Congress, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act that aims to establish an intelligence and resource center to monitor threats against state and local judges and court personnel, as well as provide technical assistance, training, physical security assessments and guidance on court security. The bill was passed by the U.S. Senate in June 2024, but stalled in the House. Kocurek said that she is hopeful that this bill will be passed and signed this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its kind of therapeutic, helping people, using my experience to help others, Korcurek said. It makes me feel like it didnt happen for nothing, or like Im doing something with it. I told my son from the beginning, We are not going to let this define us. We will define our story and what this will be used for. The post We have to feel safe: Women judges advocate for their safety as threats against them rise appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A Ferguson man is in custody for allegedly forcing a minor to engage in prostitution. According to the Ferguson Police Departments probable cause statement, officers were called to a home in the 400 block of Mueller Avenue on April 20 for a reported disturbance. Officers spoke with the victim, who said she met Adam Q. Moore the week prior. Moore offered her a place to stay in exchange for her having sex with others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police respond to South County Mall after man displays gun The victim told police she had sex with multiple people between April 14 and April 20, and that Moore would receive money from those individuals. Police said Moore took the victim to a strip club in Illinois at one point and refused to let her leave his home when she asked. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Moore with third-degree promoting prostitution, second-degree sexual trafficking of a child, fourth-degree assault, and two counts of third-degree kidnapping. Moore remains jailed on a $250,000 cash-only bond. Online court records do not show a future court date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Depot Street in Asheville flooded during Hurricane Helene. Among those storefronts damaged was Ashewell Medical Group, Dr. Carly Brown's primary care clinic. (Photo: Courtesy of Carly Brown) Just a fraction of homes and businesses in western North Carolina were insured against the floodwaters that deluged the region during Hurricane Helene. An estimated 10.2% of commercial properties had FEMA-backed flood insurance, and just 5.2% of homes were protected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The low figures had devastating implications in the face of Helene, a lower-windspeed, heavy-rain storm that hit mountainous communities poorly acquainted with flooding. When the water subsided and recovery began, it became clear that many wouldnt be reimbursed for the kind of damage their buildings had suffered. But even for those that were protected, its been a long road. Six months after Helene, some property owners looking for a bounce back through insurance have struggled to access it. It took until late March for one business owner to see any payment and when it came, it was just a fraction of what she had expected. Another was able to recoup some flood money, but was bewildered when he was denied payment on other parts of his policies. And a larger group of business owners in the regions largest city are considering going to court to pursue money they believe they qualify for. Two businesses long paths to payment Bryan and Angela King, who own 12 Bones Smokehouse & Brewing, filed claims on both of their locations: one on the river by Ashevilles downtown River Arts District, and the other further south. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kings had been paying into their insurance on the south location since it opened in 2019; they had put down around $300,000 total there, Bryan King estimated. They were able to get about $100,000 from flood insurance, he told NC Newsline, but they were denied reimbursement on two other policies: contents and business disruption. Contents insurance covers flood damage to movable objects within a building; business disruption insurance covers lost income, often after a disaster. King kept in frequent contact with other business owners in the area. He heard similar stories particularly as others tried to navigate those same contents and business disruptions policies. Now, he told NC Newsline, a group of them are considering going to court over the matter. Theres discussion of trying to pursue a class-action lawsuit, King said in a late March interview. I honestly think thats basically going to be the only way that we get anything out of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Carolinians who have sought insurance payouts in the months since Helene described other similar frustrations and bureaucratic hurdles that complicated an already fraught process. That includes homeowners who told the Asheville news station WLOS that they had received cancellation notices from their providers months after the storm. Among the other layers of complexity: adjusters who live out of state, multiple subcontractors and extensive documentation requirements. Carly Brown, who runs Ashewell Medical Group in Asheville, told NC Newsline her provider had subcontracted out to another group, which had then subcontracted out to another adjuster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Brown finally received a flood insurance payment in late March six months after the storm it was a fraction of our losses. Her practices office had filled with 11 feet of flood water during the storm. She, too, has now engaged with a law firm. They just nickel and dime you after paying faithfully on a flood policy for eight years, Brown said. You think youre doing everything right, being a responsible business owner and citizen. Then the insurance companies essentially keep all their profits, without upholding their responsibilities. The Kings ran into other barriers as they filed their claims. They were told by their Utah-based adjuster that as part of their documentation, they needed a letter from Duke Energy testifying that the damage to their south Asheville location was from wind, and not water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That seemed unnecessary, Bryan King said there was no real flooding in that area, but there were plenty of downed trees and power lines to show for the whipping winds. You definitely get the sense that its like theyre trying to make it as hard as possible, he said. So that people just give up. Like, you know, screw it I dont have time to work on this, Ive got a business to run, and I dont think were going to get it anyway. Duke Energy said customers could request a power outage verification letter by contacting the companys customer care team. During significant weather events, multiple factors can contribute to outages, making it difficult to identify a single cause of a power outage, a Duke Energy spokesperson said in a statement to NC Newsline. Our primary focus is restoring power as quickly and safely as possible for our customers and communities. Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson) (Screenshot: NCGA) The chair of the North Carolina House Insurance Committee, Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson), said she had heard from constituents about slogging through insurance in the region specifically on business disruption claims, some of which are denied outright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im asking the insurance commissioner to kind of help me look into whats going on, and were trying to get some specifics so that we can work with those individuals, said Balkcom, whose district was among those that were hardest hit by Helene. In western North Carolina, spotty insurance coverage meant confusion There are around 150,000 flood insurance policies in place in North Carolina, according to FEMA and NC Department of Insurance data. The vast majority of those (around 130,000) are federal policies; the rest are private. Many of those policies are for properties in eastern North Carolina, which has been struck multiple times in recent decades by deadly hurricanes. The extent of the mountainous wests coverage pales in comparison: according to FEMA data, there are a total of just 1,295 federal policies in the regions most populous county of Buncombe and its communities, including Asheville. A total of 1.8 million North Carolinians live in the 25 counties that were part of Helenes disaster zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jason Tyson, communications director for the NC Department of Insurance, said in an interview that Helene had brought about a whole variety of situations and scenarios in the region. The minimal flood coverage, he said, combined with early communication struggles and a host of different providers, often led to confusion. I think the industry and the carriers have done the best they can, in light of difficult circumstances, Tyson said. The department has asked providers to report updated data on claims periodically in the months after Helene. The scope of that information is limited, as it does not include federal flood policies. And only data from one reporting deadline January is available publicly. NC Newsline requested and received claims data from October 2024. Data from the departments other reporting deadlines, in November and December, are not posted publicly and were not provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the data that is available gives a sense to how complex and long some flood claims can be. As of January, 32.4% of those private flood claims were closed. Thats a far lower closure rate than other types of claims made after Helene. Residential property claims had closed at an 84.4% rate; just over 70% of business interruption claims had closed as of January. Those 547 reported private flood claims account for more than a half-billion dollars in damage, according to DOIs data. Just over $240 million had been paid as of January. The department is expected to have updated data from providers in the coming weeks. FEMAs federal flood insurance program (NFIP) paid out almost $214 million to North Carolinians in 2024, across more than 2,500 claims. Thats roughly 20% of the total paid out by the program to the state over the last decade. GUYMON, Okla. (KSNW) One of the men charged with killing two southwest Kansas mothers is continuing his fight for a new judge. Tad Cullums attorney is appealing the judges denial of their motion to recuse and disqualify him. Cullum claims the judge cannot be impartial because he represented his co-defendant, Tifany Adams, in a divorce case 15 years ago. Bill would rename highway for murdered Kansas moms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a court document obtained by KSN News, Cullums attorney argues, this case has made national news, if not global news. There is a microscope on this case from the public, and we must ensure that both the State of Oklahoma and Mr. Cullum receive a fair trial with an impartial judge. A date to hear the appeal is not scheduled. However, Cullum is supposed to be in court on May 14. Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley (Courtesy: OSBI) On March 30, 2024, 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley were declared missing after their vehicle was found abandoned just south of Elkhart, Oklahoma. The two moms were traveling from Hugoton, Kansas, to Eva, Oklahoma, with plans to pick up Butlers children from Adams, the childrens paternal grandmother. The womens bodies were found a couple of weeks later, buried in a chest freezer. They had been stabbed to death. Five people have been charged in the case, including Cullum, Adams, Cole Twombly, Cora Twombly, and Paul Grice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about Butler and Kelleys case, click here. MORE Murdered Kansas Moms Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A person was taken to the hospital Sunday after a fight escalated into a shooting in Langley Park. The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) told DC News Now that around 1:45 p.m., officers responded to the 7900 block of New Hampshire Ave. for a shooting. There, police found a person who was grazed by a bullet and suffering from lacerations. Missing woman found dead in dumpster near DC apartment building Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department said the incident stemmed from an argument between the victim and a person they did not know. Investigators noted a machete was involved in the fight. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Prince Georges County Crimesolvers at 866-411-8477. Tips can also be submitted 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. St. Johns County firefighters arrived at a call Monday in the 300 block of North Roscoe Boulevard and found a detached garage fully engulfed in flames. An aggressive attack quickly brought the blaze under control, preventing the fire from spreading to a nearby residence, St. Johns County Fire Rescue stated in a social media post. Primary and secondary searches of the structure were completed, and thankfully no victims were located. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No injuries were reported, according to the fire department. Firefighters from Jacksonville assisted in fighting the blaze. A garage was destroyed Monday (April 21, 2025) at a home in the 300 block of North Roscoe Boulevard in St. Johns County. No injuries were reported. A garage was destroyed Monday (April 21, 2025) at a home in the 300 block of North Roscoe Boulevard in St. Johns County. No injuries were reported. A garage was destroyed Monday (April 21, 2025) at a home in the 300 block of North Roscoe Boulevard in St. Johns County. No injuries were reported. A garage was destroyed Monday (April 21, 2025) at a home in the 300 block of North Roscoe Boulevard in St. Johns County. No injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: Cardinals set Pope Francis funeral for Saturday morning, with public viewing starting Wednesday Read: Clay County bailiff arrested after forging military leave documents, stealing over $8K Read: Six suspects named in connection with Baker County shooting [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Florida Forest Service officials are battling two more wildfires on Monday, the latest of several. Fire season runs from early March to mid-June. Around 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, flames broke out near Star Avenue and Nadine Road. Were currently here at the Nadine fire. We have five personnel working as ground support. We had our drone team up in the air earlier, working as aerial support. Were holding at 17 acres and 75% containment, said Florida Forest Service Public Information Officer Aleese Maples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maples says crews fought the fire until around 10 p.m. Sunday night and began again 6 a.m. Monday morning. Although its a residential area Maples says no structures were threatened. Around 12:30 p.m. Monday afternoon another blaze broke out in Bay County near the Sandy Creek area. In the last week, several brush fires have broken out across the panhandle. Last Thursday, response efforts began tackling the 150-impacted acres near County Road 2301 and the Walton County brush fire off of Highway 331. While the causes for these fires remain under investigation, there are ways the public can practice prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its extremely dry out. Weve had very little rain, high winds. So we just caution the public when they choose to burn during this time, to be aware of the conditions and know the setbacks and um, you know, of course, if you choose to burn during this time, you risk endangering not only your personal property but those around you, said Maples. Its unclear if burning played any role in these fires, but Maples says its crucial to meet required setbacks. We just want the public to be aware of what the setbacks are, and if they have any questions with that, they can visit our website and see our setbacks there. Or they can call our dispatch office, and if they choose to burn during this time, added Maples. If you plan on burning yard waste, the pile must at least be 25 feet from forests, 50 feet from public roads, 25 feet from your house and 150 feet from other occupied buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And remember to always call the Florida Forest Service before you burn. Bay County Fire Rescue, Callaway Fire Department and the Florida Forest service are working to contain the brush fire near Hauser Road, off of County Road 2297. As of 3 pm the fire was approximately 20 acres. To contact the Florida Forest Service, call 850-373-1801. To learn more about setbacks, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. A top Pentagon adviser, who was fired last week alongside two other top Defense Department (DOD) officials, said during a recent interview that his foreign policy views, particularly regarding the Middle East, played a part in losing his role at the Pentagon. Dan Caldwell, who served as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths senior adviser and was terminated as part of the departments ongoing probe into information leaks at the Pentagon, said on Tucker Carlsons podcast that his opposition to the U.S.s potential attack on Iran facilitated his ouster. And of course, I have some views about the role of America in the world, you know, as we discussed, little controversial, all of us in our ways threatened really established interests, Caldwell said on The Tucker Carlson Show that aired on Monday. He was referring to Colin Carroll and Darin Selnick, the two other top DOD political appointees who were ousted last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We threatened a lot of established interests inside the building and outside the building, the Marine Corps veteran who deployed to Iraq added. Caldwell was initially escorted out of the Pentagon and put on administrative leave on Tuesday last week as part of an investigation into leaks at the department that was kick-started in March. On Friday, Caldwell, along with Carroll, who was the chief of staff to deputy secretary of Defense Steve A. Feinberg and Selnick, Hegseths deputy chief of staff, were terminated. The trio, in a joint statement on Saturday, said they were incredibly disappointed by the manner in which our service at the Department of Defense ended and asserted that unnamed Pentagon officials have slandered our character with baseless attacks on our way out the door. Caldwell, who was a public policy adviser at foreign think tank Defense Priorities, told Carlson that he did not leak any classified information to news outlets while working at the Pentagon and that he, along with Selnick and Carroll, have not been told what we were being investigated for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I actually did some of the things that anonymous people on the internet and in the Pentagon are saying I did, Id be in handcuffs, Caldwell said. Hegseths former adviser also stated that he has not been polygraphed or asked to provide his personal phone to check if he had leaked any information to the news media. Caldwell, who worked at Concerned Veterans for America, a nonprofit that was led by Hegseth, said on the podcast that when he was getting escorted on April 15, he initially thought he was going to be asked to testify versus Hegseth as part of an inspector generals probe into the Defense secretarys use of Signal app to discuss information about the forthcoming strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. The spotlight is back on Hegseth over his alleged Signal use. The New York Times reported Sunday he shared sensitive military information with family members and his personal lawyers on a Signal thread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth blasted the media when asked about the report Monday and argued he and Trump are on the same page all the way. What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out from the same media that peddled the Russia hoax, the Defense secretary told reporters at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, April 21, 2025. Baghaei said the removal of U.S. sanctions remained Iran's principal demand in the negotiations. (Xinhua/Shadati) TEHRAN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Iran is open to reaching an agreement with the United States in ongoing indirect talks, provided that the country's national interests are preserved. "In the negotiations with the United States, we are ready for an agreement within a defined framework and while ensuring our national interests," Pezeshkian said during a meeting in Tehran. "However, if they (U.S. representatives) refrain from negotiating with us on equal terms, we will continue on our own path," the Iranian president warned. He added that, as previously stated by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran remains "neither optimistic nor pessimistic" about the negotiations. Pezeshkian also reiterated that Tehran does not seek conflict but would resist any attempt at coercion. "We do not want confrontation with anyone, but we will not tolerate pressure or bullying," he said. His comments followed the second round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, held in Rome on Saturday with mediation from Oman. The first round took place in Muscat on April 12, and a third session is scheduled to be held in the Omani capital again this coming Saturday. At a weekly news conference in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the removal of U.S. sanctions remained Iran's principal demand in the negotiations. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump described the recent talks as "very good." Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump said, "We had very good meetings actually on Iran," adding, "The next step is we need a little time." The discussions came in the wake of a letter sent by Trump to Iran's leadership in early March, proposing talks on Tehran's nuclear programme. Trump later warned of military action should Iran reject his offer for talks. Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States -- in 2015. Under the deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. The United States, led by Trump during his first term, unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually reduce compliance with its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the agreement have not achieved substantial progress. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, April 21, 2025. Baghaei said the removal of U.S. sanctions remained Iran's principal demand in the negotiations. (Xinhua/Shadati) URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) A man from Fisher is set to be sentenced to probation after he pleaded guilty to inappropriately touching a 4-year-old family member last year. Andrew Caviness, 28, was in court on Monday to enter a formal plea of guilty as part of a deal he reached with the Champaign County States Attorneys Office. He was charged last July with predatory criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony, but that charge was dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to a lesser offense a Class 4 felony of criminal sexual abuse. Man accused of Decatur murder tried to clean evidence off of his body with rubbing alcohol, urine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julia Rietz, the Champaign County States Attorney, said the case relied entirely on the testimony of the 4-year-old victim, whose mother is Caviness cousin. In May of 2024, the victim was at their grandmothers house when Caviness inappropriately touched them. Caviness occasionally visited the grandmothers house but had no responsibilities to care for the victim. The victim told their mother about the touching the day after they returned home from their grandmothers. The victim later gave an interview at the Champaign County Childrens Advocacy Center, during which they continued to credibly describe the incident. Caviness was charged the following July with predatory criminal sexual assault, which alleged that he committed an act of sexual conduct with a minor under 13 years of age while Caviness himself was over 17. Court records show hes had multiple pretrial hearings over the last 10 months and in February, he reached his plea deal with prosecutors. In court on Monday, Caviness was ordered to report to the Champaign County Court Services Department to complete a sex offender evaluation, something necessary for his sentencing on June 30. As part of the deal he made with prosecutors, he will be sentenced to 30 months of probation and will be required to register as a sex offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered the American and Ohio flags lowered until sunset on the day of the Pope's funeral. More: Gov. Mike DeWine, other Ohio leaders react to death of Pope Francis "In accordance with orders issued by the President of the United State of America, in honor of the life and service of His Holiness Pope Francis, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio until sunset on the day of interment," DeWine said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope Francis died after an extended respiratory illness on April 21, the Vatican confirmed. He was 88 years old. He died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli said in a death certificate released April 21. "Fran and I are saddened by the death of Pope Francis. He was an inspiration to us and to millions around the world. His genuine love of and devotion to all people the poor, the unborn, those without a home, those emigrating to build a better life for themselves and their families, those of all faiths, and those with no faith was evidenced to the world from the day he was selected to serve as Pope until his last public appearance on Easter Sunday," DeWine said in an earlier statement. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why are flags at half-staff? US, Ohio flags lowered for pope funeral FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) An historic marker near the site of where South Carolinas first Black representative was assassinated was destroyed recently. State Rep. Alfred Rush served in the General Assembly from 1868-70 and then from 1874-76 in what was then Darlington County. He and his wife were ambushed by an unknown gunman while returning home from a picnic at Mt. Carmel Church near Timmonsville on May 13, 1876. The Florence County Historical Commission erected the sign at the intersection of W. John Paul Jones and Cummings roads in 2006. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rush was a major figure during the states Reconstruction era, pushing for access to free education for all residents, introducing legislation that set up South Carolinas public school system and making it possible for former slaves and women to attend the University of South Carolina. In 2014, Florence One Schools renamed its former Byrnes School after Rush. News13 has reached out to Florence County officials for more information. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Florence judge who denied bond in Hopkins case barred from entering courthouse without supervision FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A Florence County judge suspended last summer for dereliction of duty is no longer allowed on courthouse grounds without authorization and a police escort. Thats following a Monday state Supreme Court order pertaining to Effingham Magistrate Judge Tommy G. Mourounas. Further, Respondent is prohibited from having access to, altering, destroying, or canceling any public records and is prohibited from access to any judicial databases or case management systems, the courts order says. This order authorizes the appropriate government or law enforcement official to implement any of the prohibitions as stated in this order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mourounas in June 2024 was suspended by former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty after failing to report for duty on multiple occasions. Mourounas was the judge who in October 2018 denied bond for Fred Hopkins, who killed two Florence County law enforcement officers and injured several others in an ambush at his home. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Paramedics carry an injured tourist on a stretcher for treatment at a hospital in Anantnag district, about 60 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, April 22, 2025. At least 25 tourists were killed and several others wounded Tuesday after unknown gunmen fired at them in the restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. The attack took place in Pahalgam town, about 89 km east of Srinagar city, the summer capital of the Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. The injured were first brought to a government hospital in Pahalgam and then referred to Anantnag and Srinagar for further treatment. (Str/Xinhua) NEW DELHI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 tourists were killed and several others wounded Tuesday after unknown gunmen fired at them in the restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. The attack took place in Pahalgam town, about 89 km east of Srinagar city, the summer capital of the Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. The ambush was one of the deadliest attacks in the valley in recent years, the New Delhi-based news portal, The Print, quoted its sources in India's defense and security establishment as saying. The Indian government has not disclosed the death toll officially. However, all the key leaders of the government have condemned the attack and condoled. Another Indian newspaper, The Hindu, also quoting government sources, said the attack has left at least 25 dead. Police officers said gunmen opened fire at tourists from a point-blank range at Baisaran meadow. Immediately after the incident, a police team rushed to the spot, along with army and paramilitary forces, to evacuate the wounded tourists and recover the bodies. The injured were first brought to a government hospital in Pahalgam and then referred to Anantnag and Srinagar for further treatment. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, has strongly condemned the attack. "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest," Modi said in a statement. He vowed to bring those behind this heinous act to justice, saying their evil agenda will never succeed. India's federal Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Modi on the incident over phone. Shah said he held a meeting with concerned officials via video conference and will reach Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the (security) agencies. The region's incumbent Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack and expressed sympathies to the families of the deceased in the deadly incident. Pahalgam is a famous tourist destination. It is home to the roaring Lidder river, pine forests and lush green meadows, which attract thousands of tourists every year during summer. Last June, militants attacked a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in the region's Reasi district. The bus skidded off the road and fell into a gorge, killing nine and wounding 33 others. A guerilla war has been going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989. A Florida couple accused of killing and dismembering a 16-year-old girl this year may both face the death penalty, officials said. Steven Gress, 35, is accused of luring Miranda Corsette through a social media application in February before he and his girlfriend, Michelle Brandes, 37, killed her around a week later, authorities allege. They were arrested last month and charged with first-degree murder. Gress was also charged with kidnapping and has pleaded not guilty to both charges. St. Petersburg police said Corsette was staying with Gress and Brandes after she was lured to their home on Feb. 14. She was reported missing to the Gulfport Police Department on Feb. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe a dispute happened Feb. 20 and that Gress and Brandes beat Corsette. According to arrest affidavits, the couple "repeatedly beat" and tortured her while they held her captive for a week and eventually suffocated her by stuffing a billiard ball into her mouth and wrapping her face with plastic wrap. Miranda Corsette. Officials did not specifically stipulate what the reason for the dispute among Gress, Brandes and Corsette was, but they said the couple "felt the victim had stolen a ring," according to affidavits. "The defendant and co-defendant then dismembered the body of the victim and discarded the victim in a dumpster in Ruskin, Florida," the court documents say. Attorneys for Gress and Brandes did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sixth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bruce Bartlett filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty last month, citing the "especially heinous, atrocious" nature of the crimes Gress and Brandes are accused of committing. "The capital felony was a homicide and was committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification," the notice read. The state attorney's office would not comment further. Gress and Brandes will be arraigned Thursday, according to court records. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com FLORIDA (WMBB) Florida gas prices declined for the second week in a row. The price of a gallon of regular unleaded dropped by 11 cents last week and dropped 9 cents the week before. As of Sunday, the state average for a gallon of unleaded was $3.00. Thats 59 cents less than it was this time last year. The states most expensive gas is in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton at $3.15 a gallon. The least expensive is in Fort Walton Beach at $2.75. Panama City is the third least expensive at $2.83. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The price of crude rose by a little more than $3 a barrel last week after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Iranian oil. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. Florida has gone weeks without two of its top five executive branch officials. So far, it hasnt disrupted state business, and Gov. Ron DeSantis isnt in a rush to appoint anyone to the roles. Former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez left that role in February to be interim president of Florida International University. Former Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis left his position March 31 ahead of winning a special election for a U.S. House seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis hasnt said when hell name a replacement for Nunez. Florida law requires a lieutenant governor to be appointed when theres a vacancy, but theres no deadline to make such an appointment. During the tenure of DeSantis predecessor, Rick Scott, now a U.S. senator, the position went vacant for 10 months before he was sued by Democratic groups and named former state lawmaker and then-Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Carlos Lopez-Cantera to the post. For the CFO job, DeSantis has said hell likely wait until mid-May to name Patronis permanent replacement. But unlike when he named an acting attorney general to replace Ashley Moody earlier this year before ultimately appointing his former chief of staff James Uthmeier to the role, DeSantis hasnt named an interim or acting CFO. Gov. Ron DeSantis gives his State of the State Address on opening day of the Florida legislative session, Tuesday,March 4, 2025. Instead, the CFO post is empty. It's a statewide elected position in charge of paying the states bills, overseeing the regulation of insurance and financial markets and is the State Fire Marshal. The person now leading the Department of Financial Services (DFS) is Susan Miller, Patronis chief of staff at the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be no interruption of Department services during this transition period, DFS spokesman Devin Galetta said in an email. The Lieutenant Governor position pays $135,516 per year. The CFO is paid $139,988 per year. The Governors annual salary is $141,400. Under state law, if the lieutenant governor position is vacant and the governor leaves office, is incapacitated or impeached, the attorney general would become governor. As for whom DeSantis could name to the CFO spot, state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, is a legislative ally of the governor who is interested in the job. But state Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, already has filed to run for the position in 2026 and has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gruters was a special guest at a reception in Clearwater on the evening of April 17. An invitation posted online looked similar to a fundraiser event, but Senate rules prohibit members from raising money during the legislative session. Former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez attends the opening day of the Florida legislative session Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The current 60-day regular session is ongoing and slated to end May 2, but Gruters said the event wasnt a fundraiser: It was a friend-raiser. Theres no money being raised; theres no money being solicited, Gruters said. Were just trying to show support for the official campaign. Gruters, a Florida State University graduate, received some online criticism because he attended the event, which took place later the same day as the shooting on FSUs campus that left two people dead and others wounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the testy relationship he has with DeSantis, dating back to his time as chair of the Republican Party of Florida, Gruters remains optimistic hell be appointed to the open CFO job. Id love the governor to appoint me right now, Gruters said. I would hope hed support the President of the United States and go ahead and put me in there but whatever he decides is fine. But well have an election in 2026 and I fully expect to win that. Sen. Joe Gruters reads the amendment to SB2 during special session on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. As the CFO position is up in the air, lawmakers are debating whether to eliminate the lieutenant governor job altogether. The House on April 16 passed a bill (HB 1325) that would place an amendment on the 2026 ballot to remove that office and create a new Cabinet-level post, the Commissioner of Government Efficiency. The new position is an homage of sorts to the Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the bill argue the lieutenant governor position is superfluous, and other than leading the board of Space Florida, a group promoting the states aerospace industry, it has no official duties. CFO Jimmy Patronis, right, sits with Attorney General James Uthmeier during opening day of the Florida legislative session Tuesday, March 4, 2025. But former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, who served in the position under Scott before resigning amid controversy leading to the 10-month vacancy, criticized the bill in a letter earlier this month. Abolishing the lgs position has nothing to do with Florida DOGE activity. Its a ruse and a disguise to get more power placed in the governors post and create an additional elected position, Carroll wrote. Although the House passed the bill on an 82-32 vote, the Senate version of the measure never received a hearing and died when former state Sen. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, resigned to take an open U.S. House seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: DeSantis leaves CFO, lieutenant governor posts vacant for weeks The Florida Highway Patrol wants anyone with information about an Orange County hit-and-run to come forward. It happened on Friday morning at the Alafaya Trail and Strategy Boulevard intersection in Orange County. A man accused of attacking a child in Hillsborough County was arrested, according to deputies. Deputies said they were called Saturday after reports of a man assaulting an 11-year-old victim. Officials said they arrested Marius Mutu during their investigation. According to a report, Mutu told deputies he went after the girl because he believed she was the one who had been throwing eggs at his apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mutu claimed he was trying to take a picture of the girl to report her to apartment management. This type of behavior is not only unacceptable, its reprehensible. The safety of our children is non-negotiable, said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. This child endured a terrifying and traumatic experience at the hands of someone who chose to take matters into his own hands. We remain committed to protecting our children and ensuring those who harm them are held fully accountable.in Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. TALLAHASSEE, Florida Floridas top Medicaid regulator on Tuesday sought to explain that a $10 million donation made to a nonprofit associated with first lady Casey DeSantis community-based assistance program was not made with Medicaid dollars recouped in a much larger cash settlement. Amid heightened scrutiny Hope Florida has received over whether it improperly received money intended for the state, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration's general counsel sought to clarify the original intent of the money in a Tuesday letter to legislative leaders. Questions about the program have also led Gov. Ron DeSantis to lash out at state House leaders throughout most of this year's legislative session, accusing them of colluding with Democrats to kill a program that he has described as a cheaper alternative to publicly subsidized assistance programs that has already helped 30,000 people. And the battle now has pitted a key House Republican against the state's attorney general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Centene Corp. and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration agreed to a $67 million cash settlement last year over a claim that the state Medicaid program was charged too much for prescription drugs. The agreement, finalized at the end of September, included a $10 million donation made by Centene to the nonprofit arm of Hope Florida, a community-based assistance program that subsequently distributed the grant to groups that campaigned against a recreational pot ballot measure that failed last year. The $10 million donation garnered headlines as state lawmakers began inquiries over the program's finances. House Health Care Budget Chair Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola) believes the donation to the Hope Florida Foundation came from Medicaid dollars that the state had recouped from Centene. But AHCA General Counsel Andrew T. Sheeran wrote in his Tuesday letter to Andrade, House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) and Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) that the settlement offered by Centene gave $57 million to cover the Medicaid dollars that were kept by the companys former pharmacy benefit manager. Centene also offered up to $10.8 million for any other alleged damages. The law does not prohibit executive branch officials from negotiating settlement conditions that would require a released entity to take actions other than paying money to the State, Sheeran wrote in the letter. Nor are such provisions unprecedented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrade is also now focused on Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who he says oversaw the Centene settlement while he was the chief of staff for Ron DeSantis. While speaking with reporters after a committee meeting last week, Andrade accused Uthmeier of funneling the $10 million donation from the settlement to political committees that campaigned against Amendment 3, which sought to permit recreational pot use for adults but failed to pass in last years election. DeSantis appointed Uthmeier as state attorney general in February. When asked about the Centene settlement Tuesday, Uthmeier dismissed recent reporting as "politicized narratives" and without naming Andrade directly claimed the state House lawmaker was on a "tirade" and "doing the bidding of Big Marijuana." Uthmeier said that he had not been part of negotiating the deal with Centene to decide where the money went but that "everything looks legal." He also defended his work in helping to defeat the amendment that would have legalized marijuana for recreational reasons for people 21 and up. "I think the media misunderstands the difference between issue committees and political candidate committees under the IRS code an issue committee can fight against a ballot initiative, and I'm very thankful those groups stepped up and helped us secure a big win," he said. Florida was one of more than 20 states that filed claims against Centene after they discovered the company's former PBM failed to pass down the savings from rebates issued by prescription drug manufacturers. The company had set aside more than $1 billion to settle the claims, leading to settlements finalized over the past couple of years that included a $215 million agreement with California and a $165 million to Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida was one of the last states to finalize a settlement with Centene, and it was among a handful that had hired the Jackson, Mississippi-based law firm of Liston and Deas to broker the deal. The firm told POLITICO in August that it was no longer representing the state in its settlement and referred questions to the state attorney generals office. A lawyer from Centene sent a letter to Liston and Deas in February 2023 urging Florida to consider a $67 million settlement, which includes up to $10.8 million for Any other potentially alleged damages. AHCAs Sheeran included the Centene letter in his memo to legislative leaders, which also provided a calculation of the transactions included in the settlement and other cost factors that led Centene to determine that the states claim involved $57 million in actual Medicaid dollars. We are glad to clarify any misunderstanding you may have had and to confirm that the settlement agreement was and remains consistent with all applicable laws, Sheeran wrote. Andrades committee heard testimony last week from Hope Florida Foundation Chair Joshua Hay, who had said the board had no prior knowledge of the $10 million donation from Centene until he was briefed by the boards lawyer Jeff Aaron. Afterward, Andrade said he planned to invite Aaron to appear during a committee meeting sometime this week and potentially issue subpoenas to obtain records from the nonprofit foundation, AHCA and the state Department of Children and Families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uthmeier added that he was "committed" to complying with public records requests but had not been subpoenaed by the Legislature regarding the investigation. Kimberly Leonard contributed to this report. TALLAHASSEE The Florida Senate will not take up confirmations of two DeSantis administration officials who were questioned earlier this month by legislators about Hope Florida, a key lawmaker told the Times/Herald on Monday. Shevaun Harris, the secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, and Taylor Hatch, the head of the Department of Children and Families, can still be reappointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. But Sen. Don Gaetz, the chairperson of the committee responsible for vetting appointees, said his committee has run out of time to screen the two officials this legislative session, which is scheduled to end May 2. The Senate process allows two years to complete the confirmation process. Gaetz said the decision not to confirm them this year wasnt directly related to questions around the Hope Florida program and its charity, but because there were other issues surrounding agency actions that state senators want to vet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I personally have a number of questions for both secretaries that dont relate in any way to Hope Florida, but relate to other issues associated with their departments, and I believe that other senators on our committee do, too, Gaetz said. The confirmation delays are a sign that the agency heads are not just facing scrutiny from the Florida House as it investigates Hope Florida a key initiative of first lady Casey DeSantis but from the Florida Senate as well. The news that Harris and Hatch wont get confirmed this session was first reported by the Florida Phoenix. Gaetz, R-Niceville, said he wants to know more about $160 million that the Legislature gave the Agency for Health Care Administration in 2023. The money was intended to repay money owed to the federal government, but the agency spent the money on other things, Florida Politics reported. The issue has been a point of contention during budget negotiations. Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott has also said he wants to know more about how the money was spent by the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to probe very deeply into that, said Gaetz, the chairperson of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee. Gaetz said he is interested to see where the Florida House investigation into Hope Florida ends up. His son, former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, has been a fierce critic of the first ladys initiative and has used his platform as a conservative TV host to talk about the issue. The House has been investigating the operations and finances of the program and the Hope Florida Foundation, a charity created to support the initiative, in recent weeks. At the center of the controversy: a $10 million donation the foundation received from a $67 million Medicaid state settlement that was previously undisclosed to the state Legislature. Both Harris and Hatch were grilled about Hope Florida during tense committee hearings in the House this month. The Hope Florida program intends to move Floridians off of government services. The Hope Florida Foundation, a charity, is supposed to support that mission by awarding grants to churches and nonprofits that help those people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the previous secretary for the Department of Children and Families, Harris oversaw both the foundation and much of the program. But she struggled to answer questions from House lawmakers about the programs performance earlier this month, and she would not say what the charity did with the $10 million. The Times/Herald later revealed that the charity gave $5 million apiece to two separate organizations Save Our Society from Drugs and Secure Floridas Future Inc. The groups, which dont have to disclose their donors, later gave millions to a political committee waging an anti-marijuana campaign backed by the governor. Harris told lawmakers that the $10 million was a separate contribution by Centene and not money owed to the state. But a 2022 settlement agreement draft obtained by the Times/Herald stated that Centene owed $67 million in restitution to state and federal taxpayers. When Hatch faced the House committee, she would not say what the two organizations did with their $5 million grants. The director of the Hope Florida program is resigning after this month. A board member of the charity also resigned this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz said his committee has not been asked to look into the matter by Senate President Ben Albritton, and he said that his committee would not generally have jurisdiction over money inquiries. He denied that the delay in confirmations was the Senates way of having a hand in the Hope Florida investigation. Anybody that imagines some sort of hand of the Senate president in moving confirmations this way or the other way is imagining something thats not true, Gaetz said. Im chairman of the committee. I think I would know. Following a visit to the Grand Canyon in 1903, then President Teddy Roosevelt wrote effusively about the absolutely unparalleled natural wonder. He called for us to leave it in its natural state, and not mar the wonderful grandeur, the sublimity, the great loneliness and beauty of the place. Humility is not the first adjective Roosevelt brings to mind, but the self-awareness to be awed by a creation he had nothing to do with is a quality that is to be admired. In stark contradiction to Roosevelts wisdom, settlers of the West, quoted by Ken Burns in his recent documentary of the America Buffalo, held the perception that nature unchanged by man was inferior. Many referred to their tasks ahead as rescuing nature from itself. New Florida bill invests in our future while protecting wildlife Those who settled the West carved out a life from the wilderness, so their perception of nature as an obstacle is understandable. But Florida was settled a long time ago, some 23 million people live here now. Preserving the natural wonders we have left should not be hard or viewed as foolish, and Senate Bill 80/House Bill 209 is a great way to balance growth with a future that recognizes that all life matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is my hope that the arrogant few that see nature as an obstacle to profits and revenue streams will overcome their blind spot for the value of wilderness left as it is, and find their inner Teddy Roosevelt. It is my hope that the collective voices of the small and humble who love nature, just as it is, will remain strong and push SB 80/HB 209 over the finish line. Protect Florida's state parks: USA Today Network-Florida Opinion campaign to preserve and protect our state parks Timothy Hullihan Timothy Hullihan is a resident of North Palm Beach. He wrote this for The Palm Beach Post. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Protecting Florida wildlife isn't an obstacle to our growth | Opinion FOLSOM, La. (WGNO) A Folsom man who was found guilty of killing his 7-month-old son has been sentenced. The Office of District Attorney Collin Sims reported that 32-year-old Corey Nauck Sr. was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday, April 16. Two arrested in connection with Metairie child death investigation Court documents state St. Tammany Parish deputies were notified that an infant in critical condition with suspicious head injuries was brought to a hospital on Feb. 26, 2018, by Nauck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medical professionals said Nauck offered different reasons for the babys injuries, including being dropped and falling off the changing table. Corey Nauck Sr. (Courtesy: Office of District Attorney Collin Sims) The baby was airlifted to a south shore hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Feb. 28 after being taken off life support. Court documents state an autopsy revealed the infants death was ruled as a homicide, showing skull fractures, bruising and a healing rib fracture. Nauck was arrested in Mississippi and eventually confessed that he had lost it after his son wouldnt stop crying. Two found guilty in 2022 Metairie murder-for-hire case Investigators said Nauck also did not call 911, drove his other child to school and drove to a grocery store parking lot before bringing the infant to a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, Nauck was convicted of first-degree murder after a jury determined he intended to kill or cause great bodily injury to his son. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. NEW DELHI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- At least five tourists were killed and several others wounded Tuesday after unknown gunmen fired at them in the restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, the region's former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said. The attack took place in Pahalgam, about 89 km east of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, according to police. "I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed five and injured several as being reported for now. Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced," Mufti wrote on his social media platform. Pahalgam is a famous tourist destination. It is home to the roaring Lidder river, pine forests and lush green meadows, which attract thousands of tourists every year during summer. Health officials at Pahalgam hospital said they have attended to the injured and referred them to Anantnag for further treatment. Last June, militants attacked a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in the region's Reasi district. The bus skidded off the road and fell into a gorge, killing nine and wounding 33 others. A guerilla war has been going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989. When I was 5 or 6 years old, I pulled an extremely mean trick on my little brother. I told him that if he cleaned my room, I might give him a dollar. Once he had performed the chore, I told him Id decided against paying him. I thought of that shameful (and oddly Trumpian) moment a few weeks ago, when I began encountering news stories reporting that President Donald Trump was considering a plan to raise taxes on the rich. (Axios: Scoop: Trump might let taxes rise for the rich to cover breaks on tips. Semafor: Trump told Republican senators hes open to raising taxes on highest earners.) As young children understand when they learn the meaning of words, almost anything might happen. Trump might put Joe Bidens face on Mount Rushmore. Thats about as likely to happen as him signing into law a hike in the top income-tax rate. Its true that a Trump-administration staffer has floated a proposal to do so, and the fact that the president said he was open to itas he says of nearly every idea lobbed his wayis inherently, if marginally, newsworthy. But the important context missing from the coverage that followed is that Republican politicians promise to raise taxes on the rich routinely. Trump, in fact, said many times during the 2016 campaign that he would raise taxes on people like himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [David A. Graham: Trump will never rule out a bad option] This was reported as a novel break from party orthodoxy at the time. But previous leading Republicans had made similar promises. In 2012, Mitt Romney claimed, I will not reduce the taxes paid by high-income Americans. George W. Bush campaigned for his tax cuts in 2001 by citing a single mother earning $22,000 a year as his prototypical beneficiary and suggesting that he intended to level the playing field. (Somebody struggling to get ahead, somebody working the hardest job in America, pays a higher marginal rate than successful folks, Wall Street bankers. And thats not right. And thats not fair.) The common thread in all of these statements, including Trumps, is that they were misleading. Republican politicians seem to understand that reducing taxes for the affluent is unpopular. Their traditional way of overcoming the drag it creates is to obscure their intentions while attempting to win back votes by changing the subject to other topics, such as foreign policy and social issues. The media tends to forget the slick populist rhetoric of yesteryear, treating each new proclamation as a novel break with party dogma. In 1999, The Washington Post reported that then-candidate Bushs emphasis on the poor would mark a clear departure from more traditional conservative GOP tax policy. Trump similarly drew a spate of friendly press coverage in 2016 about his promise to design a tax plan that would cost me a fortune, even though his actual proposal was a traditional regressive tax cut. The mistake is to compare the rhetoric of politicians at a given moment to the policy of politicians in the past. The Republican Party very often promises to do something different from what it used to do. But Republicans in the past promised the same thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some analysts have speculated that the partys stance really has changed this time, because Republicans have grown more reliant on working-class voters and less reliant on affluent ones. But the GOP obsession with cutting taxes for the rich was never a response to the demands of average Republican voters, very few of whom had any stake in the tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy that obsessed the partys policy makers. What has genuinely changed is the addition of a new element to the Republican coalition. The party now includes a national-conservative faction, led by Vice President J. D. Vance. According to the Wall Street Journal opinion writer Kimberly Strassel, the tax leak came from a former Vance staffer. Compared with traditional conservatives, many natcons seem to care more about winning power in order to crush their enemies than to advance specific policy ends. For that reason, they might be more open to raising taxes on the rich: Why risk losing elections over an unpopular policy that isnt absolutely necessary for their primary goal of owning the libs? But the natcons have not come particularly close to changing the partys position on this issue. The reason is that theyre just one faction within the party. The Republican elite still contains a very large wing of traditional, anti-government conservatives. Those economically libertarian conservatives are in tension with the natcons, because they care far more about reducing government (especially government functions that redistribute resources from rich to poor) and have mixed feelings about disappearing people without due process, weaponizing the state against the presidents enemies, fomenting insurrections to overturn election results, and other illiberal methods. Time after time, however, the traditional conservatives have accepted Trumps authoritarianism and corruption because he stays loyal to them on their key issues. The path of least resistance for maintaining the coalition is to give each faction what it cares about most: Traditional conservatives get low taxes for the rich (and decreased business regulation), while natcons get a free hand to wield state power against their enemies. This authoritarian-libertarian synthesis might seem ungainly, but it coheres perfectly from the standpoint of those on the right who see progressive taxation and the welfare state as the most sinister threats to liberty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Jonathan Chait: A loophole that would swallow the Constitution] This dynamic is on display in a recent essay by National Reviews Dan McLaughlin attempting to define the American idea. The values he cites include requiring everybody to abide by the outcomes of the political system but also free markets and the right and responsibility of every individual to live off the fruits of his or her own labor and improve his or her own lot in life. He does not place one above the other, and you can see the tension between the two: What happens if the outcome of the political system is a government that wants to tax rich people? Is the American value to respect the outcome, or ensure that right-wing economic values get to win anyway? McLaughins answer is unclear. The gravest threat to these values, he writes, continues to be progressivism and its dissemination through our schools, Hollywood, and the media. Most anti-government conservatives have reasoned their way into accepting Trump as, at minimum, the lesser of two evils. Likewise, Randy Barnett, a right-leaning libertarian law professor at Georgetown, posted on X a few days ago a list of bullets we dodged by avoiding a Democratic-run government that, he believes, would abolish the filibuster, establish single-payer health care, and fulfill other liberal goals. The president might be claiming the power to whisk any person he chooses to a Central American Gulag without due process, but at least he isnt doing something as horrific as Medicare for All. The alliance between the more libertarian faction of the GOP and the natcons has been tested, but not shattered, by Trumps trade war. Abandoning party doctrine on the sacrosanct issue of taxes would completely sever the bond holding them together. A handful of the presidents allies might float the idea, but you can bet your last dollar it wont happen. Article originally published at The Atlantic (Photo by Douglas Sacha/Getty Images) A former Iowa City police officer claims racial bias was the real reason he was forced to resign after being accused of using excessive force. Emilio M. Puente is suing the City of Iowa City in U.S. District Court for the Southern District or Iowa, claiming violations of the federal Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Puente worked for the city as a police officer from April 2019 through February 2022 and was awarded a number of commendations for bravery and high-quality performance, according to his lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that in November 2019, a fellow officer sent a department-wide email from Puentes police email account that mocked Puentes own Latino ethnicity in some way. The content of the email is not described in the lawsuit, but the lawsuit claims Puentes superiors declined to investigate the matter. When a similar incident occurred involving the unauthorized use of a Caucasian officers email account, the police chief sent out a memo indicating such behavior would not be tolerated, the lawsuit claims. In July 2020, Puente and another officer pursued a fleeing suspect through a grassy area in their vehicles, according to the lawsuit. Puente alleges he was disciplined for driving through the grass while the other officer, a Caucasian, was not. In November 2021, the lawsuit claims, Puente participated in the arrest of a suspect who was being assaultive and resistant which resulted in Puente delivering two controlled strikes to the suspect. Later, the suspects mother drew the departments attention to a video, circulating on social media, of the arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That led to an internal affairs investigation and Puentes use of force was allegedly deemed reasonable by an instructor on the use of force and by an instructor on how to deescalate conflicts. Despite that, Puente alleges, he was told in February 2022 that the chief of police would be firing him and that he would never again work in law enforcement unless he resigned. Puente claims he followed the advice of his union representatives and submitted a letter of resignation, but that at the time he made the decision, he was under the influence of pain medications for a leg injury. Because of his forced resignation, the lawsuit asserts, Puentes disability pay was discontinued immediately and he was left without income. The lawsuit alleges that after a May 2022 Civil Service Commission hearing on his discipline, police department management made a statement to the press that Puente had committed misconduct by violating the citys use-of-force policy, publicly impugning his character. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A month later, Puente claims, another video surfaced on social media showing one of Iowa Citys Caucasian officers striking a handcuffed female more than seven times with his closed fist. That officer, Puente argues, was never disciplined for the actions depicted in the video, nor did the department open an internal investigation. That same Caucasian officer, the lawsuit claims, is depicted in yet another video that shows him beating an individual who posed no threat. Again, the lawsuit alleges, that officer was not subject to discipline or any sort of an investigation. While Puente was forced to resign and lost his disability income, the other officer was publicly defended by the ICPD, the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for racial or ethnic discrimination and disability discrimination. Puentes attorney filed a similar claim against the city in July 2024. That lawsuit was challenged by the city, which noted that the suit was filed almost six months before Puente had obtained the necessary right-to-sue letter from the U.S. Department of Justice. Technically, that lawsuit remains open and active, although the new lawsuit states that it is intended to cure any possible defect in the 2024 filing. Lawyers for the city have declined to comment on Puentes allegations. The Forest Lake Times is moving to Stillwater. The weekly newspaper, published by Adams Publishing Group, has decided to consolidate the Forest Lake office with the office of the Stillwater Gazette, also published by Adams. This move is an effort to save costs by merging two offices located so closely together in Washington County, according to an article published in the Gazette. There has been a newsroom in Forest Lake since 1903, when the citys first newspaper, The Enterprise, began publication, said Cliff Buchan, former editor of The Times. It was changed in 1907 to The Forest Lake Advertiser and became The Forest Lake Times in 1916, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forest Lake Mayor Blake Roberts called the decision to close the Forest Lake office extremely disappointing. The Times has been an institution in Forest Lake for well over 100 years, he said. I realize that small local newspapers are really struggling, so I understand why this decision was made. My hope is that this move will allow the parent company of the Times to report on Forest Lake news and events well into the future. The Forest Lake office will relocate on Thursday, said Keith Anderson, director of news for APG-East Central Minnesota. While this move does take our office a few miles south in Washington County, it does not change our coverage or commitment to providing our subscribers and advertisers with the information and service you deserve, Anderson said in a statement. The move allows us to reduce duplicated expenses with two offices that are currently located in such close proximity. Our phone numbers remain the same. Our emails remain the same. The only change is our physical address. Related Articles Apr. 21NELSON COUNTY A former Petersburg, North Dakota, school counselor whose child sex crimes case was dismissed due to prosecutorial errors last summer has been recharged. The new case against 49-year-old Brendon Thomas Parsley was filed Wednesday, April 16. Parsley is charged with Class C felony sexual assault, Class C felony luring minors by computer and Class A misdemeanor solicitation of a minor. Class C felonies have maximum five-year prison sentences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November of 2023, the Nelson County Sheriff's Office requested the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation's assistance investigating allegations of misconduct and sexual assault by Parsley, who was then a Dakota Prairie High School counselor, according to a declaration of probable cause summary filed in the case. Two unnamed women were interviewed by law enforcement on Dec. 1, 2023. The first disclosed that Parsley counseled her but over time, the counseling turned into "flirty stuff" as well as physical contact. The NDBCI officer who wrote the summary alleges Parsley's behavior is consistent with grooming, which the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network defines as manipulative behaviors that an abuser uses to gain access to a potential victim, coerce them into agreeing to the abuse and reduce the risk of being caught. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parsley's behavior allegedly escalated when the girl passed his residence one day. He motioned her to follow him inside, and she could see his underwear through his unzipped pants, the summary said. Parsley allegedly asked the girl, then 17, if she was going to get on the bed. When she hesitated, he said maybe she should just go; before she did, they made sexual contact, according to the summary. The woman alleges that sexual contact was made on another occasion as well. Her mother found social media messages between her daughter and Parsley, the summary said. The woman said she couldn't remember the details, but knew they were extremely inappropriate, sexual conversations. The girl's mother, Parsley and the superintendent of Dakota Prairie had a meeting, which is documented in Parsley's personnel file as a Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2016 reprimand for alleged inappropriate conduct. According to statements the woman and her mother made to law enforcement, during the meeting, Parsley admitted to the social media contact with the girl and said he deleted all of their messages. The second unnamed woman said she also sought counseling from Parsley, with whom she initially felt safe. Over time, he made inappropriate comments and engaged in physical and sexual contact with her, according to the summary. Parsley said they couldn't tell anyone about what was going on because it would ruin their lives, the summary said. The girl was 17 years old at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parsley allegedly came to school with bruised and swollen knuckles, telling the girl the injuries were her fault if she didn't respond to his messages or visit him in his office. After the girl graduated, she said Parsley continued to text her, and would threaten to hurt or even kill himself. During phone calls, he would scream, cry and apologize for what he did while she was in high school, the summary said. The allegations in this case are nearly identical to what was alleged in Parsley's original criminal case, which was filed Feb. 13, 2024. Issues arose in the first case due to conflicting information regarding when certain events happened and how old the girls would have been at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because these discrepancies were not brought to light until Parsley's June 21, 2024, preliminary hearing, Judge Kristi Venhuizen ruled that probable cause could not be established for the charges at hand, and the case had to be dismissed. The charges in Parsley's new case are the same as the previous one, but the level of one charge has changed. In the previous case, the solicitation charge was filed as a felony, which means the girl would've had to be under the age of 15 at the time of the offense. The ages of those involved both defendant and alleged victim in sex crimes have an effect on the charge level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parsley's charges now reflect acts allegedly committed against minors who were above the age of 15. Parsley was issued a summons for his initial appearance, which is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. May 23 at the Nelson County Courthouse in Lakota. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A former D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC) case manager pleaded guilty to smuggling drugs and cigarettes into the jail as part of a scheme, officials announced Monday. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for D.C., Herbert Baylor, 68, pleaded guilty to bribery. His guilty plea comes days after his co-defendant, Pamela Porter, 56, pleaded guilty to bribery in connection with the scheme. Baylor was a DOC case manager who assisted and managed inmates at the Correctional Treatment Facility, a specialized medium security facility that houses inmates receiving specialized medical treatment or monitoring related to substance dependencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missing woman found dead in dumpster near DC apartment building Court documents revealed that from December 2022 to September 2024, Baylor was in charge of helping with the administrative pre-trial and trial needs for inmates. This includes coordinating the communication with inmates for attorneys or social workers. Starting in October 2023, Baylor agreed with an inmate and others to smuggle contraband into the facility in exchange for money. According to the attorneys office, the inmate directed his associates, who were not in jail, including Porter, to transfer Baylor money through CashApp. He then snuck in cigarettes and controlled substances from the inmates associates. After he met with the inmate in his office, the inmate distributed the items throughout the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the scheme, Porter sent Baylor $1,200. DC man to spend over a decade in prison for kidnapping, carjacking In September of 2024, Baylor met a person in the parking lot of the treatment facility, where they exchanged a carton of cigarettes, believed to be filled with Suboxone strips, for $1,000. Suboxone strips contain Buprenorphine a Schedule III narcotic drug. Baylor then put the carton inside his underwear. As Baylor walked through security, he was taken into custody. USADC noted that between October 2023 and June 2024, Baylor received $6,245. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 11, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, announced Monday he was entering the California gubernatorial race, looking to become Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) successor. In a video announcement posted to the social platform X, Hilton highlighted his past, growing up in London and eventually moving to California and becoming a U.S. citizen. The businessman, author and former TV anchor criticized the Democratic leaders who have long held power in the western blue state and argued it was time for change. This is not just any other state. California means to America what America means to the world, Hilton said. Lets make California the land of opportunity again. Great jobs, great homes, great kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres only one way to do that, he later said. Weve got to end the one-party rule that got us into this mess. Its time to end the years of Democrat failure. His video showed photos of Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who also served as California attorney general. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Hilton said he sees the election as a life-or-death moment to fix the Democratic rule in the state. Hilton is the second prominent Republican to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race, following Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. With Newsom restricted due to term limits, the race is wide open for a stacked primary. Bianco and Hilton face a challenge, though, as California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzeneggers 2006 reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the states Democrats say they would support Harris if she chose to run in the race after suffering a brutal presidential loss last year. The former vice president hasnt thrown her name in yet, but Democrats could also support former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), who announced her campaign in March. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra also launched a bid earlier this month. Hilton, 55, said in his video that he was inspired to work with Margaret Thatcher, the former United Kingdom prime minister. In 2012, he and his wife moved to California, while she worked for Google and he taught at Stanford University. Hilton hosted The Next Revolution, a weekly show on Fox News from 2017 to 2023, and he is the founder and former CEO of Crowdpac, a tech startup. Hes an avid supporter of President Trumps and called for an investigation into the 2020 presidential election when Trump lost to former President Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Hilton and other Republicans face an uphill battle in the statewide race, his Silicon Valley ties may help if donors spend on his campaign, The New York Times reported. Its time for a new future, Hiltons video concluded. Thats why Im running for governor to make this beautiful state that we love so much, truly golden again. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former state lawmaker and retired Florida State University president John Thrasher is "battling cancer," his lobbying firm announced April 22 on social media. "Our prayers and best wishes go out to John Thrasher today, a founding partner in this firm and one of Floridas most storied public servants in this century," The Southern Group said in a post on X. "John is battling cancer and is currently at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare where he is receiving treatment," it added. "His amazing public record of accomplishment House Speaker, Senator, FSU President often obscures his private greatness as a friend and mentor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He is a fighter, and he has the love and support of the entire TSG family." Our prayers and best wishes go out to John Thrasher today, a founding partner in this firm and one of Floridas most storied public servants in this century. John is battling cancer and is currently at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare where he is receiving treatment. His amazing The Southern Group, Florida (@SouthernGroupFL) April 22, 2025 Thrasher rejoined the firm after retiring from the presidency of FSU, where he served 2014-21. He was later replaced by current President Richard McCullough. Thrasher, a longtime Republican who came to power when the GOP began its takeover of state government in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was Florida House speaker and a state senator. He was a partner with The Southern Group 2001-09 before being elected to the Senate. Im not going to be lobbying, per se, mostly working in client development and working with existing clients, not the Legislature, Thrasher told the Tallahassee Democrat in a 2021 interview when he rejoined The Southern Group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thrasher also is listed as a professor at Florida State's College of Law. FSU President Richard McCullough posted on X that Thrasher "is facing cancer with the same strength and heart he showed leading this university. Hes been a dedicated public servant, a proud Seminole, and a friend to many. Jai (his wife) and I are holding him in our thoughts and prayers, and his entire FSU family is with him." John Thrasher has been a fighter his whole life," Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said in a statement on behalf of himself and his wife Missy. "He fought for our country in Vietnam, earning a battlefield commission and two bronze stars. He fought for and won the Republican Revolution in Florida. He fought for FSU as their biggest fan and advocate. "Speaker of the House, the Lion of the Senate, and Chair of the RPOF, he fought for school choice, parental rights, and so much more," he added. "I know hes running to this fight. Given his track record, Id say the odds are in his favor. Missy and I praying for John, Jean (Thrasher, his wife) and the entire family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thrasher served in the House from 1992 to 2000, the final two years as speaker. He was chair of the Senate Rules Committee and chaired of former Gov. Rick Scott's reelection campaign. Thrasher was nominated for the FSU presidency by Sandy D'Alemberte, a Democrat who was president of the university 19942003. He was president during the November 2014 shooting on the school's Tallahassee campus. Myron May, 31, went into the universitys Strozier Library just after midnight and opened fire, injuring three before he was quickly shot and killed in a hail of bullets by Tallahassee and FSU police. Then-Florida State University President John Thrasher speaks during the Gathering of Unity candlelight vigil on campus after the shooting of three FSU students earlier that day on November 20, 2014, in Tallahassee, Florida. Read more: This is a breaking news story and may be updated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Byron Dobson of the Tallahassee Democrat and the News Service of Florida contributed background. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network's Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jrosica@tallahassee.com. Follow him on X: @JimRosicaFL. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Retired FSU president John Thrasher 'battling cancer,' his firm says KANSAS CITY, Mo. The man, and former employee, accused of sexually assaulting two customers at Fusion Spa has pleaded not guilty. Gui Jiang appeared in front of Jackson County judge Sarah Castle on Monday. He wore a face mask and used a walker to assist him in a packed courtroom. Man pleads guilty to 2024 killing of boyfriend in southern Johnson County The court read the charges against him two separate sodomy charges in the second degree. Gui Jiang mugshot Jiang was arraigned in a circuit court after a grand jury returned an indictment. With help from an interpreter, he pleaded not guilty to both charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, FOX4 spoke with Lila Kubas who now lives in California. She shared the details of her experience, saying she is now focusing on healing. Jiang was an employee at Fusion Spa on Stateline Road in Kansas City, Missouri. Thats where Kubas said he sexually assaulted her in May of 2022. He would kind of intertwine what seemed like very professional massage techniques with getting closer and closer and crossing boundaries, she said. At one point he crossed under my underwear line, and I tried to close my legs, and he pushed them back down and thats kind of when I went offline. I just immediately shut down. Soon after filing a police report, she also had a rape kit administered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, she shares her story hoping to spread awareness of sexual assaults and give people the courage to report them to authorities. I do that to show people that you can have something so traumatic occur, and you can go through some of the worst trauma that you could go through and you can still come out of it on the other side, Kubas said. You can still live a very happy life. You can live out your dreams. You can move out of your home state. You can go experience everything you want to do. Kubas is one of two reported victims in this case. However, Kansas City attorney Wes Shumate is representing themand seven other women with claims against Jiang. Six of those cases, though, have been settled in civil court. Kubas wants the spa where she said this happened to be shut down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The place was still open. Hes not in jail currently. I just felt very hopeless and felt like there was more to be done, she said. I randomly just decided to make a TikTok video [and] speak on my experience; [I] just put it out in the world and hoped that women would see it. FOX4 stopped by Fusion Spa on State Line Road Monday. It was open for business. A woman, who identified herself as the owner, said she had no comment on the charges and accusations against Jiang. According to court records, when asked if Jiang had ever been licensed and/or a certified massage therapist in the state of Missouri, Jiang answered no. He also told police he had never touched anyone inappropriately during a massage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May 15 is Jiangs next appearance in court. It will be a pre-trial conference. If you are a victim of sexual assault, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or online.rainn.org. RAINN ofrece apoyo gratuito y confidencial las 24 horas al dia, 7 dias por semana para los sobrevivientes de la violencia sexual y sus seres queridos. Llame a la Linea Nacional de Ayuda contra el Abuso Sexual en Linea al 800-656-4673. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO, Ill. (WCIA) Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Macoupin County woman, alleging she stole from a states attorneys bank account. Jacalyn Walker, 35 of Carlinville, was accused of stealing several thousands of dollars from the Macoupin County States Attorneys drug asset forfeiture account while working as the office manager for the states attorneys office. 243 stolen cars recovered, 34 arrests since start of 2025, Illinois State Police reports Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, Raoul charged her with one count of theft of government property less than $10,000, a Class 2 felony punishable by up to seven years in prison, as well as five counts of wire fraud and six counts of official misconduct, which are all Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison. These sentences will be served concurrently and are ultimately determined by the court. Walkers next court date is set for May 13. It is unacceptable that someone would take advantage of their position to steal funding recovered as states attorneys protect communities from illicit drugs, Raoul said. Drug asset forfeiture funds are intended to support critical drug enforcement activities, not to line the pockets of government workers. California man arrested in McLean County after allegedly having $10 million of cocaine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More specifically, Raouls office alleged she was employed by the Macoupin County States Attorneys Office when she transferred $7,000 from the offices drug asset forfeiture account between November 2023 and May 2024. Walker also allegedly made numerous transactions from the drug asset forfeiture account to her own checking account without authorization. Raouls office is prosecuting this case following an investigation by the Illinois State Police Division of Special Investigation. Assistant Attorney General Mara Somlo is prosecuting the case for Raouls Public Integrity Bureau. During our investigation, the ISP Special Investigations Unit found evidence of a public official trying to steal thousands of dollars from the county, said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. The public must be able to trust their public funds are safe and used as intended. ISP will continue to work with the Attorney Generals Office to investigate cases of theft and official misconduct. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KOPRIVNICA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Kristina Socev, assistant director of the Koprivnica-Krizevci County Tourist Board in northern Croatia, has extended her warm welcome to Chinese tourists as the annual traditional outdoor Easter eggs exhibition is underway in the city. "We warmly welcome guests from China" to visit the Easter eggs exhibition held on the Zrinski Square in the center of Koprivnica, Socev said in a recent interview with Xinhua, adding that "everyone is welcome, especially friends from China," the world's largest outbound tourism market with a population of 1.4 billion. China has become an increasingly important source of tourism for Croatia. According to the Croatian Tourist Board, in 2024, there were more than 250,000 arrivals and 365,000 overnight stays recorded from the Chinese market in Croatia, which represented an increase of 41 percent in arrivals and 37 percent in overnight stays compared with 2023. The Koprivnica-Krizevci County Tourist Board, as the first in Croatia, launched a project in 2008 to make large Easter eggs painted in the naive style, a showcase for the impressive painting style depicting the rural life of northern Croatia, and has been shown in the annual exhibition called "Easter Eggs from the Heart." The Easter eggs, 2.05-meter high and 1.5-meter wide each, are the largest in size and the most famous in Croatia. They have been "of great importance for the promotion of naive painting, Croatian culture and tourism," Socev noted. "The Easter eggs have become a kind of invitation for tourists worldwide to visit our county, but they are also an excellent promotion of Croatia and our naive art," she said. The exhibition was opened on April 4 and will last until April 28. The Koprivnica Easter eggs have been sent as gifts to be displayed in galleries and public squares outside the country, including Budapest, Milan, Brussels, Prague, and Rome. "In addition to the tourist offer, there is also the hospitality of our people, so we are very happy to welcome guests from China," Socev said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a Tuesday interview that his former top aides, who were fired last week amid a probe into leaks at the Pentagon, could face charges at the end of the investigation. Were going to investigate, and when we investigate, well take it anywhere it leads, Hegseth said in an interview with Brian Kilmeade on Fox Newss Fox & Friends, which Hegseth formerly co-hosted on the weekends. When that evidence is gathered sufficiently and this has all happened very quickly it will be handed over to DOJ [Department of Justice], and those people will be prosecuted, if necessary, the secretary added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth said he is not optimistic that the probe would result in a favorable outcome for the terminated employees. We look for leakers because we take it very seriously and we will do the investigation. And if those people are exonerated? Fantastic, Hegseth said in the interview. We dont think, based on what we understand, that its going to be a good day for a number of those individuals because of what was found in the investigation, he continued. The Pentagon on Friday fired senior aides Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll and Darin Selnick, all of whom initially were placed on paid administrative leave days earlier and escorted out of the building. Their terminations came after the Defense Department (DOD) opened an investigation into the leaks of information to news outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three political appointees said in a joint statement Saturday that they had not been told what they were probed for and are incredibly disappointed by the manner in which our service at the Department of Defense ended. Unnamed Pentagon officials have slandered our character with baseless attacks on our way out the door, they wrote, adding, All three of us served our country honorably in uniform for two of us, this included deployments to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, based on our collective service, we understand the importance of information security and worked every day to protect it. Kilmeade asked in the interview about the former aides claims that they were not questioned about the leaks and did not have their phones searched, as would be standard procedure in an investigation. They also said they were not asked to take a polygraph test. So why would they be let go and not be investigated? Kilmeade asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, Brian, when there were a series of serious leaks at the Pentagon, which there were we said enough is enough. Were going to launch a leak investigation, which we did, which was then handed over to OSI, which is the special investigators here at DOD, Hegseth said. Through that investigation, information was surfaced, which created a responsibility to take action. Thats how it works when you actually investigate leaks, Brian, he continued. So, its easy to say, Oh, we asked everybody and everybody said theyre good. Or you can take it seriously and say, We dont think leaks are OK at this department. Hegseth has been under new scrutiny after The New York Times reported Sunday that he shared attack plans against the Houthis in Yemen in a Signal thread with his wife, brother and personal lawyer. He created the chat and shared the information from his personal phone, the outlet reported. Hegseth said Tuesday morning that the messages on Signal were informal and unclassified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Lydia McLaughlin Stirling, an alum of Real Housewives of Orange County, shared the news that it was one of her brothers who was shot and killed by police in Newport Beach last week. A resident of Laguna Niguel, 45-year-old Geoffrey Shyam Stirling, was pulled over by officers with the Newport Beach Police Department on April 17 at 9:15 p.m. for an undisclosed traffic violation on Pacific Coast Highway, west of Superior Avenue. Police officials stated Stirling quickly became uncooperative and assaulted the officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the ensuring violent altercation, Stirling managed to remove the department-issued taser from the officers duty belt and attempted to deploy it multiple times against the officer, NBPD said in a news release. At that point, an officer-involved shooting occurred. The 45-year-old was taken to nearby Hoag Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. McLaughlin told People magazine that she and her family have been devastated by the loss of her brother. Lydia McLaughlin seen on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Coehn (Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images) Newport Beach police officers shot and killed a motorcyclist on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (KTLA) We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, family and the community, she continued. We kindly ask for privacy as we mourn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their father, Scott Stirling, told the outlet that the 45-year-old was a loving son, brother and uncle and friend, and that hed worked as a television producer, scriptwriter, actor and model. He attended church every Sunday and supported multiple charities. We miss him already, he added. A day after the deadly shooting, State Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the California Department of Justice would be conducting an independent investigation into the incident. The Newport Beach Police Department is also conducting its own investigation into the shooting and, per state law, has 45 days from the date of the incident to release officer-worn body camera footage of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Los Angeles Times, the 45-year-old was facing a felony arson charge in connection with a March 21 fire and was due to appear in court this week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. BANGKOK (AP) A Thai court convicted and sentenced on Tuesday two former prosecutors in connection with an alleged cover-up of a 2012 Ferrari crash involving an heir to the Red Bull energy drink fortune that killed a police officer. Former Deputy Attorney General Nate Naksuk and former prosecutor Chainarong Sangthongaram were sentenced to three and two years, respectively, for abuse of power to help an individual avoid prosecution, said the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Bangkok. They were among eight people charged with conspiring to alter the recorded speed of the Ferrari driven by Vorayuth Boss Yoovidhya to help him evade a speeding charge. The rest, including former Police Chief Gen. Somyot Poompanmoung, were acquitted due to a lack of evidence linking them to the cover-up, the court said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the court ordered all eight to be detained pending an appeal, according to the court statement, which didnt provide further details. They were later released on bail, local media reported. Vorayuth escaped justice by fleeing abroad in a case widely viewed as an example of how the rich and well-connected enjoy impunity in Thailand. He is the grandson of the late Chaleo Yoovidhya, one of the creators of the globally famous Red Bull brand. Forbes magazine last year listed the Yoovidhya family as Thailands richest with an estimated net worth of $36 billion. Police have said Vorayuth smashed his Ferrari into the back of a police officers motorbike around dawn on a major Bangkok road in September 2012. The officer was flung from the bike and died at the scene. Vorayuth drove home and was later arrested. Medical tests showed traces of alcohol and cocaine in his bloodstream, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vorayuth avoided further legal action by consistently failing to meet with prosecutors, while continuing for years to live a jet-set life. By the time prosecutors finally issued an arrest warrant in April 2017, Vorayuth had fled abroad. His case has been marked by numerous delays in the investigative and judicial processes, running down the clock on most of the charges involving the hit-and-run death of the officer. There is a single charge left of reckless driving causing death, which expires under the statute of limitations in 2027. (FORT CARSON, Colo.) People in the area of Fort Carson may notice an increased presence of emergency vehicles around Carson Middle School and other locations on Tuesday, May 6, as the army post conducts an integrated protection exercise to test the emergency response capabilities. According to Fort Carson, the exercise is expected to last several hours, and along with the high presence of emergency personnel, there will be signs posted saying Exercise in Progress. The Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization & Security will establish the Emergency Operations Center, and the exercise will include first responder operations and the involvement of U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Carson staff and some 4th Infantry Division assets in support. External partners, such as District 8, will also play a role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conducting this exercise is crucial in evaluating Fort Carsons ability to respond to emergencies, said Col. Erik Oksenvaag, garrison commander of Fort Carson. The safety of our Soldiers, Families, and civilians is a top priority of ours. We appreciate District 8s support in helping us to identify and improve our emergency response procedures so that we may be better prepared in the future. There will be an increase in traffic in the area and some delays in services as response elements from the garrison staff react to the scenario. Service members, families, civilian employees, District 8 employees, and students should take additional precautions and allow extra time for travel on post. Garrison staff have completed smaller exercises throughout the year that have built up to this integrated protection exercise, in order to ensure the post is prepared to respond to any potential emergency situation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Heres how the story of the Taung Child is usually told: In 1924 an Australian anthropologist and anatomist, Raymond Dart, acquired a block of calcified sediment from a limestone quarry in South Africa. He painstakingly removed a fossil skull from this material. A few months later, on 7 February 1925, he published his description of what he argued was a new hominin species, Australopithecus africanus, in the journal Nature. It was nicknamed the Taung Child, a reference to the discovery site and its young age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The international scientific community rebuffed this hypothesis. They were looking outside Africa for human origins and argued that the skull more likely belonged to a non-human primate. Dart was vindicated decades later after subsequent similar fossil discoveries elsewhere in Africa. Dart is portrayed as prescient in most retellings. Hes hailed for elevating the importance of Africa in the narrative of human origins. But is this a biased and simplified narrative? The discovery played out during a period marked by colonialism, racism and racial segregation and apartheid in South Africa. The history of human origins research is, therefore, intertwined with inequality, exclusion and scientifically unsound ideas. Viewed against this backdrop, and with a contemporary lens, the figure of Dart, and palaeoanthropology on the African continent more broadly, is complex and worthy of reflection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South African Journal of Science has published a special issue to mark the centenary of Darts original paper. A group of African researchers and international collaborators, ourselves among them, contributed papers offering perspectives on the science, history and legacy of palaeoanthropology in South Africa and beyond. We were particularly interested in exploring how the history of the discovery of early hominins in South Africa influenced the scientific field of palaeoanthropology. Did it promote or limit scientific enquiry? In what ways? What were its cultural effects? And how do they play out now, a century later? The papers in the special issue unpack a number of issues and highlight ongoing debates in the field of human evolution research in Africa and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our goal is to celebrate the remarkable science that the discovery of A. africanus enabled. At the same time we are probing disciplinary legacies through a critical lens that challenges researchers to do science better. The marginalisation and erasure of voices Several key themes run through the contributions in the special issue. One is the unheard voices. The colonial framework in which most palaeoanthropological research in South Africa took place excluded all but a few groups. This is particularly true for Indigenous voices. As a legacy, few African researchers in palaeoanthropology are first authors on prominent research or leading international research teams. Too often, African palaeoanthropological heritage is the domain of international teams that conduct research on the continent with little meaningful collaboration from local African researchers. This is helicopter science. More diverse teams will produce better future work and those of us in the discipline must actively drive this process. Read more: Archaeology is changing, slowly. But it's still too tied up in colonial practices The dominance of western male viewpoints is part of the colonial framework. This theme, too, threads through most of the work in the special issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a bid to redress some of the imbalances, a majority of the authors in the special issue were women, especially African women, and Black Africans more broadly. Many of the papers call for a more considered and equitable approach to the inclusion of African researchers, technicians and excavators in the future: in workshops and seminars, on professional bodies, as collaborators and knowledge creators, and in authorship practices. Community and practice Colonial legacies also manifest in a lack of social responsiveness the use of professional expertise for a public purpose or benefit. This is another theme in the special edition. For example, Gaokgatlhe Mirriam Tawane, Dipuo Kgotleng and Bando Baven consider the broader effects of the Taung Child discovery on the Taung community. Tawane is a palaeoanthropologist and grew up in the Taung municipality. She and her co-authors argue that, a century after the discovery of the fossil, there is little (if any) reason for the local community to celebrate it. They argue that more must be done not only to give back to the community, which is beset by socio-economic struggles, but also to build trust in science and between communities and scientists. Researchers need to understand that there is value in engaging with people beyond academia. This is not merely to disseminate scientific knowledge. It can also enrich communities and co-create a scholarship that is more nuanced, ethical and relevant. Researchers must become more socially responsive and institutions must hold researchers to higher standards of practice. Resourcing Another theme which emerges from this special issue is the value of and the need for excellent local laboratory facilities in which to undertake research based on the fossils and deposits associated with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Increased investment in local laboratory facilities and capacity development can create a shift towards local work on the content being led by Africans. It can also increase pan-African collaboration, dismantling the currently common practice of African researchers being drawn into separate international networks. It is important for international funding bodies to increase investment within African palaeoanthropology. This will facilitate internal growth and local collaborative networks. International and South African investment is also needed to grow local research capacity. Fossil heritage is a national asset. This is an edited version of an article in the South African Journal of Science. Yonatan Sahle (Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town, South Africa and Department of History and Heritage Management, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia) co-authored the academic article. 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: Rebecca Ackermann, University of Cape Town; Lauren Schroeder, University of Toronto, and Robyn Pickering, University of Cape Town Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Rebecca Ackermann receives funding from the National Science Foundation African Origins Platform (AOP240509218040) and the Wenner-Gren Foundation. Lauren Schroeder receives funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (RGPIN-2020-04159) Robyn Pickering receives funding from the NRF African Origins Platform (AOP240509218076) and the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences (COE2024-RP) Apr. 21A new sheriff has been selected in Rio Arriba County, while foul play is not believed to be suspected in Sheriff Billy Merrifield's death, county manager Jeremy Maestas told the Journal. The Rio Arriba County Commission selected Lorenzo Aguilar to replace Merrifield during an emergency meeting Monday, Maestas said. Aguilar had been a major at the sheriff's office. Merrifield, 50, was found dead at his home early Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico State Police is investigating the incident, New Mexico State Police spokesperson Ricardo Breceda said. Merrifield was appointed sheriff, replacing James Lujan in late 2021 before being elected sheriff in 2022. "Sheriff Billy Merrifield was a steadfast guardian of his community and a compassionate public servant," New Mexico Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason Bowie said in a statement. "His dedication, courage, and heart for service will leave a lasting impact on New Mexico." CHANGSHA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from governments and enterprises and industry experts from over 60 countries, as well as distributors and buyers from Chinese provinces have gathered in central China's Hunan Province to discuss the high-quality development of the fireworks industry. They are attending the 19th International Symposium on Fireworks (ISF) and the First Hunan (Liling) Fireworks Industry Expo, opened in the city of Liling on Monday. Foreign representatives and industry experts come from countries, including the United States, France and Germany. This year's event, which runs through Friday, focuses on discussions about safety, artistry, cultural inheritance and management in the industry. The agenda includes two exhibitions, four conferences, seven international artistic fireworks displays, and nine seminars, offering multifaceted opportunities for collaboration and exchange. Guillaume Chartier, CEO of GFA Pyrotechnic, a major Canadian fireworks company specializing in custom-made pyrotechnic displays, expressed his amazement at the vast array of Chinese fireworks products on display. "The purpose I came here is to source more new Chinese fireworks products and discuss the challenges of the fireworks industry with my peers," said Chartier. His company has been importing Chinese fireworks for over 30 years due to their superior quality and competitive pricing. China is the world's largest producer of fireworks, accounting for 90 percent of global production and approximately 80 percent of international trade volume, according to a report released by Zero Power Intelligence Group, an industry research company in China. Liling is one of China's four major fireworks production centers. Its firework products span nine categories with over 4,000 varieties, exported to more than 150 countries and regions, capturing a quarter of the global market share. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Jackson County legislature will not comply with the Missouri State Tax Commissions (STC) order to roll back 2023 property assessments to no more than a 15% increase from what the numbers were in 2022. The county legislature failed to override Democratic County Executive Frank Whites veto from Friday, April 18. As expected, the legislature was one vote shy of the two thirds majority needed. Teens killed in Saturday crash were students leaving Shawnee Mission South prom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican County Legislator Sean Smith needed five other legislators to support his ordinance. He only got four. On April 7, the County Legislature voted 5 to 4 on an ordinance that would try to make the Jackson County Assessor comply with the STC order that no parcel could have more than a 15% increase from 2022 to 2023. Fridays veto by White meant that the legislature would need six votes in favor of an override. On issues like this, White has had four legislators support him, Republican Jeanie Lauer, and Democrats Megan Marshall, Jalen Anderson, and Charlie Franklin. The five legislators that supported the ordinance for the county to comply with the STC order were Democrats Donna Peyton, Vanessa Huskey, Manny Abarca, Daron McGee and Republican Sean Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith said there is still an unknown for taxpayers and the countys taxing jurisdictions. We are a month and a half away from potentially sending out a whole new batch of assessment notices that will be substantially unlawful because they premise themselves on what happened in 23 having been lawful, Smith said in an interview with FOX4 before Mondays meeting. We know it wasnt. During Mondays meeting, Marshall, who voted not to override the County Executives veto, discussed how the STC order could still be challenged in court. She also talked about the financial implications of this situation. If this ordinance is implemented, taxing jurisdictions across Jackson County could lose over $200 million, including tens of millions of dollars in lost funding for public schools, she said. Thats not just a number. Thats teachers, counselors, school busses, and after school programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Student loans in default will be sent to debt collection, education officials say In the courtroom, Jackson County, MO must officially decide whether its going to appeal the state district court judges ruling that said taxpayers should not have had more than a 15% increase on their 2023 property assessments. In Fridays veto message though, White called the STCs order factually flawed and legally unenforceable. Separately from whether the county appeals the state district court judges ruling, Whites office has decided to increase 2025 residential assessments by no more than 15%. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Services are resuming at Franklin Woods Community Hospital after a boiler system failure disrupted hospital operations over the past week. Ballad Health announced that service was fully restored to the hospitals boiler system on Monday and that hospital services resumed at 1:15 p.m., including inpatient care and labor and delivery. PREVIOUS: Ballad Health: All inpatients transferred amid boiler failure at Franklin Woods, ER remains open Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospital has also resumed admitting patients through the Emergency Department. Elective surgeries will resume on Tuesday and hospital staff will contact patients about scheduling future procedures. Franklin Woods Community Hospital is grateful to the Ballad Health engineering teams, its sister hospitals, team members, medical staff, volunteers and the many vendor partners who supported the hospital through the downtime, Ballad said in a release Monday night. The hospital resumed outpatient services at noon last Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. (Getty Images) Opponents of a Colorado bill that would require social media companies to remove users who try to sell drugs or guns to young people are hopeful that Gov. Jared Polis will veto the policy, arguing that it erodes First Amendment rights to freedom of speech. Senate Bill 25-86 passed both chambers of the Legislature with a widely bipartisan vote. But in a statement last week, Polis said he has concerns over the bills impact on freedom, innovation, and privacy. His office of information technology testified against the bill as it went through the legislative process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was sent to his office on April 14, and he has until Thursday to sign or veto it. If it is vetoed, the Legislature would have time to vote on an override, which would require two-thirds of the body in support. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Opponents of the bill primarily worry about having private companies, such as Meta and X, act as law enforcement over speech on the platforms. While we share the intent of keeping kids safe online, the reality is that when we begin to consciously erode the First Amendment rights of some, we start to erode the rights of all, said Anaya Robinson, a policy strategist at ACLU Colorado, during a Tuesday press conference. The comments come after the bills sponsors and supporters held their own press conference to urge Polis signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson referenced the 2017 U.S. Supreme Court case Packingham v. North Carolina, a decision that determined a North Carolina law banning registered sex offenders from accessing some social media sites was unconstitutional. A regulation on speech, justices decided, needs to be narrowly tailored and serve a significant government interest. This bill actually gives tech companies more power and makes them an extension of law enforcement. Hazel Gibson, political director at ProgressNow Colorado The Colorado bill concerns social media users who attempt to sell guns, drugs or sex traffic minors on the platform. Companies would be required to determine within 10 days of notification if the user violated their policy on the topic, and kick them off the platform within 24 hours if they decided a violation occurred. Additionally, companies would need to comply with search warrants from law enforcement within three days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sponsors and backers of the bill say it reflects the growing reality of how minors and young people access drugs and firearms today, as well as the danger of sexual exploitation on social media platforms. Hazel Gibson, the political director at ProgressNow Colorado, a left-leaning advocacy organization, said the bill is an example of government overreach into a private company by mandating that they police speech. This bill actually gives tech companies more power and makes them an extension of law enforcement. I dont think giving them more power is the solution to those problems, she said. We know that kids of color are already over-policed in real life, and now were expanding that into the digital world. Gibson and Robinson said they worry about the ripple effect of the bill to embolden other states to pass similar laws. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (WSPA) Nearly 70% of Americans do not have a will. The expense of hiring a lawyer can be a deterrent. Still, there is a way to make one for free, thanks to a nonprofit called the ETV Endowment. And you dont have to be a resident of South Carolina. 7NEWS Here to Help looked into how that program works and what you need to keep in mind so the document you help create doesnt cost your family more in the long run. One problem Zachary Murray does not have is procrastination. At age 31, this Greenville husband has already bucked the trend. Hes now among the 32% minority who have actually made a will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It does feel good having it knocked out. Its nothing I need to worry about in the future, he said. Murray got the idea from an email sent by the ETV Endowment, a non-profit he supports financially. It explained how ETV has partnered with Giving Docs to offer a free, safe, online service to help you write your will and other plans. Will making process Murray showed us through the Giving Docs process, which gives you prompts to answer questions. You can stop and start at your leisure, but Murray said the whole process for him only took about 15 minutes (he has no children or complex family dynamics). I think the hardest part of the process is figuring out who to give what. But no, honestly, they actually make it really easy in terms of what information you need to provide them, Murray said. Is it really valid? Coby Hennecy, the Executive Director of the ETV Endowment in South Carolina, said the non-profit offers the service to anyone in the state for free, even if they are not an ETV member. She added, you dont have to live in South Carolina. In fact, you can use the resource no matter where you reside in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This program has actually been around for many years, and by using Giving Docs you can create a valid will online, and it is valid in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, Hennecy said. Since you will have to include personal information, 7NEWS reached out to Giving Docs about its level of security. The company told 7NEWS it is SOC 2 Type II compliant, the highest level of donor data privacy and security compliance available. Pitfalls to avoid We should note that the will is not legal in South Carolina until you print and sign it, along with two witnesses who are not beneficiaries. Youre not required to get it notarized, but its helpful so your witnesses dont have to testify in probate court. Still, even with a valid will, the question remains: is it comprehensive enough to match up to what a lawyer could provide? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Richard Rhodes warned that some types of online wills could cost your family more in the end. Rhodes described the biggest mistakes he sees with some online wills. Not having contingencies. Not providing for what if a beneficiary dies. Not providing for what if a personal representative dies. The way they word things, he said. Rhodes explained how that could cost families, through the estate, more if its left to the courts to decipher meanings and find contingencies. Each extra hearing to straighten that out would incur court and legal representation fees. Then you get to youre spending far more money, or the estate is at that time, far more money than the cost of the will, Rhodes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He warns that other pitfalls include: listing your property address, which could change if you move Failing to give the Personal Representative (PR) the power to sell assets divide property serve without a bond, which saves the estate the cost of an insurance premium Giving Docs accounts for pitfalls In a statement, Giving Docs told 7NEWS their wills account for these pitfalls, saying, Rather than a generic fill-in-the-blank form, Giving Docs guides users through a series of promptsthe platform does provide education around potentially complicated circumstances to help users make informed decisions. For instance, the program cautions against leaving assets to minors, explaining that a guardian would be needed at extra expense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The platform does flag and offer basic education on potential complications when minor children are involved, explaining that a guardian will be needed and that guardianship can entail additional responsibilities, Giving Docs told 7NEWS. Dangers of not having a will Thats part of the danger of not making any will at all since the state would divide assets between the surviving spouse and children, making property like homes and cars difficult to sell without a court order and a guardian, which costs time and money. Giving Docs also offers other key end-of-life documents like power of attorney and health care directive. The ETV endowment does pay for the Giving Docs service, and while users dont have to contribute to the endowment, many who build the wills decide to leave a gift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Murray, he also likes that Giving Docs provides a free codicil option, which allows users to make changes to an existing will. Murrays message, You should probably have one anyway. Go ahead and knock it out now. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has revealed that during the recent meeting in Paris, European countries made it clear to the US which issues concerning Ukraine must not be subject to concessions to Russia in exchange for ending the war. Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda Details: Barrot stated that during the meeting in Paris last week, representatives of European countries explained to the US which aspects of a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia are considered non-negotiable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The only objective that concerns us is to defend French interests and European security. It's the reason that as the US decides to place itself in a mediator position that we make them hear what our 'red lines' are," said the French foreign minister. He declined to disclose the specific issues that Europe has designated as red lines concerning Ukraine. Background: On 17 April, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a US delegation at the Elysee Palace. A separate meeting was held between the Ukrainian delegation and representatives from France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Bloomberg reported that the US presented its European allies in Paris with proposals for a "peace agreement" between Russia and Ukraine, which reportedly included the potential easing of sanctions against Russia in exchange for a prolonged ceasefire. A follow-up meeting is expected to take place in London on Wednesday 23 April, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio representing the American side. The Ukrainian delegation will include Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President; Defence Minister Rustem Umierov; Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Yermaks deputy Pavlo Palisa. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The challenge of stopping the small boats becomes more urgent every day. Were not even at peak season for small boat crossings that arrives in late summer but already, by April 13, a record 8,000 plus people have successfully made the crossing this year. The Government has long heralded a diplomatic breakthrough in which they will secure an agreement with France to return failed asylum seekers from whence they came. Now, it finally appears to be here. But theres a catch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to reports, the final agreement between the two countries will allow Britain to return immigrants to France and in return, the UK will have to accept legal migrants currently living across the Channel who wish to join their relatives living here. At first glance, this seems reasonable enough, provided the net number of removals far outweighed the numbers being allowed to come to the UK but that seems to be far from the case. The agreement, it was reported, would be based on a one-for-one principle. In other words, for every illegal immigrant who arrived via small boat on the Kent coast and was subsequently returned to France, Britain will have to accept one immigrant currently living there. The net level of removals, youd assume, would be zero. Returning, say, 500 illegal immigrants to France would consequently mean accepting 500 other, legal migrants currently living in that country but hoping to make a new life for themselves in Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if you have only a 50 per cent chance of having your asylum application approved, those might be odds worth taking if it means a chance of working in Britain. Such an agreement wouldnt make a dent into the customer base for the people smugglers, let alone smashing them. The French deal, if it is indeed to be agreed on a one-for-one basis, would be no improvement whatsoever on the current situation, at least not for the UK. The public are no longer willing to tolerate the Government welcoming unprecedented numbers of immigrants into the country. Its time ministers started worrying less about PR slogans and more about how immigration, both legal and illegal, can be reduced. Because if they dont, someone else will be elected who will. 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. BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- China's bank wealth management market enjoyed steady growth momentum in the first quarter, industry data indicated on Tuesday. The balance of wealth management products stood at 29.14 trillion yuan (about 4.04 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of March, up 9.41 percent year on year, according to the latest data provided by the China Banking Wealth Management Registration and Depository Center. At the end of the first quarter, the number of wealth management products increased by 0.67 percent year on year to 40,600, offered by a combination of 215 banking institutions and 31 wealth management companies, the center said. Meanwhile, support for the real economy from bank wealth management products stood at nearly 20 trillion yuan, the center added. The number of investors holding wealth management products in the banking market rose by 6.73 percent year on year to 126 million by the end of March, the data showed. French police are fining young black and Arab men and chasing them out of public spaces for being undesirable, a report has found. Defenseurs des Droits, an independent citizens rights organisation, criticised Paris police for engaging in what it said was systemic racial profiling to expel undesirable people from city streets. The 37-page document describes an institutional policy designed to discriminate on the basis of age, gender, ethnic, racial and economic status. Groups of young racialised men are evicted or dispersed without observing any criminal or antisocial behaviour, authors say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study looked at 1,200 fines and interviewed 44 young people. While the word undesirables doesnt exist in the Code of Criminal Procedures, it is one of the most often-used options for categorising and filing reports in police software. Human rights groups have condemned French police for alleged ethnic profiling before. But the newest report also looks at how the practice of issuing repeated tickets and fines, which became widespread in Paris in the mid 2010s, can plunge young men into crippling debt as high as 32,000 (27,500) even before their 20s. During the pandemic lockdown, for example, respondents interviewed for the study were stopped and fined 140 times more than the rest of the population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although barely adults or still minors, these young men accumulate numerous fines and find themselves owing the state debts sometimes amounting to several thousand or even, in some cases, tens of thousands of euros, the report stated. One young man, Amadou, received his first fine at the age of 14 and had since averaged 15 fines a year. At 19 he had accumulated 102 fines and a debt load of almost 32,000. Even before they enter the workforce, these young men are set up for failure and poverty in a cycle that predominantly hurts those from immigrant and working class families, the authors wrote. Repeated fines have significant long-term economic impacts for populations already in precarious situations, who are often unable to pay the amounts demanded, they said. Laurent Nunez, the Paris police chief, denounced the report as defamatory - Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Image Abdul, 26, was diagnosed with a serious illness in 2020 and did not work for two years. When he returned to the workforce in 2022, the government automatically deducted 700, or half his salary, to pay down his debt of about 8,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has since gone back on benefits. If I kill myself so they take 700 from me every month, I might as well stay on welfare, he said. Lamine, 24, was born in France to Malian parents who are both maintenance workers. He is now a binman and his salary is deducted every month to pay off his fines. For the study, authors compiled the fines of 19 respondents who averaged 38 between them and owed debts from 2,000 to 32,500. The average age of the men was 20. Collectively, this sample group owed 220,000 (188,700). The fines included minor offences such as spitting, littering or noise pollution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Combined, the amounts of these debts are disproportionate to the minor nature of the offences these fines punish, the authors wrote. Police dispersal of youths also reinforces the idea that the young men, most of whom are born in France to immigrant parents, are out of place in their own neighbourhoods, legitimising calls for the exclusion of marginalised populations, the authors claim. Dispersals without disturbances Police officers interviewed for the study acknowledged that some dispersals were carried out without disturbances being reported. The report also denounced locals who call the police on the youths, and use pejorative words such as harmful, gangs and scum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also used racialised language such as young North African men to describe them, again reinforcing the idea of undesirables hanging about the neighbourhood. We ask them to leave because we know well be called by the residents. Its preventive, one officer said. Laurent Nunez, the Paris police chief, denounced the report as defamatory and cast doubt on the researchers methodology, which he called more than questionable. Expressing his frank indignation at the report, he said: More than their blind questioning and recurring discrediting, these police officers ... need to be supported. 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. Simon Monteleone, a student at Florida State and intern for Rep. Mitch Rosenwald, speaks n April 22. 2025, during a news conference with Rep. Fentrice Driskell and other FSU students who were on campus during the April 17, 2025, campus shooting. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) Florida State University students, joined by House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, are calling for policy change following a campus shooting within walking distance of the chambers where laws are made. A group of students gathered at the Capitol Tuesday only days after they barricaded themselves in classrooms Thursday when a shooter opened fire on campus, killing two and wounding six. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a leader, I carry the weight of this moment and turn it into purpose. We owe it to the victims, not just here at Florida State University, but across Florida and across our nation to make sure that this doesnt happen again, said Andres Perez, president of the FSU chapter of Students Demand Action. The suspected gunman, step-son of a Leon County sheriffs deputy, according to law enforcement, used her retired service weapon. Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil said it was not surprising 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner would have access to weapons. He was involved with LCSO, including training with the department and sitting on a youth board advising the sheriff. Flowers, candles, and notes decorated the area around the Student Union at Florida State University days after two were killed and six were injured by a gunman on April 17, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) Madalyn Propst, president of FSU College Democrats, called on FSU to put locks on classroom doors, train professors to respond to shootings, and increase financial support for mental health intervention and advocacy. She said the shooting was both senseless and preventable. Although it is not a political issue when a mass tragedy happens, it becomes political when it is enabled by poor policy, Propst said in the Captiol rotunda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of a lack of proactive planning and poor policy on the hands of our legislators, there are two people who are dead who shouldnt be, six people in the hospital who shouldnt be, thousands of students who no longer feel safe on campus, and a community that is still reeling from a senseless act of violence, and no amount of thoughts and prayers is going to fix that. Propst called on Congress to reinstate the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and on the Legislature to expand safe storage laws to apply to any house that someone who cannot legally handle a gun lives in. Shooting after shooting, were told to wait, and all we hear are thoughts and prayers. And Im sensitive to not politicizing an issue but, year after year, we file good, common sense bills to help make our community safer and, unfortunately, they dont even get a committee hearing, Driskell said. A Senate bill, SB 814, allowing students to carry guns on Florida campuses, lost steam earlier this session, and eyes are on the same chamber to see if it will pick up the House-approved bill, HB 759, to lower the age to buy long guns to 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Disgusted Im disgusted with my Legislature and the people that I know some of my friends and my family voted for, Propst said. The fact that they are able to sit in this place and prioritize weapons over my life, my friends lives, and the lives of my community around me is deplorable. The House bill would reverse in part a 2018 package addressing school safety passed just weeks after a gunman killed 17 people at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. A response as quick as happened in 2018 does not seem so certain this year. I think the only difference [between 2018 and now] is that it seems like the governor is desensitized to this. I mean, we saw the comments from President Trump, that, to me, was such a slap in the face to these students and to everyone in this community whos been impacted by this gun violence, Driskell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Ron DeSantis released a video to X the day of the shooting and ordered flags flown at half-staff. President Donald Trump said, I will always protect the Second Amendment, and, These things are terrible. But the gun doesnt do the shooting, the people do, CBS News reported. According to FSU, following the shooting it offered mental health assistance to more than 1,300 students Thursday through Sunday, including 604 on the day of the shooting and 520 on Sunday. The university continues to provide services through this week. The school canceled classes on Friday and resumed classes Monday with optional attendance. The semester ends May 2. Rep. Christine Hunchofsky, mayor of Parkland during the 2018 shooting, reflected on the FSU shooting during a media availability Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you havent been through something like this, its very hard to understand the level of trauma that people who have been through this are experiencing and, if that doesnt get addressed early enough, its something that can become debilitating in the long term. And so, its so important to make sure that everyone has what they need, Hunchofsky said. Minutes after the shooting on Thursday, Hunchofsky presented HB 1403 to the House Education and Employment Committee, a bill that would address school safety measures. It passed unanimously. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Less than a week after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Florida State University, killing two and injuring six others, students from the university called on Florida lawmakers to enact stronger gun safety reforms in the State Capitol on Tuesday. The suspect accused of carrying out the mass shooting is only 20 years old, and police have said he used a pistol belonging to his mother during the attack. While Florida law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from buying a firearm, the states safe storage laws only applies when a minor under the age of 16 is in a household. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katie Hathaway with the Jacksonville Chapter of Moms Demand Action argued those two laws should be aligned. Read: Questions emerge about how a deputys stepson became the accused gunman in deadly FSU shooting These are easy steps our lawmakers could be taking to save lives, Hathaway said. Tougher safe storage laws were among several gun safety reforms survivors of the FSU massacre and Democratic lawmakers called for during their Tuesday press conference. In a country where gun violence is one of the leading causes of death of Americans, particularly for our young people, surely we can start at the common ground, common sense solutions and move forward there, House Minority Leader State Representative Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Questions emerge about how a deputys stepson became the accused gunman in deadly FSU shooting They also want to mandate locks on all doors in schools, after some students had to barricade themselves in classrooms during last weeks lockdown. Additionally, the students want school personnel to undergo active shooter training and called for more campus mental health funding. There is no reason why our doors do not lock and why our professors do not know how to respond when there is someone with a gun less than 100 feet away, FSU freshman Madalyn Probst said. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] This year, bills addressing safe storage, expanded background checks, and other gun safety reforms went unheard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, for the third year in a row, the House passed legislation that would roll back the age to purchase long guns to 18. Despite the fact the House approved the bill rolling back the age to purchase long guns, the Senate hasnt heard it at all and a bill that would have allowed concealed carry on school grounds was voted down in a Senate committee. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Given the tragedy that unfolded just down the street from the Capitol building, Hathaway said she believes there is hope lawmakers will, at the very least, not have the stomach to roll back existing gun laws this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tragedy at Florida State last week exemplifies why our lawmakers need to listen to their constituents and do the right thing and stop pushing forward dangerous and reckless legislation like that, Hathaway said. A march is planned from FSU to the State Capitol Wednesday, but given theres less than two weeks left in session, there appears to be little chance the legislature passes any gun bills this session. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. NEWINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) The Citgo Gas Station on Berlin Turnpike and the area of Brockett Street in Newington are closed due to a fuel spill early Tuesday morning, police said. The spill happened around 4 a.m., while a tanker delivered fuel to the Citgo Gas Station on Berlin Turnpike near Brockett Street. 4 displaced in Hamden house fire Around 500 gallons of fuel were estimated to have spilled into nearby drains, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DEEP has cleanup crews working to mitigate the spill. The cause and origin of the spill are unknown, fire officials said. The cleanup is expected to take another few hours, DEEP said. Residents are asked to avoid the area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Four large banners rise high above people's heads at the March to End Fossil Fuels in New York, New York. Credit - John B Senter IIIUCG/Universal Images Group/Getty Images Earth Day, a global effort to educate people on growing environmental threats and propel them to action, marks its 55th anniversary today. The day, which its organizers say billions of people across 200 countries celebrate, is also embraced by a host of major corporations and governments across the globe. For many, its an opportunity to embrace the days alluring symbolismdespite the activities of many participating corporations and government entities often running in deep opposition to environmentalisms aims. The promise that Earth Day held at its 1970 inception, when climate change was a nascent concept and environmentalism was a bipartisan concern, looks very different than todays promise. But one thing has remained: the environmentalist movement as a whole has yet to enact a clear, racially unifying plan for action, particularly now as environmental justice is under heavy attack in President Donald Trumps second administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, some advocates in the field have disseminated an assemblage of pleas and hashtags for greater attention to environmental injustice, coupled with a reluctance to name the racist causes or highlight practical solutions. But this isnt new: Environmentalists have had a deep legacy of inattention, or agnosticism, to the question of race. Gaylord Nelson, a progressive white U.S. Senator in Wisconsin, concocted the idea of an Earth Day, recognizing the growing perils facing conservation efforts as post-war industrialization in the U.S. and abroad accelerated. He was one of the first American politicians to advocate for national environmental regulations, riding the wave created by Rachel Carsons 1962 book Silent Spring, a literary tentpole in the conservation space that chronicled the proliferation of industrial toxic chemicals. Nelson saw Earth Day as not just a celebration of all things Mother Nature, but an organized, action-oriented rebuke of anti-environment industrialists and their D.C. enablers. And it initially was. Mere months after the creation of Earth Day, the EPA was created. Greenpeace, the largest and most influential environmental advocacy organization in the world, launched a year later. Like other prominent white environmentalists of their time, though, Nelson and Carson largely ducked or downplayed the race factor. Carson, who died at the height of the Civil Rights movement in 1964, is not known to have publicly conveyed any particular thoughts on the racial aspects of environmentalism. Nelson, on the other hand, spoke eloquently, but vaguely, on the topic. On the day before the first Earth Day, Nelson gave a speech trumpeting the need for an environment that was without ugliness, without ghettos, without poverty [and] without discrimination. Here, the senator was passively alluding to environmental injustices, which were commonplace in the 1970s and long before then. Still, it wasnt until the 2000swith racially disproportionate disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the Flint Water Crisis occurring in full view of a global audiencethat major environmental movements began to publicly discuss and validate the existence of environmental injustice. Read More: For Elizabeth Yeampierre, the Environment Is a Civil Rights Issue Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In understanding these connections, its helpful to know that the modern environmentalism movement grew out of a stridently segregationist conservation movement. Like most other public amenities, in the early and mid-20th Century, many National and State Parks were long off-limits to Black people owing to Jim Crow laws. This dynamic snowballed into Black people generally having less access to outdoor recreation and many of the amenities and joys offered in nature, disparities that exist to this day. The Sierra Club, among the largest national environmental organizations in the U.S., was founded in 1892 by conservationist John Muir. In writings, Muir described Black people as Sambos (a derogatory anti-Black term) and Indigenous people as dirty and a blight on the purity of nature, sentiments that were not uncommon among early white American conservationists. Following the 2020 racial reckoning in response to the murder of George Floyd, The Sierra Club was pushed, at last, to release a statement condemning Muir. Even as Muirs views and those of his ilk have receded, exclusion in the environmentalism movement has persisted. The Sierra Club, for instance, didnt have a Black leader until 2015. Greenpeace announced that it had made a Black person its first Black executive director only in 2023. (Greenpeaces executive director, Ebony Twilley Martin, previously shared a Co-Executive Director title with a white woman). While the enduring popularity of Earth Day might suggest otherwise, over the half-century of its existence nearly every significant measure of environmental progress has substantially worsened, namely reducing atmospheric atmosphere carbon dioxide levels. And the consequencesa dramatic deepening of the climate crisis in terms of the frequency and intensity of extreme weather like floods and heatwaveshas been most commonly experienced by Black, Latino, and Indigenous individuals living in America and by people in the Global South (Africa, Asia, and Latin America). This is despite these populations having a far smaller carbon footprint relative to wealthy, white populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2025, Earth Day is a chilling reminder of the collapsed support for racial minorities from those in the worldinstitutions and people alikebest positioned to provide it. But without meaningfully engaging these groups, were not just sowing the seeds for a deluge of humanitarian crises in the near future, but were also missing out on collaborations that can help us optimize future climate interventions. In the deepening absence of government support, efforts to promote environmental justice are going to require grassroots approaches. To this end, advocates must do a much better job of explaining environmental justice and its universal benefits, to generate a broad coalition that focuses on not just race but things like class. Currently, environmental justice is mired in racial identity politics, from the left and right, that mask the movements otherwise objectively important goal of improving the quality of the environment for everyonealbeit with the need to first focus on those most inequitably impacted. Second, we should hold corporations accountable for both developing and maintaining practices that support a healthy environment and engage in boycotts when those efforts arent approached earnestly. Recently organized boycotts against corporations that have substantially curtailed their DEI efforts, like Target, have been effective and provide environmentalists with a powerful blueprint to follow. With environmental advocacy under more duress now than ever before, the future success of Earth Day, and all that it represents and should represent, will ultimately rest in the moral clarity of those involvedincluding not just everyday people, but corporations, politicians, universities, and community organizations. Without this, Earth Day and its commitments will remain fixed in a state of surface-level notabilityplatitudes and small gestures that are forgotten until the next one rolls around. Contact us at letters@time.com. Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, center, confers with Senate Parliamentarian Robert Ricci, left, and Secretary of the Senate Helena Reid, right, on the last night of the 2024 legislative session on Thursday, June 13, 2024. (Will Steinfeld/Rhode Island Current) Funeral arrangements for the late Senate President Dominick Ruggerio were announced Tuesday morning, with a Mass in Ruggerios name planned for Monday, April 28, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Church in North Providence. Calling hours will be held Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m., and again Monday from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Maceroni Funeral Home in Providence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruggerio died Monday morning following a yearslong battle with cancer. He was 76. A North Providence Democrat, Ruggerio was the longest-serving member of the Rhode Island General Assembly, including four decades in the upper chamber. Condolences and praise for his legacy and leadership has poured in from state and federal officials, local union organizers and advocacy groups. The Rhode Island House of Representatives will honor Ruggerio with a moment of silence, followed by a prayer, when it meets at 4 p.m. today, Larry Berman, a House spokesperson, confirmed via email. A resolution in Ruggerios memory will also be introduced in the House, followed by tributes from House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Rep. Arthur Corvese, also a North Providence Democrat and a very close friend of Ruggerio, Berman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rhode Island Senate has canceled all sessions and committee hearings until after Ruggerios funeral. When the remaining 37 senators meet again, their first task will be to elect a new president. At least three senators Sen. Ryan Pearson, Sen. Frank Ciccone III and Senate Majority Leader Val Lawson are believed to be vying for the president spot, though none have publicly confirmed their intentions. On Monday, Lawson walked away when asked at the conclusion of a State House briefing about the forthcoming president election. Ciccone has not returned multiple calls for comment. Pearson, who served as majority leader until he was ousted by Ruggerio last year following a feud between the two, declined to comment Monday on the election. Gov. Dan McKee has ordered flags at state buildings and facilities fly at half staff until Ruggerios internment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Pope Francis, who died yesterday at age 88, will break papal tradition in both his funeral and burial requests. His death begins a nine-day period of mourning; the certification of death and the laying of the body in the coffin took place Monday evening. President Trump announced that he and his wife Melania will attend the funeral services this weekend. "Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!" he posted on Truth Social. Vice President and former Ohio Senator JD Vance briefly met with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, a day before the late pontiff's passing. Here's what to know about Pope Francis' funeral arrangements. When is Pope Francis' funeral? Roman Catholic cardinals confirmed on Tuesday morning that Pope Francis' funeral will take place this Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) in St. Peter's Square, according to the Vatican's latest updates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public viewing will start on Wednesday, when his body will be taken to St. Peter's Basilica. As requested by the late pontiff, he was laid in a wooden coffin instead of the typical interlocking cypress, lead, and oak caskets. His body will lie in state until his funeral on Saturday morning. How to watch Pope Francis' funeral Major news networks like BBC and NBC News will offer live coverage of the funeral services, and Vatican News will likely air the services live on its YouTube channel. Where will Pope Francis be buried? He breaks from papal tradition to start 'new ritual' In a break from tradition and by his prior request, the pope will be laid to rest in Rome's St. Mary Major Basilica instead of in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica, where many of the pope's predecessors are buried, USA TODAY reports (via Reuters). The pope had said he chose the Basilica of St. Mary Major as his final resting place because of his "very strong connection" with the site, he had said, adding he would visit St. Mary Major on Sunday mornings when he traveled to Rome before becoming pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Located at the summit of the Esquiline Hill, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major is one of Romes four Papal Basilicas. It is the largest Marian church in the city and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Seven Popes are buried in the Basilica, according to the church's website. The pope, in an interview with Mexican news outlet N+ in 2023, had revealed he had already discussed preparations for a papal funeral with his master of liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli. "We simplified them quite a bit," he had said, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reported at the time. "I will premiere the new ritual." Who is going to be the next pope? See possible contenders Several high-ranking church officials could be the next pope, according to USA TODAY, including Cardinal Joseph Tobin, an archbishop from the United States. What did Pope Francis die from? The late Pontiff died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, according to the Vatican. He also went into a coma before he died. Pope Francis had suffered from respiratory failure, pneumonia, diabetes, and hypertension, among other health issues. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When is the funeral for Pope Francis? How to watch, stream services live A northwest Georgia couple will spend years behind bars after they were convicted of child cruelty. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On March 27, the couple was convicted of two counts of cruelty to children in the first degree and two counts of cruelty to children in the second degree. They were sentenced to 20 years in prison. The Lookout Mountain District Attorneys Office will not release the couples names in consideration of the victims ages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conviction stems from an investigation that began in December 2023. According to the DA, the couple lived with their teenage children in a mobile home that did not have any heat, hot water, with the only running water in the bathtub. TRENDING STORIES: Evidence revealed that the home was in a state of disrepair and filth. The Catoosa County Code Enforcement found the home to be unlivable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DA said the father was an electrician and testified to making $1,100 to $1,800 a week after taxes. Court documents also revealed the couple repeatedly punished their teenage children by shooting them with Airsoft guns. They restricted what their daughter could eat and padlocked the refrigerator to stop her from getting food. The couples daughter was also molested by her older half-brother, who bribed her to perform sexual acts in exchange for food, the DA said. Officials said, although the parents were aware of the molestation, they would leave their daughter alone with her half-brother weekly while staying at another home they owned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The half-brother was sentenced to life with 25 years to serve. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Parents should be the first in line to protect children, but if they fail, we will step into that breach of our most basic foundations of our community, said District Attorney Clayton Fuller. The wickedness of a parent who treats their own flesh and blood with such cruelty and neglect will be met here in northwest Georgia with the full force of justice. GADSDEN Gadsden State Community College is the only community college in Alabama offering a Civil Engineering Technology Program. The program aims to provide hands-on training in design, surveying and infrastructure inspection, according to a news release. The Civil Engineering Technology Program is perfect for students who want to go straight into the workforce or transfer to a four-year university, said instructor Marshall Bailey. We focus on the training and skills that employers are looking for right now. Housed on the East Broad Campus in Gadsden, the program prepares students for careers in AutoCAD design, surveying and construction applications. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, civil engineering technologists and technicians with an associate degree earn a median annual salary of $60,700. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students can pursue an Associate in Applied Science degree, which includes 15 general education credit hours and 61 technical hours. The college also offers a certificate option with 44 credit hours and a short-term certificate requiring 26 hours focused entirely on technical instruction. Our graduates are well-prepared for positions like field survey technicians, CAD technicians and construction inspectors, Bailey said. Or, they can transfer to a bachelors degree program in civil engineering. Bailey, a summa cum laude graduate of the same program he now leads, joined the Gadsden State faculty in 2019. Since then, he has helped grow enrollment by more than 150 percent. Gadsden State gave me the foundation I needed academically and professionally, he said. The faculty believed in me and gave me the skills I use every day in my career. Now, I have the honor of doing the same for my students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is also open to high school students through Gadsden States dual enrollment program. Eligible students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, be a sophomore, junior or senior and receive approval from a school counselor or administrator. Dual enrollment is a fantastic opportunity for students to get a head start on a meaningful, high-paying career, Bailey said. Were seeing more high school students take advantage of this program every year. Bailey encourages students interested in high-demand technical careers to consider the program. This is a smart first step for students who are hands-on learners and want a career that makes a real-world impact, he said. Civil engineering touches every part of our daily lives, from roads and bridges to buildings and utilities. If you want to help build the future, be a civil engineer. More information about the program is available at www.GadsdenState.edu/Technical. Details about the dual enrollment program can be found at www.GadsdenState.edu/DualEnrollment. A man is accused of robbing a gas station near Boone before leading officers on a chase and shooting a deputy in Tennessee. According to the Watauga County Sheriffs Office, the incident started at the Quality Plus Gas Station on Highway 321. ALSO READ: Man killed in officer-involved shooting, Pineville police say The suspect is accused of crashing their vehicle just over the state line near Mountain City, Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is where investigators said the suspect fired shots at deputies with the Johnson County Sheriffs Office. During that exchange, one deputy was struck by gunfire. The suspect has been identified as 41-year-old Joey Allen Ponce of Ashe County. Ponce is facing several charges, including felony robbery with a dangerous weapon and attempted murder. Officials said the deputy who was shot is in stable condition. However, the status of the suspect is unknown at the time. VIDEO: Man killed in officer-involved shooting, Pineville police say People fetch water from a public water storage in a flood-affected area of Burka district in northern Baghlan province, Afghanistan, April 20, 2025. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) KABUL, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change, facing recurring droughts, sudden floods, and growing water scarcity that threaten the livelihoods of millions, particularly those who rely on agriculture. On Earth Day, Abdul Razzaq, a 56-year-old farmer from Burka district in northern Baghlan province, stood on his parched farmland and talked about droughts and unseasonal floods. "When we sow our seeds here, we get nothing -- they dry up. Our wheat and crops burn, and we sit helpless in our homes," Razzaq told Xinhua. "For as long as I can remember, we've been experiencing droughts every two or three years, and if it rains, we survive, and if it doesn't, we have nothing." Razzaq is the breadwinner for his family of nine. A devastating flood destroyed his land last year, and he has yet to clear the stones left by the flood and resume farming. He is concerned about his family's livelihood. "If the droughts continue and there's no rain, what will we do? Eat stones? There's nothing here. Sometimes hungry, sometimes not, we pass our day." He explained next to a large rock left over from the flood. According to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative, Afghanistan ranks among the seven countries most vulnerable to climate change. The ongoing environmental crisis is not only decimating crops but also threatening livestock and prompting mass displacement. Haji Egan Birdi, another local farmer, highlighted the broader social impact of drought in his village. "Most of the men have left in search of work. Only the elderly and women remain," he said. "If the drought lasts, more people will be forced to leave." The situation is dire. In 2024 alone, widespread drought and flooding have affected millions in northern and western Afghanistan, destroying thousands of hectares of farmland. Abdulhadid Achakzai, director of the EPTDO, a local organization focused on environmental protection and development, said the situation is worsening rapidly. "We conducted research in 29 provinces this year and found a significant drop in groundwater levels," he said. "Even in areas near rivers, the water is decreasing day by day." Achakzai emphasized that Afghanistan lacks the technical infrastructure and financial capacity to respond effectively to the climate crisis. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's environmental authority has confirmed the escalating climate threats. "Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, declining agricultural and livestock productivity, melting glaciers, and biodiversity loss are among the consequences endangering multiple sectors," said Engineer Ruhullah Amin, head of climate change at the National Environmental Protection Agency. As the dual challenges of climate change and poverty deepen, Afghans are left to navigate an increasingly uncertain future. Farmers work on agricultural land affected by recent floods in Burka district in northern Baghlan province, Afghanistan, April 20, 2025. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) A farmer walks in a flood-affected area in Burka district in northern Baghlan province, Afghanistan, April 20, 2025. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) This photo taken on April 20, 2025 shows flood-affected areas in Burka district in northern Baghlan province, Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) What started as a quick errand to buy face wash turned into a viral political moment and a revealing snapshot of South Carolina Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Maces behavior toward LGBTQ+ constituents. On Saturday, Charleston resident Ely Murray-Quick walked into an Ulta store and spotted Mace in the skin care aisle. He asked a straightforward question: Would she be holding an actual town hall any time soon? She responded by filming him, shouting F**k you, and later posting the video on social media, framing Murray-Quick a gay small-business owner as an aggressor. But the video she shared, which has since been viewed nearly 7 million times, shows Murray-Quick standing calmly at a distance, never threatening her. (@) Mace has since pinned the interaction to the top of her X profile, using it as a rallying point for her base while portraying herself as the perpetual victim of liberal harassment. Speaking to The Advocate on Monday, Murray-Quick said, A fire was lit. Being a gay man in South Carolina, Ive had my fair share of hurtful insults thrown my way. And Ive given myself a thicker skin because of it. So a simple f**k you from Nancy Mace isnt going to hurt me the way that she thinks it does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murray-Quick said the encounter unfolded during a typical Saturday in Charleston. I took the opportunity to ask her the question that a lot of her constituents wanted to know, he explained. I asked her when she was hosting a real [town hall]. Im of the opinion that what she has recently hosted wasnt real. She fielded several questions over dinner, over the phone, and didnt give her constituents and the people in South Carolina an opportunity to ask real questions. Rather than engage, Mace began filming. She decided to tell me to f**k myself, Murray-Quick said. And I think it speaks a lot to her character that this is the type of language she decides to use to someone who is in the same space as her who asked her a simple question. Maces immediate pivot to touting her past votes for marriage equality also struck Murray-Quick as a deflection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She believes, Hey, I voted for gay marriage twice. You owe me everything, he said. Which couldnt be anything further from the truth. There are bigger issues I want to vote on, and I want to see it resolved, he added. Insurance, health care, the education system in South Carolina will consistently rank the lowest in the state and shes not addressing the reason. In December, Mace accused transgender foster care advocate James McIntyre of assaulting her with a handshake at a Capitol Hill event. McIntyre was arrested, but prosecutors dropped the charge after a review of video footage and eyewitness accounts that confirmed there was no aggression only a handshake. Just weeks later, Mace and Colorado U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert followed a cisgender woman into a Capitol restroom, mistakenly believing she was Rep. Sarah McBride, the first out transgender member of Congress. Boebert later apologized. Mace stayed silent, then used the moment to tweet her opposition to gender-neutral bathrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Ulta video, Mace again portrayed herself as under threat. I was appropriately six to eight, maybe even 10 feet away at all times, Murray-Quick said. There was no physical confrontation. There was no aggression. She wasnt locked in the aisle. She was free to leave and not answer my question if she had chosen to. Murray-Quick said his question represented what many South Carolinians want but rarely get: accountability. We dont want a gated Beaufort Country Club meeting by invite only. We dont want Turning Point USA ticket attendees. We want a real raw town hall. Thats what people are saying, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Maces attempt to ridicule him online, he said he feels no regret about speaking up. I walked out of the store, and yeah, I felt a bit of adrenaline, he said. It was one of those situations where a lot of people do want to ask the questions to their elected officials in person and they dont get the opportunity or pass up on the opportunity. And I said to myself, Im not passing up on the opportunity. On Monday evening, Mace posted another video this time from the front seat of a car driving to a Turning Point USA event at the University of South Carolina. Speaking to the camera, she leaned further into her viral outburst, saying, Its not the first time Ive ever used language with people before, and it certainly wont be the last. She added, You dont have the right to harass me. Its not ever going to be OK. And if you want to get in my face, expect it right back, and I will record you and Ill make you famous. (@) Looking back, Murray-Quick said the encounter helped him learn more about himself and gave him new energy to speak up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Ive learned that Im a lot more confrontational than I knew I was, in a positive way, he said. I want to help make a difference in any way I can, and I see a bit more of myself now. Asked whether he views the moment as a form of LGBTQ+ visibility, he didnt hesitate. Absolutely. Im immensely proud of myself. I took an opportunity to ask a question that I believed a lot of people wanted to be asked. And she decided to have a meltdown over it. He added, I dont feel great about the future of South Carolina politics until shes out of office. As of publication, neither Mace nor her spokesperson had responded to The Advocates request for comment. To the world, he was Pope Francis, leader of 1.4 billion Catholics. To parishioners at the Holy Family Church in Gaza, the late pontiff was a "shield" who fought to provide succor to their tiny community in the besieged Palestinian enclave. He was a real father to us, George Antone, a parishioner in the enclave's only Catholic church, told NBC News' crew in Gaza. Pope Francis was like a shield for the Christians in the enclave. He was the fighter, he was fighting for our rights and for our protection. Throughout the war, parishioners and leaders of the church said, Francis had been a significant source of strength, making near-nightly calls for the past year and a half, even as he faced his own health struggles in his final months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antone was among dozens who gathered in the church in Gaza City to pay their respects to Francis in an evening Mass. Around 1,300 Christians live in Gaza, according to a 2022 U.S. State Department report. A service honoring the late Pope Francis at the Holy Family Church in Gaza City on Monday. Heads bowed and hands lifted to their hearts in prayer, worshippers, from children to older people, offered their farewells to the pontiff. A row of altar boys dressed in scarlet and white helped lead the service. One worshipper lifted his hands, grief etched on his face, as he faced a portrait of Francis adorned with a black ribbon that sat on the altar. The church has withstood some 18 months of war, including an attack that killed two of its parishioners as they stood within the compound's walls. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Catholic regional body whose territory covers the Palestinian territories, accused Israeli forces of shooting Nahida Anton and her daughter, Samar Anton, "in cold blood," and injuring others as they tried to flee to safety inside the church compound, which was heavily damaged in the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli officials denied responsibility in the incident. During Francis' nearly nightly calls, he often asked what parishioners had managed to get to eat and how they were holding up amid the fighting. The pope continued that tradition even in the final weeks of his life as he faced a string of health issues, including bronchitis and double pneumonia. He was very close to us, the Rev. Gabriel Romanelli of the Holy Family Church said Easter Monday, hours after the Vatican announced Francis death. All the time, he called us during all this war, this horrid war, he said. "For more than one year and a half, daily, he called us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his final call Saturday, Romanelli said, Francis had shared his blessings with the church and thanked them for all that they were doing. The Rev. Gabriel Romanelli leads a service honoring the late Pope Francis at the Holy Family Church in Gaza City on Monday. The pope became more outspoken in his criticism of Israel's conduct in the war in recent months. Earlier this year, he condemned the humanitarian crisis, labeling it "very serious and shameful" as he called for an end to Israel's bombing campaign. Israel resumed its offensive last month after ending a ceasefire with Hamas. Francis had also lambasted the alleged targeting of the Holy Family Church in December 2023. He said that in Gaza, "unarmed civilians are targets for bombs and gunfire," including at the church where, he stated, there were "no terrorists, but families, children, people who are sick and have disabilities, sisters." More than 51,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the war began, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in the enclave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel launched its offensive following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist attacks in which some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli counts, marking a major escalation in a decadeslong conflict. After Francis' death, Palestinians across Gaza will be hoping to see his successor take up his call for an end to the war in the enclave. "We are united in prayers for him and for the next pope," said parishioner Suhail Abu Dawood, 19, adding: "We are united in prayers for peace in Gaza and in all the world." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Dayton Metro Library will host the Gem City Selfie Museum in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month this May. The Main Library will see a pop-up exhibit, a reception and two other programs. The pop-up exhibit, SELFie: The Power Within,, will be in the Main Librarys Opportunity Space throughout May. Visitors can celebrate their personal stories of strength, growth and self-love. The photos taken will celebrate authenticity. The exhibit will encourage people to understand stigmas around mental health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opening reception will be on Thursday, May 1, from 6:30-8 p.m. in the library atrium. Mental health professionals and local advocates will attend the event, and all ages are welcome to attend. Mental health cuts concern lawmakers There will be two additional programs by the Gem City Selfie Museum for mental health awareness. Empowered Voices: Story Sharing with LORE Community Room A will host Empowered Voices: Story Sharing with LORE from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 8. The Gem City Selfie Museum partnered with LORE, a Dayton-based storytelling workshop organization, to hold the session. Patrons are invited to share their experiences with mental health, and will be given tools and a space to help them write their own story. (Also open to all ages.) Mental Health Matters The Eichelberger Forum will host a Mental Health Matters panel discussion with The Grief Club on Thursday, May 29, from 6-8 p.m. Mental health professionals will share practical steps for coping with death and healing. The Grief Club aims to empower people through their grief journeys and create an environment where everyone can focus on healing. (Adults only.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dayton Metro Library branch installs 1st EV charger To learn more, click here or call the Librarys Ask Me Line at (937) 463-2665. The library asks anyone who needs a sign language interpreter, assistive device, language translation, or accessibility services to call the Ask Me Line at (937) 463-2665 or click here. This is so they can get the service ready ahead of 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 WDTN.com. TALLAHASSEE Madalyn Propst, an Orlando teenager, started taking part in school shooter drills in kindergarten, mourned the victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre when she was 10 and Thursday had her freshman year of college upended by a gunmans rampage. Now, the 19-year-old Florida State University freshman is urging Floridas Republican-controlled Legislature to do something to stem the deadly wave of gun violence that has become a recurring trauma for her generation. The time for thoughts and prayers has passed, Propst said Tuesday in the Capitols rotunda. It is time for policy and change because while thoughts and prayers can put a Band-Aid over a bullet wound, they will do nothing to stop the next bullet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursdays mass shooting on FSUs campus that killed two and injured six others happened about a mile away from the state Capitol building where the Florida House had recently voted to lower the age limit to buy a rifle from 21 to 18. That bill would undo a gun control measure enacted in the aftermath of the 2018 Parkland school shooting that left 17 students and staff dead. Propst, a Lake Brantley High School graduate, and three other Florida State University students called on lawmakers to keep gun regulations in place and consider other proposals they think would save lives. Propst is the president of the FSU College Democrats and spoke at the event along with Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell. Shooting rampage at Florida State that left 2 dead lasted less than 5 minutes, police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Efforts to loosen the states gun laws appeared to have stalled in the aftermath of Thursdays shooting. State Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said Monday her Rules Committee wont take up the Houses measure lowering the gun-buying age, effectively ending the bills path forward this session. Other pro-gun measures have also failed to gain traction, including repealing the states red-flag law and lifting a prohibition on rapid-fire gun accessories called bump stocks. A Senate committee voted down a bill that would have allowed concealed weapons on college campuses. The students said they want increased funding for mental health and active shooter training and more safe-storage regulations for guns. They also said locks on FSU classroom doors failed to work properly, leaving them dangerously exposed to the shooter, and the suspected gunmans red flags were missed. Amy Farnum-Patronis, an FSU spokeswoman, said in an email the university is reviewing its safety protocols, including locks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 20-year-old suspected gunman, Phoenix Ikner, a Florida State student and the stepson of a Leon County Sheriffs deputy, was shot by officers and taken to the hospital. Gun rights supporters said they dont think gun control restrictions will make Floridas campuses safer. Criminals, by definition, do not follow the law, said Luis Valdes, Florida state director for Gun Owners of America. Gun control does not deter them. It only disarms law-abiding citizens and leaves them defenseless. Andres Perez, an FSU student who graduated from Windermere High School, said he was in class Thursday when an alarm sounded warning the FSU campus of a shooter. He said he texted his loved ones unsure if hed ever see them again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our generation deserves better, said Perez, chapter president of the gun safety group Students Demand Action. We deserve to feel safe in our schools, our communities, and we deserve a safe future. Natanel Mizrahi, an FSU senior from Sarasota, said hell never forget the look of dread on the face of a student who ran into his classroom fleeing the gunman. Twenty or more others rushed into the classroom, yelling that there was a shooter, he said. They barricaded the door and waited, Mizrahi said. I called my mom and whispered in fear of being heard by anyone outside that I love her, he said. I really, truly thought that might have been the last time that I was going to speak to her. NEW YORK (AP) George Santos is defending his recent social media tirade to a federal judge who will be sentencing the disgraced former New York congressman later this week on fraud charges. In a lengthy letter ahead of the Friday court date, Santos, 36, said he remains profoundly sorry for his crimes but protests that the seven-year prison sentence sought by prosecutors as ridiculous and overly harsh. Every sunrise since that plea has carried the same realization: I did this, me. I am responsible, wrote the former Republican lawmaker, who pleaded guilty last summer. But saying Im sorry doesnt require me to sit quietly while these prosecutors try to drop an anvil on my head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors, in a filing last week, argued Santos remains unrepentant and has not shown genuine remorse, as his lawyers have claimed in their own filing seeking a lighter, two-year prison stint. They cited a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, in which he disparaged the U.S. Department of Justice as a cabal of pedophiles and cast himself as a victim of prosecutorial overreach. Santos, who admitted he deceived donors and stole the identities of nearly a dozen people to fund his congressional campaign, countered that his colorful posts are being wrongly repurposed as a sword against me by prosecutors. Contesting the severity of a proposed sentence is not the same as contesting guilt, and punishing protected speech because it questions punishment should trouble anyone who values fair prosecution over personal vindication, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos said calling himself the scapegoat in social media posts was in reference to prosecutors claiming he was the organizer/leader of his campaigns financial fraud and warranted a stiffer sentence. He argued his former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, who has also pleaded guilty and faces sentencing next month, shares equal part in the blame. If I were the criminal mastermind they portray, I would be the clumsiest in modern memory: leaving a trail of screenshots pointing directly back to myself, he wrote in the Saturday letter. Santos also pushed back at prosecutors claims that he has not made efforts to pay the roughly $580,000 owed as part of his plea deal, saying hes liquidated personal assets, reduced my living expenses, and tried as hard as I could to raise some money for restitution. He added that he has not asked any of his friends or family to write letters to the court on his behalf, nor did he expect any supporters to attend Fridays sentencing in Long Island federal court out of embarrassment and shame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to bring anyone else in my life into this mess, Santos wrote. This is mine to deal with and mine alone. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New Yorks office, which is prosecuting the case, declined to comment. Santos was elected in 2022 to represent parts of Queens and Long Island but served barely a year before being ousted by his House colleagues. Santos fabricated much of his life story, leading to questions about how the political unknown had funded his winning campaign. ___ Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo. April 22 (UPI) -- A Georgia woman accused of killing her 1-year-old daughter two years ago was found not guilty by reason of insanity. On Friday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shakira L. Ingram issued a ruling in the case against Asia Calabrese-Lewis, 26, who allegedly killed her daughter, Nirvana Oliver, in May 2023 while Lewis was in the middle of a severe mental-health episode. She has suffered bipolar 1 disorder and depression most of her life, according to court documents, and was charged with first-degree cruelty to children and felony murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the alleged offenses, "the Defendant did not have the mental capacity to distinguish between right and wrong and that she acted because of a delusional compulsion (as a result of her mental illness) which overmastered her will to resist committing the crime," the judge's ruling read in part. The young girl was found dead in a pond and rushed to Children's Healthcare in Atlanta, where she was later declared dead. Police in Sandy Spring, about 20 miles north of Atlanta, responded to a disturbance at 2 Concourse Parkway, where they found Calabrese-Lewis in a parking deck experiencing what appeared to be a mental breakdown. Security footage from 2023 showed her walking the daughter toward the pond out of camera footage view for six minutes and then calmly walked back into the camera frame naked without the toddler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The troubled mother reportedly told the child's father their daughter was dead. Meanwhile, Calabrese-Lewis has been committed to the state's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for evaluation to report on her mental condition and if it meets criteria for a civil confinement. BERLIN (Reuters) - The German army has asked several large firms about whether they could provide logistics support if the country needs to deploy soldiers and equipment to NATO's eastern border during a crisis, the Handelsblatt newspaper reported on Tuesday. Germany - a logistical hub due to its central location in Europe - has committed to contributing 35,000 soldiers and over 200 aircraft and ships within 30 days of any major conflict as part of NATO's new model to address growing threats, particularly from Russia. The army is approaching the firms primarily for help in moving soldiers, ammunition and military equipment in the event of an attack on NATO territory by Russia, Handelsblatt reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The newspaper also cited industry sources as saying discussions were underway on whether Lufthansa's flight school could take over basic training for fighter jet pilots. Defence giant Rheinmetall, airline group Lufthansa and state-owned railway operator Deutsche Bahn were among the firms approached by the army, according to Handelsblatt. It said the army relies on commercial transport services to a considerable extent in crisis areas. The Bundeswehr (armed forces) referred a request for comment to the Defence Ministry, which did not immediately respond. Lufthansa declined to comment, while Deutsche Bahn said that it was unable to provide details of military logistics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rheinmetall, which in February struck a deal with the German army to provide logistical support for the deployment of military forces domestically and abroad, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Germany has been increasingly focused on defence on its own soil since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 raised fears of a wider escalation on the European continent. Days after the invasion, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a "Zeitenwende" - German for a historic turning point - with a 100-billion-euro ($114.6 billion) special fund to modernise the military. To meet its NATO obligations, Germany's incoming government has vowed to ramp up defence spending and introduce a new military service, for now on a voluntary basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the challenges of bringing Germany's long-neglected army up to speed are considerable after decades of under-investment. German forces were drastically scaled down after the end in 1990 of the Cold War, and later trained mainly for missions such as in Afghanistan, where the adversary was poorly equipped and not an armed force with the most modern weapons. ($1 = 0.8722 euros) (Reporting by Miranda Murray; editing by; Ludwig Burger and Mark Heinrich) The head of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) has voiced hope that the next pope will continue on the legacy of openness pursued by Pope Francis, warning that the election of a conservative figure could pose challenges for the Church in Germany. ZdK president Irme Stetter-Karp told dpa that the Church requires leadership capable of meeting the demands of the 21st century. She said the election of a conservative pope would likely pose a significant challenge for the Catholic Church in Germany. She acknowledged the presence of forces within the Catholic Church that wish to maintain clerical power and view too much freedom for the faithful as a threat to Church unity. "This risk exists, and it is not small." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ZdK represents the Catholic laity, the non-clergy in local parishes. Together with the German Bishops' Conference, the ZdK initiated a reform process in 2019, the Synodal Path. This focused on reforms within the Church concerning lay preaching and same-sex couples, moves that infuriated conservatives, prompting some to speak of a schism and heresy. Surveys have repeatedly shown that the majority of German Catholics support liberalizing reforms, including more rights for women and a shift in the Church's stance on sexual morality. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz are set to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday. Steinmeier's office told dpa that he will lead a significant German delegation for the ceremony at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit confirmed that the outgoing Scholz will accompany the president. It is unclear whether Scholz's successor Friedrich Merz - who is set to take office in early May - will be in attendance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The leaders of Germany's other constitutional bodies, encompassing both houses of parliament and the Constitutional Court, are also set to make the trip. Global leaders are expected to attend the funeral after Francis died aged 88 on Monday. Lockheed Martin is making the pitch that its deep-in-production F-35 Joint Strike Fighter can provide 80% of the capabilities of the F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter at half the cost. This is a huge claim and one aimed at keeping the F-35 relevant for decades to come and potentially providing an alternative to the F-47. Achieving this would come by taking tech developed under the NGAD fighter program, which Lockheed lost to Boeing, and injecting it into the F-35. Going farther than just minor modifications, it would give the F-35 a NASCAR upgrade by leveraging its base chassis. This 5th generation plus reworking could include new materials, geometries, and countermeasures developed under NGAD. We also now know that Lockheed will not formally protest Boeings winning of the NGAD combat jet competition. An artist rendering of Boeings F-47. (USAF) These details came directly from Jim Taiclet, CEO of Lockheed Martin, during an earnings call this morning, in which he stated: And we plan on applying those [NGAD] technologies to our current systems, making our already proven products even more relevant to the future, as well as enhancing the capabilities we provide in ongoing and future development. For example, the knowledge and technology development gained from our investments in the NGAD competition strengthened our conviction to enhance the F-35 to a 5th generation plus capability. And I challenged the team to deliver 80% of 6th gen capability at 50% of the cost. In support of this vision, were also committing to drive disruptive innovation and building upon our recent established internal capabilities and AI autonomy, crewed-uncrewed teaming, and command and control systems across the whole company. We have aligned these technology investments with our customer priorities and demonstrated meaningful increases in capabilities at relatively low cost. A F-35 Lightning assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Sept. 19, 2024. The F-35 was participating in a multiple aircraft exercise for the 354th FW. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Sean Lamb) Senior Airman Sean Lamb In addition, Taiclet told shareholders that the firm would not be protesting the NGAD combat jet award to Boeing. This is a relatively major development. Instead, they will be rolling their research and development back into their existing fighter aircraft, the F-35 and F-22, to make them more potent, and presumably to step in if the F-47 doesnt make it to production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did get a classified debrief from the US Air Force on their NGAD decision. And we are taking that feedback internally and looking at all the aspects that we were briefed on, which we cant speak to because of the classification level. But we are addressing those. On a strategic basis, where we are going with this decision is not to protest it. We are not going to protest the NGAD decision of the U.S. government. We are moving forward and moving out on applying all the technologies that we developed for our NGAD bid onto our embedded base of F-35 and F-22. I feel that we can have, again, 80% of the capability potentially at 50% of the cost per unit aircraft by taking the F-35 chassis and applying numerous advanced technologies, some of which are already in process in Block 4 and F-35, but others that we can apply and we are going to offer fairly rapidly to the Department of Defense to really take that chassis and supercharge it for the future. And thats kind of a 5th generation plus concept for F-35. And that investment in NGAD technologies that we made over the last few years are going to be applied directly to that chassis. U.S. Air Force Capt. Melanie MACH Kluesner, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, taxis off the runway after being certified on her aerial demonstration by the 388th Wing commander at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024. Upon wing commander certification, the F-35 Demo Team pilot is required to complete the Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Training Course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Ergish) Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Ergish Considering Lockheed needs to continue a good relationship with the prickly Trump administration, a challenge to the F-47 award decision would have been a risky move. The company has many other products to sell to its primary customer, the U.S. federal government. This includes many other facets of the overall NGAD program, from unmanned systems to weapons to command and control architectures. A challenge could put its standing for future and ongoing business with the administration at risk. This is just one of many factors that would have played into the decision about whether or not to launch a formal protest. The fact that Taiclet is using the word chassis in relation to the F-35 is also worth noting. Looking at a platform as a highly adaptable canvas on which to paint your capability needs is certainly in vogue, especially in the aerial realm. With this in mind, it probably wont be long until Lockheed starts comprehensively pitching its next step beyond Block 4 for the F-35, and it could end up being more exotic in terms of changes than what many may have assumed prior to the NGAD combat jet competition loss. The USAF had already proposed going for a much cheaper alternative to what is now the F-47. We explored what this could look like, which you can read here. A deeply reworked F-35 could step into this alternative offering space, something then-Secretary of the Air Force and godfather of the NGAD combat jet Frank Kendall explicitly highlighted just in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the very least, we now know that Lockheed isnt going to look back at its loss to Boeings F-47 and is moving on, doubling down on the two 5th generation fighter programs already in its portfolio, one of which has over 1,100 examples produced and for which demand remains strong for more. And, as we have always posited, the manned fighter element of NGAD may be the most high-profile, but there are many other opportunities within the wide-ranging program, with the unmanned components of it being arguably the most important in terms of a future growth vector. Lockheed has already been leveraging efforts to modernize the F-22, which so far do involve a major redesign of that aircraft, to support work related to NGAD. Highly notional USAF concept art of a lower-cost next-generation fighter aircraft. (USAF) When asked about how the NGAD technologies and their migration would be funded and the confidence the company has in integrating them into the F-35, Taiclet gave a lot more detail regarding what this could actually look like: We have 70,000 engineers and scientists in the company working on really interesting stuff all the time. And some of the fifth-gen plus solution set is already being funded by the US government and the F-35 program itself. There are components, some of which are classified, so I cant really specify them. But key techniques, Ill say, and approaches that a fighter pilot needs to have to be competitive and win, Ill just kind of talk to those in general, you can be assured that we are investing and the government is investing together in these things. Some of these elements are, again, through the F-35 program as it stands today. Some of it was our government-funded investment in R&D for NGAD, just the competitive process, was funded for both Lockheed Martin and Boeing over a period of years by the government. And we made independent investments along the way, too, in both of those programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So theres not a clean percentage, but theres co-investment between the US government, our allies, and Lockheed Martin in the technologies Im speaking to. And having done this myself when I was younger, these things are really important. So one is sensing the enemy at a distance greater than they can sense you. And so those kind of categories are radar, theyre passive infrared. And passive infrared is really important because if Im transmitting radar, that means somebody elses electronic warfare receiver can see me. And then they can maybe shoot me. So the better I have infrared, which is passive, we can sense that, and the best radar on top of that. Those kinds of sensors are really, really critical because I explained this in a meeting with the White House. Presidents like, dogfights are not what we want anymore in air-to-air combat. We want to shoot the other guys, as I said before, if he even knows were there. And you do that, first of all, with the critical sensors to find them. Then you make sure they cant find you. And thats the stealth technology. And theres some techniques that weve used for our NGAD offering that can be applied, whether theyre materials, theyre geometries, theyre countermeasures for stealth. So no, I cant be seen. Thats the first part of the equation. The second part of the equation is you want to have a tracking system and a weapon that can go farther and hit the enemy plane before they can ever even reach you with their weapon. And so there are techniques and capabilities we delivered with NGAD, our NGAD bid that were developed for that, that we can now apply here. So its an F-35. So were basically going take the chassis and turn it into a Ferrari. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its like a NASCAR upgrade, so to speak, where we could take the F-35, apply some of those co-funded technologies both from NGAD and the F-35 program, and youre going to have, again, my challenge to my aeronautics team is lets get 80% of sixth gen capability at half the price. Thats something that these are engineers, they wouldnt have agreed to this if they didnt think there was a path to get there. Thats something were going go out and do. And this is this best value approach that weve been kind of working our way towards that at Lockheed Martin over the last four or five years. How do we get best value to the customer who has a limited budget and an increasing threat? We use these digital technologies. We apply something from one system to another, and we actually try to create that best value equation. Its a little kind of not uncomfortable, but novel for our industry to think that way. But we are thinking that way. And value is important and maybe as or more important than the highest technology available. Its got to be scalable, its got to be affordable, its got to work every time. And so thats what were after. Taken as a whole, the worlds largest defense contractor has now doubled down on its F-35, which could look quite different than it does today, at least in concept, in the not-too-distant future. As to if tweaking the Joint Strike Fighter into something that comes close to rivaling a decades newer design tailored to future threats, well have to wait and see, but fulfilling on that claim will be a very tall order. Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com People line up at a voting center of Australia's federal election in Canberra, Australia, May 3, 2025. Australia's election day has arrived with millions of voters expected to cast their ballots to decide the composition of the 48th federal parliament. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua) CANBERRA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Early voting began in Australia's general election on Tuesday, with about half of the country's 18 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots before election day on May 3. Hundreds of early voting centers across Australia opened their doors from 8:30 a.m. local time as the election campaign entered its final stretch. The proportion of Australians choosing to vote early, either in person or by post, has steadily increased at recent federal elections from under 20 percent in 2004 to almost 50 percent in 2022. Voting in elections is mandatory for over 18 million citizens aged 18 and over who are enrolled to do so with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). According to the AEC, eligible voter enrollment for the May 3 election is a record-high 98.2 percent. Although millions of votes will be cast early, AEC staff cannot start counting any ballots until polls close at 6 p.m. local time on May 3. Jill Sheppard, a senior lecturer in politics and international relations at the Australian National University, said that the rise in early voting could be attributed to the convenience of pre-polling as well as growing disengagement among voters with political parties and campaigns. This photo shows the Australian Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, May 3, 2025. Australia's election day has arrived with millions of voters expected to cast their ballots to decide the composition of the 48th federal parliament. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua) Citizens register at a voting center of Australia's federal election in Sydney, Australia, May 3, 2025. Australia's election day has arrived with millions of voters expected to cast their ballots to decide the composition of the 48th federal parliament. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) Voters are seen at a voting center of Australia's federal election in Sydney, Australia, May 3, 2025. Australia's election day has arrived with millions of voters expected to cast their ballots to decide the composition of the 48th federal parliament. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) A citizen casts her ballot at a voting center of Australia's federal election in Sydney, Australia, May 3, 2025. Australia's election day has arrived with millions of voters expected to cast their ballots to decide the composition of the 48th federal parliament. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) Voters are seen at a voting center of Australia's federal election in Sydney, Australia, May 3, 2025. Australia's election day has arrived with millions of voters expected to cast their ballots to decide the composition of the 48th federal parliament. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) SAN JUAN Regularly scheduled Mass on Monday took on a special meaning following the death of Pope Francis for the dozens of Catholic churchgoers who filled the pews of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle. Catholics in the Rio Grande Valley regular congregants and less frequent attendees joined the millions of Texans to mourn Pope Francis who died Monday at the age of 88. Catholics represent the largest religious group in the state and, among the faithful, Francis is remembered as a forward-thinking and polarizing figure. For the Valley residents who visited the basilica to pay their respects, Francis was a leader of the people and someone who created a more welcoming environment in the Catholic Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think it's a global loss," said Rodrigo Garcia, a 54-year-old man from Brownsville who refers to himself as a progressive Catholic. "Pope Francis was an individual that cared for everyone and was more reformed than most other leaders in our world today," Garcia said. "I'd say he had an open heart, an open mind and was inclusive for all peoples of all practices from all parts of the world." Ill be honest with you, I am more of a progressive Roman Catholic, more in my, you know, life practices more so than in my ritualistic attendance. I feel like I have more of a moral standard and perhaps less as an attending Catholic," said Rodrigo Garcia, 53, at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle in San Juan on Monday. "Without a doubt this leader [Pope Francis] needed to at least have one more prayer from myself and my family. Credit: Gabriel V. Cardenas for The Texas Tribune Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was notable for his focus on caring for the poor and disenfranchised. But some of his stances upset some conservative Catholics, including his criticism of capitalist economic systems and remarks on the LGBTQ community. In 2013, he famously said "Who am I to judge?" In response to questions about a purportedly gay priest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madeleine Croll, a 44-year-old transgender woman in McAllen, calls herself a Catholic in exile but said that Francis gave her hope that she'd someday feel welcome to celebrate the Mass again as her authentic self. Croll was raised in the Catholic Church. Her mother originally intended to become a nun and, before transitioning, Croll had contemplated taking the holy orders, a sacrament taken to be ordained as a bishop, priest or deacon. She emphasized that she was raised in the Catholic social justice tradition lifting up the downtrodden and in Francis she recognized what she felt her faith was supposed to be. His Holiness has left a profound legacy, using his voice to focus the ministry of Holy Mother Church to care for the least of us, reminding all Christians of our obligations to all Gods children," said Madeleine Croll, 44, of Pope Francis at her home in McAllen on Monday." He kept the door to our Fathers House open to all, and I pray we heed his wisdom in this time of great need. Credit: Gabriel V. Cardenas for The Texas Tribune "I thought that his humility was inspiring and his concern for the least of us, essentially, was what I always thought should have been the focus," Croll said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the church's stance on some subjects evolved during Francis' papacy, he maintained traditional views on subjects like abortion and the celibacy requirement for priests. Gov. Greg Abbott praised the late popes quiet strength and servants heart in a statement posted on X. He was a bold and unwavering voice in defense of life, championing the unborn, the vulnerable, and the marginalized with conviction and compassion, Abbott said. Outside the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle in San Juan, Maria Candelaria Palacios, 75, said that Pope Francis messages helped her change her mind about how she judged people, such as members of the LGBTQ community or the people who are divorced. Just because they [the LGBTQ community] are different does not mean that we are going to set them aside or marginalize them. Credit: Gabriel V. Cardenas for The Texas Tribune Because of his focus on the marginalized, Francis represented the teachings of Jesus Christ for Maria Candelaria Palacios, a 75-year-old woman from Las Milpas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also prompted a change in perspective for her because of his acceptance of people who are divorced and those in the LGBTQ community. "He said he's no one to judge and we're no one to judge our brothers," Palacios said. "And that we're all children of God." Francis, who became pope in 2013, had chronic lung disease and was admitted to the hospital in February for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He had not yet fully recovered when he suffered a stroke on Monday that placed him into a coma and led to heart failure, Vatican officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite being gone, Garcia expressed optimism that people will carry on Francis teachings through their everyday actions. "I trust that we've all learned something from him, and we can all somehow contribute to making his life a tribute in our actions, our words, our thoughts," Garcia said. Inside and outside the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle in San Juan on Monday. Francis, the first Latin American pope, died Monday at age 88. Credit: Gabriel V. Cardenas for The Texas Tribune Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. 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. Clarification, April 22, 2025 at 1:13 p.m. : A previous version of this story previously said Catholics make up the second largest religious group in Texas. While there are more evangelical protestants than Catholics in Texas, they are made up of subgroups which include Baptists, Methodists and Episcopalians. Catholics are the single largest religious group. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque is the fifth largest base in the United States Air Force, and one of the crown jewels of national security. This week, two guests from KAFB join Chris and Gabby to explain some of the critical missions happening on base. Ever wonder about KAFBs economic impact in New Mexico? Colonel Jason Okumura, Commander of the 377th Mission Support Group at Kirtland AFB, and Chief Master Sgt. Justin Romo, the 377th Air Base Wing Inspector General and Wing Staff Agency SEL, explains how the 52,000-acre base supports roughly 25,000 military and civilian personnel. Listeners can also learn more about the publics upcoming chance to get up close and personal with aircraft at Kirtlands first air show in six years. The Kirtland Air Fiesta takes place from May 31 to June 1, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What should people expect to see? And what makes Albuquerque such a unique training environment for pilots? Those questions and more are addressed in the full interview above. Stay informed with the latest news by subscribing to the New Mexico News Insiders podcast wherever you listen. Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others. You can also watch our podcasts in video form, both on-air and online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQEs YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13. Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term KRQE or New Mexico News Insiders (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) checked Fox News Will Cain on Monday after the host revealed that he was unfamiliar with a clip of President Donald Trump sharing his hopes to send U.S. citizens to prisons in El Salvador. Donald Trumps made a statement about wanting to deport American citizens? Do you have that in front of you? Cain asked. Ive not seen that statement. Can you please quote where that comes from that he would like to deport American citizens? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frost the first Generation Z congressman noted that Trump made the remarks in the Oval Office. The president was caught on camera earlier this month telling Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele that homegrowns are next. Cain, shaking his head in disapproval, replied, Do you have anything besides your word on that? I have not seen I have not seen that so, beyond your word, do you have the source of that? Frost hit back, There is a clip online. I encourage people to just Google Donald Trump homegrown, deporting homegrown criminals. It was something he said in the Oval Office. Cain, who noted that his staff was looking for the clip and pushed the interview ahead, played a different video of Trump later in the program where he claimed hed like to include homegrown criminals in his deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After years of very fine people, among other hoaxes, Im suspicious of any Democrat quoting President Trump in full context, Cain stressed. And I make no apologies, none, on not being able to know or recall that specific clip because it doesnt reinforce my fever dream Handmaids Tale vision of America. Frost and three other Democratic lawmakers who arrived in El Salvador on Monday to push the Trump administration to fall in line with a Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father of three imprisoned in a brutal Salvadoran prison. Frost justified his visit on Fox News by noting that every person in America deserves due process before pointing to Trumps homegrowns comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that hes received hundreds of calls and messages from constituents including immigrants who see themselves in the case of Abrego Garcia, who lived in the U.S. for roughly 14 years before his deportation. Theyre saying, Congressman, do what you can now because its him today and it can be one of us tomorrow, Frost said. H/T: Mediaite Related... TASHKENT, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan implemented projects funded by foreign investment worth over 8.7 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2025, up 20 percent year on year, the press service of the Uzbek president said Monday. "Due to our country's active external policy and favorable business climate, the volumes of investments continue to grow steadily," the press service said in a statement. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Monday was briefed on foreign investments in the first quarter of this year. For 2025, the country expects to attract 42 billion dollars of foreign investment and implement 81 large, as well as 8,000 small and medium-sized projects, said the press office. ALBANY Gov. Kathy Hochul has something to celebrate, a poll actually suggesting more New Yorkers like her than dont but the same cannot be said for longtime Sen. Chuck Schumer, who notched his lowest rating in two decades. According to a newly released Siena College poll conducted last week, 44% of New Yorkers rated Hochul favorably, compared to 43% unfavorably. For the first time since January 2024, Hochul has a positive barely favorability rating, Siena poll spokesperson Steve Greenberg wrote in a statement. Gov. Kathy Hochul saw a +1% net favorability rating in Aprils Siena College poll, the first time shes had a positive net rating since January 2024. Robert Miller The governor saw her favorability tick up 4% from 40% in March and her unfavorability drop 7% from 50% in the same month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the silver lining, Hochuls polling still remains dismal overall. Just 39% of voters said they would vote for her over someone else if the election were held today, including just 51% of Democrats. The poll showed 48% prefer someone else. Just 41% of those polled indicated New York is on the right track versus heading in the wrong direction. Only 51% of Democrats said the state was on the right track. Hochul traded her usual putrid poll numbers with fellow statewide Democrat, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who posted his lowest favorability in 20 years. The governor saw her favorability tick up 4% from 40% in March, according to the data. Mike Guillen/NY Post Design 61% of respondents said that they support Hochuls hard line of requiring all school districts to restrict smartphone use by students in K-12 schools during the school day. Mike Guillen/NY Post Design Liberals appear to be turning their backs on the Senate minority leader after he caved and let a vote move forward on Republicans budget resolution last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A first in a Siena College poll: Schumer is 10 points underwater, with a plurality of voters viewing him unfavorably, Greenberg said. Schumer was rated 39% favorable and 49% unfavorable. While he continues to be viewed unfavorably by more than two-thirds of Republicans and a majority of independents, Schumer saw his standing with Democrats, particularly liberals, fall dramatically, Greenberg added. Longtime New York Sen. Chuck Schumer saw his lowest Siena poll favorability rating since 2005. Michael Nigro Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was rated 47% favorable and 33% unfavorable in the poll, with 64% favorability amongst Democrats. Getty Images While Schumer saw a dip, progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) saw the opposite. The Democratic Socialist pol was rated 47% favorable and 33% unfavorable in the poll, with 64% favorability amongst Democrats. While Schumers fifth term runs through 2028, Ocasio-Cortez has established herself as a New York Democrat to watch, Greenberg said. Gov. Kim Reynolds spoke about the state's flood emergency response and recovery efforts during a news conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston June 23, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 619 into law Tuesday, the bill providing funds for the states recovery efforts for 2024 floods and tornadoes as well as making changes to Iowas response system for future disasters. The bill provides $13.6 million from the Iowa Economic Emergency Fund retroactively for fiscal year 2025 for response efforts to severe flooding and tornadoes. Reynolds said in a statement the bill will help Iowans and communities recovering from the major disasters in the past year that impacted more than 5,000 homes across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tenacity of Iowans has been tested over the past year, Reynolds said in a statement. Our state faced devastating natural disasters in the spring of 2024strong tornadoes and widespread flooding affected tens of thousands of Iowa families. To put it in perspective, our state was granted three Presidential disaster declarations in just two months. During this time of recovery, our relief programs have proven vital for Iowa families and communities to regain their footing and restart their lives. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The legislation, introduced by the governor, was highlighted as one of her top priorities for the 2025 legislative session during her Condition of the State address in January. A majority of funding from the bill, $11.6 million, goes to the Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program launched by the state in July. The other $2 million goes to the Nuisance Property and Abandoned Building Fund, which helps tear down buildings that damaged beyond repair by natural disasters. The law also will extend tax exclusions for developers building new housing in areas impacted by recent natural disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure includes other components that Reynolds and lawmakers have said will help Iowa better respond to future natural disasters, including allowing the Iowa Department of Management to access 10% of the states Economic Emergency Fund each fiscal year for disaster recovery efforts when the governor issues a disaster proclamation. The legislation also establishes the Natural Hazard Mitigation Financing program, a new loan program through the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Iowa Finance Authority, to provide funding for ongoing risk mitigation projects that can help Iowa communities reduce damage in future severe weather events. There was some pushback in subcommittee meetings on a component of the bill requiring appraisers, independent adjusters and umpires to be licensed to assess property damages. Advocates representing parties involved in the industry said most states do not have licensure in this field and could lead to fewer independent adjusters and umpires the professionals who serve as a neutral party assessing damages and property value during insurance claim processes practicing in Iowa. The measure was not changed by lawmakers. The law is effective immediately. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE HONOLULU (KHON2) In recent weeks, the federal government has revoked thousands of international student visas across the country including several from the University of Hawaii at Manoa according to UH Chief Global Officer Brent White. It certainly is a concern among our international students, White said. We have less than five, so a few students in the UH system. And only a couple of those as current students. Man arrested, urns returned in Moiliili grave theft investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats out of the 1,700 international students enrolled at UH. International students must have a student visa to attend school in the U.S., with their student records and status kept in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS. Hawaiis problem with failed businesses: 13 facts from new study According to White, visa termination usually happens when a student doesnt take a full course load as required or if they withdraw from their program. Facial recognition at airports: 9 things to know before you get in line But in the cases were seeing the government go in and terminate SEVIS records for often unknown reasons, he explained. But sometimes traffic violations parking tickets. Other types of very minor arrests that would not typically result in a revocation of a student visa, much less the termination of the record. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Many students at UH said its unfair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It kind of almost angers me and its really confusing, student Johnathan Escasa said. Fellow UH student Tai Lee shared similar sentiments. 7 secrets behind the worlds most celebrated hula Its very upsetting that students who had the ability to come here are getting their ability now revoked, Lee said. White said they are doing everything in their power to support the students whose visas have been revoked. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news We meet with them personally, understand their particular circumstance and conduct them with counsel in town to represent them as appropriate, White said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several lawsuits have been filed on the mainland with courts ordering the government to reinstate visas or student status. For now, White said the federal government has paused further visa revocations. But Congresswoman Jill Tokuda said its already creating unease among international students. When I asked them do you feel safe coming home or coming to the United States to study, no one said, Yes,' Tokuda explained. And every student I spoke to from another country at first were very hesitant to reply but they said right now they dont think its safe for them to come to the United States. And thats a really sad statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. A group of researchers says it has identified a hidden reason we use Google for nearly all web searches: Weve never given other options a real shot. Their research experiment suggests that Google is overwhelmingly popular partly because we believe its the best, whether thats true or not. Its like a preference for your favorite soda. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And their research suggested that our mass devotion to googling can be altered with habit-changing techniques, including by bribing people to try search alternatives to see what they are like. How to persuade people to try something other than Google is an imperative in the trial that started Monday to undo Googles illegal monopoly in web search, the companys best-known product. (Google said it plans to appeal the decision that it broke the law.) Some of the government authorities that successfully sued Google were inspired by the research. That means you could soon be paid to try Microsoft Bing or another alternative. - - - Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bribing people to try Bing actually worked About 9 out of every 10 web searches we do is through Google, according to 2020 figures cited in the monopoly ruling against Google last year. We use the next closest competitor, Bing, for just 6 percent of searches. So a group of academics - from Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania and MIT - designed a novel experiment to try to figure out what might shake up Googles popularity. They recruited nearly 2,500 paid participants and remotely monitored their web searches on computers for months. The core of the experiment was paying some participants- most received $10 - to use Bing rather than Google for two weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After that period, the money stopped, and the participants had to pick either Bing or Google. The vast majority in the group of people who were paid to use Bing for 14 days chose to go back to Google once the payments stopped, suggesting a strong preference for Google even after trying an alternative. But a healthy number that group - about 22 percent - chose Bing and were still using it many weeks later. The size of those Bing choosers surprised the researchers, according to one of them, Leon Musolff, an assistant professor in business economics and public policy at the University of Pennsylvania. He told me that their findings could be summed up by a quote from one of the Bing-trying participants: I realized Bing was not as bad as I thought it was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Microsoft declined to comment. (Under the companys rewards program, you can earn gift cards for using Microsoft products, including Bing. Its laborious.) The researchers concluded that we have little personal experience to challenge our belief that Google is the best. When people tried another option, the researchers said, it made a meaningful change in some of their search habits and reduced their perception of Googles superiority. The researchers did not test other search engines. Some of the academics have worked for Microsofts research division, but Musolff said that didnt influence the experiment. - - - Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Translating the research into real life While this was just one imperfect research experiment, the government took notice. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser (D), who is leading the group of states that sued Google alongside the Justice Department, said the research helped inspire a demand by the states to fix Googles search monopoly. They asked a judge to require Google to bankroll a consumer information campaign about web search alternatives, including short-term incentive payments. The government is also demanding more dramatic changes to Google, including a sale of its Chrome web browser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company says that Google search is superior because of its investments and innovation and that people use Google because they want to, not because they have to. As the study shows, forcing people to use an inferior search engine would create a bad experience for everyone, said Julie Tarallo McAlister, a Google spokesperson. The company also pointed out that the research experiment estimated that if people were automatically funneled to Bing instead of Google, it would cause a large reduction in consumer surplus. (In non-economics speak: People would hate it.) But the researchers had a novel two-part suggestion to blunt Googles search dominance while still keeping us happy: Nudge you to try an alternative to Google for a while and then make an informed choice of Google or something else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That still wouldnt be bad for Google. The researchers estimated that after the two-stage suggestion, wed still use Google for nearly 75 percent of web searches. Thats huge, though its less than the roughly 90 percent now. If you use Google search, as I do, maybe all these tactics to persuade you to switch seem artificial and manipulative. Yup. Google has lost three out of three major monopoly lawsuits in the United States - in web search, its advertising technology for websites and its Android app store. (Google has appealed or said it will appeal them all.) A conclusion of the cases, as one judge said last year, is that the world as it exists today is the product of monopolistic conduct. The question for courts, and us, is how to alter a world skewed by Googles declared monopolies. It might take unnatural acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - - - One tiny win As the research experiment found, many people dont know much about alternatives to Google and dont bother considering them. In the researchers words, we tend to be inattentive about search engines. (In normal human words, we dont wake up every day thinking about which search engine to use.) You may not always realize youre using Google, either. The company pays about $26 billion a year so that you automatically search with Google when you use your iPhone or Mac, Samsung phone and Firefox web browser. Inertia is hard to overcome, and the judge who said Google cheated to win our affection in web search zeroed in on the effects of those payments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I encourage you to join me in a two-week (unpaid) experiment mirroring the research: Change your standard search engine to something other than Google and see whether you like it. Im going with DuckDuckGo, a privacy-focused web search engine that uses Bings technology. To change your search engine if you use the Chrome web browser: Click the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of your screen and pick Settings. Choose search engine and pick one of the listed options. Or follow these instructions to change the standard search option away from Google on an iPhone or Android phone: For iPhone: Tap on Settings > Scroll down and tap on Safari > Tap on Search Engine > Make your choice For Android: Go to Chrome > Tap on the three-dot menu button > Tap on Settings > Tap on Search Engine > Make your choice > You may also need to replace your home screen search box. Return to home, long press on the Google widget and tap Remove. > Tap on the Play Store and search for your chosen search engine, such as DuckDuckGo > Install DuckDuckGos app > Go back to your home screen. Tap and long press to edit it, then tap Widgets > Search for DuckDuckGo and tap on its search bar widget > Tap and hold on the new search bar to drag it to your home screen. Related Content Freedom Riders faced a mob at this bus station. DOGE wanted to sell it. The Abrego Garcia case: A timeline and assessment of key documents Trump brushes aside courts attempts to limit his power Apr. 21SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration is shifting its approach to housing issues, moving a state Office of Housing from the Governor's Office to the state labor department and parting ways with the governor's housing policy adviser. Amid a recent surge in housing and rent prices, the governor described the move as a way to increase the effectiveness of state housing initiatives. "New Mexico has devoted a significant amount of money to solving its housing challenges, and it is essential that this investment leads to tangible progress as soon as possible," Lujan Grisham said in a Monday statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor, who is currently in Asia leading a two-week trade mission, created the state Office of Housing administratively last year after a bill seeking to establish the office stalled at the Roundhouse. Similar legislation also failed during this year's 60-day session, though lawmakers appropriated $110 million to support affordable housing and transitional housing efforts during this year's legislative session. Legislators also approved funding for housing-related initiatives for individuals with opioid use disorder and senior citizens. In addition, $5 million was earmarked for local government responses to homeless encampments. Just days after the session ended, however, Lujan Grisham fired Daniel Werwath, who had been the governor's housing policy adviser since January 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Lujan Grisham spokesman did not provide a reason Monday for the split, but issued a statement acknowledging the work of Werwath, whose last day was April 3. "Gov. Lujan Grisham appreciates Daniel's contributions in developing housing policy for New Mexico, including crafting financing proposals and working with the Legislature," the governor's spokesman Michael Coleman said. "The governor thanks Daniel for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavors," Coleman added. Lujan Grisham has repeatedly expressed frustration about homelessness in New Mexico, and has indicated the state could take on a larger role as a housing provider for homeless individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Legislature has balked at some of her proposals, including a plan that would have made panhandling at some medians a crime. The governor's latest action will place the Office of Housing under the purview of the state Workforce Solutions Department, though the arrangement could be temporary. The office's four current staffers will make a recommendation in the coming months about where the office should be permanently located, the Governor's Office said. In the meantime, Workforce Solutions Secretary Sarita Nair said the new arrangement would allow for more accountability and collaboration. "Across the state, businesses, job seekers and our own staff tell us that one of New Mexico's biggest workforce challenges is the housing shortage," said Nair. Photo via Getty Images A measure that would have waived certain state regulations to allow data centers and other large industrial energy users to build small nuclear reactors in rural Arizona was vetoed last week by Gov. Katie Hobbs. I am supportive of conversations around the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including the potential deployment of small modular reactors that may help address generation capacity concerns, Hobbs wrote in her veto letter. Unfortunately, this bill puts the cart before the horse by providing broad exemptions for a technology that has yet to be commercially operationalized anywhere in this nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX House Bill 2774 would have let large industrial energy users build a small modular nuclear reactor in their facility without having to get a certificate of environmental compatibility. And in rural Arizona, they would also be exempt from local zoning restrictions. Governor Hobbs veto is misguided and demonstrates that she does not understand the intent or potential benefits of the bill, House Majority Leader Michael Carbone, the bills sponsor, said in an email to the Arizona Mirror. Carbone said he intends to evaluate all options going forward and is likely to bring the issue back in a new form next session. Even if that new iteration doesnt win Hobbs approval, he said it will set the stage for when we have a Governor who is willing to support jobs and economies in rural Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, it seems our current Governor is unwilling to fight for rural jobs in Arizona, Carbone, R-Buckeye, added. Nuclear reactor advocacy groups have raised more than $1.5 billion to push for these style of reactors amid the ongoing AI boom. Generative artificial intelligence, like Chat GPT, is generally only possible with large amounts of power and the use of data centers. Other states, including neighboring Utah, are also investigating the use of small nuclear reactors, often called SMRs for short. (SMR stands for small modular reactor, and the industry largely downplays the fact that the reactors are nuclear powered.) Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen also recently joined in a lawsuit with other state lawmakers and energy companies to limit the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions authority over the technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nuclear energy and deregulating its use has become a major focus of the administration of President Donald Trump with some critics voicing concerns that the fast-tracking of new nuclear technologies could lead to dangerous results. In response to those concerns and criticisms, Carbone said that this new technology will be coming and that large industrial users will likely be the ones who will see the most benefit from its development. They need to start planning now for the future energy demand theyll need in 10-15 years, he said. Thats what this bill was about. Carbone added that Hobbs veto was shortsighted due to how tech companies, mainly those focused on AI, are already looking at nuclear energy for their future energy demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im optimistic and would rather have all planning options on the table and to be prepared in all possible scenarios, than close the door on a future potential opportunity to bring new jobs and rural economic development to Arizona, he said. There are currently no SMRs in operation anywhere in the United States, and the few American projects have been marred by high costs or have been outright terminated. SMR technology is still relatively new and the few operational SMRs that exist are significantly different from those used on naval vessels. Groups like the Union of Concerned Scientists have said that many of the perceived benefits have either not been proven or are not true at all. For example, there are still debates about what to do with waste created by nuclear facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates for their use have said Arizonas burgeoning semiconductor industry, led by the promise of a $100 billion investment by chip manufacturer TSMC in Arizona, will significantly increase energy demands and would benefit from the technology. We may see a trend where large energy users will have to bring their own generation resources to the table if they want to ensure their projects move forward on time, Carbone said when asked how Arizona and its growing tech sector may mature. The public policy focus, he said, should be on allowing for speedy deployment of resources to allow the sector to keep up with future demand. My bill provided a framework for how we can accomplish rapid speed and state-level permitting reform for all future energy projects in our state, regardless of generation type, he said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Gov. Brian Kemp gives remarks before signing new lawsuit limits into law at the state Capitol Monday. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder Gov. Brian Kemp signed new lawsuit award limits into law Monday that he argues will bring balance to Georgias legal environment and send relief to the states businesses. The signing marks the end of a bruising fight at the state Capitol with both sides of the aisle feeling the fallout. But the debate over whether the pair of bills will help rein in costs rages on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both of these bills accomplished our goal of leveling the playing field in Georgias courtrooms and ensuring our business environment remains the best in the nation, Kemp said in remarks at the state Capitol Monday. (They) simply bring transparency and fairness to a process that has been abused for too long, that has driven up costs for businesses and consumers alike, he added. Some of the bills biggest supporters caution that it will take time for that relief to come. Gov. Brian Kemp hands a pen to Sen. John F. Kennedy, a Macon Republican who was the lead sponsor of the bills overhauling Georgias civil litigation system. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce said he believed the changes would help the states small businesses and health care providers, especially in rural communities but not overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not an easy fix. Its not going to lower rates for everybody tomorrow, Clark said Monday. But if it can stabilize them, I think thats a huge win. Insurance Commissioner John King, a Republican who is seen as a potential U.S. Senate candidate, said Monday that he expects to see reduced rates. If not, King said he wants to hear insurers explain why rates are not decreasing. Weve expended so much political currency in getting this done. Now I expect insurance companies to meet us in the middle, King said. In January, Kemp pledged to drag lawmakers back to Atlanta for a special session if meaningful, impactful changes were not made to the states civil litigation system. At one point, the governors top aide said the governors war chest would be used to back primary challengers for GOP defectors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, the votes did not fall neatly along party lines, with eight Republican lawmakers in the House voting against Senate Bill 68, which contained the bulk of the changes. It just barely cleared the House with a 91-82 vote after some changes were made. The main bill includes provisions that would limit owners liability for injuries that occur on their property, restrict damages awarded for medical bills, and enable trials to more easily be split into multiple stages so that juries can determine liability and damages separately. Georgia Democrats blasted Mondays bill signing. Congratulations to Brian Kemp for threatening and arm-twisting his way to the signing of his number one priority this year: shielding insurance companies from accountability to Georgians in court, said Matthew Wilson, who is serving as interim chair of the Democratic Party Georgia and who is also a trial lawyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Tanya Miller, an Atlanta Democrat and an attorney who was a leading voice of opposition to the bills this session, said Monday that if insurance rates do stabilize, it wont be because the state limited lawsuits in Georgia. Miller called the Kemp-backed package a manufactured solution to a manufactured problem. The truth is, this so-called reform was never about solving a real problem, Miller said. The tort reform campaign has long been run on half-truths, selective anecdotes, and outright misinformation. There was no crisis in our judicial system, and no credible data supports the claim that injured citizens seeking justice in a court of law caused insurance premiums to spike. The bill had faced opposition from crime victims and their families and the trial attorneys who represent them. In the House, the bill was changed to carve out greater protections for survivors of human trafficking, but lawmakers did not extend similar protections to other child, elderly and sexual assault victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics had argued that the last-minute changes didnt go far enough. Our laws should stand up for injured Georgians, not give big corporations a free pass for turning a blind eye, said Rep. Stacey Evans, an Atlanta Democrat and an attorney who also helped lead the Democratic opposition to the bill. In the House, the focus on insurance rates will continue this year. House Speaker Jon Burns last week announced the creation of a blue-ribbon study committee on insurance rates. Throughout the interim, the House will take another look at something thats important: a close look at our states insurance markets and premiums to ensure that our fellow Georgians and companies of every size have access to coverage and are not being subjected to unjustified rate increases, Burns said in remarks at Mondays bill signing ceremony. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Arizonans described Pope Francis as a compassionate leader whose focus on the marginalized reshaped the Catholic Church and resonated far beyond its walls. His death April 21 at age 88 due to stroke and heart failure followed weeks of hospitalization for double pneumonia and kidney failure. Francis led the Catholic Church for more than a decade. His death came just one day after his final public appearance on Easter Sunday in St. Peters Square. He was the first Jesuit and first Latin American pontiff, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His death prompted reflections from political and spiritual leaders across Arizona. Here are some of their remembrances. Rep. Juan Ciscomani: "This morning, Laura and I mourn the passing of Pope Francis. We join alongside millions around the world in prayer as we commend his soul to the Lord. May he rest in peace." Phoenix Bishop John Dolan: With deep sorrow, yet with enduring hope in the Resurrection, we mourn the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. He was a man who listened truly listened not only to the faithful within the Church, but to people of all faiths and goodwill. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego: I want to offer my deep condolences to Arizonas Catholic community, nearly 2 million strong. Pope Francis was more than the head of the Catholic Church he was a lifelong unwavering advocate for human rights and an exemplary example of how to use ones life to do good. We are a better people because of his works and deeds. U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego: Sydney and I had the honor of meeting Pope Francis his grace, compassion and humility left a mark on both of us. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy of service live on. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs: I join Catholics across Arizona, and the world, in mourning the death of Pope Francis. He led the Church with humility and dignity and was a voice for those who too often have none. We can all learn from his message of compassion and empathy for the least among us. U.S. Senator Mark Kelly : "Pope Francis's compassion and humility was an inspiration for Christians everywhere, and he never shied away from using his voice to speak up for those in need. As a Catholic, I took that as an example to follow, and I still do. May he rest in peace." SS. Simon and Jude Cathedral: With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to His Holiness Pope Francis, a shepherd of the Church whose devotion and leadership inspired millions across the globe. His unwavering faith, commitment to peace, and tireless service to humanity will never be forgotten. St. Mary's Basilica: "May our Holy Father rest in eternal peace. With great sadness, we enter into this period of mourning for our beloved Pope Francis, yet we do so full of Resurrection hope and joy." This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona politicians, spiritual leaders memorialize Pope Francis KANSAS CITY, Mo. A man has been charged in connection with the accidental shooting death of a 2-year-old in Jackson County. Ronald Lewis, 23, of Grandview, has been charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, according to charging documents filed April 16. If convicted, he could face three to ten years in prison. One in critical condition after shooting in Midtown According to court records, Lewis told Kansas City police he was watching the 2-year-old, when the child found a gun under a pillow on the couch and accidentally shot himself. The child was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis is accused of causing the childs death by placing the child near a loaded gun and failing to monitor the childs actions. A warrant for his arrest was issued on April 16. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said Tuesday afternoon that Lewis has been arrested and is being held on a $30,000 bond. The death of this child is a heartbreaking tragedy and one that was entirely preventable, Johnson said. Firearms are one of the leading causes of death among children. Gun owners have a responsibility to ensure deadly weapons never fall into the hands of children. Properly securing firearms and using gun locks is not just a recommendation, its a matter of life and death. Gun owners will be held accountable when their carelessness leads to devastating tragedies like this one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She shared the following gun safety recommendations: Use safes or lockboxes to store unloaded guns. Ammunition should be locked away separately. Use gun locks Childrens Mercy has free gun locks available at all their locations, no questions asked. Call 816-234-1607. The Kansas City Police Department also offers free gun locks. Talk with your children about guns and teach them about gun safety. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. SHANGHAI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- As China actively promotes its "debut economy" to spur consumption, more international luxury brands are seizing the opportunity to open new stores, host exclusive events and launch new products in the world's second-largest consumer market. Along Shanghai's iconic Huangpu River, century-old Italian luxury brand Loro Piana is hosting its first-ever exhibition anywhere in the world, including Italy, titled "If You Know, You Know. Loro Piana's Quest for Excellence." Spanning more than 1,000 square meters across three exhibition halls, this immersive exhibition is also the first exhibition featuring traditional crafts and fashion brands for the Museum of Art Pudong. "As an international city, Shanghai has always been at the forefront of the global fashion and luxury industry," said Zheng Jianhua, managing director of Loro Piana China, when commenting on the exhibition's location. Shanghai is not only an important gateway for brands to enter the Chinese market, but also a significant stage for luxury brands to innovate and launch new products globally, Zheng said. Zheng additionally highlighted the importance of the Chinese market and hailed its policies for further opening up and improving the business environment. "The Chinese market is crucial for Loro Piana," she said. "China's policies to stabilize foreign investment in recent years have further boosted our confidence in this market." Zheng was optimistic about the brand's future in China and noted that the brand is glad to see and support the "debut-economy" strategy. The "debut economy" is an innovation in business models and also an important manifestation of global brands' deepening integration with the Chinese market, she said. Loro Piana is not alone in capitalizing on the "debut economy." In Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province in southwest China, luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co. has opened its newly refurbished triplex flagship store, the first in the country, exemplifying its commitment to the Chinese market. This store includes the only Tiffany's watch salon in China. Earlier this year, Italian luxury outerwear group Moncler opened two new boutiques in Shanghai and Hangzhou, both in east China, respectively, to strengthen its presence in this major global luxury market. French luxury fashion house Celine is another example worth mentioning here, having recently launched a pop-up event showcasing its Summer 2025 collection at a store in Shanghai. The five-week event, which began in mid-April, is expected to attract over 15,000 visitors. "The Chinese market means a lot to us, especially Shanghai," said Wang Weimo of Celine, while also revealing that this pop-up event can offer tax refund services to international consumers. Many top fashion brands have seen promising results from the "debut economy," with social media buzz and high foot traffic translating into robust sales. In recent years, the "debut economy" has emerged as a key driver of consumption in China. This concept encompasses product launches, flagship store openings, new service roll-outs, and the creation of innovative business models and technologies. China's policymakers made the "debut economy" a 2025 priority at the Central Economic Work Conference in December last year. This strategic focus aims to upgrade consumption quality and accelerate industrial transformation, with regional governments in China already implementing supportive measures. Earlier this month, Shanghai held a special event to promote the "debut economy" and consumption of high-end consumer brands. The "debut economy" is an important measure to expand domestic demand and boost consumption, said Liu Min, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce. Shanghai's latest policies to spur the "debut economy" include support for exhibitions, customs clearance facilitation, and financial incentives, thus further optimizing the environment for global new product launches. "We hope that more brands will establish a long-term presence in Shanghai, starting with a new product launch or debut show, followed by opening first stores and ultimately setting up headquarters here to expand globally," Liu added. Greece has welcomed the return of ancient artefacts from the Acropolis, furthering a campaign to press the British Museum to hand back a collection of sculptures taken from the ancient site in Athens more than 200 years ago. Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni led a ceremony Friday for the repatriation of three sculpture fragments representing a horse and two male heads from the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis which had been kept at the Vatican Museums. The fragments will be added to the collection at the Acropolis Museum. Renewed pressure on British Museum The Vatican called the return an ecumenical donation to Greeces Orthodox Church, but the gesture added pressure on the UK to reach a settlement with Greece following a long-running campaign launched by Athens 40 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Culture Minister said Greece would be willing to lend the British Museum ancient Greek artefacts for exhibition to fill the gap" if it returned the collection known as the Elgin Marbles. Carved in the 5th century BC, the sculptures from the Parthenon were taken in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin before Greece won independence from the Ottoman Empire. Greece argues that the Parthenon sculptures are at the core of its ancient heritage, while supporters of the British Museum maintain that their return could undermine museum collections and cultural diversity globally. Related Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Culture Ministry officials in Greece have played down remarks made last month by British Museum chair George Osborne that the UK and Greece were working on an arrangement to display the Parthenon Marbles in both London and Athens. Last year another marble sculptural fragment from the Parthenon temple depicting a foot of the ancient Greek goddess Artemis was returned to Athens from a museum in Palermo, Sicily. Bishop Brian Farrell, a Vatican secretary for promoting Christian unity, headed the visiting delegation to Athens and said the return of the three fragments from the Vatican had been discussed during a visit to Athens by Pope Francis in 2021. Democratic lawmakers this month reintroduced a Green Amendment to the Wisconsin constitution that would formalize peoples rights to a clean, safe, and healthy environment. The bill comes as there is deep gridlock at the state capitol, which is a barrier to our rights to clean water protection. The Green Amendment is a sign that we need a path forward to meaningfully address critical water issues in Wisconsin. The good news is that many voters in Wisconsin have already voted for their desire for the state to recognize their rights to a clean environment. When put on ballot, voters consistently support clean water Clean Water Now referendums in 2021 and 2022 showed strong, nonpartisan success when voters were directly asked on their ballots how much they care about Wisconsins water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: MPS is on the brink of collapse. New board leader shouldn't be chosen in secrecy. The question was simple: "Should the State of Wisconsin establish a right to clean water to protect human health, the environment, and the diverse cultural and natural heritage of Wisconsin?" Heres what happened: In the spring of 2021, voters in the counties of Marquette (73%), Portage (77%) and Wood (76%) approved referendums. In the spring of 2022, voters in the counties of Eau Claire (79%) and La Crosse (86%) followed suit. In the fall of 2022, voters in the counties of Adams (79.7%), Bayfield (80%), Green (84%), Juneau (79.6%), and Outagamie (79.5%) also approved referendums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County governments have stepped up to pass resolutions in support, too: Monroe County in 2022; Ashland and Marinette counties in 2023. When voters are asked if they believe in the right to clean water, they vote yes in strong numbers that transcend political party lines. However, through a bad deal with Gov. Evers over shared revenue funding, state legislators took away citizens rights to add advisory referendums to local ballots. Though state leaders took away our right to voice our opinions directly on our ballots, they cant deny the overwhelming, nonpartisan success of the Clean Water Now referendums or our basic right to clean water. We don't need to pass Green Amendment to take action now The people of Wisconsin dont have to wait for the passage of a Green Amendment to make progress on protecting Wisconsins clean water and heritage of our beloved natural spaces. Our next state budget has several key issues legislators can support for the health of people and our environment, such as: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PFAS pollution, including the $143.6 million in Evers' proposal for the DNR to support PFAS monitoring and remediation across Wisconsin. PFAS is truly a statewide problem that impacts peoples drinking water in big cities and small towns alike. Lead pipes, where the budget allocates $200 million to support lead service line replacement through the DNRs Safe Drinking Water Loan program as well as $725.9 million in revenue bonds that will fund state match requirements and expand loan opportunities through the Drinking Water Loan Program and the Clean Water Fund Program. Stewardship of land and water with legislators having the power to renew and fund the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program which is wildly popular across the political spectrum of voters. Opinion: Changes to Social Security would cost average Wisconsin resident $7,000 a year While we wait for a Green Amendment, we need legislators to take action today to protect our drinking water and respect what voters across party lines support. Allison Werner is executive director of the River Alliance of Wisconsin. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Lawmakers need to support clean environment in state budget | Opinion Cole Brunner was supposed to cross the graduation stage this spring with his best friend, Teagan Pope. Now, Brunner plans to graduate alone after losing his friend to an accidental overdose. Brunner and Pope grew up in different California beach towns before they met as freshmen at the University of Utah. The pair quickly bonded over their mutual love for surfing and skateboarding. "Honestly, he was like the closest friend I've ever had, which is crazy because I didn't know him for my whole life, but it definitely felt like it," said Brunner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brunner describes Pope as having a loving family, large friend group and a bright future. But Pope also suffered from poor mental health, leading him to self-medicate with illegal substances. He received psychiatric care and was treated in a rehabilitation center but still struggled to overcome the addiction completely. In November 2024, Pope died by accidental overdose after taking a counterfeit pill made of bromazolam and oxycodone. He was 22 years old. Brunner says the overdose happened at a party where naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication, was likely nearby and available, but no one helped Pope. "It was really sad," said Brunner. "The (people he was with) were too scared to call the ambulance ... so they left him where he was for at least, like, six hours or something. I have no idea who they were, but they had Narcan in the room, I'm like 90% sure. They were all just too high and scared to use it." Teagan Pope grew up in Solana Beach, Calif., and loved surfing. Pope died by accidental overdose in November 2024; he was 22 years old. | Cole Brunner In the midst of learning how to navigate grief as a young college student, Brunner decided to take action to honor Pope's memory in the months following his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He launched "SafeSteps: Rise Against Risk," an initiative to promote overdose awareness and harm reduction for University of Utah students. The initiative focuses on educating students on how to use naloxone, something he believes would have saved Pope's life if those around him were able to use it. SafeSteps also focuses on advocating for policy change to allow greater naloxone access and spreading information to students about legal protections like the Good Samaritan law a law that protects individuals from being liable for damages caused when providing emergency care, like administering naloxone. A 2014 amendment to the Utah criminal code also protects people who are using an illegal substance and call first responders to report an overdose. SafeSteps specifically works with incoming freshmen and students in fraternities, where Brunner says many have a higher risk of being exposed to drug use. "I just wanted to send a message that if you do go to use, be educated. And if you're not going to use, help support other students instead of running away from actually helping them," he said. "In our friend group, they all kind of never thought (someone) would have died from this stuff. I caught on early that he was using way more than just for fun, and it hurt to watch, seeing him like that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 1, Brunner held a memorial for Pope at the University of Utah, in collaboration with the Center for Campus Wellness, during the university's overdose prevention week. At the event, students received training on how to administer naloxone from a university health educator and discussed resources for those struggling with substance use. The memorial was centered around using skateboarding one of Brunner's and Pope's shared hobbies to cope with anxiety and stress. Brunner commissioned specialized skateboard decks and bracelets for Pope's family and friends and distributed custom playing cards designed to raise awareness. "I wanted to do something for him, something cool to honor him," Brunner said. "I ordered like 20 skateboard decks with his name on them ... for close friends that knew him that wanted one, and the school helped me out with that. (We were) pushing a message at that event to find other natural highs, like skateboarding. Being from California, it's in our DNA to surf and skate. It's just something we bonded over and something, I think, that did help him when he was using." As Brunner continues his advocacy for overdose prevention, he wants to focus on encouraging others to find their natural high or passion in life. National drug prevention nonprofit Natural High advocates for this method of coping, citing an Icelandic case study that showed substituting a hobby like dance or art in place of drugs and alcohol helped teens better cope with life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reflecting on his experience, Brunner says he still grapples with the pain of losing a friend to a drug overdose at such a young age and not having many resources available to cope with the loss. "I really only talked to him when I was going through stuff, so it was a real eye-opener for (me) ... to enjoy every moment. We had so many great moments, like looking back, I don't regret anything," he said. Brunner invites all Utahns to join him in advocating for improved overdose prevention education. More information on his efforts to share opioid safety awareness can be found on Brunners LinkedIn profile. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Visitors to the Grotto in Portland reacted to the news of Pope Franciss passing, saying they were surprised to learn he died but were not entirely shocked given his recent health struggles. Pope Francis did make an appearance and offer a blessing on Easter Sunday, the holiest day in the Catholic religion. Visitors to the Grotto said they are sad to lose the Pope, but it is a special time of year in the faith to die. READ MORE: Vatican releases cause of death for Pope Francis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visitor George Krantz said he will remember Pope Francis as a holy man of prayer who fought for the little guy. Its like my spiritual father died in the world, he said. So we need mourn and yet be joyful, because we know hes going in the right direction when he dies. Peter Smith with the Archdiocese of Portland earned the title of Bishop thanks to an appointment from Pope Francis himself. Smith said it came as a surprise, but one that has left him grateful. Reflecting on the Popes legacy, Smith said his pastoral approach offered something for everyonereligious or not. The heart of mercy that he had really opened peoples hearts, opened peoples minds to what he had to say, and perhaps caused a lot more of them to take seriously the message that he had, he said. So I think that that approach opened a lot of doors, for him in that sense, and the impact that he had in society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All flags at public institutions in Oregon are being flown at half-staff in line with an order from President Trump. In a statement, Gov. Tina Kotek said, I mourn the passing of a champion for the poor, for climate action, and for a more just and inclusive world. His guidance in this moment of human history will be missed. Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. Parents sought after toddler suffered severe brain injury from fentanyl overdose Barbara Stoltenberg stopped by the Grotto Monday and said she is praying for the pope, and for the church going forward. He started a lot of conversations, a lot of people asking a lot of questions, Stoltenberg said. And whenever they ask good questions, good comes from it, because people are searching out answers. And I love that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 is a Jubilee Year, a celebration that happens every 25 years in the Catholic Church, and Pope Francis had declared this as the Year of Hope. The Grotto is designated as a Jubilee Pilgrimage site, so people from all over the world are invited to visit the spot and celebrate the Year of Hope. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. UPDATE (April 23, 2025, 11:09 a.m. ET): A Louisiana judge found Kseniia Petrovas deportation legally deficient at a preliminary immigration hearing Tuesday, her lawyer told NBC News. According to her attorney, the judge said the governments notice to appear did not meet legal standards and gave the government a week to file additional documentation to support its case. A follow-up hearing has been scheduled for July 22 to determine if the case can proceed. Petrovas attorney is pushing for her release in the meantime. A hearing on Petrovas visa cancellation and initial detention in Vermont is still scheduled for May 14 in Burlington. The future of a potentially groundbreaking cancer detection tool hangs in the balance, as the only scientist able to unlock its full potential sits inside a Louisiana immigration detention center, awaiting possible deportation to Russia. Researchers at Harvard Medical Schools Kirschner Lab say they are unable to use their one-of-a-kind cancer-detecting microscope without Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born scientist who developed the computer scripts used to analyze its images. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. William Trim, a postdoctoral fellow who is a co-worker and housemate of Petrova, told NBC News that the 30-year-old Petrova plays an irreplaceable role in their research project. Im very confident she is the only way we can achieve the true potential of this microscope and the insights we could make, Trim said. Without her, I fully believe that all the insights into cures or fundamental biology that we could make will not be made. Kseniia Petrova. On Feb. 16, Petrova was detained by Customs and Border Protection at Bostons Logan International Airport after she arrived from France and failed to declare samples of frog embryos intended to be used in scientific research at Harvard.Gregory Romanovsky, Petrovas lawyer, said that CBP typically issues two penalties for such violations: the forfeiture of the items and a fine of $50 to $500. Instead, authorities canceled Petrovas J-1 scholar visa and sent her to a detention center hundreds of miles away. On Monday, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told NBC News that Petrova had been lawfully detained after lying to federal officers about carrying substances into the country. Patrova is now being held at Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana, and fighting possible deportation to Russia, where she said she fears persecution over her protests against the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Late last month, 17 senators, led by Adam Schiff of California, wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting Director Todd Lyons urging them to release Petrova. We are deeply concerned about the possibility that Petrova could face persecution if deported to Russia, the letter read. We urge the Administration to ensure full due process in her case and take all appropriate and necessary measures to ensure she is not deported to Russia. Romanovsky said his clients arrest appears to be part of a broader effort to create an unwelcoming and hostile environment for noncitizens. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has continued to target international students as part of its crackdown on immigration. At least 1,024 students at 160 institutions have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated since late March, according to The Associated Press.Dr. Leon Peshkin, a principal research scientist at Harvards Department of Systems Biology, told NBC News the Trump administrations policies are already discouraging international scientists from coming to Harvard. Im not concerned that it may, he said. I am horrified that it does. Petrova is scheduled for a hearing next month. Speaking to NBC News from the Louisiana facility, Petrova described the immigration bureaucracy as a grinding machine. We are in this machine, and it doesnt care if you have a visa, a green card, or any particular story, she continued. It just keeps going. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The U.S. Supreme Court. (File photo by Danielle E. Gaines/Maryland Matters) When the Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday in Mahmoud v. Taylor, it will be considering whether Montgomery County parents have a right, on religious grounds, to opt their children out of classes in county schools that use LGBTQ+ friendly books. But to the scores of religious, legal and educational groups across the country who have filed friend-of-the-court briefs, its a case with national implications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever rule the Court promulgates in this case will apply far beyond the circumstances of this dispute, says a 30-page brief filed on behalf of the School Superintendents Association, Consortium of State School Boards Associations, Council of the Great City Schools and National School Attorneys Association. That brief does not support either side in the dispute, but asks the justices to tread carefully. Most of the other briefs, however, are decidedly on one side or the other: With the parents who argue that the county policy infringes on their right to raise their children according to their religion, or with the school board that says the books are part of an inclusive curriculum and are not coercive or targeting any religion. The case began at the start of the 2022-23 school year, when the county unveiled a list of LGBTQ+-inclusive texts for use in the classroom, including books for grades as low as kindergarten and pre-K. After initially saying that parents could opt their children out of lessons that included those and other books, the school board reversed course in March 2023 and said opt-outs would not be allowed beginning in the 2023-24 school year. Parents are allowed to opt their children out of parts of sex education classes, but not other parts of the curriculum, like language arts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parents sued the school board in May 2023, saying the inability to opt their children out of the classes infringes on their First Amendment freedom of religion rights. They also wanted the schools to notify them when lessons involving the books were coming up, and to plan alternative lessons for their children. But school officials claim the books were not part of explicit instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in elementary school, and that no student or adult is asked to change how they feel about these issues. In its December filing that urged the Supreme Court to reject the case, the county said, MCPS (Montgomery County Public Schools) believes that representation in the curriculum creates and normalizes a fully inclusive environment for all students and supports a students ability to empathize, connect, and collaborate with diverse peers and encourages respect for all. It went on to say teachers are not permitted to use the storybooks to enforce a particular viewpoint. Lower courts have rejected the parents request for a preliminary injunction, with a divided panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the county policy did not have the coercion required to make it a burden on religious exercise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their petition to the Supreme Court, the parents cited a few of the elementary-aged books the school board includes as LGBTQ-inclusive and the guidance for teachers that went with each: Born Ready, a story about Penelope, a student who identifies as a boy. Teachers are told to instruct students that, at birth, doctors guess about our gender, but we know ourselves best; Love, Violet, a story about two young girls and their same-sex playground romance. Teachers are encouraged to have a think-aloud moment to ask students how it feels when they dont just like but like like someone; and Intersection Allies, a picture book for children to ponder what it means to be transgender or non-binary and asks, what pronouns fit you? Mark Graber, a regents professor at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey Law School in Baltimore, said in an interview Monday that a Supreme Court decision in favor of the petitioners, or parents, would create an administrative nightmare. There are a lot of religions out there. Schools have to figure out what violates religion, what parents they have to contact, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graber said the court will have to determine whether county teaches the topics as secular subjects. The parent has the right to go in and say, What are you teaching? Public schools can teach one plus one equals two, regardless of what your religion says about the simpleness of mathematics, he said. They can teach about different forms of couples, regardless of what religion says about the simpleness of different kinds of relationships. The crucial thing is public schools must teach it as secular, he said. They may not praise or condemn any religion for holding opinions consistent with the public schools, or inconsistent. Even though parents have lost in lower courts on their preliminary injunction request, Graber said it makes senses for them to press the case with the current Supreme Court, given the justices openness to free exercise claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court has been extraordinarily sympathetic to free exercise claims brought by evangelical Christians, he said. They think they got the most sympathetic court theyve ever had, so why not [petition the court]? Case is very important The fact the high court will be hearing the case based only on an undeveloped and untested, preliminary injunction record, and not hearings on the full merits of case in lower courts, was concerning to the school groups that filed the brief in support of neither side of the case. There are great risks presented by asking the Court to potentially adopt new rules for evaluating Free Exercise claims or constitutionalizing notice and opt out requirements, said the brief from the School Superintendents Association, Consortium of State School Boards Associations, Council of the Great City Schools and National School Attorneys Association. One other brief that supports neither side in the dispute came from the California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials (CAPEEM), a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that focuses on eradicating the disparaging treatment of Hinduism in that states public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organizations brief proposes the court adopt a four-part test to determine if school policies violate free exercise rights: Does the curriculum material negate religious beliefs or practices?; does the curriculum material itself or the process through which it was adopted reflect targeted hostility toward religion or a particular religion?; does the material or the adoption process lack neutrality toward a particular religion?; and is the curriculum material coercive? The outcome of this case is going to clearly affect my clients rights, but whatever test the court comes up with we have ideas in what would make sense in litigating the case, Glenn Katon, counsel representing CAPEEM, said in an interview Monday. Were not there to help either party. Were there to try and get the court to adopt the test that makes sense, that will help Hindus get treated fairly in California, he said. This case is very important for schools in California [and] even across the country. Two people were shot Monday in Exposition Park, police confirmed to KTLA. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to reports of the shooting in the area of Western Avenue and Exposition Boulevard just after 4:30 p.m. At the scene, police located two gunshot victims, described by police as a young man, approximately 20-years-old in unknown condition and a man between the ages of 30 and 40 who was not conscious but was breathing, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier reports from officials suggested that the young man was a teenager. His exact age, nor identity has been released. Both victims were rushed to the hospital by paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department, where the elder of the two victims was pronounced dead. A teenage boy and an adult male were rushed to the hospital after gunfire erupted in Exposition Park April 21, 2025. (Citizen) A teenage boy and an adult male were rushed to the hospital after gunfire erupted in Exposition Park April 21, 2025. (Citizen) A teenage boy and an adult male were rushed to the hospital after gunfire erupted in Exposition Park April 21, 2025. (Citizen) Aerial footage of the scene showed a heavy presence of police with the intersection cordoned off for first responders. In footage posted to the Citizen app, investigators appeared to be concentrated at the Expo/Western Metro stop. Police said that a suspect, described only as a Hispanic male, fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intersection was expected to remain closed for several hours while police investigate. In an alert posted to social media, Metro officials said on the E Line buses will replace trains between Expo/Vermont and Expo/Crenshaw stations due to the police activity. Additionally, trains will turn back to Santa Monica at Expo/Crenshaw and back to East L.A. at Expo/Vermont. Line 207 buses, according to Metro, will be detouring from Western to Normandie between Jefferson and MLK. Trains are now running between Expo/Crenshaw and Expo/Vermont in both directions but Expo/Western Station remains closed due to police activity. To reach Expo/Western, please use bus shuttles from Expo/Crenshaw and Expo/Vermont, Metro said in an update. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect new reporting on the younger victims age. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gunmen killed at least 26 people and injured a dozen others in the disputed Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, a rare assault on tourists in an area fraught by decades of insurgency and opposition to Indias rule. The devastating massacre targeted sightseers in a popular tourist destination in Pahalgam, in the mountainous Anantnag district, and is the regions worst assault on civilians in years. Most of the 26 people killed are understood to be travelers. While authorities investigate the attack, tensions are rising between India and its neighbor. Despite Pakistan denying that it had any role in the attack, Indias Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in a Wednesday press conference that cross-border linkages of the terrorist act had been brought out during a special meeting of his countrys security cabinet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the victims was a Nepali national, and another person of Indian origin who works in the Middle East, V K Birdi, inspector general of police in Kashmir, told CNN. Misri added that in addition to the Nepali citizen killed, the other 25 victims of the attack were Indian. Birdi told CNN that the attack took place in a part of the Baisaran Valley which is only accessible by foot or on horseback. The assault unfolded in a meadow, with mountainous ridges nearby, that stretched several miles without any car roads, he said. Survivors described horror as the attack unfolded and a bloody scene wrought by the gunmen. One eyewitness told the news agency Press Trust of India that unidentified gunmen opened fire on the tourists from close range. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack, one woman survivor said, according to PTI. Another survivor, Asavari Jagdale, told PTI the gunmen came into the tent where her family was hiding. The attackers accused the family hailing from Indias western Pune city of supporting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before shooting Jagdales male relatives, including her father, she said. Local resident Abdul Waheed told CNN he jumped on his pony to help transport the injured back to areas where they could be driven to the hospital, and enlisted others in his local pony association to help. For those who were too injured, they used makeshift cots to carry them down the valley. I saw people crying, screaming, just lying in the aftermath of the attack. There were children, women, men, everyone, he said. It was a massive trauma. I did not sleep all night. Stop terrorism A little-known militant group called The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack on social media, voicing discontent at outsiders who had settled in the region and caused a demographic change. It did not provide evidence, and CNN cannot independently verify its claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birdi told CNN authorities were aware the group had claimed responsibility, but said they were still investigating the matter. As of Wednesday, authorities had carried out medical examinations on the victims, and flown the bodies of the deceased to their home states. Some funerals were held, including that of an Indian Navy Lieutenant who was visiting the destination with his wife. On Wednesday evening, police in Kashmir announced a reward of 2 million Indian rupees ($23,433) for any information leading to the neutralization of the terrorists involved in this cowardly act. The picturesque Himalayan region, administered in part by both India and Pakistan though still disputed by both sides, is often rife with violence and has a heavy security presence but attacks on tourists are rare. It is an implicit sort of contract between the local population and the militant groups that the tourist trade will not be undermined because almost everyone in Kashmir, especially in the Valley, is directly or indirectly dependent on the tourism industry, said counter-terrorism expert and author Ajai Sahni. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Tuesday night, outraged residents had gathered in the region to protest. Videos of the protest show a crowd chanting slogans, holding candles and signs that read: Stop terrorism. Other signs called for the resignation of Indian home affairs minister, Amit Shah. Tourists were also scrambling to leave the region, with airlines putting on extra flights. Residents shout slogans during a protest in Srinagar, in Jammu and Kashmir on April 23. - Mukhtar Khan/AP A man who was injured in the attack receives treatment in a hospital in the mountainous Anantnag district on April 22. - Reuters Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed, Indian leader Modi wrote on X. Following the attack, Modi cut short his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia after meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Indias defense minister Rajnath Singh called the attack religiously targeted and cowardly on Wednesday, adding that the Indian government will take appropriate action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Indian Army corps responsible for military operations in the area of the attack said a search operation was underway to bring the attackers to justice. Shah, the home minister, arrived in the region on Tuesday and chaired a high-level security meeting, his office said. India has long accused Pakistan of harboring Islamist militant groups that target Kashmir, something Islamabad denies. Attacks by militants have in the past led to a sharp escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, both of whom have rival claims to the Himalayan region. India conducted air strikes inside Pakistan in 2019 following an insurgent attack on Indian soldiers. A spokesperson from Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended condolences to the victims, adding: We are concerned at the loss of tourists lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The attack came a day after US Vice President JD Vance arrived in India for a visit with his family. On Tuesday, he shared condolences on X, writing: Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US President Donald Trump also condemned the attack, expressing US solidarity with India against terrorism and calling Modi to convey his condolences, according to Indian authorities. Other leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Iran, France, Italy and the UAE also expressed condemnation. A restive region Claimed in its entirety by both India and Pakistan, the mountainous Kashmir region has been at the epicenter of an often-violent territorial struggle between the countries for more than 70 years. The region is one of the worlds most dangerous flashpoints, and a de facto border called the Line of Control divides the areas overseen by New Delhi and Islamabad. Throughout the past two decades, several domestic militant groups, demanding either independence for Kashmir or for the area to become part of Pakistan, have fought Indian security forces, with tens of thousands of people killed in the violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violence surged in 2018, and the Indian government took greater control of the region in 2019 amid a heavy military presence and a monthslong communications blackout. While the Indian government has said that militancy has since been reduced, attacks continue to plague the region. Security personnel patrol a street the morning after the attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 23. - Dar Yasin/AP On Tuesday, a regional spokesperson from Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Pakistan of fueling terrorism in the region, and called the attack an outcome of Pakistans frustration. Pakistan and its proxies are unable to digest the return of peace and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. They want to stifle growth and plunge the region back into fear. But we wont allow that to happen, Altaf Thakur said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pakistans defense minister Khawaja Asif denied any link to the attack. We have nothing to do with this, and we do not support terrorism anywhere, he said in a TV interview with a Pakistani news outlet. Pakistan has denied that it had any role in the attack, but Indias foreign secretary announced a number of measures against Islamabad at Wednesday nights briefing, after Modi chaired a high-level security briefing where cross border linkages of the terrorist act were brought out, Misri said. A significant water-sharing treaty between India and Pakistan will be suspended with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably renounces its support for cross-border terrorism, the foreign secretary announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pakistani nationals in India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, a scheme that allows professionals, including dignitaries, judges, parliamentarians, and journalists to enter member states visa-free, must now leave the country within 48 hours, he continued. In addition, military, naval and air advisors from the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi must now leave India within the next week, having been declared persona non grata, Misri added. India will also withdraw its military advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad and a key trading check-post between the two nations will be closed, he said. After Misris announcement, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that his countrys National Security Committee will meet on Thursday to respond to the measures. Pakistans Minister of Energy, Awais Leghari, said in a statement that Indias reckless suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is an act of water warfare; a cowardly, illegal move. Every drop is ours by right, and we will defend it with full force legally, politically, and globally. Terror has no religion Local Kashmiris are fearful of a growing anti-Kashmiri and anti-Muslim sentiment brewing on social media and in statements made on national news channels. All of Kashmir is in grief and shock, terror has no religion, these haunting images will remain etched in our collective memory, but we are being defamed, Nasir Khuehami of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association told CNN Wednesday from Srinagar, the largest city in Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmiris have always faced violence and we know what it is like to lose a father or son, we empathize with these families, he said, adding he has been receiving messages from Kashmiri students across the country who are afraid of being attacked. Sahni, the counter-terrorism expert, said the attack would likely fuel both sides celebrated as a triumph by Islamist extremists, and feeding fear and Islamophobia among Indias majority Hindu population, thus deepening already-fraught tensions between the two faiths. Since this has been an attack specifically on Hindu tourists, so once again it will feed into the communal narrative on both sides, she added. Pahalgam lies on a major pilgrimage route, known as the Amarnath Yatra, which takes place every year and has been exposed to previous attacks. Thousands of tourists flock to Kashmir during its peak season each year, which runs from March to August. The last major attack on tourists in the region took place in June. At least nine people were killed and 33 others injured when a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims plunged into a gorge, after suspected militants fired on the vehicle. This story has been updated with additional information. Correction: This story has been updated to correct the reward to 2 million Indian rupees ($23,433). Mukhtar Ahmad reported from Kashmir, Esha Mitra reported from New Delhi, Sophia Saifi reported from Islamabad and Kara Fox wrote from London. CNNs Catherine Nicholls contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com As part of its annual Earth Day celebration, H-E-B will give away 274,000 free reusable bags to customers across Texas. One random customer from each store will also be selected to receive an annual Texas State Parks pass. Here's what we know. Where and how to get a free Earth Day bag Beginning at 8 a.m., customers at any H-E-B, Central Market, Joe Vs Smart Shop, or Mi Tienda location will receive a complimentary Earth Day bag while supplies last. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years bag features a nostalgic postcard-style design showcasing Galveston Island State Park. Its the second in a three-part series. Additional bags will be available for purchase at $1.50 each. This years free reusable bag from H-E-B features a nostalgic postcard-style design showcasing Galveston Island State Park. Since 2008, the Texas-based grocery store has given out more than 3.2 million reusable bags, according to a release from the company. The retailer is also the retailer is sponsoring the Trash Free Gulf campaign, which gives Texans an opportunity to participate in over 80 litter cleanups in every major watershed and along the coastline to work towards a Trash Free Gulf, according to the release. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Earth Day 2025: H-E-B to give out free reusable bags in Texas In some parts of the world, a person may be secreted away or imprisoned by the government without any advanced notification of wrongdoing or chance to make a defense. This has not been lawful in the United States from its very inception, or in many other countries where the rule of law and respect for individual civil rights are paramount. The legal doctrine of habeas corpus, a Latin phrase that has its American roots in English law as early as the 12th century, stands as a barrier to unlawful arrest. In its essence, habeas corpus protects any person, whether citizen or not, from being illegally confined. Habeas corpus is Latin for you shall have the body and requires a judge literally to have the body of any incarcerated person brought physically forward so that the legality of their detention may be assessed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is why habeas, sometimes also called the Great Writ, is front and center right now in many of the lawsuits challenging the Trump administrations arrest and deportation of noncitizen students, scholars, humanitarian refugees and others. In an April 7, 2025, decision in a habeas corpus case brought by lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union representing Venezuelans who faced deportation, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the government must give those it aims to deport the opportunity to legally challenge their removal from the U.S. This chance for due process when deprived of liberty is what habeas corpus is and does. Since then, several federal judges have issued habeas writs blocking certain deportations from the U.S. and even movement of potential deportees from one state to another. The rapid deportation to El Salvador of noncitizens from the U.S. has sparked public concern about deportees ability to challenge the move. Dominic Gwinn, Middle East Image / Middle East Images via AFP Habeas corpuss deep roots The idea that no person shall be deprived unjustly of liberty formally dates to the 39th Clause of the Magna Carta signed by Englands King John in 1215. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Magna Carta itself was, as the U.K. parliament describes it, the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law. Although the writ originally was a means of enforcing the kings power over his subjects, as noted by the Supreme Court in reviewing the writs long history, English judges over time issued habeas corpus to enforce the Kings prerogative to inquire into the authority of a jailer to hold a prisoner. The idea crossed the ocean to play an important part in the formation of the U.S. constitutional form of democracy. As the Supreme Court emphasized in a 2008 case holding that the habeas corpus privilege existed even for aliens designated as enemy combatants and detained at Guantanamo Bay: Protection for the privilege of habeas corpus was one of the few safeguards of liberty specified in a Constitution that, at the outset, had no Bill of Rights. In the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789, which created lower federal courts following the ratification of the Constitution, Congress gave immediate power to the federal courts to issue habeas corpus relief. Read more: Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans to El Salvador sparks legal questions likely to reach the Supreme Court Congress expanded the right in 1867 to permit habeas corpus challenges to unlawful actions by state and local officials. This enabled people who were still held in slavery or indentured servitude, or otherwise detained in state jails, to seek release in federal court. This legislation also established the framework, still recognized today, for state prisoners to attack the constitutionality of their state convictions in federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States and some tribes also have their own habeas corpus statutes. Congress also extended habeas to allow federal challenges to detention by tribal officials via the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, which made many of the constitutional rights held by individuals applicable to official action by federally recognized Native American tribes. In fact, habeas corpus is the sole remedy under the Indian Civil Rights Act for challenging any of the enumerated rights in that act. When is habeas corpus used? The principal use of habeas corpus, historically and in more modern times, has been to seek release of persons held in actual, physical custody in prison or jail, as Justice Hugo Black wrote in a 1962 Supreme Court opinion. Its scope extends well beyond imprisonment, however. Habeas has been the vehicle for challenging interference with child custodial rights, involuntary commitment to inpatient treatment or psychiatric care, military induction, restrictive conditions of pretrial release, probation or parole, and banishment from tribal lands, to name a few examples. Besides securing the physical release of imprisoned persons, habeas corpus may result in dismissal of criminal charges, new trials or appeals, the appointment of legal counsel, and court orders directing remediation of cruel or inhumane conditions of confinement. The idea that no person shall be deprived unjustly of liberty formally dates back to the 39th Clause of this document, the Magna Carta, signed by Englands King John in 1215. The National Archives Critical safeguard of liberty Detained individuals have been blocked from using habeas corpus less than a handful of times in American history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the words of the Constitutions Article I, which governs congressional power: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it. For example, it was suspended by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War; in Hawaii after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor; during rebellions in 11 South Carolina counties overtaken by the Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction in the years just after the Civil War; and in certain provinces of the U.S.-controlled Philippines in 1905. Significantly, however, habeas relief has remained vital to challenges to presidential orders and congressional enactments even during times of war and other national security concerns. The Supreme Court reaffirmed the validity of using habeas corpus in many efforts to suspend or limit the writ in cases stemming from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November 2001, President George W. Bush issued a military order authorizing the indefinite detention of noncitizens suspected of being connected to terrorism. Under that order, Yaser Hamdi, who was an American citizen, was detained in U.S. military facilities without being charged, without legal counsel or the possibility of court hearings after being accused of fighting for the Taliban against the United States. In a 2004 ruling on Hamdis case against the government, the Supreme Court upheld the right of every American citizen to use habeas corpus, even when declared to be an enemy combatant. The court later ruled that Congress efforts to impose similar limits with respect to noncitizens being detained at Guantanamo Bay under the Military Commissions Act of 2006 were an unconstitutional abridgment of habeas corpus rights. In the 2004 landmark case of Rasul v. Bush, the Supreme Court reaffirmed limits on when habeas corpus can be suspended and when it cannot. The justices said that even foreign detainees captured in countries around the world and brought to Guantanamo Bay on suspected ties to terrorism had the right to challenge their detention in U.S. courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As these cases affirm, Neither citizenship nor territoriality have been determined to be essential to the exercise of the writ. Habeas corpus is a critical safeguard of liberty. In the words of Chief Justice John Marshall in the seminal 1803 case, Marbury v. Madison, the very essence of civil liberty is the right to claim the protection of the laws, whenever he receives an injury. 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: Andrea Seielstad, University of Dayton Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrea Seielstad 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. UNITED NATIONS, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A UN spokesman on Monday raised concern over U.S. airstrikes on Yemen's oil port of Ras Isa, where five aid workers were among the hundreds of casualties. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, also voiced concern over the Houthi's attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping. "We note with continued concern the airstrikes conducted by the United States on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen over the course of (Thursday and Friday) in and around the port of Ras Isa," Dujarric said during a regular briefing. "Our humanitarian colleagues say that five humanitarian workers were confirmed injured in those strikes on Ras Isa port." He said initial reports counted more than 230 casualties, including 80 people killed. A fire at the port was reported extinguished only on Monday morning, although there remains deep concern over reports of fuel leaking into the Red Sea. "We also remain deeply concerned about the ongoing missile and drone strikes conducted by the Houthis against Israel and in the Red Sea and call on the Houthis to cease such attacks immediately," Dujarric said. "We also reiterate the call for utmost restraint and a cessation of all military activities in and around Yemen." The spokesman said that any additional escalation may further destabilize Yemen and the region "and pose grave risks to the already dire humanitarian situation." He said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that assistance was immediately mobilized after the airstrikes to support local health facilities, including health, trauma and emergency surgery centers and surgical supplies. The UN mission, supporting the Hodeidah Agreement, patrolled Ras Isa port, reporting significant structural damage to the port and destruction of facilities. Dujarric told reporters that the UN mission, known as UNMHA, also plans to send a patrol to assess the situation in the nearby Hodeidah port. "The mission is actively engaging with stakeholders to foster dialogue and explore solutions to de-escalate the situation in the Hodeidah governorate," he said. "We emphasize that international law, including international humanitarian law as applicable, must be respected at all times, and appeal to all to respect and protect civilians as well as civilian infrastructure." Dujarric also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN and other personnel arbitrarily detained by the Houthis. Last month, the secretary-general called for the release of 23 UN staffers held by "the de facto authorities in Yemen." The special envoy of the secretary-general for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, called on Sunday for credible guarantees to protect the Red Sea from becoming a prolonged arena of conflict, deeming such assurances as essential, not just for global security, but to keep Yemen from sliding further away from peace. HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) A federal grand jury in Springfield indicted a Hadley man on Tuesday for the alleged possession of explosives and ammunition while convicted as a felon. Charging documents stated that on April 8, 2025, law enforcement searched the home of 43-year-old Jacob D. Miller of Hadley. They found approximately 50 rounds of Federal brand .45 auto 230 grain ammunition, six firearms, explosive materials, hazardous chemicals, and radioactive materials including plutonium. Two women arrested after shoplifting at Hadley JC Penny Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidence presented at Millers detention hearing following this search alleged that Miller had a long-standing obsession with explosives and radioactive substances since at least 2002. During that year, police searched his prior residence and found blasting caps, bomb-making instructions, military equipment, a rocket launcher, and a homemade pipe bomb. They also found a video of Miller igniting several of these explosive devices, including one he referred to as a hand grenade. Miller was convicted in February 2004 in Hampshire Superior Court of two counts of possession of an explosive device and sentenced to two and a half years in jail and ten years of probation. In a separate case, he was also convicted of one count of possession of child pornography and sentenced to seven years of probation. Due to his prior convictions, Miller is prohibited from possessing any firearms, ammunition, or explosives. Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice. Court records stated that while still on probation in 2014, Miller received a cease-and-desist letter from the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program after they found he was selling depleted uranium on eBay. While Miller claimed he stopped these activities, he allegedly launched an online business called Collect the Periodic Table, where he sold radioactive materials, including Plutonium-239, which he had allegedly derived from Cold War-era Soviet smoke detectors. Between June and October of 2023, Miller also allegedly sold plutonium at least five times via PayPal, and additional plutonium sale records were recovered during the 2025 search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records further stated that in 2023, Miller allegedly had an associate purchase five pounds of hazardous black powder on his behalf and ship it to his Hadley residence. Witnesses reported that Miller allegedly used the powder to ignite a fireball and blow up a dishwasher in his backyard. Remnants of the shipment and multiple opened bottles of black powder were also found during this years search. The numerous hazardous substances seized from Millers home included fuels, alkali metals, acids, and toxic elements such as arsenic. MassDEP warns that these materials pose a significant danger to occupants and first responders, and the court ordered that MassDEP conduct a safety evaluation and oversee the removal of all materials from the residence. Miller was convicted on Tuesday of one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition and one count of being a felon in possession of explosive materials. He currently remains in federal custody as the court has taken pretrial detention under advisement. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. April 22 (UPI) -- Gang violence in Haiti has continued to further deteriorate the country's security and the crisis is reaching "a point of no return," according to the United Nations' top envoy for the Caribbean nation. Maria Isabel Salvador, the special representative of the U.N. Secretary-General for Haiti, issued her warning Monday during a Security Council briefing in New York City. She said that since she last spoke before the council in January the situation has further devolved, with gangs launching coordinated attacks to expand territorial control and undermine state security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She detailed attacks targeting Kenscoff, the last road out of the capital, Port-au-Prince, not fully under gang control, and advancements by gangs into the city's downtown areas. Attacks have also spread across the West, Center and Artibonite departments, which are similar states or provinces -- which Salvador described a part of a gang strategy to further stretch national security forces thin. There have been at least five prison breaks in under a year, she said, with more than 500 inmates recently freed as "part of a deliberate effort to entrench dominance, dismantle institutions and instill fear." "The scale and duration of this violence overwhelmed the Haitian National Police, despite support from the Armed Forces of Haiti and the Multinational Security Support Mission, further obstructing stabilization," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haiti has been facing spiraling gang violence since President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July 2021. Over the last year, there has been an increase in killings and kidnappings by criminal gangs due to Haiti's weak security situation and justice system, Human Rights Watch said in its annual report on the country. A transitional council has been created and the United Nations has authorized a Multinational Security Support Mission. However, a lack of funds and personnel has hampered the effort, according to HRW, which said gangs control about 85% of Port-au-Prince as well as other regions, including the West and Artibonite departments. Salvador said that over the months of February and March, 1,086 people were killed and another 383 were injured due to gang violence. Meanwhile, U.N. statistics show that 60,000 people were forcibly displaced during those two months -- on top of the 1.04 million people who had alredy been displaced multiple times as of January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These numbers are expected to rise, said Salvador as she called on the international community to step up its support for Haiti through increased funding and operational capacity for the MSSM. "Haiti could face total chaos and any delay in your support could be a direct cause of such stark deterioration," she said. "I urge you to remain engaged and answer the pressing needs of the country and its people." U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) speaks out against proposed cuts at the Social Security Administration during a rally in Detroit on April 4, 2025. | Kyle Davidson The field of Democrats seeking Michigans U.S. Senate seat next year has grown with the official announcement Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens that she is in the race with plans to fight what she called the Trump-Musk chaos agenda. Stevens, a Birmingham Democrat who has represented the 11th District in Congress since first winning election in 2018, spoke to the Michigan Advance ahead of Tuesdays formal announcement, saying her decision to run for Senate is centered on countering the actions of President Donald Trump and his ally, billionaire Elon Musk, that will have devastating consequences for Michiganders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have people who are worried about their earned benefits because Elon Musk said that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme, Stevens said. I have veterans who are reaching out to me asking if theyre going to get that earned benefit check, and this is all coming at a time when costs are still going up and Trump and Musk are doing nothing to address rising costs. Stevens said her career has been defined by moments in which Michigan was in crisis, pointing to her role in the Obama administration as chief of staff to the federal auto bailout task force. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX When the auto industry was about to go belly up during the Great Recession, I stepped up to the plate tohelp save over 200,000 Michigan jobs, and we now find ourselves at another moment of, frankly, crisis because of the chaos and uncertainty coming from the Trump Musk administration, Stevens told the Advance, adding that those efforts have continued during her time in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I helped pass the Chips and Science Act when supply chain disruptions from COVID-19 were wreaking havoc on our automotive sector and automotive jobs. So, Im putting up my hand in this moment to do what I have always done, which is stand up for the people of Michigan, let people know I have their back and that I am eager to be their champion in the United States Senate. Stevens said. Rep. Haley Stevens meets with business owners in Farmington Hills, Jan. 23, 2024 | Stevens office photo Stevens is now the third Democrat to formally seek the opportunity to succeed U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.), who announced in January that he would not seek re-election. Peters had chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2024, which saw Democrats lose their majority. Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage this term and Michigans open Senate seat is considered a must win for both parties, with the National Republican Senatorial Committee listing it among their top three targets for 2026. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow was the first Democrat to announce, followed last week by former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed. Other potential candidates include former Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit). Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids). On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake) said last week he is once again a candidate for U.S. Senate. Other potential GOP candidates include U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Holland), state Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Coldwater), and former gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevens is known as a prodigious fundraiser, having defeated fellow Democrat, former U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, in the 2022 primary when redistricting placed them in the same district. The American Israel Political Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, spent heavily in support of Stevens in that race, and CNN reported earlier this month that the political action committee plans to do so again this year. Stevens also reported raising approximately $1.1 million in the first quarter of this year. With a recent Gallup Poll finding that just 21% of Democrats expressed sympathies for Israel, while nearly 60% were sympathetic toward the Palestinians, the Advance asked Stevens if having the support of AIPAC would be a benefit or a liability at a time of increased dissension within the Democratic Party over support for Israel. Let me be clear on where I am on this issue. I want to see the war in the Middle East end and I want to see the remaining hostages return home to their families. There are 59 hostages still in Gaza in tunnels, including one American. I am the co-chair of that hostage task force in the United States Congress given the work that I did to free Paul Whelan, Stevens said, referencing the former U.S. Marine from Novi who was detained by Russia in 2019 and held until his release last August. I want to see an enduring cease-fire that will allow for true peace for the Palestinian people and for Israel, who is our strongest and closest ally in the Middle East, she said. U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) called on voters to elect a pro-choice, pro-humanity, pro-voting rights, pro-equality candidate during an Aug. 16, 2024 campaign event in Birmingham support of U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkins Senate bid. | Kyle Davidson Democrats have occupied both of Michigans U.S. Senate seats for the last 25 years, a task that was tested in 2024, when now-U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) narrowly defeated Mike Rogers for the seat opened up with the retirement of Debbie Stabenow. With Rogers back in the hunt to try and make the second time the charm for the GOP, Stevens says she is the candidate most qualified to defeat a Republican in 2026 and keep the Democratic lock on the states Senate seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all know that Mike Rogers sold out Michigan. He left the state of Michigan and I will always have Michigans back and I will not let people down. I win for Michigan and I have won tough races at the federal level before. I have a very unique and special expertise in manufacturing and in Michigans manufacturing economy and workforce, Steven said, pointing to her Manufacturing Mondays program in which she visited manufacturers across her district on a weekly basis. I bring those experiences back to Congress with me to pass and write legislation and this is also what led me to write legislation to make sure that Black-owned businesses have access to business networks and supply chains, said Stevens. While Stevens said that opposing the economic policies of the Trump administration she believes will harm Michiganders will be a top priority, she also knows that offering voters a positive vision for the state is a key element toward victory. I tell people all the time that as a four-term sitting member of Congress, I get to go to the U.S. House of Representatives and brag about Michigan. There is so much for us to champion in the halls of federal policymaking, Stevens said. I want to take the Michigan way into the United States Senate to get things done, yes for our state, but also for our country. I am currently looking at how we can win the future and how we will win the future from a place called Michigan. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, a former Obama administration official who worked with the task force that rescued General Motors and what was then Chrysler from financial doom in 2009-10 and went on to flip a previously reliably Republican congressional district based in Oakland County in 2018, is running for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat. Stevens' formal entry into the race on April 22, which was widely expected, makes her the presumptive early favorite for the Democratic nomination next year to replace U.S. Sen. Gary Peters given her record of winning tough races, her ties to party powerbrokers and Michigan manufacturing, and a proven ability to raise campaign cash. "My life has been defined by moments when Michigan is either in crisis or facing a whole host of uncertainty," Stevens told the Free Press, saying the current circumstances see Republican President Donald Trump issuing "shoot-from-the-hip" tariffs that could cripple the state's all-important auto industry and Trump adviser Elon Musk issuing threats against Social Security and other guaranteed benefit programs. "Just as I did when I worked on the U.S. auto rescue and put up my hand to serve Michigan, I am putting up my hand once again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevens, who lives in Birmingham, joins a Democratic race that is already getting crowded, with state Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak and former Wayne County health director Dr. Abdul El-Sayed already announced, former state House Speaker Joe Tate of Detroit eyeing the race and state Attorney General Dana Nessel talked up by pundits as a possible candidate. But Stevens can claim a substantial amount of congressional experience and legislative acumen she helped write the law that led to substantial new investments in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing following the supply chain shortages created by COVID-19, for instance that the others can't. Michigan also hasn't elected a U.S. senator who hasn't come from the U.S. House since 1994, when Spencer Abraham, a former state Republican Party chairman, won a single term. Abraham is also the last Republican nominee to win a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, though the margin between the parties has been closing in recent elections. On April 14, Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of White Lake announced his candidacy for the open seat next year, having lost to Democratic former U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin last year in another open-seat U.S. Senate race by three-tenths of a percentage point, or about 19,000 votes out of some 5.6 million cast. A native Michigander who grew up in Rochester Hills and attended Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Stevens, 41, worked for both former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama's campaigns in 2008, prior to Obama's election as president. With GM and Chrysler teetering on the edge of financial collapse during the Great Recession, she joined Obama's auto task force as de facto chief of staff under so-called auto czar Steve Rattner. The group went on to develop a financing and structured bankruptcy process widely credited with saving both and staving off what were predicted to be far larger losses in the auto industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevens went on to work in creating training programs for advanced manufacturing and running a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) initiative with public schools before jumping into a race for a seat formerly held by U.S. Rep. Dave Trott, R-Birmingham, in 2018 in which she emerged from a six-person primary field and beat Republican Lena Epstein. She'd go on to win a surprisingly close race in 2020 over Eric Esshaki and then, in a newly drawn and more Democratic-leaning district in 2022, defeat fellow U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, in a divisive party primary en route to winning a third term. She declined to run for the seat being vacated by former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow in 2024, instead easily defeating Republican Nick Somberg, 58%-40%, in her U.S. House race. Through those runs, Stevens established herself as a strong campaigner and able fundraiser, pulling in nearly $6 million for her 2020 campaign and $5.6 million in '22. Already this campaign cycle, her U.S. House committee had raised $1.16 million, according to Federal Election Commission reports. In a two-minute-long video released along with Stevens' campaign launch, she talked up her Michigan roots which El-Sayed has done as well, with both apparently trying to draw a contrast with McMorrow, who is originally from New Jersey but has lived in Michigan for years and her pride in the state's auto industry, flashing the original keys to her first car, a used Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. "It meant more to me than just freedom, it meant I had a piece of Michigan," she says in the video. "You know, the Michigan that helped build this country. The Michigan that shaped me. It's not just what I sound like. It's who I am." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also takes the fight directly to Trump and Musk in the video, saying the new administration's "chaos and reckless tariffs are putting tens of thousands of Michigan jobs at risk," given the threat many auto industry officials and others say they could pose to the state. "Donald Trump says he couldn't care less if auto prices rise," she says. "Well as someone who has spent my time in Congress fighting for Michigan jobs, Michigan families and Michigan workers, I couldn't care more." Ideologically, Stevens has been a reliable Democratic vote throughout her tenure in Congress and a staunch supporter of abortion rights, though she is seen as a member of the party's more centrist mainstream than as taking more vocally and aggressively progressive positions. She has voiced support for an optional government-run health care plan members of the public could buy into. In the last Congress, which was led by a Republican majority, she had the highest score among Michigan Democrats in the House from the Center for Effective Lawmaking, a joint project between the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University scoring legislators based on the success or failure of measures they pass. In the current Congress, Stevens proposed legislation to block access to taxpayers' personal information by anyone who is not a civil servant and meets certain other criteria, a move intended to limit the scope of information available to Musk's new Department of Government Efficiency workers, who media reports have claimed could be gaining access to those records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevens' pro-manufacturing leanings could be a boon to her in any general election campaign in Michigan, particularly if Trump's tariffs result in a financial hit to the state's industries in the short term. But she may also face opposition from certain factions inside the Democratic Party, especially from younger voters and voters in the state's Arab-American and Muslim communities, who chastised Democratic former President Joe Biden's administration for not actively opposing Israel's counterattacks on Hamas in Gaza. Although that opposition to Democrats has quieted somewhat, especially with Trump talking about moving Palestinians out of Gaza altogether, Stevens could still see some opponents try to hit her for her vocal support of Israel's right to defend itself from aggression and the financial backing from the pro-Israel American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) she has received. Stevens, it should be noted, also urged a ceasefire in Gaza and an exchange of hostages, as well as arguing for a two-state solution to protect Palestinians and bring peace to the region. "I'm squarely focused on earning the votes of Michiganders and meeting people where they are," Stevens told the Free Press. "I plan to campaign everywhere in the state... going into neighborhoods, knocking on doors and connecting with the voters." Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on X @tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Democratic US Rep. Haley Stevens jumps into US Senate race Rep. Haley Stevens is making her long-awaited Senate bid in Michigan official with a nod to her first car. Im running for Senate because just like that day I got these keys to that old Cutlass, we have the power to chart our own path. Im proud of Michigan and Ill never get tired of saying it. It would be my honor to fight for you in the Senate, she said in a video announcement released Tuesday morning. Stevens is touting her background in the auto industry in the manufacturing-heavy state. Her announcement video features her role as a top aide on President Barack Obamas auto rescue task force and an old video of Obama talking about her. She's also suggesting shell emphasize an economic message in the race, saying that Michiganders are getting more chaos while facing higher prices and increased housing costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A prodigious fundraiser, Stevens had quietly been making moves this year toward a bid to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, but she'll be entering a crowded Democratic field to replace him. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow and Abdul El-Sayed, the former director of Wayne Countys Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services, are already running, with former Michigan state House Speaker Joe Tate also expected to declare his candidacy. Other top-tier Democrats like former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet opted not to join the race, leading many Democrats to see the contest as wide open. Stevens is now likely to occupy a more centrist lane in the race compared to her declared and expected competitors, drawing from her current position as the current chair of the political arm of the New Democrat Coalition. El-Sayed and McMorrow have positioned themselves as political outsiders, with El-Sayed winning the endorsement of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). She has previously backed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, while other Democrats like McMorrow have openly said they would oppose him continuing in his leadership role over his handling of a GOP-backed government funding bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevens is no stranger to tough races. She flipped a seat in Detroits northwestern suburbs in 2018, though redistricting after 2020 made it bluer. That redistricting cycle then forced her into a bruising member-on-member primary against Rep. Andy Levin, a member of a storied Michigan political dynasty. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee spent heavily for Stevens in her 2022 primary, fueling fears among some Democrats that the deep-pocketed group could get involved in the Senate primary this year, too, and reopen deep Democratic divisions over Israel and Gaza. Michigan is also likely to be one of the most hotly contested Senate battlegrounds this cycle. Republicans see it as a pickup opportunity after President Donald Trump won the state in 2024, and former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost the Senate race to Democrat Elissa Slotkin last year to replace retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow, is already running again. Rep. Bill Huizenga has also been floated as a potential GOP candidate. SACRAMENTO, United States, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Eric Peterson, principal of West County Mandarin School in Pinole, California, has just returned from leading nearly 50 students and teachers on a cultural tour around Beijing, and he's already planning another for this summer. "The Chinese students and families treated our students so well, and even now they're all communicating on WeChat with each other," Peterson told Xinhua. During their visit last month, the American students stayed with host families in Beijing, toured historical sites, and even sang American and Chinese pop songs alongside their Chinese peers -- a moment Peterson called "really beautiful to see." Peterson made the remarks during a recent interview that coincided with Chinese Language Day, an annual observance established by the United Nations in 2010 and held on April 20 each year. Chinese Language Day honors the Chinese language and its rich cultural heritage, celebrates multilingualism and cultural diversity, and promotes equal use of all six official UN languages. Peterson witnessed firsthand the growing enthusiasm for Chinese language education in his school district, evidenced by the long waiting list for enrollment at his school. Founded in 2017, West County Mandarin School serves kindergarten through sixth grade and plans to extend one grade per year until it reaches eighth grade. The school's humble beginnings involved Peterson personally recruiting families by approaching parents with children at local shopping centers. From those grassroots efforts, enrollment has climbed to 530 students this year, with roughly 585 expected next fall -- a testament, he said, "to the great appreciation of Chinese language." What makes West County Mandarin School particularly notable is its diverse student body. "At our school, the majority of the students are not of Chinese heritage," he explained. "We have students from all different racial and ethnic backgrounds." Also, the school, according to the principal, deliberately sets aside half of its seats for low-income students, ensuring accessibility across socioeconomic backgrounds. Parents' interest in Chinese language education stems from recognizing its future value for their children, regardless of their cultural background, said Peterson. As word spread about students enjoying Chinese language and culture while excelling academically, the waiting list grew substantially. To provide students with authentic cultural experiences, Peterson began organizing trips to China in 2018. The school worked to keep costs manageable, making these educational journeys accessible to more students. This July, he aims to bring about 100 students on a 21-day trip that will earn them both high-school and community-college credits. He emphasized that, beyond academic gains, these journeys open students' eyes to modern China's rapid development and warm hospitality -- far beyond what they encounter in media reports. "It was really good for American students to see how other students in other countries learn and value education," he added. Peterson believed that California's historical connection to Chinese culture had created deep-rooted appreciation for Chinese language and heritage throughout the region. California's connection to Chinese culture began during the mid-19th century Gold Rush, when thousands of Chinese immigrants arrived seeking economic opportunities. Chinese communities have since contributed significantly to the state's development. This historical foundation supports continued interest in Chinese language education in California, even amid contemporary trade tensions. As Peterson noted, "in our school district, Chinese language is something that people value and understand the importance of learning." "Regardless of what's happening in the higher levels of international trade or politics, people see the people-to-people connections and the importance of learning the language," he said. The Trump administration appears open to negotiations with Harvard, even after Americas most prestigious university sued the federal government setting up a clash over academic freedom, federal funding and campus oversight. Last week, administration officials reached out to Harvard representatives three times in an effort to restart talks, a person familiar with the outreach told CNN. The nations oldest university indicated it was not interested in negotiating, the person said. Two sources tell CNN all outreach attempts were informal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barring a settlement, the legal showdown over frozen federal funds will likely take years to play out and could end up at the Supreme Court. At one point, before the filing of the lawsuit, Harvard President Alan Garber considered meeting with President Donald Trump, The New York Times reported Tuesday. A White House official told CNN, The President is always willing to meet with leaders from across the nation on issues he is focused on. However, the official added, No meeting is under consideration at this time. Some of the universitys donors urged the institutions secretive board, the Harvard Corporation, to make a deal with the administration last week, something the corporation isnt currently interested in doing, The Times also reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration intends to continue a dialogue with Harvard, said Education Secretary Linda McMahon, insisting the White Houses recent demands are not about curbing freedom of speech. Harvard has emerged as a symbol of resistance against Trump, who has been trying to reclaim colleges and universities and has framed the conflict as a fight against antisemitism. The university says the White House is trying to control the Harvard community. The White House official compared conversations around federal funding for higher educational institutions to Trumps tariff policies subject to negotiation. President Trump is a results-driven president. He truly wants to have a deal at the end of the day, the official said. The Trump administration has already rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion programs, arrested international students and revoked their visas, and frozen federal funding for schools that refused to submit to its demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvard said the administration has cut the funds to gain leverage over the university and the move is part of a pressure campaign to force the school to submit to governmental control, according to court documents. The governments actions threaten Harvards academic independence and are part of a broader effort by the Government to punish Harvard for protecting its constitutional rights, Harvards lawyers wrote. The new Harvard lawsuit argues the Trump administration has failed to establish any tie between the crucial funding cuts and fighting antisemitism. The Government has not and cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain Americas position as a global leader in innovation, said the lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case has been assigned to US District Court Judge Allison Burroughs, an Obama nominee who was involved in a previous landmark case involving the university. Burroughs, who did not earn her bachelors or law degree from Harvard, upheld Harvards admissions process in a 2019 ruling that was overturned by the Supreme Courts landmark decision ending race-conscious admissions in American colleges. Harvards suit against the Trump administration comes as prominent Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and Harvards chapter of the Hillel student organization, have publicly questioned the administrations broad attacks on the university. (S)huttering apolitical, life-saving research; targeting the universitys tax-exempt status; and threatening all student visas is neither focused nor measured, and stands to substantially harm the very Jewish students and scholars it purports to protect, Harvard Hillel wrote Saturday. Demands for immediate cooperation The escalation between Harvard and the Trump administration intensified quickly, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, the federal government sent a letter to Harvard saying the school was being investigated for its failures to curb or combat antisemitism on campus. A similar letter with demands for policy changes had been sent to Columbia University, and federal agencies soon announced a review of more than $5 billion in grants to the Ivy League school. Antisemitic incidents on college campuses increased by 84% between 2023 and 2024, accounting for 18% of all incidents, an annual audit from the Anti-Defamation League said Tuesday. Some occurred during protests between mid-April and mid-May 2024 in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Columbia later announced several changes to address the Trump administrations demands, an apparent concession to the federal government. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt takes a question during the April 15 press briefing, at which she was asked about the administration's decision to cut Harvard funding. - Win McNamee/Getty Images The White House continued targeting universities Princeton, Cornell and Northwestern all had funds frozen or suspended and on April 11 sent Harvard a list of policy changes it wanted implemented, demanding immediate cooperation if the university wanted to maintain Harvards financial relationship with the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list included eliminating the schools diversity, equity and inclusion programs, banning masks at campus protests, merit-based hiring and admissions reforms and reducing the power held by faculty and administrators more committed to activism than scholarship. A New York Times report suggested the letter inadvertently had been sent prematurely. Still, Harvard put out a response three days later, publicly rebuking the Trump administration, saying it would not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. The Trump administration retaliated by freezing $2.2 billion in multiyear grants and contracts, making plans to rescind Harvards tax-exempt status and threatening the schools ability to host international students. The school sued days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the case were to end up at the Supreme Court, it would be heard by a bench that includes four Harvard alumni: liberal Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, along with Justice Neil Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts, both conservatives. Justices are unlikely to recuse themselves from a case based solely on having studied at an institution involved. Jackson recused herself from a case involving affirmative action at Harvard because she was on the schools board of overseers; the other three Harvard alumni ruled in that groundbreaking case. I think Harvard, for now, is insisting on treatment thats consistent with law, former US Treasury Secretary and former Harvard University President Larry Summers told CNNs Kaitlan Collins Tuesday. It seems to me plain to anybody who reads the statute that the Trump administration is in massive violation of the law. Severe and long-lasting consequences Billions of dollars, along with jobs, research and Harvards ability to administer financial aid are not the only things at stake. The standing of American higher education is also on the table, Harvard President Garber said Monday in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garber signed a letter with more than 100 presidents of colleges, universities and scholarly societies, opposing the Trump administrations pressure on academic institutions. As leaders of Americas colleges, universities, and scholarly societies, we speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education, said the letter released Tuesday by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight. However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses, wrote the presidents including leaders of Princeton and American universities adding, The price of abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education will be paid by our students and our society. McMahon, the education secretary, reitereted the adminstrations stance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I made it very clear that these are not First Amendment infractions. This is civil rights. This is making sure that students on all campuses can come and learn and be safe and that is why we have had these funds either withheld or frozen during this period of time of negotiation, she said on CNBCs Squawk Box. McMahon did not respond directly to a question about whether the Trump administrations demand in its April 11 letter for viewpoint diversity among Harvard students, faculty and departments, to be audited by a third party, is really about free speech. We had hoped Harvard would come back to the table to discuss these. We would like to have viewpoint diversity, the education secretary replied. The letter, she added, was intended to have both parties sit down again and continue their negotiations. The White House official who discussed conversations about funding cast the response from Harvard as grandstanding and political antics that set back the good faith negotiations on our part. It is the White Houses hope, this official said, that Harvard comes to the table and corrects course. Money speaks and when money is getting dried up because their donors arent buying into what theyre selling anymore and the federal government isnt there to pad their pockets, they want to remain the envy of the world when it comes to research and science and academia and they can only do that if they work with this administration, the official said. The ultimate goal, the official said, is to end antisemitism, end discrimination, end inequality with the hope of universities that dont take advantage of the American people and dont bloat systems to overpay professors that look down on the American people. This is an easy thing to resolve if the other side wants to play ball, the official said, pointing to agreements made between the Trump administration and some law firms it has targeted. Garber said last week the demands in the letter were unprecedented and made to control the Harvard community, adding that the university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. One of Harvards best-known educators, constitutional law professor emeritus Laurence Tribe, said he believes the universitys decision to take the administration to court will give courage to other embattled institutions. I think that Harvard is encouraging many others to stand up, because when we win and we will they will realize that going along with dictatorial demands doesnt get them anywhere, Tribe told CNNs Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday. Harvard, the worlds wealthiest university, has an endowment of $53 billion, which could help cushion cuts. About 80% of that money is earmarked for financial aid, scholarships, faculty chairs, academic programs or other projects, according to the school. The remaining 20% is intended to sustain the institutions future. Demonstrators rally on April 12 at Cambridge Common in a protest organized by the city of Cambridge calling on Harvard leadership to resist interference by the federal government. - Nicholas Pfosi/Reuters But the lawsuit paints a bleak picture of that future if Harvard has to dip into university coffers for too long. Eventually, Harvard will be left operating at a significantly reduced level, the complaint says. If Harvard continues to replace the frozen funding from its own resources, it will be forced to reduce the number of graduate students it admits and the number of faculty and research staff it pays to conduct research, the lawsuit says. The Trump administrations threats against Harvards tax-exempt status and its ability to host international students could put even more pressure on the universitys funding, and more federal money could get withheld. The National Institutes of Health announced Monday it would pull medical research funding from universities with diversity and inclusion programs. Of the $686 million in Harvards federal research funding in fiscal year 2024, $488 million came from NIH, according to the Harvard Crimson. The government is slamming on the brakes on research and the victims will be future patients, Garber said. Research on childhood cancer, infectious disease outbreaks and how to ease the pain of soldiers wounded on the battlefield would all be affected, Garber added. The indiscriminate cuts, he said, would undermine Americas position as a global leader in innovation, adding, The consequences of the governments overreach will be severe and long-lasting. Harvards many partnerships with other universities, private companies, and state and local agencies mean the freeze on funding will touch off widespread economic harm, the lawsuit argues, noting, Harvard is one of Massachusetts largest employers. The freeze creates a ripple effect extending beyond Harvards campus by stifling job creation in the research sector across the nation, reducing intellectual property development, and delaying scientific and medical advances that boost the national economy, the lawsuit says. CNNs Shania Shelton, Brad Lendon, Matthew Rehbein, Andy Rose, Michelle Krupa and John Fritze contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Harvard University sued the Trump administration on Monday after the federal government said it was freezing $2.2 billion in grants and sought what university officials described as "unprecedented and improper" control over the Ivy League institution. "The consequences of the governments overreach will be severe and long-lasting," Harvard President Alan Garber said in a message Monday announcing the lawsuit. The suit, filed in federal district court in Massachusetts, accuses the administration of flouting the First Amendment and other federal laws and regulations. The 51-page complaint asks a federal judge in Massachusetts to declare the presidents freeze order unconstitutional and to order the government to reverse any terminations of or freezes to federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the Trump administration announced that it was freezing federal funding after the school refused to accept demands that the administration has said aim to address antisemitism on campus. Among the government's demands were an audit of student body views and a ban on international students who are hostile to the American values and institutions. In Monday's suit, the university argued that the funding freeze is not related to the administrations antisemitism concerns. The Government has not and cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain Americas position as a global leader in innovation, the lawsuit said. Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvards research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. After Harvard said it would not comply with the administration, President Donald Trump suggested the university should lose its tax-exempt status a move that could have severe repercussions for the school. Harvard has said the government has no legal basis to rescind its status. The escalating battle between Harvard and the federal government comes amid a broader effort from the administration to target what it describes as a failure to deal with antisemitism on college campuses. Last month, Columbia University agreed to a list of administration demands after the government said it would cut $400 million in funding over inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration also hit Princeton University with $4 million in cuts in part for promoting what Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described as "climate anxiety" through a lab that develops atmospheric and oceanic models. The school was one of several universities to sue the administration last week over what the lawsuit said was a "flagrantly unlawful" move to cut research funding. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Harvard University announced Monday its suing the Trump administration after the White House froze more than $2 billion worth of funding for the institution. The legal fight comes as the Trump administration tries to crackdown on what it says is activism on college campuses. Other universities have caved to the White Houses demands, but Harvard is now the highest-profile school to push back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a lawsuit filed Monday, Harvard says the Trump administrations efforts to impose changes to the campus are arbitrary and capricious, accusing the White House of violating Harvards First Amendment rights. Earlier this month the White House demanded Harvard crackdown on campus activism, accusing the university of allowing antisemitism to flourish. The administration also called for leadership and curriculum reforms at the university. When Harvard declined to make changes, the White House froze $2.2 billion of federal money for Harvard. Several other elite universities, including Columbia, have agreed to similar White House demands in order to protect their federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before Harvards lawsuit, President Donald Trump also threatened to cut off a universitys tax-exempt status if they dont comply with White House demands. Its something that these schools really have to be very, very careful with. Very antisemitic when you take a look, whether its Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, take a I dont know whats going on, but when you see how badly theyve acted, and in other ways also. So, well be looking at it very strongly, said Trump. In response to Harvards lawsuit, a White House spokesman said receiving federal funding is a privilege, and Harvard doesnt meet the requirements to access that privilege. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. HEFEI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province and a major sci-tech center in the country, is planning to establish a fund amounting to 10 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars) to promote its smart robotics industry. It is part of the municipal government's comprehensive plan to strengthen Hefei's position as a leading hub for intelligent robotics, the International Advanced Technology Application Promotion Center (Hefei) under the municipal government told Xinhua on Tuesday. Under the program, Hefei will provide public services and technical support to 100 companies and promote the application of robotics. As a national innovation center, Hefei has built a solid foundation in terms of robotics R&D, manufacturing and application. In 2024, the output value of Hefei's intelligent robotics industry exceeded 50 billion yuan, with the number of enterprises increasing by 83 percent. The city has attracted over 160 upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry chain, establishing an integrated R&D and manufacturing framework encompassing the entire value chain. According to Nature Index 2024 Science Cities, a supplement to the journal Nature, Hefei was ranked 15th among the top 20 science cities in the world, having achieved impressive research output in biological sciences, chemistry, health sciences and physical sciences. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Harvard University is suing the Trump administration in the latest development of the escalating battle over how far the federal governments authority can reach. The Trump administration sent a letter to the university earlier this month, demanding it make significant changes to its leadership, hiring practices, admission policies and DEI programs if the school wants to continue receiving federal funding. Harvard publicly refused to comply with the demands, with the university President Alan Garber calling it unprecedented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights, he wrote in a statement. In response, the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard. Trump administration freezes $2.2 billion in federal funds for Harvard University On Monday afternoon, Garber announced that the school had filed a federal lawsuit to halt the funding freeze, calling it unlawful and beyond the governments authority. In addition to the funding freeze, the Trump administration threatened the schools tax-exempt status and its ability to enroll foreign students if it did not comply with the demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The consequences of the governments overreach will be severe and long-lasting, Garber wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Harvard University is suing the Trump administration over what it calls an unconstitutional freeze on $2.2 billion in federal funding; a move the school says threatens its academic freedom and independence. The lawsuit, filed in a Massachusetts federal court, claims the government violated Harvards First Amendment rights in retaliation for resisting political pressure to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The legal battle began on April 11, when federal agencies accused Harvard of civil rights violations related to DEI policies and alleged inaction on antisemitism during campus protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the case gains national attention, its also reignited a classic question: Where did U.S. presidents go to college? And is Harvard really the political powerhouse its made out to be? More: Florida legislature considers cutting in half money for AP, IB programs in PBC schools Did President Trump go to college? President Donald Trump graduated in May 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania. Which university claims the most U.S. presidents as alumni? Harvard University tops the list when it comes to presidential alumni. Founded in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, predating the presidency itself by over 150 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, eight U.S. presidents have studied at Harvard, more than any other university. From founding fathers like John Adams to modern leaders like Barack Obama, the Ivy League school has played a significant role in shaping the nations leadership. Which presidents went to Harvard University? Harvard University has educated more U.S. presidents than any other school. Among them are John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy, all of whom earned undergraduate degrees from Harvard. Several presidents also attended Harvards graduate schools. Barack Obama graduated from Harvard Law School, where he made history as the first Black president of the Harvard Law Review. George W. Bush earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, and Rutherford B. Hayes received his law degree from Harvard Law School. Notable vice presidents, including Al Gore and Elbridge Gerry, are also among the universitys distinguished alumni. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diamond Walker is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at dkwalker@gannett.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Harvard sues Trump: Universities with the most US presidents as alumni After weeks of higher education playing defense against an aggressive Trump administration, Harvard University is now taking point on fighting back. The university the oldest in America and richest in the world is offering a rallying point for other colleges with its Monday lawsuit against the administration, a sharp counterpoint to other schools, particularly fellow Ivy League institution Columbia University, that have sought to cut deals and work with President Trump. If Harvard prevails in court and shows that these are unjustified but also illegal and unconstitutional assaults on academic freedom, then itll give more, I think, leeway for other colleges and universities to be able to continue doing the life-saving research and groundbreaking academic exploration, said Mike Zamore, national director of policy and government affairs at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, Zamore said, if the administration is successful in court, it will be able to use these sources of funding as leverage to try to, essentially, ensure compliance with their thoughts and world views. In that case, he added, Its going to be really hard for colleges that dont have the resources of Harvard University to stand strong. After the school rejected a list of demands from the administration, which included eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs and changes to admission and hiring practices, the White House responded by freezing billions of dollars in federal funding, calling for Harvards tax-exempt status to be revoked and threatening its ability to enroll international students. In its lawsuit, Harvard accuses the administration of violating its First Amendment rights and asks a judge to declare the demands illegal and restore its funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, the Government has with little warning and even less explanation slashed billions of dollars in federal funding to universities across America, including Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern, the lawsuit reads. All told, the tradeoff put to Harvard and other universities is clear: Allow the Government to micromanage your academic institution or jeopardize the institutions ability to pursue medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and innovative solutions, the lawsuit said. The day after the suit was filed, the leaders of more than 100 colleges and universities, including Cornell, Tufts and Princeton, issued a joint letter condemning Trumps political interference and coercive use of public research funding. Had Harvard not taken that step, we would definitely not have seen that kind of unified response. And so, these are the developments that help, in the end, ensure that our freedoms are protected, Zamore said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fight with Harvard is part of the presidents long-standing animosity toward higher education, which plays well with his base as many Republicans see universities as inculcating students with leftist ideology. Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should not longer receive Federal Funds, Trump wrote on social media last week. Leftist dopes, the president continued, are teaching at Harvard, and because of that, Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning, and should not be considered on any list of the Worlds Great Universities or Colleges. The Trump administration alleges its actions are in response to Harvards and other schools failure to adequately confront antisemitism on their campuses. Trumps anti-college rhetoric, however, rarely focuses on antisemitic activity specifically, and many of his demands appear completely unrelated to the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There may be significant evidence that Harvard, Columbia and other institutions fell out of compliance with Title VI, said Tyler Coward, lead counsel for government affairs at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. However, the government hasnt done its homework here, he added, There are existing processes and procedures required by law that the administration is flouting to unilaterally cancel contracts and punish institutions for alleged violations of Title VI and anyone concerned with due process or free speech or academic freedom rights should be concerned by the government flouting the rule of law in search of expedient resolutions, Coward said. Harvard took a different route against the administration after watching the debacle at Columbia University, where the federal government withdrew $400 million in federal funding. Columbia was presented with demands similar in nature to those given to Harvard but opted to capitulate instead of fight with the hopes funding would get restored. But the Trump administration has not restarted the federal funding and has, in fact, taken even more money from Columbia since it announced it would comply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prominent Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe addressed the issue Tuesday on CNN, comparing Trumps actions against his school to those of a dictator. I think that Harvard is encouraging many others to stand up because when we will, and we will, they will realize that going along with dictatorial demands doesnt get them anywhere, Tribe said. If you stand up for your rights, resist, use the legal system, its surprising how well you can do, 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. Harvard sued the Trump administration over the freezing of billions in federal grants and contracts. Harvard recruited help from a lineup of law firms and attorneys with GOP ties. Harvard says the funding freeze imperils crucial cancer and Alzheimer's research. Harvard University recruited a lineup of law firms and lawyers with ties to allies of President Donald Trump to sue the Trump administration over freezing billions in federal grants and contracts. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Massachusetts features a long list of lawyers from four different firms, brought against an equally lengthy list of executive agency officials and Trump appointees, including Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit said that the funding freeze would impact ongoing research that develops "novel drugs to fight Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, engineer nanofibers to protect servicemembers and first responders, support American astronauts in space, and design an artificial intelligence system that can be used to diagnose and treat cancer." Quinn Emanuel, headquartered in Los Angeles, has long represented Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who donated $250 million to Trump's campaign and is now the face of the White House DOGE office and its effort to decrease the size of the federal government. William Burck, a lawyer at Quinn Emanuel on the lawsuit, is a former White House lawyer for Republican President George W. Bush, and was hired by the Trump Organization in January to advise the company on ethics issues. Burck also has a record of representing Steve Bannon, former White House Chief Strategist during the first Trump administration. Aside from Burck, Robert K. Hur, part of the law firm King & Spalding, is representing Harvard. He was nominated by Trump in 2017 to serve as Maryland's US attorney and was once a clerk to Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hur was also named US special counsel in 2023 to investigate Democratic President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents. He, however, declined to pursue charges against Biden. At the law firm Lehotsky Keller Cohn, several lawyers participating in Harvard's case are former clerks for conservative Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh or Samuel Alito. Additionally, attorneys from Big Law firm Ropes & Gray are listed on the suit as representing Harvard. The Trump administration has been targeting not just universities with the freezing or cancellation of funding grants or government contracts, but also aiming at Big Law firms with executive action. Thus far, some firms have cut deals with the Trump administration, while others have filed suit. None of the law firms in the Harvard suit are known to have cut deals with the Trump administration or been the subject of executive action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Harvard's case, the funding suspension came after the university rejected Trump administration demands to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and limit admissions of international students deemed "hostile to American values." The administration accused the university of fostering "divisive ideologies" and failing to protect Jewish students, prompting a federal review led by the Departments of Health, Education, and Homeland Security. "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," Harvard President Alan M. Garber, who is Jewish, wrote in a letter on April 14. Harrison Fields, the White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary, responded in a statement to BI on Monday that "the gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars" is ending, because "taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege." Quinn Emanuel, William Burck, Robert K. Hur, and Lehotsky Keller Cohn did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Harvey Weinsteins latest New York rape trial will see opening statements tomorrow now that a jury has finally been chosen. With the last alternate picked Tuesday after over a week of selection of literally hundreds of people, the much accused Pulp Fiction producer will plead his fate to a panel of seven women and five men as well as five alternates. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now under guard at Bellevue Hospital as opposed to the harsh Rikers Island, for the remainder of the nearly two-month long trial, the often ailing 72-year-old Weinsteins retrial comes from his 23-year sentence from a 2020 rape conviction, which was tossed out in 2024. There is also now one additional count of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, which was added to the indictment last September. If found guilty again, under a new judge, Weinstein will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. Today, Weinsteins reps charcterized the selection of a jury and the trial about to begin as a new era for their client. It was a rigorous and at times grueling process, but we believe the jury selected is one that can assess the facts with clarity and impartiality, Juda Engelmayer told Deadline just after the jury was seated. We are hopeful that this time, the legal process will rise above noise and narrative, and allow Harvey Weinstein the fair trial hes long been denied. He deserves the chance to clear his name and preserve a legacy that has been overshadowed by deeply flawed and misleading accusations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the jurors are native New Yorkers with the exception of three. One, the foreman, is a gentleman who was born in the Dominican Republic and came to NYC in 1996. There is another male from the Dominican Republic, who has been living in New York since 2000, and there is also a man who moved from the state of Georgia to New York in 2013. As he has in every one of the dozens and dozens of accusations against him since 2017 and the New York Times expose of his decades of misconduct and alleged assaults, Weinstein has said in this matter that he is innocent, that the interactions were all consensual and he is being stitched up. In a surprise to many and a sign of the waning #MeToo movement, a 4-3 panel of New York appeals court judges a year ago dismissed the 2020 conviction on the grounds prosecutors had misstepped by allowing the testimony of other Weinstein accusers whose claims were not being tried. Still, the one-time mogul stayed incarcerated during the lead-up to this trial because of his 2022 conviction in Los Angeles on sex crimes and sentencing to 16 years, which is now also under appeal. Throughout the entire pre-retrial process, Weinsteins health and conditions at Rikers have been constant concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January the ex-producer implored the judge now overseeing the NYC case, Curtis Farber, to move the trial up. Im asking you, and begging you, Weinstein said. Every week counts. Im holding on because I want justice for myself. I want this to be over. Weinstein representatives claimed he nearly died while in custody at the jail he called a hellhole. The trial date didnt change, but Judge Farber is allowing the wheelchair bound Weinstein to remain in custody at Bellevue Hospital for the duration of the trial instead of having to return to Rikers every evening. In court, Weinstein will face two of the same accusers whose testimony paved the way for his conviction before it was thrown out on appeal: Jessica Mann and Mimi Haley. For the retrial, the Manhattan District Attorney has added a new charge based on the claim of an unnamed woman who is expected to testify that Weinstein sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan hotel room in 2006. Other Weinstein accusers who testified in the first trial as supporting prosecution witnesses, but without charges attached to their accusations, will not return to the stand this time around. That un-charged testimony was the basis of the appeals court decision throwing out Weinsteins conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other court matters, Weinstein is suing his brother and ex-business partner Bob Weinstein and former COO David Glasser over an old $45 million loan that was supposed to save now shuttered The Weinstein Company in 2016. As well, Weinstein has an ongoing $5 million suit against New York over deplorable conditions at Rikers. Out in L.A., Weinstein had a rare court win of sorts in February when a Jane Doe, whose 2013 rape claims against the producer contributed to his L.A. criminal conviction, dropped her civil case. Just weeks before the matter was to go to trial on March 24, Does lawyers asked L.A. Superior Court Judge Elaine W. Mandel on February 4 to dismiss the sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress case without prejudice. Defense lawyers make no secret of the fact they think the NYC case could end up going a similar way if they do their jobs Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Larry Jameson, president of the University of Pennsylvania the alma mater of President Donald Trump has joined a growing chorus of academic leaders condemning the White Houses treatment of educational institutions. On Tuesday, the American Association of Colleges and Universities published a letter signed by more than 200 leaders of colleges and universities including Jameson that denounced the administrations actions towards higher education institutions as unprecedented federal outreach. As leaders of Americas colleges, universities, and scholarly societies, we speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education, the letter stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has suspended billions in federal funding to multiple universities in attempts to strong-arm the schools into bending to the will of the White House. The government has cited demonstrations critical of Israels actions in Gaza as grounds for the cuts, and in some cases has also taken aim at schools diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The president of Donald Trump's alma mater has joined other academic leaders in condemning the White House's treatment of educational institutions. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images Trump graduated from Penns Wharton School of Business in 1968. In March, Jameson disclosed that federal authorities had issued stop work orders due to the university allowing Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete, to compete on the womens swim team in 2022. In a statement, Jameson said the school followed NCAA policy and continues to do so. The orders affected $175 million in government-funded research at Penn a decision Jameson warned could undermine lifesaving and life-improving research, the loss of which will be felt by society and individuals far beyond our campus for years to come. The Trump administration has frozen billions of dollars of federal funding to educational institutions. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images On Monday, Harvard University sued the Trump administration for freezing billions of dollars in federal grants. In a statement, Alan M. Garber, the universitys president, said that the governments overreach will have severe and long-lasting repercussions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research that the government has put in jeopardy includes efforts to improve the prospects of children who survive cancer, to understand at the molecular level how cancer spreads throughout the body, to predict the spread of infectious disease outbreaks, and to ease the pain of soldiers wounded on the battlefield, Garber said. Related... By Ananda Teresia DILI, East Timor (Reuters) - The first ever cardinal of Roman Catholic-majority East Timor had barely had time to process the news of Pope Francis' death when he received the summons to attend the conclave that will elect the new pontiff half a world away in the Vatican. More than 97% of East Timor's 1.3 million people are Roman Catholics, making it one of the largest majorities in the world. Along with the Philippines, it is also one of only two predominantly Christian countries in Asia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, 57, recalled the strong bond between Francis and the Timorese people in an interview with Reuters at the airport of Dili, East Timor's capital, before flying to Rome, some 12,500 km (7,500) miles away. "'I'm in love with Timor'," Silva recalled Francis telling him during the pontiff's trip last year. More than 600,000 people - nearly half of East Timor's population - turned out then to see Francis. Silva, who was made a cardinal by Francis in 2022, said he had been preparing to lead a Mass for the late pope when he received the missive from the Vatican to head to Rome. "Probably, I will join the meeting on Thursday," Silva said, joking that he was already late. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cardinals already in Rome decided on Tuesday that Francis' funeral would take place on Saturday, setting the stage for a solemn ceremony that will draw leaders from around the world. A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after a pontiff's death, meaning it should not start before May 6. Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the highly secretive ballot that can stretch over days. "We need a good discernment. I'm happy to participate," said Silva. Asked about the strongest candidates, he said it could be anyone, adding: "For myself I cannot come with a certain candidate in my mind." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At present there is no clear frontrunner to succeed Francis. Francis often clashed with conservatives who saw him as overly liberal and too accommodating to minority groups such as the LGBTQ community. "I think what we need (is) a pope who is not more conservative or more progressive, but somebody who is neutral in order to keep the Church going in that direction," Silva said. "That's what's in my mind. But the others, I don't know what they think. There should be a balance." (Reporting by Ananda Teresia in Dili; Writing by Gibran Peshimam; Editing by Gareth Jones) A federal judge in New York rebuked President Donald Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged migrant gang members without due process, comparing it to a medieval inquisition. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, at a hearing Tuesday, temporarily extended his April 9 order in which he temporarily blocked detained migrants being held in the Southern District of New York from being deported without due process. The Trump administration last month touched off a legal battle when it invoked the Alien Enemies Act -- an 18th century wartime authority used to remove noncitizens with little-to-no due process -- to deport two planeloads of alleged migrant gang members to the CECOT mega-prison in El Salvador by arguing that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is a "hybrid criminal state" that is invading the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Judge blocks Trump from deporting noncitizens under Alien Enemies Act, orders flights turned around An official with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement acknowledged that "many" of the men deported on March 15 lack criminal records in the United States -- but said that "the lack of specific information about each individual actually highlights the risk they pose." Authorities have said they have used migrants' tattoo markings as one of the factors identifying them as gang members. "This is the United States of America," Hellerstein said Tuesday. "People are being thrown out of the country because of their tattoos." The judge also blasted a DOJ lawyer for suggesting due process is a "flexible standard." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The law is clear: If you are kicking out a person, you give them an opportunity to defend themselves," the judge said. "You can't kick someone out by guilt by association." PHOTO: U.S. military personnel escort alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the MS-13 gang recently deported by the U.S. government to be imprisoned in the CECOT prison, April 12, 2025. (Secom/via Reuters) While Judge Hellerstein reserved his decision about potentially issuing a preliminary injunction to block some removals, he noted that he sees "serious problems" with Trump's recent use of the AEA, including the practice of sending migrants to El Salvador where they could face inhumane conditions. "This proclamation is contrary to the law," he said. The relief Hellerstein granted is limited to approximately a dozen migrants currently detained in a few New York counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Colorado, meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued a temporary order Tuesday that prohibits the administration from using the law to deport noncitizens currently within that state, further requiring that noncitizens subject to the AEA removal receive at least three weeks' notice before deportation.. Judge Sweeney, in her order, criticized the Trump administration for attempting to remove two men in a manner she said is "deficient and fails to comport with due process." According to the judge, the notices used by the Trump administration did not provide the men a reasonable amount of time to act on their due process and were only provided in English. MORE: Judge blocks Trump from deporting noncitizens under Alien Enemies Act, orders flights turned around "The Court has grave concerns that Petitioners would be afforded notice that comports with due process to challenge the determination," she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge also cast doubt on the legitimacy of Trump's proclamation invoking the use of the Alien Enemies Act, writing that the plaintiffs were likely to prove that the proclamation violates Immigration and Nationality Act and humanitarian protections. Judge extends block on deporting alleged gang members under Alien Enemies Act originally appeared on abcnews.go.com HANOI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has called for strict punishment and tightened supervision following the dismantling of a major counterfeit milk powder ring, local daily newspaper Nhan Dan (People) reported. Chairing the first-quarter meeting of the National Steering Committee 389 on Monday, Son emphasized that "there must be no relaxation in management," according to the state-owned media outlet. Authorities found that the ring had manufactured nearly 600 counterfeit milk powder brands, with products containing less than 70 percent of their declared nutritional value, earning illegal profits of about 500 billion Vietnamese dong (around 20 million U.S. dollars) over four years. Despite the large scale of the case, no consumers have filed complaints related to the counterfeit products so far, Vice President of the Vietnam Consumer Protection Association Vu Van Trung said in an interview with Nhan Dan, calling for greater public awareness to better protect consumer rights. "Who am I to judge?" Every time I thought of Pope Francis , every time I wrote a column about him over the years, and every time I saw a news story about him, I thought of that question he uttered early in his papacy. Its worth repeating: Who am I to judge? These five words, spoken by Francis in 2013, signaled a transformative moment for the Roman Catholic Church's approach to LGBTQ+ individuals. Responding to a question about gay priests during a press conference, the popes remark suggested a shift toward compassion and inclusivity, contrasting with the cChurch's historically rigid stance that sought to ostracize us. I remember feeling emboldened when I heard him say that. For the first time in my life, I felt like a pope loved me, understood me, and most importantly, saw me and accepted me. In fact, those words were so powerful that in 2013, The Advocate named Francis as Person of the Year . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats why, when I woke up this morning, I felt like I had lost my biggest ally in the Catholic Church. I shed a tear for Francis and for the loss of his love toward me and for all of us in the LGBTQ+ community. In the past, I have written extensively about Pope Francis's efforts to welcome LGBTQ+ individuals back into the Catholic Church. In October 2020 , I reflected on this groundbreaking statement of his: "Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God." His endorsement of civil unions marked a wild yet necessary departure from traditional Church teachings and signaled a more inclusive approach. I noted that, despite stopping short of advocating for the church to sanctify same-sex marriages, his words made me "stop in my tracks." Some called his words a tectonic shift, but to me, Francis was speaking to us as loving children of God, just like he was. By December 2023 , Pope Francis went a step further by approving blessings for same-sex couples. I observed that he "went right up to the line without crossing it," balancing doctrinal constraints with a desire to embrace LGBTQ+ individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His actions, I added, including calling for the elimination of laws criminalizing homosexuality and for welcoming transgender individuals into the church, have been "like a bolt of lightning, electrifying a church that has been dormant and dismissive." I truly think Francis would have said it was OK for queer couples to marry in the church, but he would have been forced to renunciate the papacy. In his mind, I think he did what he could, realizing that if he went too far, hed be forced out, and the progress he made would be stopped. Now that hes died, I think that progress will stop. More immediately, I felt the loss of Francis this morning here in the United States because of all the hurtful and fatal actions and policies undertaken by the cruelty of this current administration. The demonic Donald Trump is the antithesis of the angelic Pope Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can you imagine Trump welcoming transgender people? That civil unions for queer couples should be honored? That our community should be seen? It wasnt lost on me that the last American official Francis saw was JD Vance . I am sure Francis' health did not improve by having to shake the hand of that monster. The dichotomy of Vance, who endorses exclusion, meeting Francis, who fought for inclusion, is great. Yet, however more inclusive Francis tried to be, he had his detractors within the church . There is a cadre of traditionalists at the Vatican who have become emboldened in airing ferocious criticism, attempting to halt his outreach to LGBTQ+ communities. Despite this internal resistance, the pope remained steadfast, perhaps constrained by the church's conservative framework, but driven by a personal desire to embrace LGBTQ+ individuals more fully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe, in his heart, Francis wanted to go much further in bringing the LGBTQ+ community closer to the church. But the institutional weight of centuries of doctrine, combined with the intransigence of powerful conservative factions still prevalent in the churchs hierarchy, often put the brakes on his outreach. Francis's inclusiveness was in stark contrast to that of his predecessors, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II. Both maintained policies that marginalized our community. Benedict, during his tenure as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , authored documents that described homosexual acts as " intrinsically evil " and opposed any legal recognition of same-sex unions. Similarly, Pope John Paul II upheld traditional teachings, emphasizing that homosexual activity prevents one's own fulfillment and happiness by acting contrary to the creative wisdom of God. There was one other thing that separated Francis from his predecessors and endeared me to him. He refused the finery of the papacy , rode in a compact car, carried his own luggage, and made personal phone calls on his own gumption. I remember Benedicts love for his red Prada shoes . Francis wore plain, basic leather loafers . That symbolism, to me, proved that Francis truly walked in Jesus footsteps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, at his passing, I fear for the future of the church and its treatment of marginalized communities. Because, like Jesus, Francis's first priority was for those less fortunate. With Francis, the church took a huge step forward, and now with his death, I believe that the church will take a huge step backwards. Thats because many traditionalists still wield power , and they feel that Francis went too far. By choosing a traditional conservative as the next pope, the church will alienate so many Catholics who felt welcomed by Francis, including our community. Metaphorically, Francis cracked the holy door for LGBTQ+ individuals. He let us go beyond the vestibule and made us a part of the sanctuary. And that was reassuring because the Church should be a sanctuary for us or anyone else in the LGBTQ+ community who values their faith, loves their God, and doubts if that faith or God values them. Francis wanted us there. He wanted us to sing. To take communion. To pray. And he wanted us to shake his hand or hug him on the way out. And he wanted us to come back, and with his loss, Im not so sure I will come back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive written often about one of the most wonderful people that ever graced my life, the late Father Angelo Gambatese. He made me feel included in his church, even convincing me to participate in mass by being a lector. He would often preach during his homilies that at his church, everyone was welcome. When Father Angelo died, I withdrew from the Catholic faith, no longer feeling that I had a place in the church. But as Pope Francis progressed in his papacy, and spoke out more on behalf of queer people and others who felt separated by the church, I started to feel seen again. Now that hes gone, Im not sure the church will let me go beyond the vestibule again, and that makes me very sad today. Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit Advocate.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride. Two girls died and one girl was hospitalized in critical condition after an off-road accident in the Lower Eagle Creek, according to the Greenlee County Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded to a rollover side-by-side accident involving a family around 5:30 p.m. April 18. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a completely submerged side-by-side, a type of off-road vehicle. Sheriff Eric Ellison said it was tough to pinpoint the exact location of the crash because of the rugged and winding terrain and lack of service. He was the first from the Sheriff's Office to locate the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was heartbreaking for everybody there," Ellison said. The crash occurred on a strip of the creek that measured 3 feet deep where the family was crossing, Ellison said. Each side dips to about 8 feet. Greenlee County Sheriff's Office deputies respond to a rollover side-by-side accident on April 18, 2025, in the Lower Eagle Creek near Morenci, Ariz. When deputies arrived the vehicle was completely submerged, leaving two deceased and one in critical condition. The parents, who were in the front seats, told Ellison that they got off the 3-foot-deep path, and the side-by-side rolled over into the deep portion. Two girls, ages 4 and 10, drowned in the crash. One girl was trapped inside the vehicle as it sank, and the other was rescued but could not be revived. A third girl, 3, was taken to a Tucson hospital in critical condition. She was still in the intensive care unit, as of April 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our condolences go to the family in this tragic event," a Facebook post from Sheriff Ellison read. A GoFundMe identified the three girls as sisters Gia, Mia and Xia Miranda. Xia was hospitalized. Video from the Sheriff's Office showed that officers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety used a helicopter to reach the scene of the accident, as well as off-road vehicles. Other responding agencies included Morenci Fire; Morenci Swift Water Rescue; Greenlee County Search and Rescue; and Greenlee EMS. The community also aided the rescue. Ellison said the location of the crash was only accessible with a side-by-side, not any off-road vehicle. Passersby lent authorities their side-by-sides or drove authorities to the location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The community was outstanding by helping us get in, otherwise...we wouldn't have even gotten there to help them," Ellison said. Lower Eagle Creek is near Morenci, Arizona, about two and a half hours from Deming, New Mexico, where the family is from. According to Greenlee Arizona Tourism, Eagle Creek is one of the largest creeks in Arizona. The creek ranges in depth from one to 10 feet, according to Ellison. Ellison said creeks in Greenlee County have become popular spots for off-roading. (This story has been updated to add a video.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 sisters drown, 1 injured in rollover off-road crash near New Mexico April 21 (UPI) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday blamed media and former "disgruntled" employees for reports that he shared military war plans via a second Signal group chat involving his wife and brother, but did not deny the accusations. Speaking to reporters from the White House South Portico with his children behind him during the annual Easter Egg Roll, Hegseth downplayed articles detailing his use of a Signal chat group to sharing plans last month about bombing Houthi rebels in Yemen as being "a bunch of hit pieces." "This is what the media does, they take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees and they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations," he said. "Not going to work with me because we're changing the defense department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of warfighters and anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesn't matter." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump similarly bashed the news media when speaking to reporters at the same event, stating, "You bring back Signal again? I thought they gave that up two weeks ago." "It's all just the same old stuff from the media. That's an old one. Try finding something new." Asked if he still had confidence in Hegseth's ability to lead the Pentagon, Trump said, "Oh, totally." "Great confidence," he said, adding that "the spirit in the armed forces is fantastic." Last month, The Atlantic reported that its editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, had mistakenly been added to a Signal group chat in which top Trump administration officials, including Hegseth, discussed sensitive military details about a pending attack on the Houthi rebels that was carried out on March 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the fallout, an investigation was launched into leaks, resulting in at least three top aides being fired. On Sunday, it was reported that there was a second 13-person Signal group chat in which the war plans were discussed. This group was created by Hegseth and included his wife and former Fox news producer, Jennifer Hegseth, who is not a Defense Department employee; and the secretary's brother, Phil, as well as his personal lawyer Time Parlatore, both of whom work at the Pentagon. The reports state Hegseth used his personal phone to message in that group chat. The New York Times was the first to report on the existence of the second Signal chat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initial revelation that the Defense officials were using the encrypted smartphone application to communicate about sensitive military information was met with swift calls from Democrats for Hegseth to resign -- calls that have resumed and seemingly amplified following the Sunday night reporting. "Being the Secretary of Defense is serious business and it's clear he's not up to it," military veteran and astronaut Sen. Mark Kelly, D- Ariz., said on X. "Hegseth needs to resign or be fired." Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, said the reports show "how completely incompetent" Hegseth has been as the head of the Pentagon. "This guy's got to go," he said. "The question is will all my Republican colleagues who love to say they support national security, will any of them raise their voice and say this is a bridge to far." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Rep. Don Bacon, of Nebraska, also suggested Hegseth should be let go. "If it's true that he had another [Signal] chat with his family about the missions against the Houthis, it's totally unacceptable," he told Politico in an interview. "I'm not in the White House, and I'm not going to tell the White House how to manage this ... but I find it unacceptable, and I wouldn't tolerate it if I was in charge." He added that Hegseth was acting as if "he's above the law -- and that shows an amateur person." Prior to The Time's reporting being published, John Ullyot, a Pentagon official who resigned last week, penned an opinion piece for Politico in which he described the Defense Department as being dysfunctional under Hegseth's leadership and that it has become "a major distraction" for Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that it appeared that Hegseth was close to being removed as secretary. A veteran and former Fox News host, Hegseth was an unorthodox and controversial pick for secretary of defense. He had attracted criticism during his confirmation hearings from Democrats over his lack of military leadership experience, financial mismanagement of a veterans nonprofit organization and allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth again finds himself embroiled in a scandal after reportedly including his wife, brother and attorney on a Signal chat involving sensitive information. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, and U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, join CUOMO to discuss the latest controversy and whether it should lead to Hegseth being dismissed from his post with the Trump administration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pulled the airstrike information he posted into Signal chats with his wife, brother and dozens of others from a secure communications channel used by U.S. Central Command, raising new questions as to whether the embattled Pentagon head leaked classified information over an open, unsecured network. NBC News first reported that the launch times and bomb drop times of U.S. warplanes that were about to strike Houthi targets in Yemen details that multiple officials have said are highly classified were taken from secure U.S. Central Command communications. A person familiar with the second chat confirmed that to The Associated Press. White House defends Hegseth amid new Signal accusation, staff overhaul Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The information posted in the second chat was identical to the sensitive operations details shared in the first chat, which included members of President Donald Trump's National Security Council, the person said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal for speaking to the press. It's the second chat involving Hegseth to be called into question This is the second chat group where Hegseth posted the Yemen airstrike information. The first leaked Signal chat accidentally included the editor of The Atlantic and has caused an inspector general investigation in the Defense Department. Hegseth has not directly acknowledged that he set up the second chat, which had more than a dozen people on it, including his wife, his lawyer and his brother Phil Hegseth, who was hired as a senior liaison to the Pentagon for the Department of Homeland Security. Instead, the secretary blamed the disclosure of the second Signal chat on leaks from disgruntled former staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth has aggressively denied that the information he posted was classified. Regardless of that, Signal is a commercially available app that is encrypted but is not a government network and not authorized to carry classified information. I said repeatedly, nobody is texting war plans, Hegseth told Fox News on Tuesday. I look at war plans every day. What was shared over Signal then and now, however you characterize it, was informal, unclassified coordinations, for media coordinations and other things. Thats what Ive said from the beginning. Former defense secretary calls it a serious breach Based on the specificity of the launch times, that information would have been classified, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told the AP in a phone interview. It is unheard of to have a Secretary of Defense committing these kind of serious security breaches, said Panetta, who served during the Obama administration, and who also was director of the Central Intelligence Agency during Obamas term. Developing attack plans for defensive reasons is without question the most classified information you can have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news comes as Hegseth has shaken up much of his inner circle. He is said to have become increasingly isolated and suspicious about whom he can trust, and is relying on an increasingly smaller and smaller circle of people. In the last week he has fired or transferred six of his inner support circle, including Hegseth aide Dan Caldwell; the chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, Colin Carroll; and Hegseths deputy chief of staff, Darin Selnick. Those three were escorted out of the Pentagon as the department hunts down leaks of inside information, and in his Fox and Friends interview Tuesday, an agitated Hegseth accused those staff whom he had worked with and known for years of attempting to leak and sabotage the administration. Hegseth confirmed Tuesday that chief of staff Joe Kasper would be transitioning to a new position. Former Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell is also temporarily shifting to a more direct support role for Hegseth, and former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot announced he was resigning last week, unrelated to the leaks. The Pentagon said, however, that Ullyot was asked to resign. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a recent interview that his chief of staff Joe Kasper is moving to a new role within the Pentagon amid the ongoing tumult at the Department of Defense (DOD), as three of his top aides were terminated last week. Joe is a great guy, great American. He has done a fantastic job for us at the Defense Department, securing the southwest border, getting a beachhead here at the Pentagon, Hegseth said during a Tuesday morning appearance on Fox & Friends. Hes staying with us. Going to be in a slightly different role, but hes not going anywhere, certainly not fired, he told host Brian Kilmeade. You make changes over time, and were grateful for everything Joes done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A senior U.S. defense official told The Hill on Tuesday that Kasper will continue serving as a special government employee handling special projects at the DOD. Secretary Hegseth is thankful for his continued leadership and work to advance the America First agenda, the official added. Kaspers forthcoming departure from the role was first reported by Politico. Kaspers shift marks another change at the department, where a handful of top advisers have already been terminated. On Friday, the Pentagon fired senior aides Dan Caldwell, Colin Carroll and Darin Selnick, all of whom initially were placed on paid administrative leave days earlier and escorted out of the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trio was terminated after the DOD opened an investigation into the leaks of information to news outlets. All three of the political appointees said in a joint statement that they have not been told what they were probed for and are incredibly disappointed by the manner in which our service at the Department of Defense ended. Kasper signed a memo last month, kick-starting a probe into recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information. This investigation will commence immediately and culminate in a report to the Secretary of Defense, Kasper wrote in a March 21 memo. The report will include a complete record of unauthorized disclosures within the Department of Defense and recommendations to improve such efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth is under new scrutiny after The New York Times reported Sunday that he shared attack plans against the Houthis in Yemen in a Signal thread with his wife, brother and personal lawyer. He created the chat and shared the information from his personal phone, the outlet reported. Hegseth said on Tuesday morning that the messages on Signal were informal and unclassified. I look at war plans every single day. What was shared over Signal, then and now, however you characterize it, was informal, unclassified coordination for media coordination and other things, the Defense secretary said on Fox News. Thats what Ive said from the beginning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said staffers found to be leaking from within the Pentagon will be prosecuted, as the embattled Cabinet secretary seeks to fend off reports of turmoil from within his department. Hegseths push to investigate leaks at the DOD comes as he faces heightened scrutiny for disarray under his leadership at the Pentagon and is part of a broader administration effort to quash leaks across government agencies. We're going to investigate and when we investigate, we'll take it anywhere it leads, Hegseth told Brian Kilmeade of Fox and Friends on Tuesday morning, referencing a series of serious leaks at the Pentagon that had prompted a Defense Department investigation, including information related to Panama Canal plans and Elon Musks visit to a Pentagon briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When that evidence is gathered sufficiently and this has all happened very quickly it will be handed over to [the Justice Department], and those people will be prosecuted if necessary, Hegseth said. (Hegseth was previously a Fox and Friends host before taking the top Pentagon job.) Chaos at the Pentagon has quickly spiraled in recent days, with three top officials who were removed in relation to leak probes claiming that they have not been told what exactly we were investigated for, if there is still an active investigation, or if there was even a real investigation of leaks to begin with. Hegseth himself has also been the target of criticism, coming under fire again this week for sharing attack plans in a private Signal chat with his wife, brother and personal lawyer, as The New York Times reported. Hegseth found himself in the center of a similar controversy last month after sending sensitive plans in an unsecured chat that mistakenly included Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, in a scandal now dubbed Signalgate. But Hegseths troubles havent ended there. A former Pentagon spokesperson, John Ullyot, penned an opinion piece in POLITICO Magazine over the weekend claiming the building is in disarray under Hegseths leadership. Ullyot resigned from the Pentagon last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth on Tuesday appeared to take aim at Ullyots credibility, saying: Anybody that knows John knows why we let him go. President Donald Trump has, for now, shown Hegseth his full support, both speaking privately to the Defense secretary and telling reporters during Mondays White House Easter egg roll, Pete is doing a great job. Ask the Houthis how hes doing. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt took her defense of Hegseth even further, telling Fox and Friends on Monday that the entire Pentagon is working against their boss. President Donald Trumps advisor Elon Musk and his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are locked in a battle of wills over military staffing and spending, plunging the already beleaguered Pentagon even deeper into chaos. As head of the cost-cutting initiative DOGE, the worlds richest man is determined to find tens of billions of dollars in Defense Department savings and lay off hundreds of thousands of defense employees. Hegseth has publicly supported DOGEs efforts, but behind the scenes he has opposed Musks attempts to cut civilians working in military hospitals, shipyards, munitions factories and schools, The New York Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE wants to slash up to 200,000 civilian employees out of 750,000, which Hegseth says would cripple critical department functions. Their clash pits a guy who looks like a sentient Army Ken doll against the living embodiment of the geeks shall inherit the Earth theory. Hegseth is hyper focused on restoring what he calls warrior ethos to the Defense Department. By the Times count, he has posted 16 photos and videos over the past month of himself working out with combat troops. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made it a habit of attending President Donald Trump's cabinet meetings despite not being a cabinet member. / REUTERS/Carlos Barria Musk famously cant bring himself to exercise and says his lifes work is to colonize Mars in order to ensure humanitys long-term survival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both, however, have an avowed hatred of wokeness. They also have famously messy personal lives. Hegseth has been married three times and has admitted to cheating on all three wives, including his current one. Musk has fathered at least 14 children with four women, and his estranged daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson has accused him of being a serial adulterer. Defense officials told the Times the two men met at the White House this month to try to work out their differences, though its not clear how successful the effort was. Trump has vowed to increase military spending from $850 billion annually to $1 trillion, and yet Musk is determined to find tens of billions of dollars in Defense Department savings, the Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, he replaced a senior official representing DOGE at the Pentagon because the official wasnt willing to make deep enough cuts. President Donald J Trump has publicly stood by his scandal-ridden Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. / The Washington Post via Getty Im Hegseth is also facing other crises at the Pentagon not of Musks making. The former Fox News host is facing calls for his resignation after sharing detailed information about upcoming military strikes in multiple unsecured group chats on the messaging app Signal. He has clashed with career Pentagon officials and frustrated employees at the Defense Department as members of his inner circlewho have never run large, complex organizationsstruggle to streamline even the most basic functions, like having Hegseth sign off on documents requested by the White House, the Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources told the paper that aides have gotten in screaming matches in his inner office. His chief of staff Joe Kasper has led meetings that devolved into long-winded stories about his evenings at strip clubs. And Hegseths deputies have combed Pentagon officials old social media posts searching for any signs of disloyalty toward Trump or MAGA. Three civilian Pentagon officials who had served in combatincluding two had been wounded in Afghanistanwere instructed to provide copies of their resumes in order to prove their patriotism. Hegseth himself has reportedly taken a page from Homeland Security Kristi Noems book and threatened to administer polygraph tests to suspected leakers. Trump, however, doesnt seem concerned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Hegseth] is doing a great jobask the Houthis how hes doing, the president said of the Iran-backed rebel group in Yemen was the target of the strikes. But even Republican lawmakers are calling for Hegseth to be fired this week after news broke that he had shared detailed attack information with his wife, brother and personal attorney. I find it unacceptable, and I wouldnt tolerate it if I was in charge, Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska said on Monday. WASHINGTON Minutes before U.S. fighter jets took off to begin strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen last month, Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, who leads U.S. Central Command, used a secure U.S. government system to send detailed information about the operation to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The material Kurilla sent included details about when U.S. fighters would take off and when they would hit their targets details that could, if they fell into the wrong hands, put the pilots of those fighters in grave danger. But he was doing exactly what he was supposed to: providing Hegseth, his superior, with information he needed to know and using a system specifically designed to safely transmit sensitive and classified information. But then Hegseth used his personal phone to send some of the same information Kurilla had given him to at least two group text chats on the Signal messaging app, three U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the exchanges told NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sequence of events, which has not been previously reported, could raise new questions about Hegseths handling of the information, which he and the government have denied was classified. In all, according to the two sources, less than 10 minutes elapsed between Kurillas giving Hegseth the information and Hegseths sending it to the two group chats, one of which included other Cabinet-level officials and their designees and, inadvertently, the editor of The Atlantic magazine. The other group included Hegseths wife, his brother, his attorney and some of his aides. Hegseth shared the information on Signal even though, NBC News has reported, an aide warned him in the days beforehand to be careful not to share sensitive information on an unsecure communications system before the Yemen strikes, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. No classified material was ever shared via Signal, said the Pentagon's chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, who called the allegations an attempt to sabotage President Trump and Secretary Hegseth. Appearing Tuesday morning on Fox & Friends, the Fox News show whose weekend edition he previously hosted, Hegseth said: What was shared over Signal, then and now, however you characterize it, was informal, unclassified coordinations for media coordination, other things. Thats what Ive said from the beginning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump tapped Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, for a job for which Democrats and even some Republicans worried he was not qualified. Now, in the wake of the revelation of the second Signal chat that included his wife and his brother, which The New York Times first reported Sunday afternoon, he faces calls for his dismissal even as Trump stands behind him. Petes doing a great job; everybodys happy with him, Trump said Monday at the White House Easter Egg Roll. Theres no dysfunction. Hegseth was also defiant at the event, dismissing the reports, though not specifically denying them. This is what the media does, he said, adding, Its not going to work with me, because were changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of war fighters, and anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesnt matter. At least one member of Trumps own party sees it differently. Rep. Don Bacon, of Nebraska, who is on the House Armed Services Committee, on Monday became the first sitting Republican member of Congress to publicly call on Hegseth to resign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had concerns from the get-go because Pete Hegseth didnt have a lot of experience, said Bacon, a retired Air Force general. I like him on Fox, but does he have the experience to lead one of the largest organizations in the world? Thats a concern. Two Trump advisers, speaking on condition of anonymity Monday, dismissed the idea that Hegseth will be fired. There is no talk right now of removing or replacing him. We have been through this before, and as of the moment, its just not something we are talking about, one said. The other said: The idea something like this would force him out is not reality. The president still supports him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former senior official in Trumps first administration, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fear of retaliation, expressed bafflement at Hegseths decision to share the information about the Yemen strike with his wife and his brother. I cant imagine a scenario where national security officials would see fit to share sensitive details about policy and planning with family members who dont have a need to know, the former official said. To do it over an unclassified messaging app is even more egregious. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com CAIRO/GAZA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- A Hamas delegation led by its chief Khalil al-Hayya has arrived in Cairo to discuss a new Egyptian proposal for a long-term ceasefire with Israel in the Gaza Strip, an Egyptian source told Xinhua on Tuesday. "The Egyptian plan calls for a five- to seven-year truce, a full exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the enclave," the source said on condition of anonymity. The visit of Hamas' delegation followed the departure of an Israeli delegation that concluded talks in Cairo on Monday regarding the same proposal prepared by Egypt in coordination with Qatar. "While Israel continues to examine the proposal, Hamas has shown initial approval," the Egyptian source added. The Israeli side submitted conditions related to the categories of hostages to be released, prioritizing individuals with U.S. citizenship. The Israeli delegation left Cairo with the proposal to review it internally, while Hamas arrived to hold follow-up discussions with Egyptian mediators, according to the source. The talks have also addressed the contentious issue of disarmament, the source said without elaborating. Meanwhile, a source from Gaza confirmed to Xinhua regarding the visit. It said Israel is seeking an agreement that would involve a "temporary cessation of military operations" in Gaza and the entry of humanitarian aid, in exchange for the release of several Israeli detainees held by Hamas. In response, Hamas has put forward a counterproposal calling for the "release of all Israeli detainees in exchange for a complete cessation of hostilities and a full end to the war in the Gaza Strip," according to the source. The position has reportedly been rejected by Israel, according to the Egyptian source. Israel ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip on March 18 and resumed deadly air and ground operations, amid a U.S.-backed plan to displace Gazans to neighboring countries, including Egypt and Jordan, a proposal both countries have strongly rejected. According to Gaza-based health authorities on Tuesday, a total of 1,890 Palestinians have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, bringing the total number of fatalities since the conflict began in October 2023 to 51,266, with 116,991 others wounded. Conservative radio show host John Reid, now the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, speaks with Gov. Glenn Youngkin. (Photo courtesy of John Reid) The Republican ticket for Virginias 2025 statewide elections is now locked in, after longtime Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity announced Monday that he is withdrawing from the lieutenant governors race due to lingering health complications following heart surgery. That clears the path for conservative radio show host John Reid of Richmond to become the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor joining Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is now her partys default nominee for governor after two challengers failed to qualify for the ballot, and Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is seeking reelection unopposed within the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reid brings a long resume in Republican politics and communications to the ticket. He has served as vice chair of the Henrico County GOP Committee, was elected an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2020, and a full delegate last year. He is also the founder and chair of the Virginia Council, a group of educators and activists focused on preserving the states cultural heritage. Reid previously worked as director of editorial communications for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and as Senate communications director for former U.S. Sen. George Allen, R-Va. Earlier in his career, he served as president of the bipartisan U.S. Senate Press Secretaries Association and had the distinction of being one of the last interns to President Ronald Reagan. On Monday, Reid offered praise for Herrity and struck a unifying tone as the GOP closed ranks around its 2025 ticket. Pat has been a gentleman during this campaign and he has devoted many years of his life to serving the people of Fairfax and of Virginia, he said in a statement. We all owe a debt of gratitude to responsible men and women who step forward into the arena, sacrificing their time and often personal lives to offer leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reid called Herritys decision to end his campaign selfless and said it provides the Republican Party with an early chance to rally around a full statewide slate. Positioning himself as a candidate focused on broad appeal, Reid said hes prepared to carry the GOP banner across the state. As I hope my travels across the state and work ethic have demonstrated, I take my new responsibility as the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor seriously. I will continue to work hard to be worthy of this opportunity and to earn every vote of Republicans, Democrats, and all those looking for a voice across Virginia. Herrity said in a lengthy statement that he made the decision with a very heavy heart, noting that while his doctors still expect a full recovery, complications from his March 13 open-heart surgery have made it clear that returning to the campaign trail at full strength wont be possible in the near future. Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity on Monday ended his bid for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor, citing health reasons. (Photo courtesy of Pat Herrity). Unfortunately, the 150 percent effort required for a statewide campaign would also significantly delay my recovery, put undue stress on my health and come with some risk, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sole Republican on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the only GOP candidate from vote-rich Northern Virginia in the statewide field, Herrity had been off the trail for weeks but still led all candidates Republicans and Democrats alike in first-quarter fundraising for the office of lieutenant governor, pulling in $540,000. That put him ahead of former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney ($429,000), state Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, and physician Babur Lateef, both of whom raised just under $400,000. Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond, raised $306,000, followed by former U.S. Department of Justice counsel Victor Salgado at $134,000. Herritys exit leaves Reid as the lone Republican for the job, avoiding a divisive primary fight and allowing the GOP to fully consolidate its resources toward November. He also used the moment to urge continued support for the Republican slate, calling Earle-Sears critical to preserving what he described as Gov. Glenn Youngkins legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If not, Virginia will lose its competitive edge with forced unionization, our neighborhoods will be less safe, education standards will again be lowered, California will determine what cars we drive and electricity will continue to be both more expensive and less reliable. State Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, who recently took the reins as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, said Herritys exit was a bittersweet development a loss for the field, but a gift to the partys electoral strategy. Im very hopeful that Pat is going to make a full recovery, hes a great guy and was a great candidate, Peake said in a phone interview Tuesday. On the other hand, I am glad that we are not going to have a fight for the lieutenant governor nomination. Peake said he wasnt sure who would have come out on top had Herrity remained in the race. I have no idea who would have won that race had it played out into the primary, he admitted. But I think John Reid is going to be a great candidate as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He contrasted the GOPs early unity with the escalating battles taking shape on the Democratic side. I think the Democrats are going to have a very brutal primary fight for their lieutenant governor race with six candidates who are very ambitious, Peake said. The attorney generals race is already getting ugly and I suspect thats only going to get worse as they get closer to June. Earle-Sears congratulated Reid on X, saying, With Jason Miyares and our team, well continue building on the meaningful results of the Youngkin-Sears Administration making Virginia safer, stronger, more affordable, and with more opportunity than ever before. Democratic candidates were quick to offer words of support for Herritys recovery, even as they prepare for what promises to be a fierce primary battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wishing (Pat Herrity) strength and healing as he steps back from the LG race, Rouse posted on X. Praying for a full recovery for him and his family. Stoney added: I am sending my best wishes for a speedy recovery to Pat Herrity. Brandy and I are thinking about you and your family during this time. Lateef struck a more pointed tone in his response, saying he hoped Herrity makes a full recovery and that he would be ready to take on Reid, flip the lieutenant governorship, help win the governors and attorney generals races, and expand the Democratic majority in the House of Delegates. Democrats have already secured their nominee for governor former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger was unchallenged for the partys top spot. But the battles for lieutenant governor and attorney general remain crowded and costly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Del. Jay Jones of Norfolk is attempting a political comeback in the attorney generals race after his 2021 primary loss. He faces Henrico Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylor. Both are currently lagging behind Miyares in fundraising. Miyares raised $1.5 million in the first quarter, compared to $931,000 for Jones and $534,000 for Taylor. Political observers say Herritys exit reshapes the dynamics for both parties. With the GOP slate now settled with Earle-Sears, Miyares and Reid, it gives the GOP some room to launch a coordinated campaign, said David Richards, a political science professor at the University of Lynchburg. Money they would have spent in a primary now can be spent in the general election. Richards noted the tickets diversity could be a strategic advantage for Republicans but warned of its ideological branding. It is also a diverse ticket, which will be a selling point, but also a very pro-Trump, far-right ticket, which will be a difficult sell in much of Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats, meanwhile, are facing a double-edged sword. That means spending money now and having less later, Richards said. On the positive side it means that the Democrats get a lot more attention as primary season rolls around in June, while the GOP gets sidelined until later in the summer when the regular election campaign season starts. Despite stepping back from the statewide race, Herrity said he remains committed to his role on the Fairfax Board of Supervisors and to helping Republicans in November. My campaign was less about me and the lieutenant governor position and more about doing well in Northern Virginia so we could elect Winsome Sears as our governor and reelect Attorney General Jason Miyares, he wrote. I remain committed to the mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youngkin offered his support late Monday. After making a difficult decision today, Pat Herrity one of Virginias strongest leaders is in our prayers for strength and a full recovery. Well continue to fight alongside him as the best supervisor in Fairfax County, he said. And while his recovery may be slower than expected, Herrity insisted hes not down and out. I can assure you that I did not have a stroke or heart attack and I am walking over three miles a day and climbing stairs. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A box of 24 doses of naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, as seen at Arkansas' Camp Robinson during a distribution drive for law enforcement officers in August 2023. The life-saving medicine naloxone was approved for nonprescription sale more than two years ago, but many rural Arkansas pharmacies still keep the overdose-reversal kit behind the counter. Of 15 pharmacies the Advocate contacted for this article, all but two kept naloxone behind the counter. Pharmacists and business owners said requests for the drug have been low or nonexistent among their clientele, and they havent thought of moving it to a different area. Others cited shoplifting and the drugs expense as a concern; several said more insurance providers should cover the cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goodman Drug in Corning, a town of about 3,000 people in Clay County, was one of two pharmacies that makes naloxone available over the counter. Though owner Cathy Goodman said she didnt have many customers come in looking for the product, she said it was important to keep it in an accessible location. Some people have prescription drugs and children in the house, Goodman said. [Naloxone] may not necessarily be for them, but it should be readily available to anybody who has anything [with opioids] in their household, she said. More than 82,000 people in the United States died of a drug overdose in 2024, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The same data shows Arkansas had 386 drug overdose deaths in 2024, though the figure could change as the data is finalized. The CDC reported a 28% decrease in Arkansas overdose deaths from 2023 to 2024. Naloxone is packaged as many brands, and the Narcan nasal spray was a commonly known label when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded its availability in March 2023. While the nasal spray is effective and designed for easy use, experts say 911 should still be called immediately in the event of an overdose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas officials stress the importance of naloxone distribution as they gradually allocate the states $216 million share of the national $26 billion opioid settlement funds. The funds were divided between the state, counties and cities. The Arkansas Association of Counties and the Arkansas Municipal League pooled their allocations together and formed the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership, which former state drug director Kirk Lane leads. I think theres a stigma attached to anything that has to do with substance use disorder, and there always has been, Lane said, acknowledging that naloxone carries a stigma. Its whats always made it difficult for us to give resources to people who need it. Kirk Lane, director of the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership, speaks at a press conference announcing a new youth drug-reduction program in Little Rock on Oct. 9, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Lane agreed that keeping naloxone behind the counter where a customer has to ask for it establishes a barrier. However, ARORP has distributed about 100,000 dosage units of naloxone statewide, and Lane said if someone has a will to access the medicine, they could get it very quickly from a local participating organization, law enforcement agency or emergency services group. Lane said the recovery partnership has approved funding for a handful of pharmacies to provide naloxone kits free of charge to patients who cant afford it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per Arkansas Act 651 of 2021, health care professionals are required to prescribe an opioid antagonist like naloxone under certain conditions, including when a patient has a history of opioid use disorder or if they receive an opioid dosage of at least 50 morphine milligram equivalents per day for at least five days. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Patient hurdles Spence Reed, an owner of the ReedHutchins Pharmacy in Heber Springs, said he could see how the behind-the-counter placement of naloxone in his Cleburne County store would create an additional hurdle for customers. But Reed said hes also concerned that people might steal the $60 medicine. He compared the product to pregnancy tests or condoms, which he said are commonly taken to avoid embarrassment. Several other pharmacy operators said they were worried naloxone would be taken unknowingly out of their business and have kept it behind the counter so they can keep an eye on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Cooper, director of operations for Heartland Pharmacys 11 Arkansas locations, said the location of the drug depends on the storefront. While smaller businesses with less to oversee may stock it on their shelves, its mostly kept behind the counter as a preventative for shoplifting. Chris Cooper, director of operations, Heartland Pharmacy (Source: heartland-rx.com) Its not cheap, so contrary to what a lot of people think they think that it is still very affordable, a cheap medication that they can just snag. Unfortunately, its not, he said. Cooper said the behind-the-counter placement is not meant to deter use of the drug in any way, and he expressed support for naloxone access as drug overdose continues to affect thousands nationwide each year. Naloxone is typically packaged in a small box containing two nasal sprays. Most Arkansas pharmacies sold the product for about $65, though Eudora Drug Stores pharmacist Clara Rice said the price was up to $250. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eudora is a town of about 2,000 people in the Arkansas Delta, not far from the Mississippi River. Data shows the towns median age is 52, and an average household income is about $27,000. Rice described the area as having high crime. We dont want to take any chances with having [naloxone] out front, Rice said. Of course, if there were an emergency, it would be easy to get to if that was the case. Such is the notion that many rural pharmacies described: If a customer came in and asked for naloxone, they would still be able to buy it. Its a financial thing for me, said Tyler Staten, manager of Gannaway Drug in Warren, the seat of south Arkansas Bradley County. If nobodys demanding it then just like stocking anything else, if you dont have a demand for it theres no need to stock it on the shelf. As soon as somebody wants it or needs it, Im willing to do that. We will do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While theft may play a small factor in Larry Thomersons decision to keep the medicine behind the counter at the Gurdon Pharmacy in Arkansas south central Clark County, he also wants to talk with his customers beforehand and ensure they know how to use it, he said. Thomerson, a pharmacist of 50 years, said he doesnt consider naloxone to carry a stigma, and there are no restrictions on buying naloxone in his shop. Ill be glad to sell it to anyone who wants one, he said. Cissy Clark, pharmacist and owner of Clarks Family Pharmacy in Earle, also pushed back on the idea that purchasing naloxone is complicated by stigma. I live in a really, super small town. Ive known these people since 1995; raised them from diapers, Clark said. I think theyre comfortable enough with me to come in and ask for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said that she recommends naloxone to customers who are headed off to college soon in case of any emergencies. Earle is located in Crittenden County on the Arkansas-Mississippi border. In 2020, the town had a population of about 1,800. The town takes up about 3.25 square miles, and staff said Clarks Family Pharmacy is the only local provider in town. Still, Clark said she keeps naloxone behind the counter because of the areas financial standing. Financial burden In Heber Springs, Reed said not many people have asked for naloxone over the counter, but it is included with frequent pain medicine prescriptions. He said that if a medicine could save a life and prescribers have to include it on their opioid scripts, insurances should cover it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We often try to tell them it could be somebody who doesnt know what it is that gets a hold of [pain pills] in your house could be another family member or grandchild somebody that accidentally gets a hold of them and takes them, Reed said. That way, you would have [naloxone] on hand to hopefully rescue them or prevent an unwanted outcome. Mayflower Family Pharmacy owner Michael Thilo tells his Faulkner County customers something similar. Rather than highlight how a customers dependency on pain medicine is a physical addiction itself, Thilo said he puts a soft spin on naloxone to encourage people to keep the overdose-reversal medicine around. Michael Thilo, owner, Mayflower Family Pharmacy (Source: mayflowerfamilypharmacy.com) Thilo said he prompts his clientele to think about what would happen if a child accidentally consumed the pills, which shifts the focus away from the person using the pain medicine. I definitely think theres a stigma, Thilo said. I think most people see it as, I dont need that because I dont have that problem, whether they realize they do have the problem or not. I think most people that have been on opioids long term just need it for day-to-day, but they dont realize theyre addicted to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thilo said he hasnt had anyone ask for naloxone over the counter, and affordability may be another barrier. Of the most common insurance providers including Medicare for whom Thilo considers the most vulnerable population about half wont cover the medicine, he said. He estimated that one customer out of every 10 who receive an opioid prescription at his pharmacy will pick up naloxone because of the copay expense. I think all insurances should be required to cover it for no cost, Thilo said. If were worried about it as a population, as a society, then I think we should take it seriously and remove the financial burden. Heath Branscrum, a pharmacist and part owner of Health-Wise Pharmacy in the small Sebastian County town of Lavaca, shared similar sentiments about his patients not jumping to pay the cost of the preventative medicine. One of the barriers to people gaining access to Narcan is the fact that their insurance is not covering, particularly Medicare-affiliated insurances, the over-the-counter version of Narcan, Branscrum said. Theres a large number of people out there that are supposed to have Narcan available to them, but they dont get it because its going to cost them $50. Other resources Purchasing naloxone at a pharmacy isnt the only way residents living in rural Arkansas can access resources to stop the opioid epidemic. River Valley Medical Wellness, a primary care provider with offices in Russellville and Hot Springs, in 2023 launched the Arkansas Mobile Opioid Recovery (ARMOR) nonprofit, which sends mobile health units with critical substance use care to rural pockets in the state. Attorney General Tim Griffin funded the first mobile health unit with a $777,000 grant from the states opioid settlement funds. After seeing some success, the Arkansas Department of Human Services provided the same funding amount for a second mobile unit. Tucker Martin, chief operating officer at River Valley Medical Wellness and co-founder of ARMOR, said the goal is to have five mobile health units that provide services in each corner of the state and in the Little Rock metro area. According to results from a twice yearly River Valley Medical Wellness social determinants of health survey, Martin said patients consistently list transportation to care at the top of the list. Tucker Martin, COO, River Valley Medical Wellness (Source: rvmwellness.com) Theyre making a decision about whether theyre going to buy food to put on the table for their family, or theyre going to put gas in their car, travel 38 miles or whatever it is, to go to the doctor, Martin said. Thats the kind of decision that these people are facing, so that birthed the idea of, Lets create an environment where we can take health care directly to communities. April 14 marked the one-year anniversary of ARMORs mobile health unit launch, and Tucker said 1,785 patients in a handful of towns were treated during that time. Each of the meetings are very meticulously scheduled and coincide with a providing service already in the community, such as a local church, he said. More than 1,200 free naloxone kits were distributed to the community in the last year, according to an impact report from ARMOR. My deep, deep desire is to give the same thing that was given to me, which is access to a little bit of hope, said Martin, who celebrated nine years of continuous sobriety in October. At the state level, Griffin also has distributed a portion of opioid settlement funds to a variety of organizations focused on providing help to those with opioid addiction. Griffin recently launched a pilot program for the states specialty courts system and helped fund opioid research at Arkansas Childrens Hospital. The Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership funds projects in all 75 counties that aim to abate the opioid epidemic. While Lane said ARORP doesnt allow applications for naloxone kits from individuals, the organization works to provide funding for local entities that can distribute the resource in the community. ARORPs Naloxone Hero Project distributed more than 100,000 dosage units statewide, the majority of which went to local organizations. Recently, ARORP started distributing units to law enforcement agencies, first responders and fire departments. The ReviveAR mobile app also teaches residents how to use naloxone, where they can access it locally and how to provide support for family and friends. The app provides step-by-step opioid reversal instructions in English, Spanish and Marshallese. I think in every ability where theres any possibility of somebody overdosing [naloxone] ought to be considered as a resource to reverse an overdose, Lane said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE As the spring months heat up, more Oklahomans are heading out to the lake for fishing, swimming, boating and other recreational activities. So far in 2025, visitors to Oklahoma lakes haven't had to worry much about low lake levels. As of late April, most of Oklahoma's lakes and reservoirs are at or slightly above normal. Only a small number of lakes are below standard levels. Are Oklahoma lakes flooded? At this point, there aren't any reservoirs in Oklahoma that are at risk of overtopping their dams. Each lake is allowed a certain number of feet above the standard "conservation" level as it holds excess water. Most lake levels now are currently somewhere in that buffer zone, which is called the flood pool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If it gets too high, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will let some of it drain by opening additional gates. They can also restrict water flow if areas downstream are susceptible to flooding. "Our goal is to protect life and property by trying to not add to a bad situation," said Brannen Parrish, spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Tulsa. The flood pool at Ft. Gibson Lake, located in northeastern Oklahoma, was around 40% full as of April 21, according to Army Corp of Engineers data. Visitors to Arbuckle Lake in southern Oklahoma will also notice the lake a bit swollen. Other lakes with more than a quarter of their flood pool filled include Grand Lake and Lake Eufaula, both in eastern Oklahoma. Which Oklahoma lakes are low? With plenty of rain hitting watersheds across the Great Plains over the past few weeks, most Oklahoma lakes have avoided low water levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some are below the standard conservation level, however. Waurika Lake south of Lawton, for example, is more than a foot below its normal elevation. The same goes for Skiatook Lake, which is northwest of Tulsa. Why lake levels are important for safety As the water levels rise, structures along the lake's edge that aren't properly floated could be damaged. It can also erode the shoreline, causing instability. Low water levels can hamper good fishing spots and make the water harder to access via infrastructure like boat ramps. "The main thing we tell people, as far as recreation goes, is if a reservoir is high or up a foot or two, then keep in mind that there may be things that are submerged that wouldn't normally be submerged. You need to be cautious of that," Parrish said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swimmers and boaters should use caution, since obstacles like trees and rocks can disappear under the waves. People diving into the water should take special precautions to properly gauge the underwater depth. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma lake levels: Corps of Engineers report shift after flooding Over 40 international students have visited one of China's largest energy and chemical bases in northwest China's Ningxia to see the green energy transition. #GLOBALink A high school senior accused of firing a gun during a deadly shooting outside a crowded house party in the Spanaway area appeared in court Monday. Prosecutors said it was lucky he didnt kill anyone. Christopher Lee Cobb, 18 of Federal Way, pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault for his part in the incident, which ended with the deaths of 19-year-old Hector Gonzalez Valdez and 15-year-old Joaquin Ramirez. Four other people were wounded. A second teenager, Isaiah Davion Williams, 17, has been charged as an adult with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Valdez and Ramirez as well as second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He remains in custody at Remann Hall on $1 million bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before ordering that Cobb be held in jail in lieu of $100,000 bail, Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaille said there was an epidemic of gun violence in the country. And we have an epidemic of young people possessing guns who should not have them, and who also use them in ways that result in fatalities, McInvaille said. Its unclear how Cobb came to possess the firearm hes alleged to have used. Deputy prosecuting attorney Dalton Smith said detectives had not yet located the gun. In Washington, it is illegal for people under age 21 to possess a handgun or a semiautomatic assault rifle, although there are exceptions. Cobbs attorney from the Department of Assigned Counsel, Brandy Miller, said the defendant is a senior at Truman High School in Federal Way who has no prior criminal history. Miller told McInvaille that under Criminal Rule 3.2, the presumption is to release the accused person unless that presumption can be overcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McInvaille agreed but said there are exceptions to the presumption. This was a house party that clearly got out of control, McInvaille said. We have two people who are deceased as a result of being there and having been shot. The amount of bail McInvaille imposed is what was recommended by Smith. He said Cobb wasnt the one who killed the victims, but he possessed a firearm and shot at someone during the incident. Charging documents state Cobb is specifically accused of assaulting Gonzalez Valdez. Smith also noted that according to the probable cause document, Cobb was expelled from Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way for a year for possessing a handgun while at school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The March 29 shooting occurred at about 12:24 a.m. in the middle of a residential street in the 17800 block of 25th Avenue Court. A young woman who was injured previously told The News Tribune that the party was meant to celebrate a girls birthday. Surveillance video showed that Valdez and Ramirez were talking to Williams when they were suddenly shot. Ramirez died at the scene and Valdez died at a local hospital. WASHINGTON (AP) The H-1B visa has long been a highly coveted employment visa for foreign citizens with specialized skills to live and work in the U.S., and recent requests from the Trump administration have put greater attention on the program. The requests for more information from people applying for or renewing H-1B visas come amid heightened tensions over immigration as President Donald Trump seeks to make good on his vow of mass deportations of people in the country illegally. Much of Trump's agenda has been focused on arresting people in the country illegally or reversing Biden-era temporary deportation protections. There has been less attention on employment-based visas or other parts of the legal immigration system though more than 1,000 international students have had their visas or legal status revoked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The requests for information come as the H-1B visa program is already a source of division within Trumps Republican Party. Heres a look at what the H-1B visa program is, what critics and supporters say about it, and how the administration's recent questions have raised concerns. What is an H-1B visa? The H-1B was created as part of the 1990 Immigration Act. It is a type of nonimmigrant visa, meaning it allows for a temporary stay in the U.S. and is not intended for people who want to immigrate permanently. Some eventually do, but only after transitioning to different immigration statuses. An H-1B allows employers to hire foreign workers who have specialized skills and a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who uses H-1B visas? The visa is most commonly associated with the tech industry. About 60% or more of the H-1B visas approved every year since 2012 have been for computer-related jobs, according to the Pew Research Center. But health care facilities, financial institutions, universities and just about any other employer looking to address workforce shortages can and do apply for H-1B visas. The number of new visas issued annually has been capped at 65,000, plus an additional 20,000 for people with a master's degree or higher. Some employers, such as universities and nonprofits, are exempt from the limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People from India are by far the biggest users of these visas, according to Pew. The organization said that since 2010, the majority of approvals every year have gone to people born in India. What makes the H-1B program controversial? The idea behind the H-1B visa is that it allows employers to hire from abroad for jobs that they haven't been able to fill in the U.S. Proponents say the visa is a critical tool for hard-to-fill positions. But critics on both sides of the aisle have said that it undercuts U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated. And earlier this year, Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, wrote a scathing open letter saying the program's real purpose was to replace American workers with lower-paid workers from abroad who often live as indentured servants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The debate over the future of H-1B visas is especially pronounced within the GOP. On one side are wealthy members of the tech world who support the visas to help bring in more highly skilled workers. On the other side are people of Trumps Make America Great Again base who championed his immigration policies and say these visas allow employers to pay foreigners lower wages than if they hired Americans. The issue played out in a very public spat late last year after Trump tapped Sriram Krishnan, who favors bringing in more skilled immigrants into the U.S., as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy. What's going on with reports of unusual letters over H-1B visas? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, some immigration lawyers have reported receiving unusual requests about clients applying for or renewing H-1B visas or other types of employment-related visas. Kevin Miner, a partner at global immigration law firm Fragomen, said dozens of members from the American Immigration Lawyers Association, or AILA, received the requests in letters over roughly the last two weeks. He cited two versions: One says the immigration service has identified adverse information related to the visa applicant, and they must schedule an appointment to collect biometrics for the case to proceed. The second, he said, just says that biometrics are needed without any mention of adverse information. Miner said these requests have generally been asked of people applying for or renewing an H-1B visa or an I-140, which is an employee-sponsored green card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miner pointed to two things that make these requests unusual: Generally, biometrics arent required for these types of visas and, usually, when the government wants more information, its requests are specific. Its usually a back-and-forth process, said Miner, who chairs a policy and benefits committee for the nonpartisan AILA. This is different. Miner also said that if the government is going to add additional steps to the process, officials would usually go through the notice-and-comment period, which alerts lawyers and applicants of approaching changes. Thats not something that theyve done here, Miner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, said in an emailed statement that they are increasing screening and vetting of all foreign citizens filing for immigration benefits as part of the Trump administration's commitment to restoring integrity to our immigration system" and said those efforts had lapsed under the previous administration. Collecting beneficiary information and biometric data is a necessary part of USCISs efforts to promote national security and public safety and to mitigate fraud by conducting screening and vetting in all immigration programs and the agency is proud to be returning to this important work, agency spokesman Matthew Tragesser said. What is happening with immigration policy? The Trump administration has promised mass deportations of people living in the U.S. illegally, tried to strip hundreds of thousands of people of their deportation protections and is revoking visas of international students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 1,000 international students have had their visas or legal status revoked since early April, according to an Associated Press review of university statements, correspondence with school officials and court records. The revocations often come with little notice to either students or their schools, and are being initiated by the government, a departure from past precedent university officials have largely made administrative updates to the database when a student graduated or fell out of good academic standing. Miner said people are concerned that similar actions might follow for those on employment-related visas. Theres just so much unknown, he said. ___ Associated Press reporter Annie Ma contributed to this report. TAMPA Lawyers for Glen Rogers, the man condemned to die next month for a 1995 Hillsborough County murder, say his medical condition makes lethal injection too risky, suggesting firing squad and lethal gas as alternative methods of execution. Florida law does not allow the latter two options, but the proposal is part of a last-ditch effort to spare Rogers from being put to death. Rogers defense raised the issue in a Tuesday morning court hearing, along with resurrected claims that he was a victim of childhood sex trafficking, as he fights to stop his scheduled May 15 execution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His story needs to be told, Ali Shakoor, one of Rogers attorneys, said during the hourlong hearing. A modern jury would not sentence Mr. Rogers to death. Assistant Attorney General Stephen Ake argued that Rogers claims were not new or timely. Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco agreed. Citing case law, she turned down Rogers request for a full evidentiary hearing. In a court paper filed before Tuesdays hearing, Rogers attorneys said he suffers from porphyria, a disorder that causes neurological problems, skin sensitivity and liver dysfunction. Symptoms of the condition can be made worse by certain drugs. Those include etomidate, one of the substances used in Floridas lethal injection procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drug is likely to cause Rogers to suffer a porphyria attack that will cause great pain, making it impossible for the state to humanely conduct his execution, the lawyers argued. The law requires that attorneys for the condemned suggest an alternate execution method if they raise such a challenge. Rogers team suggested firing squad and lethal gas. Only a handful of states use those methods. Florida is not one of them. Although Florida allows the electric chair as an option, it has not been used since 1999. Rogers attorney opined that the chair is cruel and inhumane. He suggested firing squad and gas as less violent and deadly alternatives. In the same court paper, the defense summarized Rogers history of having endured childhood sexual abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It started when he was 10 years old. He was pimped out by his older brother and others in his native Hamilton, Ohio, the paper stated. Through the age of 12, he spent time in a neighborhood brothel he called the cathouse and was raped by both women and men. Those tales only came to light in recent years, Shakoor said. He noted that child sex trafficking has since become an issue of concern for Florida lawmakers and the public. If a new jury heard about Rogers childhood, they may recommend a life sentence, he argued. He has to tell that story, Shakoor said. The court paper includes names of people who may be able to corroborate the abuse allegations. It also references a former FBI agent who met with Rogers in recent years to discuss the abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sex trafficking allegations were raised in a previous appeal that Rogers filed in 2020, which Sisco also turned down as untimely. Gov. Ron DeSantis last week signed Rogers death warrant. The 30-day period between the warrant and the execution is a remarkably tight timeline, forcing lawyers for the state and defense to speedily litigate his final appeals. Rogers, 62, has been on death row for 28 years. Known as the Casanova Killer and the Cross-Country Killer, he is suspected in several homicides that occurred throughout the U.S. in the mid-1990s. In Tampa, he was convicted of the 1995 murder of Tina Marie Cribbs. She met Rogers, a former carnival worker, at the Showtown USA bar and restaurant, a hangout in the southern Hillsborough town of Gibsonton, known as the wintertime home for circus workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogers bought drinks for a group of women who came with Cribbs. She later agreed to give him a ride to a nearby carnival lot, telling her friends she would return. She never did. Cribbs was found dead two days later in the bathtub of Room 119 at the Tampa 8 Inn, a motel off Columbus Drive near Interstate 4. Shed been stabbed to death. The room was registered to Rogers. He was arrested about a week later after leading Kentucky state troopers on a high-speed chase. Along with the arguments over lethal injection and whether a jury should have heard about the sexual abuse, his lawyer also told the judge that Rogers was entitled to have someone else represent him in his final appeals. Shakoor works for the Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, a state agency that provides legal representation to death row prisoners. Rogers has in years past complained about the effectiveness of his representation by the agency, saying they wouldnt pursue legal claims he wanted to make. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That created an ethical conflict, Shakoor argued, and required the appointment of a different lawyer. Mr. Rogers simply wants conflict-free counsel to litigate the claims he wants to litigate with his life at stake, Shakoor said. Were raising claims as a compromise, but were not raising the claims that Mr. Rogers wants because we dont believe in them. We dont believe we can challenge our own representation. Ake, the lawyer for the state, responded that the claim was untimely and there was no showing of an ethical conflict. Rogers listened quietly by video conference from Florida State Prison, near the city of Starke in northeast Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, he spoke up amid arguments over the timeliness of the legal conflict. I filed a motion in the court, he said. I filed a notice in the court two or three years ago with the conflict. The judge is expected to enter an order by Friday formally denying Rogers claims. Its likely that Rogers will further his case in the Florida Supreme Court, with appeals in the federal court system to follow. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Preble County Historical Society has received funding to support a major project. In an effort to plan events for Americas 250th birthday, PCHS is expected to construct a new Underground Railroad exhibit. PCHS collected a $5,000 grant from America 250 Ohio, the state commission for events for the countrys milestone in the state. This spurred development of an on-site Underground Railroad (UGRR) exhibit to serve as a collection and informative storytelling point which will then lead visitors, interested patrons, and scholars to explore the rich history of Preble County, Ohio involvement as an important piece of the UGRR, said America 250 Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of date, researchers have spent over 1,000 hours in preparation of the exhibit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) For the first time, an Illinois woman will speak publicly about her experiences as a child survivor of the Holocaust. The woman, Renee Adelman Grobart, will speak at this years annual Yom HaShoah event where one organizer encourages all of us to take a good look at what is happening. When we talked about Never Again, we are talking about the demonizing of other people, the taking away of their rights and making them stateless and deporting them. The camps were in Poland; they werent in Germany. What we saw during the Holocaust was groups of people blamed for all the social and economic ills that were happening in Germany, said Sue Katz, one of the organizing committee members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years event, which is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Peoria, will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington St. Admission is free and the event is open to the public but people are asked to preregister for the event through this website. Yom HaShoah is Hebrew for Holocaust Remembrance Day, and this years event features Renee Adelman Grobart, who fled her native Poland when the Nazis invaded. She and her mother went east into Russian-held territory to flee the Germans while her father was away touring with a Yiddish Theatre group. Where others endured life in the concentration camps, Grobart and her family were loaded onto train cars to transport deeper into Russia away from the fighting. They wound up in Uzbekistan where the family her father met up with them lived through hardship, horrific living conditions and the miracle of the three of them surviving until the end of the war, In addition, the winners of the White Rose Society essay contest will be announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the message of the individual story, Katz said its important to go as those who lived through the Holocaust are dwindling. Its important, she said, to bear witness to what these people went through and to be able to rebut those who claim the mass killings never happened. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. MEXICO CITY, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday criticized an anti-immigrant advertising campaign made by the U.S. government and broadcast by privately-owned Mexican television stations. At her daily press conference, the president denounced the ad, saying it contains "highly discriminatory content," and "attacks human dignity, and could encourage rejection and violence against migrants." Her administration has formally requested its withdrawal, she said, adding the Mexican Constitution prohibits "any act or practice of discrimination," and the Federal Telecommunications Law stipulates "that programming broadcast within the framework of freedom of expression must promote the dissemination of artistic, historical, and cultural values, national unity, and respect for human rights," principles violated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the government agency behind the ad. Following the ad's airing, Sheinbaum said that her administration will seek to reinstate an article in the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law which prohibits radio and television concession holders and license holders from broadcasting political, ideological, or commercial propaganda paid for by foreign governments. "The issue is that they are paying to be able to broadcast these ads, this propaganda, which has a discriminatory message," she said. In the meantime, her administration has asked broadcasters to remove the ad, which features U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem warning would-be undocumented migrants from trying to enter the United States. HIGH POINT High Point Universitys Workman School of Dental Medicine recently received its initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation to start a one-year, full-time residency program in general dentistry. The school welcomed its inaugural class of 60 students last fall and will move into its permanent home on HPUs campus when a new three-story, 77,500-square-foot building opens this summer. The Workman School of Dental Medicine is now enrolling recent dental school graduates and dentists who are seeking advanced training for its new Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program, which starts in July. The residency program is designed to broaden a residents professional knowledge and clinical skills. The program will focus on such areas as oral medicine and digital dentistry. HPUs AEGD Program will differ from residency programs at other dental schools across the country. For example, it will have an extremely low student-to-instructor ratio to allow residents to receive one-on-one training. The initial cohort will consist of up to 16 residents, who will receive free tuition and get paid while in the program. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The city of Huber Heights will host a public session of prayer soon for National Day of Prayer. On Thursday, May 1, the Huber Heights City Chambers will see community pastors, leaders and neighbors leading city residents in prayer for local, state and national government, military service members, police, fire and emergency response personnel and more. Local church holds vigil for late Pope Francis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The session will be at 6131 Taylorsville Road from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. See the citys flyer below for more information. 2025-National-Day-Of-Prayer-FlyerDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 massive blast occurred at a Russian ammunition depot on Tuesday. The Kremlin said the incident was caused by a fire from the mishandling of explosives. Ukraine has attacked similar sites in the past, but this is said to be an accident. A massive blast rocked a Russian ammunition depot Tuesday. The Kremlin blamed it on a fire from a lack of safety when working with explosives. Video footage and images began to surface on social media on Tuesday, showing smoke plumes and fireballs at what was identified as Russia's 51st Main Missile and Artillery Directorate (GRAU) Arsenal, a facility located northeast of Moscow in the Vladimir Region, more than 300 miles from the Ukrainian border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were reports later of secondary explosions. Ukraine's strategic communications center said that the facility is one of the Russian defense ministry's largest munitions arsenals. Russia's 51st GRAU is in the Kirzhach district of the Vladimir region. Russian state media said that authorities declared a state of emergency in this district. Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, wrote in a message on the Telegram messaging app that the arsenal stores around 100,000 tons of weaponry. He said this includes artillery shells and missiles. Business Insider could not immediately verify the reported details of the incident. One of the largest munitions arsenals of the Russian Defense Ministry is currently exploding 530km from Ukraine - the 51st GRAU Arsenal (military unit 11785), located in the Vladimir Region, in Russia's Kirzhach District, near the village of Barsovo. pic.twitter.com/mAEj8vVHqh SPRAVDI Stratcom Centre (@StratcomCentre) April 22, 2025 | #BREAKING: Heavy explosions at the 51st Arsenal GRAU (/ 55443-44) located in Barsovo, Vladimir Oblast of Russia. This is one of the biggest ammunition depots in Russia. A huge cloud of smoke can be seen rising to the sky as ammunition detonation is underway. Russian pic.twitter.com/HEA5vuVV9c Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) April 22, 2025 The cause of the blast was initially unclear. Russia's defense ministry later provided an explanation. Though it did not identify the exact site of the explosion, it said that a fire at a military site in the Vladimir region caused ammunition to detonate inside a warehouse. The Kremlin said the incident will be investigated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "According to preliminary information, there are no casualties," the ministry said in a statement posted to Telegram. "The cause of the fire is a violation of safety requirements when working with explosive materials." Russia's 51st GRAU arsenal just suffered another major secondary detonation as the munitions storage facility continues to cook off. The munitions dump, one of Russia's largest, is now reportedly ejecting explosives into the surrounding area. pic.twitter.com/9AN4fAQtxg OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 22, 2025 "Based on the results of the investigation, the guilty officials will be held accountable," the statement added. Russian state media outlet Tass later reported that four people were injured in the explosion, citing the governor of the region. There were no fatalities, it added. Multiple settlements in the area were evacuated. The Ukrainian military has not commented publicly on the explosive incident at the Russian facility. It frequently carries out long-range missile and drone attacks against Russia's energy and military facilities, including ammunition depots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has a history of accidents like the one on Tuesday. Ammunition depots have exploded a few times. In fact, at this site, specifically in the Vladimir region, four people were killed in June 2022 when the ammunition inside detonated during unloading operations. Read the original article on Business Insider CHEYENNE Local resident Joe Ramirez has been organizing protests in front of the Wyoming State Capitol since Donald Trump became president for a second time in January, and they continue to gain both traction and attention. On Saturday, an estimated 200 to 300 people showed up to protest the actions of President Trump and Wyomings state lawmakers. Were getting people together who probably dont think they have a voice anymore, and so Im trying to provide the voice for them so they can get comfortable in spreading that voice, Ramirez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the No Kings protest on Saturday, Ramirez assembled several speakers to share their perspective with the attendees. He said he tried to get a diverse set of speakers from different political party affiliations and different generations. One of the speakers was Matthew Snyder, the chairman of the Laramie County Democratic Party. He said while things will not change immediately after a protest, it is important for people to continually be present. The reality is the divisiveness is not what moves the country forward, he said. We need to be positive, we need to be practical, we need to be real about a lot of this stuff. And I dont think thats whats been happening. I think weve been dealing in this alternate universe that I dont understand. No Kings Protest Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laramie County Democratic Party Chairman Matthew Snyder speaks during the No Kings Protest at the Wyoming State Capitol on Saturday in Cheyenne. An estimated 200 to 300 people were in attendance. He said the next step following the protests is to organize around it and take action from there by supporting new political candidates. Ramirez said he has organized a group called meeting of the minds, where he gathers with several community members after protests to discuss how to move forward and educate the community on how to take further action, including selecting political candidates and organizing town halls. This is community action, this is activism, he said. So, we want to grow from that to getting involved in offices and running and supporting candidates. This is the tip of the iceberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another speaker was former U.S. Senate candidate and former Catholic priest Charlie Hardy of Cheyenne. He wore red pants and carried a red umbrella to protest the American military aid to Israel, as more than 50,000 Palestinians have died since October 2023 as a result of Israeli air strikes, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 31% of which were under 18 years old. President Biden said if (Israeli President) Benjamin Netanyahu went past the red line, he would stop sending bombs and businesses to Israel. But nobody knew what the red line was, Hardy said. He said another of his concerns is American involvement in Venezuela, saying the United States has been trying to overthrow the Venezuelan government for 26 years and damaging the country through trade sanctions. He spent several years living and working in Venezuela as a missionary. You could get a college doctor degree at university in Venezuela for free. You could have medicine free. But why? Because with your money, the governments able to pay doctors, nurses, professors, teachers, he said. But if you keep the government from selling their oil, then they dont have money for that. So, this situation is tough in Venezuela, but its because of our sanctions on Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hardy also acknowledged that change may not come immediately as a result of this protest, but said he has hope in younger generations to continue to fight for change. Cheyenne resident Gary Peterson said he wanted to attend the protest to show Wyomings elected officials that their constituents are upset. You cant afford to stay silent. Weve been silent too long. Enough is enough is enough, he said. Due process is a human value, and you and I both could be on the next plane going south if somebody makes a crazy decision. Jessie Klein was volunteering at a booth for the Laramie County Democratic Party. He said he is a licensed psychotherapist working in health care in Cheyenne and is concerned with how the Trump administration is approaching health care for veterans, since it plans to slash 80,000 jobs from the Department of Veterans Affairs across the country, including some positions in Cheyenne. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal system right now, theyre having objectives pushed to them that are not patient-focused or science-focused, which is incredibly alarming ... were basically making care for veterans worse, which is really bad, he said. Another attendee, Jordan, was representing the Industrial Workers of the World labor union as an at-large member. He said he was raised in Casper and has lived in Cheyenne for six years, and has seen the seen the state and nation decline over time. Our material conditions decline here. We have less buying power every year, marginalized people are further marginalized, he said. ... Thats the complete opposite direction, in my opinion, to actually resolving the crisis of capitalism, the crisis of what the working-class experiences on a daily basis. Ramirez said he will continue to organize protests throughout the yea, and he hopes to draw more people out to let their voices be heard. The protest Saturday was one of the many No Kings anti-Trump protests that took place across the country, including in other towns in Wyoming. There was one counter-protester, William Overling, who stood on the outskirts of the protest and spoke with some attendees about their political differences. One protester knocked his Make America Great Again hat off his head, and he called law enforcement. Police came to the protest and left after a few minutes. The investment plan comes as Hyundai Steel grapples with weak domestic demand, an influx of cheap Chinese steel and labour strikes over a wage deal that was agreed only recently. It reports quarterly results on Thursday. Hyundai Steel's stock has lost 21.2% of its value since the investment was announced, lagging rival POSCO Holdings' 18.3% loss and the benchmark index's 5.5% fall. Hyundai Motor shares fell 12.9% during the same period. Other questions raised included why the plant would be built in Louisiana, which does not neighbour states where its client Hyundai Motor has auto plants, what concessions it is expecting from the U.S., and whether Hyundai would be able to secure enough customers to fill up the capacity. "What would be longer-term benefits as U.S. tariff and trade policies could change again when the new plant is up and running in 2029 and Trump wouldn't be in office any longer?" asked one investor on the call. Two days after the White House event, President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on imported autos, with no exemptions on Korean products. But some investors, trade experts and workers are concerned over whether the hastily drawn-up plan will actually help South Korea win trade concessions. South Korean senior government officials are set to have talks with their U.S. counterparts in Washington on Thursday, as they seek exemptions or reductions on tariffs. Four Hyundai executives and government officials told Reuters that they hoped the investment would pave the way for Hyundai and South Korea to push for more favourable terms in tariff negotiations with the U.S. "But we had to move quickly in light of fast developing U.S. tariff situations and the limited capacity of our government to actively respond," he said, according to a transcript of the call seen by Reuters and confirmed by a person with direct knowledge of the closed-door meeting. The remark referred to the political vacuum stemming from former President Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment. "We apologise that the plan was announced when some of the details are still under review," a Hyundai Steel official told them about the deal, part of a $21 billion U.S. investment package its parent Hyundai Motor Group unveiled at the White House on March 24. SEOUL (Reuters) -In late March, as investors kept hammering Hyundai Steel shares after the South Korean steelmaker announced a $6 billion investment in the U.S., the company organised a call with a dozen investors to calm nerves over the project that lacked detailed funding plans. Story Continues Analysts warn the investment could also increase financial stress on the struggling steelmaker and it may have to scale back the capacity of the new plant, which is expected to produce enough steel to make 1.8 million vehicles a year, well above the combined production target of 1.2 million units by Hyundai and its affiliate Kia in the U.S. "If the project turns out to be financially unviable, the company is likely to scale it back or delay execution. At this stage, the announcement may be more about political signaling than a firm commitment," said Chan H. Lee, managing partner at Petra Capital Management in Seoul. Hyundai Steel said in a statement it expects "stable demand" for automotive steel in the United States, the worlds largest car market, and that its planned U.S. facility will supply high-quality, low-carbon steel products to both Hyundai-Kia and other U.S. customers. The company added that its investments and tariff negotiations are "separate matters." Addressing concerns about its domestic operations, Hyundai Steel said it is working to enhance the competitiveness of its South Korean factories. Hyundai Steel said it would fund 50% of the U.S. investment with borrowing but has yet to disclose how the rest of investment would be split among potential equity investors. It said earlier this week local rival POSCO would make an equity investment in the project. UNUSUAL Hyundai Motor and affiliate Kia, which together generate about one-third of their global sales from the U.S. market, have been courting Trump since his election win in November. South Korea is the second-biggest exporter of cars to the United States after Mexico. Hyundai Motor donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund and also invited him to an opening ceremony of its new Georgia car factory in late March, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung told reporters at the event in late March. After being briefed about Hyundai's U.S. steel factory plan, Trump invited the chairman and other Hyundai executives to the White House, Chung said. "It's quite unusual to announce an investment plan at the White House, as we would normally organise such events with state governments where we are investing," a person familiar with the matter told Reuters, declining to be identified as he was not authorized to speak to the media. "It appeared the White House wanted to tout our investment as an example showing that its tariff policy works." For Hyundai Motor Group, the investment plan has not gone any further beyond the flashy announcement for now, as South Korea is hoping to negotiate a reduction in the 25% tariffs Trump has imposed on South Korean goods (since suspended for 90 days) or give exemptions to a separate 25% levy imposed on imported vehicles and steel. Chung told reporters that he does not expect one company's investments alone to bring a major change in U.S. tariff policy and its new U.S. factory is to meet potential requirements for low-carbon steel rather to prepare for tariffs. "Tariffs are a state matter between a country and a country," he said, adding Hyundai and South Korean government will hold talks with the U.S. administration. "We are closely monitoring new policy developments and continually review various business strategies to ensure long-term profitability", Hyundai Motor Group said in a statement, adding it still plans to invest 24.3 trillion won ($17.05 billion) in South Korea this year. Some experts also had reservations about how big a role Hyundai's investment would play in tariff talks between Seoul and Washington. "Typically in trade negotiations, each side avoids making early unmatched concessions, preferring a package deal approach. But these are not normal times," said Wendy Cutler, a former U.S. Trade Representative chief negotiator who heads the Asia Society Policy Institute. She said Korean negotiators would need to remind the U.S. negotiating team of the need to get credit for their investment in any final deal. "If Hyundai had coordinated with the government and used the investment as part of Seoul's broader packaged offer later, who knows that the outcome might have been a bit different," former trade minister Yeo Han-koo told Reuters. As uncertainty over trade talks persist, some Hyundai workers in South Korea remain worried. Kang Do-hoon, a factory worker at Hyundai's Incheon production site that now faces a one-month operation suspension due to weak construction steel demand, said the company's U.S. investment plan is upsetting many workers as they have been calling for more investment in local factories. "This is the first time we have experienced such a bad situation ... so I am really worried," said Kang, who has been working at the plant for 15 years. "We feel a great sense of loss." ($1 = 1,425.0100 won) (Editing by Miyoung Kim and Kim Coghill) * China's Central Economic Work Conference, held in December last year, called for ramped-up efforts to promote a green transition across all sectors, including the establishment of a group of zero-carbon industrial parks. A surge in such parks is expected in 2025. * Zero-carbon industrial parks not only drive low-carbon development but also enhance enterprises' innovation capability, energy efficiency and informatization level, serving as a key engine for China's high-quality economic growth. * China has made remarkable progress in its green transition and technologies, and its journey offers a blueprint for sustainable development that other countries can follow. NANJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Along a nearly-500-meter asphalt road shaded by a glimmering canopy of photovoltaic panels, new energy vehicles travel back and forth. Some pull over at the roadside charging station powered by the solar array. This eco-friendly scene, especially fitting on Tuesday, the 56th Earth Day, is part of a broader zero-carbon initiative at a 100-hectare industrial park in Liyang, a county-level city under Changzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province. Since beginning operations in June last year, the park has installed around 77,000 square meters of photovoltaic panels, generating 5.2 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually. To achieve net-zero carbon emissions, the park is diversifying its clean energy sources to include wind and hydro power, according to Li Jie, general manager of State Grid Liyang Electric Vehicle Service Company, one of the park's key developers. This photo shows a charging station powered by the solar array at an industrial park in Liyang, a county-level city under Changzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province, April 17, 2025. (Xinhua) Carbon-free industrial parks aim to achieve zero carbon emissions by integrating clean energy, green architecture, smart management systems and circular economy practices. China's Central Economic Work Conference, which outlined the national priorities for 2025, called for ramped-up efforts to promote a green transition across all sectors, including the establishment of a group of zero-carbon industrial parks. According to Wu Wei, an associate professor at the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University, such parks not only drive low-carbon development but also enhance enterprises' innovation capability, energy efficiency and informatization level, serving as a key engine for China's high-quality economic growth. ZERO-CARBON PRACTICES POWER AHEAD According to the city's action plan, Changzhou aims to build more than 10 near-zero-carbon parks and more than 15 near-zero-carbon factories from 2024 to 2026. Among the pioneers in this plan is Nari-Relays Electric (NR Electric), a local power electronics company. By leveraging AI and cloud computing to monitor and optimize energy use in real time -- from water and electricity consumption to photovoltaic output and environmental conditions -- the company has cut over 21,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and saved nearly 7,300 tonnes of standard coal since 2023. Thanks to these efforts, the cost reduction and efficiency improvement have saved NR Electric nearly 20 million yuan (about 2.77 million U.S. dollars), according to the company. As microgrids are a cornerstone of zero-carbon parks' operation, Changzhou has completed 39 microgrid projects with a total investment of 1.18 billion yuan and plans to construct more such projects in the coming years. An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2025 shows the photovoltaic devices on the roof of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) International Conference Center and a BFA hotel in the Boao zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Beyond Changzhou, moves to go carbon-free are gaining momentum across China. In 2022, Shanghai released an action plan for a zero-carbon demonstration park in its Minhang District. In 2024, a plan was unveiled to build a zero-carbon park in Beijing's Daxing District. Provinces and regions like Guangxi, Yunnan and Fujian have included zero-carbon park construction in their 2025 government work reports. China has pledged to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060. With the advancement of the dual carbon goals, it is expected to see a surge in zero-carbon parks in 2025, said Ding Hong, vice president of Jiangsu's provincial society of the urban economy. "Advances in distributed solar photovoltaics, energy storage and smart energy management platforms will significantly lower costs of zero-carbon parks' construction and operation, and profoundly change China's energy utilization mode," Ding said. LOW-CARBON INNOVATIONS GO GLOBAL In Jiangsu's Suzhou Industrial Park, a joint China-Singapore zero-energy building fitted with rooftop photovoltaic panels, small wind turbines and an AI-controlled lighting and climate system showcases the possibilities of future urban architecture. Built using sustainable materials, the structure is part of the China-Singapore Green Digital Hub, a 6.7-billion-yuan project launched last November to boost green industries and emerging services. According to Li Wenjie, deputy director of the institute of urban development at Suzhou Industrial Park, the zero-energy building has been certified by standards organizations in both the United States and Singapore. "This highlights that China's carbon reduction technologies have gained worldwide recognition," he noted. This photo taken on July 13, 2024 shows a joint China-Singapore zero-energy building in Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua) China's green technologies are now reaching global markets. NR Electric, for example, has provided energy storage solutions to over 30 countries, including Britain, Japan and Saudi Arabia. At Britain's Richborough Energy Park, its technology has helped reduce carbon emissions by over 10,000 tonnes -- the greatest reduction among all battery energy-storage projects in the country in 2024. Currently, China is collaborating on green energy projects with over 100 countries and regions. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the average global cost per megawatt-hour for wind power has plummeted over the last decade by over 60 percent, and by 80 percent for solar power. China has made remarkable progress in its green transition and technologies, said Erik Berglof, chief economist at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, during this year's Boao Forum for Asia held in late March. He noted that its journey offers a blueprint for sustainable development that other countries can follow. (Reporting by Wang Yihan, Chen Shengwei; video reporters: Chen Shengwei, Wang Yihan; video editors: Zhang Mocheng, Zheng Qingbin) Apr. 21PRINGLE State legislators on Monday said the new 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art training facility for current and future generations of skilled electrical lineman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 will allow training to happen throughout the year complete with live simulations mimicking actual weather conditions that the linemen will face in working to restore our utility resources. State and local officials, led by Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Dallas Township, Sen. Marty Flynn, D- Scranton, and Rep. Jonathan Fritz, R-Honesdale, gathered in Pringle Borough for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the $9.75 million project that was boosted by a $1.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant, which the legislators were on hand to present. "When powerful storms keep people indoors, linemen must go out to restore lost power," the legislators said in a joint statement. "This work can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken, and if workers are not adequately prepared. The electrical linemen from IBEW 1319 perform a critical and difficult service to keep and maintain the electrical grids that provide utility service across our region." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The training facility will include indoor space for climbing, bucket work and grid training, a mezzanine and catwalk for instruction and observation and classrooms for splice training and hands-on work. It is expected that between 30 and 60 apprentices will be trained each year, while ongoing training will be provided for 80 active members. "This is a great asset for our community, not only in the Pringle area, not only Southern Luzerne County, we're talking about the entire region this affects," Flynn said. "People from all over this country, all over North America, are going to come to train at this facility. "It's an investment. It's worth it. It really is worth taking tax dollars and putting it forward here to invest in the people of our area and to bring them a skilled trade in the unions," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert J. Reilly, IBEW Local 1319 Business Manager and Financial Secretary, said Monday was an historic day for IBEW Local 1319 and its membership. "Our new training center will help to further education and training as we continue developing the most highly skilled journeymen linemen in the country," Reilly said. In 1990, the IBEW's Occupational Safety Health and Education (OSHE) Trust Fund was established to place an emphasis on safety and training for any lineman working in the IBEW Local 1319 jurisdiction, which includes 32 counties along the northern border of Pennsylvania. While the facility was constructed in 2016, the new center will improve training and safety outcomes. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. A Venezuelan man ordered to be deported has vanished into the black hole created by the Trump administrations illegal denial of due process for immigrants. Ricardo Prada Vasquez was marked for deportation among a group of detainees sent to El Salvador last month as part of Donald Trumps mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. But now his name does not appear in the governments records of immigrants to be detained and deported, Venezuelan authorities cant find him, and his family hasnt heard from him in more than a month, according to a Tuesday report from The New York Times. The 32-year-old father was detained by immigration authorities on January 15 after accidentally driving over the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Michigan to Ontario, while he was working as a food delivery driver. He had immigrated to the U.S. in November 2024 using the CBP One app, and was permitted to remain in the country while his case was considered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prada was initially able to stay in touch with his friend in Chicago, Javier, who spoke to the Times under the condition that he only be referred to by his middle name, for fear of becoming a target of immigration authorities. On March 15, Prada called Javier and told him he was being deported, and expected to return to Venezuela. Javier was the last known person to have contact with Prada. He has simply disappeared, Javier told the Times. Pradas name was not included in the list of immigrants removed to El Salvador. Pradas family waited to hear from him but heard nothing. He fell off the face of the earth, said Pradas mother, Maria Alejandra Vega. It was sheer agony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prada was among the group of Venezuelan immigrants who were moved south toward Texas, ahead of the Trump administrations staging of a massive deportation under the AEA of detainees it alleged were gang members. Many of these individuals had no criminal record, and evidence of their gang affiliation was thin. Pradas family told the Times that he was not a member of a gang. He did have tattoos, which is one of the characteristics ICE authorities have used to determine alleged gang affiliation. He was initially moved to an ICE facility in Ohio before being sent to the El Valle Detention Facility in south Texas, where, after failing to secure a lawyer, he was ordered to be deported. This case represents a black hole where due process no longer exists, Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration scholar at Cornell Law School, told the Times. This case shocks the conscience, he said. I have not heard of a disappearance like this in my 40-plus years of practicing and teaching immigration law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the weekend, the Supreme Court ordered that the Trump administration pause all deportations under the AEA after reports spread that the government was planning to remove another group of Venezuelan immigrants, in violation of the high courts prior ruling that detainees be given the opportunity to actually seek habeas relief in the proper venue before such removal occurs. The courts ruling sent Donald Trump into a rage Monday, as the administration has continued to ramp up its rhetoric against due process. In reality, there are no activist judges stymying the presidents wishes, but judges requiring that power to be administered according to the rule of law. And the right of due process is exactly what might ensure that the government does not lose a human being. The Idaho Department of Lands managed the Tyson Fire, which firefighters responded to in Benewah County in July 2023. (Courtesy of Idaho Department of Lands) Idaho Gov. Brad Little issued an executive order Tuesday directing the Idaho Department of Lands to increase forest management activities on federal national forests in Idaho and reduce the risk of wildfire. (The Idaho Department of Lands) will work with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) wherever possible to utilize all federal and state authorities to expedite active forest management and mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires, Little wrote in Executive Order 2005-04, which he called the Make Forests Healthy Again Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In a press release announcing the executive order, Little said his action complements the March 1 Freeing our Forests Act signed by President Donald Trump and a memo issued this month by United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins that aim to minimize wildfire risk and increase management of federal forests, Little said. Idaho governor calls for timber harvests, prescribed burns, thinning to reduce wildfire risk Forest management activities included timber harvests, prescribed burns, mechanical thinning and an aggressive initial attack during the peak of wildfire season, Little said. In Tuesdays press release, Little said that under the previous administration of President Joe Biden, the Idaho Department of Lands was limited to two small areas where it could help the federal government with expanded forest management activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little said that has changed and expanded under the new Trump administration. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US For too long, millions of acres of national forests in Idaho have remained totally untouched, creating a tinderbox of fuel that threatens communities, air quality and the environment, Little said in a written statement Tuesday. The State of Idaho has led the country in standing up programs to help our federal partners increase the pace and scale of active management on federal ground. The work weve done is making a difference. In conjunction with Littles press release, Idaho Farm Bureau CEO Zak Miller issued a statement praising Little and Trumps actions. Idaho Gov. Brad Little gives a press conference after delivering his annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, in the Lincoln Auditorium in the Idaho Capitol. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Farm Bureau strongly supports President Trumps and Gov. Littles emphasis on returning active management to federal lands in Idaho, Miller wrote. Our members have been personally devastated by the negative effects of reduced federal management over the years. We fully support Gov. Littles executive order and look forward to cooperatively increasing the level of management of federal lands in Idaho so they will be as productive and healthy as our state lands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rollins, the United States secretary of agriculture, also issued a statement released by Littles office Tuesday saying the move will strengthen the timber industry. I commend Gov. Little for acting quickly to fix our national forest emergency, Rollins wrote. Americans rely on Idahos productive and abundant forests, and this executive order will go a long way towards strengthening the timber industry in the state and minimizing harmful pests, disease and risk of fire. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued a similar executive order on Monday to encourage wildfire preparedness across the Beehive State, according to the Utah News Dispatch. The order, according to Coxs office, is meant to improve coordination among state, local, and federal partners ahead of the 2025 fire season, the news organization reported. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Data consistently shows physicians are more likely to stay and practice in the state where they complete their training. But to truly build a pipeline, Idaho must educate more doctors who not only stay here, but also open their doors to medical students for clinical rotations and their training in Idaho, writes guest columnist Ted Epperly. (Tom Werner/Getty Images) As a family medicine physician in Boise and president and CEO of Full Circle Health, I have dedicated much of my career to enhancing medical education and addressing Idahos physician shortage. Serving as the Graduate Medical Education coordinator for the state, I authored Idahos 10-Year Graduate Medical Education plan to build a robust Graduate Medical Education system of residency programs throughout Idaho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho faces a critical need for more medical doctors (MDs and DOs), especially in rural and underserved areas. House Bill 368, as amended, is a vital step toward addressing this shortage by expanding medical education opportunities within Idaho. The bill increases the number of medical school positions and establishes a working group to develop a comprehensive plan for Undergraduate Medical Education, or medical school training, in Idaho. Comprehensive medical education includes both Undergraduate Medical Education and Graduate Medical Education. Think of it as a pipeline. Undergraduate Medical Education is the front end of the pipeline which lays the foundation classroom learning and early clinical training. Graduate Medical Education serves as the backend of the pipeline and provides the advanced, hands-on clinical and hospital experience through residency programs, where medical school graduates train in the specialty of their choosing. Residency training is critical, as physicians must graduate from a residency program in order to become licensed practicing physicians. Data consistently shows physicians are more likely to stay and practice in the state where they complete their training. But to truly build a pipeline, Idaho must educate more doctors who not only stay here, but also open their doors to medical students for clinical rotations and their training in Idaho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investing in both Undergraduate Medical Education and Graduate Medical Education is essential to creating a full, self-sustaining medical education ecosystem and ensuring Idaho has the health care workforce it needs for the future. By supporting House Bill 368, we can strengthen our medical education infrastructure, attract and retain talented physicians, and ultimately improve health care access for all Idahoans. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Australian identical twins Bridgette Powers and Paula Powers are going viral after a carjacking but not for the exact reasons one would expect. The Powers twins, 50, spoke with 7News Queensland about how their mother was caught in an armed carjacking in Queensland, Australia, on Monday, April 21. During their on-screen interview, they spoke in sync, finished one another's sentences and answered the interviewers questions with the same words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Twins Go Viral for Hilarious 'First Time Hearing' Videos Showing Them Reacting to Classic Songs And one guy, he was up there with our mum he goes, run, hes got a gun, one sister recalled while the other repeated the same words and inflection at the same time. And our heart started to pound. And I said, Oh, mum, wheres mum? And poor mum was stuck up there. The twins, who are founders of Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue, told the 7News journalist that their mother was able to remain calm despite the armed suspect near her. Witnesses are recounting the mayhem that unfolded on the Sunshine Coast. Two sisters have told of how their mother and a man raced to help when the carjacked SUV rolled on Steve Irwin Way, only to find the gun-wielding car thief emerging from the wreck. #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/BRLNjRecAf 7NEWS Queensland (@7NewsBrisbane) April 21, 2025 But apparently our brave mum, she goes, Are you alright? Because he had blood all over his face. And he goes: Ill shoot you. She goes: Hey, Im here to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mum distracted him to make him look the other way, and he looked the other way, and mum ran into the bush behind the fence. The guy goes, Ill find you and Ill shoot you. The Powers twins said in unison that they were thinking to themselves, I hope he doesnt fire. The twins and their mother all walked away safely. Related: Ohio Man Who Went Viral for Having Same Birthday as Wife and Their Twins Is Shot Dead: 'Light of Our Lives' (Exclusive) Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Bridgette and Paula Powers on September 16, 2008 in Beerwah on The Sunshine Coast, Australia. Bridgette and Paula Powers on September 16, 2008 in Beerwah on The Sunshine Coast, Australia. 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. Several people who might be unfamiliar with the environmentalist twins have commented on the now-viral video, remarking on their mirroring speech patterns and hand gestures. However, the pair is well-known in Queensland for running their own animal rescue organization. They were also the subject of a 2016 Good Morning Britain segment, in which Piers Morgan laughed at their synchronized answers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair began their animal rescue work after meeting Steve Irwin, with whom they forged a bond before he died in 2006. Our brains must think alike at the same time," they told the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) in 2021, and they acknowledged it's weird. "We do annoy a lot of people," they said. Despite their efforts to change, it doesn't feel right to do so. We just love one another to pieces, they told ABC in 2021. We never get sick of one another." Read the original article on People QUEENSLAND, Aus. (WJW) Identical twin sisters are going viral after a carjacking involving their mom, but that isnt the part people are interested in its the way they talk. The Powers sisters, Bridgette and Paula, are identical twins from Australia. When the pair spoke to 7News Queensland about how their mother was caught in an armed carjacking in Queensland, they spoke in sync. Former Avon football player dies at college Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their interview about the April 21 incident with 7News caught the attention of social media users as they finished each others sentences and answered the interviewers questions with the same words. One sister told the interviewer about the incident, as the other repeated her words at the same time. One guy, he was up there with our Mum. He was coming back down toward us, he goes, run, hes got a gun, and our heart started to pound, they said at the same time. I said, Oh, Mum, wheres Mum? And poor Mum was stuck up there. But apparently our brave Mum, she goes, Are you alright? Because he had blood all over his face. And he goes, Ill shoot you. She goes, Hey, Im here to help. According to the sisters, their mom distracted the suspect by making him look the other way before she ran into a bush behind a fence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flames, smoke pour from massive fire at Richfield Township home The guy goes, Ill find you and Ill shoot you, the sisters told the interviewer. All I was thinking about when we were running (is) I hope he doesnt fire. Were so blessed. According to 7News, the twins and their mother all walked away safely. The Powers sisters, 50, are the founders of Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue, an animal rescue organization in Queensland. The Powers twins also made headlines in 2016 when they were guests on Good Morning Britain. During the interview, Piers Morgan laughed at the synchronized answers, saying, This is the funniest thing Ive ever seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cleveland is never going to be confused for New York, but the Cavs Jarrett Allen loves it anyway. Just like us According to PEOPLE, Bridgette and Paula began the Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue after meeting Steve Irwin and forging a bond with him before his passing in 2006. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) The Illinois Department of Public Health is hiring, and theyre hosting a job fair in Springfield to meet interested candidates on Wednesday. Its meant to give prospective candidates the chance to apply for, and ask questions about jobs in the public health field. Every cone, every sign, every worker counts: Illinois honors Work Zone Awareness Week There are no wrong doors into public health, IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said. There are careers in public health for virtually anyone from medical professionals to communications experts to people who are great with numbers or computers and many more. We need all types of skills to help improve the health of Illinois residents. As we celebrate 30 Days of Public Health throughout April, please join us at Springfield Job Fair. We look forward to meeting the public health heroes of today and tomorrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The job fair will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Attendees can enter the grounds through Gate 9. Although advanced registration is not required, those planning to attend are encouraged to fill out this form. Chatham K-9 officer retires after eight-year career Attendees will have the chance to speak with IDPH employees, and career counselors from the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. These career counselors can help jobseekers create an online profile and other aspects of the state hiring process. Click here to learn more about the positions available in the state of Illinois. The job fair takes place during the IDPHs 30 Days of Public Health event. Its a month-long celebration of public health activities. Learn more about the 30-day event on the Illinois Department of Public Healths website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. So, you've bagged yourself an invasive iguana or two. What next? If you're a waste not/want not type, why not make use of your kill? And just to ease your mind, it's fine. Like all nonnative reptile species, green iguanas aren't protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law and can be humanely killed on private property with landowner permission, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and on 32 public lands in south Florida, including the Big Cypress, and parts of Fisheating Creek and Babcock (check here first) in Southwest Florida. Iguana is not by any means a huge part of Marco Island iguana hunter John Johnson's menu, but he's not against demonstrating its culinary potential. Known as The Iguana Guy, Johnson regularly supplies an FGCU class with meat for cultural studies and has demonstrated iguana egg breakfasts on camera as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meet The Iguana Guy Mini dragons have invaded Marco Island. One man's on a quest to stop them with an air gun The scrambled eggs are pretty standard, but for meat dishes, Johnson recommends an initial parboil, the way you'd poach chicken before making it into salad or casserole. Here are a couple of recipes to get you started, and there are more online resources as well. How to cook iguana meat and make fajitas John Johnson, owner of Down Goes Iguana, examines a male iguana he's killed on Marco Island, Fla., on Monday, April 7, 2025. 1/2 pound skinned iguana meat. There's not a whole lot of muscle on iguanas except for the legs and the top of the tails, so that's generally the focus, Johnson says. If you don't have your own, exoticmeatmarkets.com will sell you a pound for $149.99 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice About a tablespoon of powdered Fajita seasoning Oil for sauteeing Tortillas and garnishes, like tomatoes, avocado cilantro and salsa Bring a pot of water to a low boil. Add the meat and simmer about 20 minutes. Drain and sautee, then place in a bowl with juice and seasoning and allow to marinate for half an hour. Remove from marinade, heat oil and sautee. Cool and chop or shred to desired fineness before wrapping in tortillas and garnishing to taste. How to make scrambled iguana eggs Eggs fresh from the iguana, ready to be squeezed and scrambled. 10-12 eggs (will be joined together with membrane) Dash of milk Grated cheese 1 tablespoon butter Seasonings to taste Remove and rinse eggs. With a sharp knife, slit the eggs, then squeeze them into a bowl. Don't be alarmed at the lack of whites; iguana eggs are all yolk, Johnson says. Add the milk and whip until blended. Melt butter in a pan, add eggs and scramble until they're the desired consistency. Stir in the cheese and seasonings and serve. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida iguanas: How to eat, cook invasive lizard, recipes ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) made a stop in Rockford on Monday to mark the 75th anniversary of chemical company Thermo-Fisher. LaHood discussed the importance of creating public policy that is beneficial to job creation and manufacturing. What also becomes important is good public policy that allows them to continue to do the work theyre doing. The research and development tax credit, which we are currently debating in the Ways and Means Committee, has a huge impact on the research thats done here by scientists and PHDs, on that innovation for the future, and how that helps Thermo-Fisher and other companies in that space. And also having a competitive tax code that continues to have jobs and manufacturing here in the United States, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thermo-Fisher produces chemicals and products for biological research. LaHood discussed the impacts tariffs could have on the countrys manufacturing, saying he has concerns about tariffs being imposed on U.S. allies, and has hopes that deals can be made. He said he supports strategic tariffs on China, so long as those tariffs can change the countrys behavior in the worlds economy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RIYADH, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks on Tuesday in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on bilateral ties and regional developments. During the talks, both sides reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to further strengthen and develop cooperation between the two countries across various fields, according to the official Saudi Press Agency. They discussed the latest regional and international developments and joint efforts to achieve security and stability, said the report, noting that the two sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual concern. Following the talks, the Saudi crown prince and the Indian prime minister co-chaired the meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. Indian prime minister arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier on Tuesday for a two-day state visit. "This visit will strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia," Modi said on social media platform X upon his arrival. CHICAGO (WGN) The self-described face of Illinois tourism was financially benefitting from efforts to market the state, according to findings from Illinois executive inspector general. Daniel Thomas made frequent appearances in the media promoting Illinois through his work as deputy director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, but the inspector general found he was still profiting from his former company that was hired to help with the marketing effort. Mr. Thomas received over $136,000in payments from TimeZoneOne after he began working at DCEO, the inspector general determined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, Thomas was vigorously negotiating his own payment from his former firm, TimeZoneOne, while overseeing the companys contracts with the state, raising serious questions regarding his ability to be independent and objective in his dealings, the inspector general concluded. In a statement, Thomas took aim at the investigation. Ive always acted in the best interest of Illinois, but this kind of process discourages capable private sector talent from entering public service, he said. The OEIGs investigation was one-sided, lacking fairness and transparency. They targeted me despite knowing that all the actions in question had been reviewed and approved by DCEO counsel and ethics advisors. Thomas said he sold the company four years before he started working with the State of Illinois and that his payment was scheduled to occur over time. He denied wrongdoing and said the DCEO was fully aware of his previous work with the firm and disclosed in ethics filings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inspector general said Thomas increased the firms production of marketing videos and marketing materials under the Illinois Made campaign during his tenure with the state. He also traveled to Europe, Mexico and the Rose Bowl in California as part of his work with the Illinois Tourism Office. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzkers administration said Thomas was terminated immediately following receipt of the results of the investigation. The department takes these matters seriously, and DCEO responded swiftly and decisively upon learning of the misconduct, a DCEO spokesperson told WGN Investigates. DCEO has also taken action to address the issues identified, including strengthening internal oversight and accountability measures as it relates to contract management, employee travel, and gift ban compliance. TimeZoneOne and another firms contracts expire in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We take our public service role seriously and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability. In that spirit, we responded promptly and transparently to all inquiries from the Office of the Executive Inspector General, a TimeZoneOne spokesperson said in a statement. TimeZoneOne remains committed to delivering trusted, high-impact work for our clients and partners. The firms employees are listed as direct contacts on the states EnjoyIllinois.com website. Investigators also determined Thomas violated the states gift ban and ethics policies by accepting free or discounted travel, meals and wine. It includes business and first class airfare, discounted hotel rooms and travel for a relative. The departments chief of staff told investigators she did not have any concerns about Mr. Thomas ability to be objective in overseeing his former company, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inspector general concluded DCEO staff engaged in mismanagement by failing to take appropriate action to ensure that Thomas did not have a conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. I rarely got in trouble when I went to Catholic school from first through eighth grades, but one time I earned detention called Justice Under God, or JUG because I wore white socks instead of the mandatory brown or black socks with my uniform. Depending on the day, we wore gray slacks; a blue or white button-down shirt; blue tie; blue blazer; and black or brown shoes, belts and socks. Every day at the Hardey Preparatory School for Boys in Chicago. However, my infraction was not about wearing the wrong clothes, it was about the lapse in judgment and discipline. I never made that mistake again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ever since Pope Francis died on April 21, I have been reflecting upon my time in Catholic school and the lessons I learned about service, community, hard work ethic ... and, of course, discipline. Growing up meant navigating Episcopalian and Roman Catholic worlds Parishioners attend a special Mass for Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Incarnation Monday, April 21, in Nashville. The Pope, who died at 88 after an illness, emphasized inclusion and care for the impoverished. Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean While I was not baptized Roman Catholic, my parents raised me in a very Catholic way. My father was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in Colombia, South America nearly 60 years ago. He worked in Venezuela and came to Chicago to study for his doctorate at Loyola University, a Jesuit school (Pope Francis happened to be a Jesuit). But he ended up meeting and falling in love with my mother. And because he also wanted to continue his service to God, he served as a priest with the Episcopal Church, where my siblings and I were baptized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The majority of my family still identifies as Roman Catholic, and we were sent to Catholic schools where we learned about Saint Peter, the first Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope, and his successors, and the veneration of saints and prayers to the Holy Trinity and the Virgin Mary. Teachers such as Ms. Wade, Mrs. Bell and Mr. Anderson remain very much in my heart and mind because of their concern, care and examples as role models. Mr. Anderson even served as my godfather for the sacrament of confirmation in the Episcopal Church. Faith can become a salve that heals and unites News: Nashville bishop, parishioners pray following pope's death: 'Honor Pope Francis' request' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, I was invited to attend a trivia night fundraiser at an out-of-state Catholic school to sub in for a relative who had a conflict. While I am usually talented at trivia, I flubbed the question about naming all 12 of Jesus Christs apostles. I felt especially bad because for the last several months, I had been watching with my parents in the Atlanta area The Chosen, a series about Jesus and his apostles, based on the four gospels in the Christian Holy Bibles New Testament. A pro tip: The team that got that answer right had a priest at their table. As a journalist and son of the clergyman who once considered going to seminary, I have been always fascinated by the history of religion and peoples relationship to faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have witnessed how faith can serve as a balm to heal brokenness. However, I have also seen how religious leaders can abuse their authority, as seen in sexual abuse scandals. Explainer: Pope Francis death means first conclave in a decade; what is a conclave? As a gay man, I felt very disconnected from the Church for many years until I found affirming congregations that accepted me for who I was. Francis was not perfect for everybody, but his message resonates While I never considered converting to Catholicism, I was impressed by Pope Franciss focus on peace, acceptance and hospitality. He also happened to be the first Latin American pontiff, which provided a model for breaking through traditional barriers of who gets to be in a position of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His critics considered him too soft on dogma and some supporters felt he did not go far enough in advancing a more progressive vision related to women's and LGBTQ rights. The Pope's last full day alive was Easter Sunday, and that morning, I reflected upon the sermon of my pastor, Rev. Becca Stevens at St. Augustines Episcopal Chapel and founder of Thistle Farms, who called on the congregation to advance, embrace and live a message of love regardless of who is in power. It took me back to those Catholic school days in the 1980s where the nuns and lay educators instilled in us the values of service, community, hard work and discipline a call to self-empowerment and self-actualization. At the end of Mass, our congregation recites the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi from whom the late pontiff took his papal name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ... where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy ... Pope Francis shared a message of kindness and love over hate and division. Amid political volatility and chaos, we everyday people, regardless of faith have a choice to love and be kind and leave the world better off. David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He is an editorial board member of The Tennessean. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or find him on X at @davidplazas or BlueSky at davidplazas.bsky.social. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Pope Francis preached peace and love to people of all faiths | Opinion IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) After announcing his plans to visit the United States-Mexico border earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator will meet with community leaders in the South Bay on Tuesday to assess the Tijuana River sewage crisis. Administrator Lee Zeldin posted on X that he was flying into San Diego on Monday night ahead of his tour, adding in the post he aims to ramp up efforts to permanently end the raw sewage crisis. For decades, South Bay locals have dealt with gallons of raw sewage pouring over the border and a smell that knows no boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside. Outside. Close your windows. Open your windows, you smell it, said Baron Partlow, the founder of Stop the Poop. Partlow says thats whats causing a stall in local business and a lull in tourism. This is starting to get a lot of national traction, he said. People dont want to come to Imperial Beach when they see and hear whats going on here. That national attention brings the EPA administrator Lee Zeldin to San Diego for a tour of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and a helicopter tour of the Tijuana River Valley. For decades theres been raw sewage thats been traveling across the border, and Americans are very concerned in regard to beach closures and the degradation of the Tijuana River Valley, Zeldin said in a press conference on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zeldin also plans to meet with community leaders and Navy SEALs, aiming to finalize a plan to permanently end this decades-long problem. He needs to see it, smell it, and breathe it, just like we do, Partlow said. Zeldin says that plan includes collaborating with Mexico to stop the millions of gallons of polluted water flowing across the border every day. Theres a lot that weve put together as it relates to the demands of Mexico, the requests of Mexico, he added. This comes as the Trump administration replaces International Boundary and Water Commissioner, Maria Elena Giner, who formerly oversaw the management of the sewage crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her resignation letter posted on Linked-In, Giner congratulated her replacement, Chad McIntosh, writing As sad as I feel leaving this position, I am proud of our accomplishments at the IBWC during our almost four years together. There was much ground to cover given the insufficient funding provided to the agency for decades. What we expect is for him to go to President Trump and tell him were in trouble, Partlow said when asked about what he wants to see following Zeldins visit. Most recently, Imperial Beach has been closed since Jan. 18, but the closures extend years before this one, and South Bay residents hope this visit leads to long-term change. Were very hopeful, but we drink the Kool-Aid of the broken promises that have been given to us, Partlow said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the tour, several environmental groups plan to protest outside of the Marine base to denounce what they call the Trump administrations attack on nonprofits and the environment. For more information on water quality in San Diego County, 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. By Rupam Jain JAIPUR, India (Reuters) -The United States wants to sell more energy and defence equipment to India to build closer ties, Vice President JD Vance said on Tuesday, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly as talks over a trade deal progress. Visiting the northwestern Indian city of Jaipur, Vance hailed what he called India's vitality over the "sameness and flatness" of some Western nations. His remarks followed criticism by U.S. President Donald Trump of steep Indian tariffs on cars, farm goods and other products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebalancing of global trade because of Trump's tariff actions is "going to produce great benefits for the people of India," Vance said. India is trying to position itself as a manufacturing base of choice for the world as China faces high U.S. duties. "If India and the United States work together successfully, we're going to see a 21st century that is prosperous and peaceful," Vance told an audience of a few hundred students, traders, government officials and politicians in Jaipur. "But I also believe that if we fail to work together successfully, the 21st century could be a very dark time for all of humanity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said it would be natural for India to buy more defence equipment from the United States, including Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jets, as the two countries do regular military exercises. "We, of course, want to collaborate more," he said. "We want to work together more, and we want your nation to buy more of our military equipment." He said the U.S. wanted to sell more energy to India and also help it explore its own resources, including offshore natural gas reserves and critical mineral supplies. Nuclear energy is also an important area of focus for both sides. 'SPECIAL PERSON' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance is on a mostly personal, four-day visit to India along with his wife, who is the daughter of Indian immigrants, and their three children. India is seeking an early trade deal with the U.S. - its largest trading partner - before the end of a 90-day pause on the steep tariffs announced by Trump's administration. "Prime Minister Modi is a tough negotiator. He drives a hard bargain," Vance said to laughter from the audience. India, the world's fastest-growing big economy, hopes to "positively conclude" the first part of a trade pact by autumn, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in San Francisco on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance said he and Modi, who hosted Vance's family for dinner at his home on Monday, had made good progress on trade talks and confirmed that the two sides had finalised the terms of reference for the trade negotiation. "It sets a roadmap toward a final deal between our nations," he said. Vance has criticised some foreign leaders but was effusive in his praise for Modi, who went to see Vance's family on the birthday of Vance's second son while both leaders were in France for an AI conference in February. "I think he's a special person," Vance said. "In the past, Washington approached Prime Minister Modi with an attitude of prejudice or even one of condescension. And, as I told Prime Minister Modi last night, he's got approval ratings that would make me jealous." (Reporting by Rupam Jain; Writing by Sakshi Dayal and Krishna N. Das; Editing by YP Rajesh, Kim Coghill and Timothy Heritage) SRINAGAR, India (AP) Indian police say at least 20 tourists have been killed in an attack by gunmen in Kashmir. COLBERT COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) An Indiana man was arrested after failing to register as a sex offender in Colbert County. A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charged Michael Shane McDaniel, 56, of Plainfield, Indiana, with failing to register or update his registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). According to officials, McDaniel was convicted of child molestation in the Marion Superior Court in Indianapolis, Indiana, which required the registration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials told News 19 that after the conviction, McDaniel allegedly traveled across state lines into Alabama and did not register as a sex offender. McDaniel was arrested in Colbert County on Wednesday, April 16, and he is currently in federal custody at this time. The U.S. Marshals Service for the Northern District of Alabama investigated the case along with the U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District of Indiana, the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Hendricks County, Indiana Sheriffs Office, and the Colbert County, Alabama Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. India's imports of Russian crude are likely to hit 2.15 million barrels per day in April, the highest volumes since May 2023, Bloomberg reported on April 22, citing Kpler data. Russian oil shipments appear to be picking up pace again after months of disruptions caused by U.S. sanctions on Russia's fossil fuel exports. India, the world's third-largest oil importer, has become the leading buyer of Russian oil products, which it purchases at a discount amid sanctions that largely cut Moscow off from the Western market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has remained the South Asian country's leading supplier for the third year in a row, Reuters reported on April 22. The Indian market was rattled earlier this year after the sweeping U.S. sanctions in January that targeted Russia's "shadow fleet," major oil companies, and associated entities, significantly complicating Moscow's crude exports. Despite a temporary drop, Indian imports of Russian crude began climbing again in March. New Delhi has maintained a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, calling for a peaceful solution while fostering economic relationships with Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: As tensions mount in US embassy in Kyiv, former official breaks silence Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A firefighter and a civilian reported injuries after a fire response in Fairborn. According to Fairborn Police and Fire, crews were dispatched around 12:45 a.m. Several local departments were on scene of the structure fire on Prospect Avenue Tuesday morning. This heavy response was due in part to a lack of operable fire hydrants in the area. In this case we had three or four tankers come out here and help, but luckily, with a really aggressive interior attack, we didnt need all those tankers, but they were here in the event that we did, said Chief Ryan Williams, Fairborn Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One person was rescued from the home and was transported to a local hospital. The firefighter was also taken to the hospital for minor injuries and is expected to be okay. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. A soldier inspects the wreckage of a car after an Israeli airstrike in Baawerta, Lebanon, on April 22, 2025. A leader of Lebanese Islamist group Jamaa Islamiya (Islamic Group) and a Hezbollah operative were killed on Tuesday in two separate Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources. One of the airstrikes targeted a vehicle in the village of Baawerta in Mount Lebanon, and the other targeted the town of Haniya in southwestern Lebanon's Tyre District, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center at the Ministry of Public Health said in two statements. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) BEIRUT, April 22 (Xinhua) -- A leader of Lebanese Islamist group Jamaa Islamiya (Islamic Group) and a Hezbollah operative were killed on Tuesday in two separate Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources. One of the airstrikes targeted a vehicle in the village of Baawerta in Mount Lebanon, and the other targeted the town of Haniya in southwestern Lebanon's Tyre District, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center at the Ministry of Public Health said in two statements. A Lebanese security source told Xinhua that the person killed in the Baawerta airstrike was Hussein Atwi, a senior Jamaa Islamiya leader from the town of Al-Hebbariyah, and the one killed in the Haniya airstrike was Ali Kaid Hashem, a Hezbollah activist from the village of Majdal Zoun, both of whom from southern Lebanon. Also on Tuesday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a meeting with visiting Speaker of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Saqr Ghobash that the "Israeli occupation" in Lebanon "obstructs the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 and the (Lebanese) army's deployment to the border." He added that "any contentious issue" in Lebanon "must be addressed through internal dialogue," according to a report by Lebanon's state-run National News Agency. Ghobash affirmed the UAE's commitment to supporting Lebanon's national cohesion and strengthening bilateral ties. Since Nov. 27, 2024, a ceasefire brokered by the United States 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 Hezbollah "threats." It has also maintained its presence on five hilltops along the Lebanese border, in violation of the agreement. Russia launched a large-scale drone attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odessa overnight, according to local officials. Three people were injured in the attack, the region's governor, Oleh Kiper, wrote on Telegram on Tuesday morning. Civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, an educational institution and vehicles were damaged. The Ukrainian civil defence service published photos of firefighting operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate attack in the Kiev region, officials said six private homes, four cars, three other buildings and three garages were damaged. The Ukrainian air force says Russia attacked during the night with 54 drones. Of these, 38 were shot down. Sixteen drone dummies went off course, mostly due to electronic countermeasures. The air force did not give the all-clear in the morning, as more drones were detected approaching from the north. Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's invasion for more than three years. Russia has in that time seized and unilaterally annexed four eastern territories, in addition to the Crimean peninsula which it has controlled since 2014. VATICAN CITY (AP) Cardinal Kevin Farrell remembers the day Pope Francis asked him to be the camerlengo, the Vatican official who runs the Holy See after the death of one pope and before the election of another. They were flying back to Rome from the 2019 World Youth Day in Panama, and Francis popped the question in business class. Farrell, 77, had been in Rome only a few years, summoned out of the blue from his job as bishop of Dallas, to reorganize the Vaticans laity office, a key part of Francis reforms. Three years into the job, Francis asked him to take on another role that is steeped in myth and mystery but also has real-world responsibilities: managing the Vatican as camerlengo or chamberlain during the often traumatic interregnum between papacies and helping to organize the conclave to elect the next pontiff. I said to him I would accept the position but on one condition, Farrell recalled in a 2022 interview, smiling as he remembered their airborne conversation. The condition was that the pope would have to preach at Farrells own funeral, reflecting Farrell's hope that he would die before Francis and never have to act as a camerlengo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The joke was twofold: Farrell didnt particularly want the heavy responsibility. But more personally, he didnt want to entertain the possibility of outliving Francis, whom he credited with having set the Catholic Church on a crucial path of renewal, redirecting it away from culture war defensiveness and back to its Gospel-driven essence of inclusion. We were defending ourselves always: Self-preservation was the theme of the church, Farrell said. And Pope Francis moved us beyond self-preservation to a message of welcome and accompaniment. The camerlengos role With Francis' death, though, Farrell is in the spotlight, albeit only until a new pope is elected. Farrell on Monday morning announced the death from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where Francis lived and died. In a short statement read live on Vatican television, he said Francis' entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to tradition, the camerlengo certifies the popes death, seals the papal apartment and breaks the popes fishermans ring, as a symbol of a vacancy at the Holy See. He leads the procession accompanying the coffin into St. Peters Basilica and presides over the burial. The camerlengo also gets written reports from Vatican offices about their current assets; a copy of the current and projected budget for the Holy See; and any other information from the Vaticans economic ministry that would be useful for cardinals and the future pope. He and the dean of the College of Cardinals, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, then play key roles organizing the meetings of cardinals preceding the conclave. Farrell, a no-nonsense Irish-born American, said the financial duties are far more important than the ceremonial ones and the ones for which he is more qualified. Farrell already heads top Vatican committees on finances, investments and confidential matters, as well as its supreme court, making him particularly well-suited to deliver a financial prospectus to the new pope. From Ireland to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man Francis chose to bridge his papacy was born in Dublin on Sept. 2, 1947. He entered the Legionaries of Christ religious order in 1966 and was ordained a priest for the Mexican-based order in 1978. He left six years later long before revelations that its founder was a pedophile who sexually abused his young seminarians and became a diocesan priest in the Washington Archdiocese. He worked in a series of parishes but also took on increasing charge of the books in the archdiocese he has a keen mind for finances but says he never finished his MBA. He became auxiliary bishop of Washington in 2001 and served under the ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick before being made bishop of Dallas in 2007. Farrell has said repeatedly that during his years in Washington, he never heard the rumors that McCarrick had behaved inappropriately with seminarians, sleeping with them in his bed while he was a bishop in New Jersey. McCarrick, who died earlier this month, was defrocked after a Vatican investigation in 2019 found he sexually abused children as well as adults. Farrell said he was happy and very comfortable as bishop in Dallas when his secretary came to him in May 2016 to tell him the pope was on the phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And I said the popes not on the phone. Popes dont use telephones, Farrell said, assuming another bishop was playing a prank. And so I picked up the phone. I was about to tell him where to go, when all of a sudden the voice on the line said quietly in Spanish: Soy Francisco This is Francis. The two had never met, but Francis knew Farrell spoke Spanish fluently, given his years in the Mexican-based Legion. A Vatican assignment Francis also knew that Farrell had made it a policy in both Washington and Dallas to put qualified lay experts, rather than priests, in positions of authority in running the dioceses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farrell said Francis asked him to do the same with the Holy Sees laity office, which the pontiff wanted to rebuild by merging it with the Vaticans family and life departments and serve as a model of lay-led governance of church management. I was trying to come up with every reason why I should not do it. And he said, Well, you think about it for three days and Ill call you back, Farrell recalled. Three days later, at the same time, I get a telephone call and then I gave him all my reasons that I had formulated. And he said, Well, why dont you come on over and talk to me? Well, that was the end, Farrell said. He moved to Rome in October 2016 to head the laity office. Within hours of his arrival, Francis announced that Farrell would be made a cardinal. It was a sign, later confirmed with his nomination as camerlengo, that Francis fully intended to entrust Farrell with some of the most important responsibilities of the church, including after he was gone. KIEV, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that Kiev is prepared to engage in talks in any format once a potential ceasefire with Russia is established, the government-run Ukrinform news agency reported. "We are ready to record that once the ceasefire is in place, we are prepared to sit down (at the negotiation table) in any format," Zelensky told a media briefing in Kiev. He expressed hope that Russia is also open to dialogue. Zelensky added that the Ukrainian delegation, which is set to meet with foreign representatives in London this week, will have a mandate to negotiate a full or partial ceasefire. On Monday, Zelensky announced that Ukraine will hold talks - aimed at achieving peace - with the United Kingdom, France, and the United States in London on Wednesday. Temperatures continue to warm across New Mexico this afternoon. Along with the warming temperatures daily afternoon thunderstorms are forecasted for eastern New Mexico. A dry line is pushing from Texas into Eastern New Mexico this afternoon. Rising air, or forcing, occurs along the edge of the line. This this aids in the creation of afternoon thunderstorms along the line. The thunderstorms occur in the afternoon/ early evening as daytime heating also aid in the creation of the storms. These storms will largely occur across southeastern New Mexico. They are at a slight risk of being severe today and tomorrow (Wednesday). The potential threats include lightning, hail, and strong winds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the weekend the moisture will push further to the west, nearly reaching the Sacramento Mountains. This push of moisture will bring more rain chances to eastern New Mexico again on Saturday. Elevated winds will also move into New Mexico over the weekend. Gusts will begin to increase across the state on Friday. Sunday is expected to have the strongest gusts. Areas of blowing dust and blowing dust storms are possible Sunday afternoon. A cold front is expected to push through the state on Sunday night and into Monday. This will cool off temperatures into the beginning of next week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) Indiana State Police detectives are asking the publics help in relation to an incident on Monday. ISP is asking for pictures and/or video that may have been captured leading up to, during or after an incident where a suspect stole a police officers car in Chandler before crashing outside of Owensboro. State police chase stolen cruiser from Indiana to Kentucky ISP is calling it an officer involved shooting on Heim Road between Inderrieden Road and SR 62 when someone called 911 reporting the suspect, later identified as Nina Adaline Devillez, 31, of Santa Claus, was traveling west and operating in a reckless manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a brief chase, ISP says Devillez crashed, and a confrontation happened that resulted in Devillez being shot before managing to drive away in the officers patrol car. Detectives believe Devillez traveled SR 62 to Boonville and possibly used various county roads east of Boonville to Spencer County before getting onto US 231 where a second chase started near CR 350 North. That led into Kentucky and ended near US 60 and Terminal Road. Officials say one county road that the suspect traveled was Maurer Road in Warrick County. Detectives are encouraging homeowners in Warrick and Spencer counties to check home security cameras that may have captured video of a black 2022 Ford Explorer or any other suspicious activity related to the incident. Officials also say the police vehicle may or may not have had emergency lights on. If one has pictures and or video of Devillez, Devillezs vehicle or the Chandler Police patrol vehicle after the shooting, click here to download the picture or video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). By Federico Maccioni ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Israel is hopeful that it will reach a trade agreement with the United States before a pause to a barrage of U.S. tariffs on global imports expires on July 9, Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat told Reuters on Tuesday. "There are a number of things under discussion... but I can tell you that both sides are optimistic that we can reach an agreement," Barkat said in an interview during a visit to Abu Dhabi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries on April 2, leading to a rout in global financial markets and raising concerns of a recession. He later temporarily lowered most of those tariffs for a 90-day period, except for imports from China. The United States is Israel's largest trading partner and closest ally, with bilateral trade worth $34 billion in 2024. The two countries signed a free trade agreement 40 years ago and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the first foreign leader after the announcement of the new tariff policy to meet Trump at the White House, on April 7. Netanyahu failed to secure a reprieve during his visit, when Trump also announced that the U.S. would engage in indirect talks with Iran, Israel's arch-foe, over Tehran's nuclear program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Netanyahu again discussed trade issues and Iran on Tuesday during a call which the U.S. president said "went very well". Before April 2, Israel had moved to cancel its remaining tariffs on U.S. imports, but under the new U.S. policy, when fully implemented, Israeli goods would face a 17% U.S. tariff. The United States had a $7.4 billion goods trade deficit with Israel last year. SEEKING 'GOOD UNDERSTANDING' While Israel is not immune to the tariffs, most of its exports comprise services, high-tech and software so they would not be impacted, Barkat said. Barkat declined to comment on whether Israel was currently benefiting from the pause, but said it has been discussing with Washington how to reduce the trade deficit between the two countries, echoing Netanyahu's words earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I believe that we could most probably get to a good understanding within that time-frame," Barkat said, referring to the 90-day pause that expires on July 9. Barkat was speaking during his second visit to the United Arab Emirates since he became minister in 2023. The Gulf country became the most prominent Arab state in 30 years to establish formal ties with Israel in 2020 under a U.S.-brokered agreement dubbed the Abraham Accords, and the two countries have since rapidly built a close economic partnership. A trade deal was signed in 2022 and the UAE has maintained the relationship during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel launched its assault on Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed across the border on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. More than 51,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Gaza health ministry. Much of the heavily built-up enclave has been flattened and most of its 2.3 million people displaced multiple times, humanitarian agencies say. Hamas still holds 59 Israeli hostages. (Reporting by Federico Maccioni in Abu Dhabi, additional reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Jerusalem, editing by Gareth Jones) JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli government shared and then deleted a social media post offering condolences over the death of Pope Francis, without saying why, though an Israeli newspaper linked the decision to the late pontiff's criticism of the war in Gaza. The verified @Israel account had posted on Monday a message on social media platform X that read: "Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing", alongside an image of the pope visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Post quoted officials at the foreign ministry as saying that the pope had made "statements against Israel" and that the social media post had been published in "error". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foreign ministry, which social media platform X states on its website is linked to the verified @Israel account, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, suggested last November that the global community should study whether Israel's military campaign in Gaza constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people, in some of his most explicit criticism yet of Israel's conduct in its war with Hamas that began in Oct. 2023. In January the pope also called the humanitarian situation in Gaza "shameful", prompting criticism from Rome's chief Jewish rabbi who accused Francis of "selective indignation". Israel says accusations of genocide in its Gaza campaign are baseless and that it is solely hunting down Hamas and other armed groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads a far-right coalition of religious and nationalist parties, has not commented on the pope's death. However, Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday sent a message of condolence to Christians in the Holy Land and around the world, describing Francis as "a man of deep faith and boundless compassion". Relations between the Catholic Church and Judaism have improved in recent decades, after centuries of animosity. Pope Francis was usually careful during his 12-year pontificate about taking sides in conflicts, and he condemned the growth of antisemitic groups, while also speaking by phone with Gaza's tiny Christian community every evening during the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis in 2014 visited the Western Wall - the most sacred prayer site in Judaism - and also prayed at a section of a wall built by Israel in the occupied West Bank dividing Jerusalem and Bethlehem. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Gareth Jones) By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - The Israeli military launched one of the biggest waves of strikes in Gaza for weeks on Tuesday, residents said, and health officials issued a new warning that healthcare faced total collapse from Israel's blockade of all supplies. Gaza's health ministry said a U.N.-backed polio vaccination campaign meant to target over 600,000 children had been suspended, putting the enclave at risk of the revival of a crippling disease that once had been all-but eradicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In diplomacy to end the conflict, a Hamas delegation was expected to arrive in Cairo for talks. Two sources familiar with the mediation effort said the delegation would discuss a new offer which would include a truce for 5 to 7 years following the release of all hostages and an end to fighting. The sources said Israel, which rejected a recent Hamas offer to release all hostages for an end of the war, had yet to respond to a revamped long-term truce proposal. Israel demands Hamas be disarmed, which the militants reject. A Hamas source later denied knowledge of an imminent visit, telling Reuters the group stood by its demand any agreement must end the war. Gaza residents said Israeli forces bombed several areas across the enclave from tanks, planes, and naval boats. The attacks hit houses, tent encampments and roads, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airstrikes destroyed bulldozers and vehicles being used to lift rubble and help recover bodies trapped under the ruins, officials and residents said. Hamas said the vehicles that were destroyed included nine that had been received from Egypt, adding that the move aimed to "deepen the suffering of our people in Gaza." The Israeli military said they hit 40 "engineering vehicles" that were used for "terrorist actions", including the execution of Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The vehicles were "considered a key component in Hamas' ability to carry out terrorist operations against the Defense Forces and the State of Israel," said the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has imposed a total blockade on all supplies to Gaza since the start of March and relaunched its military operations on March 18 after the collapse of a ceasefire. Since then, Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,600 Palestinians according to the Gaza health authorities, and hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes as Israel seized what it calls a buffer zone of Gaza land. Israel's 18-month bombing campaign has rendered nearly all buildings in the Gaza Strip uninhabitable, and Gaza's 2.3 million people now mostly live in the open under makeshift tents. Since the total blockade was imposed last month, all 25 U.N.-supplied bakeries making bread have been shut. Israel says enough supplies were sent into the enclave during the six-week truce to keep Gazans alive for months. Aid agencies say they fear the population is on the precipice of starvation and mass disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If polio vaccines don't arrive immediately, "we anticipate a real catastrophe. Children and patients must not be used as cards of political blackmail," said Gaza health ministry spokesperson Khalil Deqran. He said 60,000 children were now showing symptoms of malnutrition. ISRAEL DENIES BLOCKADE BREAKS INTERNATIONAL LAW Israel says its blockade is aimed at pressuring the Hamas militants who run Gaza to release 59 remaining Israeli hostages captured in the October 2023 attacks that precipitated the war. Hamas says it is prepared to free them but only as part of a deal that ends the war. "Israel is acting in full accordance with international law," Defence Minister Israel Katz wrote on X, in response to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who called the Israeli blockade of Gaza since March a war crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The humanitarian condition in Gaza is constantly monitored and large quantities of aid were delivered. Whenever it becomes necessary to allow additional aid, it must be ensured that it does not pass through Hamas, which exploits humanitarian aid to maintain control over the civilian population and to profit at their expense," Katz wrote. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, described the blockade as collective punishment of Gaza's people. "The siege must be lifted, supplies must flow in, the hostages must be released, the ceasefire must resume," Lazzarini said on Tuesday in a post on X. The conflict was sparked by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken to Gaza, according to Israeli records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, local health authorities report that over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive. (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Peter Graff and Ros Russell) Ronen Bar, head of Israel's Shin Bet intelligence agency, has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty in the event of a constitutional crisis, according to a formal court statement reported by The Times of Israel on Monday. In the statement, Bar said Netanyahu expected him to obey the prime minister rather than the Supreme Court should such a crisis occur. It was submitted as part of a legal dispute over Bar's dismissal, which has sparked political backlash. Bar also rejected Netanyahu's allegation that he had advance warning of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack but failed to alert the prime minister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu responded on social media, calling the statement "full of lies." Netanyahu's cabinet voted to dismiss Bar on March 21, citing a "lack of trust." However, Israel's Supreme Court later ruled that Bar must remain in his post with full authority until a final decision is reached. Bar's ousting prompted mass protests and accusations that the prime minister had a conflict of interest, as Shin Bet is investigating some of his close associates over alleged illegal ties to Qatar. Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, is mediating indirect talks with Hamas, but is also seen by Israel as a key supporter of the group. BEIRUT (Reuters) -An Israeli drone strike south of the Lebanese capital killed a top commander from militant group Jama'a Islamiya on Tuesday, the group said, in an attack later confirmed by Israel. The Israeli military announced that it had killed Hussein Atawi, a "key figure in the Jama'a Islamiya with ties to Hamas," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday. According to the IDF, Atawi was involved in planning and advancing "terrorist" activities from Lebanon into Israeli territory, targeting IDF soldiers on the northern border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Atawi, a leading commander in the armed branch of the Sunni Islamist Jama'a Islamiya known as the Fajr Forces, was killed as he drove from his home to his office in Beirut, a Jama'a Islamiya statement said. The Fajr Forces fired rockets across Lebanon's southern border at Israel throughout the year-long war that ended last year in a ceasefire deal. Israeli airstrikes killed several of the group's members during the conflict. Since the ceasefire, Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Lebanese territory, mostly against fighters from Lebanese armed group Hezbollah or its arms depots. Israeli troops also still occupy five hilltop positions in southern Lebanon. Lebanon, Hezbollah and the Jama'a Islamiya have condemned the strikes and Israeli troop presence, calling them violations of the truce and of Lebanon's sovereignty. Israel says the fighters and weapons pose a threat to Israeli civilians. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Tala RamadanEditing by Ros Russell, William Maclean) DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 17 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and destroyed bulldozers and other heavy equipment that had been supplied by mediators to clear rubble. Separate strikes killed two people in Lebanon. Also on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump spoke by phone, two weeks after the two met in Washington. Trump wrote on his social networking site Truth Social that the two spoke about trade and Iran, among other issues. The call went very wellWe are on the same side of every issue, he wrote. Netanyahu's office did not have an immediate comment, but his hastily-arranged visit to Washington was not deemed a rousing success after he appeared to fail to secure the support he wanted from Trump on issues such as stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons, reducing Trump's tariffs, the influence of Turkey and the war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's 18-month offensive against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, raising fears that much of it may never be rebuilt. The territory already had a shortage of heavy equipment, which is also needed to rescue people from the rubble after Israeli strikes and to clear vital roads. The Israeli military said it struck and destroyed around 40 pieces of heavy machinery. Israel said Hamas used the vehicles, including bulldozers, for planting explosives, digging tunnels, and breaching fences, including during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. A municipality in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza said a strike on its parking garage destroyed nine bulldozers provided by Egypt and Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire that took hold in January. Israel ended the truce last month, renewing its bombardment and ground operations and sealing the territory's 2 million Palestinians off from all imports, including food, fuel and medical supplies. The strikes also destroyed a water tanker and a mobile generator provided by aid groups, and a truck used to pump sewage, the Jabaliya al-Nazla municipality said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli strikes kill 17, mostly children An Israeli airstrike early Tuesday destroyed a multistory home in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing nine people, including four women and four children, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. The dead included a 2-year-old girl and her parents. They were asleep, sleeping in Gods peace. They had nothing to do with anything, said Awad Dahliz, the slain girl's grandfather. What is the fault of this innocent child?" Also on Tuesday, a strike in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp killed three children and their parents, and a strike in Nuseirat killed a man and two children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry's emergency service and local hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military did not have immediate comment on the strikes, but has accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure for militant purposes. Israel's air and ground war has killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 people hostage. They are still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas has said it will only free the remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire. Israel has said it will keep fighting until the hostages are returned and Hamas has been either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. It has pledged to hold onto so-called security zones in Gaza indefinitely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Islamist killed in Lebanon An Israeli drone strike southeast of Beirut killed Hussein Atwi, a member of the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a regionwide Sunni Islamist political movement. The group said he was leaving for work when the drone struck. Lebanon's Health Ministry said another person was killed in an Israeli strike on the southern Tyre province, without providing further details. Israel said that its air force carried out the strike near Tyre and targeted a militant commander. Israel has continued to carry out regular strikes across Lebanon despite reaching a ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group in November. Israel says it is targeting militants and weapons caches. The Lebanese government says 190 people have been killed and 485 wounded since the ceasefire took hold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah began firing on Israel the day after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Israel responded with airstrikes, and the conflict in Lebanon escalated into a full-blown war in September when Israel carried out a heavy wave of strikes and killed most of Hezbollah's top leadership. Palestinian militants arrested in Syria The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group said two of its senior members were arrested in Syria without any explanation. The Syrian government has not commented. Islamic Jihad, a smaller militant group allied with Hamas and also backed by Iran, had an established presence in Syria during the rule of former President Bashar Assad. It sent fighters to Lebanon to support Hezbollah during the war with Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrests came days after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Damascus and met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. It was Abbas' first visit to Syria since before the 2011 uprising and the civil war that eventually led to Assad's overthrow last year. Abbas leads the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, dominated by political rivals of Hamas. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war The Italian government has declared a five-day period of national mourning following the death of Pope Francis. The flags in front of public buildings are flying at half-mast. Strict security measures are in place in the Italian capital ahead of the funeral services and burial on Saturday. Top-level dignitaries from all over the world are expected to attend. At his own request, Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, will be laid to rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The papal basilica is located near Rome's main railway station, a few kilometres from the Vatican. KIGALI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda will roll out a new malaria prevention strategy under which all members of a household will be tested if one person is diagnosed with the disease, a health official has said. "This approach will help reduce malaria transmission among the population, and once transmission is lowered, it serves as a form of prevention," Epaphrodite Habanabakize, malaria prevention senior officer at the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), told national broadcaster Rwanda TV on Monday. He said the strategy would initially be implemented in the capital, Kigali, before being expanded to other districts nationwide. "If someone visits a health facility and is diagnosed with malaria, a health worker will visit their home to test all household members. Those who test positive but are not showing symptoms -- despite carrying the malaria parasite -- will still be given malaria medication," he explained. "Even if you are not exhibiting symptoms, you may already be infected. Providing treatment in such cases helps prevent the onset of symptoms and further transmission," he said, noting that by treating asymptomatic cases, the strategy aims to break the chain of infection by preventing mosquitoes from biting infected individuals and spreading the parasite. Rwanda registered a significant reduction in malaria cases -- from 4.8 million to 620,000 cases between the 2016/2017 and 2023/2024 fiscal years. Malaria-related deaths also dropped substantially during the same period. However, malaria remains a public health concern, with 802,428 simple malaria cases recorded in 2024, according to RBC data. In 2020, Rwanda introduced drone-based larvicide spraying in swampy areas to complement indoor residual spraying efforts, targeting mosquito breeding grounds. Apr. 21Itasca Waters will continue its online Practical Water Wisdom series at noon on Thursday, May 1, with Climate Change Effects on Fisheries. This program will feature Hadley Boehm, a Fisheries Research Supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources based in Duluth. Boehm leads a team of fishery research scientists dedicated to addressing critical questions about Minnesota's aquatic resources. Boehm will share insights from recent research to highlight potential impacts of climate change on state fisheries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how warming temperatures, changing water conditions and other climate-related factors may influence fish populations and aquatic ecosystems in Minnesota," a release said. "Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the future of Minnesota's fisheries and the science behind conservation efforts." A Q&A will also take place during the event. The Practical Water Wisdom series is the brainchild of Itasca Waters, a nonprofit organization located in Itasca County whose mission is to team up with organizations and concerned citizens to maintain clean water for continued health, enjoyment and a strong economy. Attendees will hear about septic system inspections, harmful algae blooms, drainage infrastructure, traditional ecological knowledge in lake management, banded mystery snails and water-focused books for children in future webinars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The series runs for an hour beginning at noon, typically on the first Thursday of each month. The webinars are free, open to all and include an interactive Q&A session. To register for the webinars, visit itascawaters.org/water-wisdom-2025. For more information, contact info@itascawaters.org. ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) A court in Ivory Coast ruled on Tuesday that Tidjane Thiam, a former CEO of Credit Suisse, is not eligible to run for president because of his dual Ivorian-French nationality, according to a lawyer representing him. Thiam won his party's primary on Friday in an uncontested vote and was widely seen as the main challenger to President Alassane Ouattara. In a video posted to social media Tuesday night, Thiam vowed to fight this decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will not accept this disbarment because it is unjust, unjustified and incomprehensible, he said. I am absolutely determined to fight so that Ivorians can freely choose their next president. The latest court case follows the rejection on April 16 of 10 similar appeals by the Independent Electoral Commission, also known by its French acronym CEI. Although deemed admissible, these cases were declared ill-founded by the electoral institution. Speaking to The Associated Press following the decision, Me Ange Rodrigue Dadje, one of Thiams lawyers, said that the president of the tribunal delivered her decision." She considered that ... Thiam had lost his Ivorian nationality when he acquired French nationality (in 1987), and therefore granted the petitioners requests and ordered ... Thiams removal from the electoral roll, Dadje said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thiam's lawyers didn't offer any challenge to the ruling. Ivory Coast is set to hold the vote in October. Ouattara won in 2020 after a disputed election left dozens dead and opposition candidates boycotted the election. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jackson County is set to host a career fair this weekend and is welcoming job seekers from all backgrounds. The job fair is Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Jackson County Parks Ranger Recreation Building. The county encourages motivated professionals, including federal employees impacted by job loss, to consider bringing their talents to a new home in public service. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The career fair will showcase a broad range of full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions available throughout the county government, from administrative services and the courts to public safety and park operations. In addition to learning about day-to-day operations and how their experience and abilities can lead to rewarding careers in public service, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with department representatives one-on-one. Jackson County said anyone is welcome whether you are an experienced professional, transitioning from federal service, or pursuing a new career path Click here for a full list of open positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The WOKV Payroll Payout, Sponsored by Mark Spain Real Estate, continues with five chances to win $1,000. Listen for the keyword at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Three Big Things to Know: Jacksonville Beach is trying to address complaints residents have about semi-trucks. The city council met yesterday to discuss a parking restriction on A1A. It would ban semi-trucks from parking for more than four hours between 25th Ave South and the county line. Neighbors say the trucks are taking up too many parking spots and making too much noise. The ordinance passed its first reading last night. Another ordinance would prohibit almost every way a person could smoke tobacco on beach property. However, state law doesnt allow a local ban on unfiltered cigars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four people are hurt after an apparent gas explosion in Clay County. A house on Sycamore Way was damaged in last nights explosion. Clay County Fire Rescue says two adults and two children were taken to the hospital, but theres no word on their conditions. The State Fire Marshal is investigating. Walgreens will pay hundreds of millions of dollars in whats described as a landmark civil settlement. The pharmacy chain agreed to pay 300 million dollars to resolve allegations it illegally filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids. Walgreens is also accused of trying to get Medicare and other federal health care programs to pay for the invalid prescriptions. LISTEN: First Alert Meteorologist Corey Simma tracks warm, dry days into the weekend. Tonight is the opening of MJ the musical at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts Moran Theater. Its one of several events this week and weekend. See the full menu here. LISTEN: Foxs Ryan Schmelz reports on four Democratic lawmakers in El Salvador to draw attention to the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who remains deported without due process. Additionally, Ryan follows the latest on memorial ceremonies for the late Pope Francis. Japans navy has unveiled a ship-mounted electromagnetic railgun intended to shoot down incoming Chinese hypersonic missiles. The large futuristic-looking weapon system was pictured last week undergoing advanced stages of testing on the flight deck of the experimental JS Asuka warship. Tokyo has been intensely focused on fielding its next-generation weapons as threats increase in the Indo-Pacific from China, Russia and North Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The railgun does not require explosives or propellant but relies on electromagnetic energy to launch projectiles at supersonic speeds, providing a cost-effective and quick response to potential fast-moving missile threats. It fires at higher velocities than regular weaponry, with its ammunition travelling at 2,500 metres per second (m/s), compared to traditional tank guns, which fire shells at speeds of around 1,750 m/s. Japans Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) said that Vice Admiral Omachi Katsushi, the commander of the Self Defense Fleet, had visited the Asuka to observe the latest status of the railgun, which is under development at the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency. Officials said the weapon would bolster naval missile defences, having the potential to engage air, sea and land targets with higher levels of accuracy than conventional munitions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research into the new weapon system started in 2016 and it carried out its first onboard firing test in October 2023. The railgun supports the development of Japans future combat readiness and national defence posture JMSDF said last week. Japan needed to strengthen its countrys defence capabilities after it estimated it had only 60 per cent of the interceptor missiles needed for national defence in 2022. The US navy suspended its own railgun programme in 2021 after a decade in development that cost more than $500million over significant power and overheating challenges. But China has been developing its own electromagnetic gun for years under a shroud of secrecy. In 2018, photographs showed Chinese warship Haiyang Shan, a landing craft, equipped with a prototype electromagnetic railgun. China has been developing its own electromagnetic gun under a shroud of secrecy India, Russia and Turkey have also tested prototypes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK, despite carrying out research, is not building its own railgun. Instead, it is in the advanced stages of developing a direct energy weapon known as DragonFire. Tipped as a revolutionary weapon, DragonFire uses lasers to down drones and missiles with an intense light beam, not projectiles fired by electromagnetic forces, and costs 10 a shot. Ukraine has developed its own laser weapon which is understood to have been modelled on a UK prototype after designs were shared with Kyiv in 2024. 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. Japan's Kyushu University Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS) has agreed to provide Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, Intelligence Online magazine reported on April 21. Japanese and Ukrainian authorities reportedly began discussing possible support in February, with the talks gaining urgency after the U.S. temporarily paused intelligence assistance for Kyiv in early March. iQPS, which plans to launch its seventh SAR observation satellite by late 2026, agreed with Kyiv on a timeline of two to three months to install relevant software onto Ukrainian intelligence's platforms, the magazine wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kyiv Independent could not immediately verify the claims. SAR technology, which can recreate two-dimensional or three-dimensional images of landscapes or objects, has broad military applications. It can help track enemy movement and installations regardless of weather conditions. Ukraine receives intelligence support from other partners, including France and the U.K.. Nevertheless, the U.S.-imposed pause underscored its critical role in military planning, namely in launching long-range strikes and intercepting Russian aerial attacks. Washington claimed its halt on intelligence support, which coincided with the freezing of arms supplies, extended only to offensive operations. While the U.S. resumed the assistance after progress in ceasefire talks, the move ramped up concerns about further cuts in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's military heavily relies on Starlink, a communications system owned by Elon Musk, U.S. President Donald Trump's close ally and critic of military aid to Kyiv. French satellite operator Eutelsat pledged to scale up its operations in Ukraine but said it could not currently replace the 50,000 Starlink terminals operating in the country. Read also: As tensions mount in US embassy in Kyiv, former official breaks silence Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Japanese student in Utah had his student visa status reinstated suddenly after it was mysteriously cancelled earlier this month. His attorney believes the sudden switch-up shows the student was mistakenly flagged for deportation by artificial intelligence. Suguru Onda, a doctoral student at Brigham Young University, learned on Friday his status had been restored, minutes after he and a group of fellow university students filed a lawsuit arguing the government suddenly and arbitrarily cancelled their visas to coerce students to leave the country even though they had done nothing wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is reinstated as if it was never revoked, attorney Adam Crayk told KSL-TV. Onda, a father of five studying computer science, was notified earlier this month his status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System had been terminated because he was identified in criminal records check and/or has had their VISA revoked, a procedural step that functionally ended his ability to remain in the United States for more than two weeks after the change. The Japanese student had little apparent criminal history, besides a few speeding tickets and a fishing citation for organizing a church event where others caught too many fish, according to his lawyer. Onda was part of group suing administration over canceled visa status, arguing the move violated due process and was meant to pressure students (Wikimedia Commons) I feel helpless, Onda told KSL NewsRadio at the time. Like nobody knows (the) answer, nobody knows what to do, whats going to happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security told NBC News it would not elaborate on Ondas case due to privacy concerns and visa confidentiality. The department has said it is using high-tech tools to search the social media activity and potential criminal histories of international students in the U.S. That effort includes a State Department effort using artificial intelligence to screen foreign students for alleged support of terror groups, Axios reported in March. Since taking office, more than 1,500 students from nearly 250 colleges have had their visas revoked, according to a tracker from Inside Higher Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The visa pullbacks have prompted lawsuits and widespread confusion. They form the second major prong of the administrations deportation push on college campuses. The White House has also targeted prominent leaders of the campus pro-Palestine movement, using a little-tested authority in federal immigration law to argue their activism threatens U.S. foreign policy interests. Jason Carter, a former State Senator and 2014 Democratic nominee for governor, says he will not enter the 2026 Georgia governors race. Carters wife, Kate, is battling brain cancer, a representative for the family confirmed on Monday. He spoke to the Associated Press about his decision. For all intents and purposes, I cant imagine making a decision to run because its the wrong time for my family, Carter told The AP. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter, previously ran for governor in 2014 against Gov. Nathan Deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he hasnt run for office since then, Carter has been the board chairman for the Carter Center. He also served as the family spokesman for the final months of his grandparents lives. Rosalynn Carter died in Nov. 2023. Jimmy Carter died in Dec. 2024. RELATED STORIES: The Associated Press contributed to this report. JASPER COUNTY, Mo. Officials announced Tuesday that Jasper County, Mo. has been granted the Missouri Blue Shield Designation. The Jasper Countys Sheriffs Office says the Missouri Blue Shield Program is a prestigious honor only received by areas with a steadfast commitment to supporting law enforcement and enshrining public safety as a value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Missouri Blue Shield Designation program was created in 2025 by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe through Executive Order 25-03, it recognizes local governments that make significant efforts to reduce crime, foster law enforcement collaboration, and build strong community partnerships for public safety. Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community and state. It affects everything from families feeling secure to businesses having the confidence to invest and grow. We designed the Missouri Blue Shield Program to recognize communities that go above and beyond in creating a place where people want to live, work, and build their futures, said Governor Mike Kehoe. Jasper County Sheriff Randee Kaiser says he is pleased with this recognition, noting that without a strong working relationship with leaders in the criminal justice system, the designation would not be possible. We work very hard every day to ensure our community remains safe and secure. I am grateful for the positive recognition of a job well done, said Sheriff Kaiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. ABUJA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- An overspeeding truck crashed into a crowd of people holding an Easter procession early Monday, killing five and injuring 13 others after a brake failure in Nigeria's northern state of Gombe, the traffic police said. Samson Kaura, sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Gombe state, told reporters that the truck, loaded with grains, lost control while overspeeding at Tashan Gona, a town in the Billiri local government area. After a preliminary investigation, the truck driver was arrested and turned over to the conventional police on charges bordering on "speed violation," Kaura said. Deadly road accidents are frequently reported in Nigeria, often caused by overloading, poor road conditions and reckless driving. U.S. Vice President JD Vance landed in New Delhi on Monday in what is set to be a four-day trip. Not only did Vance bring his family with him his wife Usha Vance and three children who will join him for some sightseeing but he also brought with him Washington, D.C.s tariff baggage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is inclined to strike a deal and avoid the Trump White Houses reciprocal tariffs of 26%. These tariffs are currently paused for all countries except for China. In their bipartisan talks Monday, Vance and Modi negotiated the terms of a U.S.-India Bilateral Trade Agreement that redefines the trade relationship between the two countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guided by their respective visions of Amrit Kaal for India and Golden Age for America, BTA is expected to create new opportunities of growth for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs in both countries, the vice presidents office said in a statement. Why Vances trip to India matters Foreign Policy magazines South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman listed out several reasons why Vances trip to India is significant in a post on X. For starters, its the first visit by an American vice president in 12 years, he said. It also puts the vice president at the helm of the negotiating table, advocating on behalf of the Trump White Houses foreign policy ambitions, as Kugelman noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither former vice presidents Mike Pence nor Kamala Harris ever went to India in their official capacity. Although its worth noting Harris, the former Democratic nominee for president, tried to leverage her Indian American identity to court voters on the campaign trail last year. She also crossed paths with Modi at a state dinner hosted by the White House among other occasions. Why Vances trip to India is significant: -First visit by a US VP in 12 years (Biden) -Vance is playing a central role on US FP front -The Second Lady being an Indian-American brings a special cultural dimension to visit -Lots at stake on bilateral front w/trade talks & tariffs Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) April 21, 2025 President Joe Biden was in New Delhi in 2023 for the G20 summit. Modi hasnt expressed whether he liked working more with Biden or Trump, but he does share a close relationship with Trump that predates their 2019 collaboration, when they hosted the Howdy Modi rally in Texas, which attracted 50,000 people from the Indian diaspora. In fact, the Indian prime minister was one of a few foreign leaders to visit Trump in the weeks after he took office again. Of course, one of the likely reasons Modi made the trip to Washington, D.C., in the early days of the new administration was to protect India from a trade war by offering concessions. Vances schedule, full of meetings and some sightseeing with family, is a hopeful indicator that the negotiations behind closed doors are progressing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By forging a closer trade alliance, New Delhi and Washington also counter China, a common adversary. Right now, Beijing is in a tough spot as it navigates a trade war with the U.S. Chinese imports to the U.S. face a 145%t tariff. To counter this, China levied a 125% tax on U.S. goods. Because China expects the U.S. to undercut its trade by striking deals with other countries, like India, it issued a warning. China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of Chinese interests and will resolutely take countermeasures, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Monday, according to the Economist. Apple is reportedly considering moving their production to India, which already makes 20% of iPhones. Usha Vance and her ties to India Modi also hosted Vance, his wife, Usha, and their three children for dinner on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second family arrived in New Delhi after an overnight flight from Rome. Vance was one of the last few people to meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Easter Sunday hours before Francis passed. I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis, he said in a post on X. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But Ill always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul. I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But Ill always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025 Despite the somber circumstances, Vance and his family received a big welcome in New Delhi. When they landed on Monday morning they were greeted by a military band playing the Star-Bangled Banner. Usha Vances Indian-American identity adds a special cultural dimension in what is set to be a high stakes visit with trade talks and tariff negotiations, according to Kugelman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JD and Usha Vances two boys sported Kurtas, traditional long sleeve tunics, while their daughter Mirabel wore a dress. Usha Vance has strong ties to India. Born to Indian immigrant parents, she grew up in a religious household. My parents are Hindu. That was one of the things that made them good parents, made them good people, she previously said, as the Deseret News reported. According to the White House pool report, the Indian government put up large posters bearing Vances face with Welcome, the honorable James David Vance, Vice President of the United States, all along the motorcades route from the airport to one of their stops, Akshardham Temple, a cultural site built in 2005. The second family is also expected to visit Jaipur, known as the Pink City before heading over to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, the world-famous Unesco World Heritage site. Vances office shut down rumors that he is attending a wedding in Jaipur. Trump visited the Taj Mahal with his wife and first lady Melania in 2020. It was his first time visiting the historic landmark, which left him in awe, despite naming his formerly owned Atlantic City hotel after it. JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. Recent heavy rainfall has left a family in Jefferson County dealing with the aftermath of a landslide. All those honeysuckle bushes and that metal fence post and these cut logs, they were all up in the yard, Greg Miller said. Miller came home Saturday and found a new drop off at the edge of his yard. There used to be another four feet out beyond the fence that was levelled; that was part of our yard, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller and his family have lived in the house for seven years and have never had issues with the stormwater drain before. Police respond to South County Mall after man displays gun Jefferson County said that property owners are responsible for anything that happens like this, he said. There is no assistance from the county, even though that is not my stormwater drain, and I have no control over what goes into it. Repair estimates are costly. If I were to do anything about this, I need a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Jefferson County, and that would cost between $20,000 and $50,000 to get that permit and a plan, Miller said. Then up to $100,000 to stop it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His biggest concern is when the next round of rain will hit. I guess I put some tarps up because the cost of the jute netting to try to control the erosion, you cant get it from Lowes; I have to order it special and wait for that to come in, and who knows if that would be in by Thursday when were getting rain next, Miller said. FOX 2 News reached out to the Jefferson County Public Works Department and is waiting to hear 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 FOX 2. BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Bilateral trade between China and Kenya reached a record high in the first quarter of the year, official data showed on Tuesday, demonstrating the deepening economic ties between the two countries. According to the General Administration of Customs, goods trade between the two countries in the first three months climbed 11.9 percent year on year to reach 16.13 billion yuan (about 2.24 billion U.S. dollars), marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth. China's exports to Kenya saw a year-on-year increase of 11.8 percent during the period, while imports from Kenya went up by 13.2 percent, the customs data showed. China and Kenya have robustly expanded cooperation in an array of areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than six decades ago. Their ties were elevated to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2017. Today, China is Kenya's largest trading partner and the biggest source of its imports, while Kenya is China's biggest trading partner in East Africa. Bilateral trade has delivered tangible benefits to people in both countries. Chinese goods such as home appliances, electrical components and construction machinery have supported Kenya's infrastructure development and broadened consumer choices. Meanwhile, Kenyan agricultural products, ranging from avocados to tea, are appearing more frequently on Chinese dining tables. The New Jersey Attorney General's Office wants the state's appellate division to reinstate the charges it filed in June against Democratic power broker George Norcross and his allies. (Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor) New Jersey prosecutors are asking an appeals court to overturn the dismissal of charges against George Norcross and his allies, arguing a Superior Court judge had effectively invented a new legal standard dissonant with existing law to toss charges against the Democratic power broker. Judge Peter Warshaw in February dismissed the charges against Norcross and his co-defendants, finding the indictment against them did not state facts constituting extortion or criminal coercion and failed to prove racketeering and other charges lodged against the alleged criminal enterprise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But prosecutors say in a new filing that Warshaw subjected the indictment to greater scrutiny than the law allows, made determinations that should be left to a jury, and dismissed the case under a standard not used in criminal law. Instead, the trial court simply asked whether there was sufficient evidence cited in the Indictment itself, without reviewing the reams of testimony and exhibits the grand jury saw, prosecutors wrote. News of the filing was first reported by New Jersey Globe. The state in June accused Norcross and others of leveraging threats and their control of Camden government to strongarm a developer into ceding property rights and of coercing the CEO of a Camden nonprofit to use a favored but less advantageous developer before pushing him to resign to make room for a patronage hire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges, lodged against a man widely considered the most powerful unelected New Jerseyan, stunned the states political class but did little to diminish the influence of the power broker. Attorneys for Norcross and others have claimed the prosecution is meant to burnish Attorney General Matt Platkins image for a future run for political office, criticism they renewed after the case was dismissed. Attorney General Matt Platkin (center) speaks to reporters after announcing his office has indicted Democratic power broker George Norcross (seated far right). (Photo by Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor) Prosecutors new filing argues Warshaw made numerous errors in dismissing the case, including by improperly engaging in fact-finding, ruling on limited evidence, creating a new standard to review motions to dismiss on the sufficiency of evidence, and failing to properly apply that standard, among other things. Motions to dismiss filed at such an early stage of a case are limited in their scope and can be based on procedural infirmities like a failure to provide notice, prosecutorial misconduct, or on claims that the law underlying criminal charges is unconstitutional, prosecutors argued. They said dismissals based on the sufficiency of evidence would require the inclusion of evidence outside the four corners of an indictment and could only be granted if the facts contained in the indictment disproved the possibility of a crime, not whether they alone could prove the crime occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing about the indictment introduces a fatal flaw that more evidence particularly the evidence that already went to the grand jury necessarily could not cure, prosecutors said in their appeal. Warshaw made the ruling without reviewing evidence provided to the grand jury that approved the charges. In their appeal, prosecutors said that evidence included more than 2,000 pages of testimony transcripts, over 6,000 wiretap recordings, and no less than 700 other audio files. An attorney for George Norcross who was charged alongside former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, NFI CEO Sidney Brown, Michaels Organization CEO John ODonnell, and attorneys Philip Norcross (George Norcrosss brother) and Bill Tambussi derided the appeal as a continuation of a prosecution the defendants have argued is politically motivated. The new filing is another failed legal argument by the Attorney General the only difference is that this redux version is longer than the original. The fatal legal flaws remain. As has become obvious to everyone, Mr. Platkins obsession has been a political prosecution from its inception. We look forward to again rebutting his fatuous claims on the merits, said Michael Critchley, an attorney for George Norcross. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors argued that Warshaw erred by subjecting the prosecutions 111-page indictment to a greater level of scrutiny than would be placed on a shorter document, noting courts have routinely rejected efforts to hold lengthier, detail-laden indictments to a stricter standard. Even if the judges legal test was sound, prosecutors said, the dismissal must be overturned because he did not accept as true the indictments factual allegations or view them in the light most favorable to the state. They pointed to his ruling that alleged threats made by Norcross and others against Philadelphia-based developer Carl Dranoff were hard bargaining and sabre-rattling. If a court has questions about what a threat means, or how a victim interprets it, the proper forum is trial testimony, or, at the least, a review of the actual evidence presented to the grand jury, the appeal says. The judges determination on the criminality of the alleged threats overstepped into improper fact-finding that ought to be left to a jury, as did his determinations about the intent of some co-defendants, all without a review of the evidence, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if the judges finding that the alleged threats amounted to only hard bargaining were valid, prosecutors said, the indictments extortion and coercion charges should not have been dismissed because the indictment alleges Norcross and his allies controlled Camden government and used governmental power to pressure Dranoff into concessions. While defendants may incorrectly believe that wielding the threat of reputational and governmental harm to extract property or submission from others is permissible activity that occurs every day in politics and business New Jersey law, like the Hobbs Act, makes clear it is unlawful, the appeal said. norcross dismissal appeal SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DENVER (AP) A federal judge has extended her order temporarily preventing the Trump administration from moving or deporting anyone from Colorado under an 18th century wartime act that has become ensnared in a U.S. Supreme Court battle. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney cited the high court's weekend order barring removal of anyone from North Texas, where the ACLU had contended the administration was preparing to deport Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 without giving them the legal notice required under a prior Supreme Court ruling. Sweeney continued her freeze on removals from Colorado until May 6 and indicated she may extend it further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She required the federal government to provide 21 days' notice to anyone it seeks to deport so they can contest their removal. She also expressed skepticism about the legality of Trump's use of the law to claim the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua was invading the United States. At a bare minimum, invasion means more than the Proclamations description of TdAs infiltrat(ion), irregular warfare, and hostile actions against the United States, Sweeney wrote. The Supreme Court earlier this month allowed deportations under the act but required the government to give those targeted a reasonable chance to contest the removals in court. The act has only been invoked three times in history, most recently in World War II, and the Supreme Court has yet to hear arguments about whether Trump can use it against a gang. Several federal judges, including Sweeney, issued orders temporarily halting deportations in their areas in response to the initial high court ruling. The ACLU asked the Supreme Court to halt removals from an immigration detention center in North Texas, where a judge had not barred deportations, because it said Venezuelan migrants were given notice in English of their pending removal and not told they had the right to contest it in court. The court barred those removals in an unusual order early Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal government argued it was too soon for the courts to act because it wasn't trying to remove the individual plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit at the time. But Timothy Macdonald, an ACLU attorney, contended that was a shell game that could lead the government to quickly deport someone the second a court decides it doesn't have jurisdiction over their case. Sweeney agreed, extending her order and scheduling arguments for whether she should make it permanent. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore Voice of America, saying the effort to gut the 80-year-old government-funded news service likely violated the law and Constitution. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said the administrations rush to dismantle the VOA and related news organizations funded by the U.S. Agency for Global Media resulted in the suspension of hundreds of journalists and employees. It put some overseas correspondents at risk of being deported to their home countries, the judge noted. And Lamberth said the silencing of VOA for the first time in 80 years also deprived hundreds of millions of listeners of a reliable source of news in parts of the world that lack a free press. Lamberth said the administration offered virtually no justification for the draconian cuts, suggesting it was working to comply with President Donald Trumps March 14 executive order requiring a significant scaling back of the agency. Yet the cuts were so bone-deep, Lamberth said, that they likely violated even Trumps command that the programs continue to operate at legally required minimum levels of service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They took immediate and drastic action to slash USAGM, without considering its statutorily or constitutionally required functions as required by the plain language of the [executive order], and without regard to the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, journalists, and media consumers around the world, Lamberth said. It is hard to fathom a more straightforward display of arbitrary and capricious actions than the Defendants actions here. The judge, a Reagan appointee, is ordering the Trump administration to immediately restore all employees and contractors to their news programs and unfreeze funding streams for other affiliated networks like Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks. He also ordered officials to restore VOA programming to fulfill the legal mandate that it serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news. A spokesperson for USAGM did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The ruling is the latest legal blow to the administrations effort to dramatically remake the federal bureaucracy, and one aimed squarely at one of the U.S. governments most visible and widely known properties around the world. Other judges have grappled with lawsuits aimed at dismantling government agencies, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and U.S. Agency for International Development, raising alarms that the administration appeared to be attempting to permanently obliterate them before courts could act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lamberth nodded to that concern, noting that had courts not stepped in multiple times, several of USAGMs prominent news services might already be gone. He noted that as of now, the only operational news service under USAGM is a 33-person unit in the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Trump and his allies have decried Voice of America as a bastion of far-left ideology and suggested it doesnt serve U.S. government interests. Lamberth indicated in his ruling that the sweeping effort to break VOA appeared to be based in part on those views, despite claims that the administration was not targeting First Amendment-protected speech. Lamberth also indicated that the effort was likely a direct breach of the Constitution, saying the administrations unwillingness to expend funds in accordance with the congressional appropriations laws is a direct affront to the power of the legislative branch. VOA has been operating under statutory mandate and with steady congressional appropriations for over eighty years, and in so doing, has cultivated an audience of 425 million listeners who rely on VOAs output particularly in areas of the world where a free press is otherwise unavailable, Lamberth wrote. The Networks have contributed to U.S. international broadcasting by almost exclusively relying on their yearly congressional appropriations, which have been uninterrupted for decades before March 15, 2025. There is no sign that the defendants considered these longstanding reliance interests before taking the sweeping actions at issue here. Apr. 22A federal judge has halted a new Department of Energy policy that would cut research funding to colleges and universities, including millions given to the University of Maine. The department announced two weeks ago that it would limit how much money it lets grant recipients use for "indirect costs" to 15% a decision it said would save $405 million out of the annual $2.5 billion in awards. A group of universities and college associations then sued the agency in Massachusetts federal court last week, arguing the policy would "devastate scientific research at America's universities and badly undermine our Nation's enviable status as a global leader in scientific research and innovation." Maine isn't directly involved in the lawsuit, but three of the plaintiffs are associations that represent University of Maine System schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At UMaine, the Department of Energy is supporting millions of dollars in research projects, like the development of advanced sensors capable of enduring high temperatures and harsh environments. "The University of Maine has eight current multi-year awards from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), reflecting a $26.3 million federal investment in cutting-edge research and innovation at the state's only R1 institution to benefit students' career preparation, our state's workforce and economy, and the nation's energy production and security," spokesperson Samantha Warren said in an email. Most of that money has already been paid to the state, however, and is not in jeopardy. To date, Warren said, UMaine has been paid $17.3 million in federal funding for those awards, including $4.5 million in indirect costs. That means the university is still expecting to receive $9 million through the agency, $1.2 million of which would support indirect costs. Indirect costs, also known as facilities and administrative costs, cover research infrastructure and operating expenses that the university provides to support the research, like laboratories and maintenance staff, according to the American Association of Universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Universities typically negotiate with the federal government to decide how much of their grant money can go toward indirect costs. The national average is 25% to 33%, although it varies by institution. The University of Maine's is 47.7%, while fellow New England universities have higher rates, like the University of New Hampshire (53.5%) and the University of Massachusetts Amherst (61.5%). The Department of Energy said it will do away with those negotiated rates for all future awards and set them automatically to 15%. As for already awarded money: "Consistent with this memorandum, the Department is undertaking action to terminate all grant awards to (colleges and universities) that do not conform with this updated policy," the notice said. Warren said UMaine has received communication from the agency about at least one of its grants but has not taken action because of the ongoing legal situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Judge Allison Burroughs granted a temporary restraining order on behalf of the universities, which temporarily prevents the agency from implementing the rate cap policy in any form. She also ordered the department to notify all of its grant recipients of the order within 24 hours. The agency had until Tuesday to issue a reply. According to court records, that had not been filed by Tuesday afternoon. The Department of Energy's directive echoes a National Institutes of Health policy announced in February that was quickly met with a lawsuit from 22 states. That action was temporarily halted by a federal judge. Other federal agency cuts, like a freeze on U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for Maine education, have also been halted by judges. Copy the Story Link BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First News) The family of Kyle Earthly erupted with emotion outside a Baton Rouge courthouse Monday after a judge ruled that Jeremiah Howze, the man accused of killing Earthly, will remain in custody until at least May 12, unless he is indicted by a grand jury on May 1. Judge Nicole Robinson told Howze he must be held accountable for his actions, citing repeated violations of the conditions of his house arrest. Earthlys family said the ruling brought a sense of relief. It feels good to see the system hold him accountable, one cousin said. He was held accountable, so we are super, super excited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earthly, 18, was shot and killed just days before Christmas in 2024 while giving Howze a ride. Howze allegedly fled the scene after the shooting. Last week, East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore confirmed that Howze had been taken back into custody after violating house arrest terms. In Mondays hearing, new information about those violations was presented, though Howzes attorney said he had not yet had sufficient time to review the documents. Robinson granted the attorney until May 12, unless the grand jury issues an indictment before then. Court records show Howze had been leaving approved locations while on house arrest. Though Houze told the judge he believed he was only under a curfew, Robinson clarified that Howze had agreed to limit his movement to school, work, and home, conditions he violated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been so many infractionshe is deliberately breaking the rules, Earthlys cousin, Jasmine Williams, said. Family of murder victim Kyle Earthly Jr. speaks out ahead of suspects hearing Outside the courthouse, Earthlys family said they hope this moment sends a message. Hopefully this sends a message to other criminals in the community who might be thinking about making an emotional decision to take someones life, Earthlys aunt, Dr. Maria Shantell Williams, said. Howzes attorney declined to comment. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. A federal judge on Tuesday found the Trump administrations efforts to dismantle Voice of America (VOA) and affiliated news services likely were unlawful, indefinitely blocking the shuttering of the government-funded news outlet and affiliated news services. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered VOAs parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), to restore VOA and other outlets under the USAGMs umbrella and barred the agency from preventing them from serving as consistently reliable and authoritative news sources, as is required by law. He also directed the USAGM to restore employment to its workers placed on leave and not reduce its workforce while litigation continues, in addition to continuing funding for international broadcasting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, the defendants had no method or approach towards shutting down USAGM that this Court can discern, said Lamberth, an appointee of former President Reagan. They took immediate and drastic action to slash USAGM, without considering its statutorily or constitutionally required functions as required by the plain language of the EO, and without regard to the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, journalists, and media consumers around the world. It is hard to fathom a more straightforward display of arbitrary and capricious actions than the Defendants actions here. A handful of VOA reporters, unions and the international free press advocacy nonprofit Reporters Without Borders sued the Trump administration last month over its effort to disband the news outlets. After Trump penned an executive order to shutter the USAGM, its employees and contractors were put on administrative leave. The coalition that sued also sought to restore funding for VOAs sister networks, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia, Middle Eastern Broadcast Network and the Open Technology Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Lamberth said his order does not apply to RFE/RL or the Open Technology Fund because other litigation involves some of the issues at hand. Lawyers for the coalition argued Thursday during a hearing on the preliminary injunction that VOAs silencing has deprived the world of the quality news Congress promised when establishing the network. Despite President Trumps order suggesting the network is unnecessary, its silencing undermines Americas interests abroad, they said. Andrew Celli, one of the lawyers, said the administrations qualms with the USAGM networks stem from their coverage from its reporting on Hamas or transgender rights to being too tough on Trump. They can use a scalpel or a sledgehammer; either way its viewpoint discrimination, Celli said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump selected Kari Lake, a former TV news anchor and Arizona gubernatorial candidate, to lead the news agency. In announcing the agencys wind down, Lake said waste, fraud and abuse run rampant in the agency a common refrain by the administration as it cuts down the federal bureaucracy. The Justice Department argued in court filings that the shuttering amounts to adverse employment actions that could be remedied by monetary damages should they prevail in litigation, instead of injunctive relief. But Lamberth rejected that notion in his ruling, writing that financial harm can constitute irreparable harm where loss threatens the very existence of a business. The defendants have silenced VOA, canceled funds to affiliate Networks, and shut down all transmitters at foreign service stations abroad, the judge wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In sum, the irreparable harm that the plaintiffs allege impacts the very existence of USAGM, the health and safety of its journalists and employees, and the interests of the millions of reporters and listeners who depend on USAGMs programming, he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An effort by Stephan Sterns lawyer to delay arguments on suppressing key evidence in his trial on the sexual abuse of teen Madeline Soto were rejected Tuesday when she refused to share confidential information she claims to possess. Sterns public defender Alesha Smith petitioned Judge Keith Carsten to push back Wednesdays hearing, saying the new information could change how she presents her argument central to which is the allegation investigators illegally searched his cellphone. Sterns accused of killing the 13-year-old in February 2024 after sexually abusing her since she was 11 observed from inside the courtroom. He is charged with first-degree murder and faces the death penalty if convicted in a separate trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith added that the delay would allow her time to look over the new evidence, which she would not disclose in open court or privately to the judge. Assistant State Attorney Danielle Pinnell argued prosecutors are unaware of any new information and that she had months to prepare since filing her motion questioning the search. Carsten, in denying the motion, agreed, adding it would be impossible to determine the value of the information and if a delay is warranted since Smith refused to reveal it. The court cannot from the information presented make a finding of good cause, he said. While the defense argues it will be prejudicial, there has been nothing advanced to the court to support that argument. Prosecutors and Smith will now tangle over whether Orange County detectives who first investigated Madelines disappearance properly seized Sterns cellphone. The phones contents, the basis of the sex crimes case, allegedly included photos and videos of him sexually abusing the teen while he dated her mother. The discovery resulted in dozens of charges including rape of a minor under 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith filed a motion Feb. 6 to exclude the evidence, claiming detectives illegally took and searched the phone after only asking to check its settings. Prosecutors, in a series of responses to the motion, referred to excerpts of transcripts of the detectives interview with Sterns that appear to demonstrate he consented to them taking and going through the phone. They also pointed to inconsistencies regarding Sterns whereabouts the day Madeline was reported missing as to why they believed the phone contained incriminating evidence. He initially told investigators he was the last person to see her alive after dropping her off blocks away from Hunters Creek Middle School. That was later determined to be a lie. In their response to Smiths motion, prosecutors said license tag readers showed he was not being truthful about his movements that day. Rather than taking her to school, according to hundreds of pages of investigative records, he was looking to dump her body after strangling her with video purportedly showing in the passenger seat of his car while he discarded her belongings in a dumpster at the apartment complex where they lived. Her body was later found on property in St. Cloud covered by a pile of brush. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collectively, these circumstances gave law enforcement probable cause to believe that the defendant had committed a crime against [Madeline] and that evidence of the crime would be found in the defendants cellphone, stated their response, which had Madelines name blacked out. According to investigators, Madelines abuse happened under the nose of her mother, Jennifer Soto, who said she would allow her daughter and Sterns to sleep alone in bed together while she rested in another room. She was initially in denial when confronted with evidence of the abuse. Soto has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. A New Mexico judge resigned last month following the arrest of an immigrant living in the country illegally with alleged Tren de Aragua gang member ties while living on the jurists property. Joel Cano, who had been a magistrate judge in Dona Ana County since 2011, made no mention of why he was resigning before his four-year term was set to end in 2026. His resignation letter came less than a week after investigators with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security raided the judges home and arrested 23-year-old Venezuelan national Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, per court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under federal law, it is a crime to knowingly harbor an immigrant that is living in the country illegally. Oral arguments have been scheduled on April 24 for Cano to go before the New Mexico Supreme Court, a spokesperson for the Administrative Office of the Courts told Fox News. The states Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will appoint someone to fill the vacancy through the remainder of the judges unexpired four-year term that runs until the end of 2026, the spokesperson said. What was the connection between Ortega-Lopez and Judge Cano? According to court documents, Ortega-Lopez admitted to entering the country at the Texas-Mexico border illegally on Dec. 15, 2023, and, due to overcrowding at border facilities, was released three days later pending removal proceedings. In a March 6 press release by the U.S. Department of Justice, Homeland Security agents discovered in a broad investigation that Ortega-Lopez and three others were in possession of multiple firearms and loads of ammunition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ortega-Lopez is charged by criminal complaint with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition, the press release said. While living in El Paso, Texas, Ortega-Lopez met Nancy Cano, the wife of Judge Cano, during a glass door installation for her in Las Cruces. He continued to do a few jobs for Nancy Cano, and after being evicted from the apartment in April 2024, Nancy Cano offered her casita in the back of the residence she shared with her husband Joel Cano, the filing said. Soon after, he met their daughter, April Cano, who was apparently in possession of a large amount of firearms. During the investigation, Ortega-Lopez admitted to April Cano allowing him to hold and, at times, shoot the firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple firearms were seized from April Canos home on Feb. 28. Ortega-Lopez admitted to recognizing three of them and also admitted he knew it was illegal for him to handle firearms. In a detention hearing on March 14, U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian L. Martinez challenged the relationship of Judge Cano and Ortega-Lopez, saying, I dont think he would just let anybody live on his property, per Newsweek, but ended up releasing Ortega-Lopez with supervision. Another motion to reconsider the release was filed by an assistant U.S. attorney on April 8, requesting that the Court reconsider its previous ruling and now find Defendant is a flight risk and a danger to the community and that no conditions can reasonably assure the defendants future appearance in Court. For the second time in two months, the judge overseeing Karen Reads murder trial dinged her defense team for violating its obligations to turn over material to prosecutors. Judge Beverly Cannone determined that Reads defense had not fulfilled its reciprocal discovery obligations with regard to a pair of accident reconstructionists first hired by the federal government. The decision came after the first day of testimony in Reads second trial. Cannone also determined the defense violated a court order requiring it to turn over additional material concerning the experts. She told both sides she intends to send the experts, Daniel Wolfe and Andrew Rentschler, an order for production of records namely, their communications with Reads lawyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both men will have to appear in court for a hearing on Friday, away from the jury. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan said Tuesday that the defense turned over records showing 99 texts to Wolfe and six to Rentschler. Reads lawyers spent more than two hours on the phone with Wolfe across 20 different calls and nearly an hour on the phone with Rentschler over 23 calls. I find it difficult to accept that these are all for scheduling purposes, Brennan said. Many of those text messages between Read attorney Alan Jackson and the experts, who work for the firm ARCCA were deleted, Robert Alessi, another lawyer for Read, admitted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Alessi said the defense had turned over every text message that did exist and there was nothing more they were required to turn over, despite Brennans insistence that prosecutors were still in the dark. We cant be in violation of not turning over something that doesnt exist, he said. All the communications were turned over in response to an order from Cannone that the defense do so. Brennan is also asking Cannone to bar the experts from testifying to any new testing they have done in response to a report produced by a prosecution expert. The defense has said ARCCA will likely not have a report documenting its testing until May, which Brennan said would create a significant disadvantage for the prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is ambush, he said. It is unfair, and we have no ability at this point to reconcile or deal with new opinions and new information. They should not be allowed to offer absolutely anything new, Brennan added. But Alessi said the defense was moving as quickly as it could in response to new information from the prosecution. Reads lawyers did not receive the conclusions of the prosecution expert until February and then did not get permission to retain ARCCA from the federal government until late March, Alessi said. We acted expeditiously in response to the information were getting, he said, noting that the defense has the right to rebut the conclusions of a prosecution expert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cannone did not rule on whether ARCCA can testify as to any new conclusions. What exactly prompted the government to retain ARCCA for a federal investigation into OKeefes death remains unclear. Brennan has said the investigation is closed. The U.S. Attorneys office for Massachusetts will not confirm or deny the existence of investigations. Karen Read murder case Read the original article on MassLive. ABUJA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of recent attacks by suspected armed herders in Nigeria's central state of Benue has risen to 72, local authorities said on Monday. The deadly attacks happened in communities in the Ukum local government area of the state between Thursday and Friday night. Local authorities said on Saturday that at least 56 people were killed during the attacks. More victims were confirmed on Monday, as local security agencies and volunteers continued to comb nearby bushes, Isaac Uzaan, a government spokesman, told the media. Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, has earlier called for urgent action to be taken to halt the horrendous attacks that have continued to plague local communities in the state. Nigeria has witnessed a series of attacks by armed groups in recent months. There have also been recurring incidents of livestock rustling and armed banditry in the country. A federal judge accused the Trump administration Tuesday of intentionally flouting her order to provide details about the illegal deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis said the administration is attempting to obstruct efforts to unearth details about Abrego Garcias improper deportation to El Salvador and had provided vague and evasive answers to court-ordered inquiries as part of an ongoing lawsuit. The White House has refused to answer questions about how it concluded that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang or which officials were involved in his deportation and continued imprisonment, Xinis wrote in an eight-page order Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government has also refused to answer questions about its contract with the Salvadoran government, and which Salvadoran officials U.S. officials have been communicating with about Abrego Garcias return, the judge wrote. The administrations refusal to provide information comes after Xinis last week ordered an intense two-week inquiry into the Trump administration's efforts. She initiated the discovery period after finding unsatisfactory the administrations initial responses to her requests for updates in Abrego Garcias case. Defendants have failed to respond in good faith, and their refusal to do so can only be viewed as willful and intentional noncompliance, Xinis wrote in her new order. Xinis also accused the administration of mischaracterizing the Supreme Courts ruling earlier this month requiring the administration to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from El Salvadors custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That Order made clear that this Court properly required the Government to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador, Xinis wrote. The Trump administrations position has shifted somewhat as the litigation has progressed. Last week, Justice Department lawyers argued that court orders including a Supreme Court directive that the U.S. government facilitate Abrego Garcias release only obligated the U.S. to remove domestic barriers to his return. However, following an appeals court ruling, the administration says it has taken additional steps, according to a court filing early Tuesday. Government lawyers remained cagey about the specifics, invoking a variety of legal confidentiality protections, including attorney-client privilege, deliberative process privilege and the state secrets privilege. The State Department has engaged in appropriate diplomatic discussions with El Salvador regarding Abrego Garcia, Justice Department lawyers wrote. However, disclosing the details of any diplomatic discussions regarding Mr. Abrego Garcia at this time could negatively impact any outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legal battle is playing out amid an increasingly pitched political fight over Abrego Garcias fate. Several members of Congress have traveled to El Salvador and accused the Trump administration of defying court orders intended to facilitate Abrego Garcias return. Meanwhile, El Salvadors president, Nayib Bukele, proposed over the weekend a plan to deliver some U.S. deportees to Venezuela in exchange for the release of political prisoners. Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native, came to the United States illegally in 2011 and had been living in Maryland in recent years. In 2019, immigration courts denied his claim for asylum because he filed it too late, but a judge agreed to block the U.S. government from sending him to his home country because of a fear of persecution by a local gang. That order was still in effect when the administration loaded Abrego Garcia onto a plane last month and shipped him to El Salvador along with hundreds of other U.S. deportees. The administration has repeatedly acknowledged the error in court and elsewhere, despite conflicting statements from some White House officials in recent days. Xinis ordered the government to provide fuller responses to some questions by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and explain why providing answers to other questions would raise confidentiality or national security concerns. She gave Abrego Garcias lawyers until 8 p.m. Tuesday to reformulate some of the questions theyve posed to the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her order came just after the Trump administration filed its latest daily update on its efforts to facilitate Abrego Garcias return. Tuesdays update, for the first time, was filed under seal, available only for the judges review. The tussle over the written exchange of questions and answers came as lawyers were scheduled to be conducting live questioning of relevant witnesses under oath in depositions as part of the same fact-finding process. The acting general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security, Joseph Mazzara, was set to be deposed Tuesday morning, with at least one other deposition set for Wednesday, according to a report filed with Xinis early Tuesday. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) An international graduate student at the University of South Carolina, who claimed his legal status was recently stripped by the Trump administration, can continue his studies and research while legal proceedings play out, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Judge Jacquelyn Austin temporarily blocked the government on April 18 from arresting or deporting Matthew Ariwoola, a Nigerian citizen, for two weeks while his case is being reviewed. Ariwoola, a fourth-year PhD student studying chemistry, is suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Kristi Noem, and Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint, filed April 18 by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Ariwoola, claims that the Trump administration suddenly and unilaterally terminated his legal status by deleting his records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) an online database used to monitor the nonimmigrant status of international students. According to the complaint, Ariwoola was notified by a university official on April 8 that his SEVIS record was removed because [individual identified in criminal records check and/or has had their VISA revoked. Attorneys wrote that Ariwoola was arrested in Georgia on a warrant for theft by deception in 2023, but was never required to appear in court, and the case was dismissed. By terminating his record, attorneys claimed Ariwoola faced imminent deportation and could no longer conduct research or teach, which meant he would lose F-1 status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 32-year-old is one of several international students at the University of South Carolina who reported issues with their legal status or visas being revoked in recent weeks amid Trumps nationwide crackdown on higher education. Harvard sues Trump administration About 1,100 students at more than 170 colleges, universities, and university systems have been affected since late March, according to an Associated Press review. The escalation has triggered dozens of lawsuits, including Ariwoolas, which argue that due process has been denied because students were not notified ahead of time. Whatever authority Defendants may wield in immigration matters, they cannot use it arbitrarily, capriciously, or for the apparent purposes here: intimidation and coercion, attorneys wrote. If ICE believes a student is deportable, it has the authority to initiate removal proceedings and make its case. It cannot, however, misuse SEVIS to circumvent the law, strip students of status, and bully them into self-deporting without any process of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Austin did not address the due process argument in the brief two-and-a-half-page order, leaving the door open for potential future hearings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. (COLORADO SPRINGS) After a loss of funding put the annual Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival at risk, organizers have announced that the event is officially on, and with a new venue. Juneteenth is a national holiday that commemorates the official emancipation of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, and it has been celebrated in Colorado Springs for the past four years by OneBody Ent., a local non-profit that seeks to serve youth and adults by helping to prevent criminal offenses and re-offenses. According to organizers, the festival is the biggest multi-cultural event celebrated by all races, nationalities, and creeds. The events funding comes from the Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART) fund. In 2024, the City collected about $10 million, but requests far outpaced that amount. As a result, the City had to slash funding from numerous city events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through a community call to action, festival organizers raised thousands of dollars to offset the cuts. During that same call to action, businesses spoke up and expressed their desire to helpnamely, the Citadel Mall. The Citadel Mall offered to host the 2025 Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival on their premises, organizers said. Following conversations to ensure that festival expectations are met, we are proud to announce that the new location for the 2025 Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival is at the Citadel Mall. The event will be held in the parking lot near the old Babys R Us location on June 20-22. The new location will provide ample parking, entry to the mall, and easy access to public transportation. The free event will boast vendors, music, artists, a car show, health fair, fashion corner, and so much more. We look forward to all of your continued support as we make this move for the 2025 SCJF and cant wait to see all of you this year as we continue our tradition in our home Colorado Springs, organizers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) Jury convicts California judge of second-degree murder in wifes shooting death, district attorney's office says. By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -A federal jury in Manhattan on Tuesday found the New York Times not liable for allegedly defaming Sarah Palin in a 2017 editorial about gun control, dealing the former Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate a second loss at trial. The verdict came in a retrial of Palin's case, after a federal appeals court threw out a 2022 verdict in the Times' favor. The jury deliberated for around two hours after a weeklong trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement after the verdict, New York Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha said, "The decision reaffirms an important tenet of American law: publishers are not liable for honest mistakes. Palin's lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Palin, 61, who also served as Alaska's governor, sued the newspaper and former editorial page editor James Bennet over a June 14, 2017, article that wrongly suggested she may have incited a January 2011 mass shooting in an Arizona parking lot. Six people were killed and Democratic U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords was seriously wounded in the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bennet said he was under deadline pressure when he added language to "America's Lethal Politics" that linked the attack to a map from Palin's political action committee that put Giffords and other Democrats under crosshairs. The Times quickly acknowledged its mistake and apologized, publishing a correction 14 hours after the editorial appeared online. Lawyers for Palin said that wasn't enough because the backtracking didn't mention her by name. In her closing argument, Times' lawyer Felicia Ellsworth alluded to the high burden that Palin, a public figure, had in order to hold the newspaper liable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To win this case, Governor Palin needs to prove that the New York Times and James Bennet did not care about the truth," she said. "There has not been one shred of evidence showing anything other than an honest mistake." Palin lawyer Ken Turkel said it was more than that. ""This is not an honest mistake about a passing reference" to Palin, he said in his closing argument. "For her, it was a life-changer." Palin lost her first trial in February 2022, but the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan last August said the verdict was tainted by several rulings from the presiding judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case had long been viewed by Palin and other conservatives as a possible vehicle to overturn the 1964 U.S. Supreme Court landmark New York Times v. Sullivan. In that case, the court said that to win a defamation case, a public figure must demonstrate that an offending statement was made with "actual malice," meaning with knowledge it was false or with reckless disregard as to whether it was false. The 2nd Circuit, however, said Palin waived the argument by waiting too long to challenge the "actual malice" standard. President Donald Trump has also questioned the standard. Palin was Alaska's governor from 2006 to 2009, and ran with late Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona in his unsuccessful 2008 White House run. Democrat Barack Obama and his vice presidential pick Joe Biden won that race. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Mark Porter) A jury in New York ruled Tuesday that The New York Times did not defame former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) with an editorial about gun violence in 2011. Tuesdays ruling comes nearly three years after a separate jury found the Times not liable for damages over the op-ed, which linked her to the deadly 2011 shooting in an Arizona parking lot that injured then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.). Palin testified at a trial Monday that death threats against her increased and she felt defenseless after the Times editorial about gun violence said her PAC had contributed to an atmosphere of violence, according to The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after the editorial was published, the Times corrected inaccuracies it contained, noting a previous version had incorrectly stated that a link existed between political rhetoric and the 2011 shooting. After the Times was found not liable for damages against Palin in 2022, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan last year revived the case, citing errors made by the trial judge, including dismissing the case while the last jury was deliberating. When the case was revived, a lawyer for Palin celebrated a significant step forward in the process of holding publishers accountable for content that misleads readers and the public in general. The Associated Press contributed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The judge and attorneys spent Tuesday questioning prospective jurors for the trial of Christopher Schurr, the former Grand Rapids police officer charged with killing Patrick Lyoya in 2022. As of late Tuesday afternoon, the jury box was full, though there was no guarantee those people will actually stay on the jury. Most, if not all, of the prospective jurors questioned by the prosecution and defense were familiar with the case. Some had seen the video leading up to the moment of the shooting. One said she researched it just days ago on Wikipedia and also watched the video. Those chosen said they could make a decision based on facts that come out during the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, they could still be removed since each side gets a dozen peremptory challenges to excuse possible jurors and then questioning possible replacements. As of late Tuesday, each side had used about half of their challenges. The juror questioning process began Monday in the second-degree murder trial. The court called in at least 200 potential jurors, excusing some with potential conflicts. Both sides say the selection process is going faster than expected and that they could seat 14 jurors (including two alternates) by the end of the day Wednesday. The trial is set to start on April 28. Schurrs attorney accuses Lyoya familys legal team of trying to sway jury Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schurrs defense attorney, Matthew Borgula, has accused Ven Johnson, who is the Lyoya familys attorney in a separate civil lawsuit over the death, of trying to sway the jury pool. Schurrs team on Friday asked a federal judge for a gag order against Johnson and his team, writing that their actions have created a substantial likelihood of material prejudice to Defendant Schurrs right to a fair trial. Johnsons office opposed the request in a Monday filing, saying there is no evidence that the jury pool has been or could be prejudiced and that the gag order request seeks to silence the Lyoyas indefinitely. An undated photo of Patrick Lyoya courtesy family. On April 4, 2022, Schurr stopped a car driven by Lyoya, 26, on Grand Rapids southeast side. The plate didnt match the car, according to Schurr. Video released by police shows Lyoya running away, with Schurr in pursuit, and the two struggling over Schurrs Taser. Ultimately, Schurr, who was on top of Lyoya trying to hold him down, shot him in the back of the head. Lyoya death: What led up to murder trial for ex-GRPD officer The shooting led to protests and marches in Grand Rapids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schurr was charged with second-degree murder in June of that year. His attorney said he fired the shot in self-defense. If convicted, Schurr faces up to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Lyoyas parents were in court Tuesday, but declined to comment to News 8. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. A makeshift memorial is now set up to honor a young man gunned down in New York last month, but his mother told Channel 9s Ken Lemon this never should have happened. Jesse Pimentals mother told Channel 9 that police said her son wasnt the intended target in a shooting last month in Staten Island. The suspect was caught weeks later after a standoff in Gastonia, but Pimentals mother will have to wait another two weeks to learn if hell willingly return to New York to face charges. Stephanie Urbonas spoke with Ken Lemon from her home in Manhattan, her grief spanning the miles between them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know how Im going to go through life without him, cause right now I just feel empty, Urbonas said. RELATED: Staten Island murder suspect arrested in Gastonia neighborhood Pimental was shot on March 28 as he left a store with friends. Urbonas said police told her the shooter took aim at one of his friends and fired six shots. The last bullet hit and killed Pimental, who was just 25 years old. He didnt deserve to die, Urbonas said. Last week, SWAT and US Marshals went to a home on Barkley Street and arrested Lydell Felton, whos reportedly from The Bronx. Neighbors said Felton often stayed in that home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I felt relief that my son will get the justice he deserves in his death, Urbonas said. She must now wait for May 8. Thats when Felton faces a judge again to decide if he will willingly go back to New York or be forced back through a series of court proceedings. Just going to sit and pray that he does waive his extradition so we can start the court process, Urbonas said. She said she needs justice, but shes still struggling to find peace. I cant even accept that hes gone yet. I cant, Urbonas said. The day of the shooting was the last day of Jesse Pimentals probation for a weapons conviction. His mother said he was looking forward to removing the ankle monitor and starting a new life. He died before that could happen. (VIDEO: My son is gone: Mom wants sons body returned to New York after Charlotte crash HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania The U.S. Justice Department has withdrawn its lawsuit that accused a heavily Hispanic city in Pennsylvania of illegally diluting the political power of its growing Hispanic population. U.S. District Judge Karoline Mehalchick in Scranton approved the dismissal of the case against Hazleton on Tuesday, a day after the Justice Department requested it. It is the latest example of the department under President Donald Trump dropping or withdrawing from a voting rights case begun under former President Joe Biden, including a case in Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department didnt explain in its court filing why it is withdrawing or issue a statement on the case Tuesday. The departments initial lawsuit, filed in January, said the at-large system of electing city council members, as opposed to electing them by district, was unfair to Hispanic voters and prevented them from getting elected to city council. The Justice Department argued that the system violated the federal Voting Rights Act and had sought a court order requiring the city, the five-member City Council and Republican Mayor Jeff Cusat to come up with a new system. City officials insisted the system was lawful and gave equal voting rights to all citizens. They pointed out that Hispanic residents serve on city boards and authorities, although none have been elected to city council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Tuesday, Cusat took credit for the dismissal, saying the citys arguments in court exposed the fundamental weaknesses in the departments accusations. The department had adopted the baseless assumption that the citys non-Hispanic white voters vote as a bloc to defeat Hispanic candidates, Cusat wrote. The citys voters can change the system through a referendum, he said. Hazletons 30,000 residents are about two-thirds Hispanic, according to U.S. Census figures. One-third is non-Hispanic white. The lawsuits claims echoed a separate lawsuit filed by two Hispanic parents against the at-large system of voting for members of the Hazleton Area School District board. The school district denied the allegation. MANILA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines and the United States kicked off their annual Balikatan military exercises on Monday, amid criticism that the drills pose a threat to regional peace and stability. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) led a protest on Monday outside a military camp in the Philippine capital during the drills' opening ceremony. The group denounced the annual drills as costly, disruptive, and a threat to national security and sovereignty. Bayan also warned that continued military cooperation of this scale would heighten tensions in the region and make the Philippines more vulnerable to external attacks. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Rockford Police say K-9 Andii, who was shot multiple times while in pursuit of a suspect on Saturday, is on the mend. Police shared an update on Tuesday, saying, Despite sustaining injuries in the line of duty, Andii is doing great! Her strength and spirit have been nothing short of amazing. We are so proud of herand incredibly grateful that her ballistic vest, generously donated by supporters like YOU, played a critical role in protecting her. It truly was a lifesaver, and so is she. Around 3:50 p.m., on Saturday, April 19th, officers pulled Vernon Frills, 38, over in the 1300 block of East State Street, near the Circle K gas station. He fled on foot from officers, who sent K-9 Andii after him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said Frills shot the K-9 soon after, injuring the dogs paw and shoulder,. Frills, who is from Madison, Wisconsin, faces charges of Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm at a Police Officer, Armed Violence, Possession of a Controlled Substance (MDMA), Injuring a Police K-9, Obstructing Justice, and an outstanding warrant from Wisconsin. Wisconsin court records show Frills is a convicted sex offender for repeated acts of sexual assault against the same child, stemming from a 2010 case in Dane County. According to Winnebago County Court records, Frills was due to make his first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. on Monday before Judge Heidi Agustsson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, records show Frills refused to appear. Frills now has a new court date: April 23rd. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jacob Perron and Kathy Keck, with a photograph of Perron and his late sister, Mireya Keck, take part Monday in a forum dedicated to explaining the benefit of Medicaid to people with disabilities, the elderly and low-income children who might be adversely impacted if Congress adopts massive funding cuts to the Medicaid program serving 425,000 people in Kansas. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Kathy Keck and Jacob Perron carried with them one large photograph and many memories of the late Mireya Keck, a child adopted into the family after suffering a brain injury when aggressively shaken at 7 weeks of age. Keck spoke of Mireya while her sibling, Perron, held an image capturing a moment when brother and sister shared a laugh. The occasion was made possible, in large measure, by Mireyas eligibility for Medicaid benefits that provided nursing services so she could live a life not available to her in an institutional hospital, Keck said. She died Jan. 30, 2024, in hospice at home south of Topeka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without Medicaid, Keck said, we wouldnt have been able to keep Mireya living in a home where she was loved. She knew love and she knew great joy. Keck and Perron, who suffered a brain injury at birth that led to cerebral palsy and other disabilities, took part Monday evening in a Medicaid forum with a couple dozen other people at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. The event provided a forum to share thoughts about the value of Medicaid to people with disabilities, seniors in nursing homes or who get care at home, pregnant women or low-income youth in Kansas. The event offered folks with personal insight into Medicaid the opportunity to speak to others with knowledge of how the national health program influenced quality of life. But the ultimate audience was limited to six individuals U.S. Reps. Sharice Davids, Traci Mann, Ron Estes and Derek Schmidt and U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall of Kansas. These elected politicians working in the U.S. Capitol could eventually be asked to vote on federal legislation details arent publicly available that slashed federal Medicaid spending over the next 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not right or left. This is truly a human right, Keck said. Yes, we want to get rid of fraud. People using the support, thats not fraud. Thats called helping people live their best life in the most respectful and dignified way possible. The budget knife Medicaid is a joint federal and state program serving about 72 million Americans and 425,000 Kansans with limited income and resources. Forty states and the District of Columbia, but not Kansas, expanded eligibility for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act to include lower-income adults. In Washington, a U.S. House committee with oversight of Medicaid has been assigned the task of finding $880 billion in savings over the next decade. Medicaid funding flows directly to states, so reductions in federal appropriations for Medicaid would take the form of cuts to state budgets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Sommers, professor of health care economics at Harvard University and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said during an online briefing for reporters that most federal lawmakers, whether Republican or Democrat, were worried about how deep cuts to Medicaid would resonate among their constituents. He said profound reductions could negatively impact hospitals reliant on Medicaid funding and other health care providers engaged in delivering Medicaid services. Eight rural hospitals in Kansas shut down in-patient services since 2015, Medicaid advocates said, and Kansas had more rural hospitals at risk of closing than any state of comparable size. Right now, we have big numbers to target, Sommers said the $880 billion, 10-year objective. We dont have a lot of explanation of where that money comes from. Thats all kind of behind closed doors. Political rhetoric from House and Senate members keen to cut federal spending was often linked to the goal of addressing government waste, fraud and abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is simply no way to get to a number that big through waste, fraud and abuse. There isnt enough fat to cut from Medicaid to get there, he said. Sommers said it was important to acknowledge motivation to gut spending on Medicaid was to sustain tax breaks endorsed by President Donald Trump and heavily skewed towards higher-income individuals. Adrianna McIntyre, assistant professor of health policy and politics at Harvards School of Public Health, said during the briefing there was genuine appetite among conservative Republicans in Congress to shrink spending on Medicaid. Implications of Medicaid adjustments for governors on both sides of the partisan aisle could be profound, she said. There are definite concerns among governors about sudden changes in Medicaid funding and what it could mean to hospitals and other providers for many low-income people to suddenly find themselves uninsured, she said. Generally speaking, if youre saving money, its coming from fewer people having benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If federal aid was withdrawn, she said, state lawmakers would have the option of reducing the number of people enrolled in Medicaid or to fill the funding gap by raising taxes or slashing spending elsewhere. Personal stakes Lisa Collette, mother of a nonverbal child who qualified for Medicaid, took the opportunity to share her thoughts during the forum hosted by the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas. Collette said it would be wrong to carve away an essential health programs because of the high human cost inherent in those budget decisions. Her daughter has a rare syndrome often linked to deafness and blindness, and she receives home nursing care through Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I strongly oppose these cuts because they affect the most vulnerable in our society the elderly, low-income children and those with disabilities, Collette said. As a taxpayer, its frustrating to see that programs that benefit the most vulnerable are always No. 1 on the chopping block. Julie Avard, of Topeka, said her experience with dementia illustrated the value of Medicaid to families otherwise faced with personal economic ruin or uprooting of their work lives to care for someone no longer capable of doing that alone. Who is taking care of a loved one who has dementia or who is aging? she said. It gets harder and harder to take care of or to keep the person safe. Without Medicaid, we would be up the proverbial creek without a paddle. Rebecca Schultz, a former special education teacher from Leawood, said the electric wheelchair she relied on to be active and to participate in volunteer work or public advocacy cost $25,000. Shes not enrolled in Medicaid, but she said there was no avoiding the harmful outcomes if Congress reduced investment in Medicaid so people with disabilities have fewer support services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im fortunate. Ive had a lot of supports in my life, she said. For the people that need it, lets be human beings. The debate about Medicaid cuts was deeply disturbing, said Topekan Elvera Johnson, who lives on Social Security income with her husband. This is not the time to recklessly cut Medicaid, said Johnson, who suggested politicians look the example of others. All people should have access to good medical care. It should be a given. Jesus helped people who needed help. He was a healer. KANSAS (KSNT) After another round of scam toll road texts, 27 News checked with the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) for an update on the work being done to shut down scammers. Example of a scam text coming from a foreign .ru website. KTA Director of Communications Jeri Biehler said the KTA is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Trade Commission to stop scammers who are targeting Kansas residents. She said the collaborative effort has resulted in thousands of fraudulent websites being shut down. The fraudulent texts are being sent to random phone numbers with no regard to actual use of a toll road, Biehler said. The text urges quick action on unpaid tolls to avoid a penalty and provides a web link that closely mimics a real toll payment site. KTA does not send unsolicited text messages about unpaid tolls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biehler said the fake texts and website URLs come from many different countries. She said its a national scam that started last spring. Why will buildings in Kansas glow orange this week? 27 News also reached out to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for comment on the situation. KDOT is aware of the fraudulent text messages that are falsely claiming to be from KDOT and demanding payment for unpaid tolls, KDOT Public Information Officer Kate Craft said. KDOT does not collect tolls for road usage and does not send unsolicited text messages. Biehler said people who get scam messages are encouraged to report it to the Federal Trade Commission or the Internet Crime Complaint Center here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Opening statements began Tuesday in the second trial of Karen Read, who is accused of killing her boyfriend, a Boston police officer, in January 2022. The jury selection was finalized last week. Prosecutors allege that Read, 45, backed her SUV into John OKeefe after dropping him off at the home of a fellow officer after a night of drinking. The defense argues that Read has been framed and that OKeefe was physically attacked, potentially by the homeowners German shepherd, before his body was placed on the front lawn. Read was charged with second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a collision that caused injury and death. Reads first trial concluded in July 2024 with a mistrial, when, after deliberating for nearly a week, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision. Prosecutors were given until July 2025 to retry the case, per Massachusetts Criminal Procedure, so the Norfolk County District Attorneys office moved quickly to bring Read back to court on the same three charges. If convicted of the most serious charge, motor vehicle homicide, Read faces a possible sentence of life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone, who presided over the first trial, is overseeing the retrial as well. Reads attorneys filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to delay the retrial, but the court denied the delay and is expected to consider an appeal to drop two of the charges against Read on Friday. What is the case against Karen Read? Read dropped OKeefe, her then boyfriend, off at the home of a fellow Boston police officer, Brian Albert, after a night of bar-hopping on Jan. 28, 2022. The next morning, OKeefe was found in the front yard of the officers home and later pronounced dead at a hospital, with his autopsy listing his cause of death as hypothermia and blunt force trauma. Read was arrested on Feb. 1, 2022, on charges of manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide and leaving the scene of a deadly crash, to which she pleaded not guilty. During her first trial, prosecutors argued that Read and OKeefe had a rocky relationship and that the two had been fighting the night before he died. The prosecution claimed that, in anger, Read intentionally backed over OKeefe with her car before driving away pointing to her cars vehicle data, a broken back taillight and and the fact that OKeefes hair was found on the bumper as evidence to support this. Prosecutors also called several first responders as witnesses who testified that they heard Read say, I hit him. I hit him. Oh my God, I hit him, at the scene where his body was found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for Read, however, presented a very different version of what they believe happened. They allege that OKeefe was beaten up inside Alberts house, perhaps attacked by Alberts dog, based on some apparent teeth or claw marks found on his body, thrown outside and positioned to make it look as if hed been hit by Reads car. The defense said that Alberts house was never properly searched for evidence of a fight and claimed that the investigation was biased against Read because the lead investigator in the case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, had used derogatory language to describe Read in messages with other officers and was close friends with Albert. Latest developments ahead of the new trial The case against Read has received substantial public interest since the first trial. Read, who did not testify during the first trial, has recently spoken out about the case in a five-part Investigation Discovery docuseries that first aired on HBO last week. On March 25, Read appeared in court for a pretrial hearing, where a prosecutor requested records related to the documentary series, including all unedited video and audio recordings. Prosecutors have also claimed that Read and Aidan Kearney, a local blogger known as Turtleboy, who strongly advocated for Read during her first trial, communicated extensively throughout 2023. Judge Cannone has agreed to allow data from Kearneys cellphones to be introduced in the new trial as evidence, which prosecutors argue show Reads consciousness of guilt. Prosecutors allege that Read colluded with Kearney, who has been accused of intimidating witnesses in the case. Blogger Aidan Kearney, center, walks out of the Stoughton District Court in October last year, surrounded by his supporters, after his arraignment on witness intimidation charges in connection with the Read case. (Matthew J. Lee/Getty Images) While it has not been confirmed whether Read will testify during this retrial, she told Boston 25 News in February that she was not afraid of taking the stand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reads legal team will continue to be led by David Yannetti, as well as her other representative, Alan Jackson. The defense also welcomed a New York-based litigator, Robert Alessi. Last week, Read added to her legal team an attorney, Victoria George, who served as an alternate juror during the first trial. The defense team also plans to show the new jury-unseen footage from the Canton Police Departments sallyport, where police brought Reads vehicle for analysis the day after OKeefe was found dead. The defense claims this footage supports its case that officers are trying to frame Read for OKeefes murder, the Boston Globe reported. The Norfolk district attorneys office brought on Hank Brennan to serve as the new special prosecutor for the retrial. The prosecution has added Reads father, William, and her brother, Nathan, to its new list of possible witnesses. The lead investigator in the case, Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, became the subject of an internal investigation over a potential violation of department policy after he acknowledged he had made some inappropriate comments about Read to other officers. The day after the mistrial was declared, Proctor was suspended without pay for the duration of the investigation. He was ultimately terminated from his role with the Massachusetts State Police this March for unsatisfactory performance and a charge related to alcohol. Proctor is planning to appeal the termination. Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor testifying at Read's first trial, June 10, 2024. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images) Why was a mistrial declared? A mistrial can be declared for several reasons, including in cases where a jury is unable to reach a verdict or where a judge identifies procedural issues that prevent a defendant from obtaining a fair trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After almost a week of deliberating at the end of the first trial, the jury wrote a letter to Judge Cannone, saying, The divergence in our views are not rooted in a lack of understanding or effort but deeply held convictions that each of us carry, ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable. We recognize the weight of this admission and the implications it holds. In the months since the first trial concluded, Reads attorneys have claimed in court filings that a number of jurors have contacted the defense team to say that the only charge they could not agree on was the manslaughter charge, and that they were all in unanimous agreement that Read was not guilty of the other two charges: second-degree murder and leaving the scene of personal injury or death. Her attorneys have unsuccessfully sought to have those two charges dropped ahead of the new trial starting this week. DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) Karen Reads second murder trial began Tuesday with a prosecutor saying the defendants own words will bolster evidence that she killed her police officer boyfriend three years ago and a defense attorney calling the case the definition of reasonable doubt. Read is accused of striking her boyfriend, John OKeefe, with her SUV in 2022 and leaving him to die alone in the snow outside of a house party in Canton, a suburb about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Boston. She has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene. Prosecutors say Read intentionally backed into OKeefe after she dropped him off at the home of a fellow Boston officer Brian Albert and returned hours later to find him dead. The defense says that she was a victim of a vast police conspiracy and that OKeefe was fatally beaten by another law enforcement officer at the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile. Speaking briefly to reporters Tuesday afternoon, Read said she is innocent and praised her legal team. I cant be prouder, and Im fortunate to have them, Read said. Weve got the truth. The biggest difference in the current trial is the lead prosecutor, Hank Brennan. Brought in as a special prosecutor after the mistrial, the former defense attorney has represented a number of prominent clients, including notorious Boston gangster James Whitey Bulger. In opening statements Tuesday, Brennan told jurors that facts and data will lead them to the truth, and that Reads own statements will confirm it. The first witness he called was paramedic Timothy Nuttall, who testified that when he responded to the scene that morning, a frantic Read said, I hit him. I hit him. I hit him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She admitted what she had done that night, said Brennan, who also played a clip from a television interview in which Read said, I mean, I didnt think I hit him hit him, but could I have clipped him? Could I have tagged him in the knee and incapacitated him? He didnt look mortally wounded, as far as I could see. Could I have done something that knocked him out, and in his drunkenness and in the cold, he didnt come to again? But defense attorney Alan Jackson told jurors that Read never said I hit him and that prosecutors are trying to twist her other statements into a confession. Thats a person trying to make sense of an unexplainable circumstance, a natural concern of a bereaved significant other, a woman desperately trying to piece together what could have happened on this tragic night, he said. Cross-examining the paramedic, Jackson noted that Nuttall testified at the first trial that Read said I hit him, twice, not three times. But Nuttall insisted Tuesday that she said it three times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson said in his opening statement that the prosecutions case was based on a brazen and flawed assertion that is untethered to the facts and the evidence. John O'Keefe did not die from being hit by a vehicle, he said. "The facts will show that. The evidence will show that. The data will show that. The science will show that and the experts will tell you that. Many of the factors that made the first trial must-see television will feature in the second. Most of the same witnesses are back as are Reads aggressive defense team and her supporters camped out near the courthouse. Read, who has been featured in several documentaries about her case, has become a minor celebrity. On Tuesday, a few dozen of Read's supporters, many holding American flags, stood in front of the courthouse before moving a block away to comply with a court-ordered buffer zone. Those who were reuniting hugged, while others took time to bring newcomers up to speed on the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I'm here for justice, said Ashlyn Wade, a Read supporter from Canton. The murderer going to jail and Karen being exonerated, that would be justice. The prosecution, however, stands to benefit from a pretrial ruling from Judge Beverly Cannone barring defense attorneys from mentioning potential third-party culprits in their opening statements. They can develop a case against two law enforcement officers but cannot implicate Alberts nephew, Colin Albert, as they did in the first trial. I view it as a blow to the defense strategy but not a knockout punch, Daniel Medwed, a law professor at Northeastern University, said of the ruling. All the defense needs to do is create reasonable doubt about Karen (Read's) guilt, and that doesnt require pointing to an alternative perpetrator as a matter of law. Jackson called the prosecution's case the literal definition of reasonable doubt" in his opening statement and said the heavy burden of proof will not be met given that "every piece of this case was handled by a disgraced investigator with a motive to protect his friends Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the end of this trial, youll conclude that Karen Read is not guilty," he said. Shes the victim of a botched and biased and corrupted investigation that was never about the truth, folks. It was about preserving loyalty. One of the key witnesses will be former State Trooper Michael Proctor. He led the investigation but has since been fired after a disciplinary board found that he sent sexist and crude texts about Read to his family and colleagues. Jackson called him a cancer that infected every step of the investigation and characterized him as both the key to the state's case and its Achilles' heel. The state's second witness Tuesday was Kerry Roberts, a friend of O'Keefe's who testified that Read called her at 5 a.m. the day after the house party, screamed Kerry! Kerry! Kerry! Johns dead! and hung up. Roberts then went to O'Keefe's house with Read to search for him and then to the Albert home. Roberts said she couldn't see anything when they pulled up but that Read said, there he is," and jumped out of the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She ran right over to the mound of snow," Roberts said. Once she got to it, you could tell it was a mound of snow the length of a body. ___ Associated Press writers Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire, and Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, contributed to this report. ISLAMABAD, April 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 terrorists were killed in a joint security operation in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, local police said on Monday. A police statement said that an intelligence-based operation was carried out in the Makarwal area of Mianwali district, where an exchange of fire took place between militants and law enforcement personnel. "More than 10 militants were killed and several others injured in the operation jointly conducted by Punjab Police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD)," the statement said. During the encounter, a local resident sustained a leg injury from militant fire and was shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. No police or CTD personnel were injured during the operation, according to the statement. Inspector General of Punjab Police Usman Anwar congratulated the Mianwali police and CTD teams on the successful operation, affirming that the security forces remain vigilant and fully prepared to thwart any threats to peace and stability in the region. I spent fourteen years in Catholic school and eight years as an altar boy. Ive heard all the jokes, but if you think you have an original one, leave it in the comments. All that time I avoided church as much as possible. I ignored my churchs youth group and the cardboard cutout of Pope Francis those kids carried around. But post-grad, peak-Covid, and just before a family tragedy that expedited the process, Pope Francis made me Catholic again. Now Im the only Gen-Z practicing Catholic on the Esquire editorial team, so I get to write a column. Whatever your religious persuasion, or lack thereof, I urge you to be more like Pope Francis, who died Easter Monday. Ignore the discussion around his death. You and Ithe whole world, in factwill be better off if we focus on him. Thats the greatest compliment you can give a man. For his first trip outside Rome, Francis met with migrants on the island of Lampedusa, off the coast of Italy, mourning those who had died at sea seeking a better future. That looked to me like the teachings of the Catholic Church put into action. The example he set was a good one to followand he continued exemplifying good works as leader of the church. But he showed he was more than a worthy pontiff; Pope Francis was a good man at a time when good men are hard to come by. Sure, every pope would call for an end to the war in Ukraine. Every pope would call for prayer and fasting for those suffering in the Israel-Hamas war. But only a good man would continue his regular calls with a parish in Gazafrom his hospital bed. Only a good man would go off-script (theologically speaking) and say, I like to think of hell as empty. Men like this are rare today, or theyre not exalted to positions of power and featured prominently on your timeline. Its a shame. Tullio M. Puglia - Getty Images It reminds me of A Good Man Is Hard to Find, probably the most popular short story from Flannery OConnor, a Catholic writer of the gothic persuasion. Sorry to spoil the story, but it ends with the two most loathsome characters, each spiritually reprehensible in their own right, experiencing separate epiphanies as one kills the other. The deceased dies full of bullet holes with a perpetual smile; the killer walks away, eyes-watering, saying, Its no real pleasure in life. Epiphanies are a hallmark of OConnors stories, and theyre never corn-cobby. Theyre always dark and usually funny, like the worldlike what happened to Francis the day before he died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I logged on to Twitter Monday and saw Fracnis had met with JD Vance on Easter Sunday, I thought, Imagine JD Vance is the last new face you meet before dying The jokes write themselves, and its okay to make the jokes. In fact, a Catholic school teacher assured us its okay to laugh because God also has a sense of humor. It wont send you to hell, I think. And anyway, you should be wary of any writer telling you whats okay. You should also be wary of any politicians who post their condolences with a picture of them meeting the Holy Father. To his credit, Vances personal account didnt post a photo but a link to one of the popes great early Covid homilies. Vatican Pool - Getty Images And be wary of the commentary in the coming weeks. Countless people will say, This is just like Conclave. If youre in the weeds like me, theres going to be plenty of intra-Catholic political discourse. The popes name might even come up in secular political discourse. Id disregard most of it. What people of other faiths, people of no faiths, and people of the Catholic faith should do is find someone who lived wholly for others and emulate them. They do exist. For me, Francis comes to mind. If we think about others the way he did, hell should be as empty as suggested. You Might Also Like King Charles III recently ordered a somber change in royal households, taking immediate effect following the death of Pope Francis. On Easter Monday, April 21, Pope Francisborn Jorge Mario Bergogliodied at 88 following a 38-day hospitalization due to complications from pneumonia. (His cause of death was not directly related, however.) SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox In the wake of the death of the leader of the Catholic Church, King Charles ordered flags to be flown at half-mast at his homes to honor Pope Francis, Hello! magazine reported. The British monarch instructed solemn music to be played during the Changing of the Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flags were similarly flown at half-mast when Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, and her husband, Prince Philip died in 2021. As in the U.S., half-mast flags are a sign of respect following the death of a politician or other public leader. After the announcement of Pope Francis' death, King Charles and Queen Camilla issued a statement. "My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis," he wrote, in part, in a message shared via Instagram. "Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry." King Charles added, "His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others." Next: Prince William Announces Major Royal Shake-Up With Key Individual Stepping Down THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) A man is accused of attacking a bodega worker with a knife in the Bronx Monday night, according to police and United Bodegas of America. Tyrell Mata, 29, allegedly assaulted the 22-year-old worker in 3Js Deli Grocery at 1098 Anderson Ave. at around 7:30 p.m., according to the NYPD. More Local News The victim suffered a wound to the left hand and refused medical treatment at the scene, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video of the incident showed an armed man dressed in a black jacket and white hat repeatedly lunge over the counter and threaten the worker with a knife, according to the footage from United Bodegas of America. When the worker came out from behind the counter with a bat, the suspect ran off, the video showed. Mata was arrested and charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon and menacing, police said. His arraignment was pending Tuesday. Our bodega workers are being terrorized. These men and women show up every day to serve their communities, not to be attacked or killed. The city must do morepanic buttons, patrols, and real prosecution. Were not asking for favors, were demanding protection, said Radahmes Rodriguez, president of UBA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. In April 2025, claims circulated that U.S. border authorities detained and deported two German tourists in Hawaii. The claims came from reports in German and English about Charlotte Pohl and Marie Lepere, German women who were reportedly stopped by U.S. border police while attempting to enter the U.S. in Hawaii. According to German media reports, authorities handcuffed and strip-searched the women before detaining them overnight and eventually deporting them to Japan at their own request. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Pohl and Lepere were "denied entry after attempting to enter the U.S. under false pretenses," allegedly admitting they intended to work. The CBP did not confirm the pair were detained or comment on allegations about officers handcuffing or strip-searching the women. Pohl and Lepere claimed officials altered their testimonies during interrogation, changing or adding sentences to make it appear as if they intended to work in the U.S. when that was never their intention. In April 2025, claims (archived) circulated online that U.S. border authorities detained and deported two German tourists in Hawaii. 2 female German tourists, 18 and 19 y.o., were detained in Honolulu for a terrible crime of not pre-booking a hotel for their trip. Before deportation, they had to spend the night at the detention center. News like that will certainly do wonders for Hawaiian tourism industry pic.twitter.com/MCixNk1wX9 RitorFella (@RitornellaNYC) April 20, 2025 One X user, whose post had more than 4 million views at the time of this writing, wrote: "2 female German tourists, 18 and 19 y.o., were detained in Honolulu for a terrible 'crime' of not pre-booking a hotel for their trip. Before deportation, they had to spend the night at the detention center. News like that will certainly do wonders for Hawaiian tourism industry" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The claim circulated across X (archived), Facebook (archived), Threads (archived), TikTok (archived) and Bluesky (archived). Snopes readers also emailed to ask whether the claim was true. The claim originated from German media reports about Charlotte Pohl and Marie Lepere, then 19 and 18, respectively, whom border officials reportedly stopped while they were attempting to enter the U.S. in Hawaii on March 18, 2025. According to German media reports, border police handcuffed and strip-searched the women before detaining them overnight and eventually deporting them to Japan at their own request. The CBP did not confirm it detained the women, and it said they were "denied entry" rather than deported. Pohl and Lepere told Snopes that paperwork issued by U.S. authorities said the women were being "removed" from from the U.S. The women also told two German news outlets and Snopes that they both had ESTAs a travel authorization under the Visa Waiver Program but the CBP said one of the women had a visitor visa. CBP Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham said the pair were denied entry, not deported, and that: These travelers were denied entry after attempting to enter the U.S. under false pretenses. One used a Visitor visa, the other the Visa Waiver Program. Both claimed they were touring California but later admitted they intended to worksomething strictly prohibited under U.S. immigration laws for these visas. A spokesperson from the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "As soon as the Federal Foreign Office received word of this case, our Honorary Consul in Honolulu and our Consulate General in San Francisco took over consular support. We kindly ask you for your understanding, that we cannot share anymore detailed information on this case." Breaking down claims about pair's CBP encounter Pohl and Lepere told German media that border officials first became suspicious about the duration of the women's trip, their finances and that they had not booked accommodation for the entirety of their planned five-week stay. Recounting their immigration experience, Pohl told the German news website Stern.de: When it was our turn, the border official checked our passports, we had to give fingerprints, a photo was taken the usual procedure. And then the questions started: Where we were staying, what our route plans were, where we had been before and, above all, how we were financing the trip. We explained everything and also offered to show everything: the booking for the first accommodation, bank statements, our return flight tickets. But the officer wasn't interested at all and sent us straight to an interrogation room. From there, the women told Stern.de, officials interrogated them, handcuffed them and sent them to what they described as a prison near the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not possible to independently confirm Pohl and Lepere's main claim that they were detained overnight by CBP. Lepere told Snopes she did not remember the name of the prison the women were detained at. The CBP statement said the travelers were denied entry, but not that they were detained, and the organization declined to comment further. A report in Die Ostsee-Zeitung, a German-language newspaper based in Rostock where Pohl and Lepere live, included the pair's mug shots and registration numbers. Searches by name and the numbers listed on Pohl and Lepere's documentation did not reveal inmate records on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detainee Locator. That is because the system does not register inmates held for less than 48 hours. Searches on VINE, a third-party inmate information database, and the Federal Bureau of Prison's database using Pohl and Lepere's names also revealed no results. According to Pohl and Lepere's account to Die Ostsee-Zeitung, the morning after they were detained, officers took them back the airport in handcuffs and put them on a flight to Japan, a destination they had chosen to travel on to rather than being sent back to New Zealand, where they had originally arrived from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once in Japan, the pair were able to view paperwork issued by U.S. authorities, which they had signed immediately after the interrogations took place and without time to properly read them through, according to Pohl. Lepere told Snopes they had never read their statements but the CBP asked them to sign paperwork saying that they had. Lepere said: "On the paperwork it said that we have read the pages and that we sign it as it's the truth with our signature but we were never given the opportunity to read it." In its statement, the CBP said it denied entry to the women after they "admitted" they intended to work in the U.S., something not permitted on their visas. However, in Die Ostsee-Zeitung's report, Pohl accused U.S. border officials of adding to or altering what the pair told officials. "There were sentences in there that we didn't say at all," Pohl told Die Ostsee-Zeitung, "They made it sound like we had admitted that we wanted to work illegally in the USA." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lepere told Stern.de: Some of the answers were really falsified. For example, when asked why I wanted to go to the USA, I answered: "To travel and to visit my family in California." In the end, the paper said: "Work for accommodation and extra pocket money." It reads as if we wanted to work illegally in the USA, which we never said because it was never our intention. The CBP did not reply when asked about this allegation. Additionally, according to Die Ostsee-Zeitung and an interview in Stern.de, the women both had valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization visa waivers. A successful ESTA application allows eligible passengers to travel to the U.S., though admissibility whether they will be let in is still determined by CBP officers at the border. However, the CBP statement claimed one woman used a visitor visa and the other the Visa Waiver Program to travel to the U.S. Pohl and Lepere told Snopes they both had valid ESTAs that they used to travel to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lepere told Snopes that she was sad and angry to read the CBP's statement on the incident. Pohl and Lepere still wished to visit the U.S., she said, but were concerned about potential repercussions following the exposure their story received. Snopes previously reported on claims that a British tourist was detained by ICE after being refused entry into the U.S. DeepL.com provided translations for Pohl and Lepere's quotes that they originally gave in German. Sources: Electronic System for Travel Authorization | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frobe, Sonke. "Rostockerinnen Landen in Trumps Abschiebeknast in Den USA: "Haben Uns so Machtlos Gefuhlt"." Ostsee Zeitung, 10 Apr. 2025, https://archive.ph/HbDXI#selection-1779.0-1779.302. "Hawaii: Zwei junge deutsche Frauen nach Einreise inhaftiert und abgeschoben - WELT." DIE WELT, https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article255984746/Hawaii-Zwei-junge-deutsche-Frauen-nach-Einreise-inhaftiert-und-abgeschoben.html. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Inmate Locator. https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Online Detainee Locator System. https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/about?includeCBP=true&moreInfoNoResults=https:%2F%2Fwww.cbp.gov%2Fborder-security%2Falong-us-borders%2Fmissing-migrant-program. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VINELink. https://vinelink.vineapps.com/state/HI/ENGLISH. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Visa Waiver Program. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Visitor Visa. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html/visa. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. "Zwei Freundinnen flogen nach Hawaii und landeten in einem Albtraum." stern.de, 22 Apr. 2025, https://www.stern.de/politik/ausland/usa-einreise-horror--diese-zwei-freundinnen-landeten-im-gefaengnis-35643318.html. Updates: April 28, 2025: This story was updated to include details about the women's travel documents and quotes from Lepere and to correct the spelling of Lepere's name. Piestewa Peak is one of the highest points in Phoenix. Its peak is visible towering across the Valley and many flock to its trails to hike each day. While hikers take to the peak's popular trails, not all might know about how the mountain within the Phoenix Mountains Preserve was renamed to honor the first Native American woman to die serving in the U.S. military overseas. Here's everything you need to know about Lori Piestewa, how the famous Phoenix peak was named after her and how to hike the popular trails. Who is Lori Piestewa? Lori Piestewa was the first Native American woman to die serving in the U.S. military overseas. She was in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Iraq in February 2003. One month later her convoy was hit by an enemy grenade. She died from her injuries on March 23, 2003, in a hospital. Piestewa was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, a military decoration for bravery in action. Why is the Phoenix mountain named Piestewa Peak? The mountains previous name was widely considered a slur. Less than a month after Piestewa's death, a state panel voted to rename the mountain in her honor. Following the mandatory five-year waiting period, the mountain was officially renamed Piestewa Peak in 2008. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the name change said the new name would represent everyone who had died in combat. They also argued the original name was offensive; many Native Americans had been trying for years to change it. Hiking Piestewa Peak Piestewa Peak reaches 2,608 feet tall and has several hiking trails; most are considered difficult and more suited for experienced hikers. The Piestewa Peak Freedom Trail and the Piestewa Peak Summit Trail are both accessible from the 302 trailhead located at 2701 E. Piestewa Peak Drive. The Freedom Trail is a 3.7-mile loop that skirts the base of the peak. It has an elevation change of 720 feet. The Summit Trail, which is rated as extremely difficult, is a 1.2-mile hike with an elevation change of 1,200 feet. Parking and entrance hours are 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., but extended hours begin June 1 and run through Sept. 30 at Piestewa Peak Trailhead. During the extended hours, the parking lot entrance is open until 9 p.m. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: You know Piestewa Peak. But do you know the woman it was named after? The eighth batch of emergency humanitarian aid supplies dispatched by the Chinese government arrives at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 22, 2025. The aid supplies on Tuesday arrived in Myanmar, which was devastated by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake on March 28. The aid supplies include 24,600 bone plates, 132,000 bone screws, 4,526 intramedullary nails, 30 sets of tool kits, 1 million bottles of sodium penicillin for injection, 400,000 bottles of metronidazole tablets, 90,000 boxes of cefradine capsules, 300 boxes of medical disinfectant tablets, and 2,000 barrels of medical iodine cotton swabs. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) YANGON, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The eighth batch of emergency humanitarian aid supplies dispatched by the Chinese government on Tuesday arrived at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar, which was devastated by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake on March 28. The aid supplies include 24,600 bone plates, 132,000 bone screws, 4,526 intramedullary nails, 30 sets of tool kits, 1 million bottles of sodium penicillin for injection, 400,000 bottles of metronidazole tablets, 90,000 boxes of cefradine capsules, 300 boxes of medical disinfectant tablets, and 2,000 barrels of medical iodine cotton swabs. As of April 18, the earthquake has claimed 3,726 lives and injured 5,105 people, with 129 others remaining unaccounted for, according to Myanmar's official data. The eighth batch of emergency humanitarian aid supplies dispatched by the Chinese government arrives at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 22, 2025. The aid supplies on Tuesday arrived in Myanmar, which was devastated by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake on March 28. The aid supplies include 24,600 bone plates, 132,000 bone screws, 4,526 intramedullary nails, 30 sets of tool kits, 1 million bottles of sodium penicillin for injection, 400,000 bottles of metronidazole tablets, 90,000 boxes of cefradine capsules, 300 boxes of medical disinfectant tablets, and 2,000 barrels of medical iodine cotton swabs. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Staff members transport aid supplies dispatched by the Chinese government at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 22, 2025. The eighth batch of emergency humanitarian aid supplies dispatched by the Chinese government on Tuesday arrived in Myanmar, which was devastated by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake on March 28. The aid supplies include 24,600 bone plates, 132,000 bone screws, 4,526 intramedullary nails, 30 sets of tool kits, 1 million bottles of sodium penicillin for injection, 400,000 bottles of metronidazole tablets, 90,000 boxes of cefradine capsules, 300 boxes of medical disinfectant tablets, and 2,000 barrels of medical iodine cotton swabs. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) The eighth batch of emergency humanitarian aid supplies dispatched by the Chinese government arrives at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 22, 2025. The aid supplies on Tuesday arrived in Myanmar, which was devastated by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake on March 28. The aid supplies include 24,600 bone plates, 132,000 bone screws, 4,526 intramedullary nails, 30 sets of tool kits, 1 million bottles of sodium penicillin for injection, 400,000 bottles of metronidazole tablets, 90,000 boxes of cefradine capsules, 300 boxes of medical disinfectant tablets, and 2,000 barrels of medical iodine cotton swabs. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) The eighth batch of emergency humanitarian aid supplies dispatched by the Chinese government arrives at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 22, 2025. The aid supplies on Tuesday arrived in Myanmar, which was devastated by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake on March 28. The aid supplies include 24,600 bone plates, 132,000 bone screws, 4,526 intramedullary nails, 30 sets of tool kits, 1 million bottles of sodium penicillin for injection, 400,000 bottles of metronidazole tablets, 90,000 boxes of cefradine capsules, 300 boxes of medical disinfectant tablets, and 2,000 barrels of medical iodine cotton swabs. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Ballot shortages during the April 1 election in Milwaukee were the subject of a shouting match at the Wisconsin Elections Commission April 17, bringing renewed attention to the issue that forced some city residents to wait hours to vote. The evening of the April 1 election, Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Paulina Gutierrez reported ballot shortages and cited "unprecedented high turnout" in the election in which the high-stakes state Supreme Court race was on the ballot. "Our analysis revealed we had the resources to support our polling locations. What we couldnt do is get those resources to our locations in time so voters wouldn't be impacted," she told the Journal Sentinel. Paulina Gutierrez, Milwaukee Election Commission executive director, speaks about steps to correct ballot shortages in Milwaukee, including at seven polling sites that ran out completely, during voting Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Gutierrez is speaking at the commission's warehouse used for counting absentee ballots at 1901 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Here's what to know about what happened and changes Gutierrez said would be made to ensure it doesn't happen again. How many polling places ran out of ballots during the April 1 election in Milwaukee? Nine polling sites temporarily ran out of ballots on Election Day and approximately 60 others experienced issues like ballot shortages, according to Gutierrez. Why were there ballot shortages during the April 1 Supreme Court election in Milwaukee? Gutierrez cited a number of factors that contributed to the ballot shortages: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High turnout, despite the city having ordered additional ballots and paper on which the Election Commission started printing more ballots for its polling sites ahead of Election Day. A high volume of incoming calls to hotlines used by election officials that made it hard to place outgoing calls to couriers whose role was to take the ballots to polling locations. The distance couriers had to travel from the Election Commission's operations center in Bay View during rush hour, when the shortages arose. (The nine sites that ran out of ballots were on the city's northwest side, far from the operations center, she said.) The printers generating the ballots also slowed as they heated up during the printing, compounding the delays. How did Milwaukee's turnout in this year's Wisconsin Supreme Court election differ from the turnout in 2023? Milwaukee had 49% turnout for this year's spring election, which Gutierrez called "insane" compared to past voting trends for an April election. She said historical turnout data no longer predicts how many people will cast ballots. Case in point: Turnout in another bitter and hard-fought state Supreme Court election two years ago attracted 39% turnout among Milwaukee residents. What changes will the Milwaukee Election Commission implement to prevent shortages in the future? In future spring elections, Gutierrez said she planned to make a series of changes: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ordering one ballot for each registered voter, a percentage of which will be absentee ballots. Expanding Election Day use of ExpressVote machines that are used at early voting and for ADA accessibility on Election Day. The ExpressVote machines allow voters to make their selections on a screen and print a ballot that can then be fed into the machine that tallies the votes. Creating an advisory council made up of election workers in charge of polling places, known as chief inspectors. Can Milwaukeeans weigh in on changes they'd like to see at the Election Commission? Yes. The Election Commission will also be holding community listening sessions this summer, with dates yet to be determined. Those meetings will follow similar efforts to get feedback from chief inspectors in early May. Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Milwaukee's April 1 election ballot shortages Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff, pursuant to a Presidential Proclamation in honor of the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis. The flag should be flown at half-staff from April 21, 2025 until sunset of the day of internment. I mourn the passing of a champion for the poor, for climate action, for a more just and inclusive world, Kotek said. His guidance in this moment of human history will be missed. Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. (Reuters) -Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Tuesday of standing in the way of negotiations on a moratorium on attacking civilian targets, as the warring sides jockey for the favour of a Trump administration that has threatened to abandon peace efforts. Both sides are under pressure to demonstrate progress towards ending the war in Ukraine, now well into its fourth year, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was losing patience and would walk away from efforts to make peace. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who rejected a Trump proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire last month after Ukraine had agreed to it in principle, announced a unilateral one-day truce for Easter over the weekend. Kyiv largely dismissed that as a stunt and both sides accused the other of violating it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded by calling for a halt to attacks on civilian targets for 30 days, and Putin said he would consider it, floating the idea on Monday of holding bilateral talks for the first time in three years. On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeated that Putin was interested in discussing the proposal, but Kyiv needed to "legally clear the obstacles to such contacts" to allow talks. He did not elaborate but Moscow regularly complains about a decree signed by Zelenskiy barring negotiations with Putin. Zelenskiy responded that "there are and will be no impasses on the Ukrainian side". "Our proposal to halt strikes on civilian infrastructure remains on the table as well. What's needed is genuine readiness from Russia to engage in this conversation," Zelenskiy said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TALKS IN LONDON Trump, who has long said he would end the war quickly, has shifted U.S. policy from years of staunch support for Kyiv towards embracing Russia's account of the war. But so far Washington has received few concessions from Moscow, which has stood by its original demands that Kyiv cede territory and be barred from ever forming military alliances with the West. Ukraine and its European allies say that would amount to surrender and leave Ukraine helpless to defend itself from future attacks. U.S., European and Ukrainian officials are due to meet on Wednesday in London. Zelenskiy said their primary task would be to push for an unconditional ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No direct talks are known to have been held between the warring sides since the early months of the war three years ago. The sides separately met U.S. officials at parallel talks in Saudi Arabia last month and agreed to a pause in attacks on energy infrastructure, which both accuse the other of breaking. Asked about an agreement to halt attacks on civilian targets, Peskov said it was a complex topic that needed to be discussed taking into account the experience of the 30-hour Easter ceasefire, without elaborating. "If we talk about civilian infrastructure facilities, we need to clearly differentiate in what situations these facilities can be a military target," Peskov said. He quoted Putin as saying that a civilian facility could become a military target if enemy combatants were meeting there. Russian forces have regularly pounded Ukrainian cities, killing thousands of civilians during the conflict and causing extensive damage to Ukraine's power supply, ports and other infrastructure. Ukraine has more recently acquired capability to attack inside Russia and has killed civilians, although in much smaller numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces killed at least 35 people in a missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy earlier this month in what Kyiv said was a deliberate attack on civilians. Russia said it had hit a meeting of Ukrainian military officers. (Reporting by Reuters in Moscow and Yuliia Dysa in GdanskEditing by Mark Heinrich, Peter Graff) Russian officials discussed the possibility of reviving plans for a Trump Tower in Moscow to entice U.S. President Donald Trump to reset relations, the Moscow Times reported on April 21. According to sources familiar with the matter, Kremlin officials considered proposing the idea of a "big deal," which reportedly includes a 150-story skyscraper and would involve Trump himself attending the groundbreaking ceremony in Moscow. After Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, Russian officials and large companies were tasked with preparing proposals for resuming cooperation with the United States, with an emphasis on ideas that would interest Trump specifically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosneft, Rosatom, and Polyus Gold all of which are currently under sanctions from the U.S. government were involved in the plans to persuade Trump to resume cooperation with Russia. The Russian aluminium giant Rusal was also involved. The skyscraper project stood out for its potential to be launched quickly: "Speed, effect, and spectacle are important here - everything that Trump intuitively values," a source close to the Kremlin told the Moscow Times. It is not clear as to where the proposal currently stands, although a Russian official said that Moscow's City Hall would be pleased to take on such a project. Trump first floated the idea of building a 58-story skyscraper in Moscow in 2013, before his first presidency. Russian oligarch Aras Agalarov was expected to be a key partner in the project, but the plans never materialized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, in 2015, Felix Sater, a Russian-born American developer, revived the plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. The project was again put on hold after Trump launched his presidential campaign. The proposed Trump Tower in Moscow would have included 250 luxury apartments, a 15-story hotel with 150 rooms, a spa, office space, a fitness center, and a high-end parking facility. Trump declared on April 21 that Russia and Ukraine could reach a war-ending deal "this week," as his team threatens that Washington could ditch the peace talks efforts if no step is taken in the near future. "Both will then start to do big business with the United States of America, which is thriving, and make a fortune," Trump wrote on Truth Social over the weekend, referring to a potential deal. Read also: Nearly 100 days of Trump, and Putin is still calling the shots Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Tuesdays Top Stories Tuesdays Five Facts [1] New Mexico Attorney General calls to reinstate refugee resettlement program Attorney General Raul Torrez joined a bipartisan coalition of more than 300 state and local officials urging President Trump to bring back the refugee program he suspended. The program offered refugees financial, medical and other services. It was funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [2] Man sentenced in federal court for killing New Mexico State Police officer Jaremy Smith was sentenced Monday in federal court for his crimes in New Mexico after taking a plea deal earlier this year. Smith was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. He had pleaded guilty to federal charges including kidnapping resulting in death and carjacking for killing New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare in March 2024. Smith was a fugitive from South Carolina, wanted for the kidnapping and murder of 52-year-old paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore. Smith is still facing charges for Machado-Fores death in South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [3] Thunderstorms in eastern New Mexico and warmer across the state Tropical moisture in far-Southeast New Mexico will produce a few spotty strong to severe thunderstorms which will move to the northeast as they form with lightning strikes, some hail, and erratic wind gusts. Everywhere else will be very sunny with temperatures reaching the 70s to the 80s. [4] West Mesa Film Studio one step closer to approval The environmental planning commission presented its findings on the development near Double Eagle II Airport to Albuquerque city council Monday evening. Councilors asked them to review an appeal to Mesa Film Studio after several organizations claimed the studio would threaten the nearby Petroglyphs. The EPC found the city is fully justified and cleared to move forward with the project, saying the city has followed all regulations. [5] Tree deaths in New Mexico doubled from 2023 to 2024, report says The New Mexico Forestry Division says insects and warm temperatures are driving up tree deaths across the state. According to a new forest health conditions report, tree deaths in New Mexico forests more than doubled in 2024, with 70,000 acres of dead conifer trees reported. This is up from 33,000 in 2023. The report lists 406,000 acres of trees being damaged by insects, disease and harsh weather conditions. The forestry division says native insects and rising temperatures were the primary causes of tree damage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mario Orellana - KSAT Mario Orellana said he is leaving San Antonio ABC affiliate KSAT as news director in May. Orellana has worked at the station for nearly 30 years. He was named news director in 2023. He joined the station in 1996 as an executive producer and was named assistant nd in 2019. I am going to miss this newsroom tremendously. Being the news director in the city where I was born and raised and in the newsroom where I spent my formative years is a success story that I am immensely proud of, he said on social media. San Antonio has so many stories to tell, and I consider myself so blessed to have helped cover our community. I know KSAT will continue that legacy. I have had the pleasure of working with Mario in many different capacities over the last 20+ years here at KSAT12, Ashley Parker, vice president and general manager of KSAT told MySA. His unique perspective and depth of knowledge of our market has been an asset to the station for many years and his presence will be missed. The Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP) filed a lengthy petition late last week claiming to have uncovered evidence that Scott Peterson, convicted of killing his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Conner, is not guilty. Attorneys for Peterson are claiming that the case against him was entirely circumstantial and that the petition, filed with the California Court of Appeals, shows issues with the police investigation and that prosecutors withheld critical information during his extremely high-profile trials. In a case that had much of the country riveted, Peterson was convicted of the murders in 2004, some two years after the deaths of his wife and unborn child. He has always maintained that he is not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was initially given the death penalty, but it was later changed to life without parole. Any injustice needs to be made right and the evidence in this case been and will continue to be our guide as we move forward, John Sonego, Chair of the Board of Trustees for LAIP, said. The petition requests that the court vacate Petersons sentence, arguing that investigators and prosecutors mismanaged much of the investigation and even destroyed vital evidence. (CDCR) Scott Peterson listens to prosecutor Joseph Distaso respond to defense attorney Mark Geragos petition for dismissing double murder charges against Peterson Jan. 14, 2004, in Modesto, California. (Bart Ah You-Pool/Getty Images) In this March 17, 2005 file photo Scott Peterson is escorted by two San Mateo County Sheriff deputies as he is walked from the jail to a waiting van in Redwood City, Calif. The California Supreme Court has overturned the 2005 death sentence for Peterson in the slaying of his pregnant wife. The court says prosecutors may try again for the same sentence if they wish in the high-profile case. It upheld his 2004 conviction of murdering Laci Peterson, who was eight months pregnant with their unborn son. (AP Photo/Justin Sullivan, Pool,File) We believe the case deserved a second look after his initial conviction because of the issues related to confirmation bias, and there were potential Brady violations committed by the Modesto Police and the county DAs office, Sonego added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit says no direct or physical or forensic evidence was found supporting any part of the prosecutions theory that Peterson killed Laci and disposed of her body on the shores of the San Francisco Bay. On Dec. 24, 2002, a burglary at Petersons next-door neighbors home also took center stage. The filing cites a witness who overheard a conversation among the burglars about Laci seeing and confronting them. LAIP attorneys said this detail exonerates Peterson because it shows that Laci was alive when her husband left home for a fishing trip earlier in the day. Attorneys for Peterson also connected the band of burglars to a burned van near the couples home, adding that the jury never heard about the burned-out mattress found inside the vehicle that contained bloodstains. They claim prosecutors refused to do more precise DNA testing to determine whether there was a link to the killings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police and prosecutors who tried the case 20 years ago have stood by the conviction, while Petersons former defense attorney, Mark Geragos, has always disputed the verdict. I dont think they proved it then and I dont think they proved it any time since then, he told KTLAs Rachel Menitoff. Geragos added that he hopes these latest legal attempts vindicate his former client. I think he was convicted because of what I used to call the he didnt act right evidence, and to me, thats not evidence at all because theres no playbook for how you should act when your pregnant wife goes missing, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for next steps, the district attorneys office that originally tried the case says it wont comment on the petition until the courts file it, and theyve had a chance to read it. Meanwhile, LAIP said it will wait to see how a judge responds before deciding what needs to happen next. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) The Los Angeles Innocence Project said a new year-long investigation uncovered evidence and witness statements that undermine the case against convicted murderer Scott Peterson. LAIP filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus Friday in the California Court of Appeal seeking to overturn Petersons conviction. The Los Angeles Innocence Project advocates for truth and justice, no matter who the defendant may be or how controversial the case, said John Sonego, LAIPs board president. Our organization has a team of professionals and experts who follow extensive screening protocols prior to choosing a client. We decided that this case deserved a second look, because of issues related to confirmation bias and potential Brady violations committed by the Modesto Police and Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office that we believe led to Petersons wrongful conviction. Scott Peterson listens during a hearing at the San Mateo County Superior Court on Feb. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, Pool) The petition includes a 126-page declaration written by Peterson detailing his recollection of the events around the death of his wife and unborn child in Modesto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peterson, 52, was convicted by a San Mateo County jury in November 2004 for the murders of his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn child, Conner. He was sentenced to death in 2005. In December 2021, he was resentenced to life without the possibility of parole. At his resentencing hearing, Lacis family members told Peterson that he is an evil, sociopathic, and remorseless killer who deserves to die. LAIP took on the notorious Peterson case in November 2023. Laci Peterson LAIP attorneys wrote in their petition, This new evidence undermines the prosecutions entire circumstantial case against Petitioner, and shows that the jury relied on false evidence, including false scientific evidence, to convict him. His attorneys alleged that critical exculpatory evidence was suppressed and destroyed by prosecutors before he went on trial in 2004. DA says Scott Peterson is still guilty of murdering wife Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case against (Peterson) was entirely circumstantial, the petition continues. No direct, physical or forensic evidence was found supporting any part of the prosecutions theory. The Los Angeles Innocent Project said new evidence includes: The new modeling showing that the bodies of Laci and Conner could not have migrated from the area where Peterson went fishing in the San Francisco Bay to where they washed up on shore. Rather, their bodies were most likely placed in the waters off the Albany Bulb, a peninsula that is accessible by car and foot. New sworn statements by eyewitnesses who reported seeing Laci walking the dog in the neighborhood after Peterson left their home to go fishing on December 24, 2002. Police allegedly ignored these witnesses. An analysis by a certified forensic document examiner who analyzed handwritten notes from the Petersons home with information from two marine supply stores about the cost of anchors that appear to be consistent with Lacis handwriting. This could disprove the prosecutions theory at trial that Scott had secretly purchased the boat as part of his plan to dump Lacis body in the San Francisco Bay. New evidence showing a Modesto home across the street from the Petersons was burglarized on December 24, the same day Laci was reported missing, and not two days later on December 26, as the jury was told. Peterson was injured at Mule Creek State Prison in March, prison officials said. The inmate allegedly got into a heated confrontation with another inmate while he was playing pickleball in the yard, TMZ reported. The confrontation reportedly turned into a physical fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing on Monday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China and Indonesia have reached an important consensus on building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future that has regional and global influence, and on upgrading the cooperation pattern from "four pillar" cooperation covering political, economic, people-to-people exchange and maritime aspects, to "five-pillar" cooperation with the addition of security as the fifth pillar, opening up broad prospects for China-Indonesia cooperation. He said the two sides should strengthen cooperation on anchoring high-quality collaboration, upholding free trade, developing emerging industries, and expanding livelihood-focused partnerships. Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, Wang said that amid the U.S.-instigated global trade war and headwinds battering economic globalization, China and Indonesia, as upholders of economic globalization and trade liberalization, should take historic initiative to enhance mutual trust and cooperation. Wang said that the two countries should work together to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit, safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, defend international fairness and justice, and send a signal of unity and openness to the world, further demonstrating the regional and global influence of China-Indonesia relations. Noting that China is Indonesia's largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment, Sugiono said Indonesia has always regarded the country as one of its most crucial partners, and that bilateral relations have maintained strong momentum over the years. Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Indonesia, Sugiono said Indonesia attaches great importance and is committed to deepening comprehensive relations with China across all fields. He added that Indonesia looks forward to enhancing exchange with China at all levels, and to expanding practical cooperation on trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, health care, clean energy, scientific innovation as well as people-to people and cultural exchange. Indonesia is also looking forward to continuously strengthening its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and to promoting more dynamic, resilient regional development and prosperity. On the same day, a reception was held in Beijing to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. The event was attended by Wang Yi, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, Sugiono and Indonesia's Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin attend a reception marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) Metro is moving forward with its crackdown on fare evaders by installing new taller faregates. The L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority formally approved funding for the measure to upgrade existing gated stations with taller gates in February. Taller faregates have features such as precise motion sensors that can accurately detect fare evasion behaviors, such as tailgating, crawling under and climbing over, as well as electromechanical locks to prevent forced entries and paddle-style doors that improve accessibility for customers with bicycles, luggage or other items, the Metro Board said in their report on the issue in February. The taller faregates also have large color-coded displays to alert personnel of fare evasion attempts [and] these gates offer potential integration with third-party advanced security solutions, such as enhanced camera detection for weapons or other threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violent crime reports has decreased on L.A. Metro trains since police presence increased: report The gates were originally piloted at the soon-to-be-completed LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, which was proceeding as planned, according to Metros report. Thus, officials decided that the technology should be implemented at ten existing stations, and a further 11 had the new gates installed as part of Phase 2 of the project. The stations that received the taller fare gates are: Phase 1 Lake (A Line) Firestone (A Line) Pershing Square (B/D lines) 7th Street/Metro Center (A/B/D/E/J lines) Westlake/MacArthur Park (B/D lines) Wilshire/Vermont (B/D lines) Vermont/Santa Monica (B Line) Hollywood/Western (B Line) North Hollywood (B/G lines) Willowbrook/Rosa Parks (A/C lines) Phase 2 Mariachi Plaza (E Line) Harbor Freeway (C/J lines) Aviation/LAX (K Line) Vermont/Athens (C Line) Del Amo (A Line) Civic Center/Grand Park (B/D lines) Compton (A Line) Slauson (A Line) Expo/La Brea (E Line) Avalon (C Line) Long Beach Blvd. (A Line) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stations were selected based on data showing they have experienced significant fare evasion and misuse of emergency swing gates, officials explained. As Metro continues to improve the station experience, taller faregates can be integrated into station redesigns, complementing current initiatives such as TAP to exit, improved signage and passenger flow enhancements, Metro said. Taller faregates can improve safety and security for Metro customers and employees while encouraging fare compliance. A new taller faregate at the Lake Station in Pasadena on April 22, 2025. (KTLA) A new taller faregate at the Lake Station in Pasadena on April 22, 2025. (KTLA) A new taller faregate at the Lake Station in Pasadena on April 22, 2025. (KTLA) A person uses a new taller faregate at the Lake Station in Pasadena on April 22, 2025. (KTLA) A sign indicating new taller faregates were being tested at the Lake Station in Pasadena on April 22, 2025. (KTLA) Some of the new gates had already been installed and were being tested late last year; Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who serves on the Metro Board, posted a video of her using the new technology in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im thrilled Metro is piloting new hardened gate technology, her post to X said. These taller gates are designed to reduce fare evasion and enhance access control. Its another step in Metros commitment to improving safety. The Hollywood Bowl could get a Metro station With the new gates come three new non-contract full-time equivalent positions for maintaining them: a supervising engineer, a senior engineer and a principal software engineer. The positions will assist in the third-party integration of the gates and support future projects. The project will cost a total of $15.3 million and is being funded by Proposition C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A tax raid on tourists is backfiring at a cost of 2bn as Britain loses ground on European competitors, a study has found. Labour has been accused of sabotaging growth with deliberate policy changes that have hurt visitor numbers. It is feared visitor spending will continue to decline as a result of cuts to VisitBritains budget and the potential introduction of daily tourist taxes. International visitors spent 2bn less in 2024 than before the pandemic, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The findings come as Labour considers giving local councils the power to introduce tourist taxes for overnight stays, while marketing authority VisitBritain had its budget slashed by more than 40pc at the start of the month. Julia Simpson, the president of the WTTC and a former adviser to Sir Tony Blair, said: Weve not got back to where we need to be, whereas the rest of the world has. The UK is losing value share compared to other European partners. This Government is all about growth. Theyre looking at how to make money, theyre trying to save steel plants, theyre looking to see what can we do about our water companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet here we have a private sector enterprise travel and tourism contributing 10pc of UK GDP, creating jobs, but we are not prioritising it in any way. We are sabotaging ourselves. Barriers to travel The WTTC found that people visiting the UK spent 40.3bn in 2024, a drop of 5.3pc compared with 2019. Ms Simpson said extra barriers to travel have reduced the incentive to visit the UK. Increased air passenger duty, a lack of tax-free shopping and the introduction of election travel authorisations are policies blamed for hurting visitor spend. On April 2, the requirement for the 10 Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) was imposed on all European visitors apart from the Irish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One day prior, air passenger duty increases for economy passengers and those travelling on private jets came into force. On the same day, VisitBritain saw its budget slashed, with its allocation for a Great Britain and Northern Ireland programme plummeting from 18.1m to 10.6m. Its chairman, Nick de Bois, told the Independent earlier this year that the Government and in particular the Treasury just doesnt get tourism. He said: Visitor numbers are growing, but at a much slower rate than our competitor nations. Thats a big challenge and unless the Government understands tourism we will always be held back with decisions that undermine our ability to compete. Future of tourist taxes Meanwhile, uncertainty over the future of tourism taxes in England continues to hang over the industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement English local authorities currently have no powers to raise a tourism tax, although a visitor levy is implemented by some areas using a legal workaround. The Scottish government introduced tourism tax powers last year, and the Welsh government has similar plans. Should England follow suit, councils would be able to apply levies to hotel bills and bed and breakfast stays, most likely by 1 to 2 per person per night. In Greater Manchester and Merseyside, areas run as a Business Improvement District (Bids) for tourism raise a levy by charging visitors per person per night on top of the price of their accommodation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WTTC also blamed a lack of visitor spend on the decision made in 2021 by Rishi Sunak, then-chancellor, to axe tax-free shopping for tourists. Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, said she had heard very loud and clear calls from figures in the fashion industry to bring back VAT-free shopping for overseas visitors. Ms Nandy said bringing back VAT-free shopping was not being actively considered, but added that the Government would be happy to look at the evidence. Prominent figures in British fashion who have called for it to be reintroduced include Caroline Rush, the head of the British Fashion Council, and designers Anya Hindmarch and Sir Paul Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A government spokesman said: The UK is one of the most visited countries in the world and international tourism drives billions into our economy. We are supporting the continued growth of this industry and will be launching a national visitor economy strategy this autumn to help meet our ambition to welcome 50 million international visitors a year to the UK by 2030. 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 Los Angeles Police Department has launched an investigation after it received two calls regarding a kidnapping and a carjacking. An LAPD spokesperson told KTLA that two incidents were reported early Tuesday morning. The first occurred around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday and involved a caller in the Mid-City neighborhood. First responders transported the victim, a man, to a nearby hospital with complaints of pain. He told officers that the suspect was armed, and preliminary investigation into the call indicated that the mans car appeared to have been stolen. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department search for a suspect after they received two calls regarding a possible kidnapping and a possible carjacking on April 22, 2025. (KTLA) The police spokesperson said an officer spotted a vehicle matching the description of the mans car and initiated a short pursuit. Around 2 a.m., a second call came in that involved the chase and an alleged kidnapping suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, only described as a man, stopped the car in the 1700 block of Hauser Boulevard and fled into an apartment complex. Video from the scene showed officers canvassing the area for the suspect while an LAPD airship circled overhead. The stretch of Hauser near the apartment building where the suspect ran into was blocked off while authorities conducted their search. Southern California fishing boat captain ordered to pay more than $16,000 for polluting local waters In an update, LAPD Officer Miller confirmed to KTLA that the kidnapping was confirmed and that a victim was located. The carjacking is still being investigated, Officer Miller said, adding that the suspect search was called off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He remains outstanding as of 1:15 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Nancy Fontan and KTLA photojournalist Dan Lunsford contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Las Vegas food bank needs help due to federal funding cuts LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A food bank in the Las Vegas valley is looking for community support following federal cuts to food programs. Last month, the USDA announced $1 billion worth of cuts to programs that affect food banks, including Southern Nevadas only food bank, Three Square Food Bank. Federal food for Three Square is really a lifeline, Three Square Food Bank President and CEO Beth Martino said. We receive, in some years, almost 15 million pounds of food from the federal government through the federal commodities program, so any changes to that program definitely have an effect on what were able to do here in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USDA announced the termination of two major federal programs in March the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. These programs helped schools and food banks purchase fresh food directly from local farmers and producers. The cuts are a part of a broader effort by the Trump Administration to reduce federal spending. About one million pounds of food we were scheduled to receive were canceled, Martino said. That was one million pounds of food that we expected to receive this spring, so what that really looks like for the people we serve is potentially less food that were able to distribute in the community. Martino also added that less food at Three Square means less food in the community and that one-in-seven Southern Nevadans struggles with hunger. Meanwhile, one-in-five children live in a food-insecure household. Three Square Food Bank provides millions of meals each year to the Southern Nevada community, but the recent federal cuts could mean less meals for families in need. And with rising costs, more families are finding it challenging to make ends meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What weve seen since the pandemic is that food insecurity has worsened. Its actually increased dramatically since 2020, Martino said. The federal cuts would not only affect the food banks services but also numerous smaller nonprofits they supply across the region. It also means it affects local farmers and food producers who use that money to keep their operations going year-round, Martino said. Three Square Food Bank is relying more than ever on community support through monetary and food donations. Its really important for us to have food out in the community to help people feed their families, keep food on the table all month long, Martino said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To donate, visit Donate to Bag Childhood Hunger. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man allegedly set another man on fire in a walk-in freezer after smoking meth, police said. On April 13, North Las Vegas police responded to help Las Vegas Metro police after two people sustained burns from a structure fire in the 2200 block of Kenneth Road. LVMPD detectives arrested Sergio Salazar, one of the people involved in the fire, on a bench warrant issued from North Las Vegas Municipal Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At around 10 a.m., LVMPD officers were first sent to the 500 block of North 15th Street after a report of a man who had severe burns all over his body, according to an arrest report. A resident of the home told police there was a naked man at her front door screaming for help. She said it looked like his skin was peeling off, and someone set him on fire, the report stated. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he was intubated. At the time the report was written, it was unclear if he would survive his injuries. Detectives spoke with Salazar, who was treated by medical personnel for minor burns to his hands and arms. Salazar said the victim threatened to kill his family and burned him, according to the report. At the address of the fire, detectives found a walk-in freezer in the backyard and determined the fire was contained to the freezer. The residence where the freezer was located was owned by Salazars mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salazar told police he lived in the non-functional walk-in freezer in the backyard while his mother lived in the home. He said he invited the victim, who was probably 19 to 21 years old, to his residence to provide shelter, food, and a change of clothes, the report stated. Salazar said that during the early morning of April 13, he and the victim began smoking methamphetamine by using a make-shift stove made of aluminum soda cans and burning alcohol. While smoking, Salazar said he thought the victim was up to something and might hurt him, according to the report. He told police he thought something bad was about to happen. He told police he hit the stove and the burning alcohol toward the victim, sustaining burns from the alcohol dripping onto his own skin, the report stated. Salazar then ran out of the walk-in freezer into a nearby Wash, believing the victim was chasing him, before he jumped into a random backyard, asking for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salazar told police the victim never made verbal threats or advanced toward him, saying he never gave [the victim] a chance, according to the report. Court records show Salazar faces charges of attempted murder and arson in the first degree, both felony charges. His preliminary hearing was scheduled for May 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 KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) It was a day of mourning for Catholics in the Las Vegas valley and around the world. Parishioners gathered at local churches to celebrate, honor, and remember the life and legacy of the Holy Father. Pope Francis passed away early Monday morning at the age of 88. It was determined that he had died following a stroke that put him into a coma and led to irreversible heart failure, according to a statement from the Vatican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I knew it was coming, but I saw that he was doing better. He has done so much for so many people, Parishioner Maurie said. Francis was the head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City from 2013 until his death. Those who knew the pope personally said he was a kind and gentle man. Archbishop George Leo Thomas said Francis was a big advocate for the immigration community and the poor. Thomas said the pope had a great sense of humor. When I met him for the first time, he found out I was the bishop of Las Vegas, and he started dealing cards, and of course, the whole room roared when he did that, Archbishop Thomas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The College of Cardinals, composed of those under 80 years old, will vote in secret ballots inside the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope. A two-thirds majority vote is required to elect a new pope. Francis body will most likely be transferred to St. Peters Basilica on Wednesday morning to allow his worshippers to pay their respects, according to the Vatican. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville, reviews paperwork in the Senate chamber on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) A Republican senator detailed changes to a contentious sex education bill on Monday, including deletion of a proposed requirement for K-12 schools to teach about consent. The last-minute edits to Senate Bill 442 were announced during a 13-minute conference committee meeting. Public testimony was allowed but none was provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conference committee proposal had not been signed and officially approved as of Monday evening, however, meaning the bills provisions could still change. Earlier versions of the legislation required any materials used to teach human sexuality for grades 4-12 be approved by a school board and include instruction on the importance of consent to sexual activity. The latest proposed draft retained a mandate for districts to publish a list of materials used in connection with instruction on human sexuality. Bill author Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville, said tweaks were also made to requirements surrounding permission forms that must be sent to parents about such instruction. Expected to stay in the bill, too, are requirements for elementary school students to watch a three-minute ultrasound video of fetal development if they participate in human sexuality coursework. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Byrne said he preferred to let school boards decide if local curricula include topics on consent. (Teaching about consent) can still happen. Were just not going to require that in this bill, he said. This is a sensitive subject for many. I believe it may be different thoughts in different communities, and this leaves, for the most part, local control on making those decisions. Brief discussion among lawmakers drew continued concerns from House and Senate Democrats on the committee. I dont understand how we could possibly not agree to teach that as part of human sexuality, said Rep. Tonya Pfaff, D-Terre Haute. For consent, it protects both boy and girl man and woman. We are talking about teenagers that sometimes dont learn that they can say no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The introduction of sex education usually starts in the fourth grade, according to state guidelines. But Indiana does not require the course in schools. Instead, it only mandates that schools teach lessons on HIV and AIDS. Schools that do teach sex education are expected to focus on abstinence. Critics of the bill have argued that school boards already have the authority to review and approve curricular materials. State law further requires school corporations to make instructional materials available to parents so that they can consent to instruction on human sexuality. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) The second murder trial of Karen Read, whose case has sparked a national debate on police accountability and won her legions of supporters, began Tuesday, with prosecutors and defense lawyers presenting theories during their opening statements about how her Boston police officer boyfriend ended up dead. Read is accused of striking John OKeefe with her SUV in 2022 and leaving him to die alone in the snow outside of a house party in Canton, a town about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Boston. She is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene. During the first trial last year, prosecutors said Read intentionally backed into OKeefe after she dropped him off at a house party and returned hours later to find him dead. The defense said she was a victim of a vast police conspiracy and that OKeefe was fatally beaten by another law enforcement officer at the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile. A new prosecutor, Hank Brennan, is heading the state's case for the retrial. Attorney Alan Jackson presented the defense's opening statement. Heres the Latest: Read talks to reporters after Day 1 of her retrial Read briefly spoke to reporters while leaving court, taking the opportunity to again say she isnt guilty. She also praised her legal team. I cant be prouder and Im fortunate to have them, Read said. Weve got the truth. After her remarks, Read entered a black van and that drove off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Testimony is set to resume on Wednesday. Testimony concludes for the day The first day of Karen Reads retrial has ended. OKeefes friend Kerry Roberts was testifying when the judge called the day to a close. She is expected to resume testifying on Wednesday. The trial is expected to be lengthy, and attorneys were able to get through opening statements and two witnesses on Tuesday. The judge reminded jurors not to discuss the case outside court and not to follow news reports about it. O'Keefe's friend describe's Read's call telling her he had died Kerry Roberts testified about receiving an early morning phone call from Read and that Read told her, Kerry! Kerry! Kerry! John is dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also said, I think something happened to John. I think he got hit by a plow. He didnt come home last night, Roberts testified, describing her friend as hysterical during the call. She said Read also told her that We drank so much that I dont remember anything from last night. Roberts said she assumed at first that OKeefe had been out drinking and had probably spent the night on someones couch. State calls a new witness from scene of death The state has called a new witness in Kerry Roberts, a close friend of OKeefe who was present at the scene when OKeefes body was found. Roberts has previously spoken about finding OKeefes body in the snow. She described herself Tuesday as helpful to OKeefe when he first started caring for his sisters children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts said she became closer with OKeefe after he assumed care of the children. I jumped in because he was a friend I knew from high school, Roberts said. We were just friends. Very close friends. Paramedic says Read kept repeating that she had hit OKeefe The paramedic who was called to the scene where OKeefe died testified that after Read told him that she had hit OKeefe with her SUV, he heard her repeat the claim several other times in the background. Jackson pushed back against Timothy Nuttalls assertion, suggesting that the paramedic was changing his testimony. You didnt clarify that she was running around like a chicken with her head cut off screaming I hit him to everybody else, Jackson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nuttall acknowledged that he wasnt focused on what she was saying at that point, since he was providing patient care. Defense presses paramedic about the scene of O'Keefe's death Reads lead attorney pressed paramedic Timothy Nuttall about details from the scene of OKeefes death in an attempt to portray his recollections as unreliable and fuzzy. Nuttall provided details about Reads appearance and statements at the scene during the investigation. Jackson also pressed Nuttall over what the attorney described as his inconsistent testimony. Outside the courthouse, snacks and solidarity Some of Reads supporters spread out a picnic blanket covered in free snacks outside the courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dina Warchal of Waltham said she is fighting for Reads freedom and improvements in police operations. Im out here to show her support and to keep protesting because this movement has no quit, and we want changes in everything that has to do with this trial as far as police procedures and an innocent woman being framed for a crime she didnt commit, Warchal said. We just want the corrupt police officers held accountable for what theyve done," she said. Jackson calls Nuttalls testimony inconsistent Jackson described paramedic Timothy Nuttalls testimony about the scene of OKeefes death as inconsistent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During cross-examination, the defense lawyer noted that during Reads initial trial, Nuttall testified that Read told him twice that she hit him. But on Tuesday, Nuttall said she said it three times. In response, Nuttall told Jackson that Read said it three times. He said Read made the statement when he arrived at the scene and found OKeefe in the snow. Paramedic testifies that Read said 'I hit him' Read had blood on her face at the scene of OKeefes death and said I hit him, I hit him, I hit him, paramedic Timothy Nuttall testified. During opening statements, the jury was told to expect to hear Nuttall testify that Read used the words I hit him. The defense, though, denies that the statement is incriminating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Read made the statement, she had blood on her face, Nuttall told the court. Police testified during Reads first trial that she had blood on her face from attempting to perform CPR on OKeefe. Paramedic says O'Keefe was very cold when he arrived The paramedic who responded to the discovery of OKeefes body said OKeefe was very cold when he arrived at the scene. Timothy Nuttall told the court that he checked OKeefe for signs of life but found none. He said the death was a cardiac arrest in a hypothermic setting. Nuttall said hypothermia doesnt constitute a medical diagnosis in that context, but that it makes clear that OKeefe had been in the snow for some time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A paramedic is the first witness called to the stand Timothy Nuttall is the first witness called to the stand. He is a paramedic who treated OKeefe at the scene that night. The trial is expected to last several weeks, and both sides have warned jurors that they might need to sit through a long and difficult stretch of witness testimony and evidence. Investigators and acquaintances of OKeefe and Read are expected to take the stand. The judge earlier reminded the jury to give all witnesses equal weight. Trial takes a short break before testimony begins The trial took a brief recess after prosecutors and defense lawyers concluded their opening statements. The two sides painted very different pictures of the night of OKeefes death. Reads attorneys portrayed her as a victim of a police cover-up, while the state described Read as guilty of killing a beloved family man after their relationship soured. The case will resume with testimony shortly. Read's lawyer concludes his opening statement As he did during the first trial, Jackson said Reads taillight was damaged that morning as she clipped another vehicle at OKeefes house, where she was staying, not from hitting OKeefe after she dropped him off at the party. He said the defense will introduce a video to show how the taillight was damaged. During the course of this trial, the commonwealth is going to desperately claim that Karen Read taillight was actually damaged by hitting John OKeefe, he told jurors. Theyll have no evidence of it mind you. None. But theyll make the claim. Jackson called the case the very definition of reasonable doubt and said prosecutors can not meet their burden of proof when every piece of this case was handled by a disgraced investigator with a motive to protect his friends By the end of this trial, youll conclude that Karen Read is not guilty of hitting John OKeefe with her SUV. There was no collision, he said. Shes the victim of a botched and biased and corrupted investigation that was never about the truth, folks. It was about preserving loyalty. Defense says O'Keefe's injuries weren't consistent with being struck by a car Jackson said OKeefes injuries do not suggest he was hit by a car at all. Not a bruise, the defense lawyer said. Jackson told the jury that they will learn OKeefe had abrasions consistent with being bitten by a dog. He said the injury to OKeefes head was also not consistent with falling backwards onto the ground, as prosecutors alleged. Jackson said medical evidence will also establish that hypothermia was not a factor, as prosecutors alleged. He said OKeefe was injured somewhere warm and then moved, and that establishes reasonable doubt. Defense says a police cover-up led to Read being blamed Jackson described the states case as hinging on fired state trooper Michael Proctor, whom he described as a cancer. Proctor was the lead investigator in the Read case. Jackson said Proctor is the key to the states case and is also its Achilles heel. Jackson listed a litany of failures in the investigation, including that investigators didnt search the house, secure the crime scene or properly collect evidence. He then touched on sexist and crude texts about Reads family and colleagues that surfaced during the first trial and eventually led to Proctors firing. Jackson characterized Read as victimized by a police culture that sought go protect fellow cops. Defense says O'Keefe wasn't hit by Read's car Reads defense team used its opening statement to describe her as a victim of a cover-up and to stress that she didnt kill OKeefe. At the end of the day folks, there was no collision with John OKeefe, Jackson said. The defense attorney said the case will show that OKeefe wasnt hit by Reads car. He acknowledged that OKeefes death was a tragic loss, but said the investigation was corrupted by bias and deceit. The evidence in this case will establish ... above everything else three points there was no collision with Jon OKeefe. There was no collision. There was no collision, Jackson said. John OKeefe did not die from being hit by a vehicle. The facts will show that. The evidence will show that. The data will show that. The science will show that and the experts will tell you that. Prosecutor says Read's relationship with O'Keefe was deteriorating Read and OKeefe were headed to the end of their relationship before OKeefe died, Brennan said. He described how the couples relationship was faltering before OKeefe died. They were arguments a few days before OKeefe was killed and that OKeefe had asked Read to leave, he said. Brennan said text messages will be presented showing the tension between the couple and how Read would become irate when her calls werent returned. You will read those text messages and you will realize this was the beginning of the end of this relationship, he told the jurors. Prosecutor describes OKeefe as family man Brennan told the jury that OKeefe was a family man who was a pillar of his community and was much more than just a police officer. OKeefe was a single parent of two children whom he adopted when his sister and her husband died within months of each other, Brennan said. Brennan said he cared for the children as if they were his own and provided them stability and love. OKeefes tumultuous relationship with Read changed all that, Brennan said. They led a good life, Brennan said. Enter Karen Read. New prosecutor makes opening statements Brennan began opening statements by describing the scene where OKeefe was found dead. He opened by describing how firefighters and paramedics got a call about a cardiac arrest. They jumped into the ambulance and headed out in near blizzard conditions. Their ambulance was sliding along the road and they couldnt hear anything beyond the sound of the siren. Arriving at 34 Fairview Road, they came upon a chaotic scene. He stepped out into bedlam, Brennan said. He heard a woman screaming. They came upon Karen Read, who he said told paramedics, I hit him, I hit him. It was at that time in the words of the defendant that she admitted what she had done that night, that she hit John OKeefe, Brennan said. JUST IN: Opening statements begin in Karen Reads second murder trial three years after police officer boyfriends death Judge addresses the high profile nature of the trial The judge addressed the heavy public interest in the trial before opening statements began. Judge Beverly Cannone told the jury to ignore public comment about the trial while it is going on. She also told jurors its important not to conduct independent research or look at news coverage of the trial. You will decide what the facts are, where the evidence is contested, you will determine where the truth lies, she said. This trial will be decided by you, an independent jury. Cannone also told the jury not to use social media during the trial. Jurors enter the courtroom, receive instructions and hear the charges The jurors have entered the courtroom and received their instructions for the trial. After giving them the instructions, the judge asked if they had refrained from discussing the case or doing any independent research about it. The court also heard the charges against Read. The judge addresses attorney motions Judge Beverly Cannone said she received four motions over the weekend that need to be addressed. She ruled that the defense cant mention a consulting firm in their openings, which led the defense to request to be heard. They then entered into a sidebar with the defense arguing the firm should be mentioned. The courtroom is packed, with little room for anyone other than essential court personnel and media. The retrial will happen in the same tiny courtroom used for her first trial The trial seats about 10 people on both sides. Reads family is on one side and the OKeefes are on the other about 10 on each side. Read could be seen chatting and smiling with her attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yannetti. Reporters are behind them, sitting on stools. Security is tight around the courthouse Barriers are set up on both sides of the street in front of the building. Several state troopers and police officers are also positioned around the courthouse. Police ordered a truck driver who slowed down to yell Free Karen Read to move along, and also chased off someone who was shooting video with their phone. Read arrives at court Read arrived at court just before 8:50 a.m. to some cheers from assembled supporters. Family members from both sides also arrived just before 9 a.m. Read smiled briefly as she entered the court. She did not answer a question about whether she was ready for her second trial. The court had a police presence to try to maintain order as supporters gathered outside. Read supporters gather outside court Supporters of Karen Read have assembled outside court in advance of her new trial. The scene among supporters is similar to a reunion, with people hugging one another and calling out their names. Ashlyn Wade, a Read supporter from Canton, where John OKeefe was killed, said she was there to hopefully see Read cleared of charges. Im here for justice, she said. The murderer going to jail and Karen being Exonerated that would be justice. Dennis Sweeney, dressed as the judge in the case and wearing a pink T-shirt emblazoned with the word assassin. which was inspired by Reads defense team, said he returned for the second trial because: Karen Read is factually innocent and we want her freed. Pope Francis funeral has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peters Square, and a viewing of his body will begin on Wednesday in St. Peters Basilica, days after the popular pontiff died at age 88. Historys first Latin American pontiff charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated many conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change. He last appeared in public on Sunday with an Easter blessing and popemobile tour through a cheering crowd in St. Peters Square. Cardinals met at the Vatican on Tuesday to plan the conclave to elect his successor and to make other decisions about running the Catholic Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres the latest: Cardinals meet in wake of popes death The Vatican says around 60 cardinals participated in the first meeting to decide next steps following the death of Pope Francis. They decided that ordinary faithful can pay their respects starting when the casket is moved into St. Peters Basilica on Wednesday, and set Saturday for the funeral and burial. The cardinals havent set a date for the conclave to elect Francis successor, but the current norms suggest it couldnt begin before May 5. Three cardinals were chosen to help the camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, administer the Vatican during the interregnum period before the election of a new pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those cardinals are the secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Polish Cardinal Stanisaw Ryko, archpriest of the St. Mary Major basilica where Francis will be buried, and Cardinal Fabbio Baggio, a top official in the Vaticans development and migrants office. They will be replaced after three days with another three cardinals to help the interim Vatican administrator. China expresses condolences for pope who made effort to mend Beijing-Vatican rift China expressed condolences over the passing of Pope Francis, who reached out to Beijing in an effort to improve relations and mend a seven-decade rift between a state-recognized Catholic church and an underground church loyal to Rome. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Tuesday that China is ready to work with the Vatican side to continue the improvement of China-Vatican ties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countrys Catholic community was divided when the Communist Party came to power and claimed the right to name bishops without consulting the Vatican. In 2018, Franciss Vatican brokered a deal with China that granted Romes approval to the bishops Beijing had picked. The provisional agreement was renewed in October 2024. Vatican announces funeral plans Pope Francis funeral has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peters Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals. The cardinals have also decided that the public viewing of Pope Francis will begin Wednesday in St. Peters Basilica, after his casket is taken by procession from the Vatican hotel where he lived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The master of liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, issued the rubrics for the procession by mandate of the College of Cardinals, which met Tuesday to take the first decisions following Francis death. Presiding over the procession and the ritual transfer will be the camerlengo, or interim administrator of the Vatican, Cardinal Kevin Farrell. Filipinos remember a pope who cared for the sick and survivors of natural disasters MANILA, Philippines Hundreds of Filipinos, some openly weeping, gathered for a mass at the Manila Cathedral on Tuesday to bid goodbye to the late pope, whom they remember for his outreach to the poor and survivors of natural disasters, which often devastate their country. Hes a rare progressive pope, who took up a lot of causes and showed a deep concern for the poor, said Cynthia Esquilona, a 50-year-old mother of two who lit a candle and prayed before a portrait of Francis at the cathedral. Another worshipper, Conchita Mil, quietly wept as she sat in a pew and thanked Francis for dedicating his papacy to the needy and the sick. Mil, 69, said she has breast cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis visited the Philippines, a Catholic bastion in Asia, in early 2015 to console survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, which left thousands of people dead. Pictures showing him rain-soaked in stormy weather but constantly waving and blowing kisses to crowds of typhoon survivors have left a lasting impression. First images of popes body released They showed him in a wooden casket, in red vestments and his bishops miter, with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived. The images were taken during a ritual to confirm the death, presided over by the camerlengo, or interim administrator of the Vatican, Cardinal Kevin Farrell. Two Swiss Guards stood at attention as Farrell blessed Francis with holy water, the popes hands clasped around a rosary. Australian candidates cancel campaign events Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton cancelled campaign events planned for Tuesday out of respect for the late pontiff, as early voting began for a May 3 general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flags were flown at half staff from government buildings across the country where a 2021 census found 20% of the population were Catholics. Albanese was raised as a Catholic but chose to be sworn in as prime minister when he was elected in 2022 by making a secular affirmation rather than by taking an oath on a Bible. Albanese attended a Mass in honor of the pope in Melbournes St. Patricks Cathedral on Tuesday morning. I try not to talk about my faith in public, Albanese told reporters, but added At times like this, I think what people do is they draw on who they are and certainly my Catholicism is just a part of me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dutton, who was raised by a Catholic father and Protestant mother and attended an Anglican school, planned to go to a church service in Sydney. I dont think its a day for overt politicking at all. I think that the day is best spent reflecting, Dutton told Australian Broadcasting Corp. India declares 3 days of mourning The Indian flag flew at half-staff on Tuesday at all government buildings as the country observed three days of mourning as a mark of the respect for Pope Francis. The Indian flag will be flown half-staff on government buildings across the country for the next two days, as well as on the day of the pontiffs funeral, the Home Ministry said in a statement. Taiwans Catholics remember Francis Members of Taiwans Catholic community gathered at a church in the capital Taipei for a somber mass as believers prayed and reflected on Francis spiritual legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Premier Chen Chien-jen, a devout Catholic who visited the Vatican multiple times at the invitition of Francis and previous popes, spoke of the deep loss felt by the faithful. Chen said Pope Francis has led all of our churches to thrive over the past 12 years, making significant contributions to world peace and environmental sustainability, Chen added. We will remember the teachings he gave us: that we are all brothers and that loving one another makes the world a more peaceful place. Bernard Li, former president of Fu Jen Catholic University, highlighted the popes compassion and dedication to humanitarian causes. He was a compassionate pope who has consistently advocated for world peace and racial equality, Li said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Lai Ching-te ordered flags to fly at half-staff on Tuesday in a show of mourning and respect. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Press Release April 22, 2025 Jinggoy files resolution honoring the life and legacy of Pope Francis Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed a resolution sending condolences to the Vatican and expressing sympathy on the death of Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, who passed away on April 21, 2025 at the age of 88. In Senate Resolution No. 1342, Estrada honors Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and highlights his remarkable journey as the first pope from Latin America. "Pope Francis was more than just a spiritual leader. He was a symbol of humility, compassion, and social justice. His messages of hope, inclusion, and mercy touched not only Catholics, but the entire world," he said. Known for his progressive stance on key Social issues and his simplicity, Pope Francis brought a renewed spirit to the papacy, Estrada said, noting that throughout his 12-year tenure, the Pope consistently emphasized the importance of caring for the marginalized, promoting peace, and advocating for environmental stewardship. He became a global voice for dignity, human rights, and reconciliation, the Senate leader said. Estrada also recalled the Pope's apostolic visit to the Philippines in 2015, where he personally comforted victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban, embodying the theme of his visit--"Mercy and Compassion." His presence brought healing and hope to a nation in mourning, the senator said. Estrada's resolution further highlighted Pope Francis's early years of service, having held humble jobs such as janitor, bouncer, and laboratory assistant before entering the Jesuit order in 1958. He was ordained in 1969, served as Jesuit Provincial Superior in Argentina, later became Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001. He ascended to the papacy in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. "His passing is a great loss to the Catholic community and to humanity. We extend our deepest condolences to the Vatican and the millions around the world who mourn the death of a servant of God whose profound commitment to justice, mercy and solidarity has transcended faith and borders. Pope Francis has ably represented his position as the Vicar of Christ and pontifex maximus (Supreme Pontiff), trumpeting messages of hope, peace and ultimately, simplicity, to the faithful," Estrada said. SARAJEVO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A protest convoy of 543 trucks paraded through the streets of Sarajevo on Monday, demanding policy changes affecting Bosnia and Herzegovina(BiH)'s road transport sector. Organized by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Logistics Consortium under the slogan "Enough is enough!", the protest highlighted industry frustration with the EU's 90/180 rule, which limits drivers' total stay in the Schengen Area to no more than 90 days in every 180 days, including transit periods. The convoy route passed through major city avenues, ending with a symbolic turn at BiH Square. Organizers said the action reflected widespread dissatisfaction after 14 months of unanswered appeals. Velibor Peulic, general coordinator of the Consortium, which includes 610 transport companies, said that they need a two-year moratorium on the 90/180 rule, fuel excise refunds, reduced border wait time through digitalization, and lower transport costs. Peulic noted that this was their first formal meeting with the country's Minister of Communications and Transport to discuss key demands, after months of silence from the authorities. He warned that further actions would follow if authorities fail to respond by Friday. Pope Francis was a trailblazer in that he was the first Latin American pontiff and the first Jesuit. Channel 2s Lori Wilson spoke with leadership at the Latin American Association about the popes impact on the Hispanic community. Santiago Marquez is the CEO of the Latin American Association. He said Pope Francis gave his community an overwhelming sense of pride. Not only was it a sense of pride because he came from Argentina, but I think it was a sense of pride because he understood us being social workers here, Marquez said. (He) loved to be among the homeless and the poor, (he) felt more comfortable with the downtrodden, if you would. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he reached out to people who may have felt marginalized by the church, he also spoke out on issues that were important to the Latin American community and the world, like immigration, climate change, and inclusion. And he didnt just talk about doing the right thing, he was a walking example of love. He washed the feet of lepers and that was an incredible thing, because I dont know that I could do that, Marquez said. Its mourning, but its also a celebration. 88 years, a legacy, trailblazer, and a hero, I think, to a lot of people. Marquez said he hopes that the church will pick another pope who will continue to move the church forward in how it addresses global humanitarian issues. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Lawrence Police Department (LPD) says if youve had your car or home broken into recently, they may have recovered some of your stolen items. In a post on the LPD Facebook page, officers uploaded a number of pictures and videos of what they say is $10,000 worth of stolen items. Shoplifting call turns into police chase, fiery rollover crash on I-70 During an arrest at a Motel 6 Monday morning, police say they were able to recover a number of stolen items including computers, tablets, tools, key sets, and other electronic devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were still sifting through it all so PLEASE hang tight! Its going to take some time. We also have keys and more than 30 IDs. We will call people if weve already connected the stolen items to a case, the department stated in its Facebook post. Police also noted that while the man arrested is from Kansas City, some of the stolen property could be from Lawrence and Topeka as well. Car break-ins turned violent in Kansas Citys Waldo neighborhood The Lawrence Kansas Police Department say they will release more information on how people can contact them regarding unclaimed items. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) A federal judge was asked Monday to strike down several restrictions on the Arkansas initiative process in a lawsuit that accused the state of violating voters' constitutional rights. The League of Women Voters of Arkansas filed the lawsuit challenging four new laws on the initiative process as well as existing restrictions that the group says pose significant hurdles for citizens trying to put proposals on the ballot. These laws interfere, restrict, hamper, and impair the freedom of the people in circulating and procuring petitions, the group said in the lawsuit. The laws do not facilitate the operation of the initiative and referendum process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas is among several Republican-led states where lawmakers have been pushing for restrictions on the ballot initiative process. The new laws in Arkansas being challenged include requirements that someone read the text of a ballot initiative and show photo identification before signing a petition. The groups are also challenging existing restrictions, including a ban on paying canvassers per signature collected and a requirement that canvassers be residents of the state. Attorney General Tim Griffin's office was reviewing the lawsuit and standing "ready to defend the state, spokesperson Jeff LeMaster said. Secretary of State Cole Jester vowed to protect the measures, claiming the "petition system has been filled with fraud and bad actors for too long. These laws are basic, common-sense protections, and we look forward to fighting for them, Jester said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit argues that the measures attempt to circumvent the protections for the initiative process that are enshrined in the state's constitution. The complaint also notes that voters rejected proposed restrictions on the process that went before them in the 2020 and 2022 elections. The restrictions come after abortion rights supporters were unable to get a proposal on the ballot in Arkansas last year after election officials rejected petitions submitted in favor of them. The state Supreme Court upheld the decision. The lawsuit's plaintiffs include Save AR Democracy, a group formed to try and propose a constitutional amendment that would add protections to the initiative process. BAKU, April 21 (Xinhua) -- "Azerbaijan-China relations, rooted in ancient history and sound traditions, are steadily advancing," said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. In a recent written interview with Xinhua, Aliyev expressed confidence that his upcoming state visit to China would further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries. Recalling his previous visits to China in 2014 and 2015, as well as his participation in the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in 2019, Aliyev said he holds fond memories of his meetings and productive discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "China is one of the most dynamically developing countries in the world. Its progress not only benefits the Chinese people but also serves global interests," he added. Aliyev noted that in July 2024, Azerbaijan and China signed a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership, agreeing to expand cooperation across various fields, strengthen international collaboration, and jointly promote peace, stability and development at both regional and global levels. He stressed that strengthening ties with China remains a priority of Azerbaijan's foreign policy, with particular focus on advancing cooperation in all areas of mutual concern. Regarding the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Baku in 2024, Aliyev expressed appreciation for "China's valuable contributions to global climate efforts." Noting Azerbaijan is one of the first countries to support the Belt and Road Initiative, he said the initiative had strengthened connectivity among countries, promoted dialogue, and created new opportunities for international trade. Azerbaijan will leverage its strategic geographic location to continue expanding international transport corridors, modernizing infrastructure, and allocating additional funding to increase handling capacity of the ports, he said. Aliyev also emphasized Azerbaijan's commitment to deepening economic and trade ties with China, and expanding cultural cooperation between the two sides. He praised the productive partnerships between the two countries' universities, including the teaching of Chinese in Azerbaijani institutions through Confucius Institutes and the establishment of Azerbaijani language and cultural centers in China. These efforts will enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendship between the two peoples, he said. Aliyev noted that under the 2024-2025 rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), China is advancing institutional development and promoting the SCO's role on the international stage under the motto of "Carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit: SCO in Action." As a founding member, China will remain a leading force in the organization's future development, he added. Azerbaijan highly values its participation in SCO activities and supports the principles the organization upholds, Aliyev said. The country will continue contributing to regional and global peace and security by implementing major trade, economic, transport, infrastructure and energy projects to expand cooperation, promote sustainable growth, and achieve development goals, he added. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A Learjet 36A will take off from Wichita next week, head to the South Pole and then the North Pole, and return to Wichita in just three days. The Global Jetcare Learjet 36A will embark on a Polar Mission April 30-May 3, 2025. (Photo provided by Classic Lear Jet Foundation) Organizers say it will be a world record flight for a Learjet and sanctioned by the National Aeronautics Association. No Learjet has ever attempted such an aggressive mission over both poles, Rick Rowe, public relations for the Classic Lear Jet Foundation, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flight is to raise funds for the restoration of Lear Jet 23-003, the first Lear Jet ever sold in the Air Capital, back when the company was called Lear Jet instead of Learjet. Rowe says the Lear Jet 23-003 started the business jet industry in Wichita. Classic Lear Jet Foundation Model 23-003 restoration project on Oct. 27, 2023 (KSN Photo) Kansas fifth grader uses creative ways to raise thousands for nonprofit Global Jetcare, an air ambulance service in Florida, is volunteering its Learjet 36A and crew to plan and fund the Polar Mission. Four of the companys pilots will be on the plane and take turns flying the mission. (Graphic provided by Classic Lear Jet Foundation) The plane will depart from Bombardier Building 14 around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, after an open house that begins at 4 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aircraft can carry about 1,200 gallons of fuel and will make numerous refueling stops. To get the flight approved, the Polar Mission must also include scientific research. The pilots will conduct their research at each stop along the way. The plan is to return to Bombardier Building 14 in Wichita on Saturday, May 3, late afternoon or early evening. You can track the journey at PolarMission.org. An open house is also being planned for the planes arrival. Rowe says the mission needs sponsors to achieve its fundraising goal for the Lear Jet 23-003 restoration. Click here to learn more. A Polar Mission Hangar Party will also be held this Saturday, April 26. Guests can meet Captain Bart Gray and the other Global Jetcare pilots and see the plane. (Image provided by Classic Lear Jet Foundation) The party is from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Stearman Field. There will be food, an open bar, live music, and Classic Lear Jet Foundation merchandise for sale. A few tickets are still available. Click here for the details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. At least 26 people were killed when a group of suspected extremists opened fire on tourists in the volatile Indian region of Kashmir, according to officials. Indian Interior Minister Amit Shah described the attack as a "dastardly act of terror," without providing information on the perpetrators. The attackers opened fire in a popular tourist area near the town of Pahalgam, killing 26 people, according to reports by Indian broadcaster NDTV and the newspaper Greater Kashmir, citing officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the fatalities were tourists. Several people were also injured. There was initially no official confirmation of the death toll. Security forces assumed that it was a targeted attack on visitors. According to the newspaper The Hindu, two foreign visitors from Italy and Israel were among the fatalities. Claim of responsibility According to Greater Kashmir newspaper online, a group calling itself The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack. This is a splinter group of the banned militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. Lashkar-e-Taiba is responsible for a series of attacks in the Indian economic metropolis of Mumbai in November 2008. At that time, 175 people were killed, including 26 foreigners and nine of the extremists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expressing his shock in a post on X, Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, condemned the attack on tourists as "an abomination." Solidarity from the EU and the United States EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack. "The vile terror attack in Pahalgam today stole so many innocent lives," she wrote on X. "My deepest condolences to @narendramodi and every Indian heart grieving today." "Yet I know that Indias spirit is unbreakable. You will stand strong in this ordeal," she added. "And Europe will stand with you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social Platform: "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism." "We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies," Trump added. The attack came while US Vice President JD Vance is visiting India for trade talks. Kashmir is a contested region spanning India, Pakistan and China. Extremist groups have been active in the Indian-administered part for years challenging the country's sovereignty over the region. The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case brought by a group of religious parents from Maryland who hope to obtain the right to remove their children from classes that read storybooks featuring LGBT+ characters. In preparation for Tuesdays arguments, the nine justices read books such as Pride Puppy, which takes readers through the alphabet while sharing the story of a girl whose puppy gets loose while at a pride parade. Also, Uncle Bobbys Wedding, a story about a girl who worries she will spend less time with her favorite uncle after he marries his boyfriend. The content of the books whether they promote one-sided transgender ideology, encourage gender transitioning, and focus excessively on romantic infatuation, as plaintiffs allege became a point of contention during arguments. Parents in Montgomery County, Maryland have objected to the school removing its opt-out program when using books featuring LGBT+ characters or storylines (AP) Those storybooks, and others, have led to a legal battle between a group of parents in Maryland, from various faith backgrounds, and the Montgomery County Board of Education. The dispute is about whether the school board must have an opt-out policy for children whose parents believe the themes of the book go against their religious beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has a clear moral message, Justice Samuel Alito said of the book Uncle Bobbys Wedding. And it may be a good message. Its just a message that a lot of religious people disagree with, Alito added. Justice Sonia Sotomayor sparred with Alito over the claim, noting that the childrens book was not questioning the morality of same-sex marriage nor contained any images of two men kissing. Havent we made very clear that the mere exposure to things that you object to is not coercion? Sotomayor asked. Alito responded that there could be a book club with a debate about how Uncle Bobbys marriage should be understood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sotomayor and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson both voiced concern over how a school may implement an opt-out policy. The reason the Montgomery school district got rid of that policy was that allowing children to opt out was becoming disruptive. Justice Elena Kagan expressed concern about a potentially broad ruling, which made it difficult to draw the line between allowing school administrators to make decisions while giving parents the right to oversee their childrens upbringing. Parental rights in school have become a major topic for federal courts over the last few years, with many wanting more control over their childs curriculum (Getty Images) But the details of the books became a memorable part of the arguments on Tuesday. Justice Neil Gorsuch honed in on details of the book Pride Puppy referring to it as the one where theyre supposed to look for the leather and bondage things like that. Gorsuch asked if the book, which is read to pre-kindergarten children, featured a sex worker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawyer for the Montgomery County Public Schools disputed the claim. He told Gorsuch that one part of the book points to a woman in a leather jacket. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who lives in Montgomery County, said he was surprised that these arguments had arisen, given that the county has a diverse population. The county school board introduced the storybooks as part of an effort to better reflect the district's diversity. "I'm surprised this is the hill to die on in terms of not respecting religious liberty," Kavanaugh said. The case is the latest dispute involving religion to come before the court. The justices have repeatedly endorsed claims of religious discrimination in recent years. A decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor is expected by early summer. The Associated Press contributed to this report Amid the impact of tariffs, mass deportations and the cancellations of visas for students, some Americans have expressed a desire to leave the country entirely and set up a new life somewhere else. While the idea of a life thats free from any American worry may seem appealing, experts who facilitate cross-border moves say the process is tougher than many imagine, and those who do go through with it sometimes find theyre replacing one set of concerns for another. The idea that the grass is greener somewhere else isnt always true, said Christine Dahl, an American lawyer who lives and practices in the Netherlands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dahl, who focuses on international tax law and expatriations, said that when her family moved from Oregon to Europe, some primarily American problems became less of a concern the prevalence of guns, for instance but other issues like housing shortages, the cost of living and immigration fears exist abroad as well. You can change horses, but youll still get saddle sores, Dahl explained. You know, they might be on a different part, but its still life, and life can be lifey. Whos moving? Those who work with American citizens and residents seeking to move abroad say that many are taking the plunge, or at least dipping a toe in the water. While the political climate in the U.S. is certainly a motivation, those seeking to leave the U.S. also need the means to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those with deep knowledge and postgraduate degrees, work can be the key that unlocks access abroad. In some cases, this is because countries are advertising themselves to highly educated professionals as an alternative to the uncertainty in the U.S. In others, specific universities or research centers draw experts from all over the world, including Americans. For example, a good number of engineers and climate scientists are moving to Australia, while some biological scientists are headed to Switzerland, said Leslie Sobol, an accountant who is a partner with Pasadena-based firm Lucas Horsfall. If youre 22 and just graduated with a degree in molecular biology, why not go to Switzerland for three years and work in a high-paid position and come back? Its a great chance to go work somewhere when youre young and unattached, said Sobol, an extended relative of the reporter. A different language, a different culture While a job can bring someone to a foreign country, its up to them to adapt to their new home, and when life does get lifey as Dahl explained, some of those already daunting issues can be further compounded by language barriers or cultural differences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tobias Polka, an accountant in Germany who works with international taxes and expatriates, said those who are looking to move abroad should consider those factors when deciding on a destination. Even just within Europe, the cultural attitudes in one country can be different from another, as can be their climates, health care systems and schools. When you move from California to Europe, I would say its quite familiar to move from California to Spain in the cultural way, Polka said. But when you would, for example, move from California to Norway, it feels like youre moving from California to Canada. And when you are trying to grow acclimated to a new country, the language barrier can be harder to overcome than many think. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After all, navigating an international vacation with a quick-reference dictionary or Google Translate is one thing, but the vital reading of daily life government documents, school and work assignments, contracts requires more fluency. Polka said having a basic knowledge of a foreign language can help, and those considering a move would be wise to look at not only where they want to live, but what language they want to speak and how well that language travels. Italian, for example, is only going to be spoken in Italy, but fortunately for many Californians, Spanish is spoken in Spain and Latin America, and its analogous enough to be functionally understood in other countries like Portugal and Italy, Polka said. That said, if youre not already fluent in a countrys language before moving, expect some hurdles, Dahl said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coming [to Europe] and being a guest in another country was a real new experience, she said. People here in the cities are fluent in lot of different languages, including English, and so theyll switch to English very quickly. I can read Dutch and speak speak it now, but having my kids in a Dutch speaking school was a challenge for us as parents. The need for professional guidance Sobol and the other experts stressed the need for enlisting the help of someone knowledgeable in international tax law, as there are provisions in place to prevent the same money from being taxed in both the U.S. and ones new foreign home. Additionally, foreign bank accounts must be disclosed to the U.S. government, even if they dont generate income that could be taxed. And thats just one item among a list of considerations for anyone seeking a new home overseas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What hits people as a big surprise is if they have a trust for some reason, which most people do, especially Californians have whats called a living trust, they have to make provisions to have a domestic trustee take over that trust before they move abroad, Sobol said. You dont think about that. The return As Sobol noted, some of these Americans headed for foreign shores are doing so for a limited time, but Polka said even those who think theyre moving abroad permanently sometimes find themselves seeking a way back to the U.S. I know a lot of people who moved from Europe to, lets say, Australia or to Asia, Polka said. And after two, three, four years, they are just rid of that. They want to come back. And when you cut all your roots in your domestic country, then its hard to go back. Polka suggested instead starting with the creation of a bank account in your preferred destination country Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would try to establish a second life, and then you can switch between countries, he explained. For some, that process is relatively easier, as they can take advantage of any family ties theyd have to another country to try to establish dual citizenship. For others, the key to a new home might be finding a new job. But regardless of where youd like to head and what you plan to do there, renouncing ones U.S. citizenship is probably not advisable for most people, regardless of the ongoing political turmoil. As the experts noted, every place has its own issues, and none of them will be fixed if those who can make a difference spend their time running from them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When people are saying, I think I need to go somewhere else, I think, well, there really isnt anywhere else. Other countries have the same issues, difficult problems, and if all the critical thinkers just pack up and go somewhere else, well, thats sad, Dahl said. And no matter how dire the present may seem, the only constant in life is change, and this current chaos wont last forever. There will be a time after this, and maybe people will want to go back, Polka 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. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made Mondays White House Easter Egg Roll a family affair, showing up with her husband Nicholas Riccio and their son. Leavitt, 27, is seldom seen in public with Riccio, 59, but the couple was spotted strolling across the South Lawndecked out for the annual traditionpushing nine-month-old Niko in a stroller. President Donald Trumps fifth Easter Egg Roll featured an egg hunt, cookie decorating, and nearly 30,000 real eggs adorning the South Lawn, even as egg prices reach record highs. U.S. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and the Easter Bunny greet guests durning the White House Egg Roll on the South Lawn on April 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. / Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images The couple was seen on the White House lawn along with Trump and his wife, Melania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The youngest ever White House press secretary married Riccio, a real estate developer, two days before Trumps second inauguration in January. Leavitt, who has said that her Catholic faith is a huge part of her life and always wears a cross necklace, had her baby before marriage, welcoming Niko in July 2024. The couple, separated by a 32-year age gap, met while she was running for a Congress seat in New Hampshire in 2022. A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband, she recalled on The Megyn Kelly Show in February. I was speaking. We met and we were acquainted as friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt admitted that she was wary about their age gap at first, saying I mean its a very atypical love story, but said Riccio is incredible. Hes the father of my child and hes the best dad I could ever ask for, she said. According to Daily Mail, the blue lace dress Leavitt wore to the Easter Egg Roll was from designer Self Portrait and typically costs over $600. Another Self Portrait dress the press secretary wore made waves on Chinese social media last week, after a Chinese diplomat mocked her on X, alleging the dress was made in China. Leavitt has spent much of her tenure defending Trumps tariffs on China, which have ignited a trade war between the two countries, saying, China wants what we have. PITTSFORD, N.Y. (WROC) As Catholics across the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, the loss of the pontiffs legacy is being felt at home. Mass for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Pittsford was held with a somber tone Monday morning, following news of the Popes passing. Were shocked. Were stunned, and were sad. We grew attached to him. He exuded warmth, a down-to-earth man with the people, said Sr. Patricia Schoelles, who has served with the Sisters of St. Joseph for more than 50 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope Francis tenure, she says, brought a different form of leadership for Catholics worldwide. I think this Pope, more than any previous Pope, has left a legacy of humanity and of humanitarianism. Theres a quote in one of our documents that says, The joys and hopes, the fears and anxiety of all humanity are those of the church. To me, the leadership of Pope Francis has done just that. It has shown us how to be with humanity and among humanity and especially the ones among us who are suffering the most, the least among us, said Sr. Schoelles. Sr. Marilyn Pray prepared a new homily Monday, after learning of the Popes death. Sr. Pray included messages of hope and prayer, as well as a question. With this mornings news I think we can add to that, whats next for us and for our church? said Sr. Pray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As communities await whats next and potential successors, they are taking time to grieve and honor Pope Francis legacy. I think we all need to express our sorrow and express our hope that the church will go on. Somehow, that his vision will be incorporated in our future years. That the future will make a difference because he made a difference for our future. Thats my hope. The days are hopeful as well as filled with sorrow, said Sr. Schoelles. A mass will be held in the Popes honor this Friday at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Rochester. The public is welcome to attend. The service will begin at 7 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Water collects among trees at the West Tennessee Wetlands Mitigation Bank a wetland restored from its former days as farmland near the Loosahatchie River in Shelby County, Tenn. on March 11, 2025. (Photo: Karen Pulfer Focht for Tennessee Lookout) A bill slashing regulations for an estimated 80% of Tennessees non-federally protected wetlands is headed to Gov. Bill Lees desk Monday after receiving approval from the General Assembly. The bills West Tennessee Republican sponsors Rep. Kevin Vaughan and Sen. Brent Taylor said the legislation removes onerous and seemingly subjective mitigation requirements for landowners and developers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental advocates and scientists said the legislation paves the way for the destruction of Tennessees natural resources. The bill passed 71-21 with one abstention in the House, and 25-6 in the Senate. Since the 1970s, wetland regulations in Tennessee have required developers and landowners to seek permission from the state before draining or altering wetlands. The swampy areas can host diverse species, soak up rain water and filter it as it seeps into groundwater tables, recharging aquifers. Alterations to wetlands required developers to pay for mitigation efforts to preserve or restore other wetlands nearby. (Flooding) is a constant that we are dealing with, and these two things are related and what (Sen. Brent Taylor) belittles as damp dirt is actually the stuff that matters. Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville Vaughan and Taylors legislation scraps automatic mitigation requirements for most of Tennessees isolated wetlands, which lack surface connections to navigable rivers and lakes. Federal law requires mitigation for those larger water bodies, but a 2023 Supreme Court ruling removed isolated wetlands from federal control, leaving their regulation entirely to the states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Page Walley, a West Tennessee Republican who helped shape the legislation, said his district includes swampland. That land over in that very agriculturally rich area is flat, it does flood, and it is replete with a variety of wonderful wetlands, but things change and the state was given the authority to begin to monitor that, Walley said Monday. The Southern Environmental Law Center estimates the legislation will axe development regulations for up to 80% of Tennessees isolated wetlands. Recent modeling commissioned by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) indicates most of the states isolated wetlands are located in West Tennessee, a region expected to see intense development around Fords new Blue Oval City manufacturing campus in Haywood County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 30,000 acres of isolated wetlands fall in the northwest corner of the state, which remains inundated with historic levels of water after severe storms caused generational flooding earlier this month. Nashville Democrat Jeff Yarbro grew up in Dyersburg, one of several West Tennessee towns that flooded. (Flooding) is a constant that we are dealing with, and these two things are related and what (Sen. Taylor) belittles as damp dirt is actually the stuff that matters, Yarbro said. The research is pretty clear that its these smaller wetlands that actually reduce the peak flooding levels in communities. The Senate rejected Sen. Heidi Campbells attempt to add a 2-year sunset provision to the law and an amendment that would have brought the law in line with the recommendations presented by TDEC in 2024. New wetlands regulations The sponsors initially planned to eliminate all state regulation of isolated wetlands to match federal law, citing other states decisions to do the same. Instead, the legislation defines four types of isolated wetlands and sets regulatory thresholds for each of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Artificial wetlands, a new category, are wetlands created purposefully or inadvertently by the alterations of humans or beavers. Developers are allowed to drain and fill this type of wetland with no regulatory oversight. No permits or mitigation are required for alterations to low-quality isolated wetlands up to 1 acre, or moderate-quality wetlands up to one-quarter acre. These wetlands have minimal or moderate roles in ecosystems, natural water cycles and chemical cycles, according to the legislation. Exact definitions for wetland quality will be created through a rule-making process that includes public input opportunities. General permits and 1-1 mitigation are required for low-quality isolated wetlands from 1 to 2 acres in size. Changes to moderate-quality isolated wetlands from one-quarter acre to 2 acres require a general permit with mitigation capped at a 1-1 ratio (which raises to 2-1 on the second acre). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alterations to high-quality isolated wetlands will continue to require more specialized Aquatic Resource Alteration Permits from the state and mitigation, as will changes to low- and moderate-quality isolated wetlands larger than 2 acres. Southern Environmental Law Center Tennessee Director George Nolan attended several committee meetings to testify against the passage of a bill reducing the states wetlands regulations. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2025) About 80% of Tennessees isolated wetlands are smaller than one acre, according to SELC Tennessee Director George Nolan. Around 94% of isolated wetlands are smaller than 2 acres. The legislation also prevents TDEC from considering isolated wetlands of any quality when determining a projects cumulative impact, even if the project encompasses other federally regulated wetlands. The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Home Builders of Tennessee supported the legislation, as did the Pacific Legal Foundation, a national firm that fought for deregulation of American wetlands at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023. They said the changes will support property rights and bring down costs for developers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several environmental groups, scientists and businesses that restore wetlands and sell mitigation credits to developers opposed the legislation, warning that the clause ignoring cumulative impact could super-charge wetlands destruction and hinder an industry that has invested more than $1 billion in restoration and conservation projects in Tennessee. Vaughan said he sees mitigation requirements as trampling peoples private property rights. I may own a piece of property and because someone else says that there is something on my property that has resource value that Im going to have to pay a third party to be able to use my own property. That does not compute, Vaughan said Monday. Rep. Justin Pearson, a Memphis Democrat, voted against the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If these changes are being made to improve our environment, are being made to improve the quality of life of people in Tennessee, thats one thing, Pearson said. But if we are changing the protections of our natural resources on behalf of corporate entities to be able to make more profit, I have a significant problem with that. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE If the cardinals charged with electing the next pope need any reminder of what a responsibility lies on their shoulders, then they will find it in the Sistine Chapel, the place of papal elections, also known as conclaves, for hundreds of years. As each swears on the Gospels to never reveal the secrets of the election, they stand beneath Michelangelos Last Judgment. It is also a moment when the cardinals call on the saints to pray for them and to the Holy Spirit to guide them. But in the run-up to the conclave, the cardinals have more earthly concerns too. There has been chatter for months in Rome long before Pope Francis passed on Easter Monday at the age of 88 about who is papabile and who has got what it takes to be pope. And this time, the questions asked will be much more than whether someone is papabile because he seems a holy man. For the cardinals, and indeed the entire Catholic Church, will be asking: do we want to continue along the path chosen by Francis, or do we want to change direction? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many millions of Catholics loved Pope Francis from the moment he stepped onto the balcony of St Peters after his election in 2013. They liked his chatty manner, rather like a parish priest, his talk of mercy, the way he lived simply, rejecting the pomp of the papal office. But in the 12 years that followed, there were rumblings of dissent from some quarters. The constant references to climate change, the finger wagging at politicians over their efforts to cope with the seemingly endless procession of migrants making their way across Europe and the United States, the efforts at friendly relations with Chinas Communist regime: why, some asked, has the Pope dabbled in politics rather than focus on the stuff of peoples souls? Dont we need more attention given to prayer and less to net zero? There were other dramas too, like the time when Francis gathered people from the Amazon in Rome for a Synod about the region. Some brought with them the statue of Pachamama, a pregnant indigenous woman which they placed in a church, as if she were as worthy of reverence as the Virgin Mary. Outraged Catholics threw it into the Tiber river. Or the tickings off he delivered to senior Vatican prelates, known as the Curia, particularly in his early years as pontiff, when he accused them of gossiping, being power mad and suffering from spiritual Alzheimers. Among Franciss most famous comments was his much-quoted line when he was asked about gay people: Who am I to judge? But now, in the run-up to the next conclave, support is already growing in some circles for the election of a conservative cardinal such as Robert Sarah, from Guinea, who has strongly criticised gender ideology and denounced Islamic radicalism. Among those critiquing Franciss approach is Edward Pentin, author of The Next Pope and creator of the online College of Cardinals Report, which has become go-to reading for those wanting to know who is indeed papabile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People want clarity, they want to get back to the salvation of souls, he says. They feel the Church needs to be back on an even keel with sound doctrine. So is there a new pope waiting in the wings who can do just that? The list of candidates is not long. Both Sarah and the American Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke were given their red hats by Franciss more conservative predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI; both want a return to much more traditional rules on sex and marriage and both publicly clashed with Francis. But whether they can muster enough support among the voting members of the College of Cardinals is a moot point. Of the 138 under the age of 80 and so eligible to vote, 110 a whopping 80 per cent were appointed by Francis himself. These clerics, he felt, shared his vision of Catholicism. Cardinal Robert Sarah is seen as holding more conservative views in comparison to Pope Francis - AFP Liberals might find an African pope appealing, but Sarahs particularly strong views the same views earning him a groundswell of support on social media this week may be problematic, as could his advocacy of the traditional Latin Mass, which Pope Francis suppressed. In an interview with The Tablet in 2019, Sarah said: Gender ideology is a Luciferian refusal to receive a sexual nature from God. Thus, some rebel against God and pointlessly mutilate themselves in order to change their sex. But in reality, they do not fundamentally change anything about their structure as a man or a woman. The West refuses to receive, and will accept only what it constructs for itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate interview, footage of which has been circulating on social media in the wake of Franciss death, Sarah said his foremost concern about the current state of affairs in the West was that Europe doesnt want or has lost the sense of its roots a sentiment that was also voiced by Benedict. A tree without roots dies. Im afraid the West is dying, Sarah said. If he were to win, then his vociferous supporters among the Catholic traditionalists might well see the hand of the Holy Spirit at work: Sarah is just weeks away from his 80th birthday, the cut-off point for being a voting cardinal, and if Francis had lasted just a little longer, Sarah would not form part of the band of red-hatted brothers entering the Sistine Chapel to vote. For all the talk online, it seems unlikely that a College of Cardinals made in the image of Pope Francis will make him their pick. Liberals might prefer his fellow African, Peter Turkson of Ghana, although he too has little time for diluting traditional teaching on sex. But he has signed up to the Francis project on the importance of climate change. Or they might opt for Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of Kinshasa, a Franciscan friar and peacemaker. But he has also spoken out against Franciss advocacy of blessings for same-sex couples. According to Joseph Shaw, of the Latin Mass Society, it is climate change that has been a major sticking point for some Catholics about Pope Francis. It is not unreasonable for a pope to talk about the stewardship of the Earth, but there was little actually concrete about what we should do. It was descriptive, he says. Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana was sympathetic to Franciss views on climate change - Getty For Shaw, whose organisation focuses on the Catholic Mass being said in the Old, or Tridentine Rite something which Francis was opposed to and banned such a strong focus on climate change caused upset and division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Shaw: It is impossible for a pope to hold the entire Church together because today Catholics have very divergent ideas unless you think that the role of the pope is to preach the Gospel. Yet the British theologian and Jesuit priest Dr James Hanvey, who is based in Rome, believes that Pope Francis has managed to do exactly that, marrying tradition and contemporary concerns, of which climate is one. So many of his writings as pope begin with joy the joy of the Gospel, the joy of evangelising. That has been his message. To Hanvey, the Popes focus on climate change is not about politics but is part of the theology of the Catholic Church. He stands fair and square in the tradition of Catholic social teaching, he says, and so when he writes about the environment, he is writing about our way of life. He is developing a spirituality of creation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham and one of the most senior clerics in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, the leitmotifs of Franciss papacy were joy, hope and mercy, especially mercy. He has captured peoples hearts and imaginations with his focus on mercy and the love of God. But he recognises that Francis brought about so many reforms to the Church that it is time for Catholics to have some breathing space to absorb the changes. The pace may be different. Undoubtedly, the next pope will look more at spiritual matters, he says. He also recognises that some Catholics were uncomfortable with Pope Franciss thinking. They want a sense of someone understanding and listening to them, he says. But there are always people who feel marginalised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another of this countrys senior bishops, Archbishop Mark OToole of Cardiff, believes that the cardinals, knowing that two-thirds of Catholics live in the global south, will pick a new pope who will focus on what those Catholics want. They want a Catholicism that is robust and can stand up for itself. And you do hear people who say they want a pope who spends less time on climate change and more on redemption. But OToole says Pope Francis did communicate his own faith strongly: His theology was very rich, about community, with the Church as a community of communities, not an institution. Hanvey, himself a Jesuit like Pope Francis, says that he can see a direct link between the way the pontiff has run the Church and the thinking of the Jesuits, an elite, intellectual order of priests and brothers, traditionally involved in education, and in social activism in recent times. He helped make the Church more conscious of discernment, and discerning what God wants of you seeing God as an active God is Jesuit thinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But another theologian, who prefers not to be named as a critic of the Pope at such a febrile time, says that it was the Popes Argentinian roots that most influenced the papacy. For Francis grew up steeped in the ideology of General Juan Peron, the post-war ruler of Argentina, who combined the force of trade unions, the might of the military and the moral authority of Catholicism, sometimes to the extent of suppressing its enemies. Many saw Franciss Jesuit upbringing as influencing his decisions as Pope - AFP Whoever is the next pope almost certainly wont be a Peronist, the theologian says, while another commentator thinks that Peronist approach emerged in Franciss ruthlessness towards those who disagreed with him. It made people cautious, he says. People were nervous of having a different point of view. Some criticism surrounding Francis comes from an entirely different perspective that he was not radical enough. Prof Tina Beattie, a leading feminist theologian, says many women are frustrated that there was barely any change in the status of women in the church; other than a few appointments to Vatican roles, there was hardly any progress on women deacons and a complete ruling out of women priests: There was a failure to reflect more deeply on womens roles. This was a reforming pope, yet on women he was inconsistent. Even if the conclave opts for another reformer, it is highly unlikely that there will be an appetite for another Jesuit or another South American. Romes had enough of those for a very long time, says a former Vatican official. What the Italians want, after the Polish John Paul II, and the German Benedict XVI and the Argentinian Pope Francis, is for the Italians to get the papacy back. 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. ISTANBUL, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police detained 13 suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) in an operation carried out in the western port city of Izmir, authorities announced on Tuesday. Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Izmir stated that the operation came after the office issued arrest warrants for 15 individuals -- 12 of them Syrian nationals -- over their alleged ties to the terrorist organization. As part of the ongoing investigation, the suspects were found to have connections to conflict zones in the region, disseminated propaganda for IS via social media, and were involved in fundraising activities for the group. During simultaneous raids at multiple addresses across Izmir, 13 suspects were apprehended, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects, the office said. Police also seized 1.36 million Turkish liras (approximately 35,545 U.S. dollars), a quantity of gold, and various digital materials during the searches. Turkiye designated IS as a terrorist organization in 2013 and has since been the target of several attacks by the group. In response, Ankara has been carrying out numerous counter-terrorism operations both within the country and beyond its borders. To the editor: The growing divide between Silicon Valley executives and employees is a warning sign flashing red for awareness ( Political divide in Silicon Valley: As many tech leaders embrace Trump, their workforce has not, April 13). Tech leaders leaning into President Trumps agenda risk more harm than anything. Workers are feeling undervalued and detached from tech industry visions that promised an emerging union that caters to innovation and collaboration. This disconnect threatens the tech culture, constructing imbalances where innovation suffers and productivity fails. Companies must see the action of a collaborative culture that attends to the needs of workers within these industries. Leadership accountability and inclusivity mark a balance of accountability needed for progress in the workplace. It is time for Silicon Valley to see that ethics and unity are essential features in the technology community. Ignoring the concerns for political expediency shows neglect for workers everywhere. Imani Hayes, San Jose This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. MOUNT RAINIER, Md. (DC News Now) There are heavy hearts across the world as people mourn the death of Pope Francis. The Pontiff had a big impact on so many marginalized communities, including an LGBTQ Catholic ministry in Prince Georges County. Getting a private meeting with the pope is no small feat, but Francis DeBarnardo has done it twice. It was like having tea with your grandpa, DeBarnardo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As executive director of New Ways Ministry in Mount Rainier, he and his colleagues met Pope Francis in 2023. He joked with us. He encouraged us. He gave us a prayer to always remember, DeBernardo said. The ministry advocates for the LGBTQ community to build bridges and create dialogue. I saw two decades worth of silence, fear, repression, anger, judgment, DeBernardo said. With Pope Francis, he saw hope. Virginia Monsignor remembers genuine love Pope Francis offered In July 2013, Francis famously said, If someone is gay and seeks the lord with goodwill, who am I to judge? 10 years later, in December 2023, he formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was almost unbelievable whenever we would hear one of his positive, positive steps in the right direction, DeBernardo said. Last year, the ministry met with the pope again, this time with an intersex woman, a transgender man, a Catholic deacon and his wife whose daughter is transgender, and a doctor who works in gender medicine. You could see he really was a man who wanted to learn, DeBernardo said. He was hoping, he was listening, he was reacting, he was engaging. Its the compassion DeBernardo will miss. Pope Francis will be remembered as a smiling pope who really loved to be with people, DeBernardo said., Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeBernardo says even if a new pope is selected whos more conservative, he believes Pope Francis changed hearts for the better. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Apr. 21LIMA Lima Police Major Curt Hile reported that officers in the city responded to 82,000 calls in 2024 and shared information on what contributed to their effectiveness at Monday night's Lima City Council meeting. Council members praised the department for the report and asked questions about recruitment and usage of technology. "Downtown cameras have been a great improvement," Hile said. "They've been instrumental in solving crimes, and we also have drones in the air now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilwoman Jeanine Jordan asked Hile how the department avoids violating privacy with the technology. "We have a policy to make sure we are not violating the Fourth Amendment, and we are documenting when we use those drones," Hile said. Councilman Derry Glenn asked for an update on the department's recruiting efforts after Hile touted new officers for bringing a fresh perspective to the force. "We put a lot of work into the recruitment team," Hile added. "And they spend a lot of time out in the community." The city also shared new details on the continuation of the electric aggregation program after residents were made aware the city's contract with Dynegy would be ending May 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A letter available through the Ohio Public Utilities Commission on Friday, April 18 showed that the city agreed to a new contract with Archer Energy, something the city announced after the meeting. "Beginning with June billing, the program will be under the new contract," Lima finance director Meri Foster said. "And it stays the same. You won't see a difference except for the changing rate for supply." The new fixed rate for the program will amount to $0.0945 per kWh, which marks a 20 percent increase. A consultant from Trebel Energy told council at its previous meeting how rates for all customers would be increasing due to demand outpacing supply as soon as June of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the city said it chose to lock in base energy rates now due to the uncertainty of future capacity rates. Foster said the rate would remain lower than AEP rates. "I think it's important to understand that electricity is going up overall," she said. "In total, the aggregation is still going to save money." The letter notifies residents that enrollment is automatic, and if they choose to opt-out of the program, they can send an attached form back to the city. Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399. Featured Local Savings LISBON, N.Y. (WWTI) A 20-year-old Lisbon man is facing grand larceny charges after allegedly falsifying business documents. According to the New York State Police, Jordan Foster was arrested for second-degree grand larceny, as the property value exceeded $50,000. North Lawrence woman charged with multiple animal cruelty counts Just after 3 p.m. October, 22, 2024, state troopers were informed of an employee falsifying documents at the Advocacy and Resource Center or ARC. An investigation revealed that Foster had been allegedly been falsifying documents related to time worked and mileage reimbursement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had been hired to care for a family member in November 2022 and continued in that role until August 2024. During this period, Foster would allegedly clock in, claiming to be working and caring for the family member, while working at a different job. Also, he submitted false mileage reimbursement invoices from January 2023 to July 2024. The total amount he falsified, including Community Habilitation and mileage, was $117,415.94. Foster was arrested and taken to the state police headquarters in Canton for processing. He was arraigned in the Town of Canton Court and released on his own recognizance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lattie Coor School in Avondale saw an increase in students' literacy rates thanks to their Literacy Hub, a supplemental reading program that launched in the 2022-23 school year and is as much for parents as it is for students. Gone are the days where parents were separate from the school, said Principal Geovanni Orozco. We know that a child comes with a family. Lattie Coor, part of the Avondale Elementary School District, had 77% of students in the 2023-24 school year meet or exceed benchmarks under the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills assessment, a widely used method to determine literacy skills among kindergartners to eighth graders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same school year, thirty-seven students whose abilities were far below expectations for the DIBELS assessment participated in the Literacy Hub. By the end of the year, 83% of those students met or exceeded expectations. It's all new and different from when I was a child and learning, said parent Isabel Garcia, whose family has worked with the Literacy Hub. Garcia struggled to help her older kids with their learning materials because she was unfamiliar with the curriculum. Now, with her younger boys, she knows what they're doing in class, so we know how to go about it at home." I have another year of doing it, and I'm gonna miss it once he's done with first grade," Garcia said of her kindergartner, Benjamin. Third grade reading proficiency an indicator of future school success The Literacy Hub was created with Valley of the Sun United Way to help more students become proficient in reading by the third grade. Lattie Coor, which serves kindergarten and first grade students, was approached to build a Literacy Hub because the district already had existing literacy partners, such as Read on Arizona, Read Better Be Better and Make Way For Books, building connections with families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three of five third-grade students are not proficient in reading for their grade level based on the Arizona Academic Standards Assessment, the statewide achievement test for third- to eighth-grade students. Education: Mesa Public Schools' pronoun proposal met with opposition from transgender students From birth to third grade, we're learning to read. And from third grade on, we're reading to learn, said Valley of the Sun United Way Community Development and Engagement Director Dawn Gerundo. If you don't have those strong foundational skills, it's just gonna get harder and harder. Third-grade students who arent reading at their grade level by the end of the year are four times more likely to drop out, according to Valley of the Sun United Way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Literacy Hub aims to address low literacy rates among students with evidence-based solutions such as one-to-one tutoring, using existing curriculum within schools and thirty minutes of reading practice twice a week. The Literacy Hub engages both students and parents Students participating in the Literacy Hub meet with their parents at the end of the school day before the kids split off into smaller groups based on grade and reading level. For 45 minutes twice per week, teachers play word games, read aloud and sound out individual letters with a handful of students. The teacher-to-student ratio is lower than a standard classroom, allowing instructors more freedom to offer individual help, such as when a student is stuck on a particular word or letter. Working in the small groups is a big help because it takes out a lot of that extra pressure of all the other students, said Literacy Hub Coordinator Emily Emhardt. They're able to see their growth, and they're not comparing themselves to the others that are at different levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents are not just waiting for their kids to finish their additional instruction during this time; they are actively learning and reviewing the same material as their kids with an instructor. When students and parents reconvene for the final 15 minutes of the day, they can practice together and ask questions. Parents participating in the Literacy Hub also learn how their kids will be tested and what the tests will cover. As a parent myself, I use a lot of my own experiences and what I went through with my own kids, and I use it when I'm teaching the parents, said the district's administrator for academic achievement among homeless youth, Maggie Tovar. Tovar leads the instruction in both English and Spanish for parents. She explains jargon that parents might encounter when preparing for standardized testing, so they can better understand what students should expect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now they know what to look out for, they know how to practice at home, and it shows in the students' test scores, Tovar said. The learning material is broken down into essential sounds and individual letters, making it accessible to both parents and students who dont speak English as their primary language. Before he would become more frustrated, and I was showing him in a way that was very different, said Mariaelena Duarte of her son Ehitan, who would become overwhelmed when practicing timed reading tests. In the Literacy Hub, Duarte learned that DIBELS assessment scores were based on the total number of words read, and helped divert Ehitans focus away when stuck on individual words to instead move on and complete as much as possible for a higher score. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now with these lessons, he is much, much better, and I know how to help him," Duarte said. Arizona schools: How districts are responding to Trump administration's DEI crackdown Lattie Coor has all teachers within the school participate in the Literacy Hub so parents do not see a separation and they just see it as an extension of Lattie Coor, said Orozco, the principal. Incoming parents are invited by the school to join, and existing parents are sent announcements and reminders via an app that parents use to stay connected to the school. Tovar said that the biggest attractor for the Literacy Hub is word-of-mouth because parents listen to parents." Once parents start to see the benefits and resources provided, she believes more families naturally follow suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lattie Coor avoided making the Literacy Hub a year-long commitment as it might be intimidating for families. Instead, the program is broken into quarters and students "graduate" at the end of each session, with parents usually coming back for the next quarter or school year, Orozco said. The Literacy Hub makes it a point to let parents know the importance of attendance and how quickly a student can fall behind because of school absences. Teachers and administrators find that involvement with the Literacy Hub has increased students' overall attendance. Literacy Hub provides families with resources beyond reading lessons The Literacy Hub also serves as a resource center for families. Students can check out materials to practice at home, and GED books and ESL courses are available for parents. United Way has reached out to parents asking them what resources theyd find most helpful and has brought on the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration, an organization that helps people access and use technology, and Mountain Park Health Center, a nonprofit health care provider with several clinics in the Valley, to teach parents about medical terms and how to read prescriptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hub also looks to teach parents about financial literacy and other roadblocks that might be impacting their childs learning. If our families don't know how they're going to be able to pay their bill, there's a good chance that they're gonna be more worried about that than sitting down playing and reading with their child, said United Way's Gerundo. These additional resources are intended to help parents spend less time worrying about their day-to-day, and spend more time practicing with their kids. The Literacy Hub has become a safe space for parents where they can get the resources they need without being looked down on," Tovar said. When we support the parents, it trickles down to the students, and it trickles down to how they participate in class." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coverage of education solutions on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is partially supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundations Arizona Community Collaborative Fund. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Avondale school program is boosting literacy by involving parents KIEV, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday that Ukraine will hold peace talks with the United Kingdom, France, and the United States in London on Wednesday. "Already this Wednesday, our representatives will be working in London," Zelensky wrote on social media platform X after phone talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. "We are ready to move forward as constructively as possible, just as we have done before, to achieve an unconditional ceasefire, followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace," he said. The president emphasized that an unconditional ceasefire must be the first step toward peace. Zelensky also noted that he and Starmer discussed joint work within European security formats. In early April, after Pete Hegseth returned from a trip to Panama, the last person to step off the plane before the defense secretary himself was a colonel wearing slacks and a pullover. This was Ricky Buria, Hegseths junior military assistant and one of the only holdovers from the last secretarys team. Buria, who has sharp black hair with a gray streak in the front, has gained unique status in the last three months not only in the secretarys inner circle but perhaps the entire Pentagon. He was appointed under the last administration but has rapidly gained Hegseths trust, and with it newfound power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Buria resigned his post in the Marine Corps and is now transitioning into a new role as one of Hegseths senior civilian advisors. Multiple sources who spoke for this story said hes being considered for a higher position, potentially even chief of staff. And yet, his ascendance remains a mystery to many current and former defense officials, some of whom were allowed to speak anonymously for this story to avoid retaliation. Over the last week, Hegseth has fired two handpicked aides and longtime friends, ostensibly over a leaks investigation, which they deny. His chief of staff, Joe Kasper, will also soon transition to a new role, Hegseth said Tuesday. In the meantime, Buria has gone from carrying the secretarys bags to now attending meetings with foreign counterparts and giving Hegseth advice on matters from personnel to media strategy. Some current and former officials are wondering whether hes qualified for the new job, and how a secretary so intent on removing Biden-era appointees came to trust one so much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proximity is power, a source familiar with the internal dynamics said. He was around the secretary more than anybody else. Body man Buria started the year as the secretarys junior military assistant, a post he took on last April for Hegseths predecessor, Lloyd Austin. The role abbreviated as JMA is a prestigious assignment, often reserved for promising young officers destined for successful careers in the military services. But in practice much of the work is procedural. Multiple sources described the job as a body man, tasked with shepherding the secretarys documents and equipment nearly at all times. If Hegseth needs to take a call, for example, its Burias responsibility to get him the phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats where the role ends, though. Unlike more senior military or civilian aides, the JMA doesnt usually shape the substance of the secretarys work. Two former defense officials described Buria as apolitical, industrious and professional, even if he at times showed interest in more senior jobs. He would have preferred other roles to the junior military assistant, one former official said of Buria. That much was clear. Still, the former official continued, working directly with the secretary of defense is a competitive environment that rewards ambitious people. Its normal for those on the team, even at more junior levels, to want more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His opportunity to do so came in January, when Hegseth was narrowly confirmed as Austins replacement. Hegseth entered the job with no experience in government and a relatively junior military career, retiring as a major. As a media personality, he often argued that general and flag officers had themselves become political, obsessed with diversity under the Biden administration. In February, when Hegseth began firing such officers including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of naval operations and Air Force vice chief of staff he also removed his own senior military assistant, who was first appointed by Austin. Buria survived the firings, and in a highly unusual move became the acting senior military assistant, normally reserved for three-star officers. Buria, pictured to the right, regularly joins the secretary's workout sessions, like this one with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at Fort Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., April 17, 2025. (U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza) Heavy lifting At the time, the rationale behind keeping him in the post was that Buria was relatively junior and the secretary couldnt fire everyone from the former team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth later tapped Lt. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, commander of the Eighth Army in South Korea, for the role. By serving in the position temporarily, Buria was filling an urgent gap. Ricky was only the SMA because he was the only guy standing, a defense official said. Still, the new role struck others as odd for a secretary who was firing so many officials promoted during the last administration. The biggest thing to note here is just how unusual it is for a Biden appointee, albeit a military officer, to be moved into this position, the first source said. That concern grew while Buria became closer to Hegseth. As an assistant, Buria traveled with the secretary almost everywhere. And in Hegseths many workout photos posted online, Buria is often right beside him running nearby in one, standing behind an American flag in another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In private, too, Buria took on more of an advisory role. The secretarys senior military assistant is a crucial position, tasked with helping shape military strategy and serving as an ambassador to the Joint Chiefs, Americas board of top military officers. Notwithstanding, Buria was offering input on a range of issues from personnel policy to public affairs to day-to-day operational plans, two sources said. In the secretarys calls with U.S. combatant commanders, Buria would share ideas on military strategy, at times to their annoyance. When he was conveying orders from the secretary to the COCOMs and to the Joint Staff, there was a lot of friction, said the first source. During Austins time as secretary, Buria wouldnt be in the room for most sensitive meetings, including those with foreign counterparts. Thats since changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the trip to Panama, Buria was present for talks with the countrys government, including as the two sides discussed access to the Panama Canal. When El Salvadors defense minister visited Washington last week, Buria sat at the main table, two seats from Hegseth. Buria sits two seats to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's right during a meeting with El Salvador Minister of National Defense Rene Francis Merino Monroy, April 16, 2025. (U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza) Easter message Burias status has risen so quickly in part out of need. Hegseths team has already been thin while waiting for new officials to be appointed or confirmed. Then, last week, the secretary fired his deputy chief of staff and a senior adviser, alongside the deputy secretary of defenses chief of staff. During a Tuesday interview with Fox & Friends, Hegseths former network show, he confirmed his own chief of staff is also soon changing jobs. Multiple defense officials said Buria is being considered as a replacement, though some doubted that the White House personnel office which has final say on staffing and vets appointees for disloyalty would tap someone from the last administration to such a key job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others questioned whether a person so junior could handle the role. The chief of staff is one of the Pentagons most senior positions, advising the secretary on everything from policy to managing the media to working with Congress. Those who enter the job often have political acumen and extensive time in Washington. Late last week, Buria began an early retirement from the Marine Corps, entering terminal leave that will last through June. Normally, officers have a cooling off period before they can enter civilian roles, which can span years for those who held more senior ranks. That said, the requirement can be waived, and Buria is already transitioning into an advisory position. A spokesperson for Hegseth did not reply to questions asking whether Buria had already entered the job, who the current chief of staff is and whether Buria is a potential replacement. Buria couldnt be reached for comment. I have never seen one of the military assistants make that shift from a uniformed to a civilian adviser, the former defense official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, two days after beginning leave, Buria opened an account on the social media app X, where many of the secretarys advisers spend the day posting messages promoting their work at the Pentagon. He has since reposted messages from President Donald Trump, Hegseth and several administration accounts that often target the media. Some labeled reports that the White House may replace Hegseth as lies. On Sunday, Buria liked several messages posted for Easter, including one from his boss. He is Risen! Hegseth wrote. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A local artist is helping a father heal after his 3-year-old son was shot and killed last week in Youngstown. Read next: 100+ mph police chase started as suspected street race: Report Keilub Paul died shortly after he was shot around 5 p.m. on April 14 in a south side home. Police said Monday prosecutors have been consulted and charges are pending after his death. First News spoke with Keilubs father, Robert Paul, in the driveway of his home on Pointview Avenue, just down the street from where Keilub was fatally shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pain that I feel, yes, is astronomical. I cant even put this into words of how me being right here so close to home and having this happen makes me feel like I failed, Robert said. Robert said his son was funny and energetic. I was with him on Sunday, the Sunday before this happened, Robert said. He loved trucks. He was real he was real vibrant with everything that he did. Me and him always would walk around, and we would go to the park. Local artist Ron Moore Jr. presented a portrait of Keilub to Robert at his home on Monday afternoon. Robert said the portrait Moore presented him captured Keilub and his sister Knareigh perfectly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that my son has that same smile when, every time he saw me, makes me feel even better, Robert said. Robert said hes been struggling in the aftermath of his sons death and he wakes up every day in disbelief that its real. Im going to miss those days of my very first son, my only son. Now, hes gone, Robert said. He asks the community to remember Keilub, not for how he died, but for how loving he was. He may be gone, but he cannot in any way, shape or form be forgotten. Keilub Michael Paul just remember him, Robert said. Joe Gorman contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Catholic Diocese of Peoria, along with Catholics the world over, began a nine-day period of mourning following Pope Franciss death. A Mass was held at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Downtown Peoria to honor Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. He was 88 It was a somber feeling throughout the church as a prayer was read in honor of the former pontiff, who headed the Church for 12 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In announcing his death, the Holy See said Francis taught the world about to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love. Locally, Bishop Louis Tylka said Francis was a moral compass for everyone in the Catholic community. His call for all of us to open our minds, our hearts to everyone. Allow us to be able to connect, to care for Gods creation, to see human dignity, to work for peace in our world. He was just a moral voice, a leader for the world. And I think the whole world mourns his loss today, he said. Francis death came less than 24 hours after he appeared in Saint Peters Square in Vatican City on Easter Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pontiff had ties to Central Illinois in that he approved a miracle that was to lead to the beatification of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen. That would been the second step in the process to declare Sheehan a Saint. The approval came in 2019 and the beatification was to be later that year but was postponed by the Vatican. It was not immediately clear when it might happen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The shockwaves of Pope Francis death at 88 years old reached the local Roman Catholic community in the Fountain City. Greg Camps has attended St. Anne Pacelli Catholic Church for 28 years, and he thought seeing the Pope during an Easter mass at the Vatican was a positive turn for his health. I was excited to see him yesterday, I thought he was on the mend. When I saw it this morning at about 5:30 I saw it on my phone, I just thought Oh My Gosh. I was shocked, said Camp. The beloved late pontiff was the first Latin American to serve in that role. Despite holding the highest position in the Catholic Church, parishioners will remember him as a more of the common mans Pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that I saw in him a person who was very real, human and approachable. And a person that came from the common man, said St. Anne Pacelli Pastor Scott Winchel. You know he didnt live a luxurious lifestyle like he was entitled to as The Pope. He lived in a cottage for guests. He went down and got his meals and ate in the cafeteria with everybody else. If he was late he was going to microwave them. So he was a man of the people, said Camp. Now Pope Francis leading the Catholic Church wasnt without controversy. He was faced with dealing with the child sexual abuse allegations against the Catholic Church. However, Pope Francis always made efforts to embrace and connect marginalized members of society. He didnt change policies of the Catholic Church, Revered Winchil praised the last pope on his sympathy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know I really like his approach to listen to people of all walks of life. Whether they were prisoners or whether they experienced abuse, or somebody who has suffered. He just shows a great light of sympathy and concern for those people, said Rev. Winchil. The church will elect a new Pope soon, but many will remember Pope Francis as a man who spent time among his flock. Yes, he spoke a lot. He talked a lot. But the things that people will remember are his actions, said Rev. Winchil. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) Locals and visitors paid their respects with prayers inside of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist to honor Pope Francis on Monday. Pope Francis dies at 88 WSAV spoke with several individuals exiting noon Mass Monday. We were sad. But, he had lived a great life. He had served as a pope in a great way, Richard Potter said. Helen Willoughby agreed that it was quite a shock to wake up to the news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was very surprised this morning when I saw it on the news, considering that he spoke at the Vatican yesterday, she said. While many are sad about the news, many Catholics stand strong on the legacy the pope will leave behind. I think he very much wanted his papacy to be characterized by a love for the poor, by showing forth the humility of the church and trying to be an example of that in his own life, Father Drew Larkin, Parochial Vicar at Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist said. Kyle Wyborski told News 3 he was known for being a role model for all. He put a lot of emphasis just on love and mercy and compassion towards other people, Wyborski said. I think that he was a very gentle figure, and I think especially for people kind of outside the church or maybe who didnt necessarily know a lot about the Catholic faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Father Larkin told WSAV there is a certain beauty in when he passed. Theres a beauty that its still Easter during the Octave of Easter that Pope Francis dies, he said. Obviously Easter is a celebration of the resurrection, the cries of victory over death. There is a beauty, and I think theres a providence thats is somehow within this Several people we spoke with are looking ahead to a pope that will bring strong unity among people and churches. So much of religion has become entwined with political because of the moral issues, Sally Kennedy said. But, if the holy spirit will give us a unifying pope, one who loves the truth speaks the truth with love and charity, and also gets out there with the people, as all of our last several popes have done, I think that would be wonderful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be a special mass on Tuesday for Pope Francis starting at 6 p.m. at Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Bishop Parkes statement on the death of Pope Francis Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HIGH POINT Catholics from across the High Point area are mourning the death of Pope Francis on Monday but also are celebrating the life of the religious leader who devoted himself to touching lives of people across the globe. Francis died at the age of 88 after a period of declining health. His last appearance was during an Easter Sunday service at the Vatican. The pope greeted thousands of people gathered for the occasion in St. Peters Square. High Point businessman and lifelong Catholic Steve Ilderton said that Francis was very well-respected in the United States Catholic Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the legacies of Francis is his campaign to make the church open to more people of various backgrounds, Ilderton told The High Point Enterprise. If he would have lived, he probably would have gone into more liberating practices, Ilderton said. Diocese of Charlotte Bishop Michael Martin, whose area includes Guilford, Davidson and Randolph counties, said that he was deeply saddened by the death of Francis. I am certain that all people of good will rejoice with us that this man of faith has finished the race, and we pray that he will receive the reward which we have all been promised by our merciful God who has saved us from the finality of death, Martin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Diocese of Charlotte covers 46 counties in western and central North Carolina encompassing about 550,000 Catholics. The diocese also includes 93 churches, 20 schools and more than 50 ministries. Francis, who was born and came of age in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first pope from Latin America. Francis was named the 266th pope in 2013. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A local vigil for the late Pope Francis brought together dozens at a church in Dayton. After 12 years of service to the Catholic church, locals gathered for an opportunity to pay their respects to the late pope. Miami Valley Catholic community mourns passing of Pope Francis Pope Francis was the first pope from South America, and to some here in the Miami Valley, an inspiration. He taught us to live the values of the gospel with fidelity, with courage and with universal love, said Father Satish Joseph, pastor of NE7 Family of parishes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are the words of local clergy as they remember a leader that stood out to them. They chose to honor the former pope and bring the community together for one final goodbye at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Dayton. Like anyone you truly love, you think theyre going to live forever when you know in your heart, theyre not, said Will Sorensen, attended service Those at the vigil reminisced on Pope Francis feats his strong advocacy for the less fortunate and his dedication to the church, even in his final days. He defied the deathbed. He was a pope that died in action, as weak and frail, as close to death as he was, he was close to the people, and that speaks to the kind of pope he was, said Father Joseph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some recalled their own memories of the pope. He was a very good man, said Maria Espino, attended service. I would always see him on the TV, and I love how he talks to people, he loves people. Local churchgoers say Pope Francis leaves behind an incredible legacy. Hes done some controversial things in the church, but hes also done some good things in the church, too, said Sorenson. Pope Francis had strong views against abortion and ordaining women, but also advocated for the treatment of LGBTQ people in the church and championed the plight of migrants. Following the popes death, cardinals from around the world will convene in a conclave in the Vatican City, where the election for a new pope will begin in a few weeks. Those in the Miami Valley hope to see someone similar to Pope Francis fill his shoes next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would think we would want to have someone of a similar type of pope, said Sorenson. I think that would be good. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Apr. 22MASSENA A local pastor had a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican several times during his papacy. The Rev. Donald C. Curry was the lead pastor at New Testament Church in Massena from 1994 until 2016 when he and his wife, Mary, began planting a new church in Plattsburgh. He was also involved in the "John 17 Movement," which took him to Rome six times, including four times with his wife, to meet with the pope, who died Monday at the age of 88. John 17 refers to the chapter of the Gospel when Jesus Christ prayed for his believers to unite and display a love for all of his followers. The John 17 Movement was started by Joseph Tosini, who serves as the organization's director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curry said it was "devastating" to wake up Monday and learn that the pope had died. He had met with Pope Francis in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and his last visit was in November 2023. "Devastating, because each time we went he gave us between two and three hours just to converse about his goal," he said. "The last four times, we stayed in his home. It was really such a privilege." The pope's goal, he said, was the same as the goal of the John 17 Movement uniting churches. The organization's vision notes, "The John 17 Movement is a contagious call to all professing Christians to relate together properly, beckoning us to embrace the final prayer of Jesus." "What drove him was relational reconciliation in the church of the three main divisions. He spent the last four years of his papacy focusing on how can we bring people together within the Roman Catholic church and, of course, other branches of the church. That's what we spent our time discussing and working on," Curry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All totalled, he said they spent between 12 and 15 hours with Pope Francis. "We got to know him. He would dismiss all the security and we'd be in a room alone with him and we just talked. He was funny, witty, extremely humble, deeply compassionate, and probably the wisest person I've ever sat with. He so reflected, in my opinion, the heart of Jesus for the world." Curry said he asked the Rev. Mark R. Reilly, pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Massena, to join them. "We had an amazing time together in front of Francis. In fact, when the meeting started, Joe Tosini, who is the director of John 17, said, 'Why don't you and Mark share your story with Francis.' So, together we shared what's been happening in Massena and Mark shared a very personal, very humbling story in front of Francis, and he had all of us crying. It was such a special moment for Mark and I could be there together with Francis," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reilly joined other members of John 17 in meeting the pope in what he said was an intimate setting, and he said it was a meeting to remember. "It was surreal. I remember thinking to myself, 'This isn't really happening,'" he said. "It wasn't a huge audience. There was maybe 40 of us. I remember he needed a wheelchair back then. I think his knee was giving him a lot of trouble just a couple of years ago now, but he still got out of wheelchair and made his way around. There was a circle of about the 40 of us, and he just looked each one in the eye and shook everyone's hand and made his way around. It was quite something." He said there were back and forth conversations, laughter, "and some deep, deep reflections in response to questions" during the two hours he spent with Pope Francis. Now, it's time for mourning, Reilly said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's 20 years ago this month that John Paul II died. It's been 20 years since we've had the death of a pope while he was in office," he said. Terry R. LaValley, bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, also met with Pope Francis. "He was a much-loved pope. He occupied the chair of Peter with great humility and tremendous love for those in society who are hurting and marginalized," LaValley said in a statement. He said the state of families was a topic of concern for the pope. "During our ad limina visit, we, the bishops from around New York, gathered in a circle, and we each had an opportunity to ask the Holy Father a question. I asked him what kept him up at night. His response was very telling. He said it was the state of the family today. He talked about issues in his own family and questions related to marriage. He talked about building up families in support of children. I was very touched by his sharing of such personal stories related to the condition of his own family and how that troubled him, as well as how the general state of the family today troubled him. It's an encounter I'll never forget," LaValley said. Apr. 22Two local nonprofit organizations will have new leaders next month. The Lodi Community Foundation board of directors announced Monday that Louis Ponick will take over as president and CEO on May 27. In addition, the San Joaquin Community Foundation board announced Michael Duffy will become the organization's new president and CEO on May 1. Duffy will replace Ponick at SJCF, who spent five years with the nonprofit, most recently as interim CEO since September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have spent my professional life in the nonprofit sector, and nothing has been more rewarding than my time working with community foundations," Ponick said. "I'm honored to lead the Lodi Community Foundation as we build strong partnerships, support nonprofits, and invest in a vibrant future for our city and beyond." During his tenure at SJCF, Ponick helped expand the foundation's assets from $18 million to more than $40 million. His career includes roles as national director of major and planned gifts for the Foundation to Support Animal Protection, executive director of the Save Mart Employee Association, and CFO/COO of the Pediatric Dental Initiative. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Sonoma State University and a master's degree from California State University, Sacramento. Ponick is also a graduate of Leadership Lodi and has long been active in regional community projects and nonprofit boards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are thrilled to have Louis as our new CEO," LCF board chair John Ledbetter said. "He brings decades of experience working with community foundations and nonprofits. As a former board member of LCF, he has played a vital role in our growth. His leadership will guide us into a new era of impact and service." Duffy is a familiar face in the community, as he has been integral in nonprofit sector as a board member, administrator, and founder of several successful charities in the region. He earned his undergraduate degree in international relations from San Francisco State University and holds an international master's degree from Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business. "I'm especially passionate about our region's future and all the opportunities it brings be it youth development, fostering the regional healthcare system, increasing local economic opportunity, and simply making the 209 a better place to live," he said. "This opportunity allows me to merge my professional experience with my personal commitment to community service. I look forward to serving the community I love in this new capacity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both foundations said Duffy and Ponick can further support local needs and initiatives. Currently, SJCF manages $41 million in assets, while LCF is expected to surpass $40 million in 2025, due in part to a transformational legacy gift from the late Sheila Wishek earlier this year that will provide long-term support to local causes. "Both of our organizations are fortunate to have two exceptional leaders stepping into these roles," SJCF board chair Peter Ragsdale said. "Our board is deeply grateful for Louis's leadership during a time of transition, and we're equally excited to welcome Michael and his wealth of experience as we enter our next chapter." JOHANNESBURG, April 22 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, discussing issues of mutual interest. Ramaphosa confirmed the conversation in a post on the social media platform X on Tuesday, saying "Yesterday, I had the pleasure to once again interact with Russian President Vladimir Putin over a telephone call. We both affirmed the strong bilateral relations between our respective countries." According to Ramaphosa, the two leaders expressed their commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. "South Africa will continue engaging all interested and affected parties, including the government of Ukraine on finding a path to peace," he said. The phone call came just days ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's scheduled visit to South Africa on Thursday. The South African Presidency confirmed that the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be among the issues discussed during Zelensky's visit. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) A new bill written by Senator Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute) has been voted through 39-3 on April 17 and now heads to the governors desk. Senate Enrolled Act 448 (SEA 448) is stated to strengthen the Indiana Commission on Higher Education in its ability to approve programs at public colleges and universities, and review new and existing degree programs to ensure both growth in enrollment and connectivity to workforce demands. SEA 448 will also allow the Indiana Secretary of Education to be more diligent in creating what the bill refers to as stackable credentials. This would allow students to earn multiple credentials at once for completing courses that have overlapping requirements. Terre Haute Symphonys long-time conductor honored by Senate Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill places the success of our future workforce at the forefront of Indianas post-secondary education system, Goode said. I am optimistic that this legislation and its added measures will be pivotal in offering our students the pathways they need to feel prepared in a constantly changing economy. If you are in Indiana State Senate District 38, Senator Goode encouraged residents to contact him with any questions or comments. You can contact Senator Goode by filling out a form at this link or by calling 800-382-9467. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Teamsters General President Sean M. OBrien will rally with Teamsters Local 117 members at Mauser Packaging Solutions, Inc. today in solidarity with union employees who were apparently locked out of work. According to the union, on April 14, Mauser shut the doors on a group of 20 members of Local 117 who repurpose steel barrels at the companys Industrial Containers Services facility. The company unexpectedly initiated the lockout during contract negotiations. Teamsters have been picketing at the facility since then, calling on the company to end the lockout and bargain in good faith, the union said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teamsters will be joined by Local 117 Secretary-Treasurer Paul Dascher, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, and Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO President April Sims. We wont allow a huge multinational like Mauser to bully workers who are speaking out for better conditions, OBrien said. These workers are the companys bread and butter and deserve to be treated with respect. Mauser needs to end this brutal lockout, stop harming workers and the Seattle community, and bargain a fair contract with sustainable hours and family-supporting pay. In a statement to KIRO 7, Mauser said: Mauser is committed to reaching a negotiated resolution regarding the situation at the Seattle facility. The last, best, and final offer (LBFO) presented to the Teamsters Union on April 11, 2025, is still open for acceptance or ratification (WKBN) As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, locals are remembering the Pontiff for enriching their own lives. The Holy Father was known for being charming and humble, almost shunning pomp and privilege. Its what allowed him to connect with people, and what stands out to anyone who has ever crossed paths with Pope Francis. You never think youre going to get that one-on-one interaction with him, said First News Meteorologist Craig Ziobert. Ziobert met and shook hands with Pope Francis back in 2023 as part of a retreat to the Vatican while in the seminary. Being able to look right into his eyes and shake his hands All I got to say was grazie thank you. The interaction was brief but powerful, and even in the seconds-long exchange, Francis showcased his trademark personality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The love that he had for all peoples, he kept that moment just for me and for each one of us that was there. Thats something thats going to live with me forever, too, Ziobert said. The Holy Fathers graciousness was also not lost on a chance encounter for Levio Baldarelli III. He and his wife, celebrating just days after getting married with a trip to the Vatican, dressed in full wedding attire and had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with Pope Francis. After we shook hands with him, I said to him in Italian that we got married last Wednesday, in Naples, said Baldarelli III. And he said, Oh, congratulations.' But it was what happened next that truly took his breath away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We go to turn around, and I look to my wife, and I said, I cant move my feet. And I looked at her, thinking shed say, Whats wrong with you? She said the exact same thing. Thats when I could feel the goosebumps. The Holy Spirit had to have washed over us at that point. The Baldarellis moment with Pope Francis is now frozen in time with a photograph Time thats so precious, and these folks feeling blessed they were able to share some of it with The Holy Father. The fact that we got married in Italy, get to be blessed by the Pope. And then get to come home and share that story with everyone is the most rewarding part, Baldarelli III said. Pope Francis will be buried in Romes Basilica of St. Mary Major rather than St. Peters Basilica, where most popes are buried. Theres a unique connection between the two, and its part of a designation here in the Valley, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our Lady of Mount Carmel was given a Spiritual Bond with St. Mary Major last year, a unique designation given to 300 Marian shrines throughout the world, forever linking Pope Francis to the basilica here in the Mahoning Valley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Lockheed Martin plans to fold technologies it developed in its unsuccessful bid for the Air Forces Next Generation Air Dominance platform into the F-35 and F-22 Raptor to create a supercharged fifth-generation fighter, company executives said. Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet told investors in a Tuesday earnings call the company is not going to challenge the Air Forces March 21 decision to award the F-47 contract to Boeing. Instead, he said, the company will focus on upgrading the F-35 and F-22 Raptor fighters with sixth-generation technology. There are techniques and capabilities that were developed for [our NGAD bid] that we can now apply here, Taiclet said. Were basically going to take the [F-35s] chassis and turn it into a Ferrari. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiclet said souping up fifth-generation fighters like this would allow Lockheed to deliver 80% of the capability, potentially, at 50% of the cost per unit aircraft. Eventually, therell be 3,500 of those [F-35] chassis out there at various stages of technology and capability [worldwide], Taiclet said. We think we can get most of the way to sixth-gen at half the cost. Some advanced technologies are already in the works for the F-35s Block 4 upgrades, he said. Taiclet also pointed to Lockheed Martins success using F-35s and F-22s to control autonomous drone wingmen, which the Air Force calls collaborative combat aircraft. The concept of upgrading one generation of a fighter with technology from the next generation has occurred before, with Boeings F-15EX. That jet, the Eagle II, is a modernized version of the fourth-generation F-15, loaded with fifth-generation technologies such as advanced avionics and electronic warfare capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiclet referred to the potential upgraded F-35s as fifth-generation-plus a description reminiscent of the way F-15EXs are sometimes called 4.5-generation aircraft. The government funded some of the sixth-gen technologies Lockheed has in mind for the F-35 as part of NGAD research, Taiclet said, and Lockheed self-funded others. Better passive infrared sensors, which could allow the jet to detect enemies at a greater distance without alerting the enemy to your location, was one example of the tech Taiclet said future fighters will need. In a White House meeting, Taiclet said President Donald Trump declared, Dogfights are not what we want anymore in air-to-air combat. We want to shoot the other guys before he even knows were there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stealth technology developed for Lockheeds NGAD bid which include low-observable materials, geometries and countermeasures could make it even harder for enemy forces to find those jets, Taiclet said. And sixth-generation-intended tracking technologies and longer-range weapons could also make the F-35 more deadly, he said. The U.S. government would get the first look at any sixth-gen technologies Lockheed might add to the F-35, Taiclet said. The company also wants to be able to export those technologies to friendly nations that also buy the F-35, he said, but the U.S. would have the final say on what would be exportable. Our goal is to make as much of this capability that we can exportable to allies, Taiclet said. We try to design [technology] in a way thats hopefully an easier decision for exportability than a harder one. Taiclet said the Air Force debriefed Lockheed Martin on the NGAD decision, and the company is analyzing the services feedback. Taiclet would not discuss details on the NGAD debriefing, citing it was classified. Apr. 22STOCKTON Several local religious and political leaders commented on the death of Pope Francis Monday, offering prayers and condolences to remember the life of the 266th leader of the Catholic Church. "Today, we join with people across San Joaquin County and around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis," San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors chair Paul Canepa said. "As the leader of the Catholic Church, he was a powerful voice for compassion, dignity, and justice. His humility, warmth, and unwavering commitment to the poor and marginalized resonated far beyond religious boundaries. For the many Catholics in our community and for countless others of all faiths, his legacy of kindness, service, and humanity will continue to inspire. May he rest in peace." Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis was the church's first Latin American pontiff, appointed to the post in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking his name from St. Francis of Assissi, he was also the first pope from the Jesuit Order and the first born or raised outside of Europe since the eighth century Syrian pope Gregory III. The Vatican said Pope Francis died of a stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure. Bishop Marion Cotta of the Stockton Diocese asked those in local Catholic congregations to remember Francis in their prayers during the Octave of Easter. "Let us keep him and the Church in our prayers during this Easter Season," Cotta said. "May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace." The Cathedral of the Annunciation, located at 400 W. Rose St. in Stockton, hosted a bilingual Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Mass beginning on Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The diocese said parishes throughout the county were planning special services to honor Francis, but details were not available at press time. In a social media post Monday, St. Mary's High School in Stockton said students were able to meet Francis during a European excursion to St. Peter's Square in Vatican City several years ago. "In the summer of 2018, student representatives from Saint Mary's waited patiently for hours to share a blessed moment with our beloved Pope Francis," the school said. "It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for members of our Ram Family." Bishop Jaime Soto of the Sacramento Diocese said he remembered the day Bergoglio stepped out on St. Peter Basilica's balcony as pope. Before imparting his first apostolic blessing, Soto said Francis asked the crowds of the piazza, as well as those watching online, to pray for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What followed was a stillness a calm that may have encircled the globe," Soto said. "We were one Church united in prayer for the newly elected Holy Father as he began his pilgrimage of hope." Soto encountered Francis several months afterward during World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, where he spoke about Jesus planting the seed of his word into the hearts of the young. "He asked the boisterous multitude to be quiet, to let the seed go deep into their souls, and let Jesus speak to their hearts," Soto said. "The rowdy rustling of the youthful crowd took on the stillness of sacred sanctuary, with only the soft rhythmic murmurs of the waves lapping on the sands. Everyone waited for the word of Jesus to speak to them." In a statement issued Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Francis led with his love of peace and creation, and sought to protect and lift up the vulnerable. "He championed human dignity, especially that of the poor, called the world to urgent climate action, condemned the death penalty, and confronted painful truths including the Church's role in the genocide of Indigenous peoples," Newsom said. "His papacy was characterized by moral courage, a profound respect for all creation, and a deep conviction in the transformative power of love to heal and unite. As we mourn His Holiness, we honor him by choosing to believe that a better world is possible through grace and kindness, and through fellowship with our neighbors, no matter our differences." LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A gaming industry insider has been selected to take the help at the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the enforcement arm of the state agency charged with regulating casinos. Gov. Joe Lombardo on Monday announced his choice of Mike Dreitzer to lead the board. Current NGCB Chairman Kirk Hendrick said he expects a smooth transition when he steps down at the end of this years session of the Nevada Legislature. Im pleased to announce Mike Dreitzer as the incoming Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Lombardo said in a news release. Mike has an extensive background in gaming compliance and brings decades of industry experience to the role. Im confident that Mike will lead the Nevada Gaming Control Board with integrity and honor, while furthering its recent innovation and progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dreitzer previously served as president of the North America division for Ainsworth Game Technology, Inc, COO (chief operating officer) of BMM Americas, a global gaming test lab and consultancy, and co-founder and COO of G3, a gaming content company, the news release said. Dreitzers experience in Nevada includes working as deputy attorney general, where he provided legal representation for the Nevada Gaming Commission and the NGCB. Dreitzer earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his law degree from Emory University. Im deeply honored by this appointment to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and Im grateful to Governor Lombardo for his confidence in me, Dreitzer said. I look forward to furthering the essential mission of the Board, while supporting its agents and staff to ensure the highest quality gaming regulation for our state. Hendrick, who is expected to leave on June 22, said, Handing over the gavel to Chairman Mike Dreitzer will be a smooth transition. Mike and I have known each other for almost 30 years going back to our days in the Attorney Generals Office. Mike is the perfect choice by Governor Lombardo based on Mikes long career in gaming law, government, regulatory compliance, and business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) A London 22-year-old was arrested on Monday following an indictment on multiple sex crime charges, including incest, sodomy, and rape. According to the Laurel County Sheriffs Office, Wyatt Collins, 22, was arrested around 3:20 p.m. on April 21 in the Blackwater Road area. Read more of the latest Kentucky news The arrest followed an indictment that was filed on April 18. FOX 56 obtained a copy that noted the alleged incidents date back to April 10, 2021, through Nov. 25, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over three years, court documents show that Collins allegedly forced the now teen to engage in sexual intercourse on at least two occasions. He faces two counts of first-degree rape, two counts of incest, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, and two counts of first-degree sodomy. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Collins is lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. on May 14, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. A man mourns a victim in front of crosses with names of victims near the Walmart center where a massive shooting took place, in El Paso, Texas, the United States, on Aug. 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) El Paso District Attorney James Montoya's office last month offered Crusius the plea deal to avoid the death penalty. HOUSTON, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Patrick Crusius, the shooter who killed 23 people in a 2019 attack targeting Hispanic migrants at a Walmart in El Paso, U.S. state of Texas, will not face the death penalty after he pleaded guilty in a state court on Monday. Instead, he was sentenced to 23 consecutive life sentences. El Paso District Attorney James Montoya's office last month offered Crusius the plea deal to avoid the death penalty. At the time, Montoya said he personally believed Crusius should be executed but the death penalty would delay a trial even further, noting that most of the victim's families just want the case's closure. Crusius was sentenced to 90 life terms in 2023 in his federal trial after pleading guilty. The 2019 attack is one of the deadliest shootings in the United States. The City of Long Beach will offer free gun storage safes to residents as part of an initiative to promote firearm safety and prevent gun-related injuries and deaths, officials announced Monday. Beginning April 28, the citys Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with its parks and recreation department, will distribute 200 gun safes on a first-come, first-served basis at locations across the city. The gun safes will be given away to any resident, no questions asked, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firearms are the leading cause of death among children in the United States, and officials say safe storage, in addition to responsible behavior and open conversation about firearms in homes, can greatly reduce the risk of unnecessary injuries and deaths. Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in a news release that nearly 4.6 million American children live in homes with unlocked and loaded guns. The gun safes, which weigh about 10 pounds and can hold two handguns, will be available at seven locations across the city during the following hours: Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.), weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Cesar E. Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.), weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Coolidge Park (352 E. Neece St.), weekdays 3 to 10 p.m. Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.), weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. MacArthur Park (1321 E. Anaheim St.), weekdays 3 to 6 p.m. Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.) weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Ron Arias Health Equity Center (6335 Myrtle Ave.), Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Anissa Davis, Long Beach City Health Officer, said using gun safes to store firearms reduces the risks of accidents, particularly among children, but also helps prevent unauthorized access, lowering the chances of firearm-related violence and suicide. The program is made possible through a one-time approval of funds in the 2025 city budget. The effort is part of a broader violence prevention strategy in Long Beach, officials said. Because firearms are prohibited on all city facilities, anyone interested in receiving a free safe must leave their weapon at home. For more information about preventing firearms-related deaths and injuries, visit besmartforkids.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Kalle Benallie ICT As one student put it, an auntie is going to guide Fort Lewis College toward the world we want to see after the college appointed its first Indigenous president. Heather Shotton, the incoming president, is tremendously honored. She was unanimously appointed on April 11 by the colleges board of trustees. Its a truly powerful moment for me personally and for my family and my community and for the Fort Lewis College campus, for our students, and everyone who's connected to the college. We all recognize that this is a historic moment and truly is powerful to be a part of this, Shotton said, who is Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and a Kiowa and Cheyenne descendant. Shotton was previously the vice president of diversity affairs at Fort Lewis in Durango, Colorado, for three years and was the acting dean of student engagement in 2024. She said it provided her a unique perspective about the student body. So much of the role has been student facing and focused on creating community and sense of belonging for our students here at Fort Lewis College so that they can be successful and that we can make sure that they graduate and have a good experience here, she said. One of those students includes Brittany Bitsilly, Dine, who served on the president search committee as the student representative. Representation matters, and I cant think of a better example than this moment at FLC. Like many of my peers, I see myself in Dr. Shotton's incredible journey, Bitsilly told ICT, who also was the first Indigenous woman to be president of the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College. Out of the entire student body population, Fort Lewis is home to 40 percent Native American and Alaska Native students. With the colleges history as a former federal Indian boarding school and now serves a large Native American and Alaska Native student population, Indigenous leadership at Fort Lewis has been long overdue, Bitsilly said. It feels especially fitting that a first-generation Indigenous matriarch who is a powerhouse in academia and committed to community-building now holds this position, Bitsilly said. Her love for this institution is palpable, and we are so thankful to have an auntie guide us toward the world we want to see. Multiple faculty and staff members are excited about the news. Carolina Alonso, an associate professor of borders and languages said Shottons appointment was met with applause. "When I shared the news with my class, the students cheered. Shotton is visible, respected, and deeply involved. Representation matters, and her presidency sends a powerful message, Alonso said in a press release. The director of the academic hub, Michelle Bonanno emphasized Shottons inclusive efforts. As one of the preeminent scholars on Native student success, shes the right leader for our academic mission and our future. Shes built initiatives that support first-generation students, LGBTQ+ students, and students from rural backgrounds. Her approach is always grounded in relationships and centered on student success, Bonanno said. Shottons connection to Fort Lewis is also through her daughter, who graduated last May, and her work with Native education and advocacy work. Shotton previously held leadership roles at small liberal arts colleges and large public research universities. She was the previous chair of the department of educational leadership and policy studies at the University of Oklahoma and board president of the National Indian Education Association. Shotton earned three degrees from the University of Oklahoma: a bachelors in Native American studies, a masters in human relations, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies. Related: Indigenizing the universities Fort Lewis Colleges connection to Native students Fort Lewiss early history includes being a military fort for eleven years and was then turned into a federal Indian boarding school from 1892 to 1909. It was originally built in Hesperus, Colorado, 16 miles southwest of Durango. Now the area is used for the colleges farmer training programs. Shotton said Fort Lewis is committed to reconciliation with that part of the colleges history through co-curricular engagement and healing and wellness for students. Its one of their five strategic directions reconciliation, academics, student-ready, basic needs, and community connections that's laid out in their 2025-2030 strategic plan from the conversations they had on campus and input from tribal partners. I'm really excited for us to begin that as we move forward, Shotton said. Fort Lewis is also confident in their compliance with current federal and state legislation. The college provides a tuition waiver for Indigenous students. We feel confident in the foundation that that stands on. That is related to the founding of this institution and an agreement between the federal government and the state of Colorado and the original transfer of land that created Fort Lewis College, Shotton said. She added that they are remaining focused on serving the diverse student population. As a Native American serving non-tribal institution, we recognize that we serve a unique student population and beyond that, beyond being a Native-serving institution, 42 percent of our students are first-generation college students, 16 percent of our students are Latinx students, and 40 percent of our students are Native American students, she said. Shotton said she hopes people who are like her first generation, Indigenous or who come from a rural community will see themselves reflected in leadership. Hopefully to imagine new possibilities for themselves and that this is truly a full circle moment for Fort Lewis College, given our history and our beginnings, she said. I'm just really proud and honored to get to lead alongside such amazing people here at Fort Lewis College, in a community that is so invested and dedicated to its students. Shotton will officially assume the presidency on July 1. ICT's Jourdan Bennett-Begaye contributed to this report. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A Loris man allegedly stalked and threatened to kill an Horry County public official and harm his family, according to warrants provided to News13 by SLED. Daniel Aaron Ledford, 31, was arrested Thursday and charged with stalking, threatening the life of a public official and financial identity fraud. He is being held without bond at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, according to online records. Ledford allegedly made the threats during May and June of last year via expletive-laced Facebook messages sent to the unidentified official, warrants obtained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said. He told the man he knew where he lived and described his residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Better hid yo kids everyone gonna go down matter of time, one of the messages said. Homeboy followed you home. We got you tho just wait. Another threat read: me and my boyfriend r gonna kill Mr. [redacted]. I do promise u wait we got away wid sending bomb threats an other s I pretty sure we can get away wid anything. The SLED warrants also accuse Ledford of accessing the victims Facebook and Cash App accounts between May and September in 2024 after the victim lost their cellphone. He allegedly used their personal information to change bank account information to reflect his own and then posed as the victim and requested money from people via the app. At the time of the alleged threats, the SLED warrants said Ledford had two pending criminal charges and had been ordered not to contact the victim. Online booking records show he was arrested in April 2024 and charged with obstructing justice and slander and released in July on a $10,000 bond. The circumstances of those charges were not immediately available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Guests attend the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition titled "Sino-American Friendship -- Flying Tigers in Guangxi" at the WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall in San Francisco Chinatown, the United States, April 21, 2025. (Photo by Dong Xudong/Xinhua) SAN FRANCISCO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Descendants of the Flying Tigers, along with U.S. and Chinese officials and World War II history activists, gathered here on Monday to open a new photo exhibition that honors the historic bond between the American and Chinese people during their joint fight against fascism in World War II (WWII). The exhibition, titled "Sino-American Friendship -- Flying Tigers in Guangxi," is being organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It runs through May 4 at the WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall in San Francisco Chinatown. Featuring 29 panels of historical photographs, the exhibition highlights the heroic contributions of the Flying Tigers -- an American volunteer group that aided China during its War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The images also reflect the deep friendship forged between the two nations as they stood shoulder to shoulder during one of the most turbulent periods in modern history. Guangxi was a key strategic location for the Flying Tigers, who operated from bases in cities like Guilin and Liuzhou. From there, they launched daring bombing raids on Japanese targets in Guangzhou, Wuhan, Hainan, and beyond -- crippling supply lines and bolstering China's resistance efforts while contributing to the global fight against fascism. Charlene Fontaine, a descendant of a Flying Tigers veteran, shared personal stories passed down from her father. She emphasized the often-overlooked bravery of the Chinese people. "When we said how much our dads did to help save China, my father always said it was the courage and resilience of the Chinese people that saved them," she recalled. Wei Jiang, deputy director of Guangxi's Department of Culture and Tourism, highlighted stories of American pilots rescued by Chinese villagers who risked their lives to shelter them from enemy forces. Wei announced that a larger and more comprehensive exhibition on the Flying Tigers will open this September in Liuzhou City, and he invited Flying Tigers descendants in the United States to contribute historical materials and visit the upcoming event. Local elected officials also attended Monday's opening ceremony. "We're here to honor the men, the women, and the history of an incredible event," said Danville Vice Mayor Newell Arnerich. "History is something that we need to learn from and it guides us to our future." San Francisco Supervisor Chyanne Chen praised the exhibit as "a valuable live classroom." "The U.S.-China relationship is important, and remembering the sacrifices of those who fought for peace is something we must continue to honor," she said. A guest looks at pictures at a photo exhibition titled "Sino-American Friendship -- Flying Tigers in Guangxi" at the WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall in San Francisco Chinatown, the United States, April 21, 2025. (Photo by Dong Xudong/Xinhua) (Canva image) A proposal to restrict buying and selling of restaurant reservations online is sailing easily through the Louisiana Legislature and could pass the House this week, though lawmakers have yet to hear both sides of the issue. House Bill 90, sponsored by Rep. Troy Hebert, R-Lafayette, seeks to ban companies such as Appointment Trader, Dorsia and ResX from arranging reservations through their platforms without explicit contracts with restaurants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not preventing the business model from existing, Hebert said in a phone interview Monday. You just have to have the restaurants permission. His bill cleared the House Commerce Committee last Wednesday with the unanimous approval of 17 lawmakers, and Hebert said it could come up for a full House vote as early as this week. No one spoke in opposition to the bill at the hearing, and several lawmakers said theyre opposed to the idea of paying for reservations. Appointment Trader founder Jonas Frey, who lives in Miami, said he intends to speak with lawmakers before the bill goes up for a final vote. Founded in 2021, Appointment Trader lets sellers set their own prices for reservations, and bidders can make offers at any price. Additionally, prospective buyers can use the platform as a concierge service, offering a flat fee to anyone who can secure them a reservation at a particular establishment. Though still relatively new to Louisiana, the Appointment Trader drew attention after the Illuminator reported on its sale of hard-to-get bookings in the New Orleans market during Super Bowl weekend including a $2,138 reservation for a four-top at Antoines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hebert said he sponsored the legislation at the request of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, which argues the sale of reservations without restaurant consent can lead to empty tables, missed opportunities for real customers and diminished service. The LRA modeled Heberts bill after legislation New York adopted last year with the backing of major online restaurant booking platforms OpenTable and Resy. Booking sites let diners reserve tables for free and make money by charging restaurants a fee every time someone books through their apps. Louisiana Restaurant Association president Stan Harris told lawmakers Heberts bill would not affect those booking apps other than actually probably helping protect their business model a little bit. Heberts bill calls on the Louisiana attorney general to impose a $1,000 fine against a trading platform for each day a table reservation is offered without a restaurants consent. Appointment Trader is actively trying to partner with restaurants, its founder Frey said, offering them half of the final bid proceeds for each reservation. If the bill clears the House floor, it will next head to the Senate for consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BATON ROUGE, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Business owners and legislators testified before the Louisiana Legislatures Civil Law and Procedure Committee in support of several bills related to vehicle crash litigation. The bills introduced in committee covered many proposed changes to present law that would favor claimants and business owners in civil actions related to crash settlements and lawsuits in Louisiana. More Louisiana News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representative Troy Hebert shared a personal story about a minor crash involving his daughter and another driver. During testimony, Hebert said nearly a year after the accident, he was notified that the other driver had filed a lawsuit. He also shared that his insurer had advised him that the woman had received a personal injury settlement that year. Heberts bill HB439 would put a 10% cap on contingency fees that can be charged by an attorney. The discourse between Hebert and many of the lawmakers became a little contentious as they discussed the portion of the proposed law that would subject attorneys to sanctions and disciplinary review. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Getty Images On his first day on the job Monday, Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein announced the launch of two initiatives one to target Medicaid fraud and another to reduce the number of overdose deaths during pregnancy. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is developing an artificial intelligence and data analysis tool the Louisiana Department of Health will use to fight fraud, waste and abuse, state officials said. The university is developing the technology that could be deployed within a week to begin looking for instances of fraud in the Medicaid program, ULL Vice President for Research Ramesh Kolluru said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are committed to improving government efficiencies in Louisiana using innovation, Kolluru said. Our first mission is to improve efficiency and integrity of the Louisiana Medicaid program. The state health department has created a Fighting Fraud, Waste and Abuse task force to detect wrongdoing within Medicaid, Undersecretary Drew Maranto said. The agency will partner with LA DOGE, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landrys version of Elon Musks controversial Department of Government Efficiency. A Medicaid fraud control unit already exist The AI technology is being trained on national data and peer-reviewed publications that have identified fraud, and it will then be tasked with finding similar patterns in Louisianas Medicaid data, Kolluru said. Staff within the Louisiana Department of Health will verify any findings, he added. Maranto said the department will also be working with the state Office of Motor Vehicles to check if any Medicaid recipients have active drivers licenses in other states, which could help them determine their eligibility to receive Medicaid benefits in Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ULLs work on the AI program will not cost the health department because it already contracts with the university for other computing projects, Kolluru said. ULL will also partner with the state Office of Technology Services to modernize Louisiana Medicaid systems, Kolluru said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In addition to detailing the counterfraud measures, Greenstein said the state has set a goal to reduce drug overdose deaths during pregnancy by 80% over the next three years. Overdose deaths have been the leading cause of maternal mortality in Louisiana since 2018, LDH Deputy Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new initiative, Project MOM (Maternal Overdose Mortality) will push to increase the availability of naloxone and buprenorphine, medications that can halt the effects of opioid overdoses when administered promptly. Other goals include more training health care providers on opioid use disorders and using money from settlements with opioid manufacturers to expand residential treatment facilities and outpatient clinics. According to publicly available data, there were 28 overdoses during pregnancy in 2020, the most recent year data in available. LDH is setting a goal to reduce overdose pregnancy deaths in the state by 80% over three years, reducing the death rate to five or six people annually. The department expects to appoint a Project MOM director within 90 days. Greenstein also announced the state would be moving away from having a single pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) for its Medicaid program. Such entities have been labeled as middlemen that process prescription drug claims for the managed care organizations that provide Medicaid services, with critics saying they dont provide enough transparency to determine whether they provide any cost savings to patients. Since October 2021, Louisiana has worked with Magellan Medicaid Administration as its sole prescription benefit manager. On Monday, Maranto said the department would work closely with its managed care organizations who run the states Medicaid program and pharmacies to ensure the best approach to managing these benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The continued closures of chain and independent pharmacies threatens patient access to critical prescription drugs across Louisiana, Maranto added. The states new approach will lean on the private contractors for Medicaid to handle prescription claims while also keeping drug prices in check. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WASHINGTON Chris Van Hollen has spent decades quietly helping shape U.S. foreign policy in Congress, earning a reputation as a serious lawmaker from the establishment wing of the Democratic Party. But it wasnt until his trip to El Salvador last week that the Maryland senator seized the national spotlight, rallying in defense of a constituent who was wrongly deported by President Donald Trumps administration without due process. Though he ultimately didnt secure his release, Van Hollens effective diplomatic pressure yielded a meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old man with legal status who has been imprisoned by El Salvadors government despite not being charged with any crimes, and put the White House on its heels about the legal and humanitarian consequences of its severe immigration policies. If we allow the Trump administration to disregard court orders and tear up the rights to due process, then the freedom of every American is in jeopardy, Van Hollen told HuffPost in an interview last week. He slammed Trump for defying decisions by multiple federal courts, including a 9-0 ruling from the Supreme Court telling the administration to facilitate Abrego Garcias return to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 66-year-old lawmakers stand offered a lesson in how to break through the fractious media environment with a compelling argument opposing the Trump administration, especially at a time when many in his party are struggling to do the same. Democrats were caught flatfooted in the first months of Trumps presidency, reeling over the aggressive pace of his efforts to dismantle the federal government and lay off thousands of federal employees. They badly managed last months government funding fight, getting outplayed by congressional Republicans and angering Democratic voters. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, right, speaks with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who was living in Maryland and deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, in a hotel restaurant in San Salvador on Thursday. via Associated Press But now, the Trump opposition is finding its footing with standout moments from prominent voices on the left, including Sen. Cory Bookers (D-N.J.) record-breaking uninterrupted 25-hour speech on the Senate floor in defense of democratic institutions and the rule of law, and a national Fighting Oligarchy tour by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) that drew crowds of tens of thousands of people. Dozens of Democratic lawmakers have traveled to GOP-held districts across the country to put pressure on Republican incumbents unwilling to hold town halls and engage with angry constituents. And a group of House Democrats followed Van Hollens lead this week, traveling to El Salvador to push for the release of other migrants deported from the U.S. who are imprisoned there. The current divide in the Democratic Party is not between left versus moderate, its between those who have fight and backbone and those who are passive and not taking the risks. And it seems like a prerequisite for being applauded in this moment is the willingness to take risks, Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, told HuffPost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopping on a flight to El Salvador, putting his own safety at risk and probably getting at least half of the national media exposure hes had his entire Senate career seems like a risk that had payoff for the broader cause and for himself, and we need more of that, Green added of Van Hollen. At first glance, Van Hollen makes for an unlikely resistance hero. Hes not a fire-breather, he typically doesnt garner headlines and prefers working behind the scenes. Hes had a very traditional trajectory into the Senate: He was elected to the House in 2003 and worked his way up to a leadership role before his 2016 Senate run to replace the retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.). He defeated former Maryland Rep. Donna Edwards in a hard-fought primary where he was viewed as the establishment Democratic candidate in the race. But recently, things have been changing. In the U.S. Senate, Van Hollen emerged as a leading critic of Israels conduct during the war in Gaza. Last year, he criticized President Joe Biden for what he saw as his shameful inaction in holding Israel accountable for barring aid into Gaza amid a hunger crisis, saying it would forever haunt his legacy. And he rallied Democrats in pressuring Bidens administration to toughen oversight of U.S. arms shipments abroad, requiring that weapons be used in accordance with international law. Theres no point in being in the United States Senate if you cannot look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day, Van Hollen told HuffPost last year amid his Gaza war activism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trip to El Salvador was politically chancy. While it had the opportunity to draw much-needed attention to the case, it also carried the possibility of being a political embarrassment if Van Hollen couldnt get access to Abrego Garcia and had to return home empty-handed. At first it seemed very much like that might be what would happen: El Salvadors vice president stonewalled his requests upon arriving in the country, and his trip drew attacks from the White House and El Salvadors government. Trump said the senator looked like a fool by standing in El Salvador begging for attention from the Fake News Media, calling him a GRANDSTANDER!!! They also accused him of sympathizing with a gang member: Trump officials have claimed that Abrego Garcia is a member of a gang to justify his arrest and deportation, an accusation Abrego Garcia and his lawyers have denied. The Maryland man had not been seen or heard from since March 15, the date he and hundreds of other migrants were sent to the CECOT mega-prison in El Salvador. Van Hollens Thursday photo of himself sitting and speaking with Abrego Garcia at a hotel in El Salvador was the first time he had been seen publicly. The photograph prompted a reply from Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who mocked concerns about Abrego Garcias well-being, pointing to a pair of garnished drinks on their table. But Van Hollen said that Salvadoran officials staged the photo, planting the drinks in front of him unprompted, to make it appear as if Abrego Garcia is living the good life despite being held in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of that was a setup, Van Hollen said to reporters upon returning to the U.S. Democrats praised Van Hollen for sticking to his principles this week. Chris Van Hollen is smart, dedicated and fearless, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement to HuffPost. It was tough enough going to El Salvador and confronting Bukeles government, but securing a meeting with Abrego Garcia and not letting Bukele hijack the meeting was an incredible feat. For as long as Ive known my friend Senator Chris Van Hollen, hes been committed to standing up for Marylanders and for right over wrong, added Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). That commitment and Chris moral clarity brought him to El Salvador last week. We will need more of that type of principled leadership in the months and years to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Van Hollens hands-on approach to challenging Trumps administration has differed from other high-ranking Democratic officials. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, two potential 2028 presidential contenders, for example, have at times downplayed their Trump criticism. Other Democratic governors like Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Wes Moore of Maryland, meanwhile, have preferred to keep a lower profile. After Newsom seemed to refer to Abrego Garcias unlawful deportation as the distraction of the day, Van Hollen pushed back in a Sunday interview with NBCs Meet the Press. I think Americans are tired of elected officials or politicians who are all finger to the wind, Van Hollen said. Anybody who cant stand up for the Constitution and the right of due process doesnt deserve to lead. The senator has pledged to keep working on getting Abrego Garcia home, noting that even some Republicans are starting to come around to concerns with the Trump administrations deportation policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think more and more, certainly libertarians and other conservatives who are actually looking at the facts of this case are very worried about the idea that the government of the United States can deprive someone of their liberty, abduct them, send them to El Salvador without knowing where theyre going, lock them in prison to do all that without any due process. That is a scary proposition, Van Hollen said Monday in an interview on MSNBCs Morning Joe. And if you dont fight for the constitutional rights of one person, as I say, others can be next, he added. Arthur Delaney and Akbar Ahmed contributed reporting. CHICAGO As the world mourns the death of Pope Francis, a member of Loyola University is sharing a special memory of meeting the pope last year. Claire Noonan, vice president for Mission Integration at the university, says what stood out to her was the popes ability to make you feel like you were the only person in the room. Its a great loss of a great leader and a great man who was an amazing example of our faith, Noonan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May 2024, Noonan and over 25 university leaders met with Pope Francis at the end of a pilgrimage that followed the footsteps of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. He said our task was to form not only fine minds, but also hearts and hands that are committed to justice and reconciliation, Noonan said. He said in the middle of his address, he wanted us to create hardworking dreamers and to never cease to me hardworking dreamers ourselves. In his address, the pope linked the schools Jesuit heritage to the spiritual path of St. Ignatius of Loyola and encouraged them to draw strengths from their roots. Who he called a man of study and a man of action. He said that those roots should continue to inspire us and give us energy for our mission today, Noonan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope Francis, a Jesuit himself, is being remembered for the distinct personality he brought to his ministry. Read more: Remembering Pope Francis legacy There was one person in our group who spoke Italian who called out to him as she was leaving the room, Holy Father, pray for us. And he turns around and has this little grin on his face and says, This is a hard job. You pray for me. It was really quite touching, she said. Noonan connects his words of hearing from young people to the leaderships work on campus. I take that, as well as our mission, especially in higher education, to be with young people in their joys and aspirations and their dreams and their sorrows, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the meeting, Noonan says she delivered a letter to the pope from a student. Shes not sure what was in it, but a few weeks later, the student said Pope Francis wrote a letter 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 WGN-TV. VIRGINIA (WAVY) Virginia Lieutenant Governor candidate Pat Herrity bowed out of the race Monday evening. In a Facebook post, he cited his health as one of the main reasons for his decision. Herrity experienced a medial emergency March 9, due to a hereditary heart condition that exists in his family. He then announced on March 13 via X that he would be taking a break from campaigning to focus on his health. The break is now officially permanent. As I learned and was enjoying prior to my surgery, a statewide campaign requires significant travel, multiple appearances per evening, being on all of the time and incredible stamina. I have come to the realization that my ability to get back to the 150 percent that I was giving to run a statewide race and that will be necessary to win in November is not possible at the near future, Herrity said on Facebook. Realizing that I cant give it my all for the ticket, my supporters and donors is already causing me great stress. I believe making this decision now is in the best interest of both my health and the ticket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herrity said his doctors still are expecting a full recovery, but it will come later than they thought due to some complications. Unfortunately, the 150 percent effort required for a statewide campaign would also significantly delay my recovery, put undue stress on my health and come with some risk, hence my decision to end the 2025 campaign now, Herrity said. While he may be stepping down from the campaign trail, Herrity mentioned he will serve on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and is committed to the residents. After the announcement, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin posted, Pat Herrityone of Virginias strongest leadersis in our prayers for strength and a full recovery. Well continue to fight alongside him as the best Supervisor in Fairfax County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said she accepted an invitation to meet with El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele next month as the Central American nation plays an increased role in the Trump administrations immigration enforcement efforts. Luna, in a post Tuesday, shared a copy of the invitation and slammed Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who was the first member of Congress to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and initially sent to the high-security CECOT prison. I am honored to accept a personal invitation to meet with President Bukele, Luna said in her post on social platform X. Unlike Senator Van Hollen, who drank margaritas with a cartel member, Ill be focused on strengthening the partnership between our nations, advancing shared commitments to safety, freedom, and national pride as well as discussing our commitments to continuing to fight for human rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I look forward to seeing you soon @nayibbukele, the Florida Republican added. Lunas meeting with Bukele is set for May 8 at the presidents residence, according to the invitation the House lawmaker shared. Her trip to El Salvador follows House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) leading a group of House GOP lawmakers on a visit to the CECOT prison last week. Four Democrats Reps. Maxwell Frost (Fla.), Maxine Dexter (Ore.), Yassamin Ansari (Ariz.) and Robert Garcia (Calif.) also traveled to El Salvador in hopes of meeting with Abrego Garcia, whom the administration has accused of being a member of the MS-13 gang. Abrego Garcia has not been charged with a crime. He entered the country illegally, according to court documents Attorney General Pam Bondi shared last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic lawmakers have argued that the administration has ignored the Supreme Courts order to facilitate the Maryland mans return, while Republicans have dug in, seeing it as a winning issue for both President Trump and the party. Of course its a winning issue. Americans support enforcing the law. Common sense tells you this and polls confirm it. If Democrats want to talk about MS-13 gang members, were happy to oblige them, a senior White House official told The Hill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 federal corruption case against Eric Adams, New York Citys independent mayor, came to an ignoble end earlier this month, but the fallout from the Justice Department's handling of the case is ongoing. Reuters reported: The three remaining federal prosecutors who brought criminal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams resigned in protest on Tuesday, saying the Justice Department pressured them to admit wrongdoing when they refused to drop the case, according to a letter seen by Reuters. The Reuters report has been verified by MSNBC and NBC News. It is now clear that one of the preconditions you have placed on our returning to the office is that we must express regret and admit some wrongdoing, the three prosecutors wrote in their letter to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. We will not confess wrongdoing when there was none. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this point, some readers are probably feeling a sense of deja vu, but thats because this is the second time the Adams case has generated multiple prosecutorial resignations. In case anyone needs a refresher, the beleaguered mayor was indicted by federal prosecutors on corruption charges last fall. Soon after, Adams, who pleaded not guilty, launched an unsubtle effort to cozy up to Donald Trump and his team. Those efforts proved effective: Just three weeks into the presidents second term, former Trump defense attorney Emil Bove, in his capacity as the acting deputy attorney general, ordered federal prosecutors in New York to drop the corruption charges against the mayor. While this sometimes happens because officials conclude that theres a problem with the merits of the case or the reliability of the evidence, Bove argued, among other things, that the case should go because of Adams willingness to work with the Trump administration on matters related to immigration and crime policy. It raised widespread and unavoidable concerns that politicians aligned with the White House were effectively eligible for get out of jail free cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The developments were so egregious that Danielle Sassoon, the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced her resignation. In fact, instead of dropping the charges, Sassoon said her office was preparing to file additional charges against Adams based on evidence that Adams destroyed and instructed others to destroy evidence and provide false information to the FBI. When Justice Department officials tried to move the Adams case to the Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C., John Keller, the acting head of the Public Integrity Section, reportedly refused to drop the case against Adams and resigned. According to an NBC News report, three other members of the section also resigned. The total number of resignations apparently reached six when Kevin Driscoll, the acting head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, also refused to drop the charges against the New York mayor and resigned. The next morning, a seventh prosecutor also resigned, when Hagan Scotten, the lead prosecutor on the corruption case against Adams, also quit, and he did not go quietly. In his resignation letter, Scotten wrote that any federal prosecutor would know that our laws and traditions do not allow using the prosecutorial power to influence other citizens, much less elected officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went on to write, If no lawyer within earshot of the President is willing to give him that advice, then I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion. But it was never going to be me. This was two months ago. More recently, three assistant U.S. attorneys Celia V. Cohen, Andrew Rohrbach and Derek Wikstrom who were previously placed on administrative leave after they refused orders by Blanches office to dismiss the charges against Adams, were offered an opportunity to return to their positions. There was, apparently, a catch: Trumps Justice Department expected them to acknowledge wrongdoing. They were not prepared to do any such thing and instead decided to resign. On their way out, the prosecutors noted that theyd worked under Democratic and Republican presidents, but under Trump, things are different. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the Department has decided that obedience supersedes all else, requiring us to abdicate our legal and ethical obligations in favor of directions from Washington, they wrote in their resignation letter. The significance of these developments is dramatic: At issue is a dynamic in which a presidential administration told an allegedly corrupt public official that his legal troubles would go away if he agreed to play ball with the White House on an unrelated issue. Is it any wonder so many longtime prosecutors decided it was better to simply walk away from such madness? This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com WASHINGTON, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Harvard University said Monday that it has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration's funding freeze, calling the action "unlawful and beyond the government's authority." In a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the university said that this case involves "the government's efforts to use the withholding of federal funding as leverage to gain control of academic decision making at Harvard." "Over the course of the past week, the federal government has taken several actions following Harvard's refusal to comply with its illegal demands," Harvard University President Alan M. Garber wrote in a letter to members of the Harvard Community. A report by The New York Times said that the lawsuit "signaled a major escalation" of the ongoing fight between higher education and Trump, who has vowed to "reclaim" elite universities. The administration has cast its campaign as a fight against antisemitism, but has also targeted programs and teaching related to racial diversity and gender issues, according to the report. On April 11, Trump administration officials sent a letter to Harvard, demanding that the university make "meaningful governance reform and restructuring," noting that "an investment is not an entitlement." On April 14, Harvard University rejected the Trump administration's demands to make sweeping changes to its governance, hiring and admissions practices. Just a few hours later, the Trump administration announced a freeze on 2.2 billion dollars in multi-year grants and 60 million in multi-year contract value to the university. On April 16, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanded that Harvard University share information about the foreign student visa holders' illegal and violent activities by April 30, or risk losing its authorization to enroll international students. Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has issued warnings to several top U.S. universities, stating that they could face funding cuts if they do not adjust their policies. The administration's main demands include eliminating what it describes as antisemitism on campus and dismantling diversity initiatives that favor certain minority groups. Against the backdrop of the Israel-Palestine conflict, many universities across the United States saw a wave of pro-Palestinian protests last year, drawing increased government attention to alleged anti-Semitic sentiments on campuses. In general, when the public hears about the government directing resources to a school, people might think of the funding as charitable in nature. Perhaps, the thinking goes, public officials want to help students, so they appropriated some money accordingly. But when Harvard University received federal funds, it wasnt charity, and it wasnt because the government wanted to support quality higher education or assist students. Rather, Harvard received scholarly research grants that were awarded after a competitive process. In other words, the university earned the money. Donald Trump and his team nevertheless decided to cut off the grants in legally dubious ways as part of a multifaceted retaliation campaign. The question wasnt whether Harvard would file suit, but when. As NBC News reported, that question now has an answer. The suit, filed in federal district court in Massachusetts, accuses the administration of flouting the First Amendment and other federal laws and regulations. The 51-page complaint asks a federal judge in Massachusetts to declare the presidents freeze order unconstitutional and to order the government to reverse any terminations of or freezes to federal funding. The Government has not and cannot identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain Americas position as a global leader in innovation, the lawsuit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvards research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress. A White House spokesperson told The New York Times, in response to the litigation, The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families is coming to an end. But again, whether Team Trump understands the relevant details or not, were not talking about a gravy train. The federal government invited bids and awarded research grants after a competitive process. Its not as if Harvard approached Cabinet agencies, hat in hand, looking for a handout, to which the administration agreed out of a sense of magnanimity. Also of interest is the universitys choice in legal representation: As the Times report noted, Harvard has turned to two lawyers with ties to Mr. Trump and the administration. William A. Burck, for example, served as an outside ethics adviser to the Trump Organization. Robert Hur, meanwhile, worked in the Justice Department during Trumps first term and is perhaps best known for serving as the special counsel who investigated Joe Bidens handling of classified documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for how we arrived at this point, if youre new to the story, the simmering dispute between the school and the administration reached a boiling point on April 11, when Harvard received a series of outlandish written demands from the Trump administration, including a request to install outside auditors who would monitor the schools academic departments. The university realized that failure to comply with the ridiculous demands would result in governmental punishment. But left with little choice, Harvard balked anyway. The retaliation was swift: Immediately after Harvard said it would not comply with the apparent extortion attempt, the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in multiyear grants to Harvard. (There are federal requirements in place when imposing financial penalties like these, and the Republican White House appears to have ignored those requirements.) The Department of Homeland Security secretary also canceled nearly $3 million in agency grants to Harvard, and at Trumps behest the IRS reportedly began scrutinizing the universitys tax-exempt status. The New York Times, citing multiple sources, reported that the original letter to Harvard should not have been sent and was unauthorized. White House officials didnt deny that the letter was sent in error, but they refused to retract it, and remarkably, they blamed Harvard for not realizing that their over-the-top letter should not have been taken at face value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvards case has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs, an Obama appointee. Watch this space. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com While Donald Trumps allies keep trying to convince the public that his public support is soaring and skyrocketing, the president himself claims his approval rating is in the high 70s, reality keeps getting in the way. In fact, the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll found Trumps backing down to just 42% an unusually low number for an incumbent president just three months into his term. But while the topline results were of interest, it was some of the issue-specific data that stood out for me. From the same national survey (click the link for details about methodology and the margin of error): 23% of Republican voters said the president should defy court orders he disagrees with. 28% of Republican voters said the president should withhold funding from universities he disagrees with. 26% of Republican voters said the president should control national museums and theaters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some might see this and feel a sense of relief, since the views are not a majority. But the flip side is true, too: The Reuters/Ipsos data suggests roughly a fourth of rank-and-file GOP voters are on board with a radical vision in which a president has authoritarian-style authority over the rule of law and civic institutions. This comes on the heels of a recent CBS News/YouGov poll that found 44% of Republican voters said federal judges should not be allowed to review Trumps policies. A month earlier, The Washington Post highlighted a YouGov poll that indicated nearly half of GOP voters said that a strongman government without a Congress was at least a fairly good system of government. Among those who identified themselves as primarily supporters of Trump, that number climbed to 55%. The month before that, a Pew Research Center survey found that 59% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say many of the countrys problems could be addressed more effectively if Trump didnt need to worry so much about Congress or the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were similar results during the 2024 campaign. The Associated Press reported about a year ago, for example, on a national AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey, which found that 57% of Republicans endorsed the idea of Trump taking action on the countrys important policy issues without waiting for Congress or the courts. An NPR/PBS/Marist poll, released around the same time, asked respondents whether they agreed that conditions in the U.S. had deteriorated to the point that we need a leader who is willing to break some rules to set things right. Among GOP voters, a 56% majority endorsed the idea. The more Trump sees evidence that his partys base approves of authoritarian tactics as legitimate, the more likely it is that the incumbent president will continue to flout the nations constitutional system. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The first time Republicans asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take a sledgehammer to the Affordable Care Act, they failed. The second time didnt turn out well for the health care laws GOP opponents, and the ACA survived the third effort, too. Will the fourth time be the charm? Its possible, though an Associated Press report suggested that the odds appear to be on health care advocates side. The Supreme Court seemed likely to uphold a key preventive-care provision of the Affordable Care Act in a case heard Monday. Conservative justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, along with the courts three liberals, appeared skeptical of arguments that Obamacares process for deciding which services must be fully covered by private insurance is unconstitutional. For those who might benefit from a refresher about this case, lets revisit our earlier coverage and review how we arrived at this point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACA was written to include a great many benefits for consumers, including requirements that Americans receive no-cost preventive care, covering everything from cancer screenings to vaccinations, prenatal services to HIV prevention, pap smears to heart disease screenings. A federal panel the Preventive Services Task Force was tasked with determining which health care measures would be included. When the panel approved no-cost coverage for the HIV prevention medication known as PrEP, however, a group of conservatives filed suit, arguing that the panel violated their religious rights by making them complicit in facilitating homosexual behavior, drug use, and sexual activity outside of marriage between one man and one woman. Just as notably, the plaintiffs said that the task forces policies are invalid because its members are appointed by the executive branch and not confirmed by the Senate. A couple of years ago, Judge Reed OConnor of the Northern District of Texas a judge who has earned a reputation as one of the judiciarys most far-right reactionaries ruled with conservatives and blocked enforcement of the ACAs preventative health care requirements. Last year, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, generally seen as the nations most conservative appellate bench, predictably agreed with OConnor and rejected the ACAs health task force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now its the Supreme Courts turn, and during oral arguments, much of the discussion focused on the Constitutions appointment clause, which requires Senate confirmation for a variety of powerful offices, though as The Washington Post noted, it also allows Congress to vest authority in department heads and other officials to appoint inferior officers. Its a point the ACAs opponents struggled to explain away. To be sure, the first three ACA cases to reach the high court created existential threats to the law known as Obamacare: The plaintiffs were trying to tear down the entire system, root and branch. Thats not the case in this dispute: Even if the ACA were to lose, it would still exist. That said, as a recent New York Times report explained, the impact of a potential defeat would be dramatic for millions of Americans. It would mean, among other things, the elimination of screenings to detect cancer and diabetes; statin medications to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes; physical therapy for older adults to prevent falls; and eye ointment for newborns to prevent infections causing blindness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lung cancer screenings alone save thousands of American lives every year, and if ACA opponents win this Supreme Court case, the screenings would no longer be free. For now, however, theres cautious optimism that the justices will do what theyve done before and side with the Affordable Care Act. A ruling is expected over the summer. Watch this space. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country. * In Michigan, the Democrats U.S. Senate primary field is getting increasingly crowded, with Rep. Haley Stevens throwing her hat into the ring. She joins state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed. * In Arizonas gubernatorial race, Donald Trump had already endorsed Karrin Taylor Robsons Republican candidacy, but now that Rep. Andy Biggs is also running against her in a primary, the president has decided to endorse him, too. (Trump has a history of issuing dual endorsements, backing multiple candidates in the same GOP primary.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * On a related note, the far-right Club for Growth appears to be intervening in the Arizona race, claiming that Biggs, the former chair of the House Freedom Caucus, is more electable than Robson. * Republican Rep. Andy Barr is poised to launch his U.S. Senate bid in Kentucky, setting up a primary fight against Daniel Cameron, the former state attorney general who lost a gubernatorial race in the Bluegrass State in 2023. * In related news, with Barr giving up his U.S. House seat in Kentuckys most competitive congressional district Democrats are making no secret of the fact that they see a key pickup opportunity. * High-profile Georgia Democrats have steered clear of next years gubernatorial race, but state Sen. Jason Esteves hopes to fill the void, kicking off a statewide bid this week. For now, hes the only Democrat in the race, after Rep. Lucy McBath withdrew to focus on her husbands health issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Republicans do not yet have a top contender in Californias gubernatorial race, but Steve Hilton, perhaps best known as a former Fox News host, hopes to change that. He joins Chad Bianco, the sheriff of Riverside County, as the GOP candidates in the race. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * This seems like a disaster for the DOGE guy: Tesla reported a miss on the top and bottom lines in its first-quarter earnings report on Tuesday as automotive revenue plunged 20% from a year earlier. * This is the former half-term governors second defeat in the case: Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin lost her defamation retrial against The New York Times over a 2017 editorial she said damaged her reputation, Reuters reported on Tuesday. The federal jury found the media company not liable after deliberating for about two hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * SCOTUS news: The Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared likely to rule for parents in Maryland who objected on religious grounds to books made available in a school districts elementary schools that feature stories about gay and transgender characters. * The administrations latest legal setback: A federal judge agreed Tuesday to block the Trump administration from dismantling Voice of America, the 83-year-old international news service created by Congress. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the administration illegally required Voice of America to cease operations for the first time since its World War II-era inception. * The administrations other legal setback from around the same time: A federal judge in Colorado directed President Donald Trumps administration on Tuesday to give Venezuelan migrants detained in that state notice 21 days in advance before any deportations under a law historically used only in wartime, and to inform them of their right to challenge their removal. * Lee Zeldins EPA strikes again: The Trump administration is set to cancel tens of millions of dollars in grants to scientists studying environmental hazards faced by children in rural America, among other health issues, according to internal emails written by senior officials at the Environmental Protection Agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * I would love someone to explain to me how this helps the country: A groundbreaking microscope at Harvard Medical School could lead to breakthroughs in cancer detection and research into longevity. But the scientist who developed computer scripts to read its images and unlock its full potential has been in an immigration detention center for two months putting crucial scientific advancements at risk. * Some news can be predictable and outrageous at the same time: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has given a former oil executive and aide to Elon Musk broad latitude to cut costs and consolidate work within his vast department, which oversees more than 500 million acres of land across the United States. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Immigration and Customs Enforcement denied pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalils request to be by his wifes side as she went into labor Sunday, leaving him in a Louisiana detention facility while she gave birth in New York. Khalil has been one of the most vocal targets of President Donald Trumps retaliation campaign against student activists who oppose Israels war in Gaza. A green card holder, Khalil has been fighting deportation since being abruptly arrested in March as he and his wife, a U.S. citizen, returned to their Columbia University apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalils wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, said in a statement that refusing to allow Khalils temporary release was a purposeful decision by ICE to make me, Mahmoud, and our son suffer. Attorneys for the Columbia activist had even suggested Khalil be given a GPS ankle monitor, even though his detention is related to a civil matter and not a criminal one, according to emails published by NPR. The denial came less than one hour after the request was made. My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud, Abdalla said in her statement, obtained by HuffPost. ICE and the Trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mahmouds support for Palestinian freedom. I will continue to fight every day for Mahmoud to come home to us. I know when Mahmoud is freed, he will show our son how to be brave, thoughtful, and compassionate, just like his dad, she concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawyer for Khalil told The New York Times that his client was able to communicate with his wife for at least some of the birth, and that both mother and baby are healthy. It was definitely just punitive, the lawyer, Marc Van Der Hout, told the Times. It was an utter lack of humanity. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been trying to remove Khalil from the country under an obscure law that allows him to deport people who are a threat to the nations foreign policy dealings. Earlier this month, an immigration judge in Louisiana ruled that Khalil could be deported for his views on Palestinians, although he will not be removed immediately as legal proceedings play out elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil has written several opinion pieces during his incarceration. His most recent, published by The Washington Post, stated that, all too often, America has been a democracy of convenience. Rights are granted to those who align with power. For the poor, for people of color, for those who resist injustice, rights are but words written on water, he wrote in the piece published Thursday. Like the thousands of students that I advocated with at Columbia including Muslim, Jewish and Christian friends I believe in the innate equality of all human beings. I believe in human dignity. I believe in the right of my people to look at the blue sky and not fear an impending missile, Khalil said. Related... Rep. Bill Pluecker (I-Warren) said it's critical to test for PFAS, which have been linked to health concerns including cancer, liver damage, pregnancy complications, increased cholesterol levels and more. (Photo by Getty Images) The Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing Tuesday afternoon for three bills seeking to better identify forever chemicals in private wells and address their presence in certain public water systems. No family should be left in the dark about whats in their water, said Rep. Bill Pluecker (I-Warren), when introducing LD 500. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plueckers proposal would add perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called PFAS, to the list of contaminants the Department of Health and Human Services recommends testing for in private wells. Additionally, it seeks to use money from the departments Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory account to provide free well water testing for low-income residents. A similar proposal died last year due to concerns over that proposals use of general funds to support the program, but Pluecker said he believed the departments dedicated fund should be sufficient to avoid the need for other state dollars. More than half of Mainers get drinking water from private, residential wells, so Pluecker said its critical to test for PFAS, which have been linked to health concerns including cancer, liver damage, pregnancy complications, increased cholesterol levels and more. Rep. Laurie Osher (D-Orono) also introduced a similar proposal to expand testing for PFAS substances in private drinking wells, which arent regulated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landlords are already required to test for arsenic in wells that provide drinking water and share the test results with tenants within 10 days of being notified of the results. LD 493 would build upon that by requiring landlords to also test the water for PFAS, lead, uranium and other potentially harmful contaminants. While the landlord would not be required to treat any contamination, they would have to disclose it to tenants and potential tenants within 10 days of receiving results. Similarly, the bill would require residential owners to disclose any water tests that indicate the presence of PFAS when selling the property. The version of this bill introduced last session died on the special appropriations table, where bills are chosen by the budget committee for funding, with a fiscal note of a little more than $100,000 per year. The health committee also heard a proposal from Rep. Daniel Shagoury (D-Hallowell) that targets forever chemicals in public water systems throughout the state. LD 1326 would establish maximum PFAS levels in the drinking water of certain public water systems that serve settings such as schools, factories, industrial parks or office buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Health and Human Services is currently in the process of adopting rules that align with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in April 2024. Those new federal standards create enforceable limits for six PFAS in drinking water that can have adverse health effects. Shagoury acknowledged that the department is opposed to his bill for being duplicative, but he argued it would underscore the Legislatures belief that standards for PFAS in drinking water are important. The Maine Water Utilities Association also opposed the bill because it said Maine has adopted federal water standards rather than creating its own statute to make compliance with federal standards less burdensome. Changing that and adopting LD 1326 would create complexity and confusion for water systems, said Mike Cummons, who works for the Maine Water Company in Saco. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Apr. 22AUGUSTA Lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill to help Maine communities prepare for and respond to severe weather and the long-term impacts of climate change. Gov. Janet Mills introduced the bill and is expected to sign it into law Tuesday afternoon. It was approved 32-0 in the Senate on Tuesday after being approved in the House of Representatives last week. The bill includes a grant program that would help residents make investments to safeguard their homes against extreme weather. It makes one-time investments in the Maine Emergency Management Agency and utilizes federal funds to establish a new state office to reduce storm damage and protect infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation, LD 1, responds to recommendations from the Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission, which Mills established last year following a series of winter storms that caused an estimated $90 million in damage to public infrastructure across the state. It is an emergency bill, which means it will take effect immediately if signed by the governor. The bill comes with a $39 million price tag but will be funded with surplus state funds and federal funds and does not rely on general funds from the state budget. It includes several key initiatives, the first of which would provide $15 million in one-time funding to establish the Home Resiliency Program to provide grants of up to $15,000 to homeowners to make investments to safeguard their homes against future storms. The program would be operated by Maine's Bureau of Insurance and would focus on reducing roof damage, basement flooding and other targeted interventions to minimize storm damage and insurance losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One-time funding from the Bureau of Insurance would be used to invest $10 million in the State Disaster Recovery Fund to provide matching funds to secure federal funding to respond to natural disasters, establish a new state fund to provide required matching dollars to secure federal loan funds for storm mitigation, improve emergency communications systems and to invest in two new staff members at MEMA. The proposal would also establish a new State Resilience Office funded through a five-year federal grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support planning that reduces flood and storm damage, protects public and private infrastructure and supports public safety. Finally, the legislation would launch a Flood-Ready Maine Program to modernize data on flood risk and make it accessible to municipal leaders and Mainers online. The program would work to improve communication to communities, businesses and residents about flood risk, and to increase the number of flood insurance policies in use in Maine. This story will be updated. Copy the Story Link MEXICO CITY, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday she was able to present her U.S. counterpart Donald Trump with arguments against tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles in a telephone call last week, though they reached no agreement. "We are discussing the issue of tariffs on steel, aluminum and automotive products. We did not reach an agreement, but we are presenting arguments" to prevent the import taxes from taking effect, Sheinbaum said at her regular morning press conference at the National Palace. "In the case of steel and aluminum, we are arguing that we have a deficit; that is, the United States exports more steel and aluminum to Mexico than Mexico exports to the United States," she explained. She said Mexico has two avenues to address the tariffs: the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on free trade, and World Trade Organization rules related to the "Most Favored Nation" clause, which aims to ensure equal treatment in trade matters. In other matters, Sheinbaum said Mexico's Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Alicia Barcenas, was in San Diego to meet with officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "regarding the issue of sewage dumped from (Mexican border city of) Tijuana into the Pacific." BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) An Elk Grove man accused of kidnapping and engaging in sex acts with a 10-year-old Taft girl he communicated with on video game platform Roblox was arraigned Monday on seven felony counts. Matthew Naval, 27, is represented by defense attorney Mark Anthony Raimondo, who entered not guilty pleas to charges of kidnapping, kidnapping a child under 14 to commit sex acts, two counts of committing sex acts with a child under 14, showing sexual content to a minor and two counts related to contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sex act. There was no kidnapping here, the attorney said afterward. From what I understand from Matthews background, hes on the spectrum, suffers from autism. I think he was looking at the world a little differently than the rest of us look at it. I think he was looking to make a friend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriffs officials say Naval traveled to Taft and picked up the girl on April 12, then brought her to Sacramento County. Authorities located them the next day; the girl was returned to family. Naval was arrested and transported to Kern County. Hes being held on $1.35 million bail and a preliminary hearing is set for late June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. MORGANTON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A Morganton man is being accused of several vehicle break-ins involving those of North Carolina firefighters, authorities say. According to the Morganton Public Safety officials, security cameras captured 37-year-old David Dawson breaking into the vehicles in the early morning hours of Monday, April 21. Just after 1 a.m., officers responded to a reported Breaking and Entering at Everett Chevrolet, on U.S. 70 SE in Morganton. Dawson was eventually taken into custody by Morganton Public Safety C Platoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burke County church residents ordered to find new place to live following unsafe code violations Further investigation allegedly revealed items belonging to Timberwood Restaurant and N.C. Forest Service firefighting crews staying at the Hampton Inn were discovered on East Fleming Drive. There also was damage to a Wilkie Construction trailer and items from Rosa De Saron Church in Gastonia. Dawson also had an active warrant for his arrest for other break-ins charges. Officers were able to return several items, including the firefighters equipment. Dawson was confined to the Burke County Jail with a first appearance set for later in the day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office arrested three men after an attempted traffic stop led to a pursuit with deputies. CPSO said a deputy attempted to stop a four-door sedan at South Lakeshore and I-220. The driver refused to stop and fled westbound on I-20 before crashing near exit 5. The driver of the sedan, Jefferey Moran, allegedly exited the vehicle and ran toward Greenwood Road. He was pursued by two deputies on foot and reportedly jumped over two fences and entered the parking lot of Averitt Trucking, where he was arrested without incident. Man arrested for alleged sexual assault during gathering at Shreveport home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moran had multiple outstanding warrants with both CPSO and the Shreveport Police Department, and a firearm was recovered from the vehicle. Moran is facing various charges, including illegal possession of stolen property, aggravated flight from an officer, two counts of unauthorized entry into a place of business, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, public intimidation, manufacturing or distribution of Schedule I and the outstanding warrants and booked into Caddo Correctional Center. Two passengers were also in the vehicle, identified as Cadarius Southall and Taylon Brown. Southall was booked into Caddo Correctional Center. Brown was issued a summons to appear in court for possession of Schedule 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. BOSTON (WWLP) Police in Boston arrested a man following a deadly incident in an Allston neighborhood Monday night. Two women arrested after shoplifting at Hadley JC Penny Officers were sent just after 7:45 p.m. to a 911 call on Glenville Avenue. When they arrived, officers found a dead woman inside the apartment, and a man attempting to escape. Police used a stun gun as the man led officers on a chase through the neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say at least one weapon was recovered. During a news conference, police describe the incident as likely a domestic situation, but it remains under investigation. As of Tuesday morning, the suspect remains hospitalized, and no arraignment is scheduled, according to NBC Boston. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. An Arlington man is facing charges after police say he refused to exit the buffer zone surrounding the courthouse where the second murder trial of Karen Read began on Tuesday. State police say Bao Nguyen, 42, of Arlington was lingering and filming in the buffer zone outside Norfolk Superior Court and refused to leave despite several requests from officers, a spokesperson for Massachusetts State Police told Boston 25 News. Nguyen was eventually arrested for violating the order after several requests from state police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Beverly Cannone ordered that the 200-foot buffer zone remain in effect for Reads second trial and be extended to include the area bounded by Bates Court, Bullard Street, Ames Street, and Court Street. The buffer zone was put in place at the start of Reads first trial in April 2024 to keep demonstrators a distance from the courthouse. Nguyen is scheduled to be arraigned in Dedham District Court on Tuesday, according to state police. Watch the opening statements in Reads second criminal trial: Cannone added, The risk extends during trial where jurors and witnesses would have no choice but to be exposed daily to the messages and viewpoints of the protestors when entering and leaving the courthouse or sitting in the courtroom or jury room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read, 45, is accused of hitting John OKeefe, her Boston police officer, with her Lexus SUV in Canton on Jan. 29, 2022, and leaving him to die after a night of drinking. The second murder trial of Karen Read, whose case has sparked a national debate on police accountability and won her legions of devoted fans, began with opening statements Tuesday, more than three years after the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend. The defense has sought to portray Read as the victim, saying OKeefe was actually killed inside the Albert family home at 34 Fairview Road in Canton and then dragged outside and left for dead. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW MOILIILI, Hawaii (KHON2) Police said an arrest has been made in connection to a string of grave site thefts at the Moiliili Japanese Cemetery during the week of April 14. Some said harsher punishments should be on the table for such crimes. Several gravesites damaged at Oahu cemetery, again Moiliilis area representative said the rash of vandalism and destruction at the Japanese Cemetery was a disturbing sight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Especially at something thats so historic, like the Moiliili Japanese Cemetery. No, Its a big thing, Rep. Ikaika Olds said. As a lawmaker, hopefully we can take a look at what exists and how do we strengthen the laws to help create deterrents to prevent this from happening? Certain misdemeanors can be elevated to felonies if the value exceeds a set threshold $750 for theft and $1,500 for criminal property damage but not desecration. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You It is just a misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail, said legal expert Doug Chin. Desecration occurs when you commit any sort of damage against something thats like a place of worship or a place of burial. It is a misdemeanor no matter what. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honolulu police said a man was arrested in connection to the Moiliili crimes. The case is currently listed as theft but HPD said classifications can change during an investigation. Police could look at what the facts represent and then decide, This could be an example of theft or it could be an example of criminal property damage and it could also be an example of desecration,' Chin said. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news There might be hope for Moiliili beyond future law changes. Sunset Memorial Park in Pearl City has dealt with theft and vandalism for years, and nonprofit president Larry Veray said he is putting city grant money to use by purchasing fencing and cameras to install around its perimeter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once I get the fencing in the cameras and all that, now I get serious, Veray said. Now I will prosecute. And Im going to set some examples for the ones that will not take the word. I also want to partner with Moiliili because my heart goes out to them, too. Honolulu police said their investigation led to the discovery of multiple urns from Moiliili, which were returned to 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 KHON2. NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) A prominent North Myrtle Beach businessman whose role in a deadly 2023 road rage shooting has pried open calls for a wider probe is pledging to cooperate with authorities. My attorneys and I will invite and welcome additional investigation by SLED and any all objective and fair-minded inquiry into the facts and events that transpired on the afternoon of Sept. 9, 2023, Weldon Boyd said in a lengthy Facebook post to his Buoys on the Boulevard Facebook page. Scott Spivey, 33, of Tabor City, died in the shooting along Camp Swamp Road in the Loris area. He was involved in an altercation with Kenneth Williams and Boyd, who were in the same vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state Attorney Generals Office last April declined to prosecute Boyd because of insufficient evidence. That decision came after 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson asked the agency to assist Horry County Police following a social media post by Boyd days after his confrontation thanking authorities for their work. Boyd referred News13 to his attorney Ken Moss who has not responded to multiple requests for comment. Boyd said in his post hes declining media requests over concerns about accuracy. Spiveys estate in June filed a wrongful death suit against Boyd that offers a differing account of what happened the afternoon of his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His sister Jennifer told News13 on Monday that Boyds vow to work with authorities was disingenuous. All we have ever wanted was a fair investigation. We would have gladly accepted one starting the night of Sept. 9, 2023, but its clear that was not an option for Scott. If Mr. Boyd and Mr. Williams were as cooperative as Boyd states, why did he tell Mr. Williams to make sure to go back and delete their Facebook messages, Spivey said. And why didnt he give law enforcement the video he made of the incident? Spivey was traveling on Highway 9 just before 6 p.m. when an unknown altercation took place between himself, Boyd and Williams. Oh my God, hes shooting!: 911 calls describe chaotic scene from deadly Highway 9 shooting in Horry County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At times, Boyd drives his vehicle dangerously close to the rear of Spiveys vehicle, the lawsuit states. Spivey then attempted to brake check Boyd, hoping to end the chase. Boyd and Williams then began, without imminent threat to their persons or anyone else to threaten to unlawfully pursue Spivey even more vigorously, the lawsuit claims. After more than 10 minutes, Spivey turned onto Camp Swamp Road, where shots were fired. Police found Spivey dead in his front seat hunched over his center console with a handgun just underneath his hand. In his Facebook post, Boyd said he and Williams were victims of an aggressive criminal, and that his first encounter with Spivey was when he had a gun pointed at Williams head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Boyd was cleared of wrongdoing, the case took a dramatic turn last month when a high-ranking Horry County Police Department official resigned shortly after Chief Kris Leonhardt said he was asking the FBI and SLED to review evidence in Spiveys shooting death. Deputy Chief Brandon Strickland stepped down March 17 after 20 years with the agency. Last week, Horry County Council chairman Johnny Gardner asked Gov. Henry McMaster to call for an outside investigation into the Spivey case, while Administrator Barry Spivey asked SLEDs chief Mark Keel to do so as well. We have the ultimate respect and trust for Horry County Police Department and 15th Circuit Solicitors Office, Gardner wrote. However, in this investigation, our solicitor and police department felt there was an apparent conflict of interest with the shooter. Therefore, the matter was referred to SLED, who we also have the utmost respect and trust for, asking them to investigate. We agree with that decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Gardner said in his letter on Thursday that county officials learned recently that SLED is now maintaining the position that they have not been the lead investigating agency on this case. This concerns us because we still have the apparent conflict of interest and we are of the opinion that HCPD should not investigate the case, Gardner wrote. Boyd said in his Facebook post that he believes political intervention was personally motivated. I have been very outspoken and critical of numerous of our public officials. For this, numerous elected and appointed officials have sought to interfere with the investigation, Boyd said. A more constructive inquiry of the public officials is why the heck did it take so long to get officers to one of the busiest traffic corridors in Horry County? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spivey refuted those claims in her statement to News13. The county council didnt write the governor because they had some vendetta against Weldon Boyd. They did it because justice requires it, she said. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. * * * Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. PANAMA CITY, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Recent visits to Panama by high-ranking U.S. officials aimed to "undermine Panamanian dignity and sovereignty," the state-run University of Panama said Tuesday. In a statement, the Central American country's leading institution of higher learning said the goal of U.S. government interference was to "supervise" the Panama Canal. Earlier this month, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino received various visits by high-ranking U.S. officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Admiral Alvin Holsey, head of the U.S. Southern Command. The University of Panama noted that the visits of U.S. officials coincided with protests from unions and social organizations rejecting the U.S. attempt to influence Panama's national affairs. "The truth is that they are eagerly trying to subdue Panamanians in order to supervise the Canal and reestablish military bases on our soil. With the latest of the envoys, the situation is extremely delicate, as activities of a military nature took place," it said. The institution declared itself in favor of the neutrality of the Panama Canal and the rights of Panamanians as "architects of our destiny, free from foreign interference." "It is imperative to free ourselves from all subordination to the interventionist policies of the United States. The Republic of Panama has no reason to align itself with the warmongering policies of the current U.S. president," the University of Panama said. It warned that the U.S. president wants to return to the days of the "Big Stick," referring to Washington's aggressive foreign policy in the past, and the world should be wary of the tariff war he has launched. **Related Video Above: OSHP stats for 2024 GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) A man died following a single-vehicle crash in Tuscarawas County over the weekend, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported. The man was driving a Chevy pickup truck Saturday on State Route 39 in Goshen Township around 5:30 p.m. when troopers said he traveled off the road, running into a utility pole and a couple of parked vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What prompted chase on I-71: Sheriff Authorities arrived on the scene to offer aid, identifying the man as 58-year-old William Oiler of Bowerston. Troopers said Oiler was transported to the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital for treatment after first arriving at the Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital. 911 call: Postal worker reports attack at Cleveland post office He was declared dead on Sunday. It is not clear what led to the crash, and the investigation is still ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. DENVER (KDVR) A Weld County jury found a man guilty of over 50 charges after he fired 28 rounds into a Greeley bar on Aug. 13, 2022. According to the 19th Judicial District Attorneys Office, Efren Sanchez is facing between 400 and 1,200 years and was convicted of: 25 counts of first-degree attempted murder after deliberation 25 counts of first-degree attempted murder extreme indifference Two counts of crime of violence, which is a sentence-enhancing charge Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez was seen on video leaving Rancho El Corazon bar, and prosecutors said he felt disrespected by another bar patron. Shortly after that, he returned to the bar with a rifle. He can be seen on surveillance video firing several rounds at people outside the bar, then firing more rounds into the bar from outside. Affidavit: Driver who hit, killed man and dog says he was in a dream state during crash Police said Sanchez ultimately fired 28 rounds during the incident, striking two victims who were transported to a hospital and have survived. He shot bullet after bullet, causing panic and pain, Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia said during Fridays closing arguments and shared in a press release. These are innocent victims with forever reminders of the defendants actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez is scheduled to be sentenced on June 13. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The main defendant has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison in a trial in a northern German court concerning the production and sale of far-right rock music that glorified violence. "When you listen to it, it really leaves you speechless," the presiding judge at the court in the city of Luneburg, Michael Herrmann, said regarding the content of the recordings. The 35-year-old was convicted of incitement to hatred, the use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations and depictions of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court was convinced that he had sold and produced recordings with content inciting hatred. He confessed to part of the allegations during the trial. A court spokeswoman explained that a suspended sentence for the 35-year-old was not automatic despite his 16 months in pre-trial detention, and he might have to go to prison. The verdict is not yet legally binding. The Public Prosecutor's Office in the city of Celle had demanded a prison sentence of three years and eight months for the previously convicted 35-year-old from Bardowick near Luneburg. The defence argued for a maximum sentence of two years and eight months, suggesting that any remaining sentence should be suspended because their client had spent 16 months in pre-trial detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together with a 55-year-old man from Hamburg and a 46-year-old man from Saxony living in Escheburg, in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, the 35-year-old operated the sale of the recordings. Both were given suspended sentences. Two other men, aged 40 and 48, who were involved in purchasing licences and designing the covers, received fines for aiding and abetting. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Reports said a man wanted by Youngstown police for a felonious assault charge jumped into the Mahoning River Monday after he was chased by officers on foot. Read next: Juvenile in custody following police chase with stolen car Demetrius Foster, 21, was booked into the jail on his warrant from city police, which is a second-degree felony, as well as a warrant from Lucas County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said Foster was spotted about 10 a.m. in the 300 block of West Federal Street for his Youngstown warrant, which was issued Feb. 28. When Foster saw police pull up, he began running, reports said. Reports said he crossed a parking lot, crossed over West Front Street and then jumped down a 15-foot wall to a pair of train tracks that run next to the river. An officer did shoot Foster with a stun weapon, but the barb got stuck in his clothing and did not work, reports said. Foster continued running until he jumped down another wall. Police found him treading water in the river between the Marshal Street and Spring Common bridges, reports said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said police were able to talk Foster out of the water, and he was taken into custody on the riverbank. He was taken to the Mahoning County jail after he was examined by paramedics. Details of his Youngstown warrant are not immediately available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. TOL files bill creating gov't body to develop Talampas ng Pilipinas; drive PH's economic growth Building on the country's victory following the government's submission of the map of the Talampas ng Pilipinas to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) last month, Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino has filed a bill seeking to develop the resource-rich undersea landmass to drive national economic growth. Under Senate Bill No. 2996, Tolentino targets the creation of a multi-agency development body that would secure and oversee the sustainable development of the 13.5-million hectare region, that has been ruled as part of the country's continental shelf by the United Nations. Straddling Luzon's north-eastern seaboard, Tolentino hailed the Talampas ng Pilipinas ('Talampas') "as both a pillar of national sovereignty and a reservoir of untapped potential." "This maritime territory promises transformative opportunities, from renewable energy sources and marine biodiversity conservation to ecotourism development," Tolentino stated in his bill's explanatory note. "[This would] catalyze inclusive economic growth, generate employment, and uplift communities nationwide," he added. By establishing the Talampas ng Pilipinas Development Authority (TPDA), the bill envisions a central body that would unify efforts and coordinate research to unlock the potential of the largely unexplored marine territory, while also ensuring its sustainable protection. Tolentino's bill enumerates the TPDA's tasks as follows: Crafting a science-based holistic development framework aligned with national priorities; Coordinating government agencies, local governments, private enterprises, and civil society to optimize resource management and investment; Promoting public-private partnerships and innovation in renewable energy, blue economy initiatives, and ecotourism; and Safeguarding ecological balance through strict environmental protocols and marine biodiversity protection. The agency will be steered by a board of directors headed by the secretary of the recently reconstituted Department of Economy Planning and Development (DEPDev). To complement the TPDA, Tolentino has filed a separate bill, SB 2995, for the creation of the Talampas ng Pilipinas Oil Corporation, which would explore the region's vast energy potential. Tolentino is the principal author of the landmark Philippine Maritime Zones Act (RA 12064), which enshrined the Talampas and the West Philippine Sea under domestic law, in accordance with international law and principles. Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff has admitted his team is at a loss to explain the severe tyre degradation that plagued George Russell during the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, resulting in what he called the teams worst performance of the year so far. Starting from third on the grid and running in the top three early on, Russell looked poised to battle for a strong finish at the high-speed Jeddah Corniche Circuit. But Mercedes hopes quickly unraveled as the Briton began to suffer severe tyre blistering during his second stint on the hard rubber, dropping him down the order to fifth at the checkered flag a distant 18 seconds behind fourth-placed man Lando Norris. It was clearly our worst performance of the year so far, Wolff admitted. The pace just dropped away with blistering, overheating tyres and so far we havent got an explanation. The Austrian expressed his frustration at the teams inability to capitalise on its promising one-lap pace, which had hinted at a potential pole challenge. You manage your expectations being the second quickest and even that is not obviously what we would wish to achieve and then you see the race panning out like it did. It just adds to the frustration of the situation, he added. Russell: We Just Didnt Have the Pace Russell, meanwhile, rejected the suggestion that his attempt to keep up with race leader Max Verstappen early in the second stint had triggered the extreme degradation. He made it clear that the issues were systemic not strategic. I was pushing hard to stay with Max at the beginning of the second stint, Russell said. But I knew I wasnt going to be able to hold on and we fell off that cliff towards the end. I was dropping a second a lap in the last 15 laps, but to be fair, we just didnt have the pace and even if I had managed more, I think I still would have come home in P5. Russell believes the root of Mercedes issues lies in the way their W15 handles tyre temperatures. Its about how fast were going through these corners, and for whatever reason, weve generated more temperature than our rivals, he explained. Then suddenly you get to a point where the tyres are like a balloon. We had blistering on the front, blistering on the rear, and then suddenly you just have no grip from the tyre at all. A Head-Scratcher Compared to Bahrain With Mercedes having shown strong race pace in Bahrain another track known for pushing tyre temperatures to the limit Russell was left puzzled by the dramatic shift in performance between the two weekends. We need to understand why Bahrain was so positive, because thats also an overheating track, but a very different type of overheating to what you experience here in Jeddah, he said. Read also: F1i Driver Ratings for the 2025 Saudi Arabian GP We had higher hopes for the race today than we had for Bahrain, and it kind of turned out the opposite. With a long season ahead and rivals McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull currently leading the charge, Mercedes now face an urgent task: decoding what went wrong in Jeddah before the next race compounds their frustration. Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The man who killed two people and injured six more during a stabbing spree on the Las Vegas Strip will spend the rest of his life in prison, a judge ruled Tuesday. On Oct. 6, 2022, Yoni Barrios, 35, asked a group of showgirls to take a photo with a foot-long kitchen knife he was trying to sell before stabbing them, police said after his arrest. Video the 8 News Now Investigators obtained shows Barrios then randomly stabbing several other people before security and police subdued him. Brent Hallett, 47; and Maris DiGiovanni, 30, both of Las Vegas, died in the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just want to say from the bottom of my heart that Im sorry, Barrios said before Clark County District Court Judge Tierra Jones sentenced him. Yoni Barrios, 35, appears for sentencing on April 22, 2025. (KLAS) In January, Barrios took a plea deal where he agreed to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. He pleaded guilty but mentally ill to terrorism and murder charges. The agreement removed the possibility of the death penalty. Ive been doing this for a really long time and this is one of the most tragic cases Ive ever seen, Jones said before sentencing Barrios per the terms of his plea agreement. Barrios went to the Wynn casino before the stabbing spree to ask about job opportunities as a janitor, documents said. He told police he even asked the janitor to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, so he could return to Guatemala. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barrios told the group of showgirls he was a chef. One of the showgirls told the police that Barrios asked to take a picture with the group with his knife. He thought the women were laughing at him and making fun of his clothing and he said it made him angry and he stabbed one of the women in the chest, the report stated. After the stabbing involving the group, Barrios ran off, stabbing six others, including Hallett, as he ran along the sidewalk from Las Vegas Boulevard to Sands Avenue where he threw the bloody knife in some bushes, police said. Anna Westby spoke in court on Tuesday to share the pain she endured at the hands of Barrios. She was standing next to Maris Digiovanni when she was stabbed. Both were showgirls. Coming half an inch from paralyzing me from the chest down. Half an inch, Westby said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recounting the injuries she suffered, she told Judge Jones she forgives him. When I walk out of this courtroom, this is only going to continue to be a very, very small part of my story. Extremely small. This defines none of who I am, but it does define him, Westby said. DiGiovannis father also testified during the sentencing. He, however, can not yet forgive Barrios for killing his daughter. I hope that he spends his life finding the lord and asking for forgiveness. Honestly, truly, one day I will need to ask. Today, I cant, DioGiovanni said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The Los Angeles Police Department has released more information about the armed man officers shot and killed in Reseda on Sunday after he allegedly opened fire on a police helicopter. The man, whose identity has not been released, was reported to be trespassing, while armed with a handgun, and shouting obscenities in the 6400 block of Reseda Boulevard Sunday evening, police said in a news release. An LAPD air unit arrived overhead and observed the suspect armed with a handgun, the release explained. From the air unit, the Tactical Flight Officer directed the suspect, via the public address system, to drop the handgun. Instead, the suspect pointed and fired his handgun at the air unit, which prompted a help call to be broadcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement L.A. officers shoot, kill alleged armed man who fired at police helicopter When officers found the man in an alley near an apartment complex, they told him to drop the gun, then used a 40 mm less-lethal launcher when he refused. The man then pointed his six-cylinder Smith & Wesson revolver at officers, prompting at least one to open fire, police said. While no officers were struck by the multiple rounds fired their way, the man was hit and fell to the ground. He was declared dead at the scene. Police say they recovered the revolver, which had six fired cartridge casings in its cylinder. No members of the public were hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Support for victims and survivors of domestic violence is available 24/7: 1-800-897-LINK (5465). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or in an emergency, please call 911 immediately. FARMINGTON, Utah (ABC4) A man was shot and killed in an officer-involved incident on Monday after police responded to reports of a man holding a pistol to a womans head. According to the Farmington Police Department, officers responded to an area near Lupine Way and Foxglove Road just before 2 a.m. on April 21 after receiving reports of a domestic disturbance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Boy Scout leader arrested on 42 felony counts for alleged sexual abuse over 10+ years Upon arrival, officers saw the man and woman outside of a residence and confirmed that the man had a handgun. Officers gave the male multiple commands to drop the weapon, but he refused to do so, police said in a press release. One officer fired his weapon, striking the male. Medical personnel responded to the scene, but the man was declared dead. Neither the woman nor any officers were injured at the scene during the shooting. Farmington Police said there is no ongoing threat to the public, and that the incident was isolated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, and the Davis County Officer Involved Critical Incident Protocol Team is investigating. There is no further information at this time. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The Tampa Police Department launched an investigation Monday night after a man was killed in a shooting at a local apartment complex. Officers responded to the Palm Avenue Apartments on North 30th Street after receiving calls regarding a disturbance. VIDEO: Man attacks, pins down 11-year-old girl he assumed threw eggs at his home When they arrived, police found a 38-year-old man with what they described as upper body trauma. The man succumbed to his injuries at the scene, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Monday night, his identity had not been released. Investigators believe the shooting was an isolated incident and said Monday there was no danger to the public. The investigation was ongoing Monday night, and no further information was immediately available. This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The man charged in a Johnson County, Kansas, homicide has pleaded guilty. Joseph Andrew Wacaster, 32, pleaded guilty on Monday in a Johnson County courtroom to premeditated first-degree murder in the killing of his boyfriend, 27-year-old Cade Blackburn. Kansas City man charged in deadly hit-and-run crash In late March 2024, officers found Blackburn dead inside a home near 5th and Edgewood Drive in Edgerton, which is located in southern Johnson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the affidavit, police said they found Blackburns body covered with the family board game Sorry along with a Bible. Deputies also recovered a large butcher knife with blood on it. The parents told officers they received cryptic messages from their sons phone and believed it was Wacaster who sent them. According to prosecutors, Blackburn and Wacaster were in a relationship. He was arrested later in Oklahoma. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Wacaster is scheduled for sentencing on June 3, 2025. If you are having a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Veterans can press 1 after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255. Kansas City residents can find local mental health resources here. Victims of domestic violence can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Those with hearing impairments can contact 1-800-787-3224. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A Milwaukee man is now taking responsibility for the shooting four years ago that killed a hotel security guard, sparing him the prospect of spending the rest of his life behind bars. Arrick Adams initially was charged with first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the Dec. 6, 2021, killing of Jose Stanton, a 28-year-old security guard at the Days Inn hotel at North Sixth and West Vine streets. In Wisconsin, first-degree intentional homicide is a Class A felony that carries a mandatory life sentence upon conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Milwaukee man gets 45-year prison sentence for fatally strangling Emily Rogers, hiding body However, Adams, 39, pleaded guilty to amended charges of first-degree reckless homicide and first-degree recklessly endangering safety on April 21, the same day jury selection was slated to get underway in his trial. A third charge, accusing him of being a felon in possession of a firearm, was dismissed by Assistant District Attorney Daniel T. Flaherty. That charge will be read into the court record at Adams' sentencing on July 11. More: Milwaukee man, 20, charged in 2022 shooting deaths of 2 Brown Deer brothers Jose Stanton died while trying to break up an argument According to the criminal complaint, Adams and his girlfriend were having an argument at the hotel, when Stanton told them to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court papers say Adams left the hotel, but returned a short time later with a gun and started shooting. A medical examiner's report indicated Stanton suffered six gunshot wounds. More: Jury finds Milwaukee officer negligent for running over man with squad car after chase How was Arrick Adams caught? Prosecutors say Adams fled the area after the shooting, but was arrested Dec. 10, 2021, in Georgia after a high-speed chase there with authorities. Court records show authorities in Wisconsin contacted the sheriff's office in Henry County, Georgia, after tracking the cellphone of Adams' girlfriend. The location reportedly was a residence in Henry County, just south of Atlanta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams surrendered after deputies boxed-in his black Hyundai Sonata on Interstate 75 in Georgia. A 9 mm pistol was recovered from the vehicle, the complaint says. More: '(He) just kept killing': Milwaukee man gets 95 years in 2021 shooting spree that left 3 dead There has been trouble at the Days Inn in the past This isn't the first homicide reported at that Days Inn hotel. Jahara Kennedy, 20, was fatally shot on Jan. 4, 2015, during a party at the hotel. Kennedy was celebrating her sister's birthday when four men tried to rob them. Kennedy barricaded herself behind a closed door. One of the men shot through the door, and a bullet hit Kennedy in the head. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man admits he killed hotel security guard in 2021 RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) On Tuesday, Apr. 22, 2025, a Wake County man was sentenced to more than 23 years in prison on drug charges. Myquan Taquil Houston, aka Dirty, pled guilty on January 13, 2025, to the offenses of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a substance containing fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a substance containing fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine. Court documents say that Houston and another person sold fentanyl to a confidential informant five times in Raleigh. Houstons house in Knightdale, North Carolina was searched by officials on July 26, 2025. They found 502.29 grams of cocaine, 41.54 grams of cocaine base (crack), 134.46 grams of fentanyl and ANPP, 26.6 grams of Oxycodone, digital scales, a loaded .45 caliber handgun, two cellphones, and $7,970 in U.S. currency. After investigation, Houston sold around $1,400 of fentanyl every other week for at least a year prior to his arrest, which made him responsible for 1,590.46 grams of fentanyl and 635.1 grams of cocaine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Houston had prior convictions for felony breaking and entering and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine and a quantity of cocaine base (crack), distribution of a quantity of cocaine, and aiding and abetting. He was also on federal supervised release in the Eastern District of North Carolina at the time of these offenses. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Daniel P. Bubar made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aria Q. Merle 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. NEWTON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A Catawba County man will spend decades in prison after he was convicted of trafficking drugs. The Catawba County Sheriffs Office announced Tuesday that 36-year-old Maynor Javier Yanes Basquez was convicted in Catawba County Superior Court on April 10 of multiple felony charges, including three counts of trafficking narcotics, fleeing to elude arrest and maintaining a vehicle for the purposes of distributing controlled substances. Basquez was sentenced to serve 57 to 75 years. This conviction stems from a car chase in October 2022. During that incident, deputies located and seized 938 grams of fentanyl and 574 grams of methamphetamine from Basquez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Basquez has also been sentenced to serve 63 to 82 years in a separate case. That conviction stems from charges of attempted murder and discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling occurring in McDowell County. The Catawba County Sheriffs Office noted that with both sentences combined, Basquez could spend a maximum of 175 years in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections. MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. (FOX40.COM) A man was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison earlier this month for the 2019 murder of 18-year-old Andrea Cervantes Alejandre, according to the San Joaquin District Attorneys Office. Video Above: Homicide vs Murder vs Manslaughter Officials said the Tracy Police Department discovered Alejandres body with a knife in her neck in an apartment on June 22, 2019, on Carlton Way in Tracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators discovered that Alejandre was a U.S citizen who had just moved from Mexico and was living with Antonio Cuellar at the time. Cuellar sold his vehicle in Fresno and fled to Mexico after the murder. He was found and extradited to the U.S in 2024 and was sentenced on April 10, 2025, for first-degree premeditated murder, officials said. Oroville man pleades guilty to paying women to sexually abuse children This sentencing delivers justice for Andrea Cervantes Alejandre and her family, who have endured unimaginable loss, said District Attorney Ron Freitas. The relentless pursuit of truth by our law enforcement partners and my team ensures that violent offenders like Cuellar face the consequences of their actions, no matter where they flee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. By Brian Thevenot and Victoria Waldersee HONG KONG (Reuters) -As the sun set over Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour, well-dressed social media influencers swarmed a lineup of sleek electric vehicles from Chinese automaker Xpeng, among the buzziest brands in the worlds premier EV market. Xpeng (XPEV, 9868.HK) had come to the cruise-ship terminal ahead of this week's Shanghai auto show to unveil its upscale X9 minivan priced from 359,800 yuan ($49,231) with automated-driving features, a drop-down screen to entertain rear-seat passengers - and even a built-in refrigerator. The biggest crowds surrounded Xpeng's concept flying car, which sat alongside a six-wheeled van designed to carry it. At a press conference the next day, Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng and President Brian Gu bristled with ambition, predicting the company would emerge as one of few survivors from Chinas hypercompetitive EV industry by expanding globally and building in-house artificial-intelligence capabilities. Like Tesla, it aims to develop robotaxis and humanoid robots. Unlike Tesla (TSLA), Xpeng has yet to turn a profit, despite fast-growing sales since its first car debuted in 2018 and an investment from Volkswagen. The same is true of scores of other China EV makers, even as the sector leads a technological revolution that is upending the automotive industry globally. Only a handful make money, most notably BYD (BYDDF, BYDDY), China's biggest EV-and-hybrid producer and Tesla's leading rival. The burning question facing Chinas EV industry as it gathers in Shanghai is how and when it can convert explosive sales of ground-breaking vehicles into sustainable profits. The intense competition driving the sector's innovation has also made China a market with precious few winners, foreign or domestic. Xpeng President Gu takes a clear-eyed view of the challenge. "In the past two decades, we can see that only a few companies are performing well," he said. "Im very concerned about Chinese automakers I think in the end, only 10 will survive." Xpeng is among the Chinese EV startups best positioned to thrive as the industry moves from the "electrification" era to "smartification" - competing on self-driving and other AI-driven technology, said Bo Yu, a China-market expert at research firm Jato Dynamics. "They're not profitable because they've invested in a lot of new things, but their profitability is improving," she said of Xpeng. "They've started in-house development of AI and self-driving, and the flying car isn't just a show - they really believe in it." KANSAS CITY, Mo. A California man has been sentenced to prison in Missouri after assaulting an officer and attempting to flee from law enforcement, prompting an emergency landing at the Kansas City International Airport (KCI). Juan Remberto Rivas, Jr., was sentenced to two years for one count of third-degree assault and one year for two counts of escape or attempted escape from custody while under arrest for a felony. He will serve these sentences concurrently. Teens killed in Saturday crash were students leaving Shawnee Mission South prom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the prosecutors office, on Feb. 13, 2022, Rivas was a passenger on an American Airlines flight heading to Washington, D.C. from Los Angeles when he attempted to open a passenger door on the plane, putting the lives of the nearly 150 passengers in danger. The prosecutors office said Rivas shouted, Im going to fing kill you all, before he was restrained by other passengers, forcing the Boeing 737 to make an emergency landing at KCI. Upon landing, both federal and state law enforcement officers took Rivas into custody. However, prosecutors proved at his March 2025 trial that Rivas had attempted to escape while being escorted to a police car. According to the prosecutors office, he had broken free of his handcuffs and assaulted a KCI Airport officer before attempting to grab the officers weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The KCI Airport officer suffered a sprained hand and had to wear a splint for two weeks, the prosecutors office said. In addition to his most recent conviction, Rivas was also charged and sentenced to 19 months in prison in a federal court after pleading guilty to interfering with flight crewmembers. NKC police investigating after report of indecent exposure at YMCA Rivas will serve two years in a Missouri prison following his federal sentence, Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said. This case was investigated by the Kansas City International Airport Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Zachary McKnight and First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mark Gibson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Apr. 21ROCHESTER A Wisconsin man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2021 was sentenced to over three years in jail on Friday, April 18. Jorge Emilio Beniquez-Gomez, 32, was charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct. He entered a Norgaard plea, or a type of plea that allows a defendant to admit they have no memory of the incident because they were intoxicated, to one count in September. In exchange for his plea, the second charge was dismissed. Olmsted County District Judge Christa Daily ordered Beniquez-Gomez to serve a 41-month prison sentence in the St. Cloud correctional facility, followed by 10 years on probation. He will also be required to register as a predatory offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rochester police received a call from a victim advocate reporting a sexual assault that occurred on Oct. 16, 2021. A woman in her 20s told police that she went out drinking with her friends that night. According to the complaint, they returned to her friend's apartment at the end of the night. The woman was intoxicated, so her friends in the apartment helped her into bed, the complaint said. Beniquez-Gomez, an acquaintance of the apartment's lessor, was also in the apartment. The woman woke up in the middle of the night to him sexually assaulting her, according to the complaint. Beniquez-Gomez's DNA was found on the woman's cervix. Those experiencing sexual exploitation can call a 24-hour crisis line at 507-289-0636 to speak to someone who can direct you towards help. HOUSTON (WJW) A Texas man was sentenced to prison for smuggling six baby Mexican spider monkeys into the United States, prosecutors announced on Monday. Sarmad Ghaled Dafar, 33, of Houston, was sentenced in federal court to four months in custody and 180 days on house arrest for trafficking the protected animals, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Southern District of California. Court documents said Dafar coordinated buying and smuggling the monkeys across the border to try to sell them in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation started in August 2023, when officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stopped three baby spider monkeys from being smuggled into the U.S. by an accomplice at the Calexico West Port of Entry. An baby spider monkey (Credit: Getty Images) Investigators search the accomplices phone and discovered that the monkeys, only weeks-old, were being smuggled for Dafar, the attorneys office said. According to court documents, evidence in the case also revealed that Dafar arranged for three other baby monkeys to be smuggled from Mexico in June 2022 and July 2023. Investigators said its unclear what happened to those monkeys. Firefighters, community mourning loss of Lt. Paul Mickolick how you can help his family Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators also found Facebook messages that Dafar sent to a potential buyer in 2022, reading, I have monkey coming in 2 week baby monkeyIs a spider monkey [Ill] let you know when it is here because they gonna send it to me from California. In the Facebook messages, Dafar told the potential buyer that spider monkeys normally sell for $15,000, but I ask 8k, according to the attorneys office. He also attached a photo of a baby monkey in a cage under a heat lamp, court documents said. The three rescued monkeys were taken to the San Diego Zoo, where they needed to be quarantined to prevent the spread of potential diseases like Ebola and Mpox, investigators said. Zoo officials learned that those monkeys all came from different mothers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dafar was also ordered to pay more than $23,000 in restitution to cover the cost of quarantining and caring for the animals. This crime ripped weeks-old baby monkeys from their mothers, disrupted fragile ecosystems, endangered a vulnerable species and posed significant public health risks, U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said. This is not merely an economic crime; it is a severe and lasting injury to both wildlife and public safety. Border security is not just about interdicting drugs and preventing illegal entries. It also involves protecting the public from dangerous diseases. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contributes to securing our borders and keeping the public safe. Walgreens settles allegations around opioid prescriptions for $300M: DOJ The three monkeys, later named Chrissy, Jack and Janet, now live with other rescued primates at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brookfield Zoo officials spoke out about the rescue in February, stating that, these endangered primates were separated from their motherswho were likely killed during their captureand arrived at rescue facilities malnourished and traumatized. Zoo officials went on say the spider monkeys are recovering remarkably and guests will be able to meet them this summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. NILES, Ohio (WKBN) A Weathersfield Township man pleaded guilty to public indecency and was sentenced Monday. Edward Raidel, 70, was sentenced to one year probation, fined $250 and ordered not to have contact with the victim, who is his neighbor. Raidel was charged earlier this month after officers were called to his home in the 2500 block of Walnut Street. A police report said that a neighbor saw Raidel nude in his garage with the door open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report said that when police asked Raidel what was going on, he told them he was allowed to be in his house naked, but police informed him that he was not allowed to be in his garage naked where anyone could see him and that he did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy to be naked in his garage with the door open in the middle of the afternoon. Police noted that they have dealt with similar issues with Raidel in the past, noting two separate cases in 2022 and again in 2024, when Raidel had been charged with disorderly conduct and public indecency, respectively, and was accused of being naked or partially naked in view of the public, including children. According to court records, Raidel pleaded down the 2024 case to disorderly conduct. In the 2022 case, Raidel pleaded no contest to a reduced charge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. CHICAGO A death investigation is underway after a 37-year-old man was fatally shot outside an apartment high-rise building on the citys North Side. The shooting happened around 2:17 a.m. Tuesday on the 6000 block of North Sheridan in the Edgewater neighborhood. According to police, officers responded to the high-rise after a call of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 37-year-old man on the ground with a gunshot wound to the inner right thigh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bank in Aurora robbed; FBI investigating He was transported to St. Francis Hospital where he was pronounced dead. No one is in custody. Area Three Detectives are investigating. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. No arrests had been made Tuesday in a fatal Monday night shooting outside a troubled motel in northeast Oklahoma City, police say. Officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department responded shortly before 11:10 p.m. Monday at the Relax Inn, 2211 NE 23rd St., where police had received a 911 call about a person hit by gunfire. In a brief news release early Tuesday, the department said they found the victim in a grassy area on the motel grounds. David Hinds Jr., 48, appeared to have been shot to death, according to police. Capt. Valerie Littlejohn also said the motive for the shooting remained unknown as of Tuesday afternoon. Police are asking anyone with information to call the department's homicide tip-line at 405-297-1200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: A northeast OKC motel is a base for prostitution and other crimes. Neighbors want it shut down Relax Inn, QuickMart and In & Out Used Tires are pictured April 1, 2024, along NE 23rd St. in Oklahoma City. The Relax Inn has become a base for alleged drug use, prostitution and violent crime, as previously reported by The Oklahoman in 2024. Many residents in the area have called for the city to declare the motel a public nuisance and to shut it down. Hinds' death is considered the 19th homicide this year, according to police. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Relax Inn the site of deadly shooting in northeast OKC Monday night The Los Angeles Police Department has released video of a man who walked into a chapel and stole a large metal cross last week, with the aim of locating him and recovering the valuable religious object. According to police, the theft occurred on Thursday, April 17, shortly after the Holy Thursday Service at St. Camillus Center for Spiritual Care on Zonal Avenue, near L.A. General Medical Center. Security footage shows the thief, described only as a Black or Hispanic male, casually walking up to the altar, grabbing the Eucharist cross, and then exiting through the chapels front door. The chapel was empty at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police told KTLA that the cross is valued in the five digits. Anyone who recognizes the man in the video or has information is urged to contact LAPD Investigator K. Hanna at 35182@lapd.online or 323-224-0108. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MARYSVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) A man accused in a fatal stabbing on Monday in Marysville allegedly called police and admitted to killing his father. Marysville police went to the 1400 block of Meadowlark Lane after 12:30 p.m. and found one man dead after being stabbed. The suspect, identified by police on Tuesday as 27-year-old Micaiah Swindler, was arrested and charged with murder. Central Ohio biotech firm shuts down, with over 200 employees laid off 911 audio revealed that Swindler called police and admitted to killing his father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not gonna lie, I just killed my father, he said in the call. After telling the dispatcher his name and saying he intended to cause his father harm, he was asked why he attacked his father. God told me to, he said. Swindler was taken to Tri-County Regional Jail and on Tuesday he was issued a $1 million bond at an arraignment hearing in Marysville Municipal Court. He is next scheduled to appear in court on May 1 for a preliminary hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. In the constellation of energy stocks today, Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) is a standout, offering investors a lofty 7.7% yield. That's extremely attractive given that the S&P 500 index, even after a big sell-off, is only yielding around 1.3%. The average energy stock is yielding just 3.1%. But before you rush off to buy shares of this Dallas-based pipeline company because of its high yield, you need to know a little bit more about its distribution history. In the end, you might be better off with an industry peer, Enbridge (NYSE: ENB). Here's why. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue Energy Transfer's yield is good today Energy Transfer has a lofty 7.7% yield right now. As noted, that is well above average and it's even higher than Enbridge's 5.8% yield. If all you care about is the yield that exists today, Energy Transfer is the clear winner. But a look back at the history of the master limited partnership's yield is very telling. While Enbridge's yield has waxed and waned over time, it hasn't seen massive peaks and valleys. Energy Transfer's yield rocketed higher in 2016 and 2020. "Why?" should be the first word to pop into your mind. The answers are a bit unsettling. In 2016, the energy sector was going through a rough patch. Energy Transfer agreed to buy Williams Companies (NYSE: WMB) but quickly got cold feet. It was an ugly period, and investors were worried that the acquisition, if it were completed, would lead to a dividend cut. That didn't happen, but there were clearly some worrying decisions made by Energy Transfer during the period based on the market reaction. In 2020, meanwhile, Energy Transfer cut its distribution in half because of the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Most dividend investors are looking for reliable income streams, not ones that get cut in the face of adversity. To be fair, the distribution is increasing again and is now above where it was before the cut. But Energy Transfer basically let investors down right when they probably needed income the most. Enbridge has a better dividend history While it probably wouldn't be a huge mistake to buy Energy Transfer, that doesn't mean it would be the best decision, either. If you are one of those dividend investors that actually finds dividend reliability important, well, Enbridge is probably going to be more to your liking. The Calgary-based company has increased its dividend, in Canadian dollars, for 30 years and counting. MAURY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Maury County commissioners have reignited a debate about whether to revive the Columbia Dam project on the Duck River, which was halted in 1983. The Duck River has been called one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America and concerns over endangered species caused the project to stop after millions were spent in construction. Decades ago, hundreds of families in Maury County had portions of their land taken to complete the dam project including the grandparents of vice chairperson of Columbia Now, Jason Gilliam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VIDEO: Impact of budget cuts on Duck River Every day I drive by there and its like an old wound that never heals, Gilliam told News 2. You just keep thinking, Well, that used to be part of mine and my family.' Gilliam, who is also a board member of the Maury County Water System, said there has been a renewed push to bring the dam back to solve Maury Countys water issues. We are in dire need for water, Gilliam added. There is a newfound vigor in us to bring this dam back. Even though Doug Jones, president of the Duck River Conservancy, said the organization doesnt have an official stance on the reconstruction of the dam, Jones shared some concerns about the project with News 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dams dont do anything good for the rivers Ill say that, Jones said. Earlier this month, Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt weighed in on the matter in a Facebook post. There is no doubt a dam would solve our water issues for a very long time and bring recreation and revenue to Maury County, the post reads, in part. However, in the post, she acknowledged that the dams construction would take several years and would need federal support. She added that she would only back the project if state leaders secure a financial commitment from the federal government and the Tennessee Valley Authority, of which she said she was doubtful. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com We have support, Gilliam told News 2. We have support in Washington. We have all the local support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gilliam said Columbia Dam Now, a self-described effort to restore the dam, has entered talks with state leaders about securing funding. The Maury County Commission voted to support the project at their Monday night meeting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Capstone Accounting and Tax, which offers tax, accounting, and advisory services, has strengthened its foothold in the US with two additions. The firm has expanded into Colorado through the addition of Keller & Mendoza CPAs, with Maury Keller becoming a partner at Capstone. Vail Valley-based Keller & Mendoza CPAs offers tax strategy, business consulting, real estate investment advising, succession planning, and business accounting services. Keller, with more than three decades of experience in tax strategy, business consulting, and financial advisory services, will continue heading the Vail office. Clients of Keller & Mendoza CPAs will maintain their relationships with existing team members while gaining access to Capstones broader resources and technology infrastructure. Capstone Accounting and Tax managing partner Lance Brant said: Expanding into Colorado is an exciting milestone for Capstone. Maury and his team have built a firm known for exceptional service, and we are thrilled to welcome them into Capstone. This partnership strengthens our ability to serve clients in a dynamic and growing market. Concurrently, Capstone has integrated Sargent CPA, enhancing its reach in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Will Sargent, who has over 14 years of experience in accounting, tax strategy, and business advisory services, also joined Capstone as a partner. Sargent CPAs existing client base will continue to work with their advisors, now supported by Capstones expanded team and advisory services. As part of this deal, the Klamath Falls office has relocated to Capstones premises at 422 S 5th Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601. Brant added: This partnership reflects our commitment to expanding our reach while maintaining the high level of service and local expertise that our clients expect. Wills leadership and experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow. Founded in 2004, Capstone Accounting and Tax serves both businesses and individuals. Earlier this month, the firm received an investment from San Diego-based private equity firm Seaside Equity Partners. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed. "Capstone expands with Keller & Mendoza CPAs, Sargent CPA" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. WASHINGTON Fresh off a trip to El Salvador, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) said Tuesday he can confirm firsthand that President Donald Trump isnt doing anything to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and his administration should be held in contempt for disobeying a Supreme Court order. Frost was one of a handful of House Democrats who visited El Salvador to demand the release of Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who was living in Maryland untilthe Trump administration wrongly deported him to an El Salvador prison last month due to an administrative error. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled this month that the Trump administration must help return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. to ensure he gets due process. Now back in his Florida district, Frost told reporters on a press call that he discovered in El Salvador that the U.S. embassy there is pretty much in the dark on any plans for bringing back Abrego Garcia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had a classified briefing with the ambassador, he said. Leaving that meeting, I can tell people that the Trump administration has not told the embassy to begin the facilitation of his return at all. Asked if he supports the idea of Trump administration officials being held in contempt of court over it, Frost didnt hesitate to say yes. I think it is a good idea, he said. They are blatantly disobeying the Supreme Court order. The administration will tell you, Were not disobeying it. ... I can tell you right now they are disobeying it. We heard directly from people on the ground in El Salvador working, about the administration, that they have not been told to do anything in terms of facilitating his return. And thats complete defiance of the Supreme Court. The Trump administration has repeatedly ignored court orders demanding that it facilitate Abrego Garcias release. Three courts a district court, an appeals court and the Supreme Court have ordered Trump officials to assist with Abrego Garcias return to the U.S. so his case can be handled as if the government had not erroneously deported him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, Trump officials continue to lie about who Abrego Garcia actually is and twist themselves into pretzels to avoid admitting he was wrongly deported. The president himself has scoffed at the idea of bringing him back, saying its out of his hands. On Sunday, Trump went so far as to threaten legal action against anyone who doesnt take his side in the fight. Those lying to the American People on behalf of violent criminals have to be held responsible by the Agencies and the Courts, Trump wrote Sunday on Truth Social, the platform he owns. Frost said Tuesday that he expects the decision over Abrego Garcias return to end up before the Supreme Court again, and when it does, They should definitely find the administration in contempt. "The Trump administration has not told the embassy to begin the facilitation of [Abrego Garcia's] return at all," said Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.). via Associated Press The judge currently presiding over Abrego Garcias case, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, has already suggested shes weighing contempt proceedings against Trump officials. If she moves forward with it, that could mean penalties like jail, fines or public censure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A problem for the courts, though, is that these punishments require enforcement by an executive branch agency, all of which are now led by Trump loyalists, or enforcement by officials who can actually feel shame, who may not exist within the Trump administration. Frost said Democrats plan to keep the spotlight on Abrego Garcias case to pressure Trump to facilitate his release. He noted more lawmakers are planning trips to El Salvador in the near future to demand his return to the U.S. The point of all this isnt even about Abrego Garcia, he said, but what it means when a president ignores court orders and peoples constitutional right to due process. Were going down a very dark road, said Frost. About a week ago, the president, in the Oval Office, said he wants to do homegrowns next, and hes talking about sending U.S. citizens to prisons, gulags and jails across the entire globe, which is obviously unconstitutional and illegal. He added, We want to make sure that we could advocate for the release of Abrego Garcia and others as well that have not received their due process. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux will travel to Baton Rouge this week to take part in Caddo Day at the state Capitol, joining around 70 local leaders and officials from both the city and parish. The goal is to share North Louisianas priorities with state lawmakers and advocate for key legislation. Among the top issues on the agenda is a proposed state law targeting unlawful occupancy. If passed, individuals would have to demonstrate they have a legal right to be there, reversing the current assumption that someone can remain unless asked to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Local News Shreveport has already implemented a similar ordinance that went into effect on April 3. Mayor Arceneaux says police have conducted over 50 property checks and made seven arrests related to unlawful occupancy. Officers plan to refine their approach moving forward to better identify and remove squatters during early-morning operations. The mayor is also reminding residents of an upcoming deadline to apply for the citys summer internship programs. Applications are due this Friday. College students who are sophomores or above are eligible to apply for the Mayors Internship Program, while high school students through college freshmen can apply through the Department of Community Development. Both applications are available on the City of Shreveport website. Mayor Arceneaux also addressed last weeks SporTran bus explosion, describing the outcome as a miracle. Thanks to the quick thinking and training of the bus driver, all passengers were safely evacuated before the explosion. The mayor praised both the driver and SporTran leadership for their calm, effective response in what could have been a deadly situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Monday proposed laying off more than 1,600 government workers in an attempt to close a nearly $1 billion budget gap amid a slumping economy while the city contends with the costly job of rebuilding a seaside neighborhood leveled in a January wildfire. The prospect of chopping hundreds of government jobs comes as the latest unwelcome news for the first-term Democrat, who will stand for reelection next year. In an address to the city council, Bass called the municipal workforce the citys greatest asset but said cuts were needed as City Hall wrestles with uncertainty in Washington, higher costs for worker salaries and benefits, a slowing economy, and the daunting work of rebuilding the affluent Pacific Palisades community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a very difficult budget to balance, Bass said. She called her decision to propose job cuts a last resort. David Green, president of Service Employees International Union, Local 721, which represents over 10,000 city workers, said the union would be looking for new funding sources and other alternatives to slashing jobs. Were not going to allow the out-of-touch bureaucrats to balance the budget on the backs of city workers, Green said in a statement. Late last month, Bass and the city council appealed to Sacramento for nearly $2 billion in disaster recovery aid as the city faces a projected deficit that Bass office pegged at nearly $1 billion. She plans to return to Sacramento this week to seek additional state funds that could reduce the proposed layoffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palisades Fire destroyed more than 6,800 structures and killed at least 12 people. Its up to the council to approve the spending blueprint for the fiscal year that begins July 1. No firefighters or sworn police officers would be cut. Bass proposed work force reductions recall the difficult financial stretch of the 2008 recession, when then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa ended up chopping thousands of government jobs to keep the books in balance, pushed municipal workers for the first time to pay toward their pensions and health care, and clashed with the teachers union that once employed him. During the coronavirus pandemic, then-Mayor Eric Garcetti furloughed about 15,000 city workers and offered early retirement packages to others, but avoided outright layoffs at a large scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the citys shaky financial shape, Bass delivered a mostly upbeat speech to the council, noting that crime had dipped, including homicides, and the city was gradually getting homeless individuals off the streets and into housing. She acknowledged the obvious: Though the numbers point to improvement, homeless encampments remain a familiar sight in neighborhoods across the city and more funds are needed for housing. There is much further to go, she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Mayor Karen Bass delivered a startling reality for the Los Angeles budget at her state of the city address Monday as she proposed laying off 1,647 people in the wake of a $1 billion shortfall in the proposed city budget. "Our budget situation is critical," Bass wrote in the proposed budget released Monday. "Downward economic trends have driven City revenues down far lower than previously projected." In her state of the city speech delivered before the budget's release, Bass called the looming layoffs "a decision of absolute last resort." In her speech, she spoke to those who could lose their jobs directly, saying: "Make no mistake you are this citys greatest asset. Every single day, you come to work in dedicated service to the people of Los Angeles, often in challenging working conditions you help Angelenos and you help make our city better every day." Bass' office said no sworn Los Angeles Police Officers will be lost, and that the budget adds 227 members to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The mayor, who was sworn in as Mayor in December 2022 after defeating businessman Rick Caruso, has been barraged with problems in the months since a string of deadly wildfires that exploded on January 7 and ripped through Los Angeles County fueled by the Santa Ana winds, killing a dozen Angelenos in the Palisades Fire and leveling miles of the Pacific Palisades in the city. Bass was traveling on a diplomatic mission to Ghana when the blazes began and returned to a slew of questions about cuts to the LAFD's budget and a demand for answers as to why hydrants were tapped dry in the Palisades as the fires raged. The mayor cited the drop in revenue from the nearly 8,000 homes and businesses destroyed or damaged in the Palisades Fire as she explained the startling economics the city is facing in the new fiscal year which begins July 1 and the increased costs for firefighting and recovery efforts. LAFD Captain Frank Lima stands in the rubble of a home that once stood in the Pacific Palisades after saving the neighboring home with the help of other firefighters Irvin Rivera The layoffs will force some city departments to close, Bass conceded in her speech. "Were also taking steps to make our city run in a more efficient manner were going to consolidate departments, rebuild our reserves and reorganize structures with the number one goal of improving service for Angelenos," she told those assembled in City Hall. She did cite some wins for the city. "Homelessness," Bass says, "is down. Crime is down. These are tough challenges, and they show that we can do so much more. We still have a long way to go. We need a citywide turnaround. And we need a fundamental overhaul of City government to deliver the clean, safe and orderly neighborhoods that Angelenos deserve in the place they called home and to reverse decades of failure on homelessness." I believe in this city. Los Angeles is the best city in the world and TOGETHER, we will write the next chapter of the amazing story of this great city. pic.twitter.com/AEndt0FCtJ Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) April 21, 2025 Bass did not mention that some of those failures fall at her feet after an independent audit raised serious questions about accountability measures implemented in the $2.4 billion in homeless services grants awarded by the city. The audit found that "insufficient financial accountability led to an inability to trace substantial funds allocated to the City Programs. The lack of uniform data standards and real-time oversight increased the risk of resource misallocation and limited the ability to assess the true impact of homelessness assistance services." JACKSON, Miss. (AP) The mayor of Mississippis capital city, whos under indictment on federal bribery and conspiracy charges, trailed his opponent in Tuesday's Democratic primary runoff, according to unofficial vote totals released by the City Clerk's Office. Preliminary results showed state Sen. John Horhn leading with 18,493 votes compared to two-term Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba s 6,246 votes. The results of absentee votes had not yet been announced. Horhn declared victory in the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are ready for something different, Horhn said in a recent interview. They are ready for change; theyre ready for leadership; theyre ready for better streets; theyre ready for less crime; theyre ready for more opportunities. The winner of the race will advance to the June 3 general election and will be expected to win given the citys political makeup. Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Jackson City Council member Aaron B. Banks were indicted in November. The indictment alleges the three Democrats accepted payments, including $50,000 for the mayors reelection campaign, from two people they thought were real estate developers looking to build a hotel near the downtown convention center. It turns out they worked for the FBI. All three have pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents have been, you know, told a narrative that should that should give them every reason for us not to be here, right? And were trying to make it clear that thats not who we are, Lumumba said Friday. Lumumba and Horhn faced off in a Democratic mayoral primary once before in 2017. In that race, Lumumba defeated Horhn outright, earning 55% of the vote. In the April 1 primary, Lumumbas vote share dropped to 17%. Horhn secured 48%, but fell short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff. Within in the past week, Horhn received and benefitted the endorsement of Mississippi U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Homeland Security, noted Eric R. Schmidt, an assistant professor of government and politics at Millsaps College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats different is that he came very close to winning the Democratic Party nomination outright; and whats different as well is the cloud that the criminal indictment against the current mayor has cast over the race, Schmidt said. Schmidt said the runoff winner will almost certainly be the next mayor of Jackson, noting that approximately 25,000 people voted in the April 1 Democratic primary and less than 400 voted in the corresponding Republican primary. ___ This story has been updated to correct the surname of Jody Owens. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) San Diego City Mayor Todd Gloria presented his draft budget to the City Council during its Monday afternoon meeting. The city is facing a $258 million budget deficit, and Mayor Glorias draft budget includes $175 million in cuts. The cuts include reducing the Humane Societys Contract by 20 percent, shortening recreation centers operating hours, seasonally closing city park restrooms, decreasing funding for the arts, eliminating 400 jobs, eliminating all beach and bay fire rings, and reducing library hours by closing on Sundays and Mondays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As areas of concern, we really depend on our library because a lot of our homes are WiFi deficient, Francine Maxwell, a community specialist, said. They should have suggested its a draft, Thursday, Friday closed and then we can start the conversation. But when you try to close something on a Sunday, Monday, it speaks volumes to where your heart is and what the moral compass looks like. I will not be supporting something that has such drastic cuts, Moreno said during Mondays meeting. Its not going to be easy and we knew that, Councilmember Marni Von Wilpert said. The council chambers were packed with those who disagreed with the budget cuts on the table, and after the Mayor and his staffs presentation, public comment lasted more than an hour and a half, with a strong majority against the budget draft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilmember Vivian Moreno said during the meeting that she was very concerned that the cuts could have a negative impact on communities of color. City staff said they received 1,100 written comments opposed to the draft budget, and six comments in support of the proposal. During the public comment portion of Mondays council meeting, dozens of people were in attendance to support the arts within the city, and they spoke out against any cuts to arts funding. Its been a long time coming and we expected our elected officials to really treat this deficit as you would treat your home, Maxwell said. Some of the overpaid fat at the top is what needs to be cut. She said she doesnt believe some of the proposed budget cuts are in San Diegans best interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed cuts also include cuts to the overhead of the Northeastern SDPD substation, but SDPD Chief Scott Wahl said the same staffing and patrolling levels would remain. Lets start at the top instead of always starting right at the bottom for the areas of concern, if we are an equal society, then we should be able to equal out some things and knowing that you have a lot of fat at the top, means that you need to cut the fat, why do you always start at the backs of the working class? Maxwell said. This is supposed to be a city for all of us, but this budget speaks to the volumes of how our city is divided. Public hearings on the budget are scheduled in May, and a revised proposal is set to be introduced on May 14. The City Council is expected to have a final vote on the budget by June 10, before the fiscal year begins on July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Apr. 21ROCHESTER A Mazeppa woman accused of withdrawing more than $178,000 from a vulnerable adult's bank account received a stay of adjudication, or a delayed conviction. Daphne Jo Castillo, 59, was charged with 10 counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and one count of issuing a dishonored check, all felonies. Castillo pleaded guilty to one count of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult in February. During the sentencing hearing on Monday afternoon, April 21, District Court Judge Pamela King issued a stay of adjudication on one count of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Castillo will also be on supervised probation for five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castillo is also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and $184,000 in restitution to the vulnerable adult. As part of her sentencing conditions, she will no longer be allowed to have any financial authority over anyone. In exchange for her guilty plea, the remaining 10 counts were dismissed. According to the criminal complaint, the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office was assigned to an adult protection case for possible financial exploitation on June 7. An investigator reviewed a maltreatment report for a woman who had an outstanding balance of nearly $30,000 due to a memory care facility in northwest Rochester where she lived. A check written in the amount of $10,500 was returned for insufficient funds. An investigator observed "multiple suspicious transactions," including cash withdrawals, on the woman's bank statements, the complaint said. In July, Castillo told law enforcement that she had been the woman's power of attorney since 2014 when the woman was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Castillo said she purchased items for the woman's benefit with the woman's account. Because she had issues using the woman's card, Castillo began withdrawing cash for the purchases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She did not keep receipts and could not verify how the money she withdrew had been used," the complaint said. Castillo said she did not know how much money she took out of the woman's account but admitted to using some of the money for a truck that Castillo purchased, the complaint said. Following Castillo's interview with law enforcement, an Olmsted County Adult Protection Social Worker found that Castillo began withdrawing funds from the woman's account as early as 2019. Castillo withdrew more than $16,400 from July through December 2019, $28,000 in 2020, $15,100 in 2021, $12,500 in 2022, $61,700 in 2023, and $44,600 from January through June 2024. In total, the complaint alleges that Castillo withdrew $178,643.16 from the woman's account over five years. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The McFarland Police Department is asking community members with information of a woman who was murdered near a McFarland overpass to come forward. On July 25, 2015, Blanca Alcantar was shot near the Perkins Avenue overpass at about 9:45 p.m., according to McFarland police. Blanca Alcantar Alcantar was found with multiple gunshot wounds near the overpass, according to police on arrival. She died at a later time, despite life-saving efforts by medical personnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city of McFarland has announced a $10,000 reward for information regarding the incident. McFarland police reminded residents that even if you think a tip may not be a big clue, it can possibly be the missing piece they need. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is highlighting some notable statistics to urge parents to get their children caught up during National Infant Immunization Week. Kent County records first measles case in 12 years According to the World Health Organization, immunization efforts across the world have saved an estimated 154 million lives over the last 50 years the vast majority of those being infants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With ongoing measles outbreaks nationwide and cases rising in Michigan, it is crucial now more than ever to ensure Michigan residents particularly children are up to date on all recommended immunizations, the MDHHS said in a news release. As of Monday, Michigan has eight confirmed measles cases and four cases caused by local exposures. As of last week, 800 cases have been confirmed nationwide since the start of the year. Measles is one of the worlds most contagious diseases and killed an estimated 2.6 million people each year before a measles vaccine, widely considered safe and cost-effective, was introduced in 1963. CDC: More than 700 measles cases reported nationwide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current measles vaccine, commonly referred to as the MMR vaccine because it is combined with medicines to also prevent mumps and rubella, is given in two doses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the first dose be given when a child is between 12 to 15 months old and the second when they are 4 to 6 years old. People who have received both doses of the MMR vaccine are considered 97% protected from the virus. Vaccinated people who do contract an infection typically experience a much milder illness and are much less likely to spread the virus. Despite the availability of a vaccine, an estimated 107,500 people died from measles in 2023. While the vast majority of those deaths occurred outside of the United States, measles cases are on the uptick in the U.S. primarily due to lagging immunization rates. After Texas measles death, West Michigan doctors encourage vaccination Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry shows, as of the start of the year, only 57% of children between the ages of 19-35 months are up to date with all recommended vaccines. Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have to keep children healthy and communities safe, MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said in a statement. With diseases like measles on the rise across the country, staying on schedule with childhood immunizations is more important than ever. I urge all parents to connect with their childs health care provider, pharmacy or local health department to make sure their child is protected on time, every time. Parents can find more information on available vaccines through the MDHHS 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 WOODTV.com. Several locations have become potential measles exposure sites in and around central Oklahoma. The Oklahoma State Department of Health releases information regarding exposure locations as they become aware of the exposures, which may date back to days or even weeks ago. New to the list, the OSDH states that individuals may be at risk of exposure if they visited: Sooner Mall, located at 3301 W Main Street, Norman, between 2 and 6 p.m. on April 14. Specifically, they cite Dillard's and American Eagle as potential exposure sites. Slaughterville Town Hall, located at 10701 US Hwy 77, Slaughterville, from 7 - 11 p.m. on April 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Health Department reports that anyone who visited either location within the stated dates and timeframes and is either unsure of their vaccination status or is not vaccinated against measles should contact the health department by calling 405-426-8000 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Individuals possibly exposed and not immune through vaccination or prior infections should exclude themselves from public settings for 21 days after their potential exposure. Do I have the measles vaccine? If you do not know your vaccination status, you can look for your MMR vaccine record by checking your shot records with the state Health Department at https://tinyurl.com/shot-records. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSDH identifies two new measles exposure sites in Oklahoma The stock market just delivered another gut punchand Charlie Munger saw it coming years ago. The S&P 500 plunged over 10% in just two days earlier this month, following President Donald Trump's announcement of new sweeping tariffs. The nosedive briefly pulled the index into bear market territory before a 90-day pause on some tariffs helped stocks bounce back. Still, Wall Street remains on edge as fears of a prolonged trade war swirl. Mungers No-nonsense Mindset Still Holds Up Munger, the late vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, wasnt one to sugarcoat market realities. In a 2009 interview with the BBC, Munger said, If you cant handle a 50% drop, you deserve a mediocre result. Don't Miss: He referred to real lossesBerkshires stock had fallen by more than 50% during the 2008 financial crisis. When asked whether he was worried about the decline of the companys share price, Munger cut in with a firm, Zero. That wasnt the first time he and Buffett had seen their holdings plunge. This is the third time that Warren and I have seen our holdings in Berkshire go down, top tick to bottom tick, by 50%, he said. Mungers approach? Stay calm and keep buying. He and Buffett followed a familiar mantra: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful. Business Insider reported March 26 that Berkshire shares are up 16% so far in 2025, defying the broader market decline. Trending: Its no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art this alternative asset has outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Heres how everyday investors are getting started. Tariffs Stir Panic, Analysts Weigh In The market chaos started the week of April 1, after Trump introduced new tariffs to curb Chinas economic influence. While the 90-day pause helped spark a rally, analysts arent breathing easy. On March 31, Goldman Sachs projected a 35% chance of further market declines over the next year, as reported by Reuters. Investors, meanwhile, are split between fear and opportunity. A survey published by Investopedia found that 73% of investors are worried about market volatility, but just 17% have shifted to safer assets. A majority58%said they are buying the dip, focusing on popular tech stocks like Apple and Nvidia. Still, caution flags are up. An economist at GlobalData TS Lombard, Daniel von Ahlen, told Business Insider, Trumps tariff reprieve has triggered a relief rally in equity markets, but we think it will be short-lived and recommend selling into rallies and staying away from buying the dip, A bill takes another step forward in the Nebraska Legislature that would merge two Nebraska agencies with a goal to improve management of and focus on water resources. Show here is Smith Falls State Park, Niobrara River in 2019. (Courtesy of Aaron Sanderford) LINCOLN A Gov. Jim Pillen-pushed proposal to merge two Nebraska state agencies into a unified department in charge of water resources has moved on to its final lawmaking stage. On Tuesday, Nebraska lawmakers advanced Legislative Bill 317 on a voice vote. It calls for combining the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environment and Energy into the new Department of Water, Energy and Environment. State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska News Service) Introduced by State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, LB 317 would rename the current DEE director as the new DWEE director. The current DNR director would be renamed Chief Water Officer under the new department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pillen earlier this year named the merger as one of his legislative priorities, saying his changes would help the state be more proactive instead of reactive with water policy. Upon clearing the second round of debate, Pillen on Tuesday praised LB 317 as a commonsense piece of legislation that reduces the scope of state government operations. A rebranding The bill was selected as a priority bill of the Legislatures Natural Resources Committee, though it has not been smooth sailing. Some people testifying at a February committee hearing argued the merger could divide rather than increase attention on water. Tuesday, questions continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha said she was not inherently opposed but did not have enough information to determine if the idea was good or not. She said the merger was billed as a means to be more efficient but that she did not see efficiencies spelled out. So its a little difficult to say, Oh yeah, this makes sense, Cavanaugh said. State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln said it would be more accurate to call the bill a rebranding. She said the bill lacked a clear account of cost savings. Said State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha: Why are we doing this if it doesnt save money? State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, a supporter, said she was optimistic that cost savings would come as administrative roles are clarified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An updated financial impact statement attached to the bill said that costs including a new website, letterhead and placards could be absorbed into the current budget (an earlier estimate projected a $200,000 cost). Currently for fiscal year 2024-25, state and federal appropriations for the two departments total about $203 million, according to the impact statement. It said that over time, efficiencies of a merger are expected to result in a savings. Amendments The bill advanced with two amendments, LB 1124 by Conrad and FA 116 by State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman. Brandt described them as neutral or friendly. State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha used the debate to push lawmakers to reconsider the size of the proposed Perkins County Canal in western Nebraska through two amendments, to the cost savings of $61 million on the first and $150 million on the other. Both amendments were defeated. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NEWARK, N.Y. (WROC) Nearly 70 percent of patients receiving addiction treatment in Monroe and Wayne counties get their services funded through Medicaid. Well, a recent decision to advance what is said to be the biggest Medicaid cut in history could change that. Officials say the cuts could affect 300,000 residents, lead to job losses, and potentially close hospitals. They add the cuts threaten to erase decades of progress in fighting the opioid crisis. If I didnt have Medicaid, I cant tell you right now that I would be here speaking today, Kelsey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelsey and Alexandria both say funding from Medicaid was crucial in turning addiction into recovery. If it wasnt for Medicaid, I wouldnt have access to mental health, and thats something I struggle a lot with. Just having that prescription filled every month, it keeps me in recovery, Alexandria said. Now, that may be in jeopardy for others down the road. According to a report from CBS, republicans in Washington say they plan to use funding cuts to shrink Medicaid in an effort to drastically cut government spending, which is said to be necessary for republicans to extend 2017 tax cuts that expire at the end of this year. We are very fearful, President and CEO of Finger Lakes Area Counseling & Recovery Agency Jennifer Carlson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carlson stood alongside State Senator Chuck Schumer Monday to say she is opposing the elimination of the nearly $880 billion dollar that comes from Medicaid. FLACRA has grown in the last five years to really cover and serve children and the families with children, and this would be very devastating to the children in the fair lakes region that we are serving, Carlson said. Crucial prevention and early intervention are really so much of what creates a healthier family. CBS also reported some republican legislators on the house floor urged President Trump and republican congress members to reconsider. Advocates say it takes a village to help clients and families, and many are affected when cuts like these are proposed and are hoping this one wont go through. Nobody wakes up one day asking to fall under circumstances of mental health disorders, substance abuse, poverty, one advocate said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carlson also urged anyone who feels funding should stay the way it is to reach out to local government, state, and federal government representatives, and get the word out. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Gwen Smith thinks lovingly of the three decades she spent living in Collier Heights, reflecting on a close-knit community filled with neighbors who knew one anothers names and were always eager to lend a helping hand when necessary. But she cant help but to remember the stench. Smith recalls foul odors surrounding her community on multiple fronts: local landfills, a polluted creek, a now-defunct incinerator on James Jackson Parkway, a massive wastewater treatment center, the nearby Fulton County Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were often just horrible smells. The air quality was just not good, said Smith, who founded the environmental justice nonprofit CHARRS (Community Health Aligning Revitalization, Resilience, and Sustainability) in 2015 to resolve health inequalities in Black and other marginalized local communities. Sometimes you wouldnt want to come outside. She didnt realize it prior to entering the advocacy space, but those unpleasant funks were the byproducts of an array of probable community health hazards. And while the historic Black neighborhood in northwest Atlanta has made progress in addressing these dangers, the problems persist in and around the city and have inspired Black environmentalists to take action. While Atlanta is beloved for its lush tree canopy, local waterways, and ample hiking trails, the city faces environmental dangers due to the presence of industrial facilities and aging water line infrastructure, among other issues that disproportionately impact Black communities. Change-seeking citizens are fighting back. In commemoration of Earth Day, local environmentalists spoke with Capital B Atlanta about the most pressing issues in their respective areas, how theyre working to address them, and why community involvement is crucial, in their own words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These interviews were edited for length and clarity. Jacqueline Echols, President, South River Watershed Alliance Echols leads the South River Watershed Alliance, a nonprofit that is devoted to the protection and restoration of the South River, which has historically struggled with water pollution in stretches that run through Atlanta and DeKalb County all of which impacts predominantly Black communities. Jacqueline Echols says DeKalb Countys sanitary sewer system is responsible for much of the problems confronting the South River. (ELEY Photo) The biggest issue with the South River in DeKalb County is the sanitary sewer system. Its old, it leaks a lot, and when it rains, stormwater gets into the sewer pipes, which arent big enough to carry that flow. Thats when you get sewer overflows into waterways, which violate the Clean Water Act. Other than the DeKalb sanitary sewer system, Atlantas sewer system is one of the biggest sources of pollution into the South River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No drinking water comes out of the South River. The biggest impact of sewage for the general public is recreation. When people kayak or canoe, they want to feel safe if they fall in. Thats why clean water is so important. Sewage carries all kinds of contaminants not just fecal matter, but also metals, because facilities that make different products around Atlanta all use the same sewer system. That affects fish and invertebrates, which are critical to a healthy waterway. If you dont pay attention to the pollution youre putting into a waterway, you wont have any fish. You wont have any invertebrates. Essentially, your stream is dead. In this state, the only way to improve water quality is to recreate on a water body. If people arent on it, Georgia [Environmental Protection Division] doesnt care. When I took over running South River Watershed Alliance in 2011, I said we need to get the community on the river. We need people who live near the river to care. Most folks even those who lived in south DeKalb County didnt know the South River existed. So that year, we launched a paddling and canoeing program called Beyond the Bridge. Black people, people who live in the community, folks who didnt swim or kayak: all participated. The South River Watershed Alliance launched a paddling and canoeing program called Beyond the Bridge to draw community attention to the South River. (ELEY Photo) Every three years, Georgia EPD has to reassess water quality due to recreation. I nominated the entire navigable length of South River for a change in designated use. It was designated for fishing, the states lowest water quality. We had eight years of data showing we took thousands of people down the river. In 2019, Georgia EPD designated 13 miles for recreational use, the states highest water quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last August, the entire 40 miles of the river from South DeKalb down to Jackson Lake were approved for recreational use. If you can get that to happen, you can get environmental changes done in Georgia. Thats been the foundation of all of the improvements weve made to that river. Now you have to get that enforced. We test water quality to identify sources of pollution when they occur, get them reported, and get them fixed. High E. coli counts means theres a leaky sewer system, so we track upstream and find the source. We found several broken lines in Atlanta and DeKalb. I would love to get community groups interested in testing water samples every couple of weeks from the stream in their neighborhoods. Regulators do better when the community is involved. Renee Cail, President, Citizens for a Healthy and Safe Environment For the past 12 years, Cail has headed Citizens for a Healthy and Safe Environment (CHASE), an organization that focuses on removing polluting industries that contaminate disadvantaged communities in and around Atlanta and educating residents about environmental issues and their health impacts. Renee Cail said communities can find themselves caught between protecting the environment and attracting industry. (Kuwilileni Hauwanga/Capital B) When Stonecrest became a city, it seemed like this was a dumping ground for developers. I understand that the revenue helps the economy. But in many instances, the industries that have hazardous chemicals are close to homes and schools. You dont need to look in your backyard and see a manufacturing plant or trucks up and down the street every five minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a two-edged sword. You want to have good industries in your community, but then other corporations are allowed that should not be in close proximity to residents especially if they have hazardous emissions. Georgia has some of the highest pollution rates in the nation. People dont realize every diesel truck that speeds past your house is detrimental to your health. In New Jersey, they have devices to keep emissions down. I dont know the percentage, but not many trucks have them here. Politicians who make laws dont realize pollution doesnt just stay in the Black or underserved communities. They dont make laws that help keep people safe from these environmental issues or problems. I appreciate the ones that have stepped up, but its not a lot. And its not consistent. Cail refers to the fight to stop a biomass plant from coming to Lithonia as a victory for the community. (Kuwilileni Hauwanga/Capital B) Deborah Jackson, the former mayor of Lithonia, approached me in 2009 because there was a developer trying to bring a biomass plant to her city. Biomass plants generate electricity by burning anything that will burn. As a result, toxic chemicals get released into the air and particulate matter gets into the lungs, causing respiratory illnesses. So we mobilized the community. I met with people at the church I was attending. We did press conferences, canvassing, social media whatever we could do to make people aware of what was happening and the associated dangers. It took us four years, but I feel proud of being able to push back the biomass plant. That was a victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Industries think Black people dont have power and are not going to oppose these corporations. Ive seen people join the movement because they are very shocked to find out what theyre inhaling and the impact that it has on illnesses they already have, like asthma. The lack of information people have about what impacts their health is troubling. Be aware, research, educate yourself on pollutants, go to City Council meetings, ask questions. Community [members] are working to help keep each other safe. But theres not a lot of support from the people who make laws and policies especially when it comes to taking a strong stance against industries that are going to impact residents in an unhealthy way. Gwen Smith, Founder, CHARRS Through CHARRS, Smith works toward finding solutions to environmental justice issues that affect marginalized communities. Smith and other Black scientists teamed up to get a local air monitor set up in northwest Atlanta in 2023 to help fill in the information gap regarding the communitys air quality. Gwen Smith worked with 2B Technology and other organizations to install air monitoring system in northwest Atlanta. (ELEY Photo) 2B Technology reached out to CHARRS in 2022. They had a Small Business Innovation Research grant through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences that required them to work with a community organization for air monitoring. They were testing their equipment and making it better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They chose to work with five communities internationally; CHARRS and West Atlanta Watershed Alliance were the Atlanta organizations. They gave us seven handheld monitors and the stationary federal equivalency monitor. CHARRS said, We want to make sure there are projects left in the community. We know youre going to get what you want out of this, and then youre going to leave. How can we work together so theres some deposits left in the community? We dont want just air monitoring, because just getting the data is not enough. CHARRS really wanted the community to understand the connection between what was happening in the environment in the air and their health. That would make the data more alive. Smith says collecting data is just the first step: CHARRS really wanted the community to understand the connection between what was happening in the environment in the air and their health. (ELEY Photo) We started off by doing an environmental justice tour [in 2023] to show community members what is physically in their environment and how its impacting the natural environment and their health. We did a loop within this 3-mile perimeter of our project area, pointing out that there are two interstates and two highways running through the community, truck stops, rail yards, and facilities that are emitting pollutants into the air and have to report them. There are facilities in the area that could cost lives if they have an accident. People on the tour were like, We drive by this every day. We see it all the time, but it doesnt register. We need to make sure people understand what these things mean. Thats where itll make a difference. If you understand how something impacts you, then it could become a priority to you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are working with an epidemiologist to analyze the air monitoring data. My major concern is that we have to do more research. We need to be concerned about the amount of nitrogen dioxide in the air. It periodically spikes; we need to look at why that is. Were hoping to do more monitoring to look at the connection between black carbon and nitrogen dioxide. Another concern is all of the construction on the Westside and the amount of particulate matter that kicks up into the air, gets into your lungs, and causes health hazards. Those are some major concerns. The exciting news is that we are embarking on another year of monitoring; weve come to an agreement with 2B Technology to continue to use the monitor. I hope within the next year that we can train one or two students on maintaining this equipment. This could lead to a career a whole new world of job opportunities. Having people from the community where this monitor is located become more knowledgeable about air quality, climate change, and how they can drive air quality improvement can lead to policy change. The post Meet the Black Women Fighting for Clean Air and Water in Atlanta appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. Right-wing commentator Megyn Kelly criticized Pope Francis for one of the crusades of his papacy mercy for the worlds migrants just hours after his death Monday at age 88. (Watch the video below.) On The Megyn Kelly Show she brought up his rebuttals of President Donald Trumps anti-migrant missions during both terms. The pope once said something to the effect that building walls instead of bridges was not Christian and that mass deportations damage peoples dignity and make them vulnerable, she recalled. He also called mass deportation a disgrace. Kelly accused the Catholic Church of transporting and finding housing for migrants irrespective of the fact that theyre here illegally, Kelly said. And Pope Francis didnt have to deal with that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its caused a lot of us in the Catholic Church to wonder what exactly were donating toward on Sunday, it really does, she added. The former Fox News host went directly after the late church leader for this tug-of-war going on between the popes messaging and what he wanted us to believe were deep Catholic teachings, and what we understand as Americans who are watching our citizens murdered in the streets by these people to be true. After her apparent revisiting of a debunked notion that migrants are responsible for a crime wave, she voiced her dismay at the popes attitude toward the president. You try to understand how he could so misunderstand Trump and the reason why he is so devoted to getting rid of these people who Pope Francis just looked at as vulnerable and defenseless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well you know who is vulnerable and defenseless? Kelly asked rhetorically. Laken Riley. ... I wish I could have talked to the pontiff about it. Riley was murdered by a man who entered the country illegally, and the case became a focal point used by conservatives to promote widespread deportations. Kelly called the late pontiff an honorable man but his immigration policies clearly rankled her. Now Trump is waging war against the courts and journalists for not supporting his claims about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to a dangerous El Salvador prison on the thin suspicion that he is a gang member despite a court order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oddly, Trump said Monday he agreed with the popes plea of tolerance for migrants but did not elaborate. Fast-forward to 4:20 for Kellys comments on the popes migrant stance. Related... WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Four House Democrats are calling for proof of life updates for Kilmar Abrego Garcia after their visit to El Salvador this week where they pushed for his release. We have to continue to put the pressure on, Arizona Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari posted in a video on X Monday. Abrego Garcia was living in Maryland when he was deported last month to a prison in El Salvador. Government officials previously said his deportation to that country was an administrative error but maintain hes a gang member. He has not been charged with a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court ordered the US to facilitate his return, but Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost says, based on his meetings at the U.S. Embassy, thats not happening. In fact, it seems like the embassy is pretty much in the dark on this entire operation, Frost said. Frost says they werent allowed to visit with Abrego Garcia because the trip wasnt considered official business. House Oversight Chairman James Comer wrote that he wouldnt approve a single dime of taxpayer funds to meet with a foreign MS-13 gang member. Frost says more Democrats are planning trips. Its not just about Abrego Garcia but its about due process and the rule of law in this country, Frost said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House alleges Abrego Garcia is a gang member, and says hes not coming back. This is, was and always has been an illegal criminal, an MS-13 gang member, and a designated foreign terrorist and the administration maintains our position to deport these individuals from our communities, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Abrego Garcias attorney disputes that. The truth is that Mr. Abrego is an innocent man, Chris Newman said in El Salvador Monday. Democrats, including Rep. Ansari, are requesting regular proof of life updates from the Secretary of State. We want to know his health and wellbeing, we want to make sure he has access to counsel, Ansari said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a Republican is planning a trip to El Salvador, for different reasons. Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna posted on X that she accepted an invitation to meet with El Salvadors president to focus on strengthening the partnership between our nations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Four House Democrats are calling for proof of life updates for Kilmar Abrego Garcia after their visit to El Salvador this week where they pushed for his release. We have to continue to put the pressure on, Arizona Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari posted in a video on X Monday. Abrego Garcia was living in Maryland when he was deported last month to a prison in El Salvador. Government officials previously said his deportation to that country was an administrative error but maintain hes a gang member. He has not been charged with a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court ordered the US to facilitate his return, but Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost says, based on his meetings at the U.S. Embassy, thats not happening. In fact, it seems like the embassy is pretty much in the dark on this entire operation, Frost said. Frost says they werent allowed to visit with Abrego Garcia because the trip wasnt considered official business. House Oversight Chairman James Comer wrote that he wouldnt approve a single dime of taxpayer funds to meet with a foreign MS-13 gang member. Frost says more Democrats are planning trips. Its not just about Abrego Garcia but its about due process and the rule of law in this country, Frost said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House alleges Abrego Garcia is a gang member, and says hes not coming back. This is, was and always has been an illegal criminal, an MS-13 gang member, and a designated foreign terrorist and the administration maintains our position to deport these individuals from our communities, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Abrego Garcias attorney disputes that. The truth is that Mr. Abrego is an innocent man, Chris Newman said in El Salvador Monday. Democrats, including Rep. Ansari, are requesting regular proof of life updates from the Secretary of State. We want to know his health and wellbeing, we want to make sure he has access to counsel, Ansari said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a Republican is planning a trip to El Salvador, for different reasons. Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna posted on X that she accepted an invitation to meet with El Salvadors president to focus on strengthening the partnership between our nations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editor's note: This story has been updated to include that MSCS does not wish to comment on the legislation's passage. The story was also updated to correct a previous version that stated the House and Senate passed the same bill. The bills will have to go to conference as the House and Senate did not pass the same version of the bills. The state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools is now imminent. Both the Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives passed legislation on April 22 that would force a state intervention into MSCS, in response to the controversial firing of ex-Superintendent Marie Feagins and poor academic performance for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LATEST TAKEOVER UPDATE: MSCS takeover legislation passes TN General Assembly, but an actual takeover is on ice. Here's why While both legislatures passed legislation on the floor, the bills will go to conference to work out the details as the House and Senate versions of the bills still differ slightly. "This is a decades-old problem, and the state and the county, they have tried for decades to try to figure out what to do about this school system in Shelby County that is routinely failing our students, despite spending $1.8 billion a year," Taylor said. "So we just need to quit passing this problem around more than a joint at a Willie Nelson concert, and finally decide that we're going to do something about our education system in Shelby County." MSCS had no comment on the legislation passing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the House moved to substitute and conform to the Senate bill, there will still need to be a conference meeting, Taylor confirmed via text. The House and Senate will still need to vote on whatever shape the bill takes after the conference committee. State Rep. Mark White, a Republican from Memphis, called for state intervention into the largest school district in Tennessee in the immediate aftermath of the firing of Feagins. The Senate legislation calls for the expansion of charter schools and the private school voucher program, but the House differs. "I do this from the bottom (of my heart) because I care greatly about our city. As a former principal and teacher, you develop a love for the young people and if they are not coming out of K-12 ready to hit the workforce, where they have the skills that they can perform in society, then it doesn't work for them, and the numbers are there for us," White said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed overwhelmingly in both the House and Senate along party lines. Democrats come out strongly against legislation Across the House and Senate, Democrats strongly opposed the takeover legislation, calling it possibly unconstitutional and questioning motivations. Republicans in the House said the legislation needs to happen because of the poor academic performance of MSCS in conjunction with the school board not acting enough on the academics. State Rep. Kevin Vaughan, a Republican from Collierville, said he changed his position on the takeover. Initially, he wanted to wait until the state audit findings came back from MSCS, but he said the state can't wait to take action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Giving another year away while we wait, it's not going to change itself organically. That is not going to be the case," Vaughan said. "We're not going to suddenly see a 15-year trend turn on a year in one year's time without some type of catalyst that provides additional information and additional review of what the duly elected school board is doing." Some Senate Democrats called the Senate sponsor's language about Memphis inappropriate. Taylor said the city of Memphis is known for three things: good barbeque, high crime rates and a bad school system. Sen. London Lamar, a Democrat from Memphis, called the comments, along with Taylor's comparison of Memphis to athlete's foot, inappropriate, offensive and unacceptable. Lamar pointed out a contradiction in the bill by removing the income cap for the educational savings account for private school tuition, while the bill specifically targets school districts that mainly serve low-income students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Why would we remove the income cap on these vouchers if it's supposed to be targeting those low, low economic disadvantaged areas? So it makes no sense that we're taking away the income cap," Lamar said. Sen. London Lamar D- Memphis raises her hand to ask a question before a vote on SB 836 at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The bill could allow some schools to deny enrollment to undocumented students. Lamar accompanied other Democrats in the Senate in voting against the bill. State Sen. Page Walley, a Republican from Savannah, said that because the bill has statewide implications, it could lend a hand to some of his district's smaller and impoverished districts. "I think this might be something that could be beneficial if we need it," Walley said. "I don't think we've met all the criteria yet, but if we do, I think that this might be something that could even help our elected school board members." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Memphis Democrat, Sen. Raumesh Akbari, said the legislation creates more bureaucracy, less transparency and takes the power away from the people of Memphis. "I understand we need to do more to help our school systems, but it's not just a Memphis problem, it's a statewide problem, and this targeted legislation is not one that's going to improve what's going on," Akbari said. How will the takeover work? If a school district has 50% or more of students who are economically disadvantaged, 50% of students are not meeting grade level expectations in math and English and has at least one school identified as a priority school, the commissioner of education can recommend takeover, according to the Senate version. The House version differs, and still requires a no confidence vote from the County Commission and various state metrics that nail the bill to MSCS. Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, talks with reporters at the Cordell Hull State Legislative Office Building on April 10, 2025. What comes next is the appointment of the board of advisors, which the House and Senate differ on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state-appointed advisory board could include: Three members appointed by the governor; Two members appointed by the speaker of the Senate; Two members appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; The mayor of the county in which the district is located, or the county mayor's designee; and If applicable, the mayor of the city in which the school district is located, or the city mayor's designee. The commissioner of education will be able to recommend the removal of the superintendent, one or more elected school board members and converting public schools into charter schools according to the Senate version. If an elected school board member is removed, the "local legislative body" will have appointing authority to fill the vacancy. The individual who fills the vacancy will hold the position until the next election according to the Senate version. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board of advisors will be in place for at least four years, with the option for a two-year extension and will be compensated the same as elected school board members. The board of advisors, within 60 days of its appointment, will receive a list of underutilized properties from the district. From there, the board of advisors will come up with recommendations to turn the underutilized or vacant properties into public charter schools. Within the first 90 days, the board of advisors will complete a comprehensive needs assessment. The comprehensive needs assessment will look at a wide range of topics, from teacher retention to textbooks to school facilities. Based on the comprehensive needs assessment, the board of advisors will then present a transformation plan to the local school board. The transformation plan will act effectively as a road map to improve student outcomes, lower chronic absenteeism and improve early child literacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board of advisors, while their meetings will be closed to the public, will have their recommendations for each agenda item on the elected school board meetings read into the meeting minutes according to the Senate version. The legislation removes the income requirement for the Education Savings Accounts, a pilot program that predated the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Program. Students who apply and receive Education Savings Account dollars had to be eligible to receive free and reduced lunch based on income. Now, the income provision has been taken away if a student attends a MSCS school. The legislation will go into effect in the 2025-26 school year. Brooke Muckerman covers politics and education for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at 901-484-6225 and brooke.muckerman@commercialappeal.com. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Tennessee legislature OKs Memphis-Shelby County Schools takeover bills MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Memphis Zoo is asking city and county governments for $3 million in operational support, saying attendance has seen a tremendous drop due to visitors perception of safety in the city after some high-profile crimes. Zoo officials shared attendance and revenue numbers with Memphis City Council members Tuesday, showing more than 1 million visitors to the zoo in 2019, and again in 2022 after attendance rebounded following the COVID pandemic closure. But those numbers dipped by close to 20% beginning in 2023, leading to operating deficits the past two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We saw a tremendous decrease in our attendance, said Matt Thompson, president and CEO of the Memphis Zoo. If people arent coming through our gate, then we arent making revenue. State commits $20M for Memphis Zoo expansion Thompson told council members the decline was directly related to the kidnapping and killing of Eliza Fletcher and the mass shooting carried out by Ezekiel Kelly. Both crimes struck in the Midtown area in late 2022, and Thompson said they scared away visitors who have never come back. We were told directly by our members that people were nervous to come back into the city, Thompson said. Weve seen some people leave the city, weve seen that kind of thing. Our numbers have been very, very slow to come back. The revenue decline is creating a need for an additional $3 million, Thompson said, and the zoo is asking both the city and county for $1.5 million each. The zoo plans to use that money for deferred maintenance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citys management fee for the zoo is currently $1.2 million, the same as it was in 1989, Thompson said. Still, there were many positive notes in the zoos presentation. The Memphis Zoo is the top attraction in West Tennessee and was rated the No. 2 zoo in the country, with 52% of visitors coming from outside the region, creating an economic impact of $89.4 million. SCSO says mom who drove into pond in Cordova was not drugged The Memphis Zoo is undertaking a $250 million campus plan that will add an Africa exhibit featuring elephants, and an Oceans to Forests exhibit with both aquarium and rain forest habitats over the next three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council members were supportive of the zoos efforts and offerings, though they asked for more details on the zoos finances. This is an amazing asset and we need to figure out how to support it and keep it, Councilwoman Rhonda Logan said. Our zoo is one of the best zoos in the world, and its one of the treasures of our city, so its budget season, well get through this, and you have my support, Councilman Philip Spinosa 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 WREG.com. Montana roads. This is a portion of Montana Highway 253 between Terry and Circle, Montana (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick for the Daily Montanan). There has been a lot of focus on mental health issues in Montana during the past few years, specifically aimed toward marginalized groups like the LGTBQ community and indigenous peoples. And for good reason. But one statistic that might surprise people is that a high percentage of the suicides in Montana occur in the farming and ranching community, among middle-aged men. Courtney Kibblewhite grew up in Huntley, where her grandparents owned a ranch, but her father also worked at the Northern Ag Network, the radio station founded by former Sen. Conrad Burns in 1975. Courtneys father started working there just out of college, and he eventually bought the business, which is now family run. Courtney is now the vice president of the corporation. But her family was always involved in the ranch, and it is still in the family, now run by Courtneys brother, so she knows the culture well. And it is because of that connection, as well as her position at the radio station, that Courtney decided to find a way to bring more focus to the mental health issues that face the agricultural community in Montana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courtneys journey back to Montana and the radio station was a circuitous one that included going to college at Northwestern University in Chicago, followed by a couple of years in Uganda, and a year studying yoga in India. She met her husband Jonny, who is Welsh, in Thailand. But it was a difficult year even before these adventures that first inspired her to leave Montana, when she and her parents decided that a change of scenery might be beneficial. Some of Courtneys cousins, who lived on a ranch near Birney, had attended a boarding school in Maryland and liked it there, so Courtney packed her bags and moved to Maryland, which turned out to be a very good experience. It wasnt as if they provided me with any mental health resources, but I think it was just good for me to get out of my own head for a while. There were girls from all over the world at this school, so it was a great atmosphere, she said. It was that early awareness of mental health issues that inspired Courtneys interest in the topic, which has led to the creation of Beyond the Weather, a program designed to provide help for farmers and ranchers who are dealing with depression or anxiety, or any other number of mental health issues. It has long been an established fact that Montana ranks in the top five in suicide, every year, and like so many families in Montana, Courtneys family has a story about that, where one of her relatives was missing for several days, and neighbors went to investigate, only to discover that he had shot his wife and two kids before taking his own life. Sadly, its not an uncommon story in our state, and because of that, Courtney and several of her colleagues decided to record interviews with farmers and ranchers around the state who have faced mental health issues and gotten help for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About the same time that Courtney began to explore this idea, the Montana Department of Agriculture received some American Rescue Fund dollars, as did every state in the union, that were to be directed toward agriculture stress. The Department of Agriculture utilized that money to fund three different approaches. If a rural community brought in a speaker to talk about mental health issues, the department would fund that. They also put $500,000 into a free counseling program for farmers and ranchers, through Frontier Psychiatry. And the third was Courtneys project to help promote the counseling program, but also to create these videos that would combat the stigma that is so prevalent among rural Montanans about getting help. The department wanted Courtney and her team to come up with a different name for their program, in order to avoid scaring people away with the mental-health label, which is how they came up with Beyond the Weather, which obviously refers to the fact that conversation in rural communities so often revolves around the weather. Like most Montana families, Courtneys family struggled with having conversations about emotional topics, as evidenced by the fact that she didnt even know about this horrific family tragedy for years, nor did she know that her grandfathers second wife had once been married to one of his ranch hands. It gave me a whole new perspective on my grandfather when I learned the story of his brother killing his family and himself, because when you go through something like that, and you live in a place where those kinds of things are discussed, its only natural that you would look for comfort somehow, either through drinking, or like he did, with someone elses wife. The way that this kind of trauma affects so many families in Montana just doesnt go away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the Weather features interviews with several ranchers and their spouses about issues of grief, stress, loss of a loved one, and depression, and as one young rancher, Travis Stuber, states so honestly, Im not a touchy feely guy, so this doesnt come naturally to me, but I also know that as ranchers and farmers, the stigma around this stuff is weakness, and thats the last thing we want to show is weakness. So I had to learn that its OK to be affected by loss. I lost my best friend and my mother in the past few years, and as my counselor pointed out when I said I was struggling with the loss of my mom, hey, thats OK. Think about your mom and dont bottle that up and throw it away. Not long after the COVID pandemic, a survey done by local law enforcement showed a huge spike in incidents of domestic violence in Montana, with an especially troubling rise in reports where one family member tried to strangle another. The isolation of ranching and farming, along with the stigma attached to asking for help, has long been a deterrent toward Montanas getting help for whatever mental health issues they are battling. So if you or someone you know is in that position, please visit the website for Beyond the Weather and check out the opportunity for free counseling, at https://www.northernag.net/beyondtheweather/. We recently published a list of 10 Cheap Blue Chip Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) stands against other cheap blue chip stocks to buy according to hedge funds. The broad-based market anxiety increased as the US policy uncertainty rose, says Fidelity. The financial markets were weighed down by tariff hikes, deregulation, and tighter immigration policies. The global business cycle is now less synchronized. As per the investment management firm, the US seemed to show mid- and late-cycle dynamics in Q1 2025. Furthermore, the diversification across fixed income and non-US assets is of utmost importance amid growth risks. While the gold and commodities gained, the US dollar decline fueled the non-US equities, says Fidelity. Amidst US Policy Uncertainty, Diversification Remains Critical As per Fidelity, the uncertainty regarding the direction of US policy impacted the financial markets during Q1, with investors digesting the news related to executive actions, such as tariff increases, deregulation announcements, reduced government staffing and programs, and tougher immigration activities. Also, the worries related to the economic effects of the tariff increases on the global economy saw an increase during the days after the quarter closed. Despite elevated growth risks, the global expansion was intact as of the close of Q1. Fidelity opines that diversification in fixed income assets and non-US assets is essential. As per the investment manager, the S&P 500 Index delivered a return of 4.3% for Q1 2025, partly because of the performance of growth stocks (10%). On the other hand, gold (+19%) and commodities (+8.9%) saw robust gains amid higher market uncertainty. READ ALSO: 7 Best Stocks to Buy For Long-Term and 8 Cheap Jim Cramer Stocks to Invest In. Investors Approach Amidst Fluctuating Economic Indicators According to Fidelity, the consumer inflation remained rangebound at ~3% during Q1, which was well above the 2% target of the US Fed. The firm anticipates sticky inflation around 3% for the next year, with upside risk resulting from tariff increases. As per the firm, the consumer inflation expectations have increased to multi-decade highs, making it simpler for businesses to pass the increased costs. Coming to the labor, it has remained tight so far, despite increased policy uncertainty, government layoffs, and federal funding cuts, says Fidelity. On the supply side, the broader labor force participation has stalled below the pre-pandemic rate due to slowing immigration as well as demographic constraints. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma City man is asking for help after he said his apartment complex needs major repairs. Xavier Walker lives at The Flats on May, an apartment complex in southwest Oklahoma City. He said his apartment was damaged during a wind storm back in March and his roof was ripped off. There was a lot of rain that happened probably in the first month [week] of April. So, it was raining in here, big puddles were everywhere going into the kitchen, said Walker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walker said he and his neighbors complained several times before the repairs finally started. Once they got the roof fixed, they came in to tear down all of the sheetrock and brought in these fans, said Walker. Walker said he was told to move all of his belongings to the kitchen. Broken elevator at Edmond apartment complex fixed Since then, he said there has been no effort to fix his unit. Ive been really upset about this situation, and even more so because I paid a full months rent and Im living in a space that is not livable, said Walker. Walker said the apartment manager did offer to move him to a different unit at a higher rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They wanted me to resign a lease and pay more money, said Walker. News 4 tried to talk with The Flats on May apartment manager, but were told to contact their corporate office. We have not heard back. Walker said his lease isnt up until June and he wants the issue resolved. Getting my money back, is sufficient, but also they need to fix it, said Walker. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. The Gold Line from downtown St. Paul to Woodbury recently rolled into place, launching a new phase for Metro Transits growing Bus Rapid Transit network. What comes next? A survey that closes Friday asks riders to help the transit authority pick the future J, K and L lines from among 17 potential Arterial Bus Rapid Transit corridors that may someday crisscross the metro. The three corridors, all of them future upgrades to existing high-ridership bus routes, will be chosen by next winter for construction and implementation between 2030 and 2035. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would bring the overall bus rapid transit network to a total of at least 15 BRT lines, including the planned 2027 expansion of the Gold Line from downtown St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis. While a number of routes service the two downtowns, the goal is to enhance crosstown corridors, allowing passengers to get across the cities efficiently, without necessarily heading downtown first. We are at the beginning of this work and will continue over the course of this year, said Kyle ODonnell-Burrows, Metro Transits planning manager for Arterial BRT. In addition, Metro Transit is studying a potential 16th corridor the possibility of adding a BRT route along West Seventh Street in St. Paul, along the general path of what was once dubbed the Riverview Corridor. The new bus routes are in addition to future extensions of the Blue Line and Green Line light rail, micro-transit last mile feeder bus projects around key stops, and the likely closure of the Northstar Commuter Rail. Less-frequent stops BRT is not without its critics. Some passengers have complained of losing local bus routes to new BRT corridors that make less-frequent stops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a concern we take very seriously as we do corridor planning and identify where to locate stations, ODonnell-Burrows said. We really try to minimize that impact, while also adding the speed and reliability benefit. Meanwhile, time gains vary, given that Metro Transit has largely focused on arterial BRT, or buses that operate in mixed traffic as opposed to their own dedicated bus lanes. In essence, most of the Metro Transit projects under consideration are not BRT in its purest form. The exceptions are the color-coded Orange, Red and Gold Lines, which use dedicated infrastructure to varying degrees. Still, ABRT is a lot cheaper and faster to roll out than BRT. The G Line, which will connect Little Canada to downtown St. Paul and West St. Paul along Rice and Robert streets, is moving through project planning with an estimated capital cost of $75 million to $80 million. By contrast, the new Gold Line, which maintains its own park-and-ride stations and accesses an exclusive guideway and bridge over Interstate 94, totaled $505.3 million in capital costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most future BRT projects will be definitely a smaller scope than those larger, dedicated guideway projects, ODonnell-Burrows said. Ridership Public transit ridership plummeted nationally during the pandemic and has never fully recovered, but transit organizers note that bus rapid transit projects have regained ridership fastest, in some cases heavily eclipsing the slower local routes theyve replaced. In fact, Metro Transits BRT ridership more than doubled from 2022 to 2024, thanks in large part to 3.8 million rides on the new D Line between Brooklyn Center and Bloomington. To see how ridership has performed over time on particular routes, visit metrotransit.org/performance. Those ridership gains are based in part on benefits and amenities like more frequent departures, cloth seats, traffic signal priority, off-board fare payments, all-door boarding and modern stations with lights, on-demand heat, emergency telephones, security cameras and NexTrip digital signs showing arrival times in real-time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To access Metro Transits BRT survey and see a map of 17 potential corridors, visit metrotransit.org/arterial-brt-plan. Heres a quick look at how the BRT network has shaped up to date, and what could be on the horizon: 2030-2035 Metro Transit staff have identified 17 potential BRT corridors and will whittle the list down to three by late 2025 or early 2026. Construction on all three is expected to move forward between 2030 and 2035. A public survey on the potential routes closes Friday. Staff will screen options this summer using ridership and cost estimates, as well as considerations such as the mobility needs of the population served. About 8-10 potential corridors will be ranked for a more technical evaluation, and three the future J, K and L lines will be recommended to the full Metropolitan Council sometime next winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the corridors under consideration: 38th Street/Excelsior, 46th Street, 63rd Avenue/Zane, 66th Street, Bloomington/Lyndale, Broadway, Century, County Road C, Dale/George, Franklin/Grand/3rd Street, Johnson/Lyndale, Hennepin/Larpenteur, Lowry, Nicollet, North Snelling/Lexington, Payne/Westminster, Randolph/East 7th Street. In service Red Line: Travels Cedar Avenue between Apple Valley and the Mall of America in Bloomington. Launched in 2013. A Line: Travels Snelling Avenue and Ford Parkway with stops in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Roseville. Launched in 2016. C Line: Mainly runs along Penn Avenue, between downtown Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center. Launched in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orange Line: Runs on Interstate 35W between downtown Minneapolis and Burnsville. Launched in 2021. D Line: Travels along Emerson, Fremont and Chicago avenues between Brooklyn Center and Bloomington. Launched in 2022. Gold Line: Generally travels within a dedicated lane parallel to Interstate 94, serving downtown St. Paul, Maplewood, Landfall, Oakdale and Woodbury. Launched in March. The Gold Line will be extended from downtown St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis in 2027. Under construction B Line: Will travel along Lake Street in Uptown, Minneapolis, as well as Marshall and Selby avenues in St. Paul to the downtown Union Depot. Currently served by Route 21. Opens June 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement E Line: Will mostly travel along France, Hennepin and University avenues from the Southdale Transit Center in Edina to Westgate Station in St. Paul. Currently served by Route 6. Opens Dec. 6. In development F Line: Will travel Central and University avenues from downtown Minneapolis to the Northtown Mall in Blaine, the corridor currently served by Route 10. In project engineering. G Line: Will travel Rice and Robert streets from Little Canada to downtown St. Paul and West St. Paul, the corridor currently served by Route 62 and Route 68. In project planning. H Line: Will travel Como and Maryland avenues from downtown Minneapolis to the SunRay Transit Center, the corridor currently served by Route 3. In project planning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Purple Line: The line was once envisioned to connect St. Paul, Maplewood, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake, White Bear Township and White Bear Lake, though opposition in White Bear Lake and Maplewood has forced project planners to consider a redesign. Related Articles Theres been 4.5 billion years of Earth. But theres only been a day to celebrate it for 55 years. Welcome to the first edition of Earth, Wind and Fire, The Santa Fe New Mexicans weekly environment newsletter. Today marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, which was proposed by Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson in the wake of a devastating oil spill in Santa Barbara, Calif. Twenty million Americans participated in Earth Day at the time. Santa Feans were aware and concerned; responses to a 1970 survey found that 80% of City Different residents were worried about pollution in general, although just a little over half felt Santa Fe or their children were particularly impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1971, Leah Harvey Junior High students urging stronger laws to curb pollution had a grim message: See you 25 years from now wearing a gas mask. The gas masks are still in the closet. This year's Earth Day falls after the death of Pope Francis, who in 2015 published the encyclical letter Laudato Si', which urged international action to protect our "common home," Earth. Although some environmental advocates paint a grim picture on Earth Day 2025, hope for a new generation remains. Control your newsletter subscriptions through your Santa Fe New Mexican account dashboard at www.santafenewmexican.com/users/admin/mailinglist/. This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Chipotle has signed a development agreement with Alsea, a restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe, to open a location in Mexico by early 2026, the chain said Monday in a press release. The companies will also explore additional expansion markets in the region, though its unclear if this refers to Latin America as a whole, Central America in particular, or different parts of Mexico. This agreement is part of the chains international expansion strategy. In July 2023, Chipotle partnered with Alshaya Group to develop locations in the Middle East, the first of which opened last year. Dive Insight: Partnering with Alsea could open up significant markets for Chipotle, given the operators geographical reach and experience with QSRs and full-service restaurants. The operator already has over 4,700 units across Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Uruguay and Paraguay. Alsea also has experience operating a variety of U.S. brands as well, currently partnering with P.F. Changs, Burger King, Starbucks, TGI Fridays, Dominos, The Cheesecake Factory and Chilis, among others, according to its website. Chipotles long-term expansion goal is to reach 7,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada and the brand currently has over 3,700 units, including international units. The chain plans to open 315 to 345 new restaurants this year. It has over 90 international units, including 58 locations in Canada and 20 in the U.K., six in France and two in Germany, according to the press release. This year, Chipotle is focusing on growth in Canada and the Middle East, CEO Scott Boatwright said during the chains Q4 2024 earnings call. We will also continue to make progress on proving out the economic model in Europe and begin to build a pipeline for growth, Boatwright said. The chain is nearly a year into a new leadership team in the U.K. and is seeing improved restaurant-level margins that have allowed the chain to start considering specific areas in Western Europe, he said. We can drive or create a viable business in the Western Europe markets we operate in today with hundreds of restaurants and potentially thousands of restaurants in other markets adjacent markets that we can bring in, Boatwright said. Recommended Reading The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at April 21, 2025, results for each game: Winning Daily 3 numbers from April 21 drawing Midday: 3-7-7 Evening: 3-0-4 Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily 4 numbers from April 21 drawing Midday: 3-6-1-7 Evening: 6-8-3-6 Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lucky For Life numbers from April 21 drawing 12-25-29-36-47, Lucky Ball: 03 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Poker Lotto numbers from April 21 drawing JD-3C-9C-6H-8H Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 21 drawing 02-11-15-17-24 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 14-30-31-33-37 Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily Keno numbers from April 21 drawing 07-09-13-15-18-19-24-29-31-35-37-43-44-52-53-63-65-69-70-75-76-77 Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here. Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices. To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan Lottery Attn: Claim Center 101 E. Hillsdale P.O. Box 30023 Lansing, MI 48909 For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2. If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325 Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325 Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325 Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325 Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325 Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325 For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page. When are Michigan Lottery drawings held? Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m. Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form. Our News Automation and AI team would love to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for April 21, 2025 LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, following a proclamation issued by President Trump, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and at all public buildings to be lowered to half-staff to honor Pope Francis. The flags will be lowered today, April 22, and will remain lowered until sunset on the day of Pope Francis internment. Pope Francis was an inspiration to countless Michiganders and people around the world. He led with grace, compassion, and humility, said Gov. Whitmer in a news release sent to 6 News. He fought against poverty and called for action on climate change, economic injustice, and peace. He reminded us that the true measure of ones devotion to God comes in ones devotion to others. Pope Francis was a leader who called on all of us to live up to our better selves. As we celebrate his life and mourn his death, let us live by the values he believed in love, mercy, and compassion for all, added Gov. Whitmer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope Francis was the first pope from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit Order) and the first of Latin American identity. The Office of the Governor encourages Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations to lower flags to half-staff. To lower flags to half-staff, the flag should be hoisted to the peak for a moment and then lowered into position. This process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day. Flags should be returned to full staff on April 27. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Michigan is set to face a competitive primary and fierce race for the battleground state's open U.S. Senate seat in 2026. Three major Democrats have already entered the contest, while Republicans eye flipping the seat, which will be vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. The battleground state had mixed results for both parties in 2024, with President Donald Trump snagging a win in the presidential race and then-Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, prevailing in the Senate race. Democrats hope to keep the open seat in their hands, while Republicans hope to flip it and add to their majority in the Senate. PHOTO: Rep. Haley Stevens speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill, Feb. 6, 2025, in Washington. (Rod Lamkey/AP) Rep. Haley Stevens, a Democrat who represents Michigan's 11th District, revealed on Tuesday that she will run for Senate, with an announcement focused on the state's automobile industry and how it may be affected by tariffs imposed by the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Growing up in Michigan meant being surrounded by innovation, ingenuity and pride in hard work. And from our farmers to our nurses to our manufacturers, Michigan has the best workers in the world," Stevens said in an announcement video posted on social media on Tuesday. "But Donald Trump has a much different plan for Michigan," she added. "His chaos and reckless tariffs are putting tens of thousands of Michigan jobs at risk," she said, adding that costs are rising "but all we're getting is more chaos. What the heck are they doing?" MORE: Michigan 2024 live election results: Trump reported to win; Slotkin reported to win key Senate race Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Jeffries: Trump's economic policy is 'his greatest weakness' Stevens, first elected to the House in 2018, is a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee and the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. She also served as chief of staff of the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry during the Obama administration. In 2022, she endured a competitive member-on-member primary against then-Rep. Andy Levin, although she was bolstered by outside support from pro-Israel groups. (The U.S.-Israel relationship is a hot-button issue in Michigan and became a wedge issue during the 2024 elections.) She is set to face a competitive Democratic primary, which includes two other high-profile figures. (One key name took himself out of contention already: Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg ruled out a Senate bid in March.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abdul El-Sayed, the former director of the Wayne County, Michigan, health department and a former Michigan gubernatorial candidate, announced on Thursday he will run for the seat -- and he netted a quick endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. "I'm running for U.S. Senate because in the state that built the 'American dream,' it shouldn't be this hard just to get by," El-Sayed said in an announcement video that opened with a fictional, old-style cartoon talking about his background. "We've got to fight back hard against Trump and [Elon] Musk with a hell of a lot more than paper paddles and broken promises. ... The disease is the corruption of our politics by billionaires and corporations, while the workers who built this country are forgotten," he added in the announcement in clips that appear to be from a podcast taping. PHOTO: Former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed speaks at a 'Hands Off' protest at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., April 5, 2025. (Andrew Roth/Sipa USA via AP) MORE: Florida, Wisconsin races are a possible glimpse into how Dems and GOP could approach midterms: ANALYSIS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders, who has received renewed national attention in recent months as he attracts crowds on his nationwide "Fighting Oligarchy" speaking tour, endorsed El-Sayed the same day. Earlier in April, Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow announced her own Senate bid. In an announcement video, which opened with a montage of news clips about Trump and a clip of Musk's viral moment in February holding a chainsaw, McMorrow said, "There are moments that will break you. This is not that moment. This moment will challenge us, test us. And if it all feels like too much? That's they're plan. They want to make you feel powerless. But you are not powerless." PHOTO: Michigan State Sen. Mallory McMorrow speaks at the Democratic National Convention, August 19, 2024, in Chicago. (Paul Sancya/AP) McMorrow entered the national spotlight after being baselessly accused of aiming to "groom and sexualize kindergartners" in a 2022 fundraising email sent out by a fellow state senator. She struck back in a now-viral floor speech, saying, "I am the biggest threat to your hollow, hateful scheme." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her announcement video, McMorrow framed the Trump administration as creating a fearful moment in time and said new leaders are needed -- echoing a debate within the Democratic Party about whether it needs generational change at the top of the party. "There's a lot of fear and anger and uncertainty right now about people in power who frankly have no business being there. So you know what won't fix it? The same old crap out of Washington," McMorrow said, "We need new leaders because the same people in D.C. who got us into this mess are not going to be the ones to get us out of it." On the Republican side, the primary is still taking shape, but one major name has entered the fray. Former Rep. Mike Rogers, who ran for Senate in Michigan in 2024 and narrowly lost to Slotkin, announced in mid-April that he would enter the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The lessons I learned working on a factory floor, serving as an officer in the United States Army, and then as a federal agent protecting our communities, taking down drug dealers and gangsters -- it taught me about grit and sacrifice," Rogers said in an announcement video. "I'll stand with President Trump," he added. "And we will deliver on the mandate given to him by the American people. ... For me, it will always be America and Michigan first." PHOTO: Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers is interviewed in Detroit, Oct. 12, 2010. (Carlos Osorio/AP) Rogers also spoke about cutting costs and prices while bringing manufacturing jobs back to Michigan. "I guarantee we'll protect Social Security for our seniors," Rogers added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably, Rogers has received some key support from establishment Republicans -- even though the primary field is not fully set. In a pair of statements released through the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the campaign arm of Senate Republicans, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who is chairman of the NRSC, both endorsed Rogers. Michigan Senate race heats up as 3 major Democrats enter the fray originally appeared on abcnews.go.com LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) The Current and United Way of Acadiana are are partnering to hosts Big Town, a two day summit celebrating mid-sized cities and their success. Christian Mader, Founder and Editor of the Current, explained how the summit came to be and why its an important conversation to have amongst the community. So the idea is that there are communities all over the country where 130 million people live with cities about the average size of 200,000 people. Mader said. And yet we dont talk to each other about what we do and how we workWe thought lets gather these communities at what we think is the most dynamic town out there; Lafayette. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speakers from across the country are going to discuss problems, solutions, and ideas often seen in these mid-size communities. The event will hold four panels with the following categories: growth and economy, civics and media, community and culture and healthcare. New Orleans and Baton Rouge are one of the top cities where living comfortably is affordable; heres what it takes Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest The event will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Acadiana Center for the Arts on 101 Vermilion Street. On Wednesday, participants can register and enjoy a breakfast at 7:30 a.m., followed by a a number of speakers scheduled throughout the day, one of which being Lafayettes Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, attendees start the day at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast before more panels and speaking engagements. One of these panels will include a keynote conversation at 11 a.m. with Mayor Tim Kelly from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Dean Baquet with the New York Times. Additionally, there will be an optional field trip to the Northgate Mall for a discussion around What Do We Do with That Old Mall? For more information on the Big Towns Summit, they can visit the website. Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) A Midland father is facing a felony charge after officers say he left his two young children unattended in a parked vehicle outside a United Supermarket on a warm April evening. According to an arrest affidavit, 24-year-old Enyelber Saurez Martinez was arrested on Monday, April 21, and charged with abandoning or endangering a child with intent to return, a state jail felony under Texas law. Around 7:08 p.m., Midland Police were dispatched to the parking lot of United Supermarket after a concerned shopper reported seeing two small children left alone in a red Nissan Sentra. The caller told dispatchers they had been watching the vehicle for at least 15 minutes, and during that time, no adults returned. Responding officers arrived and found a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old sitting in car seats in the back seat of the vehicle, which was not running. The windows were cracked, but the affidavit states that Officer Edwards was able to reach in through the window and unlock the car, highlighting the ease with which someone could have accessed the children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, temperatures were around 85 degrees, and investigators noted that heat inside the vehicle would have been significantly higher. Experts warn that if the temperature outside is 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the interior of a parked car can reach 104 degrees in just 10 minutes, 114 degrees in 20 minutes, and over 120 degrees within 30 minutes, placing young children at risk of heatstroke, organ failure, and death. Studies show that cracking a window has little effect on reducing interior heat levels. Officers also described the situation as especially dangerous given the crowd at the supermarket and the proximity to a busy parking lot, where risks of abduction or harm were considered high. From the time the initial 911 call was made at 7:06 p.m. to the time the father returned at 7:14 p.m., at least 24 minutes had passed since the caller first noticed the children unattended, according to the affidavit. Martinez reportedly told officers he had gone inside to get Dr. Peppers, cookies, and sunflower seeds and said it took him longer than expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the original caller told officers they had been parked in front of Martinezs vehicle since approximately 6:50 p.m. and had not seen anyone return during that time. Due to the children being left alone in a non-running vehicle during warm weather, combined with the ease of access through an open window and the public setting, Martinez was arrested on scene and transported to the Midland Central Detention Center for booking. As of Monday, the case remains under investigation. It is unclear whether Child Protective Services was notified or if additional charges will be filed. The incident has raised awareness around the dangers of leaving young children unattended in vehicles. While it may seem harmless to step away for just a few minutes, conditions inside a parked car can quickly become dangerous, especially during the spring and summer months in West Texas. State law outlines specific legal consequences for doing so, and experts warn that heat-related injuries, abduction risks, and criminal charges can all result from such decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what Texas parents and caregivers should know: What To Know About Leaving Children In Hot Cars Leaving children alone in a vehicle, even briefly, can carry serious risks and legal consequences under Texas law. The Law: According to Texas Penal Code Section 22.041, it is illegal to intentionally leave a child younger than 15 years old in a motor vehicle for more than five minutes without the supervision of someone at least 14 years old. If the conditions place the child at risk of harm, the offense can rise from a misdemeanor to a felony charge. Heat Risks: Even in moderate temperatures, the interior of a vehicle can quickly become dangerously hot. On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can exceed 100 degrees within 10 minutes. Childrens bodies heat up significantly faster than adults, making them especially vulnerable to heatstroke. A childs core temperature reaching 107 degrees can be fatal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to data from NoHeatStroke.org, at least 24 children in the United States died from vehicular heatstroke in 2023. Data has also shown that there are more child deaths from hot cars in Texas than anywhere else in the US. What to Do If You See a Child Alone in a Car: If you see a child left alone in a vehicle, call 911 immediately. Texas law also protects individuals from civil liability if they forcibly enter a vehicle to rescue a child, provided they believe the child is in imminent danger, call emergency services, use only necessary force, and remain with the child until authorities arrive. Authorities strongly urge parents and caregivers to never leave children unattended in vehicles, regardless of the weather or the length of time they intend to be away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) A Midland man was arrested after deputies say he allegedly terrorized a neighborhood Monday afternoon, breaking windows, pouring gasoline, and threatening to kill people while armed with a machete and a kitchen knife. According to the Midland County Sheriffs Office, 24-year-old Fabian Anthony Belloc was arrested on Monday, April 21, and charged with multiple felonies, including two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of criminal mischief. According to the report, MPD Deputies were dispatched to a property on North County Road 1127 just before 3:30 p.m. after a series of 911 calls reported a shirtless man breaking windows and allegedly carrying gasoline. A third-party caller told dispatch that someone was destroying property on-site. Moments later, another caller said a man with a knife was at the scene, though his exact location was unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When deputies arrived in the area, they spotted a man matching the description, shirtless, wearing black sweatpants, near the intersection of East County Road 62 and North County Road 1128. Residents pointed deputies toward the 4100 block of NCR 1128, another witness reported that the suspect, identified as Fabian Belloc, was hiding next to a maroon truck across the street. Deputies found Belloc lying down next to the truck with blood on both of his hands. He complied with commands and was detained at the scene. Emergency medical services were called to treat his injuries. Back at the original scene on NCR 1127, a male resident told deputies he heard commotion in the front yard and saw Belloc walking toward the home with two knives. One was described as a kitchen knife, the other as a machete. Belloc allegedly began stabbing the front door and shouting, I am going to kill yall, while the resident and his father barricaded the door from the inside. Deputies say Belloc then smashed two windows and tried to break into the back door, continuing to stab at the homes entryways. Witnesses reported he also vandalized nearby vehicles, including a 1999 Ford van and a 2003 Ford truck, and took a gas container from a neighboring property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit states Belloc poured gasoline around another neighbors red Ford truck before walking toward the 4100 block of NCR 1128, where he was eventually apprehended. A total of four vehicles and two mobile homes were damaged in the incident, with the total value of destruction estimated at over $6,000. Investigators say blood was found smeared across vehicles and doors, consistent with Bellocs injuries and witness accounts. Stab marks were located on both the front and rear doors of the home. Belloc remains in the Midland County Jail as of Monday afternoon with no bond set. He faces the following charges: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (2 counts), a Second-degree felony Criminal Mischief $2,500 < $30,000, a State jail felony Criminal Mischief $750 < $2,500, a Class A misdemeanor If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), Text BEGIN to 88788, or visit thehotline.org for confidential resources and support. You can also visit this website for more information on local programs that provide shelters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. As a surprisingly semi-regular contributor to IndyStar Opinion, I feel compelled to offer some thoughts about this legislative sessions marquee debate over property taxes. Its a little tricky, though, because of how we deeply misunderstand the nature of time. We judge our personal lives by minutes and days, when wed be better off thinking in weeks and months. We assess career success in weeks and months, when we should probably be thinking in years. When it comes to public policy, we try to evaluate immediately, even though the real-world impacts often take decades to fully reveal themselves. So, while I do have thoughts and opinions on this Indiana General Assembly session, I find myself in more of a reflective mood. Rather than diving deep into the policy weeds, I want to ask a bigger question that underlies the entire debate, and has shaped Indiana politics for the last two decades: What is the goal of state government? But first, a DOGE detour For my money, one of the most fair and clear-eyed observers of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency DOGE experiment is Santi Ruiz. Ruiz, a right/libertarian-leaning commentator, was initially hopeful about the idea of a Musk/Vivek Ramaswamy-led federal efficiency commission. His March 50 Thoughts on DOGE Substack post remains the most balanced and insightful thing Ive read on the topic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Briggs: Mike Braun got suckered into a tax-cut promise he couldn't keep The short version: Ruiz sees flashes of good, but ultimately argues that the chaos of the execution has undermined the projects stated purpose. On the Ezra Klein Show, Ruiz diagnosed a core flaw in the effort: Goodharts Law, which is the idea that when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure. In other words, once you fixate on the number, you lose sight of the reality it's supposed to represent. In DOGEs case, Ruiz argues, cutting government headcount and contracts, rather than improving government efficiency, became the metric of success. Instead of making the federal government more efficient, DOGE may be making things worse, because it has lost sight of the goal. Goodharts Law in action in Indiana Indiana Gov. Mike Braun speaks during a rally for property tax reform Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse. In my view, this is precisely what happened with property tax reform in Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cutting property taxes was Gov. Mike Brauns top priority going into session, and from the start, there were clear divisions between him and legislative fiscal leaders. Local governments, for their part, warned that the proposed cuts would gut key services. You know what happened: Everyone dug in. The result was a compromise that made nobody happy: cuts too modest for the hardliners, yet deep enough to jeopardize local services. And to plug the hole, local governments were given the option to raise income taxes. The complexity of this issue was apparent from the outset, and it should have been clear to any observer that doing nothing, or something like punting this to a summer study committee, would have been far better in the long run. But ultimately, the measure (the highest possible dollar amount of property tax cuts, this session) became the goal, and our leaders ended up passing something that no one is happy with. When the measure becomes the mission, we tend to make decisions that dont hold up over time. 'Smaller' government is a measure, not a goal All of which brings us back to the bigger question: What is the goal of state (and local) government? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The core argument of the property tax cut hardliners is one that much of Indianas political class seems to share, or at least publicly proclaim: that the goal of government is simply to be as small as possible. I saw this up close during the 2023 mental health funding debate. We had broad, bipartisan support for investing in our states mental health system. During session, a legislative leader pulled me aside. He reiterated his support, but said he needed help avoiding the perception that this was just another big government solution. Never mind that, since the days of English common law, caring for people with mental illness has been a core function of government. Never mind that failure to invest in mental health just shifts the cost to other government-funded systems like jails and emergency rooms. Never mind that, without government, there is no one else to pick up the slack. This legislator understood all this, but he was feeling pressure, not about whether the policy was right, but about whether it looked like too much government. Hicks: Braun cut taxes for businesses, but most Hoosiers will pay more Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We figured out a path forward, but the conversation stuck with me. Why is government such a loaded word? Why is it an insult instead of a neutral tool we can choose to use (or not use) depending on the problem? Why is the size of government any kind of goal at all, especially at the state and local level, which tend to be much more responsive to constituent needs and feedback than the federal behemoth? At the end of the day, government size and spending is a measure, and an important one, but it is not the goal. Instead, the goal should be whatever contributes to the best conditions for thriving families and communities. Sometimes that means getting the government out of the way, like removing regulatory barriers to innovation. Sometimes it means making government work better, like Mitch Daniels legendary BMV turnaround. And, yes, sometimes it means investing more in the kinds of services and infrastructure that improve lives and expand opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The irony is that almost every serious legislator and government official in Indiana knows this, but they are often paralyzed by the outsized influence of a small but loud chorus of folks who treat any additional investment as a betrayal. Ultimately, though, if we want better outcomes from our government, our leaders need space to act on what most of them already understand: that good governance (at any size) is about advancing the common good. Jay Chaudhary is the former director of the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction and chair of the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission. He writes the Substack, Favorable Thriving Conditions. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana's new property tax cut turned measure into misssion | Opinion Sharma further elaborated on the impact of tariffs. He highlighted that if the tariffs stay in place, the macroeconomic conditions are likely to get worse, which can lead the economy towards a recession, meaning that the Fed will cut rates faster than expected. While many sectors benefit from lower interest rates, the banking sector does not. Lower interest rates mean contracting net interest income for asset management and banking stocks. Moreover, given the high levels of uncertainty, loan growth is also anticipated to head downwards, thereby impacting the overall Merger and Acquisition activity. Sharma highlighted that the market anticipated that the Trump administration would result in a lot of M&A activity leading to a banking sector boom, however, the current situation points towards a banking sector bust. To talk about the impact of tariffs on the banking sector Suryansh Sharma, senior equity analyst at Morningstar joined Yahoo Finance for an interview on April 10. He noted that the tariffs were substantially aggressive compared to what the market expected. This aggressiveness was in terms of the breadth of countries and products these tariffs targeted. Although the policy is on pause for 90 days, however, the uncertainty is far from over. Sharma believes that if these tariffs continue to stay in effect, they will be harmful to the US economy. This is important for the banking sector as the sector is tied closely to the macroeconomic performance of the United States. Therefore if the economy is not doing well, the banking and financial sector will not perform well. Much like other sectors of the economy, the financial and banking sector is likely to take a hit from the tariff uncertainty and recession fears. On April 8th, Reuters reported that the bank earnings season will likely shift from profit-making banks to losses. Mike Mayo, who is an analyst at Wells Fargo noted that the banks earning season will unveil the largest effect of tariffs in the coming quarters because banks will have to set aside higher reserves for loan losses due to recession fears. Moreover, Stephen Biggar, director of financial institutions at Argus Research, noted that banks are a direct reflection of the economy, therefore as the market slows down, this sector could be the one to take the hardest hits. We recently published a list of 15 Small Cap Financial Stocks Hedge Funds Are Buying . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG) stands against other small cap financial stocks hedge funds are buying. Weiterlesen Lastly, the analyst highlighted that Morningstar believes that the banking sector is still undervalued compared to other sectors, however, very slightly undervalued. Therefore, he suggests investors be very selective in choosing the banks they want to invest in. He likes financial stocks that have strong fee-generating capabilities and are comparatively more undervalued than their fair value. Our Methodology To compile the list of 15 small-cap financial stocks hedge funds are buying, we used the Finviz Stock Screener and Insider Monkeys Q4 2024 hedge funds database. Using the screener we aggregated a list of financial services stocks that are trading at a market cap of at least $10 billion. For the purpose of this article, we are defining small-cap financial services stocks as those that trade between a market cap of $10 billion and $20 billion. Next, after cross-checking the market capitalization from Yahoo Finance, we ranked the stocks in ascending order of the number of hedge fund holders. In cases where two or more stocks were held by an equal number of hedge funds, we used the market cap as a tiebreaker. Please note that the data was collected on April 18, 2025. 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). Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (CFG): Among Small Cap Financial Stocks Hedge Funds Are Buying A financial advisor examining a client's portfolio at a modern office workspace. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG) Market Capitalization: $15.515 Billion Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 43 Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG) is an American bank holding company that operates through two main business segments including Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking. While Consumer Banking serves individuals and small businesses, Commercial Banking deals with middle market and larger corporations. On April 17, RBC Capital analyst Gerard Cassidy maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $44. During the fiscal first quarter of 2025, Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG) demonstrated its financial strength. The company grew its Net Interest Income by 3 basis points to reach 2.90%. Moreover, the core loan also grew by 1% during the same time. As a major strategic initiative, the company expanded into Florida, Southern California, and New Jersey, which resulted in the Private Bank segment reaching $8.7 billion in deposits and $5.2 billion in assets under management. Looking ahead, management has reaffirmed its full-year EPS guidance. It expects volatility during the first half due to the macroeconomic environment but improved business activity in the later half on the bank of a favorable policy environment. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG) is one of the small-cap financial stocks hedge funds are buying. Overall, CFG ranks 4th on our list of small cap financial stocks hedge funds are buying. While we acknowledge the potential of CFG to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CFG 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. American troops now have the authority to detain and search immigrants lacking certain documentation in New Mexico, a role service members have not held before at the southern border, U.S. Northern Command (Northcom) said Monday. Northcom said troops have been delegated the authority to conduct security support operations in the New Mexico National Defense Area, a zone that runs along the U.S.-Mexico border now considered part of the Armys Fort Huachuca in Arizona. The authorization means service members can now temporarily detain and search trespassers, provide medical assistance and implement crowd control on the military-controlled land until appropriate law enforcement can take custody of an individual, according to a statement from Northcom, the command leading military efforts in the Trump administrations crackdown on illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Service members also may assist with setting up temporary barriers, signage and fencing if requested, Northcom said. Through these enhanced authorities, U.S. Northern Command will ensure those who illegally trespass in the New Mexico National Defense Area are handed over to Customs and Border Protection or our other law enforcement partners, Northcom Commander Gen. Gregory Guillot said in a statement. He added that Joint Task Force-Southern Border, the military task force charged with supporting border security, will conduct enhanced detection and monitoring, which will include vehicle and foot patrols, rotary wing, and fixed surveillance site operations. The new authorization comes after President Trump on April 11 directed the control of the Roosevelt Reservation area in New Mexico be transferred from the Department of the Interior to the Defense Department for a period of three years to support Border Patrol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The transfer, which made the strip of land part of an Army installation, effectively allows the administration to bypass a federal law that prohibits American troops from carrying out domestic law enforcement on U.S. soil. The move is a significant shift in the militarys role at the border, with troops over the last several administrations only supporting law enforcement agencies and not meant to come into contact with individuals crossing the border. Guillot last month told lawmakers that the 6,500 service members at the southern border were supporting Customs and Border Protection and are not currently doing any detentions. But that is expected to change with Trumps new authorization, with plans to increase the area within which troops can detain and search migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on April 15 that the new national defense area spans more than 170 miles across the border in New Mexico and said in the coming weeks, this administration will add more than 90 miles in the state of Texas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. One of the Millennium Dome raiders comfortable middle-class family life has been revealed. Aldo Ciarrocchi was jailed for his role in the failed attempt in 2000 to steal the 350 million Millennium Star diamond from the south-east London venue. The 55-year-old is now a millionaire father-of-two married to an American former fashion model. Ciarrocchi was responsible for setting off smoke bombs as a distraction during the failed heist. But the Metropolitan Police had been tipped off by an informer and snared the gang of seven in the act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ciarrocchi, then 29, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. The priceless diamonds the gang were targeting were switched for fakes and the plot has now been depicted in Guy Ritchies The Diamond Heist on Netflix. CCTV footage showing one of the gang members trying to take the diamond - DailyMail Ciarrocchi now runs a reclamation site in Poplar, east London, with his model wife Elisabeth Kirsch, 49. I took a chance, I did something dumb, he told MailOnline of the attempted robbery. I was young and I was stupid. Ciarrocchi declined to take part in the Netflix hit but admits to forcing himself to watch it. I know how the business works, he said. They want you to tell your story and theyre all over you for 20 minutes and you make out you were the mastermind of the operation, but I didnt want to get involved. A suicide mission He added: Good luck to them, the police making out they were like the SAS and all that, but at the end of the day, we did a dumb thing, and when you do something as high profile as that, youre never going to end up in Spain with your feet up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police are going to get you sooner or later only in our case, it was sooner! The cops were so well informed, we were going into a suicide mission, we just didnt know it. Ciarrocchi was forced to come clean to his daughters about his criminal past in 2020 when Ross Kemp presented a documentary about the robbery. Weve raised two middle-class girls whose lives are as far away from my upbringing as you can imagine, but I just sat them down and told them the truth, he said. It was sooner than I would have wanted to tell them, but that was unavoidable. I was an idiot and made a huge mistake. We didnt glamourise it and didnt try and make out it was clever. Aldo Ciarrocchi has two daughters, who he says have had very different upbringings from his own - YouTube/Netflix Ciarrocchi was born to an Italian father and British mother in Bermondsey, south London. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He left school with few qualifications and met his wife, a New York-born model, when he helped her move flat in 1998. She vowed to stick by him despite his imprisonment and the couple remain married to this day. Youre wondering what an upper middle-class girl like me sees in a bit of rough, she said after his sentencing in 2002. The fact that Aldo tried to steal the diamond doesnt outweigh all the good in him. She added: I know that this is the last time he will be involved in crime. 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. Although fewer activist campaigns were submitted by sustainability-minded shareholder activists to business annual meetings this year, conflicts on issues like corporate diversity initiatives still exist. As of February 21, investors pressuring corporations on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues submitted 355 shareholder proposals, compared to 536 at the same time in 2024 and 542 at the same time in 2023. Demands for merger & acquisition actions, such as selling a firm or selling business units, are still largely ignored, appearing in only around 25% of campaigns. Since the worldwide deal volume reached a record high in 2021, M&A requests have decreased by around half. Secondly, activist investors are also agitating for strategic and operational changes, believing they could help unlock hidden value. Finally, 26% of the campaigns pushed for merger and acquisition activity, a significant drop from the historical average of 45%. According to a Barclays report, many activist investors remain focused on pushing for board changes. It also emerged that activists increasingly have their way as part of the campaigns, having won 51 board seats, up 34% from the same quarter a year ago. The US remains the epicenter of shareholder activism, accounting for over half of the first quarters campaigns. Japan comes second with 16 campaigns, accounting for a 45% increase compared to the same period last year. The fresh efforts this year follow a record number of activist shareholders targeting businesses around the world in 2024. Additionally, the campaigns are on the rise owing to the market instability caused by President Donald Trumps tariffs, widespread layoffs at U.S. government agencies, and recessionary fears. We are in a phase where activists continue to take advantage of all the uncertainties, said Jim Rossman, global head of shareholder advisory at Barclays. In early 2025 we have seen more fights, more settlements and more board seats won by the activists than we did this time a year ago. Economic uncertainty and market volatility are some of the factors fueling activist investor campaigns in 2025. In the first quarter alone, there was a 17% jump in activist campaigns, affirming how high-profile activist investors are becoming agitated and increasingly pushing for strategic changes aimed at unlocking shareholder value. We recently published a list of 15 Recent Activist Investor Campaigns . In this article, we are going to take a look at where CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) stands against other recent activist investor campaigns. Story Continues The decline came amid growing concerns that big investors will not support the measures. Additionally, ESG-focused activist investors also remained wary that Republican regulators would not approve their resolutions to go to a vote. Additionally, the decline came as companies became wary of unnecessary public battles, opting to make changes to avoid unwanted proxy fights. Activism is also becoming a popular strategy for newcomers, including freshly founded hedge funds that have never launched a campaign before. These funds are anxious to make a return in difficult times and are emboldened by the success of others. According to the data, eleven so-called first-timers ran campaigns during the quarter. Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, Barclays bankers anticipate that the majority of activity will continue to be concentrated on U.S. corporations and that more companies will have to respond to shareholder demands. Our Methodology We sifted through financial media reports and news articles to identify 15 recent activist investor campaigns. We then examined some of the strategic changes that the activist investors are agitating and the impact they are likely to have in the long run. Finally, we ranked the activist campaigns in ascending order based on when they occurred. 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). CVS Health Corporation (CVS): Among Recent Activist Investor Campaigns A row of shelves in a retail pharmacy, demonstrating the variety of drugs and over-the-counter products. CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) Value of Stake: $700 Million Glenview Capital Activist Campaign Initiated: September 2024 Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 74 CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) is a healthcare company that operates a network of pharmacies, drugstores, and healthcare services, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. After dropping by about 7% in 2024, the stock bounced back in 2025, outperforming the overall market by a 52% year-to-date gain. Glenview Capital, with stakes worth $700 million, is increasingly pushing for strategic changes aimed at revitalizing the ailing healthcare groups growth prospects. CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) has already had to expand its board to avoid a proxy fight with the activist hedge fund. The company is to add four new members to the board as part of the changes agitated by the activist hedge fund. In addition, CVS Health Corporation has confirmed the exit of its Chief Financial Officer. The exit comes as CVS faces financial struggles not helped by disappointing earnings. The companys new CEO has already laid out a string of cost-cutting plans and named a new insurance head in a bid to navigate the challenging period. We welcome the opportunity to join the Board, roll up our sleeves and lock arms with the Board and leadership team to drive long-term, sustainable value through continued customer-centric offerings, commitment to compliance and quality, disciplined underwriting and risk management, aligned incentives, and optimal capital allocation, said Glenview Capitals CEO Larry Robbins. Overall, CVS ranks 12th on our list of recent activist investor campaigns. While we acknowledge the potential of CVS as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CVS 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. LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP) Ludlow police officers were able to reunite a man with autism with his family Monday afternoon with the help of the Hampden County Sheriffs Office and a program meant to help wandering individuals. Ongoing search for missing child in Merrimack River The Hampden County Sheriffs Office (HSCO) said that at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Monday, they received a report that the man was missing from his home on Orchard Street. The man is enrolled in Project Lifesaver, which is run by Sheriff Nick Cocchis TRIAD Division and was created to help track those with cognitive conditions if they go missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ludlow Police Department was provided with the mans information and description by the HSCO, and officers successfully located him within an hour while the Electronic Search and Rescue Team were on its way. Few things are more terrifying for a family than having a loved one with a cognitive condition go missing, Cocchi said. Im incredibly grateful to our team and the Ludlow officers for their swift response and teamwork that brought this young man home safely. Through the Project Lifesaver program, participants wear trackable bracelets that emit radio frequency signals. If they wander and go missing, law enforcement are able to use the signal to quickly locate them. The program launched in 2021 and has been successful in safely returning residents in Hampden County who have autism, dementia, and other cognitive conditions. For more information on the program, call the Sheriffs TRIAD Program at 413-858-0060. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. OBERLIN, La. (KLFY) The body of missing Crowley teen, 18-year-old Markell Lazard, was recovered this morning at the Calcasieu River in Oberlin, Allen Parish officials say. According to Lazards family members, Lazard was last seen in Allen Parish on Friday. The family says Lazard went missing while swimming with his friends at the Calcasieu River in Oberlin. The United Cajun Navy, The Allen Parish Sheriffs Office, and agents with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries searched for nearly 72 hours until they found a body Monday morning, believed to be Lazards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 10 spoke with Lazards mother and father, Tiffany Woodson and Mike Laws, who say they were notified by authorities this morning about Lazards body being found. They say they are devastated. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest I have a little peace, but its not really happiness, said Woodson. Woodson says she and the family were told by the Allen Parish Coroner Lazards death was from a suspected drowning. Because of the conditions of being in the water for so long, the coroner did say hes about 99 percent sure thats my son, so he said it does look like a possible accidental drowning, said Woodson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woodson says Lazard was unaware of how high the water could be. My son couldnt swim and that was a mistake he made just coming here and thinking that the water wasnt high, I guess he knew nothing of it, just like I wouldnt have, said Woodson. The family says while they have some closure knowing Lazard was found, their emotions are still very fresh. Mike Laws, Lazards father, sends his thanks to all organizations who made the search possible. So many people were volunteering to come with their boats free of charge, and this is some people from Lake Charles, from Florida, and all over Virginia that came and helped, said Laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woodson says Lazard and the family just celebrated Good Friday together. They also say Lazard was just released from jail one month ago and was looking to turn his life around. Good Friday he came to celebrate and Monday he had an interview at Chilis, said Woodson. He was trying. Lazards loved ones say they will always remember him as a compassionate human being who brought a smile to everyone he came across. He had a good heart to everybody he met, he was respectable to everybody, said Woodson. I know his spirit can feel how loved he was, it was so many people he touched. If you would like to donate to help the family with funeral expenses, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives with the Allen Parish Sheriffs Office say foul play is not suspected at this time. Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. April 22 (UPI) -- A miniature donkey who escaped from his owner's Massachusetts property after a bear entered his stall was found safe two days later. Lanesborough Animal Control said the donkey, named Murty, fled from Jerry and Deirdre Carter's property Saturday night when a bear entered his stall. Officials initially feared Murty had been attacked by the bear, but an investigation couldn't find any signs that the donkey had been harmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The donkey's owners said they were starting to lose hope when Pittsfield Police Officer Darren Derby located Murty with a camera drone just before 6 p.m. Monday. Murty was found in the woods near the former Skyline Country Club and was found to be uninjured following his close call with the bear and subsequent time on the loose. Lanesborough Animal Control said on social media that the donkey is now "home safe with his family." WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) opened a homicide investigation after a woman who disappeared in Northeast was found dead in a dumpster over the weekend. The woman was identified as 62-year-old Donella Bryan, from Northeast, D.C. According to police, Bryan was reported missing on Friday, April 18. Their report noted that she was last seen in the 300 block of N Street on Thursday, and additional reports indicated she lived at the Press House apartments on that same block. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WMATA, DC officials announce new Deanwood mixed-use development On Saturday, just after 8 a.m., officers were flagged down to a set of dumpsters at the Hechinger Mall shopping center near the intersection of 15th St, Benning Rd and Maryland Ave NE. When police arrived, they found Bryans body in a plastic bin in the dumpster. For anybody to be treated that way, its unheard of. We have to stick together. Its so sad to know that. To them, her life meant no more than throwing her in a dumpster. I feel so bad for the family, said Deborah Matthews, who lives nearby. On Sunday, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that she died from blunt force trauma and asphyxiation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, MPD told DC News Now they are confident that this homicide was not a random act, adding that detectives are following up on leads. Police would not elaborate on what those leads are. WMATA, DC officials announce new Deanwood mixed-use development As of Tuesday afternoon, no arrests were made in connection with the case. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the departments TEXT TIP LINE by sending a text message to 50411. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The Mississippi Attorney Generals Office announced they completed the review of three officer-involved shootings that occurred between December 2023 and May 2024. In the separate incidents, the Attorney Generals Office found the use of force was justified. The first shooting occurred on December 6, 2023, in Amory on Tschudi Street. Officers responded to a call for service regarding a person firing a weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived, Bailey Martin, with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS), said the suspect began to fire the weapon towards the officers. The officers returned fire, and the suspect, Shaqwan Cribbs, 22, of Amory, died from his injuries. One killed in shooting on Sears Street in Jackson The second shooting happened on January 28, 2024, in Jackson. Capitol police said they attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Porter Street and University Boulevard around 4:00 p.m. Martin said the suspect led the officers on a brief chase before he got out of his vehicle on Winter Street. According to Martin, the suspect exited with vehicle with a weapon, and officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The suspect was injured and taken to a local hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third shooting occurred on May 2, 2024, in Mendenhall. According to Martin, an officer was booking a suspect on domestic violence charges at the police station when an altercation occurred between the suspect and the officer. During the altercation, Martin said the officer discharged his weapon and shot the suspect. The officer received minor injuries, and the suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) In 2024, the Mississippi Loggers Association raised a record $320,050 for Childrens of Mississippi through the Log-A-Load for Kids campaign. Since 1994, more than $2.6 million has been donated through the Mississippi Loggers Association effort. Mississippi Blood Services offers VISA giveaway for donors The Mississippi Loggers Association has a heart for children and families, said David Livingston, the associations executive director. Weve supported Childrens of Mississippi through donations and the Log-A-Load for Kids program since 1994. The association is the largest single donor to Log-A-Load for Kids nationally, something we are very proud of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Log-A-Load For Kids, a national fundraising initiative, has loggers and forest industry professionals around the country donating the value of a load of logs (or any amount) to local Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. A sign outside one of the bathrooms in the Montana State Capitol. House Bill 121 would restrict access to bathrooms based strictly on biological sex. (Micah Drew/ Daily Montanan) Say a man who transitioned after being born a woman walks into a womens bathroom, as House Bill 121 would require him to do. The man has XX chromosomes but transitioned, and he outwardly presents as a man. Monday, Missoula County District Court Judge Shane Vannatta asked lawyers in a dispute about HB 121 how Missoula County, for instance, should enforce that situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 121 requires public restrooms and changing areas exclusively for males or females, requires people to use bathrooms based on external genitalia present at birth, and defines sex as strictly male and female. It says a library or prison or museum, for example, shall take reasonable steps to provide individuals with privacy from members of the opposite sex. Also, it says an individual who encounters another individual of the opposite sex in the restroom can file a civil lawsuit against the covered entity, such as a prison, domestic violence shelter or school. In the court hearing on HB 121, Vannatta said in his hypothetical situation, a clerk who sees the transgender man walk into the bathroom might decide to sue the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill allows individuals to sue for failing to take reasonable steps to prohibit the other individuals from using the bathroom or changing room designated for the opposite sex. Then what? Thane Johnson, on behalf of the state, said it was the toughest situation he could think of related to the bill at issue in Perkins et al v. State of Montana. You raise a good hypothetical. I cant deny that, Johnson said. But he also said the bill is a little bit bigger than being just a bathroom bill. He said the bill aims to protect women and young girls in facilities where they have no choice, such as detention centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think there are other issues that are dealt with by this bill that are important, and thats my point, Johnson said. But Alex Rate, with the ACLU of Montana, said that situation is one of the fatal problems with the disingenuous law, and its one way harm starts to pile up for the clients of the ACLU and Legal Voice. The plaintiffs allege the bill is illegal and violates the rights of clients under the state constitution, including the rights to equal protection, privacy, to pursue lifes basic necessities, and due process. Rate said the clerk would sue Missoula County for failing to enforce HB 121, discovery would happen, and the transgender man just wanting to use the bathroom would be caught in the middle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That individual who is doing nothing wrong and who is entirely removed from the dispute between the individual and the covered entity would be dragged into a lawsuit, Rate said. In his remarks to the court, Rate also said the enforcement was problematic in that it created a bounty hunter system. It turns our state into a vigilante state, where ordinary citizens are incentivized to file lawsuits against state and local governments if they perceive that somebody is using the, quote, incorrect public facility, Rate said. Rate said the harm to people who are transgender and intersex starts immediately, although Johnson countered that the law needs time to be implemented. However, the lawyers agreed to Vannattas request for time to issue an order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill landed in court on the same day Gov. Greg Gianforte signed it, and Vannatta issued a temporary restraining order soon after, halting implementation of the bill, but only for a matter of days. With approval from the lawyers, however, Vannatta said Monday that he wanted to extend that expiring order through May 16 in order to give himself time to craft a new decision on the request to stop the bill through a final court decision. The ACLU had asked for an order from the bench, or an immediate and verbal ruling, but Vannatta said he wanted to issue one in writing so the parties would have a rationale they could appeal. In recent years, the Montana Legislature has approved numerous bills that affect people who are transgender, and in his arguments Monday, Rate said HB 121 is the most recent volley in a trend since 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case challenges the latest manifestation of this states peculiar obsession with singling out transgender and intersex Montanans for discrimination and harassment, Rate said. Rate said the bill includes a definition of sex from an earlier bill, Senate Bill 458, which the same district court found had unconstitutionally treated cisgender individuals whose gender aligns with their sex at birth differently than transgender and intersex individuals. But Rate said HB 121 is particularly bigoted because it bans trans people from using public restrooms, changing rooms and sleeping quarters at domestic violence shelters that correspond with their gender identity. It forces trans people to out themselves by using public facilities according to their sex assigned at birth, Rate said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said it prevents intersex people from using public facilities altogether. Rate said the case reminded him of the fight over a different bill, one that eliminated Election Day registration. He said the purported government interest was to prevent voter fraud, but the states lead witness had to search historical records to find any. In the current case, he said, nearly 60% of people who are transgender report avoiding public restrooms to avoid confrontation given they are already vulnerable to violence, and his clients declaration included evidence of fear. And laws already on the books address other protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got laws criminalizing indecent exposure, Rate said. Weve got laws criminalizing sexual assault and violence. So theres no need to adopt a law as draconian as HB 121 when individuals in public facilities are already protected. On behalf of the state, Johnson, however, said the law was the Safe Space for Women and Girls Act, a protection that resonated with his own experience. Johnson said he recalled serving as a tribal court judge and seeing the number of young girls that became victims of sexual assault, and because federal prosecutors were slow in prosecuting, he saw juvenile offenders who were young girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They acted out as a result of being a victim of sexual crime, Johnson said. He said he acknowledges people who are transgender are vulnerable, but he said they are not the only ones in that situation. He pointed to young girls, and especially those in a juvenile detention center, which the bill includes. Johnson also said the Montana Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court could help if they decided whether sex discrimination includes transgender discrimination, but the question is still an open one. At the same time, Johnson said, some of the fixes are simple, such as privacy for bathrooms. He said at one campus, single use simply meant creating privacy in the form of porta potties and ensuring locks on doors. Vannatta, though, imagined what might happen during a game if the University of Montana decided to turn a bathroom with multiple stalls into a single-use restroom with 40 people waiting in line. However, the judge also said the issue Johnson raised about safety in corrections facilities resonated with him. Vannatta said he had talked to many judges who are perplexed when it comes time to sentence people to jail or prison who are trans or in the midst of a transition in ways that keep them safe and keep the broader population safe. The judge also asked Johnson questions about a couple of situations the lawyer raised, including a Helena girl scared by a man who followed her into a bathroom. Was that a trans man or transgender individual? the judge said. Johnson said he didnt have any indication the person was transgender, but he said the person assaulted the girl. Vannatta also asked if Johnson had evidence that trans individuals have committed sexual assault in bathrooms or changing areas, the areas the bill is intended to protect. Johnson said not in Montana, but outside the state. In response to the judges request for statistics, Johnson said he believed a person in North Carolina was sexually assaulted in a school bathroom by a person who had claimed to be transgender. However, he said he believes there are probably statistics developing, and if the case proceeds, the state would compile them as best it could. In general, Johnson said it was too early to see how the law was working, and he urged the court to take a step back and allow it to take effect. My bottom line, your honor, is this case cries for some factual development. Lets see how it plays out, Johnson said. Rep. Brian Seitz, a Branson Republican, speaks during House debate in March 2025 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications). Legislation that would void non-disclosure agreements in child sexual abuse cases received unanimous approval from Missouris House on Tuesday afternoon. The bill, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Brian Seitz from Branson, now heads to the Missouri Senate. Non-disclosure agreements are legal mechanisms that were created to protect trade secrets, not trauma secrets, Seitz said last week during House debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must clarify the law on use of the NDAs in civil child sexual abuse settlements, so that survivors of such horrors who already feel shamed and silenced are also not legally silenced and intimidated, Seitz said. Seitz called NDAs an injustice and a wrong that we can make right now. The legislation applies to any legal action starting Aug. 28 of this year, when the law would take effect. It makes NDAs in childhood sexual abuse cases unenforceable. Seitz said while the bill cannot fix the horrific events leading up to signing an NDA, it can prevent the silencing of child crime victims in the future, and would certainly make Missouri safer for all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson, said Tuesday: We should not be protecting the business interests of perverts, of people who hurt children. The bill has been called Treys Law, referring to the late Trey Carlock, who died by suicide in 2019 after being sexually abused by Pete Newman at the Branson-based Kanakuk Kamps. Treys sister, Elizabeth Carlock, said at a hearing on the bill in February that he had to agree to an NDA as a condition of his settlement with the camp. Trey told someone just before his death that theyll always control me and Ill never be free, Carlock said in February, A lot of truth dies with people because of NDAs, and that only protects bad actors, which is contrary to public interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas is also aiming to ban NDAs in child sexual abuse cases this session. Tennessee enacted similar legislation in 2018. Silence actually kills, as my family knows, Carlock told lawmakers. It endangers the public. This practice is nothing short of evil, and it only protects darkness. Kanakuk director Pete Newman pleaded guilty in 2010 to seven counts of sexual abuse, and the prosecutor said Newmans victim count might be in the hundreds. Newman is currently serving two life sentences plus 30 years in prison. Kanakuk leadership maintains that they had no advanced knowledge of his behavior, and Newman was a master of deception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keith Dygert, who was also abused by Newman, reached a settlement with a non-disclosure agreement, he testified in February. But only after signing it did he learn more from news articles about the extent of Newmans abuse and Kanakuks potential knowledge, he said. Dygert said NDAs have undeniably prevented proper and timely healingby silencing victims when sharing their stories in their own time, in their own way. He said it was worth his taking the risk of breaking his NDA to speak out. When victims are silenced, the truth is also silenced, and the institutions that helped enable child sexual abuse are protected, Dygert said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one testified in opposition. State Rep. Rudy Veit, a Republican from Wardsville, said in Februarys hearing: I believe that NDAs serve a very useful purpose in some situations, but in this situation, I can see that theres really no advantage other than to the perpetrator. Similar legislation in the Missouri Senate passed out of committee earlier this month but hasnt been debated by the full chamber. No one testified in opposition in the Senate hearing, and only state Sen. Steve Roberts, a Democrat from St. Louis, voted against the measure. Seitz is also pushing legislation to extend the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sex abuse. That legislation, attached to a broader bill about statutes of limitations, passed out of the House in February and Senate committee this month. It is awaiting consideration by the full Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Missouri Ethics Commission meeting Oct. 16 at its Jefferson City offices. Members at the time, from left, were Jim Martin, Whitney Smith, Robin Wheeler Sanders and Jeremy Schneider. Attorney Scott Pool, the commission's counsel, is at the far right (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent). Last fall, St. Louis attorney Brad Ketcher read the news that a Republican candidate for the Missouri Senate was using money from his church to help fund his campaign. As the chief of staff to former Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan in the 1990s, Ketcher helped establish the Missouri Ethics Commission, a state agency that enforces campaign finance and ethics laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was so appalled when the Senate candidate in question won the seat in November that Ketcher filed an ethics complaint asking the commission to investigate. But in April, he learned his complaint was getting thrown out because there werent enough commission members to convene a meeting to review it. Because there were not four commissioners able to consider the investigation within the statutory timeframe, the commission could take no action on this complaint, the commission said in dismissing the complaint. The complaint is among 16 others that have been dismissed in the more than 100 business days since the commission last had enough members to reach a quorum. Its the second time in less than a year that the commission hasnt had enough members to enforce state campaign and ethics laws. Ketcher refiled the complaint last week in hopes that the governor will fill the commission vacancies. When he served as Carnahans right hand, Ketcher said hed never want to read a headline: Governor fails to appoint ethics panel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do I want that headline? he said. Hell no, I dont want that headline. Even though theres probably nothing nefarious going on, thats what it looks like to the rest of the world like youre trying to hide something, youre up to something or trying to protect somebody. A spokeswoman for Gov. Mike Kehoe, who was sworn into office in January, did not respond to a request for comment. On Jan. 13, former Gov. Mike Parson withdrew two commissioners who hed appointed months earlier but who had not yet been confirmed by the Missouri Senate. That left only two of the six seats on the commission filled. The last time the commission had enough members to meet was Nov. 20. Ketcher said its challenging for the ethics commission to get a new governors attention in the middle of his first legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would say its probably doubly a challenge for an acting executive director, Ketcher said. Stacey Heislen, acting executive director of the commission, declined to comment. State law requires an investigation be completed within 90 business days of a complaint, which is then presented to the commission to determine whether there are reasonable grounds of a violation or whether it should be dismissed. However, for campaign-finance complaints 60 days from an election, the investigations must be completed within 15 days. The law also requires at least four commission members for a quorum, and at least four affirmative votes shall be required for any action or recommendation of the commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state faced the same problem last year for several months, before Parson appointed Jeremy Schneider of Macon in April, Whitney Smith of Des Peres in June and Jim Martin of Perryville in July. With Robin Wheeler Sanders serving as the chair since 2022, the commission finally had a quorum after those three appointments. However, only Sanders and Schneider remain after Parson withdrew his appointments for Smith and Martin. The law states the vacancies are to be filled within 75 days. State government has made crime fighting a priority, and that should include enforcement of the ethics and nepotism and conflict of interest laws, Ketcher said, and they ought to move promptly to get a full commission in place to deal with those important issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouris governor appoints commission members from nominations received by the congressional districts of the political parties that received the two highest votes for the last gubernatorial election. Members are prohibited from running for office, making contributions for or against a candidate or issue, working as a lobbyist, for the state or any political subdivision, being an officer of a political party or participating in an election except for voting. The state Senate must then confirm the appointments. For Ketchers complaint, he believes the Senate confirmation raises an interesting question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The focus of his complaint is Joe Nicola, a Republican from Grain Valley now serving in the Senate and able to vote on nominees for the ethics commission. Lets assume the governor does appoint some commissioners, is Nicola gonna basically get to vote for or against his jury pool? Ketcher said. And I think that will be a moment of truth for the state Senate and for him. Nicola told The Independent that Ketchers complaint was ridiculous. My church made donations to a PAC, Nicola said, but he doesnt believe its against regulations because his church isnt a registered nonprofit. Davis Polk & Wardwell and Kirkland & Ellis were the top M&A legal advisers in the consumer sector in the first quarter of the year, analysis of deal data suggests. According to GlobalData, the parent company of Just Drinks, Davis Polk & Wardwell led in terms of deal value by advising on transactions worth a total of $7.25bn. Kirkland & Ellis topped the charts by volume, advising on six deals in the quarter. GlobalData lead analyst Aurojyoti Bose said: Kirkland & Ellis was the top adviser by volume in Q1 2024 and managed to retain its leadership position by this metric in Q1 2025 as well. Meanwhile, both the deals advised by Davis Polk & Wardwell during Q1 2025 were billion-dollar deals, and involvement in these big-ticket deals helped it occupy the top position by value in Q1 2025. Apart from leading by value, Davis Polk & Wardwell also occupied the eighth position in terms of deal volume during the quarter. Davis Polk & Wardwell was listed as an advisor in PepsiCo's acquisition of US prebiotic soda brand Poppi for $1.95bn. Credit: GlobalData Paul Hastings ranked second in deal value, advising on transactions worth $5.3bn during the first quarter. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer was placed third, handling deals valued at $2.16bn. Cooley and Cravath Swaine & Moore shared the fourth spot, each having advised on a deal valued at $1.95bn. In terms of deal volume, Latham & Watkins ranked second with four transactions, followed by Jones Day, Khaitan & Co, and Allen & Overy, each with three deals. GlobalDatas league tables are based on the real-time tracking of thousands of company websites, advisory company websites and other reliable sources available in the secondary domain. A dedicated team of analysts monitors all these sources to gather in-depth details for each deal, including adviser names. To ensure further robustness of the data, the company also seeks deal submissions from leading advisers. "Davis Polk & Wardwell, Kirkland & Ellis lead law-firm M&A charts data" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Va., February 2, 2021. (Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce/Virginia Mercury) A group of eight Republicans in the Minnesota House have introduced legislation (HF3219) that would designate certain vaccines and medical treatments as weapons of mass destruction and make possessing or administering them a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The legislation specifically targets messenger RNA (mRNA) treatments, which include several COVID-19 vaccines. Those vaccines have saved millions of lives and are considered one of the most important medical and public health achievements of the 21st century so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bills language appears to have been drafted by Joseph Sansone, a Florida hypnotist and conspiracy theorist who believes that mRNA treatments are nanoparticle injections that amount to biological and technological weapons of mass destruction. Sansone has falsely claimed that more Americans have died from mRNA injections than in WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam War combined, and has said he has stood alongside an Army of the Dead to file unsuccessful legal complaints against vaccines in Florida. The bill has no chance of passage given the narrow margins in the House and Senate, as well as the DFLs control of the governorship. But its support among multiple Republican representatives, including several members of GOP House leadership, give a sense of how the party would govern if it controlled the state legislature. The Minnesota Republicans sponsoring the bill include Shane Mekeland (Clear Lake), Krista Knudsen (Lake Shore), Assistant GOP Floor Leader Walter Hudson (Albertville), Jeff Dotseth (Silver Township), Tom Murphy (Underwood), Pam Altendorf (Red Wing), Keith Allen (Kenyon), and Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore Isaac Schultz (Elmdale). Several have also sponsored a marginally less extreme bill (HF 3152) that would make administering mRNA vaccines a misdemeanor subject to a $500 penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Reformer requested comment from several of the bill sponsors but none responded. In addition to vaccines for infectious diseases, mRNA technology holds tremendous promise for treating cancer and other ailments. Thousands of cancer patients are currently participating in trials of personalized mRNA vaccines targeting various types of tumors. Minnesotas Mayo Clinic has been at the forefront of some of that research, which would be criminalized under the proposed bill. The language in the bill further bans nanotechnology or nanoparticles that alter genes and create a biosynthetic cell replication, which could impact other cutting-edge medical technologies like CRISPR. It also bans any human gene therapy product for any infectious disease indication. The bill compels state and local authorities to use all lawful means necessary to enforce its provisions, and would subject authorities to prosecution under existing weapons of mass destruction statutes if they refused to investigate alleged violations of the law. Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect that there was no struggle between the suspect and the victim. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) The man accused of shooting a woman Saturday at the Publix in midtown Mobile is now in jail, according to the Mobile Police Department. Mobiles Catholic community mourns Pope Francis death According to an MPD spokesperson, Dale Cecil Davis, 66, was released from the hospital and was booked into jail. Hes accused of first-degree robbery and first-degree assault. Dale Cecil Davis. (Mobile County Sheriffs Office Jail Management System) Police said officers responded Saturday, April 19, just before 3:30 p.m. to a shooting on the 100 block of N. Florida St. On the scene, they found a woman in the Publix parking lot with a gunshot injury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury, and Davis was apprehended moments later, according to MPD. 2 men help woman fix flat tire then steal her car, Mobile police say Further investigation showed Davis allegedly demanded money from the woman and shot her when she refused, according to police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. OAKLAND, California Former Rep. Barbara Lee was still trailing a moderate challenger on election night when a progressive ally stepped to the mic and highlighted the larger stakes in the mayoral contest. These big-money people, they are here to stay, Oakland City Council Member Carroll Fife warned a crowd of Lee supporters in downtown Oakland, who had gathered as polls closed in a special election to replace the recalled former mayor. They want to take your city from you, take your voice from you. Lee prevailed in the end , vaulting past her more centrist Democratic opponent, Loren Taylor, as late-arriving votes broke decisively for the longtime progressive standard-bearer. Her unity-focused message, widespread name recognition, and formidable political coalition propelled her across the finish line. She takes office in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Taylors stronger-than-expected showing highlighted a political dynamic that animated the Oakland mayoral contest and has surfaced in elections throughout the staunchly liberal Bay Area in recent years. An ascendant movement of well-funded moderate groups is determined to exert its influence in left-leaning labor strongholds home to some of the world's largest tech companies and their employees by appealing to a sense among Democrats that liberal governance has failed. They swung and missed this time. But with another mayor campaign just around the corner in 2026, theyre not exiting the arena. Were not building a one-candidate or a one-election movement, said Gagan Biyani, executive director of a group Taylor founded to activate restive voters called Empower Oakland. We're building a movement we hope will last over a decade. Traditional political powers swiftly coalesced behind Lee when she leaped into the mayors race, pledging to heal a city reeling from a corruption scandal that led voters to recall former Mayor Sheng Thao and from pervasive discontent about public safety and business closures. Lees coalition included both business leaders and labor unions who funded a pro-Lee PAC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Taylor worked to transform that strength into a liability by arguing Lee would perpetuate a broken power structure and a different group of well-heeled interests amplified that message. That constellation of wealthy individuals was partially responsible for the special election after funding last years recalls of Thao and former District Attorney Pamela Price. They then threw their weight behind Taylor, a former council member, unleashing a wave of money that eclipsed labors pro-Lee spending and alarmed progressives who saw the possibility of a low-turnout-election upset. Seeing Taylor really lean into the negatives and the frustration and that being amplified by mail and videos I think that is what made this race so tight, leaning into that doom-loop message, said Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, a Lee ally. Bas had experience with those tactics. The same network spent heavily and ultimately, unsuccessfully to defeat her last year in a tight supervisor race, one of several Oakland area contests where the groups spent millions of dollars to elevate their chosen candidates over labor-aligned rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The movement's string of losses, capped by Taylor's defeat, illustrates its limitations in Oakland when up against prominent unions that backed Lee. You have a very, very professional, disciplined, well-organized cadre of labor working in concert with the progressive community, and they know how to run good campaigns and they know how to win, said political consultant Eric Jaye, who was not affiliated with either campaign. Todd David, a veteran of San Francisco politics and political director of the Abundance Movement, a group that focuses on issues like housing and transit and has aligned with San Francisco moderates, said it would take time to build a rival operation. But, he argued, it is coming to the East Bay. When that infrastructure finally comes into place, I think you will start seeing a sea change in election results in Oakland, David said. In San Francisco it took us a couple election cycles to start winning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That wont be easy. Fife, the council member, said the moderate groups miscalculated by thinking a model that has worked in other Bay Area cities could be transplanted to Oakland, a proud town with a storied history of activism. She argued the negative tone backfired by alienating voters who bristled at how their community was being portrayed by Taylor backers. Oakland is not San Francisco, she said. But there are clear strategic parallels to the wider region. In San Francisco, a similar network of moneyed moderate groups spent heavily to flip the formerly progressive-majority board of supervisors and take over the local Democratic Party, which this week sought to pivot to a more centrist agenda. Taylor won the endorsement of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a centrist Democrat who has sparred with organized labor and infuriated the left by pushing to arrest homeless people who refuse shelter. Mahan framed his and Taylors shared orientation as a counter to an unaccountable political establishment rather than a rightward shift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's a disconnect between what you hear from the voters when you knock on their doors and what you hear from representatives inside government, on elected bodies, Mahan told POLITICO. There's a chasm there. Biyani pushed back on the notion that Empower Oakland is in conflict with progressive ideals, arguing his group seeks to rebuild progressivism in the Democratic Party by focusing on basics like paved roads and safe neighborhoods. But many progressives scoff at that framing, arguing wealthy interests are simply trying to consolidate clout. Pecolia Manigo, interim director of the voter education and turnout group Oakland Rising Action, derided the movement as a tech broligarchy. Several of the people pouring money into Oakland politics made their fortunes in tech. We have to remember this race came as a result of a recall that was funded by tech billionaires and corporate real estate and venture capitalists, Manigo said in an interview. We came into this election with a narrative around Oakland being broken and needing new leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The centrist forces have tried to channel an anti-establishment energy that has reordered Bay Area politics, at times transcending a left-center divide. That desire for change fueled a series of 2022 recalls in San Francisco and helped explain why voters there last year traded former Mayor London Breed, a moderate by the Democratic citys standards, for Daniel Lurie , a self-funding political neophyte. We saw very strong anti-incumbent energy in 2024, and it wasnt just progressives that were in these seats, said California Working Families Party Chair Jane Kim. It wasnt about being progressive or moderate or conservative people just wanted to vote against whoever was in office because they werent happy. A general malaise seeped into Oakland politics as the city grappled with a downturn that lingered well past the Covid-19 pandemic as a surge of civic energy and restaurant openings gave way to business closures and pessimism. Political consultant Jim Ross, who was not involved in either campaign, said some voters, including relative newcomers to the city, are motivated by a desire to return to that more hopeful era. Its a little bit of Make Oakland Great Again, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Lateefah Simon, Lees ally and successor in Congress, acknowledged in an interview that crazy money had flooded into the mayoral contest. But she said she hoped Lees win would help move the single-party town past the kinds of bitter divisions that have also fractured Democrats on a national level. The Lateefah whos been in progressive politics for 30 years on the ground in the Bay, I can easily say, The oligarchs are taking over, she said. But at the end of the day, were Democrats, and my job both in the Bay and around the country is to unite Democrats. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The mother of an inmate who died of a fentanyl overdose at the private prison in Youngstown has filed a federal lawsuit against the prison and its warden. Read next: Man jumps in Mahoning River to avoid police during chase: Report Bonnie Billings, of Canton, filed the lawsuit on behalf of the estate of Montel William, her son, against CoreCivic and Warden Douglas Fender. The case was filed on April 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the lawsuit, William died on October 31, 2023, from an overdose while an inmate at the prison. The lawsuit states that William ingested the drug intentionally or accidentally, and blames the prison for allowing the drugs to be present due to lax policies which failed to protect William. The lawsuit claims wrongful death and civil rights violations and asks for compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial. CoreCivic Public Affairs Manager Brian Todd said that while he cant comment on active or pending litigation, he said the safety and well-being of every person in our care is a top priority. Furthermore, CoreCivic has a zero-tolerance policy for the introduction of contraband into our facilities. Contraband is a nationwide challenge for all corrections systems, both public and private. We work as one team with our government partners, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies on investigative and intervention efforts to remove, detect, and prevent the introduction of contraband at all of our facilities, including NEOCC. Brian Todd, Manager, Public Affairs CoreCivic is to respond by May 16 to the lawsuit, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Suzanne Salter has spent the last decade telling her daughters story, over and over again, in hopes of saving lives. Our daughter was only 31 years old, and she was actually just driving to pick up some sandwiches about two miles away, Salter said. She was stopped to make a left-hand turn. This was the day after Christmas, and while she was stopped, blinker on, there was a car with a young driver that hit her from behind. Salter said it was discovered that the driver had been texting at the time of the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a long list of texts, actually, she said. And when she had to write her written report that was attached to the police report, she said that she didnt know she was driving in the left lane and didnt know what she had hit. Did not know what she hit until she heard a thump. Salter has testified repeatedly before the Louisiana Legislature, sharing her daughters story in hopes lawmakers will pass a law banning handheld phone use while driving, not just texting in school zones, which is currently illegal in Louisiana. Louisiana law currently bans texting in school zones, but it lacks a comprehensive statewide ban. More than 30 states already have stronger laws on the books. Salter said the legislation has failed several times, even after making it through committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we get to the floor, they are concerned about profiling, she said. She said some lawmakers have said banning handheld phone use would interfere with their ability to work while driving. I live up north, and Im coming down here, and I have to do some work, and so I need my phone, Salter recalled hearing. Salter emphasized that the proposed law, HB 519, does not ban talking on the phone using Bluetooth. All you got to do is press a little button, right? Because this bill is not saying that you cant speak on it just be holding it, staring at it, she said. Salters years of advocacy have earned the support of top state leaders. Despite years of heartbreak, she keeps showing up. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. MONTAGUE (KFDX/KJTL) Authorities in Montague County are urging the public to be mindful of flooding alerts as well as roads that have been closed due to flooding over the weekend. Montague County Sheriff Marshall Thomas said over the weekend that they assisted in multiple water rescues due to torrential rainfall causing heavy flooding in Montague, Clay, and Jack counties. Oversized load damages traffic lights, intersection a 4-way stop Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas said they responded to a water rescue in Nocona Hills, where four people from a car that was swept away in floodwater were found clinging to trees as help arrived. He said the flooding was so widespread that it posed problems, such as finding routes around the flooded waters to try to reach the victims. Thomas said they were able to throw ropes to the victims before pulling them to safety, prompting the reminder that testing flooded waters not only puts your life in danger. I dont want to inconvenience people by saying stay home or stay where youre at, but theres a reason for it. And like I said it doesnt just put the driver in danger but it puts the first responders in danger also, Thomas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One road that is still closed to the public in Montague County is Rock Spring School Road, Sheriff Thomas said especially with more rain expected this week, you can stay up to date on flooded roads and closed roads due to flooding by watching the Montague County Facebook page, which you can find by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. Montana, which hadnt seen measles cases in 35 years, is the ninth state to experience a 2025 outbreak. Gallatin City-County Health Department officials said five confirmed cases involving children and adults had been reported by Thursday. Those infected were exposed to measles while traveling outside of Montana and were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccine status. The GCCHD said it was working to detect possible exposures to those individuals and is contacting the people who may have been exposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. saw 800 measle cases going into the weekend with nearly 600 of those exposures reported in Texas. A pair of unvaccinated children died in the Lone Star State, where measles were first detected in late January. An unvaccinated adult died from measles in New Mexico in March. Also experiencing active outbreaks are Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Centers for Disease Control said 96% of the nations confirmed cases of measles in 2025 occurred in people who were not vaccinated or whose vaccination status wasnt know. The CDC recorded 285 cases of measles in 2024. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a hero in the antivaxer community during the COVID-19 pandemic urged Americans to get inoculated against measles in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons, Kennedy wrote in a Fox News opinion piece. The outlets coverage on vaccines and viruses frequently drew heavy criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic. The New York State Department of Health said three unrelated cases of measles have been confirmed in New York City, with one more reported in the state. The National Institutes of Health says three or more related cases constitute an outbreak. With News Wire Services More than 180 college leaders blasted President Donald Trumps attempts to cut federal funding for universities if they dont fall in line with his administrations demands. The letter, published Tuesday by the American Association of Colleges and Universities and signed by university presidents across the country, warned against unprecedented government overreach. As leaders of Americas colleges, universities, and scholarly societies, we speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education, the letter reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This past month, the Trump administration has halted billions of dollars in federal grants to several universities after accusing the schools of antisemitism over campus protests against Israels attacks on Gaza. The administration has also cited diversity, equity and inclusion programs at several universities as reasons to cut funding. The signatories come from Ivy League schools like Harvard and Princeton, to large state schools and even smaller liberal arts colleges. We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight, the letter reads. However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses. Harvard University has fought back against the administrations bully tactics, saying it wont give in to Trumps demands at the risk of having $9 billion in federal grants withheld. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights, lawyers Robert Hur and William Burck wrote to Trump administration officials earlier this month. 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 now suing the Trump administration over the frozen funds. Tuesdays letter warns that Trumps attempts to control universities will negatively impact future students. The price of abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education will be paid by our students and our society, the letter reads. On behalf of our current and future students, and all who work at and benefit from our institutions, we call for constructive engagement that improves our institutions and serves our republic. Clarification: This article has been amended to reflect that Columbia Universitys acting president signed the letter Tuesday afternoon, after the article was first published. TOL seeks to tap oil deposits from Talampas ng Pilipinas Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino has filed Senate Bill No. 2995, which seeks to create the Talampas ng Pilipinas Oil Corporation (TPOC). "Creating the TPOC is the first step towards reducing our country's dependence on costly imported fuel, and building our own upstream oil industry. We can harness the Talampas ng Pilipinas to help provide our energy and development needs," Tolentino said. "This vast, untapped and unexplored region will be the hope for our country's perennial energy deficit," added the senator, referring to the resource-rich region, whose map was officially deposited by the Philippines to the records of the International Seabed Authority last March 27. "Compared to the Malampaya gas field [in Palawan], the 'Talampas' is far larger and richer in resources. It consists of 24 million hectares of undersea features, including a 13.5-million hectare outer section," he noted. In his explanatory note to SB 2995, Tolentino provided a snapshot of the state of the country's oil sector, as follows: PH imports approximately 170 million barrels of crude and petroleum products annually to meet its energy requirements. PH's major suppliers include Saudi Arabia (est. 80 million barrels) and Kuwait (40 million barrels); and The rest of PH's imports come from neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia (collectively, 30 million barrels), and Russia (20 million barrels). Amid its huge oil requirement, Tolentino noted that domestic crude production remains modest, averaging only around 23,000 barrels per day. "This comes primarily from the Galoc oil field in the offshore Palawan basin," noted the senator from Tagaytay. "This year, it is estimated that our petroleum demand could reach 200 million barrels. With world oil prices reaching record high levels, which have a direct impact on Filipino consumers and industries," he added. "It is high time for us to act decisively to reduce import dependence and strengthen energy security," concluded Tolentino. The TPOC bill is complemented by SB 2996, also filed by Tolentino, which calls for the creation of the Talampas ng Pilipinas Development Authority. Roamly, an insurtech company, has established new regional headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Fort Lauderdale office is set to become a central hub for recruitment, focusing on positions such as claims specialists, customer success teams and insurance product experts. To date, Roamly has hired eight employees from the local workforce and seeks to continue sourcing talent from Florida to support the creation of digital insurance products for recreational customers. Roamly president and Florida office head Rich Sanders said: "Florida's incredible combination of outdoor recreation and insurance infrastructure makes it a high-impact market for us. Our expansion into Florida as we enter peak travel season with AI-powered insurance solutions tailored to recreational lifestyles offers proximity to customers and collaboration with other industry-leading partners." Additionally, Roamly has formed alliances with several national insurance carriers including Ahoy! Insurance, American Modern, Dairyland, Hagerty, Mercury, National General (an Allstate company), Progressive and Safeco. These partnerships are intended to broaden the range of recreational insurance policies Roamly can offer, leveraging the underwriting capabilities of each carrier with its digital-first approach. Ahoy! Insurance CEO Amit Nisenbaum stated: "Our partnership with Roamly combines Ahoy's nationwide, boater-centric, tech-driven coverage with a digital platform designed to seamlessly cater to the diverse array of vessels owned by today's modern consumer." Earlier in February, Roamly expanded its international footprint by launching in Canada through the acquisition of Canadian Access. The company also set up headquarters in Toronto and appointed Richard Sanders as its president. Roamly Enterprise provides a technology platform that enables companies to utilise AI-driven software modules for the development of insurance products. The platform is designed to facilitate an expedited market launch and risk mitigation, encompassing pricing, underwriting, policy and claims management. It also offers consumers a digital-first experience from quotation to policy binding, with operations spanning the US, Canada and Europe. "Digital insurer Roamly opens headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. At least 26 people were killed when a group of suspected extremists opened fire on tourists in the volatile Indian region of Kashmir, according to officials. Indian Interior Minister Amit Shah described the attack as a "dastardly act of terror," without providing information on the perpetrators. The attackers opened fire on tourists in a popular tourist area near the town of Pahalgam, killing 26 people, according to reports by Indian broadcaster NDTV and the newspaper Greater Kashmir, citing officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the fatalities were tourists. Several people were also injured. There was no official confirmation of the death toll. The tourists were reportedly from various regions of India. NDTV had earlier reported at least one person was killed and six people injured in the attack. Other local outlets earlier said it was likely that several people were killed. According to Greater Kashmir newspaper online, a group calling itself The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack. This is a splinter group of the banned militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Expressing his shock in a post on X, Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, condemned the attack on tourists as "an abomination." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to media reports, security forces assumed that this was a targeted attack on tourists. Kashmir is a contested region spanning India, Pakistan and China. Extremist groups have been active in the Indian-administered part for years challenging the country's sovereignty over the region. With more than 61 million Catholics and the second-highest number of cardinals after Italy, the United States is primed for the question of whether an American pontiff is possible in the wake of Pope Francis' death on Monday. Francis, a Jesuit from Argentina who died in the early hours of Monday at age 88, after 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, was the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years. Tune into ABC at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday for the ABC News special, "Francis: The People's Pope." Also available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States has 17 cardinals, 10 of whom are eligible to vote in the election of the next pope, according to the Vatican. The country with the most cardinals is Italy, which has 51, including 17 eligible to vote for the next pontiff, according to the Vatican. The United States has 61.9 million Catholics, representing about 19% of the total population, according to the most recent U.S. Religion Census conducted in 2020 by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Even though the U.S. has one of the largest Catholic populations in the world, some experts told ABC News that the likelihood of the next pontiff coming from America is a long shot. PHOTO: Cathedral staff set up an image of Pope Francis inside The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, informally known as Westminster Cathedral, in central London, April 21, 2025, following the news of his death. (Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images) Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, a watchdog group that tracks clergy child abuse cases in the Catholic Church worldwide, told ABC News that if an American were selected as pope, it could be perceived as "overwhelming," given the United States' global dominance already. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If the Catholic Church were also run by an American, the global dominance of the U.S. would be simply pervasive and overwhelming," said Barrett Doyle. Technically, any man baptized in the Catholic Church can become pope, according to the Vatican. But popes are typically chosen from the College of Cardinals. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to participate in electing a pope. Cristina Traina, a religious studies professor at Fordham University, told ABC News that several U.S. cardinals have been floated as possible successors to Francis. MORE: A timeline of Pope Francis' health issues from hospitalization to his final appearance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think its unlikely because the American church is seen as contentious at this moment," Traina said of the prospect of an American being chosen as the next pope. "So, I think they are much more likely to go either for a European or someone from the global south or Asia." Traina, however, said Cardinal Joseph Tobin, the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey since 2017, has emerged as a possible candidate. PHOTO: A nun holds an image of Pope Francis near St Peter's square, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican, as seen from Rome, Italy, April 21, 2025. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters) The 73-year-old Tobin was named by Pope Francis to the College of Cardinals in 2016 to serve as the Archbishop of Indianapolis, after Pope Benedict XVI appointed him in 2012, according to his biography on the New Jersey Catholic Conference website. Tobin previously served in several positions in the Catholic Church, including pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Chicago and General Consultor of the Community of Rome and Superior General of Redemptorists in Rome, according to his biography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Electing a new pope: What happens next and what is a papal conclave? In a statement released Monday on the passing of Pope Francis, Tobin said, "He was a man of deep faith, profound humility, unshakable hope -- a servant whose tireless call to care for the poor and marginalized will continue to inspire the Church for generations to come." PHOTO: Ivanka Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and President Donald Trump stand with Pope Francis during a meeting, May 24, 2017, at the Vatican. (Evan Vucci/AP) Another American cardinal who has been mentioned as a possible successor to Francis is Cardinal Robert Prevost. The 69-year-old Chicago-born Prevost was the only U.S. cardinal included on a shot list of front-runners for pope, also known as "papabiles," compiled in the aftermath of Francis' death by the Associated Press. Since 2023, Prevost has held the position at the Vatican as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, in charge of vetting nominations for bishops around the world, according to his profile on the Vatican Press Office website. Francis brought Prevost to work at the Vatican after first appointing him in 2014 to serve as the bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. Prevost is also president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: What we know about Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican's interim manager until a new pope is elected Dr. Miles Pattenden, a historian of the Catholic Church and a lecturer of history at Oxford University in England, also told ABC News that the prospect of an American pope this time around is "very unlikely." Pattenden noted that Pope Francis had a history of clashing with the Trump administration -- going back to Trump's first term in office, when he criticized building of U.S.-Mexico border wall, saying, "A person who thinks about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian." PHOTO: Ivanka Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and President Donald Trump stand with Pope Francis during a meeting, May 24, 2017, at the Vatican. (Evan Vucci/AP) In a public letter to U.S. Catholic bishops in February, Pope Francis described the mass deportation crackdown ordered by President Donald Trump's administration as a "major crisis." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There has traditionally been a lot of wariness about a pope from the Anglosphere," Pattenden said. "I shouldnt think that the current circumstances change that, especially now with the tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration." Trump said on Monday that he and first lady Melania Trump plan to travel to Rome to attend Pope Francis' funeral. "I just signed an executive order putting the flags of our country, all of them, all federal flags, and state flags, at half-mast in honor of Pope Francis," Trump said at the White House. "So, he was a good man. Worked hard. He -- he loved the world." Could an American pope be waiting in the wings? Experts weigh in originally appeared on abcnews.go.com In the wake of the Trump administrations attack on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives across the country, a new poll shows that more Americans are aware of it and support these programs. The latest poll, conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst between April 4 and 9 and released April 18, shows that two-thirds of Americans support DEI training for police officers (69%), the military (65%), medical professionals (68%), teachers (66%), public employees (67%) and private sector employees (64%). Surprisingly, given the public controversy over DEI, we find majoritarian support for these trainings among men and women, young and old, across educational and income levels and across racial groups, UMass Polling Director Tatishe Nteta said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 2024 before Trump won the presidency for the second time pollsters found that 52% of Americans had read, seen or heard about DEI, with 28% not knowing anything about it, Nteta said. These numbers skyrocketed in the latest poll, with 76% of Americans who had heard a lot or some about DEI, with 8% of Americans who remain unaware of what it is, Nteta said. Support for DEI still breaks down along party lines, with Republicans and Trump voters still in staunch opposition. Among these demographics, 65% of Republicans and 66% of Trump voters believe DEI programs discriminate against white people, Jesse Rhodes, a political science professor and the polls co-director, said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar number of Republicans and Trump voters, at 63% each, believe DEI undermines the United States military. As well, 54% of Republicans and 55% of Trump voters said they believed DEI programs threaten public safety." But across the board, 46% of Americans disagree that DEI is a risk to public safety. And 45% said they disagreed that it has made the military weaker. In the wake of a string of natural disasters and airline crashes, [Trump] has pointed to DEI policies as the culprit, implicitly arguing that the hiring or promotion of people of color, women, LGBTQ+ or disabled Americans are at fault for these national tragedies, Nteta said. ... On DEI, Trump and his administration look to be reflecting the will of his supporters, but not of the broader American public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats think of DEI efforts as essential to ensuring equal opportunity... [and] center on how DEI advances equality by correcting for existing biases, Doug Rice, an associate professor of legal studies and political science, said in the statement. While Americans oppose Trumps claims about DEI, only 36% of Americans endorse the idea that DEI programs provide compensation for past discrimination and only 31% believe these programs create a more egalitarian society, Rhodes added. He noted that almost half of Americans, at 48%, believe DEI programs improve decision-making by welcoming a plethora of diverse perspectives. In short, Rhodes concluded, Americans are of mixed minds about the outcomes of DEI programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through YouGov, 1,081 respondents were interviewed and matched down to a sample of 1,000 to produce the polls results, pollsters stated. The poll was released with a 3.7% margin of error. More political news NEW YORK (PIX11) A new poll by Siena College finds that half of New York State registered voters oppose President Donald Trumps plans for tariffs among other recent moves by the administration. According to the poll released on Tuesday, 51 percent of New Yorkers voted against putting a 10 percent tariff on imports from every country. Most oppositional votes came from registered democrats and independents while only 18 percent of republicans voted against. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it came to putting tariffs of 100 percent or more on China, 58 percent of voters were against it including 35 percent of republicans. The 145 percent tariffs on Chinese imports are expected to stall shipments and lower sales, as well as impact many local businesses that sell products from China. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State The president has stalled tariffs for most other countries for at least three months. Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. On a windy Sunday morning this month in downtown Gary, families lined up outside the Family Life Community Center. They werent there for church, but for nourishment. Number 1! Numbers 25-30! a volunteer shouted into a bullhorn, his voice cutting through the jazz music that filled the air. The parking lot next to the Family Life Community Center, located at 555 Massachusetts St., was packed with pallets and tables loaded with boxes of food, shelves of canned goods and perishables, and volunteers eager to hand out as much as they could to the community. With nearly one-fourth of Gary and East Chicago designated as a food desert and more than 69,000 Lake County residents facing food insecurity, including 27% of Black residents, grassroots efforts like the Gary Food Collective have become critical lifelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LaJuan Clemons knows this firsthand. He walked around the space where he hosts his weekly community food distributions, greeting people as they arrived, asking questions, and directing people to the line that stretched down the block. We just do it because this is what youre supposed to do, he said. Since founding the Gary Food Collective in 2020, Clemons has worked to build a sustainable food system and continue his mission to reduce food insecurity in the city. The community-led initiative has grown into one of the regions most robust and consistent food distributions, with a single Facebook post drawing hundreds of Gary residents. According to the USDA, more than 47 million people lived in food-insecure households in 2023, including more than 7 million children. That same year, Feeding America estimates, more than 50 million people turned to food assistance for extra help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that makes what Clemons does more impactful for him. This is about more than just food, he said. Its about building a sustainable, self-reliant community that thrives together. Earlier this year, the food pantry was awarded a combined $85,000 from the city and Legacy Foundation, a Lake County community foundation that supports local nonprofits, to help feed over 8,000 community members. The funding aims to help Clemons expand the co-op program across the city by assisting other individuals in launching and sustaining their own co-ops, while still providing residents with access to fresh, affordable food. With the funds, Clemons said he was able to purchase a box truck that allows him to get more food for his distributions. Much of the food sourced for the distributions comes from the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, as well as from Meijer and Target locations across the region. Wanting residents to have a variety of options, he goes the extra mile to get meat from local butcher shops, products specifically for seniors or those recovering from surgery, and toiletries or other household essentials that might be needed for every member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is so powerful, one community member said as he watched people walk through the line, grabbing everything from canned green beans to a frozen ham that could feed a family for a few days. Volunteer Tawanda Clemons hands a box of food to someone during a food giveaway at 555 Massachusetts St. (Javonte Anderson/Capital B) Clemons giveaways and work with the co-op are a family affair, as his wife, father, children, siblings, and over 40 volunteers come to help him give food to those in the community whenever needed. Food is so expensive, and people need stuff, said volunteer Kimeka Parker, explaining why she got involved in the co-op. There is a great need for food from people, and I like helping them. Positioned at the cold-food table, Parker offered bags of frozen chicken drumsticks, pizza, ham, bacon, or other fresh frozen meat items. At the last stop in the distribution, she helped people choose items that could easily cost more than $10 each. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All these stores that have this overage of food, they end up throwing this stuff away, she said as she assisted several people in deciding on their meats. So if a lot of nonprofits get out here and start getting some of this food, we can help a lot more people. Why throw it away when it can help members of the community? she added. Parker emphasized the importance of such a program for the community, especially for older citizens who cannot travel to surrounding areas to visit grocery stores or afford services like Instacart. I feel like they need more programs like this to help community members because there is not a lot of availability with stores, and a lot of people dont have transportation to go, Annie Moore said as she carried her two boxes of food to her car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having driven several people with her who are in need, Moore said she understands that many people dont have options like they should in the community. This place is usually within 10 to 12 blocks of a person living over here, she said on the convenience of it being in the center of the city. The program is feeding a lot of families who dont have a lot of income, and its helping them with the in-between. The distribution on a recent Sunday was intended to serve only 90 people, but they served food to over 150 people who stood and waited for it. Neither Clemons nor any of the other volunteers wanted to turn away anyone. Especially Earnestine Carey, who is following in his footsteps. Volunteer Earnestine Carey (left) watches as someone grabs food from the shelf. (Javonte Anderson/Capital B) Ive always liked being a part of food distribution and giveaways, Carey said. Years ago, Clemons introduced her to a place in Joliet, Illinois, where she could get food and bring it back to the community to give away. People always need, and this is something Ive always wanted to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carey stood at the front of the distribution line, handing out fruit and directing people where to go. Although I know people get food stamps and other assistance, I know how much groceries cost, she said as the distribution wrapped up for the day. Its not enough. The need was evident from the dozens of people who showed up, from teenagers who attended in place of their parents to seniors who carpooled so they could have fresh food for the week. With a lack of grocery stores and a lack of interest from corporations in helping community members, the need for change has been prominent within the community. Like Clemons, Carey has secured a building that will serve as another co-op distribution center, located near 21st and Broadway, where people can come and get supplies and food. In this fight against food scarcity in the city, shes trying to do what she can to help out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats what we want people to see: that we can place a general store in your community, in every district, where the food is pretty much free to you all, but just invest in it so that its sustainable, Clemons said. To find out more about the co-op and when distributions are happening in town, visit the Family Life Community Center Facebook page. The post This Is About More Than Just Food: Inside a Grassroots Effort Feeding Hundreds in Gary appeared first on Capital B Gary. Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) will release its first-quarter financial results before the opening bell on Wednesday, April 23. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly earnings at $1.61 per share, up from $1.50 per share in the year-ago period. According to data from Benzinga Pro, Philip Morris International projects quarterly revenue of $9.14 billion, compared to $8.79 billion a year earlier. On April 16, Citigroup analyst Simon Hales maintained Philip Morris Intl with a Buy rating and raised the price target from $163 to $180. With the recent buzz around Philip Morris, some investors may be eyeing potential gains from the company's dividends too. Currently, Philip Morris offers an annual dividend yield of 3.33%. Thats a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share ($5.40 a year). To figure out how to earn $500 monthly from Philip Morris, we start with the yearly target of $6,000 ($500 x 12 months). Next, we take this amount and divide it by Philip Morris $5.40 dividend: $6,000 / $5.40 = 1,111 shares. So, an investor would need to own approximately $180,182 worth of Philip Morris, or 1,111 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 / $5.40 = 222 shares, or $36,004 to generate a monthly dividend income of $100. View more earnings on PM Note that dividend yield can change on a rolling basis, as 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, 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. PM Price Action: Shares of Philip Morris fell by 0.6% to close at $162.18 on Monday. Read More: Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene appeared to mock the death of Pope Francis on Mondayoffering not condolences, but what looked like a celebration. Today there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God, the Georgia Congresswoman wrote on X just hours after the 88-year-old pontiff died. Greenes post, which came without further clarification, seemed to frame the popes passing as a victory delivered by God. Today there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) April 21, 2025 Pope Francis, seen as a relatively progressive pope, often clashed with conservativesincluding President Donald Trump. He slammed Trumps mass deportation plans in February, writing, What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene, a Trump ally notorious for making frequent incendiary comments, railed against Catholic bishops in 2022, accusing them of destroying the United States by advocating for policies that support migrants and refugees and said that Satan is controlling the church. The congresswoman said she was raised Catholic, but left the church when she became a mother. I realized I could not trust the church leadership to protect my children from pedophiles, she said, referencing the Catholic Churchs long history of clergy sex abuse allegations. She has since joined North Point Community Church, an evangelical megachurch in Alpharetta, Georgia. Greenes X postwhich has garnered more than 3.5 million views, was met with immediate backlash online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, who broke ranks by criticizing Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 election, wrote simply, Youre pure evil. Even some in the MAGA camp slammed her, with right-wing influencer Kaitlin Bennett calling it an evil thing to tweet. What an evil thing to tweet Kaitlin Bennett (@KaitMarieox) April 21, 2025 No regime changes were reported on Monday, though World Economic Forum (WEF) founder Klaus Schwabwhom Greene has previously criticizedstepped down as chairman of the forums board after 50 years. A multi-city police chase ended in a crash on a Kansas City highway when police officers disabled the suspects tires during the pursuit. The crash took place on Interstate 70 near the westbound exit to The Paseo, according to live traffic video maintained by the city. Sugar Creek, Missouri police officers began chasing a woman in a car on Interstate 435 Monday afternoon, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez, a Kansas City Police Department spokesperson. The chase, which took place at high speed, crossed into Kansas City and moved onto I-70 Westbound, where KCPD officers became involved by using a tire deflation device on the womans vehicle, Gonzalez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After her tires were compromised, the woman tried to slow down and exit onto The Paseo, but lost control, at which point her car rolled over, Gonzalez said.The woman was transported to a local hospital, where her current condition is unknown. Feeds from KC Scout cameras, maintained jointly by the Kansas and Missouri Departments of Transportation, showed fire crews responding to a crashed vehicle around 1 p.m. Monday afternoon. The exit in question closed for several hours Monday after the crash, according to KC Scout. Three lanes also closed temporarily as a result, KC Scout cameras showed. When asked about reports that the crash was related to police activity beginning in another jurisdiction, a Kansas City Police Department spokesperson said that the department is still waiting on a report confirming the cause of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The highway had reopened by about 2:35 p.m., according to KC Scout feeds. More than 320 people have been injured in police chases across the Kansas City metro in the last five years, a nine-month Star investigation found last year. Pam Bondis Justice Department has agreed to give a handful of Elon Musks DOGE advisers access to a system containing detailed private records on millions of immigrants dating back to the 1990s. The Executive Office for Immigration Reviews Courts and Appeals System, or ECAS, holds vast, comprehensive records of immigrants personal information, as well as every interaction theyve had with the U.S. government. Senior DOJ officials greenlit DOGE access to the ECAS system on Friday, The Washington Post reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The so-called Department of Government Efficiency, a White House office headed by President Donald Trumps megadonor Musk, has been digging into confidential data systems across the federal government in an attempt to speed up the administrations deportations. DOJ staff members were instructed to prepare ECAS accounts for Marko Elez, the DOGE minion who resigned over racist social media posts before being rehired, as well as former hedge fund staffer Adam Hoffman. Payton Rehling and Jon Koval, who work at a private-equity firm tied to Musk, are also being given access, according to the Post. Contacted by the Post, the department declined to say why the access was sought and granted. The DOGE team did not respond to the papers requests for comment. Marko Elez (right) was originally fired from DOGE for sharing racist social media posts, until Elon Musk decided they weren't that big of a deal. / The Daily Beast/Getty/Linkedin But the move comes as DOGE has been forcing its way into federal databases containing private information about immigrantsoften over the objections of career civil servants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a major policy shift, the Internal Revenue Service agreed this month to share taxpayer data with the Department of Homeland Security in an attempt to hunt down immigrants who are undocumented but nevertheless pay taxes. IRS lawyers had warned the move was potentially illegal, but Treasury Department officials bypassed the IRSs acting commissioner, Melanie Krause, to make the DHS deal. Krause quit in response, making her the third IRS chief to leave the agency in three months. Last week, DOGE members embedded with Immigration and Customs Enforcement sought private Medicare dataincluding personal health information and addressesto target people for deportation. President Donald Trump is privately angry about his administration's pace of deportations, according to reports. / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images DOGE also demanded the Social Security Administration list more than 6,000 living immigrants as dead to try to force them to leave the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Again, senior staffers warned the plan was likely illegal, and one was physically dragged out of his office after he voiced his concerns. Dozens of financially dead immigrants later showed up at Social Security offices to prove they were very much alive, forcing the agency to resurrect them. DOGEs move into the ECAS system really hearkens to what were seeing with Social Security, with the IRS, with data that was shared with an expectation of privacy, Lynn Damiano Pearson, a senior staff attorney at the National Immigration Law Center, told the Post. The database contains immigrants names, family and attorney information, addresses, court testimony, interactions with law enforcement, and motor vehicle records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For asylum seekers, the records include confidential interviews and testimony that could put their lives at risk, an unnamed official told the Post. For undocumented aliens, the ECAS records their alien registration number. Immigration attorneys told the Post the information is usually only accessible to immigrants and their lawyers. A small number of Homeland Security staff also sometimes gain access during proceedings such as immigration court appeals. Accessing the systems confidential information about court proceedings could jeopardize privacy protections both for citizens and non-citizens alike, Pearson told the Post. A Muslim careers adviser sued a charity for racial harassment after she was given a ham wrap at a training event. Asuman Arizie said she felt deeply depressed and utterly let down after she found pork in the wrap, which she had picked up from a plate marked as halal, a tribunal heard. Colleagues described seeing the careers adviser accosting a member of the catering staff, who had been hired by her managers to provide food at the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the incident, Ms Arizie raised a grievance and said the women who prepared the food probably conspired to put pork on the halal tray and were motivated by racism. But this was dismissed by bosses at Shaw Trust, a charity that helps people with complex needs get into work. They said there was no evidence the pork was put on the halal plate in a deliberate attempt to harass or upset particular individuals of Muslim faith. After Ms Arizie was dismissed from the charity for failing her probationary period, she took Shaw Trust to an employment tribunal, repeating her claims. Ms Arizie tried to sue the charity but lost her case because a judge said her bosses had no liability for acts of harassment by a third party. Voice raised across the room The tribunal, held in south London, was told Ms Arizie started working for the organisation as a careers adviser in April 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, she attended a staff training event for the launch of a new contract. During this event, she learnt of new working arrangements that unsettled her. It was heard Ms Arizie felt it was unfair that as a trainee she was paid less than the qualified advisers but had to carry out additional training. The tribunal heard she raised questions from the floor about her own salary and situation. Employment Judge Eoin Fowell said: They broke for lunch and Ms Arizie says that she and a friend then removed the cling film from a plate of wraps which was marked halal, took a bite, and found that it had pork in it. We accept that she did eat some pork and that this was very upsetting for her. It is not clear whether the mistake was on her part or on the part of the caterers, but she complained immediately to one of the catering staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A manager at the event recalled hearing Ms Arizies voice raised from across the room, despite 50 or 60 people chatting over lunch. It was heard that a catering assistant explained her side of the story and apologised, but Ms Arizie felt the apology wasnt sincere. The catering company later told bosses at Shaw Trust they would not work with them again because of Ms Arizies behaviour. The tribunal said that, after the training event, her morale and performance deteriorated and she became significantly more negative about the company. Motivated by racism During a probation meeting held the following month, bosses referred to her conduct and behaviour after it was heard she had received several complaints from senior management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In particular, the ham incident was referred to and bosses said that Ms Arizie needed to take more care when making statements or asking questions as they can come across as aggressive. They then extended her probationary period. Ms Arizie raised a grievance against bosses and referred to the incident, saying that on the day of the staff training exercise, she received no empathy or support with what I regarded as racial harassment. The careers adviser added: I have taken the advice of a very experienced anti-racism worker. I will now assert that these two women probably conspired to put pork on the halal tray and were motivated by racism. In a grievance investigation, bosses said there was no evidence to support the allegation that non-halal food was inserted onto a tray marked vegetarian (or halal) as a deliberate attempt to harass or upset particular individuals of Muslim faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, Ms Arizie who was off sick for two months from December to February was dismissed. Bosses said she failed her probationary period. After this, she took the charity to an employment tribunal, making various claims including harassment on grounds of race and religion. Her claims of harassment and indirect discrimination were dismissed. Other claims made by Ms Arizie were dismissed. She won one claim of breach of contract and will receive 1,507.60 in compensation. 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. We must create a level of unity: Decatur officials react after 3 shot in 3 days DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) Three people have been shot in three days in Decatur. Now, activists, business owners and police officers arent only reacting, but brainstorming ways to put a stop to violence like this. Last weekend, a 34-year-old man was killed near Church and Leafland. A few days later, on April 18, a teenager was shot in broad daylight. On Sunday, a 21-year-old was hurt just steps away from Millikin University after police reported he was shot in the legs and neck. A few hours later, a 32-year-old man was shot in the leg. At this point in the investigation, police dont believe the incidents are related. They are being investigated as separate incidents and no arrests have been made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That doesnt change the fact that people are hurting, especially one community leader whos connected to the 21-year-old victim. Its a sad tragedy when you see a young person trying to do better, change his life, and success is at the end of that road, Courtney Carson, a vice president at Richland Community College and community activist, said. PHOTOS: Decatur Fire Dept. investigating after heavy fire destroys home The victim is enrolled in Carsons EnRich program at Richland Community, classes intended to transform lives and help people find careers theyre passionate about. Now, his hard work is put on pause after Sundays shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His life is hanging in the balance, Carson said. Hes not the only shooting victim recovering in the hospital. A 32-year-old is as well, after police said he was shot in the leg on Sunday afternoon. Decatur Police are investigating both crimes, as well as Fridays shooting when a 16-year-old was hurt. Any act of gun violence is concerning. The time of day goes to show you that theres a possibility people are going to do these things at any time, Brad Allen, Decaturs Deputy Chief, said. Three shootings in three days isnt a trend police want the community getting used to. Decatur Police chief reflects on new mental health law, welcomes 5 new officers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt acceptable, and this isnt how were going to be in Decatur, Allen added. The departments goal is to keep everyone safe, and he encourages anyone to speak up if they know something that could help solve a case. Carson understands the importance of speaking up and wants to teach adults the right way to connect with kids who may be heading down the wrong path. Talk to the young people whom you know are carrying the guns. That you know is practicing criminal activity. Because essentially, that blood is on your hands, Carson said. He believes connecting with the right generation can make a long-term change, a change that both he and the police are ready to see in the city they call home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopefully, the community understands that its our goal to combat this, and well work on it together, Allen added. On Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Community of Neighborhood Organizations (CONO) will host a public safety panel at the Decatur Public Library. The sheriff, the states attorney and two police officers will be there to answer questions about neighborhood safety. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. By Sneha S K and Amina Niasse (Reuters) - U.S. health insurer Elevance Health spent less than expected on medical care in the first quarter and said on Tuesday that demand for healthcare services among older adults was inline with expectations, allaying some concerns over elevated medical costs. Rival UnitedHealth last week cut its full-year profit forecast and missed quarterly profit estimates for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis, due in part to high spending related to its Medicare Advantage plans for older adults and those with disabilities. That sparked a brief selloff in shares across the sector on Thursday, but shares of other rivals pared some of their losses after Elevance pre-announced first-quarter earnings that came in ahead of expectations. Costs related to Medicare Advantage remained elevated but manageable to start the year, Elevance Chief Financial Officer Mark Kaye said on the company's post-earnings call on Tuesday. "UnitedHealth is suffering from a double whammy of exposure in Medicare Advantage and in its value-based care Optum Health operations. Elevance just isn't very big in either of those," said Julie Utterback, an analyst at Morningstar. UnitedHealth's Medicare plans captured patients exiting rival Medicare businesses, but the company underestimated the use of medical services by this demographic. Higher premiums for people enrolled in Group Medicare plans prompted patients to take advantage of the medical services, said Kevin Gade, chief operating officer at Bahl & Gaynor, which owns shares of UnitedHealth. Shares of Elevance rose 2% to $414 in early trading, while Cigna Group, CVS Health and UnitedHealth were up between 0.7% and 2.4%. On a weekly basis, shares of UnitedHealth were down nearly 28%. UnitedHealth also cited "unanticipated changes" in its Optum health services subsidiary as a reason for its disappointing results. Elevance's results "could be indicative that the recently discussed Medicare Advantage pressures may be limited to specific companies or sub-segments" said UBS analyst AJ Rice. "On the Optum health side, which was where they had a significant earnings revision at UnitedHealth, Elevance really doesn't have an equivalent business like that," Rice said. Optum's emphasis on value-based care, where insurers are paid based on patient outcomes instead of quantity, presents a challenge as profit growth for this model has slowed, said Gade. CFO Kaye said that group Medicare Advantage plans account for 15% of its total MA enrollment and added that the company has not seen "changes in utilization patterns from what we expected." A man found his lost debit card and celebrated by buying a few lottery tickets in Washington. One ticket won him $480,000. The lucky lottery player had been shopping at a WinCo Foods in Marysville, Washingtons Lottery said in an April 21 news release. He got home from grocery shopping and realized he couldnt find his bank card, lottery officials said. It turned into a frantic search until he found it at the grocery store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This must be my lucky day. I should buy some lottery tickets, he told the lottery office. His purchases included a HIT 5 ticket that cost him $1. The man took his tickets home and checked them later that evening, lottery officials said. It turns out he matched all five numbers on the HIT 5 ticket, winning him nearly half a million dollars. Lottery officials said he has plans to use the money on a trip to Japan and to the East Coast. Marysville is about a 35-mile drive north from Seattle. Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website. Cashier hands man wrong lottery ticket and now hes a millionaire in Michigan Poker player hits jackpot with rarest hand in the game at Las Vegas casino Man thinks jackpot Missouri lottery ticket is fake. Then he started to panic New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Director Sonya Chavez has resigned from her position after serving for less than two years, state Department of Public Safety officials confirmed Monday afternoon. Chavez, appointed in October 2023, was also serving as interim director of the Law Enforcement Certification Board in the wake of the board's firing last month of the previous executive. She will serve in both roles until the end of the month. She wrote in a short letter to the governor she was "sadly resigning" from her position. The April 16 letter, provided to The New Mexican by Department of Public Safety spokesperson Herman Lovato, offered no reason for her departure, which continued a shakeup in the two state agencies dedicated to police training and officer oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Thank you for the opportunity to serve our wonderful state and the amazing police officers and their leadership in this capacity," Chavez wrote in the letter. "I wish you and all of New Mexicos public servants only the best in continuing to address the critical mission of keeping our citizens safe and protected." Her resignation comes after a monthslong, public rift between former Law Enforcement Certification Board CEO Joshua Calder and Public Safety Secretary Jason Bowie ended in Calder's firing by a March 20 vote of the appointed board. In the preceding months, Calder had opened a misconduct investigation into Bowie and told board members during a public meeting department officials had attempted to interfere with the board's staff members as they investigated misconduct allegations. Bowie, meanwhile, accused Calder of lying about retaliatory actions he had alleged Bowie had taken against him. Chavez said in a phone interview Monday her departure is unrelated to Calder's, saying, "I did have some concerns that this would be seen as related to Josh's departure, and its not." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she is sad to be leaving the academy and its "beautiful mission." "Im really proud of the work weve been able to accomplish," she said. "Ive just decided that its best for me to step back right now." Chavez expressed pride in some of her accomplishments during her time with the academy, which was marked by a legislative shift in the state's approach to handling police training and misconduct. "DPS is filled with wonderful, committed public servants with a huge, impactful mission, and I was happy to be a part of that and believe in what we're doing up there," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bill passed by the state Legislature in 2023 bifurcated the former Law Enforcement Academy Board into two bodies: the Law Enforcement Certification Board, which handles claims of police and dispatcher misconduct, and the Standards and Training Council, which was appointed to review and update policing standards and training statewide. In her role, Chavez served as chair of the Standards and Training Council in addition to running the state police academy in Santa Fe and providing "support and oversight" to the nine satellite police academies in New Mexico, according to the department's website. Her office embarked on the creation of a new curriculum for basic police training, which she said is currently being developed by a contractor. She noted a partnership with Central New Mexico Community College to revamp the academy's legal curriculum, adding, "we've worked really hard to navigate through the implementation of a state Standards and Training Council." Prior to becoming the director of the Law Enforcement Academy, Chavez was the first woman to serve as U.S. marshal in New Mexico from 2018 to 2023. Before that, she was a special agent for the FBI for more than two decades. April 21 (UPI) -- The wife of convicted former Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., was found guilty Monday for her role in her husband's bribery scheme, which netted hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for political influence. Nadine Menendez, 58, was convicted by a federal jury in New York City on all 15 counts after eight hours of deliberations over two days. She and her husband received separate trials in their indictment for bribery, obstruction and acting as a foreign agent. Nadine Menendez faces sentencing on June 12. "Today's verdict sends the clear message that the power of government officials may not be put up for sale, and that all those who facilitate corruption will be held accountable for their actions," said Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors claimed Nadine Menendez acted as a "go-between" for her husband with businessmen who funneled bribes from the Egyptian and Qatari governments. In exchange, Bob Menendez, 71, who led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, convinced his colleagues to unfreeze $300 million in Egyptian military aid despite human rights concerns. "The defendant helped Robert Menendez put his power up for grabs," prosecutor Paul Monteleoni said in his closing statement. "You saw again and again a clear pattern of corruption." Democratic New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez exits Federal Court with wife Nadine after pleading not guilty on bribery and extortion charges stemming from his relationship with three New Jersey business people on September 27, 2023 in New York City. On Monday, Nadine Menendez was found guilty on 15 counts. The former senator was found guilty last July and sentenced to 11 years in prison. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI On Monday, Nadine Menendez wore a pink mask over her face as the verdict was read, hiding her expression. Her husband did not attend her month-long trial and was not in the courtroom when her verdict was read. Bob Menendez, who was convicted in July for selling his influence in the Senate and acting as a foreign agent of Egypt, will begin serving an 11-year sentence when he reports to prison in June. Menendez, who stepped down from the Senate following his conviction, said he plans to appeal. Democratic New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez exits Federal Court with wife Nadine after pleading not guilty on bribery and extortion charges stemming from his relationship with three New Jersey business people on September 27, 2023 in New York City. On Monday, Nadine Menendez was convicted in a separate trial on 15 counts of bribery, obstruction and acting as a foreign agent. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI "Nadine Menendez and Sen. Menendez were partners in crime," said Podolsky. "Over the span of five years, Nadine Menendez agreed to accept and accepted all sorts of bribes -- including gold bars, cash, a Mercedes-Benz convertible and a no-show job -- all in exchange for the senator's corrupt officials acts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Together, Nadine Menendez and the senator placed their own interests and greed ahead of the interests of the citizens the senator was elected to serve," he added. Nadine Menendez stood silent outside the court with her attorney as he spoke to reporters after Monday's verdict. "I am devastated by the verdict. We fought hard, and it hurts," said Barry Coburn. "This is a very rough day for us ... the case is not over, and there will be other days, and we look forward to that." SOUTHWEST MISSOURI (KSNF/KODE) The storms that went through parts of southwest Missouri have been confirmed to be tornadoes, the National Weather Service says. PHOTOS: Easter Sunday storms damage homes, infrastructure in the Four States According to a Public Information Statement from the National Weather Service in Springfield, MO, an EF-1 tornado originated in Cherokee County, Kansas, and ended in Jasper County, Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NWS says this tornado had a path length of 23.53 miles, and a maximum path width of 250 yards, with peak winds of 90 miles per hour. Officials say the tornado touched down near Empire Lake to the north of Galena, downing numerous trees and damaging multiple roofs, then heading into Missouri. Heading northeast through Carl Junction, the storms continued to cause damage to infrastructure, trees, and homes. Witnesses report that the tornado was rain-wrapped. Additionally, the NWS says that an EF-0 tornado touched down in Barton County, heading northeast through Lamar, before lifting northeast of Milford. Also reportedly rain-wrapped, the majority of damage done by this tornado was centralized in Lamar, with damage to structures. The NWS claims winds up to 81 miles per hour, with a path length of 19.67 miles, with a maximum width of 300 yards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional straight-line winds also contributed to the debris left in the wake of Sundays storms. The preliminary findings presented by the National Weather Service is subject to change pending final review and publication in NWS Storm Data. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. David Tsosie, with the Dine-Centered Research and Evaluation group, leads advocates in prayer on Monday in front of the Navajo Nation Council meeting hall. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann/Source NM) Advocates from across the Navajo Nation gathered in front of the nations council meeting hall Monday, hoping to tell Navajo President Buu Nygren how frustrated and disappointed they are by his abrupt endorsement of Donald Trumps executive order aiming to reinvigorate the nations coal industry. But Nygren was in Washington, D.C. As part of his engagement with our federal partners, his office said on social media, he couldnt address the Navajo Nation Council for its first meeting. That left advocates even more frustrated, they said, that they couldnt speak to Nygren about their concerns. Advocates in speeches Monday pointed to the Nygren administrations recent confidential agreement with uranium company Energy Fuels,, which allows the company to transport uranium ore across the Navajo Nation for a price and in exchange for the companys promise to clean up abandoned uranium mines across the Navajo Nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the late January agreement, several trucks carrying uranium ore and other material traverse the western side of the Navajo Nation most days, carrying the material from a mine near the Grand Canyon to a mill in Utah. The agreement would also apply to the eastern side of the Navajo Nation, which falls in New Mexico, if a proposed massive uranium mine near Mount Taylor is ever approved for operation. That project, called the Roca Honda Mine, is now a priority project at the Cibola National Forest, thanks to Trumps executive order seeking to boost domestic energy production. In addition to the uranium transport agreement, advocates on Monday also noted that Nygren last week endorsed Trumps Reinvigorating Americas Beautiful Clean Coal Industry executive order and took a selfie with him during the signing ceremony. Cheyenne Antonio, right, with the Dine C.A.R.E., at the rally Monday. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann/Source NM) Advocate Percy Deal spoke at the rally Monday in English and Navajo, saying Peabody Energys coal mining operations beginning in the 1960s have drained an untold amount of water from aquifer vital to in his community on the Black Mesa plateau in northeast Arizona for generations, plus contributed to climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So he was surprised and alarmed that Nygren, whom he called Hastiin Bichah Lizhinigii in Navajo or the man in the black hat in English, would endorse executive orders boosting coal production from Trump, Mr. yellow hair, without consulting people like him who have been so harmed by coal extraction. All these things probably are now in the hands of Mr. yellow hair. The sad thing is that Hastiin Bichah Lizhinigii never spoke to any of us. Never did, Deal told attendees. Hes got a vehicle here furnished by the tribe. He could have gone out to, for example, the Black Mesa and talked to us. Nygrens spokesperson, Alastair Bitsoi, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the groups criticism Monday afternoon. But Nygren in a letter published Monday on social media defended his endorsement of Trumps energy executive orders. I accepted the invitation [to the White House] because the three executive orders that President Trump signed are intended to advance Americas dominance in energy, Nygren wrote. The Navajo Nation shares the goal of American energy dominance because the Navajo Nation has for 100 years been a part of the energy framework of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our lands have natural resources and transmission lines, also known as the grid. We will forever be part of the American energy framework and therefore Navajos voice and involvement in these discussions is required, he wrote. Advocates said that Nygrens latest endorsements are a stark contrast from language on his website listing his priorities for the environment, which begins by saying, Mitigating the effects of climate change on Navajo land is our responsibility, and the Nygren Administration will ensure Navajo community voices are empowered in protecting our water, air and land. Larry J. King stands in front of Window Rock in the Navajo Nation capital on Monday. He says President Buu Nygren has gone back on promises he made during the campaign in his recent endorsements of Trump executive orders. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann/Source NM) Larry J. King, who grew up in Church Rock, said at the rally that he once worked in uranium mines in New Mexico and in 1979 he witnessed the United Nuclear spill there, which is the largest accidental release of radiation in United States history. He told Source New Mexico that Nygren, who took office in January 2023, repeatedly promised during his election to clean up uranium mine waste from his community at Red Water Pond but then ignored his calls. Thats one reason King said he does not believe Nygrens promises that the new transport agreement will result in the cleanup of legacy uranium mines in areas like Red Water Pond. For one thing, hes skeptical of high-pressure slurry ablation, which Navajo Nation officials have touted as an emerging treatment method for the cleanup process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King noted that Nygren endorsed Kamala Harris and traveled with the Democratic delegation to the Democratic convention last year. He said he sees Nygrens latest endorsements as a betrayal of his promises and his constituents. Hes just making a turnaround, and in support of all this industry wanting to come and desecrate, he said. A repeat of what weve been through trying to remedy the situation from the last 30 to 40 years. Hes just, hes going back. Correction: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Alastair Bitsois name. Source New Mexico is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Source New Mexico maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Julia Goldberg for questions: info@sourcenm.com. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX David Tsosie, with the Dine-Centered Research and Evaluation group, leads advocates in prayer on Monday in front of the Navajo Nation Council meeting hall. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM) Advocates from across the Navajo Nation gathered in front of the nations council meeting hall in Window Rock, Arizona on Monday, hoping to tell Navajo President Buu Nygren how frustrated and disappointed they are by his abrupt endorsement of Donald Trumps executive order aiming to reinvigorate the nations coal industry. But Nygren was in Washington, D.C. As part of his engagement with our federal partners, his office said on social media, so he couldnt address the Navajo Nation Council for its first meeting. That left advocates even more frustrated, they said, that they couldnt speak to Nygren about their concerns. Advocates in speeches Monday pointed to the Nygren administrations recent confidential agreement with uranium company Energy Fuels,, which allows the company to transport uranium ore across the Navajo Nation for a price and in exchange for the companys promise to clean up abandoned uranium mines across the Navajo Nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the late January agreement, several trucks carrying uranium ore and other material traverse the western side of the Navajo Nation most days, carrying the material from a mine near the Grand Canyon to a mill in Utah. The agreement would also apply to the eastern side of the Navajo Nation, which falls in New Mexico, if a proposed massive uranium mine near Mount Taylor is ever approved for operation. That project, called the Roca Honda Mine, is now a priority project at the Cibola National Forest, thanks to Trumps executive order seeking to boost domestic energy production. In addition to the uranium transport agreement, advocates on Monday also noted that Nygren last week endorsed Trumps Reinvigorating Americas Beautiful Clean Coal Industry executive order and took a selfie with him during the signing ceremony. Cheyenne Antonio, right, with the Dine C.A.R.E., at the rally Monday. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM) Advocate Percy Deal spoke at the rally Monday in English and Navajo, saying Peabody Energys coal mining operations beginning in the 1960s have drained an untold amount of water from aquifer vital to in his community on the Black Mesa plateau in northeast Arizona for generations, plus contributed to climate change. President Buu Nygrens selfie with President Trump during the coal executive order signing ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Navajo Nation Presidents Office) So he was surprised and alarmed that Nygren, whom he called Hastiin Bichah Lizhinigii in Navajo or the man in the black hat in English, would endorse executive orders boosting coal production from Trump, Mr. yellow hair, without consulting people like him who have been so harmed by coal extraction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All these things probably are now in the hands of Mr. yellow hair. The sad thing is that Hastiin Bichah Lizhinigii never spoke to any of us. Never did, Deal told attendees. Hes got a vehicle here furnished by the tribe. He could have gone out to, for example, the Black Mesa and talked to us. Nygrens spokesperson, Alastair Bitsoi, noted in an interview with Source New Mexico on Tuesday* that uranium mining is still banned on the Navajo Nation and that cleanup efforts are ongoing. Bitsoi also deferred comment on the transport agreement to the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, which Bitsoi said was in charge of the Nations negotiations with Energy Fuels. Also, Nygren in a letter published Monday on social media defended his endorsement of Trumps energy executive orders. I accepted the invitation [to the White House] because the three executive orders that President Trump signed are intended to advance Americas dominance in energy, Nygren wrote. The Navajo Nation shares the goal of American energy dominance because the Navajo Nation has for 100 years been a part of the energy framework of the United States. Our lands have natural resources and transmission lines, also known as the grid. We will forever be part of the American energy framework and therefore Navajos voice and involvement in these discussions is required, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates said that Nygrens latest endorsements are a stark contrast from language on his website listing his priorities for the environment, which begins by saying, Mitigating the effects of climate change on Navajo land is our responsibility, and the Nygren Administration will ensure Navajo community voices are empowered in protecting our water, air and land. Larry J. King stands in front of Window Rock in the Navajo Nation capital on Monday. He says President Buu Nygren has gone back on promises he made during the campaign in his recent endorsements of Trump executive orders. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM) Larry J. King, who grew up in Church Rock, said at the rally that he once worked in uranium mines in New Mexico and in 1979 he witnessed the United Nuclear spill there, which is the largest accidental release of radiation in United States history. He told Source New Mexico that Nygren, who took office in January 2023, repeatedly promised during his election to clean up uranium mine waste from his community at Red Water Pond but then ignored his calls. Thats one reason King said he does not believe Nygrens promises that the new transport agreement will result in the cleanup of legacy uranium mines in areas like Red Water Pond. For one thing, hes skeptical of high-pressure slurry ablation, which Navajo Nation officials have touted as an emerging treatment method for the cleanup process. King noted that Nygren endorsed Kamala Harris and traveled with the Democratic delegation to the Democratic convention last year. He said he sees Nygrens latest endorsements as a betrayal of his promises and his constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes just making a turnaround, and in support of all this industry wanting to come and desecrate, he said. A repeat of what weve been through trying to remedy the situation from the last 30 to 40 years. Hes just, hes going back. Correction 4/22/25 at 11:36 a.m.: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of President Nygrens spokespersons first name. *Update 4/22/25 at 2:31 p.m.: This story has been updated to include comment from spokesperson Alastair Bitsoi. STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Sweden's Ericsson is planning to manufacture all its telecom antennas for the Indian market in the South Asian country, the company said on Tuesday. Demand from India's telecom companies surged in 2023, as Bharti Airtel and Jio, the telecom unit of Reliance Industries, started to scale up 5G services, and cushioned a slowdown of orders from the United States, Ericsson's top market. Ericsson, which started manufacturing in India in 1994, will localise all its passive antenna production for the Indian market by June, it said in a statement. It also has manufacturing facilities in Mexico, Romania and China. The company expects to export a significant portion of the antennas manufactured in India after meeting domestic needs, it said. Antenna manufacturing will take place in Gurgaon together with Ericsson's local partner VVDN Technologies, a spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Ericsson's logistics hub in Pune will support distribution and supply chain operations across the region, he added. (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm, editing by Louise Rasmussen and Louise Heavens) WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren did not give his state of the Navajo Nation address on the first day of Navajo Council's spring session on April 21, stirring up frustration and questions from lawmakers and the Navajo people who wanted answers on his support for coal mining revitalization. Because of his absence from the council session, the Council issued a subpoena, ordering him to appear and provide the necessary documents and information for a formal report. But the damage may already be done, as discussions began during a brief caucus on putting the leader on administrative leave "Enough is enough," said Council Delegate Dr. Andy Nez about Nygren's absence and lack of communication. "I know legal council has been working on legislation to put the president on admin leave... It was mentioned he's out in D.C... I am unsure what meeting he has, but the last time he was in D.C., he had issues regarding our coal mining." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navajo Nation code requires the president to report to the Council on a quarterly basis. But this marks the fourth time Nygren has failed to fulfill that obligation, according to council members. Although placing Nygren on administrative leave was discussed among delegates, no action has occurred. The subpoena was drafted and signed by Speaker Crystalyne Curley, but complying with it proved difficult, as Nygren was 2,000 miles away in Washington, D.C. a fact many learned only moments before he was scheduled to address the Council. In a memo sent alongside his prepared address, Nygren said that he was in the U.S. capital "advancing the Navajo Nation priorities." "This engagement will provide valuable insight and offer a meaningful overview of the current state of the Navajo Nation," Nygren wrote. "Before you question my commitment to the Nation, I must take a moment to remind everyone that the United States is a democracy, and the President of the United States has been elected." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went on to say the Navajo Nation signed two treaties with the United States, so he must work with any administration, Republican or Democratic "to protect jobs, preserve and increase revenue for our communities, and expand new opportunities for our Nation. Our allegiance is to the Navajo people and to the treaties we have signed." Tensions between the Council and Nygrens executive office have been ongoing for some time. The last attempt Nygren made to deliver his report was in January, but it was disrupted when delegates insisted that Vice President Richelle Montoya be seated beside him and contribute to the report. In response, Nygren ceded the remainder of his time to Montoya. This incident followed an investigation that cleared Nygren of allegations of sexual harassment against Montoya, and after he had attempted to revoke her authority, citing a lack of accountability and failure to fulfill her duties. What were seeing from President Nygren is a lot of one-way communication directed at the Navajo people through radio, livestreams, newsletters, social media, and now a written report. The Navajo people want to hear President Nygren present his report in person and to have an in-depth dialogue with the Council, said Curley. Yes, its important to work with our federal partners, but President Nygren also needs to work with our Dine leaders as he promised when he campaigned for the presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mining in Arizona: 'I was terrified': Uranium shipments worry Navajo, Ute tribal members along truck route Navajo citizens protest Nygren's coal stance Outside of the Council Chamber, Navajo people waited, expecting to speak with Nygren about his recent support of President Donald Trump's executive order to support the domestic coal industry by removing federal barriers, promoting coal use for energy needs, boosting exports and ensuring fair federal policies for coal and coal-fired power. Percy Deal, a former Navajo Nation Council delegate, Navajo County supervisor and longtime community advocate against the coal industry, said he attended the Council session to confront Nygren about his support for coal revitalization. Deal said that despite numerous harmful executive orders from the Trump administration, Nygren has remained silent except to express support for this particular order. "I guess you know that Mr. Yellowhair (Trump) issued 125 executive orders," said Deal. "There is a number of them that impacts us and I am happy to say the Navajo Nation Council ... they have been able to stand up to at least three or four different executive orders. During that whole time, I have not heard anything from (Nygren) and then all of a sudden ... he endorsed executive order 14241." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deal said the order, "Reinvigorating Americas Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Amending Executive Order 14241," opens federal lands, including "the Navajo land." This is a critical move on behalf of the Navajo Nation and its people, which Nygren failed to address his decision of support, said Deal. Protest signs criticizing Navajo President Buu Nygren are on display outside the Navajo Nation Council Chamber, April 21, 2025, in Window Rock, Arizona. "He never spoke to any of us," said Deal. "He's got time that he could've gone out to Oljato, Dzi Yijiin, Black Mesa and talk to us and say 'what do you think?' We could've given what our thought is but that didn't happen. We didn't know he was going to do what he has done until after a statement was issued. He actually endorsed probably one of the most dangerous executive orders." In his memo to the Council, Nygren addressed the executive order support and explained that he was invited to the White House to witness the signing of three federal executive orders and by accepting the White Houses invitation, he was exercising his Title 2 authority of the Navajo Nation code to "represent the Navajo Nation in its relations with government agencies and to create goodwill toward the Navajo Nation." "I was invited because of my willingness to work together to find shared priorities, because I believe that engagement opens doors. I may not agree with all the policies or positions of the federal government, and I make my views known in every discussion," said Nygren. " I remind federal leaders of our treaty, our sovereignty, and the responsibility we all share to work in good faith and in partnership in order to co-exist." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Divisions in government: Tensions escalate as Navajo Nation president revokes authority of vice president Delegate urges caution about divisions During the Council session, delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton laid out her concerns. "Buu continues to head to Washington D.C., does not coordinate with council, made the decisions about the uranium that affects our people, and didn't even sit down with the people or the communities where this uranium was being transported," she said. "In addition, he went further to talk about coal." Newton further cited Navajo Nation code that stated the Navajo Nation president is supposed to hold discussions with the oversight committee known as Naabikiyati, which has "the power, per the rule, to assist and coordinate all requests for information, appearances, and testimony relating to proposed county, state, federal legislations impacting the Navajo Nation," which she said Nygren has failed to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerned about how this division appears to outside partners and committed to informing the Navajo people, Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty emphasized the need for the Council to fully understand the process at hand. She stressed the importance of providing accurate information to the public, noting ongoing misunderstandings about the Councils authority and how leadership intends to move forward on the issue. "If the Navajo Nation is not united, the federal, state, counties use that against the Navajo Nation," said Crotty. "It is the first tool that they use to not provide funding, to not provide opportunities to the Navajo Nation, it is the first tool they use to say 'you are not united and we will not take up an issue if there is division within the Navajo Nation.'" Deal said Nygren and Trump are misleading everyone, and he would like to see a protest on the Navajo Nation similar to those anti-Trump protests being held all across the country. Concerned about the climate crisis, Deal said the amount of moisture has been dismal, so he encouraged everyone to come together to fight what is happening. "I like to see a big protest on the Navajo Nation from all corners of Navajo land ... to demonstrate Mr. Black Hat (Nygren) over here, that what he is doing is not appreciated," said Deal. "It does not reflect our livelihood. Does not reflect our culture. Does not reflect our religion. Our belief." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arlyssa D. Becenti covers Indigenous affairs for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Navajo Council discusses putting President Buu Nygren on leave NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Safety concerns around Chambers Field at Naval Station Norfolk have prompted the Navy to seek the removal of 400 trees from an area surrounding the airfield, and residents at a meeting Tuesday said they are open to it. Previously: On the chopping block: Navy wants to remove 400 trees from neighborhoods near Chambers Field According to the Navy, many tall trees encroach aircraft flight lines, which pose a danger for planes on approaches and departures at Naval Station Norfolk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a community meeting at Northside Middle School about the Chambers Field Tree Obstruction Project, the Navy outlined what it seeks to do. The meeting included Navy representatives, as well as real estate and environmental experts. Its the safety of the air crew departing and arriving into Naval Station Norfolks Chambers Field, and also for the residents there, said Naval Station Norfolk Commanding Officer Capt. Matt Schlarmann. Right now, these trees are encroaching into some of our instrument approaches that are coming here, which allow aircraft to land safely here in the field during cloudy days and weather events. So far, the Navy has gotten rid of 150 trees that were on nearby city property. Schlarmann said the rest are on private property, so he hopes that the public will understand the reasons why they believe this project is necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to remove those obstacles not only for the safety of the air crew, [but also] for the safety of our community, neighbors on the other side of the fence, Schlarmann said. The Navy said the initiative is critical for the safety of flight operations on Naval Station Norfolk. Those who live close to Chambers Field at Naval Station Norfolk have gotten used to the sound of aircrafts landing and taking off. They had a chance to ask questions and engage with the Navy about the project. The Navy needs to get permission to move forward with each impacted property owner. Once it is granted, they would have a third-party contractor go out and evaluate how much the trees are worth so that they can compensate that property owner accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Navy says the timeline of the project is dependent on the homeowners cooperation, but they want to get the work done as soon as possible. Schlarmann said legal action is a possibility if they cant come to an understanding with the impacted residents. Our goal right now is to come to a voluntary agreement between us and the tree owners so that its mutually beneficial to both the safety of Naval Station Norfolks air crew, and to the civilian population outside the fence line, Schlarmann said. Residents like Richard and Esmin Mateo attended the meeting and said they are open to sacrificing shade for safety. The idea of letting five beautiful trees go is not anything that I look forward to, Richard Mateo said. Theyre very tall. Theyve been probably here 100 years. But on the other hand, the idea of a C-5 crashing into them and everybody in the neighborhood disappearing, its not exciting either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A contractor would also remove the tree and re-plant something smaller instead if the owner desires. What I like most about it is, if were going to take the trees down, then were going to replace them also, Richard Mateo said. At the same time, without that, I probably would have had a bigger problem. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A battle over books is raging in Raleigh as legislation that sponsors say will protect children from harmful material advanced through the General assembly last week. Opponents argue the bill is a book ban. House Bill 636 passed out of the North Carolina House on Wednesday. If it were to become law, school superintendents would be required to establish an advisory committee made up of five parents and five school employees. That committee could recommend to either remove or keep books in school library to the local school board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley Vaughan with NC Values Coalition told Queen City News inappropriate books is something her group has been concerned with for several years, that there have been dozens of instances of material making it into school libraries. The purpose is to solve a problem and the problem is disgusting and filthy pictures and descriptions of sex being shown to children in schools, said Vaughan. But state democrats, including Mecklenburg County State Rep Laura Budd, said there is already a system in place for vetting and selecting what is available in schools, that making changes would lead the state down a dangerous path. The biggest problem if it becomes law is it begins to control the narrative of what should be taught, by whom it should be taught and ultimately at that point what weve done is gut that intellectual freedom, academic freedom, said Budd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NC Values Coalition is expecting Governor Josh Stein to veto the bill if it passes the Senate but hopes to secure enough votes for an override. That would require at least one Democrat in the House to vote with Republicans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The impact of social media on young peoples mental health and well-being is a growing topic of concern among parents, educators, health care professionals and regulators. And now, nearly half of US teens say social media has a mostly negative effect on people their age and almost the same proportion say theyre cutting back on social media use. Thats according to a Pew Research Center report published Tuesday that asked American teens and parents about their attitudes around social media and smartphones. It offers an updated glimpse into how teens view their own social media use, following a separate Pew study from December that found nearly half of US teens say theyre online almost constantly. The report comes as parents and regulators have called on social media companies to do more to keep young people safe and prevent them from spending too much time on their platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, then-Surgeon General Vivek Murthy asked Congress to require a label on social media apps warning of risks to young people, similar to those on alcohol and tobacco. Australia also passed a world-first law banning teens under 16 from social media. And in March, Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed a landmark bill requiring app stores to verify users ages and share that data with app developers, in a bid to protect teens from accessing age-inappropriate content online. To conduct the study, Pew surveyed 1,391 US teens ages 13 to 17 and their parents during September and October of last year. Of the teen respondents, 48% said they think social media has a mostly negative effect on people their age, up from 32% when Pew asked the same questions in a different survey in 2022. Just 11% of teens today say they think social media is mostly positive for their peers. But just 14% of teens say social media has a mostly negative impact on themselves, although that figure has jumped from 9% in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, teens are seemingly trying to rein in their own social media use; 45% say they spend too much time on social media, up from 36% in 2022. And 44% of teen respondents said they have cut back on time spent on social media and their smartphones. The overuse of social media in our society seems to be the main cause of depression among those in my age group, a teen boy quoted in the report wrote. People seem to let themselves be affected by the opinions of people they dont know, and it wreaks havoc upon peoples states of mind. .The report suggests that the effects of social media vary somewhat by gender and race and ethnicity. Teen girls, for example, are slightly more likely than teen boys to say social media has hurt the amount of sleep they get, their productivity, their mental health and their confidence. Those findings are consistent with research from 2019 that has suggested the link between social media and depression may be stronger in teen girls than boys, and that social media may harm girls mental health by increasing their exposure to bullying and decreasing activities that have a positive impact on wellbeing, such as sleep. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, internal documents from social media giant Meta, made public after a whistleblower disclosure, showed that the companys research found that Instagram makes body image issues worse for one in three teen girls. Meta has since introduced new policies and practices aimed at improving teen safety, including updated AI tools announced Monday designed to catch teens lying about their age on the app. Girls (48%) are more likely to say theyve cut back on social media use than boys (40%), according to Tuesdays report. General mental wellbeing among teens is a broader concern; 89% of parents and 77% of teens reported being either somewhat or extremely worried about the issue. But parents are still more anxious about how social media is impacting their children than the teens themselves, the report suggests. Social media (44%) and technology generally (14%) ranked highest as the one thing parents believed negatively impacted teens mental health, whereas only 22% and 8% of teens, respectively, said the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Technology, which is making them more afraid to try things, makes them less creative and makes them less likely to figure out how to solve their own problems, whether relationally or physically, a mother of a teen said in the survey. However, its not all bad. Nearly six in 10 teens said social media gives them a place to show their creative side, and even more said it helps them stay connected to whats happening in their friends lives. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) A Newfield woman has been arrested on multiple charges after police say she was found to be driving under the influence in Ithaca over Easter weekend. Elvira Good was arrested on Saturday, April 19, on the following charges, plus numerous traffic violations, as stated in a release from the Ithaca Police Department: Aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle, class E felony Driving while intoxicated, unclassified misdemeanor Aggravated unlicensed operator in the second degree, unclassified misdemeanor Endangering the welfare of a child, class A misdemeanor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prattsburgh man found and arrested on felony charges after burglary investigation Police say Good was charged with the crimes after an incident that occurred on Saturday around 7:30 p.m. At this time, police say they were called to the area of North Meadow Street and Third Street for the report of a vehicle crash. Upon arrival at the scene, police say that witnesses reported seeing the driver responsible for the crash leaving the scene and driving erratically. After this, police say they were able to find the driver, who was then identified as Good, at a nearby business. Bath woman arrested after suspected misuse of food stamp card Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After locating Good, police say they found her to be intoxicated and that she had a five-year-old passenger in the vehicle at the time. She was then arrested on the aforementioned charges. As a result, Good was released and is scheduled to appear in Ithaca City Court at a later date. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. NEW YORK New York City Mayor Eric Adams has a new pep in his step and Tuesday, he directed much of that energy at Andrew Cuomo. In the weeks after President Donald Trumps Department of Justice successfully moved to dismiss the mayors five-count bribery case, Adams has appeared increasingly at ease lambasting mayoral opponents from the City Hall Blue Room where he hosts weekly press conferences. Adams used the opportunity during a press conference Tuesday to light into Cuomo, whos now the frontrunner in the mayors race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic primary field has thus far gone after the former governor from the left, criticizing him as soft on Trump or pointing to Trump supporters who have also given to a super PAC supporting Cuomo. Adams, whos running on an independent line in the general election, is striking from the right in the hopes of sullying Cuomo with moderate voters wary of progressive politics. In particular, the mayor is blaming Cuomo for signing off on changes to criminal justice rules in 2019 bail reform chief among them that city officials now claim are detrimental to public safety. I was the moderate first, Adams said when asked about the base of Black voters shared by Adams and Cuomo. I didnt pass bail reform. The mayors message dovetails with that of the conservative New York Post editorial board, which has long loathed the changes to state law and wrote a scathing condemnation of Cuomo upon the release of his campaign launch video. The widely read tabloid and the mayors prominent bully pulpit present a risk to Cuomos right flank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He's running from his record, Adams said Tuesday. When you look at what he allowed the far left to do when he was in office, I'm not sure he wouldn't allow that again. Cuomo spokesperson Jason Elan said the former governor has dispatched primary and general election opponents throughout his career and believes he is lining up where most New Yorkers find themselves on the political spectrum. When youre getting attacked from the fringes of the far-left and -right, you know youre doing something right, Elan said in a statement. Adams let loose on other challengers during his freewheeling press briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He accused Council Speaker Adrienne Adams of injecting mayoral politics into her stewardship of the citys legislature by demoting two officials who endorsed Cuomo. Its unfortunate when individuals use their personal ambition to get in the way of what we need to do for the city, the mayor said. Ive never done that. The speakers office begged to differ. The mayor says a lot of things that are not true, spokesperson Mandela Jones said in a statement. Anyone can see that Speaker Adrienne Adams was not planning to run for mayor until Eric Adams embarrassed and undermined New York City by trying to hand City Hall over to President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Council is suing the administration over the mayors plans to welcome U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement into a municipal jail facility on the grounds he violated his oath of office by participating in a quid pro quo with the Trump administration an accusation the mayor has denied. The mayor also targeted mayoral candidate and City Comptroller Brad Lander, accusing him of shrinking the citys pension investment in Israeli bonds. Hes not willing to invest in Israel anymore to get endorsements from people, Adams said. In response, Lander said investments in Israeli companies are higher than when he took office and that he has merely continued a previous policy of avoiding foreign sovereign debt though previous comptrollers did have more invested in Israeli bonds. Eric Adams lies about a lot of things, Lander said when asked about the mayors comments. So it wouldn't surprise me that this is one of them. Euclid Transactional, a managing general agent specialising in transactional insurance underwriting and claims management, has announced the appointment of Wai Ling Low as senior vice-president and tax underwriter for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Wai Ling's primary responsibilities involve assisting Euclid Transactional's major broker partners by underwriting particular tax liability risks. According to the company, Wai Ling is the inaugural tax underwriter from the APAC region to become part of Euclid Transactional's worldwide tax insurance team. She reports to Chris Waddington, who serves as the managing director and head of Tax for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and APAC. Chris commented: "We are very excited to have Wai Ling join Euclid Transactional's global tax insurance team, which allows us to offer local tax underwriting capabilities in the APAC region for the first time. This will further enhance our global tax insurance offering and the support we provide to our key partners on their international deals." Wai Ling becomes a part of the expanding Singapore-based APAC team that provides services to its brokers and clients on their merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions, tax risks and contingent risks in the region. Euclid Transactional managing director and APAC head Alice Ho said: "With her wealth of expertise in APAC tax, Wai Ling enhances our ability on the ground in APAC to provide integrated solutions to our valued partners. This strategic hire further cements our long-term commitment to the APAC region and we look forward to continuing to invest in talents in order to better address the needs of our partners." Wai Ling possesses 14 years of experience in advising clients on international tax matters, corporate restructuring and M&A. Furthermore, she holds the designation of accredited tax advisor (income tax) from the Singapore Chartered Tax Professionals. Before her tenure at Euclid Transactional, Wai Ling served as an associate partner at EY Singapore, following her position in the corporate tax advisory team at PwC. The company launched Asia-Pacific operations in August last year. Euclid Transactional employs more than 140 individuals and operates from ten locations globally. It focuses on underwriting of representations and warranties/warranty and indemnity, tax liability, contingent liability and other transactional insurance products. "Euclid Transactional appoints senior vice-president and tax underwriter for APAC" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. FORT LEE, N.J. (PIX11) Ahead of a summer that will see a rate spike of about 20 percent across the board in New Jersey, lawmakers are raising the alarm. Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a democrat running for governor, was joined by Trenton democrats, including Assemblywoman Shama Haider and Senator Gordon Johnson, to rally against higher energy costs. More Local News State Republicans say the States energy policies are to blame, meanwhile, Democrats say improvements to the grid are needed to lower costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means investing in a more reliable and modern energy grid and making sure rate payers are not left holding the bill for others mistakes, said Haider (D-NJ 37th District). Many Democrats, including Governor Phil Murphy, say power grid operator PJM is to blame. PJM had previously told PIX11 News that being solely blamed for the price increase is unfair and that there are many factors that go into a customers bill. Meanwhile, Trenton Republicans say the States energy policies have led to the rise in costs. This is a direct result from our policies, the Democrats policies that are shutting down nuclear power plants and coal-fired power plants and gas power plants and making us go out onto the grid to buy more electricity, said Senator Latham Tiver, who is helping to introduce a bill to temporarily pause the sales tax and social benefit charge on utility bills from June 1st to September 30th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its definitely not enough, of course, said Tiver (R-NJ 8th District). Its only 10 percent of the 20 percent. People are hurting right now. When we start turning on our air conditioners and our pool filters and all that good stuff, its just going to be a higher bill to begin with. PIX11 reached out to the candidates for Governor to have them weigh in on New Jerseys energy cost issues. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Democratic candidates: Ras Baraka: This summer, New Jerseyans are being hit with yet another spike in their energy bills. Demand is surging, in large part because of data centers consuming enormous amounts of electricity, yet working families are being asked to carry the cost. Thats unacceptable. We have to hold energy-intensive corporations accountable. We need them to help pay for the infrastructure theyre straining by investing in clean, renewable energy like solar, and not just to offset their own usage, but to help power a more affordable, sustainable grid for all. This moment makes clear the necessity of building alternative energy sources in New Jersey. At the same time, we need direct relief for households, stronger energy efficiency programs, and a transition away from fossil fuels that puts affordability and equity first. Our energy future cant be driven by unchecked corporate demand, it has to work for the people of New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Josh Gottheimer: Im joining the state in calling on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (or FERC) to immediately investigate PJM for skyrocketing costs by overpaying at auction. Jersey families shouldnt have to pay the price of PJMs jaw-dropping incompetence. Im fighting to ensure they dont have to. Second, Im calling on New Jerseys utility companies to reverse their price increases. Jersey families just cant afford higher prices now, especially with what folks are facing with higher prices for food, clothing, insurance, childcare you name it. And Trumps tariffs are only making things worse, and have gutted peoples retirement savings. Third, as I mentioned, LIHEAP is a critical lifeline for hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents who rely on it to keep the heat on in the winter and the AC running in the summer. So, as much as the Trump Administration wants to stick it to children and seniors, I am introducing legislation to ensure the program is fully staffed and equipped to deliver the assistance families rely on especially as energy costs rise. We already secured the resources in Congress for Jersey families, and we wont let the administration haphazardly cut assistance for them. Steve Fulop: New Jersey families are bracing for another spike in energy bills, and they deserve more than vague promises. First, the issue is that the State Board of Public Utilities, which controls rates, has become a political dumping ground for former politicians rather than energy experts. As Governor, I will change that. Second, utility companies have too much access to politics in New Jersey, and they have built a system that benefits themselves at the expense of ratepayers. Some common-sense ethics reforms, similar to those in other states, are long overdue, and as Governor, I will make them happen. Finally, we need to invest smarter in technology to drive down costs, just as I have done as Mayor of Jersey City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Mikie Sherrill: With Trump rolling back federal climate investments and raising costs for families at the federal level, Im going to chart a different path forward for New Jersey. As governor, I will take on our regional grid operator, PJM, to plug in the large number of clean, cheap energy projects that are waiting to be connected to the grid. Ill streamline approvals to quickly bring new power online, which will lower costs for consumers. Im also going to prioritize investments in solar the cheapest energy we have whether thats by boosting community solar or hosting it on state properties, like rooftops, carports, and closed landfills. By prioritizing clean, cheap power, we can reduce our carbon footprint, make New Jersey more energy independent, and help families across the state save money. Steve Sweeney The increase of 17% or more by June is unconscionable, especially with all the Trump Taxes hitting NJ residents. We need an all-of-the-above approach that includes nuclear power, natural gas, as well as wind and solar. We need to incentivize this generation, but until then, the BPU should fund the Residential Energy Assistance in 2025, like it did in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Candidates to respond: Sean Spiller Republican Candidates: Sen. Jon Bramnick: The democrats chose a single solution to solve our energy needs and refused to consider natural gas or nuclear. The plan backfired and consumers will suffer with very high utility bills. Jack Ciattarelli: On Day 1 as Governor, I will scrap Phil Murphys unrealistic energy master plan and failed wind farms, which have greatly contributed to skyrocketing electricity bills. Natural gas is the bridge to the future. And so, I will authorize increasing the capacity of existing natural gas fired electricity generation plants while approving the construction of more. I will also approve expansion of New Jerseys nuclear-powered electricity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill Spadea: Democrats including Mikie Sherrill and Phil Murphy are trying to distract people away from the fact that it is their own radical climate agenda that has spiked energy costs and created an affordability crisis. The so-called Energy Master Plan is nothing more than a green energy scam intended to enrich lobbyists, insiders and foreign energy companies all at the expense of taxpayers and ratepayers. As governor, Ill end this nonsense on Day One. We will pull NJ out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Then well end the subsidies for wind and solar which rank last in capacity factor ratings according to the federal government. Our administration will focus on affordable, clean and abundant energy specifically natural gas, nuclear and methane from our landfills. Our goal is to become energy independent and a net exporter within three years. Mario Kranjac: I cut taxes and cut spending as mayor to make Englewood Cliffs more affordable, and Ill do the same for New Jersey as governor. Ill lower the cost of electricity by increasing supply and reducing demand. Ill end Murphys Green Energy scam, cancel the destructive off-shore wind farms, incentivize small modular nuclear reactors, retrofit shuttered coal plants for natural gas, and repeal electric vehicle sales mandates. And Ill issue an executive order on Day 1 to rebuild and reopen the Beesleys Point Power Plant in South Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Candidates to respond: Justin Barbera Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. NEW JERSEY (PIX11) A New Jersey boy living with kidney failure is trying to raise awareness of organ donation, hoping someone can be the life-saving match he needs. My kidneys are failing, so I have to get at-home dialysis every day, said 13-year-old Omar Danso of Piscataway. More Local News Last fall, Omars mother, Jasmin Eversley-Danso, said he began to vomit at first sporadically, then more frequently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, I thought he had some sort of gastrointestinal issue, so like IBS or Crohns or something of that nature, said Eversley-Danso. In December of 2024, her motherly instincts kicked into high gear. [Omar] and his sisters went to a trampoline park, said Eversley-Danso. He loves those trampoline parks and he did not jump. Eversley-Danso took her son straight to urgent care, where a doctor discovered high blood pressure and too much protein in his urine. Omar went to his pediatrician the next morning, which led him straight to the emergency room. Omar is in kidney failure, Eversley-Danso recalls the doctors telling her. Very devastating. Definitely not what we expected to hear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors discovered Omar was born with a chronic condition that stopped his kidneys from fully maturing. Omar immediately received a blood transfusion and then began daily dialysis. Im hooked up to a machine for like 12 hours a night, said Omar. The kidney issues have subsequently weakened Omars heart, preventing him from being active on the organ donor transplant list. He is currently working to strengthen his heart with medication and hopes to be active on the list in a few months. Its the only option he has. Basically, the treatment options are dialysis until he can get a transplant, said Eversley-Danso. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eversley-Danso is hoping to find a living donor match someone healthy enough to donate one of their kidneys to her son. The family is hosting an organ donation awareness event on Saturday to support the cause. You can designate to be an organ donor, said Eversley-Danso. It will save lives. Event details for Omar Dansos Day of Fun for Organ Donation Awareness (Credit: Handout) Omar Dansos Day of Fun for Organ Donation Awareness is taking place on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Riverside Park, located at 430 River Road in Piscataway, New Jersey. The event will feature a 5K walk/run, various health care vendor booths, music, food, and prizes. The rain date is April 27. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. KANSAS CITY, Mo. An investigation is underway in Clay County after a local mother reported that a man exposed himself in the womens locker room at the North Kansas City YMCA. Shock, because I have an 11-year-old that comes here often with me and works out. Its definitely a shock, said one member. Teens killed in Saturday crash were students leaving Shawnee Mission South prom The incident reportedly happened to a seven-year-old girl while she was with her mother. The woman says she and her daughter had just finished swimming lessons, where she estimates hundreds of children were present and had gone to the womens locker room to change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats when she says she heard a mans voice. She told FOX4 that as she and her daughter were leaving a stall, they encountered a naked man with his genitals exposed. When she questioned what he was doing, the woman says the individual responded with something to the effect of, Honey, Im a woman. She and her daughter then sprinted out of the locker room. The woman spoke to FOX4 on Monday and said she and her daughter were not the only ones who witnessed the incident. Angela Bush, a YMCA member, shared her concerns. My 11-year-old does use that locker room, especially after we go to the pool. In there, you either have to use the closed-off showers or try to change as quickly as possible. Its definitely shocking and something well be looking out for a little bit more, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The YMCA has launched its own formal investigation, alongside the North Kansas City Police Department and the Clay County Prosecutors Office. In a statement to FOX4, the YMCA said: The YMCA of Greater Kansas City is aware of a reported incident in the locker room at the North Kansas City YMCA on April 12, 2025. We continue to investigate the incident and are unable to provide further details at this time. We also are cooperating with the North Kansas City Police Department as they conduct their investigation. The safety and well-being of all of our members is a priority, and we take this concern seriously. We follow all state and local laws, and individuals are allowed to use the locker room or restroom that they identify with. At the North Kansas City YMCA, we also have four private universal changing rooms available, separate from the larger shared locker rooms, for anyone who prefers the privacy they offer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To ensure all Y members standards of privacy are respected and safety is prioritized when using any of our shared locker rooms, members are asked to wear a towel, wrap or other clothes at all times, which is communicated to members when they join in our Member Handbook. The North Kansas City Police Department confirmed it is investigating a report of an indecent exposure that occurred on April 12 at the YMCA located in North Kansas City, but did not share further details. Fortune 500 tech company bringing 2,000 jobs to former Sprint campus The mother, who wishes to remain anonymous to protect her family, emphasized that this is not an issue of gender identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a case of transitional status. This is an issue of somebody showing their body parts to my child in a room where she should be safe from such things, she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The Village Center Project, including 204 affordable housing units, under construction in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque in July 2023. (Photo courtesy Village Of Los Ranchos) A small team of state employees focused on solving New Mexicos housing crisis will move from the governors office to the states workforce agency, a temporary move while the informal office seeks a permanent home. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has sought statutory authority for a state Office of Housing from the New Mexico Legislature for the last two years, but legislation doing so failed in both sessions. Legislation would have empowered the four-person team to create a statewide strategy to solve the housing shortage and attached it administratively to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, which received more than $100 million this legislative session to spend on housing and homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a news release Monday, the governors office said the move to the Department of Workforce Solutions will create a strong connection between job creation and housing, plus allow for more accountability after the states significant investment in solving the housing crisis here. This move will ensure that the Office of Housing has the resources it needs to put these dollars to use solving our states housing shortage as we continue pursuing legislation to make the states housing and homelessness initiatives permanent, Lujan Grisham said in a statement. The move comes a few weeks after the governor fired Daniel Werwath, her senior housing policy adviser tasked with, among other things, convincing lawmakers to approve a state Housing Office. Werwath told Source New Mexico after his departure that he tried to achieve some systemic change around housing, which apparently theres less appetite for than I had hoped. The state lacks more than 30,000 housing units, according to recent estimates. Employers in Albuquerque, where lawmakers hope the majority of new housing spending will occur, added 31,000 jobs in the last three years, but city developers added only 9,000 new housing units in that period, according to a January report from Pew Charitable Trusts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the coming months, Workforce Solutions Secretary Sarita Nair will come up with a recommendation for the offices permanent home, governors spokesperson Michael Coleman told Source New Mexico. It could remain at DWS, move to another agency, or stand alone. There is no firm deadline for the recommendation. The governor is confident that DWS is the right place for the Office of Housing at this time, Coleman said in an email Tuesday. Nair, in the news release, said one of the state workforces biggest challenges is finding affordable housing. Merging the housing office and the workforce agency will enable strong collaboration and accountability, she said. Why is there not a rating on this post? There's not enough verified evidence for us to definitively confirm or debunk this rumor. Contact us if you have credible information to share. We'll update this post as necessary. Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, rumors spread online about a supposed Catholic tradition in which the pontiff is tapped on the head with a silver hammer three times to confirm his death. This claim spread on Facebook and X; Snopes readers also searched the website for information on a "pope hammer." The silver hammer legend is a longtime rumor Snopes first fact-checked it in 2005, as cited by community notes on this X post. My favourite new factoid is that they hit dead popes on the head three times with a special dead-pope hammer. Just to ensure they are, in fact, dead pic.twitter.com/jKJL0pGEln Sofie OfCoffee (@SofieDoubleu) January 1, 2023 As we determined a decade ago, this claim is unproven. Snopes' original story states that we await a pronouncement from the Vatican to confirm or debunk this rumor; that remains true as of this writing. We reached out to the Vatican and will update this story if they respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the lack of mention of a hammer in the Vatican's official documents addressing the rites following a pope's death suggests that this particular alleged tradition is, at the very least, no longer in practice. It is unclear if a silver hammer is used or has ever been used as part of the Roman Catholic Church's traditions, whether symbolic or to legitimately confirm the pope's death. Many experts also say this rumor has no basis in historical evidence. Per the Vatican, Francis' death by stroke and cardiocirculatory collapse was confirmed via electrocardiographic thanatography, a specialized ECG recording used to confirm that the heart has stopped. The pope's funeral rites The Vatican's apostolic constitution, or Universi Dominici Gregis which governs the norms following a pope's death, among other rules does not make any mention of the pope being tapped on the head with a hammer. Vatican News, the church's official publication, made no mention of a silver hammer in reports about Francis' death and the aftermath. Videos the Vatican released of the "rite of the ascertainment of death" for Francis do not show a hammer. Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell presides over the rite of the ascertainment of death and the placement of the late Pope Francis' body in the coffin, which took place on Monday evening in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta. pic.twitter.com/63aPKTW9nD Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 22, 2025 According to Joanne M. Pierce, professor emerita of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, after medical professionals certify the pope's death and the body lies in rest in the chapel, the cardinal serving as the pope's camerlengo the pope's chief of staff formally calls the deceased pope by the full name given to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the moment when, according to the legend, the pope is "tapped three times on the forehead with a small silver hammer," Pierce wrote in U.S. news outlet The Conversation. "However, there is no documented proof that this was actually done in earlier centuries to verify a pope's death," Pierce added. Traditionally, the camerlengo also breaks the pope's ring which can act as a seal on official documents to prevent anyone else from using it. Each pope wears a ring with an engraved image of a man fishing from a boat; this "Fisherman's Ring" is a reference to a part of the Bible in which Jesus calls St. Peter a "fisher of men." Legend of the silver hammer Reports differ as to whether the Roman Catholic Church once used a hammer as part of the death verification process for a pope. As we stated back in 2005: In the wake of the death of Pope John Paul II on 2 April 2005, news outlets and other sources have issued a variety of contradictory statements about the use of a silver hammer in connection with a pope's death: it's an old, discontinued practice, or it remains a current practice; the use of the hammer once served a functional purpose, or its use is (and always has been) purely symbolic. Per our previous story, The Guardian in a 2003 article stated that the ritual happened as fact then ran this correction a few weeks later, citing the Vatican (emphasis ours): The article below included the assertion that the corpse of a Pope is ritually struck on the head with a silver hammer to ascertain that there is no sign of life. According to the Vatican, this is a myth. However, The Guardian did not name a specific Vatican official or explain how this was determined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Encyclopaedia Britannica even cited the hammer legend as fact. In fact, it's been "repeated countless times as early as the 1850s," according to a USAToday fact-check citing Ulrich Lehner, a University of Notre Dame theology professor. Lehner told USAToday it is "one of the most persistently repeated fake claims" and that even "renowned historians have repeated it." Furthermore, the Rev. David J. Collins, a Christian historian at Georgetown University, said via email to Snopes that there is no evidence such a ritual was used for Francis and confirmed it is not in the instructions for a pope's funeral rites. Similarly, Christine M. Thomas, Catholic studies chair at the University of Santa Barbara, said in an email that she has heard of this supposed ritual, but has "never heard evidence cited." Sources: "Christine Thomas Religious Studies, UC Santa Barbara." Ucsb.edu, www.religion.ucsb.edu/people/faculty/christine-thomas/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Georgetown University Faculty Directory." Georgetown.edu, gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/00336000014RZf9AAG/david-collins. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. "Matthew, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB." Bible.usccb.org, bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/4. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Mikkelson, Barbara. "Is a Deceased Pope Tapped with a Silver Hammer to Verify He's Dead?" Snopes, Snopes.com, 2 Apr. 2005, www.snopes.com/fact-check/hammer-time/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. News, Vatican. "Cardinal Farrell Officially Ascertains Death of Pope Francis." Vaticannews.va, Vatican News, 22 Apr. 2025, www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-death-ascertainment-cardinal-camerlengo-farrell.html. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ---. "Pope's Death due to Stroke and Irreversible Cardiocirculatory Collapse." Vaticannews.va, Vatican News, 21 Apr. 2025, www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-death-due-to-stroke-and-irreversible-cardiocircula.html. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. "Papal Conclave | Definition, Roman Catholicism, History, Procedure, & Facts." Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 July 1998, www.britannica.com/topic/papal-conclave/Procedure-for-electing-the-pope. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Pierce, Joanne M. "What Will Happen at the Funeral of Pope Francis." The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2025, theconversation.com/what-will-happen-at-the-funeral-of-pope-francis-250364. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. "Rev. David Collins, S.J. - Jesuit Community." Jesuit Community, 23 Oct. 2019, jesuits.georgetown.edu/collins/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trela, Nate. "Fact Check: Pope's Death Confirmed with Traditional Means, Not Hammer." USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2023, www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/01/11/fact-check-popes-death-determined-traditional-means-not-hammer/11020726002/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. "Ulrich L. - Lehner | Department of Theology | University of Notre Dame." Department of Theology, theology.nd.edu/people/ulrich-l-lehner/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. "Universi Dominici Gregis (February 22, 1996) | John Paul II." Www.vatican.va, www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis.html. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Vatican News. "Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra Seal the Doors of the Papal Apartment in the Apostolic Palace and the Door to the Apartment of the Casa Santa Marta, Where the Late Pope Francis Lived. The Rite of the Certification of Death and Placement in the Coffin Took Place on Monday Evening at 8:00 PM in the Chapel of the Casa Santa Marta. During the Rite, the Declaration of Death Was Read Aloud. The Act Was Validated by Cardinal Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, and the Ceremony Lasted Just under an Hour. The First General Congregation of Cardinals Will Take Place on Tuesday Morning, during Which a Date for the Funeral of Pope Francis May Be Decided." X.com, 21 Apr. 2025, x.com/VaticanNews/status/1914418646811652200. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a Luxembourg-based mining giant that produces copper, cobalt, aluminium and iron ore, has denied engaging in negotiations to sell the company, responding to media speculation around a $5bn (4.36bn) proposal from US businessman James Cameron. Cameron made an offer to acquire ERG, reported Reuters, citing a letter addressed to the companys board. Cameron has reportedly been in discussions with ERG since late last year. In his letter to ERG, seen by Reuters, Cameron stated that Goldman Sachs is in preliminary talks to advise on the proposed deal, with funding to come from a mix of personal investment and equity from US, Australian and Middle Eastern investors. One source familiar with the matter said Camerons interest is closely tied to Kazakhstans growing significance in the global critical minerals market. The move was expected to play a central role in ERGs Kazakhstan rare earths expansion. ERG is 40% owned by the Government of Kazakhstan. The company was taken private in 2013 through a $4.5bn deal involving its three founders and the Kazakh Government. The companys chairman and CEO, Shukhrat Ibragimov, clarified that no negotiations are taking place regarding the sale of the company. He emphasised that ERGs management remains firmly focused on the groups consistent and sustainable growth. In a press statement, the company said: In response to a number of media speculations in the course of the last few weeks, including publications about a Mr James Cameron's proposal to buy Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), Mr Shukhrat Ibragimov, chairman of the ERG board of directors and its chief executive officer, stated there are no negotiations on the sale of ERG. At the end of 2024, the companys board approved a new strategy centred on further development and investment across ERGs operations, which is currently being implemented. ERG previously announced plans to ramp up exploration of rare earths and rare metals within Kazakhstan, aligning with the country's ambition to increase production of such minerals by 40% by 2028. A recent discovery by Kazakh geologists estimated more than 20 million tonnes (mt) of rare earth resources, a volume that could place the country among the top three global holders of such reserves, alongside China and Brazil. Last month, it was reported that UK-based miner Brazil Iron has submitted a bid of around $1bn (747.85m) to acquire the Bahia Mineracao project (Bamin) in Brazil from ERG. The Bamin project, managed by ERG's subsidiary Bahia Mineracao, is an integrated mining and logistics venture that has garnered interest from multiple stakeholders. Hot pots are now banned for inmates at the Sedgwick County Jail after an inmate threw scalding water at a detention deputy last week. Inmates have traditionally had access to hot water for preparing coffee, tea, and food items like ramen noodles, Sedgwick County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Branden Stitt previously said. That will no longer be the case. After reviewing policy, the sheriffs office decided to remove hot pots from the jail. The decision took effect Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inmates will still have access to heated water through tap systems, but personal or common hot pots will no longer be permitted, a Monday SCSO news release said. The incident occurred at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, April 14. A deputy was speaking with inmates inside a housing pod when a 20-year-old Wichita man obtained a boiling pot of water and threw it at the deputy, the Eagle reported. The 30-year-old deputy was taken to the hospital with second-and-third degree burns to the back of his body. He is expected to make a full recovery and has been with the sheriffs office for two years. The deputy was able to secure the inmate while other deputies came to his aid. The reason for the attack wasnt clear as investigators are interviewing other inmates who witnessed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inmate in question has 39 disciplinary incidents since arriving at the jail in March 2024 related to a 2022 attempted rape case from when he was a juvenile, and then was charged with trafficking contraband into the jail, Stitt said. Court records show he has been sentenced in the attempted rape case, but dont indicate what his sentence is. He now faces a charge of aggravated battery on an officer. Our office remains committed to the safety of our employees, Sheriff Jeff Easter said in the news release. We are in close contact with the deputy and his family, and we are praying for his speedy recovery. This type of violence will not be tolerated. Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov said on April 21 that there are currently "no talks" of U.S. President Donald Trump visiting Moscow for Russian President Vladimir Putin's May 9 Victory Parade. Russian state media reported that Putin has invited the leaders of China, Israel, and Brazil to attend the May 9 celebrations in Moscow, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. "There are no talks about Trump coming to the Victory Day parade on May 9," Peskov said, according to Russian state media outlet TASS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, is also confirmed to attend the parade in Moscow, despite EU warnings. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also said he would be in attendance, despite warning from the EU that Serbia could be blocked from joining the bloc if its president takes part in the ceremonies. Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Trump and Putin have yet to have direct contact, communicating only through their officials. Trump's advisers have been insistent a conversation with Putin should take place only after Russia agrees to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine has invited senior EU leaders and officials to Kyiv on May 9 to counter Russia's celebration. Read also: Russia open to direct talks with Ukraine, Putin claims Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ELKHART Protesters took to the streets again this weekend on behalf of refugees, democracy and due process. Hundreds of people joined the No Tyrants No Kings march in downtown Elkhart, one of several rallies across Indiana on Saturday. Many of them carried messages in support of immigrants rights as the story continued to unfold on the Salvadoran citizen who was mistakenly deported from Maryland where he lived with his family to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Kilmar Abrego Garcia its not just the individual, but the implications of removing due process for anyone residing in the U.S. is alarming, said organizer Gabrianna Gratzol. The further attacks on the checks and balances that are supposed to keep the branches (of government) equal and cooperative, both threats and concrete steps toward the executive attacking judicial, are all points of concern for people showing up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has refused to seek Abrego Garcias release despite the Supreme Court ruling that the government must facilitate his return. On Saturday the Supreme Court also temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th century wartime power not invoked since Japanese internment camps were built during World War II. Earlier in the week, a federal judge said he found probable cause to hold the administration in criminal contempt of court and warned that he could seek officials prosecution for violating his March orders to turn around planes carrying deportees to El Salvador prisons. U.S District Judge James Boasberg accused administration officials of rushing deportees out of the country under the Alien Enemies Act before they could challenge their removal in court. For many protesters, parallels to the rise of Nazi Germany were unavoidable. One sign compared the planeloads of deportations to El Salvador to the trains that were bound for places like Auschwitz. Dan Shenk said the sign he first carried in protest of Trumps reelection campaign in 2020 Silence in 1930s Germany and today is consent is even more timely today. He doesnt believe Trump or Elon Musk, who oversees the agency responsible for the mass firings of federal workers, care who their policies hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes an unguided missile when it comes to the economy and the stock market is demonstrating that, Shenk said. A lot of us last year were trying to warn the county, if you want chaos, vote for Trump. Well, thats what were getting. Rule of law eroded Goshen resident Julia King came to the march armed with a sign calling for the separation of powers. She said the rule of law is essential not just to the rights of those living in the U.S. but also for economic stability. Im here because the rule of law and due process is essential in a democracy, and were seeing it eroded by this administration. And it matters at every level of government. Wherever you live, it matters, she said. This is not just about immigrants, at all. This really is about whether we can uphold the rule of law and due process for everyone on our soil, American or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gratzol pointed to the erosion of voting rights at the state level as well as the administrations attacks on the independence of universities. The federal government said it would freeze 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. Trying to hold funding for universities hostage, funding that doesnt just pay for education but also pays for research for vital programs for health concerns, social concerns, Gratzol said. There are a lot of issues that are plaguing U.S. citizens and people worldwide that are being studied and this funding is going into research for, and it is being threatened. Basically if there is not compliance, then they will withhold for that. The administration has also threatened to ban Harvard from enrolling international students. And since March, at least 1,024 students at 160 colleges and universities nationwide have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated, an Associated Press review found. Elkhart City Councilman Aaron Mishler, who was present at the march along with Councilman Dwight Fish, said he was encouraged by seeing people of all ages come out to voice their frustration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its encouraging to see so many local residents of every age and group come together to exercise their First Amendment rights and frustration with the current administration, Mishler said. We have seniors here who are frustrated about Social Security and Medicare. We have new parents who are worried about measles outbreaks, and we have farmers here who are scared about tariffs. He expressed personal disappointment in seeing the United States Agency for International Development being demolished, one of the first actions by Musks Department of Government Efficiency. The loss of the aid agency was immediately felt in places like Myanmar, where a 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 3,000 people and injured thousands of others. For me, I volunteered back in 2014 (during) the Ebola outbreak, and USAID was such a large part of that, Mishler said. And seeing the people that I worked with, their job is being cut and the good work that theyve done being interrupted is very frustrating. The adopted son of former Kentucky governor Matt Bevin is asking to intervene in his parents divorce case in hopes of obtaining the financial support he says his parents did not give him after they sent him to an abusive facility in Jamaica. When Glenna Bevin, the former first lady, filed for divorce from the one-term governor in 2023, Jonah Bevin was 16 and living at Atlantis Leadership Academy in Jamaica. He was later held in the care of Jamaican child welfare services after they discovered facility staff were physically and emotionally abusive. The Bevins have five biological children. Jonah is one of four children the Bevins adopted from Ethiopia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My parents didnt tell the court anything about my circumstances in Jamaica at all, Jonah wrote of the divorce in an April 21 filing. They didnt try to include me or even check on how I was doing. Its like I was invisible to them. Despite the fact that I was a minor, there were no provisions in the divorce that related to my support. There were no plans made for me to come home, no real guardian, and nobody checking on me. Im asking the court to let me be a part of this divorce case because whats happened in it has affected my life in huge ways, ways that have been ignored, twisted or just left out by my parents, Matt and Glenna Bevin. STILL FROM VIDEO: Jonah Bevin, adopted son of former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, talks about abuse he suffered in youth treatment facilities and what he hopes will come of the emergency protective order against Matt Bevin. In a court hearing to weigh in on this request Monday, John Helmers, Jonahs attorney, said his client is seeking financial support until he can get his college diploma. Theres an ongoing duty for the parties in this action to continue to contribute until (Jonahs) legal emancipation date, Helmers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Matt Bevins attorney called this request a ploy to garner media attention and invoke outrage, but said the love he has for Jonah is unshakable. Glenna also asked via her attorney that the court not to allow Jonah to intervene in the divorce case, saying in an April 18 filing, Glenna would like to make clear that she is very sad that it must be dealt with as it has. She loves her son Jonah and wants only the best for him. But she does not wish for her son to be able to debate parenting choices with her in court. This petition from Jonah and his parents respective responses to that request is the latest in a public display of familial friction relationship between Jonah and the Bevins, who adopted him at the age of 5. The Bevins in 2023 sent Jonah to the behavioral health facility in Jamaica, where some staff were later arrested and criminally charged with abuse. Jonah, who said he felt abandoned by the Bevins, was granted an emergency protective order in March against Matt and a restraining order against Glenna, after he said they pressured him in February, while providing few details, to board a flight to Ethiopia to meet family theyd otherwise told Jonah his whole life were dead, including his mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Glenna filed for divorce, and it was finalized last month. That case has become inextricably wrapped up in the family court case involving Jonah. But the Bevins have asked a judge to keep their divorce settlement under confidential seal. In a Monday afternoon hearing in the case, Matt Bevins attorney, Jesse Mudd, said his client is not currently the governor, has been out of office for longer than the four years he served in office and therefore he and Glenna are private individuals. But Michael Abate, counsel for the Courier Journal who is arguing for the settlement to be kept public, disagreed. This is not your average case by any stretch of the imagination. The public interest prong weighs more heavily here than it would in a routine case, he said. We have a former governor and first lady who made adoption (and) child care the center of their political platform and career. And now weve seen very serious allegations that they failed to provide for one of their minor adopted children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If an average family has to see the terms of their divorce decree in the court record, (the Bevins) are asking for special treatment, because they were political leaders. Fear the proposed Ethiopia trip was never legitimate Helmers, Jonahs attorney, said his client is seeking financial compensation in part to help finish pay for his college education and to recoup his attorneys fees. Theres an ongoing duty for the parties in this action to continue to contribute until (Jonahs) legal emancipation date, Helmers said in the April 21 court hearing. I am seeking to have a word in the divorce because my parents abandoned me, both physically and financially, Jonah wrote in a case filing. I am seeking the courts assistance for support and to allow me to complete my education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Glenna and Matt asked Judge Angela Johnson not to allow Jonah to intervene in their divorce, arguing theres no legal basis for it. Mark Dobbins, Glennas attorney, said Jonahs adoptive parents have spent more on Jonah probably than any of their children. We dont see any other children complaining to the court. Jonah has difficulties (but) this divorce case is not the place for Jonahs difficulties to be addressed. In addition to accusing Jonah and his attorneys of intending to garner media attention and invoke outrage, Mudd said, the truth is entirely different, and it is heartbreaking to Matt to see his son being caught up in this web. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mudd wrote, Jonah is deeply loved by his entire family and has always been cared for emotional and financially to the best of his parents ability, just as has been done for every single one of their children. When all the noise fades away and the circus has moved on, his family will still be there to whatever extent Jonah needs or wants, because that is what family means and that is what family does. Mudd added that the former Kentucky governor has unshakable love and commitment for his son. In another court filing, Jonah said it saddens my heart to hear my father say that he loves me and supports me when I had to sleep under 24/7 security because of the threats made against us (in Jamaica), or that my mother says that she is sad about what happened. Where was the love that my parents said they had for me? Because they didnt show it when they left and ignored me. Other parents came and got their kids. My parents either lied or left out the truth over and over. Because of that, Ive been on my own. The court cant just let this go like it didnt happen. Im not just a name on paper, Im a real person, Jonah said. Ive been trying to survive by myself. Now Im trying to speak up because nobody has done it for me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a stipulation of the protective and restraining orders Jonah was granted against his adoptive parents after he said he felt coerced to fly to Ethiopia, the Bevins are required turn over any documentation they have about Jonahs biological family, if it exists, so Jonah can contact his family. Specifically in the restraining order against Glenna, she was mandated to provide to Jonahs attorneys any and all information in her possession regarding Jonahs adoption, including but not limited to documents, communications and notes related to his adoption by or between herself and the respondent and the adoption agency or biological family. Glennas attorneys turned over all the records she has about the adoption, Dobbins said Monday in court. That documentation includes Jonahs original adoption records, including the names of his parents. But it did not include recent or identifiable information about his family members, leading Jonahs attorneys to believe that information does not exist, they told the Herald-Leader. We now fear that the proposed trip to Ethiopia was never legitimate, that Jonah was nearly sent away with no safeguards, no answers, and no way back, child advocate Dawn Post, one of Jonahs attorneys, told the Herald-Leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is exactly why the (restraining) order remains necessary, she said. The person who should have protected Jonah his own adoptive mother was involved in sending him to Ethiopia without providing any identifying information. Jonah may not fear his mother directly, but he does fear how she acts under the influence of Matt Bevin. As for the notion that the Bevins have spent more money on Jonah than their other children, Post said, the money spent on Jonah was not too much; it was misused. Those resources were wasted on programs that traumatized him, not healed him. They paid for pain, not protection. That is not Jonahs fault. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has blamed fired staffers for the leaks about the second Signal chat group he created about strikes against Houthis in Yemen, as he accused them of trying to sabotage President Donald Trumps agenda. Hegseth is fighting to hold onto his position after a bombshell report that he shared details of military strikes in Yemen in another Signal chat that included his own wife and brother. None of this is based in reality, Hegseth said during an appearance on Tuesdays Fox & Friends, where he worked as co-host for the best part of a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked whether the report was leaked as a way to get back at him, Hegseth agreed. Those folks who are leaking, who have been pushed out of the building, are now attempting to leak and sabotage the president's agenda, Hegseth said. We're for the war fighters. We're for the president. And none of this is based in reality. Pete Hegseth is fighting to hold onto his position after a bombshell report that he shared details of military strikes in Yemen in another Signal chat that included his own wife and brother. He spoke about his recent missteps during a Tuesday interview on Fox & Friends (FOX) Hegseth characterized the plans that were shared in the Signal group chats as informal, unclassified coordination for what he said was media coordination of events. He also claimed he was reestablishing standards and accountability at the Pentagon. The warfighters are behind us. Our enemies know they are on notice, Hegseth said. Our allies know we are behind them, and that, in this dangerous world, for the American people, is what it is all about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times first reported the details of the second Signal group chat, which included flight schedules for the warplanes involved in the March operation, and reported that Hegseth used his personal phone. Hegseth shifted the blame to disgruntled former employees while speaking to reporters in a defiant display Monday at the White House Easter Egg Roll event. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations, Hegseth said. Not going to work with me, because we're changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of war fighters and anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesn't matter. Hegseths job appears safe for now after Trump continues to stand by him and dismissed the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's just fake news. They just bring up stories, Trump said Monday. I guess it sounds like disgruntled employees. He was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people and that's what he's doing so you don't always have friends when you do that. Hegseth blasted disgruntled former employees who he claimed were behind the reports of the second Signal group chat. The defense secretary was animated as he defended himself at the White House Easter Egg Roll event Monday. (EPA) The embattled defense secretarys denial follows explosive claims by a recently resigned Pentagon aide that the department is experiencing a full-blown meltdown under his leadership. John Ullyot, who resigned last week as a Pentagon spokesperson, described a month of total chaos under Hegseth. Chaos inside the Pentagon is now a major distraction for the president, Ullyot wrote in the scathing Politico op-ed. President Donald Trump has a strong record of holding his officials to account, Ullyot said. Given that, its hard to see Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth remaining in his position for much longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding to Ullyots claims, Hegseth accused him of misrepresenting the situation at the Pentagon. We did right by him, we tried to help, Hegseth said on Fox & Friends of Ulloyt. Hes spinning it otherwise. While Democrats bolted out of the gate to call for Hegseths resignation, Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon became the first House Republican to suggest that Trump should fire Hegseth. Bacon pointed out that if a Democrat did this, wed be demanding a scalp in stern words to Politico. The military should always pride itself on operational security. If the reports are true, the Secretary of Defense has failed at operational security, and that is unacceptable, Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, also told Axios. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a swift denial of an NPR report Monday claiming that a search is underway to replace Hegseth following the second Signal chat fiasco. She called the NPR report total FAKE NEWS based on one anonymous source who clearly has no idea what they are talking about. It emerged last month that Hegseth texted sensitive war plans involving a wave of U.S. air strikes in Yemen in a Signal chat called Houthi PC small group that inadvertently included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg. The chat was created by Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz. Japans penchant for pint-sized mini vehicles is sometimes cited as a nontariff barrier that keeps American and other foreign brands out of the market. So is that countrys unique CHAdeMO electric vehicle charging standard. Yet, Asias top Tesla rival plans to leap over Japans purported import barriers by developing its own all-electric minicar expressly for export to Japan from China. The new Chinese mini vehicles will start landing in the second half of 2026, BYD Japan spokesman Hiroshi Ikehata said April 22. The vehicles will be based on a new platform specially designed to meet the market regulations for Japanese minis and be priced around the same level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BYD, the worlds No. 9 auto group by registrations last year, will also engineer its mini EVs to be compatible with Japans CHAdeMO charging system, a standard popular almost nowhere else. Read more: Live updates on tariff news and impacts Interactive map: Auto manufacturing sites in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico BYDs comments confirmed an earlier report in Japans Nikkei business daily outlining the plans for a new mini EV. The companys flexibility toward Japan underscores the lengths to which the Chinese EV champion will go to penetrate new markets, even finicky ones such as Japan. And BYDs efforts could undercut the argument that Japan has thrown up unassailable barricades to foreign brands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has pointed to these nontariff barriers as a key reason for the U.S. imposition of a 25 percent duty on auto imports from Japan and other countries. BYD makes play for Japans nascent mini EV market Minis are a segment unique to Japan that gets special tax breaks compared with full-sized vehicles. Because they typically are more affordable, they account for about a third of Japanese auto sales. The cars must comply with size and powertrain restrictions, which add development costs that overseas automakers find hard to rationalize for such a limited market. Critics sometimes say this special class of vehicles creates a barrier because American companies and other international players dont even manufacture the vehicles. In Japan, they are known as kei vehicles, taking the name from the Japanese word for light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan has a nascent market for all-electric mini vehicles, led by the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X EV, which are manufactured by a joint venture. Last year, Honda started sales of an electric mini commercial vehicle called the N-VAN e, based on the N-Box mini. And Toyota, Suzuki and Daihatsu are partnering on their own electric minivan to launch this year. The Nissan Sakura kei car, shown with a compact Nissan Leaf behind it, was the bestselling EV in Japan in 2023. But the Japan market for all-electric minicars is really just starting to kick off. The U.S. Trade Representatives 2025 Foreign Trade Barriers report gives a country-by-country breakdown of what the Trump administration calls unfair trade practices. The report does not mention Japans minicar segment by name, but among other Japanese automotive grievances large and small, it takes issue with Japans EV charging network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan requires EVs to support CHAdeMO charging, the report says, even though that standard has been replaced almost everywhere overseas by other default protocols. This leaves Japan as an outlier on charging technology and disincentivizes foreign automakers and charging suppliers from operating in Japan by requiring outdated technology in order to receive the [local EV] subsidy, the report says. International mass-market brands face tough battle in Japan Despite BYDs zeal to comply with Japanese standards and meet local consumer needs, the Chinese hopeful has so far met the fate of most international brands here: meager success. The global giant has been selling some of its regular EV nameplates in Japan since 2023. But last year, sales dropped some 25 percent to 2,383 vehicles. Ferrari, for comparison, sold 1,445. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, international players in Japan generally find success at the rarified upper fringes of the price spectrum. But when it comes to mass-market brands, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Fiat and Volkswagen fight an uphill battle against a hometown team stacked with seven top-notch heavyweights: Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Mitsubishi and Suzuki. Hyundai, for example, may be a household name in most markets worldwide. But in Japan, the brand sold only 618 vehicles in 2024. Honda, in a perverse twist, emerged as the countrys No. 2 importer last year, just behind Mercedes-Benz. It shipped in 45,107 vehicles from its overseas factories to sell at home, compared with the German luxury brands 53,195. Foreign-brand imports account for less than 6 percent of total vehicle registrations in Japan, according to the Japan Automobile Importers Association. Little wonder Detroit brands have largely faded away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ford quit Japan in 2016. Chrysler also gave up the next year. General Motors hangs on by a thread, selling niche cars such as Corvettes and Cadillacs. Jeep and Tesla are the only American brands seeing significant sales in the Land of the Rising Sun. But neither sold more than 10,000 in 2024. Yet, even among Japans hard-pressed importers, some of U.S. President Donald Trumps claims against local practices are hard to swallow. Trump made waves recently when he falsely claimed that Japan regulators subject import cars to a bowling ball test in which they drop one on the hood. One regional head of an international brand called that complete nonsense while another former Japan chief of a Detroit make said Trump is becoming a laughingstock among importers. The executives asked not to be identified for fear of retribution. Naoto Okamura contributed to this report. Have an opinion about this story? Tell us about it and we may publish it in print. Click here to submit a letter to the editor. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) North Carolina communities impacted by Hurricane Helene will share $25 million in relief funding from the United States Department of Agriculture. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins made the announcement in North Dakota Tuesday, where the agency is also providing $5 million to help rebuild electric infrastructure following damage from severe storms and wildfires. Tennessee will receive $18 million for hurricane damage dating back to 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My heart goes out to the families across our great country who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses and livelihoods, Rollins said. As one of his first executive actions, President Trump made it a top priority for his administration to deliver fast and fair relief to communities impacted by disasters. USDA is fulfilling the presidents promise today and ensuring we are doing everything we can to support state and local efforts to rebuild these communities to be even stronger than before, she said. The funds provided to North Carolina will: Support economic development for enterprises and farm producers. Help rural communities rebuild key infrastructure after disasters Provide safe drinking water, sanitary waste disposal, and electric infrastructure restoration. Fund technical assistance to towns seeking aid Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Carolinas agriculture business is the largest economic driver in the state. It reached more than $111 billion in 2024, the same year Hurricane Helene did nearly $5 billion in agriculture related damage. According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, the state is the top U.S. producer of sweet potatoes, tobacco, poultry, and eggs; second in Christmas trees, turkeys, and trout; third in hogs and cucumbers; and fifth in cotton. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, talks to Sens. Ron Sorvaag, R-Fargo, and Brad Bekkedahl, R-Williston. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota senators on Tuesday narrowly rejected a proposal to add $1 million for a life education committee in the Office of Management and Budget budget to teach people about abortion alternatives. The amendment was brought by Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, who pitched the program as a way to help pregnant women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee established by the amendment would have administered a campaign to teach the public about state abortion laws, policies supporting life and family values, and resources available for pregnant mothers, families and children. The campaign would have been carried out by a third party contractor. The amendment was added by the Senate Appropriations Committee, but split from the rest of the budget bill so the Senate could vote on it separately. Sen. David Clemens, who made the motion to split the bill, said he is not opposed to the idea of the program but takes issue with the fact that the proposal was never heard by a policy committee. I feel this is in violation of our own rules, he said. Clemens, R-West Fargo, noted that members of the public were not provided the opportunity to speak for or against the funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Brad Bekkedahl, a Williston Republican and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said he agreed with Clemens that the public did not get proper notice about the amendment. Had this been a standalone bill with its own title and its own placement into a policy committee, it would have had people interested in listening to the discussion, he said. Sen. Judy Lee, R-West Fargo, said the $1 million would be put to better use for guardianship grants. The request for the budget was about $9 million, but the OMB budget as currently written sets aside $8 million for the program, she said. Myrdal said a procedural technicality should not stand in the way of something that will help women and children. She also pointed out that the committees routinely amend bills after their public hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing was hidden, nothing was strange about it, Myrdal said. The North Dakota Supreme Court in 2023 warned the Legislature against lumping issues into budget bills when it found that the states previous OMB budget violated the state constitutions single-subject rule. The amendment failed by a 23-24 vote. The Senate approved other changes to the OMB budget, which included grant funding for Prairie Public. The House had stripped Prairie Publics $1.2 million base funding after it passed House Bill 1255, which sought to bar the state from spending state money to support public broadcasting. House Bill 1255 was subsequently defeated in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Appropriations Committee added $850,000 to Prairie Publics budget for broadcast tower infrastructure, but did not restore its $1.2 million base funding. The Senate also reduced funding for a proposed state hospital in Jamestown by $45 million. The amended funding includes $200 million from the strategic investment and improvements fund and $85 million from a Bank of North Dakota line of credit, for a total of $285 million. The funding was shifted to the OMB budget because that agency will oversee the construction. The Houses version of the budget included $330 million for the hospital in the states Department of Health and Human Services budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget also includes $2.3 million for new driveway and additional fencing for the governors residence. The Office of Management and Budget bill will next go back to the House for a concurrence vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NORTH SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) 20 days ago, two registered nurses and a deputy officer sprang into action to save Ann Marie Schlies life after collapsing at work. They can officially rest their heads knowing their fellow employee will be going home on Tuesday, just in time to celebrate her birthday. Absolutelyno deficits, full use of everything and its just a miracle, Steven Schlie, Ann Maries son, said. Nurses Jody Barnes and Amanda Kelly and Onondaga County Sheriff`s Office Deputy Betsy Lehmann were recognized at the North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education meeting for their proper training, teamwork, and care. Latest local news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We just jumped into action and quickly assessed her and knew that we needed to start CPR right away and put the AED on her and thats what we did, Barnes said. Kelly said their proper training helped keep Schlie stable until emergency medical personnel arrived on April 1. It worked out exactly how it needed to and that is the best feeling that you can have, Kelly said. Barnes said she wanted to emphasize the importance of having registered nurses ready to administer care on school grounds. School nurses do more than, you know, seeing kids and giving out band aids and ice packs, she said. You have to be on your A-game every single day. We dont just take care of our students, as we can see. We have to take care of all the staff members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katie Orcutt, Schlies daughter, said her family is looking forward to celebrating her mothers health and birthday. The doctors were referring to her as a miracle, Orcutt said. for her to survive all of that without any issues is a miracle. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. DES MOINES, Iowa A lockdown at a Norwalk care facility was the result of threats received Monday night, according to the Norwalk Police Department. The NPD said staff members at Regency Care Center began receiving phone calls threatening a shooting on Monday night. Police were notified, and the care centers administration enacted a lockdown for the safety of residents and staff. Ames teen with gun arrested in Des Moines carjacking Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers with the NPD monitored the outside of the facility Monday overnight into Tuesday morning. They are continuing to investigate the threats. When police were reached shortly before 7:00 a.m., they told WHO 13 the lockdown was over. NPD said theres no indication of a threat to the community in Norwalk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Easter may be over, but Eries Polish community continued the celebration for one more day. Dyngus Day is always the Monday after Easter, and on Monday, the Erie community took the day to celebrate their Polish heritage. Bishop Lawrence Persico speaks on passing of Pope Francis Dyngus Day draws tens of thousands to the streets of Buffalo, New York, every year. And on Monday, Eries Polish community gathered for a celebration of their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The holiday has been celebrated in Poland for hundreds of years, but Polish-Americans have since taken it under their wing. It has kind of a two-fold to it. Its the celebration of Lent being over and the fasting being done, celebrating that, and its also a big holiday in poland where the boys kind of chase the girls and they take the pussy willows and swat at the back of their legs to kind of tease them a little bit, said Maria Wawrzyniak, secretary of Polish Falcons Nest 610 The Polish Falcons Club on East 3rd Street held its 28th annual Dyngus Day celebration on Monday, with hundreds of people showing up in red shirts to celebrate their Polish heritage. Community gathers to dedicate street to late Erie leader Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those celebrating ate traditional Polish cuisine, caught up with old friends, and danced the polka as a live band kept the energy going. The good people here at the Polish Falcons Club gave us a little free sample to try; we got pierogies, some Polish sausage, that authentic Polish cuisine, but if you were looking for something to drink instead, this wasnt the only place around town thats celebrating Dyngus Day. Nostrovia Brewing on East Lake Road opened its doors early in the week to celebrate Dyngus Day, and the owner said the weather has held up for a successful holiday. Its been fantastic. The tables have been filling up, people have been celebrating, and a lot of cabbage rolls and a lot of kielbasa, a lot of good times, great music in the background. We probably increased our food demand by about 6 to 10 times on a day like today, said Jeff Lukasik, owner & brewer at Nostrovia Brewing Company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lukasik said theyre also releasing a new beer with the holiday called the Polonia Pale, which is made from hops straight from Poland. And like it said in the brewerys name, those celebrating raised their glasses with a loud nostrovia, which means cheers and to your health in Polish. Erie Events Community Report highlights event successes in 2024 Next up, the Polish community will be getting ready for their Polish Zabawa Festival coming up in August. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. Every time Daryna Koryagina enters her Budapest flat rented to her by a Hungarian friend, she sees the same sticker on a wardrobe inside the entrance. "Sorry about our prime minister," it reads. The 33-year-old refugee and PhD student is one of tens of thousands of Ukrainians who fled Russia's full-scale invasion and chose to live in what many might consider a strange choice Hungary, the EU's most pro-Russian, anti-Ukraine country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was a bad idea to go on Tinder dates with Hungarians," Koryagina told the Kyiv Independent. "They were throwing around cliches, like 'not everything is so obvious with Russia' and 'we need to make peace.' "Thank God, no one has ever told me that Ukraine needs to give up the (Russian-occupied) territories." But just like the friend who rents her the apartment, Koryagina has found a significant number of Hungarians eschew the pro-Russian, anti-Ukrainian rhetoric of their country's leader. "There are Hungarians who are incredibly supportive of Ukrainians," Koryagina said, adding: "Some have a sort of internal guilt about the way their country is acting during these times." Hungary's stance on Russia and Ukraine Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, widely seen as the EU's most pro-Russian leader, has repeatedly opposed military aid for Ukraine, arguing that Western support prolongs the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, holding official meetings despite the full-scale invasion and amplified Kremlin narratives in Europe. Hungary has used its veto power to stall key EU decisions on Ukraine, including military aid, and is against Kyiv joining the bloc. Hungarian state-run media spreads anti-Ukrainian narratives using headlines such as "Even cholera has not completely disappeared in Ukraine" and "Ukraine's EU accession could bring a pension disaster to Hungary." In one of the latest governmental advertisements with the caption "Voks 2025 vote on Ukraine's EU membership," President Volodymyr Zelensky, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European People's Party President Manfred Weber were depicted in front of a red cross. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will not let them decide over our heads!" the headline read. "We will not let them decide over our heads" Another year, another propaganda campaign by the Hungarian government. This time, it is about the "referendum" or "national consultation" on whether Hungarians support Ukraine's accession to the EU. pic.twitter.com/21I4Jww596 Viktoria Serdult (@viktoriaserdult) April 2, 2025 Balazs Trencsenyi, a Hungarian historian and Central European University (CEU) professor, described how Orban leveraged the war in Ukraine during Hungary's 2022 election campaign. "The leader of the Hungarian opposition made a statement that was actually very innocent and normal he said that Hungary would fulfill its NATO duties if needed," he told the Kyiv Independent. "Then the government press turned it into a fake news campaign that he would send Hungarian troops to Ukraine. "As a result, there was a huge panic in the Hungarian countryside, and people who had never voted before went to vote for Orban, saying they didn't want their children to be drafted into the army. So actually, Orban won the election in April 2022 with an anti-Ukraine campaign." Ukrainian and Hungarian civilians hold an Ukraiinian flag during a solidarity march along Andrassy Avenue to the Russian Embassy on February 24, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary (Janos Kummer/Getty Images) Ukrainian refugees in Hungary The anti-Ukraine rhetoric of the election campaign coincided with the arrival of more than 60,000 Ukrainian refugees, a significant number but far lower than the millions who went to other European countries such as Germany and Poland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from the message being propagated by the government, other factors for the low number include relatively low social benefits for refugees, amounting to only 60 euros per month in Germany, it was 451 euros in 2023 bureaucratic issues and the language barrier. "If you want to live in Budapest, you must work hard," Nata Holenko, a 40-year-old Ukrainian refugee from Sumy, told the Kyiv Independent. "Ukrainians from big cities or those with high-paying online jobs often come here." Holenko left Ukraine in mid-March 2022 with her two children, aged four and 11 at the time, and headed for Budapest, where her husband was working. Many refugees who crossed the border at that time were greeted by several organizations, such as Bona Fide and the Bright Sunlight Association, that rushed to help in the aftermath of Russia's full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When there was a large influx of Ukrainians in 2022, it was not only Ukrainians who came to the platforms, bus, and train stations but also many Hungarians," Csilla Szlobogyan Kurtyak, co-founder of Bona Fide, told the Kyiv Independent. "They remain in volunteer teams to this day, helping with employment, children's enrollment in educational institutions, and housing," she added. Olga Petrova, a 37-year-old Ukrainian historian from Yenakiieve, Donetsk Oblast, who moved to Budapest when Russia occupied her home in 2014, witnessed how many Hungarians "rushed to help Ukrainians when the full-scale war began." "Many people have clear associations with the events in Hungary in 1956, when Soviet tanks violently crushed the Hungarian Revolution," she told the Kyiv Independent. The Fisherman's Bastion is lighting up in the colors of the Ukrainian flag on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion, in Budapest, Hungary, on February 23, 2023 (Balint Szentgallay/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Hungarian public support for Ukraine Despite the anti-Ukraine rhetoric of the Orban government, pro-Kyiv sentiment among the public is evident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an April 13 poll conducted by the party of opposition leader Peter Magyar, which received over 1.1 million responses, 58.18% of participants backed Ukraine's EU accession bid. A separate April 7 poll by the Republikon Institute also found a narrow majority of Hungarians in favor of Ukraine joining the bloc. And Hungary's capital remains remarkably pro-Ukrainian. The city's mayor, Gergely Karacsony, said in November 2022 that he felt "shame" at his country "siding with Russia," a sentiment that remains more than three years into the war. "The Municipality of Budapest stands firmly by the side of the victims and those fighting bravely for the freedom of Ukraine," the city's press officer, Naszados Zsofia, told the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Budapest has actively supported Ukrainian refugees by providing financial assistance, power generators, and free public transportation to Ukrainians. The city also established the 'Budapest Helps' Information and Community Center to assist Ukrainian refugees and organized summer camps for children from war-affected areas. "If you look at Orban's propaganda posters, it paints one picture. But if you look a bit deeper, even some government representatives are in solidarity with us," Szlobogyan Kurtyak said, highlighting the 2024 "brother cities" agreement between the Ukrainian city of Lebedyn and Hungary's city of Papa. "Not all Hungarians are Orban," she added. Participants stand with a Ukrainian flag during a protest against Russia's aggression and war in Ukraine, in front of St Stephen's Basilica in Budapest on April 30, 2022 (Attila Kisbenedek/AFP via Getty Images) Hungarians and the Ukrainian army Hungarian citizens are prohibited by law from serving in another country's armed forces, a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that has not stopped them from providing support in other ways, helping to make trench candles for example, and raising money for the Ukrainian army. In 2022, three Hungarians Gaspar Kerekes-Nagy, Mihaly Olah, and Balazs Trautmann founded the Carpathian Dragons (Karpataljai Sarkanyellato), which has raised 188 million forints ($528,371) to buy drones, winter gear, and electric generators for Ukraine's Armed Forces. "Until 2022, Hungarian society had a superficial understanding of Ukraine," Viktoria Petrovska, a Ukrainian who moved to Hungary as a child and is now head of Yednist, a group that helps refugees and raises funds for the Armed Forces, told the Kyiv Independent. "However, after the outbreak of the war, everything changed, and Hungarians began to actively help," she said, adding that 50% of the donations to Yednist come from Hungarians. Yednist has raised 44 million forints ($123,539) since the full-scale war began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Even though support has decreased, and politicians are filling Hungarians with the idea that Ukraine is at fault for the war, many people have not forgotten about Ukraine," she added. A handful of Hungarians are even known to have defied the law and crossed into Ukraine to fight Russia. Ukraine also has the 68th "Zakarpatski Sharkani" volunteer battalion, which draws upon the large Hungarian minority living in Ukraine's Zakarpattia Oblast, where approximately 150,000 ethnic Hungarians resided before the full-scale war, according to the 2001 population census. As of 2024, the number of ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia was 70,000-80,000, according to the Department of Nationalities and Religions of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration. Carpathian Dragons volunteer Balazs Trautmann (R) pictured in Ukraine on Dec. 31, 2024, with two soldiers from the 68th Separate Territorial Defense Battalion "Zakarpatski Sharkani," including Fedir Shandor (C), now the Ukrainian ambassador to Hungary. (Facebook/Karpataljai Sarkanyellato Alapitvany) 'I just miss the proper food' Koryagina and her parents arrived in Hungary on March 10, 2022, settling in Budapest. She told the Kyiv Independent that she still sees many Russians on the streets of the capital, saying they are "beloved here." "Hungarians generally don't like foreigners," she adds, saying that although her experience of living in the country has been positive on the whole, she is sometimes disappointed by how she is occasionally treated. "When showing a Ukrainian passport (to take the bus for free), you see drivers or controllers making faces. I really hate showing it. The best reaction would be no reaction," she said. Koryagina and her family have settled well in Budapest she is enrolled in a CEU PhD program, and her mother works in the first Ukrainian-language school in Budapest, which opened in August 2022. But ultimately they all want to return home to Ukraine. "I cant wait for my studies to end. I just really want to come back," she said. "I keep going to a super overpriced but really good Ukrainian restaurant with my friends here because I just miss the proper food." Read also: This Ukrainian mining company is losing hope in Trumps minerals deal Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ST. LOUIS After another round of severe weather came through the area on Easter Sunday, the National Weather Service St. Louis Office released information from their storm damage surveys on Monday. According to the NWS, there were seven tornadoes between mid-Missouri and southern Illinois throughout Sunday afternoon and evening. New Bloomfield, Mo. Callaway County EF2 1:31 p.m. to 1:36 p.m. Traveled 2.7 miles north northeast from New Bloomfield to Guthrie Damage to homes, trees No injuries or fatalities Columbia, Mo. Boone County EF1 5:18 p.m. to 5:25 p.m. Traveled nearly 6.4 miles northeast of Interstate 70 Structural damage, downed power lines No injuries or fatalities Camp Point, Ill. Adams County EF0 7:04 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. Traveled over 8 miles northeast from Camp Point Structural damage No injuries or fatalities Waterloo, Ill. Monroe County EF1 8 p.m. to 8:07 p.m. Traveled 7.3 miles northeast from Madonnaville to Waterloo Damage to trees, buildings No injuries or fatalities Columbia, Ill. Monroe County EF1 8:13 p.m. Traveled 0.4 miles northeast near Gilmore Lake No injuries or fatalities Millstadt, Ill. St. Clair County EF0 8:14 p.m. Traveled 0.75 miles northeast on Schwab Road No injuries or fatalities Baldwin, Ill. Randolph County EF1 8:25 p.m. to 8:26 p.m. Traveled 1.3 miles northeast near Baldwin Road No injuries or fatalities Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To put numbers into perspective with how active of a season it has been for severe weather in the area, below are the average number of tornadoes for Missouri and Illinois each month: January Missouri: 3 Illinois: 1 February Missouri: 2 Illinois: 2 March Missouri: 5 Illinois: 5 April Missouri: 8 Illinois: 9 In total this year, Missouri has seen 59 tornadoes and Illinois has seen 58 tornadoesthat is 41 more than the traditional average. Within those totals, 14 of those in Missouri and nine in Illinois were rated an EF2 or higher. Throughout the country, there have been 525 tornadoes so far this year, and Missouri and Illinois makes up for 74 of those. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. New Yorks Timothy Cardinal Dolan had plenty to say about Pope Francis, who died Monday, but he kept his remarks brief. Believe me, I could preach longer, Dolan said Tuesday during a Mass at St. Patricks Cathedral. But Pope Francis always complained about priests preaching too long. Instead, Dolan used the 45-minute midday Mass to laud the late pontiff as a gift to be long savored. He was a troubadour of Gods mercy, constantly preaching Gods tender mercy for us and encouraging our tender mercy for one another, Dolan said. For us Catholics, this is a death in the family. We didnt call him Holy Father for nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dolan offered prayers for Francis at the venerable cathedral the archbishop dubbed Americas parish church. Joining him were Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy as well as civic and elected leaders including Mayor Adams. Dolan saluted the worldwide Catholic leader a day after the pontiff died after a stroke and heart failure at his Vatican apartment. The frail Francis had celebrated Easter with public words to his faithful flock and a brief meeting with Vice President JD Vance. Sad parishioners filled the sanctuary to share Dolans prayers and share their own respects. Sally Nichols, 55. came from her home in Rye to honor Francis, whom she credits for guiding her back to the church with his inclusive policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He meant the world to me, Nichols said. Hes inclusive. Hes compassionate. He owned the mistakes of the church. He also embraced all faiths and all people. Thats what we need more than anything right now. One of his first acts as pope was to wash the feet of Muslim prisoners and that just triggered something in me. Like, were in for change and that change is good. Her friend, Debra Caputo, 55, of the Upper East Side, saw Francis in Romes St. Peters Square in 2015. Just seeing him, seeing his presence and welcoming everyone, she said. You felt it right away. He was just incredible. He made people feel so welcome. Dolan is heading to Rome to join other cardinals who will select the next pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His sacred responsibility is to preserve the integrity of the faith, Dolan said after the mass of the next pope. Francis did that well. The way, the style that he does it can differ, and weve just seen a pro in Pope Francis. He had a winsome style that moved the world. Whoever the new pope will be will have to make sure that he has that same winning style that Pope Francis did. Dolan, a longshot to follow in Francis footsteps, has his own winning style, observers have said. Dolan even found time for a lighthearted moment when he asked Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the Holy Sees representative to the United Nations, if he was out of a job now. Caccia will deliver a Mass in Francis honor at St. Patricks on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A picture of the pope sat on the cathedrals altar, flanked by two lit white candles. Dolan thanked God for allowing the world to see the popes highs and lows. Were grateful for what God taught us about how he lived and about how he died, Dolan said. He was confident enough to let us see his struggle. Officers arrested a driver suspected of OVI during a traffic stop in Montgomery County. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Miami Township officers arrested Edgar Geobanny Coronel-Pasaca, 33, on April 19 during a traffic stop, according to a social media post. Online jail records indicate that officers arrested him at Maue and Byers Roads just before 2:40 a.m. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, officers determined that he had been drinking, the department said. Coronel-Pasaca tested at twice the states legal alcohol limit and was transported to the Montgomery County Jail without any further incident, the department wrote on its Facebook page. He was booked on one count each of OVI and driving without a valid license. Coronel-Pasaca remains in Montgomery County Jail with bail set at $9500 for each count, online jail records said. His first court appearance is scheduled for today at 11:15 a.m. Photo contributed by Miami Township Police (via Facebook) [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] This story was originally published on Supply Chain Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Supply Chain Dive newsletter. FedEx is closing three more U.S. ship centers on June 2 to streamline its network as it continues to merge its separate Express and Ground delivery operations. The following locations will shut down on that day as part of FedEx's Network 2.0 initiative, according to Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notices: West Boylston, Massachusetts, ship center, impacting 78 employees Emeryville, California, ship center, impacting 79 employees Oakland, California, ship center, impacting 95 employees Affected employees will be provided with job placement assistance, relocation aid, or severance as applicable, FedEx spokesperson David Westrick said in an emailed statement. For example, a WARN Act notice filed for the Massachusetts ship center said the majority of its impacted employees will shift to nearby locations within 50 miles. "Team members at these facilities were notified several months ago, and many will be offered other roles within the company," Westrick said. At least 25 FedEx ship centers have seen closures or staffing cuts since 2023, with several occurring this year. The company's multiyear Network 2.0 overhaul is driving the reduction, as it looks to eliminate overlapping operations and trim costs. The overhaul is helping FedEx reduce its pickup and delivery costs by 10% for markets it has fully rolled out the program, President and CEO Raj Subramaniam noted in a December earnings call. FedEx closing facilities amid Network 2.0 plan Ship centers Supply Chain Dive has confirmed will close or reduce staffing since 2023 This embedded content is not available in your region. FedEx resumed its Network 2.0 push after the peak holiday shipping season, Subramaniam said on a Q3 earnings call in March. Five facilities have been "optimized" for the initiative since the start of the year, with 45 more to follow in Q4, he said. As a result of that progress, about 12% of FedEx's average daily volume globally will run through Network 2.0-integrated stations by the end of fiscal year 2025, which falls on May 31. That percentage is poised to spike the following year. "By the end of FY '26, we expect that number to be about 40%," Subramaniam said. Recommended Reading OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) On Tuesday, two of Oklahomas top leaders are facing off over constitutional boundaries and responsibilities in state government. Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ asserts that Attorney General Gentner Drummond is bullying and crossing constitutional lines within the government. Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ From the beginning, my office followed the process set forth in the Constitution and enforced by the Legislature, said Treasurer Russ. When a law involves both financial management and legal risk, collaboration is key. Unfortunately, what weve seen instead is a pattern of reassignment, often after the fact, which seems more about political posturing than truly serving the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Treasurer Russ says it all centers on financial oversight, which is includes more than $40 billion in public pension assets and investment of over $17 billion in daily state cash flow. Noting, AG Drummonds behavior suggests efforts to centralize power that would violate his authority and by-pass the protocols of financial stewardship. New OSDE chief of staff paid nearly $50K in first month, still listed as active employee for Florida company Senate Bill 714 is an example, according to Treasurer Russ, of a proposal that sought to transfer certain financial functions of the EDEA from his office to the AGs office. The bill did not pass, but Russ believes the bill itself raised constitutional questions. FILE Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond stands during the playing of the national anthem at the inauguration ceremonies, Jan. 9, 2023, in Oklahoma City. Drummond filed lawsuits on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, against two Texas-based natural gas companies over their role in soaring gas prices during Winter Storm Uri in 2021. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) Attorney General Gentner Drummond responded quickly to Russs comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Treasurers misjudgment in unlawfully executing fund documents required my office to intervene and protect Oklahomas oil and gas industry from discrimination by financial institutions kowtowing to a radical leftist agenda, Drummond said. I take seriously my obligation to ensure compliance with Oklahoma laws relating to procurement processes and protecting Oklahomas interests. Read Drummonds letter to Russ on Thursday 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Vatican announced Pope Francis passed away early Monday morning. Instead of being shocked and dismayed, the Catholic community in Oklahoma City is saying its a beautiful time for the pope to pass on. Although sad, what a great moment in time for him to go into the communion of saints in heaven with our lord on Easter Monday, said Miguel Mireles, executive director of the Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City. RELATED NEWS: Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over Easter weekend, thousands made their way to the Stanley Rother Shrine to celebrate the holiday but also the renewal of the church and of faith. On Easter Monday, families continued that spirit by bringing flowers before Our Lady of Guadeloupe and kneeling in prayer just hours after the Bishop of Rome announced Pope Frances returned to the home of the father after a long battle with chronic lung disease. According to the Associated Press, Pope Francis died from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. For many, the timing felt almost divine. Honestly, I thought it was really beautiful, said Caitlin Rodriguez, who was visiting the shrine with her family from Fort Worth. Just knowing hes lived his beautiful life here and he served our lord in so many beautiful ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mireles said the 88-year-old pope advocated for the poor, the environment, and the marginalized. Let them understand that he loved them and wanted to do his best for them and that the lord did not abandon them, said Mireles. As the first Latin American pontiff, his legacy resonates deeply here. Had a very large following with our folks that come here because we do have a large Hispanic catholic population, said Mireles. Although his passing brings shock and sorrow, it also brings a sense of peace. We know that its going to happen to every pope, from in the past and into the future, said Rodriguez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL NEWS: Oklahoma Geological Survey needs help expanding their network Archbishop of OKC, Paul Coakley, issued this statement on Facebook: We are saddened this Easter Monday to learn of the passing of Pope Francis, who has been called home to the Fathers house. This ecclesial moment offers us the opportunity to consider the work of God in and through those He has called to serve Him and His people. Over the past few weeks, I have been reflecting upon the life and ministry of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. From the first moments of his papacy, he sought to utilize prophetic gestures as a principal means of his universal pastoral ministry. Pope Francis was a shepherd for whom the Churchs witness to the world was at the forefront of his mind. His special pastoral concern for the marginalized, the disenfranchised and the excluded in society was always first and foremost when proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. He charted the course of his papacy with the publication of his 2013 post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation called the Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium). He wrote about the need for a renewed proclamation of the Good News of Jesus incarnation, passion, death and resurrection. He called for this Kerygma to be at the center of the life and the witness of the Church. There is a certain fittingness and poetic beauty that the Lord called his servant home during the Easter octave and Jubilee of Hope. In a certain sense, Pope Francis began and ended his service of the Petrine Ministry with the theme of hope. We give thanks to almighty God for the gift of Pope Francis. We pray for the repose of his soul, and we pray for the universal Church in this time of transition. With gratitude for his ministry, we bid our prayerful farewell to Pope Francis and commend him to the Lord. We now turn with great confidence to the Father and pray for the one whom He will choose to shepherd the Church as our next pope, the Vicar of Christ and Bishop of Rome. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City said it will have a special service at the Catholic Pastoral Center on Northwest Expressway at 11:30am on Tuesday. Then, on Thursday, it will have another service at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 7 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has granted parole to an Oklahoma man convicted for the 1983 murder of his sisters alleged abuser. Wayne Thompson was convicted of the 1983 murder of Charles Keene at the age of 15, before he could even legally drive a vehicle. Thompson said his then brother-in-law, Keene, was abusing his sister and beat him up when he tried to protect him. Thompson was sentenced to death the same year, but that sentence was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in a landmark ruling and his sentence was commuted to life with the possibility of parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson and his family have held on to that possibly over the past 40 years. He was granted parole in 2003, but was later denied by Governor Brad Henry. Thompson has tried since then, but wasnt able to get an outcome in has favor until January; when the states Pardon and Parole Board recommended Governor Kevin Stitt sign off on it. Thompson appeared virtually at the time and told the board he believed working while in prison had prepared him for the next steps in his life. After decades in prison, Wayne Thompson, is closer to freedom I get up and go to work every day and I make sure that all the jobs are started and completed on time as required, said Thompson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While in prison, Thompson got a college degree and started mentoring others in sobriety. Governor Kevin Stitt granted parole for Thompson, and in a certificate of parole obtained by News 4 on Monday said it came after an impartial investigation, study, and deliberate consideration of all the facts and circumstances. The parole is contingent on Thompson successfully completing a six-month step down monitored by the Department of Corrections. If Thompson fails, the Governor could withdraw the parole. Further conditions of Thompsons parole include the following: Obeying laws and avoiding contact with law enforcement. Regular reports to Thompsons parole officer for the remainder of his parole. Must stay in Oklahoma unless given permission to leave the state. Cannot use alcohol or illegal drugs. No firearms or weapons. Cannot associate with felons or others on parole or probation knowingly. Must participate in treatment or counseling as advised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Thompson follows those conditions, the Department of Corrections will ultimately decide on his actual release date, which could be this fall. Thompson signed off on the parole certificate, acknowledging that he agrees to its conditions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. HONOLULU (KHON2) The Sihek bird, an endangered animal who recently returned to the wild, has laid eggs on their new home at Palmyra Atoll, an island in the Pacific. The eggs laid mark the first wild eggs from the species in approximately 40 years. 7 secrets behind the worlds most celebrated hula Nine Sihek, also known as Guam kingfishers, were released at the Nature Conservancys Palmyra Atoll Preserve in September 2024 by the Sihek Recovery Program, a collection of conservationists from around the world dedicated to the preservation of the bird species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawaii officials respond to death of Pope Francis The four female and five male Sihek birds were able to quickly explore and adapt to their new home in the Pacific, building territories, nests and laying eggs together for the first time since their extinction from their native island of Guam in the 80s. Facial recognition at airports: 9 things to know before you get in line Were delighted that all nine of the birds are not only surviving on Palmyra Atoll, theyre already starting on the next stage of their journey as we work to reestablish a thriving and fully self-sustaining Sihek population in the wild, said Dr. Caitlin Andrews, a bird conservation scientist. Its taken years of planning to get to this point, and its wonderful seeing their instincts kick in as theyve been catching geckos and spiders and excavating nests. Their strength provides hope they will one day be back on Guam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawaiis problem with failed businesses: 13 facts from new study Shiek is the name given to the birds by the native CHamoru people of Guam, known in CHamoru as Guahan. The birds were eliminated when the invasive brown treesnake was accidentally introduced to the island in the 40s. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The last wild Shiek was seen in 1988, with 29 Shiek under human care by biologists in Guam. The birds were relocated to Palmyra Atoll because the island is largely predator-free and is fully protected. The Guahan Shiek continue to etch their story upon us, marking milestones with Tutuhan again at the forefront. Tutuhan was the first hatchling last year and now is the first to produce eggs. Her name means beginning and she showed signs of strength from the beginning, wanting to feed herself before being old enough to do so, said Yolanda Topasna, a Guam Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources program coordinator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news To Topasna, the Shiek are more than a bird, representing a sense of ancestral pride for CHamoru people. The connection I feel with Tutuhan is a kinship I hope for all to feel. I envision our people, the CHamoru, those who dwell in our beloved Guahan and those scattered across the vast oceans, to feel the same stirring of ancestral pride, she said. Plans are currently underway for more young birds to be released at Palmya Atoll this summer, in hopes to further boost the population. It has been the honor of my life to work with the Sihek, who embody the spirit of the CHamoru people, with their incredible resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity, said Kayla Baker, a bird conservationist. Seeing the eggs in the nest for the first time left us all with tears in our eyes. Watching these birds show such strong parental instincts gives me great hope that the Sihek will continue to thrive both here on Palmyra Atoll and when they are returned to Guahan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. By Florence Loeve PARIS (Reuters) -The Paris Court of Appeals ruled on Tuesday the French market watchdog must reconsider whether a mandatory buyout offer is or was necessary when the former media conglomerate Vivendi completed its multibillion-euro split last year. Last December, Vivendi spun off its Canal+, Louis Hachette and Havas businesses, which are now listed as standalone companies in London, Paris and Amsterdam respectively. The breakup was championed by Vivendi's largest shareholder Bollore SE, the holding company of French billionaire Vincent Bollore. "Vivendi takes note of the Paris Court of Appeals' decision," Vivendi said in a statement. "Vivendi remains confident in the split's ability to create long-term value for all stakeholders as well as in the operational and stock market development of the four entities involved." While a reversal of the breakup appears unlikely, the ruling intensifies the existing legal battle between Paris-based investment fund CIAM, a minority Vivendi stakeholder that opposed the breakup, and Vivendi. By siding with CIAM, the court has annulled a previous decision from the French financial market regulator AMF in that it found that Bollore did not control Vivendi. According to that decision from last November, the regulator did not have to examine whether Bollore should have filed a buyout bid or not. "This decision is a historic one for minority shareholders," Julien Visconti, one of CIAM's lawyers, said in an email to Reuters. "AMF will examine in detail the decision by the Paris appeals court and its implications," AMF told Reuters on Tuesday. Bollore holds a 30.4% stake in the spinoffs, while it retains 29.3% of Vivendi's share capital. The court found that Bollore, "who controls the Bollore Group, has effectively determined, through the voting rights at his disposal, the decisions at Vivendi's general meetings." "Therefore, it is appropriate to recognize the existence of Vincent Bollore's control over Vivendi," it added. The demerger was approved with more than 97% of the votes at a shareholder meeting last year. CIAM claims that the split allowed Bollore to extend its control over the group without making a buyout offer. "The Paris Court of Appeals has resumed its role as guardian of minority rights and is sending a very strong signal to the AMF," Visconti added. Representatives for the Bollore group could not immediately be reached for comment. (Reporting by Florence Loeve, writing by Gianluca Lo Nostro and Florence Loeve; Editing by David Evans and Aurora Ellis) Though the Catholic church is mourning the death of Pope Francis, questions loom as to who will take the seat of leadership next. However, there is an opportunity for the Vatican to be headed by its first ever African pope. Lets take a look at the contenders and how they qualify. How Is The Pope Chosen? Havent you ever wondered how the Pope is chosen? Its not exactly a biblically accurate angel appearing from the sky and calling out their name (as I assumed at one point in time). Rather, a group of 135 Catholic cardinal electors, often chosen by the previous Pope, assemble in the Sistine Chapel to deliberate - almost as a jury would in a courtroom. However, in this process the cardinals swear an oath of secrecy and completely shut themselves off to the outside world for as long as it takes to vote on a new Vatican leader, per The Guardian. This is called the conclave. Voting begins after a celebratory mass and ballots are taken every day in the morning and afternoon until a candidate wins by two-thirds of the majority, per CNN. Smoke seen from the Vaticans rooftop is from the burning of the ballots after theyre cast and indicates how the voting is going. If the smoke is black, the pope hasnt been chosen. If the smoke is white, the new pope has been selected. Who Qualifies as a Pope? From 1379 to 2013, every pope selected has been from the College of Cardinals, per CNN. The qualifying factors are historically a baptized male who is a bishop, cardinal, priest or deacon and must be of 35 years of age. Though, lay members have also been considered over the decades, per Al Jazeera. Some also say they may be expected to have completed courses on the Bible, theology and canon law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite their basic qualifications, its also safe to say the next pope may have to fill the shoes of Francis who had a progressive approach on issues like social justice, inequality, climate change and also shifted the Churchs position on sexuality. Who are The African Candidates? Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana is a promising pick. The 76-year-old is the former head of the Vaticans Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and even served as an advisor to Pope Francis for progressive takes to social issues, per Newsweek. On the other hand, Cardinal Robert Sarah, 79, is also another potential candidate but with a more conservative approach. The Guinean priest is a retired head of the Vaticans liturgy office with ideals aligning more with that of the late John Paul II, per KGW8 News. He was also the youngest appointed bishop, being ordained at 34. However, he clashed with Pope Francis, having a firm stance against same-sex blessings, ordaining women as deacons and allowing married priests to lead churches. He also isnt so much for the Church making social issues its focus rather than proclaiming the Gospel. Another potential candidate is Archbishop of Kinasha Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hes described to promote social justice and advocate for the poor and disenfranchised, per the College of Cardinals. What Could This Mean? If any of the African candidates are chosen to be the next pope, the Vatican would see their first African pope in history (not considering the theories that three popes from the past were born in Africa.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not to mention, it would bridge any gap between Black and white communities of the catholic church. The Church would certainly benefit from the drawing in of more members. With the help of Pope Francis, Africa has become the fastest growing region for the Church, increasing from 185 million members in 2013 to an estimated 230 million by the end of this year, per EWTN Vatican. With an African pope, we might see these numbers surpass that estimate as well as the cultural representation of more African priests, sisters and even saints. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MARYSVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) A man is dead and another was taken into custody Monday afternoon after a stabbing in Marysville. Son of New Albany church leaders accused of rape facing dozens of charges Marysville police said that officers went to the 1400 block of Meadowlark Lane just after 12:30 p.m. on reports of a stabbing. One man was found dead at the scene, and another was found inside a home. Police took the suspect into custody without incident. Names have been withheld as the investigation continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. REEVES COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- One person was killed and another injured in a crash involving three semi-trucks Sunday morning on U.S. Highway 285 in Reeves County. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred around 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 20. Investigators say a Kenworth semi-truck was traveling northbound when a defective front left tire caused the driver to lose control and cross into oncoming traffic. The semi collided head-on with another Freightliner hauling a trailer, which was traveling southbound. After the initial crash, the northbound semi continued forward and sideswiped a Kenworth semi-truck, also towing a trailer, that had been following behind the Freightliner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the first semi-truck, 26-year-old Adam Joe Ferguson of Canute, Oklahoma, was pronounced dead at the scene. DPS confirmed he was wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the Freightliner, 41-year-old Uriel Primitivo Vazquez of Odessa, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Reeves Regional Hospital. The third driver, 29-year-old Gustavo Otero-Valladares of Chihuahua, Mexico, was not injured. All drivers were reported to have been wearing seatbelts. The crash remains under investigation with the Texas Highway Patrol. No further details have been released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. MENTOR, Ohio (WJW) The Mentor Police Department is investigating a deadly head-on collision that happened in the city. Police responded near the intersection of Heisley Rd and Tyler Blvd before 5 p.m. Monday. 911 call: Postal worker reports attack at Cleveland post office According to a press release, a Hyundai Sonata headed northbound on Heisley Road went left of center and hit another car head-on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Sonata was killed. He was identified as Ismael Rivera, 30, of Painesville. Carjacking leads to chase and crash The Mentor Fire Department pronounced Rivera dead at the scene, according to a press release. A passenger in the Sonata was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, as was the driver of the other vehicle. Police say the accident remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WVNS) A person is dead after an officer-involved shooting in Fayette County. According to a press release, members of the Fayette County Sheriffs Office were attempting to serve felony warrants on a person in the Cunard area of Fayette County on the morning of Monday, April 21, 2025. Officer-involved shooting leaves one dead in Fayette County Once members of the Fayette County Sheriffs Office arrived at the scene, the person reportedly locked themselves inside of their house, where he was known to keep at least one gun. Deputies allegedly tried to talk the person out of the house for almost an hour, before they released tear gas to try and get the person out of the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press release stated that the person briefly left the house before trying to go back inside, the person pointed a gun at a deputy when told not to enter the house, and members of the Fayette County Sheriffs Office fired their guns in response. First aid and life-saving measures were performed until EMS arrived, however the person was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the press release, the West Virginia State Police are investigating 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 WVNS. By Rajesh Kumar Singh CHICAGO (Reuters) -GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp said on Tuesday he advocated re-establishing a tariff-free regime for the aerospace industry under the 1979 Civil Aircraft Agreement when he met with U.S. President Donald Trump. In an interview with Reuters, Culp said the company's position was "understood" by the administration, adding that the zero-duty regime has helped the U.S. aerospace industry to enjoy a $75 billion annual trade surplus. "I have argued that it was good and would be good for the country," Culp told Reuters. Trump's trade war has created the biggest uncertainty for the aerospace industry since the COVID pandemic. It has also led to a breakdown in the industry's decades-old duty-free status, putting aircraft deliveries in limbo. The uncertainty has left some of GE Aerospace's customers struggling to accurately forecast their business. Meanwhile, one of its prominent suppliers Howmet Aerospace has warned that it may halt some shipments if they are impacted by tariffs. Culp said the company has not seen any disruption in deliveries from Howmet. The Pittsburgh-based supplier is currently working on the new high-pressure turbine blade for the Leap 1A engine, which GE Aerospace produces in a joint venture with France's Safran SA. "That ramp has gone very well so far here in 2025," he said. GE Aerospace has been grappling supply chain challenges, leading to a drop in engine deliveries over the past year. Last week, Airbus said it was facing challenges with engine deliveries as CFM was "significantly behind the curve." Culp said the company is "well aligned" with the European planemaker's needs for this year, but added the tariffs have created supply chain risks. Tariffs are estimated to cost GE Aerospace more than $500 million this year. The company is making greater use of foreign trade zones and available trade programs like duty drawbacks to mitigate the impact. It is also employing cost controls and a tariff surcharge to protect its margins. Trade-induced economic uncertainty has taken a toll on travel demand as well. With travel spending softening, there is a growing risk airlines could start deferring their engine orders. Culp said other carriers would step in if any airline decides to halt its deliveries. "There are plenty of other people who will step up in line and take their place," he said. (Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh; editing by David Evans) Maybe Pete Hegseth should add Brian Kilmeade to some of his group chats. Seeking to quiet rumors hes not long for the job, the embattled defense secretary on Tuesday joined Fox & Friends, where co-host Kilmeade proceeded to introduce him as the former secretary. In his rush to correct himself, Kilmeade then introduced Hegseth as the current secretary of state a role instead occupied by one Marco Rubio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here to set the record straight himself, uh, the former secretary current secretary of state, Pete Hegseth, Kilmeade said. Hegseth, a former Fox co-host, offered a tight-lipped smile in response and gamely bobbed his head: Rumors about Hegseths future in President Donald Trumps administration have been swirling after The New York Times reported the defense secretary shared details of an impending military attack on Yemen in a group chat with his wife, brother, personal lawyer and about a dozen other people in his personal circle. Its the second time Hegseths been implicated in a group chat fiasco in less than a month. In March, Americans learned of a similar group chat after Trump officials mistakenly added the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic to a war strike group chat, to the editors extreme disbelief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of owning the mistakes, Hegseth blamed deep state forces for the dysfunction in his Fox & Friends interview. Last week, chief Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot resigned, warning in an opinion piece for Politico of more bombshell stories to come. Its been a month of total chaos at the Pentagon, Ullyot wrote. From leaks of sensitive operational plans to mass firings, the dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president who deserves better from his senior leadership. Related... ST. LANDRY PARISH, LA (KLFY) Opelousas District B Councilwoman Delita Rubin Broussard is demanding answers after she says over policing at North City Park caused confusion and fear for residents on easter Sunday. They had police officers parked in the front, the back, the side, everywhere that you can think of. They actually had about 30 police officers out here, she said. For the past several years, North City Park has been closed on Easter Sunday in reference to issues with crime. Broussard says she was never told about the park being open this year and was shocked to get multiple calls about something going on at the park with the number of police who were present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It looked like a crime scene, she said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Further issues began when Broussard discovered South City Park had been opened all day with no police present. I feel some kind of discrimination on that, she said. We had heavy police presence here, but we had no police presence on the South Park. Not only that, but the North Park also had a time limit from 2-6 p.m. The South Park had been open since 7:30 a.m. that morning and didnt close till 10 or 11 p.m. last night without any police presence. News 10 reached out to the Opelousas mayor and police chief for comments on the story but have received no explanation as of now. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) An Opelousas police sergeant was arrested yesterday for an alleged off-duty domestic violence incident, authorities said. Romalis Thomas, 39, was arrested and charged with domestic abuse battery related to an incident that occurred outside of the Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino on Monday, according to Louisiana State Police. Authorities said they initiated the investigation following a request from Opelousas Police Chief Graig Leblanc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have requested the Louisiana State Police to conduct this investigation to uphold transparency and reinforce the trust our community places in us. Leblanc said. In line with our departmental policies and as part of our commitment to a thorough process, the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave while we conduct an internal investigation. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Hearts of Hope offers aid and resources for sexual violence survivors No bond has been set for Thomas. The investigation remains ongoing and we will update as more information is released. Romalis Thomas, 39 Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. The Washington Post has become the latest media company to strike a deal with OpenAI, with both companies announcing a strategic partnership on Tuesday that will feature the outlets news content when ChatGPT users search for answers. Moving forward, ChatGPT will show summaries, quotes and links to WaPo stories that help answer user questions. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to making reliable, factual information easier to find and engage with, especially on complex or fast-moving topics, where timely, well-sourced reporting, like that of The Post, matters most, the two companies said in a joint press release. ChatGPT will highlight The Posts journalism across politics, global affairs, business, technology and more, always with clear attribution and direct links to full articles so people can explore topics in greater depth and context. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new partnership comes at a time when several news outlets are partnering with OpenAI and several others are suing it. Prior to Tuesday, media companies like News Corp. and Vox Media have reached similar content-sharing deals with OpenAI. But OpenAI is also facing lawsuits from The New York Times and New York Daily News, which have claimed the company, led by CEO Sam Altman, has used their content to train AI models without their consent. AI is also facing pushback from many in Hollywood. Ben Stiller, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Aubrey Plaza were among hundreds of actors and executives who criticized OpenAI and Google last month after the two companies called on the Trump administration to make it easier for their models to learn from copyrighted materials. On Tuesday, Varun Shetty, OpenAIs head of media partnerships, said the new WaPo deal is simply about giving users better answers to their questions. More than 500 million people use ChatGPT each week to get answers to all kinds of questions, he said in a statement. By investing in high-quality journalism by partners like The Washington Post, were helping ensure our users get timely, trustworthy information when they need it. The post OpenAI Partners With Washington Post to Show News Content in Search Results appeared first on TheWrap. Los Angeles defense attorney Alan Jackson is expected to give a fiery opening argument Tuesday morning in the case of Karen Read, the one-time Massachusetts finance analyst charged with backing her SUV while drunk into her Boston police officer boyfriend during a 2022 blizzard. Jackson, along with fellow L.A. defense attorney Elizabeth Little, have maintained that John O'Keefe, a well-respected Boston cop whose body was found in a snowbank after a night of partying with Read and other law enforcement officers in the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2002, was brutalized inside the Canton, Mass. home of Brian Albert, a now retired Boston police officer, a charge he and others assembled at the home steadfastly deny. This is Read's second trial. The first ended with a hung jury - with one of those jurors, a Boston lawyer, now working for Read's defense. Victoria Brophey George, a Princeton-educated lawyer from Boston who was an alternate when fellow jurors led the judge to declare a mistrial, will now be sitting with Read's high-profile Angeleno attorneys and hard-hitting former Boston city prosecutor, David Yanetti. Jury selection in the case ended on April 15, after three weeks of voir dire. Eighteen people were selected to serve in the case, and after closing arguments, 12 will be selected to deliberate while the others will remain on as alternates. Read, 45, has been working on her defense full-time since her arrest on second-degree murder and other charges within hours of her boyfriend's body being found. She is now millions of dollars in debt she says in an HBO documentary, and "fighting for her life." The prosecution also has a new lead attorney, one added to the team from the private sector: Hank Brennan, a criminal defense lawyer who famously defended notorious Boston Irish mobster James "Whitey" Bulger, who was captured in Santa Monica in June 2011 after more than a decade on the lam, and murdered by a coterie of his enemies at a federal prison seven years later. From the time Read was taken into custody, the case exposed a myriad of problems in the investigation at the hands of Massachusetts State Police troopers who are assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office, currently run by Michael Morrissey. The troopers assigned to that unit investigate homicides alongside their local police counterparts Norfolk County, which is comprised of 27 insular cities and towns that make up what is known locally as the south shore of Boston. But retired Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Bob Long, who now runs a vaunted private investigations agency, defended the work of his former colleagues in the state police, pointing to the blizzard conditions and the emotions at play when a fellow cop "is left to die." "She admitted at the crime scene that she thinks she hit him," Long told Los Angeles. "They were working from that premise in blizzard conditions." This story is developing. Stay up to date with developments at lamag.com BOSTON (WWLP) After three weeks of jury selection, opening statements are set to begin on Tuesday in Karen Reads second murder trial. Three charged in Boston for drug trafficking conspiracy, two face deportation Now that a panel of nine men and nine women have been seated in the jury for Reads retrial, opening statements can begin. Read is charged with second degree murder and accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John OKeefe, back in 2022. She is returning to court in Dedham to be retried after her first, widely publicized trial ended with a hung jury last summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now looking at this second trial, special prosecutor Hank Brennan said last week the prosecution plans to use on-camera interviews Read did with the media during their opening statements. Attorney Alan Jackson will give opening statements for the defense. They intend to display one, single photograph. Dozens of witnesses are expected to testify, and according to a list of potential witnesses filed, were likely to see many of the same faces we saw in Reads first trial, including Brian Higgins, Brian Albert, and Colin Albert. Well also see investigator Michael Proctor, who has since been fired from his post for his conduct during the Read investigation. Although this time around, Judge Beverly Canone says the defense will not be able to blame Colin Albert for murder, nor refer to Higgins or Brian Albert in their opening statement. Its this cases national attention and Read herself speaking in so many media interviews that have largely set the scene for this second trial. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. The first and second witnesses in the retrial of Karen Read were called to the stand after opening statements in her second murder trial over the death of her police officer boyfriend were delivered Tuesday in Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of striking her boyfriend, John OKeefe, with her SUV in 2022 and leaving him to die alone in the snow outside of a house party in Canton. She has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence, and leaving the scene. Watch Boston 25s LIVE coverage of Karen Reads retrial Special prosecutor Hank Brennan delivered opening remarks on behalf of the Commonwealth, while defense attorney Alan Jackson opened for the Read legal team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hit him, I hit him, I hit him, Brennan opened with. Jackson countered, There was no collision with John OKeefe. Watch the opening statements in Reads second criminal trial Witness testimony then started at noon with the prosecution calling its first witness to the stand: Timothy Nuttall, a firefighter/paramedic with the Canton Fire Department. Nuttall testified that he treated OKeefe at the scene of his death and recalled Read repeatedly saying, I hit him, when she was asked about what happened. About three hours after Nuttall took the stand, Brennan called his second witness, Kerry Roberts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts was with Read when they found OKeefes body in the snow. She testified that she was very close friends with him. Get caught up with the latest in the Karen Read case Follow live court updates from Ted Daniel: Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan calls Kerry Roberts to the stand. She went out to look for JOK with Read in the snow after she says Read called her early that morning in a panic. Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Jackson challenging FF'er Nuttall statements on re-cross that he heard KR tell others she hit JOK. Jackson asking why he never said that before Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Court has resumed https://t.co/Apy4v7F2Oh Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge calls 30 minute lunch. The first witness, FF'er Nuttall will be back on the stand after that Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 AJ crossing Nuttall. He asked why Nuttall testified in Read's first trial last year that Read said "I hit him" twice. This time he says she said it 3x. Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 HB questioning Canton FF'er Timothy Nuttall: HB: When the defendant told you that she hit him, did that have any significance to you? TN: No, sir. HB: Did it reconcile with the injuries that you saw before you that Mr. O'Keefe was suffering from? TN: No, sir. Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan calls his 1st witness, Canton FF'er/Paramedic Timothy Nuttall, one of the 1st responders dispatched to 34 Fairview Rd. In the 1st trial, He testified that KR said, "i hit him" at the scene and Brennan mentioned Nuttall during his opening. Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Openings done. Judge calls for morning recess. Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 AJ in opening statement: "John O'Keefe did not suffer from hypothermia, as the Commonwealth will undoubtedly allege... the scientific evidence and the medical evidence will establish that John O'Keefe had to be injured somewhere else. Somewhere warmer. And his body had to have Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 AJ in opening: "the evidence will establish that John got out of the SUV and went into the house. Let me say that again. The facts are unequivocally the data, the science, the witnesses will all unequivocally establish that. John O'Keefe went into the Albert home that night." Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 AJ opening: "You'll learn that in Michael Proctor's world. He didn't care about finding the truth. In his world, his priority was to protect the brotherhood, to protect that blue wall, to protect his friends who are at the Albert's house that night." pic.twitter.com/1MVvjjPaHP Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AJ goes right to now fired State Trooper Michael Proctor: AJ: "you didn't hear his name in the prosecution's opening statement. Not once. And I suspect that was probably by design. But make no mistake about it, the evidence will show in this case that Michael Proctor is the very Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Alan Jackson up now for defense opening: AJ: "The evidence in this case will establish above everything else, three points. There was no collision with John O'Keefe. There was no collision. There was no collision. John O'Keefe did not die from being hit by a vehicle. Period." Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 HB talking about KR's media interviews including the one she did with us. He's playing a clip from "Dateline" interview now. Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Brennan yet to concede anything about the long timeline of the evidence collection at 34 Fairview. Refers to snow melting and more evidence coming to light Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brennan says JOK accessed his phone to read a text message from Jennifer McCabe after exiting Lexus outside 34 Fairview. Brennan tells jury JOK was struck 7 seconds after that. Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Prosecution Opening statement: HB: "The Lexus tires spun backwards. She went backwards at least 70ft. She clipped John. He fell backwards, hit his head, broke his skull. There he lay in the corner of Fairview Road, on the ground" Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Opening Statements underway. Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan (HB) begins talking about the call the Canton Fire Department received for a cardiac arrest. Brennan talking about Timothy Nuttall, a Canton firefighter speaking to KR at scene: HB: "She said 'I hit him, I hit him, I pic.twitter.com/dYsEKsvOJo Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Judge pauses for a siren outside and tells the jury that will happen a lot during the trial. Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jury is seated and indictments have been read. Judge Cannone tells the jurors they should resolve the case based on the evidence and the law. "This presumption of innocence remains with the defendant until you, the jury, make your determination." Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Mostly the same faces in the courtroom throughout this entire case. The Read family is seated on the left side w/defense attorney Victoria George (juror from 1st trial) On the right is the O'Keefe family. Paul O'Keefe, his wife Erin, and JOK's mom are in the front row. Juror pic.twitter.com/9XQr3RuaDm Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 Good Morning from the courthouse in Dedham for jury swearing and openings in the Karen Read re-trial. I covered the 1st trial gavel to gavel and will go distance on this one as well. The randomizer did not pick WFXT-TV this week so I'm following the direct feed coming out of the Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) April 22, 2025 PREVIOUS STORY After nine men and nine women were seated for the jury, Read told reporters that she is anxious but ready for opening statements. Over 600 prospective jurors were screened during jury selection. Ive been ready. I have no choice but to be ready, she said. I feel strong, Ive got an amazing team, and Im anxious. Reads attorneys had filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court for a delay in the trial, contending that trying her again on second-degree murder and leaving the scene would be double jeopardy. The high court denied the delay and is expected to consider her appeal on April 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read, who lives in Mansfield, Massachusetts, is accused of striking her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, with her SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm in 2022 outside a house party in nearby Canton. Her attorneys have said OKeefe was actually killed by someone else, possibly another law enforcement agent who was at the party, and that she was framed. Last year, the judge declared a mistrial after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile. After the trial, several jurors came forward to say the group was unanimous in finding Read not guilty of the most serious charge, second-degree murder, and a lesser charge. Despite attempts by Reads lawyers to get those charges dismissed, she will face the same counts as she did at her first trial. They also failed to have the entire case tossed, arguing governmental misconduct. During opening statements, the prosecution plans to use media interviews that Read has given against her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an exclusive interview with Boston 25s Ted Daniel in February, Read proclaimed that she has nothing to hide and that shes been framed. Up to 150 witnesses could be called to testify during the trial, and Judge Beverly Cannone has estimated that proceedings could last through mid-June. A rocky relationship turns deadly Read, who worked as a financial analyst and as a Bentley College adjunct professor before she was charged, faces second-degree murder and other charges in the death of John OKeefe, who was 46 when he died. The 16-year police veteran was found unresponsive outside the home of a fellow Boston police officer. After a night out drinking, prosecutors say Read, who is 45, dropped off OKeefe at the house party just after midnight. As she made a three-point turn, prosecutors say, she struck OKeefe before driving away. She returned hours later to find him in a snowbank. As they did at the first trial, prosecutors will try to convince jurors that Reads actions were intentional. They are expected to call witnesses who will describe how the couples relationship had begun to sour before OKeefes death. Among them will be his brother, who testified during the first trial that the couple regularly argued over such matters as what Read fed OKeefes children, and that he witnessed a 2021 fight the couple had in Cape Cod over how his brother treated her. The brothers wife testified that Read told her the couple had argued in Aruba after she caught OKeefe kissing another woman. The defense blames a third party for OKeefes death The defense is expected to portray the investigation into OKeefes death as shoddy and undermined by the close relationship investigators had with the police officers and other law enforcement agents who were at the house party. Among the key witnesses they will call is former State Trooper Michael Proctor, who led the investigation but has since been fired after a disciplinary board found he sent sexist and crude texts about Read to his family and colleagues. He is also on the prosecutions witness list. A key moment in the first trial was Proctors testimony, in which the defense suggested his texts about Read and the case showed he was biased, and had singled her out early in the investigation and ignored other potential suspects. They also are expected to suggest Read was framed, saying OKeefe was actually killed inside the home during a fight with another partygoer and then dragged outside. In the first trial, defense attorneys suggested investigators focused on Read because she was a convenient outsider who saved them from having to consider law enforcement officers as suspects. Karen Read with her attorneys David Yannetti, left, and Alan Jackson during jury selection in the murder trial of Read at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. Read is accused of striking her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, with her SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm in 2022. (Nancy Lane/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) Ahead of the second trial, the two sides sparred over whether Reads lawyers will be allowed to argue that someone else killed OKeefe. Judge Beverly Cannone ruled Monday that attorneys cant mention potential third-party culprits in their opening statements but will be allowed to develop evidence against Brian Albert, a retired police officer who owned the Canton home, and his friend Brian Higgins. Lawyers cannot implicate Alberts nephew, Colin Albert, the judge said. A town-commissioned Canton Police Department audit following OKeefes death was released March 30. While not reinvestigating any cases, its top suggestions regarding Reads were that first responders should have photographed OKeefe where he was found before he was moved; that all interviews of critical witnesses should have been done at the department after OKeefe was taken to a hospital; and that agreed-to recordings of witness interviews be conducted. The defenses double jeopardy argument fails Soon after the mistrial, Reads lawyers set out to get the main charges dropped. They argued Judge Cannone declared a mistrial without polling the jurors to confirm their conclusions. Defense attorney Martin Weinberg said five jurors indicated after the trial that they were only deadlocked on the manslaughter count and had unanimously agreed that she wasnt guilty of second-degree murder and leaving the scene, but that they hadnt told the judge. The defense said that because jurors had agreed Read wasnt guilty of murder and leaving the scene, retrying her on those counts would amount to double jeopardy. But Cannone rejected that argument, as did the states highest court, a federal court judge, and an appeals court. Prosecutors had urged Cannone to dismiss the double jeopardy claim, saying it amounted to hearsay, conjecture and legally inappropriate reliance as to the substance of jury deliberations. Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally argued that the jurors never indicated they had reached a verdict on any of the charges, were given clear instructions on how to reach a verdict, and that the defense had ample opportunity to object to the mistrial declaration. A new prosecutor The second trial will likely look similar to the first. It will be held in the same courthouse before the same judge, and dozens of Reads passionate supporters are again expected to rally outside. The charges, primary defense lawyers and many of the nearly 200 witnesses will also be the same. Special Assistant District Attorney Hank Brennan introduces himself during jury selection in the murder trial of Karen Read at Norfolk Superior Court Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Nancy Lane/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) The biggest difference will be the lead prosecutor, Hank Brennan. A former prosecutor and defense attorney who was brought in as a special prosecutor after the mistrial, Brennan has represented several prominent clients, including notorious Boston gangster James Whitey Bulger, and experts think he might be more forceful than Lally was in arguing the case. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Whats one thing Education Secretary Linda McMahon and former Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Tim Kaine agree on? They both see career pathways programs, which help students develop workforce skills during and after high school, as essential in todays rapidly changing labor market. McMahon has publicly endorsed the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act co-sponsored by Kaine and by both Democrats and Republicans in the House which would extend students Pell Grant eligibility beyond traditional colleges to educational programs in specific industries. The broad political support for career pathways isnt a fluke: It was one of the few areas of common ground between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign. With the law supporting these programs due to be reauthorized this year and the federal funding about to expire, career pathways will be on a short list of issues that could move quickly in this divided Congress. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Given this bipartisan momentum, how can leaders in Washington create programs that truly prepare students for jobs and fulfillment in the real world? They can start by learning from successful career pathways programs that are already flourishing in red, blue and purple states across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, Colorado demonstrates that successful career pathways programs cant be one-size-fits-all: They must meet the needs of students in communities with very different economies and job markets. That means policymakers designing pathways programs should speak to local government leaders, school leaders, educators and students to understand potential barriers to student participation and success. Leaders of the Colorado Succeeds career pathways initiative conduct a local needs assessment that covers every region of the state every two years and adjust policies, funding or programming based on what they hear. Through this assessment, leaders learned that high school students participating in dual enrollment were limited to attending their local community college, regardless of whether it was affordable or offered the program they wanted. Colorado Succeeds leaders shared this information with the state Department of Higher Education, which then changed the policy to enable high school students to enroll regionally and virtually at community colleges across the state. By regularly gathering and acting on feedback from communities, Colorado Succeeds has not only strengthened its statewide programs, but built trust among business leaders, educators and students. Knowing that flexibility and innovation are essential to building effective pathways programs that meet changing student and economic needs, leaders in Indiana embrace creative, outside-the-box ideas and refine them as they go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, the states Department of Education redesigned its high school diploma credentialing in an innovative way a process that required many rounds of refining that ultimately offered graduates three pathways: college, career or military. The state also created the Indiana Career Scholarship Account program to provide funding to high school students for work-based learning opportunities like internships and apprenticeships. And they expanded course options by allowing more people with relevant industry experience but no traditional teaching license to head up classes that require highly technical knowledge. In Delaware, new approaches show that while bold new ideas are important for innovation in career pathways, so are adaptability and resilience. Leaders shouldnt expect to get everything right on the first try, but they should expect that regular adjustments will bring them closer to creating programs that effectively serve more students. That requires a well-designed data system and using it to decide whether specific programs should continue, shift or end. Delaware regularly reviews its career pathways programming and uses data to make necessary changes. Committees of educators, students and employers review all career and technical education programs in the state every five years. By regularly working with a wide range of partners, state leaders ensure that this programming remains up-to-date and relevant for students. Delawares data also inform ongoing adjustments to program offerings and funding. For example, when data revealed that high school students with disabilities participated in pathways programs in lower numbers than students without disabilities, Delaware officials made policy changes that improved access for all students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Building successful career pathways programs is hard work, but Colorado, Indiana, Delaware and many other states show whats possible by listening to local leaders, thinking creatively and using data to guide improvement. Leaders in Washington have a rare opportunity to embrace common ground on this issue, give students a leg up in high-demand careers and help maintain Americas competitive edge in the global economy. They must not squander it. This article was published with the support of XQ Institute. At 4 a.m. on Monday morning, I awoke with a start, turned on the radio and heard the bulletin about the death of Pope Francis. The news was shocking. Only the day before, the Pope was driven in his specialized Popemobile and greeted the Easter crowds that filled St. Peters Square. What no one knew, with the possible exception of the Pope himself, was that this was his final goodbye. Only last week, I published a column in this publication examining the legacy of this remarkable Pope. In it, I cited five pillars of the Francis pontificate: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opening wide the doors of the Catholic Church to everyone His message of mercy and forgiveness His condemnation of clericalism and emphasis on the principle of synodality namely, listening to the faithful Wanting priests to become pastors with the smell of sheep His transformation of the Catholic Church from a mostly European and Western institution to include the peripheries, namely, those parts of the world that never before had any representation inside the Vatican. By naming two-thirds of the 135 cardinals who will soon gather to choose his successor, Pope Francis set the Vatican on a course to ensure those pillars will remain intact. But perhaps the most enduring part of Franciss legacy is the power of his persona. To the very end, Franciss authenticity and his ability to draw in Catholics and non-Catholics alike shone forth. During his last week on Earth, Francis visited a prison, greeted surprised visitors at St. Peters Basilica, thanked the doctors and nurses who cared for him during his recent 38-day hospital stay, went to confession and spent a few minutes with Vice President JD Vance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly a decade ago, I had the privilege of seeing Pope Francis preside over a mass at The Catholic University of America, where I taught for 35 years. The Pope was there for the canonization of St. Junipero Serra, an 18th-century Spanish priest and missionary who spent fifteen years of his life based in California. In his homily, the Pope recited the motto that shaped Father Serras ministry: Siempre adelante! Keep moving forward! Remembering this saint, Pope Francis eulogized him as someone who kept moving forward because the Lord was waiting. Pope Francis moved forward to the very end. In his final Urbi Et Orbi message delivered on Easter Sunday, the Pope decried the great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world! How much violence we see, often even within families, directed at women and children! How much contempt is stirred up at times toward the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, an emotional Archbishop Wilton Gregory appeared on television and was asked to comment on the election of this extraordinary Jesuit to the papacy. His eyes filling with tears, Gregory said the new Pope immediately won the heart of all the Romans, if not of all of the world. He is a holy man. In that moment, the future cardinal realized this was going to be an extraordinary papacy, a gift to the church. That gift was not always appreciated. In the face of criticism, Pope Francis listened. Facing outright slander and division, he turned the other cheek. Pope Francis believed that reaching out to the farthest regions of the world involved more than geography. Instead, he believed the Catholic Church is called to go outside of itself and go to the peripheries, not just geographic but also the existential peripheries of sin, of pain, injustice, ignorance. In his autobiography, Hope, Francis wrote that at the end of existence, the question will not be whether we are believers, but only if we are believable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis passed that test with flying colors. This Peoples Pope will be forever remembered for his authenticity and universal appeal. I did not know Pope Francis personally, but he knew me. Today, the poor, the marginalized, the LGBTQ community, those in war-torn countries, immigrants and those awaiting deportation, and those derided as the other are asking themselves, Who will speak for us now? As the church begins the rituals of saying a final goodbye to this Peoples Pope and the process of choosing his successor, I remember the final words Pope Francis delivered during his canonization of St. Junipero Serra at Catholic University: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, like him, may we be able to say. Forward! Lets keep moving forward! In the spirit of this extraordinary Pope, let this be our motto in the days and years ahead. John Kenneth White is a professor emeritus at The Catholic University of America. His latest book is titled Grand Old Unraveling: The Republican Party, Donald Trump, and the Rise of Authoritarianism. He can be reached at johnkennethwhite.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 The Hill. GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) shares are trading higher in the premarket on Tuesday after it reported first-quarter 2025 adjusted revenue growth of 11% year-over-year to $9 billion, in line with the consensus of $9 billion. GAAP revenue was $9.935 billion (+11% YoY). Commercial Engines & Services revenue was $6.977 billion (+14% YoY), and Defense & Propulsion Technologies revenue totaled $2.324 billion (+1% YoY). Total orders increased 12% YoY to $12.3 billion, with Commercial Engines & Services +15% YoY and Defense & Propulsion Technologies flat. GE Aerospaces adjusted operating profit margin expanded 460 bps to 23.8%, with an adjusted operating profit of 2.146 billion, up 38% YoY in the quarter. Adjusted EPS for the quarter was $1.49 (+60% Y/Y), beating the consensus of $1.26. Related: GE Aerospace Gears Up For Q1 Print; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Streets Most Accurate Analysts During the quarter, GE Aerospace boosted material inputs by 8% through its FLIGHT DECK platform, supporting a 17% increase in Commercial Engine Services and 5% growth in Defense. GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr commented, The macroeconomic dynamics we are operating in today require us to take a number of strategic actions, such as controlling costs and leveraging available trade programs. Based on what we know today, these actions, along with our solid first quarter and commercial services backlog of over $140 billion, enable us to maintain our full-year guidance. 2025 Guidance reaffirmed: GE Aerospace expects adjusted revenue growth in the low double digits and adjusted EPS of $5.10 5.45 vs. the $5.10 consensus. The company expects adjusted operating profit of $7.8 billion$8.2 billion and adjusted Free Cash Flow of $6.3 billion$6.8 billion. GE Aerospace stated that its 2025 guidance now factors in the impact of announced tariffs and delayed spare engine deliveries. The company expects full-year departures to grow in the low single digits, down from its mid-single-digit forecast. The outlook excludes potential changes in airframer schedules, further tariff hikes, or a global recession. The company announced a $1 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and technology and plans to hire approximately 5,000 workers. It also secured major engine agreements with ANA, Malaysia Aviation, and Korean Air and a U.S. Air Force contract worth up to $5 billion. Price Action: GE shares are up 5.07% at $187.40 premarket at the last check on Tuesday. Photo by Jonathan Weiss via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Weeks into a pause on new tariffs, in addition to wondering what happens next, its a good time to look at the bigger picture. The past few months have felt like a whirlwind an unrelenting cycle of executive orders, reversals and other sweeping policy declarations that have left many analysts scrambling to recalibrate their opinions and expectations. While understanding single policy moves is important, looking through a longer historical lens is instructive about this moment. It reveals a pattern: a growing disregard for consensus economic views, especially around trade. Due partly to common misperceptions about the economy, it will probably continue even as the public and markets get past their displeasure over this months trade drama. Its not unusual for populist voices to eagerly cast off general and basic economic ideas, or for economists to respond with understandable frustration in defense of tried-and-true principles. What is unusual is that a fact- and experience-based economic consensus now seems to matter so little. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout history, weve seen this play out. In his book The Midas Paradox, Scott Sumner reports that during the debates about the Tariff Act of 1930, better known as Smoot-Hawley, there was strong opposition from the public, the press and the business community. In fact, 1,028 economists signed a document urging President Hoover not to approve the legislation. They noted that a tariff war does not furnish good soil for the growth of world peace. That caution is good now as it was then. To be sure, many scholars (my colleagues Tyler Cowen, David Beckworth and Veronique de Rugy, among them) have provided insightful reviews of the economic implications of the new tariff regime. From left and right, theres deep agreement that these tariffs will lead to negative consequences for the economy. But beyond its economic benefits, trade has long been considered a vehicle for peace. Enlightenment thinkers like Adam Smith, Immanuel Kant and, most notably, Montesquieu, saw commerce not only as an economic necessity but as a moral force. This is the idea of doux commerce the gentle commerce that softens manners, tempers conflict and encourages cooperation among nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This civilizing force of trade now hangs in the balance. The turn toward adversarial economic nationalism risks undermining the very norms of cooperation that have underpinned decades of relative global stability. Uncertainty lies not just in the economic costs of tariffs, but in how many harmonious interactions between nations will be affected. How did we get here? Loss of manufacturing jobs is often invoked as a reason for imposing tariffs to bring those jobs back. Yet as economists like Alex Tabarrok point out, the United States remains a manufacturing powerhouse, annually generating roughly $2.5 trillion in value-added manufacturing output. The main driver of the decline in manufacturing jobs isnt foreign competition, but rather automation, which enables us to produce more with fewer workers. Keep in mind that manufacturing employment as a share of total employment began its steady fall in the mid-1950s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Income mobility, too, is a concern. A widely cited study by economist Raj Chetty and colleagues found that only about 50 percent of children born in the 1980s earn more than their parents did, compared to 90 percent of those born in 1940. On the surface, it can look like the classical liberal ideas behind free trade arent working for new generations. Yet scholars like Russ Roberts have urged caution in how we interpret such trends. The raw numbers dont capture changes in household size, benefits, taxes or improvements in quality of life through technology. In other words, the American Dream may look different, but its not as bleak as statistics alone can suggest. Still, perception matters. When progress no longer feels attainable, even if reality is more nuanced, faith in the system begins to erode, and a rallying cry for doing something begins to drown out more cautious voices. However, tariffs cannot fix all these challenges and may, in fact, make them worse. And what if more cautious voices carried the day? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a recent survey by the Cato Institute, 63 percent of Americans want to increase trade with other nations. Sixty-six percent say global trade is good for the economy and 75 percent are concerned about tariffs raising the prices of products they buy at the store. Hence, a majority of Americans still understand that trading with other nations is a net positive. This moment is about more than tariffs or political frustration. It reflects a deeper tension between perception and policy, between the urge to act and the need to understand. Disillusionment with expertise has led to reactive decisions that overlook long-term consequences. Durable solutions require a steadier approach. Rather than quick fixes, we need policy grounded in evidence, shaped by the history of open markets and delivered with commitment to human flourishing. Thats what will sustain economic resilience and global cooperation moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benjamin Klutsey is the executive director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Kansas District Court Judge Bill Klapper is no ones idea of a liberal anti-death penalty activist, having been originally appointed to fill a vacancy on the bench by Gov. Sam Brownback (R) in 2013. But on April 17, Klapper handed down a stunning indictment of his states death penalty that would make any abolitionist proud. It is as comprehensive a criticism as has ever handed down from the bench, and highlights a path forward for what I call death penalty swing states. Those states have the death penalty on the books but no longer execute anyone and there are lots of them. Some are red states like Kansas and Ohio; some, like California, are deep blue. All of them are stuck in a kind of death penalty limbo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kansas, as the Death Penalty Information center notes, the practice has been abolished and reinstated three times since 1907. No execution has been carried out there since 1965, and no one has received a death sentence since 2016. Currently, there are nine people awaiting execution in the Jayhawk state. In October 2024, two people, Antoine Fielder and Hugo Villanueva, brought forward a suit claiming that the Kansas death penalty constitutes a legally prohibited cruel and unusual punishment and violates both the state and federal constitutions. They argued that it has outlived any conceivable use [and] is imperfect in its application, haphazard in its result, and of negligible utility. At hearings convened by Klapper, American Civil Liberties Union lawyers representing Fielder and Villanueva presented testimony from a series of nationally known death penalty experts about racial and gender bias, problems in jury selection, the death penaltys economic costs, and whether it deters. They also put forth a targeted challenge to a unique aspect of capital trials known as death qualification, according to public radio a rule requiring that anyone serving on a capital jury must believe state execution is a valid form of punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under death qualification, the report states, a juror who says they oppose the death penalty on principle is automatically struck. Critics say the practice is discriminatory because some types of people are more likely to be excluded from juries than others. The ACLU contends that This practice disproportionately discriminates against Black people, women, and people of faith. The state cross-examined the expert witnesses but offered no experts of its own. And it argued there was no longer a case for the court to consider since the death penalty cannot be a possible punishment for either of the defendants, and the proper way to abolish the death penalty would be to urge legislators to change or repeal the law itself. Ultimately, Klapper was convinced that a defendant may not challenge the constitutionality of a statute if it does not affect him but may conceivably be applied unconstitutionally in other circumstances. But what looked like a defeat for Fielder and Villanueva was a total victory for death penalty abolitionists. The judge incorporated the expert testimony almost verbatim, calling it decidedly persuasive and well-reasoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klappers opinion put aside the moral issues surrounding the death penalty, focusing instead on the very issues the ACLU had highlighted. Starting with capital punishments financial costs, he found that, across the nation, capital cases cost on average $700,000 more than non-capital cases. In Kansas alone, More than $4 million has been spent with the results being no death penalty sentences and zero executions. Beyond their costliness, Klapper determined that The factors which distinguish death sentence cases from non-death sentence cases are the race and gender of the victim, and the race and gender of the defendant. Murder cases involving white and female victims, the judge found, are much more likely to result in capital prosecutions. And, if that were not enough, Klapper concluded that The scientific community has found no reliable evidence of the death penalty being a deterrent to homicides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout, his opinion is pragmatic rather than ideological; it offers people in death penalty swing states a way forward by emphasizing the fairness of the death penalty process and its costs and benefits. As Klapper puts it, they should question the propriety of keeping a death penalty as a possible punishment when the state will never impose it. Austin Sarat is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science at Amherst College. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Market forces have been phasing out coal for the last decade in favor of cheaper electricity sources. Coals decline has been steady, regardless of which party sits in the Oval Office. When President Trump took office in 2016, coal represented 30 percent of total U.S. electricity generation. By his first terms end, and despite efforts to prop up the industry, that share had plummeted to 20 percent. A recent series of executive orders throw a federal kitchen sink at bolstering this energy resource, which markets deem uneconomic, while simultaneously declaring an energy emergency. But the White House cannot erase energy market realities by presidential fiat. Executive orders cannot change the fundamental economics of coal-fired power plants, nor can they alter states authority over electric generation facilities, which Congress delineated in the Federal Power Act. The orders also will not bring new coal plants online within the next four years, because their time horizon from investment to build, interconnection, and operation is far longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What the orders (and related proclamation) will do is raise electricity prices, exacerbate investment uncertainty, increase pollution and reduce royalty revenue that benefits communities and taxpayers. They will also fundamentally undermine energy markets. Unfortunately, these harms will likely outlive the administrations lifespan. These measures include three actions that are especially problematic from an economic perspective. The Beautiful Clean Coal order directs the Department of Interior to reduce the royalty rate that coal mining companies pay to the federal government when extracting coal from public lands. Cutting royalties provides a windfall to mining companies at the expense of American taxpayers. Mining companies currently pay the U.S. government royalty rates ranging between 8 percent and 12.5 percent for coal extraction. The federal government then funnels about half of this revenue to local mining communities, funding essential services such as schools and infrastructure. By comparison, oil and gas drillers pay significantly higher royalties, ranging between 12.5 percent and 18.75 percent. Land leasing for offshore wind projects has been halted altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This executive order seeks to slash coal royalty rates further, under the guise of promoting Americas economic prosperity and national security. It is doubtful that transferring revenue from taxpayers to coal companies can help America prosper. Moreover, favoring coal over natural gas or renewables undermines energy independence and economic growth, picking winners that couldnt succeed in a fair market. Second, the Regulatory relief proclamation exempts some (currently unidentified) coal plants from complying with pollutant emission standards, using presidential exemption authority under Section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act. Relaxing mercury and air toxics emission limits for coal-generating units will have several problematic effects. These exemptions, granted solely at the presidents discretion, will prevent pollution reduction and endanger Americans health and well-being. Exposure to mercury can lead to brain damage in fetuses and newborns. Particulate matter pollution from these plants causes a wide range of health problems, such as cardiovascular issues and respiratory diseases like asthma. This move will also undermine fairness within the energy industry for the operators who have already invested billions to meet these emission standards. Third, an order on Strengthening Reliability would command uneconomic coal plants to keep operating when markets are pushing them out, all while passing the costs onto Americans electric bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This proposed misuse of the Federal Power Act to bail out coal plants uses an obscure provision (Section 202(c)) that allows the secretary of Energy to temporarily order power plant operation and compensation if an emergency exists by reason of a sudden increase in the demand for electric energy. The Department of Energys own regulations and prior statements describe an emergency as unexpected and explicitly exclude shortages caused by economic factors, unless blackouts are imminent. But the Trump administration is aiming to mischaracterize the AI-driven increase in electricity demand as a sudden emergency that requires subverting grid operators and quashing market forces to keep uneconomic coal plants open when cheaper electricity is available. This distortion would directly raise electricity prices, while also complicating the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions jurisdiction over energy markets and its obligation to ensure just and reasonable, and not unduly discriminatory rates. These presidential actions introduce a menu of handouts, exemptions and market interventions aimed at bailing out the coal industry at the expense of competitive energy markets. Courts will ultimately have to grapple with this attempt to undermine our electric grid operators, utilities and markets. If the moves proceed, Americans will face lower royalty revenue, more pollution, increased investor uncertainty and higher electric bills. Jennifer Danis is the federal energy policy director at the Institute for Policy Integrity at NYU School of Law, where Pello Aspuru is an economic fellow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Trumps obsession with trade deficits has taken him down a path where he is missing the forest for the trees. The U.S. trade deficit in 2024 was $918 billion. However, the components of this imbalance are not uniform across all goods and services. In particular, the service trade surplus of $293 billion provided some counterweight to the goods trade deficit of $1.211 trillion. Trumps focus on tariffs directly impacts goods, not services. A deeper dive in the services trade surplus shows that education is a significant component, with education-related travel exports coming in at $50 billion in 2023. With over 1 million international students studying at U.S. universities and colleges in 2023, this represents a significant inflow of human capital and economic activity. And with many of these students working toward advanced degrees in STEM fields like computer science, engineering and health professions (including medicine), both their short-term and their long-term impact on the U.S. economy is indisputable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of these students will eventually fill critical positions in domestic industries that require highly technical and skilled workers that the U.S. cannot fill domestically. For example, among residents in medical programs, nearly one-quarter come from international medical programs, with around one-in-six noncitizens. Without them, the US medical infrastructure would he greatly strained, particularly in rural areas where it is challenging to fill medical position openings. The same holds true in high-tech industries that require a significant influx of international students to support and advance their missions. This is especially true for positions that demand higher degrees in computer science and engineering, with skills sets in high demand to sustain growth and deliver technology solutions. Without access to such people, the economic calculus faced by the high-tech industry becomes far more negative. So what is the president doing? First, he is attacking higher education, freezing federal money targeted for many institutions, particularly those viewed as high-profile and prestigious. Given his disdain for DEI, he is finding reasons to attack such schools as retribution for their past efforts in this area as well as perceived shortcomings to protect Jewish students on their campuses. Columbia, Cornell, Pennsylvania, Princeton, Harvard, Johns Hopkins and Northwestern are already in his crosshairs, with many more likely to be added to this hit list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ironically, several of his Cabinet and agency leaders attended these schools, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (Princeton) and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr (Harvard). Trump himself attended Pennsylvania. All such schools have highly respected medical and engineering schools. Their graduates, both domestic and international, fill numerous critical infrastructure positions that if left unfilled, will have a significant negative impact on the well-being of the entire country. Second, he is revoking visas among the students who are at these and other schools. It remains unclear how many students are affected, and what their impact will be on the human capital pipeline. The risk of lost talent to support medicine and engineering is nonnegligible, creating the potential of a donut hole for highly skilled workers. The presidents focus on the trade imbalance for goods, and his retaliatory actions using tariffs, may be a negotiating tool to get companies to move their manufacturing facilities to the U.S. If they remain in place indefinitely across all countries, they will have severe and unintended consequences that will impact every American. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our digital economy demands ongoing investment in education, particularly in STEM fields. By attacking higher education and making it difficult for them to fulfill their mission, he is guaranteeing headwinds for our standard of living. The end result will be lower wealth and, ultimately, higher trade deficits, as the contribution of education to the service trade surplus begins to dissolve. Students across the world may be less inclined to study in the U.S. if they are subjected to a constant veil of uncertainty associated with their visa status. The safest solution for many will be to study in Canada or Europe, creating an international student brain drain that will handicap U.S. high tech and medicine. Such a path forward need not occur. This is the time for our elected officials in the House and Senate to take actions that not only protect themselves but the nation as a whole. Without such intervention, the risks continue to grow, and the perceived benefits become less clear. What began as a tariff war and the deportation of illegal immigrants has now become a full-frontal attack on what makes the U.S. the desired destination for some of the worlds most talented people. Without such a magnet, Making America Great Again will be nothing more than a sorry and regrettable slogan to many in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheldon H. Jacobson, Ph.D., is a computer science professor in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He uses his expertise in risk-based analytics to address problems in public policy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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, with the sweet showers Chaucer told about, is winding down. But April, as T.S. Eliot wrote, can be the cruelest month, as it has been for Kilmar Abrego Garcia and other migrants who have been illegally rendered by the Trump administration to El Salvador 90 percent of whom, unlike the incumbent president, have no U.S. criminal record and their alleged ties to gangs are not at all evident. Abrego Garcia was illegally deported in March to the infamous CECOT prison in his home country of El Salvador, flouting a 2019 U.S. court order barring his deportation to that country due to fear of persecution. The Holocaust Encyclopedia defines a concentration camp as a place of imprisonment of unlimited duration not linked to a specific act, and not subject to any judicial review. CECOT prison fits the bill neatly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court has unanimously ordered the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody so that he can have a hearing. But the administration has so far defied the court, hiding behind the autocratic government of El Salvador, which it claims is unwilling to send him back. I expect that a phone call from the White House would return Abrego Garcia to his family, who just happen to be American citizens. But Trump has vowed never to do even that much. In El Salvador, authorities fobbed off Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) who travelled there for a meeting or a phone call with Abrego Garcia, who is Van Hollens constituent. Van Hollen reported that when he asked Salvadoran officials why El Salvador was continuing to imprison Abrego Garcia when it had no evidence he was a gang member, they answered that the Trump administration is paying millions to hold him. I wonder what Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency have to say about that. After cooling his heels for 24 hours, the meeting occurred. Van Hollen reported that Abrego Garcia was traumatized with fear over his imprisonment at CECOT. The good news is that he had been transferred to another prison, and that he is alive and apparently well. The courts have been responsive to Abrego Garcias predicament. The Supreme Court held 9-0 that the administration must take steps to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump appealed, demanding clarification. In a sizzling opinion, conservative Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, joined by two other judges on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, rebuffed the administrations request to stay a lower courts attempt to implement the Supreme Courts guidance in the case, warning Trump not to reduce the rule of law to lawlessness. Facilitate is an active verb, Wilkinson wrote. The Supreme Courts instruction that lower courts respect the executives primacy in foreign affairs, he said, does not allow the government to do essentially nothing. Wilkinson was referring to the administrations attempt to wiggle around the meaning of facilitate. Attorney General Pam Bondi argues that all the government must do is remove any domestic barriers to [Abrego Garcias] return. Not so, wrote Wilkinson, in light of the Supreme Courts command. Perhaps Abrego Garcia is a gang member, Wilkinson wrote, but perhaps not. Regardless, he is still entitled to due process, the sacred right to notice and hearing before deprivation of liberty. After doesnt count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilkinson continued: If today the Executive claims the right to deport without due process and in disregard of court orders, what assurance will there be tomorrow that it will not deport American citizens and then disclaim responsibility to bring them home? And what assurance shall there be that the Executive will not train its broad discretionary powers upon its political enemies? Trump has already raised the possibility of deporting criminals who are American citizens. Now the branches come too close to grinding irrevocably against one another in a conflict that promises to diminish both, Wilkinson wrote. The judiciary will lose much from the constant intimations of its illegitimacy The executive will lose much from a public perception of its lawlessness and all of its attendant contagions. It is all about politics. Trump thinks what he is doing to Abrego Garcia plays well to his MAGA base. There are reports that the White House has heavily encouraged Republican lawmakers to lean into the idea of Abrego Garcia as an example of the dangerous criminals they insist Democrats want to bring to America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate case, Federal Judge James Boasberg, whom Trump trashed as radical left, filed an opinion stating that the administrations hurried removal of certain men to El Salvador after Boasberg had issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting them from doing so demonstrated a willful disregard of its order, sufficient for the court to conclude that probable cause exists to find the government in criminal contempt. The Constitution does not tolerate willful disobedience of judicial orders especially by officials of a coordinate branch who have sworn an oath to uphold it, Boasberg wrote. If the government decides not to try to purge itself of contempt, Boasberg says the court will identify the individuals responsible for making the judgment to ignore the court. Then he will ask Bondi to prosecute the contempt, but if as is likely she refuses, Boasberg says he will then appoint a private prosecutor to mount the case, as he is entitled to do. The Abrego Garcia case, like the cases of the other illegally deported migrants, presents an assault on the entire constitutional system, where the courts have the obligation to make the executive branch comply with the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Justice Sonia Sotomayor put it in a separate statement, the Government must comply with its obligation to provide Abrego Garcia with due process of law, including notice and an opportunity to be heard, in any future proceedings. Former U.S. Attorney and legal analyst Joyce White Vance said it all: These cases are about making sure that, American citizen or not, criminal or not, peoples right to have the day in court that the Constitution guarantees them is honored. Thats all. But its everything. James D. Zirin, author and legal analyst, is a former federal prosecutor in New Yorks Southern District. He is also the host of the public television talk show and podcast Conversations with Jim Zirin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. African iron ore producer Genmin has signed a binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sinohydro for the development of its wholly-owned Baniaka iron ore project in Gabon. The agreement facilitates the project's advancement through engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) proposals and funding procurement assistance. The MoU outlines key terms, including the sharing of information to aid in technical and commercial proposals, a period of exclusivity for Sinohydro to prepare and negotiate an EPC contract, and assistance in securing at least $250m in funding for Baniaka's development. The MoU is valid for three years but may be terminated early under specific conditions, such as legal restraints, permit expirations, insolvency, or if Genmin declines the proposal. Genmin CEO Andrew Taplin said: We are extremely pleased to have signed a binding memorandum of understanding with Sinohydro, who has a demonstrated track record in Gabon having built the Grand Poubara hydroelectricity power facility near Baniaka, as well as extensive construction experience in power and transport infrastructure. Sinohydro provides the opportunity for Genmin to rapidly advance critical path construction activities at Baniaka thereby minimising the timeframe to bring high-grade, green iron ore to market. The Baniaka project has secured key regulatory approvals, including a 20-year large-scale mining permit and a Certificate of Environmental Conformance, as well as a signed Mining Convention with the Gabonese Government. These approvals enable Genmin to construct and operate what is set to become Gabons first commercial iron ore mine. Genmin plans to develop Baniaka with an initial production rate of five million tonnes per annum (mtpa), aiming to scale up to at least 10mtpa over time. Commercial production is expected to begin in late 2026, with securing project financing being the next key milestone. The company is currently in discussions with various potential funding partners. Additionally, Genmin holds exploration tenements at its Bitam project in north-west Gabon, near Oyem, which are prospective for polymetallic mineralisation. "Genmin signs MoU with Sinohydro for Baniaka iron ore project in Gabon" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. As the Trump administration heads into a third stage of nuclear talks with Iran, the contours of a major missed opportunity are emerging. Trump who in 2018 torpedoed the Obama-era nuclear deal now seems to want something strikingly similar. Despite some threats and hints of toughness, Trump appears far more interested in striking any deal than using the opportunity to finally bring the Islamic Republic to heel. Worse, he is suggesting that if force is needed, Israel should take the lead. This is a profound strategic error. Irans nuclear program is no longer a theoretical threat. The regime is enriching uranium to 60% a stones throw from weapons-grade and possesses enough fissile material for multiple bombs, according to credible intelligence course. It continues to prevent inspections, advance centrifuge technology, and shield operations in underground facilities designed to survive airstrikes. While Tehran insists its intentions are peaceful, its actions betray a clear drive toward nuclear capability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is happening at a moment of vulnerability for the regime. Its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis have been hit hard since the war that Hamas launched on Oct. 7, 2023. So have Irans air defenses, significantly degraded by Israel last fall in its response to historys biggest ballistic missile attack (though Iran claims it has fixed some of this). At home, economic pressure and public unrest are high. Irans deterrence is fraying. In this context, a bold U.S. strategy could compel real change but that would require more than recycled diplomacy. Trump and his uber-envoy Steve Witkoff, who seems to be running much of the policy and has issued contradictory statements about whether Iran could continue to enrich uranium, are missing a rare opportunity to redefine the terms and put an end to one of the great destabilizing factors on the world state today. Rather than signaling a return to Obama-era frameworks or outsourcing military action to Israel, the United States should present Iran with an ultimatum: verifiable and irreversible total dismantling of its nuclear and weaponization programs as well as an end to proxy militias which have sewn misery and chaos all over the region, from Yemen to Iraq to Syria and Lebanon. In exchange Iran might get sanctions relief and normalized trade. No sunset clauses. No ambiguity. No delays. And there must be a credible military threat behind it otherwise the Iranian model is by obfuscate, inveigle and always be buying time with endless negotiation straight from the dynamics of the Persian bazaar. The original nuclear talks dragged on for years, giving Iran space to make steady advances that added to its leverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therefore a serious ultimatum must be backed by readiness to strike, decisively and surgically. The priority targets are well known: Natanz and Fordow, the regimes central enrichment hubs buried under mountains of rock. Destroying them would require the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which only the U.S. possesses. Secondary targets would include the Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan, the Arak reactor, and weaponization centers like the one at Parchin. It would also require blinding Irans air defenses, disrupting command and control systems with cyber tools, and coordinating with allies to neutralize retaliation. The U.S. has the means for all this. Israel for only a part. The Jewish state has conducted dozens of precision strikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria, Iraq, and even Iran itself. But it lacks the payload to reach the deepest bunkers. Worse, a strike led by Israel risks turning the confrontation into a religious or ethnic flashpoint, igniting the Muslim world, distracting from the main issue and undermining regional resolve. A U.S.-led effort, on the other hand, can frame the issue clearly: the world demands nonproliferation and stability. Trumps hints that Israel should handle the job are a dangerous abdication. It sends the message that Washington is unwilling to lead and unwilling to bear the consequences of confronting a threat that affects the entire world. It will embolden Iran, suggesting that the U.S. lacks the will to enforce its own red lines (another odd reminder of Obama, whose vanishing red-line in Syria, on the use of chemical weapons, badly eroded U.S. credibility). I assess that Trump made a mistake in walking away from the 2015 deal with no Plan B it merely released Iran from obligations and led it to ramp up enrichment and become a nuclear threshold state, while continuing to sow mayhem throughout the region. But the circumstances are now different, and the moment has come for a decision paradigm shift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some argue military action is reckless. But the status quo is riskier. A nuclear or near-nuclear Iran would trigger an arms race in the Middle East, likely prompting Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey to pursue their own programs. It would shield Irans proxy activities from reprisal. And it would mark the collapse of the global nonproliferation regime. This moment also poses a test of moral clarity. Iran is run by a theocratic regime that oppresses its people and fuels violence across the region. A clear distinction should be made between Irans rulers and its citizens. The West must engage the Iranian people, and even potential dissenters within the regime, with a simple message: Your liberation would be welcomed, and a new Iran, non-repressive and non-aggressive, would find open arms. There is, of course, no guarantee that force would lead to regime change and that should not be the immediate objective. But the regime must understand that if it compels conflict through stalling or defiance, the consequences could very well include the end of its cataclysmic rule. That message must come from Washington, not Tel Aviv. Just War Theory from Augustine to Aquinas holds that violence can be justified under strict conditions. Just wars must be declared by legitimate authority, for a just cause, proportionally conducted, and as a last resort. These conditions are close to being met. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats needed now is not the self-delusion of more drawn-out negotiations, but courage, clarity, and leadership. That means Trump should stop hiding behind Israel and take responsibility for enforcing a world order in which nuclear blackmail is not rewarded. It would also be a decent way of course-correcting in the wider sense for his administration. Dan Perry is the former Cairo-based Middle East editor and London-based Europe-Africa editor of the Associated Press, the former chairman of the Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem, and the author of two books. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In my 2022 novel, Cyberwars, one of the characters suggests that internet technology makes it possible to turn a democracy into a democratic dictatorship. But when I wrote it, I couldnt have imagined that this fiction could describe the U.S. under President Trump today. While much of the globe is embroiled in the tariff wars that are setting the world on fire, a far more critical development is quietly taking place here at home: the transformation of Americans from citizens to subjects. Following President Vladimir Putin, Trump is on his way to becoming an elected dictator. His behavior echoes the statement by Louis XIV to the Paris Parliament in 1655: The state, it is me. And in the next election, Trump will not need a self-coup or to incite his supporters the way he tried in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 2028 presidential elections, which he cannot constitutionally win, the gates to the White House may be wide open. He does not fear Congress, the judiciary, the American voter, the media or even the titans of the U.S. economy. He has already tested the waters, and these institutions and voters seem to capitulate to his dictates. Ever since Trump took office on Jan. 20, the House of Representatives has rubber-stamped his initiatives and served as a mouthpiece to endorse his numerous executive orders, including the firing of inspectors general, the liquidation of USAID and the wholesale dismissal of civil servants. It is not deliberating the initiatives and orders or rejecting, changing or endorsing them, as an equal branch of government would. The judiciary, the other co-equal branch of government, gave Trump immunity for all his actions relating to the core powers of his office. Though this ruling does not give the president total power, it is broad enough to allow Trump to behave as if he is above the law, denigrating and belittling many judges whose rulings he did not like. For example, Trump publicly denounced federal judge James Boasberg, calling him a Radical Left Lunatic when the judge blocked Trumps administration from deporting accused Venezuelan gang members. It is understandable that other judges could be intimidated in ruling against Trumps wishes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump did not spare the media from his vengeful displeasure. For example, he sued and settled for millions from ABC News ($15 million) and filed similar suits against CBS News and Iowas Des Moines Register. He later expressed plans to cut government contributions to PBS and NPR. Trumps message is clear: Do not dare cast me in a bad light, or I will sue you or cut your government support. The upshot is that mass media organizations self-censor reporting against Trump and his critics are chilled into silence. Furthermore, titans of U.S. industry such as Metas Mark Zuckerberg, Amazons Jeff Bezos, Apples Tim Cook and Googles Sundar Pichai were quick to kowtow before Trump for fear of retaliation and losses to their companies. Many of them attended his inauguration and came bearing gifts of a million dollars or more. Finally, Trump is threatening to cancel millions of dollars of research funds to many higher education powerhouses such as Harvard, Cornell and Northwestern if they dont modify many of their policies in accordance with his dictates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, many institutions have acquiesced to Trumps demands. In the case of Columbia University, the Trump administration aims to install federal oversight to ensure desired behavior. This is bound to suffocate innovation and the free flow of ideas for which American universities have been admired worldwide. In this climate of capitulation or tacit support of Trump, many Americans feel helpless. They have been brought up as citizens with the power to elect the Congress and the president. But slowly, they are starting to feel like casting their votes is a formality to elect a preordained democratic tyrant. Can anything be done to reverse this process and save the U.S. as a democracy? Maybe. But this requires concerted efforts of all Americans and their institutions, ready to fight for their republic. Specifically: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress must reclaim its role as a co-equal branch of government and push back when the executive branch oversteps its authority. The judiciary must recapture its role in interpreting and implementing the law. The media must practice independent reporting on the topics of its choosing. Business leaders must stop being wimps and offering blind support to the administration. Most importantly, the citizens of this country must exercise their roles as the originators of all power in representative government and go to the barricades, if necessary, to fight for this privilege. I have faith in the deep-seated American values of fairness and free choice, including Americans choice of their government. In the final analysis, as Thomas Jefferson said, The government you elect is the government you deserve. He was right back then, and he is right now. Professor Avraham Shama is an award-winning writer and a university professor. He writes of finance, government and policy issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Trumps return to the White House is reshaping Americas foreign policy with a nationalist, protectionist edge. Although this shift has frayed relationships with some traditional allies especially in Europe, whose importance for U.S. policy appears to be eroding the dynamics in Asia tell a different story. American ties with key Asian partners such as Japan and South Korea remain steady. And Washington is rebuilding a once-strained relationship with India, the worlds largest democracy and an increasingly pivotal power in the Indo-Pacific. President Joe Biden failed to grasp the long-term strategic significance of the U.S.-India partnership. His administration prioritized outreach to China, resumed indulgence of Pakistan, welcomed the overthrow of an India-friendly government in Bangladesh and stayed largely silent on Chinese encroachments on Indian borderlands, which triggered a tense Sino-Indian military standoff that has still not been fully resolved. These moves, coupled with ideological posturing, brought bilateral ties to a low point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The change in administration, however, has opened the door for a course correction. Both nations are now working to reestablish mutual respect and trust. Vice President JD Vances visit to India this week accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance, their children and senior administration officials signals a new chapter in the relationship. In a sign of renewed counterterrorism cooperation, the FBI last week arrested a Sikh militant accused of involvement in multiple terrorist attacks in India. Meanwhile, India, one of the worlds fastest-growing economies, has committed to liberalizing trade with the U.S., following Prime Minister Narendra Modis White House visit in February. Modi, notably, was among the first world leaders to meet Trump after his return to office. Indias appeal to American businesses is rising, especially as Chinas economy falters and its demographic decline deepens. Long before the U.S. rekindled its trade war with Beijing, Indias massive consumer market was emerging as a vital alternative. During Modis visit, he and Trump set an ambitious goal: more than doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion. The first phase of a U.S.-India trade agreement, expected to be finalized before Trumps visit to India in the fall for the Quad grouping summit, is likely to see India slash tariffs on a wide range of American imports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden-era drift is clearly being reversed. Washington has cast Vances India trip as a key diplomatic mission aimed at strengthening strategic and economic ties with a nation that, like the U.S., views China as its principal adversary. A robust India is key to maintaining a stable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, where China seeks regional hegemony. The first Trump administration recognized Indias central role by giving the country pride of place in its free and open Indo-Pacific strategy. Indeed, U.S.-India relations flourished in Trumps first term. In 2019, Trump joined Modi at a massive rally in Houston attended by 50,000 Indian Americans and numerous U.S. lawmakers. The following year, Trump addressed more than 100,000 people at a rally in Ahmedabad, India still the largest audience for any American president, at home or abroad. America loves India, America respects India and America will always be faithful and loyal friends to the Indian people, Trump declared. The personal rapport between Trump and Modi both unapologetic nationalists has proven durable. That relationship is now instrumental not only in restoring bilateral ties but also in nudging India to reduce its relatively high tariffs. Although India cut some tariffs ahead of Modis February visit, Trump responded with a 27 percent tariff hike on Indian goods earlier this month as part of his global tariff campaign, before announcing a 90-day pause on all reciprocal tariffs to allow negotiations to proceed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trade remains a flashpoint. Trumps America First agenda often collides with Modis Make in India initiative. At their joint White House news conference, Modi even borrowed from Trumps own slogan, vowing to Make India Great Again. Still, tensions that flared under Biden are beginning to ease. The arrest of the Sikh militant followed a Trump-Modi joint statement pledging decisive action against elements that threaten public and diplomatic safety and security, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both nations. For the U.S. and India to coordinate effectively to keep the Indo-Pacific free and open, they must reconcile their policies toward Indias neighborhood. The divergence was stark under Biden, whose administration aided military-backed regimes in Pakistan and Bangladesh while trying to oust Myanmars junta moves that undercut regional stability. The Trump administration is now reviewing these policies with an eye toward coherence and consistency. Vances visit, following a similar trip by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, underscores that the U.S.-India relationship is already bouncing back. Vances discussions with Modi are expected to deepen cooperation in areas ranging from strategic technology to defense interoperability, with both sides welcoming the significant progress toward a trade deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also a personal dimension to Vances diplomacy. His wife, the first Hindu second lady in American history, is the daughter of Indian immigrants. The Indian American community one of the fastest-growing and most prosperous immigrant groups in the U.S. commands outsized influence, boasting the highest median household income among all ethnic groups. Looking ahead, a potential Trump-brokered end to the Ukraine war would allow the U.S. to shift focus toward the Indo-Pacific, further energizing its partnership with India. This pivot would accelerate U.S.-India collaboration on critical and emerging technologies and enhance interoperability between the two countries armed forces, especially in naval and air operations. Trumps return to power is not merely restoring the U.S.-India relationship it is revitalizing it with fresh urgency, grounded in mutual interests and shared concerns. As the Indo-Pacific becomes the epicenter of global power competition, the worlds oldest and largest democracies are once again aligning their strategies and rediscovering their common cause. Brahma Chellaney is a geostrategist and the author of nine books, including the award-winning Water: Asias New Battleground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Middle East's governments originally took (and still take) a more Eurocentric approach to money management. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates funneled their oil revenues toward public markets in developed economies in North America and Europe. Abu Dhabis Mubadala Investment Co., for example, allots just under half of its overseas investments to the U.S., far ahead of any other jurisdiction, per data from think tank Asia House. Just 2% is in China. Yet these closer financial ties are more than just a commercial exercise. They are strategic, as the Middle East tries to build a post-oil economy. And theyre geopolitical, as both the Gulf and Asia seek to hedge their bets as the U.S. flexes its economic muscle and the new Trump administration threatens to shake up trade and investment relationships . Gulf countries need to find new markets, and the new markets which are most compelling are in Asia, explains Vasuki Shastry, a Dubai-based senior advisor at geopolitical risk firm Gatehouse Advisory Partners. If they can partner with other investment funds, can they find the next Jack Ma, the next diamond in the rough? Hong Kong is just one Asian economy trying to court Gulf moneyand not just from retail investors. Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, whether its Saudi Arabias trillion-dollar Public Investment Fund (PIF) or the UAEs array of institutions, are shifting their focus to the East. Investors in the Gulf are looking to diversify their investmentsand Asia, with its young populations, vibrant tech sectors , and fast-growing economies , offers the most exciting opportunities. The Hong KongDubai Cathay Pacific flight has just been packed the last three to four years, says Frederic Neumann, chief Asia economist at HSBC (who notes that he, too, has been traveling to the Middle East much more). Chan and several of his peers, including Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing CEO Bonnie Chan (no relation), are now regular visitors to the Middle East as the Chinese city tries to build ties with new sources of capital in the Gulf. Last October, Hong Kongs highest-ranking financial minister trooped to Riyadh, Saudi Arabias capital city and the home of the Tadawul, its stock exchange. Surrounded by Saudi officials, Paul Chan pressed a button to launch the Middle Easts largest exchange-traded fund. The new ETF has $1.2 billion in assets under management, tracking 30 sharia-compliant companies that trade in the Chinese city. (One company that was excluded? Megabank HSBC, for charging interest.) Story Continues That means investors in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and others in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) missed the boat a little bit in Asias rise, says Neumann. Now the Middle East is trying to catch up. Gulf investors are also looking to add other options to their portfolios, at a time when Western governments are stepping up scrutiny of overseas investments. Last year, the U.K. blocked a UAE backed effort to take over the Telegraph newspaper, and European governments grumbled over Gulf entities trying to expand their stake in local telcos. Its not an easy proposition that they can simply go out and buy a Western asset, Shastry says. The Gulf countries are uncomfortable with the level of scrutiny that comes with those kinds of investments. Thats pushing the Gulf to look at other markets, particularly Asia. Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds have continued quite an aggressive investment strategy in the region, says Ana Nacvalovaite, a sovereign wealth funds expert at the University of Oxford. Gulf investments in Asia are small, but growing. According to Global SWF, which tracks sovereign investments, the PIF invested $6.6 billion in Asian economies between 2022 and 2024, twice as much as what it invested in the region for the three years prior. Other GCC fundslike the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the Mubadala Investment Co., and the Qatar Investment Authorityalso grew their Asia investments over the same period. Still, Gulf investors are looking for more than a return on investment when it comes to Asia. HSBCs Neumann suggests that Middle Eastern funds are trying to get access to technology and know-how that can help their own domestic economies. Gulf investors, particularly from the UAE, have traditionally looked to India, banking on the regions long trading and business ties with the South Asian economy. Obviously, the UAE is home to any number of Indian billionaires. Theres familiarity there, says Shastry. India is almost like investing at home. Then theres China, a major buyer of Middle Eastern oil. GCC investment in China is more targeted than its investment elsewhere, even in Asia, Neumann says: You invest in China because theres a geostrategic diversification imperative and an access to technology imperative. Middle East investors are looking for big opportunities in key areasand in Asia, thats technology, says Nacvalovaite. Take EVs: In late 2023, CYVN Holdings, an Abu Dhabilinked company focused on mobility, invested $2.2 billion in Chinese EV startup Nio. Video gaming is another up-and-coming sector winning Middle Eastern attention. The PIFs many gaming investments include stakes in game developers Nintendo, Capcom, and Nexon, as well as China-based e-sports company Hero Esports. Hicham Chahine, founder of e-sports company NIP Group, soon to be based in Abu Dhabi, says the Gulfs interest in this sector helps investors tap a booming market: China is the largest gaming market in the world. Look at the potential of India, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea. The East has always been more advanced in gaming and e-sports than the West. Finally, theres Southeast Asia, particularly the Muslim-majority countries of Malaysia and Indonesia, which hope to bank on shared cultural and religious ties. The Indonesians and Malaysians are placing a great deal of emphasis on cultural similarity, Shastry explains. Here, Gulf investors are putting money toward real estate, data centers, raw materials, and infrastructure. Indonesia recently won a $10 billion pledge from the UAE for a new renewable-energy joint venture, backed by Indonesias new Danantara sovereign wealth fund. Pandu Sjahrir, chief investment officer of Danantara, notes that Abu Dhabi investors have been in very close contact as the fund was established. Hes bullish on Indonesia getting more investment from the Gulf. They see Indonesia has great wealth in resources, cheap energy, an abundant population, especially from the consumer side, Pandu says. Theyve made money the last eight to 10 years with Indonesia. They want to do more." Asian Financial centers are also trying to attract more Middle Eastern investment. Hong Kong and Singaporeboth hubs for wealth and family officesare trying to encourage wealthy people from the Gulf to put money in their cities. Hong Kong is particularly keen on this. In 2023, city officials made a boldand, so far, unsuccessfulbid to have oil giant Saudi Aramco conduct a secondary listing there. HKEX, meanwhile, opened an office in Riyadh. Hong Kong also hosts the Capital Markets Forum, a conference organized by the Saudi Tadawul. Neumann, from HSBC, admits its still too early to tell whether Hong Kongs courting of Middle Eastern money is working. But the citys tight links to Chinaimportant as a source of technology, buyer of oil, and potential security partnercould give it a leg up in attracting financial flows. Money does follow the political realities of the day, he says. Asian countries and companies are also looking to invest in the Gulf, as Saudi Arabia and the UAE strive to invest domestically and internationally. An array of large Chinese companies are choosing to expand into the Middle East. Meituan, the Chinese food delivery giant, launched services in Saudi Arabia last year, its first venture outside Chinese territory. Its the most lucrative market for Chinese companies, Shastry says, particularly as developed markets like the U.S. and Europe slap tariffs on Chinese goods. Dubai, he adds, "is completely filled with Chinese-made cars. According to research firm Canalys, three Chinese mobilephone brandsTranssion, Xiaomi, and Honorheld 37% of the Middle Eastern market (that includes Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, along with Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel), outweighing Apples or Samsungs market share. And Chinese companies looking for new markets may get a helping hand from Gulf governments. Funds like the PIF are eager to invest in their own domestic economies and are leveraging money to win new domestic offices and manufacturing hubs. In early January, PC manufacturer Lenovo won a $2 billion investment from Alat, a PIF-linked company, leading to a new Middle East headquarters in Riyadh and a Saudi-based factory. Even before the rise of U.S. President Donald Trump, Gulf countries were considering other options. Last year, Saudi Arabia and the UAE said they were thinking of joining the BRICS, the international bloc thats increasingly positioned as a counterweight to the West. The UAE is now a full member. Still, the Middle Easts security ties to the U.S. might make it difficult for the Gulf to have an unfettered financial relationship with China. In 2023, the U.S. grew increasingly concerned about G42, an Emirati AI company that boasted close relations with Chinese tech companies, including the U.S.-sanctioned Huawei. By the end of that year, G42 had agreed to cut ties with Chinese hardware suppliers, with CEO Peng Xiao admitting that the firm cant work with both sides. A few months later, Microsoft swooped in with a $1.5 billion investment. But the Gulf nations may decide that a more complicated world requires some investment flexibility. The geopolitical realities are such that global investors are looking more at diversification today. And thats true for Middle Eastern investors too, Neumann, from HSBC, says. And Pandu, from Danantara, is bullish that the Gulf will be convinced by what his country of Indonesia has to offer: The Gulf missed out on India; they missed out on China. They dont want to miss out on this one. This article appears in the April/May 2025: Asia issue of Fortune with the headline "Middle East money flows east." This story was originally featured on Fortune.com CHICAGO (WGN) Pedro Martinez, the CEO of Chicago Public Schools who was terminated by the Board of Education in December, earned a recommendation Tuesday to become the top educator in Massachusetts. The endorsement by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education now heads to the commonwealths Secretary of Education for final approval. But Chalkbeat Chicago noted that current secretary Patrick Tutwiler also sits on the board and expressed his support for Martinez. Theres a proven track record of success in extraordinary unideal circumstances, Tutwiler said, according to Boston public radio station WBUR. Tutwiler is currently serving in an interim basis following the March departure of the previous acting commissioner, Russell Johnston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Martinez said he was deeply honored to earn the selection, adding that Chicago and Chicago Public Schools holds a special place in his heart. This city welcomed my family and me when we emigrated from Mexico, and CPS became the foundation of my personal and professional journey, he said. It was in CPS classrooms that I discovered my passion for learning, developed fluency in English, and uncovered a love for math that would shape my future. I was forever influenced by the rich diversity and resilience of this District, and it has been the greatest privilege of my life to return home and serve as its CEO. In February, Martinez was passed over to lead the Clark County School District in Nevada. Hed previously held other education roles in the state. He became a finalist for the Massachusetts role last week. Martinez was fired without cause amid conflict with Mayor Brandon Johnson and his refusal to take out a high-interest loan to help finance a new teachers contract and a pension payment for non-teacher staff, a move Martinez said was fiscally irresponsible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the terms of his contract, Martinez will continue to earn a salary from Chicago through the end of June. CPS said Martinezs contract in Massachusetts and start date still need to be negotiated. WGN has reached out the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. By Stanley Widianto JAKARTA (Reuters) - Pope Francis's death has elicited an outpouring of grief in Indonesia, with tributes in the world's largest Muslim-majority country praising the pontiff's commitment to interfaith harmony and his stance on Israel's military offensive in Gaza. Prominent Islamic groups in Indonesia, where around 90% of the 280 million population is Muslim, and the general public praised the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in public statements and social media posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "His demands to stop the (Gaza) genocide, his ideas on peace, and his great desire for human fraternity - they are all in line with the council's values," said Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, an official at Indonesia's highest council of clerics. In his last Easter Sunday message, a day before he died after suffering a stroke, Francis, 88, reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Francis had been ramping up criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave "very serious and shameful" in January. Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Islamic organisation of roughly 40 million members, considered to be one of the largest in the world, sent its condolences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Pope Francis was tireless in his efforts to turn the Catholic church into the caretaker and defender of humanity," chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf said. Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second-largest Muslim group, also joined the chorus of grief. "I hope the inspiration and steps that Pope Francis has taken for humanity and peace can become a push for massive global peace and order," chairman Haedar Nashir said in a statement. Francis arrived in Jakarta last year with a message of interfaith harmony, telling Indonesia's political leaders that the Catholic Church would increase its efforts toward inter-religious dialogue in hopes of helping tamp down extremism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message is consistent with Francis' stance, having said equating Islam with violence was wrong in 2014. Muhammad, a 20-year-old Muslim university student, who visited Jakarta's Cathedral on Tuesday to pay his respects, said Francis always brought a message of harmony, despite the occasional inter-religious friction. "With his presence, we can take the example that we should be tolerant, with Indonesia being a diverse country," he said. There was an outpouring by Indonesian social media users, too, with "Paus Fransiskus" - as Francis is referred to in Indonesian - trending in the country on social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instagram user @sarasaure wrote hearing the pope say Islamic greeting "Assalamualaikum", or peace be upon you, made her teary. "He stood by Palestine until the very end. This is what real faith should look like - borderless compassion for humanity, for the oppressed". (Additional reporting by Johan Purnomo and Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by Gibran Peshimam and Saad Sayeed) More than 150 university and college presidents co-signed a letter Tuesday condemning the Trump administration's recent efforts to dictate the policies of private higher education institutions in exchange for federal funding. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has paused billions of dollars in federal grants to several of the nation's most prestigious universities including Harvard, Columbia and Princeton in an attempt to get the universities to change their admissions processes and penalize student protesters. The letter's signers, which range from large public universities to small liberal arts schools, include each of the Ivy League schools except Dartmouth College. Columbia University's acting president, Claire Shipman, signed on to the public statement after an earlier version of this article was published. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As leaders of Americas colleges, universities, and scholarly societies, we speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education," the letter, orchestrated by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, says. "We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight," the letter continues. "However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses." "We will always seek effective and fair financial practices, but we must reject the coercive use of public research funding," it adds. Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, said in an email that the administration is "standing up for equality and fairness and will not be swayed by worthless letters by overpaid blowhards." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, the Trump administration has only paused or threatened to pause billions of dollars of federal funding, which is vital to the operations of several universities, including Columbia, Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton. The moves are part of the administration's broader effort to "root out" antisemitism on college campuses. Columbia ceded to a list of demands by the Trump administration last month in exchange for starting talks to restore funding. The demands included instituting a mask ban at protests in most cases; hiring an outsider to oversee its department of Middle East, South Asian and African studies; committing to "greater institutional neutrality"; and enlisting three dozen new security officers. The New York City-based university's acquiescence prompted outrage among the higher education community. Columbia's interim president at the time, Katrina A. Armstrong, stepped down a week later. Harvard was similarly sent a list of demands by the Trump administration, which mandated that the university audit the viewpoints of students and professors and shutter its diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although it initially appeared that the university would take a similar approach to Columbia, Harvard ultimately rejected the administration's orders. Harvard, which was founded more than a century before the United States, sued the administration on Monday and asked a federal judge in Massachusetts to reverse the termination of $2.2 billion in federal grants to the university. Tuesday's letter also denounced the Trump administration's unprecedented effort to deport international students. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has revoked hundreds of student visas from foreign students, many of whom are Middle Eastern. Immigration authorities have also apprehended foreign students, some of whom were involved in pro-Palestinian protests at universities last year. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com WASHINGTON (AP) Google is confronting an existential threat as the U.S. government tries to break up the company as punishment for turning its revolutionary search engine into an illegal monopoly. The drama began to unfold Monday in a Washington courtroom as three weeks of hearings kicked off to determine how the company should be penalized for operating a monopoly in search. In its opening arguments, federal antitrust enforcers also urged the court to impose forward-looking remedies to prevent Google from using artificial intelligence to further its dominance. This is a moment in time, were at an inflection point, will we abandon the search market and surrender them to control of the monopolists or will we let competition prevail and give choice to future generations, said Justice Department attorney David Dahlquist. The proceedings, known in legal parlance as a remedy hearing, are set to feature a parade of witnesses that includes Google CEO Sundar Pichai. The U.S. Department of Justice is asking a federal judge to order a radical shake-up that would ban Google from striking the multibillion dollar deals with Apple and other tech companies that shield its search engine from competition, share its repository of valuable user data with rivals and force a sale of its popular Chrome browser. Googles attorney, John Schmidtlein, said in his opening statement that the court should take a much lighter touch. He said the governments heavy-handed proposed remedies wouldnt boost competition but instead unfairly reward lesser rivals with inferior technology. Google won its place in the market fair and square, Schmidtlein said. The moment of reckoning comes four-and-a-half-years after the Justice Department filed a landmark lawsuit alleging Googles search engine had been abusing its power as the internet's main gateway to stifle competition and innovation for more than a decade. After the case finally went to trial in 2023, a federal judge last year ruled Google had been making anti-competitive deals to lock in its search engine as the go-to place for digital information on the iPhone, personal computers and other widely used devices, including those running on its own Android software. That landmark ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sets up a high-stakes drama that will determine the penalties for Googles misconduct in a search market that it has defined since Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded the company in a Silicon Valley garage in 1998. Since that austere start, Google has expanded far beyond search to become a powerhouse in email, digital mapping, online video, web browsing, smartphone software and data centers. SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Over 200 Airmen from Vermonts Air National Guard returned Tuesday from deployment to a base in Japan. This deployment to Kadena Air Base was part of a plan that aimed to enhance security and strengthen relationships between allied forces, according to a Vermont National Guard Release. Airmen conducted training and worked with people from Australia, Japan, India and the Republic of Korea. Together the group reportedly proved to have skills that are characteristic of the 158th Fighter Wing. These members of the Vermont Air National Guard were deployed in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All photos are courtesy of the Vermont Air National Guard. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Taking up residence in a mobile home park can be an economical means of putting a roof over one's head. But more than 50 families at County Road Mobile Home Park in Houston, Texas, were displaced after the land they were living on was sold, according to KHOU 11 News. Residents had until April 8 to move out, and some were forced to spend thousands of dollars to relocate. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marta De La Garza, who lived in the park with her family for five years, says she had to shell out $9,000 $3,000 for transportation and $6,000 to set up utilities to move to a new location. "We had to pay for the people who moved the mobile home. We had to pay a plumber again. We had to pay for electricity again," she told the local broadcaster in a story published April 9. "It was a nightmare." Moving costs may also not have been the only financial challenges some residents had to face. Here's the story behind the challenging evictions, plus ways you can protect yourself as a tenant. A horrible experience Residents of County Road Mobile Home Park received eviction notices in September after the property was purchased by a company named Summit Acquisitions, per KHOU 11 News. They were first told they would need to vacate the property by the end of the year, but that deadline was then extended until the spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forced move has been devastating for several residents, including Frankie Schwarzburg, who says her trailer was damaged beyond repair during transport and is no longer habitable. "I cannot live in my trailer," she told KHOU 11 News. "I'm out $15,000 and a home." In addition, the broadcaster reports community advocates say some former tenants were mistakenly charged rent in March and April, even after leaving, while others have been kept waiting for their security deposits to be returned. "They're being charged for a place they can't live anymore," Damaris Gonzalez of the Texas Organizing Project told KHOU 11 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The US stock markets fear gauge has exploded but this 1 shockproof asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Heres how to own it ASAP Former residents are calling on legislators to strengthen rights for mobile home owners. State Sen. Molly Cook told the broadcaster she's introduced a number of bills aimed at addressing these issues. "I don't hear people talking about manufactured homes enough," Cook told KHOU 11 News. "The reality is that this is what makes the American dream accessible to so many Texans." The broadcaster says neither the former property manager nor the new owners immediately responded to requests for comment. Know your rights as a tenant If you're facing eviction, it's important to understand your rights. You should know that while you can be evicted for failing to comply with the terms of your lease, your landlord can also choose not to renew your lease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Different states may have different laws regarding evictions. In Texas, for example, you'll typically be given a notice to vacate. This is not an eviction, and your landlord must give at least three days to vacate. If you don't move out by that deadline, your landlord can file an eviction suit with the court. From there, you may have to appear in court to try to state your case (assuming you want to stay in your home). After a judgment is made, either side has the option to appeal the decision within five days. If you lose and don't appeal yet refuse to move, your landlord can ask the court for a writ of possession and you'll then have 24 hours to vacate the property. If you don't, your landlord will have the right to remove your belongings from the property. Its important to understand how the eviction process works. If you feel you need help with your case, you may want to consider consulting an attorney. Its also important to keep detailed records of communications between you and your landlord in an eviction situation. For example, if youre being evicted due to violating a lease term and you can prove you didnt, thats something to bring to your eviction hearing. You should also document any interaction between you and your landlord where you feel your rights as a tenant were violated. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. The new owner of St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet plans to suspend inpatient pediatric care at the hospital less than two months after buying St. Joseph and seven other Illinois hospitals from Ascension a move thats drawing criticism from the hospitals nurses union. Executives at California-based Prime Healthcare sent a letter Monday to the mayor of Joliet saying the hospital planned to halt pediatric inpatient care, and would start transferring pediatric patients Friday. The hospitals inpatient pediatric unit has been averaging less than one patient a day, while the need for other services, such as advanced surgical, neurosurgical and spinal care has grown, according to a statement from Prime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To best serve our community, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to suspend inpatient pediatric services and expand other needed critical service lines, Prime said in the statement. Two doctors and eight staff members are affected by the decision. The doctors have been offered positions at Primes affiliated medical group, and the nurses will be offered jobs in other departments at St. Joseph or other nearby Prime hospitals, according to the letter. The letter notes that St. Joseph has entered into an agreement to transfer pediatric patients to Endeavor Health Edward Hospital, which is in Naperville, about 18 miles away. Pediatric patients can also go to Silver Cross Hospital, which is about 9 miles away, or Lurie Childrens Hospital, which is more than 40 miles away, according to the letter. St. Joseph will continue to treat children in its emergency department. The Illinois Nurses Association, however, says the move is at odds with its contract, which requires 30 days notice if nurses are to be laid off or displaced. The nurses association also said the closing will be difficult for the Joliet community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to believe we have the third-largest city and we have one hospital, and we dont even have a pediatric unit, said Beth Corsetti, a nurse at the hospital and an executive board member with the hospitals nurses union. Its just unfathomable to me. We have so many needs. Its really going to have an negative impact on the community. The union also accused Prime of going back on pledges that it would not discontinue any services at the hospital for at least two years after purchasing it. An application to the state Health Facilities and Services Review Board to change the hospitals ownership, stated that at this time, no changes to the scope of services or the levels of care provided at the facility are currently anticipated to occur within 24 months of the proposed transaction. The application to the state board also stated that during Primes first 12 to 18 months of ownership it would assess the hospitals services with the potential existing of decisions being made to modify the scope of or manner in which certain services are provided at the facility, the addition of services, or the discontinuation of services at the facility. A Prime spokesperson said in a statement that the halting of inpatient pediatric services is not a cut but rather a temporary suspension that can last up to 12 months and is reversible pending future demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson also said that all of Primes actions have been compliant with its collective bargaining agreement with the nurses at St. Joseph, noting that all impacted associates were notified and offered positions with the required advance notice. Prime bought St. Joseph in March for $71 million, along with seven other Illinois hospitals previously owned by Ascension, a large Catholic health system. Most of the hospitals sold to Prime, including St. Joseph, changed from being nonprofit hospitals to for profit hospitals as part of the sale. Joliet Mayor Terry DArcy said in a statement Tuesday that though hes always concerned about any reduction in health care services, its reassuring to know that the nurses affected by the change are being offered other jobs. Weve been assured that the decision was made thoughtfully, and we understand that other hospitals are facing similar circumstances and are also reevaluating their pediatric services, DArcy said. Unfortunately, its challenging to sustain a dedicated unit when patient volumes remain so low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said hes also encouraged by Prime Healthcares ongoing investment in the hospital, especially in key areas such as cardiac and orthopedic surgery. Prime has said it plans to invest $250 million in the Illinois hospitals it recently acquired, including capital improvements, technology and system upgrades. In recent years, many Chicago-area community hospitals have closed their inpatient pediatric units, citing decreased demand. More children are getting care without needing to stay overnight, and community hospitals face competition from major childrens hospitals in the area, such as Lurie, Advocate Childrens Hospital and University of Chicago Medicine Comer Childrens Hospital, which are often top choices for families seeking complex pediatric care. Closings of pediatric units typically have to be approved the state Health Facilities and Services Review Board. The Illinois Nurses Association also said that Prime has told the hospitals psychiatric doctors that their contracts are being canceled. The Prime spokesperson said the hospitals inpatient psychiatric unit will remain open and that a new psychiatry team will be joining us to assume responsibility for psychiatry services with the same dedication and expertise, and were working closely to ensure a smooth, seamless transition for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospitals current psychiatrists will remain on staff and continue to have medical staff privileges, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said she was not able to answer questions about how many psychiatrists are affected nor the circumstances of the new psychiatrists employment. This transition reflects our continued support of improving access to behavioral health services and our commitment to supporting the long-term well-being of our community, the spokesperson said. Prime has also closed a number of the hospitals operating rooms, leading to fewer hours for nurses and to some nurses leaving for other jobs, Corsetti said. The Prime spokesperson, however, said no operating rooms have been closed. The number of active OR rooms are continuously adjusted based on surgical volume levels, which currently ranges from 14 to 11 OR rooms, the spokesperson said in a statement. This change was made to align with current case demand. Importantly, this is a flexible model as surgical volume increases, additional ORs will be active. Non-instructional staff members of the Palm Beach County School District plan to protest what they describe as intolerably low pay during a rally in front of district headquarters early Wednesday evening, April 23. The rally is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., the same time the Palm Beach School Board will be meeting. Non-instructional staff include bus drivers, maintenance workers, food service workers, custodians and other employees who work with disabled students. They are represented by the SEIU Florida Public Services Union, which is negotiating with the school district for a new contract. "Wednesdays action is necessary because non-instructional staff in Palm Beach County Schools have been consistently undervalued and underpaid for far too long," said Afifa Khaliq, the union's chief of staff. "The school district and the state have failed to demonstrate a real commitment to protecting the most disadvantaged and essential workers in our schools." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district disputed that contention in a statement. "The School District of Palm Beach County greatly values the important work of our non-instructional staff as important members of Team Palm Beach," the statement read. "We deeply appreciate the daily contributions of our entire team that make us 'A' rated." Palm Beach County School District says it 'relies on market data' to keep pay competitive The district said it relies on market data to make pay adjustments and remain "as competitive as our budget allows." Palm Beach County's school district, like districts across the state, is facing the potential loss of tens of millions from state budget cuts in the upcoming fiscal year. And federal budget cuts could strip away hundreds of millions more in the years after that if the U.S. Department of Education is closed and the funding it provides is not continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School board members have described the current state budget situation, which could bring cuts of as much as $47 million, as grim. The district's statement noted that it has provided SEIU members with raises in each of the past several years, including a 5% raise in 2024 a 3.5% raise in 2023 and an 11.9% raise in 2022. In each of the past three years, union members also got a bonus of 3% or $1,500, whichever was greater. Even with those pay increases, the pay of non-instructional employees remains low far too low, union officials say, to live independently in increasingly expensive Palm Beach County. Afifa said many non-instructional employees have a starting annual salary of $21,000, depending on the number of hours the employee is called on to work. The average pay is $28,000 per year for bus drivers, custodians, food service and maintenance workers. Employees who work with disabled students make $23,000 per year, and non-instructional supervisors make an average of $43,000 per year, Afifa said. Palm Beach County is an expensive place to live Any of those salaries would make it extremly difficult to afford living in Palm Beach County. In West Palm Beach, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,077, according to April figures from apartments.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development suggests that households should spend no more than 30% of their gross monthly income on rent. Following that guideline, a person would need to make $6,923 per month to comfortably afford rent in West Palm Beach. That monthly figure would equate to more than $83,000 per year. Even a rent of $1,500 per month would, if HUD guidelines are followed, require a salary of $60,000 per year. That's only a few hundred dollars less than the average pay for teachers in the district, and it's more than the $53,000 starting salary for teachers. District police officers, meanwhile, start in the mid-60s. Afifa said non-instructional employees don't begrudge the pay provided to teachers and police officers, who are represented by their own unions. "I would never go against my union brothers and sisters," Afifa said, adding that she'd like to see the district raise their pay, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the most pressing pay problem is the low wages offered to non-instructional staff, Afifa said. As negotiations for a new contract began, SEIU initially asked for a raise of 11.5%. The district countered with a 3% raise. Afifa said the union then sought a $1 per hour increase with a one-time $500 bonus. A $1 per hour raise would mean an additional $1,920 per year for a 40-hour per week employee. That would be a raise of 6.9% for someone making $28,000 per year. The district and the union are still negotiating. School staff resorting to payday loans, moving to mobile homes to make ends meet Meanwhile, finances remain a big challenge for the district's non-instructional employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A union survey of non-instructional employees conducted last year concluded that "the financial realities for PBCSD employees are stark and urgent." About 93% of those who responded to the survey said higher wages is their top priority. The survey found that many employees "face mounting living costs, with 32.8% spending over $2,000 per month on housing and 51.5% requiring assistance to meet these expenses." More than 12% of those responding to the survey reported that they had turned to payday loans in the past year to make ends meet. Palm Beach County Schools Superintendent Mike Burke visits the cafeteria on the first day of school at Grove Park Elementary School on August 12, 2024, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The survey included personal stories from the employees, several of whom relayed the great difficulty they have had making ends meet on the pay they get from the district. One woman recounted having to move from an apartment to a mobile home. Another, who gave her name only as Liliana, said her role as an assistant "is more than just a job it's an extension of who I am." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liliana said she loves working with the children, "seeing their smiles and knowing that I'm making a difference in their lives." Still, Liliana added, "the physical and emotional toll is immense. This job requires patience, strength, and resilience, and it deserves better recognition. The compensation doesnt match the effort or the sacrifices we make. Every day, I give my all, but Im still struggling to support my family. We are worth more than this." The district said school board members respect the work of non-instructional employees. "Routinely, the School Board has advocated for increased state funding in an effort to boost pay for our employees," the district said. "Our message to all members of our team is simple: We deeply value your contributions, strive to provide competitive pay for all staff and appreciate your ongoing commitment to our students, families, and staff." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wayne Washington is a journalist covering education for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County School District employees rally to demand better pay The Palm Beach Post has been honored for its years-long work to make public transcripts of a secret grand jury proceeding in 2006 that charged sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein with only one count of solicitation of prostitution. The Post was a finalist for the Investigative Reporters and Editors' FOI Award, meaning it was one of the top four in the country for the IRE medal, which honors "an individual or organization whose actions further open records or open government," according to the IRE website. The reporters were Post reporters Holly Baltz and Hannah Phillips, Palm Beach Daily News reporter Kristina Webb and former Post reporter Jane Musgrave. Sources say state attorney torpedoed his own Epstein case The winner of the medal was Bloomberg News. Other finalists were the Los Angeles Times and CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Post's Epstein coverage also won third place for community leadership in the Florida Society of News Editors' contest. The Post filed a lawsuit in 2019 in order to get the documents released after it learned from sources in an investigation that then-State Attorney Barry Krischer had torpedoed his own case against the Palm Beach resident. Holly Baltz, investigations editor at The Palm Beach Post Krischer could have stopped Epstein in 2006. Instead he participated in a 2008 deal that allowed Epstein to serve only 13 months in the Palm Beach County Jail, not state prison. Epstein was allowed to work at his private foundation 12 hours a day, six days a week. Had Epstein been charged with and gotten a stiffer sentence for the crimes for which Palm Beach police had gathered evidence, he could have gone to prison for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of girls and young women had told police similar stories of Epstein sexually abusing them at his Palm Beach mansion. Survivors blistered during Epstein grand jury testimony Jeffrey Epstein on the U.S. Virgin Islands' Sex Offender Registry The sources told The Post in 2019 that a single witness, a 14-year-old girl, had been undermined by the prosecutor questioning her by trotting out the girl's social media pages. The transcripts, released in July 2024 by the judge in The Post's lawsuit, revealed that two survivors had testified. The Post's reporting prompted a change in state law that paved the way for the release of the documents. Jane Musgrave, former Palm Beach reporter Shockingly, the prosecutor called both girls prostitutes in front of the jurors, who turned around and questioned the girls about their "reputations." There was little discussion of the evidence police had gathered of crimes that Epstein committed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the litigation, then-Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg and Clerk & Comptroller Joseph Abruzzo opposed the release of the documents in court. Abruzzo's agency was merely the repository of the grand jury material and Aronberg assumed his post years after Krischer left office. As a result of that opposition, The Post's lawsuit stretched into nearly five years until its successful conclusion. Hannah Phillips, Palm Beach Post reporter Kristina Webb, Palm Beach Daily News reporter Holly Baltz is the investigations editor at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hbaltz@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jeffrey Epstein: Palm Beach Post a finalist for national IRE award VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -The cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church will gather on May 7 to elect a new pope in one of the most famous buildings in the world, the Sistine Chapel. Below are some facts about the chapel: * Named after Pope Sixtus IV and built from 1473-81, it is 40 metres (131 feet) long, 13 metres (43 feet) wide and 21 metres (69 feet) high, lit on either side by high windows. * Michelangelo was commissioned by Julius II to paint the ceiling frescoes, completed between 1508 and 1512. The frescoes show scenes from the Bible's Old and New Testaments, including "The Creation of Adam" in which God reaches with his finger to touch the outstretched hand of the first man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * More than 20 years later, Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the awe-inspiring "Last Judgement" on the wall behind the altar, which was unveiled in 1541. * Michelangelo was immediately accused of immorality and obscenity for depicting naked figures in a church. After his death, a law was passed to cover up the offending genitalia with "modesty breeches", which were added by an apprentice. * The side walls are decorated by other artists, including Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli and Domenico Ghirlandaio. * From 1980 to 1994 specialists conducted one of the most ambitious art restoration projects in the world, stripping away centuries of accumulated dirt and soot that had darkened the frescoes. The results divided experts and amateurs, with some criticising the dazzling colours as too bright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * The Sistine Chapel was first used for a conclave after the death of Sixtus IV in 1484. A number of conclaves have been held elsewhere, including several in the 19th century at the Quirinale Palace, formerly a summer palace for the popes and now the official residence of the Italian president. * Some 6.8 million people visited the Vatican Museum, which includes the Sistine Chapel, in 2023 - the second most visited museum in the world after the Louvre, according to data site Statista.com. * German writer Goethe once remarked: "Without having seen the Sistine Chapel, one can form no appreciable idea of what one man is capable of achieving". (Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Frances Kerry and Janet Lawrence) A paramedic is facing criminal charges, accused of attacking a patient inside an ambulance. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The victim did not want to be identified, but she said instead of getting the care she needed after she passed out at her home, the paramedic yelled at her, prevented her from breathing and accused of faking her illness. Justine Spatz, a MetroAtlanta Ambulance paramedic, is charged with simple battery and reckless conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the warrant, the investigation began after medical staff at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital alerted police about a patient who was assaulted. TRENDING STORIES: According to the warrant, the victim told police Spatz obstructed her nostrils as she was being transported from her home to the hospital. She told police Spatz pinched her nostrils shut a second time while she was at the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MetroAtlanta Ambulance sent a statement in response to the allegation, saying it takes the situation seriously and the employee was placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the full investigation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] After a Lexington County school bus flipped over when its tire blew out, parents are now asking how fast it was going before the crash. One boy was killed in the crash, and three dozen more victims were hurt in the crash on Interstate 77 last week in Chester County. RELATED: 13-year-old killed in school bus crash on I-77, coroner says While many students are mourning the loss of a classmate, one mother told Channel 9s Hannah Goetz shes starting to question how this happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashanti Thames told Channel 9 last week that she was filled with gratitude because her son was OK during the same field trip. But after receiving a screen recording from another student, shes questioning if speed was a factor in the deadly crash. Why were they going 73 [miles per hour] or were they allowed to go 73 ... in that type of bus? Thames said. Another students Life360 app was tracking their trip on the bus. It allows parents to see where their child is, and how fast theyre going. In the screen recording, you can see the bus traveling from Charlotte back to Lexington, and it hits speeds in the 70s before the crash. Another screenshot showed the top speed was over 80 miles per hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bus was going 73 and that just didnt sit well with me, Thames said. I know the speed limit, but having a bus with that many students on there, and not knowing if those tires could have handled that speed or anything in the road, that makes me question. PREVIOUS STORY: Chester County bus crash victims released from hospitals State law caps school bus speeds at 55 miles per hour on the interstate in both North Carolina and South Carolina. If those numbers are accurate, Thames wonders if that contributed to the tire blowing out. The fact that youre going 73 and you have a blowout, I honestly think if they were going a lot slower, we wouldnt have a bus that was flipped over on its side, Thames said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She learned over the weekend that her son has a separated shoulder after being slammed from the abrupt stop of the bus. He has to see an orthopedic surgeon. We reached out to the South Carolina State Highway Patrol and the school district about the speed of the bus. Troopers said they wont know until they finish the investigation, and the school district said it will release the information once they get it. (VIDEO: Investigation underway after cars catch fire at Cramerton apartment complex) Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) shares are trading lower after the company reported first-quarter 2025 results. The decline follows CEO Jeff Millers commentary during the earnings call, during which he noted that international revenue is expected to be flat or slightly lower year-over-year. Additionally, he projected a second-quarter earnings impact of $0.02 to $0.03 per share due to ongoing trade challenges. The company reported a revenue decline of 6.7% year-over-year to $5.417 billion, beating the consensus of $5.283 billion. Adjusted EPS came in at $0.60, down from $0.76 a year earlier and in line with analyst expectations, according to Benzinga Pro. Operating income stood at $431 million (-56.3% YoY), with an operating margin of about 7.9%, down 905 bps YoY. Completion and Production revenue fell 7.5% YoY to $3.12 billion, with $531 million operating income. The decline was driven by weaker pressure pumping and tool sales in the Western Hemisphere, partially offset by gains in the Middle East. Drilling and Evaluation revenue declined 6% YoY to $2.3 billion, with operating income down 12% YoY to $352 million. Lower drilling and project activity in Mexico and the Middle East drove the drop, partly offset by stronger fluid services in the region. HALs North American revenue fell 12% to $2.2 billion in Q1 2025, driven by lower U.S. stimulation and Gulf tool sales, partly offset by stronger artificial lift and drilling activity. International revenue slid 2% sequentially to $3.2 billion. Latin America dropped 19% YoY to $896 million, driven by lower activity in Mexico and weaker tool sales, partly offset by stronger drilling services in Argentina, Brazil, and the Caribbean. Europe/Africa revenue increased 6% year-over-year to $775 million, supported by stronger activity in Norway, Namibia, and the Caspian region, partially offset by lower activity in Senegal and Italy. Middle East/Asia revenue also rose 6% to $1.5 billion, driven by increased operations in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, with some offset from reduced activity in Australia, Malaysia, and Oman. During the quarter, Halliburton repurchased $250 million in stock, paid a $0.17 dividend, spent $30 million on SAP, and recorded $356 million in pre-tax charges. Operating cash flow for the quarter was $377 million, and free cash flow was $124 million. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.804 billion as of March 31, 2025. Halliburton CEO Jeff Miller highlighted strong international tender activity and key offshore wins extending into 2026: Customers awarded Halliburton several contracts that demonstrate the strength of our value proposition and the power of our service quality execution. AUSTIN (KXAN) A meeting at Lamar Middle School on Monday evening was packed with parents, students and staff voicing concern over a potential shake-up looming in the near future. Dobie Middle School is at risk of closure as the Austin Independent School District superintendent and Board of Trustees consider options on how to deal with poor student performance at the school, and Lamar Middle School could be directly impacted. AISD leaders said the entire district is at risk of being taken over by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) because of low performance levels at Dobie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AISD Assistant Superintendent Angel Wilson sent a memo to teachers earlier this month notifying them of the possible TEA takeover and options AISD has to avoid a takeover. MORE DETAILS: Northeast Austin middle school may close after school year The Dobie Middle School page on AISDs website outlines the districts options in a list of Dobie Turnaround Plan FAQs. The district must choose one of the following: Restart the school for the 202526 school year in partnership with a charter school approved by the Texas Education Agency. This would be similar to what has happened at Mendez Middle School with Third Future Schools. The charter school would have the authority to hire all campus staff, including teachers and the principal, and we could not guarantee positions for current staff. Permanently close Dobie at the end of the 2024-25 school year and reassign Dobie students to another Austin ISD middle school for the 2025-26 school year. Temporarily close Dobie at the end of the 2024-25 school year and develop a plan to reimagine the school. Current Dobie students would be reassigned to another Austin ISD middle school for the 2025-26 school year and a new school would open at the Dobie campus at a future date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lamar Middle School Parent Teacher Association said two of those three options could result in hundreds of Dobie students being transferred to Lamar, which parents and staff worry could strain Lamar. Several guardians whose children attend Lamar Middle School emailed KXAN stating they were not informed of the potential change until last week. They said AISD sent an email about the possible transfer on Thursday evening. The district scheduled a meeting at Lamar for Monday evening ahead of the school boards regular meeting this coming Thursday, where Superintendent Matias Segura explained the options and answered questions. Austin Independent School District Superintendent Matias Segura talks to AISD community members at Lamar Middle School about the Dobie Middle School Turnaround Plan. One of the options of the plan is to potentially close Dobie and send students to Lamar. (KXAN Photo/Jordan Belt) Austin Independent School District Superintendent Matias Segura talks to AISD community members at Lamar Middle School about the Dobie Middle School Turnaround Plan. One of the options of the plan is to potentially close Dobie and send students to Lamar. (KXAN Photo/Jordan Belt) This is moving too fast. Families were informed with less than a weeks noticeover a holiday weekendabout decisions that could fundamentally reshape Lamar and Dobie Middle Schools, Lamar Middle School PTA President Edward Bradfield said in an email. Were not just talking about schedules or budgets. Were talking about trust. About the future of our children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AISD board was set to discuss and potentially take action on the Dobie MS Turnaround Plan at its meeting this Thursday, but the meeting agenda online states the public hearing and approval of the plan was rescheduled to Monday, April 28, at 6 p.m. The item is still on this weeks meeting agenda, but it is for discussion only. The Turnaround Plan must receive board approval before submission to TEA, which is required by April 30, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. On Friday, Los Angeles magazine hosted a luncheon to celebrate the March 2025 L.A. Woman issue, covered by Paris Hilton. Guests gathered at the Beverly Hilton hotel for an afternoon of panel discussions, mingling, music and a special three-course meal. The L.A. Woman issue recognized the female leaders in Los Angeles who stepped up after January's devastating wildfires to help rebuild the community. Magazine subjects Avery Colvert and her mother Lauren Sandidge, who co-founded Altadena Girls to give back to teenage Eaton Fire victims, introduced Paris before her conversation with Los Angeles magazine's Deputy Editor, Jasmin Rosemberg. After facing the loss of her own Malibu home in the Pacific Palisades fire, Paris turned to action. "Right away, I started thinking about people who had lost so much more, and my heart was breaking just for all of the moms with their children who had nowhere to sleep that night, and who had lost everything," Paris said. In the midst of her own mourning, Paris turned to action. She joined forces with Baby2Baby, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that provides basic necessities like diapers, toys and clothing to children in need. She also connected with the Pasadena Humane Society to foster a dog named Zuzu, and she joined forces with Altadena Girls. Paris and Hilton Hotels coordinated the donation of 20,000 rooms to help displaced families who lost their homes in the fires. "The first two nights, I went and I surprised these families that we had put up at a hotel and came with presents and just spent time with them and their children," Paris said. "And just hearing from them, just how much it meant to them, made my heart feel so full just to be able to use my resources to help others and surprise them in such a way, during such a difficult and heartbreaking time." City Councilmember and L.A. Woman honoree Traci Park also made remarks about the emergency, after being introduced by LA Mag's Michele McPhee. Other attendees included Scheana Shay and Heather McDonald. The afternoon was spent celebrating the many women of L.A., including those featured in the magazine, and many of whom put their own losses aside to help those across the city. The L.A. Woman Issue Welcomes Guests to the Luncheon View the 19 images of this gallery on the original article Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) Recreationists visiting Pineview Reservoir this summer might notice that their parking fines have tripled. Today, the Weber County Commission voted to approve a first reading of an ordinance that would increase parking fines during summer months. Sean Wilkinson, director of the Community Development Department, presented the ordinance to the Weber County Commission. The full commission Gage Froerer, Sharon Bolos and James Harvey was present. Wilkinson began by explaining that there had been an increase in parking violations near Pineview and Causey Reservoirs, both located in the mountains of Weber County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These parking violations create a public safety hazard by increasing pedestrian traffic near moving vehicles and by reducing the travel space available for vehicular traffic, including emergency vehicles, Wilkinson said. Enforcement of REAL IDs go into effect soon are you ready? Parking violations currently have a fine of $50 if paid within 14 days, and $100 if paid after 14 days. Wilkinsons proposed ordinance would change these prices in hopes to lower the number of violations in the area. May 15 to September 15 each year, on any highway or road where Weber County has parking enforcement authority in the following two locations: the road to Causey Reservoir and all road branching off of it east of the entrance to the Weber Memorial Park Campground and all locations within one mile of the Pineview Reservoir high water mark, Wilkinson read from the proposed ordinance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the new ordinance, drivers who have no violations within the past year will be charged $150 if paid or contested within 14 days, and the charge will be $300 if paid after that. Anyone with more than one violation in the past year will face a $300 fine if paid within 14 days, and it will increase to $600 if paid after 14 days. There will not be a penalty for repeat offenders in areas outside of those named near Pineview and Causey Reservoirs. The increased fines will only be implemented from May 15 to Sept. 15. Utahs youth can learn about wildlife photography in upcoming summer camp Sometimes its just those holiday weekends that are super dangerous. In the past, what theyve done is gone up there and think, oh, ten bucks a piece for everybody in the car, not a bad price for parking, Harvey stated after Wilkinson presented his plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Time was made for public comments, but nobody came forward to speak. At the end of the meeting, Bolos brought it forward for a motion. Froerer made a motion to approve, but wanted to add a note. For some people, those fines are fairly heavy, but if youve travelled up there on some weekends especially those busy weekends it is a health safety issue that needs to be addressed, Froerer said. He further explained that he thought a shuttle service would suit the area, but until that happened, he thought the increased fine would be appropriate. All of the commissioners voted and approved the first reading of the ordinance. It will go to a second reading at an upcoming meeting, but that agenda has not been released yet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Fast casual restaurant Hawaiian Bros Island Grill has announced a partnership with Lunchbox, an enterprise restaurant platform, to expand its catering business. This collaboration provides Hawaiian Bros with a technology solution designed to scale, maintain brand consistency, and increase profitability. The Lunchbox Catering, Order Aggregation, and Delivery Dispatch systems have been implemented across all corporate-owned Hawaiian Bros locations, with plans to extend these services to franchised outlets. Hawaiian Bros operations senior vice-president Chris Habiger said: "Lunchbox lives and breathes the catering business. We needed a partner that could help us grow catering revenue and support a consistent brand experience at scale. That's exactly what this partnership delivers." With more than 60 restaurants in nine states, Hawaiian Bros began offering franchising opportunities in 2023. The partnership with Lunchbox also includes the integration of a Marketing CRM suite, which Hawaiian Bros will utilise to foster guest engagement and encourage repeat business through personalised marketing campaigns. Lunchbox CEO James Walker said: "Hawaiian Bros embodies the spirit of innovation and hospitality. Their dedication to delivering exceptional experiences aligns perfectly with our mission to provide cutting-edge solutions for enterprise brands." Lunchbox's catering platform boasts a range of features that are expected to benefit Hawaiian Bros significantly. These include comprehensive reporting tools for tracking sales, unpaid invoices, and performance metrics at each location. The system is designed for integration with existing POS systems, allowing for real-time order synchronisation. Additionally, advanced CRM tools will enable Hawaiian Bros to target marketing efforts and retain customers effectively. The platform also offers flexible ordering options and order management features that cater to the specific needs of Hawaiian Bros' operations. Last month, Hawaiian Bros expanded its brand presence with the opening of its first island-inspired franchise location in Waukee, Iowa. "Hawaiian Bros selects Lunchbox as national digital catering partner" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Tuesday claimed attack plans he shared with pals on a Signal group chat amounted to nothing more than informal, unclassified information. The embattled Pentagon chief insisted he did nothing wrong by using his personal phone to share detailed plans for U.S. strikes on Houthi militants in Yemen with about a dozen associates, including his wife, brother and lawyer. What was shared over Signal was informal, unclassified coordination for media coordination and other things, he told Fox News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth blamed the mainstream media for what he called smear tactics against him and President Donald Trump. Left-wing journalists.wanted to create a problem for the president, he continued. Thats what its all about. Trying to get at President Trump and his agenda. NBC News reported that the attack plans shared by Hegseth appear to have been shared with him minutes earlier by a top Pentagon general using a secure government communications channel. The new allegations amount to a second bombshell revelation about Hegseth and other senior Trump officials improperly using unsecure communication channels to discuss sensitive information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth shared details of the March strike on Yemen in real time with other officials on a Signal chat group created by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. It became public because Waltz mistakenly added Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg to the group. Its unclear if Hegseth is in any serious jeopardy of being ousted by Trump over the security lapses. Trump has publicly expressed confidence in him and White House insiders mostly say they dont expect him to be fired unless there are damaging new revelations. Aside from the Signal scandal, Hegseth is scrambling to deal with the fallout from the recent departure of four senior Pentagon appointees under murky circumstances. The four, all onetime allies of Hegseth, describe a dysfunctional atmosphere under the former Fox News hosts leadership. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did use his personal phone to send sensitive information to two group chats on the messaging app Signal, three officials have told NBC News. Hegseth, the Pentagon, and the White House have pushed back hard against the allegations, with Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell telling the network that No classified material was ever shared via Signal. The allegations are an attempt to sabotage President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, just minutes before the U.S. conducted strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the leader of U.S. Central Command, used a secure government system to send details about the mission to Hegseth, NBC News reported. The information included when fighter jets would depart and when they would strike their targets. The inadvertent release of such information could endanger the pilots. Two sources told NBC News that less than 10 minutes after receiving the information on the secure system, Hegseth shared it with the two group chats. One was the chat with other cabinet-level officials, and accidentally, the editor of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, which caused a sensation when it was revealed last month. The second group included Hegseths wife, his brother, his lawyer, and some aides. The existence of that chat was initially reported by The New York Times on Sunday. Hegseth used Signal to share the information despite having been warned to take care not to share sensitive information on insecure systems, two people told NBC. Hegseth appeared on Fox News on Tuesday morning on Fox & Friends, the show he previously hosted on the weekends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What was shared over Signal, then and now, however you characterize it, was informal, unclassified coordinations for media coordination, other things. Thats what Ive said from the beginning, said Hegseth. The secretary added that Those folks who are leaking, who have been pushed out of the building, are now attempting to leak and sabotage the presidents agenda. Were for the war fighters. Were for the president. And none of this is based in reality. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn on April 21. He has repeatedly rejected allegations that he shared classified information about strikes against the Houthis in Yemen on the messaging app Signal (Getty Images) Democrats and some Republicans were concerned about Hegseths qualifications before his confirmation. Following the revelation of the second Signal group chat, Hegseth now faces calls for his removal. President Donald Trump, however, has so far stood behind his defense secretary, including during the White House Easter Egg Roll. Petes doing a great job; everybodys happy with him, the president said Monday. Theres no dysfunction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's just fake news. They just bring up stories, Trump added. I guess it sounds like disgruntled employees. He was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and that's what he's doing, so you don't always have friends when you do that. Hegseth also appeared at the Egg Roll and rejected the reports. This is what the media does, said Hegseth. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations, the secretary argued. Its not going to work with me, because were changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of war fighters, and anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesnt matter, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that Hegseth is doing a tremendous job and he is bringing monumental change to the Pentagon," adding that Trump stands strongly behind him. Theres a lot of people in the city who reject monumental change, and I think, frankly, thats why weve seen a smear campaign against the secretary of defense, she claimed. House Armed Services Committee member Rep. Don Bacon became the first sitting Republican member of Congress to call for Hegseth to go. I had concerns from the get-go because Pete Hegseth didnt have a lot of experience, the retired Air Force General said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I like him on Fox, but does he have the experience to lead one of the largest organizations in the world? Thats a concern, he added. However, one Trump adviser told NBC News: There is no talk right now of removing or replacing him. We have been through this before, and as of the moment, its just not something we are talking about. In another angry interview, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested deep state forces are trying to force him out at the Pentagon following a second Signal controversy. Hegseths position is in question after it was revealed he used his personal smartphone to share sensitive information on a recent airstrike in Yemen with a Signal group chat that included his wife, brother and lawyer. On Tuesday, The New York Times published new reporting on the disarray at the heart of the Pentagon, suggesting it has become a hotbed of distrust and dysfunction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, NBC News revealed that the details of the attack plans Hegseth shared on at least two Signal group chats were sourced from a top generals secure messages sent via a U.S. government system. The story raises questions about Hegseths denial that the information he shared was classified. Amid the latest accusations, Hegseth appeared on Fox News Fox & Friends on Tuesday morning and was asked whether he was being targeted by deep state forces. Theyve come after me from day 1, Hegseth agreed. Just like theyve come after President Trump. And Ive gotten a fraction of what President Trump got in that first term. What hes endured is superhuman. Q: Do you think there's...deep state forces that want to make sure you don't stay? Hegseth: They have come after me from day one just like they've come after President Trump. I've gotten a fraction of what [Trump] got in that first term. What he's endured is super human. pic.twitter.com/FFd7okPmRO The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) April 22, 2025 Despite the leaks, Hegseth said he was focused on implementing Trumps agenda, including cracking down on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and securing the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going very well at the Pentagon, and Im very proud of it, he said. Hegseth used much of the interview to gripe at the leakers behind the recent media reports much as he did at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday in front of his children. On Fox News, Hegseth said disgruntled former employees are peddling things to try to save their ass. Hegseth recently fired three aides, who said they didnt know why they were fired. The latest dispatch from the Times details extreme dysfunction at the Defense Department under Hegseths leadership and reports that even basic processes face a logjam. Plans for a missile shield to protect the U.S. against attacks from the likes of North Korea and Iran have reportedly been left unsigned in Hegseths office for weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Times also reports staffers unease over Hegseths chief of staff, Joe Kasper, whose meetings meander or take pointlessly bawdy turns. In one meeting, Kasper recounted an evening he spent at a Washington strip club, the Times reports. Distrust reportedly runs so high that Hegseths inner circle is reportedly searching the old social media posts and writings of Defense Department civil servants and senior military officials for possible signs of disloyalty to President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. Related... By Selena Li HONG KONG (Reuters) - HSBC's top wealth manager overseeing China will leave the role soon in an Asian leadership reshuffle, as the lender also cuts hundreds of jobs from its digital wealth project in China. Trista Sun, who has been leading the bank's International Wealth and Premier Banking (IWPB) business in China, will leave the role on May 1 after more than three years, according to a company memo issued on Tuesday and seen by Reuters. Kai Zhang, the bank's Asia head of IWPB, will relocate to Shanghai from Singapore and take on the additional role as acting head of IWPB China from the same date, according to the memo. A company spokesperson confirmed the contents of the memo. Sun has been appointed managing director for strategic projects at IWPB - a newly created role. She will report to global wealth head Barry O'Byrne and will relocate from Shanghai to Hong Kong. The bank said Sun will manage projects critical to accelerating the delivery of IWPB's growth agenda, including boosting cross-border customer acquisition and capturing fund flows. HSBC is reducing staff numbers at its China digital wealth business Pinnacle by nearly half, or about 900 people, Reuters reported in February citing two sources. The scale-down marks a sharp reversal of the bank's ambition for the unit as part of its expansion plans in the country. (Reporting by Selena Li; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) (NewsNation) After a second report stated the secretary of defense shared classified information over a Signal group chat, an adviser to President Donald Trump told NewsNation that Pete Hegseths job is safe for now despite criticism over his judgment skills. The former Fox News host was accused of sharing classified details about a U.S. attack on the Houthis with members of his family on Signal, according to a New York Times report Sunday. A current Trump adviser who spoke with NewsNation on the condition of anonymity said Monday that while the Atlantics Signal group chat report was a media fiasco, the mission itself in Yemen was accomplished, which has the defense secretary in safe standing currently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a success. So, he has latitude, the adviser said, but cautioned, its still TBD only three months in. Trump defends Hegseth: Ask the Houthis how hes doing The source also said Hegseth has been problematic for the Trump administration since he did not reveal a nondisclosure agreement with a woman in 2017 who alleged he sexually assaulted her prior to his nomination. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing. The administration wants Pete Hegseth to be successful. Pete Hegseth doesnt have the skills to be successful, the source said. Petes been a problem, and hell continue to be a problem. He lacks the management ability, the Trump adviser said. He doesnt have the temperament to be in the position. Hegseth needed for military recruitment: Trump adviser The adviser said Trump needs Hegseth primarily for military recruitment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump wants recruitment up, and Hegseth inspires young men. Boost morale and lead to more recruitment, the adviser said. After Trumps victory, the U.S. Army has had a dramatic increase in enlistments, citing that December 2024 was its best December in 15 years, and 346 soldiers enlisted daily that month. Army recruiters shared on X, Our recruiters have one of the toughest jobs inspiring the next generation of #Soldiers to serve. Congratulations and keep up the great work! Hegseth credited the presidents win as the reason for the historic rise in recruitment, writing on X, BOTTOM LINE: Americas youth want to serve under the bold & strong America First leadership of @realDonaldTrump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth says he and Trump on the same page after Signal report Hegseth rumors inaccurately spreading: Source A second source close to the White House, who requested anonymity due to the risk of professional reprisal, told NewsNation on Monday evening, Rumors have been inaccurately spreading about Secretary Hegseth since the moment he was announced for the job. Military recruitment is soaring. America is respected again, and the secretary is showing true leadership. Any notion that tries to make the argument that in less than 100 days President Trump is questioning any of his Cabinet choices, nevertheless firing them, is complete and utter nonsense. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told NewsNations partner The Hill on Monday he would not tolerate Hegseths reported behavior. If its true that he had another [Signal] chat with his family, about the missions against the Houthis, its totally unacceptable, Bacon told The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Republican senator who asked not to be named told The Hill, There may be a little bit of buyers remorse about Hegseth, who was narrowly confirmed in January. While there is ongoing criticism about the defense secretarys judgment, the White House is standing by him. Trump expressed support for Hegseth when speaking to reporters Monday. Hes doing a great job. Ask the Houthis how hes doing, Trump said dismissively on the sidelines of the White House Easter Egg Roll event Monday, a reference to the rebel group in Yemen targeted by those missile strikes. Department of Defense morale down: Advisor The current Trump adviser added that morale at the Department of Defense is presently down, particularly after Dan Caldwell, senior Pentagon adviser; Darin Selnick, deputy chief of staff; and Colin Carroll, former chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg; were ousted and blamed for leaking to the press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three men issued a statement on X on Saturday, saying they were slandered as they were discharged and not given information as to why they were ousted. Trump orders US flags at half-staff to honor Pope Francis All three of us served our country honorably in uniform for two of us, this included deployments to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, based on our collective service, we understand the importance of information security and worked every day to protect it, the statement read. Despite the disappointment, the three stated they were supportive of the Trump administrations mission to achieve peace through a strong U.S. military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump adviser told NewsNation it was their criticism of Hegseths leadership ability that led to their dismissal. The adviser said the men raised the red flag about his (Hegseths) management, and Hegseth flushed them out. NPR reported the White House is reportedly looking for a replacement for Hegseth. However, press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the report fake news on X. Schools, parents fear Trump trade war crossfire The White House did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication. The adviser said that following the news of a second Signal chat, much more responsibility will privately fall to Steve Feinberg, deputy secretary of defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why Steve Feinberg is in there. A proven leader, they said. Youll see Steve take more of the responsibilities not publicly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This article was featured in the One Story to Read Today newsletter. Sign up for it here. Pete Hegseth was never qualified to be the secretary of defense. Donald Trump should never have nominated him, Hegseth should never have accepted the nomination, and the Senate should never have confirmed him. Alas, qualifications, self-knowledge, and the courage of Senate Republicans are all things of the past, and for three months now, Hegseth has been a proven failure as a secretary of defense. If the president still refuses to fire him, he should resign. Hegseth was supposed to be an energetic reformer, rooting out the left-wing influences that were, in his view, watering down the lethality of the warfighters. (These largely meaningless Pentagon terms predated Hegseth; theyve been around so long that I had to work with them in my previous career as a military educator.) Hegseth was going to tighten up the ship, roust the unproductive bureaucrats, and fire anyone associated with DEI training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Hegseth, a former Army major and talk-show host, has bungled one issue after another. His anti-wokeness campaign has removed I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings from the Naval Academys library while leaving Mein Kampf on its shelves. (The MAGA base might not have a problem with that choice, but the book-banning has been an embarrassment to the Navy even in the eyes of some Annapolis alumni. Both, along with many other now-removed books, should remain on the shelves.) He stumbled through an uproar about a planned Pentagon briefing to Elon Musk concerning possible war plans with China, an event for which conflict of interest isnt a big-enough term. (Musk never got the classified presentation; according to Axios, Trump himself asking What the fuck is Elon doing there? had Musks access rescinded.) And of course, Hegseth was at the center of the Signalgate scandalor, I should say, the first Signalgate scandal, the one instigated by Mike Waltz, the presidents national security adviser. Waltz convened a highly sensitive meeting about an imminent U.S. military strike on Houthi terrorists using an insecure chat app, and then accidentally included The Atlantics editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, in the proceedings. Waltz made a major mistake, but Hegseth managed to eclipse even Waltzs forehead-smacking poor judgment: Hours before U.S. missiles were due to launch and American pilots were about to take to the skies against Houthi defenses, Hegseth sent along detailed attack plans for the strike to the group chat, a needless bit of showing off that could have gotten U.S. military personnel killed. [Tom Nichols: The Senate exists for a reason] The administration, in full-damage control mode, tried to present Signalgate as a one-off, a meeting of convenience that revealed no classified information. (The Atlantic subsequently published the full record, minus the identity of a CIA officer.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately for both Hegseth and America, the story didnt end there. On Sunday, The New York Times revealed that Hegseth sent details of the strikes in Yemen to another Signal chat that included his wife, his brother, and his lawyer, at roughly the same time he was in the gathering that included the senior officials (and Goldberg). This time, Mike Waltz cant take the blame: Hegseth created the chathe reportedly called it Defense | Team Huddleand brought in about a dozen other people, who had no reason to be getting such materials. Once again, the administration has tried the Jedi hand-wave: The truth is that there is an informal group chat that started before confirmation of his closest advisers, an unnamed U.S. official told the Times. Nothing classified was ever discussed on that chat. (As Aerosmith might say: Same old song and dance.) Where has Hegseths staff been while the secretary is stepping on one rake after another? Cabinet officers, like other powerful people in Washington, have assistants whose job is to protect their bosses, often from themselves. But Hegseths aides have been busy: Theyve been either leaking, accusing one another of leaking, or trying to get one another fired. The political body count is climbing: Last week, three of Hegseths senior Pentagon advisers were fired, with two of them actually escorted out of the building. They joined another, John Ullyot, a Trump loyalist who apparently took the hit for some of the blowback over the anti-DEI nonsense. Reports suggest that these three aides, who have now banded together to protest their dismissals, had conflicts with Hegseths chief of staff, Joe Kasper. [Read: Why Trump is standing by Hegseth, for now] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Kasper did not win the day. Hes been reassigned to special projects at the Pentagon, meaning that hes been removed from the secretarys office and stashed somewhere in the bureaucracy. And Ullyot has now suggested that Trump fire Hegseth, citing the mishegoss, total chaos, and dysfunction at the top echelons of the DOD. The Trump administrationagain, with utter predictabilityis trying to cast Hegseth as the victim. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News: This is what happens when the entire Pentagon is working against you and working against the monumental change you are trying to implement. Hegseth himself said yesterday: What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and a bunch of hit pieces come out. I worked with the U.S. military for a long time, and I can attest that American military officers are not usually impressed with leaders who dodge responsibility for their troubles. More to the point, if Leavitt is right and the entire Pentagon is fighting against Hegseth, that says more about the secretarys poor leadership skills than about the men and women of the Defense Department. After all, every leader can encounter staff problems. But when one adviser after another has to be shown the door, the problem is likely not the staff, but the boss. During all of these dramas, Hegseth has comported himself not as the confident leader of the worlds most powerful military, but as an overwhelmed and whiny political appointee. During an impromptu comment to the media during a trip to Hawaii, Hegseth tried to depict the whole Signal fiasco as a nothingburger, at times plaintively looking into the camera as though he were hoping that the intensity of his denials would jump through the lens, up to the satellites, and then back down to the president himself. He has, from the moment of his nomination, been a miserable example of a leader, deflecting blame, accusing others, and smirking and snarking his way through his Senate confirmation hearings and almost every other public appearance since taking his post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Jeffrey Goldberg: The Trump administration accidentally texted me its war plans] Trumps aides, according to NPR, are now searching for someone who can replace Hegseth. As night follows day, the White House has denied that any such thing is happening and said that Hegseth has President Trumps full confidence. The official denials, however, mean nothing; as John Bolton, Rex Tillerson, and others from Trumps first term can attest, Trump routinely praises people just before firing them anyway. But if someone in the administration is telling the media that theyre looking to move Hegseth out, such a leak might mean several things. One is that Hegseth is for now secure, but has enemies behind the scenes who feel comfortable lobbing a flash-bang into the media environment to see if it shakes the White Houses support. Another possibility is that Trump aides are worried about the corrosive effect that Hegseths repeated blunders are having on the presidents fortunes, and they are trying to grease the slide that leads to his exit. The third, and most obvious, possibility is that Hegseth is soon to be fired. This would be the best outcome for the Defense Department and the nation. If Hegseth is the patriot he claims to be, he should think about doing whats best for Americas military and getting ahead of that process. He could preserve some of his dwindling dignity, and spare the president he serves from having to fire him in public, by making the honorable choice and resigningtoday. Article originally published at The Atlantic A new pizza drive-thru and other restaurant updates in East Pierce County so far in 2025 Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization This list of stories highlights restaurant updates in East Pierce County in early 2025, including Just a Pizza My Mind opening a drive-thru for easy pizza pickup in Milton. Another change is that Puyallup's Taco Time is relocating so a new Starbucks can move in. One of the big projects in East Pierce County this year involves six new restaurants and a rooftop bar at the Washington State Fair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. The new location for the Just a Pizza My Mind brick-and-mortar drive-thru building at 1102 28th Ave Ct in Milton. NO. 1: THIS NEW PIERCE COUNTY PIZZA DRIVE-THRU STARTED WITH A CHEESY LOVE STORY Pretty much any time were eating something, were like, How can I make this a pizza? one of the owners said. To us, pizza dough is just bread, so its like, Why cant you do all these unique things on it? | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund This rendering of the 1900 Food Hall includes six new restaurants and a rooftop bar, replacing the International Village. The food hall was named after the fairs first year in operation. By The Washington State Fair NO. 2: SIX NEW RESTAURANTS, ROOFTOP BAR COMING TO WASHINGTON STATE FAIR. HERES WHAT WE KNOW A James Beard-nominated chef is overseeing the project in Puyallup. Its part of $28 million in renovations that the fair is doing this year. The food hall will replace a building that was a fair fixture for 40 years. | Published March 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund Italian Style Meatballs (from left) with house-made tomato sauce, served over a bed of cavatappi pasta and garnished with parmesan, cranberry brie grilled cheese sandwich with gruyere, cranberry reduction, sliced pear served on sourdough, and blackberry cheesecake at the Terrace Cafe inside Watsons Greenhouse in Puyallup, Washington, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. By Tony Overman NO. 3: SOUP, SALAD, MONSTERA? HAVE YOUR NEXT LUNCH DATE INSIDE THIS BREEZY PIERCE COUNTY NURSERY Most restaurants would kill for this kind of natural light. Enjoy it with a house pastry or a full meal of fresh fish, seasonal soup and salad or a gooey grilled cheese. | Published January 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred Wily Cycleworks, a combination bike shop, coffee and natural wine bar, opened in December 2024 at 2501 6th Ave. in Tacoma. By Kristine Sherred Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NO. 4: 16 NEW RESTAURANTS, BARS AND CAFES TO VISIT AROUND TACOMA AND THE SOUTH SOUND Theres Indian-Southern BBQ fusion, a bar in a coffee shop, pizza by the slice, lots of fried chicken and cheesesteaks. Heres what else is new around town. | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred A new Taco Time building is under construction in Puyallup, with crews expecting the new building to open this summer. The old Taco Time building will become a Starbucks. The whole project costs $2.4 million. By Isabela Lund NO. 5: A NEW STARBUCKS IS COMING TO PUYALLUP AND A POPULAR TACO RESTAURANT IS MOVING SOON The $2.4 million project is underway. The taco drive-thru is open during construction. | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund The rosemary sea salt bagel with a smear of chili crisp cream cheese from Howdy Bagel paired with a pistachio espresso tonic from Bluebeard Coffee Roasters By Brian Hayes NO. 6: MULITAS TO MANHATTANS. HERE ARE GOOD EATS AND DRINKS FROM THE STAFF OF THE NEWS TRIBUNE Our reporters, visual journalists and editors have some short takes on what theyve consumed in and around Tacoma recently. | Published March 6, 2025 | Read Full Story This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division. CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) On Tuesday, the Carter County Planning Committee discussed a proposed couples retreat in the Poga community that has drawn public attention. Carter County residents concerned about proposed retreat Bastian and Marisol Yotta relocated to Carter County from California and hope to open Hidden Harmony, which they describe as a spiritual retreat in Poga for couples. The retreat would be made up of 11 domes on the property for guests to stay in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed business has been met with opposition from Carter County residents, who point to Marisol Yottas posting on adult websites as a source of income. An online petition garnered more than 1,400 signatures. The Yottas previously told News Channel 11 that they have fulfilled all requirements to get the necessary permits for the retreat. They were in attendance at the meeting on Tuesday. When the committee met on Tuesday, the packed gallery was warned to remain respectful and was told that those who spoke out of turn or interrupted proceedings would be escorted out. Photo: A preliminary layout submitted to the Carter County Planning Committee for the proposed Hidden Harmony retreat in the Poga community. (WJHL) The planning committee unanimously voted to disapprove the layout for Hidden Harmony that was provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Committee members cited steep and shallow soil concerns at the property as reasons for not approving the plans and said they wanted a better site plan before moving forward. Committee director Chris Schuettler said not all the requirements to receive a campground permit had been met and also pointed to water quality issues and the need for land evaluations. It does not meet the criteria of regulations as a preliminary plan set forth by our regulations or code for campground regulations, nor does it meet the states requirements of the swift, which is storm water pollution, Schuettler said before the committee vote. The Yottas approached the podium during the meeting and were informed by the committee of which permits and documents they were still required to obtain. The Yottas said they planned to have a land resource management company out of Asheville come and survey the land in early May. Bastian Yotta took the remainder of his time to address those gathered and told them they did not have any intention of opening a brothel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont build a brothels here. We dont build a sex things there. We dont build porn here, Bastian Yotta said from the stand. I saw so many lies. And you take it from Facebook as it would be true without even questioning the source. Bastian Yotta said he had become emotional due to comments online made about his wife and urged people not to believe social media posts. He asked those in attendance how Jesus Christ would have received them. We came here in peace. continued Basitan Yotta. We fell in love with this area. The mountains are beautiful. And when we were here on a road trip, the people we met were so nice and we said, yes, we want to live here. And what happened on social media, I think it got out of hand. Nevertheless, were here and we dont want to fight each other. Bastian Yotta also addressed social media posts he had made which have been brought up in online discussion. On the Hidden Harmony Instagram, he made posts saying he would bring parties onto the land if the permits were not approved. Another post online shows Bastian Yotta referring to his Carter County neighbors as crazy hilbillies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I named anyone crazy hillbilly, I apologize. It was an ironic answer to a stupid question when somebody said, Do you build a brothel there?' Bastian Yotta said. Following the Yottas, several Carter County residents took turns speaking. Several brought up traffic concerns on Heaton Branch Rd, claiming the road was already unable to handle the current level of traffic. One man brought up religious concerns and said Carter County was in the Bible Belt, not the California sex belt. He described what the Yottas were attempting to bring into the county as an invasion that could not be stopped. Applause followed his comments. The last man to speak was a resident of Heaton Branch Rd. and said he was the neighbor of the property the Yottas want to build on. He told those gathered that he believes people ought to be able to do what they like on their own property; however, as a proposed business, he does not want to live next to the campground. 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Theres a plea deal in a federal court case involving a hidden bunker, homemade machine guns and thousands of rounds of ammo. Ray Allen Steele, 62, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a machine gun on Monday. In exchange for his guilty plea, a second charge was dismissed. 2 SD counties partner with ICE for immigration duties The Lead man couldnt possess a gun because of past crimes in South Dakota and California. However, about a year ago, authorities got a tip that Steele was having someone buy him parts so he could build guns in his basement. He also admits to converting semi-automatic rifles into fully automatic machine guns. After building machine gun conversion devices, I would put the device into a rifle and shoot the rifle as a fully automatic machine gun. Steeles Factual Basis Statement According to federal court documents, the 2024 investigation turned up 7 guns, along with a man-made bunker that was only accessible through a small hole that you had to crawl through. Inside the hidden room, authorities found ammo, a gun safe, food rations, gas masks and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steele will face up to a decade in federal prison when hes sentenced. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. China-based Huawei Technologies is planning to commence large-scale shipments of its 910C AI chip to domestic clients as early as next month, reported Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the matter. This move comes as China seeks alternatives to Nvidia's AI chips following US export restrictions. Some shipments of the 910C have reportedly already occurred, according to the report. The 910C is a graphics processing unit (GPU) that builds on the companys previous 910B model. One of the two people and a third source familiar with its design told Reuters that the 910C does not represent a major technological leap but rather an architectural evolution. By integrating two 910B chips into a single unit using advanced techniques, the 910C offers performance comparable to Nvidias H100 chip, the sources added. It features twice the computing power and memory capacity of its predecessor and includes enhancements for handling varied AI data workloads. Huawei declined to comment on what it described as speculation about the chips capabilities or shipment plans. The development comes as the US continues to restrict Chinas access to advanced US semiconductor technology. The US Government has required export licences for Nvidias H20 chip and previously banned sales of the H100 in China before its official launch in 2022. These measures have opened opportunities for domestic companies such as Huawei, Moore Threads and Iluvatar CoreX to expand in the local AI chip market. Huawei reportedly began distributing samples of the 910C to technology companies in late 2024 and started taking orders. Some components of the GPUs are being manufactured by Chinas Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) using its N+2 7nm process, although chip yield remains low, according to a source. Additionally, at least some of the 910C chips incorporate semiconductors originally made by Taiwans TSMC for Sophgo, a Chinese company, according to one source and a separate individual. The US Commerce Department has been investigating TSMCs involvement after one such chip was found in Huaweis earlier 910B model. TSMC stated it complies with regulatory requirements and has not supplied Huawei since September 2020, reported Reuters. "Huawei prepares to ship 910C AI chip as China looks beyond Nvidia report" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. PLEASANT HILL, Iowa Antonio Banuelos and his wife, Mayra Banuelos, met Pope Francis when they took their family on a pilgrimage to Rome. It was the second time the family had gotten close to the Pope. The first meeting was at a convention for Catholic families in 2015 in Philadelphia. That was a close up hand-shake. The second time was in connection to a meeting with the Knights of Columbus Board members, which made the pilgrimage to Rome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dowling Chaplain shares his memories of Pope Francis Actually when we met him in person when we came to greet him first thing we say, is an honor to meet you, it is such a pleasure we are from Mexico, migrants to the United States, and we bring you greetings from the heart of Iowa,' said Antonio. That was quick because you know theres a big line so, its hello nice to meet you, then move on. Antonio and Mayra got to greet the Pope as a couple and their three kids got to chat with Pope Francis. One of their daughters was so impressed with that meeting she decided to become a missionary. When Pope Francis was elected, I was very moved. I was so excited. To know that he was pope from Latin America, a pope that speaks Spanish and a pope that shares my vision, said Mayra. He always prayed for immigrants. He always advocates for immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News of the Popes passing surprised the Banuelos family. We were blessed to have met him, but it is a big loss, said Antonio. I know God will keep taking care of the church, but as of now we are in mourning for our Pope, and we will have a new one, and this one left at a very high bar. Metro News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Skies are sunny this morning in much of KELOLAND with pleasant temperatures in the forecast. We are certainly thankful for a least some rain yesterday. A fast-moving weak cold front produced areas of showers and thundershowers, along with gusty winds. Rain totals ended up being between .10 and .20 in many areas. We need much more in the forecast. Our forecast today in Sioux Falls calls for highs near 72 with lots of sunshine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While rain is not in the forecast today, a few scattered showers will come back to KELOLAND tomorrow. You can see the best chances of rain on Wednesday will be west of Sioux Falls. This area of rain will likely expand in western SD on Thursday, where Rapid City has an 80% chance of rain. Other pockets of showers will be around East River as well, but that depends on the extent of thunderstorms to our south. The 3 maps below offer some clues about how the shield of showers and thunderstorms to our south will impact the moisture supply into KELOLAND. If those storms in Nebraska and Iowa are robust, it will certainly limit some of the rain in South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Investing.com -- Canadas Conservative Leader, Pierre Poilievre, unveiled his official election platform, emphasizing tax relief, deep spending cuts, and an aggressive housing plan. The document, titled Change, outlines a sharp fiscal departure from the governing Liberals. At the plans core is a 15% reduction to the lowest personal income tax bracketcutting it from 15% to 12.75%which the party says will save average workers $900 annually and dual-income families up to $1,800. A dollar left in the hands of the person who earned it is always better spent than a dollar in the hands of the politician who taxed it, Poilievre said. Housing forms another pillar of the platform, with a target to build 2.3 million new homes over five years. The Conservatives would eliminate the GST on new builds under $1.3 million and offer incentives to municipalities that cut development charges, potentially slashing $100,000 per home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poilievre vowed to repeal the federal carbon tax for all consumers and industries and cancel planned capital gains tax hikes when reinvested domestically. We will repeal C-69, remove the energy cap, and unlock our energy production for a change, he said. The platform commits to reducing the federal deficit by $14.2 billion by 2029, supported by $15.4 billion in new revenues and $9.8 billion in spending reductions. Key cuts include reductions to public sector consulting, foreign aid, and CBC English-language programming. To enforce fiscal discipline, the plan introduces a dollar-for-dollar law requiring that all new spending be offset by equal or greater savings, $1.50 in this case. Canadians have been pinching their pennies long enoughits time for government to start pinching pennies, Poilievre added. On public safety, the platform proposes a three strikes law for violent offenders, who would be automatically denied bail, parole, or house arrest. Jail, not bail. Three strikes and youre out, he declared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservatives also pledged 50,000 addiction treatment spaces and pledged to end cities encampments, calling for a shift from harm reduction to recovery. Were not going to give up on anyone. Help is on the way, Poilievre said. Defense and sovereignty measures include expanded Arctic infrastructure, new aircraft acquisitions, and meeting NATOs 2% spending target by 2030. Veteran support would be enhanced through fast-tracked credentialing and trades placement programs. The platform stands in stark contrast to the Liberal plan under Mark Carney, which Poilievre called even more costly than Justin Trudeaus record. This is a choice between a fourth Liberal term of debt, crime, and declineor a Conservative plan to bring home the Canadian promise, he said. Related articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poilievre: Its time for government to start pinching pennies Poilievre blasts Carneys platform, pitches plan to build 2.3 million homes Carneys Liberal platform adds $78B in targeted spending across key pillars Polish President Andrzej Duda has declared Saturday, the day of Pope Francis' funeral, a day of national mourning. The mark of respect was announced by a spokesman for the head of state, the PAP news agency reported on Tuesday. Prime Minister Donald Tusk still has to approve the decision, but this is considered a formality. Duda will travel to Rome with his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda to attend the funeral service, the statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conservative nationalist politician had paid tribute to Pope Francis as an "apostle of mercy" shortly after his death on Easter Monday. Poland is a strongly Catholic country, with more than 27 million people saying they belonged to the Roman Catholic Church in the census of 2021, around 71% of the population of the EU member state. Pope Francis visited Poland in July 2016 on the occasion of World Youth Day in Krakow. The Atlanta Police Departments Homicide Unit is asking for the publics help with identifying a woman who they believe is a homicide victim. Police distributed photographs that show distinctive tattoos on her right wrist, left wrist, and left thigh. She did not have identification on her. Police say she appears to be Hispanic. Police found her body in a wooded area near 2000 Marietta Boulevard NW on Sunday just before 6 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said she had been shot. Anyone with information on this case can submit a tip anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org, or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $5,000. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The North Carolina police chief at the center of a cold case investigation is speaking out on social media about accusations against him over allegedly destroying evidence. He says those claims are politically motivated. The State Bureau of Investigations is looking into the Brookford Police Departments handling of a 1992 cold case, but police chief Willie Armstrong is pushing back. I have never witnessed a politically motivated agenda like I am now. Because Im running for sheriff they leveraged this poor little girls case against me and this family who all they wanted is justice, Armstrong said on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Investigators probe police chiefs alleged secret recording of man linked to cold case murder Court records say Armstrong went to Bud Crooks home last October to interview him about the cold case killing of 13-year-old Denise Dawkins, and he purposely left his cell phone behind to record Crooks. Crooks spoke with us at his home earlier this year. That aint right, trying to get me to say something Im not supposed to say, you know, Crooks said. But the sheriffs office says they first learned of the recording back in November and alerted the SBI four months before Armstrong announced hes running for sheriff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SBI says it tried to serve the warrants weeks earlier, but Armstrong was out of town. When we went to the police department on Tuesday, Armstrong was meeting with the family about the unsolved murder. He believes thats what law enforcement should focus on. Its disgusting what Im witnessing happening. Their moral compass is so broken I dont think they can find their way home at night with a flashlight, Armstrong said. The local district attorneys office told us prosecutors from out of the country are handling Armstrongs case. (VIDEO: Cold case murder victim identified after 29 years, CMPD says) (This story was updated to correct a typographical error.) DELRAY BEACH A stack of missing $20 bills from a department investigative fund and fingerprint evidence led to the arrest of a Delray Beach police officer on a grand theft charge, according to an arrest report made public April 21. Officer Matthew Cusson, 45, remains on paid administrative leave after the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office took him into custody April 17. He is free on $5,000 bond. Court records did not list his attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cusson has been a Delray Beach police officer since February 2020, a department spokesperson said. He is accused of taking $1,500 in investigative funds used by the department's Vice Investigations and Narcotics Unit. From the courts: Man guilty in fatal beating near Greenacres to spend less than year in prison According to the arrest report, three ranking officers a captain, a lieutenant and a sergeant submitted an internal affairs complaint regarding missing investigative funds. The report did not disclose the names of the officers. It indicated that the lieutenant and the sergeant are supervisors in the Vice Investigation and Narcotics Unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sergeant reported he was counting money from a cash box on the afternoon of April 16 when he noticed that a stack of money was noticeably smaller than it was the night before. He reported that 75 $20 bills had been removed. The sergeant noted that the cash box contained $1,973.41 when he last checked it. According to the arrest report, fingerprints recovered from the cash box and a money clip inside were a match to Cusson. The sergeant reported that he was the only person authorized to allocate funds from the cash box and the only person authorized to open it. After being taken into custody, Cusson spontaneously uttered, "I've been waiting all day on this call from IA," according to the arrest report. He declined to answer questions without an attorney. He will remain on leave pending the outcome of criminal and internal investigations, the department said. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office will conduct the criminal investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Delray Beach police officer's fingerprints led to grand theft arrest HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) A man who had initially been reported missing last month died of a gunshot wound, with his death now being investigated as a homicide, Hampton Police said Tuesday. Hampton police investigate death of missing 42-year-old man The Hampton Police Divisions Major Crimes Unit is investigating the death of Henry L. Jordan Jr., 42, of Hampton, as a homicide after his body was found on West Weaver Road a day after he was reported missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After further forensic analysis, it is now apparent that Mr. Jordans cause of death was a gunshot wound, Hampton Police stated in a news release. It said details are limited due to the active investigation. Hampton Police began a death investigation March 12 after it said a missing man, identified as Jordan, was found dead in the 2400 block of West Weaver Road. When officers and crews with the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue arrived, they found a man at the rear of a residence and subsequently pronounced him dead. Jordan was declared missing March 11. Virginia State Police had put out a critically missing alert for Jordan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) of India. This partnership aims to enhance the capacity development framework within the CAG through structured training and continuing education, marking a step towards advancing excellence in public sector audits. The first stage of the training programme is set to begin in May 2025 at the ICAIs Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad, Telangana. The programme will cater to 50 CAG officers, providing them with the technical knowledge and skills necessary for effective public sector auditing. ICAIs specialised boards, including the Accounting Standards Board, Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and Digital Accounting and Assurance Board, will deliver the programme. These boards are equipped with the expertise required to guide the CAG officers through the complexities of public sector auditing. Additionally, the training will use the infrastructure of ICAIs Centres of Excellence to give officers access to enhanced facilities and resources during their education. The MOU between ICAI and CAG is initially set for a three-year period, with the option to extend further upon mutual agreement. ICAI president Charanjot Singh Nanda said: This MOU is more than a partnership, it is a powerful step towards nation-building as both organisations come together for knowledge sharing. With knowledge at the core and excellence as our path, ICAI is proud to empower auditors through world-class training and technical expertise. Under the framework of this MOU, ICAI will provide entry-level training to CAG officials focusing on key areas such as accounting standards, auditing standards and IT tools relevant for PSU Audits. Earlier this month, ICAI released the eligibility criteria for candidates intending to sit for the CA Final Examinations in September 2025 and January 2026. Chartered accountants will be required to meet specific requirements to qualify for these examinations, including the completion of articleship, participation in requisite courses and completion of Self-Paced Online Modules. "Indias ICAI signs MOU with CAG to strengthen public sector audits " was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. As the world rushed to pay tribute to Pope Francis following his death, the response has been comparatively muted in China an officially atheist state with millions of Catholics whose government has had a difficult and complex relationship with the Vatican. In the passing of Pope Francis, Beijing loses a well-respected global leader who had pushed the Vatican closer to Chinas Communist Party leadership than any of his predecessors. Nonetheless, Chinese state-controlled medias coverage on his death has been terse. The Chinese government extended its condolences nearly 24 hours after the Vaticans announcement of the popes death when asked about it at a regular news conference at its foreign ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained constructive contact and engaged in beneficial exchanges. The Chinese side is willing to work together with the Vatican to promote the continued improvement of China-Vatican relations, Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the ministry, told reporters on Tuesday. Chinas minimalist response underscores the sensitivity of ties between the atheist ruling Communist Party and the Holy See. The Vatican has not had formal diplomatic relations with China since 1951, when the newly established communist regime broke ties and expelled the papal nuncio, the Holy Sees envoy. Instead, the Vatican remains one of a dwindling number of countries and the only one in Europe that recognizes the sovereignty of Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy Beijing claims as its own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwans President Lai Ching-te offered sincerest condolences on behalf of the people of Taiwan over the Popes death soon after the Vaticans announcement, while the islands foreign ministry said Taipei would send an envoy to the pontiffs funeral. That diplomatic allegiance to Taiwan has remained a sore point for Beijing as it feuded with the Vatican for decades over who gets to appoint Catholic bishops in China. Pope Francis had attempted to address the issue with a landmark although controversial deal with the Chinese government as he pushed for better ties. In China, the ruling Communist Party keeps a tight grip on religion, fearing challenges to its authority, and allows worship only at state-controlled churches. For decades, Chinas Catholics estimated to be around 10 million were divided between a state-sanctioned church run by bishops ordained by Beijing and an underground one swearing loyalty to the Vatican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, Beijing and the Vatican reached a historical agreement under Pope Francis to find a middle ground on the appointment of bishops. Details of the controversial accord have never been made public, but many within Chinas underground congregations who have remained loyal to Rome and long faced persecution fear being abandoned. A woman sits on the steps of the Wangfujing Catholic Church also known as East Church in Beijing, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) - Ng Han Guan/AP The deal, which was part of Pope Franciss vision to expand the Catholic Churchs following across the world, aimed to help the Vatican gain access to potentially millions of converts across China. It was renewed in 2020 and 2022, and in October last year, both sides agreed to extend it for another four years. But critics have questioned why the church would willingly join forces with the Chinese government, which under leader Xi Jinping has further curtailed religious freedom. Much of that criticism of the deal has come from within the Catholic Church itself. The Vatican insists the deal is already paying off and hopes to open a permanent office in China. That has left Catholics in Taiwan wondering what will happen to them should the Vatican ever switch recognition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Guo, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said the implementation of the provisional agreement on bishop appointments is proceeding smoothly. Catholicism is one of five state-recognized faiths in China, where religious practice is strictly controlled by the Communist Party, which asserts its supremacy over all aspects of life. By official count, there are about 6 million Catholics in China, but the number may be higher when counting those who practice at underground churches to avoid Beijings watchful eye. Francis had repeatedly expressed his wish to make a trip to China a country no pope has ever visited. Chinese Catholics will remember him as the first pope to have ever been authorized to fly over Chinese airspace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On his way to South Korea in 2014, Pope Frances sent a radio message to Xi when flying over China: Upon entering Chinese airspace, I extend my best wishes to your excellency and your fellow citizens, and I invoke divine blessings of peace and wellbeing upon the nation. In 2023, during his visit to neighboring Mongolia, Francis made a rare move to send a warm greeting to the noble Chinese people. To the entire people I wish the best, go forward, always progress. And to the Chinese Catholics, I ask you to be good Christians and good citizens, he said at the end of his Sunday Mass in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. CNNs Wayne Chang contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Arsheeya Bajwa (Reuters) - Intel's (INTC) quarterly results will offer the clearest look yet at new CEO Lip-Bu Tan's turnaround strategy for the embattled American chipmaker, and investors are hoping for early signs that he is reversing years of strategic lapses. The company is set to post its fourth consecutive quarterly revenue drop on Thursday. Once the dominant force in global chipmaking, Intel has been losing ground to AMD in the personal computer and data center chip market, while Nvidia (NVDA) has leaped ahead in artificial intelligence. Tan, who quit Intel's board in August 2024 after disagreements over the firm's direction, took over as CEO in March. "The most important thing for Intel now is Lip-Bu Tan's playbook... How he can give investors confidence that he is the person who can turn Intel around and whether a turnaround is possible in the first place," said Hendi Susanto, portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, which holds Intel shares. Tan has already started flattening Intel's leadership structure, with key chip groups now reporting directly to him, Reuters reported last week. Streamlining operations is seen as a central part of his strategy to refocus Intel's business and free up cash for costly investments in chip manufacturing. Intel's AI plan also remains in flux. The company has relegated its Falcon Shores graphics chips to internal testing, leaving it without a competitive flagship in the booming AI market. It recently named networking head Sachin Katti as chief technology officer and AI lead. Illustration shows Intel logo Tan's job now is complicated by an escalating U.S.-China trade war and the threat of tit-for-tat tariffs. While semiconductors have so far been spared from U.S. tariffs, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that additional sector-specific tariffs could be announced in the coming weeks. China has already responded with threats of its own. Chips made in the U.S. could face tariffs of 85% or more, based on a notice from the state-backed China Semiconductor Industry Association earlier this month. China was Intel's largest market in 2024, generating nearly a third of its total revenue. Still, Intel could benefit in the first quarter from manufacturers pulling forward PC shipments in anticipation of the tariffs, analysts said. Global PC shipments rose 9.4% in that period, Canalys data showed. Routing production through Intel's factories outside the U.S., like its fabrication facility in Ireland, could also help relieve some pressure from tariffs, said Lou Miscioscia, analyst at Japanese investment bank Daiwa. That factory handles a significant portion of Intel's chip production. By Giselda Vagnoni ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis, who visited more than 60 countries during his papacy, will make his final journey along the road from Vatican City to the Esquiline, one of the seven hills of Rome, where he wanted to be buried in a last break from tradition. Francis, whose death at the age of 88 was announced by the Vatican on Monday, often sought to bring a humble touch to his grand office. In that spirit he eschewed much of the Vatican's traditional pomp and opted for simpler rites when making plans for his funeral and burial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican said the funeral will be held on Saturday in St. Peter's Square, in front of the Basilica of St. Peter, where most of his predecessors rest. But his chosen resting place is the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major), one of the main four churches of Christendom in Rome. In his final testament, Pope Francis asked to be buried "in the earth, simple, without particular decoration" and with the inscription only of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus. The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903. St. Mary Major, around 4 km (2.5 miles) from the Vatican, was dear to Francis because of his devotion to Mary, Mother of God. He prayed there before setting off on and returning from each overseas trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've always had a great devotion to St. Mary Major, even before I became pope," Francis said in his 2024 book "El Sucesor" (The Successor), a long interview with journalist Javier Martinez-Brocal. Argentina-born Francis prayed in the basilica early on March 14, 2013, the day after he became the first Latin American pope. The church's gold-leaf ceiling is said to have been made from a batch of the precious metal brought back from the New World by explorer Christopher Columbus. Francis returned at key moments in his papacy, praying for an end to the coronavirus pandemic in a locked-down Rome in 2020 and after his abdominal surgeries in 2021 and 2023. A venerated Byzantine icon of Mary is housed in the Pauline chapel in the left nave of the basilica. A vase of golden roses, donated by Francis in 2023, sits among candlesticks under the icon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before reaching the chapel entrance, there is a statue of Mary, Queen of Peace, commissioned by Pope Benedict XV in 1918 to ask God to end World War One. In May 2022, Francis led an international prayer service for peace in Ukraine and other war-torn places. THE CANDELABRA STORE ROOM "Just beyond the sculpture of the Queen of Peace, there's a small recess, a door that leads to a room where candelabras were stored. I saw it and thought: 'This is the place,'" the pope said in "El Sucesor", referring to where his tomb will be. His cypress coffin will not be encased in lead, with a further wooden outer layer, as has been customary for popes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Ancient Rome, the Esquiline was used for the burial of slaves, the poor and those condemned to death. Nowadays, it is home to the Stazione Termini, Rome's main railway station, and is a multi-ethnic, populous neighbourhood where many film directors and actors have settled. Santa Maria Maggiore was founded in 432, a year after the Council of Ephesus declared Mary to be the Mother of God. It is the only basilica in Rome that preserves the primitive early Christian structure, although there have been many later additions. A legend, depicted on a 13th-century mosaic in the basilica's loggia, tells of a miraculous summer snowfall that occurred on the future site of the church. Romans gather every August 5 to celebrate the miracle of La Madonna Della Neve, or Madonna of the Snows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The basilica houses the bodies of seven popes and several religious figures, including Cardinal Bernard Law, former Archbishop of Boston, who became infamous for his role in covering up child sexual abuse by priests. It is the burial place of Baroque sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini. A spiral staircase named after him connects the five floors of a building attached to the church. Its shell shape is said to symbolise the Christian journey from earth to heaven. (Reporting by Giselda Vagnoni; Editing by Frances Kerry and Janet Lawrence) The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, the Vatican announced on Tuesday, as the Church prepares to lay the late pope to rest and start the process of deciding on a new pontiff. Before he died, Francis expressed his desire to be buried at the basilica, one of his favourite places, and not in the grander St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican as is customary for deceased popes. Global leaders including US President Donald Trump - making the first foreign trip of his second term - are expected to attend the funeral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis' body is currently lying in an open coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse, his former residence, where cardinals, officials and employees of the Vatican are able to bid farewell to him. The coffin has been placed in front of an altar where Francis often celebrated Mass. The late pope is wearing a red robe and a white bishop's mitre. A rosary is wrapped around his hands, which are folded one over the other. Members of the Swiss Guard - a corps of Swiss soldiers responsible for the safety of the pope - stand guard to the right and left of the coffin. According to a plan announced by cardinals on Tuesday, the body will be transferred to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, where the faithful will have the opportunity to pay their last respects. A large church service in the Vatican will precede the burial at Santa Maria Maggiore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, died on Easter Monday at 7:35 (0535 GMT) following a stroke and heart failure. As spiritual leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit, and the first to be named after St Francis of Assisi, a medieval monk who lived in poverty. Leaders from around the world paid tribute to Francis following his death, praising him for his humility and compassion. In the coming weeks, the Church will hold a closed meeting of cardinals, called a conclave, at the Vatican in order to decide on who will be Francis' successor. The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, the Vatican announced on Tuesday, as the Church prepares to lay the late pope to rest and start the process of deciding on a new pontiff. Before he died, Francis expressed his desire to be buried at the basilica, one of his favourite places, and not in the grander St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican as is customary for deceased popes. Global leaders including US President Donald Trump - making the first foreign trip of his second term - confirmed on Tuesday that they would attend the funeral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis' body is currently lying in an open coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse, his former residence, where cardinals, officials and employees of the Vatican are able to bid farewell to him. The first pictures of Francis since his death were released by the Vatican on Tuesday, showing the open coffin placed in front of an altar where Francis often celebrated Mass. The late pope is wearing a red robe and a white mitre. A rosary is wrapped around his hands, which are folded one over the other. Members of the Swiss Guard - a corps of Swiss soldiers responsible for the safety of the pope - stand guard to the right and left of the coffin. According to a plan announced by cardinals on Tuesday, the body will be transferred to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, where the faithful will have the opportunity to pay their last respects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A large church service in the Vatican will precede the burial at Saint Mary Major. Global leaders set to attend Leaders from across the world confirmed on Tuesday that they would attend the funeral on the weekend. From the US, President Donald Trump and his wife Melania said they will attend. Top EU officials are also set to watch the burial at the basilica. From Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz plan to be present. After consulting with them, the incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, will not attend, a party spokesman said on Tuesday. One leader who will not be there is Russian President Vladimir Putin: A Kremlin spokesman quashed speculation that the Russian leader might make an appearance at the funeral despite an active international arrest warrant for him. Spiritual leader Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, died on Easter Monday at 7:35 (0535 GMT) following a stroke and heart failure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As spiritual leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit, and the first to be named after St Francis of Assisi, a medieval monk who lived in poverty. Leaders from around the world paid tribute to Francis following his death, praising him for his humility and compassion. In the coming weeks, the Church will hold a closed meeting of cardinals, called a conclave, at the Vatican in order to decide on who will be Francis' successor. Italy in mourning The Italian government on Tuesday declared a five-day period of national mourning following the death of Pope Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flags in front of public buildings are flying at half-mast. Strict security measures are in place in the Italian capital ahead of the funeral services and burial on Saturday. Polish President Andrzej Duda meanwhile declared that Saturday, the day of the funeral, would be a day of national mourning for Poles. China accelerates services opening-up, injects more certainty into world Xinhua) 08:04, April 22, 2025 The State Council Information Office holds a press conference on the Work Plan for Accelerating the Comprehensive Pilot Program for Expanding Opening-up of the Service Sector in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Pan Xu) BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China is accelerating the opening-up of its services sector through measures such as fast-tracking the implementation of pilot projects, expanding related coverage, and enhancing stress testing and the replication of successful practices, according to the Ministry of Commerce on Monday. Against the backdrop of rising unilateralism and protectionism globally, China's push to expand voluntary opening-up in an orderly manner represents its concrete efforts to inject more certainty and stability into the world, Ling Ji, vice minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative, said at a press conference. China's State Council has recently approved a plan that aims to expand comprehensive pilot programs to accelerate the services industry's opening-up, which includes 155 pilot tasks across key areas such as the opening of key services sectors and the promotion of industrial innovation and development, Ling said. Specifically, pilot tasks include removing foreign ownership caps in services areas such as app stores and internet access within the telecommunication sector. In the health care sector, pilot tasks include supporting foreign doctors in opening clinics in China, allowing overseas medical professionals to practice in the country on a short-term basis, encouraging the establishment of foreign-funded nursing schools, and permitting the creation of non-profit medical and elderly care institutions through donations. In the financial sector, pilot tasks include supporting the development of international factoring services and attracting overseas insurance companies, sovereign funds, pension funds, certification and verification agencies, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds to provide financing, investment and technical services for green projects. In the commerce, trade and cultural tourism sectors, foreign-invested travel agencies will be allowed to offer outbound tourism services, while the transportation sector will explore new multimodal transport models to support the export of new energy vehicles and power batteries, Ling said. Since 2015, China has approved 11 provinces and cities, including Beijing and Hainan, to carry out pilot programs, continuously expanding institutional opening-up with regard to rules, regulations, management and standards. This is fostering a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, and is providing foreign-invested enterprises in China with diverse application scenarios and a stable, open policy environment for investment and operations. The newly released plan says that nine additional cities, including Ningbo and Xiamen, will be permitted to carry out comprehensive pilot programs. Bai Ming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, noted that the nine cities boast relatively high levels of openness in the services sector, as well as unique industrial characteristics, with some specializing in lifestyle services and others focusing on productive services, which will facilitate differentiated exploration. The services sector is a key area for foreign investment in China. In the first quarter of the year, the actual use of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the services sector totaled 193.33 billion yuan (about 26.83 billion U.S. dollars), accounting for more than 70 percent of the country's total FDI, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Commerce. In 2024, the 11 provinces and cities participating in the pilot programs attracted 293.2 billion yuan in FDI in the services sector, accounting for roughly half of the national total in that category. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Thailands food giant Charoen Pokphand Group is to buy the remaining shares in C.P. Pokphand to become the sole owner of the livestock, aquafeed and packaged-food group. Charoen Pokphand will acquire a 23.8% stake from Japan's Itochu Corp., its fellow shareholder, for $1.1bn. Charoen Pokphand Group and Itochu teamed up in 2014 to work together in areas including procurement and product supply. Under the terms of that deal, Charoen Pokphand Group bought a stake in Itochu and the Japanese business acquired a position in the Hong Kong-based C.P. Pokphand. Four years ago, Charoen Pokphand Group increased its stake in C.P. Pokphand to 75% and delisted the business. Since then, the Thai company has built its stake to 76.2%. It also now only has a 0.5% stake in Itochu. "Being the sole shareholder will allow CPF to have greater flexibility in management and be able to carry out strategic operations more effectively," Charoen Pokphand Group said in a stock-exchange filing yesterday (21 April). C.P. Pokphand's principal markets are China and Vietnam. The companys businesses in China include poultry farming and packaged food. In 2024, Charoen Pokphand Group, which operates in 17 markets, generated revenue of Bt580.75bn, down 1% on 2023. The company pointed to lower poultry sales in China. However, the group made a net profit of Bt19.56bn, versus a loss of Bt5.21bn in 2023. Lower farming costs, improved swine prices and higher profits form joint ventures boosted Charoen Pokphand Group's bottom line, it said. "Itochu sells C.P. Pokphand stake to Charoen Pokphand Group" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. (NewsNation) Pope Francis funeral proceedings are set to be reflective of his preferences in life: Simple, without the pomp and circumstance typically associated with papal ceremonies. The funeral service will be held at 4 a.m. EDT in St. Peters Square on April 26. You can watch the funeral on NewsNations site and app. Not sure how to watch NewsNation? Find your channel here. How is a conclave conducted after a pope dies? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April 2024, Francis adjusted some of the churchs customs regarding papal funerals and posthumous proceedings. The changes to the Rite of Burial for Roman Pontiffs paved the way for his own simplified funeral and burial site, as detailed in his final will. Pope Francis to have one coffin, not three Typically, popes have three coffins made of cypress wood, lead and elm that are stacked together and buried in the Vatican grottoes beneath St. Peters Basilica. Francis, under the renewed rite, opted to be buried in just one coffin: A wooden casket lined with zinc. At the time of the changes, Archbishop Diego Ravelli said the decision to update proceedings aimed to emphasize even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world. A picture of Pope Francis on display in Westminster Cathedral, London, Monday, April 21, 2025, following the announcement by the Vatican of the death of Pope Francis aged 88. (James Manning/PA via AP) Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St. Peters Basilica to bestow the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and to the world) blessing at the end of the Easter Mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peters Square at the Vatican on Sunday.(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Mexican painter Roberto Marquez places a painting of Pope Francis he made outside the Agostino Gemelli hospital in Rome on March 5. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Candles left outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Monday, March 3, 2025 where Pope Francis is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14. (AP Photo/Mosaab Elshamy) Pope Francis coffin wont be elevated On Tuesday, the Vatican released the first photos of Francis body in an open casket at the Domus Santa Marta hotel, where he lived and died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will soon be transported to St. Peters Basilica, where a public viewing of his body will begin on Wednesday. Betting odds on who the next pope will be Francis singular coffin will not be placed on an elevated bier, as is custom, once he arrives at St. Peters. His coffin, instead, will simply face basilicas pews. Pope Francis will be buried outside Vatican In another break from recent tradition, the pontiffs final resting place wont be on the grounds of St. Peters. Instead, Francis will be buried in a simple tomb at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major. Located outside the Vatican, the basilica is home to Francis favorite icon of the Virgin Mary, the Salus Populi Romani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi told the Associated Press that Francis wanted to be buried under the shadow of a woman, in this case Maria. Trump, first lady to attend Pope Francis funeral Its estimated that 90 prior popes including John Paul I, John Paul II and Benedict XVI have been buried at the Vatican Grottoes, according to its official website. Since the current sanctuary was finished in 1626, more than 75% of deceased popes have been laid to rest at St. Peters, the National Catholic Register reports. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTIN (Nexstar) A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian, the late Pope Francis said in 2016 of then-Presidential candidate Donald Trump. At the time, Francis had just spoken in Juarez, Mexico right across the border from El Paso to advocate for migrants. His criticism of Americas politicians wasnt one-sided. Both are against life, be it the one who kicks out migrants, or be it the one who kills babies, Francis said in September while Trump was running against then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Lottery executive director resigns from position amid controversy One should vote, and choose the lesser evil, he said. Who is the lesser evil, the woman or man? I dont know. Born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis was the first Jesuit pope from the western hemisphere. He was known for reforming the church in a politically-progressive way without changing its core doctrines. This often put him at odds with American conservative Catholics. American Catholics have become much more distinct (and) a little more conservative over time, and they are looking for a much more conservative pope, University of Texas at Austin Government Professor Eric McDaniel said. The criticism of Trump probably did not sit well with many Catholics, specifically those who are conservative and most recently, his interaction with Vice President (J.D.) Vance demonstrates a high level of antagonism. But its also important to note that he has criticized Biden and Obama. He has not necessarily been supportive of one party over the other. Francis removed Conservative Texas Bishop The clash came to a head in 2019, when Francis ordered the removal of Tyler Bishop Joseph Strickland. Strickland had been a vocal critic of Francis on then-Twitter, saying he was undermining the deposit of faith. He also publicly criticized Francis for holding a meeting about the future of the Church, including how to better welcome LGBTQ+ Catholics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The policy the Catholic Church puts forward is a political thing, McDaniel said. The pope has removed individuals before whove spoken out or taken stances that are contrary to what the pope believes should be done. After his death, Strickland eulogized the man who stripped him of his Bishop seat in a statement on X. While his papacy was marked by moments of ambiguity and confusion that have caused concern among many of the faithful, we entrust all final judgment to the Lord, who alone searches hearts and knows all things, he said in part. We must always seek to be charitable in our assessments, remembering that clarity and truth are never opposed to mercy. A man with Texas ties at the top of the church When the pope speaks, a lot of people listen, McDaniel said. The Catholic Church worldwide is over 1.4 billion [people], and if just 20% of those individuals pay attention to what the pope is saying, that is a lot of influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Catholic world awaits a Papal conclave to determine a new leader, the interim leader of the Catholic Church spent nearly a decade in Texas. Cardinal Kevin Farrell is the churchs camerlengo, a role reserved to handle the transition between Popes. Farrell, who served as the Bishop of Dallas from 2007-2016, will be in charge of facilitating Francis funeral services and leading the conclave logistically. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) The faithful community in our area is joining those around the world, mourning the loss of Pope Francis. At St. Peters Cathedral in Scranton, a special memorial mass will be held for Pope Francis at 12:10 p.m. Purple bunting hangs on the cathedral, its one of many tributes the church has taken to pay its respects to the late pope. Vatican announces Pope Francis funeral will be held Saturday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the mass happening, Diocese of Scrantons Bishop Joseph Bambera spoke on Pope Francis legacy, offering prayers for his resting soul, but also expressed his gratitude for the impact he made around the world. Reflecting on his own interactions with the late pontiff, Bishop Bambera says that in one of those meetings, he and other Pennsylvania bishops spoke with the pope for hours, stating that he was an extremely down-to-earth and gentle man, with great resolve in terms of communicating the mission he was given. The bishop was speaking inside the cathedral, where a memorial space sits on display for the faithful to pray for the late pope. Dr. Jack OMalley, a member of the faithful community that attended morning mass on Tuesday, says hes embracing what the world learned from the late popes leadership, such as how he was often referred to as the peoples pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humility was his middle name. Jesus taught us to think about other people first, and thats who (the pope) was. Grassroots, taking care of others. He even took the name Francis in dedication to St. Francis, who was himself very dedicated to poor people. The memorial mass is taking place at Saint Peters Cathedral in Scranton at 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday and is open to the public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. When Pope Francis died at 88 on Monday, he left behind more than a spiritual legacy he helped reframe the crisis of increasing global temperatures as a moral and human issue. Through powerful writing and diplomacy, he urged global leaders and everyday people to treat the health of the planet as a shared responsibility. What is Pope Francis' climate legacy? Pope Francis was the first Catholic leader to position climate change as a spiritual issue, according to The New York Times. In 2015, he published Laudato Si', the first-ever papal letter focused entirely on the environment. Advertisement Advertisement In it, he made a clear connection between pollution, poverty, and inequality, calling on everyone to care for "our common home." The timing couldn't have been more influential. Laudato Si' came out just months before the 2015 United Nations climate summit, where nearly 200 nations adopted the Paris Agreement. Over 10 world leaders cited the pope's words at the conference, and many said his message gave the talks moral clarity. "He's been one of the strongest voices, pushing to get things done," former U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said after meeting with the pope. Why Pope Francis' climate legacy matters now Francis helped shift the conversation from carbon and science to people and justice. Advertisement Advertisement He reminded the world that rising heat, dirty air, and extreme weather hit hardest in communities with the fewest resources. This focus on humanity inspired action. Catholic organizations across the world divested from dirty energy and ramped up green initiatives. In 2023, Francis published a follow-up called Laudate Deum, which doubled down on the message. He called out wealthier countries, particularly high-polluting ones like the U.S., and encouraged clean living. Francis' influence didn't stop at statements. He turned the Vatican into a key stop on the global climate circuit. Top officials attending the annual U.N. climate conference often included a Papal audience in their packed schedules. Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, he convened oil giants like ExxonMobil, BP, and Shell for closed-door climate talks. Afterward, some executives publicly acknowledged the need for urgent climate action, a rare statement in that space. He also met with youth leaders like Greta Thunberg during the height of her campaign, signaling the Church's alignment with young voices calling for bold action. How Pope Francis' legacy shows up in daily life Francis once warned of "an immense pile of filth" overwhelming the planet, but encouraged people to "sing as we go." His message of optimism rooted in action, not perfection continues to resonate. That message shows up in daily choices: using less, reusing more, and supporting circular brands like ThredUp, Trashie, or Patagonia's Worn Wear. Advertisement Advertisement Francis' legacy proves that real climate leadership is about compassion, connection, and the courage to act even when the path forward isn't perfect. 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. Pope Francis will be well remembered for his commitment to the poor and as a champion of the downtrodden, local Catholics said Monday as news of his death spread. "I love him because he did a lot to the church, especially taking the church back to the very original spirit of what Christian spirit is," said Rev. Theophane Antony, pastor of St. Francis Church. "That is, the church must be for the poor and church must be a voice for the voiceless, for the marginalized, the vulnerable." Antony said Francis stood up for oppressed people and through his writings and speeches left a legacy emphasizing a commitment to justice. He cited the book "The Joy of the Gospel" and the letter, "Laudato si" or "On Care for Our Common Home" about protecting the environment as examples of Francis' championing of marginalized people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think in the writings of Pope Francis is the true tradition of the church, which is faithful to love, compassion, justice and peace that Jesus talked about," Antony said. Many parishes had given space for Francis' writings, Antony said, which was something Antony noted he intends to do locally. "How I can honor Pope Francis and his legacy is to take up his teachings, his guidance, and discuss with the parishioners and then go into actions already throughout the world." Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Diocese of Fresno said in a statement Francis will be remembered for his compassion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Pope Francis unwavering spirit of service has left a profound and lasting impact on the life of our church," Brennan stated. "May his example of compassion and outreach continue to inspire us all. I ask that you join me in prayer: Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him." Speaking with reporters in Bakersfield, diocese spokesman Chandler Marquez said the process to elect a new pope will begin within the next 20 days. How long it ultimately takes is unknown the longest papal election took years, from 1268 to 1271. Marquez said Cardinals will take their time in selecting a new pontiff. Francis was known to be a progressive pope, championing outreach to the LGBT community. Marquez said all Catholics can respect his leadership. "Pope Francis was known to be a progressive pope," Marquez said. "No matter how you look at that, he was always unwavering in his leadership and his stance, and I think that's something every Catholic can take away from his papacy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis will leave behind a legacy of service, Marquez said, and will be remembered for his outreach even to those outside the church. "His legacy and lasting impact on the life of the church really is his unwavering spirit, service to the people, even people outside of the church," Marquez said. "The pope was a very relatable person on a lot of levels. He was the first pope from the Americas, from South America, so I think just to have that relatability, a man of the people, the guy who like to take the bus and the train, just like normal people." According to the Holy See, in his last wishes Francis requested he be interred at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. "The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, and bearing only the inscription: Franciscus," the letter said. This story was originally published on Trucking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Trucking Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Shippers are taking longer to execute contracts as they take a more cautious approach to an uncertain market plagued by rising tariffs, executives at J.B. Hunt Transport Services said on a Q1 2025 earnings call. The company is still in bid season for its intermodal business and expects to lock in several larger contracts over the next few months, according to Darren Field, president of intermodal. However, it has had only modest success in lowering rates while retaining existing business. The wait-and-see approach from shippers mirrors behavior during similar periods of economic uncertainty such as the Great Recession, according to Michael Zimmerman, partner in the strategic operations practice of global management consulting firm Kearney. Dive Insight: J.B. Hunts contracting process takes roughly 18 months to close, according to Brad Hicks, president of dedicated contract services. But the timing of when deals sign and close will drive the companys ability to return to positive revenue and operating income growth in 2025. In Q1, revenue for the carrier dropped 1% to $2.92 billion, while operating income dropped 8% to $179 billion. The revenue decline was driven by dips across most of the carriers segments, including dedicated contract services, integrated capacity solutions, final mile and truckload. The caution from shippers to close contracts comes during a time of fluctuating tariff policy. President Donald Trump paused most country-specific tariffs for 90 days earlier this month while raising duties on imports from China to a combined 145%. The administration has also levied sector-specific duties, with more promised. Shippers are planning for multiple scenarios as they determine how tariffs will influence their short- and long-term business strategies, said Spencer Frazier, EVP of sales and marketing at J.B. Hunt, on the earnings call. As part of this scenario planning process, some customers are considering ways to alter supply chain freight flows and/or their country of origin sourcing, but these changes will be part of a much longer decision process, Frazier said. The wait-and-see approach has been a common tactic for shippers, but most larger companies prefer locking in their annual contracts with rates and capacity assurance, according to Kearneys Zimmerman. We believe this phenomenon is a negotiation strategy where shippers, in the face of major carriers that are warning them that rates will head up and capacity will again become scarce, are holding out for better rates, Zimmerman told Trucking Dive. My heart aches for a world without Pope Francis. His death on April 21 at 88 was inevitable, yet it is still shocking and painful for Catholics everywhere. Francis was the first Latin American pontiff to lead the Vatican. His language and cultural affinity were important, of course, but that wasnt what touched my heart during his 12-year papacy. It was Pope Francis unwavering devotion to the poor, the sick, the persecuted and the marginalized that gave me hope about humanity. He understood that those are the people around the world that need a voice, that need a helping hand, that need compassion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement God knows we need a lot of that now more than ever. I felt out of touch with the Catholic Church Id never heard of him until March 2013, when he was announced as the 266th pope. He replaced Pope Benedict XVI, whose resignation had stunned the universe but of whom I had no affinity. Immediately, Jorge Mario Bergoglio who chose to be called Pope Francis after Francis of Assisi captured my heart, my imagination and my hope for a more progressive church or at least a church that listened to peoples suffering over the usual politicking of the 2,000-year institution. Im not the kind of Catholic that follows the Vaticans commands unquestioned. My daughter noticed as a teenager that I remained silent during our weekly Mass when the priest would pray for the end of contraception or other stances in which I disagreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At some point, my daughter, who was attending Catholic school then, asked me why we went to Mass if I didnt believe in it. Opinion: Gen Z is returning to church. Data proves it. Pope Francis' death reminds me his compassion Im not sure she bought my explanation. My faith, I told her, wasnt based on the church itself. The Vatican is the institution that manages the faith and has historically done a terrible job by excluding women to the priesthood and often ignoring peoples realities and suffering. Sunday Mass still gave me the spiritual connection I craved. The music, the smell of incense and the prayer sent me into a trance thats hard to describe to non-believers. But some of the words uttered by the priest at the altar didnt resonate with my core beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next papal conclave: The step-by-step process used to elect new pope to succeed Pope Francis Something profound happened with Pope Francis. He exuded humility and compassion and committed himself to reforming the church to be inclusive instead of promoting the exclusion of people. He understood times change but humanity doesnt or shouldnt, anyway. Vance was the last world leader to see Pope Francis A lot has been written about his progressive bent, including his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, his defense of immigrants and his fight for the poor. Progressives, meanwhile, werent entirely happy because they felt he should have done a lot more. But no other world leader has the kind of power over peoples souls Catholic or not that he had. Theres a reason why the most powerful men and women in the world made the pilgrimage to the Vatican to get an audience with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Circumstantially, the last one to the get an official audience with Pope Francis a day before his death was U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The Trump administration had waved off the popes concerns over its deportation plans. Will Vance have a change of heart now that he was the last world leader to see Pope Francis? I wont hold my breath on Vance. But I hope we can build on Pope Francis moral compass and renew our faith in humanity. Elvia Diaz is editorial page editor for The Arizona Republic and azcentral, where this column originally appeared. Reach her at elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, (formerly Twitter), @elviadiaz1. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Death of Pope Francis makes me reflect on my Catholic faith | Opinion By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Among Pope Francis' final words was a thank you to his nurse, who had helped the pope surprise crowds in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday with a short tour in his popemobile for the first time since surviving a five-week bout of double pneumonia. "Thanks for bringing me to the square," Francis told Massimiliano Strappetti, who was providing 24-hour care for the pontiff, the Vatican's official news outlet reported on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pope, aged 88, died on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest. The pontiff had spent 38 days in hospital earlier this year fighting pneumonia, but he returned to the Vatican almost a month ago and had seemed to be recovering. Francis, known to push himself to exhaustion, spent his final day working, defying the advice of doctors who had told him to take two months rest to allow his ageing body to heal. About 35,000 Catholic faithful lined the aisles inside St. Peter's Square on Sunday as the pope made his tour, seated in a raised chair in the back of the popemobile. There were shouts of "viva il papa" (long live the pope) and the vehicle stopped occasionally so Francis could bless babies brought forward by papal aides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rest of the pope's final Sunday was spent normally, the Vatican's outlet reported. He had a "peaceful dinner," it said. The first signs of a "sudden illness" occurred at 5:30 a.m. (0330 GMT) on Monday. "A little more than an hour later, making a farewell gesture with his hand to Strappetti ... the pontiff went into a coma," said the outlet. "He did not suffer, and it all happened very fast." The Vatican outlet said Francis died "having again embraced the people, after a long time". (Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Janet Lawrence) Pope Francis, largely regarded as the Catholic Church's most progressive leader of all time, died early on Easter Monday. Franco Origlia / Getty Images The Vatican reported that he "died of a stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure," according to AP. He was a trailblazer for LGBTQIA+ rights, migrants, and people affected by war, speaking on the phone nightly with Catholics in Gaza since October 2023. He also lived simply and humbly, making headlines in 2013 for carrying his own briefcase onto a plane (gasp!). Advertisement Advertisement On Easter Sunday, the Vatican held a meeting with Vice President JD Vance, but Pope Francis was reportedly not in attendance. Instead, the VP met with the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and its foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher. Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis / Corbis via Getty Images Vance, a Catholic convert, also attended Easter mass at the Vatican. Vance later had a brief encounter with the pope, exchanging Easter well-wishes. "I know you've not been feeling well, but it's good to see you in better health," Vance said in a clip released by AP. Pope Francis could be seen in a wheelchair. U.S. Vice President JD Vance met briefly with Pope Francis on Sunday to exchange Easter greetings. Read more here: https://t.co/C6CbGxcAev pic.twitter.com/VyqxvZ10A9 The Associated Press (@AP) April 21, 2025 AP / X / Via x.com The VP's time in the Vatican came at a tense crossroads in the Trump administration's relations with the papacy. Back in February, Pope Francis publicly criticized Trump's immigration policy and mass deportation efforts. Vance's meeting with Catholic leaders included "an exchange of opinions on the international situation, especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners," according to a statement from the Vatican. Advertisement Advertisement The statement continued, "Finally, hope was expressed for serene collaboration between the state and the Catholic Church in the United States, whose valuable service to the most vulnerable people was acknowledged." Vatican Pool / Getty Images The pope had been critical of the Trump administration's cuts to international aid in addition to its stance on migrants. The Daily Beast called Vance's meeting with Catholic leaders "a lecture on compassion" and said that the pope's "last act was to give JD Vance a lesson about migrants." Later, Pope Francis gave what would be his last public appearance, an Easter address. ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP via Getty Images He again advocated for migrants, saying, "How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants! On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life, and ideas." Advertisement Advertisement A tweet from before the pope's death quoting the Daily Beast article has gone viral, racking up over 200,000 likes and nearly 9 million views. "Pope Francis W," the poster wrote. @FionaSmall / The Daily Beast / X / Via x.com The wording of the article has since been changed slightly, saying Pope Francis "did not attend" the meeting rather than "skipped" it. People were all over this epic papal mic drop. "We can't rule out that God kept Francis alive so he could do this," this person wrote, referring to the pope's hospitalization in February and ongoing health issues. @HeerJeet / @FionaSmall / The Daily Beast / X / Via x.com Some cracked jokes. @colleenawilson / Netflix / @FionaSmall / The Daily Beast / X / Via x.com Then, following the pope's death, people pointed out how soon after Vance's visit he died. Along with a clip from Francis and Vance's encounter, X user @AntiTrumpCanada wrote, "So he survived double pneumonia but couldn't survive the stench of theocratic authoritarianism. Rest in peace, Pope Francis." Advertisement Advertisement One person posted a screenshot of a New York Times article about Vance's visit and called Francis "a good man and a true Catholic." @a_guidarelli / New York Times / X / Via x.com Of course, plenty of people made jokes about Vance's visit killing Francis. This person said it instead "probably drained the Pope's will to live." Most people just thought this was a pretty epic last act on Francis's part. "so you're telling me pope francis took his last energy to give mass, shit on jd vance, and pray for gaza and died the day jesus resurrected," this person tweeted. And a lot of folks are taking the opportunity to recognize all of what Pope Francis stood for. Advertisement Advertisement What do you think? Discuss in the comments. VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis probably expected that he would face opposition to his reform agenda after Catholics for two generations grew used to more conservative, doctrine-minded pontiffs. But his critics most of them emanating from the church's conservative wing were unique in that at least for the first years of his pontificate, they had a living alternate as a point of reference: Pope Benedict XVI. Some of the critics who made their mark during Francis pontificate: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benedicts camp Benedicts longtime secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, was a bridge between the reigning and retired popes. After Benedict retired in 2013, Gaenswein remained as his secretary while also serving Francis as the head of the papal household. Gaenswein was widely seen as the key figure behind one of the most visible signs of the break between the two pontificates. In 2020, Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, the Vaticans retired liturgy chief, wrote a book with Benedict reaffirming priestly celibacy at a time when Francis was considering ordaining married men to address a clergy shortage in the Amazon. The book, and the prospect of a retired pope trying to influence a reigning one, created the scenario that canon lawyers and theologians had warned of in 2013, when Benedict decided to retain the white cassock of the papacy in retirement as Emeritus Pope. The scandal died down after Benedict removed himself as a co-author and Francis fired Gaenswein from his papal household job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the bad blood didnt end there. Just days after Benedict's 2023 funeral, Gaenswein published a tell-all memoir that was highly critical of Francis. He was exiled from the Vatican by Francis and, after a time without a job in his native Germany, was made an ambassador. The Dubia cardinals Conservative and traditionalist Catholics were wary of Francis from his 2013 election, when he first addressed the crowd without the ermine-rimmed, red velvet cape of his predecessors. Significantly, Francis reimposed restrictions on celebrating the old Latin Mass that Benedict had relaxed. Francis insisted his aim was church unity. Critics accused him of being divisive, and the outrage wasnt limited to U.S.-based conservative Catholic media or fringe right-wing bloggers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One breaking point came in 2016, when Francis opened the door to letting divorced and civilly remarried Catholics receive Communion. Some accused him of heresy. Four conservative cardinals formally asked him to clarify himself, issuing dubia or questions to him. They argued church doctrine held that Catholics who remarried without a church annulment were living in sin and couldnt receive the sacraments. He never replied. One of them, Cardinal Raymond Burke, had been sidelined by Francis early in his pontificate, removing him as the Vaticans supreme court judge. Then he pushed him aside as the prelate to the Knights of Malta. After Burke joined a bigger group of cardinals questioning Francis 2023 synod on the churchs future, Francis cut him off financially. Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis biggest conservative critic was the Vaticans former ambassador to the U.S., Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano. In 2018, he said Francis had covered up accusations that then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, an American, had slept with his seminarians. Vigano demanded Francis resign for allegedly rehabilitating McCarrick from sanctions imposed by Benedict. The furor faded after Francis defrocked McCarrick and Vigano was discredited with conspiracy theories about COVID-19. McCarrick died earlier this month. In 2024, Francis excommunicated Vigano after finding him guilty of schism. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Pope Francis death marks the beginning of nine days of mourning. Catholics across the greater Charlotte area gathered for a prayer service Monday night to remember the peoples pope. Pope Francis pushed for many reforms within the Catholic church during his 12 years as pope. Several Catholics who came to a prayer service to honor him said his legacy will be bringing the church into the 21st century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was just a great example of what Catholicism is and a wonderful representation of our love, said Lauren Howes, a parishioner. MORE | Charlotte Catholics mourn death of Pope Francis, reflect on his global legacy Parishioners filled the pews at St. Matthew Catholic Church Monday night for a time of prayer in honor of the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Hes the closest thing to God in my opinion, said James Smith, a parishioner. Smith attended the service at the south Charlotte church and recounted his experience seeing the pope at the Vatican. It was one of the highlights of my life to see him come out and just talk to the public, he said. It was just incredible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he and others entered the church, they were met with Pope Francis portrait draped in black and surrounded by flowers. RELATED | Charlotte churches to hold evening masses mourning Pope Francis Very sad, said Howes. Very heartbroken and just I mourn for him and all other Catholics around the world who are suffering. Despite their mourning, they came together in celebration of the 88-year-olds service. I just felt like he was the pope of the people, said Smith. Really just very, very special. The diocese will hold a special mass Wednesday at 7 p.m. People will gather at St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville to honor and remember Pope Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoping that we can rebound from this and look on to the future for a new papacy, said Howes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Even as the global Catholic community mourns Pope Francis, theyre looking ahead to the next leader of the Catholic Church. Cardinals from around the world, including here in the United States, will gather to select the next pope. Bishop Carl Kemme of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, appointed by Pope Francis, says that even with a new selection process on the way, the late popes legacy will continue. Pope Francis found his place as Pope of the Poor. Charity was a cornerstone of the Catholic faith long before he took office. Its a legacy J.T. Klaus saw in the making in person when he saw the Pope in Rome in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The manner in which he is portrayed on television and in the Vatican as being this person who is unbelievably concerned about the poor and disenfranchised, it was so clear that that was his purpose, Klaus said. Bishop Kemme says that every time he met the Pope in person, he was moved by the Popes warmth. This is truly who he was. He was a real believer, a real disciple of Jesus. I think he loved the Lord very, very much, and that really came through in his service and in his leadership, he said. Kansas Catholics react to the death of Pope Francis The bishop says that the day after Easter is significant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That resurrection is what makes us really Christians, so its really a beautiful time to come to the conclusion of your earthly life, and as we believe as Christians to go to eternal life, he said. Catholic Charities Wichita is a faith-based organization that helps provide food, shelter, and other basic necessities to those in need in Wichita. The executive director says the Pope put a heavier focus on serving the poor. Its something she says helped promote the mission of Catholic Charities. He worked for peace and justice, equality, and really focused on the dignity of the human person, and so thats what we do at Catholic Charities, and so through his efforts that put us at the forefront, and people would probably better understand our mission just because of the Popes teachings, Traci Kennedy, Catholic Charities executive director, said. His advocacy had a lasting impact on the charity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It put a better focus on serving the poor, I do think that we have a tendency to forget, Kennedy said. She says the Popes legacy will be that he was a Pope of the people, and shes hoping the next Pope has a similar focus on charitable efforts. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings plans to invest up to Y700bn to grow its North American operations, aiming to double operating profits in the region, Bloomberg News reported, citing the companys CEO. The Tokyo-based insurer, which leads in market share among global companies in Asia, is the third-ranked Japanese insurer in North America. So the challenge is how to become the top player there, CEO Shinichiro Funabiki told Bloomberg in an interview. We need to strengthen our organisation so that we can double our profits in the near future, said Funabiki, noting that specific business areas and investment targets will be decided later. Funabiki said the company intends to maintain its current investment approach. MS&AD projects net profits from its North American operations, encompassing Canada and Mexico, to hit Y166bn in the fiscal year ending March 2025, a 3.5-fold rise from the prior year. Amid a declining domestic market due to Japans shrinking population, Japanese insurers are pursuing overseas growth through acquisitions. In March, MS&ADs subsidiary, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., revealed plans to purchase a 15% stake in US-based W.R. Berkley Corp. Funabiki affirmed the companys commitment to a bold investment approach. After factoring in the W.R. Berkley deal, MS&AD estimates Y600bnY700bn remains for investments, partly funded by proceeds from divesting cross-held shares in companies with prior business connections. Additionally, MS&AD is looking to merge its non-life insurance units, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance and Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, with April 2027 the target date for completion. Funabiki declined to discuss potential cost savings from the merger but suggested it could strengthen group governance. Japans Financial Services Agency issued business improvement orders in March to four non-life insurers, including Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, for mishandling customer data, and in December 2023 for colluding on pricing in corporate contracts. The most lacking aspect was the ability to anticipate risks, Funabiki said, noting that having two insurance companies of the same size with a dispersed organisational structure is not an optimal state. The merged entity may adopt a merit-based personnel system, moving away from seniority, a change Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance initiated this fiscal year. "MS&AD reportedly plans $5bn investment to boost North American growth " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. On Monday, the Trump administration has revealed plans to phase out all petroleum-derived artificial colorings from foods nationwide. According to a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary are scheduled to outline the plan during a Tuesday afternoon press conference. Kennedy Pushes to Eliminate Artificial Coloring from Food Supply Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to remove artificial food dyes from the U.S. food supply, citing their potential link to behavioral issues in children, such as hyperactivity. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledges ongoing monitoring of this possible connection, it maintains that a definitive link has not yet been proven. Currently, the FDA has approved 36 food coloringsnine of which are synthetic and derived from petroleum. The rest come from natural sources like vegetables. Among the synthetic dyes is Red No. 3, a petroleum-based additive used to create a cherry-red hue in food and beverages. Despite being approved back in 1907, Red No. 3 was officially banned in January due to concerns over its potential cancer risks. Food manufacturers are required to eliminate the dye by 2027, while pharmaceutical companies have until 2028 to comply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These artificial dyes are found in thousands of products aimed at children, including candies, sodas, and breakfast cereals, where theyre used to create bright, eye-catching colors. Major Food Companies React to Trump Administrations Effort to Ban Artificial Coloring Several food companies have responded to the Trump administrations initiative to eliminate artificial food colorings. In March 2025, Kennedy met with major food manufacturers, including PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz, urging them to remove synthetic dyes from their products before the end of his tenure. Kennedy emphasized the need for real and transformative changes to improve public health and indicated that regulatory actions would follow if the industry did not proactively address the issue. In response, PepsiCo stated its commitment to offering products with natural ingredients, no synthetic colors, and reduced levels of sugar, fat, and sodium. Kraft Heinz, however, did not provide a comment on the matter. Additionally, WK Kellogg, known for cereals like Froot Loops, acknowledged that over 85% of its cereal sales come from products without artificial dyes. The company affirmed that its products comply with all relevant laws and regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Consumer Brands Association, representing companies such as PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz, expressed its intention to collaborate with the FDA to develop a federal framework on food dyes. This initiative aims to prevent a patchwork of state laws that could complicate compliance for global companies. Despite the lack of a federal ban, more states are taking steps to remove artificial food colorings from the market. Kennedy previously commended West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey for signing a law that bans seven FDA-approved synthetic dyes. The legislation is set to take effect in 2028. West Virginias move follows Californias lead, where lawmakers passed a bill last year prohibiting six artificial dyes from being used in food served at public schools. These state-level initiatives reflect a rising concern over the potential health risks associated with artificial coloringsespecially those consumed by children. Top Food Companies May Need to Reformulate Products as Artificial Coloring Ban Approaches As the movement to ban artificial food dyes gains momentum, some major food brands may need to overhaul their products to comply with the new regulations. Companies that heavily rely on synthetic dyes in their products will face significant challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are a few brands that could potentially be affected by the impending ban: General Mills (e.g., Froot Loops, Lucky Charms) Known for their brightly colored cereals, these brands are among the most likely to be impacted. General Mills has already started transitioning to natural alternatives in some of its products, but many of its most popular cereals still contain artificial dyes. PepsiCo (e.g., Gatorade, Mountain Dew) PepsiCo has already committed to offering more products with natural ingredients and no synthetic dyes, but some of its best-selling drinks still rely on artificial colors like Yellow 5 and Red 40. These products may need a more significant overhaul to meet future regulations. Kraft Heinz (e.g., Mac & Cheese) Kraft Heinz has been criticized for using artificial colors in some of its products, particularly the signature powdered cheese mix in Kraft Mac & Cheese. While there have been some changes in their recipes, a full overhaul may be necessary to remove all artificial dyes. Nestle (e.g., Nesquik, Smarties) Nestle uses artificial dyes in a range of products, from breakfast drinks like Nesquik to candy like Smarties. These brands may need to replace synthetic colorings with natural alternatives to comply with new legislation. Mars, Inc. (e.g., M&Ms, Skittles) Mars has long been known for its brightly colored candies. While some of its products have started using natural colorings, many of its popular treats still contain synthetic dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5. An overhaul may be required if these dyes are banned. Experts Back Kennedys Push to Ban Artificial Coloring, Citing Health and Behavioral Risks While the FDA has yet to confirm a definitive link between synthetic dyes and behavioral issues, Marion Nestle, professor emerita of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University, pointed to studies suggesting a possible connection in children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One notable example is a 2021 report by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, which analyzed 27 trials and found evidence that artificial food dyes may negatively impact behavior in some children. Nestle emphasized that these dyes serve no nutritional or functional purpose beyond aesthetics and highlighted that many countries have already moved to restrict or ban them. In those regions, companies have adopted natural alternatives. This should have been done a long time ago, Nestle said. Theyve been promising to get rid of these things for years and balking. Theyve gotten rid of them in Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand. Theres no reason why we cant use something else. Jerold Mande, an adjunct professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and former senior FDA adviser and deputy undersecretary for food safety at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), echoed those concerns. He argued that food dyes enhance the visual appeal of ultra-processed foods, encouraging overconsumption and contributing to obesity. Overweight is the primary food cause of cancer, he said in an email to NBC News. Thus, we must regulate the use of both synthetic and natural colors as well as flavors that allow food companies to transform powders and sludges into calorically dense, hyperpalatable ultra-processed foods that are making us and our children sick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDA has been investigating the potential link between food dyes and behavior since the 1970s, when a California allergist and pediatrician first raised the concern. Despite renewed interest, the agency concluded in both 2011 and 2019 that no conclusive causal relationship had been established. Read the original article on GEEKSPIN. Affiliate links on GEEKSPIN may earn us and our partners a commission. By Utkarsh Shetti and Mike Stone (Reuters) -Northrop Grumman cut its annual profit forecast after it posted a 49% slump in first-quarter earnings on Tuesday, as it booked losses on its B-21 stealth bomber program due to higher costs, sending its shares down 12%. The company also missed Street estimates for quarterly sales but reaffirmed its sales forecast for the year, even amid growing concerns of uncertainty in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. It now expects an annual adjusted profit per share between $24.95 and $25.35, compared with its prior estimate of $27.85 to $28.25. U.S. defense contractors, like other industries with complex manufacturing operations, are bracing for impacts from Trump's trade war, which has pressured an already strained supply chain. Although some experts have suggested that a higher defense budget would support backlogs and shore up revenues, countries upset with steep tariffs and constantly shifting policies are looking at moving away from American weapons and focusing on their own capabilities. The European Union has outlined plans to shore up its own defense capabilities to reduce reliance on the U.S. by 2030. Northrop, which makes the nuclear-capable B-21 Raider, posted first-quarter sales of $9.47 billion, down 7% from a year ago and below analysts' average expectation of about $9.92 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. It reported a per-share profit of $3.32 on net income of $481 million, compared with the $6.32 per share or $944 million it posted a year ago. The sharp decline stemmed from a $477 million hit from its B-21 program, due to higher manufacturing costs as the company works to ramp up production. The company had warned of high startup costs associated with beginning B-21 production, but as production surges, the line is expected to become more profitable. On an adjusted basis, the company reported a profit per share of $6.06 for the quarter, below expectations of $6.26. (Reporting by Utkarsh Shetti in Bengaluru and Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Shinjini Ganguli) SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A weekend retreat is offering a new hope to veterans and their families. Project New Hope is offering a free retreat to veterans and their families. Licensed counselors will be available. Noems purse with DHS badge, $3K cash stolen Its a mission to reduce the number of deaths by suicide among the veteran community. PTSD and other issues from war cause that to happen. And we try through these weekend retreats, free to the veterans and their entire family, we try to reduce that suicide rate, Joseph Schlichenmeyer, a member of the board of directors, said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two-day retreat is from May 2 to May 4 at Camp Shetek near Slayton, Minnesota. To sign up, click this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 legislation passed the Senate by unanimous voice vote, but it has received a tougher reception in the House. (Getty Images) The Merrimack School District has long maintained a breakfast program for high school students: $2 per meal, with discounts for lower-income students. And after the district recently extended the program to its middle school, the effects were immediately apparent, Kaitlyn Bernier says. We have seen test scores improve (after) the breakfast (program) just at that middle school, Bernier, a member of the school districts budget committee, said in testimony to lawmakers last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One bill this year would allow the school district to extend those discounts to more students. After years of debate among New Hampshire lawmakers over legislation to boost school meal assistance for low-income public school students, legislation to do so is moving forward with bipartisan support at least in the state Senate. Senate Bill 204 would allow school boards to vote to raise the eligibility level for free and reduced-price lunches to 200% of the federal poverty level, up from the current 185% cap. Currently, the National School Lunch Program allows students from families making up to 130% of the federal poverty level $41,795 for a family of four to pay nothing for school lunches, and those from families making between 130% and 185% $59,488 for a family of four to pay no more than 40 cents per lunch. SB 204 would allow school boards to extend that second category up to 200%. And those school districts that chose to expand would also be required to offer online and physical applications to the free and reduced-price lunch program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation passed the Senate by unanimous voice vote, but it has received a tougher reception in the House, as Republicans on the House Education Funding Committee have voiced skepticism that school meal access is as big a problem as advocates say. Are you familiar with any situations where a child is not given the breakfast or lunch in school because they are unable to pay? asked Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller, a Windham Republican, speaking to Sen. Donovan Fenton, a Keene Democrat who sponsored the legislation, during a hearing on the bill. Fenton said while he didnt know of a student that was refused a meal, some school districts provide cold food options to children whose parents have school lunch debt. Others choose not to create consequences, but the meal debt still affects them, Fenton said. What we are finding out is that schools are trying to pay no matter what for these meals, oftentimes going into massive amounts of debt that we pick up the tab for: the state, Fenton said. And if we have a program that is an opt-in program where the taxpayers arent burdened with this, I think that would help tremendously. Rep. Dan McGuire, an Epsom Republican, noted that the Legislature is increasing state funding to schools despite enrollment dropping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we just passed in our House budget was more money not just per pupil, but total dollars for education than ever before, he said. The cost of SB 204s proposed expansion would be split by the state and local taxpayers. In the existing national program, the federal government reimburses schools for a certain amount for students whose families make up to 185% of the federal poverty level but no higher. Under SB 204, for those school districts that choose to expand to 200%, the state would pay half the additional cost and the school districts would pay the other half. The bill sets aside $250,000 for the first fiscal year for the Department of Education to distribute money to school districts, as well as another $107,000 to cover administrative costs for the department to help set up online applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fenton, who introduced the bill with Sen. Tim Lang, a Sanbornton Republican, said the bill is necessary to help more families avoid school lunch debt and to help more students obtain more nutritious meals. We want to ensure that no child goes hungry in school, he said. We recognize that well-nourished students are better learners, and that investing in them today leads to a stronger workforce and economy tomorrow. The legislation comes a year after Democrats and some Republicans attempted to pass a bill that would increase eligibility for reduced-price lunches to 300% across all school districts. That legislation, House Bill 572, passed the House but was tabled by the Senate. This time, lawmakers are proposing to make it voluntary for each school district, Fenton noted. This is an opt-in program that allows communities to decide what is best for their students, while offering a cost-sharing structure that ensures neither the state nor local school districts bear the full financial weight, Fenton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Hampshire Hunger Solutions, an advocacy group that has supported a number of bills to expand school lunch services in schools, endorsed the bill, arguing there are more children showing up to school hungry than may be known. I was at Somersworth Middle School: I popped into the (nurses office) and I asked her if she was tracking hunger visits, said Riona Corr, deputy director of the organization. It was 9:30 in the morning. I asked her how many kids came in because they were hungry. There was nine. Corr said the nurse at Somersworth High School that day told her the number was 15. Our kids are hungry, and were listening to the constituents within the schools and hearing what they need, Corr said. Were not here to ask for solutions. We actually do have a solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some Republicans have raised concerns about the cost of increasing the program to local taxpayers even if the expansion option were voluntary. Rep. Riche Colcombe, a Hillsborough Republican, asked about the need for lower-cost options for breakfast. I understand the part about lunch, but I dont understand the part about breakfast, Colcombe said. Ive always been fed breakfast before or eaten breakfast before I left the house, so as a child, I had breakfast before school started. I think thats amazing that you had breakfast, Fenton replied. The problem here is that a lot of children arent having those meals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bernier agreed, arguing that malnutrition and food insecurity do exist for children in New Hampshire. Theres a lot of people that might not have that privilege to be able to have breakfast at home with their family beforehand, Bernier said. Their parents might not have that money. They might be given a Pop Tart that was expired from the food pantry of their community that theyre trying to put together because theyre just trying to do what they can to give a child something, and what they could really benefit from is a more nutritious meal that our schools are trying to help provide. Ariel Investments, an investment management company, released its Ariel Appreciation Fund first-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the first quarter, investors fled to shelter as hopes for another year of U.S. outperformance, driven by economic momentum and the new administration's pro-business approach swiftly gave way to tariff fears and policy uncertainty, causing most of the major U.S. indices to close the quarter in the red. Against this backdrop, the fund returned -6.94% in the first quarter underperforming the Russell Midcap Value Indexs -2.11% returns, and the Russell Midcap Indexs -3.40% returns. In addition, please check the funds top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. In its first-quarter 2025 investor letter, Ariel Appreciation Fund highlighted stocks such as Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH). Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) is a cruise company that operates through Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. The one-month return of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) was -21.32%, and its shares lost 1.266% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On April 21, 2025, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) stock closed at $16.05 per share with a market capitalization of $7.261 billion. Ariel Appreciation Fund stated the following regarding Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) in its Q1 2025 investor letter: PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Getting a parking ticket in Providence could cost you more money this summer, should Mayor Brett Smileys budget proposal get City Council approval. The Smiley administration unveiled a slew of proposed fines and fees to reporters ahead of his budget proposal address last Wednesday. In all, city officials estimate the proposed changes could bring in $1.9 million in additional revenue both administrative and by ordinance largely generated by the police department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smiley said the city took a hard look at all fines, fees and enforcement across departments after the Special Commission on Taxation and Revenue convened last year, something he said hadnt been done in nearly 20 years. With fines and fees, a lot of the people who pay those are not city residents, and so its a way for visitors to pay for some of the services that they consume, Smiley said on Tuesday. Smileys $624 million budget proposal raises property taxes, makes cuts Parking Smiley suggested that new fines could be a way to change behavior in the community, in addition to generating millions in additional revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, if you dont park illegally, you wont get a parking ticket, he said. A ticket for parking at an expired meter would rise from $25 to $40, while tickets for parking during a city emergency, like a snowstorm, would increase from $100 to $250. The Smiley administration also proposed a new $100 fine that would be issued to cars found parked during a snow ban. Those cars would still be towed. The city laid out a series of other violation fine proposals. (Story continues below.) Fines related to parking in a tow zone, sidewalk, marked crosswalk or within an intersection and within a marked bus stop would remain at $100. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Providence mayor wants to add sales tax to parking Pets Pet owners could also face increased fines under Smileys proposal. Owners in need of a dog license would be charged $10, up from $6. People who dont pick up after their dogs could get fined $25, up from $15, along with those found with an unleashed dog or an unlicensed or unvaccinated pet. The city could fine you the same amount if your pet gets loose and is impounded as a stray. The city also laid out a series of increased fines for second and third offenses. If an animal is found in a vehicle in a way that could place them in a life-threatening situation (like extreme heat or cold), the owner would be fined anywhere from $200 to $400. Licenses Various city licenses could also cost more money under Smileys proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cost to obtain a food license would nearly double, increasing from $110 to $200. Vendors or peddlers would see their license fees rise from $67 to $100. The application fee for a motor vehicle repair license would go up from $100 to $250, and the fee to obtain a pawnbrokers license would double from $100 to $200. ALSO READ: Only 61% of Rhode Islanders have a REAL ID as deadline fast approaches Businesses looking to get a license to expand their premises, which allows establishments to offer outdoor seating on the sidewalk, would need to pay $400, up from $250. Transferring a liquor license would also skyrocket from $25 to $250. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, businesses that want to operate after 2 a.m. would need to pay for a $500 license, as opposed to the current $110. Businesses offering valet services could be in for major sticker shock. The cost to obtain a valet license would increase by 10 times, from $50 to $500. Boston charges much more than what were even proposing, Smiley noted. We still think its appropriate for New England to charge fees at this rate because we just hadnt touched these in a long time. Permits The Smiley administration also laid out a series of proposed permit fines and fees. If youre caught working without a permit, you could be fined $500 for the first offense (up from $250) and subsequent offenses could cost $1,000 each. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a resident is looking to hold an event or do construction and wants to obtain a street closure permit to place their own cones or signage, the city is looking to double that fee from $25 to $50. The Smiley administration proposed a number of other permit fee increases: Sewer construction, drain maintenance domestic (increases from $50 to $100) Sewer construction, drain maintenance (increases from $75 to $150) Sewer construction, drain maintenance industrial (increases from $100 to $200) Commercial curb work permit (increases from $150 to $200) Bulky items The city now wants to charge residents $10 for bulky item pickups, which are currently free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to change that behavior, we need to change those policies so that Providence isnt viewed as a place that you can just drop anything off and it will get picked up, Smiley said last week. Whats next? None of the proposed fines or fees have been approved just yet. In the coming months, the Providence City Council Committee on Finance will hold several hearings to vet the budget and propose changes. The committee has its first budget overview meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Additionally, the city will hold public hearings tentatively scheduled for May 6 and June 9 to gather the publics input on the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City Council needs to pass the budget twice before sending it to the mayors desk for his signature ahead of the start of the new fiscal year. Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Alex Torres-Perez contributed to this report. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will be holding a public meeting to examine the data center surge and its impact on PAs power grid. The PUC says that as PA faces a surge in energy demand driven by the data centers and other large-load customers, they are hosting a public hearing on Thursday, April 24. The hearing will begin at 1:00 p.m. in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building located at 400 North Street in Harrisburg. It is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the PUCs website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vatican announces Pope Francis funeral will be held Saturday This is a fundamental turning point in our energy landscape, said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. Across Pennsylvania, we are seeing unprecedented demand from data centers and other high-load users, and that growth is happening faster than any of our traditional planning models anticipated. This hearing is a critical moment for the Commission to explore smart solutions that will maintain reliability while seizing this economic opportunity. The hearing will feature a series of expert panels representing the perspectives of large load customers, including data centers and industrial users, electric distribution companies, and customer and public interest advocates. The PUC will accept written comments for 30 days following the hearing. Instructions on how to submit comments will be posted to the hearing webpage after the session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are looking for any hearing-related materials, they will be on the data center hearing page of the PUC 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 PAhomepage.com. The seal of North Carolina in the Senate chamber features a cornucopia as a symbol of abundance. But 15 years of budget cutting have left the state far from prosperous. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) Several important policy priorities have defined conservative Republican governance of North Carolina during the last 15 years the culture wars, the effort to make elections more partisan and voting more difficult, the explosion of private school vouchers. But if there is a single phenomenon that has stood out above all others, it has been the relentless crusade to defund core public structures and services. Thanks to an ongoing series of regressive tax cuts, the falloff in what North Carolina invests in state government as a share of total state income by far the best indicator of overall capacity and effort has been precipitous. In 2024, for instance, the state General Fund budget was around 21% lower by this measure than it was in 2009. In previous years, the gap exceeded 30%. All told, North Carolina has disinvested in government to the tune of tens of billions of dollars over past decade-and-a-half. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those who might still harbor any doubts as to why so many of a fast-growing states public school classrooms, DMV offices and correctional and mental health facilities lack adequate numbers of fully trained and qualified personnel, look no further than these dollar figures, and the low employee pay and poor benefits to which they have given rise. Weirdly, however, despite the obvious cause-and-effect nature of this situation, conservative politicians have clung to a strange brand of denial over the years that, in turn, has helped spur a kind of vicious downward cycle. Heres how it has worked: When GOP lawmakers assumed control of the General Assembly in 2011, the watchword was attacking government bureaucracy. Spurred on by people like national right-wing activist Grover Norquist, who infamously and gruesomely bragged that his mission was to shrink government down to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub, conservative pols made attacking state employment in Raleigh a top priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Public Instruction employees the people charged with the unenviable task of monitoring and assisting 115 school districts as they employed tens of thousands of educators and educated over a million children were regularly dismissed as useless functionaries, authors of burdensome unfunded mandates, and inhabitants of the pink palace (a derisive reference to the Department of Public Instruction office building that was located just north of the Legislative Building). And so it was that the General Assembly enacted big tax and spending cuts in response some over the objection of Democratic governors, and for four years, with the aid of a Republican chief executive. The result, unsurprisingly, was that core services like schools, mental health, transportation, public safety, and environmental permitting plagued by funding cuts and staff reductions all struggled mightily to keep up with rising demands of what remained a fast-growing population. And it wasnt long before the falloff in services produced scads of constituent complaints. Frustrated by things like teacher shortages, massive waits from services for people with developmental disabilities and basics as simple as drivers license renewals and construction permits, North Carolinians spoke out and made their unhappiness known. It continues to this day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here, however, is the wrinkle thats especially maddening. Rather than responding to the complaints about inadequate services by restoring funding and at least placing a hold on more tax cuts, the same politicians who imposed the big cuts in the first place joined the chorus of complaints. Instead of acknowledging how their policies had demoralized and overwhelmed the state employees who remained, GOP lawmakers decried the decline in services, made a regular show of interrogating agency heads, and advanced two new solutions: privatizing public services and lowering standards. Indeed, both of these solutions are being advanced this year as GOP lawmakers promote ideas like increasing caps on public school class sizes, privatizing DMV services, allowing drivers licenses to be renewed less frequently, doing away with environmental reviews of new developments near waterways, and lowering building code standards ostensibly to promote Hurricane Helene recovery. And, of course, the final step in this whole destructive cycle comes when, claiming to be motivated to improve quote efficiency, the same politicians advance legislation to start the whole process over again by pursuing still more tax cuts and threatening more state agency job reductions. See, for instance, the new state Senate budget proposal and the so-called DAVE Act bill that would empower state Auditor Dave Boliek to act as a kind mini-Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taken together, its enough to make a body think that Norquists morbid fantasy may just have been the plan all along. The bottom line: slashing funding for basic public services for the purpose of improving outcomes makes no more sense than draining blood from an anemic patient or forgoing the basic upkeep of ones car or home. And right now, its long past time for our state to break this vicious and destructive cycle. Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered the U.S. to halt his full-scale invasion of Ukraine along the current front line, the Financial Times (FT) reported on April 22, citing unnamed sources familiar with the talks. Putin reportedly conveyed the offer during a recent meeting with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg. This could be the first formal indication from Putin since the full-scale war began in 2022 that Russia may consider scaling back its territorial demands. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, responding to the report, cast doubt on its accuracy. "A lot of fakes are being published now, including those published by respected publications, so one should only listen to primary sources," he told the Russian state-controlled media outlet RIA Novosti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia illegally declared ownership over Ukraine's Crimea in 2014 and over Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts in 2022, in violation of international law. Russia only partially occupies the four oblasts. Moscow has repeatedly demanded international recognition of the regions as Russian and that Ukrainian troops completely withdraw from them as part of any peace negotiations. Putin's message reportedly prompted Washington to propose a "peace settlement," elements of which have since been revealed in media reports, according to the FT. According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. proposal presented in a confidential April 17 meeting in Paris involves potentially recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea and barring Ukraine from NATO membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has been asked to respond this week, with a follow-up meeting scheduled in London on April 23 involving delegations from Ukraine, the U.S., the U.K., and France. If the parties reach a consensus, the proposal may be formally introduced to Moscow. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us European officials cited by the FT expressed concern that Putin's offer is designed to push U.S. President Donald Trump toward accepting broader Kremlin demands. President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly rejected such conditions on April 22, reiterating that Ukraine will not recognize Russia's occupation of Crimea under any scenario. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine," Zelensky said. "As soon as talks about Crimea and our sovereign territories begin, the talks enter the format that Russia wants prolonging the war." Witkoff, who conveyed Putin's position and is expected to visit Moscow this week, has drawn criticism for backing proposals perceived as aligning with Russian interests. Washington has signaled that if no progress is made in the coming days, it may abandon its ceasefire mediation efforts. Read also: Explosions rock what could be one of Russias largest weapons arsenals in Vladimir Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled an openness to conducting bilateral talks on military strikes with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, days after the United States warned that it may move on from facilitating peace talks if negotiations go nowhere. We need to sort this out. Maybe even bilaterally, Putin said Monday when speaking to journalists. We have a positive attitude towards a ceasefire, Putin said. That is why we have always said that we take a positive attitude to any peace initiatives. We hope that the representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin top spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Monday that when Putin stated that it was possible to discuss the issue of not striking civilian targets, including bilaterally, the president had in mind negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side, Reuters reported, citing Interfax news agency. Putin called for a brief truce Saturday with Ukraine, which he said would end Saturday night. Ukraine has called for the ceasefire to be extended and accused the Kremlin of breaking the short truce, saying the Russian military was conducting artillery strikes. On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the U.S. could move on from mediating the ceasefire talks between two Eastern European countries if the negotiations dont provide more progress. We are now reaching a point where we need to decide whether this is even possible or not, Rubio told reporters. Because if its not, then I think were just going to move on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not our war. We have other priorities to focus on, he stated, adding the decision could come in a matter of days. Russia and Ukraine have not held direct talks about ending the war that has been ongoing for over three years. The Ukrainian delegation will go to London on Wednesday to participate in peace talks with European and U.S. officials, Zelensky announced Monday. Already this Wednesday, our representatives will be working in London. Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States we are ready to move forward as constructively as possible, the Ukrainian president said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled he was open to ceasefire talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as pressure from the Trump administration ramps up to secure a peace deal. We need to sort this out, Putin told a Russian state TV reporter Monday. Maybe even bilaterally. His comments came after a senior U.S. official told NBC News that this week was critically important when it came to securing a truce between the two sides that have been at war for more than three years since Putin launched an invasion of his western neighbor in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov appeared to shift responsibility onto Ukraine, telling a press briefing that Kyiv must attempt steps to clear the way for talks. He added that Putin has repeatedly spoken about his readiness to resolve the issue through negotiations. However, there is little evidence Putin has moved away from his core war goals: cementing his land grabs in Ukraine and stopping the country from joining NATO. Ukrainian servicemen fire artillery toward Russian positions near Donetsk. Although he did not address Putin's comments directly, Zelenskyy said late Monday that Ukraine was ready for any conversation about a ceasefire that would halt strikes on civilians. Nevertheless, Ukraine stands by its offer at the very least, not to strike civilian infrastructure, he added. There have been no direct talks between the two sides about ending the conflict, but both countries are coming under increasing pressure from President Donald Trump's administration to bring an end to the conflict. Trump, who will mark 100 days in office next week, promised to end the war on his first day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Friday that the U.S. may be ready to move on unless progress was made on a peace deal. Were not going to continue with this endeavor for weeks and months on end, he said after meeting with Ukrainian and European officials in Paris. Zelenskyy will again hold more meetings with senior American and European officials in London this week. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Paris on Thursday. The senior U.S. official said the upcoming round of talks were critically important. The official added that Ukraine and Europe are expected to present their response to a terms sheet that was presented to them by Rubio and Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, in the French capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official said that Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last week, but little came out of the call. The official added there will be no meetings for meetings sake unless there are clear signs that progress was quickly achievable. However, Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin foreign policy adviser, told the state-run TASS news agency on Tuesday Witkoff will visit Moscow again this week having previously held three long meetings with Putin on prospects for an end to the war in Ukraine. His comments came after Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine over the weekend citing humanitarian reasons. However, both sides breached the truce after Russia targeted the country with a fresh round of strikes. Ukrainian troops later fired on Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy in his overnight address Monday said the talks in London have a primary task: to push for an unconditional ceasefire. This must be the starting point. But his country faces substantial hurdles in achieving real and lasting peace, given Putin's long held maximalist demands for ending the war, which would require Kyiv to cede all the land occupied by Russia and accept permanent neutrality. Ukraine in the past has stated that doing so would amount to surrender and leave the country vulnerable to attacks by Moscow in the future. Trump himself struck a more optimistic note Sunday, saying in a post on Truth Social that the two sides would hopefully make a deal this week. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com By Joel Jose and Siddarth S (Reuters) -Wall Street brokerages on Tuesday began coverage of Nvidia-backed CoreWeave with broadly bullish views, although the stock has failed to gain traction with investors following a lackluster initial public offering and market debut. Among the thirteen major brokerages covering CoreWeave's shares, Needham and Stifel set the highest price target at $55, while Melius Research had the lowest at $40. The stock, which was priced at $40 in its IPO, was last up 6% to $37.58. After the expiration of the industry-required quiet period, the brokerages started coverage of the stock, citing the company's strong foothold in the booming AI infrastructure market for their bullish stance. "CoreWeave exhibits a track record of being first to deploy next-gen GPUs, making it difficult for other hyperscalers to claim industry leadership," J.P.Morgan said. Livingston, New Jersey-based CoreWeave offers access to data centers and Nvidia chips, which are highly coveted in the competitive AI development landscape. However, the brokerages also expressed caution about the company's over-reliance on some of its customers and a tough market backdrop. "Volatile macro (and equities) backdrop may limit investors' willingness," said Morgan Stanley, as it started coverage with an "equal-weight" rating. Last year, CoreWeave - whose 32 data centers house over 250,000 GPUs, mainly supplied by Nvidia - generated 77% of its revenue from just its top two clients, one of which was Microsoft. Citigroup, which started coverage of the stock with a "neutral" rating, said the significant reliance on Microsoft posed a risk as the tech firm has signaled a slowdown in AI spending. Ahead of its IPO, CoreWeave signed a blockbuster $11.9 billion, five-year deal with OpenAI, Reuters reported last month, forging an alliance with the industry's top startup. "Close relationship with Microsoft and OpenAI could cut both ways ... and the customer concentration here does pose a risk," Barclays said. "We expect the stock to provide a wild, lumpy, volatile ride, requiring a risk tolerance that may not exist for most investors," J.P.Morgan said, warning that the firm's debt-fueled, capital-intensive business could pose risks. The IPO was underwritten by a syndicate of 18 banks, led by Morgan Stanley, J.P.Morgan and Goldman Sachs and was seen as a pivotal gauge of investor enthusiasm for new listings and AI-related stocks, especially in light of China's DeepSeek launch. Russian President Vladimir Putin will not travel to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, quashing speculation that the Russian leader might make an appearance despite an international arrest warrant against him. When asked by journalists whether Putin had plans to attend the burial on Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "No, the president doesn't have any such plans." Moscow has yet to decide who will represent Russia at the funeral, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heads of state and government from around the world are expected to travel to Rome to attend a funeral service at the Vatican and Francis' burial at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, including US President Donald Trump. Putin's attendance was always considered unlikely, however, after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him in 2023 over the alleged abduction of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine to Russia. Moscow refers to the incidents as evacuations. If the Russian president travelled to Rome, Italian authorities would be obligated to arrest him, as the country is a signatory to the Rome Statute, the founding document of the ICC. Putin expressed his condolences following the pope's death on Monday, hailing him for actively promoting "dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches as well as constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy See." On Tuesday, April 22, voters will determine the fate of the Puyallup School Districts $800 million bond measure once more. The bond got a 63% approval rating during a special election Feb. 13 but failed because it didnt reach the total voter-turnout threshold. If passed, the bond would allow the district to expand three high schools, replace three elementary schools Mt. View, Spinning and Waller Road and build a new elementary school near Emerald Ridge High School and Glacier View Junior High. In the lead-up to the second election, some voters received a text from the campaign supporting the measure, thanking them for voting yes in the February election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you for voting YES on Prop 1 in February! the April 19 text said. While 64% of voters supported it, not enough people turned in their ballots for it to pass. Now were back on the ballot so Puyallup schools can expand capacity, replace outdated buildings, and build a new elementary school for our growing community all while maintaining the current tax rate! The News Tribune reached out to the Yes campaign and asked about privacy concerns specifically, whether it has a record of people who voted yes in the previous election. We dont know HOW people voted but we did use a list of people who DID vote, Ellen Aronson, spokesperson for the Yes campaign, wrote in a statement to The News Tribune. We are trying to reach out to voters and err on the side of optimism that they are [supporters.] Our goal was to remind our community to participate in the election tomorrow. The News Tribune also reached out to Kyle Haugh at the Pierce County Elections Office. He confirmed that Washington state law does not release how voters voted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you voted, its public record, Haugh said. But how you voted? Never. Voters have until 8 p.m. to turn in their ballots. For more information on drop box locations, sample ballots and more, visit the Pierce County Elections website at www.piercecountywa.gov/328/Elections. In our Reality Check stories, The News Tribune journalists seek to hold the powerful accountable and find answers to critical questions in our community. Read more. Story idea? realitycheck@thenewstribune.com. Daniel Ceng / Anadolu via Getty Images Key Takeaways Nvidia shares were heading for another losing session Monday on worries about how the trade battle between the U.S. and China could impact the AI chipmaker's results. CEO Jensen Huang in China warned of a significant negative effect from U.S. restrictions on its chips. Previously, Nvidia said a new licensing requirement for its key H20 semiconductors could cost $5.5 billion in the first quarter. Nvidia (NVDA) shares headed lower for a third straight session Monday on continuing concerns the artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker could face a major economic hit from the trade fight between the U.S. and China. CEO Jensen Huang talked about the potential impact of new Trump administration tariffs in a visit to China last week, telling China-owned CCTV, "The increased restrictions have impacted our company significantly." Huang pointed out the importance of China to Nvidia's business, and that the company "will continue to make significant efforts to optimize our products to comply with regulations and continue serving the Chinese market." According to reports, Huang met with several government officials, including Ren Hongbin, head of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, as well as Liang Wenfeng, founder of Chinese AI research firm DeepSeek, which stunned the tech world earlier this year when it said it produced an AI product at a much lower cost than traditional models. Also last week, Nvidia reported in a regulatory filing that it was advised by U.S. officials that it would need a license to export its key H20 AI chips to China, and that requirement could result in up to $5.5 billion in charges in the first quarter. Shares of Nvidia fell nearly 4% soon after markets opened Monday. They have lost more than a quarter of their value this year. TradingView Read the original article on Investopedia The Ad Astra statue stands on April 8, 2025, atop the Statehouse dome. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) As the advocacy director for Mainstream Coalition, I had a front row seat to the harm caused to vulnerable Kansans by our elected officials this year. I sat beside deeply religious and secular Kansans as we advocated passionately for our government to respect our rights, protect our children, and care for our neighbors. I shared their grief as we lost. Repeatedly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 30 years ago, Kansas faith leaders created Mainstream Coalition to protect religious freedom and guard against the spread of religious extremism into our local, state, and federal politics. We need this mission today more than ever as the Trump administration enacts Project 2025, the Christian nationalist handbook to dismantle democracy. Every day we wake to new efforts to eliminate institutions, research and people who dont align with their goals. This is the Christian nationalist playbook: Impose a theocratic government and privilege patriots pledging allegiance to a so-called Christian nation. But if were only watching for threats from D.C., then were blind to the attack on our rights happening in Topeka through the decimation of church-state separation. For years weve fought against efforts to advance a dangerous political bastardization of Christianity through state policy. That fight got a lot harder this year. When our elected officials spend hours fighting for legislation aimed to erase transgender identities, prioritize tax relief for fetuses over working Kansans, divert millions of public dollars to private schools and Crisis Pregnancy Centers, or force a last-minute religious exemption for childhood vaccinations, theyre not doing the work of protecting the rights or pocketbooks of everyday Kansans. They are abusing their power as elected officials to force their narrow religious beliefs onto all Kansans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year the supermajority of the Kansas Legislature had some major wins. It began with Senate Bill 63, the gender-affirming care ban. Make no mistake, this bill exists to force a narrow religious definition of God-given biological sex onto all Kansans. Every Republican legislator (with the exception of Emporia Rep. Mark Schreiber) supported this bill, despite the hundreds of Kansas teachers, faith leaders, parents, transgender youths, and medical providers who warned that this would put childrens lives and mental health at risk. SB 63 was the first piece of legislation sent to the governors desk, passed on just the 14th day of session. Despite what legislators may have said last year while asking for your vote, their top priority wasnt to improve the economy or reduce your taxes. No, the first thing they did in Topeka was try to erase transgender Kansans because they are a so-called attack on the creativity of God. This year the supermajority (or maybe we should just acknowledge the real power under the dome Kansans for Life, Kansas Family Voice, and the Kansas Catholic Conference) also celebrated the passage of several anti-abortion bills. Fortunately, education advocates were able to hold back expanded voucher programs that would send public dollars to unregulated private, often religious schools with a track record of using textbooks that teach that the Loch Ness Monster is proof of creationism or that slavery was Black immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One bill illustrates the real power of Christian nationalists in Topeka. House Bill 2311 puts some of our most vulnerable youths, queer children in our foster care system, in harms way by prioritizing religious beliefs about sexual orientation and gender identity over the well being of children. Extreme religious families are now legally permitted to foster or adopt a queer child and subject them to conversion therapy, an unethical, unproven practice that targets queer children and seeks to change their sexual and gender identities. Legislators called this a religious freedom bill but at first failed to produce any examples of a religious household being denied a foster placement, the very problem they said so desperately needed protection in Kansas. They managed to find one unverified claim of religious discrimination before the bill was passed. This one example was touted as evidence that religious households are under attack by the state, and again ran roughshod over the dozens of opponents who said this bill would endanger children. This is their secret weapon: Christian nationalists are skillful at escaping accountability through manipulative messaging. If a teacher is told to use a students chosen pronouns, then their freedom of speech is violated. If a household is denied a foster care placement because they want to pray the gay away, then their religious freedom is violated. If a legislator is told that they are threatening the lives of transgender youths by denying gender-affirming care, then their motives are being unjustly impugned. They argue that they are the victims, not the innocent Kansans whose human rights and dignity they are dismantling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any attempt to hold Christian nationalists and their adherents accountable for their harmful actions is twisted to be a threat against not just them, but against their chosen faith and church. This was perfectly illustrated this year when the Satanic Grotto announced its plan for a black mass at the Statehouse. The groups stated purpose to host a civil disobedience event to reflect our own pain and anger of us being subjected to religion that we never gave consent to, was immediately overshadowed by loud legislators who felt their religion was threatened by this public theater. As the modern day religious show-down devolved into physical altercations and arrests, videos captured the loud prayers of Rep. Angela Stiens, Sen. Mike Thompson, and gubernatorial candidate Charlotte OHara, who were permitted to publicly display their religious beliefs inside the Statehouse without threat. Sen. Rick Kloos summarized my dread regarding this years legislative session best when he preached from the Senate floor: The day Jesus rose from the dead, we won, and we continue to win. I say it again, we already won. Who is the we that Kloos referenced? Not me. Nor is it the majority of Kansans, Christians or secular, who want our government to respect the pluralistic beliefs and constitutional rights of all Kansans. Those of us not privileged in this Christian nationalist world order are doomed to be the losers until we start holding them accountable and call out their actions for the un-Christian, theocratic agenda that begins at the federal level and trickles down to Kansas through our elected officials. Laurel Burchfield is the advocacy director of Mainstream Coalition, where she advocates under the dome and in local communities to protect church-state separation. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. Thousands of documents that could contain key details about rampant childhood sexual abuse inside a defunct Santa Clarita detention camp including so-called grooming drawings were left scattered inside the facility and never turned over to the victims' attorneys, according to a firm suing L.A. County over the decades-old incidents. As part of the preparation for a looming June trial, attorneys with law firm Manly, Stewart & Finaldi had arranged April 15 to visit Camp Scott, a shuttered L.A. County probation camp where many of their clients say they were sexually abused as children. Inside the facility were reams of records that the county should have turned over to the firm more than a year ago through discovery, said attorney Courtney Thom, whose firm has about 150 civil cases alleging sexual abuse by county probation staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can understand my shock when Im walking through where my clients got raped as children, and there are documents everywhere, Thom said at a Monday superior court hearing in downtown Los Angeles. Thom said she discovered thousands of paper grievances, a locked file cabinet labeled Personnel Files CAMPS A W, and a drawing she believed was signed by Thomas Jackson a probation deputy accused by at least 20 women of sexually assaulting them at the camp. The drawing, included in a court filing, was of the name TAMI in big, block orange letters and appeared to be signed by a Jackson. T. Attorney James Sargent, who is representing the county and accompanied Thom for the tour last week, called her claims inflammatory and incorrect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They want to air what they deem as dirty laundry, said Sargent, who told L.A. Superior Court Judge Lawrence Riff that the personnel files they discovered had nothing to do with the staff named in the lawsuits. Nor did the drawing, he said. Tami Wilson, a former supervisor at the camp, told him she recalled being given the hand-drawn card by a youth, he wrote in a court filing. The county announced earlier this month they planned to pay $4 billion to settle nearly 7,000 claims of alleged sexual abuse inside the countys juvenile facilities and foster homes. The settlement believed to be the largest sex abuse settlement in U.S. history arose from Assembly Bill 218, a 2020 state law that gave victims of childhood sexual abuse a new window to file civil suits against alleged predators and the agencies that employed them. A handful of prominent firms including Manly, Stewart & Finaldi declined to participate in the settlement and have ongoing litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the aftermath of AB 218, state legislators have introduced several bills to attempt to make it easier for governments and school districts to deal with the financial fallout from the deluge of suits. One of these bills SB 577 is set for a hearing Tuesday. The bill's author, State Sen. John Laird, said the legislation is intended to "restore some equilibrium," lessening the financial blow to public agencies while still upholding a victim's right to sue. County lawyers claim one reason the state law change has had such a devastating financial toll is because many of the records they need to fight decades-old cases are long gone. Attorney John Manly argued the claim flew in the face of what his firm saw at Camp Scott. The county has been telling all of Sacramento that they dont have any documents, said Manly, who urged the judge to allow his firm to publicize the footage theyd taken of the heaps of documents. We need to be able to share this with legislators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riff agreed with the countys request that the videos from inside Camp Scott remain confidential for now due to security risks, though he instructed both sides to try to find some common ground on whether certain videos could be made public. Though Camp Scott hasnt been used to house youths for years, Sargent wrote in a filing that may soon change. L.A. County Superior Court Judge Miguel Espinoza ordered the county Friday to prepare to shut down Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall the countys last remaining juvenile hall, where roughly 270 youths are held due to problems stemming from chronic understaffing. The youth presently in Los Padrinos will need to go somewhere, and if some wind up at Camp Scott, the public release of photos and videos could be seriously detrimental, Sargent wrote. Thom noted that both reporters and television crews have been allowed to broadcast footage taken inside the camp, including a 2001 documentary, " Camp Scott Lock-Up." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The L.A. Times has been in there to photograph, said Thom. MTV videoed more than we did." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. OSLO (Reuters) -The board of Norway's Equinor must explain how the company's plan to raise oil and gas production aligns with its stated commitment to the Paris agreement on curbing climate change, a group of minority shareholders said on Tuesday. Equinor, which is 67% government owned, this year joined the likes of Shell and BP in promising higher petroleum output while scaling back investment in renewables. In a resolution to be voted on at Equinor's May 14 annual general meeting, the minority owners said there were "material inconsistencies" between the company's climate strategy and the policy expectations expressed by its majority shareholder. Those expectations, laid out by Noway's government two years ago, included Equinor setting targets and implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions "in both the short and long term" in line with the 2015 Paris climate accord. "Other shareholders have reasonable expectations that the company would move towards alignment with the expectations of the majority shareholder. Instead, Equinor has gone in the opposite direction," Brynn O'Brien, head of the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR), which co-filed the motion, said in a statement. Equinor's board of directors, however, asked the shareholders to reject the motion, which was also filed by Danish pension fund Sampension and Swedish pension fund Folksam. The board said in a statement it considered the company's strategy and its business model to be in line with global climate goals. "Scenarios of future energy needs, including those aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, indicate that oil and gas will be required for decades to come," it added. Equinor is Europe's largest supplier of pipeline gas. The outcome of the vote will depend on the position of the Norwegian government, which generally backs the board's position at AGMs. The industry ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis, editing by Terje Solsvik) Parsons Corporation has been chosen to deliver project management services for Phase 1 of Southwest Florida International Airport (Regional South West, RSW) terminal expansion in Fort Meyers, Florida, US. Parsons, functioning as an extension of the airport authority-led team, will provide project and contract management support throughout the construction and initial operation phases. It will work with design, construction management, and construction engineering inspection teams, along with other technical advisors and stakeholders. To ensure project control oversight and completion, Parsons will leverage in-house expertise and subconsultants. Phase 1 includes adding approximately 200,000ft2 of new and remodelled terminal space, aimed at reducing wait times, consolidating checkpoint operations, improving concourse connectivity, increasing airside concessions, and introducing additional amenities while preserving the airport's aesthetic. Parsons Corporation provides services in the defence, intelligence, and infrastructure sectors. The company stated that it has provided planning, design, construction, management, and maintenance services for terminal, landside, and airside infrastructure at more than 450 airports across 40 countries, with adherence to global agency standards, including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Parsons Infrastructure North America president Mark Fialkowski said: "We are honoured to support the Lee County Port Authority to ensure the successful delivery of Phase 1 of the transformative Terminal Expansion Project. Our team is committed to applying our extensive expertise in airport infrastructure to enhance the passenger experience in Southwest Florida and to deliver solutions that enhance the regions mobility and economic growth. In December 2024, Parsons secured a $53m (40.5m) three-year contract with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) in Saudi Arabia. "Parsons to deliver project management for Florida airport terminal expansion" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The White House and Republicans are not shying away from battling with Democrats over the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Their view: It doesnt hurt President Trump and may even help him and the party. Of course its a winning issue. Americans support enforcing the law. Common sense tells you this and polls confirm it. If Democrats want to talk about MS-13 gang members, were happy to oblige them, a senior White House official told me about the messaging in the Abrego Garcia case. Abrego Garcias attorneys and family have disputed allegations he is in MS-13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), House Republicans campaign arm, went as far as to offer to pay for House Democrats trips to El Salvador as they demanded Abrego Garcias release on the condition they livestream the whole thing and snap plenty of selfies with your MS-13 buddies. Well pay for the plane tickets, they just cant forget to smile for the camera while they sell out their constituents, NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella said in a statement Monday, coming after a group of House Democrats announced travel to the country. That is exactly what some Democrats have been worrying about as their colleagues sound the alarm about what they see as the underlying issue: the Trump administration appearing to ignore the Supreme Courts order to facilitate Abrego Garcias return. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday that the White House picked out this case and this man because its about a subject that they want to keep in the news. And California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), asked to comment on the case last week, said it was the distraction of the day, adding: This is the debate they want. This is their 80/20 issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who traveled to El Salvador an met with Abrego Garcia last week, shot back at Newsom on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, saying: I dont think its ever wrong to stand up for the Constitution and that Americans are tired of elected officials or politicians who are all finger to the wind, whats blowing this way, whats blowing that way. But as Democrats battle over the right tactics and principles, actions from the White House and Republicans show they are leaning in. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Abrego Garcia will never live in the United States again. The White Houses social media accounts have dug in, too, saying he will not come back. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) joined in highlighting Democrats travel to El Salvador, posting Monday: Today, House Democrats travel to El Salvador as part of their obsession to bring a violent illegal alien and member of MS-13 BACK INTO the United States. Could the contrast be more clear? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans are encouraged by the polls showing support for deportations: An April 9-13 CNBC/Hart Research poll found 52 percent of adults approved of Trumps handling of deporting illegal immigrants. A March 27-28 CBS/YouGov poll found 58 percent of adults approved of the Trump administrations program to deport immigrants illegally in the U.S. CNNs Harry Enten reported that Trumps net approval on immigration is +1, a stark contrast from the -12 rating from this point in his first term. Other polls, however, paint a more nuanced picture. A March 28-April 1 YouGov poll found that 61 percent of adults opposed deporting immigrants without criminal convictions to El Salvador to be imprisoned, without letting them challenge the deportation in court. Abrego Garcia has no criminal record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while Republicans are digging in on the messaging, they are not necessarily giving full-throated support to the Trump administration on every aspect of the controversy. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday that Abrego Garcias deportation was a screw up. I understand why the administration has bowed up and wont admit its a mistake, because if they do, theyll have their throats torn out. But, it was a screw up, Kennedy said. Related: Patience runs thin as Trumps battle with Supreme Court intensifies, from my colleague Zach Schonfeld. Im Emily Brooks, House leadership reporter at The Hill, here with a weekly look at the influences and debates on the right in Washington. Tell me whats on your radar: ebrooks@thehill.com PAPAL POLITICS IN WASHINGTON: As the Vatican prepares for a papal conclave that will choose the next head of the Catholic Church, right-wingers in Washington are already piping up with political posturing in wake of Pope Franciss death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some traditionalists are already boosting Cardinal Robert Sarah, a conservative Guinean. Hes a favorite of those who have bristled at Pope Franciss more progressive statements. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) is one of those pushing for him. She posted a photo of Cardinal Sarah on X, and reposted messages from an account called Trad West calling for the next Pope to be more conservative. Jack Posobiec the right-wing activist and commentator who is close to the Trump administration and traveled with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this year is telling fellow Catholics to call on the cardinals to choose a next Pope one who understands the spiritual awakening that is sweeping millions in a return to the church, referring to traditionalist beliefs. The most eye-popping comment in wake of Franciss death so far, though, is from ex-Catholic and self-described Christian nationalist Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without naming anyone in particular, Greene posted Monday: Today there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God. Greene hasnt clarified whether she was referring to Francis. World Economic Forum Chair Klaus Schwab also stepped down from his post on Monday. But Greene hasnt waived off the assumption that she was talking about Francis, either. As for Vice President Vance The Catholic convert was one of the last leaders to meet with Francis before his death, on Easter Sunday before Franciss Easter message calling for those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear toward the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants. (More in The Washington Post .) Flashback Former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) abruptly announced his retirement in 2015 the day after Pope Francis spoke to a joint session of Congress, a major and emotional accomplishment for Boehner. Boehner on X recalled Fancis asking the Speaker to pray for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Trump will attend Franciss funeral with first lady Melania Trump, he said, posting on Truth Social that they look forward to being there. THREE MORE THINGS 1. BABY BOOM. Pro-natalist activists have been pitching policy ideas to the White House to get Americans to have more babies, The New York Times reports . Ideas include a $5,000 baby bonus and reserving 30 percent of Fulbright scholarships for those who are married or have children. The news comes after The Wall Street Journals eye-popping report about how Trump adviser and tech billionaire Elon Musk manages his legion of babies from multiple different mothers and the harem drama that comes along with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2. EXILE. Donald Trump Jr. lashed out at John Ullyot, a former top Pentagon spokesperson who resigned from the Defense Department at the end of last week. Ullyot wrote a piece in Politico on Sunday slamming the total chaos at the Pentagon. Some background. Three top Pentagon officials senior adviser to Hegseth Dan Caldwell; Colin Carroll, chief of staff to the deputy Defense secretary; and Darin Selnick, deputy chief of staff to Hegseth were ousted last week amid what remaining defense officials said was an investigation into leaks at the Defense Department. In a joint statement Saturday, the three officials said they had been subject to baseless attacks. Trump Jr. said: This guy is not America First. Ive been hearing for years that he works his ass off to subvert my fathers agenda. That ends today. Hes officially exiled from our movement. Related from my colleagues Ellen Mitchell and Brett Samuels: Trump World fires back as Hegseth back in hot seat 3. WHATS IN MY BAG: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noems purse was stolen from a restaurant in downtown D.C. on Sunday night which apparently included $3,000 in cash, blank checks and a DHS access badge. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told NewsNations Ali Bradley that Noem had the cash because her whole family was in town (including children and grandchildren) and was treating them to activities, dinner and Easter gifts. Personally, Im hoping for a Whats in my bag video with Noem soon. Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think: ebrooks@thehill.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 The Hill. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) A request to allow Wildlife Prairie Park to build an RV park on part of their land was passed by the Peoria County Land Use Committee. Now its up to the Peoria County Board at their meeting next month to give the final okay to the idea that Wildlife Prairie Park could have several sites for RV camping. The committee met Monday afternoon and heard three rezoning cases, one of which would allow 9.5 acres of the park to be used as a Recreation Vehicle park, which will be able to hold 40 RV campsites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im excited to hear that theyre gonna put it in because Peoria County definitely needs an RV park, said Land Use Committee Chairperson Paul Rosenbohm. This would also allow them to recondition an old building into a visitor center, upgrade the park-side pavilion, and upgrade the lake and beach areas. The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 6-0. Each campsite will have a place for septic hookup as well as electric hookups and will not allow tent camping. Part of the construction of the park will call for the removal of the parks old septic tanks and the instillation of new ones, said a spokesperson from Austin Engineering who attended the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The park will only be seasonal, and it will be open between nine and 10 months out of the year, according to the spokesperson. The water hook-up will be used by connecting a hose to a hydrant, so they will have to be flushed out before it gets cold, so the water doesnt freeze, he said. As part of a condition for the Peoria County highway department to approve the park, updates were needed to a pedestrian access path and after that permits with state governments will be needed before construction of the park can begin. It is hopeful construction can start as early as this summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Bangladesh was identified as the 12th-largest global methane emitter by a 2021 Bloomberg report, which spurred the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute to open its first emission-tracking laboratory, as Mongabay detailed. The lab was set up in 2024 at BRRI's regional office to gather real-time emission data from the country's rice crops, which account for 7% of the world's supply, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its primary goal is to support the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method of production, which the report said has been piloted across the country for several years. This water management process allows for fields to be periodically dried. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rice crops contribute around 8% of planet-warming agricultural emissions, per Asian Development Bank, and are particularly notorious for their output of methane, a heat-trapping gas that's 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In particular, flooded rice paddy fields account for 12% of man-made methane emissions. This common production method keeps fields flooded to suppress weed growth, but decaying organic matter with little access to oxygen leads to methane production, according to data from ADB. "Given the real-time GHG emission measurement facilities, we would not only analyze the impacts of AWD but also claim carbon credits someday," BRRI director general Mohammad Khalequzzaman told Mongabay. Using machines made by biotech research company LI-COR Environmental, the researchers hope to gain a greater understanding of the emissions involved in AWD compared to the traditional flooding method, per the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, they had to rely on manually collected data or default emission numbers set forth by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. However, the researchers felt that different agroecological zones and management practices deserved a closer look at their facility. "This laboratory represents a significant leap from the manual measurement methods previously used, where emissions were assessed only once every seven days," Mohammad Ashik Iqbal Khan, regional chief of BRRI and principal scientific officer, said. ADB's research data on rice production showed that AWD can reduce methane output by as much as 30 to 50%. The practice can also reduce water use by up to 20% while not impacting crop yields. This process is important in lowering global planet-warming emissions while also maintaining production levels. Rice supplies around 19% of calories to people around the globe, per a study published in GeoHealth, with half the world relying on it for over 25% of its daily intake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Improving the sustainability of the farming process for this invaluable staple would improve food security and lessen its impact on the environment. BRRI senior scientific officer S.M. Mofijul Islam expressed high hopes for their research going forward, saying, "By closely monitoring real-time methane emissions under various conditions, we can now refine AWD techniques to maximize their impact." 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. MOREHEAD, Ky. (FOX 56) In 2024, the CDC reported e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students in the U.S., with roughly 6% currently using the products. More and more teenagers are increasing their caffeine intake as well. A new study out of Morehead State University looks at the dangers of energy drink consumption along with the use of vape products among teenagers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the fall 2024 semester, the research team at Morehead State got data from roughly 440 students, looking at the consumption of both vape products and energy drinks, citing that oftentimes, when teenagers use one, they use the other as well. Dr. Elizabeth Ash said many college students dont take the time to learn about the dangers of using just one of the vape products or energy drinks, let alone both. She said one of her colleagues works part-time in the emergency room and would see a concerning number of high school students pass through because of overconsumption. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Breaking down the data in various categories, such as gender, how active they were, whether they lived on or off campus, and even what they were studying, Ash said the research offered some interesting results. We did a seven-day window where we asked, within the last seven days, When did you utilize whichever substance we were looking at?' Ash explained. But another thing that we looked at was the age that they first experimented or started using it on a regular basis. I dont have the data in front of me, but Im going to say for both populations, it was high school. Im going to say between the ages of, and this is being kind of conservative, but 13 to 15. Ash notes the body doesnt fully develop until a persons mid-20s. She also said one surprising thing was that vape usage specifically decreased during the pandemic, as students were at home and couldnt easily get such products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is said teenagers should not consume more than 100 milligrams of caffeine a day, the equivalent of one cup of coffee, two cups of tea, or two to three cans of soda. Any more than that can lead to increased anxiety, sleep problems. stomach issues, and more. Read more of the latest Kentucky news The severity of health issues can only increase the more products are consumed. Looking at the health risks of vape products, Ash said the risk of heart attacks and seizures both goes up, and the brains development can be slowed down, which could lead to long-term neurological damage. Lung damage and fertility issues are also very possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ash said something not a lot of people are aware of, teenagers especially: most vape cartridges have the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes, and most teenagers go through multiple cartridges a day. It is these risks that have Ash and her colleagues wanting to make a change. We want to take what weve collected and utilize that information and show the importance of having education, Ash detailed. We need it in middle school. I think we need it. Even before high school, we needed a middle school to educate our current students, our future students. What are the dangers? What are the hazards of participating in these behaviors to them? Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ash also said that what happens in the state legislature could have a major impact on the overall consumption of these products among teenagers. On Jan. 1, a law went into effect here in Kentucky that limited the sale of certain vape products in the state. The law only allows the sale of products that have a safe harbor certification based on their status with the FDA. Very few vape pens have that, and the pens that are mainly not allowed to be sold are the disposable flavored ones, which are very popular among young people. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Police in Orange County are investigating multiple reports of cats being taken and possibly killed in at least one neighborhood. The Santa Ana Police Department is aware of a viral animal cruelty case involving cats in the area of Sullivan Street and McFadden Avenue, the Department posted on X Tuesday morning. Area residents say one man is responsible for taking the cats and believe he is killing some of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been multiple incidents of cats being killed in our community, and residents are deeply concerned, said a viewer who sent KTLA images of the man taken from the Nextdoor app. We saw our cameras and this guy just grabbed a neighborhood cat seemed like he tied his legs up and took him around 5pm. He went walking on Shelton street towards McFadden. The cat is Black with light brown spots, a caption on one post with an image of the man read. A person in another post said the man inject a cat that later died. Hello! Im near El Savador park and my neighbors cat was killed by a man that injected it with some sort of substance. The post stated that the man was wearing a reflective vest and fed the cat in order to lure it to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person appears to match the description of a suspect sought in a cat theft that took place in Westminster last month, although it is unclear if the incidents are related. Surveillance video taken on March 21 showed the moment a man snagged Clubber, a 10-month-old Bengal Lynx cat. Clubber was eventually returned to his home, but the man was never caught. Santa Ana police encouraged anyone with information about the incidents to contact Investigative Specialist S. Guzman at 714-245-8416 or SGuzman@santa-ana.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. CHICAGO State transportation officials and police are urging drivers to respect work zones as the construction season ramps up. It is National Work Zone Awareness Week. The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Tollway and state police held a press conference Tuesday morning sharing details about local projects and how to safely navigate work zones. The years theme is Respect the Zone So We All Get Home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people you pass working on equipment or behind the cones and barricades are someones father, mother, son, daughter, friend and neighborhor. Whether you encounter a small crew patching potholes or multiple workers on an interstate construction project that stretches across several miles, the people in that work zone want to get home at the end of the day just like you, said Jose Rios, Region 1 Engioneer, Illinois Department of Transportation. The joint safety message is to help reduce the number of crashes, inuries and deaths on roadways in Illinois. Many frontline works Tuesday shared their personal encounters on working in the field. As construction season is upon us, there will be lane changes, closures, signage and multiple work zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Illinois Tollway, it is investing $1.15 billion in roadway repairs and improvements. Much of that construction occuring as part of the Move Illinois capital program. That includes major work on portions of the central Tri-State Tollway, I-294 between St. Charles Road and I-55. As well as where were building a massive interchange connecting I-294 to I-290 and I-88. When completed, these improvements will make traveling on the tollway safer and more convenient for our customers, said Rohan Gayle, Chief of Maintenance and Traffic, Illinois Tollway. The biggest message is to respect work zones and to make sure you are within the speed limit and avoid any distractions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) As National Work Zone Awareness Week continues, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation is urging drivers to slow down around work zones. With warmer weather returning, construction crews are getting back to work. The week of April 21 25 marks an annual spring campaign that promotes and encourages safe driving through highway work zones. Work zone safety isnt just about putting up barriers and signs, Derek Torrey, Rhode Island Division Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, said. Its about creating a culture of awareness and responsibility where everyonefrom workers to driversunderstands their role in preventing accidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, deadly crashes in work zones have increased steadily over the past decade, rising from about 500 deaths per year to nearly 900. Close up of work zone sign. While RIDOT hasnt reported any work zone deaths in several years, there were nearly 500 work zone-related crashes in Rhode Island last year. It doesnt just carry a risk of a citation and fine. It can result in a tragedy, R.I. State Police Col. Robert Creamer said. Every day, law enforcement officers, emergency responders, roadside workers put themselves in harms way to improve our roads and protect our communities, the least we can do is move over or slow down. During a press conference Tuesday, Lincoln Police Lt. Brad Stewart shared two personal stories to underscore the importance of safe driving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, Stewart stopped to help a driver with a flat tire on the side of Route 146. Shortly after he returned to his cruiser, a drunk driver slammed into the back of his parked vehicle. Come to find out, this driver was four times the legal limitsomething that could have been completely preventable, whether it be rideshare, calling a friend or just making a decision not to drive, Stewart said. About five years later, Stewart was working a construction detail on the same highway when another drunk driver swerved to avoid a crashed truck, nearly hit him, and ended up slamming into a construction truck towing a sign board. I thought that the two guys on the back of that truck that were setting up those cones and the signboard were dead, he recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunately, no one was hurt. But Stewart said the close call is a powerful reminder: everyone deserves to make it home safe. Slow down. Move over. If you see flashing lights, pay attention to signage. Pay attention to work zones, he added. Lets try to make this state safer to drive in. Work zone sign that reads "So we all get home." Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Although fewer activist campaigns were submitted by sustainability-minded shareholder activists to business annual meetings this year, conflicts on issues like corporate diversity initiatives still exist. As of February 21, investors pressuring corporations on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues submitted 355 shareholder proposals, compared to 536 at the same time in 2024 and 542 at the same time in 2023. Demands for merger & acquisition actions, such as selling a firm or selling business units, are still largely ignored, appearing in only around 25% of campaigns. Since the worldwide deal volume reached a record high in 2021, M&A requests have decreased by around half. Secondly, activist investors are also agitating for strategic and operational changes, believing they could help unlock hidden value. Finally, 26% of the campaigns pushed for merger and acquisition activity, a significant drop from the historical average of 45%. According to a Barclays report, many activist investors remain focused on pushing for board changes. It also emerged that activists increasingly have their way as part of the campaigns, having won 51 board seats, up 34% from the same quarter a year ago. The US remains the epicenter of shareholder activism, accounting for over half of the first quarters campaigns. Japan comes second with 16 campaigns, accounting for a 45% increase compared to the same period last year. The fresh efforts this year follow a record number of activist shareholders targeting businesses around the world in 2024. Additionally, the campaigns are on the rise owing to the market instability caused by President Donald Trumps tariffs, widespread layoffs at U.S. government agencies, and recessionary fears. We are in a phase where activists continue to take advantage of all the uncertainties, said Jim Rossman, global head of shareholder advisory at Barclays. In early 2025 we have seen more fights, more settlements and more board seats won by the activists than we did this time a year ago. Economic uncertainty and market volatility are some of the factors fueling activist investor campaigns in 2025. In the first quarter alone, there was a 17% jump in activist campaigns, affirming how high-profile activist investors are becoming agitated and increasingly pushing for strategic changes aimed at unlocking shareholder value. We recently published a list of 15 Recent Activist Investor Campaigns . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) stands against other recent activist investor campaigns. Story Continues The decline came amid growing concerns that big investors will not support the measures. Additionally, ESG-focused activist investors also remained wary that Republican regulators would not approve their resolutions to go to a vote. Additionally, the decline came as companies became wary of unnecessary public battles, opting to make changes to avoid unwanted proxy fights. Activism is also becoming a popular strategy for newcomers, including freshly founded hedge funds that have never launched a campaign before. These funds are anxious to make a return in difficult times and are emboldened by the success of others. According to the data, eleven so-called first-timers ran campaigns during the quarter. Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, Barclays bankers anticipate that the majority of activity will continue to be concentrated on U.S. corporations and that more companies will have to respond to shareholder demands. Our Methodology We sifted through financial media reports and news articles to identify 15 recent activist investor campaigns. We then examined some of the strategic changes that the activist investors are agitating and the impact they are likely to have in the long run. Finally, we ranked the activist campaigns in ascending order based on when they occurred. 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). Pfizer Inc. (PFE): Among Recent Activist Investor Campaigns A medical technician wearing protective gloves and a mask mixing a biopharmaceutical solution. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) Value of Stake: $1 Billion Starboard Value LP Activist Campaign Initiated: October 2024 Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 92 Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and manufactures healthcare products to prevent and treat diseases. After becoming a star at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic owing to strong demand for its vaccines, the company has come down tumbling to the extent of being a significant target for activist investors. After shedding more than 20% in value in 2024, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is having to contend with pressure from Starboard Value LP that has amassed a $1 billion stake in its stock. The activist hedge fund has approached two former executives with the intention of installing them to spearhead strategic changes at the company. The push for management changes comes on Starboard Value LP, becoming agitated over what it claims to be mismanagement of pandemic windfall with costly deals. Consequently, the activist hedge fund wants to install board members focused on controlling costs and pushing for disciplined deals to unlock long-term value. In addition to Starboard Value LP pressure, Institutional Shareholder Services is urging investors to reject Pfizer Inc.s (NYSE:PFE) proposals on executive compensation at the upcoming annual meeting. Overall, PFE ranks 11th on our list of recent activist investor campaigns. While we acknowledge the potential of PFE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PFE 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. Happy Tuesday! Heres your Tuesday Tech Drop, a collection of the past weeks top stories from the intersection of technology and politics. RFK Jr.s autism registry Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whos been facing backlash over anti-scientific, offensive and belittling remarks he made about the basic abilities of autistic people, is launching a disease registry to track Americans with autism. The news raises a host of data security concerns, in addition to questions about how Kennedy might use the data to advance his conspiratorial and harmful health agenda. Advocates for people with autism have decried Kennedys recent comments that autism is a preventable disease that destroys families, and Kennedy has hired a discredited vaccine researcher to investigate debunked claims that autism and vaccines are linked. So the idea that the health secretary wants to compile a database of Americans who have a condition he seems intent on spreading falsehoods about is more than a little suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS News reports: Between 10 and 20 outside groups of researchers will be given grant funding and access to the records to produce Kennedys autism studies. Read more at CBS News. Trump Media asks the Trump admin for help Trump Media and Technology Group, which is majority-owned by President Donald Trump and according to a regulatory filing has been placed in a trust controlled by his oldest son, is asking the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate a hedge firm that bet against it to the tune of more than $100 million. In other words, Trumps media company is asking the Trump administration to probe someone who predicted its failure. Read my report at MSNBC. Googles antitrust issues Last week, Google lost its second antitrust lawsuit in less than a year, when a judge ruled that its advertising business ran afoul of monopoly rules. This follows a separate antitrust lawsuit Google lost last year, over its Chrome search engine. The federal government is asking a judge to require that Google sell Chrome, and a separate judge will decide the proper punishment on the advertising front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more at The New York Times. ICE reportedly quenches its thirst for data 404 Media reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning to create a centralized database with data from various federal agencies that can be used to help target people as part of Trumps immigration crackdown. The tool reportedly is known as ATrac, or Alien Tracker, and will provide near real-time tracking of both targets on a local level and the broader set of immigration enforcement targets around the country by pulling data from several agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Labor. Read more at 404 Media. Zuckerbergs power plays Meta owner Mark Zuckerberg has embarked on a largely behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign with top government officials including House Speaker Mike Johnson to steer lawmakers away from passing rules on childrens online safety that could place the onus on Meta to verify users ages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more at Politico. FTC takes umbrage with Uber One The Federal Trade Commission is suing ride-hailing app Uber over what it says are deceptive billing and cancellation practices involving the Uber One subscription service. An Uber spokesperson said the company is disappointed by the complaint, but confident that court rulings will be in its favor. Read more at CNN. Hegseths second Signal scandal The White House is trying to beat back outcry over a report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive military details about a military strike with his wife, brother and personal attorney. This, of course, would mark the second time in as many months that Hegseth was embroiled in such a scandal involving the Signal messaging app. And Sabrina Singh, a former deputy press secretary for the Defense Department, explained for MSNBC why this Hegseth scandal is worse than the first: The first group chat that we learned about consisted of members of the national security team. He [Hegseth] still shared sensitive information in a commercial text app but these were with people who typically meet the need to know threshold. But do Hegseths wife, brother and personal attorney have a need to know regarding when a military operation is going to start, the takeoff times of F/A-18s, the launches of the Tomahawk missiles and when the bombs will drop? No. Read Singhs full piece at MSNBC. Not the hill to die on Semafors Max Tani reported that Trumps social media company, Truth Social, has dropped political media outlet The Hill from a defamation lawsuit targeting more than a dozen news organizations. Tanis report said that The Hills parent company, Nexstar, had reached a settlement over a story that overstated Truth Socials financial losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more at Semafor. MAGA-aligned prayer app Over on Salon, writer Amanda Marcotte published a dispatch on her unnerving descent into the prayer app Hallow, which is popular among MAGA celebrities and garnered some of its early funding from Trump-aligned billionaire Peter Thiel and one of his associates, now-Vice President JD Vance. Read more at Salon. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday a series of measures to phase out eight artificial food dyes and colorings from America's food supply by the end of next year. Speaking at a news conference, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the agencies will work with food companies to remove dyes from products. "I just want to urge all of you, it's not the time to stop; it's the time to redouble your efforts, because we have them on the run now, and we are going to win this battle," Kennedy told a crowd of "Make America Healthy Again" supporters during the news conference. "And four years from now, we're going to have most of these products off the market, or you will know about them when you go to the grocery store." PHOTO: Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a news conference on the FDA's intent to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the nation's food supply, in Washington, April 22, 2025. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) MORE: RFK Jr. has a goal to study what's 'behind' autism by September. How realistic is it? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the news conference, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said the agencies are looking to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings and to work with the food industry to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes used in cereal, ice cream, snacks, yogurts and more. "Today, the FDA is taking action to remove petroleum-based food dyes from the U.S. food supply and from medications. For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals," he told reporters. Former President Joe Biden's administration in January started the process to ban one artificial dye, Red No. 3, which will need to be removed from food by January 2027 and from medications by 2028 because it was shown to cause cancer in rats. The FDA said Tuesday it is requesting food companies to speed up the removal of Red. No. 3. Federal officials are taking steps to pull the authorization for two rarely used synthetic food colorings -- Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B -- within the coming months. In addition, the six other petroleum-based dyes that federal health agencies are seeking to eliminate by the end of next year are Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1 and Blue No. 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDA is also taking steps to authorize four new natural color additives, officials announced Tuesday. Kennedy: 'We have an understanding' with food companies The plan, however, is contingent on an "understanding" with major food companies that they will voluntarily remove them to meet consumer demand, Kennedy said Tuesday. HHS and FDA are calling on the food industry to "establish a national standard and timeline ... to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives," according to a press release sent out Tuesday afternoon. It is not yet clear what enforcement mechanism Kennedy will seek to implement the new changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if food companies, which were not present at the news conference, would follow the suggested changes, Kennedy said: "We don't have an agreement; we have an understanding." PHOTO: Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary announces the FDA's intent to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the nation's food supply during a press conference, April 22, 2025. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) Makary, the head of the FDA, went on to say that the agency plans to work with the food industry instead of having Congress step in. "We've had wonderful meetings with the food industry," he said. "They are eager to do it." Speaking with ABC News after the announcement, Makary maintained the administration would meet its "bold goal" despite no immediate plans for new regulations to force the move. "There's no need to have a regulation or a statute when companies are volunteering to do it," Makary said. "We are going to use every tool in the toolbox to make sure this gets done to the best of our abilities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the International Association of Color Manufacturers, the trade association for the color additives industry, which includes both natural and synthetic dyes, issued a statement after the news conference questioning the proposed timeline. "Requiring reformulation by the end of 2026 ignores scientific evidence and underestimates the complexity of food production. This process is neither simple nor immediate, and the resulting supply disruptions will limit access to familiar, affordable grocery items," the group said in the statement. The Consumer Brands Association, however, which represents makers of packaged foods and beverages, indicated its members would work with the administration to take action on food dye priorities, citing the difficulty in adhering to a "patchwork" of differing state laws. "Consumer Brands has long asked HHS and FDA to reestablish themselves as the country's leading regulatory authority and we appreciate that the administration has reasserted their leadership in response to the myriad of state activity in the food regulation space," said CBA President Melissa Hockstad in a statement following Tuesday's announcement. Memo reveals food companies willing to voluntarily remove dyes The proposed timeline to phase out synthetic dyes laid out Tuesday comes after Kennedy told food industry leaders at a meeting last month that he wanted their companies to remove artificial dyes from their products by the end of his four-year term, according to a memo describing the meeting, which was obtained by ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: RFK Jr. has a goal to study what's 'behind' autism by September. How realistic is it? Days after that meeting, which included executives from PepsiCo and General Mills, the Consumer Brands Association indicated its members would be willing to voluntarily make the changes sought by Kennedy, according to a March 20 memo sent to HHS officials obtained by ABC News. The two-page proposal lays out commitments the food companies were willing to make including efforts within 30 days to start reformulating foods to remove artificial dyes. The memo did not contain an explicit commitment to remove all artificial dyes by the end of 2026, as Kennedy called for on Tuesday, but the proposal said CBA members were committed to "supporting agency actions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal also outlined a commitment for companies to supply food for school lunches that does not include artificial dyes or coloring. In return for working to remove dyes from food, the trade group asked the Trump administration to work against state legislation that has created a patchwork of laws around food dyes which could lead to more restrictive bans on other chemicals -- not just food dyes -- in certain states. "President Trump and Secretary Kennedy need to communicate with governors and state legislatures that the administration is taking bold, transformative actions and continued activity at the state level stands to undermine the President's leadership and to increase costs to consumers," the trade group wrote in the memo. "A federal solution is meaningless under a state patchwork regime." Already, red and blue states alike have taken matters into their own hands in removing artificial food dyes from certain foods. Both West Virginia and California have passed laws to ban a handful of food dyes from school lunches, with plans to extend the ban to a broader, statewide level too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In West Virginia, the ban on artificial dyes in school lunch will go into effect in August, making it the first state in the country to implement such restraints. In California, it will take effect in 2028. Twenty-six other states, from Iowa to Washington and from to Texas to Vermont, are considering similar legislation around banning food dyes or other chemical additives in foods, according to a list compiled by the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization that focuses on chemicals and toxins. What are the health risks? From candy to breakfast cereal to medication, synthetic food dyes are in a wide range of products that Americans consume. Studies suggest their vibrant color makes food more appealing and could even increase appetite. PHOTO: Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary announces the FDA's intent to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the nation's food supply during a press conference, April 22, 2025. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) Makary claimed studies have found a link between petroleum-based synthetic dyes and health conditions, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obesity, diabetes, cancer and gastrointestinal issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Why are we taking a gamble?" he said. "While America's children are sick and suffering, 41% of children have at least one health condition, and one in five are on medication. The answer is not more Ozempic, more ADHD medication and more antidepressants. There's a role for those medications, but we have to look at underlying root causes." But scientists caution the evidence for health risks are not that clear. "There are animal studies that show that food dyes have been associated to outcomes such as cancer," said ABC New Medical Correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton. "But the FDA maintains that these studies have not shown sufficient evidence that that harm could be effected in humans." All dyes have the potential to spark allergic reactions for a small minority. Several dyes have been linked to hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children or have been shown to cause cancer in mice or rats -- but none have shown to cause cancer in humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When you look at the overall evidence it is difficult to see a clear cause and effect, but if there's no clear benefit when adding something like a food additive other than making food look better, then many argue let's just simply take it out," Sutton said. While the health effects of the dyes are not fully understood, many other countries have either banned the additives outright or required food packaging warning labels about the health risks. MORE: RFK Jr., intent to focus on chronic disease, continues to be dogged by impacts of HHS cuts RFK Jr. unveils plan to phase out 8 artificial food dyes in the US originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By David French (Reuters) -Activist investor Elliott Investment Management should back down from its push to break up energy company Phillips 66 because it is conflicted from a separate effort to acquire one of the group's rivals, Phillips 66 said in a letter on Monday. The salvo is the latest in a bitter spat between Phillips 66 and Elliott that is due to come to a head at a shareholder meeting next month. In arguing against Elliott's break-up thesis in the letter, Phillips 66 said the investment firm has a conflict of interest due to its separate efforts to buy Citgo Petroleum. Citgo's parent company is being sold via a court-supervised auction. Last year, Elliott-backed Amber Energy was initially deemed the winner of the process, before creditor challenges forced the court to backtrack and launch a new sale. Amber Energy CEO Gregory Goff said on April 9 he had bought a position in Phillips 66 and backed Elliott's campaign. "This conflict is concerning because Amber Energy's executives are actively helping support Elliott's case to undermine Phillips 66's strategy," said Monday's letter from Phillips 66. Phillips 66 is one of the largest U.S. refiners, while Citgo is the seventh largest. In response to a request for comment, an Elliott spokesperson pointed to an April 10 regulatory filing. This stated that Goff's work alongside Elliott was "hidden from no one, and in no way represents a conflict of interest, diminishes the independence of his views or impairs his ability to help Phillips 66 become a stronger, more valuable company". Elliott has put forward four director nominees for the May 21 meeting as part of a campaign that has also included calling on Phillips 66 to sell or spin off its midstream business and consider divesting other assets to focus on its refining business and boost its share price. Elliott has said it has a more than $2.5 billion investment in Phillips 66. It is the second time the investment firm has pushed for change at Phillips 66, after a first effort ended in early 2024 with the addition of a new company board member blessed by Elliott. (Reporting by David French in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler and Jan Harvey) Several leading crypto companies, including Circle, Coinbase, BitGo, and Paxos, are reportedly planning to apply for banking charters or licenses in the U.S., the Washington Post reported on Apr. 21. Pro-crypto lawyer John Deaton expressed his surprise at the payments firm Ripple not applying for the banking license. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that it was a matter of time. The Washington Post added that the crypto firms are trying to ride the pro-crypto sentiment in the new administration to push their long-term plans. While some firms are trying to obtain banking charters in order to operate like traditional banking institutions, other firms are trying to obtain necessary licenses to offer select services such as stablecoin issuance. John Deaton, founder of CryptoLaw, is well known for his pro-crypto stance. He also took on Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) as a Republican Party candidate in the 2024 election, in which he repeatedly challenged the Democratic leader's positions on crypto assets. However, Deaton lost the election to Warren. Though Deaton is surprised at Ripple not going after a banking license, the payment firm is set to acquire the prime broker Hidden Road for $1.25 billion, as reported earlier. Hidden Road announced on Apr. 17 that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC, has secured approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to operate as a broker-dealer. Ripple is also nearing the settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of its years-long lawsuit over alleged securities violations. As per Kraken's price feed, XRP was trading at $2.13 at press time, up 3.3% over a day. The film Conclave begins with the death of the Pope. It then follows the chain of events from that moment to the election of a new Pope, following a few charactersportrayed by a cast that won the top honor at the Screen Actors Guild Awardswho play key roles. In real life, after the death of Pope Francis on April 21, Cardinals Kevin Farrell, a 77-year-old Irish-American, and Giovanni Battista Re, a 91-year-old Italian, will take the places of actors John Lithgow and Ralph Fiennes, as the Camerlengo, or Chamberlain, of the Holy Roman Church and Dean of the College of Cardinals, respectively. Heres what to know about the two Catholic leaders backgrounds and duties during the critical interregnum period for the Vatican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: How a New Pope Is Chosenand Who It Could Be Who is the Camerlengo? Farrells first task on Monday morning was to announce Francis death to the world. Later that evening, he oversaw the sealing of the doors to the papal apartments where Francis lived. As Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, a position he was appointed to by Francis in 2019, Farrell is charged with safeguarding and administering the goods and temporal rights of the Holy See, according to the Apostolic Constitution. Following the death of a Pope, the Camerlengo becomes effectively the interim administrative leader of the Church, tasked with observing a set of traditions as well as following the late Popes wishes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After certifying and announcing the Popes death and sealing the papal apartments, he must also destroy the Popes Fishermans Ring and lead bulla used as a signet. The Camerlengo is also tasked with overseeing funeral arrangements and preparing for the conclaveor the election of a new Pope. Read More: What to Know About Funeral Arrangements for Pope Francis While the position is powerful and influential in the Vatican during this time, it is rare for a Camerlengo to be chosen as the next pontiffaccording to the Times of London, historically only two Popes, Leo XIII in 1878 and Pius XII in 1939, ascended to the papacy from the prior position of Camerlengo. What to know about Kevin Farrell Farrell puts a seals on the papal apartment of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City on April 21, 2025. Vatican Media/Vatican Pool/Getty Images Farrell was born on Sept. 2, 1947, in Dublin, Ireland, but has lived elsewhere for his adult life, including a large period spent in the U.S., where he became a naturalized citizen. Farrell obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees in Spain and Italy, according to his Vatican biography. (He also later earned an MBA and honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Notre Dame.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following in the footsteps of his older brother Brian, Farrell entered the Legionaries of Christ congregation in 1966 and was ordained a priest in 1978 in Rome. (Brian Farrell served as the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity from 2002 until his retirement in 2024.) As a priest, Farrell first served in Mexico as chaplain at the University of Monterrey. In 1984, he transferred to the archdiocese of Washington, where he served parishes in the District of Columbia and surrounding region. In 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed Farrell as auxiliary bishop of Washington, where he served as vicar general for administration and moderator of the Curia until 2007. From 2002 until 2006, Farrell worked and lived with then-Archbishop of Washington Theodore McCarrickthe infamous former cardinal who was defrocked in 2019 by Pope Francis following a Vatican probe into allegations of sexual abuse of minors and adults. Farrell has repeatedly denied prior knowledge of his former supervisors wrongdoing. In 2007, Farrell was appointed bishop of Dallas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, following Francis ascension after Pope Benedict XVIs resignation in 2013, Farrell was tapped for a Vatican role leading the new Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life. The same year, he was made a cardinal. Farrell, according to a 2016 CBS News report, is known as a moderate with a warm, friendly approach. He is largely perceived to agree with the late Pope on doctrinal issues, and has supported the late Popes hopes for larger reforms in the Catholic Church. Farrell has echoed Francis calls for increasing womens participation in the church, though he controversially banned former Irish President Mary McAleesewho supports womens ordinationfrom speaking at a Vatican event in 2018. Farrell has also echoed Francis defense of migrants rights, having previously written in a blog, per CBS, that immigration reform is a moral issue. In 2017 and 2018, Farrell caused controversy after saying that priests are not the best people to train others for marriage. In what was largely seen as a vote of confidence, Francis nominated Farrell in 2019 to the Camerlengo post. Farrells subsequent appointments also hinted at the late Popes continued trust in him: he was named president of the Commission for Confidential Matters in 2020, chair of the Pontifical Committee for Investments in 2022, and president of the Vatican City State Supreme Court in 2023. Buy a copy of the Pope Francis cover here Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2022 interview with Catholic magazine America, Farrell said he joked with Francis upon accepting the role of Camerlengo, not wanting to give thought to the Popes eventual retirement or passing: I will accept this job Your Holiness, but on one condition, that you preach at my funeral! Who is Giovanni Battista Re and what are his duties? Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re during a mass in St. Peters Basilica in Vatican City on June 29, 2024. Grzegorz GalazkaMondadori Portfolio/Getty Images Re is the dean of the College of Cardinals, the group of cardinal electors who will choose the next Pope. Born on Jan. 30, 1934 in the Italian commune of Borno, Re is one of the longest-serving senior cardinals in the Vatican. According to his Vatican biography, Re holds a doctorate in canon law, and was ordained for the diocese of Brescia, where he taught in a seminary before entering the Holy Sees diplomatic service, for which he served missions in Panama and Iran. In 2001, Pope John Paul II proclaimed Re as a cardinal. Re was elected dean in 2020 and was set to serve a five-year term until Francis extended it in February. In 2020, America described Re as someone who knows the Roman Curia like few others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, the dean is tasked with communicating news of the Popes death, alongside the Camerlengo, and summoning the conclave. The dean technically does not hold authority over the cardinal electors, simply presiding over their congregations. Previous deans have wielded considerable influence. Joseph Ratzinger was elected dean of the College of Cardinals in 2002, and three years later, he presided over Pope John Paul IIs funeral and was elected to be the next Pope, taking on the name Benedict XVI. While typically the dean would preside over the conclave, neither Re nor his vice dean Cardinal Leonardo Sandri can participate this time because they are both over the age of 80. The administrative responsibilities during the vote will pass to the next most senior member of the College of Cardinals. Once a new Pope has been chosen by the electors, it is the dean who asks the electee: Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff? If the electee consents, the Dean then asks him what he has chosen as his papal name. Contact us at letters@time.com. Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique Resort is the first property to open in the luxury Punta Cacique community PUNTA CACIQUE, Costa Rica, April 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Punta Cacique, a visionary luxury resort and residential development on Costa Ricas pristine Cacique Peninsula, in the province of Guanacaste, proudly announces the grand opening of the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, the first Waldorf Astoria in Costa Rica. This premier property marks the beginning of a multi-phase project that will introduce a series of resorts, residences, and wellness-driven amenities, redefining what it means to visit and live at the nexus of luxury and authenticity within the expansive 600-acre development. Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique Resort Strategically located just 25 minutes from Liberia International Airport, which services more than 15 airlines and nearly two million passengers annually (a more than 20-fold increase since 2000), and nestled between the vibrant beach towns of Playa Del Coco and Playa Hermosa, Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique offers guests and residents an unmatched blend of luxury and connection to local culture. The property features 188 luxurious resort rooms (including 40 suites) and 40 private residences, all thoughtfully designed to harmonize with the landscape. Every guest room on the property offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the spectacular coastline. Beyond the guestrooms, guests and residents can enjoy a multi-tiered pool, idyllic beachfront with cabanas and loungers, six distinct restaurants showcasing local ingredients, and a 17,000 square foot wellness sanctuary featuring a spa, gym, and movement studio. Dedicated kids and teen clubs provide engaging offerings for younger travelers. The Punta Cacique Community Revolution Placesthe hospitality and real estate arm of Revolution LLC, a D.C.-based investment firm led by AOL Co-founder, Steve Casefirst purchased the land in 2006. Revolution spent more than a decade searching for the right partners to develop the property before teaming up with Waldorf Astoria, the globally respected hospitality brand that in recent years has doubled down on delivering exceptional resorts and branded residential communities. "When you arrive at Punta Cacique, you know immediately that you are in a special place," said Steve Case, Chairman and CEO of Revolution Places. "The luxury and comfort level of the Waldorf, coupled with its track record of incredible service, made them the perfect partner to help unveil Punta Cacique." "Punta Cacique will offer the best of both worlds to guests and residents who come to Costa Rica seeking immersive luxury in a Blue Zone setting," said Neal Herman, President of Punta Cacique. "This resort presents an opportunity to stay in a luxurious environment with unique amenities while also remaining deeply connected to the real Costa Rica. With easy access to nearby beach communities and beyond, Punta Cacique will serve as a basecamp, connecting guests and residents to exploration across the country." CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas (KETK) A Rusk man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Friday after robbing and killing a 70-year-old man in 2022. According to the Cherokee County District Attorneys Office, on April 22, 2022, Christopher Anthony Peoples of Rusk robbed and attacked Valentine Ortega Sanchez of Rusk with a knife, leaving him dead in his driveway near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Dixon Avenue. SHERIFF: Husband dies from gunshot wounds during domestic dispute in Polk County Mugshot of Christopher Anthony Peoples, courtesy of the Cherokee County DAs Office. Officials said around 1 a.m. on April 23, 2022, Peoples fled from deputies in a vehicle while disposing of evidence south of Rusk on FM 241 and then wrecked in the 3000 block of FM 241. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies removed Peoples from the vehicle and began life-saving measures before EMS arrived and took him to a local hospital by helicopter where he was then arrested for evading arrest in a vehicle. While in police custody on April 24, 2022, Peoples confessed to committing the act of murder at a residence on Dixon Avenue in Rusk, according to a release from the sheriffs office. On April 28, 2022, a warrant for capital murder was issued. The DAs office said they presented four days of testimony, DNA evidence and video footage. While fleeing police, Peoples attempted to dispose of evidence that proved his guilt, the DAs office said. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before finding Peoples guilty of capital murder, sentencing him to life in prison without possibility of parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Longview man arrested after allegedly shooting, killing neighbors dog The efforts of the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office and Rusk Police Department ensured that Justice was done on this case, Cherokee County District Attorney Jonathan Richey said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Russian forces have struck a hospital in the city of Kherson with drones, injuring six people. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Kherson City Military Administration on Facebook Details: It was reported that men aged 65, 44, 41 and 19 had been injured. Two of them were taken to hospital, while the others will be treated on an outpatient basis. As a result of the Russian drone strikes, one of Khersons hospitals was damaged, as well as ambulances and civilian vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kherson City Military Administration reported that six people had been injured in the attack by a Russian drone: four are employees of a funeral service and two are medical staff. All of the injured mainly sustained blast injuries and shrapnel wounds. Background: On Tuesday 22 April, Russia launched drone strikes on the city of Kharkiv, injuring seven people. On the same day, the Russians attacked the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast with guided aerial bombs, injuring seven people. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Indian online restaurant company Rebel Foods has received a $25m investment from Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) to support growth, propelling the company's valuation to $1.4bn, reported Mint. This funding is set to bolster the expansion of Rebel Foods' physical restaurants, as well as food courts, indicating a shift for the Temasek-supported company. Few people under anonymity revealed information regarding the restaurant plan. One of the parties said: The company wants to expand restaurant and cafe business, essentially to expand in an omnichannel way. The parent company of brands such as Faasos and Behrouz Biryani, Rebel Foods has not issued a statement on the matter. A large portion of the investment is earmarked for the growth of Rebel Foods' food court venture, Eatsure. Another source said: The company wants to start some key restaurants and food courts where their branded food items can be sold and dined in. They now want to have an omnichannel approach. This is likely to challenge any incoming competition from newer players and quick commerce majors. The company's strategy includes a diverse offering within its food courts, ranging from biryani to pizza, and cakes to coffee. With the fresh capital, Rebel Foods is poised to inaugurate additional outlets in key Indian cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Delhi. The company also recently partnered with Wendy's in India. The introduction of new outlets comes alongside reports from December, when Mint cited an anonymous source claiming that KKR was in the process of acquiring $50m-$75m worth of Rebel Foods shares from existing investors, at a valuation of $800m-$860m. Furthermore, Rebel Foods is reportedly considering an initial public offering within the next one to one and a half years. In February 2025, Rebel Foods opened its third Oven Story Pizza store in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. "Rebel Foods secures $25m from Qatar Investment Authority to support growth" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. Regional Australia Bank and Summerland Bank have received board approval to proceed with their proposed merger. This follows a due diligence process conducted by the two member-owned financial institutions. The assessment phase revealed significant synergies and advantages for members of both banks. It is viewed as a significant point in the progression of plans aimed at creating a stronger organisation. As part of the proposal, the banks have made several assurances. These include a commitment to avoid forced job losses, maintaining all existing branch locations, and preserving the current trading names. The two organisations aim to deliver a wider array of services as well as expand employment prospects. They also plan to increase investment in local communities. Both banks have stated they will maintain clear and regular communication with members and staff. They are now preparing the necessary documents for submission to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Subject to approval, feedback will be sought from customers in the lead-up to a formal vote. Members of both banks will have the opportunity to decide on the merger at the annual general meeting in November. If endorsed, the merger would take effect from 1 July 2026. In a statement, Summerland Bank said: We are excited about this natural and powerful partnership for our future, based on our strong collective culture and mutual commitment to putting customers and communities first. Together, we will deliver more value, more innovation, and a stronger future for our members and respective communities as we grow and expand. "Regional Australia Bank, Summerland Bank get board nod for merger" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. A shake-up of Santanders UK business could make it more attractive to potential buyers. Photograph: Laura Lean/PA The Spanish owner of Santander is reportedly considering splitting off its scandal-hit motor finance business from the rest of its UK business as part of a corporate shake-up that could make the bank more attractive to potential buyers. Banco Santander has been reviewing the future of its UK business in recent months, amid mounting frustrations over regulations and costs. That includes the fallout of the growing car finance commission scandal, which analysts at RBC Capital say could cost the bank up to 1.9bn in compensation to its former borrowers. The potential reorganisation would involve moving the consumer finance division, which houses its car loan business, out of the Santander UK business, according to Bloomberg, which cited unnamed sources. The prospective split would require approval from financial regulators. A spokesperson for the bank declined to comment. Hiving off the car finance business, which is based in Redhill in Surrey, could make the UK bank more attractive to potential buyers. In January, it emerged that Santander UK could be put up for sale, though City bosses have privately said it would be difficult to find a buyer until the final costs of the motor finance commission scandal are decided. A supreme court decision is due later this year. If the court rules in consumers favour, car loan providers including Santander could face a combined bill of up to 30bn, according to the rating agency Moodys. Santander UK put aside 295m to cover potential payouts to car loan customers in November, when it had been forced to delay the release of its financial results as it assessed the fallout of a court of appeal ruling on the car finance scandal. That judgment, handed down in October, vastly expanded an Financial Conduct Authority investigation into motor finance commissions and sent compensation estimates soaring. The landmark ruling determined that paying a secret commission to the car dealers who had arranged the loans without disclosing the sum and terms of that commission to borrowers was unlawful. It contributed to a drop in annual pre-tax profits at the multinational lender, making the UK the only region to suffer a slump in earnings in 2024, apart from a Santanders South American arm comprising Peru, Uruguay and Colombia. It is unclear whether a corporate overhaul in the UK could lead to further job cuts. The bank, which has 18,000 UK staff and has headquarters in Milton Keynes, confirmed in October that it was cutting 1,400 jobs across its UK business as part of its efforts to reduce costs. In February it said it was looking at how further simplification and automation of the business could help drive cost efficiencies in 2025. This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that plaintiffs filing claims that involve the Employee Retirement Income Security Acts prohibited transactions provision need only plausibly allege the elements contained in the provision itself, not additionally that the transaction was unnecessary or involved unreasonable compensation. Representing a unanimous court, Justice Sotomayor found that the extra requirement applied by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals came from an exemptions section of ERISA laid out by Congress as affirmative defenses, or arguments a defendant may use to counter a claim. The plaintiff is only responsible for alleging violation of the provision itself at the pleading stage, she said. Justice Alito, along with Justices Thomas and Kavanaugh, authored a concurring opinion, in which they agreed with the affirmative defense interpretation but acknowledged practical issues for defendants given the decision. Dive Insight: The plaintiffs in Cunningham v. Cornell University were a group of current and former Cornell University employees who participated in two defined-contribution retirement plans from 2010 to 2016. In 2017, they sued the university, along with other plan fiduciaries, for allegedly engaging in prohibited transactions for recordkeeping services with the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America-College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA) and Fidelity Investments Inc. The workers alleged that TIAA and Fidelity were service providers and therefore parties of interest, qualifying their services as prohibited transactions. They also alleged the providers were paid substantially more than reasonable recordkeeping fees. The 2nd Circuit found that if read in isolation, the provision would appear to prohibit payments by a plan to any entity providing it with any services, which it said would produce absurd results. It therefore applied additional pleading requirements and dismissed the workers case. The employees requested SCOTUS review of the 2nd Circuits decision in March 2024, noting that the 8th and 9th Circuits did not lay out such requirements. In their concurring opinion, Justices Alito, Thomas and Kavanaugh addressed the potential issues with the decision for employers. The administrator of an ERISA plan will almost always find it necessary to employ outside firms to provide services that the plan needs, they acknowledged, making those firms parties of interest. Under ERISA, their provision of services then becomes illegal unless an exemption applies, they said, allowing them to survive summary judgment. SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Keppel, a Singapore-based manager and operator of assets such as data centres, said on Monday that it has secured close to S$2.0 billion ($1.53 billion) of capital commitments from global institutional investors for its flagship funds. Keppel said in a statement that the commitments were for its Keppel Data Centre Fund III, the Keppel Education Asset Fund II, and its sustainable urban renewal strategy. Christina Tan, its CEO of fund management and also its Chief Investment Officer, said the securing of capital reflected the resilient demand for alternative real assets anchored to macrotrends including climate change and energy transition, urbanisation, and artificial intelligence. Keppel said the investors included pension and insurance funds, as well as a sovereign wealth fund. It did not name the investors. Tan said the commitments bring Keppel closer to achieving its funds under management target of S$100 billion by 2026 and S$200 billion by 2030. ($1 = 1.3061 Singapore dollars) (Reporting by Yantoultra Ngui; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group said on Monday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Posco Holdings for cooperation on its planned U.S. steel plant. Posco will make an equity investment in Hyundai Motor Group's steel factory project in Louisiana, the group said in a press release. The steelmaker was also considering selling some of the steel to be produced from the factory. Production is slated to begin in 2029. The South Korean automaker announced plans to invest $21 billion in the United States with President Donald Trump at the White House last month. In a regulatory filing, Hyundai Steel said it would invest $5.8 billion along with Hyundai Motor Group to build a steel plant in Louisiana with an annual capacity of 2.7 million tonnes. Trump slapped 25% tariffs on South Korea this month, which were later suspended for three months. (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Kim Coghill) According to Fidelity, the consumer inflation remained rangebound at ~3% during Q1, which was well above the 2% target of the US Fed. The firm anticipates sticky inflation around 3% for the next year, with upside risk resulting from tariff increases. As per the firm, the consumer inflation expectations have increased to multi-decade highs, making it simpler for businesses to pass the increased costs. Coming to the labor, it has remained tight so far, despite increased policy uncertainty, government layoffs, and federal funding cuts, says Fidelity. On the supply side, the broader labor force participation has stalled below the pre-pandemic rate due to slowing immigration as well as demographic constraints. As per the investment manager, the S&P 500 Index delivered a return of 4.3% for Q1 2025, partly because of the performance of growth stocks (10%). On the other hand, gold (+19%) and commodities (+8.9%) saw robust gains amid higher market uncertainty. As per Fidelity, the uncertainty regarding the direction of US policy impacted the financial markets during Q1, with investors digesting the news related to executive actions, such as tariff increases, deregulation announcements, reduced government staffing and programs, and tougher immigration activities. Also, the worries related to the economic effects of the tariff increases on the global economy saw an increase during the days after the quarter closed. Despite elevated growth risks, the global expansion was intact as of the close of Q1. Fidelity opines that diversification in fixed income assets and non-US assets is essential. The broad-based market anxiety increased as the US policy uncertainty rose, says Fidelity. The financial markets were weighed down by tariff hikes, deregulation, and tighter immigration policies. The global business cycle is now less synchronized. As per the investment management firm, the US seemed to show mid- and late-cycle dynamics in Q1 2025. Furthermore, the diversification across fixed income and non-US assets is of utmost importance amid growth risks. While the gold and commodities gained, the US dollar decline fueled the non-US equities, says Fidelity. We recently published a list of 10 Cheap Blue Chip Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds . In this article, we are going to take a look at where AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) stands against other cheap blue chip stocks to buy according to hedge funds. Story Continues As per Marci McGregor, Head of Portfolio Strategy (Chief Investment Office), Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank, the next few months can be a good time to play defense. The investors can consider defensive, dividend-paying, and value-oriented stocks. For the long term, the investors can position themselves for when the uncertainty around trade decreases. The volatility can provide a chance to buy assets supporting the long-term strategy at attractive prices, says McGregor. Our Methodology To list the 10 Cheap Blue Chip Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds, we scanned the holdings of the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and chose companies that trade at a forward P/E of less than ~20.0x. We also mentioned the hedge fund sentiments around each stock, as of Q4 2024. Finally, the stocks were arranged in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiments. 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 AT&T Inc. (T) the Cheap Blue Chip Stock to Buy According to Hedge Funds? A person in the field using their smartphone to connect to wireless communication services. Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 80 Forward P/E as of April 18: ~13.4x AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) offers telecommunications and technology services. Raymond James analyst Frank Louthan upped the companys price objective to $30 from $29, keeping a Strong Buy rating. As per the analyst, the firm sees AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) as a value driver, with wireless growth and FCF ramp expected to bring investors back. Elsewhere, Goldman Sachs reaffirmed a Buy rating on the companys stock. This analyst has highlighted the companys position as a favorable investment opportunity, mainly in the unpredictable market environment. Some of the notable factors contributing to such outlook include AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T)s unique market share gains in the telecommunications sector and the defensive nature of the business. As per the analyst, the healthy dynamics in the wireless market can exceed Street estimates, thanks to the robust subscriber growth and higher pricing. Furthermore, AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T)s focused fiber strategy can ramp up broadband revenue growth, supporting its expedited network expansion plan. The companys copper cost reduction initiative can significantly improve its profit margins, says the analyst. TCW Funds, an investment management company, released its Q3 2024 investor letter. Here is what the fund said: AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), based in Dallas, TX, is a nationwide provider of voice, video, and data communications services to businesses and consumers in the wired, wireless, and broadband. At initiation, the stock had a $141 billion market capitalization and met all five valuation factors with an above market dividend yield of 5.6%. From a sustainability prism, the company completed its commitment to invest $2 billion by the end of 2023 to help bridge the digital divide. AT&T is working on enabling low-income households to access to low-cost broadband services through its Access service plan as well as reaching out to more rural communities and Tribal lands where internet access remains a challenge. It is nearly 85% the way to providing one million people in need with digital resources through AT&T Connected Learning with the goal to be reached by the end of 2025. In 2020, the company announced that it is committed to be carbon neutral by 2035 with zero carbon emission across all operations. It is deploying Smart Climate Solutions through efforts like its Connected Climate Initiative that will help enable its business customers to reduce their emissions as well. The companys goal is to help collectively reduce its emissions by one billion metric tons a gigaton by 2035, compared to 2018 levels. The primary catalysts are new/strong management and restructuring. John Stankey was appointed CEO in July 2020 and he is committed to refocusing the company and improving its financial performance. The company combined its WarnerMedia operation with Discovery during 1Q:22 which eliminated AT&Ts exposure to the rapidly evolving media industry and refocused its core telecommunication business thus eliminating a major drag on profitability and the companys balance sheet by reducing long-term debt from a peak $176 billion during 2020 to $142 billion at the end of June 2024 quarter. AT&T is moving aggressively to reduce cost and sell non-core assets such as its advertising platform Xander to Microsoft which was accomplished during 2022. The company has redesigned its network to be software driven structure reducing the capital investment cycle in its national network resulting in a network that is flexible with unrivaled speed and reliability thus enhancing its nationwide position. By the end of 2023, it expanded its 5G network to reach more than 302 million people in nearly 24,500 cities and towns in the U.S. The companys mid-band 5G+ network alone grew to cover more than 210 million people. AT&T is one of the largest investors in digital infrastructure in the U.S. Over the five years ending 2023, the company invested nearly $150 billion primarily in its wireless, fiber optics, and wireline networks. The extensive restructuring and refocusing of AT&T on its core business should result in improved earnings and cash flow while at the same time reducing uncertainty for shareholders. Overall, T ranks 7th on our list of cheap blue chip stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of T as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued AI stock that is more promising than T 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. We recently compiled a list of the 12 AI Stocks on Wall Street's Radar. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) stands against the other AI stocks on Wall Street's radar. Almost 50 House Democrats have signed a message to stop the unauthorized use of AI tools in the government. Members of Congress have asked to cease applying any unauthorized artificial intelligence system that will aid in curbing government spending. President Donald Trump has set up DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency. Meanwhile, billionaire Elon Musk has been assigned the responsibility to cut what DOGE will say is waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal bureaucracy. READ NOW: 10 AI Stocks You Shouldnt Overlook Right Now and 10 AI Stocks to Watch Amid Market Volatility. The Democrats have acknowledged that artificial intelligence holds the potential to modernize the US government. However, it also highlighted the potential concerns related to employee monitoring and access to sensitive data by DOGE and its AI tools. "These present serious security risks, self-dealing, and potential criminal liability if not handled correctly, and have the potential to undermine successful and appropriate AI adoption," The Democrats have further demanded that the administration terminate the use of any AI systems that havent been formally approved through processes such as FedRAMP or that have been unable to meet existing legal requirements. The letter, addressed to the White House Office of Management and Budget, was also questioned on whether any of the technology used by the administration was powered by Musks company, xAI. This question, in particular, has been asked to clarify any potential conflicts of interest. According to the Democrats, these would be "exponentially worse if Musk pursues further contracts to become a major provider of government AI services." The White House has recently introduced new policies on federal agency AI use and the federal government. Almost unarguably, the most significant story in our time with the pharmaceutical industry is the emergence and sharp rise of GLP-1 obesity drugs. Front and center of this is Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), the once-obscure Danish company that earned the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for such treatments with its Wegovy back in mid-2021. Even though the stock is down notably from the peak price it hit last year, it's still doing far better than in the pre-approval days. Competitors are biting at its heels in the weight loss segment, however, so is there any chance it could ascend those lofty heights again? Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue The great weight loss drug game Novo Nordisk bears would be quick to point a paw at the company's so far sole competitor in the GLP-1 race, Eli Lilly. The powerful pharmaceutical competitor is already a top name in obesity drugs with its Zepbound, approved for the indication in late 2023, and a drug that's already stolen much fire from Wegovy. With the understandably hot popularity of such treatments in obesity-beset America, numerous other developers are racing to get obesity treatments to market. One of the more prominent of these is biotech Viking Therapeutics, which is putting an oral medication through clinical trials. Expanding waistlines, exploding demand Novo Nordisk shareholders shouldn't be worried about this. Many analysts are predicting an explosion in weight loss drug sales, on the back of persistently heavy demand. One is Research and Markets, which last month forecast that the global market for these medications would balloon to nearly $105 billion in 2035, from an estimated tally of $12.8 billion this year. And that's not even one of the more bullish predictions out there. An eight-fold (at least) expansion of the market within only a handful of years will benefit every maker of such drugs, no matter how aggressively they're trying to take market share. And the companies that will be particularly resilient will be the veterans; as Novo Nordisk was a first mover, it'll surely reap the benefits of the monster upsurge. Should you invest $1,000 in Novo Nordisk right now? Before you buy stock in Novo Nordisk, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Novo Nordisk wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. By Ragini Mathur (Reuters) -Canada's commodity-heavy main stock index fell on Monday, led by a decline in energy shares, as investors were jittery after U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX Composite Index fell 0.6% to 24,037.16 points, on pace to snap its five-session winning streak. Including Monday's moves, the TSX shed 2.4% in 2025, compared with 11.6% downfall on S&P 500 in the U.S. "The TSX continues to outperform the S&P 500 this year, but it is not immune to what is going on south of the border," said Angelo Kourkafas, investment strategist at Edward Jones Investments. "The fact that we are seeing a risk-off move in U.S. markets, it is hard for the Canadian markets to ignore and that is also a bit of a driver." The Canadian market tracked a decline in Wall Street's main indexes, as the Trump administration's statement about considering options to fire Powell, a day after the President's criticism, fueled concerns about the central bank's autonomy. [.N] The Canadian government 10-year bond yields rose 5.1 basis points to 3.188%, also tracking its U.S. counterpart. In Canada, nine of the 11 major sectors traded in red. The healthcare sector led losses with a 2.2% fall. Pharmaceutical firm Bausch Health fell 7%. The heavy-weight energy stocks dropped more than 1% as oil prices fell after nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran showed progress. On the other hand, metal mining shares were up 1.5% as gold miners benefited from the yellow metal's record run. Focus was also on the U.S.-China trade tensions after Beijing on Monday warned of "countermeasures" against countries striking deals with the U.S. at its expense. Canadian retail sales data later this week will offer insights into consumer spending patterns amid the trade war. This is also the final week of campaigning before the Canada's election on April 28, with Prime Minister Mark Carney pledging on a new economic order that is less reliant on the U.S. (Reporting by Ragini Mathur in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo) US trade authorities have confirmed high tariffs on the majority of solar cells imported from four South East Asian countries: Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The move marks a major development in a year-long investigation prompted by allegations from US manufacturers that Chinese-owned companies were undercutting the market with low-priced products. The investigations were launched following a petition filed by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee in April last year seeking redress for unfair trade practices that have adversely affected the US solar manufacturing industry. The committee comprises a coalition of US solar manufacturers comprising Convalt Energy, First Solar, Hanwha Qcells, Meyer Burger, Mission Solar, REC Silicon, Swift Solar and Talon PV. The committee has accused major Chinese solar panel manufacturers with facilities in Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam of selling panels below production costs and receiving unjust subsidies, rendering US products non-competitive. The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has concluded that certain solar products, specifically crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells and modules imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, are being sold in the US at unfairly low (dumped) prices. Additionally, it found that producers in these countries have received government subsidies that give them an unfair competitive edge. These findings pave the way for the imposition of anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on these imports. The tariffs vary by company and country, with Thailand imposed with CVD rates of up to 799.55%, Vietnam with rates of up to 542.64% and Malaysia with 168.8%. Cambodian products will incur duties exceeding 3,500% due to their producers' decision not to participate in the US investigation, reported Reuters. The duty rates will only be implemented if the US International Trade Commission (ITC) confirms in June that the US industry has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by certain imports. If the ITC makes this finding, the US DOC will issue AD and CVD orders, which will officially impose duties on imports from the four targeted countries. Wiley International Trade Practice and lead counsel to the American Alliance Tim Brightbill said: "On behalf of the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee and its members, we would like to commend the Commerce Department for its extremely hard work on these important investigations over the last year. This is a decisive victory for American manufacturing and confirms what we have long known: that Chinese-headquartered solar companies have been cheating the system, undercutting US companies and costing American workers their livelihoods. By Harshita Mary Varghese (Reuters) -Verizon Communications lost more wireless subscribers in the first quarter than Wall Street expected, as the U.S. telecom giant grappled with the fallout of recent price hikes and aggressive promotions from rivals. Shares of the company were down about 3% in early trading. The company warned in March off-season promotions by AT&T and T-Mobile would result in "soft" subscriber growth, fueling fears about intensifying competition in an industry vying for a limited pool of new subscribers. "We had a pretty big price up in January, and the elasticity on that price up was higher than what we had anticipated," Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer, told Reuters. That led to a higher churn, percentage of customers exiting a service, with Verizon reporting a loss of 289,000 monthly bill-paying wireless subscribers in the first quarter, compared with expectations for 166,400 losses, according to FactSet data. Verizon saw reductions in business wireless accounts due to the "new government and their efficiency work", CEO Hans Vestberg said in a post-earnings call. Only a small portion of Verizon's annual $18 billion capital expenditure is exposed to tariffs, mainly on imported wireless equipment, Vestberg said. The company introduced a three-year price guarantee in early April to lock in customers for its myPlan and myHome offerings. "March was very strong, especially the last two weeks and in April, we were running almost double-digit growth," Sampath said. It also reaffirmed its annual adjusted profit and free cash flow outlook, a sign it was confident in its business plans amid economic uncertainty. In the first quarter, total revenue grew 1.5% to $33.5 billion, edging past analysts' estimates of $33.24 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Wireless service revenue grew 2.7% to $20.8 billion, helped by the price hikes implemented by the company. (Reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur) By Victoria Waldersee SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Volkswagen Group showcased five new models developed for China and an in-house assisted driving system on Tuesday in Shanghai as it fights to win back share in the fiercely competitive market. The new models include new VW cars and a new Audi range for the Chinese market. The German carmaker also plans to start exporting VW cars from China, aiming to sell some models in other Asian markets, South America and the Middle East, its China chief Ralf Brandstaetter said at an event ahead of the Shanghai auto show starting on Wednesday. The VW brand presented three of its upcoming models at Tuesday's event. None are ready yet for mass production but are part of the group's plans to regain ground as foreign carmakers are losing market share in China, the world's biggest auto market, to a swathe of domestic manufacturers. One, built by VW's joint venture with China's state-owned FAW, is the first model to be based on a new China-specific platform, the CMP, designed to reduce costs for entry-level smaller vehicles by 40%. Volkswagen, once the top seller of passenger cars in China, lost its crown to Chinese EV maker BYD last year after its sales slipped by 9.5% to just under 2.93 million cars, well below BYD's 3.84 million. Its market share in the country fell from 19% in 2019 to 14.5% last year. Volkswagen's premium Audi brand is fighting back with a range of new longer versions of its models designed for the Chinese market, where wealthier consumers with chauffeurs often sit in the back of their cars. On Tuesday, it also showcased the first vehicle of a new model line with a different logo from its famous four rings in a bid to win back sales. The new model line, simply named AUDI in capital letters, will be targeted at younger consumers. Its first car for mass production, the E5 Sportback, will be built on a platform from its joint venture partner SAIC, a Chinese state-owned carmaker, and priced below the German automaker's other models. CARIZON, a joint venture between Volkswagen's software subsidiary Cariad and China's Horizon Robotics, demonstrated the carmaker's first in-house automated driving system, to be integrated into one of its cars this year. A more advanced version system will be available in its entry-level cars from 2026. CHINA EXPORTS Volkswagen's plans to start exporting some VW models from China come as carmakers in China, including Volkswagen, are grappling with how to make use of unused production capacity as annual demand for cars has stagnated at around 22 million cars since 2019. This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Walmart of Mexico and Central America recently announced that the company will invest $6 billion to open additional stores across the region. Stores will open under the Bodega Aurrera, Sams Club, Walmart Supercenters and Walmart Express banners, according to a company announcement. The plan adds to a footprint of 3,200 stores operating in all 32 Mexican states. At its core, the investment represents Walmarts long-term commitment to the region, the company said in a release. Walmart in 2016 invested $1.3 billion in the region to build new distribution centers and expand operations. Walmart opened its first Mexican store a Sams Club in Mexico City in 1991. The big-box retailer has been putting billions of dollars into other parts of operational expansion. Walmart Canada at the start of the year said it will invest 6.5 billion Canadian dollars (around $4.5 billion) into its store and supply chain footprint. Last year, the company said it was investing $1.3 billion in Chile to open 70 stores and an additional distribution center. Walmart also announced in 2024 a five-year plan to convert or build over 150 stores in the U.S. Last year was big for remodels as well, with the retailer revamping around 650 locations across 47 states and Puerto Rico. The new and updated stores embrace the Store of the Future concept with improved layouts, an expanded product assortment and tech to support associates. The company last week also said it would open 15 new Sams Club locations annually and would remodel all of its 600 existing stores. Earlier this month, Walmart confirmed its previous guidance, with net sales expected to grow 3% to 4% in 2025. Operating income is forecast to grow between 3.5% and 5.5%. The company expects annual growth to average around 4% in the long term. This story was first published in our weekly newsletter, Retail Dive: Operations. Sign up here. Recommended Reading Oil services company Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) delivered a first-quarter report that met analysts' expectations, but also warned of troubles ahead. Investors were disappointed, sending Halliburton shares down by as much as 10% at the open and down by 6% as of 1:28 p.m. ET, even as the broader market rebounded from Monday's sell-off. Tariffs on the horizon Halliburton is the world's largest provider of hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking) services, and its results tend to fluctuate based on the price of oil and demand for drilling equipment. The company earned $0.60 per share on revenue of $5.4 billion in the first quarter compared to Wall Street's expectations for $0.60 per share in earnings on sales of $5.3 billion. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue North American revenue, which accounts for nearly half the business, was down 12% year over year, but that slide was partially offset by higher revenues from the Middle East and European markets. On the earnings call, Halliburton executives warned that they expect future results to take a hit due to tariffs -- specifically asserting that tariffs could sap second-quarter earnings per share by $0.02 to $0.03, with about 60% of the hit coming from its completion & production segment, which includes its fracking business. "A lot's happened in three weeks," CEO Jeff Miller said on the call. Is Halliburton stock a buy? Halliburton shares are now down about 25% year to date and have lost about half their value over the last 12 months. The oil business is a cyclical industry, and investors can often do well by buying energy stocks during the cycles' troughs. At its current share price, Halliburton's dividend yields about 3.3% -- a tidy payment for those with the patience to wait out the downturn. But given the uncertainty on tariffs and how trade wars might impact the global economy -- and with it, the demand for energy -- a good bit of patience could be required. Should you invest $1,000 in Halliburton right now? Before you buy stock in Halliburton, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Halliburton wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $532,771!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $593,970!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 781% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 149% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks Colorado has joined a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration for imposing tariffs on about 90 different countries, Attorney General Phil Weiser and Gov. Jared Polis announced Wednesday. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomed throngs of visitors Wednesday to wish one very special hippo, Omo, a happy first birthday. The 500-pound hippo seemed to enjoy what zoo officials described as a capacity crowd at the Water's Edge: Africa exhibit. And, of course, the "cake" that zookeepers had brought out. Right up until the point several peacocks attempted to steal it. But Omo is a brave hippo and chased off the peafowl, mouth wide in a threatening manner. This is a good thing for the young hippo, says Philip Waugh, the zoo's lead keeper of Water's Edge: Africa. "Omo was getting a really big confidence boost today," Waugh said. "Peafowl are an easy animal for him to chase and scare away and feel like a big strong hippo." Omo weighs in at just over 500 pounds and still has another 2,000 to grow. Fully grown hippos can weigh anywhere between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds. In human care, they can live to be 35 to 36 years old with values a little lower for wild hippos. Waugh has worked at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for four years. In 2020, he became the lead keeper at Water's Edge: Africa. The exhibit is not limited to just the three other hippos. It features lemurs, African penguins and a warthog to name a few. But Omo was the star of the show Wednesday, and that's a good thing because Omo is special in many ways. Featured Local Savings "Omo's parents, Zambezi and Biko, were recommended to breed based off their genetics," Waugh said. "Omo's providing a really good addition to the gene pool in hippos and with hippos in human care." Omo is also the first hippo born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 32 years, which Waugh said may serve as a "restart to our hippo breeding program." Hippos in the wild are listed as a "vulnerable species" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to Waugh, there are fewer than 150,000 hippos left, and unless something changes for them they are at risk of going extinct. "They are endangered by things like illegal hunting, poaching and habitat loss as well," Waugh said. "They just hide a little too well for their own good." Hippos can be dangerous in the wild, but according to Waugh, are not any "more aggressive than any other animal their size." Many of the 500 to 3,000 human deaths caused by wild hippos are due to anti-predatory behavior rather than outright aggression since hippos can confuse small boats for crocodiles, according to Britannica. For Omo, the only threat Wednesday were the four or five peafowl attempting to poach his watermelon "cake." But he had no trouble chasing them off, giving guests a great show as he curled up the front of his face. "It looks like he smells something really bad," Waugh said. "Although the peafowl did crash the birthday party, he didn't let it happen long." Waugh said that despite the peafowl interference, Omo still got plenty of his watermelon cake. When the time came to "cut the cake," the crowd began singing happy birthday to the now 1-year-old. A federal judge on Monday signaled she is not fully prepared to take the government at its word that it would provide appropriate procedures for non-citizens to contest their removals under an 18th Century "alien enemies" law and instead said the government's recent actions suggested due process would not actually happen. U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney, a Joe Biden appointee, is considering whether to extend her temporary moratorium on the removal of those individuals who fall under President Donald Trump's recent proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Through the proclamation, Trump has subjected to summary removal Venezuelan citizens, 14 or older, who are purportedly members of the Tren de Aragua gang and who are neither American citizens nor lawful permanent residents. The April 21 hearing in Sweeney's courtroom occurred little more than 48 hours after the U.S. Supreme Court, in a separate legal challenge out of Texas, temporarily halted alien enemies-related removals from that jurisdiction. She pressed the government about why she should not grant the requested temporary restraining order given the similarity between the Colorado and Texas cases. "The consequences here would be extremely grave if I denied the TRO and two days later, upon finding 'new evidence,' these two individuals are designated as TdA and subject to removal," said Sweeney, referring to the two named Colorado petitioners. "Wouldnt the prudent thing be to continue the TRO and await guidance from the Supreme Court?" Michael Velchik, senior counsel with the U.S. Department of Justice, responded that the government had already determined the two named petitioners would not be removed pursuant to the Alien Enemies Act proclamation, so there was no need for judicial intervention. "You can imagine its not great comfort to be told you're not currently being considered for removal. That can change any time," said Sweeney. The underlying case, filed less than two weeks ago, is one of a handful that have emerged to challenge Trump's March 14 proclamation targeting suspected members of TdA who are not naturalized citizens or lawful permanent residents. Among other issues, the litigation disputes the legality of Trump's reliance on the Alien Enemies Act, which specifically applies during "a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government." The two named petitioners, D.B.U. and R.M.M., alleged they are Venezuelan nationals detained in Colorado who have incorrectly been labeled as members of TdA. One of the men alleged he, in fact, "lives in fear of the gang" because the group killed two of his family members. They filed under a legal tool known as "habeas corpus," which challenges a person's convictions or confinement as unlawful. The Supreme Court decided, by 5-4 earlier this month, that a habeas action in the place of detention was the required approach. The petitioners are seeking a temporary restraining order preventing their removal under the Alien Enemies Act and, more broadly, they wish to declare Trump's application of the act unlawful. On behalf of all proposed class members in Colorado who are subject to Trump's proclamation, the lawsuit seeks to block the government from deporting them without notice and an opportunity to respond. Last week, Sweeney temporarily barred the government from removing anyone in the class from Colorado to allow her to retain jurisdiction over the case while she could evaluate the arguments. A major development happened shortly after midnight on Saturday, when the Supreme Court's majority blocked the government from removing alleged "alien enemies" from a Texas detention center in a case with similar circumstances as Colorado's. NBC News reported that buses with detained non-citizens turned around from the airport at some point while the litigation was being heard. Featured Local Savings Timothy R. Macdonald, of the ACLU of Colorado, told Sweeney that after the federal district judge in Texas denied a temporary restraining order, the government "rounded up" people who allegedly fell under Trump's proclamation and provided them an English-only notice of removal with no information about how to contest their designations as "alien enemies." "What we know from the government's behavior in the Northern District of Texas last week is that to the government, a few hours notice, not in the language the person speaks, with no notice given to (counsel), is the governments version of what reasonable notice is," Macdonald said. Sweeney read aloud from the English-language notice the government is providing alleged "alien enemies," which contained no direction for how someone may challenge that designation in habeas proceedings. "You're acting as if these individuals, many of whom dont speak the language, would know theres something called habeas relief," she told the government. "It gives no notice to seek any kind of relief." Velchik, the government's attorney, assured Sweeney future notices will be provided in a language the detainee understands and they will have "at least 24 hours" to file a habeas action. Sweeney asked him if the government "will not ever consider" the two named petitioners as subject to removal as "alien enemies." "I think mathematically, you cant rule out the possibility that after the hearing is over," Velchik said, the petitioners "self-identify as members of TdA or some other information comes into the record." He added the purpose of the hearing was to communicate the government's belief that at this time, the petitioners were not removable as "alien enemies." "But given the conduct in other jurisdictions," Sweeney said, "it doesnt really reassure one that that would be followed to the extent I think you are representing it would be." Macdonald agreed with her, arguing that under the government's logic, every time someone brought a habeas action, their designation as an "alien enemy" would be removed, preventing the lawsuit from moving forward. "The idea the government can try and come in and manipulate this court's jurisdiction to say, 'We're not gonna remove these two people right now, deny the TRO and let us proceed,' I think is preposterous. Its the shell game." Sweeney said she will issue a written order promptly. The case is D.B.U. et al. v. Trump et al. A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the government from removing alleged "alien enemies" from Colorado pursuant to an 18th-Century wartime law, noting she is following the U.S. Supreme Court's requirement that detainees must be given notice and time to challenge their removals. U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney issued the temporary restraining order in a case brought by two detained Venezuelan men on behalf of themselves and all others subject to President Donald Trump's proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. In the March 14 proclamation, Trump initiated a process to summarily remove non-citizens, over the age of 14, accused of being members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Sweeney, a Joe Biden appointee, wrote in an April 22 order that if she did not act, the government could designate someone an "alien enemy" whenever it wanted. "Petitioners face the risk of being deported perhaps wrongfully deported under the Act and Proclamation in violation of their constitutional rights. Again: How Petitioners are currently classified does not eliminate this risk, when that classification and the legal framework under which they may be removed can change at any time," she wrote. In addition to blocking removals of people within the class, Sweeney also ordered the government to give 21 days' notice of its intent to remove those non-citizens, inform them of their right to seek judicial review, and alert them of the ability to consult with an attorney. All of that information "must be written in a language the individual understands," she added. The order does not affect deportation proceedings that are not occurring under the proclamation's terms. The U.S. Attorney's Office for Colorado had no comment on Sweeney's order. The ACLU of Colorado, which brought the case along with other legal groups, called due process "fundmanetal to the rule of law," the evasion of which is "a threat to all of us." Questions about process On Monday morning, Sweeney held a hearing in the case during which two primary themes emerged. First, Sweeney felt the Supreme Court recently cleared the path for her to block removals, following its early-morning order on Saturday in a case out of Texas. That litigation, which she called "extremely similar" to the case before her, also involved a request to intervene on behalf of a class of alleged "alien enemies." Without elaboration, the Supreme Court halted removal efforts. The second theme was Sweeney's skepticism that the government would provide due process to the petitioners in the Colorado case after all. Reading from a removal notice for one alleged "alien enemy," Sweeney noted that the document was in English and did not inform its recipient how to challenge their designation. She was also concerned about the government's claim that the named petitioners were not currently designated as "alien enemies" and need not worry about being removed pursuant to the proclamation. "You can imagine its not great comfort to be told you're not currently being considered for removal. That can change any time," observed Sweeney. Featured Local Savings The case, filed less than two weeks ago, is one of a handful that have emerged to challenge Trump's proclamation targeting suspected members of TdA who are not naturalized citizens or lawful permanent residents. Among other issues, the litigation disputes the legality of Trump's reliance on the Alien Enemies Act, which specifically applies during "a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government." The two named petitioners, D.B.U. and R.M.M., alleged they are Venezuelan nationals detained in Colorado who have incorrectly been labeled as members of TdA. One of the men alleged he, in fact, "lives in fear of the gang" because the group killed two of his family members. They filed under a legal tool known as "habeas corpus," which challenges a person's convictions or confinement as unlawful. The Supreme Court decided, by 5-4 earlier this month, that a habeas action in the place of detention was the required approach. On behalf of all proposed class members in Colorado who are subject to Trump's proclamation, the lawsuit seeks to block the government from deporting them without notice and an opportunity to respond. Doubts about legality A major development happened shortly after midnight on Saturday, when the Supreme Court's majority blocked the government from removing alleged "alien enemies" from a Texas detention center in a case with similar circumstances as Colorado's. NBC News reported that buses full of detained non-citizens turned around from the airport at some point while the litigation was being heard. Allegedly, those detainees were destined for El Salvador, where the government has already sent numerous people to a "mega-prison" including a Maryland man who was removed by mistake and who the White House has insisted is "never coming back." A lawyer for the U.S. Department of Justice told Sweeney during the hearing that it intends to give alleged "alien enemies" the ability to contest their designations and removals. But Timothy R. Macdonald, legal director of the ACLU of Colorado who represents the petitioners, countered that detainees have experienced a more perfunctory procedure elsewhere. In her order, Sweeney cast doubt on the legality of Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act. She wrote that the terms of the law "contemplate military action" and that an "invasion" requires more than Trump's allegation of TdA's "irregular warfare" against the United States. "At bottom, the Proclamation fails to adequately find or assert TdA is a 'foreign nation or government,'" she wrote. While Sweeney acknowledged the president has powers to conduct foreign relations, she explained that she must also "recognize the Supreme Courts command that Petitioners are entitled, in this habeas proceeding, to judicial review regarding the Acts 'interpretation' and its 'constitutionality.'" Sweeney allowed the petitioners to file a motion for a preliminary injunction, which would provide longer-term relief if granted. The case is D.B.U. et al. v. Trump et al. A long black bunting hung around the doors of Denvers Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Monday morning, as local parishioners piled in the church to mourn the death of Pope Francis. Many cried during a prayer session, hastily organized before the regular 12:10 p.m. mass. Between 11 a.m. and 12, the bells of the church rang throughout downtown Denver, marking the death of the 88-year-old pontiff, who led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years. We got down here in hopes to at least light a candle and say our goodbyes, Katy Worthington, a mother of two, told The Denver Gazette outside of the church, as the bells tolled in the background. It was really a beautiful experience. Francis death, announced early Monday morning, came as a surprise. While he battled health issues, Francis was present at the Easter Sunday blessing at the Vaticans St Peters Square just the day prior, when he rode in the popemobile and blessed the crowd from the balcony. It reminds us that life is fragile, Archbishop Samuel Aquila, the leader of the Archdiocese of Denver, said at the mass Monday afternoon. Even though we saw pope Francis yesterday... All of that gave us hope that he was on the mend and that he had survived many brushes with death before. But the Lord has a way of reminding us that his plans may not be our plans and the he can call us anytime to himself. Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected the 266th pope on March 13, 2013 and chose the papal name Francis to honor Saint Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century friar known for his dedication to the poor. He wanted to be known as being that type of pope. For people, not trying to be the big honcho, but just being a leader and by his example, showing people how they could also be like him just an average person and care for each other, said Gary Trevino, a Denver native and parishioner of Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. His legacy is always going to be kind of a mixed bag, Trevino said. He did a lot of things that were unusual and controversial. Theres always going to be the side that says, We dont like that. Theres always going to be a side that says, We do like that. He was the best pope of all time. The way he could connect with Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He touched everyone, Worthington said. He was a great man who loved everyone. Even as they mourn the death of Francis, the church faithful will quickly turn its eye to the conclave to elect a new pope. As to what type of person the new pope should be, Worthington said she looks toward the compassion that Francis emanated. We just really hope the next pope carries in that same feeling of hope and love and the charity he always gave to the poor, she said. Trevino said he would be interested in seeing the next pontiff carry the cultural diversity that Francis brought, being the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas. Maybe we have the first African-American pope. Maybe the first Asian pope, he said. Its going to be interesting to see what comes next. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The amiable Roman Catholic leader for the past 12 years, Pope Francis, died early Monday morning leaving a legacy as the pope of peace, mercy and overarchingly a champion for the common people, some of his flock noted Monday in reflecting on his passing. Colorado Springs resident Leah Aguirre said she couldnt believe that Pope Francis, 88, returned to publicly greeting people as soon as he was well enough. The pope had been hospitalized from Feb. 14 to March 23, initially for bronchitis and then pneumonia in both lungs. He died of a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and heart failure, the Vatican announced. Aguirre was on a pilgrimage in Italy last month with her husband, when their group got word that the Pope was being released from the hospital. They quickly boarded a bus in Assisi and high-tailed it to Rome, where they saw the Pope in a parking lot after exiting the hospital. I could tell he wasnt healthy. He looked swollen and couldnt raise his arms; he just moved his hands up and down, she said as if waving at the assembled crowd to acknowledge his release from infirmity. It was very moving. And hopeful, she said. We thought, Oh my gosh, hes going to pull through. Being in the presence of Pope Francis imparted a special feeling for Aguirre. Hes an important person and significant to the Catholic Church, she said. He has that position of authority. You just honor him. Born in Argentina, Pope Francis was serving as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, when he was elected in 2013 as the first Latin American pontiff. Believers said he will leave a legacy of advocating for the poor, advancing evangelism, supporting immigrants, emulating humility and building inclusivity. He demonstrated great courage in confronting the challenges faced by the Catholic Church, always keeping at the forefront of his fatherly concern those most affected by war, poverty and exploitation, Bishop James Golka, who heads the Diocese of Colorado Springs, said in a statement. Pope Francis selected Golka to be the third bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs in 2021. Golka said he had met with Pope Francis several times in Rome over the years and always enjoyed his warmth, sense of humor and deep faith. That Pope Francis served in the role for more than a decade while dealing with various health problems and physical limitations is commendable, Golka said. The pope worked until his death, reminding the faithful during his Easter blessing on Sunday from St. Peters Basilica that All those who put their hope in God place their feeble hands in his strong and mighty hand; they let themselves be raised up and set out on a journey. Together with the risen Jesus, they become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of life. Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila said in a statement, His special emphasis on seeking out the lost and marginalized has encouraged many to encounter Jesus ... As we mourn his passing, may we remember his call to preach the Gospel courageously, joyfully and full of hope. A Colorado Springs resident named Eve, who declined to give her last name, said she doesnt normally attend a weekday Mass but made sure she was at the noontime service on Monday at St. Marys Cathedral to pray in solidarity for the Pope. Hes our poppa, she said. Eve said she converted to Catholicism during the late Pope John Paul IIs 26-year reign of the worlds Catholics, whose numbers now top 1.406 billion, according to statistics the Vaticans Central Office for Church Statistics released last month. The richness of faith of Catholics is just amazing, she said. The Sisters of Benet Hill Monastery in Black Forest relied on the popes teachings through documents he issued on the intersectionality between environmental distress, migration, racism, classism and xenophobia to create a Land Ethic for their 100-acre property and focus on caring for creation, said Ruth Roland, director of mission advancement. We hope that the next pope will prayerfully continue to listen to the people of God and the cries of Mother Earth, she said. And perhaps the next pope will re-open the conversation on expanding the role of women in the church, following the example of the early Christian church where women were considered the equals of their brothers. In 15 to 20 days, a papal conclave of cardinals the highest-ranking clergy will begin the process in Rome to elect the Catholic Churchs 267th spiritual leader. The pope is considered to be the successor of Peter, one of the apostles of Jesus, who is viewed the first head of the church and the first bishop of Rome. Mixed with the sadness of Pope Francis demise is excitement over who will be chosen as the next leader, Aguirre said. In keeping with tradition, ballots are burned in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, with white smoke from the chimney indicating to the world that a two-thirds majority of the cardinal electors has selected a new pope. Black smoke means the group will return to discerning who will become the next bishop of Rome. I cant wait to see the conclave and see the smoke and see who it is, Aguirre said. What do people want in the next pope? A return to traditional roots, said some leaving Mondays service at the local cathedral. Others said they want forward movement in addressing societal changes. Unity in the church, Aguirre said. Id like to see a man of God and not a man of politics, said a churchgoer named Jim, who declined to provide a surname. He believes doing so would help the Catholic Church retain more members. More people would come to Christ, and less would fall away. Louise, who also gave a single name, said she wants a pope who is not influenced by the world but one that would be holy and help us all be holy. Contact the writer: 719-476-1656. Editor's note: Guqin, a plucked seven-string zither, is one of the oldest and most revered traditional Chinese musical instruments. Known for its refined sound and deep cultural symbolism, the Guqin has been an essential part of Chinese cultural life for over three millennia. In 2008, it was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Guqin is celebrated not only for its distinctive, meditative sound but also for its close association with Chinese philosophy, poetry and calligraphy. The origins of Guqin date back over 3,000 years. It has long been associated with Confucian values and the cultivation of moral character. Guqin was one of the four arts along with calligraphy, painting and an ancient form of chess that Chinese scholars were expected to master. Throughout the dynasties, it became a symbol of inner harmony, reflection and the spiritual quest of the literati class. Guqin music is known for its quiet, subtle tones and wide range of expressive techniques. Its repertoire includes a mixture of ancient melodies some dating back hundreds or even thousands of years and more recent compositions. The instrument's playing techniques, such as sliding, plucking and harmonics, allow the performer to express complex emotions and philosophical ideas. Many Guqin pieces are linked with nature or friendship themes, such as "Running Water" and "Yangguan Sandie (Parting for Yangguan)." Guqin playing developed as an elite art form, practiced by noblemen and scholars in intimate settings, and was therefore never intended for public performance. In the 20th century, the Guqin faced significant challenges due to the changes of the times. The number of Guqin players and masters declined sharply, and many ancient instruments and manuscripts were lost. However, recent decades have seen a revival of interest in the Guqin, both within China and internationally. Conservatories, cultural institutions, and independent scholars have worked to preserve and promote Guqin music through performances, recordings, academic research and education. Young people are increasingly drawn to the instrument as a symbol of cultural identity and spiritual depth. Today, Guqin societies operate across China and abroad, organizing workshops, concerts and gatherings. Efforts have also been made to digitize ancient manuscripts and incorporate Guqin education into school curricula. Despite these positive developments, the tradition remains vulnerable due to its complexity, the limited number of skilled masters, and the challenge of maintaining traditions in a modernized society. In recognizing the art of Guqin music, UNESCO highlighted its historical importance, artistic value and philosophical depth. The organization noted that Guqin music reflects key elements of traditional Chinese culture, including Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Its meditative nature promotes introspection and harmony between people and the natural world. UNESCO also emphasized the need to preserve Guqin's traditional transmission and craftsmanship methods, as well as to support efforts that ensure its continued practice and relevance in the modern era. The designation as Intangible Cultural Heritage aims to encourage both governmental and community support to preserve this extraordinary tradition for future generations. Discover more treasures from China on UNESCO's ICH list: 2024: Spring Festival 2022: Traditional tea processing 2020: Wangchuan ceremony, taijiquan 2018: Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa 2016: Twenty-four solar terms 2013: Abacus-based Zhusuan 2012: Training plan for Fujian puppetry performers 2011: Shadow puppetry, Yimakan storytelling 2010: Peking opera, acupuncture and moxibustion, wooden movable-type printing, watertight-bulkhead technology of Chinese junks, Meshrep 2009: Yueju opera, Xi'an wind and percussion ensemble, traditional handicrafts of making Xuan paper, traditional firing techniques of Longquan celadon, Tibetan opera, sericulture and silk craftsmanship, Regong arts, Nanyin, Khoomei, Mazu belief and customs, Dragon Boat Festival, Manas, Craftsmanship of Nanjing Yunjin brocade, Xinjiang Uygur Muqam art, Hua'er, China engraved block printing technique, Chinese traditional architectural craftsmanship for timber-framed structures, Chinese paper-cut, Chinese calligraphy 2008: Kunqu opera Volunteers are the best kind of people, says Troy Waltz. He started his 22-year Army career at Fort Carson as a supply guy and worked for a few decades as an Army intelligence specialist, primarily in Germany. Now, hes a volunteer in Colorado Springs. Unpaid helpers are recognizable, he says, because theyre the natural givers in society. They freely give of the three Ts time, talent and treasure and most of all share pieces of their hearts with others to make the world beat brighter. Its one of the greatest things a human can do, regardless of nationality, religion or sport team its one of those things anyone can do, Waltz said Monday, while teaching seniors to play the guitar at Silver Key Senior Services. And its one of the most rewarding things you can do. Ive met the nicest people. National Volunteer Week kicked off Sunday and runs through Saturday. President Richard Nixon started the 51-year-old observance by proclamation in 1974. Nonprofit organizations couldnt do the work they do without the valuable contributions of volunteers, said Jayme Holligan, director of volunteer, events and community engagement for Silver Key, which offers meals and other food, housing, activities, transportation and companionship for seniors. The organizations 500 volunteers are being recognized this week by its 80 staff members with a Love Em Up campaign that includes special in-person events such as a reception, swag like T-shirts and hats, as well as mentions on social media and through emails. Service matters it helps your health and psyche and encourages people to give back to whatever the case and cause might be, Holligan said. Featured Local Savings In contrast to some organizations that had trouble retaining and recruiting volunteers during the pandemic, Silver Key has grown by 100 volunteers since COVID-19 began in 2020, she said. Weve been able to keep upward momentum with a steady and noticeable increase because people realize seniors are vulnerable and need support and essential services, as they encounter isolation, extreme depression and suicidality, Holligan said. Volunteering creates joy among the givers, which spreads to the receivers, she said. Voluntarism has been a hallmark of the generosity of the people of the Pikes Peak Region the giving of ones time, talent and treasure is in our communitys DNA, said Margaret Dolan, CEO of Pikes Peak Community Foundation, which in its more than 97-year history has provided $125 million in philanthropic funding. AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, reported that nearly 76 million Americans volunteered in 2023. Volunteers help nonprofits maximize their effectiveness in pursuit of their missions, according to the Colorado Springs-based Leighty Foundation, which studies the power of volunteers. Volunteers of all ages play a unique role in the nonprofit sector in Colorado, said Kyle H. Hybl, president and CEO of El Pomar Foundation. Founded in 1937 in Colorado Springs by Julie and Spencer Penrose, creators of The Broadmoor hotel, the foundation supports various charities and today distributes about $25 million statewide each year. Our community and country are stronger as a result of the dedicated efforts of these volunteers and the many organizations they support, Hybl said. As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, El Pomar would like to honor and express gratitude for the many community volunteers that uplift our nonprofit community. Contact the writer: 719-476-1656. Auroras former Crowne Plaza Hotel will be the site of a one-stop-shop homeless-services center for the city. A tiered slate of services will incentivize those who use the center to seek rehab and jobs. The Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda held celebrations on Sunday afternoon to mark this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day. The event, under the theme "Chinese Language: A Gift Across Time and Space," offered attendees an immersive experience of Chinese culture and language. Speaking at the event, Lin Hang, charge d'affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, said that as an official language of the United Nations, the Chinese language is an important bond of friendship between the Chinese people and the people around the world. "Language is a crucial tool of communication for human beings. As you may be aware, Chinese is the only 'living language' among the world's ancient civilizations that is still in use today. At present, more than 190 countries and regions around the world are teaching Chinese, and 85 countries have incorporated Chinese into their national education systems," she said. "China puts the spirit of real multilateralism into good practice, embraces an open and inclusive mindset, enhances mutual appreciation and learning, deepens understanding and friendship between the peoples across borders and among civilizations," she added. Zeng Guangyu, director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, told Xinhua during the event that when the institute was established in 2009, only a handful of students enrolled, as many thought it was too difficult to learn. However, nearly 20,000 Rwandans can now speak Chinese after years of sustained efforts. He noted that Chinese language skills have opened doors for Rwandan learners, enabling them to secure jobs, win scholarships, study in China, and even start businesses. "I have seen Chinese learners achieve their dreams through the language -- by creating enterprises or finding good jobs. They are truly changing their lives through learning Chinese. English is used worldwide, but Chinese is a rising language in East Africa and across the globe. It represents the future," Zeng said. He also highlighted that this year's celebrations also featured the launch of a Kiswahili-Chinese-English textbook, aimed at bridging Chinese with two of East Africa's most commonly spoken languages. "We held a lecture on Chinese characters, organized workshops on Chinese writing and calligraphy, and conducted many activities across different teaching posts to mark the occasion," Zeng added. Yazmin Navarro represents Colorados 8th Congressional District on the Colorado State Board of Education and is an Advance Colorado Institute Fellow in Growth and Opportunity. Swell Tuesday. Itll be a peach. If not for the stack of programs, eager volunteers showing people into the auditorium or the less than subtle signs with photos of Sen. Ted Budd pointing the way, a filled-nearly-to-capacity town hall meeting Monday could have been mistaken for a gathering of aging hippies. There were sensible shoes and more than a few old-guy ponytails at the gathering. The meeting, one of a continuing in-absentia series of town halls for U.S. Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, pulled in more than 150 enthusiastic and largely fed up constituents who still manage to muster the energy to protest Republican policies on education, immigration, due process, voting rights and expected cuts to Medicaid. Were here to let Sen. Budd know that he is our senator and that he works for us, said moderator Mark Queen while noting that Budd was invited. You may have noticed that Sen. Budd is not here." He added, We will press forward and let him know what is important. The senator needs to know that, for some, (policy decisions being made) are life and death. Speakers from the League of Women Voters, the Forsyth County Association of Educators, the World Relief Triad refugee resettlement organization gave testimony about the real-world effects of policy change. A former Vermont state senator also joined in. At various times attendees nodded in agreement and let loose with a Thats right or Amen to the different talking points. Speakers assailed in no particular order the SAVE Act, a federal measure supporters claim will crack down on voter fraud while opponents maintain its about voter suppression, budget cuts targeting Medicaid, immigration programs and school voucher programs undermining public education. The tragedy for us is that, if these (budget) policies go into effect to give tax cuts worth $880 billion in state and federal funds, theres no way to do that without (cutting) Medicaid and Medicare, said Dr. Grace Terrell, a primary care physician. And the focus will be on Medicaid. Medicaid, Terrell noted, is the primary insurance for 19% of North Carolinians and 39% of N.C. children. Medicaid tends to cover minors, the disabled, special needs folks and those with long-term disabilities. Medicare recipients, they vote, she said referring to federal medical insurance for seniors. Truth be told, town hall meetings such as the one Monday evening in the Forsyth County Public Library downtown, are something of a gimmick. Sponsors and organizers know darn well that Budd, Tillis and other U.S. representatives arent going to attend. Tillis, or more specifically some who work for him, took umbrage after a few such gatherings, and made a point of circulating threatening messages left at his office. The implication being that a handful of extremists and angry crackpots made attending public gatherings too dangerous. Absent the honorables, the town halls provide an outlet for political expression. Even if the message winds up as a large exercise in preaching to the choir. While there is an argument to be made that other structural changes are more pressing, such as eliminating the obscene influence of dark money and over-the-top, surgically precise gerrymandering that predetermines the balance of power, at least people are trying to be heard. And that should count for something. Stabbing underscores challenges at IRC GREENSBORO - Giving up, throwing in the towel, whatever you want to call the natural inclination toward exasperation following yet an episode of violence at a downtown homeless resource center, shouldnt be an option. Greensboro police, you might have heard, arrested a woman named Kali Graves Friday and charged her with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury in connection with a daytime stabbing at the embattled Interactive Resource Center. The victim, a man, was listed in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries; police did not indicate whether either party were IRC clients. The IRC is a 16-year-old organization that provides basic and essential services for homeless residents. That includes showers, laundry, shelter on frigid nights and a place to get mail. The group has had more than its share of heartache lately. Six months ago, a 25-year-old IRC client was shot and killed in the parking lot. Per the News & Records Susie Spear, that came two days before the center reverted to operating as a day center. The IRC had attempted to offer services around the clock. The experiment didnt last a full year. An influx of new clients, more than 1,000 in April 2024 which was nearly double the number from the previous year, stretched the IRCs resources and started an earnest debate about sustainable levels of funding. With larger numbers of clients, calls for police service increased as well. Between Jan. 17 and May 22, 2024, police and emergency personnel came to the IRC for 642 disruptions, which included larceny, weapons possession, assaults and a stabbing. Last weeks stabbing will no doubt renew debate and intensify calls to do something different. Cone Health is poised to open a new heart center that doctors and hospital officials say will provide a one-stop treatment option for cardiac patients. The Steven D. Bell Family Heart and Vascular Center is set to open Monday after a decade of planning and building. The five-story, 156,000-square-foot facility is expected to treat around 120,000 patients annually. The center is named for Steve Bell, founder of the real estate firm Bell Partners, who donated $7.5 million in support of the new center, which had a total cost of $100 million. Located at 1220 Magnolia St. across from the main hospital campus, the new center is served by a 750-space parking deck facing Wendover Avenue that offers free valet parking. Patients using the facility will be able to meet with their cardiologists, undergo scans and other diagnostics, pick up medications and even learn more about adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle and how to take precautions to slow or prevent heart disease. The hospital will be staffed by around 250 employees, including current Cone workers being brought to the center as part of the hospitals consolidation as well as 45 new employees. Cone Vice President for Heart and Vascular Services Ruth Fisher said the center will provide convenience and ease of access to patients. We noticed that patients were being asked to go different places all around the community, and we said our best approach to this would be to put everything in one place so that a patient could have one-stop shopping, Fisher said. Dr. Jake Hochrein, a cardiologist who has worked at Cone for 26 years, said the hope is that the center will make it easy for patients to receive care in an often-daunting system. It is really hard to navigate health care, Hochrein said. Its scary. Youre here because somethings going on. Youre worried. To take away some of that fear and to make it accessible to people, to make it easy for people to try to navigate for them takes away some of that. You dont need that when youre already worried about your health. Hochrein said one example of the way the new center will improve the patient experience involves the seating in the exam rooms. He said some patients in the past have said they avoided doctor visits because of difficulties getting up on exam tables. The exam rooms at the new heart center feature chairs that are lower to the ground and allow for adjustments to their height. The center also incorporates state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, which Hochrein described as the most advanced imaging technology thats available. This includes what is known as a nuclear testing machine that monitors the way radiation is absorbed into a patients following an injection. Sheryl Booth, the executive director of the heart and vascular center, said the nuclear imaging machine allows doctors to get more detailed pictures of patients hearts. She said the machine at Cone is the only one of its kind in North Carolina and one of only 18 in the United States and roughly 74 in the world. The centers CT scanner is equipped to capture accurate images of the heart without requiring patients to take medication to slow the heart rate. The hospital also paid attention to the atmosphere in the hospital with the goal of creating a warm and welcoming environment for patients and the hospital staff alike. Large open windows provide natural lighting in much of the building. Cones philanthropy team worked with the Arts Council of Greater Greensboro to bring art from local and statewide artists to the lobby of the center. Coffee machines dispensing Starbucks coffee also are in the lobby, placed next to vending machines that will be stocked with healthy foods. Hochrein had high praise for the vending machine fare. The ones that pop in my mind, theres a turkey wrap with cranberry sauce that is just unbelievable, Hochrein said. Theres an edamame salad, and some of our patients will never have had edamame, probably, and they will eat this and go, Wow. Fisher said she believes the center will help convey to the public the quality of heart medicine available at the hospital. Greensboro is really unique, she said. We have world-class cardiovascular care here, and I think our community would really be surprised to know that. We do not need to leave this community to get world-class cardiovascular care. Support Local News Reporting Journalists at the Yakima Herald-Republic bring you timely, in-depth and credible local news. Your generous donation supports their work. Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley. The Lincoln High School Vietnamese Club practices their traditional fan dance routine before performing inside Seattle Centers Fisher Pavilion for Tet in Seattle celebrations, on Jan. 26. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detain a person during a raid in Richmond, Va., in October. The agency is in charge of arresting and deporting immigrants who lack legal status. From the volcanic soil of Colombia's Andes Mountains to the bustling streets of Chongqing in southwest China, a humble coffee bean embarks on a transcontinental voyage. Fermented, roasted and transformed into aromatic brews, these beans took center stage at the 2025 Chongqing International Coffee Festival, which concluded Sunday in the city's Yuzhong District. Over three days, 210 coffee-related brands from 18 countries and regions, including Colombia, Italy, France, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam, as well as 23 domestic provinces and cities, showcased innovations in coffee experiences and trade. The event saw on-site procurement deals exceeding 50 million yuan (about 6.94 million U.S. dollars). Colombia, this year's guest of honor, highlighted its growing ties with China. "It's so important to continue the coffee adventure in China, which is currently our sixth-largest market, but with enormous potential," said Santiago Gamboa, minister-counselor of the Colombian Embassy in China. At the festival, visitors sampled freeze-dried Colombian coffee in flavors ranging from vanilla to caramel and amaretto. "China's imports of unroasted Colombian coffee beans hit a record high last year, with arabica varieties becoming especially popular," said Xuan Xiuli, head of the China operations of Buencafe. The brand, which entered China in 2024, is now expanding westward from coastal regions. China's customs data reveals that China's net coffee imports surged by 130,800 tonnes from 2020 to 2024, a 6.53-fold increase, with an annual growth rate of 65.7 percent. Chen Zhenjia, secretary-general of the Asia Coffee Association, said that China's per capita consumption remains at 16 cups yearly, compared with the global average of 240, indicating the huge growth potential while the country becomes a new engine of global coffee consumption. The boom also uplifts farmers abroad. In Colombia's Huila region, grower Stefany Martinez Gonzalez harvests beans at 1,800 meters above sea level, which journey to Chispa Xunta Beijing Trading Co., Ltd. for processing. "By partnering with family farms, we've developed cost-effective specialty beans, helping farmers improve quality and profits," said Sun Yuxi, the firm's coffee trade manager. Wu Jiahang, with the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation, said that to cater to China's diverse palate, Colombian producers experiment with novel processing techniques and bean varieties. In Chongqing, a city now dotted with over 3,200 coffee shops, ranking among the top 10 nationally, beans from Yunnan, South America and Africa tempt customers with their unique aromas. "By leveraging the advantages of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the China-Europe Railway Express and the New International Land-sea Trade Corridor, Chongqing has been deeply connecting with domestic and international coffee production areas and is becoming a new highland for domestic coffee exhibition and trade," said Ma Lihua, director of the strategy development advisory department of real estate giant Cushman & Wakefield in Chongqing. VILLANOVA, Pa. (April 22, 2025)Khushi Vandra 26 CLAS, a Physics major in Villanova Universitys College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been named a 2025 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Vandra is among 1,350 nominated students nationwide for this prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding undergraduates pursuing research careers in STEM fields. As a Goldwater Scholar, she will receive a $7,500 scholarship to support her academic and research endeavors. The Goldwater Foundations scholarship, awarded annually to sophomores and juniors, is considered the preeminent award for undergraduate students preparing for research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering. Khushis recognition as a Goldwater Scholar is a remarkable achievement that highlights our students dedication to igniting changing through meaningful research, said University Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD. This program is known for propelling its Scholars to further success, with many previous Villanova recipients going on to win other prestigious national awards. I congratulate Khushi on this well-deserved honor and look forward to seeing how her passion for discovery shapes the future of physics. Vandra, a first-generation college student, intends to pursue a career in academia with a focus on high-energy particle physics and mentoring the next generation of physicists. Her research journey began as a first-year student when she was selected to work with the late Amber Stuver, PhD, associate professor of Physics, through Villanova's Center for Research and Fellowships (CRF) Match Research Program. Under Dr. Stuvers mentorship, Vandra explored gravitational wave research, helping develop BurstStatVeto, a tool designed to aid in the search for burst gravitational waves. She continued this project as a Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellow in Summer 2023. In Summer 2024, Vandra was selected for a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates at the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory at Duke University. At CERN in Switzerland, she investigated entanglement in the products of top quark decays and while at Duke, she studied particle physics and quantum entanglement with the universitys High Energy Physics Group. She is currently working on research in Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics at Villanova. Following Dr. Stuvers passing in 2024, Vandra remains committed to honoring her mentors legacy as a researcher, educator and advocate for women in STEM. She serves as president of Villanovas Physics Club, a peer mentor in the Department of Physics, a tutor at Villanovas Learners Studio and a teaching assistant for the Thermodynamics Lab. She is also involved with Campus Ministry and has participated in and led Service and Justice Experiences. Vandras selection as a 2025 Goldwater Scholar reflects her exceptional academic achievements, dedication to research and passion for inspiring future scientists. For more information on the Goldwater Scholarship, visit goldwater.scholarsapply.org. About Villanova University Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu. More than half of the 650,000-700,000 scooters on Hungarian roads lack mandatory third-party insurance, according to the independent insurance brokers association Fbamsz. Despite legal requirements, data from the MNB show fewer than 296,000 policies in place. A similar gap exists among e-scooters: of 50,000 now subject to insurance rules, only 10,000-15,000 are properly covered. Under current regulations, any electric scooter weighing more than 25kg or capable of speeds above 25km/h must have insurance. The association attributed the low compliance to poor awareness. The average annual premium for scooters costs Ft 8,000-10,000, but uninsured riders risk heavy fines and large personal liabilities in accidents. The Fbamsz urged owners to get insured, noting that there is no retroactive penalty for late compliance. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. The government intends to declare the day of Pope Francis's funeral a national day of mourning, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen announced. The day of mourning will "express the nation's gratitude for the Holy Father and the nation's grief", he said on the official government website kormany.hu. Semjen, who also leads the co-ruling Christian Democrats, said he was "shocked to learn of the news of the Holy Father's death". He said "all Hungarians" were grateful to the pope, who called on Hungarians three times by visiting the "national shrine of Csiksomlyo" during his visit to Transylvania before attending the Eucharistic Congress in Budapest and then making an apostolic visit to Hungary. Semjen said the Holy Father "was rightly called a man of peace", adding that the pope supported peace "in every way", arguing that diplomacy rather than weapons should take hold of events. The deputy PM also said the pope and the Hungarian people had a special relationship and "a deep connection". Having worked among Hungarian nuns in Argentina, whenever he met a Hungarian, the pontiff would always say "God bless you!" in Hungarian, Semjen noted. Prime Minister to attend Pope Francis's funeral Prime Minister Viktor Orban will attend the funeral of Pope Francis to be held in St. Peter's Basilica, the PM's communications department said on Thursday. Orban will be a member of the Hungarian state delegation led by President Tamas Sulyok also joined by Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen. Public media commemorates Pope Francis Hungary's public media is commemorating Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88, with memorial broadcasts today, MTVA said in a statement. On Monday, Duna and Duna World will air a programme on Pope Francis' meetings with Hungarians, alongside a studio programme and a documentary, followed by a broadcast on Duna of "Francis, the People's Pope", a biographical film. Duna World will air a documentary on key messages of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest. The M5 channel will commemorate the pontiff in its history programme, followed by a documentary titled "Our Pope". A film on the life of Saint Peter will follow. M2 Petofi TV will broadcast Liszt's Requiem from 8pm, performed by the Saint Ephraim Male Choir, one of Hungary's most popular vocal ensembles. Kossuth Radio will carry Pope Francis's thoughts on Monday, as well as a memorial programme on the most important moments of the pontiff's life and papacy. Pope Francis' funeral will be broadcast by the M1 and Duna channels as well as Kossuth Radio. Hungarian Catholic Bishops' Conference: Life of Pope Francis 'was a testimony to us all' The whole life of Pope Francis "was a testimony to us all", the Hungarian Catholic Bishops' Conference (MKPK) said in a statement mourning the death of the pontiff on Monday. The statement said that the MKPK members were "shocked to learn of the pope's death", adding that Francis had set a personal example of love, "especially for the poor, the downtrodden and the needy". The statement said the pope had maintained a "special relationship with Hungarians around the world and with Hungary". "All people of good will", it added, would remember Pope Francis in their prayers. Cardinal Erdo: 'Holy Father held Hungarians close to his heart' "We fondly remember the Holy Father's visits to Hungary in 2021 and 2023, when it was clear that he held the Hungarian people close to his heart," Cardinal Peter Erdo, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, said on public news channel M1 on Monday. Peter Erdo said Pope Francis "represented the cause of peace consistently". The pontiff did not see Europe through the lens of a European, but as a Latin American. "This is important because Europe is not the world; it is very important and we love it, but the world is bigger. And we must be Europeans while also perceiving the movement of the whole world. This is something we could learn from him," Erdo said. Pope Francis paid special attention to those living on the periphery, both of society and of the world, with whom others barely had contact. It was also important that he purposefully strengthened dialogue with other religions, the cardinal said. "So he loved to cross walls, loved to open doors," he added. Commenting on his personal ties with the pope, Erdo qualified it as a "lively relationship", adding that they had met "very often". Regarding bishops conferences, he said: "Everything he told us was very sincere and constructive." DK: 'Francis showed moral greatness, love of humanity' Pope Francis was exceptional for his "moral greatness and sincere love of humanity", the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) said in a statement mourning the death of the Pontiff on Monday. The statement said: "Christians, people of other religions and non-believers alike needed him. He fought for universal values that were not born of holy books, but of the human soul." The pope "spoke up for the weak, the downtrodden and the persecuted with a passion that shamed secular leftists," it added. Meanwhile, the deputy leader of opposition party Jobbik wrote in a statement that the Catholic Church "and the entire world has lost a moral compass" who was steadfast in standing up for peace, the poor and human dignity, regardless of religion, origin or social status. The Our Homeland Movement said it expressed its "sincere condolences", adding in a statement that the party was "shocked to learn of the death of the Holy Father." President Sulyok: 'Holy Father, rest in peace' "Holy Father, by the grace of God, rest in peace," President of the Republic Tamas Sulyok wrote in a post on Facebook in commemoration of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday. In a caption of a picture of the pope, Sulyok wrote: "He spoke in the language of the people, so that everyone may understand him. And many did. He spoke to us Hungarians several times. We think of him with gratitude." Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. A demonstration for legalising marijuana held on Easter Sunday "is a shameless provocation", Laszlo Horvath, the government commissioner for eliminating drug dealing, has said, vowing that the protest would be "the last" of its kind. As Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus today, the Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party "is organising an event in Budapest on Sunday for the legalisation of marijuana," Horvath said in a post on Facebook, referring to a "baffling theory" which holds that today is also the day of marijuana. He said that a few days ago the party had encouraged "the masses" to use drugs. "The Hungarian 'dictatorship' is so strong that a political party can hold a mass event in Hungary on one of the greatest Christian holidays," he said. "They find nothing sacred, not even on this day." The issue was not about freedom of expression but an abuse of democratic opportunities, the commissioner said. Photo courtesy: Ket Farku Kutya Part Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. New Delhi: Kartik Aaryan latest announcement of his upcoming film Naagzilla has taken the internet by storm, quickly becoming the most talked-about topic on social media. The film, presented by Dharma Productions and Mahaveer Jain Films, is set for a grand theatrical release on 14th August 2026. And since the teaser dropped, fans have been flooding online platforms with excitement and anticipation. Known for his fearless choices and ever-evolving on-screen avatars, Kartik is set to take on a never-before-seen role in Naagzilla. The teaser, which gave just a sneak peek of the movies larger-than-life scale, was enough to send the internet into overdrive, with fans hailing his bold move and expressing nothing but admiration for the actor. The buzz around the film quickly went viral, with fans showering Kartik with praise on social media. One user humorously commented, Ye pehla ichhadhaari naag hoga jo itna handsome hai, while others eagerly declared, 2026, its Kartik Aaryans year!! Many fans dubbed Naagzilla Another Biggest Blockbuster loading and called Kartik the most versatile actor of todays generation. One tweet even read, Mr. All-rounder in action, highlighting his ability to tackle diverse roles with ease. The teaser left a lasting impact, with many fans echoing sentiments like, Another teaser, another reminder why youre everyones favorite. The verdict was clear: Hit hain boss superstar #KartikAaryanthe blockbuster king of Bollywood. With such strong early momentum, Naagzilla has already become one of the most highly anticipated films of 2026. Kartik Aaryan continues to shine brightly in the spotlight, and with this new venture, it seems like hes only just getting started. Cover Story Transplant surgery in India has long been a formidable challenge, marked by limited accessibility, surgical complexities, and deep-seated apprehensions. Today, the field of transplant surgery is undergoing a transformation, driven by minimally invasive techniques that are redefining possibilities. With innovations in laparoscopic and robotic surgery, along with breakthroughs in immunotherapy, procedures are becoming less invasive, reducing recovery times and post-operative pain. However, some transplants continue to face skepticism, none more so than pancreas transplants. In India, patients have often been discouraged not only by their families but also by doctors who consider the procedure too risky. Mumbai : Actor Harshvardhan Rane is currently busy shooting for his film 'Deewaniyat' with Sonam Bajwa. On Tuesday, Harshvardhan took to Instagram and shared a couple of BTS pictures from the sets, revealing that 'Deewaniyat' is a working title and it will be changed soon. "Last 3 days flew by while filming extremely crucial heart breaking scenes of #Deewaniyat (which is going to be renamed)," Harshvardhan wrote. He also shared a funny anecdote from the shoot about how a security guard stopped his car to enter the set. "I been noticing @anshul300 a focused, sincere, proactive and committed producer these 3 days....everyday on set i observe him giving his best to make sure that this is my most heart wrenching romantic film... however I just have one complaint from yesterdays shoot in Mumbai, because of all his expensive fleet of fancy cars that he owns, yesterday the on set security guards inaware of me being inside, didnt allow my Innova (that i own) to go into the shoot compound, he said 'parking bahar karo' then I had to peep out and smile and then the guard started blushing, then for the whole day i teased that guard ...and obviously @anshul300 and co producer @raghav.sharma.14661 were unaware abt this funny incident," Harshvardhan recalled. Recently, a motion poster of the film was unveiled. It features a hand holding a red rose. The video also included Sonams voiceover. In the video, Bajwa can be heard saying, Tera pyar pyar nahi, teri zid hai. Jisse tu paar kar raha hai, woh har hadd ki hadd hai. Jal jaungi, mit jaungi, par khaati hoon main kasamtere ishq mein jhuk jaoon, main nahi woh sanam. Tere liye mere dil mein mohabbat nahi, nafrat hai. Tujhe tabah jo kar degi, woh meri deewaniyat hai.Expressing her excitement, Bajwa wrote, So thrilled to bring the fire of love to #Deewaniyat! An intense saga of passion & heartbreak, starring alongside the amazing @harshvardhanrane! Directed by @milapzaveri, produced by @amulvmohan & @anshulmohan under @vikirmotionpictures. Written by @mushtaqshiekh & #MilapZaveri. Rolling soon. Releasing late 2025! Cant wait for you all to witness this madness of love! The film, announced on Valentines Day, is being directed by Milap Zaveri and is described as a tale of passion and heartbreak. The announcement followed the recent success of the re-release of Harshvardhans film Sanam Teri Kasam. Early risers on Friday, April 25, 2025, are in for a special treata rare celestial event will create a smiley face in the predawn sky. This phenomenon, known as a triple conjunction, will bring together Venus, Saturn, and a delicate crescent moon in a triangular arrangement that resembles a smiling face. Whats Happening in the Sky? At around 5:30 a.m. local time, just before sunrise, the alignment will be visible to observers across the globeweather permitting. Venus will shine brightly above the eastern horizon, Saturn will appear slightly lower, and the thin crescent moon will rest beneath them, creating the illusion of a smiling face. Brenda Culbertson, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, explains: Venus is higher above the eastern horizon with Saturn lower, and a thin, crescent Moon a bit lower and a little farther north. The thin, crescent Moon looks like a smile. How to Watch To catch the best view, head to a location with an unobstructed eastern horizon and as little light pollution as possible. The spectacle lasts for only about an hour before daylight washes it away, so plan to be in position by 5:30 a.m. While the planets and moon are bright enough to see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope can enhance the experienceespecially for spotting the crescent moons fine detail. Keen observers might also glimpse Mercury hovering low beneath the trio, though it may be difficult to spot due to its low position on the horizon. A Rare Sky Show This rare alignment is a must-see for astronomy enthusiasts and photographers alike. It also coincides with the tail end of the Lyrid meteor shower, which peaks earlier in the weekadding a bit more magic to the morning sky. So set your alarm, grab your camera or telescope, and find a good viewing spot. This short-lived smiley face is a reminder of the wonders abovedont miss your chance to see the sky grin back at you. New Delhi: A news is going viral in the social media that says the government is all set to provide free air conditioners under PM Modi AC Yojana 2025 for which 1.5 crore 5-star ACs have been prepared. The message, that has been widely circulated in the social media says PM Modi AC Yojna 2025 will be launched in May and will provide free 5 star ACs for people who will apply ASAP. Due to this, there will be huge shortage of ACs in India as 1.5 crore have already been prepared. The message further says that after the government accepts request, people will get their ACs within 30 days. Busting the fake message, The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has confirmed that the above claim is fake. No such scheme providing free 5- Star Air Conditioners has been announced by the MinOfPower "A post being widely shared on social media claims that under a new scheme 'PM Modi AC Yojana 2025', the Government will provide free 5-star air conditioners and 1.5 crore ACs have already been prepared," PIB Fact check has tweeted. How to get messages fact-checked by PIB If you get any such suspicious message, you can always know its authenticity and check if the news is for real or it is a fake news. For that, you need to send the message to https://factcheck.pib.gov.in. Alternatively you can send a WhatsApp message to +918799711259 for fact check. You can also send your message to pibfactcheck@gmail.com. The fact check information is also available on https://pib.gov.in. TS Inter Results 2025: The Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE) announced the TS Inter Second Year Results 2025 today, April 22. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka officially declared the results at 12 PM from the TSBIE office in Hyderabad. Once declared, students can visit the official website tgbie.cgg.gov.in to access their marks memo. To check the result, they will need to enter their hall ticket number. This year, the TS Inter exams were held from March 6 to March 25, with all papers conducted in the morning shift from 9 AM to 12 noon. In the TS Inter 1st Year Results 2025, female students outperformed male students by a wide margin. Among the 4,88,430 candidates who took the Telangana Intermediate Public Examinations, 73.83% of girls passed, while 57.83% of boys succeeded. The Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE) has officially declared the TS Inter Results 2025 for both first and second-year students. According to the announcement, the pass percentage for Class 11 (1st Year) is 66.89%, while Class 12 (2nd Year) students have achieved a higher pass percentage of 71.37%. TS Inter Result 2025: Here's how to download marks memo Visit the official website of the board at tsbie.cgg.gov.in. Click on the IPE March 2025 result for 1st or 2nd year. Enter your login information. Click submit to view your result online. To pass the TS Inter exams, candidates must score at least 35% marks in each subject. In total, students need to secure a minimum of 350 marks out of 1000 to pass. According to the grading system, students who score 750 marks or more will receive grade A, those scoring between 600 and 749 will get grade B, those with marks between 500 and 599 will be assigned grade C, and those with 350 to 499 marks will be given grade D. Nagaland Board Result 2025: The Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has officially announced the result date for the 2025 HSLC (Class 10) and HSSLC (Class 12) exams. The results will be declared on April 25 in the afternoon. Students can check their results on the official websites, i.e. nbse.nic.in or nbsenl.edu.in, by entering their roll number and date of birth. Students who are not satisfied with their results can apply for re-totaling or request a copy of their answer sheet. NBSE will share registration details after the results are declared on Friday. Students who took the board exams can check and download their NBSE HSLC and HSSLC mark sheets from the official website nbsenl.edu.in on April 25 in the afternoon. However, the board has not given a specific time for the announcement of the Nagaland Board 2025 results. Nagaland Board Result 2025: Heres how to check marks memo Step 1: Go to the official NBSE website at nbsenl.edu.in. Step 2: On the homepage, find and click on the Results section. Step 3: Select the link for NBSE Class 10 or Class 12 Results. Step 4: Enter your login details and click submit. Step 5: Your Class 10 or 12 result will appear on the screen. Download and print a copy for future reference. Nagaland Board result 2025: Passing certificates The board will provide provisional result gazettes, along with mark sheets and pass certificates, to all registered schools. Class 12 students can also download their Migration Certificates from the NBSE website. These documents will be given to Centre Superintendents between May 2 and May 6. Students who are not satisfied with their results can apply for re-evaluation by registering on the boards website. Those who do not meet the minimum passing marks can appear for supplementary exams. The dates for these exams will be shared soon after the final results are declared. Nagaland Board Result 2025: Past year trends The Nagaland Class 10 board exams were held from February 13 to 23, 2024, from 9 am to 12 noon. For Class 12, students were grouped into three streams14,167 in Arts, 949 in Commerce, and 2,521 in Science. In total, over 60,000 students appeared for the Class 10 and 12 exams across 68 centres. TS Inter Results 2025: The Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE) will announce the TS Inter Second Year Results 2025 today, April 22. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka will release the results at 12 p.m. from the TSBIE headquarters in Hyderabad. Once declared, students can check their marks memo for the TS Inter results 2025 on the official website tgbie.cgg.gov.in. To access and download the marks memo, they will need to enter their hall ticket number. This year, the final exams for TS Inter Second Year were held from March 6 to March 25. The exams took place in the morning shift, from 9 am to 12 noon. TS Inter Result 2025: Here's how to download Step 1: Visit the official TSBIE website tgbie.cgg.gov.in Step 2: Click on the link for TS Inter Results 2025 on the homepage Step 3: Enter your hall ticket number and date of birth Step 4: Your marks memo will be displayed on the screen Step 5: Download and save a copy of your result for future reference 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. NEW DELHI: Sources in the Election Commission on Tuesday issued a strong rebuttal of the Congress party's charge that the voter list in the Maharashtra Assembly polls was manipulated. According to EC sources, during the Assembly Elections in Maharashtra, 6,40,87,588 electors, who arrived at the polling station between 7 am and 6 pm, cast their votes. About 58 lakh votes were polled per hour on average. Going by these average trends, nearly 116 Lakh voters could have voted in the last two hours. Therefore, casting of 65 lakhs votes by electors in two hours is much below the average hourly voting trends. Sources further stated that in every polling booth, voting proceeded in the presence of polling agents formally appointed by candidates or political parties. Indian National Congress' nominated candidates or their authorised agents have not raised any substantiated allegations with regard to any kind of abnormal voting at the time of scrutiny before the Returning Officer (RO) and the Election Observers on the next day. Electoral Rolls in India, including those in Maharashtra, are prepared in accordance with the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. As per law, either just before the elections and/or once every year, Special Summary Revision of the Electoral Rolls is conducted and a final copy of the Electoral Rolls is handed over to all the National/State political parties, including the Congress. After the finalisation of these Electoral Rolls during the Maharashtra elections, as against 9,77,90,752 Electors, only a total of 89 appeals were filed before the first appellate authority (DM), and only one appeal was filed before the second appellate authority (CEO). Therefore, it is amply clear that there was no grievance of the INC or any other political parties before the conduct of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections in 2024, said EC sources. During the revision of electoral rolls for 1,00,427 Polling Booths, along with 97,325 Booth-Level Officers, 1,03,727 Booth-Level Agents were also appointed by all Political Parties, including 27,099 by the Congress. Therefore, these unsubstantiated allegations raised against the Electoral Rolls of Maharashtra are an affront to the rule of law, sources added. The EC's response follows Rahul Gandhi's allegation, made while addressing the diaspora in Boston in the United States, that the Election Commission (EC) in India is "compromised," further stating that there is something fundamentally wrong with the system. Citing the example of the Maharashtra elections, the senior Congress leader alleged that 65 lakh voters were added to the voter list in two hours, which was impossible. "More people voted in the Maharashtra Assembly elections than there are adults in the State of Maharashtra. The Election Commission provided us with a voting figure for 5:30 PM, and between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM, 65 lakh voters cast their votes. This is physically impossible to happen. To vote, a voter typically requires approximately three minutes. If you do the Math, it would mean that there were lines of voters until 2 AM, but this did not happen. When we asked them for the videography, they not only refused but they also changed the law so that now we are not allowed to ask for the videography," he claimed. "It's very clear to us that the Election Commission is compromised, and there is something very wrong with the system. I have said this multiple times, " Gandhi further said. According to sources in the EC, the Commission had presented these facts in its reply to the Congress on December 24, 2024, and it appears that these facts were completely overlooked while raising such issues repeatedly. EC sources further said, all Indian elections are held in accordance with the law. The scale and accuracy with which elections are conducted in India are widely acclaimed worldwide. The entire nation is aware that each election process, including the preparation of electoral rolls, polling, and counting, is conducted by Government staff and that, too, in the presence of authorised representatives formally appointed by political parties or candidates from the polling station up to the constituency level. Any misinformation being spread, by anyone, is not only a sign of disrespect towards the Law, but also brings disrepute to the thousands of representatives appointed by their own political party and demotivates lakhs of election staff who work untiringly and transparently during elections. After any unfavourable verdict by the voters, attempting to defame the Election Commission by claiming it is compromised is completely absurd. Andhra Pradesh: In a serious accusation against the ruling Teludu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) has alleged a massive land scam, calling it worse than the Bihar fodder scam. As alleged by the YSRCP on its social media, land worth Rs 3,000 crore in Visakhapatnam was clandestinely handed over to a newly floated company named Ursa Clusters, under the pretext of a legitimate corporate allocation. "Under the guise of allotting land to companies at lower rates, N Chandrababu Naidu, Lokesh Nara handed over land worth hundreds of crores in Vizag to shady companies at just 99 paise per acre. Back then, he floated a fake company named IMG Bharat with Billie Rao and hurriedly allotted 400 acres in Gachibowli. Now, the same trick is being played allocating land worth Rs 3,000 crores to Ursa, another bogus company," said the YSRCP. The party further alleged, "Adding to the scandal, TDP MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni), an engineering college classmate and business partner of Satish Abburi, who is also one of the directors, is deeply linked to these shady dealings. The truth is coming to light, and the people are not blind to this web of corruption." Worse than the Bihar fodder scam APs land scam exposed! Under the guise of allotting land to companies at lower rates, @ncbn, @naralokesh handed over land worth hundreds of crores in Vizag to shady companies at just 99 paise per acre. Back then, he floated a fake company pic.twitter.com/yuLtPzMbjN YSR Congress Party (@YSRCParty) April 22, 2025 YSRCP alleged that the company Ursa, incorporated on February 12, 2025, has no credible background and is allegedly linked to TDP leaders and their associates. "First, land is quietly allotted to TCS to avoid suspicion. Then, massive land parcels are handed over to fake companies of their choice. With the truth out, the alliance government is caught red-handed neither able to swallow it nor spit it out," said the party. The social media post of the YSCRP is now going viral. The TDP has rejected the allegations saying that the allocations are as per rules. "YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has a grudge against the state. Letters to the World Bank to stop the capital Amaravati yesterday.. Today, conspiracies to stop the investments coming to Visakhapatnam..Stories about Ursa are false. Allocations to Ursa are as per the rules. With an investment of Rs 5,728 crore, the target is 2,500 jobs. The project is scheduled to be completed within two years. If not, the project will be cancelled and the lands will be returned. Despite such clear rules, YCP's leader is just talking nonsense," said the TDP. The wife of former Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) Om Prakash, who was recently found dead, has made serious allegations against the late officer, claiming he frequently brought a gun home and threatened both her and their daughter. According to her statement given to the police, as reported by Hindustan Times, Pallavi claimed that Om Prakash threatened and tried to kill them. On Sunday morning, too, there was a fight at home over some issues. In the afternoon, the fight escalated and Om Prakash tried to kill us, a senior police officer said, citing Pallavis statement, Hindustan Times reported. As per the PTI, when police took Pallavi to the crime scene, she told reporters there that "domestic violence" was the reason behind the extreme step. "The investigating officer in the case has arrested Pallavi Om Prakash (64)," the officer added. Later, she was produced before a judge, who sent her to judicial custody for 14 days. The body of the former Karnataka police chief, a 1981 batch IPS officer hailing from Bihar, was found in a pool of blood on the ground floor of his three-storey house in the posh HSR Layout in the city on Sunday. (With PTI inputs) United States Vice President JD Vance on Monday said it was an "honour" to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called the PM a "great leader" on the first day of his India visit. Vance also expressed gratitude for hosting his family at the PM's residence in New Delhi and said that PM Modi was "incredibly kind to my family." Responding to PM Modi's post on X, the US Vice President wrote, "It was an honor to see Prime Minister Modi this evening. He's a great leader, and he was incredibly kind to my family." Vance further expressed willingness to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries. "I look forward to working under President Trump's leadership to strengthen our friendship and cooperation with the people of India!" Vance said. PM Modi, after meeting Vance, said that both nations are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation in various sectors. "Pleased to welcome US Vice President JD Vance and his family to New Delhi. We reviewed the fast-paced progress following my visit to the US and meeting with President Trump. We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, including in trade, technology, defence, energy and people-to-people exchanges," PM Modi wrote on X. He also emphasised that India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership will be a "defining" partnership of the 21st Century for India and the world. During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the strength of the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and jointly launched the India-U.S. COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century, which as described by a statement from US Vice President office is an "initiative anchored in mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill, and robust engagement of their citizens". The two leaders also welcomed the progress in the negotiations for a US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). They formally announced the finalisation of the Terms of Reference for the negotiations. "Vice President Vance and Prime Minister Modi welcomed significant progress in the negotiations for a US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and formally announced the finalization of the Terms of Reference for the negotiations, laying down a roadmap for further discussions about our shared economic priorities," said the statement from Vance's office. It said BTA presents an opportunity to negotiate a new and modern trade agreement focused on promoting job creation and citizen well-being in both countries. The goal is to enhance bilateral trade and supply-chain integration in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner. "Guided by their respective visions of 'Amrit Kaal for India' and 'Golden Age for America,' BTA is expected to create new opportunities of growth for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs in both countries," the statement said. The US Vice President, who is on a four-day official visit to India starting Monday, has arrived in Jaipur with his family for the second leg of his visit. Vance will visit Agra on April 23. The visit concludes with their departure from India on April 24 at 6:40 am. The visit comes closely on the heels of a positive and successful meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi in Washington earlier this year. The medicine and pharma industry has experienced substantial growth, driven by various healthcare demands, and most recently, due to the COVID-19 impact. However, the organ transplant sector still faces challenges, resulting in high costs for many people across the demographic spectrum. While numerous government initiatives aim to make treatments more accessible and affordable, it is important to recognize the dedicated healthcare professionals who exceptionally lead the sector. Dr Sheetal Mahajani, one of the best liver transplant physicians and a renowned consultant specializing in Gastroenterology, Hepatology & GI Endoscopy is appreciably one of those healthcare doyens in India.Having obtained her degree from the prestigious BJ Medical College & Sassoon General Hospitals, Pune and Masters in Gastroenterology from Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, Dr Sheetal Mahajani is driven by her calling for bettering the liver transplant and hepatology care in India. She began her practice as a junior consultant in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, GI Endoscopy at the most prestigiousAt that time, the gastroenterology department was organized into three areas, namely luminal gastroenterology, hepatology, and endoscopy. Consultants rotated among these specialties, alongside residents and junior doctors. Through this experience, she gained a comprehensive understanding of liver diseases, learning that many can be effectively diagnosed and treated, especially with early detection. However, she encountered patients in the end stages of liver disease, which highlighted the importance of liver transplantation for her too.In early 1999, she trained at Kings College London under Professor Julia Wendon, a pioneer in liver transplant critical care, and an influential figure in the field. This experience underscored the challenges of hands-on training in a liver ICU and the importance of post-operative care for transplant patients. Though she could have stayed in London after her training, she felt compelled to return, realizing liver transplantation care was unavailable in Pune, leading to many liver diseases patients to die from the lack of options.The experience intrigued her, and hence working in the liver ICU for around a year and fully training to manage these patients, she established her first liver transplantation program in the city. Over five challenging years, including overcoming hurdles related to organ donation systems, the program grew. The first successful liver transplant in Pune occurred in 2013 with a deceased donor, and the recipient remains healthy and grateful for the donors contribution. At Ruby Hall Clinic, with the collective effort of her team, including expert surgeons Dr Manish Verma and Dr Kamlesh Bokil, she completed over 95 liver transplants. She is currently employed at Sahyadri Hospitals (Pune) as the Director of Hepatology, Transplant Hepatology, Gastroenterology and GI Endoscopy. And, as a part of Dr Bipin Vibhute and his colleagues from the surgical team there, she has successfully managed and completed 418 liver transplants. Additionally, she has completed five successful transplants at Sassoon General Hospital. She is also the Founder & Director of the Liver Care Gastroenterology, Hepatology & GI Endoscopy clinic in Pune. The Evolution & Unique Significance Initially, seen as unfeasible in India, liver transplantation is now a viable and affordable option for patients in Pune.Liver transplantation in Pune has evolved significantly, with improvements in surgical techniques and the willingness to transplant sicker patients. Today, Pune boasts over 25 liver transplant centers, making this lifesaving treatment accessible to those in need. The most important aspect of liver transplantation is recognizing that it is a journey. A patient with end-stage liver disease must reach the transplant table, undergo the transplant surgery successfully, go through the posttransplant period, and adapt to life after the transplant. This entire journey is feasible only if the liver disease is diagnosed correctly from the outset and the patient is thoroughly optimized beforehand. She asserts, A transplant is worthwhile if it will add years or quality to a patients life. If we cannot ensure these outcomes, proceeding with a transplant may be unproductive. Additionally, patient education is crucial throughout the entire liver transplant journey. However, what sets Dr Sheetal apart from others is her commitment to optimizing patients before the transplant. For every seriously ill patient she has treated, she attributes her success to the thorough optimization process prior to the transplant. Understanding the unique challenges each patient faces and addressing them as much as possible is imperative. After the transplant, its vital to remember these variables such as a history of a particular infection or other issues involving the heart, lungs, or kidneys. This awareness enables the professionals to be very cautious when using certain medications during the post-transplant period. She emphasizes that for one successful transplant, at least 150 people work day and night to make it happen. It truly is a tremendous effort of teamwork. Its important to recognize that no single role, be it the physicians or the surgeons, is more important than another. In her view, everyone involved, right from the support staff to the OT staff, and laboratory personnel, all play an equally vital role in the entire organ transplantation process. She states, When it comes to liver health, liver transplant is at one end of the spectrum of treatments for liver diseases. We are observing that many people in the general public are obese, their lifestyles have changed, and dining out has become very common. All of this puts pressure on everyones health. Fatty liver is a significant culprit in the development of liver disease in the years to come. The Recognition and Noteworthy Trajectory The Liver Transplant Society of India(LTSI) leads liver transplantation efforts in the country. Advances include robotic surgery for donors, which reduces scarring, and new treatments for fatty liver disease. Additionally, efforts to preserve organs and increase the donor pool are underway, with a focus on both brain stem and cardiac death donations. Dr Sheetal strives to remain dedicated to improving patient outcomes through ongoing advancements in the field. During her academic years, she has even been awarded with Gold Medals for scoring the first rank in MD Med, Hari Malini Joshi Award and DNB Gastro Examination conducted at the national level, The Prestigious S K Sama Gold Medal. Reversing fatty liver disease and preventing liver damage are areas that captivate her interest. By achieving successful liver transplant stories, she endeavors to be able to help the broader population, potentially preventing many patients from progressing to end-stage liver disease and its complications. Certificates MBBS - University of Pune 1991 MD(General Medicine)- University of Pune 1995 MD(Gastroentrology)- University of Mumbai 1998 DNB(General Medicine)- National Board of Examinations 1996 DNB(Gastroentrology)- National Board of Examinations 1999 Clinical Fellowship- Liver Unit, Kings College Hospital 2002-03 Pahalgam Terror Attack: A 26-year-old Indian Navy officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, was among those killed in the terrorist attack at the Pahalgam hill station in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district on Tuesday. According to reports, Narwal was a native of Haryana and had recently gotten married on April 16. He was posted in Kochi and was on leave at the time of the incident, said Defence Officials. "One Indian Navy Officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (aged 26 years), who was posted in Kochi, has been killed in the Pahalgam attack while he was on leave. He is a native of Haryana and got married on 16 April," said Defence Officials. Some reports also claimed that an officer of Intelligence Bureau was also killed in the attack. The identity is yet to be revealed. While unconfirmed reports suggest a total death toll of 27, official figures have confirmed 16 deaths so far, including two foreign nationals. Around 20 other tourists and locals were injured in the attack. As per a list released by authorities, those killed include one each from Nepal and the UAE, two each from Maharashtra and Karnataka, and one each from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Jammu and Kashmir. The domicile details of six others are yet to be confirmed. In response to the incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held an emergency review meeting in Srinagar, even as a massive manhunt was launched by security forces. The Indian Armys Chinar Corps issued a statement condemning the attack, "On 22 April 2025, in a cowardly and heart-wrenching act of violence terrorists opened fire on innocent tourists and locals. In the immediate aftermath, Joint Forces are overseeing the situation. Medical teams were swiftly mobilized and casualty evacuation commenced. In response to this senseless violence and the anguish caused to local sentiments, candle march was organised in Sopore, Ganderbal, Handwara, Bandipora and other parts of Kashmir by local populace. A Joint Search Operation has been launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the general area of Baisaran, Pahalgam, Anantnag. The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice." Kashmir Tourists Attacked: In one of the deadliest civilian attacks in Kashmir in recent years, multiple tourists were feared killed and at least 20 injured after terrorists opened fire near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam on Monday afternoon. A high-ranking official, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested the death toll could exceed 20, though exact numbers are still being verified. Union Home Minister Amit Shah briefed the prime minister, who is on a visit to Saudi Arabia, said he was leaving for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all agencies. Describing the incident as 'much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years', Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said efforts were underway to ascertain the full scale of the tragedy. The attack occurred around 3 PM, even as U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance is on a high-profile visit to India. Officials say this may be the most significant terror strike in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack that claimed the lives of 47 CRPF personnel. Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam, is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains and a favourite with tourists and trekkers. Armed terrorists came into the grassland, dubbed mini Switzerland', and started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking and taking in the sights, officials said. Army, CRPF, and local police personnel rushed to Baisaranonce a favorite filming spot in the 1980safter reports of gunfire emerged from the area, officials said. A massive anti-terror operation has been launched, with security forces fanning out across the region to track down the attackers. Earlier bustling with tourists, Pahalgam town fell eerily silent as news of the attack spread. Visitors began leaving in large numbers, cutting short their vacations. The incident has cast a shadow over what had been a booming tourist season in Kashmir, following years of militancy. Baisaran, a picturesque meadow and popular campsite for trekkers heading toward Tulian Lake, is accessible from Pahalgam by foot or horseback. The site offers sweeping views of Pahalgam town and the Lidder Valleynow marked by fear and uncertainty. Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam, is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains and a favourite with tourists and trekkers. Armed terrorists came into the grassland, dubbed mini Switzerland', and started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking and taking in the sights, officials said. Purported videos from the spot showed the chilling sight of lifeless bodies and women crying. No independent official verification was available. "My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack," a woman survivor told PTI over phone. As gunshots rang out, there was panic and tourists ran for cover but there was no place to hide in the wide, open space, said another woman tourist. The entire district administration and police force was mobilised and ambulances pressed into service. A chopper also helped evacuate those injured. Some of the injured were brought down from the meadow by local people on their ponies. The Kashmir Valley has witnessed its first terrorist attack targeting tourists in 2025, even as the region experiences an exceptionally busy tourist season. Hotels across Srinagar, as well as popular destinations like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg, are fully booked. Authorities project an unprecedented influx of visitors this year, with estimates suggesting that nearly two crore tourists are expected to visit Jammu and Kashmir in 2025, reported ANI. Tuesday's attack comes at a time when registration for this year's Amarnath Yatra is going on across the country. This year, the Yatra will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 9, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals, respectively. During his visit to J&K last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting, where he gave orders for the complete eradication of terrorism with special focus on the Jammu division. He also gave directions to ensure zero tolerance to infiltration. By Prashobh Devanahalli Kashmir Terror Attack: A tragic terror attack in Kashmir has claimed the life of a tourist from Karnataka, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a family vacation. The victim has been identified as Manjunath Rao (47), a real estate businessman and resident of Vijayanagar, Shivamogga. Manjunath was traveling with his wife Pallavi and son Abhijay, having left Shivamogga on April 19 for a leisure trip to the Valley. The attack reportedly took place near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination. Manjunath died on the spot. Local residents intervened in time to rescue Pallavi and Abhijay, moving them to safety. Pallavi has since issued a heartfelt appeal for help and support as the family grapples with the devastating loss. In response to the incident, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah convened an emergency meeting with senior officials. The Chief Secretary and top police officers briefed him on the situation. The Chief Minister ordered immediate action, dispatching a team of senior officials and police officers to Kashmir to assess the situation and ensure the safety of other Kannadiga tourists. Meanwhile, the Resident Commissioner in Delhi has been tasked with coordinating the state's response and closely monitoring developments. Authorities continue to investigate the attack, and further details are awaited. Jammu and Kashmir Terror Attack: Several tourists were feared killed and at least 20 have been injured after terrorists opened fire at them in Kashmir's Pahalgam town, marking the first attack of 2025 on tourists. According to reports, the death toll could be more than 20 but the official figures are yet to be ascertained. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that details will be conveyed officially. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have joined the nation in condoling the act. "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger," said PM Modi. Jammu and Kashmir CM Abdullah said, "The death toll is still being ascertained so I dont want to get in to those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years." Union Home Minister said that he briefed PM Modi about the incident. "Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences," said Shah. He further added, "Briefed PM Narendra Modi Ji about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies." President of India Droupadi Murmu said that the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir is shocking and painful. "It is a dastardly and inhuman act which must be condemned unequivocally. Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their dear ones and my prayers for the quick recovery of the injured," said the President. Security forces are carrying out combing operations in nearby forests and deployment of Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir police is being beefed up in the area. MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has stayed its order to make Hindi mandatory as a third language for students of Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools in the wake of opposition to the move from various quarters. State School Education Minister Dada Bhuse on Tuesday made the announcement about the stay on the government resolution (GR). "We are staying the word mandatory (as mentioned in the GR).We will issue a revised GR," he told reporters. Learning Hindi as the third language will be voluntary, Bhuse said. The government decision taken last week to make Hindi compulsory as a third language for students of Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools in the state had met with stiff resistance from different quarters, including some opposition parties. The move comes days after the Maharashtra government's language consultation committee urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to revoke the decision. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray, who had opposed the move to make Hindi mandatory, said it was because of the initiative of his party that the government stayed the decision. He said had the government thought about this before taking any decision, it would not have to stay its decision. Thackeray said no other language but only Marathi will work in Maharashtra. Minister Bhuse also asserted that learning of Marathi language will be made compulsory in the state and the education department will see to it that it is implemented effectively. He stressed that the Centre did not pressurise the state to "impose" Hindi. In an earlier GR which had made Hindi mandatory, Bhuse said the decision to make Hindi as the third language mandatory was taken according to the recommendations of the steering committee. He said since both Hindi and Marathi had a common Devanagri script it would have made the students easier to learn the language and even teachers. He said the policy on the third language has to be decided. For other languages, the government will assess the demand for language, do a detailed study and then take the decision accordingly. When asked why a third language was introduced from Class 1, Rahul Rekhawar, Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), said efforts will be taken to ensure children do not feel any pressure of any academic load of learning a third language. Defending the government decision, he said the policy to make Hindi mandatory and introduce a third language from Class 1 to 5 was not taken without consulting experts and the state government had extensive deliberations over the issue. Rekhawar said a third language is only for speaking and listening purposes. He said very soon there will be a concept of equivalence of board and academic bank of credits to bring uniformity in evaluation of students. Bhuse said in future, when the state board-wise comparison takes place and points are awarded to students, the students of Maharashtra should not miss out on it. The three-language formula for classes 1 to 5 is a part of the new curriculum implementation under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. However, Rekhawar said the NEP does not make choosing any third language mandatory. The decision to make Hindi mandatory had invited criticism, especially from the MNS. After the government announced that it was not making Hindi as the third language mandatory, Thackeray said. "How can you impose Hindi on a state that ruled the entire country but never imposed Marathi on any other state? What was the purpose behind this? If the Marathi person stands firm like this for the language or against those who are plot against Maharashtra, then who will dare to Marathi manoos for granted? Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has always stood for the Marathi person and language and will continue to do so. Let the unity shown this time be seen forever," he said. The Maharashtra government's decision also invited criticism from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. Taking to X on Monday, Stalin had said, "Facing a massive backlash for imposing Hindi as the third language, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis now claims that only Marathi is compulsory in the state. This is a clear manifestation of his trepidation over the widespread public condemnation against imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi speaking States." "Hon'ble PM and Union Education Minister must clarify - Does the Union Government officially endorse his position that no language other than Marathi is compulsory in Maharashtra as the third language under National Education Policy," he asked. "If so, will the Union government issue a clear directive to all states affirming that the NEP does not require the compulsory teaching of a third language?" the Tamil Nadu CM asked. Hitting back Maharashtra CM Fadnavis asked why Stalin was "not open to multilingualism" and had a problem if someone wanted to study in Hindi. Stating that the NEP never insisted or made compulsion on the choice of a language and only asks to study any two Indian languages other than English, Fadnavis also asked Stalin to first know what NEP exactly was. United States Vice President JD Vance, who is on a two-day India tour with his family, today addressed a gathering in Rajasthan's Jaipur where he not only praised the Narendra Modi government but also said that the days of the US preaching India is over. He said that the Trump administration wants India to grow. "We are not here to preach a few things to India in any particular way. Too often in the past, Washington approached Prime Minister Modi with an attitude of preachiness and even one of condescension. Prior administrations saw India as a source of low-cost labour on the one end, even as they criticised the Prime Minister's government, arguably the most popular in the democratic world. I told Prime Minister Modi last night, he has got approval ratings that would make me jealous," said Vance. We are not here to preach..Too often in the past Washington approached PM Modi with attitude of preachiness says US Vice President Vance in Jaipur pic.twitter.com/fmS0qeBACg Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 22, 2025 The Vice President further said that the United States focus is on a free and open Indo-Pacific in full alignment with that of India's vision. He said that the future of 21st century will be determined by strength of India and the US and added that President Trump seeks to rebalance global trade so that the US, with friends like India, can build a better future. "We want to make a bright new world," he said. Reacting to US President Donald Trump's trade policy, Vance said, "Trade relations must be based on fairness." He further said that both India and US are working towards a bilateral trade agreement based on shared priorities. "US wants greater access to Indian markets," he said. Talking about the tariff and trade negotiations, Vance said, "President Trump and I know that PM Modi is a tough negotiator. It's why we respect him. We don't blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fighting for India's industry but we do blame American leaders of the past for failing to do the same for our workers and we believe that we can fix that to the mutual benefits of both India and the United States." Talking about the trade relations between the two nations, Vance said, "In defence, our countries enjoy a close relationship; we can build many military platforms...We welcome India's announcement on amending nuclear liability laws." "I believe that our nations have much to offer to one another, and that's why we come to you as partner...I believe there is much that the US and India can accomplish together," said the US Vice President. Pahalgam Terror Attack: In Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, terrorists opened fire at tourists, killing 27 people, marking the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. Those dead included two foreigners - from UAE and Nepal - and two locals. One officer from the Intelligence Bureau and another from the Indian Navy were among the deceased. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has short-terminated his Saudi Arabia trip, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has chaired a high-level meeting to ascertain the situation and anti-terror operation. The tourists gathered at Baisaran were from several states. Among the dead were tourists from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. At least one person from Gujarat, three from Tamil Nadu and two from Maharashtra were among the injured, according to initial reports. A massive anti-terrorist operation has been launched to hunt down the assailants and security forces have fanned out in all directions, they said. The Jammu and Kashmir administrations set up 24X7 emergency control rooms in Anantnag and Srinagar. The incident comes when Kashmir is witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals after reeling under militancy for years. The world leaders have expressed condolences while saying that they stand with India in this hour of grief. US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance condemned the attack. "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all," said Trump. JD Vance said, "Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack." Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni tweeted, "Deeply saddened by the terrorist attack that occurred today in India, which caused numerous victims. Italy expresses its closeness to the families affected, the injured, the Government and all the Indian people." President of Russia Vladimir Putin extended condolences to President of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. "... I would like to reiterate our commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations..." he said. The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the terrorist attack. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of the UAE affirmed that the UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law. The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of India, and to the families of the victims of this heinous attack, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured. Embassy of Iran in India said, "The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi strongly condemns the terrorist attack in the city of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death and injury of a large number of innocent people. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India, especially to the families of the victims of this attack, and wish a speedy recovery and good health to the injured." Ambassador of France to India Thierry Mathou also condemned the attack. "Strong condemnation of the dastardly attack in Jammu & Kashmir. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. France stands in solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism," said Mathou. The Embassy of Ukraine in India said, "Ukraine is deeply concerned over the attack on tourists at Pahalgam, J&K. We endure the loss of life from terrorism daily and firmly condemn terrorism in all its forms. When innocent people are murdered, it brings unbearable pain. The perpetrators should be held accountable." Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Ambassador to India, posts on 'X', "My most sincere condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the people of India. I pray for the swift and full recovery of the injured." Jammu and Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack: At least 27 tourists were killed and about a dozen have been injured, mostly from Gujarat and Karnataka, in a deadly terror attack aimed at civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, said reports. However, official figures confirmed death of 16 tourists including two foreigners - one from the UAE and other from Nepal. The attack took place around 3 PM, when terrorists descended from the hills surrounding the Baisaran valley and opened fire on a group of tourists. The area, often referred to as 'mini Switzerland' for its expansive green meadows, is a popular destination for visitors. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and J&K LG Manoj Sinha have reached Srinagar and are holding a high-level meeting with security officials. The Kashmir government has issued helpline numbers: Srinagar: 0194-2457543, 0194-2483651; Adil Fareed, ADC Srinagar 7006058623. Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack Top Updates 23.50 PM: Pahalgam Terror Attack: India, Saudi To Continue Anti-Terror Cooperation Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan says, "The recent terror attack in Kashmir was discussed, and his royal Highness, the Crown Prince, condemned the terror attack and offered any help to India in this regard. India and Saudi Arabia have cooperation in issues related to terrorism, and we continue to work together." 23.30 PM: Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates: 'Trump To Soon Speak To Modi' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Trump has been briefed by the National Security Advisor and he's being kept up to speed as more facts are learned. "What we know already is that dozens were killed and even more were injured in a brutal terrorist attack in a popular tourist location in South Kashmir. President Trump will be speaking with Prime Minister Modi as soon as he possibly can to express his heartfelt condolences for those lost, and our prayers are with those injured, and our nation's support for our ally India. These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission..." said Leavitt. 23:17 PM: Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates: PM Modi Calls Of Saudi Visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed in Saudi Arabia today on a two-day official visit, has called of the tour due to the Pahalgam terror attack. PM Modi will return to India before dawn and is expected to hold a high-level security meeting early tomorrow in wake of the terror attack. 23:03 PM: Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates: US President Trump Condenms Attack US President Donald Trump said on his social media platform, "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!" 22.53 PM: Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Reacts President of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq calls for shutdwon in protest against killings. "Whoever kills an innocent soulit is as if he had slain mankind entirely... Another day of carnage in the blood-soaked history of Kashmir, when visiting tourists are mercilessly killed in a most gruesome manner. Hapless people of Kashmir know the pain and grief of such tragedies for those who have lost their loved ones today. Such gruesomeness is abhorred in Islam, which is essentially a religion of peace and goodwill, and against all human ethics. The Islamic fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir, through Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) in support and solidarity with the bereaved families of those killed, appeals to people of Jammu and Kashmir to peacefully protest this heinous crime tomorrow by a shutdown," said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. 22.43 PM: Embassy of Iran in India tweets, "The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi strongly condemns the terrorist attack in the city of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death and injury of a large number of innocent people. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India, especially to the families of the victims of this attack, and wish a speedy recovery and good health to the injured." 22.27 PM: Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said that Kremlin stands with New Delhi. "Deepest condolences to the people and the Government of India over the heinous terror attack against tourists in Pahalgam. Russia resolutely stands with India," said Alipov. 22.18 PM: LG Manoj Sinha on X, "Anti-terror ops launched to neutralise terrorists. Entire nation is angry & blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families." 22:10 PM: One Indian Navy Officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (aged 26 years), who was posted in Kochi, has been killed in the Pahalgam attack while he was on leave. He is a native of Haryana and got married on 16 April: Defence Officials. 22.03 PM: US Vice President reacts to the Kashmir terror attack. "Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack," said Vance. 22.02 PM: Security forces carry out checking of vehicles as security is heightened throughout J&K in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. 21:42 PM: J&K Vishva Hindu Parishad president, Rajesh Gupta said, "Currently, the amount of loss and number of deceased are unclear. This incident is condemnable. The people of the Jammu region are furious with this incident. Tomorrow there will be a 'bandh' in the Jammu region. We appeal to the government not to spare the terrorists. There should not be any leniency while dealing with them." 21:30 PM: The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility. 21:20 PM: Alert in Delhi after the terrorist attack in J&K's Pahalgam. Delhi Police has also been instructed to keep a close watch on tourist places and other important places: Delhi Police Sources. 21:15 PM: According to reports, a Nepali national has died in Pahalgam terror attack. 21:05 PM: Locals in J&K's Baramulla hold candlelight protest against Pahalgam terror attack. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is chairing a high-level review meeting with security officially. #WATCH | Srinagar | J&K CM Omar Abdullah briefs Union Home Minister Amit Shah over Pahalgam terrorist attack. LG Manoj Sinha and other high-level officials also present. pic.twitter.com/bxgkiVRmW0 ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 20:32 PM: NCP-SP MLA Supriya Sule seeks Omar Abdullah's help for victims. NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule tweets, "Requesting Omar Abdullah for providing immediate medical aid and support to the following people hailing from Pune who have suffered injuries in the Pahalgham firing incident today: Asawari Jagdale, Pragati Jagdale, Santosh Jagdale (gunshot wound), Kaustubh Ganbote (gunshot wound), & Sangeeta Gabote from Pune. The family has requested for clarity on their condition please. Thank you for your efficient & quick administration!" 20:13 PM: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the nation in condemning the terror attack. "The news of the death of tourists and injuries to many in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir is extremely condemnable and heartbreaking. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. The whole country is united against terrorism. Instead of making hollow claims of the situation being normal in Jammu and Kashmir, the government should now take accountability and take concrete steps so that such barbaric incidents do not happen in the future and innocent Indians do not lose their lives like this," he said. 20:06 PM: Ambassador of Argentina to India Mariano Caucino said on X, "We convey our condolences to the victims of this abominable terrorist act. Argentina stands with India in rejecting all forms of terrorism, extremism, and bigotry. Always with Life and against Terror." 20:00 PM: Guy Nir, Spokesperson of Israel Embassy in India, says, "Deeply saddened by the heinous terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Israel stands united with India in the fight against terrorism." 19:56 PM: Northern Army Commander Lt Gen MV Suchendra Kumar is rushing to J&K's Srinagar from New Delhi. He will be briefed by local formation commanders on the present security situation in Kashmir Valley. He was in New Delhi for a conference: Defence sources CM Reacts To Pahalgam Attack "The death toll is still being ascertained so I dont want to get in to those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything weve seen directed at civilians in recent years," said Abdullah on X. They were killed as they were Hindus, terror attacks have increased in Jammu & Kashmir from the time you became CM. There were less attacks when J&K had President rule. Resign, you are incompetent. You didn't say Terrorists will be vanquished.pic.twitter.com/17yCcPYPQC Lady Khabri (@KhabriBossLady) April 22, 2025 A purported video of the attack site emerged showing several people bleeding and lying motionless on the ground while women tourists were wailing and frantically looking for their near and dear ones. No independent official verification was available. A doctor at the Pahalgam hospital said 12 injured tourists were admitted to the hospital and the condition of all of them was stable. A little earlier, Army, CRPF and local police rushed to Baisaran meadows after the news started coming down to the town, a senior police official said here. A massive anti-terrorist operation has been launched to hunt down the assailants as security forces have been fanned out in all directions, they said. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday emphasized that every statement made by a constitutional authority is driven by the supreme national interest, as he criticised those questioning his comments on a recent Supreme Court order. A top court bench recently set a three-month deadline for the President to decide on bills sent by governors for approval. Responding to this directive, Vice President Dhankhar remarked that the judiciary should not act as a "super Parliament" or interfere in the domain of the executive. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has strongly pushed back against the idea that constitutional offices are merely ceremonial or ornamental. Dhankhar said, "I find it conceivably intriguing that some have recently reflected that constitutional offices can be ceremonial, ornamental. Nothing can be far distanced from a wrong understanding of the role of everyone in this country -- constitutional functionary or a citizen," he said. Calling "Parliament is supreme," he added that there is no visualisation in the Constitution of any authority above Parliament. Voicing concern over a recent Supreme Court ruling prescribing a timeline for the President to decide on bills, Dhankhar had on Friday last said India had not bargained for a democracy where judges will legislate, perform Executive functions and act as a "super Parliament". Earlier, the Supreme Court had, for the first time prescribed that the President should decide on the bills reserved for her consideration by the governor within three months from the date such reference is received. Dhankhar voiced strong concern over a recent court directive requiring the President to decide on bills, He said, "There is a directive to the President by a recent judgement ... We never bargained for democracy for this day. President being called upon to decide in a time-bound manner, and if not, becomes law," Dhankhar added. Transplantation is more than an operation, its a second chance at life growing burden of liver disease. Post that, he moved to Bangalore, joining Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru and is credited to have performed the maximum number of Pancreas Transplants in the State. He later took on the role of Multi-Organ Transplant Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals in Karnataka for four years following which he returned to Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru, where he now leads the HPB and multi-organ transplant unit.Dr Sureshs expertise in organ transplantation is shaped by extensive international training. His exposure to advanced surgical techniques gave him a well-rounded understanding of the field, an opportunity that was rare in India in those days. Bringing this knowledge back, he has played a key role in advancing liver transplantation, particularly in living donor procedures, where India now ranks second globally.Success in transplant surgery is never an individual effort. It is always a collective achievement, says Dr Suresh. Every successful transplant involves at least 25 specialists working together, from surgeons and anaesthetists to intensivists and nursing staff.With lifestyle diseases on the rise, organ failure is becoming a growing concern. Over the past decade, I have witnessed a shift from single-organ failure to more complex multi-organ failures, says Dr Suresh. This has increased the demand for multi-organ transplants like liver-kidney and kidney-pancreas transplants, which his team has successfully performed in Karnataka.Dr Sureshs expertise in these high-risk surgeries has helped establish his institute among the top in Karnataka and the second in India for pancreas transplants.Beyond the surgical challenges, organ rejection remains one of the biggest hurdles in transplantation. While a first transplant is usually successful, patients who have had multiple blood transfusions or previous organ transplants often develop antibodies that aggressively reject a second transplant. During his research at the Mayo Clinic, Dr Suresh worked on solutions for this issue, especially in kidney failure patients. With new antibody-lowering treatments, the chances of success improved significantly. These advances are now available in India, giving more patients access to life-saving transplants..Transplant surgery is intense. It comes with long hours, unpredictable schedules, and procedures that often stretch through the night. Finding balance isnt easy, but having a reliable team makes all the difference. I trust my team completely, which allows me to step away when needed, spend time with my family, and even take a vacation without worrying about patient care, says Dr Suresh.No matter how demanding the work is, the impact makes it worthwhile. Nothing compares to seeing a patient who once had no hope of survival return years later to share his milestones, he says.India is among the leading countries in liver transplants, yet organ donation rates remain critically low for its vast population. As a result, countless patients lose their lives while waiting for an organ.New medical advancements like machine perfusion and donation after cardiac death are already transforming transplant medicine in the West. These technologies allow organs to be preserved and assessed before transplantation, making more organs suitable for transplant. While India has yet to fully integrate these innovations, they hold immense potential to expand organ availability and improve transplant success rates.A stronger organ donation culture would not only save lives but also reduce transplant costs, making the procedure more accessible. Each person has the power to give someone a second chance at life. Pledging to be an organ donor is a simple step that can make a profound impact.MS(General Surgery) - St John's Medical College &Hospital, BangaloreIHPBA fellowship in Minimally Invasive HPB Surgery - ParisMulti-Organ Transplant Fellowship - Mayo Clinic, USAPost-Doc in Transplant Immunology - Mayo Clinic, USAMayo Bronze Quality FellowMember - Priestly Society of SurgeonsInvited Faculty at National and International Events A Belgian court has declined the bail plea of Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case. The three-judge bench, which conducted the hearing in Dutch, ruled against granting bail after reviewing the arguments. Choksi was arrested in Belgium last week following a request from Indian authorities. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said during the weekly media briefing that India is working with the Belgian side for Choksi's extradition. "As you are aware, based on our extradition request, he was arrested in Belgium. We are closely working with the Belgian side for his extradition to India so that he can face trial in the country," Jaiswal had said answering a query. Earlier today, Choksi's Indian lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, was seen in Antwerp ahead of the bail hearing and also visited Choksi in jail. After his arrest, Aggarwal stated that the legal team plans to appeal the decision, emphasising "Choksi's ill health and ongoing cancer treatment" as the primary grounds for seeking his release. "My client, Mehul Choksi, is currently in custody. We will initiate the process of filing an appeal and request his release from prison, citing his medical condition and the fact that he is not a flight risk," Aggarwal told ANI. During a press conference held in Delhi, Aggarwal outlined the defence strategy to contest Choksi's extradition on two key grounds: The political nature of the case and concerns over the treatment of Choksi's health condition in India. He argued that extradition could severely impact Choksi's human rights, "particularly due to the lack of adequate medical care and the risk of harassment by political entities". Aggarwal claimed that Choksi has been cooperative with Indian investigative agencies and has expressed willingness to participate in investigations via video conferencing due to his health issues. The legal team also pointed out procedural prerequisites for extradition, including the issuance of non-bailable warrants since 2018. Aggarwal noted that previous attempts to extradite Choksi from Dominica had failed, and Choksi had been receiving medical treatment in Antigua before travelling to Belgium for cancer care. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Zeeshan Siddique, son of Baba Siddique, received a death threat via email on Monday, officials said. The threat stated that he would be killed "the same way" as his father. According to the police, the sender also demanded Rs 10 crores from Siddique. The sender further added that he would send such emails every six hours, the officials added. Meanwhile, Siddique also claimed that the death threat email he received was sent from D company, which demanded a ransom of Rs 10 crores. "I got a threat via mail from D company, as mentioned at the end of the mail, they demanded a ransom of Rs 10 crore. The police have taken the details and recorded the statement. Our family is disturbed because of this", the NCP leader told ANI. Further investigation is underway. Baba Siddique, an NCP leader, was shot dead by three assailants near his son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Mumbai's Nirmal Nagar on October 12, 2024. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang had claimed responsibility for the Baba Siddique's murder. Mumbai Police revealed that Akashdeep Gill, the main suspect in Baba Siddiqui's murder case, used a labourer's mobile hotspot to talk to key conspirators, including mastermind Anmol Bishnoi. Orlando: A Delta Air Lines airplane caught fire on Monday before it was supposed to take off at a central Florida airport, forcing the evacuation of passengers, airport officials said. There were no reports of any injuries during the fire on the plane at Orlando International Airport, Delta said in a statement. A recent spate of aviation disasters and close calls in the US has stoked fears about air travel, though flying remains a safe way to travel. On-the-ground accidents included a plane that crashed and flipped over upon landing in Toronto and a Japan Airlines plane that clipped a parked Delta plane while it was taxiing at the Seattle airport. An American Airlines plane caught fire in Denver last month. The engine fire broke out late Monday morning on Delta Air Lines Flight 1213 while the plane was at the ramp before a scheduled departure from Orlando to Atlanta, airport officials said on social media. The passengers were evacuated, and the airport's rescue and firefighting team responded, the airport's statement said. The Airbus A330 aircraft had 282 customers, 10 flight attendants and two pilots, according to Delta. Delta flight crews followed procedures to evacuate the passenger cabin when flames in the tailpipe of one of the aircraft's two engines were observed, Delta said in a statement. Maintenance teams will examine the aircraft in an effort to determine the cause of the fire, Delta said. New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday asked NCERT to include audio-visual modules on road safety for age and class-appropriate courses for students of Class 1 to 12, to sensitise students about the traffic rules. Addressing an event here, Pradhan further said modules should be introduced in this academic year (2025-26) as an elective subject. "Road safety cannot be an optional subject...I am directing the Ministry of Education and NCERT to prepare audio-visual modules on road safety for age and class-appropriate courses for students of Class 1 to 12," he said. According to the minister, around 25 crore students are studying in schools in India. Speaking at the event, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that India accounts for 5 lakh accidents, causing 1.8 lakh deaths and injury to 3 lakh people annually. The minister raised concerns that 10,000 deaths are of children below 18 years. Gadkari further said that the government has decided to provide an award of Rs 25,000 to those who will help accident victims. "We have taken a decision that any third person who is going to help accident victim, we will give him an award of Rs 25,000. Also, if any accident victim is admitted to any hospital, we will provide financial support of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for a maximum period of 7 days from date of the accident," he said. Pradhan also suggested for incorporating courses on energy conservation awareness in schools. Gadkari said the government has introduced several new rules, like mandatory wearing of rear seat belts, and these habits should be taught early in childhood. "I would request students to advise their parents against using mobile phones while driving, and encourage responsible behaviour on roads," he said. Gadkari suggested that school infrastructure like entry and exit points must also be made safer, with lifts for children and elderly people. Mumbai: A 35-year-old man hailing from Punjab has been apprehended for allegedly giving false information to the police control room in Mumbai regarding "death threat" to Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, an official said on Tuesday. According to the Khar police station official, the man, identified as Manish Kumar Sujinder Singh, falsely claimed that a weapon and 'supari' (contract) of Rs 2 lakh were given to some individuals to bump off the 35-year-old actor. On Monday, the Mumbai police control room received a call from Singh, who hails from Punjab, informing them that some people from a security agency were going to "kill" Shroff, he said. However, after the police investigated the matter, it was revealed Singh had given false information to the control room, according to the official. The Mumbai police lodged a case against him in suburban Khar and contacted their Punjab counterparts, who detained Singh, he said. The accused is being brought to Mumbai, informed the official. In the past, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has been the target of multiple death threats. Last week, a "mentally unstable" man from a village in Gujarat's Vadodara district had issued a death threat to the 59-year-old actor, a Y-Plus-protectee. Also Read | Man Who Threatened Salman Khan Traced To Gujarat Village, Found Mentally Unstable: Police The threat message was received on the Mumbai Traffic Police's WhatsApp helpline. Mumbai: Indian auteur Anurag Kashyap has issued an apology following an uproar over his remarks on the Brahmin community. On Tuesday, the Gangs of Wasseypur filmmaker took to his Instagram, and penned the apology, and assured that he will be very careful with his expression and words going forward. He wrote in Hindi, I forgot my limits while answering someone in anger. And bad-mouthing the entire Brahmin community, the same community of which all the people have been in my life, are still there and contribute a lot, they all have been hurt. My family is hurt. Many intellectuals, whom I respect, are hurt by my anger and the way I speak. By saying such a thing myself, I diverted my own thoughts from the issue. He further mentioned, I sincerely apologise to the Brahmin community to whom I did not want to say this, but in a fit of rage wrote a nasty comment while replying to someone. I apologise to all my fellow colleagues, to my family and to the society for the way I spoke. I'll work on it. I'll work on my anger to ensure this doesnt happen again. And if I have to talk about the issue, I will use the right words. I hope you do forgive me. The backlash erupted after Anurag made a comment while responding to criticism of Phule, which is a biopic based on social reformers Jyotirao Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule. The remark, interpreted by some as casteist, sparked outrage online and triggered calls for legal action. Following the controversy, Kashyap's daughter, Aaliyah, along with his family and colleagues, received rape and death threats from online trolls. The director also faced legal action as an FIR was filed against him in Jaipur for the use of abusive language towards the community. Washington: BTS, the seven-member K-pop group, is the subject of Little Golden Book Biographies' latest release, titled BTS: A Little Golden Book Biography. Written by Jan Ann and illustrated by Hyesung Park, the book will introduce young readers to BTS later this year, according to The Hollywood Reporter. BTS: A Little Golden Book Biography "celebrates and honors the incredible journey" of the group's members -- RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook -- by chronicling their journey from their early years living in a one-bedroom dorm together to their sold-out stadium tours around the world, according to a release. In October 2022, BTS performed a massive free concert, titled 'Yet to Come' in Busan, South Korea. The Little Golden Book biography series introduces toddlers to musicians, world leaders and athletes, according to a release. The series has previously released books on Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and more, as per the outlet. BTS: A Little Golden Book Biography is slated for release on Sept. 2, 2025. More information on the book can be found on the Little Golden Books website, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Jin, member of BTS, is all set to come up with his second solo album 'Echo'. The announcement comes just six months after his solo debut 'Happy'. "Aiming to connect on a deeper level with fans through music, 'Echo' offers Jin's perspective on universal life experiences, capturing everyday emotions with warmth and sincerity," according to a press statement accompanying news of the album's release. "Built on dynamic band sounds, the album showcases his versatile vocals across a spectrum of moods and styles. It reflects a deeper layer of vocal maturity and personal storytelling that underscores Jin's evolving artistry." 'Echo' will be released on May 16 on all major streaming platforms, with additional album details expected to be revealed in the coming weeks. New Delhi: Beloved actor Imran Khan is all set to make a comeback with a romantic comedy after a decade-long hiatus. After years of anticipation and requests from fans, film journalist Rahul Raut confirmed that the actor has begun shooting for the rom-com alongside Bhumi Pednekar. The film will be directed by 'Break Ke Baad' director Danish Aslam and will be released on Netflix. It will also feature Gurfateh Pirzada in an important role. #ImranKhan RETURNS TO MOVIES AFTER A DECADE as he officially begins shooting for his COMEBACK FILM today in Mumbai... #BhumiPednekar and @gurfatehpirzada also star in this dysfunctional romantic dramedy... #BreakKeBaad director Danish Aslam helms this @NetflixIndia film! pic.twitter.com/lfpa1M2J48 Rahul Raut (@Rahulrautwrites) April 19, 2025 The announcement caption read, "#ImranKhan RETURNS TO MOVIES AFTER A DECADE as he officially begins shooting for his COMEBACK FILM today in Mumbai... #BhumiPednekar and @gurfatehpirzada also star in this dysfunctional romantic dramedy... #BreakKeBaad director Danish Aslam helms this @NetflixIndia film!" Although there is no official release date from the OTT giant, fans are excited to see the Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na actor back on screen. According to a report by PeepingMoon, the movie is expected to release in early 2026. The 'chocolate boy' of Bollywood stepped away from acting in 2015 to focus on his personal and mental well-being. He is known for his roles in I Hate Luv Storys, Break Ke Baad, and Gori Tere Pyaar Mein. Mumbai: Priyanka Chopra will be honoured at the fourth annual Gold House Gala in May. Besides Jon M. Chu, Megan Thee Stallion, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Ang Lee will be felicitated, as per Variety. This year, the Gold Gala will take place on May 10 at the Music Centre in Downtown Los Angeles. Over 600 guests are expected to convene, celebrating the 2025 A100 List (to be announced on May 1) -- the 100 most impactful Asian Pacific changemakers in culture. In a statement, Gold House CEO and co-founder Bing Chen said, "The Gold Gala is more than just the biggest Asian Pacific event -- it's a platform for launching the next wave of culture. From honoring Michelle Yeoh for 'EEAAO' before her history-making Oscars run to celebrating Cynthia Erivo with Michelle and Jon M. Chu before 'Wicked' became a public phenomenon." Speaking to the theme of the gala, First Light, Chen said "we're honoring those we have been the first not just for themselves, but for everyone who's lit after." Chopra Jonas will receive the inaugural Global Vanguard Honor for her unprecedented 25-year career bridging Asian Pacific and Western cultures through acclaimed work across Hindi cinema and Hollywood, as well as her continual elevation of underrepresented voices. New Delhi: Actor Saif Ali Khan has purchased a lavish property at the St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl, in Doha, Qatar. In a press event, the Love Aaj Kal actor shared details about the luxurious residence. Praising Qatar for its safety, he described the new property as a "home away from home" and said it made him feel "safe". The Jewel Thief actor highlighted the Gulf country's cuisine, lifestyle, and overall peaceful environment. I had gone there to do some work, and I was shooting for something. I stayed at the property and thought it was amazing. There was something about the mixture of privacy and luxury that I really liked. And again, it was things like the food and the way the menu was curated. Literally, in a nutshell, it felt like a home away from home, so that made it very easy. The main thing really is that it's peaceful and secluded if that's the kind of thing you are looking for, he said. Saif also mentioned his desire for his family, especially his sonsTaimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khanto enjoy the aesthetic and serene property. Think of a holiday home or a second home. There are a few things I think of. One is that its not very far away and its easily accessible. And the most important thing is that its very safe and it feels very good to be there. The concept of an island within an island is also very luxurious and beautiful. Its just a really lovely place to live. The feeling you get when youre there is the important thingthe views, the food, the kind of lifestyle, and the pace of livingthese are a few of the things that led to my decision, he added. Multiple reports state that Saif Ali Khan owns two properties in Mumbais Bandra and the ancestral Pataudi Palace. The star couple, Kareena and Saif, also own homes in London and Gstaad. All About the Pearl Property in Doha The property is said to be inspired by architectural styles from around the world. According to the real estate developers official website, The Pearl features 198 well-furnished apartments, including penthouses, duplexes, and townhouses, all equipped with modern amenities and services. The purchase comes just months after the actor was stabbed at his Bandra home three months ago and was admitted to Lilavati Hospital for injuries. Saif Ali Khan will next be seen in the Netflix film Jewel Thief, which releases on April 25. New Delhi: Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma actor Lalit Manchanda, was found dead at his Meerut residence on Monday, April 21. He was reportedly 36 years old. As per News 18 reports, authorities have confirmed that cause of death as suicide. Local law enforcement took swift action after receiving a report about the incident. Upon arrival, officials discovered Manchandas body hanging inside the residence. The deceased was taken into custody and transferred to a local facility for postmortem examination. Initial investigation results indicate no signs of foul play or third-party involvement. Authorities are still looking into the circumstances surrounding the death, and currently, no suicide note has been found at the scene. On Tuesday, the official Instagram account of CINTAA shared a post mourning Lalits passing and extended heartfelt condolences. Along with a photo of the actor, they wrote, CINTAA expresses its condolences on the demise of Lalit Manchanda (member since 2012)." Additional details are expected as the investigation continues. As per News 18, Sources close to Manchanda revealed that he had been struggling with mental stress and personal difficulties in recent months. Throughout his career, Manchanda appeared in several Bollywood films and TV serials, often in supporting roles. Srinagar: Actor Akshay Kumar expressed shock and condemned the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday. Taking to X, he wrote, "Horrified to know of the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. Sheer evil to kill innocent people like this. Prayers for their families. " Horrified to know of the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. Sheer evil to kill innocent people like this. Prayers for their families. Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 22, 2025 The firing incident, which took place earlier on Tuesday, targeted tourists in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district. Some of the tourists have been confirmed injured and taken to local hospitals. The Jammu and Kashmir government has not issued an official statement on casualties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier directed Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take all necessary measures. Shah confirmed that he had briefed the Prime Minister and would visit Srinagar to hold a high-level security review meeting. I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2025 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the attack "highly reprehensible," while Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge urged the government to act decisively. New Delhi: Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh is known for his electrifying energy, versatile roles and quirky fashion sense. Today, let's go back in time when he was praised by none other than Hollywood actor Will Smith. Throwback to Will Smith praising Ranveer Singh In 2019, when Gully Boy was released, Ranveer stunned everyone with his portrayal of a street rapper from Mumbai. Amidst all the love he received for this phenomenal transformation, Hollywood actor Will Smith also shared a post for him on social media that read, "Hey Ranveer, congrats man! I am loving what you are doing with 'Gully Boy'. For me, old school hip hop here seeing hip hop all over the world like that I am loving it man congrats Go Get em!" On the work front, Ranveer Singh is currently shooting for his upcoming film Dhurandhar with Aditya Dhar and Farhan Akhtar's much-hyped Don 3 is also in the pipeline. Vivo T4 5G India Launch: Chinese smartphone brand Vivo has launched the Vivo T4 5G for mid segment buyers in India. The latest smartphone in the T series is essentially a rebrand of the iQOO Z10 which launched in India a few days ago. The operates on Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15. The phone uses silicon-carbon anode technology and supports bypass charging to reduce heat during intensive use. It comes with gen AI features like AI Erase, AI Photo Enhance, Live Text, AI Note Assistant, Super Documents, and Circle to Search. The Vivo T4 5G comes in two colour options: Phantom Grey and Emerald Blaze. Moreover, the company claims that the phone is IP65-rated and features military-grade build quality. The Vivo T4 5G will receive two years of software updates and three years of security patches. Vivo T4 5G Specifications The smartphone features a 6.77-inch quad-curved AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for an immersive viewing experience. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, built on an efficient 4nm process. (Also Read: Xiaomi Launches Made-in-India Redmi Watch Move Smartwatch Under Rs 2,000; Check Features and Availability) It is backed by a massive 7300mAh high-density battery that supports 90W FlashCharge, which, according to the company, can charge the phone to 50 percent in just 33 minutes and to 100 percent in 65 minutes. In terms of photography, the phone is equipped with a 50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), accompanied by a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies and video calls, there's a 32MP wide-angle front camera. Notably, both the front and rear cameras support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second. Vivo T4 5G Price In India And Sale Date The Vivo T4 5G is priced at Rs 21,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. The 8GB RAM + 256GB storage model comes in at Rs 23,999, while the top-end 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant is available for Rs 25,999. Consumers can purchase the smartphone from 29th April from Flipkart, Vivo's own website and offline outlets. Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the US President Trump administration over ongoing threats to freeze more than USD 2.2 billion in federal funding, ANI reported citing The New York Times. University President Alan M. Garber said the administration is trying to exert unprecedented and improper control over the university. He warned that the move could have severe and long-lasting consequences. The lawsuit follows a demand from the Trump administration for all reports related to antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias on campus since October 2023. Officials claim Harvard has failed to address antisemitic language, allowing it to go unchecked. As reported by ANI citing New York Times, Garber said, "as a Jew and as an American, I know very well that there are valid concerns about rising antisemitism." He added that the government need to legally engage with the university instead of seeking to control "whom we hire and what we teach." Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel on Monday (local time) assured that justice will be done after the FBI arrested terrorist Harpreet Singh, involved in attacks in Punjab. Kash Patel, lauding the team's efforts, said the FBI Sacramento conducted the investigation in coordination with India. "CAPTURED: HARPREET SINGH, part of an alleged foreign terrorist gang here illegally in the United States, who we believe was involved in planning multiple attacks on police stations both in India and the United States," Patel wrote on X. FBI Sacramento conducted the investigation, coordinating with our partners locally as well as in India. Excellent work from all, and justice will be done," Patel added. Patel further assured that the FBI continue finding those who perpetrate violence. "The FBI will continue finding those who perpetrate violence -- no matter where they are," Patel said. The FBI and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested a terrorist, Harpreet Singh, involved in attacks in Punjab on Friday. The FBI said that Harpreet Singh is linked to two international terrorist groups and entered the US illegally. According to the FBI, he used burner phones to evade capture. In a post shared on X, FBI Sacramento stated, "Today, Harpreet Singh, an alleged terrorist responsible for terror attacks in Punjab, India, was arrested by the FBI and ERO in Sacramento. Linked to two international terrorist groups, he entered the U.S. illegally and used burner phones to evade capture." Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav lauded the arrest of Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia and termed it as a "major milestone" in the crackdown on terror networks sponsored by Pakistan's ISI. In a post on X, DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav said, "The arrest of Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, a USA-based key operative of ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and close associate of Pakistan-based Terrorist Rinda, is a major milestone in the sustained crackdown on ISI-backed terror networks." The Punjab Director General of Police also stated that the FBI and ICE's arrest was the result of "excellent international cooperation" and the exchange of information between the United States and India. "Between 2023 and 2025, Happy Passia played a central role in orchestrating targeted killings, grenade attacks on police establishments, and extortion across Punjab and other states. His arrest on April 17, 2025, in Sacramento, USA, by the FBI and ICE is the outcome of excellent international cooperation and exchange of information between the United States and India," he posted. DECATUR Incoming Decatur Police Chief Brad Allen's love for Decatur began as a young child in the city's firehouses and around its firefighters. The son of a 28-year veteran of the Decatur Fire Department, Allen knew early on that he too would be in a career of public service one day. But his passion was "always on the law enforcement side." So, after graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in criminal justice, Allen returned to his hometown in 1998 to become a police officer. Twenty-seven years and several promotions later, Allen is set to step into the role of top cop on May 10. He succeeds Shane Brandel, who will retire after four years leading the agency. "It's my home," Allen, a MacArthur High School graduate, told the Herald & Review in an interview Tuesday morning. "This is the only place I've ever wanted to work, the only place I've really ever worked. So to know that the city leadership put that kind of trust in me, I mean, there was a great level of excitement, and it's truly an honor to be able to step into this role." In a statement, City Manager Tim Gleason said that Allen was "the right person to lead the department into the future," lauding his "exceptional leadership and dedication to the community." Introducing Allen at Monday's city council meeting, Gleason confirmed that no external candidates were considered for the position, which "says a lot about the police department leadership" and "the department itself," he said. Allen did not come to the department on day one thinking that he would one day become police chief. But, he did "take advantage of every opportunity that came my way." This included different assignments, such as serving as a field training officer and juvenile officer during his time in the patrol division. In 2005, he was assigned to detective. In that role, he specialized in cases of juvenile delinquency, crimes against children and missing persons. After eight years working investigations, he was promoted to sergeant in 2013, then to lieutenant in 2016. He has been a deputy chief since 2021. He briefly took the reins as acting police chief in early 2023 when Brandel attended the 10-week FBI National Academy program in Quantico, Virginia. This has placed Allen at one time or another in all three of the department's divisions: patrol, investigations and administration. He said this time in "all three divisions at different levels has just given me a deep understanding of the operations and a broad experience of the operations of the department." As he steps into the top job, Allen summed up his goals in three words: build, foster and deliver. "The build aspect is to continue to build on the community trust," Allen said. "It's good, but we're not going to let it go backwards. We're going to continue to build community trust (and) develop new relationships." "The foster is (to) foster the internal culture in the staff here and make this a desirable workplace the department and the city," he continued. "And then the deliver is the delivery of excellent service to the community." Allen inherits leadership of a department trending in the right direction on a number of fronts. Shootings were down 45% in 2024 from a record-high number in 2021. The city also recorded just five homicides last year, the lowest since 2016 and a dramatic drop from 15 in 2023. Sweetened incentives and a fresh recruitment campaign overseen by Allen the past few years in his role as deputy chief have also improved staffing levels that for several years have been chronically underneath budgeted headcounts. Allen said that the department will hire ten officers and welcome a lateral hire next week. With that and a couple more rounds of hiring later this year, the department could finally reach full staffing by early 2026. With that foundation established, Allen said not to expect too many big changes once he takes the helm. "We've been real progressive as an agency over the years to stay ahead of... where policing is going, and kind of getting ourselves ahead of the curve," Allen said. "So I don't think there's a whole lot that we're going to jump into right away and change policy." Allen, 50, could retire today with full pension benefits if he wanted to. But, he said that he's "not ready to be done yet" and is "vested" in his new role for "three to five years." "I still enjoy the work," Allen said. Allen lives in unincorporated Macon County with his wife and two daughters. His new salary as chief will be $180,000, a city spokesman confirmed. Two droplet-shaped wind turbines spin in front of China's Qinling station in Antarctica. [Photo/China Daily] A clean energy system tailored for polar conditions has been put into operation in China's Qinling station in Antarctica. The breakthrough means China has become the first country to achieve the large-scale operation of a clean energy system under extreme Antarctic conditions. Lead scientist Sun Hongbin, 56, told China Daily that the project marks an achievement in China's green scientific exploration in the field of polar energy, and signifies that the nation's polar exploration has developed from the diesel era into a new era of green energy. The system will generate a wealth of data, as well as present challenges that will prompt continuous research, said Sun, who is also the chief scientist on polar clean energy at the Polar Research Institute of China and president of Taiyuan University of Technology in Shanxi province. Since the launch of the system on March 1, it has replaced traditional diesel power sources, providing uninterrupted zero-carbon power for the research equipment and essential living facilities at Qinling station, which was established in February last year as China's fifth Antarctic research station. Photovoltaic and wind power account for 60 percent of the energy capacity of the system. In situations without wind or sunlight, stored hydrogen can provide power to the station, ensuring short-term operation for research equipment and basic living facilities. Sun stressed the primary challenges in ensuring the reliability and safety of the equipment. For instance, the development of the droplet-shaped wind turbine capable of operating on ice caps and hydrogen fuel cells demands cold-resistant power-up technology. Construction of the system at the station commenced in 2023. As much of the equipment and facilities required specialized research and modification to adapt to the extreme conditions, Taiyuan University of Technology established a digital twin laboratory simulating the environment of Antarctica. This laboratory possesses the capabilities to simulate nearly 10 extreme conditions, including extreme cold, strong winds, blizzards, polar day and night, intense geomagnetic fields, strong ultraviolet radiation, low pressure and low oxygen levels. The primary purpose of establishing this laboratory was to address the challenges of research, testing and operation, Sun said. "Once the equipment arrives in Antarctica, we have no means to procure a replacement if a single screw malfunctions," he said. "Before deployment to Antarctica, various new energy devices underwent testing here. Now the laboratory receives and analyzes real-time data transmitted back from Antarctica." In recent years, various countries have explored approaches to develop clean energy in Antarctica, with solar and wind energy being the primary focus. However, the extreme conditions and shortage of technologies make it tough for solar and wind power generation equipment to maintain stable and efficient operation. China is the first country to implement hydrogen energy in the extreme environment of Antarctica on a large scale, said Dou Yinke, dean of the Taiyuan university's College of Electrical and Power Engineering, and a leading expert who has participated in multiple Antarctic expeditions since 2004. Against the backdrop of global warming and glacier melting, China proposed the concept of "green exploration" in 2017, Dou said. International organizations have repeatedly urged countries to transition from fuel-based power generation to clean energy in Antarctica. As Antarctica possesses vast wind and solar energy potential, countries worldwide have been exploring clean energy in this area. To date, approximately 30 Antarctic research stations have installed clean energy generation devices, with over half utilizing solar or wind, Dou said. However, due to the lack of systematic application and development of clean energy technologies tailored to the Antarctic environment, these systems cannot yet fully replace traditional energy systems on the aspects of safety and stability, he said. Currently, 80 to 90 percent of the world's Antarctic research stations still rely on fuel-powered electricity generation, leading to significant environmental pollution in the polar regions, said Dou. Last year, the Taiyuan university led the formulation of the "Twelve-Year Development Outline for Clean Energy Utilization Technologies in the Antarctic", aiming to establish a comprehensive clean energy supply system for Antarctic research stations by 2035. "I will dedicate my whole life to the cause. I believe we have just taken the first step on a long journey. It is a demonstration and an experiment," Sun said. Key technology breakthroughs can also drive the energy revolution in the province, a major energy base in China, said Sun. Sun hopes to establish a 20,000-square-meter Antarctic extreme environment simulation laboratory in Shanxi to enhance future research. "With clean energy, people can survive in polar regions. In the future, we may even install and test this technology on the moon and Mars," Sun said. Semperis , a leader in AI-powered identity security and cyber resilience, recently welcomed industry veteran Gerry Sillars to the role of Vice President, Asia Pacific and Japan, where he will continue to lead the companys regional expansion. Based in Singapore, Sillars is leading Semperis aggressive growth strategy across Asia Pacific and Japan. In 2024, Semperis experienced triple-digit revenue and pipeline to facilitate its rapid expansion across APAC. Semperis has signed distribution agreements across major Southeast Asian countries, India, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, effectively growing partnerships by over 100 per cent. Sillars has over 20 years of experience in building and scaling software businesses in APJ. Before joining Semperis, he played vital roles as Vice President in Commvault Systems, Alcatel Lucent, UpGuard, and Fortanix. My transition several months ago to leading Semperis' regional expansion in Asia Pacific has come at a pivotal moment. Identity-driven security has emerged as one of the most critical priorities for organisations in this region, so the timing couldn't have been better. Today, the biggest brands in the world rely on Semperis to safeguard their hybrid Active Directory environments, which are being targeted at unprecedented levels. Semperis offers best in breed solutions to fill this gap left by traditional security products, said Sillars. As part of its rapid growth trajectory, Semperis recently reached a significant milestone, surpassing $100 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), an achievement that fewer than 1 in every 1,000 enterprise software companies attain. This achievement highlights the companys increasing impact in the cybersecurity space, fueled by Semperis comprehensive solutions, which help enterprises combat the increasing threat of identity-based attacks in Active Directory and Entra ID environments. China will extend key unemployment insurance policies through 2025 to help companies retain jobs and support workers in enhancing their skills, authorities announced Tuesday. The announcement was made through a circular, jointly issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Taxation Administration, outlining measures to help enterprises maintain stable employment. Until the end of 2025, companies that do not lay off employees or minimize layoffs will continue to receive refunds of a certain percentage of unemployment insurance premiums paid in the previous year, according to the policy. To help workers improve their skills, the extended policy relaxes eligibility requirements and expands coverage for skills-upgrading subsidies. These measures also ensure continued provision of basic living allowances -- including unemployment benefits, basic medical insurance coverage, and support for older unemployed individuals. China has set a target of maintaining the surveyed urban unemployment rate at around 5.5 percent in 2025, while aiming to create over 12 million new urban jobs this year. The average surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025. Sustaining Forsyth Countys and North Carolinas remarkable economic and population growth rates requires more than just available land and workforce, Gov. Josh Stein said Tuesday at Greater Winston-Salem Inc.s State of the Economy luncheon. Stein said economic success requires stepped-up efforts to provide affordable child care including at the worksite lowering healthcare costs while preserving access, and encouraging and prodding the Republican-controlled General Assembly to fund K-12 public education at levels that would lead the Southeast. The promise of North Carolina is that where you come from should never limit how far you can go, Stein said during his speech at Benton Convention Center Much of the recent economic success can be attributed to the leadership and hard work of many of you in this room. I look forward to continuing to work together, to continue to harvest the great economic momentum we have in North Carolina, to position this region and the state for success for generations to come. Yet, Stein pivoted to cautioning that other states want what we have here. Weve got to stay hungry, strengthening our economy, enabling businesses to thrive and workers to prosper, Stein said, ... and that the benefits reach every corner of this state. We have to make this state attractive for workers, so we have to address the high cost of living that includes more affordable housing and child care. Stein said a primary reason why he is such a fervent support of increasing K-12 public education funding in the state budget is that theres been a lack of commitment, a hollowing out in recent years by the Republican-controlled legislature in favor of spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on school vouchers for private and religious school tuition expenses. If we are not careful, were going to have a tipping point 10, 15, 20 years from now when were going to ask ourselves: Why are the companies not coming here anymore? Stein said Whats wrong with our workforce when were no longer at the top of the nation? It is in your own self-interest to make sure that young people in North Carolina have the knowledge to succeed in life, so I ask you all to work with us to persuade the legislature that it is time to meaningfully invest in K-12 public education. Helping parents afford to work Stein said North Carolina can and should do more to help parents stay in the workforce instead of exiting because their wages dont cover the cost of child care. A lot of folks want to work, but there are five families for every child care slot in this state, Stein said. Being pushed out of the workforce hurts workers, hurts businesses, hurts our economy. We cannot afford to leave anyones talents on the sideline, and there is talent in every person. Stein expressed concerns about how the Trump administrations rollercoaster approach to tariffs is shaking the confidence of North Carolina business owners. Business people thrive when theres certainty, not chaos, Stein said. National headwinds can have real consequences on us in North Carolina. Stein touted that North Carolina has exceeded 650,000 new Medicaid enrollees through the bipartisan expansion initiative that launched in December 2023. Just as we worked together to pass Medicaid expansion legislation, we must work together to defend it, Stein said. He said the Republican U.S. House proposal to eliminate close to $900 billion in federal spending, in order to offset an extension of federal tax cuts that benefit wealthy Americans, is a terrible trade for the people of North Carolina. Having a thriving hospital network remains a key element to North Carolinas attractiveness to out-of-state companies, Stein said. When you have rural hospitals closing, youre essentially saying to the world this community can no longer support economic growth, Stein said. No business owner is going to move their business and themselves and their senior managers to a community where they cant get health when theyre sick. We also want to tell business owners that your kids are going to have a good teacher in the classroom, and they are going to have the opportunity to try and succeed. Chamber presentation Mark Owens, president and chief executive of Greater Winston-Salem, provided a halfway point review of how the local community is doing to meet socioeconomic goals set in April 2020 with the merger of the Chamber of Commerce and Winston-Salem Business Inc. to be achieved by 2030. The goals include: Winston-Salem becoming a top mid-size city for economic growth in the Southeast; being a more equitable community; and being the best place to raise a family. Owens said the local community is ahead of pace when it comes to overall population and employment growth, higher median household income (at $65,543) and high school graduation rates within five years as of the 2023-24 school year. He said the high school graduation rate within four years remain flat. When it comes to the percentage of those ages 16 and older participating in the labor force, Forsyths 61.8% rate trails Guilford Countys 64%, Wake Countys 69.8% and Mecklenburg Countys 71.6%. But the Forsyth rate is above the state rate of 59.7% and just under the U.S. average of 62.5%. Its something we need to continue to watch and continue to work on so that everybody in our community who wants to have a job has the right skill set and career opportunities to achieve their goals, Owens said. We have seen a decrease in the members of our population below the poverty line, which is great as we talk about economic mobility and opportunity in our community. The chamber announced Graham Bennett had been selected as the honoree of the Duke Energy Citizens & Service Award. Bennett recently retired after 24 years as president and chief executive of Quality Oil Co. You are here: World Flash Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially ratified a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with Iran, according to an official document published online Monday. The treaty was initially signed by the Russian president and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Jan. 17 following bilateral talks in Moscow. Russia's State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, ratified the treaty on April 8, and Russia's upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, approved the agreement on April 16. According to the agreement, the two countries aim to deepen and expand relations in all areas of mutual interest, strengthen cooperation on security and defense, and closely coordinate activities at regional and global levels, which corresponds to a long-term, comprehensive and strategic partnership. During a press conference following the Russia-Iran talks in January, Putin stressed the significance of the agreement, saying it outlines "ambitious goals" for deepening long-term cooperation. He said the treaty is designed to create stable conditions for the sustainable development of both countries and the whole Eurasian region. Many years ago, I thought I was going to be a mechanical engineer. My studies revolved around case-based learning and field work, all of which I enjoyed immensely. Then I learned about biomedical engineering and decided to go to medical school. For the first two years of medical school, my education focused on classroom didactics and instruction, with little to no involvement in what was happening with patients in the real world. It was laying a foundation, but my classmates and I also wanted and had hopes to experience what it really meant to be a doctor. Not until my third and fourth years of medical school, and then my residency, did I get the opportunity to participate in clinical rounds and interact firsthand with patients. What a difference that made! Now I was part of a problem-solving team that shared information and observations with the goal of improving patient outcomes (and it appealed to the engineer in me). As a fourth-year medical student, I helped take care of patients at a community hospital confronting a brand-new disease, known at the time as Gay-Related Immune Deficiency, or GRID, but which turned out to be AIDS. Daily, we had group conversations about how to deal with one patients mysterious pneumonia. I played a direct role in this patients survival because I was sent to the library to scour the medical literature. There, I found a new report from California about six men in the Los Angeles area who had pneumonia that didnt respond to routine therapythe same problem my patient was experiencing. Armed with this information, our team determined how best to treat him, and he recovered. In another instance, I was doing a family medicine rotation at a community clinic, where an older and experienced doctor gave me the case of an 80-year-old female patient with inexplicable neurological symptoms. The week before, Id attended a lecture on STDs, so I asked her about her sexual history and whether shed ever had syphilis. She replied that her husband 30 years ago had been diagnosed, but she had never been tested herself. Inexplicable case solved. For me, looking back, these stories hold a few different lessons. First, as clinicians, we need access to the right knowledge for the right patient at the right time. In the first case, I had to uncover new knowledge by stumbling over it in the library to understand and help my patient; in the second case, I happened to hear a lecture and have the rightolderknowledge at my fingertips. In both cases, fortunate, yes, but is that the best way to learn how to care for patients? It worked, but probably not the best path for learning. Second, curiosity and open-mindedness led me to the right answers. Interestingly, I took a sexual history for both patients, which, though critical to solving their problems, wasnt the norm at the time. In the 1980s, taking a sexual history was turning out to be very important, but medicine still hadnt caught up, and doctors mostly werent asking uncomfortable questions. My inexperience with medical culture turned out to be a blessing, not a curse. And it should be the same for everyone. We should bring new knowledge and curiosity into a system that sorely needs it. Those kinds of experiences were exciting. They fed my hunger for knowledge and engaged me with my peers in working out solutions that would help our patients. For me, they reflected what medical practice should be: collaborative, rooted in ever-changing and advancing evidence, and focused on patients and their communities. But heres the thing. Once you leave the medical school environment and your residency and/or fellowship, all that often disappears. Medical practice becomes much more insular. If youre a doctor in a medical practice, you go to the office in the morning; you go home at night. You may or may not see a small number of other practitioners during the day. You dont have the opportunity for shared learning experiences; youre too busy. And after a while, you feel isolated as a professional and maybe even dissatisfied with what youre doing. It doesnt have to be that way, though. There are ways to recapture the excitement of learning and problem-solving with colleagues. For me, that way is Project ECHO, a global learning community first started at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque and that we took up here at the University of Chicago that supports the spread of new knowledge and best practices. ECHO is kind of like hospital rounds on Zoom, except it is directed at outpatient care in the community. It engages a range of cliniciansincluding specialists, primary care physicians, nurses, physician assistants, community health workers, and morein multi-directional learning and knowledge-sharing for the purpose of improving patient outcomes. Each ECHO session begins with a brief didactic by an expert specialist on a given topic, then moves on to a case presentation by a participant, typically a community practitioner. After the case presentation, experts and fellow participants dig deeper into the problem, asking questions, making suggestions, and offering resources. The session concludes with a recommended plan of action for the presenter to follow. ECHO programs are ongoing, so that participants can develop a real community of learners freely sharing knowledge and exploring new questions. ADVERTISEMENT Whats most powerful to me is the all teach, all learn, all support environment that is highly interactive. Participants bring all their knowledge and experience to bear on the problem at hand and collectively improve patient care. It truly is a unique and supportive professional learning community. ECHO started 20 years ago as a solution to New Mexicos severe shortage of physicians trained to treat hepatitis C. It proved to be a highly effective way to engage a range of professionals in ongoing communities of learning and knowledge-sharing. Today, ECHO learning communities operate around the world, addressing dozens of health and social issues and engaging tens of thousands of learners. At the University of Chicago, in 2010, we were just the third academic medical center in the world to adopt the model, right behind the University of Washington. We now operate more than two dozen ECHO series annually that focus on such topics as childhood obesity, diabetes, COVID-19, hepatitis C, hypertension, opioid use disorder, mental illness, womens health, and more. Since 2016, weve been whats called an ECHO Superhub, providing training and support to other organizations that are either running ECHO programs or are interested in starting one. We have worked with organizations in other U.S. states and with organizations worldwide, including in Canada, Germany, Uruguay, and Australia, to name a few. Last September, we launched, in partnership with the Tongji University School of Medicine in Shanghai, the first ECHO program in China. Today, more than 1,400 ECHO programs have been developed around the world. I remember the story of a doctor who participated in our pediatric obesity ECHO. Although pediatric obesity may not often be seen as a complicated issue, it can be tricky for doctors to work with families effectively and get them to change their motivation. After years of not making a difference, Im finally seeing BMIs go down with ECHO, this doctor told me. Another doctor at an FQHC in Washington state insisted that participation in ECHO be written into his contract when it was time for him to re-up with the health center. Weve even done a few ECHOs here with residents, including one on ADHD with residents in a community program who didnt have access to specialists. They deeply valued the opportunity to share their cases and experiences with our ADHD experts. We did a study on our programs impact and found that ADHD diagnoses increased significantly because participants were better informed and more comfortable addressing this condition. People who participate in Project ECHO love it. They love participating in case-based learning. They love connecting with their peers. And they love that ECHO is grounded in whats happening in the real world and that their own real-world experience is contributing to the learning of others. It was what I thirsted for when I first started my medical education. I believe that it is time to incorporate ECHO into the medical education workstream to make it a formal part of medical education, starting with medical students, all the way through the current medical education program, and well beyond graduation from residency and fellowship, benefiting those working in the community and, most importantly, their patients. Its important for you as medical students to know about Project ECHOand, even more, to experience it. Once you do, I hope that you will seek it outeven demand itthroughout their education and their professional careers. ECHO programs are free and open to all practitioners. All you have to do is find one of interest and register. As I mentioned, we operate dozens of ECHO programs at the University of Chicago. I can envision ECHO series that give medical students in their first two years recurring clinical exposure. Imagine an ECHO series specifically for medical students where they can hear about cases from community practices that they often arent exposed to. Many medical students think that primary care is boring, but nothing could be further from the truth. By participating in ECHO, they could hear about real cases that primary care physicians are working on. It will help increase the desire for students to pursue primary care, a critical goal for our health care system. ECHO could also bring together medical students from different schools to discuss their common challenges. Chicago has six medical schools. What learning might surface if the students from those schools had the opportunity to interact with each other on an ongoing basis and share their experiences? You dont have to settle for the status quo. Demand better. Demand and build a system that supports lifelong professional learning. To start, I urge you to learn about ECHO and try it. Once you do, I feel confident that you will demand it. Whats more, you will enjoy participating in ECHO programming throughout your careers. Daniel Johnson is a pediatrician. How Bandung Conference changes the course for Global South Xinhua) 08:09, April 22, 2025 BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- In April 1955, delegates from 29 Asian and African nations gathered in Bandung, Indonesia, for the historic Asian-African Conference, also known as the Bandung Conference. The meeting marked the awakening of the part of the world later known as the Global South. Seventy years on, the Global South, following the Bandung Spirit of "solidarity, friendship and cooperation," has forged an independent path of collective progress -- from throwing off colonial rule to pursuing shared development and reshaping the international order. This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows the venue for the 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) FROM COLONIAL PLUNDERING TO SOVEREIGN AWAKENING In November 2021, France's Quai Branly Museum prepared 26 artifacts for repatriation to the West African country of Benin, a poignant moment captured in Dahomey, the Golden Bear-winning documentary at the 74th Berlin Film Festival. These artifacts were plundered in the 1890s from Behanzin Palace in Dahomey, Benin's predecessor, by the French who later colonized the kingdom. From the 15th century onward, Western powers expanded their colonial rule across Asia, Africa and Latin America. By the early 20th century, the imperialist colonial system dominated nearly all Asian and African territories, stripping the Global South of sovereignty while plundering resources, fragmenting cultures and dismantling societies. The 1955 Asian-African Conference, excluding Western colonial powers, united newly independent Asian and African nations in their anti-imperialist struggle. The conference established such principles as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. The spirit inspired independence movements worldwide. In 1960, 17 African nations threw off colonial rule, marking the "Year of Africa." The United Nations also passed the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. China has consistently supported the Global South. In the 1970s, China mobilized 50,000 workers to construct the 1,860 km Tanzania-Zambia Railway. China was among the first to recognize and support Algeria's provisional government. Prince Norodom Sihanouk's fight for Cambodian independence also received strong backing from China. This solidarity drove Global South nations to help China regain its lawful seat in the United Nations in 1971. As former Algerian diplomat Noureddine Djoudi recalled, that was a victory for justice. An aerial drone photo taken on April 17, 2024 shows an electrical multiple unit (EMU) train running along the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) FROM GLOBAL PERIPHERY TO GROWTH ENGINE In the 1980s, the Independent Commission on International Development Issues, chaired by former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, released the report, North-South: A Programme for Survival. Using per capita gross domestic product (GDP) as a key metric, the report divided the world roughly into two halves on a map: the rich North above the line and the poor South below it. The "Brandt Line" exposed the Global South's economic marginalization and worldwide development disparities. For generations, developing nations were confined to providing cheap labor and raw materials while Western powers controlled resource distribution and rule-making. The Bandung Conference opened a new era of South-South economic cooperation. Its resolution on economic cooperation called for economic collaboration among Asian and African nations and a fairer global economic system. In 1962, representatives from developing countries met in Cairo and demanded trade justice. In 1964, the Group of 77 was formed before the convening of the first UN Conference on Trade and Development. The Group of 77, a coalition of developing countries, held its first ministerial meeting in 1967 when it established key concepts like "the least developed countries" and formalized South-South cooperation principles. This momentum persists today, with regional groups like the African Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States fostering solidarity, while BRICS expansion and the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area signal stronger Global South integration. A champion of the Bandung Spirit, China has always upheld the Global South's development rights. Initiatives like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the BRICS-founded New Development Bank have unlocked new financing for emerging economies. The Belt and Road Initiative has expanded connectivity, generating opportunities across partner nations. Today, the Global South makes up over 40 percent of global GDP and drives 80 percent of world economic growth. They have transformed from the world economy's former periphery into its most dynamic growth engine. Photo taken on Jan. 13, 2021 shows the headquarters building of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xin) FROM WESTERN DOMINANCE TO GLOBAL GOVERNANCE The Bandung Spirit brought the Global South together and openly questioned the dominance of the West in global affairs. After decades of efforts by the Global South, real changes are taking place. The expanded BRICS mechanism has emerged as a pivotal platform for Southern solidarity. The Third South Summit of the G77+China called for a more inclusive and equitable economic and financial system. Furthering the trend, the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation saw China and 53 African countries unite in advancing global fairness and justice. Together, they signaled a shift toward global governance with the participation of the Global South. Guided by the Bandung Spirit, China has consistently stood with developing countries in providing development aid, promoting regional integration and deepening South-South cooperation. As a natural member of the Global South, China has provided development assistance to over 160 countries and partnered with more than 150 nations under the Belt and Road Initiative. It has also established the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, co-founded the Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science and proposed the 10 partnership actions for China and Africa. China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, along with the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, aligns with the Global South's pursuit of peace, development and justice. Rooted in the Bandung Spirit, these ideas value win-win cooperation over hegemonism and reflect the collective aspirations of developing nations. This synergy was powerfully articulated by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence last June, where he observed, "Of all the forces in the world, the Global South stands out with a strong momentum." They should become, Xi said, "more open and more inclusive, and join hands together to take the lead in building a community with a shared future for mankind." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Flash Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Iran is open to reaching an agreement with the United States in ongoing indirect talks, provided that the country's national interests are preserved. "In the negotiations with the United States, we are ready for an agreement within a defined framework and while ensuring our national interests," Pezeshkian said during a meeting in Tehran. "However, if they (U.S. representatives) refrain from negotiating with us on equal terms, we will continue on our own path," the Iranian president warned. He added that, as previously stated by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran remains "neither optimistic nor pessimistic" about the negotiations. Pezeshkian also reiterated that Tehran does not seek conflict but would resist any attempt at coercion. "We do not want confrontation with anyone, but we will not tolerate pressure or bullying," he said. His comments followed the second round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, held in Rome on Saturday with mediation from Oman. The first round took place in Muscat on April 12, and a third session is scheduled to be held in the Omani capital again this coming Saturday. At a weekly news conference in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the removal of U.S. sanctions remained Iran's principal demand in the negotiations. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump described the recent talks as "very good." Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump said, "We had very good meetings actually on Iran," adding, "The next step is we need a little time." The discussions came in the wake of a letter sent by Trump to Iran's leadership in early March, proposing talks on Tehran's nuclear programme. Trump later warned of military action should Iran reject his offer for talks. Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States -- in 2015. Under the deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. The United States, led by Trump during his first term, unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually reduce compliance with its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the agreement have not achieved substantial progress. You are here: World Flash A firefighter puts out a fire after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Israel's military said on Monday that it carried out more than 200 airstrikes across the Gaza Strip over the past three days, killing a member of the Islamic Jihad movement. The military said the strikes targeted militant infrastructure, militant cells, rocket launch and sniper positions, weapons depots and command centers. It identified the killed fighter as Ahmad Mansour, who it said participated in the Hamas-led surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and later directed rocket fire during the ongoing war. In Rafah's Shabura and Tel al-Sultan neighborhoods, Israeli troops dismantled "terrorist infrastructure" and uncovered a cache of grenades, ammunition and other military gear. Along the recently constructed Morag Corridor, which bisects Rafah from Khan Younis and the rest of Gaza, troops located weapons, destroyed Hamas infrastructure and killed several militants, the military said. In northern Gaza, soldiers launched an airstrike on a building containing what was described as underground infrastructure and detected multiple militants. The army also reported dismantling Hamas sniper posts that had threatened its ground forces. At least eight people were killed in Israeli strikes on Monday and dozens wounded, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. 23:42 Modi cuts short Saudi visit after J-K terror attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi abruptly ended his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and decided to return to New Delhi on Tuesday night following a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, government sources said. Modi, who held bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in... Read more > 23:31 J-K terror attack deeply disturbing, stand with India: Trump President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir was deeply disturbing, asserting that the US stands strongly with India against terrorism. Terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Pahalgam town in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people, mostly tourists,... Read more > 23:07 Two from Pune injured in Pahalgam terror attack At least two persons from Pune have suffered gunshot injuries in a terrorist attack near Pahalgam town in Kashmir, Union minister Murlidhar Mohol said. He said the injured members are part of two families visiting Kashmir, the local MP added. Three female members of the two families are... Read more > 23:03 Raipur businessman killed in J-K terror attack; CM expresses grief An injured woman in terrorist attack in Pahalgam/Umar Ganie A Raipur-based businessman was killed in a terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam town on Tuesday, officials said. Dinesh Mirania, a resident of Samta Colony area, has succumbed to his injuries, they said. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep condolences on the tragic... Read more > 22:57 Navy officer who got married on Apr 16 killed in J-K attack Security personnel in Pahalgam after the attack/ANI Photo A Navy officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (26 years), who was posted in Kochi, has been killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack on Tuesday, said defence officials. The officer, who hails from Haryana, was on leave and got married on April 16 only, said the officials.As many as 26 people were... Read more > 22:53 Pahalgam terror attack victims include 'people' from TN, says Stalin Security personnel in Pahalgam after terrorist attack on tourists/ANI Photo Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday said the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead, included people from the state and dubbed the incident barbaric. While Stalin did not divulge details of the victims hailing from the state, he said he has directed all necessary... Read more > 22:25 Pahalgam attack: Tight security in Jammu amid protest call Bajrang Dal workers protest in Jammu against terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam/ANI on X Security has been beefed up across Jammu as various outfits have called for protests on Wednesday to condemn a deadly terror attack on tourists in south Kashmir's Pahalgam tourist resort, officials said.Terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Pahalgam town on Tuesday afternoon, killing at... Read more > 22:04 Our thoughts and prayers with victims: US Vice Prez Vance on Pahalgam attack US Vice President JD Vance US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Chilukuri on Tuesday extended condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, Vance, who is currently on a visit to India, said... Read more > 21:34 Businessman, wife found murdered in house in Kerala's Kottayam A well-known businessman and his wife were found brutally murdered in their house in Thiruvathukkal in Kottayam district of Kerala on Tuesday, the police said. Both of them were found in a pool of blood in two different rooms in the morning, and the bodies had deep cuts and wounds on their... Read more > 21:08 NC may move SC if Centre implements 'One Nation, One Election': Omar Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the National Conference may approach the Supreme Court if the Centre implements the One Nation, One Election proposal in the country. Let them (implement it). If there are any shortcomings and if you cannot rectify those through... Read more > 21:04 Pahalgam attack: Emergency helpline set up for tourists Security personnel carry out checking after attack in Pahalgam/Reuters Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday set up a round-the-clock emergency helpline to assist tourists in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. A 24x7 emergency help desk has been established by Anantnag district administration for tourists requiring assistance or information. Tourists... Read more > 20:51 Biz body announces indefinite shutdown in Nagaland from April 24 File image The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) on Tuesday announced an indefinite voluntary shutter down across the state from April 24 after the state government failed to meet their demands. Banking institutions will be included in the purview of the protest, the... Read more > 20:31 IMF lowers India's growth projection for FY26 File image The Indian economy is projected to grow at 6.2 percent in 2025-26, slower than earlier estimated rate of 6.5 percent, due to escalated trade tensions and global uncertainty, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday. For India, the growth outlook is relatively more stable at 6.2 per... Read more > 19:56 Terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam shocking, painful: President Murmu President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday termed terrorist attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam as shocking and painful, and said that their dastardly inhuman act of targeting innocent citizens was unpardonable. She also offered heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost... Read more > 19:39 Manipur militant arrested in Meghalaya A self-styled finance secretary of the outlawed militant group Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group) of Manipur was arrested from his hideout in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district, police said on Tuesday. Acting on the information received, a counter insurgency raid was conducted at the... Read more > 19:35 K'taka bizman killed in terrorist attack in J-K's Pahalgam Injured being rushed to hospital after terror attack in Pahalam, J-K/Reuters A businessman from Shivamogga district in Karnataka was shot dead by terrorists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, his family said. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condoled Manjunath Rao's demise. Siddaramaiah held a meeting with officials over the incident. A team of officials... Read more > 19:12 Those behind heinous act will not be spared: Modi on Pahalgam attack Condemning the terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that those behind the heinous act will be brought to justice. In a post on X, the prime minister said, They (terrorists) will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never... Read more > 18:44 Shah rushes to J-K; vows to hunt down perpetrators Union Home Minister Amit Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday vowed to come down heavily on the perpetrators of the terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and said he was heading to Srinagar where he would review the security situation with all agencies. Shah said he has briefed Prime Minister... Read more > 18:39 Jain community demonstrates in Pune against razing of Mumbai temple File image Members of the Jain community on Tuesday protested outside the Pune district collector's office against the demolition of a Jain temple by the Mumbai civic body and demanded strict action against those responsible. Protesters raised slogans against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and... Read more > 18:35 Maha stays mandatory Hindi order for Classes 1-5 File image The Maharashtra government has stayed its order to make Hindi mandatory as a third language for students of Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools, state School Education Minister Dada Bhuse said on Tuesday. A fresh government resolution (GR) would be issued in this matter, he... Read more > 18:03 Now, Chh'garh cops book Anuarag Kashyap for Brahmin jibe Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap An FIR was registered against filmmaker Anurag Kashyap by the Raipur police on the charge of promoting enmity between different groups over his purported remarks on Brahmins, an official said on Tuesday. The case was registered at City Kotwali police station on Monday late night based on a... Read more > 17:49 'Pastor' among 13 booked for kidnapping, rape in Punjab File image Thirteen people, including a 'pastor', have been booked in a kidnapping and rape case on the complaint of a 22-year-old woman, the police said on Tuesday. An FIR was registered under sections 70 (gang rape), 127 (4) (wrongful confinement) and 61 (2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya... Read more > 17:20 Largest terror attack on civilians in Kashmir: Omar Security forces have been mobilised J-K CM Omar Abdullah on the terror attack in Pahalgam. The death toll is still being ascertained so I don't want to get in to those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians... Read more > 17:15 'Emergency' in trouble again, author says facts distorted Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut's controversial film, Emergency, has landed in trouble once again after senior journalist and author Coomi Kapoor accused her production house, Manikarnika Films Private Limited, and Netflix of intentionally and maliciously distorting facts and exploiting her name... Read more > 17:09 A look at India-Saudi trade... The Prime Minister is on a official visit to the Kingdom at the invitation of the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Modi, along with Crown Prince and the PM of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will co-chair the second Leaders'... Read more > 17:06 PM enjoys Raazi's 'Ae Watan' sung for him in Jeddah Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Jeddah on Tuesday for a two-day State visit to Saudi Arabia. Upon his arrival in the country, he interacted jovially with the members of the Indian community.PM Modi appreciated the performance of the patriotic song Ae Watan from the Bollywood blockbuster... Read more > 16:54 Sensex, Nifty rise for 6th day on foreign fund inflows Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher on Tuesday, extending the gaining streak to the sixth day on continuous foreign fund inflows and buying in banking shares. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 187.09 points or 0.24 per cent to settle at 79,595.59. During the day, it jumped... Read more > 16:29 Give us greater access to your markets: Vance@India US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday called on India to give greater access to its markets, buy more American energy and defence hardware as he outlined the vision for stronger ties between the two countries. In an address at an event in Jaipur, Vance said there is much that the US and... Read more > 16:01 PM Modi's approval ratings make me jealous: Vance JD Vance in Jaipur At an event in Rajasthan's Jaipur, US Vice President JD Vance says, Now I believe that our nations have much to offer to one another, and that's why we come to you as partners, looking to strengthen our relationship.We're not here to preach that you do things any one particular way. Too often in... Read more > 15:52 What Is A Good Daily Step Count? 7 Answers Walking is one of the most accessible and simple forms of physical activity, requiring no special equipment or training. It plays a vital role in maintaining and improving overall health. Take a look. Read more > 15:46 Several tourists injured in terror attack in Pahalgam Several tourists injured in terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir: Police.Gunshots were heard in Baisaran valley in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir following which security forces rushed there, police said on Tuesday.Initial reports suggested a possible terror... Read more > 15:03 Anurag Kashyap apologises for abusing Brahmins Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap on Tuesday apologised for his remark against the Brahmin community, saying he crossed a boundary by using abusive language while replying to someone in anger. The director has been at the centre of a major controversy over his intemperate comment on the Brahmin... Read more > 14:55 NEET student hangs himself from anti-suicide fan A fan equipped to prevent suicide by hanging An 18-year-old NEET aspirant from Bihar allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in his hostel room here in the early hours of Tuesday, police said. In a suicide note recovered from his room, the student said neither his family nor his preparation for NEET-UG was the reason behind his... Read more > 14:26 Trainee pilot killed plane crash Representational image A trainee pilot was killed when a trainer aircraft belonging to a private aviation academy crashed in a residential area in Gujarat's Amreli district on Tuesday afternoon and caught fire, a police official said. The plane fell on a tree before crashing into an open plot. The aircraft... Read more > 14:09 Saudi fighter jets escort PM's plane In a special gesture, fighter planes from Saudi Arabia escort Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plane as it entered Saudi airspace to Jeddah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,... Read more > 14:03 Pope Francis' funeral at 10 am on Saturday Pope Francis' funeral has been set for Saturday at 10 am, celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals. Following the death of the Pope, the Vatican will enter a nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale, an ancient Roman tradition that continues to this day. During this time,... Read more > 13:15 Constitutional offices not ceremonial: Dhankar Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday asserted that every word spoken by a constitutional authority is guided by supreme national interest as he hit out at his critics for questioning his remarks on a recent Supreme Court order. A top court bench had recently prescribed a three-month... Read more > 13:03 Now, death threat to Tiger Shroff? A 35-year-old man hailing from Punjab has been apprehended for allegedly giving false information to the police control room in Mumbai regarding death threat to Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, an official said on Tuesday.According to the Khar police station official, the man, identified as Manish... Read more > 12:35 Ramdev's 'sharbat jihad' remark is indefensible: HC The Delhi High Court on Tuesday observed that Yoga guru Ramdev's purported remark of sharbat jihad on Hamdard's Rooh Afza shook its conscience and was indefensible.Justice Amit Bansal, who was hearing a plea by Hamdard National Foundation India against Ramdev's Patanjali Foods Ltd, said, It... Read more > 12:12 'Rahul treats foreigners as own, Indians as strangers' Rahul Gandhi addresses the Indian diaspora in Boston Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday attacked Rahul Gandhi for his remarks against the Election Commission, saying he treated foreigners as his own and Indians as strangers. Gandhi, who is on a visit to the US, raised questions on the BJP-led coalition's... Read more > 11:57 I-T tightens scrutiny of FPIs based in Mauritius The income-tax (I-T) department has intensified its scrutiny of foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) in Mauritius who are claiming tax benefits under the India-Mauritius treaty.In the past two weeks, over half a dozen Mauritius-based FPIs have received notices from the I-T department regarding... Read more > 11:44 When football fan Pope Francis met Messi, Maradona Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church. who died on Monday aged 88, was a massive football fan. He was a card holder of Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo. During his papacy, he was visited by football great and compatriot Lionel Messi, including legends Diego... Read more > 11:42 'I Want To Forget The Horror Of This War' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited US President Donald Trump to visit his war-ravaged country to understand the extent of the horrors of Russia's large-scale destruction of homes and churches, hospitals and schools and the deaths of thousands of civilians including children.On... Read more > 11:40 Gold may see 10% correction from Rs 1 lakh level Gold prices in India touched a historic milestone on Tuesday, crossing Rs 1 lakh per 10 grams. Experts believe that while this sharp rally may lead to a temporary correction, any fall from this level is likely to be limited to a maximum of 10 per cent. Gold has traditionally been seen as a... Read more > 11:33 'I Am Tired Of Seeing Dead Bodies' Sori Soni sums up the mood of the people living in a highly militarised zone in Chhattisgarh. I am tired of seeing dead bodies. Many of them are mutilated beyond recognition. Every day an encounter takes place. We are not allowed to step out of our homes to get water or collect firewood.... Read more > 11:20 Fresh formal hirings decline by 10% in February: EPFO data The number of monthly fresh formal hirings declined for the third straight month in February, signaling further deterioration in the formal labour markets. The number of new monthly subscribers under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) decreased by nearly 10 per cent to 739,000 in February from... Read more > 11:18 Bharti Airtel gained 1.65 million subscribers in Jan, says Trai Bharti Airtel gained the most number of subscribers in January, with 1.65 million new wireless users, while Reliance Jio added 0.68 million users, data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) showed on Monday. Vodafone Idea (Vi) continued to lose subscribers, with 1.33 million... Read more > 10:49 Gold prices soar to Rs 1 lakh for 10 gm Gold prices have crossed Rs 1 lakh for 10 grams in India in a record rally driven by uncertainties in global markets. Pure gold, of 24 carat, now costs more than Rs 10,000 for a gram in all major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Read more > 10:40 When Chanda and Mala welcomed Vances to Amber US Vice President J D Vance and his family members on Tuesday morning visited the Amber Fort here, officials said. Vance, accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri, their three children -- Ewan, Vivek, Mirabel -- departed the luxurious Rambagh Palace Hotel, surrounded by tight... Read more > 10:26 The Pope's ring and the fisherman Pope Francis wearing his papal ring. This was the picture on his X page Another interesting tidbit on the papacy. Why is the pope's ring called the fisherman's ring? So, each pope gets this ring at the Mass marking the beginning of his pontificate. It bears this name because Jesus told St. Peter, the first pope, that he would be a fisher of men. Until the 1990s,... Read more > 10:25 Vatican changes its X page to... The homepage of the Vatican's official website and its X page has changed to reflect the death of Pope Francis. It now reads Apostolica Sedes Vacans, meaning the seat is vacant in Latin. Earlier it had Pope Francis' name and picture. Read more > 10:12 Modi, Vance meeting cheers markets, Sensex rises Indian stock markets continued their upward momentum on Tuesday, with both benchmark indices opening with gains, buoyed by the return of Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) inflows and positive sentiment stemming from the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD... Read more > 09:50 Vance, Usha, kids visit Jaipur's Amber Fort Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, along with Second Lady Usha Vance and their children, arrive at Jaipur's Amber Fort. They will also visit the Hawa Mahal. The US Vice President, who is on a four-day official visit to India starting Monday, is in Jaipur with his family... Read more > 09:32 Delhi HC reserves verdict on Tablighi Jamaat Shelter case The Delhi High Court on Monday reserved its judgement on petitions filed by several Indian nationals accused of providing shelter to foreign nationals during the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak. The case, associated with the Tablighi Jamaat gathering, was under legal examination due to its alleged... Read more > 09:06 Modi to visit Saudi Arabia today, 6 pacts, Hajj quota on agenda India and Saudi Arabia are set to sign at least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jeddah, with talks ongoing late Monday to finalise a few more agreements, according to sources. Highly placed sources told PTI that Modi will... Read more > 08:18 Harvard sues Trump administration over fund freeze Harvard University has sued the United States President Donald Trump's administration over constant threats of freezing funding of more than USD 2.2 billion.University President Alan M Garber accused Trump's administration of trying to wield unprecedented and improper control, adding that the... Read more > 00:40 Porsche case: Maha suspends licences of docs held for blood sample swap Nearly a year after the Porsche car crash involving a teenage driver in Pune, the Maharashtra Medical Council on Monday suspended the licences of two doctors who were arrested for their alleged involvement in tampering with evidence in the case. Dr Ajay Taware and Dr Shrihari Halnor,... Read more > 00:35 Rajasthan woman's throat slit, silver anklets stolen after cutting off legs Unidentified miscreants murdered a woman by slitting her throat and stole her silver anklets after cutting off her legs in Rajasthan's Sawaimadhopur district, the police said on Monday. The incident occurred in the Bamanwas police station area, they said. SHO Rakesh Kumar Sharma said... Read more > Linda Brugger On The Other Hand, Consider This Follow Linda Brugger 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 A report of an X (formerly Twitter) post by Hakeem Jefferies disrupted my peaceful Palm Sunday. He called out the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other Trump appointees for removing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion books from the Naval Academy Library. He used the phrase Dumb Effing Individuals. I expect better manners from people who are commenting in the Public Square. Individuals who use such phrases are bullies. Maybe Jefferies was thinking that all Liberals? Democrats? would agree with him. Should everyone who agrees now feel a sense of camaraderie because we arent like them? Can we hurl slanguage like the best of them? Hogwash! These are serious times, and someone who is often thoughtful can only come up with schoolyard language? I am tired of individuals who waste our time by slinging nonsense at people they disagree with. We are amid a clash of worldviews that I consider WW III. The two worldviews can be thought of as Everyone must cooperate to live their best life or Everyone must act in their own best interest and triumph over others. The details are more complex. Everyone acts in ways that align with both of those views. The leaders they select to lead them in the government they agree to follow is the ultimate test. A government is only the group of laws any society agrees to. Some governments have written and unwritten rules, and some societies impose laws on select groups of people while allowing others to ignore them. Those playing King of the Hill are attempting to wipe out those who want cooperative effort to assist everyone and harm no one. Both sides have reasoned arguments. The question of intelligence is not a factor. Every human has unique experiences, and they make sense in their own way. Trump supporters have developed creative words to show disrespect for their opponents. They imply foolish thinking but dont directly indicate someones ignorance is unrepairable. Even so, name-calling drives people apart. I have noticed that even those who have embraced Trumps worldview are unhappy with the general discord taking over their social spaces. A new normal seems to be that I treat others the way they treat me. It may be that King of the Hill is winning. Another bit of nonsense currently being hurled around is that only true patriots believe something. While some individuals may want a government like that of China or Russia, I doubt anyone wants to surrender to another country. Patriotism is necessary to promote the common good among fellow citizens. Still, it is nonsense to say our political opponents lack that feeling. The word un-American was a rallying cry against Communism during the mid-twentieth century. However, the definition of a nations norms is changing worldwide. There is no current universally accepted definition of what American is. Only censorship will stop the turmoil. The United States has made advances toward censorship by disrupting public speech. The influence of disinformation as propaganda is a distinct problem, but we should not suppress earnest debate. The nonsense is not limited to name-calling. Our current President is an expert in showmanship. His advisors have restrained him, and the press has downplayed many of his actions. However, the avalanche of executive orders, portrayed by his bold signature in a hardbound document, cemented the appearance of the supreme power of the executive branch. We are at the Rubicon. Our founding Constitution established a government where no one political viewpoint had absolute control. Each branch of government had the power to override the actions of the other for just cause. The current Republican party is promoting a strong President who has few restraints other than members of their party. They also intend to weaken the Federal government by giving sovereign rights to the individual states. Will they force a rewrite of the Constitution? The oppositions argument stops at pointing to danger. The essentials, except for womens control of their health and LGBT issues, are not discussed. Those who oppose the current administration should concentrate on national concerns, not cultural issues. We do not need nonsense. We need plans and promises that give hope to everyone. Police did 'everything possible' to protect Briton burned alive by mob in Ecuador Officers did everything humanly possible to protect a British man who was dragged out of a police station and set on fire in Ecuador, according to local reports. A mob including more than 100 people exceeded the capacity of seven police officers who were trying to protect a man who had been arrested as a suspect in a fatal shooting, the Playas del Cuyabeno Police said. The man was being held at a police station in Playas del Cuyabeno, a remote village in the Amazon rainforest, following the shooting. The British citizen had earlier been intercepted by a group of residents who began beating him, and he was moved inside the police station to protect him at around 6am on Sunday. ADVERTISEMENT Around six hours later, while officers were waiting for specialist units to arrive, a group broke into the station and captured the suspect, before setting him on fire in the street, Ecuadorian TV network Ecuavisa reported. The man pictured while in police custody, is said to have been burned alive (Supplied) A police statement said: There had been problems between the two men that died. The man we believe to be British had shot a local man, causing his death. We know that he was working and teaching English and was making reservations for tourists visiting the area, a police chief added. But we dont have any more information right now and that is the focus of ongoing investigations, which are seeking to determine his full name as well. We are still trying to establish the specific identity of the citizen we believe is a British national, the police explained. Were presuming hes English, although we dont have documents that prove his nationality status. Were trying to confirm all the information including his migration status. ADVERTISEMENT We dont have any proven information relating to how long he had been in this community. Read More: Ecuador's deadly paradise where 'Brit was lynched and burned alive' Newspaper Extra reported that a foreign citizen had been lynched and burned to death by a group of residents in front of the police station, during the shocking act of apparent community justice. The British national died from his burns, Extra reported. It is understood that specialist units had been slow to arrive at the scene due to how remote the village is. Playas del Cuyabeno is in the north-east of Ecuador and is only accessible by river, reports added. The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment. The struggle of the Baloch people in Pakistan has reached unprecedented levels, while state repression and the brutality by the Pakistani ruling class have exceeded all limits. It is hell-bent on crushing the aspirations of these oppressed people. On the one hand, there exists a mass movement of the Baloch people, which has reached a level unseen in seven decades of continuous struggle against the Pakistani state. In Quetta, security forces have opened fire on protestors who refused to disperse. In response, even more people joined the protests. Women and children have joined in in large numbers, and have been brutally attacked by the security forces. Huge protests have been held in many cities across Balochistan in which women and children have participated in large numbers. In small cities and remote areas, protests of thousands have been held. In Baloch areas of Karachi as well, we have seen huge protests held. When the leaders of this mass movement led by the Baloch Solidarity Committee (BYC) were arrested, including Mahrang Baloch, the protestors were infuriated and even bigger protests were held in different cities despite state repression. Solidarity has been forthcoming from ordinary people of other nationalities across Pakistan and there is widespread condemnation of this state repression. This is a major development in the struggle of the Baloch people, who have been fighting against repression for the last seven decades. The level of participation of the masses is unprecedented. Furthermore, this mass movement has rejected all the mainstream political parties, including the Baloch nationalist parties like the BNP of Akhtar Mengal and others present in parliament. Instead, a new leadership has been brought forwards for the first time, one which has no representation in the facade of parliament, but which has also distanced itself from the armed insurgency. Though the state authorities are attacking the mass movement while accusing them of being insurgents and guerrillas, these are two distinct movements. This has brought the whole situation in Balochistan to a qualitatively new phase, in which most of the region is now inaccessible to the outside world. The main highways can only be used during the daytime. Army and other installations are being attacked on a regular basis, and the security situation is worsening all the time. Baloch nationalist groups, who are fighting an ongoing armed insurgency, are also using this situation to further their own agendas. They have been attacking army installations and security forces like never before. There are reports of links between the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, which clearly shows how far they have degenerated thanks to their rotten nationalist ideology. On 11 March, a train hijacking by the BLA once again brought the oppression of Balochistan into the spotlight across Pakistan and the world. While the Baloch insurgents have carried out multiple attacks in the past, the train hijacking was the first of its kind and the biggest incident of 2025 so far. On 11 March, a train hijacking by the BLA once again brought the oppression of Balochistan into the spotlight / Image: public domain However, last year was the deadliest year of the past decade for Baloch armed insurgents. According to them, their organisations carried out a total of 938 attacks, resulting in more than 1,002 deaths, 689 injuries, and at least 546 reported incidents of property damage. Their operations spanned 25 districts of Balochistan and covered 327 areas. Additionally, 76 Baloch fighters were reported killed during these actions. Compared to 2023, the total number of attacks increased by 53 percent, while reported casualties rose by a shocking 80 percent, indicating an intensification of the insurgency. During the train hijacking, the BLA demanded the release of political prisoners and the recovery of individuals abducted by the state authorities. However, the state rejected all of these demands and announced a military operation against them. As a result, according to state officials, around 26 passengers were killed and 37 injured in the attack, while 33 insurgents were eliminated. However, the BLA dismissed the government statement as propaganda and claimed to have killed around 214 of the 426 hostages. As of the time of writing, conflicting reports about the hijacking of the Jaffar Express continue to circulate in the media. Since this attack, social media has erupted in debate, reflecting opposition to the state among young political activists in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan. As communists, it is necessary to critically analyse the current conditions in Balochistan, the Baloch national question, and the role of both politics and armed resistance in this context, while presenting a correct communist position. The Baloch national question and armed struggle Numerous books have been written on the Baloch national question, but briefly, it is important to note that when Pakistan was created by the British imperialists, most of Balochistan was part of the princely state of Kalat, except for British Balochistan. The Pakistani ruling class used force and blackmail to annex Kalat, despite the state's parliament opposing its merger with Pakistan. Concrete evidence exists regarding this opposition. However, on 27 March 1948, when this annexation was forcibly carried out, the first armed Baloch rebellion began under Prince Karim of Kalat. This rebellion was, however, disorganised and weak from the outset and crushed within a short period. Resistance remained largely confined to specific areas of Kalat. Following Prince Karims uprising, Baloch armed resistance can be divided into four other major phases, as follows: Second Phase (1958-59) Tribal leader Nawab Nauroz Khan Zehri led a rebellion against dictator General Ayub Khans One Unit policy, which merged the four provinces of Pakistan into one and abolished Baloch autonomy. Nowroz Khan launched a guerrilla war in the mountains, but the government used negotiations to trick him into surrendering and then arrested him. Several of his companions were executed, and he died in prison. Third Phase (1962-69) During this period, Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri and other Baloch tribal leaders resisted Pakistani rule. Armed clashes continued in Khuzdar, Mastung, Kohlu, and Makran. In 1969, General Yahya Khan abolished the One Unit system, temporarily halting the resistance. Fourth Phase (1973-77) During Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government, the elected provincial governments of the National Awami Party (NAP) in Balochistan and the erstwhile North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) were dismissed. In response, armed resistance intensified. Thousands of Baloch guerrilla fighters fought under the leadership of Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, Attaullah Mengal, and Sher Muhammad Marri (popularly known as General Sherov). Most of these leaders were inspired by Marxist ideas and looked towards the Soviet Union for inspiration. The military operation launched by the Bhutto regime to combat the insurgency resulted in thousands of Baloch casualties, and many leaders fled to Afghanistan. The movement ended after General Zia declared martial law in 1977 and deposed Z.A. Bhutto. Fifth Phase (2000 present) A new phase of resistance began in the 2000s under the leadership of tribal leader and former governor of Balochistan Nawab Akbar Bugti. It intensified following his assassination by the state in 2006, during General Musharrafs dictatorship. Several groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the Balochistan Republican Army (BRA), the United Baloch Army (UBA), and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), became active in this period. This resistance continues to this day, with Baloch armed separatist groups engaged in conflict with the Pakistani state. However, in the current armed insurgency, the BLA and BLF remain the most active, while other groups have significantly diminished on the ground. This phase of insurgency is also characterised by an ideological shift towards the right, with insurgents looking towards US imperialism and other powers for support. Another feature has been the change in the social background of the leadership. In the past, the insurgency was led by tribal leaders and feudals. Now, youngsters from middle-class backgrounds, professionals like doctors and university graduates are leading these organisations. The appearance of Chinese imperialism on the scene in the last two decades has intensified the contradictions in the region bordering Iran and Afghanistan. In 2015, the CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) was launched, with the Gwadar port in Balochistan as its flagship project. Between 2006 and 2018, attacks by armed insurgents targeting the military, the Frontier Corps, police, and Chinese projects increased. However, the movement suffered a setback when the state intensified its repression of democratic and political organisations. The first casualty of this suppression was the Baloch Students Organization Azad (BSO Azad), which was banned in 2013. During General Musharrafs dictatorship, a wave of enforced disappearances began, which is still going on to this day. They targeted the leadership of BSO Azad and the Baloch National Movement. Many were killed, their bodies mutilated. Others were forcibly disappeared. Most of the political activists arrested remain imprisoned today. Some managed to flee Pakistan. Despite the repression, the BSO Azad and BNP continue to operate, but clandestinely, with minimal presence on the ground. Additionally, attacks by the state, including mutilation and enforced disappearances, escalated alongside large-scale operations by the Pakistani military in Baloch areas, particularly Awaran, Mastung, Panjgur, Kharan, Khuzdar, Kalat, and Turbat. Meanwhile, Baloch armed groups continued their operations, specifically targeting the CPEC project after 2015. In response, state repression also intensified. The increased state repression led to temporary stagnation in Baloch society. It also caused rifts within the Baloch militant organisations. Initially, the armed struggle weakened considerably. However, after 2018, Baloch armed organisations began restructuring themselves and eliminating state infiltrators who had entered their ranks over time. The first suicide attack by the BLA occurred in 2012 against Shafiq Mengal, an Islamic fundamentalist and the commander of a notorious death squad who was supported by the Pakistani state. After that, such attacks ceased until 11 August 2018, when a suicide attack targeted a Chinese convoy in Dalbandin, marking the BLAs resurgence under new leadership. Before this, the ban on BSO Azad had made recruitment challenging for armed separatist groups. The changing landscape of Baloch society after 2018 In November 2018, Seema Baloch, the sister of BSO Azads central information secretary Shabbir Baloch, announced a protest against her brothers enforced disappearance. A large section of the public responded, and Baloch society once again mobilised against state repression. This call played a decisive role in breaking the suffocating atmosphere that had prevailed between 2013 and 2018 due to state repression. However, oppression persisted in different forms. The protests slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, but in May 2020, a new wave of demonstrations emerged, organised by the Bramsh Solidarity Committee, following an attack on a house in a suburb of Turbat in which a four-year-old girl, Bramsh Baloch, was injured. In August 2020, Frontier Corps personnel shot and killed a young student, Hayat Baloch, in front of his parents. This incident led to the formation of the Hayat Solidarity Committee and triggered protests not only in Balochistan but across Pakistan. This involved human rights activists, students, youth, political workers, and workers. For the first time, as a result of this movement, a Frontier Corps wing commander was forced to publicly apologise to Hayat Balochs family and offer compensation for his killing. These two incidents played a crucial role in mobilising a larger mass movement against human rights violations and state repression in Balochistan, eventually leading to the formation of the Baloch Solidarity Committee (BYC). Between 2020 and 2024, Baloch society witnessed a continuous wave of protests against human rights violations, enforced disappearances, economic hardship, and other injustices / Image: Baloch Yakjehti Committee, Twitter Between 2020 and 2024, Baloch society witnessed a continuous wave of protests against human rights violations, enforced disappearances, economic hardship, and other injustices. These demonstrations played a significant role in highlighting the issues faced by the Baloch people. Throughout Balochistan, long sit-ins, rallies, and protests were organised against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Two major mass movements stand out in this period. In 2021, a new mass movement called Haq Do Tehreek (Give Us Rights Movement) emerged in Gwadar. Fishermen and local residents protested for employment opportunities, an end to illegal deep-sea trawling, and the provision of basic facilities. This was the first major public expression of resistance against Chinese imperialisms investments in Balochistan. Thousands of people in the Makran Division, particularly in Gwadar, staged weeks-long sit-ins. This movement exposed the reality of Chinese imperialist projects for the local residents and sparked a new debate within Baloch nationalist parliamentary politics. In April 2022, the Balochistan Employees and Workers Grand Alliance (BEWGA) organised a 12-day sit-in protest which involved hundreds of thousands of workers and employees from across Balochistan. Although this protest did not achieve its expected success, it firmly asserted the presence of the working class in Balochistan, silencing those nationalists who had denied its existence. In 2023, 813 protests were recorded across Balochistan on various issues, with 418 focused on enforced disappearances. In Quetta, 554 protests were held, followed by 70 in Turbat, 61 in Chaman and 50 in Khuzdar. In December 2023, a wave of protests and sit-ins began in Turbat against the extrajudicial killing of Balach Baloch. This movement evolved into a long march to Islamabad. The march received tremendous support from the masses from all the cities it passed. The women who led the movement, especially Mahrang Baloch, became new icons of struggle with a level of mass support which has never before been seen in the history of the movement. Importantly, this time, the Baloch movement received solidarity from other nationalities in Pakistan, including Pashtuns and Punjabis. It also clearly vindicated the fact that the methods of political struggle are far more effective than guerilla warfare. Following this march, the BYC gained recognition as a significant mass movement of the Baloch people, not only in Balochistan but across Pakistan and internationally. Since then, the BYC has organised numerous protests, rallies, and sit-ins, notably the Raji Machi in Gwadar in July 2024, in which tens of thousands participated despite severe state repression, including the police shooting at and killing participants of this public meeting. In early 2025, the BYC held a massive protest rally in Dalbandin. To this day, its demonstrations and sit-ins continue. This provides a brief historical overview. Next, we will analyse the ideological, tactical, and objective limitations of armed struggle from a Marxist perspective. The communist perspective on armed struggle For Marxists, the choice or rejection of a particular tactic is not a principled question. Most important are the principles and methods from which these tactics are derived. Marxists have long maintained a historically worked out position on guerrilla warfare, a position refined by thinkers following Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky. Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Russian Revolution, explained this in his famous pamphlet, Guerrilla Warfare, which was written in September 1906 following the failure of the 1905 revolution. This was a time when the Tsarist regime had banned all forms of political and democratic struggle. Lenin emphasised that Marxism does not reject any form of struggle out of principle, nor does it limit itself to the existing or possible forms of struggle / Image: public domain Lenin emphasised that Marxism does not reject any form of struggle out of principle, nor does it limit itself to the existing or possible forms of struggle. Instead, Marxism learns from the experiences of the masses rather than imposing the views of any great theorist onto society. Moreover, Lenin argued that Marxism takes a historical approach. He explained that methods of struggle depend on political, national, cultural, and material conditions. The selection of a tactic must align with these circumstances. Deciding on the validity of a form of struggle in advance, without a detailed analysis, contradicts dialectical materialism. If we examine Baloch society through this lens, several critical questions arise. What are the political, social, and economic conditions in Balochistan? What are the causes, manifestations, and forms of armed struggle? When did this tactic emerge, and how widespread is it? What role is it playing in the overall direction of the Baloch movement? How does it relate to the working class and the overall situation? Before answering these questions, we consider it necessary to present the position of another key leader of the Bolshevik Revolution, Leon Trotsky. In his 1909 article, Why Do Marxists Oppose Individual Terrorism? Trotsky writes: A terrorist attempt, whether successful or not, depends on concrete political conditions to determine whether it will cause trouble for the ruling class. But whatever the conditions may be, this trouble is only temporary; the capitalist state does not depend on individual government ministers, nor does it cease to exist with their elimination. The classes that this state serves will always find new representatives; the system will persist and continue to function. He continues: We oppose individual terrorism because individual revenge does not satisfy us. The account we have to settle with the capitalist system is so vast that it cannot be balanced by the removal of a single government officialcalled a minister or otherwise. To witness all the crimes committed against humanity, to see all the humiliation inflicted upon the human body and soul, to understand this as an expression of the present society, and to channel all our energies into the struggle against this systemthis is the path where the flames of vengeance can find their highest fulfillment. Comparing organised mass struggle with armed struggle, Trotsky states: In our view, there is no place for individual terrorism because it diminishes the role of the masses in their own consciousness, makes them feel weak, and directs their hopes toward a great messiah who will one day rescue them from their suffering and fulfill their cause. Anarchists advocating for propaganda of the deed can present countless arguments about the powerful impact of terrorism on the people. However, theoretical reflection and political experience present a contrary reality. The more effective an act of terrorism is, the less interest the masses will have in their own education and organisation. As soon as the atmosphere of crisis fades, life resumes its usual course, the wheel of capitalist exploitation begins to turn again, and only police repression becomes more brutal. As a result, instead of hope and artificially induced excitement, apathy and deadened spirits take their place. Guerrilla warfare and the current mass movements We have already touched on the mass movements that have erupted in Balochistan over the past six years. However, addressing all the questions these movements pose would require an exceedingly lengthy article. Nevertheless, we can advance the conversation by simply noting that several movements are currently active in Balochistan. Among them, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Baloch Solidarity Committee) stands out as a remarkable mass movement against national oppression. We have also recently seen workers from public institutions signal their intention to launch a large-scale movement for their own demands. In order to work out tactics, it is crucial for communists to analyse the economic, political, and social conditions of society and assess the current situation in Balochistan. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Baloch Solidarity Committee) stands out as a remarkable mass movement against national oppression / Image: Baloch Yakjehti Committee, Twitter Is state repression at a level where mass struggle for democratic, political, and economic rights has become impossible? The second question is: is the state in a position to conduct large-scale military operations similar to those carried out a decade ago? The intent behind raising these questions is not to suggest that national oppression in Balochistan will decrease on the contrary, it may intensify. However, answering these two critical questions is essential in shaping our perspective on the current situation. The answer to the first question should serve as a moment of reflection, not only for guerrilla fighters but also for those intellectuals who were previously pessimistic and believed that there was no possibility of mass struggle in Baloch society outside of armed resistance by small groups. The ongoing movement in Balochistan answers this question directly and serves as an inspiring example of mass mobilisation alongside the massive movements led by women across Pakistan and the world. A separate discussion could be dedicated to understanding why this movement has, by circumstance, come under the leadership of women. As for the second question, Pakistan including Balochistan and the world at large are undergoing unprecedented transformations. These changes are deeply affecting the Pakistani state, which is plagued with both external and internal crises. Large-scale military operations in Balochistan no longer serve their purpose for the state. Rather, they have provoked more hatred and revolt among the masses, which has fed recruitment into the guerilla groups, as well as growing fractures within the Pakistani state. As communists, we have always opposed the Pakistani states military operations, and we will continue to do so. Additionally, it is important to highlight that a mass movement against state repression is currently active in Baloch society. The weakening of the Pakistani military and the state in Balochistan is largely a result of this vibrant movement of the Baloch people. It is the largest political mobilisation in Baloch societys history, and it has inflicted both a moral and political defeat to the state as well as significantly lowering the morale of the Pakistani military. For these reasons, the BYC, along with the broader political mobilisation in Baloch society, poses a serious threat to the state. In this regard, we urge Baloch youth to strengthen this movement further. Due to state repression, the patience of Baloch society has reached its breaking point, as demonstrated by the remarkable mass movements and protests over the past year and a half. Previously, the families of those kidnapped by the state would remain silent due to the fear of further repression. Now, as soon as an enforced disappearance occurs, major highways are blocked indefinitely in protest. Given this context, the likelihood of the Pakistani state launching large-scale military operations seems limited. But they cannot be entirely ruled out. A weakening state may resort to even greater brutality. After all, Balochistan has faced continuous military operations for the past two and a half decades, and intensified state repression has always been a consequence of armed struggle. Political activists, in particular, have borne the brunt of these brutal operations. Additionally, Baloch students studying in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may face even more severe consequences. Nonetheless, it is crucial to emphasise that the ultimate responsibility for these operations and state repression lies with Pakistans capitalist state, which carries out these actions in the interests of both domestic and global capitalists. The people of Balochistan are currently engaged in a powerful and dynamic mass struggle against national oppression. At the same time, the working class across Balochistan and the entire country is beginning to rise. Huge mass movements are also ongoing in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As communists, our focus and support must be directed toward these mass movements, which are actively fighting in the present moment. The limitations of armed struggle are evident, as this approach has been tested for the past 78 years without yielding any significant results. The need of the hour is to connect these movements so that a decisive struggle can begin against the system of oppression, repression, and exploitation. Mass movements and the crisis of leadership In his Transitional Programme, Leon Trotsky aptly stated, The historical crisis of mankind is reduced to the crisis of the revolutionary leadership. While the masses possess both the desire and capacity for struggle, the absence of the proper leadership needed for revolutionary change ultimately causes their efforts to dissipate. If equipped with a leadership that is correct, revolutionary, and genuinely committed to addressing the issues of the masses, the movement has strong foundations for eliminating all forms of oppression. This insight remains true today, particularly in the context of ongoing mass movements worldwide which lack revolutionary leadership. Due to the complexity of this discussion, we will focus briefly on the leadership of the ongoing mass movement in Baloch society, which has faced significant criticism and scrutiny. In Balochistan, there is, on one hand, a wave of adventurism in the form of guerrilla warfare, fueled by a long history of immense sacrifices and genuine aspirations for freedom. On the other hand, we see the height of opportunism manifested in collaboration with the state and in parliamentary politics. In contrast to these two extremes, the BYC represents a mass movement. However, the leadership of this movement lacks a clear, programmatic line to guide the Baloch struggle forward. No other mass movement in Baloch society has ever achieved such a wide-reaching mobilisation / Image: Baloch Yakjehti Committee, Twitter While the movement is fundamentally based on human and democratic rights and has, for the first time in Baloch history, successfully mobilised and connected Baloch populations across Balochistan and the country, it faces significant challenges. In this, the movement organised by the BYC has achieved great success. No other mass movement in Baloch society has ever achieved such a wide-reaching mobilisation. However, the movements leadership has failed to adequately reflect the true sentiments of the masses. Although the movement aims to achieve national liberation through mass struggle against national oppression, it has yet to clearly articulate how this liberation will be achieved or by what means. These crucial questions remain unanswered. Due to the absence of a clear programme, a small number of the movements young vanguard have begun to join the ranks of Baloch armed freedom fighters. This has been particularly evident in the increased participation of youth joining the Majeed Brigade (an elite wing of BLA) after 2020. Meanwhile, the movement continues to be further restricted by a narrow nationalist ideology, which limits the struggle against Baloch oppression solely to the Baloch people an indication of narrow-mindedness. Balochistan cannot be liberated except through the combined efforts of all the oppressed peoples of Pakistan to overthrow the exploiting capitalist class and its oppressive state. The idea of appealing to other oppressed nationalities and the working class across Pakistan is often considered offensive. However, at the same time, there is talk of seeking intervention from imperialist institutions such as the United Nations, imperialist states, and NGOs. In reality, appealing to these imperialist institutions, states, and NGOs is a blatant insult to the mass movement itself. It is a grave and regrettable act that isolates the movement from other oppressed nationalities and exploited classes across Pakistan. The disgraceful role of these imperialist institutions, states, and NGOs is evident worldwide what have they done for Palestine, for instance? Can guerrilla warfare be anti-imperialist in today's era? From a Marxist perspective, the nature of guerrilla warfare and its anti-imperialist character depend on specific historical, social, and economic conditions. Not every armed struggle can be classified as anti-imperialist: it is essential to examine its background, leadership, class foundations, and political objectives. In Marxist terms, an anti-imperialist struggle is one that directly opposes the global capitalist system, colonial or semi-colonial exploitation, and multinational monopolies. If a guerrilla war is genuinely directed against these forces, it can be considered anti-imperialist. Revolutionary leader Lenin described imperialism as the highest and final stage of capitalism, where capitalist states subjugate other nations through economic, political, and military means. Therefore, the goal of an anti-imperialist struggle cannot only be national liberation, as even formally independent countries remain dominated by imperialist powers. It must also fight for the elimination of capitalist exploitation. To determine whether the Baloch armed guerrilla struggle is anti-imperialist, we must analyse it in its class, national, and international context. No political or guerrilla struggle can be automatically labeled as anti-imperialist unless its leadership, ideology, and objectives are explicit. There is no doubt that Pakistan operates as a link in the imperialist chain and that Chinese imperialist investments are deeply embedded within it / Image: , Wikimedia Commons The Baloch armed fighters are primarily nationalists advocating for Baloch national liberation. Although there has been a shift in leadership from tribal chiefs and feudals to middle-class nationalists their goals remain limited to the secession of Balochistan, without any mention of a socialist alternative. Baloch armed fighters often label the Pakistani state as an imperialist power and consider their struggle against it to be an anti-imperialist war. However, from a Marxist standpoint, the issue is more complex. There is no doubt that Pakistan operates as a link in the imperialist chain and that Chinese imperialist investments are deeply embedded within it. Baloch armed fighters also oppose Chinese investments, but their opposition primarily stems from Pakistans occupation of Balochistan, as these investments benefit the Pakistani state and are thus seen as undermining Baloch self-determination. The key question is: if an independent Balochistan were to be established under their leadership, would they still oppose Chinese investments? Furthermore, achieving independence from one imperialist state requires opposition to global capitalism, other imperialist powers, and imperialism as a whole in order to define the true purpose of the movement. However, Baloch armed fighters lack this approach not only are they not directly struggling against global imperialist capitalism, but they also lack a theoretical and political programme for this. During the existence of the Soviet Union, national liberation struggles whether in the form of guerrilla warfare or mass movements where they sought to emulate the model that existed in the Soviet Union, were often infused with strong anti-imperialist elements. These movements also often received material and political support from the Soviet Union, although under the Stalinist bureaucracy, this material aid was limited to where it corresponded to the narrow national interests of that bureaucracy. If guerrilla warfare at that time could rarely sustain itself without the backing of another state, a similar question must be raised today about the Baloch guerrilla war and other armed struggles, where that aid can only be forthcoming from other capitalist states. For instance, the Kurdish armed movement, centered around the national question, currently depends on material support from U.S. imperialism. These are critical questions that conscious and sincere political activists must strive to understand. No national liberation is possible if throwing off the yoke of one imperialist master means bending beneath the yoke of another imperialist master. In Balochistan, where the struggle of U.S. imperialism against Chinese imperialism is overlaid on the struggle of the Baloch people against the oppression of the Pakistani state, a position of class independence from all these reactionary gangs is vital. What do communists want? As communists, we seek to eliminate all forms of oppression class, national, religious, gender-based, fundamentalism as well as enforced disappearances, mutilation of dead bodies of abducted people, terrorism, and other crimes. This goal can be achieved by nothing less than the dismantling of the exploitative capitalist system based on private ownership, which reinforces national oppression. The abolition of capitalism would automatically end plunder and imperialist struggles for the division of resources. Additionally, we aim to dismantle Pakistans capitalist state, including its judiciary, police, military, paramilitary forces, and other institutions that uphold this system. Simultaneously, we strive to eradicate poverty, deprivation, lack of healthcare, unemployment, illiteracy, and backwardness. Our struggle is international in scope, addressing fundamental democratic, economic and political issues not only in Pakistan but across the globe. Our objective is to connect the fight against national oppression in Balochistan with the broader global struggle against capitalism and imperialism, with the ultimate goal of abolishing this inhumane system altogether. Why is socialist revolution the path to liberation? The conclusion of this entire discussion is that, in order to eliminate a disease, the first step is to correctly diagnose it. Only with an accurate diagnosis can we find the right treatment. Capitalism has become a pandemic, and a cure is impossible without a socialist revolution. If we succeed in carrying out a socialist revolution, we will eradicate all the crimes associated with capitalism. At present, capitalism has reached a point where lasting reforms are no longer possible, and instead, counter-reforms dominate. The worlds leading imperialist power, the United States, under Trumps leadership, has adopted protectionist policies, which clearly demonstrate the decline of the system. If a movement today achieved national independence while remaining within the capitalist framework, it would remain trapped within the global imperialist system. Today, they may be oppressed by one imperialist power, but tomorrow they will fall under the dominance of another true freedom would remain elusive. Resolving fundamental democratic issues, including the national question, is inherently tied to socialist revolution / Image: Baloch Yakjehti Committee, Twitter Marxists understand that the productive forces have reached a stage where private ownership and the nation-state have become obstacles to their further development. If these obstacles are not removed, capitalism will eventually destroy the very forces it has created, as we can already see in its wars, environmental catastrophes, and global economic crises. The only solution is the establishment of a socialist planned economy and a global socialist system, where production is organised for collective welfare rather than private profit. The so-called Third World has historically been oppressed and exploited by the advanced capitalist countries. Due to the backwardness of capitalism in these regions, even the most basic issues cannot be resolved without a revolutionary solution. Resolving fundamental democratic issues, including the national question, is inherently tied to socialist revolution. For this reason, in our writings, speeches, and discussions, we identify capitalism as the root of all these problems. We firmly believe that national and democratic movements must align their struggle with the cause of socialist revolution. Communists, of course, support the legitimate national aspirations of the Baloch people, but we point out that these can only be achieved in the struggle for a voluntary socialist federation of all the peoples of Pakistan and the whole region. As we mentioned earlier, accurate diagnosis is the key to correct treatment. Similarly, the resolution of national oppression including the Baloch national question and others around the world can no longer be found within nationalist ideologies. Trotsky once said that the nationalism of oppressed peoples can be the outer shell of an immature Bolshevism. The nationalism of the exploited Baloch people undoubtedly represents a rebellion against their national humiliation and exploitation. But in order to find a path towards liberation from this oppression, it is necessary for the advanced workers and youth of Balochistan to break through the shell of nationalism and understand that their freedom is connected to the struggle of the working class, across Pakistan and the world, to end capitalism. Any movement that remains circumscribed within the limited shell of nationalism must inevitably lean toward right-wing politics rather than the left, making them incapable of standing against imperialism. Nationalism for the Baloch people today presents two extreme paths one of adventurism and the other of opportunism. There is no third path available unless the limits of nationalism are overcome and the struggle for national liberation takes its place as part of the general struggle for socialism. The great revolutionary teacher, Friedrich Engels, once said: Bourgeois society stands at the crossroads, either transition to socialism or regression into barbarism. Workers of the World, Unite! Flash China has decided to impose sanctions on some United States lawmakers, government officials and heads of NGOs for their egregious actions on issues related to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday. The move is in response to Washington's abuse of illegal and unilateral sanctions on officials representing the central government in Hong Kong and officials of the SAR government, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular news conference in Beijing. On March 31, the US Department of State announced its sanctions against six Chinese officials for allegedly "undermining Hong Kong's autonomy". The sanctions block any transactions on property, funds or deals within the US made by these individuals. "The US' unilateral sanctions gravely interfere in China's internal affairs, including Hong Kong affairs, and violate the principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations. China strongly condemns this despicable move," Guo said. According to the spokesman, China's decision was made in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, which was passed in 2021 to counter foreign sanctions. It gives China legal support and guarantee to counter discriminatory measures by a foreign country in accordance with the law. Guo reminded the US that Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong, and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs, which "brook no US interference". "Any wrong action taken by the US on Hong Kong-related issues will be met with a resolute response and reciprocal countermeasures by China," he said. The Second World War is one of the most mythologised events in history. In the West, we are led to believe that Winston Churchill and Roosevelt single-handedly led the Allies in a struggle for democracy against the fascist totalitarianism of Nazi Germany. But whats the real story of WWII, the one they dont teach you at school? We welcome Marxist theorist, revolutionary and historian Alan Woods onto the Spectre of Communism to talk about the war, which in the last analysis came down to single combat between Nazi Germany, with all the productive forces of Europe behind it, and the might of the USSR and its planned economy. Thankfully for all of humanity, the latter emerged victorious. The fact that Soviet Russia was chiefly responsible for Hitlers defeat is often buried in the official histories. So too is the fact that the European imperialists (Churchill and the British ruling especially) not only allowed Hitler to run roughshod over Europe for years (indeed, many of the British elite were sympathetic with fascism), but hoped for the collapse of the USSR, whose communism they feared more the Nazis. Alan dispels all the lies and historical mythology surrounding WWII, and explains why even today it is invoked by the imperialist politicians to puff themselves up on past glories, even as they blunder from one disaster to another on the world stage. The latest issue of the In Defence of Marxism theoretical magazine is out now, and is focused on the Second World War. Alongside articles about the betrayed revolutionary struggles in Italy and the France; an analysis from Marxist theorist Ted Grant in 1945 about the changed balance of world relations; and an investigation into postwar Italian neorealist cinema, the issue opens with an editorial by Alan Woods which offers some more detail about the topic of this podcast episode. Buy your copy of IDoM issue 49: 1945: Liberation, Revolution and Betrayal HERE Read Alans editorial online here Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty arrived in Riyadh this April 21 to spearhead a new round of diplomatic talks with Saudi Arabia, signalling a determined effort by both nations to fortify strategic ties. His visit comes at a critical juncture for the region, with mounting tensions in Gaza prompting a flurry of high-level engagements among key Arab players. Upon arrival, Abdelatty was received by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji, highlighting the importance both countries place on fostering bilateral relations through direct engagement. A central element of Abdelattys agenda is the Egyptian-Saudi Political Follow-up and Consultation Committee, a diplomatic mechanism designed to synchronise foreign policy approaches between Cairo and Riyadh. The discussions are expected to address not only regional security concerns but also avenues for enhanced cooperation in economic and defence matters. This dialogue reflects a shared desire to present a united Arab front in responding to regional flashpoints, particularly as both countries seek to shape outcomes in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Beyond the immediate Gaza crisis, Egypts outreach to Gulf allies underscores a broader diplomatic initiative to stabilise the Middle East through collaboration and negotiation. The Riyadh talks serve as a platform for Egypt to engage with Saudi officials on a wider array of pressing issues, including the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Palestinian territories and rising tensions in the West Bank. Abdelattys visit represents Cairos continuing role as a key mediator in the region, as well as its ambition to deepen alliances that could influence peace efforts and bolster regional resilience. Moroccos state-owned phosphate giant OCP Group is moving forward with plans to potentially open its newly formed fertilizer subsidiary Nutricrops to private investors, raising concerns about national sovereignty and strategic control of the countrys most valuable resource. Nutricrops, officially launched on April 2, 2024, holds an estimated $3 billion in assets and is projected to generate approximately $3.1 billion in revenue. The subsidiary now controls all of OCPs fertilizer operations, including three wholly-owned fertilizer plants and stakes in two joint ventures with Koch Ag & Energy Solutions and local institutional investors. According to Bloomberg, OCP aims to raise between $5-7 billion by 2027 through bond sales and potentially listing Nutricrops on the stock market. The group cites the need to finance $13 billion in investments over the next three years, primarily for carbon-neutral initiatives and reducing dependence on imported ammonia. OCP plans to produce one million tons of green ammonia by 2028, expanding to three million tons by 2032. Critics, however, question the economic rationale and strategic implications of privatizing such a critical national asset. A key concern involves Nutricrops business model, which currently benefits from below-market prices for raw phosphate supplied by its parent company. Analysts point out that this arrangement either means private investors would benefit from state-subsidized inputs at public expense, or the companys valuation is artificially inflated. Introducing Nutricrops to the stock market means offering private interests subsidized access to a national resource. It risks creating an illusion of competitiveness based entirely on preferential pricing imposed by OCP, noted one financial analyst. Beyond economic considerations, privatization raises sovereignty concerns. As Morocco positions itself as a key player in global food security, particularly for Africa, critics argue that ceding control of the fertilizer value chain to market forces could undermine the countrys geoeconomic leverage and expose a strategic sector to short-term market pressures. The debate continues as OCP balances financing needs against maintaining sovereign control over Moroccos most strategically valuable industry. A joint investigation by the FRANCE 24 Observers team has revealed how European-made weapons have made their way to Sudans battlefields despite EU arms embargoes through deals involving Emirati firms with a history of arms diversion. Central to the investigation is International Golden Group (IGG), a UAE-based defense contractor, now owned by state-funded conglomerate Edge Group. IGG was linked to a 50 million Bulgarian mortar bomb shipment in 2020, officially intended for the Emirati army but suspected of re-export to Sudans Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia accused of bombing civilians. Bulgarian manufacturer Dunarit, which produced the bombs, and intermediary ARM-BG Ltd., a small company with sudden financial spikes, did not respond to inquiries. Meanwhile, IGG continues to secure major contracts, including a 178 million ammunition deal at the 2025 IDEX arms fair. This is significant because while the IGC previously claimed that the weapons it obtained will be used by the Emirati army, they were later exported to Libya, as documented by the UN Panel of Experts on Libya. Despite IGGs controversial record, major European defense firms including Frances Safran, Thales, and KNDS France maintain partnerships with it and Edge Group. French-made self-defense systems have even been spotted on RSF-used vehicles, according to Amnesty International. Critics, including Tony Fortin of the France-based Arms Observatory, warn that such collaborations risk enabling the UAEs opaque re-export practices. While companies claim compliance with legal export licenses, the investigation highlights the troubling lack of oversight as European weapons appear in war zones under embargo. 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 Adolescents who sleep for longerand from an earlier bedtimethan their peers tend to have improved brain function and perform better at cognitive tests, researchers from the UK and China have shown. But the study of adolescents in the US also showed that even those with better sleeping habits were not reaching the amount of sleep recommended for their age group. Sleep plays an important role in helping our bodies function. It is thought that while we are asleep, toxins that have built up in our brains are cleared out, and brain connections are consolidated and pruned, enhancing memory, learning, and problem-solving skills. Sleep has also been shown to boost our immune systems and improve our mental health. During adolescence, our sleep patterns change. We tend to start going to bed later and sleeping less, which affects our body clocks. All of this coincides with a period of important development in our brain function and cognitive development. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says that the ideal amount of sleep during this period is between eight- and 10-hours' sleep. Professor Barbara Sahakian from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge said, "Regularly getting a good night's sleep is important in helping us function properly, but while we know a lot about sleep in adulthood and later life, we know surprisingly little about sleep in adolescence, even though this is a crucial time in our development. How long do young people sleep for, for example, and what impact does this have on their brain function and cognitive performance?" Studies looking at how much sleep adolescents get usually rely on self-reporting, which can be inaccurate. To get around this, a team led by researchers at Fudan University, Shanghai, and the University of Cambridge turned to data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States. As part of the ABCD Study, more than 3,200 adolescents aged 1112 years old had been given Fitbits, allowing the researchers to look at objective data on their sleep patterns and to compare it against brain scans and results from cognitive tests. The team double-checked their results against two additional groups of 13-14 years old, totaling around 1,190 participants. The results are published today in Cell Reports. The team found that the adolescents could be divided broadly into one of three groups: Group One, accounting for around 39% of participants, slept an average (mean) of 7 hours 10 mins. They tended to go to bed and fall asleep the latest and wake up the earliest. Group Two, accounting for 24% of participants, slept an average of 7 hours 21 mins. They had average levels across all sleep characteristics. Group Three, accounting for 37% of participants, slept an average of 7 hours 25 mins. They tended to go to bed and fall asleep the earliest and had lower heart rates during sleep. Although the researchers found no significant differences in school achievement between the groups, when it came to cognitive tests looking at aspects such as vocabulary, reading, problem solving and focus, Group Three performed better than Group Two, which in turn performed better than Group One. Group Three also had the largest brain volume and best brain functions, with Group One the smallest volume and poorest brain functions. Professor Sahakian said, "Even though the differences in the amount of sleep that each group got was relatively small, at just over a quarter-of-an-hour between the best and worst sleepers, we could still see differences in brain structure and activity and in how well they did at tasks. This drives home to us just how important it is to have a good night's sleep at this important time in life." First author Dr. Qing Ma from Fudan University said, "Although our study can't answer conclusively whether young people have better brain function and perform better at tests because they sleep better, there are a number of studies that would support this idea. For example, research has shown the benefits of sleep on memory, especially on memory consolidation, which is important for learning." The researchers also assessed the participants' heart rates, finding that Group Three had the lowest heart rates across the sleep states and Group One the highest. Lower heart rates are usually a sign of better health, whereas higher rates often accompany poor sleep quality like restless sleep, frequent awakenings and excessive daytime sleepiness. Because the ABCD Study is a longitudinal studythat is, one that follows its participants over timethe team was able to show that the differences in sleep patterns, brain structure and function, and cognitive performance, tended be present two years before and two years after the snapshot that they looked at. Senior author Dr. Wei Cheng from Fudan University added, "Given the importance of sleep, we now need to look at why some children go to bed later and sleep less than others. Is it because of playing videogames or smartphones, for example, or is just that their body clocks do not tell them it's time to sleep until later?" More information: Qing Ma et al, Neural correlates of device-based sleep characteristics in adolescents, Cell Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115565 Journal information: Cell Reports 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: ECG denotes electrocardiogram; HCM, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy negative; and HCM+, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy positive. Credit: NEJM AI, Lampert, 2025. 2025 Massachusetts Medical Society. Mount Sinai researchers studying a type of heart disease known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have calibrated an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to quickly and more specifically identify patients with the condition and flag them as high risk for greater attention during doctor's appointments. The algorithm, known as Viz HCM, had previously been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the detection of HCM on an electrocardiogram (ECG). The Mount Sinai study, published in the journal NEJM AI, assigns numeric probabilities to the algorithm's findings. For example, while the algorithm might previously have said "flagged as suspected HCM" or "high risk of HCM," the Mount Sinai study allows for interpretations such as "You have about a 60% chance of having HCM," says corresponding author Joshua Lampert, MD, Director of Machine Learning at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital. As a result, patients who have not previously been diagnosed with HCM may be able to get a better understanding of their individual disease risk, leading to a faster and more individualized evaluation, along with treatment to potentially prevent complications such as sudden cardiac death, especially in young patients. "This is an important step forward in translating novel deep-learning algorithms into clinical practice by providing clinicians and patients with more meaningful information. Clinicians can improve their clinical workflows by ensuring the highest-risk patients are identified at the top of their clinical work list using a sorting tool. Patients can be better counseled by receiving more individualized information through model calibration, which improves the interpretability of model classification scores," says Dr. Lampert, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology, and Data-Driven and Digital Medicine) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Whether this local model calibration strategy is universally applicable to other settings remains to be demonstrated. This can transform clinical practice because the approach provides meaningful information in a clinically pragmatic fashion to facilitate patient care." HCM impacts one in 200 people worldwide and is a leading reason for heart transplantation. However, many patients don't know they have the condition until they have symptoms and the disease may already be advanced. The Mount Sinai researchers ran the Viz HCM algorithm on nearly 71,000 patients who had an electrocardiogram between March 7, 2023, and January 18, 2024. The algorithm flagged 1,522 as having a positive alert for HCM. Researchers reviewed the records and imaging data to confirm which patients had a confirmed HCM diagnosis. After reviewing the confirmed diagnoses, researchers applied model calibration to the AI tool to assess whether the calibrated probability of having HCM correlated with the actual likelihood of patients having the disease. They found that the calibrated model did give an accurate estimate of a patient's likelihood of having HCM. Using the model to analyze patients' ECG results could allow cardiologists to prioritize the highest-risk patients to bring them in sooner for an appointment and treatment before symptoms begin or exacerbate. Doctors will be able to explain the individualized risk to each patient, rather than stating vaguely that an AI model flagged them. This may help get new patients engaged and into care to prevent adverse outcomes associated with HCM, such as sudden death or symptoms from the thickened heart muscle obstructing blood flow. "This study provides much-needed granularity to help rethink how we triage, risk-stratify, and counsel patients. In an era of augmented intelligence, we must grow to incorporate novel sophistication in our approach to patient care," says co-senior author Vivek Reddy, MD, Director of Cardiac Arrhythmia Services for the Mount Sinai Health System and the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust Professor of Medicine in Cardiac Electrophysiology. "Using hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as an illustrative use case, we show how we can pragmatically operationalize novel tools even in the setting of less common diseases by sorting AI classifications to triage patients." "This study reflects pragmatic implementation science at its best, demonstrating how we can responsibly and thoughtfully integrate advanced AI tools into real-world clinical workflows," says co-senior author Girish N. Nadkarni, MD, MPH, Chair of the Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Director of the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health, and Irene and Dr. Arthur M. Fishberg Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "It's not just about building a high-performing algorithmit's about making sure it supports clinical decision-making in a way that improves patient outcomes and aligns with how care is actually delivered. This work shows how a calibrated model can help clinicians prioritize the right patients at the right time, and in doing so, help realize the full potential of AI in medicine." The next step is to expand this study and AI calibration for HCM to additional health systems across the country. More information: Joshua Lampert et al, Calibration of ECG-Based Deep-Learning Algorithm Scores for Patients Flagged as High Risk for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, NEJM AI (2025). DOI: 10.1056/AIoa2400421 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 powerful clinical artificial intelligence tool developed by University at Buffalo biomedical informatics researchers has demonstrated remarkable accuracy on all three parts of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (Step exams), according to a paper published in JAMA Network Open. Achieving higher scores on the USMLE than most physicians and all other AI tools so far, Semantic Clinical Artificial Intelligence (SCAI, pronounced "sky") has the potential to become a critical partner for physicians, says lead author Peter L. Elkin, MD, chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB and a physician with UBMD Internal Medicine. Elkin says SCAI is the most accurate clinical AI tool available to date, with the most advanced version scoring 95.2% on Step 3 of the USMLE, while a GPT4 Omni tool scored 90.5% on the same test. "As physicians, we are used to using computers as tools," he explains, "but SCAI is different; it can add to your decision-making and thinking based on its own reasoning." The researchers tested the model against the USMLE, required for licensing physicians nationwide, which assesses the physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills. Any questions with a visual component were eliminated. Elkin explains that most AI tools function by using statistics to find associations in online data that allow them to answer a question. "We call these tools generative artificial intelligence," he says. "Some have postulated that they are just plagiarizing what's on the internet because the answers they give you are what others have written." However, these AI models are now becoming partners in care rather than simple tools for clinicians to utilize in their practice, he says. "But SCAI answers more complex questions and performs more complex semantic reasoning," he says. "We have created knowledge sources that can reason more the way people learn to reason while doing their training in medical school." The team started with a natural language processing software they had previously developed. They added vast amounts of authoritative clinical information gleaned from widely disparate sources, ranging from recent medical literature and clinical guidelines to genomic data, drug information, discharge recommendations, patient safety data and more. Any data that might be biased, such as clinical notes, were not included. 13 million medical facts SCAI contains 13 million medical facts, as well as all the possible interactions between those facts. The team used basic clinical facts known as semantic triples (subject-relation-object, such as "Penicillin treats pneumococcal pneumonia") to create semantic networks. The tool can then represent these semantic networks so that it is possible to draw logical inferences from them. "We have taught large language models how to use semantic reasoning," says Elkin. Other techniques that contributed to SCAI include knowledge graphs that are designed to find new links in medical data as well as previously "hidden" patterns, as well as retrieval-augmented generation, which allows the large language model to access and incorporate information from external knowledge databases before responding to a prompt. This reduces "confabulation," the tendency for AI tools to always respond to a prompt even when it doesn't have enough information to go on. Elkin adds that using formal semantics to inform the large language model provides important context necessary for SCAI to understand and respond more accurately to a particular question. 'It can have a conversation with you' "SCAI is different from other large language models because it can have a conversation with you and, as a human-computer partnership, can add to your decision-making and thinking based on its own reasoning," Elkin says. He concludes, "By adding semantics to large language models, we are providing them with the ability to reason similarly to the way we do when practicing evidence-based medicine." Because it can access such vast amounts of data, SCAI also has the potential to improve patient safety, improve access to care and "democratize specialty care," Elkin says, by making medical information on specialties and subspecialties accessible to primary care providers and even to patients. While the power of SCAI is impressive, Elkin stresses its role will be to augment, not replace, physicians. "Artificial intelligence isn't going to replace doctors," he says, "but a doctor who uses AI may replace a doctor who does not." 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: Basal cell carcinoma has low immunogenicity. Tumor cells express Foxc1 protein (red), which suppresses HLA class I (green) in the tumor cells. Credit: Shawn Demehri, Massachusetts General Hospital Compromised antigen presentation ranks among the top mechanisms that render cancers non-immunogenic (non-responsive to immune-based therapies). Despite harboring the highest tumor mutational burden of all cancers, basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) have low immunogenicity. Loss of human leukocyte antigens class I (HLA-I) components is particularly prevalent in immune-excluded cancers. Tumor antigens are captured and displayed by antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM) on the cell surface by HLA-I, making it possible for CD8+ T cells to eliminate cancer cells. However, cancer cells have developed various means to limit APM and evade immune recognition. Shawn Demehri, MD, Ph.D., a physician-investigator in the Cutaneous Biology Research Center and Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School, is the senior author of a study in Cell Reports, titled "Epigenomic Regulation of Stemness Contributes to the Low Immunogenicity of the Most Mutated Human Cancer." To determine BCC's immune state, Demehri's research team studied a large collection of primary human BCCs compared to squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), which have proven more responsive to immune-based therapies. They discovered that primary BCCs had an immune-excluded phenotype associated with minimal HLA-I expression by cancer cells, even during their early development. The researchers also determined that a stem-like quiescent program that persisted from the tumor's cell of origin suppressed APM genes in BCC cells, and that epigenomic reversal of APM gene suppression enabled BCC immunotherapy. These findings reveal the cell of origin as the dominant determinant of cancer immunogenicity in BCCs and point to a new approach that could improve treatment. Keratinocyte carcinoma, including BCCs and cutaneous SCCs, is the most common cancer with a continuous rise in incidence. SCCs show a 49.3% objective response rate to PD-1 therapy, while metastatic BCC has only a 21% ORR to anti-PD-1 therapy. Organ transplant recipients on systemic immunosuppressants have over 100 times higher risk of SCCs compared to the general population but only a six to 16 times higher risk of BCC, suggesting that BCC may lack immunogenicity. Demehri explains, "To determine BCC's immune state, we studied a large collection of primary human BCCs compared with SCCs. Although T cells were detectable in the stroma surrounding the BCC, significantly fewer CD4+ and CD8+ T cells infiltrated into BCC tumor foci compared with SCCs. A survey of other immune cells found that they were also significantly reduced in BCC compared to SCC. "Single-cell RNA sequencing on BCC and SCC samples collected with similar cell preparation methods showed much smaller immune cell populations in BCC compared to SCC. These findings indicate that primary BCC has an immune-excluded phenotype, which leads to low immunogenicity of BCC compared with 'immune infiltrated' SCC. "Importantly, early BCC with rare T cells in the stroma showed low HLA-I expression, indicating that low APM levels in BCC originate from an intrinsic mechanism integral to its developmental biology. "We also found Foxc1 is a critical suppressor of IRF1 and HLA-I in BCC cells, reminiscent of its function in quiescent hair follicle stem cells. Foxc1 downregulates IRF1 and HLA-I expression by epigenomic mechanisms, which can be reversed to enable BCC immunotherapy." Clinical implications "We demonstrate that topical entinostat treatment upregulates antigen presentation in BCC in vivo," Demehri continues. "As such, combining entinostat with topical and systemic immunotherapy is key to enabling BCC immunotherapy. "To accomplish this, we combined topical entinostat with an FDA-approved topical immunotherapy, imiquimod. The high efficacy of entinostat plus imiquimod in suppressing BCC development indicates that entinostat-induced APM expression in BCC cancer cells synergizes with immune cell activation by imiquimod to eliminate BCC in vivo. "Based on our findings, a first-in-human clinical trial is warranted to investigate the efficacy of this combination therapy for BCC treatment in humans." More information: Tomonori Oka et al, Epigenomic regulation of stemness contributes to the low immunogenicity of the most mutated human cancer, Cell Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115561 Journal information: Cell Reports 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 Three months after Colorado's first-of-its-kind sperm donor regulations went into effect, state lawmakers are weighing whether to unwind some of those requirements amid concerns that the new rules have chilled donations for would-be parents who need them. But the proposal, House Bill 1259, is opposed by the former legislator who sponsored the regulatory law back in 2022, as well as by a coalition of people conceived with donated sperm and eggs. They have accused the bill's supporters of seeking to deregulate a multibillion-dollar industry that, they contend, needs tight oversight. The billwhich also would explicitly enshrine protections for in vitro fertilization, or IVF, in state lawcomes at a time of upheaval and broad anxiety about the state of reproductive health care in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision overturning national abortion protections. It has pit advocatesand one large industry playerwho want to make fertility treatment as accessible as possible against a community of people who say they're living reminders of why regulation is vital. Rep. Meg Froelich, an Englewood Democrat sponsoring the bill with Rep. Kyle Brown, said they "are tremendously sympathetic to donor-conceived people and their challenges and what they're asking, what they wanted in that bill." But, she argued, the industry has reformed and improved, and she was focused on ensuring families have access to donors. The bill passed its first full House vote Thursday over Republican opposition to the IVF provisions. It would not roll back the most significant change from the 2022 lawa prohibition on anonymous sperm and egg donations. The law passed three years ago but went into effect on Jan. 1. Spurred on by concerns about an unregulated industry, missing records and surprisingly extensive webs of half-siblings among donor-conceived people, the law ended such anonymous donations and instituted a licensure system for donation clinics. This year's proposal also would keep the law's cap on how many families could use a single donor's sperm. But HB-1259 would strike a requirement that clinics reach out to donors every three years to update the donors' contact information, and it would loosen rules around educational materials that clinics must provide to donors and families. Those facilities also would not be subject to on-site inspections by state health regulators, and the bill would reduce financial penalties for violating the regulations. Froelich and other supporters of the bill say those changes are necessary and that the 2022 law has made both clinics and donors wary. One clinic representative told lawmakers last month that recent donor applications were down 50%. "We want people to be able to have medical informationif donors do want to connect with recipients, that is all great," said Kristina Shaw from the nonprofit Colorado Fertility Advocates. She has three children conceived with donor gametes, the technical term for sperm or eggs. "But the amount of restrictionsit's really putting unnecessary restrictions around that, unnecessary laws around that," she added. "So you're almost creating a law around how a family should be created." Checkered history But opponents counter that the law has only been in effect since the beginning of the yearnot nearly long enough, they contend, to have already had a negative impact on the industry. Indeed, though one large national sperm bank is backing the bill, three others signed a joint letter saying the regulations haven't negatively impacted them. They said they're all pursuing licensure in the state. "It feels like they're trying to blame (the 2022 law) for things it's not doingand even if it is causing some decrease in donor numbers, I don't think that's a bad thing if it ultimately means better health and happiness for the resulting families," said Sarah Jeffers, a Boulder resident. Jeffers was donor conceived, and she knew there was a chance she had half-siblings somewhere. Then an aunt with a genealogy kick gave Jeffers a DNA test, and she found roughly 30 relativesincluding her biological father. The count has continued to grow as she's checked registry records and genealogy websites. According to a spreadsheet she maintains, Jeffers has at least 42 half-brothers and sisters. Another donor-conceived person, Christina Spencer, told lawmakers that she's battled a neurological illness her entire life and only learned several years ago that she was donor-conceived. Had her biological father not been willing to communicate with her, she said, she'd have no access to her biological history. Jeffers supported the 2022 law creating the regulations, which were the first of their kind in the country. That bill was carried by then-Senate President Steve Fenberg, a Boulder Democrat. Fenberg, who was term-limited and left the legislature last year, has opposed this year's attempt to unwind some of the regulations. He called the bill a "hot mess" and said donor-conceived people hadn't been consulted in its drafting. He and Jeffers argued that the proposal was intended not because of a dire shortfall in donations but to cut regulations to benefit a large clinicCalifornia Cryobank. That company is owned by CooperSurgical, which is formally supporting the bill and did not respond to a message seeking comment. Other local clinics did not respond to interview requests, and neither did the clinics that signed the joint letter expressing lukewarm feelings about this year's bill. Fenberg said donations have dropped for other reasonsprimarily because anonymous donation is no longer possible due to the growth of genealogy services and commercial DNA testing. "They made that claim (about donations dropping) before the bill went into effect. Empirically, you could never have said this bill reduced the amount of donors because it didn't happen yet," Fenberg said. " I think donor participation has been going down steadily because people know that 23andMe exists and there's no such thing as anonymity anymore. It's not that the law changed, but that reality changed." Inclusion of IVF protections Jeffers said she was conflicted about opposing the bill because she supported adding IVF protections into state law. In February 2024, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos created through IVF were children under the law, which not only complicated the fertility treatment but also established a precedent of fetal personhood that has far-reaching implications for reproductive health care more broadly. That ruling had no direct impact on Colorado, but it sparked a nationwide debate about the potential for similar decisions sprouting elsewhere. Colorado has robust abortion-rights laws that would likely not allow a court here to deliver such a ruling. But reproductive health attorney Kyriaki Council told The Denver Post that more explicit language would fully eliminate that possibility. Fenberg accused the bill's sponsors of inserting the IVF provision into the bill to ease its passagebecause, he said, "no Democrat wants to vote against IVF protections." Froelich, who has long worked on reproductive health measures in the Capitol, rejected those critiques as "cynical." She said the bill had been amended to ensure clinics have a plan to keep their records permanently, even if they're sold or go bankrupt. The bill also would now encourage donors and clinics to communicate if a donor or recipient has a "clinically significant" medical issueboth for the donor's own medical awareness and so that donated sperm can be taken out of circulation. More fundamentally, Froelich and other supporters said, the industry has changed and improved. Genetic testing has increased, anonymity is gone and caps on the number of families that can use one donor's gametes are common. What's at risk now, Froelich argued, is prospective families' access to fertility treatment. "I have a much more positive view of the need for donation and the motivation of people who want to donate," she said, "and I have much more zest or vigor for fighting for folks who want to form families. And I fundamentally think that there isn't as much of a need to right the wrongs of 20 and 30 and 40 years ago." 2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels A multi-state study reveals that many high-risk adults diagnosed with influenza (flu) in emergency departments and urgent care centers are not receiving timely antiviral treatment. Researchers found that only slightly more than half of these patients received antiviral prescriptions, and of those, only 80% were filled. This gap in treatment could increase the risk of severe flu complications, particularly for older adults and those with underlying conditions. Published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, the study analyzed prescribing and dispensing patterns of influenza antiviral medications across various demographic groups. Researchers found no significant disparities based on race, ethnicity or socioeconomic vulnerability. However, high-risk adults aged 65 and older were less likely to receive timely prescriptions or receive dispensed medications compared to younger high-risk adults. Patients considered high-risk included those with cardiovascular disease, renal disease, weakened immune systems, or individuals older than the age of 70. For these patients, timely antiviral treatment is critical, as influenza can lead to severe complications beyond the lungs, such as influenza encephalitis, a brain infection that causes inflammation and significant health issues. "Although effective influenza vaccines are available, many adults remain unvaccinated, and breakthrough cases still occur. Fortunately, we have antivirals that can reduce complications," said study co-author Shaun Grannis, M.D., M.S., vice president for data and analytics at Regenstrief Institute. "This can be a serious disease. Being treated quickly is not only important for individual health but also for public health. If someone has respiratory concerns, I strongly encourage them to contact their health care provider as soon as possible." Patients undergoing rapid flu tests in emergency departments and urgent care centers were more likely to be prescribed and dispensed antivirals. Rapid tests provide results in 5 to 10 minutes, allowing providers to confirm a diagnosis and prescribe antivirals within the recommended 48-hour treatment window. Antiviral medications work by attacking flu viruses in the body, similar to how antibiotics fight bacterial infections. However, the effectiveness of antivirals declines if treatment begins more than 48 hours after symptoms appear. Many individuals seek care after this window has closed, making providers hesitant to prescribe antivirals. Additionally, some health care providers worry about drug interactions, particularly in high-risk patients who take multiple medications (polypharmacy). The study analyzed electronic health record (EHR) data from 94 urgent care facilities and 142 emergency departments across five statesCalifornia, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsinthrough the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) VISION Network. Regenstrief Institute investigators have been pioneers in clinical decision support, and based on the study's findings, Dr. Grannis suggests that decision support tools could help reduce barriers to timely treatment. "By integrating clinical decision support into electronic health records, we can guide providers to ensure high-risk patients receive antiviral treatment when it's most effective," he said. More information: Katherine Adams et al, Patterns in prescribing and dispensing of influenza antivirals among adults with influenza presenting to urgent care and emergency department settings, VISION Network, 20232024, Clinical Infectious Diseases (2025). DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaf178 Journal information: Clinical Infectious Diseases This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain New research by the University of Adelaide has found it takes nearly twice as long for women to receive a postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) diagnosis when compared to men. A cross-sectional study of 500 people enrolled in the Australian POTS registry between May 1, 2021, and April 30, 2024, found women waited an average of seven years for a diagnosis, as opposed to 3.8 years for men. The results of the study were published in European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. POTS affects the autonomic nervous system of almost one million Australians, disrupting bodily functions including heart rate and blood pressure, and severely impacts daily life through dizziness, fainting, extreme fatigue, and brain fog. Lead author and member of the University's Australian Dysautonomia and Arrhythmia Research Collaborative (ADARC), Dr. Marie-Claire Seeley said the apparent systemic gender bias was concerning, especially given an increase in cases triggered by COVID-19 infections. "Our research shows that women with POTS consistently report debilitating symptoms and frequently seek help from multiple doctors and emergency departmentsyet their concerns are routinely dismissed, leading to delayed diagnosis and inadequate care," said Dr. Seeley, who is also the CEO of the Australian POTS Foundation. "This disparity suggests that diagnostic delays are more likely attributable to clinician attitudes and responses influenced by biological sex rather than differences in symptom reporting or health-seeking behaviors." The study also found 70% of women with POTS had their symptoms initially dismissed as anxiety or a psychosomatic condition. Women are also 2.6 times more likely than men to be placed on a mental health treatment plan than a chronic health care plan for the condition. "Historically, medical research has predominantly focused on male subjects, with findings often being generalized to women," Dr. Seeley said. "Women's health goes far beyond reproductive issues. "Women are disproportionately affected by autoimmune and chronic conditions, yet their symptoms are too often dismissed as psychosomatic. It's time we shift the narrative and take their health seriously. "We are calling for serious government investment in research, treatments and education into POTS." The socioeconomic toll from POTS is immense, said senior author Dr. Celine Gallagher. "Almost 60% of Australians with POTS have permanently quit their jobs or education, while students with POTS will miss the equivalent of nearly half the academic year due to symptoms," Dr. Gallagher said. "POTS highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policy frameworks, funding pathways, and multidisciplinary care models that put patients first, addressing systemic gender bias head-on. "By addressing these gaps in understanding, we hope to inform clinical management, reduce diagnostic delays and improve health care experiences and outcomes for individuals with POTS." More information: Marie-Claire Seeley et al, Biological sex-dependent differences in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (2025). DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvaf048 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: Exploratory analyses from University of Washington researchers found that participating Girl Scouts who had embodied interactions with nature reported a greater sense of presence. Credit: Pixabay New research from the University of Washington, published in the Journal of Environmental Education, examined whether children's interactions with nature that are embodied, rather than just visual, are associated with being in the moment and feeling connected to something beyond the self. Researchers coded responses from 127 Girl Scouts, ages 811, about a recent meaningful nature experience. A questionnaire then assessed the degree to which participants experienced presence in nature, the study's term for being in the moment. Exploratory analyses found that participants who had embodied interactions reported a greater sense of presence in nature than those who reported only visual interactions. Carly Gray, co-author of the study and doctoral student of psychology at the UW, talked with UW News about the study. Can you explain the difference between embodied and visual interactions with nature? Carly Gray: We think of embodied nature interactions as engaging senses other than just vision. One's whole body is often involved. Whether you're moving or being still, you're experiencing nature through more than just your eyes. A visual nature interaction is one that just uses the sense of visionmaybe watching a bird through a window or looking at the textures in a leaf. To identify visual and embodied interactions in the study, we applied what we call an interaction pattern approach, which is a way of characterizing how humans interact with nature. A relatively abstract interaction pattern could be something like "listening to animals." That interaction pattern could encompass more specific interactions ranging from "hearing your neighbor's dog bark" to "hearing birdsong in a forest." That leads us to the idea of presence. How do you use that term in the context of this study, and how does it tie in with the other ideas you were discussing? CG: We think of presence as a meaningful experience with optimal awareness and some sense of connection beyond the selfwhether that's the natural environment that one is in, some higher power, other people you're with, or something else. It's frankly difficult to put into words, which I think speaks to some of the power of what these experiences can feel like. In this study, we were looking specifically at presence in nature. How did you then quantify this information? CG: We developed questions based on existing measures and created some questions of our own. We used these questions to ask the Girl Scouts about their experience of presence in nature during the experiences they had just written about. We asked the Girl Scouts to write about a meaningful nature experience and tell us where they were, what they were doing and why the experience was meaningful. We combed through these written narratives to identify interaction patterns and developed a coding manual to describe how to do this in a standardized way. After reading through half of these nature experiences, we looked at the interaction patterns and noticed that a lot of them were relying on vision. Primarily, we noticed a lot of verbs like seeing, watching, looking, staring. For example, a visual nature interaction would be "looking at a tall tree." We wanted to know what might be different between the Girl Scouts, who reported solely visual experiences, versus more embodied nature experiences. The Girl Scouts who engaged in nature using more action-oriented verbstalking, listening, smelling, feelingengaged in embodied nature interactions. For example, "building a snowman" and "hiking on a trail" came up in a few participants' narratives. We considered these embodied nature interactions. Some of my other favorite examples were "talking to chickens," "jumping in puddles," and "throwing snowballs." Based on their interaction patterns, some Girl Scouts were categorized as having only had visual experiences. If a Girl Scout wrote about at least one interaction that used a non-visual verb, they were categorized as having had an embodied experience. We compared these two groups, embodied and only visual, based on their numeric scores on our measure of presence in nature and found that the Girl Scouts who reported embodied nature interactions also reported a stronger sense of presence in nature. What are some potential practical implications of this research? CG: I think this is a promising first step into understanding what it might mean to have a meaningful experience in nature, especially among young children. In this paper, we wrote specifically about applications to environmental education. For example, children can be encouraged to smell nature by finding nature items that smell good to them, like pinecones or flowers, and bringing those back to the classroom for an age-appropriate ecology lesson. A writing lesson could begin with students listening to nature with their eyes closed and then writing a creative short story about what they imagined they heard. We expect these embodied educational activities might foster a greater connection to nature and a sense of meaning through experiences of presence in nature. We conducted this study with 8-to-11-year-old Girl Scouts, but I think it could have implications for educating young people of all ages. In my teaching, I'm a big fan of getting whole bodies involved in the learning process. So, I think this idea of embodied versus visual interactions with nature could be applied all the way from preschoolers through to college students. Embodied nature interactions don't need to be limited to educational settings, either. This idea of embodied versus visual nature interactions can be a helpful framework for parents and families to think about meaningful ways to spend time interacting with nature with their children. This Earth Day, consider how you can go beyond looking at spring flowers to engage with nature in more fully embodied ways. More information: Carly E. Gray et al, The importance of (not just visual) interaction with nature: A study with the Girl Scouts, The Journal of Environmental Education (2025). DOI: 10.1080/00958964.2024.2436166 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 Middle-aged Americans have demonstrated some of the highest levels of loneliness in a new study assessing tens of thousands of 50-to-90-year-olds across 29 countries. The research, published in Aging & Mental Health, shows that loneliness generally increases with agewith only the United States and the Netherlands representing places where middle-aged people feel more lonely than older generations. "There is a general perception that people get lonelier as they age, but the opposite is actually true in the U.S. where middle-aged people are lonelier than older generations," says lead author Robin Richardson, Ph.D., a social and psychiatric epidemiologist and assistant professor at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. "Advocacy and interventions to address the loneliness epidemic have historically focused on older adults and adolescents. Middle-aged adults represent a critical population that is being overlooked." Loneliness is a significant public health concern, responsible for a wide range of physiological, cognitive, mental and behavioral health outcomes that decrease quality of life and increase the risk of disease. Using data from 64,324 older adults in countries across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, Richardson collaborated with experts from Columbia University; McGill University in Canada; and Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile. They investigated the prevalence of loneliness linked with demographic and health factors, to investigate factors that contribute to loneliness throughout life. The team found that while loneliness generally increased with age, the size of the increase was greater in some countries than others. Adults in Bulgaria and Latvia reported the most substantial increase in loneliness as people age. They found that adults in Cyprus and Greece had the highest prevalence of loneliness among adults aged 5090 years. The U.S. had a substantially higher prevalence of loneliness among middle-aged adults, a pattern shared with only one other country, the Netherlands. Why are middle-aged people reporting higher loneliness levels? Being unmarried, not working, depression and poor health were major reasons why loneliness varied with age, but the importance of these contributors and the combination of factors were different in each country. For example, in the U.S., not working was the top reason for a higher amount of loneliness among middle-aged adults, while in other countries it resulted in more loneliness among older adults. Approximately one-fifth of loneliness contributors remained unexplained across countries, and this unexplained 20% was concentrated among middle-aged adults. The authors suggest this could be due to the unique social circumstances middle-aged adults face, such as highly constrained leisure time to socialize due to competing work, childcare, and aging parents' caregiving demands. Middle-aged adults have unique experiences that may differ substantially from other age groups and may contribute to loneliness. The United States has less robust social safety nets than many of the other study countries and is exceptional in its high cost of care, which may make middle-aged adults especially vulnerable to loneliness, the authors say. What can be done to mitigate loneliness? "Our work shows that loneliness varies remarkably across country and age, and accordingly loneliness is not an immutable consequence of age or environment. This finding suggests that loneliness may be very sensitive to changes to life circumstances," says Richardson. "Our findings show that loneliness is not just a late-life issue," adds senior author Dr. Esteban Calvo, Dean of Social Sciences and Arts at Universidad Mayor in Chile. "In fact, many middle-aged adultsoften juggling work, caregiving, and isolationare surprisingly vulnerable and need targeted interventions just as much as older adults. Globally, we must extend depression screenings to middle-aged groups, improve support for those not working or unmarried, and adapt these efforts to each country's contextbecause a one-size-fits-all approach will not solve this worldwide problem." Given that loneliness varies across location and life circumstances, health policies and social programs to reduce loneliness should first confirm which age groups are at highest risk of loneliness in a particular setting, the authors add. Limitations of the research include a low response rate among people from some countries. Additionally, the disclosure of sensitive health conditions such as loneliness and depression may have been underreported in some countries. However, to mitigate this, data was harmonized to enable the same loneliness measurement approach, analysis, and variables across countries. More information: Contributors to age inequalities in loneliness among older adults: a decomposition analysis of 29 countries, Aging & Mental Health (2025). DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2025.2473634 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Research led by Newcastle University, working with colleagues at Northumbria and Durham universities, found that health care provision in police custody is frequently denied to detainees as not enough nurses and other health care providers (HCPs) are available to cover custody suites, or practices are followed that prevent medications being issued. It also found that there was a postcode lottery in terms of which medications HCPs were able to provide to detainees. This frequently leads to different levels of care being provided across police force areas. The research also highlighted that custody officers were often skeptical or mistrustful about the legitimacy of detainees' health conditions and their requests for medication. Medications being withheld didn't just include methadone and other opioid replacements, but also prescribed drugs for the treatment of epilepsy, cancer, mental health conditions and insulin for diabetes. Dr. Gethin Rees, senior lecturer in sociology, Newcastle University, said, "Health care provision in police custody at the present time does not meet the standards of 'Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, and Good Quality' adapted from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We have provided recommendations that will assist health care provider companies and the police to meet these minimum standards." The 'Equivalence in Police Custody' report presents the research findings and makes a number of recommendations to improve the standard of health care delivery in police custody. Among the recommendations made, the researchers say that all health care providers should sign up to a standardized medication list and patient group directivea framework that allows health care professionals to administer medicines to patients who meet specific criteria, without the need for a prescription from a doctor. This would avoid divergent standards of care across forces. One person who had lived experience of being detained in police custody without access to health care told the research team: "The health care in there is absolutely hopeless. You get arrested and you're detained for 12 hours and you're in a cell sick because the health care won't help you. They won't give you methadone, let alone phone up the chemist and ask if this guy is on a script and if he is taking his methadone. They don't provide you with anything like that, so they make you suffer in a cell, sweating, being sick, diarrhea, and you just want to end your life." Following changes to the commissioning of health care in police custody in 2008, HCPsmainly nurses and paramedics employed by private companiesbecame located, or embedded, within police custody suites for 12-hour shifts. However, due to challenges in recruiting and retaining staff in post and difficulties caused by HCP staff being on sick leave, there often is not an HCP embedded in a particular custody suite. This has led to HCPs now being required to travel large distances between suites, and frequently reporting exhaustionwhich increases both compassion fatigue and an inability to retain staff. The report recommends that HCPs are properly embedded in all custody suites. Sherry Ralph, chief executive officer, Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA), said, "ICVA welcomes this research and resultant report as an important publication shining a light into health care provision in police custody. Our volunteers and schemes reports echo the findings of the research, specifically pertaining to the availability of health care for those detained in police custody, reflecting varying arrangements across forces being in place, with gaps in coverage leading to sometimes long wait times for detainees to see a health care professional to discuss their needs. "We are delighted to support recommendation one of the report and look forward to working with the researchers and stakeholders to determine next steps to see this integral function of police custody improved." The research team are also calling for custody teams, including HCPs, to adopt professional curiosity when listening to detainees' accounts of their health needs, rather than the current risk-averse approach which often leads to skepticism and distrust. They also recommend that detainees with drug and alcohol dependencies be regarded by custody teams as vulnerable people, and that an appropriate adult is provided to assist the detained person in preparing for the police interview. The "Equivalence in Police Custody" report and animation can be viewed here. More information: Equivalence in Police Custody Healthcare. research.ncl.ac.uk/equivalence -custody-healthcare/ This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain In a research article, researchers have revealed compelling evidence that biological sex significantly influences substance use patterns among individuals with panic disorder, with implications for both clinical assessment and treatment strategies. The study, published in the journal Genomic Psychiatry, examined associations between panic disorder and both alcohol and tobacco use disorders in a demographically diverse sample of nearly 11,000 individuals. The research team, led by Dr. Michele Pato, from Rutgers University, found that while panic disorder generally increased the risk of problematic substance use, men with panic disorder showed dramatically higher alcohol risk scores than women with the same condition. "Our findings demonstrate that sex plays a crucial moderating role in how panic disorder relates to alcohol use problems," said Professor Pato. "While females are generally more likely to experience panic disorder, males with the condition appear particularly more vulnerable to developing problematic drinking behaviors, potentially as a form of self-medication." The study utilized data from the Genomic Psychiatry Cohort, a large-scale collection of individuals screened against severe mental illness. The sample's demographic diversity56% female, with a balanced representation of European (55%) and African (45%) ancestryprovided researchers with a unique opportunity to examine how these demographic factors might influence comorbidity patterns. Contrary to some previous research, the study found no significant ancestry-based differences in substance use patterns among those with panic disorder. This suggests that the relationship between panic and substance use disorders remains consistent across these ancestral groups, despite known differences in overall prevalence rates. Questions for future research What specific neurobiological mechanisms might make males with panic disorder more susceptible to alcohol problems? Could hormonal factors be influencing these sex-based vulnerability patterns? These questions represent important directions for future research. Implications for comorbid conditions The study also found that individuals with both panic disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) faced significantly higher risks for both alcohol and tobacco use disorders. This highlights the compounding effect of multiple anxiety conditions on substance use risk. Clinical significance How might these findings reshape clinical approaches to treating panic disorder? Should clinicians implement more targeted screening for substance use problems, particularly among male patients with panic symptoms? The research suggests that sex-specific assessment and intervention strategies may be warranted. "Understanding these sex-based vulnerability patterns has direct implications for how we screen for and treat comorbid conditions," noted Dr. Michael Chung, lead author and researcher at New York University Langone Medical Center. "Our work highlights the importance of considering biological sex when developing treatment plans for patients with panic disorder." The researchers employed a unique methodology, using screening items to identify "presumed" conditions rather than formal diagnostic assessments. This approach allowed them to examine relationships across a larger and more diverse sample than many previous studies. What role might societal expectations around masculinity play in driving these sex differences? Are men with panic disorder less likely to seek professional help and more likely to self-medicate with substances? These sociocultural factors require further investigation to fully understand the observed patterns. This research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that anxiety and substance use disorders share complex, bidirectional relationships that vary across demographic groups. The findings underscore the need for integrated treatment approaches that address both anxiety symptoms and substance use behaviors simultaneously. More information: Sex differences in alcohol and tobacco use disorders among individuals with panic disorder: A cross-sectional analysis from the genomic psychiatry cohort, Genomic Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.61373/gp025a.0020 Provided by Genomic Press 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: University of Hawaii at Manoa Spearfishing, a traditional practice deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, does more than provide food; it plays an important role in supporting community health. A new study from the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health highlights the physical and cultural benefits of this activity, offering valuable insight into the practice and how it can be used to promote well-being across the islands. Published in PLOS One, the study was led by Lauryn Hansen, a 2023 Master of Public Health graduate and current Grau Fellow with Hawaii Sea Grant, and Catherine Pirkle, professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences. The researchers explored how spearfishing supports physical activity, cultural identity, food security and a strong connection to both nature and community. A cultural tradition in the Pacific Spearfishing in the Pacific is more than a method of catching fishit is a living tradition rooted in Indigenous knowledge and community values. Once commonly practiced during the Hawaiian Kingdom era, it continues today as a physically demanding and culturally significant activity that supports food security and strengthens social bonds. Passed down through generations, spearfishing remains a vital link between people, their heritage and the environment. "Our findings highlight just how widely practiced spearfishing is among Indigenous and rural communities in Hawaii," said Hansen. "Recognizing and supporting activities that celebrate cultural identity allows for public health strategies that align with the values of our communities." Credit: University of Hawaii at Manoa Physical health benefits While spearfishing offers numerous benefits, it remains largely excluded from formal health promotion efforts and public health data collection. The researchers hope to inspire more inclusive strategies that integrate traditional practices as effective tools for supporting health and wellness. Using data from the 2019 and 2020 Hawaii Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, the team found that about 25% of adults in Hawaii (one in four residents) had engaged in spearfishing at some point in their lives. Participation was especially high among men (40% vs. 10% of women), Native Hawaiians (43%), other Pacific Islanders (36%), American Indian or Alaskan Native (32%), Japanese (26.2%), and rural residents of Molokai (43%) and Lanai (51%). All age groups reported similar lifetime engagement. Those who had spearfished were also more likely to meet physical activity guidelines compared to those who had not. "Spearfishing is more than a sport, it's a way of living," said Rodrigo Barbano Weingrill, a researcher at the UH Institute for Biogenesis Research and avid spearfisher. "Especially in Hawaii, where the keiki learn pretty young in their lives, and they take it as more than a hobby, but a way to help their families to bring food home." Barbano Weingrill, who has been spearfishing for 25 years, added that the sport requires strength, endurance and a healthy lifestyle, all of which promote cardiovascular health. The study's findings were presented at the International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress in Paris. Related research from the same collaboration has also highlighted the health benefits of hula and outrigger canoe paddling. By bridging tradition and modern health strategies, the study offers a model for public health programs that are not only effective but also culturally meaningful to the communities they serve. More information: Lauryn Hansen et al, Spearfishing and public health promotion: A cross-sectional analysis of the Hawaii Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, PLOS ONE (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319169 Journal information: PLoS ONE This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain As Republicans in Congress consider cutting the federal share of Medicaid funding, states are weighing numerous options to scale back their programs. But voters in three states have significantly limited those options by enshrining Medicaid expansion in their constitutionscreating a potential budget disaster and a political challenge for the GOP. Over the past several years, voters in conservative Missouri, Oklahoma and South Dakota have amended their state constitutions to require their Medicaid programs to cover all adults below the age of 65 who earn equal to or less than 138% of the federal poverty level ($21,597 for an individual in 2025 ). Those states are among the 40 plus the District of Columbia that expanded Medicaid eligibility under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, with the federal government picking up 90% of the cost. But much of that federal funding could soon vanish. Republicans in Congress are debating several options to achieve $880 billion in Medicaid cuts. One proposal would slash the 90% rate to the lower match rates states get for the traditional Medicaid population, mainly children and their caregivers, people with disabilities and pregnant women. Those percentages range from 50% for the wealthiest states to 77% for the poorest ones. If Congress goes that route, states would have to come up with $626 billion over the next decade to keep the roughly 20 million people in the expansion population on the rolls. Nine states (Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah and Virginia) already have laws on the books that would automatically roll back Medicaid expansion if the federal funds dip. Some states are considering requiring people to work, go to school or volunteer in order to receive Medicaid benefits, a condition that would trim the rolls and save money. But because Missouri, Oklahoma and South Dakota have put Medicaid expansion in their constitutions, they can't easily take those steps. "Legislators cannot change that law without going back to voters for a whole other campaign to change the constitution," said Kelly Hall, the executive director of the Fairness Project, a nonprofit that helped put the constitutional amendments on the ballot in all three states. "Even if the federal government cuts their contribution towards funding Medicaid expansion, those three states do not have the option to reduce eligibility or benefits for the Medicaid expansion population," she told Stateline. "They will have to find those resources." Medicaid is a huge component of state budgets. Including the federal matching money, states spend an average of nearly a third of their budgets on Medicaid. And the program is also the single largest source of federal funds for states. Missourians voted in favor of a constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid in August 2020. When state lawmakers refused to fund the expansion, residents sued the state's Department of Social Services. In 2021, the state Supreme Court ruled that the legislature had to find the resources for Medicaid expansiona huge win for progressives. For 2025, Missouri allotted $18.2 billion for Medicaid, with the federal government covering $12.7 billion of that, or about 70%. If Congress cuts the federal share of Medicaid funding by $880 billion over the next decade, it would leave Missouri with a budget hole of around $1.7 billion next year, according to research from nonprofit group the Commonwealth Fund. That would force the state to come up with some options to avoid fiscal disaster. Timothy McBride, a health policy analyst and co-director of a program at the Institute for Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis, told Stateline that these include raising taxes, cutting enrollment for other Medicaid populations, diminishing reimbursements to providers, getting rid of optional medical services such as dental care or ceasing payments for equipment like wheelchairs. Raising taxes is not a likely or popular choice in Republican-leaning Missouri, McBride noted, while adding that cuts to providers would further endanger struggling hospitals. "We lost 10 hospitals in Missouri in the last few years. And if you start cutting their payment rates, that's going to just put them at risk," McBride said. "The real money is in the disabled and the elderly populations. And so, if you really wanted to quote-unquote, save money, that's probably where you'd have to look. But that's really controversial." The state budgetary implications of a potentially sharp decline in federal Medicaid funding have influenced some prominent opponents of Medicaid expansion to have a change of heart. U.S. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley supported efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act in 2018 when he was Missouri's attorney general. Now, Hawley has said he would refuse to vote for any Medicaid cuts. "I'm not going to vote for Medicaid cuts, benefit cuts. Work requirements are fine. But 21% of the residents in my state receive Medicaid or [the Children's Health Insurance Program]. That's a lot of people," he told reporters on Capitol Hill in February. Republicans in the closely divided U.S. Congress might have trouble pushing through Medicaid cuts if other conservative lawmakers from Missouri, Oklahoma and South Dakota follow Hawley's lead. Oklahoma voters expanded Medicaid via a constitutional amendment in 2020. South Dakota followed suit in 2022. Republicans in all three states want to impose work requirements on able-bodied Medicaid recipients, but doing so would not save enough money to make up for the loss of federal dollars. South Dakota Republican state Rep. Will Mortenson said he respects that voters chose to expand Medicaid, and added that the state has "faithfully" implemented it. But the decision to amend the state constitution "can only be described as a foolish decision," he said in an interview. "A constitution is not meant to be a flexible document that you change annually or even every other year," Mortenson said. "And so now, as we're staring down the barrel of the federal government contemplating changes to Medicaid, including for the expansion population, our state is hamstrung in that we cannot effectively respond to those changes." Mortenson is one of the lead sponsors of a bill that would ask voters to consider a ballot measure in the next general election to amend the constitution again, this time conditioning Medicaid expansion on the level of federal assistance. The measure has passed both chambers of the legislature. But some of the supporters of the original constitutional amendment say they would fight any attempt to change it. Any restrictions, including work requirements, would severely harm working-class people, said Doug Sombke, head of the South Dakota Farmers Union. Sombke told Stateline that most farmers in the state struggle to make ends meet and certainly cannot offer high wages or health care benefits to their workers. "There's just no extra income," Sombke said. "And, in South Dakota, we're a right-to-work state, so you can get fired for any reason. As a worker, you really don't have a lot of choice." Hall, of the Fairness Project, said amending the constitution is the most effective way to expand Medicaid in states where conservative-leaning lawmakers have been reluctant to do so. She said she suspects that voters in other states might pursue the constitutional amendment strategy if their state lawmakers try to roll back expansion. "I do think that it's possible that if we see these cuts move forward in D.C., and states are making highly unpopular choices to cut benefits for people, that we will see this issue back at the ballot box," Hall said. "But for right now, I would say we're seeing the power of constitutional amendments to protect benefits in action in real time." 2025 States Newsroom. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Voters in East Missoula recently got a surprise when they found out that a levy to raise funds for the East Missoula Rural Fire District, which will be on the May 6 special election ballot, will be for quite a bit more than they were originally told. But the 25-year-old volunteer fire chief, Tyler Munoz, said the levy is desperately needed at the all-volunteer station to pay for life-saving equipment, response times, repairs and to hopefully attract more volunteers. He's already putting in 500 unpaid hours a month at the station and says that if the department ceases to exist due to lack of funds, taxpayers could be on the hook for even more money if they have to petition an outside fire department for service. The ballot snafu came down to a simple mix-up of a couple additional words. The East Missoula Rural Fire District is currently levying about $78,000 annually from property owners in the district to pay for its services. The district was hoping to ask voters for roughly an additional $222,000 per year, to get it up to a total of $300,000. On informational postcards sent to voters this spring, and at town halls, people were told that the levy would be raising $222,000 through an increase in property taxes. However, when the sample ballots showed up to give people a look at what they'll be voting for on May 6, the ballot showed that the district was requesting "an additional $300,000," meaning the district would be levying a total of $378,000 annually if the levy passes. Only people living in a small area, in East Missoula, will be voting on the levy or paying for it if it passes. On social media, residents of East Missoula expressed shock and disappointment at the news of the increased levy amount. And Munoz is apologetic. "Originally, we communicated that the proposed levy would be for up to $300,000," said fire chief Tyler Munoz. "However, the language that appears on the ballot reads 'an additional $300,000'. This was not our intention and resulted from an oversight during the language drafting and approval process. We sincerely apologize for any confusion this may have caused." For a home with an assessed value of $200,000, property taxes would increase by $182.46 per year in the first year if the levy passes. Bradley Seaman, the elections administrator for Missoula County, said it's too late to change the ballot. He said the fire district's board of directors approved a resolution with language requesting an additional $300,000, rather than the difference between what the district is currently levying and $300,000 total. "We understand the district may have distributed information that does not match the ballot language," Seaman wrote on the county's website. "Our office researched the possibility of changing the fire district ballot language, but we were unable to make any changes based on the required statutes and timeframes to administer the election. The fire district is an independent jurisdiction over which Missoula County has no direct authority or oversight." Munoz said he wishes the mistake didn't happen, because he'd like to save the voters money. Still, he's hopeful that voters will pass the levy to support the department. "This levy will help us maintain essential services, improve response times, and support our firefighters and staff," Munoz said. "The benefits to public safety, equipment upgrades and service reliability far outweigh the drawbacks. We respectfully ask for your continued support as we work to serve our community as safely and efficiently as possible." Munoz said that since the end of the pandemic, costs for equipment repairs and replacements have risen 300%, while their budget is completely unchanged. None of the department's personnel are paid, except for small payments to the board clerk, and 43% of the $78,000 annual budget is for allocated expenses like truck payments, fuel, and electricity. He said the department is desperately in need of replacing the "jaws of life" with newer, lighter, battery-powered equipment. Right now, the heavy equipment needs to be connected to the truck, meaning it can only reach 10 feet from the truck. And because it's so heavy, it's difficult to extricate people from a wrecked car if it's at an angle or on ice or snow. Munoz said better equipment can shave precious minutes off a rescue, which can often be the difference between life or death. The department is on track to respond to over 500 calls this year, which will be more than the 450 last year. The department, he said, is having difficulties recruiting. Nobody gets paid, and almost everyone has either full-time or part-time jobs, or both, outside of fire duties, but it does provide valuable experience. Munoz believes the levy would actually save taxpayers money in the long run. That's because he said he's asked Missoula County officials how much it would cost for the Missoula Fire Department or the Missoula Rural Fire District to "adopt" East Missoula if the little East Missoula Rural Fire District has to close down. "And the quick number they came up with was roughly in the $600,000 range," Munoz recalled. The only thing he's waiting to hear back on is what would happen to the extra $78,000 per year that the department didn't actually mean to ask for if the levy passes. "In a perfect world, we would just levy the amount we were hoping for, to save taxpayers money on the back end," he said. "I'm worried that if the levy passes, the money gets pulled regardless. I don't know what happens to the extra money if it passes. That's far more of a county side of things." If the levy does pass, the county and the fire district would have to look into how to work out the whole situation. There will be a community meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at the fire hall at 314 Montana Ave. to discuss the situation. The meeting will be livestreamed on Zoom online at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84862832129. Despite the long, unpaid hours outside of his two regular other jobs, Munoz said he hopes the station can continue to exist. Right now, he's living in a side room at the station just because he has to fill so many shifts. "I love the East Missoula community," he said. "It's a really unique environment out here." Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the certificate of registration (CoR) of Aurangabad-based Ajantha Urban Cooperative Bank Maryadit, due to inadequate capital and the lender's poor earnings prospects. RBI has asked Ajantha Urban Cooperative Bank to stop its banking business from 22 April 2025. According to RBI, Ajantha Urban Cooperative 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 Ajantha Urban Cooperative 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, Ajantha Urban Cooperative Bank is prohibited from conducting business, including accepting fresh deposits and repaying them. According to RBI, on liquidation, every depositor of Ajantha Urban Cooperative Bank is entitled to receive a deposit insurance claim amount of his or her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). As per the data submitted by Ajantha Urban Cooperative Bank, 91.55% of the depositors are entitled to receive the full amount of their deposits from DICGC. As of 3 April 2025, DICGC has already paid Rs275.22 crore of the total insured deposits based on the willingness received from the concerned depositors of the Aurangabad-based lender. The Bombay High Court on Tuesday constituted a three-member committee to examine whether airports are adequately equipped with facilities to cater to the needs of senior citizens and persons with disabilities across India, particularly with respect to the unavailability of wheelchairs at airports. The committee will be chaired by retired Justice Goda Raghuram, a former judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, and will also include a senior official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). A Division Bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and Advait M Sethna passed the order constituting the committee. We are constituting a committee. An effective committee. Very, very useful. We dont think there is anything adverse in this. In fact, it is going to be useful for DGCA, the Court said, while addressing Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh, who appeared for the DGCA. Following the pronouncement, the DGCA also agreed that the committees work would be of help. According to the Court's order, the committee will deliberate on the concerns flagged during hearings, consult petitioners, travellers and other stakeholders, and recommend essential norms to enable comfortable travel for senior citizens and wheelchair users. The Court was hearing two petitions, including one filed by an 81-year-old woman and her daughter, who experienced significant distress at the Mumbai International Airport in September 2023 due to inadequate wheelchair assistance. The elderly woman had to give up her wheelchair for her daughter, who suffers from acute arthritis, as only one mobility aid was provided upon arrival. Another petitioner, a 53-year-old man, also flagged similar issues. When the matter was heard on April 21, the Bench expressed deep concern over the lack of proper facilities at airports for senior citizens and specially-abled persons. Nobody should suffer, Justice Kulkarni said. The DGCA, in an affidavit, had cited over-booking as a reason for the shortage of wheelchairs, an explanation the Court firmly rejected. When the matter was again taken up on Tuesday, the High Court made it clear that the committee's role is purely recommendatory and not adversarial in nature and that it is for the DGCA to ultimately consider the committee's recommendations and make an appropriate call as permissible by law. The matter will be heard next on June 30. You may also want to read The central drugs standard control organisation (CDSCO) has directed all drug manufacturers across India to immediately cease the production and sale of 35 fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) that have not received regulatory approval . This crackdown comes amid ongoing concerns about the public health risks posed by the indiscriminate use of certain drug combinations, particularly in antibiotics, analgesics and cough syrups, which have been linked to antibiotic resistance and adverse drug reactions. For coughs and colds, patients often buy some common FDC medications over the counter. It includes dextromethorphan hydrobromide 10mg + phenylephrine hydrochloride 5mg per 5ml (sold under different brand names like Deletus D, Ascoril D and Tousq DX). The FDC of chlorpheniramine maleate 4mg, codeine phosphate 10mg and sodium citrate 75mg is a cough syrup that is sold in the market under some popular names like Corex, Tossex and Planokuf. The combination of ambroxol hydrochloride 20mg, dextromethorphan hydrobromide 10mg and chlorpheniramine maleate 2mg per 5ml is used for the treatment of dry cough. One example of this FDC is Soventus D syrup, which thins mucus in the nose, windpipe and lungs, making it easier to cough out. CDSCO clarified that despite earlier notices and communications, certain manufacturers continue to produce or market unapproved FDCs, either directly or under the guise of deemed approvals. The notice unequivocally states that no FDC can be manufactured or marketed unless it has received prior approval from the central licensing authority (CLA) as required under rule 81 of the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. As per the order, state and Union Territory (UT) drug controllers have been instructed to take stringent action against companies violating these norms. This may include suspension or cancellation of manufacturing licences for products found to be in breach of the law. CDSCO also reminded manufacturers that FDCs not found in the lists cleared by the drugs technical advisory board (DTAB) or those still under review by the subject expert committees (SECs) should not be treated as approved. Companies are further instructed to withdraw such products from the market with immediate effect. The regulator has urged all manufacturers to submit proof of approval for the FDCs they are producing or marketing, failing which enforcement action may follow. The measure is expected to curb the proliferation of irrational drug combinations and ensure only safe, effective formulations reach Indian consumers. The public notice, issued by the drugs controller general of India (DCGI), aims to reinforce compliance with national drug safety standards and prevent the marketing of potentially unsafe or irrational drug combinations, CDSCO says. On Tuesday, 2471 stocks advanced, 1509 declined and 150 remained unchanged on Bombay Stock Exchange with advance decline ratio of 1.63 indicating a positive closing in the broader market. The trend of the major indices on Tuesdays trading is given in the table below. On NSE, 71 securities advanced and closed at a new 52-week high whereas 11 securities sank to close at their new 52-week lows. In sectoral indices, Nifty FMCG, Nifty PSU Bank and Nifty Pharma were among the biggest gainers. Nifty IT, Nifty Infrastructure and Nifty Energy were among the biggest losers. In a move to ease pressure on banks, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) relaxed the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) norms specifically for digital deposits. Effective next fiscal year, the run-off factor for stable retail deposits held digitally will be set at 7.5%, a reduction from the initially proposed 12.5%. Similarly, less stable digital deposits will have a run-off factor of 2.5%, down from the earlier mooted 5%. The RBI anticipates these adjustments will bolster banks' liquidity resilience and free up an estimated Rs2.7-Rs3 lakh crore ($32-$36 billion) in lendable resources. This measure aligns India's digital deposit guidelines with global standards and aims to encourage greater digital adoption in the banking sector. 360 ONE WAM Limited (+6.25%) (formerly IIFL Wealth Management) announced a significant strategic collaboration with UBS AG to offer wealth management solutions to domestic and global clients, focusing on execution services. The board also acknowledged the proposed acquisition of the India wealth business of affiliates of UBS AG. This business includes stock broking services and distribution business, discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management services, and the residual loan portfolio of wealth management clients. As part of this collaboration, 360 ONE WAM will issue 2,05,02,939 warrants on a preferential basis to UBS AG at an exercise price of Rs1,030 per warrant. These warrants, convertible into an equivalent number of fully paid-up equity shares, will have a maximum tenure of 18 months from the date of allotment, subject to shareholder approval. The issue price represents a 14% premium over the 3-day VWAP of 360 ONE WAM's stock as of 17 April 2025. As of 31 December 2024, the active assets under management for this business stood at approximately Rs26,000 crore, with a net consideration for the acquisition being Rs307 crore. India's Rs17,000 crore ($2 billion) production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for IT hardware is attracting major laptop manufacturers seeking to diversify their supply chains away from China. Dell and HP already have significant operations, and others are ramping up or considering investments to capitalize on India's growing local market and export potential. Asus has inaugurated a local manufacturing line, while Syrma SGS (+4.20%) partnered with a Taiwanese firm. Dixon Technologies is also investing heavily in new facilities. This influx is driven by geopolitical tensions and the desire for cost-competitive manufacturing hubs, positioning India as a viable alternative for global laptop production. The PLI scheme aims to create 200,000 direct jobs and generate significant economic value. Poonawalla Fincorp Limited (PFL) (+2.77%), part of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, announced its entry into the consumer durables loan segment with the launch of a digital EMI card. This new business line aims to facilitate easy financing for the purchase of consumer durable products through a fast-growing, high-velocity retail lending strategy, intending to build a deeper and more profitable retail franchise while enhancing customer lifetime value. Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) (+2.03%) announced the completion of its acquisition of a 90.5% shareholding in Uprising Science (Uprising) for a total cash consideration of Rs427.64 crore. Himadri Speciality Chemical (+0.41%) will acquire Elixir Carbo for Rs7.5 crore. This 100% acquisition will allow it to integrate Elixir Carbo's naphthalene and derivative product manufacturing and trading into its existing coal tar distillation business, aiming to extract higher value products. Devyani International (+2.06%), a major quick-service restaurant operator in India, will acquire a majority stake in the popular biryani chain, 'Biryani by Kilo'. This strategic move by Devyani International, which already operates franchises for brands like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee in India, signals its intent to expand its presence in the Indian food delivery market, specifically targeting the popular biryani segment. Coal India (-0.47%) and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) have entered into a significant agreement valued at Rs16,500 crore ($1.98 billion) for the establishment of a 1,600 MW thermal power plant in Jharkhand. This collaboration will involve the development of a pithead thermal power station, utilizing Coal India's resources for fuel supply and DVC's expertise in power generation. LG and Samsung initiated legal action against the Indian government, contesting its new electronic waste pricing policy. The firms argue that the policy, which mandates a minimum payment of Rs22 per kilogram to e-waste recyclers, is excessively high and detrimental to their business operations, potentially undermining environmental objectives. They contend that the government should instead allow market forces to determine e-waste pricing. Adani Group aims to significantly scale its data centre portfolio to 10 gigawatts (GW), pledging an additional $10 billion investment in India. This expansion will focus on building artificial intelligence-ready data centres, with Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu identified as key locations for initial 1 GW capacity facilities each. Reliance Industries (RIL) (-0.33%) made substantial purchases of government securities, amounting to Rs7,000 10,000 crore ($840 million to $1.2 billion), in the secondary market during the second week of April. This aggressive buying spree is attributed to market expectations of softer government bond yields in the near term, with some anticipating a fall to 6.25% in the coming months. The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below: The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below: EAS Sarma, former secretary to the government of India and a noted public policy expert, has written to prime minister (PM) Narendra Modi urging the immediate revocation of the 2023 amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act) which permits private companies to mine beach sands rich in Monazite a critical mineral used in Thorium-based nuclear energy. In a strongly worded letter, Mr Sarma described the decision to allow private mining of Monazite-rich sands as 'detrimental to national interest'. He warned that it poses a long-term threat to Indias indigenous nuclear development programme. He called for the government to uphold the strategic vision of Dr Homi J Bhabha, the architect of Indias atomic energy programme, who advocated for the conservation of Thorium resources and a self-reliant approach to nuclear power generation. Monazite, a rare-earth phosphate mineral found in the beach sands of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh (AP), Tamil Nadu (TN) and Kerala, is a primary source of Thorium the long-term fuel for Indias advanced nuclear reactors. Mr Sarma noted that India possesses one of the worlds largest Monazite reserves, making its conservation a matter of national security. Citing historical context, Mr Sarma pointed out that former PM Jawaharlal Nehru had imposed a ban on the export and private mining of Monazite following the advice of Dr Bhabha. "This policy was meant to safeguard Indias Thorium resources for domestic use in nuclear reactors. However, successive governments have been diluting these protections under external and commercial pressure." He particularly highlighted the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) governments relaxation of restrictions during its tenure which led to illegal extraction and export of Monazite until judicial and civil society interventions curbed the practice. In 2019, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government reinstated the ban on private mining based on recommendations from the department of atomic energy (DAE). Mr Sarma expressed concern that the 2023 amendment marked a reversal of that policy, once again exposing the countrys strategic resources to private exploitation. In his letter, the former secretary argued that private miners, driven by profit motives, cannot be entrusted with safeguarding Monazite. He warned of past violations, including unauthorised extraction and export of Monazite-bearing sands, which breached safety thresholds set by the atomic energy regulatory board (AERB). He also raised concerns over the governments broader shift in nuclear policy, including dependence on imported uranium and nuclear reactors which, he said, undermines Indias long-term self-reliance in atomic energy. Opening the floodgates to foreign nuclear imports is a serious setback to Dr Bhabhas vision, Mr Sarma wrote. Citing international developments, the former secretary noted that several countries including China, Germany, Canada and the US are making significant advances in Thorium reactor technologies. He referred to a recent breakthrough in China, where researchers reportedly succeeded in reloading a Thorium-powered reactor while it remained in operation a global first. Mr Sarma praised the DAEs role in advancing research & development (R&D) for Thorium fuel in India and stressed that allowing private mining of Monazite would jeopardise this progress. India can ill-afford to fritter away its precious Thorium resources for other uses, he says. Calling the 2023 amendment to the MMDR Act 'imprudent', Mr Sarma concluded by appealing to PM Modi to revoke the provision allowing private mining of beach sands and ensure that Monazite remains reserved exclusively for public sector extraction aligned with national strategic priorities. The Montana Farmers Union on Monday asked a federal court to intervene in the case filed earlier this month in which four Blackfeet tribal members are calling on a judge to block the tariffs imposed against Canada by the Trump administration. The organization, founded more than 100 years ago to represent Montanas farmers and ranchers, is asking to become part of the case in order to represent non-tribal members in their efforts to stop what they say has been a roller coaster of tariffs levied in the past few months that are harming their businesses and livelihoods. The executive branch has overstepped its constitutional and statutory authority on these tariffs, MFU President Walter Schweitzer said in a statement. Montana farmers and ranchers cant afford any more uncertainty or any more financial stressors especially not random tariffs. District Court Judge Dana Christensen, overseeing the case, had not issued a ruling on whether to allow the Farmers Union to intervene as of early Tuesday afternoon. Canada is Montanas largest trade partner both in terms of imports and exports. It sends more than $860 million in goods to its northern neighbor particularly crops and cattle every year and imports $6.8 billion of goods from Canada annually. The motion to intervene says the organizations members are exporters and that Canadas tariffs leveraged in retaliation to those coming from the Trump administration are adding to their bottom-line costs and putting their well-beings at risk. In a declaration filed along with the ask to intervene, Schweitzer said the tariffs are walloping our agricultural community and that they came out of the blue and are incredibly harmful. Trump, through an executive order declared under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act as ways to fight drug trafficking largely at the southern border and pay off the national debt, has been implementing and pausing tariffs on Canada for two months. He first imposed a 25% tariff on most Canadian goods on Feb. 1, only to pause it until March 4. In early March, he exempted duty-free goods from Canada. And earlier this month, he issued another national emergency order claiming to protect U.S. agriculture and, along with it, newly modified tariffs on other countries, telling farmers to "have fun" with them. The Farmers Union says it is challenging the basis of the claims for the national emergency declarations were necessary both to strengthen the domestic economy and protect agriculture. That is not the experience of the actual people who are farming and ranching in Montana, especially MFUs members. And that is why MFU has a significant protectable interest in this litigation, the filing says. Represented by former U.S. Attorney for Montana Jesse Laslovich, the organization filed declarations from Schweitzer and several other members outlining how the tariffs on Canada, and those coming in retaliation, have hit their businesses and pocketbooks. Several are farmers who export their goods to Canada and other international markets and also buy steel and aluminum to fix and build machinery, vehicles and buildings. They say the tariffs are already causing what they fear is long-term damage because typical trading partners are skittish or have pulled out of the market because of the volatility. One, Trent Stoltz, a cattle and hay grower from Pompeys Pillar, said he and other Farmers Union members cannot lock in cattle prices. He is also seeing fertilizer costs rise because of potash tariffs. Blackfeet MT senator, rancher sue Homeland Security seeking to block US-Canada tariffs Sen. Susan Webber, D-Browning, and a Blackfeet rancher claim the tariffs violate the separation of powers that gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate foreign trade and collect taxes and duties. John Wicks, another Montana farmer near Tiber, is already losing money and will lose more, the filing claims, because Canadian partners wont sign a contract for him to export his lentils and durum due to the prices and market volatility. His declaration said he would have received 5 more cents per bushel selling lentils under the contract with his Canadian partners than he would with domestic buyers. Because of the Presidents tariffs, their goods will be more expensive to export, which will result in reduced profits and lost customers, the filing says. Even worse, farms and ranches that have been in families for generations must be sold simply because the Presidents isolationist and unlawful approach is incongruous with the international market with which these farmers and ranchers have been dealing and relying upon for decades. The Farmers Union said its members could be out of business if the tariffs arent blocked, in part because there are not broad domestic markets for their crops that can be developed overnight. Moreover, they say the International Emergency Economic Powers Act doesnt grant the president the power to implement tariffs, nor has it ever been used to do so. The filing says the tariffs have not identified how they relate to Trumps declared emergencies; rather, it says the emergency is the one created for both the plaintiff tribal members and the Farmers Union members by the tariffs. Daines, Downing, Zinke, Sheehy defend Trump's tariff strategy despite volatile markets Montana's four members of the U.S. Congress have remained steadfast in their defense of President Trump's trade strategy, despite economic volatility. MFUs members need certainty and stability in the market and while they seemingly would be able to adjust to tariffs imposed lawfully, they cannot effectively plan when they are subject to the whipsaw of the President and his many executive orders issued where, as here, on one day he imposes tariffs on Canadian imports and merely two days later he pauses them for 90 days, the suit says. This reckless and damaging approach is not only unsustainable, it is unconstitutional. The Department of Homeland Security and its secretary, Kristi Noem, who are the defendants in the suit, are trying to get the case moved to the Court of International Trade in New York since the suit involves tariffs, though the attorneys for the Blackfeet plaintiffs said in filings earlier this month said the government was wrong and the case should be rightfully heard in Montana. Christensen, the federal judge overseeing the case, has set a hearing for the plaintiffs request for an injunction blocking the tariffs for May 1 in Great Falls. Commercial banks in Kenya have begun lowering their lending rates following the Central Bank of Kenyas (CBK) recent move to slash its base rate by 75 basis points, bringing it down to 10 percent. The regulator announced the cut as part of efforts to boost private sector activity and make credit more accessible amid a high-cost economic environment. This latest reduction marks the fifth consecutive rate cut since August 2024, when the CBKs benchmark rate stood at 12.75 percent. In total, the central bank has now cut the rate by 2.75 percent over the past nine months. The policy shift has started to yield action on the ground. KCB Bank was among the first to respond, lowering its lending rate from 14.6 percent in February to 13.85 percent. The revised rate took effect on April 11 for new loan facilities and will extend to existing loans beginning May 11. KCB said it would tailor rate adjustments to individual customer risk profiles under its Risk-Based Credit Pricing Model (RBCPM), which ensures borrowers are charged fairly based on their creditworthiness. This new rate reflects a 2.99 percent reduction from KCBs previous peak rate of 16.84 percent. However, the bank clarified that the changes apply only to Kenya Shilling-denominated loans and exclude fixed-rate products. Hot on KCBs heels, NCBA Bank also lowered its base lending rate by 1 percentfrom 15.34 percent to 14.34 percent. NCBAs revised rate applies immediately to new loans and will kick in for variable-rate facilities starting May 1. Fixed-rate loans remain unaffected. The bank emphasized that the move aligns with its broader commitment to easing the cost of borrowing in line with CBK policy. Meanwhile, CBK Governor Kamau Thugge confirmed that the regulator has already inspected 13 of the countrys 38 commercial banks to assess compliance with revised lending guidelines. The remaining 25 banks are set to undergo inspections by the end of June. Thugge added that CBK would engage bank boards following the inspections and could impose penalties where necessary. These inspections stem from a February 5 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) resolution, where CBK raised concerns about the slow adoption of the RBCPM among banks. New amendments to the Banking Act have strengthened CBKs enforcement power, enabling it to penalize institutions that fail to pass on the benefits of lower funding costs to consumers. Despite the regulators actions, some stakeholders argue that lending rates remain high. The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) noted that average lending rates have only declined by 3 percent since November 2024. KBA is now calling for a consistent, transparent framework to ensure all banks align with CBKs policy direction and avoid uneven credit practices. For weeks, fresh graduates and seasoned professionals alike have been stranded by monthslong backlogs for their Certificates of Good Conductdocuments essential for landing many jobs. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku says thats about to change. During an unannounced 7:00 am inspection at the Kiambu Huduma Centre in Thika, CS Ruku observed firsthand the queues of applicants frustrated by sluggish fingerprinttocertificate turnaround. He vowed to work hand in glove with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and other agencies to slash current waiting times. The Certificate of Good Conduct confirms an individuals criminal record status, but delays of several weeks after fingerprinting have become all too common. Employers need these certificates as part of their background checks, CS Ruku reminded staff, stressing that no Kenyan should miss out on an opportunity because of paperwork bottlenecks. Looking beyond DCI processes, the Cabinet Secretary floated plans to ease pressure on passport offices as well. If my proposal gets approval, immigration officers will be stationed at selected Huduma Centres to provide this important service, he said, noting the growing demand from Kenyans pursuing work and study abroad. CS Ruku didnt spare his own team from critique. He warned public servants that failing to meet performance standards would trigger consequences under the law, urging them to foster an environment supportive of both local and international investment. Despite the seriousness of his message, Ruku took time to commend the Huduma Centre officers for their professionalism. He found them ready at dawn, fielding inquiries from hopeful applicants with patience and courtesy. The Ministry of Public Service will now coordinate with all relevant departments to roll out these reforms nationwide. Job seekers and travellers will be watching closely as Thikas fasttrack measures set the stage for smoother, more citizencentred services across Kenya. Kenyas acting fraternity is reeling after news broke of the death of Alice Wairimu, the beloved Tahidi High star known to many as Alicia Nimoh. Her family confirmed the sad news on Monday, though they have not yet disclosed the cause of death. She was in her early 30s. Wairimu became a household name during Tahidi Highs prime, captivating viewers with a mix of quick wit and effortless charm that made her character a perennial favourite. Longtime fans recall how her scenes lit up the screen, turning everyday highschool drama into mustwatch television and cementing her place among the shows breakout talents. Tributes pour in Within hours of the announcement, heartfelt messages flooded social media. Actress Vickie Sassy, who had been collaborating with Wairimu on an upcoming film, wrote: We were on set together only the other day. It hurts that shell never see the final cut. Rest easy, my friend. Naomi Mburu, another Tahidi High alumna, echoed the disbelief: Your spirit was pure, your energy infectious. Im struggling to accept that youre gone so soon. Rest in peace, Miss Nimoh. The Kenya Actors Guild described Wairimu as a bright light whose talent inspired an entire generation of performers. Industry colleagues also praised her professionalism, noting that she often mentored younger actors and was quick to share a word of encouragement. Although Tahidi High wrapped up years ago, Wairimu had never stepped away from her craft. Close friends say she was juggling independent film work, theatre rehearsals and a yettobeannounced TV pilot at the time of her passing. That unfinished slate has compounded the sense of loss among fellow creativesdreams cut short just as new chapters were unfolding. For many Kenyans who grew up watching the longrunning highschool drama, Alicia Nimoh was more than a fictional student; she was a symbol of youthful exuberance and relatable campus dilemmas. Clips of her most memorable moments have resurfaced online laughterfilled classroom pranks, moral lessons delivered with a sly grin, serving as both comfort and reminder of the indelible mark she left on local television. Plans for a memorial service are under way, with family expected to release details once arrangements are finalised. In the meantime, fans and friends continue to celebrate a life that, though brief, made Kenyan screens and hearts shine a little brighter. The Ministry of Health has unveiled a nationwide strategy to address the sharp rise in gambling addiction, particularly among young Kenyans lured by online betting platforms like Aviator. Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni raised the alarm on Monday, expressing deep concern over the increasing number of youth falling into gambling-related addiction. She described the issue as an emerging public health crisis that demands immediate and coordinated intervention. In response to this emerging public health threat, the ministry has constituted a Rapid Response Team to provide a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach to the crisis, she said. As part of the ministrys swift action, officials have launched a dedicated helpline for individuals battling gambling addiction. In addition, the government will deploy professional counselors to schools and institutions of higher learning to provide psychosocial support and early intervention services. To boost public awareness, the ministry is rolling out community education campaigns to highlight the dangers of online gambling and promote healthier alternatives. PS Muthoni also announced that the ministry, in collaboration with partner agencies, will support a nationwide study to gauge the extent and impact of gambling addiction. The findings will guide future policies and tailored treatment programs. RELATED Aviator Craze Sparks National Concern as MPs Push for Stricter Betting Regulations In a significant policy shift, Muthoni confirmed that the government has included gambling rehabilitation in the healthcare benefit packages under the ongoing Social Health Authority (SHA) reforms. Beyond the existing outpatient mental health services, the government will cover rehabilitation and addiction management costs, she stated, urging affected individuals and families to take advantage of these critical support services. Our accredited rehabilitation facilities are equipped to offer comprehensive therapy and treatment, she added. This coverage reflects our commitment to treating addiction as a serious health condition that deserves medical attention. To drive this initiative, the Ministry of Health has brought together a multi-agency team led by the mental health division. The team includes the Directorate of Preventive and Promotive Health, the Health and Wellness Division, and the Drugs and Substance Use Control Division. Also participating are major institutions such as Mathare National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Gilgil Mental Health Hospital, the Psychology and Counsellors Board, and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA). In alignment with Mental Health Awareness Month this May, themed Community, the ministry will intensify efforts to promote mental wellness. From May 12 to May 18, 2025, targeted county-wide activities will focus specifically on addressing gambling addiction. The Kahawa Law Courts has refused bond to three people accused of plotting a terror attack in Mandera. Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage upheld the prosecutions argument that the seriousness of the charges warrants restricting their liberty. The suspects Somali national Isaq Cabdi Xasan (aka Issack Mohammed), and Kenyan citizens Noor Yakub Ali and Yusuf Maalim are charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist act on or before 18 February 2025 and belonging to the outlawed group AlShabaab. Court documents say the trio allegedly attacked security officers after Police apprehended Issack Mohammed. During that assault, one officer was killed, another seriously injured, and two firearms stolen from the scene. This is a serious matter which the defence does not deny. Given the nature of the attack and the gravity of the charges, the court finds the prosecutions concerns valid and grounded in precedent related to this case, Honourable Kiage ruled. Following their plea two weeks ago, the magistrate postponed the bail ruling for 30 days to allow the prosecution, led by Duncan Ondimu, to finalise its disclosures and collate all evidence. The suspects remain in custody as detectives and prosecutors prepare their case. Peoples Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has declared that Kenya is ready to elect its first woman president, urging citizens to embrace female leadership for a more inclusive and compassionate future. Speaking in Isiolo County on Monday, April 21, 2025, Karua addressed a gathering of residents, calling on voters to trust a woman to lead the country forward. She argued that a woman president could bring meaningful change and ensure no Kenyan is left behind. Karua described women as natural nurturers, capable of balancing national priorities while addressing the needs of every citizen. Drawing parallels to motherhood, she emphasized that just as a mother cares for every child in the home, a woman president would lead with empathy and fairness. If God grants me the opportunity, the seat Im seeking is the presidencyso I can lead Kenya like a mother takes care of her home, she said in Kiswahili. A mother never lets even one child go hungry. Even when food is scarce, she ensures everyone gets a small share. While officially announcing her interest in the top seat, Karua promised to push for equal resource distribution and end the inequality that has long plagued Kenyas political landscape. We want Kenyas cake to be shared equallynot the way its divided nowadays. Youve tried male leadership all these years, please, this time give a woman from PLP a chance, she added, rallying the crowd to back her presidential bid. A parliamentary committee has intervened to break a long-standing deadlock between Kenya Railways and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) over the redesign of a critical bridge along Nairobis Likoni Road. The standoff had delayed key upgrades along the busy Jogoo-Mombasa Road corridor, threatening to derail Nairobis ambitious plans to launch electric train services in the near future. The Public Investments Committee on Commercial and Energy Affairs, chaired by Pokot South MP David Pkosing, has now directed Kenya Railways to take the lead in securing the Ksh400 million needed to complete the bridge. This directive came after Auditor General Nancy Gathungu flagged the project for running behind schedule, raising concerns about the loss of public funds and stalled development. The Likoni Road upgrade forms part of the Nairobi Lot 2 infrastructure development plan, which includes transforming Shreeji Road and parts of Likoni and Enterprise roads into a modern, dual carriageway. The project also features improved drainage, wider bridges, and safe pedestrian walkways aimed at decongesting the city and enhancing road safety. Tensions between the two agencies escalated when Kenya Railways rejected KURAs initial bridge design, insisting on a higher clearance of 7.01 meters1.4 meters taller than the existing structureto accommodate the countrys future electric train fleet. The government awarded the Ksh892.6 million contract on September 8, 2020, with a projected completion period of 24 months. However, the project has suffered repeated delays, missing both its original deadline of September 30, 2022, and its revised target of April 8, 2023. In her latest report, Auditor General Gathungu pointed out that the contractor had not submitted the design drawings for the Likoni Road bridge. She also noted that parts of Shreeji Road remained incomplete, with only earthworks underway during the time of audit. In response, MP Pkosing ordered Kenya Railways to begin fundraising immediately for the redesigned bridge and urged KURA to accelerate work on the remaining road segments. We directed Kenya Railways to lead fundraising for the bridge to reach the required height, Pkosing said, noting the urgency of aligning the project with Nairobis transport future. It emerged during the session that KURA had not set aside funds for the new bridge, which will serve as a rail underpass connecting Nairobis central railway station to Makadara. Kenya Railways CEO Philip Mainga confirmed the agencys commitment to contribute funding, affirming that the design change is necessary to standardize infrastructure for upcoming electric trains. Were preparing for electric trains, so the bridge must be built with those needs in mind, Mainga stated, dismissing worries about cost overruns. KURA Director General Silas Kinoti also supported the resolution, revealing that the agency would reallocate funds from the LikoniEnterprise Road project to help finance the bridge. Kinoti explained that although KURA had existing agreements with the contractor under the Sh890 million project, legal provisions allow for budget adjustments when necessary. Well adjust budgets to minimise strain on public funds, he said. However, lawmakers criticized both KURA and Kenya Railways for allowing the conflict to persist for so long, ultimately stalling Nairobis infrastructure progress. The bridge project is a key component of the highly anticipated Nairobi Railway City developmenta transformative initiative designed to integrate modern transit with urban renewal and economic growth. A cloud of grief and anger hangs over Kilifi County after 15yearold Crispus Baraka Kitsao was found dead inside a pit latrine at Bamba Police Station on the morning of Saturday, 19 April 2025. The teenager, a Form Two pupil at Godoma Boys High School, had been held over an alleged assault on his 16yearold girlfriend. Crispus was arrested on 18 April after the girls parents complained he had stabbed her nose and broken her arm. His family insists the relationship was consensual and that the complaint stemmed from parental disapproval. Ganze SubCounty Police Commander Paul Yator said Crispus hanged himself with his Tshirt while cleaning the latrine unattendeddespite regulations requiring detainees to be monitored at all times. An inmate discovered his body when the latrine door remained locked from the inside. His grandmother, Gladicy Riziki, produced his birth certificate to confirm he was born on 21 July 2009, not 2006 as initially claimed by officers. She also alleged he had been beaten during the arrest and that the family received threats beforehand. We want an independent autopsy and investigation. We suspect foul play, Riziki said. If he had been properly supervised, this tragedy could have been avoided. Police noted Crispus had previously attempted suicide and faced defilement chargeslater dropped when both parties were found to be minors. His body now lies at Kilifi Referral Hospital pending a full autopsy. Residents of Bamba Village say theyre stunned that a child in custody could be left alone in such dangerous circumstances. Community leaders are demanding accountability as detectives from Kilifi DCI continue their probe. As the investigation unfolds, calls are growing for clearer guidelines on juvenile detention and stricter enforcement of supervision rules in police stations across Kenya. Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has rubbished the emerging political alliance between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, labeling it a betrayal of the oppositions role and a threat to Kenyas democratic accountability. During a live discussion on X Spaces on Sunday, April 20, 2025, Kioni expressed his frustration with opposition leaders who, in his view, had abandoned their constitutional duty to hold the government accountable. He accused them of entering into a politically convenient pact instead of standing firm for the Kenyan people who had entrusted them to challenge the executive. It is unfortunate that those of us in opposition sacrificed the mandate that we were given by Kenyans. We in the opposition should be the ones holding those in the executive to account, and until we get that running, we will continue complaining and lamenting, Kioni said. He also took aim at the new broad-based government framework, arguing that cooperating with the executive in such a way weakens the foundation of Kenyas multi-party democracy. There was nothing to go and sit together in the broad-based thing. I dont acknowledge it. You can still serve Kenyans effectively without compromising your oversight role, he added. Kioni warned that a weakened opposition would embolden the executive and lead to unchecked power, accusing those who joined the coalition of enabling an erosion of democratic checks and balances. That is why we are seeing these excesses from those in the executive, and we will continue to see this because they have compromised everybody, he asserted. Kenyas Cabinet Secretaries for National Treasury, John Mbadi, and Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, are in the United States to lead the countrys delegation at the 2025 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG). The meetings, running from April 21 to 26 in Washington, D.C., bring together global economic leaders to discuss pressing development issues, economic recovery, and the role of the private sector in global growth. CS Mbadi and CS Wandayi are accompanied by a high-profile team that includes Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi, Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, and Christopher KiriguaKenyas Deputy Chief of Mission and National Treasury Chief Representative in the U.S. On Monday, April 21, CS Wandayi shared via his official X account that he was preparing for a deep-dive session on Kenyas Energy Compact during the weeklong meetings. The Energy Compact is part of Kenyas broader agenda to drive investment in clean, reliable energy for sustainable development. Dr. Kiptoo also highlighted their early efforts to align the team. He revealed that he and CS Mbadi held a strategy meeting on Sunday, April 20, with their technical teams to prepare for effective participation in the sessions. With my Cabinet Secretary, Hon. John Mbadi, in Washington DC to lead the Kenyan delegation attending the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF) / World Bank Group (WBG) Spring Meetings taking place from April 21 to 26, 2025. Last evening, we had a productive meeting with our technical teams in preparation for our effective participation in the weeklong meetings. The IMF and World Bank are vital partners in our countrys development, Kiptoo posted on X. The 2025 Spring Meetings focus on Jobs The Path to Prosperity, emphasizing employment creation as a driver of economic resilience. Key sessions will include regional briefings, press conferences, and policy forums on debt, development, and global economic trends. President William Rutos senior economic adviser, Moses Kuria, is furious at what he calls the growing habit of politicians brandishing teachers employment letters at funerals and campaign stops. There are several great ideas on how best to destroy a nation, Kuria said in a statement on Tuesday. But the most glittering of recent times is politicians parading teachers employment forms in public rallies and funerals We have sunk this low, sadly. Kurias outburst arrived just two days after the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) sounded the alarm over political meddling in the Teachers Service Commissions (TSC) hiring process. KNUT SecretaryGeneral Collins Oyuu said deserving, longserving tutors are being elbowed aside. Never in the history of the Teachers Service Commission have we seen what is happening now, Oyuu told reporters. The manner in which employment forms are being distributed by some politicians leaves much to be desired. Unions main grievance Oyuu argued that age and year of graduation should matter: experienced teachers who finished college in 2010, and even some now in their fifties, still wait for a payslip, while fresh 2023 graduates secure permanent posts. The union boss urged Ruto to ensure his signature teacherrecruitment drive is fair and humane. TSC pushes back TSC chief executive Nancy Macharia has dismissed reports of politicians handdelivering appointment letters as media speculation, insisting the commission lives by the principles of recruitment. Her insistence did little to calm MPs on the House Committee on Constitutional Implementation, who told her they had witnessed Cabinet secretaries brandishing employment letters at public events. Kenya still faces a deficit of more than 72,000 teachers, even after hiring 76,928 instructors in the past two years. Rutos administration has pledged to bring 120,000 more educators on board by 2028, but more than 350,000 trained teachers remain jobless and anxiously watch every recruitment round. Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba told Macharia that letting prominent people hand out appointment letters sets a bad precedent and erodes public trust. The committee wants the practice stopped before the next hiring phase begins. What happens next? TSC audit: Lawmakers are pushing for an immediate review of the current recruitment to verify that letters issued publicly match the official register. Lawmakers are pushing for an immediate review of the current recruitment to verify that letters issued publicly match the official register. Revised guidelines: KNUT wants clear rules that tie recruitment scores to both graduation year and applicant age, reducing the temptation for politicians to cherrypick names. KNUT wants clear rules that tie recruitment scores to both graduation year and applicant age, reducing the temptation for politicians to cherrypick names. Public reporting: Civilsociety groups are calling for the commission to publish realtime shortlists and final appointment lists online. For thousands of unemployed teachers, the outcome will decide whether merit or political patronage guides the next round of hiring. Until then, Kurias warning echoes: politicising classrooms may offer shortterm applause, but it risks longterm damage to Kenyas schools. Kenyan businesses could soon face penalties of up to Ksh100,000 if a proposed law requiring them to accept cash payments is passed by Parliament. The Central Bank of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, currently before the National Assembly, seeks to make it mandatory for all businesses operating in physical locations to accept cash for transactions not exceeding Ksh100,000. The Bill also prohibits businesses from charging higher prices to customers who opt to pay in cash, aiming to promote fairness and inclusivity in how goods and services are paid for. According to the Bill, Businesses selling goods and services in person must accept cash payments for transactions of up to Sh100,000. Additionally, it prohibits businesses from charging higher prices to customers who choose to pay with cash, thereby promoting fairness in payment options. If enacted into law, traders and service providers who fail to comply could be slapped with a fine of up to Ksh100,000. The move targets entities that have shifted to cashless-only payment models or penalize customers who prefer using physical currencya practice that lawmakers argue discriminates against certain groups, particularly the elderly and residents in low-connectivity regions. Proponents of the legislation say that while digital and card-based payments offer convenience and efficiency, consumers should still have the freedom to choose how they want to pay. Omondis Bill Seeks to Protect Elderly Kenyans Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, who sponsored the Bill, said the proposed law intends to shield consumersespecially senior citizensfrom being locked out of transactions because they dont use mobile money platforms. A majority of Kenyans still rely on cash transactions, while some older people do not know how to use mobile money services, making it discriminatory to deny them access to services or goods when paying in cash, said Omondi. He added that many Kenyans still lack access to smartphones or reliable internet connections, making digital payment options unrealistic for them. For this segment of the population, cash remains the only viable method of payment. By ensuring that businesses cannot refuse cash or impose unfair pricing policies, the Bill seeks to protect consumer rights and eliminate discrimination based on payment methods, the Bill further states. Beyond consumer protection, the Bill also aims to bring legal clarity by defining how businesses should handle payment options for in-person transactions. Lawmakers believe these clear guidelines will encourage business owners to comply, while creating a more inclusive marketplace where no customer is turned away based on how they choose to pay. Exemptions However, the proposed law also recognizes that some exceptions may be necessary. It includes provisions that allow businesses to decline cash payments under specific circumstancessuch as when systems fail or when they lack enough change to complete a cash transaction. Subsection 1 on payment of cash shall not apply to a person if the person is unable to accept cash because of a sale system failure that temporarily prevents the processing of cash payments or insufficiency of cash on hand to give as change, the Bill explains. This clause is designed to balance consumer rights with the operational realities businesses face, such as technical glitches or liquidity issues. Lawmakers believe this built-in flexibility will help ensure compliance while also maintaining fairness for both customers and traders. If passed, the Bill could transform how businesses handle in-person paymentsreaffirming cash as a protected and accessible option for all. Residents of Kochola Village were left in shock on the evening of Sunday, 20 April 2025, when police raided St. Joseph Missions of Africa Church and discovered what they now describe as a suspected cult operation. More than fifty frail women, men and children were rescued amid reports of two unexplained deaths on the premises. The alarm was raised at 6.25 p.m. by Abiud Rariende, Assistant Chief of Kanyadiedo Sublocation, who reported a suspicious death at the church compound. By the time the SubCounty Security and Intelligence Committee (SCSIC) arrived, led by the Deputy County Commissioner alongside local detectives, they found the first victim in a small prayer room. Police say the man, later identified as 42yearold Francis Muli, lay on the floor: The deceased was wrapped in a grey sheet and dressed in a white robe. He had visible facial injuries and foam oozing from the mouth, according to the station report at Kamagambo Police Station. That grim discovery followed the earlier finding of another body at a different spot in the compound, though officers have so far declined to release details about that victim. A methodical search then revealed 57 church members living inside makeshift quarters on site. Ages ranged from a fiveyearold boy to a 77yearold grandmother. Many appeared disoriented and undernourished. One member of the rescue team said, We found them living in disturbing conditions. Some were disoriented, many appeared malnourished and their general state raised serious concerns. The group was taken to Rongo SubCounty Hospital for medical checks. Doctors were stunned when the worshippers refused to be examined, breaking into religious songs and forcing staff to summon police reinforcements. A medic on duty, wishing to remain anonymous, recalled, They refused to be examined, began chanting religious songs, and disrupted the facility to the point we had to ask authorities to remove them. All 57 are currently under guard at Kamagambo Police Station as detectives piece together the connection between the survivors and the two deaths. Rongo DCI officers emphasised the gravity of the case: This is a developing case. We are treating it as a suspected murder and potential cult operation. Our detectives are digging deeper to establish what really happened at that church. News of the raid has unsettled the quiet hamlet of Kochola. Neighbours say the compound had long been shrouded in secrecy. One resident told our reporter, We never expected such darkness in a place meant for worship. Its hard to believe this was happening on our doorstep. Authorities are urging anyone with information on unusual gatherings or activities around religious sites in Migori County to come forward. Meanwhile, investigations continue as detectives seek to uncover who organised the churchs latest servicesand why they ended in tragedy. Primary and junior secondary headteachers in Rift Valley, speaking through the Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association (KEPSHA), say constant shifts in Kenyas education curriculum are upending daily school life. They warn that sudden timetable changes and new assessment rules make it nearly impossible to plan lessons, manage resources or prepare learners for exams. Many schools are already stretched thin after delays in disbursing capitation funds. Headteachers urge Parliament to set firm schedules for introducing new curricula, release capitation on time and curb lastminute tweaks to student placement and assessment guidelines. Meanwhile, the first cohort under the CompetencyBased Curriculum (CBC) sits national exams this year and moves on to Grade 10 in 2026a major leap from the old 844 structure. Patrick Kitur, KEPSHAs Rift Valley Chair, appealed to the Parliamentary Education Committee under Julius Melly to stick to agreed timelines. Speaking at KEPSHAs conference in Nakuru Advancing School Leadership for Sustainable Development and Local Solutions for Global Goals, he said, Headteachers appreciate the Parliamentary Committee for Educations hard work and challenge you to act ahead of time to close gaps that disrupt school operations. Kitur also called for more investment in leadership training, clear career paths for headteachers and policies that recognise their pivotal role in delivering reforms. He praised the cooperation between KEPSHA, the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission for keeping reforms on track despite funding hiccups. The conference highlighted the revival of the 4K Club an initiative championed by First Lady Rachel Ruto that focuses on agriculture, environmental awareness and selfreliance. Kitur compared it to the USbased Future Farmers of America, saying, This isnt just nostalgia; its a forwardlooking vision preparing learners not only for exams but for life. With CBC adding new duties, headteachers now juggle administration, community mobilisation and curriculum interpretation. Headteachers today are leaders of complex systems, requiring a fresh mindset, not just new skills, Kitur added, urging them to work handinhand with parents and local partners. Dr Thomas Bor, the keynote speaker, commended headteachers for driving educational progress despite limited training. He noted many teachers have had to rely on short courses and selfstudy to keep up with CBC. The government introduced CBC as a new curriculum, and teachers are implementing it well despite limited training, he said, calling headteachers pillars of hope in society. KEPSHAs Key Demands: Set clear, consistent timelines for curriculum changes. Ensure capitation funds reach schools predictably. Limit abrupt shifts in assessment and placement policies. Boost investment in leadership training and establish career pathways for headteachers. Enact policies that formally recognize headteachers roles in school management and curriculum delivery. Promote local initiatives like the 4K Club to embed sustainable, handson learning. These measures, KEPSHA argues, will smooth education transitions and empower school leaders to drive lasting improvements across Kenya. President William Ruto has pledged more millions to support evangelical workthis time in Narok. The announcement came on Sunday during his visit to the region, where local preachers requested a symbolic sign of State House. Rather than building a State Lodge, Ruto offered to fund a religious facility tailored for church leaders to a une of Ksh10 million. He assured the clergy that he would rally support from senators and governors to ensure its completion. You asked for a building here Mosiro Plaza for pastors. Since we cant construct a State Lodge, well build the plaza for pastors instead, Ruto said. Ill raise Ksh.10 million to launch the construction. And if you face challenges along the way, Ill ask my friendssenators and governorsto step in. Narok will still have its own sign of State Lodge. The President at the same time responded to critics of his broad-based or unity government. He firmly defended his administrations inclusive approach, saying it offers the best path forward for national cohesion and political stability. Ruto praised his collaboration with opposition leader Raila Odinga, describing their joint efforts as a step toward uniting Kenyans across the political divide. We are working hard to unite the people of Kenya. Im proud to be working alongside Raila Odinga to foster national unity. We are unapologetic, unashamed about uniting the people of Kenya, he said. In addition to promoting unity, the President highlighted his fight against corruption. He announced that all government procurements would soon transition to digital platforms to enhance transparency and accountability. He confirmed the long-awaited e-Procurement system officially went live in April, fulfilling a promise to modernize public spending. One of the participants in last years Small Business Spotlight celebrates the launch of a new venture. (Photo provided) Celebrate the areas newest enterprises during SIUs Small Business Spotlight May 1 by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. Southern Illinois University Carbondale will recognize National Small Business Week by celebrating the accomplishments of some of the areas newest entrepreneurs. Community members are invited to the annual Small Business Spotlight event hosted by the Illinois Small Business Development Center from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 1 at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive. We love seeing Southern Illinois entrepreneurs succeed, and the Small Business Spotlight is a great way to celebrate that, said Michael Jessup, director of the Illinois SBDC at SIU. Its about recognizing the passion and grit these business owners bring to the table and showing them theyre not alone, that there are resources and people here to help. The event will honor the newest graduates of the Carbondale Accelerator Program, an exclusive 10-week small business initiative developed by SBDC in partnership with the City of Carbondale. Our partnership with the City of Carbondale, through the Accelerator Program, is a big support, helping businesses get off the ground when it matters most, Jessup said. Media Advisory Reporters, photographers and news crews are invited to cover the Small Business Spotlight from 4:30-6:30 p.m. May 1 at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale. For more information, email sbdc@siu.edu or call 618-536-2424. Honoring accomplishments The evening will feature recognition of recent small business milestones, special exhibits and more. Each of the program graduates will be formally recognized for their hard work in completing the rigorous program that included creating a business plan, developing a budget and bookkeeping system, establishing policies and procedures, designing marketing materials, preparing and filing legal business formation paperwork and handling other necessary work to get their businesses started. Winners of the Carbondale Accelerator Program (CAP) Business Plan Competition will also be announced. Participants deliver a 10-minute business pitch to a panel of judges for the chance to earn up to $5,000 in seed funding. All businesses that successfully complete the program also receive $1,250 in start-up funding. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the official launch of these new business ventures, and light refreshments will be served. Guests attending the event can view exhibits highlighting the new ventures and their services and products. Recognizing National Small Business Week This years spotlight is part of National Small Business Week, which takes place April 28 to May 4, and SBDC will continue its celebration of small businesses. Current and previous graduates of the Carbondale Accelerator Program will gather for a Grand Pitch competition during which they will make business plan presentations as they vie for a top prize of up to $6,000 and a second prize of up to $2,000. Officials say its all part of the ongoing effort by the Illinois SBDC at SIU and the City of Carbondale to foster business entrepreneurship and growth. The Illinois SBDC at SIU provides no-cost, one-on-one advisement, training opportunities and access to tools to help small businesses succeed. For more information, visit the website or email sbdc@siu.edu or call 618-536-2424. SIUs Father Brown: Pope Francis legacy is advocating for the marginalized, forgotten by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. Pope Francis will be remembered as a cleric who emphasized dignity and who advocated for marginalized people throughout the world, says Father Joseph A. Brown, a professor and coordinator of Southern Illinois University Carbondales Africana Studies Program and director of the School of Africana & Multicultural Studies. Pope Francis, who died on April 21 of a stroke at 88 years old, sought to make the Roman Catholic Church more inclusive, Brown said, and his election in 2013 caught the worlds attention. Pope Francis, who was from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first Latin American pontiff as well as the first to come from the Society of Jesus, or Jesuit order. Brown, also a Jesuit, said Pope Francis spoke the truth in his heart directly to those he encountered, emphasizing the dignity and worth of all he carried in his concern. Who am I to judge? was one of the most powerful statements any leader of religion has uttered in our lifetime, Brown said. His advocacy for the marginalized, the forgotten, the victims of war and injustice will continue to be part of his legacy. Media availability Father Joseph A. Brown, a professor and coordinator of SIU Carbondales Africana Studies Program and director of the School of Africana & Multicultural Studies, is available for interviews on Pope Francis legacy and impact on the Catholic Church and society. He can be reached at jbrownsj@siu.edu. Brown noted that given the popes role as leader of a church with more than 1 billion members, Pope Francis made it a priority to visit as many sites as possible to tell his followers, and the world in general, that all lives matter. His faith gave him the freedom to remind other world leaders of this belief. A humble shepherd of the sheep Brown noted that Pope Francis focused on being the humble shepherd of the sheep, including up to the week and day before his death. The pope visited prisoners on Holy Thursday, greeted thousands of people in St. Peters Square following Easter Mass on Sunday and reminded the world that all who are believers in the traditions established in Judaism, Christianity and Islam are called to treat the alien and the sojourner with respect since all were sojourners and slaves in Egypt, before they were, as tradition says, delivered from bondage, Brown said. Pope prepared for this moment from the start Media reports suggest that it will be two to three weeks before the College of Cardinals meets in Rome to select Pope Francis successor. Brown noted that Pope Francis chose and appointed an overwhelming majority of the clerics who comprise the 138 College of Cardinals during his 12-year papacy. From the first days of his role as pope, he was very clear in sharing his belief that he would not be pope for a very long time. So, from the beginning, he was preparing for this moment, Brown said. The men he appointed as cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church represent the global reach of the church in ways that were never realized before. They are from every continent and culture. They will honor his trust in them, I am sure. Brown, who was ordained into the priesthood in 1972, has been with SIU Carbondale since 1997, when he began as an associate professor and director of the then-Black American Studies Program before being promoted to professor in 2000. A native of East St. Louis, Brown earned a bachelors degree in philosophy from St. Louis University and a masters degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a masters degree in Afro-American studies and doctorate in American studies from Yale University. In 2023, Brown was one of two inaugural recipients of the SIU Systems Dr. Wesley G. Robinson-McNeese Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lifetime Achievement Award. The upcoming India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is expected to become a model for India's future trade negotiations with other developed nations, according to a report by ACMIIL, a stock market company. The report highlighted that the deal marks a major shift in India's trade strategy, as it aims to use trade as a tool to acquire advanced technologies, speed up industrial growth, and strengthen its position in the global economy. It said, "Once India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) finalised, it will likely set a precedent for future trade negotiations with other developed economies." The report mentioned that the agreement is closely aligned with India's "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiatives. These programmes focus on boosting domestic production and reducing dependency on imports. As part of the BTA, India is likely to reduce tariffs on some American agricultural and food products. This will give American exporters more access to the Indian market and provide Indian consumers with a wider range of food items. In return, India will benefit by importing advanced US technologies in critical areas like defence, clean energy, and high-end manufacturing. These sectors are key to India's long-term development and national security plans. The report added, "The agreement also includes regulatory cooperation, digital trade standards, and intellectual property rights enforcement, aiming to establish a transparent, rules-based environment that promotes cross-border investments and business predictability" Meanwhile, India's economic outlook continues to remain strong. Domestic consumption is growing, supported by rising employment and better consumer confidence. Driven by government capital spending and tax reforms, private investment is also on the rise. With 47 per cent of the population in the working-age group, household incomes are going up and people are spending more on convenience-based products. India remains the fastest-growing major economy in the world and is expected to be among the top three global economies in the coming years. As global trade patterns shift, India could gain further by becoming a key part of diversified global supply chains. The country is also projected to grow at a healthy 6.5 per cent in the financial year 2025-26, backed by strong macroeconomic fundamentals. (ANI) PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 22: Hindustan Unilever Limited marked a luxurious new chapter in India's premium beauty landscape with the grand unveiling of Nexxus New York Salon Hair Science, introducing the revolutionary PROMEND range at an exclusive event held at Famous Studios in Mumbai. With an evocative theme of 'Bond Together', the event brought together salon-grade science, deep proteomic expertise, and a sophisticated sensorial universe to Indian consumers for the very first time. * Launch Event Unveils Trillion Protein Hair Revival Ritual & Ultra-Luxe Gold Artist Showcase THE GOLD STANDARD OF LUXURY HAIRCARE True to its iconic roots, the highlight of the evening was the hero product - Nexxus PROMEND Resurrection Hair Oil-in-Serum - brought to life through an exquisite artistic installation. In a spectacular statement of luxury, Nexxus revealed an 18k real gold rendition of its iconic golden bottle, crafted by artisans to echo the brand's philosophy: when science meets luxury, hair shines like gold. This bespoke artist play reinforced Nexxus' prestige positioning, personifying its aspirational DNA and establishing its hero product as a future cult classic. SCIENCE THAT SHINES Taking center stage alongside the glamour were two immersive science demonstration zones that visually brought the promise of proteomic repair to life. * The Cuticle Transformation Zone offered a microscope-led analysis of untreated vs. Nexxus-treated hair, showcasing the visible revival of damaged cuticles--smoothened, strengthened, and sealed post-treatment. * The Protein Preservation Test used a protein indicator solution to compare regular shampoos with Nexxus. The test revealed significantly reduced protein loss--validating the 80% protein bleed reduction claim and underlining the efficacy of the Trillion Protein Transfusion technology behind Nexxus. THREE SIGNATURE ZONES OF ENGAGEMENT The event design blended immersive storytelling with high-touch elegance: * The Golden Tunnel & Glam Board led guests into a world of movement, shine, and transformation--amplified by a breathtaking aerial hoop performance that reflected the flowy, featherlight beauty of Nexxus-treated hair. * The Hero Room housed a 5-ft life-sized golden Nexxus bottle along with a stunning product wall, displaying the full PROMEND Repair, Moisture, and Oil Resurrection range, highlighting claims like '2X smoother,' '12X stronger,' and '6 drops to virgin hair.' * The Nexxus Salon Experience Zone offered a luxe experiential showcase that paid homage to the brand's 40+ year professional salon heritage from New York, complete with a salon-style installation where science, performance, and prestige came together seamlessly. A STARRY NIGHT WITH SOBHITA DHULIPALA Leading the brand's Indian narrative was actor and style icon, Sobhita Dhulipala, who made a glamorous appearance as Nexxus' newly announced Brand Evangelist. With effortless elegance and a strong belief in conscious beauty choices, Sobhita mirrored the brand's modern muse--refined, empowered, and self-assured. "Nexxus is where luxury meets science--and I'm thrilled to be part of its journey in India. Nexxus doesn't just care for your hair, it transforms it. It's like bringing the power of a salon and the precision of science into your everyday ritual," said Sobhita Dhulipala. BRINGING SALON-GRADE SCIENCE TO INDIA The launch also featured insights from Harman Dhillon, Executive Director - Beauty & Wellbeing, Hindustan Unilever, who presented the keynote and unveiled the vision behind Nexxus' India journey. "We're excited to bring Nexxus to India--a brand that embodies the future of haircare: precise, effective, and powered by science. Nexxus is designed to offer Indian consumers transformative results while indulging them in a luxurious experience," said Harman Dhillon. AVAILABILITY & PRICING Nexxus New York's PROMEND range is now available on leading e-commerce platforms--Nykaa, TIRA, Zepto, Amazon, and Myntra--and exclusively at www.nexxus.in. Pricing starts at Rs 1599 for Shampoo, Rs 1899 for the Hair Mask & the Hair Serum in Oil at Rs 2499. About Nexxus: Founded in 1979 by renowned cosmetologist and hair scientist, Jheri Redding, Nexxus is one of the first brands to infuse hair products with proteins--harnessing the power of proteomics (the study of hair proteins at a molecular level). Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2669002/NEXXUS_Sobhita_Dhulipala.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], April 22: Masters' Union, the Gurgaon-based new-age institution renowned for its industry-driven and practitioner-led approach to management and engineering education, has achieved a remarkable milestone--five student-founded startups from its community have been featured on Shark Tank India this season. This accomplishment underscores the institution's commitment to fostering real-world entrepreneurship through its innovative, hands-on learning model. Project Clay, a mentorship platform connecting high school students with young professionals, secured funding of INR 15 lakh for a 10% equity stake from Namita Thapar. This investment highlights the platform's potential to revolutionize career guidance for students. Another standout venture, HiveSchool, specializing in sales training, received strategic advice from Aman Gupta to take their program offline. Demonstrating agility, HiveSchool launched India's first dedicated offline business school for sales education even before their episode aired, reflecting their commitment to addressing industry needs promptly. The five Masters' Union startups featured on Shark Tank India represent a diverse array of industries, showcasing the breadth of innovation within the community: * Bullspree - A stock market gaming app, making investing accessible and engaging through gamification. * HiveSchool - A sales school equipping students with practical training and industry exposure. * MemoTag - A healthtech solution offering real-time insights and alerts for dementia patients. * Nexera Health - A technology-driven platform providing end-to-end healthcare solutions for corporates in India and Southeast Asia. * Project Clay - A mentorship platform connecting high school students with young professionals to provide real-world career guidance. Three of these startups were founded by Masters' Union graduates, while the remaining two, Project Clay and Nexera Health are a part of the institution's startup community. Over the past five years, Masters' Union has incubated numerous startups, many of which have successfully scaled their operations. This success is driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture supported by world-class infrastructure, including AI labs in partnership with PwC, startup incubation hubs,mentorship from industry leaders, and investments in cutting-edge resources to help students build their ventures. What sets Masters' Union apart is its hands-on learning model. Instead of traditional exams, students are assessed based on real business outcomes--whether it's building an e-commerce business in their first term, launching a YouTube channel in the second, developing a blockchain protocol in the third, running a cloud kitchen in the fourth, or creating a hardware product in the fifth. Unlike traditional exams, assessments of students are based on key business metrics like ROI, profitability, and NPS, ensuring graduates leave with practical and industry-ready skills. Pratham Mittal, founder of Masters' Union, emphasized, "Seeing five startups from our community pitch on Shark Tank India is a proud moment. It reaffirms our belief that when education is deeply connected to industry, innovation naturally follows. At Masters' Union, we don't just prepare students for jobs--we prepare them to lead and build. Our programs are designed to instill an entrepreneurial mindset that gives students the confidence and capability to start their own ventures, whether immediately or later in their careers. Last year alone, around 26 startups were launched by our graduates, and we aim to see this number grow. By challenging students with real-world business problems, we ensure they develop the resilience, problem-solving skills, and execution mindset needed to succeed in any business environment." About Masters' Union: Masters' Union is a premium tech & business school based in the corporate district of Gurgaon. It was founded in 2020 with the philosophy of hands-on learning where students learn by doing. The leadership behind Masters' Union consists of graduates from Stanford, Wharton, and IITs and IIMs. Unlike traditional colleges, the faculty at Masters' Union comprises MDs, CXOs and AI Experts from companies such as Amazon, Apple, IBM, McKinsey, PwC, and KPMG. Additionally, the Institute also brings in faculty from the world's top-ranked universities such as Oxford & Harvard. Visit www.mastersunion.org (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) Google on Tuesday said it welcomes the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) decision to accept its settlement proposal regarding alleged anti-competitive practices in the Android Smart TV market. In a statement, Google said, "We are committed to abiding by applicable local laws in every country where we operate and are grateful to the CCI for the opportunity to engage and present our case. We also thank the CCI for instituting processes which enable constructive engagements between companies and the market, allowing for continued investment and growth." The Competition Commission of India on Monday, through a majority order, approved Google's proposal under Section 48A (3) of the Competition Act, 2002 and the Competition Commission of India (Settlement) Regulations, 2024. This approval marked a significant development in the long-running case concerning Google's practices in the Android TV ecosystem in India. The investigation by the CCI concluded that Android Smart TV OS holds a dominant position in the Indian market for "licensable Smart TV device operating systems." Similarly, the Google Play Store was found to be dominant in the market for app stores for Android Smart TV OS in the country. The Commission found that Google had violated competition norms through its agreements with device manufacturers. These agreements--Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA) and Android Compatibility Commitments (ACC)--required Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to pre-install the full Google TV Services app bundle. This prevented OEMs from developing or using forked versions of Android and limited innovation. The agreements also tied services like YouTube with the Play Store across the entire device portfolio, thereby increasing Google's dominance and breaching several provisions of Section 4 of the Act. However, the allegation related to refusal to deal and exclusive supply under Section 3(4) of the Act was not found to be substantiated. The allegations centered around Google's use of restrictive agreements with OEMs that allegedly blocked competition, limited market access, and placed unfair conditions on manufacturers. After reviewing the nature, seriousness, and impact of the violations, the Commission decided to accept Google's settlement proposal. The final settlement amount, after a 15 per cent discount, has been set at Rs. 20.24 crore. (ANI) Actor Sebastian Stan revealed that his acting career was on a life support before he landed the role of Bucky Barners in Marvel's 'Captain America: The First Avenger' in 2011, reported Variety. Stan will be next seen in the highly anticipated Marvel venture 'Thunderbolts*' which also stars Florence Pugh in the lead role. Along with this, the actor will also reprise his role as Bucky Barnes in the upcoming 'Avengers: Doomsday'. The role of Bucky Barnes came as a life support for the 'Winter Soldier' actor, according to Variety. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair as quoted by Variety, Stan revealed that his financial situation was so crunched that before landing a role in Marvel, he had around 65,000 USD which came in residuals from his movie 'Hot Tub Time Machine' in 2010. The Hot Tub Machine was directed by Steve Pink. Stan had a brief role in the movie. "I had just gotten off the phone with my business manager, who told me I was saved by 65,000 USD that came in residuals from 'Hot Tub Time Machine,'" Stan said about the state of his career when the Marvel offer came in, as quoted by Variety. The role in 'Captain America' franchise changed Stan's career. Not only has he stayed with Marvel for well over a decade, but the MCU gave him bankability as an actor to help get various critically acclaimed movies made last year, such as 'A Different Man,' which won him a Golden Globe, and the Donald Trump movie 'The Apprentice. ' Stan was nominated at the Oscars in the category of 'Best Actor' for his performance in 'The Apprentice' earlier this year. On his casting as Bucky Barnes, the Marvel Studios co-president, Kevin Feige said that despite being a relative unknown and best known for his brief stint on "Gossip Girl," Stan appealed to him because of his eyes. "You could see that he has so much inside him and so much behind his eyes. I'll never forget that. I said to Stephen Broussard, who was one of the producers on Captain America, 'He's going to be a good Bucky, but he's going to be a great Winter Soldier,'" said Feige as quoted by Variety. The fans of Sebastian Stan are now eagerly waiting for the actor's upcoming superhero ventures, 'Thunderbolts*' and 'Avengers: Dommsday'. (ANI) Earlier on April 20, Jammu and Kashmir Police apprehended three alleged narco smugglers and seized 22 grams of a heroin-like substance during a routine vehicle checking operation at the Phalata naka point on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, officials said. According to police, the suspects were travelling in a vehicle en route from Jammu to Udhampur when they were intercepted by police, leading to the recovery of the suspected narcotics. The arrested individuals have been identified as Ishfaq Ahmed, a resident of Srinagar, and Farooq and Mohd Kamal Hussain, both residents of Delhi, they said. A case has been registered at Police Station Rehambal under sections 8, 21, 22, and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The police investigation is underway to trace the larger network behind the smuggling attempt, they added. (ANI) After eight Naxals were gunned down in an encounter in Jharkhand's Bokaro, highlighting the significance of the action, a top official stated that this happened for the first time in the history of Jharkhand that security forces have successfully eliminated a Naxal leader of Central Committee Member (CCM) rank, who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore. Addressing mediapersons, Sanjay Anandrao Lathkar, Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, Jharkhand, informed that the operation was started at around 5.30 am on Monday, in which eight naxals were neutralised and 14 weapons were recovered. "Operation was started last night...around 5:30 am, security forces had a face-off with naxals and 8 naxals were killed in the encounter. 14 weapons were recovered through this operation...operation is still underway...this is the first time in the history of Jharkhand, security forces were successful in eliminating a naxal leader of CCM rank and with a bounty of Rs one crore..." the official said. In a significant blow to Naxalism, three high-profile wanted leaders of the banned outfit, including one carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore, among eight members, were neutralised on Monday in a joint operation in Jharkhand's Bokaro district. Among the eight naxals neutralized in the operation were three high-profile individuals with bounties of Rs 1 crore, Rs 25 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh, respectively. Prayag Manjhi alias Vivek had a bounty of Rs 1 crore, Arvind Yadav carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh, and Sahebram Manjhi, also known as Rahul Manjhi, had a bounty of Rs 10 lakh. The remaining naxals have been identified as Mahesh Manjhi alias Mota, Talu, Raju Manjhi, Gangaram, and Mahesh. Prayag Manjhi (60) was the Central Committee Member (CCM) of the Eastern Regional Bureau of Naxals. The bodies of the Naxals were recovered following an exchange of fire between the rebel group and the 209 Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (Cobra) unit of the Central Reserve Police Force and the state police force. The exchange of fire began around 5.30 am in the Lugu hills under the Lalpania area of Bokaro. As per the CRPF, the troops recovered a cache of arms from the site, including one AK-series rifle, one Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), three INSAS rifles, one pistol, and eight country-made Bharmar rifles. "No injuries or casualties have been reported among the security personnel involved in the operation," the CRPF said in a statement. "The gunfire has ceased, and a thorough search operation is currently underway in the area to ensure complete sanitisation and to trace any remaining insurgents or hidden weaponry," added the CRPF, India's largest Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, mandated to ensure internal security in its area of jurisdiction. Officials said that the search was going on and the operation was part of an intensified campaign by security forces to dismantle Naxalite activities in the region. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the security forces for the operation through a post on 'X' handle. "Our march to eliminate Naxalism continues unabated. Today, security forces achieved another significant success in the ongoing operation to uproot Naxalism. In an encounter at Lugu Hills in Bokaro, Jharkhand, 8 Maoists were neutralised, including a top-level naxal leader, Vivek, who carried a reward of Rs 1 crore, and two other notorious Naxalites. The operation is being continued. Applaud our security forces," the Home Minister posted on 'X'. The fresh operation resulted in the killing of a total of 93 Naxals neutralised this year so far in a joint operation involving the CRPF. In the last five years, from 2020 to 2024, a total of 178 Naxals have been neutralised in such joint operations in which the CRPF was involved. Of them, a maximum of 104 Naxals were neutralised in 2024, 15 in 2023, 12 in 2022, 15 in 2021, and 32 in 2020. The majority of the Naxals were neutralised in Chhattisgarh. (ANI) A disturbing incident occurred at the Dwarka court on April 2, where a convict and his lawyer allegedly issued death threats to the judge after being convicted in a cheque bounce case. The convict, who was found guilty and sentenced to 22 months of imprisonment and fined Rs. 6,65,000, reportedly erupted in anger and threatened the judge. "Tu hai kya cheez... ki tu bahar mil dekhte hai kaise zinda ghar jaati hai," the convict, identified as a 63-year-old retired government teacher, allegedly told the woman judge. On April 5, the judge referred the matter to Principal District and Sessions Judge Dwarka for the referral to the High Court for taking up appropriate proceedings in terms of the order dated April 2. On the day of the incident, Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Shivangi Mangla pronounced the judgement, convicted the accused, and listed the matter for arguments on sentence. The court noted that after hearing the judgment not in favour of the accused, he erupted with anger at the Judge in open court regarding how the judgment of conviction could be passed. "The accused started harassing the judge in open court in unofficial Hindi with commentary against the mother of the judge," the judge noted in the order. The accused was also holding an object, and he tried to throw it at the Judge for not passing an order in his favour. Both the convict and his advocate started harassing the Judge, and the accused made the remarks. The judge noted that the convict and his lawyer harassed her both mentally and physically, demanding that she resign from her job and acquit the accused. "Then again, they both harassed mentally and physically to resign from their jobs, and they both again harassed to acquit the accused, else they will file a complaint against me and forcibly arrange my resignation," the judge said in the order. The court expressed concern over the convict's behaviour and decided to take appropriate measures against him before the National Commission for Women. The convict's lawyer Atul Kumar was also asked to show cause why he should not be referred to the High Court for initiating contempt proceedings The court has sentenced the convict to 22 months ' imprisonment. He has been fined Rs. 6,65,000. The counsel for the accused submitted that the convict is a 63-year-old retired government teacher living on his pension. It was further submitted that the convict has three major dependent sons who are unemployed. A request was made for a lenient view and a minimum sentence to be imposed on the convict. The convict had been granted bail to challenge the judgment before the higher court. (ANI) Reacting to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the Election Commission of India during his recent visit to the United States, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal launched a sharp attack, questioning Gandhi's understanding and intent. "Rahul Gandhi himself does not know what he says. When he goes to a foreign land, the kind of things he says, he thinks he is speaking sensibly, but it is not so..." Khandelwal told ANI. The BJP MP accused the Congress leader of tarnishing India's image on international platforms. "He makes fun of India all over the world," the BJP MP said. Khandelwal also criticized the Congress party, calling it a "rejected group," stating that both the country and various states have been moving away from the party over time. Defending India's democratic process, Khandelwal further said, "I don't think elections are conducted with so much transparency in any other country as in India, but Congress and Rahul Gandhi are a rejected group, first the country and then the states started rejecting them, Rahul Gandhi lacks a lot of wisdom." Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC termed Rahul Gandhi's statement as "misleading" and "incorrect" and accused Gandhi of "defaming" India. "Rahul Gandhi has the audacity to question the Election Commission of India. As an entitled child of India, he should raise questions in Parliament. He chooses not to attend Parliament. He should raise issues of significance in India, but he chooses not to, and then these dismissive allegations, which are misleading and incorrect, have been the standard practice. If you look at the Election Commission clarifying that hardly any first or second appeals were made in section 24 of the Representation of People's Act, minimal applications were received for Section 22 for inclusion or Section 23 for voters...The Election Commission has said in the public domain that only 89 appeals were received by the Maharashtra. Despite this, Rahul Gandhi defames India and is disrespectful to the country that he belongs to," Shaina NC told ANI. Meanwhile, AAP Haryana President Sushil Gupta criticised the Congress MP, stating that they should fight the battle in the nation without criticising the government and the election process abroad. However, Gupta also voiced for reforms in the election process. He said, "There is a need to reform the election process. Voices are raised against EVMs, but I believe we should fight this battle in the country itself. We should fight this battle in the nation without criticising the government and the election process abroad." Rahul Gandhi addressed the Indian diaspora in Boston, United States, where he alleged that the Election Commission (EC) in India was "compromised," stating that something fundamentally wrong with the system existed. Citing the Maharashtra elections as an example, the senior Congress leader stated that 65 lakh voters were added to the voter list in two hours, which was impossible. "More people voted in Maharashtra than the total number of people in Maharashtra, and this is a fact... the Election Commission gave us a figure in the evening around 5:30 p.m., and in two hours around 7:30 p.m., 65 lakh voters had voted, which is physically impossible..." he claimed, addressing the meeting. The Congress MP's remarks ignited criticism from the BJP. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said that the frustration of continuous defeats is clearly visible on the face of Rae Bareli MP. In a post on X, Pradhan said, "Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has once again questioned the credibility of the Election Commission from a foreign land. It is very unfortunate that whenever Rahul Gandhi is abroad, he does not miss sharing his hateful thoughts towards India and India's democratic systems." "In fact, the 'crown prince' of the 'royal' family, who has been in power for decades, is irritated by the recognition India's glorious democratic traditions are getting at the global level. This is the reason why he does not miss any opportunity to insult the country and its citizens," Pradhan added. The Union Minister urged Congress MP Rahul Gandhi not to hurt India's democratic dignity merely for losing elections. "Not only the country but the world also believes in our great democratic values and its credibility. But the frustration of continuous defeats is clearly visible on Rahul Gandhi's face. I request Rahul Gandhi not to hurt India's democratic dignity on the basis of electoral victory or defeat," Dharmendra Pradhan said. (ANI) A miscreant was injured during an encounter with police in Punjab's Tarn Taran on Tuesday morning, a police officer said, following which he was sent to a local hospital for treatment. Superintendent of Police (SP) Detective Ajay Raj Singh told ANI that they received information that some miscreants were on their way towards Tarn Taran from Amritsar Rural, and "they have weapons" "They have supplied weapons earlier, and today too, they were on their way to supply weapons. Their names are Sukhdev Singh and Sarban Kumar. They had two weapons. When the police stopped them, they attacked the police. They fired three rounds, and police fired two rounds. Sukhdev Singh has been injured in the incident," he said. "He has been sent for treatment, and further investigation is underway... They have links with Pakistan...," SP Singh added. A few days ago, two alleged shooters sustained injuries in a retaliatory action during an encounter with Punjab police in Tarn Taran. On April 17, the Punjab Police, in a joint operation with the Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF), arrested one of their associates, and on his interrogation, came to know about the shooter's whereabouts. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tarn Taran, Abhimanyu Rana told ANI, "On 21st March 2025, two unknown people opened fire upon Gurpreet of Naushehra Pannuan, yesterday (April 17) Punjab police and AGTF in a joint operation arrested one of their associate and from him we came to know about the shooters' whereabouts who were about to commit a crime today. When confronted by police, they (both the shooters) opened fire on the police team and in a retaliatory action, they sustained injuries and were hit by four bullets. Mehak (one of the injured) belongs to the Satta Naushera gang". "The hand grenade that we recovered in January, Mehak, was also wanted in that case. Two sophisticated weapons (pistols made in Pakistan) have been recovered...," he added. Meanwhile, the Border Security Force troops recovered arms, ammunition and narcotics in two separate incidents on the Tarn Taran border. On April 16, having received information about the presence of a suspected packet in a harvested field in border area of district Tarn Taran, BSF conducted a search operation and the troops successfully recovered a packet containing three pistols along with six magazines and 97 live rounds and three fired cases from the field adjacent to village Rajatal in Tarn Taran district. (ANI) Restoration work is ongoing in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir after a cloudburst and flash floods damaged several houses, a temple, and vehicles. Officials have confirmed that while there was significant property damage, no casualties were reported. Speaking to ANI, Imtiyaz Ahmed, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Gool, said that the flash flood damaged 37 houses and one temple. "Yesterday a cloud burst happened here...The flash flood damaged 37 houses and a temple. Although there was a huge loss of property, no lives were lost. Several cattle are also reportedly missing," he said. SDM further added, "A complete assessment of the loss will be done, and all the required help will be given. Rehabilitation is being done and we are providing all necessary things like medicine and food..." Earlier today, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the landslide-hit Ramban district to take stock of the situation and assess the ground situation. The Deputy Commissioner Ramban and senior civil and police officials accompanied the Chief Minister. CM Abdullah travelled by road from Srinagar to reach Marog, one of the worst-hit villages. Demonstrating the deep concern and commitment of his government, he trekked several kilometres on foot through rugged terrain to reach Kela Morh, where the cloudburst had triggered flash floods, leaving a trail of destruction, said an official statement from the Department of Information and Public Relations of Jammu and Kashmir. Interacting with local residents and officials from the district administration, the Chief Minister was briefed on the scale of the damage and the progress of ongoing rescue and relief operations. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that the government stands shoulder to shoulder with the victims of this tragedy. The district administration informed the Chief Minister that clearance operations are in full swing. Teams from the Public Works Department (PWD), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), disaster response units, police, volunteers, and the local population are working around the clock to remove mudslides and boulders and restore normalcy in the affected area. In the Ramban region, flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in the early hours of Sunday caused widespread damage. At least three people, including two children, lost their lives in Bagahana village after two houses collapsed due to a landslide. Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed for the second consecutive day following incessant rains, hailstorm and landslide. However, restoration and clearance work are underway in Ramban. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday flagged off the 17th edition of the Vigyan Manthan Yatra in Bhopal. He also encouraged students to explore science and innovation. The event, aimed at nurturing scientific curiosity among school students, was held at the Naronha Academy of Administration. Speaking at the Vigyan Manthan Yatra, CM Yadav said, "Children of the 10th, 11th, and 12th classes of the state are going on this Vigyan Yatra tour. The country is progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. "The children of our new generation should also satisfy their curiosity towards science, develop their talent, and become good scientists of the country," CM told media reporters. Later in the day, addressing the Civil Services Day program, CM Yadav said, "Today, on the occasion of Civil Services Day, many congratulations to all the public servants of Madhya Pradesh from my side. Today, we have given various awards to all the public servants who have done excellent work in their field. "On 21 April 1947, the then Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had given a framework for the civil servants of the civil service to work along with the country's independence with the same spirit," CM Yadav said. Meanwhile, on Monday, on the occasion of Civil Services Day, PM Modi asserted that in the past decade, India has undergone transformative changes. PM Modi asked the civil servants to follow the 'Naagrik Devo Bhava' mantra. "We should always remember one thing: no matter how technology-driven the world becomes, we should never forget the importance of human judgments. Listen to the voice of the poor and hear their pain. You solve their problems; it should be your first priority. Jaise 'Atithi Devo Bhava' hota hai, vaise hi 'Naagrik Devo Bhava' ke mantra ko le kr ke chalna hai. You have to prepare yourself for your duty not only as civil servants of India but also as architects of Viksit Bharat," PM Modi said, addressing the 17th Civil Services Day event at the Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi. (ANI) The Congress Party on Monday suspended its Buxar District President, Manoj Pandey, after he failed to "establish a good contact" with the workers and leaders during a rally presided over by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge a day ago. The suspension was confirmed by Rajesh Rathod, Chairman of the Media and Publicity of the Bihar Congress. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Rathod said, "There was a big rally of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan', and during that, it was seen that the Buxar District President Dr Manoj Pandey was not able to establish good contact with the workers and leaders. As a result, the party has decided to remove him from the post because of his inaction; he has been suspended". Rathod expressed confidence about the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, scheduled for later in the year. "The INDIA alliance will form the government in Bihar with a two-thirds majority, and the Chief Minister will be ours," he added. Earlier, Congress chief Kharge launched a multi-pronged attack on the BJP in poll-bound Bihar, accusing it of misusing probe agencies "to harass" the party and trying to mislead people "through communal polarisation". Addressing the 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally, Kharge attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the promise to provide a Rs 1.25 lakh crore package to Bihar had not been fulfilled. While accusing the BJP of misusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, Kharge also mentioned Robert Vadra and said it was all being done to "finish Congress". He further appealed to people to throw out the Nitish-BJP government and bring in the 'mahagathbandhan' (alliance) government for "peace and progress of Bihar" and for the bright future of children of the state. A high-stakes contest is expected in Bihar between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan. The Bihar Assembly elections are expected to be held later this year. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cared only about protecting her seat and not the interests of the people and said that is why the State was witnessing violence like that in Murshidabad district. Further, Vijayvargiya said that the Union Government unlike her was serious about the situation in Bengal. Speaking to mediapersons here, the Madhya Pradesh Minister said, "She (Mamata Banerjee) is only worried about her seat. She is trying to reduce the number of Hindus wherever she can and giving space to Bangladeshi intruders in the state. She has no affection for the country, and this is why there is violence there....The Union Governmnet is serious about the situation there (West Bengal)..." The Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also accused Mamata Banerjee of appeasement politics under the guise of secularism. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Dhami said, "The kind of issues that are happening in Bengal, the whole country is agitated...in the name of secularism, the kind of appeasement politics Mamata Banerjee is doing, reminds us of 1947-48." He further added, "They seem to have forgotten that today's India is not the India of 1947. Soon, people will throw away Mamata Banerjee." On Monday, Odisha Police arrested six people linked to the violence in Murshidabad district. The accused were nabbed from their hideout in Jharsuguda. "Six persons have been arrested from their hideout in Jharsuguda. They were involved in the arson and rioting cases in Jafrabad and Betbona villages in Samserganj, Jangipur Police District in Murshidabad, and had escaped to Odisha after the incident," the official said. Police are also verifying if the arrested individuals were involved in the double murder case reported in Murshidabad. The violence began on April 11 in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The protest turned violent, leading to the deaths of two people, injuries to several others, and property damage. The unrest forced thousands to flee their homes. The protests later spread to other districts, including Malda, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly, and involved arson, stone-pelting, and road blockades. Following the violence, many families migrated to Jharkhand's Pakur district, while others are staying in relief camps in Malda. (ANI) The counter-intelligence (CI) unit of the Punjab Police on Tuesday busted an illegal weapon smuggling module with one arrest and recovered five illegal pistols. "Acting on a specific tip-off, Counter Intelligence Amritsar successfully uncovered an illegal weapon smuggling module with links extending to the United States and apprehends Gurwinder Singh alias Guri from Ludhiana and recovers 5 illegal pistols from his possession. He was acting under the directions of Gurlal Singh and Vipul Sharma--both currently residing in the #USA--who are key handlers in this network," the DGP Punjab Police posted on X. The police said that Gurwinder Singh is the brother-in-law of Hardeep Singh, a known drug smuggler who fled to the USA in 2022 after being arrested in a 2020 STF case. "Preliminary investigation reveals Gurwinder Singh is the brother-in-law of Hardeep Singh, a known drug smuggler who fled to the USA in 2022 after being arrested in a 2020 STF case. Gurlal and Hardeep appear to have formed an alliance abroad and are operating a transnational weapon smuggling ring using local associates in Punjab," they added. The police further stated that an FIR has been registered at the Punjab Police's State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar. "Further investigation is being carried out to identify all backward and forward linkages. Punjab Police remains committed to maintain peace and harmony in the state," the Punjab Police said. Earlier today, a miscreant was injured during an encounter with police in Punjab's Tarn Taran, a police officer said, following which he was sent to a local hospital for treatment. Superintendent of Police (SP) Detective Ajay Raj Singh told ANI that they received information that some miscreants were on their way towards Tarn Taran from Amritsar Rural, and "they have weapons" "They have supplied weapons earlier, and today too, they were on their way to supply weapons. Their names are Sukhdev Singh and Sarban Kumar. They had two weapons. When the police stopped them, they attacked the police. They fired three rounds, and police fired two rounds. Sukhdev Singh has been injured in the incident," he said. (ANI) Chinese FM holds talks with Indonesian counterpart Xinhua) 08:33, April 22, 2025 Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing on Monday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China and Indonesia have reached an important consensus on building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future that has regional and global influence, and on upgrading the cooperation pattern from "four pillar" cooperation covering political, economic, people-to-people exchange and maritime aspects, to "five-pillar" cooperation with the addition of security as the fifth pillar, opening up broad prospects for China-Indonesia cooperation. He said the two sides should strengthen cooperation on anchoring high-quality collaboration, upholding free trade, developing emerging industries, and expanding livelihood-focused partnerships. Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, Wang said that amid the U.S.-instigated global trade war and headwinds battering economic globalization, China and Indonesia, as upholders of economic globalization and trade liberalization, should take historic initiative to enhance mutual trust and cooperation. Wang said that the two countries should work together to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit, safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, defend international fairness and justice, and send a signal of unity and openness to the world, further demonstrating the regional and global influence of China-Indonesia relations. Noting that China is Indonesia's largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment, Sugiono said Indonesia has always regarded the country as one of its most crucial partners, and that bilateral relations have maintained strong momentum over the years. Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Indonesia, Sugiono said Indonesia attaches great importance and is committed to deepening comprehensive relations with China across all fields. He added that Indonesia looks forward to enhancing exchange with China at all levels, and to expanding practical cooperation on trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, health care, clean energy, scientific innovation as well as people-to people and cultural exchange. Indonesia is also looking forward to continuously strengthening its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and to promoting more dynamic, resilient regional development and prosperity. On the same day, a reception was held in Beijing to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. The event was attended by Wang Yi, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, Sugiono and Indonesia's Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin attend a reception marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Patiala House Special Court in Delhi has acquitted three individuals of rape charges, concluding that the allegations against the 68-year-old father-in-law were founded on a false statement by the complainant. In its judgment, the court observed, "Upon careful scrutiny of the facts and evidence, and guided by established legal principles, this court finds the testimony of the prosecutrix riddled with material contradictions and inconsistencies. Her statements throughout the investigation and trial have been inconsistent, undermining her credibility. The testimony fails to inspire confidence and falls short of the sterling quality required. Under the given circumstances, it would be highly unsafe to convict the accused based solely on the uncorroborated testimony of the prosecutrix." The case revolved around allegations made by a woman against her father-in-law, who was 68 years old at the time of the alleged incident. The complainant, reportedly dissatisfied with her marital life, accused her father-in-law of rape and claimed that he had forcibly made her ingest a chemical substance, commonly known as "All Out," in an attempt to kill her. Advocate Ravi Drall, representing the accused, argued that the marital discord had been exaggerated into a heinous crime. Drall stated, "It is inconceivable that a 68-year-old man, who is physically incapacitated, could commit such an act against a woman 40 years younger than him." During the trial, Drall highlighted several contradictions in the complainant's statements. Despite being educated, the complainant was unable to recall the exact date of the alleged incident, though she provided detailed accounts of other events from the same period. This inconsistency raised doubts about the credibility of her claims. The allegations of poisoning were also refuted by scientific evidence. In course of medical evidence of the victim "Gastric Leavge" was seized by the IO and same was sent to FSL and as per FSL result no poison, ethyl alcohol and pesticide was detected. The court, after carefully examining the evidence and arguments presented, acquitted all three accused individuals. While acquitting the accused persons court held that, "The investigation in this case has been conducted very casually and recklessly. The call details record and the location of mobile numbers could be of significance. In the cross examination, the IO of case stated that she had sent the request for the CDR of the mobile number of the accused but the same was not collected, further held that In matrimonial cases, there is an increasing tendency of filing complaints for offence u/s 376 IPC against the in laws or any other male member of the husband's family just to exert pressure on the entire family." (ANI) India's financial capital, Mumbai, is set to witness a major buzz around Chhattisgarh on April 23 and 24 when Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai participates in two major national-level events focusing on the textile and steel industries. According to a statement by the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister's Office, at these platforms, he will present Chhattisgarh's new industrial policy, investment opportunities, and infrastructure vision to top industrialists and policymakers from across the country. The events are being organised at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai. On April 23, the Chief Minister will participate in the CMAI Fab Show, one of the most prestigious events organised by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI). The show brings together key stakeholders from textile manufacturing, exports, and branding. The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister will showcase the special provisions and investment prospects for the textile sector under Chhattisgarh's new industrial policy. It is also expected that several major companies may sign investment MoUs with the state during the event. As per the statement, April 24 will be a landmark day as the Chief Minister attends the inaugural ceremony of India Steel 2025 as a special guest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the event via video conferencing. CM Shri Sai will deliver a keynote address highlighting Chhattisgarh's new industrial policy, the infrastructure available for the steel sector, and the state's plans in this area. On the same day, a Chhattisgarh Round Table Meeting will also be held, where the Chief Minister will have direct interactions with potential investors. Discussions will cover topics such as special industrial clusters for the steel industry, logistics support, single-window clearances, and labour policies. The Chief Minister will also visit the Chhattisgarh State Pavilion set up at the Bombay Exhibition Centre. The pavilion will offer comprehensive information on the state's industrial infrastructure, investment opportunities, and policy support, designed to attract industrialists and entrepreneurs to Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Sai is slated to address mediapersons on both days, April 23 and 24, around 1 PM at the event venue. He will speak on the purpose of his visit, key features of the new industrial policy, and the steps being taken by the State government to attract investments. He will also take questions from journalists. (ANI) A tabletop exercise (TTEX) was conducted on Tuesday at the Disaster Operations Centre of Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, Dehradun, with the aim of effectively dealing with possible disasters during the Chardham Yatra. Additionally, to test the preparations of various line departments under the IRS (Incident Response System) for the Chardham Yatra. The Char Dham Yatra 2025 begins with the opening of Yamunotri and Gangotri on April 30, followed by Kedarnath on May 2 and Badrinath on May 4. The Char Dham Yatra, one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimages, includes visits to four sacred Himalayan shrines: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. In Hindi, "char" means four, and "dham" refers to religious destinations. This year's Yatra is being conducted under the banner of "Green Chardham," which imposes a complete ban on single-use plastic. All departments have been asked to prepare a disposal plan for this. Meanwhile, earlier, Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey held a crucial review meeting with senior officials and representatives of the hotel industry at his camp office in Dehradun to assess the readiness for the pilgrimage. "Our preparations for the Chardham Yatra are in the final stages. Almost all arrangements have been completed," he said. The meeting saw participation from around 40 representatives of hotel associations from major pilgrimage districts, including Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and Rishikesh. Several issues and suggestions were discussed, with hoteliers raising concerns about the existing quota for online registrations."In response to a demand from hotel associations, we have agreed to revise the online registration quota. Previously set at a 60:40 ratio, we are now proposing to reduce it to 75% for online bookings," Pandey said. He added that a request for final approval has been submitted to the Secretary of Tourism to implement the change as soon as possible. Additionally, the administration has agreed to increase the number of registration counters and has taken note of other suggestions made by the hotel representatives. "We have taken their feedback seriously and have accepted most of the proposals. The association expressed satisfaction and called today's meeting meaningful," the Commissioner added. Regarding helicopter services, Pandey advised pilgrims to book only through the official IRCTC website. "Helicopter bookings are only being done through the IRCTC site. If anyone comes across any other website offering bookings, they should immediately report it to the cyber cell," he stated. (ANI) BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal on Tuesday emphasised the importance of US Vice President JD Vance's visit to India, stating that his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will play a crucial role in strengthening trade relations between both nations. Khandelwal noted that the visit was significant not only for enhancing trade ties but also for promoting India's culture and heritage in the US and expressed hope that discussions would also focus on safeguarding India's interests amidst the ongoing trade tariff war between the US and China. "In the current global situation, the visit of the Vice President of America to India is very important. His meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will strengthen the trade relations between India and America. Not just for trade but also for the spread of India's culture and heritage across the US, this visit is important... I am hopeful that there will also be a discussion on how far India's interests will be protected in the current trade tariff battle," Khandelwal said. US Vice President JD Vance, who is on a four-day visit to India, was accompanied by his family as they embarked on a cultural visit to Jaipur today. The Vance family reached the Amber Fort in the morning, having departed from the Rambagh Palace, where they were staying. On Monday, JD Vance, along with his family, visited the Central Cottage Industries Emporium in New Delhi. The US Vice President, his wife Usha Vance and their children also visited the Akshardham Temple in the national capital on Monday morning, shortly after their arrival. Vance and his family landed at Palam Airport, where they were welcomed by Union Minister for Railways and Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw. Vance was also given a ceremonial Guard of Honour, marking the start of his first official visit to India. The US Vice President, on Monday, said it was an "honour" to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called the PM a "great leader" on the first day of his visit to India. Both leaders welcomed the progress in the negotiations for a US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and formally announced the finalisation of the Terms of Reference for the negotiations. On Wednesday, Vance will visit Agra along with his family. The India visit of the US Vice President concludes with their departure from India in the morning of April 24. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to list next week a plea filed by an advocate relating to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's recent controversial remarks against the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna. Advocate Narendra Mishra mentioned the plea before a bench of Justice BR Gavai and AG Masih, saying letters were given to the Attorney General and Solicitor General for the initiation of contempt proceedings against the BJP MP, but no action is being taken. Advocate said the MP has said CJI Sanjiv Khanna is responsible for the civil wars in India, and after the speech went viral, social media users used derogatory tag phrases for the Supreme Court. He urged the apex court to give directions to remove social media posts and videos which are derogatory and contemptuous towards the judiciary. "These statements are false, reckless, and malicious, and they amount to criminal contempt," said Mishra in his letter petition. He said Dubey is an elected Member of Parliament and has shown gross disregard for constitutional remedies and chose to incite public distrust by misrepresenting the judicial process. "His remark that the Supreme Court is "inciting religious wars" for agreeing to hear petitions, including those challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 - amounts to a direct interference in the administration of justice, and falsely portrays constitutional scrutiny as political interference," his petition stated. Saying that such acts, especially from a sitting lawmaker, cannot be brushed aside as mere political commentary, the advocate asked the apex court to suo moto initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Dubey. "They are a deliberate attempt to intimidate the judiciary, incite public disorder, and delegitimise the institution entrusted with protecting the Constitution," the lawyer added. Dubey had made the statement following the top court fixing a timeline for the President and Governors to give assent to Bills and its intervention in the Waqf (Amendment) Act matter. Some lawyers have also written letters to Attorney General R Venkataramani, demanding the initiation of contempt proceedings against Dubey for his remarks. Dubey has reportedly said that "Supreme Court is taking the country towards anarchy" and that "Chief Justice of India Sanijv Khanna is responsible for the civil wars taking place in the country". Letters were written by advocates Anas Tanwir, Shiv Kumar Tripathi and others seeking contempt of court proceedings against Dubey, saying his "grossly scandalous remarks aimed at lowering the dignity" of the apex court. Advocate Subhash Theekkadan sought initiating criminal contempt proceedings against the Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, in light of public statements made by him which he said amount to a "direct attack on the authority and dignity" of the Supreme Court. As per the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, a private individual can file a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court only after obtaining the consent of the Attorney General or the Solicitor General. The BJP MP had claimed the Supreme Court was taking the country towards anarchy. On April 19, he said Parliament and Assemblies should be shut if the top court is dictating laws and that Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna is "responsible for civil wars" in the country. Last week, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar questioned the judiciary for setting a timeline for the President to decide whether or not to assent to state Bills referred to the President by a Governor. Dhankar further accused the Supreme Court of acting as a "super Parliament" and said it cannot fire a "nuclear missile" at democratic forces. (ANI) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it an attack on the "unity and integrity" of the nation. RSS termed this terror attack as a "heinous" act and a "heart-wrenching" incident. Taking to social media post on X, RSS said that the government should ensure all required relief and assistance to the affected families and demanded punishment for the perpetrators of the attack. They also offered condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the recovery of the injured in the incident. The heinous act of a terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam of Jammu & Kashmir is highly condemnable and heart-wrenching. We pay homage to the deceased and pray for the early recovery of the injured in this attack. This is an attack on the unity and integrity of our nation. All political parties and associations should rise above their differences and condemn this terror act. Government should ensure all required relief and assistance to the affected families and ensure appropriate punishment for the people responsible for this attack. Dattatreya Hosabale, Sarkaryavah, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)," RSS posted on X. https://x.com/RSSorg/status/1914710874146668730 Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and paid condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. In a post on X, PM Modi stated that those responsible for this heinous act will be brought to justice. "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured person recovers as soon as possible. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," PM Modi said. "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable, and it will get even stronger," he added. On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security meeting with all the agencies following the Pahalgam terror attack. Home Minister Shah reached Srinagar on Tuesday evening for the security review meeting. He said earlier that those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared. The Home Minister also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also briefed the Union Home Minister over the Pahalgam terrorist attack. LG Manoj Sinha and other high-level officials were also present at the meeting. Meanwhile, the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag, to nab the perpetrators of the attack. Candle marches were organised at several places in Jammu and Kashmir by local people against the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. "On 22 April 2025, in a cowardly and heart-wrenching act of violence.The terrorists opened fire on innocent tourists and locals. In the immediate aftermath, Joint Forces will oversee the situation. Medical teams were swiftly mobilised and casualty evacuation commenced," Chinar Corps said in a post on X. "In response to this senseless violence and the anguish caused to local sentiments, a candle march was organised in Sopore, Ganderbal, Handwara, Bandipora and other parts of Kashmir by the local populace. A Joint Search Operation has been launched by the #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolice in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag. The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice," it added. Delhi Police has also been instructed to keep a close watch on tourist places and other important places. (ANI) BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has demanded the scrapping of Articles 26 to 29 of the Constitution in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. Dubey criticised "vote-bank politics" and accused secular leaders of hypocrisy, suggesting they should clarify whether the Pahalgam attack was driven by religious motives. He expressed confidence in the current government's ability to address Kashmir issues, mentioning Home Minister Amit Shah and hinting at a possible resolution regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "When the country was divided in the name of Hindus and Muslims, then those who made Hindus second-class citizens by giving more rights to Muslims in the name of minority just for vote bank should tell today on the incident of Pahalgam whether today's murder was done on the basis of religion or not? Shame on secular leaders, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will be ours, have patience, this is Modi's government, whose Home Minister is Amit Shah ji. It is time to end Articles 26 to 29 of the Constitution," Dubey posted on X. https://x.com/nishikant_dubey/status/1914741550740893711 Articles 26 to 29 of the Indian Constitution guarantee the right to freedom of religion and the cultural and educational rights of minorities. Article 26 guarantees the freedom to manage religious affairs, including establishing institutions, managing affairs, and administering property. Article 27 prohibits compelling anyone to pay taxes for the promotion of a specific religion. Article 28 addresses freedom from religious instruction or worship in state-funded educational institutions. Finally, Article 29 protects the cultural and educational rights of minorities, including the right to conserve their language, script, or culture, and prohibits discrimination in state-aided educational institutions. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and paid condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. In a post on X, PM Modi stated that those responsible for this heinous act will be brought to justice. "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured person recovers as soon as possible. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," PM Modi said. "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable, and it will get even stronger," he added. On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security meeting with all the agencies following the Pahalgam terror attack. Home Minister Shah reached Srinagar on Tuesday evening for the security review meeting. He said earlier that those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared. The Home Minister also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also briefed the Union Home Minister over the Pahalgam terrorist attack. LG Manoj Sinha and other high-level officials were also present at the meeting. Meanwhile, the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag, to nab the perpetrators of the attack. Candle marches were organised at several places in Jammu and Kashmir by local people against the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. "On 22 April 2025, in a cowardly and heart-wrenching act of violence. The terrorists opened fire on innocent tourists and locals. In the immediate aftermath, Joint Forces will oversee the situation. Medical teams were swiftly mobilised and casualty evacuation commenced," Chinar Corps said in a post on X. "In response to this senseless violence and the anguish caused to local sentiments, a candle march was organised in Sopore, Ganderbal, Handwara, Bandipora and other parts of Kashmir by the local populace. A Joint Search Operation has been launched by the #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolice in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag. The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice," it added. Delhi Police has also been instructed to keep a close watch on tourist places and other important places. (ANI) In the wake of the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Congress MP Imran Masood has called for strict action on the perpetrators, stating that there should be no compromise with terrorism and it must be dealt with force. Condemning the incident, Masood said that the government should crush the attackers with force, and there should be no leniency with them. "I was in Kashmir just three days ago. I was very happy to see that there were so many tourists there. People were coming to visit, and we also could not imagine being in Kashmir till in the night, and we were out till in the night. The situation seemed absolutely normal in Kashmir, and now such an incident has happened. Family members were killed in front of their relatives. The government should crush them with force, and there should be no leniency with them. My stand on this matter is very clear, there should be no compromise with terrorism, it must be dealt with force..." the Congress MP told ANI. Condemning the incident, Congress leader Harish Rawat termed it a "heart-wrenching" incident. Rawat urged the government to take concrete steps on this and end terrorism in Kashmir. "This is a sad and condemnable incident. The whole country is angry with this... This is terrorism sponsored by Pakistan... We urge the government to take concrete steps on this and end terrorism in Kashmir... This is a heart-wrenching incident ..." Rawat told ANI. Meanwhile, five tourists from Maharashtra have lost their lives in the recent Pahalgam terror attack, said a statement from the office of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Deputy CM has requested Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to arrange a special flight to evacuate stranded tourists from Maharashtra. Responding to the appeal, the Union Minister assured Shinde that once the list of stranded individuals is shared with the Ministry, efforts will be initiated to transport them to Mumbai as a priority. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and paid condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. In a post on X, PM Modi stated that those responsible for this heinous act will be brought to justice. "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured person recovers as soon as possible. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," PM Modi said. "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable, and it will get even stronger," he added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security meeting with all the agencies following the Pahalgam terror attack. Home Minister Shah reached Srinagar on Tuesday evening for the security review meeting. He said earlier that those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared. Meanwhile, the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag, to nab the perpetrators of the attack. Delhi Police has also been instructed to keep a close watch on tourist places and other important places. (ANI) Defence officials confirmed that the 26-year-old officer, who was posted in Kochi, had travelled to Kashmir for a short vacation after his marriage on April 16. His wedding reception was held on April 19. Narwal had joined the Navy just two years ago and was posted in Kochi. His death has sent shockwaves through his family, community, and the defence establishment. Neighbours and locals have expressed their condolences, with many describing Narwal as a young officer with a bright future. Speaking to ANI, one of his neighbours, Naresh Bansal, said, "He was married 4 days ago. Everybody was happy. We have received the information that he was killed by terrorists, and he died on the spot. He was an officer in the Navy." The incident, which targeted tourists in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district, sparked widespread outrage across the country, with several political leaders condemning the attack. Residents of Jammu and Kashmir turned up for a candlelight march at several places in the state against the Pahalgam terror attack that took place on Tuesday. Locals in Baramulla, Srinagar, Poonch and Kupwara held a candlelight march while Bajrang Dal workers in Jammu held a protest against the terror attack. Locals in the Khod village of Akhoor area of the territory also held candle march protest against the Pahalgam terror attack. Five tourists from Maharashtra have also lost their lives in the recent Pahalgam terror attack, according to a statement from the office of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Deputy CM has requested Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to arrange a special flight to evacuate stranded tourists from Maharashtra. Responding to the appeal, the Union Minister assured Shinde that once the list of stranded individuals is shared with the Ministry, efforts will be initiated to transport them to Mumbai as a priority. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir''s Pahalgam and said those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice. In a post on X, PM Modi stated that those responsible for this heinous act will be brought to justice. "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured person recovers as soon as possible. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," PM Modi said. "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable, and it will get even stronger," he added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security meeting with all the agencies following the Pahalgam terror attack. Home Minister Shah reached Srinagar on Tuesday evening for the security review meeting. He said earlier that those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared. The Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag, to nab the perpetrators of the attack. Delhi Police has also been instructed to keep a close watch on tourist places and other important places. (ANI) The Ambassador of Ireland to India, Kevin Kelly, condoled the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Monday and called him a "world leader." Speaking with ANI, Kevin Kelly said, "It's a sad day, but we can all be inspired by Pope Francis and what he did in this world. Pope was not just a leader of the Christian faith, but he was a world leader." The Ambassador of Guatemala to India, Omar Castaneda Solares, also expressed grief at Pope Francis's demise and said that his contributions will transcend borders and generations. " His contributions will transcend borders and generations. His Holiness, Pope Francis, was a messenger of peace, love and compassion...So certainly that legacy of love, compassion that transcends religions is actually something that we're going to cherish for the rest of our lives," Omar Castaneda Solares said. The pope died of a stroke followed by heart failure on Monday at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. His death was also affected by other ailments, including a "previous episode of acute respiratory failure," arterial hypertension and type II diabetes, Vatican's press office said in a statement. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013, a papal conclave elected Cardinal Bergoglio as his successor on March 13. He chose Francis as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi. There will now be a nine-day period of official mourning, after which the Cardinals will go into conclave to elect the new Vicar of Christ. After the mourning period, the Cardinals will be called into Conclave to elect the next Vicar of Christ. " His contributions will transcend borders and generations. His holiness, Pope Francis, was a messenger of peace, love and compassion...So certainly that legacy of love, compassion that transcends religions is actually something that we're going to cherish for the rest of our lives..." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the death of Pope Francis, stating that the Pontiff's "affection for the people of India will always be cherished." "Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope," PM Modi said on X. A three-day State Mourning as a mark of respect following the passing of Pope Francis has been declared in India, according to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The mourning will be observed across the country on April 22 and 23, and again on the day of the Pope's funeral. (ANI) Jerusalem [Israel], April 22 (ANI/TPS): Hamas members who invaded Israel and took part in some of the most heinous acts of the October 7 massacre are set to be indicted by Israel. A prosecution is being compiled and will soon be submitted, after substantial evidence was found on seized computers from the Gaza Strip. In total, there are 22 Hamas members being indicted after Israeli intelligence trawled through piles of evidence, with help from American services. All 22 infiltrated Israel and attacked the Nir Oz kibbutz, one of the most affected areas, where at least 47 people were murdered, with many more being killed after being taken into captivity. Multiple women were tortured and raped, and most of the homes were torched. Six of those killed were among those fleeing the nearby Nova music festival. Of those affected, the Bibas family are the most known, as the two baby boys were the youngest people taken into captivity in Gaza by the terror group and brutally murdered. Mother Shiri, 32, and her two sons, Ariel, 3, and Kfir, ten months, were all snatched and killed shortly after. Father Yarden Bibas, 35, was also taken into captivity but was released alive in February. Maurice Hirsch, director of the Initiative for Palestinian Authority Accountability and Reform in the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and a Senior Legal Analyst at Human Rights Voices, told TPS-IL that the case will have many facets to consider. He explained that, due to the complex and convoluted nature of the Israeli legal system, the case could take many directions. He said: "There is a question of whether our courts are equipped to deal with this... [and] which crimes do we prosecute for, if there is no specific once victim, and as they [the terrorists] don't even know who they've murdered, it can make things challenging." He went on to say the case may take a long time to come into fruition: "It can take up to a year before anything starts, and the process could be arduous and personnel-intensive. So before anything starts, it could be quite a while." He pointed out that while held in a different country and with a different system, the Nuremberg trials were considerably quicker in comparison. "It took 16 months to start and finish the Nuremberg trials, [but] 18 months down the line [from the October 7 attacks], nothing has started yet." He also said that whether Israel decides to prosecute the terrorists laterally or keep the case area-specific will determine how many terrorists may end up being prosecuted. He commented: "It depends on who these people are. Will the prosecution go on a lateral basis or focus on one area? "Where, when were they arrested? We can see if any of them can be linked. Fogs are still uncovering, but the country will do well if we can clear this up... "It would be convenient if we could isolate 22 cases, but if I were a defence lawyer, I would ask for the evidence of mass murder. "With the right determination, all of these considerations can be overcome, and it should become clear." More than 300 terrorists who took part in the October 7 attacks are currently being held in Israeli prisons. (ANI/TPS) The opening ceremony was attended by Brigadier General Staff Mohammed Khamis Al Hassani, Deputy Commander of the UAE Land Forces, alongside a number of senior officers and officials, underscoring the importance of strengthening GCC integration in military fitness and combat readiness. The conference sessions will address several key themes, including environmental challenges in military training, mental health, injury prevention, and the use of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence in physical rehabilitation programmes. It will also showcase successful case studies and practical experiences. The agenda features specialised workshops and lectures focused on improving physical assessment efficiency and fostering joint cooperation among GCC member states to support the strategic objectives of regional land forces. The conference runs until 25th April 2025, with the goal of producing unified developmental frameworks for combat and fitness readiness, and advancing defence integration across the GCC. (ANI/WAM) Ashish Sinha, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, emphasised India's rising global stature during his recent visit to Katra. Speaking at an interaction with students and dignitaries, Sinha highlighted that India has significantly enhanced its credibility on the world stage across multiple dimensions -- strategic, economic, diplomatic, and technological. "India as a nation has gained credibility. Today, the world can no longer afford to ignore India in any aspect," Sinha stated. He underscored the country's role as a responsible global player, contributing actively to international forums, driving innovation, and playing a key role in global peace and development. Sinha also appreciated the efforts being made at the grassroots levels to align with India's broader vision of becoming a global leader while remaining rooted in its values and democratic ethos. Speaking with ANI, Sinha said that India's profile has increased and credited top leadership for it. "India's profile has increased. It has increased a lot in recent years. It is a symbol of our credibility in the world. This is because of the popularity of our top leadership. And our credibility has also increased with the decisions we have taken from time to time." Sinha said. Sinha emphasised on India's decisive role in geopolitics, mentioning that the country's opinion is sought even n matters not directly related to India. "So now it is that if any such thing happens in the world, there is no talk about it by ignoring India. One needs to know India's opinion on things that are not directly related to India. If the world's community thinks something or wants to do something, then India's thinking is definitely included in the collective thinking." Sinha said. Ashish Sinha is presently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs and has been appointed as India's next Ambassador to Estonia. Sinha is an Indian Foreign Service Officer of the 2005 batch. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. (ANI) The spiritual guru of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Mahant Swami Maharaj, has sent a letter of condolences and prayers to the Catholic community following Pope Francis's passing at the age of 88. In the letter, Mahant Swami Maharaj extended deepest condolences on behalf of the worldwide BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu fellowship, saying, "Pope Francis' departure is a profound loss to the Catholic community and Christians around the world," according to a release. "Pope Francis will be remembered as a beacon of hope, compassion, and unity. His efforts to promote social justice, environmental stewardship, and peace-building have left an indelible mark. His commitment to the marginalised and his call for global solidarity resonated deeply with the values we hold dear in our own tradition," Mahant Swami Maharaj said. Mahant Swami Maharaj commended Pope Francis endeavours to build bridges between different faiths, including his promotion of respect for the Hindu community and other religious traditions, the release stated. "In this time of mourning, we stand in solidarity with you. We share in your sorrow and pray to God and all the divine energies that you find comfort in the legacy of simplicity and compassion that Pope Francis strove to promote," he said. In addition to Mahant Swami Maharaj's letter of condolences, Pujya Brahmavihari Swami and the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi offered their heartfelt sympathies, the release added. Pujya Brahmavihari Swami added, "His humility and unwavering commitment to human dignity touched hearts across the world. We fondly remember his presence at the historic signing of the Human Fraternity Document in Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2019--a moment that symbolized hope, unity, and a future built on mutual respect. His deep respect for all faiths, including the Indian and Hindu communities, opened new paths for understanding and harmony." The pope died of a stroke followed by heart failure on Monday at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. His death was also affected by other ailments, including a "previous episode of acute respiratory failure," arterial hypertension and type II diabetes, Vatican's press office said in a statement. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013, a papal conclave elected Cardinal Bergoglio as his successor on March 13. He chose Francis as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi.(ANI) Reuben Gauci, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Malta to India, condoled the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Monday. He said he was the voice of reason, hope, and love in the world. Recalling the moments Reuben Gauci shared with Pope Francis back in 2014, he said that his smile was a means of communication. "I remember seeing him when I was serving in Istanbul in 2014, I was struck by his smile when I saw him. His smile was a message in itself. His smile was a means of communication. He was the voice of reason, hope and love in the world. His legacy should continue," Reuben Gauci said. Earlier, the Ambassador of Ireland to India, Kevin Kelly, condoled Pope Francis's death and called him a "world leader." Speaking with ANI, Kevin Kelly said, "It's a sad day, but we can all be inspired by Pope Francis and what he did in this world. Pope was not just a leader of the Christian faith, but he was a world leader." The pope died of a stroke followed by heart failure on Monday at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. His death was also affected by other ailments, including a "previous episode of acute respiratory failure," arterial hypertension and type II diabetes, Vatican's press office said in a statement. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013, a papal conclave elected Cardinal Bergoglio as his successor on March 13. He chose Francis as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi. There will now be a nine-day period of official mourning, after which the Cardinals will go into conclave to elect the new Vicar of Christ. After the mourning period, the Cardinals will be called into Conclave to elect the next Vicar of Christ. " His contributions will transcend borders and generations. His Holiness, Pope Francis, was a messenger of peace, love and compassion...So certainly that legacy of love, compassion that transcends religions is actually something that we're going to cherish for the rest of our lives..." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the death of Pope Francis, stating that the Pontiff's "affection for the people of India will always be cherished." "Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope," PM Modi said on X. A three-day State Mourning as a mark of respect following the passing of Pope Francis has been declared in India, according to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The mourning will be observed across the country on April 22 and 23, and again on the day of the Pope's funeral. (ANI) Almost everywhere one looks, China is ramping up pressure against neighbours and would-be adversaries. This is happening diplomatically, economically and militarily, even as Chairman Xi Jinping rapidly builds up the combat capabilities of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and prepares China for a drawn-out "struggle". Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), addressed these concerns in a House Armed Services Committee testimony on 10 April. He warned, "China continues to pursue unprecedented military modernisation and increasingly aggressive behaviour that threatens the US homeland, our allies and our partners." Military threats are just one element in China's toolbox for those who disagree with its imperious perspective. As Paparo explained, "China employs a multifaceted approach combining military pressure, cognitive and cyber operations, and economic coercion." Andrew Erickson, a professor at the US Naval War College, commented on Paparo's credentials: "Nobody outside of China," he related, "has a better view into developments of concern regarding China's armed forces than Admiral Sam Paparo..." He has led INDOPACOM since 3 May 2024, and before that, he was in charge of the Pacific Fleet from 5 May 2021. Erickson said Paparo has had "four years of daily observation of Chinese military developments down to the smallest externally observable detail. His prepared statement and related responses in his Congressional testimony last week show just how much progress he sees, and how serious it is." Paparo noted: "China is developing and integrating cutting-edge technologies - artificial intelligence, hypersonic and advanced missiles, and space-based capabilities - at an alarming pace. China's anti-access/area denial capabilities are designed to prevent US forces from operating within the First and Second Island Chains. China is outpacing the US in testing not only these critical technologies, but also technologies from across their military industrial base." The American admiral warned of other capabilities such as chemical and biological weapons, a growing nuclear arsenal and expanding maritime projection as all being worthy of "a challenge to regional stability". Furthermore, Xi is accelerating the pressure against Taiwan. As Paparo pointed out, "Beijing's aggressive manoeuvres around Taiwan are not just exercises - they are dress rehearsals for forced unification. The PLA escalated military pressure against Taiwan by 300% in 2024, through activities such as air defence identification zone entries and centerline crossings." The Philippines is another victim of Chinese bullying and aggression. Xi's change of heart towards the Philippines stemmed from the current President Bongbong Marcos' decision to stand up to Chinese encroachment, unlike his pusillanimous predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. Chinese actions have become increasingly pernicious in the Yellow Sea as well. A standoff between the Chinese and Korean coast guards occurred on February 26 after Beijing earlier erected a large steel rig in waters separating China and South Korea. This was in the Provisional Maritime Zone (PMZ) located near Socotra Rock, southwest of Jeju Island. Established in 2000, the PMZ is a jointly managed stretch of water where South Korean and Chinese exclusive economic zones overlap. China claimed the 71.5 m-tall structure was an aquafarm, but Seoul complained because it was illegally set up without consultation. This is not the first time China has done this in the Yellow Sea either, but previously it removed similar structures after Seoul complained. These actions are remarkably similar to China's salami-slicing tactics in the South China Sea, where it makes territorial claims and enforces them with squatters like the Chinese Maritime Militia. Incremental deployment of rigs of growing size in the Yellow Sea fits China's pattern of escalation and militarisation. This is easy for China to do, because there is minimal separation between its military, law enforcement and civilian sectors. The key strategic change over the past 15 years has been the rise of multipolar authoritarianism, accompanied by an increasing activity among its practitioners to reshape the world in their image. This is clearly evident in the confluence of interactive relationships, if not strictly alliances, among China, North Korea, and Russia. These three countries fill one another's weaknesses to their mutual benefit, something the INDOPACOM commander noted in his testimony. As one example, Paparo said, "Russia's growing military cooperation with China, including joint exercises in the Pacific, adds another layer of complexity to the Indo-Pacific security environment. Their combined operations demonstrate increasing sophistication that potentially complicates USINDOPACOM response options in a crisis." Last year, China and Russia conducted an inaugural coast guard patrol, two naval patrols, three naval exercises and two bomber patrols -the latter including bomber patrols near Alaska and Guam featuring Chinese nuclear-capable H-6N bombers. Nor is China neutral in the Ukraine War. The Pentagon assesses that China has provided 70% of machine tools and 90% of legacy computer chips to enable Russia to rebuild its industrial war machine. In return, Russia is assisting China with technological advances such as submarine quieting. The senior US military officer in the Indo-Pacific region stressed how "a US network of allies and partners represents a tremendous asymmetric advantage in the Indo-Pacific. No competitor or adversary can match the combined strength and capabilities of this network." Paparo added that "USINDOPACOM must enable key allies and partners to acquire the necessary capabilities to defend themselves, while improving combined interoperability through bilateral and multilateral exercises and operations". However, President Donald Trump's erratic behaviour may pose the biggest obstacle at present, as allies, friends, and onlookers watch with horror as Trump throws one friend after the other under the bus. Trump has embittered many with his insistence on extorting tariffs, and Southeast Asia was initially particularly hard-hit. As Evan Feigenbaum, Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, tweeted: "The US is pretty much done strategically in Southeast Asia. The region is filled with pragmatists, who can and do navigate all kinds of crazy stuff from outside powers. But that depends greatly on those players being either principled or strategic - and Washington is now neither." India also garnered a mention in the testimony, with INDOPACOM highlighting enhanced operational coordination, information sharing, collaboration and defence industrial and technology cooperation. "A strong and capable India - in durable partnership with the United States - can help provide security and deter conflict in the Indo-Pacific," Paparo stated. However, the underbelly for any US military response in the Indo-Pacific is the tyranny of distance, plus limited numbers of bases to which it will have access. Logistics, sustainment, stockpiles, agile combat deployments and base access are thorny issues for the USA. The nation requires close allies in the Indo-Pacific region, but wild US political behaviour is making the situation worse. "Give the bully an inch, he will take a mile," said Chinese Foreign Spokesperson Lin Jian on 11 April. He was referring to Trump's irrational imposition of tariffs, but ironically, China can be justifiably accused of treating smaller countries exactly the same way. Beijing is actively drawing others into its embrace, even as Xi visited the three Southeast Asian nations of Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam from April 14-18. Earlier, China and Cambodia announced on 5 April that the China-Cambodia Ream Port Joint Support & Training Centre had begun operations. China has been furtively investing in and building infrastructure at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base. The PLA stated the base is there to "ensure that the two militaries carry out regional counterterrorism, disaster prevention and mitigation, humanitarian rescue, joint training and other operations." PLA troops are now permanently stationed at this facility in Cambodia. The two parties added, "The construction and use of the centre is the result of mutual respect and equal consultation between China and Cambodia." They noted that the base is not directed at any third party, but "is conducive to further strengthening the pragmatic cooperation between the two militaries and better fulfilling international obligations and providing international public security products." At the end of his testimony, Paparo concluded: "As the most consequential opponent, China poses real and serious challenges to our military superiority. However, these challenges also present opportunities for reform and establishing an enduring advantage. While USINDOPACOM faces significant challenges, I remain confident in our deterrence posture and ability to defend US interests and maintain regional stability, but the trajectory must change. China is out-producing the United States in air, maritime and missile capability." Indeed, China is constructing combat warships at a ratio of 6:1.8 compared to the USA, which represents more than three times the quantity. Such ratios are reflected in just about every force element, according to Paparo. He described PLA modernisation as a "step-level change". Astonishingly, he assessed that the PLA has increased its military capability tenfold to fifteenfold in the past 20 years alone. China also has 2,100 fighters in its order of battle, as well as more than 200 H-6 bombers. Fighters are being produced at a rate of 1.2:1 compared to the USA. Their long-range air-to-air missiles "present a tremendous threat," said the chief. He also assessed that China has "high marks in their ability" to deny US air superiority in the First Island Chain. Neither side would gain complete mastery of the air, with INDOPACOM contesting air superiority and, when required, providing windows of air superiority to achieve specific aims. An unwanted war over Taiwan could result in a 25% GDP contraction in Asia, a 10-12% GDP reduction in the USA, and 7-10% higher unemployment in the States. Paparo also warned of this about any loss of Taiwan to the PLA, "The knock-on effect of the brittleness of that network of alliances and partnerships means that some of the states could confer and submit to the PRC's mode of exploitation en route to their long-range goal of setting the rules of the world and reaping the benefits of that.""If you do not hold the high ground along the First Island Chain, you are vastly limited in your ability to operate," he underscored. This led Senator Tom Cotton to say, "So the key then is to prevent the war from happening in the first place. We do not want to be in a situation where we have to win a war over Taiwan. We want to stop it from happening, and the way to do that is through a strong military and resolute, confident leadership." When Cotton asked the INDOPACOM head what he needed most, he responded, "counter-C5ISR [command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] capabilities in cyber, space, counter-space to ensure that the United States can see, understand, decide, act, assess, learn faster than the PRC can, to enhance our ability to blind, to deceive and to destroy the adversary's ability to see and sense." He said a second requirement is long-range fires and effects so the joint force is "effective in attacking centers of gravity, the platform that they ride on, the sustainment that sustains them." Paparo acknowledged that China frequently attempts to sabotage undersea internet cables, particularly around Taiwan, through gray-zone tactics. Senator Jacky Rosen remarked that China's "reckless, coercive and aggressive activities pose a threat to democracies around the globe, and its sabotage of those undersea cables has emerged as a particularly alarming tactic". Paparo proposed two countermeasures. The first is deterrence, "the ability to penetrate from an intelligence standpoint and to be there in the locations where they would be otherwise cutting those cables". Second is resilience, such as redundant networks to ensure the information environment continues unabated, as well as the proliferation of multiple constellations in low Earth orbit. Paparo admitted that anticipating and countering Chinese moves consumes his duties. He likened it to "a constant stare, the constant analysis of intelligence sources, of open-source sources and then the physical movement on the ground, to be able to see and understand, to anticipate and to be able to pace their actions that look to coerce Taiwan and to demonstrate the prospect of settling the matter by force". His second focus of attention is Chinese "encroachment on treaty allies in the Philippines, as well as encroachment on partners in the South China Sea, with their excessive and illogical claims and their Nine-Dash Line claim." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to Jeddah holds a cultural significance as Jeddah has served as the port of connectivity for pilgrims who arrive in the Kingdom for Hajj and Umrah, said Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Yemen Suhel Ajaz Khan. PM Modi's visit to Jeddah also holds importance as it is crucial for India-Saudi Arabia connectivity. "Prime Minister Modi's previous two visits have been to Riyadh so that it would be his first visit to Jeddah. Jeddah has a special significance in the connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia because, for centuries, Jeddah has been the port for our pilgrims who come for Umra and Hajj to Saudi Arabia. Jeddah has been the port of trade connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia. So this is a very, very significant place in terms of connectivity," he told ANI. Khan added that the defence partnership between both nations is strong, and it would most certainly find a place in the discussions. "Our defence and security partnership is powerful. We have a bilateral defence cooperation MOU from 2014. Under this, various activities are taking place. As you know, in the last few years, we all organised the naval exercises and land forces exercises, and we are looking at another edition of the naval exercises shortly. Definitely, defence cooperation will be a part of the agenda, and our defence partnership will certainly get impetus during this visit," the Indian ambassador said. Amid the ongoing talks being held in Riyadh between the US and Russia, Khan said that Saudi Arabia has played a significant role. Israel-Gaza crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict would be a part of the discussion between PM Modi and the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Indian ambassador told ANI. "When both the leaders meet, they will certainly discuss all the issues, including the issues of regional importance and global importance. Saudi Arabia has been the place for talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Not only now, but even in 2023, they organised two rounds of talks at the National Security Adviser levels and recently also they again became a venue for the talks, so they play a very important role. They also play a very important role in the regional geopolitical situation. And I'm sure both the leaders will discuss all these issues," he said. Talking to ANI on the economic cooperation between the two countries, the Indian envoy said that a lot of initiatives under the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is under talks. "Our economic partnership is very strong, and our trade has been increasing. In fact, India's exports to Saudi Arabia have almost doubled in the last four years, and there's a lot of emphasis on facilitating the investments. In fact, today only, there was a high-level task force meeting on investment which met in Riyadh, and this is a task force which was formed after the 2023 visit of the Crown Prince to India... So definitely economic partnership is one of the fulcrums of our relationship and a lot of emphasis has been given to it. As far as IMEC is concerned, we are working closely with Saudi Arabia on a number of initiatives. One of the most important initiatives where we have made a lot of progress is the electric grid connectivity. It is a very ambitious programme," he said. "The idea is that we connect the electric grids of both the countries so that we benefit from opportunities in the renewable and clean energy in both the countries, and we are currently undertaking feasibility studies, so a lot of progress has taken place there. As part of the IMEC, we will work with Saudi Arabia and other regional partners on dimensions like multimodal logistic connectivity, data connectivity, and other elements of IMEC. So IMEC is very important. It is not one project, it is vision and it will have many, many projects and many other verticals in times to come," he added. (ANI) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Saudi Arabia on a two-day official visit from April 21 to 22, members of the Indian diaspora in Jeddah are excited to interact with him. The members of the diaspora called it a "big day" and took pride in Prime Minister Modi's visit. PM Modi is visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. This is PM Modi's third visit to the country, following earlier visits in 2016 and 2019. The Indian community in Jeddah is buzzing with excitement as preparations are underway to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the city. The community is gearing up for a traditional and vibrant welcome for the Prime Minister. A Troupe of dancers was observed performing Kathak in preparation for PM Modi's visit. Speaking to ANI, Pushpa Suresh, a member of the Good Hope Arts Academy, expressed her excitement, saying, "It is a big day for us as our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji, is coming here." "Jeddah is called a sacred city as it is close to Mecca. We will welcome the PM with a glimpse of a traditional dance," she added. Highlighting the support from the Indian embassy, she affirmed, "Good Hope Arts Academy is the first government-registered arts academy in Saudi Arabia. We got full support from the Indian embassy here. Many Indian children and those from other countries want to learn Indian dance forms. I have been teaching dance in Jeddah for the last 35 years." Further, Samriti, another member of the Indian diaspora, who will be a part of the dance troupe welcoming Prime Minister Modi, expressed her excitement, saying, "We are really excited." The Indian community is preparing for cultural performances ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit. As part of the visit, PM Modi is expected to visit a factory where Indian workers are employed. He will interact with them during his time there. During a special press briefing on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the visit will provide an important opportunity to discuss key regional and global issues. These include the situation in West Asia, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and threats to maritime security due to Houthi attacks. Misri also highlighted that India and Saudi Arabia are likely to strengthen their defence cooperation and expand their economic ties.(ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. PM Modi is visiting Saudi Arabia from April 22 to 23 at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Since 2014, PM Modi has transformed the trajectory of India's relations with Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries. This will be PM Modi's third visit to the country, following earlier visits in 2016 and 2019. All other Prime Ministers before him together visited Saudi Arabia three times in seven decades. This also marks his 15th visit to a country in the Gulf region. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1914514388351955438 "Today, I embark on a two-day State visit to the Kingdom of Saudi at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman," he said in a pre-departure statement. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1914523173590028453 "India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years. Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership including in the domains of defence, trade, investment, energy and people to people ties. We have shared interest and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability," he added. Calling Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman his 'brother', PM Modi said that he looked forward to the second Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. "This will be my third visit to Saudi Arabia over the past decade and a first one to the historic city of Jeddah. I look forward to participating in the second Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council and build upon the highly successful State visit of my brother His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India in 2023," the Prime Minister said. "I am also eager to connect with the vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia that continues to serve as the living bridge between our nations and making immense contribution to strengthening the cultural and human ties," he said. As part of the visit, PM Modi is expected to visit a factory where Indian workers are employed. He will interact with them during his time there. During a special press briefing on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the visit will provide an important opportunity to discuss key regional and global issues. These include the situation in West Asia, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and threats to maritime security due to Houthi attacks. (ANI) The Vance family received a warm and vibrant welcome at Jaipur''s Amber Fort. They were greeted with a traditional Rajasthani dance performance and elegantly decorated elephants. A day earlier, JD Vance visited the Central Cottage Industries Emporium in New Delhi along with his family. While at the Emporium, Showroom GM Meera Somani told ANI that the family "Really enjoyed and they appreciated our showroom. They purchased pottery and papier-mache items, and teas..." The US Vicce President and his family also visited the Akshardham Temple in the national capital on Monday morning, shortly after their arrival. Their sons wore kurta-pyjamas, while their daughter was dressed in an Anarkali-style outfit paired with an embroidered jacket. The temple''s spokesperson, Radhika Shukla, said that the US Vice President spent around 55 minutes exploring the temple, admiring its architecture, and offering prayers for world peace. Vance and his family landed at Palam Airport, where they were welcomed by Union Minister for Railways and Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw. Vance was also given a ceremonial Guard of Honour, marking the start of his first official visit to India. The US Vice President on Monday said it was an "honour" to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called the PM a "great leader" on the first day of his India visit. Vance also expressed gratitude for hosting his family at the PM''s residence in New Delhi and said that PM Modi was "incredibly kind to my family." Responding to PM Modi''s post on X, the US Vice President wrote, "It was an honor to see Prime Minister Modi this evening. He''s a great leader, and he was incredibly kind to my family." Vance further expressed willingness to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries."I look forward to working under President Trump''s leadership to strengthen our friendship and cooperation with the people of India!" Vance said. PM Modi, after meeting Vance, said that both nations are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation in various sectors. "Pleased to welcome US Vice President JD Vance and his family to New Delhi. We reviewed the fast-paced progress following my visit to the US and meeting with President Trump. We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, including in trade, technology, defence, energy and people-to-people exchanges," PM Modi wrote on X. On Wednesday, Vance will visit Agra along with his family. The India visit of the US Vice President concludes with their departure from India on April 24 at 6:40 am. (ANI) Khattar arrived in Kathmandu at the invitation of Nepali Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation- Dipak Khadka. During his visit to India on February 12, Minister Khadka had extended an invitation to Indian Power Minister Khattar to visit Nepal. Minister Khattar is scheduled to inspect the Arun-3 Hydropower Project being constructed by the SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company (SAPDC), which is owned by the Indian company Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN). Khattar will inspect the power house and dam area of the Arun-3 Hydropower Project. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Khadka will also visit Arun-3. SJVN is currently constructing 900 MW Arun-3 Hydropower Project in Sankhuwasabh district. Most of the structural work of the project has reached the final stage. The company is working to complete the project as quickly as possible. Similarly, SJVN's subsidiary, SAPDC, is also constructing the 669 MW Lower Arun Hydropower Project. Similarly, Minister Khadka and Indian Minister Khattar will jointly inaugurate the Inaruwa-Basantapur-Baneshwor-Tumlingtar 200 kV transmission line and 220/133/33 kV Tumlingtar substation, 220/33 kV Baneshwor substation and 220/133/33 kV Basantapur substation under the Koshi Corridor 220 kV transmission line, which were completed with the assistance of the government of India, at Tumlingtar in Sankhuwasabha. Both ministers will also sign an agreement on the transmission line to be built with joint investment by the two countries, and take forward the construction process. Khattar is scheduled to discuss Indian investment in other hydropower projects as well as new projects with Minister Khadka. Minister Khattar will also visit Muktinath Temple in Mustang on April 23. The visiting Indian Minister is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers. (ANI) I grew up in a Hindu household in India, in a home where gods didn''t compete--they coexisted. Ganpati smiled from the altar, Jesus hung in my grandmother''s room, and the Quran sat on our bookshelf like it belonged there--which it did. We were human before we were anything else. That was the first religion I was taught. Faith, in our home, was light--literal and metaphorical. Firecrackers at Diwali, candles at Christmas, diyas flickering through power cuts. The idea that religion could divide us? That was foreign to me. Foreign, until it wasn''t. As a boy, I was taken by the pageantry of the Catholic Church. The gold and scarlet vestments, the thunder of the organ, the long shadows cast in stained-glass light. I fell in love with the visuals. The performance. The ritual. Not because I was Catholic, but because it was beautiful. And beauty, to a queer boy with a thirst for drama and color, was sacred. What I didn''t know then--what I couldn''t know--is that behind the robes and incense was an institution that would one day call me an abomination. I moved to New York. I grew up. And I saw religion up close in a different light. I saw churches as battlegrounds. I saw pulpits used not to lift but to divide. And the Catholic Church, with its sanctified silence and weaponized scriptures, was no exception. I saw what happened to people like me. Our love was a sin. Our presence was a problem. Our joy was a threat. And yet--despite all that--I still wanted to believe. I wanted to believe that religion could be better. That it could be kinder. That it could be beautiful again. Then came Pope Francis. He wasn''t supposed to be revolutionary. He was supposed to be a placeholder. A quiet choice. A compromise pope. Instead, he became a radical--not in his rejection of religion, but in his embrace of it. Francis wasn''t trying to tear the Church down. He was trying to remind it of its soul. And he did it with five words. "Who am I to judge?" He said it in 2013, just a few months after becoming pope, on a flight back from Brazil. A reporter asked him about gay clergy. And instead of pivoting, hedging, or hiding behind doctrine, he said it plainly. Who am I to judge? Five words. Spoken softly. But they shook the Church. They cracked open a window long sealed shut. For the first time, someone at the very top saw us--not as sins, not as symbols, but as people. Francis was not perfect. He never changed the Church''s teachings on same-sex marriage or priestly celibacy or abortion. He didn''t rewrite the catechism. But he changed the tone. The temperature. The tenor. He blessed same-sex couples, even as his bishops balked. He called for mercy instead of dogma. He elevated tenderness over triumphalism. In 2024, he said: "Nobody gets scandalized if I bless a businessman who perhaps exploits people... but they get scandalized if I give them to a homosexual. This is hypocrisy." Hypocrisy. That word, from a pope, not aimed at the queer community--but at those who condemned it. He wasn''t defending sin. He was defending sincerity. He understood that morality without mercy is just vanity dressed up in robes. Francis didn''t lead from the throne. He led from the margins. He kissed the feet of Muslim refugees. He traveled to Iraq and Congo, places no pope had dared to go. He met with imams, rabbis, and gurus--not to debate, but to listen. He prayed alone in a rain-drenched St. Peter''s Square during the pandemic, the whole world watching, weeping. In a Church built on power, he chose presence. In a world obsessed with borders, he chose bridges. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar remembered him as "a deep believer and a traditionalist with a difference... a passionate advocate of interfaith dialogue." The Dalai Lama said, "The best tribute we can pay to him is to be warm-hearted people." Barack Obama called him "the rare leader who made us want to be better... who reminded us that we are all bound by obligations to God and one another." They mourned not just a man--but a moral force. But not everyone welcomed him. I remember asking my partner''s father--a Catholic man from New Jersey--what he thought of the Pope''s words on gay people. He shrugged. That''s just one priest''s opinion," he said. One priest. It was easier to reduce a revolutionary to a rogue than to confront what he represented. American Catholics could dismiss him when his compassion clashed with their comfort. And that''s the thing about Francis: he made it hard to look away. He made it hard to pretend that love could be regulated. He reminded us what religion could be at its best: not a wall, but a window. He said: "The thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful. It needs nearness." He meant nearness to people. To pain. To joy. To difference. "I would like all of us to hope anew," he said in his final public address, "and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves... for all of us are children of God." Religion, across the board--not just Christianity--has too often forgotten this. It has traded humility for hierarchy. Compassion for control. Poetry for policy. But Francis remembered. He remembered the heart. He criticized consumerism and climate destruction not because they were political, but because they were spiritual betrayals. "The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth," he wrote in his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si''. He made climate change not just an environmental issue, but a moral one. He called for an economy that serves people, not the other way around. He kissed the hands of Indigenous elders and apologized--truly apologized--for the Church''s role in colonization and residential schools. He reminded the world: holiness without humanity is just theater. And for someone like me--someone who loved religion''s drama but feared its dogma--he was a balm. A bridge. A breath of holy air. He didn''t save the Church. But he saved my belief that religion could be beautiful again. Now he is gone. And the Sistine Chapel waits. Smoke will rise. Names will be whispered. Odds calculated. Continuity versus change. Pietro Parolin or Luis Antonio Tagle or someone no one expects. But whoever comes next, they will inherit more than a throne. They will inherit a challenge: not to preserve the Church, but to prove it still matters. Because Francis did what no dogma could: he made people feel seen. And in a world starving for recognition, that is a kind of miracle. He was called "His Holiness," but he never acted like he had all the answers. He questioned power. He questioned borders. He questioned the idea that anyone could own God. And in doing so, he brought the divine down to eye level. He gave us five words. He gave us a glimpse of grace. And he gave me--once a boy in love with religion''s glitter, then a man scarred by its rules--a reason to believe again. Not in institutions. But in possibility. DISCLAIMER: Suvir Saran is a Masterchef, Author, Hospitality Consultant And Educator. The views expressed in this article are his own. (ANI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari extended a warm welcome to United States Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, and their children during their visit to the Amber Fort in Jaipur on Tuesday. JD Vance, who is on a four-day visit to India, was accompanied by his family as they embarked on a cultural visit to Jaipur on Tuesday. At the entrance to the Fort they were greeted in a traditional Rajasthani welcome with dancers and elegantly decorated elephants. The Chief Minister Sharma seen greeting and shaking hands with Vance's sons. Sharing a post on X, Sharma wrote, "It was an honour to welcome the Vice President of the USA, Mr. JD Vance, along with his family, to the historic Amer Fort in Jaipur today." https://x.com/BhajanlalBjp/status/1914553223316201640 https://x.com/BhajanlalBjp/status/1914555347097780340 JD Vance, who is on a four-day visit to India, was accompanied by his family as they embarked on a cultural visit to Jaipur on Tuesday. The Vance family reached the Amber Fort in the morning, having departed from the Rambagh Palace, where they were staying. The Vance family received a warm and vibrant welcome at Jaipur's Amber Fort. They were greeted with a traditional Rajasthani dance performance. Amber Fort is situated in the valley of the Aravalli ranges just below Jaigarh Fort. Prior to shifting their capital to Jaipur, Amber was the capital of the Kachhwaha Rajputs. Amber was initially under the domain of the Susawat Meena tribe. In the 11th century, Dulahrai (Dhola), the son of Sodhadeva, laid the foundation of the Kachhwaha dynasty in the Dhundhar region. His son, Kakil Dev, took over the reign of Amber from the Meenas. Raja Man Singh I started the construction of the new palace complex at the end of the 16th century. After Raja Man Singh I, Mirza Raja Jai Singh I and Sawai Jai Singh II made modifications and changes as per the needs from time to time. They also changed the interior decoration as per their own interests. The entire fort was constructed in four stages. A day earlier, JD Vance visited the Central Cottage Industries Emporium in New Delhi along with his family. The US Vice President and his family also visited the Akshardham Temple in the national capital on Monday morning, shortly after their arrival. Their sons wore kurta-pyjamas, while their daughter was dressed in an Anarkali-style outfit paired with an embroidered jacket. Vance and his family landed at Palam Airport, where they were welcomed by Union Minister for Railways and Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw. Vance was also given a ceremonial Guard of Honour, marking the start of his first official visit to India. The US Vice President, on Monday, said it was an "honour" to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called the PM a "great leader" on the first day of his visit to India. On Wednesday, Vance will visit Agra along with his family. The India visit of the US Vice President concludes with their departure from India on April 24 at 6:40 am. (ANI) Foreign Affairs Expert Sushant Sareen stated on Tuesday that India's relations with Saudi Arabia have improved significantly, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed on a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, running from April 21 to April 22. Sareen highlighted India's role in forging closer ties between the two countries over the last eight years. "Look at the way India's relations with Saudi Arabia have improved. Both countries have come closer in the last eight to ten years. India has also invested a lot in that relationship. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also made a difference in Saudi Arabia, especially since he became the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The relationship between India and Saudi Arabia has improved a lot," he said. He also emphasised the importance of the economic relationship between the two countries, unlike Pakistan, which is struggling with an economic crisis, forcing its leaders to seek financial assistance on a daily basis from Saudi Arabia. "Secondly, the relationship between India and Saudi Arabia on an economic basis is also very important. Saudi Arabia sells oil. But India buys oil. Other countries like Pakistan, reach out to Saudi Arabia every other day for free food, they beg. Saudi Arabia has stopped their (Pakistan) beggars from coming there. But their (Pakistan) Prime Minister and the military chief (Pakistan) go there and beg for oil on their debt, they ask Saudi to put some money into their banks, etc. India does not do this, India trades with them, it does business," he said. Sareen further said, "They are talking about investment. In this, too, I think we have to do some work from India because some of the big investment proposals that were there are not yet moving forward because of the typical bureaucratic or political obstacles. But I think the Prime Minister will sort them out to some extent so that we can push them forward," he said. He also underlined the strategic importance of Saudi Arabia in the world. "Strategically, Saudi Arabia has a very important place in the world and India recognizes it. Our energy security is connected there, our people live there and work, money comes from there in India, so it is very important and there is a huge Muslim community in India, which goes to Saudi Arabia for Haj or for its other religious duties, so there is a connection there," he said. PM Modi is visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. This is PM Modi's third visit to the country, following earlier visits in 2016 and 2019. During a special press briefing on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the visit will provide an important opportunity to discuss key regional and global issues. These include the situation in West Asia, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and threats to maritime security due to Houthi attacks.Misri also highlighted that India and Saudi Arabia are likely to strengthen their defence cooperation and expand their economic ties.(ANI) The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has vehemently opposed the current social media spread of propaganda movies featuring East Turkistan Uyghur dancers performing in Paris and Budapest's key squares. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is attempting to conceal the ongoing Uyghur genocide and create a false sense of freedom and cultural vibrancy in the area by staging these performances under the pretense of cultural exhibitions, according to the WUC's release. "These Uyghur artists who were brought from East Turkistan are only helping China spread its propaganda in the West," stated Turgunjan Alawdun, president of the WUC. Despite continuous reports of mass violations and genocide, the Chinese government is trying to improve its image," the WUC release stated. European spectators witnessed the featured artists, a well-known East Turkistani state-sponsored group, singing and dancing to traditional Uyghur tunes. These performances are extremely regulated and planned by the CCP to propagate the false narrative that Uyghurs are living freely and practicing their culture unhindered; they are not authentic manifestations of cultural pride or freedom. The WUC statement claimed that although the CCP presents Uyghur dancers overseas, it still imprisons a great number of Uyghur artists, thinkers, and cultural leaders domestically, criminalizing the exact culture it purports to promote internationally. There have been previous examples of this type of propaganda. As part of its global deception campaign to evade international criticism of its crimes against humanity, China has hosted similar cultural exhibits in Turkey, several Arab nations, and other places. Similar propaganda operations have been documented, such as the time the Chinese embassy in Geneva held picture exhibitions featuring Uyghurs singing and dancing without mentioning widespread abuses. According to a WUC release, the World Uyghur Congress urges governments, civil society, and media outlets to see these incidents for what they are: propaganda tools that conceal the reality of repression, internment, and forced assimilation in East Turkistan and take advantage of Uyghur culture under state control. (ANI) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday extended condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Putin said, "Esteemed Mrs President, Esteemed Mr Prime Minister, Kindly accept the sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, whose victims were civilians -- citizens of various countries." "This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face deserved punishment. I would like to reiterate our commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the near and dear ones of the deceased, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery of all injured," he added. https://x.com/ambrus_india/status/1914723336652726693?s=46 Further, Denis Alipov, Russian Ambassador to India, extended deepest condolences to the people and government of India, stating that "Russia resolutely stands with India." Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, said, "deepest condolences to the people and the Government of India over the heinous terror attack against tourists in Pahalgam. Russia resolutely stands with India." Ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou also condemned the dastardly attack in Jammu and Kashmir. "Strong condemnation of the dastardly attack in Jammu & Kashmir. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. France stands in solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism. #Pahalgam," he posted on X. The attack, which targeted tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, took place earlier on Tuesday. However, the state government has not issued any official statement on casualties. Anti-terror operations have been launched in response to the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, and assured that the perpetrators would pay a heavy price for their actions. Following the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the phone and directed him to take all necessary measures in response to the incident. PM Modi has also asked the Home Minister to visit the site of the attack in south Kashmir's Anantnag district to assess the situation personally. PM Modi "strongly" condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and paid condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," PM Modi said. "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable, and it will get even stronger," he added. Political leaders across parties have strongly condemned the firing incident reported in the Pahalgam area of south Kashmir, calling it an attack on peace and the region's tourism sector. (ANI) US President Donald Trump held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and offered his condolences at the loss of lives in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Trump condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this "heinous attack." In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated, "President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump @POTUS called PM @narendramodi and conveyed his deepest condolences at the loss of innocent lives in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. President Trump strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack. India and the United States stand together in the fight against terror." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1914768541951385637 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also offered support to India. In a post on X, Rubio wrote, "The United States stands with India." He made the statement in response to the post shared by the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the US State Department on the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, calling for holding the perpetrators accountable. https://x.com/SecRubio/status/1914760395954503977 "The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Kashmir. Nothing can justify such a heinous act killing tourists and civilians. Our thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. We continue to monitor the situation and call for perpetrators to be held accountable," the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the US State Department posted on X. https://x.com/State_SCA/status/1914738282535043081 US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz called the attack in Pahalgam a "terrible tragedy." He made the statement in response to the post shared by US President Donald Trump on terrorist attack in Pahalgam. "A terrible tragedy. Please join me in praying for the victims and their families," Waltz posted on X. https://x.com/MikeWaltz47/status/1914732733747577033 Earlier, US President Donald Trump condemned the terrorist attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, expressing solidarity with India. Sharing a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured." "Prime Minister Modi and the incredible people of India have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!" he added. Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security meeting with all the agencies on Tuesday. In the evening, the Home Minister reached Srinagar for the security review meeting. Amit Shah also briefed PM Modi about the incident. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also briefed the Union Home Minister over the Pahalgam terrorist attack. LG Manoj Sinha and other high-level officials were also present at the meeting. The Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag, to nab the perpetrators of the attack. (ANI) US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer condolences for the victims of the "Islamist terror attack" in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. PM Modi thanked Trump for his support and said that India is determined to bring perpetrators and backers of this "cowardly and heinous terrorist attack" to justice Trump condemned the attack in Pahalgam and said that the United States stands with India in its fight against terrorism and offered all possible support. In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated, "President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump @POTUS called PM @narendramodi and conveyed his deepest condolences at the loss of innocent lives in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. President Trump strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack. India and the United States stand together in the fight against terror." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also offered support to India. In a post on X, Rubio wrote, "The United States stands with India." He made the statement in response to the post shared by the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the US State Department on the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, calling for holding the perpetrators accountable. "The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Kashmir. Nothing can justify such a heinous act, killing tourists and civilians. Our thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. We continue to monitor the situation and call for perpetrators to be held accountable," the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the US State Department posted on X. Earlier, US President Donald Trump condemned the terrorist attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, expressing solidarity with India. Sharing a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured." "Prime Minister Modi and the incredible people of India have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!" he added. Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security meeting with all the agencies on Tuesday. In the evening, the Home Minister reached Srinagar for the security review meeting. Amit Shah also briefed PM Modi about the incident. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also briefed the Union Home Minister over the Pahalgam terrorist attack. LG Manoj Sinha and other high-level officials were also present at the meeting. Meanwhile, the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag, to nab the perpetrators of the attack. Candle marches were organised at several places in Jammu and Kashmir by local people against the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. "On 22 April 2025, in a cowardly and heart-wrenching act of violence. The terrorists opened fire on innocent tourists and locals. In the immediate aftermath, Joint Forces will oversee the situation. Medical teams were swiftly mobilised and casualty evacuation commenced," Chinar Corps said in a post on X. "In response to this senseless violence and the anguish caused to local sentiments, a candle march was organised in Sopore, Ganderbal, Handwara, Bandipora and other parts of Kashmir by the local populace. A Joint Search Operation has been launched by the #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolice in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag. The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice," it added. (ANI) TOKYO, Apr 22 (News On Japan) - The emergence of Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn has become a key catalyst in the discussion of a potential Nissan-Honda merger. Having grown through iPhone production, the company is now pushing into the electric vehicle (EV) sector, led by a Japanese executive who once held top roles at major Japanese firms. That executive is Jun Seki, currently serving as Chief Strategy Officer for Foxconns EV division. Previously, Seki was CEO of Nissan, then later president of Nidec, where he briefly succeeded founder Shigenobu Nagamori as CEO before stepping down after just over a year. His departure was widely viewed as a demotion. Foxconn then recruited Seki to lead its EV ambitions. Foxconns entry into the auto sector is seen as one of the triggers behind Honda and Nissans decision to begin discussions on a possible management integration. With Nissans stock struggling and its performance deteriorating, Foxconn was reportedly exploring the possibility of acquiring the automaker. This pressure prompted both Nissan and Honda to accelerate their talks, spurred in part by fears within Japans Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry over a foreign buyout of a domestic manufacturer. Founded in 1974, Foxconn is the worlds largest electronics contract manufacturer, best known for assembling Apples iPhones. The companys expansion has closely followed the global smartphone boom. In 2023, its revenue reached around 6.16 trillion Taiwan dollars, roughly 30 trillion yen. Foxconn also acquired Sharp in 2016, a move that once raised hopes for a revival of the Japanese electronics brand, though Sharp has since struggled amid changing technology trends such as the shift from LCD to OLED displays in smartphones. Today, Foxconn is refocusing its Japanese investments on emerging sectors like EVs and AI. As the Honda-Nissan merger talks faltered, Mitsubishi Motors began discussions to outsource EV production to Foxconn. The strategy aims to cut production costs, shorten development cycles, and boost competitiveness. For Mitsubishi, outsourcing mitigates the risk of building new facilities that could become unprofitable if EV sales disappoint. Foxconn sees EVs as its next growth pillar after smartphones. Its interest in the Japanese auto sector is reflected in its outreach to Nissan and Honda, and the company has already established partnerships with global automakers. However, the global EV race is intense. U.S. leader Tesla has long dominated the market, while China's BYD has quickly gained ground with affordable models. Japanese automakers, by contrast, are under pressure to rethink their EV strategies. Nissans Leaf, once a trailblazer, now faces stiff competition. Japanese firms are known for their engineering and reliability, but EVs require a different approach one that emphasizes software integration, platform scalability, and massive investment. Thats why Nissan and Honda had explored combining forces: to build up the financial firepower needed for next-generation vehicle development. Industry observers say that while Toyota has the scale and capital to pursue a broad strategy spanning hybrids, gas vehicles, and EVs, others like Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi may not be able to afford that luxury. For these companies, forming alliances including with tech players like Foxconn may be key to surviving in an increasingly global and competitive EV market. Source: Kyodo TOKYO, Apr 22 (News On Japan) - George Glass, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Japan, held his first meeting with Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to discuss tariff measures under the Trump administration and efforts to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance. "This early approval and appointment of Ambassador Glass reflects how highly the United States values Japan, and I am very pleased," said Iwaya. During the meeting, the two discussed cooperation on security issues in light of the Trump administrations tariff policies, as well as ways to reinforce the bilateral alliance. Iwaya also requested U.S. support for an early resolution of the abduction issue, to which Glass reportedly expressed full support. Glass, known for his close ties to President Trump, said he is "very optimistic" that Japan and the United States will reach an agreement on tariff negotiations. Source: TBS VANCOUVER, B.C. As legal scrutiny intensifies worldwide, the number of individuals seeking refuge from prosecution has risen dramatically. Whether motivated by political persecution, criminal allegations, or personal safety concerns, avoiding extradition to the United States is a complex legal and logistical challenge. Amicus International Consulting, a recognized authority in identity transformation and legal asylum support, now offers strategic consultation and services to help individuals navigate the high-stakes world of international extradition. The companys latest advisory, How to Avoid Extradition to the United States, outlines the intricate processes, global treaties, and viable strategies to avoid capture and repatriation. From legal routes such as political asylum to geographical strategies like relocating to countries without extradition treaties, Amicus provides insight, discretion, and professional assistance for those facing extraordinary circumstances. Understanding the Extradition Process Extradition is a formal judicial process in which one country surrenders an individual to another for prosecution or punishment. The United States maintains extradition treaties with over 100 countries, making avoidance complicated but not impossible. Each request passes through several phases: Submission of Request: The U.S. Department of Justice submits a formal request to the foreign country. Evaluation: The host country reviews the request based on domestic laws and existing treaties. Judicial Review: A court determines if the extradition meets legal standards. Executive Approval: Final authorization lies with the countrys head of state or designated authority. Certain factors can halt extradition, including: Political crimes: Extradition is frequently denied if the charges are politically motivated. Human rights concerns: The Risk of torture or inhumane treatment can prevent extradition. Double criminality: Both countries must recognize the offence as a crime. Why Individuals Flee the United States Many who consider evading extradition do so because of overwhelming charges or circumstances. These include: Serious Criminal Allegations: Individuals facing drug trafficking, financial fraud, or tax evasion may anticipate lengthy prison terms. Political Persecution: Activists, journalists, and whistleblowers often seek asylum in nations sympathetic to their cause. Personal Safety: Victims of legal harassment or those facing domestic threats may see fleeing as their only option. Countries Without Extradition Treaties with the United States Choosing a country that lacks an extradition treaty with the United States is one of the most effectivealbeit riskyways to avoid legal transfer. Notable countries include: Iran: No diplomatic ties with the U.S.; frequently harbours fugitives. North Korea: Isolationist policies and lack of cooperation. Cuba: Longstanding tensions with the U.S. make extradition unlikely. China Often refuses extradition, particularly in politically sensitive cases. Venezuela, Bolivia, Somalia, Ecuador, Iraq: Each presents unique legal environments and policies favourable to fugitives. Understanding which nations offer the best legal insulation from U.S. extradition laws can mean the difference between freedom and incarceration, says a spokesperson at Amicus International Consulting. We guide our clients through every aspectlegal, logistical, and cultural. Living in a Non-Treaty Country: Challenges and Considerations Relocating to a country without an extradition treaty may provide legal refuge, but it introduces a new set of hardships: Surveillance and Diplomatic Pressure: The U.S. may still try to locate individuals and leverage political pressure to secure informal repatriation. Economic Hardship: Sanctions against countries like Iran or North Korea can make banking, communication, and mobility difficult. Cultural Isolation: Language barriers and unfamiliar customs can cause emotional and logistical challenges. Case Study Iran as a Safe Haven Iran, due to its adversarial relationship with the United States and lack of formal diplomatic channels, has historically provided refuge to individuals fleeing U.S. law. Despite sanctions and a restricted economy, fugitives find the absence of an extradition treaty a powerful shield. Iran has protected individuals accused of espionage, cybercrimes, and terrorism due to political motivations. Planning an Escape: Legal and Tactical Guidance Leaving ones home country to avoid prosecution is not a decision to be taken lightly. Amicus International Consulting helps clients plan strategic exits with: Legal Consultation: Expert legal teams specialize in international law and extradition defence. Secure Documentation: Clients are guided on acquiring legitimate travel documents and legal name changes. Financial Structuring: Establishing offshore accounts that cannot be traced or seized. Safe Transit Routes: Detailed planning that avoids transit through countries that may detain or extradite. Life Abroad: How to Disappear and Rebuild Successfully avoiding extradition isnt just about escape but long-term integration into a new society. Amicus assists clients in: Cultural Integration: Language lessons, cultural training, and relocation support. Employment: Finding low-profile, legal employment that doesnt require extensive background checks. Community Ties: Building relationships and support networks to avoid isolation. Anonymity Preservation: Avoiding social media, encrypted communication protocols, and minimizing the digital footprint. The Role of Amicus International Consulting With over twenty years of experience, Amicus International Consulting is a leader in legal identity transformation, second passport acquisition, and safe relocation services. Its clients include whistleblowers, political dissidents, financial professionals, and others facing unjust prosecution or personal risk. Our mission is not to help criminals evade justice, said a senior case manager at Amicus. It is to protect individuals whose legal environments have become dangerous or unfair due to corruption, politics, or disproportionate punishment. Amicus operates discreetly and adheres to strict legal and ethical standards. It offers legitimate pathways to new lives under the protection of international law. Final Thoughts: A Dangerous But Manageable Path Avoiding extradition to the United States is not simple. It requires legal precision, absolute discretion, and thorough knowledge of geopolitical dynamics. Yet, refuge is still possible for those with no other option. Each case must be treated with care. Countries that refuse extradition may still bow to diplomatic influence, and even the best-laid plans can fall apart without professional guidance. For individuals seeking a second chance or a way to start over, Amicus International Consulting provides the expertise and discretion necessary to achieve legal safety. Contact: Amicus International Consulting Vancouver, British Columbia AMICUS www.amicusint.ca info@amicusint.ca VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada In an era dominated by surveillance technology, biometric databases, and digital footprints, the notion of completely disappearing has moved from the realm of fiction into a strategic necessity for some. Amicus International Consulting, the worlds leading authority in legal identity change and anonymity solutions, has just published the most comprehensive guide to disappearing forever and living anonymously in 2025. The release comes at a time when political refugees, whistleblowers, victims of stalking or domestic abuse, and others with legitimate reasons to escape their past are increasingly turning to professional services to create legal new identities and start afresh. Disappearing doesnt mean committing a crime, said a senior consultant at Amicus International. It means reclaiming your right to personal freedom and safety when your life is under threat or you are ready to sever toxic ties. Before You Disappear: Laying the Groundwork The first step, according to Amicus, is establishing a new identity that holds up under official scrutiny. This includes a new legal name, passport and government-issued ID, a clean, verifiable social security number, and new banking and financial records. This isnt about black-market forgeriesits about creating authentic, legally-issued identities through jurisdictions that allow identity restructuring for legitimate reasons. Amicus facilitates this process by partnering with global government programs. Alongside the new identity, Amicus stresses the importance of preparing for a new life in a different location, preferably in a country or region with minimal surveillance, strong privacy laws, or looser residency requirements. Disappearing Without a Trace: Expert Techniques from Amicus Amicus outlines a step-by-step strategy to disappear and remain undetected: 1. Erase Your Digital Footprint 2. Alter Your Personal Information 3. Hide Your Financial Trail 4. Live Anonymously Tips for Remaining Undetected Long-Term Their most consistent advice? Believability and discretion. If your new life seems genuine and your behavior is inconspicuous, people wont ask questions. The Emotional and Psychological Toll Disappearing comes at a costnot just financially, but emotionally. Amicus report includes insight on therapy support, building new relationships, and forming routines that support your new identity. Real-World Risks and How to Manage Them Amicus highlights financial exposure, social recognition, and legal vulnerability as the most common risks clients face. They recommend security audits, legal counsel, and identity backup systems for long-term success. Expanded Case Studies: Real Stories of Reinvention Case Study 1: Whistleblower in the Pharmaceutical Sector A former executive of a major pharmaceutical company exposed corruption and was subjected to intense surveillance and threats. With the help of Amicus, she was issued a second passport from a Caribbean nation, granted legal name change documents, and relocated to a small village in the Azores. She now runs an organic farming business, and her former identity is entirely untraceable. Case Study 2: Domestic Violence Survivor A Canadian woman fleeing years of domestic abuse successfully severed all digital and legal ties. Amicus provided full documentation for her new identity and established a mail-forwarding service for official correspondence. She now works as a remote freelance writer in Patagonia and participates in local community life without fear of her past catching up with her. Case Study 3: Exiled Journalist After writing critical pieces on a Middle Eastern regime, a journalist received death threats and had their passport revoked. Amicus coordinated with legal teams in Europe to apply for humanitarian protection under a second citizenship scheme. The journalist, now living in Iceland under a new identity, consults for press freedom organizations and gives anonymous interviews on international affairs. Case Study 4: Financial Crimes Acquittal and Reinvention A former hedge fund manager, falsely implicated in financial wrongdoing, chose to vanish after media defamation made a return to his career impossible. Amicus assisted in relocating him to Southeast Asia where he assumed a new identity, pursued meditation studies, and now owns a small holistic retreat, maintaining full compliance with international law. What to Do If Youre Discovered Even the most well-planned disappearances can be compromised. If your true identity is discovered, Amicus advises clients to relocate immediately, reissue new documents, increase security measures, and conduct regular digital footprint scans. Conclusion: Disappearing Isnt a CrimeIts a Right for Those in Danger Amicus International Consulting is committed to ethical identity transformation, privacy protection, and supporting those who need a fresh start. In a world where data is harvested and surveillance is standard, Amicus offers a lifeline to those who wish to reclaim their anonymity legally and safely. Contact Information Amicus International Consulting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Website: https://www.amicusint.ca Email: info@amicusint.ca Phone:AMICUS About Amicus International Consulting Amicus International provides legal new identity services, second passports, privacy consulting, and anonymous relocation strategies. Their team includes former intelligence officers, immigration lawyers, and international document specialists, helping clients protect themselves from surveillance, threats, and exposure while remaining within the bounds of the law. VANCOUVER, B.C. Social media has transformed how people connect, share, and communicate but it has also revolutionized how fugitives are found and captured. In a groundbreaking report, Amicus International Consulting reveals how law enforcement uses Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to track fugitives, analyze their behaviour, and solicit public tips leading to arrests. The Vancouver-based firm, known globally for its expertise in legal identity change and second citizenship services, provides a stark warning: even the most elusive fugitives leave digital footprints. These virtual traces often lead directly to their capture. Social media is now the biggest asset in the modern manhunt, said a senior privacy analyst at Amicus International. If youre trying to disappear or travel unnoticed, the moment you use your digital identity, youve left a trail. The Role of Mugshots and Public Alerts in a Digital Age Mugshots, long used by police departments globally, now serve a broader purpose. When uploaded to public-facing platforms like Facebook, mugshots become viral crime-fighting tools. Amicus report highlights that mugshots can reach tens of thousands within hours, far beyond the readership of traditional newspapers. This tactic, combined with strategic digital engagement, enables unprecedented community involvement. Case Studies: Facebook Tips That Led to Real Arrests Facebook has become the digital wanted poster of the 21st century. Its public posting features allow police departments to alert millions in seconds. Stephen Jay Brueggeman (2016): Wanted for bank robbery in the U.S., his mugshot posted by the FBI went viral. A Facebook user recognized him, leading to his arrest within days. David Adams (2017): An escaped British convict, his Facebook post reached thousands. A public tip led authorities to another city where he was hiding. Peter Madsen (2018): The Danish inventor escaped prison but was quickly recaptured after Facebook posts spread his image. Cesar Ortiz (2019): A drug trafficker in Mexico, his mugshot and reward offer were shared across Facebook. Tips from users in a remote village led to his arrest. Akayed Ullah (2020): Suspected in a New York bombing attempt, his image circulated online. Social media feedback helped pinpoint his location. Twitters Real-Time Response Network Twitter allows for the rapid dissemination of alerts and updates. Police departments use hashtags, mentions, and visual posts to spread awareness quickly, sometimes capturing fugitives in real time. Evan Ratliff (2009): Twitter users captured Ratliff and collaborated to locate him as part of a challenge to see if he could disappear. Carlos Benitez (2012): The FBIs tweet led to an immediate response from a Florida resident, resulting in a successful arrest. Michael Vance (2016): A suspect in multiple homicides, Vance was tracked by crowdsourced tips after authorities posted real-time updates on Twitter. Oscar Juarez (2019): Mexican officials shared his location online. Twitter responses led to his arrest in another state. Stephen Craven (2020): An escaped UK convicts Twitter-tracked movements ended in arrest based on a user-submitted photo. Instagram as a Visual Surveillance Engine Although Instagram is primarily a lifestyle platform, it plays a unique role in tracking fugitives. Its visual nature allows for real-time image sharing, geotags, and community comments. Samantha Lewthwaite (2013): Kenyan authorities circulated images of the White Widow on Instagram. Though she was not captured, Instagram tips narrowed her location. Kevin Stoeser (2014): A sex offender, his capture in Mexico was aided by Instagram photos shared by the U.S. Marshals Service. Igor Khmelevsky (2016): The Russian hacker was located in Europe after U.S. authorities posted his image on Instagram. Sandra Grazzini-Rucki (2018): Wanted for parental kidnapping, she was tracked after Instagram users spotted her in police-published photos. Dmitry Dokuchaev (2020): A significant figure in Russian cyberattacks, his image was posted by authorities and eventually led to his capture inside Russia. YouTube and Crowdsourced Manhunts YouTubes reach has empowered law enforcement to turn video appeals into viral manhunts. Surveillance footage, crime reconstructions, and direct police appeals are gaining viewsand results. Florida Fugitive (2018): After a video outlining his crimes went viral, thousands of tips poured in, leading to his arrest. William Walter Asher Jr. (2020): An escaped convict, his FBI video reached an international audience. A viewer in Mexico provided the tip that led to his capture. Michael Hensley (2021): Police surveillance footage was posted on YouTube. A viewer recognized him and tipped off the authorities. LinkedIn for International Intelligence Sharing Though not typically associated with criminal investigations, LinkedIn has proven effective for international cooperation among law enforcement agencies. Rafael Ramos (2017): Wanted for financial fraud, Ramos was tracked and arrested in Argentina after data-sharing on LinkedIn. Anna Sorokin (2019): Posing as a German heiress, she used LinkedIn to maintain her fraud. Her arrest followed tip-offs from professional contacts. Igor Vorotinov (2020): After orchestrating a $2 million insurance fraud, LinkedIn connections revealed his trail to Moldova. Mark Acklom (2020): Known for defrauding women and businesses, his LinkedIn history helped Swiss authorities locate and arrest him. Social Media Blunders by Fugitives While law enforcement uses social media as a proactive tool, fugitives themselves often make critical mistakes that lead to their arrest. Maxi Sopo (2009): He posted photos from Mexico, boasting about his lifestyle. His posts included location tags, leading to his arrest. Victor Burgos (2011): Taunted New York police with a Catch me if you can post. Police tracked his location via Facebook and arrested him. Eddie Smith (2015): Escaped from a Georgia prison and posted selfies online. Embedded geotags helped authorities recapture him. John Gotti Jr. (2016): Shared photos on Instagram detailing his whereabouts, inadvertently alerting law enforcement to his location. Jonathan Parker (2019): After robbing a home, he used the victims computer to check Facebookthen forgot to log out. Police had all the evidence they needed. Implications for Privacy and Identity Protection The breadth and success of social media in law enforcement raise urgent questions about digital privacy and identity control. At Amicus International Consulting, privacy is not a convenienceits a right. Every tweet, post, selfie, or video creates a breadcrumb trail, said the firms digital risk consultant. If someone is seeking a truly anonymous life or needs to disappear for valid legal or safety reasons, their priority must be to eliminate or compartmentalize their digital presence. Amicus offers clients: Legal name changes Second citizenships Digital privacy audits Secure offshore residency setups Biometric masking strategies Conclusion: Anonymity Is Still Possible With the Right Help The 2025 landscape for fugitives, whistleblowers, and privacy-conscious individuals is more complex than ever. Law enforcements digital capabilities are growing, as are the legal tools for identity reinvention. Disappearing isnt about hiding in the woods, said the founder of Amicus International. Its about understanding data, surveillance, and law. Its about having a second passport, a new legal identity, and an airtight strategy. About Amicus International Consulting Amicus International Consulting is a Vancouver-based organization that offers second passports, legal identity changes, and privacy consulting. It specializes in high-risk clients, including journalists, whistleblowers, domestic violence survivors, and those seeking safe, legal anonymity. Amicus helps individuals take control of their future. Contact: Amicus International Consulting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada AMICUS www.amicusint.ca info@amicusint.ca Bill and Kathy Good have been providing hospitality to countless cyclists and other users of the Wabash Trace Nature Trail since 2010 as owners of Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse. Avid cyclists, themselves, the Goods realized the Mineola area could use more lodging options as the town plays host to several trail-related events during the warmer seasons. One of those events is the annual Rooster Tail Ride, a "mobile music festival" weekend ride that goes from Mineola to Shenandoah and back with musicians and bands performing at stops along the way. As a founding member of the event with the Wabash Trace committee, Bill Good said he wanted cyclists to have a place to camp the night before so they'd be ready to hit the trail for the event the next day. "We wanted to have a place where people could spend the night, come down and have breakfast the next morning and then start the bike ride," he said. The project started a few years ago when the Goods and other trail committee members started harvesting walnut trees on a patch of land between the Mineola Wabash Trace trailhead and Snake Creek. What started as just an open space has become a more defined campground since its inception. Five picnic benches and fire rings were purchased and installed last year. Reclaimed lumber from past Wabash Trace trestle bridge renovations was used to construct a wooden fence that goes along the creek. AJ's Stump Grinding of Council Bluffs cleared out stumps in the area and a crew from Scotts Miracle-Gro in Pacific Junction volunteered to clean up the debris and lay donated mulch. The campground is primitive for the time being, with a porta-potty being the only place to use the restroom; however, the Goods said "future hopes" include constructing a shower house and restrooms. Being just a block away from the campground at their restaurant, Bill Good said he's seen the space get plenty of use. Riders and other trail users will often make a pitstop at the trailhead and utilize the picnic benches for a break. Two weekends ago a group of Council Bluffs riders made camp over the weekend. He said he expects more overnight users now that benches and fire rings are there. "It's definitely getting some use," Good said. "It's been pretty fun, so far." Curtis Stender, vice president of the Southwest Iowa Nature Trails Project board, said it's great to see this new space taking shape along the Wabash. "With nature trails such as [the Wabash Trace], it is ideal to have camping options along the way," Stender said. "Because a lot of cyclists love to bike pack and camp, Mineola is an ideal place to put in a campground." The campground is currently on a first come, first served basis. A free will donation of $10 per tent is suggested and can be paid at the trailhead's fee station. Firewood from past tree clearing is available to use for free. The Goods said that trail users have a big impact on the local economies of the small towns the Wabash Trace passes through, so it's important to give back to them and provide amenities and infrastructure. The Goods said that since the trail doesn't receive any funding from local, state or federal agencies, all projects like the Mineola campground are made possible through trail fees, fundraising events and personal donations. The next big fundraising event is the Wabash Spring Kick-Off, which will be held at the Mineola Community Center on Saturday, April 26. Cyclists and other trail users are invited to ride from Mineola to the recently renovated Silver Creek Bridge and back starting at 12:30 p.m. The ride is about 8.5 miles each way. The evening's festivities start at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour leading into dinner and auctions. More information can be found on the Wabash Trace Facebook page. The Wabash Trace Nature Trail spans nearly 63 miles and runs through eight communities across four counties, with many trailheads in between. The northern point of the trail starts in Council Bluffs and runs south through Mineola, Silver City, Malvern, Imogene, Shenandoah and Coin before ending near the Missouri border in Blanchard. More information about the trail, events and lodging options can be found on the Wabash Trace website. The website also includes a donation page for those looking to contribute to future trail maintenance and projects. 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 Engulfed in crises with its most important neighbours and EU partners, the Algerian regime beats the drums of war by adopting a law on the general mobilization of troops. From a diplomatic crisis to another, the Algerian regime has adopted a provocative approach that led to cutting ties with Morocco, tension with Sahel countries (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger) and enmity with Haftars eastern Libya forces, while Mauritania has taken its distances from a whimsical regime bent on following the chimera of regional hegemony. The adoption of a new law governing general mobilization, during a council of ministers chaired by the president, shows that Algeria is preparing for war and domestic chaos. As the public opinion feels the pain of failing economic and social policies and the conspiracy theories fail to distract them from their daily worries, the Algerian regime fears an implosion of the system from within. The new law would help the regime mobilize reservists but also crackdown on civil liberties, including any form of dissent or protests, while gearing the economy to meet war ends and allowing the state to dispossess individuals belonging for war aims. Tension was stoked with Mali when Algerian authorities downed a drone that was tracking armed groups. Bamako recalled its ambassador and accused Algeria of backing terrorism in the region after the incident. The new legislation also serves the warmongering aims of the Algerian regime, wherein the military is seeking to gain legitimacy and relevance. Algeria is more interested in talking about war for domestic mobilization and legitimization purposes than actually engaging in war. It also indicates a general panic within the regime amid an unprecedented international isolation that led Algerias main arms supplier, Russia, to take its distances amid growing tension between the Moscow-backed Wagner militia operating in the Sahel and the Algerian state. The general mobilization and similar escalatory steps are aiming to stoke fears of foreign threats among the disenchanted and impoverished Algerian people. It is rather a move to bar the roads to the return of mass protests emulating the 2019 Hirak movement that put an end to Bouteflikas rule. South Sudans military has recaptured the strategically important town of Nasir in Upper Nile state from an ethnic Nuer militia known as the White Army, marking a significant development in the countrys escalating political crisis. The town, which fell to militia forces in March, was recovered on Sunday without direct combat, according to military spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang. The operation comes amid heightened tensions following the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, who has been accused of attempting to incite rebellion through alleged support for the White Army. We were just taking a tactical withdrawal, said Honson Chuol James, spokesperson for the White Army, while claiming that 17 people were killed during heavy bombardment of nearby Thuluc village. Military officials countered that air support helped their forces avoid an ambush in Thuluc. They were spotted when they were grouping, and they were fired on, and then they dispersed, Koang stated. The political situation has deteriorated since Machars detention, with his Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) party showing signs of fragmenting. One faction recently declared a temporary replacement for Machar as party chairman, though the armed wing professes continued loyalty to the detained leader. President Salva Kiir and Machar have governed in an uneasy power-sharing arrangement since a 2018 peace deal ended a brutal civil war that killed hundreds of thousands. Their fragile coalition now appears at risk of collapse, raising international concerns about renewed ethnic conflict. Regional powers have intervened, with Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni visiting Kiir after deploying troops to secure the capital Juba. Ugandas military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Musevenis son, claims his forces have killed 1,500 White Army fighters, who previously fought alongside Machar during the civil war. The recapture of Nasir represents a military victory for Kiirs government but does little to resolve the underlying political crisis that threatens to plunge South Sudan back into widespread conflict. An increasingly broad international consensus is emerging across the globe for including the Algeria-backed polisario militias in the U.S. terror black list. Several influential politicians, Associate professors and analysts from Europe, Latin American, the United Stateshave backed the findings of the recent report published by U.S. Hudson Institute urging the Trump administration to designate the Polisario as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) like the Houthis, Hamas, and other Iranian proxies posing a direct threat to American security interests. In this connection, Paraguayan Senator Eduardo Nakayama called for listing Polisario as terrorist organization for its ties with Iran and its role in regional instability, including radicalization and trafficking in Tindouf camps. Ex-foreign minister of Panama FJ Alvarez De Soto shared the same views and positions on the use of Polisario by Iran to expand its influence in Africa. In France, member of the Republicans party, Pierre-Henri Dumont (ex-MP) called on Paris to label Polisario as a terrorist organization, saying the armed militias are used as a proxy by Algeria and Iran. They have set an alliance with Hezbollah, threatening peace and security in the region, he argued. These calls echo British former defense minister Sir Liam Fox, Republican congressman Joe Wilson, and Irish senator Gerard Craughwell. They all pointed out that the Polisario, like Hamas and Hezbollah, is an Iranian proxy organization. For the sake of our Moroccan allies, Western governments must move quickly to designate this group a terrorist organization, they argued, stressing the importance of the recently-published detailed reports by US think tanks The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and The Hudson Institute, which explained the legal grounds for branding the Polisario separatist group a terrorist organization Former UK defense and trade minister and once member of Parliament Liam Fox made the case for designating the Polisario as a terrorist group in view of the militias involvement in targeting civilians, violating UN ceasefire, and acting in connivance with Iran and its regional proxies to destabilize the region. Like Hamas and Hezbollah, the Polisario Front is an Iranian proxy organization. For the sake of our Moroccan allies, Western governments must move quickly to designate this group a terrorist organization, Fox said on X. For his part, Irish senator Gerard Craughwell said : We stand with Morocco. No way can the Polisario Front be allowed to destroy Morocco as Hamas & Hezbollah destroyed the Gaza strip. In Washington, republican congressman Joe Wilson stressed the importance of the Hudson Institute study explaining the legal grounds for branding the Polisario separatist group a terrorist organization The Polisario must be designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Trump will fix it, said Joe Wilson in his X account. The Hudson Institute report supports the Congressmans position and efforts engaged to introduce a legislation designating the Polisario militias as a terrorist group. Several other experts have said that time has come for the U.S. to designate the Polisario Front as a FTO, noting that Algerias support for the separatist group is a deliberate strategy to undermine regional stability, challenge Western influence, and destabilize Morocco, one of the United States and Europes most trusted partners in Africa. The advocates for the American designation of Polisario as an FTO are building a strong legal case against the separatists. The charges include attacks on civilians, kidnappings, use of child soldiers, participation in foreign conflict (Syria) and alliances with jihadist and Iranian-backed networks. The latest Polisario attacks on MINURSO patrol units in the buffer zone show their feckless behavior and confirm their destabilizing agenda set by Algerian junta. Some 120 African election observers from 52 countries of the continent started Monday in Rabat a training session focusing on electoral process in Africa, political dialogue, governance, inclusive democracy, observers code of conduct, duties, methodology and activities. The opening ceremony was co-chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, and the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Bankole Adeoye. The event is part of Moroccos commitment to improve the election observation missions for a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Africa. Young civil society actors, experts, and high-ranking officials from all five regions of the continent are taking part in the Rabat training marked by important female participation, accounting for 68% of all attendees. In his opening address, Bourita said the training session is part of Moroccos strong commitment to enable Africans with necessary skills, capable of accompanying electoral processes and democratic transitions in Africa with diligence and professionalism through qualified observers who will contribute to building a model and inclusive governance designed for Africa by Africans. In a bid to ease escalating tensions with the United States, South Sudan is dispatching a high-level delegation to Washington to address a growing diplomatic rift linked to the deportation of its nationals. The move follows the US governments recent decision to cancel all visa services for South Sudanese citizens, citing the countrys refusal to accept individuals being repatriated. At the heart of the dispute is the controversial case of Makula Kintu, a deportee whose rejection at Juba International Airport triggered Washingtons sharp response. Although Kintu has since been granted entry into South Sudan, the diplomatic fallout has been swift and severe. The government in Juba responded by dismissing its Foreign Affairs Minister in a rare display of accountability, signaling the seriousness with which it views the rupture. Yet Washington remains firm, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio framing the issue as one of national security and public safety. The episode has placed unprecedented strain on USSouth Sudan relations, just as the East African nation seeks to maintain international partnerships amidst domestic challenges. Leading the South Sudanese delegation are Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater, Central Bank Governor Johnny Ohisa Damian, and Civil Registry Director Elia Kosta Faustino. The delegations mission is to broker a resolution that ensures the orderly, legal, and dignified return of 137 South Sudanese nationals facing deportation from the US. Whether this diplomatic outreach will be sufficient to repair the strained relationship remains uncertain, but it marks a clear attempt by Juba to re-establish goodwill and navigate an increasingly complex international landscape. Moroccan media, Le360, has released a new proof showing the connivance between Algeria and the fallen Syrian regime of Bashar Assad in providing training to the Polisario front. The new document by the Syrian intelligence shows an agreement between the Algerian and Syrian defense ministries to send 120 Polisario fighters to be trained in Syria, where Iranian proxies are active. Media reports, including by the Washington Post, have revealed that a number of Polisario fighters have been jailed by the new Syrian authorities for fighting alongside Bashar and Iranian proxies. This came as calls have stepped up for the designation of the Polisario as a terrorist group, in view of its close military cooperation with Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah. Morocco had cut ties with Iran in 2018 accusing it of using its Hezbollah offshoot to train and provide armament to the Polisario. A Polisario leader has publicly said the group has Iran-made drones. Algeria remained a staunch backer of the Bashars regime till its collapse. The Polisarios links to Sahel terror groups, its targeting of civilians, and violation of the UN ceasefire agreement has motivated western Think tanks such as FDD and the Hudson Institute, as well as Congressmen in the USA and members of the political class in the UK and France to call for designating the Algeria-backed separatist group as terrorist. Means of upgrading military cooperation between Morocco and Qatar and expanding the two countries partnership to other areas were at the focus of the visit Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, FAR Inspector General and Commander of the South Zone paid to Qatar this April 19 22. The FAR Inspector General, who visited Qatar at the high instructions of the King, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), held separate meetings with his Qatari counterpart, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General, Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai, and with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Bin Hassan Al Thani, the FAR General Staff said in a statement. During the talks that discussed ways of strengthen military cooperation, both sides expressed satisfaction with military relations, characterized by the strength and mutual understanding, between the two countries. They welcomed the tangible results of this fruitful cooperation, which serves as a model of strategic partnership between the two countries. During his trip, the FAR Inspector General and Commander of the South Zone visited several command centers and military units of the Qatari Armed Forces, including the Joint Forces Command, the Qatars Emiri Signal Corps, and the Air Defense Forces. Lawmaker Raises Concerns Over NIOSH Layoffs and Impact on Worker Health Programs Sen. Shelley Moore Capito urges HHS to reinstate laid-off NIOSH employees in Morgantown, citing coal miner health concerns. U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va) has sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urging the department to reinstate recently laid-off employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Morgantown, W.Va. The letter follows the April 1 reduction in force (RIF) that affected staff involved in coal miner health research and safety programs. Capito, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, emphasized the importance of NIOSHs role in protecting coal miners from workplace hazards. The mission and work conducted by the specially trained NIOSH employees is not duplicative of any other government program, Capito wrote. I am concerned that the RIFs at NIOSH will undermine the vital health programs important to so many West Virginians. The Morgantown NIOSH facility has long been home to research on occupational hazards such as coal and silica dust exposure, black lung disease, mine collapses, and explosion prevention. Capito said that all employees involved in these programs were affected by the layoffs, which could lead to the decommissioning of labs focused on miner health and safety. Capito noted that these labs also conduct research relevant to other at-risk groups, including construction workers and residents impacted by mold exposure and storm-related environmental hazards. She warned that decommissioning and potentially restarting these labs would cost taxpayers significantly. The senator also referenced recent executive actions by President Trump supporting domestic coal production and argued that occupational safety efforts must continue alongside energy policy initiatives. HHS has not yet publicly responded to the letter or clarified the future of the Morgantown facility. About the Author Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S. The full letter is available on Capitos official Senate website The experimental reactor uses molten salt as the coolant and fuel carrier, with thorium as the fuel source. Chinese scientists have achieved a significant milestone in clean energy tech after successfully adding fresh fuel to an operational thorium molten salt reactor, Chinese state media has reported. According to Guangming Daily, the 2-megawatt experimental reactor is located in the Gobi Desert, and the latest milestone puts China at the forefront in the race to build a practical thorium reactorlong considered a more abundant and safer alternative to uranium. More significantly, China has relied heavily on long-abandoned American research in the field. In the 1960s, American scientists built and tested molten salt reactors, but Washington eventually shelved the program in favor of uranium-based technology. The US left its research publicly available, waiting for the right successor. We were that successor, project chief scientist Xu Hongjie said. Rabbits sometimes make mistakes or grow lazy. Thats when the tortoise seizes its chance, he added. The experimental reactor uses molten salt as the coolant and fuel carrier, with thorium as the fuel source. For decades, thorium has been billed as the 'great green hope' of clean energy production, thanks to qualities such as producing less waste and more energy than uranium, is meltdown-proof, has no weapons-grade by-products and can even consume legacy plutonium stockpiles. According to Xu, his team chose the harder--but more meaningful--path by building a real-world solution rather than chasing only academic results. We chose the hardest path, but the right one, he said. Xu and his team recreated old experiments by studying declassified American documents, and then developed the technology further. We mastered every technique in the literature then pushed further, he said. China is already building a much larger 10-megawatt thorium reactor, scheduled to reach criticality by 2030. Nuclear energy has been enjoying a renaissance of thanks to the energy crisis triggered by Russias war in Ukraine. A thorium breakthrough The milestone by Beijing will no doubt shake up Washington, which has for years been experimenting with thorium. The United States Department of Energy (DOE), Nuclear Engineering & Science Center at Texas A&M and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have partnered with Chicago-based Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) to develop a new thorium-based nuclear fuel they have dubbed ANEEL. ANEEL, which is short for Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life is a proprietary combination of thorium and High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) that hopes to solve some of nuclears knottiest problems including high costs and toxic wastes. Related: Traders Flee to Gold, Ditch Oil ANEEL can be used in traditional boiling water and pressurized water reactors, but performs best when used in heavy water reactors. More importantly, ANEEL reactors can be deployed much faster than uranium reactors. A key benefit of ANEEL over uranium is that it can achieve a much higher fuel burn-up rate of in the order of 55,000 MWd/T (megawatt-day per ton of fuel) compared to 7,000 MWd/T for natural uranium fuel used in pressurized water reactors. This allows the fuel to remain in the reactors for much longer meaning much longer intervals between shut downs for refueling. For instance, Indias Kaiga Unit-1 and Canadas Darlington PHWR Unit hold the world records for uninterrupted operations at 962 days and 963 days, respectively. The thorium-based fuel also comes with other key benefits. One of the biggest is that a much higher fuel burn-up reduces plutonium waste by more than 80%. Plutonium has a shorter half-life of about 24,000 years compared to Uranium-235s half-life of just over 700 million years. Plutonium is highly toxic even in small doses, leading to radiation illness, cancer and often to death. Further, thorium has a lower operating temperature and a higher melting point than natural uranium, making it inherently safer and more resistant to core meltdowns. Thoriums renewable energy properties are also quite impressive. There is more than twice thorium in the Earths crust as uranium; In India, thorium is 4x more abundant than uranium. It can also be extracted from seawater just like uranium, making it almost inexhaustible. ANEEL could soon become the fuel of choice for countries that operate CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) and PHWR (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor) reactors such as China, India, Argentina, Pakistan, South Korea, and Romania. These reactors are cooled and moderated using pressurized heavy water. Another 50 countries (mostly developing countries) have either started nuclear programs or have expressed an interest in launching the same in the near future. Overall, only about 50 of the worlds existing 440 nuclear reactors can be powered using this novel fuel. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil prices have experienced a slight increase, with Brent crude at $68 per barrel, largely driven by new U.S. sanctions targeting Iranian oil exports. While a surging U.S. equity market supports the recovery, lingering concerns about trade tensions and a reduced global economic outlook could hinder future oil demand. Oil markets are bracing for the next big external shock as Trump's trade war with China continues to escalate and talks of a potential nuclear deal with Iran threaten to bring fresh supply to markets. - The start of trade negotiations between the United States and Asia Pacific countries has been marked by evident interest in US LNG projects, whilst the likes of South Korea and Japan kept relatively mum about crude. - Taiwans President Lai Ching-te announced that Taipei would seek to increase the share of US LNG imports from the current 10% to 33%, potentially discontinuing some term supplies from Australia and Qatar. - South Korea, too, is considering a 20-25% increase in US LNG imports, currently accounting for 12% of its liquefied gas needs, seeking to wind down Qatari contractual commitments that are linked to Brent rather than traded against JKM or Henry Hub. - China is moving in the opposite direction, completely halting its imports of US LNG in March and signing three long-term deals with the UAE for the supply of liquefied gas over the next 10 years, seeking further term options in the region. Market Movers - US investor James Cameron has offered $5 billion to buy Kazakhstans mining giant Eurasian Resources Group, 40% part-owned by the Kazakh government, as the miner intends to expand into rare earths. - UK energy firm BP (NYSE:BP) has become the only foreign oil company to bid in Indias OALP-IX bidding round, landing the most coveted GS-OSHP block alongside Indian partners Reliance and ONGC. - US oil major Chevron (NYSE:CVX) is reportedly looking to divest some of its upstream interests in Angola, potentially exiting Block 14K that currently produces some 42,000 b/day across Angola and Congo. - Argentinas second-largest oil company, Vista Energy (NYSE:VIST), bought Petronas 50% stake in the La Amarga Chica shale play in the countrys Vaca Muerta basin for a total of $1.5 billion. Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Oil producers are preparing for another external shock to oil markets as Brent futures took some collateral damage from Mondays equity sell-off and remain pressured by the prospect of a potential US-Iran nuclear deal. For the time being, the $66-67 per barrel price for ICE Brent seems to be a temporary resting place for crude before the next big thing happens. Rome Hosts High-Level Nuclear Talks. Negotiators from the United States and Iran met in Italys capital, Rome, over the weekend to continue negotiations started a week ago in Oman over Tehrans nuclear programme, with both sides lauding the progress the talks had made over the past week. US Wants to Make the Gulf Great Again. As the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently upped the Gulf of Americas untapped reserves to 5.77 billion barrels, the Trump administration has launched a new 5-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan, which might include blocks in the Arctic. Gold Continues to Edge Higher. Amidst widespread speculation of Donald Trump wanting to fire US Fed chair Jerome Powell, gold prices touched $3,500 per ounce for the first time on record in Tuesdays intraday trading, up 32% since the beginning of the year. China Loads Up On Middle Eastern LNG. Chinas state-controlled oil majors CNOOC and Zhenhua Oil, as well as privately owned ENN Natural Gas, have all signed term deals with the UAEs state oil company ADNOC, ranging from 5 to 15 years and coming into effect as early as 2026. Egypts Hyped Exploration Boom Fails. An array of international energy firms have exited their respective concessions in Egypts offshore zone in the Red Sea after US oil firm Chevron relinquished its stake in Block 1, with rumours also suggesting Shell is set to give up on the adjacent Block 3. P66 Fights Back Against Activist Investor. Leading US refiner Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) has issued a letter demanding that activist investor Elliott Investment Management back down from its push to break up the company due to a conflict of interest, as it is separately seeking to buy distressed Citgo. India Slaps Tariffs on Chinese Steel. The government of India announced a 12% tariff on some steel imports from China that would be valid for the next 200 days, arguing that a flood of cheaper Chinese steel products put domestic mills under immense pressure and forced job cuts. South Korea Dreams Big to Impress Trump. South Koreas leading steel manufacturer, Posco Holdings (NYSE:PKX), is reportedly planning to join its peer, Hyundai Motor Group (KRX:005380), to build a $5.8 billion steel mill in the US, expected to start operations in 2029 in Louisiana. Using Oil, Russia Seeks to Stay in Syria. The ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has led to a complete halt in Iranian oil deliveries to the Levantine nation. In its stead, Damascus has opted for Russian crude and diesel deliveries as Moscow wants to keep its Tartus naval base. Chinas Copper Grows Despite Low Profits. Chinese production of refined copper surged to 1.25 million tonnes in March, up 8.6% from a year ago and hitting a new all-time monthly high, with minimal profitability somewhat cushioned by higher gold prices, a co-product of copper smelting. Saudi Aramco Eyes Automotive Roles. Saudi Aramco, the national oil firm of Saudi Arabia, inked a deal with Chinas leading EV producer BYD (SHE:002594) to develop new energy vehicle technologies, seeking to benefit from the proliferation of battery-powered cars across Asia. Heavy Rains Resuscitate Rhine Shipping. Easter precipitation has finally allowed German shippers to transport full cargoes along the River Rhine, the countrys main energy transportation artery, with water levels in Kaub rising by 40% to 125cm. Morocco to Build an LNG Import Terminal. The North African country of Morocco is preparing to begin tendering procedures for its first-ever liquefaction terminal, to be located in the port of Nador, as its gas requirements are expected to soar from 1 Bcm currently to 8 Bcm by 2027. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Researchers are developing magnesium batteries to address the environmental and geopolitical issues associated with lithium-ion batteries, which currently dominate the electric vehicle market. On an international scale, researchers have been hard at work making magnesium batteries a feasible replacement for lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells, in a development that could upend the electric vehicles industry on a worldwide scale. Currently, the global EV fleet runs on lithium-ion batteries, but these fundamental building blocks of the decarbonization movement carry some critical drawbacks. As it stands lithium production and refining for use in lithium-ion batteries and other applications is all but monopolized by China. China alone is responsible for more than more than 98% of the worlds lithium iron phosphate, and the country dominates almost the entire value chain of lithium-ion batteries - from raw material extraction to battery production - and controls both national and international production capacities, according to research from the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB. This supply chain concentration generates major risks for the global economy. China has already shown that its not afraid to cause global disruption of lithium supplies in response to the intensifying trade war and punitive tariffs being imposed by the Trump administration in the United States. Moreover, the production of lithium while broadly associated with clean energy causes considerable environmental damage in the localities where its extracted. The process requires the use of chemicals and heavy metals that can leach into the soil and groundwater of surrounding communities, causing public health crises and threatening local wildlife. Its also an incredibly thirsty business, requiring around 500,000 gallons of water per tonne of lithium extracted. Like any mining process, it is invasive, it scars the landscape, it destroys the water table and it pollutes the earth and the local wells, said Guillermo Gonzalez, a lithium battery expert from the University of Chile, in a 2009 interview. This isnt a green solution its not a solution at all. To this end, researchers have been hard at work finding alternative solutions to lithium-ion batteries. Potential breakthroughs have ranged from hydrogen fuel cells to iron-air batteries to proton batteries. But new breakthroughs in the sector show that magnesium may hold the answer for a more sustainable EV battery. Historically, magnesium has not seemed to be a promising alternative as its an incredibly difficult material to work with. Its highly reactive to oxygen, causing major challenges for its handling and regulating power surges within battery technologies. Plus, previous experiments have yielded far lower voltages than lithium. But researchers at the University of Waterloo may have cracked the code by designing an electrolyte that facilitates high efficiency within a magnesium anode. The electrolyte we developed allows us to deposit magnesium foils with extremely high efficiency and it is stable to a higher voltage than successfully tested before, said Chang Li, a postdoctoral fellow in the Nazar Group. All we need now is the right cathode to bring it all together. Scientists at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have also made recent breakthroughs in magnesium-air battery technology for enhanced energy density, safety and efficiency, and longevity, according to reporting from EcoNews. Together, these advances could have major disruptive potential, as magnesium is extremely abundant in the Earths crust and much less costly than lithium. It also is much less geopolitically fraught, as value chains are not as well (and unevenly) established. EcoNews also reports that these breakthroughs could not only oust lithium-ion batteries, but the potential of hydrogen fuel cells as well. Hydrogen fuel cells have been hailed as an attractive alternative to lithium-ion batteries but are plagued by infrastructure, storage, and cost problems, they report. Magnesium batteries, however, offer a more realistic and efficient solution. [...] Magnesium batteries utilize more standard materials and dont need specialized infrastructure, making them simpler and less costly to realize on a large scale. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A record number of oil cargos set off from Vancouver Port in March thanks to the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, the Vancouver Sun reported, citing data showing that as many as 30 tankers loaded with crude left the port last month. This is up from an average of two per month before the Trans Mountain expansion and a high of 25 in the fall of 2024, after the expanded pipeline began operation in the spring of last year. After the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) was put in service on May 1, 2024, tankers were loaded at a rate of about 20 per month. The rate suddenly increased to 30 for March 2025, retired physics professor David Huntley who tracks tankers at the Vancouver Port, told the publication. Vortexa data confirms the trend, with the energy analytics provider reporting that Chinese buyers took in a record-high 7.3 million barrels of Canadian oil and are going to take in even more this month. The scale swing happens as Chinese energy traders wind down U.S. oil purchases amid the tariff spat, which also saw Chinese imports of U.S. liquefied natural gas drop to zero in March. The Vancouver Sun reported Chinese imports of U.S. crude had dropped to some 3 million barrels in March from an all-time high of 29 million barrels in June 2024. It bears nothing that the U.S. was never among the top suppliers of China with crude oilthe top positions are occupied by Middle Eastern producers plus Russia. The Trans Mountain pipeline finally completed its expansion after years of delays last year and tripled the capacity of the original pipeline to 890,000 bpd from 300,000 bpd to carry crude from Albertas oil sands to British Columbia. The expanded pipeline provides increased transportation capacity for Canadian producers to get their oil out of Alberta and into the Pacific Coast and then to the U.S. West Coast or Asian markets. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Global energy supply is still in danger of shocks, the International Energy Agencys chief has warned ahead of a political gathering to discuss energy matters in London. The lessons from Ukraine have not yet been fully understood, Fatih Birol said, as quoted by the Financial Times, noting the three golden rules for energy security. These include diversification of energy supply, political stability to motivate long-term energy investments, and global cooperation. Despite these golden rules, Europe and the UK have struggled to ensure their energy supply security, suggesting the three are easier said than done. Now, Trumps tariff offense is further complicating the situation by affecting the last golden rule on cooperation. Per Birol, the tariff war will also affect demand for oil and gas, although he did not elaborate on the direction in which demand would be affected. Political leaders are gathering in London this week to discuss energy security with energy industry representatives. These include both oil and gas majors such as Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Eni, and Equinor, as well as alternative energy producers, namely Danish wind turbine leaders rsted and Vestas. Power suppliers, including French EDF, Italian Enel, and British Octopus, will also attend the gathering. We are going to look at traditional energy security risks, such as [the loss] of oil and gas, but also emerging risks such as supply chain [disruption] and [the loss of] critical minerals, the IEAs Birol said. Speaking of critical minerals, the FT noted in its report that Chinese companies were going to be absent from the gathering. We invited China, but unfortunately they were not able to accept due to calendar reasons, Birol, whose IEA co-organized the event with the British government, said. We wish everybody was at the table, but the countries attending the meeting make up three-quarters of the worlds GDP, which in my view is not bad at all. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com OPECs market share in India slumped to an all-time low of below 50% of Indias crude oil imports in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, as Russian oil flows to the worlds third-largest crude importer continued to rise and dent the share of the Middle Eastern producers. Indias imports of crude from Russia increased by 7.3% to an average of 1.76 million barrels per day (bpd) in the 2024-2025 fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, according to data obtained and compiled by Reuters. This gave Russia, now Indias single largest crude supplier, a 36% share of the market of an average of 4.88 million bpd of total imports. While the Russian share of Indian oil imports rose slightly in 2024-2025 from a year earlier and has been steadily increasing for the past three years, the share of OPEC in Indias crude purchases declined to 48.5%, an all-time low, according to the data. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the bans on Russian oil in the West, India has become a key buyer of Russian crude, alongside China. Russia, for its part, became the single biggest oil supplier to India. Russia is an ally of OPEC in the OPEC+ agreements to stabilize the market, but it has been denting the share of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and other major Middle Eastern OPEC producers in India. Indian imports of Saudi crude fell to the lowest in 14 years, Reuters has estimated. The higher official selling prices (OSPs) of Saudi supply for most months in 2024-2025 havent helped higher purchases amid available cheap oil from Russia, industry sources told Reuters. The price-sensitive Indian buyers have preferred cheap Russian crude supply, when available. India will continue to buy Russian oil if it is sold below the $60 per barrel price cap and delivered on non-sanctioned tankers and without any involvement of sanctioned companies or individuals, Indian officials said earlier this year after the U.S. sanctions in January created market chaos for several weeks before tanker supply chains adapted. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Taiwan is pledging to buy more U.S. oil and gas, which is a focus of the tariff talks with the Trump Administration, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday. Increasing purchases from the United States, including natural gas, oil, and other essential national energy sources, is not only the next focus of the tariff negotiations between Taiwan and the U.S., but also an important part of Taiwan's efforts to strengthen its energy autonomy and resilience, Lais office said, as carried by Reuters. Currently, Taiwans imports of LNG from the United States account for about 10% of all its LNG imports. Earlier this year, Taiwans state-held oil and gas company CPC Corporation signed a letter of intent to invest in the $44-billion Alaska LNG export project in the U.S. and buy LNG from it. But as Taiwan saw firsthand, commitments and contracts to buy more U.S. energy will not necessarily spare any buyer from tariffs. Taiwan was slapped with a 32% tariff, which has been halted for 90 days, although it had just made big commitments to invest in the U.S., including in U.S. energy projects. Unfortunately for Taiwan, in any negotiations with deficit-fixated President Trump, the value of its exports to the U.S. predominantly semiconductors vastly outstrips the value of the goods it imports from America. Taiwan wasnt spared from one of the highest now-suspended tariffs despite being the only early committed investor in the huge Alaska LNG project, while Japan and South Korea are hesitating. Taiwan is not the only Asian country looking to negotiate its way out of hefty U.S. tariffs. Most Asian countries are racing to pledge increased imports of U.S. energy to avoid the high tariffs slapped on them in early April. Delegations from many Asian countries are heading to Washington D.C. these days to discuss the U.S. tariffs, which are the highest for economies in Asia and Southeast Asia. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A judge in a Delaware court has approved a $3.7-billion bid by Red Tree Investments as the floor-setting offer in a court-mandated auction of the parent company of Venezuela-owned refiner Citgo. U.S. District Judge Leonard Stark decided that the offer from Red Tree Investments would be the starting bid in the auction which the Delaware court is holding for years to auction off assets of Venezuelas PDV Holding, the parent company of Citgo. The sale process of shares to pay creditors and claimants against Venezuelas oil asset appropriation and debts owed by Citgo was launched by the Delaware court in October 2023. Overall, creditors and claimants have sought to recoup at courts in Delaware a total of $24 billion in claims and arbitration awards against Venezuela. The auction has been dragging on for months and this year the court re-launched the sale process after a previous attempted sale was rejected as too low by creditors last year. The latest offer, from Red Tree Investments, has kicked off another battle among 16 creditors, as some disagree with the bid claiming it is too low. The Red Tree Investments offer was recommended by court officer Robert Pincus, the Special Master appointed by the Delaware court to oversee the sale. In his latest ruling on the matter, Judge Stark wrote that Red Tree's bid constitutes the best balance of the evaluation criteria, which may be fairly summarized as price and certainty of closing. The judge believes that the decision on the starting offer should encourage competition. Judge Stark asked Pincus to propose a deadline for other offers topping the starting bid to be submitted. The winning bid in the auction is expected to be picked in the summer, with a final hearing slated for July. Citgo is the seventh-largest refiner in the United States with a total capacity topping 800,000 barrels per day (bpd). It has refineries in Texas, Louisiana, and Illinois, along with pipelines and a gasoline distribution network that supplies 4,200 outlets in the United States. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com By State Representative Dwayne Yunker, April 21, 2025 Today, the Oregon House Democratic leadership quietly pulled House Bills 3029 and 3669 from the House floor and sent them back to committeean overdue acknowledgment that these Prosperity 10,000 workforce program bills are legally indefensible. I appreciate that Democrats are finally admitting that the Prosperity 10,000 program is fraught with constitutional and Civil Rights Act violations, said Representative Dwayne Yunker (R-Grants Pass), a Republican member of the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee and the carrier of the Minority Report on HB 3669 that forced the action. This is a positive first step. Now the Legislature must do the hard work of scrubbing the bills clean of race- and sex-based discriminationnot just in language, but in intent. Read Representative Yunkers op-ed in todays Washington Examiner to learn more: Racial discrimination is alive and well among Oregon Democrats By Oregon State Representative Dwayne Yunker COVID isnt over. At least not in deep-blue states such as Oregon, where the state legislature believes programs conceived with American Rescue Plan Act dollars should continue in perpetuity. Worse, since COVID coincided with the so-called racial reckoning in the wake of George Floyds death, many of these programs are rife with rules that require racial discrimination. On Monday, the Oregon House of Representatives will vote on two different bills, both introduced by Democrats, to expand one such program. The program, called Prosperity 10,000, provides workforce development services to so-called priority populations. Oregon law currently defines priority populations not by income or need but by race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Thats not compassion its unconstitutional. While the two bills modify the program in different ways, neither corrects the definition of priority populations. While Oregon continues to double down on race- and sex-based discrimination, the Trump administration has signaled it will use every tool at its disposal to ensure states adhere to the principle of color-blind equality. If Oregon wants to continue to secure federal funding for programs such as Prosperity 10,000, it must rid itself of the race- and sex-based discrimination enshrined in its state statutes. The Prosperity 10,000 program provides state and federal funds to Oregons Higher Education Coordinating Commission for its workforce development initiatives. The program includes conventional efforts to get people back to work, such as career readiness and job training. It also pays for paid internships and wraparound services, including child care, housing, transportation, and free laptops. The program began back in 2022 with Senate Bill 1545 as part of Oregons $200 million allocation of State Fiscal Recovery Funds under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. At the time, the proponents of Senate Bill 1545 told legislators that the disparate impact of COVID meant that certain groups needed special services or they were likely to fall further behind. Thus, the program was set up to serve only certain priority populations. According to Oregon Revised Statute 660.300 Subsection 8, priority populations are defined as follows: communities of color, women, low-income communities, rural and frontier communities, veterans, persons with disabilities, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, members of Oregons nine federally recognized Indian tribes, individuals who disproportionately experience discrimination in employment on the basis of age, and individuals who identify as members of the LGBT community. In other words, if youre black or gay, you go to the front of the line. Last month, I asked my legislative counsel for a legal opinion on the constitutionality of all this. I was told that using Oregon Revised Statute 660.300s definition of priority populations to determine eligibility for services would leave the state vulnerable to a challenge under the equal protection clause. The Prosperity 10,000 program distributes public funds on the basis of an individuals status as a member of a community of color, which invokes a suspect class. And that courts apply the most stringent form of judicial scrutiny to such classifications, requiring the state to prove the classifications are narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling governmental interest. Recent U.S. Supreme Court case law makes it unlikely that laws that discriminate on the basis of race, color, or nationality can withstand strict scrutiny. In other words, the program violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the U.S. Constitution. Its illegal. Three weeks ago, on Thursday, March 27, in front of my House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, the same committee that is advancing these bills, the legislative and policy affairs director for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission said the same thing. In answering a Democratic committee members question about wanting more teachers who look like her, the HECC director stated, The state has had goals related to the diversification of its education workforce that date back a few decades at this point, to 1991, and I think the challenge that we have today, is that the specific mechanisms that are at play in these bills to assist the state in meeting that workforce goal, have been determined through evolving jurisprudence to be difficult from a legal perspective. Difficult from a legal perspective is code for its illegal. We can debate continuing Covid-era programs into perpetuity. We can debate the use of federal funds for free laptops. But cleaning up our state statutes to remove Civil Rights Act violations should be a no-brainer. Thats why Ive introduced a minority report version of the Prosperity 10,000 program bill, which removes the illegal discrimination in the state statutes definition of priority populations. We are scheduled to vote on my bill Monday morning. Lets see which Oregon state representatives actually believe in equality and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Political leaders across Illinois reacted to the death of Pope Francis with reflections on the values he espoused, with many stressing empathy and aid for the less fortunate. We have lost the messenger," said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, "but we must hold fast to the message of Pope Francis to love and respect one another." Durbin also called for a "Francis Day" of world peace, including in war-torn Gaza and Ukraine. Throughout his time in ministry and his historic tenure as Pope, he was committed to living a life of faith, compassion, and service to others," said U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, in a statement. LaHood is among those with personal memories of the 88-year-old pontiff's visit to the U.S. Capitol in 2015, when he became the first pope to address Congress. On that occasion, he called on bitterly divided lawmakers to create a culture of care in welcoming immigrants, protecting the environment and sharing the nations wealth with those less fortunate. Below are more reactions from Illinois political leaders, in their own words. This is a developing story that will be updated. Gov. JB Pritzker Pope Francis showed the world how to lead with empathy and humility. Extending a hand to help anyone in need, the People's Pope inspired millions who drew strength and compassion from him to embrace peace. May his memory be a blessing. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. Pope Francis was a pillar of the Catholic Church, a beacon of hope, compassion and light in times of fear, hatred and darkness. Throughout his life, he taught us that in order to be great, we have to be good. "He urged each of us to care for the poor, feed the hungry, be humble stewards of the Earth and treat others how we would want to be treated ourselves even if they pray or live differently than us. His teachings remain as important as ever. May he rest in peace and may his spirit continue to uplift and guide all those who followed his sacred word. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. We have lost the messenger, but we must hold fast to the message of Pope Francis to love and respect one another. In a world of hate and fear, Pope Francis message of peace and understanding is needed now more than ever. We should honor the Pope with a Francis Day of world peace: stop the bombing in Ukraine and Gaza; feed the dying in Sudan and around the globe; and show kindness to one another. U.S. Rep. Darin Lahood, R-Peoria I am saddened to learn about the passing of Pope Francis. Throughout his time in ministry and his historic tenure as Pope, he was committed to living a life of faith, compassion, and service to others. It was an honor to attend his joint address before Congress in 2015, the first Pope to do so. I join the world in honoring his legacy, and ensuring that his memory lives on with Christians all over the world. U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline Pope Francis was a kind and compassionate leader for millions of his supporters around the world and he will be deeply missed. May his lifelong legacy of helping those in need serve as an example to many others. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Pope Francis, the peoples pope, will be remembered as a faith leader who gave voice to the voiceless. He fought for the rights and the dignity of the poor, prisoners, migrants, and outcasts as part of his vision for peace and social justice. Guided by his deep faith in God and humanity, Pope Francis advocated for a world without war. His legacy will live on in the hearts of the millions of people throughout the world who took comfort in his message. May he rest in peace. We will continue to learn from Pope Francis and take inspiration from the power of his moral clarity. We have to state, without mincing words, that there is an inseparable bond between our faith and the poor. May we never abandon them. Zizians are often characterized by their unusual blend of lifestyles. Imagine a group where computer games intersect with rigorous debates on gender identity and marriage licenses. As an offshoot of the rationalist community inclusive of different genders and individuals with bachelor's degrees in fields like computer science it seeks to challenge conventional norms. Advertisement The group gets its name from Ziz LaSota, a transgender woman who has written extensively on the purported existential threat of artificial intelligence. While not the group's recognized leader, LaSota does seem to inhabit space on a Venn diagram where the other members, especially those in serious legal trouble, all intersect. Whether or not a true cult, the Zizian's unconventional approach has occasionally placed them under scrutiny by authorities, including homeland security and various county sheriff's offices. After various violent incidents, they have become recognized as a dangerous fringe group. 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: From Annenberg Public Policy Center AIOD National Panel survey in May 2024 and March 2025. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center Large majorities of U.S. adults support the role of the courts and Congress in serving as checks on presidential power, even though the public has less trust in all three branches of the federal government than it does in many other American institutions and professions, according to a survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania. The policy center's Institutions of Democracy survey finds that trust in the U.S. Supreme Court has continued to decline since the court's 2022 Dobbs ruling overturning the constitutional right to abortion codified in Roe v. Wade. Trust in the nation's highest court has slid 27 percentage points since 2019, from 68% six years ago to 41% in March 2025. Nearly a third of those surveyed (32%) say they have no trust at all in the Supreme Court to operate in the best interests of "people like you." In just the past 10 months, since May 2024, the percentage of those with no or low trust in that court grew to 59% from 55%. Highlights The survey, conducted March 6-16, 2025, with a nationally representative sample of 1,363 U.S. adults who are part of APPC's ongoing survey panel, also finds that: A majority of Americans (60%) think the country is going in the wrong direction and a slim majority (54%) think a year from now the economy will be worse than it is today. A strong majority (69%) of Americans say the president should follow a Supreme Court ruling, even if the president believes the ruling prevents him from protecting the country from a terrorist attack. Compared with 20 years ago, Americans are much less confident that Supreme Court justices will make decisions without considering their personal views and find the ethical practices of the justices to be significantly worse. Jury service is a way to bolster trust in the legal system and is positively associated with views of increased legitimacy and trust in the courts, and more positive views of judges. But fewer people report being called for jury duty and a smaller proportion of those who are called are serving. "Because judges have neither the power of the purse nor of the sword, it is especially important that they retain the respect and confidence of the citizenry and that the public appreciates the indispensable role that the courts play in protecting our rights, sustaining our system of government, and helping the country navigate contentious issues and times," said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center. For the data, see the topline. From Annenberg Public Policy Center Constitution Day Surveys from 2005 to 2025. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center Americans support a system of checks and balances Less than a quarter of U.S. adults endorse the idea of unchecked executive action. Even among Republican voters, who are the most supportive of a president in their own party, only a minority support unconstrained executive action. (Consistent with many surveys, this analysis includes independent voters who express a preference for either the Democratic or Republican party with that party's data.) "Americans do not think the president should have the ability to act unconstrained by the courts and Congress," said Matt Levendusky, director of APPC's Institutions of Democracy division and a Penn political science professor, who, with APPC research analyst Shawn Patterson Jr., wrote about the issue for NBC News. "Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike believe that the courts and Congress should be able to check the president's actions." A majority of Americans do not think a president should be able to Ignore court rulings: Two-thirds (66%) disagree with the statement that the president should be able to ignore court decisions he believes intrude on his constitutional authority, while 16% agree. Just 27% of Republicans, 20% of independents, and 5% of Democrats agree. Pick judges without Senate consent: Two-thirds (67%) disagree with the idea that the president should be able to appoint judges of his choosing regardless of whether the U.S. Senate agrees with the selections, while 18% agree. Under a third (31%) of Republicans agree, as do 13% independents and 8% of Democrats. Enact policies without Congressional approval: 60% disagree with the proposition that the president should have the right to enact policies without having those policies voted on by Congress, while 20% agree. A third of Republicans (33%) agree, as do 20% of independents and 10% of Democrats. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The public is more closely divided on whether the president should have the authority to decide how executive agencies will implement bills passed by Congress, though a plurality is opposed, with 40% in opposition and 34% in agreement. Over half of Republicans (56%) agree that the president should have the authority, but just 33% of independents and 17% of Democrats do. A majority of Americans endorse the essential role of courts in our government: Play a vital role: 84% agree that courts play a vital role in our system of government, including 86% of Democrats, 83% of Republicans, and 81% of independents. Prevent abuse of power: 58% believe the courts prevent elected officials from abusing their power, including 64% of Democrats, 54% of independents, and 51% of Republicans. From Annenberg Public Policy Center AIOD National Panel survey in March, 2025. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center Obey the courtseven when faced with terrorism Compared with data from a 2007 Annenberg survey, Americans today are more likely to say that the president should follow a Supreme Court ruling, even if the president believes that the ruling prevents him from protecting the country against a terrorist attack: 69% say the president should follow the Supreme Court ruling, up from 44% in 2007. Almost a third (31%) now say the president should ignore the ruling. Three-quarters (76%) say that having the president follow the ruling is what is supposed to happen in our system of government, up from 56% in 2007. Under a quarter (23%) say the president is supposed to ignore the ruling. "People want the president to listen to the Supreme Court and they think that our system of government requires the president to do so," said Patterson. Trust in the Supreme Court Trust in the Supreme Court has continued to sink. In March 2025, 59% of those surveyed report having little (27%) or no (32%) trust in the court to operate in the best interests of "people like you." Just 41% express confidence that the court is operating in their best interests, with 27% reporting "a moderate amount" of trust, 11% "a lot," and 3% "a great deal" of trust. The number of those with no or low trust has risen over the past 10 months to 59% from 55% in May 2024, while the proportion of those with high/moderate trust (41%) has continued to fall from 45% in May 2024. The Annenberg Public Policy Center has been surveying on this question since 2005, when 75% had high/moderate trust and 22% had low/no trust. Earlier APPC surveys found that trust in the court has plummeted since the 2022 Dobbs decision overturning the half-century-old landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that codified the right to abortion. Americans' trust in the court, which was 68% in 2019, has fallen 27 percentage points to 41%. From Annenberg Public Policy Center AIOD National Panel survey in March, 2025, and ASAPH survey in February 2025. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center Public views more negative of Supreme Court justices Compared with 20 years ago, Americans are much less confident Supreme Court justices will make decisions without considering their personal views. Just 37% are very or somewhat confident a new justice appointed by President Trump will make decisions without considering their own personal views, down from 59% in 2005 (when the question referenced President Bush). Nearly two-thirds (63%) are not too/not at all confident a new justice would make decisions without considering their personal views, up from 37% in 2005. The public also holds much more negative views of the justices' ethics, as compared with an APPC 2006 survey. The public is currently divided in its views about the justices' ethical practices: 44% say they are very/somewhat good and 43% very/somewhat bad. In 2006, nearly three-quarters (72%) thought the justices' ethical practices were very/somewhat good, far more than those who considered them very/somewhat bad (19%). Compared with 2005, nearly twice as many people say their opinion of the Supreme Court has declined in the past 10 years. Today, 51% say their opinion of the court has declined in the past 10 years, compared with 27% who held that opinion in 2005. In considering the judicial system apart from the Supreme Court, however, respondents express greater levels of trust in federal court judges (56%) and courts in their state (52%). U.S. 'on the wrong track' and low trust in government institutions A majority of Americans feel that in the United States, "things are seriously off on the wrong track" (60%) rather than "generally going in the right direction" (40%). And most (54%) also feel that a year from now, the nation's economy as a whole will be worse than it is today, rather than better (36%), with 10% saying the country will be "about the same" as it is today. From Annenberg Public Policy Center AIOD National Panel survey in March, 2025. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center It is not just the Supreme Court that has low levels of trust. Only business leaders are less trusted than the three branches of the federal government. When the American people are asked how much, if at all, they trust different organizations and professions to act "in the best interest of people like you," they express the greatest trust in medical scientists (73%), the military (72%), and scientists in general (71%) (combining the responses for a great deal/a lot/a moderate amount of trust), according to APPC surveys conducted in February and March 2025. By contrast, there is much less trust in the U.S. Supreme Court (41%) and the President (40%), followed by "elected officials" (36%) and Congress (32%). Business leaders (30%) are at the bottom of these groups. "Even though people say they don't have much trust in particular government institutionsCongress, the President, the courtsthey do express support for our system of government," Patterson said. "They support the idea of checks and balances, if not the individual branches themselves." Limiting the power of the judiciary In the 2024 Judicature article "The withering of public confidence in the courts," APPC researchers reported survey evidence suggesting that while the public had greater confidence in the judiciary than the other branches, the distance separating the perceptions of courts from those of other branches has narrowed in recent years. While respondents in the current survey place more trust in the courts in their own state to act in the best interest of people like them than in the Supreme Court, they are also more supportive of some steps to limit the power of those courts. The survey finds that: Nearly 3 in 10 (28%) agree that Supreme Court Justices who consistently make unpopular decisions should be removed from their positionand 39% feel that way about other judges. A quarter (25%) say that if the Supreme Court started making a lot of rulings most people disagreed with, it might be better to do away with the court altogether, while 16% feel this way about local courts. Over half of those surveyed (55%) say the Supreme Court gets too mixed up in politicsand 65% feel that way about other courts. Over a third (34%) say the right of the Supreme Court to decide certain types of controversial issues should be reducedand 38% feel that way about other courts. From Annenberg Public Policy Center AIOD National Panel survey in March, 2025. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center The positive effects of jury service "Understanding the workings of the judiciary and the unique role courts play in the American government may help foster greater trust in and support for the institution of the courts," said Ken Winneg, APPC's managing director of survey research and a co-author of the Judicature article. As other researchers in communication, legal studies, and political science have written: "to know courts is to love them." The APPC survey finds that fewer people report being called for jury service, with 35% saying they were called: 31% were called but did not serve, and 4% served on a jury. Five years ago, in 2020, 41% of Americans had been called for jury service: 33% reported being called but did not serve, and 8% served on a jury. The declining rate of jury service matches other data showing there are fewer jury trials, including a 2023 report from the National Center for State Courts, which reports that the estimated number of jury trials in state courts has diminished since 2007 from 148,558 to 48,764 in 2021. A regression analysis by Patterson of APPC's data shows that jury duty is positively associated with greater belief in the legitimacy of the courts, greater trust in the courts, and a greater willingness to ascribe positive traits to judgesfor instance, that they are competent, trustworthy, and fair. In its annual Constitution Day Civics Survey, published every year before the holiday on Sept. 17, the policy center has examined civics knowledge among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. The survey has repeatedly shown that civics knowledge is positively associated with beliefs in the legitimacy of the courts and the belief that one would receive a fair trial. "The courts play an important role in educating the citizenry about the importance of the judiciary in our system of government," Jamieson said. A more detailed analysis of the survey findings will be published later this year in the journal Judicature. From Annenberg Public Policy Center AIOD National Panel survey from March, 2025, and Constitution Day Survey from 2005. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center About the survey The current findings come from the most recent wave of the Annenberg Public Policy Center's Institutions of Democracy panel survey, which was conducted March 616, 2025, with a nationally representative sample of 1,363 U.S. adults. The margin of sampling error for the complete set of weighted data is 3.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The survey questions were developed under the supervision of Matt Levendusky, director of the Annenberg IOD national panel. The analysis and graphics were prepared by APPC research analyst Shawn Patterson Jr. The team supervising the survey includes Kathleen Hall Jamieson, APPC's director, and Ken Winneg, APPC's managing director of survey research. More information: For details, see the topline and methodology statement. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In far Northern California, beneath a towering mountain ridge still covered in April snow, one of the state's last cowboys stood in the tall green grass of a pasture he tends, describing what he sees as the one blight on this otherwise perfect landscape: wolves. "I hate 'em," said Joel Torres, 25, his easy smile fading as he explained what the apex predators do to the cattle in his care at Prather Ranch, an organic farm in Siskiyou County dedicated to raising beef in a natural, stress-free environment. "They've just been tearing into our baby calves, mostly our yearlings." Unlike predators that go for the throat and kill prey relatively quickly, wolves often attack from behind and rip victims apart while they're trying to flee. Once they bring a cow to the ground, the pack will "kind of pick around a little bit, eat the good stuff"particularly the rectum and udders "and then just leave them and go on to the next one," Torres said. That's how he has found dozens of mortally injured young cows, trembling and in shock, after wolf attacks. "It's crazy, the endurance of these animals. They'll just take it," Torres said. There's no saving them. Their intestines often spill out through their hindquarters, and Torres shoots the cows to put them out of their misery. He'd like to shoot the wolves, too, at least a few, to teach the pack that there are "consequences to coming around here and tearing into our cattle." But the predators remain on the state's endangered species list, and aggressive measures to control their behavior are strictly forbidden. Instead, all Torres can do is grit his teeth and deal with the grisly aftermath. Torres and many other ranchers in California live where two very lofty and environmentally satisfying ideas collide: all natural, free-range ranching and the government-assisted return of a predator our ancestors hunted to near extinction. No matter how hard officials try to direct the wolves toward their natural prey, mostly deer and elk, they seem to find the bigger, slower, domesticated cows wandering through well-kept, wide-open fields a lot more appealing. Things have gotten so bad so quicklywolves have been back in California for only a bit more than a decadethat officials in Modoc and Sierra counties have declared emergencies. Leaders in Siskiyou and Lassen counties are calling on the state to do something about the devastating economic toll the wolves are taking on ranchers. And while wolf attacks on people are almost unheard of, many in those counties are worried about potential risks to children and pets as the wild predators wander ever closer to houses and show signs of becoming accustomed to humans. In response, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved what it calls increased "hazing," which includes firing guns toward the sky, driving trucks and ATVs toward wolves to shoo them away and harassing them with noise from dronesbut nothing that might injure the wolves. Ranchers are skeptical. Other hazing methods approved by the department in recent years, such as electric fences with red flags attached that flutter in the wind, have done little to keep the wolves from their herds. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "The wolves just jump over those fences," Torres said. "They do no good." Mary Rickert, who owns the Prather Ranch with her husband, Jim, said the obvious solution is to let ranchers shoot problem wolves. "We'd just pick off a few of the bad actors, so the others would go, whoa, and back off," she said. A century ago, wolves in the United States were almost wiped out by ranchers who regarded them as lethal enemies. The last wolf legally shot in California was in 1924, and by 1930 they were gone from almost the entire country, except for a small pack in northern Minnesota. But in 1973, then-President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act, and his administration added wolves to the list the following year. In the decades that followed, wolves began a slow recovery, mostly in the northern U.S. Then, in 2011, a wolf from Oregon known as OR7monitored by government biologists via an electronic collarcrossed the border into California and became the first known wild wolf to inhabit the state in almost 90 years. Like other notable transplants to the Golden State, he found pop culture stardom, becoming the heroic subject of a children's book and a 2014 documentary. Environmental advocates and cheerleaders for biodiversity were overjoyed that the wolveswho in their best moments look a lot like big, cuddly dogswere making such an astonishing comeback. The hope was that they'd mostly eat other wild animals. But ask any rancher living in wolf country, and they'll tell you that's not what happenedand recent science backs them up. In 202223, researchers from UC Davis analyzed more than 100 wolf scat samples collected in northeast California from the so-called Lassen pack. They found that 72% of the samples contained cattle DNA, and every wolf had at least one sample that contained cow, said Kenneth Tate, one of the researchers. What's more, there were 13 wolves in the pack, nearly twice as many as state wildlife officials believed at the time. "These packs are not in the wilderness. They're not up on Mt. Shasta or Lassen peak," Tate said. "They're establishing themselves down in the valleys, where the summer cattle graze." And they are thriving. In just 14 years since OR7 crossed the border, seven separate packs have established themselves in the state. They're mostly in the north, but one pack has been confirmed in the southern Sierra Nevada, 200 miles from Los Angeles. None of those packs has done as much damage to livestock as the "Whaleback" pack (named after a nearby mountain) that stalks the Prather Ranch in the remote Butte Valley. That's because Prather's lush pastures back up against a secluded mountain ridge running from nearby Mt. Shasta north to the Oregon border. That land belongs to the U.S. Forest Service, and it's covered in mature pine trees that provide nearly perfect cover. From the top of the ridge, where the wolves are believed to make their den, there's a commanding view of Prather Ranch to the east and of another ranch, Table Rock, to the west. At any given moment in summer, when thousands of free-ranging cattle are scattered across those pastures, the wolves can gaze down from their protected perch and take their pick. "It's like they're deciding between McDonald's and Burger King," said Patrick Griffin, the "wolf liaison" for Siskiyou County, whose job is to try to mitigate conflict between the predators and ranchers. There's a "good-sized" elk herd ranging just north of the ranches, Griffin said, and he keeps hoping that the department's nonlethal hazing tactics will persuade the wolves to turn their attention to their natural prey. But he doesn't think the odds are very good. "An elk is a lot more intimidating than a cow," Griffin said. "Which would you pick?" The bigger problem, Griffin said, is that the Whaleback pack is teaching its young to hunt cows. And when they head off to claim their own territory and start their own packs, they'll take those lessons with them. While other states, including Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, have allowed wolf hunts to resume, California still forbids ranchers from taking aggressive measures to stop the predators. In addition to the nonlethal hazing, the department encourages ranchers to hire "range riders," essentially cowboys, to sleep in the pastures with the cows. But that costs money, and the state doesn't help with the added expense, Griffin said. And even when people are present to harass the wolves, these ranches are so large that it's impossible for them to be everywhere at once. One night, a "government guy" rode around Prather Ranch in his pickup with a spotlight, and the wolves still "tore into two cows that I had to put down," Torres said. Each cow the wolves kill represents thousands of dollars in lost revenue, so in 2021 the state set up a pilot program with $3 million to reimburse ranchers. When they found a dead or dying cow with telltale signs of wolf "depredation," ranchers could alert the state and a representative would come out to investigate. If the investigator concluded wolves were to blame, the rancher would get a check, about $5,000 on average. But that money ran out in a hurry, state records show, with the majority of it, 67%, going to ranchers whose wolves were killed by the Whaleback pack. And while the fund covered confirmed wolf kills, it did not compensate for all of the animalsespecially newborn calves that are easier to carrythat simply disappeared into the forest. Griffin, who investigates suspected wolf kills in the region for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, acknowledged that the 80 or so kills attributed to the Whaleback pack is an undercount. He cited studies from other states that estimate only about one in eight wolf kills are ever confirmed. "I know we don't find most of them," Griffin said. And there's no money to compensate for the damage that the mere presence of wolves does to cow herds. The cows lose a lot of weight from stress and from trying to stay away from the wolves. Tate, the UC Davis researcher, said GPS data from trackers attached to cows show some of them being chased around the pastures all night long. "Cows don't usually run 10 miles over four hours in the middle of the night," Tate said. "That's just not what they do." But wolves are persistence hunters. Weighing about 100 pounds each, they might struggle to take down a yearling cow that's pushing 1,000 pounds. So they spook the cow and get it running, following behind at a comfortable trot until the cow is exhausted. Then they attack. "It's fun for [the wolves]; it's like an adrenaline rush," said Torres. "You can tell it really excites them." But it's a nightmare for the herd, and not just the cows that get singled out. Researchers have found elevated levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in herds exposed to wolves. Not only do the cows lose weight, but they abort pregnancies at increased rates, researchers found. "Cattle actually react to wolves very differently, and in a much more extreme way, than they react to other predators," Rickert said. "We have bears around the ranch, and they'll go and swim in the water troughs, and the cattle will just watch," she said with a laugh. And the occasional mountain lion will stop by, maybe kill a calf, and then move on. But the wolves set up shop and torment the cattle. The UC Davis researchers estimated that, over the course of one summer, each wolf in their study cost ranchers between $70,000 and $163,000. All of which has left Griffin, the Siskiyou County wolf liaison, with deeply mixed feelings about the return of the predators. "There are a lot of people in California who love wolves," he said, "but not very many of them live close to wolves." Griffin said he enjoys tracking the predators, climbing ridges to see how they use the landscape to their advantage, setting up cameras in the mountains to catch breathtaking images of them playing with their young or howling in the snow on a moonlit night. But on a recent afternoon, walking through a pasture in the shadow of Mt. Shasta with puffy white clouds drifting across a cobalt blue sky, Griffin recalled one of his worst days on the job. He'd seen buzzards on the hillside just ahead, where the terrain turns steeply upward and the forest begins. When he arrived to see what the birds were eating, he found a dead cow, its rectum and udders torn awayclassic wolf kill. Mixed with all the blood, he noticed a substantial amount of mucus. His heart sank as he followed the trail of bodily fluids about 60 yards downhill to the half-eaten remains of a newborn calf. He figured the wolves had waited until the cow was in labor, straining so hard with the contractions that she couldn't run, at least not very far. "Wolves are beautiful animals, they're just beautiful," Griffin said, gazing up at the ridge where the predators parade in front of his cameras, sometimes with fresh kill in their mouths. "But what they do? That isn't so beautiful." 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: Dairy cow. Credit: UF/IFAS University of Florida researchers are testing a new type of cattle feed that could help dairy cows release less methane gas from burps and flatulence and use nutrients more efficiently. Because methane traps heat in the atmosphere, reducing these emissions could make dairy farming more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Researchers led by Antonio Faciola looked at a potential dairy cattle supplementary feed made of flaxseed and pea protein. The study is published in the Journal of Dairy Science. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is naturally emitted by cows during digestion, and cows are significant sources of methane worldwide, especially from their burps. When cows' stomachs make methane, they lose valuable energy that could otherwise be used to make milk or meat. By feeding them in a way that reduces methane output, researchers might be able to help the cow produce more milk while also chasing climate goals. "It's a win-win situation. Every time we reduce methane, we keep that energy in the cow's body," said Faciola, associate professor at UF's Department of Animal Sciences. University of Alaska research assistant professor and former UF postdoctoral student James Vinyard was critical to the study, he said. Vinyard simulated dairy cattle's digestion in the lab to see how much methane was produced and to examine possibilities of improving that fermentation by adding a supplemental feed. The researchers added the flaxseed and pea protein supplement to the dairy cattle's rumen in a lab and measured how fermentation changed. The supplement, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and proteins, reduced methane production and improved overall digestion, he said. "This supplement has multiple potential benefits," Faciola said. "Not only could it reduce methane emissions, but it might also increase energy availability for cows, potentially leading to increased milk production." Future studies will include feeding the supplement to dairy cows to see if the lab results match with what happens in the field. With food security becoming an increasingly important concern, he emphasized the importance of feeding cows more efficiently to meet growing global demands. "We will need to have cows producing more milk with the same amount of food," he said. "We have to be more efficient to feed more people." More information: J.R. Vinyard et al, Effects of a flaxseed and pea matrix on in vitro ruminal fermentation, nutrient degradability, and methane emissions, Journal of Dairy Science (2025). DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-25770 Journal information: Journal of Dairy Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: China's Tiangong space station is the space programme's crown jewel. China is expected to launch a new crewed mission into space this week, as Beijing takes steady steps toward its goal of putting astronauts on the moon. The Shenzhou-20 mission will blast off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, carrying three astronauts to the country's self-built Tiangong space station for a likely six-month stay. The team will undertake experiments to further the space program's ambitious aims to place astronauts on the moon by 2030 and eventually build a lunar base. The country's space agency said last week that the Shenzhou spaceship and its Long March-2F carrier rocket were transferred to a launch site at the remote desert base and would launch "at an appropriate time in the near future". Photographs published by the Xinhua state news agency showed the sleek white rocket perched on a blue pedestal festooned with national flags, pointing toward the heavens, with red-and-gold banners hailing China's space program. "At present, the launch site facilities and equipment are in good condition. The functional inspections and joint tests will be carried out as planned," the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said. Authorities have not yet given details on the identities of the Shenzhou-20 astronauts or the work they will carry out. Zhou Wenxing, a staff member at the country's astronaut training center, said the crew was "in good condition, precise in operation, and smooth in coordination", state broadcaster CCTV reported on Sunday. 'Space dream' China's previous crewed mission, Shenzhou-19, launched last October and will reach its planned end date on April 29. A Long March-2F carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. It is headed by Cai Xuzhe, a 48-year-old former air force pilot who served a previous stint aboard the Tiangong space station as part of the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022. Also among the crew is Wang Haoze, 35, who is China's only female spaceflight engineer and the third Chinese woman to take part in a crewed mission. Song Lingdong, a 34-year-old man, completes the trio. The Shenzhou-19 team has been carrying out tests to see how extreme radiation, gravity, temperature and other conditions affect "bricks" made from components imitating lunar soil, according to reports at the time of the launch. Under President Xi Jinping, China has forged ahead with plans to achieve its "space dream". Its space program was the third to put humans in orbit and has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the moon. The jewel in the crown is Tiangong, the space station staffed by teams of three astronauts that are rotated every six months. Beijing says it is on track to send a crewed mission to the moon by 2030. In recent decades, the country has poured billions of dollars into developing an advanced space program on par with the United States and Europe. In 2019, it landed its Chang'e-4 probe on the far side of the moonthe first spacecraft ever to do so. In 2021, it landed a small robot on Mars. Tiangong, whose core module, Tianhe, launched in 2021, is planned to be used for about 10 years. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: On the left a control ('clean') ditch and one the right a ditch covered by floating algal beds after exposure to thiacloprid. Credit: Henrik Barmentlo The pesticide thiacloprid turns out to be more harmful than previously thought. It can disrupt the lives of freshwater invertebrates and their communities, upsetting the balance and functioning of entire freshwater ecosystems. This is shown by ecologist Henrik Barmentlo and colleagues in their article published in Ecology Letters. In an earlier study, Henrik Barmentlo and his fellow researchers of the Living Lab in Leiden linked this pesticide to extreme declines in insects. In the experimental ditches of the Living Lab, they saw that insects such as dragonflies and beetles drastically declined both in abundance as well as biomass. Now they show that not only insects, but even whole communities are affected at concentrations that were deemed safe for aquatic life. Environmental norms do not protect aquatic life "Our test concentrations included the environmental norms set by EFSA and the EPA at which aquatic life should be protected, this turned out not to be the case," says Barmentlo, ecologist at the Institute of Environmental Science. To come to these conclusions, the authors exposed 27 experimental ditches to a concentration of thiacloprid (versus 9 control ditches). Thiacloprid belongs to the group of "neonicotinoid" insecticides which are meant to target "pest" insects such as aphids and fleas. They then measured many parameters in the ecosystems. "We measured invertebrate diversity, plants, phytoplankton, floating algal beds, decomposition and invertebrate consumption and various other water quality parameters," says Barmentlo. Thick mats of floating algae "Our ecosystems were in a perilous state after exposure to the pesticide," Barmentlo says. Invertebrate consumption and phytoplankton abundances declined strongly, while the ditches became covered with thick mats of floating algae that blocked sunlight. Even months after the experiment, the researchers still observed these algal beds covering the ditches. Although the European Union restricted the use of thiacloprid in 2020, emergency exemptions still allow the use of neonicotinoids in certain cases, meaning the threat to freshwater ecosystems persists. Moreover, in most parts of the world neonicotinoids are still widely used. Stricter regulations needed The authors advocate for stricter regulations on neonicotinoids and improved monitoring methods like the applied network models to detect damage to species communities. Barmentlo says, "By refining how we assess environmental threats using new techniques at the ecosystem level, we can make more informed decisions to protect biodiversity, water quality, and the overall health of our ecosystems." More information: Henrik S. Barmentlo et al, Networks in aquatic communities collapse upon neonicotinoid-induced stress, Ecology Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1111/ele.70121. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ele.70121 Journal information: Ecology Letters This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Examples of photos (13 pieces) of leverets send by citizens from Aalborg and Aarhus. Credit: Urban Science (2025). DOI: 10.3390/urbansci9020027 A new study from Aalborg University in Denmark reveals that European hares (Lepus europaeus) are not only survivingbut thrivingin urban environments. Using a combination of citizen science and thermal imaging technology, researchers have documented surprisingly high hare densities in two of Denmark's largest cities, raising new questions about the role of cities in European wildlife conservation. "We were surprised to find such high numbers of hares right in the middle of the city. In several areas, the population density rivals or even exceeds that of the best rural habitats in Europe," says senior researcher Sussie Pagh from the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience at Aalborg University, lead author of the study published in Urban Science. Urban green spaces may be key to hare recovery Across Europe, the European hare has declined significantly due to intensive agriculture and habitat fragmentation. But cities, long overlooked as wildlife habitats, may be offering new hopeespecially when urban planning focuses on biodiversity. "In both cities, local authorities are actively working to reduce pesticide use and promote urban biodiversity. This allows wild herbs and plants to flourish in green areasplants that hares rely on for food," says Pagh. "We believe this could be part of the explanation for the high densities, and we've now launched a student project to investigate which wild plants are actually growing in urban lawns and used by the hares." In central parts of Aalborg and Aarhus, the researchers measured up to 40 hares per square kilometer using thermal monitoring. This figure is significantly higher than typical densities in surrounding farmland. From average citizens to spotters: A new way to track urban wildlife The study is based on a combination of nearly 1,900 hare observations submitted by the general public in Aalborg and Aarhus and targeted monitoring using a thermal spottera handheld device that detects animals based on their body heat, without the need for disruptive lighting. "The thermal spotter was key to understanding the actual density of hares in the areas reported by the public. It allowed us to detect them quietly and effectively, even between buildings and cars," explains co-author Hanne Lyngholm Larsen. While citizen observations are excellent for identifying hotspots, the researchers found they often overestimate actual population size. By combining both methods, the team could map where hares live, breed, and move throughout the cityscape. Urban Europe: A new frontier for wildlife The findings echo a broader trend seen in other European countries where species like foxes, hedgehogs, and badgers are increasingly making cities their homes. With urban areas becoming greener and more ecologically minded, researchers believe hares may become another flagship species for European urban biodiversity. "If cities can offer better conditions than the countrysidemore food and no huntingthey may act as source habitats for regional populations. That's a shift in how we think about cities, from concrete jungles to key conservation areas," says Cino Pertoldi, professor of conservation genetics at Aalborg University and Aalborg Zoo. More information: Sussie Pagh et al, Monitoring Urban European Hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) with Citizen Science and a Thermal Spotter, Urban Science (2025). DOI: 10.3390/urbansci9020027 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: Markus Spiske from Pexels President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that would block state laws seeking to tackle greenhouse gas emissionsthe latest salvo in his administration's campaign to roll back the United States' climate action. Under Trump, the US has clearly abdicated climate leadership. But the US has in fact obstructed climate action for decadeslargely due to damaging actions by the powerful fossil fuel industry. In 20 years studying attacks on climate science and the powerful forces at work behind the scenes, I've come to think the United States is simply not going to lead on climate action. The fossil fuel industry has so poisoned the well of public debate in the US that it's unlikely the nation will lead on the issue in our lifetimes. Australia, on the other hand, has enormous potential. I recently visited Australia from Harvard University for a series of public talks. This nation is very close to my heart. I trained as a mining geologist and spent three years in outback South Australia, before returning to academia. The vacuum Trump has created on climate policy provides a chance for other countries to lead. Australia has much more to gain from the clean-energy future than it stands to loseand your climate action could be pivotal. The climate crisis: a long time coming Scientists first warned against burning fossil fuels way back in the 1950s. When the US Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, the words "weather" and "climate" were included because scientists had already explained to Congress that carbon dioxide was a pollutant with seriouseven direeffects. In the late 1980s, scientists at NASA observed changes in the climate system that could only be explained by the extra heating effect of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The predictions had become reality. When George H.W. Bush ran successfully for president in 1988, he promised to use the power of the "White House effect" to fight the "greenhouse effect." In 1992, Bush and other world leaders gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to sign the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Together, 178 countries promised action to prevent "dangerous anthropogenic interference" with the Earth's climate. But that action never came. Trump has undoubtedly been bad news for global climate action. He makes preposterous claims about science and is dismantling the federal agencies responsible for supporting climate science and maintaining climate data. But the US has long failed to play its part in cutting dangerous greenhouse gas emissions. The reason for this lies largely outside the White House. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. A long-running campaign of disinformation The fossil fuel industry has known about climate change for as long as scientists have. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, scientists at Esso (later ExxonMobil) actively researched the topic, building climate models and coauthoring scientific papers. The scientists informed their managers of the risk of catastrophic damage if the burning of oil, gas and coal continued unabated. They even suggested the company might need a different business modelone not so dependent on fossil fuels. But managers at ExxonMobil made a fateful decision: to turn from information to disinformation. Working in tandem with other oil, gas and coal companies, as well as automobile and aluminum manufacturers, ExxonMobil launched an organized campaign, sustained over decades, to block climate action by casting doubt on the underlying science. They ran ad campaigns in national and local newspapers insisting the science was too unsettled to warrant action. They created "astroturf" organizations that only pretended to be green, and funded "third-party allies" to argue that proposed remedies would be too expensive, cost jobs and damage the economy. The company funded outlier scientists to publish papers claiming atmospheric warming was the result of natural climate variability. They pressured journalists to give equal time to "their side" of the story in the name of "balance." Over the next three decades, whenever any meaningful climate policy seemed to be gaining traction, the industry and its allies lobbied Congress and state legislatures to block it. So, neither Democratic nor Republican administrations were able to undertake meaningful climate action. While people were dying in climate-charged floods and fires, the fossil fuel industry persuaded a significant proportion of the US population, including Trump, that the whole thing might just be a hoax. Rise up Australia In a matter of weeks after becoming president, Trump pulled out of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming, shut down government websites hosting climate data, and withdrew support for research that dares to mention the word "climate." This has created a vacuum that other countries, including Australia, can step up to fill. Few countries have more to lose from climate change than Australia. The continent has already witnessed costly and devastating wildfires and floods, affecting remote areas and major cities. It's not unreasonable to worry that in coming years, significant parts of Australia could become uninhabitable. Like the US, Australia has a powerful fossil fuel industry that has disproportionately influenced its politics. Unlike the US, however, that industry is based mainly on coal for export, which Australians do not depend on in their daily lives. And Australia is truly a lucky country. It has unsurpassed potential to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. More than 15 years ago, Australian researchers in the Zero Carbon Australia project offered a blueprint for how the country could eliminate fossil fuel use entirely. Since then, renewable energy has only become cheaper and more efficient. South Australia has proved the point: the state was 100% reliant on fossil fuels for electricity in 2002, but now more than 70% comes from renewables. Across Australia, the share of renewable electricity generation is growing. Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland are vying for second place after SA. It's fascinating to watch the National Electricity Market balance supply and demand in real time, where a large proportion of the electricity comes from rooftop solar. For decades, the fossil fuel industry has told the public our societies can't manage without fossil fuels. Large parts of Australia have proved it's just not so. The rest of the nation can follow that lead, and model the energy transition for the world. Here's your chance. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Sul Ross State University A fossil from one of the largest dinosaurs to live in North America was discovered in a national park in Texas. In March, students from Sul Ross State University went to Big Bend National Park for research and to collect a dinosaur bone belonging to Alamosaurus, according to an April 8 news release from the university. The geology students were accompanied by Jesse Kelsch, an assistant professor at the university, and Thomas Shiller, an associate professor. "The goals of the trip included conducting structural and stratigraphic analyses of CretaceousEocene rocks and to retrieve a large vertebra belonging to Alamosaurus, a long-necked dinosaur that lived in North America during the Cretaceous Period," the release said. The Cretaceous Period ended about 66 million years ago. Alamosaurus is believed to have first appeared in North America about 69 million years ago, according to a 2024 publication from the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. The Alamosaurus was "the largest known land-dwelling animal to have lived in North America," according to the university. Fossils from the "giant" dinosaur have been found in the Big Bend before, but are usually poorly preserved, the release said. However, the fossil collected by the university "belongs to one of the most complete skeletons in the area, originally collected and described by researchers from the University of Texas in the 1970s." Students previously collected "associated vertebrae" from the area, and the specimens are being studied in the university's paleontology lab, the university said. 2025 The Charlotte Observer. 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: Infographic map showing government plans to plant tracts of rice and sugar cane for biofuel in Papua, Indonesia, sparking fears of mass deforestation and violations of indigenous rights. An Indonesian soldier gives a thumbs up as he crosses a rice field on a combine harvester in remote Papua, where a government food security mega-project has raised fears of mass deforestation. Keen to end its reliance on rice imports, Indonesia wants to plant vast tracts of the crop, along with sugar cane for biofuel, in the restive eastern region. But environmentalists warn it could become the world's largest deforestation project, threatening endangered species and Jakarta's climate commitments. And activists fear the scheme will fuel rights violations in a region long plagued by alleged military abuses as a separatist insurgency rumbles on. The project's true scale is hard to ascertain; even government statements vary. At a minimum, however, it aims to plant several million hectares of rice and sugar cane across South Papua province's Merauke. One million hectares is around the size of Lebanon. Deforestation linked to the plan is already under way. By late last year, more than 11,000 hectares had been clearedan area larger than Parisaccording to Franky Samperante of environmental and Indigenous rights NGO Yayasan Pusaka Bentala Rakyat. That figure has only increased, according to analysis by campaign group Mighty Earth and conservation start-up The TreeMap. Officials on a combine harvester during the first rice harvest at Kaliki Village in Merauke, attended government officials, military officers and villagers. Their work shows areas cleared include primary and secondary natural dryland and swamp forest, as well as secondary mangrove forest, savanna and bush. "Usually, deforestation is a product of government not doing its job," said Mighty Earth chief executive Glenn Hurowitz. "But in this case, it's actually the state saying we want to clear some of our last remaining forests, carbon-rich peatlands, habitat for rare animals," he told AFP. Indonesia's government says the land targeted is degraded, already cultivated or in need of "optimization," dismissing some areas as little more than swamps. 'Tragedy' Environmentalists argue that misunderstands the local ecosystem. "In South Papua, the landscape and the ecosystem is lowland forest," said Samperante. "There are often misconceptions or even belittling" of these ecosystems, he added. Government officials, military officers and villagers attending the first rice harvest at Kaliki village in Merauke, South Papua. Mapping done by Mighty Earth shows the project threatens a broader ecosystem rangeincluding peatlands and forests the group says should be protected by a government moratorium on clearing. "The tragedy in this project," said Hurowitz, "is that Indonesia has made so much progress in breaking the link between agricultural expansion and deforestation." "Unfortunately, this single project threatens to undermine all progress." Indonesia has some of the world's highest deforestation rates and Papua retains some of the largest remaining untouched tracts. Indonesian think-tank CELIOS says cutting down so much forest could derail Jakarta's plan to reach net-zero by 2050. For President Prabowo Subianto's government, criticism of the project ignores Indonesia's agricultural and economic realities. He has made the scheme a priority, visiting soon after taking office. Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto (R) speaking with locals during his visit to an agriculture programme site at Wanam village in Merauke. In January, he said the country was on track to end rice imports by late 2025, and reiterated its energy independence needs. The agriculture ministry did not respond to AFP's request for comment. In Papua, planting is in full swing. In the region's Kaliki district, AFP saw farmers supported by soldiers tending rice paddies in recently-cleared land. "This location used to be like the one on the right here. Non-productive and neglected land," said Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, a soldier serving as the agriculture ministry's food resilience taskforce chief, at an event lauding the project. That characterization is disputed by Mighty Earth's satellite analysis, which found that at least two areas in the region cleared for rice overlap with government-designated peatland. Indonesia's military is heavily involved in the project. Local farmer Yohanis Yandi Gebze told AFP soldiers gave him "tools, agricultural equipment and machinery" for rice cultivation. Infographic showing satellite images of forest clearance for rice cultivation in Papua, Indonesia. Speaking not far from Ramdhani's event, he praised the military. "I see them cooperating with the people very well," he said. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. 'Cannot refuse' Others say that is only part of the story. Indonesia officially seized Papua, a former Dutch colony, in a widely criticized but UN-backed vote in 1969. It has since been accused of abuses in a decades-long separatist conflict in the region. "The community feels intimidated," said Dewanto Talubun, executive director at Merauke-based environmental and rights group Perkumpulan Harmoni Alam Papuana. "Not all members of the community agree with this project, and they cannot directly refuse," he told AFP. Samperante too reported local fears. "Almost every day a human rights violation occurs," he said. The defense ministry told AFP the military had the resources and "high discipline" to accelerate the food project while securing "stability and security" in the region. A military excavator used to clear forests in a concession area in South Papua. A deforested area in Merauke regency, South Papua, that will be converted into a sugar cane plantation. However, there are significant doubts about the project's viability. "Soils in Merauke are likely too acidic and the climate too extreme... to grow rice," said David Gaveau, founder of The TreeMap. He warned that draining Merauke's wetlands for agriculture risks turning the area "into a tinder box"a fate seen elsewhere in Indonesia. Critics do not dispute Jakarta's food security needs, but said crops should be grown elsewhere on abandoned agricultural land. "It should be done in places that are capable of absorbing it," said Hurowitz. "Without destroying Indonesia's gorgeous, beautiful natural heritage and community lands." 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This 2019 image provided by Timber Press shows an oak tree in Bedford, N.Y. Credit: Doug Tallamy via AP In 1872, a Nebraska newspaper editor and tree lover named J. Sterling Morton proposed dedicating a day to planting trees in his home state. The idea, shall we say, took root. That year, April 10 became the first organized Arbor Day, and approximately 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska. Two years later, Nebraska Gov. Robert Furnas proclaimed April 10 the state's Arbor Day. Other states soon set their own Arbor Day dates to coincide with the best time to plant trees there. And in 1970, President Richard Nixon declared the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day, although many states continue to observe their own, which sometimes align with the national holiday. If you plan to plant a tree this year, why not consider an oak? "An oak is the best tree to choose because it is the No. 1 plant for supporting the food web, " says University of Delaware entomologist and native plants champion Doug Tallamy, the New York Times bestselling author whose books include "The Nature of Oaks." "Plants capture energy from the sun and, through photosynthesis, turn it into foodsimple sugars and carbohydratesthat supports all the animals on the planet," Tallamy explained. "All life on Earth comes from energy provided by the sun," he said. "But we can't eat the sun. Plants allow us to do that. We're essentially eating energy from the sun because plants capture that energy and turn it into foodand oaks are the ones that share the most energy with other living things." One reason oaks are so beneficial to the ecosystem is because, as native plants, they evolved alongside native insects, so those insects recognize them as food, Tallamy said. Oaks also belong to a large genus that's been around for 56 million years, so wildlife has had a lot of time to adapt to them. This October 2018 image provided by Timber Press shows an oak tree displaying orange fall foliage in Oxford, Pa. Credit: Doug Tallamy via AP In all, there are 91 species of oaks across North America, so, he said, insects from coast to coast have adapted to them. "A lot of people think they don't have a property big enough for an oak," Tallamy said, "but there are dwarf oaks, like Quercus prinoides, a dwarf chestnut oak. And as you go farther west, there are a lot more dwarf oaks" to choose from. Which oak do you want? When selecting any plant for your property, it's important to put the right plant in the right place. So Tallamy advises matching up your soil type and growing conditions with an appropriate oak species. "Some oaks like acidic soil," he said. "There are oaks that like base soil. There are oaks that like rocky outcrops and ones that like bottomland." Consider, too, your hardiness zone and the sunlight exposure of the site. "If you put an oak in the front yard in the mid-Atlantic states, for example, it's going to support 557 species of caterpillars, and all of those are crucial food sources for birds," Tallamy said. And I can't think of a better reason to plant an oak this Arbor Day. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain New research from the University of Ottawa has found Ontario's education sector workers live with increasing rates of violence inside their schools as austerity cuts continue to compound a worrying trend. The report 'Running on Fumes: Violence, Austerity, and Institutional Neglect in Ontario Schools' surveyed nearly 6,000 Ontario education sector workers (both teachers and support staff) about the 2022-23 academic year, uncovering a distressing picture of life inside the province's schools. "Workplace violence in Ontario schools remains the best-kept secret," says Dr. Chris Bruckert, Chair of the Department of Criminology who launched the Violence and Harassment Against Educators Project in 2018 with report co-author Dr. Darcy Santor, a Professor of Psychology at uOttawa's Faculty of Social Sciences. "Schools are not the same as they were a decade ago. Students may well be witnessing violence against (particularly women) workers daily, evacuating their classrooms, experiencing general distress and fear and struggling to learn in large and complex classes where support is lacking, and violence is normalized." Bruckert says decades worth of deep austerity-driven cuts and systemic privatization have left publicly funded education in Ontario in a dire state. The survey's findings tell a story, including: Rates of violence are outrageously high and increasing exponentially and are increasingly framed as "part of the job." Women, 2SLGBTQIA+ and disabled workers experienced higher levels of student harassment. Racially minoritized workers were more likely to have their experiences minimized, be blamed, or experience a reprisal. Nearly half of respondents experienced parent-initiated harassment. Workplace violence is profoundly impacting student learning and well-being. Worker retention is threatened by the pervasiveness of workplace violence. Austerity-driven cuts and institutional neglect have created the conditions for escalating workplace violence. The disturbing normalization of workplace violence within Ontario's schools is a trend found in Bruckert and Santor's work, with a previous study confirming things have worsened in the years since. "Funding for Ontario's publicly funded education system is declining at the same time as needs are increasing. This report highlights some of the ways this lack of investment has translated into overcrowded classrooms, fewer educational assistants, limited material and physical resources, dwindling professional health and social services, and delayed and unequal access to assessments for students. These are exactly the conditions that exacerbate workplace violence," says Bruckert, who has been researching, teaching, and mobilizing against gendered violence for over 25 years. Darby Mallory, a doctoral student and one of the authors on the study, adds, "The public must be made aware of the consequences of the systematic underfunding of our education system, particularly as it is our children who are paying the price." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This image of Uranus from NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) on NASA's James Webb Space Telescope exquisitely captures Uranus's seasonal north polar cap and dim inner and outer rings. This Webb image also shows 9 of the planet's 27 moonsclockwise starting at 2 o'clock, they are: Rosalind, Puck, Belinda, Desdemona, Cressida, Bianca, Portia, Juliet, and Perdita. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI When a planet's orbit brings it between Earth and a distant star, it's more than just a cosmic game of hide and seek. It's an opportunity for NASA to improve its understanding of that planet's atmosphere and rings. Planetary scientists call it a stellar occultation and that's exactly what happened with Uranus on April 7. Observing the alignment allows NASA scientists to measure the temperatures and composition of Uranus's stratospherethe middle layer of a planet's atmosphereand determine how it has changed over the last 30 years since Uranus's last significant occultation. "Uranus passed in front of a star that is about 400 light years from Earth," said William Saunders, planetary scientist at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and science principal investigator and analysis lead, for what NASA's team calls the Uranus Stellar Occultation Campaign 2025. "As Uranus began to occult the star, the planet's atmosphere refracted the starlight, causing the star to appear to gradually dim before being blocked completely. The reverse happened at the end of the occultation, making what we call a light curve. By observing the occultation from many large telescopes, we are able to measure the light curve and determine Uranus's atmospheric properties at many altitude layers." This rendering demonstrates what is happening during a stellar occultation and illustrates an example of the light curve data graph recorded by scientists that enables them to gather atmospheric measurements, like temperature and pressure, from Uranus as the amount of starlight changes when the planet eclipses the star. Credit: NASA / Advanced Concepts Laboratory This data mainly consists of temperature, density, and pressure of the stratosphere. Analyzing the data will help researchers understand how the middle atmosphere of Uranus works and could help enable future Uranus exploration efforts. To observe the rare event, which lasted about an hour and was only visible from Western North America, planetary scientists at NASA Langley led an international team of over 30 astronomers using 18 professional observatories. "This was the first time we have collaborated on this scale for an occultation," said Saunders. "I am extremely grateful to each member of the team and each observatory for taking part in this extraordinary event. NASA will use the observations of Uranus to determine how energy moves around the atmosphere and what causes the upper layers to be inexplicably hot. Others will use the data to measure Uranus's rings, its atmospheric turbulence, and its precise orbit around the sun." Knowing the location and orbit of Uranus is not as simple as it sounds. In 1986, NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft became the first and only spacecraft to fly past the planet10 years before the last bright stellar occultation occured in 1996. And, Uranus's exact position in space is only accurate to within about 100 miles, which makes analyzing this new atmospheric data crucial to future NASA exploration of the ice giant. These investigations were possible because the large number of partners provided many unique views of the stellar occultation from many different instruments. Emma Dahl, a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech in Pasadena, California, assisted in gathering observations from NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaiian observatory first built to support NASA's Voyager missions. "As scientists, we do our best work when we collaborate. This was a team effort between NASA scientists, academic researchers, and amateur astronomers," said Dahl. "The atmospheres of the gas and ice giant planets [Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune] are exceptional atmospheric laboratories because they don't have solid surfaces. This allows us to study cloud formation, storms, and wind patterns without the extra variables and effects a surface produces, which can complicate simulations very quickly." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. On November 12, 2024, NASA Langley researchers and collaborators were able to do a test run to prepare for the April occultation. Langley coordinated two telescopes in Japan and one in Thailand to observe a dimmer Uranus stellar occultation only visible from Asia. As a result, these observers learned how to calibrate their instruments to observe stellar occultations, and NASA was able to test its theory that multiple observatories working together could capture Uranus's big event in April. Researchers from the Paris Observatory and Space Science Institute, in contact with NASA, also coordinated observations of the November 2024 occultation from two telescopes in India. These observations of Uranus and its rings allowed the researchers, who were also members of the April 7 occultation team, to improve the predictions about the timing on April 7 down to the second and also improved modeling to update Uranus's expected location during the occultation by 125 miles. Uranus is almost 2 billion miles away from Earth and has an atmosphere composed of primarily hydrogen and helium. It does not have a solid surface, but rather a soft surface made of water, ammonia, and methane. It's called an ice giant because its interior contains an abundance of these swirling fluids that have relatively low freezing points. While Saturn is the most well-known planet for having rings, Uranus has 13 known rings composed of ice and dust. Over the next six years, Uranus will occult several dimmer stars. NASA hopes to gather airborne and possibly space-based measurements of the next bright Uranus occultation in 2031, which will be of an even brighter star than the one observed in April. More information: For more information on NASA's Uranus Stellar Occultation Campaign 2025: science.larc.nasa.gov/URANUS2025 Provided by NASA This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: ATCA image at 5,500 MHz of MC SNR J05196902. Credit: arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2504.11746 Using the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and Parkes 64-m telescope, an international team of astronomers has performed a radio continuum study of MC SNR J05196902a supernova remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The new study, detailed in a paper published April 16 on the preprint server arXiv, yields important insights into the properties of this remnant. Supernova remnants (SNRs) are diffuse, expanding structures resulting from a supernova explosion. They contain ejected material expanding from the explosion and other interstellar material that has been swept up by the passage of the shockwave from the exploded star. MC SNR J05196902 (also known as LHG 26) is a supernova remnant identified in the LMC in 1981. It has a diameter of about 26 light years and showcases a radio ring-like morphology with three bright regions. Although many studies of MC SNR J05196902 have been conducted, many of its properties are uncertain as there is significant discrepancy in the available data. For instance, the estimated age of this SNR, based on various observations, varies between 450 and 1,500 years. It is assumed that MC SNR J05196902 is a result of a type Ia supernova explosion and the mass of the progenitor star is estimated to be between 1.2 and 4.0 solar masses. Therefore, in order to put more constraints on the properties of MC SNR J05196902, a group of astronomers led by Rami Z. E. Alsaberi of the Gifu University in Japan decided to investigate this SNR with ATCA and Parkes telescope. Their study was complemented by the data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray observatory. Velocity channel distributions of H i toward MC SNR J05196902. The superposed contours are the same as those shown in Figure 1. Each panel shows H i distributions every 9.4 km s-1 in a velocity range from 205.6 to 290.8 km s-1. Credit: arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2504.11746 The observations found that MC SNR J05196902 has an average fractional polarization of approximately 5 and 6 percent at 5,500 and 9,000 MHz, respectively. Therefore, its polarization is similar to that of younger SNRs like N 103B in LMC or G1.9+0.3 in the Milky Way galaxy. Furthermore, it was found that MC SNR J05196902 has a spectral index at a level of -0.62, which is similar to spectral indices of other younger remnants, including Kepler's SNR and SN 1006. When it comes to the magnetic field strength of MC SNR J05196902, it was estimated to be between 10 and 100 G. Hence, this value is also similar to younger remnants, including Kepler's SNR. According to the authors of the paper, the new results generally indicate that MC SNR J05196902 is a young remnant that may be at the end of its free expansion phase. "MC SNR J05196902 position at D tracks can set it somewhere at the end of the free expansion phase, close to entering the early Sedov phase of evolution," the researchers concluded. More information: Rami Z. E. Alsaberi et al, A New Radio Continuum Study of the Large Magellanic Cloud Supernova Remnant MC SNR J0519-6902, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2504.11746 Journal information: arXiv 2025 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: An artist's impression of gravitational waves. Credit: NOIRLab. https://noirlab.edu/public/images/GravitationalWaves/. A study published in Physical Review Letters outlines a new approach for extracting information from binary systems by looking at the entire posterior distribution instead of making decisions based on individual parameters. Since their detection in 2015, gravitational waves have become a vital tool for astronomers studying the early universe, the limits of general relativity and cosmic events such as compact binary systems. Binary systems consist of two massive objects, like neutron stars or black holes, spiraling toward each other. As they merge together, they generate ripples in spacetimegravitational waveswhich give us information about both objects. The problem being addressed by the researchers in the published study concerns the labeling of the two objects in the binary system. According to the convention, the heavier object is labeled as "1" and the other as "2." The issue here is that this system becomes confusing when dealing with systems where both objects have similar masses, within the margin of error. While previous approaches have suggested using other properties like spin magnitude, it still creates a problem when the objects have similar spins. The researchers suggest using a more holistic approach by eliminating the reliance on a single differing parameter. Phys.org spoke to first author Dr. Davide Gerosa from the University of Milano-Bicocca in Italy, who mentioned that understanding black holes has long been his motivation. "This research challenges a long-standing assumption that underpins all gravitational-wave analyses to dateone that has gone unquestioned for decades. Is the standard approach truly the best choice? More fundamentally, what does it even mean to define the best labels? Machine learning provides a powerful, data-driven solution." The research team also included two of his students, Viola De Renzis and Federica Tettoni, a postdoc in his group Costantino Pacilio, a former student Matthew Mould now at MIT, and a long-standing collaborator Alberto Vecchio from the University of Birmingham. The complete picture The researchers approached this problem differently by framing it as a constrained clustering problem in machine learning. This is a form of semi-supervised learning algorithm that identifies patterns in data, all the while being constrained to certain conditions. In this case, the constraint that the researchers imposed is that the two objects from the same gravitational wave event must be assigned to different categories. The key to this method is not relying on or pre-committing to a specific parameter, like mass, as the differentiator. Instead, they let the data itself reveal the most appropriate way to differentiate the objects. "The key is the realization that the labeling strategy is a deliberate choice we have to make when looking at gravitational wave data. This is a conceptual issue that should be more thoroughly explored, as all downstream applications are potentially affected," explained Dr. Gerosa. Higher precision, more confidence The researchers applied their machine learning model to synthetic and real gravitational wave data from LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA detectors. They found that the precision in spin measurements of black holes improved considerably, by up to 50%, and bimodal distributions in data tend to disappear. Now, scientists could more confidently distinguish if the object in the system was a black hole or a neutron star. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "The paper shows that measurements on the individual spins can improve by up to 50%. This is very significant. Such additional accuracy would require new instruments, while we're showing that it's achievable with data analysis," said Dr. Gerosa. Having more precise measurements of parameters like black hole spins is crucial to understanding their formation. This methodology could have important implications for black hole spin measurements, which have been historically challenging. The researchers found that approximately 10% of the posterior samples in gravitational wave data from LIGO and Virgo might be better represented with different labels. While this number may seem small, the difference in interpretation of the events is significant. For instance, the researchers found that for a gravitational-wave event (GW191103_012549), the conventional approach showed a 13% chance that one black hole in the system was spinning opposite to the direction of the orbital motion. However, their new method dropped that probability down to 0.1%, implying that it's almost certain that the black hole was spinning in the same direction as the orbit. "Our analysis affects all gravitation wave measurements from current and future detectors alike," Dr. Gerosa pointed out when discussing upcoming observatories like LISA (the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) and the Einstein Telescope. This study is a classic demonstration of how revisiting fundamental assumptions in data analysis can yield significant results without requiring new information. 2025 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Graphical Abstract. Credit: GigaScience (2025). DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giaf014 At the heart of the Amazon, researchers are investigating a mysterious parasite which is devastating fish farms around the world. Parasites called myxozoa infect fish populations with deadly diseases, leading to severe losses in types of fish including salmon and trout. This loss of fish stock costs the fishing industry more than 50 million annually worldwide. In the Amazon basin, home to one of the greatest diversities of fish, an international team of scientists led by King's College London and Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) have found more than 50% of all fish examined are infected by parasites. This threatens the livelihood of fish farmers, alongside biodiversity and recreational fishing. Elsewhere, some streams in the western United States have lost 90% of their trout due to parasitic infection. To find out more about these parasites, the team from King's, UNIFESP, Federal University of Western Para Brazil, University of Zagreb Croatia, University of Cambridge and Natural History Museum London set up a lab on a boat traveling along the Amazon basin in Brazil where the Tapajos and Amazon rivers converge, close to the city of Santarem, State of Para. The paper is published in the journal GigaScience. They hope that investigating the different ways the parasites control their genes could hold the key to understanding the parasite and devising treatments. Professor Paul Long, expert in marine biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, said, "We work in the Amazon because the diversity of life in the Amazon basin is undisputed and still little-known. This is especially true when it comes to parasites, which are hidden inside their hosts. "Knowledge of parasites is fundamentally important for understanding the tree of life. How parasites co-evolve with their hosts and these complex relationships will influence biodiversity as well as ecosystem structure and function. "To our surprise we uncovered a new process of gene regulation that was previously believed not to exist in these parasites. Fish farming is a key contributor to global food security. Understanding how genes are turned on and off opens the opportunity to develop gene-based vaccines to control these economically significant fish pathogens. Professor Edson Adriano, a parasitology expert from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology-UNIFESP, said, "The vast Amazon basin is home to the largest diversity of freshwater fish in the world. This makes it a perfect setting to study fish parasites. "Our discoveries about epigenetic processes in myxozoans open new avenues for understanding how the distinct conditions encountered by the parasite throughout its life cycle can affect genetic regulation. This becomes even more important when considering the impact scenarios predicted by climate change." Dr. Santiago Benites de Padua, a veterinarian and manager of Brazilian Fish Company, added, "Studies on these parasites are essential for developing strategies to control or reduce their impact on the health of farmed fish." More information: Antonio Starcevic et al, Long-read metagenomic sequencing negates inferred loss of cytosine methylation in Myxosporea (Cnidaria: Myxozoa), GigaScience (2025). DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giaf014 Journal information: GigaScience This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain The day was still alive when a group of Abui people danced in a circle around the "maasang"the central altar of their villagealternating coordinated movements with rhythmic pauses. The drums were played, marking each step with their sounds, believed to connect the world of the gods with the world of humans. They were performing the "lego-lego" dance, an integral part of ancestral rituals. The dance was directed by the cadenced rhythm produced by the "Moko" drums, distinctive musical instruments that are also prestigious heirlooms and sacred tools, mostly found in the Alor-Pantar archipelago, in East Nusa Tenggara. Recently, with Shiyue Wu, my Research Assistant at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (Suzhou, Jiangsu, China), I developed and published research about the names of the "Moko" drums and bronze gongs from Alor in three representative Papuan languages spoken in the island: Abui (Central Alor), Sawila (Eastern Alor), and Kula (Eastern Alor). This research aims to increase our knowledge on the "Moko" drums and their significance and sanctity for the cultural identity and heritage of the peoples living in the Alor-Pantar archipelago. Unclear historical references Among the many ancestral traditions and ritual objects attested in Southeastern Indonesia, the "Moko" drums represent a unique blend of symbolic and religious values and practical functions in the social life of the local Papuan communities. Technically, they are bronze kettle-drums, specifically membranophones, instruments that produce their sounds by being hit on their vibrating skins, or membranes. Despite their widespread use and cultural significance among indigenous communities in Alor, Pantar and beyondlike in Timor and among the Austronesian and Papuan groups of Flores , the history and origins of these musical instruments are still relatively obscure and seem to fade into the mists of time. The 'bronze gongs' from the Alor-Pantar archipelago vary in size and are typically round, flat metal disks played with a mallet. They are equivalent to the "Moko" drums, at the level of musical and social functions. The indigenous peoples believe that the drums and gongs have no local origins from the islands, but their possible place of production is unknown. We recently confirmed this through fieldwork conversations with our Abui local consultant. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. 'Moko' drums' unique attributes Each "Moko" drum (and bronze gong) is characterized by physical (size, shape, and the produced sounds) and aesthetic (iconography and decorations) features, which make it unique. The uniqueness of the drums and gongs is strengthened by the fact that each type of these membranophones has an 'individual' name, which indicates a specific category, with its dedicated musical and iconographic attributes. For example, there are 'fiyaai futal' (in Abui), the "candlenut-flower" drum, and "bileeqwea / bileeq-wea" (in Abui), the "lizard-blood" drum. All the ethnic groups in Alor, Pantar and surrounding areas use their own local variants for the names of the different drums. This nomenclature reflects specific ritual and trading features of each musical instrument. Despite this, the native speakers cannot explain the name "Moko" in itself, with its etymological and semantic origins. They agree upon the likely foreign origin of the instruments, but no one can pinpoint a possible location for their production (some say Java, Makassar, India, Vietnam, or even China, but without any conclusive evidence) or the trade routes across which they were likely imported to the islands. Some local myths and origin stories) tell about the unexpected discovery, by local people, of "Moko" drums buried in the ground, adding a veil of mystery to their enigmatic roots. Being treasured items, the drums were actually buried under the ground by locals, to avoid the risk to fall into the hands of colonizers or to be taken away by outsiders. The term "Moko" is universally attested and used in everyday conversations by the Alor-Pantar speakers, independently of their languages and villages. However, nobody, among the locals, can explain the roots of the name or propose an interpretation for its possible meaning. The "Moko" drums are, therefore, an unsolved puzzle in the context of the material culture and linguistic landscape of the Alor-Pantar archipelago. It is possible that the name "Moko" was coined "internally," in Alor and Pantar, perhaps in the "Alor Malay" language, which is commonly spoken in the archipelago since the 14th century. The denomination would have, then, spread towards external areas. However, this hypothesis cannot be proven with incontrovertible evidence, and the direction of the naming process could have also been the opposite, from outside into Alor and Pantar. Our paper presents systematic lists of the names of drums and gongs, with the original denominations in the three different above-mentioned languages, the related translations, name-by-name, synthetic notes on the possible origins of their nomenclature, a catalog of the instruments by categories (based on fieldwork and direct observation), and a set of pictures reproducing a small selection of drums according to their cultural significance. Beyond musical functions The "Moko" drums are relatively ancient ritual objects commonly used, in the past, in generally pre-Christian worship ceremonies performed by the indigenous communities. The traditions survived until today, through local folklore and public celebrations. The drums, as well as the related bronze gongs, still play an important role as a valuable local "currency." Highly regarded as prestigious family possessions, they are used for trade and social practices embedded into traditional customs, like bride-price negotiations. The path towards a full understanding of the historical dynamics of the production and spread of the "Moko" drums and gongsas well as their provenance and the etymologies of their namesmight still be long. However, this does not diminish their cultural and material significance among the Alor-Pantar peoples. Despite their obscure origins, "Moko" drums and bronze gongs are meticulously cataloged, described and rated by the local communities in the islands. Periodically, a multi-ethnic council gathers to assess, update and validate the different values and levels of social prestige and rarity of every single instrument. This safeguarding effort, combined with the collection and systematization of "first hand" data, which we are currently developing, may considerably help in shedding light on the nature and origins of these enigmatic instruments. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A "micro-forest" park near Alepotrypa park in the central neighborhood of Kyspeli in Athens, on March 31, 2025. On a cloudy spring morning in one of Athens' most densely inhabited districts, thousands of fresh saplings dotting a small hilltop park mark a fledgling effort to tackle crippling heat that critics say is long overdue. This is Athens' first "micro-forest," part of an initiative by recently elected mayor Haris Doukas to plant 5,000 trees annually in the thickly concreted city, where in summer the thermostat routinely tops 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Planting vegetation is crucial to help cities beat the heat, scientists say, as climate change stokes hotter and more intense heatwaves and the so-called "urban heat island" effect amplifies temperatures among tightly packed buildings. But the knee-high plants in Alepotrypa park ("foxhole" in Greek) in Athens' Kypseli neighborhood will need around a decade to mature. They are "too little, too late," said Katerina Christoforaki, an architect and urban planner at the National Technical University of Athens, who has worked on past city redevelopment projects. Athens' last major overhaul came when it was preparing to host the 2004 Olympic Games. But most of the attention fell on stadium construction and transport, not greenery. "We haven't given the proper attention on reducing vehicle traffic or upgrading building infrastructure," she said. Most of the capital and its roads were built with materials that are over 40 years old, with buildings absorbing heat in the summer and offering poor insulation in winter, she said. Meanwhile, a number of key public urban planning agencies were defunded and sidelined during the near-decade long Greek debt crisis, she said, adding that most of the emphasis today is on boosting tourism infrastructure. Athens' deputy mayor for climate, Nikos Chrysogelos, is one of the country's most experienced ecology activists and a former Greens European Parliament lawmaker. On a table in his cluttered office, there are maps showing temperatures in each district of the capital and the areas most vulnerable to heatwaves. Chrysogelos agrees that Athens "lost an opportunity" to strengthen its defenses against heat around the time it hosted the 2004 Olympics. "From 2000 onwards we could have done much more, because we knew the scale of the problem," he told AFP. The city of Athens on April 15, 2025. 'Boiling kettle' Not only has the greater Athens area of nearly four million developed haphazardly, but the Greek capital has also lost 60% of its surrounding forests to fire in recent years, Chrysogelos said. In addition, high-rise buildings on the Athenian coast have kept the sea breeze from cooling the city, he said. Central Athens is the second most densely populated area in Europe after Paris, according to Eurostat. According to OECD data, there are only 0.96 square meters of green space per resident, far short of the World Health Organization's recommendation of at least nine square meters per capita. Ivvona Kujda, a housekeeper originally from Poland who has lived in Athens for over 30 years, said recent heatwaves in the city have been "harrowing." "The way Athens is situated, there's mountains on three sides. Which means we are essentially in a boiling kettle," Kujda said. In 2021, a heatwave that saw city temperatures reach 45C was described as the worst in three decades. Two years later, more records were broken as a sustained heat wave saw temperatures consistently top 40C. The National Observatory of Athens said July 2023 was the warmest on record since it began monitoring data in 1863. An aerial view of the city of Athens on April 18, 2025. 'Green corridors' WWF officer Achilleas Plitharas formerly headed the environment group's Green Spaces program and worked on resilience plans with the Athens authorities until 2019. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "It's not that Athens missed the train. We never even built the rails for a train," Plitharas told AFP. He said the city now needs a far more drastic solution than pocket parks to boost its climate resilience, including potentially the demolition of entire city blocks and "the creation of extensive green corridors." That requires political will and tough choices. "It also requires a culture of cooperation, which we lack," Plitharas said. In office since January 2024, mayor Doukas has said planting 25,000 trees by 2028 should help bring down perceived temperatures by three to five degrees in summer. New sensors will also provide real-time temperature data neighborhood by neighborhood on the hottest days, to better plan an emergency response if needed. Athens' wider aim to become carbon neutral by 2030, including making dozens of municipal buildings more energy efficient and encouraging low-emissions transport, will require some 6.5 billion euros (7.39 billion dollars) in EU and national funds, plus private investment. Meanwhile, people do what they can to stay cool. Housekeeper Kujda works only in the morning and late afternoon, returning to her air-conditioned home during the hottest hours of the day. "We do not have enough greenery, not enough oxygen," the 54-year-old said. "I think it's going to get worse every year now because the climate is changing." 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Multi-gem jewelry from Ephesus, left (Pulz 2020, color pl. 26, cat. no. S184, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en), and Hoxne, right (credit to The Trustees of the British Museum [used online under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license]). Credit: Journal of Roman Archaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1017/S1047759424000278 Jewelry in a Roman treasure hoard found in Thetford Forest, East Anglia, indicates that Thetford was Pagan until the fifth century, which is longer than previously believed, reveals a new paper in the Journal of Roman Archaeology. The Thetford treasure was first found by a metal detectorist trespassing on a construction site at Fison's Way on Gallows Hill, Thetford in 1979. It consisted of 81 objects, including 22 gold finger-rings, other gold jewelry, and 36 silver spoons or strainers. It is now in the collections of the British Museum and can be seen on display there. The author of the research, Professor Ellen Swift of the University of Kent, argues that there is compelling evidence that the treasure was buried in the fifth century rather than the late fourth. Swift says, "Since wider evidence found at the site confirms the religious context previously established by inscriptions on the spoons within the hoard, this means, remarkably, that the re-dating of the Thetford hoard suggests a Pagan cult center survived there into the fifth century. The site's economic assets, indicated by the value and variety of the hoard, also show that it may have wielded significant power and authority locally." Thetford cat. no. 9 decoration, left, (credit: The Trustees of the British Museum [used online under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license]) compared to face masks and decoration on bracteate from Fride, right (from Toth 2016, fig. 42, Balint Toth, by kind permission). Note also the similarity of the circle motif at the bottom and the hoop decoration on the Thetford finger-ring. Credit: Journal of Roman Archaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1017/S1047759424000278 This new chronology is supported by detailed comparisons of multiple objects (both spoons and jewelry) with context-dated finds from continental Europe, and with objects from the fifth century Hoxne hoard in the British Museum, which was found more recently than the Thetford hoard and contains many similar items. The paper also shows that Britain was less isolated than previously believed, with the items in the treasure originating from across the Roman empire. The Thetford jewelry especially is highly varied in style, suggesting the different pieces originated in different places. Some of the latest-dating finger-rings in the hoard likely originated in northern Italy or adjacent regions, and the necklace with conical beads is from the Balkans area of Europe. Most of the jewelry is generically "Mediterranean Roman" in style, illustrating a geographically widespread shared culture among elites. More information: Ellen Swift, Rethinking the date and interpretation of the Thetford treasure: a 5th-c. hoard of gold jewelry and silver spoons, Journal of Roman Archaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1017/S1047759424000278 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: Impact of Icelandic volcanic eruption on the Arctic based on satellite, ground observations and PSCF analysis. Credit: WU Kaili A research team has uncovered surprising evidence of cross-border pollution reaching the Arctic, originating from an Icelandic volcanic eruption. The researchers used a cutting-edge combination of satellite and ground-based monitoring to track sulfur dioxide emissions from the Sundhnukagigar volcano, which erupted in 2023. This toxic gas traveled over 2,000 kilometers to reach the Svalbard Islands, causing severe smog in the region. The study is published in The Innovation Geoscience. The team was led by Prof. Si Fuqi and Prof. Luo Yuhan from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences "Our study highlights the far-reaching impact of volcanic eruptions on the environment," explained Wu Kaili, a member of the team. "It's far beyond the immediate vicinity." Volcanic eruptions act like "chemical spray bombs," spewing millions of tons of gases like sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. These gases can transform into sulfate particles that contribute to acid rain and reflect sunlight, potentially causing global cooling. But fine volcanic ash particles, less than 2.5 microns in diameter, can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger respiratory problems in humans. The research team relied on advanced tools like the Environmental Trace Gases Monitoring Instrument, which is installed on two Chinese satellites. These satellites provide daily global scans, tracking pollutants with impressive precision. In addition to satellite data, the team also used measurements from China's Yellow River Station in the Arctic, the only continuous atmospheric monitoring station in the region. This station tracks gases like sulfur dioxide, ozone, and bromine oxide, offering invaluable vertical profile data. Their findings were striking: 80% of the sulfur dioxide pollution in Ny-Alesund, a remote Arctic region, was traced directly to the volcanic eruption in Iceland. By combining satellite observation with ground-based measurements, the researchers created a detailed map of how the pollution traveled, providing insights into the source and impact of the eruption's emissions. The work paves the way for more precise, real-time environmental monitoring and response, protecting ecosystems and human health worldwide, according to the team. More information: Kaili Wu et al, Arctic haze induced by an Icelandic volcanic eruption: Evidence from China's highest-resolution trace gas monitoring, The Innovation Geoscience (2025). DOI: 10.59717/j.xinn-geo.2024.100131 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A prosodic dictionary: 9 of about 200 basic prosodic patterns sequences of pitch variations, represented by a curve that are common in spontaneous conversations in English. Each prosodic word conveys a meaning about the speakers attitude toward whats being said. Credit: Weizmann Institute of Science The AI revolution, which has begun to transform our lives over the past three years, is built on a fundamental linguistic principle that lies at the base of large language models such as ChatGPT. Words in a natural language are not strung together in random patterns; rather, there is a statistical structure that allows the model to guess the next word based on what came before. Yet these models overlook a crucial dimension of human communication: content that is not conveyed by words. In a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from Prof. Elisha Moses's lab at the Weizmann Institute of Science reveal that the melody of speech in spontaneous conversations in English functions as a distinct language, with a "vocabulary" of hundreds of basic melodies and even rules of syntax that can be used to predict the next melody in the sequence. The study lays the foundation for an artificial intelligence that will understand language beyond words. The melody, or music, of speech, referred to by the linguistic term "prosody," encompasses variations in pitch (intonation), loudness (for example, for emphasis), tempo and sound quality (such as a whisper or creaky voice). This form of expression predates words in evolution: Recent studies reveal that both chimpanzees and whales incorporate complex prosodic structures in their communication. In human communication, prosody adds a nuanced layer of meaning beyond words. A brief pause, much like a comma, can change the meaning of a sentence ("Let's eat Grandma") and the tempo of spoken text can generate suspense. Linguists specializing in prosody have traditionally studied literary texts and ways in which prosody reflects historical changes. This meant that, despite prosody's critical importance for the understanding of human language, its study remained a niche field for years, devoid of applications and filled with conflicting ideas about prosody's structure and significance. "Our study lays the foundation for an automated system to compile a 'dictionary' of prosody for every human language and for different speaker populations," say the researchers. Prosody, however, is an inherent part of every conversation. It assigns linguistic function to wordsfor instance, whether they pose a question or state a factand reveals the speakers' attitude toward what they say. In the new study, led by linguist Dr. Nadav Matalon and neuroscientist Dr. Eyal Weinreb from Moses's lab in Weizmann's Physics of Complex Systems Department, the researchers analyzed prosody as an unfamiliar language, aiming to deliver a data-driven explanation for the linguistic mystery of prosody's structure and meaning. Rather than relying on literature, they used two massive collections of audio recordings of spontaneous conversations, one of telephone conversations between two participants and the other of face-to-face conversations in various locations, such as a kitchen or classroom. The first task for the research team was to compile a dictionary of the short melodies that function as "words" in English-language prosody and to assign each of them a function and a meaning. "To understand why there is no prosodic dictionary yet, it's worth remembering that there wasn't even a comprehensive English dictionary until the nineteenth century," Moses says. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "When the University of Oxford was tasked with compiling one, it asked the public to help with the workload by sending quotes showing the historical changes in the meaning of words. One of the main contributors was a prisoner who spent more than 20 years reading books and sending quotes. In our study, instead of collecting information by ourselves over the course of decades, we analyzed massive collections of audio recordings, using AI." The melody of each person's speech is unique, but the AI model found several hundred basic patterns that recur, with slight variations, in all spontaneous English conversations. While written words are sequences of letters, a prosodic "word" is a short melody, that is, a short sequence of sounds with varying pitch, lasting about a second on average. To work out the meaning of these "words," Matalon sampled 20 basic melodic patterns and then listened to the recordings again. "We discovered that each pattern has several linguistic functions," he explains. "For example, depending on the context, a pattern can define whether someone is asking a question or making a statement. However, each pattern typically conveys one specific attitude of the speakersuch as curiosity, surprise or confusiontoward what's being said. "One common prosodic 'word' is a sharp rise of the pitch followed by a quick drop. This pattern signals enthusiasm and, depending on the context, can express strong agreement or acknowledgment of receiving important new information. "Oxford's first full English dictionary came out in the 19th century, with the public helping manage the workloadincluding a prisoner who contributed for 20 years." Next, the researchers tried to identify syntactic rules governing the order of these prosodic patterns, which can potentially allow future language learning models to understand and use prosody. "We noticed that there are patterns that tend to appear next to each other, in pairs, in spontaneous speech," Weinreb explains. "It's a simple statistical system, in which the correct choice of the next unit in a sequence depends solely on the previous one. This system works well for spontaneous conversation because it requires planning only a few seconds ahead, which is just as long as short-term memory lasts." These pattern pairs, the researchers discovered, act as simple sentences, expressing "one new idea," so that each pair relates to a specific topic, adding a single piece of information about itfor example, referring to a fact mentioned in the conversation and providing positive feedback. "Our study lays the foundation for the development of an automated system that will compile a 'dictionary' of prosody and identify its syntactic rules for every human language and for different speaker populations," Moses says. "Prosody can vary depending on social status, historic events and the age of the speakers, and these variations can even manifest themselves in literary works that carefully reflect spontaneous speech," Matalon adds. "We analyzed audiobooks as part of the study and discovered that prosodic patterns are longer in scripted speech and that the simple paired syntax of spontaneous conversation has disappeared. "There are other differences, too. It's safe to assume that the aging process and the acquisition of language in childhood are also accompanied by quantifiable prosodic changes. Moreover, there is evidence that prosody is important in internal speechthe language of thoughtand that we can deepen our understanding of the existing prosody of robotic voices that are produced by speech-generating devices. The model we created promises to close the gaps that emerged over the centuries in research into expression beyond words." A major future application of an automated prosodic dictionary might be the development of AI capable of understanding and conveying messages through the melody of speech rather than words alone. "Imagine if Siri could understand from the melody of your voice how you feel about a certain subject, what's important to you or whether you think you know better than her," Weinreb adds, "and that she could adapt her response to make it sound enthusiastic or sad. We already have brain implants that convert neural activity into speech for people who can't speak. If we can teach prosody to a computer model, we'll be adding a significant layer of human expression that robotic systems currently lack." Also participating in the study were Dr. Dominik Freche from Weizmann's Physics of Complex Systems Department; Dr. Erez Volk from NeuraLight Inc., Tel Aviv; Dr. Tirza Biron from Weizmann's Computer Science and Applied Mathematics Department; and Prof. David Biron from the University of Chicago. More information: Nadav Matalon et al, Structure in conversation: Evidence for the vocabulary, semantics, and syntax of prosody, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403262122 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences A 17-year-old graduating from Ocean City High School will be 42 in 2050, maybe raising a family, working in a career and possibly paying down a mortgage. If that hypothetical graduate stayed in Ocean City, her home could be in danger of significant flood damage, along with thousands of others, according to a recent analysis from Climate Central. The nonprofit provides information on climate and energy. An analysis released in April showed increasing risk of flooding along Americas coasts, where 29% of the population lives. In New Jersey, the analysis concludes, 232,000 homes will be at risk in 2050. Across the country, Climate Central projects 2.5 million Americans to be at risk from severe flooding in 1.4 million homes. Florida, New York and New Jersey have the highest numbers of homes in harms way. In Ocean City, the analysis indicates 6,800 homes will be at risk of flood damage in 2050, and flooding could impact 4,200 people. There are similar projections for other barrier island communities, with the report showing 2,600 houses at risk in Sea Isle City. Cape May, which is built on higher ground than many other beach communities, appears relatively safe as presented in the analysis, showing 390 homes at risk by 2050. The project assumes pledges to reduce global carbon emissions are met. Army Corps envisions thousands of raised houses in Cape presentation Cape May County officials heard about a federal plan to lift thousands of homes above future flood waters, a multibillion-dollar plan that includes other steps to fend off future storm damage. The United States joined an international agreement to reduce emissions knowns as the Paris Agreement in 2016 but since then has been in and out. The U.S. rejoined in 2021 and is still part of the agreement, but not for long. Almost immediately after returning to office Jan. 20, President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the treaty in 2026. Climate Central based its analysis on data from the U.S. Census and sea level rise projections from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. As sea level rise accelerates in response to climate change, flooding during coastal storms will threaten more homes in the U.S. every year, said Kristina Dahl, vice president for science at Climate Central. By pinpointing local risks, science and technology can lead the way toward solutions that protect coastal residents in an increasingly hazardous future. Trump has criticized wind power proposals and pushed to renew coal use and expand the extraction and use of other fossil fuel, including natural gas and oil. Years ago, he called climate change a hoax. Cape May County officials have typically described sea level rise as a real concern, one local communities must be ready to address. Most elected officials in the coastal county are Republicans, including the entire Board of Commissioners. But they have also been critical of some specific proposals, including campaigning against new state rules proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection that account for projected sea level rise. County officials and municipal leaders have argued the Resilient Environments and Landscapes, or REAL, rules go too far and could have a significant impact on the local economy. DEP commissioner meets with Cape mayors on flood rules, beach work and more Sand could be heading to North Wildwood beaches by 2026, but there is no word from DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette on potential changes to planned flood rules. A public comment period on the proposal concluded last November, but the rules have not yet gone into effect. DEP officials maintain they are needed to protect people and communities. The 2050 flood map prepared by Climate Central shows a line of red along the marshes between the barrier islands and the mainland in South Jersey, and a wide stretch of potential impact wrapping around the Delaware Bay, also in red. Described as a coastal risk finder, it indicates 12,000 people and 20,000 homes in Cape May County are at risk from rising sea levels and offers flood preparation tips. Some of the links to federal resources included in the information released this month are no longer available, including a link to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMAs main page states FEMA.gov is being updated to comply with President Trumps executive orders. Thank you for your patience and understanding. The FEMA site includes extensive data on the National Flood Insurance Program and flood risk maps, but appears to have been scrubbed of mentions of climate change or how communities can prepare for rising sea levels. The numbers for Atlantic County show 13,000 people and 8,400 homes at risk. Flooding and flood control are nothing new to Jersey Shore communities, which saw significant efforts to protect property after devastating floods during storms in March 1962 and Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers late last year presented its long-term plans to protect New Jersey from flooding in a draft report on back bay storm risk management. That proposed raising thousands of homes above future flood waters and new protections for critical infrastructure, including police and fire stations and hospitals. Reeds Beach owners plead for Middle Township help with flooding Reeds Beach along the Delaware Bay in Middle Township has seen increasing problems with flooding, neighbors told the Township Committee. They want the township to better protect the road leading to their homes. Its important to note that the plan is subject to change. It has not yet been approved by higher authorities, including Congress, and has not been funded for implementation at the federal or state level, reads an Army Corps notice about the report. The Army Corps has not provided an estimated cost of the work, which would be in the billions, but officials have said the cost of inaction would be higher. Chinese, Mozambican hospitals hold remote medical consultation on complex cases Xinhua) 08:57, April 22, 2025 Members of the Chinese medical team stationed in Mozambique and department heads from surgery, orthopedics, and neurosurgery on the Mozambican side attend an international remote medical consultation between West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Maputo Central Hospital in Maputo, Mozambique, on April 21, 2025. A successful international remote medical consultation was held Monday between West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Maputo Central Hospital in Mozambique, as part of ongoing medical cooperation under the 25th Chinese medical team in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) MAPUTO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A successful international remote medical consultation was held Monday between West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Maputo Central Hospital in Mozambique, as part of ongoing medical cooperation under the 25th Chinese medical team in the country. The session brought together specialists in surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and emergency medicine from both hospitals. Participants included Chinese experts from West China Hospital, members of the Chinese medical team stationed in Mozambique, and department heads from surgery, orthopedics, and neurosurgery on the Mozambican side. Four medical cases were reviewed during the consultation, with discussions centering on diagnosis, treatment strategies, surgical challenges, and constraints in medical resources. "This is a very important opportunity for us," said Barnabe Antonio Deuasse, director of the orthopaedics department of Maputo Central Hospital, adding that the consultations not only provide access to modern medical insights but also practical solutions for managing complex cases amid resource constraints. "It's encouraging to know we can count on a second opinion and expert support when faced with difficult situations. We are always ready to collaborate and present cases for further discussion... We hope there will be more in the future," said Barnabe. The session concluded with remarks by Atilio Morais, chief of surgery at Maputo Central Hospital, who underscored the value of such exchanges in enhancing clinical expertise and strengthening international medical cooperation. Members of the Chinese medical team stationed in Mozambique and department heads from surgery, orthopedics, and neurosurgery on the Mozambican side attend an international remote medical consultation between West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Maputo Central Hospital in Maputo, Mozambique, on April 21, 2025. A successful international remote medical consultation was held Monday between West China Hospital of Sichuan University and Maputo Central Hospital in Mozambique, as part of ongoing medical cooperation under the 25th Chinese medical team in the country. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) ATLANTIC CITY The investigative research arm of Congress has determined that offshore wind has some benefits, but many more potential drawbacks. The Government Accountability Office, often described as the nonpartisan watchdog of Congress, said much more research is needed to better understand the industry, which is reeling from a long series of political and economic setbacks. The agency started the inquiry nearly two years ago at the behest of congressional Republicans including two from New Jersey, Reps. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, and Chris Smith, R-4th. Its release last week came after President Donald Trump issued an executive order halting all new approvals for wind projects, both offshore and on land, and directing the federal government to look for ways to cancel already approved ones. That quickly took the form of revoking a key environmental permit for New Jerseys Atlantic Shores project, and more recently, ordering a halt to construction of New Yorks Empire Wind I project. Offshore wind energy development has various positive and negative potential impacts in several areas, the report read. These include impacts on climate and public health, marine life and ecosystems, fishing industry, economic and community, tribal resources, defense and radar systems, and maritime navigation and safety. The extent of impacts will vary depending on the location, size, and type of offshore wind infrastructure. Specifically, the report said offshore wind can bring new jobs and investments to communities, and provide a positive alternative to burning fossil fuels that are spurring climate change. But it found a lot more to be concerned about. The report said offshore wind can affect marine life and ecosystems through noise disturbances and change to habitats; could disrupt commercial fishing, interfere with radar systems and search-and-rescue operations, and alter landscapes. It also found that a key supervisory agency, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, did not consult meaningfully with Native American tribes that might be affected by wind projects. And it said BOEM needs to better show how fully it has considered the impacts of offshore wind on the fishing industry, adding the agency has not yet put resources in place to effectively oversee the offshore wind industry. In an appendix to the report, BOEM and other government agencies agreed with the reports evaluations. Opponents hailed the report as confirmation of what they have long believed: that the industry is unworkable and unaffordable. The GAOs findings confirm exactly what I have been warning about for years, Van Drew said. These wind projects were rushed through with little regard for how they could affect our national security, disrupt radar systems, interfere with military operations, or threaten navigation and safety along our coasts. The Biden administration ignored the warnings, ignored the experts, and ignored the local communities who raised legitimate concerns, he said. Now we have an independent, nonpartisan report that makes it clear: these risks are very real. President Trump did the right thing by putting these projects on hold, and it is time to put an end to them once and for all before more damage is done. Supporters of offshore wind found support for their position in the report as well. Van Drew says he helped halt another offshore wind project, this one in New York U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew is taking partial credit for the Trump administration's halt to a second offshore wind power project, this one in New York. A multi-year, nonpartisan study by the Government Accountability Office reaffirms what we all know: offshore wind energy development involves safe, proven technology that protects the environment, grows the economy, and safeguards our states energy security, said Paulina OConnor, executive director of the New Jersey Offshore Wind Alliance. The industry is committed to continuing to work collaboratively with state and federal agencies and other stakeholders to ensure its success. And the industrys national trade group, the American Clean Power Association, had a similar take on the report. Offshore wind is already generating thousands of good jobs, attracting major investments, and delivering clean, reliable energy, just when our nations demand for power is growing faster than ever, said Anne Reynolds, the groups vice president for offshore wind. The report noted that offshore wind development has the potential to affect marine animals sensitive to underwater noise, such as whales. But it also reiterated statements from numerous government scientific agencies that there is no evidence tying the industrys preparatory work to a spate of whale deaths along the U.S. East Coast. It also found that wind turbines could endanger birds and bats. The report also dealt at length with potential impacts to the fishing industry, one of the primary areas of opposition to wind farms. For example, fishing near offshore wind turbines would not be possible for scallopers, according to four fisheries stakeholders familiar with the scallop industry, the report states. Scallopers use fishing gear that could become entangled with transmission cables or structures installed to cover and protect seabed cables. GOP blames Murphy for soaring electricity bills, and even some Dems say more options needed Legislators held a joint hearing Friday on energy prices, with Republicans blaming Gov. Phil Murphy's energy policies for price spikes, and Democrats defending their efforts to help lower-income customers. And it said wind turbines could interfere with radar operations, including those used by the military, including reducing detection sensitivity, obscuring potential targets, and generating false targets. It noted that wind turbines are constructed mainly of steel that has a high electromagnetic reflectivity. As a result, the turbines and rotating blades can make it hard to see targets on different radar systems. The agency said it convened a panel of 23 experts with assistance from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to identify and evaluate what is known about the potential impacts of offshore wind development. Much of the world was in mourning Monday after Pope Francis died at the age of 88. Tributes to the pontiff poured in from around the globe. Quad-Cities area organizations and leaders were among those who issued statements following Francis' death. Diocese of Davenport "It is with great sadness that we have received the news of the death of Pope Francis. His life and ministry was an inspiration to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He was a true witness to a life of humility and service. "As the first pope from the Americas, he brought with him the experience of being first and foremost a Pastor who cares deeply for his flock. Throughout his ministry he emphasized the importance of compassion, environmental stewardship and social justice. His time as superior for the Jesuits was a tumultuous time during a military dictatorship in Argentina. "In that time, he worked tirelessly to protect human rights and support for the marginalized. As pope, he continued to be a vocal advocate for the poor. "He has called all of us to stewardship for the environment. His encyclical, 'Laudato Si,' addressed an urgent need for a collective response as a world community to respond to the climate crisis. "Throughout his ministry he has been a great champion for the rights of migrants and refugees. I have been inspired by his courageous and prophetic voice, speaking truth to a world not always prepared to listen. "I will always be grateful to the Holy Father, for the confidence he has placed in me in calling me to this episcopal ministry as Bishop of Davenport. He will always be an inspiration for me personally and I mourn his passing. "May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace." Bishop Dennis Walsh, Diocese of Davenport Diocese of Peoria "We are grateful for the witness of faith with which he shepherded the Church through his entire life but in particular during his Pontificate over the last 12 years. The Holy Father has shown us, in word and deed, that the encounter with Jesus brings Gods overwhelming love into our lives and it is for each and every person. He has encouraged us to be a Church that is on mission, that is a Church that listens to our brothers and sisters, especially those who are on the margins. He has called us to be a people of peace. He has called us to be a people who care for the environment, and that we walk in solidarity with one another as we move and journey toward Gods eternal kingdom. "We trust that he now enjoys the fullness of life with the risen Lord. In spite of our sadness with his passing, we are a people of hope because we believe in Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and we believe in the Resurrection. We long for the day and look forward to the day when we will once again join with the Holy Father in the great banquet of eternal life that Christ has prepared for us all." Bishop Louis Tylka MercyOne "Today, we mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. Pope Francis was symbolic of change. Over his years serving as our Holy Father and the 'People's Pope,' he had a curiosity for change while maintaining his fidelity to the Catholic Church. "At MercyOne, we admire his immense global influence, all while remaining rooted in humility. His focus on the less fortunate and caring for the marginalized exemplifies our Mission. "As we reflect on his remarkable legacy, let us remind ourselves of our Mission and Values and live them out as Pope Francis did. We extend our prayers to all those giving thanks for his service to God and humanity." Bob Ritz, MercyOne President and CEO Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities "The Jewish Federations extend our condolences to the Catholic community over the death of Pope Francis, who was a friend to the Jewish community and across religious traditions. "He repeatedly condemned antisemitism as a 'sin,' and worked to build upon 'Nostra Aetate,' the landmark document which transformed Catholic-Jewish relations 60 years ago. "Our thoughts are with our Catholic brothers and sisters at this time." St. Ambrose University "With deep sorrow, we join the global Church in mourning the loss of Pope Francis, a shepherd whose life and ministry touched millions across the world with humility, courage, and mercy. "Pope Francis reminded us through word and witness that faith is not abstract, but incarnational. It is found in the margins, in the call to justice, in the cry of the poor and the earth, and in the quiet dignity of each human soul. He asked us to be a field hospital for the wounded, to embrace dialogue over division and to encounter one another with tenderness and truth. "Though we grieve, we also hold firmly to the vision he championed: a Church and world marked by integral human development, care for creation, inclusion, mercy, and hope. These are not simply Catholic ideals; they are the very heart of our mission at St. Ambrose University. In our classrooms, our service, and our community life, we will continue to reflect his example and carry forward the light of his leadership. "As we pray for the eternal rest of Pope Francis, we also pray for renewed courage to live out his callto be people of encounter, agents of peace, and educators who see Christ in every person. "May his memory be a blessing, and may we honor it by embodying the Gospel he so deeply lived." Amy Novak, President of St. Ambrose University Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff until sunset on the day of interment for Francis. Reynolds order was issued in conjunction with President Donald Trumps proclamation to lower the United States flag for the same amount of time. Pope Francis devoted his life to serving Christ, leading the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion members. As it is written in Matthew, he was a good and faithful servant and has entered into the joy of the Lord, Reynolds said. Kevin and I offer our condolences to Catholics in Iowa and worldwide. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Pope Francis showed the world how to lead with empathy and humility. Extending a hand to help anyone in need, the People's Pope inspired millions who drew strength and compassion from him to embrace peace. May his memory be a blessing. As the pro-monarchy movement in Nepal gains momentum, some political leaders start pointing fingers at India for lending inherent support to the agitation to restore former Nepal Nripati Gyanendra Shah in the historic Narayanhiti palace. The tiny Himalayan republic shares a border of over 1,850 kilometer with Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim, where Assam supports a sizable Nepali speaking population, the ongoing turmoil has drawn a rapt attention from the people of northeast India as well. Incidentally a royalist movement leader was picked up from Assam on 11 April and probably sent back to Kathmandu. Durga Prasai, who is accused of leading a violent protest in Kathmandu held on 28 March (killing three individuals including a Nepali television journalist) was arrested by the Nepali police from Jhapa district bordering India to avoid any complication from a non-functioning extradition treaty with Nepal. It's assumed that the Assam police personnel detained Prasai from Guwahati and handed over to the Nepal police authority. The Geneva-based global media safety & rights body Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) expressed shock over the killing of journalist Suresh Rajak and demanded a fair probe into the tragic incident that led to his death. PEC president Blaise Lempen, while expressing profound grief at his untimely demise of Rajak, urged the government to adequately compensate the bereaved family. He also revealed that Rajak was the first journalist to be killed in Nepal since 1 January 2025 where he is the 44th journalist killed globally this year. The prolonged political instability in the government, rampant corruption and public sufferings in daily life & living have convinced the indigenous Nepali citizens that all political parties are fighting for their personal benefits only. Both the ruling and opposition leaders continue enjoying power in a rotational manner and in no way interested to address public grievances (or welfare to the common people). Taking advantage of the situation, the pro-royalist Rastriya Prajatantra Party denounced all the political entities and continued pursuing the return of Gyanendra Shah to the royal palace. The KP Sarma Oli government in Kathmandu has already arrested hundreds of protesters who are demanding to bring back former king Gyanendra. Even the government accused him of inciting violence and lately decreased the number of security personnel (from 25 to 15) engaged with him. It has also planned to cancel the former king's passport and the Kathmandu metropolitan authorities levied a cumulative penalty of Nepalese Rupees 793,000 against him. PM Oli even alleged that Gyanendra was inherently supported by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Needless to mention that, a hardcore Hindu nationalist Adityanath publicly supported the reinstatement of Nepal's Hindu identity. The Bharatiya Janata Party leader hosted many visits of Gyanendra to Lucknow. A politician, always seen in saffron attires with a shaved head adoring a sacred Tilak on his forehead and male ear Kundals, even addressed a public meeting in Kathmandu ten years back to propagate Nepal's century old identity. In some protest programs, the agitators even carried Adityanath's cut out along with the former king's life size photograph. However, a lead article in The Kathmandu Post newspaper elaborated 'why monarchy is unlikely to return' in Nepal. The piece insisted that Nepal's future lies in addressing present challenges, not reviving the past. Gyanendra's hopes still rests on a political mobilisation he has yet to undertake. The crown remains a relicits restoration as improbable as conjuring a feast from the ether. Nonetheless, Nepal must navigate the challenges of its republic listening to the agitators sincerely, it added. Nepal remains an independent country, but it enjoys proximity to Indian culture and philosophy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while meeting with Nepal premier during the 6th BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok on 4 April reiterated that being the largest democracy across the globe, India will always prefer a democratic Nepal. However, a large number of Indian people expressed their annoyance when Nepal changed its identity from being the last Hindu kingdom in the world to a federal republic in 2008. Today, a large section of Nepali people realise that the monarchy is an outdated idea and its full restoration will be an impractical idea, but they insist on restoring the king at the royal palace to play the symbolic role as the Head of the State. The UK and much of the US are experiencing unusual heat. As are many other areas of the world. This puts stress on many things, including water supplies. As Nobel recipients and others have pointed out, this impacts food production. And Meredith Lindemon Food and Drink Reporter Follow Meredith Lindemon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today When you think of a food court, you might think of Sbarro or Cinnabon something super-greasy or filled with sugar, thats wholly unappetizing when you stop to think about what you just ate. Lotte Plaza Market (7801 W. Broad St.) will change your opinion on food courts perhaps forever and definitely for the better. The 45,000-square-foot Korean supermarket has brought together six different food stalls to its Richmond location including Japanese (Hanabi Japanese Restaurant), Korean (BB.Q Chicken) and Vietnamese (The Pho Spot) dishes, European-style pastries and baked goods (Tous Les Jours Bakery), as well as boba tea (Yogi Tea Boba Tea), in the Lotte Eatery. These stalls opened over the course of the summer and into fall of last year. The Pho Spot Van Ta and Kim Vu, part-owners of The Pho Spot the most recent addition to the eatery sell various styles of pho (starting at $13), banh mi Vietnamese sandwiches (starting at $8) and rocket shrimp ($5), among other dishes on their menu. Vietnamese iced coffee ($6.50) and sugarcane drinks ($8.50) come plastic-sealed so you can poke your straw through the top without the drink inside spilling all over your lap. We wanted to have some of the most popular Vietnamese dishes, said Vu. Banh mi is one of those. It comes in a variety of options, with various proteins. The roasted pork belly is our best seller. Then we also have a few options for pho. Theres the protein option and we also have a few vegetarian options for all of our food categories. While a lot of people know about Lotte, not a lot of people know about our location, so we do want to bring some attention to it. Tous Les Jours Bakery Walking into the French-Asian Tous Les Jours Bakery is like walking into a pastel-colored dream every pastry in the place looks like something out of a patisserie in a rom-com. Donuts ($4.35) are filled with chocolate or vanilla cream, or mango. Croissants ($4.95) are overflowing with strawberries on top of vanilla cream. Cake in greens, purples, and cloud-white are available by the slice ($7.45) or by the whole (prices start at $46.20) Jay Bae, owner of the Korean-owned, European-style bakery, Tous Les Jours, said, Our company policy is that we never let it sit for two days. I open my bakery at 5 a.m. in the morning, when people start baking. Our company policy is that you have to have 8% to 10% left over. If I dont have 8%, Im not making enough. Some bakeries, if you go there at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., theyre sold out because theyre not making enough. We use one-third of the sugar that American cakes use. Its still sweet, but its not as sweet. BB.Q Chicken Sue Bae, owner of BB.Q Chicken, was not at the interview, but her husband Jay dished out two types of fried chicken as well as the details on the BB.Q secret sauce. He said, Our chicken takes a little longer than any other place we never get the pre-cooked. Once we get the order, we start cooking it. We have two different styles: one is the white chicken, the other is the yellow chicken [both are $15]. Its very fresh and very crispy as well. Our Korean chicken is a little different. The sauce we use is not like any other its very unique its BB.Q sauce with a little spicy. Youve never tasted a sauce like this. Yogi Tea Bubble Tea Nari Bae, owner of Yogi Tea Bubble Tea, is Jays daughter. She sells the popular tapioca tea in a variety of fun flavors like brown sugar milk tea that you can add toppings to like lychee jelly. Prices range from $6 to $7 and its tapioca pearls are made in the food stall. We opened in May last year, said Nari. I pretty much sell the bubble tea boba and that is very popular. We opened in May last year and business was slow, especially on the weekdays. On the weekends is when people come in. Hanabi Japanese Restaurant Kyoungshik Baek and Seungku Lee are the owners of Joen Korean Restaurant and Hanabi Japanese Restaurant. The most popular dishes are the combo katsu ($22.79) from Hanabi Japanese Restaurant and the seafood soft tofu stew ($16.79) from Joen Korean Market. As a whole, Lotta Plaza Markets food stalls offer a perhaps Americanized intro to cultural cuisines that might be hard to find on their own. While the food is not super healthy, as Bae explained, it is prepared to look and taste addictive-level good. Items are packaged in a way that makes each dish easy to take home with you and the packaging itself is kind of cute, for lack of a better way to describe it. Its a place worth a special trip, that provides an entry-level taste of the different types of Asian cuisine. We definitely feel like Richmond is growing in terms of food options, said Vu. There are still a few things that we would have to travel outside of Richmond to go find like the banh mi. We always find that we have to go up to D.C. to get the really good, authentic flavor. So thats why we decided to bring it here, and its one of our big sellers. If You Go: Address: 7801 W. Broad St. Hours: Restaurant hours vary; Lotte Plaza Market is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Contact: (804) 716-8461 or lotteplaza.com Mexican Navy tightens southern surveillance on Belize smugglers Costa Maya, Q.R. The Mexican Navy says they are maintaining coordinated work to tighten surveillance against smuggling in the south. Vice Admiral Marco Antonio Munoz Hernandez, Commander of the Eleventh Naval Zone of Chetumal, says they are working with groups to stop illegal contraband from entering Quintana Roo. The Navy is working with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Citizen Security (SSC) and authorities from the Government of Belize on increased surveillance. Authorities are surveilling areas of Chetumal Bay and Costa Maya for smuggling known to occur in various areas along the Rio Hondo. According to the Vice Admiral, their surveillance has already led to the seizure of vehicles, boats and various products smugglers have attempted to bring into Quintana Roo. Since we took over the Zone weve been instructed to strengthen and increase the presence of troops in the Rio Hondo, who are carrying out daily tasks and who are joining the efforts also being made by the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Citizen Security and the Municipal Police. We all have excellent coordination, and thanks to the efforts of each institution, we were able to seize significant amounts of merchandise that entered illegally. Our efforts were redirected and the same is true on the Belizean side, where we are also working excellently. He explained that, although the knockoff items most commonly entering Mexican territory are cigarettes, shoes, bags, clothing, and perfumes, they are also focusing on drug and human trafficking originating from Central America. He emphasized surveillance and patrols are ongoing 24 hours a day, especially around the border bridge where there is slightly more activity. Everything is related to trafficking. Weve seen the case of merchandise recently, vehicles used for the illicit transport of those goods and smaller vessels also being used, but were very concerned and interested in the issue of drug, arms and human trafficking. Thats why were working on intelligence to better target operations and achieve better results. Surveillance is ongoing 24 hours a day, he said. To date, he says they have seized 14 vehicles, 21 small boats along with the merchandise. He added that they have increased the number of operations in the border region in order to act with greater precision and achieve more and better results, ensuring security in areas of high value to the country. The illegal merchandise being seized often originates in Belize and is bound to be sold in Mexico. Authorities have been working to stop the illicit trafficking between the two countries. Three hawks detained in disappearance of two Lazaro Cardenas businessmen Lazaro Cardenas, Q.R. Three people have been arrested for the disappearance of two businessmen in the town of Kantunilkin. One of the detainees Jose N, a minor, is also suspected of being linked to the disappearance of the two Chiapas businessmen. All three were arrested in an operation between the FGE and National Guard on April 15 following the disappearance of businessman Osberth Valle and Fernando Hermosillo Curiel, both last seen in Kantunilkin. In a press conference this Monday morning, Attorney General Raciel Lopez Salazar reported the arrest of Gabriel N , Venancio and a minor, 16 year old Jose N. All three were arrested during a large-scale operation in the town of Kantunilkin as follow-up to the disappearance of the Campeche men who were last seen on April 10. With searches of homes in the neighborhoods of Miguel Borge Martin, Xamankah, Expo and Colonia Centro, the three subjects were arrested. They have been identified as alleged hawks sent to monitor the pair and report back to the head of a criminal group. On April 15, their Volkswagen Jetta was found in the community of Valladolid Nuevo, however, their whereabouts are still unknown. Each time Bishop Barry C. Knestout of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond met Pope Francis, they spoke through a translator, save for a few words the pope said in English: Pray for me. When Knestout met him for the third and final time in October in Rome, during a pilgrimage made by the parishioners of the Basilica of Saint Andrew in Roanoke, Francis greeted him with a smile and uttered the same phrase in English, Knestout said. Knestout reflected on the experience in an interview just hours after Francis death was announced. Francis, the first Latin American pope, died on Easter Monday of a stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure, The Vatican said. I assured him that we certainly would (pray for him) and we would continue to keep him in our prayers in gratitude for his devotion and service to the church, Knestout said. Many of the 50 people that went on the 10-day pilgrimage were parishioners of the Basilica of Saint Andrew, but some were parishioners of other churches in the area, Knestout said. The group was invited to attend the papal audience on Oct. 16. Francis was in a wheelchair at the time and was not able to stand, he said. There was also that chance for people to wave, to have a photograph with him, to kind of shout out if they wanted to, or express verbally, their care for him, their love for the Holy Father, Knestout said. He was very disarming and very kind of pastoral in his own engagement and encounter with people, Knestout said. He was always ready, like a good pastor, to offer a blessing and offer a kind word and encouragement to anyone who he encountered. Marian Pope grew up going to St. Andrews in Roanoke but moved to Idaho with her husband last summer. When she went on the pilgrimage with her parents in October, she was 20 weeks pregnant. As everyone from the group gathered for a photo with Francis, he pointed at her stomach, smiling and saying bambino, bambino, Pope said. He waved her over to him. He put his hand on my stomach and prayed for a minute, like, prayed over my baby, and gave me his classic thumbs up, she said. Pope remembers crying and wanting to call her husband to share the moment with him. They captured a photo of the encounter, which she has since printed off and framed. It was incredible, she said. Just beautiful. That encounter every moment of it surprised me. Anytime she got anxious during pregnancy or immediately postpartum, she remembered Francis blessing and it brought her comfort, she said. Her son is now 7 weeks old. I would just be like, The pope blessed him, you know, prayed for him. Hes going to be OK no matter what happens, Pope said. The Catholic Diocese of Richmond celebrated its 200th anniversary as a diocese in 2020. At that time, Knestout wanted to recognize some of its parishes as special pilgrimage sites, he said. One of those was the beautiful St. Andrews there in Roanoke, he said. To me, in terms of its history, its architectural detail, as well as its location, it is a very strong expression of the faith for everybody in the Roanoke area. They revisited the idea after the COVID-19 pandemic, and Knestout made an appeal for the parish to be recognized as a minor basilica. When we got word that it was going to be recognized by the Holy Father, and that we could now refer to it as a basilica because of its historic and architectural significance, I was filled with a lot of gratitude, he said. The Basilica of Saint Andrew was already planning a pilgrimage, so Knestout sent letters to the papal household to see if the parishioners could have a chance to greet the pope during their pilgrimage and personally express their gratitude. The Rev. Kevin Segerblom, pastor of St. Andrews, gave Francis a small medallion, struck to recognize the new status of the church, during the Oct. 16 meeting, Knestout said. They gave us an occasion to not only say hello to the Holy Father, thank him for that recognition for one of our churches, but also give him a gift and then assure him that we were praying for him, Knestout said. Going forward, Francis will be remembered for the way he led church members to reach out to people on what he called the peripheries and encourage them to come closer to God, Knestout said. He really encouraged the whole church to be alert to and aware of those who might feel themselves, for whatever reason, distant from a lot of the life and activity of the church, he said. Francis own emphasis on pastoral care and pastoral charity is a beautiful gift to the whole church, Knestout said. I think in that kind of synodal process, which is an active effort to listen to all the voices of people throughout the church throughout the world, is something that will be remembered, and I know will have an impact on the church for some time to come, Knestout said. The Catholic Diocese of Richmond held Mass at noon on Monday to pray for the happy repose of the soul of Pope Francis, Knestout said. As people grieve Francis during the Easter season, they will remember his presence while also find hope in their own faith in the resurrection, he said. I think this becomes an occasion for us to not only understand what loss is like and the loss of death, but also to really in our hearts strengthen that sense of hope for the future and hope in the resurrection, which is what Easter gives to us, he said. " " Do you know how to classify different types of trees? thianchai sitthikongsak / Getty Images Trees are one of natures most incredible designs, providing oxygen, shelter and even maple syrup! From towering evergreens to small flowering plants, the diversity of trees is truly mind-blowing. But did you know that some trees are designed to survive in drought conditions, while others rely on wind-dispersed seeds to spread across vast landscapes? Advertisement Most types of trees fall into two major categories: deciduous trees, which lose their leaves in the fall, and evergreen trees, which stay green year-round. Whether its the common tree species of North America or the critically endangered giants of the world, trees provide essential benefits for both ecosystems and humans alike. Have you ever stared in a mirror for a few hours? Try it: Watch as your nose somehow shifts placement on your face, how your eyebrows lose symmetry, how quickly you fail to recognize yourself. Facial dysmorphia would come to anyone tasked with considering their own reflection for too long. Its a similar experience when you promote a book. For the past few weeks, Ive been touring Canada and the U.S. promoting my latest book, Sucker Punch. The book is both a comedy and a catalog of the worst time of my life, and so the promotion of it has felt similarly bifurcated. Its a dissociating experience to promote your own memoir, to codify your story into soundbites and snippets, to boil yourself down into something sellable and scalable. I sat for interviews and live events and tried to answer, again and again, the awful question that always comes with this kind of work: Who am I, and what do I have to offer you here? But in the weeks after my book came out, I was more distracted by another title than the self-serving needs of my own. Sucker Punch wasnt the only publication that came up when you looked up my name on Amazon. There was also SCAACHI KOUL: From Shattered Dreams to Unstoppable VoiceA Story Of Love, Loss, and Resilience, by Davis Bieber, available for $7.99 (a steal!). The e-book was a slapdash, poorly written biography about me, using a decade-old photo of me, blown up and pixelated and stolen from the Toronto Star. Davis Bieber, it seems, isnt a real writer; looking his name up yields little more than biographies for other F- and G-list celebrities. The best-known figure Bieber has written about is Mark Carney, the leader of the Canadian Liberal Party, who is currently running for office, and who is otherwise the most boring man alive. Finally: Me and Mark Carney, together at last, subjects of what appears to be an A.I. bot churning out slop as a way to farm a few bucks from confused Amazon consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My own biography seemed to be pulled mostly from Wikipedia, something I could glean only because both the book and my Wikipedia page featured lengthyand otherwise obscuredetails about my time in the Girl Guides of Canada, and an interview I did with Joe Francis three years ago. (Miraculously, neither my Wikipedia nor my A.I. memoir features any details about my marriage or divorce, which is the topic of the actual book Ive been promoting.) Reading the A.I.-written book was a little like looking at a photo and thinking you see yourself in the background, when in fact it is simply a traffic light: a slash of recognition, before the embarrassment of realizing I had ascribed sentience to a mere thing. It was familiar but sour. Most disconcerting of all was what Shattered Dreams to Unstoppable Voice (genuinely brutal title) reminded me: Ultimately, any work I make can be flattened into food-data for a server a million miles away. Advertisement Concerns over artificial intelligence have been steadily ballooning in recent years: Its creeping into our workplaces, its possibly putting teenagers at real risk, and its overloading our water and electricity demands. Decades ago, the industrial world wondered whether we could get robots to think for us. We have that answer now: Yes, but they will tell us to eat rocks if we dont pay close enough attention. Advertisement But of the technologys many downsides, one that is immediately threatening to me in particular is the impact it has on artists in almost every form. Last month, the Atlantic reported on the millions and millions of books that Meta pirated in order to train its A.I., essentially stealing the works of writers in order to teach a robot how to, I guess, write a novel that breaks your heart. A few weeks ago, a Studio Ghiblistyle A.I. generator overtook social media, and everyone from brands you previously respected to the Israeli military to all the losers you went to high school with were using the generator. The sting felt especially fresh because Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki fucking hated this shit. I strongly feel this is an insult to life itself, he once said about machine-generated art. We humans are losing faith in ourselves. And whats happening on Instagram this week? Well, it seems that everyone is using an A.I. generator to turn themselves into action figures. A generation of people raised on Lizzie McGuire: Outfit Design and BuzzFeed personality quizzes are now falling for predictive, charmless imagery created by an algorithm. Say what you will about Pick Your Favorite Mac and Cheese and Well Tell You Which Chronic Illness You Arethey may not have been considered high art, but those little quizzes were, at least, written by a very real person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Hayao Miyazaki Would Hate You Losers and Your A.I. Slop Read More The slime that A.I. produces is already offensive, but reading something trained off your life feels especially degueulasse, like a Truman Show reboot; all the surfaces look the same but the depth is off. The A.I. book based on my life cant compete with my actual work in both quality and detailfor now. But so long as there are bots scraping books in order to better mimic actual writers, theres always the risk that my work will become redundant in comparison to a computers. A.I. is flawed for a myriad of reasons, but chief among its most offensive transgressions is that it removes art from the artist, and the audience from the creator. The point of art isnt just if its good or badin fact, those are the two least interesting things art can be. The point of art is to exist in a context. Kamala Harris was right all along: We do exist in the context of everything that came before us. Advertisement Earlier this year, I read One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, by Omar El Akkad, about Palestine, the failure of neoliberalism, and the claustrophobic realization that the West has not fulfilled its endless promises. There is no terrible thing coming for you in some distant future, but know that a terrible thing is happening to you now. You are being asked to kill off a part of you that would otherwise scream in opposition to injustice. You are being asked to dismantle the machinery of a functioning conscience, he writes. Who cares if diplomatic expediency prefers you shrug away the sight of dismembered children? Who cares if great distance from the bloodstained middle allows obliviousness? Forget pity, forget even the dead if you must, but at least fight against the theft of your soul. Advertisement Advertisement Its a near-perfect book, but whats remarkable about it isnt just that it existsas if anyone could have written it, robot or manbut specifically that someone like El Akkad wrote it, now, in this time when its risky to write with such clarity about Palestinians and fascism. Hes Muslim, born in Egypt, raised in Qatar and Canada, now living on the West Coast. Unavoidably, his work is often filtered through white executives and white audiences, never mind Canadian arts grants once funded by, for example, a bank with a stake in an Israeli arms maker. His art, focused on the essential question of human freedom, is a risk to him. The point of One Day isnt just that the work is stirring and that the prose is excellent. The point is that he stuck his neck out, which makes it easier for me to stick mine out, too. The context is what makes the art impressive beyond just a technical achievementthe medium is the message, and so the messenger is part of the story, too. A book without an author is just a pamphlet. Theres no real value in a drawing made by hands I cant see or get to know. Its not enough for something to merely exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This failure of A.I. in art extends to criticism, too. For whatever critics may say about my work, now or in the future, at least I made it. At least it was the product of risk and fear and light hopefulness at a time where thats in short supply. Thats the thing about art, good or bad: Its usually made under peril. Historically, its been political persecution or societal exile. On a smaller scale, maybe its personal threat or emotional jeopardy. Even when you were 9, and you drew a Valentines Day card for a girl you liked, you were engaging in the centuries-old tradition of risking your dignity in the pursuit of art. Advertisement But a robot cant risk anything real. It cant get embarrassed or feel uncomfortable or too vulnerable, all things Ive felt in the past month as Ive promoted my memoir. It cant feel regret or ebullience or justification. It cant fret about unlawful deportation, all because of a thought expressed. It can only mimic what we like about art: that it feels like a gamble, no matter what. Advertisement My A.I. biography has since been pulled from sale, as have several other titles by our friend Davis Bieber. Here, maybe, is the part where you as a reader might grow irritated by this story. The book doesnt even exist anymore! I thought she was going to solve the mystery of this book, and instead I got a lecture about A.I. use! Eggs are $39, who cares about what the robots are doing! Maybe youll open a new tab to send me an irritated email, as so many Slate readers already have. (Go for it. I am nourished by your hatred.) Advertisement But remember: You are afforded the privilege of telling me you hated something I wrote because I wrote it. Theres an outlet for your displeasure because Im a real person using my real brain to write real thoughts, ones that are sometimes flawed and cloudy, ones you might disagree with enough to tell me about it. You and I, even in our roles as tempestuous columnist and displeased reader, are locked in a dance thats existed for as long as people have made something with their hands, eyes, and minds. You can hold me accountable, if you want. What fun is it to tell a machine that you dont like what it made? We deserve this especially human experience, of risking everything to make something valuable, and watching it fall flat on Goodreads.com. In a franchise that spans decades and dozens of incarnations, its difficult to do something truly new. But back in 2016, Rogue One took a step that was virtually unimaginable in the world of Star Wars: It killed everyone. Sure, a few minor characters made it out aliveand a couple of major ones, like Darth Vader, who werent especially critical to this particular storybut the heroes wed followed for most of the film all ended up giving their lives in the service of the galactic rebellion. What might have been a nail-biting thriller about a narrow escape instead concluded as a tragedy about noble sacrifice. Unfortunately, Rogue Ones radical embrace of fate was marred by the decision to digitally reanimate the actor Peter Cushing, who died in 1994, so he could reprise the role of the Death Star commander Grand Moff Tarkin, and to use the same technology to bring back Carrie Fishers Princess Leia without any contribution from the still-living actress. (Fisher died less than two weeks after the films release.) Fortunately, Tony Gilroy, who wrote and oversaw the films extensive reshoots, got a second crack at the story in 2022, with Andor, a series about the origins of Rogue Ones devil-may-care revolutionary Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). And this time viewers would know going into the series what had shocked them at the end of the film: These characters dont make it out alive. Related From Slate Andor Introduces a New Kind of Rebellion to the Star Wars Universe Read More Of course, when Andors second season picks up, a year after the end of the first, most of the pivotal players are still alive and kicking: Cassian, his lover Bix (Adria Arjona), the senator and future revolutionary leader Mon Mothma (Genevieve OReilly), and the rebel spy and antiquities dealer Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgard), not to mention their nemeses, the Imperial security officer Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) and the ambitious civil servant Syril Karn (Kyle Soller). But we already know how and when Cassian Andor will die, and every time the opening caption tells us the story has jumped forward another year, were that much closer to the end. (The 12-episode season, which premieres at 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, is split into, and will air as, four three-episode chunks, each covering a year before the Death Stardestroying Battle of Yavin: BBY 4, BBY 3, and so on.) As for the rest, well, perhaps some will make it out unscathed. (Critics were sent the entire season in advance, but not even the Bor Gullet could compel me to reveal what happens.) Still, it stands to reason that if characters as important as this to the rebellioneither as participants or opponentswere kicking around when the main Star Wars story gets under way, someone in those films would have at least mentioned them in passing. In that sense, the final tally is no surprise: As Luthen puts it, when it comes to the Empire, Well put them down or die trying. What else is there? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Andors first season was released on a weekly schedule, it wasnt built like oneearly episodes especially seemed to end almost arbitrarily, trusting in the power of the franchise to keep viewers coming back. Its second and final season begins in similarly leisurely fashion, with a story that moves so slowly the shows protagonist spends most of an episode tied up and immobilized, and an entire BBY is devoted to the elaborate festivities and political scheming around the wedding of Mon Mothmas daughter. But Gilroy and the shows other writers, who include House of Cards creator Beau Willimon, The Disaster Artist author Tom Bissell, and Nightcrawler writer-director Dan Gilroy (Tonys brother; a third, John Gilroy, edits the series), are working at a scope that genuinely deserves to be called novelistic, delving into the quotidian aspects of life under imperial rule that other entries in the series rarely take time to explore. Its the story of how an entire galactic society, and not just one apolitical scrounger, is moved to the point of armed insurrection, the minor slights and major injustices that push a people to the brink. George Lucas has often said that the first Star Wars was inspired by the Viet Cong, but Andor actually follows through on that idea. (Theres also a chapter that seems to be, rather pointedly, modeled after the Dutch resistance to Nazi occupation.) Its rebellion is messy and brutal, sometimes morally murky, withholding the reassurance that doing what is necessary and what is right always dovetail neatly. There are cold-blooded killings and terrorist attacks, explained but not rationalized, as well as an accumulating sense of what building a guerrilla movement costs, and not just in terms of lives. When it comes to depicting the complexities of a populist uprising, Andor is to Star Wars as The Battle of Algiers is to a dorm-room poster of Che Guevara. Advertisement Advertisement Andor is to Star Wars as The Battle of Algiers is to a dorm-room poster of Che Guevara. Its also, to be fair, a lot less fun than Lucas original trilogy. Gilroy largely sidelines the fantastic elements of the Star Wars universe, the cuddly aliens and monkish mysticism, although he still makes room for the occasional wisecracking droid. This is a world in which the characters bleed visible blood rather than simply falling over when theyre struck by a shaft of light. Heroes die ignoble deaths, and villains escape their just punishment. The rich texture of the shows sprawling social portraiture sometimes undercuts Star Wars origins in the thrill of pulp storytelling; Luthens elaborate schemes have more to do with John le Carre than they do Flash Gordon. And while it packs a cumulative wallop, the second season lacks a single storyline as galvanizing as the firsts mass prison breakout. (Theres also nothing to compare with the previous seasons Freedom is a pure idea manifesto, although there are several attempts to create a rhetorical spiel of similar impact.) Advertisement Its also a world in which theres a lot of talk about mineral resources, and the extent to which the empire can plunder a prosperous planets natural riches without provoking the ire of its citizens. If you thought the best part of The Phantom Menace was its depiction of intergalactic trade disputes, youre in for a treat. But if that element seemed like a bizarre addition to Star Wars sweeping space opera in 1999, it feels all too relevant now, with daily push-alert reminders of how economic warfare can serve as a glide path to authoritarian rule. I started watching Andors second season on the night Cory Booker began his Senate filibuster, and it felt like I was seeing double, watching Cassian and co. build a movement against apparently insurmountable odds while the real-life resistance was gathering steama split screen that moved me to contemplate the importance of symbolic gestures versus the immediacy of direction action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andor also has a less high-minded job to do, which is to set the stage for one of the lesser entries in the Star Wars franchise. As the shows story draws closer to Rogue Ones, the Easter eggs start to proliferate, which is inevitable but still something of a letdown. Unless youve seen the movie more recently than nine years ago, you may be confused why the camera seems to linger on certain not-quite-familiar faces. Its a little like being at a high school reunion and trying to place a classmate you never really talked to. (Theres also one bit of prominent recasting, although it goes over smoothly.) But even though its a prequel to a prequel, Andor still finds a way to give its story a sense of weight and finality, closing its own chapter before Watch Next pops up in the corner of the screen. For the first time in the franchises nearly 50 years, you emerge with a sense of not just what the rebels were fighting for, but whothe ordinary citizens who bent under the empires yoke and were inspired to cast it off. For all its death-haunted foreboding, its also a show about how people lived, and how the onset of tyranny can poison even the most mundane aspects of domestic life. Gilroy is still telling a fable, but its one infused with so much intricacy and thoughtfulness that it feels almost uncannily real, a world you could step right into. Never has a galaxy so far away felt so close. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. The theft of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems purse from a D.C. restaurant Sunday night raises several pressing questions. Who was the white man in a medical mask who did the deed? How did he escape the notice of Noems Secret Service detail? And most importantly: What the heck was Noem doing carrying around $3,000 in cash? Thats rightin addition to her drivers license, medication, apartment keys, work access badge, and makeup bag, Noem claims the thief got away with $3,000 in bills that shed stashed in her purse. The median American has $8,000 in the bank; Noem had nearly half that in a bag resting against her foot under her chair when it was ganked. Having recently staged a video op at a brutal El Salvador megaprison while wearing a $50,000 Rolex, Noem isnt exactly gunning for a Cabinet members: theyre just like us! vibe. But average-American relatability isnt the only reason to keep your thick stacks of hundos at home. Purses can be easily misplaced or forgotten. Pockets can be picked. Wallets can tumble to the ground. Unless you run an all-cash business, are visiting a high-end strip club, or find yourself in an area with minimal credit card accessnone of which apply to a night out at the luxury burger chain where Noems bag was takenits common sense to minimize the amount of cash on your person. This is well-trodden territory in lectures from parents and seasoned travelers the world over. It also seems like the kind of thing a person tasked with securing our homeland should know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Securitys attempt to justify the behavior only compounds the mystery: A spokesperson told CNN that Noems children and grandchildren were in town for the White House Easter egg roll, and she was using the withdrawal to treat her family to dinner, activities, and Easter giftsall normal expenses that could be easily put on a credit card. Think of the points! If I try, I can come up with some reasons why Noem might prefer carrying around a gigantic wad of bills, but each seems more absurd than the last. Maybe she was trying to keep undercover and avoid using a card with her name on it, lest she become the target of an embarrassing showdown with liberal restaurant employees. Maybe she was trying to prove the Republican canard that D.C. is a cesspool of urban grime and crime, flashing handfuls of cash and waiting for an opportunistic thief to pounce. Its worth noting that the DHS itself considers carrying a lot of cash to be uncommon enough to arouse suspicion of criminal activity: A DHS report used to justify the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia (to the Salvadoran prison where Noem appeared in her Rolex) by tying him to MS-13 noted that he had $1,178 on him when he was arrested. Advertisement Noem is known for behavior that most reasonable adults would consider bizarreremember the 1-year-old dog she executed in a gravel pit for being untrainable? But her equally bizarre cash stash looks much more explicable when you consider two other peculiar items she had in her handbag: her passport and a set of blank checks. If its strange to bring $3,000 to a burger joint, its completely incomprehensible for a government official to be carrying her passport around D.C. on a family visit. And who uses checks for anything but rent these days? Taken together, the contents of this stolen purse sound less like what you might find in an average pocketbook and more like what someone might store in a go-bag. Does Noem fear the possibility of an impending indictmentor, dare I say, a coupthat would force her to flee the country at a moments notice? Could be! With her meds, her cash, and her makeup bag, shed be ready for life as an official in exile. But with all the vigilance and forethought it takes to prepare for such an eventuality, youd think shed keep a closer eye on her purse. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Last Thursday, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a nighttime order mandating a drastic overhaul of the organization of his expansive department, which oversees everything from national parks to energy permits to Native American reservations to fire management. The move effectively centralizes control over the entire departments operationsputting the power to shape staffing, spending, and priorities for the departments thousands of duties into the hands of a single office. Burgum announced that the internal administrative functions necessary for running all aspects of the Department of the Interiorthat is, for individual staffing and budgetary decisions at 11 different bureauswill be consolidated into the overarching office. Whats more, Burgum would be transferring all of his authority on those matters to one of his top-ranked deputies: the assistant secretary for policy, management, and budget. This move may sound merely bureaucratic on the surface, but a little probing reveals deep cause for alarm. For one, this indicates that Burgum, who underwent Senate confirmation for his position, is abdicating a sizable portion of his responsibilities to a staffer whoas this official order fails to noteis purportedly acting in a temporary capacity and has not been approved by Congress as required. This newly empowered official is also a member of Elon Musks disastrous Department of Government Efficiency: He is Tyler Hassen, best known as one of the staffers who, in January, flew to California on the taxpayers dime for a photo-op in support of DOGEs false claim that Donald Trump opened federal water supplies to fire-stricken Los Angeles. And further, as the Center for Western Priorities noted, The order does not require Hassen to report back to Burgum regarding the reorganization, nor does it reserve any authority to Burgum if Hassen were to fire thousands of public lands managers, park rangers, or wildfire specialists across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In essence, a Musk acolyte and longtime oil-and-gas baron who has no governmental experience outside of DOGE has just been handed sweeping powers over an essential department that his ostensible boss is already slashing to death. Just in time for National Parks Week and Earth Day, no less. In an email to Slate, an Interior spokesperson declined to comment on personnel matters, but declared that we are implementing necessary reforms to ensure fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency and government accountability. We dont know yet how Hassen will choose to exercise his role, but its easy to guess, based on DOGEs other rampages, that this acting secretary will impose yet more arbitrary cuts on an already strapped, underresourced, and underfunded department. Interior was already suffering from DOGEs arbitrary limits on government credit-card spending, which have let many essential functions fall into disrepair. And late last month, as Wireds Makenna Kelly reported, Hassen teamed up with a couple of other DOGE affiliates to demand untrammeled access to sensitive employee information within Interiors payment and HR systems. When career department officials refused, they were forced out of their jobs. Advertisement Whatever Hassen decides to do, his most destructive tendencies will have already been enabled to the max by Burgum, who now will have more time to devote to his simultaneous roles on the National Security Council and the recently formed, fossil fuelpumping National Energy Dominance Council. Or, much more likely, he will be delegating tasks for political appointees at Interior that include baking cookies, artfully stacking firewood, removing labels from water bottles, and readying federal helicopters for personal travel, per the Atlantic. Advertisement A former Republican presidential candidate and two-term governor of the fracking mecca known as North Dakota, Burgum was once widely perceived as one of Donald Trumps more palatable, less radical Cabinet picks. Despite the fact that onshore wind turbines make for a significant portion of North Dakotas energy production, Burgum was always a staunch fossil fuel booster. As governor, he supported the notorious Dakota Access Pipeline, signed a law protecting other oil-and-gas pipelines from protesters, and threatened to sue Minnesota after Gov. Tim Walz signed a 2023 law mandating that all electricity transmitted to and consumed by the North Star State be carbon-free by 2040. Burgum ramped up such advocacy after he dropped out of the Republican presidential primary, eagerly supporting Trumps reelection bid and brokering that infamous meeting where Trump demanded $1 billion in campaign contributions from myriad oil-and-gas executives. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Supreme Courts Late-Night Rebuke to Trump Is Extraordinary in More Ways Than One Read More Nevertheless, because hed once pledged to make North Dakota carbon-neutral by 2030 (primarily by greenlighting inefficient, unscalable carbon-capture tech) and voiced support for an all of the above national energy strategy, Burgums Cabinet nomination earned some support from unexpected sources, like solar-power associations, pro-environment orgs such as REI and PeopleForBikes, and some Native American tribes. (Burgum did return a favor for his Indigenous supporters when he purposefully excluded tribes from an anti-DEI executive order that could have affected their federal support.) Advertisement Advertisement But ever since his confirmationwhich earned the favor of 26 Senate DemocratsBurgum has been just another faithful steward of Trumps climate-denying, service-slashing, revanchist agenda. In his short tenure so far, hes persuaded Google and Apple to accept Trumps Gulf of America renaming, restored Mount McKinleys non-Indigenous name, reopened protected lands to drilling, narrowed wildlife regulations, and fired thousands of Interior staff (including park rangers and geological surveyors), among many other things. Despite claiming to support all of the above energy, hes also paused major renewable projects, rolled back crucial conservation efforts, and attempted to revive already dead coal plants. Advertisement At the very least, its been enough to get REI to rescind its endorsement and apologize for backing Burgum. Its also been more than enough to devastate American natural wonders, hold up the everyday functions of our parks, and put us on a course for devastating climate disasters. All at the expense, it should be noted, of what the American people actually want. Last year saw a record-breaking number of national park visits, at a total of nearly 332 million. Polls indicate that Americans, especially in the West, overwhelmingly prefer that public lands be used for environmental conservation efforts rather than for resource extraction. Majorities of voters of all ideological persuasions also want the United States to use public lands for renewable energy development, and they want their government to facilitate, not blockade, the energy transition. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, they overwhelmingly prefer that public lands stay public and not be sold off for greedy private enterprise. No wonder, then, that Americans planned nationwide Earth Day protests. Three months into this term, Trump and Burgum have done everything they can to decimate the wildlife and destroy the natural beauty that actually does make America great. And now, with a DOGE guy all but running the Interior as Burgum munches his cookies, that exploitation is going to get much, much worse. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. I invest in Tesla every month when I make my 401(k) contribution. You may as well, along with plenty of people you know who may despise Elon Musk. My contribution to Musks biggest company is about $26 of the roughly $2,000 per month I aim to send to an index fund that tracks more or less the entire U.S. stock market. Tesla is one of the biggest companies in the market, and so it accounts for 1.31 percent of my investment. (As a proper adherent to the Boglehead strategy I also get my little piece of 3,561 other companies.) Twenty-six bucks a month adds up in eye-watering fashion when millions of people send their investment dollars into this type of fund. Tesla has lots of retail investors who just like owning Tesla stock. (I once sat in an Uber and watched my driver monitor Teslas intraday movements on a mounted phone while the car was moving, a scene I wish I was making up for this story.) Even still, institutions hold most of Teslas stock. Three huge onesVanguard, BlackRock, and State Streetcollectively own more than 17 percent of the company. Together, those three have more of the stock than Musk does. Their stakes are worth well over $100 billion of a $700 billion company. They invest the money of retirees and pensioners and who knows who else. All of those people are pumping Teslas stock, a few dollars at a time. Even so, Teslas stock is bleeding out this year, as Musk gets negative attention for his practically limitless reign over much of the federal government. The S&P 500 has lost 12 percent on the year, but Tesla has lost a much grislier 40 percent. People are fleeing Teslas stock at rates that far exceed other stocks or the index funds that track that whole kit and caboodle. The effort to rein in Musk by crushing Teslas stock is now a major cultural movement. Its tactics are demonstrations at Tesla showrooms, flyers on windshields, posts on social media, and, for a tiny minority, property damage. Advertisement The movement hasnt yet arrived at what could be one of its most effective tools. Probably, this is because the movement is not a coordinated front between run-of-the-mill Musk opponents and financial professionals who would like to make some money off them while also maybe fighting Musk for sincere reasons. But eventually, it will get there. The biggest unturned stone in the battle against Musk is the one around exchange-traded fundsbaskets of stocks that you buy in a package, with the price updating all day unlike mutual funds, which for now give Teslas stock a useful insurance policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JPMorgan counts about 3,500 ETFs listed in the United States, holding more than $9 trillion in assets as of last October. There are only 4,300 publicly traded American companies, and that number has fallen hard since the mid-1990s as companies have gotten bought up, failed, or gone private. Just domestically, before accounting for thousands of non-U.S. ETFs, we are verging on becoming a country that has more ETFs offering various baskets of stocks than we have actual stocks. Advertisement There are ETFs for pretty much any concept a financial professional could dream up and sell to investors. The biggest ones track the whole stock market or the S&P 500 and have roughly half a trillion dollars in assets under management each. The market then gets much more targeted. There are countless industry ETFs, tracking health care companies or industrials or consumer staples or semiconductor or electric vehicle companies, or whatever else. Eventually it gets downright bespoke. You want the whole S&P 500 except for the Magnificent 7 companies that account for about a third of the S&P 500s value? A fund for that launched last year. Lately its losing much less than the broad market, in substantial part because Tesla is one of the seven companies it doesnt buy. The ETF market can also be mean, picking on specific people. One ETF just shorts stocks that famous investor Cathie Wood likes. For a few glorious moments, there was an Inverse Jim Cramer fund, long may it live. Advertisement Advertisement The idea seems so obvious that its head-scratching nobody with a big platform has so much as called for it yet: One of the best ways to sting Teslas stock, and Musk by extension, would be to create broad index funds that exclude Tesla and thus dont put their investors money into the stock. Advertisement Ideally, all Americans who have the good fortune to have extra money or a retirement fund match should be encouraged to put away what they can, and specifically to put it in broad market index funds. Those funds are a crucial source of demand for Teslas stock, though. If youd like to put your money to work for your future but think Musk is a threat to your countrys future, you might be taking some contradictory steps all the time. Advertisement What is to be done about this conflict? The most aggressive option for Tesla Takedown proponents would be to mount a campaign demanding that the Vanguards and BlackRocks of the world remove Tesla from their major index funds. That would be a bad and doomed option. The companies would not do it, nor should they, because they are offering index funds that track the stock market, and Tesla is one of the biggest companies on the stock market. Also, in less noble reasoning, these enormous asset managers are not going to pick an overt fight with Musk and by extension the entire Republican Party. (They are already on the back foot over woke investing, and this would get that party going again.) Advertisement Advertisement There is another option, though: Find a financial firm that wants to make tons of money by selling an investment product to millions of furious liberals while charging a reasonable fee, and demand that Trumps Securities and Exchange Commission stop them. It would not be hard, or counter to the rules that typically govern the ETF market, for an enterprising issuer to launch a fund that includes the whole stock market except Tesla. Theres already the one that excludes seven mega-companies including Tesla. Advertisement Its not clear that there would be any legal problem with launching an explicitly anti-Tesla ETF and marketing it as such. But perhaps you, a financial professional attuned to risk, want to be safe. Advertisement You could launch the Properly Valued Companies ETF, which does not buy the stock of car companies that have regularly traded at a price of more than 200 times their earnings per share. Who knows how many companies that would cover? Perhaps you could launch the Focused Bosses Fund (ticker: $FBF), which buys the whole S&P 500 except for companies whose CEOs also run other multibillion-dollar companies and hold government posts. Who could blame you for catering to investors who want disciplined management? Advertisement The ETF market will find a way to develop pretty much any product that people want to buy, even if that product is financially dubious. This one would not be financially dubious, and if marketed well, I suspect many, many people would want to buy it. If an ETF issuer gets more than $50 million into its fund, and quite possibly less than that, it should be making money by charging a fee of much less than 1 percent per year on its invested dollars. There are more than 50 million American dollars out there that are poised to find their way into a non-Tesla, broad-market ETF. Advertisement It would take some time for an offering like this to affect Teslas share price to an extent we would notice. But stocks go up when people (or index funds) buy them, and they go down when people sell them. Offering a break in the link between investing in the whole stock market and boosting Teslas share price would have the latter effect. Its also the sort of thing that you could imagine Musk spinning out over, causing him to go on late-night X tirades about. He seems like a pretty distractible fellow. Advertisement Advertisement Some of the second-order problems with this approach are clear. The clearest is that in the current version of the U.S. government, one that finds fresh ways all the time to enrich Musk, the SEC might never approve a fund that positioned itself so overtly against the worlds richest person. Thats no reason not to make the government say no, though. The opportunity is there for Musks opponents, the sort of people who dont already own Tesla stock or cars, to vote with their portfolios. The chance is also there for an investment business to profit, even cynically, from that desire. Isnt this just a matter of time? https://sputnikglobe.com/20250422/international-conference-commemorating-soviet-victory-in-ww2-kicks-off-in-russia-1121908680.html International Conference Commemorating Soviet Victory in WW2 Kicks Off In Russia International Conference Commemorating Soviet Victory in WW2 Kicks Off In Russia Sputnik International The mass heroism of the Soviet people and the efforts of every republic of the USSR were crucial for the Great Victory, said Sergey Naryshkin, Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service and Chairman of the Russian Historical Society in his message to welcome the forum participants. 2025-04-22T10:37+0000 2025-04-22T10:37+0000 2025-04-22T10:37+0000 world wwii wwii victory day great patriotic war russia commonwealth of independent states sergey naryshkin https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102377/85/1023778516_0:205:2912:1843_1920x0_80_0_0_aeb990f2c0c7a65626e4558ed1df53f6.jpg The mass heroism of the Soviet people and the efforts of every republic of the USSR were crucial for the Great Victory, said Sergey Naryshkin, Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service and Chairman of the Russian Historical Society in his message to welcome the forum participants.Millions worldwide continue to preserve the memories of the Great War, despite attempts to politicize or even rewrite history, the intelligence chief stressed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250409/cutting-hitlers-last-lifeline-why-control-of-the-baltic-was-crucial-to-wwii-victory-1121846933.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International world war 2, ww2, ww2 victory, great patriotic war, great war, soveiet union great patriotic war https://sputnikglobe.com/20250422/ruling-georgian-dream-party-says-nothing-will-make-it-drag-country-into-war-1121908280.html Ruling Georgian Dream Party Says Nothing Will Make It Drag Country Into War Ruling Georgian Dream Party Says Nothing Will Make It Drag Country Into War Sputnik International No blackmail, threats or sanctions will be able to force the current Georgian government to drag the country into a war, the ruling Georgian Dream party said on Monday. 2025-04-22T04:52+0000 2025-04-22T04:52+0000 2025-04-22T04:52+0000 world georgia european union (eu) georgian dream irakli kobakhidze proxy war nato war https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/02/1121073966_0:207:2905:1841_1920x0_80_0_0_e81f2bac7fb8bce899476150dafffd95.jpg "No threats, blackmail, sanctions or statements can force the Georgian Dream government to drag Georgia into war," the party said in a statement marking its 13th anniversary. The current Georgian government is the first one since the time the country seceded from the Soviet Union in 1991 that wages no war, the party also said. Since the Georgian Dream came to power in 2012, Georgia has had a democratic constitution, freedom of speech and fair elections, the statement also read. Torture and inhuman treatment of people are prevented, and human rights are protected in Georgia, the party added. Georgia will be more prepared to join the European Union by 2030 than any other candidate country despite "European bureaucracy still blackmailing Georgia and trying to bring undemocratic forces back to power," according to the statement. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said in November 2024 that his government had decided not to pursue the opening of EU accession negotiations before 2028 and to reject EU financial support. This triggered a wave of protests from the country's opposition. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241027/georgian-dreams-win-is-undisputable-and-mass-protests-in-tbilisi-are-unlikely---analyst--1120695680.html georgia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International georgian dream party, dream party, georgian government, proxy war, war against russia, russian-georgian war, russian-georgian conflict, georgian attack on russia, russian peacekeepers, nato proxy war, color revolution https://sputnikglobe.com/20250422/trumps-plan-on-ukraine-may-include-deploying-european-forces---reports-1121910502.html Trump's Plan on Ukraine May Include Deploying European Forces - Reports Trump's Plan on Ukraine May Include Deploying European Forces - Reports Sputnik International US President Donald Trump's plan for a Ukrainian settlement may include the deployment of European forces to Ukraine to enforce a ceasefire, the New York Post reported, citing a senior US administration official. 2025-04-22T11:09+0000 2025-04-22T11:09+0000 2025-04-22T11:09+0000 world ukrainian crisis donald trump https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/0f/1107454899_0:0:3055:1719_1920x0_80_0_0_592a7f74a829f32b0127241b399b1c7c.jpg On Monday, Trump said he would provide full details on the progress of Ukraine peace talks over the next three days. Another option under discussion is a separate peacekeeping force in the form of a joint commission, which would involve Russia, Ukraine and a non-NATO country, in order to monitor the frontline and ensure a ceasefire is respected, the newspaper reported. At the same time, Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, could reportedly present a final proposal to Russia this week, which could possibly include the partial lifting of sanctions. Meanwhile, a senior official told the New York Post that during last week's talks with Washington, Kiev was particularly concerned about the part of the agreement related to the territorial issue, referring to the regions that became part of Russia following referendums. Ukraine reportedly seemed "willing to give up 20%" of the land as part of the conflict settlement as long as it was considered a "de facto" rather than "de jure" recognition. On Friday, Trump said that Washington would step aside if either party to the Ukraine conflict stalled peace talks. Later, he expressed hope that Russia and Ukraine would reach a deal in the coming week. On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Witkoff held talks on the conflict resolution with representatives from Germany, the United Kingdom and Ukraine, as well as with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Witkoff said he discussed the question of Ukraines territory during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 11, adding that the issue could be partly solved. On Saturday, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the US could recognize Crimea as part of Russia within the framework of a broader peace agreement between Moscow and Kiev, although a final decision was not made yet. In March, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the presence of NATO states' troops on Ukrainian territory under any flag and in any capacity, including as peacekeepers, was a threat to Russia, and Moscow would not accept it under any circumstances. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250421/trump-promises-full-details-on-ukraine-peace-talks-over-next-3-days-1121907091.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20250420/eu-does-everything-to-prevent-peace-in-ukraine---french-politician-1121900726.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's special military operation, ukraine crisis, ukraine conflict, ukraine hostilities Austin Sorrie came into the Monday, April 21 card at The Raceway at Western Fair District on the verge of a major milestone, and it didnt take long to get there. The 25-year-old reinsman surpassed $10 million in career earnings, needing just two of his three wins on the night to hit the mark. Sorries first victory came in Race 4 with Lookproud ($3.90) for trainer Mark MacQuarrie. He then hit the milestone in his next drive in Race 8, guiding Captainofrocknroll ($7.80) to a 1:55.2 victory for trainer Rachel Andrew, pushing his total earnings to $10,000,388. He wasnt done yet. In Race 9, Sorrie struck again, steering Better Than Never ($4.60) to a win for trainer Francis Guillemette. By the end of the night, Sorrie had boosted his lifetime earnings to $10,003,563, with 121 wins so far this season and 1,160 wins in total. Sorrie, who began driving in 2018, notched his 1,000th career win on Nov. 25. He was honoured with the OBrien Award for Future Star in 2020 and is coming off a career-best season in 2024, when he recorded 258 wins and topped the standings at Georgian Downs. Now off to a hot start in 2025, Sorrie currently leads all drivers in Canada for wins and looks to keep the momentum rolling. To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - The Raceway at Western Fair District. (Standardbred Canada) 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: Wikipedia Boeing plans to sell portions of its digital aviation solutions business to software-focused investment firm Thoma Bravo for $10.55 billion, the aerospace giant announced Tuesday. Boeing said it will retain "core digital capabilities" to enable fleet maintenance and repair services for customers. The transaction includes Jeppesen, an 81-year-old aviation navigation company that Boeing acquired in 2000. Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg has described targeted divestitures as a way to improve the company's financial position after a series of losses. "This transaction is an important component of our strategy to focus on core businesses, supplement the balance sheet and prioritize the investment grade credit rating," Ortberg said. About 3,900 Boeing employees work in digital aviation solutions, the company said in a news release. Boeing is working with Thoma Bravo "to help ensure as seamless of a transition as possible for employees" while continuing to serve customers, Boeing said. With some $179 billion in assets under management, Thoma Bravo describes itself as one of the "largest software-focused investors in the world." Shares of Boeing rose 1.2% early Tuesday. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Google contends the US is overreaching by asking a federal judge to order it to sell its popular Chrome web browser. US government attorneys urged a federal judge Monday to make Google spin off its Chrome browser, arguing artificial intelligence is poised to ramp up the tech giant's online search dominance. The Department of Justice (DOJ) made its pitch at a hearing before District Judge Amit Mehta, who is considering "remedies" after making a landmark decision last year that Google maintained an illegal monopoly in online search. "Nothing less than the future of the internet is at stake here," Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater said prior to the start of the hearing in Washington. "If Google's conduct is not remedied, it will control much of the internet for the next decade and not just in internet search, but in new technologies like artificial intelligence." Google is among the tech companies investing heavily to be among the leader in AI, and is weaving the technology into search and other online offerings. Google countered in the case that the United States has gone way beyond the scope of the suit by recommending a spinoff of its widely used Chrome, and holding open the option to force a sale of its Android mobile operating system. The legal case focused on Google's agreements with partners such as Apple and Samsung to distribute its search tools, noted Google president of global affairs Kent Walker. "The DOJ chose to push a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and America's global technology leadership," Walker wrote in a blog post. "The DOJ's wildly overbroad proposal goes miles beyond the Court's decision." The DOJ case against Google regarding its dominance in internet search was filed in 2020. Judge Mehta ruled against Google in August 2024. Ad tech under fire Google's battle to protect Chrome renewed just days after a different US judge ruled this month that it wielded monopoly power in the online ad technology market, in a legal blow that could rattle the tech giant's revenue engine. The federal government and more than a dozen US states filed the antitrust suit against Alphabet-owned Google, accusing it of acting illegally to dominate three sectors of digital advertisingpublisher ad servers, advertiser tools, and ad exchanges. The vast majority of websites use Google ad software products that, combined, leave no way for publishers to escape Google's advertising technology, the plaintiffs alleged. District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema agreed with most of that reasoning, ruling that Google built an illegal monopoly over ad software and tools used by publishers, but partially dismissed the argument related to tools used by advertisers. "Google has willfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts to acquire and maintain monopoly power in the publisher ad server and ad exchange markets for open-web display advertising," Brinkema said in her ruling. The judge concluded that Google further entrenched its monopoly power with anticompetitive customer policies and by eliminating desirable product features. Online advertising is the driving engine of Google's fortune and pays for widely used online services like Maps, Gmail, and search offered free. Money pouring into Google's coffers also allows the Silicon Valley company to spend billions of dollars on its artificial intelligence efforts. Combined, the courtroom defeats have the potential to leave Google split up and its influence curbed. Google said it is appealing both rulings. 2025 AFP (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). You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Former prime minister Stuart Young is leading the legal team representing former Central Bank Governor Dr Alvin Hilaire in his wrongful dismissal battle against the State. On Wednesday, Hilaire told the Express that his attorneys issued a pre-action protocol letter to the Attorney General and the Cabinet Secretariat. When asked by the Express to provide a copy of the pre-action letter and the names of his attorneys, Hilaire responded yesterday, declining to share the letter but confirming that Young is leading his legal team. A PRIVATE contractor is dead after an accident in Tobago. Police have identified the victim as Darryl Figaro of Black Rock, Tobago. He died on Wednesday after falling from a ladder while working at a private villa. An autopsy of Figaros body yesterday at the Scarborough Mortuary determined injuries were consistent with a fall, and it ruled out foul play. The body was previously identified by the victims daughter. My wife and I are in our sunset years and have been trying to deal with the many issues of our health, so our doctors have been giving us prescriptions for medication which is needed to try to control our health issues. We would normally go to distributors of the various medications that are prescribed, and purchase two months supply at any one time. Alas, we no longer can do this because of the recent ruling by the respective Government agencies, and now have to purchase these medications from registered pharmacies. Theres something irresistible about those infectious bebop rhythms from the big band swing era. They have a way of going through your ears and straight to your feet and even if you arent inclined to dance, you find yourself tapping your toes and bobbing your head to the beat and before you know it, youre dancing. Youre going to see that play out when Brice Winston strikes up his award-winning Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band at Wednesdays special big band swing era dance party on the Hotel Congress Plaza. Tucson Jazz Music Foundation and The Century Room are teaming up to celebrate International Jazz Day (April 30) and International Dance Day (April 29) with a big band swing dance featuring the Ellington Big Band and Naomi Uyama & Her Handsome Devils. The fun starts at 6 p.m. on the Plaza, 311 E. Congress St., with Minneapolis-based Uyama teaching beginning East Coast Swing/Lindy Hop dance lessons for all takers. Those lessons will come in handy when the TJI ensemble takes the stage. Its not often we see the players perform outside of a seated event such as Fox Tucson Theatre, DesertView Performing Arts Center in SaddleBrooke or Hotel Congresss Century Room; dont be shocked if a few of them have a little extra groove to their step. Once the music starts, the Arizona Swing Cats, the University of Arizona student-run Lindy-Hop club, will be on hand to get the dance started and step in as dance partners if you need one. Uyama and her band will play the dances second half, which runs until 10 p.m. Wednesdays event is a precursor to the Ellington Big Bands trip to New York City next month to compete for the ninth time in the prestigious Essentially Ellington high school big band competition at Lincoln Center. The TJI ensemble has taken home five first-place prizes and finished in the top three in the other competitions. This years competition May 7-11 features 31 bands including ensembles from Spain, Australia and Japan. The competition, often described as the Super Bowl of high school big bands, is organized and produced by Jazz at Lincoln Centers Jazz Academy, directed by Wynton Marsalis. Tickets for Wednesdays all-ages swing dance event are $20 for adults, $30 for preferred seats, and $10 for students with ID. Its free for anyone 18 and younger. Get tickets at hotelcongress.com. Naomi & Her Handsome Devils will be back at The Century Room on May 2 for two shows at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30, or $40 for preferred seats, through hotelcongress.com. Here are this years Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band members, who come from schools throughout the greater Tucson area: Saxophone: Itzayana Alvarez, Jaxon Hirsh and Theo Balzer-Partain from Tucson High; Ryan Burns and Keenan Sammani from Catalina Foothills High School; David Nguyen from University High School, who also plays trumpet and clarinet. Trumpet: Milo Fox from University High School; Alex Meuillet from Cross Middle School; Eli Trujillo and Daniel Valenzuela from Desert View High School. Trombone: Elia Johnson and Jayce Johnson, Desert View; Hallie Larriva from Marana High School; Joshua Parker from The Gregory School. Piano: Jacob Nguyen from Gallego Intermediate Fine Arts Magnet School. Drums: Ryan Robles from Nogales High School. Guitar: Diego Valencia from University High School. Los Angeles has its one-day Mariachi USA concert at the Hollywood Bowl, an event that has been going 36 years strong this year. Albuquerque will host its 34th annual Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque in July. San Antonio is right behind them when it hosts its 31st Mariachi Extravaganza in December. But those events have nothing on the granddaddy of all of them, the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. Its back this weekend for year 43 with five days of mariachi and folklorico performances, workshops and celebrations through Sunday, April 27. Its the oldest continuously operating mariachi event in the U.S., said Alfonso Dancil, chairman of the Tucson International Mariachi Conference board of directors. Even during COVID, we offered virtual workshops. We didnt have any events, but the conference is all about the workshops, he explained. He noted that the mission since the conference launched in 1982 has been to keep the culture of mariachi music and folklorico dance going not only with the young, but with the community. And thats what the community events are all about, he said. The conference holds several performances, including the cornerstone Espectacular Concert on Friday, April 25, at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall with the all-female Mariachi Femenil Nuevo Tecalitlan from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The ensemble has been around since 2013, when Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan director Angel Martinez launched it as a complement to his male ensemble. Both groups are headlining Fridays concert, which also will feature folklorico dancers, and will participate in the conference workshops, Dancil said. Nearly 40% of conference participants are female, Dancil said, which is why women in mariachi is the unofficial theme of this years event. Dancil said as many as 1,200 participants from throughout the Southwest, including Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego, Colorado and New Mexico will take part in the workshops. Classes will be held at the Tucson Convention Center and venues on its campus, including the Music Hall and Leo Rich Theater. Participants range in age as young as 8 in the beginners class, where they are required to have some musical experience and be able to read basic music; through advanced, which includes high-schoolers and college students. Registration is ongoing through Thursday. The 2025 conference kicked off on Wednesday, April 23, with the El Mariachi Canta Vocal Competition at the MSA Annex featuring the three finalists in the genres of Son, Huapango, Ranchero and Bolero. On Thursday, April 24, the spotlight turns to nearly two dozen youth ensembles, mariachi and folklorico, from grade school through college participating in the Armando C. Gonzales Student Showcase at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. Tucson is the birthplace of youth mariachi with its storied Los Changuitos Feos that started in 1964. Since then, mariachi has become part of the curriculum throughout Tucson Unified School District, including the south-side Pueblo High School whose mariachi ensemble, Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School, has gone on to national acclaim under the leadership of John Contreras. Alum of the Pueblo program went on in December 2021 to form Mariachi Nuevo Azteca, a professional ensemble that has performed around the country. Our music is a celebration of culture and tradition, and we are proud to share our passion with the world, the group said on its website. Finalists in Thursdays mariachi and folklorico competitions will perform at the daylong Fiesta Garibaldi on Saturday, April 26, at Jacome Plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave., where more than 20 mariachi and ballet folklorico ensembles including several from the youth showcase will perform from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for seniors 65 and older and children 8-18 through tucsonmariachi.org. Children 7 and under get in free. Most performers will have 20 minutes on stage, beginning with Mariachi Leon at 10:20 a.m. The schedule: Mariachi Los Potrillos, 10:40 a.m. Mariachi Los Caballeros, 11 a.m. Mariachi Oro de Rancho, 11:25 a.m. Mariachi Oro de Tolleson, 11:50 a.m. Ballet Folklorico de Tolleson Union High School Guinda y Oro, 12:15 p.m. Mariachi Las Aguilitas, 12:40 p.m. Cimarrones de Sierra Folklorico, 1:05 p.m. Mariachi Sierra, 1:30 p.m. Mariachi Nueva Luna, 1:55 p.m. Mariachi Los Dragoncitos, 2:20 p.m. Mariachi Los Toritos, 2:45 p.m. Mariachi Alma del Canon, 3:10 p.m. Compania de Danza Folklorica AZ, 3:30 p.m. Mariachi Innovacion, 4 p.m. Mariachi Orgullo Nacional, 4:25 p.m. Mariachi Pumas, 5 p.m. Mariachi Estrella Juvenile, 5:25 p.m. Los Changuitos Feo de Tucson, 6 p.m. Mariachi Olimpico de Roosevelt High School, 6:25 p.m. Mariachi Rayos del Sol de Tucson High, 7 p.m. Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School, 8 p.m. Mariachi Los Diablitos, 8:25 p.m. Canta youth winners, 9 p.m. Mariachi Nuevo Azteca, 9:15 p.m. The 2025 conference ends with a mariachi mass at noon Sunday, April 27, at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. The mass will feature liturgical music by a mariachi band, folklorico performers and a solemn celebration performed by the cathedrals priest, followed by the release of white doves. Fridays Espectacular Concert begins at 7 p.m. at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. Tickets start at $50 through ticketmaster.com.